ZenBusinessPlans

Home » Sample Business Plans » Wholesale & Retail

A Sample Video Game Store Business Plan Template

Are you about starting a video game store? If YES, here is a complete sample video game store business plan template & feasibility report you can use for FREE . Okay, so we have considered all the requirements for starting a video game store. We also took it further by analyzing and drafting a sample video game store business marketing plan template backed up by actionable guerrilla marketing ideas for video game stores. So let’s proceed to the business planning section.

Why Start a Video Game Store?

Starting a video game store business is just like starting any other retail business, and it will require startup capital, planning (feasibility studies, market survey, budgeting), and of course time.

A video game store retails different types of video games and accessories. If you are considering starting this type of business, then you must hunt for the right location, a location with the right demographic composition. With the right location, items in stock, and good pricing structure, you can start making profit as soon as possible after opening your business.

If you are sure this type of business is what you truly want to do after you must have conducted your feasibility studies and market research, then the next step to follow is to write a good business plan; a detailed blue print of how you intend raising your seed capital, setting up the business, managing the flow of the business, sorting out tax and marketing your products .

The truth is that it is one thing to have a fantastic idea cum business plan, it is another thing for the business plan to translate to money, which is why it is important to assemble a team of dedicated workers to work with if you want to be successful with your video game store business.

Below is a sample video game store business plan template that will help you successfully write yours without much stress.

1. Industry Overview

Video game store business is categorized under the video game retail store industry and businesses in this industry retail a wide range of toy and hobby goods, such as traditional dolls and toys, electronic toys (including video and electronic games), board games, hobby kits and craft supplies et al. These goods are retailed to the general public after they are purchased from local and international manufacturers and wholesalers.

In recent time, the video game retail store industry has done brilliantly, growing in line with economic recovery. On the other hand, competition from discount department stores and e-commerce channels has absorbed much of the demand for industry products by offering low prices and one-stop-shop convenience. In view of that, discount stores have become the leading hobby and toy retailers in the united states.

IBISWorld projected that despite an extremely competitive environment both internally and externally, hobby and toy retailers are expected to experience growth over the five years to 2022.

The Video game retail stores industry is indeed a very large industry and pretty much thriving in all the parts of the world. Statistics has it that in the United States of America alone, there are about 21,563 legally registered video game retail stores responsible for employing about 158,296 employees and the industry rakes in a whooping sum of $20bn annually.

It is important to state that; the industry experienced a 1.1 percent growth between 2013 and 2018. Hobby Lobby Stores Inc. and Michaels Stores have the lion shares in the USA market.

A recent research conducted by IBISWorld shows that the Video game retail stores industry has crafted moderate revenue growth over the past five years. Operators in this industry retail a variety of toys and hobby goods, including dolls, electronic toys, games, hobby kits and craft supplies.

The research also shows that over the five years to 2018, industry operators steadily recovered from recessionary lows, in line with improving economic conditions. As consumer income rose during the period, competition intensified and operators both within and external to the industry fought to win over consumers.

Increased competition from discount department stores and online retailers stifled industry sales and profitability, as lower-priced comparable products increasingly lured customers away from traditional industry operators.

In summary, video game store business is evergreen and thriving. In response to the ever-growing demand for video games and accessories, players in the industry are now opening additional stores thereby creating chains of stores across different cities. They are always ready to expanded into new markets and of course adapt to the changing trend in consumer tastes and increase sales.

2. Executive Summary

Planet Excel™ Video Game Store, Inc. is a neighborhood video game retail store that will be located in a growing community in Lake Street, Petoskey – Michigan. We conducted our feasibility studies and market survey and we came to the conclusion that Lake Street, Petoskey is the right location for us to launch our video game retail store.

We are in the video game store line of business to make profits at the same time to give our customers value for their money. We want to give people who patronize our video games the opportunity to choose from a wide range of video games and other related products. We will leverage on all major retail channels, including specialty stores, merchandisers and online store.

We are aware that there are several video game stores and even toy and hobby chains of stores that also retail video games and accessories all around Petoskey – Michigan, which is why we spent time and resources to conduct our feasibility studies and market survey so as to enable us locate the business in an area that will support the growth of the business

We ensured that our facility is easy to locate and our outlet is equipped with the various payment of options available in the United States of America Much more than retailing quality and affordable video games and related products, we will ensure that our customer care is second to none in the whole of Lake Street, Petoskey – Michigan.

We know that our customers are the reason why we are in business which is why we will go the extra mile to get them satisfied whenever they visit our store. Planet Excel™ Video Game Store, Inc. will ensure that all our customers are given first class treatment whenever they visit our store.

We have a CRM software that will enable us manage a one on one relationship with our customers no matter how large they may grow to. We will ensure that we get our customers involved in the selection of brands that will be on our racks and also when making some business decisions that will directly or indirectly affect them.

Planet Excel™ Video Game Store, Inc. is owned by Joel Anderson and his immediate family members. Joel Anderson has successfully managed several video game retail stores both in Petoskey and Dallas – Texas prior to opening his own video game store. Joel Anderson has a Degree in Business Administration and he will run the business alongside his immediate family members.

3. Our Products and Services

Planet Excel™ Video Game Store, Inc. is going to operate a registered neighborhood video game store that will retail a wide range of video games and video games accessories. We are in the video game retail industry to make profits and give our customers value for their money.

These are some of the products that we will retail in our video game retail store;

  • A wide range of video games from top flight video games companies like Microsoft Corporation, Nintendo Co. Ltd., Activision Blizzard Inc., GameStop Corp., Sony Corporation and Electronic Arts Inc.
  • Video games renting services
  • Sale of Video games and accessories

4. Our Mission and Vision Statement

  • Our vision is to establish a one stop video game store business in Lake Street, Petoskey – Michigan.
  • Our mission is to establish a video game retail store that will make available a wide range of video games and accessories from top brands at affordable prices to the residents of Lake Street, Petoskey.

Our Business Structure

Our intention of starting a video game store is to build a standard video game retail store that will be a one – stop shop, which is why we will ensure that we put the right structures in place that will support the kind of growth that we have in mind while setting up the business.

We will ensure that we only hire people that are qualified, honest, customer centric and are ready to work to help us build a prosperous business that will benefit all our stake holders. As a matter of fact, profit-sharing arrangement will be made available to all our management staff and it will be based on their performance for a period of five years or more especially when we start selling our franchise or running chains of video game retail stores.

In view of that, we have decided to hire qualified and competent hands to occupy the following positions;

  • Chief Executive Officer (Owner)
  • Store Manager

Merchandize Manager

Sales and Marketing Manager

  • Accountants/Cashiers
  • Store Attendant/Customer Services Executive

5. Job Roles and Responsibilities

Chief Executive Officer – CEO (Owner) :

Grows management’s effectiveness by recruiting, selecting, orienting, training, coaching, counseling, and disciplining managers; communicating values, strategies, and objectives; assigning accountabilities; planning, monitoring, and appraising job results; developing incentives; developing a climate for offering information and opinion

Accountable for fixing prices and signing business deals

Responsible for providing direction for the business

Creates, communicates, and implements the organization’s vision, mission, and overall direction – i.e. leading the development and implementation of the overall organization’s strategy.

Responsible for signing checks and documents on behalf of the company

Assesses the success of the organization

Store Manager:

  • Responsible for managing the daily activities in the store
  • Ensures that the store facility is in tip top shape and conducive enough to welcome customers
  • Maintains office supplies by checking stocks; placing and expediting orders; evaluating new products.
  • Ensures operation of equipment by completing preventive maintenance requirements; calling for repairs.
  • Carries out induction for new team members
  • Responsible for training, evaluation and assessment of employees
  • Ensures that goods and products are properly arranged
  • Handles any other duty as assigned by the CEO
  • Manages vendor relations, market visits, and the ongoing education and development of the organizations’ buying teams
  • Helps to ensure consistent quality of video games and video games accessories on our rack
  • Responsible for the purchase of video games and video games accessories for the organization
  • Responsible for planning sales, monitoring inventory, selecting the merchandise, and writing and pricing orders to vendors
  • Manages external research and coordinate all the internal sources of information to retain the organizations’ best customers and attract new ones
  • Models demographic information and analyze the volumes of transactional data generated by customer purchases
  • Identifies, prioritizes, and reaches out to new partners, and business opportunities et al
  • Responsible for supervising implementation, advocate for the customer’s needs, and communicate with clients
  • Documents all customer contact and information
  • Represents the company in strategic meetings
  • Helps increase sales and growth for the company

Accountant/Cashier

  • Responsible for preparing financial reports, budgets, and financial statements for the organization
  • Provides managements with financial analyses, development budgets, and accounting reports
  • Responsible for financial forecasting and risks analysis.
  • Performs cash management, general ledger accounting, and financial reporting
  • Responsible for developing and managing financial systems and policies
  • Responsible for administering payrolls
  • Ensures compliance with taxation legislation
  • Handles all financial transactions for the organization
  • Serves as internal auditor for the organization

Store Attendant/Client Service Executive

  • Ensures that all contacts with customer (e-mail, walk-In center, SMS or phone) provides the client with a personalized customer service experience of the highest level
  • Through interaction with customers on the phone, uses every opportunity to build client’s interest in the company’s products and services
  • Manages administrative duties assigned by the store manager in an effective and timely manner
  • Consistently stays abreast of any new information on products, promotional campaigns etc. to ensure accurate and helpful information is supplied to our customers when they make enquiries
  • Provides information about warranties, manufacturing specifications, care and maintenance of merchandise and delivery options
  • Bags or packages purchases
  • Responsible for cleaning the store facility at all times
  • Ensures that toiletries and supplies don’t run out of stock
  • Handle any other duty as assigned by the store manager.

6. SWOT Analysis

Our plan of starting just one outlet of our video game retail store is to test run the business for a period of 3 to 5 years to know if we will invest more money, expand the business and then open other video games and accessories stores all over Michigan.

We are quite aware that there are several video game retail stores all over Petoskey – Michigan and even in the same location where we intend locating ours, which is why we are following the due process of establishing a business. We know that if a proper SWOT analysis is conducted for our business, we will be able to position our business to maximize our strength, leverage on the opportunities that will be available to us, mitigate our risks and be welled equipped to confront our threats.

Planet Excel™ Video Game Store, Inc. employed the services of an expert HR and Business Analyst with bias in retailing to help us conduct a thorough SWOT analysis and to help us create a Business model that will help us achieve our business goals and objectives.

This is the summary of the SWOT analysis that was conducted for Planet Excel™ Video Game Store, Inc.

Our location, the business model we will be operating, varieties of payment options, wide range of video games and video games accessories from local and international manufacturing brands and our excellent customer service culture will definitely count as a strong strength for Planet Excel™ Video Game Store, Inc.

A major weakness that may count against us is the fact that we are a new video game retail store in Lake Street, Petoskey – Michigan and we don’t have the financial capacity to engage in the kind of publicity that we intend giving the business.

  • Opportunities:

The fact that we are going to be operating our video games and accessories store in one of the huge residential estates with the right demographic composition in Lake Street, Petoskey – Michigan provides us with unlimited opportunities to sell our video games to a large number of people.

We have been able to conduct thorough feasibility studies and market survey and we know what our potential customers will be looking for when they visit our retail store. We are well positioned to take on the opportunities that will come our way.

We are quite aware that the rising popularity of e-commerce poses a significant threat to the video games business, as consumers may substitute goods purchased online for goods purchased at video game stores due to the affordability and convenience of e-commerce and the wider range of goods that are available online.

E-commerce sales are expected to rise in 2018, posing a potential threat to the industry. Another threat that may likely confront us is the arrival of a new video games and video games accessories are retailed.

7. MARKET ANALYSIS

  • Market Trends

If you are close observer of the toys and hobby goods industry, you will agree that during the last five years, the intensely competitive environment has driven many small players to exit the industry. Due to their size, large companies are able to offer competitively priced goods and the number of children under the age of nine is projected to grow.

Please note that spending on hobby goods and toys is generally discretionary; therefore, a rise in household disposable income would increase the propensity for customers to purchase more industry goods, leading to growth in demand. Per capita disposable income is expected to increase in 2018, creating a potential opportunity for the industry.

Although these trends are forecast to continue over the next 5 years, some video game retail stores will benefit from increasing demand for new technologies, such as video games. Beyond every reasonable doubt, the video game retail store that can successfully flow with the trend and keep up with consumer and technology trends will definitely fare well in the coming years

It is now a common phenomenon for video game retail stores to leverage on technology to effectively predict consumer demand patterns and to strategically position their store to meet their needs; in essence, the use of technology helps retailers to maximize supply chain efficiencies. No doubt data collected from customers goes a long way to help retail stores serve them better.

8. Our Target Market

When it comes to selling items that are found in video game retail stores, there is indeed a wide range of available customers. In essence, our target market can’t be restricted to just a group of people, but all those who reside in the locations where we intend opening our video game retail store. One thing is certain, we will ensure that we only retail quality and affordable items in our video game retail store.

In view of that, we have positioned our video game retail store to service residents of Petoskey – Michigan and every other location where our video game retail store will be located in the United States of America. We are in business to retail video games and video games accessories to the following groups of people;

  • Schools and Students
  • Households (parents)
  • Video game lounge owners
  • Video game rental business owners

Our competitive advantage

The competitive advantages that will help us standout from our competitors is not restricted to having an exclusive sales contract, stocking seasonal products and access to highly skilled workforce. Planet Excel™ Video Game Store, Inc. is launching a standard video game retail store that will indeed become the preferred choice in Lake Street, Petoskey – Michigan.

Our video game retail store is located in a corner piece property on a busy road directly opposite one of the largest residential estates in Petoskey – Michigan. One thing is certain, we will ensure that we have a wide range of quality and affordable items in our store at all times. It will be difficult for customers to visit our store and not see the items that they are looking for.

Our highly experienced and qualified management, customer service culture, online store, various payment options and highly secured facility with enough packing space will also serve as a competitive advantage for us.

Lastly, all our employees will be well taken care of, and their welfare package will be among the best within our category in the industry. It will enable them to be more than willing to build the business with us and help deliver our set goals and achieve all our business aims and objectives.

9. SALES AND MARKETING STRATEGY

  • Sources of Income

Planet Excel™ Video Game Store, Inc. is established with the aim of maximizing profits in the industry and we are going to go ensure that we do all it takes to sell a wide range of video games to a wide range of customers. Planet Excel™ Video Game Store, Inc. will generate income by;

  • Retailing a wide range of video games from top flight video games companies like Microsoft Corporation, Nintendo Co. Ltd., Activision Blizzard Inc., GameStop Corp., Sony Corporation and Electronic Arts Inc.
  • Sale of video games accessories
  • Retailing traditional entertainment and learning games

10. Sales Forecast

It is important to state that our sales forecast is based on the data gathered during our feasibility studies, market survey and also some of the assumptions readily available on the field.

One thing is common with video game retail store, the larger the store, the larger the number of customers that will patronize them. Although we may not be as large as Hobby Lobby Stores Inc.and Michaels Stores, but we will ensure that within our capacity we make available a wide range of items from different brands in our store.

Below are the sales projections that we were able to come up with for the first three years of operations;

  • First Fiscal Year: $120,000
  • Second Fiscal Year: $250,000
  • Third Fiscal Year: $450,000

N.B : This projection was done based on what is obtainable in the industry and with the assumption that there won’t be any major economic meltdown and the arrival of a competitor in same location as ours within the period stated above. Please note that the above projection might be lower and at the same time it might be higher.

  • Marketing Strategy and Sales Strategy

Prior to choosing a location for Planet Excel™ Video Game Store, Inc. we conduct a thorough market survey and feasibility studies in order for us to penetrate the available market and become the preferred choice in Petoskey – Michigan.

We hired experts who have good understanding of the video game retail stores industry to help us develop marketing strategies that will help us achieve our business goal of winning a larger percentage of the available market in Lake Street, Petoskey – Michigan.

In summary, Planet Excel™ Video Game Store, Inc. will adopt the following sales and marketing approach to win customers over;

  • Introduce our video game retail store by sending introductory letters to schools, residence, and other key stake holders in and around Lake Street, Petoskey – Michigan
  • Open our video game retail store with an open house party for children in the community
  • Advertise our business in community based newspapers, local TV and radio stations
  • List our business on yellow pages’ ads (local directories)
  • Attend trade fairs and relevant exhibitions to sell our video game and video game accessories
  • Leverage on the internet to promote our business
  • Engage in direct marketing
  • Encourage word of mouth marketing (referrals) from satisfied and loyal customers

11. Publicity and Advertising Strategy

Despite the fact that our video game retail store is well located, we will still go ahead to intensify publicity for the business. We are going to explore all available means to promote our video game retail store.

Planet Excel™ Video Game Store, Inc. has a long-term plan of opening chains of video game retail stores in various locations, which is why we will deliberately build our brand to be well accepted in Lake Street, Petoskey – Michigan before venturing out.

Here are the platforms we intend leveraging on to promote and advertise Planet Excel™ Video Game Store, Inc.;

  • Place adverts on both print (community based newspapers and magazines) and electronic media platforms
  • Sponsor relevant community programs
  • Leverage on the internet and social media platforms like; Instagram, Facebook, twitter, et al to promote our brand
  • Install our billboards in strategic locations all around Lake Street, Petoskey – Michigan
  • Distribute our fliers and handbills in target areas in the community where our video game retail store is located
  • Position our Flexi Banners at strategic positions in the location where our video game retail store is located.
  • Ensure that all our workers wear our branded shirts and all our vehicles are well branded with our organization’s logo et al.

12. Our Pricing Strategy

Pricing is one of the key factors that gives leverage to video game retail stores, it is normal for consumers to go to places where they can get items at cheaper price which is why big players in the industry attract loads of consumers.

We know we don’t have the capacity to compete with other video game retail stores, but we will ensure that the prices of all the video games and accessories that are available in our store are competitive with what is obtainable amongst video game retail stores within our level and in our location.

  • Payment Options

The payment policy adopted by Planet Excel™ Video Game Store, Inc. is all inclusive because we are quite aware that different customers prefer different payment options as it suits them but at the same time, we will ensure that we abide by the financial rules and regulation of the United States of America.

Here are the payment options that Planet Excel™ Video Game Store, Inc. will make available to her clients;

  • Payment with cash
  • Payment via credit cards
  • Payment via online bank transfer
  • Payment via check
  • Payment via mobile money transfer

In view of the above, we have chosen banking platforms that will enable our clients make payment for our video games and video game accessories without any stress on their part. Our bank account numbers will be made available on our website and promotional materials.

