Highlights
ORIGINS Show Schedule
Registration Hours
Self-Serve | Scan and Go
Wednesday 8am - Midnight
Thursday 7am - Midnight
Friday 7am - Midnight
Saturday 7am - Midnight
Sunday 7am - 2pm
Full Service | Materials Pickup
Wednesday 8am - 9pm
Thursday 8am - 8pm
Friday 8am - 8pm
Saturday 8am - 6pm
Sunday 8am - 4pm
Exhibit Hall Hours
Wednesday Closed
Thursday 9am - 10am (Premier, Media, and GAMA Member Badge Holders)
Thursday 10am - 6pm (All Attendees)
Friday 10am - 6pm (All Attendees)
Saturday 10am - 6pm (All Attendees)
Sunday 10am - 4pm (All Attendees)
Gaming Hall/Gaming Library Hours
Wednesday Noon - 1am
Thursday 8am - 1am
Friday 8am - 1am
Saturday 8am - 1am
Sunday 8am - 4pm
Origins Game Fair: Celebrating 50 Years of Tabletop Gaming Excellence
In 2025, Origins Game Fair marks its 50th anniversary, celebrating five decades of bringing together tabletop gaming enthusiasts from around the world. From its humble beginnings in Baltimore to becoming one of the largest tabletop conventions in the United States, Origins has thrived thanks to the dedication of volunteers, the support of publishers, and the industry’s deep passion for gaming.
Origins Game Fair was first held in 1975 at Johns Hopkins University in Baltimore, Maryland, organized by the Interest Group Baltimore, a local wargaming club, with the support of Avalon Hill, a pioneering wargame company. Just a few years later, in 1978, the Game Manufacturers Association (GAMA) was formed in part to take over operations of the convention, ensuring its continued growth and industry-wide support.
Throughout its history, Origins has had notable milestones, including brief partnerships with Gen Con in 1988 and 1992 and its eventual establishment in Columbus, Ohio, in 1996 as its permanent home. The convention officially changed its name
from “Origins International Game Expo” to “Origins Game Fair” in 2007, cementing its brand as a welcoming event for all tabletop enthusiasts.
Under GAMA’s leadership, Origins expanded beyond a small gathering into a major industry event, attracting game publishers, designers, and retailers. One of its most significant innovations was the introduction of Origins Trade Day, a professional networking opportunity where industry professionals could collaborate, share insights, and showcase new games. This innovation continues this year with the addition of the Game-Based Education and Therapy conference to provide teachers and therapists with important skills in using games in their practices.
A cornerstone of the event is the prestigious Origins Award, which has recognized excellence in tabletop gaming since its inception. The award honors achievements in game design, art, and innovation, making it one of the most sought-after distinctions in the industry. Winning an Origins Award often elevates games to greater popularity and success.
None of this would be possible without the tireless efforts of volunteers who have dedicated countless hours to making Origins Game Fair a thriving event. Their commitment—from coordinating logistics to running game sessions—has fostered a vibrant and inclusive gaming culture that continues to flourish.
As Origins Game Fair enters its 50th year, it remains a beacon for tabletop gaming, bringing together players, creators, and industry leaders to celebrate the games that inspire imagination and camaraderie. Whether you’re a seasoned gamer or a newcomer, Origins continues to be a place where the love of gaming thrives.
SHOW Policies
Code of Conduct
A game on every table, a table for everyone. Origins Game Fair would like to assure our attendees that we are committed to the safety of every person at the show. We have created a convention code of conduct policy that fosters a safe and welcome space for all.
We have implemented a policy where every volunteer will be subject to a background check before being allowed to participate in our program.
We have contracted with a counseling professional to train our staff how to respond to any inappropriate behavior by those attending this year’s Origins Game Fair.
Anti-Harassment
GAMA/Origins Game Fair has zero tolerance for harassment of any kind. If you witness or are targeted by harassment, contact any of the convention staff and it will be dealt with directly. Harassment or unwelcome conduct, whether verbal, physical, visual, or in any other form, is strictly prohibited. GAMA’s anti-harassment policy applies to all persons involved in the operation or attendance of the convention or GAMA’s-sponsored event. GAMA will not tolerate harassment of anyone by anyone, including participants, vendors, hosts, or GAMA staff.
GAMA defines harassment as any behavior that threatens a person or group or produces an unsafe and non-inclusive environment.
GAMA reserves the right to alter or broaden its definition of harassment at its sole discretion. This includes, but is not limited to:
• Stalking
• Following
• Intimidation
• Physical assault and/or battery
• Sustained disruption of talks, games, workshops, or other events
• Giving gifts of an unwanted or sexual nature
• Bathroom policing
• Inappropriate physical contact, including repeatedly standing too close to, or brushing up against, a person
• Unwelcome physical attention, including non-consensual photography and recording
• Using hate speech, epithets, slurs, deadnaming, discriminatory or insensitive jokes, and teasing
• Displaying sexual, graphic, or discriminatory images and writing in public and quasi-public spaces (online and offline)
• Advocating or encouraging any of the above
GAMA will not tolerate discrimination of any kind based on, but not limited to:
• Race
• Color
• National Origin or Citizenship
• Gender Identity or Presentation
• Sexual Orientation
• Immigration Status
• Age
• Body Size
• Disability
• Appearance
• Religion
• Pregnancy
No one should tolerate any conduct of this type. Should you experience or witness harassment, you may choose to take any of the following actions:
1. If you feel safe and comfortable doing so, ask the offender to stop. Whether the offending behavior is intentional or unintentional, expressing your discomfort to the offender directly may put a stop to that conduct.
2. Leave the area. While this may seem unfair, it is sometimes best for your safety and well-being if you leave the area, especially if you feel uncomfortable around the offender or their conduct. After separating yourself from the conduct, we hope you will inform us of the situation to help the event take additional actions.
3. If you are comfortable doing so, ask a GAMA Volunteer or on-site security or staff member for help. You can find Origins/ GAMA volunteers (wearing orange Origins Volunteer shirts) at Event HQs, in the Show Office, at the Customer Service kiosks, and roaming the halls.
4. Report the incident formally to GAMA, on-site or online. You may go to the Show Office or any Event HQ to file an incident report in person. This can also be done anytime during or after the show by emailing conduct@gama.com.
5. Contact the police or other appropriate authorities. Your health and safety are our most important concern. If you require immediate assistance from law enforcement, medical services, or other governmental entities, please do not hesitate to contact such services directly.
Based on any informal or formal complaint or report of harassment, GAMA may take the following steps. Note that this list is not exhaustive, and other appropriate action may be taken as necessary.
1. Read and investigate all reports. GAMA documents and reviews all reports. Reporting parties may be contacted for further clarifying information, unless they have submitted a report anonymously or asked to not be contacted further. Note that GAMA will not share the results of these reports with anyone, including the person who filed the report, unless required by law.
(continued on page 8)
SHOW Policies
2. Intercede if and when appropriate. immediate action to address harassment concerns, including but not limited to, escorting participants to a location in which they feel safe, refunding tickets, cancelling events, moving event locations, requesting participants leave a specific area, removing offenders from the event, or banning offenders from the show. Bans and removals may be on a temporary basis, for the duration of the show, or permanent.
3. Contact police and medical authorities when appropriate. upon review, GAMA finds that relevant local government officials should be notified, GAMA may contact such entities and/or share confidential information as required by law.
4. Sanction participants based on our investigations. participants found to have violated the Code of Conduct may be subject to sanctions, including but not limited to:
• Verbal or written warning (to be recorded by staff in our internal email or discord)
• Requiring the participant to avoid any interaction with, and physical proximity to the party or parties involved
• Temporary suspension from any GAMA sponsored events or online services
• Permanent ban from any GAMA sponsored events or online services
• Immediate expulsion from the convention without a refund
• Reporting of the incident to the appropriate authorities
This Code of Conduct applies in all physical and online spaces within GAMA’s control. This includes, but is not limited to, event venues, GAMA social media pages, communities and committees organized within GAMA, and streamed programming. Occasionally GAMA is made aware of behavior by participants (or potential participants) that has occurred outside of GAMA — either online or offline — and is a gross violation of our Code of Conduct. These actions need not occur in GAMA-affiliated spaces to be considered for sanctions by GAMA. These include, but are not limited to:
• Individuals who have not attended GAMA events but have a history of abusive behavior and/or known incidents that took place outside GAMA events that may cause risks to a participant’s safety, or which may contribute to a hostile or non-inclusive environment at the convention.
• GAMA event participants who have been reported for outside incidents, including, but not limited to, conduct at other conventions, threatening or abusive behavior online, or assault.
FEATURING:
• Second by second movement and actions
• Dynamic opposed combat system. Players attack and defend.
• The elimination of static Initiative order. No one including the GM knows who goes next.
• Dynamic new combat system featuring the revolutionary 30-sided special results dice:
• Criticals
• Combo attacks
• Spell Calamities
• Legendary defenses, and more!
• Variable attribute, skill and magical bonuses replace static modifiers making combat more unpredictable and exciting.
• Some of the most detailed and fun critical hit charts ever created.
• Combat is unpredictable, fun and keeps players on the edge of their seats.
Convention Info
What are the dates of Origins Game Fair 2025? Origins Game Fair 2025 will be held June 18 - 22, 2025, at the Greater Columbus Convention Center.
When is the exhibit hall open? The exhibit hall will not be open on Wednesday, June 18. Our exhibit hall is open the following hours:
• Thursday, June 19: 10am to 6pm
• Friday, June 20: 10am to 6pm
• Saturday, June 21: 10am to 6pm
• Sunday, June 22: 10am to 4pm
Badge Registration
Where can I buy a badge? Badge sales opened Oct. 29 and will remain open until the convention closes on June 22! Badges can be purchased through Tabletop.Events. Instructions for purchasing a badge on Tabletop.Events can be found HERE.
You can also purchase badges onsite at the convention center. Just go to the registration area in the North Atrium (near the corner of Goodale and High Street) and look for the onsite registration line. Please note that we have moved to a cashless system for registration, which means we are only able to accept credit/debit cards for badge and event ticket purchases.
How much are badges? Badge prices vary by badge type and day. To see the full list of available badges, visit Tabletop.Events.
