Explore every episode of the podcast Going Analog Podcast
| Title | Pub. Date | Duration | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 165: The new age of great 2-player games, part 1 (guest: Grant's Game Recs) | 18 Dec 2025 | 00:43:26 | |
2025 is "The Year of the 2-Player Game" -- at least according to our guest, professional comedian and board game content creator Grant Lyon of Grant's Game Recs. There have been so many good ones that came out over the past yeart that it's hard to refute that statement. So hard that, rather than refute, we'll just create a two-part podcast special covering all the great 2P games we've been playing. This is part one! Timeline:
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| 164: The best games we played at BGG.CON 2025 (and what's next for The Board Game Quiz Show) | 04 Dec 2025 | 00:29:58 | |
Our favorite "just playing games" convention is behind us now, and...we did spend a lot of time just playing games. A LOT. BGG.CON features BoardGameGeek's legendary library plus the latest hotness from the king of board game shows, Essen Spiel, so we had no shortage of options. | |||
| 155: Games from Asia, great 5/6-player games (guest: Cardboard East) | 24 Jul 2025 | 01:04:50 | |
We love unique gaming experiences, especially from those tough-to-find games in Asia. Why are they so different from Western-made games? And what are the differences between games that originated from Japan, Taiwan, Korea, or other parts of the East? Jay Bernardo, marketing manager at Bezier Games and content creator at Cardboard East (which specializes in covering board games from Asia), was kind enough to join Going Analog to teach us the ways. We also recommend some new games that play best at 5 or 6 players! Timeline:
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| 65: What board games have taught us, themes, online sales (guest: BoardGameCo) | 06 May 2021 | 00:51:11 | |
YouTube creator and BoardGameCo founder Alex Radcliffe stops by the show! Our picks for topics this week:
The games discussed in this episode: Alex's topic: Theme in board games
Shoe's topic: Things we've learned from board games
Christina's topic: Online retail trends during COVID
Final thoughts:
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| 64: 3-course gaming, culling collections, & evolving tastes (guests: Red Raven Games) | 22 Apr 2021 | 00:55:36 | |
Husband-wife team Ryan and Malorie Laukat of Red Raven Games (Sleeping Gods, Above and Below, Megaland) stop by with a few gaming topics in hand:
The games discussed in this episode: Intro:
Christina's topic: Ideal 3-course meal of games
Malorie's topic: Culling games/hoarding games
Ryan's topic: How our gaming tastes have changed
Final thoughts:
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| 63: Fave game names, tech in games, and conventions (guests: Rose Gauntlet) | 01 Apr 2021 | 00:56:27 | |
Isaac Vega (designer of Ashes Reborn, co-designer of Dead of Winter and Forgotten Waters) and Lindsey Rode (designer of Labyrinthos) take a quick break from managing their new company, Rose Gauntlet Entertainment, to discuss gaaames! Our topics: our favorite board game names, mixing technology with tabletop, and how we feel about attending conventions this year. The games discussed in this episode: Intro:
Christina's topic: Your favorite names for board games
Lindsey's topic: Technology in board games...what are you excited about and what don't you want to see
Isaac's topic: Conventions in a post-COVID world
Final thoughts:
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| 62: Board games we changed our opinions on, invested the most in, have a hard time getting to the table (guests: Before You Play) | 18 Mar 2021 | 00:49:12 | |
Great board game discussions with Monique and Naveen of Before You Play! What games did we change our minds on (either way) after a second play? What games have we invested the most in? And what ones do we find hardest to get to the table...for whatever reason? Here are the games covered in this episode: Christina's topic: Games you've invested the most in
Naveen's topic: Games you've changed your mind about after a second play
Monique's topic: The hardest games to get to the table
Final thoughts:
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| 61: Board games that get you HYPED, our backlogs, livestreaming (guest: Paula Deming) | 04 Mar 2021 | 01:07:24 | |
The always fun, always funny Paula Deming from Things Get Dicey joins the podcast this week to discuss:
The games discussed on this episode: Intro:
Christina's topic: Games that get you hyped
Shoe's topic: What are the games in your backlog that you're most excited to get to (and why haven't you yet)?
