Game development business plans detail the development requirements, budget, and timeline for new games (typically computer-based or for modern gaming systems like Xbox360). These documents also show what gameplay will be like, either by a faithful description or by sharing stills of the game inside the business plan. A plan should prove that you have a strong chance of selling enough units to make a profit, which means making a working financial model that uses realistic assumptions and market penetration estimates to arrive at your figures. Beyond the pro forma, make sure your plan shows:
• What your target market is
• Who the competing developers are
• Which titles are closest to yours
• The game sales channels, expected rating, length of play and other product details
• The staffing requirements for development
The staffing question can be addressed in the financial pro forma by showing a full personnel plan in your five-year detail. Who will be onboard for development but no longer needed at launch? Will ongoing responsibilities like product marketing fall to you or to a distribution company? What impact will game discounts have on your overall sales? Also make a marketing plan that outlines your promotional and advertising ideas, and show a bio for all main team members. Need assistance with this plan? MasterPlans has written business plans for a wide variety of startups including game development companies. Call 877-453-2011 to learn more about how we can deliver for you!
