Ash Gwinnell
@ashleygwinnell.bsky.social
🧰 Indie game marketing tools guy – making impress.games toolkit!
😸 Press Kitty — free press kits
🤖 Coverage Bot — pr/influencer/streamer alerts
🚀 Launchpad — creator discovery & key distribution
🎓 Academy — marketing guides
He/him
😸 Press Kitty — free press kits
🤖 Coverage Bot — pr/influencer/streamer alerts
🚀 Launchpad — creator discovery & key distribution
🎓 Academy — marketing guides
He/him
Had to have this up for the first time in 4 years. So glad that worry is over now!
October 25, 2025 at 11:09 AM
Had to have this up for the first time in 4 years. So glad that worry is over now!
Migrated 99% of IMPRESS off AWS this week.
It wasn't affected by the us-east-1 outage or anything, I'd just ran out of credits and it was costing ~£1000/month which would have sunk me.
I tried to do it bit-by-bit but data-transfer fees kicked in and made it worse. 😂
It wasn't affected by the us-east-1 outage or anything, I'd just ran out of credits and it was costing ~£1000/month which would have sunk me.
I tried to do it bit-by-bit but data-transfer fees kicked in and made it worse. 😂
October 25, 2025 at 10:56 AM
Migrated 99% of IMPRESS off AWS this week.
It wasn't affected by the us-east-1 outage or anything, I'd just ran out of credits and it was costing ~£1000/month which would have sunk me.
I tried to do it bit-by-bit but data-transfer fees kicked in and made it worse. 😂
It wasn't affected by the us-east-1 outage or anything, I'd just ran out of credits and it was costing ~£1000/month which would have sunk me.
I tried to do it bit-by-bit but data-transfer fees kicked in and made it worse. 😂
Been posting every other day on TikTok this past week, seems to be going pretty well.
And I only screamed in one of them!
tiktok.com/@ashleygwinn...
Would you want to see vids posted here too?
And I only screamed in one of them!
tiktok.com/@ashleygwinn...
Would you want to see vids posted here too?
October 25, 2025 at 9:00 AM
Been posting every other day on TikTok this past week, seems to be going pretty well.
And I only screamed in one of them!
tiktok.com/@ashleygwinn...
Would you want to see vids posted here too?
And I only screamed in one of them!
tiktok.com/@ashleygwinn...
Would you want to see vids posted here too?
Tried to do some more advanced stuff but takes ages to process and I don't really know what I'm doing 😅
Here's similar to above but with clustering.
Here's similar to above but with clustering.
October 21, 2025 at 10:00 PM
Tried to do some more advanced stuff but takes ages to process and I don't really know what I'm doing 😅
Here's similar to above but with clustering.
Here's similar to above but with clustering.
Next up we have top tags by:
1. Average follower increase
2. Average follower increase as %
Hacking, diplomacy, war, MMOs, nostalgia, clickers and idlers, ... maybe reflecting the state of the world? 😬
Some only used in a handful of demos tho.
1. Average follower increase
2. Average follower increase as %
Hacking, diplomacy, war, MMOs, nostalgia, clickers and idlers, ... maybe reflecting the state of the world? 😬
Some only used in a handful of demos tho.
October 21, 2025 at 7:00 PM
Next up we have top tags by:
1. Average follower increase
2. Average follower increase as %
Hacking, diplomacy, war, MMOs, nostalgia, clickers and idlers, ... maybe reflecting the state of the world? 😬
Some only used in a handful of demos tho.
1. Average follower increase
2. Average follower increase as %
Hacking, diplomacy, war, MMOs, nostalgia, clickers and idlers, ... maybe reflecting the state of the world? 😬
Some only used in a handful of demos tho.
Here's the same but ordered by % change – skews towards lesser known games that found... just a bit more audience! ✨
October 21, 2025 at 6:34 PM
Here's the same but ordered by % change – skews towards lesser known games that found... just a bit more audience! ✨
Last one! Inspired by a chart Chris Z showed us.
This is the number of games currently in Steam Next Fest and their release weeks,
Y'all gonna compete for space next week!
But that's probably fine. can't time the market.
