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Tabletop Throwdown episodes
- Gamersgiving's Dustin Hatchett and the four corners of Colorado boardgaming | TTT S2E6
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In this episode, Mike, Mark, and Sean are joined by Dustin Hatchett, President of Gamersgiving, a Colorado nonprofit organization dedicated to helping gamers and gaming communities in Colorado and beyond. Join these four corners of Colorado boardgaming as they discuss the important work Gamersgiving is doing, convention memories, and more!
GamersGiving: https://www.gamersgiving.org/
SpringGiving: https://www.gamersgiving.org/springgiving
Remembering Jodi Black: https://shop.peginc.com/pages/jodi-black
Chapters
00:00 Introduction to Gamersgiving and the Hosts
09:09 The Colorado Gaming Scene and Its Growth
14:12 Charitable Causes Supported by Gamersgiving
22:14 Building Community Through Volunteerism
22:36 Honoring Cody Bridges: The Memorial Library
28:40 Collaboration with Local Game Stores
35:20 Innovative Event Management Solutions
43:55 Nostalgia and Personal Gaming Histories
47:53 Throwdown challenge question
55:29 Memorable Convention Experiences
01:04:38 The Joy of Gaming Across Generations
01:12:47 The Cultural Impact of SpongeBob
01:15:16 GamingTrend and Future Conventions
01:18:28 Star Wars film rankings (again!)
#gamersgiving #colorado #charity
Music by Ulterior MotifSubscribe for more gaming and gaming culture content:
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Discord: https://discord.gg/T8jNjYP1 hr 23 min - Dan Madsen's Journey: From Fan to Fandom Icon | TTT S2E5
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In this episode, our special guest Dan Madsen shares his incredible journey from starting the first official Star Trek fan club at age 18 to working closely with Lucasfilm on Star Wars projects. Discover behind-the-scenes stories, fan culture evolution, and the impact of fandom on Hollywood and personal careers. Join us for an engaging conversation with Dan Madsen as he shares his extensive experience in the Star Wars and Star Trek fandoms, his work with Lucasfilm, and insights into the evolution of fandom culture, media production, and iconic sci-fi moments.
Oh, and Mark Streed is officially a cohost of Tabletop Throwdown now! Welcome aboard, Mark! Don't worry, we'll get back to yapping about dice and cardboard next episode ;)
Chapters
00:00 Welcome Back to Tabletop Throwdown
05:40 The Birth of the Official Star Trek Fan Club
08:15 Transition to Lucasfilm and Star Wars
11:07 The Evolution of Fandom and Fan Clubs
13:59 Memorable Conventions and Experiences
16:41 The Impact of Star Wars on Culture
19:36 Nerd Culture Goes Mainstream
22:13 The Legacy of Fandom in Modern Media
34:03 The Impact of Episode I: Cultural Phenomenon
37:51 Cameo in the Galaxy: Dan's Star Wars Appearance
43:06 The Evolution of Star Wars Celebration
47:56 Current Connections to Star Wars and Star Trek
59:25 The Changing Landscape of Fandom
01:01:48 The Toxic Side of Fandom
01:04:29 Loving What You Love in Fandom
01:10:00 Memorable Moments and Characters in Star Wars
01:13:41 Dan Madsen's Current Projects and Future Plans
01:15:28 TTT ranks the Star Trek films this time!Subscribe for more gaming and gaming culture content:
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Discord: https://discord.gg/T8jNjYP1 hr 27 min - Tabletop Throwdown S2E4—Mark Streed pulls up a chair
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Sean and Mike welcome Mark Streed to the Throwdown (and to GamingTrend!). After a chat about covering crowdfunding and playing prototype games, Mark opens up about some passion projects he plans to work on now that he's a part of the team!
