What We Look For In a Game Pitch
At Clique Games, we often find ourselves sifting through a sea of pitches that seem to always just miss the mark—we’re on the hunt for something fresh, exciting, and game-changing (literally). We're a VR publisher that cares about the little things because we know that even the best game idea can fall flat if it's wrapped in a poorly organized pitch.
Our call to action, "Pitch Your Project," featured right at the top of our website, is more than just a form; it’s an invitation for developers to share their dreams and ideas with us. But what exactly do we look for in a game pitch? Let's show you!
The Importance of a Strong Game Pitch
Your pitch is the first taste we get of your game. And let's be real: if it's boring or confusing, it’ll probably end up in the "nope" pile. A solid pitch shows us that you understand your game, your audience, and the industry. Make it clear, concise, and avoid the buzzword soup that plagues so many pitches. In other words, don’t tell us you're "revolutionizing VR." Show us why your game matters, we call this, “The Things That Sticks.”
Yes, first impressions can be brutal. We’re aware of that. We’re not heartless, but when you're pitching in a competitive field like gaming, the bar is high. You often have one shot to grab any publisher’s attention, so don’t waste it with jargon or over-the-top promises you can’t prove you can handle. A pitch that nails it in the first 30 seconds? That’s a pitch that gets a second look. Your job is to make us understand why you care, and why we should care, and do that quickly.
Key Elements We Look for in a Game Pitch
When evaluating pitches, we look for several key elements that help us determine whether a project is a good fit for Clique Games:
1. A Clear and Compelling Concept
This is the meat. We’re looking for a game idea that’s not just "another VR shooter" or "a fun sandbox game." It needs to have something that makes it stand out. Maybe it's a unique mechanic, an innovative art style, or an unexpected storyline. Monkey Doo VR came to us with a pitch that made us laugh and captured the essence of why it would be fun. Simple, clear, and to the point.
Think of your pitch as a movie trailer. You don’t have time to explain every detail, so hit the big beats and sell us on the vision. What's the core of your game? Why will people care? If your pitch can answer those questions in a way that feels fresh and engaging, you’re on the right track. Games succeed when they offer something memorable—something players can latch onto. Your pitch should communicate that, without dragging us through the weeds of backstory or overly complex systems. If we want to know more, we will have plenty of meetings to ask all about it.
2. Target Audience and Market Fit
A great game idea isn’t enough though. You need to show us that there's a market for your game, and you know how to reach that market. Who’s going to play this? Why will they care? If you can’t tell us who your game is for, we have to assume you’ve never considered who would want it. Look at Dragon Fist: VR Kung Fu. They knew their niche—martial arts / fighting fans—and leaned into it hard, which made all the difference.
Understanding the audience means more than just demographics. Who are they, really? What do they want in a game, and what will make them stick around? If you can articulate why your game will resonate with a specific group of players—and why they’ll keep coming back—you’re miles ahead. We don’t need you to do even 20% of the work that we’ll do to find the right audience, just enough to be able to tell us why your game will matter to the people you’re building it for.
3. Gameplay and Mechanics Overview
Concepts are cool, but if we can’t visualize how it’ll play, we’re not sold. Break down the core mechanics and explain why they’re fun or engaging. Don’t worry about technical or developmental decisions—just give us enough to know that you’ve actually thought about how the game plays, not just how it looks. Frenzy VR nailed this. Their pitch broke down the gameplay mechanics in a way that made it clear why it would be addictive: Multiple World, Multiple Weapons, Climb Everything, Destroy Everything, Go Crazy.
Of course you know that gameplay is king. You can have the most innovative idea in the world, but if it doesn’t play well, it’s dead in the water. This is where a lot of pitches sadly fall flat. They’ll present these grand, ambitious ideas, but with no clear plan for how that’s actually going to translate into something people want to play. Be detailed. Tell us what players will be doing, how it’ll feel, and why it’ll keep them engaged. If we’re guessing about what your game is or how it plays, you’ve already lost us.
4. Visuals and Presentation Quality
Don’t judge a book by its cover and all… but… if a book looks really boring—we are probably judging it. A polished pitch deck with good concept art or a slick mockup can make a big impact. But don’t overdo it. Your game doesn’t need to look like Ready Player One for us to take it seriously. Just make sure what you do have looks professional and aligns with the tone of the game.
But remember: fancy visuals are a bonus, not a requirement. Some of the best pitches we’ve seen have come with nothing more than basic sketches and a solid explanation of the vision. On the flip side, we’ve seen some beautifully rendered pitch decks that went nowhere because the core idea wasn’t there. So, if you’ve got the visuals, great—use them to amplify your message. But if you don’t, focus on getting the fundamentals right.