("Q4 2025", "November 2025", etc. excluded as seen in the second version)
This is the number of games currently in Steam Next Fest and their release weeks,
Y'all gonna compete for space next week!
But that's probably fine. can't time the market.
("Q4 2025", "November 2025", etc. excluded as seen in the second version)
October 14, 2025 at 11:08 AM
Last one! Inspired by a chart Chris Z showed us.
This is the number of games currently in Steam Next Fest and their release weeks,
Y'all gonna compete for space next week!
But that's probably fine. can't time the market.
("Q4 2025", "November 2025", etc. excluded as seen in the second version)
This is the number of games currently in Steam Next Fest and their release weeks,
Y'all gonna compete for space next week!
But that's probably fine. can't time the market.
("Q4 2025", "November 2025", etc. excluded as seen in the second version)
Tomorrow at 5pm BST, @heydanthomas.bsky.social and I will talk through our Next Fest Readiness Checklist.
Are you doing what you can to make the most of Steam's flagship festival event? Bonus Steam tips may be included.
Join us in Discord 👇 #indiedev #gamedev
discord.gg/63tZmEep38?e...
Are you doing what you can to make the most of Steam's flagship festival event? Bonus Steam tips may be included.
Join us in Discord 👇 #indiedev #gamedev
discord.gg/63tZmEep38?e...
October 14, 2025 at 9:42 AM
Tomorrow at 5pm BST, @heydanthomas.bsky.social and I will talk through our Next Fest Readiness Checklist.
Are you doing what you can to make the most of Steam's flagship festival event? Bonus Steam tips may be included.
Join us in Discord 👇 #indiedev #gamedev
discord.gg/63tZmEep38?e...
Are you doing what you can to make the most of Steam's flagship festival event? Bonus Steam tips may be included.
Join us in Discord 👇 #indiedev #gamedev
discord.gg/63tZmEep38?e...
If we only take the first 5 tags (the ones that matter), here's what we see.
Casual games not great. Platformers generally bad.
Not sure what to gleam from this, RPGs good? Maybe I should exclude top-level genres.
Casual games not great. Platformers generally bad.
Not sure what to gleam from this, RPGs good? Maybe I should exclude top-level genres.
October 13, 2025 at 5:41 PM
If we only take the first 5 tags (the ones that matter), here's what we see.
Casual games not great. Platformers generally bad.
Not sure what to gleam from this, RPGs good? Maybe I should exclude top-level genres.
Casual games not great. Platformers generally bad.
Not sure what to gleam from this, RPGs good? Maybe I should exclude top-level genres.
I can't get the order on this right, but here are tags as a % of how many games in each group use them.
Games with 10k+ followers: very few are 2D! Not even in the top 30 tags!
Games with 10k+ followers: very few are 2D! Not even in the top 30 tags!
October 13, 2025 at 5:32 PM
I can't get the order on this right, but here are tags as a % of how many games in each group use them.
Games with 10k+ followers: very few are 2D! Not even in the top 30 tags!
Games with 10k+ followers: very few are 2D! Not even in the top 30 tags!
Looking at the games with between 100-1000 followers (~500 - 15k wishes) these are the top 20 occurring tags.
"Indie" still very prevalent haha
"Indie" still very prevalent haha
October 13, 2025 at 5:18 PM
Looking at the games with between 100-1000 followers (~500 - 15k wishes) these are the top 20 occurring tags.
"Indie" still very prevalent haha
"Indie" still very prevalent haha
Data science time!
Most games heading into #SteamNextFest have between 10 and 100 followers. That's like between ~50 (low estimate) and ~1500 (high estimate) wishlists.
But you probably know that already. Anything you want to see?
Most games heading into #SteamNextFest have between 10 and 100 followers. That's like between ~50 (low estimate) and ~1500 (high estimate) wishlists.
But you probably know that already. Anything you want to see?
October 13, 2025 at 5:01 PM
Data science time!
Most games heading into #SteamNextFest have between 10 and 100 followers. That's like between ~50 (low estimate) and ~1500 (high estimate) wishlists.
But you probably know that already. Anything you want to see?
