- Offer itch keys for free when you buy the game/app on steam. Should be a no brainer, really. Don't ask or make it opt-in, just send the user the key.
- Keep mentioning the possible 0% fees, DRM-free games, the fact that's open source, and that every service it's free when it comes up on a discussion anywhere (basically guerrilla marketing). Obviously also mention that Valve charges 30% and it's only a subscription, you never own the games.
- Early Access? Say no to Steam, say yes to itch Refinery.
I think exclusivity is a terrible idea because it's not pro-consumer and Steam is pure pro-consumer. Best I can come up with, is that you can and you should release the game first on itch, then on other platforms after X time. But it's still a bad idea.
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But the reality of it all is that itch will never surpass Steam (or any similar platform) if they don't offer the "synergy", security (for big players) and economy of Steam, because there are almost zero big players here. For Ubisoft to release a game here, they will need a system to implement their stupid DRM because that's what they do - just one example.
Then, there's steam cards and achievements, the former being a HUGE pull for countries with lesser economies.
This could be overcome or circumvented if itch would to release their own economy system, for example, an itchcoin that could be farmed while playing/idling games on itch. It would be great if you could use such coins to purchase games here.... but then again if there aren't many big releases that will attract the mid-core crowd that itch needs.
And another thing that itch really needs to improve it's the landing page. As of 2018, it looks kind of amateurish, even with all the tools at our reach. The images on the right, allowing comments on the game's page... those are some things that really detract (from a producer/executive point of view) the big fish from being here.