Reddit Community Analysis: r/playmygame

1. Data Sources & Methodology

• 369 unique posts after deduplication across 4 time periods (all-time, year, month, week), 4 pages each (16 raw JSON files)
• Date collected: April 3, 2026
• Subreddit subscribers: 123,211
• Score range: 27 to 986
• Median score: ~120 (estimated from ~185th ranked post)
• Top 25 threshold: ~424
• Top 50 threshold: ~340
• Top 100 threshold: ~272

This is a content strategy guide for distributing through r/playmygame. The dataset skews toward high-performing posts since it draws from "top" sorting. Posts that violate rules and get removed are underrepresented.

Cross-subreddit calibration: r/playmygame peaks at ~986 vs. r/IndieGaming's ~15,697, r/IndieDev's ~23,945, r/gamedev's ~33,563, r/macapps's ~2,029, and r/ChatGPT's ~84,058. With 123K subscribers, r/playmygame has a dramatically lower score ceiling than any other gaming subreddit analyzed. A score of 100 is a decent post, 300+ is a genuine hit, 500+ is exceptional, and 700+ is the rare viral territory. The median score (~120) is lower than r/macapps's (198), reflecting a niche community where even outstanding content rarely breaks 1,000 upvotes. This is not a visibility platform -- it is a feedback and playtesting platform.

2. Subreddit Character

r/playmygame is a playtesting co-op where indie game developers come to exchange feedback, not a launch platform for reaching consumers. This distinction is critical and explicitly enforced by moderators. A pinned mod post (score 156, ratio 1.0) by u/cacille states unequivocally: "We are not potential customers... Treat us as free-to-you Devs." Another mod post (score 213, ratio 0.83) warns that posts from devs who do not follow Rule 2 (give feedback to others before posting your own game) will be deleted.

The community has 8 explicit rules that shape every post:

1. Rule 1: Game must be playable for free -- free build, demo, or at minimum 10 keys given away to random commenters. This is enforced strictly; half of removed posts break this rule.
2. Rule 2: Include a description -- simply posting a video without context is not enough.
3. Rule 3: Include a direct link -- the game link must come first, socials after.
4. Rule 4: Decent quality -- no flappy bird clones, reskins, stolen IP, basic AI creations, or buggy unplayable games. The "basic AI creations" ban is explicit.
5. Rule 5: You must be the developer -- no posting your friend's game.
6. Rule 6: One post per month -- strict repost limit.
7. Rule 7: No NDA games.
8. Rule 8: Horror games require NSFW tag.

The community is overwhelmingly supportive but expects reciprocity. Developers who only post their own games without providing feedback to others are increasingly being called out. The mod's Rule 2 enforcement post generated 112 comments and a 0.83 ratio, revealing genuine tension between the "give feedback" ethos and the "promote my game" instinct.

Cultural values, ranked:

1. Reciprocity -- give feedback before asking for it. The community is actively cracking down on take-only behavior.
2. Playability -- your game must be playable NOW, not "coming soon." Demos, free builds, itch.io links are the currency.
3. Authenticity -- solo devs and small teams are celebrated. Personal stories of struggle resonate deeply.
4. Visual craft -- stunning or novel visuals get upvoted even from unknown devs. The community scrolls fast and rewards eye-catching content.
5. Anti-AI -- Rule 4 explicitly bans "basic AI creations." One post disclosing AI-generated art (Rocky Idle, score 108) included a lengthy apology for using image generation models.

How this sub differs from related subs: Unlike r/IndieGaming (gamers evaluating finished products), r/IndieDev (devs showing works-in-progress to peers with memes), or r/gamedev (text-based industry discussion that bans showcasing), r/playmygame sits at the intersection of playtesting and soft promotion. Every post must include a playable link. The audience is 80% other developers and 20% curious gamers who enjoy trying rough builds.

3. The All-Time Leaderboard

Median score of full dataset: ~120. Top 25 threshold: 424. The gap between the #1 post (986) and #25 (430) is only 2.3x -- this is an extremely compressed score distribution compared to larger subs where top posts can be 10-50x the #25 threshold.

4. Content Type Dominance at Scale

Key finding: PC (Windows) posts dominate by sheer volume (50%+ of all posts), but the highest individual scores come from [Web] flair posts. The #1 all-time post is a [Web] game (Debugger, 986). Web games have a built-in advantage: the community can play them immediately in-browser without downloading anything, which aligns perfectly with the sub's "play it NOW" ethos.

