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(+1)

I see, so should I open other thread just mentioning this issue with the steam key? Aside from that the game is not reachable through search, and is not listed anywhere, I know as you said things have been a little slow lastly so in any case if you can point me to do other thing Im open to any other ideas as I have spent a  lot of time making this game and I would like it to be present here

(+2)

Yes, a new topic with a suitable title will let people who can help with that particular issue spot it more easily.

As for your game's visibility, now I notice something: you're not, in fact, selling the actual game but only a Steam key. Or rather, the instructions for how to get one. This is strongly frowned upon here, and it's likely that our admins simply didn't approve your game for inclusion in searches. Can't believe I missed this detail until now. You'd be better served by removing any downloads and the minimum price, and using the dedicated field to show a proper Steam button on your game page.

(+1)

Thanks a lot for your continuous help, Im sorry I did it the wrong way, never pretended to make things the way they are not accepted here, I removed the file, but Im not sure about the minimum price you mentioned, if its on sale here (the key not the actual game files) then shouldnt I keep a minimum price? Steam strongly remarks that I cant sell on lower price outside Steam and so I fixed same price. I think the Steam button should be there (well I see a Steam link dont know if I should show other button), tried on my friends account and the Steam key is not show yet, as you said this is separated issue, but just to know if all is fixed to make the game appear in search I wonder if all is correct now

(1 edit) (+2)

Well, it's not on sale, is it? Since you're not selling the game here. But look on your game's edit page, under App store links. (Edit: below the tags.) You can use those to show a nice big button that sends people to Steam, and that's that.

Of course, it would be even better if you sold the actual game here and offered a Steam key on the side. We have an external key system just for that. But if you don't want to, that's fine.

I see the Steam link that you mentioned, I think I configured this right (I see a link to Steam in game details think thats the way its suppossed to work) thanks for explanation.


And about the external keys, I think I need to ask something that maybe I got wrong, so is it allowed to sell here the Steam keys without having the game files here? like someone goes here clicks buy the game and gets the key alone?

(+1)

No, that's the link you already had, configured in the Metadata->External Links tab. And no, that's the whole point. External keys are meant to be given away along with a game sold here, so that people don't have to buy it again on other marketplaces.

I configured the steam link under tags where you mentioned in your other post, tried the metadata path and the link looks the same, well anyway its correct either way I guess. About steam keys, then I got it wrong Im sorry, I read in someone's post here somewhere that he wanted to sell only the Steam keys because of security issues, meaning that Steam theoritically makes it a bit harder for the pirates to get the whole game files and place them somewhere for the people to get, but seeing what you just said I think he was wrong too as its pointless in terms of security to have the keys if the game has to be sold here together with the game, right? then if I want to only spread Steam keys with the users I cant do much more here, right? I mean since its not on sale here I just can keep the game page that directs people to Steam but in that case I assume it wont appear in search or other lists as its not on sale, correct me if Im wrong please and again sorry for trouble.

(+1)

You're right, if you're not selling the game here, then the Itch.io page is only for marketing. Even if it doesn't appear in searches, you can still post devlogs, release announcements and so on. People can put your games in collections, and it will be recommended to others.

It's curious however that the app store link doesn't show a nice big button like it should. Are you sure you're putting the link in the right place? It looks as if you just duplicated the link in metadata.

I see, well I will remain like this for now, somehow I didnt use to fear piracy when I was making smaller games but now I have put like 2 years of my life in a game I fear that too much maybe so I prefer to concentrate the files in one place where theoritically they are a bit safer (although I know piracy reaches all places). So I will do as you said and for now keep the page there without anything on sale.

About the button its odd, as you said it looks like I duplicatted the button but I added the later with the metadata and the other with the link under tags but they look the same, I will delete both and retry just in case something went oddly wrong as it seems Im always doing these days

Also I found finally a thread I read a while back and they said back in the day that its possible to sell the key alone https://itch.io/t/169922/is-it-appropriate-to-sell-just-a-steam-key-with-no-down... I assume its refered to cases that can only be run inside Steam due to online server or other features? Im sorry to bring this as we already talked about this feature but somehow I dont understand what they say there since it seems to be impossible to sell here the keys only

(+1)

I think exceptions have been made in some cases, yes, but absent a reply from support, it's hard to say what your situation is.