Why is pitching face-to-face to publisher is often more effective than just sending an email? Let’s take a look at Lucky Holmes’ experience, who managed to land a publisher through IGDX, the biggest game development event in Southeast Asia.
Lucky’s Experience
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Lucky Holmes, one of Indonesia’s indie game devs, shared in his reels about a unique experience that eventually helped him close a deal with a publisher for his game The Sun Shines Over Us. At first, he did what most developers do, which is to send out pitch decks through online submissions.
He sent around 50 emails to publishers, complete with presentations and documents. But only a handful responded, and all of them unfortunately ended in rejection.
From that, Lucky realized something important. Publishers can receive hundreds of pitches every single day. No matter how well-prepared your pitch is, it can easily get buried under piles of other emails. Maybe they glance at it for a moment, but without a personal connection, it’s really hard to stand out.
For publishers, an email is just text and numbers. The passion and energy we put into making a game often gets lost when it’s only on paper.
Face-to-Face Pitching
After those failed online submissions, Lucky decided to try a second approach, pitching directly at an offline event. And that’s when everything changed.
Meeting publishers face-to-face gave him the chance to explain his ideas directly, show his enthusiasm, and get instant feedback. Publishers could see expressions and dedications, those are things that can never be told in an email.
Face-to-face pitching isn’t just about talking about the gameplay or game features. It’s also about building chemistry. Publishers can feel your energy, see how you handle questions, and judge how confident you are about the project you’re bringing to the table.
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Lucky even said that when he followed up with an email after those meetings, the responses were much faster and more positive. Why? Because they already remembered who he was, and not just another name in their inbox.
Through Events Like IGDX
A lot of people might think opportunities like this only happen overseas, at big events like GDC or Gamescom. But for Indonesians, worry not, there’s IGDX (Indonesia Game Developer Exchange).
This event is one of the biggest game development events in Southeast Asia. It’s where developers, publishers, investors, and other industry people come together.
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At IGDX, the chance to pitch directly to the publishers is wide open. Developers can get direct feedback, useful input, and meaningful networking opportunities. Lucky Holmes himself admitted that IGDX was the key to finally landing his publisher.
Events like this aren’t just about showing off your game, they’re also about showing who you are as the creator. And that’s something the digital world can’t truly replace.
Why It’s More Effective
Sure, online pitching is indeed practical, but for publishers, it often feels cold and impersonal. On the other hand, face-to-face pitching allows them to evaluate not only the game, but also the team behind it.
Publishers don’t just invest in products, they also invest in people. So go meet them in person, to show who you are. They will more likely to trust you and take a chance on your game.
It also gives you the space to show your more spontaneous side. Whether it’s confidently answering tough questions, demonstrating a small feature that didn’t make it into your pitch deck, or simply showing how passionate you are about your project.
These little things can be the real decision maker for publishers.
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Don’t Just Sit and Wait!
At the end of the day, pitching isn’t merely about presenting your game, it’s about building relationships with publishers. They want to know the people behind the ideas, and the best way to show them is to be there in person.
So, if you’re serious about getting your game published, don’t just sit behind your laptop waiting for replies. Go prepare your best pitch, show up at the events, and prove your passion!
Because more often than not, success begins with one unforgettable first impression.