Surprising finding: "General" flair posts are memes about game dev life by u/SoggyPrior863 (575, 429, 237, 218, 95). Memes are NOT game submissions -- they are community bonding content that consistently scores in the top 10% despite not being playable games. This user single-handedly created a meme niche in a sub built entirely around game demos.

5. Content Archetypes That Work

Archetype 1: "The Novel Mechanic" (Score ceiling: 986)

Examples:

• "Debugger - game level created literally from game code" (986)
• "I turned chess into an endless runner" (631)
• "your whole keyboard is the game" (567)
• "i made the chrome dinosaur game in 3D" (563)
• "Bots Are Stupid: write instructions for robots" (562)
• "Have you ever dreamed about a game where you play as a Java Garbage Collector?" (277)

The pattern: A single, immediately graspable twist on a familiar concept. The title alone communicates the hook. These games take something everyone knows (chess, Chrome dinosaur, code, keyboards) and subvert it in a way that makes you think "I need to try that." The visual format (GIF or video) shows the mechanic in action within 3 seconds.

Why it matters for distribution: If your game has ONE novel mechanic, lead with it. Not "my game has lots of features" but "what if chess was an endless runner?" The community rewards concept density over production value.

Archetype 2: "The Personal Journey" (Score ceiling: 697)

Examples:

• "The last 3 years I've been working on my first game" (697)
• "I worked 6-hrs a day alongside a full-time job" (451)
• "4 years ago, my daughter and I had a car accident... that gave me an idea for a game" (366)
• "I designed Creep during my depression and heavy drinking days" (334)
• "Over 6 years ago I had an idea but couldn't code" (311)
• "After 5 years of game development, and loving dogs my whole life" (277)

The pattern: The title includes a personal timeline, sacrifice, or emotional origin story. These posts succeed because the community is 80% developers who deeply empathize with the struggle. The vulnerability is the hook -- it transforms a game demo link into a human story.

Why it matters for distribution: If you have a genuine personal connection to your game's creation, lead with it. "3 years" beats "try my game." But it must be authentic -- fabricated sob stories would be spotted and downvoted in a community of fellow builders.

Archetype 3: "The Visual Stunner" (Score ceiling: 876)

Examples:

• "Fully hand-drawn game, explore in 2D fight in 3D" (876)
• "THE SHORE lovecraftian horror, 16 months" (550)
• "Monster that can only be seen with Mirror" (375)
• "How It Started... How It's Going" (413)
• "I made a before/after shot after 6 months" (361)

The pattern: The visual content is so striking that the game sells itself without explanation. Hand-drawn art, dramatic lighting, before/after comparisons, and unique visual styles all perform. The community appreciates craft you can SEE, especially when it demonstrates artistic skill over AI generation.

Why it matters for distribution: If your game looks beautiful, let the visuals do the talking. Before/after format is particularly effective because it shows both progress and dedication.

Archetype 4: "The Playtest Request" (Score ceiling: 605)

Examples:

• "I'm looking for people who want to playtest my restaurant simulation game" (605)
• "I worked relentlessly to make my dream game... Would anyone be interested in testing?" (370)
• "I'm looking for testers. Can anyone help me?" (333)
• "Looking for player feedback on my THPS inspired racing game" (283)

The pattern: Explicitly asking for playtesters and feedback. This frames the post as a genuine request for help rather than promotion, which aligns perfectly with the sub's stated purpose. The highest-scoring version (605) pairs a compelling video with a direct ask.

Why it matters for distribution: Frame your post as seeking feedback, not promoting a product. This sub penalizes "buy my game" energy and rewards "help me improve this" energy. The difference is real and the community can tell.

Archetype 5: "The Dev Life Meme" (Score ceiling: 575)

Examples:

• "Indie dev starter pack" (575)
• "Solo game dev life" (429)
• "Reddit: Final Boss" (237)
• "How I feel when I have to do promotion for my game" (218)
• "Game dev IRL" (95)

The pattern: All by one user (u/SoggyPrior863), these are relatable memes about the indie dev experience posted with the "General" flair. They generate high engagement despite having no playable game attached.

Why it matters for distribution: Memes build community presence and name recognition. If you participate in r/playmygame through memes and comments BEFORE posting your game, you build credibility. This is the stealth distribution path.

