In this episode, we're joined by Phil Harris, a Creative Consultant for all things game and narrative design, and is the coordinator for Conpulsion, Scotland’s longest running tabletop game convention!
From working on MMORPGs, writing tabletop roleplaying systems, and running tabletop games at conventions (you may recognise him from Tabletop Scotland), this episode covers a lot for those interested in game design - both digital AND physical - or budding Game Masters wanting tips and tricks from a true professional!

See more of Conpulsion at their site - https://conpulsion.org/
Find Phil on LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/phil-harris-18199922/?originalSubdomain=uk


Ancient Robot Games - https://ancientrobotgames.co.uk
Midnight Trading Co - https://midnighttradingco.com
Podcast Producer Ryan Scott - https://www.ryanscottfilm.com/

Making or want to make tabletop games in Edinburgh? A new community and coworking space opens May 2025 in Edinburgh! https://ancientrobotworkshop.co.uk

Music: Coffee Break by Sensho

In this episode, we’re joined by Eve Greenwood and Brian Tyrrell. Eve is a writer, artist, and founder of Quindire Press, an independent publisher of graphics novels and comics, and Brian is a tabletop game designer and founder of Stout Stoat Press, a game-and-book publisher.
Together, they have founded TAGS Fest (Tabletop and Graphic Storytelling) to celebrate independent artists and designers in both the gaming and comic book worlds.

This episode covers a lot, from getting started in the industry, founding and operating micro-presses, and operating a community festival where the artists come first! 

Get more info at https://tagsfest.co.uk/

Give a follow to Eve and Brian to keep on the latest news of new games and comics!

Eve - https://www.quindriepress.com/
Brain - https://www.stoutstoat.co.uk/


Ancient Robot Games - https://ancientrobotgames.co.uk
Midnight Trading Co - https://midnighttradingco.com
Podcast Producer Ryan Scott - https://www.ryanscottfilm.com/

Making or want to make tabletop games in Edinburgh? A new community and coworking space opens May 2025 in Edinburgh! https://ancientrobotworkshop.co.uk

Music: Coffee Break by Sensho

We are joined by Tom Inglis of Teomach Games, to discuss his first upcoming project Pivot, an entrepreneurial start-up game, and dive into the works of Reiner Knizia, of whom Tom is a huge fan and collector.

See more of Tom and Teomach Games at https://www.teomachgames.com/ 


Ancient Robot Games - https://ancientrobotgames.co.uk
Midnight Trading Co - https://midnighttradingco.com
Podcast Producer Ryan Scott - https://www.ryanscottfilm.com/

Making or want to make tabletop games in Edinburgh? A new community and coworking space opens May 2025 in Edinburgh! https://ancientrobotworkshop.co.uk

Music: Coffee Break by Sensho

Dougal and Gelb are joined by the wonderful Mill Valentine! Co-Owner of Dissent Games, and founder of the Paradice Board Game Convention and the Facebook group Dundee Boardgamers.

Dissent has a new game coming soon, Loose in the Library, a sort of reimagining of their first game, Library Labyrinth. Listen in to hear more about the process of designing and developing during lockdown and how the online community of gamers helped them shape their games.

See more of Dissent Games at https://dissentgames.com/
See more of Paradice at https://paradice.uk/

Check out the Kickstarter for their upcoming game, Loose in the Library, and show your support! https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/dissentgames/loose-in-the-library


Ancient Robot Games - https://ancientrobotgames.co.uk
Midnight Trading Co - https://midnighttradingco.com
Podcast Producer Ryan Scott - https://www.ryanscottfilm.com/

Making or want to make tabletop games in Edinburgh? A new community and coworking space opens May 2025 in Edinburgh! https://ancientrobotworkshop.co.uk

Music: Coffee Break by Sensho

Dougal and Gelb are joined with special guest Andy Law, sharing his decades worth of experience working with some of the biggest names in tabletop gaming - including Critical Role and Warhammer. In Andys (limited) spare time from designing some of the best known games, he hosts his own actual play, Lawhammer, using the Warhammer Fantasy Roleplaying Game system - that he himself worked on - and is also part of Lorebeards and the CEO of Rookery Publications.

