The Cardboard Herald: Recent Episodes

Jack Eddy

An in depth look at games, gamers, and why we play

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Jarratt Gray is the co-designer along with Carl de Visser of Endeavor, Endeavor: Age of Sail and Endeavor Deep Sea.

00:00 - Intro (taking TCbH by storm)

02:49 - The sense of exploration

06:09 - History of Endeavor

12:27 - An academic bent

16:50 - Designing a balance between coop & competitive

21:31 - Working partnership with Carl

25:56 - Avoiding bad expansions with uncharted waters

34:10 - Endeavor's future

HOT LINKS:

Our Site - www.cardboardherald.com

Our Video Channel - https://www.youtube.com/TheCardboardHerald

Our Twitter - https://twitter.com/CardboardHerald

Our Patreon - https://www.patreon.com/user?u=9669551

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Jamey Stegmaier is the cofounder & owner of Stonemaier games, as well as designer of many of their hits like Viticulture, Scythe and Tapestry.

00:00 - Why release 2 new expansions at once?

03:22 - Do you buy expansions for your games?

07:11 - How have your views on expansions changed over time?

12:23 - Do you think about expansion potential when publishing a game?

15:48 - Simultaneous release expansions

20:14 - Why not repackage expansions into Tokaido?

23:03 - What metrics do you consider on if it's worth it?

25:00 - Balancing release schedule?

26:39 - Expansions that could have been?

31:48 - Types of expansions (Jamey's question for Jack)

HOT LINKS:

Our Site - www.cardboardherald.com

Our Video Channel - https://www.youtube.com/TheCardboardHerald

Our Twitter - https://twitter.com/CardboardHerald

Our Patreon - https://www.patreon.com/user?u=9669551

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Pat Race & Aron Suring are the co-owners / co-founders of Alaska Robotics Gallery among many other businesses and projects in Juneau, Alaska, and are just all around great dudes.

00:00 - Intro "what is this shop?"

01:41 - When did games come along?

03:57 - Selling expansions

06:24 - Encouraging buying local

08:50 - Stale product

11:11 - Are expansions a boon or bane

14:12 - Closing out with favorite games

HOT LINKS:

Our Site - www.cardboardherald.com

Our Video Channel - https://www.youtube.com/TheCardboardHerald

Our Twitter - https://twitter.com/CardboardHerald

Our Patreon - https://www.patreon.com/user?u=9669551

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Nick Murray, coowner of Bitewing Games and host of "The Bits with Joe and Nick" comes to talk Gold Country and Bitewing's work with Reiner Knizia, spanning hits from Zoo Vadis to Illiad.

00:00 - Intro

01:46 - Gold Country Excitement

07:08 - Did Bitewing set out to work with Knizia?

12:57 - Reiner's self awareness of current resurgence?

19:18 - Is there a Knizia bubble?

26:25 - Challenges with Gold Country

32:24 - Why doesn't Bitewing do expansions?

35:35 - The games that got away?

HOT LINKS:

Our Site - www.cardboardherald.com

Our Video Channel - https://www.youtube.com/TheCardboardHerald

Our Twitter - https://twitter.com/CardboardHerald

Our Patreon - https://www.patreon.com/user?u=9669551

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Trevor Benjamin is co-designer of numerous hit games including Undaunted, Warchest, Resist and Mandela, frequently collaborating with David J. Thompson and Brett J. Gilbert.

00:00 - Intro

01:10 - Getting involved with Bitewing

02:26 - Approach to following up Iliad & Ichor

06:29 - Intentionally subverting genre?

07:52 - Late addition of solo & coop

09:47 - Why always codesigning?

14:47 - Approach to Azure

18:11 - State of the hobby trending to more shallow experiences

21:50 - Historical accuracy vs. practical game design

25:09 - Expanded scope of Undaunted

29:01 - How do you know when a game is done?

31:51 - Recent inspirations

37:35 - Next up, For the Gods

Links:

Our Site - https://www.cardboardherald.com

Our Video Channel - https://www.youtube.com/TheCardboardHerald

Our Twitter - https://twitter.com/CardboardHerald

Our Patreon - https://www.patreon.com/user?u=9669551

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It’s time to butt heads and create enemies that will last a lifetime! That’s right, we’re talking about conflict, baby, and the different ways conflicts are represented in board games.

0:00 - Introductions and What We’ve Been Playing This Week!

34:22 - Conflict in Board Games

1:13:10 - Outro!

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Jack and Eric haven’t chatted in a while, so we thought this would be a good time to discuss the channel, where we’re at and what we’re working on now that we’re both back from all of our trips, and what’s coming up for the channel!

0:00 - Introductions and What We’ve Been Playing This Week!

29:55 - Call to Order of the Cardboard Herald Board Meeting

1:21:45 - Meeting Adjourned and Outro!

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Trying something new this week! Our very first TCbH Game Night, Eric shows Jack Forest Shuffle - Dartmoor, and we discuss our thoughts on the game. Let us know your thoughts on the format and any changes you’d like to see! It’s still something we’re fiddling with, so we’d love to hear any suggestions you’d have.

0:00 - Introductions and What We’ve Been Playing This Week!

22:07 - The Start of Game Night!

24:36 - Forest Shuffle - Dartmoor Rules Explanation and Game Overview

1:04:17 - Final Thoughts and Closing Remarks!