What does my badge include? Origins Game Fair badges cover almost everything you would want to do at the convention, including admission to the exhibit hall, seminars, workshops, concerts and the Open Gaming Area with a board game library of more than 1,000 games.
In addition, most events offered are included with your badge, with a few exceptions for premium events that have an upcharge to cover materials, prize support or special guest GM/presenter. These premium events will be noted in the event catalog so you know what events have an extra fee. Our goal is to fill your days with plenty of opportunities to get to a table, and leaving the majority of our events free to participate is one way we hope to do that.
Attendees should be aware that certain specialty badges do come with restrictions (IE: TCG Badge) and may not include everything listed above, so be sure to check the description of the badge you’re purchasing.
How do I pick up my badge? You will pick up your badge at the Columbus Convention Center in the registration area, located in the North Atrium (near the corner of Goodale and High Street). If you have registered in advance you will be able to pick up your badge from the “Scan and Go” area of registration.
Do I have to wear my badge? Attendees are required to wear their badge at all times. Your badge grants you access into show areas. If you do not wear your badge, you will be denied entry.
What do I do if I lose my badge? PLEASE DO NOT LOSE YOUR BADGE! Unfortunately, we cannot offer replacement badges. If you lose your badge you will need to purchase a new badge.
I’m having some difficulty with Tabletop.Events! Tabletop.Events does offer many helpful instructions and videos. If you’ve found you can’t
manage to accomplish what you need to, or if you can’t find the answer to your questions, please e-mail registration@gama.org.
Why are my user name and password not working? Please follow the username and password recovery options on Tabletop.Events
Do you offer game clubs, educators, library or military discounts? Unfortunately, we do not currently offer discounts on our badges, other than our Early Bird discount. If you are looking for a discounted badge or potentially even a free badge, please consider volunteering to help make the show happen. Those who pay it forward by volunteering receive free badges for helping out as little as four hours a day. Learn more about becoming a volunteer. Visit page 64 for more information.
How do I buy a Child Pass? We raised the age limit for the Childs Pass from 9 years to 12 years of age to allow for more family members to attend at no extra costs. To buy a Child Pass, you must first have a badge in your cart for an attendee age 16+. While the system has a default $2 charge for the child’s pass, if you click the hyperlink it will insert a code to waive the fee. If you have any questions about this, please contact registration@gama.org for assistance PRIOR to purchasing your badges.
Can I use cash at the show? The Greater Columbus Convention Center is a cashless facility. This includes all GCCC operated concessions and all in-lane GCCC parking transactions. However, within the GCCC there are individual contracted vendors and outlets who, at their discretion, may accept cash. The exhibitors may also choose to accept cash at their booths. Unfortunately, we do not accept cash at the registration booth.
How can I get a refund on my Origins 2025 badge? Refunds on badges purchased for 2025 are available from the Tabletop.Events (TTE) website through April 19, 2025. All refunds are subject to a 10% service fee to cover the credit card and TTE fees from both the original purchase and the refund. There will be no refunds after April 19, 2025.
Premier Badge
How many hotel rooms can I reserve as part of my early access benefit? All hotel reservations are subject to restrictions set by the individual properties, but typically the limit is two rooms per reservation. Check with the property you’re interested in for more details.
Will my events tickets also be mailed? Any event you register for prior to the mailing deadline (May 1, 2025) will also be mailed to you. Any event added after that date will need to be picked up on-site as in previous years.
Events
How do I participate in an event?
• You must have a badge to attend or register for an event. You may have the badge in the cart at the time you register for an event and check out for both at the same time if you have not already purchased your badge.
• When you print your badge, tickets for the events you have registered for will also print.
• If you are registering for events after you have already printed your badge, the full-service registration desk will print your tickets for you!
When can I register for an event? You can register for an event from the time event registration opens until the time the event starts. Event tickets will print with your badge.
Returning in 2025: After you print your badge you can go to the Self-Service, Scan & Go to print any tickets purchased after you get your badge.
If regular events are now included in my badge, why do I need event tickets? Most scheduled events have limited seating and can only accommodate a specific number of players. People who reserve event tickets will be seated first. Should an event sell out, you can still stop by the event to see if a seat opened up. If there are remaining seats at the start of the event, the GM will seat those waiting to play.
What are generics (generic tickets) and how do I get them?
Generics are tickets that can be used to buy a seat in an event after players with purchased event tickets have been seated. Generic tickets will be available at Registration. Please note that as a majority of scheduled events are included in your badge price, you will only need to use generics for upcharge events (free events do not require generic tickets). Should an event sell out, you can still stop by the event to see if a seat opened up. If there are remaining seats at the start of the event, the GM will seat those waiting to play.
How do event ticket refunds work? Refunds for event tickets are given up to 24 hours prior to scheduled event time, or if an event has been cancelled. If the event is cancelled, the event ticket must have the signature from staff at the Event HQ in your area to be refunded. NOTE: All refunds are subject to a 10% service fee to cover the credit card and TTE fees from both the original purchase and the refund.
Health and Safety
What is Origin’s COVID-19 policy for 2025? Origins Game Fair is not requiring masks or proof of covid vaccination to attend Origins 2025. However, please be aware that if either the Centers for Disease Control or state/local governmental organizations require us to change this policy, we will do so to comply with governmental rules.
Are weapons allowed at Origins? Real weapons and weapons resembling real weapons are not allowed at Origins. Cosplay weapons must be cleared by convention security and peace bonded. Visit the Help Desk near registration or the Security Office directly outside of the Exhibit Hall in the Main Concourse. Replica weapons purchased in the Exhibit Hall must be immediately secured in the purchaser’s vehicle or hotel room.
What is peace-bonding? We utilize zip ties to mark items as safe and inspected. Once we have zip-tied your item, you are not permitted to remove it. Security will have zip ties on hand at the show. Visit the Security Office directly outside of the Exhibit Hall in the Main Concourse to peace-bond your item.
Are wheelchairs available? The convention center has a limitednumber of manual wheelchairs available. They are stored at Public Safety Command. If you (or someone you know) needs a wheelchair, contact Public Safety directly at (614) 827-2547. A member of Public Safety will bring the wheelchair to you. You will be asked to exchange a photo ID for the wheelchair, which will be returned to you when you are done using the chair.
Is there a lost and found? If you have lost an item or find an item during the show, please visit the Help Desk nearby Registration. If possible, found property will be returned to the owner. Any items not claimed will be left at the Security Office and brought back to the Origins office after the close of the show.
Volunteers
If I want to volunteer should I buy a badge? Please do not purchase a badge if you expect to receive one as a reward for volunteering at the show! A volunteer badge will be assigned to your Tabletop.Events account after the approval of your volunteer hours. Any badges purchased before receiving your volunteer badge will be subject to the refund fees laid out during the registration process above.
What is required of an Origins Volunteer? All volunteers are expected to be courteous, professional, and eager to help, in addition to the specific responsibilities outlined for the shifts they sign up for. All volunteers must submit to a background check. Learn more in the Volunteer Handbook.
Can my child volunteer? Due to insurance and the requirement of a background checks for all GAMA volunteers, we require all volunteers to be age 18 or older.
Can I sign up on-site? Unfortunately, we cannot accept volunteers onsite at Origins Game Fair. All volunteers must sign up in advance to allow for a background check and be placed in an area to work.
Families
Are children welcome at the show? Absolutely! As a family-friendly show, Origins welcomes gamers of any age. Children 12 and under can attend the show for free with an accompanying guardian. Children 13 and older must be registered for a badge.
Do you provide childcare? Unfortunately, no. We don’t have the ability to offer these services. Parents/guardians are responsible for looking after any children in their care while attending Origins Game Fair.
Do you have a private breastfeeding area? The convention center provides a designated area for nursing (by South Meeting Rooms) and offers two family restrooms (behind A210 and South Cafe & Marketplace).
Join the Team
How do I become a Volunteer? We are always looking for passionate volunteers to help make Origins a great show! Learn more about volunteer opportunities here or join our Volunteer Facebook Group.
How do I host events? Anyone can host an event at Origins! Event submissions are now live. If you are interested in running events, feel free to join our Game Master Facebook Group.
How do I demo for an exhibitor? Most of our exhibitors are looking for new demo team members to join them at shows! If you find an exhibitor you’d like to work with, we’d recommend reaching out to them about any opportunities they have available. Check their websites and social media pages, they may be posting information there as well.
FIRST TIMER Advice
1. Don’t over-extend yourself.
The GCCC is large and there is a lot to do at Origins Game Fair. You can’t see everything, so just enjoy what you can. Make sure you get a good night’s sleep and take breaks throughout the show.
2. Stay hydrated.
Water is important! When you feel thirsty you are already dehydrated. Keep a water bottle handy and refill it regularly.
3. Ask questions.
GAMA Staff, volunteers, GMs and exhibitors are all here to help! We are happy to answer questions and if we don’t know the answer, we can point you to someone who can. All of us were first-timers once too, and a few of us are first-timers right alongside you! There is also a Help and Information Desk located near registration, ready to answer all your questions!
4. Check out the Game Library.
The Origins Game Library has more than 1,800 games for you to check out and play with your friends (or total strangers!) included with your badge.
5. Check out the events list.
Take a little time to look through the events list on Tabletop.Events.
There are so many amazing events, most of which are included with your badge. You can usually find a seat at a seminar, and even events that are full can have seats free up. If you really are interested in an event, don’t be afraid to swing by the location at the start time to see if anything is available.
6. Try something new.
It can be tempting to stick to games and activities you are familiar with. With so many events included with your badge, Origins is an amazing opportunity to try something new with no risk! Look for “Rules will be taught” designations in the event list or just walk the gaming hall and look for open seats!
7. Exhibit hall demos are fast and informative.
Want to experience the most games with the most flexibility? Exhibitors run tons of awesome demos throughout the show. Get a quick feel for a new game without committing to playing for hours.
8. Don’t miss the back rows of the Exhibit Hall.
The big publishers tend to be toward the front of the Exhibit Hall. They have amazing displays and incredible products to try, but don’t forget about the smaller/independent publishers and designers farther back. Your new favorite game may be hiding back there right now!
