Quick start

Yandex Games is a free platform for publishing browser-based games. You connect the SDK, upload your game — and it becomes available to millions of players without installation. We handle hosting, authorization, and monetization — you focus on your game and its growth.

Follow the steps below to publish your game on the platform:

Already created an account and connected the SDK?

Go straight to filling out the draft.

Step 1. Register

In the Console

The Developer Console is your personal dashboard where you manage games: upload builds, configure monetization and promotion, and track metrics. To get access:

  1. Create a developer account. When registering, use a Yandex ID with a Yandex login.
  2. In the Account section, specify your Preferred language for communication. This is the language we will use to communicate with you.

In Yandex Advertising Network

Yandex Advertising Network is required for enabling monetization and receiving payments for advertising and in-app purchases:

  1. Create an account in Yandex Advertising Network (YAN) and accept the terms of the agreement.
  2. Provide your payout details and current contacts.

Step 2. Set up team access

If you work in a team, configure roles and permissions in the Users and access section. Another team member will be able to upload the game on your behalf.

Step 3. Prepare the game archive

Review the requirements

Study the requirements for the game and promotional materials — this will save time during moderation.

Connect the SDK or plugin

The SDK unlocks platform features: it helps add advertising and purchases, save player progress on Yandex servers, and change game behavior without updating the build. You cannot publish a game without the SDK.

You can connect the SDK:

Step 4. Upload the game to the Console

In the Developer Console, add the game and on the Draft tab:

  • upload the archive with game files to the Yandex server;
  • specify which languages the game is localized into (recommended languages);
  • add descriptions and promotional materials.

For more information about draft fields, see Filling out the draft.

If the game has in-app purchases, contact games-partners@yandex-team.com in advance: specify the game name and ID.

Step 5. Pass moderation

Test the game

Before submitting for review, test the game on your own.

Common reasons for rejection of publication

Game requirements item

Category

Violation

Explanation

1.6.1.8, 1.6.2.7

UI / Interface

Context menu on interaction

A system browser context menu appears on right-click or long press — it must be disabled in the game area.

1.6.1.6, 1.6.2.5

System player (desktop and mobile)

Video content is played via the system player instead of the built-in game player — this disrupts interface integrity. More info.

4.7

Sound is not paused during ad display

During an ad playback, the game audio continues playing. Audio must be paused for the duration of the ad.

1.3

Sound continues when switching tabs

Game music or sounds do not stop when leaving the tab. The game must respond to page focus loss. More info.

1.19.2

SDK / Game Ready

Game Ready is not working correctly

Game Ready is connected, but the ysdk.features.LoadingAPI.ready() method is called incorrectly or at the wrong moment in the game lifecycle. More info.

2.14

Automatic language detection via SDK is not implemented

The interface language is set manually instead of using ysdk.environment.i18n.lang. The game must automatically adapt to the user's language. More info.

1.19.2

Game Ready is not used at all

Game Ready is not integrated, even though it is required for publication in the catalog. More info.

1.1

SDK is not embedded or is embedded incorrectly

The SDK script is missing, connected from an unofficial source, or initializes with errors. More info.

1.9

Technical issues

Progress is not saved

Results, levels, or settings are not saved between sessions. Use the Player object to store data. More info.

1.14

Game does not launch

The loading screen freezes or the game does not reach gameplay. Check the console for initialization errors. More info.

1.14

Error at startup or during actions

JS errors appear in the browser console at startup or during gameplay that affect functionality. More info.

1.15

Game freezes or lags

Noticeable freezes or performance drops make the game uncomfortable for the user. More info.

2.3

Compliance with description

Game does not match the declared genre

The gameplay contradicts the category selected in the Draft tab. The genre and description must accurately reflect the game's content.

Submit for moderation

On the Draft tab, click Submit for moderation — the game will move to Waiting for moderation status. If you want to choose the release time yourself, enable the Postpone publication option in advance.

The game will be reviewed for compliance with the requirements. Moderation usually takes 3–5 working days.

About moderation results

You will see the review results in the Console:

  • If moderation approves the game, the status will change to:

    • Published: the game will be published automatically.
    • Verified, if the Postpone publication option is enabled. The Publish button will appear on the Draft tab.

  • If publication is rejected, the status will change to Rejected. The reasons will be sent to the email specified in the developer account.

After publication

  • For one week, the game will be in the New section, and ML algorithms will determine the right audience for it.
  • After two weeks, a rating of player engagement and retention will appear on the game card.

Next comes game operations: metrics, A/B tests, and audience management.

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