In this dynamic industry, game developers are constantly seeking fresh and captivating concepts to bring to life. Whether it’s a gripping storyline, innovative gameplay mechanics, or stunning visuals, a successful video game pitch has the power to ignite the imaginations of both players and industry professionals alike.
But what makes a compelling video game pitch? It’s all about striking the perfect balance between familiarity and originality. You want to create an experience that resonates with players, drawing them in with familiar elements while offering something new and exciting. Think of it as a delicate dance between nostalgia and innovation, where you tap into players’ love for classic gaming tropes while pushing the boundaries of what’s possible.
How to Structure Good Video Game Pitch
Crafting a well-structured video game pitch is essential to effectively communicate your game idea and capture the attention of potential investors, publishers, or development teams. Here is a suggested structure to help you create a compelling video game pitch:
- Hook and Introduction: Start with a captivating hook that immediately grabs the listener’s attention. This could be an intriguing question, a bold statement, or a brief overview of the game’s unique selling point. Follow it up with a concise introduction of yourself or your team, highlighting relevant experience or accomplishments.
- Elevator Pitch: Present a concise and engaging overview of your game concept. Summarize the core idea, genre, and key features of the game in a way that generates excitement and curiosity. Keep it brief, compelling, and easy to understand, as if you were describing the game in an elevator ride.
- Game Concept and Storyline: Provide a more detailed explanation of the game concept and storyline. Describe the setting, characters, and the main objective of the game. Engage the listener by highlighting the unique and compelling aspects of the narrative that will keep players invested and immersed.
- Gameplay Mechanics and Features: Dive into the gameplay mechanics and features that make your game stand out. Explain how the game will be played, the core gameplay loop, and any innovative mechanics or systems that differentiate it from existing titles. Use concrete examples or analogies to make it easier for the listener to visualize the gameplay experience.
- Target Audience and Market Potential: Clearly define the target audience for your game and explain why they would be interested in playing it. Provide demographic information, market research, and data that support the potential demand for your game. Showcase your understanding of the market and how your game fills a gap or satisfies a need.
- Visuals and Art Direction: Share visual materials, concept art, or screenshots that showcase the game’s art style, graphics, and overall visual direction. This helps the listener visualize the game’s aesthetics and creates a stronger impression of its potential visual appeal.
- Progression and Replayability: Discuss how the game will keep players engaged over time. Explain progression systems, character development, or other elements that incentivize replayability and long-term enjoyment. Highlight any innovative or unique approaches you’ve taken to enhance the game’s longevity.
- Monetization Strategy: Outline your revenue model and how you plan to generate income from the game. Explain if it will be a premium title, free-to-play with in-app purchases, subscription-based, or if you have other monetization strategies in mind. Justify your chosen model and demonstrate its potential profitability.
- Proof of Concept or Milestones: If you have a playable prototype, vertical slice, or any progress made on the game, showcase it to provide tangible evidence of the game’s feasibility and quality. Discuss development milestones achieved or future milestones you plan to reach.
- Conclusion and Call to Action: Summarize the key points of your pitch and end with a strong call to action. Encourage further discussion, express your enthusiasm for the project, and invite potential partners or investors to take the next step with you.
Remember, while this structure provides a guideline, feel free to adapt and modify it to suit your specific game and audience. Tailor your pitch to highlight the most compelling aspects of your game and ensure that it’s concise, engaging, and memorable.
What is a Video Game Pitch?
Let me give you a taste of what’s to come. Picture yourself embarking on an epic sci-fi adventure, traversing distant galaxies and encountering enigmatic alien civilizations. But here’s the twist: instead of being the heroic space captain, you’re an intergalactic rogue, navigating the treacherous world of space piracy and smuggling. It’s a mix of high-stakes action, complex moral choices, and a touch of interstellar romance. This game pitch combines the thrill of exploration with the allure of morally ambiguous characters, giving players an immersive and unforgettable experience.
A well-crafted video game pitch typically includes key elements such as:
- Concept: The core idea or theme of the game. This could be a captivating storyline, an innovative gameplay mechanic, or a combination of both.
- Gameplay Mechanics: The mechanics and features that make the game engaging and fun to play. This includes details about controls, interactions, progression systems, and any unique gameplay twists.
- Target Audience: Identifying the specific demographic or player base the game is designed for. This helps demonstrate the market potential and appeal of the game to potential investors.
- Visuals and Art Direction: A visual representation of the game’s art style, graphics, and overall aesthetic. This helps create a vivid mental image of the game and showcases its visual appeal.
- Market Analysis: An overview of the current market trends, competitor analysis, and potential target audience size. This helps demonstrate the viability and commercial potential of the game.
- Unique Selling Points: Highlighting the standout features or innovations that set the game apart from existing titles in the market. This could be an innovative gameplay mechanic, a compelling narrative, or a unique twist on a familiar genre.
- Revenue Model: Outlining the monetization strategy for the game, whether it’s through upfront sales, in-game purchases, subscriptions, or other revenue streams. This helps potential investors understand the financial prospects of the game.
- Proof of Concept: If available, showcasing a playable prototype or a vertical slice of the game to demonstrate its potential and feasibility.
It is a presentation or document created to communicate the concept and idea of a video game to potential investors or publishers. It typically includes the game’s genre, target audience, unique features, and a description of the story and gameplay. The goal of a video game pitch is to generate interest and excitement in the game, and to persuade the investors or publishers to invest in the development of the game.
It should also outline the development team, their respective roles and experience, and the estimated budget and timeline for completion of the game. It should also include any potential risks involved in the development of the game, as well as any potential marketing plans and strategies. A successful video game pitch should be engaging, informative, and succinct, while conveying a clear vision of the game and its potential.
Types of Video Game Pitches
There are several different types of video game pitches. The most common type is the traditional pitch, which is typically done in person and is meant to give an overview of the game and the development team. Other types of pitches include elevator pitches, which are short pitches meant to quickly capture the interest of publishers, and email pitches, which are used to send out a brief overview of the game and the development team.
- High Concept Pitch: This type of pitch focuses on a unique and attention-grabbing concept or central idea of the game. It emphasizes the game’s innovative or compelling aspect that sets it apart from existing titles. The goal is to quickly capture the listener’s imagination and create a sense of excitement around the game’s potential.
- Gameplay Demo Pitch: Instead of relying solely on verbal descriptions, this pitch involves showcasing a playable demo or a vertical slice of the game. By allowing the audience to experience the gameplay firsthand, you can effectively demonstrate the game’s mechanics, immersive features, and overall fun factor. This type of pitch is particularly impactful when you have a polished and engaging gameplay experience to share.
- Story-Driven Pitch: If your game boasts a captivating narrative, this pitch type puts the spotlight on the storytelling aspects. You focus on the game’s plot, characters, and emotional journey, highlighting the game’s potential for creating a rich and immersive narrative experience. Use evocative language and vivid descriptions to paint a compelling picture of the game’s world and its story’s impact on players.
- Genre-Driven Pitch: In a genre-driven pitch, you emphasize the game’s genre and how it incorporates familiar elements while offering a fresh twist or unique approach. This pitch type is effective when presenting a game within a well-established genre, as it allows you to tap into existing player expectations and preferences while showcasing the innovative aspects that make your game stand out.
- Market Analysis Pitch: This pitch focuses on the market potential and commercial viability of the game. You present research, data, and market analysis that supports the demand for the game within a specific target audience or demographic. This type of pitch is often used when seeking investment or pitching to publishers, as it demonstrates an understanding of the market landscape and the game’s potential profitability.
- Prototype or Technology-Driven Pitch: If your game incorporates groundbreaking technology or unique gameplay mechanics, this pitch type highlights those aspects. You focus on the technical innovations or advancements that make your game a standout experience. This type of pitch is effective when presenting games that leverage emerging technologies, such as virtual reality (VR), augmented reality (AR), or advanced physics simulations.
A video game pitch is a presentation or proposal to a publisher or investor for a new video game. It is typically used to explain the concept of the game and give an overview of how the game will be developed. A successful video game pitch will include the game’s concept, a detailed description of the game’s features, the proposed game engine, target platforms, and the game’s projected budget. Video game pitch should include a marketing plan and a timeline for completion and launch.
