How to Present Your Game Concept

When it comes to presenting your game concept, simplicity is key. If your idea is too complex to explain easily, it’s likely too complex to develop successfully. Creating a clear, concise presentation not only helps align your team’s vision but also makes it easier to pitch to investors or stakeholders. Here’s a more detailed guide on how to structure your game concept presentation effectively.

1. Working Process Title and One-liner

Start with a clear and memorable title for your game concept, followed by a one-liner that encapsulates the essence of the game. This should be a phrase that anyone can understand and immediately grasp what your game is about. For example, "Indiana Jones in Space" for an adventure game with space exploration elements, or "Clash of Clans x Lemmings x Deck Builder" to convey a unique blend of strategy and creativity.

Tips:

• Keep it simple and relatable.

• Make sure it sparks curiosity or excitement.

2. The Opportunity or Challenge

Present the problem or opportunity your game addresses. This is where you set the stage for why your game needs to exist. For example, you might say, "It’s really hard to get a taxi in New York, and at the same time, 90% of people’s cars are unused." Make sure your problem statement is something everyone in the room can agree on, or at least recognize as a legitimate challenge.

Tips:

• Fact-check your claims to ensure they’re accurate.

• Use compelling data or evidence to back up your statements.

• The goal is to have everyone agree that this is a problem worth solving.

3. Broad Solution Overview

Explain how your game addresses the problem or seizes the opportunity you’ve identified. This should be a high-level overview of your solution, something that makes sense within the context of the problem. For instance, "Imagine an application that lets you call a taxi straight from your phone, and even better, lets everyone become a taxi driver with their own car if they wish."

Tips:

• Ensure the solution resonates with your audience.

• Pause during your presentation to ask if the audience agrees with your approach. Agreement here will make it easier to get buy-in on the rest of the concept.

4. Detailed Explanation

Now, dive into the details of what your game will actually be. Introduce the product or service, highlighting key features and the production levels you aim to achieve. This is where you show some of the core mechanics, gameplay, and unique selling points of your game. Use visuals to support your points—if you don’t have final artwork, concept art or AI-generated visuals can help convey the vision.

Tips:

• Focus on the features that make your game stand out.

• Highlight how these features solve the problem or leverage the opportunity you’ve discussed.

• Use visual aids to bring your concept to life.

5. Market Situation and Potential

Provide an analysis of the current market situation and the potential for your game. Use the TAM (Total Addressable Market), SAM (Serviceable Available Market), and SOM (Serviceable Obtainable Market) framework to show the competition and the potential market for your game. Explain your strategy for gaining market share and how your game fits into the competitive landscape.

Tips:

• Be clear about how your game differentiates itself from others.

• Provide realistic estimates and strategies for achieving market share.

• Include a brief analysis of competitors and how your game stands out.

6. Team Introduction

Showcase your team’s credentials and experience. Highlight any relevant past projects or successes. If there are key roles that are yet to be filled, mention them as TBH (To Be Hired), and explain how you plan to fill these gaps. This slide is crucial for building credibility, so make sure it’s strong.

Tips:

• Emphasize the experience and strengths of your team.

• Include previous projects or companies to add credibility.

• Make sure this slide impresses—if it doesn’t, the rest of your pitch may not get the attention it deserves.

7. The Ask

Clearly outline what you need in terms of time, resources, and funding. Provide a rough timeline for each phase of development (refer back to the phases discussed in Blog Post 4) and explain the resources required to achieve your goals. This is where you make your pitch for what you need to bring the game to life.

Tips:

• Be specific about what you need and why.

• Provide a realistic timeline for development phases.

• Include a breakdown of funding requirements and how it will be used.

8. Optional Contact Information and Additional Details

Conclude with any necessary contact details and additional information. This could include links to your website, social media, or portfolios. If there’s any other relevant information that didn’t fit into the earlier slides, include it here.

Tips:

• Make sure contact information is easy to find.

• Provide any additional resources or links that support your presentation.

Additional Tips for Creating Your Presentation

• Simplify Complex Ideas: If your game concept is too complex to explain easily, it’s likely too complex to develop successfully. Simplify wherever possible.

• Value the Process: Don’t think of creating slides as a waste of time. It’s an excellent tool for aligning your team’s vision and ensuring everyone is on the same page.

• Engage Your Audience: Keep the presentation simple, concise, and easy to follow. Your goal is to make sure everyone in the room can understand and get excited about your game.

• Practice Your Pitch: Rehearse your presentation to ensure smooth delivery. This will help you gauge where you might need to simplify further or where you might need more detail.

By following this structure, you’ll be able to create a compelling presentation that clearly communicates your game concept, aligns your team’s vision, and effectively pitches your idea to stakeholders or investors.

Remember, the goal is to make your audience as excited about the game as you are.