Tabletop SportCast: Recent Episodes
James Cast
I discuss everything from my tabletop experiences: game reviews, tabletop replays, rules interpretations, and how I plan projects.
Keywords
tabletop sports, historical replays, Sports Sim Magazine, American Grid Zone League, tabletop gaming, sports history, replay games, sports simulation, podcast, gaming community
Summary
In this episode of Tabletop SportCast, host James Cast discusses his approach to building a list of historical replays for 2026, reflecting on past projects and the evolution of his tabletop gaming experience. He also provides an overview of Sports Sim Magazine's latest issue, highlighting key articles and contributions from the community. The episode emphasizes the importance of planning and adapting strategies for future gaming projects, while engaging with the tabletop sports community.
Takeaways
James Cast shares his annual process for creating a historical replays list.
The importance of adapting past strategies for future projects is emphasized.
Sports Sim Magazine's Issue 21 features various articles and free games.
Community contributions play a significant role in the magazine's content.
James reflects on the highlights of his American Grid Zone League season.
He discusses the significance of firsts, lasts, and underdog stories in sports history.
Planning for 2026 involves a focus on diverse sports events.
James aims to include a mix of games in his historical replays.
The podcast encourages listener engagement through social media and email.
Future episodes will delve deeper into specific projects and gaming strategies.
Titles
Exploring Historical Replays in Tabletop Sports
Inside Sports Sim Magazine: Issue 21 Overview
Sound bites
"Norfolk wins 45-38 to the final."
"I recapped my 1980 PGA Grand Slam."
"He has offered his nail biter football."
Chapters
00:00 Introduction to Historical Replays
10:46 Overview of Sports Sim Magazine Issue 21
19:09 Planning for 2026 Historical Replays
41:03 Wrap-Up and Future Plans
43:30 NEWCHAPTER
Keywords
Tabletop Sports, Q3 Retrospective, Audience Growth, Game Projects, Sports Games, Podcasting, Tabletop Gaming, Game Design, Community Engagement, Q4 Plans
Summary
In this episode of the Tabletop SportCast, host James Cast reflects on the third quarter of 2025, discussing audience growth, engagement metrics, and various tabletop gaming projects. He highlights significant projects undertaken during Q3, including a boxing project focused on the 1940s, a PGA Grand Slam replay, and a Major League Baseball tournament. The episode also covers new games explored during the quarter and concludes with a look ahead to plans for Q4, including ongoing projects and upcoming tournaments.
Takeaways
The Facebook page has seen a 95% increase in views.
The podcast has reached 55,438 downloads all time.
Engagement on Patreon has increased with 46 total members.
The 1940s boxing project included 25 championship fights.
The 1980 PGA Grand Slam project replicated historical outcomes.
The 1981 MLB tournament concluded with the Yankees winning.
New games explored included On Deck Baseball and Tecmo Bowl.
The podcast continues to grow with more interviews planned.
Community engagement is crucial for podcast growth.
Future projects include a 2011 NFL tournament and a 1993-94 Rangers playoff replay.
Titles
Quarterly Retrospective: Q3 Highlights and Insights
Exploring Tabletop Sports: Q3 Review and Future Plans
Sound bites
"The Rangers are up 2-0 in that series."
"I think it was just luck of the draw."
"Looking ahead, still more projects on the horizon."
Chapters
00:00 Introduction and Overview of Q3
13:22 Quarterly Retrospective: By the Numbers
21:14 Project Highlights from Q3
38:17 New Games Explored in Q3
39:44 Podcast Highlights and Upcoming Plans
47:43 Conclusion and Looking Ahead to Q4
50:15 NEWCHAPTER
Keywords
Tabletop Sports, Game Design, Powder Blue Sports, John Turnbull, Drive Time Football, Baseline Basketball, Red Ice Hockey, Quick Play Games, Sports Simulation, Community Engagement
Takeaways
John Turnbull shares his journey into tabletop sports.
The importance of simplicity in game design.
Quick play games cater to time-constrained players.
Community feedback is vital for game development.
The balance between realism and playability in sports games.
John's games focus on delivering a fun experience first.
The evolution of game mechanics over time.
Engaging with the community enhances game design.
Future projects include baseball and boxing games.
The significance of nostalgia in sports gaming.
Summary
In this episode of Tabletop SportCast, host James Cast interviews John Turnbull, the creator of Powder Blue Sports. They discuss John's journey into tabletop sports, his design philosophy, and the games he has created, including Drive Time Football, Baseline Basketball, and Red Ice Hockey. John shares insights into the challenges of game design, the importance of community feedback, and his future projects, including a baseball game and a boxing game. The conversation highlights the significance of simplicity and engagement in creating enjoyable tabletop sports experiences.
Titles
Exploring the World of Tabletop Sports
John Turnbull: The Mind Behind Powder Blue Sports
Sound bites
"I want to make things as simple as possible."
"My games are free to download."
"I do it for others and not myself."
Chapters
00:00 Introduction to John Turnbull and Powder Blue Sports
05:52 John's Journey into Tabletop Sports
17:40 The Evolution of Game Design
23:30 Designing Quick Play Games
30:05 Challenges in Basketball Game Design
36:01 Creating Red Ice Hockey
42:06 Community Engagement in Game Design
45:20 Design Goals and Game Mechanics
45:44 Season Availability and Future Plans
48:01 Adapting Games for Different Sports
50:20 Community Feedback and Personal Stories
51:24 Game Mechanics and Player Interaction
53:51 Favorite Game Mechanics
56:55 Origins of Powder Blue Sports
58:25 Future Developments in Game Design
01:01:17 Exploring New Sports and Game Concepts
01:05:19 Personal Favorites and Historical Seasons
01:10:11 Upcoming Projects and Community Involvement
01:16:04 NEWCHAPTER
https://www.powderbluesports.com/
In this episode of the Tabletop SportCast, host James Cast provides an engaging overview of the latest tabletop gaming news, highlights from his recent gaming experiences, and a detailed review of the newly released Tecmo Bowl by Buffalo Games. The conversation covers various aspects of the game, including its nostalgic elements, gameplay mechanics, and overall appeal to both new and veteran gamers. James also shares insights from his ongoing tabletop projects, including baseball and boxing simulations, and discusses the importance of community engagement in the gaming world.
In this episode of the Tabletop SportCast, host James Cast explores the world of non-sports games, reflecting on his experiences at the Iowa 80 Truck Stop and discussing the growth of non-sports games within the tabletop community. He shares his personal gaming journey, the evolution of board games, and the balance between sports and non-sports games.
In this episode of the Tabletop SportCast, host James Cast shares updates on his game creation journey, discussing various tabletop games he is designing, including The Bannister Mile, Track the Pack, Calcio, Endure, and Foils. He reflects on the challenges of game design, the importance of playtesting, and the use of AI tools in the creative process.
In this special anniversary episode of the Tabletop SportCast, the host reflects on four years of podcasting, sharing insights from various guests about their experiences in the tabletop sports community. The conversation covers themes of community engagement, the challenges and joys of game design, and the importance of maintaining a positive atmosphere in the hobby. Guests share their projects, innovations in game mechanics, and the significance of conventions in fostering connections among tabletop enthusiasts. The discussion also touches on the joy of exploring different sports games, the significance of statistics, and the personal stories that emerge from gaming. Throughout the conversation, the camaraderie and shared enthusiasm for tabletop sports shine through, making it a rich and informative experience for listeners.
In this episode of the Tabletop SportCast, host James Cast reviews the top 10 articles from Sports Sim Magazine, incorporating audience feedback and personal insights. The discussion highlights the importance of community engagement in tabletop gaming and acknowledges the contributions of various writers. The episode wraps up with reflections on the impact of Sports Sim Magazine and a preview of future episodes.
In this episode of the Tabletop SportCast, host James Cast sits down with Joe Cards, a passionate member of the tabletop gaming community. They discuss Joe's early experiences with sports games, the formation of the Staten Island Cards and Dice Club, and the dynamics of organizing gaming sessions. Joe shares insights on the importance of community engagement, his excitement for upcoming events like Gridiron Games, and his favorite tabletop games. The conversation highlights the joy of gaming, the camaraderie among players, and the diverse experiences within the tabletop sports community. In this engaging conversation, the hosts delve into their shared passion for sports gaming, discussing their experiences with Hall of Fame visits, future gaming events, and the excitement of co-op gaming projects. They reflect on nostalgic replays of classic seasons, share their gaming wishlists, and explore the evolution of sports gaming. The conversation highlights the importance of community support and the joy of discovering new games while reminiscing about past favorites.
In this episode of the Tabletop SportCast, host James Cast sits down with Arthur Franz, co-creator of Breakaway Football, to discuss the game's development, mechanics, and the upcoming Gridiron Games 2025. They explore the complexities of different teams, coaching strategies, and the historical context that shapes the gameplay. The conversation highlights the importance of community feedback in the game's evolution and the exciting future of Breakaway Football. In this conversation, Arthur Franz discusses the intricacies of team dynamics in Breakaway Football, highlighting beginner-friendly teams and the complexity of others. He shares insights from the ongoing tournament, emphasizing the importance of commitment and narrative in gameplay. Strategies that players often overlook are explored, along with the benefits of solo play versus head-to-head competition. The conversation also touches on the upcoming Gridiron Games 2025 and future developments for Breakaway Football, including new teams and game modes.
