Weekly, episodes about board games and the board game hobby.
We dive in to a wide selection of game mechanics, themes, and reviews. We discuss game news, gaming highlights, and the people who make our games amazing.
Come join us at the game table.
Hosted by Nathan Howard, Andy Holliday, Douglas Stewart, David Holliday, and Logan Howard.
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SaltPOD 0006, Summer 2025 Release date: June 30, 2025
Welcome gamers! If you are a board gamer, a social gamer, or someone who loves RPGs, SaltCON is a place for you.
Welcome back to SaltPOD, your dedicated deep dive into the vibrant world of SaltCon and the incredible community that makes it tick! If you're new here, SaltPOD is your backstage pass, your insider scoop, your direct line to all things SaltCON. SaltCON – the biggest and best tabletop gaming convention in the Mountain West! We're here to explore the amazing games, the fantastic people, and the unforgettable experiences that make SaltCon a must-attend event year after year. Get ready to level up your excitement!"
This episode we are reviewing all the great things that happened at SaltCON Summer which happened June 6th through the 8th at the Davis Conference Center, in Layton City.
The first Summer event is the smallest of the events that happen at the Davis Conference Center, but that does not mean there is a shortage of events and fun to be had. This was still three days that were packed full of RPG events, Board Game events, Social gaming events, and even a tournament or two to be played in. So sit back and let's dig in. We have a lot to talk about.
Vendor Hall Some very cool stuff for gaming drinks, games, and gaming accessories.
This week we in contrast with the open drafting mechanic we discussed the last few episodes, this week we are focusing on games that have and use a market, and how a market game is different from an open drafting game.
Intro of Meeple Nation The World's Most Okayest Podcast
This week we are concluding our discussion of open drafting games. This episode we will be picking out games off the top Open Drafting Games, some games we missed and some we don't own.
Intro of Meeple Nation The World's Most Okayest Podcast
Episode 580: Meeple Nation May 2025 News - New Games, Announcements, & Crowdfunding!
Release Date: May 28, 2025
Welcome to Episode 580 of Meeple Nation, The World's Okayest Podcast!
This week, Nathan, Douglas, and Dave pull up a chair to the game table to dive into all the exciting news from the board gaming world for May 2025. We're covering a ton of ground, including:
New Game Releases: Discover what's just hit the shelves and is ready for your game night!
New Game Announcements: Get the scoop on upcoming titles that have the community buzzing.
Crowdfunding Games: We'll highlight some intriguing projects currently seeking support on Kickstarter and Gamefound.
SaltPOD 0005, SaltCON Summer 2025 Release date: May 27, 2025
Welcome gamers! If you are a board gamer, a social gamer, or someone who loves RPGs, SaltCON is a place for you.
Welcome back to SaltPOD, your dedicated deep dive into the vibrant world of SaltCon and the incredible community that makes it tick! If you're new here, SaltPOD is your backstage pass, your insider scoop, your direct line to all things SaltCON. SaltCON – the biggest and best tabletop gaming convention in the Mountain West! We're here to explore the amazing games, the fantastic people, and the unforgettable experiences that make SaltCon a must-attend event year after year. Get ready to level up your excitement!"
This episode we are discussing SaltCON Summer which is happening June 6th through the 8th at the Davis Conference Center, in Layton City.
This event is smaller than the Spring event but still has three action packed days of events, tournaments, open gaming and amazing people.
Vendor Hall The Gauntlet of vendors and wears and gaming goodies.
Meeple Nation discusses several games that include the narrative or paragraph game mechanic. Come join us at the game table and find some new and amazing games.
I played a handful of games from this game on the shelves, there were around 30 games that were there to try out and to get a chance to win them. Even if you just wanted to review the rules and enter to win the game that is an option, but this is a great way to try a game and see if you want to have a chance to win them.
A huge game library with over 2500 games to check out and play.
Classic games, and new games alike.
There were 278 different events the attendees could sign up for. 178 Total RPG events.
