Learn how to make a game pitch deck that impresses publishers. Get real-world video game pitch deck examples, tips, and killer templates.
Set as Preferred Source
If you don’t already know this, here’s the unforgiving truth – breaking into the game development world is tough.
For every 1000 games out there, only a handful make enough money to cover their cost, and only 1 or 2 go on to become big hits with sequels.
This reality makes game studios and publishers extremely cautious. They prefer investing in sequels of games that already did well, rather than taking a chance on something new.
This makes the task of raising money for your game development unenviably hard.
But I am not here to tell you to give up. I’m here to guide you through making a game pitch deck that has a fighting chance.
By the end you’ll know what you need to do, but also get ready-to-use templates that will make publishers sit up and take notice.
Let’s get started!
A successful game pitch deck goes beyond static slides; it’s an interactive experience.
Imagine a deck where each click reveals a new aspect of your game’s world, engaging the audience more deeply.
Interactive decks allow you to showcase gameplay videos, clickable demos, and even mini-games, making your presentation not just informative but memorable.
This dynamic approach helps your game stand out, as it not only tells but shows the potential of your idea. It’s about creating a journey for the viewer, one where they can almost feel the game come to life.
Here’s an example of a successful game pitch deck:
Creating a game pitch deck is like weaving a compelling tale where each slide draws your audience deeper into the world you’ve created.
It’s not just about showcasing your game; it’s about making your audience believe in it as much as you do. Here’s how to structure your game pitch deck to tell that story effectively.
15 key slides of a game pitch deck:
A game pitch deck is more than a collection of slides. It’s a storytelling tool that can make or break your game’s future.
They weave together the essence of the game, the passion of the creators, and the potential for success in a way that resonates with publishers and investors.
Let’s look at some examples of game pitch decks that have achieved this.
Note: If you’re fundraising for gaming software then you may want to look into our startup pitch deck examples.
The Baldur’s Gate 3 pitch deck (reimagined by Storydoc’s design team) skillfully introduces the eagerly awaited RPG by Larian Studios.
It blends imaginative storytelling with insightful details, capturing the essence of an epic adventure set in the rich universe of the Forgotten Realms.
What makes this game pitch deck great:
This indie game pitch deck example was created by our design team to showcase a fictional fantasy adventure game. It’s designed as a template to help developers present their ideas in a clear, engaging way.
The deck does a brilliant job of showing how to pitch a game – from the story and gameplay to the market opportunity and monetization plan.
Structured like a journey through the game’s world, it gives potential investors and partners a real sense of the experience – from big-picture concepts down to technical and commercial details.
What makes this game pitch deck great:
This metaverse gaming pitch deck was created as a fictional example of what a standout investment proposal could look like in the gaming space.
It introduces a rich virtual world where players build, explore, and connect – while showing how to pitch a metaverse game not just as a product, but as a dynamic, evolving platform.
The deck guides viewers through the game’s concept, features, and strategy with a smooth narrative flow, combining storytelling with interactivity to keep attention from start to finish.
What makes this game pitch deck great:
This pitch deck example usable as template uses dark mode design to offer a unique twist on the traditional presentation style.
By embracing a dark-themed aesthetic, it aligns perfectly with the game’s adrenaline-fueled, nocturnal street racing vibe.
This version of the deck not only maintains the compelling content of the original but enhances it through a visual style that resonates with the game’s essence.
What makes this game pitch deck great:
This gaming pitch deck example usable as template is made for independent game developers to showcase their game concept, design, and potential to publishers or investors.
It adopts a traditional and brighter visual approach. This version is tailored to suit environments and preferences where a classic, more conventional aesthetic enhances the presentation’s effectiveness and clarity.
What makes this game pitch deck great:
This video game pitch deck was created as a fictional example by our design team to show how a post-apocalyptic action game can be pitched with clarity and style.
It blends striking visuals with detailed, well-structured content – capturing the core of a rich, narrative-driven game with time-bending mechanics and strategic combat.
The result is a deck that walks the line between cinematic presentation and practical business case.
What makes this game pitch deck great:
This game pitch deck was designed to appeal directly to investors, with a clear focus on business potential, smart monetization, and a compelling vision for growth.
Built around a strong value proposition, the deck highlights how ACME Game Studios is tackling key market challenges while delivering a gaming experience that keeps players engaged and coming back for more.
What makes this game pitch deck great:
Button City is a narrative adventure game developed by Subliminal Gaming, featuring a community of low-poly animals named after herbs and spices.
The game was released on various platforms including PS5, Xbox Series X|S, Nintendo Switch, and Steam.
