Tabletop Throwdown

GamingTrend
  • 5.0 (1)
  • Games

GamingTrend’s tabletop podcast where Mark Streed, Sean Brown and Mike Dunn chat with game designers, game publishers, and other gaming adjacent folks about, well, games and other nerdy pursuits. Spoiler- sometimes we get a little silly and we can almost guarantee that the conversation will veer into whatever we are geeking out about at any moment during the last half of the show. 

  1. 2d ago

    History-onics with Jason Matthews | TTT S2E10

    Send us Fan Mail Did you know Twilight Struggle, the Cold War 'wargame' that dominated the BGG top 100 for years is twenty years old this year? We got to chat with Jason Matthews the co-designer of the classic about the history of the game, historical games as a genre, and almost managed to not dip into politics (hey, it isn't much! promise!) Oh, and there is a GIANT Twilight Struggle he's bringing to cons these days... #twilightstruggle #historicalgames #anniversary 0:00 Cold Open: Star Wars Kids & Historical Games 1:02 Welcome to the Tabletop Throwdown 2:55 The Giant Magnetic Twilight Struggle 4:09 Building the First Prototype (Craft Foam & All) 6:41 Balancing Politics, Civility & the Gaming Table 11:14 Patriotism, the Smithsonian & America 250 15:08 The 50-Year Lens: Why History Needs Distance 21:43 Twilight Struggle as an Educational Tool 27:01 Growing Up in Cold War West Berlin 31:25 The 20th Anniversary: Revisiting Your Own Design 34:22 The Card-Driven Brilliance of Twilight Struggle 37:44 What Would You Tell Your Past Self? 39:31 The Alan Moon Story: How Twilight Struggle Took Off 44:05 Christopher Nolan, The Odyssey & Nerd Culture 46:16 Handling Historical Accuracy & Political Bias 50:47 Fort Circle Games & Paying It Forward 53:13 Votes for Women & The Evolution of Historical Gaming 58:04 Throwdown Question 1:03:57 Diplomacy, Acquire & The Games That Shaped Us 1:13:28 Star Wars Top 3: Ewoks, Andor & Rogue One 1:22:04 Anniversary Edition Details & Wrapping Up Subscribe for more gaming and gaming culture content:  🔴 https://www.youtube.com/@GamingTrendVideos Need more?  🌐 Head on over to  https://gamingtrend.com 📈 Subscribe to our weekly round-up newsletters: https://gamingtrend.com/#/portal/signup/free Bluesky: https://bsky.app/profile/gamingtrend.com Twitter/X:  https://twitter.com/gamingtrend Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/GamingTrend/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/therealgamingtrend/ Twitch: https://www.twitch.tv/gamingtrend Discord: https://discord.gg/T8jNjYP

    History-onics with Jason Matthews | TTT S2E10

  2. Jul 16

    Hues & boops with game designer Scott Brady | TTTS2E9

    Send us Fan Mail Scott Brady has designed and co-designed several of the most compelling games of the last few years and shares with us some behind-the-scenes info on how they got made and his design process in general. Learn how even the Covid pandemic couldn't keep Hues & Cues from becoming a smash hit! Hear the origins of the thinky cat game boop. and it's many spin-offs. Marvel at Scott's wall of components! #boop #gamedesign #huesandcues 0:00 - Intro & Welcome Scott Brady 2:00 - The Prototype Piece Wall: Scott's Game Design Workshop 5:00 - How Scott Got Into Game Design: From Mom Blog to Tabletop 10:00 - Pantone the Game & Why IP Matters in Design 15:00 - Hues & Cues Origin: Publishing During COVID 20:00 - Mass Market Success: Target, Walmart & 13 Languages 24:00 - Designing for the Social Experience, Not Just Mechanics 26:30 - Failed Prototypes: Pacifier Mouthpieces & COVID's Impact 29:00 - Collaboration in Game Design: Caution Signs & Out of Words 32:00 - Boop Origin: The Shockwave Mechanic No One Had Done 37:00 - Gekitai to Boop: Naming, Theming & Smirk & Dagger 42:00 - National Boop Tournaments & Hearing "Boop" Across the Hall 45:00 - Boop Shuffle: Shared Deck Design & Board Visualization 51:00 - Scott's Boop Shuffle + Mike's Boop Variant (Boop Shuffle Boop) 54:00 - Star Wars vs. Star Trek: Scott's Top 3 58:00 - Deep Space Nine, Farscape & the Monetization of Meanness 1:03:00 - Kevin Sussman, Big Bang Theory & Why Nerds Are Now Cool 1:08:00 - Outro & Where to Find Scott at Gen Con Subscribe for more gaming and gaming culture content:  🔴 https://www.youtube.com/@GamingTrendVideos Need more?  🌐 Head on over to  https://gamingtrend.com 📈 Subscribe to our weekly round-up newsletters: https://gamingtrend.com/#/portal/signup/free Bluesky: https://bsky.app/profile/gamingtrend.com Twitter/X:  https://twitter.com/gamingtrend Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/GamingTrend/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/therealgamingtrend/ Twitch: https://www.twitch.tv/gamingtrend Discord: https://discord.gg/T8jNjYP

