WonderCon 2025: Full Schedule

2:00pm PDT

How to Design Tabletop Games

Friday March 28, 2025 2:00pm - 3:00pm PDT

With over 5,000 tabletop games coming out each year, the need for new games is strong. Are you designing a tabletop game or want to know how to get started? Industry experts Juliana Moreno (game designer, Wild Optimists), Kami Mandell (game designer, The Op), and Matt Forbeck (game designer, Marvel RPG) share their best practices, ways to get started, and stories from their game designs. Moderated by Christopher Castagnetto.

Special Guests

Matt Forbeck

WonderCon Special Guest

Matt Forbeck is an award-winning and New York Times–bestselling author and game designer of over 35 novels and countless other books and games. 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... Read More →

Friday March 28, 2025 2:00pm - 3:00pm PDT
North 151

2:30pm PDT

Creators Assemble: Charisma Check

Friday March 28, 2025 2:30pm - 3:30pm PDT

North 152

Tabletop roleplaying game creators, publishers, performers, game shop owners, teachers, and library workers have brought greater acceptance to TTRPGS and fan culture. Take a break from hectic convention life to experience “speed dating” style networking with diverse TTRPG and board game enthusiasts from all backgrounds. This year’s lineup includes Reuben Bresler, Jeromy DeChant, Eddie Doty, Sarah Durnesque, Lemar Harris, Jason Patrick Galit (JPG), Jem Lugo, Cynthia Marie, Markeia McCarthy, Momo Meas, Ryan Omega, Jenni Powel, and Sidney Rubino, along with TTRPG educators and enthusiasts Joel Bakker, Joe Barrette, Moni Barrette, Janie Ghinazzi, and Dan Wood.

Friday March 28, 2025 2:30pm - 3:30pm PDT
North 152

1: Programs, Education, Fandom, Games, Seminars & Workshops, Writers & Writing | D: d4 Tabletop Creative Conference, Education, Fandom, Games, Seminars & Workshops, Writers & Writing

6:30pm PDT

Comic Book Law School®: An Intellectual Property Primer for Creators and Businesses

Friday March 28, 2025 6:30pm - 7:30pm PDT

Room 210

Copyright and trademark are a cornerstone of protection for creators and businesses (whether in comics or otherwise) of their creative works and product branding. With the demand for content continuing to soar, and with more ways to both create and also fund your works than ever, creators will find themselves with myriad opportunities and options for getting their creative works in front of an audience. But beware: with every advancement comes the need for caution, as potential pitfalls abound. More than ever, knowledge of your rights will play a vital role in reaching success in this constantly shifting landscape. Fortunately for you, Jennifer Walters, Foggy Nelson, and Wolff and Byrd aren’t the only lawyers available to the superhero set, as WonderCon once again brings back noted IP attorney Michael Lovitz (author of The Trademark and Copyright Book comic book), joined by USD School of Law Professor Monica Sullivan to discuss the basics of intellectual property rights that every creator (and business owner) should know. They’ll address issues such as the ownership and protection of ideas, what exactly copyrights and trademarks are, how to acquire copyrights and trademark rights, and the application of those rights to works of authorship, characters, and names. (Please Note: The Comic Book Law School® seminars are designed to provide relevant information and practice tips to practicing attorneys, as well as practical tips to creators and other professionals who may wish to attend. However, the seminar is presented for information and entertainment purposes only, and the information presented and opinions expressed at the seminars do not constitute legal advice and should not be relied upon as such.) [This program is approved for one (1) credit of California MCLE.]

Friday March 28, 2025 6:30pm - 7:30pm PDT
Room 210

1: Programs, Animation, Art and Illustration, Books, Cartooning and Comic Strips, Comics, Education, Fandom, Games, Movies, Seminars & Workshops, Television, Video Games, Web, Writers & Writing

7:30pm PDT

40 Years of Robotech

Friday March 28, 2025 7:30pm - 8:30pm PDT

Room 300C

In the year 1985, on television stations across the Western Hemisphere, a phenomenal animated event altered the course of broadcast history: Robotech! Celebrate four decades of this amazing franchise that helped launch the global popularity of anime we enjoy today!

