home / skills / pluginagentmarketplace / custom-plugin-game-developer / publishing-platforms

publishing-platforms skill

/skills/publishing-platforms

This skill helps you align game publishing across Steam, PlayStation, Xbox, iOS, and Google Play by applying platform requirements and assets.

npx playbooks add skill pluginagentmarketplace/custom-plugin-game-developer --skill publishing-platforms

Review the files below or copy the command above to add this skill to your agents.

Files (4)
SKILL.md
15.3 KB
---
name: publishing-platforms
version: "2.0.0"
description: |
  Platform submission processes, certification requirements, and distribution
  across Steam, Epic, console, and mobile platforms.
sasmp_version: "1.3.0"
bonded_agent: 07-game-publishing
bond_type: PRIMARY_BOND

parameters:
  - name: platform
    type: string
    required: false
    validation:
      enum: [steam, epic, playstation, xbox, nintendo, ios, android]
  - name: submission_type
    type: string
    required: false
    validation:
      enum: [initial, update, dlc, patch]

retry_policy:
  enabled: true
  max_attempts: 3
  backoff: exponential

observability:
  log_events: [start, complete, error, submission, approval]
  metrics: [submission_count, approval_rate, review_time_days]
---

# Publishing Platforms

## Platform Requirements Matrix

```
┌─────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────┐
│ STEAM                                                        │
├─────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────┤
│ □ Steamworks SDK integration                                │
│ □ Achievements, Cloud Saves, Trading Cards                  │
│ □ Store assets:                                              │
│   • Header (460x215)                                        │
│   • Capsule (231x87, 467x181, 616x353)                     │
│   • Screenshots (1920x1080 min, 5+ required)               │
│   • Trailer (MP4, 1080p recommended)                        │
│ □ Age rating (IARC)                                         │
│ □ Review time: 1-5 business days                           │
└─────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────┘

┌─────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────┐
│ PLAYSTATION                                                  │
├─────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────┤
│ □ PlayStation Partners registration                         │
│ □ DevKit access                                              │
│ □ TRC (Technical Requirements Checklist)                    │
│ □ Trophies (Platinum, Gold, Silver, Bronze)                │
│ □ ESRB/PEGI rating certificate                              │
│ □ Accessibility features                                    │
│ □ Certification: 2-4 weeks                                  │
│ □ Slot fee required                                         │
└─────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────┘

┌─────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────┐
│ XBOX                                                         │
├─────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────┤
│ □ Xbox Partner Center access                                │
│ □ XR (Xbox Requirements) compliance                         │
│ □ Achievements (1000G base game)                            │
│ □ Smart Delivery support                                    │
│ □ Game Pass consideration                                   │
│ □ Certification: 1-3 weeks                                  │
└─────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────┘

┌─────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────┐
│ iOS APP STORE                                                │
├─────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────┤
│ □ Apple Developer Program ($99/year)                        │
│ □ App Store Connect setup                                   │
│ □ App icons (1024x1024)                                     │
│ □ Screenshots per device size                               │
│ □ Privacy policy URL                                        │
│ □ App Review Guidelines compliance                          │
│ □ IAP testing with sandbox                                  │
│ □ Review time: 24-48 hours (typically)                     │
└─────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────┘

┌─────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────┐
│ GOOGLE PLAY                                                  │
├─────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────┤
│ □ Google Play Console ($25 one-time)                        │
│ □ App signing with Play App Signing                         │
│ □ Store listing assets                                      │
│ □ Content rating questionnaire                              │
│ □ Data safety form                                          │
│ □ Target API level compliance                               │
│ □ Review time: Hours to 7 days                             │
└─────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────┘
```

## Steam Integration

```csharp
// ✅ Production-Ready: Steamworks Integration
public class SteamManager : MonoBehaviour
{
    public static SteamManager Instance { get; private set; }
    public static bool Initialized { get; private set; }

    [SerializeField] private uint _appId = 480; // Test app ID

    private void Awake()
    {
        if (Instance != null) { Destroy(gameObject); return; }
        Instance = this;
        DontDestroyOnLoad(gameObject);

        try
        {
            if (SteamAPI.RestartAppIfNecessary(new AppId_t(_appId)))
            {
                Application.Quit();
                return;
            }

            Initialized = SteamAPI.Init();
            if (!Initialized)
            {
                Debug.LogError("[Steam] Failed to initialize. Is Steam running?");
                return;
            }

            Debug.Log($"[Steam] Initialized. User: {SteamFriends.GetPersonaName()}");
        }
        catch (System.Exception e)
        {
            Debug.LogError($"[Steam] Exception: {e.Message}");
        }
    }

    private void Update()
    {
        if (Initialized)
            SteamAPI.RunCallbacks();
    }

    public void UnlockAchievement(string achievementId)
    {
        if (!Initialized) return;

        SteamUserStats.SetAchievement(achievementId);
        SteamUserStats.StoreStats();
    }

    private void OnApplicationQuit()
    {
        if (Initialized)
            SteamAPI.Shutdown();
    }
}
```