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Cameron Art (developer of Harvest, owner of PickPocket Games) comes on the podcast to chat with Eric about his time as a developer for Keymaster and what’s on the horizon for PickPocket Games

PickPocket Games: https://pickpocketgames.com/

0:00 - Introductions and What We’ve Played This Past Week

12:07 - Cameron Talks About Developing Harvest

19:25 - Was There Feedback Cameron Got Where The Feedback Disagreed With the Data?

24:18 - Cameron Discusses The Differences Between Designing A Game and Developing A Game

37:13 - Cameron Discusses What’s Different From Working Internally to Develop for a Company versus Being Contracted to Develop?

40:54 - How Does Cameron Approach Developing a Solo Mode for a Competitive Game?

47:50 - What Pushed Cameron to Republish Thief’s Market with PickPocket Games?

56:00 - Cameron Talks Starting Up PickPocket Games

1:03:15 - Cameron’s Most Influential Games

1:07:18 - The Games Cameron Thinks You Must Play As an Aspiring Board Game Designer?

1:11:22 - Outro

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Check It Out! We got two tricky kids on to chat about their latest game Tricky Kids, published by Pandasaurus. We talk about their approach to games, what’s it like to co-design a game, and what’s coming next for them

Baron Jon’s Trick-Taking Collection: https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/trickytime/baron-jons-2025-card-game-collection/description

0:00 - Introductions and What We’ve Played This Past Week

7:47 - What Was the Process of Coming Together to Start Co-Designing?

14:56 - What Was The Design Process of Tricky Kids?

26:09 - What Was It Like Working With Pandasaurus?

32:09 - How Do They Approach A Game Where They Know They’re Working With A Co-Designer?

36:41 - How Does Danielle Approach Games She’s Designing That Are Licensed Compared To Independent Work?

41:50 - Why Is Steven Drawn to Designing Trick-Taking Games?

46:46 - What Games Would Danielle and Steven Point to As The Most Influential For Them?

52:13 - What Games Do Steven and Danielle Think An Aspiring Game Designer Must Play?

57:20 - Outro

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Join us as Eric chats with Trey Chambers, designer of Harvest, Argent: The Consortium and Empyreal: Spells and Steam!

0:00 - Introductions and What We’ve Played This Week!

09:12 - How has Harvest Changed Between Editions?

16:02 - What’s It Like Rereturning to Work on the Expansions of Harvest?

20:11 - How Did Trey’s Journey Into Game Design Start?

22:50 - What Does It Feel Like to Get Your First Game Published?

27:13 - What Does It Feel Like to Get Your Second Game Published, and Working with a Publisher a Second Time?

31:25 - Trey’s Advice for Unpublished Game Designers

35:25 - Trey’s Top Games of the Last Year

43:38 - Trey’s Most Influential Games/Games that Trey thinks Beginning Game Designers Should Learn From

47:02 - What’s Next for Trey?

49:18 - Listener Questions!

53:00 - Outro!

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So long Indianapolis, thanks for all the games! Scott, aka Boardgamingbud, and Eric chat about the games we played at Gen Con and the general vibe of the convention.

Jeremy Howard’s Post - https://boardgamegeek.com/thread/3555308/just-some-ole-racist-history-crap

Devir of North America’s Post -

https://boardgamegeek.com/thread/3555679/a-message-to-the-community

0:00 - Introductions

2:00 - Favorite Games of 2025 (so far)

11:41 - Topic: Gen Con Wrap Up

34:30 - Who “won” Gen Con 2025?

1:00:06- Viewer/Listener Comments

1:09:26 - Outro

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Losers always have it the best! They’re chucking out bullet bills and blue shells, while I’m grinding trick jumps in first to keep my lead. This week we talk about catch-up mechanics in board games and what we like about them.

0:00 - Introductions and What We’ve Played This Week

21:45 - Our Topic This Week: Game Balance

01:02:23 - Outro

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There’s a lot that comes to mind when someones says “game balance” in reference to board games, and we’re here to talk about all of them. Jack and Eric discuss what they want from game balance, games that are good examples of it, and answer some questions from commenters about the topic.

0:00 - Introductions and What We’ve Played This Week

13:29 - Our Topic This Week: Game Balance

01:05:31 - Listener Comment #1

01:08:19 - Listener Comment #2

01:16:13 - Listener Comment #3

01:23:54 - Listener Comment #4

01:29:25 - Outro

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We’re back and more married than ever! With Eric now having a permanent second player, what better time than the present to discuss what we like about two player game.

0:00 - Introductions

02:12- The Housekeeping Corner

08:37 - What Have We Been Playing?

24:45 - Topic: Two-Player Board Games

1:28:24- Outro!

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Realm of Reckoning launches on kickstarter on June 24th, 2025 here: https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/ivstudios/realm-of-reckoning

00:00 - Intro

01:36 - From animation to the tabletop

07:40 - Starting with theme or mechanics?

10:40 - Difficulty with commitment to bespoke components

14:30 - Honing the craft of making games

18:15 - Moving industry to a smaller pond

23:06 - Beginnings of Reckoning

27:28 - Upcoming cooperative deck builder

31:20 - When to start internal and external playtesting

36:06 - Navigating Tariffs

39:51 - Why not solo?

43:05 - Feeling challenged by other publishers?

47:51 - Admiration for small design

50:39 - Original themes and world buidling

56:20 - Coming down the pike?

Links:

Our Site - https://www.cardboardherald.com

Our Video Channel - https://www.youtube.com/TheCardboardHerald

Our Twitter - https://twitter.com/CardboardHerald

Our Patreon - https://www.patreon.com/user?u=9669551

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Following our discussion a few weeks ago about IP-Based games, we’re talking about different ways games can exude theme, and the levers they can pull

0:00 - A Demonstration of Technical Difficulties

0:47- The Real Introductions and What We’ve Played This Week

20:00 - Topic: How Board Games Exude Theme

1:28:22- Listener Comments and Examples

01:39:25 - Outro!

