Developer Guideline
Welcome to the Developer Guidelines for GameDistribution (GD). This document aims to
help developers create games that will appeal to players, publishers and advertisers.
In these guidelines, we will discuss the requirements that are essential for your game to be
published on GameDistribution. Our platform is designed to maximize the exposure and
revenue potential of your games by connecting you with an extensive network of over 2000
publishers worldwide, all eager to feature captivating games that resonate with diverse
audiences
Why Partner with GameDistribution
At GameDistribution, we are committed to your success as a game developer. Our platform
not only distributes your games but also monetizes them effectively with the support and
expertise of our content management team. By choosing GD, you will gain
Access to a vast network of more than 2000 publishers seeking to feature games that
align with the interests of their target audience.
Expert support in optimizing your game for the highest revenue potential within our
network
A chance to expand your skills as a developer in an ever-growing and competitive
market
Our Review and Publishing Proces
To ensure that your game reaches its highest potential, every submission undergoes a
thorough review by our team of content specialists. This process is designed to assess
whether your game meets our quality standards and the expectations of our publishers'
diverse platforms
Submission and Initial Review: When we receive your game, it enters our review queue.
The initial assessment typically takes up to one week, during which our team evaluates
your game's compatibility with our platform's standards and publisher needs
Approval for Publication: Once the assessment determines that all essential
requirements are met, your game is given the green light and can be prepared for
publishing. Following the developer guidelines outlined below will increase the likelihood
of a swift assessment and approval process.
Feedback and Revision: Should your game require any adjustments, our team will provide
relevant and actionable feedback to help you refine the game. This collaborative
approach ensures that your game aligns with our guidelines and appeals to the target
audiences of our publishers.
Ongoing Optimization: Post-publication, we continuously monitor game performance and
market trends. This might lead to additional suggestions for enhancements or necessary
adjustments to improve game performance across platforms. Our goal is to always help
maintain the life-cycle of your games, especially after launch.
1. Game Quality Standard
GameDistribution accepts a wide variety of games, yet we also aim to make sure that the
games we publish are of great quality. To achieve this, we ask that all submissions meet the
essential requirements outlined below.
1.1 Replayabilit
Your game should aim to promote high levels of engagement and interactivity. This results in
higher retention rates and extended gameplay sessions. In order to increase your game’s
replayability, we recommend developing features such as:
Level structure & level overvie
Challenge
High score
Character customizatio
1.2 Soun
Sound should be considered a vital component of your game design, especially when
considering replayability and immersion. Your game must include sound elements such as
background music (BGM), sound effects (SFX) and User Interface (UI) sounds. In order to
elevate the sound implementation in your game, please consider the following:
Take advantage of the sound design to set the tone and atmosphere of the game by
using engaging music that captures the overall theme.
Promote immersion through additional SFX when completing a level, hovering over UI
elements, or unlocking an achievement.
Select genre-specific music and SFX to enhance player immersion. For example, eerie
and suspenseful music works well for a horror game.
We recommend designing a toggle button for both sound and background music to improve
user interface.
1.3 Visual
1.3.1 In-Game Graphic
In-game graphics should be of high quality, polished, and consistent throughout. All player
and environmental textures should be fully visible.
1.3.2 UI Desig
It is required that there are no overlapping UI elements that obstruct player interaction. For
example, avoid overlays that block access to essential buttons like sound or play.
Buttons and controls must be easily recognizable and understandable. Use universal icons
and visual language whenever possible (e.g., ▶️ for play). The play button should always be
visible to guide players toward starting the game. Text should be clear and readable
1.3.3 Gameplay & Tutoria
The game's objective should either be intuitive to users or explained through a simple
tutorial. Any instructions or deviations from generic controls should be clearly outlined for
the player before the game begins.
In order for an elevated user experience overall, the game should run smoothly with limited
frame-drops and without user input delays
1.4 Game Conten
To guarantee a comfortable and appropriate gaming environment, games should be tailored
to their intended audience. You can select specific age groups and genders when submitting
your game to distribute it to the right audience. Please keep in mind that games with
inappropriate content will not be picked up or featured by most of the platforms hosted by
big partners.