    Hues & boops with game designer Scott Brady | TTTS2E9

  3. Jun 30

    So how was Origins? Come for the games, stay for the controversy! | TTT S2E8

    Send us Fan Mail It's an Origins Gamefair special! This week we bring back our two co-hosts from season one- Dan Hinkin and Mark Julian- joining Sean, Mark, and Mike for an all hosts no guests special after con report! Find out what games caught their fancy at the show, and hang on for some spicy hot takes on the awards show and the event in general. Subscribe for more gaming and gaming culture content:  🔴 https://www.youtube.com/@GamingTrendVideos Need more?  🌐 Head on over to  https://gamingtrend.com 📈 Subscribe to our weekly round-up newsletters: https://gamingtrend.com/#/portal/signup/free Bluesky: https://bsky.app/profile/gamingtrend.com Twitter/X:  https://twitter.com/gamingtrend Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/GamingTrend/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/therealgamingtrend/ Twitch: https://www.twitch.tv/gamingtrend Discord: https://discord.gg/T8jNjYP

    So how was Origins? Come for the games, stay for the controversy! | TTT S2E8

  4. Jun 10

    Travis Reynolds: From King of Queen to Lord of Eagle-Gryphon | TTT S2E7

    Send us Fan Mail Travis Reynolds joins Mike, Sean, and Mark on our latest episode of Tabletop Throwdown! Travis' story of the boardgaming world is a tale told in conventions- Sean and Travis wax nostalgic over all of the cons they have worked at together, becoming close friends in spite of the distance between them. Travis goes on to tell tales of working with designers such as Vital Lacerda and Stefan Feld. Also, watch/listen as Mike in his utter sportsball ignorance almost confuses the United Kingdom for University of Kentucky. Subscribe for more gaming and gaming culture content:  🔴 https://www.youtube.com/@GamingTrendVideos Need more?  🌐 Head on over to  https://gamingtrend.com 📈 Subscribe to our weekly round-up newsletters: https://gamingtrend.com/#/portal/signup/free Bluesky: https://bsky.app/profile/gamingtrend.com Twitter/X:  https://twitter.com/gamingtrend Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/GamingTrend/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/therealgamingtrend/ Twitch: https://www.twitch.tv/gamingtrend Discord: https://discord.gg/T8jNjYP

    Travis Reynolds: From King of Queen to Lord of Eagle-Gryphon | TTT S2E7

  5. May 12

    Gamersgiving's Dustin Hatchett and the four corners of Colorado boardgaming | TTT S2E6

