Designer Yuval Grinspun joins the submarine! Ever wanted to know some backroom discussion about some of the best games designed in the past years? Well Yuval has a story for you! Here he discusses his experience with some of the best designers the great city of Toronto has to offer. He also talks briefly about his new game How to Save World from Burnt Island Games. All this and more on today's episode.

Industry legend Zev Shlasinger joins us on the Submarine! The creator of both Z-Man Games and Play to Z, Zev have been a veteran of the hobby for years brining us games such as Tales of the Arabian Nights, which is being brought on Gamefound right now, and one of the pillars of modern gaming Pandemic! Hear his stories and wisdom about the hobby and all the advice he has for people who want to make this industry their path.

Marc Specter, owner of publisher Grand Gamers Guild join us on the podcast. Here we share a little more about his hit game Tir Na Nog currently on Kickstarter! 

He also shares a story that takes twist and many turns all on a trip to the Mecca of gaming that is Essen Spiel. Join us for great games and great stories on this episode.

Isaac Hirschfeld (Dragon Egg Games) and Mathue Ryann (Envy Born Games) join Andrew and Josh as we talk about the awesomeness that was GenCon! We talk about our overall experience, major releases, and give some insider information about what was going down behind the scenes. And tell a few stories along the way!

Dave Beck from Paverson games is here with us! Dave published the alcohol based game Distilled and is currently launching Luthier on Kickstarter.

On this episode we talk about themed game nights, books that may make great games, and how to capture the essence of another's work in your gaming experience. All this and more on today's episode! 

We are here to talk about Columbus's best convention Origins Game Fair! Listen to stories from the publishers, designers, and media personalities we all love and get the latest scoop on one of the largest BG Conventions in America!

Mixtape Kickstarter Live Now!

Artist Andrew Bosley joins us on the submarine. Lending his talents to games like Everdell and Tapestry, Andrew has used his skills to bring the hobby to a whole new level of quality and expectations. Today we talk about new things he has coming up and what he has learned and remembered over the years. All this and more on today's episode!

We have a new sponsor with Talent Strike Studios! Check out their KS Mixtape coming July 9th!

Taylor Reiner joins us on the submarine. A designer and youtuber you may know him from his Taylor's Trick Taking channel or designing such games as Sears Catalogue. Where ever you know him from he has a great story to share and awesome insights to say. We talk abstracts, trick takers, and RPG's all on todays' voyage! 

Andrew hops on to an episode of the Periscope to talk about his first published game Wine Cellar! Kickstarter Here!

Let's auction off some wine! You and your rival sommeliers have decided to face off to determine who is the best. Each person will take on a client, building a cellar that ages well and is suited to the client's tastes.

Over the course of eight rounds in Wine Cellar, players will collect wine bottles to create a cellar for their client. Bottles will be arranged to create a timeline for the order in which the wine will be consumed. Each bottle is worth different amounts based upon where it is in the timeline. Players will also receive points based on their client's preferences for wine type and country of origin.

Designer Alex Cutler joins us on the submarine! Alex has been working many years as the head developer for Pandasaurus games and most recently had success with Carboard Alchemy with his game Critter Kitchen. He talks about the steps he took and the journey he went on to eventually become a full time designer. Lots of wisdom is shared so we hope you enjoy the conversation as much as we did!

You know him from Ryan and Bethany's Board Game Reviews and now he is on the Submarine! Ryan Neumeyer join us for an episode all about self reflection and becoming better gamers! Join him for great stories about his reviews and we even talk a little bit about Gen Con! All this and more on today's episode!

Check out the Kickstarter Here!

Chris Backe returns to the Submarine to talk about No Box Games latest project! 

Phileas Fogg and Jean Passepartout needed 80 days, but you'll only need 10-15 minutes. In this print-at-home game with a leader-follower mechanic, one player each turn is the Navigator, which chooses an action that all players must take.

