Tips on how to reply effectively to an RFP (request for proposal)

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Tips on how to reply effectively to an RFP (request for proposal)

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Many studios develop video games on behalf of publishers who entrust them with the duty of designing and creating a recreation for one in every of their franchises. Publishers begin by choosing a listing of studios more likely to develop this mission and ship them an RFP, a request for proposal.
The reply to an RFP is totally different from a pitch deck. The aim of this publication is to share finest practices for making ready it accurately, growing your probabilities of being chosen by the writer and coming into into unique negotiations with the latter.The content material of an RFP response doc
There is no such thing as a customary format, mannequin that everybody makes use of. The studios are subsequently free to place no matter they need in it. The content material template that I give you is subsequently primarily based on one of the best practices that I’ve noticed amongst my purchasers.
1) Introduction
If there’s a half that should search to seduce, it’s this one. The introduction is meant to seduce a doable senior official who is not going to learn your complete doc however who will wish to make it possible for the RFP is in keeping with the franchise.
The few pages of the introduction ought to subsequently solely embody a couple of key factors that can search to display that the sport mission respects the principle traits of the franchise. As an possibility, you may add a web page itemizing the principle options of the sport.
2) Advertising abstract
It’s a abstract desk that permits a advertising supervisor to place the sport mission in relation to the market. The principle headings of this desk are as follows:GenreGame worldPlatform(s)Sport mode(s) and variety of playersTarget audienceLanguagesUSP (distinctive promoting level)Financial modelAge ratingGame structureRenderingCamera sort(s)Kind(s) of controlMain actions of the participant.
3) A comparability with competing titles (elective)
Such a comparability takes a time to arrange, which is why it’s elective, however it’s attention-grabbing as a result of it demonstrates that your studio is aware of the aggressive setting of the sport that it’s required to develop on behalf of the writer.
4) Gameplay
On this half, all recreation mechanics must be defined and illustrated. Paintings should present what the participant will see on their display.
For video games with a powerful narrative dimension (action-adventure, motion, RPG, journey, and so forth.), I like to recommend creating a walkthrough describing the start of the sport. Certainly, the straightforward description of the sport mechanics doesn’t at all times make it doable to know what the participant will expertise. A walkthrough must be written like a novel. It might additionally describe what the participant feels, thus making its studying extra thrilling. In fact, a walkthrough should even be correctly illustrated.
5) Monetization technique
Right now, we will not content material ourselves with proposing a recreation idea with out proposing a monetization technique. The consultant of a significant freemium writer as soon as advised me that he was determined to search out that half of the sport initiatives he obtained did not even point out monetization… though he saved saying that it solely publishes freemium video games.
As a reminder, a superb monetization technique doesn’t consist in defining what we’ll promote within the recreation; it consists of explaining how the gaming expertise will persuade gamers to spend cash on a free recreation.
The monetization technique additionally describes retention mechanisms – brief and long run – and doable in-game viralization mechanisms.
6) Inventive letter of intent
This part should present your inventive decisions. If doable, it ought to embody illustrations of backgrounds, characters, and even menu screens.
If you do not have the time or sources to develop so many property, give you temper boards.
7) Technical decisions
Checklist the technical options you intend to make use of: Sport engine, software program suites, but additionally mission administration, and versioning software program.
In the event you plan to make use of your personal recreation engine, current its benefits, checklist the video games utilizing it and add screenshots.
8) Presentation of your crew
This half is likely one of the most essential. It’s ineffective to current one of the best recreation mission if you don’t reassure your interlocutor in your means to hold it out.
Show the previous achievements of your studio however above all, individually current the important thing members of your crew. They’re those who will make your provide credible. Promote their accomplishments, together with at different studios.
9) Further content material (elective)
Right now, many publishers are integrating further content material into the life cycle of their video games. It serves to retain gamers, preserve media curiosity and, finally, generate further income.
Submit a listing of further content material to the writer. Your interlocutor could not embody it in his preliminary finances, but it surely permits him to display that your recreation mission has potential on this space.
10) “Sport-as-a-service” dimension (elective)
In case your recreation is a “dwell recreation”, a recreation designed to help occasions, plan a piece completely devoted to this theme. Some publishers, for sure recreation genres, place a whole lot of significance on this.
11) Funds
Current a comparatively detailed finances. At this stage, it’s ineffective to interrupt it down by month; simply give the general quantities by line of bills in addition to your estimate of the variety of man-days, by division (artwork, coding, and so forth.).
Lastly, don’t attempt to decrease the general finances within the hope of seducing the writer. Too low a finances will do you a disservice as a result of it would make you appear like amateurs who’re unaware of the implications of full growth.In conclusion …
Fellow editors, assist me enhance this abstract. Ship me your feedback or solutions for enchancment ([email protected]) or share them as a remark to this publication.My earlier publications:
Freemium video games – Let’s not overlook the fundamentals of fine recreation design FEATURED POST
Development mechanisms: Blessing or curse of contemporary action-adventure video games? FEATURED POST
Ubisoft proclaims that it’ll develop free-to-play triple-A video games: Has the French writer gone mad or visionary? FEATURED POSTPascal Luban
Inventive director & recreation designer, freelance
www.gamedesignstudio.com
Picture credit score: elnavegante

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