What can I expect from this one-day Protospiel event?

PIcture a room full of game designers who love to make games. It’s mostly playtesting–either running a game or participating in a playtest for someone else’s design.

Designers will also naturally network and learn from each other about all aspects of design and game publishing. There will likely be newbies and published designers in attendance, so lots of learning will take place.

Can we bring food and drinks into the event?

Yes, as long as drinks are non-alcoholic.

So what’s this Playtest Fest?

For this first one, it’s an experiment. While Protospiel events generally focus on playtesting with attendees who bought a badge (designers and playtesters), we want to mix in more of the UnPub model. We will open the doors to the public so they can playtest too, beginning at 4:00.

Anyone can stop in for free during the Playtest Fest hours to play prototypes, meet the designers, and get a look at the design and publishing process. And there’s a chance to win prizes.

To incentivize participation and to get feedback from the (non-badge) playtesters, they can fill out a short feedback form after playing a game. That will enter them in drawings for games and gift certificates.

Important information, especially for designers:

• This is a trial run. We acknowledge Sunday afternoon/evening might not draw in the masses, but we want to take a first step at blending these two playtester models. In time, we hope to run these alongside any one-day Protospiel, but we also want to offer them as standalone events.
• Because of this, plan on continuing with the Protospiel model of testing with other designers if there aren’t enough playtesters available to run your game with them.
• If any designer would rather not playtest with the public for any reason, that's no problem. Continue playtesting with other designers, just like the first half of the day.
• Designers and playtesters who purchased badges: Please help in advance by spreading the word! Invite friends, family and followers to join us. The public portion of the day will be from 4:00 to 8:00. Also, if you want to contribute any new games for giveaways, please contact Mike.
• Families are welcome, but please keep in mind there will only be games for younger players (under 10 years old) if designers happen to be testing those designs.

Why buy a playtester badge if I can just come to the Playtest Fest for free?

We offer the playtester badge so people without a prototype can still attend the entire day and show support. Purchasing a playtester badge helps us pay for the venue and to cover costs to run the Playtest Fest portion.

Can designers and playtesters (with badges) enter the drawings for the Playtest Fest?

The drawings are meant to attract and pay back non-paying playtesters who give their time to help us improve our work. Playtesters, even with a badge, can enter them if they want. Designers who had one of their games playtested are not eligible for the drawings/give-aways.

How are playtesting sessions organized throughout the day?

There will NOT be a schedule or structure for playtest sessions. We encourage all designers to remember the Protospiel Golden Rule:

Share your time by putting in as many playtesting hours as you get from the other designers!

That’s total designer playtest hours. For example, if three other designers (with their own prototypes to test) play your one hour game and then give 30 minutes of feedback, expect to give back 4 - 5 hours of playtest time for the rest of the event.

How can I be most helpful when I playtest someone’s game?

Everyone should plan to spend most of the day as a playtester. Here are some tips to be as helpful as possible.

Most of all, don’t try to force the designer to make the game you want to play.

Instead, pay attention to what the game designer is looking for. If the designer doesn’t clearly state this, ask. Try to limit feedback that doesn’t apply.

Unless asked specifically for fixes, let the designer be the fixer.

While playing, try to do so as a player in the target audience, even if you are not naturally into that type of game. With that in mind, and when appropriate, point out areas that you feel need attention.

Usually there will be a wrap-up discussion after the playtest finishes. That’s the best time to give overall thoughts and point out areas that need attention. Respond to the designer’s questions. Share your contact information or get the designer’s info if you think you can be of more help after the event.

Any advice for designers for running a successful playtest?

These are suggestions for a Protospiel playtest, with other designers or playtesters who paid for a badge (not with the general public).