GOLD
SILVER
BRONZE
C PODS
PODS
HYATT 1ST FLOOR MEETING ROOMS
HYATT 2ND FLOOR MEETING ROOMS
Exhibitors A-Z
EXHIBITOR BOOTH NUMBER
13th Moon Games 732
25th Century Games 719
9th Level Games 1009
Academy Games 913
A Critical Hit 125
Action Fiction 1507
Adventures’ Stationery And Supply, LLC 1232
Aether Objects 721
After Sunfall 1538
All Game Terrain 231
Allplay 1301 & 2300
Alpha Clash 331
AMIGO Games 1325
Anadia-chan 438
Ancient Innovations 1832
Andrew Heath Design + Illustration 1142
Andy Kehoe Art 238
Apis Games 1244
Arcadian Chain 1343
The Arcane Threadery 1644
Arcane Wonders 1401
Archania’s Workshop, LLC 230
Archon Games 213
Arcknight / Mimic Dice 2023
The Army Painter 423
Around the Stump Games 1559
Art by Charles Urbach 613
The Art of Brent Chumley 1043
Art of David Wong 343
The Art of Jeremy Provost LLC 1252
Art of Kellianne Stakenas 842
Artisan Dice by The Griffon’s Nest 1249
Artistic Realms 939
Arty Alex Creations 1237
Asmodee 2034
Astra Fauna 123
Author Ray Wenck 1339
Avantris Entertainment 1020
B Field Games 209
B.A. Games 2209
Band of Idiots 1135
Bard and Broad 2027
Base6 Card Game 1137
Beldolor Studios 1639
BellRinger 338
Beyond the Board 744
Bezier Games, Inc 1701
Binho Board 1649
Critical Hit Collectibles 1836 Critical Kit Ltd 748
Bitewing Games 1207
Black King Games 1032
Black Labrador Creations, LLC 1831
Black Oak Workshop 1201
BlindCoyote 1839
Blue Rondo Games 1002
BMG LLC (Flawed TCG) 1253
Boardwalk Puzzles 2114/2118
On Arrival...........................................526
Boda Games Manufacturing 1549
The Bodhana Group 925
Book Loft of German Village 1731
Brieck Draw 638
Brother Ming Games 1152
BrownCastle Games 1647
BudStuff Games 1147
Bull Mansion Studio 1745
Capstone Games 701
Captive Fancy 1235
Cardboard Horde 1046
Cardboard King Games 1236
Cardzilla 2022
Castle Keep Crafts 1838
Catalyst Game Labs ......................2408
Catbat Art 435
CavernHold (Fangorn Forge and Cavernwire Games) 1925
CB3 Studio & Gaming 1633
Cephalofair Games 1001
Chaosium Inc. 1713
Chess Up 1933
ChicGeek Creations 537
Chip Theory Games LLC 1623
Chivalrous Arts: Apocalypse 210
Chronicle RPGs 413
Citrus Atelier 1242
Cleveland Institute of Art 1224
Cleverland Puzzle 1733
Cloud Curio 634
Cobble Hill ..................................................... 1942
Combee Collectibles 1553
Constellation Collective
Sacramento LLC 1846
Crates of Chaos 101
Creature Curation 308
Crit Hit Ceramics 907
Critical Crafting 111
Eric Fortune 439
Guangzhou Yimi Paper Co., Ltd. 114
Escape Mail 1246
Extra Life Columbus 759
Family Tree Games 1336
FanRoll by Metallic Dice Games .........415
Fate of the Norns 115
Fireside Games 1418
First Fish Games 1231
Flatworks Gaming 1608
The Flickering Lantern 1345
Flowersflame 1336
Flying Cloud 753
Flying Monkey Comics and Games 1844
Foam Brain Games 1501
Fongnetic 139
Forteller 731
FoxHen Creatives 934
Free League Publishing 515
Fyre & Ashe 1546
The Gambit Foundry 106
Game Gather 958
Game Toppers 2119
Game Universe 507
GAMELAND 823
Gamer Concepts 1227
Gamer Girl Jewelry 742
The Game Steward ................................. 953
Gameswell 1754
Gate Keeper Games & Dice 501
Geekify Inc 1153
The Geek Preacher 632
Geeky Endeavors ................................. 1131
Gehenna Gaming 737
Gen1400 Gaming 212
Genius Games (Elf Creek Games) .....709
Ghostfire Gaming 547
Goblin’s Hut ............................................... 224
Golden Dragon Games 121
Golden Light Dice 1738
Goliath Coins 1031
Goodman Games 409
Goosepoop Games .................................... 1635
Grand Gamers Guild 1315
Grandpa Beck’s Games 1226
Green Ronin Publishing 201
Grey Fox Games 1113
GrimStylesArt ................................................ 643
Grod Games ............................................2020
The Guardtower 1323
Hachette Boardgames .......................1513
Havoc Games, LLC 1432
Heavy Play 2031
Hectic Electron Games 214
Hedron 735
Heiress Gaming 1858
Heroes and Games 1704
Hillary’s Toy Box 1145
Hopes Game Manufacturer 1337
Horrible Adorables 1206
Hrothgar’s Hoard, LLC 1603
Hymgho Premium Gaming Supplies 207
Ian Moss Creative 738
Imagination Mining Company 1446
Imagining Games 530
In My Parents Basement 122
Indie Game Studios 901
Indie Press Revolution 1203
Ink-U-Bus 2202
Inside Up Games 807
Inspired Artistry 239
Interstellar Dice 1542
Iron Wind Metals 1223
Jacob Walker Art 1938
Jamon Red, LLC - Hector Ceniceros III .. 532
Japanime Games 401
Jason Andrew Hite 538
JELLY JELLY GAMES 1034
Jessy Cabrera ...........................................838
Joking Hazard ........................................ 1234
KamoriaArt 1543
Kess Co 1420
Killer Mystery Games 120
Kinson Key Games 849
Krit Dice ............................................................ 642
KTBG/Burnt Island Games 1413
Last Night Games 1101
The Laughing Ogre 1146
Legendary Realms Terrain 853
Lethal Fantasy Games ............................. 1036
Lets Bug Out 955
Level Up Sabers 1454
Lilystrations 1039
Limithron LLC 513
Limitless Adventures ......................... 1004 Lioness
Exhibitors A-Z
One More Turn Games 834
sculptedlegacy 243
Tortoise and the Ware 652
Origami Whale Games 1930
Orthane Productions 103
Outset 1019
OverPower (Lazarus Rising Games) 1119
Pacific Midwest Creations 535
Pages of Ivy 839
Panda Cult Games 831
Panic Roll 1149
Pawley Studios 1443
Pegasus Publishing 922
Pet Domination Games 1121
Placeholder Games 1255
Play to Z 522
PocketParks 1044
Pollia Design 1739
Portreii 1138
PostCurious..................................................1354
Pour Over Gaming..........................................938
Puff Duck Games, LLC 846
Puzzles Plus 1835
Queen Games 2101/2100
Questing Gentlemen 102
Race to Stupid Games 945
Rainbow Quest! 855
Ravenstone Games 533
Ravenwood Woodworks 847
Recycled Realms 2032
Res Nova Games 208
Restoration Games 601
Retro Plus Games 1054
Rigmaroller Games 1552
Robin’s Nerd Supplies 801
Rock & Roll Brouhaha 1335
Rock, Stone & Dice Games 1035
Role 4 Initiative 931
Roll With Adventure 2039
Rookie Mage Games 204
Rose Micro Solutions 226
Rosie Rain Art ................................................. 836
Rowan, Rook and Decard Store 411
Saving Throw Pillows 1338
Savvy Jensen Art 1239
Scorpion Lair Games 202
Sea Cow Games 130
Sea Dog Games Studios 119
SFR 725
Shottsy Arts....................................................342
Silverwood Wood Designs 859
Gaming Experience 1544 Trans Atlantis Games LLC 1049 Triforge Laser Design 1939
SKY GAME 649
Sleeping Giant Gaming 937
Creations 909 Uloomi 1324 Upended Games 1332 Urza’s
SlugFest Games 1022
Smirk & Dagger Games 1013
Snakes and Hawks 936
The Soldiery Games & Cards 1455
SolidRoots 1333
Sorensen’s Precision Diceworks 1758
Speedrobo Games 432
Spoonbill Games 1055
Weathered Dragon
SRG Universe 1801 & 2205
Start Here! Beach House RPGs 1436
Stat Trackers 1105
Stone Age Entertainment .................1123
Story Garden Publishing 923
Strange Machine Games 1509
Studio 2 Publishing 301
Studio de Sade: Fine Art of Nigel Sade 1642
Studio Smithy Art 921
Creations
Surfin’ Meeple 1220
Table Tech 1833
Table Top Candle Company 1006
Tabletop Gaymers 1637
Taco Cat Goat Cheese Pizza (Dolphin Hat Games) 813
Tangled Earth Arts 1238
Tea And Absinthe/ Alchemist’s Dust 1447
Teaweltzer........................................................539
Illustrations -
TeeMinus24.com .....................................653
Tee Turtle / Unstable Games 203
Teomach Games 1334
Terrible Games 947
Terry Huddleston ART 1347
The Museum of Dungeons & Dragons 633
Survival Infection 833
Thor Custom Designs 1442
Thunderworks Games 815
TNT Laser Works 1155
Tom Bacon Art 339
Exhibitors by BOOTH NUMBER
Dirty Woods
Alpha Clash
BellRinger
339 Tom Bacon Art
342 Shottsy Arts
343 Art of David Wong
401 Japanime Games
409 Goodman Games
411 Rowan, Rook and Decard Store
638 Brieck Draw
639 Don Higgins Illustration
642 Krit Dice
643 GrimStylesArt
646 Dragonleaf
649 SKY GAME
652 Tortoise and the Ware
653 TeeMinus24.com
701 Capstone Games
709 Genius Games (Elf Creek Games)
719 25th Century Games
