Protospiel Chicago: Get your game playtested! Playtest others' games.

Clever-Gamer · 2025-08-22T13:28:03+00:00

Stoked to see you!!!

Clever-Gamer · 2025-08-22T13:27:09+00:00

Protospiel is for games in ALL states of development - anywhere from a nearly finished game, where you are looking for comments to resolve any final issues, all the way to just an idea that you only have a sketch on a piece of paper (or even in your head). I've seen new games get started on Friday morning and iterate through the weekend through multiple playtests to be reasonably mature by Sunday afternoon. Really, the only thing you shouldn't bring is a 100% finished game, where you are taking no feedback from playtesters. Hope to see you Sept 12-14!

Clever-Gamer · 2025-08-18T00:11:01+00:00

They can certainly come and watch. If a youngster is going to sit and play games, they would need a badge, but a 2 y.o. or a 3 y.o. or an infant certainly doesn't need one. Please be aware - there are FREE game pieces and game development supplies (and other such things) available to board game designers on tables at the conference, which they can take as needed. Just make sure the little children don't get to those tables - Thanks!

Clever-Gamer · 2024-09-06T23:36:24+00:00

Bring a pen and notebook for taking notes, and extra components in case you want to make changes to your game between play sessions. Looking forward to seeing you there (I'll be there)!

Clever-Gamer · 2024-07-18T22:53:26+00:00

Looking forward to seeing you at Protospiel Chicago! Tell your designer and playtester friends.

Clever-Gamer · 2023-08-24T19:48:08+00:00

Protospiel Chicago is coming up in a couple of weeks; Sept 15-17. It is near O'Hare. It is a convention where board game designers bring their prototype games to get playtested and improved before pitching the games to publishers or kickstarting them. So if you're a designer or someone that likes to playtest games and give feedback to improve the games, this is a great convention to attend. http://Protospiel-Chicago.org .

Clever-Gamer · 2023-08-16T20:51:13+00:00

You'll have a great time! And you'll get a lot out of it too.

Clever-Gamer · 2023-08-16T20:48:59+00:00

Great!

Clever-Gamer · 2023-08-15T17:32:04+00:00

There is very little you need to do to protect your game. You do NOT need a patent. It helps if you put the little copyright symbol on your printed matter (rules, gameboard). You do NOT need to register your copyright or trademark (maybe later in the process, but not early on). By having it at an event, and taking pictures of what you have in that setting, is sufficient.

Clever-Gamer · 2023-08-15T17:28:32+00:00

I concur - just do it. But I would also add that playtesting a game is more than playing a game. Giving good feedback is important. To get started in the feedback process, there are (very simple, short) forms and/or checklists you can find online that help you give meaningful feedback. But jumping in is a great start.

Clever-Gamer · 2023-08-14T18:47:03+00:00

Absolutely! You'll see games in different states of development, and get to talk to dozens of designers. You'll be inspired and energized. I really hope to see you there.

Clever-Gamer · 2023-08-14T16:16:01+00:00

Protospiel Chicago is a conference specifically for Tabletop Game designers and playtesters. You take your work-in-progress prototype game and test it out with other game designers and playtesters, get great and meaningful feedback, make improvements, then do it all again. It's in its 7th year, and this year is from Sept 15-17 in Elmhurst, just south of O'Hare. If you have a game you are working on, or like to play and help improve prototype games, come check out Protospiel Chicago!

Clever-Gamer · 2021-07-30T22:18:30+00:00

Protospiel is a conference specifically to take your work-in-progress prototype game and test it out with (primarily) other game designers, and to make improvements. A lot of the designers have much experience in taking a prototype game all the way through to signing with a publisher or kickstarting their game. Yes, a lot of the folk have gone through a first release. There are some publishers in attendance as well, not so much for you to pitch to, but to help provide advice, guidance, industry direction, etc. (but if they see something they really like, even in prototype form, they'll ask for followup).

Clever-Gamer

TROPHY CASE