Choose to Travel between cities, Explore the city you're in, or pick up some Souvenirs to fill your suitcase.

When anyone has visited at least one city on each continent and returned to their starting city, the game ends - count up points, and the most points wins!

Designer Jonathan Chaffer joins us on the submarine to talk about an uncomfortable and perplexing experience he had at a game night. What would you do in this situations? Jonathan has designed many games including the Holiday Hijinks series from Grand Gamers Guild! Listen to great stories and think great things on this episode!

Monica Rasso joins us on the submarine! If you don't know Monica you might know her work as a manager of conventions like TantrumCon and ProtoATL. We discuss everything from diversity to playtesting and how we as gamers can do better at both without doing a lot! All this and more on todays episode.

THE Julie Ahern is on the Submarine! Designer and podcaster you can find her in all facets of the hobby. Join us as she tells us about playing Zpocolypse at GenCon and how she gathered a crowd around her. We also talk Wormholes and other great games as well!

Designer, author, and former imagineer Scott Rogers joins us on the submarine! Scott is well known for being one of the brightest minds in the hobby. He has taught classes and written books about all kinds of game design. In this episode he shares his experience playing Kingdom Death Monster and how these big games can come to be. All this and more on today's show!

Teacher Ryan from the Level Up Board Game Podcast joins us on the Torpedo to talk about Eila and Something Shiny. We have both a spoiler free and spoiler section for our discussion.

omewhere far away, a mystery awaits... Deep in the forest, an innocent rabbit - Eila, leaves their home to embark on a life-changing adventure.

Eila and Something Shiny is a 1+ player story-rich board game set in a mystical world. Take on the role of Eila, as you solve puzzles, manage resources, and overcome challenges through underground perilous mazes, harsh snowy highlands, and more.

Experience an exciting and emotional story told across 5 chapters featuring stunning art and illustrated comics. With branching story paths, your choices matter, affecting each chapter and deciding how the game ends.

Good luck; Eila’s fate is in your hands!

Designer Koltin Thompson joins us on the submarine! Koltin is on the designers of Galactic Cruise and is an lover of literature (except Moby Dick). On the podcast we talk about his story playing Gloomhaven and how it made them scream like little children. We also talk Underwater Cities and details in gaming. All this and more on today's episode!

TK King and Dennis Northcutt join us to talk about the newest hotness of Kickstarter, Galactic Cruise!

Hello, and welcome to Galactic Cruise. Here, we offer our guests something special: the comfort of a luxury cruise with the innovation of space travel. As the first company to offer extended-stay space vacations, we are excited to have you working for us!

As a supervisor of this company, you’ll be expected to not only build these shuttles and satisfy our guests, but also to help the company thrive by enhancing our company network, inventing new technologies, and growing our workforce.

We are a united company, and you’ll often find that what another supervisor does will make your job easier. Let me be clear, though, this is a competition. The supervisor who comes out on top will become CEO of the company.

On your turn, you will either place a worker to take two actions in the ever-expanding network, launch a shuttle and send one of your workers to space as a pilot, or recall all your earthbound workers to collect funding bonuses. Actions include acquiring blueprints, constructing shuttles, attracting guests, and building developments–connections between locations that increase action selection throughout the game. You will also be affecting resource markets that ebb and flow with the actions of all the players.

When you launch a shuttle, one of your workers will accompany it as a pilot, navigating the shuttle to various destinations and “days in space,” where guests will reward you for all your hard work.

Throughout the game, you will also be competing with your fellow supervisors to complete company goals, which will earn you progress cubes throughout the game. Progress cubes are also placed when you launch shuttles, and when a certain number of cubes are placed onto the company’s progress track, the game ends, and the player with the most Victory Points becomes the new CEO of Galactic Cruise.

Do you still think you have what it takes to work for us?