413 Chronicle RPGs
415 FanRoll by Metallic Dice Games
423 The Army Painter
431 Wyrd Games
432 Speedrobo Games
435 Catbat Art
437 MadRoc Games
438 Anadia-chan
439 Eric Fortune
442 Mega Kawaii Cuties
501 Gate Keeper Games & Dice
507 Game Universe
510 DMDave Publishing
513 Limithron LLC
515 Free League Publishing
522 Play to Z
526 Dapper On Arrival
530 Imagining Games
531 Wet Ink Games
532 Jamon Red, LLCHector Ceniceros III
533 Ravenstone Games
721 Aether Objects
723 Distant Rabbit Games
725 SFR
731 Forteller
732 13th Moon Games
734 The Magical Land of Yeld
735 Hedron
736 Musetap Studios
737 Gehenna Gaming
738 Ian Moss Creative
739 The Dicey Dungeon
742 Gamer Girl Jewelry
743 Lor Illustration
744 Beyond the Board
746 Egghead Comics and Games
747 Daywalker Syndicate
748 Critical Kit Ltd
749 Wyvern Warfare
753 Flying Cloud
755 Littlest Lantern
759 Extra Life Columbus
801 Robin’s Nerd Supplies
535 Pacific Midwest Creations
537 ChicGeek Creations
538 Jason Andrew Hite
539 Teaweltzer
543 Mighty Pie Creative Workshop
547 Ghostfire Gaming
601 Restoration Games
613 Art by Charles Urbach
615 Enterprise Games
631 Whales Entertainment
632 The Geek Preacher
633 The Museum of Dungeons & Dragons
634 Cloud Curio
636 CryTime
807 Inside Up Games
809 Decision Games/Stategy & Tactics Press
813 Taco Cat Goat Cheese Pizza (Dolphin Hat Games)
815 Thunderworks Games
820 Wehrlegig Games
823 GAMELAND
825 Decus Workshop
827 Dark Moon Cards and Games
831 Panda Cult Games
833 Zombie Survival Infection
834 One More Turn Games
836 Rosie Rain Art
838 Jessy Cabrera
GAMA member Gaming Hall Horizons Fellowship
839 Pages of Ivy
842 Art of Kellianne Stakenas
844 MB Kraft Studio
846 Puff Duck Games, LLC
847 Ravenwood Woodworks
849 Kinson Key Games
853 Legendary Realms Terrain
854 Welcome Home Creations TN
855 Rainbow Quest! 859 Silverwood Wood Designs
901 Indie Game Studios 903 Mystic Tomes & Treasures
907 Crit Hit Ceramics 909 Twilight Creations
Academy Games
Crystal Caste 921 Studio Smithy Art
Pegasus Publishing
Story Garden Publishing
The Bodhana Group
Exhibitors by BOOTH NUMBER
1033 Dongguan Senfutong Paper Co.,ltd
1034 JELLY JELLY GAMES
1035 Rock, Stone & Dice Games
1036 Lethal Fantasy Games
1037 Curio Constructs
1038 Cryptid Dicecraft
1039 Lilystrations
1042 Woodside IllustrationsBrent Woodside
1043 The Art of Brent Chumley
1044 PocketParks
1045 Cube Woodworking
1046 Cardboard Horde
1048 Elephants & Flowers LLC
1049 Trans Atlantis Games LLC
1053 Natural Twenty
1054 Retro Plus Games
1055 Spoonbill Games
1101 Last Night Games
Role 4 Initiative
Myth Maker Gaming
Media hoax
FoxHen Creatives
1105 Stat Trackers
1109 Norse Foundry
1113 Grey Fox Games
1115 Van Ryder Games
1155 TNT Laser Works
1201 Black Oak Workshop
1203 Indie Press Revolution
1204 The Dietz Foundation
1206 Horrible Adorables
1207 Bitewing Games
1212 DaSueDragon Designs
1213 Czech Games Edition
1220 Surfin’ Meeple
1223 Iron Wind Metals
1224 Cleveland Institute of Art
1226 Grandpa Beck’s Games
1227 Gamer Concepts
1231 First Fish Games
1232 Adventures’ Stationery And Supply, LLC
1233 The Dusty Top Hat
1234 Joking Hazard
1235 Captive Fancy
1236 Cardboard King Games
1237 Arty Alex Creations
1238 Tangled Earth Arts
1239 Savvy Jensen Art
1242 Citrus Atelier
CSquared Games 936 Snakes and Hawks 937 Sleeping Giant Gaming
938 Pour Over Gaming 939 Artistic Realms
943 Woodside IllustrationsKayla Woodside
945 Race to Stupid Games
946 Natasia Embroidery
947 Terrible Games
1119 OverPower (Lazarus Rising Games)
1121 Pet Domination Games
1123 Stone Age Entertainment
1125 Offshoots
1127 LongPack Games & Toys
1130 Envy Born Games
1131 Geeky Endeavors
1132 Zero Strategy Games
1133 ZenJumps Chainmaille
1244 Apis Games
1246 Escape Mail
1247 WM Homestead
1249 Artisan Dice by The Griffon’s Nest
1252 The Art of Jeremy Provost LLC
1253 BMG LLC (Flawed TCG)
1255 Placeholder Games
1301 & 2300 Allplay
1315 Grand Gamers Guild
953 The Game Steward 954 Lioness Games 955 Lets Bug Out
Game Gather
Cephalofair Games
Blue Rondo Games
Limitless Adventures
Table Top Candle Company
9th Level Games
Smirk & Dagger Games
Outset 1020 Avantris Entertainment 1022 SlugFest Games
1031 Goliath Coins
1032 Black King Games
1135 Band of Idiots
1137 Base6 Card Game
1138 Portreii
1139 Wired Dice Goblin
1142 Andrew Heath Design + Illustration
1143 My Little Demon
1144 DrakeHaven Games
1145 Hillary’s Toy Box
1146 The Laughing Ogre
1147 BudStuff Games
1149 Panic Roll
1152 Brother Ming Games
1153 Geekify Inc
1154 Weird Works
1319 The WitchBorn
1323 The Guardtower
1324 Uloomi
1325 AMIGO Games
1331 Wattsalpoag Games
1332 Upended Games
1333 SolidRoots
1334 Teomach Games
1335 Rock & Roll Brouhaha
1336 Family Tree Games
1336 Flowersflame
1337 Hopes Game Manufacturer
1338 Saving Throw Pillows
1339 Author Ray Wenck (continued
Exhibitors by BOOTH NUMBER
BOOTH EXHIBITOR
1343 Arcadian Chain
1345 The Flickering Lantern
1347 Terry Huddleston ART
1348 Dragon Armor Games
1353 Mina Soleil
1354 PostCurious
1355 Urza’s Toolbox
1401 Arcane Wonders
1413 KTBG/Burnt Island Games
1418 Fireside Games
1420 Kess Co
1422 DoFine Games Co. Ltd
1432 Havoc Games, LLC
1436 Start Here! Beach House RPGs
1438 Daria Aksenova
1439 LUZ-ART
1442 Thor Custom Designs
1443 Pawley Studios
1444 Valeron Games
1445 O Christmas Geek
1446 Imagination Mining Company
1447 Tea And Absinthe/Alchemist’s Dust
1452 Next Level Miniatures
1453 Weighted Dice Games
1454 Level Up Sabers
1455 The Soldiery Games & Cards
1459 Dodecadonuts
1501 Foam Brain Games
1507 Action Fiction
1509 Strange Machine Games
1513 Hachette Boardgames
1538 After Sunfall
1539 Nate Lovett
1542 Interstellar Dice
1543 KamoriaArt
1544 Total Gaming Experience
1546 Fyre & Ashe
1547 DX Monsters TCG
1549 Boda Games Manufacturing
1552 Rigmaroller Games
1553 Combee Collectibles
1554 DVC Games
1555 Moon Saga Workshop
1558 Nick Jizba
1601 & 2400 WizKids
1603 Hrothgar’s Hoard, LLC
1608 Flatworks Gaming
1609 Wise Wizard Games
1623 Chip Theory Games LLC
1631 Vesuvius Media
1633 CB3 Studio & Gaming
1635 Goosepoop Games
1637 Tabletop Gaymers
1639 Beldolor Studios
1642 Studio de Sade: Fine Art of Nigel Sade
1644 The Arcane Threadery
1646 Starlight Grove
1647 BrownCastle Games
1649 Binho Board
1653 Mythworks
1701 Bezier Games, Inc
1702 DPH Games Inc.
1704 Heroes and Games
1713 Chaosium Inc.
1844 Flying Monkey Comics and Games
1846 Constellation Collective
Sacramento LLC
1848 Najarian Art
1858 Heiress Gaming
1919 XP Network
1921 The Merchant of Many Things
1925 CavernHold (Fangorn Forge and Cavernwire Games)
1930 Origami Whale Games
1931 Dice Dungeons
1933 Chess Up
1934 Matsuricon
1935 Ludoliminal
1936A MaKa Games
1731 Book Loft of German Village
1733 Cleverland Puzzle
1735 Eerie Games
1737 Dragon’s Den Candles
1738 Golden Light Dice
1739 Pollia Design
1743 Dbl Feature
1745 Bull Mansion Studio
1747 MyNerdLife
1752 Nimue Innovation Studios
1753 Miniature Market
1754 Gameswell
1758 Sorensen’s Precision Diceworks
1801 & 2205 SRG Universe
1807 Epic Armoury
1813 Equilibrium USG
1559 Around the Stump Games
1831 Black Labrador Creations, LLC
1832 Ancient Innovations
1833 Table Tech
1834 Druids Garden Tea Company
1835 Puzzles Plus
1836 Critical Hit Collectibles
1837 Epic Loot Games
1838 Castle Keep Crafts
1839 BlindCoyote
1842 Dream Vale Studios
1936B Worn Wanderers
1937 Witches’ Quarrel
1938 Jacob Walker Art
1939 Triforge Laser Design
1942 Cobble Hill
2018 Z-McFive
2020 Grod Games
2022 Cardzilla
2023 Arcknight / Mimic Dice
2027 Bard and Broad
2031 Heavy Play
2032 Recycled Realms
2034 Asmodee
2035 Magic Minis and More
2038 Nerdzilly
2039 Roll With Adventure
2101/2100 Queen Games
2104 Mayfair Games
2108 Mid Level Meeple
2114/2118 Boardwalk Puzzles
2119 Game Toppers
2200 & Ex Hall Wild Bill’s Soda
2202 Ink-U-Bus
2204 Warlord Games
2208 Mantic Games
2209 B.A. Games
2308 VRGames / VR-Soft
2408 Catalyst Game Labs
GAMA member Gaming Hall
READYTOTAKEYOUR CAREERINGAMESTO THE NEXTLEVEL?
The GAMAHorizonsFellowship isabusinessacceleratorprogram fornewlyestablishedgamepublishersandretailersfromunderrepresentedgroups.
