How to make a game trailer for free (and a Steam capsule)

Short answer: record gameplay with OBS Studio, cut a 30 to 60 second trailer in the free version of DaVinci Resolve (or CapCut's Free plan for short clips), export a 1920 x 1080 MP4, and make your store images in Canva Free. Open with real gameplay, make it work with the sound off, and keep text off your Steam capsules except the game name. Every tool here is free or has a free plan.

Facts checked Oct 27, 2026 on the official sites: Steamworks documentation, itch.io creator docs, and each tool's own site or pricing page. Plans change, so check again before you rely on a limit.

What you need

• A playable build with at least a few moments that look good. A trailer cannot hide an unfinished game, and Steam's Content Survey reminds developers that the game must be consistent with its marketing materials.
• A recorder: OBS Studio, free and open source, for Windows 10 and 11, macOS 13 or newer, and Linux.
• An editor: DaVinci Resolve (free version) for a full trailer, or CapCut Free for quick vertical clips.
• An image tool: Canva Free for capsules, covers and thumbnails.
• Optional: presskit() for a press page. All five tools are in our marketing and trailer tools category.

Step 1: Plan a short trailer

Steamworks gives two warnings worth building your whole trailer around: a shopper in the Discovery Queue may give you less than 10 seconds, and they may be watching without audio. Steam also says most users want to see gameplay, and recommends that the first trailer on your page is mostly gameplay, shown from the player's view, with the HUD visible.

A simple structure that follows that advice:

1. 0 to 5 seconds: your best gameplay moment. No studio logo first.
2. 5 to 40 seconds: 4 to 6 short clips that each show one thing the player does: move, fight, solve, build, explore. Cut on action.
3. Last 5 to 10 seconds: the game's name, then where to get it (for example "Wishlist on Steam" or "Play free on itch.io") on the final card.

Steam does not set a trailer length. 30 to 60 seconds is our rule of thumb for a first game, not a Steam rule. One more reason to front load good footage: Steam builds the 6 second microtrailer it shows in hubs and sales by taking six 1 second clips from your first visible video, and you cannot customize it.

Step 2: Record gameplay with OBS Studio

Download OBS Studio and add a source to the scene:

• Windows: a Game Capture source captures hardware accelerated games with high performance. OBS says this source is Windows only.
• macOS 13 or newer: use macOS Screen Capture.
• Linux: use a Window Capture or Display Capture source.

Set the canvas and output to 1920 x 1080, because that is the top resolution Steam asks for. OBS recommends recording to MKV, since an MKV file is not lost if the recording stops unexpectedly. Then use File > Remux Recordings to turn it into an MP4 for your editor, or turn on Automatically remux to mp4 in the Advanced settings.

Recording tips: hide debug text, turn off your mouse cursor if the game does not use it, record each moment a few times, and record longer than you need so you have clean frames to cut on. Record game audio on its own track if you can, so you can lower it under music later.

Step 3: Edit the trailer

DaVinci Resolve (free version)

Blackmagic Design says the free version of DaVinci Resolve works with virtually all 8-bit video formats at up to 60fps in resolutions up to Ultra HD 3840 x 2160, and calls itself an all in one app for editing, color, VFX, motion graphics and audio. That is more than enough for a Steam trailer, which tops out at 1920 x 1080. The paid Studio version adds 10-bit video, up to 120fps and resolutions beyond 4K, which a first trailer does not need.

• Make a 1920 x 1080 timeline at the same frame rate you recorded (30 or 60).
• Use the Cut or Edit page to trim each clip to its best 2 to 5 seconds.
• Add a title card at the end and keep any on screen text short and big, since many viewers will not hear the audio.
• Export from the Deliver page as an MP4 with H.264 video and AAC audio if your system offers it. Steam says it can transcode from many formats if not.