This episode is ideal for those looking for some insight into designing games, hints and tips for GMs,
and knowing what publishers are looking for!

See more of Andy at https://www.rookerypublications.com/
Lawhammer: https://www.youtube.com/@LAWhammer
Inside the Rookery: https://www.youtube.com/@TheRookery
Lorebeards: https://www.youtube.com/@loremasterofsotek


Ancient Robot Games - https://ancientrobotgames.co.uk
Midnight Trading Co - https://midnighttradingco.com
Podcast Producer Ryan Scott - https://www.ryanscottfilm.com/

Making or want to make tabletop games in Edinburgh? A new community and coworking space opens May 2025 in Edinburgh! https://ancientrobotworkshop.co.uk

Music: Coffee Break by Sensho

Dougal and Gelb are joined by Dylan Balfour, creator of the upcoming game Rat King. Dylan has been developing this game for the last year while also holding down a full time job AND working on his PHD.
This episodes got it all from managing time effectively, tips for developing your first game, and Dougal's completely not flawed idea for a Teeth game. 

See more of Rat King at https://www.shrimptankgames.com/

Ancient Robot Games - https://ancientrobotgames.co.uk
Midnight Trading Co - https://midnighttradingco.com
Podcast Producer Ryan Scott - https://www.ryanscottfilm.com/

Making or want to make tabletop games in Edinburgh? A new community and coworking space opens May 2025 in Edinburgh! https://ancientrobotworkshop.co.uk

Music: Coffee Break by Sensho


Ancient Robot Games - https://ancientrobotgames.co.uk
Midnight Trading Co - https://midnighttradingco.com
Podcast Producer Ryan Scott - https://www.ryanscottfilm.com/

Making or want to make tabletop games in Edinburgh? A new community and coworking space opens May 2025 in Edinburgh! https://ancientrobotworkshop.co.uk

Music: Coffee Break by Sensho

Dougal and Gelb are joined by the owner of Paverson Games (Distilled, and Luthier), Dave Beck. Dave discusses his love for big games that have a big table presence, and his journey from video game design to owning his own board game company - doing everything from design, development, and publishing.
A great episode for those wanting to make that leap into the world of board game design and publishing. 

See more of Paverson Games at https://paversongames.com/ 

Ancient Robot Games - https://ancientrobotgames.co.uk 
Midnight Trading Co - https://midnighttradingco.com
Podcast Producer Ryan Scott - https://www.ryanscottfilm.com/ 

Making or want to make tabletop games in Edinburgh? A new community and coworking space opens May 2025 in Edinburgh! https://ancientrobotworkshop.co.uk 

Music: Coffee Break by Sensho


Ancient Robot Games - https://ancientrobotgames.co.uk
Midnight Trading Co - https://midnighttradingco.com
Podcast Producer Ryan Scott - https://www.ryanscottfilm.com/

Making or want to make tabletop games in Edinburgh? A new community and coworking space opens May 2025 in Edinburgh! https://ancientrobotworkshop.co.uk

Music: Coffee Break by Sensho

Dougal and Gelb sit down with the creators of The Old Kings Crown, a highly anticipated new release from Eerie Idol Games - an Edinburgh-local board game company.
The guys discuss Andrew and Pablo's journeys from their jobs in design and video games respectively, to the creation of Eerie Idol Games and The Old Kings Crown, as well as some recommendations with some strong thoughts and feelings on digital versions of board games. 

