It’s a well-known fact that in order to be successful at writing video games scripts, you need to pitch your game to publishers. But what many people don’t know is that there’s an art to pitching games – and if you’re not prepared, you’ll likely lose the publisher’s interest before you even have a chance to show them your game. So what do you need to do in order to pitch your game like a pro?
1. What is a Pitch?
When you pitch your game, you’re essentially giving a presentation to the publisher about why they should invest in your project. It’s important to be clear, concise, and professional when pitching – and to remember that the publisher is likely to have a lot of questions.
2. Have a Clear, Concise Pitch Deck
Your pitch deck is your “big picture” view of the game – it should include all the important details about your game, such as the concept, story, mechanics, and art style. It’s important to make sure that your pitch deck is easy to follow, and that you can quickly and easily answer any questions the publisher may have about it.
If you can explain it to me like I’m five, you’ll be more likely to get that sweet, delicious dollar! No one wants to invest in something they don’t understand, so you better explain it clearly;
3. Prepare for Questions
Publishers will likely have a lot of questions about your game – so it’s important to be prepared for them. Have answers for the most common questions, such as “What is the game’s genre?” and “What platforms will it be released on?”
You don’t want to be that guy; You know the dumb struck mumbling fool type? If you have some sort of idea of the questions you can expect to hear, it will make it a whole lot easier to avoid situations such as these.
4. Bring a Prototype or Game Demo
If you have a prototype or game demo, be sure to bring it to the pitch. This will give the publisher a better idea of what your game is actually like, and can help convince them to invest in it.
If you are just pitching hot air, no one will care about your grand idea. Chances are they might even steal your concept and work on it themselves if they like it. So bring actual gameplay content!
5. Be Confident
It’s important to be confident when pitching your game – after all, you’re selling them on your idea! Remember, the publisher is likely to be interested in your game, so don’t be afraid to show off your best pitches.
Confidence is often related to being prepared and not caught off guard, so this ties into preparation again.
6. Closing the Deal
If the publisher is interested in your game, be prepared to close the deal. This may include negotiating a contract, giving a development timeline, or setting milestones for the game’s progress.
Make sure you are realistic, as a game can often take longer to fully develop than expected. A great example of this is Cyberpunk. They rushed it out to appease fans… and ended up only annoying them further.
Get out there in the world
Now that you know how to pitch your game like a pro, go out and sell them on your idea! And remember – practice makes perfect, so be sure to pitch your game as often as needed to get that deal through!