ProtoCON 2025

What is ProtoCON?

ProtoCON is an event where game designers and public playtesters come together to play prototypes. Playtesters are an essential part of the game design process and ProtoCON intends to bring game designers and the public together.

Visit the ProtoCON website

Join the ProtoCON Facebook Group

What does it cost to attend ProtoCON? (Early-bird Pricing)

Youth Badge

*We are wanting to support young designers as well so we have some limited space for youth designers (17 and under). Each youth will be paired with a volunteer game designer who will act as a coach/mentor during playtesting. Youth will be contacted via email concerning which time slot they will be allotted.

Note: Youth should have a parent at the event at all times!

Important info for Designers

Once you have purchased either a single, a double, or a triple badge on Tabletop Events, go to https://www.protoconutah.com/table-layout/ and refer to Table Layout. Decide which Showcase, and which time slot(s) are your preference, along with which tables you would like to be at during both the Showcase, and your playtest session(s). Then email us at info@protoconutah.com. We'll then guide you through the rest of the process. Priority will be given to badge order, but in order to maintain your place you must email us within 72 hours of your purchase. If you don't email us to make your selections we will assign selections to you. We will update the Table Layout to show what's still available as selections are made.

Designers will be required to provide basic game info as well as a description along with one or more photos of their prototype. Further information will be emailed to each designer after they register.

Also, all designer badges will be given 1 playtester badge per purchased block for free for a friend or family member to participate with. (example: if you purchased the Three 3-hour prototype slots then you would have 3 free playtester badges for friends/family.

Early Bird Registration for designer tables closes on Jan 1st 2025 and prices will increase. Make sure to reserve your table(s) soon!

Friday Schedule

*After check in, attendees may proceed to either the designer workshop (pre-registration required) or open gaming. Everyone who checks in on Friday and attends the showcases will receive 3 raffle tickets for Saturday’s game raffles.

What is a Showcase?

During the Showcases each game designer will have the opportunity to set up their games and give a brief pitch/overview of their game. Attendees will select games they are most interested in playing during the playtest sessions on Saturday.

Designer Workshop

Back by popular demand, our designer workshop is here to help take your game design skills to the next level! Join Jeff Beck, published designer and accomplished speaker, as he works the group through a series of hands-on exercises. This year’s workshop is focused on game themes, and will help you find the perfect setting for your next project!

This free workshop is open to all registered game designers – make sure to add the Workshop ticket to your badge.

Workshop Overview

Whether you are working with an existing IP or creating a whole new universe, few things are quite as critical to the success of your game as the theme. We’ll dive deep into the elements of a good theme, as well as what it takes to make sure that theme fits hand-and-glove with your mechanics. We’ll design several games as a group, putting what we have learned into practice.

Saturday Schedule

Raffle Tickets and Prizes

Attendees receive 1 raffle ticket for each game they playtest (additional tickets for attending Friday's Showcases). The more games you playtest, the more tickets you receive. The prizes will be games and other related items which get donated by sponsors of ProtoCON. Maximum prizes per person is one. See the sponsor list below!

What is Open Gaming?

Open gaming is available at various times throughout the convention. If you wish to bring a prototype to play during open gaming you must either have any of the available Designer Badges.

ProtoCON Scholarships

ProtoCON aims to be an inclusive experience. Scholarships are available to designers and playtesters who would otherwise be unable to attend due to the financial burden. Contact us to apply.

Sponsors

We would like to thank our sponsors!

More sponsors coming soon!

BGDG of Utah

We would like to thank the Board Game Designer's Guild of Utah for all their work in creating ProtoCON! If anyone would like to know more about the BGDG of Utah you can contact them @ BGDG of Utah Facebook Page or on our BGDG of Utah Website