## Submission Checklist

```
PRE-SUBMISSION CHECKLIST:
┌─────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────┐
│  BUILD PREPARATION:                                          │
│  □ Final QA pass completed                                  │
│  □ All known critical bugs fixed                            │
│  □ Performance targets met                                  │
│  □ Build size optimized                                     │
│  □ Version number updated                                   │
├─────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────┤
│  STORE ASSETS:                                               │
│  □ All required images uploaded                             │
│  □ Trailer uploaded and reviewed                            │
│  □ Store description finalized                              │
│  □ Tags and categories set                                  │
│  □ Pricing configured                                       │
├─────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────┤
│  LEGAL/COMPLIANCE:                                           │
│  □ Age rating obtained                                      │
│  □ Privacy policy published                                 │
│  □ EULA prepared (if needed)                                │
│  □ Copyright/trademark cleared                              │
├─────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────┤
│  PLATFORM-SPECIFIC:                                          │
│  □ SDK properly integrated                                  │
│  □ Achievements/trophies configured                         │
│  □ Cloud save working                                       │
│  □ Platform TRC/XR requirements checked                     │
└─────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────┘
```

## 🔧 Troubleshooting

```
┌─────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────┐
│ PROBLEM: Steam review rejected                              │
├─────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────┤
│ COMMON REASONS:                                              │
│ • Incorrect content descriptors                             │
│ • Missing EULA/privacy policy                               │
│ • Store assets don't meet specs                             │
│ • Build crashes on launch                                   │
├─────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────┤
│ SOLUTIONS:                                                   │
│ → Read rejection reason carefully                           │
│ → Update specific items mentioned                           │
│ → Retest before resubmitting                                │
└─────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────┘

┌─────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────┐
│ PROBLEM: Console certification failed                       │
├─────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────┤
│ COMMON REASONS:                                              │
│ • TRC/XR violation                                          │
│ • Crash during suspend/resume                               │
│ • Memory usage exceeds limits                               │
│ • Missing required features                                 │
├─────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────┤
│ SOLUTIONS:                                                   │
│ → Address each failure point specifically                   │
│ → Rerun full certification tests locally                    │
│ → Document fixes for future submissions                     │
└─────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────┘

┌─────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────┐
│ PROBLEM: App Store rejection                                │
├─────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────┤
│ COMMON REASONS:                                              │
│ • Guideline 4.3 (spam/duplicate)                            │
│ • IAP issues                                                │
│ • Privacy concerns                                          │
│ • Crashes or bugs                                           │
├─────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────┤
│ SOLUTIONS:                                                   │
│ → Review App Store Guidelines                               │
│ → Appeal if rejection seems incorrect                       │
│ → Request phone call with reviewer                          │
└─────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────┘
```

## Platform Comparison

| Platform | Fee | Revenue Share | Review Time |
|----------|-----|---------------|-------------|
| Steam | $100/game | 70/30 (scaling) | 1-5 days |
| Epic | None | 88/12 | 1-2 weeks |
| PlayStation | Slot fee | 70/30 | 2-4 weeks |
| Xbox | Free (ID@Xbox) | 70/30 | 1-3 weeks |
| iOS | $99/year | 70/30 (85/15) | 1-2 days |
| Android | $25 one-time | 85/15 | Hours-7 days |

---

**Use this skill**: When publishing games, meeting platform requirements, or distributing across platforms.

Overview

This skill helps game teams prepare and navigate submission, certification, and distribution across Steam, Epic, PlayStation, Xbox, iOS, and Google Play. It consolidates platform requirements, store asset specs, certification timelines, and a step-by-step submission checklist to reduce rejections and speed time-to-market. Use it to align builds, legal, and marketing assets with each platform’s expectations.

How this skill works

The skill inspects platform-specific requirements and maps them to a pre-submission checklist covering build readiness, store assets, legal/compliance, and SDK integration. It highlights common certification failure points, prioritizes fixes, and suggests practical remedies for rejections. It also summarizes typical review times, fees, and revenue splits so teams can plan release windows and budgeting.

When to use it

  • Preparing a release candidate for one or multiple platforms
  • Creating a platform-specific store listing and visual assets
  • Verifying SDKs (Steamworks, console SDKs, mobile frameworks) are integrated
  • Responding to a platform rejection or failed certification
  • Planning timelines and budgeting for fees and review windows

Best practices

  • Run a final QA pass with certification-style tests (suspend/resume, memory limits, IAP flows)
  • Follow each store's asset specs precisely (sizes, formats, trailer resolution)
  • Publish a privacy policy and obtain age ratings before submission
  • Document fixes after any rejection and retest the exact failure scenario
  • Automate build versioning and build-size checks to avoid simple rejections

Example use cases

  • Preparing a Steam build with Steamworks achievements, cloud saves, and required store images
  • Submitting a console build and running TRC/XR checks to avoid certification failures
  • Configuring iOS App Store assets, IAP sandbox testing, and privacy/data disclosures
  • Uploading an Android build with Play App Signing, data safety form, and target API compliance
  • Estimating release schedule considering review times and slot/registration fees

FAQ

How long does certification usually take?

Typical review times vary: Steam 1–5 days, Epic 1–2 weeks, PlayStation 2–4 weeks, Xbox 1–3 weeks, iOS 1–2 days, Google Play hours–7 days; plan buffer time.

What triggers the most common rejections?

Common causes are crashes on launch, missing privacy/EULA, incorrect store assets, guideline violations (e.g., duplicate content), and failing TRC/XR checks on consoles.