We hope you join us!
Proto ATL 2023 dates and location are TBD. Join our newsletter to get notified when we announce all the details!
There's a lot to do at Proto ATL!
From workshops and presentations to pitch sessions and playtest time, you'll get a ton of value out of your badge purchase.
Below is the event schedule form Proto ATL 2022. We expect a similar (probably more!) schedule for Proto ATL 2023.
Join our newsletter to get notified when we announce all the details!
Thursday April 7, 2022
- 3:00 pm: Event check-in/ badge pick up begins
- 6:30 pm: Meet and Greet dinner (off-site, Mellow Mushroom)
- 8:30 pm: Mixer (Open gaming, networking - Hotel Lobby)
- 8:00 - 10:00 am: Breakfast available
- 8:00 am: Main hall opens - Let the playtests and pitches begin!
- 9:15 am: Welcome and opening announcements
- 9:30 am: Workshop: Pitch tune-up (presented by Andrew J. Smith - Concept Room)
- 11:00 am: Workshop: The Psychology of Flow - Immersion in Game Design (presented by Ian Mercer - Concept Room)
- 12 noon - 2:00 pm: Lunch available
- 2:30 pm: Workshop: Getting Published: How to Market Yourself as a Game Designer (presented by Mondo Davis - Concept Room)
- 5:00 pm: Daily Raffle
- 6:00 pm: Main hall closes, go eat dinner!
- 8:00 pm: Mixer (Open gaming, networking - Hotel Lobby)
- 8:00 - 10:00 am: Breakfast available
- 8:00 am: Main hall opens
- 11:00 am: Workshop: Maximizing your Playtests (presented by Mike Mihealsick - Concept Room)
- 12 noon - 2:00 pm: Lunch available
- 2:30 pm: Workshop: Signing Your Game 101: A Crash Course in Licensing Agreements for Game Designers (presented by Eugene Bryant - Concept Room)
- 5:00 pm: Daily Raffle
- 6:00 pm: Main hall closes, go eat dinner!
- 8:00 pm: Mixer (Open gaming, networking - Hotel Lobby)
- 8:00 - 10:00 am: Breakfast available
- 8:00 am: Main hall opens
- 11:30 am: Daily Raffle
- 12 noon - 2:00 pm: Lunch available
- 3 pm: Event Ends
One of the goals that we have for Proto ATL is to provide a relaxing, casual environment in which to get work done. Because of this, we are hesitant to create scheduled times for attending designers to display their games at any of the tables. The tried-and-true method that we employ is from the “Protospiel” model of reciprocity. For example, if a designer demos their game to 3 players for one hour, that designer should play 3 hours of other peoples’ games.
If you crave a bit more structure, you can have it! In the months leading up to the event, we'll be posting "publisher profiles" with information about the attending publishers. Designers will be able to contact publishers prior to the event, and potentially schedule time to pitch their games. You will also be able to add your games to the Game Index (coming soon) that the attending publishers can peruse ahead of time.
Proto ATL is held in the heart of Atlanta, GA. If you are flying in, you can take Atlanta's train system (MARTA) from the airport. It is super affordable at only $2.50 each ride. Take a northbound Red Line train to the Dunwoody Station and you'll be less than a mile away from the hotel. If you're feeling adventurous, the trip from the MARTA station to the hotel is technically walkable, but there aren't sidewalks the whole way, so it may prove difficult if you've got luggage.
The hotel offers a free shuttle service within a 2 mile radius. It is first-come first serve, with no advance reservations available. We'd suggest taking some sort of rideshare (Uber or Lyft) or arranging with other attendees for rides.
If you're driving to the event, parking at the hotel is free for Proto ATL attendees.