Paula: Playing and live-streaming games online
Final thoughts:
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| 60: Learning/teaching pet peeves, favorite animal-themed games, Capstone Games (guest: Board Games in a Minute) | 18 Feb 2021 | 00:47:44 | |
Sarah Shah of Board Games in a Minute slows down just long enough to record a podcast with us. We chat about our favorite games centered around animals, our big pet peeves when teaching (or learning) a new board game, and publisher Capstone Games. The games mentioned in this episode: Christina's topic: What are some of your favorite games centered around animals?
Shoe's topic: What are your pet peeves when learning or teaching games?
Sarah's topic: Capstone Games
Final thoughts:
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| 59: Separating art from artist, video game licenses, deckbuilding (guest: Boards Alive) | 04 Feb 2021 | 01:05:33 | |
This is a special Voltron Podcast episode with Boards Alive's Aaron Cassidy! (Touchy subject) We talk about the recent drama and controversies in the board game biz (and whether we can separate the art from the artists). (And not-so-touchy) On a lighter note, we also discuss video-game-licensed board games and deckbuilding in games we wouldn't call deckbuilding games. Shoe: Board games based on video game licenses that you've enjoyed or are excited about
Christina's topic: Deckbuilding in games you wouldn't call deckbuilding games
Aaron's topic: Can we separate the artist from the work?
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| 58: Fave things to do with board games (besides playing them), best components, and...jigsaw puzzles?? | 21 Jan 2021 | 00:46:07 | |
We're so obsessed with board games, that we enjoy them...even when we're not actually playing them. What are these "play-adjacent" activities that we love so much? And what are our favorite components? And why on earth are we talking about jigsaw puzzles on a board game podcast? The board games we discuss on this episode: Christina's topic: your favorite game components
Shoe's topic: What do you like doing with board games...outside of playing them?
Final thoughts:
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| 57: The 2020 Board Games of the Year episode | 07 Jan 2021 | 01:09:59 | |
Party game of the year! Light game of the year! Medium-weight game of the year! Heavy game of the year! We grab two of our social-bubble gaming crew (James Hudson of Skybound and Shoe's co-worker Tom Twedell), and we all give our picks for the #1 games in all those categories for 2020. Plus: What trends did we see in 2020 (and what might we see in 2021? And how did gaming get us through the rough patches of last year? The games covered in this episode: Intro:
Tom's topic: Party and Light Games of the Year
Christina's topic: Medium and Heavy Games of the Year
Shoe's topic: Top gaming trends of 2020 and what we are expecting for 2021
James' topic: How gaming has helped us through rough patches in 2020
Final thoughts:
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| 56: More party games, "old" games that need love, mechanics we seek out or avoid (guest: comedian Grant Lyon) | 10 Dec 2020 | 01:06:10 | |
Professional comedian Grant Lyon (who also creates board game videos and co-designed Curmudgeon) joins us on the podcast this week. We talk about "old" (pre-2018) games that need more live, mechanics that we seek out or actively avoid, and more party games we love playing. Games mentioned on this episode: Intro:
Christina's topic: "Old" games that don't get enough love
Shoe's topic: More party games
Grant's topic: Seeking out or avoiding games based on mechanics
Final thoughts:
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| 154: Running a first-time game con, going from content creator to retailer (guest: LFG Con) | 10 Jul 2025 | 00:38:01 | |
Do you enjoy hosting a handful of people for game night? How about a few hundred? That's what these three tried for the first time about a month ago in Burbank, CA: Dustin Staats, content creator and owner of online and brick-and-mortar retailer BGE Tabletop; George Caceres, owner of board game cafe Game N' Grounds; and Dae, owner of board game store Fire & Dice, came together to put on the very first LFG Con this past June. We asked Dustin to join us on the podcast to talk about how their convention dreams started and what it took to make them a reality. Plus, Dustin shares how he made the transition from board game content creator to board game retailer. Listen in! Timeline:
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| 55: Party + gateway games, childhood memories, and house rulin' (guests: Plaid Hat) | 25 Nov 2020 | 01:05:56 | |
Plaid Hat Marketing Manager Niki Shults and Multimedia Director Donald Shults talk board games -- and tons of D&D -- with us. Our topics: 1. What are some new party games you can play over Zoom or within one average household? 2. Is Catan still the perfect gateway game? If not, what is? 3. What are your best childhood memories of playing board games? 4. House rules: How do you feel about them? Here are the games covered on the show: Intro:
Shoe's topic: Great party games for quarantine or households
Donald's topic: Is Settlers of Catan still the best gateway game?
