Thespokentoken's podcast: Recent Episodes
The Spoken Token
Podcast about all things Board Game related, from design through to sales and of course enjoying all that cardboard goodness!
Under the Hood: We roll up our sleeves and talk about games from the perspective of their mechanics! The mechanisms that are present and cover what some of the buzzwords may mean.
Rallyman GT By Jean-Christophe Bouvier Published by Holy Grail Games Released in 2020
A deeper look - We pick a game (each) and do a deeper dive into the title. Not a review but speaking to the mechanics of it, NOTING any challenges in obtaining said title. So this does not have to be all new hotness.
Downforce By Rob Daviau, Justin D. Jacobson, Wolfgang Kramer Published by Restoration Games Released in 2017
Beyond the Box - Sleeves, Mats, Dice, customized. This time a VERY SPECIAL Summer of Games themed look at accessories to make your racing games BRILLIANT!
Replacement Cars
Alex shares some thoughts!
Etsy Manufacturers for car replacements:
Link one
Link Two 17mm Formula one cars
Shapeways F1 Section for F1 Cars for boardgames
Mae Mini World for Cars
With all of these make sure to look into the size of the car you need, it will be easiest to measure the current cars you have. 17-22 mm (Usually)
Files Section of BGG, Publisher sites for add-ons expansions
Links:
Podstudio1
BGG
Essen
Etsy
Music: As always from the amazing community of gifted musicians, arrangers, and composers over at ocremix.org go visit and support them for the full project and so much more amazing music!
Outro :
De Nuit / by mv feat. Jeff Ball
Original Track - The Phantom Forest
Album - Final Fantasy VI: Balance and Ruin
Project Page - Final Fantasy VI: Balance and Ruin | OC ReMix
Content Group - Final Fantasy VI
Original Copyright - Square Enix
Original Composers - Nobuo Uematsu
Solo Flight (On the table) - We will examine what the game is like when played, to personify that experience, cover angles and what to expect from the title: components, setting, rules and the overall atmosphere.
This Episode
Wreckland Run By Scott Almes Published by Renegade Game Studios Released in 2022.
Points to hit:
Rules - This covers everything in the Rule book from setup to actually communicating what you are doing when you play.
Components - Every piece in the box, this also covers table presence, what does it look like when it is all laid out, how much real estate does it take up?
Play - How does the game play, is it smooth, what are the fun interactions, what does it encourage. Is it a stand alone mechanics rich experience, or a more puzzle oriented gaming session?
Theme - What does the title do with its theme, how does it use it to further the narrative of the game and provide atmosphere when playing.
Links:
Podstudio1
BGG
Music: As always from the amazing community of gifted musicians, arrangers, and composers over at ocremix.org go visit and support them for the full project and so much more amazing music!
Intro/Interlude/Outro :
Sparkle / by Joshua Morse
Original Song: Castlevania: Order of Ecclesia - Emerald Mist
From The Album - Castlevania: Sonata of the Damned
Project Page - http://sotd.ocremix.org - Castlevania: Sonata of the Damned
Original Composer - Yasuhiro Ichihashi
Intro Banter - This is the (mostly) unscripted intro to the show! We catch up, play games, talk about games that perhaps did not make the main show, and just gab, Welcome!
Game Time! : Our Hosts will place any general gaming topic in this slot as they see fit! So it may be a new release, PSA etc. if it's Gaming related, and it's time to talk about it, it's GAME TIME!
This time Alex talks about his time at the Disney Lorcana game launch!!
Lorcana Designed by Ryan Miller, Steve Warner Published by Ravensburger Released in 2023
Links:
Podstudio1
BGG
Music: As always from the amazing community of gifted musicians, arrangers, and composers over at ocremix.org go visit and support them for the full project and so much more amazing music!
Outro :
De Nuit / by mv feat. Jeff Ball
Original Track - The Phantom Forest
Album - Final Fantasy VI: Balance and Ruin
Project Page - Final Fantasy VI: Balance and Ruin | OC ReMix
Content Group - Final Fantasy VI
Original Copyright - Square Enix
Original Composers - Nobuo Uematsu
Intro Banter - This is the (mostly) unscripted intro to the show! We catch up, play games, talk about games that perhaps did not make the main show, and just gab, Welcome!
Summer of Games Theme 2023
Summer Speedway - We focus on Racing themed games in all forms!
First Impressions – We talk about the first time with a title, from the acquisition to the first look, to the first play and deliver thoughts in writing and on the show.
Thunder Road Vendetta By Marie Bergeron, Garrett Kaida Published by Restoration Games ReReleased in 2023
Building Blocks - New to the Hobby Must have games, by mechanic and genre’ do you need some games if you own others in the same category?
The Quest for El Dorado By Reiner Knizia Published by Ravensburger Released in 2017
Summer Of Games Game choice: Our Hosts share their end of show games to go get right now!
Alex: Scout By Kei Kajino Published by Oink Games Released in 2019
Larry: Bohnanza by Uwe Rosenberg Published by AMIGO Released in 1997
Links:
Podstudio1
BGG
Music: As always from the amazing community of gifted musicians, arrangers, and composers over at ocremix.org go visit and support them for the full project and so much more amazing music!
Outro :
De Nuit / by mv feat. Jeff Ball
Original Track - The Phantom Forest
Album - Final Fantasy VI: Balance and Ruin
Project Page - Final Fantasy VI: Balance and Ruin | OC ReMix
Content Group - Final Fantasy VI
Original Copyright - Square Enix
Original Composers - Nobuo Uematsu
Intro Banter - This is the (mostly) unscripted intro to the show! We catch up, play games, talk about games that perhaps did not make the main show, and just gab, Welcome!
Grand Designs - Talk to Designers about the process and what is their recent projects
This time we welcome Tom Sturdevant Designer of Q-less about his wonderful life Journey and Games!
Summer Of Games Game choice: Our Hosts share their end of show games to go get right now!
Alex: Dutch Blitz Designed by Werner Ernst George Muller Published by Dutch Blitz Games Company Released in 1960.
Larry: Ashes Reborn Designed by Isaac Vega Published by Plaid Hat Games Released in 2015.
Special guest Show Links:
Q-less
Discover Tom on Tiktok
Links:
Podstudio1
BGG
Music: As always from the amazing community of gifted musicians, arrangers, and composers over at ocremix.org go visit and support them for the full project and so much more amazing music!
Outro :
De Nuit / by mv feat. Jeff Ball
Original Track - The Phantom Forest
Album - Final Fantasy VI: Balance and Ruin
Project Page - Final Fantasy VI: Balance and Ruin | OC ReMix
Content Group - Final Fantasy VI
Original Copyright - Square Enix
Original Composers - Nobuo Uematsu
Intro Banter - This is the (mostly) unscripted intro to the show! We catch up, play games, talk about games that perhaps did not make the main show, and just gab, Welcome!
Talk: Earth Designed by Maxime Tardif Published by Inside Up Games Released in 2023 .
Summer Of Games 2023 Edition!
Theme:
Summer Speedway - We focus on Racing themed games in all forms!
First Impressions – We talk about the first time with a title, from the acquisition to the first look, to the first play and deliver thoughts in writing and on the show.
Heat:Pedal to the Metal By Asger Harding Granerud, Daniel Skjold Pedersen Published by Days of Wonder Released in 2022
Not just Good, but SUPER Good - Top 3 lists themed by genre
This time TWO player Games!
Alex:
Boop Designed by Scott Brady Published by Smirk and Laughter Games Released in 2022
Star Wars DB Designed by Caleb Grace Published Fantasy Flight Games Released in 2023
Star Wars Rebellion Designed by Corey Konieczka Published By Fantasy Flight Games Released in 2016
Onitama Designed by Shimpei Sato Published by Arcane Wonders Released in 2014
Hon Mention
7 Wonders Duel Designed By Antoine Bauza, Bruno Cathala Published by Repos Production Released in 2015
Aqualin Designed By Marcello Bertocchi Published by KOSMOS Released in 2020
War Chest Designed By Trevor Benjamin, David Thompson Published by Alderac Entertainment Group Released in 2018
Larry:
Star Wars Deck Building Game Designed by Caleb Grace Published by Fantasy Flight Games Released in 2023
Battlelore 1st Edition Designed by Richard Borg Published by Days of Wonder Released in
2006
Curious Cargo Designed by Ryan Courtney Published by Capstone Games Released in 2020
Hon Mention -
Targi Designed by Andreas Steiger Published by KOSMOS Released in 2012
Tabletube - Inform about Board Games in other formats.
This time looking at the mechanics of Deck Building in various Video Game formats and discussing their design, comparing and contrasting to tabletop counterparts. (This is NOT a “this is better/worse because of” session! Want to get into the clever design and the state of the art in DB Game design that we seem to be in, INCLUDING other mediums.)
Alex:
Slay the Spire
Monster Train
Larry:
Electronic examples:Teppen, Marvel Midnight Suns, Night of the Full Moon
TableTop Examples: Aeon’s End, Ascension, Digimon Deck Building game
First Impressions – We talk about the first time with a title, from the acquisition to the first look, to the first play and deliver thoughts in writing and on the show. This segment will contain BOTH, so deliver the cliff notes on the show to be discussed, then point to WHO has submitted deeper thoughts on the blog (can be either or both!)
Both: League of Dungeoneers By Michael Lundstedt Published by von Braus publishing Released in 2023.
Summer Of Games Game choice: Our Hosts share their end of show games to go get right now!
Alex: Camel Up By Steffen Bogen Published by Eggertspiele Released in 2014
Larry: Rolling Realms By Jamey Stegmaier Published by Stonemaier Games Released in 2021
Links:
Boardlandia For Games mentioned this show, OR your FLGS (always!)
Podstudio1
BGG
Music: As always from the amazing community of gifted musicians, arrangers, and composers over at ocremix.org go visit and support them for the full project and so much more amazing music!
Outro :
De Nuit / by mv feat. Jeff Ball
Original Track - The Phantom Forest
Album - Final Fantasy VI: Balance and Ruin
Project Page - Final Fantasy VI: Balance and Ruin | OC ReMix
Content Group - Final Fantasy VI
Original Copyright - Square Enix
Original Composers - Nobuo Uematsu
Intro Banter - This is the (mostly) unscripted intro to the show! We catch up, play games, talk about games that perhaps did not make the main show, and just gab, Welcome!
Beyond the Box - Sleeves, Mats, Dice, customized.This time Deep dive into the current state of Hobby Board Game assisting accessories!
Covered:
Gamegenic Token SIlo
Ultra Pro Sleeves:
Pro Mattes
Eclipse
Dragon Shields
Folded Space Game Inserts
Monster Protectors
Zen Bins
Show Links:
Podstudio1
BGG
Music: As always from the amazing community of gifted musicians, arrangers, and composers over at ocremix.org go visit and support them for the full project and so much more amazing music!
Outro :
De Nuit / by mv feat. Jeff Ball
Original Track - The Phantom Forest
Album - Final Fantasy VI: Balance and Ruin
Project Page - Final Fantasy VI: Balance and Ruin | OC ReMix
Content Group - Final Fantasy VI
Original Copyright - Square Enix
Original Composers - Nobuo Uematsu
Special Guest - Cythnia Wallace!
Topic - Miniatures Painting.
Marvel Crisis Protocol Designed by Will Pagani, Will Shick Published by Atomic Mass Games Released in 2019
Links:
Iron Brush Murals
Speed Paint
Podstudio1
BGG
Music: As always from the amazing community of gifted musicians, arrangers, and composers over at ocremix.org go visit and support them for the full project and so much more amazing music!
Outro :
De Nuit / by mv feat. Jeff Ball
Original Track - The Phantom Forest
Album - Final Fantasy VI: Balance and Ruin
Project Page - Final Fantasy VI: Balance and Ruin | OC ReMix
Content Group - Final Fantasy VI
Original Copyright - Square Enix
Original Composers - Nobuo Uematsu
On the table, Solo (Solo Flight) - We will examine what the game is like when played, to personify that experience, cover angles and what to expect from the title: components, setting, rules and the overall atmosphere. Noting any difficulty in obtaining said titles where applicable.
Points to hit:
Rules - This covers everything in the Rule book from setup to actually communicating what you are doing when you play.
Components - Every piece in the box, this can also cover table presence, what does it look like when it is all laid out.
Play - How does the game play, is it smooth, what are the fun interactions, what does it encourage.
Theme - What does the title do with its theme, how does it use it to further the narrative of the game and provide atmosphere for those playing.
Motor City Designed by Adam Hill, Ben Pinchback, Matt Riddle Published by 25th Century Games Original Release to crowdfunding 2022
Links:
Meeple Mountain
Podstudio1
BGG
Music: As always from the amazing community of gifted musicians, arrangers, and composers over at ocremix.org go visit and support them for the full project and so much more amazing music!
Outro :
De Nuit / by mv feat. Jeff Ball
Original Track - The Phantom Forest
Album - Final Fantasy VI: Balance and Ruin
Project Page - Final Fantasy VI: Balance and Ruin | OC ReMix
Content Group - Final Fantasy VI
Original Copyright - Square Enix
Original Composers - Nobuo Uematsu
Nashville Tabletop day 2023!
Open: Reason for the show - ITTD History and background. Discussion about why we think it's important, and a wonderful day!
- Share resources on air about how to get involved.
- Speak to our local host Andy Matthews of Meeple Mountain.
Getting to know you - We look at certain boardgame related topics and explore strategies for getting involved. ITTD and conventions, starting/joining/finding a local game group.
The Right kind of crowd - Talking about the type of players/crowd that a particular game is aimed at, convention edition.
Larry - Players looking for a full experience
Game: Lisboa Published by Eagle Gryphon Games
Alex - Player Type looking for the atypical
Game: Two Rooms and a Boom Published by Tuesday Knight Games
Conventional wisdom - convention going ons
Entries taken from:
Meeple Mountain entries from their list located Here
Steve Jackson Games entries from their list located Here
Listed Conventions this episode:
May 27-29: ReCon 2023 - A ReMarkable Tabletop Gaming Experience – Kernersville, NC
Location: Project:Re3, 1474 Kerner Rd, Kernersville, NC 27284
Since 2017, ReCon - A ReMarkable Tabletop Gaming Experience has grown to be the largest non-profit community board gaming event in North Carolina. This event features 4500+ sq ft of dedicated space, a play-2-win event, a staff tabletop gaming flea market, raffle and door prizes, a curated game library, and access to food, drinks, and snacks on site. All proceeds from ReCon 2023 will be donated to H.O.P.E. for Belarus to support local families planning to host children from Belarus in their homes this summer!
Contact Person: Luke Dixon
For more info, contact: 409 Barnsdale Ridge Road, Kernersville, NC 27284
June 2-4: SaltCON Summer 2023 – Layton, Utah
Location: Davis Conference Center, 1651 N 700 W, Layton, UT 84041
Utah's Board Game Destination! The board game event of the Wasatch Front! Come join thousands of gamers, and check out the hottest new releases, enter a tournament, browse game themed jewelry, decor, and accessories. Find a great deal at the game swap, try-before-you-buy with our game library of over 2000 games, advance in D&D Adventurers League, or lose yourself in one of our unique RPG games!
Contact Person: Dale Gifford
For more info, contact: SaltCON, c/o Dale Gifford, 3730 S Brookside Drive, West Valley City, Utah 84120
Play On Con
Birmingham, Alabama Jul. 6-09, 2023
Southern-Fried Gaming Expo
Atlanta, Georgia Jul. 28-30, 2023
Board Games Road Show - Touring locally owned shops.
This episode we talk with Rick Kueler owner of Game Point a Board Game Cafe and Game Point A Board Game Store.
A Few of my Favorite Things - Each Host takes a random title from their collection and covers it at length!
Larry: Button Shy Games collection, the game haul, the games the experiences that they provide, their accessibility, replayability, so much to love!
Alex: Starship Captains By Peter B. Hoffgaard Published by Czech Games Edition Released in 2022
Links:
Game Point A Board Game Store
Meeple Mountain
Podstudio1
BGG
Music: As always from the amazing community of gifted musicians, arrangers, and composers over at ocremix.org go visit and support them for the full project and so much more amazing music!
Outro :
De Nuit / by mv feat. Jeff Ball
Original Track - The Phantom Forest
Album - Final Fantasy VI: Balance and Ruin
Project Page - Final Fantasy VI: Balance and Ruin | OC ReMix
Content Group - Final Fantasy VI
Original Copyright - Square Enix
Original Composers - Nobuo Uematsu
Intro Banter - This is the (mostly) unscripted intro to the show! We catch up, play games, talk about games that perhaps did not make the main show, and just gab, Welcome!
Talk about BGA.
The Name on the Box - Favorite board game by designer. We go through a list of our personal top designers, covering a few titles that personify why we love them, then we name our personal favorite of their designs and talk about why!
Special Statement on Klaus Teuber and his legacy in gaming
Settlers of Catan
Seafarers
Cities and Knights
Starfarers of Catan
A deeper look - We pick a game (each) and do a deeper dive into the title. Not a review but speaking to the mechanics of it, noting any challenges in obtaining said title. So this does not have to be all new hotness.
Larry - Star Eater Designed By Jason (5Volt) Abrahams, Originally (Self-Published) through crowd funding in 2022.
Alex - World of Warcraft: The Board Game by Christian T. Petersen Published by Fantasy Flight Games Released in 2005.
Game Changer - Talk about the moment when we discover a game changing rule/play elements to a long played board game and how they affected us!
Larry’s favorite game to play with his siblings: Cargo Noir
Links:
Game Point A Board Game Store
Board Game Arena
Podstudio1
BGG
Music: As always from the amazing community of gifted musicians, arrangers, and composers over at ocremix.org go visit and support them for the full project and so much more amazing music!
Outro :
De Nuit / by mv feat. Jeff Ball
Original Track - The Phantom Forest
Album - Final Fantasy VI: Balance and Ruin
Project Page - Final Fantasy VI: Balance and Ruin | OC ReMix
Content Group - Final Fantasy VI
Original Copyright - Square Enix
Original Composers - Nobuo Uematsu
Intro Banter - This is the (mostly) unscripted intro to the show! We catch up, play games, talk about games that perhaps did not make the main show, and just gab, Welcome!
Elephant In the Room - Topics that HAVE to be talked about.
This time we briefly touch on where we have been, and why. Also the apology for missing out on notifying everyone that we would be away and a sincere thank you for sticking around. LOTS of exciting things are coming up!
It’s the Big One! - Discussion about Grail games, what they are and why we put them on the list!
Alex Acquired a Grail Game!
GKR Heavy Hitters!
Alex - World Of Warcraft:The Board Game,
GKR Heavy Hitters
Larry - The Queen's Gambit
Mail Call (Kickstarters and Purchases)
Alex - Maglev Metro Maps, Terraforming Mars: Ares Expedition, Lost Empires, Counter Warfare, Flamecraft, Dungeon Petz, Revie, Akropolis, Star Wars: Deck Building Game
Larry - Maglev Metro Maps, Motor City
First Impressions – We talk about the first time with a title, from the acquisition to the first look, to the first play and deliver thoughts in writing and on the show.
Both - Star Wars Deck Building Game
Links:
Gigabites Cafe
Podstudio1
BGG
Music: As always from the amazing community of gifted musicians, arrangers, and composers over at ocremix.org go visit and support them for the full project and so much more amazing music!
Outro :
De Nuit / by mv feat. Jeff Ball
Original Track - The Phantom Forest
Album - Final Fantasy VI: Balance and Ruin
Project Page - Final Fantasy VI: Balance and Ruin | OC ReMix
Content Group - Final Fantasy VI
Original Copyright - Square Enix
Original Composers - Nobuo Uematsu
Note, the following preview is based on a prototype copy of the game and final components may change or otherwise be altered from what is described here.
Dreams of Yesterday has proven to be an impactful project that is in fact greater than the sum of its parts. This is notable here because of the parts that have gone into it. From design to art and layout to publishing, Dreams appears to be designed to afford a unique experience at the game table, in a short amount of time. My initial interaction with the title was fraught with my own trepidation to “get things right” that is, I have tremendous respect for the work of Board game designers and publishers, in this case Weird Giraffe, and had no intention of giving any less than my best effort. This added some undue pressure and in that moment I missed some key ways the game is presenting its world, telling its story and immersing players in its culture. This cautionary tale, I may add, is one for ALL games: Relax, and remember why you are here, and have fun!
I did in fact have fun and the “light-bulb” moment for me at solo was augmented by the same experience for my Co-Host Alex, at the multiplayer sessions. The game lays a tableau before you and then lets your imagination run wild with how you are acquiring the resources you need to win. Are you out in the field in a modern setting, or the far flung past, is this some sort of time traveling affair? The possibilities are numerous and all could fit. Then there is the clever way you move about the histories, I cannot say enough about the mechanic other than to note that at first I was not sure it was necessary within the game engine at all, that it was perhaps too clever here and caused a bit of confusion in what should have been a straightforward micro-game. Then I used it, saw how simply elegant the different starting location both balances the game and bestows it with so much theme. As competing curators, no matter how you are gaining these artifacts, you would not be starting from the same places and looking in the same areas, at first! In the drive to be the best in the field, you would want to be able to say you made the discovery, with no major help from your rival, certainly. This little touch is so thematic, and again multifaceted in implementation to the game that it is a joy to interact with.
This is a recurring theme with the game: multi use segments within the design. The cards themselves are dual sided, giving greater variety to items in game in a smaller footprint while adding to the richness of the choices you are able to make. Will you complete an exhibit, change your current power, or flip the card completely and extend a current exhibit? The cards provide you with meaningful decisions to be made and all the information to make them quickly. Small illustrations on the bottom right corners of the cards inform what's on the other side, cost is relayed in the same area of each card and there is good use in the prototype of overall color to quickly signify what the card is all about. The design is clearly a minimal design with a thought towards portability. But Dreams of Yesterday never feels like this was done just for that effect, this is a thrilling aspect to the design of this title.
For my experience this is a tight, taught design that is clever as it is fun. Themed in a way that I would neither run to or from in my non gaming time. When it comes to board games I will go pretty far afield of my usual interests in the name of playing and/or discovering a good game. More often than not I am not disappointed and find a memorable experience that I want to share with others, learn from, and simply enjoy my time with.
Dreams of Yesterday in this current state is one of them.
Disclaimer: the Publisher, Weird Giraffe Games provided a prototype copy for this non-paid preview of the game.
Originally aired in the episode, with excerpts from the publisher's description.
Dreams of Yesterday is the very cleverly designed 27 card sequel to Dreams of Tomorrow! However instead of saving the future by connecting dreams into the past, you're museum curators competing to create the best museum exhibit you can that will change the future. One copy of the game will play 1-3 players, while two decks will allow for up to 6 players.
Dreams of Yesterday has quite the development team behind it, with design by Heather O'Neill of 9th level Games, illustration by Beth Sobel, and graphic design by Katie Khau and María Gabriela Patiño.
In this micro-game 1-6 players will move about the Histories of time collecting resources and artifacts to place in one of the two exhibits in your museum! You are free to build your exhibits as you see fit and this will help direct what resources you aim for as you vie to put together the most pleasing exhibits first, or before the deck of cards runs out. Once that happens you count up the score and the most points is the winner!
Setting up the game is straightforward, you lay out the Histories based on the number of players, removing cards as directed, based on player count. In this case we discuss setting up for two players, so we would remove Five cards to the box without looking at them.
The Histories area is made up of the items you acquire to make your museum's exhibits: Astonishing Antiques, Bygone Bones, Cultural Curiosities, Diverse Discoveries and Unusual Urns. Your resources will consist of Knowledge, Prestige and money.
Then lay out a five card tableau in two rows, the top row with three, the bottom row with two, the empty space is the starting point for player one.
On your turn, you start from the empty space and move one or two spaces clockwise, additionally you may spend one resource each to move an extra space, OR flip one of the cards in your movement range over to its other side. If you do not wish to, or cannot move, draw cards from the draw deck until you receive resources, discarding all drawn cards to the discard pile.
When you have finished moving you either claim the resource you have stopped on, or pay the cost for the artifact and place it in your exhibit right away. If you took a card from the grid, draw a card from the draw pile, pick a side to display and place it where you started from, if you drew one from the deck pick one of the cards already on the grid in your movement range, flip it over and place it where you started from. This way no matter your choice you end with creating a new opening in the grid and a new starting place for the next player.
Placing an artifact in your exhibit is quite important, in fact this is the meat of the game, lets dig into it a little bit now.
Artifacts all have a cost associated with them, and one of several ingenious powers to use when they are on the end of an exhibit, uncovered. When placing a new artifact in your exhibit you have a choice to place on the right edge utilizing its special ability, or to tuck it under the left edge and keep your previous power intact while still growing your overall exhibit. These powers range from moving an extra space on the Histories, rearranging cards in the exhibit itself, even after they are placed, which is not normally allowed to giving you extra resources to use in future purchases. Pay the cost, place the artifact in the best possible position for your exhibit, that's it!
Scoring is done at game end and is driven by your exhibits placement; You get 1 point for each single type of artifact, 3 points for each two that match, 6 for Three, 10 points for four matches, 15 points for five matches, and 21 points for six identical artifacts placed in a row. More than six counts as a separate set.
There are a few keys to placing artifacts in exhibits to gain those all important points in end game, lets look a few of those now:
Placing matching artifact types is the main way to multiply the scoring as you gain more points for the larger number of matches you can complete. There are also end caps to exhibits in the form of Special Urns that on top of completing a given exhibit, grant points as they are placed. These Urns also contain special conditions that when found in your exhibit grant bonus points. These range from numbers of matching items, to collections of artifacts in specific order and can really help drive up your end game scoring!
Scoring is done at game end and is driven by your exhibits placement; You get 1 point for each single type of artifact, 3 points for each two that match, 6 for Three, 10 points for four matches, 15 points for five matches, and 21 points for six identical artifacts placed in a row. More than six counts as a separate set.
Game turns alternate between players until either the replenish deck runs out, thus the Histories cannot be updated, or one curator has completed both exhibits with Urns!
Now you have all that you need to set up and play Dreams Of Yesterday, Published by Weird Giraffe Games, designed by Heather O'Neill of 9th level Games, illustrated by Beth Sobel, with graphic design by Katie Khau and María Gabriela Patiño.
For The Spoken Token Podcast, I’m Larry Neal.
Introduction and purpose:
Here we set up the episode and say what sets it apart by identifying it as a KS preview.
Game Preview:
Larry - Full set up and how to play.
Highlights: Talk about their experience with the game and give overall thoughts:
Larry
Alex
Links:
Podstudio1
Weird Giraffe Games
Music: As always from the amazing community of gifted musicians, arrangers, and composers over at ocremix.org go visit and support them for the full project and so much more amazing music!
Outro :
De Nuit / by mv feat. Jeff Ball
Original Track - The Phantom Forest
Album - Final Fantasy VI: Balance and Ruin
Project Page - Final Fantasy VI: Balance and Ruin | OC ReMix
Content Group - Final Fantasy VI
Original Copyright - Square Enix
Original Composers - Nobuo Uematsu
Intro Banter - This is the (mostly) unscripted intro to the show! We catch up, play games, talk about games that perhaps did not make the main show, and just gab, Welcome!
Freedom the underground railroad
July 27th contest deadline for Taboo board game subjects!
Host Hotseat; What's your Genre’? - In this segment the hosts pick a Genre and give some highlights and really share why they like it and why everyone should try games from it!
Larry:
Adventure games: Xia: Legends of a Drift System, The 7th Continent, Destines, etc.
Alex:
Dice Dictating Action Games: Dice Throne, War of the Ring, Roll for the Galaxy, etc.
Revisit Revelry - The hosts revisit a title and give ongoing impressions of living with the game. Revealing and detailing facets of the game that have emerged over their time with it!
Larry:
Star Realms by Robert Dougherty, Darwin Kastle Published by Wise Wizard Games Released in 2014.
Alex:
The Pillars of the Earth by Michael Rieneck, Stefan Stadler Published by KOSMOS released in 2006.
Summer Of Games Game choice: Our Hosts share their end of show games to go get right now!
Larry: Euphoria: Build a better Dystopia By Jamey Stegmaier, Alan Stone Published by Stonemaier Games Released in 2013
(Hand Management, Set Collection, Variable Player Powers, Worker Placement, Worker Placement with Dice Workers)
Alex: Picture Perfect by Anthony Nouveau published by Arcane Wonders Released in 2020
Links:
Podstudio1
BGG
Music: As always from the amazing community of gifted musicians, arrangers, and composers over at ocremix.org go visit and support them for the full project and so much more amazing music!
Outro :
De Nuit / by mv feat. Jeff Ball
Original Track - The Phantom Forest
Album - Final Fantasy VI: Balance and Ruin
Project Page - Final Fantasy VI: Balance and Ruin | OC ReMix
Content Group - Final Fantasy VI
Original Copyright - Square Enix
Original Composers - Nobuo Uematsu
Intro Banter - This is the (mostly) unscripted intro to the show! We catch up, play games, talk about games that perhaps did not make the main show, and just gab, Welcome!
What's new - (Kickstarter) What’s new with Us.
Alex: Corinth, Dungeon Drop, Moonrakers, Smartphone Inc., Oath
Larry: Motor City: A strategic engine-building roll and write game! , Ironsworn: Starforged
League of Dungeoneers
First Impressions – We talk about the first time with a title, from the acquisition to the first look, to the first play and deliver thoughts on the show.
Alex: Stars of Akarios by Brendan McCaskell, Jonathan Thwaites Published by OOMM Released in 2022
*Summer School - We take on and detail some fun, but serious Gaming activities that are specifically celebrated in the summer!
Summer Of Games Game choice: Our Hosts share their end of show games to go get right now!
Larry: Fantastic Factories by Joseph Z Chen, Justin Faulkner Published by Deep Water Games released in 2019
Alex: Dune Imperium by Paul Dennen Published by Dire Wolf Released in 2020
Links:
Podstudio1
BGG
Music: As always from the amazing community of gifted musicians, arrangers, and composers over at ocremix.org go visit and support them for the full project and so much more amazing music!
Outro :
De Nuit / by mv feat. Jeff Ball
Original Track - The Phantom Forest
Album - Final Fantasy VI: Balance and Ruin
Project Page - Final Fantasy VI: Balance and Ruin | OC ReMix
Content Group - Final Fantasy VI
Original Copyright - Square Enix
Original Composers - Nobuo Uematsu
Intro Banter - This is the (mostly) unscripted intro to the show! We catch up, play games, talk about games that perhaps did not make the main show, and just gab, Welcome! Summer of Games VI Kickoff!!
First Impressions – We talk about the first time with a title, from the acquisition to the first look, to the first play and deliver thoughts on the show.
Larry - Origins 2022 / Foundations of Rome By Emerson Matsuuchi Published by Arcane Wonders Released in 2022
Alex - Bitoku By Germán P. Millán Published by Devir Released in 2021
Summer Of Games Game choice: Our Hosts share their end of show games to go get right now!
Alex - Letter Jam By Ondra Skoupý Published by Czech Games Edition Released in 2019
Larry - Digimon TCG By Ryan Miller Published by Bandai Released in 2020
Links:
Podstudio1
BGG
Origins Game Fair
Music: As always from the amazing community of gifted musicians, arrangers, and composers over at ocremix.org go visit and support them for the full project and so much more amazing music!
Outro :
De Nuit / by mv feat. Jeff Ball
Original Track - The Phantom Forest
Album - Final Fantasy VI: Balance and Ruin
Project Page - Final Fantasy VI: Balance and Ruin | OC ReMix
Content Group - Final Fantasy VI
Original Copyright - Square Enix
Original Composers - Nobuo Uematsu
Links:
Podstudio1
BGG
Music: As always from the amazing community of gifted musicians, arrangers, and composers over at ocremix.org go visit and support them for the full project and so much more amazing music!
Outro :
De Nuit / by mv feat. Jeff Ball
Original Track - The Phantom Forest
Album - Final Fantasy VI: Balance and Ruin
Project Page - Final Fantasy VI: Balance and Ruin | OC ReMix
Content Group - Final Fantasy VI
Original Copyright - Square Enix
Original Composers - Nobuo Uematsu
Intro Banter - This is the (mostly) unscripted intro to the show! We catch up, play games, talk about games that perhaps did not make the main show, and just gab, Welcome!
- Stars of Akarios (Alex) Sneak
- Ark Nova
Under the Hood: We roll up our sleeves and talk about games from the perspective of their mechanics! The mechanisms that are present and cover what some of the buzzwords may mean.
Summer Games Epic Campaigns!
- Hallmarks of campaign games
-
- Progression
- Narrative driven (player/game)
- Single unconnected scenarios (Player created narrative, Sentinels of the Multiverse) versus from determined by the book
- Things to consider
-
- Cost of Entry, Expansions?
-
- Arkham Horror LCG, Descent 2nd Ed, Mice and Mystics,
- Group size
-
- Consistency of meeting
- Table size
- How to “save” the game
- Campaign versus Legacy
-
- Risk Legacy
- Charterstone
- Jurassic World: The Legacy of Isla Nublar
-
Best Campaign games for 1 player, 2 - 3 player, 4 - 5 player
Alex:
Solo : 7th Continent, LOTR the Card Game, Legacy of Dragonholt
2 - 3 Player: Shadows of Brimstone, Pandemic Legacy, Pathfinder Adventure Card Game, Gloomhaven
4 - 5 Player: The Crew, The Initiative, Imperial Assault, The King’s Dilemma
Larry:
Solo: 7th Continent, Hostage Negotiator Career, Zombiecide Invader,
(Honorable Mention Space Infantry)
2 - 3 Player: Sword and Sorcery, Mage Knight/Star Trek Frontiers, Mechs Vs. Minions
4 - 5 Player: Sentinels of the Multiverse, Thunderstone Quest, Gears of War
Links:
Podstudio1
BGG
Space Infantry 2.1 Rules
Mice & Mystics Downwood Tales
Music: As always from the amazing community of gifted musicians, arrangers, and composers over at ocremix.org go visit and support them for the full project and so much more amazing music!
Outro :
De Nuit / by mv feat. Jeff Ball
Original Track - The Phantom Forest
Album - Final Fantasy VI: Balance and Ruin
Project Page - Final Fantasy VI: Balance and Ruin | OC ReMix
Content Group - Final Fantasy VI
Original Copyright - Square Enix
Original Composers - Nobuo Uematsu
Intro Banter - This is the (mostly) unscripted intro to the show! We catch up, play games, talk about games that perhaps did not make the main show, and just gab, Welcome!
Not just Good, but SUPER Good - Top 3 lists themed by genre this time:
Favorite Art from a game artist
Alex:
Artist - Beth Sobel
Art
- LOTR The Card Game
- Wingspan
- Arboretum
Larry
Artist - Kwanchai Moriya
Art
- Galaxy Trucker Piece
- Days of Ire
- Cover to Overlight
Bonus, Favorite Games featuring their art!
Alex:
Games:
- Viticulture by Jamey Stegmaier, Alan Stone Published by Stonemaier Games Released in 2013
- Subastral by Ben Pinchback, Matt Riddle Published by Renegade Game Studios Released in 2021
- Coldwater Crown by Brian Suhre Published by Bellwether Games Released in 2017
Larry:
Games
- Dinosaur Island by Jonathan Gilmour, Brian Lewis Published by Pandasaurus Games Released in 2017
- Kepler 3042 by Simone Cerruti Sola Published by Renegade Game Studios Released in 2016
- Bosk by Daryl Andrews, Erica Bouyouris Published by Floodgate Games Released in 2019
Larry Special mentions:
Artist:
Ian O’Toole
Art
- On Mars Cover
- Lisboa Cover
- Nemo's War Cover
Games
- On Mars by Vital Lacerda Published by Eagle-Gryphon Games Released in 2020
- Lisboa by Vital Lacerda Published by Eagle-Gryphon Games Released in 2017
- Nemo's War by Chris Taylor (I), Alan Emrich Published by Victory Point Games Released in 2020
Special Mention and worth looking into:
Artist:
Milan Vavron
Art
Prophecy original cover
Underwater Cities
Lost Ruins of Arnak Cover
Games
Prophecy by Vlaada Chvátil Published by Z-Man Games Released in 2002
Underwater Cities by Vladimír Suchý Published by Rio Grande Games Released in 2018
Lost Ruins of Arnak by Elwen, Mín Published by Czech Games Edition Released in 2020
MORE special mentions:
Antonis Papantoniou - Among the stars and 79 others! (Epic, Hero Realms)
Odysseas Stamoglou - Among the stars and 50 others! (Teotihuacan: City of Gods)
Game Gab - The hosts take a more in-depth look at game related topics specifically related to Hobby Board Games in other areas of popular culture.
This time we expand our ART discussion from the supergood lists!
