Reader T asked me in an email if there were any updates about, or news I could share about Tabletop Season 4. T mentioned that he liked the constant updates Geek & Sundry sent out during the production process of last season, and that he missed that sort of thing.
I began to reply that there “isn’t much to share, because there isn’t that much going on, except” … and then I wrote a bunch of stuff that disproved my original thought.
So, considering that T may not be the only person on this planet who wants to know what’s going on with Season 4, here’s the stuff that’s going on with Tabletop Season 4 which can be announced now:
We’ve taken a longer than usual hiatus because I was burned out, frustrated and unhappy after a really terrible experience with a (formerly) trusted friend last season, and wondering if I even wanted to do another season of the show. After a long hiatus that has allowed me to work on other things and rediscover the joy of playing games for the sake of playing games, as well as time to heal the wounds from Season 3, I’m back to work with my team, and starting to get things together for Season 4. We are in the game review process right now. From an original list of over 450 submissions, we’re actively play testing about 85 games, and that will be reduced to 18 or 20 games for the season. It’s 18 or 20 because we’ll probably do another one or two episodes that are two parts, but we won’t know for sure until we get down to about 20 games.
We’re not going to do gag reels and stuff this season. I don’t think they’re necessary, and they’re more trouble than they’re worth. We’ll still have a bi-weekly release schedule. I’m not sure if there will be something different to release on the off weeks.
One of the biggest changes this season affects me on a personal level as well as a professional one. We have asked the game publishers to send someone from their company to consult with us on rules and gameplay during production, so we don’t have to rely on one person to know the minutiae of 18 to 20 different games.
We are going to focus primarily on boardgames, as usual, but I have a couple of RPGs on my list that I really like, that I think could be really fun to showcase. We’re also going to look at more family games than we have in the past, because it turns out that families who watch together make up an enormous part of our audience. This doesn’t mean that I’m going to choose “kiddie” games, but that I’m looking at games that are fun for parents and kids to play together. For example, Tsuro, Ticket to Ride and Sushi Go! are all games that are really fun for adults and kids to play together, but they’re also fun for just adults to play together.
I have chosen two games already. They are Lanterns and Code Names. I’m also looking very seriously at Tiny Epic Galaxies.
We are planning to go into production near the end of April. We’re going to shoot for three weeks instead of two, so our schedule is a little less grueling. We don’t have an official release date, but I think the first episode of the season will be around the beginning of June.So, as you can see, maybe there’s more to share than I thought, and there it is. Play more games!!
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Evil genius death ray!
Long time lurker here, Wil. I love Tabletop, and I enjoy the stuff you are interested in. I’ve been able to get my cousins playing Munchkins Zombies, and Last Night on Earth. Your tabletop episodes have been great to spark their interest and enjoyment.
A new thought, have you considered Rock Band on the show? Maybe that fad is over, but the recent induction of Ringo Starr into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame spurred me to get the drumset and game dusted off. Perhaps with RB4 coming out, more folks will want to play. This would be very different from a board game…. But i always enjoy seeing it played, like on TBBT! What could be nerdier, lol!?
I still haven’t received all my items from the Season 3 backer. Who can I get in contact with regarding this? I’ve tried e-mails, tweets….
So excited to hear about this. Was wondering if Anima beyond Fantasy is on the list of RPGs that is up for consideration. Thank you for the show as it gives me great ideas and great games to bring to my friends to play.
God Bless you Wil Wheaton.
I had a chat today with my local game shop owner, and he was mentioning that when Tabletop plays a game, he sees an uptick in sales of that game within a couple of days of the episode airing, but he doesn’t always have enough copies in stock. Is there any way that game shops could get an advance list of the games being played this season so they can order copies of the game in advance?
Wil, thanks for the update. I both sympathize and appreciate the “unpleasantness” you endured last year. However, I would add that I thought last season was your best so far, in my humble opinion. You picked a great variety of games and everyone that guest starred seemed to really be into them. That enthusiasm makes for a great show.
Not that I was solidified for an opinion, but is I had a Tabletop Season 4 wishlist, I’d love to see:
Blood Rage (such an epic, epic game)
Fury of Dracula or Specter Ops (I know hidden movement games probably don’t translate well production wise…but still…SQUEE).
Colt Express….Yee Haw!
Imperial Settlers
Concordia
The Grizzled
And finally….a Battlestar Galactica throw down!
Anyway, thanks again Wil for all you do. Never forget while you trudge through the internet troll dung from the incessantly unappreciative few, the vast majority LOVE what you’re doing and thank you for leading geeks and non-geeks alike into board game’s Golden Age.
No Cosmic Encounter?! As a personal choice I’d want to see Cutthroat Caverns, Arcadia Quest, or Spyfall.
