Table Talk

A weekly discussion about the evolution of the tabletop gaming industry, from the perspective of Steven and Zach—two long-time friends who started playing games together as kids in the '90s and then founded Covenant in 2007. They provide a uniquely well-informed, candid, and holistic perspective shaped by decades of industry experience. Formerly called "The Covenant Cast"

025: Is MSRP Pointless? 10/22/2026

025: Is MSRP Pointless? Various mechanisms have been used across retail in all sectors to better align prices and create a more even playing field for sellers. Magic dropped MSRP and then brought it back. Flesh and Blood just dropped their MAP policy. Games like Sorcery have an MSRP but no MAP. What’s the point of it all, and is it ultimately just a relic of the past? /episode/index/show/teamcovenant/id/43411194

024: Are Digital Clients Inevitable? 10/08/2026

024: Are Digital Clients Inevitable? Advancements in articifical intelligence have made developing web-based "digital clients" for card games progressively easier. Expecting an increasing number of unofficial clients, we discuss the impact they will have on indie tabletop games. /episode/index/show/teamcovenant/id/43379854

023: We're overthinking organized play 10/01/2026

023: We're overthinking organized play In our ongonig discussions about the problems experienced with LCGs (living card games) in the past, we're starting to feel like the overall approach to organized play has become too complicated. Join us to discuss the inherent challenges faced - and possible solutions - when supporting non-collectible, expandable card games like Hubworld: Aidalon and Ashes Reborn. /episode/index/show/teamcovenant/id/43379809

022: The Perfect Lap 09/28/2026

022: The Perfect Lap The Sorcery TCG Dust launch illustrates a number of lessons in the pursuit of perfection and the reality of the world. Join us as we wrestle with them. /episode/index/show/teamcovenant/id/43017148

021: Entering My Hubworld: Aidalon Era ft. Michael Boggs 09/24/2026

021: Entering My Hubworld: Aidalon Era ft. Michael Boggs After a morning filled with drafting, former Android: Netrunner Designer Michael Boggs joins us to talk about Hubworld: Aidalon! /episode/index/show/teamcovenant/id/43379804

020: Balance is Overrated 09/24/2026

020: Balance is Overrated People often optimize for efficiency and fairness, which is often times counter to optimizing for fun. Alpha Clash has pivoted to maximizing fun at their tournaments and now Sorcery with their Avatar prizes. Zach is hot off rebuilding his Earthborne Rangers decks to make them harder to play and Steven has a long history of making weak characters in D&D for greater roleplaying opportunity. With players, to some extent, seemingly going down this road themselves, we ask how companies can support fun over fairness. /episode/index/show/teamcovenant/id/43017128

019: Just Find One Person 09/01/2026

019: Just Find One Person The best and hardest part of tabletop games is that they require other people to play. It's what leads to such amazing communities, but also a lot of frustration for those who just want to play their favorite games. Today, we talk about the lessons we've learned from over a decade of bringing people together. 00:06:37 Earthborne Games News 00:16:58 Sorcery TCG News 00:17:56 Flesh and Blood TCG News 00:23:27 Alpha Clash TCG News 00:23:41 Warlord TCG News 00:28:02 Covenant News 00:31:53 Main Topic: How to Start a Community /episode/index/show/teamcovenant/id/42638565

018: Say Less 08/28/2026

018: Say Less 00:09:03 "Let's Cover the News" 00:09:35 Earthborne Games News 00:18:39 Sorcery TCG News 00:40:40 Warlord TCG News 00:41:45 Covenant News 00:50:49 Main Topic: Say Less /episode/index/show/teamcovenant/id/42587295

017: Playing Outside the LGS 08/18/2026

017: Playing Outside the LGS A great game can happen anywhere two people want to gather. With breweries, libraries, and community centers opening their doors to tabletop, what can an LGS do to become that preferred third space? /episode/index/show/teamcovenant/id/42471680

