First Play: L.A. Board Game Playtesters

DESIGNER SIGN UP: If you have a game to test during session one or two signup here:
Fill out the form here- First Play Paper Hero's Designer Signup
Note there is a 1 hour session and a 2 hour session. Your game will be assigned to whichever session is more suitable. Very short games (20min or less) should be brought to Open Play instead. Please note new members must come to First Play as a playtester at least once before having the opportunity to run a game.

SCHEDULE:
Game days have 3 segments. You do not need to come for the whole day! However, it is good etiquette if you are testing your own game to stay and test at least one other designer's game as well.

OPEN PLAY TESTING 2:00pm - 3:00 pm
This is unstructured play time, ideal for very short games (20min or less), or games requiring 1-2 players. If you're a designer check in with me and then grab an available table and let people know you are looking for players. If you're a player, just sit down at a game and play!

SESSION ONE 3:15pm - 4:15pm
New Salem (Brian Henk): Figure out who’s a witch and put them on trial! 4-6 players.

Seize All Critters (Chris Lawrence): Multivictor trading game where players are collecting pun-based elemental critters. 3-6 players.

Shared Interest (Joseph Bugbee): A lightweight set collection game about getting other people to share your hobbies for points! It focuses on a fun help-the-loser reversal of the traditional crabs in a pot take on set collection.

Tridecco (Ted Yu): Tridecco is a new, competitive puzzle board game for 2-4 players, ages 5 and up. This strategic game, based on the newly-discovered 13-sided Einstein shape (discovered in 2023), challenges players to improve their spatial reasoning and visualization skills.

SESSION TWO 4:30pm - 6:30pm
Casey Jones (Brian Upton): Race steam locomotives around 1900 America. Deliver cargo and buy railroads. 3-6 players.

City$cape (Michael Abel/Peter Lawrence): Like a cross between Aquire And a standard board game but with multiple options per turn. 2-6 players.

Movie Mogul (Steve 3 Ehrensperger): Assemble the cast and crew for movies in a set-collecting game with bidding and a dash of negotiation.

Scheduled sessions are the core of First Play! There is a 1 hour session and a 2 hour session. Before each session designers will be asked to give an 'elevator pitch' of their game, after which players can decide which game they want to play. Sessions are ideal for games that are 20-90 minutes. After play, be sure to leave time to give and receive feedback!

SPECIAL NOTES: No fee to play, and you're welcome to stay and play until the store closes at 10PM.

Please read these guides, especially if you are new to design or playtesting-
How to do better playtesting!
How to explain rules for your confusing game prototype!

Code of Conduct Rules

1. Be kind.
2. Seriously, be even more kind than you think you need to be.
3. Read the guidelines for giving and receiving feedback.
4. Respect the rules of our venues (Geeky Teas, Paper Heroes, Odyssey, etc). We will continue to be welcome as long as we continue to be good guests.
5. New members must come to First Play as a playtester at least once before having the opportunity to run a game.
6. If you have RSVP'd to run a game, show up for your time slot. If you do not show up for your time slot, you will get a strike against you. Three strikes and moderators will discuss next steps with you about if you will be allowed to continue running games.
7. Be respectful of other community members- give as much as you receive. Playtest other peoples' games, not just your own.
8. In the case of an unresolvable or continuing conflict, please let a moderator know so we can determine next steps.
9. You will receive a warning if a legitimate complaint is lodged against you. In the case of a continuous issue, a group of at least 3 moderators will discuss and determine next steps. Consistent bad behavior will lead to a group ban.

See you soon!

Have questions?
For FAQ's, please see here - First Play FAQ’s
For a specific question please email *chris@eternalstudios.com*
For community conversations join the Cardboard Alchemy Discord: https://discord.gg/2pYk3TT - find the #first-play-la-chat channel!

Fill out the form here- First Play Designer Signup
Please read the descriptions of each time to determine if your game is appropriate for a scheduled session. Please note new members must come to First Play as a playtester at least once before having the opportunity to run a game.

SCHEDULE:
Game days have 3 segments. You do not need to come for the whole day! However, it is good etiquette if you are testing your own game to stay and test at least one other designer's game as well.

11:00am - 1:00 pm
OPEN PLAY TESTING
This is unstructured play time, ideal for short games (45min or less), 2 player games, and games that require a quieter environment. If you're a designer, grab an available table and let people know you are looking for players. If you're a player, just sit down at a game and play!

SESSION ONE 1:15pm - 3:15pm
SESSION TWO 3:30pm - 5:30pm
Scheduled sessions are the core of First Play! Each event we have two scheduled sessions, with about 5-7 games running during each time slot. Following moderator announcements, each designer running a game will have the opportunity to do an 'elevator pitch' to players. After which, players decide which game they want to play. Sessions are ideal for games that are 60-90 minutes, and have been playtested at least once before. After play, be sure to leave time to give and receive feedback. Oh, and sometimes we give away prizes!

5:30-6:30pm
DINNER BREAK

6:30-10pm
THE SKUNKWORKS
This is unstructured time to test your wildest ideas. Bring the game that may break in 5 minutes, the one that requires 10 people, or the one that may involve crawling on the ground. Bring objects that could be games, half-baked ideas, and untested print and plays. Take risks, be silly, and most importantly, have fun!

SPECIAL NOTES: No outside food is permitted but there are snacks/drinks sold at Geeky Teas. Also, FYI - There are cats at the store, roaming but keep to themselves.

Please read these guides, especially if you are new to design or playtesting-
How to do better playtesting!
How to explain rules for your confusing game prototype!

Code of Conduct Rules

1. Be kind.
2. Seriously, be even more kind than you think you need to be.
3. Read the guidelines for giving and receiving feedback.
4. Respect the rules of our venues (Geeky Teas, Paper Heroes, Odyssey, etc). We will continue to be welcome as long as we continue to be good guests.
5. New members must come to First Play as a playtester at least once before having the opportunity to run a game.
6. If you have RSVP'd to run a game, show up for your time slot. If you do not show up for your time slot, you will get a strike against you. Three strikes and moderators will discuss next steps with you about if you will be allowed to continue running games.
7. Be respectful of other community members- give as much as you receive. Playtest other peoples' games, not just your own.
8. In the case of an unresolvable or continuing conflict, please let a moderator know so we can determine next steps.
9. You will receive a warning if a legitimate complaint is lodged against you. In the case of a continuous issue, a group of at least 3 moderators will discuss and determine next steps. Consistent bad behavior will lead to a group ban.

See you soon!

Have questions?

For FAQ's, please see here - First Play FAQ’s

For a specific question please email cassandra@ixiongameworks.com

For community conversations join the Cardboard Alchemy Discord: https://discord.gg/2pYk3TT - find the #first-play-la-chat channel!