5. Development Roadmap and Feasibility
We love ambition, but we also know how often game projects fail because they bit off more than they could chew. A clear development timeline with realistic milestones goes a long way in making us confident that you can actually pull this off. We don’t need every detail, but if your timeline looks like a fantasy novel, we’re going to pass. Frenzy Extinction came to us with a roadmap that made sense, and guess what? We moved forward:
Playable Demo -> Alpha -> Beta -> QA -> Launch -> DLC
Your roadmap doesn’t have to be a masterpiece of project management, but it should be grounded in reality. Show us that you’ve thought through the challenges and know how to get from point A to point B. Unrealistic timelines are one of the biggest red flags for us. We’ve been around long enough to know when a project is doomed by over-ambition, over-funding, or the inverse! Keep your goals challenging, but achievable, and be honest about what it’s going to take to get there.
What Sets a Great Pitch Apart
Beyond the essential elements, there are certain qualities that can elevate a pitch and make it stand out:
1. Innovation and Uniqueness
Originality is everything. If you’ve got a new take on VR, we want to see it. Whether it’s gameplay, art style, or a clever multiplayer mechanic, give us something we want to chat about. We've seen a lot of pitches, so it takes something fresh to get us excited.
But innovation for the sake of innovation won’t get you far. It’s not enough to just slap together a bunch of new ideas without thinking about how they work together. We want to see something original, sure, but it also needs to make sense within the context of your game. If your pitch feels like a Frankenstein of disjointed ideas, it’s not going to impress. Show us how your innovation fits seamlessly into the gameplay or the world you’re building.
2. Market Potential and Scalability
You need to show us that your game has legs. Can it grow? Can it scale? Dragon Fist: VR Kung Fu showed us not only that there was a demand for their game but also that they had plans to keep expanding and evolving it over time. That's what we want to see—a game that’s built to last.
Think long-term. We want to know that your game isn’t just a flash in the pan. A great launch is nice, but what’s your plan for post-launch content? How do you intend to grow your player base or keep them engaged after release? Scalability isn’t just about adding more levels or content. It’s about having a vision for how your game can evolve and adapt, ensuring its relevance and profitability in the long run.
3. Passion and Dedication of the Development Team
A great idea is, again, wasted without the right team behind it. If you don’t have a track record, that’s fine, but show us you’ve got the passion and skills to follow through. We’re more likely to take a risk on an unproven game if the team pitching it seems dedicated and capable. When Frenzy VR came in, the team’s enthusiasm and understanding of the VR space sealed the deal way more than anything they’d done in the past.
We’re looking for teams that are passionate, driven, and excited about what they’re making. It’s not enough to just have the technical know-how—you need to show us that you’re all-in on this project. We can tell when a team is just going through the motions versus when they’re genuinely passionate about bringing something new to the table. Passion is contagious, and if you’re fired up about your game, chances are we will be too.
Tools and Resources to Improve Your Pitch
To help you craft a pitch that meets our expectations, we offer several resources:
1. Clique Games Pitch Deck Templates
Our pitch deck templates are designed to help you present your ideas in a clear, organized, and visually appealing way. These templates include sections for all the key elements we look for, making it easier for you to create a compelling pitch that stands out. If you follow these templates you’ll have a pitch that is structured, professional, and aligned with industry best practices.
2. Leveraging the "Zero to Launch" PDF
Our "Zero to Launch" PDF is another resource you should definitely check out. It’s packed with insights into market dynamics, game development strategies, and best practices for pitching. Clique Game's Founder Brandon Egolf walks you through how Rogue Ascent went from a vertical slice demo, to a fully funded Kickstarter, to launching on the Official Meta Store. Learn the tricks to VR marketing, hear about the struggles of publishing, and see what it takes to go from Zero the Launch. We highly recommend referencing it as you prepare your pitch. It’s the kind of resource that can help you avoid some of the most common mistakes we see and give your project the polish it needs to stand out.
3. Additional Tips and Best Practices
When crafting your pitch, focus on clarity, impact, and alignment with our vision. Tailor your pitch to your audience—whether it’s us, another publisher, or potential investors—and make sure you’re communicating the value of your game effectively. Rehearse your presentation, anticipate questions, and be prepared to discuss every aspect of your game and its development. These best practices can make the difference between a pitch that informs and a pitch that inspires.
Case Studies: Successful Pitches at Clique Games
To showcase what we look for in a pitch, here are a few examples from games that successfully caught our attention:
1. Monkey Doo VR
The pitch for Monkey Doo VR stood out because of its clear concept, engaging visuals, and a well-thought-out marketing strategy that aligned with our brand. The pitch highlighted the game’s unique humor and accessibility, which resonated with our vision of bringing fun and innovative experiences to VR. As a result, the game has enjoyed significant success, driven by a loyal and engaged player base.
