Two New Designer Focused Events in San Diego from SDHistCon
One of the conventions that is on my “bucket” list is SDHistCon, a board game convention specifically geared toward historical games. Someday! In the meantime, I will keep my eye on the work that SDHistCon does in promoting games and diversity in game design.
My friend, Andrew Bucholtz, sent us a press release with an exciting new opportunity from SDHistCon geared toward helping promote new and up-and-coming designers at their SDHistCon events.
Here’s the skinny: SDHistCon is “thrilled to announce two new pathways for attendees of SDHistCon Summit 2026 (to be held Nov. 6-9 in San Diego, tickets to go on sale Aug. 8 at 3 p.m. ET/noon Pacific): SDHistCon Summit 2026 Night Market and SDHistCon Summit 2026 Skunkworks.”
What this means is two-fold:to feature limited-print-run self-published games,
- For limited-print-run self-published games, SDHistCon offers a “Night Market” so that self-publishers can bring ready-to-sell games to be sold to other convention goers. This is not a big “vendor’s hall” like at Essen Spiel or GENCON; instead, SDHistCon’s Night Market will “showcase rare, independent games”, and self-publishers are committed to bringing “a minimum of 20 (and a maximum of 50) finished copies” of the game for potential purchase to attendees. Sounds intriguing!
- As for Skunkworks, it looks like the focus is providing “a new pathway for interested designers to show off their prototypes with quick pitches to anyone interested” at the convention. Any chance for new designers, especially those trying to break into the genre, is a welcome addition to the convention.
For more information, and to register, click on the link below, or reach out to SDHistCon board member, Andrew Bucholtz at andrew@andrewbucholtz.com.
Until next time, laissez les bon temps rouler!
–BJ from Board Game Gumbo