016: Is a Great Game Enough? 08/13/2026

016: Is a Great Game Enough? We ask ourselves if, in our current moment, it is enough to make the best game possible, or if there is now an even more competitive meta game that designers need to understand to ensure success. 00:11:21 Flesh and Blood TCG News 00:11:53 Warlord TCG News 00:15:17 Arkham Horror LCG and Marvel Champions LCG News 00:19:27 Alpha Clash TCG News 00:39:46 Sorcery TCG News 00:57:46 Can Sorcery be Successful as Simply a Great Game? 01:00:22 Earthborne Games News 01:06:50 Covenant News 01:07:14 Social Segment 01:25:28 Main Topic: Is a Great Game Good Enough? /episode/index/show/teamcovenant/id/42417320

015: There and Back Again - New Zealand & Vegas 07/31/2026

015: There and Back Again - New Zealand & Vegas In this episode, we share highlights from our recent travels to the Flesh and Blood TCG Pro Tour in Las Vegas and to the Erik's Curiosa offices in New Zealand (Sorcery TCG). The filming and conversations at each were enlightening. 00:06:12 Here Be Monsters TCG News 00:08:57 Hubworld: Aidalon News 00:25:26 Alpha Clash TCG News 00:32:07 Flesh and Blood TCG News 00:37:35 Warlord TCG News 00:42:07 Marvel Champions LCG and Arkham Horror LCG News 00:45:46 Main Topic: There and Back Again - New Zealand & Vegas /episode/index/show/teamcovenant/id/42274570

014: The TCG Fatigue Is Real 07/17/2026

014: The TCG Fatigue Is Real We can all feel it. So many new TCGs on the market, so many new products from the old games, digital repacks, exclusives, stretch goals, and a seemingly endless supply of gimmicks. Perhaps we've lost our way. Perhaps it's time to return to the fundamentals. 00:02:36 Here Be Monsters TCG News 00:09:05 Alpha Clash TCG News 00:20:48 TCGs in the Internet Age 00:22:03 FAB TCG News 00:25:37 Sorcery TCG News 00:43:53 Ashes Ascendancy News 00:44:19 Warlord TCG News 00:44:27 Earthborne Games News 00:47:39 Arkham Horror and Marvel Champions News 00:48:14 Covenant News 00:51:34 Social Segment 01:13:59 Main Topic: The TCG Fatigue Is Real /episode/index/show/teamcovenant/id/42124595

013: Is This the Perfect Indie TCG? 07/03/2026

013: Is This the Perfect Indie TCG? This week, Here Be Monsters TCG launched their Kickstarter campaign with a game-changing business model. Are they the first to solve the problem of TCGs without jettisoning all the upsides? We think that just might be the case! 00:00:00 Intro 00:08:32 Here Be Monsters TCG News 00:12:02 Zattic News 00:13:39 Alpha Clash TCG News 00:14:56 Flesh and Blood TCG News 00:19:07 Sorcery TCG News 00:19:31 Subjective Assessment of Art 00:24:34 Earthborne Games News 00:31:22 Viewer Question 1 00:32:28 Viewer Question 2 00:38:31 Ashes Ascendency News 00:43:13 Covenant News 00:48:35 Canadian News 00:54:16 Lightning Round! 01:04:13 Main Topic: Is Here Be Monsters the Perfect Indie TCG? Get your own demo deck: Learn more: http://cov.link/here-be-monsters /episode/index/show/teamcovenant/id/41954070

012: Are TCGs Gambling? 06/19/2026

012: Are TCGs Gambling? It's time we addressed the perennial question. 00:36:38 Main Topic: Are TCGs Gambling? /episode/index/show/teamcovenant/id/41702095

011: Tabletop Isn’t Digital 06/12/2026

011: Tabletop Isn’t Digital On a fateful Monday, BradW shared an ad for Rush of Ikorr, the TCG from Upper Deck, coming to their ePack platform. What's the ePack platform, you ask? An abomination. It's not what tabletop is, and it misses the point completely. Digital integration? We don't want it, and it's ruining the hobby. Join us for a direct message to publishers thinking this is the future—it isn't. 40:30 Main Topic /episode/index/show/teamcovenant/id/41622955

010: FOMO is Necessary 06/05/2026

010: FOMO is Necessary Our current crowdfunding and tcg-heavy tabletop gaming era necessitates a question: is there nobility in removing overtly FOMO-creating elements from your campaigns and product design, or are you just losing sales? 00:00:00 Intro 00:04:42 Sorcery TCG News 00:07:23 Warlord TCG News 00:07:44 Alpha Clash TCG News 00:08:03 Arkham Horror The Card Game & Marvel Champions News 00:21:42 FAB TCG News 00:22:04 Covenant News 00:23:24 Main Topic: FOMO /episode/index/show/teamcovenant/id/41536725