Archetype 6: "The Game Jam Entry" (Score ceiling: 986)

Examples:

• "Debugger (Ludum Dare 47)" (986)
• "a relaxing game jam I made where you take photos of clouds" (302)
• "Have you ever dreamed about a game where you play as a Java Garbage Collector? (Ludum Dare 50)" (277)
• "We had fun making this Green light, red light game during our 48h jam" (423)

The pattern: Game jam entries have a built-in narrative of constraint ("made in 48h") that lowers expectations while highlighting creativity. The community appreciates the scrappiness and the jam context adds credibility.

Why it matters for distribution: If your game started as a jam entry, mention it. The constraint narrative makes any polish feel like a bonus.

6. Format Analysis

*Note: Many "IMAGE" posts are actually GIFs (redd.it images ending in .gif). True static screenshots are rare in the top tier.

What Format to Use For What

• Game launches/demos -- VIDEO. Every single one of the top 10 non-meme posts uses video or animated content. A 10-30 second gameplay clip showing the core mechanic is the standard. 68% of the top 25 is video.
• Game jam entries -- IMAGE (animated GIF). The #1 all-time post (Debugger, 986) is an animated GIF. GIFs are lightweight, auto-play on mobile, and communicate a novel mechanic instantly.
• Progress updates -- VIDEO (before/after). "How It Started... How It's Going" (413) used a side-by-side video comparison.
• Community memes -- IMAGE (static). All of u/SoggyPrior863's meme posts are static images.
• Text posts -- Avoid for game showcases. The only high-scoring text post is The Backrooms Game (377), which succeeded because it was a viral creepypasta tie-in with an extremely detailed description.

What Makes a Good Demo Video

1. Show the hook in the first 3 seconds. "Your whole keyboard is the game" (567) -- you see the keyboard mechanic immediately.
2. Keep it under 30 seconds. Most top video posts have no audio context -- they rely on visual impact alone since Reddit auto-plays muted.
3. Show gameplay, not menus. Not a single top-25 post leads with a title screen or menu.
4. Demonstrate the unique mechanic. "Spaceflux fractals" (743) -- the fractal space is visible instantly.
5. No talking head intros. Zero top posts feature a developer speaking to camera before showing gameplay.

7. Flair/Category Strategy

Platform Flair Hierarchy (by avg score potential)

Pricing Model Hierarchy

r/playmygame is unique among gaming subs because Rule 1 requires everything to be free or have a free component. This creates a specific hierarchy:

1. Free to play (browser) -- Most community-friendly. No download, no account, instant access. The top posts skew heavily toward browser-playable games.
2. Free demo on Steam -- Standard and well-accepted. Most posts in the year/month periods use this format. The structured post template explicitly asks devs to categorize their free status.
3. Free itch.io build -- Equally good as Steam demos, sometimes better because itch.io builds can run in-browser.
4. Key giveaway (10+ keys) -- Allowed but lower-performing. The 10-key minimum is explicitly stated in Rule 1.
5. Paid (Trailer Tuesday only) -- Paid games can only be promoted on Tuesdays with the [TT] tag. This is a significant constraint.

Title Tags

The community has evolved toward a structured post format (especially in 2025-2026 posts), but title tags are informal:

• [TT] or Trailer Tuesday -- Required for paid game promotion outside of free demos
• [Demo] -- Sometimes used to signal a free demo is available
• Platform tags in brackets are now handled by flair, not title

8. Title Engineering

Top 10 Title Deconstructions

1. "Debugger - when the game level is created literally from the game code" (986) -- Technique: Concept juxtaposition. "Game code IS the level" is a paradox that demands investigation.
2. "Fully hand-drawn game, where you explore in 2D and fight in 3D" (876) -- Technique: Dimension switch. Two contrasting modes in one sentence creates intrigue.
3. "Unsigned Character - dynamic platformer with ASCII-art and procedural generation" (770) -- Technique: Technical appeal. Naming the exact tech (ASCII-art, procedural gen) signals developer credibility.
4. "Spaceflux has a free demo, try out the fractals!" (743) -- Technique: Direct CTA + unique noun. "Try out the fractals" is both inviting and intriguing.
5. "The last 3 years I've been working on my first game..." (697) -- Technique: Time investment lead. The number creates empathy and credibility.
6. "I turned chess into an endless runner" (631) -- Technique: Known-thing-but-different. Takes two familiar concepts and mashes them.
7. "I'm looking for people who want to playtest my restaurant simulation game" (605) -- Technique: Humble ask. Not "play my game" but "looking for people who want to."
8. "Press Ctrl is FREE for a limited time only! Get it for someone you hate!" (584) -- Technique: Humor + urgency. The "someone you hate" twist makes it memorable.
9. "your whole keyboard is the game" (567) -- Technique: Extreme minimalism. Lowercase, no punctuation, one declarative statement. The confidence implies the game speaks for itself.
10. "i made the chrome dinosaur game in 3D lol" (563) -- Technique: Casual remix. Lowercase + "lol" signals this is a fun experiment, not a serious pitch.