85 RPG events
26 Pathfinder events
67 Dungeons and Dragons Adventurers League events
Pathfinder Society: Salt of the Ocean Multi Table Event
In the Eye of Abendego, the storm has receded just enough to reveal two particularly interesting new sites: one is a wrecked Pathfinder ship and the other an ancient island associated with prophesiers and demons. With some help from an old pirate friend, the Pathfinders are kitted up in order to investigate these two new occurrences, however it seems like she wasn't the only pirate with her eyes on these strange new prizes. The Society will have to face the dangers of sea and storm as they sail to their goal, hoping to beat their rivals to the hidden secrets!
This event was played with multiple tables running simultaneously, at multiple level tiers. The Pathfinder Society came out victorious!
D&D Adventurers League: Hold Back the Dead Multi Table Event
The Adventurer's League had some close calls, and not everyone made it out alive this time... but the dead have been vanquished. For now.
Hold Back the Dead is a multi-table Dungeons & Dragons adventure where heroes must defend a stronghold under siege by an overwhelming undead force. As the tide of the dead rises, players work together across tables to uncover the source of the invasion and prevent an ancient evil from breaking through. Designed for epic coordination and tense decisions, it blends horror, heroism, and high-stakes combat in a dynamic battlefield setting.
Playtests for new RPG systems were available at SaltCON Summer with the highlights being
Untold RPG and
Nephilim the Forsaken, brought in by local game designers.
SaltCON End of Summer will have a stronger focus on prototype RPG systems and welcomes game developers to join the SaltCON GameMasters Guild on Discord or Facebook to learn more about bringing their systems to the convention.
Total sessions run: 175
Other popular games included Cyberpunk Red, Shadowdark, Call of Cthulhu, Shadowrun, Vampire the Masquerade, The Electric State, BESM, Nimble 2, Dragonbane, DC20, and many more!
We had about half of the attendees learning Tichu for the first time, it was really cool to see them pick up strategies after each hand! There were many surprising outcomes, including many successful and unsuccessful Tichu calls, hands that looked certain, than turned upside down, and many laughs. Everyone that I spoke to that was learning for the first time was excited to get the game, and play some more!
Next Year SaltCON is adding a Sixth Event. One that will have many people very excited.
SaltCON Cruise August 7-14
Leaving Seattle and cruising up to Alaska and then back to Seattle.
Limited to 100 spots
Gaming Library
Room Block
If you have any questions feel free to email us at MeepleNation@gmail.com. We are always excited to hear about new games and exciting events and great times. And with that we have completed another deep dive into the salty goodness of SaltCon! We hope you're as excited as we are for all the fun and games. Remember, SaltPOD is your ongoing connection to these amazing events. But the board gaming adventure doesn't stop here! If you love in-depth discussions, diverse perspectives, and talking about all things board games, be sure to check out our regular podcast, Meeple Nation! There we have episodes serving up fantastic content week after week. Until next time, keep rolling those dice, and we'll see you at SaltCon!"Thanks for listening.
The Market mechanic, in essence, simulates a dynamic economy within a board game. Unlike a simple "take one from a pile" or a closed draft where items circulate, a market presents players with a publicly available pool of goods, actions, or resources. This pool often changes, either by new items being revealed, existing items being bought, or even prices fluctuating.
What makes the Market mechanic so engaging is the tension it creates. Players are constantly evaluating not just what they need, but also what their opponents might be eyeing. With what is currently available in the market. Is it worth paying a premium for that crucial item now, or should you wait and hope a cheaper option appears? Do you play the jerk role and counter draft to deny an opponent a vital resource by taking it yourself, even if it's not your absolute top priority?
Markets can take many forms:
Static Markets: Where a set of items is always available, and players choose from it.
Dynamic Markets: Prices might change based on supply and demand.
Rotating Markets: Items might enter and exit the market over time, creating a flow of new opportunities.