The Name on the Box - Favorite board game by designer. We go through a list of our personal top designers, covering a few titles that personify why we love them, then we name our personal favorite of their designs and talk about why!
Alex: Lords of Waterdeep Peter Lee
Larry: John Werner
Zombie State: Diplomacy of the Dead by John Werner Published by Zombie State Games released in 2010
Quick Hits: We each detail a game that we can endorse to run out and get to play in the near future, just some quick notes on why you should get it and what we like about it.
Alex: The Red Cathedral by Isra C. , Shei S. Published by Devir Released in 2020
Larry:
Res Arcana by Thomas Lehmann published by Sand Castle Games 2019 art by Julien Delval
Links:
Podstudio1
BGG
Music: As always from the amazing community of gifted musicians, arrangers, and composers over at ocremix.org go visit and support them for the full project and so much more amazing music!
Outro :
De Nuit / by mv feat. Jeff Ball
Original Track - The Phantom Forest
Album - Final Fantasy VI: Balance and Ruin
Project Page - Final Fantasy VI: Balance and Ruin | OC ReMix
Content Group - Final Fantasy VI
Original Copyright - Square Enix
Original Composers - Nobuo Uematsu
Intro Banter - This is the (mostly) unscripted intro to the show! We catch up, play games, talk about games that perhaps did not make the main show, and just gab, Welcome!
First Impressions – We talk about the first time with a title, from the acquisition to the first look, to the first play and deliver thoughts on the show.
Alex - Isle of cats Explore and Draw By Frank West Published by The City of Games Released in 2022
Larry - Bees The secret Kingdom By Kamil 'Sanex' Cieśla Published by Van Ryder Games Released in 2019
What's new - (Kickstarter) What’s new with Us.
Alex - Tiny Epic Vikings By Scott Almes Published by Gamelyn Games Released in 2023
Larry - Maglev Metro Maps By Ted Alspach Published by Bézier Games Released in 2023
The Reading Room - We talk about board game related books. Where to get them, why you should and of course our thoughts.
Larry - Fail Faster Playtester Journal
Alex - How to Create Your First Board Game (6th Edition) By Aaron Frias
What’s NEW(s) - We discuss current relevant news AND or new things to us in the boardgaming world!
Viticulture World Announced and on the way.
Hasbro purchases digital Toolset D&D Beyond from Awaken Realms (Via Dicebreaker)
Digimon TCG is vibrant and well!
BanDai is releasing a Once Piece TCG
DC Deckbuilding game celebrates its 10th Anniversary!
Links:
Podstudio1
BGG
Dicebreaker Some news this episode is linked from this site, be sure to check them out!
Music: As always from the amazing community of gifted musicians, arrangers, and composers over at ocremix.org go visit and support them for the full project and so much more amazing music!
Outro :
De Nuit / by mv feat. Jeff Ball
Original Track - The Phantom Forest
Album - Final Fantasy VI: Balance and Ruin
Project Page - Final Fantasy VI: Balance and Ruin | OC ReMix
Content Group - Final Fantasy VI
Original Copyright - Square Enix
Original Composers - Nobuo Uematsu
Intro Banter - This is the (mostly) unscripted intro to the show! We catch up, play games, talk about games that perhaps did not make the main show, and just gab, Welcome!
First Impressions – We talk about the first time with a title, from the acquisition to the first look, to the first play and deliver thoughts in writing and on the show.
Alex B - Batman Gotham City Chronicles By Frédéric Henry Published by Monolith Released in 2019
Larry - Dark Quarter By Evan Derrick Published by Lucky Duck Games, Van Ryder Games Releases in 2023
Game Time!: Our Hosts will place any general gaming topic in this slot as they see fit! So it may be a new release, PSA etc. if it's Gaming related, and it's time to talk about it, it's GAME TIME!
Jurassic World Legacy By Prospero Hall Published by Funko Games Released in 2022
A deeper look - We pick a game and do a deeper dive into the title. Not a review but speaking to the mechanics of it, NOTING any challenges in obtaining said title. So this does not have to be all new hotness.
Alex Finished Kings Delima by Hjalmar Hach, Lorenzo Silva Published by Horrible Guild Released in 2019
Game Life - We talk about the reality of hobby boardgaming integrating into our everyday lives.
BGG phasing out the market and are working on a New one!
Links:
Podstudio1
BGG
Music: As always from the amazing community of gifted musicians, arrangers, and composers over at ocremix.org go visit and support them for the full project and so much more amazing music!
Outro :
De Nuit / by mv feat. Jeff Ball
Original Track - The Phantom Forest
Album - Final Fantasy VI: Balance and Ruin
Project Page - Final Fantasy VI: Balance and Ruin | OC ReMix
Content Group - Final Fantasy VI
Original Copyright - Square Enix
Original Composers - Nobuo Uematsu
Intro Banter - This is the (mostly) unscripted intro to the show! We catch up, play games, talk about games that perhaps did not make the main show, and just gab, Welcome!
Show Statement - In some cases, like this episode, we may have a special quest or situation that calls for just a bit of a call out. In these special times we have of course created a segment, precisely titled show statement, this is where we give specific show directions
Larry & Alex
Elephant In The Room - Topics that HAVE to be talked about.
Larry: Backside of Moving with Games! Also, I MOVED. Also also, I have a new job with VanRyder Games!!
First Impressions – We talk about the first time with a title, from the acquisition to the first look, to the first play and deliver thoughts in writing and on the show.
Alex: Lotr LCG revised core set
Shelf or Table? - In this series we will examine the phenomena of collecting board games. Each segment we will look at one facet of this integral part of our lives in depth.
Alex: Journey through the Fantasy Flight LCG’s
Links:
Podstudio1
BGG
Music: As always from the amazing community of gifted musicians, arrangers, and composers over at ocremix.org go visit and support them for the full project and so much more amazing music!
Outro :
De Nuit / by mv feat. Jeff Ball
Original Track - The Phantom Forest
Album - Final Fantasy VI: Balance and Ruin
Project Page - Final Fantasy VI: Balance and Ruin | OC ReMix
Content Group - Final Fantasy VI
Original Copyright - Square Enix
Original Composers - Nobuo Uematsu
Intro Banter - This is the (mostly) unscripted intro to the show! We catch up, play games, talk about games that perhaps did not make the main show, and just gab, Welcome!
Game Life - We talk about the reality of hobby boardgaming integrating into our everyday lives.
Larry is moving, really moving! We get into some things that a gamer may face as they prepare for a new place to call home!
First Impressions – We talk about the first time with a title, from the acquisition to the first look, to the first play and deliver thoughts in writing and on the show. This segment will contain BOTH, so deliver the cliffs notes on the show to be discussed, then point to WHO has submitted deeper thoughts on the blog (can be either or both!)
It's a Wonderful Kingdom By Frédéric Guérard Published by La Boîte de Jeu Released in 2022
That Thing you Do - Things that the modern boardgaming hobby is doing that we love Vs. things that we do not.
This time we walk manufacturing trends.
Larry -
Love: Inserts purpose built - yay!!!
Leave:
Throwing as much into the game design mechanism wise as possible
Minis in EVERYTHING
Links:
Podstudio1
BGG
Gamepoint
Music: As always from the amazing community of gifted musicians, arrangers, and composers over at ocremix.org go visit and support them for the full project and so much more amazing music!
Outro :
De Nuit / by mv feat. Jeff Ball
Original Track - The Phantom Forest
Album - Final Fantasy VI: Balance and Ruin
Project Page - Final Fantasy VI: Balance and Ruin | OC ReMix
Content Group - Final Fantasy VI
Original Copyright - Square Enix
Original Composers - Nobuo Uematsu
Intro Banter - This is the (mostly) unscripted intro to the show! We catch up, play games, talk about games that perhaps did not make the main show, and just gab, W
Under the Hood: We roll up our sleeves and talk about games from the perspective of their mechanics! The mechanisms that are present and cover what some of the buzzwords may mean.
This Time: Dungeon Crawls
Some Characteristics of the genre:
- Miniatures / Token based movement on hexes, squares, etc.
- Party or solo hero exploring a structure filled with foes
- Loot and treasure system highly developed
- Multi step player turns
- High degree of Player customization
- Increasing difficulty
- Specialty dice or handfuls of dice to be thrown
- Customizable maps
- Environmental challenges to be overcome as well
- Campaign play that sees your heroes tell a story
- Skirmish modes may be present as well
- Highly involved combat (many stat checks, die rolls, etc.)
Games:
Dungeons and Dragons Adventure System Board games
Sword and Sorcery
One Deck Dungeon
Zombicide: Invader
Space Hulk: Death Angel
Space Infantry
Dungeoneer
Lost Legends
Gloomhaven
Descent:Journeys in the Dark
Shadows of Brimstone
First Impressions – We talk about the first time with a title, from the acquisition to the first look, to the first play and deliver thoughts on the show.
Alex - Cascadia By Randy Flynn Published by Flatout Games Released in 2021
Alex - Cubitos By John D. Clair Published by Alderac Entertainment Group Released in 2021
Larry - Parks By Henry Audubon Published by Keymaster Games Released in 2019
Late to the Party- We talk about games that are established in the hobby that we are just now playing.
Alex - Space base By John D. Clair Published by Alderac Entertainment Group Released in 2018
Larry - Potion Explosion By Stefano Castelli, Andrea Crespi, Lorenzo Silva Published by Horrible Guild Released in 2015
Links:
Podstudio1
BGG
Music: As always from the amazing community of gifted musicians, arrangers, and composers over at ocremix.org go visit and support them for the full project and so much more amazing music!
Outro :
De Nuit / by mv feat. Jeff Ball
Original Track - The Phantom Forest
Album - Final Fantasy VI: Balance and Ruin
Project Page - Final Fantasy VI: Balance and Ruin | OC ReMix
Content Group - Final Fantasy VI
Original Copyright - Square Enix
Original Composers - Nobuo Uematsu
Intro Banter - This is the (mostly) unscripted intro to the show! We catch up, play games, talk about games that perhaps did not make the main show, and just gab, Welcome!
New Look at the Old, Old Look at the New - Our Annual look back / Look ahead show, where we cover games and trends from the past year. And talk about our hopes and aspirations for the year to come, in Gaming!
Games:
Larry Games acquired in 2021 List:
Aeon's End: Into the Wild
Aeon's End: Outcasts
Aeon's End: Return to Gravehold
Aeon's End: The Nameless
Agropolis
Artefact
Ashes Reborn: Rise of the Phoenixborn
Cartographers Heroes (et All Kickstarter)
Caverna: The Cave Farmers
Coffee Traders
Curious Cargo
Death Charades
Deep Space D-6: Armada
Dice Hospital
Dinosaur Island: Rawr 'n Write
Dinosaur World
Dragon Dice
Dune: Imperium
Embarcadero
Fantastic Factories
Final Girl
G.I. JOE Deck-Building Game
Glen More II: Chronicles – Highland Games* Expansion
Hive
The Hunger
One Night Ultimate Super Heroes
Overboss: A Boss Monster Adventure
PARKS
Power Rangers: Deck-Building Game
Railroad Ink Challenge: Lush Green Edition
Railroad Ink Challenge: Shining Yellow Edition
Railroad Ink: Blazing Red Edition
Railroad Ink: Deep Blue Edition
Roll Player Adventures
Shadowrun Crossfire: Prime Runner Edition
Sprawlopolis
Steam Works
Thunderstone Quest
UNO: Minimilista
Vampire: The Masquerade – Rivals Expandable Card Game
Alex List:
- Small Boxes
Red Cathedral
Canvas
Just One
- New Versions
Eclipse 2nd Dawn
Terraforming Mars: Ares Expedition
Great Western Trail
Looking ahead Games:
Larry List:
Starcraft: The Board Game w/Brood War expansion
G.I. JOE Deck-Building Game
Final Girl
Aeon’s End Legacy of Gravehold
Earthborne Rangers
Sword & Sorcery
Alex List:
Stars of Akarios
Ark Nova
Shadows of Brimstone
Resurgence
Special Thank you to our sponsor:
VanRyder Games
Links:
Podstudio1
BGG
Music: As always from the amazing community of gifted musicians, arrangers, and composers over at ocremix.org go visit and support them for the full project and so much more amazing music!
Outro :
De Nuit / by mv feat. Jeff Ball
Original Track - The Phantom Forest
Album - Final Fantasy VI: Balance and Ruin
Project Page - Final Fantasy VI: Balance and Ruin | OC ReMix
Content Group - Final Fantasy VI
Original Copyright - Square Enix
Original Composers - Nobuo Uematsu
Commercial:
Cybernetic Love / by Prometheus
Original Song: lost…Broken Shards
From The Album - Humans + Gears: Xenogears ReMixed
Project Page - https://xenogears.ocremix.org/
Original Composer - Yasunori Mitsuda
Family Christmas By Larry F Neal Jr.
Act I. The Season
Our story starts with a little boy named Marcus McKissack, he lived with his parents Mary and Hunter and they loved the winter season. It meant they would have warm things to eat, an inviting fire always in the fireplace, and as much family time as they could get! Marcus was especially fond of laying on the floor by the hearth and playing a game with his Father they had made up together. All this while his Mother was never far away, baking wonderful smelling things, and sewing beautiful warm things. This was something that Marcus was thankful for but was not sure why it happened every year.
This year, he would find out.
“Why does mom cook so many pies?” He wondered as he rolled the dice and decided which route to take.
“Your mother makes the best pies, son. Didn't you know that?” Hunter smiled at his son.
“Well Yeah dad everybody knows that, ooh an Ogre! Leave him for me?!”
“Sure Son. So do you know then why she makes so many Pies?”
Marcus thought long and hard.
“Well we start eating them as soon as it gets cold outside, and we never run out, so she's putting them up for us all winter?”
“Good guess, but no. Think about it some more and come and tell me when you know the reason. There, you have the Ogre, and I have the Troll, that's a good place to stop, next time we will get to the castle and free our Ranger then your mother can join us!”
Marcus enthusiastically put up the pieces to the game after carefully marking their current positions and overall game state. His idea was that they could have an adventure as a family, in sessions. He knew his parents were busy with work and he, school, so this was his way of ensuring that they could always play when time was available to them. So far they had been playing the same characters for as long as he could remember, and he went from understanding that he loved the game, to knowing how much he loved his family. Not bad for a board game.
There! He had one part of it, he was sure of it, but he needed more time to work it out, he would answer his Fathers question. (Giving)
Act II. Feeling
Marcus went about his household chores during this time of year with a little more expectation than usual. It felt good to be doing things that made his parents happy without them asking him. He wondered to himself why that was. Why did he think about it more now than any other time of the year, usually? With no easy answer he looked around his room; His toys all lined up for ‘inspection’ a game he liked to play when he was alone. His tallest toys in the rear, soldiers and robots and that one plush horse he loved. Next came his smaller robots and action figures, they always made up the second line. Then came his miniature toys, things his father brought him back from trips, tiny versions of some of his favorite things. The next row was made up of some of his marble collection and lastly, his prized diecast cars, from sleek to off road to fantasy, if it was a ship or a real car, the toy companies made a version of it, Marcus made a point to get his favorites, helped by his Mother who always went with him to movies and events. She knew just as much about some of them as he did!
Marcus took his journal from his desk drawer and adjusted his chair so that he could look out of his window. Opening the curtains he witnessed the brilliant winter night with its quiet beautiful snowfall. As always it gave him comfort, but this time for the first time, it also inspired him.
Settling in with his journal he read over his notes, he nearly got lost in it all while looking out the window, the snow was falling, smells from the fireplace downstairs and his mothers cooking! He turned the overhead lights off in his freshly cleaned room, the Christmas candle burning on his desk shone brightly. The shade had patterns of holiday items etched directly into it, with colored glass inset to reflect and refract the light. He loved the shifting holiday scene it painted on his ceiling and walls as the light flickered and danced about. The smells all combined with the sights conspired to transport him to the best place of all: Safety, serenity and contentment.
Wait! Perhaps that was it, now he had another part, another key to the question and was that much closer to the answer! (Family)
Act III. The Reason
“Marcus! Come on down, let's get going!” Hunter was bundled up against the cold, but all the work packing the car had him sweating, so he wiped his brow as he used the tone that meant he was ready to go.
Marcus bounded down the stairs, the morning was bright, snow covered the world outside it seemed this gave the neighborhood houses that bright, pure white only a snow covered landscape can.
“I’m here Dad! And I’m ready!” He pulled his coat on over his heavy sweater.
“What no toy, this year?” Hunter asked his son.
“No, dad I’m not a kid any more, I’m going to help this year, so I figure I won't have time to be playing.” He answered resolutely.
“I think that is a wonderful idea, Son.” Mary kissed her Son the way mothers do when they notice them growing up, and he didn’t even protest.
“Not too grown for a kiss from your Mother I see!” Hunter teased his son as he kissed his wife on the cheek.
The McKissacs headed out into the brilliant morning’s wonderland, the winter birds flitted about from tree to tree looking for a rare winter meal. The evergreen trees and Holly bushes among all the dormant trees stood out in brilliant contrast; fresh deep green and brilliant life affirming red. The trees the McKissacks planted when they moved in had long since grown large enough for decorations, each year they added something new to them. The large old fashioned lights sparkled in the brilliant morning sunlight almost as if they were lit.
“Wow, its as nice in the day as it is at night!” Marcus exclaimed.
“Yes it is.” His Father agreed.
“Christmas Snow makes everything sparkle just a little bit brighter!” His Mother enthused.
The family loaded into the car and headed out. Driving into the city on Christmas Eve, brilliant decorations were everywhere to be seen. Marcus peered over the window and saw children playing, mothers walking with their families and even the animals seemed to be paired off and enjoying one another.
He took out his notebook and began to write furiously, right before him there were more answers to the question, usually at this time he had his imagination fully in one of his toys and missed most of this ride. But this year he was paying attention and he would not miss it! He would be ready to answer the question his Father asked him. It was a very important question with a lot of meaning beyond just baking, it was about the meaning for the whole season to his entire family, he knew that. What he would know when this was over is what it meant to him.
Looking in the rear view mirror Hunter saw his son was engrossed in what he was doing, he tapped his wife and nodded, she flipped her visor mirror down and looked at her child as well.
“What is he doing? Working on that game?” She said under her breath with a smile.
“No, I don’t think so, I’ve not seen that much determination from him when working on a game, this is something else, I believe.” He answered.
“Do you know what?”
“I think I do.” He smiled and grabbed her hand.
Mary knew her boys were special, but even though she had to admit she was not sure what was going on now, it felt good, so she squeezed Hunter's hand back and enjoyed the ride.
Marcus saw them holding hands between the seats and happiness swelled up inside him. He smiled as he made a new entry in his notebook. (Together)
Act IV. The Day
After a full day of delivering gifts and meals and pies and receiving the same, the McKissacs arrived home and unloaded their bounty.
As Marcus brought in the rest of the wood for the fire, it was Christmas Eve after all, his parents put the finishing touches on settling in for the night. Dinner was cooked and on the table, the pie cooling in the kitchen for dessert smelled wonderful. The ingredients for making Christmas Cookies were on the counter. The family tree, well it was just about the best tree in all the land, Marcus would lay under it for hours marveling at the sights and scents coming from it and dreaming about the presents wrapped with love underneath.
First the family Dinner, then cookies and perhaps if there was time, a quick game of their special Christmas Scenario as a family before off to bed with Marcus.
But this year, he had something else to add to the schedule.
“So Son, you haven't forgotten what I asked, have you? Have you figured it out?” Hunter was proud of him.
“I have Dad, can I tell you now?” He was eager.
Mary came and sat with Hunter and they looked at their young Son and awaited his answer.
“So Dad, you asked me why mom bakes so much. But it's more than that, because we collect clothes, and she makes clothes. You fix broken things and every year we give at least as many presents as we have under the tree now, away all over town, not just to those we know either.”
“Go on.” Hunter was sitting up now.
“So I started thinking and I understand why she does it. I know how much her baking makes me feel good, how safe, how loved. How good it tastes. So Giving is the first part of the answer. The next part is this, us. The family, people travel from all over to be with each other, not that we need anything, because our best memories are tied up in family, you don’t really have to bring a gift when you ARE the gift. Family is one of the best parts of everything we do. And that brings me to the final part, it plays off of the previous part. Being Together is so special because its here we find Safety, serenity and contentment. These are the reasons why WE give so much, as best as we can. I would not have been able to put it any other way if I had not been old enough to be able to experience it for myself, now that I have I want to work to make sure I feel that way year around. So I know it's not the things we give or do but the effort IN doing them. Sharing who we are and what we stand for, putting love into action because we do love, not just because we want something in return. Did I get it right?”
Mary and Hunter wiped the tears from their eyes and both hugged Marcus tightly.
“Yes Son, you got it absolutely right. Merry Christmas.”
Adventure Module One: A Christmas Peril
Designed for characters Lvl 2 and up
By Alex Wallace
Development by Larry Neal
An adventure designed for previously designed characters to the system, but can be used with brand new characters, see end of supplement. Feel free to change anything within the system and remember above all, continue to communicate with each other and keep playing and have fun.
Merry Christmas and enjoy!
A Christmas… Peril
GOAL: Decorate your new house for Christmas.
Guide your characters through each location listed in the episodes attempting to obtain the listed objects in order to complete the ultimate goal, the best decorated house on the block!
Episode 1: Glowe’s Home Improvement (6-ft tall Pre Lit Christmas Palm Tree)
Episode 2: Frostco (Hogwart’s Express Christmas Train)
Episode 3: Deck the Halmart (Monogram Marvel Stockings)
Prepare your Character:
In order to level Up, choose two stats, then roll 1D4 and add the result to one of your chosen stats, then repeat and add that result to the other one.
Cheer - (Spirit)
Constitution - (Stamina)
Charisma - (Speech)
Crankiness - (Physical)
Encounters:
Every test is pass/fail. Roll D20 1-10 Fail 1 - Crit Fail 11-19 Pass 20 - Crit Pass
Modifier 7-8 (-1) 9-11 (0) 12-13 (1) 14-15 (2) 16-17 (3)
Abilities:
In order to use an ability, announce which ability you want to use, check which attribute it is based off of and roll d-20 and add the result to your base attribute score as listed.
NEW PASSIVE ABILITY:
White Elephant: Once per session if you would fail a roll you may bank the failure with the GM to reroll the dice any number of times. Each failure you reroll is banked with the GMl. The GM may attempt to use those banked failure rolls to replace a success on a future roll, for the GM to do so the player must fail a Charisma Check.
Once you use an ability you may not use it until you have used all other abilities.(Exception: You do NOT have to use Jelly Of the Month Club in order for other abilities to reset.)
List:
Ability | Attribute
Kill'em with Kindness (Cheer)
You'll Shoot Your Eye Out (Cheer)
Jelly of the Month Club (Cheer)
Die Hard is a Christmas Movie (Crankiness)
Merry Christmas You Filthy Animal (Crankiness)
*Who Stole Christmas (Crankiness)
You Smell of Beef and Cheese (Charisma)
*It’s Santa, I know him! (Charisma)
Bargain Hunter (Charisma)
Kill'em with Kindness (Cheer) Successful roll allows player to change another person's mood or get them to do something small they wouldn't normally do under the circumstances
Bargain Hunter (Charisma) You have studied all of the stores advertisements, on a success you know precisely where every item is located and how much it should cost
Die Hard is a Christmas Movie (Crankiness) On a success you are able to consume any highly processed treat for a +1 to all rolls for the next ten minutes. You also can traverse any flat surface in your bare feet without penalty.
Merry Christmas You Filthy Animal (Crankiness) On a success you become completely aware of your surroundings and create an improvised trap from the materials in your vicinity.
You Smell of Beef and Cheese (Charisma) On a success you can instantly discern a person's motives.
You’ll Shoot Your Eye Out (Cheer) On a success you can accurately hit a target within a distance of 50 yards from you.
Jelly of the Month Club (Cheer) On a success you are able to convince a person to exchange one thing for a coupon to a Jelly of The Month Club. This may only be used once per session.
Who Stole Christmas (Crankiness) On a success you don a santa's cap and completely fade from view to the public around you. You may interact with other people while remaining undetected by succeeding on a crankiness roll.
It’s Santa, I know him! (Charisma) On a success you may convince any one target of your personal affiliation with any other person. The effect wears off if the target comes into contact with that person.
Starting this module with new character:
Roll 1 D20 x5 Keep four numbers and assign them to the following attributes:
Cheer - (Spirit)
Constitution - (Stamina)
Charisma - (Speech)
Crankiness - (Physical)
Quietly
There was a stillness, the Earth held its breath
For in the sight of all, peace seemed bereft
The diligence of mankind, though destined to progress
Had of itself and interpersonal relations, made a huge mess
The time has passed for flailing about
Progress to peace was needed, of that there was no doubt
Then to the smallest of small
The sweetest of sweet
Came the impossible deed
One to be completed by the mighty, but meek
In brilliantly clear night
That shone like the day
Came a light, that was brighter than any other they say
To be celebrated and lifted in time, for deeds impossible to call
Moving toward peace, love and gentleness with nary a fall
On a night like, well tonight
The chorus came from one and all
That down in a manger lay the heeding to that call
A baby so small and so sweet
Every person, every animal, even the king
Would love to meet
The story has been told, but is just the beginning
To take hold of the bad, make it good, turn the loosing to winning
No easy task no easy way
But born to it, celebrated for it
Here to stay
So much noise made so calamitous
So riotous in entry, so elegant and beautiful too
Then comes a voice as one, that voice comes from me and from you
Where we sing and enjoy and retell the story adding our own chapters
Leaving memories and instructions, examples of how to go after
With such a coming, and then such a going
One wonders as they ponder the why
How such a son came to us, announced by that beautiful night sky
Learn as you can, sit and listen, hold someones hand
Peace and love to yearn for, live for will come to pass by and by
Focus on the here, the now, the who, the why
Then love on them all, everyone that is seen by the eye
After, know in your heart of hearts that in this you are a part
Make a loud joyful noise down in the depths of your very heart
And share all that you can, this is all just a start
The joy you make is for you and for me
So go and do so loudly
Not just for one time of year but all your days through
Live noisily, loudly loving and giving too
If we all say I give for you and you for me
Then we are all a part of this blessed time
That started so Quietly
Christmas 2021
Intro Banter Special Holiday Edition - This is the (mostly) unscripted intro to the show! We catch up, play games, talk about games that perhaps did not make the main show, and just gab, Welcome!
Holiday Wishes : Devin & Chris Lloyd
Holiday Poem: Quietly
Holiday Alex: A Christmas Peril Pt. 1
Holiday Wishes : David Sieber
Holiday Memories - Hosts
Holiday Wishes : Karl Huber
Holiday Story Act I: Family Christmas Act I
Holiday Wishes : Adrienne Neal
Holiday Alex: A Christmas Peril Pt. 2
Holiday Story Act II: Family Christmas Act II
Holiday Wishes : Robert Neal Sr.
Holiday Alex: A Christmas Peril Pt. 3
Holiday Story Act III: Family Christmas Act III
My Favorite : Cynthia Wallace
Holiday Alex: A Christmas Peril Pt. 4
My Favorite : AJ Porfirio
Holiday Story Act IV: Family Christmas Act IV
Special Thank you to our sponsor:
VanRyder Games
Links:
Podstudio1
BGG
Music: As always from the amazing community of gifted musicians, arrangers, and composers over at ocremix.org go visit and support them for the full project and so much more amazing music!
Intro / Interludes:
Holiday Frappe / By Tweek
From the Album - An Overclocked Christmas V.II
Project Page - https://williammichael.info/aocc/
The Glaciers Peak / By JMR
From the Album - An Overclocked Christmas V.IV
Project Page - https://williammichael.info/aocc/
Stars on Ice / By dusK, Rexy
From the Album - An Overclocked Christmas V.VI
Project Page - https://williammichael.info/aocc/
Christmas Time is Here / By Prototyperaptor
From the Album - An Overclocked Christmas V.II
Project Page - https://williammichael.info/aocc/
Whitescape / By Rozovian
From the Album - An Overclocked Christmas V.VI
Project Page - https://williammichael.info/aocc/
Outro:
God Rest Ye Soulful Gentlemen / By Bigmowthp
From the Album - An Overclocked Christmas V.II
Project Page - https://williammichael.info/aocc/
Quietly Special Music
Song List:
Title: The Bright Morning Star
Author: Borrtex
Source: The Bright Morning Star
License: CC BY-NC 4.0
Christmas Family Special Music
Song List
Title: Family Tree
Author: Jahzzar
Source: Sele
License: CC BY-SA 4.0
Title: Christmas Town
Author: TRG Banks
Source: Christmas Town
License: CC0 1.0
Title: Early Morning
Author: Borrtex
Source: Christmas Time II
License: CC BY-NC 4.0
Title: Good Night
Author: Jahzzar
Source: Sele
License: CC BY-SA 4.0
Title: Sledding In Forest
Author: Borrtex
Source: Christmas Time II
License: CC BY-NC 4.0
Intro Banter - This is the (mostly) unscripted intro to the show! We catch up, play games, talk about games that perhaps did not make the main show, and just gab, Welcome!
Holiday List of Lists Extravaganza! - Our annual segment wherein we share shopping and playing lists for all kinds of gamers on all budgets!
Alex:
New Hotness
- Unfathomable
- Cubitos
- Hero Quest
- Final Girl
- Oath
- World of WarCraft: Wrath of the Litch King Pandemic
- Picture Perfect
- Dungeon Party
- Clash of Cultures
- Land Vs Sea
- Hadrians Wall
- Cascadia
- Sleeping Gods
Alex Approved
- Dune Imperium
- Eclipse: Second Dawn of the Galaxy
- Terraforming Mars Aes Expedition
- My City
- Roll Camera! The Filmmaking Board Game
- MicroMacro: Crime City
Etsy/Crafty
- Sling Puck/Finger Hockey
- Stackable Trays with Bagging Funnel
- GripMats
- BoardGameBoost (Caddy Max, Stockade)
Larry:
No Budget:
Eclipse 2nd Dawn
Roll Player Adventures
Dinosaur World w/ Expansions
Detective City of Angels
Thinky:
Maglev Metro
Castles of Burgundy
Steam Works
New & Shiny:
GI Joe Deck Building Game
Deep Space D6 Armada
Ashes Reborn: Rise of the Phoenixborn
Small But Mighty (could double as stocking stuffers):
RailRoad Inc (Challenge or any regular color)
Agropolis
In Vino Morte’
Cartographers
Not just Good, but SUPER Good - Top 3 lists themed by genre
This time we ALSO include our top three Christmas Gift Gaming presents!
Alex:
- 3 - Stackable trays with bagging funnel
- 2 - Picture Perfect/Land vs Sea
- 1 - Cubitos
Larry:
- Dinosaur Island Rawr n Write (small but mighty)
- Dune Imperium (Thinky)
- Folded Space (Inserts & Accessories)
Naughty Nice List - Some Games or some companies have made the nice list for meritorious reasons, and some are getting a lump of coal!
Alex:
Naughty - Asmodee
Naughty - Hasbro (Hero Quest)
Nice - TMG (Thanks for all the fish)
Nice - Eggertspeile (GWT) Plaid Hat (Summoner Wars)
Nice - Kolossal Games
Larry:
Naughty:
Asmodee
Renegade
Abusive & Divisive figures in the BG World
Nice:
TMG
Conventions (TGD, Origins, Gen Con)
Crowdfunding
Special Thank you to our sponsor:
VanRyder Games
Links:
Podstudio1
BGG
Music: As always from the amazing community of gifted musicians, arrangers, and composers over at ocremix.org go visit and support them for the full project and so much more amazing music!
Intro / Interludes:
Carol of the Bells / by sephfire
From the Album - An Overclocked Christmas V.I
Project Page - https://williammichael.info/aocc/
Outtro:
Christmas Time is Here / by Fratto
From the Album - An Overclocked Christmas V.I
Project Page - https://williammichael.info/aocc/
Intro Banter - This is the (mostly) unscripted intro to the show! We catch up, play games, talk about games that perhaps did not make the main show, and just gab, Welcome!
First Impressions – We talk about the first time with a title, from the acquisition to the first look, to the first play and deliver thoughts in writing and on the show.
This time:
Great Western Trail (Second Edition) By Alexander Pfister Published by
Eggertspiele Released in 2021
A Few of my Favorite Things - Each Host takes a random title from their collection and covers it at length!
Alex: Eclipse: Second Dawn for the Galaxy By Touko Tahkokallio Published by Matagot Released in 2020
Dwellings of eldervale By Luke Laurie Published By Breaking Games Released in 2020
Larry: Dinosaur Island: Rawr and Write By Brian Lewis, David McGregor, Marissa Misura Published by Pandasaurus Games Released in 2021
That Time of The Year- Games themed for a certain time of the year!
Food Based Games!
Alex:
Games about running a food establishment:
Food Chain Magnate By Jeroen Doumen, Joris Wiersinga Published By Splotter Spellen Released in 2015
Foodies By Ken Gruhl, Marco Portugal Published By CMON Global Limited Released in 2019
Quick Card Games:
Food Fight By Matt Hyra Published By Cryptozoic Entertainment Released in 2011
Point Salad By Molly Johnson, Robert Melvin, Shawn Stankewich Published By Alderac Entertainment Group Released in 2019
Wine:
Vinhos By Vital Lacerda Published By What's Your Game? Released in 2010
Viticulture By Jamey Stegmaier, Alan Stone Published By Stonemaier Games Released in 2013
Larry:
Agricola By Uwe Rosenberg Published by Z-Man Games Released in 2007
Cinque Terre By Chris Handy (I) Published by Rio Grande Games Released in 2013
Herbaceous By Eduardo Baraf, Steve Finn Published by Pencil First Games, LLC Released in 2017
Special Thank you to our sponsor:
VanRyder Games
Links:
Podstudio1
BGG
Gamepoint
Infinite Dreams Gaming
Music: As always from the amazing community of gifted musicians, arrangers, and composers over at ocremix.org go visit and support them for the full project and so much more amazing music!
Outro :
De Nuit / by mv feat. Jeff Ball
Original Track - The Phantom Forest
Album - Final Fantasy VI: Balance and Ruin
Project Page - Final Fantasy VI: Balance and Ruin | OC ReMix
Content Group - Final Fantasy VI
Original Copyright - Square Enix
Original Composers - Nobuo Uematsu
Commercial:
Sparkle / by Joshua Morse
Original Song: Castlevania: Order of Ecclesia - Emerald Mist
From The Album - Castlevania: Sonata of the Damned
Project Page - http://sotd.ocremix.org - Castlevania: Sonata of the Damned
Original Composer - Yasuhiro Ichihashi
Intro Banter - This is the (mostly) unscripted intro to the show! We catch up, play games, talk about games that perhaps did not make the main show, and just gab, Welcome!
First Impressions – We talk about the first time with a title, from the acquisition to the first look, to the first play and deliver thoughts in writing and on the show.
&
Background Bravado - We will Mic Live plays and actual sessions and run it throughout the episode.
This time: Fantastic Factories By Joseph Z Chen, Justin Faulkner Published by Deep Water Games Released in 2019
Not just Good, but SUPER Good - Top 3 lists themed by genre
Super good lists of favorite memories from recording the podcast!
Alex:
- Don’t be that Guy
- Bears in a Park
- The first time we did not hit the record button
- Cynthia’s Episode
- GenCan’t
- Interviews with Creators
Larry:
Top Three milestone episodes -
Episode 79 1st annual Christmas Special (1) Overall Number one
Episode 001 Living With Games (2)
Episode 008 Parts 1 & 2 TGD First coverage (3)
Top three Guest episodes -
Episode 26 Grand Designs - Episode with Shawn Smith of Infinite Dreams Gaming (1)
Episode 53 Special Guest Evan Derrick (2)
Episode 94 with special guest Ryan Howard. (3)
Top Three New Segment -
Episode 30: The Spoken Token Presents: Movies - (1)
Episode 27: New Game Set Top Fun house - (2)
Episode 44: Comic Book to Board Game - (3)
The long look back - We take a candid look back at our first 100 episodes and discuss trends and games that we have played and seen since our beginning. We end by looking forward to our next 100!
This special 100th episode: Changes we have seen in board games since we started
Special Thank you to our sponsor:
VanRyder Games
Links:
Podstudio1
BGG
Gamepoint
Infinite Dreams Gaming
Music: As always from the amazing community of gifted musicians, arrangers, and composers over at ocremix.org go visit and support them for the full project and so much more amazing music!