13. Startup Expenditure (Budget)

When it comes to starting a video game retail store business, the major areas that you will spend the bulk of your cash is in renting or leasing a standard store facility. Aside from that, you are not expected to spend much except for paying of your employees and the stocking of your store with a wide range of video games and accessories.

These are the key areas where we will spend our startup capital;

  • The total fee for registering the Business in the United States of America – $750.
  • Legal expenses for obtaining licenses and permits as well as the accounting services (software, P.O.S machines and other software) – $1,300.
  • Marketing promotion expenses for the grand opening of Planet Excel™ Video Game Store, Inc. in the amount of $3,500 and as well as flyer printing (2,000 flyers at $0.04 per copy) for the total amount of – $3,580.
  • The cost for hiring business consultant – $2,500.
  • Insurance (general liability, workers’ compensation and property casualty) coverage at a total premium – $2,400.
  • The cost for payment of rent for 12 months at $1.76 per square feet in the total amount of $55,240.
  • The cost for shop remodeling (construction of racks and shelves) – $20,000.
  • Other start-up expenses including stationery ($500) and phone and utility deposits – ($2,500).
  • Operational cost for the first 3 months (salaries of employees, payments of bills et al) – $60,000
  • The cost for Start-up inventory (stocking with a wide range of both locally and imported quality video games and video game accessories from different manufacturing brands) – $70,000
  • The cost for store equipment (cash register, security, ventilation, signage) – $13,750
  • The cost of purchase and installation of CCTVs – $5,000
  • The cost for the purchase of furniture and gadgets (Computers, Printers, Telephone, TVs, Sound System, tables and chairs et al) – $4,000.
  • The cost of Launching a Website – $600
  • The cost for our opening party – $7,000
  • Miscellaneous – $10,000

We would need an estimate of $200,000 to successfully set up our video game retail store in Lake Street, Petoskey – Michigan.

Generating Fund/Startup Capital for Planet Excel™ Video Game Store, Inc.

Planet Excel™ Video Game Store, Inc. is owned and financed by Joel Anderson and his immediate family members. They do not intend to welcome any external business partners which is why they decided to restrict the sourcing of the startup capital to 3 major sources.

  • Generate part of the startup capital from personal savings
  • Source for soft loans from family members and friends
  • Apply for loan from my Bank

N.B : We have been able to generate about $100,000 (Personal savings $75,000 and soft loan from family members $25,000) and we are at the final stages of obtaining a loan facility of $100,000 from our bank. All the papers and documents have been signed and submitted, the loan has been approved and any moment from now our account will be credited with the amount.

14. Sustainability and Expansion Strategy

The future of a business lies in the number of loyal customers that they have, the capacity and competence of their employees, their investment strategy and the business structure. If all of these factors are missing from a business, then it won’t be too long before the business close shop.

One of our major goals of starting Planet Excel™ Video Game Store, Inc. is to build a business that will survive off its own cash flow without the need for injecting finance from external sources once the business is officially running. We know that one of the ways of gaining approval and winning customers over is to sell our video games and video game accessories a little bit cheaper than what is obtainable in the market and we are prepared to survive on lower profit margin for a while.

Planet Excel™ Video Game Store, Inc. will make sure that the right foundation, structures and processes are put in place to ensure that our staff welfare are well taken of. Our organizations’ corporate culture is designed to drive our business to greater heights and training and re – training of our workforce is at the top burner.

As a matter of fact, profit-sharing arrangement will be made available to all our management staff and it will be based on their performance for a period of three years or more. We know that if that is put in place, we will be able to successfully hire and retain the best hands we can get in the industry; they will be more committed to help us build the business of our dreams.

Check List/Milestone

  • Business Name Availability Check : Completed
  • Business Registration: Completed
  • Opening of Corporate Bank Accounts: Completed
  • Securing Point of Sales (POS) Machines: Completed
  • Opening Mobile Money Accounts: Completed
  • Opening Online Payment Platforms: Completed
  • Application and Obtaining Tax Payer’s ID: In Progress
  • Application for business license and permit: Completed
  • Purchase of Insurance for the Business: Completed
  • Leasing of facility and remodeling the store: In Progress
  • Conducting Feasibility Studies: Completed
  • Generating capital from family members: Completed
  • Applications for Loan from the bank: In Progress
  • Writing of Business Plan: Completed
  • Drafting of Employee’s Handbook: Completed
  • Drafting of Contract Documents and other relevant Legal Documents: In Progress
  • Design of The Company’s Logo: Completed
  • Printing of Promotional Materials: In Progress
  • Recruitment of employees: In Progress
  • Purchase of the needed furniture, racks, shelves, computers, electronic appliances, office appliances and CCTV: In progress
  • Stocking our store with a wide range of video games and video game accessories: In Progress
  • Creating Official Website for the Company: In Progress
  • Creating Awareness for the business both online and around the community: In Progress
  • Health and Safety and Fire Safety Arrangement (License): Secured
  • Opening party/launching party planning: In Progress
  • Compilation of our list of products (video games and video game accessories) that will be available in our store: Completed
  • Establishing business relationship with vendors – wholesale suppliers of various brands of products (video games and video game accessories) that we intend retailing: In Progress

More on Wholesale & Retail

Growthink logo white

Gaming Lounge Business Plan Template

Written by Dave Lavinsky

gaming lounge business plan

Gaming Lounge Business Plan

Over the past 10+ years, we have helped over 500 entrepreneurs and business owners create business plans to start and grow their gaming lounge companies.

If you’re unfamiliar with creating a gaming lounge business plan, you may think creating one will be a time-consuming and frustrating process. For most entrepreneurs it is, but for you, it won’t be since we’re here to help. We have the experience, resources, and knowledge to help you create a great business plan.

In this article, you will learn some background information on why business planning is important. Then, you will learn how to write a gaming lounge business plan step-by-step so you can create your plan today.

Download our Ultimate Business Plan Template here >

What Is a Business Plan?

A business plan provides a snapshot of your gaming lounge business as it stands today, and lays out your growth plan for the next five years. It explains your business goals and your strategies for reaching them. It also includes market research to support your plans.

Why You Need a Business Plan

If you’re looking to start a gaming lounge business or grow your existing gaming lounge company, you need a business plan. A business plan will help you raise funding, if needed, and plan out the growth of your gaming lounge business to improve your chances of success. Your gaming lounge business plan is a living document that should be updated annually as your company grows and changes.

Sources of Funding for Gaming Lounge Businesses

With regards to funding, the main sources of funding for a gaming lounge business are personal savings, credit cards, bank loans, and angel investors. When it comes to bank loans, banks will want to review your business plan (hand it to them in person or email to them as a PDF file) and gain confidence that you will be able to repay your loan and interest. To acquire this confidence, the loan officer will not only want to ensure that your financials are reasonable, but they will also want to see a professional plan. Such a plan will give them the confidence that you can successfully and professionally operate a business. Personal savings and bank loans are the most common funding paths for gaming lounge companies.

Finish Your Business Plan Today!

How to write a business plan for a gaming lounge business.

If you want to start a gaming lounge business or expand your current one, you need a business plan. The guide and sample below details the necessary information for how to write each essential component of your gaming lounge business plan.

Executive Summary

Your executive summary provides an introduction to your business plan, but it is normally the last section you write because it provides a summary of each key section of your plan.

The goal of your executive summary is to quickly engage the reader. Explain to them the kind of gaming lounge business you are running and the status. For example, are you a startup, do you have a gaming lounge business that you would like to grow, or are you operating a chain of gaming lounge businesses?

Next, provide an overview of each of the subsequent sections of your plan. 

  • Give a brief overv iew of the gaming lounge industry. 
  • Discuss the type of gaming lounge business you are operating. 
  • Detail your direct competitors. Give an overview of your target customers. 
  • Provide a snapshot of your marketing strategy. Identify the key members of your team. 
  • Offer an overview of your financial plan.

Company Overview

In your company overview, you will detail the type of gaming lounge business you are operating.

For example, you m ight specialize in one of the following types of gaming lounge businesses:

  • Gaming lounge membership club : While the lounge is dedicated to serious video game play, the members-only club creates a community of friends and hours of enjoyment. Members pay monthly dues for unlimited access to video gaming, virtual reality and class video slot machine play.
  • Board game cafe: Board gaming cafes are dedicated to board game aficionados who join any games that appeal to them. Appetizers and beverages may be offered.
  • Arcade gaming lounge: For video arcade diehards, the arcade gaming lounge represents the classic arcade games much beloved by players. Games are video slot machine-play.
  • Gaming bar and grill: For players who like to combine the latest video games, virtual reality and high-end technology, gaming bars are the go-to place. Players typically have a choice of beer, wine or cocktails with favorite foods, such as burgers and fries, from the grill. 

In addition to explaining the type of gaming lounge business you will operate, the company overview needs to provide background on the business.

Include answers to questions such as:

  • When and why did you start the business?
  • What milestones have you achieved to date? Milestones could include the number of gamers served, the number of large gaming events held, or, reaching X number of lounges opened, etc.
  • Your legal business structure. Are you incorporated as an S-Corp? An LLC? A sole proprietorship? Explain your legal structure here.

Industry Analysis

In your industry or market analysis, you need to provide an overview of the gaming lounge industry.

While this may seem unnecessary, it serves multiple purposes.

First, researching the gaming lounge industry educates you. It helps you understand the market in which you are operating. 

Secondly, market research can improve your marketing strategy, particularly if your analysis identifies market trends.

The third reason is to prove to readers that you are an expert in your industry. By conducting the research and presenting it in your plan, you achieve just that.

The following questions should be answered in the industry analysis section of your gaming lounge business plan:

  • How big is the gaming lounge industry (in dollars)?
  • Is the market declining or increasing?
  • Who are the key competitors in the market?
  • Who are the key suppliers in the market?
  • What trends are affecting the industry?
  • What is the industry’s growth forecast over the next 5 – 10 years?
  • What is the relevant market size? That is, how big is the potential target market for your gaming lounge business? You can extrapolate such a figure by assessing the size of the market in the entire country and then applying that figure to your local population.

Customer Analysis

The customer analysis section of your gaming lounge business plan must detail the customers you serve and/or expect to serve.

The following are examples of customer segments: individuals, club members, event partygoers, and corporations.

As you can imagine, the customer segment(s) you choose will have a great impact on the type of gaming lounge business you operate. Clearly, individuals would respond to different marketing promotions than event partygoers, for example.

Try to break out your target customers in terms of their demographic and psychographic profiles. With regards to demographics, including a discussion of the ages, genders, locations, and income levels of the potential customers you seek to serve.

Psychographic profiles explain the wants and needs of your target customers. The more you can recognize and define these needs, the better you will do in attracting and retaining your customers. Ideally you can speak with a sample of your target customers before writing your plan to better understand their needs.

Finish Your Gaming Lounge Business Plan in 1 Day!

Don’t you wish there was a faster, easier way to finish your business plan?

With Growthink’s Ultimate Business Plan Template you can finish your plan in just 8 hours or less!

Competitive Analysis

Your competitive analysis should identify the indirect and direct competitors your business faces and then focus on the latter.

Direct competitors are othe r gaming lounge businesses. 

Indirect competitors are other options that customers have to purchase from that aren’t directly competing with your product or service. This includes bowling alleys with pinball machines, at-home gaming, or gambling with casino-play. You need to mention direct competition, as well.

For each direct competitor, provide an overview of their business and document their strengths and weaknesses. Unless you once worked at your competitors’ businesses, it will be impossible to know everything about them. But you should be able to find out key things about them such as

  • What types of customers do they serve?
  • What type of gaming lounge business are they?
  • What is their pricing (premium, low, etc.)?
  • What are they good at?
  • What are their weaknesses?

With regards to the last two questions, think about your answers from the customers’ perspective. And don’t be afraid to ask your competitors’ customers what they like most and least about them.

The final part of your competitive analysis section is to document your areas of competitive advantage. For example:

  • Will you provide rewards for frequent players?
  • Will you offer events, such as video tournaments, that your competition doesn’t?
  • Will you provide the newest technology in gaming consoles?
  • Will you offer better pricing?

Think about ways you will outperform your competition and document them in this section of your plan.

Marketing Plan

Traditionally, a marketing plan includes the four P’s: Product, Price, Place, and Promotion. For a gaming lounge business plan, your marketing strategy should include the following:

Product : In the product section, you should reiterate the type o f gaming lounge company that you documented in your company overview. Then, detail the specific products or services you will be offering. For example, will you provide gaming tournaments, rewards for frequent players, themed parties, club membership perks and extended gaming hours on special occasions?

Price : Document the prices you will offer and how they compare to your competitors. Essentially in the product and price sub-sections of yo ur plan, yo u are presenting the products and/or services you offer and their prices.

Place : Place refers to the site of your gaming lounge company. Document where your company is situated and mention how the site will impact your success. For example, is your gaming lounge business located in a popular restaurant and theater district, a standalone building or in a “destination” setting? Discuss how your site might be the ideal location for your customers.

Promotions : The final part of your gaming lounge marketing plan is where you will document how you will drive potential customers to your location(s). The following are some promotional methods you might consider:

  • Advertise in gaming magazines
  • Reach out to gaming websites 
  • Distribute flyers for special gaming events
  • Engage in email marketing
  • Advertise to club members on social media platforms
  • Improve the SEO (search engine optimization) on your website for targeted keywords

Operations Plan

While the earlier sections of your business plan explained your goals, your operations plan describes how you will meet them. Your operations plan should have two distinct sections as follows.

Everyday short-term processes include all of the tasks involved in running your gaming lounge business, including adding and maintaining video machines and equipment, planning and providing tournaments and special events, restocking food inventory, etc. 

Long-term goals are the milestones you hope to achieve. These could include the dates when you expect to book your Xth gaming tournament, or when you hope to reach $X in revenue. It could also be when you expect to expand your gaming lounge business to additional locations.

Management Team

To demonstrate your gaming lounge business’ potential to succeed, a strong management team is essential. Highlight your key players’ backgrounds, emphasizing those skills and experiences that prove their ability to grow a company. 

Ideally, you and/or your team members have direct experience in managing gaming lounge businesses. If so, highlight this experience and expertise. But also highlight any experience that you think will help your business succeed.

If your team is lacking, consider assembling an advisory board. An advisory board would include 2 to 8 individuals who would act as mentors to your business. They would help answer questions and provide strategic guidance. If needed, look for advisory board members with experience in managing a gaming lounge business or successfully running a video arcade or casino gaming room.

Financial Plan

Your financial plan should include your 5-year financial statement broken out both monthly or quarterly for the first year and then annually. Your financial statements include your income statement, balance s heet, and cash flow statements.

Income Statement

An income statement is more commonly called a Profit and Loss statement or P&L. It shows your revenue and then subtracts your costs to show whether you turned a profit or not.

In developing your income statement, you need to devise assumptions. For example, will you see 10 new video club memberships per day, or develop new ways to enhance video gamer play areas ? And will sales grow by 2% or 10% per year? As you can imagine, your choice of assumptions will greatly impact the financial forecasts for your business. As much as possible, conduct research to try to root your assumptions in reality.

Balance Sheets

Balance sheets show your assets and liabilities. While balance sheets can include much information, try to simplify them to the key items you need to know about. For instance, if you spend $50,000 on building out your gaming lounge business, this will not give you immediate profits. Rather it is an asset that will hopefully help you generate profits for years to come. Likewise, if a lender writes you a check for $50,000, you don’t need to pay it back immediately. Rather, that is a liability you will pay back over time.

Cash Flow Statement

Your cash flow statement will help determine how much money you need to start or grow your business, and ensure you never run out of money. What most entrepreneurs and business owners don’t realize is that you can turn a profit but run out of money and go bankrupt. 

When creating your Income Statement and Balance Sheets be sure to include several of the key costs needed in starting or growing a video game room business:

  • Cost of gaming equipment and maintenance
  • Payroll or salaries paid to staff
  • Business insurance
  • Other start-up expenses (if you’re a new business) like legal expenses, permits, computer software, and foodstuffs, board games, barware, or restaurant equipment

Attach your full financial projections in the appendix of your plan along with any supporting documents that make your plan more compelling. For example, you might include your office location lease or a list of club memberships generating steady income.

Writing a business plan for your gaming lounge business is a worthwhile endeavor. If you follow the template above, by the time you are done, you will truly be an expert and understand how to start a gaming lounge business. You will understand the gaming lounge industry, your competition, and your customers. You will develop a marketing strategy and will understand what it takes to launch and grow a successful gaming lounge business.

Gaming Lounge Business Plan FAQs

What is the easiest way to complete my gaming lounge business plan.

Growthink's Ultimate Business Plan Template allows you to quickly and easily write your gaming lounge business plan.

How Do You Start a Gaming Lounge Business?

Starting a gaming lounge business is easy with these 14 steps:

  • Choose the Name for Your Gaming Lounge Business
  • Create Your Gaming Lounge Business Plan
  • Choose the Legal Structure for Your Gaming Lounge Business
  • Secure Startup Funding for Your Gaming Lounge Business (If Needed)
  • Secure a Location for Your Business
  • Register Your Gaming Lounge Business with the IRS
  • Open a Business Bank Account
  • Get a Business Credit Card
  • Get the Required Business Licenses and Permits
  • Get Business Insurance for Your Gaming Lounge Business
  • Buy or Lease the Right Gaming Lounge Business Equipment
  • Develop Your Gaming Lounge Business Marketing Materials
  • Purchase and Setup the Software Needed to Run Your Gaming Lounge Business
  • Open for Business

Where Can I Download a Free Business Plan Template PDF?

Click here to download the pdf version of our basic business plan template.

Our free business plan template pdf allows you to see the key sections to complete in your plan and the key questions that each must answer. The business plan pdf will definitely get you started in the right direction.

We do offer a premium version of our business plan template. Click here to learn more about it. The premium version includes numerous features allowing you to quickly and easily create a professional business plan. Its most touted feature is its financial projections template which allows you to simply enter your estimated sales and growth rates, and it automatically calculates your complete five-year financial projections including income statements, balance sheets, and cash flow statements. Here’s the link to our Ultimate Business Plan Template.

Don’t you wish there was a faster, easier way to finish your Gaming Lounge business plan?

OR, Let Us Develop Your Plan For You

Since 1999, Growthink has developed business plans for thousands of companies who have gone on to achieve tremendous success.  

Click here to see how Growthink’s business plan professional services can help you create a winning business.

Other Helpful Business Plan Articles & Templates

Business Plan Template for Small Businesses & Entrepreneurs

Don't bother with copy and paste.

Get this complete sample business plan as a free text document.

Video Game Business Plan

Start your own video game business plan

Pixel Frontier Studios

Value proposition.