Selectedapplicantsreceivea$1000grant,anindustrymentor,and accesstovirtualclasses—you'llbejoiningagrowingnetworkofindustry professionalsandbuildinglastingrelationshipstosupportyour business.You'llalsoreceivetravelstipendsandexhibitorspaceat both GAMAExpo and Origins in2026!
TV & FILM GUESTS
Sophie Aldred
Sophie Aldred, is an English actress and television presenter. She is best known for her role as Ace, the Seventh Doctor’s companion, in Doctor Who during the late 1980s. Aldred has had a varied career in children’s television, presenting educational programs and providing voice work for numerous animated series, including Bob the Builder and Dennis & Gnasher. Sophie reprised her role as Ace in The Power of the Doctor, Jodie Whitaker’s farewell story, which was chosen to celebrate the Centenary anniversary of the BBC and transmitted on 23rd October 2022. In Autumn 2023 she recorded “Tales of the TARDIS” with Sylvester McCoy as part of Dr Who’s 60th Anniversary. She continues to be a prominent figure in the world of Doctor Who through audio plays and other media.
John Barrowman
John Barrowman, is a Scottish-American actor, singer, presenter, and comic book writer. He gained fame for his role as Captain Jack Harkness in Doctor Who and its spin-off Torchwood. Barrowman has also starred in the Arrowverse as Malcolm Merlyn and has a successful career in musical theatre, with roles in productions like Anything Goes and The Phantom of the Opera. His dynamic presence and versatile talent have made him a standout in both television and theatre.
TIMBO Sullivan
cake designer Timbo Sullivan comes to Origins 2025!
Visit Booth #1058 in the Exhibit Hall on Friday and Saturday, where Timbo will create a 50th Anniversary 3D Crit cake onsite during the show!
TV & FILM GUESTS Sylvester McCoy
Sylvester McCoy, is best known for his role as the seventh incarnation of the Doctor in the iconic sci-fi series Doctor Who from 1987 to 1989. He also reprised the role in the 1996 TV movie and reprising the role in Tales of the TARDIS for the 60th Anniversary and several Big Finish audiobooks. McCoy’s career spans over five decades, including notable performances in The Hobbit film series as Radagast the Brown, The Munsters reboot and Sense8. His unique blend of physical comedy and dramatic talent has made him a beloved figure in the entertainment industry.
MUSICIANS
Performing Saturday, June 21 at 8pm
Heywood Banks
Heywood Banks is simply one-of-a-kind, almost impossible to describe, with a style his very own. Equal parts genius and buffoon, this songwriter-comic-singer-poet-musician has become a cult hero and a pop icon, with a show that appeals to college students, stoners, businessmen, yuppies, rednecks, punks, kids, or your grandmother.
Heywood intersperses his humorous observations of life with twisted, inventive, bizarre songs, sung and played in a variety of styles, from folk to country to rock to pop, and way beyond. You have to be pretty smart to get Heywood at his deepest level (he demands a high level of pop culture literacy), but you can also enjoy him just for his vocal style impersonations, expert musicianship and just plain silliness.
His songs include “Toast”, “Fly’s Eyes”, “Wiper Blades”, “Pancreas”, “Big Butter Jesus”, “18 Wheels (on a Big Rig)”, “The One Eye Love” & “The Cat Got Dead”.
Heywood frequently appears on the nationally syndicated radio program The Bob and Tom Show.
SPONS O R ED BY
Main Stage - Short North Ballroom A
The Stereoflowers
Come rawk with Columbus, Ohio’s premiere punk band... The Stereoflowers! Back for a second year, The Stereoflowers are ready to entertain. Join the band as they play songs from their licensed TTRPG album, Punk Is Dead - The Soundtrack (Mork Borg / Critical Kit Ltd) in addition to favorites from their Living Again LP and Ocean EP. The Stereoflowers will also be rocking some familiar cover tunes and all new music. The Stereoflowers are in regular rotation on 112 FM Bandito Radio and will also be performing at the annual Mothman Festival in September.
Performing Thursday, June 19 at 8pm C170 - Goodale Stage
MUSICIANS
Performing Thursday, June 19 at 1pm C170 - Goodale Stage
2d6
“..a legendary musical group.”
“No band has influenced pop culture the way they have.”
“Irrepressible and irresistible, they were -- and remain --the world’s most astonishing band.”
The band? The Beatles, whom 2d6 once listened to. They were pretty good, too! Those descriptions were probably accurate! But 2d6 is also a band! They’re a couple of nerds, who were once a couple of animals, who found a pair of six sided-dice after running away from a lab--listen, the backstory’s a lot to take in; suffice it to say: 2d6 likes to rap about geeky pop culture.
Anime, video games, comic books, roleplaying, 2d6 covers it all! And not only do they do it, they do it with more energy, verve, and panache than any other band you’ve ever seen. Listen, nerds know a lot about words. Rappers must know a lot of words to succeed. QED, nerds are the best rappers.
So let 2d6 rap at you while they pelt you with a ton of candy. Check out 2d6 @ 2d6music.com!
PODCASTERS
Visit at Booth #1458 in the Exhibit Hall
The McElroy Family
Clint McElroy: The dad who tricked his bosses into a 45-year broadcasting career, comic writer, and co-host of The Adventure Zone. He’s basically retired, but don’t tell him that!
Justin McElroy: Podcast wizard, TV show host, and voice actor. Known for My Brother, My Brother and Me (MBMBaM) and The Adventure Zone. Also, the guy who brought back “Berries and Cream” on TikTok.
Travis McElroy: Podcaster, actor, and bestselling author. Famous for The Adventure Zone and MBMBaM. He once played Juliet’s Nurse, so you know he’s got range!
Griffin McElroy: Podcaster, writer, and voice actor. Credits include Trolls: World Tour and The Mitchells vs The Machines. Forbes 30 under 30, but he’s still humble (mostly).
Prepare for laughs, epic stories, and games galore with the McElroys!
Tom Vasel
Hi, my name is Tom Vasel, host of The Dice Tower. I’ve played board games most of my life, having learned classics such as Uno!, Monopoly, Sorry!, and Careers as a child. I quickly started looking through thrift stores to find more and more games, and was captivated by games that had variety and strategy, such as Cosmic Encounter and Scotland Yard.
In college, I played quite a few collectible card games, and dabbled with wargames and miniatures. Over the past five years, however, I’ve become aware of a great amount of other board games. Many of these games are known as “Eurogames”, due to the prolific nature of the German and French game designers. I’ve found them to be exciting and interesting, and a far cry from the “roll-and-move” games of my youth. Of course, American games, such as those from Eagle Games and Fantasy Flight, also fascinate me. Several years ago, I began to write reviews of board games, so that others could find out about these wonderful games. I’ve also authored an “Interviews by an Optimist” series, a series of interviews with notables in the gaming world, and started a series of deeper board game discussions - Musings On...,which is now gone - but you never know if we might start it up again!
In May 2005, I started the podcast The Dice Tower with Joe Steadman - a podcast all about board games, and one that has gradually changed over its many episodes. Joe has since left the show, but with a host of other contributors, the Dice Tower is still being produced biweekly, and is one of my favorite things to do. In 2008, I started a video podcast with my daughters, which is amazingly fun!
Most importantly, I am married to the lovely Laura Vasel, and together we have six beautiful girls - Melody, Amy, Holly, Clara, Violet, and Ruby, and a son, Jimmy. We also have a son, Jack, who was called to Heaven in early 2011. Together we served as missionaries in South Korea, where I pastored Uijongbu Baptist Church. I’m now in Homestead, Florida, where I run the Dice Tower full time, as well as serve at the First Baptist Church of Cutler Ridge.
You can find more about me at my personal webpage, www.tomvasel.com.
GAME DESIGNERS
2025 NEW RELEASES
Guests
Justina Ireland
Justina Ireland is the New York Times bestselling author of numerous books including Dread Nation and its sequel Deathless Divide, Rust in the Root, the middle-grade novel Ophie’s Ghosts, which won the Scott O’Dell award for historical fiction, and a number of Star Wars books including Lando’s Luck, Spark of the Resistance, A Test of Courage, Out of the Shadows, and Mission to Disaster just to name a few. She is one of the primary story architects of the Star Wars: The High Republic multimedia initiative and has also has also written a number of Marvel comics. In the screenwriting arena, Justina has written for The Fall of the House of Usher and has staffed a number of other TV writers’ rooms. She is a former editor in chief of FIYAH Literary Magazine of Black Speculative Fiction, for which she won a World Fantasy Award. She has been shortlisted for the Hugo, Nebula, and Bram Stoker awards and she won the Locus award for Dread Nation. She holds a BA in History from Georgia Southern and an MFA in Creative Writing from Hamline University. You can find Justina on Instagram as @justina.ireland, at her website justinaireland.com, and you can find her work wherever great books are sold.
AUTHORS
Kayden Phoenix
Kayden Phoenix made history by creating the first-ever Latina superhero team in comic book history with her graphic novels, A LA BRAVA, now under the Andrews McMeel Publishing banner. For all ages, she launched Princess Academia, a modern-day princess adventures series that redefines the genre. Under Artillery Network’s banner, Phoenix co-created and co-written mature action-packed stories like .357 Magnum Opus series. Her latest comic, Lipstick Cliqa, a gripping three-part series about a Latina vampire gang, was slated by Sony Music Entertainment.
https://linktr.ee/LatinaSuperheroes
Amy Schneider
Like Kim Deal, Paul Laurence Dunbar, and one of the two Wright Brothers, Amy Schneider was born in Dayton, Ohio. In 2021, she made her first appearance on the syndicated quiz show “Jeopardy!”, where she would go on to win 40 consecutive games, the second most in the show’s history, trailing only Ken Jennings. She is the most successful woman ever to compete on “Jeopardy!”, as well as the only out trans person to compete in, and win, the show’s prestigious Tournament of Champions. Since then, she has gone on to become a writer and LGBTQ advocate, has spoken at the White House, has been covered in a multitude of publications including “People,” “USA Today,” “The New York Times,” “Los Angeles Times,” and “Washington Post,” has appeared on “Good Morning America,” and has attended the White House Correspondents Dinner, where she saw Drew Barrymore in the women’s bathroom but didn’t introduce herself.
Amy lives in Oakland, California with her two cats, both of whom are extremely cute.