Outro :
De Nuit / by mv feat. Jeff Ball
Original Track - The Phantom Forest
Album - Final Fantasy VI: Balance and Ruin
Project Page - Final Fantasy VI: Balance and Ruin | OC ReMix
Content Group - Final Fantasy VI
Original Copyright - Square Enix
Original Composers - Nobuo Uematsu
Commercial:
Sparkle / by Joshua Morse
Original Song: Castlevania: Order of Ecclesia - Emerald Mist
From The Album - Castlevania: Sonata of the Damned
Project Page - http://sotd.ocremix.org - Castlevania: Sonata of the Damned
Original Composer - Yasuhiro Ichihashi
Intro Banter - This is the (mostly) unscripted intro to the show! We catch up, play games, talk about games that perhaps did not make the main show, and just gab, Welcome!
Conventional wisdom - convention going ons.
This episode, a supersized Fall Convention extravaganza!
List:
Stroganov
Kingdomino Origins
Picture Perfect
Land vs Sea
GI Joe
Transformers
Time bomb Remastered
Marvel Unmatched Hells Kitchen, Redemption Row
Azul Queens Garden
Unfathomable
Now or Never
Bitoku
Resurgence *
Night of the Ninja
Origins First Builders
MazeScape
Fight Club the home game
Onitama Light and Shadow
It’s a wonderful kingdom
1923 Cotton Club
Great Western Trail 2nd Ed
Welcome to the Moon
Cora Quest
Special Thank you to our sponsor:
VanRyder Games
Links:
Podstudio1
BGG
Music: As always from the amazing community of gifted musicians, arrangers, and composers over at ocremix.org go visit and support them for the full project and so much more amazing music!
Outro :
De Nuit / by mv feat. Jeff Ball
Original Track - The Phantom Forest
Album - Final Fantasy VI: Balance and Ruin
Project Page - Final Fantasy VI: Balance and Ruin | OC ReMix
Content Group - Final Fantasy VI
Original Copyright - Square Enix
Original Composers - Nobuo Uematsu
Intro: Special episode introduction with Larry Neal.
Segments:
3:07 Infinite Dreams Games
Michael Aldridge
Sean Smith
10:58 Breaking Teeth Games
Dustin Crouch
Caine Meyers
18:33 Meeple Mountain
Andy Matthews - Email
Special Guest
Elijah Longwell - Email
26:32 The Big Score
Chase Williams
Contact info: igotdvds on bgg | avett_fan on Twitter
Jason Mowry
Contact Info: JMmowery on bgg | jason_mowery on Twitter
Links:
Podstudio1
TGD
BGG
Music:
As always from the amazing community of gifted musicians, arrangers, and composers over at ocremix.org go visit them for the full project and so much more amazing music!
Intro / Bumps / Outro: The Super Star Returns / By DarkeSword with a Cameo by: "GREEN GREENS"
From the Album: Smash The Record: The Record!
Source: Kirby Super Star - "Clash! Gourmet Race"
Original Composer: Jun Ishikawa
Project Page: http://ocremix.org/info/Smash_The_Record:_The_Record
Intro Banter - This is the (mostly) unscripted intro to the show! We catch up, play games, talk about games that perhaps did not make the main show, and just gab, Welcome!
First Impressions – We talk about the first time with a title, from the acquisition to the first look, to the first play and deliver thoughts in writing and on the show.
Family Affair: Introducing a family member of the hosts and good gaming discussion about current trends, commonalities, generalizations, and some history to boot!!
That Sinking Feeling - We talk about experiences in Gaming where we thought the experience was going to be one way, but it ends up another way. When were those and how did we handle it and how they affected us.
Shelf or Table? - In this series we will examine the phenomena of collecting board games. Each segment we will look at one facet of this integral part of our lives in depth.
Special Thank you to our sponsor:
VanRyder Games
Links:
Podstudio1
BGG
Music: As always from the amazing community of gifted musicians, arrangers, and composers over at ocremix.org go visit and support them for the full project and so much more amazing music!
Outro :
De Nuit / by mv feat. Jeff Ball
Original Track - The Phantom Forest
Album - Final Fantasy VI: Balance and Ruin
Project Page - Final Fantasy VI: Balance and Ruin | OC ReMix
Content Group - Final Fantasy VI
Original Copyright - Square Enix
Original Composers - Nobuo Uematsu
Original Show notes to follow in full context to the original Airing date of August 1st 2018.
Main Show Notes:
Happy Birthday!: The Spoken Token is 2 years old this episode! Since we have a big shindig with our friends at GamePoint Cafe for GenCant 2018 in just a few days, all of our big giveaways are going to be there! And so are we! Thank you so much for coming along with us and we look forward to year three and beyond!!
Asmodee sold itself! What does this portend for board games worldwide? We dive a little bit into a topic that we will revisit!!
Who is killing it? A list of companies who we each believe has been doing an amazing job in the last 12 months and one company who has done a horrible job in the last 12 months.
Fighting the Cult…of the New: What older games should you revisit that are at least 5 years old? So many titles deserve your time that are not considered “Classics” yet, Alex and Larry take a look.
Does the Spiel des Jahres matter outside of Germany? With their requirements to being legitimately published in the German market, is it really the best game of the year worldwide, or are we just recognizing it because that is what we have been doing? We discuss ideas and offer some thoughts on a solution or alternative to enhance this hallowed event in Board Gaming.
Publisher Links:
Pandasaurus
Van Ryder Games
Renegade Games
Blue Orange Games
Plan B Games
Mayfair games
Days Of Wonder
Iello
Hasbro
Games:
7 Wonders
Clank!
Detective City Of Angels
FlatLine
Graphic Novel Adventures
Hostage Negotiator Crime Wave
Kepler 3042
Overlight
Power Grid
Raiders of the North Sea
The Big Score
The Resistance
Topiary
Battleship Galaxies
Summer Of Games:
Isle of Skye
Nyet
Links:
Podstudio1
Game Point Cafe
GenCant 2018
BGG
Asmodee News
Music:
As always from the amazing community of gifted musicians, arrangers, and composers over at ocremix.org go visit them for the full project and so much more amazing music!
Intro / Bump / Outro
Labyrinth of Dance Floors (A Link to the Past) / By Jeff Ball
From The Album 25YEARLEGEND: A Legend of Zelda Indie Game Composer Tribute
Original Composer: Koji Kondo
Project Page: http://zelda25.ocremix.org/
Intro Banter - This is the (mostly) unscripted intro to the show! We catch up, play games, talk about games that perhaps did not make the main show, and just gab, Welcome!
Elephant In The Room - Topics that HAVE to be talked about.
This time we talk about the current state of Shipping and how it affects the worldwide economy, not just boardgames.
Tasty Minstrel Games Current situation
Don’t Be That Guy - Identifying bad gamer habits and how to avoid or correct them so that everyone has a more pleasurable playing experience.
This time: Role Playing Experience.
The Hijacker (solo hero)
The Carrot Top (comic relief)
The Thwarter (Actively playing against the DM)
The Destroyer (The DM trying to win the game)
First Impressions – We talk about the first time with a title, from the acquisition to the first look, to the first play and deliver thoughts in writing and on the show.
This time:
Micro Macro: Crime City By Johannes Sich Published by Lucky Duck Games Released in 2020
Summer Of Games Game choice: Our Hosts share their end of show games to go get right now! This time a Double heaping as we left off last episode's choices!!
Alex:
-
Gold West By J. Alex Kevern Published by Tasty Minstrel Games Released in 2015
-
Yokohama By Hisashi Hayashi Published by Tasty Minstrel Games Released in 2016
Larry:
-
Dice Hospital By Stan Kordonskiy, Mike Nudd Published by Alley Cat Games Released in 2018
-
OverBoss: A Boss Monster Adventure By Aaron Mesburne, Kevin Russ Published by Brotherwise Games Released in 2021
Special Thank you to our sponsor:
VanRyder Games
Links:
Podstudio1
BGG
Music: As always from the amazing community of gifted musicians, arrangers, and composers over at ocremix.org go visit and support them for the full project and so much more amazing music!
Outro :
De Nuit / by mv feat. Jeff Ball
Original Track - The Phantom Forest
Album - Final Fantasy VI: Balance and Ruin
Project Page - Final Fantasy VI: Balance and Ruin | OC ReMix
Content Group - Final Fantasy VI
Original Copyright - Square Enix
Original Composers - Nobuo Uematsu
Intro Banter - This is the (mostly) unscripted intro to the show! We catch up, play games, talk about games that perhaps did not make the main show, and just gab, Welcome!
Game Time!: Our Hosts will place any general gaming topic in this slot as they see fit! So it may be a new release, PSA etc. if it's Gaming related, and it's time to talk about it, it's GAME TIME!
This time we welcome special Guest Ryan Howard and talk all things Tabletop RPG! From GM, to Character Design and implementation, we dig deep!
His show is Rollin’ Bones with Ryan Howard over on Youtube and they drop episodes every Wednesday. If you like to watch along live, catch him on Twitch on Monday nights at 8pm Central and join in the fun!
There is also an Audio only version of the show; RollinBones Ryan wherever you download your podcasts.
Not just Good, but SUPER Good - Top 3 lists themed by genre.
This time Top Three Favorite Adventure Board Games NOT based on DnD!
Ryan:
- Marvel Crisis Protocol By Will Pagani, Will Shick Published by Atomic Mass Games Released in 2019.
- Betrayal at house on the Hill By Bruce Glassco, Rob Daviau, Bill McQuillan, Mike Selinker,
Teeuwynn Woodruff Published by Wizards of the Coast Released in 2004.
- Elder Sign By Richard Launius, Kevin Wilson Published by Fantasy Flight Games Released in 2011.
Alex:
- Star Wars Imperial Assault By Justin Kemppainen, Corey Konieczka, Jonathan Ying Published by Fantasy Flight Games Released in 2014.
- Gloomhaven By Isaac Childres Published by Cephalofair Games Released in 2017.
- Mice and Mystics By Jerry Hawthorne Published by Plaid Hat Games Released in 2012.
Larry:
- Clank!: A Deck Building Adventure By Paul Dennen Published by Renegade Game Studios Released in 2016.
- Mage Knight By Vlaada Chvátil Published by WizKids Released in 2011.
- Runebound 2nd Ed By Darrell Hardy, Martin Wallace Published by Fantasy Flight Games Released in 2005.
Special Thank you to our sponsor:
VanRyder Games
Links:
Podstudio1
BGG
Twitch.tv/rollinbonesryan
Music: As always from the amazing community of gifted musicians, arrangers, and composers over at ocremix.org go visit and support them for the full project and so much more amazing music!
Outro :
De Nuit / by mv feat. Jeff Ball
Original Track - The Phantom Forest
Album - Final Fantasy VI: Balance and Ruin
Project Page - Final Fantasy VI: Balance and Ruin | OC ReMix
Content Group - Final Fantasy VI
Original Copyright - Square Enix
Original Composers - Nobuo Uematsu
Special Opening - A special Summer of Games opening for the Fourth year episode!
First Impressions – We talk about the first time with a title, from the acquisition to the first look, to the first play and deliver thoughts in writing and on the show.
This time Alex and Jackson Wallace talk about:
Summoner Wars 2nd Edition By Colby Dauch Published By Plaid Hat Games Released in 2021
The Table Sessions - Here we talk through a game with the backdrop of a live session of it playing. Interweaving the narrative with actual time from the games play. While not an on the table segment, this one is where we give our opinions and back it up with excerpts from the live play. We also talk through the game's rules and premise so as to give proper context to the entire setting.
This time Larry takes a look at:
The Big Score By Jason Mowery, A. J. Porfirio, Chase Williams Published by Van Ryder Games Released in 2018
Summer Of Games Game choice: Our Hosts share their end of show games to go get right now!
Alex: Don’t Mess with Cthulhu By Yusuke Sato Published by Indie Boards & Cards Released in 2014
Larry: Hues and Cues By Scott Brady Published by The Op Released in 2020
Special Thank you to our sponsor:
VanRyder Games
Links:
Podstudio1
BGG
Board Game workshop
Music: As always from the amazing community of gifted musicians, arrangers, and composers over at ocremix.org go visit and support them for the full project and so much more amazing music!
Outro :
De Nuit / by mv feat. Jeff Ball
Original Track - The Phantom Forest
Album - Final Fantasy VI: Balance and Ruin
Project Page - Final Fantasy VI: Balance and Ruin | OC ReMix
Content Group - Final Fantasy VI
Original Copyright - Square Enix
Original Composers - Nobuo Uematsu
Larry Interlude/Outro :
Sparkle / by Joshua Morse
Original Song: Castlevania: Order of Ecclesia - Emerald Mist
From The Album - Castlevania: Sonata of the Damned
Project Page - http://sotd.ocremix.org - Castlevania: Sonata of the Damned
Original Composer - Yasuhiro Ichihashi
Alex Interlude/Outro:
Bramble Reprise (Stickerbrush Symphony) / by Joshua Morse
From the Album - Serious Monkey Business
Original Composer: David Wise
Project link: DKC2.OCREMIX.ORG - Serious Monkey Business
Intro Banter - This is the (mostly) unscripted intro to the show! We catch up, play games, talk about games that perhaps did not make the main show, and just gab, Welcome!
Summer of Games Kickoff!! -
Featuring Summer of Games IV: Return of the Games Group!
This summer we will focus on games and gaming related activities to begin to welcome your gaming friends back to the physical table, AS WELL AS further explore some ways to continue to get together virtually! It's a full on return to gaming in the summer with tips, ideas, a giveaway or two and of course GAMES, also there may be a surprise sighting or two, so come on and let's celebrate the Summer Of Games!!
First Impressions – We talk about the first time with a title, from the acquisition to the first look, to the first play and deliver thoughts in writing and on the show. This time:
Dune Imperium By Paul Dennen Published by Dire Wolf Released in 2020
Power Rangers: Deck Building Game By Dan Blanchett, Matt Hyra Published by Renegade Game Studios Released in 2021
BONUS Coverage!:
Terraforming Mars: Ares Expedition By Sydney Engelstein, Jacob Fryxelius, Nick Little Published by Stronghold Games Released in 2021
The Best of us, the Worst of us - We explore games and game mechanics that bring out the best in us AND the worst in us. Share some ways to identify these trends for yourself and how to deal with them both in your own game and with other players at your table.
Alex:
Best - Worker Placement
Trickerion: Legends of Illusion By Richard Amann, Viktor Peter Published by Mindclash Games Released in 2015
Worst - Area Control
Rising Sun By Eric M. Lang Published by CMON Global Limited Released in 2018
Larry:
Best -
Game: On Mars By Vital Lacerda Published by Eagle-Gryphon Games Released in 2020
Mechanic: Euro Games.
Worst -
Game: WordSpot By Russell Ginns Published by Front Porch Classics Released in 2006
Mechanic: Puzzle.
Summer School - We take on and detail some fun, but serious Gaming activities that are specifically celebrated in the summer!
This time:
Alex and Larry are Judges in the 2021 Game Design Contest by The Board Game Workshop! So we want to talk about it a bit more and bring light to this great event of the summer!
Board Game workshop 2021 Design Contest
Summer Of Games Game choice: Our Hosts share their end of show games to go get right now!
Alex: Space Base By John D. Clair Published by Alderac Entertainment Group Released in 2018
Larry: RailRoad Ink By Hjalmar Hach, Lorenzo Silva Published by Horrible Guild Released in 2018 (Initial), 2021 New editions + Reprint
Special Thank you to our sponsor:
VanRyder Games
Links:
Podstudio1
BGG
Board Game workshop
Paizo
Starfinder
Music: As always from the amazing community of gifted musicians, arrangers, and composers over at ocremix.org go visit and support them for the full project and so much more amazing music!
Intro/Interludes/Outro :
De Nuit/ by mv feat. Jeff Ball
Original Track - The Phantom Forest
Album - Final Fantasy VI: Balance and Ruin
Project Page - Final Fantasy VI: Balance and Ruin | OC ReMix
Content Group - Final Fantasy VI
Original Copyright - Square Enix
Original Composers - Nobuo Uematsu
Intro Banter - This is the (mostly) unscripted intro to the show! We catch up, play games, talk about games that perhaps did not make the main show, and just gab, Welcome!
Grand Designs + Design Lab: This time we visit with the designers of Death Charades, Sarah Mason and Mitchell Maddox about their game, Kickstarter and what's next for them!
-
Talk to Designers about the process and what is their recent projects
-
We speak about the mechanics of game design and tackle some common issues at a really deep level. Usually speaking with an established publisher/Designer!
Not just Good, but SUPER Good - Top 3 lists themed by genre
This time we ask for the top three games about one of life's inevitabilities: Favorite game about Life itself!
Alex:
Stone Age By Bernd Brunnhofer Published by Hans im Glück Released in 2008
Terraforming Mars By Jacob Fryxelius Published by Stronghold Games Released in 2016
Xia: Legends of a Drift System By Cody Miller Published by Far Off Games Released in 2014
Larry:
The 7TH Continent By Ludovic Roudy, Bruno Sautter Published by Serious Poulp Released in 2017
Dice Hospital By Stan Kordonskiy, Mike Nudd Published by Alley Cat Games Released in 2018
Roll Player By Keith Matejka Published by Thunderworks Games Released in 2016
Sarah:
Settlers Of Catan By Klaus Teuber Published by Mayfair Games Released in 1995
Uncreated game about Bioshpere2 By Sarah Released in Unknown
The Sims By Will Wright Published by Electronic Arts Released in 2000
Mitchell:
Pandemic By Matt Leacock Published by Z-Man Games, Inc. Released in 2008
Operation By Marvin Glass, John Spinello Published by Hasbro Released in 1965
Clue By Anthony E. Pratt Published by Hasbro Released in 1949
Special Thank you to our sponsor:
VanRyder Games
Links:
Podstudio1
BGG
Death Charades
Special Death Charades Reference Links:
Steve Luoma - Graphic designer
Jeff Hunt - Web Design
HowLett
Middle TN Retail Partners
Game Point
Gift Horse
Hail Dark Aesthetics
Online Special:
Special Discount for Spoken Token Listeners at Deathcharades.com:
Use the Code MEMENTOKENMORI for 10% off at checkout!
Music: As always from the amazing community of gifted musicians, arrangers, and composers over at ocremix.org go visit and support them for the full project and so much more amazing music!
Intro/Interludes/Outro :
De Nuit/ by mv feat. Jeff Ball
Original Track - The Phantom Forest
Album - Final Fantasy VI: Balance and Ruin
Project Page - Final Fantasy VI: Balance and Ruin | OC ReMix
Content Group - Final Fantasy VI
Original Copyright - Square Enix
Original Composers - Nobuo Uematsu
Intro Banter - This is the (mostly) unscripted intro to the show! We catch up, play games, talk about games that perhaps did not make the main show, and just gab, Welcome!
First Impressions + On the table - We talk about the first time with a title, from the acquisition to the first look, to the first play and deliver thoughts in writing and on the show.
We will examine what the game is like when played, to personify that experience, cover angles and what to expect from the title: components, setting, rules and the overall atmosphere.
The Initiative By Corey Konieczka Published by Unexpected Games Released in 2021
Railroad Ink By Hjalmar Hach, Lorenzo Silva Published by Horrible Guild Released in 2018
Revisit Revelry - The hosts revisit a title and give ongoing impressions of living with the game. Revealing and detailing facets of the game that have emerged over their time with it!
Marvel Champions By Michael Boggs Nate French Caleb Grace Published by Fantasy Flight Games Released in 2019
Ashes Reborn: Rise of the Phoenixborn By Isaac Vega Published by Plaid Hat Games Released in 2015 (Original) 2021 (Reborn)
Special Thank you to our sponsor:
VanRyder Games
Links:
Podstudio1
BGG
Music: As always from the amazing community of gifted musicians, arrangers, and composers over at ocremix.org go visit and support them for the full project and so much more amazing music!
Intro/Interludes/Outro :
De Nuit/ by mv feat. Jeff Ball
Original Track - The Phantom Forest
Album - Final Fantasy VI: Balance and Ruin
Project Page - Final Fantasy VI: Balance and Ruin | OC ReMix
Content Group - Final Fantasy VI
Original Copyright - Square Enix
Original Composers - Nobuo Uematsu
Intro Banter - This is the (mostly) unscripted intro to the show! We catch up, play games, talk about games that perhaps did not make the main show, and just gab, Welcome!
Game Design Block - With Chris Anderson
Featuring discussions on Board Game workshop 2021 Design Contest
Grand Designs - Talk to Designers about the process and what their recent projects are.
Design Lab - We speak about the mechanics of game design and tackle some common issues at a really deep level. Usually speaking with an established publisher/Designer!
Not just Good, but SUPER Good - Top 3 lists themed by genre
Deduction games
Larry:
- Detective City of Angels By Evan Derrick Published by Van Ryder Games Released in 2019
- Mysterium By Oleksandr Nevskiy, Oleg Sidorenko Published by Libellud Released in 2015
- Coup By Rikki Tahta Published by Indie Boards & Cards Released in 2012
- The Search for Planet X By Matthew O'Malley, Ben Rosset Published by Renegade Game Studios Released in 2020*
Chris:
- The Resistance By Don Eskridge Published By Indie Boards & Cards Released in 2009
- The Sheriff of Nottingham By Sérgio Halaban, André Zatz Published by Arcane Wonders Released in 2014
- A Fake Artist Goes to New York By Jun Sasaki Published by Oink Games Released in 2012
Alex:
- The Resistance By Don Eskridge Published By Indie Boards & Cards Released in 2009
- BattleStar Galactica By Corey Konieczka Published by Fantasy Flight Games Released in 2008
- Deception Murder in Hong Kong By Tobey Ho Published by Jolly Thinkers Released in 2014
- Treasure Island By Marc Paquien Published by Matagot Released in 2018*
*Honorable Mention
Special Thank you to our sponsor:
VanRyder Games
Links:
https://theboardgameworkshop.com/
Podstudio1
BGG
More information on the Board Game workshop 2021 Design Contest
Music: As always from the amazing community of gifted musicians, arrangers, and composers over at ocremix.org go visit and support them for the full project and so much more amazing music!
Intro/Interludes/Outro :
De Nuit/ by mv feat. Jeff Ball
Original Track - The Phantom Forest
Album - Final Fantasy VI: Balance and Ruin
Project Page - Final Fantasy VI: Balance and Ruin | OC ReMix
Content Group - Final Fantasy VI
Original Copyright - Square Enix
Original Composers - Nobuo Uematsu
Intro Banter - This is the (mostly) unscripted intro to the show! We catch up, play games, talk about games that perhaps did not make the main show, and just gab, Welcome!
Not Just Good, But…. Super Good: Best games within an established series. (Not just a retheme) or Expansion!
Alex:
- Imperial Settlers: Empire of the North By Joanna Kijanka, Ignacy Trzewiczek Published by Portal Games Released in 2019
- Architects of the West Kingdom By Shem Phillips, S J Macdonald Published by Garphill Games Released in 2018
- Trains By Hisashi Hayashi Published By Alderac Entertainment Group Released in 2012
Larry:
- Conflict of heroes:Awakening the Bear By Uwe Eickert Published by Academy Games, Inc. Released in 2012
- Call to adventure: Stormlight Archive By Chris O'Neal, Johnny O'Neal Published by Brotherwise Games Released in 2020
- Tiny Epic Galaxies By Scott Almes Published by Gamelyn Games Released in 2015
Under the Hood: We roll up our sleeves and talk about games from the perspective of their mechanics! The mechanisms that are present and cover what some of the buzzwords may mean.
This time: Alex and Larry discuss the consumer trends of wanting a game to be deeply variable opposed to relatively simple but difficult to optimize/master.
A deeper look - We pick a game (each) and do a deeper dive into the title. Not a review but speaking to the mechanics of it, NOTING any challenges in obtaining said title. So this does not have to be all new hotness.
Larry: Dragon Valley By CW Karstens Published by Diamond K Games Released in 2012
Alex: Summoner Wars 2nd Edition By Colby Dauch Published by Plaid Hat Games Released in 2021
Special Thank you to our sponsor:
VanRyder Games
Links:
Podstudio1
BGG
Music: As always from the amazing community of gifted musicians, arrangers, and composers over at ocremix.org go visit and support them for the full project and so much more amazing music!
Intro/Interludes/Outro :
De Nuit/ by mv feat. Jeff Ball
Original Track - The Phantom Forest
Album - Final Fantasy VI: Balance and Ruin
Project Page - Final Fantasy VI: Balance and Ruin | OC ReMix
Content Group - Final Fantasy VI
Original Copyright - Square Enix
Original Composers - Nobuo Uematsu
Intro Banter - This is the (mostly) unscripted intro to the show! We catch up, play games, talk about games that perhaps did not make the main show, and just gab, Welcome!
Discussed:
Dragon Dice
PubMeeple
Is Anything Better than Good? - The hosts work on their much larger best of lists here, but are they better than SUPER good? Stay tuned here to find out!!
First up Alex:
- Legacy Of Dragonholt
- Chimera Station
- Millennium Blades
- Endeavor: Age of Sail
- Battlestar Galactica
- Rhino Hero: Super Battle
- Sagrada
- Anachrony
- Schotten Totten
- Cartographers
- 7 Wonders Duel
- Treasure Island
- Star Wars Imperial Assault
- The Crew: Quest for Planet Nine
- WarChest
- Western Legends
- Onitama
- Isle of Cats
- Crokinole
- Orleans
Do you do that? - The hosts take a look at some hobby board game enthusiast specific behavior, and share their participation. And give some tips on how to join in!
This time the hosts look at seasonal gaming: Do you find yourself playing/purchasing seasonal games around the season? i.e. Springtime games for early spring, holiday games in the holiday season, etc. this time we share a few of our favorite Spring games!
Larry:
Bottom of the 9th
Mystic Vale
Ascension Gift of the Elements
Photosynthesis
Freshwater Fly
Alex:
Baseball Highlights: 2045
Root
Teachers Pet - How to mitigate your personal feelings when teaching a new game to a group in order to make sure the experience is the best for everyone?
Special Thank you to our sponsor:
VanRyder Games
Links:
Podstudio1
BGG
Ramstar Games
Music: As always from the amazing community of gifted musicians, arrangers, and composers over at ocremix.org go visit and support them for the full project and so much more amazing music!
Intro/Interludes/Outro :
De Nuit/ by mv feat. Jeff Ball
Original Track - The Phantom Forest
Album - Final Fantasy VI: Balance and Ruin
Project Page - Final Fantasy VI: Balance and Ruin | OC ReMix
Content Group - Final Fantasy VI
Original Copyright - Square Enix
Original Composers - Nobuo Uematsu
Intro Banter - This is the (mostly) unscripted intro to the show! We catch up, play games, talk about games that perhaps did not make the main show, and just gab, Welcome!
Late to the Party- We talk about games that are established in the hobby that we are just now playing.
Alex:
Lorenzo Il Magnefico By Flaminia Brasini, Virginio Gigli, Simone Luciani Published by Cranio Creations Released in 2016
Larry:
Freshwater Fly By Brian Suhre Published By Bellwether Games Released in 2019
Sponsor Spot - VanRyder Games.
Grand Designs - Talk to Designers about the process and what is their recent projects
Sean Chappel of Ramstar Games stops by to talk about his new Kickstarter Hivernation!
Not just Good, but SUPER Good - Top 3 lists themed by genre
This time with our special Guest Sean Chappell of Ramstar Games!
Top three games that have tiles as a main component! (Carcassonne, Etc.)
Top Three games with Tiles in them:
Shawn:
- Takenoko
- Mansions Of Madness
- Forbidden Island
Larry:
- Kings of Air and Steam
- Dungeon Twister
- Heroscape
Alex:
- Xia: Legends of a Drift System
- Carcassonne
- NMBR 9
Elephant In The Room - Topics that HAVE to be talked about.
Talk about the culture of negativity surrounding social media.
Link to Rodney’s (of Watch It Played) Response on Twitter.
Special Thank you to our sponsor:
VanRyder Games
Links:
Podstudio1
BGG
Ramstar Games
Music: As always from the amazing community of gifted musicians, arrangers, and composers over at ocremix.org go visit and support them for the full project and so much more amazing music!
Intro/Interludes/Outro :
De Nuit/ by mv feat. Jeff Ball
Original Track - The Phantom Forest
Album - Final Fantasy VI: Balance and Ruin
Project Page - Final Fantasy VI: Balance and Ruin | OC ReMix
Content Group - Final Fantasy VI
Original Copyright - Square Enix
Original Composers - Nobuo Uematsu
First Impressions – We talk about the first time with a title, from the acquisition to the first look, to the first play.
This Episode: Maglev Metro By Ted Alspach Published by Bézier Games Released in 2021.
WOW. This is an Alspach, and what I mean by that is, while not easy to learn, per se, it IS able to be grasped with moderate effort. BUT then in playing, the intricacies of what you are doing fits together in such a well thought out way that the complex is made simple. Now WHY you are doing what you are doing, and WHAT you can do just continues to blossom as you play. Also once you have an idea and some experience, playing with a non experienced gamer to this game, gives them a huge disadvantage. But this is the nature of the design, (his other designs also do this in my opinion, Castles and Suburbia) Now having said that, this is such a fun game, from the tactile look of the kit on the table with the clear tiles, the double thick station tiles the recessed main and player boards with cutouts and the metal trains, it is impressive on the table indeed. The meat here is the engine and the delightful twist of when to transition from building out your network to moving passengers is satisfying. Played at two players it was taught, pretty civil until the end, but even that has the random draw of the bag on where the meeples come out, so it's not totally personal. The feeling that the rules have so many areas where they were polished to remove extra steps that could easily exist here is liberating. For example, movement is handled by station count, no matter how many connected track tiles are between them. Also the actions you take are based on points that give you a certain number of those moves to make in that category. You get to drill down and manage how many passengers you can pick up, drop off, carry, etc. so you are doing a lot, but the mental math is elegant and simple. The entire design is like this, so you know you are playing a headier game than it feels like at the moment. When you push back from one of Ted’s heavier games and this one is my favorite so far, you DO feel it, you need that break, you need that mental rest, but you had a ball. At least I know I did. So much more to come on this one in the future, including reports about solo play, so stay tuned.
-Larry Neal
Intro Banter - This is the (mostly) unscripted intro to the show! We catch up, play games, talk about games that perhaps did not make the main show, and just gab, Welcome!
Bored Class? Game Room! - Discussion with our resident teacher on using Board games as learning aids in real life classrooms.
This episode: Alex talks about what games and how he has used board games as a teacher in class with a very special guest teacher Ms. Adrienne Neal!
Games used as teaching Aids:
Chutes and Ladders
Trouble
Sorry
Payday
Checkers
Connect Four
Monopoly
Kingdomino
Star Wars Rebellion
7 Wonders
Via Appia
Pandemic: Fall of Rome
10 Days Series
Zendo
Sponsor Spot - VanRyder Games.
First Impressions – We talk about the first time with a title, from the acquisition to the first look, to the first play and deliver thoughts in writing and on the show.
This Episode: Maglev Metro By Ted Alspach Published by Bézier Games Released in 2021.
Larry/Alex I need your Help! - Each host brings his personal issues with the Board Game industry to one another. The other host then offers helpful advice and both hosts walk through the very real feelings that our hobby manifests.
This episode Alex struggles with expansions. The fear of missing out on content, publishers releasing things at a break-neck pace, and the current market trends tend to make things harder to acquire after their initial release window.
Not just Good but Super Good Guest Edition -
Top Three Games to play when you are snowed in!
Adrienne -
Monopoly
Life
Clue
Honorable Mention
Uno
Alex -
Lost Ruins of Arnack
Crokinole
Onitama
Honorable Mention
Onirim
Larry -
Sword And Sorcery
Hostage Negotiator
Roll Player
Special Thank you to our sponsor:
VanRyder Games
Links:
Podstudio1
BGG
Music: As always from the amazing community of gifted musicians, arrangers, and composers over at ocremix.org go visit and support them for the full project and so much more amazing music!
Intro/Interludes/Outro :
De Nuit/ by mv feat. Jeff Ball
Original Track - The Phantom Forest
Album - Final Fantasy VI: Balance and Ruin
Project Page - Final Fantasy VI: Balance and Ruin | OC ReMix
Content Group - Final Fantasy VI
Original Copyright - Square Enix
Original Composers - Nobuo Uematsu
Intro Banter - This is the (mostly) unscripted intro to the show! We catch up, play games, talk about games that perhaps did not make the main show, and just gab, Welcome!
Beyond the Box - Sleeves, Mats, Dice, customized.
Favorite non gaming items that are essential to the game collection.
Alex: Silicone Cupcake Liners, Plano Boxes, The Artist Supply Box (Hobby Lobby)
Larry: Jewelry Containers as bit bins, EVERY self sealing plastic Bag EVER. Collectible Coin protectors.
What’s NEW(s) - We discuss current relevant news AND or new things to us in the boardgaming world!
BGA ASMODEE PURCHASE
ALLIANCE ADDS BLUE ORANGE
TCG MARKET ANALYSIS: A NEW YEAR, A NEW KING OF THE TCG HILL
Do You See what I See? - The hosts look at a varying number of upcoming titles based on criteria we pick from episode to episode! Discussing our excitement for them and reasoning why that is. This Episode 2021’s most anticipated games!
Alex:
Eclipse: Second Dawn By Touko Tahkokallio Published by Lautapelit.fi Released in 2020
Great Western Trail (2nd Ed) By Alexander Pfister Published by eggertspiele Released in 2021
Red Rising By Alexander Schmidt (II), Jamey Stegmaier Published by Stonemaier Games Released in 2021
Stars of Akarios By Brendan McCaskell, Jonathan Thwaites Published by OOMM Released in 2021
Larry:
Retail:
One Deck Galaxy By Chris Cieslik Published by Asmadi Games Released in 2021
Maglev Metro By Ted Alspach Published by Bézier Games Released in 2021
Dune Imperium By Paul Dennen Published by Dire Wolf Released in 2020
Other:
(Kickstarter)
Final Girl By Evan Derrick, A. J. Porfirio Published by Van Ryder Games Released in 2021
Aeon’s End Legacy of Gravehold By Sydney Engelstein, Nick Little (I) Released in 2021
Shelf or Table? - In this series we will examine the phenomena of collecting board games. Each segment we will look at one facet of this integral part of our lives in depth.
This Episode: “Box bloat” we define it, identify the trend and discuss some reasons why it's happening and some practical applications for living with it.
Special Thank you to our sponsor:
VanRyder Games
Links:
Podstudio1
BGG
ICv2
Lauren_plays_to_win (On Instagram)
Music: As always from the amazing community of gifted musicians, arrangers, and composers over at ocremix.org go visit and support them for the full project and so much more amazing music!
Intro/Interludes/Outro :
De Nuit/ by mv feat. Jeff Ball
Original Track - The Phantom Forest
Album - Final Fantasy VI: Balance and Ruin
Project Page - Final Fantasy VI: Balance and Ruin | OC ReMix
Content Group - Final Fantasy VI
Original Copyright - Square Enix
Original Composers - Nobuo Uematsu
Intro Banter - This is the (mostly) unscripted intro to the show! We catch up, play games, talk about games that perhaps did not make the main show, and just gab, Welcome!
Notes about our friends at Antlab Games
That time of the year: games we are in love with right now.
Larry: Race for the Galaxy By Thomas Lehmann Published by Rio Grande Games Released in 2007
Alex: The King's Dilemma By Hjalmar Hach, Lorenzo Silva Published by Horrible Guild Released in 2019
Grand Designs / Design Lab - We speak about the mechanics of game design and talk to Designers about their process, themselves and what their recent projects are.
This Episode part 2 of our sit down with Jared and Emily Minnix, designers and creators of the upcoming game Bear Attack!
Super Good: Top Three Mainstream US Market Games
Alex:
Risk
LOTR Risk
Scene it
Jared:
Monopoly
Risk
LOTR Stratego
Larry:
Life
SolarQuest: The Space Age Real Estate Game
Fortress America
Emily:
Clue
Rat-a-Tat Cat BGG
Battleship
The right kinda crowd: this episode Larry and Alex identify their favorite games at each player count (not what the box states, our personal favorites at a particular player count)
1 player
Alex:
Legacy of Dragonholt
2 player
Alex:
Pandemic Legacy (All Variants)
Marvel Champions
Carcassonne
3 player
Alex:
Xia: Legends of a Drift System
Chimera Station
Sagrada
Through The Ages
4 player
Alex:
Treasure Island
Kemet
Brass Birmingham
5 Player
Alex:
Battlestar Galactica
Western Legends
Special Thank you to our sponsor:
VanRyder Games
Links:
Bear Attack
Podstudio1
BGG
Music: As always from the amazing community of gifted musicians, arrangers, and composers over at ocremix.org go visit and support them for the full project and so much more amazing music!
