As any Alumni will tell you, Protospiel weekend is as much about networking and making new friends as it is about gathering feedback.
Those who have had the chance to attend a Protospiel in person are likely to have bumped into friends at the coffee station in the playtesting hall and enjoyed catching up over a hot beverage — and maybe even a breakfast pastry if they got there early enough!
We created the Coffee Talk Voice channel in our Discord server as a tip of the hat to our fond memories of the coffee tables at Protospiels and to create a space for us to make new memories with new friends in an online setting.
Coffee Talk Schedule
During convention open hours, Coffee Talk Voice is the place inside our Discord server for large-group socialization outside of active playtesting. You can always come and go from Coffee Talk as your time allows.
None of the conversations in the Coffee Talk voice channel are recorded for later viewing. There are 2 main reasons for this. First, we want people to feel they can speak freely without feeling self-conscious or worrying about who might watch the recording later. We also want to keep the Coffee Talk experience simple for everyone involved, and sharing the recordings would add the complication of needing permission from all participants to record and share their voice and image.
Coffee Talk Guest Archive
We tried out featured guest spots in our Coffee Talk schedule for a little more than a year. They made for some great conversations, but were not well suited as events to run concurrently with the open playtesting that’s the main focus at our conventions.
We’ve opened a free community section of our Discord where both convention Alumni and new free community members can have access to talks like these–and in a setting where we’ll more easily have the option to record the audio if/when in makes sense.
Check out the archive below to see the guests and topics we hosted while Coffee Talk was the venue.
Friday Jan 13, 2023 |
|
|---|---|
| 12 PM – 4 PM EDT: Just Chatting | |
 |
4 PM – 6 PM EDT Special Guest: Nicole Amato (she/they) Drop-in Conversation with Nicole Amato, Games Outreach Lead at Kickstarter |
| Nicole Amato has been designing board games for a decade. She has four published games and has worked on dozens more as a designer, developer, writer, and editor. She is currently the Games Outreach Lead at Kickstarter. | |
| 6 PM – 12 AM EDT: 2023 Design Challenge Q&A with Heather Newton (she/her) | |
Saturday Jan 14, 2023 |
|
|---|---|
| 12 PM – 4 PM EDT: Just Chatting | |
 |
4 PM – 6 PM EDT Special Guest: Riley Stock (he/they) Drop-in Conversation with Riley Stock, Host of the Board Game Community Show Podcast |
| For nearly 2 years, Riley has been hosting The Board Game Community Show podcast. With social interaction at a minimum during a pandemic, he set out to get to know people through casual conversations with a variety of people in the industry. While you can play video games anonymously online, board games are at their best when played in the presence of friends & family. That is why he has dedicated his time to the people and the community more than the games. | |
| 6 PM – 12 AM EDT: Playtest Platform Q&A with David Masnato (he/him) | |
Sunday Jan 15, 2023 |
|
|---|---|
| 12 PM – 4 PM EDT: Just Chatting | |
 |
4 PM – 6 PM EDT Special Guest: AnnaMaria Phelps (she/her) Drop-in Conversation with AnnaMaria Phelps, Head of Violet Daisy Games |
| AnnaMaria Phelps is the head of Violet Daisy Games, a newly launched tabletop game publisher focused on storytelling and narrative building games. She is also a long time veteran of marketing and crowdfunding in the industry, as well as a game designer and former game media creator. In her spare time she enjoys reading, spinning hula hoops, and volunteering with animal rescues across her adopted home, the Pacific Northwest. | |
