Dressmaker's success on Steam

Released on September 21, Dressmaker has emerged as one of the year's Steam sensations, with 17,530 reviews, 98% of which are positive, and estimated earnings of 7 million dollars. The independent studio Cozy Lives, which developed the game, did not expect such success but deliberately targeted a demographic that the video game industry has yet to fully consider.

Targeting a specific audience

According to Sabrina Becker, a developer at Cozy Lives who previously worked in fashion, the game's premise of creating dream dresses and working with fabrics has attracted a significant audience. "We clearly targeted women from the start. And the fact that we interested so many men is a real bonus," she said.

Growing female presence in gaming

In France, according to Women in Games statistics, women now represent 49% of players, or nearly 19.5 million female gamers. This proportion reaches even 85% among those aged 10-30. Becker noted that the success of Roblox games such as Dress to Impress, which attract many women and girls, was an indicator of a real demand.

Reaching new players

The new Steam phenomenon has even allowed an entirely different audience to discover video gaming. A testimony recounts how a mother, a former seamstress, first became interested in her child's games. "She had never really shown interest in my games, beyond a simple curiosity about what I was doing. But with Dressmaker? She wants to play! She really wants to play!"

Future expectations and market caution

Longtime players are calling for new experiences, including more pronounced RPGs with a focus on choices and customization, and universes with mermaids, fairies, and more developed romances. However, the market remains cautious, at a time when it is necessary to appeal to everyone, avoid risks, and chase the next trend. It is up to the independents to fill these gaps. And Dressmaker clearly seems to have reignited the flame of those who spent many hours under the covers playing The House of Style.

Continued development and surprise

The studio also plans to continue enriching its game, notably with an online feature allowing players to vote for their favorite creations. "We love this game very much and we have always hoped to be able to continue developing it," Becker said. Her partner, Jonathan Hau-Yoon, admitted to having been overwhelmed by the extent of the success: "I was prepared to finish the game and publish patches, but I wasn't ready to receive such a large influx of players and such media attention." Dressmaker is still available on Steam. No other platforms have been announced, for now.