In this special live stream episode for TCTC 2021, we speak to Brendan McCaskell, lead designer of the forthcoming Stars of Akarios from OOMM Games. Brendan tells us all about what's in his big-box space game and the steps that led to its million dollar Kickstarter campaign! TestCoastGames-033-Brendan-McCaskell.mp3…

We speak to Victoria Caña and Alex Uboldi, Seattle-based designers of Gladius, a card game where you bet on competing gladiators and attempt to rig the outcome. Victoria and Alex tell us about their journey co-founding Cat Quartet Games and running a highly successful Kickstarter campaign to launch Gladius. They also give insights into the game des…

We speak to Jeremy Rozenhart, Vancouver-based designer of forthcoming Wild Wings, a fantasy-themed game where you pilot a dragon to collect and spend magical rings. Jeremy tells us about his unusual route into game design and how his Dev Support role at Electronic Arts informs his board game designs. He also shares valuable insights for indie desig…

We speak to Quinn Brander, Vancouver-based designer of the forthcoming boardgame 'Rebuilding Seattle,' a polyomino engine-builder seven years in the making. Quinn tells us about his journey into game design, how his role as a mobile game designer informs his board game designs and the approaches that have helped him through ups and downs on the roa…

Representatives from Meeple Leaf, Rain City Games, Test Coast Games, and Vancouver Playtest Group discuss the topic of How To Build A Crowd. Twitch Panel Featuring: Andrea Robertson, Glen Dresser, Mark Ellis, Mark Yuasa, Nick Angiers, and Noe Escobar. TestCoastGames-029-Panel-How-To-Build-A-Crowd.mp3…

In "Indie Spotlight" we speak to designers who are taking the first steps towards publication. Glen Dresser is a Calgary, Alberta-based designer behind the upcoming boardgame 'The TransContinental.' Watch for the Kickstarter campaign coming in the Fall of 2020. IS-006-glen-dresser.mp3 https://wheelhousegames.com/…

We speak to Tony Miller, an Oregon-based tabletop game designer who is one-third of the Breaking Into Board Games podcast. Tony tells us how he broke into board games, with his first game Fire in the Library from Weird Giraffe Games. He tells us the origin story behind his highly-anticipated follow-up, Kabuto Sumo. Tony explains his philosophy behi…

We speak to Cody Thompson, founder of Jellyfish Game Studios (formerly Gold Nugget Games) whose debut game 'Vamp on the Batwalk' funded on Kickstarter in 2019. Cody tells us how he got inspired to launch a publishing company, what he learned from his first Kickstarter campaign and what the future has in store for Jellyfish Game Studios. TestCoastGa…

We speak to Dan Goodman, founder of Robotic Arm Software and creator of Cocktail design software. Cocktail is a highly accessible tool that tabletop designers can use to create card layouts. Dan explores what Cocktail can do for designers and he tells us about his growing community on Discord, the exciting projects where Cocktail has been put to us…

We welcome back friend of the show Jay Cormier, prolific Vancouver-based game designer (Mind MGMT, In the Hall of the Mountain King, Belfort and many more), publisher and creator of Fail Faster. Jay tells us about some exciting new developments from Fail Faster, including the ambitious Pitch Project, which launches this month with a huge chance for…

In "Indie Spotlight" we speak to designers who are taking the first steps towards publication. Ben Chhoa is the designer of Burnaby Treasure, a real-world treasure hunt based in the city of Burnaby in Metro Vancouver with a cash prize of $500. The hunt is live at the time of recording and can be solved largely from the comfort of your home. IS-005-…

We speak to Sharise Nicole (Reecie), Producer at BeBold Games. Sharise tells us her origin story as a singer-songwriter and former beauty pageant queen turned game content creator. We learn about the challenges she faces in her role at BeBold; some technical, and others in the form of online trolls. She tells us about her most inspiring person, a n…

