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
Coffee Table Books, Magazines, & Artwork in the Hobby [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

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The tabletop miniature hobby has no shortage of sub-hobbies, most popular of which are collecting, painting, and gaming. Less discussed but no less important is the artwork that forms the backdrop of the worlds we play i…
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Ben AKA Kharnation from the Discord joins me for a chat about his hobby origins, coming out of "the deep freeze" to eventually play in 40k tournaments, and his involvement in Dragon's Lair, a friendly local gaming store…
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Throughout the month of December we asked for your hobby highlights from the past 12 months. Here are the responses! Our question of the month for January is: Tell us about your named characters on the tabletop!Maybe it’…
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Duration: 54:26
Being motivated to paint is great, but riding on motivation alone can be unreliable. On the other hand, if your painting becomes a habit, then you turn up no matter what. So how do you get there? And should painting alwa…
Named Characters & Memorable Stories on the Tabletop [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 46:10
Why does naming characters and telling stories appeal to some gamers, but not others? And are we missing out when we see our exquisitely crafted and painstakingly painted miniatures simply as gaming pieces? I enjoy anoth…
Non-Violent Miniatures Games, and Storage & Transportation Musings. [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 48:19
Everyone's favourite "yesterday's man" of hobby podcasting joins me to chat about ways to store and transport your little guys. We also pitch three non-violent miniature game ideas at each other, all of which will likely…
What's Your Relationship With Miniature Painting? [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 49:45
Some seek mastery and recognition; others seek zen and the opportunity to unwind. Your relationship with miniature painting is the subject of our November Question of the Month. Also Mentioned: Tabletop Miniature Hobby P…