SUBMISSION | How do I submit a game to Kongregate? It's Easy!

Kongregate’s Easy 7-step Game Publishing Process

We accept games based on the following technologies:

• HTML5/Web GL
• Unity Web Player
• There is also an iframe option

Follow these easy steps; we’ll guide you on your journey!

Before you start...

...just to make sure there are no surprises as you proceed through these steps:

• You'll need to have an account on Kongregate.com
  • Pro tip: choose your username carefully, as this will be the name your game is published under.  We won't be able to change your name later
• You must be the developer (or one of the developers) of your game and have the legal right to publish it on Kongregate;
• You will need to become a registered Kongregate developer as part of this process, approved by Kongregate;
• You must accept the Kongregate Game License and Upload Agreement, which has legal obligations;
• Your game cannot include any third-party advertising or sponsorships; Kongregate will provide these opportunities to help you generate revenue;
• We don’t allow account systems in new games - if you need to authenticate players, you can use our API
• Your game must be playable on a web browser;
• Your game cannot use non-Kongregate microtransaction systems. Instead, we offer our own virtual goods known as 'Kreds' - see Kreds & Virtual Goods;

Please tap the 'Support' button on this page if you need additional information or email us at developers@kongregate.com if you have a case for exceptions to any of the above.

Step 1 – APPLY to become a Developer!

Skip to step 3 if you are already a registered developer on Kongregate!

• Create an account on Kongregate.com (if you don’t already have one) and log in
• Prepare a video of your game (or create a link you can share)
• Click the 'Become a Developer' link in the footer of the Kongregate.com home page
  • NOTE: if you are already an approved developer and are logged in, you won't see the link. Instead you can add a new game through the Developer Portal, or via the Account Settings.

• Next, complete the Developer Application Form
• Once submitted, hold tight!  We're a small team and it may take us a while to process your application.

Once you become an approved developer, we'll notify you via the in-portal messages service, and you can follow the rest of these steps!

If your application is not approved, we'll let you know why. Until you're an approved developer, you won't be able to publish a game on Kongregate.

Step 2 – PREPARE your game for submission

We have an approval process for all games submitted, so it is important that you get your game in the best shape as possible before you send it to us!

• Play it, test it – eliminate as many bugs as you can find
• Now is a good time to familiarize yourself with the obligations you'll be committing to when you upload your game to Kongregate and to the platform standards.  In particular, checkout How to complete the game information (Step 3 - Alpha)
• Also see the links at the bottom of this page (under 'Support') for some other useful articles related to publishing your game on Kongregate 

Step 3 - ALPHA

After we confirm you are approved as a Developer, we will update your account so you can access the Developer Portal. This is accessible via your Account in Kongregate.  

• From here you can upload your game for our review:
  • You will enter details about your game, including player facing information such as game name, description of your game and gameplay instructions
  • You can enter the names of up to 3 collaborators (such as team members) that will have some limited game abilities, including playing preview builds and reviewing game performance metrics (optional)
  • Add names of up to 20 other people as game testers (optional)
  • You will need to agree to the Kongregate Game License & Upload Agreement
  • This includes agreeing to abide by the Developer Content Standards
• NOTE: These are the most common reasons why game submissions are rejected first time:
  • Game not playable in a browser
  • No screenshots (players use these as a primary reason to decide to play your game)
  • No game description (this is your sales pitch! Excite players to want to tap 'Play Now')
  • No game instructions (how to play - you must include these, you do not want frustrated players)
  • No voluntary age rating declaration
  • No AI declaration (if you used AI in the creation of your game, you should state how AI was used in the description)
  • No English language option (while we welcome other languages, you must include English in your description and an English language option in game)
• See UPLOAD | How to complete the game information (Step 3 - Alpha) for step by step guidance

Step 4 - INTEGRATE our APIs

• While your game is in review at Kongregate, your collaborators and testers can play your game (in 'Preview') 
• You should decide your target royalty rate by looking at the Revenue Share Program, and where applicable, integrate APIs, such as Kongregate’s Virtual Goods (’Kreds’), and complete any additional documentation we need
• Read our Developer documentation

Step 5 - BETA

• You can update the game information and upload new builds via the Developer Portal during this approval period as needed to get your game ready for publishing

Step 6 - PUBLISH

• Once we have approved your submission, you can publish your game on Kongregate

  • You'll receive a message in your Kongregate account confirming that your game has been approved

    

  • You will see that your game status has changed in the Developer Portal, and you can now tap the "Publish" button 

    

  • Once published, you have new options available for the game, which include performance metrics, which will update over time showing how your game is performing
    • If this is your first game upload, or if your account information is not up to date, you will be directed to complete a form with additional information so that we can make payments to you. 

• Your game won't be published until this information has been provided
  • See PAYMENT | Where can I find the Payment Info page?
• If we don't approve your submission we will send you a message in your Kongregate account, explaining why, and where possible, suggestions as to what changes you should make
  • Your game will not be published on Kongregate, and you remain at Step 4, above
  • You still have the same options and functionality available to you as previously to make updates to your game and test it on the site
  • When you have made the requested changes, you can resubmit your game for approval

Step 7 - UPDATE

• With your game live, you manage your game through the Developer Portal, where you can update your game frequently, fix bugs etc.
• Kongregate’s analytical tools will help you understand how your game is performing, and suggest areas for improvement
• Build your community via your game page on Kongregate and grow your audience; keep your players engaged with the latest news about your game, including updates, and listen to their suggestions on ways to make your game even more fun

Support 

CONTENT | What content is allowed on Kongregate?

PROHIBITED | What content is prohibited on Kongregate?

SUBMISSION | Checklist before uploading a game

START HERE | An introduction to Kongregate contracts 

CONTRACT | Do I keep ownership of my Game?

CONTRACT | What rights do I grant to Kongregate?

REVENUE | How do developers earn revenue from their games?

EARNINGS | How much do developers earn in royalties?

PAYMENT | How and when are developers paid?

STANDARDS | Developer Content Standards

ASSETS | How can I safely use third-party assets (art, music, code) in my game?

TOOLS | Can developers use AI tools when building games?

DOCUMENTATION | What documentation must developers follow?

DATA | AI & Data Use – Developer Summary

PRIVACY | Who is responsible for complying with privacy laws?

AI | How can I safely use AI in my game?

STANDARDS | Developer Moderation & Enforcement Policy

HELP | I have questions! 

Developer Guidance Disclaimer