John D. Clair (Ecos, Mystic Vale) talks us through his mechanics-first approach to game design. And the group discusses our favorite Star Wars, deckbuilding, and engine-building games. Games discussed: Intro: Mystic Vale Custom Heroes Space Base Edge of Darkness Ecos: The First Continent Ascension Ascension: Skulls & Sails Shoe's topic: Engine-building games Rise of Augustus Gizmos Great Western Trail Innovation Dominion Magic: The Gathering John's topic: From inspiration to game Downfall Wa...
Dec 04, 2019•1 hr 14 min•Ep. 33
Rob Manuel (Indie Megabooth, ex-G4TV/Geek & Sundry) discusses what it takes to be a successful board game content creator, plus how to talk to non-gamers about board games over the holidays, why there aren't more negative game reviews, and some Ravensburger appreciation Games we mentioned: Intro: Age of Steam Christina's topic: How to talk to people about board games over the holidays Monopoly The Settlers of Catan Agricola Caverna Risk Small World Kingdomino Wind the Film Broom Service Hive...
Nov 20, 2019•1 hr 21 min•Ep. 32
Jerry Hawthorne (Mice and Mystics, Stuffed Fables) talks about how he world-builds for his story-rich adventure games. Also: kid-friendly family games, dopamine (and how game design taps into it), and what we do with the content we never see in adventure/legacy games. Intro: Mice & Mystics Stuffed Fables Comanauts Aftermath Battlelands Christina's topic: How do we feel about the content we might not see in campaign/legacy games? Pandemic Legacy Mike's topic: Game recommendations for kids of ...
Nov 07, 2019•1 hr 13 min•Ep. 31
Bebo (Be Bold Games) brings the strangest/coolest topic to date. Also: most anticipated Essen releases, the biggest problems in the industry, and games that are/aren't worth the setup time. Games we discussed: Bebo's topic: Which 3 games in a trench coat are you? Caverna Battleline Junk Orbit Rebel Nox Wingspan Flamme Rouge Web of Spies Detective: City of Angels Deception: Murder in Hong Kong Caverna: The Forgotten Folk Barenpark Tokaido Mike's topic: Essen Spiel games we're looking forward to T...
Oct 23, 2019•1 hr 11 min•Ep. 30
Why are some games so hard to buy? Scott Morris of GTS Distribution explains the manufacturing/distribution process for us -- plus recent faves that we've been playing and some of the best worker-placement games (with a twist). Games we discussed: Scott's topic: How games get into stores, why they sell out, why they take so long to restock Root Batman: Gotham City Chronicles 7th Continent Shoe's topic: Recent faves Letter Jam Boggle Scrabble Parks Campy Creatures Space Park Paladins of the West ...
Oct 09, 2019•1 hr 19 min•Ep. 29
28: Nikki Valens (Mansions of Madness, Quirky Circuits) tells us how she goes from designing horror games to cute and adorable ones, plus our fave co-op games, how legacy games use legacy elements, and escape-room games Games we discussed: Intro: Quirky Circuits Eldritch Horror Mansions of Madness Arkham Horror Legacy of Dragonholt Cloudspire Shoe's topic: Designing horror-themed vs. family-friendly games Dread Jess's topic: Favorite co-op games The Mind Magic Maze Robinson Crusoe: Adventures on...
Sep 25, 2019•1 hr 10 min•Ep. 28
27: Scott Alden (BoardGameGeek co-founder) asks if there are too many games being published, Christina wants to know the top 3 non-obvious things we look for in games, Shoe tackles the baggage of BoardGameGeek reviews head-on, and Nick raves about an all-time import favorite, Wind the Film Games we mentioned: Intro: Tricks and the Phantom Scott's topic: Too many games? Monopoly Shoe's topic: Board Game Geek ratings Gloomhaven Tapestry Tigris & Euphrates Wingspan Christina's topic: Top 3 qual...
Sep 11, 2019•1 hr 17 min•Ep. 27
Tech journalist/author and first-time designer Dan Ackerman chats with us this week. Our new topics: the making of his board game Techlandia, how important winning is, the current state of board game media, and how the indie tabletop scene feels like the indie video game scene from five years ago. Games we mentioned: Intro: Techlandia Pipeline Mike's topic: Importance of winning a board game Terra Mystica Foundations of Rome Fleet: The Dice Game Heroes of Land, Air, and Sea Christina's Topic: Cu...
Aug 28, 2019•1 hr 9 min•Ep. 26
Mega gaming convention Gen Con 2019 is over! We team up with Board Game Spotlight to announce our games of the show, our favorite early prototypes (of games we won't see until 2020), why we buy what we buy at the show, and building communities. Intro: The Walking Dead: Something to Fear Christina's topic: Gen Con Game of the Show Dead Man's Cabal Abomination Medium The Mind Unmatched Star Wars: Epic Duels Foundations of Rome Letter Jam Lizzy's topic: What's worth the Gen Con haul, and what do we...
