This week's special guest is Kathryn Hymes, who talks about her work for Thorny Games, a publisher dedicated to making games that explore language. Check out Thorny Games' work at https://thornygames.com/. Beyond Solitaire is now proudly sponsored by Central Michigan University's Center for Learning Through Games and Simulations, where learning can be both playful and compelling. Check them out here: https://www.cmich.edu/colleges/class/Centers/CLGS/Pages/default.aspx All episodes...
Mar 14, 2022•44 min•Season 4Ep. 72
This week's guest is Ev Davis, aka Whistler, who is an artist, LARP expert, and author of a new tabletop RPG called Rapscallion. We had an awesome conversation about what RPGs can do, how to run them well, and more. Rapscallion: https://magpiegames.com/products/rapscallion-ashcan-edition-print-pdf Ev's art site: https://evanleigh-davis.format.com/ Twitter: @artofwhistler Beyond Solitaire is now proudly sponsored by Central Michigan University's Center for Learning Through Games an...
Mar 07, 2022•59 min•Season 4Ep. 71
This week's special guest is Professor Mary Flanagan (@criticalplay), who teaches at Dartmouth and runs ambitious gaming research and publication projects. She has a lot to say about how games are fun, but also a way to change the way we think. Her latest game, Retrograde, is a real-time roll and write that is currently on Kickstarter: https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/maryflanagan/retrograde-4?ref=discovery&term=retrograde Tiltfactor: https://tiltfactor.org/ Resonym: https://resonym...
Feb 28, 2022•48 min•Season 4Ep. 70
This week on the pod, Professor Emerita Mary Jane Treacy speaks about her work with Reacting to the Past games and the challenges of bringing history to life in the classroom. Beyond Solitaire is now proudly sponsored by Central Michigan University's Center for Learning Through Games and Simulations, where learning can be both playful and compelling. Check them out here: https://www.cmich.edu/colleges/class/Centers/CLGS/Pages/default.aspx All episodes of my podcast are available here: https...
Feb 21, 2022•56 min•Season 4Ep. 69
This week on the pod, game designer and Ph.D. candidate Greg Loring-Albright talks about his academic work and his role as co-designer of the third edition of Bloc by Bloc. It hits Gamefound on Feb. 15: https://gamefound.com/projects/draft/zxc58ag7firw48g1aggj8ue80qo Beyond Solitaire is now proudly sponsored by Central Michigan University's Center for Learning Through Games and Simulations, where learning can be both playful and compelling. Check them out here: https://www.cmich.edu/college...
Feb 14, 2022•45 min•Season 4Ep. 68
This week's guest is Ricky Royal, who kindly shared updates on his solo game designs and talked about his approach to design in general. If you haven't yet, check him out on the Box of Delights YouTube channel—his work is a must-watch for solo gamers. https://www.youtube.com/c/BoxofDelights Beyond Solitaire is now proudly sponsored by Central Michigan University's Center for Learning Through Games and Simulations, where learning can be both playful and compelling. Check them out h...
Feb 07, 2022•51 min•Season 4Ep. 67
This week the pod has TWO special guests! Professors Paul Booth (@pbooth81) and Aaron Trammell (@aarontram) drop by to talk about a book series they are co-editing, which will focus on board games and be published by the University of Michigan's academic press. Beyond Solitaire is now proudly sponsored by Central Michigan University's Center for Learning Through Games and Simulations, where learning can be both playful and compelling. Check them out here: https://www.cmich.edu/colleges...
Jan 31, 2022•46 min•Season 4Ep. 66
This week, Talia Rosen tells all about First Monday in October, a game about the Supreme Court and its development over time. It will eventually be published by Fort Circle Games, and I personally can't wait. Beyond Solitaire is now proudly sponsored by Central Michigan University's Center for Learning Through Games and Simulations, where learning can be both playful and compelling. Check them out here: https://www.cmich.edu/colleges/class/Centers/CLGS/Pages/default.aspx All episodes o...