Games are prohibited from including
Political bias or offensive religious conten
The use of explicit references to alcohol, drugs, or sexual theme
The use of racial, discriminatory, or prejudicial conten
Excessive use of violenc
Finally, for games with user-input content, such as custom player names or chat options,
mechanisms should be in place to prevent the use of inappropriate language or any other
harmful content by players
▶️
1.4.2 Avoiding Copyrighted Names in Title
Please avoid using well-known, copyrighted names like "Super Mario" or any other protected
intellectual property in your game titles. This ensures compliance with legal regulations and
minimizes the risk of copyright infringement. Instead, focus on crafting original titles that
accurately represent the unique content and identity of your game
1.4.3 IP Infringemen
It is crucial that you have the legal right to use all of the content featured in your game. This
includes obtaining permission from the owners of any brands or characters you feature. You
must be prepared to handle complaints about copyright infringement and to remove content
if necessary
You must follow the copyright laws that apply in your country and have a process for dealing
with copyright complaints. It is important that you are able to show that you have permission
to use any content that is not yours. This helps prevent issues and delays during the
approval process and ensures that your games can be published smoothly.
If your game is rejected due to intellectual property infringement, please provide proof of
ownership or permission for the disputed content. You can submit these documents through
our contact form at . Examples of acceptable proof
include
Licensing agreement
Permission letters or emails from copyright holder
Trademark registration
Any other relevant legal documentatio
1.4.3 Stolen game
Taking inspiration from existing games is a common practice in the current market. However,
submitting games that have been directly copied or stolen from existing titles is not
permitted. We will always give developers the opportunity to provide proof of ownership.
Please note, however, that if a game is identified as stolen, it will not be approved for
publication.
https://gamedistribution.com/support/
2. Advertisin
In order to generate revenue, the correct implementation of preroll and midroll ads is
mandatory for all games. The use of display and rewarded ads is optional and recommended
to further enhance revenue potential
You can find the implementation guide for our SDK and our rules regarding ads
2.1 Mandatory Ad Implementatio
2.1.1 Preroll Ad
This ad type guarantees that users are exposed to an advertisement before the game
begins. Preroll ads are typically displayed following a click on the ‘Play’ button
2.1.2 Midroll Ad
A midroll ad is an advertisement shown during natural breaks in the game, such as between
levels or after a specific amount of time has passed. Midrolls are seamlessly integrated into
the gameplay flow, and are mandatory and beneficial for generating revenue during
gameplay sessions
Where appropriate, developers can choose to set a 2-minute timer for midroll ads. As a
result, ads are shown at appropriate intervals without overwhelming the player. The game
must be paused and muted during advertisements so that the ad can run properly and the
game progress is not affected. When the player returns from the ad, they should encounter
a pause screen that resumes only upon player interaction, allowing them to prepare for the
game again.
Implementation Guide: Check how to add the mandatory ad types
2.2. Additional Advertisement Option
2.2.1. Rewarded Ad
This ad type offers users in-game rewards in exchange for watching an advertisement. It is
crucial that rewarded ads are implemented correctly - users can only be given a reward
when an impression is completed. Rewarded ads are a highly popular ad type among users.
They enhance player engagement while also boosting game monetization by offering value
in exchange for ad views.
Implementation Guide: Check how to add rewarded ads .
here
here
here
2.2.2. Display Ad
Display (banner) ads typically appear at the top, bottom, or even along the sides of a game.
However, it is important to note that the display ad must not cover any in-game content,
taking into account different window resolutions. This type of ad allows for additional
revenue without interrupting the gameplay
Implementation Guide: Check how to add display ads
2.3. Ad Placement Requirement
To maintain a smooth and enjoyable gameplay experience, we recommend that ads are
displayed only during non-gameplay moments, such as between levels or during pauses.