Aug 14, 2019•1 hr 11 min•Ep. 25
Gen Con 2019 is this weekend, and we’re too excited not to do a show all about it! Christina shares her favorite Gen Con memories, friends of the show Jess Yi and Joe Canalin talk about what to plan for as a first timer and lesser-know things to do there, while Nick bucks the trend with a review of the unique new bidding game Q.E. Christina's topic: Favorite Gen Con memories Abyss Unearth Scarabya Race for the Galaxy Campy Creatures Control Jess's topic: Gen Con rookie advice FUSE Flip Ships Sen...
Jul 31, 2019•1 hr 5 min•Ep. 24
Only three podcasters this time but still plenty of games to talk about! Shoe asks how we're doing with the pre-Gen Con glut of Kickstarter deliveries, Mike wants to know which games we've purchased second (or third) editions of, and Christina talks recent Epic Space Games. Shoe's topic: Kickstarter rush The Ancient World Thunderstone Quest Tiny Epic Mechs Tiny Epic Defenders Tiny Epic Kingdoms Tiny Epic Quest Tiny Epic Western Fantastic Factories Metal Campy Creatures Detective: City of Angels ...
Jul 17, 2019•1 hr 16 min•Ep. 23
Grant Rodiek of Hyperbole Games (Cry Havok, Farmageddon, Solstice) wants to know our three desert island games, while Shoe asks him about the life of an indie game designer, Christina shares what type of collector she is, and Nick attends Tokyo Game Market Games we discussed: Intro: Cry Havoc Farmageddon SPQF Imperius Christina's topic: What Kind of Game Collector Are You? Isle of Cats Puerto Rico dibdib/Moneybags Ginkgopolis 6 Nimmt Cockroach Poker The Mind Arboretum No Thanks! Coloretto Grant'...
Jul 03, 2019•1 hr 15 min•Ep. 22
Pandasaurus Games's Hunter Shelburne drops some industry knowledge as we preview the big Origins show, dissect this year's nominees for gaming's most prestigious awards, and reminisce over how we grew up with Steve Jackson Games. Games we discussed: Intro: The Castles of Burgundy Hunter's topic: Arraial Dead Man's Cabal Puerto Rico Draftosaurus 7 Wonders Sushi Go Teotihuacan: Late Preclassic Period Mississippi Queen Detective: City of Angels Machi Koro The Mind Machi Koro Legacy Century: New Wor...
Jun 05, 2019•1 hr 14 min•Ep. 21
Nicole Amato of Cardboard Fortress - co-creator of Lazer Ryderz, Resistor_, and Atari's Centipede - joins our chat! We discuss licensed board games, social deduction (without the lies), what it's like to co-design, and what themes we'd like to see more of. Games we discussed: Intro: Lazer Ryderz Atari's Centipede Resistor Shoe's topic: Social Deduction Games without Bluffing Werewolf Hail Hydra Secrets Moneybags Coup Grifters Cryptid The Mind Growl The Grimm Masquerade Spyfall Insider A Fake Art...
May 22, 2019•1 hr 15 min•Ep. 20
The OG crew are reunited, as Shoe celebrates some recent Kickstarter arrivals, Christina takes stock of the rise of the Roll & Write genre, Mike reflects on the role of ‘super filler’ games, and Nick pens a love letter to Castles of Burgundy. Games we discussed: Intro segment: Splendor Shoe's topic: The Ancient World Gentes Resident Evil 2: The Board Game Dark Souls: The Board Game Airdeck 2.0 Mech Command RTS Christina's topic: Welcome to... Avenue Kokoro: Avenue of the Kodama Let's Make a ...
May 08, 2019•1 hr 5 min
18: Our friend Laura Hubbard stops by to talk math in games (and how much is too much), plus Christina complements it by discussing games about science (naturally), Shoe wants to know our favorite games we play with our significant others, and Nick has early game prototypes on the mind Shoe's Topic: Lost Cities Jaipur Crokinole Asante Jambo Targi Tokyo Highway Hatsuden Hounded Raptor Spirit Island Spirit Island: Branch & Claw Arkham Horror: The Card Game The Lord of the Rings: The Card Game ...
Apr 24, 2019•1 hr 22 min•Ep. 18
Anna Kipnis (ex-Double Fine) joins us to discuss games with uniquely human interactions, while Nick shares his favorite modern pub games, Christina highlights games that reveal players’ personalities, Shoe muses on how working in video games has influenced our board game preferences. Games we discussed: Intro: Orleans Yokohama Scoville Crusaders: Thy Will Be Done Small World Nick's Topic: Skull Liar's Dice Kobayakawa Lie The Mind Illusion A Fake Artist Goes to New York Dead Last Just One A Game ...