Jan 24, 2022•45 min•Season 4Ep. 65
This week's special guest is Patrick Rael, a history professor at Bowdoin who specializes in African American history, teaches history through games, and is also at work on a design of his own. You can see what he's up to here: https://www.bowdoin.edu/profiles/faculty/prael/index.html Beyond Solitaire is now proudly sponsored by Central Michigan University's Center for Learning Through Games and Simulations, where learning can be both playful and compelling. Check them out here: h...
Jan 17, 2022•1 hr 2 min•Season 4Ep. 64
This week on the pod, Non Breaking Space (@nbsp1618) tells us about his upcoming game from GMT, Cross Bronx Expressway. In it, he invites players to build up the Bronx from 1940-2000, while also trying to serve their own factional interests. This game is currently available at a discounted price through GMT's P500 program, and will soon go to print: https://www.gmtgames.com/p-953-cross-bronx-expressway.aspx Beyond Solitaire is now proudly sponsored by Central Michigan University's Cent...
Jan 10, 2022•42 min•Season 4Ep. 63
The Beyond Solitaire podcast is back, and kicking off Season 4 with a double episode featuring Jason Perez from Shelf Stories! Last episode was about "historical tourism" and the erasure of historical reality in games. This episode is about brutality, conflict, and other "misbehavior" in games—and how to go about it. Audio is available here, video is available on Jason's channel here: https://www.youtube.com/shelfstories Beyond Solitaire is now proudly sponsored by Centr...
Jan 03, 2022•50 min•Season 4Ep. 62
The Beyond Solitaire podcast is back, and kicking off Season 4 with a double episode featuring Jason Perez from Shelf Stories! This episode is about the "historical tourism" of games that erase unpleasant historical realities to create a smooth ride for the players. Audio is available here, video is available on Jason's channel here: https://www.youtube.com/shelfstories Beyond Solitaire is now proudly sponsored by Central Michigan University's Center for Learning Through Game...
Dec 27, 2021•42 min•Season 4Ep. 61
It's time for the Season 3 finale! In this episode, Dan Thurot interviews Liz about her recent series of posts about gladiator board games. The first installment is here: http://www.beyondsolitaire.net/blog/gladiators-enslavement-and-board-games-intro-thoughts All episodes of my podcast are available here: https://beyondsolitaire.buzzsprout.com/ Enjoy my work? Consider getting me a "coffee" on Ko-fi! https://ko-fi.com/beyondsolitaire To see all of my solo reviews and videos, click...
Oct 04, 2021•48 min•Season 3Ep. 60
This week on the pod, Dan Thurot discusses his approach to game reviewing in general, and particularly his evolving ideas about historical games criticism. You can find Dan's work at https://spacebiff.com/ All episodes of my podcast are available here: https://beyondsolitaire.buzzsprout.com/ Enjoy my work? Consider getting me a "coffee" on Ko-fi! https://ko-fi.com/beyondsolitaire To see all of my solo reviews and videos, click here: http://www.beyondsolitaire.net/solo-reviews.html...
Sep 27, 2021•54 min•Season 3Ep. 59
This week on the pod, Volko Ruhnke and Brian Train talk about A Distant Plain, which focuses on the conflict in Afghanistan as it was in 2013, and reflect on what it means given more recent events there. Volko can be found on Twitter as @Volko26, and Brian likes to blog at https://brtrain.wordpress.com/ All episodes of my podcast are available here: https://beyondsolitaire.buzzsprout.com/ Enjoy my work? Consider getting me a "coffee" on Ko-fi! https://ko-fi.com/beyondsolitaire To see a...
Sep 20, 2021•1 hr 2 min•Season 3Ep. 58
In this episode, Jason and I have real talk about the treatment of women in board games. I typically avoid this topic whenever possible, but I finally felt like I had something productive to say. For video, check out the cross-post on Shelf Stories! https://www.youtube.com/c/ShelfStories All episodes of my podcast are available here: https://beyondsolitaire.buzzsprout.com/ Enjoy my work? Consider getting me a "coffee" on Ko-fi! https://ko-fi.com/beyondsolitaire To see all of my solo re...
