QUESTIONS
WORTH
ANSWERING.
Everything you need to know about how PixelPicked works — for developers building games and players looking for something worth playing.
Everything you need to know
If you have a question that is not answered here, reach us on X or email us directly.
PixelPicked is the pre-launch ecosystem mobile games have always needed. These are the questions we get most often from developers and players trying to understand what we are building and why.
General
What is PixelPicked?
PixelPicked is the pre-launch ecosystem for mobile games — the missing layer between having an idea and launching on the App Store or Google Play. Developers use it to validate ideas, build an audience, host playable builds, get instant analytics, and launch. Players use it to discover, playtest, and shape creative mobile games before they release.
Who is PixelPicked for?
Mobile game developers (solo devs, small teams, or established studios) who want to validate ideas and build an audience without burning cash on user acquisition. And players who are tired of the same heavily monetised chart-toppers and want to find games actually worth playing.
How much does PixelPicked cost?
PixelPicked is currently available at no cost during early access. Long-term pricing is still being developed, and current access is not a permanent pricing commitment.
How is PixelPicked different from the App Store or Google Play?
App stores are built for distribution after you launch. Discovery there is driven by ad spend and download velocity. PixelPicked is built for everything before you launch. It's where you build your audience, let players test your early builds, gather data, and run a launch campaign. The best games rise here because players say so, not because of a marketing budget.
For Developers
Do I need a released game to join?
No. Pre-launch means the entire development lifecycle. You can register your game at any stage — from early concept and ideation, to active development, to playtesting, to final launch. The earlier you create your game page, the more time you have to build an audience before release day.
Can solo developers and small studios submit games?
Yes. PixelPicked is built specifically for creators who lack massive user acquisition budgets. You don't need a publisher or a marketing team. You just need an original idea and the discipline to share your progress through devlogs.
How do I get playtesters for my game?
Simply upload a web-playable HTML5 build to your game page. Players looking to play upcoming games before anyone else can instantly test your build right in their browser. As they play, PixelPicked automatically collects analytics, and prompts them to leave structured feedback when they finish.
How does the zero-code analytics pipeline work?
When you upload your HTML5 build, PixelPicked automatically instruments it. Without writing a single line of tracking code or integrating an SDK, your dashboard will instantly populate with session data, retention rates, framerate performance, crash logs, and click heatmaps.
Do I have to host my build on PixelPicked?
No. If you prefer to use Apple TestFlight or Google Play Console, you can simply share those external links on your game page. However, you will miss out on the frictionless instant-play experience and the automated zero-code analytics that come with our hosted HTML5 builds.
How does the review process work?
Every game submitted to PixelPicked is reviewed by a human. We check for effort, creativity, and intent. Direct asset flips, aggressive gacha traps, and low-effort shovelware will be rejected. The review typically takes 1–2 days.
What is a launch campaign?
A launch campaign is a coordinated release push that runs the week your game goes live on the app stores. It includes push notifications to every player who followed your game during development, placement in the 'Active Campaigns' feed, and community voting to generate day-one momentum.
For Players
How do I playtest games on PixelPicked?
If a developer has uploaded an early build, you can play it instantly right in your browser. It’s your chance to play creative mobile games before anyone else in the world. After your session, you'll be asked to leave structured feedback (rating gameplay, visuals, performance) to directly influence the game's development.
How are games curated?
Every game has been reviewed by a human before it appears in the feed. You will never see a clone or an asset-flip. Beyond that initial curation, launch campaigns are ranked by community votes — real players upvoting the games they think deserve attention.
Can I follow games before they launch?
Yes. You can follow a game the day a developer posts their first piece of concept art, read their devlogs, play their early builds, and get notified the exact moment the final game launches on the App Store or Google Play.
Can players report games?
Yes. If a game is inappropriate, misleading, or violates our quality standards, you can report it directly from the game page. Every report is reviewed by a human. We take the integrity of the feed seriously.
Platform
What platforms does PixelPicked support?
PixelPicked supports iOS and Android mobile games. For playtesting, we heavily support HTML5 web builds so players can test your mobile game instantly and seamlessly in their browser.
Where do players install the final game?
PixelPicked supports the pre-launch journey; it is not the final distribution store. Players install released games through destinations such as the App Store or Google Play after discovering and following them on PixelPicked.
How does community voting work?
Every week, players can vote for their favorite games in the Launch Campaigns feed. The top-voted games climb the leaderboards and get featured in the Weekly Pixel newsletter.
Still have questions?
We are a small team and we read everything. Find us on X at @pixel_picked or email contact@pixelpicked.com. We will get back to you.