Pixel Frontier Studios creates immersive, narrative-driven video games that foster strong emotional connections with players and explore unique themes and settings.

The Problem

The gaming industry is saturated with repetitive content and a lack of diversity in themes and storytelling. Gamers are looking for unique, captivating experiences that push the boundaries of conventional gaming.

The Solution

Pixel Frontier Studios focuses on creating high-quality, innovative games with memorable characters, engaging storylines, and diverse settings. Our games provide an emotional experience that keeps players invested and craving more.

Target Market

Our primary target market includes:

  • Gamers aged 18-35 seeking narrative-driven experiences
  • Individuals who enjoy indie games and unique concepts
  • Gamers who appreciate games with diverse representation and themes

Competitors & Differentiation

Current alternatives.

  • AAA game studios producing high-budget games
  • Other indie game studios
  • Mobile gaming companies

Pixel Frontier Studios’ commitment to diverse storytelling and innovative game mechanics sets us apart from competitors. Our team’s passion for creating unique experiences and our attention to detail ensure high-quality games that resonate with players.

Funding Needs

  • Office space and equipment: $150,000
  • Software and licenses: $50,000
  • Salaries and benefits for the first year: $600,000
  • Marketing and advertising: $100,000

Initial game development: $500,000

  • Total initial funding needed: $1,400,000

Sales Channels

  • Xbox Game Store
  • PlayStation Store
  • Nintendo eShop
  • Direct website sales

Marketing Activities

  • Social media campaigns
  • Influencer partnerships
  • Gaming conventions and expos
  • Sponsored events and tournaments
  • Press releases and PR

Financial Projections

2023: $1,200,000

2024: $2,000,000

2025: $3,000,000

Expenses/Costs

2023: $1,400,000

2024: $1,600,000

2025: $1,800,000

2023: -$200,000

2024: $400,000

2025: $1,200,000

  • Secure funding — June 1, 2023
  • Establish office space and equipment — July 1, 2023
  • Complete hiring and onboarding — August 1, 2023
  • Begin development of the first game — September 1, 2023
  • Launch marketing campaign — January 1, 2024
  • Release first game — October 1, 2024
  • Begin development of the second game — November 1, 2024
  • Achieve 500,000 units sold for the first game — December 31, 2024

Team and Key Roles

Ceo and creative director, oversees company strategy, game development, and overall creative vision, lead game designer.

Responsible for designing and implementing game mechanics, levels, and gameplay experiences

Lead Programmer

Manages programming team and ensures all technical aspects of the game function as intended

Lead Artist

Guides art direction and oversees production of all visual assets for the game

Narrative Designer

Develops and implements the game’s story, dialogue, and character interactions

Marketing Manager

Directs marketing efforts, including public relations, events, and social media campaigns

Partnerships & Resources

  • Local game development associations and networks: Collaborate on events and initiatives, access to resources and support
  • Game engine and software providers: Secure partnerships for cost-effective licenses and support
  • Gaming influencers: Establish partnerships for promotion and feedback during game development

Garrett's Bike Shop

The quickest way to turn a business idea into a business plan

Fill-in-the-blanks and automatic financials make it easy.

No thanks, I prefer writing 40-page documents.

LivePlan pitch example

Discover the world’s #1 plan building software

game shop business plan pdf

How to write a business plan for a games and toys shop?

games and toys shop business plan

Creating a business plan for a games and toys shop is an essential process for any entrepreneur. It serves as a roadmap that outlines the necessary steps to be taken to start or grow the business, the resources required, and the anticipated financial outcomes. It should be crafted with method and confidence.

This guide is designed to provide you with the tools and knowledge necessary for creating a games and toys shop business plan, covering why it is so important both when starting up and running an established business, what should be included in your plan, how it should be structured, what tools should be used to save time and avoid errors, and other helpful tips.

We have a lot to cover, so let's get to it!

In this guide:

Why write a business plan for a games and toys shop?

  • What information is needed to create a business plan for a games and toys shop?
  • What goes in the financial forecast for a games and toys shop?
  • What goes in the written part of a games and toys shop business plan?
  • What tool can I use to write my games and toys shop business plan?

Understanding the document's scope and goals will help you easily grasp its structure and content. Before diving into the specifics of the plan, let's take a moment to explore the key reasons why having a games and toys shop business plan is so crucial.

To have a clear roadmap to grow the business

Small businesses rarely experience a constant and predictable environment. Economic cycles go up and down, while the business landscape is mutating constantly with new regulations, technologies, competitors, and consumer behaviours emerging when we least expect it.

In this dynamic context, it's essential to have a clear roadmap for your games and toys shop. Otherwise, you are navigating in the dark which is dangerous given that - as a business owner - your capital is at risk.

That's why crafting a well-thought-out business plan is crucial to ensure the long-term success and sustainability of your venture.

To create an effective business plan, you'll need to take a step-by-step approach. First, you'll have to assess your current position (if you're already in business), and then identify where you'd like your games and toys shop to be in the next three to five years.

Once you have a clear destination for your games and toys shop, you'll focus on three key areas:

  • Resources: you'll determine the human, equipment, and capital resources needed to reach your goals successfully.
  • Speed: you'll establish the optimal pace at which your business needs to grow if it is to meet its objectives within the desired timeframe.
  • Risks: you'll identify and address potential risks you might encounter along the way.

By going through this process regularly, you'll be able to make informed decisions about resource allocation, paving the way for the long-term success of your business.

To maintain visibility on future cash flows

Businesses can go for years without making a profit, but they go bust as soon as they run out of cash. That's why "cash is king", and maintaining visibility on your games and toys shop's future cash flows is critical.

How do I do that? That's simple: you need an up-to-date financial forecast.

The good news is that your games and toys shop business plan already contains a financial forecast (more on that later in this guide), so all you have to do is to keep it up-to-date.

To do this, you need to regularly compare the actual financial performance of your business to what was planned in your financial forecast, and adjust the forecast based on the current trajectory of your business.

Monitoring your games and toys shop's financial health will enable you to identify potential financial problems (such as an unexpected cash shortfall) early and to put in place corrective measures. It will also allow you to detect and capitalize on potential growth opportunities (higher demand from a given segment of customers for example).

To secure financing

Whether you are a startup or an existing business, writing a detailed games and toys shop business plan is essential when seeking financing from banks or investors.

This makes sense given what we've just seen: financiers want to ensure you have a clear roadmap and visibility on your future cash flows.

Banks will use the information included in the plan to assess your borrowing capacity (how much debt your business can support) and your ability to repay the loan before deciding whether they will extend credit to your business and on what terms.

Similarly, investors will review your plan carefully to assess if their investment can generate an attractive return on investment.

To do so, they will be looking for evidence that your games and toys shop has the potential for healthy growth, profitability, and cash flow generation over time.

Now that you understand why it is important to create a business plan for a games and toys shop, let's take a look at what information is needed to create one.

Need a convincing business plan?

The Business Plan Shop makes it easy to create a financial forecast to assess the potential profitability of your projects, and write a business plan that’ll wow investors.

The Business Plan Shop's Business Plan Software

Information needed to create a business plan for a games and toys shop

You need the right data in order to project sales, investments and costs accurately in the financial forecast of your games and toys shop business plan.

Below, we'll cover three key pieces of information you should gather before drafting your business plan.

Carrying out market research for a games and toys shop

Before you begin writing your business plan for a games and toys shop, conducting market research is a critical step in ensuring precise and realistic financial projections.

Market research grants you valuable insights into your target customer base, competitors, pricing strategies, and other crucial factors that can impact the success of your business.

In the course of this research, you may stumble upon trends that could impact your games and toys shop.

You may discover that certain types of toys and games could be becoming increasingly popular among your target demographic. For example, you might find that board games and puzzles could be gaining more traction compared to other types of toys. Additionally, you could also uncover that online gaming could be a growing trend among your customers, indicating that there may be an opportunity for you to explore digital products.

Such market trends play a pivotal role in revenue forecasting, as they provide essential data regarding potential customers' spending habits and preferences.

By integrating these findings into your financial projections, you can provide investors with more accurate information, enabling them to make well-informed decisions about investing in your games and toys shop.

Developing the sales and marketing plan for a games and toys shop

Budgeting sales and marketing expenses is essential before creating a games and toys shop business plan.

A comprehensive sales and marketing plan should provide an accurate projection of what actions need to be implemented to acquire and retain customers, how many people are needed to carry out these initiatives, and how much needs to be spent on promotions, advertising, and other aspects.

This helps ensure that the right amount of resources is allocated to these activities in order to hit the sales and growth objectives forecasted in your business plan.

The staffing and equipment needs of a games and toys shop

Whether you are at the beginning stages of your games and toys shop or expanding its horizons, having a clear plan for recruitment and capital expenditures (investment in equipment and real estate) is vital to ensure your business's success.

To achieve this, both the recruitment and investment plans must align coherently with the projected timing and level of growth in your forecast. It is essential to secure appropriate funding for these plans.

The staffing costs for a games and toys shop might include wages for employees, employee benefits, and insurance. The equipment costs might include shelves, display cases, checkout systems, computers, printers, and other necessary tools.

To create a financial forecast that accurately represents your business's outlook, remember to factor in other day-to-day operating expenses.

Now that you have all the necessary information, it's time to dive in and start creating your business plan and developing the financial forecast for your games and toys shop.

What goes into your games and toys shop's financial forecast?

The financial forecast of your games and toys shop will enable you to assess the profitability potential of your business in the coming years and how much capital is required to fund the actions planned in the business plan.

The four key outputs of a financial forecast for a games and toys shop are:

  • The profit and loss (P&L) statement ,
  • The projected balance sheet ,
  • The cash flow forecast ,
  • And the sources and uses table .

Let's take a closer look at each of these.

The projected P&L statement

The projected P&L statement for a games and toys shop shows how much revenue and profit your business is expected to make in the future.

example of projected profit and loss statement in a games and toys shop business plan

A healthy games and toys shop's P&L statement should show:

  • Sales growing at (minimum) or above (better) inflation
  • Stable (minimum) or expanding (better) profit margins
  • A healthy level of net profitability

This will of course depend on the stage of your business: numbers for a startup will look different than for an established games and toys shop.

The projected balance sheet of your games and toys shop

Your games and toys shop's forecasted balance sheet enables the reader of your plan to assess your financial structure, working capital, and investment policy.

It is composed of three types of elements: assets, liabilities and equity:

  • Assets: represent what the business owns and uses to produce cash flows. It includes resources such as cash, equipment, and accounts receivable (money owed by clients).
  • Liabilities: represent funds advanced to the business by lenders and other creditors. It includes items such as accounts payable (money owed to suppliers), taxes due and loans.
  • Equity: is the combination of what has been invested by the business owners and the cumulative profits and losses generated by the business to date (which are called retained earnings). Equity is a proxy for the value of the owner's stake in the business.

example of forecasted balance sheet in a games and toys shop business plan

Your games and toys shop's balance sheet will usually be analyzed in conjunction with the other financial statements included in your forecast.

Two key points of focus will be:

  • Your games and toys shop's liquidity: does your business have sufficient cash and short-term assets to pay what it owes over the next 12 months?
  • And its solvency: does your business have the capacity to repay its debt over the medium-term?

The cash flow forecast

As we've seen earlier in this guide, monitoring future cash flows is the key to success and the only way of ensuring that your games and toys shop has enough cash to operate.

As you can expect showing future cash flows is the main role of the cash flow forecast in your games and toys shop business plan.

example of projected cash flow forecast in a games and toys shop business plan

It is best practice to organise the cash flow statement by nature in order to show the cash impact of the following areas:

  • Cash flow generated from operations: the operating cash flow shows how much cash is generated or consumed by the business's commercial activities
  • Cash flow from investing activities: the investing cash flow shows how much cash is being invested in capital expenditure (equipment, real estate, etc.) either to maintain the business's equipment or to expand its capabilities
  • Cash flow from financing activities: the financing cash flow shows how much cash is raised or distributed to financiers

Looking at the cash flow forecast helps you to make sure that your business has enough cash to keep running, and can help you anticipate potential cash shortfalls.

Your games and toys shop business plan will normally include both yearly and monthly cash flow forecasts so that the readers can view the impact of seasonality on your business cash position and generation.

The initial financing plan

The sources and uses table or initial financing plan is a key component of your business plan when starting a games and toys shop.

It shows where the capital needed to set up the business will come from (sources) and how it will be spent (uses).

sources and uses table in a games and toys shop business plan

This table helps size the investment required to set up the games and toys shop, and understand how risks will be distributed between the business owners, and the financiers.

The sources and uses table also highlights what the starting cash position will be. This is key for startups as the business needs to have sufficient funding to sustain operations until the break-even point is reached.

Now that you have a clear understanding of what will go into the financial forecast of your games and toys shop business plan, let's have a look at the written part of the plan.

Need inspiration for your business plan?

The Business Plan Shop has dozens of business plan templates that you can use to get a clear idea of what a complete business plan looks like.

The Business Plan Shop's Business Plan Templates

The written part of a games and toys shop business plan

The written part of the business plan is where you will explain what your business does and how it operates, what your target market is, whom you compete against, and what strategy you will put in place to seize the commercial opportunity you've identified.

Having this context is key for the reader to form a view on whether or not they believe that your plan is achievable and the numbers in your forecast realistic.

The written part of a games and toys shop business plan is composed of 7 main sections:

  • The executive summary
  • The presentation of the company
  • The products and services
  • The market analysis
  • The strategy
  • The operations
  • The financial plan

Let's go through the content of each section in more detail!

1. The executive summary

The executive summary, the first section of your games and toys shop's business plan, serves as an inviting snapshot of your entire plan, leaving readers eager to know more about your business.

To compose an effective executive summary, start with a concise introduction of your business, covering its name, concept, location, history, and unique aspects. Share insights about the services or products you intend to offer and your target customer base.

Subsequently, provide an overview of your games and toys shop's addressable market, highlighting current trends and potential growth opportunities.

Then, present a summary of critical financial figures, such as projected revenues, profits, and cash flows.

You should then include a summary of your key financial figures such as projected revenues, profits, and cash flows.

Lastly, address any funding needs in the "ask" section of your executive summary.

2. The presentation of the company

As you build your games and toys shop business plan, the second section deserves attention as it delves into the structure and ownership, location, and management team of your company.

In the structure and ownership part, you'll provide valuable insights into the legal structure of the business, the identities of the owners, and their respective investments and ownership stakes. This level of transparency is vital, particularly if you're seeking financing, as it clarifies which legal entity will receive the funds and who holds the reins of the business.

Moving to the location part, you'll offer a comprehensive view of the company's premises and articulate why this specific location is strategic for the business, emphasizing factors like catchment area, accessibility, and nearby amenities.

When describing the location of your games and toys shop, you could emphasize the fact that it is in a bustling area that has potential for growth and an increasing demand for games and toys. You could point out that the shop is situated in a high-traffic area with plenty of foot traffic, and that it may have access to public transportation and other amenities that make the shop easily accessible to customers. You could also discuss the potential for the shop to be part of a larger shopping center or mall, which could help bring in new customers. Finally, you could emphasize the potential for increased sales due to the growing population in the area, making it a great investment opportunity.

Lastly, you should introduce your esteemed management team. Provide a thorough explanation of each member's role, background, and extensive experience.

It's equally important to highlight any past successes the management team has achieved and underscore the duration they've been working together. This information will instil trust in potential lenders or investors, showcasing the strength and expertise of your leadership team and their ability to deliver the business plan.

3. The products and services section

The products and services section of your business plan should include a detailed description of what your company offers, who are the target customers, and what distribution channels are part of your go-to-market. 

For example, your games and toys shop could offer customers a wide variety of board games, stuffed animals, and dolls. Board games offer an interactive and fun way for people to spend time together, while stuffed animals and dolls can make excellent gift items. Your shop could also offer customization services for some items, such as personalized name tags on stuffed animals, or special orders for rare items. This allows customers to get exactly what they are looking for, and makes them feel more valued as customers.

4. The market analysis

When presenting your market analysis in your games and toys shop business plan, you should detail the customers' demographics and segmentation, target market, competition, barriers to entry, and any regulations that may apply.

The goal of this section is to help the reader understand how big and attractive your market is, and demonstrate that you have a solid understanding of the industry.

You should start with the demographics and segmentation subsection, which gives an overview of the addressable market for your games and toys shop, the main trends in the marketplace, and introduces the different customer segments and their preferences in terms of purchasing habits and budgets.

The target market section should follow and zoom on the customer segments your games and toys shop is targeting, and explain how your products and services meet the specific needs of these customers.

For example, your target market might include children between the ages of 6 and 12. This is a group that loves playing with toys and discovering new types of games. Therefore, they are likely to be attracted to the shop's selection of exciting products.

Then comes the competition subsection, where you should introduce your main competitors and explain what differentiates you from them.

Finally, you should finish your market analysis by giving an overview of the main regulations applicable to your games and toys shop.

5. The strategy section

When writing the strategy section of a business plan for your games and toys shop, it is essential to include information about your competitive edge, pricing strategy, sales & marketing plan, milestones, and risks and mitigants.

The competitive edge subsection should explain what sets your company apart from its competitors. This part is especially key if you are writing the business plan of a startup, as you have to make a name for yourself in the marketplace against established players.

The pricing strategy subsection should demonstrate how you intend to remain profitable while still offering competitive prices to your customers.

The sales & marketing plan should outline how you intend to reach out and acquire new customers, as well as retain existing ones with loyalty programs or special offers. 

The milestones subsection should outline what your company has achieved to date, and its main objectives for the years to come - along with dates so that everyone involved has clear expectations of when progress can be expected.

The risks and mitigants subsection should list the main risks that jeopardize the execution of your plan and explain what measures you have taken to minimize these. This is essential in order for investors or lenders to feel secure in investing in your venture.

Your games and toys shop may face the risk of stock damage due to natural disasters such as floods, fires, and storms. It is possible that inventory could be destroyed or lost, leading to financial losses. Additionally, your shop could face the risk of theft. Burglars may target your store and steal merchandise, resulting in a decrease in profits.

6. The operations section

The operations of your games and toys shop must be presented in detail in your business plan.

Begin by addressing your staff, specifying the main roles and your recruitment plan to support the anticipated growth. Outline the qualifications and experience needed for each role and discuss your recruitment strategies, which may involve using job boards, referrals, or headhunters.

Next, clearly state your games and toys shop's operating hours, allowing the reader to gauge the adequacy of your staffing levels. Additionally, mention any considerations for varying opening times during peak seasons and your approach to handling customer queries outside regular operating hours.

The key assets and intellectual property (IP) required to run your business should also be highlighted. If you rely on licenses, trademarks, physical structures like equipment or property, or lease agreements, ensure they are well-documented in this section.

