31 March 2025 | Game Submissions Open!
Hello there Pheno Community! We've opened up the floodgates and are eagerly waiting the deluge of game pitches for Phenomenon 2025: Living Large!(If you're just looking for the Submit Your Pitch form and do not need the whole speech, it's here)
We are looking for new writers, old writers, and especially writers who aren’t quite sure about writing a game but could totally do it with a little bit of help. Send this form to people outside of the Pheno community who you want to bring into the convention!
Pheno is best known as a home for games with emotionally complex themes, light-hearted romps, and dramatic catharsis - we are always looking for the latest offering from our community of talented writers and GMs.
Even with our above reputation, Phenomenon is actively excited about games that are mechanically complex, crunchy and full of deadly traps and puzzles. If you've got a pitch for something crunchy, we want to see it and cheer you on.
The Coordinator team (Luke Jordan, Joe McNamara, John Machin, John Hughes and James Woodman) are here to help you. In 2025, the Coordinator team wish to facilitate "Office Hours" where you may ask for writing advice from the experienced convention writers AND a return of "Playtesting day" in August where you can playtest your game with members of the community.
If you’re looking for support from the whole community, our Phenomenon Discord server has a dedicated GM’s channel where you can network and seek advice - as well as receive more support and updates from the Writer Coordinators.
The above initiatives are in addition to the usual advice as you write your game: from crafting the perfect blurb, feedback during the writing process, and taking care of your tired selves during the convention.
Even if all you have is a vague game concept, use the questions in the form to inspire you.
Key dates:
Pheno will run this year from Friday 03 October - to Monday 6 October 2025.
Game submissions close 26 April 2025.
Final game blurbs due 25 May 2025.
Interested in more details? Check out https://pheno.org.au/run.html.