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You can find out more about the book here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mmlZSX1YmTI

Links:

Our Site - https://www.cardboardherald.com

Our Video Channel - https://www.youtube.com/TheCardboardHerald

Our Twitter - https://twitter.com/CardboardHerald

Our Patreon - https://www.patreon.com/user?u=9669551

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These games stay Based (on other intellectual properties). This week, Eric and Jack talk about board games based on non-board game Intellectual properties, and what we want to see out of them.

0:00 - Introductions and What We’ve Played This Week

10:43 - Topic: IP-Based Board Games

45:15- Listener Question: Why Are There So Many Lord Of The Ring Games?

53:27 - Outro!

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Color me shocked that Pokemon TCG Pocket didn’t win anything! This week, Eric and Jack discuss the Golden Geek Awards Winners and what we would have chosen instead

0:00 - Introductions and What We’ve Played This Week

30:05 - Topic: The Golden Geeks and Our Reactions

1:35:40 - Our Ideas for New Categories

01:38:55 - Outro!

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Eric and Jack discuss where the channel is at right now and what our audience can look forward to in the months and year to come.

0:00 - Introductions and What We’ve Played This Week

28:36 - Topic: The State of the Herald Address 2025

01:19:19 - Outro!

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Nick Murray of Bitewing Games chats with Eric about his kickstarter for Gingham and Gazebo, his thoughts on the tariffs and what it’s like being named Nick.

0:00 - Introductions and What We’ve Played This Week

13:38 - Publishing Gazebo and Gingham on Kickstarter

27:40 - Bitewing’s Relationship with Reiner Knizia

32:20 - What Work Goes into Setting a Kickstarter Up for Success

39:30 - Nick’s Thoughts on His Post About Tariffs

48:45 - What Is the Board Game Industry Going to Look Like a Year from Now?

55:28 - Stonemaier Games’ Lawsuit

01:02:48 - Bombastic Direct-to-Retail Release

01:11:25 - Listener Question - What’s It Like Being Named Nick?

01:41:13 - Outro!

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Do we want more? Do we want less? What do we want when we play a new expansion to a board game? We give our thoughts on what makes a great board game expansions with some examples of our favorites and our least favorites on this week’s edition of The Cardboard Herald Podcast

0:00 - Introductions and What We’ve Played This Week

11:08 - Our Topic This Week: What Makes a Great Board Game Expansions

31:15 - Eric’s Number 5: 7 Wonders Duel: Pantheon

34:48 - Jack’s Number 5: Architects of the West Kingdom: Works of Wonder

38:24 - Eric’s Number 4: Spirit Island: Jagged Earth

40:37 - Jack’s Number 4: Spirit Island: Jagged Earth

43:33 - Eric’s Number 3: Dune Imperium: Rise of Ix

52:38 - Jack’s Number 3: Viticulture Tuscany Essential Edition

1:00:54 - Eric’s Number 2: Arcs: Blighted Reach Campaign

1:09:01 - Jack’s Number 2: Undaunted: Reinforcements

1:16:02 - Eric’s Number 1: Wingspan Oceania

1:22:06 - Jack’s Number 1:Terraforming Mars Prelude

1:27:11 - What Do We Want An Expansion of Harmonies to Look Like?

1:32:34 - Listener Comments!

01:41:13 - Outro!

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Stonks! On this week of The Cardboard Herald Podcast, Jack and Eric talk about the nebulous topic that is how to value games.

0:00 - Introductions and What Games We’ve Played!

34:22 - The Lore Corner

1:16:37 - What is Our Most Valuable Game?

1:17:03 - Return to The Lore Corner

1:21:52 - Outroduction

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This week, we wanted to give a somewhat thorough overview of how the board game industry is reacting to the announced tariffs and what it means for us, as consumers in this hobby.

Here are some of the links we reference in the video:

https://stonemaiergames.com/the-darkest-timeline/

https://boardgamegeek.com/blog/1/blogpost/172826/publishers-talk-more-about-us-tariffs

https://solisgamestudio.com/blog/the-growing-bay-area-industry-that-tariffs-may-kill

0:00 - Introductions

00:47 - Topic Introduction: How Do Tariffs Affect the Board Game Industry

07:35 - What Are Tariffs?

19:13 - What Are People in the Industry Saying?

54:42 - What Are Things We Can Do To Help Out?

01:09:20 - Outro!

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Kids these days! With their phones and unlimited access to board games! BACK IN MY DAY WE HAD TO GET OUT AN ENTIRE CARDBOARD EMPIRE TO GET OUR FIX!

0:00 - Introductions and What Games Have We Played This Week!

33:40 - Topic: Digital Board Game Adaptations

1:12:35 - Listener Comment #1

01:19:06 - Listener Comment #2

01:37:12 - Outro!

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You’re stranded on an abandoned island with only you, five board games, four friends and one million dollars from a disheveled content creator. What five games do you bring?

0:00 - Introductions and What Games Have We Played This Week!

10:00 - Topic: Games We Would Bring to a Desert Island

17:07 - Parameters of What Games We’re Bringing

21:25 - Eric and Jack Game #1

25:35 - Jack Game #2

28:00 - Eric Game #2

30:27 - Jack Game #3

34:37 - Eric Game #3

39:05 - Jack Game #4

48:52 - Eric Game #4

52:54 - Jack Game #5

57:09 - Eric Game #5

1:02:04 - Eric’s Villain Monologue

01:05:05 - Listener Lists

01:14:41 - Outro!