Hey Wil, great to hear you’re playing lots of games in preparation for season 4.
Have to say, having someone from the game company sitting in on production for every title is an awesome idea.
Is there any way that they could be included in the show? I always thought having a commentary team could be fun for the show, and the game expert of the week would be good as a kind of play by play guy, with a regular colour commentator. They’d only jump in for rules clarification and stuff, almost a commentary parody.
Would even free up some of your brain so you can concentrate on getting the win 😉
Finally. I really really really really hope you’re considering Roll For The Galaxy for S4. Love that game, but understand how it misses the criteria a bit for TableTop.
I like the play by play idea! Maybe not for every episode – it would probably bogg them down & add a lot of work – but for certain special episodes. Some games it would really work for – where you can speculate who has what agenda, or goal – but the more luck based ones it might not work for.
Very excited to see Code Names as one of the “chosen” games. My brother just got it for Christmas and we spent many nights playing! I brought Sushi Go! with me because it looked like so much fun, but we got never got to playing it.
Does anyone know, if Yggradsil (from Z-Man Games) has been suggested yet? We have just played it with family, some of whom are quite picky when it comes to unconventional games (=anything youger than Catan). I think it could be a good fit for the tabletop format, with a great layer of Norse mythology goodness underneath…
Yggdrasil is still out of print unfortunately and i doubt they would put a game out that you can’t buy. Z-Man are reprinting it but last i heard from them on the subject it wasn’t going to happen until early 2017. (I’ve been hunting for a copy for ages)
This makes me very happy. Don’t let the haters drag you down Will, ’cause the majority of us love what you do!
Abracada… What? is a great short game my friends got me into.
Galaxy Trucker! It’s fun even if you’re losing and you can win even if you have the least amount of money!
I’m also a lurker, but I just wanted to say that I’m sorry you have bad feelings about the last season. I was a contributor to Season 3, and as a consumer, I was super happy with the final result. I enjoyed the episodes and the gag reels, and the backer perks were fun.
I read about the brouhaha over the game rules, but it just didn’t bug me. I’m not trying to be dismissive about it, because one of the reasons we like what you do is because you do take care to do things the right way. I’m not surprised it bothers you. But from my POV, TableTop is way more than how to play the game. The rules are pretty much the last reason why I watch. If I purchase a game you play, I’m going to have to read through the rules on my own, anyway. I don’t look to the show to be my tutorial. I look to it introduce me to new games and to laugh with your guests as I kill and hour or so in the evening.
I know it has to be hurtful to read nasty comments, and maybe those of us who like your stuff should quit lurking and speak up more to counteract the asshats. So here’s one more voice. I like what you do. I’m glad I get to keep enjoying it. And I hope you get to enjoy making it as much as we enjoy watching it.
I agree with Lynne, and just want to speak up in support. I hope it’s never too late to do that. Whatever the mistakes, so many of us love the work you and the crew on TableTop do.
As you always say, play more games, but also, remember to have fun, and lastly, haters gonna hate.
Really happy to hear that there’s going to be an S4, as it seemed TT might be done as a concept after whatever went down with the ‘formerly trusted friend’ in S3. I’m truly glad you’re able to move past that and make another season, as the show is always entertaining and fun to watch, and a great source of keeping up with what’s happening in the tabletop gaming world.
I would really love it if you guys game Cosmic Encounter a try. I feel like that would really be an amazing episode. Super entertaining and crazy game every time!
Hey Wil,
+1 to a season 4! Season 1 was what got me back interesting in tabletop games after 20+ years of not playing. Thank you so much for that! We now hold (roughly) monthly gaming sessions, made of of mostly games that you’ve featured on Tabletop.
I’d love to see an RPG episode where you run a 1-shot of Numenera, it’s a fantastic system that’s very simple to understand and I think both the world and the rules would translate well to camera.
Anyway, thank you again for giving up so much of your time and energy for such a fantastic show that has brought true joy to my life.
-Stick
Love Tabletop and all you do, Sir. Would love to see Battlestar Galactica hit the table with Aaron Douglas as a guest!
I love Tiny Epic Galaxies.
Can I make a suggestion for S4 that I think is both a good idea in general and a good way to make peace with /r/boardgames?
Post a thread or a few with the various games you’re deciding to focus in the new season. Let the regulars here give you feedback and help you decide on which games to showcase. I’d love to see you guys tackle Boss Monster / Boss Monster 2 for example. It was a popular Kickstarter game. It plays really well with 4 players. It is visually a good game (great pixel art and the layout of each player building a video game dungeon/level works really well). It is quick, accessible and easy for an audience to pick up on the rules.
