Gaming Groups Near Me

CABS Boardgaming Saturday Meeting 9/12

CABS Saturday game day ... join us for a hour or two / a game or two / or the entire day !!! YOUR first visit is free and fun!!!

Prototype, Play, and Build Workshops (In-Person @GameArena)

We're going to GameArena! We'll be in-person at the GameArena Gateway for our monthly COGG Prototype and Play event. Come to play and showcase your games! We're back in the upper levels of the catwalk area. It'll be packed with lots of camaraderie playing your game(s) and other's games on the 2nd floor. Light snacks and water provided but you can buy food and drinks at the bar (alcoholic drink ID required). [www.game-arena.co](http://www.game-arena.co/) **Attendees:** Don't have a game to show? Not a problem! All are welcomed and invited from all ages and backgrounds. The more we can have to play test our games is all the better! **Developers:** Do you have a game that you would like to get critical feedback on? Would you like an excuse to work on a game with other talented artists, programmers, musicians, designers, and writers? Digital, table-top, non-experienced developers, and the like are welcomed! We'll provide signage for your game to help others learn more about your work. Wifi, outlets, tables, and seats (though standing tables also) are available. Come to the Prototype and Play workshop to collaborate and meet local game developers for an evening of epic and raw game play fun! Play works-in-progress, show off your own game, work with others to add polish to a game, or even lend your talents to other fellow developers. For this event, light snacks from the bar and water will be provided! Though you can purchase you own if you like at the bar: [https://www.game-arena.co/menu](https://www.game-arena.co/menu) Can use South Garage at the Gateway with a $5 voucher on your way out. 75 E 11th Ave, Columbus, OH 43201 [https://maps.app.goo.gl/UwgveUYG37Jy7RtS9](https://maps.app.goo.gl/UwgveUYG37Jy7RtS9) If you have any questions or comments, as always, feel free to reach out to us at [info@thecogg.com!](http://info@thecogg.com!/)

CABS Boardgaming Friday - 9/18

Join us Friday 9/18 for a great afternoon / evening of gaming. Your first visit is free and fun!!! Only 2222+ games in our onsite library to choose from !!!

Board games at The Forge

The Forge does have a full bar and kitchen. There is no cover charge but they do request all attendees to purchase a minimum of ~20 per person. Soft drink refills are 1 each. Please support our hosts so we can continue to provide great events for the group! The Forge has a large library of games available for us to enjoy. Hosts and regulars will also provide numerous popular games but please bring any games you would like to teach and/or play. Doors open at 6, and we expect gaming to be rolling by around 630. Please promptly end your games and clear out the space at 10pm when the bar closes. We encourage socializing but do not permit disruptive behavior of any kind. Thank you for your continued commitment to providing a fun and welcoming space to veteran, newbie, and rookie gamers in the Columbus area. Parking can sometimes fill esrly. There is additional parking lot behind the neighboring Mexican restaurant that is free and easy to walk from but it's a bit hidden.

CABS Friday Boardgaming 9/25

CABS Friday Boardgaming 9/25 - your first visit is free. Join us for a day of boardgaming !!! We have 2222+ games onsite for playing ...

Open-Table RPG Meetup!

Try new games, meet new people, and find out what story games are all about! Explore the reaches of space! Witness kingdoms rise and fall! Create and explore tragedies! All within a single game night. We play story games like Fiasco, Kingdom, Polaris and Microscope that encourage everyone at the table to participate creatively. We also have one-shots of indie, OSR, and narrative-focused RPGs such as Apocalypse World, Dread, Lady Blackbird, and Old School Essentials! Everybody's welcome! It doesn't matter if you've never tried story games before or never played roleplaying games at all! Just bring your brain and a good attitude and come try it out! *** **IMPORTANT** * When you arrive look for the marked Story Games Columbus Tables. Each table will have a separate game. Seating is on a first-come-first-serve basis. * If all tables are full, look for a Facilitator. We will find a way to get you into a game! * There is a flat $3 cover charge for events at Tabletop. *** **Facilitators!!** Please arrive early so that we can get you set up with a table. Please reach out to me ASAP if you would be willing to help facilitate. You can reach me on the SGC Discord here - https://discord.gg/jUTvWUu