Niki's topic: Your first boardgame memories
Christina's topic: Do you use house rules?
Final thoughts:
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| 54: Inclusivity, innovative gameplay, educational games that aren't educational games (guest: Elizabeth Hargrave) | 02 Nov 2020 | 01:04:07 | |
Guest Elizabeth Hargrave (Wingspan, Mariposas) drops a hint about her next project while we discuss our four new topics: 1. Learning factoids in non-educational games 2. How we can make board gaming more inclusive for everyone 3. Games whose themes have inspired innovative gameplay 4. Designing games and finishing prototypes Games discussed in this episode: Intro:
Christina's topic: How theme can lead to innovative gameplay
Shoe's topic: Educational games that aren't educational games
Nick's topic: How do you know which prototypes to move forward with; how do you know when a game design's finished?
Final thoughts:
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| 53: Top 3 games we're dying to play, the board game café business (guest: Meepleville) | 15 Oct 2020 | 00:55:49 | |
Guest Timm Metivier of Meepleville (a board game cafe in Vegas and a channel for board game content) joins us to discuss the top 3 games we can't wait to get to the table, the business of running a board game cafe (you'd be surprised how he works around COVID), how we discover the games we want to buy, and more. The games talked about on this episode: Timm's topic: The top games we can't wait to get to the table
Shoe's/Christina's topic: Running a board game cafe during COVID + how we discover games
Mike's topic: What does a board game cafe's business model look like?
Final thoughts:
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| 52: Spiel des Jahres 2020, Euro vs. Ameritrash...fight! (guest: Roy Cannaday) | 01 Oct 2020 | 00:55:30 | |
The big games of the year have been announced. What do we think of them? The Dice Tower's Roy Cannaday joins us to discuss the Spiel and Kennerspiel des Jahres 2020 nominees/winners; if we still use "Euro" and "Ameritrash" to define those genres; video production during quarantine times; and his new, upcoming game, Last Light. The games we talk about on this episode: Intro:
Christina's topic: Spiel des Jahres 2020 nominees/winners
Shoe's topic: Kennerspiel des Jahres nominees/winners
Roy's topic: "Euro" vs. "Ameritrash"
Final Thoughts
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| 51: RPGs, video games, and our ideal gaming groups (guests: Jon Gilmour, Ian Moss) | 17 Sep 2020 | 00:57:08 | |
Game designers Jon Gilmour (Dead of Winter, Dinosaur Island) and Ian Moss (Duelosaur Island, Wonderland's War) join us to discuss video games that would make cool board games, what video games have taught them about game design, our ideal gaming group, and how new RPGs make themselves stand out from the crowd. Here are the games covered on the show: Intro
Ian's topic: How do newer RPGs make themselves stand out?
Jon's topic: What video games have you played recently that would make cool board games?
Shoe's topic: What have video games taught Jon and Ian about game design?
Christina's topic: What makes the ideal gaming group for you?
Final thoughts:
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| 50: Best games, genres, and podcast moments -- our 50th episode special! | 03 Sep 2020 | 01:04:17 | |
It's our 50th episode! We celebrate by discussing:
Here are the games we mention on the show: Mike's topic: Favorite game in our favorite genre
Shoe's topic: Top 3 games in the BGG Top 100
Nick's topic: The game that got us into board gaming
Final thoughts
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| 49: Unique deckbuilders, design vs. development, hobbies that should be board games (guests: Leder Games, Terrible Games) | 20 Aug 2020 | 01:06:37 | |
Two guests! Nick Brachmann (Leder Games) and John de Campos (Terrible Games) join us to discuss their upcoming games (Fort and Token Terrors Battlegrounds, respectively) and our four new topics:
Here are the games discussed/mentioned in this episode:
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| 48: Points? Who cares? Plus: Fave universes, illustration-based games, and social interactions (guest: Eric Slauson) | 06 Aug 2020 | 01:03:40 | |
We're talking so many "favorites" today: our favorite games where points don't matter, favorite games that revolve around illustrations (not necessarily drawing), favorite board game universes, and favorite game-induced social interactions. Our guest is Eric Slauson, designer of Tattoo Stories, Nerd Words, and the upcoming MonsDRAWsity. Here's a list of the games discussed on the show: Intro
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| 47: Fave themes, RPG-ish board games, designers' inspirations, cultural appropriation (guests: Sen-Foong Lim, Banana Chan) | 23 Jul 2020 | 01:26:35 | |
What do we really mean when we want to play a "storytelling" game? Designers Sen-Foong Lim and Banana Chan join to discuss this as well as the upcoming Jiangshi RPG, our favorite board game themes, and board game cultural appreciation vs. appropriation. Here's a full list of games discussed on the show: Intro
Christina's topic: What are inspirations for the settings in your games?
