Vox Republica: Podcast of The Cardboard Republic – Details, episodes & analysis

Length: 39:28

Show Links: RSS | iTunes | Stitcher | Download Episode

Welcome back to Vox Republica, the Cardboard Republic Podcast!

We post new episodes every other Thursday, with each episode being about 45 minutes long.

Vox Republica is proudly supported by our Patreon. Consider contributing today!

DESCRIPTION: All good things must come to an end. And that happens to include the Vox itself. This week, Erin and Ryan explain the decision to bring this project to a close and then share some of their favorite episodes of its nearly five year run.

We’d love to hear from you! You can send questions or feedback via email at podcast@cardboardrepublic.com. You can also reach us social media, including Twitter, Facebook, and BoardGameGeek.

Audio Credits: Intro music track is "Swing!" by Bargo!, used under Creative Commons license.

Length: 56:28

Show Links: RSS | iTunes | Stitcher | Download Episode

Welcome back to Vox Republica, the Cardboard Republic Podcast!

We post new episodes every other Thursday, with each episode being about 45 minutes long.

Vox Republica is proudly supported by our Patreon. Consider contributing today!

DESCRIPTION: There are themes and then there are themes. And then there are themes. But...what if those are all the same game? This week, Erin and Ryan talk about reskinning games. When is it worth it and when is it a money grab? Can it be both?

GUESTS: None

RECENTLY PLAYED GAMES - (0:28):

• Clans of Caledonia by Karma Games (BGG Link)
• Otys by Pearl Games / Asmodee (BGG Link)
• Merlin by Queen Games (BGG Link)
• The North Sea Runesaga (Shipwrights, Raiders, and Explorers of the North Sea by Garphill Games / Renegade Game Studios (BGG Link)

QUICK TOPICS – (17:28):

• We discuss our thoughts on the second multi-day Granite Game Summit, a local convention with plenty of good things going for it.

FEATURED TOPIC - (23:10):

• A reskin is when you take an existing game and either change the mechanics very little (or not at all) but give it a new setting, theme, etc. We parse through several areas of their existence, including areas such as?
  
  • Why are reskins even a thing? Are there any equivalents in other industries?
  • What’s the difference between adaptation and reskin?
  • Why do publishers reskin a game?
  • When is a reskin worth it and when is it a cash grab?
  • What about reskins that bring a game in line with an existing IP?
  • How do consumers feel about reskins generally?

PLUGS - (55:09):

• The 2017 Laurel Nominees are in full swing! We even have a couple of contests going on for the Socializer and Striker winners announced so far (and probably a third by now). Check them out!
• We’re also raffling off a copy of Draconis Invasion to a lucky Patreon backer. Consider donating today!
• As always, Cardboard Republic YouTube videos, Instagram pictures, and the BGG Guild are still ongoing. Subscribe to one or two - or all of them if you really love us. You do really love us, right?

We’d love to hear from you! You can send questions or feedback via email at podcast@cardboardrepublic.com. You can also reach us social media, including Twitter, Facebook, and BoardGameGeek.

Audio Credits: Intro music track is "Swing!" by Bargo!, used under Creative Commons license.

Length: 1:14:36

Show Links: RSS | iTunes | Stitcher | Download Episode

Welcome back to Vox Republica, the Cardboard Republic Podcast!

We post new episodes every other Thursday, with each episode being about 45 minutes long.

Vox Republica is proudly supported by our Patreon. Consider contributing today!

DESCRIPTION: It's convention time! This week Erin and Ryan are joined by Caroline Murphy, CEO of the Festival of Indie Games, to discuss the past, present, and future of Boston’s home-grown indie convention. Before that, though, Ryan walks us through his Essen picks for 2017.

GUESTS: Caroline Murphy

RECENTLY PLAYED GAMES - (00:56):

• Exit: The Abandoned Cabin by Thames & Kosmos (BGG Link)
• Unlock! The Formula by Space Cowboys (BGG Link)
• Harry Potter: Hogwarts Battle: Monster Box of Monsters by USAopoly (BGG Link)

QUICK TOPICS - (19:28):

• Ryan runs down five games worth checking out at Essen 2017 that aren't currently bound for the US, as well as his guess at a convention sleeper. 

FEATURED TOPIC - (45:01):

• Caroline Murphy joins us to talk about the Festival of Indie Games, and where it’s headed. This is one of our favorite game events - it’s local, it focuses on indie creators, and it’s just a lot of fun. She’s leading the team in trying to do some great things for gaming and community in Boston and beyond!

PLUGS - (1:13:55):

• We’re raffling off a copy of Major General to a lucky Patreon backer. Consider donating today!
• As always, Cardboard Republic YouTube videos, Instagram pictures, and the BGG Guild are still ongoing. Subscribe to one or two - or all of them if you really love us. You do really love us, right?

We’d love to hear from you! You can send questions or feedback via email at podcast@cardboardrepublic.com. You can also reach us social media, including Twitter, Facebook, and BoardGameGeek.

Audio Credits: Intro music track is "Swing!" by Bargo!, used under Creative Commons license.

2015 lies before us. Join us as we offer our predictions on what the year holds for the gaming hobby!

Length: 28:01

Show Links: RSS | iTunes | Download Episode

Welcome back to Vox Republica, the Cardboard Republic Podcast!

We post new episodes every Thursday, and each episode will be about 20 - 30 minutes long.

The end of the one year means the beginning of another, and there's no time to predict the future quite like the present!

Like every field, board games have their share of trends, fads, advancements and setbacks. This week, we dive headlong into some of the things we think are in store for the hobby. From the role of Kickstarter to which mechanics will rise and fall, we offer our predictions on gaming in 2015.*

*We were going to include "More Munchkin clones" as a prediction, but that's about guaranteed as the sun rising at this point. So, you know...

We’d love to hear from you! You can send questions or feedback via email at podcast@cardboardrepublic.com. You can also reach us social media, including Twitter and BoardGameGeek.

Audio Credits: Intro music track is "8-Bit Brawl" by DJ Cutman featuring S&CO., used with permission.

Come join us as we announce our picks of the best game of the year for each gamer archetype!

Length: 32:06

Show Links: RSS | iTunes | Download Episode

Welcome back to Vox Republica, the Cardboard Republic Podcast!

We post new episodes every Thursday, and each episode will be about 20 - 30 minutes long.

The end of the year approaches, and that can only mean one thing - Game of the Year announcements! 

(Really, it's practically compulsory for people in our positions.)

Yes, with 2014 winding to a close soon, we take the time to look back at the games of 2014. However, rather than do a simple top 10 list like we've done previously, this year we're taking a different approach. One that is more in line with our site philosophy. So pull up a chair as we discuss the top games for each of the gamer archetypes: Architects, Tacticians, Socializers, Daredevils, Immersionists, and Strikers.

If you aren't sure which type that best describes you, don't worry; we'll explain a bit in the episode. Though you can also take our quiz here... 

We’d love to hear from you! You can send questions or feedback via email at podcast@cardboardrepublic.com. You can also reach us social media, including Twitter and BoardGameGeek.

Audio Credits: Intro music track is "8-Bit Brawl" by DJ Cutman featuring S&CO., used with permission.

Length: 31:59

Subscribe to Show Link: 

Welcome back to Vox Republica, the Cardboard Republic Podcast!

We post new episodes every Thursday, and each episode will be about 20 - 30 minutes long.

It's one thing to pull your sword defiantly from your scabbard and face down a band of orcs in your friend's latest D&D setting, but it's a different experience entirely when that gritty scene is actually happening in Middle Earth. That is the allure of licensed RPGs.

Licensed intellectual property games are nothing new in the tabletop world, and they continue to exist alongside the ever-growing original RPG settings. Whether it's the X-Files, Doctor Who, Firefly, Star Trek, or a fan-created version of almost any TV show, movie, comic book, or literary setting that generates enough gamer interest, licensed RPGs continue to be part of our collective gaming consciousness.

