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!!
Im sure you see this kind of thing alot, but TableTop (and honestly with many of the things ive become aquainted with that you, Wil, and Felicia and various and sundry from your groups have been doing (cumbersome much? oi.)) has become some thing i look forward to in a way i havent experinced since the first few seasons of the simpsons aired in my youth. I wasn’t sure where to say this, but thank you and all others mentioned for creating something invaluable, and for reminding us that the people we see are so much like those we know… Carry on :}
I agree with Kevin. I got excited about board games a year ago after going on vacation with my kids and their cousins, and everyone had their heads glued to their devices. I made a resolution to start building a board game collection so we can have “no device” days on vacation. Tabletop was the first resource I found, and all my initial game purchases (Tsuro, Roll For It, Get Bit, Ticket to Ride, the Resistance) were all because of Tabletop. And my kids think the Resistance episode is the best one ever. I think I agree. 🙂
I’m with these guys above. It was because of your show that I fell in love with something I forgot I loved so much: board games. After watching Betrayal at House, I bought it and convinced 4 of my friends and my fiance to play. I now have a dresser full of board games, a core group of players that insist on playing each week, and have also got them into playing DnD (with reluctancy from them at first), in which they now love and can’t wait for the next sessions of. I’m intensely looking forward to more seasons of this show, and for the seasonal “W00tStout” to come back in order to enter my face portal. P.S. My fiance is also a huge trekie (TNG, not Shatner) and giggles when she sees you as a teen.
On a side note, 1/24/16 = Sharks vs. Kings. Let’s go Sharks! 🙂
Thank you for this information update. My wife and I look forward to new episodes like we do Undateable or Brooklyn Nine-Nine (a compliment, I swear) and we’re pleased to hear that you’re going forward. Vocalizing my support for you and your show. Also, we crave new games to get and use your show to build our grocery list. 🙂
Glad to hear there’s going to be new episodes, and sorry to hear about the producer troubles. I really enjoy watching this show with my S/O and it has definitely made me buy and play more games. Great to hear we can look forward to more episodes.
I personally don’t mind your swearing, and I think it would make the episodes feel more fake if you were more self-censoring. I am also glad to hear about the more relaxed scheduling — sometimes during episodes you looked a touch tired, hah.
… any chance of getting Day9/Sean Plott as a returning guest? He was in the first episode, and on his show the next few he talked ad nasueum about how bad he felt that he got so competitive with Grant. It’d be awesome to see him on the show again.
So glad you’re removing those gag reels. Hope you get over the butthurt of the season 3 rules thing; seriously, who cares?
Was there crowdsource funding for season 4? Did I miss it? I enjoyed helping you make season 3, so if there is a fund going on point me in the right direction please.
Hey WIL,
I went back and found my answer. In that case would you consider another lootcrate or make a season 4 shirt we could buy?
~William
Hi Wil, I’m really happy about the news for season 4, I miss this show.
And I want to thank you. I always loved board games but never knew which ones to buy because they’re often pretty expensive and you never know if they’re worth it until you play yourself, but Tabletop helped me create a list of games to buy… that I will probably never achieve XD
You also got me to try out some RPGs with my wife and some friends and they loved it. I never really had the possibility before and didn’t know if I would be a good GM… so thanks for giving me the ideas and the confidence too.
As for what happened to you, I don’t what it is and I don’t have to, but if it helps you even a little bit: I’m about 14 years younger than you and have a job that I grew to hate, but I can’t really quit because I have a family to take care of and a house to build. I don’t do anything that even means a small bit to me (and even less to society) and I get depressed way too often. But watching Tabletop and get to know these games that I can play with my friends and family helps me so much to find those precious happy moments in my life… You make great entertaining program and really do something meaningfull, even if it may not be recognized by a lot of people. So thank you.
