January 2026 - Paper Hero's Games Playtesting!

NOTE: Apologies for the shorter notice than usual. As a result I'll be closing the sign-ups and RSVPSs later than usual and not posting the schedule here until day of (though I'll confirm people as the sign-ups come in). In addition if you have a game but don't get a chance to sign-up I'd recommend bringing it day of, and I might be able to slip you in.

Players and game designers wanted for this open house style event!
Hey everyone, Chris here! I'm going to be hosting a Saturday playtesting event at Paper Hero's Games in Santa Monica again, and both players and designers are wanted!

DESIGNER SIGN UP: If you have a game to test during session one or two signup here:
Fill out the form here- First Play LA Designer Sign-Up
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, if you are testing your own game you should 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
(Session One subject to change.)

Blood & Wishes (Christopher Poole): In this simple card game, you take on the role of a monster hunter in a dark fairy tale world as you compete for kills with your fellow hunters, lay traps, and give gifts with ulterior motives.

The Island of Dr. Moreau (Harrison Reishman): A card drafting, beast battling, strategy game where you compete against your colleagues for scientific supremacy by crafting the strongest, most resilient, abomination.

NecRomantic (Matt Bahntge): Assemble mates to go on dates in this deck builder where you'll dig up graves in search of love.

SESSION TWO 4:30pm - 6:30pm
Death of a Monarch (Craig): Death of a Monarch is a 2-4 engine builder and negotiation game where the players take the role of Ministers building a Kingdom together while trying to place themselves on top. Players contribute to one big engine builder, relying on each other to produce necessary resources for the Kingdom.

Dungeon Dodgeball (Joseph Bugabee): A DND esque head to head dodgeball match. Build a team of 5 heroes leveling up and matching race synergies to unlock benefits. Then play a tactical dodgeball match leveraging field bonuses and targeting tactics to win!

NBA Draft Night (Sonny Priest): NBA Draft themed economic engine/worker development game. Draft and development a basketball team in the race for a championship.

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!