"Real Steam" status boosts game sales, needs "magic."

At the Game Developers Conference 2025, game marketing strategist Chris Zukowski shared his thoughts on how video games gain popularity on Steam. He described "Real Steam" as a special status that can significantly increase sales. Zukowski compared this status to "finding true love," emphasizing its importance for developers. Zukowski noted that for a game to achieve Real Steam, it must possess a unique quality he calls "the magic." He admitted he can't define what this magic is, but he can identify its effects. Successful games often see more wishlists and purchases when they display this special quality on Steam. He explained that entering Steam's promotion queue can lead to greater visibility, which is crucial for a game's success. Zukowski urged developers to monitor their game’s traffic to gauge if they have this magic. He believes that Steam is a powerful platform that can turn a game's special qualities into profit. Zukowski also stressed that games need to receive at least 250 reviews in their first month after launch to be successful on Steam. While he acknowledged this is a tough goal, he cited one game that managed to achieve it against the odds.