OTT & Transmedia : Computer games - where best to pitch? by Bridget Ellis-Pegler

Oculus Rift if you want it VR.

Thanks Debbie :-)

hi Bridget, As the former head of all things digital at MindCandy (publisher of Moshi Monsters) I think I might have some insight for you. Firstly, if you're looking to pitch, what are you pitching for, development, licensing, partnership? That will make a difference as to where you should be pitching. Kid screen is great for connecting with likeminded brands and publishers but not the place to meet developers. E3 is for the AAA studios to show off so its not the best place to be heard. What's the budget you're aiming for? If it's AAA (50 million+) then you're looking to head to E3, GDC and possibly D.I.C.E but you need to have a playable prototype to show off. If it's indie (between 1 million to 50 million) you're aiming at Develop, EGX, Gamescom, still advised to have some kind of playable prototype to show off. If it's true indie (less than 500,000) you're looking at things like EIGD, Indie game conference, game jam and generally hackathon's If you don't have a developer on board, the demographic for your game is slightly irrelevant as the priority will be to find a studio who is a) capable and b) affordable to get the job done. If you can also find one who happens to have experience with kids brands that's a bonus but you're better off with someone with ton's of experience in developing decent games but no experience with kids, than a studio who understand's a bit about kids but has no developing credentials. In terms of interesting places to visit if you have a kids specific product, Kidscreen is the obvious place but you should also be looking at the Children's Media Conference. There's also a conference in Malmo called the Financing forum which is dedicated to children's content. If you want to find funding or assistance specifically for Transmedia projects, try Power to the Pixel's finance market. Finally, to give you a point to start your research, here's a list of all the major games conferences by country and territory: http://www.gameconfs.com

Tanya, you have no idea how much I can use that gamesconfs link. Thank you.

You are very welcome :)

Oh my goodness Tanya, for some reason I never got your amazing reply and I've just stumbled on it now -, meaning, I never responded to it when you wrote it. So I am so sorry; I feel terrible! Anyway, I am writing directly back to you to say thank you very much for your thoughtful and insightful comments., I am actually looking for development, and in the time since I posted this question I have won a scholarship to GDC, which is wonderful. I don't yet have a playable prototype so I am expecting the GDC trip to be more of a learning journey than a pitching one, but that said, of course I will be very open to all opportunities! Your comments about keeping my focus on finding someone with tons of experience in developing decent games, (rather than studios who know kids but not game development) made a lot of sense to me. This is probably especially true in my case, as my project is for 8-12 yr old girls which is probably going to limit my options if i get too hung up on the need for both kid-know how, AND game development experience! I'll have a really good look at your message again and think about your suggestions. So please accept my abject apology and very grateful thanks - 3 months late!! Warmest regards, Bridget