Ancient Robot Games

Dougal and Gelb sit down to wrap up some of the game highlights of 2025 and dive into a couple of Dougal's choices for Christmas gifts for your loved ones (or just for yourself)!

Check out Enthrone at https://www.smirkanddagger.com/product-page/enthrone
See more of Light Speed: Arena at https://lightspeedarena.com/


If you have any burning game questions, or special events coming up and need some advice for what game to bring - email us at [email protected] and we’ll endeavour to answer in an upcoming episode!

Ancient Robot Games - https://ancientrobotgames.co.uk
Midnight Trading Co - https://midnighttradingco.com
Podcast Producer Ryan Scott - https://www.ryanscottmedia.com/

Making or want to make tabletop games in Edinburgh? A new community and coworking space opens May 2025 in Edinburgh! https://ancientrobotworkshop.co.uk

Music: Coffee Break by Sensho

In this episode we are joined by game designer and award winning editor, Roz Leahy. Roz talks on lots of points, including editing and writing captivating RPG adventures, her favourite types of games (and least favourite), and hottakes on some tropes of TTRPGs. 

This episode is full of tips and advice for budding tabletop writers that may be a little lost on this incredibly unique and baffling writing style, and some hints on working effectively as an editor in the games industry!

See more of Roz at her website - rozleahy.carrd.co


If you have any burning game questions, or special events coming up and need some advice for what game to bring - email us at [email protected] and we’ll endeavour to answer in an upcoming episode!

Ancient Robot Games - https://ancientrobotgames.co.uk
Midnight Trading Co - https://midnighttradingco.com
Podcast Producer Ryan Scott - https://www.ryanscottmedia.com/

Making or want to make tabletop games in Edinburgh? A new community and coworking space opens May 2025 in Edinburgh! https://ancientrobotworkshop.co.uk

Music: Coffee Break by Sensho

In this episode, we're joined by Dave Wright, organiser of Tabletop Scotland - a board game, card game, and RPG convention made for everyone, whether you're a long time enthusiast or brand new to the hobby!

Dave discusses his inspiration to start the convention despite a disappointment with his first business running a game store, and the complexities that come along with running Scotland's biggest tabletop convention.

See more of Tabletop Scotland at https://tabletopscotland.co.uk/

Tabletop Scotland will be back in September 2026! So keep an eye out for further updates on Tabletop Scotland's website and socials!


If you have any burning game questions, or special events coming up and need some advice for what game to bring - email us at [email protected] and we’ll endeavour to answer in an upcoming episode!

Ancient Robot Games - https://ancientrobotgames.co.uk
Midnight Trading Co - https://midnighttradingco.com
Podcast Producer Ryan Scott - https://www.ryanscottmedia.com/

Making or want to make tabletop games in Edinburgh? A new community and coworking space opens May 2025 in Edinburgh! https://ancientrobotworkshop.co.uk

Music: Coffee Break by Sensho

In this weeks episode, we are joined by Will Tempest, an illustrator for graphic novels, board games, and roleplaying games. Best known for his TTRPG work with his brother, Sam, and their publishing company Grave Goods Pub - including Frogmen, and the upcoming Strang Beorn, a Grimdark setting based on Ancient Britain and Celtic Mythology for the MORKBORG system. 

See more of Wills work at:
https://www.willtempest.com/
https://www.gravegoodspub.co.uk/


If you have any burning game questions, or special events coming up and need some advice for what game to bring - email us at [email protected] and we’ll endeavour to answer in an upcoming episode!

Ancient Robot Games - https://ancientrobotgames.co.uk
Midnight Trading Co - https://midnighttradingco.com
Podcast Producer Ryan Scott - https://www.ryanscottmedia.com/

Making or want to make tabletop games in Edinburgh? A new community and coworking space opens May 2025 in Edinburgh! https://ancientrobotworkshop.co.uk

Music: Coffee Break by Sensho

In this episode, we're joined by Phil Harris, a Creative Consultant for all things game and narrative design, and is the coordinator for Conpulsion, Scotland’s longest running tabletop game convention!
From working on MMORPGs, writing tabletop roleplaying systems, and running tabletop games at conventions (you may recognise him from Tabletop Scotland), this episode covers a lot for those interested in game design - both digital AND physical - or budding Game Masters wanting tips and tricks from a true professional!

See more of Conpulsion at their site - https://conpulsion.org/
Find Phil on LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/phil-harris-18199922/?originalSubdomain=uk


If you have any burning game questions, or special events coming up and need some advice for what game to bring - email us at [email protected] and we’ll endeavour to answer in an upcoming episode!

Ancient Robot Games - https://ancientrobotgames.co.uk
Midnight Trading Co - https://midnighttradingco.com
Podcast Producer Ryan Scott - https://www.ryanscottmedia.com/

Making or want to make tabletop games in Edinburgh? A new community and coworking space opens May 2025 in Edinburgh! https://ancientrobotworkshop.co.uk

Music: Coffee Break by Sensho

In this episode, we’re joined by Eve Greenwood and Brian Tyrrell. Eve is a writer, artist, and founder of Quindire Press, an independent publisher of graphics novels and comics, and Brian is a tabletop game designer and founder of Stout Stoat Press, a game-and-book publisher.
Together, they have founded TAGS Fest (Tabletop and Graphic Storytelling) to celebrate independent artists and designers in both the gaming and comic book worlds.