Eleni, The Carboard Rhino has made it to the Submarine! She makes videos of how to play various board games that she find special. Watch em and play along! She also loves discovering new board games on Kickstarter and she make roundup videos presenting the ones that stand out -check them out in the Rhino Roundup section! Apart from these she also created a series of documentaries with CGE about how board games are made! Check those out here. We also talk Stationfall, 500lbs Gorilla, and so many more. All of this on today's voyage!

We are joined by designer Ian Brocklebank and Martin Van Rossum from Rolling Rhino's newest campaign! In Arctic Roll, you will lead a tribe of intrepid hunters, heading out across the ice to hunt for fish. Compete over the scarce resources and use your dice to move across the ice and excavate fishing holes. Draft the right dice to place your hunters strategically in their search for food, to become the winner of Arctic Roll!

See Campaign

Steven Brown from Browncastle Games join us on the Submarine! Steven and his team make some of the best crokinole boards in the hobby and we are excited to talk about our favorite flicking game. We go in depth into what makes a great expansion and the process of creating quality wood components for games. Steven also shares stories about how created a "great expansion for a game that didn't need one." We also talk Kluster, Darwin's Journey, and Silver and Gold. All this and more on today's episode!

We are joined today by John Jewell designer of Four Forests to get a closer look at this crowdfunding project! In Four Forests, players each take on the role of one of the Guardians of the Enchanted Forests. Prepare your forest for the arrival of various mythical creatures by planting vegetation that has specific appeal to each creature. Ensure that the creatures attracted to your forests are considered the most prestigious by secretly casting votes.

Support Four Forests!

The team from Grazing Bear Games joins us the submarine! Zach and Chris have a Kickstarter coming out with for all you print and play enthusiast. Follow here for more info about their Kickstarter! 

Andrew and Josh dive into TantrumCon! Run by Tantrum House this con takes place in Charlotte North, Carolina. Hear about their experience and hear from the attendees, publishers, and designers who were there. All this and more on today's episode.

Part 2 of the Ammon Anderson Interview!

Ammon Anderson, designer and artists of Gnome Hollow, joins us on the submarine! Ammon truly has an inspirational story of the power of art and game design and how he was able to handle the sudden success of his prototype. This is part 1 of a two part interview!

Will Meadows from Tantrum House joins us on the Submarine! Tantrum House is a board game media channel that does everything from podcast to videos. Will comes on to share a little bit about that and also gives us stories from past TantrumCons! TantrumCon 2024 is happening at the end of the month so if you wanna see Will, Josh, and Andrew in Charlotte be sure to get your ticket! We also talk Hadrian's wall and Monopoly of all games! All this and more on today's voyage.

TantrumCon 2024

A Happy New Year from us at Tabletop Submarine. Here is an update on what to expect from us next year!

Pat Marino, head of Hobby Games at The OP joins us on the Submarine! Pat, Josh, and Andrew have been acquainted for some time...so they kind of lose track of time. But they talk about so many great things! From Ip's, imposter syndrome, and a whole bunch of other OP-py goodness. We also discuss Gnome Hollow, Court of the Dead, and Skyteam! All this and more on the final episode of 2023!

Josh was able to attend PAX Unplugged in Philadelphia this year and he is bringing you all the stories from your favorite publishers! Hear updates on new releases and learn more about why these publishers love PAXU.

Original Sasquatch Severed Books Last Night Games Alley Cat Games Red Raven Games Dire Wolf Digital Wet Ink Games WizKids Snowbright Studio North Star Game Studio Burnt Island and KTBG Weird City Games Kess Fantasy Flight Games

Josh was able to attend PAX Unplugged in Philadelphia this year and he is bringing you all the stories from your favorite publishers! Hear updates on new releases and learn more about why these publishers love PAXU. This is part 1  so look out for another great episode like this in the future!