AUTHORS
Matt Forbeck
Matt Forbeck is an award-winning and New York Times bestselling author and game designer with over thirtyfive novels and countless games published to date. His projects have won a Peabody Award, a Scribe Award, and numerous ENnies and Origins Awards. He is also the president of the Diana Jones Award Foundation, which celebrates excellence in gaming. His latest work includes Hard West 2, Warhammer 40,000: Tacticus, the Marvel Multiverse Role-Playing Game, and the Shotguns & Sorcery 5E Sourcebook based on his novels. He is the father of five, includinga set of quadruplets. He lives in Beloit, Wisconsin, with his wife and a rotating cast of college-age children. For more about him and his work, visit Forbeck.com.
Authors Alcove
Exhibit Hall Booth #1918
The Author’s Alcove is designed to provide authors the opportunity to interact with their fans, sign autographs, sell books, and lead seminars during the show.
NEW! The Book Loft of German Village is joining us as our partner bookstore this year. They will be selling additional titles throughout the show during Exhibit Hall hours – be sure to stop, Booth #1731.
Our 2025 authors include:
Christopher D. Abbott
Laura VanArendonk Baugh
Donald J. Bingle
C. S. E. Cooney
Keith R.A. DeCandido
Kelli Fitzpatrick
Sarah Hans
Justina Ireland
Addie J. King
Kayden Phoenix
Cat Rambo
Aaron Rosenberg
Jenifer Purcell Rosenberg
Christopher D. Schmitz
Amy Schneider
FEATURED Events
ARTIST ALLEY
Artist Alley is a region of the Origins Game Fair Exhibit Hall showcasing the talents of industry professionals and up-and-coming artists alike. Artists will be present to talk about their pieces, sell their work, or even put together commissions on the spot for you to take home!
COMEDY SHOW
Origins Game Fair knows how to make you laugh! Join us for two epic shows at Origins 2025!
Visit the Comedy Show page for more information about the performers.
ORIGINS GIVES BACK
In between playing games, don’t forget about the opportunities to help support local and gaming related charities and non-profits throughout the weekend.
Extra
Sanctuary on Homestead Visit Booth #113
Stonewall Columbus
Buy an Origins Pride pin in the Origins Store in the Main Concourse
BLOOD DRIVE
Rose Gauntlet Foundation
Buy an Origins Juneteenth pin in the Origins Store in the Main Concourse
Tabletop Gaymers Visit Booth #1637 and stop by the Ink-U-Bus Booth #2202 on Saturday Origins Game Fair Blood Drive
Thursday & Friday, June 19 & 20 10:30am – 4:30pm
Saturday, June 21 10am – 4pm Room D182
To
All donors will receive a $15 Amazon Gift Card by email, a free ARC T-shirt, and be entered for a chance to win one of two $7,000 prizes! For an appointment, please visit RedCrossBlood.org, sponsor code: GAMA Call 1-800-RED CROSS (1-800-733-2767), or scan the QR code.
GAME LIBRARY FILM FESTIVAL
The ORIGINS FILM FESTIVAL is back for its ninth year, showcasing independent feature and short films of any genre related to gaming, sci-fi or fantasy.
The Origins Film Festival is held concurrently in-person at the Origins Game Fair AND streaming online, helping you get more eyeballs on your amazing work.
Film Festival Schedule
Friday, June 20 & Saturday, June 21
12noon – 10pm Room B144
Friday, June 20th
12pm - SciFi Shorts
• Quarantine
• Pride In Our Steps
• Dad’s New Roomate
• Crossing Acheron
• Shepherd Moon
• Diminished Reality
• Enter the Room
2pm - Interval (SciFi Feature Film)
4pm - The Tempest (SciFi Feature –Shakespeare in Star Wars)
8pm – Of Dice & Men (Gaming Feature
Saturday, June 21st
12pm – Filmmaker Meet & Greet & Awards
1pm – Gaming Shorts
• Electric Wind God Fist
• Donation for Wedding
• Live Legendary: Launder
2pm – Staycation (SciFi Feature)
4pm – Eye of the Beholder (Gaming Documentary)
8pm – The Ladder (SciFi Feature)
Our game library and playing area, organized by Buckeye Game Fest, uses the Columbus Area Boardgaming Society (CABS) library containing over 1,800 games!
You can of course bring your own games to enjoy in the playing area, or check out one of the many games in the library. Regardless of what you choose to play, you’ll enjoy a quality playing experience with mats provided by Game Toppers!
2025 GAME LIBRARY HOURS
• Wednesday: Noon - midnight
• Thursday: 9am -midnight
• Friday: 9am -midnight
• Saturday: 9am -midnight
• Sunday: 9am-3pm
NOTE: On Sunday, there will be no game check outs after 2pm and all games must be returned by 3pm.
F.A.Q.
What games are available in the library?
You can view the current CABS Library listing here: http://cabsgamers. org/library
How do I get access to the Game Library?
The Game Library is now included with your badge! There is no extra cost to check out games or use the tables.
Can anyone check out a game?
Attendees with a valid Origins Badge and a valid government-issued photo ID can check out a game. You can check out one game per ID at a time. Only the ID holder can check out/ check in the game.
Does the game I check out have to stay in the Game Library?
Yes. The games are meant to be checked out for you to play during your time in the Game Library. Once you are done playing the game, bring it back to the desk and check out another one if you like. Any games not returned by the time the library closes down at midnight will result in the attendee’s ID being kept overnight and not available for pick up until the next morning.
Will there be game giveaways?
We certainly hope so! Depending on the sponsorship support for the Game Library, there may be game giveaways. If they are available, it will be announced in the Facebook group before/during the show as details become available.
What
is Buckeye
Game Fest?
I thought CABS ran the Game Library?
BGF currently runs the Origins Game Library as well as the local gaming convention Buckeye Game Fest. Buckeye Game Fest grew from CABS. We are the original convention committee that worked on behalf of CABS previous years in the Game Library. We are partnered with CABS to bring you a great experience in the Game Library.
FEATURED Events
COSPLAY CONTEST
Here at Origins Game Fair, we know gaming culture spans a massive variety of fandoms, from fantasy and roleplaying, to comics, anime, and everything else!
Cosplay is the perfect art form to not only celebrate everything you love about your favorite fandoms, but to feel connected to them in a way nothing else can. That’s why each year we host the Origins Game Fair cosplay contest. A golden opportunity for our incredibly talented attendees to showcase their works of art on stage and compete for prizes and bragging rights.
Join the astounding crew of Rubber City Cosplay as they present our incredible contestants to you and our panel of esteemed cosplay judges.
Whether you’re in it to win it, chasing the rush of strutting across the stage to display the fruits of all your hard work, or looking to feel the buzz of excitement cheering on your friends and favorites from the crowd; this celebration of cosplay is a must attend event!
Registration is open during exhibit hall hours from Thursday until 3pm Saturday and couldn’t be easier this year! Visit the Rubber City Cosplay’s booth at Cosplay Tavern found inside the Exhibit Hall, Booth #2001. They will take your info and handle the rest.
When: Saturday, 5pm – 7pm
Where: Main Stage - Short North
Ballroom A
Cost: FREE
Sponsored by:
Contestants may choose to enter in one of the following categories:
• Fantasy
• TV/Film • Comic Books • Game Characters • Group • Teens (Ages 13-17)
• Juniors (Ages < 12)
COSPLAY CONTEST
Special Guest Judges
• Rachel Meikle – Ahhchew Cosplay
• Alana Orlandi – @Toothlessthepuppy
• Lauren & Ethan Brandt – Thousand Faces Cosplay
• Samantha Mckenzie – @Blackprincesspeach
Contest Prizes
• 1st: $500 & two tickets to Origins 2026
• 2nd: $250 & two tickets to Origins 2026
• 3rd: $100 & two tickets to Origins 2026
• Teens: Two tickets to Origins 2026
• Juniors: Two tickets to Origins 2026
Contest Procedure
At 3pm Saturday, all registered contestants will begin gathering at a TBD location. Once gathered, Rubber City Cosplay will organize contestants into lines in the order they are to be called to walk across the stage and explain all relevant instructions. During this time, the judges will also be walking through the line to get up close looks at each contestant’s craftsmanship as well as asking questions to help with their judging process. When the contest is ready to begin, the contestants will parade through the concourse to C170 where the
Contest Rules
• You must have purchased an entry into Origins Game Fair in order to enter and present on stage for the Cosplay Contest.
• The Cosplay Contest is a family-oriented event. Please keep all costumes to a “PG-13” rating. (i.e no nudity or overly revealing attire, no excessive gore, etc.)
• No purchased costumes. Costumes must be 50% crafted or more. You may purchase parts of a costume but said parts must be disclosed during the judging process. If you are modeling a costume you did not make yourself, the maker of the costume must be present with you upon entry. If the costume wins an award, the award is given to the maker of the costume, not the model wearing it.
• All weapons and props must conform with Origins Game Fair 2025 rules, convention center policies, and local laws concerning carrying a weapon. If there is a question or doubt, don’t bring it (see Show Policies).
• If your costume is meant to represent a character from a specific IP, please provide reference images of the character. We cannot guarantee the judges will know what your character looks like, so having something to compare to will help you as much as them. Please provide a physical image to be attached to your registration form. No digital images or books can be submitted for your reference image.
• Each costume must be entered separately. The costumes may be presented on stage (and prejudged) as a pair or group, but each costume is judged individually as a unique entry.
• Origins Game Fair reserves the right to modify, update, or amend rules at any time.
FEATURED Events ORIGINS AWARDS
Origins Awards Ceremony
Friday, June 20th at 8:00pm on the Origins Main Stage (Short North A) Hosted by: Josh Saleh
JOSH Saleh
Josh Saleh is an on-camera host, and passionate gamer who has worked in the entertainment industry for over 12 years. Known for his electric energy and authentic presence, Josh has brought his charisma to global brands including Disney, Marvel, Sony, Microsoft, and Amazon.
Josh is best recognized for his work with Marvel, where he has hosted Marvel Let’s Play—a fan-favorite series that takes viewers behind the scenes with developers, talent, and creators across the Marvel Universe. His Marvel hosting resume also includes Red Carpet Premieres, Comic-Con panels, gaming tournaments, and segments like Marvel Minute.
