GoB Con 2023

The third annual Games of Berkeley Gaming Convention (GoB Con) will take place right here at your favorite friendly local game store from Thursday August 3th to Sunday August 6th.

Preregistration for all limited seating events is now open! Check back later as more events and activities are added to the schedule.

How do I participate in GoB Con?

A Convention Day "Badge" is $10 payable at the front register on that day and gets you into any drop-in games and activities including open board gaming, protospiel, miniature painting workshops, paint and take, and Magic Jumpstart. If you would like to participate in any of the limited-seating events during the con, we strongly encourage you to pre-register at the links below. Tickets will go live on July 15.

Pre-registration for limited-seating events like roleplaying games, team puzzle competition, miniatures painting competition, and combat patrol tournament include a Day Badge for that day (Participants on Thursday 8/3 can transfer their Convention Badge to another day).

Schedule of Events

Thursday August 3

Noon to 9:00 PM - Roleplaying Games (preregistration available)

5:00 to 6:00 PM - Jigsaw Puzzle Swap

6:00 to 9:00 PM - Jigsaw Puzzle Competition (preregistration available)

Friday August 4 (Lord of the Rings Theme Day)

Noon to 9:00 PM - Roleplaying Games (preregistration available)

Noon to 9:00 PM - Minis Paint & Take

Noon to 5:00 PM - Lord of the Rings (and beyond) Board Game Demo Day

5:00 to 9:00 PM - Learn to Play Magic - Tales of Middle Earth Jumpstart Event

6:00 PM - Lord of the Rings Cosplay Showcase

Saturday August 5

Noon to 9:00 PM - Roleplaying Games (preregistration available)

Noon to 9:00 PM - Minis Paint & Take

Noon to 5:00 PM - Locally Grown Game Demos (Noon to sundown for outside tables)

5:00 to 9:00 PM - Miniature Speed Painting Competition (preregistration available)

Sunday August 6

Noon to 7:00 PM - Roleplaying Games (preregistration available)

Noon to 7:00 PM - Locally Grown Game Demos

Noon to 6:30 PM - Minis Paint & Take

12:30 PM to 6:30 PM - Warhammer 40k Combat Patrol Tournament (preregistration available)

Join us on Discord or sign up for our newsletter for updates.

Event Descriptions

Roleplaying Games (all weekend)

Preregistration is now available.

Robust and diverse roleplaying games are a GoB Con staple. Whether it's the big one about Dragons or something fresh off the GM's home printer, we host a wide-range of RPGs all weekend long in our private gaming rooms. Fantasy to Future and Crunchy to Cozy, roleplayers can take part in games of all themes and genres.

Most games will last between 2 and 4 hours and take place in one of two time slots unless otherwise noted:

- Afternoon Games begin at 12:30 PM and will finish by 4:30 PM

- Evening Games begin at 5:00 PM and will finish by 9:00 PM

Registration for all RPGs will be available beginning July 15; games will be browsable at the bottom of this page. Purchasing a ticket for a RPG also gives the the participant a Convention Day Pass to participate in all drop-in activities that day (Thursdays transferable to another day).

Jigsaw Puzzle Swap (8/3) 5:00 - 6:00 PM

Free drop-in event

Have too many finished jigsaw puzzles taking up space on your shelf? Swap them for some lightly-used (and complete) puzzles with other Games of Berkeley Puzzle Pals! Just bring your puzzles and trade them with others for some new ones. It's that simple! You'll also receive a Puzzle Swap Voucher, good for 10% off any new puzzles you buy from Games of Berkeley that evening only. Participation in the swap only is free.

Jigsaw Puzzle Team Speed Competition (8/3) 6:00 - 8:00 PM

Preregistration available, limited to 8 teams

Think you (and up to 3 friends) have what it takes to be the fastest Puzzlers in the Bay Area? Come prove it at our GoB Con Team Jigsaw Puzzle Speed Competition!

Each team will be given an identical, sealed 500 piece jigsaw puzzle and have 90 minutes to complete it. The first team to do so, or the team who's puzzle is Most Complete at the end of 90 minutes will be the winner. Most Complete is defined as the fewest number of loose pieces remaining. Use of devices or outside assistance will not be permitted during the competition.