In this episode of the Tabletop SportCast, host James Cast discusses the '30 Minutes a Night Plan,' a strategy designed to help hobbyists make consistent progress on their projects. The conversation covers the benefits of dedicating just 30 minutes each night to gaming or related activities, emphasizing the importance of habit formation and mindset shifts. James also addresses common challenges and naysayer concerns, providing practical tips for overcoming obstacles and maximizing productivity. The episode concludes with a call to action for listeners to embrace this approach and share their experiences.
In this week's episode of the Tabletop SportCast, host James Cast sits down to discuss the classic Sports Illustrated game Decathlon with Tom McHugh. In addition to discussing the original game, the two discuss the Centennial Edition rules created by Tom, and shared in various issues of Sport Sim Magazine. Tom has created additional charts for Decathletes and Heptathletes for use with his game.
In this episode of the Tabletop SportCast, host James Cast delves into the world of sports board games with a countdown of the top 10 out-of-print sports board games. James shares his personal wish list, highlighting games that are rare finds and discussing their unique features and historical significance. From golf to hockey, and even wrestling, this episode is a nostalgic journey through games that have left a lasting impact on the tabletop sports community. Tune in to discover which games made the list and why they hold a special place in the hearts of sports gaming enthusiasts.
In this episode of the Tabletop SportCast, host James Cast dives into the thrilling world of "Heroes of Short Track Racing" by Van's Games. Discover the intricate game mechanics that capture the essence of short track racing, from qualifying rounds to intense lap-by-lap action. James shares his firsthand experience with the game's high-quality components and optional rules that add depth and narrative to each race. Whether you're a seasoned tabletop gamer or new to the scene, this episode offers valuable insights and a comprehensive review of this collectible card racing game. Tune in to learn how you can create your own fictional racing world and enjoy the excitement of short track racing on your tabletop.Van's Games Website
The Solo Promoter Overview
In this episode of the Tabletop SportCast, host James Cast reflects on the second quarter of 2025, discussing various gaming events, podcast metrics, and personal gaming sessions. He highlights successes in completing gaming sessions and engaging with the community, while also addressing challenges faced, particularly in content creation for YouTube and historical replays. Looking ahead, James outlines plans for the third quarter, emphasizing the importance of scheduling and focusing on new games.
In this episode of Tabletop SportCast, host James Cast shares his experiences and insights from Plaay-Dot-Con 2025, emphasizing the importance of community, connections, and the joy of gaming. He discusses the highlights of the event, including the beautiful setting of Highlands Ranch, Colorado, the showcasing of his game development projects, and engaging with fellow game designers. The episode also covers day-by-day highlights of the convention, including social events and a panel discussion on social media in the gaming community.
Check out this link to see what Calcio Storico is all about.
In this episode of Tabletop SportCast, host James Cast discusses his favorite Facebook groups related to sports gaming. He shares insights on various groups, their membership, and the community dynamics within the tabletop sports gaming world. The conversation also touches on the upcoming Plaay-Dot-Con event and the importance of community engagement in promoting sports games.
In this episode of the Tabletop SportCast, host James Cast discusses beginner projects in tabletop gaming, offering insights on how to effectively plan and execute these projects. He emphasizes the importance of starting small, setting realistic goals, and choosing games that players love. The episode also includes a recap of current tabletop projects and provides various project ideas suitable for beginners, such as replaying championship series and holding small tournaments. James encourages listeners to track their progress and maintain motivation throughout their gaming endeavors.
In this episode, the Tabletop SportCast hosts S.T. Patrick for their annual preview of the upcoming Plaay-Dot-Con event. They discuss various topics including the latest issue of Sports Sim Magazine, the development of The Squared Circle game, and the importance of community events in tabletop gaming. The conversation also touches on the future of the hobby, the role of technology, and the significance of nostalgia in attracting new players. S.T. Patrick shares insights into the challenges of game development and the evolving landscape of tabletop sports games. In this conversation, the hosts discuss the evolution of wrestling shows, the rapid release of college football sets, and the challenges of creating NFL sets. They emphasize the importance of community feedback and thematic sets in college football. The discussion also covers game design challenges, the role of AI in game development, and the balance between creating games for passion versus marketability. The joy of collaborative conversations in game design is highlighted as a key aspect of the hobby.Sport Sim Magazine Facebook Page
Match-Up College Football Facebook Page
The Squared Circle Facebook Page
In this episode of the Tabletop SportCast, host James Cast discusses the importance of sports-themed games in the tabletop gaming community. He explores how these games can attract new players who may not be interested in traditional simulation games. The conversation covers various popular sports-themed games, their mechanics, and how they can serve as a bridge to engage a wider audience in the sports gaming community.
In this episode of the Tabletop SportCast, host James Cast interviews Bob Hansen, a notable member of the tabletop sports community. They discuss Bob's latest game, Futti, a fictionalized five-on-five soccer game that emphasizes simplicity and quick gameplay. The conversation covers Bob's fictional league format for multiple sports, including unique elements like banner raisings for last-place teams. Bob shares insights into game mechanics, player strategy, and future projects, including a basketball game and an indoor cricket game. The episode highlights the importance of community in tabletop sports and the creative process behind game design.
Futti Github Site (to download game)
Link to previous episode with Bob Hansen
In this episode of the Tabletop SportCast, host James Cast recaps his experiences at Digital to DiceCon, sharing his top moments from the event. He emphasizes the importance of community engagement, the joy of conversations with fellow gamers, and the excitement of discovering new games. The episode highlights the significance of swag bags, raffle prizes, and reconnecting with friends, while also discussing the future of the tabletop gaming hobby and the potential for growth within the community.
In this episode of the Tabletop SportCast, host James Cast explores the principles of Taoism as illustrated through the character of Ted Lasso. The discussion delves into themes such as potential, effortless action, authentic power, compassion, and the dangers of over-striving, all while connecting these ideas to the world of tabletop gaming. Listeners are encouraged to embrace these principles in their gaming experiences, fostering a more enjoyable and fulfilling hobby.
In this episode of Tabletop SportCast, host James Cast discusses various tabletop sports topics, including a recap of a recent dodgeball tournament and an ongoing English Premier League project. The main focus is on the game Bank Shot Basketball by Sideline Strategy Games, exploring its mechanics, components, and gameplay experience. The episode concludes with a preview of the next episode's theme centered around the TV show Ted Lasso.
HCW Dirtsheet
In this episode of the Tabletop SportCast, host James Cast interviews Al Wilson, the creator of 3D6 Gaming, about the upcoming release of the Commissioner's Handbook for Fast-Inning Baseball. They discuss the evolution of the game, the importance of community feedback, and the innovative features that allow players to create their own baseball universes. Key topics include the prospect pipeline, financial systems, and the Hall of Fame path, which adds depth to player development and aging. Al also shares insights on the role of AI in game design and the potential for future expansions.https://www.3d6-gaming.com/
In this episode of the Tabletop SportCast, host James Cast provides a detailed recap of his experiences at Indi-Con 2025 and discusses his recent project involving the 1970 Stars for Red, White and Blue Racin'. He shares insights on the event's organization, the gaming community's engagement, and the highlights of his tabletop gaming projects, including the 1956 World Series and the English Premiership League season.
With my travels to IndiCon 25 this past weekend, there was no time to record a new episode, so I'm bringing back one of my first interviews (technically third) with John McGuinness!
In this episode of Tabletop SportCast, host James Cast reflects on the first quarter of 2025. He discusses his gaming achievements, including the number of sessions played and games completed, while also addressing challenges faced during the quarter. The episode highlights plans for the upcoming quarter, including participation in live events like IndiCon 25, and a preview of new projects. James shares insights on podcast analytics and the importance of maintaining momentum in tabletop gaming.
In this milestone 200th episode of the Tabletop SportCast, host James Cast reflects on the journey of the show. He answers audience questions, sharing insights on balancing life and projects, the evolution of tabletop games, AI, projects, etc. The episode concludes with a look ahead at the next 100 episodes.
In this episode of the Tabletop SportCast, host James Cast reflects on the current state of the podcast as he prepares for the milestone 200th episode. He shares updates on various sports events, discusses his gaming projects, and outlines future plans for the podcast, including upcoming live events and game design insights.
In this episode of Tabletop SportCast, host James Cast discusses the latest in tabletop sports gaming, including a recap of February's gaming sessions and an in-depth look at 49 Quick Decks Hockey. He highlights the game's features, such as team sheets, strategic play, and the use of fast action cards.
In this episode of Tabletop SportCast, host James Cast discusses the top express games in tabletop sports, providing insights into their design and gameplay mechanics. The episode includes news updates from the tabletop sports community, a detailed definition of express games, and a countdown of the top eight express games, highlighting their unique features and benefits. The conversation emphasizes the importance of time-saving gameplay while maintaining the essence of the sports experience.
In this episode, host James Cast interviews Clay Dreslough, the creator of Season Ticket Baseball and Season Ticket Football. They discuss Clay's journey from computer game design to board game creation, the mechanics behind his games, and the philosophy of making games accessible and enjoyable for players. Clay shares insights into the evolution of his games, the importance of simplicity in design, and the challenges of transitioning from digital to tabletop formats. The conversation also touches on the future of board games and the need for innovative mechanics that enhance player experience.
In this episode of Tabletop SportCast, host James Cast provides an in-depth look at the wrestling promoter card game 'Book It!' by Foam Hammer Games. The episode covers recent highlights in tabletop sports, news about new game releases, and a detailed exploration of the mechanics and expansions of 'Book It!'. James shares his experiences with the game, discussing its unique approach to wrestling promotion and the strategic elements involved. The episode concludes with a preview of upcoming content and interviews.