You could have physical assets such as the premises and stock, as well as intellectual property such as trademarks, logos, and any other copyright related to the shop. These may be valuable in helping the shop differentiate itself from competitors and build a recognisable brand. Similarly, the shop may have exclusive rights to certain products or product lines, allowing it to offer unique experiences to customers.

Finally, provide a comprehensive list of suppliers you intend to collaborate with, along with a breakdown of their services and main commercial terms, such as price, payment terms, break clauses and contract duration. Investors often seek insight into the reasons behind your supplier choices, which may include a preference for higher-quality products or established relationships from past ventures.

7. The presentation of the financial plan

The financial plan section is where we will include the financial forecast we talked about earlier in this guide.

Now that you have a clear idea of the content of a games and toys shop business plan, let's look at some of the tools you can use to create yours.

What tool should I use to write my games and toys shop's business plan?

In this section, we will be reviewing the two main options for writing a games and toys shop business plan efficiently:

  • Using specialized software,
  • Outsourcing the drafting to the business plan writer.

Using an online business plan software for your games and toys shop's business plan

Using online business planning software is the most efficient and modern way to write a games and toys shop business plan.

There are several advantages to using specialized software:

  • You can easily create your financial forecast by letting the software take care of the financial calculations for you without errors
  • You are guided through the writing process by detailed instructions and examples for each part of the plan
  • You can access a library of dozens of complete business plan samples and templates for inspiration
  • You get a professional business plan, formatted and ready to be sent to your bank or investors
  • You can easily track your actual financial performance against your financial forecast
  • You can create scenarios to stress test your forecast's main assumptions
  • You can easily update your forecast as time goes by to maintain visibility on future cash flows
  • You have a friendly support team on standby to assist you when you are stuck

If you're interested in using this type of solution, you can try The Business Plan Shop for free by signing up here .

Need a solid financial forecast?

The Business Plan Shop does the maths for you. Simply enter your revenues, costs and investments. Click save and our online tool builds a three-way forecast for you instantly.

Screenshot from The Business Plan Shop's Financial Forecasting Software

Hiring a business plan writer to write your games and toys shop's business plan

Outsourcing your games and toys shop business plan to a business plan writer can also be a viable option.

Business plan writers are experienced in writing business plans and adept at creating financial forecasts without errors. Furthermore, hiring a consultant can save you time and allow you to focus on the day-to-day operations of your business.

However, hiring business plan writers is expensive as you are paying for the software used by the consultant, plus their time, and their profit margin of course.

From experience, you need to budget at least £1.5k ($2.0k) excluding tax for a complete business plan, more if you need to make changes after the initial version (which happens frequently after the initial meetings with lenders or investors).

You also need to be careful when seeking investment. Investors want their money to be used to grow the business, not spent on consulting fees. Therefore, the amount you spend on business plan writing services (and other consulting services such as legal services) needs to be negligible relative to the amount raised.

The other drawback is that you usually don't own the business plan itself: you just get the output, while the actual document is saved in the consultant's business plan software - which makes it difficult to maintain the document up to date without hiring the consultant on a retainer.

For these reasons, outsourcing the games and toys shop business plan to a business plan writer should be considered carefully, weighing both the advantages and disadvantages of hiring outside help.

Ultimately, it may be the right decision for some businesses, while others may find it beneficial to write their business plan using online software.

Why not create your games and toys shop's business plan using Word or Excel?

Using Microsoft Excel and Word (or their Google, Apple, or open-source equivalents) to write a games and toys shop business plan is not advisable. Allow me to explain the reasons.

Firstly, creating an accurate and error-free financial forecast on Excel or any spreadsheet demands technical expertise in accounting principles and financial modelling. Without a degree in finance and accounting and significant financial modelling experience, it's unlikely that the reader will fully trust your numbers.

Secondly, relying on spreadsheets is inefficient. While it may have been the go-to option in the past, technology has evolved, and software now performs such tasks much faster and more accurately.

The second reason is that it is inefficient. Building forecasts on spreadsheets was the only option in the early 2000s, nowadays technology has advanced and software can do it much faster and much more accurately.

And with the rise of AI, software is also becoming smarter at helping us detect mistakes in our forecasts and helping us analyse the numbers to make better decisions.

Moreover, software offers ease in comparing actuals versus forecasts and maintaining up-to-date forecasts for clear visibility on future cash flows, as we discussed earlier in this guide. Such tasks are cumbersome when using spreadsheets.

Now, let's address the written part of your games and toys shop business plan. While it may be less prone to errors, using software can significantly boost productivity. Word processors lack instructions and examples for each section of your business plan. They also won't automatically update your numbers when changes occur in your forecast, and they lack automated formatting capabilities.

In summary, while some entrepreneurs may consider Word or Excel for their business plan, it's far from the best or most efficient solution when compared to specialized software.

  • Having an up-to-date business plan is key to maintaining visibility on your future cash flows.
  • A business plan has 2 parts: a financial forecast highlighting the expected growth, profitability and cash generation of the business; and a written part which provides the context needed to interpret and assess the quality of the forecast.
  • Using business plan software is the modern way of writing and maintaining business plans.

We hope that this guide helped you to better understand how to write the business plan for a games and toys shop. If you still have questions, do not hesitate to contact us.

Also on The Business Plan Shop

  • How to write a 5 years business plan
  • Business plan myths

Know someone who owns or wants to start a games and toys shop? Share this article with them!

Guillaume Le Brouster

Founder & CEO at The Business Plan Shop Ltd

Guillaume Le Brouster is a seasoned entrepreneur and financier.

Guillaume has been an entrepreneur for more than a decade and has first-hand experience of starting, running, and growing a successful business.

Prior to being a business owner, Guillaume worked in investment banking and private equity, where he spent most of his time creating complex financial forecasts, writing business plans, and analysing financial statements to make financing and investment decisions.

Guillaume holds a Master's Degree in Finance from ESCP Business School and a Bachelor of Science in Business & Management from Paris Dauphine University.

Create a convincing business plan

Assess the profitability of your business idea and create a persuasive business plan to pitch to investors

The Business Plan Shop | Business Plan Software

500,000+ entrepreneurs have already tried our solution - why not join them?

Not ready to try our on-line tool ? Learn more about our solution here

Need some inspiration for your business plan?

Subscribe to The Business Plan Shop and gain access to our business plan template library.

business plan template library

Need a professional business plan? Discover our solution

Write your business plan with ease!

Business Plan Software

It's easy to create a professional business plan with The Business Plan Shop

Want to find out more before you try? Learn more about our solution here

Game Store Business Plan (Why You Need One & How to Write It)

Game Store Business Plan (Why You Need One & How to Write It)

Starting a game store may sound like an easy thing to do. However, it's not the case since starting such a business involves a lot of things to settle. In general, there's so much more to starting a game store that you need to have a business plan to be successful. Otherwise, you will end up being overwhelmed with so many things.

Now, if you're wondering about a business plan and how it's essential as you start your game store, you've come to the right place!

A business plan for a game store generally illustrates your goals, financial strategies, research, and everything else involved with your business. It contains the strategy for guiding and helping you start and run your business.

In this article, we'll talk more about the business plan for a game store and every concern you may ask about, mainly how to write one.

Without further ado, let's get into it!

What is a game business plan?

A game business plan is a document that defines (in detail) a game store' objectives and how it plans to achieve its goals.

For instance, a game store typically needs an initial investment. As such, you need to include the said amount in your plan and how you can acquire such, either from your pocket or through a business loan or any other financing option (learn more about a game store financing .

Profit and goal are other examples. It is also included in your business plan as a goal to achieve within a set period, usually within months.

Overall, the business plan is the document that lays out a written road map for the game store from a marketing, financial, and operational standpoint. You should also have a basic idea about a game store profitability .

Business plans are essential for startups and established businesses, and the game store is no exception. Every business, regardless of the type, should have one.

Further, business plans are critical documents for internal and external audiences. For instance, you may use these plans to attract investors before establishing a track record. It can also help you secure loans from financial institutions.

Business plans can also help keep your game store' leadership team on track for meeting established goals and on track with strategic action items.

Overall, business plans are particularly helpful for new businesses, including the game store. Ideally, goals should be reviewed and updated periodically to reflect achievements or changes. When an established business changes direction, a new business plan is created.

Why do you need a game business plan?

You need a game business plan for several reasons. However, the main reasons are to help you establish your company, set the goals you want to achieve, and evaluate your game store’ status after a specific timeframe.

As a general rule, your business plan serves as a guide. Revising and adjusting this plan may also be necessary as circumstances change throughout your actions.

You should know that if you plan to apply for a business loan (which any knowledgeable entrepreneur should do), lenders want to see a business plan.

For your game store to succeed and meet your goals, you need a precise and robust business plan.

Learn more about starting a game store :

Where to start?

-> How to finance a game store? -> How much does it cost to start a game store? -> Pros and cons of a game store

Need inspiration?

-> Other game store success stories -> Examples of established game store -> Marketing ideas for a game store -> Game store names

Other resources

-> Profitability of a game store -> Game store tips

How to write a game business plan?

When creating a business plan, you need to include more than just the steps on how you start. It also includes how you will sustain it and how you can develop it even further as you move forward. Simply put, it should include everything related to your game store.

If you’re wondering how to write a business plan for your game store, here are the things you need to include:

1. Executive summary

The executive summary in a business plan includes a gist of your entire game store. Further, it includes the general reason why it will turn out successful.

2. Company description

The company description details every information about your game store. As such, it includes your advantages over your potential competitors and the things that make your business stand out above other similar companies.

3. Organization and management

The organization and management are the part of your business plan that states the structure of your game store.

It includes the entire staff, especially the ones who will run your game store, whether you’re solo, with a partner, or with a group of people. Simply put, it shows what type of business you run and who is responsible for it.

4. Market analysis

The market analysis is the part of your business plan that shows your perspective on the industry where your game store belongs.

Since it’s about marketing, it includes your target market or customers. Further, it includes your potential competitors since they can take away your potential customers.

5. Financial plan

The financial plan is the part that concerns everything related to your game store finances. This document consists of a detailed financial statement and an analysis of your finances and the required funds .

6. Marketing strategy

The marketing strategy outlines the concerns about reaching out to potential customers . Moreover, it demonstrates how to expose the products and services your game store offers.

Besides attracting customers, it also includes strategies for gaining new customers and keeping the regular ones from leaving. Finally, it outlines strategies for increasing sales for your game store to grow.

What makes a good game business plan?

A good game business plan serves as a roadmap that outlines the strategies and actions required to achieve the goals and objectives of a business. It typically includes information about the business's products or services, target market, competition, marketing and sales strategies, operations, financial projections, and management team.

Here are some key elements that make up a good business plan:

  • Executive summary : This is a brief overview of the entire business plan, summarizing the key points and objectives of the company.
  • Company description : This section provides detailed information about game store, including its history, mission statement, and legal structure.
  • Market analysis : This section should describe the industry and market that game store operates in, including target customers, competitors, and market trends.
  • Products or services : This section should describe the products or services game store offers, highlighting their unique features and benefits.
  • Marketing and sales strategies : This section should detail the strategies that game store will use to promote and sell its products or services, including pricing, distribution, and advertising.
  • Operations : This section should outline the day-to-day operations of game store, including manufacturing, production, and distribution.
  • Financial projections : This section should provide detailed financial projections, including income statements, balance sheets, and cash flow statements.
  • Management team : This section should introduce the key members of game store's management team, highlighting their qualifications and experience.

Overall, a good game business plan should be well-researched, realistic, and focused on achieving specific goals and objectives. It should also be adaptable and able to evolve as the business grows and changes over time.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can i write a game business plan myself.

Yes, you can write a game business plan yourself. It requires a clear understanding of your goals, target audience, competition, financial projections, and marketing strategy. Research successful plans and use templates. Ensure it's comprehensive, realistic and seek help if needed. Ultimately, a good business plan sets you up for success.

How long should a game business plan be?

There is no standard length for a game business plan. It can range from a one-page summary to a comprehensive document of 50+ pages. The length depends on the complexity of the business, audience, and purpose. A concise plan that covers key elements is often more effective than a lengthy one.

In a nutshell, creating a business plan for a game store is a bit complicated, but you still need to do it.

Overall, a business plan will help you make the right calls, obtain the funding you need, and strongly start your new game store. As such, you must make a robust and precise one.

The six parts we included above should be handy throughout this process. With this information, you can begin writing your business plan and see what it takes to become a professional entrepreneur.

  • 42 Trending Game Store Businesses [2024] 1 of 9
  • 73 Marketing Ideas For A Game Store (2024) 2 of 9
  • 2 Tips For Starting A Successful Game Store (2024) 3 of 9
  • 1,000+ Creative Game Store Names 4 of 9
  • How Profitable Is A Game Store? (Updated for 2024) 5 of 9
  • 35 Pros & Cons Of Starting A Game Store (2024) 6 of 9
  • 8 Game Store Success Stories [2024] 7 of 9
  • How Much Does It Cost To Start A Game Store? (In 2024) 8 of 9
  • How To Finance A Game Store? [2024] 9 of 9

game shop business plan pdf

  • 4,818 founder case studies
  • Access to our founder directory
  • Live events, courses and recordings
  • 8,628 business ideas
  • $1M in software savings

Join our free newsletter to get unlimited access to all startup data. We just need your email:

Check your email

If there's a Starter Story account associated with that email you'll get an email with a link to automatically log in. The link will expire in 15 minutes.

Your existing password still works, should you want to log in with it later.

With Starter Story, you can see exactly how online businesses get to millions in revenue.

Dive into our database of 4,418 case studies & join our community of thousands of successful founders.

game shop business plan pdf

Join our free newsletter to get access now. We just need your email:

Starting a Game Store Business

  • Small Business
  • Types of Businesses to Start
  • Starting a Store
  • ')" data-event="social share" data-info="Pinterest" aria-label="Share on Pinterest">
  • ')" data-event="social share" data-info="Reddit" aria-label="Share on Reddit">
  • ')" data-event="social share" data-info="Flipboard" aria-label="Share on Flipboard">

How to Start a Shoe Store Business

What does it take to open a thrift store, how to increase thrift store profits.

  • How to Start a Secondhand Store
  • How to Start a Sports Store

Game stores are highly specialized shops selling entertainment products to a targeted niche. Spanning a range of niches, from video games to living room games to role playing games, well-managed game stores can attract a very loyal customer base. Starting a game store business can be an exciting way to achieve your entrepreneurial dreams while doing something that you love.

Register your business in your state and obtain any business permits requires at the local level. Contact your secretary of state to begin the registration process, and contact your county clerk to inquire about permit requirements in your community.

Create a business plan and seek funding for your business. A game store generally requires a large upfront investment in inventory, especially in the video game segment, so startup financing is likely an essential component of getting your store in order. Place emphasis on your marketing and financial plans in your business plan, showing that you fully understand your target market, including their evolving preferences and the best ways to reach them with advertising messages, and that you understand where your profit will come from.

Purchase a suitable storefront in a high-traffic area. Game stores can establish themselves as a landmark in the community over time; a place that all gamers in the area are familiar with. Make sure your storefront and signage are highly visible from the road, and use your storefront to announce promotions and sales.

Stock your game store. Acquire video games for all popular consoles and PCs if you choose to open a video game store, for example. Stock card games, board games, interactive television games and trivia games if you choose to open a family games store.

Set up a way of valuing products for trade. Offering trade credit or cash for used games has become a common practice in video game stores, although the same is not so of other types of game retailers. Determine a method of valuing games based on their physical condition, their age and the popularity of the particular title in your store. Consider offering a consignment sales option for your customers as well, wherein you do not pay for used games, but rather stock them on your shelves for your customers, taking a percentage of the price for the store and giving the rest to the seller.

Promote your store in innovative ways. Host live tournaments in your store for popular games. Host midnight release events for new games with a great deal of hype. Take your customer loyalty programs to the next level by offering valuable prizes and freebies to your frequent shoppers.

  • The Games Journal: Opening a Games Store
  • Franchise Gator: Video Game Store Opportunities

David Ingram has written for multiple publications since 2009, including "The Houston Chronicle" and online at Business.com. As a small-business owner, Ingram regularly confronts modern issues in management, marketing, finance and business law. He has earned a Bachelor of Arts in management from Walsh University.

Related Articles

How to start a retail game store, how to start a used clothing thrift store, how to start a fair trade business, how to open up a sports collectible store, how to download games to ipod touch, buying movies to start a video rental store, how to open a retail video game business, how to open a women's clothing store, how to delete a connection between a game site and facebook, most popular.

  • 1 How to Start a Retail Game Store
  • 2 How to Start a Used Clothing Thrift Store
  • 3 How to Start a Fair Trade Business
  • 4 How to Open Up a Sports Collectible Store

Upmetrics AI Assistant: Simplifying Business Planning through AI-Powered Insights. Learn How

Entrepreneurs & Small Business

Accelerators & Incubators

Business Consultants & Advisors

Educators & Business Schools

Students & Scholars

AI Business Plan Generator

Financial Forecasting

AI Assistance

Ai pitch deck generator

Strategic Planning

See How Upmetrics Works  →

  • Sample Plans
  • WHY UPMETRICS?

Customers Success Stories

Business Plan Course

Small Business Tools

Strategic Canvas Templates

E-books, Guides & More

  • Sample Business Plans
  • Mobile Apps & Software

Mobile Game Business Plan

game shop business plan pdf

Free Business Plan Template

Download our free business plan template now and pave the way to success. Let’s turn your vision into an actionable strategy!

  • Fill in the blanks – Outline
  • Financial Tables

How To Write A Mobile Game Business Plan?

Writing a mobile game business plan is a crucial step toward the success of your business. Here are the key steps to consider when writing a business plan:

1. Executive Summary

An executive summary is the first section planned to offer an overview of the entire business plan. However, it is written after the entire business plan is ready and summarizes each section of your plan.

Here are a few key components to include in your executive summary:

Introduce your Business:

Start your executive summary by briefly introducing your business to your readers.

Market Opportunity:

Products and services:.

Highlight the mobile game services you offer your clients. The USPs and differentiators you offer are always a plus.

Marketing & Sales Strategies:

Financial highlights:, call to action:.

Ensure your executive summary is clear, concise, easy to understand, and jargon-free.

