5 Simple Game Trailer Templates | Video Game Trailer Academy

The tl;dr:

1. Tell, Show, Repeat
Use a title card or narration to describe a thing in the game, then show a few clips of that thing.

2. Music Video Montage
Take fun gameplay footage and cut it to the beat of the music like a music video.

3. Chronological Order
If your game is paced in a way where challenges increasingly escalate, why not just show them in chronological order? (Minus the boring bits)

4. Just Explain the Game
If your game uses a lot of abstract symbols or is otherwise very hard to decipher from just looking at it, it might be worth explaining with voiceover.

5. In a World...

Explain in this order:
- What the world or premise are
- Who is the character in the world
- What the problem is
- What they're gonna do to confront the problem
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Video Chapters

00:00 - Introduction
00:52 - Tell, Show, Repeat
01:56 - Music Video Montage
02:44 - Chronological Order
03:32 - Just Explain the Game
05:06 - In a World
06:29 - Make it CLEAR

Trailers

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ABOUT ME

Hi, I'm Derek Lieu and I'm a game trailer editor! I got my start in the movie trailer industry as an assistant editor at a house which produced trailers for: The Matrix Trilogy, Spider-Man, Pirates of the Caribbean and many more.

Over many years I worked as an editor and started making fan trailers for games, until eventually I got jobs at game trailer houses in Los Angeles where I worked on games like Mortal Kombat X, Shadow of Mordor and lots of LEGO games. Independently I've helped make trailers for games like: Half-Life: Alyx, Firewatch, Dead Cells, Subnautica, Spelunky 2, Ooblets and BattleBlock Theater.

I'm using this channel to teach people about the art of making trailers via video essays, tutorials, reviews, and behind-the-scenes looks at my own work. I think about trailers a lot both for work and fun, so I have A LOT to say about them.

#gametrailers #gametrailertemplates #trailerediting

[jacklaw]

Another great example of Game Trailer Structure #4 is the trailer for Islanders.
Thanks for the video Derek, it's really helpful!

[roofkat]

Awesome, thanks for sharing!
Not been too confident in my trailers so far, will look at this again when I start a new one :)

[mjoshuacauller]

This is great, Derek! I love getting to see you in the video! :D

[Shardcives]

bro you've got no idea how much this helps me. Great video!

[thomasfsan]

HIGHLY recommend going with simple posters. The simple structure allows you to spend more time finding the perfect footage for it.

[adhamy]

What music did you use in the background of this video, it is really good

[Lech-nn]

Hi, wanted to ask you a question Sir. Do you provide services for an "epic" trailer? I'm looking for something 3-4 minutes long.

[jetpackchaz]

This is such a niche channel. I love it!

[liquidlabgame]

Thanks for the video Derek!
As a beginner in this topic, the tips and tricks that you shared are quite useful.
Do you have any recommendation for free tools and tutorials where to start with?
Thanks!

[Zavex]

i just read your article then found this video without knowing that it was you. what a coincidence

[KIMIlKO]

thank you so much! this really helped with my uni project and my essay ❤:)

[GlowBean_Studio]

This was really helpful! Still in script & concept design "section" as I like to call it. Again thank you for showing this video!

[OliWonder]

These videos have been great! I am working on my first video game trailer and these lessons and tips have been very helpful. Is there any fighting game trailers you recommend?

[Jotaauvei_]

Not sure if my trailer is gonna be any good but surely your video is excellent, I'll try my best, thank you 😊

[PRodi_]

Great video! btw. which video editing program you use? or which one you recommend?

[RewdanSprites]

I have no idea how I'm not subbed to this channel until now. Great advice Derek. I guess I been watching you on other channels all this time 😅.

[MrDevonParsons]

Key information! Gold I tell you, gold! Thank you.

[ancacivitu]

Great video and very helpful information! Thank you!

[PapurrPlays]

Exactly what I was looking for. Thank you so much.

[anchorpl]

How do you call this type of transition effect at 1:28 and 1:34?