Talia Rosen and Jason Matthews are bringing the Supreme Court to the table—Tabletop Throwdown S1E16

In this episode of Tabletop Throwdown, host Mike Dunn is joined by co-host Mark Julian and special guests Talia Rosen and Jason Matthews. The conversation explores various aspects of board game design, including the importance of accurate game duration (a callback to S1E10!) , the collaborative process in creating games, and the evolution of themes in historical gaming. They discuss the challenges of game aesthetics, the impact of complexity on player experience, and the current trends in the board game market. The episode also highlights the upcoming game ‘First Monday in October’, which focuses on the Supreme Court, showcasing the innovative approaches to game design. In this conversation, Talia Rosen and Jason Matthews discuss their board game that explores the dynamics of the Supreme Court through area control mechanics. They delve into the balance between historical accuracy and player agency, the ethical implications of gaming historical events, and the challenges of designing a game that is both educational and engaging. The discussion also touches on the success of their Kickstarter campaign and the importance of public domain materials in game design.

You can back the Kickstarter for First Monday in October here: https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/fortcircle/first-monday-in-october/description

Chapters

00:00 Introduction
06:07 The Development of ‘First Monday in October’
12:00 The Evolution of Game Themes and Historical Context
17:55 The Shift in Historical Game Design
23:58 The Future of Board Games and Market Trends
36:26 Exploring Area Control in Game Design
42:40 The Tug of War: Judicial Philosophy in Gameplay
49:09 Ethical Dilemmas in Historical Gaming
55:32 Political Dynamics and Historical Accuracy in the Supreme Court
01:01:06 Public Domain and Game Design Challenges

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