Creator Beta Submissions

How Creator Beta Works

This page is both a creator onboarding entry point and a working dashboard. The beta flow is intentionally simple: create an account, upload a ZIP-based HTML5 game, wait for review, and then manage your submissions in one place. The goal is to make publishing and review reliable before scaling the program.

Unlocked Arcade is not trying to be a fully open upload directory. Every submission is reviewed so players see games that launch correctly, feel playable, and fit the site. That review step helps creators too, because approved games are easier to discover when the catalog stays clean.

For detailed technical requirements on mobile scaling, touch controls, and asset limits, please read our HTML5 Game Optimization & Submission Guidelines.

Submission Checklist Before You Upload

• Package the game as a ZIP file with index.html at the entry point.
• Test the ZIP locally in modern browsers (Chrome, Firefox, Safari, Edge) before upload.
• Make sure controls are explained in the game or in the Instructions field.
• Keep total size reasonable for browser delivery (the UI currently calls out a 10MB max target).
• Remove third-party trackers, malware-like behavior, or unexpected redirects.
• Prepare a thumbnail image so your listing looks better in the arcade feed.

What Reviewers Look For

The review process is focused on launch reliability and player experience, not just whether a file technically opens. A game can be rejected or returned for changes if it fails to load cleanly, has unclear controls, depends on unsupported external assets, or does not behave well on common desktop/mobile browsers.

Creators usually get through the queue faster when the title, category, description, and instructions are complete and accurate. Good metadata reduces manual cleanup work and helps produce a better public game page if the game is approved.

What You Get in Beta (Today)

• Hosted game files for approved submissions
• Creator attribution on public landing pages
• Play tracking and basic dashboard stats
• Status tracking for pending / approved / rejected submissions
• A repeatable place to manage uploads as the program improves

Revenue share is not live yet. The current beta is focused on reliable review, hosting, creator attribution, and basic play tracking before any monetization features are added.

Do not submit payout details yet. The dashboard may show future reporting placeholders, but there are no payable creator balances until the program is explicitly launched.

How to Improve Approval Odds

Treat your submission like a production release, not a draft upload. The fastest approvals usually come from games that launch cleanly on the first try, have readable UI, include clear instructions, and feel worth replaying. If a reviewer can understand the game loop quickly and play without debugging, your submission is in much better shape.

• Write a short, specific description of the game loop and goal.
• Include exact controls (keyboard, mouse, touch gestures, or controller notes if relevant).
• Use a thumbnail that matches gameplay so players know what they are opening.
• Test on mobile if you claim mobile support.
• Avoid placeholder titles like "My Game Build 3".

Creator FAQ

Do I need to be exclusive to Unlocked Arcade? No. The platform is designed for hosted distribution and discovery without exclusivity requirements.

Can I update a game after it is approved? In beta, updates may require re-review depending on the scope of changes. Keep your files and version notes organized so updates can be handled cleanly.

Do I need payout details to join? No. The current beta only needs account details and game submissions. Payout collection is intentionally deferred until payouts are live.

What if I just want to browse and not create an account? Players can browse and play from the main arcade without using this creator dashboard.

Metadata That Helps Your Game Get Approved Faster

Review speed improves when your submission metadata is specific and accurate. A clear game title, a concise description, and exact control instructions reduce manual cleanup and make it easier to build a strong public landing page if the game is approved. Generic descriptions like “fun arcade game” slow things down because reviewers still need to figure out what the player actually does and how the game should be categorized.

Think of the description field as player-facing copy, not internal notes. Explain the goal, the core loop, and why the game is worth replaying. Use the instructions field for exact controls and any mobile-specific guidance. If the game supports touch input, say so clearly. If it requires keyboard controls, list the keys. This helps reviewers validate the experience quickly and reduces follow-up questions.

• Title: use the actual player-facing game name
• Category: choose the closest real category so the game appears in the right browsing context
• Description: explain the goal, loop, and replay hook in plain language
• Instructions: list controls exactly (keyboard, mouse, touch)
• Thumbnail: upload an image that reflects gameplay, not a placeholder logo

What Happens After Approval

Approval is the start of the publishing lifecycle, not the end. Once a game is approved, the platform can host the game files, display creator attribution, and track plays through the creator dashboard. The quality of your metadata and thumbnail directly affects how the game is presented to players, so the submission process is part of the final publishing quality, not just an upload form.

As the creator beta matures, the goal is to make the workflow repeatable: submit, review, publish, update, and track performance without requiring manual work for every step. That is why the dashboard already emphasizes statuses, upload structure, and stats. Stable operations come first, then more automation can be added responsibly.

Release Readiness Mini-Checklist

• Game launches from index.html without editing local file paths
• Controls are shown in-game or clearly described in the submission form
• Text/UI is readable on common laptop and mobile screen sizes
• Game does not depend on blocked third-party assets or trackers
• Thumbnail and description reflect the actual gameplay experience