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What games make gamers? Jack and Eric chat about what games are best to introduce people to the hobby and some common pitfalls games might have that would preclude them from this discussion.

0:00 - Introductions and What Games Have We Played This Week!

15:04 - Topic: Gateway Games

01:02:14 - Listener Comments

01:10:27 - Our Recommendations for a Universal Gateway Game

01:18:36 - Outro!

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Eric and Jack chat about what solo gaming is like in 2025 and give recommendations on the best games to start out on your own.

0:00 - Introductions and What Games Have We Played This Week!

17:55 - Topic: Solo Gaming in 2025

51:50 - Our Recommendations for Gateway Solo Games

01:04:05 - Outro!

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On this week’s episode, Eric and Jack share their advice and experiences in building a game group! Spoiler alert: Eric recommends solo games.

0:00 - Introductions and What Games Have We Played This Week!

19:00 - Topic: How To Build A Gaming Group

58:40 - Listener Question #1 - How To Handle A Gaming Group With an Awkward Number of Players?

01:06:42 - Outro!

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We got too many games and we’re not gonna take it anymore! In this week’s episode, Eric and Jack talk about why somewhat might cull their board game collection, what factors to determine which games to keep, and best practices for removing games from your collection.

0:00 - Introductions!

01:26 - What Games Have We Played This Week!

21:45- Topic: Purging a Board Game Collection

01:09:35 - Listener Contributions

01:16:30- Outro!

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John has designed numerous hit #boardgames most prominently for #AEG and #brotherwisegames. This was a great chat we had after getting a chance to hang out for the weekend at Platypus Con 2025 in Juneau, AK.

00:00 - Intro

01:19 - Breaking in and beyond card crafting

05:51 - The origin story

12:43 - Transition to game design full-time

18:15 - Honing your craft

24:25 - Pitching, showing & development

32:45 - Mistborn, STORMLIGHT, Oh My!

51:39 - Designing what comes natural

53:47 - Adapting a world

60:27 - Ambitions to originality

67:42 - A new Mystic Vale

Links:

Our Site - https://www.cardboardherald.com

Our Video Channel - https://www.youtube.com/TheCardboardHerald

Our Twitter - https://twitter.com/CardboardHerald

Our Patreon - https://www.patreon.com/user?u=9669551

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But like what do we even mean when we say something's our favorite game? Jack and Eric discuss that and more in this week’s episode

0:00 - Introductions!

01:21 - What Games Have We Played This Week!

20:49 - Topic: The Concept of “Favorite Games”

51:56 - Listener Contribution #1

01:02:18 - Outro!

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Had this great chat with Nick at PAX U and afterwards got to play SWARM with him, which is NOT an official greenlit Leder project (yet), just something Nick has been working on that the studio may produce.

00:00 - Showing Ahoy materials

03:31 - Swarm

05:07 - Your focus at conventions?

07:49 - What's inspiring you these days?

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Jack and Eric talk the inaugural BGG Hall of Fame inductees

0:00 - Introductions!

03:34 - What Games Have We Played!

16:49 - Board Game Geek Hall of Fame Class of 2025

43:05 - Discussion on the omission of Puerto Rico

01:01:48 - Listener Question #1: Thoughts on Upgrading Games versus Buying New Games?

01:07:00 - Listener Question #2: Do we like games more when we win? How about when we teach versus learn a game?

01:14:13 - Listener Question #3: Would we consider implementing a timer to speed up games?

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Jack, Eric, and special guest John give their hot takes on whether people are overreacting to board game etiquette quandaries

0:00 - Introductions!

01:44 - What games have we played

13:22 - Podcast topic, AITA

16:42 - AITA for not wanting to learn and teach every game?

21:35 - AITA for trying to win the board game?

28:25 - AITA for making a casual game competitive?

34:44 - AITA for going for player elimination out of the gate?

43:13 - AITA for kingmaking in a lost game?

54:55 - Listener Questions! AITA for wanting to check the rules?

1:00:00 - AITA for declining to tally up my score when I know I’ve lost?

1:03:27 - AITA for wanting a slow player to play faster?

1:09:05 - AITA for calling out someone else’s win condition?

1:14:10 - Outroductions

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Eric and Jack have chat about board game components, why they’re important and why the film American Tale deserves to be developed into a mid-weight Euro

00:00 Introduction and Games We’ve Played this week

21:13 Board Game Components

01:07:29 Listener Question - What topic or concept do we want to see more board games made about?

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Jack and Eric discuss how luck affects board games

00:00 Intro

02:04 Games We've Played

16:18 2025 Luck in Board Games

56:58 1st Listener Question - Our take on how luck in board games has evolved?

01:03:43 2nd Listener Question - Only No-Luck games or Only Medium-Luck Games?

1:06:26 3rd Listener Question - Our thoughts on games that feature negative emotions?

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Jack and Eric discuss what 2025 will look like for the board game industry as we know it

00:00 Intro

01:23 Games We've Played

26:20 2025 Board Game Industry Outlook

01:04:49 Listener Questions

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Eric and Jack chat about our experiences and tips for teaching games.