Intro/Interludes/Outro :
De Nuit/ by mv feat. Jeff Ball
Original Track - The Phantom Forest
Album - Final Fantasy VI: Balance and Ruin
Project Page - Final Fantasy VI: Balance and Ruin | OC ReMix
Content Group - Final Fantasy VI
Original Copyright - Square Enix
Original Composers - Nobuo Uematsu
Every year in the U.S. since 1976 the month of February has been proclaimed “Black History Month” continuing and expanding on from the initial “Negro History Week” created in 1926 and there seemed to be everywhere you turn an effort to play this out. While many useful and notable anecdotes and facts about the rich history of those, like myself, who were born in the United States and claim heritage directly from Africa who contributed to the tapestry of our nation's history with their own indelible ink are shared front and center with us all. Many of whom are not taught as a manner of course in all of our public schools, those who young black Americans like myself hear about from family or on our own as the curiosity is peaked.
I bear no animosity towards the notion, the reason it is emphasized now does not escape my personal experience. How then does a culture built on the varied and rich histories of so many differing cultures, with a chief underlying tendency to deny many of those very same cultures within our National historical accounting, get past this dilemma?
Normalize, not rationalize.
Educate, not eradicate.
Recognize and embrace.
So then the month is a place to start, as beginnings go it is not bad at all. But is not a substitute for progress. Not the destination, just the path to the way forward. I have in my experience black parents who taught me I could be anything, do anything, so long as I was willing to work, because I am able. They instilled in me the understanding that my self worth is not derived from without. From what I hang on my wall, where I park the car I drive or any external thing. So this is the way I walk, the way I interact with the world I find myself in, so very different from the ones those two brave, precious souls raised five children in so long ago.
I am grateful.
I am aware.
I am not angry.
I am disappointed.
I am then, moved to action as I can.
To those in our industry and indeed in this county who are pointing out content creators who are black:
First of all, thank you. Sharing your optics is always a kind gesture that should not be taken lightly by anyone in that equation.
To those who will find someone new to follow and support: Welcome. Be sure to engage with your newly followed content creators, after all, we all thrive on that support and contact with followers, no matter our cultural background. Also, support those who shared them with you, say thank you, purchase, support however you can, its a good thing that we all do but we must do it together.
To those creators (and myself) who are going to be receiving the spotlight: We must keep on keeping on. Lets keep our heads up even as we keep them to the grindstone. Take none of this for granted and strive each time to be better than the last time.
For me personally, it is with humility and sober appreciation that I see post after post. That I read anything pointing gamers in my direction. I understand the connotation and respect the reason for this month being the month it happens, yet I still need to make sense of it. For those who listen to our podcast, for those that know me, you know I have to grok a thing, I just have to.
So my understanding is thus:
No matter why you are here now, Welcome. I am honored you came. I hope you stay because we are engaging, entertaining, and helpful. I myself am not black History, not yet. My story is still being written, so it is with mixed emotions that I receive the eager references from friends both old and new.
While you are here enjoy the current view. I humbly welcome you all to come and be a part of my story, as it were, to become a part in my history as we go along together.
Allow me to share something with you so that we can both leave this interaction knowing a little bit more about one another and having more appreciation for one another as well;
Me to you for the listening,
You toward me for the extending.
Here are a few things to look up in honor of the spirit of the History we all celebrate this month. Things that are at least in part, connected to the great Hobby of board gaming that we love.
Look into them, they are interesting and well worthwhile.
*Shindana Toy Factory
Reverend Richard Henry Boyd – The National Negro Doll Company
These are but a couple of the extraordinary individuals and situations that are not just past events, but History worth knowing.
*An excellent article on Shindana can be found here: Link
Intro Banter - This is the (mostly) unscripted intro to the show! We catch up, play games, talk about games that perhaps did not make the main show, and just gab, Welcome!
First Impressions – We talk about the first time with a title, from the acquisition to the first look, to the first play and deliver thoughts in writing and on the show.
This episode:
Canvas By Jeff Chin, Andrew Nerger Published by Road To Infamy Games Released in 2021
Check our main site Blog for Larry’s extended thoughts!
Grand Designs/Design Lab - Talk to Game Designers about the process and cover current projects.
This Episode Pt 1 with new game designers Jared and Emily Minnix About their upcoming Kickstarter, Bear Attack and their approach to designing a hobby board game!
Building Blocks - New to the Hobby Must have games, by mechanic and genre’ do you need some games if you own others in the same category?
This episode: Step Two in the process, what would be the next Five games we would suggest for the budding Game Collector?
Alex:
Isle of Skye
Azul
Viticulture
Concordia
Marvel Champions
Larry:
-
The Worker Placement - Dinosaur Island By Jonathan Gilmour, Brian Lewis Published By Pandasaurus Games Released in 2017
-
The Roll n Write - Cartographers By Jordy Adan Published by Thunderworks Games Released in 2019
-
The Bag/Deck Builder - War Chest By Trevor Benjamin, David Thompson (I) Published by Alderac Entertainment Group Released in 2018
-
The Area Majority - El Grande By Wolfgang Kramer, Richard Ulrich Published by Rio Grande Games Released in 1995
- The Cooperative Game - Sentinels of the Muiltiverse By Christopher Badell, Paul Bender, Adam Rebottaro Published by Greater Than Games Released in 2011
Special Thank you to our sponsor:
VanRyder Games
Links:
Bear Attack
Podstudio1
BGG
Music: As always from the amazing community of gifted musicians, arrangers, and composers over at ocremix.org go visit and support them for the full project and so much more amazing music!
Intro/Interludes/Outro :
In Bayshire / by Radiowar
Original Track - Yu-Gi-Oh! 5D's: Duel Transer
Album - Shonen ReMix Jump!
Project Page - https://remixjump.ocremix.org
Content Group - Yu-Gi-Oh! 5D's: Duel Transer
Original Copyright - Konami
Original Composers - Tatsuya Fujiwara, Seiichi Takamoto
Intro Banter - This is the (mostly) unscripted intro to the show! We catch up, play games, talk about games that perhaps did not make the main show, and just gab, Welcome!
On the table - We will examine what the game is like when played, to personify that experience, cover angles and what to expect from the title: components, setting, rules and the overall atmosphere. Noting any difficulty in obtaining said titles where applicable.
Points to hit:
Rules - This covers everything in the Rule book from setup to actually communicating what you are doing when you play.
Components - Every piece in the box, this can also cover table presence, what does it look like when it is all laid out.
Play - How does the game play, is it smooth, what are the fun interactions, what does it encourage.
Theme - What does the title do with its theme, how does it use it to further the narrative of the game and provide atmosphere for those playing.
Alex: Under Falling Skies By Tomáš Uhlíř Published by Czech Games Edition Released in 2020
Larry: Warps Edge By Scott Almes Published by Renegade Game Studios Released in 2020
Building Blocks - New to the Hobby must have games. How would you help a friend build out their budding collection, by mechanic and genre’ or some other way? The hosts give five games they would recommend to a budding hobby game enthusiast to get started.
Alex:
Carcassonne By Klaus-Jürgen Wrede Published by Hans im Glück Released in 2000
Splendor By Marc André Published by Space Cowboys Released in 2014
Lords of WaterDeep By Peter Lee, Rodney Thompson Published by Wizards of the Coast Released in 2012
Quack’s of Quedlinburg By Wolfgang Warsch Published by North Star Games Released in 2018
The Crew: The Quest for Planet Nine By Thomas Sing Published by KOSMOS Released in 2019
Larry:
The Classic: Puerto Rico By Andreas Seyfarth Published by alea, Ravensburger Released in 2002
The Gateway: Settlers Of Catan / Catan Starfarers By Klaus Teuber Published by KOSMOS Released in 1995 / 2019
The Cooperative: Pandemic / Original By Matt Leacock Published by Z-Man Games, Inc. released in 2008
The Micro Game: Love Letter / Any Variant By Seiji Kanai Published by Alderac Entertainment Group Released in 2012
The Deckbuilder: Aeon's End By Kevin Riley Published by Action Phase Games, Indie Boards & Cards Released in 2016
Links:
Podstudio1
BGG
Music: As always from the amazing community of gifted musicians, arrangers, and composers over at ocremix.org go visit and support them for the full project and so much more amazing music!
Intro/Interludes/Outro :
Beginning of the Journey / by Fredrik Häthén feat. JohnStacy, Alex Hill, dannymusic, DavidRussell323, Dean Nguyen, Harpsona, Andrew Thompson, Chromatic Apparatus, Andrew Steffen, mkafie, Gabriel Vizcarra, Bassoonify, Gamer of the Winds, Damian Nguyen, Lauren the Flute, Catboss., Travis Kindred, Andre Beller
Original Track - Departure
Album - Paths Less Travelled: Terranigma
Content Group - Terranigma
Original Copyright - Square Enix
Original Composer - Miyoko Takaoka
Jan 01, 2021
We are looking into the “Hoopla” as Alex put it or “Over-Hype” as I put it, surrounding board games and ultimately giving our verdict on the validity of said activity.
First things first I want to set definitions for what I consider “Over-Hype”. It is not the usual and customary advertisement around a game, as I believe publishers and developers have every right to do this. Print, Video, inserts, mailers, web sites, direct solicitation, these are all fair and expected, as is the practice of sending review copies out and having them do the rounds on Podcasts like ours, and videos, on YouTube and elsewhere. Any combination of all of these things is again, normal and customary and not something I consider “over-hype”. For the record I believe that this type of Hype can and does exist period, meaning, just because I like a said Game, do I give it a pass from being “Over Hyped” Also for the record, I fully understand that this tactic in and of itself is sometimes the wisest course of action, I bear no ill will towards it, it just is. Having said that, we as consumers and supporters of the genre, should be in my opinion, armed with knowledge so that we can deal accordingly.
When a game is picked up by a reviewer and sets their world on fire, they want to shout about it. Conversely when a large name publisher, designer, or both are attached to a project they tend to create a race for coverage of said game, as first to market brings eyeballs and in the business of content creation, that is life. These two conditions can lead to the “Over” situation, but what I believe to be the actual phenomenon goes a bit deeper. When ones personal excitement grows enough to move you beyond the act of merely purchasing and playing the game, to championing it, whether or not you have a platform in place. When those who are content creators and additionally Brick and Mortar store owners, get into word of mouth. The condition we want to explore here can blossom into reality. Being assailed on all fronts about the merits of said property, wanting to be trendy, or with the “in” crowd or just plain on FOMO (Fear Of Missing Out) can drive, unconsciously if not checked, prospective customers to abandon solid practices and either overspend, or otherwise engage in seemingly over zealous practices to obtain the game. Thus feeding this frenzy in those who may be on the fence, or even not in the know at all of the product, growing and perpetuating the cycle. While this is great for the bottom line of the designer, developer, publisher and retailers, If the title cannot ultimately hold up with more sober playthroughs of the general games buying public, the title will be seen as “Over-Hyped” and ultimately end up in the pile of the discarded and forgotten. When video and podcast reviews are coinciding by design, usually after a press blackout of some sort, along with the help of the community in posting the project everywhere, then we begin to see the ”Over” Hype train rolling.
This is what advertisers and internal marketing firms dream up clever schemes for. When as a Hobby Board gamer you cannot get away from the image or descriptions, or box openings, of any said title, it is on it's way to “over exposure” more than “over hype”, the one leads to the other but the two are often confused.
Over exposure is not hard these days, with all media converging and increasingly at our fingertips. This for me signals that we need to be more discerning with what we consume and not less, but that is personal. Reading about a title that is also on the homepage of BGG, for example, and then also seeing it in all your social media feeds, and not having to search at all for content on it in YouTube, is squarely over Exposure. This then can lead to Over Hype. Getting excited about the game is natural, wanted and a good result even, we simply must remember to remain sober and actually play the game. Not weighing it against the expectations that were built up in social media for us.
Remember, Social media is selling you the experience of a thing, through the personality who brought it to you, as much as anything. Don't expect to have the same experience just because you have consumed it through said channel. You may end up liking it even more, or not at all, but remember your response is the most germane to you and your gaming group.
That's the one you need to seek out and pay the most attention to.
But by all means, enjoy the ride and don't overthink things, just experience them for yourself, weight them against your own expectations, situations and preferences. Don't be ashamed of a game no one but you seems to like, and above all be a good citizen, Stewart and ambassador for Hobby Board Gaming and have fun.
As always, Keep Communicating and Keep Playing.
Intro Banter - This is the (mostly) unscripted intro to the show! We catch up, play games, talk about games that perhaps did not make the main show, and just gab, Welcome!
Delving into Dustin's Dungeon - Continued trip into the Kickstarted Gaming mind of a fellow gamer!
This time : Nocturion By George Skourtis Published by Vesuvius Media Released in 2019
Our Year in Review - We look at the previous year's crop of games from a genre's perspective and go over how we think about that year's hottest releases.
What’s all the Fuss About: Discussion about a relatively (new) popular game, looking at why it’s gaining such attention, all the Fuss surrounding it and then sharing honest thoughts on what that fuss is actually about.
This time: Lost Ruins of Arnak by Elwen and Mín Published by Czech Games Edition
What’s NEW(s) - We discuss current relevant news AND or new things to us in the boardgaming world!
This episode we talk about what came into our collections over the holidays!
Conventional wisdom - convention going ons
https://www.rocketcitygamefest.com/
Games Discussed, by Host:
Alex:
Best of 2020
- The Crew
- Isle of Cats
- The Search for Planet X
- Lost Ruins of Arnak
- Beyond the Sun
- Pandemic Legacy: Season 0
Honorable Mentions:
Monumental - Best Blockbuster game
Tekhenu: Obelisk of the Sun - Best awards season game
Gloomhaven: Jaws of the Lion - Best animated feature
Root - Best Digital Port
Games played / Acquired over the holidays
New to me:
Pitch Car
It’s A Wonderful World
Fort
Endeavor: Age of Sail
Dice Hospital
Tiny Epic Dinosaurs
A War of Whispers
Brass: Birmingham
Lorenzo il Magnifico
Under Falling Skies
Organized Marvel Champions
Larry:
- On Mars (2020)
Be a part of the first Martian colony, striving to be the best contributor.
- King of Tokyo: Dark Edition (2020)
Fight for dominance in this upgraded pulp edition of a dice-rolling monster battle.
- The Search for Planet X (2020)
Plan, scan, and theorize to find a new planet at the edge of our solar system.
- Warp's Edge (2020)
You are alone: power up your ship to fight against a swarm of enemies.
- Atheneum: Mystic Library (2020)
Stack magical books on your shelves to prepare for the magic exam!
- Monumental (2020)
Guide your civilization to prosperity by managing the resources in your capital city!
I feel this game could be on the list but it has not been played yet so it misses the mark.
Kanban EV (2020)
Christmas Haul and gaming!
Haul!:
Coffee Roaster By Saashi Published by Stronghold Games Released in 2015
Aeons End: The New Age By Kevin Riley Published by Indie Boards & Cards Released in 2019
Super Munchkin By Steve Jackson Published By Steve Jackson Games Released in 2005
Played:
The Game of Life By Reuben Klamer Published by Hasbro Released in 1999
Letters to Santa By Seiji Kanai Published by Alderac Entertainment Group Released in 2014
In Vino Morte By Chris Anderson Published by Button Shy Released in 2016
Cinque Terre By Chris Handy Published by Rio Grande Games Released in 2013
Alhambra Big Box By Jo Hartwig, Dirk Henn, Wolfgang Panning Published by Queen Games Released in 2009
Links:
Podstudio1
BGG
Music: As always from the amazing community of gifted musicians, arrangers, and composers over at ocremix.org go visit and support them for the full project and so much more amazing music!
Intro/Interludes/Outro :
Sonic the Hedgehog Tactile Snowfall OC Remix / by Rexy
Original Songs - His World ~Theme of Sonic the Hedgehog, White Acropolis ~Snowy Peak, White Acropolis ~The Base
Original Composers - Hideaki Kobayashi, Jun Senoue, Mariko Nanba, Seirou Okamoto, Taihei Sato, Takahito Eguchi, Tomoya Ohtani, Yasutaka Kume
By Larry Neal
Christmas Designs
Act I. Theory
Regina Franklin was a precocious child, something of a prodigy really full of light and life, curious to no end. She was also a bit of a budding game designer as she had designed several games to play with her mother Elizabeth and her father Ross who were themselves fairly serious Board Gamers. Many were the nights when the family would sit and patiently listen as little Regina went over the rules, assigned playing pieces and then got into the very serious business of playing the game. No time more serious or cherished than at Christmas time.
This year things were different, she was turning 12 in the spring and even to her parents she seemed a bit more serious, if not distracted, this whole season. You see she had begun a tradition a few years prior of working on a larger wholly original game all year and unveiling it at Christmas with her family to play all season long. The last two in particular were very good, and the family regularly played them in their usual rotation.
“Whats wrong Regina?” Ross was admiring the determination on his daughters face.
“Nothing Dad, really. I was stuck for a little while, but I got it figured out now.” She stated.
“Oh, so when can we expect the big unveil of Regina’s number, oh what is it now? Up to five or six?” Elizabeth knew the inventor in their daughter came from her own father, and she could not be happier.
“Mom! Its officially number eight and you know it!” Regina said suppressing a giggle.
“Oh so we are going to count those first ones where you sort of smashed our game of Catan mid way through and left with the pieces?” Ross was laughing at the memory.
“I knew what I wanted to do, but I just could not tell you yet!” Regina retorted.
They all laughed at the shared memory and moved on to their various chores around the house. Ross had to get wood for the fire and make sure the outside lights were all secure for the big night! Elizabeth had a few more finishing touches to put on the tree and the Christmas Day dinner was nearing perfection in the oven. Stopping by the record player to start Nat King Cole, and once satisfied with the volume moved into the kitchen.
That left Regina, gazing wistfully at the tree and all it’s beauty, lights shining, ornaments recalling Christmases past, her favorite garland, you know the little fabric ones, her mother’s grandmother made long ago. Hand made wooden ornaments made by her Fathers Grandfather highlighting every branch they were hung from. There was so much past family on the tree, yet this one was theirs. She wondered what she would take when she was grown for her own tree, and more even what she would pass on to her own children, for theirs.
“Young Lady, you better get a move on if you are going to get that game set up to play tonight!” Her Father called to her as he brought in the yule log.
“Oh yeah, right Dad, I’ll go get it now!” She darted for the stairs and her room
“You need some help?” He asked.
“No thank you, I have it!” She danced up the steps.
Well if that is not normal for her this time of year, I don’t know what is, he thought as his daughter bounded for her room.
I wonder what she has in store for us this time?
Act II. First Submission
Regina bounded up the stairs and down the hall, decorations and holiday scented things transformed the trip into something of a wonderland. Live Wreaths livened up the space with scent, as did the festive arrangements her mother strategically placed throughout their house, window sills, picture frames and lamp tables, all places where they could contribute both sight and scent throughout the entire house. The entire winter was a special time for Regina, despite being a spring baby, as her mother put it. Snow, bundling up, warm things to eat, spending time indoors with loved ones and of course, the games they would get to play. Oh and Christmas too of course!
Entering her room she checked her desk, the rules were in order each in it’s own folio, she liked to do it this way for her parents. Then the components; Figures, Dice, Map, Player Boards, Standees, terrain. It was all here. Pulling parts from games in her own collection and past gifts the colors didn’t match, but she had done a nice job with shapes, and it had come to grow on her. Regina’s Christmas VIII, was ready to go! Or was it?
She sat dejectedly at her desk, looking over her master rule book and game screen. This time she thought, she really had it! A co-operative adventure sandbox where the family could role play while relying on their own true strengths to solve the puzzle. Only it did not feel finished to her, even by her standards, oh it had rules and all the usual trimmings, from last years gift from her parents full of bits for budding board-gamers, but something, something she could not quite seem to put her finger on was missing.
She got up and opened the window, snow fell on the already blanketed scene outside, adding a layer of dreams to the already scrumptious slice of winter magic that is Christmas Snow. She smiled and then turned to her book cases on the opposite wall. Lined with games of all kinds (and some books) she noticed the boxes were a little off. She was usually very good about keeping them just so.
“How did this happen?” She mused to herself out loud.
“If I answer, will you help me fix it?” The voice was small and strange yet familiar at the same time.
The voice did not come from anywhere, but was everywhere, it seemed inviting.
“Who said that?” She peered closer at the shelves.
“I did” said the voice again.
“Hey down here!”
Regina looked and saw what appeared to be her first attempt at a home made game piece from years ago! She hadn’t seen it for some time, and had forgotten about it.
“Where have you been?” As she reached out for the piece she recognized it and was very fond of it.
“Oh, I’ve been around, I’m here now because I knew you would need me!” It answered.
“I do?” Regina was perplexed, as it hopped into her open hand.
Pointing at her game spread out on her desk across the room, the little figure nodded.
“Yes, you do! And we better hurry so we don’t miss Christmas!” It exclaimed
“Do we have time for this, my family is waiting on me now.” Regina was a little anxious.
“It will be fine, trust me we will make it back in time if we hurry now!”
Regina nodded hesitantly and noticed the small opening on her second shelf, it was eye level for her and held her most played games, it was glowing white! The figure jumped from her hand onto the shelf and motioned for her to follow.
Heading into the light behind her little friend she disappeared!
Act III. The World
The transformation of Regina’s room was as startling as it was complete. Where her bed once was stood a wonderful desk of oak, complete with folders, a cup for pens AND pencils, protractors, rulers and even one of those lights on an extension arm, she had been asking her parents for one of those for years it seemed.
“Wow, I wish my desk looked like this, this is my desk.” She mused out loud.
“Why yes, yes it is, why don’t you try it out?!” Her little friend was already standing on it.
She took a seat and immediately began to see possibilities of rules and mechanics she wanted to put in games. She instinctively reached into the middle drawer and there was her favorite pen! Opening the book on her left she scribbled furiously filling pages almost as soon as the pen touched paper. When she had completed one section she absentmindedly reached for a colored tab on her right, and they were there! She scarcely noticed and continued to write, not sure of where she was going, but not stopping until she was finished.
“So, would you like to show me around some more?” She asked barely noting her little friend was reclined on her paper clip holder.
“It can wait, you seem to be pretty busy there!” It said coyly.
“Yeah, I was stuck for a while, but visiting this place has opened it up for me.” She offered, still working.
“This World is only representative of the world of possibility in each and every box when its opened. You have mechanics down cold, you understand the math of it. Where we are now, is the Reason of the game. The potential to see the world you create, put that forth in every design you ever make, from now on! Wonderful isn't it?” It’s own wonder was showing.
It was standing now looking at the pawns curiously onlooking them, seeing the different game boards pass below, all representative of her ideas. Each idea its own world, with its own set of rules, just waiting to be personified in the physical and shared with the world, it was an impressive site indeed.
“Is that, are those?” She trailed off as she began to recognize her own ideas.
“Yes.” Was the simple reply
In the distance a clock began to strike.
“Oh dear we better hurry, are you quite finished?” It asked.
“I am not even sure what I was working on, oh, if only I had the time I needed to finish up this years game.” She was growing concerned, as the wonderful game world began to fade behind her.
“Are you sure? Why don’t you take a look at your finished pile over there?” The piece was smiling and hopped in her pocket.
As Regina looked at the folder she noticed her familiar handwriting and on it it staid ‘Regina’s Family Number Nine, Christmas Edition’, she smiled and was confused, when did she finish number eight, let alone get to number nine? She looked for her friend, her guide and wanted to take one more look around the world, it had completely faded however and she was back in her room.
“Don’t worry, you can come back every time you work on a game from now on, if you want!” It said from her pocket. She smiled, grabbed the finished folders with the new rules and box and bounded downstairs!
ACT IV. Christmas Release
Setting up the table and laying out the folders for her parents, Regina noticed something different, there was anticipation on their faces that she had not seen before.
“This looks amazing Dear!” Elizabeth Exclaimed!
“When did you have time to do this, just last night it was only cardboard, very impressive young lady!” Added Ross.
Regina looked at it for the first time herself, she had not remembered printing anything off of the printer, but the board was complete! Each players pieces were bagged in accordance to color and matching, Gold for Mom, Green for Dad and Purple for her.
“It’s part of the world.” She said almost involuntarily!
Her parents smiled and raptly listened as she relayed the rules and they set about their new Christmas adventure together.
Ross noticed the old homemade pawn in her pocket and held his hand out, Regina handed it to him and he placed it in front of her Mother Elizabeth.
“She’s first right? Her birthday is closest to Christmas, that's what you said in the rules. I didn’t see a first player marker, and you usually make a special one so when I saw this guy again I figured he was our first place marker this year!” He Explained.
“Oh I remember him! When you first said you wanted to make your own games for the family he was the FIRST thing you made! So cute!” Elizabeth remembered.
“What was it you called him, something clever I remember.” Ross trailed off.
“I don’t remember either.” Elizabeth answered.
She had made him first, then she remembered a lot more: He had been a part of several games, and she always had wide eyed wonder when her parents, avid gamers themselves, opened another box. She would be drawn into the world and loved every minute of it. That first time she remembered, was at Christmastime some years before.
Regina looked around and saw the scene that played out so many times across so many years; the tree, gifts, the fireplace, the sounds of family laughing and enjoying one another. The smells of holiday baking and the expectation that this was normal, this was how it should be, that goodness was not fleeting or a once a year thing. A whole other facet to THIS world that made it every bit as special as the worlds her board games always took her too.
“Regina we better get going, the kids are already sleep! Are you coming?” Mark was perplexed.
“Yes, Honey I’ll be right there, my parents are expecting us before midnight.” She snapped out of her memory, closed her laptop, grabbed the last gift and headed for the car.
“So, you sure the time off wont be a problem?” Mark asked as they got underway.
“No, Honey, all the new games have shipped and I gave my teams the holiday off, being head of studio has its perks!” She smiled as she buckled in.
As they hit the road she looked in the mirror at her sleeping children and grabbed her husbands hand as he drove silently. She thought fondly of sharing the wonderful world her parents opened up to her, with them. She thought of everyone she shared games with through her present work, of all the wonderful worlds each and every game they designed and shipped opened up. She smiled deeply and remembered the first player marker that had been with her for her entire life. Taking him out and holding him in her other hand, she looked at him. Not just how he looked, but what he represented.
“Merry Christmas, little buddy, and happy Birthday M. Bark!” She said sweetly under her breath.
He winked at her, and her smile back was so infectious, her Husband Mark smiled as he drove and their little ones in the back seat dreaming of Christmas to come smiled as they slept.
This holiday season and beyond remember acts of kindness always touch those who need it. Joy spreads spontaneously, and most of all Love can be personified in countless meaningful ways.
These can be augmented around the game table for sure.
But work the very best in their native environment.
Merry Christmas.
The BLACKEST Friday
An RPG one shot by
Alex Wallace
Player Count:
At least one player to Run the game (DM) and at least one party member.
Tools:
Pencil and paper to keep stats for each player & record special power usage.
1 d20 per party member (Suggested, but of course you can share!)
Heaping Helping of imagination!
Set up:
Roll 1 D20 x5 Keep four results and assign them to the following attributes as you wish :
Cheer (Spirit) -
Constitution (Stamina) -
Charisma (Speech) -
Crankiness (Physical) -
Modifier: 7-8 (-1) 9-11 (0) 12-13 (1) 14-15 (2) 16-17 (3)
Every test is pass/fail;
Roll D20 x1
Result Table:
1-10 Fail
1 - Crit Fail
11-19 Pass
20 - Crit Pass
Abilities:
Once you use an ability you may not reuse it until you have used all other abilities.
In order to use an ability, pick which one you want to use, announce it and read the text out loud. Make sure to mark it as used once complete. Note your ultimate ability is only usable once per session.
Abilities (Stat you roll against in Parenthesis):
Kill'em with Kindness (Cheer)
Bargain Hunter (Charisma)
Die Hard is a Christmas Movie (Crankiness)
Merry Christmas You Filthy Animal (Crankiness)
You Smell of Beef and Cheese (Charisma)
You'll Shoot Your Eye Out (Cheer)
Jelly of the Month Club (Cheer)
Kill'em with Kindness (Cheer) Successful roll allows player to change another person's mood or get them to do something small they wouldn't normally do under the circumstances
Bargain Hunter (Charisma) You have studied all of the stores advertisements, on a success you know precisely where every item is located and how much it should cost
Die Hard is a Christmas Movie (Crankiness) On a success you are able to consume any highly processed treat for a +1 to all rolls for the next ten minutes. You also can traverse any flat surface in your bare feet without penalty.
Merry Christmas You Filthy Animal (Crankiness) On a success you become completely aware of your surroundings and create an improvised trap from the materials in your vicinity.
You Smell of Beef and Cheese (Charisma) On a success you can instantly discern a person's motives.
You’ll Shoot Your Eye Out (Cheer) On a success you can accurately hit a target within a distance of 50 yards from you.
*Jelly of the Month Club (Cheer) On a success you are able to convince a person to exchange one thing for a coupon to a Jelly of The Month Club. This may only be used once per session.*
Original Episodes (Feel free to create your own):
Episode 1: Parking Lot Pandemonium
Episode 2: Out of the Frying Pan Aisle into the Fire
Episode 3: Buyers Remorse
1st annual Extra Special Christmas Special - In a first the guys celebrate the season as only The Spoken Token can!
Deck The Halls with Alex and Larry - We candidly discuss decorations and Christmases past, our favorite anecdotes from the season regarding the sights and smells of this wonderful season.
Holiday Story With Larry: ACT I
Holiday Cheer With Alex: ACT I
Chestnuts Roasting with Larry and Alex - Discussion about family time memories around the day and holiday season.
Holiday Story With Larry: ACT II
The Bells of Christmas Day with Alex and Larry - We discuss the impact of music to our holiday celebrations, sharing, discovering and its origins and importance.
Holiday Cheer With Alex: ACT II
Holiday Music Spotlight: OC Remix Christmas
Holiday Story With Larry: ACT III
Holiday Express with Larry and Alex - Spending time together on the holidays, things we do to celebrate and share. We wrap up here with well wishes to all who listen.
Holiday Cheer With Alex: ACT III
Holiday Music Spotlight: OC Remix Christmas
Holiday Story With Larry: ACT IV
Links:
Podstudio1
BGG
OCRemix
Free Music Archive
Music: As always from the amazing community of gifted musicians, arrangers, and composers over at ocremix.org go visit and support them for the full project and so much more amazing music!
Intro Interludes:
Winter’s Town / by tweek
From the Album - An Overclocked Christmas V. I
Special Spotlight:
Christmas Time is Here / by Fratto
From the Album - An Overclocked Christmas V. I
Original Composers - Vince Guarldi & Lee Mendelson
Special Spotlight:
Carol of the Bells / by sephfire
From the Album - An Overclocked Christmas V. I
Special Spotlight:
Mary Did you know / by Random Hero
From the Album - An Overclocked Christmas V. I
Special Spotlight:
Drakes Christmas/ by bustatunez
From the Album - An Overclocked Christmas v. III
Christmas Designs Special Music:
Song List
Title: Happy Holidays
Author: Borrtex
Source: Christmas Time II
License: CC BY-NC 4.0
Title: Home Decorations
Author: Borrtex
Source: Christmas Time II
License: CC BY-NC 4.0
Title: Snowy Afternoon
Author: Borrtex
Source: Christmas Time II
License: CC BY-NC 4.0
Title: Children’s Joy
Author: Borrtex
Source: Christmas Time II
License: CC BY-NC 4.0
Title: Opening Presents
Author: Borrtex
Source: Christmas Time II
License: CC BY-NC 4.0
Title: Family Together
Author: Borrtex
Source: Christmas Time II
License: CC BY-NC 4.0
Title: Christmas Eve
Author: Borrtex
Source: Christmas Time I
License: CC BY-NC 4.0
Title: Love & Generosity
Author: Borrtex
Source: Christmas Time I
License: CC BY-NC 4.0
Order of use
ACT I.
First - Happy Holidays - Christmas Time II
Second - Christmas Tree - Christmas Time I
ACT II.
First - Home Decorations - Christmas Time II
Second - Snowy Afternoon - Christmas Time II
Third - Children’s Joy - Christmas Time II
ACT III.
First - Opening Presents - Christmas Time II
Second - Opening Presents - Christmas Time II
Third - Children’s Joy - Christmas Time II
Fourth - Love & Generosity - Christmas Time I
ACT IV.
One - Family Together - Christmas Time II
Two - Children’s Joy - Christmas Time II
Three - Love & Generosity - Christmas Time I
Four - Children’s Joy - Christmas Time II
Intro Banter - This is the (mostly) unscripted intro to the show! We catch up, play games, talk about games that perhaps did not make the main show, and just gab, Welcome!
We cover Renegade Game Studios upcoming Power Rangers Deck Building Game, there is still time to preorder if you follow the link!
Late to the Party- We talk about games that are established in the hobby that we are just now playing. Enigma board game
Alex: Smash Up By Paul Peterson Published by Alderac Entertainment Group Released in 2012
Larry: Realm Of Sand By Ji Hua Wei Published by Deep Water Games Released in 2018
First Impressions – We talk about the first time with a title, from the acquisition to the first look, to the first play and deliver thoughts in writing and on the show. This segment will contain BOTH, so deliver the cliffs notes on the show to be discussed, then point to WHO has submitted deeper thoughts on the blog (can be either or both!)
Alex: Pandemic Legacy: Season 0 By Rob Daviau, Matt Leacock Published by Z-Man Games, Inc. Released in 2020
Larry: Cloud City By Phil Walker-Harding Published by Blue Orange Games Released in 2020
The Spoken Token Presents: Movies - The guys each come up with their own movie based off of a board game, with a synopsis and trailer.
This time: We cover the movie Gamemaster Documentary!
That Time of The Year Holiday Edition! - Games themed for that certain time of the year! It's that time, so we cover some titles you can look to fulfill any gifting ideas!
Alex:
NEW GAMES
The Crew
Tekhenu: Obelisk of the Sun
Isle of Cats
Beyond the Sun
Castles of Tuscany
Whistle Mountain
Sidereal confluence: Remastered Edition
Star Wars: Unlock!
Viscounts of the West Kingdom
Schotten Totten 2
CloudAge
Larry:
General / Competitive
Cloud City
Hues and Cues
King of Tokyo Dark
Atheneum: Mystic Library
Letters to Santa (aka Love Letter)
Holiday Munchkin
Alhambra
Game Master
Detective City of Angels
Pathfinder 2nd ed
Lancer
Cooperative games
Sentinels of the Multiverse
Forbidden Sky
Solo
Warps Edge
Legacy of DragonHolt
Additional Game Coverage
Enigma By Touko Tahkokallio Published by Z-Man Games, Inc.Released in 2012
Links:
Podstudio1
BGG
Music: As always from the amazing community of gifted musicians, arrangers, and composers over at ocremix.org go visit and support them for the full project and so much more amazing music!
Intro/Interludes :
Snow Wood Academy Prom / by Rexy
From the Album - An OverClocked Christmas V. VIII
Outro:
Ashokan Noel / by Geoffrey Taucer & ffmusicdj
From the Album - An OverClocked Christmas V. VIII
Intro Banter - This is the (mostly) unscripted intro to the show! We catch up, play games, talk about games that perhaps did not make the main show, and just gab, Welcome
Family Affair: Introducing a family member of the hosts and good gaming discussion about current trends, commonalities, generalizations, and some history to boot!!
Top Ten Board Games To play with your family* (Top Three are part of Super good top games to play with your Siblings!)
Robert Neal:
- Fortress America By Michael Gray Published by Milton Bradley Released in 1986
- Risk By Albert Lamorisse, Michael I. Levin Published by Hasbro Released In 1959
08.. Solarquest By Valen Brost Published by Golden Released in 1985
- Pathfinder By Jason Bulmahn Published by Paizo Released in 2008
- The Resistance By Don Eskridge Published by Indie Boards & Cards Released in 2009
- Sentinels Of The Multiverse By Christopher Badell, Paul Bender, Adam Rebottaro Published by Greater Than Games Released in 2011
- Cargo Noir By Serge Laget Published by Days of Wonder Released in 2011
- Munchkin By Steve Jackson Published by Steve Jackson Games Released in 2001
- Trivial Pursuit Genus Edition By Scott Abbot & Chris Haney Published by Hasbro Released in 1981
- Screaming Eagles By Jim Keifer Published by Milton Bradley Released in 1987
Taking off the lid - What's in the Box (Un-boxing). What I want here is to relay the unboxing process and experience over the show: Take a game and actually open it on the show!
The key here is to relay the experience of the function in words, narratively. To share in the joy of unboxing a new board game, not so much in theatrics, but in information, to be so narrative that it tells a story, that we go into the world that this box has, that we share that feeling and that function.
This episode: Detective: City of Angels - Smoke and Mirrors By Evan Derrick Published by Van Ryder Games Released in 2020
Game Gab - The hosts take a more in-depth look at game related topics specifically related to Hobby Board Games in other areas of popular culture.
