In this special update episode of the Manaverse Podcast, host Tom Traplin sits down with Blake Edward Hawkey, one of the co-founders of 2nd Hand Geek. Together, they discuss the evolution of the platform since its inception, the exciting new features available, and how the marketplace can benefit both players and local game stores.

What You'll Learn in This Episode:

• The story behind 2nd Hand Geek, an eBay-style marketplace for used and new games, miniatures, and other geek culture items.
• How 2nd Hand Geek differs from platforms like eBay and TCGPlayer by offering a unique community revenue share model that rewards local game stores.
• An in-depth look at the new features on 2nd Hand Geek, including the innovative "Collection Feature" that helps players manage their collections and track the market value of their armies and miniatures.
• Details on the platform’s paint standards for miniatures, making it easier to sell and buy painted models with confidence in the quality.
• Upcoming features such as PayPal integration, secure transactions, and Shopify integration that will allow store owners to easily list their products on the platform.
• How game stores can benefit from 2nd Hand Geek’s affiliate program, earning 20% of the fees generated from their customer base’s transactions.
• The vision for the future of 2nd Hand Geek, including plans to become a one-stop shop for all things geek culture.

Key Takeaways:

• 2nd Hand Geek is growing rapidly with over 500 accounts and hundreds of transactions. The team is focused on building out robust features to support further growth.
• Game store owners can easily sign up and start earning money by referring customers to the platform or listing their own inventory. The QR code and referral link system make it simple for stores to promote the platform and earn a percentage of transactions.
• The platform aims to support the broader gaming community by making it easier for players to find hard-to-get miniatures and games while also providing a new revenue stream for local stores.

Connect with 2nd Hand Geek:

• Visit 2ndHandGeek.com to sign up for a free account and start listing your items.
• Join the 2nd Hand Geek community on Discord to share feedback and connect with the team.
• Interested in getting your store involved? Contact the team for more details on how you can benefit from their referral program and upcoming features.

Episode Links:

• 2nd Hand Geek Website
• 2nd Hand Geek Discord
• Manaverse Podcast

In today's episode of the Manaverse Podcast, I dive deep into a topic that's been on my mind a lot lately: the growing loneliness and division many of us are experiencing in the modern world. With nearly a third of adults in the U.S. feeling lonely on a regular basis and our society becoming more polarized, I believe local game stores have a unique opportunity to bridge these gaps and foster genuine human connections.

Loneliness has become a silent epidemic with significant consequences for our health and well-being. Studies show that social isolation is linked to increased risks of heart disease, stroke, dementia, and depression. It's clear that people are craving connection more than ever, but finding meaningful ways to connect can be challenging.

That's where game stores come in.

I want to share a bit of my own story to highlight just how powerful these spaces can be. When I was about 12 years old, a kid from down the street introduced me to a local game store called Deja Vu Games. It wasn't much to look at—a small, basement unit with a few folding tables and some shelves of Magic cards. But for me, it was a magical place where I discovered a community of people who shared my passion for games.

I spent nearly every day after school at Deja Vu Games, and over time, I met the friends who would shape my life for years to come. These were the people who became my core group, my business partners, and eventually even the ones who helped me meet my wife. The connections I made there were deep and lasting, and they all started with a shared love of games.

Game stores are more than just retail spaces; they're community hubs. Unlike most other social environments—like schools, workplaces, or bars—game stores provide a unique space where people from all walks of life can come together over a shared interest. Whether it's playing Magic: The Gathering, hosting a D&D campaign, or participating in a board game night, these activities naturally foster conversation, cooperation, and connection.

At a time when many people feel isolated, game stores offer a welcoming environment where new friendships can be formed and old ones can be strengthened. The structure of playing games with others helps remove the awkwardness of meeting someone new, creating a positive feedback loop that encourages more social interaction.

I genuinely believe that game stores have the potential to make a significant impact on their communities and, by extension, the world. Imagine a future where every community has a friendly, well-run game store that serves as a gathering place for people of all ages and backgrounds. These stores could host a variety of events—game nights, paint nights, puzzle parties, and more—that bring people together, encourage socializing, and help build stronger, more connected communities.

