Play

Attendees, exhibitors & solutions

Who this event is for

Industry trends

Key trends shaping this market and its wider industry.

Hotel tiers

A range of accommodation options near the venue and across key areas.

Local transport

Get around the city with these convenient transport options.

Frequently asked

Glossary

1

Board game

A tabletop game played with a physical board, cards, tiles or pieces, usually for two to six players and a fixed play time. At Play, publishers run short teaching demos so you can try a title before buying it.

2

Card game

A game played primarily with a deck of cards, either a standard deck or a game-specific one. Italian publishers often launch localised card games at spring fairs ahead of the Christmas retail season.

3

TCG / CCG (trading or collectible card game)

A card game where players build decks from randomly assorted cards bought in booster packs. Tournament organisers at Play typically require deck lists and pre-registration for competitive events.

4

RPG (role-playing game)

A game where a group narrates a story together, one participant acting as referee and the others playing individual characters. Demo tables are usually short introductory scenarios of 60-90 minutes.

5

Game master (GM)

The referee and narrator of a role-playing session, responsible for the scenario, non-player characters and rules adjudication. Volunteer GMs run most public tables at Italian game fairs.

6

Wargame

A strategy game simulating battles with miniature figures or counters and measured movement. Show tables often use terrain boards and are played at fixed points values agreed in advance.

7

Miniatures

Unpainted or painted scale figures used in wargames and some board games. Painting competitions and demonstration paint stations are typical features of the miniatures area.

8

Eurogame

A style of strategy board game associated with European design, usually with indirect player conflict, resource management and limited randomness. These titles dominate the family and hobby shelves at Italian fairs.

9

Cooperative game

A game where all players work together against the game system rather than against each other. Cooperative titles are a common entry point for families and school groups.

10

Playtest

A trial run of an unfinished game, usually a prototype with placeholder art, used by designers to check rules clarity and balance. Playtest slots at Play are booked with the designer or the show's prototype area.

11

Demo copy

An opened, often played copy of a game used at the stand for teaching. Some publishers sell demo stock at reduced prices at the end of the show, subject to availability.

12

Insert

A custom plastic or foam tray that organises a game's components inside the box. Third-party insert makers are a growing accessory category at tabletop fairs.

13

Localisation

Translating and adapting a game's rules, cards and components for another market. Italian distributors use fairs like Play to test demand before committing to a localised print run.

14

Organised play

Publisher-supported tournament and league programmes for card and miniatures games, with prize kits and season schedules. Retailers visit fairs to sign up for these programmes.