Like I said, you’re older than me, have experience way more stuff that I could pretend to and this comment might just be a santa-clause letter from my naive younger self to one of my “nerd-heroes” but still, if it helps you even just a small bit, it was worth a shot 😉
~ a french fan ~
The fact you are doing a fourth season is awesome! And then I learned your doing Code Names, a game I am considering for my club. WIl, you are the best in the world. Still, I do hope you will consider doing a couple games this season: Boss Monster and Imperial Assault. ANyway, cannot wait to see what games you do!
So excited to hear that there will be a season 4!
Code Names would be an awesome choice – great for beginners and diehard gamers alike! I would also like to suggest the co-op card game Hanabi. And Spyfall is also a lot of fun, especially if you get a bunch of creative thinkers together.
Sorry about the season 3 frustrations. Glad you’ve been taking your own advice and playing more games. I’ve been absorbing tabletop like a sponge and host ‘board at lunch’ for my students at school. Much love from Australia. Ps: tiny epic galaxies is a winner.
We just discovered Tabletop as a family when over Christmas I purchased Board Games for the family as gifts and then realized we needed to read the massive instructions before playing. The kids were like, we don’t have to read, just search youtube, and who knew you could watch people explain how to play!?! Anyway, my husband and I realized that we only have a few years left with the kids still under our roof, and what better way to spend time together than playing games. I love the show, and it has helped us locate some of our new favorites.
season 4, plz
Thanks for doing this. I know it’s a lot of work but your show inspired me to play more boardgames with my kids and you have helped me to find cooperative games which are fun for everyone without the stress of win-loss upsetting the younger ones.
I like the plan for family games, but worry the language used on tabletop will offend a younger audience – it’s not really very PG13 at the moment.
You watch the episode, then, and decide whether or not it’s okay for your children to watch. You still walk away with a fun game to play with your family if the episode is not “PG13.” Please stop being the censorship police because you are unwilling to pre-watch things for your children.
Yeah! Love your show. I’ve been watching since your x-wing episode. Who would have thought watching someone else play would be so fun. Love that the emphasize next season will be on family games because that is what I enjoy playing with my kids.
Any chance we will get to see a Table Top TNG cast reunion episode? The convention footage of you and the others together just speaks volumes about your genuine like for each other. Really, what could be better for a show at aimed at families?
Glad your coming Back Mr Wheaton.
I’m really happy to hear TT4 is on!
I was wondering, how did you fund this one? I didn’t hear anything about another Indiegogo campaign, was this just left over from the season 3 funds?
Have you considered selling old Table Top seasons to television networks in the US and around the world e.g. BBC3. I know you’re a web based show but you could pull in a whole a new audience and help fund TT5 🙂
I wanted to add to the many comments here about how much my family and I LOVE this show. My son, who is nine years old, asked for ten board games this year for Christmas, all of which were chosen from Tabletop episodes. We love the show and are looking forward to the new episodes. As you are planning the new season, I would only hope for one key difference this seasons. I realize this show is being played by adults but it is often watched by families. If the suggestive language and cursing could be toned down a bit I would greatly appreciate it. Thanks again for an awesome show. Please let us know where we can lean additional financial support.
I think it’s great that you are doing a season 4 of tabletop. With that out of the way I like everyone else just want to say thank you. Thank you so much for introducing me to great board games besides the usual Life or monopoly. I first saw your show after I came across the X Wing episode and was hooked ever since.
I started a board game collection by purchasing a game called Samurai by Reiner Knizia (which is a great casual game that would be great on tabletop). 🙂 After watching the X Wing episode I had to find out more about the game and asked for it for my birthday. When I got it, my dad my brother and I played it and had a blast. After playing X Wing, I watched more of your videos and got into playing Settlers of Catan after months of being hounded by my girlfriend to play it. I liked the game so much that I got the two player version to play when I don’t have three people.
