What we look for

We curate what goes on Poki, so not everything fits right away. If you're building something players will love, bring it to us through the submission form. Together, we'll figure out if it's a match!

Here's what we look for:

  • Quality: We take a few things into account here but we are mainly looking at the UX/feel and the core game loop to assess the potential of the game on Poki. If the base game is fun and interesting, that always bodes well. If you want to get a feeling for the quality we look for, check out our homepages which show off our most popular games!
  • Player fit: Simply put, we approach the game from the perspective of our players. Would they like to play this game and have fun? We're always learning more about our large, global audience so we can say early on what they're attracted to.
  • Tech: Finally, and very importantly, we check how technically sound the game is and how well it is optimized for mobile and desktop web. With so many differing internet speeds and devices, it’s really important to nail fast load times, stable frame rates, and a lean file size across devices and engines!

Beyond the basics

The three signals above are where we start, but a strong Poki game usually shows more:

  • Originality: a fresh idea, mechanic, or twist. Clones of existing hits don't stand out to players and won't be promoted; see content & player safety for where the line sits.
  • Depth and replayability: a satisfying core loop that opens up over time holds attention far better than a single clever idea.
  • First impression: players decide in seconds, so a clear thumbnail and an immediate, playable opening matter as much as the game underneath.
  • Cross-device feel: controls and UI that work as well with a thumb as with a mouse. Our audience is majority mobile, so a desktop-only game is at a disadvantage.
  • Room to grow together: we invest for the long term, so we look for games built with room to expand — content hooks, systems that support updates, or a roadmap/update plan shared at submission.

None of these — the baseline three or the five beyond them — is a checklist with a pass mark; we weigh them together, and a game that’s exceptional on one dimension can make up for lacking in another. The surest way to see where you stand is to test your game with real players.