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PODCAST

Ancient Robot Games

Ancient Robot Podcast

Ancient Robot Games is an independent board game shop/café on Leith Walk in bonnie Edinburgh.On the Ancient Robot Podcast, hosts Dougal Freir (Owner, Ancient Robot Games) and Robert Gelb (board game designer) talk trends, design, and development of all things tabletop!Each episode features guests from the industry sharing their insights into the world of game development and the ever-growing community of game designers in Scotland.Tune in for your bi-monthly dose of board game nerdisms!Ancient Robot

leisure games

All Episodes

37:25

Defining the Abstract: the History and Influence of...

Ancient Robot Games ·

2026/04/15

Dougal and Gelb talk about abstract games and their long history in influencing the industry and culture of tabletop gaming.Covering games from the Vikings’ ultimate strategy game, reimagining classics like chess, and contemporary designs like Aster from Midnight Trading Co.If you have any burning game questions, or special events coming up and need some advice for what game to bring - email us at ancientrobotpod@gmail.com and we’ll endeavour to answer in an upcoming episode!Ancient Robot Games

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36:29

I like Big Games and I cannot lie: Root, Ascending...

Ancient Robot Games ·

2026/04/01

Dougal and Gelb talk some of the best BIG games out now, and how they can offer some of the most fun and exciting experiences in board gaming.If you have any burning game questions, or special events coming up and need some advice for what game to bring - email us at ancientrobotpod@gmail.com and we’ll endeavour to answer in an upcoming episode!Ancient Robot Games - https://ancientrobotgames.co.uk Midnight Trading Co - https://midnighttradingco.com Podcast Producer Ryan Scott -

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36:04

Making Escape Rooms with a Focus on Story and Player...

Ancient Robot Games ·

2026/03/18

In this episode, we’re joined by Ronan Jennings of Secret Solstice Games - another board game cafe in Leith - and creator of escape rooms and immersive experiences through Case Closed Escape Rooms. Listen in for chats on creating immersive narrative experiences, and Ronans unique approach to escape room design.See more of Ronan at:https://www.secretsolsticegames.co.uk/https://www.caseclosededinburgh.co.uk/If you have any burning game questions, or special events coming up and need some advice for

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36:06

Games to Play with People you Don't Know | Episode 23

Ancient Robot Games ·

2026/03/04

Have you ever found yourself amongst a group of people who you don’t know very well and it falls to you to break the ice with a game? What do you pick for a room full of people you don’t know? Well Dougal and Gelb answer these question in the next episode - discussing the best party games for a group of people you don’t know, everything from word games, card games, and social deduction games that anyone can get involved in!If you have any burning game questions, or special events coming up and need

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40:49

Edinburgh Board Gamers - Making Safe Spaces, and...

Ancient Robot Games ·

2026/02/18

In this episode we are joined by Andrew Stoddart and Pavel Shepan, organisers of Edinburgh Board Gamers - a club focused on bringing together fans of games into a social and welcoming atmosphere - discussing the growth of their group, their impact on the community of gamers in Edinburgh, and some of their own opinions on the games they play.See more of Edinburgh Board Gamers on their Facebook page or MeetUp page - meetup.com/edinburgh-gamersAncient Robot Games - https://ancientrobotgames.co.uk

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40:13

Making Art for Games and Pale Tides: a Folk Horror...

Ancient Robot Games ·

2026/02/04

In this episode, we’re joined by Paul Scott Canavan - Art Director, Illustrator, and Artist - to discuss working as an artists in the games industry and developing your own Tabletop Roleplaying Game. Paul has worked with a range of clients from independent studios and designers, to larger companies such as Wizards of the Coast and Games Workshop, and is currently developing his TTRPG, Pale Tides - a game of folk horror and witchcraft, blending the themes of abstract horror and empowerment.See more

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39:16

The Thunder Perfect Mind: Game Design with Emotional...

