Phase 1: Video Submission

Designers/developers who are interested in submitting a game should prepare and submit the following before April 15, 2018:

The submission form, along with the $35 fee, through EventBrite. A 3-5 minute video showcasing your game. Videos should: Be no longer than 5 minutes in length

in length Show the designer talking about the game, concept, and story behind it

Show the game itself

Show any unique aspect(s) of your game

Be uploaded to YouTube, Vimeo, or other video sharing site. Please do not make videos private (we suggest making them “unlisted” instead), as our judges may not be able to view private videos. Note: The quality of the video (editing, entertainment value, etc.) will not be judged, only the content. However, audio should be clear.



For more information about what videos should or shouldn’t contain, please see the article we’ve published here.

Curation judges will review videos and provide some feedback to designers.

Phase 2: Prototype Submission

Phase 2 submitters must send a physical prototype, including a rulebook, to the curation committee. Fees and prototypes must be received before May 15, 2018. Designers will be notified where the prototype should be sent. Print-and-Play files will not be accepted as a prototype.

Prototypes may be picked up at the festival on September 23, 2017. Arrangements must be made ahead of time if submitters would like their prototypes returned prior to the festival. Any expense of returning a prototype are the responsibility of the submitter.

Prototypes may be picked up at the festival on September 22, 2018. If you need your prototype earlier, you may work with our VP of Tabletop Curation, but this will only be done on rare occasions; designers should plan to receive their prototype back at the festival. All shipping is the responsibility of the designer, not BostonFIG.

Curation judges will provide structured feedback on the following aspects:

Originality and Innovation

Gameplay and Mechanics

Artistic and Visual Direction (including theme)

Overall Impression of Game

All games will be played and evaluated by at least three curation judges. Feedback will be sent to the designers after playtesting. If chosen for the Tabletop Showcase, designers may use feedback to improve their game. However, finalized games should closely resemble submitted games.

Phase 3: Showcase Acceptance & Awards Judging

Accepted designers will be notified of their acceptance on August 1, 2018 and must confirm via an acceptance survey by August 7, 2018. Accepted designers will be given a booth at the festival. Booths will come with a choice of a 6-ft round or 6 ft long table, and 4-6 chairs. Designers/developers are expected to show their game for the entirety of the festival. Games currently available for purchase may be sold.

All accepted games will automatically be eligible for Figgie Awards, to be determined by Curation judges. This year’s Tabletop Figgie Awards are: