What Turns a Miniature Game Enthusiast Into a Game Designer? Robey Jenkins (Horizon Wars) Re-Roll From 2021

What Turns a Miniature Game Enthusiast Into a Game Designer? Robey Jenkins (Horizon Wars) Re-Roll From 2021

Author: Bedroom Battlefields August 8, 2025 Duration: 1:03:02

Is this hobby the one remaining place we can still escape from digital technology and leave the phones, tablets, etc at the door? Or, are there benefits to be had by implementing certain tech to run "hybrid" style gaming experiences? That's just one of the topics we touch on in this episode of the Tabletop Miniature Hobby Podcast.

This time around, we're joined by Robey Jenkins of Precinct Omega. Robey is the creator of the Horizon Wars games series, as well as the Precinct Omega News & Game Design Podcast. You can find his games (as well as a whole trove of others) on Wargame Vault.

We talk about storytelling, and worldbuilding in miniature agnostic games, referencing some of our own favourites like Open Combat, Song of Blades & Heroes, and Rogue Planet. Does providing a universe or setting limit players, or does it help them to build their forces and play out more meaningful encounters?

We couldn't have a chat with Robey without dipping into game mechanics. What are some of the most innovative ones he's come across? What are the mechanics he's most proud of creating himself? Are there only so many different variations of miniature wargame rules out there? And while we're at it, what makes a hobbyist gamer want to start writing their own rules in the first place anyway?

Robey also offers his thoughts on how he'd go about adapting a popular miniature game into a solo or co-op ruleset, and whether or not you could make a "tiny" game with only two minis.

No conversation on this podcast would be complete without touching on Games Workshop, either. Does GW have more or less of an influence and hold over this industry than it did, say, 25 years ago?


Remember those afternoons spent hunched over a desk, a tiny brush in hand, trying to get the eyes just right on a Citadel miniature? Maybe your gateway was the grim darkness of Warhammer 40k, the dungeon-crawling of HeroQuest, or the claustrophobic corridors of Space Hulk. For many, life eventually pulled them away from those bedroom battlefields, only to draw them back decades later with a newfound appreciation and a whole new world of games to explore. That’s the shared journey at the heart of Tabletop Miniature Hobby Podcast. Hosted by Bedroom Battlefields, these conversations feel like catching up with old friends who never stopped thinking about the hobby. You’ll hear genuine discussions that dig into the tactile joy of painting an army, the strategic nuances of games like Frostgrave or Kings of War, and the simple pleasure of collecting miniatures that spark your imagination. It’s a space for those who understand that this pastime is more than a game; it’s a creative outlet, a historical deep-dive, and a social connector. Each episode explores the layers of the hobby, from brush techniques and kitbashing to campaign stories and rule debates, all with the warmth of shared nostalgia and a keen eye on the exciting present and future of tabletop gaming. This podcast is for the returning veteran and the curious newcomer alike, offering a welcoming audio companion for your next painting session or drive to the game store.
Author: Language: en-us Episodes: 100

Tabletop Miniature Hobby Podcast
Podcast Episodes
The Best IPs Never Licensed for the Tabletop [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 44:41
A recent episode with Mantic's Ronnie Renton got into licensing IPs for tabletop miniature games. That prompted our question of the month for April, which was: What classic, popular, or obscure IPs would you most like to…
Scratch-Built Terrain Tales: The Coolest Stuff You've Ever Made [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 1:06:41
Our question of the month in March was, "What's the coolest bit of terrain you've ever made?". On this episode we'll hear the many great answers, as well as reveal the QotM for April. I also talk about a solo/coop rulese…
Keeping Up Vs Consolidation in the Hobby [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 55:58
Dan of Paint All The Minis returns for a hobby chat about various things, including what we're playing, how much we're playing, and keeping up with the hobby in general.
Hobby Time as Family Time, With Ronnie Renton of Mantic [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 49:04
Ronnie Renton, the founder of Mantic Games, joins the podcast to discuss the world of tabletop miniatures, game design, and the company’s evolution.Ronnie shares his journey from working at Games Workshop to starting his…
Space Weirdos: The Making of a Cult Classic [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 45:55
I'm joined by Casey, writer of the cult classic Space Weirdos. We talk about the game's origins, its popularity, and a few of his other titles.
Your Last Three Hobby Purchases [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 44:53
What were your last three hobby purchases? That was our question of the month in February, and the response was great. Our question of the month for March is to tell us about a terrain piece you built that you're particu…
How Ramshackle Games Came Back From the Brink [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 40:46
I'm joined by Curtis of Ramshackle Games, who talks about an eventful couple of weeks at the venerable indie miniature company!