Protospiel Chicago 2022

Sept 9-11, 2022

Protospiel Chicago is back for its 6th year!

If you're a game designer looking to get professional level feedback from other designers, there is no better place to get that feedback.

If you're a gamer who likes to try out new things, then Protospiel is the place for you. You'll get to see dozens of new designs in a single weekend. Plus you'll get to shape them before they hit the store shelves or the pages of Kickstarter.

Tell Me More

Protospiel is a casual event where amateur and established game designers get together to test their game prototypes in a supportive, cooperative environment. It's a great way to break your game and to fix it. Don't worry about the appearance of your game. It isn't nearly as important as the functionality. Some prototypes will be highly polished, but that's not what's important at Protospiel. Our goal is to help you make great games!

Covid-19 Policy

It goes without saying but we'll say it anyway, if you're sick (whether it's Covid-19 or not) please stay home and take care of yourself. You'll be taking care of your fellow gamers as well. We thank you.

We've come a long way since the start of the pandemic, yet we still find ourselves struggling to strike the right balance with our Covid-19 policy. The world is a much different place than it was for last year's Protospiel and it will be different still in September when we meet again. With treatments now available in addition to vaccines, we are comfortable relaxing the vaccine-only policy.

Our Covid policy is that you must be fully vaccinated or have had a negative Covid test within 72 hours to attend. Proof will be required for admission.

As of now, masks will be optional. This is subject to change based on state and local mandates in effect at the time.

Want Even More Details?

Milwaukee's Protospiel website has a great FAQ page

Tabletop.Events is a great place to find Protospiels and Other Game Conventions

Don't forget the Protospiel Group on Facebook

Chi-Bingo will be back!

Everyone's favorite meta-game, Chi-Bingo, will be back for its 3rd year. Check back later for details.

Badges & Pricing

Here are the prices for attending Protospiel Chicago 2022:

• Designer WEEKEND Badge - $50
• Designer FRIDAY Badge - $25
• Designer SATURDAY Badge - $30
• Designer SUNDAY Badge - $20
• Play Tester WEEKEND Badge - $10
• Press Badge - Complimentary / Email admin@Protospiel-Chicago.org
• Publisher Badge - Complimentary / See below.

To qualify for a free Publisher's Badge you must have published two games by designers other than yourself within the last two years and are actively looking for another game design. Please email admin@Protospiel-Chicago.org and include the type(s) of games you're looking for in your request.

Badges may be purchased at the door with cash or credit card. No checks will be accepted.

Tabletop.Event fees will be added to all badge prices.

Last day to refund your badge is August 26, 2022.

Food & Drink

We'll be offering a light snack service and coffee throughout the day.

The hotel has a restaurant, Hanover & Hardys, so no outside food is allowed.

New this year! Protospiel guests receive a 10% discount (excluding alcohol) at the restaurant and market.

There are also several restaurants nearby, some within walking distance.

Hotel

We've secured a block of rooms at the Holiday Inn & Suites Bolingbrook - https://www.holidayinn.com/redirect?path=hd&brandCode=HI&localeCode=en&regionCode=1&hotelCode=chibb&_PMID=99801505&GPC=PRO&cn=no&viewfullsite=true. When using link, enter dates of stay then discount code (PRO) will automatically fill in. Or when calling for a reservation, mention Protospiel Chicago 2022 for a discounted price of $105 per night. Must book by August 19, 2022.

Pick a Card, Any Card

With our 3rd year at Holiday Inn & Suites Bolingbrook, they're getting into the spirit of gaming and are offering a "Pick a Card, Any Card" promotion!

Each arriving guest will be eligible to win a 50% discount off one night of their stay by drawing a card at check-in. The winning card will be pulled Saturday night and matched to the lucky winner! Discount will be applied at checkout!

How fun is that?!

Parking

Parking is free at the hotel.

Schedule

This will run like the traditional Protospiel, which is open design, collaboration, and play testing. The room will be open as follows:

FRIDAY 8am-Midnight

SATURDAY 8am-Midnight

SUNDAY 8am-3pm

The guiding principle is for designers to reciprocate other designers' time and feedback by playing each other's games. For example, if you need three play testers for your game, you should try to play three other designer's games before the event ends. This is not a hard and fast rule, but the event works best when everyone tries to follow it.

Sponsors

The Game Crafter will be bringing an assortment of game components!

Welcome to The Game Crafter - The world leader in print on demand board games.

Organized by

Clever Playing Cards