Adding to his creative pursuits, Josh is also the creator and publisher of the party card game “Change My Mind”— where players explode into ludicrous debates and absurd chaos as they battle it out to have the last word. It’s chaotic, hilarious, and perfectly captures his love of debate and connection. For more, visit www.JoshSaleh.com, www.ChangeMyMindTheGame.com
The Origins Awards ceremony includes the AAGAD Hall of Fame Induction, the Rick Loomis Award, the Green Games Sustainability Award, the Power Retail Awards, the Inspiration Awards, and The Origins Awards.
The Academy of Adventure Gaming Arts & Design Hall of Fame
Game design is a very old field, dating back to games such as Senet in ancient Egypt. What gaming means to everyone has evolved over the years. When the Hall of Fame first started in 1974, war gaming was a very big part of the field. A few years later role-playing games came onto the scene. This was followed by an explosion in tabletop board gaming, then by trading card games, cooperative games, deck builders, and many more categories as well as unique games that do not fit into any mold.
HALL OF FAME
The Hall of Fame is intended to honor the contributions made by individuals over the years that have advanced the tabletop gaming field. The individuals included in the Hall have contributed over their careers to expanding the reach of gaming and created games that bring people together to enjoy the lifestyle of strategy, challenges, and fun. The Hall of Fame also honors specific games that showcase innovation and exceptional quality as well as endeavors that promote gaming such as publications and other media.
2025 Academy of Adventure Gaming Arts and Design Hall of Fame Inductees
Every year the Academy of Adventure Gaming Arts and Design inducts people and products into the tabletop gaming Hall of Fame. The Hall was founded in 1974 and has honored over 80 individuals and dozens of products over the years. This year the Hall is delighted to announce these inductions, which will take place at Origins Game Fair on June 20, 2025
Hall of Fame Inductees
Stefan Feld - Stefan’s first game Roma came out in 2005. While he is a German designer, many his games use dice, but his designs use a lot of clever tricks to minimize randomness and keep a high level of strategy. Castles of Burgundy, which is his most popular title, is now closing on 15 years and still has a spot in the BoardGameGeek (BGG) top 20, which is impressive for any game that is 10 years or older as only 4 of the current top twenty are from later than 10 years ago. Because he has a unique design style that he uses in multiple games, he has a large, dedicated fan base that enjoys his style of design. His Trajan design utilizes a mancala style mechanic, and his designs often feature subtle clever twists. He has had three Spiel des Jahres nominations and a number of other awards for his games and has published over 50 games (including reimplementations) over a 20-year career. And at 6’ 6” he is a big addition to the Hall.
Susan McKinley-Ross - Susan is best known as the designer of Qwirkle and as the first woman to win the Spiel des Jahres as a solo designer. Additionally, Qwirkle is a straight abstract game with no dexterity, speed, or toy elements. An amusing comment from the database is that a member identified Qwirkle as the game they remember most from AirB&B locations. Susan has around a dozen other games, mostly aimed at the children’s game market, and a number of variants of Qwirkle over the years as well. Qwirkle has been an evergreen abstract game for many years in a field where it is often difficult to get abstract games published and even more difficult for them to be long term success stories. Susan also had her own publication company for many years.
Ryo Mizuno - The first rule is don’t tell me about your character. The second rule is don’t tell me about your campaign. However, Ryo seems to have successfully broken that rule. Record of Lodoss War is a “replay”, which is basically a book detailing an RPG campaign. In this case it is a D&D-style campaign set in Ryo’s Forcelia setting. Originally included in a magazine in chapters, the chapters were collated into novels with some editing. The novels sold over 10 million copies and seem to be the first example of this type of novel. And if not the first, these seem to certainly be among the most successful ones. This is essentially the early foundation for the “campaign as a spectator event”, which is now currently popular with Critical Role and many other live events with people watching players play in campaigns. He had a number of these, including a second, also successful series and a number of RPG projects over a 20-year career. While he had assistance with the RPG rules for Swordworld, the world setting, classes, and a number of other elements appear to be his vision. The influence this had on the Japanese RPG community is enormous.
Products
Codenames - Very clever word association game that became a pop culture hit. Many variations and branded versions over the years, including versions with pictures instead of words. Products like this expand the reach of core hobby gaming to people that would otherwise not play these types of games.
Time’s Up - This has become the modern standard for charades style games and has spawned many editions over the years. The back and forth and short turns keep even fairly large groups engaged for the games. Many non-gamers feel it is relatively friendly since you are only on the clock for such a short period of time.
FEATURED Events
TOURNAMENT OF PIECES
Location:
Exhibit Hall Booth #2043
The highly successful Tournament of Pieces, launched at Origins Game Fair in 2023, will return as part of the four-day event at the Greater Columbus Convention Center June 2025! This year’s Tournament of Pieces sponsor is Cobble Hill!
Competitive puzzling is the newest genre of events added to the over 6,300 tabletop games, role playing games, LARPS, miniatures, film festival, anime and other events hosted during Origins.
Like last year’s event, any full show badge holder can add the puzzling events to their schedule. There will also be a special badge for those interested that will secure them a place in the three championship events.
Other highlights among the dozens of planned events include 100- and 200-piece solo sprint events, a wooden puzzle sprint, puzzle chess, seminars on speed puzzling and much more. Any Origins Game Fair attendee can register for any of the puzzling events, including the three main events.
The 2025 Official Tournament of Pieces sponsor is Cobble Hill! Competitors will be among the very first to puzzle brandnew Cobble Hill images, custom-created just for this event and making their big debut at Origins. Even better, one of the tournament puzzles features artwork from an artist Cobble Hill met at last year’s show, so you can count on a theme that speaks to both gamers and puzzle lovers alike! And whether you’re competing or cheering from the sidelines, bring the whole family as Cobble Hill will also be hosting fun, free activities on opening day that everyone can enjoy!
The winner of the three main events will secure their entry fee into the next USA Jigsaw Puzzle Nationals, held in 2026.
“I heard great things about last year’s Tournament of Pieces,” SpeedPuzzling.com founder and Tournament of Pieces host Jonathan Cluff said, “I’m excited to bring a variety of additional contests to this year’s event, and we expect a larger turnout and even more fun for everyone this year at Origins!”
Cluff has hosted hundreds of events since 2019, both inperson and online, and helped create the USA Jigsaw Puzzle Association.
If puzzling is all you’re looking for, the Tournament of Pieces badge is the best option for your Origins Game Fair experience! This will give you the ability to register for the puzzling content and gives you access to the exhibit hall floor. To register for the Tournament of Pieces events, visit https://www.speedpuzzling. com/oh2025.html
PLEASE NOTE: A Tournament of Pieces badge does not include the Board Game Library, or access to the rest of the event catalogue.
To register for the Tournament of Pieces events, scan the QR code below
SEMINAR: WAR COLLEGE & ORIGINS UNIVERSITY
Location: A210/211
Brought to you by The National Security Decision Making Game, Armchair Dragoons, and Connections Online
Our seminar track is designed to promote thoughtful viewpoints and civil discourse on historical and contemporary gaming topics. We hope you will enjoy our presentations from both professional and talented amateur “relative” experts. Our goal is to provide thoughtful and entertaining options for your consideration.
Our Mission
Share the positive benefits of gaming and the topics it prompts us to explore. We provide a forum for professionals and talented amateurs to share their expertise on:
• Gaming Trends and Techniques in
– Education
– Business
– Defense
– Entertainment
• History
• Current Events
• Science and Technology
Special Note: Unless otherwise stated, the views expressed in these events are those of the participants, not their employers or the event organizers.
Origins 2025 Topic Highlights
• The National Security Decision-Making Game Team with – Global Hotspots, Technology (AI, drones, cyber topics), and historical (American Revolution, Treaty of Vienna 1815, Canada’s FLQ crisis & more…)
• American Civil War topics
• Space and NASA-related topics.
– NASA Solar System Ambassadors are back!
• Game designer/creator seminars
• History of Wargaming & Defense Wargaming
War College Games
Highlight in our Origins University program games that target the professional delivery of defense, business, and educational games. If you want to be acknowledged and included in this part of our community, contact us.
Find out more about the program online at originsgamefair.com/war-college-origins-university
FEATURED Events
PAINT & TAKE
Location: Exhibit Hall A - Booth# 418
Cost: FREE
Never painted a miniature before?
Find out what it takes at the Origins Paint & Take booth!
The painting crew will supply you with paints, brushes and all the supplies you will need along with a miniature of your very own to take home! For those of you who are painting veterans, stop by for a paint jam and share your stories.
Painters of ALL skill levels are welcome to stop in for an hour to paint their newly supplied miniature along with friends and family. Just stop by the Paint & Take Area in Hall A and ask!
Entry is 100% FREE. Materials and miniatures will be provided. All participants are guaranteed a 60 minute paint session, but we do ask that you limit yourself to 60 minutes to allow others to enjoy the space. Participants are also limited to one (1) free miniature over the course of the Origins Game Fair, to make sure as many people as possible can participate. The Paint & Take event runs during normal Exhibit Hall hours, Thursday through Sunday.
MINIATURE PAINTING COMPETITION
The Origins Game Fair Miniature Painting Competition strives to inspire new painters to learn more about painting, and to provide an atmosphere which encourages learning, and the sharing of techniques.
This is an open format competition with awards given based on merit. Open format awards ribbons based on level of skill, regardless of the total number of entries in the whole competition. While there is still an element of competition between painters, the primary goal is to reward painters for their existing level of skill and help give them a measurable goal for improvement from year to year.
Location: Exhibit Hall A Booth# 418
For Questions or concerns, please email Duff@impendingduff.com
SPO N S O RED BY
FEATURED Events
UNPUB ROOM
Unpub returns for playtesting at Origins 2025!
Location: B130
Wednesday 6/18
• 10am - 11pm: Open Playtesting
Thursday 6/19
• 10am - 2pm: Reserved Playtesting Block A
• 2:30pm - 6:30pm: Reserved Playtesting Block B
• 7pm - 8:30pm: Speed Pitch Session (Invite only)
• 9pm - 11pm: Open Playtesting
Friday 6/20
• 10am - 2pm: Reserved Playtesting Block C
• 2:30pm - 6:30pm: Reserved Playtesting Block D
• 7pm - 9pm: Pro-Am Game Jam (All Welcome)
• 9pm - 11pm: Open Playtesting
Saturday 6/21
• 10am - 2pm: Reserved Playtesting Block E
• 2:30pm - 6:30pm: Reserved Playtesting Block F
• 7pm - 11pm: Open Playtesting
Sunday 6/22
• 10am - 2pm: Reserved Playtesting Block G
• 2:30pm - 4pm: Open Playtesting
Reserved Playtesting – Table Details
• You must have an Origins Game Fair badge to participate in Unpub programming.