Banana's topic: Favorite game themes that you don't see as often
Shoe's topic: Story-based/RPG-style board games
Sen's topic: Cultural appreciate vs. appropriation
Final thoughts
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| 46: Sleeper hits, games to play outside, genres we dislike (guest: Ruel Gaviola) | 08 Jul 2020 | 01:15:50 | |
Uber content creator Ruel Gaviola (Geek & Sundry plus a million other things) joins us this week to talk about under-the-radar games that need more love, games we can play outside that won't get blown away, genres we don't like (and exceptions to them), and online communities. Here's a full list of games discussed on the show: Mike's topic: Games we can play outdoors
Shoe's topic: Recent under-the-radar board games
Ruel's topic: Online gaming communities
Christina's topic: Board game genres we tend to dislike
Final thoughts
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| 144: Spooky games, indie vs. in-house design work (guests: designers Ben Kepner, Dan Stong) | 03 Jul 2025 | 00:57:59 | |
We just finished Halloweeeen! What are your favorite board games for spoopy season? We ask Creepshow: The Suspense-Building Game co-creators Ben Kepner and Dan Stong about what they like to play during this holiday...plus how they feel about designing while working in-house at a publisher compared to working independently. Timeline:
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| 45: Streamable games, big-name licenses, and that X factor (guest: The Op's Pat Marino) | 24 Jun 2020 | 01:14:05 | |
We talk (non-roll-and-write) board games that are perfect for streaming to your friends, and we delve into how a game company like The Op works with so many big-name licenses (Marvel, Harry Potter, and...um, Golden Girls). Plus, what is that X factor that makes a game really great? And Mike Zipkin gives impressions on Nintendo's Clubhouse Games. Here's a full list of games discussed on the show: Intro
Christina's topic: Streamable non-roll-and-write games
Shoe's topic: Game design when working with different licenses
Pat's topic: That X-factor in gaming
Mike's topic: Nintendo's Clubhouse Games
Final thoughts
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| 44: Politics, premium bits, and remakes (guest: James Hudson) | 10 Jun 2020 | 01:15:38 | |
How should game publishers and designers respond to recent political events? We also talk about premium components (the business behind them and how we do our own upgrading) and reissued/remade games like King of Tokyo Dark and Kemet: Blood and Sand. James Hudson, senior director of tabletop gaming at Skybound Games (Sorcerer City, Superfight, Tidal Blades) joins us this week for this discussion. Here's a full list of games discussed on the show: Intro
Christina's topic: How should game publishers respond to calls for more inclusiveness vs. "less politics" in games?
Shoe's topic: Board game remakes...do you buy them?
Mike's topic: What are some premium upgrades you've personally added to games?
James's topic: Deluxe components from the manufacturer's perspective
Final thoughts
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| 43: Pirate games, Forgotten Waters, losing interest in the hobby (guests: Plaid Hat, Tim Schafer) | 27 May 2020 | 01:03:46 | |
We talk about Plaid Hat's new storytelling adventure game Forgotten Waters, our other favorite pirate-themed games, and some of the most memorable characters in board gaming. But...is quarantining slowly killing our love for board games? We have three special guests! Video game designer Tim Schafer (whose work on The Secret of Monkey Island influenced Forgotten Waters), and Forgotten Waters co-designers Isaac Vega and Joe Ellis. Here's a full list of games discussed on the show: Intro
Christina's topic: What are our favorite pirate-y games?
Joe's topic: Inspirations behind Forgotten Waters
Isaac's topic: What are the most memorable characters you've enjoyed in board games?
Tim's topic: How has quarantine affected how we think about board games?
Final thoughts
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| 42: 2P/solo games, failing co-op, roll & writes, Uwe Rosenberg (guest: Jamey Stegmaier) | 06 May 2020 | 01:10:45 | |
What are our favorite two-player, solo, and roll-and-write games? Do you want to restart or fail forward when you lose a cooperative adventure? And we all love designer Uwe Rosenberg! With guest Jamey Stegmaier of Stonemaier Games (Wingspan, Tapestry, Scythe). Here's a full list of games discussed on the show: Intro
Shoe's topic: What are our favorite two-player and solo games?
