Craig Shipman

TABLETOP TALK - Third Floor Wars

Leisure EN ↓ 291 episodes

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.

Author

Craig Shipman

Category

Leisure

Podcast website

thirdfloorwars.com

Latest episode

Jun 22, 2026

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Episodes

J Strautman & B Marsollier (Fool's Errand) ep. 255 06.05.2025

I talk with J and B about their newest game, Fool's Errand. A Fool’s Errand is a tarot-fueled science fantasy game set in a vibrant post-calamity world of Androids, Humans, and those in between. Fools, go forth and explore realms both waking and subconscious. Beware: the Gods are watching, ready to manifest their love and rage as boons and calamities. Back Fool's Errand HERE Starfinder Honey Heist...

Mike Hutchinson (Gaslands, Space Gits) ep. 254 16.04.2025

Craig sits down with Mike Hutchinson of Planet Smasher Games and talks about the creative process behind his new miniatures game, Space Gits. We also discuss a new version of A Billion Suns and his RPG, The Crawling Chaos. Space Gits , Gaslands , Billion Suns , Hobgoblin , The Crawling Chaos , Daily Rituals by Mason Curry , The Infinite Game - Simon Syneck , Bushido , Vampire: The Masquerade , The...

Paul Baldowski (Cthulhu Hack, Dee Sanction) ep. 253 10.04.2025

Craig talked with Paul about his creative process and the game on KS, Dee Sanction. Dee Sanction Kickstarter Cthulhu Hack Maelstrom Mork Borg ************************************ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠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=1044145For exam...

Patrice & Leland (Changed Stars) ep. 252 30.03.2025

Craig sat down with the creators of the sci-fi RPG Changed Stars! Get it here Changed Stars is a sci-fi RPG set in a bright-yet-perilous future. Inspired by utopian-feminist science fiction and contemporary, gritty, speculative futures, Changed Stars presents a modern take on a post-patriarchal society. A diverse array of Frames provides opportunities for many sorts of play—ranging from taking on...

Jon Cohen (Tale of the Maniticore) ep. 251 10.03.2025

Jon talks to me about his popular Tale of the Manticore podcast and One Shot in the Dark  RPG. ************************************ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Support the show for as little as $1 month: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Add this to the end of your link on DriveThruRPG to support the show: ?affiliate_id=1044145For example ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://preview.drivethrurpg.com/en/product...

Pick the right RPG with Clint (Claim to Game) ep. 250 27.02.2025

Craig and Clint talk about how you can pick the right game for your next RPG session. Free RPG Quiz - Find a Good Fit RPG for your Gaming Group Other Helpful Episodes or Podcasts Mentioned: CTG Episode 16 - Keep Your Eye on the Ball - How to Play to Your Strengths During a Tabletop Roleplaying Game, With Robin D. Laws - CTG Episode 18 - Don’t be Scared of Horror - Why you should give horror TTRPG...

Chris Casciano (Escaping Tynebris: The Dungeons) Interview: ep. 249 26.02.2025

Craig talks to artist and game maker, Chris Casciano! Check out Escaping Tynebris here! ************************************ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Support the show for as little as $1 month: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Add this to the end of your link on DriveThruRPG to support the show: ?affiliate_id=1044145For example ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://preview.drivethrurpg.com/en/product/397612/Cou...

An Apology: ep. 249 25.01.2025

⁠ An overdue apology and talk about what is next. ************************************ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Support the show for as little as $1 month: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Add this to the end of your link on DriveThruRPG to support the show: ?affiliate_id=1044145 For example ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://preview.drivethrurpg.com/en/product/397612/Court-of-Blades--Scandal-Forged-in-the-D...

Navi & Shawn Drake (Hedge) Interview: ep. 248 27.11.2024

I sat down with Shawn and Navi Drake and discussed the origins of their game, Hedge. We also answer the big question - can you win an RPG? Back Hedge HERE Neoclassical Geek Revival Basic 2nd Edition Valiant Horizon Wildsea Love Between Fairy and Devil Blindsight The Magazine of Fantasy & Science Fiction Elin ************************************ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Support the show for as...

Matt John (Conan: The Hyborian Age) Interview: ep. 247 20.10.2024

Craig talks with  Matt John , one of the designers on Monolith's new Conan RPG! Back the game HERE! ************************************ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Support the show for as little as $1 month: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Add this to the end of your link on DriveThruRPG to support the show: ?affiliate_id=1044145 For example ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://preview.drivethrurpg.com/en/product/3...

GM Advice - Get Organized!: ep. 246 21.09.2024

Craig shares how he writes and organizes scenarios before and during play. Watch the video HERE See Sean's tutorial HERE ************************************ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Support the show for as little as $1 month: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Add this to the end of your link on DriveThruRPG to support the show: ?affiliate_id=1044145 For example ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://preview.dr...

Jason Cordova and Alex Rybitski (The Between) Interview: ep. 245 19.09.2024

This is a special episode where Alex is interviewing Jason about The Between! Back The Between Watch Public Access ************************************ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Support the show for as little as $1 month: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Add this to the end of your link on DriveThruRPG to support the show: ?affiliate_id=1044145 For example ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://preview.drivethrurpg.c...

Neal Litherland (Sundara: Dawn of a New Age, Army Men) Interview: ep. 244 04.09.2024

Craig talks with  Neal Litherland , an author and the RPG creator behind Sundara: Dawn of a New Age and Army Men. Everything Neal Exalted RPG ************************************ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Support the show for as little as $1 month: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Add this to the end of your link on DriveThruRPG to support the show: ?affiliate_id=1044145 For example ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https...

