Protospiel Indy 2026

Protospiel Indy 2026!

The world's best game design convention is returning to Indianapolis for its seventh year!

If you are a tabletop game designer seeking professional-level feedback, there is no better place to get that feedback.

If you're a gamer who likes to try new things, Protospiel is amazing. You'll play dozens of new designs, and your input will help shape them before they hit store shelves or crowdfunding.

How does it work?

Protospiel is a casual event where you bring your board or card game prototype to be playtested in a supportive, cooperative environment. It's the best possible way to find where your game needs work and how to make it even better. It doesn't matter what level of polish the game has, or how close it is to completion. You can register your prototypes here to generate interest before the event.

What makes Protospiel work is for designers to share their time and expertise by playing each other's games. For example, after three designers playtest your game, you should try to playtest three other designer's games. This isn't a formally enforced rule, but the event works best when people follow it.

Other than that, there's not much structure, and no scheduled events. When people seem to be sitting down to a playtest, ask if you can join. When people look like they're deciding what to do next, offer your game for playtesting. When you get hungry, ask if people want to get food. Go to sleep when you're tired and come back the next day.

If you want to help designers improve games in any state of development, Protospiel is for you. If you want to improve your game design, Protospiel is for you. If only want to promote your finished game and aren't interested in playing the games of others, this event is not for you.

Additional info

Here are some helpful tips if this will be your first Protospiel.

Help spread the word! Print and share these flyers wherever you play games.

Protospiel.events has info about various regional Protospiels.

The Protospiel group on Facebook is a great place to connect with Protospiel enthusiasts.

If you're in the Indianapolis area, join the Indy TableTop Game Creators! We meet to playtest at least once a month, usually on the third Saturday afternoon. It's like a 4-hour Protospiel every month.

Check our geeklist of games playtested at Protospiel Indy and Indy TableTop Game Creators events.

Policies

At sign-in you will be required to indicate that you agree to comply with the policies of the convention. You must read these convention policies before you buy a badge.

Badges & Pricing

Here are the prices for attending Protospiel Indy:

• Designer 3-Day Badge - $65
• Playtester 3-Day Badge - $15
• Publisher Badge - If you have published a game which you did not design, contact us to request a free badge.
• Sponsor Badge - Contact us about opportunities to promote your brand.
• Press Badge - Contact us to request a free badge.

Tabletop.Event fees will be added to all credit card payments.

A limited number of badges will be available for purchase at the door with cash or credit card. Checks will not be accepted.

Venue

Protospiel Indy is hosted this year by GravityDrive at Launch Fishers in Fishers, Indiana. Outside food is allowed. Alcohol is not permitted. Parking is free.

Lodging

Looking for a place to stay near Protospiel Indy? Options include:

• Hampton Inn and Suites
• Clarion Pointe Indianapolis

Schedule

The event will run according to the traditional Protospiel structure, which is open design, collaboration, and play testing:

• Friday 9am - Doors and registration open
• Friday 6pm - Registration closes
• Friday 11:45pm - Doors close for the day
• Saturday 9am - Doors and registration open
• Saturday 6pm - Registration closes
• Saturday 11:45pm - Doors close for the day
• Sunday 9am - Doors and registration open
• Sunday 1pm - Registration closes
• Sunday 4pm - Convention ends

Sponsors

These great organizations make sure you have the best possible experience at Protospiel Indy.

GravityDrive is a premier Experience Design Consultancy based in Indiana with decades of combined expertise in Human-Centered Design. They ensure products and services are centered on the needs of the people who use them. By applying scientific principles, they improve productivity, streamline processes, and enhance interactions between people and technology—empowering organizations to create exceptional experiences that resonate with their audiences. GravityDrive is hosting Protospiel Indy again this year at Launch Fishers.

The mission of The Game Preserve is to delight their customers and attract new ones by operating game stores which offer outstanding selection, expertise, and organization, and which practice kindness as their most important value. The Game Preserve is a returning refreshment sponsor this year.

Kolossal Games is a premier board game publisher dedicated to creating memorable, immersive experiences that connect friends and families through innovative design and world-class production. As a crowdfunding veteran with 30 successfully funded projects and more than 28 projects already delivered, we have built a reputation for excellence and reliability within the global gaming community. Our portfolio is headlined by the award-winning, open-world sandbox hit Western Legends, which redefined thematic storytelling in tabletop gaming, alongside other fan favorites like Mezo and Almanac. By blending accessible rules with deep, strategic gameplay and stunning artwork, Kolossal continues to push the boundaries of the hobby, delivering "kolossal" moments to gaming tables worldwide. Kolossal Games is a returning refreshment sponsor this year.

Devious Weasel Games stands in solidarity with all people of good heart, inclusive spirit, and kind demeanor. And weird people. We love weird folk like us. Devious Weasel Games is a new refreshment sponsor this year.

The goal of CrossCut Games is to be a maker of "great games against the grain". CrossCut Games is a new sponsor this year.

Grimmyth, based in Indianapolis, creates indie tabletop games built on clarity, tension and interaction. We believe the greatest games are forged together, which is why we are proud to support the designers and playtest communities that help bring them to life! If you want to learn more or playtest games with us follow us on Instagram @grimmyth_games or Join our Discord. Grimmyth is a new sponsor this year.

The Game Crafter (TGC) is the world’s first web-to-print game publishing company and offers a print on demand game publishing service. TGC empowers game designers around the world by allowing them to make a board game, card game, and custom playing cards through a website. The Game Crafter is a long-time supporter of many Protospiels.

Blue Luna Design is a specialized design studio serving tabletop game designers and publishers, offering illustration, component design, video, and visual design services. Blue Luna Design provides design services for Protospiel Indy and Indy TableTop Game Creators.

Indy TableTop Game Creators is a group in central Indiana that helps game designers and playtesters create great tabletop games together. Indy TableTop Game Creators organizes Protospiel Indy.

Publishers

The following publishers are planning to attend.

Indie Game Studios is the parent company for well known publishing brands such as Indie Boards & Cards, Stronghold Games, and Action Phase Games! These three companies are responsible for some of the most recognizable games in the industry such as Aeon's End, Flashpoint, The Resistance, Coup, and many others! They are interested in all types of games, but are best known for games with a strong social element to their gameplay.

Stratamax Games publishes great games like Tammany Hall, Airborne Commander, and Days of Steam.

The Dietz Foundation is a 501-c-3 that uses proceeds from the games we publish to fund scholarships for future teachers and other educational endeavors. They are interested in science language games with clear professional applications.

Satchel Games is a new card game publisher founded by Anthony Gullotti. Our goal is to craft fun and compact games! We understand gaming on-the-go. Wherever you are: during a lunch break, travel (for work or pleasure), or simply time with family & friends. Our games are the perfect way spend time together. They are interested in small card games: 30 cards + 12 tokens.