Steam Trailer Requirements
Technical specifications, format requirements, and best practices for creating effective Steam trailers.
Technical Specifications
Required Video Specs
| Specification |
Requirement |
| Resolution |
1920×1080 (1080p) recommended, 1280×720 minimum |
| Aspect Ratio |
16:9 |
| Frame Rate |
30 or 60 fps |
| Format |
.mov or .mp4 (H.264 codec) |
| Bitrate |
10-20 Mbps recommended |
| Audio |
AAC, 320kbps stereo |
| Max File Size |
No hard limit, but keep reasonable |
| Max Length |
No limit, but 60-90 seconds recommended |
Pro tip: Upload the highest quality source file. Steam will transcode it automatically for different bandwidths.
Trailer Types
Steam supports multiple trailers. Use them strategically:
Main Trailer
Your primary trailer, shown at the top of your store page. Should give the complete picture of your game in 60-90 seconds.
Gameplay Trailer
Pure gameplay footage with minimal editing. Some players skip to this specifically.
Update/DLC Trailers
For post-launch content. Keep these shorter (30-60 seconds) and focused on new features.
Microtrailers
6-second looping trailers that autoplay in some Steam UI elements. Optional but increasingly used.
Content Best Practices
The 5-second rule: Viewers decide within 5 seconds whether to keep watching. Start with your hook, not logos.
Effective Structure
- 0-5 seconds: Hook — your most exciting gameplay moment
- 5-30 seconds: Core gameplay loop — what players actually DO
- 30-60 seconds: Variety — different mechanics, areas, features
- 60-90 seconds: Scope and polish — show content depth
- Final 5 seconds: Logo, title, wishlist CTA
✓ Do
- Lead with gameplay
- Show what players DO
- Use actual game audio
- Keep it under 90 seconds
- Show UI where relevant
- End with clear branding
✗ Don't
- Start with studio logos
- Show only cinematics
- Use placeholder assets
- Make it 3+ minutes
- Hide the UI entirely
- Forget a call-to-action
Audio Guidelines
- Use in-game audio — Players want to hear what the game actually sounds like
- Music should match tone — Don't use epic orchestral for a cozy game
- Balance levels — Music shouldn't drown out sound effects
- Consider no voiceover — Text overlays often work better and localize easier
Common Trailer Mistakes
1. Too Much Setup
Long intros with logos, quotes, or slow atmospheric shots. Players skip forward or leave.
2. Cinematic-Only
Pre-rendered footage that doesn't represent actual gameplay. Sets wrong expectations.
3. Too Long
Trailers over 2 minutes lose most viewers. Respect people's time.
4. No Gameplay
Showing the game world without showing what players DO in it.
5. Placeholder Quality
Unfinished graphics, temp audio, or buggy footage. Wait until you have polished content.
Uploading to Steam
- Go to Steamworks → Your App → Edit Store Page
- Navigate to the Trailers section
- Click "Add New Trailer"
- Upload your video file
- Add a thumbnail (auto-generated or custom)
- Set trailer name and language
- Publish your store page changes
Custom thumbnails: You can upload a custom thumbnail image for your trailer. Use your most exciting frame.
Multiple Trailers Strategy
For games with substantial content, consider multiple trailers:
- Trailer 1: Main/announcement trailer — overall game pitch
- Trailer 2: Gameplay deep-dive — extended gameplay focus
- Trailer 3: Launch trailer — updated for release
- Post-launch: Update trailers for major content drops
Trailer Ready?
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Related Resources