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How many wishlists should you aim for on launch day?

A new developer reflects on their launch day performance on Steam, recording 72 wishlists within 48 hours. While they express curiosity over the effectiveness of their pre-launch strategy, community feedback suggests they must navigate expectations and long-term engagement for real success.

By

Henry Thompson

Oct 11, 2025, 10:06 PM

Updated

Oct 12, 2025, 02:11 PM

Quick read

Graph showing game launch stats with wishlists and visits

Early Metrics Under Scrutiny

The developer's game page received 344 visits, with 208 marked impressions. However, some community members argue that such early metrics are not definitive indicators of future success. One commenter stated, "First day is not enough to determine if itโ€™s good or not. You should wait at least 10 days. If itโ€™s higher than 300, then itโ€™s good!"

Importance of Marketing and Community Engagement

Comments underscore that generating interest goes beyond mere numbers. A user stated, "Steam doesnโ€™t just throw people at your game unless you are already generating traffic yourself." This highlights the necessity for effective marketing strategies leading up to the launch.

Wishlist Benchmarks Revisited

Users have shared a breakdown of expected success based on wishlist quantity:

  • Bronze: 100 wishlists = $0 - $10,000

  • Silver: 500 wishlists = $10,001 - $249K

  • Gold: 1,300 wishlists = $250K - $999K

  • Diamond: 7,000 wishlists = $1 million or more

Community Insights

The sentiment surrounding the developer's performance is mixed, with cautious optimism. As one participant put it, "Getting wishlists is not as interesting if people donโ€™t tell you what they like," emphasizing the need for direct engagement with the audience post-launch.

Key Highlights

  • โ–ณ 72 initial wishlists within 48 hours

  • โ–ฝ 208 impressions noted, showing interest

  • โš ๏ธ Caution against relying solely on early metrics for long-term viability

  • ๐Ÿ” Community emphasizes engagement to maintain interest

In the following weeks, maintaining or improving wishlist numbers will be essential for potential sales growth. Experts estimate a 50% chance that this initial interest will lead to purchases, particularly if community feedback is properly considered.

Interestingly, the developerโ€™s experience mirrors the paths of musical artists who cultivate fan bases through grassroots efforts. Success depends on transforming initial curiosity into ongoing engagementโ€”something essential in both gaming and music.