Special Programs

Outside groups and organizations attend GameStorm and organize a number of special events. Below you will see information about these groups and the types of events they orchestrate

RPGA

The RPGA is the roleplaying arm of organized play at Wizards of the Coast, dedicated to providing play opportunities and support for Dungeons & Dragons and other d20 System games.

For more information, please see the RPGA Newcomer's Info Page. 

What RPGA events are running at GameStorm?

There will be a full schedule of RPGA events in various campaigns. If you're interested in helping with RPGA at GameStorm, please contact the RPGA coordinator, Robert Altomare

Indie Hurricane!

"Indie Hurricane!" is an alternative or "Indie" gaming expo which takes place within GameStorm that features many small press games in organized play, play testing, panels and retail sales at the "Indie Hurricane!" booth. "Indie Hurricane!" was formed by a local Portland alternative gaming group in cooperation with several small press publishers such as Arcadiam Games, Atarashi Games, Berengad games, and Crucifiction games. The goal is to expand the scope of the kind of gaming offered at GameStorm and promote alternative gaming as a genre within the gaming industry.

What makes an Indie game? The strictest thing which defines what and Indie game is, is that the games are all small press, or in other words created, designed, and produced by a small number of people or even just a single person. They have smaller print runs but many are available as "print on demand" (POD) through several sources. Some are available in stores while others are only sold directly by the maker. Retail ready Indie games are tirelessly tested, improved, edited and restructured before they go to press, just like any mainstream game, so you know you are getting a nicely polished final product. Indie games have a little something extra though. Because of the nature of a smaller development team, and less people contributing "work for hire" for these books, you can really begin to feel that the project is a labor of love and much of the creator of that project has been poured into the making of it, which give the game character and soul. In addition to running many play tests, organized games, and the like, Indie Hurricane! will be organizing several panels on game design and production.

Come check out "Indie Hurricane!" at GameStorm and join the community at: GoPlay PDX

Protospiel West

What is Protospiel West?

Protospiel West exists to test game prototypes and create a local community of game designers. A number of board and card game players are fledgling game designers. Protospiel West provides events and a support network to benefit their efforts and the entire game playing community. These benefits include: increased networking, sharing best practices, and getting additional games to market.

The objectives for Protospiel West at GameStorm in March 2008 are:

  • Test nearly-finished prototypes from amateur game designers.
  • Continue establishing a community of game designers and playtesters on the West Coast.
  • Seek industry support from established designers, publishers, developers and distributors.
  • Develop relationships and provide networking opportunities.

Our tentative schedule for Protospiel West 2008 is as follows:

Friday

  • 1st (Open) Playtesting 7pm-10pm

Saturday

  • 2nd playtest session 10am – 1pm
  • Lunch Break 1pm – 2pm
  • Keynote Address by Jay Tummelson, Board Game Guest of Honor (Rio Grande Games) 2pm – 3pm
  • One-on-One time for designers with Jay Tummelson and other participating publishers 3pm-6pm
  • Dinner Break 6pm – 7pm
  • 3rd session 7pm – 10pm

Sunday

  • Seminar 10am – 11am, Topic TBA
  • 4th playtest session 11am – 3pm

A playtest session encompasses:

  • The designer teaching his game to a group of playtesters, including attendees and industry professionals
  • The group playing the game for 60-120 minutes.
  • The playtesters evaluating and discussing the game with the designer for at least 30 minutes.

Become a Playtester!

In order to be successful, ProtoSpiel West needs playtesters to sign up for sessions.  You can do this as you would for any registered event through the GameStorm web site. Become a part of board game history and help launch new games to market. As an additional incentive, ProtoSpiel West will be raffling off published board games as prizes based upon your participation!

Protospiel West is a convention based on the original Protospiel founded in the Midwest by Stephen Glenn, Dominic Crapuchettes, and Mike Petty in 2001.  Protospiel West, founded by Travis Ball and Michael Nickoloff in 2007, is designed to promote these same goals on the West Coast. 

Information on the original Protospiel can be found at http://www.protospiel.org/ and for Protospiel West at http://www.protospielwest.com/.