

Dieku Podcast
Dieku Games
Join me in the exploration of why we love table top games through long form interviews with game designers and industry influencers.
Learn more at DiekuGames.com
Learn more at DiekuGames.com
Episodes
Mentioned books

Aug 21, 2025 • 40min
Free League Publishing's Legacy and Bright Future with Tomas Härenstam
I welcome Tomas Härenstam, the CEO of Free League Publishing , and the creator of the Year Zero Engine which has been used in many of their amazing games such as Tales from the Loop, Vaesen, Alien, Blade Runner and Coriolis - which recently launched a new version called - The Great Dark.Free League Publishing is a game studio and publisher dedicated to speculative fiction based in Stockholm, Sweden. Voted Fan Favorite Publisher at the ENNIES in 2020, 2021, 2023 and 2024 Free League has published a wide range of award-winning tabletop roleplaying games and acclaimed art books set in strange and wondrous worlds.For more information:https://freeleaguepublishing.comhttps://www.instagram.com/freeleaguepublishinghttps://www.facebook.com/FreeLeaguePublishinghttps://www.youtube.com/c/freeleaguepublishingOutside the box: How Sweden conquered the world of role-playing gameshttps://fandrake.com/produkt/outside-the-box/---------Fang Dungeon Bestiary Backerkit:https://www.backerkit.com/call_to_action/3381d640-ea27-40dd-9972-ee85087e1353/landingBug Busters Kickstarter:https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/diekugames/bug-bustersWeb Site:https://diekugames.comTo learn more about Dieku Games:https://diekugames.itch.iohttps://www.instagram.com/diekugames https://www.twitter.com/diekugameshttps://www.tiktok.com/@diekugameshttps://www.patreon.com/diekugameshttps://diekugames.blogspot.comhttps://discord.com/invite/mtP3nyUWZz#OSR #TTRPG #artinspiration

Jul 21, 2025 • 49min
The Shrike and Vaults of Vaarn 2E
VOTE NOW!https://vote.ennie-awards.com/vote/2025/ballot.php?category_id=2I welcome back Leo Hunt, the creative mind behind the Ennie Nominated The Shrike - a dark fantasy sandbox adventure in a derelict limbo of rusted iron, saltwater, stone, and blood, as well as the beloved Vaults of Vaarn - which will be receiving a second edition!Back Vaults of Vaarn 2Ehttps://www.backerkit.com/call_to_action/4f47b7f2-66b4-4e1d-8185-c7fb9ede379c/landing-------------------Fang Dungeon Bestiary: Backerkit:https://www.backerkit.com/call_to_action/3381d640-ea27-40dd-9972-ee85087e1353/landingBug Busters Kickstarter:https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/diekugames/bug-bustersWeb Site:https://diekugames.comTo learn more about Dieku Games:https://diekugames.itch.iohttps://www.instagram.com/diekugameshttps://www.twitter.com/diekugameshttps://www.tiktok.com/@diekugameshttps://www.patreon.com/diekugameshttps://diekugames.blogspot.comhttps://discord.gg/M3jmUvcKt5#pbta #osr #ttrpg

Jun 19, 2025 • 36min
Gangbuster B/X with Mark Hunt
I welcome Mark Hunt the creator of Gangbusters B/X which puts a old school spin on the old TSR Gangbusters game of 1920's mobsters, detectives and police!Buy the Game:https://wizardtowergamesshop.comFacebook Group:https://www.facebook.com/groups/996728023731435#OSR #ttrpg

May 29, 2025 • 1h 13min
Closet - The Solo Journaling TTRPG About Coming Out CONTENT WARNING
CONTENT WARNING: Between 16:30 and 22:00 there is discussion of abuse (including abuse relating to religion), suicidal ideation, and self harm. If you need to talk, the 988 Lifeline is available. At the 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline, they understand that life's challenges can sometimes be difficult. Whether you're facing mental health struggles, emotional distress, alcohol or drug use concerns, or just need someone to talk to, their caring counselors are there for you. You are not alone.https://988lifeline.org----------------Closet is an awareness raising solo journaling RPG about what it really feels like to come out as a gay man. Based on the real-life experiences of the author, Pac Garcia, this game offers a raw and reflective journey that turns the experience of coming out into storytelling.Learn more about the kickstarter:https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/gmsmagazine/closet-solo-journaling-ttrpg-about-coming-outPaco is also the host of @GMSMagazine which features reviews of table top games along with interviews of creators and industry experts.Learn more about GMS Magazine:https://www.youtube.com/@GMSMagazinehttps://bsky.app/profile/pacogmsmagazine.bsky.socialhttps://www.tiktok.com/@pacorpgshttps://www.gmsmagazine.com

