Shows / Game Mechanics - A Critical Tabletop Podcast
Game Mechanics - A Critical Tabletop Podcast
Welcome to Game Mechanics, where we kick the tires and run diagnostics on tabletop experiences! Hosts Logan Jenkins and Greg Leatherman talk about everything tabletop; from board games, to roleplaying games, and even some video games that evoke the tabletop experience. Greg and Logan have been playing games for decades and have designed several games themselves.
Episodes
- Game Mechanics - A Critical Tabletop Podcast
The Process of Making a TTRPG Expansion with Tim Gonzalez and Rodrigo D. Lopez - GM2 86
We talk to special guests Rodrigo D. Lopez and Tim Gonzalez about their new Beacon expansion, Koronil, where you can fight spooky monsters or BE one! We talk…
- Game Mechanics - A Critical Tabletop Podcast
How to Be a Great Player - GM2 85
Bioware is gone. We talk about the ties from the video game studio to the tabletop industry. We share our top tips for being a great player at the RPG table…
- Game Mechanics - A Critical Tabletop Podcast
BINGO! - GM2 84
Logan's creative juices are flowing because of a fun BINGO game that Gila Games has created. Greg and Logan talk about being small creators online in the TTRPG…
- Game Mechanics - A Critical Tabletop Podcast
Greg's Cool Pumpkins - GM2 83
The Minnesota Zoo has a neat pumpkin exhibit! After that exciting discussion, we mosey into Hasbro watch in a major way. Wizards has made changes to booster…
- Game Mechanics - A Critical Tabletop Podcast
Do Board Game Boxes Say Anything? - GM2 82
Greg had a board game night and played a Clue-like. What makes it better? We're also on Pokémon Company watch with their 30th anniversary. Then we dive deep…
- Game Mechanics - A Critical Tabletop Podcast
Board Game 101: Poker - GM2 81
Greg and Logan talk about their weeks of games and whether or not you should drink the paint water (you should not). Then Logan brings a big Board Game 101…
- Game Mechanics - A Critical Tabletop Podcast
Who is This For? - GM2 80
We're back from Dragon Con, and only a little sick. We talk about CMON in our semi-recurring segment, "We were rooting for you!" Then we move on to talking…
- Game Mechanics - A Critical Tabletop Podcast
Dragon Con Has a Line Problem - GM2 79
We are back from Dragon Con and boy are our lines tired! I’m not sure that was a joke… but I AM sure that we, and countless others, spent a huge portion of our…
- Game Mechanics - A Critical Tabletop Podcast
Kickstarter and My Incredible Metal Coin Collection - GM2 78
Global warming is having effects on the shipping chain, but are folks doing the warming taking notes? Magic the Gaythering explores this question. We continue…
- Game Mechanics - A Critical Tabletop Podcast
Scoocher is NOT Banned. We Love you, Scoocher - GM2 77
Logan makes good on his promise to talk about the best game ever of Magical Athlete. He has some slightly complicated feelings about Scoocher. We talk about…
- Game Mechanics - A Critical Tabletop Podcast
Big Walk Is Not a Board Game - GM2 76
Logan is currently obsessed with a video game and made up a new segment to talk about it! Planet Money’s game now has a name, but is it going to be what they…
- Game Mechanics - A Critical Tabletop Podcast
Does Drillers Break New Ground for Deck Builders? - GM2 75
The mechanics are back from Gen Con and they both played a TON of games! Logan played Drillers. Did it live up to the hype? Greg played 13 omens. Is Paizo…
- Game Mechanics - A Critical Tabletop Podcast
Mechanics at Gen Con 2026 - GM2 74
Greg and Logan report directly from Gen Con. We talk about Dust, Wizard Community College, the still secret secrets of Warden Keane, and more. We also talked…
- Game Mechanics - A Critical Tabletop Podcast
What Even Is The OSR? - GM2 73
Greg and Logan are in the weird future-past where they are actually back from Gen Con today, but releasing an episode where they still haven’t gone. We talk…
- Game Mechanics - A Critical Tabletop Podcast
Greg's Gen Con 2026 Preview - GM2 72
It's Greg's turn to go through the games he's excited to check out at Gen Con. How many will migrate on over to Logan's list? Listen to find out. And if you'll…
- Game Mechanics - A Critical Tabletop Podcast
Logan's Gen Con 2026 Preview - GM2 71
Logan has done his homework and created a list of 20-something games he's excited about coming to Gen Con this year! We'll have Greg's list next week. Come…
- Game Mechanics - A Critical Tabletop Podcast
Let's Play Teeth - GM2 70
Logan's Favorite show of the year featured some very weird board games. We go over just what make's Run so unnerving. We also have possibly the most bizarre…
- Game Mechanics - A Critical Tabletop Podcast
Nice! - GM2 69
How do you host the perfect board game night? Logan shares some of his strategies, and how they may differ from the article the mechanics are looking at. If…
- Game Mechanics - A Critical Tabletop Podcast
Alt Text - GM2 68
Greg had a game night! We talk about what he got to the table. In the process, we get onto accessibility in games (and the web) and Logan shares some insight…
