About us
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
Featured event
DunDraCon Board Game Convention and Protospiel
Santa Clara Marriot, 2700 Mission College Blvd, Santa Clara, CA 95054
DunDraCon board game convention returns for its 49th year this February 13-16! This convention includes:
- Board / Card / Tabletop games
- Historical, Fantasty, and Misc Miniatures games
- RPGs, LARPS
- Protospiel Board Game Playtesting
- Dealers Room, Flea Market, and Auction
- Seminars and Workshops
- Special Events
- Open Gaming
- And More!
More information and tickets available at the convention's website here!
Protospiel Board Game Playtesting
Of special note to our GGG group is the Protospiel board game playtesting being run every day at the con! You must have a convention badge to participate in Protospiel (which is no additional cost).
Drop in and out anytime throughout the weekend! The Protospiel Room estimated hours are 10am-11pm each day.
Designers and interested players are welcome to attend, no experience needed. Staff will be on hand to welcome you, help coordinate, and share their game making knowledge.
Designers can run their prototypes of tabletop games on any open tables. Tables are not reserved and not exclusive - designers are expected to share table access with other designers throughout the con. Prototypes can be in any stage. Playtesting is the focus, don't run games that are finished or not open to changes. Designers are encouraged to register their prototypes here. Staff reserves the right to exclude prototypes that are deemed inappropriate or offensive.
Players can hop in any games that interest them. This is your chance to see creative new ideas and make an impact on their gameplay. As an extra incentive, you'll earn raffle tickets for playtesting to win board games and related prizes.
DunDraCon Protospiel is being run as a con event and falls under the convention's Harassment Policy. GGG is a sponsor and co-running the event.
GGG Team: Velgus, Glenn, Chaz
Upcoming events
207
Board Game Playtesting at Crooked Goat Brewing Petaluma - 1st Mondays
Crooked Goat Brewing, 110 Howard St, Petaluma, CA, USCome to Crooked Goat Brewing in Petaluma every 1st and 3rd Mondays to playtest some games in development! (there is a separate meetup post for both 1st Mondays and 3rd Mondays)
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.
Organizer: Jestin Brooks
- COST - Free! However you are encouraged to buy some of their delicious food and drinks.
- PARKING - They have parking at the taproom and in front of the City Hall lawn on English Street. There is also lots of nearby free parking in the Keller Street Parking Garage.
See GGG's full code of conduct here.
Up-to-date details and our many other events can be found at meetup.com/playgoldengate
1 attendee
Board Game Playtesting at Victory Point Cafe Berkeley - 1st Wednesdays
Victory Point Cafe, 1797 Shattuck Ave. Ste A, Berkeley, CA, USCome 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.
8 attendees![Rulebook workshop [Online]](https://secure.meetupstatic.com/photos/event/9/e/a/highres_532142538.jpeg)
Rulebook workshop [Online]
·OnlineOnlineThis event will take place in our community Discord, which you can find on our website.
On Thursday February 5th starting at 6:30pm will be hosting a rulebook workshop event.
Get feedback and workshop your rulebooks with our community!
Please submit your rulebooks ahead of time, by joining our discord and finding the Google Form link in the discord event.
Please note:
- Only rulebooks submitted through the form above will be reviewed and given feedback.
- You must be in attendance during the event to have your rulebook reviewed.
- Rulebooks will be given feedback in the order in which they were received.Host: Zach
2 attendees
Board Game Designers' Coworking Meetup - San Francisco
Saluhall Market, 945 Market Street, San Francisco, CA, USGather 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.Up-to-date details and our many other events can be found at meetup.com/playgoldengate
2 attendees
Past events
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