Because of your show, I also hang out with some of my best friends from college every other week when we hold a game night. Your show has given me numerous ideas for the game night, and I have purchased Carcassonne and Takenoko. i even bought my best friend Star Trek Settlers of Catan since he is a huge trekkie. Carcassone has also become my favorite game even though my brother beats me almost every time.
I also wanted to say that I am moving on my own soon and one thing that will definitely go with me is my board game collection. Even though it is probably going to be one of the most difficult times of my life, my girlfriend has already talked about playing board games so it should make the move much easier.
I don’t want to sound like a broken record but again Thank You! for exposing me to a great hobby that has brought my girlfriend, my friends and even my family and I closer together. Please to keep up the good work and remember that what you do is great!
We are super excited to see the Tabletop is getting a Season 4. My family recently discovered the show on amazon prime. It has helped bring our family together to play games like we did when the kids were little. With a 13 and 14 year-old, it got very hard to pull them out of their electronics long enough to even feed them. Spending time as a family is fun again. LOVE THE SHOW AND CAN’T WAIT FOR THE NEW SEASON.
Board games are such an important part of my family’s life and I love seeing other people express love them for as well, especially celebrities! I love what you all are doing, please keep it up! 🙂
http://www.hanniepat.com
Glad to hear season 4 is a go. I was just searching for info because I was getting worried about it. I watch Tabletop just as I’d watch any network show (very few) and would love to see it continue to grow. Sorry to hear about the fallout with a friend. Regular updates on the progress of season for on Geek and Sundry would be great. I just like hearing about how it’s going and look forward to it’s release. Have fun!
Please review Eldritch Horror. Honestly I just stumbled upon TableTop a couple of weeks ago after seeing a post on Geek & Sundry and have binge watched just about every episode. I purchased almost every game that you played because I have always wanted to get into board games but hated learning to play them because the instructions can be so convoluted and hard to learn and explain to others. Watching these videos has made me feel very confident that I can have loads of fun with these games with limited difficulty based on how you explain how to play. These videos are extremely entertaining and informative. You end every video with “Play more games” and these videos accomplish exactly what you are looking to do.
Please don’t let issues about some mistakes and trolls get you down. The net positives of your show are tremendous and so many families and people support you. Thank you so much for your hard work. It’s very much appreciated!
More Grant Imahara… when he’s on your show I laugh way more than I should. Dead of Winter was hilarious!
Will, we need more updates! Any new games selected? Absolutely love your show. Can’t wait for Season 4.
I’m so glad to hear your outlook has (re)changed for the better. I understand how frustrating it can be, having to rely on somebody that lets you down (nearly everybody, in my professional experience!). You’ve just got to adapt as well as you can though, and it sounds like you’ve come up with a good solution!
Of course, you could always just hire me to learn your games instead… me and my ample capabilities would be down for that. 😉
T.I.M.E Stories would be soooooo great!!! please please
Hi Wil,
Wonderful to hear that you’re doing another season. I only recently discovered TableTop – I picked a copy of “Tabletop Gaming” magazine in a Chapters in Halifax on my way to the airport and read your interview. My family and I have watched many episodes since then and have picked up Ticket to Ride and Gloom based on the show. We are also considering Last Night on Earth (without Dr. Hannah) and forbidden desert – coop games seem to work well in our family.
One great classic older game I’d like to suggest is Steve Jackson’s Illuminati. I had the older plastic box sets (circa 1982 – definitely dating myself here) but I know it has been reissued in more visually attractive form and might be suitable for your show. It’s got lots of humorous potential and works well for 4 players in a one hour-ish time frame.
Cheers,
Jeff
PLEASE cover the Flying Buffalo games “Nuclear War” and/or its expansion “Nuclear Escalation” I remember playing these about 20 years ago. I recently bought it on e-bay (mostly out of nostalgia) but I don’t have enough gamer friends that aren’t saddled with children or work, so I never get to play!!! Also, the rules get confusing for newbs, so even when I get a group together that’s willing to give it a shot, the game breaks down while trying to clarify gameplay. I feel like if I can get my friends to watch YOU playing, they will see that it’s not as difficult as they think and I can regenerate interest in this classic game. Thanks for your consideration!