00:00 - Intro

02:16 - Games we've been playing

20:41 - Teaching Games

58:11 - Listener questions

Links:

Our Site - https://www.cardboardherald.com

Our Video Channel - https://www.youtube.com/TheCardboardHerald

Our Twitter - https://twitter.com/CardboardHerald

Our Patreon - https://www.patreon.com/user?u=9669551

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Eric and Jack sit down to talk about our experience and the games we played at PAX Unplugged 2024. You can watch the video for this chat on our youtube channel here: https://youtu.be/TX0A9JFHtak

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00:00 - Releasing a game at GenCon

04:33 - Did River of Gold start as an L5R Game?

09:25 - Working with an imprint of Asmodee

11:34 - Why no solo mode?

14:55 - Developing the linear aspect of the game

18:32 - Commercial pressures for success

21:24 - Motivation to become a designer

25:13 - What makes a good sell sheet & game pitch?

27:18 - Dream universe to adapt into a board game

31:34 - What's next for Keith & River of Gold?

Links:

Our Site - https://www.cardboardherald.com

Our Video Channel - https://www.youtube.com/TheCardboardHerald

Our Twitter - https://twitter.com/CardboardHerald

Our Patreon - https://www.patreon.com/user?u=9669551

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00:00 - Intro

03:42 - From editing to design

04:42 - What makes a good rule book?

07:53 - Why big floppy rulebooks?

10:15 - Root 4 a New Hope

11:42 - Big box for all your stuff?

14:57 - What's the pitch room like for Root content?

22:21 - What was the starting point?

25:50 - Clockwork & hirelings support

28:26 - Coolest part of the expansion?

31:06 - Reach and player count for new factions

32:31 - Long public development process

35:05 - Involvement in art direction

38:49 - What still needs development?

44:46 - What's the 3rd element of the expansion?

47:40 - What other games are cookin' at Leder?

Links:

Our Site - https://www.cardboardherald.com

Our Video Channel - https://www.youtube.com/TheCardboardHerald

Our Twitter - https://twitter.com/CardboardHerald

Our Patreon - https://www.patreon.com/user?u=9669551

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00:00 - Intro

01:42 - Different approach than with Distilled?

04:21 - Did you always plan on publishing in addition to design work?

07:17 - How do publication concerns impact game design?

09:45 - What sets Luthier apart from other games?

13:19 - Was there hesitation over the complexity level?

17:11 - How much do you design for the catalog?

20:27 - Did the long public exposure impact development?

24:26 - How was working with Vincent Dutrait?

29:27 - How much did you dictate art style and aesthetic?

33:01 - Should luck and randomness be proportional to a game?

35:28 - Is randomness necessary for modern games?

Links:

Our Site - https://www.cardboardherald.com

Our Video Channel - https://www.youtube.com/TheCardboardHerald

Our Twitter - https://twitter.com/CardboardHerald

Our Patreon - https://www.patreon.com/user?u=9669551

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The backer kit campaign for Ahoy: New Horizons launches November 14, 2023 here: https://www.backerkit.com/call_to_action/fd610745-96dd-4289-839e-ac0757c468bd/landing

00:00 - Intro & genesis of the expansion

02:04 - What type of expansion is this

04:09 - New factions, same limitations?

04:46 - Solo considered?

06:09 - Approach to figuring out what to expand

08:15 - Smugglers in a 2 player game?

10:48 - What makes a good game developer?

13:14 - Leder & external designs

16:10 - ARCS internal pitch & development

20:41 - Role of market research & staying up on games

24:13 - Early transparency & impact on creativity

29:36 - Minnesota & Board Games

32:00 - What makes a Leder game?

Links:

Our Site - https://www.cardboardherald.com

Our Video Channel - https://www.youtube.com/TheCardboardHerald

Our Twitter - https://twitter.com/CardboardHerald

Our Patreon - https://www.patreon.com/user?u=9669551

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Earthborne Rangers is the exciting new cooperative, open-world adventure game that I highly recommend. You can find our review here: https://youtu.be/uX91cv5H43M?si=m6WW_zI7V3BLKILx

00:00 - Earthborne Rangers background

05:25 - Inspiration for the setting

12:51 - 15 years with Fantasy Flight Games

21:27 - Creative director and leaving FFG

28:23 - Earthborne's commitment to sustainability

36:24 - How to teach and tutorialize games better

46:24 - Challenges designing an open world adventure

54:01 - Now and future Earthborne

Links:

Our Site - https://www.cardboardherald.com

Our Video Channel - https://www.youtube.com/TheCardboardHerald

Our Twitter - https://twitter.com/CardboardHerald

Our Patreon - https://www.patreon.com/user?u=9669551

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Freelancers is the new crossroads game from Plaid Hat Games. Timestamps are below, pre-order here: https://www.plaidhatgames.com/news/2023/03/30/announcing-freelancers-crossroads-game/

00:00 - Introduction & feelings leading up to release

04:26 - The Plaid Hat Way

06:10 - Starting Board With Life

11:00 - Freedom & flexibility in the design process

13:53 - What defines a crossroads game?

17:49 - Freelancers' art direction

21:32 - Setting

24:32 - Character creation

27:07 - Gameplay, saving & progress

30:08 - Emergent elements?

33:35 - Designing to player count

38:44 - The lost mechanical germ

42:25 - What caused this apocalypse

44:51 - What's on the horizon?

Links:

Our Site - https://www.cardboardherald.com

Our Video Channel - https://www.youtube.com/TheCardboardHerald

Our Twitter - https://twitter.com/CardboardHerald

Our Patreon - https://www.patreon.com/user?u=9669551

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Prefer audio? Check out this interview on our pod channel. Also, go check out Tim and the rest of the BGHT team at: https://boardgamehottakes.com

00:00 - Intro

03:43 - Getting games played for the podcast

08:21 - Evolution of tastes

14:30 - Vested interest in recruiting gamers

17:58 - Gaming history starting with MTG

24:25 - Converting to board games

30:06 - Goals for the podcast

33:40 - Cost of content creation

41:16 - Other pursuits & passions (and movies!)

