

TABLETOP TALK - Third Floor Wars
Craig Shipman
Do you love tabletop gaming? This is your podcast.
Who are the creatives behind your favorite games and content? How do they approach their work?
I sit with designers, developers, artists, writers, and creators and learn how they approach their work. I try to understand their process, inspiration, and methods for crafting their creations.
Craig digs deep into the work and uncovers the origins of your favorite tabletop games and the creative process that brought them to life.
Who are the creatives behind your favorite games and content? How do they approach their work?
I sit with designers, developers, artists, writers, and creators and learn how they approach their work. I try to understand their process, inspiration, and methods for crafting their creations.
Craig digs deep into the work and uncovers the origins of your favorite tabletop games and the creative process that brought them to life.
Episodes
Mentioned books

Nov 19, 2023 • 2h 23min
Luke Jordan (Grand Guignol, Harvest) Interview: ep. 214
Join Craig as he talks with Luke Jordan about his creative process and how it brought us the TTRPGs Grand Guignol and Harvest.
Kickstarter
https://www.backerkit.com/c/projects/jay-dragon/grand-guignol-harvest
Luke’s Itch
https://gamesfromthewildwood.itch.io/
Penny Dreadful show https://www.imdb.com/title/tt2628232/
Re: Dracula podcasthttps://redracula.live/
The Between https://preview.drivethrurpg.com/en/product/360858/The-Between
Crimson Peak https://www.imdb.com/title/tt2554274/?ref_=nv_sr_srsg_0_tt_8_nm_0_q_crimson
Fall of the House of Usher https://www.imdb.com/title/tt15567174/?ref_=nv_sr_srsg_0_tt_7_nm_1_q_fall%2520of%2520the%2520hou
Midnight Club: https://www.imdb.com/title/tt13444912/?ref_=nv_sr_srsg_0_tt_8_nm_0_q_midnight%2520club
Mike Flanagan: https://www.imdb.com/name/nm1093039/?ref_=tt_ov_wr
*********************
Support the show for as little as $1 month:
https://www.patreon.com/Thirdfloorwars
Add this to the end of your link on DriveThruRPG to support
the show: ?affiliate_id=1044145
For example
https://preview.drivethrurpg.com/en/product/397612/Court-of-Blades--Scandal-Forged-in-the-Dark?affiliate_id=1044145
Check out our live-streaming content on Twitch:
https://www.twitch.tv/thirdfloorwars
Don't miss our RPG Actual Plays, tutorials, and gaming
content on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/thirdfloorwars
Listen to an excellent boardgame podcast: https://www.ascentofboardgames.com/
Go to the Writer's Room for 7th Sea Adventures!
https://linktr.ee/writersroom7thsea
Check out the great games from A Couple of Drakes:
https://acoupleofdrakes.com/
Listen to Thin Places Radio: https://thin.place/
Get a cool T-shirt or mug and help us bring you more
content. The store is open! https://thirdfloorwars.com/shop/
Follow us on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/thirdfloorwars/
Follow us on
Twitter: https://twitter.com/ThirdFloorWars
Follow on
BlueSky: https://bsky.app/profile/thirdfloorwars.bsky.social

Nov 4, 2023 • 1h 29min
Tim Denee (Deathmatch Island, Odyssey Aquatica) Interview: ep. 213
Craig talks with Tim Denee about his games Deathmatch Island, Odyssey Aquatica, and Blades '68.
Deathmatch Island: https://www.backerkit.com/c/projects/evil-hat/deathmatch-island
Bronze Murder: https://www.timdenee.com/bronzemurder
Thousand Years of Vampire: https://www.timdenee.com/A-Thousand-Years-of-Vampire
Old God Games: https://www.olddog.games/
Odyssey Aquatica: https://www.olddog.games/Odyssey-Aquatica
*********************
Support the show for as little as $1 month:
https://www.patreon.com/Thirdfloorwars
Add this to the end of your link on DriveThruRPG to support
the show: ?affiliate_id=1044145
For example
https://preview.drivethrurpg.com/en/product/397612/Court-of-Blades--Scandal-Forged-in-the-Dark?affiliate_id=1044145
Check out our live-streaming content on Twitch:
https://www.twitch.tv/thirdfloorwars
Don't miss our RPG Actual Plays, tutorials, and gaming
content on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/thirdfloorwars
Listen to an excellent boardgame podcast: https://www.ascentofboardgames.com/
Go to the Writer's Room for 7th Sea Adventures!
https://linktr.ee/writersroom7thsea
Check out the great games from A Couple of Drakes:
https://acoupleofdrakes.com/
Listen to Thin Places Radio: https://thin.place/
Get a cool T-shirt or mug and help us bring you more
content. The store is open! https://thirdfloorwars.com/shop/
Follow us on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/thirdfloorwars/
Follow us on
Twitter: https://twitter.com/ThirdFloorWars
Follow on
BlueSky: https://bsky.app/profile/thirdfloorwars.bsky.social

Nov 4, 2023 • 1h 3min
Barney Menzies (Don't Play This Game, Shiver) Inteview: ep. 212
Join us for an interview with game designer and publisher Barney Menzies, one-half of the minds behind Parable Games. Discover the secrets of crafting the innovative and spine-tingling solo RPG "Don't Play This Game."We uncover the dark secret behind the supplement, "Shiver Gothic."Don't miss out on this insightful interview! #ttrpg #horror #ShiverRPG
*********************
Support the show for as little as $1 month:
https://www.patreon.com/Thirdfloorwars
Add this to the end of your link on DriveThruRPG to support
the show: ?affiliate_id=1044145
For example
https://preview.drivethrurpg.com/en/product/397612/Court-of-Blades--Scandal-Forged-in-the-Dark?affiliate_id=1044145
Check out our live-streaming content on Twitch:
https://www.twitch.tv/thirdfloorwars
Don't miss our RPG Actual Plays, tutorials, and gaming
content on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/thirdfloorwars
Listen to an excellent boardgame podcast: https://www.ascentofboardgames.com/
Go to the Writer's Room for 7th Sea Adventures!
https://linktr.ee/writersroom7thsea
Check out the great games from A Couple of Drakes:
https://acoupleofdrakes.com/
Listen to Thin Places Radio: https://thin.place/
Get a cool T-shirt or mug and help us bring you more
content. The store is open! https://thirdfloorwars.com/shop/
Follow us on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/thirdfloorwars/
Follow us on
Twitter: https://twitter.com/ThirdFloorWars
Follow on
BlueSky: https://bsky.app/profile/thirdfloorwars.bsky.social

Sep 27, 2023 • 1h 43min
Cezar Capacle (Not a Demon, Nexalis) Interview: ep. 211
Cezar Capacle is a Brazilian tabletop game designer currently based in Madeira Island.
Since 2016, he has dedicated his time to game design and released over 20 games. In 2022, He was a “Designer of the Year” finalist in the Tabletop Awards. CBR named him one of 10 Indie TTRPG Designers to Watch In 2022.
All his games are here: https://capacle.itch.io/
Two-Minute Warning https://capacle.itch.io/tmw
Nexalis https://capacle.itch.io/nexalis
Not a Demon https://capacle.itch.io/not-a-demon
Follow on Twitter https://twitter.com/capacle
Stoicism: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Stoicism#:~:text=Stoicism%20teaches%20the%20development%20of,the%20universal%20reason%20(logos).
Alan Watts https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Alan_Watts
Glasser’s Choice Theory https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Glasser%27s_choice_theory
Ryan Holiday https://ryanholiday.net/books-courses/
*********************
Support the show for as little as $1 month: https://www.patreon.com/Thirdfloorwars
Add this to the end of your link on DriveThruRPG to support the show: ?affiliate_id=1044145
For example
https://www.drivethrurpg.com/product/397612/Court-of-Blades--Scandal-Forged-in-the-Dark?affiliate_id=1044145
Check out our live streaming content on Twitch: https://www.twitch.tv/thirdfloorwars
Don't miss our RPG Actual Plays, tutorials, and gaming content on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCA496705JLkpgAssAhetpdw
Listen to an excellent boardgame podcast: https://www.ascentofboardgames.com/
Go to the Writer's Room for 7th Sea Adventures! https://linktr.ee/writersroom7thsea
Check out the great games from A Couple of Drakes: https://acoupleofdrakes.com
Listen to Thin Places Radio: https://thin.place/
Please support us by shopping with Gadzooks Gaming: https://www.gadzooksgaming.com/
Get a cool T-Shirt or mug and help us bring you more content. The store is open! https://thirdfloorwars.com/shop/
Follow us on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/thirdfloorwars/
Follow us on Twitter: https://twitter.com/ThirdFloorWars

