Protospiel Philly 2026

About Protospiel

What Is a Protospiel Event? If you are a person who has designed their own game (or games) or even thought about making your own game (and are curious), then Protospiel is a great opportunity to connect with other people like you, get a huge amount of feedback, test your game many times, and experience all types of game designs.

If you’re a gamer who likes to try out new things, then Protospiel is a unique experience where your input is extremely valuable.

Overall, Protospiel Philly is about collaboration and the development of the analog game design field of study. Anyone is welcome and everyone should have fun!

What kind of games will be there?

Games in all stages of completion are welcome, even ones made on the spot, at the Con. Any type of game is welcome, from board games, to card game, social deduction games, to role playing games. Anything that centers around a group of people, socially interacting.

NOTE that since expansions are the lifeblood of the board gaming industry, they are welcome! Regardless if the base game is published, prototype expansions are allowed (and encouraged) at Protospiel Philly.

How does it work?

Protospiel uses a free-flowing, attendee-driven format: show up, introduce yourself, sit at a table, play some games. There is no formal structure to the event, other than having a room filled with tables for everyone to use. Of course, taking time to network, talk shop, grab a meal, etc., with those you meet is highly encouraged as well.

Badges & Pricing

Here are the prices for attending Protospiel Philly 2025:

Designer SATURDAY Badge - $25

Designer SUNDAY Badge - $25

Play Tester Saturday Badge - $5

Play Tester Sunday Badge - $5

Badges may be purchased at the door with cash. All credit card transactions are handled through Tabletop.Events.

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

Last day to refund your badge is February 6th, 2026.

Schedule

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

SATURDAY 12PM-10pm SUNDAY 12PM-8pm

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.

Playtests are unscheduled. Table space is not reserved. Designers are asked to be respectful of other's time and space needs. Please limit playtest sessions of longer games to 2 hours by focusing on particular aspects in need of testing.

*Be sure to add your game to the "Prototype List". *

See the Protospiel 101 list for expected behavior and guidelines. Protospiel Philly is not for disrespectful or rude behavior. Let people finish speaking before jumping in, allows others to share their opinion, and above all do not tell people their game is "unpublishable".

Local Hotel Information

Staybridge Suites Philadelphia

88 Anchor Pkwy Royersford, PA. 19468 (1 mile away)

Any other questions? Use the links in the "Contact Us" section on the right to ask any further questions you might have about this event.