Ep 261: Why I love Gangs of Rome and Wild West Exodus (Jon Dawson)

This week I talk once again to Mr Stephen Baker the creator of Heroquest, Space Crusade, and Battle Masters to name just three! Stephen and I spoke first in Ep 257, in that episode we talked about his formative steps in the hobby and his first steps into the hobby industry, so if you havent listened to that yet then I recommend going back as it really sets the tone for this chat where we predominantly speak about Heroquest.  Heroquest is the starting point for so many of todays hobbyists and it is a brilliant example of so many iconic things coming together in one place. I wont spoil any of the chat but we start off talking about famous Stephen’s and we end up with me yelling BRODESODE…..We both hope you enjoy the chat.  PATM Discord Link: https://discord.gg/eHYTf4Z7t4

This week I talk to Matthew from the Bedroom Battlefields Podcast about playing games at what we would call “non traditional times”. I would say that usually when we think of tabletop gaming we would think of playing at a club night during the week, or on a weekend afternoon. I personally play early am on saturday morning, Matthew likes to play then too and so we had a chin wag about it, and here are the noises we made! Its a bit of a tiddler this week, that wont be the first time Matthew has heard something like that, but the show is quite short so I added an extra long post ramble ramble on specifically about why you should take a look at the A Song of Ice and Fire game. PATM Discord Link: https://discord.gg/eHYTf4Z7t4

This week I talk to Mark, we spoke back in episode 248 about him and his hobby history. This time we are speaking a bit about mental health. Today, the 10th of October 2025 marks mental health awareness day. Mark messaged me a while ago and wanted to put something together for it, so thanks Mark, nice one, we appreciate your care about this subject.  PATM Discord Link: https://discord.gg/eHYTf4Z7t4

This week I talk to Jon Dawson once again, he was on back on Episode 240, this time he is talking about why he loved Gangs of Rome and Wild West Exodus.  Nuff'sed.... PATM Discord Server Link: https://discord.gg/eHYTf4Z7t4

This week I talk to Dave Schmidt. Dave is not only a hobby nerd like us but he is also a self published author. He writes the Clay and Aether saga and he’s not done! He is writing more books as we speak, maybe at this very moment, so be quiet, dont disrupt him. It was great to talk to Dave, he is one of our own, he’s been a member of the PATM discord for ages and he is always a positive presence and influence on those around him, thanks Dave, was a great chat and we all wish you the very best. Dave also sent us a snipped of one of his books and we can listen to that right after the intro, so if you like it you can check out the audiobooks or ye’olde’skool read if yourself versions. Its on Amazon, I picked up the series the other week and I have a bit of holiday coming up sooooooo, I am on it!  PATM Discord: https://discord.gg/eHYTf4Z7t4

This week I talk to Rodman Hellman, you’ll get that joke in a bit. We talk about what has been happening for him since we spoke back in 2017 and then go on to talk about his rule set County Road Z. County Road Z is a co op post apocalyptic game, it sounds super fun and it is one on my christmas/birthday list. I’m not going to go into the show more as it is nice to just listen to it unfold as we go.  PATM Discord Link: https://discord.gg/eHYTf4Z7t4

This week I talk to Alex of the Alex Paints Tiny Things Youtube channel. We have the usual rambly chat about his hobby history, likes, and highlights. We dig into a big of competitive painting, and a whole bunch of other stuff. I am pretty sure I mention it in the show, but I generalise Scottish people a little in the show, I just wanted to ensure that I mention that this is in jest, and I am totally and fully aware that you cant generalise people, it was just a lighthearted bit of banter. I dont think it was too savage, but I just thought I would throw it out there.  It was great fun talking to Alex, he was insightful and interesting and his video work makes for a positive learning experience.    PATM Discord Link: https://discord.gg/eHYTf4Z7t4

This week I talk to Stephen Baker the world renowned game designer. Stephen’s work includes but is not limited to Heroquest, Battle Masters, and Space Crusade. This is the first of….some podcasts Stephen and I will have.  I wanted to take the time to get to know him and really discuss things as opposed to rushing or just him feeling like we were superficially pumping him for click baity answers to questions that he has probably been asked a thousand times. So in this show we get to know him, his hobby history, and any interesting tid bits that popped up as we chatted. We end this show ready to discuss Heroquest and its genesis.  Thanks to Stephen for coming onto the show!  PATM Discord: https://discord.gg/eHYTf4Z7t4  

This week I talk to Chris from the Offbeat Builds Youtube channel. Chris creates videos of himself kitbashing Warhammer 40k models and his videos are slick and he is also a chipper and funny chap so his work is always good value. Chris came across as a really nice guy and I was very fortunate to be able to spend a while with him, I had a good few chuckles when I was listening back during the edit, I hope you enjoy listening to it also. Thanks Chris for coming onto the show, I hope we find common cause to chat again in the future. If you are into kitbashing, or want to be, go check Offbeat Builds out.  PATM Discord Link: https://discord.gg/eHYTf4Z7t4

This week I talk to Tom of Warriors Table Wargaming YouTube channel. Tom and accomplices put together a whole bunch of stuff for us to watch and listen to from The Walking Dead All Out War to Malifaux, and Moonstone, amongst others.  It was fun talking to Tom as he has very clear opinions and ideas about what he does and that made for an interesting conversation. I wont spoil any of the content here as you can follow along like you were there with us, but you may want to look up what a pie butty is, and also what pea wet is! Thanks to Tom for coming onto the show and for all the effort he goes to for the community. PATM Discord Link: https://discord.gg/eHYTf4Z7t4