ARCADEHow to write a game description that gets plays
You spent hours on your game. Players will spend about three seconds deciding whether to try it. Here is how to make those three seconds count.
On a marketplace, players meet your game as a small card: a cover image, a title and a line or two of text. That is your whole pitch. A great game with a vague title and a blank description gets skipped. A good game with a clear hook gets played, rated and shared.
When you publish a game on Arcade, you give it a title, a short catchphrase, a description, its game types and an age rating. Each one has a job. The good news: writing them well takes ten minutes once you know the formula.
The 4 parts of a great description
The hook
One sentence that makes people curious. The situation, the danger or the twist.
The goal
What the player has to do to win. Specific and short.
The how
The main action and, if needed, the controls in a few words.
The promise
Why it is fun: the twist, the challenge, playing with friends.
1. The hook
Start with the situation, not with "This is a game where…". Drop the player in: "1887. Trapped in a cursed silver mine…" or "You are alone in a lighthouse during a storm, and someone keeps calling." The first line is the one people actually read, so put your best idea there.
2. The goal
Say exactly what winning means: "Find 3 silver bullets", "Survive 6 nights", "Earn 1,000,000 coins". A clear goal tells players the game has an ending and is worth their time.
3. The how
Mention the main action: hide, drift, build, serve customers, vote. If your controls are unusual, say so in a few words. Players who know what to expect stay longer.
4. The promise
End with what makes your game different: a twist, a boss, multiplayer, a high score to beat. "Play with friends" and "beat your best time" are promises players love.
Real descriptions that work
These descriptions come from well rated games on the Arcade marketplace, and each one does the job in a different way.
"1887. Trapped in the cursed Widow's Silver Mine, a lone prospector must survive one horror after another to destroy Black Jack Mortimer, the undead outlaw with a burning pumpkin head."
A date, a place, a hero and a villain in one sentence. You know the mood instantly.
"Murdered for your riches, you return to haunt the very criminals who ended you. Track three thieves through your darkened mansion…"
The twist comes first (you are the ghost), then a clear goal: three thieves.
"Mischievous elves have left the library in complete disarray… Sort each book onto the right shelf, restore a little peace and order, and enjoy a cozy moment with a warm cup of tea!"
A small story, one simple action and a promise of calm. Perfect for a cozy game.
"Jump through colorful obstacle courses, reach checkpoints, and collect wins. Earn 10 wins to unlock a free golden VIP glow and badge."
No story needed: the action, the goal and the reward, in two short sentences.
And here is what to avoid:
Says nothing about what the game is, why it is fun, or what makes it different.
Players assume the game is unfinished and skip it.
Write a catchphrase that sticks
The catchphrase is your game's slogan: one short line that sums up the fun. Think of it as the line on a movie poster. The best ones use two or three very short sentences, each starting with a verb.
| Game | Catchphrase | Why it works |
|---|---|---|
| Dead Man's Gulch | "Find the 3 silver bullets. End the curse. Don't look back." | The whole goal, as a countdown of orders |
| Estate of Panic | "They took your life. Don't let them take your loot." | Stakes and a twist, with a bit of humor |
| Obby VIP Rush | "Clear the course. Earn your golden VIP!" | The action and the reward, nothing else |
| Tidy Library | "Sort the shelves, sip your tea, and get cozy!" | Sells a mood, not just an action |
Your title matters as much
- 2 to 4 words: short titles fit on cards and are easy to remember.
- Hint at the genre: "Monster Café Tycoon" says the genre and the twist at once.
- No "Untitled" or "My game 2": a placeholder title tells players the game is not ready.
- Unique: search it first, and avoid copying the name of a famous game. Players looking for the original will not find yours, and the ones who do will expect a copy.
Stuck on a title? Try the game name generator.
Pick the right game types
On the Arcade marketplace, players can filter games by game type, mode (solo or multiplayer) and age. If your obby is tagged as a platformer and your café game as a tycoon, players who love those genres will find them. Pick the one or two types that describe what players actually do most, not every type that appears for a second.
The cover image sells the click
Your cover is the first thing people see, before any text. Show the most exciting moment of your game: the monster in the corridor, the car mid-drift, the jump over lava. Make sure the main character or action is big and clear even when the image is small, and avoid covers that are mostly empty sky or a black screen.
Fill-in template
[Situation or setting in a few words]. [What the player does: main action]. [The goal: how to win]. [The twist or promise: what makes it different]. [Optional: play solo or with friends, how long a round lasts].
Example: "A café run by monsters, and you are the new manager. Serve hungry customers, hire staff and upgrade your kitchen. Earn 1,000,000 coins to become the best café in town. Watch out: some customers only come at night."
And for the catchphrase: "[Verb] [the goal]. [Verb] [the danger or the reward]." For example: "Serve the monsters. Don't spill the soup."
Checklist before you publish
- ✅ The first line is a hook, not "This is a game where…"
- ✅ The goal is clear and specific
- ✅ The main action and any unusual controls are mentioned
- ✅ There is a reason to play: a twist, a challenge, friends
- ✅ The catchphrase is short and starts with a verb
- ✅ The title is short, unique and not a placeholder
- ✅ The game types match what players do most
- ✅ The cover shows the best moment of the game
- ✅ The game itself shows the goal and controls on screen when it starts
The last point matters more than any text: a great description brings players in, but a game that explains itself keeps them. If players do not understand what to do in the first seconds, they leave, and they leave a low rating.
Games with descriptions that work
Free games made on Arcade. Click one to see how it presents itself, then play it in your browser.
1887. Trapped in the cursed Widow's Silver Mine, a lone prospector survives one horror after another to destroy the undead outlaw Black Jack Mortimer.
Murdered for your riches, you come back as a ghost to haunt the three thieves who took everything.
Elves have turned the library upside down. Sort every book onto the right shelf, then enjoy a cup of tea.
Jump through colorful obstacle courses, reach checkpoints and collect wins. Earn 10 wins to unlock a golden VIP glow and badge.
Ready to publish your game?
Build your game on Arcade, write a description that gets plays, and put it in front of players on the marketplace. Free.
Create your gameFAQ
How long should a game description be?
One to three sentences. The first sentence matters most, because it is often the only one players read on a game card.
What is the difference between a catchphrase and a description?
The catchphrase is a one-line slogan that sums up the fun ("Clear the course. Earn your golden VIP!"). The description explains the situation, the goal and the main action in one to three sentences.
Should I mention the controls in the description?
Only if they are unusual. Always show the controls inside the game when it starts.
What makes people click on a game?
A strong cover image, a short title that hints at the genre, and a first line that creates curiosity.
Should I write my description in English?
If you want players from everywhere, yes: English reaches the most people. Keep the words simple so players who are not native speakers understand it too.
Can I change my description after publishing?
Yes. When you publish an update to your game, you can improve the title, catchphrase and description too. Try a new hook if players are not clicking.