Indie Gamers Gather for Beefy Wizard Con in Madison

Two-day event celebrates DIY RPGs and skirmish-scale war games with tournaments, workshops, and more.

Apr. 17, 2026 at 8:13am

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An abstract, minimalist illustration featuring bold, jagged shapes in black and red, capturing the DIY ethos and punk aesthetic of the indie gaming convention.Beefy Wizard Con celebrates the vibrant, independent spirit of the tabletop gaming community.Madison Today

Beefy Wizard Con, a small convention focused on independent role-playing games and skirmish-scale war games, is set to take place on May 1-2 at the Madison Labor Temple in Wisconsin. The event will feature open gaming tables, a Mordheim tournament, a kit-bash challenge, a sellers bazaar, and kit-bash painting awards, all with an emphasis on connecting creators with players who embrace the DIY spirit, punk aesthetic, and homebrew rule systems.

Why it matters

As the gaming industry continues to be dominated by major publishers, events like Beefy Wizard Con provide a platform for independent creators to showcase their unique and innovative tabletop game designs, fostering a sense of community and creativity within the gaming subculture.

The details

Beefy Wizard Con is a two-day event that will take place at the Madison Labor Temple in Wisconsin. The convention will feature a variety of activities, including open gaming tables, a Mordheim tournament, a kit-bash challenge on Friday, a sellers bazaar on Saturday morning, and kit-bash painting awards given out on Saturday afternoon. The event is expected to attract around 50-100 attendees, with a focus on creating a close-knit, community-driven experience for indie game creators and players.

  • Beefy Wizard Con will be held on Friday, May 1st and Saturday, May 2nd, 2026.
  • The kit-bash challenge will take place on Friday, May 1st.
  • The sellers bazaar will be held on Saturday morning, May 2nd.
  • The kit-bash painting awards will be given out on Saturday afternoon, May 2nd.

The players

Beefy Wizard Con

A small convention focused on independent role-playing games and skirmish-scale war games, with an emphasis on connecting creators with players who embrace the DIY spirit, punk aesthetic, and homebrew rule systems.

Madison Labor Temple

The venue hosting Beefy Wizard Con, located at 1602 S Park St, Madison, WI.

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What they’re saying

“If you are indie creator who has submitted an event please email me at dungeonsnhammers@gmail.com, likewise if you're part of a local gaming group and want to sponsor a table email me.”

— Beefy Wizard Con Organizer

What’s next

Interested attendees can register for the event on the Beefy Wizard Con website, and indie game creators can reach out to the organizers to inquire about submitting events or sponsoring a table.

The takeaway

Beefy Wizard Con provides a unique opportunity for independent tabletop game designers and enthusiasts to come together, share their creations, and foster a sense of community within the gaming subculture, serving as a counterpoint to the dominance of major publishers in the industry.