What does it take to be a successful licensed RPG, though? Are they any better or worse than more original settings? And what kind of response do they get from gamers in general? We decided to have Dave step in to help us work through some of these questions. 

We’d love to hear from you! You can send questions or feedback via email at podcast@cardboardrepublic.com. You can also reach us social media, including Twitter and BoardGameGeek.

Audio Credits: Intro music track is "8-Bit Brawl" by DJ Cutman featuring S&CO., used with permission.

Length: 23:05

Subscribe to Show Link: 

Welcome back to Vox Republica, the Cardboard Republic Podcast!

We post new episodes every Thursday, and each episode will be about 20 - 30 minutes long.

From the simplest Roll and Move classcs through marathon sessions of Twilight Imperium, every game comes with some degree of rules to them. Some games can be explained in minutes, while for others take so long you made need a cup of coffee to go with them. 

How rules are crafted, then, and how they are conveyed to players new and old is pivotal to both understanding and enjoying the game in front of you. This week, Ryan offers some tips for explaining game rules to new and experienced gamers alike. Whether it's sample turns, using tutorial videos like Watch it Played, or even just sitting in front of your players and explaining the rules in detail, we find out: is there a best method? And how should you proceed?

We’d love to hear from you! You can send questions or feedback via email at podcast@cardboardrepublic.com. You can also reach us social media, including Twitter and BoardGameGeek.

Audio Credits: Intro music track is "8-Bit Brawl" by DJ Cutman featuring S&CO., used with permission.

Length: 29:26

Subscribe to Show Link: 

Welcome back to Vox Republica, the Cardboard Republic Podcast!

We post new episodes every Thursday, and each episode will be about 20 - 30 minutes long.

In the world of tabletop gaming, not all RPGs are created equal. For every fantastic and insightful system, there are a dozen with glaring issues of one kind or another. Are the mechanics off? Is the worldview too disjointed? How do you handle blatant balance issues? And do these issues mean that any game with flaws is not worth your time?

Well, we're about to find out! Dave joins us this week to discuss bad RPG rules and how to handle them.

We’d love to hear from you! You can send questions or feedback via email at podcast@cardboardrepublic.com. You can also reach us social media, including Twitter and BoardGameGeek.

Audio Credits: Intro music track is "8-Bit Brawl" by DJ Cutman featuring S&CO., used with permission.

Length: 32:02

Subscribe to Show Link: 

Welcome back to Vox Republica, the Cardboard Republic Podcast!

We post new episodes every Thursday, and each episode will be about 20 - 30 minutes long.

Whether it's a temporary coup or a well deserved respite, we won't say, but in any case, this episode has Ryan filling in as the host. He didn't take the task lightly either - he planned a full TEK Takeover!

With him this week to discuss our November Indie Spotlight game Tiny Epic Kingdoms are none other than designer Scott Almes and Gamelyn Games publisher Michael Coe. They talk of things big in small in the Tiny Epic and Gamelyn universes. Tune in to hear what's in store!

We’d love to hear from you! You can send questions or feedback via email at podcast@cardboardrepublic.com. You can also reach us social media, including Twitter and BoardGameGeek.

Audio Credits: Intro music track is "8-Bit Brawl" by DJ Cutman featuring S&CO., used with permission.

Length: 27:04

Subscribe to Show Link: 

Welcome back to Vox Republica, the Cardboard Republic Podcast!

We post new episodes every Thursday, and each episode will be about 20 - 30 minutes long.

Did you know that RPGs exist that use other materials to tell stories other than dice? Lately, especially among the indie tabletop community, games have started to creep up that break the traditional RPG mold that we know so well. This week Dave and I dive into some of those, including Dread, Project Dark, and more.

Then, Ryan and I discuss our site's impending anniversary. We're now officially two years old! Woo! Go us. And thanks for listening!

We’d love to hear from you! You can send questions or feedback via email at podcast@cardboardrepublic.com. You can also reach us social media, including Twitter and BoardGameGeek.

Audio Credits: Intro music track is "8-Bit Brawl" by DJ Cutman featuring S&CO., used with permission.