Welcome to Rochester's 4th Annual Protospiel Convention!
January 22–24, 2027 · RIT Inn & Conference Center · Henrietta, NY
A Protospiel is a weekend where game designers bring games that aren't finished yet, and real people sit down to play them, break them, and help make them better. If you've ever wanted to try a game before anyone else gets to, this is the place.
Start Here
- Game Designers: Got a game that's even vaguely playable? Bring it. Get honest feedback and meet the people who can help you finish it. Everything designers need to know
- Artists & Professionals: Artists, editors, marketers, and other service providers: meet the designers who need your skills. Table time comes with your badge. Artists & Professionals
- Playtesters: You don't need to be a designer, and there's nothing to bring. Just sit down and play. Playtesting 101
- Sponsors: Help us keep the coffee flowing. Sponsor information
What to Expect
- Games at every stage. From "just the shell of a concept" to "final testing to see if anything was missed."
- Feedback that matters. Designers get real players. Players get a say in the games that hit the market. A game you play on Friday could be quite different by Sunday.
- A network, not just a game room. Artists, editors, marketers, and other people who want to work with designers will be right there.
- Coffee and snacks on us. Coffee Saturday and Sunday morning, drinks and snacks Saturday afternoon. No need to bring money for anything at the event. Dietary needs? See the FAQ.
- No vendors, no sales. Prototypes only. There is nothing to buy and take home, which makes the budget easy.
- Good timing. January lands right at the start of RIT's spring semester, which is a natural fit for student designers. It's also a very good excuse to spend a weekend indoors.
When
| |
Date |
Registration |
Game On! |
Doors Close |
| Friday |
January 22 |
2 PM - 8 PM |
3 PM - 11 PM |
Midnight |
| Saturday |
January 23 |
8 AM - 8 PM |
9 AM - 11 PM |
Midnight |
| Sunday |
January 24 |
8 AM - 2 PM |
9 AM - 6 PM |
7 PM |
Registration opens an hour before "Game On!" so we can ease into the day. Setting up a little early is fine, but you'll probably want to wait and ease in with us.
Badges
| |
Friday |
Saturday |
Sunday |
Weekend |
| Designer |
$20 |
$35 |
$25 |
$60 |
| Player |
$5 |
$10 |
$10 |
$20 |
| Artist / Professional |
$20 |
$20 |
$20 |
$45 |
Badge Details
- Day badges are good for the day printed on the badge.
- Weekend badges are good from the first "Game On!" to the last "Doors Close."
- Artists and Professionals: table time is included, and your badge lets you play games too. A day badge gets one 4-hour block, and a weekend badge gets two blocks on any days. You choose your slots when you register. Pick only what your badge includes: if you pick too many, you'll be removed from all of them until it's squared away. Table space is limited, so the number of badges is limited too.
- Designers: play tables are first come, first served. If you want a guaranteed spot, you can add a reserved 4-hour table block for $16.
- Parents and guardians: a free Guardian Pass lets you attend with your under-18 Player, Designer, or Artist / Professional. Guardians support their minor, and may join a game their minor designed or coach them in another designer's game. To play on your own, buy a Player badge.
- Changed your mind? Day badges can be upgraded to weekend badges at the event. You only pay the difference.
- Tabletop.Events fees are added at checkout. By purchasing a badge, you are agreeing to the Policies of this convention.
Getting Here
We're in the Iroquois Ballroom at the RIT Inn & Conference Center. Parking is free and plentiful. For the shortest walk, park at the far end of the hotel from the main entrance, come in through the double doors, and we're right down the hall. The venue details and map are below.
Questions?
Check the FAQ. Still stuck? Use the links in the Contact Us section or on the Games Over Coffee Discord server.