DOTS 101: Entities, Jobs, and Why They Are Fast

This meetup is a hands-on workshop on Unity's Data-Oriented Tech Stack - the Job System, Burst, and ECS. Instead of slides or theory-heavy lectures, we build the same game three times and watch the frame time drop each pass. The format is structured but interactive. You'll see a short demo of each idea, then write the code yourself with guidance, and we'll compare numbers before moving on. By the end you'll have a top-down arena running 5,000 enemies, and you'll know which of the two performance problems each DOTS piece actually solves. **What to Expect:** * Build one game three ways: plain MonoBehaviours, then jobs plus Burst, then full ECS * Profile each version yourself and see where the time goes * The Job System, Burst, Collections, and Mathematics, what each is for and when to reach for it * Entities, components, and systems, plus baking and sub scenes * No prior DOTS experience required; comfort with C# is enough * Checkpoint files provided if you fall behind * Resources for continued learning All experience levels are welcome. Whether you've never installed the Entities package or just want to fill gaps in your knowledge, this is a supportive space to learn by doing. **Food and drinks provided. Bring a laptop with Unity 6 installed. Join us to learn, build, and make things go fast.**

Board games at The Forge

**Cost**: We do not require a fee to attend the events and The Forgehas graciously reserved us space to mee. We urge everyone to take full advantage of their drink selection and restaurant menu. The Forge has a variety of alcoholic and non-alcoholic options. does have a full bar and kitchen. in order to keep the event free, we want to average $20 per person. Soft drink refills are 1 each and we encourage you to try the mocktails as a level up! Please support our hosts so we can continue to provide great events for the group! **Parking**: We ask all attendees to park in the overflow lot located behind the Mexican restaurant next door unless of course you have mobility needs and need to park in the Forge Lot out front. **Gaming**: The Forge has a large library of games available for us to enjoy. Hosts and regulars will also provide numerous popular games but please bring any games you would like to teach and/or play. **when you arrive**: The Forge staff can direct you to our reserved area and a group event host can help you find a table and get going on something fun! Doors open at 6, and we expect gaming to be rolling by around 630. Please promptly end your games and clear out the space at 10pm when the bar closes. **Prohibited behavior** We encourage socializing but do not permit disruptive behavior of any kind. This includes especially, harassment or disrespectful behavior towards attendees and Forge staff. Thank you for your continued commitment to providing a fun and welcoming space to veteran, newbie, and rookie gamers in the Columbus area.

September 24th Meetup - TBD

**Important time note:** Please plan on arriving between 5:30 and 6:00 as the elevators lock after 6 and you'll need to message us and we'll need to come get you. The building address is 4450 Bridge Park The entrance is 6620 Mooney St, Suite 400 You will need to scan your ID at the door to get a visitor badge. **Abstract** *TBD* **YouTube Link** TBD

Columbus Chess Club

This is a time where players of all ages, and skill levels can gather and enjoy a nice Sunday full of Chess!

Columbus Mastering the Art of Character Immersion

If you have ever been curious about how to bring a character to life on the tabletop or in a live action setting, this masterclass is for you. We are getting together in Columbus to break down the techniques behind effective character immersion. Whether you are a veteran player looking to refine your portrayal or someone new to the hobby who wants to feel more confident in a costume, this session will focus on the practical side of developing a persona that feels grounded and consistent. We will spend our time covering physical presence, voice work, and the mental framing required to stay in character when things get hectic. This is a low-pressure environment meant for shared learning, so expect a mix of brief demonstrations and open discussion. We want to help you build a toolkit that makes your next experience more engaging for both you and the people you play with. If you are interested in joining us, please grab a spot on the RSVP list so we can get an accurate headcount for the space. [\[RSVP Online Now\]](https://marycarter7498.com/product)

Brews and Board Games: The Forge Tavern (Spending Required)