This time: We visit with a parent and talk about strategies to get Kids to the gaming table, as well as look at what some of the benefits of this can be in the long term.
First Impressions – We talk about the first time with a title, from the acquisition to the first look, to the first play and deliver thoughts in writing and on the show. This segment will contain BOTH, so deliver the cliffs notes on the show to be discussed, then point to WHO has submitted deeper thoughts on the blog (can be either or both!)
Larry: Atheneum: Mystic Library By L'Atelier Published by Renegade Game Studios Released in 2020
Alex: Beyond The Sun By Dennis K. Chan Published by Rio Grande Games Released in 2020
Not just Good, but SUPER Good - Top 3 lists themed by genre
This time the Genre is:
Games to play with my Brother!
Robert:
- Munchkin By Steve Jackson Published by Steve Jackson Games Released in 2001
- Trivial Pursuit Genus Edition By Scott Abbot & Chris Haney Published by Hasbro Released in 1981
- Screaming Eagles By Jim Keifer Published by Milton Bradley Released in 1987
Larry:
- Gears Of War By Corey Konieczka Published by Fantasy Flight Games Released in 2011
- Fortress America By Michael Gray Published by Milton Bradley Released in 1986
- BattleTech By Forest Brown, L. R. "Butch" Leeper, Jordan Weisman Published by FASA (Original), Catalyst Game Labs (Current) Released in 1985
Links:
Podstudio1
BGG
Music: As always from the amazing community of gifted musicians, arrangers, and composers over at ocremix.org go visit and support them for the full project and so much more amazing music!
Intro/Interlude/Outro :
Thinking of You / by Ridiculously Garrett
From the Album - An OverClocked Christmas v.XII *(Site is live, but use caution)
Intro Banter - This is the (mostly) unscripted intro to the show! We catch up, play games, talk about games that perhaps did not make the main show, and just gab, Welcome!
Games covered here:
Mapmaker the Gerrymandering: The board Game by Louis Lafair, Joshua Lafair, Becca Lafair, Published by Lafair Family Games Released in 2019
Campaign Manager 2008 by Christian Leonhard, Jason Matthews, Published by Z-Man Games, Inc. Released in 2009
Conventional wisdom - convention going ons.
This time; Rencon Fall Recap & Anticipated Games of Essen
Alex:
Whistle Mountain (2020)
Under Falling Skies (English edition) (2020)
Holi: Festival of Colors (English edition) (2020)
Schotten Totten 2 (English edition) (2020)
Treasure Island: Captain Silver – Revenge Island (English edition) (2020)
Sidereal Confluence: Remastered Edition (English second edition) (2017)
Pandemic Legacy: Season 0 (English edition) (2020)
Larry:
Monster Expedition (German edition) (2020) Publisher: AMIGO By Alexander Pfister
Cloud City (English edition) (2020) Publisher: Blue Orange Games By Phil Walker-Harding
2491 Planetship (EN/GE/PR/SP edition) (2020) Publisher: MEBO Games By Antonio Sousa Lara
Photosynthesis: Under the Moonlight (English edition) (2020) Publisher: Blue Orange Games By Hjalmar Hach
Big Names Big Games
CloudAge
Bonfire
Tawantinsuyu: The Inca Empire
The Castles of Tuscany
Paris
Faiyum
Delving into Dustin's Dungeon - Inaugural trip into the Kickstarted Gaming mind of a fellow gamer!
First up:
Manaforge By Bryan Kline Published by Mystic Tiger Games, LLC Released in 2017
Links:
Podstudio1
BGG
Music: As always from the amazing community of gifted musicians, arrangers, and composers over at ocremix.org go visit and support them for the full project and so much more amazing music!
Intro/Interlude/Outro :
Valse pour un Prince Rebelle / by Deedubs
Original Song - Enrique's Theme
From The Album - Arcadia Legends
Project Page - http://arcadia.ocremix.org
Content Group - Skies of Arcadia
Original Copyright Information - Sega
Original Composer - Tatsuyuki Maeda
Intro Banter - This is the (mostly) unscripted intro to the show! We catch up, play games, talk about games that perhaps did not make the main show, and just gab, Welcome!
Marvel Villainous by Prospero Hall Published by Ravensburger Released in 2020
Steam Hosting a festival of Digital Tabletop Games in October (Via The Verge)
Renegade Expands its partnership with Hasbro (Via Forbes Gaming)
That Time of The Year- Games themed for a certain time of the year!
Larry: Lucidity Six Sided Nightmares By Shannon Kelly Published by Renegade Game Studios Released 2018
Alex: Viticulture By Jamey Stegmaier, Alan Stone Published by Stonemaier Games Released in 2013
Host Hotseat: What's your Genre’? - In this segment the hosts pick a Genre and give some highlights and really share why they like it and why everyone should try games from it!
Larry: TTRPG: Pathfinder, Dungeons and Dragons, Lancer, Overlight, etc.
Alex: Deduction Games
Beyond the Box - Sleeves, Mats, Dice, customized. This time a VERY special look at the state of game tables / Table Toppers!
Table of Ultimate Gaming
https://wyrmwoodgaming.com/furniture/
https://www.boardgametables.com/
https://www.rathskellers.com/
https://www.uniquely-geek.com/ They recently went to 100 Tables a year as a CAP so that they can continue to provide top notch furniture and quality.
https://www.gametoppersllc.com/
Geek list on BGG.COM about game table manufacturers
Tabletube - Inform about Board Games in other formats, conversions and games that play like Board games
Root By Cole Wehrle published by Leder Games released in 2018 Digital Platform version on Steam
Links:
Podstudio1
BGG
Mighty Deeds Podcast
Steam
Music: As always from the amazing community of gifted musicians, arrangers, and composers over at ocremix.org go visit and support them for the full project and so much more amazing music!
Intro/Interlude/Outro :
The Solace of the Daylight / by Joshua Morse
Original Song - Castlevania II: Simon's Quest - The Silence of the Daylight
From The Album - Castlevania: Sonata of the Damned
Project Page - https://sotd.ocremix.org
Original Copyright Information - Konami
Original Album - Castlevania II: Simon's Quest
Original Composer - Ken-ichi Matsubara, S. Terishima
Welcome to our first official Solo edition of On The Table, I am Larry Neal Just a quick word on the format here, the bold section headers are the quicker TL:DR sections, reading them only will give you a gist of what I am saying or you can read everything and get a more complete picture from me. Either way, thank you for spending time, please don’t forget to drop us a line and let us know what you think about the game and with all of that out of the way let's get to it!
Warp’s Edge by Scott Almes Illustrated by Tyler Johnson Published by Renegade Game Studios With additional Content by Banana Chan Released in 2020
First up this is a solo only game set in space by who I think is one of the stronger designers out there today, that would be one Mr. Scott Almes of “Tiny Epic” fame. No this game does not follow that particular design paradigm but it is a uniquely Scott Almes design otherwise: Colorful components, smart set up that is more than just putting out a few piles of components, meaningful decisions to be had in game and a meatier, heavier experience that is altogether greater than the sum of its parts. Warp’s Edge is a bag builder at its heart, and all other mechanics hang neatly off of this; You get additional powers to soup up your ship, your ships initial build out of items to possibly go into the bag are varied based on your pre-game choice of ship, the strategy of when and what to attack, or just try to outmaneuver adds neatly to this mechanic as well. The real feeling of this is my ship preference and having a modicum of expertise in dispensing its abilities and functions is high in this game as a result.
Operationally the game flows fairly straight forward: Pick your ship, build out the powers that said ship has to draw from later in the game, pick your target and build its custom deck of baddies to fight through or avoid (more on this later) pick one of two drawn extra powers for your ship and get going. You lay out the targets four at a time that act as guardians to the mothership, some of the mother ships cannot be attacked OR attack until all of these are dealt with in a turn, however others can be attacked at any time, players choice.
From the first draw of your tokens the strategy starts, you have to engage or otherwise out maneuver a ship in order for it to NOT attack your lone fighter during this portion of the game round, placing a single attack token OR maneuver token against an enemy “stuns” it, keeping it from attacking you later in the round, this is crucial and will take up the bulk of your game planning both early and late game. Damage persists from attack to attack and is moved from below the ship to above it to denote this, while this helps you ultimately deal with an intended threat, it only stuns the target when it is first placed. This wrinkle helps you deal with otherwise more powerful ships and also helps you to plan when and where you take out foes, which is a welcome ability that has proven to be crucial and a lot of fun!
Making sure you are dealing out more damage than you are taking in is key as you have to work not only through the turned up foes, but the ENTIRE deck (otherwise face down) in order to attack some mother ships! The game promises some very powerful player turns in order to be able to do this and largely delivers. Keeping this from being a slower paced math affair, is the fact that when you need to draw tokens from the bag in the part of the turn that this comes up and there are not enough, the mother ship “Warps”. Which in game is a “soft” reset, but also moves an overall game tracker one slot closer to the end game, and your eventual loss! Post warp you recall all tokens, reshuffle ALL bad guys and set them back up again and essentially start all over, hopefully both wiser and stronger!
The player ship has many abilities depending on which one is selected. The game has standard attacks of varying levels of power from one to three maneuvers are the same, and so is energy, the latter used to buy new tokens for your bag. The Warp moves all tokens back to the bag EXCEPT those in your hold, this allows the player to keep some crucial powers over between warps, continuity is good here.
The game takes anywhere from 30-45 minutes and if you really take your time could last up to an hour. Learning the rules is as paramount as in any board game, slightly more important is making SURE you have the order in which things are done down pat. Knowing when to attack and gaining more tokens to help you through the cannon fodder is a crucial skill to master, and doing it in the wrong order will change the experience.
My overall package consists of the Kickstarter edition of the game with the upgrade pack, expansion and game mat included. Value for the paid price for me is outstanding here, there is a lot of content.
Component quality is what you should expect from Renegade: High quality cardboard, great color art and card-stock that is very nice as well. The upgrade pack, as such things are, is not essential to the game itself, either enjoying OR playing it. It consists of plastic tokens to replace the cardboard counters that are added to and drawn from the bag. So far they are quite a bit more satisfying to draw and shuffle in the bag, I have seen here where durability with the printing process may let them down in the long run. I have not had any issues with them yet, but can see some wear, which after only half a dozen games is not a welcome site, time will tell. The custom trays that come in every copy of the game are a touch that I will champion: They are functional right out of the box for storage AND playing the game. They look fantastic, while not being confusing, they are both in keeping with the games aesthetic while being straight forward: A space for the cleverly named special POWER tokens: each letter has a set of tokens assigned to it, but also the attack, maneuver and energy tokens in each of their three power levels. Practically speaking these stay in their assigned slots at all times, you store the special power tokens in each slot, removing the ones that are not applicable when you pick your ship, the ship's card tells you which ones to pick in your load out. The game's plastic blow molded bottom insert will happily hold the extras and I even have my punched Cardboard ones in there as well, all of them. It all buttons up neatly and stays in place when I am done, a huge plus. The draw bag itself is another welcome touch, it's a woven material and not velvet, it has embroidered game and publisher logos on it and looks fantastic, most importantly, it has a wide enough opening to accommodate my large (even for an adult) sized hands comfortably, and seems durable, the bag is a WIN.
One of the themes that rings out for me in this game is the fact that the player power set is specific and meaningful. Managing these various facets of your ship is engaging and rewarding, it's possible to engage with the game and just flow with what is going on, however it is also entirely possible to take a more specific hands on approach and actively manage damage output and targeting to effect the most damage, even calculating using the Warp to one's advantage. It is a very accomplished system that has clearly seen a great deal of turning and has resulted in a very extensible system out of the box, the current expansion adds more ships for the player and another mother ship as well as more cards for both the enemy row and the player power row, all welcome content.
The base game also includes a unique story book entitled Singularity written by Banana Chan and illustrated by Tyler Johnson that is highly recommended. The unique contribution this very well written book adds is a sort of “choose Your Own Adventure” system to setting up and playing the game. As you read through and make choices, the book instructs you on how to set up, what components to put in and enemies, you do not need it to play the game of course, but this is a welcome way to interact with the content. It's an idea I am thoroughly behind in the realm of Hobby Board gaming: it's a novel, new way of interacting with your purchase. In terms of the sports world, it’s a welcome way to get the ball in the hands of your playmakers, Banana’s narrative is really fantastic here, I cannot overstate this, Tyler’s illustrations only add to the affair and continuity of the game’s main artist illustrating here is both fitting and equally excellent. That and adds to the immersiveness in your one session or a campaign play through.
Warp’s Edge is a highly enjoyable romp through space for one player, that has been expertly produced and represents a unique value. If the science fiction theme appeals to you then I personally highly recommend it to all solo or even aspiring solo players, this is a great value and a fantastic jumping on point.
Intro Banter - This is the (mostly) unscripted intro to the show! We catch up, play games, talk about games that perhaps did not make the main show, and just gab, Welcome!
What’s NEW(s) - We discuss current relevant news AND or new things to us in the boardgaming world! We Cover the sleeping Giant awakens! Hasbro is coming, what does this mean?
Conventional wisdom - convention going ons. RenCon Fall is due up on 10/9 - 10/11 Have you registered?! We cover getting set up for this upcoming convention, that will also be helpful in getting ready for any online convention.
Tabletube - Inform about Board Games in other formats, conversions and games that play like Board games. Extended segment about the board game options open to us in this unprecedented time: Boardgame Arena, Tabletopia, Tabletop Simulator.
First Impressions – We talk about the first time with a title, from the acquisition to the first look, to the first play and deliver thoughts on the show. This time we have blended the segment with the one before it and played our first, first impression game solely on Tabletopia!
Targi By Andreas Steiger Published by KOSMOS Released in 2012
That Time of The Year- Games themed for a certain time of the year!
We each cover one title themed for Fall:
Larry: Castle Ravenloft By Rob Heinsoo, Peter Lee, Mike Mearls, Bill Slavicsek Published by Wizards of the Coast Released in 2010
( Dungeons & Dragons: Wrath of Ashardalon Board Game (2011) and Dungeons & Dragons: The Legend of Drizzt Board Game (2011) being the other two in that original release cycle.)
Alex: New Salem by Brian Henk, Clayton Skancke Published by Overworld Games Released in 2015
Game Time!: Our Hosts will place any general gaming topic in this slot as they see fit! So it may be a new release, PSA etc. if it's Gaming related, and it's time to talk about it, it's GAME TIME!
Larry Talks about the Digimon TCG 2020 that is getting a worldwide release! That means english cards!
Alex talks about how much he loves Tekhenu: Obelisk of the Sun By Daniele Tascini, Dávid Turczi Published by Board&Dice Released in 2020
Links:
Podstudio1
BGG
Hasbro Pulse
Discord
Tabletopia
Twitch
Digimon TCG 2020
More Information:
Avalon Game Company was the genesis of The Avalon Hill Game Co. and the publisher of the first Charles S. Roberts wargame Tactics. Hasbro also marketed games under the label of Avalon Hill Games, Inc. after they purchased the name in 1998.
There is also a DEEP catalog of AH properties that has not been tapped that could serve this provided the right effort is put into the project. Titles such as:
Avalon Game Company (365)
Advanced Squad Leader (1985)
B-17: Queen of the Skies (1981)
Dune (1979)
Merchant of Venus (1988)
Titan (1980)
Diplomacy (1959)
Avalon Hill Games Inc (56)
Axis & Allies (2004)
Battle Cry (1999)
Betrayal at House on the Hill (2004)
Cosmic Encounter (2000)
RoboRally (1994)
Star Wars: The Queen's Gambit (2000)
Vegas Showdown (2005)
Music: As always from the amazing community of gifted musicians, arrangers, and composers over at ocremix.org go visit and support them for the full project and so much more amazing music!
Intro/Interlude/Outro :
Five Laps / by José the Bronx Rican
From The Album - VROOM: Sega Racing
Project Page - https://ocremix.org/album/85/vroom-sega-racing
Content Group - Virtua Racing Deluxe
Original Copyright Information - Sega
Original Composer - Naofumi Hataya
Intro Banter - This is the (mostly) unscripted intro to the show! We catch up, play games, talk about games that perhaps did not make the main show, and just gab, Welcome!
What did you learn? - Back to school spectacular! The guys present some thoughts on what curriculum to follow when teaching a mechanic to someone or a group. This is a list of games that take a mechanic from its bare bones implementation (intro to) all the way up to an advanced placement course. This episode the hosts pick a course and submit their titles and discuss!
Alex: Dexterity
Intro to Dexterity - Animal Upon Animal/ Super Rhino Hero
Intermediate Dex - Dungeon Fighter By Aureliano Buonfino, Lorenzo Silva, Lorenzo Tucci Sorrentino Published By IELLO Released in 2011
Advanced Dex - Crokinole By Uncredited Published by Public Domain Released in 1876
Larry: Deck Building!
Intro To DB - Star Realms By Robert Dougherty, Darwin Kastle Published by White Wizard Games Released in 2014
Intermediate DB - Marvel Champions: The Card Game By Michael Boggs Nate French & Caleb Grace Published by Fantasy Flight Games Released in 2019
Advanced DB - CCG’s represented here by the current king of the heap, and fellow heavyweights!Magic: The Gathering By Richard Garfield Published by Wizards of the Coast Released in 1993
YuGioh! Trading card game By Big Bocca, Kazuki Takahashi Published by Upper Deck Entertainment Released in 1996
Very Honorable Mention - This title actually can serve as a master class in all three areas, being a title that is marketed and sold to both children and adults, being at home on the playground and in the highest levels of Competitive play:
Pokemon TCG By Takumi Akabane, Tsunekaz Ishihara Published by The Pokémon Company International Released in 1996
Summer of Games:
Summer Blockbusters - We cover games that show us to a great time in the Summer Blockbuster tradition; on the table in game form. Television or Movies these games are all larger than life and ready to entertain!
Alex: Marvel Legendary By Devin Low Published by Upper Deck Entertainment Released in 2012
Larry: Star Trek: Frontiers By Vlaada Chvátil, Andrew Parks Published by WizKids Released in 2016
How can we help - This is an opportunity for the hosts to encourage the listeners to support their FLGS with practical tips and strategies to help our board game providers during this tough time.
- Reach out to them and communicate, let them know you are still here.
- Help around the store physically as much as you can, stock, cleaning etc.
- Save your dollars for your local Store.
- Lend your talents, where you can, i.e. If you are a techie and the store is challenged, help out. If you are an artist, volunteer to do artwork for them, etc. Use your talents to help “At Home”.
Summer Of Games Game choice: Our Hosts share their end of show games to go get right now!
Alex: Sidereal Confluence: Trading and Negotiation in the Elysian Quadrant Designed by TauCeti Deichmann Published by WizKids Released in 2017
Larry: War Chest By Trevor Benjamin, David Thompson (I) Published by Alderac Entertainment Group Released in 2018
Links:
Podstudio1
BGG
Aaron Neville
Music: As always from the amazing community of gifted musicians, arrangers, and composers over at ocremix.org go visit and support them for the full project and so much more amazing music!
Intro/Interlude/Outro :
Better Days / by TSori feat. Deedubs
Original Song - Drachma's Theme
From The Album - Arcadia Legends
Project Page - http://arcadia.ocremix.org Arcadia Legends
Content Group - Skies of Arcadia
Original Copyright Information - Sega
Original Composer - Tatsuyuki Maeda
Intro Banter - This is the (mostly) unscripted intro to the show! We catch up, play games, talk about games that perhaps did not make the main show, and just gab, Welcome!
The Name on the Box - Favorite board game by designer. We go through a list of our personal top designers, covering a few titles that personify why we love them then we name our personal favorite of their designs and talk about why!
Christian T. Petersen - Credited for 155 Titles
Star Wars: Armada (2015)
StarCraft: The Board Game (2007)
Tide of Iron (2007)
Twilight Imperium (1997)
Twilight Imperium (Fourth Edition) (2017)
Twilight Imperium: Armada (2001)
World of Warcraft: The Boardgame (2005)
Klaus Teuber - Credited for 206 Titles
Catan (1995)
Catan Card Game (1996)
Catan: Starfarers (2019)
The Starfarers of Catan (1999)
Summer of Games:
Summer Blockbusters - We cover games that show us to a great time in the Summer Blockbuster tradition; on the table in game form. Television or Movies these games are all larger than life and ready to entertain!
Alex: Risk Battlefield Rogue By Rob Daviau Published by Hasbro Released in 2013
Larry: Among The Stars by Vangelis Bagiartakis Published by Artipia Games Released in 2012
What's new - (Kickstarter) What’s new with Us.
Alex: Alex has not weathered COVID well, he may have to try some retail therapy….
Western Legends: Blood Money
Galaxy Hunters
A War of Whispers
Camp Pinetop
Canvas Board Game
Tiny Epic Pirates
Kemet: Blood And Sand Monumental African Empires
Roll Camera! The Film Making Board Game
Larry:
Happy X Monstah: An Action Adventure Multicultural Manga By Tiana Scott and Nia Scott
Glen More II: Highland Games By Funtails Stefan Feld City Collection - Hamburg & Amsterdam By Queen Games Summer Of Games Game choice: Our Hosts share their end of show games to go get right now!
Alex: RISK By Various Published by Hasbro, USAopoly or, eventually, Winning Moves Games Released in 1959 (Initially) to Present.
Larry: Cartographers: A Roll Player Tale By Jordy Adan Published by Thunderworks Games Released in 2019
Links:
Podstudio1
BGG
Thunderworks Games
Music: As always from the amazing community of gifted musicians, arrangers, and composers over at ocremix.org go visit and support them for the full project and so much more amazing music!
Intro/Interlude/Outro :
A Town That's Right for Me / by djpretzel
Original Song - Town I (Phantasy Star III)
From The Album - Hometown Heroes: Town Themes Arranged
Project Page - http://hometown.ocremix.org Hometown Heroes: Town Themes Arranged
Content Group - Phantasy Star III: Generations of Doom
Original Copyright Information - Sega
Original Composer - Izuho Numata
Intro Banter - This is the (mostly) unscripted intro to the show! We catch up, play games, talk about games that perhaps did not make the main show, and just gab, Welcome!
It’s Our Birthday and we will Game if we want to! - Happy FIFTH Birthday Spoken Token! We will celebrate how we want to, with games and fun and laughter, possibly Cake! Way back when, we only had ONE episode per month, so the ENTIRE MONTH is our birthday so we celebrate here too! MORE CAKE!!
Game Life - We talk about the reality of hobby boardgaming integrating into our everyday lives.
This time we talk about experiences with maturing a game through repeated plays, offering tips to get more out of what you have in your collection.
Summer of Games:
Summer Blockbusters - We cover games that show us to a great time in the Summer Blockbuster tradition; on the table in game form. Television or Movies these games are all larger than life and ready to entertain!
Larry (A deeper look) : Hostage Negotiator: Career By A. J. Porfirio Published by Van Ryder Games Released in 2020
Alex: The King’s Dilemma (Summer of Games Confessions)
Not just Good, but SUPER Good - Top 3 lists themed by genre.
This time your Top three games of 2020 (So Far!) Rules: Published titles this year that you have either played at least once OR own!
Larry:
- On Mars By Vital Lacerda Published By Eagle-Gryphon Games Released in 2020
- Search For Planet X Board game By Matthew O'Malley and Ben Rosset Published by Renegade Games Released in 2020
- King of Tokyo Dark Edition By Richard Garfield Published By IELLO Released in 2020
Alex:
- The Crew The Quest For Planet X By Thomas Sing Published by KOSMOS Released in 2019
- The Isle of Cats By Frank West Published by The City of Games Released in 2020
- Monumental By Matthew Dunstan Published by Funforge Released in 2020
Summer Of Games Game choice: Our Hosts share their end of show games to go get right now!
Larry: Cinque Terre By Chris Handy Published by Rio Grande Games Released in 2013
Alex: Silver and Gold By Phil Walker-Harding Published by Pandasaurus Games Released in 2019
Links:
Podstudio1
BGG
Music: As always from the amazing community of gifted musicians, arrangers, and composers over at ocremix.org go visit and support them for the full project and so much more amazing music!
Intro/Interlude/Outro :
Going Down the Line / by djpretzel
Original Song - Walking Forward with Determination
From The Album - Golden Sun: A World Reignited
Project Page - https://reignited.ocremix.org Golden Sun: A World Reignited
Original Composer - Motoi Sakuraba
Intro Banter - This is the (mostly) unscripted intro to the show! We catch up, play games, talk about games that perhaps did not make the main show, and just gab, Welcome!
Conventional wisdom - convention going ons.
Gen Con Online 2020 Wrap up!
Tabletube - Inform about Board Games in other formats, conversions and games that play like Board games.
More Gen Con Online 2020 Coverage!
Games:
Embarcadero By Adam Buckingham And Ed Marriott Published by Renegade Game Studios Released in 2020
Atheneum Mystic Library By Veronika Fedorova Published by Renegade Game Studios Released in 2020
Succulent By J. Alex Kevern Published by Renegade Game Studios Released in 2020
Vampire: The Masquerade Rivals Expandable Card Game By Dan Blanchett And Matt Hyra Published by Renegade Game Studios Released in 2020
Cinque Terre By Chris Handy Published by Rio Grande Games Released in 2013
Friends we met at the show, GREAT and varied content go and check them out:
What's on the Shelf YouTube Channel (Gen Con Online Playthroughs are here!)
The Charity Boardgamer Wealth of Great content!
GameEnthus Varied and through content here (Played with Aaron aka Ind1fference)
Gen Con Online 2020 Links:
Tabletopia
Discord
Twitch
YouTube
Links:
Podstudio1
BGG
Music: As always from the amazing community of gifted musicians, arrangers, and composers over at ocremix.org go visit and support them for the full project and so much more amazing music!
Intro/Interlude/Outro :
Smooth Sailing / by Deedubs feat. TSori
Original Song: Set Sail! Through the Karagol Sea
From The Album - Golden Sun: A World Reignited
Project Page - https://reignited.ocremix.org
Original Composer - Motoi Sakuraba
Intro Banter - This is the (mostly) unscripted intro to the show! We catch up, play games, talk about games that perhaps did not make the main show, and just gab, Welcome!
It’s Our Birthday and we will Game if we want to! - Happy FIFTH Birthday Spoken Token! We will celebrate how we want to, with games and fun and laughter, possibly Cake!
Conventional wisdom - convention going ons! This time the worlds biggest and best Board Game birthday party otherwise known as OUR Bir- (GenCon) is going down with their first ever Online edition! We WENT TO GEN CON!
Getting In the Box (Bringing It Home) - What brings us to the games that we buy and play? This episode we talk about the “Kickstarter Effect” (The inclusion of premium bits and minis into boardgames) and how it can affect our purchase habits. Is it a sign of the hobby evolving, and if so is it a good thing?
Summer of Games III Kick Off:
Summer Blockbusters - We cover games that show us to a great time in the Summer Blockbuster tradition; on the table in game form. Television or Movies these games are all larger than life and ready to entertain!
Larry (First Impressions & Taking off the lid) : Call To Adventure: Stormlight Archive By Chris O'Neal & Johnny O'Neal Published by Brotherwise Games Released in 2020
Alex: Gloomhaven: Jaws of the Lion By Isaac Childres Published by Cephalofair Games Released in 2020
Summer Of Games Game choice: Our Hosts share their end of show games to go get right now!
Larry: Search for Planet X By Matthew O'Malley & Ben Rosset Published by Renegade Games Released in 2020
Alex: Chaosmos By Joey Vigour Published by Mirror Box Games Released in 2015
Links:
Podstudio1
BGG
Music: As always from the amazing community of gifted musicians, arrangers, and composers over at ocremix.org go visit and support them for the full project and so much more amazing music!
Intro/Interlude/Outro :
Not Just Elevator Music / by timaeus222
Track - Not Just Elevator Music
Original Content Group - Yu-Gi-Oh! - Forbidden Memories
From The Album - Shonen ReMix Jump!
Project Page - https://remixjump.ocremix.org/ Shonen ReMix Jump!
Original Composers - Naoko Ishii, Hiroshi Tanabe, Waichiro Ozaki
Original Copyright Information - Konami
Intro Banter - This is the (mostly) unscripted intro to the show! We catch up, play games, talk about games that perhaps did not make the main show, and just gab, Welcome!
First Impressions – We talk about the first time with a title, from the acquisition to the first look, to the first play and deliver thoughts in writing and on the show. This Episode:
Larry: Welcome To New Las Vegas Designed by Alexis Allard & Benoit Turpin Published by Deep Water Games Released in 2020.
Alex: Thor, Black Widow, Dr. Strange From Marvel Champions: The Card Game Designed by
Michael Boggs, Nate French, Caleb Grace Published by Fantasy Flight Games Released in 2020 (Base Card game released in 2019)
On the table - We will examine what the game is like when played, we need to personify that experience, this should be impersonal experience wise, but cover angles and what to expect from the title, cover components, setting, rules and the overall atmosphere.
This Time we cover Xia Legends of a Drift System! Designed by Cody Miller Published By Far Off Games Released in 2014
Rules- This covers everything in the Rule book from setup to actually communicating what you are doing when you play.
Components- Every piece in the box, this can also cover table presence, what does it look like when it is all laid out.
Play- How does the game play, is it smooth, what are the fun interactions, what does it encourage.
Theme- What does the title do with its theme, how does it use it to further the narrative of the game and provide atmosphere for those playing.
Lighthouse Spotlight - This segment is filled with “hidden” Gems we believe are due more time in the spotlight than they get! Pay attention to genre and theme here and if it's up your alley, go and get it, it's a safe bet!
Larry: In Vino Morte Designed by Chris Anderson Published by Button Shy Games Released in 2016.
Alex: Campy Creatures (Second Edition) Designed by Mattox Shuler Published by Keymaster Games Released in 2017
Further Games Discussed -
Star Wars Rebellion Designed by orey Konieczka Published by Fantasy Flight Games Released in 2016
Risk: Star Wars Edition Designed by James D'Aloisio, Austin Rucker, Craig Van Ness Published by Hasbro Released in 2015
Star Wars LCG Designed by Eric M. Lang Published by Fantasy Flight Games Released in 2012
Star Wars Customizeable Card Game Designed by Tom Braunlich, Jerry Darcy, Chuck Kallenbach, Roland L. Tesh Published by Decipher Released in 1995
Links:
Podstudio1
BGG
Music: As always from the amazing community of gifted musicians, arrangers, and composers over at ocremix.org go visit and support them for the full project and so much more amazing music!
Intro/Interlude/Outro :
Too Much Calcium / by prophetik music
Original Song: Fossil Valley
From The Album - Chronopolis: Music Inspired by Chrono Cross
Project Page - http://chronopolis.ocremix.org Chronopolis: Music Inspired by Chrono Cross
Original Composers - Yasunori Mitsuda
Intro Banter - This is the (mostly) unscripted intro to the show! We catch up, play games, talk about games that perhaps did not make the main show, and just gab, Welcome!
What’s NEW(s) - We discuss current relevant news AND or new things to us in the boardgaming world! The longtime buyer of Novels, RPG, science fiction and fantasy, and role playing games for Barnes and Noble, Jim Killen, has been laid off after 41 Years.
Gloomhaven: Jaws of the Lion release and then the world went crazy (eye roll)
Game Life - We talk about the reality of hobby boardgaming integrating into our everyday lives.
This time we cover that most precious of commodities: Time! We discuss the reality of stated play time Vs. the actual play time, and cover some strategies on how to both get your time to match what's on the box, and more importantly how to know when that time is not realistic for your playgroup.
First Impressions – We talk about the first time with a title, from the acquisition to the first look, to the first play and deliver thoughts in writing and on the show. This Episode
Larry: Realm Of Sand Designed by Ji Hua Wei Published by Deep Water Games Released in 2018.
Alex: Silver and Gold Designed by Oliver Freudenreich Published by Pandasaurus Games Released in 2019.
On the table - We will examine what the game is like when played, we need to personify that experience, this should be impersonal experience wise, but cover angles and what to expect from the title, cover components, setting, rules and the overall atmosphere.
This Time we cover Monumental Designed by Matthew Dunstan Published By FunForge Released 2020
Rules- This covers everything in the Rule book from setup to actually communicating what you are doing when you play.
Components- Every piece in the box, this can also cover table presence, what does it look like when it is all laid out.
Play- How does the game play, is it smooth, what are the fun interactions, what does it encourage.
Theme- What does the title do with its theme, how does it use it to further the narrative of the game and provide atmosphere for those playing.
Links:
Podstudio1
BGG
Music: As always from the amazing community of gifted musicians, arrangers, and composers over at ocremix.org go visit and support them for the full project and so much more amazing music!
Intro/Interlude/Outro :
Whispering Shadows / by NoTux
Original Song: Shadow Forest
From The Album - Chronopolis: Music Inspired by Chrono Cross
Project Page - http://chronopolis.ocremix.org Chronopolis: Music Inspired by Chrono Cross
Original Composers - Yasunori Mitsuda
Intro Banter - This is the (mostly) unscripted intro to the show! We catch up, play games, talk about games that perhaps did not make the main show, and just gab, Welcome!
Getting to know you - We look at certain boardgame related topics and explore strategies for getting involved. We discuss GRAIL games, what they are, why you should care and look into some strategies for acquiring them. (Looking at prices and why they cost so much, not an are they worth it discussion, just that they usually do and to be prepared for this)
Digressions - Short Two and a half minute rants and ravings from each host on off-tangent (Or on) topics as they see fit.
Larry - What is Value in entertainment?
Alex - Lubys & Bad games with lots of Minis.
General Genre’ - We look exclusively at a sample selection of games, by Genre’ only, taking note of all unique mechanics and explaining the differences and share our recommendations, experiences and activities within said framework. This time we look at Party games! The reason is it's a very popular genre’ a lot of these titles work as gateways, and also with the current environment, they can be played remotely fairly easily!
Examples:
Codenames
Captain Sonar
One Night Ultimate Werewolf
Coup
Two Rooms and a Boom
First Impressions – We talk about the first time with a title, from the acquisition to the first look, to the first play and deliver thoughts in writing and on the show. This segment will contain BOTH, so deliver the cliffs notes on the show to be discussed, then point to WHO has submitted deeper thoughts on the blog (can be either or both!)
Larry: Xia Legends of a Drift System by Cody Miller released in 2014 Published by Far Off Games
Alex: Scoville by Ed Marriott released in 2014 published by Tasty Minstrel Games
Other discussed games:
Welcome To: New Las Vegas by Alexis Allard & Benoit Turpin Published by Blue Cocker Games & Deep Water Games Released in 2020
Welcome To by Benoit Turpin Published by Blue Cocker Games & Deep Water Games Released in 2018
Wits and Wagers by Dominic Crapuchettes Published by North Star Games Released in 2005
Take it Easy! By Peter Burley Published by Burley Games Released in 1983
Happy Salmon by Ken Gruhl & Quentin Weir Published by North Star Games Released in 2016
dude by Beau Beckett & Jeph Stahl Published by North Star Games Released in 2018
Obama Llama by Matt Edmondson Published by Big Potato Released in 2015
Snake Oil Board game by Jeff Ochs Published by Out of the Box Publishing Released in 2010
Cash n Guns by Ludovic Maublanc Published by Repos Production Released in 2014 (2nd ed.)
Monikers by Alex Hague & Justin Vickers Published by Palm Court Released in 2015
Say Anything by Dominic Crapuchettes & Satish Pillalamarri Published by North Star Games Released in 2008
Werewords by Ted Alspach Published by Bézier Games Released in 2017
Links:
Podstudio1
BGG Definition of Party Games can be found Here
Music: As always from the amazing community of gifted musicians, arrangers, and composers over at ocremix.org go visit and support them for the full project and so much more amazing music!
Intro/Interlude/Outro :
Green Dusty Highway / by Dj Mokram
Original Song: Forest Replay ~evaluation
From The Album - VROOM: Sega Racing
Project Page - https://tales.ocremix.org/
Original Composers - Naofumi Hataya
Intro Banter - This is the (mostly) unscripted intro to the show! We catch up, play games, talk about games that perhaps did not make the main show, and just gab, Welcome!
Conventional wisdom - convention going ons. This time Larry Shares his experience at his first Virtual Board Game Convention, Renegade Games Renegade Con Virtual Edition 2020!
Links:
Podstudio1
BGG
Renegade Games Studio
Tabletopia
Roll 20
Discord
Twitch
Music: As always from the amazing community of gifted musicians, arrangers, and composers over at ocremix.org go visit and support them for the full project and so much more amazing music!