Sep 23, 2023 • 1h 11min
Kyle Rowan (Vagrantsong, Malifaux, Wyrd Games) Interview: ep. 210
Kyle is the lead designer at Wyrd Games and the designer behind the HOT board game, Vagrantsong.
Mothership https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLYOGZIpC-07MC5L-gvVjiEqL50ThDsreB
Public Access https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLYOGZIpC-07NK6el8vFGo55Rwb6CtuzAh
Vagrant Song Kickstarter https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/wyrdgames/vagrantsong-encore?ref=nav_search&result=project&term=vagrantsong
Our play of Vagrantsong https://youtube.com/live/4mUcvLERsHg
Kentucky Route Zero http://kentuckyroutezero.com/
Harrow County https://www.amazon.com/Harrow-County-1-Countless-Haints/dp/161655780X
FROM https://www.mgm.com/television/from-series
Barbarian https://www.imdb.com/title/tt15791034/
*********************
Support the show for as little as $1 month: https://www.patreon.com/Thirdfloorwars
Add this to the end of your link on DriveThruRPG to support the show: ?affiliate_id=1044145
For example
https://www.drivethrurpg.com/product/397612/Court-of-Blades--Scandal-Forged-in-the-Dark?affiliate_id=1044145
Check out our live streaming content on Twitch: https://www.twitch.tv/thirdfloorwars
Don't miss our RPG Actual Plays, tutorials, and gaming content on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCA496705JLkpgAssAhetpdw
Listen to an excellent boardgame podcast: https://www.ascentofboardgames.com/
Go to the Writer's Room for 7th Sea Adventures! https://linktr.ee/writersroom7thsea
Check out the great games from A Couple of Drakes: https://acoupleofdrakes.com
Listen to Thin Places Radio: https://thin.place/
Please support us by shopping with Gadzooks Gaming: https://www.gadzooksgaming.com/
Get a cool T-Shirt or mug and help us bring you more content. The store is open! https://thirdfloorwars.com/shop/
Follow us on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/thirdfloorwars/
Follow us on Twitter: https://twitter.com/ThirdFloorWars

Aug 7, 2023 • 2h 20min
Jason Cordova & Alex Rybitski (Public Access, The Gauntlet) Interview: ep. 209
We sit with Jason and Alex and discuss the latest Carved from Brindlewood game - Public Access. Where did the idea come from, and what was the creative process to bring it to life?
Previous interview with Jason: https://spotifyanchor-web.app.link/e/aqMtSETA4Bb
Our Actual Play of Brindlewood Bay: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLYOGZIpC-07P-Q7nBUkNv6qKTYE5uhuug
Public Access: https://www.drivethrurpg.com/product/429340/Public-Access?affiliate_id=1044145
Brindlewood Bay: https://www.drivethrurpg.com/product/410316/Brindlewood-Bay-Kickstarter-Edition?src=hottest_filtered?affiliate_id=1044145
The Between: https://www.drivethrurpg.com/product/360858/The-Between?affiliate_id=1044145
Trophy Dark: https://www.drivethrurpg.com/product/402818/Trophy-Dark?affiliate_id=1044145
Will Wood and the Tapeworms: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Will_Wood_(musician)
Signalis: https://rose-engine.org/signalis/
DIE roleplaying game: https://rowanrookanddecard.com/product/die-the-roleplaying-game/
Power Pak video on Myhouse.wad: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5wAo54DHDY0
House of Leaves: https://www.amazon.com/House-Leaves-Mark-Z-Danielewski/dp/0375703764
Books by Grady Hendrix: https://www.amazon.com/stores/Grady-Hendrix/author/B005806RT0?ref=ap_rdr&store_ref=ap_rdr&isDramIntegrated=true&shoppingPortalEnabled=true
Evolution of Horror Podcast: https://www.evolutionofhorror.com/
*********************
Support the show for as little as $1 month: https://www.patreon.com/Thirdfloorwars
Add this to the end of your link on DriveThruRPG to support the show: ?affiliate_id=1044145
For example
https://www.drivethrurpg.com/product/397612/Court-of-Blades--Scandal-Forged-in-the-Dark?affiliate_id=1044145
Check out our live streaming content on Twitch: https://www.twitch.tv/thirdfloorwars
Don't miss our RPG Actual Plays, tutorials, and gaming content on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCA496705JLkpgAssAhetpdw
Listen to an excellent boardgame podcast: https://www.ascentofboardgames.com/
Go to the Writer's Room for 7th Sea Adventures! https://linktr.ee/writersroom7thsea
Check out the great games from A Couple of Drakes: https://acoupleofdrakes.com
Listen to Thin Places Radio: https://thin.place/
Please support us by shopping with Gadzooks Gaming: https://www.gadzooksgaming.com/
Get a cool T-Shirt or mug and help us bring you more content. The store is open! https://thirdfloorwars.com/shop/
Follow us on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/thirdfloorwars/
Follow us on Twitter: https://twitter.com/ThirdFloorWars

