Tabletop Throwdown

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In this episode of Tabletop Throwdown, Mike Dunn and James Van Tonningen chat with Sean Brown, the head of Mayfair Games, discussing the relaunch of the brand and their latest Kickstarter project, Empire Builder: Europe. They explore the success of the Kickstarter campaign, the importance of reviving classic games, and the strategy behind targeting both mass market and dedicated gamers. Sean shares insights on the gaming industry, the legacy of popular games like Catan and Ticket to Ride, and the excitement surrounding their participation in Essen Spiel. In this engaging conversation, Sean discusses the revival of classic board games, the importance of community feedback, and the challenges of shipping in the gaming industry. He reflects on the nostalgia associated with game development and the evolution of the board game industry, emphasizing the role of crowdfunding in enabling creators to bring their visions to life. The discussion highlights the camaraderie within the gaming community and the excitement surrounding new projects.

Be sure to check out the Empire Builder: Europe Kickstarter: https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/mrbgames/empire-builder-europe?ref=bj32by

Takeaways

• Empire Builder Europe has exceeded expectations on Kickstarter.
• The revival of Mayfair Games focuses on quality and nostalgia.
• Mr. B Games plays a crucial role in special projects.
• Classic games are being updated for modern audiences.
• The gaming community is eager for new iterations of beloved titles.
• Essen Spiel provided valuable networking opportunities for Mayfair. -
• The goal is to make games that are enjoyable for all generations.
• Kickstarter allows for more creative freedom in game design.
• The legacy of Catan and Ticket to Ride influences new game development.
• Bringing European games to the U.S. market is a priority for Mayfair.
• Reviving classic games can bring nostalgia and excitement.
• Community feedback is crucial for game development.
• Shipping challenges have increased in the gaming industry.
• Crowdfunding has democratized game creation.
• The board game industry is filled with passionate individuals.

Chapters

00:00 Introduction to Mayfair Games and Sean Brown
02:58 Kickstarter Success and Stretch Goals
06:00 The Role of Mr. B Games
08:58 Reviving Classic Games
11:50 Empire Builder Europe: A Modern Take
14:55 Targeting the Mass Market
17:56 The Legacy of Catan and Ticket to Ride
21:04 Bringing European Games to the U.S.
23:57 Essen Spiel Experience and Future Plans
33:28 Reviving Classic Games
36:34 Community Engagement and Feedback
39:10 Nostalgia and Game Development
42:59 Shipping Challenges in the Gaming Industry
47:53 The Evolution of the Board Game Industry
59:03 The Future of Gaming and Crowdfunding

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In this episode of Tabletop Throwdown, Mike Dunn and Steven Starkey speak with Christian Hoffer, a prominent voice in the Dungeons & Dragons community. They discuss Hoffer’s journey from writing about comics to becoming a key figure in tabletop RPG journalism, his experiences at Comic Book, and the impact of corporate changes on the industry. The conversation delves into the OGL controversy, the current state of D&D discourse, and the importance of community engagement in the gaming world. Hoffer shares insights on his new ventures, including his YouTube channel, Above the Table, and emphasizes the need for a supportive community around D&D.

Takeaways

• Christian Hoffer transitioned from writing about comics to D&D journalism.
• The OGL controversy highlighted the disconnect between corporate decisions and community needs.
• D&D’s design team largely opposed changes to the OGL due to potential backlash.
• Community engagement is crucial for the success of tabletop RPGs.
• Hoffer’s YouTube channel, Above the Table, aims to foster community and discussion.
• The pandemic shifted D&D’s focus away from community-driven content.
• Corporate interests often overshadow the voices of those who understand the game.
• Hoffer emphasizes the importance of recognizing the difference between AI and traditional art.
• The D&D team is working to rebuild trust with the community post-OGL. -Hoffer believes that the right people are being placed in key positions at Wizards of the Coast.

Chapters

00:00 Introduction and Guest Introduction
02:58 Christian Hoffer’s Journey into Writing
05:51 Transition from Comics to D&D
08:49 Pathfinder vs. D&D: A Player’s Perspective
11:44 The Evolution of Comic Book Media
14:57 Current Work and Freelancing Ventures
17:39 The State of Tabletop Media
20:41 Launching a New YouTube Channel
23:33 Discussion on D&D Discourse and OGL
34:13 The Evolution of the Open Gaming License
36:01 Backlash and Community Response
41:00 Corporate Decisions and Community Disconnect
47:10 Rebuilding Community Trust 50:35 Navigating Corporate Challenges
54:34 The Future of Dungeons & Dragons

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We're back and about to go to Gen Con! Join us as we talk about games we are excited about seeing at Gen Con this year, and tease a bit about what else we are doing! 