By fostering these connections, game stores can help combat the loneliness epidemic and create a more open-minded, cooperative society. It's a small step, but one that could lead to a much happier and healthier world.

So, if you're a game store owner or thinking about becoming one, know that you're not just selling games—you're offering a space for connection, joy, and community. And that, to me, is something truly special.

Thanks for reading, and if you enjoyed this post, make sure to check out the full podcast episode. And if you'd like your game store featured on the show, feel free to reach out to me at tom@manaversesaga.com.

Together, let's build a better world, one game at a time.

This is Part 2 of my interview with Joshua Pyle-Carter from The Deck Box where we focus on personalized client service as a key factor in his success. Understanding individual customer preferences, especially in complex games like Magic: The Gathering, is crucial and so is guiding customers based on their interests and experience levels, rather than pushing sales. He discusses the benefits of carrying a wide range of products to meet diverse needs and the significance of building trust with customers through genuine recommendations and attentive service.

Book a 30 minute strategy session with us to get your game store digital marketing plan created for free. It's yours to keep either way so you have nothing to lose. Go to https://manaversesaga.com/mma to book your call and start off 2024 strong.

In today's episode of the Manaverse Podcast Wayne hosts John and I at Dueling Grounds in Toronto and we discuss the variety of ways a game store owner can build their shop's inventory. We go over the product mix matrix … Read More

The post MVP052: Optimizing Your Product Mix appeared first on Manaverse Saga.

Tom's Top 5 Magic Settlers of Catan Betrayal at House on the Hill Hearthstone DBZ Card Game John's Top 5 Shadows Over Brimstone Takenoko Malifaux the Miniatures GameMansions of Madness Call of Cthulhu Wayne's Top 5 Magic Dungeons and Dragons … Read More

The post MVP051: Round Table – Top 5 Favourite Games appeared first on Manaverse Saga.

According to an article by Bloomberg last year, ecommerce sales beat out traditional brick and mortar sales during Black Friday. The trend is now obvious and ecommerce sales are going to become more and more important as time goes on. … Read More

The post MVP050: Ecommerce for Game Store Owners appeared first on Manaverse Saga.

Gary Sproul describes the terrifying history of the Haunted Game Cafe Today's episode of the Manaverse Podcast involves a deep dive into the murky fog and buried past of Gary Sproul. Gary is the ghostly proprietor of the Haunted Game … Read More

The post MVP049: Gary Sproul on the Haunted Game Cafe appeared first on Manaverse Saga.

Many game store owners think their Facebook page is all they need to compete online and reach new customers. Tom Traplin, John Coviello, and Gary Sproul come together on this episode of the Manaverse Podcast to discuss the question: Does … Read More

The post MVP048: Round Table – Does your game store need a website? appeared first on Manaverse Saga.

GeekyGami's has appeared! The story continues. Allen Hicks comes onto the Manaverse Podcast today to share with us the latest update to the tale of Nerdish Haven in Coffeyville, Kansas. Nerdish Haven was the fledgling local game store we've been following … Read More

The post MVP047: GeekyGami’s with Allen Hicks // Nerdish Haven has evolved! appeared first on Manaverse Saga.

The game cafe and how to build one from scratch In this episode of the Manaverse Podcast, I'm joined by my co-hosts John Coviello and Wayne Mittlesteadt as well as a special guest, Gary Sproul. Gary is the owner of … Read More

The post MVP046: Round Table – Game Cafes appeared first on Manaverse Saga.

  Have you written a business plan for your game store? In this round table episode of the Manaverse Podcast Tom, Wayne and John discuss the importance of planning out your business. Sometimes that means sitting down and writing an actual, … Read More

The post MVP045: Round Table – Creating a Business Plan That Works appeared first on Manaverse Saga.

Is Magic Digital Next Wizard's Answer To Hearthstone? In this round table episode of the Manaverse Podcast Tom, Wayne and John discuss the future of Magic: the Gathering. We also discuss how it may impact local game stores. With Wizard's announcement of … Read More

The post MVP044: Round Table – Will Magic Digital Next Make Magic an E-Sport appeared first on Manaverse Saga.

