Tim Denee (Blades '68) ep. 272

Tim Denee (Blades '68) ep. 272

Author: Craig Shipman March 3, 2026 Duration: 1:17:57

One of the great beauties of art is how different creators build upon their influences and contemporaries, creating layers that work together. We see it a lot in the TTRPG space, from shared mechanics, an influx of hacks and shared IPs, and so much cross-creation between mediums, be it books, video games, board games, and films. 

Tim Denee joins us today to talk about Blades ’68, but the conversation turns to adaptations and interweaving that any avid RPG lover can learn from. He discusses how Blades ’68 transports the universe of Blades in the Dark into a new era, playing on how our world could look like a science-fiction fantasy realm of its own,  and he straddled the source material with his own personal approach.

We’re at a point where TTRPG’s aren’t being developed in a vacuum—the genre is sprawling and interweaving in ways that give creators, DMs, and players a lot of room to grow and play. It’s a great inside look at how the most cutting-edge developers are working together to forge bigger and better universes than ever. 

Tim Denee is a designer who works on all sorts of projects, from book covers to websites and TTRPGs! He’s well known for the acclaimed Deathmatch Island, and has a lot of great games in development outside of Blades ’68, like Bloodred Clouds in the Western Sky and Unit-X. His highly stylized games blend genre and period perfectly to create really exciting games. 

REFERENCES:

Band of Blades

Mythic Bastionland

Deathloop

Dishonored

Peaky Blinders

Wavelength

Monikers

Magical Athlete

Magic: The Gathering

Factorio

Satisfactory

Alchemy Factory

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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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