The impending doom of your cash running out
is something most indie developers have experienced at one time or another.
Each game always takes more time and resources than anticipated. Always. What’s
a developer to do when the cash is running out and the game simply needs more
time to bake?
Ah, funding to the rescue! Those mythical
people, companies, or organizations that give you money when you need it. Yeah
funding! And said developers go on the hunt for funding.
As one of those mythical beasts that
actually funds game studios, Execution Labs listens to countless pitches. Some
we chase after, some came via referral of one of our existing portfolio
studios, and many many more come to us “cold”.
Regardless of source, most developers frame
the discussion in the context of their cashflow problem. They've got a great
team, and a cool game, but dang, if only they had more cash… their monthly burn
rate is x, and they only have y left in the bank, which is not enough to cover the anticipated z many more months of
development. What about marketing? Oh no, nothing budgeted for marketing. Nothing.
Then comes the question, like a shy boy
asking a cute girl on a first date: “Are you interested?”
Am I interested? Interested in what,
exactly? Your cashflow problem? Fuck no! I am not interested in your cash
shortages and lack of budgeting skills.
It sounds ridiculous, and yet it happens
all the time. Developers are heads down making awesome games, they look up, and
crap, money is almost up, and this is a serious problem that needs fixing, so
they go out and try to find someone to help them solve this problem. Generally
speaking, developers are good at solving problems.
The challenge is, no one invests in
problems. No one.
Is this just a matter of perspective? Or
spin? Sure, in some ways it is. So spin it! If you are pitching investors, you
need to pitch an opportunity. An opportunity to back a high potential studio, a
ground breaking game, a shot at a massive hit, etc. Of course, that can’t be
smoke and mirrors; it really does have to be an amazing opportunity. If it is
not, then don’t bother chasing investors!
Investors are happy to pile their money
into great opportunities.
What opportunity are you pitching today?
Jason
Della Rocca – Co-Founder, Execution Labs
Jason will be one of the speakers at the brand new Pitching & Funding Workshop taking place at Develop:Brighton on Tuesday 12 July.