This pitch deck was used by the indie studio, in collaboration with WINGS Interactive, to secure additional funding in 2020 after the game had already secured pre-production funding in 2018.
What makes this game pitch deck great:
HyperDot’s pitch deck is an exemplary showcase of a minimalist, action-packed game, strategically designed to highlight the game’s unique features and accessibility.
What makes this game pitch deck great:
The Wayward Strand pitch deck beautifully introduces a narrative-driven game with a unique setting. It’s tailored to convey the depth of the story and the innovative gameplay mechanics.
What makes this game pitch deck great:
The BioShock pitch deck played a pivotal role in securing a publishing deal for the game in 2002. BioShock, developed by Irrational Games and later published by 2K Games, is a first-person shooter set in the dystopian underwater city of Rapture.
The game’s concept, developed by Ken Levine, draws inspiration from various twentieth-century dystopian and utopian thinkers.
What makes this game pitch deck great:
The Backbone pitch deck, used by game studio Egg Nut in 2019, was instrumental in securing a publishing deal with Raw Fury for their noir role-playing indie video game, “Backbone.”
Set in a dystopian Vancouver inhabited by animals, the game allows players to explore a deeply personal story through the eyes of raccoon private eye Howard Lotor.
What makes this game pitch deck great:
The Diablo pitch deck, created in 1994 by Blizzard North (formerly Condor), was a key element in securing the publishing deal for the first installment of the Diablo video game series.
This comprehensive proposal played a crucial role in the development and release of the game, which became a landmark in the action role-playing game genre.
What makes this game pitch deck great:
The “One Lonely Outpost” pitch deck was used by Aurorian Studios to secure an equity investment and a publishing deal for their unique farming simulation game set on a barren alien planet.
The game offers players a choice between traditional farming and futuristic approaches like robo-cows and gene-spliced crops.
What makes this game pitch deck great:
The “Bear & Breakfast” pitch deck was instrumental in securing a publishing deal for the game developed by Bucharest-based studio Gummy Cat.
Released in 2022, “Bear & Breakfast” is a management sim video game where players control Hank, a bear who operates a bed and breakfast, aiming to maximize guest satisfaction.
What makes this game pitch deck great:
The Flame in the Flood’s pitch deck expertly introduces a survival adventure game with a unique artistic and thematic approach. It’s designed to effectively communicate the game’s core mechanics and immersive world.
What makes this game pitch deck great:
Turbo Boom’s pitch deck effectively introduces a high-speed racing game with detailed insights into its development, budget, and marketing strategies.
What makes this game pitch deck great:
Beacon Pines’ pitch deck presents an enchanting adventure game with a focus on storytelling and art style. The deck is designed to capture the game’s whimsical essence and narrative depth.
What makes this game pitch deck great:
A well-crafted pitch deck highlights your game’s strengths and demonstrates your understanding of the market and your ability to deliver a successful product.
Here’s how to do it.
11 steps to create a successful game pitch deck:
Before you start, deeply understand your game’s unique aspects. Identify the genre, core mechanics, and what sets your game apart. Is it an innovative gameplay feature, a captivating story, or groundbreaking visuals?
Defining your audience for a game pitch deck involves identifying the specific group of gamers most likely to be interested in your game, based on factors like age, gaming preferences, and platform choice.
Understanding your audience ensures your game meets their expectations and needs, making it more appealing to investors or publishers and increasing your likelihood of success.
To get gamers and publishers excited you’ll have to show some skin. Or in this case, your game mechanics. what rules and systems will guide player interactions and game progression?
Nailing these down is crucial for investors and players because they shape the player’s experience and determine their long-term engagement.
Knowing your game mechanics shows that you’ve put yourself in your proverbial audience’s gaming chair and that you know how you’re going to keep them sitting in it (playing your game) for a long time to come.
As Oscar Clark, the CEO of Fundamentally Games, advises,
Also, knowing your game inside out and who will play it is crucial. Create player personas to tailor your pitch to their preferences, showing how your game meets their interests.
Use visuals like screenshots, concept art, and gameplay videos to bring your game to life in your pitch. These elements are crucial for capturing the interest of your audience.
Showcase the core gameplay mechanics and how players will interact with your game. If possible, include a short gameplay video or demo to strengthen your presentation.
In-depth market research is non-negotiable. Understand the current trends, identify where your game fits, and analyze your competitors. This step is about demonstrating not just your game’s potential but also your understanding of the market.
Transparency in financial projections is key. Clearly outline your budget, funding needs, and how the investment will be utilized.
This level of detail shows that you’re not just a visionary but also a pragmatic planner who understands the business side of game development.
