What we’re about
Golden Gate Gamemakers is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization that brings together board game creators and players in the San Francisco Bay Area.
Together we run 200+ events a year all over the Bay Area, including: San Francisco, San Jose, Berkeley, Oakland, Redwood City, Palo Alto, Dublin, Fremont, Santa Cruz, Mill Valley, Petaluma, Concord, Mountain View, and more!
We support playtesting, co-working, promotional, and educational opportunities for tabletop gamemakers, as well as interested players. Help local designers make great games and have fun doing it!
Whether you are a first time or veteran game designer, industry professional, tabletop game enthusiast, casual player, or just want to check things out, we welcome you to our events and are happy to share our knowledge.
If you have any questions, please message @Velgus or your event host, or contact through our website.
Our Code of Conduct:
Code of Conduct - Living Document
Our Website:
Golden Gate Gamemakers
Our Discord:
Golden Gate Gamemakers
A tabletop game market where independent designers show off and sell their newest board/card games with an open play area.
Special guest is Ryan Goldsberry, the artist for board games such as Burgle Brothers, Paperback, and Fugitive!
Games available for reservation and purchase in person: https://www.gamemarketwest.com/fall-2025-games
Upcoming events (4+)
See all- Board Game Playtesting at Next Level Board Game Cafe Mountain View888 Villa St, Mountain View, CA
Come to Next Level Board Game Cafe in Downtown Mountain View every last Wednesday of the month to playtest some games in development!
This is a relaxed chance to try new board / card / tabletop games, get feedback on your own prototypes, and get advice on the game industry. New designers or interested playtesters welcome, no experience needed.
Please be courteous to other designers and stay to test their games if you are bringing your own prototype to be tested.
Point of contact and organizer: Ronald Melencio
- COST - FREE for all attendees!
- PARKING - Streets nearby and structures FREE after 6pm. Closest is LOT 1 Garage Parking, 13 Bryant St, Mountain View, CA 94041.
- CALTRAIN - Mountain View Station is a straight 7-minute walk away.
See GGG's full Code of Conduct here.
Up-to-date details and our many other events can be found at meetup.com/playgoldengate.
- Board Game Playtesting at Dogpatch Games (San Francisco)Dogpatch Games, San Francisco, CA
Welcome to the Golden Gate Gamemakers' board game playtesting event at Dogpatch Games in San Francisco!
We are a community of tabletop game designers & board game fanatics who meet monthly at Dogpatch Games (1095 Tennessee St. in San Francisco's Dogpatch district) to playtest each other's prototypes, provide feedback, help each other get published, and most importantly... have fun!
Whether you’re game is days away from Kickstarter, or just ideas on a napkin, or you just want to hangout and playtest other prototypes (we LOVE playtesters!)…all are welcome!
A few notes if this is your first time joining us:
- Our goal is to provide a community around creating new games. Every designer will get their prototype to the table. We give everyone the chance to play games and get their game played.
- Each designer gets equal time, which is about one hour. This includes rules explanations, gameplay, and time for feedback.
- Please arrive on time if you have a game to playtest. At the beginning of the night each designer will pitch their game to the group, then breakout into smaller groups. If you arrive and playtesting has already begun, we will try to accommodate you later in the evening.
- If your game requires more than one hour, or requires a player count of 6 or more, please contact us ahead of time so we can make arrangements.
- Please stay for as long as you can to playtest others’ games.
- When you arrive, please check in with the cashier and inform them you’re with the San Francisco Board Game Designers. Dogpatch Games charges customers an hourly fee (monthly subscriptions are available), but we have negotiated a flat rate of $12 per person you'll need to pay for the evening.
- Dogpatch Games does not yet sell food or drink, but outside food is very welcomed. There are many great options within a couple blocks.
- Street parking is readily available nearby. Or take BART to the Powell Street station and transfer to San Francisco Muni “T”-line and take that eastbound to 20th & 3rd Ave stop. Dogpatch Games is then one block away.
