Steam Next Fest is a significant event highlighting upcoming games. Globally, players relish the opportunity to sample released demos of impending titles, with Steam housing the data for these trials. Typically, the most anticipated games of the year tend to have the most played demos at Steam Next Fest, although it’s important to highlight that these games are often the output of indie game studios.
June 2023’s edition of Steam Next Fest registered the highest attendance in the festival’s history. The games that were part of the most-played demos during this event are still available on the Steam store. If you haven’t explored them yet, try out a few.
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Most Played Demos at Steam Next Fest
To give you a glimpse of what to expect from the forthcoming game releases, we’ve compiled a list featuring the most played demos at Steam Next Fest in June 2023. With over 11.4 million demo testers globally, we’re confident you’ll discover a game that suits your tastes from this rich assortment of forthcoming titles.
1. House Flipper 2
As a property makeover simulation, House Flipper 2 is the much-awaited sequel to the franchise. Despite garnering mixed-to-average reviews on its Metacritic page, the first game enjoyed a successful run as a top seller on the Steam platform for some time.
This success prompted the announcement of the sequel, slated for release in 2023, albeit with an exact date yet to be specified. In House Flipper 2, we continue the pursuit of profitable real-estate ventures, searching for houses to buy low, renovate, and sell high. It managed to take first place in the list of most played demos at Steam Next Fest.
Developer: Frozen District
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2. Lies of P
As another entry in the Souls-like genre, Lies of P made a strong impression with one of the most played demos at Steam Next Fest. Developed by Round8 Studio, the game’s anticipated release date is September 19, 2023.
The game offers a unique take on Carlo Collodi’s classic 1883 Italian novel, The Adventures of Pinocchio. Still, this time is set in a steampunk-inspired Italy where our protagonist, Pinocchio, battles against various biomechanical foes.
As a single-player experience, Lies of P garnered considerable accolades at Gamescom 2022, securing the titles of “Best Action-Adventure Game”, “Most Wanted Sony PlayStation”, and “Best Roleplaying Game.”
Developer: Round8 Studio
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3. Viewfinder
Viewfinder, a perception-driven photography simulator, is slated to launch on July 18, 2023. In the game, you step into the shoes of an adventurer armed solely with an instant camera. This unique device lets you manipulate your surroundings by superimposing photographs and paintings onto the real world, effectively reshaping reality.
The game is rich in exploration, with numerous mysteries behind its innovative puzzles. Despite being one of the most played demos at Steam Next Fest, the demo is no longer available on Steam. However, with the release date just around the corner, eager players will immediately dive into this distinctive world.
Developer: Sad Owl Studios
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4. Warhaven
Warhaven, which ranks fourth in the most played demos at Steam Next Fest, is expected to hit the gaming market in the third quarter of 2023. This medieval fantasy game, developed and published by NEXON, offers a free-to-play PvP combat experience.
Players can gather teams of up to 16 individuals, with two factions clashing in an intense battle. The game promises a thrilling and visceral gaming experience, ensuring adrenaline-fueled action for all combat fans.
Developer: NEXON
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5. Wizard With a Gun
Wizard With a Gun, a point-and-click survival adventure game, challenges players to utilise their creativity for survival amidst arcane magic and grotesque enemies. With its arcade-style graphics and a small requirement of just 2 GB of free hard drive space, this game promises an engaging and visually delightful gaming experience.
This sandbox survival game allows you to navigate your way or team up with friends, and we anticipate its release sometime in 2023.
Developer: Galvanic Games
The above games represent the top five most played demos at the Steam Next Fest event in June 2023. Even though many of the demos are no longer accessible on Steam, several of these games are due for release very soon. Moreover, Lies of P from this list are currently available for pre-order on the Steam marketplace.
Frequently Asked Questions
How Many Steam Next Festivals Are Held in a Year?
The thrice-yearly Steam Next Fest events, taking place in February, June, and October. It offers global developers an opportunity to gain early recognition and gather valuable feedback from potential players.
Will House Flipper 2 Have Multiplayer?
Yes — the second instalment of the House Flipper franchise, House Flipper 2, introduces an exciting multiplayer mode. This new feature will enable players to apply principles of division of labour by distributing tasks among themselves, leading to better contract deals through shared decision-making.
What Is the Age Rating for Lies of P?
Scheduled for a September 19, 2023 release, Lies of P draws inspiration from Carlo Collodi’s timeless children’s novel Pinocchio. Despite the familiar source material, the game is slated for an M rating, indicating it is appropriate for players aged 17 and older due to its mature content.
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