Play and Win meets Unguided Playtesting

Geekway to the West’s premiere event is Play and Win. Players check out a game, record that they’ve played it in our computer system, and at the end of the convention have a chance to win that game for every time they played it during the convention.

We are expanding this system to feature not only published games but also selected prototypes. Playtest and Win will be a separate prize pool. Players can still win a Play and Win game in addition to a Playtest and Win prize.

Designers apply to ship us their prototype and a prize to go along with it. We put them on their own shelf in the Play and Win room. Players get the chance to win prizes. Designers, in return, get feedback, unguided playtests, and game design contest prestige. We list the prototypes on the website. We pick winners based on categories such as “most plays”, “best rated”,“best sell sheet”, “best pitch video”, and a “best of show.”

Questions and comments can be directed to Mattie Schraeder.

Submission Guidelines

• Submissions open April 1st each year

• Submissions close April 15th each year

• Submissions must not be in active manufacturing/production.

• Submissions must not be available through any retail, secondary, or print-on-demand market until June.

• Submissions must not be on any crowdfunding platform until June.

• Submissions should fit the format. (e.g. no RPGs, TCGs, Legacy Games, or Video Games).

• Submissions should fit the tone of the event (e.g. no not-safe-for-work games)

• Designs must be original works that do not infringe on any intellectual property.

• Finalists must have the prototype and prize shipped to the event organizers before May 10th each year. A “drop off event” will happen closer to the deadline.

• Prototype must have a box with the name of the game on all sides, and an effective sell sheet like back of the box.

• Designers must also supply a new-in-shrink game that they would recommend to someone who likes the game they are having playtested, to be given as a prize. 

• Published Designers are encouraged to supply a new in shrink copy of their most recent published game

• If a designer cannot supply a new-in-shrink game, they can apply for a sponsorship.

• Prize games will NOT be returned to the designer unless no one wins the prize offered.

• The designer MUST be there to claim the prototypes and left over prizes after the event closes, designate someone to pick up the games for them, or agree for the prototype to be disposed of. We will NOT ship the prototypes or prizes back to the designer.

• We cannot guarantee any feedback. We cannot promise your game gets played. Part of the challenge is building a prototype and sell sheet that convinces players to want to play your game voluntarily.

• Games will be posted on the Geekway website prior to the convention, along with rules, sell sheets, and any information the designer wishes to include.

• We may limit the total number of prototypes. If we get more than our decided upon limit, we will choose prototypes based on the submission form, and our decision will be final.

• Submissions will be judged by Geekway staff and sponsors. 

• Some prize categories may involve public or attendee voting.

• Finalists will tentatively be announced April 30th each year.

• Winners will tentatively be announced by June 1st each year.