Title Formulas

Formula 1: "I [verb]ed [known thing] into [unexpected thing]"

• "I turned chess into an endless runner" (631)
• "i made the chrome dinosaur game in 3D" (563)
• Best for: novel mechanic games

Formula 2: "[Time period] of [work/development], [milestone achieved]"

• "The last 3 years I've been working on my first game" (697)
• "After 4 months of full time development, I finally have a free demo" (371)
• "5 years of development and my JRPG is almost here" (327)
• Best for: personal journey posts

Formula 3: "[Adjective] [game type] where [unique mechanic]"

• "A platformer where you can't walk?" (369)
• "A game where you stop time and ride bullets" (316)
• "A Game Where You Play As A Morphing Meatball" (316)
• Best for: mechanic-first hooks

Formula 4: "[Simple declarative statement]"

• "your whole keyboard is the game" (567)
• "First game. Whatcha think?" (444)
• "My small game is released" (283)
• Best for: confident casual tone when the visual content is strong

Title Anti-Patterns

• Overly long descriptions in the title: Posts with 30+ word titles (e.g., "As a very unexperienced 17 yo student im trying to develop this small puzzle platformer..." at 294) score lower on average than concise titles. The structured post format in 2025+ moves descriptions to the body.
• Leading with "Game Title:": Recent posts using the template literally put "Game Title: Astriom" as their Reddit title (35). This is template-following behavior that strips all personality from the title.
• Wishlisting/Kickstarter asks in the title: Posts mentioning wishlists or Kickstarter in the title (e.g., "My game JUST HIT 10,000 wishlists!" at 55) score below average. The community interprets this as marketing rather than feedback-seeking.
• Emoji-heavy titles: While occasional emojis work ("Get it for someone you hate!" at 584), titles loaded with emojis correlate with lower scores in this sub.

9. Engagement Patterns

If your goal is VISIBILITY: Post a VIDEO with a novel mechanic in the first 3 seconds. Video posts dominate the top tier and generate the most upvotes. The average top-25 video post gets 540 upvotes.

If your goal is FEEDBACK and DISCUSSION: Post a video but frame the title as a question or feedback request. "Do you think this jump is too hard?" (272, 51 comments) and "Looking for feedback on my casual mobile title" (96, 87 comments) show that explicit asks generate far more comments per upvote. Some of the highest-comment posts in the dataset have modest scores: "Go Slimey Go! Web Demo" (72, 88 comments), "Added Global Leaderboards" (68, 121 comments), "Looking for feedback on our HD2D Action-Adventure" (77, 107 comments).

Highest-discussion topics (most comments regardless of score):

1. Rule 2 enforcement -- the mod post about deleting non-reciprocal devs (213 score, 112 comments)
2. Browser-playable games with leaderboards -- "Dwarf Legacy" (68, 121 comments), "My casual mobile title" (96, 87 comments)
3. UX design questions -- "Players didn't understand Angry Birds aiming" (51, 63 comments)
4. 4D/novel dimension games -- "4D Miner" (388, 100 comments)
5. Games offering keys -- Posts mentioning free keys in comments generate significantly more engagement

10. What Gets Downvoted

Ratio Tiers

Notable Low-Ratio Posts

Anti-Patterns

1. "The Infomercial" -- Posts structured like "Love X? Try Y!" or "Ready to [verb]? Try our demo!" (e.g., "Ready to ride a real dragon?" at 127, 0.96; "Love games like Getting Over It?" at 70, 0.71). The community is allergic to marketing copy.

2. "The Over-Promiser" -- Solo devs claiming to build MMORPGs or making outsized claims. "As a solo developer my first project is an MMORPG" scored 60 with a 0.77 ratio. The community knows how hard game dev is and reads grandiosity as naivety.

3. "The Rule Breaker" -- Posts without playable links, without descriptions, or requiring NDA. These get removed, so they are underrepresented in the data, but the mod posts about enforcement tell the story.

4. "The AI-Generated" -- Rule 4 explicitly bans "basic AI creations." Rocky Idle (108, 0.96) survived only because the developer wrote a lengthy confession/apology about using AI-generated assets. The community tolerates AI when disclosed with genuine remorse, but unrevealed AI art would likely trigger reports.