| 6 PM – 12 AM EDT: Just Chatting | |
Coffee Topics Archive
Friday Aug 26, 2022 |
|
|---|---|
| 12 PM - 4 PM EDT: Open Socialization | |
 |
4 PM - 6 PM EDT Special Guest: Monique “GameFreakGeekGirl” (she/they) Drop-in Discussion on Making Meaningful Connections in the Tabletop Industry |
| Monique (aka GameFreakGeekGirl) is a content creator who primarily focuses on tabletop and video games. They were a former contributor to the Girls Game Shelf, and now produce their own content for their channels, publishers, and other board game media outlets. She also loves singing, solving puzzles, and building community. | |
| 6 PM - 12 AM EDT: Open Socialization | |
Saturday Aug 27, 2022 |
|
|---|---|
| 12 PM - 4 PM EDT: Open Socialization | |
 |
4 PM - 6 PM EDT Special Guest: Nikki Valens (they/them) Drop-in Discussion |
| Nikki Valens is the critically acclaimed designer of Legacy of Dragonholt, Mansions of Madness: Second Edition, and the recently crowdfunded Artisans of Splendent Vale. Their work has been celebrated for incorporating engaging gameplay and compelling stories. When they’re not designing games, Nikki is a cultural consultant, developer, and project manager for tabletop projects. | |
| 6 PM - 12 AM EDT: Open Socialization | |
Sunday Aug 28, 2022 |
|
|---|---|
| 12 PM - 4 PM EDT: Open Socialization | |
 |
4 PM - 6 PM EDT Special Guest: Crystal Dax (she/her) Drop-in Discussion on Creating Authentic Work |
| Crystal Dax is the co-host of the Board Game Blitz podcast and a Twitch streamer. Crystal is a beloved community builder who creates welcoming and engaging content related to gaming with her co-host, Ambie Valdés. Board Game Blitz is a part of the Tabletop Live Network and streams live on Tuesdays and Thursdays. | |
| 6 PM - 12 AM EDT: Open Socialization | |
Friday Apr 29, 2022 |
|---|
| 12 PM - 4 PM EDT -- Jamie Sabriel Flez + Special Guest Jason Slingerland & Nicole Amato 12 PM - 2 PM EDT Your Best Tips and Tricks for Game Design w/ Building the Game Podcast |
| 4 PM - 8 PM EDT -- Jay Little Defining the Why Behind Your Game Design Projects |
| 8 PM - 12 AM EDT -- Heather Newton Networking in Online Membership Communities |
Saturday Apr 30, 2022 |
|---|
| 12 PM - 4 PM EDT -- Jamie Sabriel Flez Screentop.gg Q&A |
| 4 PM - 8 PM EDT -- Michael Wostbrock Supporting Forward Momentum when Giving & Receiving Criticism |
| 8 PM - 12 AM EDT -- Bryn Smith Effective Communication for Playtesting Sessions and Beyond |
Sunday May 1, 2022 |
|---|
| 12 PM - 4 PM EDT -- David Masnato + Special Guest Robert Pröpper 2 PM - 4 PM EDT Tabletop Playground Q&A |
| 4 PM - 8 PM EDT -- Danny Gold Choosing the Right Social Media Platform(s) for Your Needs |
| 8 PM - 12 AM EDT -- Kirsten Lunde Boundaries, Time Management, and Decision Making for Creatives |
Friday Jan 7, 2022 |
|---|
| 12 pm- 4pm EST -- Zachary Hoekstra Finding Your Genres Language: Using BGG For Market Research |
| 4pm - 8pm EST -- Danny Gold Finding Connection While Physically Distanced: Board Games and Beyond |
| 8pm - 12am EST -- Heather Newton + Special Guest Will Newton Protospiel Online in 2022 |
Saturday Jan 8, 2022 |
|---|
| 12 pm- 4pm EST -- Joe Slack + Special Guest JT Smith from Component Studio AMA on Component Studio 2 |
| 4pm - 8pm EST -- Danny Gold Prototyping with 3D Printers, Cricut Machines, and Laser Cutters |
| 8pm - 12am EST -- Danny Gold Designing Games that Appeal to a Wide Range of Personality Types |
Sunday Jan 9, 2022 |
|---|
| 12 pm- 4pm EST -- Danny Gold Finding, Growing, and Maintaining Your Audience Through Social Media |
| 4pm - 8pm EST -- Brandon Beran Starting a Game Design from Theme, Mechanics, or Experience |
| 8pm - 12am EST -- Danny Gold + Special Guest Hershel Tzvi Glueck from Hero Time AMA on Everything Manufacturing and Logistics Worldwide |
Friday Oct 8, 2021 |
|---|