In this episode of Tabletop SportCast, host James Cast counts down the top 10 Super Bowls of all time, focusing on those that would be fun to replay on tabletop games. The discussion includes themes of redemption, representation of teams, and memorable moments from various Super Bowls. The episode also highlights some honorable mentions and provides insights into the significance of each game in the context of sports history.
In this episode of Tabletop SportCast, host James Cast explores the intersection of AI and tabletop sports gaming. He discusses how virtual assistants can enhance the gaming experience by automating tasks, managing leagues, and even generating narratives. The conversation delves into practical applications of AI tools, including tracking stats, creating game summaries, and brainstorming ideas for game design. The episode emphasizes the potential of AI to streamline processes and enrich the overall gaming experience.
In this episode of Tabletop SportCast, host James Cast provides an in-depth look at Season Ticket Football, a new game by Clay Dreslough. He shares his experiences with the game, comparing it to previous tabletop games and discussing its mechanics. The episode also reflects on the evolution of the tabletop gaming community, the joy of recreating historical wrestling events, and the importance of community engagement in gaming.
In this episode of Tabletop SportCast, host James Cast interviews Marco Scola, a prominent figure in the tabletop sports community. They discuss Marco's journey into tabletop sports, the appeal of these games compared to video games, and the impact of live sports experiences. Marco shares his favorite sports books and movies, memorable live sports moments, and his current tabletop projects. The conversation also delves into the motivation behind Marco's YouTube channel and the influences that shaped his content creation. In this engaging conversation, Marco shares his journey into the world of rugby gaming, the structure and format of his YouTube channel, and his excitement for upcoming projects in 2025. He discusses the tools he uses for project planning, the balance between stats and storytelling in gaming, and offers recommendations for fellow gamers. The conversation wraps up with a fun rapid-fire segment where Marco answers quick questions about his gaming preferences.Check out Marco's YouTube Channel: https://www.youtube.com/@MarcoScola
In this episode of Tabletop SportCast, host James Cast discusses his top five hockey games, reflecting on his recent gameplay experiences and projects for 2025. He shares insights on the criteria for selecting hockey games, reviews each game in detail, and highlights major announcements in the tabletop sports community. The episode concludes with thoughts on future plans and the potential for exploring new games.
In this episode of the Tabletop SportCast, host James Cast discusses his annual plan for 2025, reflecting on the successes and challenges of 2024. He emphasizes the importance of project planning, variety in gaming, and the introduction of new strategies for the upcoming year, including a Game of the Week and diverse sports projects. In this episode, the host outlines an extensive plan for tabletop sports projects spanning various decades, including wrestling, boxing, baseball, basketball, NASCAR, golf, NHL, lacrosse, NFL, and soccer. Each project is designed to explore the history and key events of the respective sports, with a focus on manageable project sizes. The host also discusses plans for content creation, including game design, YouTube shows, and podcast episodes, aiming for a balanced and engaging year ahead.
In this episode, James Cast reflects on the year 2024, discussing his goals, achievements, and challenges faced throughout the year. He reviews his progress on various projects, including hosting events, completing gaming projects, and engaging with the tabletop sports community. The conversation highlights the importance of setting goals, adapting to challenges, and the joy of gaming experiences. James also shares insights on his plans for 2025, emphasizing the need for balance and continued engagement in the tabletop sports world.
In this episode of Tabletop SportCast, host James Cast reflects on the top moments of 2024, including a tribute to the late Ricky Henderson, a retrospective on his Richmond Golden Gloves boxing project, and a countdown of the top 10 moments in tabletop sports for the year. In this episode, the host reflects on the top moments of 2024 in tabletop sports gaming, discussing the evolution of basketball games, memorable interviews, innovative game mechanics, tournament experiences, and significant projects. The conversation highlights the importance of community engagement and personal achievements within the tabletop gaming space.
In this episode of Tabletop SportCast, host James Cast discusses the top tabletop sports games of 2024, sharing insights on his gameplay experiences, project highlights, and the methodology behind his rankings. The conversation covers various games, including honorable mentions, and delves into the Continental Cup project, showcasing the excitement of random matchups in tournaments. James emphasizes the importance of playtime in determining his top games and reflects on the diverse range of sports represented in his collection. In this episode, the host reviews the top tabletop sports games of 2024, discussing various express and quick play games, historical replays, and personal favorites. The conversation highlights the impact of specific projects on gameplay and the dominance of certain game companies in the host's gaming experience. The episode concludes with insights into gaming trends and a look ahead to future projects.
In this episode of Tabletop SportCast, host James Cast explores the latest holiday offering from Plaay Games, Reel-Time Pro Fishin', and reflects on his recent project, the Rec League Golf Championship. The episode delves into the mechanics of the fishing game, discussing its unique features and gameplay strategies, while also providing insights from the golf championship project, including lessons learned and player performance. The conversation wraps up with a look ahead to future episodes and upcoming content.
n this episode of Tabletop SportCast, host James Cast recaps the highlights of the 2024 holiday sale, discussing various tabletop projects, games purchased, and future plans for 2025. He shares insights on the games he played in November, the new titles he acquired during the holiday sale, and the importance of supporting smaller game companies. The episode concludes with a look ahead to upcoming episodes and projects.
In today's episode, we sit down with the creator of the GreenFox Spreadsheet, Mike Ignatoski. In the first of a two part series, we get a chance to learn about Mike and talk through a high-level overview of the GreenFox Spreadsheet.
Also, catch up on some more Holiday Sale information at the beginning of the episode.
Part 2 of this interview will be posted to YouTube, and it includes a demo of version 3.5 of the GreenFox Spreadsheet.
Key Links
Part 2 of the Episode (YouTube)
https://youtu.be/SioiMqfugJo
GreenFox Facebook Site: https://www.facebook.com/groups/greenfoxspreadsheet
GreenFox YouTube Page (Mike Ignatoski)
https://www.youtube.com/@mikeignatoski7890
In this episode of the Tabletop SportCast, host James Cast shares his top 10 items on his holiday wish list, providing insights into various tabletop sports games and their upcoming sales. He discusses the holiday sales from different gaming companies, highlighting discounts and special offers. The episode culminates in a detailed countdown of his wish list items, covering a range of sports and game types, while also reflecting on the significance of these games in his collection.
In this episode of the Tabletop SportCast, host James Cast discusses the importance of storytelling in tabletop sports projects, inspired by an article from Eric Simon in Sports Sim Magazine. He emphasizes how adding historical context and personal reflections can enhance the gaming experience. The conversation also touches on the significance of understanding the audience for these projects and how tools like ChatGPT can aid in creative storytelling. James shares insights from his recent tabletop projects and looks forward to future endeavors.
In this episode of the Tabletop SportCast, host James Cast discusses two main projects: a retrospective on his 2005-2006 NHL tournament using Stone Cold Hockey and the introduction of a new dual federation project with Face to the Mat. He shares insights on game mechanics, project planning, and the creative process behind building storylines in tabletop sports.
When my schedule gets crazy, as it often did this year, this theme keeps me in check. Hopefully for the last time this year, we going back to a classic episode to hear why Failure is Inevitable!
I'll be back on Sunday with a brand new episode.
In this episode of the Tabletop SportCast, host James Cast discusses the top game mechanics and innovations of 2024, highlighting various tabletop sports games and their unique features. The conversation includes insights into YouTube content creators in the tabletop gaming community and concludes with reflections on the thriving nature of the tabletop sports gaming community.
In this episode of the Tabletop SportCast, host James Cast reflects on the current state of tabletop gaming, discusses the impact of recent events on gaming culture, and pays tribute to sports legends. He highlights his recent gaming experiences, particularly focusing on the Barry Sanders 1994 project, and shares news about upcoming gaming events. The main topic centers around the new game Draft Duel from Play Games and Studio Sp1cy, exploring its mechanics, player interactions, and overall experience. Cast emphasizes the game's appeal and provides insights into its unique features, while also addressing its distinction from traditional sports simulation games.
In this episode of the Tabletop SportCast, host James Cast discusses his top 10 tabletop football board games based on personal preferences and experiences. He provides insights into his gaming sessions over the past quarter, highlights key projects, and shares his thoughts on various football games, including their playability and project potential. The episode serves as a comprehensive guide for tabletop sports enthusiasts looking to explore football-themed games.
In this episode of the Tabletop Sportcast, host James Cast discusses the top five new games in his collection, providing insights into each game's mechanics and appeal. He also recaps the latest news in tabletop sports, including updates from Sport Sim Magazine and new game releases. The episode concludes with a look ahead to future episodes and themes.
In this episode of the Tabletop SportCast, host James Cast discusses the challenges of September, focusing on prioritization and goal setting within tabletop gaming. He reflects on his recent gaming experiences, including participation in a Breakaway Football tournament and various tabletop projects. As he navigates a busy schedule, James emphasizes the importance of evaluating project value versus effort, making tough decisions about which projects to prioritize, and establishing routines to achieve his goals. The episode concludes with key takeaways on effective prioritization and goal setting in the context of tabletop gaming.
Today we are sitting down with Brien Aronov to talk baseball. We discuss Brien's fascination with Japanese baseball and what we both look for in baseball sims.
In this episode of the Tabletop SportCast, James Cast discusses various projects that can be done during the football season. He draws inspiration from the Gridiron Games 2024 and his visit to the Pro Football Hall of Fame. James shares updates on his tabletop projects, including completing the Stratomatic Baseball showcase and the 1984 USFL season replay. He also mentions ongoing projects using Fury Hardball and Stone Cold Hockey.
Summary
It's the third anniversary of the Tabletop SportCast and what better way to celebrate than to spend a weekend at the Pro Football Hall of Fame in Canton, OH with many friends old and new.
In today's episode I'll recap the past few years of the podcast, and then sit down with a number of guests from Gridiron Games 2024 to give you their impressions of the weekend first-hand.
Summary
In this episode of the Tabletop SportCast, James Cast interviews S.T. Patrick, the creator of The Squared Circle, Match-Up Football, and Sport Sim Magazine. They discuss recent gaming experiences, the latest releases from TSC and Match-Up, and delve into the concept of accuracy in sports simulation games. They explore the challenges of capturing the complexity of real-life performance in a tabletop game and the role of randomness in recreating sports outcomes. They also talk about the 2024 Gridiron Games event and the plans for Matchup Football at the event. The conversation concludes with a discussion on the availability of game design tools and the importance of finding balance and enjoyment in life.
Summary
In this episode, the host provides an update on his tabletop gaming projects and the podcast. He discusses the challenges he has faced in maintaining a schedule and staying on track with his projects. He shares details about his ongoing projects, including History Maker Baseball, LaCrosse Blast Express, and various tournaments. The host also talks about his plans for future projects and the importance of establishing a routine. He concludes by mentioning upcoming interviews and the fourth anniversary show of the podcast.
Takeaways
- Maintaining a schedule and routine is crucial for staying on track with tabletop gaming projects
- The host is working on various projects, including History Maker Baseball and LaCrosse Blast Express
- Future projects will include boxing, soccer, basketball, and wrestling
- The podcast will continue to feature interviews and special episodes
- The host is planning to establish a new recording schedule and prioritize regular podcast episodes
- Looking Ahead: Future Projects and the Fourth Anniversary Show
- Challenges and Adjustments: Finding a Routine for Tabletop Gaming
- "Maintaining a schedule and routine is crucial for staying on track"
- "Future projects will include boxing, soccer, basketball, and wrestling"
- "The podcast will continue to feature interviews and special episodes"
Arthur Franz, creator of Breakaway Football, discusses his love for football and how it inspired him to create a tabletop football game. He shares his experience as a football coach and how it influenced his game design. The game aims to provide a realistic and enjoyable football experience in a shorter playtime. Each team in the game is based on a real football team, with their own unique playbooks and special abilities. The game allows players to simulate matchups between different teams from different eras, creating intriguing 'what if' scenarios. In this part of the conversation, Arthur Franz IV discusses the teams he has created for Breakaway Football, a tabletop football game. He mentions that he has created representative teams for most of the 32 franchises, with a few exceptions. He talks about the unique abilities and characteristics of some of the teams, such as the Dome Patrol defense of the Saints and the offensive struggles of the 2008 Cardinals. He also discusses the concept of breakaways in the game, where the relationship between the play type and the defense determines the outcome of a play. He explains how offensive and defensive breakaways work and how they add excitement to the game. Additionally, he mentions the development of a solo mode for the game, which allows players to play against an AI opponent. Breakaway Football is a tabletop game that captures the experience of being a head coach. It features a unique play-calling system and a solo mode with a spy mechanic. The spy mechanic allows the AI to cheat in plain sight, balancing the decision quality and preventing players from relying on their best plays. The game also includes a team creator that allows players to recreate their favorite teams. The creator reverse-engineered the decisions made to create the franchises and standardized the playbook valuations. The game has a small footprint and quick setup time. The creators are also working on a dynasty mode expansion that will allow for persistent change season over season.
Links
Uplink Underground Games: https://uplinkunderground.com/board-games/
Uplink Underground on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@uplinkundergroundgames9259
We're climbing back into the time machine and winding back to October 2021 to Episode 20. In this one I discussed home brew ideas for the tabletop.
Summary
In this episode of the Tabletop SportCast, the host does a retrospective on his recently completed PGA mini season project. He discusses the highlights and challenges of the project, including the scheduling of events and the use of tournament mode in History Maker Golf. He also reflects on what went well and what could have been done differently, such as using actual courses for the majors and tracking results more effectively. The host concludes by sharing his plans for future projects and upcoming episodes of the podcast.
Keywords
retrospective, PGA mini season, project management, scheduling, tournament mode, History Maker Golf, challenges, highlights, actual courses, tracking results, future projects
Takeaways
- Retrospectives can provide valuable insights into completed projects and help improve future ones.
- Scheduling events and using tournament mode in History Maker Golf can be challenging but rewarding.
- Using actual courses for major events can enhance the authenticity of a historical replay.
- Tracking results effectively is important for keeping records and analyzing performance.
- Planning and reflecting on projects can lead to better project management and decision-making.
Titles
- The Importance of Tracking Results
- Reflecting on the PGA Mini Season Project
Sound Bites
"Deciding to do a mini season"
"Using tournament mode for History Maker Golf"
"Setting it up for a historical replay"
Chapters
00:00 Introduction and Overview
17:26 Reflecting on the PGA Mini Season Project
24:59 Challenges and Highlights of the Retrospective
28:19 Improving Future Projects with Lessons Learned
37:52 Using Actual Courses for Historical Replays
41:45 The Importance of Tracking Results
In the first installment of replaying greatest hits, we're taking it all the way back to October 2021 and Episode 10. In this episode I focused on a new approach to cooperative projects focused around the 2000 Football America season.
Summary
Play.com 2024 was a memorable gaming event with a record-breaking crowd. The top five memories include the presence of game designers, the attendance of newbies, the extension of the convention to include more activities, the Rumble in the Jungle game showcase, and the introduction of Soccer Blast Express. The convention provided opportunities to play and interact with game designers, gaining inspiration and appreciation for their craft. The host also plans to feature classic episodes and focus on football in upcoming episodes.
Keywords
Play.com 2024, gaming event, game designers, newbies, convention extension, Rumble in the Jungle, Soccer Blast Express, tabletop games, inspiration, football
Takeaways
Play.com 2024 had a record-breaking crowd and was a memorable gaming event.
The presence of game designers at the convention allowed for interaction and appreciation of their craft.
The attendance of newbies added fresh faces and excitement to the event.
The convention extended beyond the traditional two days, allowing for more activities and exploration of the Denver area.
The showcase of Rumble in the Jungle and Soccer Blast Express introduced new and exciting games to the attendees.
Playing and interacting with game designers provided inspiration for future game creation.
The host plans to feature classic episodes and focus on football in upcoming episodes.
Titles
Inspiration from Game Designers
Game Designers: The Stars of Play.com
Sound Bites
"The game designers that were in-house... really bring to this community."
"The attendance of newbies... always great to see new faces in the crowd."
"The convention continues to grow... embracing the idea of extending the con."
Chapters
00:00
Introduction and Podcast Information
03:01
Game Designers: The Stars of Play.com
07:34
Newbies Bring Fresh Energy to Play.com
10:50
Extending the Convention: More Than Just Two Days
14:36
Rumble in the Jungle: A Highlight of Play.com
29:44
Inspiration from Game Designers
In today's episode I preview Plaay-Dot-Con 2024 going through the schedule and talking about what I am looking forward to for the next few days.
In today's episode I take an Inside Look at Payoff Pitch Baseball by Sideline Strategy Games. I also give a tabletop recap including a highlight of a major milestone!
In today's episode we will discuss how to use the Rapid Planning Method to unlock your project plans and make you more effective at prioritizing and executing on your projects. Also, we'll recap some news and get an update from the Tabletop.
Today we are sitting down with Gary Brown of Stone Mountain Press to talk all about his latest offering, the long-awaited update to Legends of Boxing. We will talk about the design process in depth and also provide an overview of what everyone can expect to changes in gameplay.
In today's episode I countdown the Top 20 Baseball movies of all-time. This list was also partially curated by the community thanks to responses to a poll I ran on my Facebook page a couple of weeks ago.
Today we are sitting down with Sam Avallone, part of the creative team behind Plaay Games, and the creator of a new game/design company called Studio Sp1cy! We cover all the bases with Sam in our interview, but mostly learn what it takes to design graphics and products for the gaming community.
Check out Studio Sp1cy: https://www.sp1cy.com/
In this week's episode we take a look at Fast Inning Baseball, the latest game from designer Al Wilson.
Today's episode marks the end of Q1 and I'll recap how the first three months of 2023 went as well as provide a sneak peak at what's coming up in Q2 for both my tabletop and the podcast.
In today's episode we are sitting down with Grant Fines of 49 Sports Games to talk about his latest offering, Quick Decks Hockey.
49 Sports Games website: https://www.49sportsgames.com/
In today's episode I am giving credit where credit is due! It's my list of 10 Youtubers that have made a major contribution to my enjoyment of the hobby with their YouTube content over the years.
Steve Tower https://www.youtube.com/@AFRSteve
Marco Scola https://www.youtube.com/@MarcoScola
Keith Avallone https://www.youtube.com/@PLAAYGamesYT
Bob Hansen https://www.youtube.com/@kickthesky
Steve Etzel https://www.youtube.com/@steve_etzel
Grant Fines https://www.youtube.com/@49sportsgames
Rob Gallamore https://www.youtube.com/@Gitch_Games
Al Wilson https://www.youtube.com/@hands-on-games
William Sauerbrier https://www.youtube.com/@highvolumegames3718
Gary Brown https://www.youtube.com/@GamescapeSMP
In this week's episode we go back to Atomic Habits by James Clear to discuss a foundational piece of building habits: Your Identity and who you want to become. We'll talk about how identity influences process and how process in turn determines goals.
In this week's episode I take an Inside Look at Plaay Games Wrestling game, Face to the Mat. There is also news from Plaay Games, Stone Mountain Press, and Foam Hammer Games. Finally, I recap the latest from my tabletop.
This week we turn our attention North, to get a deeper look at some fictional leagues for Cold Snap and History Maker Baseball with the creator himself, Lenny LaFrance! Lenny will walk us through some of the details of running leagues for both football and baseball.
In today's episode I count down 10 sporting events that deserve a do-over. These are a combination of those times when our favorite teams didn't win the big game, or those classic moments when an underdog overcame the odds. Thanks to all my Facebook audience that helped contribute to today's list!
In this week's episode we discuss how to implement the idea of Goals and Systems into our gaming hobby. Introduced in Atomic Habits by James Clear, and reinforced in his MasterClass, Clear discusses the differences between Goals and Systems and why you want to build success around systems.
We also discuss Sports Sim Magazine Issue #14 and provide a recap of my tabletop action.
This week I had a chance to sit down with Geoff Giordano, also known in our community as the APBA Football Club! We discussed hosting live events and the things that can make an event successful or not. We also discussed the event he will be hosting later this year at the Football Hall of Fame in Canton.
APBA Football Club on Instagram
On Youtube
2013 APBA Football Tournament Playlist
2023 APBA Football Tournament Playlist
2023 Cooperstown Event Playlist
Future Events
2024 Cooperstown Event
2024 Canton Event
This week is number 150! I'm taking a look at 5 (or so) sports I wish I had a good representative game for in my collection. I also provide a tabletop recap and talk about some news across the gaming community.
In today's episode we take a look at the latest creation from ST Patrick ... Match-Up Football! We'll talk about the core game mechanics and what makes this game stand out in the marketplace.
Get Match-Up Football at Lulu: https://www.lulu.com/spotlight/matchupfootball
In this week's episode we kick off Season 4 of the podcast by recapping the 1st ever Quarterly Planning event from my tabletop. I'll talk about what went well and where I fell short. Trying out a slightly new format, so let me know how you like it!
If you would like to support the podcast you can do so here: patreon.com/tabletopsportcast
In today's episode I count down my Top 10 Goals for 2024. These include projects, podcasts, and YouTube content goals. What will make #1? Listen in to find out.
This week I spoke with Al Wilson to discuss his latest release, Fast Inning Baseball!
Here's the website link: https://www.fastinningbaseball.com/
And if you want to support the podcast, here's the link to Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/tabletopsportcast
In today's episode I take a look back at the past year and discuss projects, games, and goals. What went well? What didn't go well? It's all in today's episode.
This week I count down the Top 63 games of 2023 from my tabletop. I included gaming sessions from the past 365 days, and eliminated any non-sports games (although some made my honorable mentions) and then counted down all the way to #1. Where did your favorites rank? Find out!
This week I sit down with Sean Culnan who has completed several 'mega' projects over the past few years. We'll talk about strategies he uses as well as recap those projects.
This week's episode is all about recapping the 2023 Holiday sale which isn't quite over yet ... but is for me!
I also recap the week that was on the tabletop.
In this week's episode I run down a list of holiday sales for various companies to keep the community informed.
Here's a list of those companies:
NBT Sport Games
Eagle-Gryphon Games
Downey Games
Strat-o-Matic
Sideline Strategy Games
Stone Mountain Press
Plaay Games
In today's episode I take a look back at the 1963 season of Jim Brown, which was the first time an NFL player gained 2000+ yards from scrimmage.
In today's episode I discuss games that I have never played, and are not part my library. This episode is based completely on feedback from others, some recent, some for the past several years. In addition to the top 5, I also gave out some honorable mentions.
In today's episode I had a chance to sit down with Don Bychowski. Don has been running a fictional wrestling federation, now called HCW, or Heritage Championship Wrestling, for a long time. On November 5th and 6th he will be hosting a tribute show to celebrate the 20th Anniversary of PWS, a digital version of Superstar Pro Wrestling. We talk about the tribute show, running a large federation, and also discuss PWS in this episode.
Check out the HCW blog: HCW Blog Post
In this week's episode we will discuss another agile topic, focusing on The Maintenance Sprint. This deals with all those activities that are required to finish in order for you to fully enjoy your tabletop experience.
In this week's episode I recap "Fall Ball at the Hall" as Plaay Games brought History Maker Baseball to Cooperstown and the Baseball Hall of Fame. I cover a rundown of the events and also provide my ideal opening day roster of HOF players. There is also a tabletop recap in this week's episode.
In today's episode, I had a chance to sit down with Grant Fines, owner and creator of 49 Sports Games (link below). Grant recently released two football games: 49 On the Turf Football and 49 Quick Decks Football. In the episode we talked about the game company, the two football games, and I also did some FAQ with questions I had after playing the game a few times.
You can check out both games at https://www.49sportsgames.com/
In today's episode I go through the events of Q3, the games I played, the projects I completed (and didn't) and ask the three big questions: What Went Well? What Didn't Go Well? And What Should I Be Doing Differently? I also take a look ahead at Q4.
In today's episode I had a chance to sit down with Rob Gallamore, a member of our gaming community. We discussed our hobby, his history with hockey scouting, and also did a preview of the 2023-24 NHL season. If you want to check out more from Rob, check out the two links below.
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@Gitch_Games/featured
Website: https://gitchplaay.wordpress.com/
In today's episode I countdown the Top 10 Accessories you should think about adding to your holiday wish list, if you don't already own them. Links to each item is provided below.
3-D Printed Extras
Affinity Publisher
Chips
Clear Plastic Boxes
Custom Pens
Dice Tower
Extra Dice
Game Room Bling
Laminator
Playmat
Remarkable Tablet
In today's episode I take a look back at the career of Ted Williams, both on the field and is service to our country, and discuss where he could have ranked if he hadn't given up 5 years of military service. There is also a tabletop recap in this week's episode.
For the 2nd Anniversary Show we turned the tables and brought in Harvey Couch, host of Bluest Tape, to interview me! Harvey was given the opportunity to ask any questions and we covered a wide range of topics.
In today's episode I take a look at Regatta by the Avalon Hill Game Company. It's an older game, that is very much designed for multi-player strategy. I'll discuss how the game works and provide a tabletop recap for the past two weeks.
Recent YouTube Episode: https://youtu.be/c5b4n3IvCRU
In today's episode I had a chance to sit down with Paul LaPorte, the creator of Book It! The Wrestling Promoter Card Game. Paul and his company, Foam Hammer Games, recently completed a Kickstarter campaign for the latest expansion set for Book It!, entitles Tag Teams and Title Belts. We talked about Book It! as well as some other related topics.
Foam Hammer Games: https://foamhammergames.com/
Kickstarter Campaign: https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/paullaporte/book-it-tag-teams-and-title-belts/description
In today's episode I discuss two very important metrics for any process: Quality and Speed (or quantity). What role do these play in our hobby? How can we meet expectations in our project deliver? How important are these to game designers? I cover it all in this week's episode. There is also a tabletop recap from my recent gaming sessions.
In today's episode I recap Plaay-Dot-Con 2023 by counting down the top headlines from the event.
In today's episode I am previewing Plaay-Dot-Con 2023 and talking about some of the events that are taking place, what I plan to take part in. I'll cover what games I am bringing ... and why! There is also a Tabletop Recap and highlights of recent content postings.
In this week's episode I had a lengthy discussion with S.T. Patrick as we discussed Sport Sim Magazine, The Squared Circle, some game development, Plaay--Dot-Con, and also some general gaming items. It's a lengthy one, but a lot of good content within.
In this week's episode I take An Inside Look at History Maker Golf by Plaay Games. Find out why this game is quickly rising on my list of favorite games!
In today's episode I take a look back at the first half of 2023 and provide listeners with an update of how my gaming experience has gone to date. I'll provide updates on some key metrics, as well as tackle what's working and what's not working as I make plans for the second half of 2023.
In today's episode I walk through 10 different project ideas as I plan for gaps in my 2023-24 planning. I have matched 10 different games with 10 project formats to present some ideas. These options also include projects of all sizes, from extra-small up to extra-large. This list should present you with several tools to help you in your project planning.
In this week's episode I look back at the 1981-82 season where Wayne Gretzky chased "50 Goals in 50 Games".
In today's episode I had a chance to catch up with Steve Tower, creator of the YouTube channel After Further Review (link below). Steve is an active member of our gaming community and his channel does a lot to support smaller gaming companies.
https://youtube.com/@AFRSteve
In this week's episode we dive into Agile Principle #9: Build Technical Excellence and Good Design. We discuss the concepts that make up this principle and how it can be used for Tabletop projects. I also recap recent events from my tabletop.
In today's Interview, I sat down with Eric Simon, creator of Off the Board Horse Racing. We discuss his game, game design, researching horse racing, and the history of horse racing. We also preview today's Preakness Stakes and discuss the 2023 field.
