Eastern Michigan Mini-Protospiel - Spring 2026

Join us for the first Eastern Michigan Mini-Protospiel!

This event takes place May 17, in Lake Orion, Michigan. Badge pricing and information is to the right.

Protospiel events are for testing tabletop game prototypes with other designers.

As with every Protospiel event, expect to test your game, get feedback, playtest other games, and network with other designers from the area. There are a few things that make this event unique:

• It’s a one-day (8-hour) event.
• We plan to run these regularly throughout the year.
• We are going to try a “Playtest Fest” alongside this, opening the event to the public in the second half of the day.

Please read all the information below and the FAQ for accurate expectations for this unique Protospiel event.

If you are interested in a longer event, Michigan Protospiel is scheduled for three days in July.

Location and Hosting Details

The Eastern Michigan Mini-Protospiel takes place at Games4Life, a game store in Lake Orion, Michigan. Games4Life is a proud supporter of small publishers and independent designers.

The event is organized by Mike Petty. Mike attended the first Protospiel way back in 2001. He has run Protospiel events and many other playtesting events since then. He owns Mike Petty Games and manages the Eastern Michigan Game Designer group. Please contact Mike with any questions.

Who is this Eastern Mini-Michigan Protospiel for?

Foremost, it’s for tabletop game designers with works in progress. If you’re interested in seeing games in progress and participating in playtest sessions, you’ll enjoy attending too.

In short, anyone interested in making games is welcome. Just be aware Protospiel is different from most game conventions. It’s all about games still in the design process. If you are looking for or promoting a finished game or if you don’t want to play anybody else's works in progress, you won’t find Protospiel worth your time.

If you have any questions, be sure to read the FAQ. Besides clearing up expectations for the event, it has information to help you prepare, especially if you’re new to Protospiel.