Ancient Robot Games ·

2026/01/21

Dougal and Gelb are joined by Tanya Floaker - award-winning game designer of ‘Lo! Thy Dread Empire’, ‘Be Seeing You’ and ‘Mum Chums’ - to discuss her process of designing games with a focus on the players emotional response, how she approaches publishing new games, and her upcoming release, 'The Thunder Perfect Mind' - a game that delves into toxic nostalgia with breakneck action and occult thrills.Find Tanya at floaker.carrd.coAlso see the Kickstarter page for ‘The Thunder Perfect Mind’

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35:35

Author of MINION: The Best RPG Systems and Writing...

Ancient Robot Games ·

2026/01/07

Kicking off the New Year with Morgan Edmonds, creator of Minion - the TTRPG in which you are the faithful Minion to a Dark Lord and must do their bidding or protect their treasure from the “brave heroes”Morgan and the guys talk everything from writing your own RPG systems, getting games published, and some new and exciting TTRPGs that are trying out new mechanics - like jenga or cards instead of dice. A great episode for anyone looking to mix up their game nights with exciting twists to your usual

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37:19

Santa's Choking on a Stick: Games to Gift this...

Ancient Robot Games ·

2025/12/17

Dougal and Gelb sit down to wrap up some of the game highlights of 2025 and dive into a couple of Dougal's choices for Christmas gifts for your loved ones (or just for yourself)!Check out Enthrone at https://www.smirkanddagger.com/product-page/enthrone See more of Light Speed: Arena at https://lightspeedarena.com/Ancient Robot Games - https://ancientrobotgames.co.uk Midnight Trading Co - https://midnighttradingco.com Podcast Producer Ryan Scott - https://www.ryanscottfilm.com/ Making or want to make

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42:17

Book Editing for RPGs: A Guide to Writing Adventures...

Ancient Robot Games ·

2025/12/03

In this episode we are joined by game designer and award winning editor, Roz Leahy. Roz talks on lots of points, including editing and writing captivating RPG adventures, her favourite types of games (and least favourite), and hottakes on some tropes of TTRPGs. This episode is full of tips and advice for budding tabletop writers that may be a little lost on this incredibly unique and baffling writing style, and some hints on working effectively as an editor in the games industry!See more of Roz at

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36:05

Scotland's Biggest Tabletop Convention and Wargaming...

Ancient Robot Games ·

2025/11/19

In this episode, we're joined by Dave Wright, organiser of Tabletop Scotland - a board game, card game, and RPG convention made for everyone, whether you're a long time enthusiast or brand new to the hobby!Dave discusses his inspiration to start the convention despite a disappointment with his first business running a game store, and the complexities that come along with running Scotland's biggest tabletop convention.See more of Tabletop Scotland at https://tabletopscotland.co.uk/Tabletop Scotland

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32:59

Doing Frogmen and Illustrating for Games with Will...

Ancient Robot Games ·

2025/11/05

In this weeks episode, we are joined by Will Tempest, an illustrator for graphic novels, board games, and roleplaying games. Best known for his TTRPG work with his brother, Sam, and their publishing company Grave Goods Pub - including Frogmen, and the upcoming Strang Beorn, a Grimdark setting based on Ancient Britain and Celtic Mythology for the MORKBORG system. See more of Wills work at:https://www.willtempest.com/https://www.gravegoodspub.co.uk/Ancient Robot Games - https://ancientrobotgames.co.uk

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38:10

Sideways Rebel: MMORPGs, Tabletop Gaming & Conpulsion...

Ancient Robot Games ·

2025/10/22

In this episode, we're joined by Phil Harris, a Creative Consultant for all things game and narrative design, and is the coordinator for Conpulsion, Scotland’s longest running tabletop game convention!From working on MMORPGs, writing tabletop roleplaying systems, and running tabletop games at conventions (you may recognise him from Tabletop Scotland), this episode covers a lot for those interested in game design - both digital AND physical - or budding Game Masters wanting tips and tricks from a

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38:08

The Origins of TAGS Fest and Micro-Presses with Eve...