CapCut (Free plan)

CapCut's Free plan is USD 0 with free templates and basic editing tools, and it is the fastest way to cut vertical clips for TikTok, Reels and Shorts. Watch for the watermark rules in CapCut's own help center:

• Templates, effects, fonts, music, stickers and AI tools marked as Pro need a Pro subscription to export without a watermark.
• Some templates add a CapCut ending clip. Delete it from the end of your timeline before exporting.
• On CapCut Desktop, 4K and 60fps export options can be locked for free users.

The simple fix: edit in the normal editor with your own gameplay footage and your own audio, skip anything with a Pro badge, and export at 1080p.

Step 4: Music and sound, including AI

The safest audio for a trailer is your game's own music and sound effects, because you already have the rights to them. If you need extra sounds, Kenney's support page says every asset on its asset pages is public domain (CC0), so they can be used in commercial projects. Kenney has free audio packs such as Impact Sounds, Interface Sounds and Music Jingles.

Free AI music is tempting, but a trailer is marketing for something you may sell, so check commercial rights first. What the official pricing pages said on Oct 27, 2026:

• Suno Free: no commercial rights and no monthly song downloads. Commercial use rights start on the paid Pro plan.
• ElevenLabs Free: includes sound effects and music, but the commercial license and music commercial use start on the paid Starter plan.

So on a free plan, use AI audio only to sketch ideas, and ship the trailer with your own or CC0 audio. If you do use AI generated content that ships in your game, disclose it (see the AI section below). Our free AI sound effects and music guide compares more tools.

Step 5: Make capsules, covers and thumbnails in Canva

Canva Free is US$0 and includes 1.6M+ templates, 4.7M+ photos, videos, graphics and audio, 5GB of cloud storage, designs with custom dimensions, and export as PDF, JPG or PNG. Magic Resize is not on the Free plan, so create each size as its own custom size design.

Steam store and library images

Steam's graphical asset rules limit base capsules to game artwork, the game name and any official subtitle. No review scores, no award logos, no discount text, and no calls to action like "Wishlist now." Your logo has to stay readable at small sizes. Steamworks offers downloadable templates for each asset on its Store Graphical Assets page.

itch.io cover and screenshots

itch.io asks for a cover image in a 315:250 ratio. 315 x 250 is the minimum and 630 x 500 is better. Screenshots can be any size, and itch.io recommends 3 to 5.

Video thumbnail

Steam makes a 600 x 380 poster and a 232 x 130 thumbnail from your trailer automatically. If you upload your own, it must be a frame from the video itself at 1920 x 1080, and Steam suggests avoiding text.

Step 6: Upload the trailer

Steam

Steamworks says you will be required to upload a trailer as part of the release process. Upload it in Store Page Admin > Trailers. The specs:

• Your highest resolution, up to 1920 x 1080. Common resolutions like 1920 x 1080 or 1280 x 720 avoid processing errors.
• 30/29.97 or 60/59.94 fps, high bit rate (5,000+ Kbps).
• .mov, .wmv or .mp4. H.264 video and AAC audio preferred.
• 16:9 preferred, 4:3 accepted. Audio is mixed down to stereo, and 44 or 48 kHz audio avoids errors.

Pick a category for each trailer (Gameplay, General / Cinematic, Teaser, or Interview / Dev Diary) and drag your gameplay trailer to the top. The first two valid trailers show before your screenshots. You cannot release your game while a trailer is still converting, so upload well before launch.

itch.io

itch.io does not host trailer files. Upload the video to YouTube or Vimeo (itch.io also supports SketchFab links), make sure it is public, and paste the link into the trailer field on your project's edit page. itch.io shows the player above your screenshots and adds a Watch trailer button to your game in browse listings. Check the page in a private browser window to make sure the video plays. New to itch.io? Follow How to publish your first game on itch.io first.

