Tabletop SportCast

Summary In this episode of the Tabletop SportCast, host James Cast reviews the top games of 2025, discussing games played throughout the year. The episode is structured into tiers based on how often games made it to the table, with a focus on both new and returning games. James shares insights on his gaming experiences, project planning, and the importance of empirical data in ranking the games. T...

Summary In this episode of the Tabletop SportCast, host James Cast discusses significant changes in the tabletop sports gaming community, particularly focusing on the impact of Sam Avallone's departure from Plaay. The conversation reflects on the legacy of the Plaay Space, the implications of losing major conventions like Plaay-Dot-Con, and the future direction of Plaay under Keith Avallone&#3...

Summary In this episode of Tabletop SportCast, host James Cast discusses the latest release from Powder Blue Sports, Fight Card Boxing, along with his experiences during the holiday sales. He shares insights on his gaming highlights, including a recreation of the 2000 US Open golf tournament, and reviews various tabletop games he picked up during the sales. The episode culminates in a detailed loo...

Summary In this episode of Tabletop SportCast, host James Cast discusses his holiday sale wishlist, exploring various tabletop sports games and classic seasons he is interested in acquiring. He reflects on the significance of historical replays, shares insights on specific game titles, and emphasizes the importance of game accessories. The episode concludes with thoughts on future projects and the...

Summary In this episode of Tabletop SportCast, host James Cast explores the concept of timelessness in tabletop sports games. He discusses the key qualities that contribute to a game's longevity, including fun, credibility, functional elegance, fresh content, and community support. The episode also touches on current sports trends, holiday sales in the gaming industry, and the importance of co...

Keywords wrestling, tabletop games, fictional federations, character development, AI in storytelling, Convergence event, HCW, NPCW, collaboration, storylines Summary In this episode of Tabletop SportCast, host James Cast interviews Don Bychowski and Kevin Lloyd about their upcoming crossover wrestling event, Convergence. They discuss their respective fictional wrestling federations, HCW and NPCW,...

Keywords Tabletop gaming, gaming log, sports games, game sessions, board games, tabletop sports, gaming community, game reviews, gaming projects, gaming insights Summary In this episode of the Tabletop Sportcast, host James Cast reflects on his gaming journey, celebrating the completion of his 3,000th gaming session. He discusses recent gaming experiences, highlights from the World Series, and upc...

Keywords American Grid Zone League, AGL, tabletop sports, season recap, game expansion, player statistics, sports simulation, tabletop gaming, league structure, sports history Summary In this episode of the Tabletop SportCast, host James Cast provides an in-depth look at the American Grid Zone League's fourth season, discussing the league's history, structure, and the recent expansion to 1...

Keywords tabletop sports, historical replays, Sports Sim Magazine, American Grid Zone League, tabletop gaming, sports history, replay games, sports simulation, podcast, gaming community Summary In this episode of Tabletop SportCast, host James Cast discusses his approach to building a list of historical replays for 2026, reflecting on past projects and the evolution of his tabletop gaming experien...

Keywords Tabletop Sports, Q3 Retrospective, Audience Growth, Game Projects, Sports Games, Podcasting, Tabletop Gaming, Game Design, Community Engagement, Q4 Plans Summary In this episode of the Tabletop SportCast, host James Cast reflects on the third quarter of 2025, discussing audience growth, engagement metrics, and various tabletop gaming projects. He highlights significant projects undertaken...

Keywords Tabletop Sports, Game Design, Powder Blue Sports, John Turnbull, Drive Time Football, Baseline Basketball, Red Ice Hockey, Quick Play Games, Sports Simulation, Community Engagement Takeaways John Turnbull shares his journey into tabletop sports. The importance of simplicity in game design. Quick play games cater to time-constrained players. Community feedback is vital for game development...

In this episode of the Tabletop SportCast, host James Cast provides an engaging overview of the latest tabletop gaming news, highlights from his recent gaming experiences, and a detailed review of the newly released Tecmo Bowl by Buffalo Games. The conversation covers various aspects of the game, including its nostalgic elements, gameplay mechanics, and overall appeal to both new and veteran gamer...

