TableTop is a web series created by Wil Wheaton and Felicia Day.[1] TableTop is published on Felicia Day's YouTube Channel, Geek & Sundry.
| TableTop | |
|---|---|
| Presentation | |
| Hosted by | Wil Wheaton |
| Genre | Gaming |
| Language | English |
| Updates | Bi-weekly |
| Length | 30 minutes |
| Production | |
| Production | Sheri Bryant, Felicia Day, Kim Evey, Wil Wheaton, Adam Lawson, Boyan Radakovich |
| Publication | |
| Original release | March 30, 2012 |
| Provider | YouTube |
In every episode, one or more boardgames are explained briefly by Wheaton and then he and his guests, usually web or TV personalities, play the game.[2] During Season 1, at the end, the winner receives a temporary trophy with his/her name taped on it, and the other players are interviewed by Wheaton on the "loser's couch". For Season 2, the trophy was replaced by a Certificate of Awesome, which the players do get to keep.
A wide range of hobby gaming titles were selected for their inaugural season, from classic euro games and family games to RPGs and card games.[3]
It has been described as "…like Celebrity Poker meets Dinner for Five, where interesting people got together for tabletop games." [4]
It is possible that a DVD compilation of the series may be available after the end of the first season.[5]
On March 25, 2013, Wil Wheaton announced that TableTop would have a second season premiering on April 4, 2013.[6]
Episodes
Season 1
Season 2
| No. | Game | Guests | Air date |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | "Formula D" | Grace Helbig, Greg Benson, Hannah Hart | April 4, 2013 |
| 2 | "The Resistance" | Felicia Day, Amy Okuda, Ashley Clements, Allison Scagliotti | April 18, 2013 |
| 3 | "Once Upon a Time" | Amy Berg, Mike Phirman, Chris Wyatt | May 2, 2013 |
| 4 | "King of Tokyo" | John "TotalBiscuit" Bain, Craig Benzine, Greg Zeschuk | May 16, 2013 |
| 5 | "Forbidden Island" | John Scalzi, Jason Finn, Bobak "NASA Mohawk Guy" Ferdowsi | May 30, 2013 |
| 6 | "Smash Up" | TBA | June 13, 2013 |
Impact
Evidence presented by a Canadian online game retailer showed that games featured in TableTop received a boost in sales after the episode aired: this was dubbed "The Wheaton Effect".[7][8] Game publisher Days of Wonder has divulged that its titles featured on the show had significant boost on sales.[9]
After the game Tsuro was featured, demand was so high, that the publisher exhausted all stock reserves. The game was, for a time, unavailable in Europe as production tried to cope with US demand.
In 2013 the web series was shortlisted for the Diana Jones Award[10], citing that 'Tabletop has brought a new energy and humour to the board-game field: its blend of good humour and gameplay is pitch-perfect and has introduced a range of titles from modern classics to indie RPGs to thousands of new players.'. The winner will be announced on August 14th.
International TableTop Day
Geek & Sundry channel asked its fans to gather at local game stores and community centers on March 30th, 2013 and play games. Aiming to remind its fans and community to spend more time and strengthen their bonds, by playing games together. Tabletop gaming promotes many positive social and cognitive benefits like increased communication, team work, planning, and is an excellent stress relieving activity for all ages. [11]
There was a long live streamed video on Geek & Sundry Youtube channel on the day where several games were played just like in the regular show. Games included Takenoko, Ticket to Ride, 7 Wonders, Smash Up and Star Trek Catan. Several of the first season guests returned for these live games.
References
- ^ Biggs, John (April 3, 2012). "Join Wil Wheaton And Friends In A Rousing Tabletop Gaming Session". TechCrunch. Retrieved May 21, 2012.
- ^ Banks, Dave (April 20, 2012). "Tabletop Returns With Settlers of Catan". GeekDad. Wired. Retrieved May 21, 2012.
- ^ Morgan, Matt (March 20, 2012). "Details Emerge on Wheaton-Hosted "Tabletop" Gaming Web Series". MTV Geek. MTV. Retrieved May 21, 2012.
- ^ Doctorow, Cory (March 20, 2012). "Wil Wheaton and Felicia Day team up for Tabletop, a show about tabletop games". Boing Boing. Retrieved May 21, 2012.
- ^ Thorne, Scott (June 11, 2012). "Talking About TableTop". Rolling for Initiative. ICV2. Retrieved June 20, 2012.
- ^ Schneider, Mark (March 25, 2013). "Announcing Tabletop Season Two!". WIL WHEATON dot NET. Wil Wheaton. Retrieved March 25, 2013.
- ^ Wong, Tao (May 8, 2012). "The Wheaton Effect". Retrieved September 17, 2012.
- ^ Wong, Tao (August 16th, 2012). "The Wheaton Effect – A Follow Up". Retrieved September 17, 2012.
{{cite web}}: Check date values in:|date=(help) - ^ "TableTop Impact on DoW's Games". ICV2. August 30th, 2012. Retrieved September 17, 2012.
{{cite web}}: Check date values in:|date=(help) - ^ "The Diana Jones Award for Excellence in Gaming". Retrieved May 31th, 2013.
{{cite web}}: Check date values in:|accessdate=(help) - ^ "About TableTop Day".