Apr 10, 2019•1 hr 20 min•Ep. 17
This week, guest Theresa Duringer joins the board game discussion. She's the co-founder of Temple Gates Games, the developer responsible for digital ports of several popular tabletop games like Roll for the Galaxy or Shards of Infinity. And she's a pretty damn good baker, too. Games we talked about: Intro: Ascension Race for the Galaxy Roll for the Galaxy Shards of Infinity Shoe: Carcassonne Settlers of Catan Risk Monopoly The Castles of Burgundy Ticket to Ride Mike: Mansions of Madness, 2nd edi...
Mar 20, 2019•1 hr 2 min•Ep. 16
Designer Jordan Draper (Tokyo Series, Import/Export) joins us to discuss his innovative oeuvre, and integrating diverse themes into games, while Nick reps his favorite travel games, Christina ponders expectations of game length, and Shoe tells us how games changed his life. Games we discussed - Intro: Tokyo Series Tokyo Jutaku Tokyo Metro Tokyo Jidohanbaiki Tokyo Game Show Tokyo Tsukiji Market Tokyo Coin Laundry Metal Tribe Cactus Import/Export Glory to Rome Container Nick's topic: Celestia A Fa...
Mar 06, 2019•1 hr 4 min•Ep. 15
Our friend James Hudson, head of Druid City Games and the tabletop division of Skybound Games, joins us to revisit ethics in board game media, as well as answer the many questions we throw at him. Plus Christina asks how ugly game art happens, Shoe discusses the importance of story in games that don’t center around story, and Mike shares some of his favorite board game influencers. Games we discussed - Intro: Tidal Blades Valor & Villainy The Grimm Forest The Grimm Masquerade The Walking Dea...
Feb 20, 2019•1 hr 7 min•Ep. 14
Steve Nix (Gen7) joins us to discuss how game mechanics can trigger emotions, as well as how he built the world of his game, while Christina compares worker-placement to dice-placement games, and Mike goes over the pros and cons of game promo goodies Games we mentioned: Shoe's topic Gen7 Steve's topic Dead of Winter Gloomhaven Pandemic Arkham Horror Robinson Crusoe Forbidden Island Forbidden Desert Forbidden Sky Tokaido Nyctophobia Letters from White Chapel Fury of Dracula Escape from the Aliens...
Feb 06, 2019•1 hr 4 min•Ep. 13
Emerson Matsuuchi (Century series, Reef, the upcoming Metal Gear Solid game) ponders what qualities of board games attract video gamers, Christina goes over what makes for a fun and helpful rule book, Nick pits Tales of Arabian Nights against Betrayal Legacy to discuss giving players meaningful story choices, and Shoe asks Emerson how he approaches designing games that can be merged together. Emerson's games we mentioned: Reef Century: Spice Road Century: Eastern Wonders Century: From Sand to Se...
Jan 23, 2019•1 hr 14 min•Ep. 12
The crew are back to wrap up their favorite games of 2018, with final Game of the Year picks and other favorites that almost made the cut. And stick around until the end, as an array of very special guests share their GOTY as well!
Jan 09, 2019•1 hr 4 min•Ep. 11
It’s a holiday miracle! The crew are united in person, and we dole out awards for some of board gaming’s best - and worst - distinctions of 2018. From best components, to the most disappointing sequel, to the best beige game, to the most stressful game.
Dec 26, 2018•47 min
Ryan and Malorie Laukat from Red Raven Games join us to talk about board games we want to see made into video games, the most gorgeous game artwork, what makes for a good open-world board game experience, and how games encourage us to use our imagination.
Dec 12, 2018•1 hr 10 min•Ep. 9
The OG crew are back together - in Mike’s living room! Nick has some best practices for teaching games, Shoe brings tales from a trip to BGG.CON, Christina screams about games that make us yell, and Mike gives us a hot tip on an unsung party game.
Nov 28, 2018•1 hr 1 min•Ep. 8
Jamey Stegmaier of Stonemaier Games (Scythe, Viticulture) asks what we want out of a Civilization-style game, Mike blings out his components, Christina talks games that sound lame but are actually great, and Shoe explains why we go to game conventions.
Nov 14, 2018•1 hr 6 min
Tim Schafer (Double Fine) joins us to discuss why so many digital game creators are “going analog,” Shoe covers the best gateway games for video gamers, Christina talks unique game components, and Mike muses on being a responsible gaming parent.
Oct 31, 2018•1 hr 8 min
Special Guest Game Designer Jon Gilmour (Dead of Winter) tells us how board game experiences impact design, Mike shares some spooky games for Halloween, Christina tells us how to be a better gaming host, and Shoe craps on games that other people love.
Oct 17, 2018•57 min
Mike gives us the lowdown on Western Legends’ cowboy-in-a-box experience, Christina nerds out on the best modern word games, Shoe get tough on ethics in board game coverage, and Nick spends way too much money game-shopping in Japan.
Oct 03, 2018•1 hr 5 min•Ep. 4
