Summer’s Steam Next Fest – a festival of demo versions is in full swing

In Steam, on June 15, the summer Steam Next Fest started – a large-scale online event, within the framework of which users were given access to hundreds of demo versions of new games. The festival actually turned the platform into a showcase of projects that are in various stages of development, but are preparing for release in the near future.

The event will last until June 22 and is accompanied by an additional program: developers conduct streams, demonstrate gameplay, discuss mechanics and answer questions from the audience. For studios, this is a way to test interest in their games, and for users, it is an opportunity to pre-evaluate projects before they are released.

Access to demo versions is now open

A key feature of the festival is that the demos are available right now and are free to download and run. In fact, Steam Next Fest already operates as a large early game testing ground where indie teams and major publishers present their projects simultaneously.

This format allows not only to demonstrate the gameplay before the release, but also to collect feedback that can affect the final versions of the games.

Variety of genres and notable projects

Projects of various genres are presented among the available demo versions. The selection includes the Ukrainian horror The Sinking City 2, inspired by the works of Lovecraft, as well as the fantasy samurai action Onimusha: Way of the Sword.

Valor Mortis – first-person souls-like in the setting of the Napoleonic wars, retro-shooter Warhammer 40,000: Boltgun 2 and mystical adventure 1666: Amsterdam from Patrice Desilet stand out. EMPULSE shooter with elements reminiscent of Titanfall and strategy with RPG elements The Guild – Europa 1104 are also presented.