    Send us Fan Mail In this episode, Mike, Mark, and Sean are joined by Dustin Hatchett, President of Gamersgiving, a Colorado nonprofit organization dedicated to helping gamers and gaming communities in Colorado and beyond. Join these four corners of Colorado boardgaming as they discuss the important work Gamersgiving is doing, convention memories, and more! GamersGiving: https://www.gamersgiving.org/ SpringGiving: https://www.gamersgiving.org/springgiving Remembering Jodi Black: https://shop.peginc.com/pages/jodi-black Chapters 00:00 Introduction to Gamersgiving and the Hosts 09:09 The Colorado Gaming Scene and Its Growth 14:12 Charitable Causes Supported by Gamersgiving 22:14 Building Community Through Volunteerism 22:36 Honoring Cody Bridges: The Memorial Library 28:40 Collaboration with Local Game Stores 35:20 Innovative Event Management Solutions 43:55 Nostalgia and Personal Gaming Histories 47:53 Throwdown challenge question 55:29 Memorable Convention Experiences 01:04:38 The Joy of Gaming Across Generations 01:12:47 The Cultural Impact of SpongeBob 01:15:16 GamingTrend and Future Conventions 01:18:28 Star Wars film rankings (again!) #gamersgiving #colorado #charity  Music by Ulterior Motif Subscribe for more gaming and gaming culture content:  🔴 https://www.youtube.com/@GamingTrendVideos Need more?  🌐 Head on over to  https://gamingtrend.com 📈 Subscribe to our weekly round-up newsletters: https://gamingtrend.com/#/portal/signup/free Bluesky: https://bsky.app/profile/gamingtrend.com Twitter/X:  https://twitter.com/gamingtrend Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/GamingTrend/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/therealgamingtrend/ Twitch: https://www.twitch.tv/gamingtrend Discord: https://discord.gg/T8jNjYP

    Gamersgiving's Dustin Hatchett and the four corners of Colorado boardgaming | TTT S2E6

  6. Apr 28

    Dan Madsen's Journey: From Fan to Fandom Icon | TTT S2E5

    Send us Fan Mail In this episode, our special guest Dan Madsen shares his incredible journey from starting the first official Star Trek fan club at age 18 to working closely with Lucasfilm on Star Wars projects. Discover behind-the-scenes stories, fan culture evolution, and the impact of fandom on Hollywood and personal careers. Join us for an engaging conversation with Dan Madsen as he shares his extensive experience in the Star Wars and Star Trek fandoms, his work with Lucasfilm, and insights into the evolution of fandom culture, media production, and iconic sci-fi moments. Oh, and Mark Streed is officially a cohost of Tabletop Throwdown now! Welcome aboard, Mark! Don't worry, we'll get back to yapping about dice and cardboard next episode ;) Chapters 00:00 Welcome Back to Tabletop Throwdown 05:40 The Birth of the Official Star Trek Fan Club 08:15 Transition to Lucasfilm and Star Wars 11:07 The Evolution of Fandom and Fan Clubs 13:59 Memorable Conventions and Experiences 16:41 The Impact of Star Wars on Culture 19:36 Nerd Culture Goes Mainstream 22:13 The Legacy of Fandom in Modern Media 34:03 The Impact of Episode I: Cultural Phenomenon 37:51 Cameo in the Galaxy: Dan's Star Wars Appearance 43:06 The Evolution of Star Wars Celebration 47:56 Current Connections to Star Wars and Star Trek 59:25 The Changing Landscape of Fandom 01:01:48 The Toxic Side of Fandom 01:04:29 Loving What You Love in Fandom 01:10:00 Memorable Moments and Characters in Star Wars 01:13:41 Dan Madsen's Current Projects and Future Plans 01:15:28 TTT ranks the Star Trek films this time! Subscribe for more gaming and gaming culture content:  🔴 https://www.youtube.com/@GamingTrendVideos Need more?  🌐 Head on over to  https://gamingtrend.com 📈 Subscribe to our weekly round-up newsletters: https://gamingtrend.com/#/portal/signup/free Bluesky: https://bsky.app/profile/gamingtrend.com Twitter/X:  https://twitter.com/gamingtrend Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/GamingTrend/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/therealgamingtrend/ Twitch: https://www.twitch.tv/gamingtrend Discord: https://discord.gg/T8jNjYP

