The Game Mechanic: Recent Episodes
Mike
A podcast about tabletop games, their design mechanics, interactions, and flaws, and my recommendations to fix and fine tune them to peak enjoyment performance.
My name is Mike, and I'm your friendly local Game Mechanic. Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/thegamemechanic/support
When does a solitaire game go from challenging to hopelessly frustrating?
Suggestions? Feel free to contact Mike at TheGameMechanicPodcast@gmail.com. Thanks for listening!
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Is it really the best expression of modern “Legacy” style games?
Suggestions? Feel free to contact Mike at TheGameMechanicPodcast@gmail.com. Thanks for listening!
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What does this dice-roller do right, and what does it do wrong?
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Mike wanted to let you know he's been a slacker this past week, will release The Reckoners episode next week, and his thoughts on the latest big box expansion for Marvel Champions.
It's not a full episode, just a quick update. Have a great week!
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How much patience is really required to build a monster?
It's the first episode of a new month! Mike will thank all of his supporters to date in the first episode of the month going forward.
Suggestions? Feel free to contact Mike at TheGameMechanicPodcast@gmail.com. Thanks for listening!
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What does this Living Card Game do right, and what does it do wrong?
Shoutout to Chelsea L for being my very first Supporter! Thanks Chelsea!
Suggestions? Feel free to contact Mike at TheGameMechanicPodcast@gmail.com. Thanks for listening!
This episode is sponsored by · Anchor: The easiest way to make a podcast. https://anchor.fm/app
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Does this amazing concept deliver its promised cargo or float away with the rest of the garbage?
Sadly, this description box does not allow enough characters to list all the fixes for this game. If there's a demand for it, Mike will compile them into a PDF or text file and put it up on a shareable site for free download.
Suggestions? Feel free to contact Mike at TheGameMechanicPodcast@gmail.com. Thanks for listening!
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Welcome to Season 1!
This is the episode where Mike goes into detail about his Negative Play Experience at Gen Con 2019 and how it spawned the idea for this podcast.
How to Fix the Randomization Mechanic for a More Cooperative Starting Hand:
When performing Step 9 of setup, "Deal Priority Cards", follow the instructions as written. After placing the Priority deck near the game board, all players look at their four Priority cards and choose one to keep by putting it facedown in front of them. Depending on the total number of players, each player will then pass a number of cards from their remaining three cards accordingly:
Four players: Each player takes their lowest valued card and places it facedown in front of the player to their left, then places the next lowest valued card facedown in front of the player to their right, and the last card is placed facedown in front of the player across from them. All players then pick up the facedown cards in front of them and continue as normal.
Three players: As with four players, but skip the final pass across. All players will keep their last card instead.
Two players: Players A and B each choose one card from their hand to put facedown in front of the other player, leaving two cards in hand. Player A then lets Player B randomly choose a card from the remaining two cards in A’s hand to put facedown in front of A, and Player B lets Player A do the same. Player A puts their one remaining card facedown in front of Player B, and Player B puts their one remaining card facedown in front of Player A. Both players then pick up the facedown cards in front of them and continue as normal.
Trading Options:
Option 1: At the end of the Action Phase, any Investigators in the same location can trade Priority cards on a one-for-one basis. The Investigators first agree to a set number of cards to trade and with whom, up to a maximum of four. They then choose that many cards from their hand and make the exchange. Investigators cannot trade Priority cards more than once per Action Phase.
Option 2: At the end of the Action Phase of Round 4, any Investigators can trade Priority cards on a one-for-one basis as in Option 1, regardless of their location. The Investigators cannot trade Priority cards at any other time.
Option 3: At the end of the Action Phase of Round 4, all Investigators repeat the same Priority card exchange that they used during setup, if they used The Game Mechanic's recommended fix to the randomization mechanic for a more cooperative Starting Hand, described above.
Item Trading Options:
Option 1: At the end of the Action Phase, any Investigator can give any number of their Item cards to another Investigator while they are in the same location. Each Item card can only be given to another Investigator once per Action Phase.
Option 2: At the end of the Action Phase of Round 4, any Investigator can give any number of their Item cards to another Investigator, regardless of their location. Each Item card can only be given to another Investigator once only, and Item cards cannot be given to another Investigator at any other time.
Suggestions? Feel free to contact Mike at TheGameMechanicPodcast@gmail.com. Thanks for listening!
This episode is sponsored by · Anchor: The easiest way to make a podcast. https://anchor.fm/app
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Mike goes a bit off-topic from what the podcast is focused around to talk about the bits, bobs, chits, boxes, inserts, organizers, and how it all adds up not only for game enjoyment, but also for the price of a game. Mike also says a swear a few times, and this is the longest episode of Season Zero.
I mean, he's talking for like 20 minutes here. Come on. Nobody likes hearing a guy talk their ear off for 20 minutes, do they? Especially if it's off-topic... hm? What do you mean fired? I'm the description, you can't fire me! I quit!
See you in Season One everybody!
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Mike talks about the terms and conditions of using house rules... I think.
Look, it's short. Why are you looking at me? You could listen to the episode in the time it would take me to describe it to you, so go ahead already!
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In this episode, Mike talks about the nebulous concept that is game balance and how it works for symmetric and asymmetric games.
Also, Mike apologizes for the odd sound quality of late. He's still learning, folks.
He doesn't apologize for these descriptions, however, and I think that's criminal.
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Mike describes some of the most common game mechanics out there.
No, not... like, the name of this podcast or Mike the Game Mechanic. Like, what you are doing while playing a board game.
...no, not eating pizza or gossiping with your friends. The actual things you do to try and win the game.
You know what? Just listen to the podcast. He explains it better.
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Mike talks about how game progression progresses a game.
Games mentioned: Bosk (Floodgate Games, 2019); Century: Spice Road (Plan B Games, 2017); Betrayal at House on the Hill (Avalon Hill, 2004).
...Really? That's what you're going with for a description? Folks, I'm starting to think he's not taking this episode description thing as seriously as he takes his podcast content.
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Mike talks about what he does and does not consider to be a Negative Play Experience. Listen once, and then never listen to this episode again. Or do. I'm just the description. I have no authority to tell you what you should or shouldn't do in your life.
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The very first episode ever! Meet Mike, your friendly neighborhood game mechanic, and learn a bit about his past and passion for board games.
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