009: Earthborne Trailblazer First Impressions 05/29/2026

009: Earthborne Trailblazer First Impressions A few weeks ago, the Earthborne team came to our office to share a vertical slice of their new game, Earthborne Trailblazer, with us, our team, and three fans of Rangers. Now, with the launch of the Earthborne Trailblazer Kickstarter, we are excited to share our thoughts with the world! Earthborne Trailblazer Kickstarter: cov.link/earthborne-trailblazer 00:50:49 Main Topic: Earthborne Trailblazer First Impressions /episode/index/show/teamcovenant/id/41465170

008: Why Distribution Had to Change 05/22/2026

008: Why Distribution Had to Change Traditional distribution serves a critical function for tabletop gaming, but for many publishers it is often a hindrance to success—that's why we launched Covenant Fulfilled earlier this year. With the platform receiving a number of updates this week, including the addition of Earthborne Games, we're diving into exactly how our approach to distribution was a necessary improvement for indie publishers. 27:51 Steven Rafts the Valley 41:07 Main Topic: Why Distribution Had to Change /episode/index/show/teamcovenant/id/41391780

007: Artistic Inspiration vs Plagiarism 05/08/2026

007: Artistic Inspiration vs Plagiarism All last week we stared at the beautiful Earthborne Trailblazer board, created by Evan Simonet and inspired by Jaro Hess's "The Land of Make Believe". This week we wake up to a fresh controversy involving long time Magic: The Gathering artist Dan Frazier. There is clearly a line somewhere between the kind of artistic inspiration that both grounds and elevates a project and sticking so close to your reference that whatever you create lacks soul. Join us as we dive into the murky but refreshing waters of references, inspiration, and the act of creation in a post-modern world. /episode/index/show/teamcovenant/id/41216585

006: Q&A with Andrew Navaro, Head of Studio at Earthborne Games 05/01/2026

006: Q&A with Andrew Navaro, Head of Studio at Earthborne Games Fresh off of their Earthborne Trailblazer announcement, Andrew Navaro joins us to answer your questions and ours! /episode/index/show/teamcovenant/id/41112980

005: The End of Crowdfunding 04/24/2026

005: The End of Crowdfunding In the early days of crowdfunding, we were very hesitant to consider games that used the platform. Crowdfunding was seen as a negative. Somewhere along the way we entered an era where crowdfunding every game, or even every set, is seen as the standard. We wonder aloud how we got here and what the future holds. 00:07:15 Preview Pack 2026 Update 00:08:53 Sorcery TCG News 00:09:55 "What is Fulfilled?" 00:15:46 Covenant News 00:21:59 Earthborne Games News 00:26:18 Main Topic: The End of Crowdfunding /episode/index/show/teamcovenant/id/41000640

004: How the LCG Succeeds 04/17/2026

004: How the LCG Succeeds In this episode, we revisit the topic of LCG viability. Are there ways, tested or untested, that an LCG can prosper as a long-running game and also on the balance sheet of the local game store? After a week of reflection and so many good comments across the internet, there may indeed be some light at the end of the tunnel. We'll try to find it with you. 00:03:39 Announcing the Preview Pack 2026 00:11:25 Gudnak News 00:16:39 Arkham Horror: The Card Game News 00:17:01 Flesh and Blood TCG News 00:19:18 Covenant News 00:22:00 "Are you interested in Onward by Skytear Games?" 00:23:10 Main Topic: How the LCG Succeeds /episode/index/show/teamcovenant/id/40906910

003: There is No "LCG Model" 04/11/2026

003: There is No "LCG Model" Gudnak has pulled off the pipe dream of LCG fans everywhere by creating a functional limited experience. Hubworld announced that every set will be also be a draftable cube. Arkham Horror continues to tweak how it's products are delivered. None of these games are taking a similar path, but we have to wonder, will any of these paths finally create an offering that is as appealing to the game store as it is to the players? 00:00:00 Intro 00:03:46 Arkham Horror: The Card Game News 00:10:45 Alpha Clash TCG News 00:15:16 Sorcery TCG News 00:17:27 "I Can't Stand It!" Steven Opens Up About Tutors 00:29:54 Question: "How Does Sorcery Not Get Stale With a Yearly Release?" 00:34:16 Back to Sorcery TCG News 00:36:57 Covenant News 00:45:44 Main Topic: There is No "LCG Model" /episode/index/show/teamcovenant/id/40809595