This episode covers a lot, from getting started in the industry, founding and operating micro-presses, and operating a community festival where the artists come first! 

Get more info at https://tagsfest.co.uk/

Give a follow to Eve and Brian to keep on the latest news of new games and comics!

Eve - https://www.quindriepress.com/
Brain - https://www.stoutstoat.co.uk/


If you have any burning game questions, or special events coming up and need some advice for what game to bring - email us at [email protected] and we’ll endeavour to answer in an upcoming episode!

Ancient Robot Games - https://ancientrobotgames.co.uk
Midnight Trading Co - https://midnighttradingco.com
Podcast Producer Ryan Scott - https://www.ryanscottmedia.com/

Making or want to make tabletop games in Edinburgh? A new community and coworking space opens May 2025 in Edinburgh! https://ancientrobotworkshop.co.uk

Music: Coffee Break by Sensho

We are joined by Tom Inglis of Teomach Games, to discuss his first upcoming project Pivot, an entrepreneurial start-up game, and dive into the works of Reiner Knizia, of whom Tom is a huge fan and collector.

See more of Tom and Teomach Games at https://www.teomachgames.com/ 


If you have any burning game questions, or special events coming up and need some advice for what game to bring - email us at [email protected] and we’ll endeavour to answer in an upcoming episode!

Ancient Robot Games - https://ancientrobotgames.co.uk
Midnight Trading Co - https://midnighttradingco.com
Podcast Producer Ryan Scott - https://www.ryanscottmedia.com/

Making or want to make tabletop games in Edinburgh? A new community and coworking space opens May 2025 in Edinburgh! https://ancientrobotworkshop.co.uk

Music: Coffee Break by Sensho

Dougal and Gelb are joined by the wonderful Mill Valentine! Co-Owner of Dissent Games, and founder of the Paradice Board Game Convention and the Facebook group Dundee Boardgamers.

Dissent has a new game coming soon, Loose in the Library, a sort of reimagining of their first game, Library Labyrinth. Listen in to hear more about the process of designing and developing during lockdown and how the online community of gamers helped them shape their games.

See more of Dissent Games at https://dissentgames.com/
See more of Paradice at https://paradice.uk/

Check out the Kickstarter for their upcoming game, Loose in the Library, and show your support! https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/dissentgames/loose-in-the-library


If you have any burning game questions, or special events coming up and need some advice for what game to bring - email us at [email protected] and we’ll endeavour to answer in an upcoming episode!

Ancient Robot Games - https://ancientrobotgames.co.uk
Midnight Trading Co - https://midnighttradingco.com
Podcast Producer Ryan Scott - https://www.ryanscottmedia.com/

Making or want to make tabletop games in Edinburgh? A new community and coworking space opens May 2025 in Edinburgh! https://ancientrobotworkshop.co.uk

Music: Coffee Break by Sensho

Dougal and Gelb are joined with special guest Andy Law, sharing his decades worth of experience working with some of the biggest names in tabletop gaming - including Critical Role and Warhammer. In Andys (limited) spare time from designing some of the best known games, he hosts his own actual play, Lawhammer, using the Warhammer Fantasy Roleplaying Game system - that he himself worked on - and is also part of Lorebeards and the CEO of Rookery Publications.

This episode is ideal for those looking for some insight into designing games, hints and tips for GMs,
and knowing what publishers are looking for!

See more of Andy at https://www.rookerypublications.com/
Lawhammer: https://www.youtube.com/@LAWhammer
Inside the Rookery: https://www.youtube.com/@TheRookery
Lorebeards: https://www.youtube.com/@loremasterofsotek


If you have any burning game questions, or special events coming up and need some advice for what game to bring - email us at [email protected] and we’ll endeavour to answer in an upcoming episode!

Ancient Robot Games - https://ancientrobotgames.co.uk
Midnight Trading Co - https://midnighttradingco.com
Podcast Producer Ryan Scott - https://www.ryanscottmedia.com/

Making or want to make tabletop games in Edinburgh? A new community and coworking space opens May 2025 in Edinburgh! https://ancientrobotworkshop.co.uk

Music: Coffee Break by Sensho

Dougal and Gelb are joined by Dylan Balfour, creator of the upcoming game Rat King. Dylan has been developing this game for the last year while also holding down a full time job AND working on his PHD.
This episodes got it all from managing time effectively, tips for developing your first game, and Dougal's completely not flawed idea for a Teeth game. 

See more of Rat King at https://www.shrimptankgames.com/

Ancient Robot Games - https://ancientrobotgames.co.uk
Midnight Trading Co - https://midnighttradingco.com
Podcast Producer Ryan Scott - https://www.ryanscottfilm.com/

Making or want to make tabletop games in Edinburgh? A new community and coworking space opens May 2025 in Edinburgh! https://ancientrobotworkshop.co.uk

Music: Coffee Break by Sensho


If you have any burning game questions, or special events coming up and need some advice for what game to bring - email us at [email protected] and we’ll endeavour to answer in an upcoming episode!

Ancient Robot Games - https://ancientrobotgames.co.uk
Midnight Trading Co - https://midnighttradingco.com
Podcast Producer Ryan Scott - https://www.ryanscottmedia.com/

Making or want to make tabletop games in Edinburgh? A new community and coworking space opens May 2025 in Edinburgh! https://ancientrobotworkshop.co.uk

Music: Coffee Break by Sensho