    Dan Madsen's Journey: From Fan to Fandom Icon | TTT S2E5

  7. Apr 14

    Tabletop Throwdown S2E4—Mark Streed pulls up a chair

    Send us Fan Mail Sean and Mike welcome Mark Streed to the Throwdown (and to GamingTrend!). After a chat about covering crowdfunding and playing prototype games, Mark opens up about some passion projects he plans to work on now that he's a part of the team! Chapters 04:52 Cinematic Previews and Content Creation 14:36 Crowdfunding Insights and Surprises 21:32 Unexpected Successes in Game Funding 36:36 Finding Value in Prototype Games 43:11 Experiences at South by Southwest 53:69 Mark's Passion for Legos and Retro Gaming 01:00:42 Homebrew Gaming Innovations 01:03:36 Exploring LEGO in Gaming Culture 01:07:00 Engaging with Nostalgia in Entertainment 01:09:01 Ranking the Star Wars Films #MarkStreed #atari  #legos  Music by Ulterior Motif Subscribe for more gaming and gaming culture content:  🔴 https://www.youtube.com/@GamingTrendVideos Need more?  🌐 Head on over to  https://gamingtrend.com 📈 Subscribe to our weekly round-up newsletters: https://gamingtrend.com/#/portal/signup/free Bluesky: https://bsky.app/profile/gamingtrend.com Twitter/X:  https://twitter.com/gamingtrend Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/GamingTrend/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/therealgamingtrend/ Twitch: https://www.twitch.tv/gamingtrend Discord: https://discord.gg/T8jNjYP

    Tabletop Throwdown S2E4—Mark Streed pulls up a chair

  8. Mar 31

    Tabletop Throwdown S2E3—Dungeon Crawling Melonfarmers w/Nick Medinger

    Send us Fan Mail Our first guest of the season joins us this week- Nick Medinger from Renegade Games! Yes, we talk a bit about Dungeon Crawler Carl and other TTRPGs that Renegade publishes, a tangent involving cult classic film Repo Man goes on waaaay too long, and Mike subjects everyone to a walkthrough of the main grounds of the Geneva Grand Resort, home of Gary Con. This weeks episode is sponsored by Hell of a Deal- go back this killer co-op poker game on Kickstarter now: https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/smirkanddagger/hell-of-a-deal?ref=9g53jc Chapters 01:05 Introducing the first guest of the season 02:50 AI disclaimer 04:25 Nerdy Obsessions and Collecting 05:50 Nick's Journey in the Gaming Industry 09:50 Surprising Successes in Game Development 11:31 Reviving Classic Games 14:09 The Evolution of Board Games 21:06 Game Night Favorites 23:34 Star Wars Board Games 26:11 The Legacy of Star Wars Games 28:49 Dungeon Crawler Carl  31:06 Behind the Scenes of Game Production 34:37 Shrink-Wrapping Adventures 42:40 When was the last time these guys RPG'd? 44:07 Gary Con walkthrough 01:04:23 Can't stop talking about Repo Man 01:08:53 Convention Stories and Logistics Challenges 01:11:55 The Perils of Shipping Board Games 01:14:10 Game Frustrations and Memorable Experiences 01:26:08 THE Star Wars question #dungeoncrawlercarl #dungeonsanddragons  #renegade  #repoman Music by Ulterior Motif and a smattering of Sousa  Thumbnail photo by Sean Brown Subscribe for more gaming and gaming culture content:  🔴 https://www.youtube.com/@GamingTrendVideos Need more?  🌐 Head on over to  https://gamingtrend.com 📈 Subscribe to our weekly round-up newsletters: https://gamingtrend.com/#/portal/signup/free Bluesky: https://bsky.app/profile/gamingtrend.com Twitter/X:  https://twitter.com/gamingtrend Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/GamingTrend/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/therealgamingtrend/ Twitch: https://www.twitch.tv/gamingtrend Discord: https://discord.gg/T8jNjYP

    Tabletop Throwdown S2E3—Dungeon Crawling Melonfarmers w/Nick Medinger
See All (29)

About

GamingTrend’s tabletop podcast where Mark Streed, Sean Brown and Mike Dunn chat with game designers, game publishers, and other gaming adjacent folks about, well, games and other nerdy pursuits. Spoiler- sometimes we get a little silly and we can almost guarantee that the conversation will veer into whatever we are geeking out about at any moment during the last half of the show. 

Information

  • Creator
    GamingTrend
  • Years Active
    2023 - 2026
  • Episodes
    29
  • Rating
    Explicit
  • Copyright
    © 2026 GamingTrend
  • Show Website
    Tabletop Throwdown