We speak to Randy Flynn, designer of Cascadia from Flatout Games coming in 2021. Randy tells us the origin story of his forthcoming games Cascadia and Tabriz, as well as how he met Flatout Games and joined their "CoLab" game design collective. TestCoastGames-022-randy-flynn.mp3 https://twitter.com/rf_seattle https://www.instagram.com/randy_flynn/ h…

A panel of friends comes together to discuss the social and technical challenges of boardgame playtesting during Covid-19. Featuring Kennedy Goodkey, Chris Morris, Marcel Perro and Mark Yuasa. We discuss a number of tools and topics including: BoardGameArena Tabletop Simulator Tabletopia Discord Vancouver Playtest Group GAC virtual meetup groups Ne…

We speak to Molly Johnson, Robert Melvin and Shawn Stankewich, all tabletop game designers in their own right. Together they are Flatout Games, a board game design collaborative based in Seattle WA, and Winnipeg MB. The three tell us how Flatout Games started as a game review team, and naturally developed into the design collaborative we know today…

We bring you a Virtual Events Report with content accessible from wherever you are. Tabletop.Events is hosting a digital protospiel con. The Vancouver BC game store, Magic Stronghold is taking their Magic the Gathering events online. Find out more at their Facebook page. Past TestCoast guest Scott Rogers is sharing daily challenges for "Pantone the…

We speak to Andrea Driedger, owner of Adventure Dice and Communications lead for the Terminal City Tabletop Convention. We learn how Andrea started Adventure Dice from a place of adversity, and developed it into a successful business and an outlet for her creativity. We discuss how games can be used in the age of Covid-19 and how they must change t…

A panel of friends comes together to discuss how best to stay connected during this global pandemic. Featuring Nick Angiers, Mark Ellis, Marcel Perro and Mark Yuasa. TestCoastGames-panel-001-stay-connected.mp3 We discuss a number of tools and topics including: BoardGameArena Tabletop Simulator Tabletopia Tilt 5 Vorpal Board Teburu Twitch.tv TCTC Vi…

We speak to Ken Nishidate and Dan Szukalow of The Raving Gamer Bistro in Langley, BC. In addition to being Langley's first board game restaurant, the Raving Gamer is a retail game space with a full-service bar. Ken is the master of the Kitchen and Dan is the Master of Games. We learn about the struggles they faced in getting their family-run busine…

In "Indie Spotlight" we speak to designers who are taking the first steps towards publication. Chris Morris is a Kelowna, B.C. based designer of Victorian Gardens, City of Glass, and DinoPark (coming soon). IS-003-chris-morris.mp3 https://twitter.com/SpyderMoBy noreply@blogger.com (Mark Yuasa)

We speak to Shannon Lentz, project manager at Panda Games Manufacturing and organizer of the Terminal City Tabletop Convention that takes place in Vancouver, BC in March 2020. Shannon tells us the origin story of TCTC and some of the challenges he faced in making the first one happen. In addition to the amazing Games Library, we discuss the Used Ma…

In "Indie Spotlight" we speak to designers who are taking the first steps towards publication. Marcel Perro is a Vancouver BC-based independent designer, apprentice member of the Game Artisans of Canada, organizer of the Indie Alley at Terminal City Tabletop Convention and co-designer of "For Greed or Glory." IS-002-marcel-perro.mp3 https://twitter…

We speak to Emma Larkins, designer of "...And Then We Died" and the forthcoming "Abandon All Artichokes," Twitch streamer, and co-host of the Ludology podcast. Emma tells us how she got into tabletop game design from a unique direction as a science fiction author. We talk about #GAMEDESIGNDAILY and her tips on how to stay motivated and engaged with…

In "Indie Spotlight" we speak to designers who are taking the first steps towards publication. Thomas Hanna is a Vancouver BC-based independent designer of the card game Nuke. IS-001-thomas-hanna.mp3By noreply@blogger.com (Mark Yuasa)