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Writer's pictureVaibhav Chavan

How to impress game publishers with your vertical slice?

Updated: Jan 14

Many in the industry are unfamiliar with the concept of Vertical slice, and if you're watching my Instagram videos, you might be among them. In this blog, we'll explore the significance of vertical slice and why they matter in game development.


Game developer pitching his game to game publisher
Game developer pitching his game to game publisher

The Vertical Slice Analogy:

Let's delve into the analogy of designing a house. Imagine you're tasked with designing a house with ten rooms, and you have a vision for the entire house's style and quality. However, the person putting the front on the house—the owner—holds the final decision. As a designer, you aspire to maintain high quality throughout the entire house.


You have two options:

  • Either design the entire house to a certain quality with a limited budget, or

  • Focus on perfecting one room to showcase your vision.


Vertical slice makes it easier for a game publisher to analyze your skills and vision both for the game. This instills confidence that if you created a polished 10-minute gameplay with a certain budget, you can successfully develop a 10-hour game with ten times that budget.


The Importance of Communication Skills:

This is where communication skills play a crucial role. Having ideas and knowledge is one thing, but being able to communicate your vision persuasively is another. Even if you lack a studio or coding skills, the power of communication can bridge these gaps.


Creating Something Small:

Take the example of a short 2-minute game. Play it, showcase it, and observe the response. This process helps in understanding and showcasing your talent. If you can effectively convey your vision, opportunities will arise.


Real-Life Example:

Drawing from personal experience, we embarked on a MUKTI, creating a small but polished version, basically a Vertical slice in just two months. This project lacked a fact sheet label but impressed in terms of quality, leading to Unreal Epic Mega grants and ongoing updates.


Do watch this video for detailed explanation:




The concept of vertical slice is invaluable in the gaming industry. For indie developers, focusing on core elements, audio, and obtaining necessary licenses is crucial for independence. As an indie developer myself, the journey involves creating, thinking, and impressing those who can support your vision.


You don't need a significant investment; even a small budget can pave the way for your dream game. So, share your vision, showcase your talent, and success will follow.


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Nice read!

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