We want to share your games!
Pheno is built on the amazing games our writers create and present. We are endlessly grateful for the time and effort they put in. We are proud of our reputation as Canberra’s friendliest role-playing game convention.
We look for games that tell interesting stories, from diverse perspectives. Pheno is a home for all kinds of games from emotionally complex dramas to light-hearted romps, and we are always looking for innovative concepts. We host games from established systems (we’re looking at you, D&D), indie and home-brew systems, or no system at all.
Part of the reason Pheno is Canberra’s friendliest convention is because our Writer Wrangler Team is here to help you with advice at every stage as you write your game, from crafting the perfect blurb, giving feedback during the writing process, playtesting your game, and taking care of you during the convention.
New Designers
Pheno welcomes and encourages new designers. There is even a shiny New Designer award.
Here is the New Designer Policy
Triptychs and Diptychs
Pheno presents showcase games each year: a trio of more serious games (the Triptych) and a duet of lighter, more humorous games (the Diptych). These games showcase what we consider the best of Pheno roleplaying: characterisation, genre, entertainment, innovation.
Traditionally, we invite respected writers to present these games, but we're trying a different approach this year. Instead of approaching writers directly, we will select these games from the submissions made. When you submit your game idea, you’ll be able opt-in for possible selection as a showcase game.
How to run a game at Pheno
Our Writer Wrangler team is here to help you through all the stages of writing and running for Pheno. We are always contactable via Contact Pheno.
Pheno will run in 2023 from Friday 29 September to Monday 2 October.
Submit an idea
Pheno opens for game submissions in early March. Submissions don’t need to be fully-formed ideas – they give us an idea of what writers are planning, and allow us to do some early planning for the shape of the convention that year.
Game ideas for Phenomenon 2023 closed 15 April 2023.
Finalise the blurb
Once your game submission has been accepted, you’ll be asked to submit a final blurb by a particular date. A blurb is something like the back cover of a book – it serves to give potential players an idea of why they might like to play your game. Our Writer Wrangler team is here to help you edit and refine your blurb.
Game blurbs for Phenomenon 2023 closed 30 June 2023.
Former Writer Wrangler Ingrid Bean's thoughts on blurb writing:
The Art and Science of Giving Good Blurb (49K doc)
Please note we are strict about the deadline for blurbs. Missing them makes us miss other deadlines, which is bad for the other designers and makes us organisers cranky. If you cannot meet the blurb deadline, tell us as soon as possible. If you tell us after the deadline passes, we cannot guarantee your game will run.
Write your game
As the months fly by (cue pages falling off a desk calendar), the Writer Wrangler team will check with you to see how you’re doing. The team is available to help through this process – just let us know what you need. We have a stable of experienced convention writers on hand who can help you refine your concept so you can produce a game you are proud to present.
Playtesting
We regard the playtesting of games as a good thing. It helps you iron out any kinks in your game (it also gives the organisers an opportunity to play the games they won’t have time to play at the convention). The Writer Wrangler team can help you organise playtesters.
At the Convention
At the convention, the Writer Wrangler team is there to help calm your nerves. After the initial briefing in the GM lounge (and collecting your thankyou gifts), we can help you find missing players, fill empty sessions, and most importantly, direct you to the free coffee/tea/hot chocolate, and show you where to collect your daily organiser-delivered lunch and dinner orders.
Having run the game, talked yourself hoarse, and given out the trophies, you can sit back at post-con drinkies to bask in the adulation of your players and endless affection of the convention organisers.
Updates
Due dates for game idea submission and game blurb submission were changed on 7 March 2023.