Games we are looking forward to:

• Gnome Hollow
• Luthier
• Undaunted 2200 Calisto
• Boop the Halls
• Comic Hunters
• Seers Catalog
• Creepshow
• The Elder Scrolls: Betrayal of the Second Era
• Button Kingdoms
• Dead Reckoning: Port of Call
• Happy Home
• Terminus
• Gone to Gaia
• ...and more!

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Game durations on the side of the box- who comes up with those? Why do they always seem wildly inaccurate? What is the point? We talk with five luminary game designers and ask them those questions and more on this week's episode. There are definitely some spicy takes out there, but we get into the nitty gritty of what goes into coming up that number and why, as well as what it doesn't measure and why it is actually pretty important! Ammon Anderson (Gnome Hollow, Twinkle, Twinkle), Jason Matthews (Twilight Struggle, Fort Circle Games), Kevin Wilson (Kinfire Chronicles, Arkham Horror), and brothers Cole and Drew Werhle (John Company, Pax Pamir) share their perspectives on this divisive metric.

Thanks for watching, and see you in a month-ish!

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Incredible Dream has been publishing hit game after hit game since their co-operative adventure Kinfire Chronicles, with long-time game designer and Fantasy Flight Games vet Kevin Wilson at the helm. James and Mike got to chat recently with Kevin about their latest title which just hit Kickstarter: Kinfire Council, a lovingly crafted worker placement game with a few twists! Kevin tells us a bit about his career and we dive deep into the new game. Be sure to check out James' preview: https://gamingtrend.com/feature/previews/kinfire-council-hands-on-preview-hidden-cultists-and-starless-nights/

This podcast is a paid promotion by Incredible Dream for their new crowdfunding campaign: Kinfire Council is a competitive game of strategy and politics for 2-6 players. As a member of the Council, you've been charged with rebuilding the great city of Din'Lux and defending it from the dangers of the Starless Nights. You can back the Kickstarter here: https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/ahj00ma/kinfire2024

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Mike finally recounts his magical trip to Lake Geneva, WI, where he attended Gary Con XVI, kicking off the fiftieth year of Dungeons & Dragons with current and past designers, artists, and luminaries of the game. Luke Gygax explains how Gary Con came to be, and Mike (sloppily) recounts a historical D&D tour of the tiny resort town where Gary Gygax started it all.

Find out more about Gary Con here: https://garycon.com/

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We saw a lot of great games at GAMA Expo last month, and we’ve got a few quick looks at some of them on today’s podcast! In addition to several new games that we saw for the first time, we got a few updates on some that we’ve been tracking since last year’s Expo!

Some updates on games we’ve covered:
-Luthier
-Mollyhouse
-Gnome Hollow

New reveals
-Boop The Halls
-Halo Flashpoint
-Canopy Evergreen
-7 Impossible Things
-Hurt Party
-Star Realms Academy
-Halo Flashpoint
-Invincible: The Hero Building Game

Also, of note, we will be going to a biweekly schedule to help free up some time for Mike and Mark while they both move. Hope to be back to weekly by Origins (June)!

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Tabletop gaming has blown up in recent years, and thanks to organizations like Games & Gaming Roundtable (GameRT) and Tabletop Alliance bringing games and game awareness into libraries and schools, that awareness is growing! We chat with George Bergstrom of GameRT and Josh Isringhauser of Tabletop Alliance about what they are doing and how you can help. Here's a few relevant links if you want to find out more:

GameRT:
https://games.ala.org/
https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLolw3FNRIvdj_5sH5-s2TCQbMVMAiqKwl

Tabletop Alliance:
https://tabletopalliance.org/

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This week we chat with Nils Karlén (ALIEN RPG, Blade Runner RPG) and Kosta Kostulas (Coriolis — The Third Horizon, Mutant: Year Zero) about a new installment to the dark sci-fi TTRPG universe of Coriolis — The Third Horizon that just hit Kickstarter! Our special guest host is John Farrell (for at least part of the time). Check out the Kickstarter for Coriolis — The Great Dark and back it today: https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/1192053011/coriolis-the-great-dark-rpg-explore-a-lost-horizon

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This week we dive into the genre of games known as DECK BUILDERS! Joins us as we go through as brief retrospective and exploration of the deck building mechanics and the games that use them.

This video is sponsored by The Tomb of Gyzaengaxx, the Kickstarter for a new 5E D&D Campaign from GooeyCube and GaxxWork; Embark on a mega-adventure created with Luke Gygax and other legends of the game, celebrating the legacy of Gary Gygax in a story-driven campaign. Find out more about The Tomb of Gyzaengaxx campaign here: https://shop.gooeycube.com/back/?attribution_code=GameTrend

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