The Dice Pirates – Details, episodes & analysis

Grab your fish and baskets and join the Dice Pirates crew as we embark on a review of  Isle of Cats! Join the gang as they break down this surprisingly complex cat game, rave about tiny metal suitcases, and raise a glass in the memory of Klaus Teuber and the legacy of Catan.

[00:00:00] Intro [00:01:35] Matt gets on the soapbox to talk about MAYBE the best single board game component [00:09:48] The crew take a moment to celebrate the proud legacy of Klaus Teuber {00:18:08] Ian kicks off our full episode review of Isle of Cats [00:38:40] Outro

Other Games Discussed This Episode: Settlers of Catan

-  Intro and Outro Music - "A Robust Crew by Darren Curtis" 

This week it’s all about FAMILY as the crew get together to discuss some of our favorite racing games! Tune in to hear our thoughts on a coup d'etat in board games, the poetry of angry reviews, and the virtues of simulation vs arcade racing games. Also a surprising lack of Fast & Furious references.

[00:00:00] Intro [00:01:14] Aaron brings news of a HUGE upset on BGG [00:07:42] Ian stumps the boys with this weeks Bitter Board Gamers [00:14:16] Ian starts of the reviews with a discussion of Bristol 1350 [00:24:02] Aaron brings the best Mario Kart ever, Dodos Riding Dinos [00:33:46] Ian brings the inspiration for this episode, Rallyman: GT [00:48:22] Outro

Other Games Discussed This Episode: Downforce, Salem 1692

-  Intro and Outro Music - "A Robust Crew by Darren Curtis" 

The Dice Pirates return to cover some of their favorite pattern making games! It’s a throwback to the old days as Matt and Ian set sail without Aaron, and debut a new game, Ruined Recaps!

[00:00:00] Intro

[00:01:00] Matt responds to a rant about too many solo games!

[00:08:20] Ian breaks down the newly available Castles of Burgundy Special Edition

[00:17:00] Ruined Recaps makes its debut!

[00:22:18] The crew jumps into three of their favorite pattern building games

[00:25:40] Ian leads off with Azul, the classic of the genre

[00:33:50] Cats take over the podcast with Calico

[00:42:20] Peer through the windows as the crew breaks down Sagrada!

[00:53:00] Outro

Other Games Discussed This Episode: Tiny towns

-  Intro and Outro Music - "A Robust Crew by Darren Curtis" 

The news is back! After our hiatus there is a lot to cover, so Aaron and Ian break down the new Gen Con safety requirements, yet another Azul variant, and FFG hitting a big milestone!

RELEASES

Portal Games newest title Batman: Everybody Lies sees players taking on the roles of iconic characters with unique hidden agendas and ways of gathering information

https://shopportalgames.com/products/batman-everybody-lies

WizKids rereleasing 2021 Kennerspiel des Jahres nominee Fantasy Realms with new Deluxe edition

https://wizkids.com/fantasy-realms-deluxe-edition/

Plan B announces Azul: Master Chocolatier, new edition of modern classic Azul

https://bgg.cc/boardgame/363247/azul-master-chocolatier

UK publishers Backspindle Games releasing Lucha Wars!, an updated version of their 2016 release Luchador! Mexican Wrestling Dice

https://www.backspindlegames.com/product/lucha-wars/

Asmodee Digital releases Jaws of the Lion DLC for Gloomhaven, also announces that the game will be coming to home consoles in 2023

https://twitter.com/AsmodeeDigital/status/1527257770524700673

EXPANSIONS

In honor of 25th anniversary, FFG is releasing the 25th faction for Twilight Imperium, the Council Keleres

https://www.fantasyflightgames.com/en/news/2022/4/28/the-council-awaits/

The next campaign expansion for Marvel Champions LCG, titled Mutant Genesis finally introduces the X-Men to the universe of the game

https://www.fantasyflightgames.com/en/news/2022/5/19/mutant-genesis/

NEWS

Financial investors The Chernin Group acquire 25% stake of Funko, also invest heavily in Exploding Kittens. They have also announced an intention to focus more in the CCG space

https://www.boardgamequest.com/the-chernin-group-buys-25-of-funko-more-ccgs-on-the-way/