Cephalofair Levity Games Dead Alive Games One Day West Games One Board Family Arcane Wonders Grandpa Beck Games Solis Game Studios Nerdberger Games Monster Fight Club Paverson Games Uncommons Publishing Yadco Games Kinson Key Games Montage End Games Ixion Games Studios

Designer all star Roberta Taylor joins us on the Submarine! Roberta has designed many great games such as Creature Comforts, Octopus Garden, and Maple Valley. Her most recent project is Hello Kitty: Day at the Park! We hear stories about friends she has made in gaming and how tabletop can be used to form relationships. All this and more on today's episode!

You have heard his name whispered on the show before, but now he has arrived! Jon Gilmore-Long is on the Submarine and he has some stories to share. Jon is a designer, developer, and guru of the tabletop world. We talk about proposals, marriage, friends, and gatherings all in one jam packed episode. We also talk a bunch of games but most importantly how great people are in this hobby. All this and more on today's episode!

Reul Gaviola joins us on the submarine! Ruell is a media personality in the tabletop industry and we are so excited to have him on to share his insights. We talk about Twilight Imperium and how games can transport us and create fiction we didn't expect. All this and more on today's episode!

Launching Nov 7. 

Carl Robinson talks about his newest game Kelp!

Take the role of the Octopus, skillfully navigating the board with cards and hidden moves, or become the Shark, patrolling your territory, rolling dice, and unleashing unique abilities to track down the elusive Octopus.

Link to campaign here!

Legendary designer Alan R. Moon Joins us on the podcast! Alan has designed classic games such as Elfenland, Union Pacific, and most famously Ticket to Ride. We get to hear a little bit about the history of his newest game Ticket To Ride: Legends of the West, and he shares the story of his first time winning the Speil de Jarhes. We also talk Old Gods of Appalachia, Dice Miner, and Sea Salt and Paper. All this and more on a story filled voyage!

Joe Slack from Crazy Like a Box Games joins us to talk about their newest crowdfunding project Mayan Curse!

Explore the secret passage to the ancient temple, collect the most knowledge, and escape before you’re trapped forever!

As you traverse deeper, you’ll discover stelae (Mayan monuments) that increase your knowledge (which is what you need to win). But the greatest secret waits for you at the very top of the temple—that is, if you can reach it and get back to the entrance in time. If all 3 of the temple’s boulders reach the entrance before you return, you’ll be sealed inside forever, and none of your knowledge will matter!

Check out the campaign!

Joe Wiggins from Allplay joins us to talk about their latest's Kickstarter!

Through the Desert - One of Reiner Knizia’s most iconic game designs. Lead a caravan of camels to watering holes and oases while avoiding (or blocking!) your opponents. With this new edition comes 4 new expansions!

A Message From the Stars - You and your team are scientists on the edge of human knowledge — the final frontier. An extraterrestrial source has made contact. Can you work together to decode the meanings of these mysterious transmissions? Cooperation will be key!

Switchbacks - The latest addition to our best-selling 1-Minute to Teach series! Switchbacks is a tile-laying game of partnership and betrayal. Can you navigate the most adventurous path?

Check out their campaign!

Game Designer Sean "Fletch" Fletcher join us on the podcast! At the time of this recording Fletch was working for the OP in a design capacity. He is now employed by Ravensburger. 

In this voyage we learn about Fletch's game design journey and talk all things Disney Sorcerers Arena, Josh's favorite game of 2022. We also talk about fantastic gaming destinations, Baseball, and why you should move to Seattle! All this and more on today's voyage!

Produced by CakePie Games

Professor, Designer, and Podcaster Sen-Foong Lim joins us on the Submarine! Sen is the designer of many board games and RPG's and hosts the Ludology and Meeple Syrup shows. Today we are able to dive into not only board games...but RPG's and Comic Books as well. Sen has a game in development with Off the Page Games and we learn a little bit more about the story behind it. Then, he shares and epic story involving a bottle, and Jenga tower, and a little bit of Dread. All this and more on today's voyage!

On today's Periscope we look at Envy Born Game's newest campaign containing 3 different games! Sirens, Defrag, and 16 Candies. Designer and Head of Envy Born Mathue Ryann talks joins us to talk about these games and why you should back them. If your interested in one, two, or even all three of these games, give this a listen!

