Well, we had to wait an infuriatingly long time, but it’s finally here! Season Four of Tabletop kicks off with Lanterns, a delightful tile-laying game that’s super easy to teach and learn, and a great infection vector for introducing new people to our hobby.
For those who aren’t familiar with Ivan and Becca’s great show, Game the Game, it’s sort of a sister show of Tabletop. They play games every week, live on Twitch*, with interesting people. I remember when we were in production on Titansgrave, I saw Ivan during lunch and asked him if he’d ever played Lanterns, because I thought it was a great fit for his show. He told me that he thought it was a great game, but that he didn’t want to play it because he didn’t want to take something away from Tabletop.
I reminded Ivan that I don’t believe we’re in competition, and that I thought it would be awesome to see him play it on his show, even if I was going to play it on Tabletop at some point. They also do a really cool thing on Game the Game where they talk about strategy in front of each other, because it isn’t about winning, it’s about the experience of playing the game.
“Do you want to come play it with us?” He asked me.
“Yeah, I’d love that,” I said.
So I did, and Becca cheated because that’s what she does.
During that episode, I realized that I could invite them, and their Twitch overlord, Zac (who worked his ass off to get the Twitch channel up and running and was instrumental in helping it grow to the amazing thing it is) to come play Lanterns on Tabletop, as a rematch, and a fun way to launch the season.
All of that was nearly a year ago, and today you can finally watch us play.
Here’s an embed:
And if you can’t see it, just click this link to watch Lanterns.
*or they did, at least. I don’t know if Legendary has moved or canceled it since Alpha happened.
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Tabletop: “Is that a canoe in your pocket, kid, or are you just pleased to see me back?”
Me: BLUSH!
I get that you probably had no say in this WIl. But for shame on making a paywall on this fantastic series with the Alpha nonsense. If you wanted to be paid or needed money throw it up on kickstarter man, you would have easily hit your goals because as gamers we all love the show. I get that i’m one guy and won’t make a difference, but thank you for entertaining me for 3 seasons and 2 episodes.
He didn’t had a say. Legendary owns G&S and them own Tabletop, so Legendary owns the show and also make the big decisions. We’ve waited, we know the whole season it’s coming January, we can wait more, are least we are not in the blank anymore.
Great episode. The game was well explained and it’s clear you all had a lot of fun playing it. Therefore I’d call it a success! Thank you, Wil.
Just a quick question. I noticed a few times near the end that the word “shit” is no longer being censored. Doesn’t bother me (I have a foul mouth…) but was this intentional? The reason I ask is that it kind of jars with the “Tabletop should be family friendly” vibe that you’ve talked about before.
We decided to go with a PG-13 sensibility. Trust me, every kid in the world has heard the word “shit”.
Make sense. Thanks for the quick response, good sir, and enjoy the rest of your day!
Welcome back tabletop!!!!! And i just bought lanterns the other day, so i’m doubly excited to try it out!
Welp, I hate this corporate nonsense they’re pulling with this early-access exclusivity but seriously considering an Alpha sub because of you and Janet Varney. Sigh.
Just watched. Man, I really missed new episodes of Table Talk. Thanks very much for doing these, and I do hope you guys do a season 5, regardless of where it’s hosted.
Wil, I understand if you can’t talk about any of this due to contracts or simply not wanting to damage things with L. or [reasons], but I’ll ask anyway: Is the TableTop IP now owned by Legendary and could there potentially be a Wil Wheaton Project-situation happen to it?
I’m also worried about this regarding TitansGrave, which I’m still hoping will come back because it was the best thing ever.
Thank you for being you, and doing the things you do. Hope whatever this situation is works out in your and our favor.
Just bought Lanterns from Amazon. Can’t wait to add it to my board game collection, comprised mainly of games from the previous 3 seasons of TableTop. 🙂
Stoked it’s back and will watch the new stuff on YouTube, but wait til Jan to watch the others cause OMG ANOTHER SUBSCRIPTION?
Lanterns and Artisans, reminds me of a piece a colleague of mine made last year, the Temple of Transformance https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RleXBa_DPmU
Finally… lol
Yeah and we need a WW Project revival. Wife and I used to laugh ourselves sick. We even went to the Comi-Con taping and got a Sharknado POP Figure..
Great episode, really fun. No spoilers, but I loved that moment with the green card at the end. That reaction was priceless.
I enjoyed the show, great stuff. How would we find out the price of Alpha?
I believe Alpha is $5/month, but at the moment I can’t confirm that..heck, so far I can’t find a page for it anywhere. Not even a “coming soon”, much less a “subscribe” button. But that could just be my weak Google-fu.
@Mark, for your information: https://www.projectalpha.com/
More information about the delayed formal launch of Alpha is available at https://medium.com/ldn-blog/alpha-update-6718fc4d2035#.rrkxrbevr
Thank you so much for continuing to make this wonderful show. Watching it, whether it’s previous seasons or new episodes, always brightens my day, just like it does when I play the games I’ve seen on the show with family and friends. I never really even knew about the world of tabletop gaming that exists beyond the childhood mainstays of Candyland and Chutes & Ladders until I came across this show, and now I’m the one buying games and reading rule books and watching YouTube videos and backing games on Kickstarter, because my friends have now been initiated into the boardgaming ranks too and have come to rely on me for game recommendations and instruction (and I, in turn, rely on Tabletop!). Also, I love it. 🙂 Thank you for enriching my life immeasurably.
