Hey Business gurus!!

I'm sure this question has been asked before, but I didn't take the time to look through the forums for something similar (please don't ostracize me! lol) So I'm working on building a Powerpoint presentation for several publishers I've been in contact with, and I'm wondering what are some important things to include (besides the obvious).

So far, here's the list of important aspects to highlight:

- Quick Elevator pitch of what the game is about
- Describe the game play
- describe the way the publisher will benefit from the game
- include screenshots and gameplay video where applicable
- Possible Financial Model
- Close with a strong argument about why they should consider

I obviously didn't embellish on any of these ideas, but I get the major gist of what I need to include. I'm wondering is there something that I might be missing? Has anybody on this forum seen success with their presentations, and what techniques did you use?

I'm all ears, and would love to get some feedback. Thanks!

Anthony D.

Competitive Analysis.
How much it'll cost to make.
The bios of the dev team.
How long it'll take to make.
Who's the target audience.
What's the target platform.
What's the monetization method.
How this game fits with this publisher's product line.

I would love to hear a little more about the monetizing method. Would that include how much the game costs, in game purchases, in game advertising and such?

1. I would love to hear a little more about the monetizing method.
2. Would that include (a) how much the game costs, (b) in game purchases, (c) in game advertising (d) and such?

1. So would they!
2.a. No. Note that I listed development costs separately from monetization. Oh, did you mean purchase price? (If so, if you're going to sell copies and that's how you monetize the product, then "yes.")
2.b. Yes.
2.c. Yes.
2.d. Yes. Monetization means "how the product earns us money."

Ah, that's what I thought. Didn't know if I missed any possibilities for monetizing. (Ads, plush toys, slurpee flavors, etc.)

Competitive analysis is other games like mine and how I plan to blow them out of the water? lol

Another obscure idea I read about was the use of color. I don't know if you ever read anything about this, but there have been studies that the use of certain colors together actually entices publishers to consider picking up a title. I know this is an "out-there" question, but was wondering if there is any solid backing to this.

Ah, that's what I thought. Didn't know if I missed any possibilities for monetizing. (Ads, plush toys, slurpee flavors, etc.)

Competitive analysis is other games like mine and how I plan to blow them out of the water? lol

Another obscure idea I read about was the use of color. I don't know if you ever read anything about this, but there have been studies that the use of certain colors together actually entices publishers to consider picking up a title. I know this is an "out-there" question, but was wondering if there is any solid backing to this.

I don't know, and I wouldn't be surprised if there is some effect like that. But even if there is, I think that it would be a fairly minor gimmick compared with the information that Tom suggested. I doubt that an idea they don't feel will give them a good and reliable return on their investment will get their funding regardless of colors used.

I think that you're much better off focusing on presentation skills than color scheme-- a large number of people who use Powerpoint all the time are shockingly bad presenters, and that will definitely have an effect on how your project is received.

Another obscure idea I read about was the use of color. I don't know if you ever read anything about this, but there have been studies that the use of certain colors together actually entices publishers to consider picking up a title. I know this is an "out-there" question, but was wondering if there is any solid backing to this.

I can imagine it now:

Good morning, investors.

Thank you for reading my business plans, partly hand-written, partly in Comic Sans fonts, partly scanned crayon drawings, and all badly stapled together. I know my business plan has gaping holes and is likely to hemorrhage money until it goes bankrupt. I know I look like a slob wearing tennis shoes, casual clothes with holes in the seams. I also realize that I don't have the knowledge and skills necessary to pull off the deal.

But look at this background. It uses Blue. Not just any shade of blue, but the most powerful blue hues. It has IBM Blue on the edges, with a gradient to the more modern powerful intel Blue. And It has red text, because Red on Blue is powerful.

Yes investors, this presentation uses Blue backgrounds with Red text.

Give me your money.

Thank you.[/quote]

@frob: LOLOLOL! I almost Roflmaoed on the floor to that. If we could somehow harness, "hypnotize" the publishers with these color schemes, we might be on to something...

@Khaiy: Good idea. Obviously my primary focus is to attention and detail, and making my information, concise, short and to the point. Purportedly I asked about color because I have looked at a few powerpoint presentations that use a lot of purples, yellows and blues, specifically.

I would add the following to Tom's list:

1. Post launch plans: DLC and updates for 12-24 months after the launch of the game.
2. Playable demo. Sorry reading slides about a great game is not as good as playing a great game. Proof is in the pudding.

While I've never had to pitch a game to people, I have heard some advice on the issue that I'll pass onto you.

If you're limited to 10 slides, make 1 about the game itself and 9 about the revenue model.

Publishers are there to make money, they happen to do it by selling games. Your presentation should focus on how this will make them money over anything else. If you can convince them that it will make money, they could care less if you're making Barbie Doom Horse Adventures or Cooking Halo: Baking Evolved (starring Master Chef).