2. Dragon Fist: VR Kung Fu
This pitch impressed us with its deep understanding of the target audience and a gameplay mechanic that was both innovative and familiar. The developers provided a clear roadmap and realistic milestones, which gave us confidence in their ability to deliver the game as promised. Since its launch, Dragon Fist: VR Kung Fu has carved out a niche in the VR market, attracting both casual players and hardcore martial arts enthusiasts.
3. Frenzy VR and Frenzy Extinction
Both of these pitches demonstrated strong market potential and scalability. The team behind these games presented their concepts with passion and dedication, coupled with a solid plan for development and post-launch support. Their success stories highlight the importance of a well-rounded pitch that addresses all aspects of game development and market strategy.
Common Pitfalls to Avoid in a Game Pitch
While there are many things you can do to make your pitch stand out, there are also common pitfalls to avoid:
1. Lack of Clarity and Focus
A pitch that is unclear or overly complex can be difficult to understand and may fail to convey the core idea effectively. A study by Stanford University found that clarity in communication is a critical factor in determining the success of business pitches, as it helps decision-makers quickly grasp the value proposition. Make sure your pitch is focused and that the main points are easy to grasp.
2. Unrealistic Goals and Timelines
Overly ambitious projects without a feasible plan can raise red flags. According to the Game Developers Conference (GDC), unrealistic timelines are a common reason why promising game projects fail to secure funding or publisher support. Be realistic about what you can achieve within your timeline and ensure that your roadmap reflects that.
3. Neglecting the Importance of Presentation
No matter how good your idea is, if the presentation is lacking, it can undermine your pitch. Research from Cornell University indicates that visual appeal and professionalism in presentation significantly influence the perceived credibility of a pitch. Use our pitch deck templates to ensure your presentation is polished and professional.
Game Pitch Turn-Offs: Common Mistakes to Avoid
Our team shares the most common mistakes we've encountered in game pitches—issues that can quickly turn a promising pitch into a missed opportunity. Avoid these pitfalls to ensure your pitch makes the right impact from the start.
1. Be Clear About What You’re Asking For
One of my biggest frustrations is when a pitch doesn’t tell me what the team is actually looking for. Are you after funding, marketing support, connections, or something else? I need to know this upfront so I can figure out how to help or whether we’re even a good fit. It saves both of us time if you’re clear about what you need from the start.
2. Where Is The Money Going?
There is nothing wrong with asking for funding; advances are one of the core value-ads of a publisher. But where is it going? Many pitches end with a slide that states "We need $X." What is it for? A complete game? Vertical Slice? Is that paying for the team, additional software licenses, IP? Be clear not only with the requested funding amount, but also outline what the money would be going towards.
3. Show Me What Inspired You—Quickly
If you want me to understand your game and your target audience fast, the best way is to tell me what other games are similar. Show me three games that your ideal player is likely to be into. This helps me understand the genre, the player base, and whether or not your game has commercial potential. If there’s nothing comparable, that’s usually a red flag that your concept isn’t something the market wants. Prove to me that you’re building a game in a genre that has players.
4. Same Old Story
Many people share the same common notes: Today's market size, expected market size, that they did something "first", industry trends/stats, etc. We already know that. Tell me something I don't know. Tell me a unique observation that fuels your passion for making the game you're pitching. If there is data to back that observation, show it. Latching onto a well-known trend isn't a guarantee of success. Finding an opening in the market that others haven't fully explored yet certainly can be.
5. Stick to Your Guns
Don’t be the team that pitches a game they have worked on for months and lets a reviewer who has viewed the game pitch once for 20 minutes convince you to change your game entirely. Know and be confident in what you are pitching when you click send on that email or submit on that pitch form. The submission does not need to be perfect, but it should be an idea you are determined to build and are confident will succeed (It may not, but you better think it). Uncertainty is a big red flag when reviewing a pitch. We want you to be receptive to feedback and ideas we have but you shouldn’t be willing to change everything about the game you are supposed to be confident in. I want to trust you had at least 25 ideas and the one you are submitting is being pitched because the other 24 didn’t have the legs that the idea you are pitching has. Stick to your guns!
Conclusion
At Clique Games, we believe that great games begin with great pitches. A well-crafted pitch not only gets us excited about your game but also sets the foundation for a successful partnership. We encourage all developers to take advantage of the resources we offer, including our pitch deck templates and the "Zero to Launch" guide, to create pitches that stand out.
If you’re ready to share your game with us, visit our website and click "Pitch Your Project." We can’t wait to see what you’ve got in store!
Additional Resources
For more tips on pitching, game development, and marketing strategies, explore our blog and download the "Zero to Launch" PDF. Have questions? Reach out to us directly—we’re here to help you bring your vision to life.