When an ad is triggered, game audio must be muted and the game itself should be paused.
This helps prevent disjointed audio and allows for a higher CPM (Cost per Mile/Thousand)
within the game. A higher CPM means more money is generated per thousand impressions
or gameplays. Effective ad implementation is not only beneficial for the players, but also for
advertisers, resulting in higher CPMs.
The aim is to optimize player retention by controlling the frequency of advertisements.
3. Compatibilit
3.1 Technology Buil
Games must be built using engines such as Unity WebGL, Javascript, or Construct 2 & 3.
Games must be HTTPS ready to allow for secure content delivery. Please consult our
for more details on all applicable game engines.
We do not permit external hosting of games, except for Real Multiplayer games. If you have
a multiplayer game, or any questions regarding a specific multiplayer mechanic, please
reach out to us for guidance
3.2 Desktop and Browser Compatibilit
The game must be playable on desktop, ensuring smooth performance on popular browsers
such as Google Chrome, Firefox and Safari. Controls should be keyboard and/or mouse-
friendly.
here
SDK
documentation
3.3 Fullscreen and ifram
Fullscreen and iframe modes should avoid any cuts or malfunctions, and the game should
offer responsive resizing to adapt to different screen sizes. The game must adapt
seamlessly to different screen sizes and resolutions to avoid any scaling issues. We
recommend using the standard iframe dimensions of 800 (width) x 600 (length).
Please avoid the use of the Unity WebGL logo accompanied by a fullscreen option. This can
cause scaling and advertisement issues in fullscreen mode.
3.4 Mobile Compatibilit
While not mandatory, we strongly recommend making games playable on as many devices
as possible. Games that are compatible on mobile devices receive priority placement with
top game publishers. Moreover, these games are offered to partners with high-traffic web
pages, such as news and media sites
Mobile-compatible games should have smooth performance and enjoyable gameplay.
Controls need to be intuitive and touchscreen friendly. Games with a preferred orientation
should lock the user in that orientation or include a screen to instruct the user to turn the
device.
4. Localizatio
4.1 Default Languag
For a seamless review and distribution process, the default game language should always be English.
4.2 Expanding localization
A game that is localized in different languages is much more likely to be picked up by our
local publishers and perform well in countries with large audiences. Consider offering your
game in multiple languages by translating buttons, instructions, and any other in-game text
to boost your distribution opportunities
Including translations in the most frequently used languages online, such as German (DE),
French (FR), Spanish (ES), and so forth, can significantly expand your game's reach and
appeal to a wider audience. Please bear in mind that when including multiple languages, the
game should either detect the browser language, or give players the opportunity to choose
a preferred language before the game starts. This keeps players from being shown a tutorial
or instructions in a language they did not choose.
4.3 No-Text Optio
Alternatively, you can choose to employ universal icons (Play icon, Pause icon, Home icon)
instead of text. In this case, you can select the ‘No-Text’ option instead of a specific
language. This will allow your game to bypass any language restrictions, making it more
appealing for publishers to pick up. Please bear in mind that this depends on the type of
game and should only be used if your game has no text at all
5. Key informatio
For proper integration of the game into our content management system and to ensure
visibility in our catalog, developers must provide the following
5.1 Thumbnail
Thumbnails are a visual representation of your game and provide an important first
impression. They should accurately depict the game's content and style. Developers are
required to submit the following thumbnail sizes: 512x512, 512x384 and 200x120
These sizes are used for our catalog, search, splash screen, and more. Therefore, these
thumbnails are mandatory. Additionally, publishers may use them on their websites.
