Recently I completed a major update to my game, that took a very long time to get working (ported my game to web), and I recently made a devlog describing the milestone.

I chose "Major Update or Launch" and the description for it was this:

Major Update or Launch

Highlight significant changes or a newly available project. These posts will boost project position on the Recently Added & Updated list pending curator approval.

Based on that, I was expecting my game to show up in the most recent tab in the games list, so I could have a new chance for a larger audience based on the huge changes I made.

Is that not what it means? Will I have to make an entirely new project to get a chance to show up in the recent tab again?

Based on that, I was expecting my game to show up in the most recent tab in the games list, so I could have a new chance for a larger audience based on the huge changes I made.

I just want to add that your release strategy should not be built around the recent games page. Hundreds of games are published per day, and due to the wide range of quality of content on that page it’s not a place many people go to discover stuff. It’s very unlikely you’re going to build an audience in the brief time you’re there. I recommend focusing on building a community around your game by seeking followers, since your updates are published directly to their feed’s and email.

Hope that helps