Episodes

  • Designing Games with Accessibility in Mind with Alysa Thomas | Episode 34

    Designing Games with Accessibility in Mind with Alysa Thomas | Episode 34
    Aug 5 2026
    This week we are joined by Alysa Thomas to discuss accessibility in game design and how to assess your game to ensure you are producing a game with others in mind - using Alysa’s constantly evolving Accessibility Framework.

    See Alysa's Accessibility Framework here - https://a11yframework.s.gy/tabletop2026


    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
  • Pocket Games to Play on the Go | Episode 33

    Pocket Games to Play on the Go | Episode 33
    Jul 22 2026
    In this weeks episode, the guys sit down to discuss pocket-sized games to take on your travels and entertain your friends no matter where you go!
    From trick-taking games, tile laying games, and even strategy games - there isn't any type of game that designers won't cram into your pocket.


    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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    32 mins
  • 'Il Fantasma del Giallo' - Italian slasher films turned TTRPG with Laurence Phillips | Episode 32

    'Il Fantasma del Giallo' - Italian slasher films turned TTRPG with Laurence Phillips | Episode 32
    Jul 8 2026
    This week, Dougal and Gelb are joined by Laurence Phillips of Hardy Roach Games to discuss their new game ‘Il Fantasma del Giallo’ - a new TTRPG based on the proto-slasher, horror genre of 1960’s Italian cinema.
    This new game has everyone guessing who the killer could be, because it could even be YOU and you would have no idea! Laurence also goes into detail about writing systems with tension and suspense in mind and ways in which he has made his game a horror experience that GMs and players won’t forget! 💀

    👉 Find more of Laurence and his game at his website - https://hardyroachgames.co.uk/il-fantasma-del-giallo/


    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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    33 mins
  • Choosing (or constructing) the right system for your adventure with Jamie Heitler | Episode 31

    Choosing (or constructing) the right system for your adventure with Jamie Heitler | Episode 31
    Jun 24 2026
    Jamie Heitler joins with Dougal and Gelb to discuss his start in writing TTRPG adventures for various roleplaying systems - especially his favourite of the bunch Mothership - and choosing the right system for the story you want to tell!

    Find more of Jamie at his itch.io account under Windblown Vagrant - https://windblown-vagrant.itch.io/


    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
    41 mins
  • Back from UK Games Expo: Showcasing at Conventions and Retailer Mojitos | Episode 30

    Back from UK Games Expo: Showcasing at Conventions and Retailer Mojitos | Episode 30
    Jun 10 2026
    Dougal and Gelb are back from a long weekend at the UK Games Expo - with Dougal scouring the convention for new games to stock his shop and Gelb selling and demoing his latest games. In this episode, the guys share insights as to what to expect when selling at conventions, and tips on making the most of your time there both as an attendee or a vendor, and some gaming highlights from the weekend!

    For more on the UK Games Expo go to - https://www.ukgamesexpo.co.uk/

    Games to check out!
    • Le Chocolat - https://www.allplay.com/board-games/le-chocolat
    • Shakespeare the Card Game - https://www.alliesorenemies.com/shakespearethecardgame
    • Circadia - https://www.jeuxsynapsesgames.com/products/pre-order-circadia?_pos=1&_sid=07314e4ef&_ss=r&variant=47389812654329
    • Not Alone: Remastered Edition - https://boardgamegeek.com/boardgame/468801/not-alone
    • Onan - https://www.godcone.studio/product/onan
    • Twisted Realms Series - https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/insideupgames/crits-and-tricks-tug-of-roar-and-thieves-of-eldris



    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
    44 mins
  • 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
    Show More Show Less
    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
    Show More Show Less
    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
    Show More Show Less
    43 mins