Aug 3, 2023 • 41min
7 GM Tips for Captivating your Players: ep. 208
Craig covers 7 tips for GMs to help capture and keep your players' attention.
You can get a copy of the slide deck by emailing admin (at) thirdfloorwars.com
Please let me know if you'd like to hear of content like this!
*********************
Support the show for as little as $1 month: https://www.patreon.com/Thirdfloorwars
Check out our live streaming content on Twitch: https://www.twitch.tv/thirdfloorwars
Don't miss our RPG Actual Plays, tutorials, and gaming content on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCA496705JLkpgAssAhetpdw
Listen to an excellent boardgame podcast: https://www.ascentofboardgames.com/
Go to the Writer's Room for 7th Sea Adventures! https://linktr.ee/writersroom7thsea
Check out the great games from A Couple of Drakes: https://acoupleofdrakes.com
Listen to Thin Places Radio: https://thin.place/
Please support us by shopping with Gadzooks Gaming: https://www.gadzooksgaming.com/
Get a cool T-Shirt or mug and help us bring you more content. The store is open! https://thirdfloorwars.com/shop/
Follow us on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/thirdfloorwars/
Follow us on Twitter: https://twitter.com/ThirdFloorWars

Aug 2, 2023 • 58min
Clara Efferin (Tabletop Illustrator) Interview: ep. 207
Join Craig while he talks with Clara Efferin, a tabletop illustrator from Southeast Asia. Listen to them discuss her creative process and the future of AI art.
Check out Clara's work HERE
https://www.claraefferin.com/
Contact her for commission work HERE
https://www.claraefferin.com/contact
*********************
Support the show for as little as $1 month: https://www.patreon.com/Thirdfloorwars
Check out our live streaming content on Twitch: https://www.twitch.tv/thirdfloorwars
Don't miss our RPG Actual Plays, tutorials, and gaming content on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCA496705JLkpgAssAhetpdw
Listen to an excellent boardgame podcast: https://www.ascentofboardgames.com/
Go to the Writer's Room for 7th Sea Adventures! https://linktr.ee/writersroom7thsea
Check out the great games from A Couple of Drakes: https://acoupleofdrakes.com
Listen to Thin Places Radio: https://thin.place/
Please support us by shopping with Gadzooks Gaming: https://www.gadzooksgaming.com/
Get a cool T-Shirt or mug and help us bring you more content. The store is open! https://thirdfloorwars.com/shop/
Follow us on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/thirdfloorwars/
Follow us on Twitter: https://twitter.com/ThirdFloorWars