Intro/Interlude/Outro :
Sparkle / by Joshua Morse
Original Song: Castlevania: Order of Ecclesia - Emerald Mist
From The Album - Castlevania: Sonata of the Damned
Project Page - http://sotd.ocremix.org - Castlevania: Sonata of the Damned
Original Composer - Yasuhiro Ichihashi
Intro Banter - This is the (mostly) unscripted intro to the show! We catch up, play games, talk about games that perhaps did not make the main show, and just gab, Welcome!
Game Life - We talk about the reality of hobby boardgaming integrating into our everyday lives. We give frank talk about how we have integrated board games into our lives as not just a hobby but as a thriving part of everything we do.
Full questions:
- How do you manage content, with kids/beliefs etc.? *
- How have you managed finances with regards to getting new games?
- How much time do you consider is “Good” week to have spent gaming?
- How often are board games a part of the rest of your life? (i.e. Decorating, Entertainment choices other than playing, influences of any kind based on the subject matter of a given game? etc?)*
- How often is Gaming a bridge to meet new people, help with public facing interactions?
- Have you noticed that liking a particular type of game/mechanic influences how you consume other media?*
Comic Book to Board Game - What comic book would you turn into a board game and what type of game would it be?
Larry: New Teen Titans Origins!
Alex: V for Vendetta (Asymmetric card battler like Android Netrunner)
That Time of The Year- Games themed for a certain time of the year!
This time late spring end of school year fun games, so family oriented or the start of a long journey!
Larry:
- Prophecy by Vlaada Chavatil Released in 2002 Published by Z Man Games
- Mechs Vs. Minions By Chris Cantrell, Rick Ernst, Stone Librande, Prashant Saraswat, Nathan Tiras Released in 2016 Published by Riot Games
- Graphic Novel Adventures by Various Released in 2016 Published by Van Ryder Games
Alex:
- 5211 by Tsuyoshi Hashiguchi (はしぐち つよし) Released in 2019 Published by Next Move Games
- Caverna by Uwe Rosenberg Released in 2013 Published by Lookout Games
- Crokinole by Uncredited Originally released in 1876 Public Domain
A Few of my Favorite Things - Each Host takes a random title from their collection and covers it at length!
Larry: Fortress America (1986) Designed by Michael Gray Published by Milton Bradley
Alex: Passing through Petra Released 2018 Designed by J. Alex Kevern Published by Renegade Game Studios
Links:
Podstudio1
BGG
Music: As always from the amazing community of gifted musicians, arrangers, and composers over at ocremix.org go visit and support them for the full project and so much more amazing music!
Intro/Interlude/Outro :
Chronometrical / by The Joker
Original Song: Stream of Time
From The Album - Summoning of Spirits - An Arrangement of Music from Tales of Phantasia and Tales of Symphonia
Project Page - https://tales.ocremix.org/
Original Composers - KMotoi Sakuraba, Shinji Tamura, Ryota Furuya
This one goes all the way up to Ten!: A top TEN list, so not quite super good, but it's solo and it goes all the way to TEN!
This time Larry takes a look at his top 10 Card or card based Games!
The List!
- Catan Card Game by Klaus Teuber Released in 1996 Published by Kosmos & Mayfair
- Alien Artifacts by Marcin Senior Ropka & Viola Kijowska in 2017 Published by Portal Games
- DC Deckbuilder by Matt Hyra & Ben Stoll Released in 2012 Published by Cryptozoic Entertainment
- 51st State Master Set by Ignacy Trzewiczek Released in 2016 Published by Portal Games
- Call To Adventure by Johnny O'Neal & Christopher O'Neal Released in 2019 Published by Brotherwise Games
Links:
Podstudio1
BGG
Music: As always from the amazing community of gifted musicians, arrangers, and composers over at ocremix.org go visit and support them for the full project and so much more amazing music!
Outro :
Sparkle / by Joshua Morse
Original Song: Castlevania: Order of Ecclesia - Emerald Mist
From The Album - Castlevania: Sonata of the Damned
Project Page - http://sotd.ocremix.org - Castlevania: Sonata of the Damned
Original Composer - Yasuhiro Ichihashi
Intro Banter - This is the (mostly) unscripted intro to the show! We catch up, play games, talk about games that perhaps did not make the main show, and just gab, Welcome! This time We take a look back at some of our past segments and episodes for the First time at the Spoken Token! Enjoy!!
Below are the episodes each segment is taken from and the order they are aired here, please see each individual show for further notes!*
Year Two:
Episode 19 Sunny Muddy - Day Introduction
Year One:
Episode 02 -
Digressions -
Alex - Talks about Fantasy Football. (sharing ways to make fantasy football more gamer friendly)
Larry - Talks Pokemon Go, games v. events and game design in general.
Year Three:
Episode 27: New Game Set Top Fun house - We step up to the task of setting up a new game.
&
Episode 30: The Spoken Token Presents: Movies - The guys each come up with their own movie based off of a board game, with a synopsis and trailer.
&
Episode 44: Comic Book to Board Game - What comic book would you turn into a board game and what type of game would it be?
Year One:
(The Very First!) Not just Good, but SUPER Good - Top 3 Post Apocalyptic games
Larry - 51st State, Gears Of War, Dawn of the Zeds 3rd Edition
Alex - Dead of Winter, Zombicide, Risk Legacy
Links:
Podstudio1
BGG
Music: As always from the amazing community of gifted musicians, arrangers, and composers over at ocremix.org go visit and support them for the full project and so much more amazing music!
Intro/Interlude/Outro :
Tail Chaser (Instrumental) / UV Sir J
From the album: VROOM: Sega Racing
Original song: Metropolis Street Racer
Project Site:http://vroom.ocremix.org VROOM: Sega Racing
Original Composers - Richard Jacques
Super Mario World Super Mario's Sleigh Ride OC ReMix By The OneUps
From the Games: Super Mario World | Super Mario Bros ("Bonus Screen BGM", "Bonus Screen Clear Fanfare", "Map 2 (Overworld)", "Map 5 (Forest of Illusion)" Overworld BGM")
Original Composer: Koji Kondo
Short Skirts (Tifa’s Theme) By djpretzel, Vigilante
From The Album Final Fantasy VII - Voices of the Lifestream
Project Page: http://ff7.ocremix.org/
Original Composer: Nobuo Uematsu
Steel and Wubz (Steel and Snare) / By DS
From the Album: Secret of Mana: Resonance of the Pure Land
Project Page: https://mana.ocremix.org/
Original Composer: Hiroki Kikuta (Yuuki Kikuta)
Sword and Sorcery By Simone Romano & Nunzio Surace Published by Ares Games
Released 2017 (Base Game)
Big and imposing.
Large with many moving pieces.
This was my stab at just a few words to describe the essence of my time with the game.
Now the world.
Large and inviting. Dangerous and wonderful.
Sword and sorcery is a game that is not ashamed of itself, it is not trying to apologize for what it is: A roaring dungeon crawl filled with magic, monsters, fighting and loot. A game with fairly complex turn mechanics that open up a larger world of customization and role-play, but requires some effort on the players part to truly excel, it absolutely soars when done well. This turn mechanic while complex and satisfying also has a unique mechanic to get you into the worlds lore AND keep you playing at the table, after your untimely demise. Two heroes are needed to play even when running solo, this is one of the places where it does not apologize for what it is, there will be no single heroes powerful enough to run this gauntlet. But can play 1-5 normally. The premise is that you are an already gone hero, to a realm that badly needs them, so you start your adventure being brought back from the other side. You are weakened, and only have an urging to get somewhere, and do...something. Everything is laid out across the story book, and then managed through the book of secrets, yes two different books in the base game, and neither is the 50+ page rule book! (another place it makes no apologies!) However once wrangled and understood you are set up to build out your adventure, I am talking about this because it is a large part of every game and this one is no exception. You will place tiles, then build pools of tiles to populate enemies, treasure AND encounters. This, while a bit manual ensures that there will be variety in the maps and therefore the experiences. As you progress and if defeated, you may resurrect at a local shrine for the cost of some invaluable soul shards. These are used to restore your heroes to their former glory, so spending a good chunk of them to resurrect one of the party is costly. While in this form you do have SOME interactions with the “living” world, but cannot affect it like you could when you are whole. So in a campaign situation you will want to contribute as much as possible to help the team so that you may return proper and continue your quest. It is wonderful that death here does not spell the end of your time in the game and that you can still play and be involved in the greater narrative all while adding to it! Your heroes are managed through personal dashboards and cards to represent the gear, weapons and spells they may cast. While levels and basic stats are managed in the players soul stones, a clever dial that houses this most basic and personal information for each hero. Many things are interchangeable via class, the soul stones are not! This bit of personalization in the veritable ocean of options and layouts is refreshing and gives the distinct feeling of adventuring a specific way with a specific skill set. You have a fairly open turn with almost too many things to do: move, actions, free actions, combat, abilities. It is a lot, but flows well and once you have your direction to go in, it's a matter of using the right tool for the job and picking the process that gets you closer to your goal. My first run through was not without its hiccups, but they were eagerly overcome as I wanted to see the engine move. I wanted to see combat and how the activations worked, and how getting from one harrowing place to another would look, what the magic looked like, and then the defense. Each new thing led me into wanting to see the rest of the package that I was now being exposed to and none of it disappointed. Wanting to see my characters grow in power, but knowing that only one of them could at a time, was an amazing incentive to try and fight as much as possible, to gain those shards so I could raise them both. What a remarkable joy it must be to run this through with other players and have to work out who gets to go to level II first! Then what new talents to take? It's very heady for a board game to be looking at this as something that has to be worked on! I enjoyed my time, trying to figure out what was going on, why I was back and most importantly, what happened to me in the first place! The artwork is well done and invokes the setting well, the miniatures are also well done for a board game and though I may never paint them, the cool “ghost form” minis that come with each are a cool contrast and nice touch. I played my game with one of my two expansion characters, I purchased them along with the base game to spice up the game's core roster, I also took the requisite Elf archer as a neutral, and my expansion character as a chaotic character, yes, you have that choice with each character! Neutral, good or chaotic, just a little bit of extra content that informs the talents and spells and abilities you may learn as your game progresses, they really are different enough to warrant a look through them before making up your mind. I finished the prologue and ultimately want to dig into the campaign in earnest with at least one if not both of my current characters intact, building upon this first victory and getting stronger, to see how this will all play out. In the end this is what Campaign games are all about, and having this one be a dungeon crawl with the promise of being much much more, I am very excited for my future in this brave new land.
Main Topic:
Unmatched Designed By Rob Daviau, JR Honeycutt and Justin D. Jacobson Published By Restoration Games
Games:
7 Wonders
7 Wonders Duel
Castles of Burgundy
Star Wars: Epic Duels
Tannhauser
Links:
BGG
Podstudio1
Music: As always from the amazing community of gifted musicians, arrangers, and composers over at ocremix.org go visit and support them for the full project and so much more amazing music!
Outro :
Cybernetic Love / by Prometheus
Original Song: lost... Broken Shards
From The Album - xenogears - Humans + Gears
Project Page - http://xenogears.ocremix.org Xenogears: Humans + Gears
Original Composer - Yasunori Mitsuda
Special Thanks to Jackson Wallace for appearing on the show with this Dad and giving us a great look into this episode's game!
Intro Banter - This is the (mostly) unscripted intro to the show! We catch up, play games, talk about games that perhaps did not make the main show, and just gab, Welcome!
What's new - (Kickstarter) What’s new with Us.
Larry:
Final Girl By VanRyder Games
Veilwraith: A Solo Fantasy Quest Game By Hall or Nothing Productions
Lords of Vegas 10th Anniversary: Underworld and Boss Bundle By Loneshark Games
Alex:
The Defence of Procyon III By PSC Games
Starlight By OOMM
Canvas By Road to Infamy Games
Elephant In The Room - Topics that HAVE to be talked about.
This time the Spoken Token talks about our feelings on Solo Gaming and games in this time where we have more opportunity than ever to attempt such titles.
First Impressions – We talk about the first time with a title, from the acquisition to the first look, to the first play and deliver thoughts in writing and on the show.
Larry: Sword and Sorcery By Ares Games
Alex: Monumental By Fun Forge
Late to the Party- We talk about games that are established in the hobby that we are just now playing.
Larry: King of Tokyo By iello Games Specifically the new BEAUTIFUL “Dark Edition”
Games:
SpaceCorp 2025-2300 AD Designed by John H. Butterfield Published by GMT Games
References:
Low Player Count Podcast
Links:
Podstudio1
BGG
Music: As always from the amazing community of gifted musicians, arrangers, and composers over at ocremix.org go visit and support them for the full project and so much more amazing music!
Intro/Interlude/Outro :
Mah Boi / by PROTO·DOME
Original Song: Mabe Village
From The Album - Songs of the Sirens: Link's Awakening ReMixed
Project Page - http://sirens.ocremix.org Songs of the Sirens: Link's Awakening ReMixed
Original Composers - Kozue Ishikawa, Minako Hamano
Behind the Curtain: A peek into the production of the show, from clips and outtakes to talks about challenges and processes we use to get the show to you.
Larry shares a quick look at the nuts and bolts of production here at the Spoken Token, first in a series!
Links:
Podstudio1
BGG
Audacity
Reaper
Music: As always from the amazing community of gifted musicians, arrangers, and composers over at ocremix.org go visit and support them for the full project and so much more amazing music!
Intro/Interlude/Outro :
Sparkle / by Joshua Morse
Original Song: Castlevania: Order of Ecclesia - Emerald Mist
From The Album - Castlevania: Sonata of the Damned
Project Page - http://sotd.ocremix.org - Castlevania: Sonata of the Damned
Original Composer - Yasuhiro Ichihashi
Intro Banter - This is the (mostly) unscripted intro to the show! We catch up, play games, talk about games that perhaps did not make the main show, and just gab, Welcome!
A Few of my Favorite Things - Each Host takes a random title from their collection and covers it at length!
Larry: Skyline 3000 By Alan R. Moon & Aaron Weissblum Published by ZMAN Games
Alex: Via Appia By Michael Feldkotter Published by Queen Games
Outside the Box - Tabletop games outside the normal scope.
This time Alex leads a discussion on the three main distance board gaming platforms: Tabletop Simulator
Tabletopia
Board Game Arena
Under the Hood: We roll up our sleeves and talk about games from the perspective of their mechanics! The mechanisms that are present and cover what some of the buzzwords may mean. This time we look exclusively at: Traitor Games!
Mechanics note as per BGG and it's a good one: Here
Examples:
Battlestar Galactica: The Board Game Dead of Winter: A Crossroads Game The Resistance
Betrayal at House on the Hill
Links:
Podstudio1
BGG
Roll 20
Fantasygrounds.com
Helping out FLGS families during COVID 19 Response:
BGG article of supporting FLGS.
Music: As always from the amazing community of gifted musicians, arrangers, and composers over at ocremix.org go visit and support them for the full project and so much more amazing music!
Intro/Interlude/Outro :
Sky Treasure / by Guifrog
Original Content Group: One Piece: Grand Adventure
From The Album - Shonen ReMix Jump!
Project Page - https://remixjump.ocremix.org/
Original Composers - Yuichi Hirose, Takayuki Kobara
Original Copyright Information - Bandai Namco
Finding time to play: What's the process you use to get into playing time, when time is a challenge?
Some tips:
-
Read rule books to games you haven't played in a while or brand new games. Starting rituals around learning the games you want to play will help with not only your ability to play them, but also increase the desire to. Familiarity DOES in fact breed comfort. I also suggest for this particular strategy spend SOME of the time actually reading your rule book. Boardgames are tactile things and ownership of them is intimate. When you can open YOUR box and pull out YOUR rulebook. I know videos are more convenient, but part of the goal here is get you INTO the games, NOT into any idea of playing boardgames, OR spending more screen time! So try and work on a pattern of behavior that supports this.
-
Set up the games when you can, if not to learn then just go through some of the components as you do number one! Read the rulebook at the pieces if you can move them around on the board and go loosely through a turn. Again , not only does this help you to learn the game, but also to get you prepared to teach, and to get you in the mind set of playing, which gets you closer.
-
Revisit games in your collection that you already know, and perhaps have not played in a while. Again this is an easy way to foster your desire to play games. The familiarity with a title you know will help with set up and tear down, and who knows looking at that rule book again with no pressure of a game MAY just reveal something you have been missing OR give you ideas about your next session of the game live!
-
Pick up some online content for a favorite game. This can be downloading player aids to one of the new hotness titles, or some rules compendiums all the way up to more scenarios, characters, content what have you. This is something new for a game you already own, that may help be that push to get you back inside the box, which is the goal! Also this one dovetails nicely into the last point.
-
Play some solo games, if you do not have any you can find many good ones online, of course BGG and other repositories of Print and Play games are your friends here. And this one leads nicely into Buy a game with the express intent of playing it no matter if you have other players or not. So I should say acquire a game. Print and Plays are a fantastic way to REALLY get your blood pumping as you assemble the game before you play it, and then have a working game from your own hands to now sit and play. Some sites have files that are ready to go and printer friendly, so there are genre and mechanical options out there for just about everyone.
Links:
PNP games at BGG
Button Shy Games
itch.io
Music: As always from the amazing community of gifted musicians, arrangers, and composers over at ocremix.org go visit and support them for the full project and so much more amazing music!
Intro/Interlude/Outro :
Sparkle / by Joshua Morse
Original Song: Castlevania: Order of Ecclesia - Emerald Mist
From The Album - Castlevania: Sonata of the Damned
Project Page - http://sotd.ocremix.org - Castlevania: Sonata of the Damned
Original Composer - Yasuhiro Ichihashi
We here at the spoken token are endeavoring to bring you more content, more bite sized quick hits about our hobby. A way of sharing board games with you one box at a time that can be achieved in a shorter amount of time, but over time bring greater depth and we hope interaction as well as information to all of us.
Alex and I will embark upon a new chapter in the journey and we hope we can count on seeing you all there as we go. These will be less formal, more personal and with an ability for each of us as individuals to address points and bring up topics that the larger format does not afford, we hope it brings more clarity as well!
Just like with everything we do we are truly sharing and hope to hear from you on topics for discussion or with suggestions for future content. But as always we will forage out there and do our very best to bring you timely relevant content, just a little extra for this current period while we all shelter in place together.
This content will be in ADDITION TO our normal scheduled content, and for a time at least may be on a bit of an irregular release schedule. However you can count on at least one new shorter episode in each of the weeks between regular shows and who knows maybe more will make their way out!
So whether you are alone or with many loved ones, at home or abroad, kick back, relax (for just a few moments) and turn us up, and let's crack open some expansions together!
First full expansion goes live Tuesday April 07, 2020!
Alex & Larry
Intro Banter - This is the (mostly) unscripted intro to the show! We catch up, play games, talk about games that perhaps did not make the main show, and just gab, Welcome!
Very Extra special thank you to Cynthia Wallace for joining us this month!
Game Life - We talk about the reality of hobby boardgaming integrating into our everyday lives.
We talk about what the day to day reality of gaming look like for us in our current state of quarantine. Also we share some tips on how to game while we are isolating.
Not just Good, but SUPER Good - Top 3 lists themed by genre
This time we talk about our top three games to play while self isolating, they can be solo OR family oriented!
Larry:
- Sentinels of the Multiverse
- Alhambra
- Xia Legends of a drift System
Alex:
- Imperial Assault
- Trickerion
- Legacy of DragonHolt
Cynthia:
- Rummikub
- Isle of Cats
- Azul
Cynthia’s Preschool extras:
Protect the Pride lands
Richard Scary’s BusyTown Eye Found It!
Other Games:
Unmatched
Links:
Van Ryder Games
Podstudio1
BGG
Helping out FLGS families during COVID 19 Response:
BGG article of supporting FLGS
Music: As always from the amazing community of gifted musicians, arrangers, and composers over at ocremix.org go visit and support them for the full project and so much more amazing music!
Intro/Interlude/Outro :
The Beat That Time Forgot / by prophetik music
Original Song: Gaea's Navel
From The Album - Chronopolis: Music Inspired by Chrono Cross
Project Page - http://chronopolis.ocremix.org Chronopolis: Music Inspired by Chrono Cross
Original Composer - Yasunori Mitsuda
Intro Banter - This is the (mostly) unscripted intro to the show! We catch up, play games, talk about games that perhaps did not make the main show, and just gab, Welcome!
Elephant In The Room - Topics that HAVE to be talked about.
Conventional wisdom - convention going ons.
Links:
Tennessee Game Days
Podstudio1
BGG
Games: (There are some doubles that are not represented on the lists)
Alex:
Turn the Tide
Isle of Cats
Marvel Champions
Orleans
Gaia Project
The Quest for El Dorado
13 Clues
Cartographers
Hand of Fate
Onitama
Chaosmos
Hadara
Caverna
Homesteaders
Scoville
Yokohama
Gravwell
Castles of Burgundy
Keyforge
Larry:
Marvel Champions
Evangelion Card Game
Edge Of Darkness
13 Clues
Chaosmos
Zombie State Diplomacy of the dead
Caylus 1303
Castles of Burgundy 20th
Battleship Galaxies (2nd copy)
Mystic Vale Conclave
Sneak Peek at Warehouse 13: The Board Game new Expansion (H.G. Wells)
Music: As always from the amazing community of gifted musicians, arrangers, and composers over at ocremix.org go visit and support them for the full project and so much more amazing music!
Intro/Interlude/Outro :
Espíritu Gitano / by NyxTheShield
Original Song: Quatro's
From The Album - Paths Less Travelled: Terranigma
Project Page - https://terranigma.ocremix.org Paths Less Travelled: Terranigma
Original Composer - Miyoko Takaoka, Masanori Hikichi
Intro Banter - This is the (mostly) unscripted intro to the show! We catch up, play games, talk about games that perhaps did not make the main show, and just gab, Welcome!
Show Statement - In some cases, like this episode, we may have a special quest or situation that calls for just a bit of a call out. In these special times we have of course created a segment, precisely titled show statement, this is where we give specific show directions!
This episode we are breaking a bit from the normal, we do have our segments lined up for you. But in preparing we found that we were working with the games of one publisher so much that we decided to make the show our first Publisher spotlight! So without further ado, we will get into the regularly scheduled show, and spotlight our friends over at Tasty Minstrel Games, Enjoy!
How much Space you gonna need?: How big is it on the table? How much space does a game actually need to be played.
This Episode:
Orleans by Reiner Stockhausen
Kings of Air and Steam by Scott Almes
First Impressions – We talk about the first time with a title, from the acquisition to the first look, to the first play and deliver thoughts in writing and on the show.
This Episode:
Gold West by J. Alex Kevern
Lighthouse Spotlight - This segment is filled with “hidden” Gems we believe are due more time in the spotlight than they get! Pay attention to genre and theme here and if it's up your alley, go and get it, it's a safe bet!
Larry: Dungeon Roll by Chris Darden
Alex: Crusaders Thy Will Be Done by Seth Jaffe
Not just Good, but SUPER Good - Top 3 lists themed by genre.
This episode we list our top three (IN ORDER!) Games by Tasty Minstrel!
Larry:
3. Chimera Station by Mark Major
2. Orleans by Reiner Stockhausen
1. Kings of Air and Steam by Scott Almes
Alex:
3. Guilds of London by Tony Boydell
2. Chimera Station by Mark Major
1. Orleans by Reiner Stockhausen
Links:
Podstudio1
BGG
Tasty Minstrel Games
Intro/Interlude/Outro :
Wind Fish Limbo / by Yoann Turpin
Original Song: Player Select (Song of Awakening)
From The Album - Songs of the Sirens: Link's Awakening ReMixed
Project Page - http://sirens.ocremix.org Songs of the Sirens: Link's Awakening ReMixed
Original Composer - Kozue Ishikawa, Minako Hamano
Intro Banter - This is the (mostly) unscripted intro to the show! We catch up, play games, talk about games that perhaps did not make the main show, and just gab, Welcome!
Competitive Repetitions - We will discuss the fine line between competitive gaming for the health of the hobby vs. Everything else. This episode we dig deeply into the current scene of NON magic the gathering titles and explore their contributions to Hobby Gaming as a whole:
Transformers TCG
Marvel Champions
Keyforge
Outside the Box - Tabletop games outside the normal scope, (electronics in games, arabian nights). This episode let's talk about online card games! We discuss:
MTG
Hearthstone
Legends of Runeterra
On the table - We will examine what the game is like when played, with specific energy we cover angles and what to expect from the title, components, setting, rules and the overall atmosphere.
This time the recently released Widget Ridge Designed by Ian Taylor with Art by Matt Burton And published by Furious Tree Games.
Points:
- Components
- Set-up
- Table presence
- Smoothness of play
- Rules learning
- Atmosphere
- Use of setting in implementation
After the List above, we get all subjective and really dig deeply into our experiences, likes, dislikes and the overall impression of the title!
Not just Good, but SUPER Good - Top 3 lists themed by genre. This episode we identify our top three favorite TCG/LCG/CCG
Alex:
- WOW Card Game by Upper Deck & Cryptizoic
- Marvel Champions by Fantasy Flight Games
- Magic the Gathering by Wizards of the Coast
Larry:
- Transformers by Hasbro
- Keyforge by Fantasy Flight Games
- MechWarrior Dark Age by WizKids
Links:
Podstudio1
BGG
Special thanks to Leonhart over on youtube for some insanely fun Pokemon TCG pack openings!
Another shout out to my man Wossy over at WossyPlays on YouTube for his great coverage of TCG’s!
Music: As always from the amazing community of gifted musicians, arrangers, and composers over at ocremix.org go visit and support them for the full project and so much more amazing music!
Intro/Interlude/Outro :
Espíritu Gitano / by NyxTheShield
Original Song: Quatro's
From The Album - Paths Less Travelled: Terranigma
Project Page - https://terranigma.ocremix.org Paths Less Travelled: Terranigma
Original Composer - Miyoko Takaoka, Masanori Hikichi
We would like to send a very special Thank you to Furious Tree Games for furnishing a copy of their New Game Widget Ridge for the On The Table Segment this episode.
Hello everyone this is Larry Neal and I am finally getting back to the blogging (We'll get Alex soon enough), these are mostly pulled from my research as I prepare, I take all of my notes into an episode and utilize what appears to be relevant as we record. This is insight into how my mind works, I write this way to prepare for every episode we do because it gets me closer to the material, and because communication is not just something I do, it is a very big part of who I am. In keeping with the theme of being thankful for the opportunity to talk games with all of you each episode I am grateful for a spot to share them and not just collect them in the show's archived material. I have learned a lot about the process over the last three years and so here I would like to get back to sharing my thoughts in more complete form with you all.
So without further ado, here are my thoughts on a couple of entries from our most recent episode:
A deeper look - Freedom: Underground Railroad by Academy Games
Upon hearing about this game when it released, I ordered it right away and when I recieved it, sat it on my table and looked at it for awhile. I had researched it, but as this subject IS about my history, I thought long and hard once I had it. I was overjoyed at the prospect of the respect and depth the subject deserves, to finally be realized in boardgame form. I was not sure of what I was going to find when I opened the box. I opened it in time, and was struck by the components, the reverence of them, not just to the subject matter, but to hobby board gaming, and shared storytelling and shared experiences. It has a quiet reverence in the components that is respectful and desirable to see on the table. The tableau the colors and materials chosen bring when on display are stark, and informative to the game state, it was an inspired choice. In the game of course you are a conductor on the Underground Railroad, you are conducting slaves to freedom as best you can. More slaves come in every round, so for every triumph there is more work to do, there is a randomizer as to which plantation gets how many each round, as the pens fill up, if a plantation is due for bodies it cannot house, then they do not survive. As a gameplay mechanic it is incredibly engaging, as a relating of history it is both sad and maddening. The hope in the form of others who were NOT slaves who helped and in fact made the Railroad as it existed possible is exuberant. These helpers appear in the form of cards and events, again engaging AND respectful. There are bounty hunters along the way who may spoil your best route and return those who you've moved to freedom, it's disheartening and contributes in part to the games masterful tension and higher difficulty, however there are timely game mechanics to help you that are historically accurate and expertly woven into the game: at points in the play eras pass that recount the changing climate in America, and while not all of them are helpful to your cause directly they are all researched and correct, and they DO change the game state. The weaving of the history that is, with gameplay that is advanced and shareable by gamers of ANY cultural background is a milestone in my honest opinion. This game is always visible on my shelf among my collection it always will be, I do not do this to remind me of it's content. No I can look in the mirror for that, I can walk down the street for that I can think on events in my life and remember faces who are family to me for that. I do this because it is quite simply one of the better games that I own. The package is fantastic, the research is as complete perhaps more so than most games I own. And the subject, well that’s history. American History, Black history, call it what you will, but it is for sure in our collective history, it happened, it shows both the lowest lows and highest highs of the Human Spirit directly juxtaposed to one another. And quite frankly I believe it is appropriate to play and explore and celebrate at any time.
First Impressions Edge of Darkness by AEG
Ok. are you sitting down? This one is a BEAST of a box first up. SO your initial impression is to be a bit intimidated by the box, by what all it may contain, by the promise of yet another world to get to delve into. And within the Card crafting system (more in a moment) that it is built upon, you do. Astounding. Components are top notch the artwork is very well done, printed to very high standards so much so that the extension boards line up with the main board not only in picture but in composition and art! Right down the heat of the color and lighting of the imagery, this is impressive! Mine is the kickstarter edition with the upgraded components, but I have the cardboard in the box, it too is fantastic! But the upgrades are quite frankly the type of upgrade I want to see in a Kickstarter: minis and plastic to replace the cardboard. Bit holders that come IN the box! It's smart stuff that I hope more publishers of ALL SIZES try moving forward on the KS platform. Upgrade your game as stretchgoals material wise, but, and listen to me here: DEVELOP YOUR BEST SHOT OF THE GAME AND OFFER US THAT FROM THE BEGINNING! Don't slice off content to offer as stretch goals, I have no one in particular in mind here, but I have approaching 80 KS under my belt, I can say with CERTAINTY it HAS happened. Nuff there. Now, the experience of digging into a box that is roughly as deep as it is wide is an otherworldly experience for me as an adult, I know that sounds too over the top, but let me say it this way: opening this box transports me back to my childhood opening that one thing I wanted all year and then got! The box went on forever and I pulled thing after thing out of it and everyone of them delighted me to no end, this is the way of opening this one. The card crafting system consists of you building the cards out of components in the game, so each clear plastic element goes in a sleeve to make the entire card, each card can consist of three elements, this way you get to make the cards what you want within the system, it is BRILLIANT. You take an element and slot it in a card and then do it's action. Game play I am glad it has a proper meaty implementation, not that Mystic Vale is not meaty, in it's way it is and I am glad I own it, but Edge is something on a whole other level. Where Mystic Vale is ABOUT the system and building cards which is fun, this one has you genuinely thinking about more than the card you craft, there is much more strategy with what you are doing and why, it's delightfully full of moving parts aimed at moving targets from moving platforms and I love it! Here you need to employ the cards to help you along, the game has four guilds and you take on the role of one of them, in this way each starts with some cards that are theirs, however unlike other games that are card based the cards and deck you are building are not in your hand, when you play your cards each round you will put them in a shared discard pile! Everyone gets to draw from the cards in this pile when that time of the game comes around, so you will be picking cards in the draft that others both own and have built! It is a CRUCIAL part of this engine, also when you pick the cards and use them you have to pay the owner of them in this way the economy runs and everyone will always have access to enough to do the really clever and fairly intricate actions. The action spaces on this game are ten in number, there are 37 in the base box, so you have a lot of variety to start off with. This is a clever and very well developed and mature mechanic, it's so well done that it almost is a game within itself. This specific implementation cuts an amazing tension swath through a gamer who is used to helping/not really helping their fellow gamers! It is about time, and it works REALLY well in this setting. I know this is a bit more than a first look,but this one is on my table now and I have been working through it solo and it's been one incredible experience, I am REALLY looking forward to getting this on the table with more than just myself, but I HAVE IMMENSELY enjoyed it solo so far! Last endorsing shot at it, this experience for me is one that transcends it's set up, if the bar to entry to playing this one is what it takes to set up this huge package and lay it all out; SIGN ME UP!
Intro Banter - This is the (mostly) unscripted intro to the show! We catch up, play games, talk about games that perhaps did not make the main show, and just gab, Welcome!
We need more like them - In this segment we list and identify the types of players that you want to have at the table: an encourager, a rules reader, a tension diffuser and more.
First Impressions – We talk about the first time with a title, from the acquisition to the first look, to the first play and deliver thoughts in writing and on the show.
This Episode:
Larry discusses - Edge of Darkness by AEG
Alex Discusses - Isle of Cats by City of Games
Not just Good, but SUPER Good - Top 3 lists themed by genre
This episode we look at our top three anticipated games as of Jan 2020!
Alex:
Monumental by FunForge
A War of Whispers by Starling Games
The Great Wall Board GAME by Awaken Realms
My City by KOSMOS
Larry:
Caylus 1303 by Space Cowboys
One Deck Galaxy by Asmadi Games
Digimon Trading Card Game by Bandai (If you are looking for a game with a shared energy mechanic that is NOT a TCG, might I suggest Atlas games Dungeoneer Board game series, they are older, but it's a dungeon crawl that uses a version of this same Energy sharing mechanic to great effect, plus dungeon crawl, plus great artwork, plus small form factor, plus tons of content! BONUS!)
A deeper look - We pick a game (each) and do a deeper dive into the title. Not a review but speaking to the mechanics of it, NOTING any challenges in obtaining said title.
This episode:
Larry: Freedom: Underground Railroad by Academy Games
Links:
Digimon TCG BLOG covering the game
https://www.digimonworld.org/2020/01/2020-digimon-tcg-will-revolutionize.html
https://www.digimonworld.org
Also thanks to YouTuber WossyPlays for the first notification of this game to my attention, the video is: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GLIW5gczicU
He’s good, he covers TCG’s primarily (Think transformers, Keyforge & Final Fantasy, here), and has great access, he is insightful and entertaining, give him a try if you are ever on the youtubes, and want some tcg infused goodness!
Podstudio1
BGG
Music: As always from the amazing community of gifted musicians, arrangers, and composers over at ocremix.org go visit and support them for the full project and so much more amazing music!
Intro/Interlude/Outro :
Protectress / by Nostalvania
Original Song: Fyda
From The Album - Paths Less Travelled: Terranigma
Project Page - https://terranigma.ocremix.org Paths Less Travelled: Terranigma
Original Composer - Miyoko Takaoka, Masanori Hikichi
Intro Banter - This is the (mostly) unscripted intro to the show! We catch up, play games, talk about games that perhaps did not make the main show, and just gab, Welcome!
First Impressions – We talk about the first time with a title, from the acquisition to the first look, to the first play and deliver thoughts in writing and on the show.
This episode we cover several titles that have dominated our early 2020 and we are very excited about:
Glen Moore II
On Mars
Paladins of the West Kingdom
Gaia Project
Board Games Road Show - Larry has another helping as he stopped by one of the largest online retailers Physical locations while on vacation recently.
Larry - CoolstuffInc Orlando
Under the Hood: We roll up our sleeves and talk about games from the perspective of their mechanics! The mechanisms that are present and cover what some of the buzzwords may mean. This episode we look into Deck Building (Bag, Pool, etc.)!
Example games:
Marvel Legendary
Marvel Champions
One Deck Dungeon
Aeons End
Ascension
Quacks of Quedlinburg
Orleans
Trains
Dominion
Links:
Podstudio1
BGG
Music: As always from the amazing community of gifted musicians, arrangers, and composers over at ocremix.org go visit and support them for the full project and so much more amazing music!
Intro/Interlude/Outro :
Brave New World / by jnWake feat. zykO, ilp0, Ivan Hakštok, Trev Wignall, Jorito
Original Song: Further into the Wide World
From The Album - Paths Less Travelled: Terranigma
Project Page - https://terranigma.ocremix.org Paths Less Travelled: Terranigma
Original Composer - Miyoko Takaoka
Intro Banter - This is the (mostly) unscripted intro to the show! We catch up, play games, talk about games that perhaps did not make the main show, and just gab, Welcome!
Our Year in Review - We look at the previous years games and gaming trends, give perspective and go over what we think about that years hottest topics.
This year we are looking at a few key areas:
-
Biggest Gaming Splash
-
Biggest Gaming Miss
-
My Top Gaming Moment of 2019
-
Trend we think 2019 will be remembered for in the hobby
-
One Big Takeaway for Gaming in 2019 (Game or Trend)
Beyond the Box - Sleeves, Mats, Dice, customized. Starting off the new year right we have an expanded segment. We look at the growing number of aftermarket products you can buy to enhance not just the game, but playing the game.
On the table - We will examine what the game is like when played, we need to personify that experience, this should be impersonal experience wise, but cover angles and what to expect from the title, cover components, setting, rules and the overall atmosphere.