Friday March 28, 2025 7:30pm - 8:30pm PDT
Room 300C

1: Programs, Action Figures - Toys - Collectibles, Animation, Anime & Manga, Anniversaries, Comics, Games, Movies, Science Fiction & Fantasy

7:30pm PDT

Concept to Creation: A Writers Forum

Friday March 28, 2025 7:30pm - 8:30pm PDT

Room 210

Are you passionate about writing, creating, and storytelling? Do you have a book, script, or idea in need of some TLC? Join creative professionals in an engaging, audience-led discussion designed for independent authors, creators, and artists like you! April Wahlin (author, Pandora Syndrome; reality show winner, Search for the Next Elvira) is joined by Chris Gore (creator, Film Threat, Attack of the Doc), Laurine Price (producer and writer, Phoenix), Jessica Maison (author and comics publisher, Wicked Tree Press; Plastic Girl Trilogy, Mary Shelley’s School for Monsters), Aristotle Dreher (content creator and performer, Aristotle Full Throttle, The Stoning Rolls), Dr. Travis Langley (writer, Batman and Psychology: A Dark and Stormy Knight, The Handmaid's Tale Psychology: Seeing Off Red), Alex Langley (writer, Spider-Man Psychology, The Geek Handbook series), and Cosmoe Tayson (producer, The Cosmoe Show; host, Delulu Canoe Podcast).

Friday March 28, 2025 7:30pm - 8:30pm PDT
Room 210

1: Programs, Action/Adventure, Books, Comics, Education, Games, Writers & Writing, Horror and Suspense, Humor & Satire, Movies, Mysteries & Crime Dramas, Podcasts, Science Fiction & Fantasy, Seminars & Workshops, Superheroes, Technology - Science - STEM, Television, W

8:30pm PDT

StreetPass OC: Nintendo Quizbowl IX Pokébowl Edition

Friday March 28, 2025 8:30pm - 9:30pm PDT

Room 213AB

Welcome all to an almost annual tradition at WonderCon: The Nintendo Quizbowl! Do you have what it takes to be a master? Everyone wants to show their skills. Make your way to the top of the hill! Join Kiet Pham, Ryan Lu, and Adam Shere to compete for an opportunity to win prizes. No fish were harmed in the making of this panel.

Friday March 28, 2025 8:30pm - 9:30pm PDT
Room 213AB

1: Programs, Games, Video Games

8:30pm PDT

Taskmaster LA: Champion of Champions Extravaganza

Friday March 28, 2025 8:30pm - 9:30pm PDT

Room 300C

The Taskmaster LA live-stage comedy show comes to WonderCon! Contestants Johnny Stanton IV (Former NFL fullback, game designer), Kiri Callaghan (author/actor), Lemar Harris (comedian, streamer), and Sarah Durnesque (Pick Your Poison Productions) will be challenged to complete absurd, often hilarious tasks to earn arbitrary points from the Taskmaster Ryan Omega (host/game designer) and Taskmaster assistant Reuben Bresler (game design instructor NYFA). This panel heavily involves the audience, making them an integral part of the fun and chaos!

Friday March 28, 2025 8:30pm - 9:30pm PDT
Room 300C

1: Programs, Fandom, Games, Humor & Satire

9:00pm PDT

Upcoming Video Games to Be Hyped For

Friday March 28, 2025 9:00pm - 10:00pm PDT

Room 209

Gareth Von Kallenbach joins members of Skewed and Reviewed for a lively look at upcoming video games to be hyped for. This program features a mix of video and Q&A and will cover a wide range of games for current and next-generation systems.

Friday March 28, 2025 9:00pm - 10:00pm PDT
Room 209

1: Programs, Games, Video Games

10:00am PDT

Let’s Make a Board Game!

Saturday March 29, 2025 10:00am - 11:00am PDT

North 151

Creating your own board game is not only fun, it’s educational! Learn about systems and the iterative process, teamwork, time and resource management, research, critical analysis, and even science, history, math, and language development. This workshop will take you through the rapid prototyping process for a board game facilitated by Aaron Vanek, who has been teaching analog game design to middle school students for more than seven years.

Saturday March 29, 2025 10:00am - 11:00am PDT
North 151

1: Programs, Education, Games, Kids, Seminars & Workshops, Technology - Science - STEM | D: d4 Tabletop Creative Conference, Education, Games, Kids, Seminars & Workshops, Technology - Science - STEM

11:00am PDT

You Got Comics in My Games! You Got Games in My Comics!

