What are the common features of the most successful games in terms of being found on Steam

What helps to extend the life cycle of the game in the modern PC market? This question was asked by the expert Simon Carless (Simon Carless). He highlighted several common features that are inherent in the most successful titles on Steam in terms of their findability in the store.Carless shared the results in his GameDiscoverCo newsletter.

It was on the latter option that Carless stopped. He admits that such a method may not always be accurate. However, with its help, you can find out which similar elements contribute to the success of the most “found” games on Steam.

In total, Carless identified six key features:

• online: if the game has an online mode or the possibility of co-passing, it will greatly help with word of mouth and streamers. In a pandemic-ridden world, people are actively looking for similar experiences;UGC: the ability to create mods or UGC content greatly increases the discussion of the game.
• These can be custom maps for Let’s Build A Zoo, vehicles for Trailmakers, or any other content;adding new features after release: if there is a clear roadmap before launching, the game itself does not necessarily have to be fully ready — the main thing is that new content is added to it that attracts existing and new players;
• sandbox elements: the more opportunities the user has inside the game, the more he will have the desire to try different styles of passing and express himself from the creative side.
• All this increases the involvement of players;role-playing elements or the ability to tell your own stories: most of all, this increases the interest in multiplayer games on the part of streamers.
• However, it is equally important for the players themselves to be able to play different roles and look for new ways to interact with the game world;Replayability: This includes all the elements that encourage users to run the game over and over again.
• This can be procedural level generation, multiple modes, or other features.According to Carless, we have too general and basic characteristics.

However, when discussing them, it is possible to highlight more new elements that involve Steam users more than others.

Carless also notes that adding all of these traits to the game does not guarantee success. There are many examples of completely single titles like Outer Wilds and Chicory, which have become hits.