Game Pitches

A major part of the class is developing and presenting game pitches. While there are a number of ways to create game pitches, the outline below will describe elements that are required and optional in the game pitch presentations you will give.

Logistics

Game pitch presentations are limited to two (2) minutes in duration, and hence an important aspect of developing a pitch is focusing on a core message to tell in that short period of time.

When you give your pitch presentation, you must also have a set of slides, prepared using the Google Slides presentation software (overview), to go along with your pitch. We explicitly do not want Powerpoint presentations, since these may have font and/or embedded content issues. Note that your presentation will be given using an some other computer than your personal computer, and using a Google account different from your own Google account; we will not be switching between different computers and/or accounts during the pitch presentations.

When you create and/or submit your slides, the filename of the presentation should follow the format "{presentation order} - {student name} - {game name}", so it is easy to find the presentation. Pitch presentations are due by the start of section or class on the day you are scheduled to give your game pitch. No late option is available, except in unusual circumstances (medical or familty emergency, typically). Failure to submit a presentation results in loss of all points for the assignment.

Pitch Presentation

Required Pitch Elements

The content of your slides must include the elements below marked "required". All other items are suggested elements that often appear in game pitches. Everything listed is an important element of games, however, there may not be time to cover all of them. Discussion of mechanics is highly encouraged, as a common reason for games to not be selected is insufficient description of game mechanics.

Supplemental Document (Optional)

In addition to your slide presentation, you may submit an up to five page document containing supplemental information about your game. The intent of this document is to give you the opportunity to explain aspects of your design in greater depth than is possible in just two minutes. For example, you could include more reference art concerning your intended art style, or could include a more detailed gameplay scenario that explains your game's mechanics. This document is created using the Google Document application, and is submitted to the same folder as your presentation slides.

Basic Elements

Place on the first 1-2 slides

  • Game title (required)
  • Game genre (required)
  • Game category (from the CS 170 list of categories)(required)
  • Your name (required)

High Concept

  • In 1-3 sentences/bullets, describe the core idea of the game?
  • What is the goal of the game?

Audience

  • What is the audience for the game? 
  • Is it a game for a core genre audience?
  • Core vs casual? 

Desired audience reception

  • How will your game affect the player?
  • What will the player enjoy about your game? 

Game World

Describe the fictional setting of the game, the world where the gameplay occurs.

  • What is the (fictional) setting of the game? 
  • How does this setting relate to the game? 

Mechanics

  • What is the core gameplay loop? That is, what is the dominant activity the player performs in moment to moment gameplay? 

Dynamics

  • Provide a sense of what the game will be like, “in action” 
    • Ideas:
    • A series of sketches (storyboard-style)
    • A series of images of game scenes acted out with toy figurines
    • Video of a simple computational prototype
  • What are the game’s core challenges? 

Aesthetics

  • Sample images that convey a sense of the desired visual style 
  • Especially for audio-themed games, audio clips that give a sense of the desired music/audio experience (optional, except for audio-themed games)
  • What kind of emotional response are you seeking in your player?
  • What kinds of persuasive arguments are you making with your game?

Novelty

  • What is unique about this game?
  • Provide 2-3 games that are similar in some way
  • Why is this game better than other similar games (in its genre)?