I have two wackier suggestions that are more unlikely. First off, have a bonus episode for people new to the hobby where you go over the basic types of games (deck builders, press your luck dice games, etc) and some examples so people have an idea what games might work for their group and how to get started.
Next, Michael Dorn is all but begging Paramount/CBS to give him a Captain Worf TV show. Last year you did a full RPG spin-off. You’ve done RPG episodes before. I’d love to see a few of the TNG/DS9 actors do a one-off Star Trek RPG of Captain Worf. I imagine guys like Michael Dorn have likely never played an RPG and it might be fun.
Glad to hear that there will be a season 4 of the show. If you guys end up crowdfunding the production of this one, count me in.
Please make an episode with big bang theory guys. I think it will be epic when sheldon shouts WHEEEEEEEATON!
This is Great news! I have a friend that I play board games with, who specifically requests that we watch your show when we take a dinner break between games. It’s a cherished tradition. 🙂
Awesome update!
I’ve been a fan of the show from day 1 and had a rewarding chat with you at the Calgary Entertainment Expo about games in general. The show really helped my gf (now fiancé) become closer and find a great hobby we can enjoy together.
I was proud to help crowdfund season 3, and would do it again in a heart beat.
Even though there were some issues last year (and that’s really sad that it resulted in a hurt friendship) i/we still really loved watching every episode of Table Top.
Sounds like you finding your love for games again is going to be a great thing for the show. I am also glad that it is re structuring a bit with having the rules issue be on the publisher (awesome idea!) and getting rid of the gag reel (it was funny but not needed).
Wish you all the best with the planning and executing of the new season and I am pumped to hear that it is back on track more or less!
Thanks for all that you do and for sharing your love, passion, and excitement for games with all of us!!
Congratulations!!
So glad season 4’s coming. To me TableTop is so necessary. There are generations of gamers entering a time when gaming is more mainstream than ever. Even so, I think there’s just a world of gaming that most people won’t know about because their source for information is what’s on display at Target or Walmart.
And, while it’s totally your show and I get that time constraints might be just too much this time around but I just wanted to throw out there a +1 vote for the gag reels. I love them both because it’s an extra 15-30 minutes of TableTop in a way and because we get to see more of the spontaneous humor that makes a night of gaming so much more fun with other people. Maybe if all goes well, you’ll have more time (and energy) next year/season but I can say I will miss those.
Yay!
I am super happy! Happy New year!
I’m glad to hear there will indeed be a season 4. I greatly enjoyed season 3. I am really sorry that a project you invested so much into led to a friendship fracturing and dissolving. That sucks. Take the time you need, and we your adoring audience will wait eagerly for your beloved return. Also, perhaps Red Dragon Inn is in the running for a possible game for season 4… Especially since it is so easy for people to get into roleplaying mindset with that game.
You have brought a ton of people into board games. Forget about the rules lawyers, they ruin every game and only have fun when pointing out people flaws. The first rule is to have fun anyway.
Ah, this is the update I was looking for. Sounds like a full compliment of upgrades to me! Looking forward to it. 😀
Thanks Wil. Tabletop makes a lot of people very happy!
Great to know there’s a new season on the way, Wil. Between TableTop, Critical Role, and TitansGrave I think G&S got more viewing time in my house than any mainstream channel in 2015.
Happy New Year to you and all the team, and thanks for all your great work so far.
Thank you for the update! I’m so glad you decided to continue Tabletop. I’d love to see some 2 player games featured in future seasons.
I’m sorry to hear that you had trouble with a formerly trusted friend. That kind of thing is so devastating that it can be hard to come back from. I know you have a lot of really good friends aside from that person, whoever that is. Take your time and take care of yourself.
Wil-
Thank you for the update. I will miss the gag reels – they let me see behind the scenes into the personalities of the people involved. But I think I understand how they might not be worth it from your end.
I’ve been a fan since Season 1, and dragged my sister into it mid-Season 2; our purchase of Munchkins, Sushi-Go! and Roll the Dice, and our friends’ purchases of Ticket to Ride and Carcassone were directly influenced by your show.
Some bits of news that might interest you. The Sacramento County Library system has dedicated one of their branches as a “library of things”. Besides books, it allows you to check out sewing machines and other tools; it has 3D printers and laser cutters you can use; and you can check out games to play. Whoever is ordering games to stock is a fan of your show; the correlation between “as seen of ‘Tabletop'” and “on the shelves for checkout” is very high.
There is also a game store/pub set to open that intends to focus more on board games than on miniatures and RPGs. They plan to have gaming rooms and tables, board games you can rent, and pub food so you and friends can spend an evening getting together.
Steve
Spyfall and Deception: Murder in Hong Kong would be fun to see
I have my heart set on Snake Oil for next season. Code Names may be a more popular game, but I think Snake Oil would play better on the Tabletop format.
