The Final Steam Launch Checklist
Once a Steam launch date is set, everything seems to hit at once. Assets, page details, and build settings all need attention in parallel, which makes it easy to launch with one small item overlooked. This guide breaks pre-launch checks into assets, page, build, and the first week after release — for more detail on any individual item, the linked guides go deeper.
Asset Checklist
| Item | What to Confirm |
|---|---|
| Required capsule set | Header, main capsule, small capsule, and all other required sizes uploaded |
| Vertical / hero capsules | Composed separately for their specific placements |
| Library capsule / header | Images uploaded for the post-purchase library screen |
| Screenshots | Captured from the latest build, free of UI bugs or placeholder text |
| Trailer | Reflects the latest build, captions and music properly licensed |
Exact capsule sizes are covered in Steam Store Graphic Sizes: The Complete 2026 Guide.
Page Checklist
| Item | What to Confirm |
|---|---|
| Short and full description | Reflects the current game, free of typos |
| Tags | Accurate tags placed near the front of the list |
| System requirements | Updated to specs actually tested on the latest build |
| Age rating | Rating questionnaire or submission completed |
| Pricing | Base price, regional pricing, and any launch discount finalized |
| Supported languages | Listed languages match what's actually in the game |
Build Checklist
| Item | What to Confirm |
|---|---|
| Depot setup | Depots correctly separated by OS |
| Branch settings | Launch build correctly tied to the default branch, not mixed up with a test branch |
| Build playtest | Downloaded and played start to finish to confirm it works |
| Release timing | Auto-release time set correctly for your target time zone |
| DLC / achievements | Properly linked to the launch build, if applicable |
First Week After Launch
| Item | Details |
|---|---|
| Monitor reviews and bug reports | Track early player reaction closely and respond fast to critical bugs |
| Respond in the community hub | Direct developer responses to early questions build trust |
| Use social channels / press kit | Spread launch news and handle press or creator inquiries |
| Check sales and traffic data | Use Steamworks stats to see which channels actually drive purchases |
| Have a hotfix plan ready | Keep capacity available for crashes or blocking bugs found right after launch |
If You Need to Revisit the Full Prep Process
For the full sequence of how to prepare assets, page copy, and the build from scratch, start with How to Build a Steam Store Page: A Step-by-Step Guide. Treat this checklist as the final pass you run once that whole process is done, right before launch.
If you still have capsule resizing left to do at this stage, StoreShot's PC/Steam category can re-export every required size, including the three required capsules, in one pass — useful for saving time during this final review.
Takeaway
Pre-launch review breaks down into three areas — assets, page details, and build settings — plus a plan for the first week after release. It looks like a lot at once, but working through each table one item at a time cuts down significantly on what slips through during a last-minute rush.