Jim Butler names as new president of Paizo, Inc after current president Jeff Alvarez steps down for health reasons 

https://paizo.com/community/blog/v5748dyo6si1o?Jim-Butler-Named-Paizo-President

Snakes & Lattes continues US expansion, adding two new stores in Glendale, CA and Provo, UT 

https://icv2.com/articles/news/view/51217/snakes-lattes-adds-two-u-s-locations

Gen Con, Origins announce proof of vaccination and mask wearing requirements for 2022 shows 

https://www.gofundme.com/f/in-loving-memory-of-dawn-deestar-wood

https://www.gencon.com/gen-con-indy/health-and-safety

https://www.originsgamefair.com/show-policies

-  Intro and Outro Music - "A Robust Crew by Darren Curtis" 

After an impromptu hiatus, the crew are back to discuss some small box games with big box fun! Tune in this week to hear about one publisher getting into some hot water for severely underestimating shipping costs, the surprising popularity of a particular fiddly game, and Matt finally plays a modern “classic”.

[00:00:00] Intro

[00:01:14] Aaron brings up the Marvel Zombies shipping crisis

[00:07:15] Ian goes off script on the soapbox, wondering why so many people like Villanous

[00:12:06] Matt adds to the chaos with a tale of his first time ever playing Cards Against Humanity

[00:16:18] Ian tries once again to stump Aaron and Matt with some Bitter Board Gamers

[00:23:43] Ian starts off our main topic with Dutch Blitz

[00:30:18] Matt shockingly brings a dungeon crawler as his pick, Warhammer Quest

[00:42:06] Aaron finished up the show with two of his favorites, Looterz and Q.E.

[00:52:59] Outro

Other Games Discussed This Episode: Snake Oil, Robinson Crusoe, Oregon Trail, Heroes of Terrinoth

-  Intro and Outro Music - "A Robust Crew by Darren Curtis" 

Jump into the longest news episode yet, as Ian and Aaron break down all the new Wizards of the Coast news, Stonemaier's new Viticulture expansion, and Fantasy Flight Games surprising new announcement!

RELEASES

Wizards of the Coast announce two highly anticipated returning settings for 5E, Dragonlance and Spelljammer

https://icv2.com/articles/news/view/50988/wizards-coast-teases-d-d-dragonlances-return

https://icv2.com/articles/news/view/50989/wizards-coast-announces-d-d-spelljammer-adventures-space

Love Letter getting new Second Edition, 10th Anniversary release, and story based content

https://www.dicebreaker.com/games/love-letter-second-edition/news/love-letter-second-edition

Next Move Games latest title Maui to feature competitive beach towel placement

https://www.dicebreaker.com/games/maui/news/maui-board-game-announced-release-date

FFG surprise announces a Roll and Write set in the Twilight Imperium universe, Twilight Inscription

https://boardgamegeek.com/boardgame/361545/twilight-inscription

EXPANSIONS

Wizards of the coast release a menagerie of creature tokens for DMs to improve their tabletop presence

https://wpn.wizards.com/en/products/dd-campaign-case-creatures-dungeons-dragons-accessories

Jaws of the Lion DLC for Gloomhaven digital to launch May 17

https://store.steampowered.com/news/app/780290/view/3180112431326071702

Greater Than Games releasing newest expansion to Spirit Island: Feather and Flame

https://icv2.com/articles/news/view/50987/spirit-island-expansion-heads-retail

Stonemaier Games announces new co-op expansion and big box “Wine Box” storage for Viticulture (World)

https://stonemaiergames.com/games/viticulture/viticulture-world/

NEWS

Stonemaier games delays pre-orders due to changing existing cards that contained insensitive material

https://stonemaiergames.com/south-america-cultural-consulting-and-fixing-a-big-mistake/

