Pitches and Concepts and Demos, Oh My!

2. Pitches and Concepts and Demos, Oh My! A critical approach to creating game pitches, including the formal pitch and infamous “Elevator Pitch”

3. Agenda • Announcements • Game Concepts • Game Pitches • Pitch Workshop

4. Announcements • IGDA Global Game Jam 2010 • Research done on available libraries/engines • UDK • Unity 3D

5. Game Concepts What is a game concept?

6. What is a Game Concept? • A solution to a problem that must be solved Fuzzy Idea Mission Statement Game Design Pitch

7. Organizing your thoughts • Get your game idea on paper

8. What Makes a Good Concept? • Originality • A specific idea (Not “A cool FPS with Graphics”) • Passion for the game idea

9. The Game Pitch What is a pitch? Why are they important? The infamous “Elevator Pitch”

10. What is a Game Pitch? • A clear and concise way of explaining why your idea is awesome • Selling your idea • Can be formal or informal, technical or abstract • KNOW YOUR AUDIENCE!

11. Anatomy of a Pitch • Concept + Prototype + Team • Your idea • A demo or prototype screenshot • The team that you will be working with • Presentation + Paper • The visual elements • The high level game design document

12. Why are Pitches Important? • Only way to get your idea out there • Opportunity to “Get in the Game” • Prove your worth to the game company

13. Two Types of Pitches • Elevator Pitch • Hardest component of the pitching process • Should be extremely short • NO MORE THAN 30 SECONDS • Full/Formal Pitch • Someone is actually willing to sit down and hear your idea. • Pitch should be built to fit the publisher or exec

14. Making a Game Pitch “There is nothing new under the sun” -Shakespeare

15. Have an Original Idea • Don’t just base your ideas off of pre-existing material • “It’s like _____ but with _____” • According to Gamasutra, publishers are “Tired of games about zombies, ninjas and pirates • What sets your game apart? What new do you bring to the board?

16. Be Passionate… • If a developer is passionate about a project, they are more likely to make sure they follow through with it, and to make something amazing.

17. …But Not Too Overprotective • Don’t ignore other people’s feedback. • Other people are capable of having great ideas too! • Actually TELL someone about your idea • Don’t make your pitch a guessing game

18. Know What Game You Are Making • You’re pitching a specific game, not a direction. • Who/What/Where/When/Why? • Think it ALLthe way through • Avoid giving stupid answers to serious questions

19. Be Succinct • The first sentence is paramount • Present your high level concept first • Don’t assume or expect the publisher to read your whole pitch • Conversation style is indirect and meandering • Interviewers only have so much time • Their time is worth a lot more than your • Don’t ramble • Why is this game relevant to the publisher?

20. Show, Don’t just Tell • A Picture is Worth a Thousand Words • Prototypes are must-haves for many publishers

21. Research • What is the competition? What makes your game unique? • What platform do you plan on developing for? • Who are you making this game for? What Demographic(s)?

22. In the Matters of Business… • Budgets • Be Greedy • What is your Timeline? • When are your major milestones? • When would you be able to ship?

23. Be Prepared • Make sure to have copies of your game design handy • Prototype? • Prepare your pitch beforehand • Don’t just make it up as you go • Be prepared to have backup pitches • Be aware when opportunities to share your idea appear • Be prepared to mess up • Have Fun!

24. Questions and answer Questions about the club?

25. Part 2: Pitch Presentations Remember Wednesday, December 2nd