Saturday March 29, 2025 11:00am - 12:00pm PDT

Room 209

Comics and games are the two largest mediums in geek culture that intersect for most of fandom. From adaptations of the same IPs to why fans love both of them is explored by creators and players alike. Why choose comics or games when you can fall in love with both?

Saturday March 29, 2025 11:00am - 12:00pm PDT
Room 209

1: Programs, Comics, Fandom, Games, Superheroes, Television, Video Games

11:00am PDT

Shattering the Fourth Wall: Breaking into a Gaming Career

Saturday March 29, 2025 11:00am - 12:00pm PDT

North 151

Gaming industry professionals Jon Wolheim (VP, People and Culture), Chris Castagnetto (advisory board member), and other members of the Games for Love team and gaming professionals hold an open conversation around recruiting, partnerships, and marketing. Learn how charities are helping to make a difference in gaming.

Saturday March 29, 2025 11:00am - 12:00pm PDT
North 151

1: Programs, Games, Video Games | D: d4 Tabletop Creative Conference, Games, Video Games

3:00pm PDT

From Dice Rolls to Digital Worlds: The Transformative Power of Games

Saturday March 29, 2025 3:00pm - 4:00pm PDT

North 151

Games are more than just entertainment—they are engines of learning, connection, and transformation. From fostering literacy and mathematical reasoning to enhancing emotional self-regulation, games provide dynamic spaces for individual growth. This panel will examine how player communities—whether in tabletop RPGs, esports, or online cooperative worlds—build camaraderie, reduce social isolation, and support identity development. Whether you're a player, educator, or game designer, this panel will showcase how the magic of play extends far beyond the screen or the tabletop.

Saturday March 29, 2025 3:00pm - 4:00pm PDT
North 151

1: Programs, Education, Fandom, Games, Historical, Technology - Science - STEM, Video Games | D: d4 Tabletop Creative Conference, Education, Fandom, Games, Historical, Technology - Science - STEM, Video Games

4:00pm PDT

The Legend of Taylore

Saturday March 29, 2025 4:00pm - 5:00pm PDT

Room 300A

The Legend of Taylore is an actual-play D&D podcast based on the music, memes, and lore of Taylor Swift, as played by a bunch of nerdy television writers. Produced by D&D WGA Strike Day organizers, it’s a great adventure for Swifties and non-Swifties alike, where characters encounter dangers, intrigue, and easter eggs at every turn. Moderator Jose Molina (Marvel’s Agent Carter, The Vampire Diaries) chats with dungeon master Lindsey Allen (Marvel’s Agent Carter, MacGyver) and players Casey Fisher (Altered Carbon, Walker), Daphne Miles (Batwoman, DC’s Legends of Tomorrow), Lauren Muir (The 100), Ray Utarnachitt (DC’s Legends of Tomorrow), and Nick Bragg (Death and Other Details, The 100).

Saturday March 29, 2025 4:00pm - 5:00pm PDT
Room 300A

1: Programs, Action/Adventure, Fandom, Games, LGBTQIA+, Music, Podcasts, Television, Writers & Writing

5:30pm PDT

Gunslingers and Ghosts: The Rise of the Weird West

Saturday March 29, 2025 5:30pm - 6:30pm PDT

Room 213AB

Step into the "weird west," a genre that blends the raw history of the Old West with supernatural oddities and fantastical forces. A panel of experts from literature and gaming delve into what makes characters like Wynonna Earp, Jonah Hex, Roland the Gunslinger, and countless others so captivating to fans. Jennifer Brody (A Sacrifice of Blood & Stars,Disney Chills), Deborah Smith Daughetee (Dr. Quinn, Medicine Woman,Kolchak the Night Stalker: Touch of Silk), Ross Fisher-Davis (Doomtown: Reloaded and Vampire: the Masquerade) and Eric J. Guignard (A Graveside Gallery,That Which Grows Wild), along with moderator K. C. Grifant (The Monster Gunslinger series and Women of the Weird West) share how to successfully create weird west worlds to explore the myths of American history, as well as their top recommendations for must-read books, films, and games.

