The Tabletop Takeaway: A Board Game Design Podcast

Ananda Guneratne, Charlie McCarron, Trevor Muller-Hegel
  • 5.0 (7)
  • GAMES
  • UPDATED WEEKLY

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!

  1. 15H AGO

    120. Spooktacular

    When should all actions be mandatory? How can turn structure foreshadow interactions? Ananda, Charlie, and Trevor get out the popcorn in Spooktacular.

    22 min

  2. FEB 11

    119. Bohnanza

    When should players be encouraged to make trades? What is the point of charging players for a third plot if everybody buys one anyway? Charlie, Trevor, and Ananda grow beans in Bohnanza.

    19 min

  3. FEB 4

    118. Splendor

    How do you balance wildcards while still making them appealing? Can mechanics serve as mnemonics? Trevor, Ananda, and Charlie dig up gems in Splendor.

    26 min

  4. JAN 28

    117. Engine Building Games

    When do you end the game? Why does urgency matter? Ananda, Charlie, and Trevor discuss engine-building games.

    31 min

  5. JAN 21

    116. Sprocketforge

    How do you keep players engaged when it is not their turn? Should you use faction-specific disadvantages? Charlie, Ananda, and Trevor spin their gears in Sprocketforge.

    36 min

  6. JAN 14

    115. Studies in Sorcery

    What makes for a good Winston draft? How can you make wildcards strategically interesting? Ananda, Charlie, and Trevor cram for finals in Studies in Sorcery.

    26 min

  7. JAN 7

    114. Wyrmspan

    How do you create long-term goals for players? Can one-shot cards progress your engine? Trevor, Ananda, and Charlie excavate lairs in Wyrmspan.

    27 min

  8. 12/31/2025

    113. Multiplayer Abstract Strategy Games

    How much theme can an abstract strategy game have? What makes abstract strategy games replayable? Ananda, Charlie, and Trevor talk about multiplayer abstract strategy games.

    27 min
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5
out of 5
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About

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!

Information

  • Creator
    Ananda Guneratne, Charlie McCarron, Trevor Muller-Hegel
  • Years Active
    2023 - 2026
  • Episodes
    127
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    ℗ & © 2023 Ananda Guneratne, Charlie McCarron, Trevor Muller-Hegel
  • Show Website
    The Tabletop Takeaway: A Board Game Design Podcast

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