Most games heading into #SteamNextFest have between 10 and 100 followers. That's like between ~50 (low estimate) and ~1500 (high estimate) wishlists.
But you probably know that already. Anything you want to see?
I made a Discord bot that alerts you in real-time when Twitch streamers start playing your indie game.
...and it's 10% off for Steam Next Fest!! (Code: NEXTFEST10)
🤖👉 impress.games/coverage-bot
...and it's 10% off for Steam Next Fest!! (Code: NEXTFEST10)
🤖👉 impress.games/coverage-bot
October 13, 2025 at 11:47 AM
I made a Discord bot that alerts you in real-time when Twitch streamers start playing your indie game.
...and it's 10% off for Steam Next Fest!! (Code: NEXTFEST10)
🤖👉 impress.games/coverage-bot
...and it's 10% off for Steam Next Fest!! (Code: NEXTFEST10)
🤖👉 impress.games/coverage-bot
🚨 I know it's nearly #SteamNextFest so... warning time! 🚨
If you're an #indiedev and you don't feel your game is quite ready, you still have a few hours left to back out!
You only get ONE SHOT at this!!
If you're an #indiedev and you don't feel your game is quite ready, you still have a few hours left to back out!
You only get ONE SHOT at this!!
October 13, 2025 at 9:54 AM
🚨 I know it's nearly #SteamNextFest so... warning time! 🚨
If you're an #indiedev and you don't feel your game is quite ready, you still have a few hours left to back out!
You only get ONE SHOT at this!!
If you're an #indiedev and you don't feel your game is quite ready, you still have a few hours left to back out!
You only get ONE SHOT at this!!
Our Steam Next Fest marketing workshop with Chris Zukowski starts in ONE HOUR (6pm BST)!
The lovely @heydanthomas.bsky.social will be hosting!
Join us over in the IMPRESS Discord here: 👇
discord.gg/63tZmEep38?e...
The lovely @heydanthomas.bsky.social will be hosting!
Join us over in the IMPRESS Discord here: 👇
discord.gg/63tZmEep38?e...
October 6, 2025 at 4:01 PM
Our Steam Next Fest marketing workshop with Chris Zukowski starts in ONE HOUR (6pm BST)!
The lovely @heydanthomas.bsky.social will be hosting!
Join us over in the IMPRESS Discord here: 👇
discord.gg/63tZmEep38?e...
The lovely @heydanthomas.bsky.social will be hosting!
Join us over in the IMPRESS Discord here: 👇
discord.gg/63tZmEep38?e...
I've put together a checklist for "things you should be doing before, during and after Steam Next Fest" if you're an indie developer.
Check it out here and pls share if helpful! 👉 impress.games/steam-next-f...
#indiedev #gamedev
Check it out here and pls share if helpful! 👉 impress.games/steam-next-f...
#indiedev #gamedev
October 2, 2025 at 2:24 PM
I've put together a checklist for "things you should be doing before, during and after Steam Next Fest" if you're an indie developer.
Check it out here and pls share if helpful! 👉 impress.games/steam-next-f...
#indiedev #gamedev
Check it out here and pls share if helpful! 👉 impress.games/steam-next-f...
#indiedev #gamedev
Steam wizard Chris Zukowski will be joining us to chat Next Fest marketing strategies & best practices!
We're going to look at what you should be doing before, during and after the festival, so you can give it your best shot!
✨ Monday Oct 6th @ 6PM BST on Discord!
👉 Go: discord.gg/63tZmEep38?e...
We're going to look at what you should be doing before, during and after the festival, so you can give it your best shot!
✨ Monday Oct 6th @ 6PM BST on Discord!
👉 Go: discord.gg/63tZmEep38?e...
October 1, 2025 at 1:17 PM
Steam wizard Chris Zukowski will be joining us to chat Next Fest marketing strategies & best practices!
We're going to look at what you should be doing before, during and after the festival, so you can give it your best shot!
✨ Monday Oct 6th @ 6PM BST on Discord!
👉 Go: discord.gg/63tZmEep38?e...
We're going to look at what you should be doing before, during and after the festival, so you can give it your best shot!
✨ Monday Oct 6th @ 6PM BST on Discord!
