A project presentation, also known as a pitch, is the most important step in bringing your idea to life. How persuasive you are will determine the reaction of investors and publishers. And given that the future fate of your studio may depend on the financing of the project, the pitch acquires the most fateful significance.
Of course, pitching a video game should cover all aspects of the game, from the audience to support and post-release maintenance. But at the same time, it shouldn’t be overloaded with details – you don’t want investors to fall asleep, do you?
We have collected key recommendations and tips for different pitching formats to make it easier for you to understand how to pitch a video game idea best. So let’s dive in.
What Is The Pitch?
A video game pitch is a proposal for a new video game that is presented to potential investors, publishers, or other stakeholders.
It’s not just about describing the game – the pitch is built to persuade. You’re asking for funding, resources, or support, so the way you frame the idea matters as much as the idea itself.
Most pitches include the basics: genre, setting, story hooks, and how the gameplay will actually work. If the game has something unusual – a new mechanic, a bold art style – that’s the part you highlight. Many teams also bring visuals, whether that’s concept art, mock-ups, or a short demo, to make the idea feel real.
At its core, the goal is simple – grab attention and spark imagination. A good pitch convinces the audience that the game isn’t just possible but worth investing in, both creatively and commercially. And when that works, it can unlock the support needed to turn a concept into something players can eventually hold in their hands.
Did you know? Knowing how to make a pitch will help not only when presenting an idea to an abstract investor, but also when launching a project on fundraising platforms. There you present your idea to your immediate audience who will play your game.
Points to Consider When You Pitch a Video Game Idea
No one is in a hurry to invest their money in a mediocre product. If it doesn’t grab attention with an idea, plot, graphics, or mechanics, then investors will simply pass by. The main thing, in this case, is to figure out how to stand out.
You can often find the opinion that it is enough to be passionate and confident in your idea, whatever it may be. But that’s not quite right.
No one will share your passion just because you are excited about your idea. You need to prove to investors that your idea is viable and back up each argument with convincing theses.
The concept of mediocrity plays a very important role. If your idea takes an already-known game as a basis and simply repeats it in a slightly different setting and graphics, no one will buy such an idea. The gaming industry is already constantly suffering from the problem of repetitiveness, even from world-famous franchises, so it definitely doesn’t need new entities of this type.
Of course, you must be confident in your idea and passionate about it to be able to emotionally influence investors. But first of all, you have to do a lot of analytical work and ensure that your idea is well protected from counterarguments like “But this has already happened in games.”
Tips to Keep in Mind for a Successful Pitch
When you’re preparing a video game pitch, a few essentials can make the difference between polite nods and real interest.
| Target audience | Know exactly who you’re building for. Is it hardcore players who’ll spend hours mastering mechanics, or casual gamers who want something quick on mobile? Be ready to explain why those players would choose your game over the dozens of others competing for their time. |
| Unique selling point | This is exactly what we were talking about. What sets your game apart from other games in the same genre? Does it have a unique art style, an innovative gameplay mechanic, or an interesting story? If you have nothing to answer these questions, it is better to immediately take on the reworking of the idea. |
| Competitors | What games have inspired you? What elements did you borrow from other games? What have you improved? Why will your game be different, why will it be better? Don’t shy away from this question, because if done right, it will help you stand out with real examples. |
| Genre | Action, adventure, simulation, puzzle – whatever space your game sits in, define it clearly. Don’t stop at the label, though. Show what you’re adding to the genre – a twist on mechanics, a fresh art style, or a new way of delivering story. Publishers hear “another action game” all the time, so explain why this one pushes the genre forward. |
| Gameplay | What is the core gameplay loop of your game? How do players progress through the game and what challenges will they face? It shouldn’t just be a “player explores the world” style description, but an explanation of how key mechanics contribute to the overall experience. |
| Story | What is the storytelling in video game? Is it a linear story or an open-world experience? If the story is linear, why does it have to be that way, and what is the main idea it conveys to the player? With an open world, it is more difficult, because it must be alive and filled, and each of its elements must add meaning to the overall picture. |
| Game economy | How will the game economy design services work? How will it develop? What is its dependence on the chosen difficulty level? Here you can also talk about the methods of monetization if any are planned. |
| Art and sound | What is the game’s visual and audio style? Are there any unique visual or audio elements that contribute to the overall experience? The chosen art style can be traditional or completely innovative, which is quite often practiced by small indie developers. |
| Marketing | How will you market the game? Do you have a plan for building hype and creating buzz around the game? Perhaps you do not plan any large-scale advertising activities, but this may be relevant only for small games. Large projects necessarily require planning all advertising activities in advance, otherwise, the probability of recoupment of the project drops significantly and the investor may pay attention to it. |
Of course, you must say a few words about your company. This shouldn’t take long, as you’re not here to discuss the undoubtedly interesting story of your origins. But with a short snapshot about your company, team, and processes, you show investors that you have the necessary resources to implement the idea and clearly understand how the work should be delivered.