  The end of the local game store? In this round table episode of the Manaverse Podcast Tom, Wayne and John discuss an article recently written by past guest of the show, Gary Ray. You can find Gary's interview on the … Read More

The post MVP043: Round Table – Will Local Game Stores Survive? appeared first on Manaverse Saga.

This is part 1 of a 4 part interview I did with Josh Pyle-Carter. He’s the owner of The Deck Box, a massively successful and tremendously cool tabletop game store in Halifax, Nova Scotia. In this part of our interview, Josh tells the story of starting his first game store in PEI on a shoestring budget and how being profitable from day 1 was basically his and his partner Rachel’s only option. We talk about the importance of stocking a wide range of magic singles to meet customer needs, the evolution from a small to a larger store, and the emphasis on client relationships over mere transactions.

It was a fun conversation that I was able to have in person, at Josh’s new expansion lovingly called the Rules Lawyer, which is something I definitely want to do more of in the future. Enjoy part 1 of Josh’s interview.

https://www.thedeckboxhalifax.com/

https://www.facebook.com/DeckBoxHalifax

https://www.instagram.com/thedeckboxhalifax/

The Wizards Lawsuit In today's episode of the Manaverse Podcast Tom, Wayne and John discuss the details and ramifications of the recent announcement that WotC is being sued by four judges in California. The class action lawsuit claims that MTG … Read More

The post MVP042: Round Table – Wizards of the Coast Sued By MTG Judges appeared first on Manaverse Saga.

Travis Parry and the tale of The Nerd Store Today's episode of the Manaverse Podcast features Travis Parry, someone you may recognize from the round table editions of the show. As the only co-host that hadn't been interviewed one on … Read More

The post MVP041: Travis Parry and The Nerd Store appeared first on Manaverse Saga.

How to run great events that grow your game store Running events is one of the most effective ways to grow the community for your game store. If you do a good job organizing each one and provide a good … Read More

The post MVP040: Round Table – How To Run Great Events That Grow Your Game Store appeared first on Manaverse Saga.

In the grim darkness of the deep internet, there is only war… The featured guest for today’s episode of the Manaverse Podcast is Matthew Glanfield. Matt is the co-owner of the popular YouTube channel MiniWarGaming and the website miniwargaming.com. There … Read More

The post MVP039: MiniWarGaming.com – From LGS To YouTube appeared first on Manaverse Saga.

Welcome to the first edition of the Manaverse Podcast round table! In addition to the usual one on one interviews that you know and love, I've brought on a cavalcade of courageous co-hosts, a torrent of talent, an avalanche of entrepreneurial … Read More

The post MVP038: Round Table – The GAMA Trade Show appeared first on Manaverse Saga.

The triumphant return of the Manaverse Podcast is here! No, this isn't a cruel April's Fools joke. The Manaverse Podcast is back! This episode of podcast is a short bite size update, a way for me to reintroduce myself to … Read More

The post MVP037: Tom Traplin and the Manaverse Podcast are back! appeared first on Manaverse Saga.

The featured guest on today's episode of the Manaverse Podcast is Jay Mason-Grant. Jay is the owner of Black Knight Games in Hamilton, Ontario.  Jay has a pretty interesting origin story for how he got into the business, and yet … Read More

The post MVP036: Checkmate with Black Knight Games appeared first on Manaverse Saga.

KW Vintage Games - from retro to cardboard Joaquim Mendes is quite the character.  Our guest today is the owner of one of the most unique shops in Kitchener, Ontario. Within the walls of his relatively small store is virtually … Read More

The post MVP035: Player 2 Press Start – KW Vintage Games appeared first on Manaverse Saga.

Nerd Haven v2.0 Welcome to a slightly delayed edition of the Manaverse Podcast. Today’s podcast is an update with a previous guest. Roughly six months ago Aaron Tillman started up Nerd Haven with $500 and a laptop. Now, he’s expanded … Read More

The post MVP034: The Nerd Haven Update – 5x The Haven appeared first on Manaverse Saga.

Face to Face Toronto - The Duelist Welcome to part 2 of the Kelly Ackerman/Face To Face Toronto interview. Today Kelly and I talk about the big mistakes, the big wins, and a bunch of tools and resources you can … Read More

The post MVP033: Face To Face Toronto – How To Run Massive Magic Tournaments And Other LGS Secrets With Kelly Ackerman Part 2 appeared first on Manaverse Saga.