Jamey's topic: How do we feel about replaying scenarios vs. "failing forward" in cooperative games?
Christina's topic: Favorite beginner-friendly and heavy-duty ___-and-writes
Jess's topic: What are our favorite Uwe Rosenberg games?
Final thoughts
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| 41: Async digital games, designing during COVID, and more (guest: Emerson Emerson Matsuuchi) | 22 Apr 2020 | 01:08:50 | |
Which games transport us to new places or worlds? What makes a good asynchronous digital game? And how does sheltering in place change how a designer goes about his business? Board game designer Emerson Matsuuchi (Century series, Metal Gear Solid, Specter Ops) joins us to discuss. Here's a full list of games discussed on the show: Intro
Christina's topic: What are your top board games that help you escape?
Emerson's topic: How important is it for a game to have something innovative?
Nick's topic: Asynchronous digital games
Shoe's topic: How does shelter-in-place impact game design work?
Final thoughts
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| 40: Gaming (and publishing) in a COVID-19 world + The Crew (guests: Deep Water Games) | 08 Apr 2020 | 01:09:04 | |
The world has changed. How are we playing games now? How has coronavirus impacted the game-publishing business? And why is community more important than ever? We cover these big topics with Nolan Nasser (CEO) and Jacob Way (COO) of Deep Water Games (Welcome To..., Hanamikoji). In lighter news, we go on and on about one of our favorite games of 2020 so far: The Crew. It's so amazing, we guaranteed our guests their money back if they bought it and didn't like it. Here's a full list of games discussed on the show: Intro
Jacob's topic: Importance of community during COVID-19
Christina's topic: What do our board gaming lives look like during shelter-in-place?
Nolan's topic: How has COVID-19 affected Deep Water as a company?
Shoe's topic: The Crew
Final thoughts
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| 39: Classic games, culling games, and conventions (guests: Board Game Spotlight) | 18 Mar 2020 | 01:03:38 | |
How do we pick which board games to cull when we move? What is gaming life like in the military? What's considered a classic nowadays? And what's our ideal convention experience -- deadly viruses aside, that is? Lizzy Funkhouser (Board Game Spotlight) and Derek Funkhouser (Skybound Games) join us to discuss! Here's a full list of games discussed on the show: Intro
Derek's topic: What makes an evergreen or classic board game?
Christina's topic: What's your ideal convention experience?
Lizzy's topic: How do you decide which games to cull or keep?
Shoe's topic: What is board gaming like while deployed or in the armed forces?
Final thoughts
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| 38: Is there a board game for everyone? Plus: The LOLest games, board game movies, and Kickstarter trailers | 26 Feb 2020 | 01:12:25 | |
Why we'll never get some of our friends to play board games; the best laugh-so-hard-we-always-cry games; board game movies (our faves and the ones we'd like to see); and whether high-production trailers are good -- and bad -- for Kickstarter campaigns. Games discussed on the show: Mike's topic: board game movies -- the good, the mostly bad, and what we want to see
Shoe's topic: Are fancy video trailers too fancy? Or are they necessary to stand out?
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| 37: Mike Young (Plan B) explains why game publishing is so tough! Plus, our fave board game franchises and imports. | 12 Feb 2020 | 01:06:44 | |
Mike Young (Plan B) explains why game publishing is so tough! Plus, our fave board game franchises and imports. Games mentioned on the show: Shoe's topic: Game franchises
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| 36: Celebrating 20 years of BoardGameGeek | 29 Jan 2020 | 01:25:10 | |
BoardGameGeek just turned 20! Owner/co-founder Scott Alden and Director of Media Lincoln Damerst stop by to talk about the two-decade making of the do-everything board game website, its most underrated games, and much more. Games discussed: Intro & Scott's topic: How did you first hear about BoardGameGeek?
Lincoln's topic: The history of BoardGameGeek media
Shoe's topic: What do you use BoardGameGeek for the most?
