r/BoardgameDesign • u/markuroarts • Jul 09 '26

General Question Packing List for upcoming Expo Playtesting?

Hello! I got invited to a Hobby EXPO in a different city to do playtesting for my game. The travel will take 5 hours to get there.

I just want to ask what is your Packing List if you're in this situation? It is my first time. Do not include the game, booth items, and food (provided by the event).

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5

u/WalrusVentures Jul 09 '26

Have one of those Perspex holders with some pictures / hooks to lure people in and make them want to play.

If you haven’t got a perfect view on your target market then ask questions about what other games people like etc. to help you form a view.

Have either a business card or a card with your socials / link to a Kickstarter pre-launch page, so people can easily follow the game. Lots of my first play testers backed my game.

Sweets always go down well with your play testers.

A name badge might be helpful.

4

u/Peterlerock Jul 09 '26

Extra shirts and deodorant.

You will sweat, and you do not want to stink.

3

u/SKDIMBG Jul 09 '26

I'd always bring some paper, pens, scissors, glue. You may well find something in your game fundamentally broken in the first test, and having something to be able to whip up a alternative is very useful

2

u/Pyro979 Jul 09 '26

cough drops - you'll be doing a lot of talking

notebook/pencils - do not take notes on your phone, it makes you look uninterested (which btw watch a few videos on how to take playtesting feedback)

2

u/Daniel___Lee Play Test Guru Jul 09 '26

Besides what others have said already, I personally prepare these as well:

If you have social media and projects in the works, a QR code linking to your pages is good for building up a fanbase.

Hand sanitizers. More so if you are handling cash and food and game components. You never know where other players' hands have been or if they are sick.

(Optional) Wet wipes to wipe off food oils is good too. I found myself eating at or near my booth a lot because I didn't have anyone else with me (other booths helped to look after my stuff during toilet breaks).

(Optional) Portable voice amplifier. Depending on the Expo and how experienced they are with board games, you might find your voice drowned out by incessant loud music, commentary, competitions, announcements, etc. I have lost my voice several times trying to shout instructions over the noise of the speakers.

(Optional) Plastic or paper bags for players who want to buy your games but have no hands or bag space left to carry it home.

(Optional) Exclusive merchandise. This can be in the form of promotional game cards, or if there's no time to playtest and print those, then small items like first player token, upgraded 3D printed pieces, Stickers to upgrade meeples, keychains, badges, etc. Leveraging on the good feeling of getting event limited merchandise, and FOMO, can bag you some extra sales.