Say goodbye to boring templates

Build your business plan faster and easier with AI

Plans starting from $7/month

game shop business plan pdf

2. Business Overview

The business overview section of your business plan offers detailed information about your company. The details you add will depend on how important they are to your business. Yet, business name, location, business history, and future goals are some of the foundational elements you must consider adding to this section:

Business Description:

Describe your business in this section by providing all the basic information:

Describe what kind of mobile game company you run and the name of it. You may specialize in one of the following mobile game businesses:

  • Independent game development
  • Mobile game development studio
  • Niche mobile game business
  • Describe the legal structure of your mobile game company, whether it is a sole proprietorship, LLC, partnership, or others.Explain where your business is located and why you selected the place.

Mission Statement:

Business history:.

If you’re an established mobile game service provider, briefly describe your business history, like—when it was founded, how it evolved over time, etc.

Future Goals

This section should provide a thorough understanding of your business, its history, and its future plans. Keep this section engaging, precise, and to the point.

3. Market Analysis

The market analysis section of your business plan should offer a thorough understanding of the industry with the target market, competitors, and growth opportunities. You should include the following components in this section.

Target market:

Start this section by describing your target market. Define your ideal customer and explain what types of services they prefer. Creating a buyer persona will help you easily define your target market to your readers.

Market size and growth potential:

Competitive analysis:, market trends:.

Analyze emerging trends in the industry, such as technology disruptions, changes in customer behavior or preferences, etc. Explain how your business will cope with all the trends.

Regulatory Environment:

Here are a few tips for writing the market analysis section of your mobile game business plan:

  • Conduct market research, industry reports, and surveys to gather data.
  • Provide specific and detailed information whenever possible.
  • Illustrate your points with charts and graphs.
  • Write your business plan keeping your target audience in mind.

4. Products And Services

The product and services section should describe the specific services and products that will be offered to customers. To write this section should include the following:

Describe your services:

Features & functionality:.

Highlight the key features and functionalities of the game. This may include unique features like,

  • Multiplayer access
  • In-app purchases
  • virtual currency system
  • Social interaction

Describe your products

: Mention the products you sell through your mobile game business. It can be merchandise like apparel, collectibles, or accessories to increase the fandom and brand value.

Quality measures

: This section should explain how you maintain quality standards and consistently provide the highest quality service.

Additional Services

In short, this section of your mobile game plan must be informative, precise, and client-focused. By providing a clear and compelling description of your offerings, you can help potential investors and readers understand the value of your business.

5. Sales And Marketing Strategies

Writing the sales and marketing strategies section means a list of strategies you will use to attract and retain your clients. Here are some key elements to include in your sales & marketing plan:

Unique Selling Proposition (USP):

Define your business’s USPs depending on the market you serve, the equipment you use, and the unique services you provide. Identifying USPs will help you plan your marketing strategies.

Pricing Strategy:

Marketing strategies:, sales strategies:, customer retention:.

Overall, this section of your mobile game business plan should focus on customer acquisition and retention.

Have a specific, realistic, and data-driven approach while planning sales and marketing strategies for your mobile game business, and be prepared to adapt or make strategic changes in your strategies based on feedback and results.

6. Operations Plan

The operations plan section of your business plan should outline the processes and procedures involved in your business operations, such as staffing requirements and operational processes. Here are a few components to add to your operations plan:

Staffing & Training:

Operational process:, technology & equipment:.

Include the list of equipment and machinery required for mobile game business, such as computer systems, development technology, office equipment, etc.

Adding these components to your operations plan will help you lay out your business operations, which will eventually help you manage your business effectively.

7. Management Team

The management team section provides an overview of your mobile game business’s management team. This section should provide a detailed description of each manager’s experience and qualifications, as well as their responsibilities and roles.

Founders/CEO:

Key managers:.

Introduce your management and key members of your team, and explain their roles and responsibilities.

Organizational structure:

Compensation plan:, advisors/consultants:.

Mentioning advisors or consultants in your business plans adds credibility to your business idea.

This section should describe the key personnel for your mobile game services, highlighting how you have the perfect team to succeed.

8. Financial Plan

Your financial plan section should provide a summary of your business’s financial projections for the first few years. Here are some key elements to include in your financial plan:

Profit & loss statement:

Cash flow statement:, balance sheet:, break-even point:.

Determine and mention your business’s break-even point—the point at which your business costs and revenue will be equal.

Financing Needs:

Be realistic with your financial projections, and make sure you offer relevant information and evidence to support your estimates.

9. Appendix

The appendix section of your plan should include any additional information supporting your business plan’s main content, such as market research, legal documentation, financial statements, and other relevant information.

  • Add a table of contents for the appendix section to help readers easily find specific information or sections.
  • In addition to your financial statements, provide additional financial documents like tax returns, a list of assets within the business, credit history, and more. These statements must be the latest and offer financial projections for at least the first three or five years of business operations.
  • Provide data derived from market research, including stats about the mobile game industry, user demographics, and industry trends.
  • Include any legal documents such as permits, licenses, and contracts.
  • Include any additional documentation related to your business plan, such as product brochures, marketing materials, operational procedures, etc.

Use clear headings and labels for each section of the appendix so that readers can easily find the necessary information.

Remember, the appendix section of your mobile gaming business plan should only include relevant and important information supporting your plan’s main content.

The Quickest Way to turn a Business Idea into a Business Plan

Fill-in-the-blanks and automatic financials make it easy.

crossline

This sample mobile game business plan will provide an idea for writing a successful mobile game plan, including all the essential components of your business.

After this, if you still need clarification about writing an investment-ready business plan to impress your audience, download our mobile game business plan pdf .

Related Posts

Software Company Business Plan

Software Company Business Plan

Free Business Plan Template

Dating App Business Plan

Step By Step Business Plan Writing Guide

Step By Step Business Plan Writing Guide

Frequently asked questions, why do you need a mobile game business plan.

A business plan is an essential tool for anyone looking to start or run a successful mobile game business. It helps to get clarity in your business, secures funding, and identifies potential challenges while starting and growing your business.

Overall, a well-written plan can help you make informed decisions, which can contribute to the long-term success of your mobile game company.

How to get funding for your mobile game business?

There are several ways to get funding for your mobile game business, but self-funding is one of the most efficient and speedy funding options. Other options for funding are:

  • Bank loan – You may apply for a loan in government or private banks.
  • Small Business Administration (SBA) loan – SBA loans and schemes are available at affordable interest rates, so check the eligibility criteria before applying for it.
  • Crowdfunding – The process of supporting a project or business by getting a lot of people to invest in your business, usually online.
  • Angel investors – Getting funds from angel investors is one of the most sought startup options.

Apart from all these options, there are small business grants available, check for the same in your location and you can apply for it.

Where to find business plan writers for your mobile game business?

There are many business plan writers available, but no one knows your business and ideas better than you, so we recommend you write your mobile game business plan and outline your vision as you have in your mind.

How detailed should the financial projections be in my mobile game business plan?

The level of detail of the financial projections of your mobile game business may vary considering various business aspects like direct and indirect competition, pricing, and operational efficiency. However, your financial projections must be comprehensive enough to demonstrate a comprehensive view of your financial performance.

Generally, the statements included in a business plan offer financial projections for at least the first three or five years of business operations.

What key components should a mobile game business plan include?

The following are the key components your mobile game business plan must include:

  • Executive summary
  • Business Overview
  • Market Analysis
  • Products and services
  • Sales and marketing strategies
  • Operations plan
  • Management team
  • Financial plan

Can a good mobile game business plan help me secure funding?

Indeed. A well-crafted mobile game business will help your investors better understand your business domain, market trends, strategies, business financials, and growth potential—helping them make better financial decisions.

So, if you have a profitable and investable business, a comprehensive business plan can certainly help you secure your business funding.

About the Author

game shop business plan pdf

Upmetrics Team

Upmetrics is the #1 business planning software that helps entrepreneurs and business owners create investment-ready business plans using AI. We regularly share business planning insights on our blog. Check out the Upmetrics blog for such interesting reads. Read more

Plan your business in the shortest time possible

No Risk – Cancel at Any Time – 15 Day Money Back Guarantee

Popular Templates

bpb AI Feature Image

Create a great Business Plan with great price.

  • 400+ Business plan templates & examples
  • AI Assistance & step by step guidance
  • 4.8 Star rating on Trustpilot

Streamline your business planning process with Upmetrics .

Download Mobile Game Business Plan

Simple Gaming Business Plan Template

Simple Gaming Business Plan

Breakdown a basic gaming business plan and more by editing this simple gaming business plan template.

  • Design style modern
  • Colors vibrant
  • Size Letter (8.5 x 11 in)
  • File type PNG, PDF, PowerPoint
  • Plan business

Create a vibrant gaming business plan and other processes with this editable Simple Gaming Business Plan Template. You can easily customize it within minutes for an eye-catching design. This business plan template features a bright gradient color scheme, icons, and bold headings. Start by incorporating a bright color palette and choose a gradient style for a cool effect. Venngage has a wide selection of bright color palettes to pick from and a variety of style options. Choose the one that works for your business plan for the perfect design. Next, apply icons that relate to your business and help visualize the content. There are thousands of icons available in the Venngage gallery, so don't hesitate to try different icons until you find the right ones. Make sure the content pops off the page by integrating bold headings. This will ensure that the Simple Gaming Business Plan Template is more noticeable. You can also utilize italics or underlines to enhance the content. Get started on your design now!

Explore more

  • Business Plan for Investors
  • Bank/SBA Business Plan
  • Operational/Strategic Planning Services
  • L1 Visa Business Plan
  • E1 Treaty Trader Visa Business Plan
  • E2 Treaty Investor Visa Business Plan
  • EB-1 Business Plan
  • EB-2 NIW Business Plan
  • EB-5 Business Plan
  • Innovator Founder Visa Business Plan
  • Start-Up Visa Business Plan
  • Expansion Worker Visa Business Plan
  • Manitoba MPNP Visa Business Plan
  • Nova Scotia NSNP Visa Business Plan
  • British Columbia BC PNP Visa Business Plan
  • Self-Employed Visa Business Plan
  • OINP Entrepreneur Stream Business Plan
  • LMIA Owner Operator Business Plan
  • ICT Work Permit Business Plan
  • LMIA Mobility Program – C11 Entrepreneur Business Plan
  • USMCA (ex-NAFTA) Business Plan
  • Franchise Business Plan
  • Landlord business plan
  • Nonprofit Start-Up Business Plan
  • USDA Business Plan
  • Cannabis business plan
  • Ecommerce business plan
  • Online boutique business plan
  • Mobile application business plan
  • Daycare business plan
  • Restaurant business plan
  • Food delivery business plan
  • Real estate business plan
  • Business Continuity Plan
  • Pitch Deck Consulting Services
  • Financial Due Diligence Services
  • ICO whitepaper
  • ICO consulting services
  • Confidential Information Memorandum
  • Private Placement Memorandum
  • Feasibility study
  • Fractional CFO
  • How it works
  • Business Plan Examples

Video Game Business Plan Sample

DEC.05, 2014

video game business plan

Introduction

Starting and running a video game company smoothly is not everyone’s cup of tea. Gaming is a multi-billion dollar business in the US alone. Video games seem to be the products made only for children. In reality, most of the video games are developed by considering the needs of adult gamers. According to the data provided by the Entertainment Software Association, around 81% people from 18 to 29 years of age play video games. Therefore, it is vital to prepare a well-written gaming business plan to lure investors .

Frequently asked questions of game company business plan

To draft a video game development business plan , you need to consider the following questions –

  • Do you have proper financial planning?
  • What business model you have to sell your game software, i.e. DVD, downloadable software, mobile gaming, distributor etc.?
  • Who are in your competition, like resellers, local game store, etc?
  • Do you have brick-and-mortar enterprise, online business, or both?
  • What are the production resources you have to meet market demand?

Executive Summary

You may have definitely heard the popular saying, “The first impression is the last impression.” Therefore, the executive summary of your  video games business plan  is the first impression towards your investors. It serves as an overview of your plan as a whole. Be sure to limit your executive summary to one page only and also explain your products, your target players, and why you want to sell your product.

Company Overview

It is where most startups make mistake. A poorly written punch line can severely weaken the insight of your company. Therefore, you should answer the following strongly in your mission statement –

  • What do you do?
  • How do you do your business?
  • What value do you provide?
  • Whom do you serve to?

In your  video game startup business plan , you will also need to discuss your staff, what they do, and your company’s legal structure like a corporation, LLC, or partnership firm.

Market Research

Market research is not a child’s play in gaming. You might have been running the game company most efficiently in the world, but your efforts are worthless if your users do not understand what your game is. In your  business plan for a video game company , explain the type of your game like RPG, shooter, multiplayer, adventure, etc. Find out the games like yours. Find out what kind of players would like your game (and even buy). Here, you need to dig deeper.

In this section of your  video game developer business plan , you need to discuss what you want to sell, projected life/life cycle of the product, how you want to distribute, price it and who wants to buy it. Give a detailed overview of your game product, while being straight to the point. It will help you attract investors.

Marketing plan

Well, it is the most complex part of the game development business plan . You should split it into three parts – communication, growth strategy, and prospects.

Growth strategy includes how you want to grow your business. You might be making more products for your target audience. There are certain ways in your mind to beat your competition.

Explain how you will talk to your target players through communication. You should present a specific plan and explain where your players are, how you will get on board, and how your software is appealing to them.

In prospects, you will need to explain opportunities, which could play a vital role in your marketing. Are you doing something unique? Is it something talked about but has never been done before?

Financial Projections

Typically, standard financial plans show income statements or balance sheets. Well, not every game developer knows how to interpret or create financial statements. You may have conducted research on how similar games are developed. It is also vital to add in capitalization table, which shows the amount of equity owned by the founders.

In your  video game business plan sample , also explain the budget you need to allow to your marketing. You need to do proper research in this aspect because marketing is the hardest part of game development. The marketing budget is necessary for your game development business plan or it will seem a huge red flag.

How to order writing business plan game company?

If you are looking for the best  video game business plan template , OGS Capital is the best choice. We have experienced business consultants and network with investors to turn your business idea into reality.

Download Video Game Business Plan Sample in pdf

Professional OGS capital writers specialized also in themes such as online shopping site business plan , cyber security business ideas , business plans for graphic design , internet radio business plan , online dating business plan , business plan for a video game company and many others.

game shop business plan pdf

Add comment

E-mail is already registered on the site. Please use the Login form or enter another .

You entered an incorrect username or password

Comments (0)

mentioned in the press:

Search the site:

game shop business plan pdf

OGScapital website is not supported for your current browser. Please use:

game shop business plan pdf

BusinessDojo

Item added to your cart

How to write a business plan for your toy store business.

business plan for a toy store

Starting a toy store is a great idea because it is a booming industry that is always in demand.

Additionally, toys are a great way to bring joy to children and create lasting memories.

However, prior to that, you must have a business plan.

A business plan is essential for any new project, as it outlines the goals and objectives of the project as well as providing a roadmap for success. It is important to take the time to create a comprehensive business plan before starting a new project, such as a toy store.

In short, a good business plan will help ensure the profitability of your toy shop .

What should you include in the business plan for a toy store? What should be the main focus areas? What financial metrics should be included? How can I develop an efficient business plan in less time?

Rest assured that this article will comprehensively cover all these questions and provide answers!

Also, please note that starting your business plan from scratch is optional.

You can download our professional business plan for a toy store and customize it for your business.

business plan toy shop

How to construct a business plan for a toy store

Is it worth considering a business plan for your toy shop.

Yes, you should definitely consider creating a business plan for your toy shop.

Establishing a strong business plan will afford you the chance to:

  • get familiar with the toy store market
  • understand what are the new trends on this industry
  • highlight what makes a toy store successful
  • understand the popular toy categories and preferences of children and parents
  • create a solid value proposition for your toy retailer
  • monitor competitor partnerships and alliances
  • find competitive advantages for your toy shop
  • find a business model that guarantees a return on investment
  • develop and execute a comprehensive long-term action plan
  • evaluate risks associated with running a toy store, including product safety, age appropriateness, and changing toy trends

Our team has drafted a business plan for a toy store that is designed to make it easier for you to achieve all the elements listed.

How to outline a business plan for a toy store?

If done well, your business plan will have everything you need, including content, numbers, and financial information. It must be well structured, to make easy to read and digest.

When we designed our business plan for a toy store , we made sure to outline it properly.

This is broken down into 5 sections (Opportunity, Project, Market Research, Strategy and Finances).

1. Market Opportunity

The section number one is titled "Market Opportunity."

Explore this section to access comprehensive data and insights related to the toy store, enabling you to understand market trends and cater to children's play and entertainment needs.

We regularly refresh this section for current data.

2. Project Presentation

In the "Project" section, describe your toy store project, including the types of toys, store layout, and unique value proposition that will attract customers to your store.

Don't forget to include a short description about yourself at the end of this section.

Explain your passion for toys, your understanding of the market, and how you plan to create a joyful and educational shopping experience for children and parents alike. Highlight your expertise in curating a diverse range of high-quality toys and your commitment to providing excellent customer service.

We've written some text for you. Customize it to suit your concept exactly.

3. Market Research

The third part is the "Market Research" section.

The purpose of this section is to introduce the market segments for your toy shop.

It includes a competition study, outlining other toy stores in the area. Your store's unique toy offerings and competitive advantages are also highlighted. A customized SWOT analysis is included.

4. Strategy

In the "Strategy" section, you will find a detailed growth plan for your toy shop, outlining all the necessary steps and initiatives to ensure its high profitability.

Additionally, you will find a marketing strategy, a plan to manage risks, and a completed Business Model Canvas, tailored to a toy store, in this section.

5. Finances

In the end, the section titled "Finances" is where you can present the financial plan and breakdown for your project.

business plan toy store

How to make the Executive Summary for a toy store?

The Executive Summary is a brief and condensed overview of the business plan for your toy shop.

Limit it to 2 pages, highlighting only the crucial information.

This document is meant to get the reader interested in your business plan.

In the Executive Summary of your toy shop, answer the following questions: what products does your toy store offer? who is your target audience? are there other toy stores in the vicinity? what funding do you require?

How to do the market analysis for a toy store?

Analyzing the market for your toy shop allows you to gain insights into factors such as customer preferences for toys and games, competition within the retail industry, and emerging trends in toy innovation.

By conducting a thorough market analysis, a toy store can understand consumer preferences, offer a diverse selection of toys, optimize pricing strategies, and execute targeted marketing campaigns, ultimately leading to a loyal customer base, increased sales, and a prominent position in the local toy market.

This is what you'll find in the "Market Research" section of our business plan for a toy store :

  • fresh and updated data and statistics about toy stores, including popular toy categories, toy sales trends, and the impact of online competition
  • a list of potential market segments for a toy store
  • the competitor study
  • the competitive advantages for a toy store

business plan toy store

The key points of the business plan for a toy store

What's the business model of a toy store, business model of a toy store.

A toy store's business model revolves around selling a variety of toys, games, and playthings for children of different ages to customers. Revenue is generated through product sales, potentially offering additional services such as toy rentals or hosting toy-related events.

The business model focuses on curating a diverse and age-appropriate toy selection, providing exceptional customer service, creating a fun and child-friendly store environment, effective marketing to target parents and gift-givers, and building strong customer relationships based on trust and toy expertise.

Success depends on understanding toy market trends, fostering relationships with toy manufacturers or suppliers, fostering positive customer experiences and recommendations, and continuously offering new and innovative toys that foster creativity, education, and play for children.

Business model vs Business plan

Remember, "business plan" and "business model" are not the same thing.

A business model is a framework that demonstrates how a company operates profitably and adds value to customers.

In a business plan, you articulate your business model through a framework known as the Business Model Canvas.

Rest assured, there is a Business Model Canvas (already completed) in our business plan for a toy store .

How do you identify the market segments of a toy store?

Market segmentation for your toy shop involves dividing your potential customers into different groups based on their age groups, interests, and demographics.

These categories may include factors such as infant and toddler toys, educational toys, collectibles, or customers seeking specific toy categories or brands.

By segmenting your market, you can offer a toy selection and shopping experience that caters to each segment's specific requirements. For example, you might focus on infant and toddler toys and provide a range of developmental toys and safe play options for young children, offer educational toys that promote learning and creativity for school-aged children, specialize in collectible toys for enthusiasts and collectors, or focus on specific toy categories or brands to accommodate customers with specific interests or brand loyalty.

Market segmentation allows you to effectively target your marketing efforts, create an appealing toy display, and provide a joyful and engaging shopping experience that meets the unique needs and preferences of each customer segment.

In the business plan for a toy store , you will find a comprehensive market segmentation that will help you identify your potential customers.

How to conduct a competitor analysis for a toy store?

Undoubtedly, you won't be the only toy store in your market. There are other retailers offering a wide range of toys and games for children of all ages.

It's crucial to thoroughly study and understand your competitors' strengths and weaknesses as you develop your business plan.

Pay attention to their weaknesses (such as limited toy selection, poor customer service, or outdated store layout).

Why should you pay attention to these points? Because these weaknesses can impact customer satisfaction when shopping at toy stores. By addressing these aspects, you can offer a wide variety of fun and educational toys, provide a child-friendly and engaging shopping environment, and deliver excellent customer service, positioning your toy shop as a preferred choice for parents and children alike.

It's what we call competitive advantages—focus on creating them to differentiate your business.

Here are some examples of competitive advantages for a toy store: diverse and high-quality toy selections, educational and developmental toys, unique and exclusive toy offerings, interactive and engaging store environment, knowledgeable staff, positive customer experiences and satisfaction, strong community presence.

How to draft a SWOT analysis for a toy shop?

A SWOT analysis can help identify potential strengths, weaknesses, opportunities, and threats to inform the development of a successful toy store.

As you can guess, there is indeed a completed and editable SWOT matrix in our business plan for a toy store

The strengths for a toy store

When we talk about the "S" in SWOT, we mean Strengths, which are the project's strong features.

For a toy store, strengths could include a wide selection of products, a knowledgeable and experienced staff, competitive pricing, and a convenient online ordering system.

The weaknesses for a toy store

When we say "W," we mean Weaknesses, which are the parts of the project that need improvement.

For a toy store, potential weaknesses could include limited customer base, seasonal demand, narrow product range, and limited marketing budget.

The opportunities for a toy store

When we talk about the "O" in SWOT, we mean Opportunities, which are the external opportunities or possibilities that the project can leverage.

In the case of a toy store, potential opportunities include offering online sales, partnering with local schools and daycares, expanding into new markets, and hosting special events.

The threats for a toy store

The "T" in SWOT symbolizes Threats, indicating the potential risks or unfavorable factors that the project should be prepared for.

How to elaborate a marketing strategy for a toy shop?

Developing a marketing strategy allows entrepreneurs to adapt their messaging and approach to different customer segments, increasing their market reach.

A toy shop can appeal to parents and children by implementing a targeted marketing strategy that showcases the shop's diverse range of quality toys, educational and interactive play options, and a fun and welcoming shopping environment.

Parents won't choose your toy shop without proper promotion; highlighting the wide selection of toys, educational value, and safety of your products is crucial.

Are you utilizing marketing tactics to promote your toy shop? Consider hosting toy demonstrations or playdates, running targeted advertising campaigns during holiday seasons or birthdays, and partnering with local schools or community centers for toy drives or events.

Don't worry if you have no clue about marketing and communication.

How to build financial projections for a toy shop?

A solid business plan must include financial data to provide an accurate assessment of the business's potential success.

In your business plan, you will have to make revenue projections for your toy shop.

The revenue forecast must be clear and make sense to anyone reviewing it.

Our financial plan for a toy store is straightforward and equipped with automated checks, enabling you to validate and adjust your assumptions easily. This way, we make sure you're building solid financial projections.

It goes without saying that you'll have to develop a provisional budget for your toy shop. Pay attention to every expense and don't leave any out (our financial plan includes a complete list for your convenience).

Including the break-even analysis in your financial plan is important as it shows whether your toy shop will generate profits or not.

  • Choosing a selection results in a full page refresh.
  • Opens in a new window.

Gaming Lounge Business Plan Template & Guidebook

In the ever-growing world of gaming, having a business plan is essential for any gaming lounge looking to take their business to the next level. The #1 Gaming Lounge Business Plan Template & Guidebook provides an easy-to-follow framework that simplifies the planning process, making it easier to create a comprehensive plan and get started quickly. From market research to financial projections, this template and guidebook have everything you need to get your gaming lounge up and running.

Nick

Get worry-free services and support to launch your business starting at $0 plus state fees.

  • How to Start a Profitable Gaming Lounge Business [11 Steps]

How to Write a Gaming Lounge Business Plan in 7 Steps:

1. describe the purpose of your gaming lounge business..

The first step to writing your business plan is to describe the purpose of your gaming lounge business. This includes describing why you are starting this type of business, and what problems it will solve for customers. This is a quick way to get your mind thinking about the customers’ problems. It also helps you identify what makes your business different from others in its industry.

It also helps to include a vision statement so that readers can understand what type of company you want to build.

Here is an example of a purpose mission statement for a gaming lounge business:

Our mission at Gaming Lounge is to provide a safe and social atmosphere for our customers to come together and have fun while playing the latest console, board, and card games. We strive to create a community atmosphere that allows gamers from all levels of experience to come together and enjoy the shared experience of playing the games they love.

Image of Zenbusiness business formation

2. Products & Services Offered by Your Gaming Lounge Business.

The next step is to outline your products and services for your gaming lounge business. 

When you think about the products and services that you offer, it's helpful to ask yourself the following questions:

  • What is my business?
  • What are the products and/or services that I offer?
  • Why am I offering these particular products and/or services?
  • How do I differentiate myself from competitors with similar offerings?
  • How will I market my products and services?

You may want to do a comparison of your business plan against those of other competitors in the area, or even with online reviews. This way, you can find out what people like about them and what they don’t like, so that you can either improve upon their offerings or avoid doing so altogether.

Image of Zenbusiness business formation

3. Build a Creative Marketing Stratgey.

If you don't have a marketing plan for your gaming lounge business, it's time to write one. Your marketing plan should be part of your business plan and be a roadmap to your goals. 

A good marketing plan for your gaming lounge business includes the following elements:

Target market

  • Who is your target market?
  • What do these customers have in common?
  • How many of them are there?
  • How can you best reach them with your message or product?

Customer base 

  • Who are your current customers? 
  • Where did they come from (i.e., referrals)?
  • How can their experience with your gaming lounge business help make them repeat customers, consumers, visitors, subscribers, or advocates for other people in their network or industry who might also benefit from using this service, product, or brand?

Product or service description

  • How does it work, what features does it have, and what are its benefits?
  • Can anyone use this product or service regardless of age or gender?
  • Can anyone visually see themselves using this product or service?
  • How will they feel when they do so? If so, how long will the feeling last after purchasing (or trying) the product/service for the first time?

Competitive analysis

  • Which companies are competing with yours today (and why)? 
  • Which ones may enter into competition with yours tomorrow if they find out about it now through word-of-mouth advertising; social media networks; friends' recommendations; etc.)
  • What specific advantages does each competitor offer over yours currently?

Marketing channels

  • Which marketing channel do you intend to leverage to attract new customers?
  • What is your estimated marketing budget needed?
  • What is the projected cost to acquire a new customer?
  • How many of your customers do you instead will return?

Form an LLC in your state!

game shop business plan pdf

4. Write Your Operational Plan.

Next, you'll need to build your operational plan. This section describes the type of business you'll be running, and includes the steps involved in your operations. 

In it, you should list:

  • The equipment and facilities needed
  • Who will be involved in the business (employees, contractors)
  • Financial requirements for each step
  • Milestones & KPIs
  • Location of your business
  • Zoning & permits required for the business

What equipment, supplies, or permits are needed to run a gaming lounge business?

Equipment: -Computer systems with the appropriate gaming hardware and software -Sound systems, such as speakers and headsets. -Gaming consoles such as Xbox One, PlayStation 4, and Nintendo Switch. -Arcade machines like pinball machines and classic video game consoles. Supplies: -Snacks, drinks, and other refreshments for sale. -Tokens or game cards for arcade game machines. -Office supplies such as paper, pens, markers, etc. Permits: -Business license from your local government authority. -Health department permit to sell food. -Liquor license if you are serving alcoholic beverages.

5. Management & Organization of Your Gaming Lounge Business.

The second part of your gaming lounge business plan is to develop a management and organization section.

This section will cover all of the following:

  • How many employees you need in order to run your gaming lounge business. This should include the roles they will play (for example, one person may be responsible for managing administrative duties while another might be in charge of customer service).
  • The structure of your management team. The higher-ups like yourself should be able to delegate tasks through lower-level managers who are directly responsible for their given department (inventory and sales, etc.).
  • How you’re going to make sure that everyone on board is doing their job well. You’ll want check-ins with employees regularly so they have time to ask questions or voice concerns if needed; this also gives you time to offer support where necessary while staying informed on how things are going within individual departments too!

6. Gaming Lounge Business Startup Expenses & Captial Needed.

This section should be broken down by month and year. If you are still in the planning stage of your business, it may be helpful to estimate how much money will be needed each month until you reach profitability.

Typically, expenses for your business can be broken into a few basic categories:

Startup Costs

Startup costs are typically the first expenses you will incur when beginning an enterprise. These include legal fees, accounting expenses, and other costs associated with getting your business off the ground. The amount of money needed to start a gaming lounge business varies based on many different variables, but below are a few different types of startup costs for a gaming lounge business.

Running & Operating Costs

Running costs refer to ongoing expenses related directly with operating your business over time like electricity bills or salaries paid out each month. These types of expenses will vary greatly depending on multiple variables such as location, team size, utility costs, etc.

Marketing & Sales Expenses

You should include any costs associated with marketing and sales, such as advertising and promotions, website design or maintenance. Also, consider any additional expenses that may be incurred if you decide to launch a new product or service line. For example, if your gaming lounge business has an existing website that needs an upgrade in order to sell more products or services, then this should be listed here.

7. Financial Plan & Projections

A financial plan is an important part of any business plan, as it outlines how the business will generate revenue and profit, and how it will use that profit to grow and sustain itself. To devise a financial plan for your gaming lounge business, you will need to consider a number of factors, including your start-up costs, operating costs, projected revenue, and expenses. 

Here are some steps you can follow to devise a financial plan for your gaming lounge business plan:

  • Determine your start-up costs: This will include the cost of purchasing or leasing the space where you will operate your business, as well as the cost of buying or leasing any equipment or supplies that you need to start the business.
  • Estimate your operating costs: Operating costs will include utilities, such as electricity, gas, and water, as well as labor costs for employees, if any, and the cost of purchasing any materials or supplies that you will need to run your business.
  • Project your revenue: To project your revenue, you will need to consider the number of customers you expect to have and the average amount they will spend on each visit. You can use this information to estimate how much money you will make from selling your products or services.
  • Estimate your expenses: In addition to your operating costs, you will need to consider other expenses, such as insurance, marketing, and maintenance. You will also need to set aside money for taxes and other fees.
  • Create a budget: Once you have estimated your start-up costs, operating costs, revenue, and expenses, you can use this information to create a budget for your business. This will help you to see how much money you will need to start the business, and how much profit you can expect to make.
  • Develop a plan for using your profit: Finally, you will need to decide how you will use your profit to grow and sustain your business. This might include investing in new equipment, expanding the business, or saving for a rainy day.

game shop business plan pdf

Frequently Asked Questions About Gaming Lounge Business Plans:

Why do you need a business plan for a gaming lounge business.

A business plan is a critical tool for any business, and this is especially true for a gaming lounge business. A business plan will serve as a road map for the future of your business and help you to identify risks, plan for potential pitfalls, and determine how to reach your goals. Additionally, if you are looking for investors or funding, having a comprehensive business plan can show how your vision will be successful and profitable.

Who should you ask for help with your gaming lounge business plan?

Depending on the scope and complexity of the business plan, you should seek out professional help such as a business consultant, accountant, lawyer, or other qualified professional. You can also get help from small business support organizations or government programs that offer resources and assistance to entrepreneurs. Additionally, talking to other existing gaming lounges or entrepreneurs in the same industry could be a great source of advice.

Can you write a gaming lounge business plan yourself?

Writing a gaming lounge business plan can be a daunting task, however, it is achievable with the proper resources and guidance. To get started, you should begin by researching the gaming lounge industry. This includes studying the competition in the area, understanding the local customer base, and what services you can offer that will make your lounge stand out. Additionally, you should research typical costs associated with opening such a business—including development costs, equipment costs, and staffing costs—so that you can create a realistic budget. Once you have done your research, it is time to begin drafting your gaming lounge business plan. This plan should include an executive summary outlining the purpose of your venture; market analysis and customer demographics; a description of your services; detailed marketing strategies; financing plans; and an evaluation of potential risks. You will also need to include financial projections on how much revenue you are likely to generate over time, as well as projections for cash flow and other expenses.Finally, once you have created your business plan draft it needs to be reviewed by an accountant or lawyer to ensure its accuracy and compliance with regulatory requirements. Once finalized, you can use your gaming lounge business plan as a tool for fundraising or to apply for loans from banks.

Related Business Plans

image of Home Inventory

Home Inventory Business Plan Template & Guidebook

image of Home Inspection

Home Inspection Business Plan Template & Guidebook

image of Home Decor

Home Decor Business Plan Template & Guidebook

image of Health And Wellness

Health And Wellness Business Plan Template & Guidebook

image of Hauling

Hauling Business Plan Template & Guidebook

image of Hardware

Hardware Business Plan Template & Guidebook

image of Handyman

Handyman Business Plan Template & Guidebook

image of Hair Extension

Hair Extension Business Plan Template & Guidebook

image of Handbag

Handbag Business Plan Template & Guidebook

I'm Nick, co-founder of newfoundr.com, dedicated to helping aspiring entrepreneurs succeed. As a small business owner with over five years of experience, I have garnered valuable knowledge and insights across a diverse range of industries. My passion for entrepreneurship drives me to share my expertise with aspiring entrepreneurs, empowering them to turn their business dreams into reality.

Through meticulous research and firsthand experience, I uncover the essential steps, software, tools, and costs associated with launching and maintaining a successful business. By demystifying the complexities of entrepreneurship, I provide the guidance and support needed for others to embark on their journey with confidence.

From assessing market viability and formulating business plans to selecting the right technology and navigating the financial landscape, I am dedicated to helping fellow entrepreneurs overcome challenges and unlock their full potential. As a steadfast advocate for small business success, my mission is to pave the way for a new generation of innovative and driven entrepreneurs who are ready to make their mark on the world.

How To Guide

House-Flipping Business Plan

Clothing Line Business Plan

Clothing Line Business Plan

Cannabis Business Plan

Cannabis Business Plan

Laundromat Business Plan

Laundromat Business Plan

game app business plan - person playing game on phone

  • Business Plans

Game App Business Plan

avatar

Mobile games are one of the healthiest app industries, generating over $50 billion per year in sales. However, app investors know that only  4% of mobile games  will earn more than $1 million. On average, mobile games only earn around $3,000. For game app startups seeking investment, competition is extreme. To gain the attention of investors, you’ll need to stand out and a strong game app business plan can give you the edge that you need.  Game app startups don’t operate the same way as other startups. Providing pure entertainment, these games compete with some of the largest global industries including console games, computer games, and even other entertainment options like film and more. 

Important Game App Statistics

Why would a startup want to produce games? The easy answer is – the potential for revenue is immense. Check out these statistics related to the mobile game app industry:

  • As of 2019, mobile is the fastest-growing games segment.
  • Games represent around 10% of the amount of time spent on apps by users.
  • On average, each U.S. mobile device has 8 mobile games installed and smartphone users play an average of 2 to 5 games per month.

Special considerations that should be made when writing a plan for your beauty tech startup include:

These stats are great for game creators, but even getting to the launch phase can be difficult and expensive. Super simple games can cost up to $50,000 to build while complex games can cost $100,000 or more. This doesn’t even include the cost of marketing the game and acquiring users. Securing investors can make it much easier to bring your mobile game to life. In this post, we will provide several tips on building a fantastic game app business plan that wins over investors. 

3 Important Game App Business Plan Considerations

Although  writing a business plan  for a game shares many similarities as writing for apps in other industries, there are some important differences. The following considerations should be made when writing an effective game app business plan. 

Mobile Game vs Mobile Game Startup

Before you start writing about what you’re building, it’s important to decide exactly what you’re building. Developing a mobile game is not the same thing as developing a mobile game app startup.  A mobile game is a one-off project. It’s built and launched by a game developer, and once it runs its course, it fades away.  A mobile game startup, however, is a business that produces mobile games. These startups understand what makes games successful and are able to create a viable formula to bring multiple games to success. While one game is at its prime in the market, developers are working on the next game; maintaining a constant flow of new products and developments.  Every mobile game startup will produce at least one mobile game, but not every publisher of a mobile game is a mobile game startup. Knowing where you fall will help you focus your game app business plan and set the expectation for readers.  Investors will prefer investing in a mobile game startup, and preferably, one that has already reached some minimal level of traction. If you are only interested in building a single game, however, crowdfunding may be a stronger option! 

