How to put an Unreal Engine game on Steam
2 min read
By Eduardo Orellana ·
To put an Unreal Engine game on Steam: package a Shipping build for Windows (and Linux for Steam Deck if you can); if you want Steam features, enable Online Subsystem Steam and set DefaultPlatformService=Steam and your App ID in DefaultEngine.ini (480 while testing); run it with the Steam client open; then upload the packaged folder with SteamPipe and set it live. In Shipping builds with Steam enabled, Unreal checks the signed-in user owns the game and quits if not.
Packaging comes first; Steam features are optional
Steam installs your packaged folder and launches the executable. You can ship an Unreal game on Steam without Online Subsystem Steam at all. Add it when you want achievements, the overlay, sessions or lobbies.
The steps
- Package a Shipping build for Windows from the Platforms menu.
- Online Subsystem Steam (optional): enable it and configure DefaultEngine.ini. See our Online Subsystem Steam guide.
- Test with the Steam client running, using App ID 480 until you have your own.
- Steamworks: create the app, a depot and a launch option for the executable.
- Upload with SteamPipe; see our SteamPipe guide.
- Store page, reviews and release as for any engine.
Unreal specifics
- With Steam enabled, Unreal writes steam_appid.txt beside the executable while running and deletes it on a clean exit; keep it out of what you upload.
- Shipping builds check that the signed-in user is subscribed to the game and shut down otherwise, so test Shipping through Steam itself.
- Check Epic's royalty terms for your revenue level before release.
Where Flockbay fits
Flockbay builds games on Godot today. Its publishing tools work for an Unreal game too: the Steam page as a .zip you upload yourself, trailers from your gameplay, posts, ads on your own accounts and a game website, free in beta until 1 December 2026.