In this episode of the Tabletop SportCast, host James Cast explores the world of non-sports games, reflecting on his experiences at the Iowa 80 Truck Stop and discussing the growth of non-sports games within the tabletop community. He shares his personal gaming journey, the evolution of board games, and the balance between sports and non-sports games.

In this episode of the Tabletop SportCast, host James Cast shares updates on his game creation journey, discussing various tabletop games he is designing, including The Bannister Mile, Track the Pack, Calcio, Endure, and Foils. He reflects on the challenges of game design, the importance of playtesting, and the use of AI tools in the creative process.

In this special anniversary episode of the Tabletop SportCast, the host reflects on four years of podcasting, sharing insights from various guests about their experiences in the tabletop sports community. The conversation covers themes of community engagement, the challenges and joys of game design, and the importance of maintaining a positive atmosphere in the hobby. Guests share their projects,...

In this episode of the Tabletop SportCast, host James Cast reviews the top 10 articles from Sports Sim Magazine, incorporating audience feedback and personal insights. The discussion highlights the importance of community engagement in tabletop gaming and acknowledges the contributions of various writers. The episode wraps up with reflections on the impact of Sports Sim Magazine and a preview of f...

In this episode of the Tabletop SportCast, host James Cast sits down with Joe Cards, a passionate member of the tabletop gaming community. They discuss Joe's early experiences with sports games, the formation of the Staten Island Cards and Dice Club, and the dynamics of organizing gaming sessions. Joe shares insights on the importance of community engagement, his excitement for upcoming events...

In this episode of the Tabletop SportCast, host James Cast sits down with Arthur Franz, co-creator of Breakaway Football, to discuss the game's development, mechanics, and the upcoming Gridiron Games 2025. They explore the complexities of different teams, coaching strategies, and the historical context that shapes the gameplay. The conversation highlights the importance of community feedback i...

In this episode of the Tabletop SportCast, host James Cast discusses the '30 Minutes a Night Plan,' a strategy designed to help hobbyists make consistent progress on their projects. The conversation covers the benefits of dedicating just 30 minutes each night to gaming or related activities, emphasizing the importance of habit formation and mindset shifts. James also addresses common chall...

In this week's episode of the Tabletop SportCast, host James Cast sits down to discuss the classic Sports Illustrated game Decathlon with Tom McHugh. In addition to discussing the original game, the two discuss the Centennial Edition rules created by Tom, and shared in various issues of Sport Sim Magazine. Tom has created additional charts for Decathletes and Heptathletes for use with his game...

In this episode of the Tabletop SportCast, host James Cast delves into the world of sports board games with a countdown of the top 10 out-of-print sports board games. James shares his personal wish list, highlighting games that are rare finds and discussing their unique features and historical significance. From golf to hockey, and even wrestling, this episode is a nostalgic journey through games...

In this episode of the Tabletop SportCast, host James Cast dives into the thrilling world of "Heroes of Short Track Racing" by Van's Games. Discover the intricate game mechanics that capture the essence of short track racing, from qualifying rounds to intense lap-by-lap action. James shares his firsthand experience with the game's high-quality components and optional rules that a...

In this episode of the Tabletop SportCast, host James Cast reflects on the second quarter of 2025, discussing various gaming events, podcast metrics, and personal gaming sessions. He highlights successes in completing gaming sessions and engaging with the community, while also addressing challenges faced, particularly in content creation for YouTube and historical replays. Looking ahead, James out...

In this episode of Tabletop SportCast, host James Cast shares his experiences and insights from Plaay-Dot-Con 2025, emphasizing the importance of community, connections, and the joy of gaming. He discusses the highlights of the event, including the beautiful setting of Highlands Ranch, Colorado, the showcasing of his game development projects, and engaging with fellow game designers. The episode a...

In this episode of Tabletop SportCast, host James Cast discusses his favorite Facebook groups related to sports gaming. He shares insights on various groups, their membership, and the community dynamics within the tabletop sports gaming world. The conversation also touches on the upcoming Plaay-Dot-Con event and the importance of community engagement in promoting sports games.