Competitive Advantage

Unlike other industries, mobile games typically provide a solution to the same problem – a need to be entertained. While there are many categories of games, varying from type to age group, every game category is highly saturated.  The majority of games fail to impress. Even if they are able to get downloads, many fail to retain customers for more than a few days. With so many games, consumers have a ton of choices. As a result, the rate of app abandonment for mobile games is significantly higher than other types of apps.  To stand out among both consumers and investors, your game will need a distinct advantage. Somehow, it needs to be first, better, or different than its closest competitors. Even in a saturated market, investors want to see extreme innovation. How does your game differ from the other millions of games on the market? 

Monetizing Players

Marketing and operating a mobile game can be expensive. To earn a profit, you will need to figure out a way to monetize your game. Investors will be interested to know how you will convert visitors and users into paying customers, so a  monetization strategy  must be defined in your game app business plan. In general, there are three ways that mobile games are often monetized: 

  • Paid Apps : Some app developers charge a one-time fee for users to download the app. After purchasing, users typically have access to the game forever. This strategy work best for games that are well-known or produced by extremely popular game developers. In general, new game apps find it difficult to monetize through a paid app strategy. 
  • In-App Purchases : Many games offer in-app purchases as a method of monetization. For games with a high stickiness ratio, in-app purchasing can be extremely profitable. Offering additional credits, the opportunity to advance quicker, or other items (weapons, virtual clothing, etc.) game app startups can maximize the value of each and every customer. 
  • Mobile Advertising : In-app advertisements are extremely popular among mobile games, especially free games. Since top games are able to attract hundreds of thousands or even millions of consumers in a short period of time, they are highly attractive to advertisers. In general, consumers have accepted that they are going to have to deal with ads in exchange for using free apps.

Ready To Write Your Game App Business Plan?

Our business plan writers have written hundreds of game app business plans, raising millions of dollars from investors around the world. We’d love to help you, too.  Contact us today  to schedule a consultation with one of our business plan consultants and get started on your fundraising journey today!

food truck business plan - man buying food

You may also like

One Page Business Plan

One-Page Business Plan

coffee shop owner serving drinks

Coffee Shop Business Plan

woman with smartphone using music app

Music App Business Plan

Leave a reply cancel reply.

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment.

game shop business plan pdf

In-Depth Guide to Create a Business Plan for Video Game Studio

  • Last Modified: February 24, 2023

Share this post

This article will first discuss the motivations and advantages of having a business plan. If you’re launching your first game, then a business plan might not be necessary now. Then, the main sections of a business plan will be detailed and examples of a fictitious studio will be given (in green).

Throughout this guide we cite a fictional video game studio for ease of reading, but all of the entrepreneurial and management mechanics explained are just as relevant and useful for a self-employed person, for an informal group of devs or for any industry organization that does not necessarily see itself as a studio yet. Each plan business is different. This guide is an example of a structure and should be modified based on the reality of your studio and projects.

Table of Contents

You might not need a business plan  now.

Before starting, I must warn you. A well-crafted business plan can be a valuable tool for your video game studio as you navigate the growth of your business, but it is not always essential, especially for indie game developers launching their first game. Most of the time, I recommend to start building a pitch instead of full-fledged business plan. This article will help you to do so: Mastering the Art of a Successful Video Game Pitch: A Guide for Indie Game Developers .

(If you are still not sure, my contact info are at the very bottom of this page.)

What is a Business Plan in a Video Game Studio Context

A business plan is an essential tool for setting goals and outlining a clear path to achieve them in the context of your video game studio. As the owner or founder of a video game studio that has already launched a first video game, I understand that you are looking for advice on how to create a comprehensive and compelling business plan. The plan not only showcases your game(s) but provides a comprehensive overview of your company, team, resources, finances, marketing strategies, player community, operations, and development processes.

The purpose of a business plan is to present a clear and concise picture of your studio, from its past and current operations to its future plans. It’s an opportunity for you to showcase your vision and drive to potential investors, partners, and stakeholders, demonstrating that you have a solid understanding of your industry and market, as well as the skills and resources necessary to achieve your goals.

Why  and When a Video Game Business Plan

As the owner/founder of a video game studio, you may find yourself considering the creation of a business plan at various stages of your business journey. Whether you’re just starting out or have already launched your first game, a well-crafted business plan can help bring clarity and focus to your future plans and projects. Here are some benefits you can expect to gain by creating a business plan:

  • Ensure a strong start for your business
  • Clearly define your short, medium, and long-term goals
  • Attract investors or launch a successful crowdfunding campaign
  • Build credibility with partners and employees
  • Streamline your development process and manage operations efficiently
  • Secure publishing partnerships
  • Hire top talent, like an executive director or key employees
  • Explore opportunities for acquiring or merging with other businesses

Executive Summary

The executive summary is an important section of your business plan. It provides a condensed overview of the entire plan, including the financial appendices, in a one-page format. This section is usually written last, after all other sections are complete.

For your convenience, I have included examples in this guide that use a fictional video game studio (Emperor’s Studio) and its first game (Empy). Y ou will find these examples written in this color.  If you want the .docx template, simply use the contact form at the bottom of this page to request it from me.

Business Overview

In this section, we give an overview of the current business and its past.

Introduction

Start with an introduction paragraph and explain how the studio was founded (if applicable). Describe your tasks, those of your partners and employees if you have any.

Emperor’s Studio is currently managed by two people. Founder 1 & Founder 2 are longtime partners in the game development industry who strive to keep the gameplay, fun and quality at the highest level in their games. The business is a small indie game studio based in [a city]. Founder 2 is the main programmer, developer, and designer while Founder 1 is the concept and pixel artist, scenario writer and community manager.

The company focuses on combining video games, comics with the interactivity and interconnectivity of an ever-expanding multimedia universe called the Empy’s World. The studio released its own previous game on Steam and have collaborated with many [other businesses and influencers] on projects such as [project’s names].

Management team / Our team

Take care to present your team from its best angle. Describe the professional experience of each member and the detailed responsibilities within the studio

Be consistent with the CV of each member and his Linkedin, because these are details that could be verified later by future investors or partners.

A photo of you, your group and your colleagues will make the document warmer. After all… other humans will read you!

A Word From Us

When possible, we suggest that entrepreneurs write a personal message (maximum 100 words) to further personalize the business plan. This is the kind of inspirational and public message that could be found in the “About us” section of your website.

Business Ownership & Structure 

Specify whether it is an incorporation, a general partnership, a single self-employed worker, etc. 

If applicable, what is the structure of the company’s shares? If you anticipate that the latter will be subject to change in the near future, you can indicate it.

If you don’t know yet, a good start to understand the best structure could start by reading the Wikipedia List of legal entity types by country or to do a quick Search on Google with “Business Structure + [your country]”. Most country have an article about this subject on their website (look for .gov website). 

Emperor’s Studio is registered as a limited liability company (LLC) and is 50% owned by Founder 1 and 50% by Founder 2.

Collaborations / partnerships

Have you collaborated with other companies, studios or artists? Whether it is a contract that you have awarded to others or work for which you have been commissioned, in both cases, it is relevant to explain it.

Collaborator 1 is a veteran book cover and sequential artist who has been working with us since 20xx on Project 1 to help develop our artistic vision. Collaborator 2 and 3 are experienced pixel artists that we have worked with on since 20yy. Collaborator 4 is a skilled and versatile musician that has been able to adapt and implement the audio vision that we wish to execute within our games.

Key planned hires

Explain the type of employee you will need to hire in the near future. Detail each profile sought.

Previous games and collaborations 

Showcase your already launched games. If you have collaborated on the development and release of a game, it is relevant to present it as well, without forgetting to explain how your studio was involved in it.

Current Development : Empy

( empy is the name of the fictional game).

Talk about the current development. If it is not started but you have plans or an idea of ​​the main aspects that will make it up, demonstrate them.

Some aspects that could be mentioned:

  • Progression
  • Preview Video (trailer)
  • Player Experience
  • Your future gaming community, but rather briefly, as this section will be scrutinized in much more detail in the sections that follow.
  • A website for this game

Other merchandise

If you are going to create and sell promotional merchandise, it would be a good idea to indicate so. For example:

If you have a visual elements, it’s perfect to show them.

Market Analysis

This section presents and analyzes the market. It is very useful if you plan to present it to potential investors or partners who are not in the same industry as us. It allows you to define trends that are specific to your game / studio, for example, a specific game category such as Survival RPGs .

Global Video Game Market

The global video game market value was estimated at xxx USD for the year yyyy. It is also estimated that the market will reach zzz gamers in yyyy and a market value of xxx USD.

Industry Trends

As the owner/founder of a video game studio, it’s important to keep a pulse on the industry trends that may impact your business. In the “Industry Trends” section of your business plan, you should aim to provide a comprehensive overview of the current state of the video game industry, including market size, key players, and any significant trends or shifts that are likely to affect your game(s) and target customers.

Make sure to provide data and research to support your claims, such as industry reports or data from trusted sources. This will demonstrate to potential investors and stakeholders that you have a deep understanding of the industry and that you have taken the time to thoughtfully consider the competitive landscape.

I recommend reading this article I wrote about tools that can help searching video game market data for market size and trends.

RPG & Survival RPG

Survival games encourage the exploration of an open world and keep the survival parts of these games a central aspect of the player’s experience, while in RPG, the player controls the actions of a character immersed in some well-defined world .

Based on market research made from X games available on Steam, Y are tagged both as a RPG and a survival game. 

(Include all your sources)

Competition analysis

It’s important to understand the market environment you’ll be operating in, which includes not only supply and demand but also the competition. That’s why in your business plan, it’s crucial to analyze your direct competitors – studios that have already released or are planning to release a game similar to yours. This will give you a better understanding of the products and development studios in your market.

RPG + Survival Games

Among the best rated games having both RPG and Survival tags, we can find:

  •     Yuppie Psycho
  •     Darkwood
  •     Don’t Starve
  •     World of Horror
  •     Terraria
  •     FTL: Faster Than Light
  •     Starbound
  •     The Riftbreaker: Prologue
  •     Risk of Rain
  •     The Binding of Isaac
  •     Fallout Series
  •     STALKER: Call of Pripyat
  •     Dig or Die
  •     Foraging
  •     Craft In Abyss

Development Studios

The company anticipates moderate competition from development studios of all sizes specializing in Survival RPG game development.

The table below present notable studios that have released at least one game of this genre.

This is where we get into the nitty-gritty details of your plan. I believe that all of the following sections are critical to your success, as they will outline exactly how you plan to achieve your goals. These sections will likely be the focus of discussions and questions with your readers.

Development Schedule and Budget

In this section, you will want to detail the projects you are currently working on or plan to work on soon. Start with a high-level overview and then break down each project into smaller, more manageable parts, providing time estimates for each step.

Milestones (Tied to the Development Schedule)

This section is similar to the previous one, but focuses on milestones that are not directly related to the development process.

  • Create a detailed plan for communication, presence and visibility on the company’s social networks, but also through influencers.
  • Create a detailed budget explaining the allocation of funds for each of the projects and subprojects required for the development of the game.
  • Setup accounting ledgers
  • Plan the necessary hiring and projects (if required)
  • Create a detailed budget
  • Month 1: Start of development
  • Game Development / Project / Hiring Milestones
  • Half of year 2: game launch
  • Net sales of 270K$ during year 2 
  • First 1,000 positive reviews during year 3
  • Net sales of $ 2.6M$ during year 3

Technology, Software and Tools

This part allows you to list the software, technologies and tools that you use.

Location & Facilities

Indicate your offices and premises if applicable and if you think this would be relevant for the reader. For example, to explain a future business expansion, you can indicate the number of square feet as well as the price of the rent.

We plan to move into a room of approximately xxx square meters very soon, which will cost YYY $ per month. This new space will allow us to carry out the expansion we desire, to hire staff and for everyone to work and meet physically.

Distribution and Sales Plan

As the owner of a video game studio, it’s crucial to have a clear plan for distributing and selling your games. Whether you choose to sell your games exclusively through online distribution platforms like Steam or through physical merchandise, it’s important to outline the details in this section.

If your sales model is entirely digital, simply state that fact in this section. But if you also plan to sell physical products, such as collectibles, you can use this section to explain your approach.

Regardless of your distribution and sales channels, be sure to include the selling price of your game and any other products you offer in this section of your business plan.

Empy will be on sale exclusively through the Steam platform at a price of 19.99 US.

merakist-jyoSxjUE22g-unsplash

Marketing Plan

marketing plan is a pillar for the success of your business, and in some cases, it may be wise to start with this section before moving on to the rest of your business plan.

The marketing plan section should answer the question, “How do I market my game?” by covering traditional marketing tactics and personalizing them to the video game industry. This section will summarize your marketing objectives, which will be detailed further below.

It’s worth noting that marketing is often the reason why many game developers fail to reach their goals. To ensure that your marketing plan is as comprehensive as possible, you may consider reading our guide “ Indie Video Game Marketing Plan: Stand Out in a Crowded Marketplace ” in parallel with working on this section of your business plan.

Marketing Objectives

We summarize here the objectives of the marketing plan which will be detailed below.

Emperor’s Studio ‘marketing objectives are to:

  • Solidify brand identity as a notable studio in the specific genre of Survival-RPG
  • Secure sales of the games and products
  • Highlight the company’s commitment to continuous product improvements that meet the specific needs of its community and customers
  • Increase and maintain the number of players within the community of Emperor’s Studio
  • Start and increase the fan email list

Video Game Marketing Campaign Strategy

To effectively reach as many players as possible and achieve a successful return on investment, your marketing strategy should take into account multiple aspects.

A strong website will showcase your latest news, provide text content and articles that help you stand out in search engines for your games and products, and serve as a hub for press releases. By doing so, bloggers, journalists, and media outlets will have access to all the information they need to spread the word about your games.

To break down your marketing strategy into manageable parts, consider dividing it into three categories: pre-launch, launch day, and post-launch.

game shop business plan pdf

Pre-release marketing tactics

Explain the marketing efforts you plan to make before the game launches. Ideas include:

Steam store page, tags and notification. 

  • Developer announcements. 
  • Steam Store Widget. 
  • Localization (Languages ​​and translation). 
  • ‘Coming soon’ Steam Page. 

Connect with Steam Curators

Valve published a 30 minute video about Building Your Store Page and Publishing Your Application.

This explain how to setup your store and game pages. Their graphical assets template can be found here .

For each studio’s game that will be released on Steam, including Empy, a page for the game will be created before the game is released. It will contain all the information that identifies the game, three screenshots and its characteristics so that it can be discovered by the gaming community, including thematic, gameplay, art style, and sub-genres. The potential customers can add it to their Wishlist and steam will notify them when it will be released and available to purchase. The potential customer will also be notified if the game is discounted and she / he has not purchased it yet at that moment.

Developer announcements

Announcements will be made from the website, but also through the Steam system, to share the progress that is gradually leading to the big day of the launch. It’s a way to create and maintain the “hype” before its release, and to be able to interact with the community that is interested in it.

Steam Store Widget

Steam provides a way for developers to integrate a widget into their website that displays a short description of the game and links to the Steam purchase page. When the latter has not yet been released, we can then see the “Add to Wishlist” options and this becomes a way of quickly creating a link when a potential player goes to the website with her / his Steam Wishlist, thus strengthening his commitment to the purchase.

Language and translation (localization)

All dialogues will be in json for easy translation. Thus, the game benefits from increased visibility towards players speaking one of the languages ​​into which the game will be translated. Thus, by considering all non-English speaking players who represent 58% of Steam users , Emperor’s Studio is strengthening its place in the market and securing market share that is impossible otherwise.

‘Coming soon’ Steam Page

A “Coming Soon” page will be created so that the game can appear in the steam search and that players can add the product to their Wishlist. Then they will be notified on the launch day.

Emperor’s Studio will contact Steam curators from the platform’s already integrated tools that allow 100 curators to be offered keys for their members to review the game. Therefore, the company will carefully choose the best 100 curators who have the best profile and audience aligned with Empy.

Release Day Marketing

Explain the marketing efforts you plan to deploy the day the game’s launch.

When the studio will launch its games, the official Emperor’s Studio Twitch channel will be live and broadcast a playthrough. In order to accentuate this hype, the company will sponsor influencers to play live on their own Twitch channel as well.

After Launch Marketing

Explain the marketing efforts you plan to deploy after launching the game. Here are some ideas:

Steam Organic Visibility

  • Influencers campaigns (read our Ultimate Indie Game Guide to Influencers)
  • Social media & Advertising
  • Game festivals (PAX)

Emperor’s Studio is aware that the launch of the game is not the finish line, but rather the start line. All the work and planning done previously will allow better visibility and launch of the game and will also facilitate the progress of the next marketing efforts below.

Steam wrote in its developer documentation that when a game is successful, it could be shared on the platform’s main page. We therefore speak of the principle of “organic visibility”. Concretely, the sections on Steam are as follows:

  • News and trends
  • Top Sellers
  • Promotions (when activated)
  • Friends news feeds when the purchase of the game is made, screenshots are shared and achievements earned
  • The discovery queue

In addition, for each major update, if there is any, the studio will create and share its patch note with the Steam community in order to benefit from increased visibility of the platform, which Steam sometimes calls “Update Visibility Rounds”.

Beyond all this, a “standard” visibility is offered through the Steam catalog based on the tags and style of each studio game.

Connect with Indie Games Influencers (on Youtube, Twitch, Facebook Gaming…)

The number of unique channels streaming on Twitch reached 10.6 million in 2020 (Q3) while 913,000 unique channels streamed to YouTube Gaming the same year  [1] , reaching 100 billion hours of video game content watched on the platform.  [2] Therefore, among the highest marketing priorities of the studio are the promotional campaigns that will be carried out by some of these influencers for the studio, in the form of contracts and sponsorships. Emperor’s Studio will carefully select the channels that are most likely to contain an audience interested in the company’s games in order to obtain the best return on investment.

A comprehensive tactical plan could be developed to effectively execute this marketing aspect. This will include among other things the communication strategy with influencers (what will be presented and “how”), an exhaustive list of interesting influencers with information on their channel (to get in touch in a personalized way) and the follow-up method.

Social Media & Advertising

Social networks such as Facebook, Twitter, Twitch, Youtube and Discord, although they all have a slightly different function, are also a pillar of the marketing strategy at Emperor’s Studio. These social networks will serve to inform fans, interact with them through various means, promote products’ launch and consistently show presence to them over a long period of time, unlike live streaming with influencers whose goal will not be to give a long-term and multifaceted experience around the studio’s universe. Some social networks like Twitter, but also Facebook, can be used to communicate relevant information for the press and journalists in order to receive press coverage.

Again, a comprehensive tactical plan could be developed to effectively execute this particular marketing aspect. Marketing managers at Emperor’s Studio will use it to understand communication strategy, quantify objectives, perform analysis and control of various KPIs, and plan the release schedule.