This episode of the Manaverse Podcast features Eric Dieulangard, the CMO of Equinox. Today we're discussing "Altered," a new trading card game scheduled for release in the summer of 2024, and diving into how the game's innovations fit into the business model of your friendly local game store.

Eric elaborates on Altered's unique features, including its integration of digital elements with traditional card gameplay, and the innovative use of QR codes to merge physical and digital collections. He explains how Altered aims to refresh the trading card game industry, emphasizing a new IP, engaging gameplay, and a mix of casual and competitive elements. We also discuss the game's market strategy, retailer support, organized play, and a Kickstarter campaign, highlighting how these elements are designed to benefit both players and retailers.

If you've been curious about Altered and wondering what all the hype is about, this interview is a great place to start!

• What is Altered and what makes it different from other TCGs on the market today
• How the game integrates digital elements with traditional card gameplay
• How the QR code system works
• Altered's artistic inspiration and intellectual property and building that out in a world of established IPs
• A little bit of how the game plays
• The Kickstarter details and retailer pledge
• The Organized Play program details of Altered and the planned support for stores, as well as the the competitive circuit planned for late 2024/early 2025

Altered.gg

Altered Discord server

Altered FAQ

Altered on X/Twitter

Welcome to another episode of the Manaverse Podcast. We’re continuing the Face To Face Games series today, this time we’re back in Toronto with Kelly Ackerman. Kelly is the co-owner of the newest iteration of the Face To Face business, … Read More

The post MVP032: How To Run Massive Magic Tournaments And Other LGS Secrets With Kelly Ackerman Of Face To Face Toronto Part 1 appeared first on Manaverse Saga.

In this edition of the Manaverse Podcast and over the next few weeks, I am excited feature one of the most well known names in Canadian Magic. This particular episode our guest has competed on the Pro Tour twice, created and … Read More

The post MVP031: Captain Canada Talks Being On The Pro Tour, Content Creation, And Building ManaDeprived.com appeared first on Manaverse Saga.

Welcome to the 30th episode of the Manaverse Podcast. I’ve got a great show for you today, our featured guest is the creative content manager for one of the premier LGSs in North America. Perhaps you’ve heard of them, Card … Read More

The post MVP030: The Methods Card Kingdom and Mox Boarding House Use To Reach Hundreds Of Customers Each Week appeared first on Manaverse Saga.

Today's episode of the Manaverse Podcast is part two of the Steve Ellis interview and yes, that's a time travelling DeLorean in the feature image. Steve is the co-owner of Rainy Day Games in Aloha, Oregon in case you missed … Read More

The post MVP029: Rainy Day Games And Building An LGS That Stands The Test Of Time Part 2 appeared first on Manaverse Saga.

Today's episode of the Manaverse Podcast features Steve Ellis, the co-owner of Rainy Day Games in Aloha, Oregon. Steve had so much insight into the world of game store ownership that I once again had to split the episode into … Read More

The post MVP028: Rainy Day Games And Building An LGS That Stands The Test Of Time Part 1 appeared first on Manaverse Saga.

Today on the Manaverse Podcast we're talking to Laura Schneider. Laura's the co-owner of Meeples Games and she's going to walk us through how she built her awesome game store /cafe/thunderdome. We go over how Laura spent an entire year … Read More

The post MVP027: Meeples Games, Welcome To The Thunderdome! appeared first on Manaverse Saga.

This week's episode of the Manaverse Podcast is part two of the Derium's CCGs interview. If you haven't checked out part one, you should do that first. I'll wait. Hey, glad you're back. This is the episode where the guys and … Read More

The post MVP026: Derium’s CCGs Part Two appeared first on Manaverse Saga.

This week's episode of the Manaverse Podcast is a special one. Not only is it the 25th episode, it's also a two parter. The featured business for the next two episodes of the podcast has a popular channel on Youtube, … Read More

The post MVP025: Derium’s CCGs Part One appeared first on Manaverse Saga.

