What we’re about
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
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Board Game Playtesting at Peoples Coffee in Santa Cruz
People's Coffee, 1200 17th Ave #130, Santa Cruz, CA 95062, Santa Cruz, CA, USCome to Peoples Coffee, the official Santa Cruz location for the Southmost events for the Golden Gate Gamemakers! Come join us as a branch under GGG known as Game Designers of Santa Cruz!
It's a relaxed chance to try new board games and card games, get feedback on your own prototypes if you are a game designer, and get advice on the games industry. New designers and interested players welcome!
Please be courteous to other designers and stay to test their games if you are bringing your prototype to be tested.
We run a small raffle thru the sign in sheet each night for participants to win new and used board game prizes.
This is also Peoples Coffees first events they have held! They are generously keeping all services of food and drink available through the entire 6pm to 10pm event! They normally close at 5:30. Thank you Peoples Coffee! For all of our events at Peoples, affogatos (ice cream and espresso) are half off!
We now have a Game Library located inside Peoples for anyone to use any time they are open!
**Cost**
This is a completely free event! Attendees are encouraged to buy some delicious drinks and food from Peoples Coffee.
**Parking / Travel**
You can park in the main parking lot in front of Peoples Coffee. There is a also side parking behind Peoples, and around the residential area. You are also free to park across the street near Salsas Taco Bar.
See GGG's full code of conduct here.
Up-to-date details and our many other events can be found at meetup.com/playgoldengate
Point of contact and organizer: Courtney Laschkewitsch20 attendees
Board Game Playtesting at Black Diamond Games Concord
Black Diamond Games, 1950 Market St suite e, Concord, CA, USCome to Black Diamond Games in Concord to playtest some games in development! This event is 3rd Thursdays and run along the regular board game night - you may participate in both.
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 any time, and leave when you'd like. RSVPing by using the Attend button through Meetup is very appreciated, yet we get walk-ins and those that don't RSVP all the time.
Organizer: Velgus
- COST - The store charges $5 to access their regular Board Game Night. Anyone attending board game night may freely participate as a designer and/or player for Board Game Playtesting being run in the same area upstairs.
- PARKING - Free and plentiful parking in adjacent lot.
See GGG's full code of conduct here.
Up-to-date details and our many other events can be found at meetup.com/playgoldengate2 attendees
Board Game Playtesting at Crooked Goat Brewing Petaluma - 3rd 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/playgoldengate3 attendees
Board Game Playtesting at Victory Point Cafe Berkeley - 3rd Mondays
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.4 attendees
Past events
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