• To book a Reserved Playtesting Block – use the QR code below.
- The fee for a table in each four-hour reserved playtesting block is $20.
- The tables are rectangular with four chairs each. Plan accordingly when choosing which games you might playtest. Chairs may not be moved from other tables for any reason.
- Designers are limited to purchasing a maximum of two tables. Multiple tables may not be purchased in the same time block.
- Specific information regarding the on-site process (including table assignments) will be sent to registered designers by Friday, June 13.
SPEED PITCHING – By Invitation Only
• Want the opportunity to show your game design off to multiple publishers in a short window of time? Our Speed Pitching events could be for you! We will have an In-Person Speed Pitch event Thursday June 19. Interested designers must submit their games for consideration using our submission form.
• All submissions were due by May 29. For more information on how to participate in the 2026 event, visit the Unpub website.
PRO-AM GAME JAM
• Stretch your creative muscles in this game design exercise. Unpub makes a random set of restrictions for a game design: for example, what theme your game has to involve, what kind of genre your game must be, or a twist in what the game can’t involve.
• Game industry pros will lead their teams of Origins attendees to make a game and playtest it. Then at the end of the game jam period, each team will present what they came up with, and compare just all the different directions the same restrictions can go.
TRUE DUNGEON
Location: Union Station Ballroom
Founded in 2003, True Dungeon is a life-size, immersive, role-playing experience played in a walk-through dungeon environment.
It combines elements of escape rooms, haunted houses, and its rules are very loosely based on the third edition of Dungeons & Dragons. Individual players test their gaming skills in an adventure where they battle monsters, solve puzzles, and overcome mental and physical tests of skill.
All of these challenges come together to make the True Dungeon experience unique in the gaming industry. In addition to puzzles, players do battle (via a shuffleboard-style combat board) with animatronic monsters and costumed NPCs.
Not a LARP, True Dungeon instead focuses on problem solving, teamwork and tactics while providing exciting sets and interactive props. Players may find themselves creeping down a dark passageway and entering a long-forgotten crypt. After dispatching a lurking guardian, the players may have to solve a cryptic puzzle or find a secret door in order to access a wondrous treasure chest. This might be a chest that holds a shocking surprise if opened without care. It takes two hours to explore the dungeon, and teams of ten players need only bring their imagination and quick wit.
No prior D&D or gaming experience is needed. In fact, a party with an array of different experience levels usually does well. This is a perfect vehicle to let some non-D&D gamers experience the fun and thrills of dungeoneering.
True Dungeon Returns to Origins Game Fair in 2025!
True Adventures, Ltd. is very happy to announce our return to Origins with new adventures!
Raid on Ravenshold: After the success of their four-room Con-Quest adventure, The Golden Obelisk, in 2024 True Dungeon is pulling out all the stops in 2025! This year, they will be debuting the first of their in-person Runeheim adventures, Raid on Ravenshold, at Origins! Raid on Ravenshold is a fulllength, seven-room immersive adventure where players will take on the role of exiled Vikings raiding into their ancestral lands in order to save their home from a terrible evil.
Loki’s Labyrinth: By popular demand, True Dungeon will be adding a True Grind event to their Origins offerings! Loki’s Labyrinth is a hack-and-slash adventure for folks that want an exciting, combat-focused experience. Parties will have 30 minutes of time in Coaching prior to beginning the hourlong True Grind adventure. True Grind has a flat payout of 20 Treasure Tokens, and Treasure Enhancers cannot be equipped. There is no XP for True Grind.
You will need a True Dungeon ticket in addition to your Origins Game Fair badge to play.
GAMA EXPO
March 1 - 5, 2026
The largest B2B trade event in tabletop gaming!
Members get 2 free badges to the show
More than 100 hours of seminars and 3 game nights
Exhibit hall featuring 300+ game publishers
Participating retailers receive the Retailer Appreciation Box containing more than $1750 in gaming products delivered straight to your store
Origins Trade Day & Member Lounge
Use your two free Origins Game Fair badges to explore Origins Trade Day
Relax and network in the Origins Game Fair GAMA Member Lounge, located in A120
Annual Membership Dues $300
BENEFITS
Network with hundreds of retailers, publishers, and wholesalers from around the world and here in the U.S.
Enhance your business through live and pre-recorded educational seminars
Keep up on industry news with our weekly e-newsletter and quarterly print magazine
Explore unique member deals including experiences, education, shipping, and more
TAMRIEL NEEDS HEROES @ BOOTH #1623
VOLUNTEERS
Origins wouldn’t exist without our team of volunteers - we want you to join that team!
Our volunteer team puts in over 5,000 combined hours of work to bring Origins Game Fair to life. We sincerely thank our volunteers for their hard work and dedication to the show. Many volunteers have been with us for years, and we hope for many more!
Origins Volunteers help with the operational areas of the show. From printing badges in Registration to helping GMs in the Gaming Halls, there are a lot of ways to get involved behind the scenes!
If you are interested in volunteering or have any questions, please contact volunteer@gama.org
FAMILY AND QUIET & SENSORY ROOMS
Family Room
Location: Hyatt Ohio Center Board Room & Union D/E
This area at Origins is for spouses, partners and parents with small children to hang out away from the hustle and bustle of the main convention. The room is filled with great family games donated by our sponsors, free for all to enjoy.
Please note: Under no circumstances can children be left at the Family Room without parental supervision.
Family Room Sponsor: Taski.games
Quiet & Sensory Room
Location: A225
Origins Game Fair is a fun-filled and exciting event, but we recognize that conventions can be overstimulating for a lot of people.
Our quiet & sensory room is for attendees to take a break from the noise and excitement of the convention. While all are welcome, the purpose of this space is to have a safe place for anyone who needs a break; this could include those nursing, folks with sensory sensitivities, migraines, or individuals on the autism spectrum.
Please take away any discarded items you do not need, such as empty drink containers.
Quiet & Sensory Room Supported by Square Holes.
Please keep the following rules to ensure a respectful and relaxing environment for all:
• Please keep conversations to an absolute minimum.
• Please silence all electronic devices, including cell phone ringers and notifications.
• If you must make or take a phone call please take it outside the quiet & sensory room.
• Nursing parents are welcome, but this is NOT a play space for children.
• You may rest your eyes, however this room is not intended for naps.
• Small snacks are ok (except peanuts). Please avoid snacks with strong smells or noisy wrappers.
• Scents such as perfume and cologne should be avoided.
• Be sure to put away any puzzles or other activities, so they’re available for the next person.
Family Pavilion
Booth #1618
Returning to the Exhibit Hall this year is the Family Pavilion! Play fun family-focused games or just catch your breath as you explore the hall with your younger family members.
Please note: Under no circumstances can children be left at the Family Pavilion without parental supervision.
Family Pavilion Sponsors: AMIGO Games, Fireside Games, and Hachette Boardgames
10:00AM-11:30AM The How and Why of Game-Based Practice
11:30AM-1:00PM
Learning to Let it Go: Preparing Your Practice for Applied Gaming
2:00PM-3:30PM Don’t Split the Party: How to Make Your Gaming Table Accessible to All Types of Brains
4:00PM-5:00PM Transformative Play: How TTRPGs Can Create High Impact Learning
5:00PM-6:00PM Creating the Next Generation of Problem Solvers Through TTRPGs
Game-Based Game-Based Education Education & & Therapy Therapy CONFERENCE CONFERENCE
EDUCATORS THERAPISTS
FRIDAY
11:30AM-12:30PM The Chemistry Between TTRPGs and Education
2:00PM-3:30PM Building an Intentional Therapeutic Storyline
3:30PM-5:00PM Therapeutic TTRPG Isn't Just D&D
5:00PM-6:00PM Bleeding Out: Using Games to Elicit Therapeutic Change
7:30PM-10:00PM Level Up Your Family Game Night
An experiential learning activity to identify the ancillary benefits of various board games, with stations for open play and discussions on skill transfer and application.
SATURDAY
11:30AM-12:30PM
TTRPGs for Pre-K to College: Different Age, Same Concept
2:00PM-3:30PM Evaluating Games for Classroom Use
3:30AM-5:00PM
TTRPGs in EDU: Not Just Math & Reading
5:00PM-6:00PM Board Games in the Classroom: Beyond Themed Monopoly
7:30PM-10:00PM Applied-Gaming Jam
10:00AM-11:30AM Determining Expectations with Intentionality
11:30AM-1:00PM Bringing Characters to Life
2:00PM-3:30PM The Benefits of "Take That" Mechanics
3:30PM-4:30PM A Place to Belong: TTRPGs & Inclusive Communities
Sponsored by
An activity in which participants will be guided in small groups to create goal-focused games that inspire, build community, develop skills, and teach - aiming towards specific learning or therapeutic goals.
JUNE 20 & 21, 2025
Gwen recently published her fourth game; each of her games has a different theme, type, and playtime. Using the clues below, sort out the order in which she published each game.
1. The ice cream-themed game takes less time than the space-themed one.
2. It takes an hour to play the third game that Gwen developed.
3. The pirate-themed game, which was published immediately before the mythology one, can be played in half the time of the cooperative (co-op) game.
4. The party game is the shortest of the bunch and it was not published first.
5. Gwen’s latest release has a playtime exactly 15 minutes longer than that of the deck-building game.
What is the theme of Gwen’s new game?
20 game-related words are hidden in the word search. How many can you find?
CLEVERLAND PUZZLE is a small press based in Cleveland, Ohio. Cleverland specializes in distinctive, hand-drawn puzzle books that celebrate the things people love.
ORIGINS RELEASE - FIRST TIME AVAILABLE ANYWHERE
TIME IS OF THE ESSENCE AT
LIMITED QUANTITIES DAILY BOOTH 1413
AVAILABLE FOR THE FIRST TIME EVER
LIMITED QUANTITIES DAILY
BOOTH 1413