- Game Mechanics - A Critical Tabletop Podcast
Zhuzhing with Justin Nauman of Tabletop Gaymers - GM2 67
We have another special guest! Justin Nauman of Tabletop Gaymers. But what is Tabletop Gaymers? Greg and Logan have seen the organization at cons for years…
- Game Mechanics - A Critical Tabletop Podcast
An Embarrassment of Squirrels - GM2 66
Logan is back! From a vacation? We get into Squirrels on Magic the Gaythering, then, in Hasbro Watch, we examine the recent news for D&D and the WotC staff. We…
- Game Mechanics - A Critical Tabletop Podcast
With Special Guest Shelly Von Miller - GM2 65
Special guest Shelly Von Miller joins Greg to talk about TTRPGs, live plays, vinyl, musicals, and much more! Come for the super-size Magic the Gaythering into…
- Game Mechanics - A Critical Tabletop Podcast
I Don’t Wanna Make the Pentagram Death Trap - GM2 64
Greg and Logan had game nights! Hear about their experiences, new games and new versions of old games! We talk about Dragon Ball Z for quite a while, too. We…
- Game Mechanics - A Critical Tabletop Podcast
Roll Me At the Panel Celebrating My Life - GM2 63
Logan just got back from Frolicon! He played Dread, and hey, let’s classify Dread using our TTRPG classifying system! We revisit our Culver’s funeral. Plants…
- Game Mechanics - A Critical Tabletop Podcast
One Ring to Fool Them All - GM2 62
Greg and Logan BOTH had a game night over the weekend. We talk about the games we got to the table and what we thought. Was Logan right about Ants? Plus, Logan…
- Game Mechanics - A Critical Tabletop Podcast
Hexhaven is for Real Gamers(tm) - GM2 61
We talk video games for a bit, then get to Blue Bunny’s perplexing venture into board games. Greg brings a segment of Magic the Gaythering! We also talk weird…
- Game Mechanics - A Critical Tabletop Podcast
A Lossmaking Company - GM2 60
The Mechanics talk about the Tiny Dice House, rentable in Logan's neck of the woods. Then, CMON, we were ROOTING FOR YOU! We discuss the bizarre decisions…
- Game Mechanics - A Critical Tabletop Podcast
That's Kinda Like a Board Game! - GM2 59
You are considered beautiful by almost everyone you meet. You're beautiful and perfect. Congratulations! We introduce a new segment; That's Kinda Like a Video…
- Game Mechanics - A Critical Tabletop Podcast
What if Yahtzee? - GM2 58
There’s trouble in the gaming world. Some companies are losing money in a major way, others are moving away from US releases. And the mechanics talk about why…
- Game Mechanics - A Critical Tabletop Podcast
Greg Ponders Pax East - GM2 57
Greg just got back from Pax East. He shares a few thoughts, then we head into some interviews done on the floor at the event! Maybe through all of this, we'll…
- Game Mechanics - A Critical Tabletop Podcast
Bits & Pieces Games - GM2 56
Logan didn't have Things in Rings, BUT he did want to play it. Hear what happened next! Then, we discuss game genres that we can't seem to get to the table…
- Game Mechanics - A Critical Tabletop Podcast
This is not an Air Bud Situation - GM2 55
The Neopets TTRPG saga continues! Greg dishes the hot gos. We talk about why the apology sent from Geekify is suspicious, and what it might mean for Neopets…
- Game Mechanics - A Critical Tabletop Podcast
Fun If True - GM2 54
International Board Game Day is just around the corner! We share some facts that claim to be fun. Then we talk about Logan's new board game obsession. Are…
- Game Mechanics - A Critical Tabletop Podcast
Photon System Overdrive - GM2 53
We have a special guest interview with Tim Gonzalez of Pirate Gonzalez games. We talk rogue likes and how those mechanics can lead to an interesting TTRPG…
- Game Mechanics - A Critical Tabletop Podcast
A Year of Mechanics - GM2 52
Episode 52 means it's been a year of Game Mechanics! We talk about anniversaries, your favorite stuff from the show, and more! Also, we have a Patreon now!…
- Game Mechanics - A Critical Tabletop Podcast
Baby Too Many Food Before Math Good - GM2 51
We talk about some news, including AEG's firing of their COO after some pretty rough and silly statements. But has anyone considered how much time and food it…
- Game Mechanics - A Critical Tabletop Podcast
The Game Mechanics Guarantee - GM2 50
New segment alert! It's Hasbro Watch, and we ain't watchin' 'em because they're good stewards of their brands, we can tell ya that. We've got some earnings…
- Game Mechanics - A Critical Tabletop Podcast
Tic Tac Toe, the First 'Dudes on a Map' Game - GM2 49
We start with a Magic: the GAYthering segment, brought by Logan?! Then we move on to ancient board games. Find Logan's stuff at LoganJenkins.com. Find Greg's…
- Game Mechanics - A Critical Tabletop Podcast
Tantrums In Charlotte - GM2 48
Logan is back from Tantrum Con in Charlotte. Let's talk about the games he played! Also, StartPlaying.games put out a very interesting tabletop study that we…
- Game Mechanics - A Critical Tabletop Podcast
