Releasing your build exclusively with Arcade Punks

Built something special? Releasing it as an Arcade Punks exclusive means it lands here first, with a proper launch, rather than being scattered across a dozen links. Here is what that gets you and how it works.

Why release your exclusive with Arcade Punks?

• Hundreds of thousands of users. Your build gets seen, fast, by one of the biggest retro gaming communities around.
• Completely free to release. We never charge creators. Not now, not later.
• Full distribution. Torrents, seedboxes and Usenet are all handled for you. Our seedboxes keep fresh releases fast for the first 90 days, and Usenet keeps files available for a long time after that.
• A proper write-up. Your work gets a featured article with your video and credits, not just a bare link.
• Bandwidth saved. You upload once, and we mirror it everywhere. No more hosting it yourself and watching your connection melt on release day.

How it works

1. Get in touch. Use the contact page and choose “Advertising & Publishing”, or message us on our Discord. Tell us about the build, the device it is for, its size, and that you would like it as an exclusive.
2. Agree the details. We will chat about timing and anything you would like in the write-up, such as when you want it to go live.
3. Upload it to our FTP. We send you private upload details. Split the build into 900 MB RAR4 parts, make an SFV checksum file, and upload. Step by step: Uploading to our FTP.
4. Send the article details. Name and version, device, front end, size and the card or drive it was made on, what is included, setup notes, known issues, credits and a YouTube video if you have one. The full checklist is in Sharing your build.
5. We check and release. We verify every part, test the extraction, and push it out to our servers, seedboxes and Usenet. Allow a few days. Keep your RAR files until we confirm everything is good.

Making the most of your launch

• Make a video. A short clip showing the menus and a few games in action is the single biggest thing that gets people excited.
• Be clear about the hardware. Say exactly which device it was built and tested on, and which card. It cuts down on “it won’t fit” and “it won’t boot” comments.
• Share the article link, not the files. When you post about your release on YouTube, forums or social media, link to the Arcade Punks article. Please do not post direct download or torrent links around the web. The article keeps everything in one place, including any updates, and supports the site so it can stay free.
• Hang around the comments. People will have questions on release day. A few replies from the builder go a long way, and the community will help too.

Is this for me?

If you have made something you are proud of and want it in front of as many retro gamers as possible without paying for hosting or babysitting torrents, yes. Big mega-builds and tiny focused ones are both welcome. If you would rather just share a build without making it an exclusive, that is fine too: see Sharing your build.

Still stuck? Ask us on our Discord, or read Uploading to our FTP to get your files ready.