Apologies if this question has been asked before, but my Google-fu is coming up short, and I've already checked the docs.

I'm looking to create a public game page and DevLog page for an upcoming game release, but I don't want to upload the game just yet. I want to build up a bit of awareness about it first. 

However, I'm a bit concerned if I make my game page public, I will be indexed prematurely prior to launch, and then will not benefit from being in the "New" section when I do upload the game. With my last project, there was a lot of traffic from the "New" and "New and Popular" sections, so I don't want to miss out on this.

It seems logical that I would only be placed there once I upload something for the first time on the game page, whether or not it's been public for a while or not.

If someone could confirm this before I start, I'd really appreciate it. 

When publishing a game page, it is getting indexed as you described, and it appears on the “New” section. However when you release updates on the game (or the first stable version in your case), you can write a devlog marked with “Major Update”, which will cause the game to re-appear in the “New” category.

Make sure to mark your project as “In development” or an equivalent release status in the “Edit Game” screen.