51:00 - Importance of theme and presentation

56:42 - Upcoming shows

Links:

Our Site - https://www.cardboardherald.com

Our Video Channel - https://www.youtube.com/TheCardboardHerald

Our Twitter - https://twitter.com/CardboardHerald

Our Patreon - https://www.patreon.com/user?u=9669551

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00:00 - Intro

00:52 - Distribution of Frosthaven vs. Gloomhaven

03:25 - Moving into a managerial role

05:19 - Fatherhood

06:16 - Frosthaven Design & Development

10:54 - Frosthaven a response to Gloomhaven or Jaws?

15:42 - Settling on a hefty MSRP and leftovers on the cutting floor

18:47 - Crimson Scales

21:13 - Gloomhaven RPG

25:45 - Card integration into the RPG

29:45 - Who is the market?

31:25 - World building?

34:08 - Evolution as a designer

37:57 - What's on the horizon?

39:42 - Most exciting part of the RPG

Links:

Our Site - https://www.cardboardherald.com

Our Video Channel - https://www.youtube.com/TheCardboardHerald

Our Twitter - https://twitter.com/CardboardHerald

Our Patreon - https://www.patreon.com/user?u=9669551

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00:00 - Intro

01:10 - Making war games more approachable

03:31 - Origins as a designer

06:01 - First pitch, first publish

08:25 - Mistakes as an early designer

10:55 - Developing a partnership with Trevor

14:08 - Did you know how big Undaunted would be?

18:09 - Fetishizing elegance

20:01 - When to work alone vs. co-design

22:42 - No solo in Stalingrad?

27:29 - Origins of Resist!

31:26 - Accuracy vs. sensitivity in historical games

37:14 - Design objectives with Stalingrad

44:54 - What media helps fuel your creativity

50:20 - Did research for a game every change your mind?

Links:

Our Site - https://www.cardboardherald.com

Our Video Channel - https://www.youtube.com/TheCardboardHerald

Our Twitter - https://twitter.com/CardboardHerald

Our Patreon - https://www.patreon.com/user?u=9669551

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00:00 - Intro

00:48 - Radlands

02:21 - Dice Conquest

04:03 - Voyages

04:52 - Orichalcum

06:15 - Life Siphon

07:53 - Once Upon a Time

08:56 - Star Fighters Rapid Fire

10:47 - Kitchen Rush

12:38 - Twilight Inscription

14:45 - Dinosaur Island Rawr 'N Write

16:57 - Flamecraft

Links:

Our Site - https://www.cardboardherald.com

Our Video Channel - https://www.youtube.com/TheCardboardHerald

Our Twitter - https://twitter.com/CardboardHerald

Our Patreon - https://www.patreon.com/user?u=9669551

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Find out more at PC's site here: https://www.getpostcurious.com or watch our review of Adrift here: https://youtu.be/bNiYeftscXY

00:00 - First time with a booth

00:57 - A more robust lineup

02:21 - Panneling for puzzles at the con

03:04 - Audience awareness

04:21 - Upcoming projects

Links:

Our Site - https://www.cardboardherald.com

Our Video Channel - https://www.youtube.com/TheCardboardHerald

Our Twitter - https://twitter.com/CardboardHerald

Our Patreon - https://www.patreon.com/user?u=9669551

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Had to guerrilla shoot this at the airbnb, so please excuse the limited camera angle & dim lighting. The audio version of this interview is up on our pod channel.

00:00 - Intro

06:15 - Defenders of the Wild

16:43 - Design & Development in the KS Cylce

21:32 - Defenders of the wild

31:31 - Frustrations with projects?

35:22 - Pitching at PAX U 2022?

37:08 - Signature style

39:27 - Research to hone the design craft

47:06 - More creative sway on the end product?

Links:

Our Site - https://www.cardboardherald.com

Our Video Channel - https://www.youtube.com/TheCardboardHerald

Our Twitter - https://twitter.com/CardboardHerald

Our Patreon - https://www.patreon.com/user?u=9669551

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00:00 - Intro

00:22 - What is this game?

02:10 - Card play & management

03:43 - Combat units

05:06 - Attacking

06:55 - Tactics & Strategy

07:22 - Final Thoughts

Links:

Our Site - https://www.cardboardherald.com

Our Video Channel - https://www.youtube.com/TheCardboardHerald

Our Twitter - https://twitter.com/CardboardHerald

Our Patreon - https://www.patreon.com/user?u=9669551

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Want to just listen to the review? Check it out on the podcast channel. Also you can check out the Jaws of the Lion Review here: https://youtu.be/0jYwmUwZ6uc

00:00 - Intro & Gloomy Review

01:36 - What is this game?

03:34 - Characters

04:30 - Bannerspear

05:51 - Blinkblade

06:46 - Deathwalker

08:18 - Outpost phase & base building

11:07 - Loot & Crafting

12:48 - Rules presentation

15:21 - Visuals & Narrative

16:23 - Finessing the system

18:41 - Final thoughts

Links:

Our Site - https://www.cardboardherald.com

Our Video Channel - https://www.youtube.com/TheCardboardHerald

Our Twitter - https://twitter.com/CardboardHerald

Our Patreon - https://www.patreon.com/user?u=9669551

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00:00 - Response to new releases

02:49 - Development & production of The Fox Experiment

03:49 - Rawr & Write expansion

04:52 - "Family +" and the Pandasaurus Ethos

05:43 - Taking pitches at the con?