Registration is $30 and will include a Convention Day Pass for everyone on the team to another day of the convention (you pick the day). First, Second, and Third place winners will receive tiered Games of Berkeley gift cards. You also get to keep the puzzle!

Miniatures Paint & Take (8/4, 8/5, 8/6) All Day

Drop in activity

Grab a mini and learn to paint! There will be open miniatures painting all weekend in our main event room. We will supply some basic minis, primer, brushes, and paints which means you just need yourself.

When we can spare him, our in-house mini painting expert Paul will be leading quick informal workshops and giving impromptu advice. When you're done, take the mini home with you and show off your work!

Lord of the Rings (and beyond) Board Game Demo Day (8/4) Noon - 5:00 PM

Drop-in activity

With a new billion dollar Prime Video series and a major crossover set with Magic: The Gathering, the extended world of Tolkien is as popular as ever. Come adventure in Middle Earth with us!

We'll be hosting a series of Lord of the Rings themed game demos, including War of the Ring, Journeys in Middle Earth, Middle Earth Battle Strategy Game, and more. If fantasy isn't your thing, feel free to grab a game from the library or bring your own to share with friends.

Come in Lord of the Rings themed cosplay and stick around for the showcase at 6:00 PM!

Learn to Play Magic - Tales of Middle Earth Jumpstart Event (8/4) 5:00 PM - 9:00 PM

Drop-in activity

With a new billion dollar Prime Video series and a major crossover set with Magic: The Gathering, the extended world of Tolkien is as popular as ever. Come adventure in Middle Earth with us!

As an alternative Friday Night Magic during GoB Con, we are hosting a learn to play Magic event using Magic: The Gathering Tales from Middle Earth Jumpstart booster packs. Jumpstart is a simple and fast way to learn how to play Magic: The Gathering—open and shuffle two packs and you're ready to play.

This casual event is great for beginners and younger Magic players looking to learn the game or just have fun with friends. All are welcome. Helpful staff who are almost pro-level magic players themselves will be on hand to help teach the game.

Come in Lord of the Rings themed cosplay for the showcase at 6:00 PM!

Lord of the Rings Cosplay Showcase (8/4) 6:00 PM

Drop-in activity

What's better than playing games set in Middle Earth? Dressing as one of your favorite characters from the Tolkien universe and playing games set in Middle Earth.

Everyone who joins us for Lord of the Rings theme day is encouraged to don an elven cloak or whatever slapdash attire befits an Orc of the Eye. We do not allow weapons in the store, so please ensure that anything that could be considered a weapon as part of a costume is obviously not real. 

In between games we will have a short, informal cosplay showcase so be prepared to get into character to sing us your favorite tavern song or regale us with tales of your brave adventures.

Locally-Grown Game Demos (8/5, 8/6)

Drop-in activity

After last year's amazing success with Locally Grown Sunday, we're featuring TWO whole days of locally-grown game demos at GoB Con. Get ready to try out some cool new games by designers from around the Bay as well as playtest some games that are still in development.

Present will be members of the Golden Gate Gamemakers and other independent designers and creators.

Miniature Speed Painting Competition (8/5) 5:00 - 9:00 PM

Preregistration available

Calling all hobbyists! This year we are hosting the second annual GoB Con Speed Painting Competition. Each participant will receive an identical mystery mini and have 2 hours to cut it from its sprues, assemble, prime, and paint. Winner and runner-up will be determined by a vote from GoB staff.

Winners will receive a Games of Berkeley gift card. Other consolation prizes are available. You get to keep the mini!

Please note that we have some paints, brushes, and primers available. If you're seriously going for best paint job, I encourage you to bring some of your own preferred supplies, but please note:

- Any supplies you bring must be able to fit in a single workstation that is approximately 16 x 30 inches

- No airbrushes

Combat Patrol Tournament (8/6) 12:30 - 6:30 PM

Preregistration available

We will be hosting a Combat Patrol tournament using 40k's 10th edition rules. Tournament structure and details TBA.