Topic: What do you look for in a new game?

What is the best way to explain a game's concept, story, characters and plot? I've been asking this to myself for ages. I'm asking this because I want to use the best method to describe and explain my game. What do you guys want to know about when a company unveils a new game?

I'd say a brief trailer (with great music if you have a great OST!) is the way to go. Highlight the heart of the game as concisely and precisely as you can. Then of course, the basics of price, platforms, release date or ETA.

Robin Williams trailer made Ocarina of time

Gameplay is by far the most important thing I want to see, along with an intriguing look into the story if there is one, accompanied by a strong portion of musical score. Try to sell your game exactly how it is; don't over glorify it, but make you audience interested, while knowing what to expect from your game.

Definitely gameplay, but if your graphics aren't looking fantastic yet then concept art will also suffice. Make sure to have a short and sweet description of what the core idea of the game is, kind of like an elevator pitch. It should illustrate what elements of the game will be familiar to players as well as what elements make it unique. As for story and plot, I wouldn't advise you to go out giving away what it's about right away. Instead, let the general style of the story seep out through the visual and sound design. If your plot will be about a hero's epic journey, use sweeping landscape shots alongside orchestral music. If it's going to be melancholic and introspective, you gotta go with dark or muted colours alongside ambient sound or a single instrument playing with lots of reverb. Make sure the audience can easily identify what to expect from the game whilst not giving away enough for the final product to wind up being predictable.

I wish you best of luck!

a nice backside, dark hair, loves to cook and says yes to everything i say...oh this is about games?

1. The type of game the gameplay makes it look like (basic example: quality platformer or JRPG will almost always interest me more than an equally quality FPS or racing game)
2. What it does to separate itself from other similar titles
3. How good the game looks from a technical and/or artistic perspective
4. people who give me a solid reasons to care about the game (see: first impressions from sources I trust or known people developing the game etc.)
5. bonus points if any music sounds great and/or catchy

also if it's a retro inspired thing, just say you were inspired by old games people like...and Dark Souls for some reasons, and people will eat it up

What if I do not have a visual representation of the game, or music? I wouldn't mention that the game was 'retro inspired' unless there was some sort of interview to drum up hype about the game. If so, i'd mention how some successful elements from older games made it into Polaris (game name). I find it funny that Somebittripfan's post says to touch on the story 'if there is one'. The most important thing to me is the story (well it's the thing that makes it stand out beyond good gameplay). A great game with no real story doesn't shine as hard as a great game with an amazing story. That's the difference between an 8 and a 10. A decent story can save a game with uninspired gameplay from being terrible.

What I'm really asking is what makes a game sound interesting. When you READ something about a game, what makes you excited to play this game? I already made a Q & A concerning some points about the game. But I need more questions to ask myself. The premise is unique and exciting enough, the characters are inspired and relatable, (the tone of this game is different, it strikes a balance with the humor just based on standard character conversation) and the premise behind the gameplay hasn't been done in this way before (from what I know) . Would if i wrote out a scene from the start of the game, would I receive any feedback? And should I bother explaining the gameplay?

Well if you can't show off any of the game yet, my only suggestion is to scream loudly that your game is "new" and "different" and "innovative" for X reasons. I mean whatever you do afterwards if up to you.

I will say though, I can't imagine a game from unknowns being hyped unless you can show something that gets people's interest.

Not the same thing I played in the last game.

well it's a simple question for me, I see the trailers(the gameplay ones) if I feel that the game will be fun that's enough for me.
I don't care what the hardcores say for me games are fun not something to get serious over(but I get serious when someone questions this point of view I have)

Well, in general since I buy so many games, there's tons of things that sell games to me and review scores is not one of them. Friends (word of mouth), familiarity of the developer's past games, trailers/gameplay trailers, story/characters, etc etc. I would agree with making a very nice trailer, including gameplay and maybe a quick website with a list of characters and story summary. Just my two cents.

gameplay, genre, then reviews

Good point. People can be excited to see a new IP from Nintendo but when a random developer makes a completely new game, something must be interesting. This game is hypothetical. While a game is in development for a team, it's a small one. I'm talking about the one I'll make some day (though this detail matters little).

What do gamers see in their favorite games that is completely unique to that series? IE smash bros.' unique gameplay and large roster of fan favorite characters (something I can't do, characters will be entirely new).