Today we are interviewing Tom Filsinger. Creator and game designer over at Filsinger Games. Filsinger Games specialize in tabletop professional wrestling action. Their first release, way back in 1986, was called Champions of the Galaxy. It’s a fictional, futuristic wrestling federation with super powered heroes and villains. Later releases saw sets based on real professional wrestling from modern day promotions. Ring of Honor, Chikara, Evolve, and Shimmer are just a few. There’s even a Legends of Wrestling series that uses popular wrestlers from the past like the Road Warriors, Ted DiBiase, Randy Savage, King Kong Bundy, and so many more! Be sure to check out all of their games over at FilsingerGames.com and follow their Facebook page for the latest news. Let’s get on with the interview.
GwS: Hey, Tom. Tell us a little about yourself and your game:
TF: All our games are based on a game system that is cards and dice based, along with action charts for moves like throwing someone into the ropes or out of the ring. The action takes place in real time, so a match can take anywhere from thirty seconds to a half hour. The dice decide much of the action, but important choices are made by players throughout the match, especially tag matches and for outside interference, rules of the match (cage, etc), and choice among moves depending on the opponent’s agility and power, and more.
I’m one of those creative doodlers that has been lost in a world of imagination since I was a child. Luckily I was able to make something of it when I created Champions of the Galaxy cards and dice game way back in 1986. It was a first in bringing together the worlds of wrestling and comic books. Since then my company, Filsinger Games, has expanded to licensing with real-life wrestlers and this is a dream come true. King Kong Bundy was a fan of my games and so was Daniel Bryan, so my life is complete.
GwS: What inspired you to get into game design and development?
TF: My main inspiration was boredom. I got the idea for my game system in high school when my mind was blanking out in class. I created games to entertain myself until school let out. Needless to say my grades were lousy, but I created a game system that has entertained thousands of people and a lifetime hobby in many cases, so a good trade-off. Games are great and my preference is tabletop games.
GwS: What made you decide to use pro wrestling as your game’s theme?
TF: The attack/defend mechanic works well for wrestling, plus I was a big fan of wrestling since I was a young boy. A good game is a combination of skill and luck but also stimulates the imagination. Since I liked wrestling I wanted to play a game that captured the fast action of wrestling and allowed me to be the promoter of my own stable of wrestlers. I still play regularly myself.
GwS: What do you think sets you apart in the industry?
TF: We’re a small indie company run by game fans. What we do is a labor of love and it shows in our product. My team spends hours doing research and working on game cards to accurately reflect real-life wrestling styles of our top cards like Randy Savage, Ted DiBiase, and all the rest. What sets us apart is an active fan community, love of gaming, and that we have no one to answer to but ourselves and our fans.
GwS: Tell us about any upcoming releases:
TF: I am working on our summer releases as we speak. I am finishing Sudden Death 2135, which is the 48th expansion in the Champions of the Galaxy franchise. Each expansion is a dozen or so new game cards along with a novella-length handbook with updated stories. It’s like the Avengers meets the WWE and I love writing and creating new stories and characters. There’s also our fourth expansion for Legends of Wrestling featuring Shane Douglas, Ox Baker, and many more, with some BIG names to still be announced. Release is coming in mid July.
GwS: You have a pretty active online community. What can you tell us about that?
TF: We’ve had an active fan base from the start. That’s what it’s all about, isn’t it? Fans sharing their game-playing results and scenarios with each other, meeting in person at conventions, making new friends, becoming lifetime friends, being creative, etc. Our Message Board is very active and our fans are our friends, simple as that.
GwS: Do you have events or tournaments for your game?
TF: Our biggest event is our annual GalactiCon game convention dedicated to Filsinger Games fans. This convention has been taking place annually since 1990, which has to be a record or darn close for an indie game company. This year GalactiCon will take place on July 12-14 in Philadelphia. I encourage anyone who is in the northeast to visit our web site and look it up and show up! You can’t go wrong.
GwS: Now a few wrestling specific questions. Who is your favorite wrestler of all time? (or a top 3)
TF: Pre-WWF era: Johnny Valentine, father of Greg Valentine. 80s era: Randy Savage. 90s era: Undertaker. Modern era: Daniel Bryan.
GwS: Can you remember a specific wrestler or match that made you a wrestling fan?
TF: The original Sheik had a big impact on me. He was terrifying and very different from the rest. He made me see how a wrestler can have such a powerful impact on a crowd. I suggest wrestling fans not familiar with the Sheik to look up some matches on YouTube. Nothing quite like it.
GwS: What wrestling are you currently watching or keeping up with? (WWE, NJPW, AEW, RoH, AAA, etc)
TF: I like to watch all of them but especially the companies that have licensed with us to release game cards, like Ring of Honor. I enjoy getting ideas from watching the matches so I can use them in my own tabletop scenarios when I play.
GwS: Who is your favorite current wrestler?
TF: A current favorite of mine is Kevin Owens.
GwS: If you could go back in time and watch a single wrestling match live, what would it be?
TF: This goes way back, which gives it more mystique, but it would be when Bobo Brazil defeated the Sheik to win the United States belt at Cobo Hall in Detroit. This was probably early 70’s but it was a big deal at the time and there is no recording of it, so everything is hearsay, but I heard the crowd went nuts! The Sheik seemed unbeatable, a scoundrel of a cheater, and Bobo was a massive fan favorite. He finally defeated the evil Sheik! I’d love to see the crowd reaction. After that the cage match between Magnificent Muraco and Jimmy Snuka in Madison Square Garden.
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