Assets must be clear, high-quality, and unstretched. Use simple and bold graphics with
good contrast and varied colors. Logos or text are optional but appreciated, especially in
larger thumbnails. If included, text and logos should be readable, easy to distinguish, and
should not dominate the thumbnail. For more information and tips on how to create effective
thumbnails, please refer to our
5.2 Game Title
To guarantee clarity and preserve the integrity of data within our platform, it is crucial that
game titles remain distinct. The direct duplication of existing titles is problematic and can
cause confusion among players and publishers
5.3 Description and Instruction
The game’s description should be written in standard English with correct spelling and grammar. We
strongly recommend including details such as character names, game objectives, the theme, and
useful tips for players on how to play the game. Please keep the use of generic words expressing
excitement and satisfaction to a minimum (e.g. ‘awesome’, ‘amazing’, etc.). Focus instead on specific
descriptors and factual information that provide flavor, meaning, and value for players and publishers.
Design Guidelines
Consider using additional SEO optimization elements (keywords) within your description to
improve the game's visibility in search results. In the description, use the game name
(exactly as it is written in the title) at least once
Features should accurately describe the game's selling points. For example, if the game is a
.IO battle royale title, consider adding key features such as
Multiplayer Pv
More than 50 weapon
More than 1 ma
Instructions on how to play should be clear and easy to understand, helping players
familiarize themselves with the gameplay. Avoid using minimal descriptions such as 'Mouse'
or 'Keyboard', and instead include more specific explanations. (E.g. ‘Use the WASD keys to
run.’ ‘Right click to shoot the bubbles’.
The text for description and instructions should be between 200 and 500 characters each
5.4 Genre and Tag
The selected genres and tags should accurately represent the game's genre and content for
better discoverability. Games should have a minimum of one genre and one tag, and a
maximum of two genres and five tags.
5.5 Age Group
It is mandatory to select the appropriate age groups for your game, as this will help to define
your intended target audience. In addition, noting specific age groups is beneficial to
publishers and their players. If applicable, it is also important to categorize your game as
'kids friendly' or 'no blood'
6. Credits, Outgoing Links, and Brandin
6.1 Outgoing Link
An outgoing link is a hyperlink that directs users to an external website.
Games are not meant to send traffic to external websites through the use of outgoing links.
For example, a button that looks like it will start the game but instead directs the user to
another game and/or website is not permitted
This restriction is crucial: publishers are unlikely to publish games containing outgoing links
that will direct traffic away from their website. In other words, such outgoing links will
severely restrict your game's reach
Here are several examples of outgoing links that we do not permit within games
Social Media Links: Links to external social media platforms such as Facebook, X,
Instagram, etc
Advertisement Links: Links to external websites or landing pages associated with
advertisements displayed within the game
E-commerce Links: Links to external e-commerce websites for purchasing products or
services
Survey Links: Links to external surveys or forms for collecting user feedback or data
Affiliate Links: Links to external websites or products for which the developer receives a
commission for referrals
Content Sharing Links: Links for sharing game content or achievements on external
platforms
6.2 Branding in Your Gam
You are allowed to display your brand name or logo in the loading screen, main menu, or
even on a separate credits page within the game.
However, any branding elements within the game must not refer the player to an external
site, as clickable outgoing links are not permitted. Please do not include any contact details
or referrals to social media pages within the game
6.3 References to App Stores/PlayStor
References to your game's AppStore or PlayStore are not permitted within the game itself.
These and other references can be submitted as links in the Backlinks tab of your game's
individual catalog page.
7. Personal Dat
Any collection or storing of data from a game is strictly prohibited. In addition, any types of
cookies or trackers that are not directly from GD will not be permitted. Login requirements
are not permitted unless permission is granted for this under a separate agreement.
Trackers, in this context, could refer to a standard link that has parameters attached to it for
the purpose of tracking and analytics.
Examples of trackers we do not permit include
Google Analytics: A widely used web analytics service that tracks and reports website
traffic
Facebook Pixel: Tracks user interactions with Facebook ads and measures their
effectiveness
DoubleClick by Google: A digital advertising platform that tracks user interactions with
ads across different websites
Flurry Analytics: Provides analytics for mobile applications, tracking user behavior and
app usage
Mixpanel: A business analytics service that tracks user interactions with web and mobile
applications
Adobe Analytics: Offers real-time analytics and detailed segmentation options for
tracking user behavior
External analytics from external Software Developer Kit.
