Pitching a game design?

Well, the game industry doesn't really work that way. I mean you can pitch your idea all you want but don't expect anyone to even listen, as ideas are a dime a dozen. If you have a playable demo that can be a different story.

Now, for the sake of argument, lets say you DO actually get someone to listen to the pitch. Be prepared to have a fully fleshed out design document. IE: 200 pages of everything from personality and character development, specifics on the battle system, a completed story with most/all quests, detailed setting and back history, game balance, general architecture, etc. Of course, thats a lot of work. And no one will listen, unless you have a demo at least.

Read the following:

From Tom Sloper's Game Design FAQs:

• I have a game idea!
• How the game design/development process works
• Selling ideas redux

From Obscure.co.uk Games Industry Articles:

• Computer Game Development - An Overview
• Preparing a pitch

Both of these are written by people with professional industry experience, and all of their articles are well worth reading -- I've just picked out a couple that seem particularly relevant to you. As PaulCesar says, and these articles reiterate, the industry doesn't really work that way -- Tom Sloper's articles do however explain what you can do towards getting your ideas developed.

Hope that helps! [smile]

Oh, and I'll also move this topic to our Breaking into the Games Industry forum, where I think it better fits.

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Original post by jbadams Oh, and I'll also move this topic to our Breaking into the Games Industry forum, where I think it better fits.

Not really. Pitching a game idea rarely helps an individual break in. It's more often useful in getting a young independent development company some contracts (more often on publisher-originated concepts, rather than the pitched idea). As such, it's more of a Business question than a Breaking In question.
And Lambo, it is highly recommended that you read those links, all of them.

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Original post by Lambo442 I have a great idea for a game and I'm enjoying designing it on paper. I have no technical no-how and .....

That is nice but you are going to have to progress beyond paper before anyone will pay any attention to your design. You will need to learn how to actually make levels in an existing game engine (often described as modding) such as the Unreal engine or Neverwinter Nights. Designing isn't about having an idea, it is about being able to implement that idea within the restrictions of current game engine technology.

Quote:

My question is - when pitching an idea for a game - what exactly should I be pitching?

Who are you pitching to and for what purpose? If you want a job you will need more than a document (see above).

See also http://www.obscure.co.uk/frequently-asked-questions/selling-game-design-ideas/

thanks for the quick replies guys. I'll read those links and if I have any more questions I'll post them here :)