Sep 13, 2021•1 hr 1 min•Season 3Ep. 57
This week's pod is a collaboration with Edward Uhler from Heavy Cardboard. Join us both here and on his channel for a deep dive into our ideas about teaching board games. All episodes of my podcast are available here: https://beyondsolitaire.buzzsprout.com/ Enjoy my work? Consider getting me a "coffee" on Ko-fi! https://ko-fi.com/beyondsolitaire To see all of my solo reviews and videos, click here: http://www.beyondsolitaire.net/solo-reviews.html Contact Me: Email: beyondsolitaire...
Sep 06, 2021•1 hr 25 min•Season 3Ep. 56
This week, Liz interviews Candice Harris (@candidrum), a fellow wargaming convert who reports on historical games for BGG. All episodes of my podcast are available here: https://beyondsolitaire.buzzsprout.com/ Enjoy my work? Consider getting me a "coffee" on Ko-fi! https://ko-fi.com/beyondsolitaire To see all of my solo reviews and videos, click here: http://www.beyondsolitaire.net/solo-reviews.html Contact Me: Email: beyondsolitaire at gmail.com Twitter: @beyondsolitaire Instagram: @b...
Aug 30, 2021•49 min•Season 3Ep. 55
In this episode, David Thompson (@djackthompson) discusses a new game he is developing called Fifth Platoon, which will focus on integrated units during WWII—if he can find a collaboration partner. Link to my review of Forget the Alamo: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jBYyKSl0KPk All episodes of my podcast are available here: https://beyondsolitaire.buzzsprout.com/ Enjoy my work? Consider getting me a "coffee" on Ko-fi! https://ko-fi.com/beyondsolitaire To see all of my solo reviews an...
Aug 23, 2021•44 min•Season 3Ep. 54
This week, our special guest is Lottie Hazell (@LDHazell), a publishing consultant, literary scholar, and board game designer! She has fascinating things to say about how the book and gaming industries compare, as well as about her journey into telling stories on the board as well as the page. All episodes of my podcast are available here: https://beyondsolitaire.buzzsprout.com/ Enjoy my work? Consider getting me a "coffee" on Ko-fi! https://ko-fi.com/beyondsolitaire To see all of my s...
Aug 16, 2021•1 hr 2 min•Season 3Ep. 53
In this episode, T. Caires (@TheOneTAR) talks about their work for HABA and the unique aspects of designing and testing games for kids. All episodes of my podcast are available here: https://beyondsolitaire.buzzsprout.com/ Enjoy my work? Consider getting me a "coffee" on Ko-fi! https://ko-fi.com/beyondsolitaire To see all of my solo reviews and videos, click here: http://www.beyondsolitaire.net/solo-reviews.html Contact Me: Email: beyondsolitaire at gmail.com Twitter: @beyondsolitaire ...
Aug 09, 2021•47 min•Season 3Ep. 52
This week, we have an interview with Mark Carnes, one of the originators of a college seminar game system called Reacting to the Past. How do you engage students and get them to learn a lot of history? Through games! Reacting to the Past: https://reacting.barnard.edu/ Minds on Fire: https://www.amazon.com/Minds-Fire-Role-Immersion-Transform-College/dp/0674984099/ref=sr_1_1?dchild=1&keywords=minds+on+fire&qid=1626010987&sr=8-1 All episodes of my podcast are available here: https://bey...
Aug 02, 2021•53 min•Season 3Ep. 51
It took a while to pin him down, but Dan Hallagan from Kayenta Games is finally on the pod! No image this time, since he had to call in to Zoom. :) Join us for a lovely conversation about Obsession, its development, and its historical underpinnings. All episodes of my podcast are available here: https://beyondsolitaire.buzzsprout.com/ Enjoy my work? Consider getting me a "coffee" on Ko-fi! https://ko-fi.com/beyondsolitaire To see all of my solo reviews and videos, click here: http://ww...
