
A Monthly Afternoon of Playtesting with Local Game Designers & Unpublished Games
Next Event is Sunday April 6th at 5844 Forward Ave, Pittsburgh, PA 15217
Pittsburgh Playtest is a monthly event bringing Pittsburgh-area game makers working on unpublished games together with local players and families interested in playtesting. Come as a game creator or come as a player, or come as both!
Pittsburgh Playtests are usually on Sunday afternoons, 1pm to 4:30pm. Those coming to play are encouraged to arrive no later than 2:30pm in order to ensure you have a chance to play at least one game. Games are started on a rolling basis based on whoever is present. Game creators bringing games to playtest should arrive by 12:50pm. Free parking is available.
Pittsburgh Playtest hosts both tabletop board games and digital games. We provide the space, tables, chairs; game makers bring their games and any equipment needed to play. Pre-registration is required for those bringing games and strongly recommended for those coming to play games. This helps us plan for the space setup and other event-related logistics.
All ages welcome! Anyone under 18 must be accompanied by a legal guardian the entire time.
For 2025 we are moving to a new location! Pittsburgh Playtest events will take place in the Upstreet community space in the Forward Lanes Office Loft on Forward Avenue in Squirrel Hill! It's a beautiful space with plenty of room to spread out, play, and relax.
Health & Safety Note: This is a mask-friendly event. As this is a public event where you may be in close quarters with others for long periods of time, we welcome and support mask wearing. It is not required.
Like games? Come play games by local Pittsburgh game makers.
Make games? Playtest your games and connect with other creators.
Upcoming Dates
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Sunday April 6, 1-3:30pm @ 5844 Forward Ave. Pittsburgh, PA 15217
Game Makers - RSVP by Friday April 4th End-of-Day.
We can accept a maximum of 10 designers for this event.
When you arrive at the building entryway, use the touch screen, select "Directory", then "UpStreet" and call to be buzzed in. Parking is street parking. The 61D bus route has a stop at Murray Ave + Forward Ave -
Sunday May 18, 1-3:30pm [Tentative Date]
We are still looking for a host space for this May's event- have a space? Reach out to pittsburghplaytest@ludoliminal.com
Want to know about future events?
Frequently Asked Question
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How to get there - UpStreet Community Space
Pittsburgh Playtest is often held at the UpStreet community space in the Forward Lanes Office Lofts building at 5844 Forward Ave., Pittsburgh, PA 15217, in the Squirrel Hill neighborhood. There is street parking up and down Forward avenue.
When you arrive at the building entryway, use the touch screen, select "Directory", then "UpStreet" and call to be buzzed in. Parking is street parking. The 61D bus route has a stop at Murray Ave + Forward Ave
Who can bring a game to playtest?
Anyone! If you are working on developing a game- whether it is digital or analog, for fun or for a class or to publish, just starting out or very far along - you are welcome to bring your game to playtest. This is a great opportunity to see your game played and to meet other folks making games in Pittsburgh.
Those bringing games to playtest must RSVP.
Can I bring kids?
Of course! We can't guarantee what games will be at each event, but we often have designers that bring games that can be played by kids sometimes as young as 5. Remember that all minors must be accompanied by an adult.
Do I have to come for the whole thing?
No, if you're coming to play games you're welcome to leave early or come late. Games start on a rolling basis and most games take 45-90 minutes to playtest. We recommend coming no later than 2:30pm to have a good chance of playing at least one game.
If you're bringing a game to playtest, you should arrive by 12:50pm and plan to stay until at least 3pm.
What about health & safety practices?
As you will generally be in close proximity with other people around a table, this is a mask-friendly event. Attendees are welcome to wear a mask but masks are not required. We ask that if you are sick with anything potentially contagious, kindly refrain from attending until you have recovered.
What are expectations for attendee behavior?
Playtest Pittsburgh is meant to be a welcoming and safe environment for everyone, whatever their background. We expect those attending to treat everyone with civility and respect.
We welcome and recognize personal pronouns.
We welcome mask-wearing.
We welcome different kinds of games and all different kinds of players.
We ask game creators to consider the content, themes, and mechanics of the games they bring to playtest and to give players adequate warning about content that may be upsetting or inappropriate for some players. We reserve the right to remove games if we feel their presence is not appropriate at this event. Remember that we have attendees of all ages and from different backgrounds. We do allow adult-only or mature-theme games within reason for a public event, as determined by the event hosts.
The goal of playtesting games is to help game creators answer questions about their game experience and improve upon it. When giving feedback, be honest and kind. Remember that the game creator has their own a vision for their game. You role is not to "fix" their game , it is to help them see their game's strengths and weaknesses from players' perspectives.
When receiving feedback be open and appreciative.
Take in comments and reflect on how you might use them to strengthen the game experience you are creating. You don't have to agree with feedback or suggestions. You should assume that playtesters are sharing their honest personal perspective, and trying to be helpful based on their experience with your game.
Do I have to RSVP?
If you are bringing a game to playtest, then you must RSVP by the Friday before the event date in order to be guaranteed table.
If you are coming to play games, you are not required to RSVP but we highly encourage it as it helps with our planning.
