Beyond the Pitch Text: What Makes a Killer Indie Game Pitch Deck?

Published on 04/09/2025 by Adrien

Okay, so you've nailed your initial email pitch using the tips from our other guide (or maybe using GetPublished.app!). You've got a publisher's attention – awesome! Often, the next step is sending them your Pitch Deck. This is your chance to visually sell your game and dive deeper than a short email allows.

But what makes a pitch deck killer versus just... okay? It's more than just pretty pictures. It needs structure, clarity, and compelling information presented effectively. Publishers see tons of decks; yours needs to be professional, informative, and exciting.

Why a Pitch Deck Matters

While your initial email is the hook, the deck is the reel-in. It allows you to:

• Visually showcase your game's art style, mood, and overall aesthetic in a way text can't.
• Explain complex gameplay mechanics or systems more clearly using visuals like diagrams or GIFs.
• Provide more detailed context on the team, the target market, and the business opportunity.
• Act as a shareable reference document for the publisher's internal team to review and discuss.

Key Slides / Sections to Include (Keep it Concise!)

Aim for concise and visually driven slides – typically 10-20 slides max. Less is often more.

1. Title Slide: Clean and impactful. Your game logo, studio name, contact info (email!), maybe key art or a compelling tagline.
2. Hook / Logline: Reiterate your core concept / high-level pitch from the email on a dedicated slide. Make it pop.
3. Problem / Opportunity (Optional but good): Briefly state the market gap or player desire your game fulfills. Why does this game need to exist now? What makes it timely or relevant?
4. Gameplay Loop / Core Mechanics: Critically important! Clearly explain (visually if possible!) what the player does moment-to-moment and session-to-session. Use simple diagrams, flowcharts, or short annotated GIF loops if possible.
5. Key Features / USPs Deep Dive: Expand on your 2-3 Unique Selling Points mentioned in the email. Use screenshots, concept art, or mockups to visually illustrate why these features are cool, innovative, or appealing.
6. Art Style & Visuals: Showcase your game's definitive look and feel. Include high-quality screenshots, key concept art pieces, maybe a mood board. Briefly explain the artistic vision or inspirations.
7. Target Audience & Market Fit: Who is this game for? Define your primary audience. Reference 1-2 relevant, recent comparable titles (comps) to show market validation and potential scope. Briefly explain why your game appeals to this audience specifically.
8. The Team: Introduce key team members (names, roles). Briefly highlight relevant experience or achievements that demonstrate your ability to deliver this specific project. Avoid long resumes.
9. Roadmap & Ask / Business: Outline the current development status, key future milestones, and an estimated timeline. If seeking funding, clearly state the amount needed (or range) and broadly how it will be used (e.g., hiring, marketing). Reiterate what specifically you need from this publisher (funding, marketing, porting, distribution?).
10. Contact Info / Thank You: End with your primary contact email and a simple thank you. Maybe include a link back to your website or build.

Visual Storytelling is Key

Don't just create slides full of text! Your deck needs to be visually engaging:

• Show, Don't Just Tell: Prioritize high-quality screenshots, gameplay GIFs (short, clear loops!), concept art, and UI mockups. Let the visuals do the talking where possible.
• Consistent Branding: Use your game's logo, established color palette, and fonts consistently throughout the deck. This creates a professional and cohesive look.
• Readability: Keep text concise and easy to read. Use large enough fonts (consider it might be viewed on different screen sizes). Don't cram too much information onto a single slide – use multiple slides if needed.
• Data Visualization: If presenting market data or budget breakdowns, use simple, clean charts or graphs instead of dense tables.

Common Deck Mistakes to Avoid

• Too Much Text / Too Long: Publishers are busy. Make it easy to digest. Edit ruthlessly.
• Unclear Gameplay Explanation: If they finish the deck and still don't understand what players actually do, you've failed.
• Poor Visual Quality: Low-resolution screenshots, inconsistent art styles, or cluttered design undermine your game's perceived quality.
• Unrealistic Scope/Budget: Shows lack of experience or planning. Be grounded.
• Ignoring the "Why Them?": While the deck is often generic, subtly hinting why this publisher is a good fit can strengthen your case (if possible based on your research).
• Typos and Errors: Proofread your deck as carefully as your email pitch!

How GetPublished.app Connects

While GetPublished.app focuses on refining your initial text pitch for maximum impact – getting your foot in the door:

The clarity and core message we help you define in that initial text pitch (your hook, USPs, target audience, core mechanics summary) form the essential foundation for building a compelling and focused pitch deck. Getting the core concepts right first makes creating an effective deck significantly easier. A strong text pitch leads to a strong deck outline.

Conclusion: Your Visual Sales Pitch

Think of your pitch deck as your game's visual resume and business plan rolled into one concise package. It visually reinforces your initial pitch, provides crucial deeper context, and showcases the potential of both your game and your team. Keep it lean, keep it visual, and keep it focused on answering the key questions a publisher will have. Good luck!