06:19 - Brew expansion

Links:

Our Site - https://www.cardboardherald.com

Our Video Channel - https://www.youtube.com/TheCardboardHerald

Our Twitter - https://twitter.com/CardboardHerald

Our Patreon - https://www.patreon.com/user?u=9669551

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00:00 - Response to Onslaught

01:34 - Con hitting different with 2 giant titles?

02:28 - Future of Onslaught

03:16 - Production values

04:11 - What do you want to sneak in?

05:22 - Dream IP to set a game?

06:27 - Godrealm & other projects

Links:

Our Site - https://www.cardboardherald.com

Our Video Channel - https://www.youtube.com/TheCardboardHerald

Our Twitter - https://twitter.com/CardboardHerald

Our Patreon - https://www.patreon.com/user?u=9669551

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00:00 - Intro

01:12 - Pitches & Networking

02:57 - Original spark with Ahoy

06:06 - Status of ARCS development

12:27 - Is approachability over fetishized?

16:40 - Organization structure at Leder Games

19:10 - Can you still enjoy a con as a gamer?

21:23 - PATH & other upcoming projects

Links:

Our Site - https://www.cardboardherald.com

Our Video Channel - https://www.youtube.com/TheCardboardHerald

Our Twitter - https://twitter.com/CardboardHerald

Our Patreon - https://www.patreon.com/user?u=9669551

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00:00 - Intro

00:41 - Game Overview

02:26 - Taking Actions

05:53 - The Calendar & Game End

07:50 - Two Player & Lack of Solo

08:35 - Final Thoughts

Links:

Our Site - https://www.cardboardherald.com

Our Video Channel - https://www.youtube.com/TheCardboardHerald

Our Twitter - https://twitter.com/CardboardHerald

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Coming to Kickstarter November 29th

00:00 - Intro

00:18 - Game overview

02:23 - How you get points

02:23 - what makes it compelling?

03:18 - A gimmick that (kinda) works

05:16 - Final Thoughts

Links:

Our Site - https://www.cardboardherald.com

Our Video Channel - https://www.youtube.com/TheCardboardHerald

Our Twitter - https://twitter.com/CardboardHerald

Our Patreon - https://www.patreon.com/user?u=9669551

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00:00 - Intro, concept & scope

02:15 - Research & Teliaxu board

03:10 - Specimens

03:55 - Grafting

04:39 - Family atomics

05:15 - How it effects the game

06:16 - Tactical vs. Strategic

07:40 - Combining it all

08:16 - Final Thoughts

Links:

Our Site - https://www.cardboardherald.com

Our Video Channel - https://www.youtube.com/TheCardboardHerald

Our Twitter - https://twitter.com/CardboardHerald

Our Patreon - https://www.patreon.com/user?u=9669551

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Our kickstarter review of Total Mayhem is here: https://youtu.be/7v2QuHi5JdY

00:00 - Intro

00:48 - Selecting Cards

01:23 - Addressing the stalemate

02:25 - The New Stuff (Table, Ladder & Coffin)

03:52 - Doing what expansions should do

05:00 - Final Thoughts

Links:

Our Site - https://www.cardboardherald.com

Our Video Channel - https://www.youtube.com/TheCardboardHerald

Our Twitter - https://twitter.com/CardboardHerald

Our Patreon - https://www.patreon.com/user?u=9669551

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00:00 - The Elephant-sized Canary Comparison

01:42 - Linear set collection

03:59 - Action system

06:19 - Theme

07:33 - Solo Mode

08:03 - Final Thoughts

Links:

Our Site - https://www.cardboardherald.com

Our Video Channel - https://www.youtube.com/TheCardboardHerald

Our Twitter - https://twitter.com/CardboardHerald

Our Patreon - https://www.patreon.com/user?u=9669551

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00:00 - Intro

01:06 - What is this game

02:41 - Scope & modernization

03:42 - Things I really like starting with initiative

05:02 - Character management

07:41 - Attacking, AC & modifiers

08:13 - Aesthetic & Presentation

09:04 - What didn't work starting with weird points optimizing

10:34 - A couple mechanical quibbles

11:32 - Final Thoughts & the cooperative elephant

Links:

Our Site - https://www.cardboardherald.com

Our Video Channel - https://www.youtube.com/TheCardboardHerald

Our Twitter - https://twitter.com/CardboardHerald

Our Patreon - https://www.patreon.com/user?u=9669551

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00:00 - Intro

00:31 - Scope of the game

01:42 - Using cards

04:31 - The greatest joy of the game

05:40 - The crunch

07:06 - Final Thoughts

Links:

Our Site - https://www.cardboardherald.com

Our Video Channel - https://www.youtube.com/TheCardboardHerald

Our Twitter - https://twitter.com/CardboardHerald

Our Patreon - https://www.patreon.com/user?u=9669551

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00:00 - So you say you want a revolution

01:03 - Scope of the game

02:54 - Taking your turn

05:59 - What's in a theme?

07:21 - Final thoughts

Links:

Our Site - https://www.cardboardherald.com

Our Video Channel - https://www.youtube.com/TheCardboardHerald

Our Twitter - https://twitter.com/CardboardHerald

Our Patreon - https://www.patreon.com/user?u=9669551

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00:00 - Intro & reactions to Ahoy at GenCon

02:14 - Ahoy's origins as Hyperspace Smuggler

06:07 - Pitching the game to publishers

10:53 - Early game inspirations

14:45 - Signing the game with Leder

18:11 - The internal development process

24:37 - Meeting a game on it's own terms

28:02 - Revolutionary approach?

