The Perfect Video Game Pitch: Tips to Grab Anyone’s Attention

The video game industry is incredibly competitive. To stand out, you need a pitch that captivates your audience from the start. Here’s how to write a pitch that will make journalists, publishers, investors, or potential partners sit up and take notice:

Understand Your Audience:

Before you write a single word, research your target audience. Are you pitching to media, content creators, publishers, investors, or someone else? Tailor your pitch language and focus to match their interests and what they care about most.

Define Your Game’s Unique Selling Proposition (USP):

What makes your game special? Identify its unique selling points – the features that make it stand out from the crowd. This could be innovative gameplay mechanics, a compelling storyline, stunning visuals, or something else entirely. Lead with your USP!

Craft a Captivating Hook:

Open with a bang! Your hook could be eye-catching concept art, a short gameplay GIF that highlights a unique mechanic, or a one-sentence synopsis that sparks curiosity. The goal is to immediately grab attention and make them want to find out more.

Showcase Visuals and Art Style:

A picture is worth a thousand words, especially in video games. Include high-quality concept art, screenshots, or even a short gameplay trailer to give a clear picture of your game’s look and feel.

Outline the Gameplay Experience:

Describe the core gameplay loop. What will players be doing? What are the goals and challenges? How does your game innovate within its genre, or create something new and exciting?

Present a Compelling Narrative:

If your game is story-driven, provide a concise but enticing summary of the plot, characters, and overarching themes. Explain how the story enhances the gameplay experience.

Offer Early Builds or Gameplay Demos:

The best way to get someone excited about your game is to let them play it. If you have a playable demo or early build, provide a way for your pitch recipient to access it.

End with a Strong Call to Action:

Don’t leave them hanging! Tell your audience exactly what you want them to do next. Do you want them to request a complete video game press kit, schedule a demo, invest in your project, or something else? Be clear and direct.

Remember:

Match the Pitch to the Recipient

A publisher pitch and a media pitch ask for different decisions. A publisher may need to assess the project, team, production plan, and commercial opportunity. A journalist needs to decide whether there is a relevant story for their readers now. A creator needs to understand whether the game fits their content and audience. Build the message around the person receiving it.

A Simple Structure for a Media Pitch

1. Subject: identify the game and the concrete news, such as a demo, reveal, or release announcement. Avoid disguising an introduction as a reply.
2. Opening: explain the news in a sentence and connect it to the recipient’s coverage when there is a real fit.
3. Game: describe what players do and one or two features that make the experience distinctive. Include accurate platform and release information.
4. Materials: link to a representative trailer and an organized press kit. Offer build access through a separate request process when appropriate.
5. Next step: offer a relevant action, such as requesting a preview build or arranging an interview. Include a named contact and any agreed timing.

Keep the first message readable and specific. Respect a recipient’s stated submission preferences and avoid sending private keys or unagreed embargoed details in a broad introduction. If you need help preparing the story and reaching relevant journalists, explore Reverb’s video game PR services.