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
Jan 15, 2026 • 1h 26min
Gareth Ryder-Hanrahan (Dracula Dossier, Fear Itself, Adventures in Middle-Earth) ep. 269
Craig spoke with Gareth Ryder-Hanrahan about his creative process, writing horror without being a big fan of the genre, and more.GURPSGumshoeOne RingTrail of CthuluFear Itself House of LeavesThe Ring (movie)Brindlewood Bay ************************************Support the show for as little as $1 a month: Add this to the end of your link on DriveThruRPG to support the show: ?affiliate_id=1044145Example: https://preview.drivethrurpg.com/en/product/397612/Court-of-Blades--Scandal-Forged-in-the-Dark?affiliate_id=1044145Check out our live-streaming content on Twitch Don't miss our RPG Actual Plays, tutorials, and gaming content on YouTube Listen to an excellent board game podcast Go to the Writer's Room for 7th Sea Adventures!Check out the great games from A Couple of Drakes:Listen to Tales of the ManticoreFollow us on Facebook, Follow on BlueSky
Jan 10, 2026 • 1h 22min
Keith Ammann (Monsters Know What They’re Doing) ep. 268
Craig spoke with Keith, author of several books on making enemies, places, and combats in your games feel more real.Check out Keith's extensive libraryShadowrunGURPSCypher SystemLeague of Extraordinary GentlemenKnaveCourt of BladesBlades in the DarkBalder’s GateDragon Age: VeilguardDragon Age: InquisitionAlien RPG************************************Support the show for as little as $1 a month: Add this to the end of your link on DriveThruRPG to support the show: ?affiliate_id=1044145Example: https://preview.drivethrurpg.com/en/product/397612/Court-of-Blades--Scandal-Forged-in-the-Dark?affiliate_id=1044145Check out our live-streaming content on Twitch Don't miss our RPG Actual Plays, tutorials, and gaming content on YouTube Listen to an excellent board game podcast Go to the Writer's Room for 7th Sea Adventures!Check out the great games from A Couple of Drakes:Listen to Tales of the ManticoreFollow us on Facebook, Follow on BlueSky
Nov 30, 2025 • 48min
Dean (Trenchcoat Raccoons, OneShotTPK) ep. 267
Craig sat down with Dean and discussed their newest game, Trenchcoat Raccoons!Trenchcoat Raccoons PreorderTrenchcoat Raccoons Free QuickstartTerry PratchettRisusLady BlackbirdDungeon Crawl CarlPenny Dreadful************************************Support the show for as little as $1 a month: Add this to the end of your link on DriveThruRPG to support the show: ?affiliate_id=1044145Example: https://preview.drivethrurpg.com/en/product/397612/Court-of-Blades--Scandal-Forged-in-the-Dark?affiliate_id=1044145Check out our live-streaming content on Twitch Don't miss our RPG Actual Plays, tutorials, and gaming content on YouTube Listen to an excellent board game podcast Go to the Writer's Room for 7th Sea Adventures!Check out the great games from A Couple of Drakes:Listen to Tales of the ManticoreFollow us on Facebook, Follow on BlueSky
Sep 29, 2025 • 47min
Steven Alexander (Huckleberry: a Wyrd West RPG) ep. 266
Craig talked with Steven about the RPG he is crowdfunding in a week. A discussion about Westerns as a genre and how his game came to be.Huckelberry on BackerkitHuckleberry websiteFree League PublishingAlienForbidden LandsBladerunnerMarvel Superheroes Adventures in LollygaggingDeadlandsHaunted WestSavage WorldsBone TomahawkCowboys and AliensUnforgiventhe ShootistThe Aching God by Mike ShelBetween Two Fires************************************Support the show for as little as $1 a month: Add this to the end of your link on DriveThruRPG to support the show: ?affiliate_id=1044145Example: https://preview.drivethrurpg.com/en/product/397612/Court-of-Blades--Scandal-Forged-in-the-Dark?affiliate_id=1044145Check out our live-streaming content on Twitch Don't miss our RPG Actual Plays, tutorials, and gaming content on YouTube Listen to an excellent board game podcast Go to the Writer's Room for 7th Sea Adventures!Check out the great games from A Couple of Drakes:Listen to Tales of the ManticoreFollow us on Facebook, Follow on BlueSky
Sep 23, 2025 • 1h 7min
Federico Sohns (Nibiru, Zephyr) ep. 265
Craig spoke with Federico about two of their provocative TTRPGs, where they originated, and the process of bringing them from idea to a game that can be played.************************************NibiruZephyrWarhammerWorld of DarknessTen CandlesDreadDialectAzulGloomhaven Dawn of Everything by David Graber and David WingrowDebt: The First Five Thousand Years — David GraberSeeing like a State - James C Scott************************************Support the show for as little as $1 a month: Add this to the end of your link on DriveThruRPG to support the show: ?affiliate_id=1044145Example: https://preview.drivethrurpg.com/en/product/397612/Court-of-Blades--Scandal-Forged-in-the-Dark?affiliate_id=1044145Check out our live-streaming content on Twitch Don't miss our RPG Actual Plays, tutorials, and gaming content on YouTube Listen to an excellent board game podcast Go to the Writer's Room for 7th Sea Adventures!Check out the great games from A Couple of Drakes:Listen to Tales of the ManticoreFollow us on Facebook, Follow on BlueSky
Aug 19, 2025 • 1h 3min
Takuma Okada (Stewpot) ep. 264
Craig talked with Takuma about their big indie hit Stewpot: Tales from a Fantasy Tavern. They discuss the origins of the idea and the process from concept to release.************************************Support the show for as little as $1 a month: Add this to the end of your link on DriveThruRPG to support the show: ?affiliate_id=1044145Example: https://preview.drivethrurpg.com/en/product/397612/Court-of-Blades--Scandal-Forged-in-the-Dark?affiliate_id=1044145Check out our live-streaming content on Twitch Don't miss our RPG Actual Plays, tutorials, and gaming content on YouTube Listen to an excellent board game podcast Go to the Writer's Room for 7th Sea Adventures!Check out the great games from A Couple of Drakes:Listen to Tales of the ManticoreFollow us on Facebook, Follow on BlueSky
Aug 11, 2025 • 1h 45min
Cam Banks (Dragonlance, Cortex Prime) ep. 263
Craig sat down with Cam Banks, a prolific RPG creator who has worked on many of the games on your RPG shelf.************************************Support the show for as little as $1 a month: Add this to the end of your link on DriveThruRPG to support the show: ?affiliate_id=1044145Example: https://preview.drivethrurpg.com/en/product/397612/Court-of-Blades--Scandal-Forged-in-the-Dark?affiliate_id=1044145Check out our live-streaming content on Twitch Don't miss our RPG Actual Plays, tutorials, and gaming content on YouTube Listen to an excellent board game podcast Go to the Writer's Room for 7th Sea Adventures!Check out the great games from A Couple of Drakes:Listen to Tales of the ManticoreFollow us on Facebook, Follow on BlueSky
Aug 1, 2025 • 2h 3min
Glenn Ford (Pukeapocalypse, Boarders and Black Flags) ep. 262
Craig talked with Glenn Ford about his creative journey and two of his miniature-game designs.PukeapocalypseBoarders and Black FlagsMalifaux Warlord 2000ADReservoir DogsBlackadderRoboCopSyd Meier's PiratesViewfinderSuperliminal Billion SunsFantastic FourDreddJoJo Rabbit ************************************Support the show for as little as $1 a month: Add this to the end of your link on DriveThruRPG to support the show: ?affiliate_id=1044145Example: https://preview.drivethrurpg.com/en/product/397612/Court-of-Blades--Scandal-Forged-in-the-Dark?affiliate_id=1044145Check out our live-streaming content on Twitch Don't miss our RPG Actual Plays, tutorials, and gaming content on YouTube Listen to an excellent board game podcast Go to the Writer's Room for 7th Sea Adventures!Check out the great games from A Couple of Drakes:Listen to Tales of the ManticoreFollow us on Facebook, Follow on BlueSky
Jul 17, 2025 • 1h 45min
Maddie & Wheels (Dicebreaker, Just for Fun Inc) ep. 261
Craig sat down with Maddie and Wheels to discuss their newest venture and recently released game.Just for Fun, Inc, Outgunned, ROOT, Call of Cthulhu, Delta Green, Ten Candles, Alice is Missing, SETI, Band of Blades, Warhammer, FREAKZ!, Dead Rising 2, Raven's Watch, Numenera************************************Support the show for as little as $1 a month: Add this to the end of your link on DriveThruRPG to support the show: ?affiliate_id=1044145Example: https://preview.drivethrurpg.com/en/product/397612/Court-of-Blades--Scandal-Forged-in-the-Dark?affiliate_id=1044145Check out our live-streaming content on Twitch Don't miss our RPG Actual Plays, tutorials, and gaming content on YouTube Listen to an excellent board game podcast Go to the Writer's Room for 7th Sea Adventures!Check out the great games from A Couple of Drakes:Listen to Tales of the ManticoreFollow us on Facebook, Follow on BlueSky
Jul 6, 2025 • 1h 3min
Asher McClennahan (Kickstarter, Alchemy VTT) ep. 260
Craig sat down with Asher, the new Head of Games at Kickstarter, to discuss his work there and his previous experience with Alchemy RPG VTT.Azul, Mancala, Alchemy RPG, Dungeon Slimes, The Creative Act - Rick Rubin, The Avett Brothers, May it Last, Ain't Slayed Nobody, Cosmic Dark************************************Support the show for as little as $1 a month: Add this to the end of your link on DriveThruRPG to support the show: ?affiliate_id=1044145Example: https://preview.drivethrurpg.com/en/product/397612/Court-of-Blades--Scandal-Forged-in-the-Dark?affiliate_id=1044145Check out our live-streaming content on Twitch Don't miss our RPG Actual Plays, tutorials, and gaming content on YouTube Listen to an excellent board game podcast Go to the Writer's Room for 7th Sea Adventures!Check out the great games from A Couple of Drakes:Listen to Tales of the ManticoreFollow us on Facebook, Follow on BlueSky