–Pete
Love Lanterns!
This channel has turned me on to so many new games, and the light hearted feel of the show was always enjoyable from Wil’s ridiculous voice on Epic Spell Wars to his genuine surprise when he actually wins a game. Sorry to hear about all your frustrations, but this show really has opened a door to those that don’t do a lot of gaming and gets them to drink the Koop aid so to speak. I know I’ve spent a lot of money on table top games because of this show.
Wil…. Your so good when you Are doing the hole game stuff. But thats the thing, your Are getting wounds healed with laughing and so is it with your games here.
You have inspired me for such a Great way, that i first just wanted to know if the games are good…. But now i look all your vids just because it makes me happy:-)
If someone would ask me, what i would have been wished if i had one free, then i would Play Board-, RPG-games with you, all Night long (with Yammi Drinks ob Top ^__^).
So give everything and dont forget, time heals everything. <3
Greetz from Cologne,
MiG
I love the idea of focusing on games that I can play with my nieces. But I also super enjoyed the Table Top After Dark episode to give us adults a little gaming time of our own. I’d love to see another episode of it this season featuring some other fun to play aimed at adults game. So I’m all for focusing on adult+kid friendly games, but one episode just for us adults would be awesome.
Hello Wil, my name is Kevin, I’m about to graduate college at 21. I started watching your table top series a couple years ago and I instantly got hooked. I’ve watched every season on YouTube & I just love your videos & it easily taught me how to play these board games. Because it reminds me of the fun times I had playing video games with my cousins & you made board games look like a lot of fun. You even inspired me to introduce the game of “coup” to my school coworkers during a pot luck & even though no one knew what coup was, everyone had a blast! (I did have to make the 15 cards by hand & we used tallies for coins) but it was really fun! And I don’t want to sound too emotional but I really appreciate what you did with the tabletop series (along with your team). And I appreciate your character/personality in your videos, you’re just funny & entertaining. I can definitely say that you’ve really helped me have an appreciation for board games. So in the end I hope this a chance for me to say thank you.
Shame about the gag reels, some of the best moments were in there (e.g. “Welcome to truck pistons with Wil Wheaton” had me ROFL), but can’t wait to see more games…I’m literally buying games left, right and centre since getting into this show, so can’t wait to see more of my money disappear!
I only started watching Tabletop last year, and I binge watched it like crazy. Because of you and your team my friends and I now have a weekly dinner and tabletop gaming night. Which is nice since we’re all busy adults (and I’m currently planning a wedding) and wouldn’t get to see each other very often, but this gives us a great time to be together and reconnect and forget about adulting for a while and just have fun. So far we have Betrayal at House on the Hill, The Resistance (my favorite), Pandemic, Coup, and Dead of Winter. I’m sorry you had a bad experience you had to recover from, but I’m happy to hear you are continuing with another season, and I can’t wait to see you play more games and in turn, allow me and my friends to play more games. Thanks Wil Wheaton and the whole Geek & Sundry team! Can’t wait to see Season 4!
Is there any chance that the extended versions will return? I totally get that the shows must be cut down for the “general public”, but it does take something away from the experience. I loved the extended version of “Lords of Waterdeep”. I don’t even think it would be important to do much editing at all. Could just leave it all in. Do-overs, breaks and all. 🙂
Probably not. I don’t like them, they’re a lot of extra work for our editors, and I’d rather our team focus on making the episodes I do want to release as awesome as possible.