Generative AI disclosure

Both stores ask about AI generated content:

• Steam: the Content Survey has a Generative AI section about content that ships with your game and is consumed by players, such as artwork, sound, narrative and localization. It separates Pre-Generated content (made with AI during development) from Live-Generated content (made while the game runs), which also needs a description of your guardrails. AI tools that only made you more efficient are not the focus.
• itch.io: every project edit page has a Generative AI disclosure with types for Graphics, Sound, Text and Dialog, and Code. Saying yes adds the AI Generated tag. Saying no adds No AI.

Answer honestly, and check that each AI tool's plan allows commercial use. Our guide Can I sell a game made with AI art? covers that in more detail.

Step 7: Add a simple press kit

presskit() by Rami Ismail of Vlambeer is free for everyone and turns your game's facts, screenshots and links into a press page journalists can use. Its site says it is still in beta, installs with a single file upload, and is usable by anyone who knows what FTP, text editing and image editing mean, in about 30 to 60 minutes. It also has a tag for telling Let's Players and video creators whether they may monetize videos of your game.

No web host? Put the same things on a section of your itch.io page: the trailer, 5 screenshots, a logo, a two sentence pitch, the platforms and price, and how to contact you. itch.io also has a press system you can opt into from your User settings, which gives press outlets free access to your projects.

Free tools in this guide

Related

Publishing on itch.io first? Read How to publish your first game on itch.io. Still building the game? Start with Make your first game with free AI tools. Need art or sounds? Browse free asset libraries, sound effect tools and all marketing and trailer tools.

FAQ

What is the best free software to make a game trailer?

For most beginners: OBS Studio to record gameplay (free and open source) and the free version of DaVinci Resolve to edit, which handles 8-bit video up to 60fps at up to Ultra HD 3840 x 2160. CapCut's Free plan is quicker for short vertical clips. Canva Free covers thumbnails and store images.

What video format does Steam want for a trailer?

Steamworks asks for your highest resolution up to 1920 x 1080, at 30/29.97 or 60/59.94 fps, a high bit rate of 5,000+ Kbps, in a .mov, .wmv or .mp4 file. H.264 video with AAC audio is preferred and 16:9 is preferred (4:3 is accepted). Use 44 or 48 kHz audio to avoid processing errors.

Do I need a trailer to release on Steam?

Yes. Steamworks says you will be required to upload a trailer as part of the release process, and you cannot release while a trailer is still converting, so upload it early.

How long should a game trailer be?

Steam does not set a length. It does warn that a shopper may give your trailer less than 10 seconds and may watch with the sound off. Our rule of thumb for a first game is 30 to 60 seconds, with real gameplay in the first few seconds.

What size is a Steam capsule image?

The required store capsules are Header 920 x 430, Small 462 x 174, Main 1232 x 706 and Vertical 748 x 896. The Library needs a 600 x 900 capsule, a 920 x 430 header, a 3840 x 1240 hero with no text, and a transparent PNG logo. Screenshots are at least 1920 x 1080 and you need at least 5.

Can I put review quotes or 'Wishlist now' on my Steam capsule?

No. Steam's graphical asset rules limit base capsules to game artwork, the game name and any official subtitle. That means no review scores, awards, discount text or calls to action like Wishlist now.

Can I use free AI music in my game trailer?

Usually not on a free plan. Suno's Free plan lists no commercial rights and no monthly song downloads, and ElevenLabs puts its commercial license on the paid Starter plan. A trailer is marketing, so use your game's own audio or CC0 sounds such as Kenney's free audio packs instead.

How do I add a trailer to my itch.io page?

Upload the video to YouTube or Vimeo, make sure it is public, then paste the link into the video or trailer field on your project's edit page. itch.io shows it above your screenshots and adds a Watch trailer button to your game in browse listings.

Sources: Steamworks Trailers, Store Graphical Assets, Library Assets, Graphical Asset Rules and Content Survey; itch.io Getting started, Designing your page and Quality guidelines and AI disclosure announcement; OBS Studio; DaVinci Resolve; CapCut pricing, watermark help and export help; Canva pricing; presskit(); Suno pricing; ElevenLabs pricing; Kenney support. Checked October 27, 2026.