Today’s show features Alex Moore. Alex is the chef and board game manager at Bampot, a board game cafe in Toronto. Bampot, or the full version: Bampot: Bohemian House of Tea and Board Games is a trendy place that offers loose … Read More

The post MVP024: Bampot Tea, The Trendiest Board Game Cafe In Toronto appeared first on Manaverse Saga.

Today's episode of the Manaverse Podcast features Aaron Tillman. He’s the proud owner of Nerdish Haven in Coffeyville Kansas. In this episode we explore an LGS in the very first days of it’s existence. That’s because Nerdish Haven opened it doors … Read More

The post MVP023: Nerdish Haven – The Story Of How To Start An LGS With $500 And A Laptop appeared first on Manaverse Saga.

Welcome to another episode of the Manaverse podcast! I’m your host, Tom Traplin, and today, I had the pleasure of sitting down with Tyler Brotton, an ambitious entrepreneur charting a unique path in the gaming industry. From starting as an online card trader during the COVID-19 pandemic to his current venture of setting up a brick-and-mortar game store, Tyler shares the ups and downs of his journey, offering a treasure trove of insights for aspiring entrepreneurs.

Tyler's journey is a testament to the entrepreneurial spirit, showcasing the blend of passion and practicality needed to succeed in the competitive world of game retail. His story offers valuable insights for anyone aspiring to turn their hobby into a thriving business.

For more insights and updates on Tyler’s journey, listeners can follow him on Facebook and join his Discord community, Righteous Gaming.

• How his journey began with online card sales, focusing on the 'Flesh and Blood' TCG.
• Tyler's strategies for scaling his online business through the buying and selling of card collections.
• Tyler opens up about the hurdles of moving from an online business to a physical store, including capitalization, location scouting, and balancing dual operations.
• We delve into Tyler’s vision for a game store that's more than just a business.
• Tyler highlights how mentorship has been pivotal in his journey, helping him navigate the complexities of opening a brick and mortar retail location.
• We discuss strategies for staying relevant in a dynamic market, including product line diversification and keeping a pulse on customer preferences.
• Tyler shares his long-term goals, painting a picture of growth and expansion in the gaming industry.

Opening a Tabletop Game Store Facebook Group

Friendly Local Game Store by Gary Ray

#righteousgaming on Discord

Tyler Brotton on Facebook

Email Tyler: tbrotton93@gmail.com

Today's episode of the Manaverse Podcast is a little different from the usual show. In this shorter than average episode I talk about the different stages in a Magic player's career and how each stage relates to an LGS owner's business. We … Read More

The post MVP022: How Your LGS Can Crush It With Player Progression appeared first on Manaverse Saga.

Jennifer Ward comes onto the Manaverse Podcast this week to share with us the future: A world dominated by crazy squirrels. Ok, that's not true, but she has come to share with everybody what makes Crazy Squirrel Game Store in … Read More

The post MVP021: The Crazy Squirrel Game Store Is Plotting World Domination appeared first on Manaverse Saga.

Gary Ray on the Magic: the Gathering bubble   On today's episode, my featured guest is Gary Ray, the store owner of Black Diamond Games in Concord, California. Gary is a purveyor of board games, card games, and all things … Read More

The post MVP020: Black Diamond Games, Gary Ray, and the Magic Bubble appeared first on Manaverse Saga.

Erik Bigglestone and Games of Berkeley are the focus of this week's episode of the Manaverse Podcast. Erik shares his experience as part of a gaming family and the story of how he came to be the owning manager of … Read More

The post MVP019: Games of Berkeley, California’s Premier FLGS appeared first on Manaverse Saga.

Today's episode of the Manaverse Podcast features a woman whose store is literally a castle. Pat Johnson comes on the show to talk about her aptly named store Pat's Games. Pat has a fairly unique business. Most local game stores put … Read More

The post MVP018: Pat’s Games And The Castle That Magic Built appeared first on Manaverse Saga.

Wayne Mittlestead comes onto the Manaverse Podcast today to talk about life, love, and happiness as an entrepreneur... sort of. Wayne built Dueling Grounds in Toronto, Ontario from the ground up. With 11 years of experience Wayne has a lot to … Read More

The post MVP017: Pistols at Dawn! Wayne Mittlestead on Dueling Grounds appeared first on Manaverse Saga.

