Steam Next Fest returned in October 2025 with a showcase of upcoming unreleased games, giving players the opportunity to try demos, follow titles, and add games to their wishlists. Unlike Steam’s other promotional events, Next Fest focuses exclusively on unreleased content, providing a platform for developers to reach an engaged audience and grow follower numbers before launch.
According to Alinea Analytics, this year’s edition saw a diverse mix of games attracting significant attention. Developers that invested in polished demos and community engagement were the most successful at converting interest into Steam followers.
REANIMAL Emerges as a Leading Demo Experience
Tarsier Studios’ REANIMAL was the standout performer in terms of new followers, attracting 8,500 during Next Fest and bringing its total to around 45,500 since August 2024. The game builds on Tarsier’s reputation for atmospheric and visually distinct experiences, using handcrafted stop-motion visuals to deliver a cooperative survival horror experience.
Many of REANIMAL’s followers were already familiar with Little Nightmares, as nearly half of the game’s wishlisters had previously played the franchise. The demo allowed both existing fans and new players to experience the game’s unique cooperative mechanics, dynamic camera, and themes focused on humanity’s treatment of animals, distinguishing it from previous Tarsier titles.
Everwind Captures Fans of Sandbox and Exploration Games
Everwind by Bohemia Interactive gained 7,700 new followers during the festival, with a total follower count of 48,600 since September 2024. The demo saw active engagement from 14.2% of wishlisters, reflecting its hands-on appeal.
Everwind offers a first-person survival and exploration experience set above the clouds, combining building mechanics with skyship piloting. Its gameplay draws comparisons to titles like Valheim, Minecraft, and Zelda: Skyward Sword, while delivering a unique layered world to explore. The game’s focus on sandbox creativity and exploration resonated with players looking for a fresh take on survival games.
Games Gaining the Most Followers
Heroes of Might and Magic: Olden Era Shows Strategy Fans Are Engaged
Heroes of Might and Magic: Olden Era by Hooded Horse achieved 6,700 new followers, reaching 113,800 total since August 2024. A quarter of the game’s wishlisters played the demo, reflecting strong interest in this revival of the classic fantasy strategy series.
Olden Era emphasizes thoughtful, leisurely gameplay rather than competitive intensity, updating the familiar formula for modern audiences. Many players who engaged with the demo had previously played the remaster of Heroes of Might & Magic III, suggesting that the game successfully attracted both returning fans and new players interested in strategy experiences.
Systemic War Bridges Strategy and Real-Time Tactics
Systemic War, developed by Play of Battle, gained 5,000 new followers, with a total follower count of 12,200 since its Steam release in September 2025. The demo engaged 14.1% of wishlisters, highlighting the game’s appeal within its niche.
Systemic War blends grand strategy with real-time tactical combat, focusing on geopolitical simulation, economics, and military operations. The game’s regional focus on Poland attracted disproportionate attention from Polish players, illustrating how local relevance can boost demo engagement. The game’s depth and complexity drew interest from strategy enthusiasts looking for a detailed and realistic experience.
Starsand Island Appeals to Fans of Cozy Simulation
Starsand Island by Seed Lab added 4,600 new followers during the festival, reaching 21,800 total since May 2024. The demo was played by 7.6% of wishlisters and delivered a farming, crafting, and relationship-building experience with light adventure elements.
Its 3D anime-inspired art style and similarities to games like Stardew Valley helped attract players familiar with that genre. The game also saw higher engagement in China and Japan, reflecting both the local origin of the developer and the popularity of anime aesthetics in these markets. Participation in international events such as Tokyo Game Show and ChinaJoy further contributed to its visibility.
Tokyo Game Show
Insights Into Steam Next Fest Success
Analysis of the top performers reveals patterns that can guide developers aiming to increase followers and wishlists at Next Fest. Planning ahead is a key factor, including creating polished marketing assets, engaging with influencers, and building community interest before the event.
Demos that are stable, short, and representative of the final game tend to perform best, allowing players to experience the core gameplay loop without being deterred by bugs or incomplete features.Communication and transparency are also important. Clearly stating the demo’s availability and responding to player feedback through social media or Steam forums helps build trust and maintain interest.
Active engagement during the festival, similar to a mini launch, ensures that new followers and wishlisters remain invested in the game. Finally, maintaining momentum after Next Fest by keeping the demo accessible and incorporating feedback into the final release can convert early interest into lasting engagement and sales.
Valve supports top-performing developers by providing recap pages with metrics such as demo plays and wishlist counts, which can inform marketing strategies for launch and post-event follow-ups.
Source: Alinea Analytics
Here’s the list of all the games mentioned:
- REANIMAL – Tarsier Studios
- Everwinds – Bohemia Interactive
- Heroes of Might and Magic: Olden Era – Hooded Horse
- Systemic War – Play of Battle
- Starsand Island – Seed Lab
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
What is Steam Next Fest? Steam Next Fest is a week-long event hosted by Steam three times a year, showcasing upcoming games through demos, developer updates, and wishlist opportunities. Unlike other Steam promotions, it focuses on unreleased titles.
How do Steam Next Fest demos help developers? Demos allow developers to build awareness, gather feedback, and grow followers and wishlists ahead of the game’s full release. Successful demos are polished, representative of the final game, and engage both existing fans and new players.
Which games gained the most followers in October 2025? REANIMAL led the event with 8,500 new followers, followed by Everwind, Heroes of Might and Magic: Olden Era, Systemic War, and Starsand Island. Each title benefited from a combination of demo quality, established fanbases, and community engagement.
What strategies increase success at Steam Next Fest? Early planning, polished demos, clear communication, active engagement during the event, and follow-up efforts post-festival are critical factors for success. Building community interest before the event and leveraging metrics after the event also help optimize outcomes.
Does regional relevance affect demo engagement? Yes. Games like Systemic War and Starsand Island saw higher engagement in regions linked to their setting or developer origin. Local cultural relevance and genre appeal can significantly impact demo performance.
