In this episode of Tabletop Throwdown, Mike Dunn, Mark Julian, and guest Ammon Anderson discuss their recent gaming experiences, including a charity event for children’s hospitals, the success of Ammon’s game Gnome Hollow, and the upcoming release of Twinkle Twinkle. They delve into the intricacies of game design, collaboration with publishers, and the evolution of production quality in board games. The conversation also touches on cultural differences in game preferences and the humorous aspects of game design, culminating in the announcement of Ammon’s new game, Space Potato. The discussion shifts to the challenges of running a Kickstarter campaign, highlighting the emotional rollercoaster it entails. They explore the current state of Kickstarter, particularly for small creators, and the impact of larger companies on funding opportunities. The conversation also touches on manufacturing challenges, especially in light of potential tariffs, and the importance of accessibility in board games, emphasizing community support for colorblind players.
Chapters
00:00 Introduction and Extra Life Event Recap
05:49 The Success of Gnome Hollow
11:58 Collaboration in Game Design
18:03 The Evolution of Game Production Quality
24:01 Announcing Space Potato
31:58 The Chaos of Board Games
41:32 The Essence of Fun in Game Design
46:55 Playing Games: The Joy of Experience
55:43 Upcoming Releases and Collaborations
01:03:00 The Current State of Kickstarter and Small Creators
01:09:52 Accessibility in Board Games and Community Support
Mike Dunn is the old man of Gaming Trend, having cut his teeth on Atari consoles and First Edition Advanced Dungeons & Dragons back in the day. His involvement with Gaming Trend dates back to 2003, and he’s done everything from design and code to writing and managing. Now he has come full circle, with a rekindled passion for tabletop gaming and a recent debut as Dungeon Master (nearly forty years after he purchased the original DMG).
A life long video gamer, Mark caught the Tabletop itch in college and has been hooked ever since. Epic two player strategy games are his favorites but he enjoys pretty much everything on the tabletop, just no Werewolf please. When he gets a break from changing diapers and reading bedtime stories he can usually be found researching new games or day dreaming about maybe one day having time for a ttrpg. Some of Mark's favorite games are Star Wars: Rebellion, A Feast for Odin, and Nemesis.
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