Apr 10, 2025 • 36min
Hell World - a brutal, old school, post-apocalyptic biopunk role playing game!
I was once again by Gavriel Quiroga, designer of Neurocity, Warpland and Hell Night, along with Austin DuRivage who is the illustrator of Hell World - a brutal, old school, post-apocalyptic biopunk role playing game.https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/gavrielquiroga/hellworld-earthKickstarter ends April 30!https://www.instagram.com/blood_oath_garfieldhttps://gavrielquiroga.comhttps://www.instagram.com/gavrielquirogaWorlds of Quiroga Facebook Group:https://www.facebook.com/groups/691555924725358------------Learn more about Dieku Games:https://bsky.app/profile/diekugames.bsky.socialhttps://diekugames.com https://diekugames.itch.iohttps://www.instagram.com/diekugames https://www.twitter.com/diekugameshttps://www.tiktok.com/@diekugameshttps://www.patreon.com/diekugameshttps://diekugames.blogspot.comhttps://discord.gg/M3jmUvcKt5#OSR #TTRPG #NSR

Mar 30, 2025 • 31min
Make Your First TTRPG Adventure with the Fun with Fang Jam
Create, Sell, and Get Recognized!JOIN NOW: https://itch.io/jam/fun-with-fangCalling all TTRPG designers, storytellers, and creatives! The Fun with Fäng Adventure Jam is your chance to design and sell your own adventure for Fängelsehåla!This jam is all about creating adventures for Fängelsehåla under its third-party license. That means you can design, sell, and profit from your own Fäng-compatible content. Get inspired by Fäng's world of bold, minimal, and nostalgic aesthetic of 1960s children's books and IKEA design.Already have an adventure you made for another system? Adapt it for Fäng!Love fairy tales? Use one as inspiration!Remember a children's book that sparked your imagination? Turn it into an adventure!How to Participate- Join the Jam right away so you can keep up-to-date on news and tips.- When in a form that is ready to start sharing, create a new Itch project that contains your adventure and submit it to the Jam.- Keep refining your work as required until the Jam ends on Sept 11.- Set your price—free, pay-what-you-want, or a fixed cost—it’s up to you.- Share your progress on socials using the hashtag #FunWithFang and tag @DiekuGames so I can help share your workJudging & PrizesPrizes and recognition await the best submissions. Winning projects will be featured on the Jam Wrap-up Livestream, and all submitted adventures will be promoted across Dieku Games' website, social media, and podcast! The Gold, Silver and Bronze winners will also be invited to share their work on the Dieku Podcast with over 3500 subscribers!Learn more about Dieku Games:https://bsky.app/profile/diekugames.bsky.socialhttps://diekugames.com https://diekugames.itch.iohttps://www.instagram.com/diekugames https://www.twitter.com/diekugameshttps://www.tiktok.com/@diekugameshttps://www.patreon.com/diekugameshttps://diekugames.blogspot.comhttps://discord.gg/M3jmUvcKt5#FunWithFang #OSR #NSR

Mar 6, 2025 • 1h 7min
Indie Game Design with Kobayashi!
I welcomed back, Kobayashi, the designer of Fleaux!, Rats in the Walls, Black Sword Hack, Ronin Saga and now his most recent game - Assassins, Demons & Dying Gods - a roleplaying game about demon hunters, mad gods and revolutions in the city of Ashengrad.DriveThruRPG:https://www.drivethrurpg.com/en/publisher/12338/livres-de-l-oursKickstarter:https://www.kickstarter.com/profile/alexandrekobayashiBlueSky:https://bsky.app/profile/kobayashi-rpg.bsky.social#TTRPG

Feb 13, 2025 • 40min
Fame & Fable Kickstarts on February 18!
Fame and Fable is a fantasy-themed competitive board game for 1 to 4 players. Use your actions to buy ally and item cards from the market and play these to defeat monsters, complete contracts or disrupt other players. Gain fame through your exploits to move your player token around the game track, picking up bonus tokens as you travel. The player with the highest fame at the end of the game wins.Learn more:https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/owendavey/fame-and-fablehttps://www.instagram.com/fameandfablehttps://www.instagram.com/owendaveydraws#fantasygames #DnD #boardgames

Jan 3, 2025 • 1h 21min
FÄNGELSEHÅLA Kickstarter Wrap-up
Buy a copy of FÄNGELSEHÅLA
https://dieku.myshopify.com

Dec 23, 2024 • 1h 40min
2024 Year in Review in the TTRPG World
Shannon Appelcline, an insightful author of the Designers & Dragons series, delves into the vibrant TTRPG world of 2024. He discusses the 50th Anniversary of D&D and the rise of new competitors. Tune in for trends in crowdfunding, including the competition between Kickstarter and Backerkit, and the evolving landscape of indie RPGs. Shannon also addresses the impact of nostalgia, the complexities of TTRPG legacies, and the importance of preserving the histories of both iconic and obscure games. A must-listen for gaming enthusiasts!