The Game Crafter

Protospiel Madison is right around the corner, coming up on Nov 13th, 2026.

If you are a game designer looking to get professional level feedback from other designers there is no better place to get that feedback.

If you're a gamer who likes to try out new things, then Protospiel is also likely the best experience you'll have.

If you are ready for a weekend of fun, head over and get your badge before they are sold out: https://tabletop.events/conventions/protospiel-madison-2026

Get a month of advertising for your game over at FatherGeek.com! Bid here: https://tgc.link/fathergeek_auction_92126

The 2nd BoardSprints competition only has 14 spots left! Registration closes end of Sept 17th! There are people all over the world joining, including from Germany, Canada, U.S., and Belgium!

Experience a board game design challenge built to grow your game design skills. You'll receive a mystery package, then have 2 weeks to design a game using them. More info at: www.boardsprints.com

The smorgasbord is open at Chicago

There is a new TGC auction for 20 credits to Playtest Parlor. Have you wanted to try Playtest Parlor? Well this is your chance! Win this auction and receive a code for 20 credits, that is good for 20 playtest sessions for your game. Join the auction here https://tgc.link/playtest_parlor_auction_1 https://playtestparlor.com/pricing

Thank to The Baron's Game Room for hosting us at MiracleCon where nearly $16,000 was raised for the Children's Miracle Network, which benefits Oklahoma Children's Hospital.

Don't forget to get your badge and book your hotel before it is too late! https://tabletop.events/conventions/protospiel-madison-2026

We will be offering will-call pickup for orders at Protospiel Chicago.

To be eligible, your order will need to be completed by Sept 9th. When placing your urgent order, make sure that:

You add an order note "Protospiel Chicago Will-Call"Make sure to select Will-Call as your shipping option.Confirm the estimated ship date is on or before September 9.

Game in Lab’s international call for projects is open once again in 2026, to researchers from all over the world and aims to support the production of scientific knowledge about board games. Game in Lab has already supported more than 30 researchers through previous international calls for projects.

https://www.game-in-lab.org/en/international-call-for-projects

Every year at Protospiel Madison, we offer prizes if you play Mad Bingo. Mad Bingo has squares about various mechanics, themes and components you might see while playtesting games. If you get a bingo, you could walk away with a new game, dice, and lots of other fun prizes!

Our sponsors for Mad Bingo include Noble Night Games, Atlas Games, AEG, Thunderworks Games, Paverson Games, Prolific Games/Left Justified Studio, Play to Z, Rio Grande Games, Rampage Games, Castillo Games, IV Studio, Cavernwire Games and The Game Crafter.

You can be sure that there will be a lot of amazing prizes with sponsors like those!