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
Upcoming events (4+)
See all- Board Game Playtesting - Online!Link visible for attendees
The Golden Gate Gamemakers would like you to join us ONLINE to playtest board games in development!
When: The last Monday of each month from 7-10 pm PT we host an evening of virtual board game playtesting.
Where: Join the GGG Discord Server and visit the "Lobby" and Room voice channels between 7-10 pm PT.
Who: We welcome you whether you're a designer with a prototype, an interested playtester, or you'd just like to observe and check things out.
Prerequisites: No experience needed. Connect, play, and give feedback - let's make better games together and have fun doing it!
Web: To lower any barriers, we encourage the use of web-based digital prototypes built on Screentop or PlayingCards IO.
Format: Each session we will rotate through games and share constructive feedback to help designers refine their games. If we don't get to your game, you'll be prioritized next meetup.
RSVP: Appreciated but not required.
Organizers: Greg Pool (Haole Boy Games) and Jason Parmele (The Misplay).
Cost: Our Discord server is FREE to join and use. Digital playtesting platforms like Screentop and PlayingCards IO have basic plans that are free for playtesters and designers.
Rules: GGG's Code of Conduct.
More events: More GGG events at meetup.com/playgoldengate.
- Board Game Playtesting at Victory Point Cafe Berkeley - 1st WednesdaysVictory Point Cafe, Berkeley, CA
Come to Victory Point Cafe in Berkeley to playtest some games in development! This event is twice a month, 1st Wednesdays and 3rd Mondays, and exists as two separate listings on our meetup.
This is a relaxed chance to try new board / card / tabletop games, get feedback on your own prototypes, and learn about the game industry. Designers and interested players 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.
Drop in and out any time and participate as much as you'd like, and just observing is fine too. RSVPing is appreciated but not required.
Organizers: Glenn and Velgus
- COST - Participants may pay the regular $12/person reserved gaming fee or waive it by buying at least two menu items from the cafe. Pay or start a tab at the front counter upon entering.
- PARKING - Street meters should be free from 6pm onwards. There is free street parking on the street behind the venue and on surrounding streets during the day and evening.
- BART - Downtown Berkeley BART station is a straight 8-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 Designers' Coworking Meetup - San FranciscoSaluhall Market, San Francisco, CA
Gather at Saluhall SF (2nd floor) for a day brimming with creativity and collaboration at the Board Game Designers' Coworking Meetup. We meet every 1st Saturday of the month (drop in and out anytime). This is a unique relaxed opportunity to work on your projects surrounded by peers who share your passion for game design. This is your chance to get valuable feedback, share resources, and perhaps even find collaborators for your next big game idea. Playtesting is welcome, though that isn't the focus of this event. This is free to attend, yet please consider buying some delicious food and drinks while here to support the venue.
What to Bring (optional): laptop, prototypes, sketches, ideas, components (components will also be provided by the host).
Hosts: Tristan and Lucas
BART: Powell Street station, exit onto Market Street, and walk half a block south to Saluhall.
Parking: Limited street parking.
1. 6x6 SF Parking Garage 440 Stevenson - 1hr validation with $15 purchase at Saluhall.
2. SF City Parking 25 Mason St
3. 5th & Mission Yerba Buena Garage 833 Mission St
4. California Parking 199 Turk St.PLEASE RSVP so I can get a headcount and we can get the tables we need!
Code of Conduct:
GGG Code of Conduct
Also there are some additional rules to highlight for this event:
1. NO PREJUDICE. It does NOT matter whether you're a veteran or a newbie in the industry. We are all equals in this space.
2. ZERO TOLERANCE against discrimination -- this does not just include the typical forms of discrimination (e.g. racial, gender, sexual orientation, etc) but also the atypical forms (e.g. age, competitive/casual, serious/jovial, neurodivergence, complexity preferences, etc).
3. CONSTRUCTIVE CRITICISM is welcome! This is a space where we should be 100% honest with each other about our prototypes. DO NOT use this as an opportunity to provide criticism about an individual. DO use this as an opportunity to provide criticism about games.