In today's episode I countdown the Top 5 items that are new to my gaming collection. This list includes games, card sets, and others that I either added to my collection in 2023, or pulled off the shelf for the first time this year.
This week I take a closer look at The Squared Circle, a wrestling simulation game by S.T. Patrick. The Squared Circle brings to life federations from wrestling history and provides a unique approach to creating wrestlers that really captures the essence of those historical wrestlers from our past.
I recently did some analysis on my project planning and found I was leaning a little too much toward Large and Extra Large projects. In today's episode I'll talk about T-Shirt sizing for projects, and offer up my Top 10 Ideas for medium-sized projects, which I think are the sweet spot for managing your project delivery.
In this week's episode I chat with Dave Jackson. Dave is a member of our gaming community. His unique background gave us an opportunity to talk about the narrative of sports, the storylines we see play out in sports, and how those translate to our tabletop.
In today's episode I am trying out some new content.
Muhammad Ali is one of the greatest sports icons of the 20th Century and is represented in my Legends of Boxing game with two cards. One for his prime in the 60s and one for his prime in the 70s. Today I do an historical lookback at the career of Muhammad Ali and make the case for why he requires two separate cards.
In today's episode I provide an overview of Hockey Blast by Plaay Games. There's also a tabletop recap of the past week.
In today's episode, Cooper Gilbert joins me to discuss homebrew rules. Cooper and I have some different approaches to homebrew, and those different approaches play out today as we talk about a number of homebrew rules and ideas.
In today's episode I take a look back at the first quarter and ask those three important questions.
- What's going well?
- What's not going well?
- What should I be doing differently?
I also check-in on some key metrics and review some of the projects from Q1.
In today's episode I discuss one of the 12 Agile Principles and a cornerstone of the Agile Manifesto, embracing change. Agile is all about adapting to ver-changing needs, and in today's episode I will give you some examples of places that I reflected on my delivery model and incorporated change into my plans. Also, a recap of the 2023 SCRAM project and what's happening on my tabletop.
2023 SCRAM Results: https://sites.google.com/view/castawaytabletopsports/2023-scram
Today I run down my Top 5 Pitcher Fatigue Systems in tabletop baseball games. I have always felt that a good fatigue system brings a lot of realism into a tabletop baseball game, but good execution requires a solid game mechanic that is easy to use. I think all five of these systems achieved that.
In today's episode I recap an article I wrote for Sports Sim Magazine on the Game Day Chart for History Maker Baseball. The chart adds some depth to your season replay narratives, and makes it a unique approach in our tabletop gaming community. Check out the links below as well, with a link to the Sports Sim Magazine store and my Tabletop website.
Castaway Tabletop Sports: https://sites.google.com/view/castawaytabletopsports/home
MWN Publications (Sports Sim Magazine): https://www.lulu.com/spotlight/MWNPublications
In today's episode I sit down with Matt McKeever and Craig Harris, the creators of Pocket Pennant Run. We discuss their game, the evolution of both the game and the PPR software, and also discuss the upcoming baseball season and the storylines we are all following. If you are interested in purchasing the game, you can use the link below.
Pocket Pennant Run: https://pocketpennantrun.weebly.com/
Pocket Pennant Run Facebook Page: https://www.facebook.com/groups/pocketpennantrun
In today's episode I am going to talk about the role of The Decider Die in Plaay Games and how it has become part of our gaming hobby in different ways. I also provide an update on our SCRAM 2023 Cooperative Event and highlight a new series on my YouTube channel where I am using ChatGPT in different ways.
SCRAM 2023 Results Page: https://sites.google.com/view/castawaytabletopsports/2023-scram
YouTube Episode: https://youtu.be/xgYThNSmuu8
This year I added a new element to my monthly planning. I'm playing a signature historical event each month, and the collection will be another project by year-end. In today's episode I will count down 10 events you can replay on your tabletop this year. I also provide a recap of my recent tabletop experiences.
In today's episode I introduce a goal setting format known as OKRs (Objectives & Key Results) to show you one approach to goal setting in your tabletop project planning. I will also compare that to KPIs (Key Performance Indicators) to show how those can be used differently. I also provide a recap of my January Tabletop experience.
This week I sat down with Paul Salzgeber to discuss cooperative events. Paul is currently managing the Plaay Invitational on the Plaay Community Facebook page and together we have taken part in several cooperative events over the years.
I have a special guest for a special episode. Keith Avallone of Plaay Games sat down with me this week to talk about some of his game designs and his engagement with this hobby of ours. We discuss Second Season, the qualities mechanic, and even the decider die. Hope you'll enjoy!
Today I take a closer look at a recently re-released game. Roller Rumble was one of the original Plaay titles, but was shelved a few years ago as they worked on rebranding it for Plaay Now. It finally returned in Fall 2022, and I'll discuss what you get with the game, and my initial thoughts on it. Also, I recap a recent event from my Tabletop where I replayed the 1st ever Royal Rumble from 1988. It's a rumbled themed show for #99!
It's that critical moment when you open your gaming closet with every intention of taking something out and playing it for the next hour or so, but find yourself overwhelmed by everything presented to you. In the end, after going through numerous ideas, you walk away without playing anything. In today's episode we'll explore that moment and discuss some potential strategies to help you out.
Happy New Year listeners! Today's episode is an interview with Al Wilson to discuss the latest version of Fast Drive Football. Version 2.0 brings some updates, new features, and a refreshed look. Al will cover all that and more as we discuss the design process, the impact the FDF community has made to the game, and what is next on the FDF horizon.
Link to Al's YouTube overview of Fast Drive Football 2.0: https://youtu.be/KWXFlF0yk38
In the final episode of Season 2, I set the roadmap for 2023 by discussing my goals in solo gaming, cooperative gaming, and creative content. 2022 was an amazing year, and the look ahead concludes our three part series to wrap-up the year.
In today's episode I look back on the year that was on the tabletop. 2022 had it's share of highs and lows. I look back at my goals for 2022 and share the successes and failures of the past 12 months.
Today's episode is my Top 50 ... well Top 48 ... games of 2022 based on actual plays on my tabletop. Yes, it's very self-centric, but what better way to measure the value of a game than how often it makes it to your tabletop. This is a lengthy one, but would love to hear from you how this compares to your top plays of 2022.
Grab a racket and head over to the courts! Today I'm giving an overview of the latest Plaay game: Let's Plaay Tennis. This was only offered during the holiday sale, so hopefully you were able to grab a copy. We'll talk about the toolbox approach to this latest release and how some of the game mechanics work.
In today's episode we shift away from agile and discuss a Lean Methodology concept, Work In Progress. Like so many others I have had a project going for every game on my shelf. Over the past year I've worked on several strategies to limit how many 'active' projects I have. In this episode I'll discuss some of the more recent strategies I've implemented to help control work in progress. We'll also do a tabletop recap and discuss the holiday sale at Plaay.
Community member Harvey Couch joins me for today's episode and we discuss strategies for using chips in History Maker Golf. If you are like me, you probably under-utilize the options for chip usage, so Harvey will join us to discuss his approach. We also take some time to talk about his history with tabletop sports and projects he is currently working on.
We also mentioned a blog post from Keith Avallone on the Plaay Classic site and you can visit that article here: https://www.plaayclassic.com/blog/history-maker-golf-chip-usage-strategies
Happy Thanksgiving to our United States listeners!
Every so often you reach a plateau in your gaming projects and need to step away to get those creative juices going again. Today I'll cover 10 different activities you can take part in that are related to our gaming hobby, but allow you to step away from rolling dice or flipping cards.
YouTube Link for Gaming Log: https://youtu.be/hHe7_aqLxlw
With the World Cup kicking off in just a couple of weeks, I take a look at my two favorite soccer games: Dice United and Soccer Blast. The two games are very different, and we'll provide a brief overview of each and talk about which may be the right game for you.
In today's episode I do a retrospective of my tabletop activities for October. This month I had to face the dreaded Project Backlog! I'll discuss what went wrong over the past few months that led to me walking away from gaming for a short bit and how I regrouped to address that backlog and set a plan for moving forward. Some of which required me to revisit the core tenets of my hobby experience.
This past weekend I attended the Hoops in Hartford event hosted by Plaay Games. It was a great opportunity to play some History Maker Baseball Express, the full game of Highlight Maker Hoops (full game version), chat with some fellow Plaay gamers, hear directly from Keith and Sam, and also play some other titles. This episode is my recap of that event.
This week I take a look back at the 1975 World Series and provide some reasons for why the Reds and Red Sox were often included as freebies in baseball games (at least that's how I remember it!)
Today's episode is Part 2 of my interview with Gary Brown of Stone Mountain Press. In Part 1 (Episode 84) we discussed his newest release: Stone Cold Hockey as well as another game, Dice United. Today's segment covers his treatment of fictional leagues as well as further discussion around two additional titles from Stone Mountain Press: Gridzone and Legends of Boxing. You can check out all of these titles at the link below.
Stone Mountain Press: https://stonemountain.press/
This week features Part 1 of my interview with Gary Brown of Stone Mountain Press. Today we discuss his latest game, Stone Cold Hockey which has recently delivered on pre-orders and is getting ready for it's official release. We also talk about Dice United which uses a similar game engine as Stone Cold Hockey. Part 2 of the interview will post next week, and will feature Gridzone and Legends of Boxing.
You can visit Stone Mountain Press and order those game here: https://stonemountain.press/
Stone Cold Hockey is set to release again around September 26th!
