IndieGameBusiness® recently hosted its highly anticipated event, ‘So You Made a Game, Now What? The Next Steps to Getting Your Game Pitched, Made, and Published,’ which successfully took place from February 5th to 9th. This event came on the heels of the game jam that was held from January 22nd to 28th, providing a seamless transition for developers looking to take their projects to the next level.
The collaboration offered attendees an invaluable opportunity to access free lectures from seasoned industry experts, focusing on crucial aspects of video game business and marketing. The event was marked by the generosity of IndieGameBusiness®, which awarded 50 all-access passes, pitch deck review sessions, and opportunities for inclusion in IGB marketing events to select participants of the game jam.
Starting on February 5th, the event featured digital lectures from industry leaders, covering a comprehensive range of topics essential for current and aspiring game developers aiming to navigate the complexities of getting their games to market. This initiative has been pivotal in providing developers with the tools, knowledge, and connections necessary to succeed in the competitive gaming industry.
“Why You Need To Understand The Business Of Games” – Jay Powell, CEO of The Powell Group
This presentation was an introduction to the business side of the game industry and why is it important. Jay covered the basics for marketing, prospecting, writing proposals, team management, getting paid, and a bit more. This was a fantastic introduction to business for game jammers and new developers alike.
“Pitch Lvl Up (Pitch building + improvements)” – Margarita Pino, Business Developer at The Powell Group
This session focused on mastering the art of pitch deck creation, tailored for various objectives, and underscores the importance of distinguishing pitches based on the audience’s needs, whether it’s for investment, partnerships, or publicity. Game jam participants delved into the nuances of funding, understanding the differences between publishers and investors, and how to choose the right path for their project’s success.
The talk also addressed the unique challenges and opportunities for individuals from underrepresented regions, offering strategies to navigate the gaming industry landscape effectively. A critical analysis of why some pitches fail—highlighting the need for comprehensive market research, a well-defined target audience, and alignment with publisher goals—is a key part of the discussion.
“Mastering the Game: Creating a Budget and Schedule for Your Game” – Heather Chandler, Game Development Expert at The Powell Group
Heather spoke about the essentials of project management and why it’s important for your game. She discussed mapping out milestones, creating a schedule, determining how many people you need, and putting together an initial budget. Gain practical insights that you can apply to your own game budgets, schedules, and resource plans.
“Marketing Should Be Your First Thought Not Last – Concepting A Game With Marketing” – Michael Brown, Founder of Vicarious PR
All too often games are made without a thought of commercial viability and marketing until it is almost complete. Vicarious PR founder Michael Brown spoke about how marketing and market research should be informing your game concept from the very start and how that can lead to better sustainability and game design.
“How To Find A Publisher For Your Indie Game” – Jay Powell, CEO of The Powell Group
Jay’s lecture will give you the step by step guidance you need to start your outreach to publishers after a game jam. It also covered best practices for the process and how to manage the process. This lecture walks developers through the process of using The Powell Group’s publisher and investor list.
You find these lectures along with the lectures for all the IndieGameBusiness podcasts and conference on our YouTube page.