Chapters
04:52 Cinematic Previews and Content Creation
14:36 Crowdfunding Insights and Surprises
21:32 Unexpected Successes in Game Funding
36:36 Finding Value in Prototype Games
43:11 Experiences at South by Southwest
53:69 Mark's Passion for Legos and Retro Gaming
01:00:42 Homebrew Gaming Innovations
01:03:36 Exploring LEGO in Gaming Culture
01:07:00 Engaging with Nostalgia in Entertainment
01:09:01 Ranking the Star Wars Films
#MarkStreed
#atari
#legosMusic by Ulterior Motif
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Discord: https://discord.gg/T8jNjYP1 hr 21 min - Tabletop Throwdown S2E3—Dungeon Crawling Melonfarmers w/Nick Medinger
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Our first guest of the season joins us this week- Nick Medinger from Renegade Games! Yes, we talk a bit about Dungeon Crawler Carl and other TTRPGs that Renegade publishes, a tangent involving cult classic film Repo Man goes on waaaay too long, and Mike subjects everyone to a walkthrough of the main grounds of the Geneva Grand Resort, home of Gary Con.
This weeks episode is sponsored by Hell of a Deal- go back this killer co-op poker game on Kickstarter now: https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/smirkanddagger/hell-of-a-deal?ref=9g53jc
Chapters
01:05 Introducing the first guest of the season
02:50 AI disclaimer
04:25 Nerdy Obsessions and Collecting
05:50 Nick's Journey in the Gaming Industry
09:50 Surprising Successes in Game Development
11:31 Reviving Classic Games
14:09 The Evolution of Board Games
21:06 Game Night Favorites
23:34 Star Wars Board Games
26:11 The Legacy of Star Wars Games
28:49 Dungeon Crawler Carl
31:06 Behind the Scenes of Game Production
34:37 Shrink-Wrapping Adventures
42:40 When was the last time these guys RPG'd?
44:07 Gary Con walkthrough
01:04:23 Can't stop talking about Repo Man
01:08:53 Convention Stories and Logistics Challenges
01:11:55 The Perils of Shipping Board Games
01:14:10 Game Frustrations and Memorable Experiences
01:26:08 THE Star Wars question
#dungeoncrawlercarl
#dungeonsanddragons
#renegade
#repoman
Music by Ulterior Motif and a smattering of Sousa
Thumbnail photo by Sean BrownSubscribe for more gaming and gaming culture content:
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Discord: https://discord.gg/T8jNjYP1 hr 35 min - So much GAMA Expo!
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This week Sean and Mike give a bit of a ‘post-action’ report on this year’s GAMA Expo! From all of the panels Mike foolishly agreed to do, to Dungeon Crawler Carl, to Sean taking a big step towards becoming a published game designer??? Welcome to another packed episode, and if you’ve ever wondered what the game industry does when the players aren’t around, you’ll definitely want to give this one a listen!
Questions? Suggestions? Just want to heckle us? Reach out at [email protected]
Chapters
00:00 Introduction and Excitement for GAMA Expo
02:45 Reflections on GAMA Expo Experience
05:04 Understanding GAMA Expo and Its Evolution
07:17 Panels and Discussions at GAMA Expo
09:51 The Importance of Trust in Media
12:42 Filming Compelling Game Demos
20:39 Nerd Alert!
21:33 Staying professional in an idustry full of friends
26:21 Leadership and Transformation in GAMA
33:31 Dungeon Crawler Carl: A New IP
36:19 Exploring the Dungeon Crawler Carl Universe
46:05 The Importance of Gateway Games
53:22 String Theory
56:02 The Intersection of Gaming and Pop Culture
01:01:38 The Four Horsemen and High-End Action Figures
01:05:16 Introducing New Team Members at GamingTrend
01:12:26 Exciting New Game Releases
01:19:51 The Importance of Game Prototyping and Pitching
01:26:09 Reflections on the Gaming Industry and Future Directions
Is audio not enough for you and you just gotta see what these nerds actually look like? Check out the episode on Youtube: https://youtu.be/TfDX2GRg_KA
Music by Ulterior Motif
Thumbnail photo by Ross Thompson
Relevant links:
GAMA website: https://gama.org
Stacey Marie Kline’s podcast: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/hey-stacey-marie/id1724463082
Dungeon Crawler Carl TTRPG Kickstarter: https://www.backerkit.com/c/projects/renegade-game-studios/dungeon-crawler-carl-rpg-unstoppable/launch_party
Hell of a Deal on BGG: https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/smirkanddagger/hell-of-a-deal
String Theory on BGG: https://boardgamegeek.com/boardgame/413220/string-theorySubscribe for more gaming and gaming culture content:
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Discord: https://discord.gg/T8jNjYP1 hr 29 min - S2E1- All-New! All-Different!