Game Industry Events

Participating in industry events such as GDC, PAX and MomoCon Convention and many other is part of Emperor’s Studio ‘marketing strategy. This investment should help acquiring contacts, enhancing the brand reputation and increasing awareness among our audience (the gaming community).

A mailing list is one of the most intimate and solid ways to connect with fans in a studio. It also helps to get to know them better. With a good communication strategy in place, the studio will be able to use this powerful marketing tool in the long term. If you choose to adopt this strategy, indicate and explain it.

Intellectual Property

This section is often overlooked by business plan writers, but is sought after by readers, especially in a software development context. Future partners or investors want to know if you own the IP, and if so, what does it include in more detail.

Emperor’s Studio’s games are designed to ensure the protection of its revenue-generation potential and long-term sustainability of the business. The Company has developed an IP committee mandated to establish policy and guidelines surrounding IP application and access to confidential information. The IP strategy surrounds the software algorithm, networking and database design, game play and game design elements. Therefore, the storyline, characters, arts, music, and packaging design are copyrighted.

Key metrics (KPI)

In summary, Key Performance Indicators (KPI) are indicators that allow you to compare your studio’s results against set objectives or industry standards. KPIs can be marketing or operational in nature in order to measure performance, but they can also be associated with company finances.

Each KPI can be further developed in the plans concerning them and by the person responsible according to the strategies and objectives evolving over time, but while keeping a modest number of KPIs so that they remain effective, meaningful and SMART (Specific, Measurable, Attainable, Relevant, and Time-bound).

In the case of Emperor’s Studio and its icming launch, the following KPIs would be the most important:

  • Steam Review score and number
  • Steam community and player engagement
  • Steam Wishlist, paid download
  • Influencers reviews and views
  • Google Analytic (website and Alexa)
  • Facebook likes, impressions and engagement
  • YouTube views, engagement and subscription
  • Backlinks from press coverage

Partnership with a publisher

Explain the business relationship you have with your publisher. If you don’t have one and / or are currently looking for one, it’s a good idea to indicate it here. The article Publishing Deal for Indie Video Game: how to research, find, negotiate and secure your partnership with a publisher could be useful.

Emperor’s Studio is currently working to identify video game publishers having a “fit” with the studio, its culture and its vision in order to pitch its future development projects and gather and analyze the best offers.

The company also considers the possibility of doing business with independent indie financing funds (sometimes called “syndicate”) for the advantages that this could provide in the longer term.

Financial Plan

Key assumptions.

The key assumptions summarize what must happen in order for the business plan to be carried out correctly. They can be taken from historical company data, industry benchmarks or smart guessing . These assumptions can be revised and evolve over time, just like the financial plan.

The following assumptions were made in order to build the financial planning:

  • An amount of 250,000 $ will be raised from a publisher or investors to develop and market Empy.
  • The number of copies sold by the end of Year 3 will be 73,940.
  • The sales distribution of these 73,940 sales has been based on the Product Life Cycle theory.
  • The sale price will be $ 20 US.
  • A Steam Commission of 30% of the sales is planned for each sale.
  • The proportion of games sold at a discount compared to the total number of copies sold is planned at 25%.
  • The average discount of the sale is forecasted at 30%
  • The portion of the revenue going to publisher is estimated at the full amount of the loan plus 25% of the sales during years 2 and 3.
  • The debt owed to the publisher will be totally cleared at the end of year 3. The total amount is planned at 250,000 $ (initial amount) plus 25% of the sales during year 2 and 3, for a total of 469,187 $
  • Once the game launched, an additional amount of 50,000 $ will be spend on marketing, 50% during the first 6 months and 50% for the following 12 months, mainly funded from the net profit of the sales.
  • At year 3, the amount of cash, before the corporate taxes and dividends, and after having paid the publisher loan, should be of $ 187,723.

Use of Funds

Explain how the funds will be used and the resulting financial plans. May be accompanied by financial models, data and tables.

As indicated in the financial forecasts below, 100% of the amount will be allocated to the development of the game Empy and its marketing. The studio will raise $ 250,000 US.

Sources of Funds

Explain where the funds come from if they have already been raised.

Currently, Emperor’s Studio is actively seeking the best editor or investor for its project.

Financial Forecasts

Financial forecasts provide an understanding of how a company’s finances will take shape in the future. It is important to remain realistic and consistent in order to be convincing with seasoned investors.

Financial forecasts are divided into three broad categories:

  • Income Statement: shows income versus expenses for a given period of time (usually 12 months).
  • Cash Flow Projection: It will show how the money will be used and prove that a positive cashflow will be generated in order to be able to repay debts.
  • Balance Sheet: This section is often compared to a “snapshot” of the business at a future date showing the net worth of the business with assets, liabilities and equity.

If you need a template, simply use the contact form above to request one from me.

The appendix consists of attaching any document that could be useful and complement the business plan. Sometimes it can be a pitch deck to present the game that is coming soon in a much more visual way. 

The details of the financial plan are shared as an appendix in Excel format. 

Additional Resources

  • Send me a message (below) so we can discuss your business plan, publisher research or any other project!
  • My lengthy guide on (Indie) Game Marketing Plan – Stand Out in a Crowded Marketplace should help you understand, elaborate and write your marketing plan in much more details
  • The Ultimate Indie Game Guide to Influencers could be helpful if you plan to launch an influencer campaign for your game
  • If you think a crowfunding would be the right way to fund your development, I covered the topic in our Kickstarter for Indie Games: A Comprehensive How-to Guide with Examples, Tips and Templates
  • Liveplan : a platform that streamlines the drafting process of writing a business plan and automates many steps in the creation of financial forecasts.
  •  Valve’s article about Steam’s Features And Tools, Marketing

If you have any questions or comments about this article, feel free to let me know in the form below.

game shop business plan pdf

Mastering the Art of a Successful Video Game Pitch: A Guide for Indie Game Developers

game shop business plan pdf

Creating a Winning Business Model and Competitive Analysis for Your Indie Game

game shop business plan pdf

Lean Startup Principles for Indie Game Development: Planning, Prototyping and Launching Your Game

game shop business plan pdf

Publishing Deal for Indie Video Game: how to research, find, negotiate and secure your partnership with a publisher

game shop business plan pdf

How to Successfully Raise Funds for Your Video Game Studio

game shop business plan pdf

How to Put The Right Price on a Video Game – A Guide for Indie Studio

Feel free to reach out to me via Discord  at   Galabyca#5789  (this is case sensitive). You can  share me your project and we’ll discuss how I can help you. Additionally, if you have any comments or questions about the last article, don’t hesitate to send them my way through Discord as well .

  • Share full article

For more audio journalism and storytelling, download New York Times Audio , a new iOS app available for news subscribers.

The Daily logo

  • April 12, 2024   •   34:23 How One Family Lost $900,000 in a Timeshare Scam
  • April 11, 2024   •   28:39 The Staggering Success of Trump’s Trial Delay Tactics
  • April 10, 2024   •   22:49 Trump’s Abortion Dilemma
  • April 9, 2024   •   30:48 How Tesla Planted the Seeds for Its Own Potential Downfall
  • April 8, 2024   •   30:28 The Eclipse Chaser
  • April 7, 2024 The Sunday Read: ‘What Deathbed Visions Teach Us About Living’
  • April 5, 2024   •   29:11 An Engineering Experiment to Cool the Earth
  • April 4, 2024   •   32:37 Israel’s Deadly Airstrike on the World Central Kitchen
  • April 3, 2024   •   27:42 The Accidental Tax Cutter in Chief
  • April 2, 2024   •   29:32 Kids Are Missing School at an Alarming Rate
  • April 1, 2024   •   36:14 Ronna McDaniel, TV News and the Trump Problem
  • March 29, 2024   •   48:42 Hamas Took Her, and Still Has Her Husband

How One Family Lost $900,000 in a Timeshare Scam

A mexican drug cartel is targeting seniors and their timeshares..

Hosted by Katrin Bennhold

Produced by Asthaa Chaturvedi and Will Reid

With Clare Toeniskoetter and Lynsea Garrison

Edited by Brendan Klinkenberg and Michael Benoist

Original music by Marion Lozano ,  Rowan Niemisto ,  Dan Powell ,  Pat McCusker and Will Reid

Engineered by Chris Wood

Listen and follow The Daily Apple Podcasts | Spotify | Amazon Music

Warning: this episode contains descriptions of violence.

A massive scam targeting older Americans who own timeshare properties has resulted in hundreds of millions of dollars sent to Mexico.

Maria Abi-Habib, an investigative correspondent for The Times, tells the story of a victim who lost everything, and of the criminal group making the scam calls — Jalisco New Generation, one of Mexico’s most violent cartels.

On today’s episode

game shop business plan pdf

Maria Abi-Habib , an investigative correspondent for The New York Times based in Mexico City.

A man in a plaid shirt and a woman wearing a red sweater are linking arms looking away from the camera. They are standing outside on a lawn with trees in the distance.

Background reading

How a brutal Mexican drug cartel came to target seniors and their timeshares .

There are a lot of ways to listen to The Daily. Here’s how.

We aim to make transcripts available the next workday after an episode’s publication. You can find them at the top of the page.

The Daily is made by Rachel Quester, Lynsea Garrison, Clare Toeniskoetter, Paige Cowett, Michael Simon Johnson, Brad Fisher, Chris Wood, Jessica Cheung, Stella Tan, Alexandra Leigh Young, Lisa Chow, Eric Krupke, Marc Georges, Luke Vander Ploeg, M.J. Davis Lin, Dan Powell, Sydney Harper, Mike Benoist, Liz O. Baylen, Asthaa Chaturvedi, Rachelle Bonja, Diana Nguyen, Marion Lozano, Corey Schreppel, Rob Szypko, Elisheba Ittoop, Mooj Zadie, Patricia Willens, Rowan Niemisto, Jody Becker, Rikki Novetsky, John Ketchum, Nina Feldman, Will Reid, Carlos Prieto, Ben Calhoun, Susan Lee, Lexie Diao, Mary Wilson, Alex Stern, Dan Farrell, Sophia Lanman, Shannon Lin, Diane Wong, Devon Taylor, Alyssa Moxley, Summer Thomad, Olivia Natt, Daniel Ramirez and Brendan Klinkenberg.

Our theme music is by Jim Brunberg and Ben Landsverk of Wonderly. Special thanks to Sam Dolnick, Paula Szuchman, Lisa Tobin, Larissa Anderson, Julia Simon, Sofia Milan, Mahima Chablani, Elizabeth Davis-Moorer, Jeffrey Miranda, Renan Borelli, Maddy Masiello, Isabella Anderson and Nina Lassam.

Katrin Bennhold is the Berlin bureau chief. A former Nieman fellow at Harvard University, she previously reported from London and Paris, covering a range of topics from the rise of populism to gender. More about Katrin Bennhold

Advertisement

IMAGES

  1. Top 12 game development business plan in 2022

    game shop business plan pdf

  2. Gaming cafe-business-plan

    game shop business plan pdf

  3. Online Retail Store Business Plan Template [Free PDF]

    game shop business plan pdf

  4. Simple Gaming Business Plan Template

    game shop business plan pdf

  5. Board game store business plan. sussmanagency.com

    game shop business plan pdf

  6. 4 Game Inc Business Plan

    game shop business plan pdf

VIDEO

  1. SDFX GLOBAL Business Plan pdf call me

  2. How to Start a Junk Shop Business

  3. I Owned A Game Store for TEN Years!

  4. The Game Crafter Tutorial: Downloadable Files

  5. How To Build A Sports Card Business

  6. 25 हजार का पेपर प्लेट मशीन✅

COMMENTS

  1. Free Sample Business Plans

    Fill Out A Business Plan In Minutes. Easy To Use, Save, & Print. Try Free Today! Create, Download, & Print A Business Plan - Simple Platform - Try Free Today!

  2. Free Business Plans Template

    Fill Out Blank Business Plan Templates Now Simply Print & Download - Free! Create, Download, & Print A Business Plan - Simple Platform - Try Free Today!

  3. PDF Business Plan of an Entrepreneurial Project & Game Corner Reflections

    The business expects to break even in the second half of the first year in business. The total investment required is 1,427,800SEK and the entrepreneur invests 450,000 SEK of the total capital required. (Income value goes along with the expected number of customers mentioned above in the Objectives part.)

  4. Video Game Store Business Plan [Sample Template for 2022]

    Marketing promotion expenses for the grand opening of Planet Excel™ Video Game Store, Inc. in the amount of $3,500 and as well as flyer printing (2,000 flyers at $0.04 per copy) for the total amount of - $3,580. The cost for hiring business consultant - $2,500.

  5. Gaming Lounge Business Plan Template [Updated 2024]

    Traditionally, a marketing plan includes the four P's: Product, Price, Place, and Promotion. For a gaming lounge business plan, your marketing strategy should include the following: Product: In the product section, you should reiterate the type of gaming lounge company that you documented in your company overview.

  6. Gaming Cafe Business Plan [Free Template

    Writing a gaming cafe business plan is a crucial step toward the success of your business. Here are the key steps to consider when writing a business plan: 1. Executive Summary. An executive summary is the first section planned to offer an overview of the entire business plan. However, it is written after the entire business plan is ready and ...

  7. How to write a business plan for a video games shop?

    The written part of a video games shop business plan. The written part of a video games shop business plan plays a key role: it lays out the plan of action you intend to execute to seize the commercial opportunity you've identified on the market and provides the context needed for the reader to decide if they believe your plan to be achievable and your financial forecast to be realistic.

  8. Video Store Business Plan Template [2024]

    The business plan of this video game store will be aimed at making a brand that people can trust. Step3: Establish Your Corporate Office. To start the video game store, Mr. Helery decided to rent out a three-room shop and procure the equipment and furniture. Step4: Establish a Web Presence.

  9. Free Video Game Business Plan Example and Template

    Milestones. Secure funding — June 1, 2023. Establish office space and equipment — July 1, 2023. Complete hiring and onboarding — August 1, 2023. Begin development of the first game — September 1, 2023. Launch marketing campaign — January 1, 2024. Release first game — October 1, 2024. Begin development of the second game — November ...

  10. How to write a business plan for a board game shop?

    The objective of the financial forecast of your board game shop's business plan is to show the growth, profitability, funding requirements, and cash generation potential of your business over the next 3 to 5 years. The four key outputs of a financial forecast for a board game shop are: And the sources and uses table.

  11. How to write a business plan for a games and toys shop?

    The projected P&L statement for a games and toys shop shows how much revenue and profit your business is expected to make in the future. A healthy games and toys shop's P&L statement should show: Sales growing at (minimum) or above (better) inflation. Stable (minimum) or expanding (better) profit margins.

  12. Game Store Business Plan (Why You Need One & How to Write It)

    If you're wondering how to write a business plan for your game store, here are the things you need to include: 1. Executive summary. The executive summary in a business plan includes a gist of your entire game store. Further, it includes the general reason why it will turn out successful. Join Starter Story.

  13. The #1 Game Business Plan Template & Guidebook

    How to Write a Game Business Plan in 7 Steps: 1. Describe the Purpose of Your Game Business. The first step to writing your business plan is to describe the purpose of your game business. This includes describing why you are starting this type of business, and what problems it will solve for customers. This is a quick way to get your mind ...

  14. Starting a Game Store Business

    2. Create a business plan and seek funding for your business. A game store generally requires a large upfront investment in inventory, especially in the video game segment, so startup financing is ...

  15. How to Start a Profitable Game Business [11 Steps]

    Create a solid business plan to present to potential investors or financial institutions, outlining your game's concept, market analysis, and revenue projections. 7. Set pricing for game services. When setting pricing for game services, it is essential to balance profitability with customer satisfaction.

  16. Mobile Game Business Plan [Free Template

    Writing a mobile game business plan is a crucial step toward the success of your business. Here are the key steps to consider when writing a business plan: 1. Executive Summary. An executive summary is the first section planned to offer an overview of the entire business plan. However, it is written after the entire business plan is ready and ...

  17. Simple Gaming Business Plan

    Create. Create a vibrant gaming business plan and other processes with this editable Simple Gaming Business Plan Template. You can easily customize it within minutes for an eye-catching design. This business plan template features a bright gradient color scheme, icons, and bold headings. Start by incorporating a bright color palette and choose ...

  18. Video Game Business Plan Sample

    Gaming is a multi-billion dollar business in the US alone. Video games seem to be the products made only for children. In reality, most of the video games are developed by considering the needs of adult gamers. According to the data provided by the Entertainment Software Association, around 81% people from 18 to 29 years of age play video games.

  19. Toy Store: get a solid business plan (pdf example)

    Business model of a toy store. A toy store's business model revolves around selling a variety of toys, games, and playthings for children of different ages to customers. Revenue is generated through product sales, potentially offering additional services such as toy rentals or hosting toy-related events.

  20. The #1 Gaming Lounge Business Plan Template & Guidebook

    How to Write a Gaming Lounge Business Plan in 7 Steps: 1. Describe the Purpose of Your Gaming Lounge Business. The first step to writing your business plan is to describe the purpose of your gaming lounge business. This includes describing why you are starting this type of business, and what problems it will solve for customers.

  21. Business Plan of Gaming Zone

    Business Plan Of Gaming Zone - Free download as PDF File (.pdf), Text File (.txt) or read online for free. rrrrr

  22. Board Game Cafe Business Plan [Sample Template]

    The cost for our grand opening party - $5,000. Miscellaneous - $5,000. We would need an estimate of $150,000 to successfully launch a medium but standard and well - equipped board game café in the United States of America. Generating Startup Capital for Edward Grant® Board Game Café, LLC.

  23. Writing a Winning Game App Business Plan

    September 17, 2021. 0. Mobile games are one of the healthiest app industries, generating over $50 billion per year in sales. However, app investors know that only 4% of mobile games will earn more than $1 million. On average, mobile games only earn around $3,000. For game app startups seeking investment, competition is extreme.

  24. Business Plan for Video Game Studio

    Create a detailed budget explaining the allocation of funds for each of the projects and subprojects required for the development of the game. Setup accounting ledgers. Plan the necessary hiring and projects (if required) Create a detailed budget. Month 1: Start of development.

  25. (PDF) Business Plan for a local video game shop.

    PDF | On Sep 9, 2023, Dwi Rags published Business Plan for a local video game shop. | Find, read and cite all the research you need on ResearchGate

  26. How One Family Lost $900,000 in a Timeshare Scam

    Warning: this episode contains descriptions of violence. A massive scam targeting older Americans who own timeshare properties has resulted in hundreds of millions of dollars sent to Mexico.