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Artwork for The Tabletop Takeaway: A Board Game Design Podcast

The Tabletop Takeaway: A Board Game Design Podcast

Ananda Guneratne, Charlie McCarron, Trevor Muller-Hegel
Game Design
Game Mechanics
Set Collection
Board Games
Catan
Racing Games
Codenames
Cosmic Encounter
Probability Farming
Just One
Food Chain Magnate
Trick-Taking Games
Machi Koro
Asymmetric Games
The Great Zimbabwe
Root
Magic Maze
Splendor
Roll and Write Games
Deck Building

Join game designers Ananda Guneratne, Charlie McCarron, and Trevor Muller-Hegel as they analyze published games from a game developer's perspective. Each month, they pick a new game mechanic and three games to play in that genre. Each episode is 20 minutes of pure game design nerdiness!

PublishesWeeklyEpisodes146Founded3 years ago
Number of ListenersCategories
ArtsDesignGamesLeisure

Listen to this Podcast

Artwork for The Tabletop Takeaway: A Board Game Design Podcast

Latest Episodes

When are wildcards necessary? How do you reward topdecking? Trevor, Ananda, and Charlie punch their tickets in Ticket to Ride.

YouTube

Should players roll defense dice? When should you use counterattacks? Ananda, Charlie, and Trevor discuss miniature wargames.

YouTube

How do you represent momentum? What should be the consequences of holding debt? Charlie, Trevor, and Ananda shoot first in X-Wing.

YouTube

What distinguishes melee and ranged attacks? Do persistent corpses enhance combat? Trevor, Ananda, and Charlie don their caster rings in Necromolds.

YouTube

Key Facts

Contact Information
Podcast Host
Number of Listeners
Find out how many people listen to this podcast per episode and each month.

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Hosts

Ananda Guneratne
Host with a focus on game design mechanics and practical design takeaways.
Charlie McCarron
Co-host known for design-focused discussion and comparative analysis across titles.
Trevor Muller-Hegel
Co-hosts many episodes; provides design perspective and industry context.

Reviews

5.0 out of 5 stars from 30 ratings
  • Great food for thought

    The hosts are very likable and engaging. Each episode takes a subject and analyzes it with a wide ranging perspective. Very thought provoking if you like boardgames and especially if you want to design them.

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    Annoyed123
    United States8 months ago
  • Taken Away

    I used to have so many tabletops. They came to my house and took them all away now I don’t have any.

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    AMKELL23
    United States2 years ago
  • Great music, better game analysis

    First off, the theme song is entirely too catchy. I find myself singing it often. Second, these guys know their stuff. This may not be the podcast for everyone, but if you’re an amateur game designer or a game enthusiast, these guys have some great insights into game mechanics. Always glad to see a new episode.

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    Juggler9000
    United States2 years ago
  • Loving this podcast! Short and sweet episodes with three very interesting perspectives from the hosts. It's neat to hear game design explored through games you can pick up off the shelf and play tomorrow yourself.

    Podcast Addict
    5
    adamsapplegames
    2 years ago

Listeners Say

Key themes from listener reviews, highlighting what works and what could be improved about the show.

- The episode quality and pacing keep complex topics accessible and engaging.
- Hosts are engaging and knowledgeable, offering broad perspectives on mechanics and design.
- The show is a solid resource for aspiring designers, with practical ideas that translate to real-world design work.

Chart Rankings

How this podcast ranks in the Apple Podcasts, Spotify and YouTube charts.

Apple Podcasts
#56
Taiwan/Leisure/Games
Apple Podcasts
#60
Netherlands/Leisure/Games
Apple Podcasts
#150
South Africa/Leisure/Games
Apple Podcasts
#239
Poland/Leisure/Games

Audience Metrics

Listeners, social reach, demographics and more for this podcast.

Listeners per EpisodeGender SkewLocation
InterestsProfessionsAge Range
Household IncomeSocial Media Reach

Frequently Asked Questions About This Podcast

What is This Podcast about and what kind of topics does it cover?

A design-focused board game podcast where three regulars dissect published games through a developer's lens. Each episode centers on a specific mechanic, with three games explored in depth to highlight design choices, balance, and player experience. Listeners get practical takeaways on mechanics, pacing, and design philosophy, often comparing titles to illustrate how ideas scale from quick plays to more involved designs. The show stands out for its tight 20-minute format, enthusiastic host banter, and a consistent emphasis on tangible design lessons rather than purely review-style talk.

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Which podcasts are similar to this podcast?

These podcasts share a similar audience with this podcast:

1. Board Game Hot Takes
2. The Dice Tower
3. The Secret Cabal Gaming Podcast
4. So Very Wrong About Games
5. Board Game Barrage

How many episodes of this podcast are there?

this podcast launched 3 years ago and published 146 episodes to date. You can find more information about this podcast including rankings, audience demographics and engagement in our podcast database.

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