It’s great that TableTop is back. Good first episode as well and Wil is looking fitter. The Reboot thing certainly seems to work. Good for you Wil! I hope you are satisfied as well.
I will however not be following the show to Alpha for a variety of reasons, loyalty to the original concept and absolute disgust at the paywall idea being some (not all) of the reasons. I’m not entirely certain I’ll be watching the episode on YouTube “sometime Early 2017” when/if they are published on that channel.
We shall see, I suppose.
It is really too bad, the show was quite entertaining to watch and introduced me and my family to a number of interesting
and playable games – some of which I purchased based on the reviews and play-footage of the show.
Great episode. I loved the chemistry between the players.
Ironic you made a cultural appropriation joke while playing a game that celebrates Chinese culture, yet Becca is wearing a shirt with a Rising Sun flag motif. That flag represents the Imperial Japanese Army and is considered offensive by many Chinese and South Koreans due to war crimes committed in the world wars. Thoughts? https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rising_Sun_Flag
Let me direct you to my one man show: Everything You like Is Problematic.
This checks out.
Thanks, Wil! You made my day. I am very pleased TableTop is back on the table. It’s gonna contend with my catching up with Critical Role, but hey, the only reason I started watching Critical Role was because I enjoyed Titansgrave so much. Good on ya!
So happy the show is finally back. Thanks Wil! I’m sure it’s been a long wait for you too. Although because of the long wait I kept coming to your blog for updates and really got into reading your updates on your life reboot. Very inspiring!
Just watched it…seriously fun! Loved the interplay between all of you, looking forward to more!
Been watching TT since episode 1. Love it. Have no problem waiting until January to break through the paywall. People don’t realize that someone has to pay to make all this “free” Internet content. I’ve never even played a TT game, but I play vicariously as the “5th (wo)man” at the table.
I’m happy that the series will be available as usual eventually. Thank you for the show. It has been worth the wait to see it back.
Great to have it back – thanks Will.
FYI for any who do not know the rest of Tabletop will be available next year on youtube. 2. Becca and Ivan still have Game the Game on twitch.tv/geekandsundry on Thursdays at 1:30-4 Pacific. 3. Zac runs a new channel now for anyone who wants to see more of him at twitch.tv/hyperrpg and they have an RPG show every week night as well as lots of other fun stuff. 4. Wil thanks as always for Tabletop it is gotten so many people into or back into gaming.
Uh…
The ONLY question that occurs to me is why isn’t there a board game based on Charlie Daniels Band’s The Devil Went Down to Georgia?
World, does Spudnuts need to think of everything?
Yes, it was infuriatingly long. But it’s here now, and I’m glad. Good to see you back.
Thank you, thank you, thank you for the slight of hand 😆 Do you have blue hair? Thank you for another great episode!
Thanks for making this, Wil. I’ve seen this game before but haven’t played it, and am more now likely to do so.
Also, I want to say that I appreciate the physical setting you create for each game (props and such), the intro you give with the story of the game, and the general attitude of competitive but friendly. We all know gamers who go too far on the competitive side, as well as gamers who ignore the story part and thus miss out on half the fun. I don’t know who is responsible for the props, but I think you’re responsible for the guests and the fun, so thank you. }:-:>
Wil, I just wanted to show you this to help brighten your day. My son loves you and TableTop. He has autism and games have really inspired him with role play and turn taking. He will watch episodes of TableTop over and over again. Thank you so much for being the totally rad guy you are, and we look forward to Season 4! Here is his TableTop video he wanted me to make for you about Munchkin Zombies, one of his favorites.
Its so hard to follow the show this year. I watched the laterns episode then the midgard episode then we were told we could follow on Alpha but Alpha doesnt seem to be ready even for those who want to pay (or were promised free access because they were twitch subscribers). No communication, no updates about it from G ans S or Alpha. . . just an obvious implicit recognition by the fans that we are already behind schedule with the episode releases with no explanation. Anyone else feel confused/frustrated? If you are going to a paywall model at least explain to the users when the content will be available and execute a smooth rollout or keep them updated.
I am as unhappy and frustrated as you are. I’m really sorry that Legendary decided to do this.
I have nothing to do with Alpha, so I can’t even help you with that problem, but I suggest that you cancel anything you may have signed up for, and wait until January 30, which is the date Legendary says they’ll put season four on YouTube.
Thanks Wil. Love your show and will do whatever it takes to watch ! Just dissapointed with the Alpha rollout they should be reaching out to the fans not staying silent- we are all looking forward to seeing more.
I watched Laterns and was happy with the release of watching every two weeks. A month later, finally snorkled around to learn of this Alpha thing for early release subscribers or wait on YouTube. After hearing how YouTube changed revenue, I can understand but have to agree with this silence about the whole thing reminds me of an alpha release if a game that is not ready yet. Our group looks forward to new games on tabletop and their release . Next we won’t see Felicia in Co-Optitude with Ryan anymore…. oh wait…..
I have nothing to do with Alpha, so there isn’t anything for me to say about it. Sorry.
BUT! Our 4th season episodes hit YouTube on 30 January, so that’s a neat thing.