Gamescape — Attraction in San Francisco

A great gaming store with space for events. Can get crowded on popular gaming nights, and FNM is always sold out ahead of time; call the store in advance to secure a seat if you wish to play on Friday nights or during special events.

Caters to ages as young as ten, and it's very heartening to see young kids playing cards and trading excitedly with everyone.

A negative incident of note: on her first visit to the store, a young woman found herself covered in spittle when an intoxicated man stood up after a game, took a drink of his beverage, and (accidentally, I hope) spewed mid-laugh. The woman was covered, as was her playmat and her draft pool. Clean-up was handled by the woman, and the staff offered little more than an apology for her inconvenience. She dropped from the event, left the store, and hasn't returned.

Generally Sells: traditional board games & playing cards modern board games chess, checkers, and puzzles Clix-style games X-Wing, Armada, Warhammer recent MTG/Pokémon sealed product dice, card sleeves, playmats, CCG storage boxes tabletop RPG books (SR4/5, D&D4/5 mostly)

Does Not Sell: Force of Will, Weiss Schwarz, Yu-Gi-Oh sealed product comic books, graphic novels, manga, anime

Events: MTG: FNM (draft), set prerelease events, Game Day D&D Encounters/Expeditions Pokémon League Warhammer/40K casual board game nights

Restrooms: one bathroom, unisex small mirror, dimly lit no changing table used for storage not always clean

Food: junk food only limited selection of soda, chocolate bars bottled water available Ragazza (Italian cuisine, same block) Sa-Beang Thai (Thai cuisine; across street) Vinyl (coffee, wine, light fare; same block) several other restaurants (two blocks north on Divisidero)

Parking: good luck street parking only

GameMaidens Assessment: Women who visit Gamescape are likely to find it par-for-the-course in terms of female representation and visibility, though it's unusual that no women seem to be employed here. Nonetheless, the store retains a comfortable gaming atmosphere regardless of your gender.

gender diversity (visitors): ~5% (about one female gamer for every twenty male) gender diversity (staff): ~0% (no self-ID female staff) restroom (slightly subpar): unisex +1; mirror +1; dimly lit –1; no changing table –1; used for storage –1 Overt Sexism: minimal; no objectionable posters or playmats observed; no sexist comments from staff on record; minimal sexist behaviour from visitors GBLT: openly trans- and queer-friendly; just north of the Castro age range observed: 10-40 after-dark safety (slightly subpar): bus stop on same block +1; popular neighbourhood +1; poorly lit area –1; poor...

I grew up extremely poor with the longing of wanting to purchase Pokémon cards to one day enter a tournament. Over 20 years later on 01/21/2023 as an adult with money to spend, I was finally able to enter my first tournament and complete my childhood dream. Two days before, I bought 3 booster boxes from the store and exciting made a scrappy deck with what cards I pulled. Day of the event was just as amazing as Professor Rosa and the other competitors were extremely friendly. While I lost most of my matches I honestly was just happy to be playing a game I could finally afford. The players were even more amazing and truly felt like I made friends that day. However, one incident spoiled the entire event that happened with one of your staff. The gentlemen that took over after Professor Rosa had left was extremely disrespectful, rude and super condescending. They mistakenly called me out for my shuffling technique infront of everyone and claimed cheating. To my surprise, after asking them to show me what proper technique was, they proceeded to show the exact way I was shuffling the entire time. On top of that, they told me that I may have cheated when I dropped cards when I was cleaning up after a loss? I understand fairness but their power trip, poor judgement and mislabeling is why I have to avoid this place. To the competitors I met, thank you for the tips and advice :), hopefully we run into each other in...

• My preferred hobby is the Pokémon TCG and this review is mainly in reference to my expertise TODAY (01/17/2025), BUT the 5 star rating still applies considering previous experiences @ Gamescape not mentioned below*

Firstly, the staff was flawlessly professional in the management of a special release and responded promptly to questions via email before the release

Second, product at MSRP. Enough said.

Tickets were supposed to go out starting at 9am (2 hours before they open) but I didn’t get mine till around 10 something

Even then, the staff member who was handing out the tickets to those in line said “thank you for waiting” to EVERY person in line

Soon after the first round of tickets went out people began to purchase their product and exit the shop at a steady speed

The person at the register asked me for my name to see if I was a member and I on top of everything I got a discount 🍽️😋

In conclusion, Gamescape in THE best games and hobby store in San Francisco

TLDR: If you collect or play the Pokémon TCG for yourself or your children I highly suggest visiting Gamescape for fair distribution, pricing, and...