Curt Covert of Smirk and Dagger Games joins us on the podcast! Curt is a designer and publisher who has brought us games like Cutthroat Caverns, Shobu, The Night Cage, and most recently BOOP! Curt shares his most memorable experiences after 20 years of working in the industry and how collaborating with creatives has made his time worth it. We also talk about the future of Smirk and Dagger, Qwirkle, Good Face Bad Face, and (regrettably) Silver Coin. All this and more on today's voyage!

Support Smirk and Dagger 

The Hungry Gamer Will Brown joins us for a laughter filled episode of Tabletop Submarine! Here we talk about the good, the bad, and the ugly side of gaming and how a good game will make you wanna replay it over and over again. We also discuss Roll on the Range, Lunar Rush, and Mysterium! All this and more on today's episode.

Support the Hungry Gamer

Andrew took a voyage to Gen Con and we have got some stories for you. This was the biggest Gen Con ever with over 71,000 attendees. Although we wish we could get to everyone Andrew was able to catch up with old friends for new stories and new friends for new stories! All this and more about the greatest weekend in gaming on Today's episode!

We are joined by two guests for a two part episode! One the submarine we have the crew from Durdle Games and designers of Unmatched Adventures: Tales to Amaze and Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles Jason and Darren! We talk about how these two came "seemingly" came out of nowhere and designed on of the biggest hits of 2023 and how it lead to being able to design a game with the TMNT License. All this and more on today's episode!

Welcome to the Torpedo! A show where we give brief reviews and tell you whether the game is a hit or a miss! This episode features our thoughts on the classic Canadian game Crokinole.

Crokinole is played on a circular wooden board, with wooden circular disks as playing pieces.

Players take turns shooting disks across the circular wooden board by flicking the disks with their fingers. Players try to land their disks in scoring regions on the board, with the highest scoring area the recessed hole in the very center of the board. Each round, each player/side alternately shoots a set number of disks (usually 12 or 8), shooting one disk each turn.

Scott Morris of Lucky Duck Games joins us on the Submarine! Scott has been is an industry veteran who brings many tales of wisdom and yore to the podcast. But the main story he shares details the true beauty and power the board games and play can hold. We talk Destines, Mage Wars, and even a little Cosmoctopus. All this and more on today's voyage!

Support Lucky Duck Games

We got a Periscope about a convention! We are posting this so that the episode can come out while the campaign is still available! Josh is joined by Ben, Lucky, Mercy, Arnold, and Ronald today to talk about the convention they hold in their village in the country of Uganda. They want it to grow so they can bring the love of board games, and science, to as many kids as they can. Ben helps facilitate the convention and is happy to help along the way! After a successful event in May 2022, Chrysalis will be running another Convention for children aged 8-15 at its Secondary School in Uganda.

Learn More Here!

Welcome to the Torpedo! A show where we give brief reviews and tell you whether the game is a hit or a miss! Our first episode features Votes for Women from Fort Circle Games.

Votes for Women is a card-driven game covering the American women's suffrage movement from 1848-1920, culminating with the ratification (or rejection) of the Nineteenth Amendment. The game provides competitive, co-operative and solitaire play, with co-operative and solitaire play against the "Oppobot."

To win, the Suffragist player must have Congress pass the proposed Amendment and then have three-fourths of the states (36 of the then 48 states) ratify the Amendment. The Opposition player wins by either preventing Congress from passing the proposed Amendment or by having 13 states reject the Amendment.

The game lasts for six turns - a turn consisting of drawing cards from the players' own decks, bidding on strategy cards, and then six rounds of card play where a player may play a card for an event or discard a card to campaign, organize or lobby Congress. If Congress has proposed the Amendment but neither 36 states have ratified nor 13 states have rejected, then the game goes to Final Voting.

See More about Votes for Women