Check them out at https://www.eerieidolgames.com/

Ancient Robot Games - https://ancientrobotgames.co.uk 
Midnight Trading Co - https://midnighttradingco.com 
Podcast Producer Ryan Scott - https://www.ryanscottfilm.com/ 

Making or want to make tabletop games in Edinburgh? A new community and coworking space opens May 2025 in Edinburgh! https://ancientrobotworkshop.co.uk 

Music: Coffee Break by Sensho


Ancient Robot Games - https://ancientrobotgames.co.uk
Midnight Trading Co - https://midnighttradingco.com
Podcast Producer Ryan Scott - https://www.ryanscottfilm.com/

Making or want to make tabletop games in Edinburgh? A new community and coworking space opens May 2025 in Edinburgh! https://ancientrobotworkshop.co.uk

Music: Coffee Break by Sensho

Dougal and Gelb sit down to review their weekend at one of the biggest tabletop conventions in the UK, the UK Games Expo. Gelb was there showing off some new games including 'Hot Shot Pickleball' and Dougal was there from a retailer perspective, staying up to date on current and new trends within the gaming community. See more of the UK Games Expo here https://www.ukgamesexpo.co.uk/

Ancient Robot Games - https://ancientrobotgames.co.uk 
Midnight Trading Co - https://midnighttradingco.com 
Podcast Producer Ryan Scott - https://www.ryanscottfilm.com/ 

Making or want to make tabletop games in Edinburgh? The Ancient Robot Workshop is a new community and coworking space in Edinburgh! https://ancientrobotworkshop.co.uk

Music: Coffee Break by Sensho


Ancient Robot Games - https://ancientrobotgames.co.uk
Midnight Trading Co - https://midnighttradingco.com
Podcast Producer Ryan Scott - https://www.ryanscottfilm.com/

Making or want to make tabletop games in Edinburgh? A new community and coworking space opens May 2025 in Edinburgh! https://ancientrobotworkshop.co.uk

Music: Coffee Break by Sensho

Dougal and Gelb chat with Iain McAllister of Giant Brain, a board game and tabletop review site, to discuss his career in game journalism and his thoughts on what can make a truly unique and standout game! Full of handy tips for the budding game journalist, and absurd catchphrases from the one and only, Gelb.

See more of Iain at https://giantbrain.co.uk/

Ancient Robot Games - https://ancientrobotgames.co.uk
Midnight Trading Co - https://midnighttradingco.com
Podcast Producer Ryan Scott - https://www.ryanscottfilm.com/

Making or want to make tabletop games in Edinburgh? A new community and coworking space opens May 2025 in Edinburgh! https://ancientrobotworkshop.co.uk


Ancient Robot Games - https://ancientrobotgames.co.uk
Midnight Trading Co - https://midnighttradingco.com
Podcast Producer Ryan Scott - https://www.ryanscottfilm.com/

Making or want to make tabletop games in Edinburgh? A new community and coworking space opens May 2025 in Edinburgh! https://ancientrobotworkshop.co.uk

Music: Coffee Break by Sensho

Dougal and Gelb sit down with early career psychologist, Joe Murphy, to discuss his paper on the coming and goings of players in group roleplaying games and the overall effect that social gaming can have on individuals.

Ancient Robot Games - https://ancientrobotgames.co.uk
Midnight Trading Co - https://midnighttradingco.com
Podcast Producer Ryan Scott - https://www.ryanscottfilm.com/

Making or want to make tabletop games in Edinburgh? A new community and coworking space opens May 2025 in Edinburgh! https://ancientrobotworkshop.co.uk


Ancient Robot Games - https://ancientrobotgames.co.uk
Midnight Trading Co - https://midnighttradingco.com
Podcast Producer Ryan Scott - https://www.ryanscottfilm.com/

Making or want to make tabletop games in Edinburgh? A new community and coworking space opens May 2025 in Edinburgh! https://ancientrobotworkshop.co.uk

Music: Coffee Break by Sensho

Dougal and Gelb sit down to discuss the change in game design for older audiences and go in depth on reskinning and reimplementation of popular games (Gelb doesn't need anymore Star Trek Monopoly's!) and how this could be affecting the development of original ideas in the industry. 