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The long-awaited return of Tabletop Throwdown! This time it's All-new! All-Different! Sean Brown of Mr. B and Mayfair Games has cast aside all common sense and has agreed to be Mike Dunn's cohost for the foreseeable future! Join these two silly old nerds as they talk about just how bad 2025 was for the Tabletop Industry, and what they have done about it!
Tabletop Throwdown Season 2, featuring Sean Brown as co-host, airs every other Tuesday.
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Discord: https://discord.gg/T8jNjYP1 hr 31 min - 24 Hours of gaming with the Colorado Springs Board Game Club—Tabletop Throwdown S1E17 SEASON FINALE
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In the season finale of Tabletop Throwdown, Mike Dunn and his co-hosts discuss the Colorado Springs Board Game Club, its history, community impact, and fundraising efforts for Extra Life. They share personal experiences, the importance of community in gaming, and provide advice for starting a board game club. The episode concludes with reflections on the past season and plans for the future. Season Two coming in January!
Chapters
00:00 Introduction
01:50 The Colorado Springs Board Game Club
04:45 Personal Experiences with the Club
10:07 The Impact of the Pandemic on Gaming
14:19 The Importance of Community in Gaming
21:47 History of the Colorado Springs Board Game Club
26:57 Fundraising for Extra Life
35:48 Unique Fundraising Events and Community Engagement
42:18 Advice for Starting a Board Game Club
48:33 Conclusion and Future Plans for TTTSubscribe for more gaming and gaming culture content:
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Discord: https://discord.gg/T8jNjYP49 min - Talia Rosen and Jason Matthews are bringing the Supreme Court to the table—Tabletop Throwdown S1E16
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In this episode of Tabletop Throwdown, host Mike Dunn is joined by co-host Mark Julian and special guests Talia Rosen and Jason Matthews. The conversation explores various aspects of board game design, including the importance of accurate game duration (a callback to S1E10!) , the collaborative process in creating games, and the evolution of themes in historical gaming. They discuss the challenges of game aesthetics, the impact of complexity on player experience, and the current trends in the board game market. The episode also highlights the upcoming game 'First Monday in October', which focuses on the Supreme Court, showcasing the innovative approaches to game design. In this conversation, Talia Rosen and Jason Matthews discuss their board game that explores the dynamics of the Supreme Court through area control mechanics. They delve into the balance between historical accuracy and player agency, the ethical implications of gaming historical events, and the challenges of designing a game that is both educational and engaging. The discussion also touches on the success of their Kickstarter campaign and the importance of public domain materials in game design.
You can back the Kickstarter for First Monday in October here: https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/fortcircle/first-monday-in-october/descriptionSubscribe for more gaming and gaming culture content:
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Discord: https://discord.gg/T8jNjYP1 hr 10 min - Jay Cormier makes awesome games out of awesome comics—Tabletop Throwdown S1E15
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In this episode of Tabletop Throwdown, Mike Dunn and Dan Hinken welcome Jay Cormier, a game designer and founder of Off The Page Games. They discuss Jay's journey in game design, the development of the Mind Management game, and how comic books influence his work. Jay shares insights on the challenges faced during game development, the importance of honoring the source material, and his passion for creating games based on indie comics. The conversation also touches on personal stories about comic collecting and the impact of comics on their lives. In this engaging conversation, the speakers explore their personal journeys with comics and graphic novels, discussing how specific titles reignited their passion for the medium. They delve into the creative process of game design, emphasizing the importance of constraints in fostering innovation. The discussion also touches on teaching game design to students, the inception of the Fail Faster journal, and the development of a unique educational book that combines storytelling with game mechanics. Finally, they consider the marketability of new game concepts and the evolving landscape of board games for younger audiences. In this engaging conversation, the speakers delve into the intricacies of game design, particularly focusing on creating family-friendly games and the challenges of adapting comic book narratives into games. They discuss the importance of art style in accessibility, the innovative mechanics that can enhance gameplay, and the future of their projects, including collaborations and upcoming conventions. The dialogue highlights the balance between maintaining the essence of the original comic while making it appealing to a broader audience.
