What would you say to convince an investor to your game?

[Tedj]

Stuff like "gaming is currently above cinema in the entertainment world in revenues" and etc etc. What would you say, what facts do you know?

I'm asking this because me and a team of 15 dudes and dudinas are making a game. We are also probably getting an investor but we have to "fight" for it, convince them basically. And we need proper arguments like this so that they will invest in us. Mind they are not gamers, but normal investors, so that's the reason why we need facts to convince them.

What would you tell them? What facts would you use?

[Tierbook]

what kind of game?

[Val the Moofia Boss]

Tell them who your marketing it to and why they would want to buy it over other similar games.

[Deleted]

You first have to sell your product to me before I'll give my opinion/advice on how you can get money from investors, I'm not going to help you scam them if your product is shit.

[Tastyfish]

I would use the best concept art I had on it, even do, high quality concept art to make sure I could keep the person visualizing what we were speaking of for sure. The allure of images is great.

[Tedj]

You first have to sell your product to me before I'll give my opinion/advice on how you can get money from investors, I'm not going to help you scam them if your product is shit.

The thing is that we want to keep the idea a secret, to avoid being stolen as we've yet to see a game with such mechanics and history, and we're all hardcore gamers.
I can tell you though, that it's a great idea behind it (hint can be living in dreams) while the mechanics are awesome. We want people to feel 'close' to the game so it's going to be real-life situations applied to the game, funny ones though. I can't really go into much more detail.

But we what need now, is to sell that idea, but not our own idea particularly, but the video-game itself. These investors have not ever invested in video-games and since they are not exactly young, we would need some good arguments to even make them agree to a video-game - this is what I need right now.

[Deleted]

Tell them the truth and don't promise something you can't do, but have high goals and long term plan(s).
Also investor might ask you if you would bet your own house on it. Think about it, this is serious question and it shows how much you believe in your product.

[Tierbook]

Can be living in dreams? Is this some sort of VR game a la SAO?

[unholytestament]

I would tell them to give me their money or they're not getting the antidote.

And then I would laugh maniacally.

But in all seriousness, since they are ignorant to how games are mostly you should probably do some research on games similar to the one you plan to make. Explain to the investors what that game did, how much it cost, how much it made, and then explain what you're going to do different (read: BETTER).

[chazus]

As a game developer, whom has gotten funded, and currently in development cycle... There are a lot of things involved, and a lot of that can't be answered without more info, really.

It depends on who/what the investor is, how much you want, what kind of market/audience you're aiming at, amongst other things.

You're welcome to contact me privately if you want more help.

[Tedj]

I would tell them to give me their money or they're not getting the antidote.

And then I would laugh maniacally.

But in all seriousness, since they are ignorant to how games are mostly you should probably do some research on games similar to the one you plan to make. Explain to the investors what that game did, how much it cost, how much it made, and then explain what you're going to do different (read: BETTER).

That's nice. I was thinking of throwing stuff in like those TED talks who say that video games improve cognitive abilities and everything else, and etc, no? I think I will need to use some of these facts to convince them

[Tierbook]

Rich old people don't care about improving people's cognitive functions, they care about making money. Unless your game is specifically meant to be educational I can't see how that would help.

[Tedj]

Rich old people don't care about improving people's cognitive functions, they care about making money. Unless your game is specifically meant to be educational I can't see how that would help.

That makes sense too. Guess that one has been ruled out.

As a game developer, whom has gotten funded, and currently in development cycle... There are a lot of things involved, and a lot of that can't be answered without more info, really.

It depends on who/what the investor is, how much you want, what kind of market/audience you're aiming at, amongst other things.

You're welcome to contact me privately if you want more help.

Sent PM!