5. "The Take-Only Developer" -- The biggest cultural sin. Rule 2 enforcement means devs who post games without giving feedback to others risk deletion. The mod explicitly checks post and comment history.

6. "The Wishlist/Kickstarter Pitch" -- Posts that frame primarily around wishlisting or funding rather than feedback. "My game JUST HIT 10,000 wishlists!" (55) -- the community sees this as celebrating a marketing milestone, not asking for help.

7. "The Template Literalist" -- Posts in 2025+ that use the structured template format but put "Game Title: [name]" as the literal Reddit title. This strips personality and generates lower engagement.

11. The Distribution Playbook

Phase 1: Pre-Launch (2-4 weeks before posting)

1. Join the community as a player first. Browse r/playmygame, download 3-5 games, and leave genuine, substantive feedback comments. Rule 2 requires this, and mods check your history.
2. Provide feedback to at least 3 games before posting your own. Not generic "looks great!" comments -- real gameplay feedback. "I found the jump timing at level 3 frustrating because..." is what builds credibility.
3. Study the current front page. The structured post template (Game Title, Playable Link, Platform, Description, Free to Play Status, Involvement) has become standard in 2025-2026. Use it in the body, but NOT in your title.
4. Prepare a browser-playable build if possible. Web games have the highest average scores in this sub. If your game is PC-only, a Steam demo is the minimum requirement.
5. Create a 10-20 second gameplay clip showing your core mechanic. No title screens, no menus, no talking heads.

Phase 2: Launch Day

1. Title: Use one of the proven formulas. "I [verb]ed [known thing] into [unexpected thing]" or "[Time period] of development, [milestone]." Keep it under 15 words.
2. Format: VIDEO or animated GIF. 68% of the top 25 is video content.
3. Flair: Match your platform exactly. If browser-playable, use [Web] or [PC] (Web) -- this signals instant playability.
4. Body: Use the structured template. Include your playable link FIRST, description second, socials last.
5. Post timing: The dataset does not provide conclusive timing data, but most high-scoring posts in the year period were created on weekdays.

Phase 3: First 24-48 Hours

1. Respond to EVERY comment. This is a small community where devs interact directly. The highest-comment posts show developer engagement in every thread.
2. Thank players for feedback and describe what you will change. "Great point about the jump timing, I'm going to adjust the window in the next build" is the gold standard response.
3. Do NOT argue with criticism. The community gives blunt feedback because that is the sub's purpose. Arguing with it signals that you see them as customers to manage, not testers to learn from.
4. Offer keys if someone asks. Key giveaways are explicitly allowed and boost engagement.
5. Monitor your upvote ratio. If it drops below 0.90 in the first few hours, check whether you violated a rule or used marketing language.

Phase 4: Ongoing Presence

1. Continue giving feedback to other devs. The Rule 2 crackdown means this is not optional -- it is a requirement for continued posting.
2. Wait 30 days before reposting (Rule 6). Use the month between posts to iterate on feedback.
3. Your follow-up posts can show progress. Before/after format works well: "How It Started... How It's Going" (413). u/CaptSoban posted "Spider Pit" twice (373 and 303) and u/PaxInfinity posted "Bots Are Stupid" twice (562 and 376) -- both follow-up posts still performed well.
4. Participate in Trailer Tuesdays for paid game promotion. The Trailer Tuesday flair averages 310 score -- the highest of any flair category.
5. Consider cross-posting. r/playmygame is a feedback platform, not a visibility platform. Use it for genuine playtesting, then take the polished game to r/IndieGaming (15,697 ceiling) or r/IndieDev (23,945 ceiling) for broader visibility.

Community-Specific Comment Strategy

When someone says "This looks cool, where can I play it?"

"Thanks! Here's the link: [URL]. Let me know what you think of [specific mechanic] -- I'm especially looking for feedback on the difficulty curve in the later levels."

When someone gives harsh criticism

"Really appreciate the honest take. That's exactly the kind of feedback I need. I'm going to look at [specific issue] this week and see what I can improve."

When someone asks "Is this made with AI?"

Be completely honest. If you used AI for any component, disclose it. The community's tolerance for AI depends entirely on transparency and the developer's own creative involvement. Denial or evasion when AI is detected would be catastrophic.

When someone says "Looks like [existing game]"

"Yeah, [existing game] was definitely an inspiration! I wanted to add [your unique twist]. Let me know if you think [your twist] feels distinct enough after playing the demo."

