You made a game, so of course you want people to play it. But even a great game only gets played if someone decides to tap on it first.
This guide focuses on the posting form and shares tips for getting your game noticed and played.
What players see in the game list
CraftNova's home page shows games as cards. Each card shows the thumbnail, title, description, and genre. That's all players have to go on when deciding which game to open.
Always add a thumbnail
The thumbnail is optional, but games without one show "No image". A picture that captures the feel of your game makes a huge difference in getting noticed.
- A screenshot of the game in action is the easiest option
- When you pick an image in the posting form, you can crop it to a wide 16:9 frame
- A busy moment with things moving shows off the fun better than a title screen
The thumbnail is also the image shown on the link card when your game's URL is shared on X and other social media.
Make the title say what the game is
Titles can be up to 50 characters. Beyond a catchy name, add words that say what kind of game it is so players can picture it.
- Okay: "STAR" → Better: "STAR: A One-Stroke Puzzle Connecting the Stars"
- Okay: "Run!" → Better: "Run! Escape the Zombie City"
Explain how to play in the description
"Description and controls" can be up to 200 characters. Cover what the game is and how to play it. Players can also read it from the button on the game screen, which helps anyone checking the controls mid-game.
Dodge incoming meteors and see how far into space you can get.
Grab items to raise a shield.
Controls
Phone: touch the left/right side to move
PC: left/right arrow keys to move, space for the shieldThe description also helps search engines understand your game, so a good one may bring in players from search.
Pick the right genre and device
Choose the closest of 12 genres: Action, Shooter, Puzzle, RPG, Simulation, Clicker, Sports, Music, Racing, Horror, Escape, and Casual.
Under "Best played on", choose Best on mobile, Best on PC, or Mobile and PC. If your game only works with a keyboard, pick "Best on PC" so phone players don't open it and leave disappointed.
Use the right visibility
| Visibility | What happens | When to use it |
|---|---|---|
| Public | Shown in the list, anyone can play | Your game is ready for everyone |
| Unlisted | Not in the list, only people with the link can play | Let friends try it first |
| Private | Only you can play | Check that the game works after posting |
The best flow: post as Private, check it on both a phone and a PC, then switch to Public. You can change visibility anytime from My page.
Choose "All Countries" if your game works for everyone
If your game has little or no text, or works no matter what language players speak, choose "All Countries" when posting. It will appear on both the English and Japanese sites, and the title and description are translated into Japanese by AI. That can double the number of people who see it.
Share it on social media
Every game on CraftNova is OK to stream and record. Post gameplay videos on YouTube or X, share the game's URL, and spread the word. When you paste a game URL on X, it shows up as a card with the thumbnail and title.
Summary
- Always add a thumbnail that shows off the fun
- Use the title and description to say what the game is and how to play
- Pick the right genre and device
- Check it as Private, publish it, and share it on social media
For the step-by-step posting process, see How to post a game.