What are the best ways to showcase your game to judges and audiences at a game development event?

1 Know your audience

Before you start planning your showcase, you need to know who your audience is and what they are looking for. Are you pitching to a panel of judges, a group of peers, or a general public? What are the criteria, expectations, and preferences of each audience? How much time do you have to present your game? How can you tailor your showcase to match your audience's needs and interests? Knowing your audience will help you focus on the most relevant and appealing aspects of your game and avoid wasting time on unnecessary details.

2 Prepare your materials

Once you know your audience, you need to prepare your materials for the showcase. Depending on the format and the rules of the event, you may need to create a trailer, a demo, a poster, a flyer, a pitch deck, or a website for your game. Your materials should be clear, concise, and catchy, highlighting the core features, mechanics, theme, and value proposition of your game. You should also test your materials before the event, making sure they work properly on different devices and platforms, and that they are easy to access and share.

3 Practice your presentation

Another important step is to practice your presentation skills. Whether you are presenting live or online, you need to be confident, enthusiastic, and engaging. You should rehearse your presentation several times, preferably with someone who can give you feedback and suggestions. You should also anticipate potential questions and challenges from the judges and the audience, and prepare your answers and solutions. You should also practice your timing, making sure you can cover all the key points within the allotted time.

4 Set up your booth

If you are showcasing your game at a physical booth, you need to set it up in a way that attracts and retains attention. You should choose a location that is visible and accessible, and decorate your booth with banners, posters, flyers, or other eye-catching elements. You should also provide enough equipment and space for people to play your game comfortably and safely. You should also have some giveaways, such as stickers, badges, or cards, to reward and thank people for playing your game and to encourage them to spread the word.

5 Interact with your audience

One of the most important aspects of showcasing your game is to interact with your audience. You should be friendly, approachable, and responsive, and invite people to play your game, ask questions, give feedback, or sign up for updates. You should also be attentive to their reactions and behaviors, and adjust your presentation accordingly. You should also be respectful and courteous to other developers and organizers, and avoid being too pushy or aggressive. You should also network with your audience, exchanging contacts, social media handles, or business cards, and following up with them after the event.

6 Learn from the experience

Finally, you should learn from the experience of showcasing your game. You should collect and analyze the feedback, data, and results from the event, and identify the strengths and weaknesses of your game and your presentation. You should also celebrate your achievements, whether you won a prize, gained new fans, or improved your skills. You should also acknowledge and thank your team, your supporters, and your audience for their contribution and participation. You should also use the experience as a motivation and inspiration to continue developing and improving your game.

7 Here’s what else to consider

This is a space to share examples, stories, or insights that don’t fit into any of the previous sections. What else would you like to add?