This Episode: Western Legends by Kolossal Games
Points to hit:
- Components
- Set-up
- Table presence
- Smoothness of play
- Rules learning
- Atmosphere
- Use of setting in implementation
Not just Good, but SUPER Good - Top 3 lists themed by genre.
This will be the FIRST EVER SUPER, Super good list! In honor of the coming new decade Alex and I are going to look at not one, but THREE Super good lists of three each with a bonus one at the end to round out ten titles we think have been the most influential over this past decade! Let’s Finish strong with Episode four and our final recap and discussion!
Larry Full List:
- 10. 2017- Azul : This title is one of a wave this year of tactile games, a trend that continues to this day; titles like Sagrada, and Photosynthesis also made appearances this year.
- 09. 2010 – Space Hulk Death Angel: This game is notable for its POD support from FF, they have gone on to release, a full POD type adventure game, and this helped pave the way for Keyforge.
- 08. 2019 – Wingspan: As we are still in the year it's a little more empirical to understand the influence this years game has, so far this one has been on the lips and in the lenses of nearly everyone, and with a rating in the top 35 overall on BGG, nearly all of its publishing class are in the 3 to 4 to five digit range, that is a considerable influence to move the needle so completely.
- 07. 2016 - Escape Room: The Game: The first in a trend of art imitating life, with other lines and many boxes this is a trend that is still going strong, and now spans the last 4 years of the decade.
- 06. 2015 - Codenames: Arguably one of the main pillars of titles to help push into the casual gamer to hobby gamer real since its introduction in 2015.
- 2018 – That's So Clever: This is really representative of the genre’ Roll and Writes have exploded onto the scene and are promising and delivering, largely, on new play experiences to the hobby world, with no sign of slowing down.
- 04. 2014 - Marvel Dice Masters: Nearly as much for what it did wrong as anything, this one changed the production scale of Dice within the industry in 2014, and who can forget the shortage of product, despite that it has gone on to this day and still enjoys decent sales.
- 03. 2013 – Viticulture: Lavish production, Stonemaier production with game-play married closely to physical production. They have raised what is expected and showed the industry what is possible in marrying Form and Function at a whole new level.
- 02. 2011 – Risk Legacy: First of the Legacy titles, lead to many more.
- 01. 2012 – Love Letter: Micro game. Lead the Japanese revolution.
Alex Full List:
- Keyforge
- Love Letter
- Gans Schon Clever
- Splendor Board game
- Mansions of Madness 2e
- Risk Legacy
- Gloomhaven
- Codenames
- Zombicide
1.* Kickstarter * (Big GIANT asteriks, TWO of them)
Links:
Podstudio1
BGG
Music: As always from the amazing community of gifted musicians, arrangers, and composers over at ocremix.org go visit and support them for the full project and so much more amazing music!
Intro/Interlude/Outro :
Blue Magic / by Jean of mArc feat. Gamer of the Winds
Original Song: Prime Blue
From The Album - Paths Less Travelled: Terranigma
Project Page - https://terranigma.ocremix.org Paths Less Travelled: Terranigma
Original Composer - Miyoko Takaoka
Intro Banter - This is the (mostly) unscripted intro to the show! We catch up, play games, talk about games that perhaps did not make the main show, and just gab, Welcome!
List Of Lists - Holiday Shopping Guide. We cover easy to find Games and where to get them suggestions.
Board Games Road Show - This episode both Larry and Alex have tales from their recent holiday trips to two different states! Wonderful shops that put the F in FLGS!
Larry - Family Game Night
Alex - Titan Games and Comics 2512 Cobb Parkway SE, Smyrna, GA 30080, titansmyrna@gmail.com.
On the table - We will examine what the game is like when played, we cover what to expect from the title, components, setting, rules and the overall atmosphere.
This Episode: Tapestry by Stonemaier Games
Points to hit:
- Components
- Set-up
- Table presence
- Smoothness of play
- Rules learning
- Atmosphere
- Use of setting in implementation
Naughty Nice List - Some Games or some companies have made the nice list for meritorious reasons, and some are getting a lump of coal! We cover four Each!
Not just Good, but SUPER Good - Top 3 lists themed by genre.
This will be the FIRST EVER SUPER, Super good list! In honor of the coming new decade Alex and I are going to look at not one, but THREE Super good lists of three each with a bonus one at the end to round out ten titles we think have been the most influential over this past decade! Just one more episode to go for our number one!
Alex’s List
- Gloomhaven
- Codenames
- Zombicide
Larry’s List:
- 2014 - Marvel Dice Masters: Nearly as much for what it did wrong as anything, this one changed the production scale of Dice within the industry in 2014, and who can forget the shortage of product, despite that it has gone on to this day and still enjoys decent sales.
- 2013 – Viticulture: Lavish production, Stonemaier production with game-play married closely to physical production. They have raised what is expected and showed the industry what is possible in marrying Form and Function at a whole new level.
- 2011 – Risk Legacy: First of the Legacy titles, lead to many more, and has inspired the industry.
Links:
Podstudio1
BGG
Music: As always from the amazing community of gifted musicians, arrangers, and composers over at ocremix.org go visit and support them for the full project and so much more amazing music!
Intro/Interludes :
Niveo Mountains / by Skull
From the Album - An OverClocked Christmas v.XII
Outro:
Cosmic Holidays / by Skull
From the Album - An OverClocked Christmas v.XII
Original Song - We Wish You a Merry Christmas
Original Composer - English Tradional
Intro Banter - This is the (mostly) unscripted intro to the show! We catch up, play games, talk about games that perhaps did not make the main show, and just gab, Welcome!
Late to the Party- We talk about games that are established in the hobby that we are just now playing. This time Anachrony.
On the table - We will examine what the game is like when played, we need to personify that experience, this should be impersonal experience wise, but cover angles and what to expect from the title, cover components, setting, rules and the overall atmosphere.
This Episode: Marvel Champions
Points to hit:
- Components
- Set-up
- Table presence
- Smoothness of play
- Rules learning
- Atmosphere
- Use of setting in implementation
Not just Good, but SUPER Good - Top 3 lists themed by genre.
This will be the FIRST EVER SUPER, Super good list! In honor of the coming new decade Alex and I are going to look at not one, but THREE Super good lists of three each with a bonus one at the end to round out ten titles we think have been the most influential over this past decade! Let’s keep it moving with Episode two!
Alex List:
- Splendor Board game
- Mansions of Madness 2e
- Risk Legacy
Larry List:
- 2016 - Escape Room: The Game : The first in a trend of art imitating life, with other lines and many boxes this is a trend that is still going strong, and now spans the last 4 years of the decade.
- 2015 - Codenames: Inagurably one of the main pillars to push into the casual gamer to hobby gamer conversion space since its introduction in 2015.
- 2018 – That's So Clever: This is really representative of the genre’. Roll and Writes have exploded onto the scene and are promising and delivering, largely, on new play experiences to the hobby board gaming world with no sign of slowing down.
Games:
Ogre DE - By Steve Jackson Games
Links:
Steve Jackson Games
Podstudio1
BGG
Music: As always from the amazing community of gifted musicians, arrangers, and composers over at ocremix.org go visit and support them for the full project and so much more amazing music!
Intro/Interlude/Outro :
Let it Snow / by Jamphibious
From the Album - An OverClocked Christmas v.XII
Original Song - Let it Snow! Let it Snow! Let it Snow!
Original Composer - Dean Martin
Intro Banter - This is the (mostly) unscripted intro to the show! We catch up, play games, talk about games that perhaps did not make the main show, and just gab, Welcome!
Games we talk about:
Tapestry , Marvel Champions, Bees, Frontier Wars Board game
Grand Designs & Design Lab -Talk to designers about the process and what is their recent projects. We speak about the mechanics of game design and tackle some common issues at a really deep level: What are the 10 most influential games of this last decade, discussion about why! This time we speak with VanRyder Games own Evan Derrick.!
Not just Good, but SUPER Good - Top 3 lists themed by genre.
This will be the FIRST EVER SUPER, Super good list! In honor of the coming new decade Alex and I are going to look at not one, but THREE Super good lists of three each with a bonus one at the end to round out ten titles we think have been the most influential over this past decade! Let’s get started with Episode one with our special guest Evan Derrick!
Evan Derricks List:
- Mansions Of Madness
- Gon Schon Clever
- GloomHaven
- Risk Legacy
- Love letter
- Zombicide
- Codenames
- Exploding Kittens
- Pieface
Alex’s list (First Three):
- Keyforge
- Love Letter
- Gans Schon Clever
Larry’s List (First Three):
- Azul- 2017: This title is one of a wave this year of tactile games, a trend that continues to this day; titles like Sagrada, and Photosynthesis also made appearances this year.
- Space Hulk Death Angel - 2010: This game is notable for its POD support from FF, they have gone on to release, a full POD type adventure game, and this helped pave the way for Keyforge.
- Wingspan - 2019: As we are still in the year it's a little more empirical to understand the influence this years game has, so far this one has been on the lips and in the lenses of nearly everyone, and with a rating in the top 35 overall on BGG, nearly all of its publishing class are in the 3 to 4 to five digit range, that is a considerable influence to move the needle so completely.
Guest Super Good - Here we ask every guest to give us thier thier top three in some gaming genre! This Time in honor of the season, we ask what are Evans top three Holiday themed OR games that you like to play with your family, especially at this time!
Evan Super good:
- Agricola
- Pit
- Time’s Up
Alex Super Good:
- Red Flags Card game
- Treasure Island Board game
- Barenpark
Larry Super Good:
- 12 Days
- Welcome To: Winter Wonderland
- The Big Score
Evan contact information - Vanrydergames.com, Twitter
Links:
Podstudio1
BGG
Vanryder Games
Music: As always from the amazing community of gifted musicians, arrangers, and composers over at ocremix.org go visit and support them for the full project and so much more amazing music!
Intro/Interlude/Outro :
By The Flame / by Rozovian
Original Song: Flames grace, Guiding Light
From the Album - An OverClocked Christmas v.XII
Original Composer - Yasunori Nishiki
Intro Banter - This is the (mostly) unscripted intro to the show! We catch up, play games, talk about games that perhaps did not make the main show, and just gab, Welcome!
How much Space you gonna need?: How big is it on the table? How much space does a game actually need to be played. This Episode Underwater Cities and Funkoverse!
To the Limit - The guys push a game to the actual limit based on what the rules actually allow. This could be min maxing a particular strategy, to exploiting a particular rule, to playing games at their full player count. They recall their experience and discuss the results again all within the confines of the rules.
This time we talk about which games should or should not be played at their full player count:
Shouldn’t be: Wingspan, Root , Rising Sun, Terraforming Mars
Should be: Sidereal Confluence, Between Two Cities, Captain Sonar, Kemet , Dice Throne, Kings of Air and Steam, Settlers of Catan (with Expansions; 5-6 Player: Cities & Knights, Seafarers)
On the table - We will examine what the game is like when played, we need to personify that experience, this should be impersonal experience wise, but cover angles and what to expect from the title, cover components, setting, rules and the overall atmosphere. This Episode Zombicide Invader !
Points to hit:
- Components
- Set-up
- Table presence
- Smoothness of play
- Rules learning
- Atmosphere
- Use of setting in implementation
Links:
Podstudio1
BGG
Music: As always from the amazing community of gifted musicians, arrangers, and composers over at ocremix.org go visit and support them for the full project and so much more amazing music!
Intro/Interlude/Outro :
Climb Terra Tower, This High / by prophetik music
Original Song: Prayer of the Dragons
From the Album - Chronopolis - Music Inspired by Chrono Cross
Intro Banter - This is the (mostly) unscripted intro to the show! We catch up, play games, talk about games that perhaps did not make the main show, and just gab, Welcome!
The Right kind of crowd - Talking about the type of players/crowd that a particular game is aimed at. This time we take aim at: Deduction games.
On the table - We will examine what the game is like when played, we need to personify that experience, this should be impersonal experience wise, but cover angles and what to expect from the title, cover components, setting, rules and the overall atmosphere. The below will be delivered one at a time with a short unannounced break between them with no input unless it has been pre-planned by the segment owner. This Episode Funkoverse!
Points to hit:
- Components
- Set-up
- Table presence
- Smoothness of play
- Rules learning
- Atmosphere
- Use of setting in implementation
Board Games RoadShow - Alex has been on the road, and found a WONDERFUL spot to share with us all. The Game Masters Guild 743 Ashley Dr, Crestview, FL 32536
That time of the year - Halloween themed Games and or Role Playing Games!
Welcome To...: Halloween Thematic Neighborhood by Deep Water Games
Ghost Stories By Asmodee
DC Comics Deck-Building Game: Crisis Expansion Pack 2 By Cryptozoic Entertainment
Games:
Detective City of Angels by VanRyder Games,
Sheriff of Nottingham By Arcane Wonders
Mysterium By Asmodee
Coup, Coup Rebellion G54, and Resistance By Indie Boards and Cards
Links:
Podstudio1
BGG
Music:
As always from the amazing community of gifted musicians, arrangers, and composers over at ocremix.org go visit them for the full project and so much more amazing music!
Intro / Bump / Outro
Tal Tal Future / bLiNd
From The Album Songs of the Sirens: Link's Awakening ReMixed
Original Song: Tal Tal Heights
Original Composers: Kozue Ishikawa, Minako Hamano
Project Page: http://sirens.ocremix.org Songs of the Sirens: Link's Awakening ReMixed
Commercial Interlude
Cybernetic Love (lost... Broken Shards) / By Prometheus
From the Album: Humans + Gears Xenogears Remixed
Project Page: http://xenogears.ocremix.org - Humans + Gears
Original Composer: Yasunori Mitsuda
Intro Banter - This is the (mostly) unscripted intro to the show! We catch up, play games, talk about games that perhaps did not make the main show, and just gab, Welcome!
General Genre’ - We look at a sample selection of games by Genre’ or theme, taking note of mechanics and briefly explaining the titles to give them light. Sharing enough detail to cover skimming the surface and just a little below on each title.
Larry (Theme; Space) - Space Empires 4X BY GMT Games, Xia Legends of Drift System By Far Off Games, Among The Stars By Artipa Games
Alex (Theme; Western) - Western Legends by Kolossal Games, Great Western Trail by eggertspiele, Shadows of Brimstone by Flying Frog
Alex Hon Mention: Doomtown Reloaded by AEG, Bang! By dV Giochi, Colt Express By Asmodee
Conventional wisdom - convention going ons.
That Time of The Year- Games themed for a certain time of the year!
Fall Season:
Bosk By Floodgate Games
Arboretum Board Game By Renegade Games
Pandemic 10th Anniversary Edition By Zman Games
Shelf or Table? - In this series we will examine the phenomena of collecting board games. Each segment we will look at one facet of this integral part of our lives in depth.
This Episode: We kick off the series with: How do you know if you are a collector, or just own a few board games to play with friends, what’s the difference, and where to go from here?
Links:
Podstudio1
BGG
Van Ryder Games
Fantasy Flight Games
Music: As always from the amazing community of gifted musicians, arrangers, and composers over at ocremix.org go visit and support them for the full project and so much more amazing music!
Intro/Interlude/Outro :
Wind Fish Limbo / by Yoann Turpin
Original Song: Player Select, Song of Awakening
From the Album - Songs of the Sirens: Link's Awakening ReMixed
Original Composers - Kozue Ishikawa, Minako Hamano
Project Page - http://sirens.ocremix.org
Intro Banter: Alex has TWO things on his mind and shares them both!
First Impressions – We talk about the first time with a title, from the acquisition to the first look, to the first play and deliver thoughts in writing and on the show.
This episode: Warehouse 13 The Board Game by Infinite Dreams Gaming
Conventional wisdom - Convention going ons.
Getting In the Box (Bringing It Home) - What brings us to the games that we buy and play.
Not just Good, but SUPER Good - Top 3 lists themed by genre.
This episode Narrative based games.
Alex:
Arkham Horror LCG
Gloomhaven / Imperial Assault
T.I.M.E. Stories
HON Mention:
Legacy of Dragonholt
Tales of Aribian Nights
Mansions of Madness 2
Larry:
Detective City of Angels by Van Ryder Games
Sentinels of the Multiverse by Greater than Games
Legacy of DragonHolt By Fantasy Flight Games
Larry Hon Mention:
The City of Kings by The City of Games
The 7th Continent by Serious Poulp
Summer Of Games Game choice: Our Hosts share their end of show games to go get right now!
Larry: Puerto Rico by Rio Grande Games
Alex: Coldwater Crown by Bellwether Games
Games:
Mapmaker - The Gerrymandering game By Go! Games, Lafair Family Games
Links:
Podstudio1
BGG
Rio Grande Games
Van Ryder Games
Fantasy Flight Games
Asmodee
Music: As always from the amazing community of gifted musicians, arrangers, and composers over at ocremix.org go visit them for the full project and so much more amazing music!
Intro/Interlude/Outro :
Ragnarok Online Sun Ra/ by Anthony Lofton, Joshua Morse
Original Song: Higher than the Sun
From the Game: Ragnarok online
Intro Banter: The guys catch up with the goings on and Larry tries to survive a case of creaky elbow!
Game Life (Special Podcast Edition) - We talk about the reality of hobby boardgaming integrating into our everyday lives. Where we are, where we have been, and where we want to go, in gaming, and Podcast life!
Games:
Boss Monster by Brotherwise Games
Welcome To by Deep Water Games
Links:
Podstudio1
BGG
Brotherwise Games
Renegade Games Studio
Rio Grande Games
Blue Orange Games
Van Ryder Games
Thunderworks Games
Fantasy Flight Games
Asmodee
Music: As always from the amazing community of gifted musicians, arrangers, and composers over at ocremix.org go visit them for the full project and so much more amazing music!
Intro/Interlude/Outro :
Staff Roll (WIP 3)/ by Daniel James Gagnon
From the Album: Skies Of Arcadia: Arcadia Legends
Project Site: http://arcadia.ocremix.org/
Intro Banter: The guys catch up with the goings on and aftermath of GenCAN season!
Late to the Party: We talk about games that are established in the hobby that we are just now playing.
Arkham Horror LCG
GenCan’t Recap: Alex and Larry talk about their favorite things about the get together.
GenCant Coverage: Recorded Live at GamePoint Cafe in Nashville on Aug 2nd!
Summer Of Games Game choice: Our Hosts share their end of show games to go get right now!
Larry: Pulsar 2849 By CGE
Alex: Planet By Blue Orange Games
Links:
Podstudio1
BGG
GamePointe Cafe
GenCant
Games:
Detective City of Angels By Vanryder Games
Pandemic 10th Anniversary Edition By Zman Games
The Masters Trials By AEG
Helionox By Mr. B Games
Zombicide Invader By CMON
Space Corp By GMT Games
Days of Ire By Mighty Boards
Nights of Fire By Mighty Boards
Music: As always from the amazing community of gifted musicians, arrangers, and composers over at ocremix.org go visit them for the full project and so much more amazing music!
Intro/Interlude/Outro :
When Two Worlds Meet / by Jorito, Earth Kid
From the Album: Chronopolis:Music inspired by Chrono Cross
Original Song: Termina: Another
Project Site: http://chronopolis.ocremix.org/
Original Composer - Yasonuri Mitsuda
I wanted to place the notes to this Episode on their own and not in the attached show notes, so see them below!
The Long Haul (Project Play) - I got to spend some time with our gracious hosts for this project, Chad and Doris Roberts and learned quite a bit! We talked shading principles, techniques that we will be getting into, what dry brushing is, what washing is, what Dipping is, speed painting! There were amazing miniatures on display to show me what's possible after years of practice! AND a few starting steps:
- You want to know what you want to get from Painting: looking for tabletop quality, want to start taking on commissions, just a hobby, etc.
- Know WHAT you want to paint for the first time out, pick the mini, suggesting to pick ONE, getting a pile of many can be daunting when you are starting out.
Also there was more wisdom to consider:
- Need a level place
- Need as much light as you can get
- DON’T overspend on brushes, look for cheaper ones to start, but you DO need one with a good point!
- Paper plates and an old disused mug/cup will suffice for the starters palette/wash cup.
That’s all for now, I want to leave the rest to the pros, but rest assured, this decidedly CAREER non painter is actually feeling VERY excited moving forward.
That Time of The Year - Games themed for a certain time of the year! It's summer time! That means vacation time! So this episode we are looking at the process of packing games for a vacation or trip. What are good games to take. How should you pack them and so on…
Games depend on a lot of things:
The trip - Where is it and how are you getting there, and whos going?
The Purpose - is it a huge family gathering, time from the kids, just a breather?
The Setting - You going to have tables? No? Multiple player games, or just one or two? Solo?
My plans: If traveling commercially then use a Quiver plain and simple! You can pack a medium game, depending on your space and time or SEVERAL smaller ones! If travelling on your own by car, camper or van, the Quiver is still nice, but a medium Duffle bag for board games is not out of the question here, in my opinion! So on with the list!
Doppelt So Clever
Welcome To!
*Herbaceous
`The Resistance
`Coup Rebellion G-64 ( The original Coup fits in that box BRILLIANTLY)
*Werewords
Legacy of Dragon Holt
*Res Arcana
The Big Score
*Bottom of the 9th/Clubhouse
*Tiny Epic Galaxies / Beyond the Black (IF there is space!)
Legend:
- quiver time!
` most likely all fit in the same box here
Nothing means just pack it!
So with some medium small games with custom bits, if you are quivering them which I recommend in games like Res Arcana, just bag the components and leave your super neat tray at home, the tray is not needed and making room for it may not be the wisest thing. In fact you can do this across the board, as many games can have non game dependent accouterments left at home in favor of bags.
Speaking of which, go to a hobby supply place OR raid your other modern games for extra baggies! In hobby shops/wal-mart they are listed as craft/jewelry bags, come in three sizes and they run 100 to a pack for 2-3 dollars (US). Even if you hate them for normal storage, remember they pack down nicely and it's not like you are doing this to your entire collection. If this is the difference between taking say Castles of Burgundy the game with me and not, i'm bagging away. I know it's not on my list, but I love the game and the chance to take it on the road would not be missed by this guy!
Intro Banter: The guys catch up with board game happenings in the hectic summer!
On the table - We will examine what the game is like when played, we need to personify that experience, this should be impersonal experience wise, but cover angles and what to expect from the title, cover components, setting, rules and the overall atmosphere. The below will be delivered one at a time with a short unannounced break between them with no input unless it has been pre-planned by the segment owner.
This episode: Outer Rim
Elephant In The Room - Topics that HAVE to be talked about.
This episode: GenCon!!
The Long Haul (Project Play) - the hosts pick an ambitious and far reaching goal and see it through and chronicle it for the show! Updates on Painting with Chad!!
That Time of The Year - Games themed for a certain time of the year! It's summer time! That means vacation time! So this episode we are looking at the process of packing games for a vacation or trip. What are good games to take. How should you pack them and so on…
Summer Of Games Game choice: Our Hosts share their end of show games to go get right now!
Alex: Pitchstorm
Larry: Risk 2210 AD
Links:
Podstudio1
BGG
GamePointe Cafe
Music: As always from the amazing community of gifted musicians, arrangers, and composers over at ocremix.org go visit them for the full project and so much more amazing music!
Intro/Interlude/Outro :
The MFD / by djpretzel
Original Song: Dungeon of the Military Facilities
Project Site: http://arcadia.ocremix.org/
Original Composers - Tatsuyuki Maeda, Yutaka Minobe
Intro Banter: The guys catch up with board game happenings in the hectic summer!
Taking off the lid - What's in the Box (Un-boxing).
This Episode Larry opens up the wonderful Detective City of Angels from Van Ryder Games!
Conventional wisdom - convention going ons:
Aug. 1-4: Gen Con 2019 – Indianapolis, IN
Location: Indiana Convention Center, 100 S. Capitol Ave., Indianapolis, IN
Aug. 2-4: Comic Con Honolulu – Honolulu, HI
Location: Hawaii Convention Center, 1801 Kalakaua Ave, Honolulu, HI 96815
Aug. 16-18: Coulee Con – La Crosse, WI
Location: La Crosse Center, 300 Harborview Plaza, La Crosse, WI 54601, USA
Coulee Con is a tabletop gaming convention held in La Crosse, WI. We interpret gaming broadly as including board games, collectible card games, role playing games, miniatures, live action role playing, video games, and puzzles. Our motto is: Bringing Gamers Together. We aim to celebrate and connect the gaming community. Friday and Saturday feature tournaments, open gaming, and special events. Sunday has an added focus on families with reduced admission and family-focused games.
Aug. 24-25: Tabletop Scotland – Perth, Scotland
Location: Dewars Centre, Perth, Scotland.
2 day board, card & RPG convention. 2018 was our first year and we had 27 different exhibitors (4 retailers with the rest being publishers and crafters who make tabletop related items). We expect that to increase to over 40 in 2019. We had 14 tables of RPGs running in 5 slots over the weekend. We expect that to increase to 20 in 2019. We have 500 seats for open play / demos of board games. We are planning to increase that to 1, 000 in 2019. We hosted a 3 seminars in 2018 on accessibility, game design and a panel show. We're aiming to have a lot more in 2019 including topics like RPG design, world design, art (including a showing of Eye Of The Beholder : D&D Art movie) and more.
Design Lab - We speak about the mechanics of game design and tackle some common issues at a really deep level. Usually speaking with an established publisher/Designer! Without giving too much away Alex and Larry talk about Alex’s recent submission to the Button Shy Games Contest 2019!!
Under the Hood: We roll up our sleeves and talk about games from the perspective of their mechanics! The mechanisms that are present and cover what some of the buzzwords may mean.
This Episode: Roll and Writes!
Summer of Games Family Reunion - We Quiz our Gaming Family as to their Super Good top three ultimate Summer family games are!
This episode we hear from Dustin Crouch and Cain Myers of Breaking Teeth Games!
Summer Of Games Game choice: Our Hosts share their end of show games to go get right now!
Larry: Dice Throne (Season 1 or 2) By Roxley Game Laboratory
Alex: Elysium By Space Cowboys
Links:
Podstudio1
BGG
GamePointe Cafe
Steve Jackson Games
Music: As always from the amazing community of gifted musicians, arrangers, and composers over at ocremix.org go visit them for the full project and so much more amazing music!
Intro/Interlude/Outro :
Knuckles' Chaotix "Dreams of Summer" / by Hank "The Spank Tank" Jankerson, Jorito
Original song: Door into Summer
Original Composers - Junko Shiratsu, Mariko Nanba
Summer of Games II (2019) Gaming Family Reunion!
Intro Banter - The guys catch up with very exciting news from the world of gaming, and the...world in general.
Mt. Evergreen GameMore - We look at a new “Mt Rushmore” of board gaming and name new “classics” to replace chosen classics in our gaming past! This episode we start with our top Four choices!
Larry Original Monument: Monopoly Life Payday All My Children
Alternate Monument: Hey Taxi!
Larry New Monument: Settlers Of Catan Francis Drake Castles Of Burgundy Runebound (2nd Edition)
Alex Original Monument: Monopoly Scrabble Risk Axis and Allies Trivial Pursuit
Alex New Monument: Azul 7 Wonders Kemet Code Names
Alex Alternate Monument: Settlers of Catan Ticket to Ride Carcassonne Agricola
Honorable Mention: Battlestar Galactica Apples to Apples Pandemic Dominion
Tabletube - Inform about Board Games in other formats, conversions and games that play like Board games.
Slay The Spire Deck building Rouge Like (Switch/PS4/PC)
Comic Book to Board Game - What comic book would you turn into a board game and what type of game would it be?
The Long Haul (Project Play) - the hosts pick an ambitious and far reaching goal and see it through and chronicle it for the show!
We unveil part two in our grand redemption tour! That’s right TWO project Plays (successful to boot) in just one season!! Larry and Alex are Painting!!
First Impressions – We talk about the first time with a title, from the acquisition to the first look, to the first play and deliver thoughts in writing and on the show.
This episode Tiny Epic Mechs From Gamelyn Games
The Business of Business - This episode Patreon rework is coming, great new things are happening with the logo, and possibly other (BIG HUGE) things coming! Stay tune, but if you plan on being in Nashville around GenCon come see us at GenCan’t at GamePointe Cafe and you can see some of what we are teasing here!
Summer Of Games Game choice: Alex and Larry share their end of show games to go get right now!
Larry: Ganz Schon Clever Doppelt So Clever
Alex: Welcome To
Links:
Podstudio1
BGG
GamePointe Cafe
Battlelore First Edition
Music: As always from the amazing community of gifted musicians, arrangers, and composers over at ocremix.org go visit them for the full project and so much more amazing music!
Intro/Interlude/Outro :
Tail Chaser (Instrumental) / UV Sir J
From the album: VROOM: Sega Racing
Original song: Metropolis Street Racer
Project Site:http://vroom.ocremix.org VROOM: Sega Racing
Original Composers - Richard Jacques
Intro Banter: The guys catch up with very exciting news from the world of gaming, and the...world in general.
Board Games Road Show - We visit local Brick and Mortar stores and share what makes them special with you! This episode we are changing it up a bit and cruising the coffee stand, we visit nice places to play that may not quite be a full on board game Cafe’ but are open and accessible to the practice!
Not just Good, but SUPER Good - Top 3 lists themed by genre!
This Episode the Guys get into their Super good lists of:
Top Three games to bring out at the end of school/beginning of summer!
Larry: The City of Kings, Dinosaur Island, HeroScape
Alex:
- Any Version of Risk
- A Legacy Game: Gloomhaven, Pandemic Legacy, Charterstone, Betrayal Legacy, Queensdale
- Something that requires no thought at all: Red Flags, Cash and Guns, Happy Salmon, Pitchstorm
Under the Hood: We roll up our sleeves and talk about games from the perspective of their mechanics! The mechanisms that are present and cover what some of the buzzwords may mean.
This Episode we cover Worker Placement.
Worker Placement, Our definition is thus: You place your guys strategically to perform or complete actions towards winning the game. This may include combat, pick up and deliver, special powers, set collection, just about any mechanic you can imagine, the only caveat is you have to have a guy there in order to perform it.
BGG says it this way.
Some examples include:
Leonardo DaVinci
51st State Master Set
Chimera Station
Ex Libris
Deep Space D-6
Kingsburg
Some more well known examples include classics like Agricola and the popular Dinosaur Island.
Special Segment - Getting to Know Cat House Gaming!
Conventional wisdom - convention going ons.
June 12-16: Origins 2019 – Columbus, OH
*June 21-23: PolyCon 37 - University Union of Cal Poly campus
*June 28-30: RAGECON - Circus Circus Hotel and Casino, Reno NV
Links:
Podstudio1
BGG
Bell Of Lost Souls (A correction to the name from last episode, this link was correct, but the name was not, we apologize and really like them, go visit all you XWing and non XWing players alike, no really)
Links in conventional wisdom courtesy of GameHubHQ*
Music: As always from the amazing community of gifted musicians, arrangers, and composers over at ocremix.org go visit them for the full project and so much more amazing music!
Intro/Interlude/Outro :
Take It Easy(Legend of Heroes V) / Jorito feat. Gamer of the Winds, prophetik music
From the album: Hometown Heroes: Town Themes Arranged
Original song: Legend of Heroes V: A Cagesong of the Ocean
Project Site: http://hometown.ocremix.org
Original Composers - Hirofumi Matsuoka, Atsushi Shirakawa, Masaru Nakajima, Hayato Sonoda, Hirokazu Matsumura, Wataru Ishibashi
Intro Banter: The guys catch up with very exciting news from the world of gaming, and the...world in general.
Intro Banter Part Deux:
Tarifs! And you the boardgamer! So….Tariffs for US gamers with China may add as much as 25% (stated) to board games that are coming out of that country to here. Other things as well, but this is a board game podcast. What does this mean? It means LOOK before you leap, it means see if you can source the game locally (used, don’t pay gougers) it means you may have to wait it out or do without for a time. It means that if there are issues that are reaching into your pocketbook, we MUST put the games down sometimes and see what the rest of the world is doing and do our part to address deficiencies that WE have felt, if we are so moved.
Purchase news: GTG purchased Cheap@$$ games recently, what can this mean?: link here.
Greater Than Games announced today that it has acquired Cheapass Games. Greater Than Games is best known for the award winning Spirit Island and Sentinels of the Multiverse, while Cheapass Games is known for their low cost, black and white game (and more recently an upgraded version of Kill Dr. Lucky).
From their PR Spokesperson:
“The acquisition of Cheapass Games is the culmination of several years of friendship between the two companies. Cheapass Games has created richly-themed black and white games since its inception in 1996, with the introduction of full-color games, such as Tak, Kill Doctor Lucky and Unexploded Cows, in later years.
“I’m thrilled to have Greater Than Games take over publishing current and future Cheapass Games titles, and I look forward to working with them on a variety of projects,” said James Ernest, exiled leader of Cheapass Games.
As we undergo this transition, Greater Than Games looks forward to supporting the Cheapass Games product lines, demo staff, and fan base. “
Original source: https://www.boardgamequest.com/
The Long Haul (Project Play) - the hosts pick an ambitious and far reaching goal and see it through and chronicle it for the show! We check in on how things are going and discuss early term feelings about this one! X-Wing By Fantasy Flight Games.
How much Space you gonna need?: How big is it on the table? How much space does a game actually need to be played.
Larry Tackles 2018’s The Big Score from Van Ryder Games in a preview for our upcoming Summer of Games II!
Main picture as shown (Instagram) total four players.
Game Life - We talk about the reality of hobby boardgaming integrating into our everyday lives. We look into Tracking plays of your board games; do you do it, if so what app or process do you use? We discuss some ways this can be helpful to you!
Late to the Party- We talk about games that are established in the hobby that we are just now playing. This episode Larry and Alex discuss the recently played Hyperborea from Asmodee!
A deeper look - We pick a game (each) and do a deeper dive into the title. Not a review but speaking to the mechanics of it, NOTING any challenges in obtaining said title.
Alex - The ultra Hot Wingspan from Stonemaier Games has finally arrived, Alex takes first Crack at it!
Larry - The brand new Hisashi Hayashi, Seiji Kanai card game Deca Slayer from Arclight Games!
Links:
Podstudio1
BGG
Bell Of Souls
Music: As always from the amazing community of gifted musicians, arrangers, and composers over at ocremix.org go visit them for the full project and so much more amazing music!
Intro/Interlude/Outro :
Brain Sound Tilt (Ramirez's Theme)/ Guifrog
From the album: Arcadia Legends
Project Site: http://arcadia.ocremix.org
Original Composer - Yutaka Minobe
How much Space you gonna need?- I was tempted to add another game here, but refrained, this episode I tackled The Big Score from Van Ryder Games! This one is unique because it scales well to it's six player variant, and also it has two distinct phases, that not only see you playing a distinctly different mechanical game, but also will require different space on the table. So as with all of these segments, I use a nominal 6x4 space. (So yes, this is a part of the reason I had my table made to this size!) and understanding that not everyone has this amount of space, remember my measurements are assuming that you do, I spread the components out to a logical distance and include all elements (rule books too) on the table in the measurements to get you a BASELINE. Of course you will have to adjust for your own situation accordingly!
phase I
Player area: 1 foot 2 inches per player (linear)
Middle common area: 29 Inches
Main picture as shown (Instagram) total four players: 6x3
Phase II
Player area: 10 Inches
Middle common: Variable; you can pass the token bag here OR use the standee. The standee is approximately 5.5 inches square. You will need a little more room for the police track and the “floor” of the vault.
Intro Banter: The guys catch up with very exciting news from the world of gaming, and the...world in general. Alex is back! And we have a LOT of incoming things to discuss.
Mainstream Maturation - We look at a title that has been out for a while, and may have not gotten a favorable look from us in the past. We revisit said title and speak on the finer points of how the game has matured and why we now like it, this Episode:
Upper Decks Legendary System
Project Play - the hosts pick an ambitious and far reaching goal and see it through and chronicle it for the show! Over the next few episodes Alex and I are going to obtain, play and chronicle Intro into miniature gaming! Starting with Fantasy Flights X-Wing!! We will look at price point, ease to obtain, play and storage requirements. Then we dive deeper all episode!
A deeper look - We pick a game (each) and do a deeper dive into the title. Not a review but speaking to the mechanics of it, NOTING any challenges in obtaining said title. This Episode: Fantasy Flights X-Wing!!
On the table - We will examine what the game is like when played, we need to personify that experience, this should be impersonal experience wise, but cover angles and what to expect from the title, cover components, setting, rules and the overall atmosphere.
This Episode: Fantasy Flights X-Wing!!
Points we hit:
- Components
- Set-up
- Table presence
- Smoothness of play
- Rules learning
- Atmosphere
- Use of setting in implementation
Links:
Podstudio1
BGG
Music: As always from the amazing community of gifted musicians, arrangers, and composers over at ocremix.org go visit them for the full project and so much more amazing music!