[Deleted]

"I know what you're thinking, computer games! What do most people think about when they think of computer games? Something for kids, right? Yet it's not exactly true...
You see, the gaming industry is a multi-billion dollar/euro (tailor for region) business. There are hundreads of millions of people who play video games every day. Sure, some play more hardcore type games in which you need to be invested to achieve something, some play games that take them mere minutes each day, but different people play games for different reasons.
For some, it's simply training. For example, did you know that there are games that simulate real-life planes on which pilots in the US train before real flights? Well, it's true. There's also other type of training-simulation games which can help teach you different professions, from cooking to spotting real life medical problems. Games can be used for training and education, you have games which depict the realities of WW2 or the Roman empire campaigns, or the entry of europeans in the Americas. In some games you are are a commander, in some a mere footsoldier, but they help you realize the realities of those times in a fun and interactive way.
Sure, people could read a book, and they do... but think of it this way, when is the last time you have read a book? And what have you learned from it, simply theory... but you had no means to apply it. Games provide a simulated environment where you can practice or understand notions at least in a basic way to prepare you for applying the theory in real life"

If you use this last sentence, the usual questions for it would be: "are there any marketing games?" - yes, prepare examples; "but what happens to taking risks?" - it's good to take risks from time to time, but isn't it better to do it knowing at least what you're doing at a basic level, games can help you with that (obviously you can't say it like that).

Now, in case your game is neither of the things above, you would try to explain why your game is good:
"There are also basic games, like platformers, builders, etc, where you test your logic and understanding, and these help develop critical thinking...
Sometimes you get a game set on alternate histories/sci-fi realities, and this is good because people feel overwhelmed by their daily lives and want to be the heroes, they want to have the fair maiden/knight (depending on if only men or also women in room) or lead a bunch of insect people. Why? Because this helps them escape the daily routine, it makes them detach and feel less stressed. For some it's even a challenge, to beat the enemy at the hardest level, they require coordination and learning."

"People play different games for different reasons, but we can't deny the fact that video games have grown to become an industry close to the movie one, and it's still growing! Games provide an interactive way of teaching people different things through different ways or simply helping them relieve the stress"

next question from them would probably be something like "but why is your game better than X game?" - if they're pro gamers, you're screwed for they're counter anything you say with examples of better games. If they're simply facebook-type gamers or don't play games at all, you need to explain why your game would attract customers. Focus on the great points. Graphics are like X because we're tailoring for X group age, the gameplay works somewhat like this (basic idea, you don't need to explain in detail). Unfortunately you also need to present a few screenshots or at least concept art of sorts and basic idea. Enough to spark interest, but not enough to make them know everything. Just enough for them to ask at end "but how does X(some game notion you might have mentioned, this question will appear if they're interested)? I know you mentioned something about it relating to Y(another game notion you mentioned)" and you to respond "well... alas we'd like to show you, but for now the game production has only started and... I'm afraid that without your support we might not be able to make it, which is why we need your help".

I'm not a specialist in this, this is just how I'd do this. Again, you'd need to tailor the speech based on audience, type of game etc. You need to raise their interest enough for them to fund you but not overdo it.

[Tedj]

I'm not a specialist in this, this is just how I'd do this.[/B] Again, you'd need to tailor the speech based on audience, type of game etc. You need to raise their interest enough for them to fund you but not overdo it.

Holy ***t. Thank you for that awesome post! I have quite some problems expressing myself with my ideas, although most of the time I'm creative and they're good, but they're in kind of a mess in my head and I am aware that I cannot make others understand my PoV all the time. Probs gonna get someone who can dothat better than me. But that text, thanks!

[Korgoth]

Specifics of the project, financial costs and outcomes of similar projects, expected financial cost and outcome of this project. Concept art, and a gameplay mock up.

Id make a case why this game would be successful, using assets already created for it, and using examples of similar games.

[Deleted]

I'd show him or her something worth investing in, and then say "look at that."

[Afrospinach]

Much talk of very grandiose ideas about the industry. That will make them interested in the industry, but not necessarily YOU. Can you deliver a product, can you be trusted with finances and goals? What experience do you have to prove it? I don't think trying to sell the idea that video games are viable is a particularly good look for your project TBH, it is quite patronising actually.

If you are going to talk about that, talk about where your game is going to fit in.

[Duronos]

F2P but you must pay to get things faster. Please hire me.

[zealo]

Id give him a presentation on what makes my game superior, unique and worth investing in yet compare it to other successful titles with similar themes and gameplay as well as a demonstration of what the best parts of the game looks like thus far.

Investors do not necessarily care about if the game idea is innovative but what they do care about is if there is a market for it and how financially successful its estimated to become giving a return on their money, unproven concepts and ideas are naturally a bit of a problem there. Bottom line is though, you need to show him how there is a market for your game, not just a market for video games in that genre.