Ancient Robot Games - https://ancientrobotgames.co.uk
Midnight Trading Co - https://midnighttradingco.com
Podcast Producer Ryan Scott - https://www.ryanscottfilm.com/

Making or want to make tabletop games in Edinburgh? A new community and coworking space opens May 2025 in Edinburgh! https://ancientrobotworkshop.co.uk

Music: Coffee Break by Sensho


Ancient Robot Games - https://ancientrobotgames.co.uk
Midnight Trading Co - https://midnighttradingco.com
Podcast Producer Ryan Scott - https://www.ryanscottfilm.com/

Making or want to make tabletop games in Edinburgh? A new community and coworking space opens May 2025 in Edinburgh! https://ancientrobotworkshop.co.uk

Music: Coffee Break by Sensho

Dougal and Gelb sit down with "Deep Regrets" designer, Judson Cowan, to discuss his process as a solo game designer and his change from a corporate background to being a completely self-employed game designer.

Judson's latest release "Deep Regrets" is a phenomenal strategic horror fishing game completely designed and developed by himself, and is NOW available at Ancient Robot Games. 

See more of Judson's work at https://tettixgames.com/

Ancient Robot Games - https://ancientrobotgames.co.uk
Midnight Trading Co - https://midnighttradingco.com
Podcast Producer Ryan Scott - https://www.ryanscottfilm.com/

Making or want to make tabletop games in Edinburgh? A new community and coworking space opens May 2025 in Edinburgh! https://ancientrobotworkshop.co.uk

Music: Coffee Break by Sensho


Ancient Robot Games - https://ancientrobotgames.co.uk
Midnight Trading Co - https://midnighttradingco.com
Podcast Producer Ryan Scott - https://www.ryanscottfilm.com/

Making or want to make tabletop games in Edinburgh? A new community and coworking space opens May 2025 in Edinburgh! https://ancientrobotworkshop.co.uk

Music: Coffee Break by Sensho

In this episode of the Ancient Robot Games podcast, Dougal and Gelb dicuss what brought them into the world of tabletop gaming and some of the quirks and culture around the board game community of Japan. As well as in depth reviews of some original games from incredible Japanese publishers, and this barely even scratches the surface of the many, many, many games Dougal brought back with him!

Ancient Robot Games: https://ancientrobotgames.co.uk
Midnight Trading Co: https://midnighttradingco.com
Podcast Producer Ryan Scott - https://www.ryanscottfilm.com/

Making or want to make tabletop games in Edinburgh? A new community and coworking space opens May 2025 in Edinburgh! https://ancientrobotworkshop.co.uk

Music: Coffee Break by Sensho


Ancient Robot Games - https://ancientrobotgames.co.uk
Midnight Trading Co - https://midnighttradingco.com
Podcast Producer Ryan Scott - https://www.ryanscottfilm.com/

Making or want to make tabletop games in Edinburgh? A new community and coworking space opens May 2025 in Edinburgh! https://ancientrobotworkshop.co.uk

Music: Coffee Break by Sensho

Ancient Robot Games is an independent board game shop/café on Leith Walk in bonnie Edinburgh.

On the Ancient Robot Podcast, hosts Dougal Freir (Owner, Ancient Robot Games) and Robert Gelb (board game designer) talk trends, design, and development of all things tabletop! Each episode features guests from the industry sharing their insights into the world of game development and the ever-growing community of game designers in Scotland.

Tune in for your bi-monthly dose of board game nerdisms!

Ancient Robot Games: https://ancientrobotgames.co.uk
Midnight Trading Co: https://midnighttradingco.com
Ryan Scott Film: https://www.ryanscottfilm.com

Making or want to make tabletop games in Edinburgh? A new community and coworking space opens May 2025 in Edinburgh! https://ancientrobotworkshop.co.uk

Music: Coffee Break by Sensho


Ancient Robot Games - https://ancientrobotgames.co.uk
Midnight Trading Co - https://midnighttradingco.com
Podcast Producer Ryan Scott - https://www.ryanscottfilm.com/

Making or want to make tabletop games in Edinburgh? A new community and coworking space opens May 2025 in Edinburgh! https://ancientrobotworkshop.co.uk

Music: Coffee Break by Sensho