The Periodic Table Of Components: A Board Game Podcast

TPTOC
  • 0.0 (0)
  • Games
  • Updated Weekly

Welcome to The Periodic Table of Components, the podcast where we break down board games to their absolute elements. Whether you are a casual cardboard fan or a heavy-strategy tactician, join us as we analyze the tabletop world under a microscope. Each episode, we isolate a specific board game and dissect it across five core properties: The History, Science, Mechanisms, Theme, and Gameplay.

  1. 3d ago

    TPTOC: Lost Ruins of Arnak (🔬: Archaeology)

    In this episode of TPTOC, we take a deep dive into the fascinating science of Archaeology. We then look at the game Lost Ruins of Arnak and dive into the components, rules, mechanisms, and rate it on our thematic scale! 🎲 Game: Lost Ruins of Arnak 🏢 Publisher: Czech Games Edition (CGE) ✍️ Designer: Elwin, Min 🧪 Science Topic: Archaeology 00:13:04 - Segment 1: The Intro 00:20:12 - Segment 2: The Game Elements 00:22:29 - Segment 3: The Science 00:59:31 - Segment 4: Component Chemistry 01:23:35 - Segment 5: The Rules Analysis 02:04:02 - Segment 6: The Mechanisms 02:11:39 - Segment 7: The Thematic Scale 02:24:51 - Segment 8: Outro 📧 Gmail: tptocpodcast@gmail.com 🤖 Reddit: https://www.reddit.com/user/TPTOCPodcast/ 📘 Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/share/1BT3wVmjXB/ 📸 Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/periodictablepix 🦋 BlueSky: https://bsky.app/profile/tptocpodcast.bsky.social 📺 YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@TPTOCPodcast 🎧 Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/5XxPHkoVjEAt35XTyepBDp 🎲 BGG Guild: https://boardgamegeek.com/guild/4671 📄 Research & Sources Blog: https://boardgamegeek.com/blog/17273/the-periodic-table-of-components 🤓 Featured Game Page: https://boardgamegeek.com/boardgame/312484/lost-ruins-of-arnak

  2. Aug 9

    TPTOC: Entropy (🔬: Thermodynamics)

    In this episode of TPTOC we take a deep dive into the fascinating science of the second law of thermodynamics: Entropy. We then look at the game of the same name and dive into the components, rules, mechanisms, and rate it on our thematic scale! Feel free to join the conversation at the links below! Segment 1: The Intro (05M:08S) Segment 2: The Game Elements (12M:53S) Segment 3: The Science (15M:16S) Segment 4: Component Chemistry (34M:29S) Segment 5: The Rules Analysis (1H:00M) Segment 6: The Mechanisms (1H:31M) Segment 7: The Thematic Scale (1H:39M) Segment 8: Outro (1H: 50M) Gmail: tptocpodcast@gmail.com Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/share/1BT3wVmjXB/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/periodictablepix?igsh=MmgwdmZnMXE4MmFq BlueSky: https://bsky.app/profile/tptocpodcast.bsky.social YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@TPTOCPodcast Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/5XxPHkoVjEAt35XTyepBDp BGG Blog: https://boardgamegeek.com/blog/17273/the-periodic-table-of-components BGG Guild: https://boardgamegeek.com/guild/4671 Sources are posted on my blog: https://boardgamegeek.com/blog/17273/the-periodic-table-of-components

  3. Jul 26

    TPTOC: The Game Makers (🔬: Board Games)