002: The Perfect Organized Play 04/06/2026

002: The Perfect Organized Play Sorcery TCG has announced its Cornerstone events emphasizing Creativity, Mastery, and Wonder. Alpha Clash has gone international, announcing an even more open tournament scene in locations from Vegas to Dubai to the Philippines. FAB continues to deliver ever more on it's promise of high-level face-to-face competition. With all of this swirling in the wind, we ask ourselves, what does the perfect organized play experience look like? 00:03:09 Covenant News 00:12:56 Earthborne Games, Hubworld: Aidalon News 00:24:35 Arkham Horror: The Card Game News 00:26:48 Sorcery TCG News 00:35:01 Alpha Clash TCG 00:45:52 Main Topic: What Makes the Perfect Organized Play Experience? /episode/index/show/teamcovenant/id/40714345

001: The Mirage of the Crowdfunded TCG 03/27/2026

001: The Mirage of the Crowdfunded TCG First Sorcery TCG, then Altered TCG, and now Cyberpunk 2027 TCG. These games continue to break crowdfunding records, but what does that mean for the actual health of the game? Zach and Steven sit down for an all new podcast format where we talk about all things indie card games. /episode/index/show/teamcovenant/id/40644000

228: Erik Olofsson - Sorcery TCG | Gothic Reflections and Future 12/11/2025

228: Erik Olofsson - Sorcery TCG | Gothic Reflections and Future At the end of our 12-hour Gothic release stream, we got to chat with Erik Olofsson—founder of Erik's Curiosa and co-founder of Grinding Gear Games—about Sorery's new Gothic set and the future of the game. That content was over the archive limit for YouTube live, so we're releasing it here in its totality. Enjoy! /episode/index/show/teamcovenant/id/39361950

227: Andrew Navaro - From Fantasy Flight Games to Earthborne Games 07/22/2025

227: Andrew Navaro - From Fantasy Flight Games to Earthborne Games "I think as long as you're following your heart, your life will take you wherever you're intended to go." Andrew Navaro, Former Head of Studio at FFG and current Head of Studio at Earthborne Games, sits down with us to talk about his journey so far. Join us as we discuss Netrunner, Asmodee, Earthborne Rangers, Hubworld: Aidalon and the many, many things in between. It's an inspirational interview with a truly inspirational person. /episode/index/show/teamcovenant/id/37506970

226: When Comic Books are the Answer - Alpha Clash 05/27/2025

226: When Comic Books are the Answer - Alpha Clash Ridge Kiley, co-founder of Rising Empire Studios, sits down with Zach to discuss their recently announced Alpha Clash comic book series and how the comics allow for a top-down design approach that will completely reshape the Alpha Clash trading card game. Find out more: Get the comics here: /episode/index/show/teamcovenant/id/36723840

225: Alpha Clash Blazes New Path For Indie Card Games 05/13/2025

225: Alpha Clash Blazes New Path For Indie Card Games Garett Kiley, co-founder of Rising Empire Studios, sits down with Zach to discuss their recent move away from traditional distribution and into direct LGS relationships via their Champion Store program. This is the most honest accounting of what it's actually like working with traditional distributors as an indie publisher, and a must-listen for publishers and players of these games. /episode/index/show/teamcovenant/id/36543955

224: Gudnak - In Pursuit of the Third Way 03/18/2025

224: Gudnak - In Pursuit of the Third Way Tim O'Brien, co-designer of Gudnak, sits down with Zach for a far-reaching discussion that offers a behind-the-scenes look into Chaotic Great's journey as a new indie card game publisher. At the heart of the discussion is the inevitable question for this new round of "LCGs" - what has to change for this format to truly succeed? Check out the second Gudnak Kickstarter campaign to see potential answers to that question: /episode/index/show/teamcovenant/id/35741390

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