Intro/Interlude/Outro :
Cosmic Kleptomaniac (The Girl Who Stole the Stars) (Cosmic Kleptomaniac)/ Wiesty, The OC Jazz Collective
From the album: Chronopolis: Music Inspired by Chrono Cross
Project Site: http://chronopolis.ocremix.org
Original Composer - Yasunori Mitsuda
I Rather like that I have titled this volume one, it seems fitting, given the storytelling nature of this game. Not that it tells the story for you, oh no it in fact leads you with hook after hook to weave your own tale. I like the heady mix of doing what I think is best i.e. ‘what I want to do’ and having to deal with the best available, or only option at the time to you (i.e. consequences of your own actions.) It is very refreshing! And just like last times look at what I think is a fantastic new take on its genre (see Res Arcana impressions) I hope that this mix becomes the norm; giving a taste of true autonomy, true emerging game play, truly meaningful choices to make, along with enough structure to justify buying the box in the first place.
Call To Adventure beckons you to tell a tale that is neither rote, trite, nor well worn or terribly fantastic. Not new and exciting or old and worn, not impossibly large and epic, or too tiny and intimate. In other words its calling you to tell YOUR tale, your very own, the one you feel like telling. This time.
You assemble your stories beginnings from six character cards: two Origins, two Motivations and two Destinies, you pick one of each (placing the I and II face up but the III face down, destiny is not revealed until later) and off you go. Its nice to always have a subject and to never face the dreaded “what to write?” syndrome! Don't look now, but you have set up for the games main structure in three acts, from which to gain traits and do daring feats, three acts to weave your reality. The primary cards in the game that form the Acts from which you choose in turn order to face come off the board whether you succeed or fail. The path you walk is uniquely your own. There has to be a beginning however, so act I starts off your adventure and from there you embark on your tale, using your resources to pick up traits to help you along your journey, or doing things that seem cool just because! You can pick an alternate path on a great deal of these story elements (cards in the game) and if you are feeling adventurous or are particularly well prepared, then go for it! Missing out on your target mark does the same thing it does in real life: grants you experience. In this game you may spend it to activate abilities or stand in for them to acquire others. Again the thematic drawing to real life is very well done here. The added pressure of fellow players who may be eyeing that very same experience is welcome in multiplayer games, despite the more solitary confines of solo giving you exactly what you want, being quite comfortable.
When you key in on an experience that will test you, you must gather and cast runes, this games version of Dice. They are indeed like some runes you may see when you google search an image of the term and they neither spin or roll, rather they tumble. A good shake and cast them, it is quite a satisfying process! Reading them becomes second nature and as you build your pool you come to understand what each means, so at a glance you know if you succeeded or failed when finished. It is quite straightforward and becomes second nature to quickly suss out if you succeeded or not with each successive turn, but for me it is another gateway to the story. No not the runes in and of themselves, but that there is such a system in place here, no dice, no cards, just processional pool building. It’s still chance, mitigated somewhat by preparation, but still, you don't know how it will come out until you do it, but you can build towards a general idea before long. This is a plus to me and why I like a game that will allow for planning and skill, but then add in luck to determine how it all goes down. Not a detriment to me when its added in its proper amount, just like any self respecting ingredient to any wonderful Stew, or since I'm not a soup fan, A nice Veal based Tourtière, with veggies and wonderful crust top and bottom wonderfully flaky on the outside, tender and moist on the inside, firm enough to hold the entire thing together without crumbling even with what it soaks up, with just enough juice left to keep the whole affair from being dry, but nowhere near soup. And now I’m hungry, where were we?
Yes, chance in the game is at a good amount in my opinion, it is there to spice up the environment, but not overpowering, you know its coming, so prepare. Cards for heroes or villains add in a bit of interactivity between the players, as you can use them to block, help, or copy something someone is doing. They can be well timed, but since they are to be drawn you may not always face them. i.e. when you want to give someone fear to stop them from taking a challenge you may have had your eye on, if you have not taken cards from the Villain stack you may not have that power available to you. This is another very definite choice you must make when playing; to go light or dark, there are places in your character where you can draw from either, but remember: deeds have consequences. Raise your light side and cut yourself off from the dark or vice versa, or play it in the middle to keep the odds open to you, but then perhaps fate will push you too far in one direction or the other, not to mention it adds or subtracts value to the score at the end of the game! This mechanic adds tension and another layer of depth to your character building, so for me, this too is a win!
Getting into each successive act allows you access to more powerful cards that are also more intricate: both to obtain and in their use, very well done here. These acts also serve as the timer to the game, lest you spend too much time going into background and action and character development and plot twists….once each successive act is opened after a player has three (and only three) cards from the current act under their respective trait. The players may then attempt to gain/ best that new higher tier. When someone finishes the third card from the third act, the end game is upon you, other players finish one more turn and then scoring begins to determine the numbers winner (because we ALL know there will be a story winner and they are not necessarily always going to be the same!) This pace is brisk as you want it to be and so far for me this has not overstayed its welcome one bit. If anything some games come off TOO quickly as you may have wanted to spend just a little more time crafting the perfect narrative, to me this is partly the point, because you can just reset and start another one after all!
Carving your own narrative is thrilling for many people, for some it is not. For those of you who it is not a thrilling proposition, I do not assert that this game will change your minds. For the rest of you, this one is worth getting. If the prospect of playing in the established worlds of master storytellers Patrick Rothfuss and Brandon Sanderson appeals to you in any way, then do yourselves a favor and get a copy of Call to Adventure now. It will only get that much better when those arrive!
That's correct the current base fantasy world that has been so credibly laid out for us by Brotherwise Games will be but one setting for this game. That adds a layer of intrigue as far as I am concerned as well, to think how much farther they have developed and have to go within their own creation, to sit alongside those of the wonderful authors mentioned.
As you inevitably move to the conclusion of your tale, you will begin to see the patterns emerging, and surely a narrative will come into your head, if one has not been there from the beginning. The most avid story tellers will most likely have a story for their alter ego (come on, who are we kidding, its ALWAYS our alter ego!) as soon as we choose that first card. I know I did! However the plans I had for myself changed when met with the environment of the game and I like that a lot! There was a narrative I wanted to show, but could not get to so my story changed to me trying to make the best things that could happen anyway to my character! What was told in the end was the tale of how I survived my own best planning and worst execution of said plans. It was thrilling, it was lush and verdant, had a tinge of dark, but was most importantly, all mine.
Call To Adventure
Designers
Johnny O'Neal
Christopher O'Neal
Artist
Matt Paquette
Publisher
Brotherwise Games
Year Published
2019
Intro Banter: Dietrich Stogner of The Library Police Podcast last with us on episode 09 with Alex sitting in for me!
Spoken Tokens: Our interactions with you, ‘The Spoken’ our wonderful listeners!
Cover the questions from our wonderful listeners! This episode we talk about competition in gaming from a culture standpoint. We were asked if there was any correlation of toxicity or just a culture in Board gaming around “win at any cost”, if we think tabletop gaming is a refuge for the person who may not be good at physical competition, so they come here to get out their desire to be “better”? Brought to us by Mr. Rich Smith.
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Competitive Repetitions - We will discuss the fine line between competitive gaming for the health of the hobby vs. Everything else. We get more into the detail for this months question!
(Special Guests Cathouse Gaming will also weigh in on this topic!)
Game Gab: The hosts take a more in-depth look at game related topics specifically related to Hobby Board Games in other areas of popular culture. This episode we talk game Reviews, and get some perspective on the Practice of it, and what you can/should look out for.
Music: As always from the amazing community of gifted musicians, arrangers, and composers over at ocremix.org go visit them for the full project and so much more amazing music!
Intro/Interlude/Outro :
What the Ocean Taught the Forest/ djpretzel
From the album Secret of mana: Resonance of the Pure Land
Original Song What the Forest Taught Me
Original Composer - Hiroki Kikuta
Links:
Food Chain Magnate
Arkwright
Shut up and sit Down (Quentin Smith is a favorite of Dietrich!)
Rahdo Runs Through
No Pun Included
Meeple Mountain
St. Baldricks Foundation
Podstudio1
BGG
Res Arcana. Sand Castle Games – Tom Lehman designer - Julien Delval Cover and Card Art
I thought a bit about this one before I purchased and to be honest the artwork drew me in, it looks compelling in the promise of rich interactive world underneath the skin of the game. As we have talked about in the past theater of the mind is important, also this one has that certain “Shelf Appeal” to help it get home with me. Which is very important also.
I will say that first impressions of getting this one out of the box when it shipped was that the overall package is much smaller than I imagined it would be, quite a bit so! But that is a plus for many reasons, for one if you have not seen the insert, then go look it up, its a clever, useful thing that holds the current game and all materials at the ready, its well designed in that it was good for shipping the game (the main draw of insert design from manufacture) AND it stores the game with NO compromise after the fact! So to be in a smaller footprint only means that it was VERY well designed, and will be easier to store.
The game presents easy enough to me , but shows a depth of play and rules that are not totally conveyed by watching someone else play or teach you the game. It is breezy and fun with turns moving pretty quickly from the onset. It is taut however and VERY well designed with what is contained within the box. I will admit to being curious about what an expansion would bring and to see how well it integrates with what is here already. The iconography is intuitive and numerous, and the game gives a feel of a deep lore. Something games at the same mechanical weight of this one seldom have done for me. In other words it fully transported me elsewhere while playing. Planning your moves and surveying the board, you get a sense of the weight of this world they have presented and your role in it is very much up to you!
Alex and I played one full game and while it appeared he was winning the entire game and he was very probably only a few turns away in reality, I got there just a but quicker than he did. His engine was up and running and much more successful than mine early on, however I was able to capitalize on his attention being drawn to that one thing and made a move that granted me the game.
Each round it seems we discovered something new to do or it became fully clear why a certain design decision was made. This to me is the making of a classic game and I look forward to getting this one to the table some more and also talking about it in depth with Alex!
Intro: Larry Solo in the studio this episode!
First Impressions: Larry takes a first look at the new title Res Arcana from Sand Castle Games.
Board Games Road Show: This episode Larry speaks with Chris Pryor, Owner of Grand Adventures Comics and Games in Murfreesboro TN!
Links:
Grand Adventures Comics and Games
Podstudio1
BGG
Music: As always from the amazing community of gifted musicians, arrangers, and composers over at ocremix.org go visit them for the full project and so much more amazing music!
Intro/Interlude :
If I Could.../ By Jorito, JoyDreamer, Trev Wignall, prophetik music
From the album Chronopolis Music Inspired by Chrono Cross
Original Song Reminiscence ~Undying Feelings~
Original Composer - Yasunori Mitsuda
Project Site: http://chronopolis.ocremix.org/
Outro :
Magma Bomb / By prophetik music, Tacorina of Time
From the album Chronopolis Music Inspired by Chrono Cross
Original Song Mount Pyre
Original Composer - Yasunori Mitsuda
Project Site: http://chronopolis.ocremix.org/
Intro Banter: Alex and Larry Catch up with current goings on, and discuss Kickstarter, and cold starts to the podcast!
Spoken Tokens: Our interactions with you, ‘The Spoken’ our wonderful listeners!
This episode we received both an answer to Alex’s query AND and wonderful topic of discussion:
Hey Alex and Larry!
First off, want to thank you guys for making the podcast. The board game world is not always the easiest to get up to date info on and getting insight into game design/industry workings itself is always super interesting.
Listened to the latest episode and wanted to email in to say the name of the game is Crocodile Dentist...I also remember playing this as a kid and I believe my childhood would have been after both of yours' (I'm 26). Nothing like a game about removing teeth from a crocodile to span generations of children. Not sure if I'll be the first or not, but figured I'd write in.
Heard about your podcast from GamePoint (which is amazing) and have been listening since. Not sure if this has been covered in an episode yet, but I'd love to hear about different methods for testing a game/mechanic that's still in design. I suppose the answer could be as simple as 'Just play it over and over', but I feel like almost everything has more depth than people would expect. Anyways, keep up the good work and thanks for all you do!
Design Lab - We speak about the mechanics of game design and tackle some common issues at a really deep level. Usually speaking with an established publisher/Designer! We cover the question Sam asked us in depth! “I'd love to hear about different methods for testing a game/mechanic that's still in design.”
On the table - We examine what the game is like when played, we cover components, setting, rules and the overall atmosphere.
Points:
- Components
- Set-up
- Table presence
- Smoothness of play
- Rules learning
- Atmosphere
- Use of setting in implementation
Game:
Chimera Station
Conventional wisdom - convention going ons. I know it's not been long since we had the monumental segment, but there are a LOT of cons going on right now, so we want to keep you up to date on these as much as possible. If you know of or are hosting/attending a Con let us know and we will cover it! Conversely if you go to one of the ones we list drop us a line to let us know about your experience!
Mar. 28-31: PAX East – Boston, MA
Location: Boston Convention & Exhibitor Center
Mar. 28-31: GameStorm 21 – Portland, OR
Location: Red Lion Jantzen Beach Hotel, 909 N Hayden Island Dr, Portland, OR 97217
Apr. 6-7: FnordCon – Austin, TX
Location: TCEA, 3100 Alvin Devane Blvd., Austin, TX
We're excited to pull back the curtains on FnordCon, our celebration of all things Steve Jackson Games. What sort of things do you do at a FnordCon? • You hang out with Steve Jackson. Not in a "he passed me in a hallway" way, but "I played against him in a game of Ogre " kind of way. Plus, signings! • You'll be one of the first people to play Car Wars 6th Edition – our faster, easier, and no less deadly version of classic autoduelling! • Munchkin Warhammer 40, 000(with pre-release expansions)! Munchkin Steampunk: Girl Genius(pre-release)! The chance for Munchkin Line Editor Andrew Hackard to deface your cards! • More pre-release games that we can't even tell you about here! Because They Are Watching. • Lots of Ogre and a chance to meet Ogre Line Editor Drew Metzger! • A chance to see and buy our full line of games, including many of our Warehouse 23 exclusive products! • Your opportunity to catch up on recent releases!
Links:
Podstudio1
BGG
Steve Jackson Games
Tasty Minstrel Games
Music: As always from the amazing community of gifted musicians, arrangers, and composers over at ocremix.org go visit them for the full project and so much more amazing music!
Intro / Bump / Outro:
Chillopolis / By bLiNd
From the album Chronopolis Music Inspired by Chrono Cross
Original Song Chronopolis
Original Composer - Yasunori Mitsuda
Project Site: http://chronopolis.ocremix.org/
Intro Banter: The guys talk about the time that was TN Game Days 14 and pause to catch a breath!
Conventional Wisdom: This episode we talk about all things Game days, and roll every aspect of the Convention into this supersized segment!
Links:
Podstudio1
BGG
TN Game Days
Music: As always from the amazing community of gifted musicians, arrangers, and composers over at ocremix.org go visit them for the full project and so much more amazing music!
Intro / Bump / Outro:
Plastik Skies (Daytona USA) | By Palpable, Diodes
From the Project: VROOM: Sega Racing
Games:
The Big Score
Ascension
Legacy of Dragonholt
Space Hulk
Zombiecide: Invader
Munchkin
Rising Sun
Root
Quacks of Quedlingburg
Viticulture
Hero Scape
Wingspan
Azul
Azul Stained Glass of Sinatra
Santorini
The Expanse Board Game
Twilight Struggle
Between Two Cities
I’m the Boss
Flamme Rouge
Roll Player
Millennium Blades
Adrenaline Team Play DLC
Lisboa
Troyes
When I Dream
Petrichor
Pulsar: 2849
Endeavor
That’s Pretty Clever
Architects of the West Kingdom
Raiders of the North Sea
Paladins of the West Kingdom
Intro Banter - The guys catch up and talk about the latest happenings in their worlds!!
First Impressions – We talk about the first time with a title, from the acquisition to the first look, to the first play and deliver thoughts in writing and on the show. This segment will contain BOTH, so deliver the cliffs notes on the show to be discussed, then point to WHO has submitted deeper thoughts on the blog (can be either or both!) This Episode the Renegade RPG Overlight!, we’ve played it and have first impressions.
Under the Hood: We roll up our sleeves and talk about games from the perspective of their mechanics! The mechanisms that are present and cover what some of the buzzwords may mean. This episode we talk about A phenomenon in RPG gaming: Dice pool engines Vs. more traditional dice engines.
Highlighting: Overlight, Pathfinder/DnD, Star Wars Edge Of the Empire
Getting to know you - We look at certain boardgame related topics and explore strategies for getting involved. Role Playing experience in games other than Tabletop RPG’s.
DnD Adventure Series Games
Sword and Sorcery
GloomHaven
City Of Kings
The Right kind of crowd - Talking about the type of players/crowd that a particular game is aimed at. YOUR rpg crowd. We look at some tips for putting together or becoming a part of the best crowd.
Links:
Podstudio1
BGG
TN Game Days
Music:
As always from the amazing community of gifted musicians, arrangers, and composers over at ocremix.org go visit them for the full project and so much more amazing music!
Intro / Bump / Outro:
Blue Skies, Pirate Suprise | By OceansAndrew
From the Project: Skies of Arcadia Arcadia Legends ( Original Song Blue Rouges' Theme, Blue Rogues' Ship)
Original Composer - Tatsuyuki Maeda
Project Site - http://arcadia.ocremix.org
Intro Banter: The guys catch up with all things in the Spoken Token world and the gaming world and just….the world! Larry talks about some favorite music!!
First up is Stefon Harris. I don't think you can go wrong with him, but the album of his that is my favorite is African Trantella (Dances with Duke), SO SO Good. Lionel Hampton is a notable historic figure on the same instrument, the Vibraphone. At any rate, music, is good, games are good music and games are REALLY good, play what you like and listen to what inspires you!!
Under the Hood: We roll up our sleeves and talk about games from the perspective of their mechanics! The mechanisms that are present and cover what some of the buzzwords may mean. Tableau building is what its called on BGG, we call it Engine building!
Definition: "Engine Building" is a genre of board game where players slowly build up a system of generating resources, money, or victory points - typically this engine becomes more efficient as the game goes on, leading to a satisfying sense of achievement when the machine runs at full speed. Here are some of the best engine building board games.
From: Boardgameprices.com
There is some considerable discussion on BGG about the term and it is of note that there is NO official entry in the Mechanics page of BGG for “Engine Building”. They have deck/pool building though.
Games we cover this episode in conjunction with engine building in Board Games:
Wingspan By Stonemaier Games
Gizmos By CMON
Splendor By Space Cowboys
Alien Artifacts By Portal Games
Scythe By Stonemaier Games
Outside the Box - Tabletop games outside the normal scope. Let’s talk about board games on CONSOLES (XBOX, PS4, Switch) We can let our audience know what is available to them.
Armello
Thronebreaker
Hand of Fate/ Hand of Fate 2
That Time of The Year- Games themed for a certain time of the year! For this time of year where two person activities may be a little more prevalent!
Outlaws Last Man Standing By Holy Grail Games
Liberation By Button Shy Games
Star Wars Rebellion By Fantasy Flight
Twilight Struggle By GMT
Fog of Love By Hush Hush Projects
The Castles Of Burgundy By Ravensburger
Mage Wars Academy By Arcane Wonders
Code Names Duet By CGE
Beyond the Box - Sleeves, Mats, Dice, customized. We talk about some recently released Sleeves and Dice projects!
GI Joe Sleeves It's both. G.I. Joe AND Cobra. It's sleeves and deck boxes, and mats, but SLEEVES! IF you play the TCG, or ANY TCG or like The Joes, or Cobra, or fun or things that are great…..GET THESE SLEEVES. Classic, logo only, action figure blister inspired art. They are REALLY nice. And it's so cool to get something that is practical AND will help you want to play games more!! (yo Joe!)
Transformers Sleeves They have both in the original multicolor format and just matte red as I have linked in the notes. I'm sorry, these are a MUST for the Transformers TCG. I mean..seriously?!?!
Kraken Dice Simply fantastic Dice, if you miss them on Kickstarter go over to the site and order some dice, the sets look like their pictures are will be the pride of your collection. If you are not a Dice person now, these sets will make you one!
Prepping for a Con: With TN Game Days coming up the guys go through and discuss some practical strategies and tip for making your con the best experience it can be. We cover things such as packing, planning, and group dynamics
Links:
Podstudio1
BGG
TN Game Days
UltraPro
Music:
As always from the amazing community of gifted musicians, arrangers, and composers over at ocremix.org go visit them for the full project and so much more amazing music!
Intro / Bump / Outro
Bossa de Moga - By Jamphibious / Hometown Heroes: Town Themes Arranged
Project Page: http://hometown.ocremix.org/
Original Music by Tadayoshi Makino
From the Game Monster Hunter Tri
Not as many notes this month, but there is a LOT of content! Sit back and relax for a little different offering in the Spoken Token style, enjoy!
Opening - This episode no banter as Larry and Alex are each flying Solo with separate assignments!
Game Life - We talk about the reality of hobby boardgaming integrating into our everyday lives.
This episode Larry talks about why we Collect Board Games.
Board Games Road Show - Alex is in Nashville Tn. this episode at Game Point Cafe in Five points speaking with owner Rick Keuler!
Links:
Podstudio1
BGG
Gamepoint Cafe’
Music:
As always from the amazing community of gifted musicians, arrangers, and composers over at ocremix.org go visit them for the full project and so much more amazing music!
Intro / Bump / Outro
Inner Reflections - By YoshiBlade
From the Game Skies Of Arcadia(Original Song: FlashBack)
Original Music by Tatsuyuki Maeda
Project Site - http://arcadia.ocremix.org
Intro Banter - The guys open the show and talk about what's new and happening in their worlds. The City of Kings (By The City Of Games) (Taking off the Lid) our version of unboxing on Instagram!
7th Continent (By Serious Pulp) is STILL on the way as is XIA: Legends of a Drift System (By Far Off Games).
What a 2019 for Larry Kickstarter fulfillment! Kickstarter whitehot insanity!
Late to the Party- We talk about games that are established in the hobby that we are just now playing.
Alex:Through the Ages
Larry: Dice City by AEG
What it is: "Die Crafting” game where the dice themselves change the city you acquire and build each round.
Why it's fun: Die rolling, fun city building, fun puzzle aspects, with accessible but rewarding game play. I.e. looking back over your plans however well they went at the end of a round has been satisfying for me!
So I first acquired and played this one a little over a year ago and am glad that I did, once I played it I decided to get the expansions for more content. But it's not NECESSARY to have a good time with what's in the box. A comparison is the obvious Kingsburg from Fantasy Flight games, whereas that one eschews to the heavier end of the spectrum, this one tackles the same genre of general play in a lighter way TONE wise. The play is varied without as many moving parts, and the colorful and slightly more playful art style backs this up.
Verdict: Get this one if you like dice rolling, have or have played Kingsburg and want a different implementation of the same theme (dice rolling city building) and or are looking for another soloable game with depth enough to be fun, without being all that thinky!
Beyond the Box - Sleeves, Mats, Dice, customized. This episode: Aftermarket Insert/Storage solutions, and alternate carry methods.
Quiver
Broken Token Craftsman Series
Larry’s GameTable by Player1_Gaming_Furniture
A Deeper Look - We pick a game and do a deeper dive into the title. Not a review but speaking to the mechanics of it. This episode:
Treasure Island
Designer: Marc Paquien
Artist: Vincent Dutrait
Publisher: Mandoo Games, Matagot, Rebel
Looking Ahead - Titles we are looking forward to this year!
Detective City Of Angels by Van Ryder Games
Monumental by Funforge
Proving Grounds By Renegade Games
Links:
Podstudio1
BGG
Music:
As always from the amazing community of gifted musicians, arrangers, and composers over at ocremix.org go visit them for the full project and so much more amazing music!
Intro / Bump / Outro
Gimme My Sword! / by Rekcahdam
From the Album: 25YEARLEGEND: A Legend of Zelda Indie Game Composer Tribute
From the Game: [Link's Awakening / A Link to the Past]
Original Composers: Kazumi Totaka, Minako Hamano, Kozue Ishikawa, Koji Kondo
Alex Interlude Commercial
Cybernetic Love (lost... Broken Shards) / By Prometheus
From the Album: Humans + Gears Xenogears Remixed
Project Page: http://xenogears.ocremix.org - Humans + Gears
Original Composer: Yasunori Mitsuda
Intro Banter - The guys open the show and talk about what's new and happening in their worlds.
Taking off the lid - What's in the Box (Un-boxing). What I want here is to relay the unboxing process and experience over the show: Take a game and actually open it on the show!
The key here is to relay the experience of the function in words, narratively. To share in the joy of unboxing a new board game, not so much in theatrics, but in information, to be so narrative that it tells a story, that we go into the world that this box has, that we share that feeling and that function.
Larry - Dice Throne by Roxley Game Laboratory
Getting to know you - We look at certain boardgame related topics and explore strategies for getting involved. FINALLY we look at trading as a means to complete/Cull a collection, right after the influx you just got at the holidays! You’re Welcome!!
Conventional wisdom - convention going ons. Getting the year started off right!!
First Impressions – We talk about the first time with a title, from the acquisition to the first look, to the first play and deliver thoughts in writing and on the show.
Larry - War Chest by AEG Spoken and Written
Alex - Millennium Blades by Level 99 Games Spoken and Written (?)
Spoken Tokens: Our interactions with you, ‘The Spoken’ our wonderful listeners!
This episode’s question comes from Richard Keuler:
I wonder whether the culture of free games that has developed among people that are deep in the hobby is good for the hobby as a whole. The default choice in getting people to events (meetups, conventions, etc.) is often the enticement of free games. Does this exacerbate the devaluation of what games should cost? Internet pricing drives it but does the amount of free stuff increase the trend line?
Links:
Podstudio1
BGG
Steve Jackson Games
Music:
As always from the amazing community of gifted musicians, arrangers, and composers over at ocremix.org go visit them for the full project and so much more amazing music!
Intro / Bump / Outro
Samurai Discotheque - By Joshua Morse
From the Game Ragnarok Online(Original Song: Can't Go Home Again Baby)
Original Music by soundTeMP
Intro Banter: Clarification of Lore meaning over the last two episodes. Larry and Alex recently discussed Lore in games on the show. While we discussed the topic thoroughly off the air after listening to the published episodes it has come to our attention that our agreed upon definitions of the use of the term Lore was never mentioned on the air. We apologize for any confusion and will use this intro banter to clarify our intent. Look for this segment to be imported into the past episodes as a disclaimer in the coming weeks, so that our intended discussion may be more completely enjoyed by all!
Not just Good, but SUPER Good - Top 3 lists themed by genre. Its List of Lists time and this time the Guys go ALL out for this most wonderful time of the year!! Booked, research and be ready!
Top Three Hotness to Gift
Top three games to start a burgeoning collection
Top three gifts for the gamer that aren’t Games
Top three Games on your list YOU MOST want (Larry & Alex)
Elephant In The Room - Topics that HAVE to be talked about.
This episode Keyforge By Fantasy Flight Games
On the table - We will examine what the game is like when played, we need to personify that experience, this should be impersonal experience wise, but cover angles and what to expect from the title, cover components, setting, rules and the overall atmosphere. Then TOGETHER we will get into our personal experiences with the title and give our personal thoughts on said title together.
This Episode: Kemet By Matagot
Links:
Podstudio1
BGG
Games:
Keyforge
Everdell
Dice Throne Season 1
Root
Scythe
Twilight Imperium 4Th Ed
San Marco
El Grande’
A Feast For Odin
Endeavor: Age of Sail
X-Wing Second Edition: Starter Set
Western Legend
Azul
Sagrada
7 Wonders Duel
Imotep
Viticulture Essential Edition
Inis
Elysium
Gifts:
BoardGameGeek Artist Series
Tiny Epic Game Haul Carrier
Custom Tokens for Keyforge - These are in a number of places, I believe they are a good bet as getting the decks are such a large part of this game, you want to put as much as you can into their purchase. IF you miss out on a starter or want to just be a little more original, add these to someone who has the game, whether they have a starter or not, and they will thank you. I've seen both wood and acrylic and of course 3-d printed all would be welcome upgrades from the cardboard in the box, and as a gift are a sure win!
Represent the meeple - Gamers have adopted the meeple as their universal sign flag bearer so get them something that has one on it.
A T-Shirt with a Catan quote on it - Catan is the granddaddy of modern board gaming and just outside of the realm of cultural obscurity that a good portion of people would recognize the reference. Lets celebrate our heritage!
A steam gift card - Yall Scythe and Terraforming Mars have computer versions!
Music:
As always from the amazing community of gifted musicians, arrangers, and composers over at ocremix.org go visit them for the full project and so much more amazing music!
Intro / Bump / Outro
NiGHTS into dreams Merry Little Christmas by Dale North
From the Game NiGHTS into Dreams (Original Song: Dreams Dreams)
Original Composers: Fumie Kumatani, Naofumi Hataya, Tomoko Sasaki
Intro Banter: The guys catch up and discuss anything that comes to mind to ease into this week's episode!!
That Time of The Year- Games themed for a certain time of the year! Holidays and family on our minds, we talk games that are good to sink your teeth into collectively with the family at all levels!
The Spoken Token Presents: Movies - The guys each come up with their own movie based off of a board game, with a synopsis and trailer.
Game Gab - The hosts take a more in-depth look at game related topics specifically related to Hobby Board Games in other areas of popular culture.
This month Lore: Is Lore in board games necessary? What value does it bring?
What is your favorite background Lore?
Conventional wisdom - convention going ons.
When to let go?- When is it time to let a game go. Talk through the feelings and give listeners an understanding of what they are struggling with. Help them ask practical questions about their collection.
Links:
Podstudio1
BGG
Steve Jackson Games
Games:
That time of year: HOLIDAYS EDITION!!
Cinque Terre By Rio Grande Games
Pandemic By Z-man Games
Alhambra: Big Box - By Queen Games
In Vino Morte By Buttonshy Games
Holiday themed Honorary mentions
Munchkin Holiday edition By Steve Jackson Games
Dinosaur Island - By Pandasaurus Games
12 Days By Eagle Gryphon Games
Letters to Santa By AEG
Game Lore:
Sentinels of the Multiverse
Twilight Imperium
Runebound
Honorable mention:
Dungeoneer
CONVENTIONal Wisdom*:
Nov. 30-Dec. 2: PAX Unplugged – Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
Location: PENNSYLVANIA CONVENTION CENTER, 1101 ARCH STREET, PHILADELPHIA, PA 19107. PAX Unplugged will be an exciting analog-focused extension of our already existing portfolio of PAX events. We’ve found that the Tabletop parts of PAX have grown and grown to the point where we said, “You know what? Let’s make a show that’s just that.” PAX Unplugged is an event specifically tailored to gamers of all ages. All of the content throughout the show is meant to be enjoyed by the entire family all weekend and what’s more, Sunday’s offerings are specifically set up to appeal to our younger gamers in attendance. It’s with that in mind that we will also be offering a Sunday Kid’s Day badge for anyone under 12.
*Thanks to Steve Jackson Games Convention schedule: Steve Jackson Games
Music:
As always from the amazing community of gifted musicians, arrangers, and composers over at ocremix.org go visit them for the full project and so much more amazing music!
Intro / Bump / Outro
Super Mario World Super Mario's Sleigh Ride OC ReMix By The OneUps
From the Games: Super Mario World | Super Mario Bros ("Bonus Screen BGM", "Bonus Screen Clear Fanfare", "Map 2 (Overworld)", "Map 5 (Forest of Illusion)" Overworld BGM")
Original Composer: Koji Kondo
Intro Banter: The guys catch up and discuss anything that comes to mind to ease into this week's episode!!
Outside the Box - Tabletop games outside the normal scope.
Trend towards turning Board Games into Movies. Discussion on what is already in the works; Mice and Mystics Movie, Catan, Dungeons and Dragon.
Larry’s short list of richer lore content game universes that would be better targets than Catan Story wise:
Galaxy Trucker (Space) Czech Games Edition there are 14!! More listed on the BGG page!
Kings of Air and Steam (SCREAMS HBO SERIES) Steampunk/Generational Tasty Minstrel
Ascension (Fantasy/Intrigue) By Stoneblade entertainment
Last Night on Earth (Campy Horror) By Flying Frog Productions
Dead of Winter (Suspenseful Horror) By Plaid Hat Games
Ashes Rise of the Phoenixborn by Plaid Hat Games
Dungeon Twister (Technical horror special effects masterpiece) by Ludically
Mainstream Imitations - We look at all concepts of the mainstream Board Game industry that are encroaching into Hobby territory, and discuss if this is a good thing.
The Monopoly for Millennials game - Hasbro
The game of Life quarter life crisis - Hasbro
HOLIDAY BUYER'S GUIDE - Preview of the 2018 edition!
Table/ Table Topper
Shelving
Game bins
Add-ons: Dice, storage, Inserts, Mats
Giving: Targeted Gift Certificates: FLGS to the recipient! Cool Stuff Inc. Miniature Mart, The Broken Token, Go5, Daedalus. Barring these a general gift card with a note for Board games! Gamers want to spend “cash” gifts on gaming anyway, but sometimes life gets the better of us, but that little extra push may be enough for your well intentioned gift to be used in the way you meant!
Receiving: Essen is over, so the convention season (new release) is over. Get what you want/ have been salivating over. Also note that its holiday season so everyone who can plans to have the MOST units in stores/available at this time of year, so take advantage. In the US the big box retailers (Target/Barnes & Noble/Books A Million) are all carrying more actual hobby games than ever, even more on their (gasp!) online portal, so you will have more opportunities to get the games you want. Conversely it’s a good time to get accessories you need as well: Rolling trays, bit bins, dice sets, supplements/expansions, etc. the BGG Store is a great place to find promos/exclusives for not a lot of money (when you are dealing in gift “i.e. extra” cash! So don’t forget to look there.
Best advice: make a list!
Games!!
8Bit Box- Iello
Treasure Island - Matagot
Detective: A Modern Crime Board Game - Portal Games
Welcome To your perfect home -
Arkham Horror 3rd Ed - Fantasy Flight Games
Warehouse 13 the Board Game - Infinite Dream Gaming
Walmart Gift Ideas
Fog of Love - Hush Hush Projects
Sherlock Holmes: The Thames Murders & Other Cases - Space Cowboys
Kemet - Asmodee
Villianous - Wonder Forge
Target Gift ideas
Bob Ross: The art of Chill - Big G Creative
Azul - Plan B Games
Terafroming Mars - Stronghold Games
Villianous - Wonder Forge
Barnes And Noble Gift Ideas
Axis and Allies: Zombies - Avalon Hill
Paper Tales - Stronghold Games
Harry Potter Munchkin - USAOpoly
Munchkin CCG Starter Box - Steve Jackson Games
Links:
Podstudio1
BGG
BGG Geek Store
Music:
As always from the amazing community of gifted musicians, arrangers, and composers over at ocremix.org go visit them for the full project and so much more amazing music!
Intro / Bump / Outro
All I Want for Christmas Is Grandma's Sweet Elixir Soup (Outset Island) By Ridiculously Garrett
From the game: The Legend of Zelda the Wind Waker
Original Composers: Hajime Wakai, Kenta Nagata, Koji Kondo, Toru Minegishi
Intro Banter - The guys open the show and talk about what's new and happening in their worlds.
Game Life - We talk about the reality of hobby boardgaming integrating into our everyday lives.
How do you measure your collections depth? smaller number of titles owned with more plays, or bigger number of games with less plays? Pros and Cons of each and some ideas on which may be the right one for you.
Mechanical Observations - We discuss games by mechanic.
This month’s: Programming (Turn / Movement) and Code editing (ala Mechs versus Minions)
From the Spoken Token, IT'S GAME NIGHT LIVE!
A look at all things preparing for hosting a game night from the game selection and space preparation angles. How do you live with preparing for game night? Plus some strategies to help that go more smoothly!
End of summer of Games contest announcement Again! Any one who asks us a question via gmail, will be entered to win our summer of games giveaway prize. We will read the winner and other selected emails on future show.
Big Surprise Announcement Part Deux: We are going Bi Weekly! Moving forward you will get he Spoken token twice a month! Bear with us as we work out the kinks in pre and post production, not to mention mic time and time to get the great content for you to listen to. As always we welcome your feedback/suggestions/ideas. Through social media!!
Links:
Podstudio1
BGG
Music:
As always from the amazing community of gifted musicians, arrangers, and composers over at ocremix.org go visit them for the full project and so much more amazing music!
Intro / Bump / Outro
Little Winged Lady (Few Paths Forbidden) By DarkeSword
From The Album Seiken Densetsu 3: Songs of Light and Darkness
Project Page: http://sd3.ocremix.org/
Original Composer: Hiroki Kikuta