    In this episode of TPTOC we take a deep dive into the fascinating history of board games, the different categories and mechanisms of modern games, the board game manufacturing process, and we look at the board game The Game Makers! We’ll dive into the rules and tell you how it sizes up on our Thematic Scale! Feel free to join the conversation at the links below! Overview: Segment 1: The Intro (00M:19S) Segment 2: The Game Breakdown (06M:37S) Segment 3: The History (11M:28S) Segment 4: The Gameplay (55M:20S) Segment 5: The Mechanisms (1H:38M) Segment 6: The Final Verdict (1H:44M) Segment 7: The Outro (1H:58M) Gmail:⁠ tptocpodcast@gmail.com⁠ Facebook: ⁠https://www.facebook.com/share/1BT3wVmjXB/⁠ Instagram: ⁠https://www.instagram.com/periodictablepix?igsh=MmgwdmZnMXE4MmFq⁠ BlueSky: ⁠https://bsky.app/profile/tptocpodcast.bsky.social⁠ YouTube: ⁠https://www.youtube.com/@TPTOCPodcast⁠ Spotify: ⁠https://open.spotify.com/show/5XxPHkoVjEAt35XTyepBDp⁠ BGG Blog: ⁠https://boardgamegeek.com/blog/17273/the-periodic-table-of-components⁠ BGG Guild: ⁠https://boardgamegeek.com/guild/4671⁠ Discord: https://discord.gg/EHpwzzYCa Sources are posted on my blog: ⁠https://boardgamegeek.com/blog/17273/the-periodic-table-of-components

  4. Jul 19

    TPTOC: The Voynich Puzzle (🔬: The Voynich Manuscript)

    In this episode I do a deep dive into the board game The Voynich Puzzle, and the history of the associated famous manuscript that drives its theme. We will learn about the history and origins of this document that has eluded historians for ages. We’ll get into the rules so you know how to play the game followed by seeing how this game sizes up on our Thematic Scale. Overview: Segment 1: The Intro (00M:19S) Segment 2: The Game Breakdown (06M:25S) Segment 3: The History (10M:28S) Segment 4: The Gameplay (26M:58S) Segment 5: The Mechanisms (1H:29M) Segment 6: The Final Verdict (1H:33M) Segment 7: The Outro (1H:49M) Gmail: tptocpodcast@gmail.com Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/share/1BT3wVmjXB/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/periodictablepix?igsh=MmgwdmZnMXE4MmFq BlueSky: https://bsky.app/profile/tptocpodcast.bsky.social YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@TPTOCPodcast Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/5XxPHkoVjEAt35XTyepBDp BGG Blog: https://boardgamegeek.com/blog/17273/the-periodic-table-of-components BGG Guild: https://boardgamegeek.com/guild/4671 Sources are posted on my blog: https://boardgamegeek.com/blog/17273/the-periodic-table-of-components

  5. Jul 12

    TPTOC: Spirited (🔬: Animal Worship)

    The History of Zoolatry in Ancient Civilizations In this episode I do a deep dive into the board game Spirited by Garphill Games. We will look at the history of Zoolatry that drives its theme. We will learn about how ancient civilizations revered animals and sometimes worshiped them. We’ll get into the rules so you know how to play the game followed by seeing how this game sizes up on our Thematic Scale. Gmail: tptocpodcast@gmail.com Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/share/1BT3wVmjXB/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/periodictablepix?igsh=MmgwdmZnMXE4MmFq BlueSky: https://bsky.app/profile/tptocpodcast.bsky.social YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@TPTOCPodcast Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/5XxPHkoVjEAt35XTyepBDp BGG Blog: https://boardgamegeek.com/blog/17273/the-periodic-table-of-components BGG Guild: https://boardgamegeek.com/guild/4671 Sources are posted on my blog: https://boardgamegeek.com/blog/17273/the-periodic-table-of-components

  6. Jul 3

    TPTOC: Moon Colony Bloodbath (🔬: AI Safety)

    In this episode I do a deep dive into the board game Moon Colony Bloodbath and the history and science that drives its theme. We will learn about Murphy's Law and how the moon wants to kill you and well….robots want to kill you too..maybe! We’ll get into the rules so you know how to play the game followed by seeing how this game sizes up on our Thematic Scale. Overview Segment 1: The Intro (00M19S) Segment 2: The Game Breakdown (05M34S) Segment 3: The History (10M29S) Segment 4: The Gameplay (27M39S) Segment 5: The Mechanisms (45M:32S) Segment 6: The Final Verdict (51M:049S) Segment 7: The Outro (01H:04M) Links Gmail: tptocpodcast@gmail.com Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/share/1BT3wVmjXB/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/periodictablepix?igsh=MmgwdmZnMXE4MmFq BlueSky: https://bsky.app/profile/tptocpodcast.bsky.social YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@TPTOCPodcast Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/5XxPHkoVjEAt35XTyepBDp BGG Blog: https://boardgamegeek.com/blog/17273/the-periodic-table-of-components BGG Guild: https://boardgamegeek.com/guild/4671 Sources are posted on my blog: https://boardgamegeek.com/blog/17273/the-periodic-table-of-components

