GTL: Tabletop Comeback Fractures the Gaming Landscape

Taking advantage of the positives that crowdfunding provides to developers and players, the tabletop game industry has seen an impressive amount of growth recently and is showing no signs of slowing down. This episode of Game Talk Live discusses the allure of tabletop gaming and what players can expect from the industry going forward into the future. Host Mandie Roman is joined by a panel of guests including Satine Phoenix of Dungeons and Dragons, Zac Eubank of Hyper RPG, and Ross Thompson of IDW Games. 

Game Talk Live begins by examining how crowdfunding has changed the tabletop game industry. From allowing creators to move their game into the market when otherwise they might not have been able to get their product into retail stores or noticed by publishers to often giving supporters involved in the creative process behind a game, each panelists explains why they feel crowdfunding has helped the industry grow. 

The panel also looks at why tabletop games often have much more success when it comes to crowdfunding compared to video games. Each guests explains their thoughts on how the developers of tabletop games are able to connect on a deeper level with their supporters where video game studios can feel more distant from those who are supporting their project. 

Discussion also include how the ability of tabletop games to allow players to create their own stories, the community apsect of being involved in a campaign and the decline of the social stigma surrounding tabletop gaming have all contributed to the growth the industry has seen in recent years. 

"#Tabletop #devs have done a really great job of embracing that 'at-the-table' feeling. You’re more likely to feel like you’re getting a reward for supporting them than a #game studio that feels more shadowy and corporate." -@hyper_rpg

Watch: https://t.co/bnmptdGxrh#rpg pic.twitter.com/0ctyxUGnEd

— GameTalkLive (@GameTalkLive) April 13, 2018

The focus then shifts to people turning to tabletop gaming to escape from our reality of being constantly plugged in today's society and escaping the worries of the real world with a group of like minded individuals. Each panelist also explains how the creators of video games or other forms of entertainment can take advantage of the tabletop medium to promote their content further beyond what they normally could. 

Discussion moves onto the role that streaming has taken in the industry and how it has helped for players to expand their communties and stories with people all across the world, while also providing an outlet for individuals who want to experience tabletop gaming, but do not have a community to participate in, an avenue to do so. The rise in streaming content based around tabletop gaming has also allowed for the experience to be introduced to those who may have not otherwise been exposed to it.  The panel also discuss the prospect of the industry moving into the digital realm and the positives and negatives that it will bring to tabletop gaming as a whole. 

“Most people probably watch [#tabletopgames] on #Twitch because they want to be part of the experience. I know it leads to a lot of people finding friends they can play with.” -@hyper_rpg#tabletop #rpg #dnd #warhammer #dungeonfamily

Watch Live: https://t.co/bnmptdGxrh pic.twitter.com/oAJ5y7uKiG

— GameTalkLive (@GameTalkLive) April 13, 2018

Game Talk Live moves onto discussing what the next possible trends in the tabletop industry and point to the likes of extremely detailed miniatures and the use of mobile devices in coordination with traditional tabletop platforms as the likely candidates for being the next big things in the industry. 

The team also looks at what makes a player a good dungeon master (the active director of a game session) and agree that strong storytelling is pivotal, but being able to have a positive attitude and a fun time with players is just as important. Struggles of the dungeon master are also examined, especially for those who are managing multiple campaigns at once. 

“If you don’t listen to your players, and you don’t get to know their characters, and you’re not sensitive to their needs, and [you're] hyper-strict– that’s not a very good #dungeonmaster." -@satinephoenix #rpg #DungeonsAndDragons

Watch Live: https://t.co/bnmptdGxrh pic.twitter.com/ZrmE5bR5rB

— GameTalkLive (@GameTalkLive) April 13, 2018

This episode has wrapped up, but you can catch it in its entirety in the video embedded above. Be sure to check out the previous Game Talk Live as well where panel discusses Grand Theft Auto V and its claiming of the title of the most profitable piece of entertainment of all time.