Asmodee announces Unbox Now, a digital site similar to Board Game Arena (will include 11 of their top games, and will also allow playing them in BGA)

https://venturebeat.com/2022/04/12/asmodee-launches-unbox-now-a-collection-of-its-best-board-games/

Wizards of the Coast acquire DndBeyond

https://dnd.wizards.com/news/announcement_04132022?utm_campaign=D%26D&utm_source=TWITTER&utm_medium=social&utm_content=6764725558

Isle of Cats publisher shares detailed behind the scenes numbers 

https://old.reddit.com/r/boardgames/comments/u24pmu/five_years_as_a_publisher_some_statistics/

Uganda Village Boardgame Convention 2022 crowdfunding campaign is live

https://www.crowdfunder.co.uk/p/uganda-village-boardgame-convention-2022

-  Intro and Outro Music - "A Robust Crew by Darren Curtis" 

This week, the crew go deep in a discussion of the art of the teach. We talk about some admittedly weird anniversary game releases, how stars are really just like us, and the essential do’s and dont’s of sharing your favorite hobby with the people you love. 

[00:00:00] Intro

[00:01:55] Ian climbs on the soapbox to try and figure out just who Agricola 15 is actually for

[00:10:35] Matt shares how he was able to manifest Castles of Burgundy: Special Edition into existence

[00:18:41] The crew shares some silly rules from their own collection

[00:22:43] The crew gives their best practices for how to teach games and keep it fun

[00:49:38] Outro

Other Games Discussed This Episode: Wingspan, Pendulum, Consentacle, Dwellings of Eldervale, Dead of Winter

-  Intro and Outro Music - "A Robust Crew by Darren Curtis" 

The news is here again, and Ian and Aaron break down the new FFG expansions, Reiner Knizia turtle games, and the new Castles of Burgundy kickstarter!

RELEASES

Luma Imports releasing Garden Nation, an area control game from publisher Bombyx

https://icv2.com/articles/news/view/50872/luma-imports-will-release-garden-nation

Asmodee will handle retail release for Kickstarter hit Canvas

https://icv2.com/articles/news/view/50859/canvas-comes-u-s-retail

New Reiner Knizia title “Turtle Mania” to be released by Pegasus Spiele

https://icv2.com/articles/news/view/50844/pegasus-spiele-reveals-reiner-knizias-turtle-mania

Deep Print Games will publish Skymines, a reimplementation of 2015 hit Mombasa, including a new campaign mode and modules

https://boardgamegeek.com/blogpost/130673/earn-most-crypcoin-alexander-pfisters-skymines

EXPANSIONS

FFG announces next Cosmic Encounter expansion, “Cosmic Odyssey”

https://icv2.com/articles/news/view/50884/fantasy-flight-games-announces-cosmic-encounter-expansion

Czech Games Edition to release an expansion for their new edition of Galaxy Trucker called “Keep On Trucking” 

https://icv2.com/articles/news/view/50867/galaxy-trucker-keep-trucking

NEWS

Alea games partnering with Awaken Realms to release an absolutely wild looking new deluxe version of The Castles of Burgundy

https://www.dicebreaker.com/games/the-castles-of-burgundy/news/castles-of-burgundy-deluxe-edition

Agricola getting special 15th anniversary release called Agricola 15

https://www.dicebreaker.com/series/agricola/news/agricola-15-edition

-  Intro and Outro Music - "A Robust Crew by Darren Curtis" 

This week, Matt, Ian, and Aaron are joined by special guest Dani Standring to talk about some of our favorite 2 player games! We get into some industry talk, whether two player modes should even be included in some titles, and tease a future episode.