In today's episode I discuss one of the agile principles: #8 Maintaining A Sustainable Working Pace. Understanding your availability and the seasonal fluctuations will help you assess each project as you go through planning. I'll discuss how to implement this principle to effectively have constant delivery of your tabletop projects.
In today's episode I review the two most prevalent forms of randomizing results in simulation games: Fast Action Cards and Dice. I'll discuss different forms of dice, and how FAC decks can speed up games by consolidating information into a single place.
I also recap some recent gaming action on my tabletop, including a brand new game for me ... Dice United!
In today's episode I will take An Inside Look at Baseball Highlights, The Dice Game designed by Mike Fitzgerald and Ian Bach. I will also recap the month of August and take a look ahead at what's coming up in the month of September and beyond.
Wow! It's been a whole year of recording episodes already and #80 will recap the first year by discussing the origins of the podcast, the evolution of the content, and a glimpse into the future. Appreciate all the support as I close in on my 10,000th download!
In today's episode I recap yesterday's Extra-Life Marathon event. What did I play? How did it go? What went well? What could have gone better? What will I do differently the next time out? All these questions are answered ... and more!
Thanks again to all who donated!
If you wish to donate you can do so here: https://www.extra-life.org/index.cfm?fuseaction=donordrive.participant&participantID=486263
You can also subscribe to my YouTube channel here: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCSK76PNJrWdhJUI4Q60XARw
Going live today for my Extra-Life Marathon. Join me as I play some Plaay Games for charity. You can join the marathon on YouTube here: https://youtu.be/C4gzbcRtRSM
You can also donate here: https://www.extra-life.org/index.cfm?fuseaction=donordrive.participant&participantID=486263
Today we take a look at the newest title from Plaay Games: History Maker Baseball Express! I'll discuss some of my experiences playing the game and how I see it fitting in with the rest of the Plaay Game catalog.
Also - a special announcement regarding a fundraiser I will be running next week and highlighting a project completed by Cooper Gilbert!
Just returned from the annual Plaay convention and wanted to share my thoughts on the weekend in a nice Top 10 list.
In today's episode I take An Inside Look at Gridzone, the alternate sport game of football by Stone Mountain Press. I recently wrapped up my Season 1 project of Gridzone, including running the off-season component. I'll discuss how the game is played, give a quick recap of my project, and discuss how the off-season component works.
You can read more about the game on the Stone Mountain Games website: https://stonemountain.press/gridzone/
With less than 2 weeks to go, I decided to dedicate today's episode to previewing Plaay-Dot-Con. We will run down the activity list and what to expect.
In today's episode I sit down with ST Patrick, creator of Sports Sim Magazine and The Squared Circle - a wrestling game. We discuss both of those ventures as well as his upcoming appearance at Plaay-Dot-Con where he will be a featured presenter. This is the longest episode I've done to date, but a great conversation on several topics.
You can check out his Lulu site where both Sport Sim Magazine and The Squared Circle are featured. https://www.lulu.com/spotlight/MWNPublications
In today's episode I take a look back at what I've accomplished so far this year and then look ahead to the rest of 2022 to see if my goals can be achieved. I'll cover the wide variety of games that have been on the tabletop in 2022, the ones that haven't, and how the second-half of this year will set me up for success in 2023.
What are some of the things that have helped me successful so far this year? What are my most-played games to date in 2022? Take a listen and find out.
As any good agile practitioner knows, you need to expect the unexpected. In today's episode we'll discuss several examples of how you can plan for the unknown in your monthly, quarterly and annual project planning. We will also explore a unique scheduling opportunity with pro wrestling, where planning for the unknown is paramount to a successful federation.
This week we focus on the return of a fan favorite Cooperative event hosted by Paul Salzgeber, the Plaay Tour, which is now in it's 3rd season. We'll examine what makes the Plaay Tour such a successful event and how we can use that formula with other games.
I also discuss a new approach to wrestling federations with a project I kicked off this week.
Your projects won't always succeed, but do you ever think back on them to understand why they fail? Failure in inevitable, but learning from those failures is at the core of agile. Today I look back on two failed projects, and one failing project, to better understand the root cause of those failures. We also give a shout-out to Brett Sonnenschein for his Hockey Blast project!
Today I look back at the three games that were where my love for Tabletop Sports began: Statis-Pro Baseball, Football, and Basketball. I'll discuss what made them stand out from the others, why those traits are still important in my gaming choices, and why it also signaled it was time to move away from them.
I recently called a stop to the 1961 Continental League cooperative project. In today's episode I'll do a retrospective on that project to see what went well, what didn't go well, and what I would do differently the next time around.
Today I run down the Top 5 Basketball games in my collection. I'm not a major game collector. I do a lot of research before purchasing games, and because of that, not every game makes it into my collection. This list features those that made the cut.
I recently picked up the special edition set for Baseball America from Plaay Games. With Plaay already announcing a second 'trading card' set for Highlight Maker Hoops, I wanted to talk about what these products are like and what this means for the tabletop sports community.
Today I interview John McGuinness and discuss our gaming community, his gaming interests, and cooperative events, especially those we've worked on together.
Today we talk about how to celebrate the wins as you complete solo projects and some options for small celebrations versus big celebrations, that should be tied to the size of the project you are working on.
Coming off our recent interview with Bob Hansen, and seeing some other people tackling this idea of creating a Sports Universe has me inspired. Today I talk about some of the options available for creating a universe on your tabletop, but also how to size it appropriately to ensure you are successful in executing.
This week we are going to review the 12 Agile principles and how they can be used to complete projects on your tabletop.
Today I give my first thoughts on Highlight Maker Hoops, a game that has quickly inserted itself into my tabletop playlist.
This week I sat down with Bob Hansen to talk about running a sports game universe on the tabletop. Bob will discuss the games he uses, how he creates a more immersive environment for his tabletop, and what he sees going on in the gaming community.
As always, feel free to continue the conversation on my Facebook page.
Today I take a closer look at the stack mechanic that is common in most baseball games, but also used heavily across the Plaay Games library. I'll discuss the pros and cons to using ... and not using ... the stack mechanic.
In today's episode I will talk about my experiences with Heroes & Heels: Dodgeball by Plaay Games. This was a special holiday release, but is expected to be released in hard copy later this year. In my current project, I've had a chance to see the game in more detail and what it offers in terms of a capsulated gaming experience.
A really good game mechanic can make your tabletop gaming experience so enjoyable. In some cases, it might be just that one mechanic that helps get a game off the shelf. In honor of my 55th episode, I run down my Top 5 game mechanics.
Today we take a closer look at the Second Season Express game engine and how it allows the narrative of a game to unfold.
Continue the conversation on Facebook here: https://www.facebook.com/TabletopSportCast
Support the podcast and join our Discord server here: https://www.patreon.com/tabletopsportcast
When we play Tabletop Baseball we want it to be as real as possible, right? Are we sure? In today's episode I explore this question and give my thoughts on why Tabletop Baseball isn't real and how I'm okay with that. Also, I have a special announcement for Patreon members (current and future!)
Continue the conversation on Facebook here: https://www.facebook.com/TabletopSportCast
Support the Podcast on Patreon here: https://www.patreon.com/tabletopsportcast
Today I'm discussing the three Blast games by Plaay Games: Hockey Blast, Soccer Blast, and Lacrosse Blast. We'll look at how the Blast game engine makes these games similar, but also allows for each to have it's own signature feel with a specific Blast mechanic: The Lull, The Midfield Battle, and the Boxla Blast.
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/TabletopSportCast
Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/tabletopsportcast
Today I explore six project ideas that are ideal for your first project with a newly purchased game. The goal of these is to get you through your initial learning curve of the game without overwhelming yourself with a more complex project.
Support the Podcast on Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/tabletopsportcast
Continue the conversation on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/TabletopSportCast
In today's episode I take a look at a personal favorite: RWBR by Plaay Games. I'll go over the game mechanics and discuss a little of how the narrative plays out during a race.
Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/tabletopsportcast
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/TabletopSportCast
This week I sat down with gaming community member Travis Jansen to discuss a number of topics including playtesting, 3D printing, and the Plaay Kart Series cooperative event. It's the first interview here on the Tabletop SportCast.
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/TabletopSportCast
Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/tabletopsportcast
I talk a lot about projects on this podcast, but sometimes you just need to step away from those projects to try something different. In today's episode I cover 10 ideas for running a one-off session on your tabletop.
The final segment of our three-part series looks at the micro charts and unusual events in History Maker Baseball. We also take a quick look at the statistical model of the game.
Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/tabletopsportcast
Today's episode in Part 2 of a three part series where I review the Game Action Booklet for History Maker Baseball. Part 2 focuses on the Drama and Mini-Charts in the book to talk about how momentum can shift based on the abilities of players during the game.
Support us on Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/tabletopsportcast
Sign-up for the 1980 Olympic Hockey Cooperative Event: https://forms.gle/PBEYVp6ezbqnWk6u5
One of my favorite games is Face to The Mat (FttM) by Plaay Games, yet it goes long periods of time without making it to the tabletop. In this episode I'll explore some of the reasons I think that is and strategies I plan to implement to make it easier to get FttM on my tabletop.
Support me on Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/tabletopsportcast
This is the first episode in a mini-series event where I discuss building the narrative in History Maker Baseball. Today's episode features a deep dive review of the Main Results chart in the Game Action Booklet (5.0). I'm hoping that after listening to this episode you have a better sense of how the mix of options, qualities, and sections create a highly detailed play by play result with multiple layers and possibilities.
