Episodes

  • The Thunder Perfect Mind: Game Design with Emotional Ebb and Flow with Tanya Floaker | Episode 20

    The Thunder Perfect Mind: Game Design with Emotional Ebb and Flow with Tanya Floaker | Episode 20
    Jan 21 2026
    Dougal and Gelb are joined by Tanya Floaker - award-winning game designer of ‘Lo! Thy Dread Empire’, ‘Be Seeing You’ and ‘Mum Chums’ - to discuss her process of designing games with a focus on the players emotional response, how she approaches publishing new games, and her upcoming release, 'The Thunder Perfect Mind' - a game that delves into toxic nostalgia with breakneck action and occult thrills.

    Find Tanya at floaker.carrd.co
    Also see the Kickstarter page for ‘The Thunder Perfect Mind’ at www.kickstarter.com/projects/floaker/the-thunder-perfect-mind


    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
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    39 mins
  • Author of MINION: The Best RPG Systems and Writing your Own with Morgan Edmonds | Episode 19

    Author of MINION: The Best RPG Systems and Writing your Own with Morgan Edmonds | Episode 19
    Jan 7 2026
    Kicking off the New Year with Morgan Edmonds, creator of Minion - the TTRPG in which you are the faithful Minion to a Dark Lord and must do their bidding or protect their treasure from the “brave heroes”

    Morgan and the guys talk everything from writing your own RPG systems, getting games published, and some new and exciting TTRPGs that are trying out new mechanics - like jenga or cards instead of dice. A great episode for anyone looking to mix up their game nights with exciting twists to your usual RPGs!

    Follow Morgan on Itch.io if you want to check out Minion (or come by the shop on Leith Walk for a copy) and keep up to date with new projects - https://thealmightyjawa.itch.io/


    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
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    36 mins
  • Santa's Choking on a Stick: Games to Gift this Christmas | Episode 18

    Santa's Choking on a Stick: Games to Gift this Christmas | Episode 18
    Dec 17 2025
    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/


    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
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    37 mins
  • Book Editing for RPGs: A Guide to Writing Adventures with Roz Leahy | Episode 17

    Book Editing for RPGs: A Guide to Writing Adventures with Roz Leahy | Episode 17
    Dec 3 2025
    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


    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
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    42 mins
  • Scotland's Biggest Tabletop Convention and Wargaming Cows with Dave Wright | Episode 16

    Scotland's Biggest Tabletop Convention and Wargaming Cows with Dave Wright | Episode 16
    Nov 19 2025
    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!


    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
    Show More Show Less
    36 mins
  • Doing Frogmen and Illustrating for Games with Will Tempest | Episode 15

    Doing Frogmen and Illustrating for Games with Will Tempest | Episode 15
    Nov 5 2025
    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/


    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
    Show More Show Less
    33 mins
  • Sideways Rebel: MMORPGs, Tabletop Gaming & Conpulsion 2026 with Phil Harris | Episode 14

    Sideways Rebel: MMORPGs, Tabletop Gaming & Conpulsion 2026 with Phil Harris | Episode 14
    Oct 22 2025
    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


    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
    Show More Show Less
    38 mins
  • The Origins of TAGS Fest and Micro-Presses with Eve Greenwood & Brian Tyrrell | Episode 13

    The Origins of TAGS Fest and Micro-Presses with Eve Greenwood & Brian Tyrrell | Episode 13
    Oct 8 2025
    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/


    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
    Show More Show Less
    38 mins