[00:00:00] Intro

[00:00:54] Dani tells us about her journey into board games

[00:02:06] Dani gives us a little peek behind the curtains of GAMA

[00:06:56] Matt tells an absolutely toe-curling story (content warning: bad board game storage)

[00:11:00] Ian tries to stump us with this week’s Bitter Board Gamers

[00:17:45] Dani kicks off our main topic with her thoughts on what makes a great 2 player experience

[00:26:04] Aaron talks about one of his unlikely favorites, Inhuman Conditions

[00:35:25] Dani talks about one of her recent favorites, Botanik

[00:38:05] Matt discusses the space adventures of Star Realms: Outer Rim

[00:58:42] The crew ponders how well RPGs could work with only one “player”

[01:02:40] Outro

Huge thanks again to Dani for joining us!

TikTok: www.tiktok.com/@dani_standring

Instagram: instagram.com/dani_standring

Facebook: twitter.com/dani_standring/

Discord: discord.gg/kRy9gNkFbu

Other Games Discussed This Episode: Tiny Epic Kingdoms, One Night Ultimate Werewolf, Ankh, Race for the Galaxy, Fog of Love, Riftforce, Unusual Suspects, Calico, Lost Cities

-  Intro and Outro Music - "A Robust Crew by Darren Curtis" 

It's time for the news once again, as Aaron and Ian dive into new Marvel themed games, Knizia losing his spots on the top 100 of BGG, and Villainous selling like hotcakes!

Releases

New Marvel themed edition of Fantasy Realms, called Marvel Remix, published by WizKids

https://comicbook.com/gaming/news/marvel-remix-wizkids-card-game/

Anthology of 13 stand-alone adventures titled Journeys through the Radiant Citadel from Wizards of the Coast. Written by a team of PoC, a first for DnD

https://dnd.wizards.com/products/journeys-through-radiant-citadel

https://twitter.com/ajitgeorgeSB/status/1506290676476125189?t=H8xh14tIOYBJcWjdI9W_Aw&s=19

Portal Games co-publishes the North American edition of Brazil: Imperial, the fast-paced 4x euro game. This is the second game Portal Games has co-published for the english market

https://portalgames.pl/en/portal-games-to-co-publish-the-english-edition-of-brazil-imperial/

Expansions

New expansion for Villainous, Bigger and Badder. Includes Pixar villains

https://www.polygon.com/platform/amp/reviews/22979237/disney-villainous-bigger-badder-board-game-review-release-date-price#amp_tf=From%20%251%24s&aoh=16473664995502&csi=0&referrer=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.google.com

New expansion for Parks, Wildlife

https://keymastergames.com/products/parks-wildlife

Star Wars: Outer Rim expansion, Unfinished Business

https://www.fantasyflightgames.com/en/news/2022/3/24/unfinished-business/

News

Catan dawn of mankind

https://www.google.com/amp/s/comicbook.com/gaming/amp/news/catan-dawn-humankind-new-game/

Tigris & Euphrates knocked off BGG top 100, where it has been since site started in 2001, used to be number 1, no more Knizia games in 

https://www.reddit.com/r/boardgames/comments/tk7sgm/tigris_and_euphrates_knocked_off_the_bgg_top_100

https://boardgamegeek.com/thread/2030734/top-100-games-2001

New BGG app

https://boardgamegeek.com/thread/2833769/download-our-new-bgg-iphone-ipad-app

Marvel & Disney Villainous have combined sold over 3 million copies

https://www.dicebreaker.com/series/villainous/news/disney-marvel-villainous-sold-3-million-units

Asmodee Digital partners with Tilt Five for AR games

https://www.prweb.com/releases/tilt_five_partners_with_asmodee_digital_to_transform_family_game_night/prweb18571043.htm

Van Ryder Games, Lucky Duck to publish Dark Quarter, using same framework as Destinies

App based mystery game (investigative game)

https://icv2.com/articles/news/view/50755/van-ryder-lucky-duck-partner-dark-quarter

-  Intro and Outro Music - "A Robust Crew by Darren Curtis"