How I Published My First Game on Itch.io (And How You Can Too!)
Are you dreaming of publishing your first indie game online but don’t know where to start? Don’t worry — I’ve been there too! In this blog post, I’ll share my step-by-step journey of publishing my very first game on Itch.io, the indie-friendly platform for game developers. Whether you’re a beginner game dev, an indie creator, or even someone who loves storytelling through Tamil or English books, this guide will inspire and help you take that exciting first step.

๐ก What is Itch.io?
Itch.io is a platform where independent game developers can upload, share, and sell their games. It’s easy to use, customizable, and perfect for both free and paid games. If you’re just starting your game dev journey, Itch.io is one of the best platforms to showcase your creativity.
✍️ A Bit About Me
I’m an indie game developer, author, and content creator. I write books in Tamil and English, and I also share content about game development, technology, and creativity. Making and publishing my own game was a dream come true — and today, I want to help you achieve the same!
๐ Step-by-Step: How I Published My First Game on Itch.io
1. Started Small With a Simple Game Idea
Before jumping into complex coding or big storylines, I started with something small — a short horror adventure game. It had basic mechanics, pixel art, and a mysterious setting. Remember:
- Start with a game you can finish.
- Use simple mechanics like walking, interacting, and collecting items.
- Don’t worry about perfect graphics. Focus on the feel and experience.
2. Chose the Right Game Engine
I used Unity for my first game because I was already familiar with C# scripting and loved the flexibility it offers for both 2D and 3D games.
๐ ️ Tip: If you’re a beginner, try Unity, Godot, or even simple tools like RPG Maker.
3. Designed and Built the Game
This was the most creative part! I:
- Created simple 2D assets.
- Used free sounds and music.
- Wrote a short story to guide the gameplay (my love for storytelling helped here!).
- Added basic interactions and a menu.
4. Tested and Fixed Bugs
I asked a few friends and testers to play the game. They helped me:
- Find bugs and glitches.
- Suggest improvements.
- Make sure the game ran smoothly.
5. Created an Itch.io Account
Signing up on Itch.io was easy:
- I created a profile with a banner, profile picture, and short bio.
- Uploaded my game files (Windows build in .zip format).
- Wrote a game title, description, tags, and uploaded screenshots.
๐ธ Tip: Good screenshots and a catchy title really help your game get noticed!
6. Published and Promoted the Game
Once everything looked good:
- I published the game.
- Shared it on social media like Twitter, Instagram, and LinkedIn.
- Added it to my personal website and blog.
- Made a YouTube gameplay video.
๐ Key Things I Learned
- ✅ Keep it simple and finish what you start.
- ✅ Use free assets and tools when needed.
- ✅ Focus on gameplay and story, not just visuals.
- ✅ Don’t be afraid to share — your first game doesn’t need to be perfect.
- ✅ Engage with the Itch.io community and support other creators.
๐ Bonus: Tips for Authors and Storytellers
If you’re already a writer of Tamil or English books, use your storytelling skills in game design:
- Write branching dialogues.
- Create characters with backstories.
- Design a game world with lore and mystery.
Games are a new way to tell stories — and your background as a writer is a superpower!
๐ฏ Conclusion: Your First Game Awaits!
Publishing my first game on Itch.io was a milestone I’ll always cherish. It opened doors to new creative projects, connected me with other indie developers, and gave me the confidence to continue building games.
If you’re a beginner or a creative soul, I encourage you to start your own game journey. Itch.io is your stage — now it’s time to shine!
๐ Ready to Start Your Game Dev Journey?
๐ Want a free guide or script template to help with your first game?
Comment “START” below or contact me — I’d love to help you!
๐ฉ Don’t forget to subscribe to my blog for more beginner-friendly game dev tips, storytelling advice, and tools for indie creators.
๐ฎ You can check out my games on Itch.io and my books on Amazon!
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