Top Mistakes to Avoid in Video Game Pitching
Talking about mistakes is usually meaningless, because anyway, no one will take them into account until they themselves commit them and realize the consequences. However, we will still try to outline the most common failures for you so that you try to stay away from them as far as possible.
| Focusing too much on tech | It’s easy to drown people in specs. Yes, a solid technical base matters, but if your pitch reads like a manual, you’ll lose the room. Talk about the experience, not just the engine. |
| Lack of clarity | If you bury your idea in jargon or buzzwords, expect blank stares. Keep it simple and spell out what makes your game different. |
| No clear focus | Some pitches try to be everything at once. Nail down the basics: genre, target audience, and what really makes it stand out. |
| Missing a hook | Without a sharp opening idea, your game blends into the noise. That could be a mechanic nobody else has tried, a story twist, or an art style that makes people stop and look. |
| Not knowing your audience | The way you talk to investors is not the same way you talk to gamers. Investors care about profit and timelines – players care about story and mechanics. Shape your pitch accordingly. |
| Overpromising | Investors will spot unrealistic claims in seconds. Don’t give numbers you can’t back up, and don’t promise features you can’t deliver. Be ambitious but grounded. |
| Poor presentation skills | Even a great concept can land with a thud if the presentation feels lifeless. Practice, use visuals or demos, and bring energy to the room. |
| Lack of marketing plan | “We’ll just release it and people will find it” isn’t a plan. Show how you’ll reach the right players and build momentum. |
| Lack of confidence | If you don’t sound like you believe in your own idea, nobody else will. That said, balance matters – confident, not arrogant. |
| Poor preparation | Make sure you’re well-prepared for your pitch. Have all the necessary materials ready, and be ready to answer any questions that come your way. Try to anticipate all the possible questions in advance, be sure to include the most inconvenient ones, and prepare answers to them. |
Of course, you’ll forget about all these tips when you face investors, opening the presentation with trembling hands. However, some can help you prepare better, and following them will significantly increase your chances of success. After your successful meeting with investors, there’s one more thing left. How to pitch your video game idea to developers?
Key Pitching Formats
Speaking of tips and recommendations, we traditionally focused on the classic type of pitching – a personal offline meeting with investors. But in today’s digitalized world, this option is not the only one. Moreover, it is most likely even shifted from the first place. The leaders are remote pitching, as well as pitching at thematic events.
So here they are, the three main pitching formats.
- Remote presentation – done over video calls or other online tools. The upside is obvious: you can pitch to people scattered across the world without leaving your desk. The downside: attention can drift fast when you’re just another face on a screen. Keeping energy high and material engaging is harder than it looks.
- In-person meeting – the classic pitch. Sitting across from investors gives you room to build rapport, read body language, and answer questions naturally. It’s often the most effective format, but not the easiest to arrange – especially if your targets are on another continent.
- Conference pitching – common at GDC, Gamescom, or smaller local events. You get exposure to a large crowd of professionals and potential backers all at once. Great for visibility, but the competition is fierce and the spotlight can be nerve-wracking. Standing out is the real challenge here.
Objectively, nothing beats a face-to-face talk with investors – personal connection tends to carry more weight than any deck or demo. But depending on timing, geography, and opportunity, the other formats still have their place.
Comparison Table of Key Pitching Formats
| Pros | Cons | |
| Remote idea presentation | ✔️ Convenience. You can pitch your idea from anywhere in the world, without the need to travel. ✔️ Flexibility. You can schedule the presentation at a time that suits both you and the potential investors. ✔️ Cost-effectiveness. You can save money on travel and accommodation expenses. | ❌ Technical issues. Poor internet connection or technical glitches can disrupt the flow of the presentation. ❌ Lack of personal connection. Remote communication is not conducive to establishing closer contact. ❌ Loss of attention. Distractions on both sides can significantly damage the perception of information. |
| Offline personal meeting | ✔️ Personal connection. Meeting face-to-face allows you to build a personal connection with potential investors. ✔️ Clarity. You can answer questions and address concerns immediately, providing clarity to potential investors. ✔️ Body language. You can use body language to convey your enthusiasm and confidence in your idea. | ❌ Limited reach. Meeting in person can be time-consuming and limit the number of investors you can pitch to. ❌ High cost. You may have to pay for travel and accommodation expenses, which can be a significant cost. ❌ Scheduling. Scheduling a meeting can be challenging, especially if potential investors have busy schedules. |
| Pitching at conferences | ✔️ Exposure. The event is a crowded platform to showcase games to a wide audience of industry professionals, journalists, and gamers. ✔️ Feedback. The Q&A session after the pitch allows developers to receive feedback and insights from experienced pros in the industry, which can help refine game concepts. ✔️ Networking. Conferences are an excellent opportunity for developers to meet potential partners, collaborators, and investors. | ❌ Time constraints. Developers have a limited amount of time to pitch their games, which can get in the way of getting the main messages across. ❌ Competition. Events are a competitive environment, with many developers vying for attention from the same audience. It can be difficult to stand out among the crowd. ❌ Pressure. The pressure to deliver a successful pitch can be intense, especially for independent developers. This pressure can lead to nerves and a lack of confidence during the pitch. |
Are You Ready to Pitch Your Idea?
So how are you doing? Have you become more confident about how to sell a video game idea? We hope so. Pitching was and still is quite a creative procedure that requires good communication skills. Therefore, when choosing a person who will be engaged in pitching, also take into account psychological aspects, including such intangible ones as, for example, charisma. It may seem strange, but sometimes it can play, if not the most important, but quite a serious role in the success of the entire presentation.
Good luck with your pitching endeavors!
