GOLDEN GATE GAMEMAKERS INC

Golden Gate Gamemakers provides playtesting and promotional opportunities, education, and resources. We run 200+ in-person events a year and have a free Discord server where our community can connect virtually. Designers, publishers, game industry folk, players, and those just curious about board games are all wecome, no experience needed. First time designers along with industry veterans are excited to share their games and knowledge. Anyone can be a designer or playtester, including you!

Our community is focused on creating tabletop games – that is, games with physical interactions typically played on a table. This includes many different types of games such as board, card, dice, role playing games, and even some adjacent things like escape-room-in-a-box and narrative adventures. Game categories vary widely, from one minute party, family weight strategy, and long complex war games, really whatever designers can dream up.

A core part of GGG is developing games from initial idea to finished gameplay, which involves lots of playtesting. A playtest is where a designer runs their prototype game in development with other players to gather feedback, learning what works well and what needs improvement. These are game projects in progress, so they can range anywhere from a near complete polished game to something that was thought up and scribbled down five minutes ago. Most prototypes will be very basic looking as well, having placeholder graphics and game components. Playtesting someone’s game can be very rewarding: you’ll get an early look at a new creative idea, make a big impact on gameplay, practice critical thinking and social skills, and meet new people – plus you’ll often have fun playing the game too.

The best games are yet to be made. Join us at the table, and let’s make them together.