👉 Go: discord.gg/63tZmEep38?e...
Indies! Are you prepared for #SteamNextFest? 🕹️
If you'd like a quick 10–step marketing sense-check, expand this post here: 👇 📌
If you'd like a quick 10–step marketing sense-check, expand this post here: 👇 📌
September 25, 2025 at 3:52 PM
Indies! Are you prepared for #SteamNextFest? 🕹️
If you'd like a quick 10–step marketing sense-check, expand this post here: 👇 📌
If you'd like a quick 10–step marketing sense-check, expand this post here: 👇 📌
August 22, 2025 at 7:23 AM
I'm exhibiting all things IMPRESS games marketing toolkit at #gamescom! ✨
I've not been in 10 years. 😱 It's going to be good... right?
Find me on the Ukie stand in the biz area, Hall 3.2!
Reply if you want to meet, or do the MeetToMatch thing.
#indiedev #gamedev #marketing
I've not been in 10 years. 😱 It's going to be good... right?
Find me on the Ukie stand in the biz area, Hall 3.2!
Reply if you want to meet, or do the MeetToMatch thing.
#indiedev #gamedev #marketing
July 31, 2025 at 1:06 PM
I'm exhibiting all things IMPRESS games marketing toolkit at #gamescom! ✨
I've not been in 10 years. 😱 It's going to be good... right?
Find me on the Ukie stand in the biz area, Hall 3.2!
Reply if you want to meet, or do the MeetToMatch thing.
#indiedev #gamedev #marketing
I've not been in 10 years. 😱 It's going to be good... right?
Find me on the Ukie stand in the biz area, Hall 3.2!
Reply if you want to meet, or do the MeetToMatch thing.
#indiedev #gamedev #marketing
Ten ✨ INCREDIBLE ✨ talks from IMPACT! Indie Games are now online!
From long-tail community strategy, making TikToks, Steam page best practices, 2d animated trailers and, er... how BALATRO got signed (just to name a few)! 🤩
Full YouTube playlist: www.youtube.com/playlist?lis...
And promo video!! 👇
From long-tail community strategy, making TikToks, Steam page best practices, 2d animated trailers and, er... how BALATRO got signed (just to name a few)! 🤩
Full YouTube playlist: www.youtube.com/playlist?lis...
And promo video!! 👇
July 29, 2025 at 3:05 PM
Ten ✨ INCREDIBLE ✨ talks from IMPACT! Indie Games are now online!
From long-tail community strategy, making TikToks, Steam page best practices, 2d animated trailers and, er... how BALATRO got signed (just to name a few)! 🤩
Full YouTube playlist: www.youtube.com/playlist?lis...
And promo video!! 👇
From long-tail community strategy, making TikToks, Steam page best practices, 2d animated trailers and, er... how BALATRO got signed (just to name a few)! 🤩
Full YouTube playlist: www.youtube.com/playlist?lis...
And promo video!! 👇
But there's MORE action buttons on some other pages., which also need updating.
Batch approve, reject, favourite/etc.
I'll want to move these to a floating bubble element thing but... the whole tables need redoing anyway.
So that's all for today!
Batch approve, reject, favourite/etc.
I'll want to move these to a floating bubble element thing but... the whole tables need redoing anyway.
So that's all for today!
July 18, 2025 at 4:34 PM
But there's MORE action buttons on some other pages., which also need updating.
Batch approve, reject, favourite/etc.
I'll want to move these to a floating bubble element thing but... the whole tables need redoing anyway.
So that's all for today!
Batch approve, reject, favourite/etc.
I'll want to move these to a floating bubble element thing but... the whole tables need redoing anyway.
So that's all for today!
Moving what I can to some smaller toggle options. These also now better show the state of the filter and whether it's being applied.
Tags, lists, language and search to go.
Maybe a clear filters button too.
Tags, lists, language and search to go.
Maybe a clear filters button too.
July 18, 2025 at 11:53 AM
Moving what I can to some smaller toggle options. These also now better show the state of the filter and whether it's being applied.
Tags, lists, language and search to go.
Maybe a clear filters button too.
Tags, lists, language and search to go.
Maybe a clear filters button too.