Thanks so much for the update! If you have trouble narrowing it down to 20 games for the season, I think it would be a great idea to put the narrowed down list of games up on the site to have people vote on which ones they would most like to see on the show.
While I am sad to hear there won’t be gag reels posted for the upcoming season, I think the side commentary from the players is hilarious in itself and is enough to satisfy me as a viewer. Excited to see Codenames has already made the list!
Thank you for continuing with TableTop, all the best with all your endeavours.
Gonna throw my pair of cents in here as well. I thoroughly enjoy TableTop and it’s gotten me re-interested in these games (to the tune of a few hundred dollars, heh). In turn, I’ve spread the joy to others in my immediate vicinity. The gag reels can be fun but are in no way required for TableTop, IMO. Keep on Keeping On, Wil, for as long as you care to.
Glad to hear that TableTop is returning. Maybe try to keep some of the gags in the video, enough to laugh at but not enough to stall the game. Thanks for dealing with the admin headaches while viewers enjoy the games. Whatever happens after this season, “Play more games” seems like a good theme for your next book.
Awesome news about season 4! I’m particularly excited about the news concerning the family games. Our family watches together, and has made a few purchases based on what we’ve seen. Looking forward to seeing what shows up in the coming year!
Thanks for the update Wil, I’m so glad there’s going to be another season of tabletop. I would really enjoy seeing Mayim join you for an episode, it would be awesome if you could invite her. But really, I enjoy the show regardless of who is on. My family plays games together so much more now since watching together. Thanks for that.
Why no mention of Exploding Kittens?
I am really happy that there is another season of Tabletop. Since I discoverd the show on youtube and shown it to my brother and sisters, we started playing bordgames again.
Thank you for that.
Sadly not all games are for sale in Germany but we manage to sit down and play a round or two more often.
I love Tabletop and all of the ideas you have for improving the show. Not only is the show helpful, but it is fun to watch. Can hardly wait for the next season!
I’m sad to hear that you had a bad experience with a friend. Those are the hardest to move past sometimes. I’m glad that you have rekindled your joy for playing games. My family truly has you and this show to thank for our love of board games, and we would be very sad to see this show not continue!
My husband has always been that kind of person who said, “I hate board games, they call them that because they are boring.” However, since I love them and have been watching Tabletop since you released it, I have managed to sneak a few games in the house that have undone his craptastic way of looking at games.
We started with Qwirkle, and that quickly became a family favorite. We have since purchased Ticket to Ride, which was received well, although not quite with the gusto of Qwirkle. Then we borrowed Catan from a friend and that was another one that was really enjoyed. Finally, friends of ours (that we have a regular D&D game going with) bought us Betrayal at the House on the Hill for Christmas. We have played this one three times in two days. It is by far our favorite so far. Our friends also bought Dead of Winter and we have played that with them. It’s another favorite!
My son and I look forward to each new episode to see what awesome new game we can add to our wish list. You are one of my favorite actors which makes this show even better in my opinion. Keep your chin up, sir. You have quite a following for this spunky little show.
🙂 A
Yea for more Tabletop!! My hubby and I love watching, and have bought several of our games due to episodes of TT (Fortune and Glory, Takenoko, Tokaido, 12 Days, Concept, Dixit, Coup, and FIve Tribes). I’m guessing you’re past the point of looking into new suggestions, but I’d like to put in my vote for you playing Castles of Mad King Ludwig, Honor of the Samurai, Loot, Guillotine, Roborally, Room 25, Imperial Assault, and CV. Hope you had a great holiday! Btw- have you heard of Icarus Game Vacations? My husband and I were gifted a trip there and we are super excited!
Is it too late to suggest you try Waggle Dance…?
Thanks for defining ‘Family Games’ that way.
As one of the geek moms who watches, I try to buy games I can play with my family. While this does include kiddie games – and there are some awesome ones out there – it also includes playing games I like while helping my kids play/understand them. You know, being a parent. Something like Roll For It – where it’s dice rolling and matching – is no problem for my 5 year old. Although we didn’t get Tortoise & Hare, we did get The Three Little Pigs (same company, same series). Those seem to me actually marketed as Family games – there’s an easy set of rules, and a harder set of rules. Heck, I played Lords of Waterdeep with my daughter when she was not quite 9, and she got the basics. She was old enough to read the cards, and understand about collecting resources. We had discussions about placement, and what was good for her, and also good for mom, or what was good for her & blocking mom.
Really, family games is about 1) not too much reading for little kids, and 2) helping your kids learn the game and even getting them to make moves that benefit them, even if they block mom or dad.
Thanks for our great work, Wil!
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