What's Happening?
The gaming industry is currently engaged in an effort to establish an official Steam tag for a genre of games commonly referred to as 'Survivorslikes' or 'Bullet Heavens.' Over 450 developers are participating in a public survey to decide on a definitive name for this genre, which includes games like Vampire Survivors. The initiative is part of the third Bullet Heaven Festival, which is running on Steam until December 11, offering discounts on related games. The organizers of the festival have highlighted the importance of a dedicated Steam tag for improving discoverability, which is crucial for both players and developers. The current lack of a specific tag means these games are often lost among other RPGs and action games. The survey has already
garnered over 6,000 responses, and the results will be presented to Valve after the poll concludes on December 10.
Why It's Important?
The establishment of a dedicated Steam tag for the 'Survivorslikes' genre is significant for several reasons. Firstly, it enhances the discoverability of these games on Steam, allowing players to find games that match their interests more easily. This is particularly important for indie developers who rely on visibility to reach potential customers. A specific tag can also help in categorizing games more accurately, which can lead to better marketing and sales strategies. For the gaming community, having a clear genre definition can foster a sense of identity and community among fans of these games. Additionally, it reflects the evolving nature of the gaming industry, where new genres and sub-genres are constantly emerging, necessitating updates in classification systems.
What's Next?
Following the conclusion of the public poll on December 10, the organizers of the Bullet Heaven Festival will announce the winning genre name and present their findings to Valve, the company behind Steam. If Valve accepts the proposed tag, it could lead to the official recognition of the genre on the platform. This decision could prompt other digital distribution platforms to follow suit, further solidifying the genre's place in the gaming industry. Developers and players alike will be watching closely to see how Valve responds, as their decision could set a precedent for how emerging game genres are handled in the future.
