Announce a date once you are confident you can hit it, and once you have checked the weeks around it.
Before you announce:
- Look for a calm week on your Release Radar, away from Next Fest and the big Steam sales.
- Leave room for the unexpected. Steam's review of your build, the last bugs and your marketing all take time.
- Line up something to share on the day: a trailer, new screenshots or a demo.
Why a firm date helps:
- Players and press can plan for it, and the announcement gives your followers a reason to come back.
- Your radar compares your exact week with the weeks around it, and your launch badge and card show the day.
Until then, a month or a quarter on your Steam page is fine. It shows progress without locking you in.
If you ever have to move your date, say so early and openly. Players take a delay much better when they hear it from you first.
Tip: our guides walk through choosing your release date step by step.