| 12 pm- 4pm EDT -- Amanda Fyock From Protospiel to Publication Success Stories (Protospiel Success Stories Game List) |
| 4pm - 8pm EDT -- Brandon Beran Idea to Prototype to Testing: How to Know When it's Time to Move to the Next Step |
| 8pm - 12am EDT -- Patience Nallick Setting Boundaries in Business |
Saturday Oct 9, 2021 |
|---|
| 8 am- 12pm EDT -- Ian Brocklebank + Special Guest Hersh Gluec Working with Manufacturers - AMA with China-Based Manufacturer Herotime |
| 12 pm- 4pm EDT -- Fertessa Allyse Accessible Game Design |
| 4pm - 8pm EDT -- Fertessa Allyse Intaking and Organizing Playtester Feedback |
| 8pm - 12am EDT -- Patience Nallick Overcoming Imposter Syndrome |
Sunday Oct 10, 2021 |
|---|
| 12 pm- 4pm EDT -- Fertessa Allyse Working in Game Design Professionally |
| 4pm - 8pm EDT -- Brandon Beran Finding the Right Balance: Theme and Mechanics |
| 8pm - 12am EDT -- Patience Nallick Changing the World Through Board Games |
Friday Jul 9, 2021 |
|---|
| 12 pm- 4pm EDT -- Mystery Host + Special Guest Appearance from Azhelle Wade (The Toy Coach) Top 10 Reasons Your Design is Ready or Not Ready to Pitch |
| 4pm - 8pm EDT -- Karl Lange Building Board Game Communities Both Online and Offline |
| 8pm - 12am EDT -- Ben Moy Convention Prep as a Designer: Pitch or Playtest? |
Saturday Jul 10, 2021 |
|---|
| 12 pm- 4pm EDT -- Lauren Nepomuceno Ask Me Anything: Publisher, Product Owner, Project Manager, Marketing POV |
| 4pm - 8pm EDT -- Omari Akil Theme First Design: Making Game Mechanics and Theme Work in Harmony |
| 8pm - 12am EDT -- Brandon Beran Idea to Prototype to Testing: When to Move to the Next Step |
Sunday Jul 11, 2021 |
|---|
| 12 pm- 4pm EDT -- Brandon Beran Getting Inspired and Staying Motivated as a Tabletop Designer |
| 4pm - 8pm EDT -- Lauren Nepomuceno Taking the Leap: Crowdfunding Your Game |
| 8pm - 12am EDT -- Ben Moy From Protospiel to Publication Success Stories |
Friday Apr 16, 2021 |
|---|
| 12 pm- 4pm EST -- Ben Moy Finding, Growing, and Maintaining Your Audience Through Social Media |
| 4pm - 8pm EST -- Patience Nallick Tackling Imposter Syndrome |
| 8pm - 12am EST -- Todd Hicks Getting Inspired, Generating Ideas, and Staying Motivated as a Tabletop Designer |
Saturday Apr 17, 2021 |
|---|
| 12 pm- 4pm EST -- Fertessa Allyse Idea to Prototype to Testing: How to Know When it's Time to Move to the Next Step |
| 4pm - 8pm EST -- Fertessa Allyse Working with Publishers: Building & Maintaining the Relationship, Effective Communication, & Contract Best Practices |
| 8pm - 12am EST -- Alexei Menardo Mastering TTS: Everything from Basic Controls to Scripting to 3D Modeling in Blender |
Sunday Apr 18, 2021 |
|---|
| 12 pm- 4pm EST -- Lauren Nepomuceno Treating Game Design Like a Profession: Time Management, Increasing Productivity with Agile/Scrum, & Human First Product Design |
| 4pm - 8pm EST -- Patience Nallick Changing the World Through Board Games |
| 8pm - 12am EST -- Ben Moy Being Kind to Yourself Through Your Game Design Journey |
Friday Jan 8, 2021 |
|---|
| 12 pm- 4pm EST -- Ben Moy Finding the Right Balance: Theme and Mechanics |
| 4pm - 8pm EST -- Patience Nallick Tackling Imposter Syndrome |
| 8pm - 12am EST -- Dylan Coyle Game Crafter Contests: Voting for Community Anthology & Designing for Solo-Duo |
Saturday Jan 9, 2021 |
|---|
| 12 pm- 4pm EST -- Lauren Nepomuceno & Noah Miller Board Game Manufacturing, Shipping, Customs, & Fulfillment |
| 4pm - 8pm EST -- Fertessa Allyse Dos and Don'ts of playtesting: Playtest Pet Peeves |
| 8pm - 12am EST -- Fertessa Allyse Game User Interface |
Sunday Jan 10, 2021 |
|---|
| 12 pm- 4pm EST -- Fertessa Allyse Balancing Gaming with Non-gaming Family & Friends |
| 4pm - 8pm EST -- Fertessa Allyse Game Packaging: Table Presence, Toy Factor, Art, Graphic Design |
| 8pm - 12am EST -- Lev Lawrence Physical and Virtual Prototypes: Tools and Software |