Score-Tier Calibration

• Typical game demo post: 50-100 upvotes, 15-30 comments
• Good post with strong video: 100-300 upvotes
• Exceptional post (novel mechanic + great video): 300-600 upvotes
• Viral (community-wide resonance): 600-986 upvotes
• Realistic ceiling for a standard game demo: ~200-300. To exceed 500, you need either a genuinely novel mechanic, a compelling personal story, or stunning visuals.

Post-Publication Measurement

• Ratio above 0.97 in first 4 hours: You are in the clear. The community likes your content.
• Ratio 0.90-0.97 in first 4 hours: Some friction. Check comments for criticism and adjust your responses.
• Ratio below 0.90 in first 4 hours: Something is wrong. Check if you violated a rule, used marketing language, or if the game quality triggered Rule 4 concerns.
• High comments but low upvotes: This is actually a success scenario for r/playmygame. Comments = feedback = the sub's purpose. Some of the most valuable posts (77 score, 107 comments) deliver more actionable feedback than viral posts.
• If a post doesn't gain traction in 4 hours: Do not delete and repost. Wait 30 days and try again with a better video or different title approach.

12. Applying This to Any Game

Quick-Reference Checklist

• I have given genuine feedback on 3+ other games in r/playmygame recently
• My game has a free, immediately playable build (browser, demo, or itch.io)
• My title is under 15 words and uses a proven formula
• My video/GIF shows the core mechanic in the first 3 seconds
• My post body follows the structured template (Title, Link, Platform, Description, Free Status, Involvement)
• The game link comes BEFORE any social media links
• I have NOT mentioned wishlisting, Kickstarter, or "support me" in the title
• If posting a paid game, I am posting on Tuesday with [TT] tag
• I am prepared to respond to every single comment
• If AI was used in development, I have prepared an honest disclosure

Scenario-Based Launch Guides

If your game is free/browser-playable

Optimal launch formula: VIDEO post with [Web] or [PC] (Web) flair. Title: "I made [novel concept] - play it in your browser." Include the itch.io or direct URL as the first link. This is the highest-performing configuration in the sub -- browser games average the highest scores because the community can try them instantly. Key risk: Low-quality browser games still get downvoted. Rule 4 applies regardless of price.

If your game is a Steam demo

Optimal launch formula: VIDEO post with [PC] (Windows) flair. Title: "[Time] of development, [game description] - free demo on Steam." Include the Steam demo link prominently. Frame around seeking feedback for the full release. Key risk: Steam friction (requires download/install) means fewer people will actually play vs. browser games. Compensate with an exceptional video that communicates the game's appeal without needing to play.

If your game uses subscription or IAP pricing

Optimal launch formula: Post on Trailer Tuesday with the Trailer Tuesday flair. Provide a FREE demo separately -- do not make the paid version the primary link. Frame: "Free demo available, full game launching [date]." Key risk: This sub explicitly requires free playability. Paid-only posts outside of Trailer Tuesday will be removed. Even on Trailer Tuesday, the community expects a demo or trial.

If your game was built with AI

Optimal launch formula: Be proactive about disclosure. Include in your post body: "Disclosure: I used [specific AI tool] for [specific component]. All [other components] are original." The Rocky Idle developer's lengthy explanation about AI art survived with a 0.96 ratio specifically because of transparency. Key risk: Undisclosed AI usage is the single fastest way to get community-hostile treatment. Rule 4 bans "basic AI creations" -- if your entire game is AI-generated, do not post here.

Cross-Posting Guidance

r/playmygame is step 1 in a distribution chain, not the final destination:

• On r/playmygame: Frame as "I'm looking for playtesters / feedback on my [game type]." Emphasize the free demo and your desire for honest criticism.
• On r/IndieGaming (468K subs, ceiling 15,697): Frame as a visual showcase. Lead with your best gameplay footage. The audience is gamers, not testers -- they want to be impressed, not asked for help.
• On r/IndieDev (373K subs, ceiling 23,945): Frame as a fellow developer sharing progress. Memes, before/after videos, and "I finally did it" emotional beats perform best. The audience empathizes with the struggle.
• On r/gamedev (2M subs, ceiling 33,563): Do NOT showcase your game directly (it is against their rules). Instead, post a technical discussion about a development challenge you solved. "How I implemented procedural level generation in my puzzle game" is the format.
• On r/IndieGames (similar to r/IndieGaming): Similar to IndieGaming but smaller. Lead with visuals.

Use r/playmygame to get genuine feedback, iterate based on that feedback, then launch the polished version on the larger subs for visibility.