For more information, check out our guide on how to create a financial slide for your pitch deck.
Your team is the backbone of your project. Highlight their skills, experience, and past successes. Show why your team is the right group of people to bring this game to life.
As James Brooksby, CEO of Absolutely Games, suggests,
Here’s a guide on how to create the perfect team slide for your pitch deck.
Describe your strategy for promoting your game. Include plans for building player engagement, community, and how you’ll reach your target audience.
A well-defined marketing plan demonstrates your commitment to not just creating a game but also ensuring its success in the market.
Be specific about what you need from your audience. Whether it’s funding, marketing support, or distribution channels, make your requirements clear.
This clarity shows that you have a well-thought-out plan for your game’s journey from development to market.
Each publisher or investor is different. Tailor your pitch to align with their interests, portfolio, and business strategy. This customization shows that you’ve done your homework and are serious about forming a partnership.
Conclude your pitch with a clear call to action. What are the next steps you propose?
Whether it’s a follow-up meeting, a prototype demonstration, or a discussion about funding, ending with a clear next step keeps the momentum going and shows your eagerness to move forward.
Here’s an example of a game pitch deck with a clear next step:
Navigating the path from a game idea to a funded project is filled with potential missteps. Thankfully, we’ve got some tips from an industry veteran, Brian Upton, to guide you.
His journey began at RedStorm Entertainment, contributing to classics like Rainbow Six and Ghost Recon, and continued for 14 years as a senior game designer at Sony Santa Monica.
With a career spanning two decades, he’s been on the receiving end of numerous game pitches, which makes him the perfect mentor to navigate the do’s and don’ts of game pitch decks.
7 key mistakes to avoid:
If you’d like to learn more, you can check out the full video of Brian’s speech below:
Your deck’s design can significantly influence how your game is perceived and can be the difference between capturing attention or being overlooked. Here are some pitch deck design ideas to help you create a presentation as captivating as your game.
8 game pitch deck design tips:
Scrollytelling, or narrative scrolling, is a dynamic way to present your game’s story. As viewers scroll through your deck, each slide can reveal a new chapter of your game’s journey.
This method keeps the audience engaged and makes your presentation more memorable. Think of it as guiding your audience through an interactive journey, much like a level in a game.
Here’s an example of scrollytelling in action:
A pitch deck should be more than static slides. Incorporate interactive elements like clickable demos, embedded gameplay videos, or even mini-games.
This interactivity not only showcases your game’s features but also keeps the audience engaged. Multimedia elements like sound clips, animations, and videos can bring your game’s world to life right within the deck.
Data visualization is a powerful tool to present market research, player demographics, and financial projections.
Complex data can be transformed into easy-to-understand graphs, charts, and infographics. This not only makes your deck more visually appealing but also ensures that your data is easily digestible and memorable.
Here’s a great example of data visualization:
Personalization can make a significant impact. Interactive pitch deck software allows you to connect to your CRM and use dynamic variables to personalize the deck with the viewer’s name or company name.
This tailored approach shows attention to detail and can create a more meaningful connection with your audience.
If you want to find the best tool for your needs, I prepared a handy list of the best pitch deck software currently available.
Tailor your pitch deck to reflect your game’s style and personality. Use colors, fonts, and imagery that align with your game’s aesthetic.
This type of personalization creates a cohesive visual experience and helps your audience immerse themselves in your game’s world from the first slide.
In today’s world, it’s crucial to ensure your pitch deck is mobile-responsive.
Your audience might view your deck on various devices, so it should look great and function well on everything from a smartphone to a large monitor. A mobile-responsive design ensures accessibility and convenience for your viewers.
Here’s an example of a mobile-responsive deck:
Design your pitch deck to focus the viewer’s attention on the most important information.
Techniques like graying out content help guide the reader’s focus to the most critical elements at a time, ensuring that key points are effectively communicated without overwhelming the audience.
Organize your content in tabs to cater to different aspects of your game and audience. This approach allows viewers to easily navigate through your deck and focus on the sections most relevant to them.
Segmenting content in tabs also helps in structuring your presentation logically, making it more user-friendly and effective.
Here’s an example of a deck with segmented content:
Starting your game pitch deck can be challenging, especially when you’re trying to encapsulate the spirit of your game into a presentation.
Interactive game pitch deck templates are here to ease this process. They offer a structured approach, filled with interactive and multimedia elements, crucial for showcasing your game dynamically.
These templates not only save you valuable time but also ensure your pitch deck reflects a professional and engaging narrative.
Grab one!
Stop losing opportunities to ineffective presentations. Your new amazing deck is one click away!