Christina's topic: The most underrated games on BoardGameGeek
Final thoughts:
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| 153: Reviews! New games! Expansions! | 26 Jun 2025 | 00:48:23 | |
Game time! We catch up on a bunch of reviews for new games and expansions -- tune in to find out how much we liked them! And whether Christina ever found her Pringle. Thanks to the publishers for providing review copies. Timeline: New games:
New expansions:
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| 35: The 2019 games of the year...and looking ahead at 2020 | 15 Jan 2020 | 01:07:29 | |
It's time for Going Analog's 2019 Games of the Year! The crew offers their picks for the best of last year, talks about the state of their board game collections, and makes New Years gaming resolutions. Plus: What are we most excited to play in 2020? Games discussed: Shoe's topic: Games of 2019
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| 34: BoardGameGeek drops in to discuss Azul, Abomination, and BGGCON | 18 Dec 2019 | 01:21:34 | |
BoardGameGeek's Scott Alden (owner) and Lincoln Damerst (host of GameNight!) stops by to offer their thoughts on all three Azul games, the monsterous Abomination, and our favorite popular and under-the-radar games from BGGCON. Games discussed: Intro:
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| 33: John D. Clair (Ecos, Mystic Vale) explains how he designs board games. Also: Our fave Star Wars, deckbuilding, and engine-building games. | 04 Dec 2019 | 01:13:55 | |
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:
Shoe's topic: Engine-building games
John's topic: From inspiration to game
Christina's topic: Deck-building games
Jess's topic: Star Wars board games
Final thoughts:
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| 32: 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 Ravens | 20 Nov 2019 | 01:21:10 | |
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 Mind Scattergories Red Dragon Inn Happy Salmon King of Tokyo Lost Cities Hanabi Codenames Just One Taboo Love Letter Ticket to Ride Rob's topic: What it takes to be a successful board game content creator in 2020 Wingspan Tapestry Shoe's topic: Why isn't there more negative coverage or reviews in board game media? Fog of Love The Grizzled Pandemic Legacy Nick's topic: Ravensburger love Journey Around the World Labyrinth Enchanted Forest Heimlich & Co. Flying Carpet Scotland Yard Disney Villainous Puerto Rico San Juan The Castles of Burgundy Carpe Diem Bora Bora Jaws Troll | |||
| 31: Jerry Hawthorne (Mice and Mystics) talks world-building, plus kid-friendly family games, how game design taps into dopamine, and leftover legacy game content | 07 Nov 2019 | 01:13:05 | |
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 different ages Penguin Trap Don't Break the Ice Bugs in the Kitchen Loopin' Louie Buckaroo! Jenga Pie Face Celestia Fireball Island Mysterium Dixit Muse Snake Oil Apples to Apples Jerry's topic: Dopamine and board games Agricola Final Thoughts: Pret-a-Porter Tussie Mussie Betrayal Legacy Betrayal at House on the Hill Horrified Skulk Hollow | |||
| 30: 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 | 23 Oct 2019 | 01:11:11 | |
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?
Mike's topic: Essen Spiel games we're looking forward to
Christina's topic: Games that are and aren't worth the set-up time
Shoe's topic: What are the biggest problems with the board game hobby/industry today?
Final thoughts:
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| 29: 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). | 09 Oct 2019 | 01:19:08 | |
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 restockRoot Batman: Gotham City Chronicles 7th Continent Shoe's topic: Recent faves Letter Jam Boggle Scrabble Parks Campy Creatures Space Park Paladins of the West Kingdom Raiders of the North Sea Architects of the West Kingdom Christina's topic: Worker placement twists and faves Agricola Caverna Tzolk'in Everdell Everdell: Pearlbrook Vindication Alien Frontiers Caverna: Forgotten Folk A Feast for Odin Near and Far Above and Below Final thoughts: Sorcerer City Abomination | |||
| 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 | 25 Sep 2019 | 01:09:34 | |
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 the Cursed Island Detective Harry Potter: Hogwarts Battle Hanabi Team3 Mental Blocks Letter Jam Scrabble Pandemic Legacy: Season One Nikki's topic: Legacy games Charterstone Betrayal Legacy Risk Legacy Rise of Queensdale Machi Koro Legacy Aeon's End: Legacy Christina's topic: Escape room design and games Exit: The Game -- Dead Man on the Orient Express Unlock! Escape Adventures The Tale of Ord Mystery House: Adventures in a Box Final Thoughts: Vindication Vinhos Viticulture Brass; Birmingham Brass: Lancashire Trogdor!! | |||
