The Little Metal Dog Show began back in April 2010 with an idea to produce a podcast on board games that did things a little differently. It took a while to decide the approach that would be taken, but soon an interview-based show quickly became the format to stick with. Each episode normally has a couple of interviews that could really cover any area from the world of gaming – as long as someone is interesting, they’re welcome to come on as a guest. From players and designers to mathematicians and film-makers, The Little Metal Dog Show looks far and wide for people who – above all else – have something interesting to say.
Here’s a list of all the episodes to date. If you click the links you’ll be taken to the expanded entry for that episode, complete with a more in-depth description of the contents and a further link to a direct download. All episodes are also available on iTunes – just search for The Little Metal Dog Show, and don’t forget to leave a review!
Episode 37: Triple Trouble. Three excellent guests this time around. Ted Torgerson, designer of 1989: Dawn of Freedom talks about how remixing can be better than starting from scratch. Friend of the show Daniel Solis returns once more to discuss design, then I’m honoured to speak with Rob Daviau (the guy behind the new hotness that is Risk: Legacy). Great folks talking about great games – what more could you ask for?
Episode 36: A Few Good (Mad) Men. Oh my. It’s always a privilege to speak with my guests whoever they are, but when one of them happens to be from the award winning TV show Mad Men? Well, blimey, that’s just pretty awesome. Rich Sommer is an actor and gamer, spreading the word about the hobby while also appearing in one of the best shows out there. Also appearing this time round are Steve, Ben and Campfire for what will hopefully prove to be the first of many round tables talking about the games that have interested us in recent times. It’s a little different to what the show normally does, but I hope you enjoy it.
Episode 35: Lava, Heroes and 3d6. Chris James, the head of Stratus Games, joins me to discuss the importance of having games that cater to wider markets but can also be played by those who like a bit of a challenge. Sentinels of the Multiverse creator Christopher Badell comes on to talk about the difficulties they faced when putting out their first game, and there’s even a musical interlude too as the mighty nerdcore punks 3d6 talk about games and gigs.
Episodes 31, 32, 33 and 34: The Essen 2011 Specials! Four whole shows dedicated to the world’s biggest gaming event. With over 150,000 people walking through the doors and more than 700 games released all in the space of four days, four episodes isn’t even enough – but it’s all I can do! Interviews with designers old and new about a huge range of games – check out the individual posts for who I get to talk to in each episode.
Episode 30 – Bob and Richard and Drizzt and Michael. Two proper big names from two different worlds join me this time around. First, the one and only Richard Launius, the man behind Arkham Horror comes along to talk not just about his legendary game based on H.P. Lovecraft’s work but also other great designs like Defenders of the Realm and his latest effort, Elder Sign. New York Times bestselling author R.A. Salvatore then joins me to discuss his latest book, Neverwinter, starring his most famous creation: Drizzt Do’Urden.
Episode 29 – Choose Your Own Podcast. RA Montgomery is one of the driving forces behind the first Interactive Fiction series for children, the Choose Your Own Adventure books. We talk about the history of the books, how the company came to be, what he has planned for the future and just how you get to that secret ending on Inside UFO 54-40. Chris also joins me again for more questions and answers (and to show off what he got for his birthday)!
Episode 28 – Shut Up, Horsey! Quins and Paul from the Actual Internet Sensation that is Shut Up and Sit Down come on to discuss their plans for future world domination. If you’ve not seen their excellent programme, go and watch it immediately. I’m also joined by Don from Knight Works to talk about his brand new game Dark Horse. Another product of the great Kickstarter revolution, it promises to be a truly interesting little game.
Episode 27 – Back to Normality. Justin Gary, founder of Gary Games, comes on to talk about Ascension and Redakai, as well as their plans for the future and the importance of iOS versions of games. I also get to speak with Travis Worthington of Indie Boards and Cards Games, where we cover how he started the company and how Kickstarter is changing the industry (including their latest release, Flash Point – Fire Rescue).
