Episodes

  • Leithal Hits: Edinburgh-based Wargaming & Community with Greg Foster | Episode 29

    Leithal Hits: Edinburgh-based Wargaming & Community with Greg Foster | Episode 29
    May 27 2026
    Dougal and Gelb are joined by Leithal Hits own, Greg Foster, to discuss the wargaming hobby and their own growing community in Edinburgh of avid 40K fans. Expect usual chaos and derailment as always.

    Find out more about Leithal Hits at - https://www.leithalhits.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 ancientrobotpod@gmail.com 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
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    34 mins
  • Balancing the Unbalanced: Asymmetrical Game Design | Episode 28

    Balancing the Unbalanced: Asymmetrical Game Design | Episode 28
    May 13 2026
    Dougal and Gelb delve into the niche world of asymmetrical games. One game with different playstyles and mechanics for certain players - or in some cases for every player!

    Talking about asymmetrical classics like Root, Nemesis, Terrorscape, and more - the guys discuss what makes a good game with asymmetry and how much you can truly balance an unbalanced game.


    If you have any burning game questions, or special events coming up and need some advice for what game to bring - email us at ancientrobotpod@gmail.com 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
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    38 mins
  • Tackling Personal Demons and Even Deeper Regrets with Judson Cowan | Episode 27

    Tackling Personal Demons and Even Deeper Regrets with Judson Cowan | Episode 27
    Apr 29 2026
    The Ancient Robot Games Podcast is now 1 year old! And what better way to celebrate than bringing back our first ever guest, Judson Cowan, to talk about what he's been up to in the last year.

    Judson talks about the process of designing his first ever expansion and how funding/publishing can differ from that of a game, and also his upcoming release Personal Demons - a new game themed around mental health, demons, and overcoming obstacles.

    See more of Judsons work and check out Personal Demons at https://tettixgames.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 ancientrobotpod@gmail.com 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
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    43 mins
  • Defining the Abstract: the History and Influence of Abstract Games | Episode 26

    Defining the Abstract: the History and Influence of Abstract Games | Episode 26
    Apr 15 2026
    Dougal and Gelb talk about abstract games and their long history in influencing the industry and culture of tabletop gaming.

    Covering games from the Vikings’ ultimate strategy game, reimagining classics like chess, and contemporary designs like Aster from Midnight Trading 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 ancientrobotpod@gmail.com 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
    Show More Show Less
    37 mins
  • I like Big Games and I cannot lie: Root, Ascending Empires, Pandemic, and more | Episode 25

    I like Big Games and I cannot lie: Root, Ascending Empires, Pandemic, and more | Episode 25
    Apr 1 2026
    Dougal and Gelb talk some of the best BIG games out now, and how they can offer some of the most fun and exciting experiences in board gaming.


    If you have any burning game questions, or special events coming up and need some advice for what game to bring - email us at ancientrobotpod@gmail.com 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
    Show More Show Less
    36 mins
  • Making Escape Rooms with a Focus on Story and Player Experience with Ronan Jennings | Episode 24

    Making Escape Rooms with a Focus on Story and Player Experience with Ronan Jennings | Episode 24
    Mar 18 2026
    In this episode, we’re joined by Ronan Jennings of Secret Solstice Games - another board game cafe in Leith - and creator of escape rooms and immersive experiences through Case Closed Escape Rooms. Listen in for chats on creating immersive narrative experiences, and Ronans unique approach to escape room design.

    See more of Ronan at:
    https://www.secretsolsticegames.co.uk/
    https://www.caseclosededinburgh.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 ancientrobotpod@gmail.com 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
    Show More Show Less
    36 mins
  • Games to Play with People you Don't Know | Episode 23

    Games to Play with People you Don't Know | Episode 23
    Mar 4 2026
    Have you ever found yourself amongst a group of people who you don’t know very well and it falls to you to break the ice with a game? What do you pick for a room full of people you don’t know? Well Dougal and Gelb answer these question in the next episode - discussing the best party games for a group of people you don’t know, everything from word games, card games, and social deduction games that anyone can get involved in!


    If you have any burning game questions, or special events coming up and need some advice for what game to bring - email us at ancientrobotpod@gmail.com 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
    Show More Show Less
    36 mins
  • Edinburgh Board Gamers - Making Safe Spaces, and Strong Communities with Andrew & Pavel | Episode 22

    Edinburgh Board Gamers - Making Safe Spaces, and Strong Communities with Andrew & Pavel | Episode 22
    Feb 18 2026
    In this episode we are joined by Andrew Stoddart and Pavel Shepan, organisers of Edinburgh Board Gamers - a club focused on bringing together fans of games into a social and welcoming atmosphere - discussing the growth of their group, their impact on the community of gamers in Edinburgh, and some of their own opinions on the games they play.

    See more of Edinburgh Board Gamers on their Facebook page or MeetUp page - meetup.com/edinburgh-gamers


    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
    Show More Show Less
    41 mins