| 27: Scott Alden (BoardGameGeek co-founder) asks if there are too many games being published, plus the top 3 non-obvious things we look for in games, the baggage of BoardGameGeek reviews, and a rave about Japanese favorite Wind the Film | 11 Sep 2019 | 01:17:14 | |
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 qualities you look for in a game (besides gameplay and fun) Dead Man's Cabal Architects of the West Kingdom Azul Time Barons Castles of Burgundy Broom Service Space Park Castles of Mad King Ludwig Yinzi Rising Sun Nick's topic: Wind the Film! Wind the Film! Let's Make a Bus Route Blend Coffee Lab. Take the "A" Chord In Front of the Elevators Lost Cities Coffee Roaster Final thoughts: Vindication Sabotage Edge of Darkness Mystic Vale Gloom Parks | |||
| 26: Dan Ackerman (Techlandia) chats with us about the making of his board game, 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 | 28 Aug 2019 | 01:09:19 | |
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: Current state of board game media Flocks & Flyways Dan's topic: How the indie board game scene is similar to indie video games five years ago Mansions of Madness Zombicide Star Wars: Imperial Assault Final Thoughts: The Estates Wingspan Le Havre Resident Evil 2: The Board Game Arkham Horror Deck Box Dungeons Silver Ecos | |||
| 152: The 2025 American Tabletop Awards (guest: What's Eric Playing?) | 05 Jun 2025 | 00:57:09 | |
The 2025 American Tabletop Awards were just announced! (Whispers offstage inform us that they were announced back in April....) Well, we're now ready to talk about them after our extended break. With ATTA cofounder and content creator Eric Yurko of What's Eric Playing?, we react to the recently crowned finalists and winners -- and tell you how we each voted as part of the judging panel. Timeline:
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| 25: Post-Gen Con 2019! We team up with Board Game Spotlight to announce our games of the show, our favorite early prototypes, why we buy what we buy at the show, and building communities | 14 Aug 2019 | 01:10:55 | |
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 wait to order later? Black Angel Troyes Solenia Sininster Six Welcome to... Draftosaurus Quacks of Quedlinburg Silver Nine Tiles Panic Team3 Time Chase Ishtar Funkoverse Strategy Game Century: Golem Edition Era: Medieval Age SHOBU Derek's topic: Importance of building community at conventions Just One Lisboa Shoe's topic: Favorite prototypes/games to look forward to Foundations of Rome Namiji Tokaido Metal Gear Solid: The Board Game Wonderland's War Adventure Tactics Time of Legends: Destinies Time of Legends: Joan of Arc Chronicles of Crime The Isofarian Guard Holi: Festival of Colors Tidal Blades Fossilis Detective: City of Angels Final Thoughts Point Salad Deck Building: The Deck Building Game Q.E. | |||
| 24: Gen Con 2019 preview special! Our favorite Gen Con memories, what to plan for as a first-timer, lesser-known things to do there, and a bonus review of a unique new bidding game! | 31 Jul 2019 | 01:05:21 | |
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 Sentient Passing through Petra Artsy Capital Lux Terror Below Coimbra Imhotep: The Duel Kingdomino Duel Exit: The Game Adventure Games Century" Golem Edition - Eastern Mountains Tokaido Namiji Joe's topic: Lesser-known Gen Con activities True Dungeon Villainous Nick's topic: Q.E. Q.E. Codenames Final thoughts: Glory to Rome Innovation Import/Export In Front of the Elevators Wind the Film Legendary: A Marvel Deck Building Game Hail Hydra Wakanda Forever Sinister Six Moon Base | |||
| 23: A pre-Gen Con Kickstarter glut, games we've purchased second (or third) editions of, and Epic Space Games | 17 Jul 2019 | 01:15:43 | |
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 Detective: A Modern Crime Board Game Sherlock Holmes: Consulting Detective Chronicles of Crime ShipShape SpyMaster Luxor: The Mummy's Curse Mike's topic: Buying newer editions of older games Acquire Magic: The Gathering Monopoly Orleans Yokohama Homesteaders Gentes Suburbia Alien Frontiers Tokaido Innovation Glory to Rome Council of 4 Thunderstone Advance Thunderstone Christina's topic: Epic space games Twilight Imperium Empires of the Void II Arkham Horror Star Wars: Outer Rim Firefly Xia: Legends of a Drift System Star Wars: Rebellion Final thoughts: Agricola Caverna Caverna: The Forgotten Folk Luxor Chronicles of Crime: Welcome to Redview | |||