"I-Cut-You-Choose" Style Markets: While sometimes a separate mechanic, some games blend this, where one player sets up a market or splits resources, and another player chooses first.
We discussed how open drafting games are very closely related to market games, but ultimately, the Market mechanic adds layers of tactical decision-making, player interaction, and often, an exciting push-your-luck element.
It's about optimizing your purchases, anticipating others' moves, and adapting to the ever-changing landscape of available options. So next time you're sitting down to play and see a row of tempting cards or a pile of valuable resources, you're likely engaging with the dynamic world of the Market mechanic!
In board game mechanics, open drafting is a specific type of drafting where players take turns selecting items (like cards, tiles, dice, or tokens) from a shared, visible pool of options.
To touch on the key points again. Open Drafting and Market games will have a lot of overlap. Key Characteristics of Open Drafting:
Shared Pool: There's a central display or common area where all the items available for selection are laid out.
Visibility: All players can see all the available options in the pool at all times. This is the defining feature of "open" drafting.
Turn-Based Selection: Players take turns choosing and taking one or more items from this shared pool. Once an item is taken, it's removed from the pool (or sometimes replaced immediately, depending on the game).
Strategic Interaction: Because everyone can see what's available and what others are taking, open drafting encourages a high level of player interaction and strategic depth. Players aren't just thinking about what they need for their own strategy, but also:
"Hate Drafting": Taking an item that might not be optimal for you, but is crucial for an opponent's strategy, thereby "denying" them that piece. This can be a friendly jab or a crucial tactical move.
Anticipation: Trying to predict what other players will take on their turns based on their visible boards or strategies.
Adapting: Adjusting your own plans if a key item you wanted is taken by an opponent.
How it Differs from Other Drafting Types:
The main contrast to open drafting is closed drafting (often called "pick-and-pass" or "hand drafting"):
Closed Drafting: Players typically receive a hand of cards (or a set of items) and select one (or more) to keep, then pass the rest of their hand to the next player.
The key difference is that the pool of options available to the next player is unknown until they receive the new hand. Players don't see the full communal pool; they only see their current hand.
In board game mechanics, open drafting is a specific type of drafting where players take turns selecting items (like cards, tiles, dice, or tokens) from a shared, visible pool of options.
To touch on the key points again. Open Drafting and Market games will have a lot of overlap. Key Characteristics of Open Drafting:
Shared Pool: There's a central display or common area where all the items available for selection are laid out.
Visibility: All players can see all the available options in the pool at all times. This is the defining feature of "open" drafting.
Turn-Based Selection: Players take turns choosing and taking one or more items from this shared pool. Once an item is taken, it's removed from the pool (or sometimes replaced immediately, depending on the game).
Strategic Interaction: Because everyone can see what's available and what others are taking, open drafting encourages a high level of player interaction and strategic depth. Players aren't just thinking about what they need for their own strategy, but also:
"Hate Drafting": Taking an item that might not be optimal for you, but is crucial for an opponent's strategy, thereby "denying" them that piece. This can be a friendly jab or a crucial tactical move.
Anticipation: Trying to predict what other players will take on their turns based on their visible boards or strategies.
Adapting: Adjusting your own plans if a key item you wanted is taken by an opponent.
How it Differs from Other Drafting Types:
The main contrast to open drafting is closed drafting (often called "pick-and-pass" or "hand drafting"):
Closed Drafting: Players typically receive a hand of cards (or a set of items) and select one (or more) to keep, then pass the rest of their hand to the next player.
The key difference is that the pool of options available to the next player is unknown until they receive the new hand. Players don't see the full communal pool; they only see their current hand.
In board game mechanics, open drafting is a specific type of drafting where players take turns selecting items (like cards, tiles, dice, or tokens) from a shared, visible pool of options.
Here's a breakdown of its key characteristics and how it differs from other drafting types:
Key Characteristics of Open Drafting:
Shared Pool: There's a central display or common area where all the items available for selection are laid out.
