August 2025 - Playtest games at Geeky Teas!

Players and game designers wanted for this open house style event!

Hi gamers! If you haven't attended First Play for the past few months, there have been a few changes! Peter will still be providing his guidance and leadership, but Damon and Cassandra are taking over primary moderation responsibility for these events. Please read the event schedule, and all members, new and old, should check out the Code of Conduct at the bottom of this text.

FEE: $8 to play at Geeky Teas - payable at the event to Geeky Teas at front desk. Once paid, you're covered to play games ALL DAY.

Games on the menu-

# Session One

The Island of Dr. Moreau
Designer: Harrison R
3-4 players
Each player is a scientist working under Dr. Moreau and must construct the strongest human-hybrid beast amongst the group using animal parts from 105 different apex predators.

Totally Normal Storage, Inc.
Designer: Jesse G
2-5 players
A medium-weight tableau-building game where players take on the role of shadowy corporations vying for government contracts to store mysterious objects of power. Underbid your competition, build your facility, manage the buildup of dangerous energies, and generate as much shareholder value as possible before the end of the world!

DARVO
Designer: Chris D
6 players
A party card game that invites players to embody the tactics of manipulation not to reinforce them, but to expose them. Inspired by the acronym Deny, Attack, Reverse Victim and Offender, this game holds a mirror to toxic communication dynamics in families, workplaces, relationships, and beyond.

Tangelo
Designer: Matthew A
5 players
Research new citrus varieties and cultivate your perfect orchard in this game of tangy strategy.

DMON: Doodle Monsters
Designer: Alex R
2-6 players
Doodle, upgrade & summon monsters to battle in the pit. Each victory secures one of your three DMON a spot within the DMON-Nomicon, card binder of myth. Boost your DMON’s Power with magic Brands and your own PAIN to knock your foes out.

Bankroll
Designer: Bob W
8 players
A party game with all the fun (hopefully) of casino Craps, without the less-fun aspects like calculating odds, paying antes, losing money, and player elimination.

# Session Two

Smoke and Sand
Designer: Matt B
2-3 players
At the edge of the Sand Sea, one player will take the role of the Guvna, attempting to take control of the city before it crumbles from without or within. The rest of the players will play as mercenary "Capitans", chasing the Guvna's bounties and risking their ships in the Sand Sea as they try to earn best reputation, whether or not the Guvna accomplishes their goal.

The Game Show Game
Designer: Joshua B.
6 players
Three game show-style modules! Next Slide Please (improv mayhem), Secret Santa (a bluffing showdown), and Rulette (wacky, ever-shifting rules).

Trick City Gang War
Designer: Nathan L.
2-5 players
A trick-taking area-control game where rival gangs vie for control of the city’s districts. The suits—Cats, Pigeons, Dogs, and Rats—each have unique ways of helping you take over the town.

Karakoram
Designer: Kevin F.
2-4 players
A deck-building game that loosely follows the geologic process to build an impressive mountain range.

Killing with Kindness
Designer: Manny V and Scott R
4 players
A 2-4 player game where players manage a cozy critter hotel by sending the shared staff to deliver sweet treats to the many adorable guests… in order to fatten them up to be devoured by the dark horrors dwelling in the basement! Hopefully they won’t gobble you up first!

Pattern Blue
Designer: Damon S
2-4 players
A cooperative card puzzle game involving card-driven communication. Themed around Evangelion.

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 *damon@ixiongameworks.com* and/or *cassandra@ixiongameworks.com*

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