• Set expectations for your playtesters. Be sure to address who your target player is and details about the style/feel of the game you’re making. Tell them what stage of development the game is in.
• Make it clear which areas of feedback are you’re looking for (and maybe what you’re not). For example, are you just trying to see if the basic system works, or are you interested in comments about the asymmetric player powers you are tweaking?
• Watch while people play. You can learn a lot about the parts that are the most fun or that are hindering an excellent experience.
• Take notes while people play. Not every comment needs to stop the game. Make a note and you can discuss it in a wrap-up when the session ends.
• Don’t spend a lot of time trying to solve problems or think of rule changes in the moment. Even during the wrap-up discussion, you can make notes about possible problem areas, then address them on your own later. (This depends on the skill and experience levels of the people playtesting for you.)

For running your game during the Playtest Fest with the general public:

• Briefly set up expectations if you think it's needed.
• Treat it more like a game demo.
• Expect less specific feedback.
• Watch the players for their emotional responses.
• Don’t drill for detailed feedback.
• Remind them they can fill out a feedback survey to enter the drawing.

What types of games do designers bring to test?

Most games will be board and card games. There is a lot of variety, from quick and simple to longer and complex. If your game doesn’t fit that, it might still have a place. Please read the questions below, and keep in mind: This event only lasts 8 hours. If your game is over 90 minutes long, you might want to consider how you can test only part of it. Or at the very least, let your group know it will take a good part of their day. Especially when the public joins us in the second half of the day, we want this to be a family friendly event. If you have mature themes or explicit content that some might find objectionable, please be considerate of attendees or playtesters who might find it offensive.

I’ll be attending as a designer and I have at least one prototype. What should I do to get ready?

• Prep your prototype so it’s at least playable. Be sure you have everything you need to run the session, including some paper to take notes.
• Prep your intro and rules teach. Be sure to set expectations for the playtesters.What target audience are you aiming for? How far along is the game in development? What specific aspects are you most interested in getting feedback on? Are there strategies or play styles the playtesters should try to take on?
• Decide how do you want to get feedback. Will you have a questionnaire for the playtesters, or just have a wrap up discussion?
• Please register your prototype(s) ahead of time. You can find the Prototype form in the Attend dropdown above.
• Besides prepping your own prototype, look through any registered prototypes and see which ones you think you can help with as a playtester.
• Invite friends, families and other supporters to the Playtest Fest portion starting at 4:00.

How much time should I take to run my game?

This is an important question, especially for a one-day event!

First of all, remember that playtesters are committing time to learn the game, play it, then have some wrap-up discussion. The day can go fast! Be considerate of time as a designer and a playtester.

You can take as much time as you need. Just be upfront with the playtesters. Please understand some will not want to be part of a longer game that takes a good part of the day, especially if it’s also in an early stage of development.

A great rule of thumb for Protospiel events: Consider after an hour of playing how much more information you’re going to get if you continue the playtest. Ask everyone at the table. If you and/or the players think everyone has seen enough to give helpful feedback, consider how you might end the game early and possibly have more time for wrap-up discussion.

What if my Game isn't finished enough for Protospiel?

Games in any stage of development are welcome.

Again, just remember expectations are everything. Please let your playtesters know the stage of development at the start. The more early the game is in development, the more you should be considerate about the time your playtesters are devoting to it. If it’s not working, please end the session early rather than going too long.

What if I made a Tabletop RPG or a Giant/Event game?

That's great! You'll find most attendees have made board and card games, and most playtest sessions run under 90 minutes. You will want to be very clear with people upfront if you expect your game to run 2+ hours.

For a successful TTRPG, we recommend preparing a one-shot adventure with pre-made characters and rules references on hand. Big Event games can be a challenge. You'll need to be very proactive about expectation-setting and scheduling.

In either case you should also be very clear about what kind of feedback you're looking for. It's possible that your playtesters will opt out once they feel like they've provided that. Time is precious at Protospiel and big, long games are a commitment.

If you're still in doubt, please contact us. We can tell you based on registration and past experience how likely it is that you'll get enough support.

Will there be publishers there?

No publishers have arranged yet to be there specifically to look at designs. If any of them do, we will add them to the front page. Some of us have self-published and can share our experiences.