- Please no “blind playtesting”. You must teach your game yourself and not require playtesters to read rules during the event.
- This is an event for playtesting your game and gathering feedback, and not promoting your upcoming Kickstarter campaign.
- Reach out to Phil Schwarzmann (phillip.schwarzmann@gmail.com) or Jim McCollum (james.mccollum@gmail.com) for any questions.
Looking forward to seeing you there!!
Phil & Jim
See GGG's full Code of Conduct here.
Up-to-date details and our many other events can be found at meetup.com/playgoldengate.
- PacifiCon Game Expo Day 1 - Board Game Con and Protospiel - Santa ClaraSanta Clara Marriott, Santa Clara, CA
Pacificon Game Expo is happening Labor Day weekend! This board game convention runs all sorts of the game-related and geeky events, along with a plentiful game library and open gaming space, with a great community vibe.
Of special note to this group is the Protospiel board game playtesting area running every day of the convention! This is your chance to try new board / card / tabletop games in development, get feedback on your own prototypes, and get advice on the game industry. Designers and interested players welcome, no experience needed.
Cost: This event if FREE, but you MUST have a Pacificon day or weekend pass to enter the convention.
Location: Santa Clara Marriott - 2700 Mission College Boulevard, Santa Clara, California, 95054. Protospiel is in California Ballroom 1-3.
Hours: The con is open from Friday morning until Monday evening. The Protospiel will be officially open during the following hours:
- Friday: 12pm-11pm
- Saturday: 9am-11pm
- Sunday: 9am-11pm
- Monday: 9am-3pm
Participation: Any designers and interested players are welcome to attend, no experience needed.
Designers can run their prototypes of tabletop games on any open tables. Tables are generally not reserved and not exclusive - designers are expected to share table access with other designers throughout the con. There may be some scheduled playtests that were submitted online through the convention website well in advance. Prototypes can be in any stage. Playtesting is the focus, don't run games that are finished or not open to changes. Event staff reserve the right to exclude prototypes that are deemed inappropriate or offensive.
Players can hop in any games that interest them. This is your chance to see creative new ideas and make an impact on their gameplay. As an extra incentive, players can win sweet raffle prizes.
Point Team Lead: Scott Caputo
- PacifiCon Game Expo Day 2 - Board Game Con and Protospiel - Santa ClaraSanta Clara Marriott, Santa Clara, CA
Pacificon Game Expo is happening Labor Day weekend! This board game convention runs all sorts of the game-related and geeky events, along with a plentiful game library and open gaming space, with a great community vibe.
Of special note to this group is the Protospiel board game playtesting area running every day of the convention! This is your chance to try new board / card / tabletop games in development, get feedback on your own prototypes, and get advice on the game industry. Designers and interested players welcome, no experience needed.
Cost: This event if FREE, but you MUST have a Pacificon day or weekend pass to enter the convention.
Location: Santa Clara Marriott - 2700 Mission College Boulevard, Santa Clara, California, 95054. Protospiel is in California Ballroom 1-3.
Hours: The con is open from Friday morning until Monday evening. The Protospiel will be officially open during the following hours:
- Friday: 12pm-11pm
- Saturday: 9am-11pm
- Sunday: 9am-11pm
- Monday: 9am-3pm
Participation: Any designers and interested players are welcome to attend, no experience needed.
Designers can run their prototypes of tabletop games on any open tables. Tables are generally not reserved and not exclusive - designers are expected to share table access with other designers throughout the con. There may be some scheduled playtests that were submitted online through the convention website well in advance. Prototypes can be in any stage. Playtesting is the focus, don't run games that are finished or not open to changes. Event staff reserve the right to exclude prototypes that are deemed inappropriate or offensive.
Players can hop in any games that interest them. This is your chance to see creative new ideas and make an impact on their gameplay. As an extra incentive, players can win sweet raffle prizes.
Point Team Lead: Scott Caputo