  7. Jun 28

    TPTOC: Ark Nova (🔬: Zoos)

    In this episode I do a deep dive into the board game Ark Nova and its real world history and science. We will learn about the history of zoos and how they evolved from menageries to modern day conservation parks, followed by the game rules designed by Mathias Wigge, followed by a look on how the mechanisms integrate with the theme. We'll wrap up with rating this euro-style game on our "Thematic Scale". Check out pictures of this game @periodictablepix on Instagram. Overview Segment 1: The Intro (00M13S) Segment 2: The Game Breakdown (03M32S) Segment 3: The History (08M16S) Segment 4: The Gameplay (25M46S) Segment 5: The Mechanisms (57M:49M) Segment 6: The Final Verdict (01H:05M) Segment 7: The Outro (01H:17M) Links Gmail: tptocpodcast@gmail.com Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/share/1BT3wVmjXB/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/periodictablepix?igsh=MmgwdmZnMXE4MmFq BlueSky: https://bsky.app/profile/tptocpodcast.bsky.social Sources https://boardgamegeek.com/boardgame/342942/ark-nova https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Zoo https://bigcatrescue.org/conservation-news/from-captivity-to-conservation-the-evolution-of-zoos-and-what-it-means-for-wildlife https://ppc.animalbehaviorcollege.com/pdf/zap/zap-sneak-peek.pdf https://www.mdpi.com/2673-5636/4/4/46 https://www.pas.va/en/publications/scripta-varia/sv146pas/kauffels.html https://zooatlanta.org/why-zoos-matter-educate-and-take-action/ https://www.softplay.com/blog/how-to-boost-attendance-at-your-zoo/ https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC8300318/ https://humansandnature.org/how-can-zoos-promote-education-and-conservation-while-remaining-entertaining/ https://www.billingsproductions.com/post/3-proven-zoo-exhibit-ideas-to-boost-guest-engagement-aza-insights-2025 https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/full/10.1002/zoo.21812 https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC8300174/ https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC6682629/ https://www.thenatureofcities.com/TNOC/2014/01/22/what-is-the-point-of-zoos/ https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S0168159105001255 https://jzar.org/jzar/article/view/422?articlesBySimilarityPage=9 https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC6682629/ https://zoomedianetwork.com/top-10-creative-services-ideas-to-turn-zoo-visitors-into-brand-fanatics/ https://www.zoochat.com/community/threads/what-do-zoos-need-to-improve-for-visitors.488664/ https://www.softplay.com/blog/how-to-boost-attendance-at-your-zoo/ https://dl.acm.org](https://dl.acm.org/doi/pdf/10.1145/2832932.2837009) https://www.nassal.com](https://www.nassal.com/insights/zoos-aquariums-trends-a-pulse-on-immersive-animal-welfare-and-guest-engagement) https://wdmarchitects.com](https://wdmarchitects.com/newsroom/etfe-construction-in-zoo-exhibits-benefit-animals-and-improve-guest-experience/

  8. Jun 20

    TPTOC: Marrakesh (🔬: The Pearl of the South)

    In this episode I do a deep dive into the board game Marrakesh and its real world history. We will learn about the influential North African city in Morocco, followed by the game rules designed by Stefan Feld, followed by a look on how the mechanisms integrate with the theme.

See All (15)

About

Welcome to The Periodic Table of Components, the podcast where we break down board games to their absolute elements. Whether you are a casual cardboard fan or a heavy-strategy tactician, join us as we analyze the tabletop world under a microscope. Each episode, we isolate a specific board game and dissect it across five core properties: The History, Science, Mechanisms, Theme, and Gameplay.

Information