The Tabletop Takeaway: A Board Game Design Podcast
Join game designers Ananda Guneratne, Charlie McCarron, and Trevor Muller-Hegel as they analyze published games from a game developer's perspective. Each month, they pick a new game mechanic and three games to play in that genre. Each episode is 20 minutes of pure game design nerdiness!
- Update frequency
- every 7 days
- Average duration
- 27 minutes
- Episodes
- 103
- Years Active
- 2023 - 2025
96. Wabash Cannonball
When players share control of assets, how do you give them unique advantages? What should happen to the money spent in an auction game? Trevor, Ananda, and Charlie listen to the jingle, the rumble, a…
00:21:07 |
Wed 03 Sep 2025
95. Akrotiri
Can victory points and progression go together without snowballing? How can you draw a map to something when even the game doesn't know where it is? Charlie, Trevor, and Ananda discover temples in Ak…
00:16:49 |
Wed 27 Aug 2025
94. Tabletop RPGs
How should authority be divided amongst players? How should conflicts be resolved? Trevor, Ananda, and Charlie discuss tabletop role-playing games.
00:35:56 |
Wed 20 Aug 2025
93. Dread
How does the illusion of control affect players' perception of conflict resolution mechanics? Can players be made to look forward to their elimination? Charlie, Trevor, and Ananda face their fears in…
00:29:04 |
Wed 13 Aug 2025
93b. RPG Session Three - Dread Part 2
Broken glasses, angry ghosts, and dwarven journalists. Charlie, Trevor, and Ananda seek justice.
00:58:02 |
Mon 11 Aug 2025
93a. RPG Session Three - Dread Part 1
Loss, baby dragons, and giant pecs. Charlie, Trevor, and Ananda flee their doom.
01:08:03 |
Sun 10 Aug 2025
92. Dungeon World
What is a player's role in worldbuilding? When should a campaign end? Ananda, Charlie, and Trevor make moves in Dungeon World.
00:26:14 |
Wed 06 Aug 2025
92b. RPG Session Two - Dungeon World Part 2
Bounty hunters, magic rituals, and burning roots. Ananda, Charlie, and Trevor traverse the wilds.
01:08:59 |
Mon 04 Aug 2025
92a. RPG Session Two - Dungeon World Part 1
Crazy cows, omens, and magical trails. Ananda, Charlie, and Trevor attempt a side quest.
00:56:45 |
Sun 03 Aug 2025
91. Dungeons & Dragons
How often should players level up? Should you split the party? Trevor, Ananda, and Charlie roll for initiative in Dungeons and Dragons
00:27:40 |
Wed 30 Jul 2025
91c. RPG Session One - D&D Part 2
Berries of straw, free wine, and priceless vases. Trevor, Charlie, and Ananda meet the villain.
01:12:09 |
Mon 28 Jul 2025
91b. RPG Session One - D&D Part 1
New adventures, squishy rocks, and magical flowers. Trevor, Charlie, and Ananda start a new game.
01:10:47 |
Sun 27 Jul 2025
91a. RPG Session Zero - In This World Story Creation
A world, a villain, and three heroes. In this (true) bonus episode, Ananda, Charlie, and Trevor create an RPG setting from scratch using In This World.
01:31:15 |
Sat 26 Jul 2025
90. Drafting Games
What are the advantages of dwindling options? What information should players have? Charlie, Trevor, and Ananda discuss drafting games.
00:34:39 |
Wed 23 Jul 2025
89. The Banishing
Do drafts always need to be competitive? What should and shouldn't have a name in your game? Ananda, Charlie, and Trevor banish the undead in The Banishing.
00:18:38 |
Wed 16 Jul 2025
88. Biblios
How do you give players an outlet for resources they don't want? How much hidden information is too much? Charlie, Trevor, and Ananda hoard books in Biblios.
00:19:21 |
Wed 09 Jul 2025
87. 7 Wonders
How do you scale gameplay across very different player counts? What is the purpose of the wonders? Trevor, Ananda, and Charlie build pyramids out of science cards in 7 Wonders.
00:17:01 |
Wed 02 Jul 2025
86. Memory Games
Which mechanics work well with memory? What is the difference between memory and learning? Ananda, Charlie, and Trevor discuss memory games.
00:30:41 |
Wed 25 Jun 2025
85. Dream On!
How much should you trust your players' abilities? What does creativity look like in memory games? Trevor, Ananda, and Charlie string scenes together in Dream On!
00:18:01 |
Wed 18 Jun 2025
84. Mamma Mia!
What makes the failure of plans fun? How can you let players compensate for their own forgetfulness? Ananda, Charlie, and Trevor bake pizzas in Mamma Mia!
00:16:40 |
Wed 11 Jun 2025
Disclaimer: The podcast and artwork embedded on this page are the property of Ananda Guneratne, Charlie McCarron, Trevor Muller-Hegel. This content is not affiliated with or endorsed by eachpod.com.