Sam Sleney & Zach Cox (Orbital Blues) ep. 274

Sam Sleney & Zach Cox (Orbital Blues) ep. 274

Author: Craig Shipman April 11, 2026 Duration: 1:04:43

A lone harmonica rattling through a ship hull; a frontiersman whistles his sad song as he shoulders his laser rifle; an ad plays over the speakers of an empty outpost in a sandy desert, two suns glaring overhead. These are the scenes of Orbital Blues, a lo-fi, sci-fi romp through the furthest frontier imaginable. 

Today, we sat down with Sam and Zach, the co-creators of the game, to discuss their relationship, the conversations and execution that led to the game’s development, and all the nitty-gritty of how these games are getting made. We talk about their unique approach to writing, the beautiful design decisions they make, and how they involve the community.  They also talk about Outlaws and Corporations, their new expansion that’s hitting shelves now. 

To find Orbital Blues, Afterburn, and all their other great work, check out their website: https://usa.soulmuppet-store.co.uk/pages/orbital-blues

And if you wanna back the Outlaws and Corporations Kickstarter, check it out! https://www.backerkit.com/c/projects/soulmuppet/orbital-blues-outlaws-and-corporations?ref=home-page

Don't miss Orbital Blues Month here: https://www.backerkit.com/c/collections/orbital-blues-month

See more from Zach on Bluesky: https://bsky.app/profile/jellymuppet.bsky.social

The Titles We Mentioned: 

Paint the Town Red

Inevitable

Best Left Buried

Orbital Blues

Sins

Beneath the Missing Sea

Warhammer Fantasy Roleplaying

Blades in the Dark

Maze Rats

Burning Wheel

Fantasy Flights: Only War

Exalted

Cyberpunk 2020

Mausritter

Mork Borg

Mordhau

Necropolis

Hobgoblin

Necromunda

************************************

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Ever wonder how the games on your shelf actually came to be? TABLETOP TALK-Third Floor Wars pulls back the curtain on the entire world of tabletop gaming, moving beyond reviews and rules to explore the human stories behind the cardboard and miniatures. Host Craig Shipman invites designers, developers, artists, and writers into a conversation that feels more like a chat between friends than a formal interview. The focus here is on the creative journey itself-the initial spark of an idea, the messy middle of development, and the unique methods each creator uses to bring their vision to life. Each episode digs into the origins of beloved games, uncovering the personal inspirations and problem-solving processes that shape the hobbies we love. You’ll hear about the challenges of balancing a game’s mechanics, the narrative choices behind a compelling world, and the artistic decisions that give a game its distinct personality. This podcast is for anyone who’s ever looked at a beautifully crafted game and wondered about the people who built it from the ground up. Craig’s genuine curiosity drives these discussions, making each conversation a deep and engaging exploration of the passion that fuels the industry. Tune in for a regular dose of insight from the minds that shape your gaming table.
Author: Language: English Episodes: 100

TABLETOP TALK - Third Floor Wars
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