Sam Dunnewold (Dice Exploder) Interview: ep. 243 31.07.2024

Craig sat down with Sam Dunnewold and learned where the inspiration for Dice Exploder emerged from, Sam's creative process works, and what it was like working with Jason Morningstar on a new game about time, reenactors, and the horrible human that was Jesse James. Check out Dice Exploder Back Season 4 of Dice Exploder Fiasco RPG Portrait of a Lady on Fire Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind...

Ben Alexander (ION Heart, Illustrator for Shiver) Interview: ep. 242 17.07.2024

Craig sat down with Ben Alexander of Parable Games to discuss his art and new solo RPG, ION Heart. Get ION Heart HERE Check out Shiver and other games he’s illustrated Watch Ben MAKE   Turnip 28 Billion Suns ************************************ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Support the show for as little as $1 month: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Add this to the end of your link on DriveThruRPG to...

Emily Weiss (Picket Line Tango for Mothership) Interview: ep. 241 13.07.2024

Enjoy this conversation with Emily Weiss, public defender, gamer, and creator of Picket Line Tango and Breach of Contract for Mothership. Get Emily’s work here. Cure by Kiyoshi Kurosawa Red Strings Club Pulse Mad God Gaslight ************************************ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Support the show for as little as $1 month: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Add this to the end of your link on...

Jake (Terraino) Interview: ep. 240 05.06.2024

Is there a way to make your game terrain affordable? Enjoy Craig's conversation with Jake Karlsmark of Game Gear Master. They discuss Jake's Terraino system, the idea's origin, and his creative choices to bring it to life. Check out the goods on their website Terraino YouTube channel Satisfactory ************************************ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Support the show for as little a...

Jonathan Mordech (King’s Poisoner) Interview: ep. 239 28.05.2024

Jonathan talks about the origins and the mechanics behind his GM-Less RPG, The King's Poisoner. He walks us through the process and decisions that took the basics of Blackjack and transformed it into an RPG with court intrigue and murder! Support The King's Poisoner BackerKit Campaign Find more games on V2S Games website Follow V2S Games on X Join V2S Games on Discord Open Hearth Gaming Co...

Ross Bryant (Glass Cannon Network, Stream of Blood, The Good Place) Interview: ep. 238 27.05.2024

Ross Bryant shares his creative process as a performer and a player. He reveals the skills that make for a great player and GM. We dig into the crossover from being an actor and comedian and playing in an RPG. Ross on Instagram Ross on Twitter Ross on IMDB Early Ross the player on Steam of Blood Recent Ross on Glass Cannon Twin Masks LARP Season 1 of Adventure Zone Before the Storm: Barry Goldwate...

WF Smith (Barkeep on the Borderlands) Interview: ep. 237 25.05.2024

WF Smith discusses his Ennie-winning book, Barkeep on the Borderlands. Craig asks about the idea's origin and the creative decisions that brought the book to life. Prismatic Wasteland Barkeep on the Borderlands Prismatic’s Itch ************************************ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Support the show for as little as $1 month: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Add this to the end of your link on D...

Jim & Raychel (Tabula Sono 3D VTT) Interview: ep. 236 25.05.2024

Craig talks with the sibling duo behind the innovative browser-based virtual tabletop Tabula Sono. They discuss how the idea emerged and the design pillars that guide their development. The VTT We playing HEDGE on the VTT My Q&A on their YT channel Wheel of Time Elantris Warbreaker Stormlight Archive Outlander Book Series House of Earth and Blood (Crescent City, 1) Mythcreants ****************...

Joel Vrugdenhil (Star & City, Heaven or Hell) Interview: ep. 235 24.05.2024

Craig talks with Joel about two of his games, Star & City and Heaven or Hell. Joel reveals the influences he's had from video and board games. They discuss when to recognize a game isn't working and what to do next. Joel’s Twitter Joel’s Itch Joel’s Twitch Project Moon Games Battlecon Board Game Blue Lock Call of the Night Street Fighter 6 ************************************ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠...

Addison Goff (Eureka: Investigative Urban Fantasy) Interview: ep. 234 05.05.2024

Craig talks with Addison Goff about his game, where the investigative system came from, and how he believes it solves some of the issues he sees in other games like Call of Cthulhu and the Gumshoe system, AMIN website Their Patreon Their Itch Their Ko-fi Eureka Kickstarter ************************************ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Support the show for as little as $1 month: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ A...

James D’Amato (One Shot Podcast Network, Campaign: Skyjacks) Interview: ep. 233 05.05.2024

Craig and James discuss James' creative approach to making actual plays, writing books, and creating the new Oh Captain, My Captain RPG. One-Shot Podcast Oh Captain, My Captain! Skyjacks The Ultimate RPG Guide Series Illimat Card Game The Decemberists Wyrd Sisters EarthBound video game ************************************ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Support the show for as little as $1 month: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠...

Guy Milner (Unconventional GMs, Burn after Running) Interview: ep. 232 30.04.2024

How do you run a one-shot in three hours that everyone loves? Enjoy this discussion with Guy Milner about how he prepares and runs one-shot sessions. He shares practical tips and makes the case for playing and running games at conventions. Burn After Running RPG One-Shots Blog Unconventional GMs YouTube Channel Fabula Ultima JRPG Assassin’s Creed Nailed It TV Show *********************************...

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