Episode 26 – Weeny Dancers. What happens when you get Michael, Chris and Campfire Burning to answer questions sent in by listeners? Something that was originally meant to be stuck at the end of an episode that spiralled out of control and ended up as far too long! Rather than binning the whole thing, I decided to put it out as a regular episode. See what you think!
Episode 25 – On The Cards. Johnny O’Neal, the manager of a brand new CCG from Spin Master called Redakai, talks about the game and how the brought it from inception to market. I’m also joined by David Sirlin, creator of one of the best card games out there – Yomi. Ever wanted Street Fighter in card format? Check it out!
Episode 24 – Tales of Derring Do. This episode sees a bit of Story Time on the Little Metal Dog Show with Rory O’Connor, the designer of Rory’s Story Cubes and Michael Ward, the writer of the Destiny Quest gamebook. Fire up your imagination!
Episode 23 – A Bit of Magic. An exclusive interview with the man responsible for Collectible Card Games himself, the original designer of Magic: The Gathering, Richard Garfield. Having also designed classics like Netrunner and Roborally (as well as his new release, King of Tokyo), Richard seems to be able to turn his hand to any genre. Chris is back again to tackle your questions too!
Episode 22 – First Time for Everything! Two first time publishers talk about their experiences in getting their first games out there. Clever Mojo’s W. David MacKenzie (purveyors of the splendid Alien Frontiers) and VicTim Games’ Vic Moyer regale us with their tales.
Episode 21 – House of Spirits designer Mark Thomas discusses the fun of putting together a game all on your own, plus Chris returns!
Episode 20 - A Home Nations special! David Brashaw and Leonard Boyd, designers of forthcoming Discworld game Guards! Guards! along with Gen 42′s John Yianni (Hive, Junkyard Racers and more).
Episode 19 – D&D Special! A visit to the UK D&D Tweetup (complete with a chunk of our adventure) and a chat with Sersa V, one of the guys at the forefront of Fourthcore.
Episode 18 – Author and editor of “The 100 Best” books James Lowder, plus Todd Rowland – brand manager from AEG
Episode 17 – Game designer Peter Olotka (Cosmic Encounter, Dune and more)
Episode 16 – Internet celebrity special! Scott Nicholson (Board Games With Scott / The Game Professor) and Jeff Cannata (Totally Rad Show)
Episode 15 – Days of Wonder founder Mark Kaufman and the return of designer Daniel Solis
Episode 14 – Chris K from dicehateme.com and North Star Games’ Dominic Crapuchettes
Episode 13 – Under The Boardwalk director Kevin Tostado, Leigh Anderson (writer of The Games Bible) and Holly Gramazio (co-designer of The Board Game Remix Kit)
Episode 12 – Stephen Buonocore from Stronghold Games and Steve Buckmaster from Esdevium (the UK’s largest games distributors)
Episode 11 – Podcast panel with Thru-the-Portal and Boardgames in Blighty, plus the Game Night Guys
Episode 10 – Nick Medinger (founder of Fun Again Games) and Play in Public’s Kevin Schlabach
Episode 9 – Designer Daniel Solis and D&D writer Susan Morris
Episode 8 – Game Camp’s James Wallis, plus Wok Star designer Tim Fowers
Episode 7 – Tom Vasel and Eric Summerer from The Dice Tower, and Interaction Point’s Brent Evanger
Episode 6 – Mathematician/game designer Anthony Brown and Mathew Anderson from Petroglyph Games
Episode 5 – The Ragnar Brothers’ Gary Dicken with Peter Gifford (aka: rules genius Universal Head)
Episode 4 – Charles Ryan (Esdevium Games) and design legend Bruno Faidutti
Episode 3 – Documentarian Lorien Green and Matt Leacock, creator of Pandemic and more
Episode 2 – Colby Dauch discusses Summoner Wars while Tyma Hughes talks WoWTCG
Episode 1 – Xibxang from GamerDork and Warheads’ Mark Brendan