In future episodes we will discuss how this plays out in other charts within the book.
Want to support the podcast? Check out my Patreon Link: https://www.patreon.com/tabletopsportcast
A bit of a hodgepodge this week as I recap my Demo Derby Smashdown project briefly, and then talk about some other things, like stat-keeping, the new Hoops game from Plaay, co-op projects, and the advantages of PDFs for both the small business owner, and us as consumers.
You can also now support this podcast on Patreon at this link: https://www.patreon.com/tabletopsportcast
Check out my demo-derby smashdown page here: https://sites.google.com/view/castawaytabletopsports/demo-derby-smashdown-2021
This weekend is the pre-order sale for the long awaited release of Highlight Maker Hoops from Plaay Games. In this episode I recap the events of the sale and the live demos of the two versions of the game that are being released in 2022.
In today's episode I walk you through the various project types I run on my tabletop, including small, medium, and large projects. You can check out most of these projects on my website: https://sites.google.com/view/castawaytabletopsports/home
Plaay Games recently released a free download set for Second Season (and SSX) called the 2022 Pro Football Showcase. In today's episode I give you my first impressions of the set and the interesting mechanic featured in this one-of-a-kind set by Plaay Games.
Here's the article link on the Plaay website: https://www.plaayclassic.com/blog/a-new-take-on-springtime-pro-football-the-2022-pro-football-showcase
There's a lot of different methods to creating lineups in Fury Hardball, but I'll take you through my method, tried and tested in over 475 games! We'll create the World Champion Atlanta Braves lineup using the 2021 Series free set from Plaay Now (https://plaaynow.com/products/2021-fury-series-teams).
In today's episode I will walk you through the process I followed to kickoff my latest Legends of Boxing project, a fictional career for Chris 'The Cannon' Carter. The Career Campaign Guide for Legends of Boxing is available from Stone Mountain Press and is a great addition to your LOB universe.
It's a new season of the Tabletop SportCast! In today's episode I will outline my goals for my solo projects, cooperative projects, and what I have planned for this podcast in the new year. I will also discuss a new commitment for 2022 around Cooperative Game Design.
As always you can check out my website: https://sites.google.com/view/castawaytabletopsports/home
Visit my Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/TabletopSportCast
Or email me at tabletopsportcast@gmail.com
On Christmas Day we were given the latest creation from Al Wilson's FDF catalog with the College Edition. The latest game is mostly designed around the same engine as the Pro version, with some noticeable differences. We'll take a deep look at everything you'll find in this version.
I recap the past year on my tabletop, including the Top 10 Events of 2021 from my tabletop. This episode includes a mix of personal achievements, amazing results from my tabletop games, and also illustrates how good planning can help you meet your goals.
Tonight's Inside Look features Fury Hardball by Plaay Now. I will play a game live and discuss the different charts, ratings, and rules while I play a game in under 15 minutes!!
In this episode I walk through five items that I would love to have on my tabletop in 2022.
I'm rebranding my Game of the Week as Inside Look. In this episode I'm going under the hood (somewhat literally) with Demo Derby Smashdown by Plaay Now. This is a Demolition Derby simulation game featuring fictional drivers. I'll recap a recent game from my tabletop in order to show you how the game plays and provide an overview of the game mechanics. You can check out my Demo Derby 2021 Season here: https://sites.google.com/view/castawaytabletopsports/demo-derby-smashdown-2021
This week I am providing a retrospective of my Final Foursome project using History Maker Golf by Plaay Games. I also talk a little about how to play the game and what worked and didn't work in the project. You can check out full results of the project here: Final Foursome Project
It's the final leg of the 2000s Greats Final Foursome project, as Phil Mickelson faces off against Sergio Garcia at the Champions Course in Augusta, GA. I'm using History Maker Golf by Plaay Games.
Based on some recent experience in our SLOBS league, I put together a quick review of how and when to use strategy cards in History Maker Baseball. This is mostly based on my personal preference, but I do think it covers the intent behind the strategy cards. I will also be posting a summary guide on my Facebook page (Tabletop SportCast), so look for it there.
It's time for our game of the week. I'm tweaking my approach to game recaps to talk more about game mechanics and how I approach the game play on my tabletop, while still using the actual game results to show how the action unfolds.
I also give an update on some new strategies I'm using for planning my tabletop play.
I'm sharing some of my game design ideas with the community in the hopes of launching a cooperative game design network for others to take part in. Among the games shared today are The Milers, Bull Riding, two basketball games, and an adventure racing game. All in various stages of development. You can check those out here: Cooperative Game Design
I also give a recap of my gaming week and a lesson on how to correct course when plans don't execute correctly.
In this episode I give my thoughts on the good and bad of my 1973 NFL Replay and give some insight into what I might do differently the next time around. I also take advantage of the retrospective to provide some insight into Second Season Express as a game, and what target audience/project it is best suited for. There's also a recap of the week that was on the tabletop. Hope you enjoy!
It's the conclusion of my 1973 NFL Replay using Second Season Express by Plaay Games. Atlanta Falcons facing the Oakland Raiders in the Superbowl!
As I finalize planning for my next football project, I want to see how I can build a season replay project using a trio of games: Second Season, Second Season Express, and Fast Drive Football. This is all possible thanks to a great utility by Cooper Gilbert. I also provide an update on the EURO 2020 project and a recap of my latest tabletop activities.
My 1990s Stars project heads to the Dover International Speedway for the Dover 500 and I'll recap all the action of the race, which saw us finish without a bottom group!
Our Plaay Community Project is in full swing as we recreate the EURO 2020 project using Soccer Blast by Plaay Games. I'll also provide a recap of the week that was on my tabletop.
I'll recap my first game form the EURO 2020 project with a featured game from Group D: Croatia at England.
I will also give a detailed overview of my 2022 Annual Plan.
In this episode I run down the Top 10 Home Brew Rules I use on my tabletop. There will also be a recap of my recent tabletop activity and a short overview of October on the whole.
A full recap of the King of the Ice Mountain Tournament using Hockey Blast by Plaay Games and a preview of three new games at Tabletop SportCast headquarters is the main focus of today's episode. I also provide of recap of my tabletop week and discuss some more project planning ideas.
Today's episode is a special recap from my tabletop of the 1940 AL Replay project. The Boston Red Sox in Chicago for a doubleheader. Joe Heving v Ted Lyons in Game 1 and Bill Fleming v Johnny Rigney in Game 2. Both teams are fighting to get back into the AL race with only 2 weeks remaining in the season.
10/18 Update: I left the last part of this episode off in the original post. I added that section back in.
This week I explore the question of historical replays versus fictional universes and all the different possibilities in between. We'll dive into alternate sports, historical players, home brew rules, and various league structures.
It's Round 2 of the Commissioner's Surprise Tournament for Plaay Games. The NY Rangers take on the FL Panthers.
I wanted to go back and review where my tabletop journey started, how it developed over the year to present day, and where I see it going in the future. I also give a recap of the week's events from my tabletop.
Recommendation: Bob's Tabletop Sports YouTube Channel. Check out Bob's episodes on creating custom cards with Affinity Publisher.
Episode 1: https://youtu.be/ehhv_Q6AztI
Episode 2: https://youtu.be/JKKJTPBWWOE
In this episode I give you an update on my project planning and then discuss using advanced rules in my tabletop projects. I discuss three different Plaay Games titles and how/when I incorporate the advanced rules offered in the the rule books.
Check out my website: https://sites.google.com/view/castawaytabletopsports/home
Here's our gaming recommendation for today: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCDsK-EEZ9Sc5xYywPXda98Q
With my 2020-21 NHL cards arriving from Plaay Games today, I played my assigned opening round game for the New York Rangers at ST. Louis Blues. This is an annual tournament hosted by Plaay Games to kickoff the release of the previous year's NHL card set.
I talk about the different approaches I take to getting the immersion effect on my tabletop. It's all about recreating an experience you remember, and there are lots of tools that can help you accomplish that. My approach varies by sport and I walk you through some of them to discuss what works and doesn't work for me.
Here it is, Episode #10, and I'll start publicizing this podcast more! Today's episode explores a new idea I'm testing on how to approach cooperative tabletop projects, using the 2000 Football America set for Second Season Express for Plaay Games. I also give a recap of my tabletop sessions for the month of September.
Link to my webpage: https://sites.google.com/view/castawaytabletopsports/home
Link to the 2000 Football America Project: https://sites.google.com/view/castawaytabletopsports/2000-football-america
This is the first episode in an 8 part mini-series modeled after the 1960 Home Run Derby TV show. Today's featured matchups are the #1 seed Johnny Mize (SLN) facing the #16 seed Gee Walker (WAS). In our second matchup we have the #2 seed Hank Greenberg (DET facing the #15 seed Chet Ross (BSN).
A quick recap of what was played on my tabletop the past week including History Maker Baseball, Fury Hardball, Lacrosse Blast, and Soccer Blast.
In this episode I walk you through my process for developing a project concept using historical information and some creative licensing.
When planning projects for your tabletop hobby, what factors should you include in decision making? I walk you through a few examples from my project board to discuss my approach to sizing projects.
The Steelers travel to Miami with both teams in tight division races and playoff hopes on the line!
As you plan your tabletop projects, how do you avoid getting lost in the swirl? Listen in as I discuss how delivery trains help me stay focused on delivering my projects across the finish line.