Golden Gate Gamemakers

LAST MEETUP AT NEXT LEVEL.

UPDATE: Next Level will be closing its doors at the end of March.

Since its opening at the end of 2023, Next Level has done an outstanding job in welcoming both the local gamer and designer community. If you had a great time at Next Level, please consider going and showing your support in its last days. Whether that's buying a game, coming in for a snack, or just telling the owners (Rebecca and Sean) how much the space impacted your gaming experience.

-Ronald

This is a relaxed chance to try new board / card / tabletop games, get feedback on your own prototypes, and get advice on the game industry. New designers or interested playtesters 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

Point of contact and organizer: Ronald Melencio

*COST - FREE for all attendees

• PARKING - Streets nearby and structures FREE after 6pm. Closest is LOT 1 Garage Parking, 13 Bryant St, Mountain View, CA 94041
• CALTRAIN - Mountain View Station is a straight 7-minute walk away
• OTHER PUBLIC TRANSIT - VTA and buses are available

Welcome to the Golden Gate Gamemakers' board game playtesting event at Dogpatch Games in San Francisco! We meet last Thursdays 6pm-10pm.

We are a community of tabletop game designers & board game fanatics who meet monthly at Dogpatch Games (1095 Tennessee St. in San Francisco's Dogpatch district) to playtest each other's prototypes, provide feedback, help each other get published, and most importantly... have fun!

Whether you’re game is days away from Kickstarter, or just ideas on a napkin, or you just want to hangout and playtest other prototypes (we LOVE playtesters!)…all are welcome!

A few notes if this is your first time joining us:

- Our goal is to provide a community around creating new games. Every designer will get their prototype to the table. We give everyone the chance to play games and get their game played.

- Each designer gets equal time, which is about one hour. This includes rules explanations, gameplay, and time for feedback.

- Please arrive on time if you have a game to playtest. At the beginning of the night each designer will pitch their game to the group, then breakout into smaller groups. If you arrive and playtesting has already begun, we will try to accommodate you later in the evening.

- If your game requires more than one hour, or requires a player count of 6 or more, please contact us ahead of time so we can make arrangements.

- Please stay for as long as you can to playtest others’ games.

- When you arrive, please check in with the cashier and inform them you’re with the San Francisco Board Game Designers. Dogpatch Games charges customers an hourly fee (monthly subscriptions are available), but we have negotiated a flat rate of $12 per person you'll need to pay for the evening.

- Dogpatch Games does not yet sell food or drink, but outside food is very welcomed. There are many great options within a couple blocks.

- Street parking is readily available nearby. Or take BART to the Powell Street station and transfer to San Francisco Muni “T”-line and take that eastbound to 20th & 3rd Ave stop. Dogpatch Games is then one block away.

- Please no “blind playtesting”. You must teach your game yourself and not require playtesters to read rules during the event.

- This is an event for playtesting your game and gathering feedback, and not promoting your upcoming Kickstarter campaign.

- Reach out to Phil Schwarzmann (phillip.schwarzmann@gmail.com) or for any questions.

Looking forward to seeing you there!!
Phil

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.

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.