What happens if I don't code-sign my game?

Players downloading and running your unsigned executable see alarming OS security warnings, Windows SmartScreen's "unrecognized app" or macOS's "unidentified developer", that make your game look like it might be malware. Many cautious players abandon the install rather than click through a warning the OS frames as dangerous. Code signing removes these warnings by verifying your game comes from a known publisher.

Do I need to code-sign if I only ship on Steam?

Usually not, major platforms like Steam, console stores, and mobile app stores largely handle signing and trust through their own installation processes, so you typically don't manage code signing certificates yourself for those channels. Code signing matters specifically when you distribute outside such stores (directly via your website or other channels), where there's no platform to vouch for your game and the OS would otherwise warn players.

Should I Code-Sign My Game?

Q: Should I code-sign my game?

For PC games distributed outside major stores (your website, itch, direct downloads), yes, code signing prevents the scary OS security warnings (Windows SmartScreen, macOS "unidentified developer") that deter installs and erode trust. On platforms like Steam, consoles, or app stores, signing and trust are usually handled for you. Weigh the certificate cost against the installs lost to warnings, which for direct distribution usually makes it worth it.

Quick answer: For PC games distributed outside major stores, yes, code signing prevents scary security warnings that deter installs and erode trust. On platforms like Steam or consoles it's handled for you. The cost is a certificate and setup; the benefit is players who aren't scared off.

Code signing attaches a verified digital signature to your game's executable, telling the OS and players it's from a known publisher. Whether you need it depends on how you distribute. For games shipped outside major stores, it's important; for store-distributed games, it's usually handled for you.

Unsigned Games Trigger Scary Warnings

When players download and run an unsigned executable, operating systems show alarming security warnings, Windows SmartScreen's "unrecognized app," macOS's "unidentified developer," that look like your game might be malware. Many players, reasonably cautious, abandon the install rather than click through a warning that the OS frames as dangerous.

Code signing removes those warnings by verifying your game comes from a known publisher. For a game distributed directly (your website, itch, direct downloads), this is the difference between a smooth install and one a chunk of players bail on out of fear.

Stores Usually Handle It for You

If you distribute through major platforms, Steam, console stores, mobile app stores, signing and trust are largely handled by the platform. The store's own trust and installation process means you typically don't need to manage code signing certificates yourself for those channels.

So whether you need to code-sign depends on your distribution. Store-only games can often rely on the platform; games shipped directly outside stores need to handle signing themselves to avoid the warnings stores would otherwise prevent.

Weigh the Certificate Cost Against Lost Installs

Code signing has a cost: obtaining a signing certificate (which involves money and some verification) and integrating signing into your build. For a game distributed outside stores, weigh that against the installs and trust you lose to security warnings, which for many games makes signing clearly worth it.

The trust benefit also extends to your reputation, a signed game looks professional and safe. So: code-sign your game if you distribute it outside major stores (directly, via your site, or channels that don't handle signing), to avoid the security warnings that scare off installs, if you ship only through Steam, consoles, or app stores, signing is usually handled for you.

For games distributed outside major stores, yes, signing prevents scary security warnings that deter installs. On Steam, consoles, or app stores it's handled for you. Weigh certificate cost against lost installs.