indielyTest two Steam capsule ideas before choosing one.
Put two artwork variants into the same controlled comparison, share one participant link and collect a clear preference with optional written feedback.
A preference test informs a design decision; it does not predict Steam sales or wishlists.
Keep the comparison simple enough to understand.
A good capsule test changes one clear creative direction while keeping the context consistent. It helps you learn why one first impression works better for the audience you reached.
Upload two variants
Use the same Steam format and compare two meaningful visual directions. Avoid changing the artwork, title treatment and test question all at once.
Share one participant link
The participant sees the controlled comparison rather than your private workspace. Share it with people who resemble the audience you want to understand.
Read the reasoning
The winning percentage is only part of the result. Written feedback can reveal genre confusion, unreadable logos or a visual promise the game does not deliver.
Use a test for direction, not certainty.
A small sample can expose obvious problems, but it cannot guarantee store performance. Record who participated, avoid repeatedly testing the same group and compare the result with your own Steamworks data after release.
Protect the quality of responses.
Ask one neutral question, randomize presentation where possible and do not tell participants which version you prefer. Remove suspicious or incomplete responses before interpreting the result.
Prepare artwork at the correct dimensions.
Both variants should use the same Steam format. Check the current dimensions in the Steam capsule size guide, then review each concept in Capsule Studio.
Steam capsule A/B testing questions
How does Steam capsule A/B testing work on Indiely?
Upload two capsule variants in the same format, generate a shareable participant test link, and collect blind preference votes alongside optional written reasoning.
Is Steam capsule A/B testing free?
Yes. Creating and sharing a controlled capsule comparison is part of Indiely's free toolkit with no credits required.
What should I change between Variant A and Variant B?
Change one primary visual variable at a time—such as color palette, character focal point or logo treatment—so you can tell what drove the preference.
How many responses does a capsule A/B test need?
It depends on how big the difference is. With about 30 responses, only a clear split such as 70/30 is unlikely to be chance; a 60/40 result could easily be noise. With about 200 responses, a 60/40 split becomes meaningful. Treat small tests as a check for obvious problems, and read the written reasons as carefully as the percentages.
Who should take part in my capsule test?
People who play games like yours and have not seen your artwork before. Friends, teammates and your existing community already know the game, so they judge the art differently from a stranger scrolling past it on Steam.
Turn a design debate into a useful comparison.
Create a project, prepare two capsule variants and share a controlled test with your audience.
Start in Indiely