LaunchWakeCan I post my startup on r/gamedev?
Direct promotion is routinely removed and can hurt your account standing. Only post something that stands on its own; a pitch will get pulled fast.
Why the ban risk is high
- Community norms discourage undisclosed promotion; contribute value first.
The rules, in plain English
How to post here safely
- Frame the post as a lesson, guide, or question — value first.
- Read the subreddit rules and respect any self-promo ratio or thread.
- Engage in the comments; mention your tool only as context.
- Don't put a link in the title.
- Don't drop a bare product pitch outside the designated thread.
Account requirements
- Post from a real, established account — not one made for this launch.
- Comment genuinely in the subreddit for 1–2 weeks before you post.
- Read the sidebar/wiki rules; many subs funnel promo into a weekly thread.
- Don't launch the game here — showcasing is banned at any dev stage; write a postmortem or feedback request instead.
- Link-only posts to game/social pages 'will result in a ban' per the sub's rules.
Source: General Reddit self-promotion norms — many programming/startup subreddits' AutoModerator removes posts from new or low-karma accounts; exact thresholds vary by subreddit, so check its rules.
Frequently asked
Can I post my startup on r/gamedev?
High ban risk. Direct promotion is routinely removed and can hurt your account standing. Only post something that stands on its own; a pitch will get pulled fast.
What gets posts removed on r/gamedev?
Community norms discourage undisclosed promotion; contribute value first. In short: Don't put a link in the title.
When is the best time to post on r/gamedev?
Anytime (discussion only). Timing helps, but fit and format matter more — a rule-breaking post fails at any hour.
Do I need an established account to post on r/gamedev?
There's no hard rule, but r/gamedev works best with an account at least 30 days old and 100+ combined karma. (Source: General Reddit self-promotion norms — many programming/startup subreddits' AutoModerator removes posts from new or low-karma accounts; exact thresholds vary by subreddit, so check its rules.) Tip: Post from a real, established account — not one made for this launch.
Related channels
Is r/gamedev even the right channel for your launch?
Paste your GitHub repo into the free Launch Checker and get a ranked plan — which channels fit your product, their ban risk, and how to post in each. No account needed.