GDC Festival of Gaming is part of the Informa Festivals Division of Informa PLC

This site is operated by a business or businesses owned by Informa PLC and all copyright resides with them. Informa PLC's registered office is 5 Howick Place, London SW1P 1WG. Registered in England and Wales. Number 8860726.

March 9-13, 2026
Moscone CenterSan Francisco, CA

Agenda

Play with the Designers

Cole Wehrle  (Creative Director, Leder Games/Wehrlegig Games)
Tom Lehmann  (Designer, Independent)
Jon Perry  (Game Designer, Quibble Media, LLC)
Bryan Bornmueller  (Innovation and Sourcing Director - Tabletop Playtype, Asmodee)
Geoff Engelstein  (President, Mind Bullet Games)
Location: Room 3016, West Hall
Date: Wednesday, March 11
Time: 10:30 am - 12:30 pm
Pass Type: Festival Pass, Game Changer Pass - Get your pass now!
Audience Level: All
Track: Special Event, Design
Format: Special Event
Vault Recording: Not Recorded
Audience Level: All

This unique session will allow you to play a board or card game with the designer present, who will discuss design decisions and options during play and their development process. This session will feature Tom Lehmann (Race for the Galaxy, Res Arcana), Cole Wehrle (Roots, Arc), Bryan Bornmuller (Lord of the Rings Trick Taking Game), Jon Perry (Hot Streak, Air Land and Sea), and Geoff Engelstein (Super Skill Pinball, The Expanse). Participants will be able to play in or observe one or two games.

Takeaway

Designers who like a hands-on approach to learning about the design process.

Intended Audience

How different designers approach mechanics, theme, and balance; what options are considered and discarded during development; What subtle features of designs are often overlooked.