Ancient Robot Games ·

2025/10/08

In this episode, we’re joined by Eve Greenwood and Brian Tyrrell. Eve is a writer, artist, and founder of Quindire Press, an independent publisher of graphics novels and comics, and Brian is a tabletop game designer and founder of Stout Stoat Press, a game-and-book publisher.Together, they have founded TAGS Fest (Tabletop and Graphic Storytelling) to celebrate independent artists and designers in both the gaming and comic book worlds.This episode covers a lot, from getting started in the industry,

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38:27

PIVOT: A Game for Geeks and Entrepreneurs, and...

Ancient Robot Games ·

2025/09/24

We are joined by Tom Inglis of Teomach Games, to discuss his first upcoming project Pivot, an entrepreneurial start-up game, and dive into the works of Reiner Knizia, of whom Tom is a huge fan and collector.See more of Tom and Teomach Games at https://www.teomachgames.com/ Ancient Robot Games - https://ancientrobotgames.co.uk Midnight Trading Co - https://midnighttradingco.com Podcast Producer Ryan Scott - https://www.ryanscottfilm.com/ Making or want to make tabletop games in Edinburgh? A new

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39:58

Powerful Women are Loose in the Library with Mill...

Ancient Robot Games ·

2025/09/10

Dougal and Gelb are joined by the wonderful Mill Valentine! Co-Owner of Dissent Games, and founder of the Paradice Board Game Convention and the Facebook group Dundee Boardgamers.Dissent has a new game coming soon, Loose in the Library, a sort of reimagining of their first game, Library Labyrinth. Listen in to hear more about the process of designing and developing during lockdown and how the online community of gamers helped them shape their games.See more of Dissent Games at

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41:10

The Man of Many Hats (and Many Games) with Andy Law |...

Ancient Robot Games ·

2025/08/27

Dougal and Gelb are joined with special guest Andy Law, sharing his decades worth of experience working with some of the biggest names in tabletop gaming - including Critical Role and Warhammer. In Andys (limited) spare time from designing some of the best known games, he hosts his own actual play, Lawhammer, using the Warhammer Fantasy Roleplaying Game system - that he himself worked on - and is also part of Lorebeards and the CEO of Rookery Publications.This episode is ideal for those looking for

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35:17

All Hail the Rat King! with Dylan Balfour | Episode 9

Ancient Robot Games ·

2025/08/13

Dougal and Gelb are joined by Dylan Balfour, creator of the upcoming game Rat King. Dylan has been developing this game for the last year while also holding down a full time job AND working on his PHD.This episodes got it all from managing time effectively, tips for developing your first game, and Dougal's completely not flawed idea for a Teeth game. See more of Rat King at https://www.shrimptankgames.com/Ancient Robot Games - https://ancientrobotgames.co.uk Midnight Trading Co -

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37:01

'Distilled' and 'Luthier': Big Games with Big...

Ancient Robot Games ·

2025/07/30

Dougal and Gelb are joined by the owner of Paverson Games (Distilled, and Luthier), Dave Beck. Dave discusses his love for big games that have a big table presence, and his journey from video game design to owning his own board game company - doing everything from design, development, and publishing.A great episode for those wanting to make that leap into the world of board game design and publishing. See more of Paverson Games at https://paversongames.com/ Ancient Robot Games -

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34:26

The Old Kings Crown: Animation to Board Games with...

Ancient Robot Games ·

2025/07/16

Dougal and Gelb sit down with the creators of The Old Kings Crown, a highly anticipated new release from Eerie Idol Games - an Edinburgh-local board game company.The guys discuss Andrew and Pablo's journeys from their jobs in design and video games respectively, to the creation of Eerie Idol Games and The Old Kings Crown, as well as some recommendations with some strong thoughts and feelings on digital versions of board games. Check them out at https://www.eerieidolgames.com/Ancient Robot Games -

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