Top Tips for the Big Indie Pitch (PocketGamer.biz, 2014)

Key insights

6 takeaways

01
Presentations must be limited to a strict three-minute window, requiring developers to prioritize the game's unique hook and playable core mechanics.
02
Effective pitches focus exclusively on the project's most compelling aspects, avoiding extraneous details like studio history or internal technical debates.
03
Preparation is essential to manage time and nervousness; developers should practice their delivery to ensure a focused, professional, and unified narrative.
04
Public disagreements between team members during a pitch must be avoided to prevent undermining the credibility of the project.
05
The Big Indie Pitch serves as a primary discovery tool for media outlets like Pocket Gamer, frequently leading to direct press coverage for participants.
06
The event functions as a networking platform to build long-term relationships with publishers, peers, and industry experts in a collaborative environment.

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Transcript

focus on the game that's what we're there for make sure you keep to within the time limit cuz otherwise you're going to miss something out make sure you're prepared the worst thing is rocking up to one of these presentations and then stumbling over your words and forgetting what you're talking about it's easy to do but as long as you manage to stay on message and communicate all the best aspects of your game in as short space of time as possible 6 seconds bam that is the way to get our attention and if you're excited about it then we'll be excited about it I think it's important for a game to have a unique hook that we can grab onto give us something we can actually play some developers are trying to show you it just give us iPads and phones and we can do it we PID for this you might have a really interesting backstory about you know about your the history of your studio or the history of your game in 3 minutes it doesn't really matter don't argue amongst yourselves

you've seen people come up in pairs and then get into massive arguments over specific technicalities of a game don't be nervous we're all just nerds being paid to write about your game we're as uh we're probably as nervous as you guys are the big Indie pitch gives you a chance to take your game and show it to a bunch of people who know what they're talking about you can literally get your game on the pages of Pocket Gamer we use the big Indie pitch to find new stuff to write about it's a a fantastic opportunity to walk into a room full of not only members of the press but also other Publishers other developers it's a way to mix and mingle with the people that you want to connect with if you can come and convince us and show us something we're excited by then we are going to write about it that's that's why we're there and that's why you're there too

Summary

Successful participation in the Big Indie Pitch requires a disciplined approach to communication and presentation. The primary objective for developers is to capture the attention of industry professionals within a strict three-minute window. To achieve this, presenters must prioritize the game’s unique hook and ensure the core mechanics are playable on-site. Effective pitches rely on concise, enthusiastic delivery that highlights the most compelling aspects of the project, while avoiding unnecessary tangents regarding studio history or internal technical debates.

Preparation is the most critical factor in mitigating the common pitfalls of nervousness and poor time management. Developers should avoid stumbling over their messaging by practicing their delivery to ensure they remain focused and professional. Presenting a unified front is essential, as public disagreements between team members can undermine the credibility of the pitch. By maintaining a clear, confident, and focused narrative, developers maximize their chances of resonating with the audience.

The Big Indie Pitch serves as a vital networking platform, connecting independent developers with members of the press, publishers, and peers. For the media, these events function as a primary discovery tool for new content, often leading to direct coverage in publications like Pocket Gamer. By treating the event as a professional opportunity to engage with industry experts, developers can secure valuable exposure and build lasting relationships within the gaming ecosystem. The environment is designed to be collaborative rather than adversarial, as both the presenters and the judges share a common interest in discovering and promoting high-quality, innovative games.