Traditional Pitch
The traditional pitch is the most common type of video game pitch. This type of pitch is typically done in person and is meant to give an overview of the game and the development team. It’s important to be prepared for a traditional pitch and to be able to clearly explain the concept of the game, the target audience, the game mechanics, and the market potential of the project.
Elevator Pitch
An elevator pitch is a short pitch meant to quickly capture the interest of publishers and investors. This type of pitch is usually done in a matter of seconds and should clearly explain the game concept, the target audience, and the market potential of the project. Elevator pitches are usually done in a casual setting and should be concise and to the point.
Email Pitch
An email pitch is used to send out a brief overview of the game and the development team. This type of pitch is typically done as an introduction to the publisher or investor and is meant to give a basic understanding of the game and the development team. Email pitches should be concise and to the point and should include a clear explanation of the game concept and the market potential.
What is an elevator pitch for a video game?
An elevator pitch for a video game is a concise description that quickly explains the concept and purpose of the game. It should give the audience a clear idea of the game’s premise, its target audience, and how it will be entertaining and engaging. It should also include a call to action and an invitation for further exploration of the game.
A good elevator pitch for a video game should also touch on its unique features and game play mechanics. It should capture the game’s essence and provide an overview of the storyline and characters. It should explain why the game is unique and why it stands out from other games in the same genre. It should emphasize the fun, excitement, and challenge that playing the game provides. The elevator pitch should end with a call to action, such as inviting the listener to try out the game or learn more about it.
Crafting a Successful Pitch
Crafting a successful video game pitch is a challenge, but it’s an essential part of any developer or publisher’s success. It’s important to make sure the pitch is clear and to the point, while also giving a good understanding of the game concept and the market potential. Here are some tips for crafting a successful pitch:
Do Your Research
Before crafting a pitch, it’s important to do research on the publisher or investor. Knowing who you’re pitching to will help you tailor the pitch to their specific interests.
Be Clear and Concise
It’s important to be clear and concise when crafting a video game pitch. Make sure to explain the concept of the game, the target audience, the game mechanics, and the market potential of the project.
Include a Demo
Including a demo of the game is a great way to show off the game’s potential. A demo can help publishers and investors get a better understanding of the game and its market potential.
Follow Up
Following up after a pitch is important. Make sure to thank the publisher or investor for their time and follow up with any questions or concerns they may have.
How Present Video Game Pitch 101
Start with a captivating introduction that immediately grabs their attention. Use a compelling hook, such as a thought-provoking question, a bold statement, or an intriguing anecdote related to your game concept. You want to spark curiosity and pique their interest right from the start.
Dive into the heart of your pitch by conveying the core concept of your game in an engaging and concise manner. Paint a vivid picture of the world, characters, and unique features that set your game apart. Use descriptive language to transport your audience into the immersive experience they can expect from your game.
To make your pitch more tangible, incorporate visual aids such as concept art, storyboards, or a brief gameplay video. Visual elements help bring your ideas to life, enabling your audience to visualize the aesthetic, atmosphere, and gameplay mechanics you’re proposing.
As you delve into the gameplay mechanics, focus on what makes your game fun, exciting, and innovative. Highlight the unique mechanics, controls, progression systems, or multiplayer features that set your game apart from others in the market. Use relatable examples and analogies to help your audience understand the gameplay experience they can expect.
Maintain a confident and enthusiastic demeanor. Your passion for your game should shine through, as it will help build excitement and confidence in your vision. Engage your audience by making eye contact, using expressive gestures, and employing a conversational tone that invites their participation.
Be Prepared
It’s important to be prepared for a pitch presentation. Make sure to have all the materials you need, such as a presentation, a demo, and any supporting materials.
Practice
Practicing a pitch before presenting it is essential. Make sure to practice the pitch multiple times and to be familiar with all the materials you’ll be presenting.
Be Engaging
The key to a successful pitch presentation is to be engaging. Make sure to be enthusiastic, answer any questions, and be clear and concise when presenting.
Be Flexible
It’s important to be flexible when presenting a pitch. Make sure to be open to feedback and be willing to adjust the pitch if needed.
Conclusion
Video game pitches are an essential part of the development process. Crafting a successful pitch is a challenge, but with the right research and preparation, it can be done. By following the tips outlined in this article, you can create a successful pitch that can help you break into the video game industry.