Visibility: All players can see all the available options in the pool at all times. This is the defining feature of "open" drafting.
Turn-Based Selection: Players take turns choosing and taking one or more items from this shared pool. Once an item is taken, it's removed from the pool (or sometimes replaced immediately, depending on the game).
Strategic Interaction: Because everyone can see what's available and what others are taking, open drafting encourages a high level of player interaction and strategic depth. Players aren't just thinking about what they need for their own strategy, but also:
"Hate Drafting": Taking an item that might not be optimal for you, but is crucial for an opponent's strategy, thereby "denying" them that piece. This can be a friendly jab or a crucial tactical move.
Anticipation: Trying to predict what other players will take on their turns based on their visible boards or strategies.
Adapting: Adjusting your own plans if a key item you wanted is taken by an opponent.
How it Differs from Other Drafting Types:
The main contrast to open drafting is closed drafting (often called "pick-and-pass" or "hand drafting"):
Closed Drafting: Players typically receive a hand of cards (or a set of items) and select one (or more) to keep, then pass the rest of their hand to the next player. The key difference is that the pool of options available to the next player is unknown until they receive the new hand. Players don't see the full communal pool; they only see their current hand.
Examples of Closed Drafting: 7 Wonders (the original), Sushi Go!, Blood Rage.
Why Designers Use Open Drafting:
Increased Player Interaction: Players are constantly engaged with the overall game state, not just their own limited hand.
Tactical Depth: Decisions often involve weighing immediate personal gain against denying opponents.
Transparency: All information about available items is public, allowing for more calculated and less luck-driven decisions regarding the draft itself.
Emergent Strategy: The way the pool changes based on player choices creates dynamic and evolving strategic opportunities.
Whether you're a veteran gamer or just getting into the hobby, there's something for everyone in this action-packed episode. Join us for your essential dose of board game news and discussion!
If you have any questions feel free to email us at MeepleNation@gmail.com. We are always excited to hear about new games and exciting times. And with that we have completed another deep dive into the salty goodness of SaltCon! We hope you're as excited as we are for all the fun and games. Remember, SaltPOD is your ongoing connection to these amazing events. But the board gaming adventure doesn't stop here! If you love in-depth discussions, diverse perspectives, and talking about all things board games, be sure to check out our other podcast, Meeple Nation! There we have episodes serving up fantastic content week after week. Until next time, keep rolling those dice, and we'll see you at SaltCon!"Thanks for listening.
The Narrative Choice or Paragraph Games mechanic puts a strong emphasis on storytelling and player agency through making decisions that directly influence the narrative's progression. Instead of relying solely on traditional game mechanics like dice rolling or resource management to drive the plot, these games present players with textual descriptions, scenarios, and choices that lead to different outcomes and further narrative branches.
Think of it like a "Choose Your Own Adventure" book integrated into a board game experience. Players often read paragraphs of text that describe a situation, and then they are presented with a set of choices. Each choice directs them to a different paragraph or section, unfolding the story in a unique way based on their decisions.
Here's how the mechanic typically works:
Narrative Presentation: The game presents story elements through text, often in the form of cards, books, or even app-based interfaces. These descriptions set the scene, introduce characters, and present challenges.
Choice Points: At key moments in the narrative, players are given distinct options on how to proceed. These choices can range from dialogue options and actions to strategic decisions that have narrative consequences.
Branching Narrative: Each choice leads to a different part of the story. This might involve reading a specific paragraph number, drawing a particular card, or triggering a new event within the app. The narrative unfolds non-linearly based on the collective decisions of the players.
Consequences: The choices players make often have consequences that affect the ongoing narrative. This could involve changes in character relationships, the availability of future options, the acquisition of items, or even the overall outcome of the game.
Emergent Storytelling: While the core narrative is pre-written, the combination of player choices leads to a unique emergent story for each playthrough. Different groups of players, or even the same group playing again, will likely experience the narrative in a different sequence and with different outcomes.
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