Have you ever wondered what might happen if you opened a friendly local game store with a $20 000 credit card limit? Benn Roe and Adam Friedman come on to the Manaverse Podcast and share how it worked out for them. … Read More

The post MVP016: Redcap’s Corner with Benn Roe and Adam Friedman appeared first on Manaverse Saga.

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The post MVP015: Exploring The Little Shop Of Magic With John Coviello appeared first on Manaverse Saga.

The featured guest on today's podcast is Steve Port, perhaps you've heard of him? If not him, chances are one of his products has certainly crossed your path. Here's a brief list of the things Steve has added to the … Read More

The post MVP014: How To Get Your Game Idea Published While Playing Magic On The High Seas appeared first on Manaverse Saga.

Pascal Espinosa joins us on the Manaverse Podcast today. Pascal is the owner of Metal Galaxy in Calgary, Alberta where Magic is currently thriving. Not only does Metal Galaxy have a past podcast guest (MVP008) in their backyard with Gordan Johansen`s Sentry Box, Pascal also … Read More

The post MVP013: Metal Galaxy, A Ninja Star In Space appeared first on Manaverse Saga.

The launch of Lorcana has been a roller coaster for game stores. The absurdly high demand combined with a very limited supply of product has created a perfect storm for game store owners looking to sell, as well as consumers and collectors looking to buy. Online communities of players/speculators have accused game store owners of scalping and gouging if anything is priced above MSRP, with game store owners justifiably pushing back and defending the market price as the only viable option given the circumstances.

Basically, no one is happy about the Lorcana launch and the whole thing has been extremely frustrating for all parties.

As of the publishing date of this podcast, restocks of Chapter 1 are just now hitting the shelves of game stores several weeks later than originally promised by Ravensburger, with Rise of the Floodborn just around the corner.

As a collectible card game, Lorcana will be scrutinized as an example for years to come. Despite all it's challenges, and they are substantial at this point, there is still massive potential for Lorcana to become a major player in the collectible card game market.

And that's what Brendan Carrion and I discuss in today's episode! Let's talk about the future of Lorcana as a collectible card game, it's place in the pantheon, where Ravensburger went wrong with the launch (and where they went right), and speculate on whether Lorcana is the next big thing.

• The popularity and anticipation of Disney's Lorcana card game
• Comparison of Lorcana to Pokemon and its market impact
• Ravensburger's supply challenges
• The speculative nature of collectible card games
• The secondary market for collectible cards and investment perspectives
• The effect of volatile card prices on game stores and industry ethics
• The controversy and value of reprinting cards in the collectible market
• Challenges faced by retailers with pre-orders and customer expectations
• Ravensburger's cautious approach to printing and market delivery
• Potential impact of a new Star Wars card game
• The complexity of card game production and consumer awareness

Athoriagames.com

@athoriagames on Instagram

Athoria Games on Facebook

@deathbyroleplaying

Chris Fedor comes onto the Manaverse Podcast to talk about the pinnacle of geek culture in Austin, Texas, the Dragon's Lair. We chat briefly about the history of the Dragon's Lair and how it grew from a small business in a … Read More

The post MVP012: Building a Massive Magic Community at the Dragon’s Lair appeared first on Manaverse Saga.

The 11th episode of the Manaverse Podcast features Peter Sonegra, one of two owners of cardadvantage.ca. Card Advantage is a rapidly growing online retailer of everybody's favourite game, Magic: the Gathering, but it wasn't always this way. Peter and his partner … Read More

The post MVP011: The Advantage Of Selling Magic Cards Over The Internet With CardAdvantage.ca appeared first on Manaverse Saga.

The double digit episode of the Manaverse Podcast is here. Today I talk with Kathleen Donahue and Judy Thomas. Kathleen owns Labyrinth Games & Puzzles in Washington, DC and Judy handles the Magic side.. "Labyrinth Games is a family-friendly, community-focused store featuring … Read More

The post MVP010: Battling the Minotaur Inside Labyrinth Games appeared first on Manaverse Saga.