Cowabunga, I tap pizza - GM2 47
Magic has some hot new cards and some weird new food, some of which is appetizing. And we weren't the last people to talk about the best board games of 2025…
- Game Mechanics - A Critical Tabletop Podcast
Game Theory - GM2 46
Game theory is a way that billionaires and corporations view the world. But are the tenants of Game Theory good for us? What cost do we pay when the most…
- Game Mechanics - A Critical Tabletop Podcast
Industry Leders - GM2 45
There's a big shake-up at Leder games. What does it mean for the company and the people involved? Also, the original co-op trick-taking game, The Crew, has a…
- Game Mechanics - A Critical Tabletop Podcast
Nazis Die First - GM2 44
A new Magic set means a new Magic the Gaythering! Then we review some studies looking to see if board games make you smarter. And we end the show with some…
- Game Mechanics - A Critical Tabletop Podcast
S2E43 - 2025's most joyful game experiences - GM2 43
We're looking back to 2025 to give our first annual Game Mechanics awards show! We've got lots of categories to hand out awards to. Come listen to the games we…
- Game Mechanics - A Critical Tabletop Podcast
S2E42 - A Very Specific Monopoly Episode - GM2 42
It's the holiday season, so whoopadeedoo. So let's talk about all the 'opolies there are. Maybe even some better options for game night. This one's a bit…
- Game Mechanics - A Critical Tabletop Podcast
S2E41 - Interview with Terra Clash creators - GM2 41
This week, we spend the whole episode talking to Chris and Jim, the creators of Terra Clash, an upcoming card game. We talk about the game creation process…
- Game Mechanics - A Critical Tabletop Podcast
S2E40 - Games Gift Giving - GM2 40
It’s gifting time! We offer some tips for getting gifts your family and friends stuff that’ll make them smile! Then, Logan has some problems with an NPR…
- Game Mechanics - A Critical Tabletop Podcast
S2E39 - Mechanics at PAXU - GM2 39
Greg is on the scene at PAX Unplugged! Come listen in as he walks the floor and finds fun folks to interview about their games. What will their favorite game…
- Game Mechanics - A Critical Tabletop Podcast
S2E38 - Rulebooks - GM2 38
Logan is back from ChYOGA... but what the heck is ChYOGA? Then the mechanics talk about rulebooks and ways to make your rulebook better. The article we discuss…
- Game Mechanics - A Critical Tabletop Podcast
S2E37 - Anti-Colonization Board Games - GM2 37
NEW SEGMENT ALERT: Board Games 101, this time we’re explaining Worker Placement, Tableau Builders, and a bunch of smaller words we tend to use often! Then we…
- Game Mechanics - A Critical Tabletop Podcast
S2E36 - Killer Uno - GM2 36
We have a quick recap of actual Halloween now that it is over and discuss the dangers of PG movies in the 1980s. Tariff talk is back and America is just not…
- Game Mechanics - A Critical Tabletop Podcast
S2E35 - Brackets Are Wiggly - GM2 35
Spooky season has concluded, but we still need to report back about our spooky game nights! We talk about the Planet Money board game podcast series and what…
- Game Mechanics - A Critical Tabletop Podcast
S2E34 - 2026 is the Year Pikachu Gets a Divorce - GM2 34
It's still spooky season, so the mechanics are focusing up for the parties ahead. We talk about the upcoming year's competing themes, along with criticism and…
- Game Mechanics - A Critical Tabletop Podcast
S2E33 - Spoooooky TTRPGs - GM2 33
On this SECOND SPOOKY EPISODE, we discuss giving appropriate warnings to players about horror subjects and how to go about it. Then, we jump into our favorite…
- Game Mechanics - A Critical Tabletop Podcast
S2E32 - Spoooooky Games - GM2 32
On this SPOOKY EPISODE, we discuss some of the final wishes of Greg and Logan. We move to an even spookier topic - several NEW Magic sets! And then we talk…
- Game Mechanics - A Critical Tabletop Podcast
S2E31 - 41% - GM2 31
The mechanics explore a recent study on board games. Are you one of the 41% of millennials that experience joy while playing board games? Or are you…
- Game Mechanics - A Critical Tabletop Podcast
S2E30 - Games under $25 - GM2 30
The mechanics discuss some company woes and doomed Kickstarters. Then we move into recommending some good games that aren't super expensive, even in this weird…
- Game Mechanics - A Critical Tabletop Podcast
S2E29 - Autumnal Games - GM2 29
Things are looking pretty dire for the tabletop industry right now. We talk about some companies that are in trouble, and more bad stuff on the horizon. Then…
- Game Mechanics - A Critical Tabletop Podcast
S2E28 - We Went to Dragon Con! - GM2 28 (fixed audio)
The Mechanics are back from Dragon Con and talk about the experience of the con. Then we get into some AI discussion (spoiler: it's bad) and a greater…
- Game Mechanics - A Critical Tabletop Podcast
S2E27 - A Celebration of Life at the Culver's - GM2 27
RIP Ruth, you would've loved this butter burger. Sign up to be an organ donor here. Logan asks Greg about his process for writing games, and how to actually…