Jul 27, 2023 • 1h 2min
RPG a Day: David Chapman (Cubicle 7) and Anthony Boyd (Triple Ace Games) Interview: ep. 206
Craig sits down with David Chapman and Anthony Boyd, the people behind RPG a Day. Together they unravel the origins and significance of this popular annual event in the role-playing game community.
The episode begins with an introduction to David and Anthony, both avid RPG enthusiasts who have contributed significantly to the community over the years. RPG a Day, an initiative that garnered immense popularity, has become a cherished tradition among RPG players worldwide.
Craig delves into the roots of RPG a Day, prompting David and Anthony to recount the inception of this unique event. David and Anthony explain that RPG a Day takes place annually throughout August. Each day, a specific RPG-related prompt is released, and participants are encouraged to respond in any way they prefer - through blogs, vlogs, social media posts, artwork, or podcasts - sharing their thoughts and stories related to the given prompt.
Info: https://www.autocratik.com/2023/07/this-august-10th-rpgaday.html?m=1Intro
Video: https://youtu.be/JjRGb2b-Xk8
Contest! https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/jason376/episodes/522-RPGaDAY-Contest-e26tsum
*********************
Support the show for as little as $1 month: https://www.patreon.com/Thirdfloorwars
Check out our live streaming content on Twitch: https://www.twitch.tv/thirdfloorwars
Don't miss our RPG Actual Plays, tutorials, and gaming content on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCA496705JLkpgAssAhetpdw
Listen to an excellent boardgame podcast: https://www.ascentofboardgames.com/
Go to the Writer's Room for 7th Sea Adventures! https://linktr.ee/writersroom7thsea
Check out the great games from A Couple of Drakes: https://acoupleofdrakes.com
Listen to Thin Places Radio: https://thin.place/
Please support us by shopping with Gadzooks Gaming: https://www.gadzooksgaming.com/
Get a cool T-Shirt or mug and help us bring you more content. The store is open! https://thirdfloorwars.com/shop/
Follow us on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/thirdfloorwars/
Follow us on Twitter: https://twitter.com/ThirdFloorWars

Jul 25, 2023 • 2h 18min
Allison Arth (Little Oracles, Gentleman Bandit) Interview: ep. 205
When I start an interview, I can never anticipate the tone or everything we will cover in the conversation. You are about to listen to me, and Allison dive into the nature of creativity. What we talk about transcends creating games or a podcast. We discuss what creating means and the barriers between you and creating.
Links
Little Oracles: https://www.littleoracles.com/
Itch Page: https://itch.io/profile/allisonarth
A Ghost in the Throat by Doireann Ní Ghríofa: https://www.amazon.com/Ghost-Throat-Doireann-N%C3%AD-Ghr%C3%ADofa/dp/1771964111
A Girl Is a Half-formed Thing by Eimear McBride: https://www.amazon.com/Girl-Half-formed-Thing-Novel/dp/1101903430#:~:text=Book%20details&text=In%20scathing%2C%20furious%2C%20unforgettable%20prose,denial%2C%20and%20chaos%20at%20home.
Small Things Like These by Claire Keegan: https://www.amazon.com/Small-Things-These-Claire-Keegan/dp/0802158749
The Trees Witness Everything by Victoria Chang: https://www.coppercanyonpress.org/books/the-trees-witness-everything-by-victoria-chang/
Dead to Me: https://www.netflix.com/title/80219707
Black Dog: https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0120610/
Harry Styles: https://www.hstyles.co.uk/
Beatles, Get Back: https://www.disneyplus.com/series/the-beatles-get-back/7DcWEeWVqrkE
Ani DiFranco: https://www.righteousbabe.com/
Tori Amos: https://toriamos.com/
Calibro 35: http://www.calibro35.com/?lang=en
*********************
Support the show for as little as $1 month: https://www.patreon.com/Thirdfloorwars
Check out our live streaming content on Twitch: https://www.twitch.tv/thirdfloorwars
Don't miss our RPG Actual Plays, tutorials, and gaming content on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCA496705JLkpgAssAhetpdw
Listen to an excellent boardgame podcast: https://www.ascentofboardgames.com/
Go to the Writer's Room for 7th Sea Adventures! https://linktr.ee/writersroom7thsea
Check out the great games from A Couple of Drakes: https://acoupleofdrakes.com
Listen to Thin Places Radio: https://thin.place/
Please support us by shopping with Gadzooks Gaming: https://www.gadzooksgaming.com/
Get a cool T-Shirt or mug and help us bring you more content. The store is open! https://thirdfloorwars.com/shop/
Follow us on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/thirdfloorwars/
Follow us on Twitter: https://twitter.com/ThirdFloorWars