Wil,
Really enjoy the show and excited for Season 4. Not sure exactly what your criteria is for game selection, but I’d love to see you and some friends play Colt Express! Just my 2 cents
Hey Wil,
Just wanted to say looking forward to Season 4 coming out! Also wanted to let u know ever since u start with season 1 me and my roommate have actually started building are own collection of games and have been talking with some friends to start making a game night for us to enjoy. Keep up the great work! 🙂
We – the people of the world, politely request… no, DEMAND a new season of tabletop. I don’t know what i’d do without it. Remember folks – don’t be a dick and play more games!
“We have 4 players on each episode of TableTop, so your game should work best with 4 players. This does not mean that it can be played by only 4 players, but it should really shine with 4 players. A good example is Bang!, which technically works with 4 players, but is at its best with 7 or more. As much as we love Bang!, it just won’t work on Tabletop.”
Why would you pick Code Names? Sure you can play it with 4, but it shines with at least 6 people or more, where 2+ guessers can interact with each other. Its quite the different experience.
Lanterns is great, in a Splendor sort of game.
I was gonna say the same thing about Code Names. It is currently my favorite game when large amounts of people are there to play. The arguments people have about what the spymaster really meant is one of the best parts of the game. Tabletops format would allow this to be showcased because they could cut to the off screen interview of the spy master bashing their head against the wall as the team argues about two wrong answers.
Wil Wheaton,
When I first found Tabletop, I wasn’t into board games. Didn’t really know there were so many brilliant and fun games existed.
So I binged whatched all episodes avaiable (at the time, seasons 1 and 2). I was hooked, and I immediately bought a lot of games I saw on the show,
and others I didn’t, and introduced them to my friends, who now also got hooked.
I had a girlfriend of 4 years, and suddenly she left me for another (2nd time it had happened to me), and with a history of depression in my family,
I was in a really dark place. And then I rewatched Tabletop, and it saved me. I got together with friends, I played more games, I rediscovered the
real meaning of gaming.It got me the strength I needed to cope with my issues and lift me from a really bad time.
So I really wish you read this so I can say: Wil Wheaton, thank you from the bottom of my heart for this show. Thank you for showing all of us that it
doesn’t matter how shit the world is, gaming can bring back the magic and bring us closer together.I can’t wait for season 4, keep up the amazing work.
Hey Wil,
I would just like to personally, from the bottom of my heart, say “thank you”. I suffer from many issues in life, and get into very deep bouts of severe depression, and having had the love of my life break my heart and kick me to the curb, I’ve become somewhat of a shut in. One thing that helps me through the darker times is you and Tabletop. I pretty much live vicariously through you and the show, as I don’t have the people to play with, or the money to even get the games to play myself. So I have watched and rewatched TableTop repeatdly (along with your stints with Acquisitions Inc because, Aeofel bitches!!). I am no real wordsmith, and I can’t offer fanart or anything tangible, but again I would like to offer you my sincerest, deepest thanks for helping me in my daily battles with “the darkness” within.
I cannot wait to see another season, though I will miss the gag reels, extended etc… but I understand your reasoning behind not wanting those. Oh and on another note, would love to see you D&D some more… maybe on Critical Role or perhaps some other way, anywho, thanks again and keep on doing the good work you do.
Much appreciation and less than 3.
Tim
In lieu of the gag reels, it would be cool to use the off-weeks to showcase some of the games you didn’t choose to play for the season. I know you did some Not the Flogs highlighting awesome games that just don’t work for TT for a variety of reasons, and I’d love to see more of that.
So great to see that the work on the new season is progressing. We have bought a number of games after watching Tabletop, and are thrilled that we will get another season. I got Munchkin for the kids this week, and re-watched the episode to get a better feel for the game play. There is only so much that can be learned by reading the rules. Thanks again.
This is great I loved the show so I hope will will get more wins this season too because he deserves some
So, when will the new season actually start. There hasn’t been an update for 3 months. Miss watching it!
Sometime in June or July, I think. We’ll be in production in April and May, and new episodes will be released when they’re ready.
Can’t wait for new episodes. I hope you still plan on providing full or partial list of even the games that didn’t make the cut.