Saturday March 29, 2025 5:30pm - 6:30pm PDT
Room 213AB

1: Programs, Action/Adventure, Books, Games, Historical, Horror and Suspense, Science Fiction & Fantasy, Writers & Writing

6:00pm PDT

Roll for Mythicality Live

Saturday March 29, 2025 6:00pm - 8:00pm PDT

North 151

The cast of Mythical Entertainment’s hilarious and heartfelt D&D actual play series appear ahead of their season 2 finale for a special live one-shot adventure where things will surely go awry, followed by Q&A where things will surely go smoothly! Mythical’s Emily Fleming, Trevor Evarts, Mikayla Barnes, Lucas Strader, and Jenna Purdy join for the fighting and fun. Moderated by DM T. J. Chambers.

Saturday March 29, 2025 6:00pm - 8:00pm PDT
North 151

1: Programs, Games, Humor & Satire, Web | D: d4 Tabletop Creative Conference, Games, Humor & Satire, Web

10:45am PDT

Watchers: The Next Step in Collectible Card Games

Sunday March 30, 2025 10:45am - 11:45am PDT

North 100B

Watchers creators Justin Waldner and Alexander Gray (Heart of Batman)—alongside some luminaries from the animation and comics realms—guide you through the fun, fast-paced gameplay in this rich, alien-infused CCG that spotlights hope in the face of domineering evil humans aligning with aliens, and the Watchers themselves, a council of elders with unbridled power who observe until it’s time to act. But which side will they join? Hear all about the game and plans for an upcoming comic book series and animated film. Publicist Gary Miereanu moderates the festivities, which will include a special giveaway: some lucky fans in attendance will receive a free copy of the single-player game, ready for battle, complete with a starter deck, dice (D6, D12, D20), battle pad, and instructional manual.

Sunday March 30, 2025 10:45am - 11:45am PDT
North 100B

1: Programs, Action Figures - Toys - Collectibles, Action/Adventure, Comics, Games, Kids, Science Fiction & Fantasy

12:30pm PDT

Diverse Storytellers Empowering Equity and Inclusion

Sunday March 30, 2025 12:30pm - 1:30pm PDT

Room 213AB

Andres Useche (writer/director, We Don’t Give Up, Marching into the Light), Rob Edwards (writer, Captain America: Brave New World, The Princess and the Frog), Nicole Maines (actor, Yellowjackets,Supergirl), Miranda Kwok (showrunner/producer, The Cleaning Lady,The 100), Jorge R. Gutierrez (director/animator, The Book of Life, Maya and the Three), Aaron Butler (editor, Euphoria, The Idol), Drew Leung (concept artist, LOTR: The Rings of Power, Black Panther Wakanda Forever), and Stephanie Paciullo (agent, CAA) reveal the secrets of their craft, how you can make your way into the industry, and how the arts can make a difference by giving voice to underrepresented folks in the search for greater justice, empathy, and equality. Moderated by Stephanie Pfingsten (CEO/publicist, Lumos PR).

Sunday March 30, 2025 12:30pm - 1:30pm PDT
Room 213AB

12:30pm PDT

Spotlight on Matt Forbeck

Sunday March 30, 2025 12:30pm - 1:30pm PDT

Room 208

Matt Forbeck (Marvel Multiverse Role-Playing Game) has been creating novels, comics, nonfiction, video games, and tabletop games for a living for over 35 years, including the upcoming Minecraft: Roll for Adventure series of game books. Join him for a Q&A session about his storied career and what’s coming next.

Special Guests

Matt Forbeck

WonderCon Special Guest

Sunday March 30, 2025 12:30pm - 1:30pm PDT
Room 208

1: Programs, Action/Adventure, Art and Illustration, Fandom, Games, Horror and Suspense, Humor & Satire, Science Fiction & Fantasy, Video Games, WonderCon Special Guest Spotlights & Appearances, Writers & Writing

2:00pm PDT

The Gauntlet: A Dungeons & Dragons Adventure

Sunday March 30, 2025 2:00pm - 4:00pm PDT

North 151

Five heroes have been plucked from familiar fantasy and sci-fi worlds by the mysterious game master. To secure passage home, they must race through a series of challenges and battle to the death. Featuring Shaun Leonard, Ashleigh Morghan, John Wayne Constance, Mo Williams, Dr. Michael Tanizaki Kurland, and Nathan Beukema.

Sunday March 30, 2025 2:00pm - 4:00pm PDT
North 151

1: Programs, Action/Adventure, Games, Humor & Satire, Movies, Science Fiction & Fantasy, Television | D: d4 Tabletop Creative Conference, Action/Adventure, Games, Humor & Satire, Movies, Science Fiction & Fantasy, Television