Jul 26, 2021•58 min•Season 3Ep. 50
This week's pod is all about art—what it means to us, what it could mean, and how games can help us appreciate it. Artist and independent scholar Mary Beth Looney talks about her game, Monumental Consequence, and the value of art and monuments to the societies that create them. Mary Beth's site: https://www.marybethlooney.com/curriculum-vita All episodes of my podcast are available here: https://beyondsolitaire.buzzsprout.com/ Enjoy my work? Consider getting me a "coffee" on ...
Jul 19, 2021•54 min•Season 3Ep. 49
This week on the pod, I'm interviewing Adelyne Rizzo, an artist who also selects images for Art & Fable Puzzles. Join us for a conversation about what it means to engage with, appreciate, and curate art through jigsaw puzzles. Art & Fable: https://www.artandfablepuzzlecompany.com/ Adelyne Rizzo: http://www.adelynerizzo.com/ All episodes of my podcast are available here: https://beyondsolitaire.buzzsprout.com/ Enjoy my work? Consider getting me a "coffee" on Ko-fi! https://...
Jul 12, 2021•50 min•Season 3Ep. 48
In this episode, Dávid Turczi, prolific designer of both board games and solo modes, talks about the importance of theme and mechanism in his work, the value he places on collaboration, and his never-ending quest to grow as a designer. All episodes of my podcast are available here: https://beyondsolitaire.buzzsprout.com/ Enjoy my work? Consider getting me a "coffee" on Ko-fi! https://ko-fi.com/beyondsolitaire To see all of my solo reviews and videos, click here: http://www.beyondsolita...
Jul 05, 2021•55 min•Season 3Ep. 47
Kevin Bertram of Fort Circle Games talks about his new press, his interest in American history, and his goal to print historical games that are accessible for a wide audience both in and out of the hobby games community. All episodes of my podcast are available here: https://beyondsolitaire.buzzsprout.com/ Enjoy my work? Consider getting me a "coffee" on Ko-fi! https://ko-fi.com/beyondsolitaire To see all of my solo reviews and videos, click here: http://www.beyondsolitaire.net/solo-re...
Jun 28, 2021•45 min•Season 3Ep. 45
In this episode, Liz interviews game industry pro Jess Cassady (@Boardgame_girl1) about her work in game development, including development for games with historical themes. All episodes of my podcast are available here: https://beyondsolitaire.buzzsprout.com/ Enjoy my work? Consider getting me a "coffee" on Ko-fi! https://ko-fi.com/beyondsolitaire To see all of my solo reviews and videos, click here: http://www.beyondsolitaire.net/solo-reviews.html Contact Me: Email: beyondsolitaire a...
Jun 21, 2021•45 min•Season 3Ep. 45
This week, Liz interviews Besime Uyanik, CEO of ION Game Design, about her very first game design, Sammu-ramat. Sammu-ramat (known to the Greeks as Semiramis) was a powerful Assyrian queen about whom we know little, but whose reputation reached mythic proportions. A sneak peek at the game cover: https://ionsmg.com/blogs/news/first-look-at-pax-shammuramat All episodes of my podcast are available here: https://beyondsolitaire.buzzsprout.com/ Enjoy my work? Consider getting me a "coffee" ...
Jun 14, 2021•35 min•Season 3Ep. 4
Jonathan Truitt returns to talk about his role as Director of the Center for Learning Through Games and Simulations at Central Michigan University. One of his current projects is the creation of an academic games press that will allow professors to design games for their classrooms and turn them into peer-reviewed publications. Check out the center here: https://www.cmich.edu/colleges/class/Centers/CLGS/Pages/default.aspx All episodes of my podcast are available here: https://beyondsolitaire.buz...
Jun 07, 2021•46 min•Season 3Ep. 43
