Studio Quick Guide

Welcome to Stove Studio!

If you have any questions, you can contact us via the Stove Indie Support Discord channel (opens new window). (After entering the Discord channel, please first right-click on your profile on the right and click on "Edit Server Profile", then change your nickname to "Game Name Rep" or "Business Name Rep" in the window that appears).

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Please share your passion and efforts with STOVE users!

0. The overview process of Launching/operating the game on STOVE Indie

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1. Studio registration

• Create a Stove account. (Link (opens new window))

• Proceed with the application in the STOVE Studio (opens new window).

  • After logging into STOVE Studio, click [Sign up for Pre-launch].

    

• Register team information.

  • The team name is used/exposed only in the studio.
  • When the actual game is released, the name of the developer or distribution company can be independently entered.
  • For more information on the concept and management of the team, please refer to this link. (Learn more (opens new window))

• Create a Project.

  • Click [Register Project] to create a project.
  • Register the Project name, Project ID, and Game ID.
  • You can manage relatable products under the Project.
    • For example, if you plan to release additional DLC pack,
    • You can release each the main game and DLC separately by creating Game IDs under the Project you've created.
  • For more information on the concept and management method of the Project, please refer to this link. (Learn more (opens new window))

2. Contract (Paid sales)

• To sell your game for a fee on Stove Indie and receive payment, you need a paid service agreement.
  • To proceed with the contract, please confirm the following information and documents and forward them to indie.biz@smilegate.com.
    • Information
      • Game name
      • Genre
      • Company Name
      • CEO (Full Name)
      • Tax Number
      • Country
      • Contact info (phone number)
      • Company(residential) Address
      • Bank Name
      • Account Number
      • Beneficiary Name
      • SWIFT Code
      • Currency
      • Bank Address
      • (If you are an individual, provide your personal information on behalf of your company.)
    • Required Documents
      • Company registration certificate (scanned copy)
      • (If you are an individual, please provide a copy of your passport or national ID Card.)
  • After both sides of the agreement are signed, upload and request contract review through the Settlement & Contract>Contract menu on the left at STOVE Studio (opens new window).

3. SDK Integration/Age rating/Localization

• 3.1 Stove SDK

  • STOVE Indie provides an integrated service that developers can easily handle all processes of game release, including game distribution, update, and indicator management through SDK. STOVE PC SDK makes it easy to integrate the STOVE Platform Services into your game.

  • Please refer to the guides below to integrate the Stove PC SDK into your game build.

    • https://studio-docs.onstove.com (opens new window)

  • If you have any issues with the Stove SDK integration process or need technical support, you can contact us via our Discord channel (opens new window).

  • Once the SDK integration is complete, proceed to register the build. You can upload the build from the Manage build upload menu on the left.

  • If you are not in a position to integrate the SDK, you can launch using STOVE essential SDK auto-integration program called DRM MAKER.

    • How to use Stove Studio DRM MAKER (opens new window)
    • DRM MAKER does not apply to DLC. We recommend integrating the SDK into DLC if you want to use it directly.

  • 3.2 Age rating

    • Stove will support the game's review to provide a legal service for indie games.
    • You can use Stove Indie's rating system for All Ages, 12, and 15 ratings. (Read more (opens new window))
    • Games rated Not for Teenagers must be reviewed through GRAC (opens new window) and must include the following information
      • DRM-Free Build
      • Game documentation
      • Gameplay footage (early, mid, late game)
        • Include all endings in case of multiple endings
        • Attach explicit footage separately
      • Game language files
      • In-game illustrations
• 3.3 Localization
  • We will support Korean localization as needed to make the game more enjoyable for Korean users.
  • Translation file (excel file (xlsx)). The following information is required in the translation file.
    1. key/id value
    2. text type examples: System dialog, Settings, UI (reference image required), Achievements, Dialog (speaker required), Monologue (speaker required), Tutorial description, Item name, Item description, Cinematic
    3. translation files for other languages (if any)
  • Information about game content
  • The Korean language has a different style depending on the period, character relationships, etc. There may also be some unfamiliar homages due to cultural differences.
  • For this reason, the following information is required for a complete translation.
    1. character information
    2. character relationships
    3. vertical hierarchy
    4. period background information
    5. reference culture
    6. unique system information
    7. homage/parody information, etc.
  • Test Build or Steam key
  • Debugging build (cheat key or save file if not available)

4. Prepare and launch your product (paid sales, free Demo)

• Now, it's time to launch!
• Create a unique and attractive game page to showcase your game!
• Prepare your products according to the type of game you are launching.
  • https://page.onstove.com/indie_studio/global/view/6459721 (opens new window)
• When organizing your game page, please refer to the guide below.
  • You may not use videos, images, or texts that steal other IPs or violate public order and morals.
  • You may not use content that promotes or encourages the use of other platforms.
• Communication with Users (Communities)
  • You can communicate with users through the built-in community for each game.
  • The base game automatically creates a separate community for each game, and when you write a creator post in the community, it is automatically uploaded to the game page.
  • Game reviews written by users in each game community are also automatically uploaded to the game page.
  • Demo games can communicate with users through the review board on the game page.

5. Other

• You can check daily metrics to improve your game's performance.
  • How many users visited your game page,
  • How many of them made a purchase,
  • How many sales and revenue you've generated as a result?
  • You can also view in-game user activity metrics such as concurrent users and playtime.
• It's not just metrics. It's insights that can help you improve your game's performance.
  • Whether your game has a high or low conversion rate compared to the average of other games on Stovetop Indie.
  • Are your visitor trends similar to other games, or is your game unique?
  • Insightful metrics such as how much of an increase in purchases is due to discounts.
  • These metrics will be available once you have enough game data.
• Settlement data and amounts are available from the STOVE Studio.
  • Payments are made monthly, and we'll provide a detailed breakdown.
• Users can submit CS through the Stove CS Center (opens new window), which Stove operates.
• CS related to game errors/bugs will be forwarded to the studio, and you can write your response through the customer inquiry management in the studio.