Chapters
00:00 Introduction to Jay Cormier and His Ventures
03:04 The Journey of Mind Management Game Development
05:49 The Evolution of Off The Page Games
09:04 Creating Games from Comics: A Unique Approach
12:03 The Impact of Comics on Game Design
14:49 Exploring New Game Ideas and Inspirations
17:49 Comic Collecting and Personal Stories
23:40 Rediscovering Comics: A Journey Back to the Page
24:32 Diving into Graphic Novels: Personal Experiences and Favorites
25:54 The Concept of Crossover: Blending Fictional Worlds
28:34 Constraints as Creativity: The Power of Limitations in Game Design
30:53 Teaching Game Design: Insights from the Classroom
33:34 The Birth of the Fail Faster Journal: A Solution to a Problem
36:41 Design Your Destiny: A Unique Approach to Game Design Education
39:13 Exploring Simplicity in Game Mechanics: A Shift in Perspective
43:36 Marketability of Game Concepts: Seeking Validation and Feedback
47:52 The Importance of Family-Friendly Gaming
49:02 Art and Accessibility in Game Design
51:41 Creating a Narrative for Game Development
52:20 Exploring Comic Book Adaptations
54:06 The Challenge of Adapting Iconic Comics
56:39 Innovative Game Mechanics and Concepts
01:00:20 Looking Ahead: Future Projects and CollaborationsSubscribe for more gaming and gaming culture content:
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Discord: https://discord.gg/T8jNjYP1 hr 3 min - Ammon Anderson talks Gnome Hollow, Twinkle, Twinkle, and Space Potato?—Tabletop Throwdown S1E13
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In this episode of Tabletop Throwdown, Mike Dunn, Mark Julian, and guest Ammon Anderson discuss their recent gaming experiences, including a charity event for children's hospitals, the success of Ammon's game Gnome Hollow, and the upcoming release of Twinkle Twinkle. They delve into the intricacies of game design, collaboration with publishers, and the evolution of production quality in board games. The conversation also touches on cultural differences in game preferences and the humorous aspects of game design, culminating in the announcement of Ammon's new game, Space Potato. The discussion shifts to the challenges of running a Kickstarter campaign, highlighting the emotional rollercoaster it entails. They explore the current state of Kickstarter, particularly for small creators, and the impact of larger companies on funding opportunities. The conversation also touches on manufacturing challenges, especially in light of potential tariffs, and the importance of accessibility in board games, emphasizing community support for colorblind players.
Chapters
00:00 Introduction and Extra Life Event Recap
05:49 The Success of Gnome Hollow
11:58 Collaboration in Game Design
18:03 The Evolution of Game Production Quality
24:01 Announcing Space Potato
31:58 The Chaos of Board Games
41:32 The Essence of Fun in Game Design
46:55 Playing Games: The Joy of Experience
55:43 Upcoming Releases and Collaborations
01:03:00 The Current State of Kickstarter and Small Creators
01:09:52 Accessibility in Board Games and Community SupportSubscribe for more gaming and gaming culture content:
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Discord: https://discord.gg/T8jNjYP1 hr 22 min
About Tabletop Throwdown
From the publisher's feed
GamingTrend’s tabletop podcast where Mark Streed, Sean Brown and Mike Dunn chat with game designers, game publishers, and other gaming adjacent folks about, well, games and other nerdy pursuits.…
Spoiler- sometimes we get a little silly and we can almost guarantee that the conversation will veer into whatever we are geeking out about at any moment during the last half of the show.