29:40 - Future of Ahoy

33:18 - What's next for Greg?

Links:

Our Site - https://www.cardboardherald.com

Our Video Channel - https://www.youtube.com/TheCardboardHerald

Our Twitter - https://twitter.com/CardboardHerald

Our Patreon - https://www.patreon.com/user?u=9669551

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Junk Drawer KS here: https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/junkdrawergame/junk-drawer

Our review here: https://youtu.be/IuyMZyWOWt0

00:00 - Intro

02:37 - Demo'ing at GenCon

07:29 - Design & development

10:44 - No player interaction = puzzle not game?

16:05 - Feelings on the campaign

23:37 - How KS has changed since the pandemic

29:40 - What's on the horizon?

Links:

Our Site - https://www.cardboardherald.com

Our Video Channel - https://www.youtube.com/TheCardboardHerald

Our Twitter - https://twitter.com/CardboardHerald

Our Patreon - https://www.patreon.com/user?u=9669551

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Please note that there are prototype game images, gifs, and screenshots from the available rulebook that are all subject to change. Links to all the important stuff below.

00:00 - Intro

01:07 - Entry point into game design

02:36 - FFG / Z-Man vets forming Moon Crab

05:08 - Why not pitch?

07:21 - Leviathan Wilds = Shadow of the Colossus + Gloomhaven?

10:31 - How the AI Works

13:19 - Dungeon Crawl Trends

18:03 - Reward structure & the great fail-forward debate

23:02 - Transitioning from established to new IPs

28:35 - Visual design for the world

32:27 - Biggest iteration (so far)

35:58 - Future Moon Crab projects

Moon Crab Links:

Leviathan Wilds Rulebook: https://docs.google.com/document/d/1VmXlouus0QL6wE2-DBEDhGq54fGPHRDFfgsMTa0maig/edit?usp=sharing

Leviathan Wilds TTS Mod: https://steamcommunity.com/sharedfiles/filedetails/?id=2757524665

Our Links:

Our Site - www.cardboardherald.com

Our Video Channel - https://www.youtube.com/TheCardboardHerald

Our Twitter - https://twitter.com/CardboardHerald

Our Patreon - https://www.patreon.com/user?u=9669551

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Recorded this audio interview in anticipation of their Gamefound launch on February 15, 2022, back it here: https://gamefound.com/projects/draft/zxc58ag7firw48g1aggj8ue80qo

00:00 - Intro & Why switching to Gamefound?

04:33 - Risks in leaving Kickstarter?

09:47 - Revamping the game & getting Greg on-board

14:18 - Design ambitions for Uprising

23:06 - Anticipating backlash?

33:34 - Ambition to change minds

40:00 - Outro

Links:

Our Site - https://www.cardboardherald.com

Our Video Channel - https://www.youtube.com/TheCardboardHerald

Our Twitter - https://twitter.com/CardboardHerald

Our Patreon - https://www.patreon.com/user?u=9669551

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Megapulse just launched, go check it out here: https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/orion-games/megapulse?ref=discovery&term=megapulse

00:00 - Intro & International Travel in 2021

04:20 - The Megapulse Mega Pitch

07:35 - How to convey momentum in a turn-based board game

10:44 - Rubber banding

14:10 - Scaling player counts

16:21 - Going full-time with Orion Games?

18:25 - French-Canadian Tabletop Gaming Scene

22:45 - COVID & Conventions

28:16 - Most challenging aspect of development?

Links:

Our Site - https://www.cardboardherald.com

Our Video Channel - https://www.youtube.com/TheCardboardHerald

Our Twitter - https://twitter.com/CardboardHerald

Our Patreon - https://www.patreon.com/user?u=9669551

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Talking with one of my favorite designers of all time. I knew that he couldn't share much on Cyclades so I didn't press the issue but I'm glad we got the info we did!

00:00 - Quarantine impact on game design

05:52 - Prototyping & adapting to TTS

08:56 - Thoughts on Solo Gaming

14:34 - Authorial Intent & Fan Variants

19:30 - When to bring in other designers

23:09 - Trek 12

28:11 - Starting a design from theme, mechanism or component

29:20 - Competing with yourself?

33:47 - New edition of Cyclades

39:55 - Kingdomino: Origins

43:55 - Nicodemus

Links:

Our Site - https://www.cardboardherald.com

Our Video Channel - https://www.youtube.com/TheCardboardHerald

Our Twitter - https://twitter.com/CardboardHerald

Our Patreon - https://www.patreon.com/user?u=9669551

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Roll Camera's new expansion hits kickstarter this week! Check it out at these links: https://bit.ly/2VAFmNM & Keen Bean Studio: www.keenbean.studio

00:00 - Intro

01:56 - Unique considerations when doing it all yourself

06:40 - Why fly solo

10:30 - Studying games vs film

14:44 - Capturing the actual film industry

21:02 - Compromising theme for game design

29:09 - Going full-time & avoiding retail

34:59 - Fairly representing B Movies

41:15 - How bringing in a developer helped

Links:

Our Site - https://www.cardboardherald.com

Our Video Channel - https://www.youtube.com/TheCardboardHerald

Our Twitter - https://twitter.com/CardboardHerald

Our Patreon - https://www.patreon.com/user?u=9669551

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The Light in the Mist is an exciting new puzzle game by Post Curious, makers of The Emerald Flame & The Tale of Ord. The kickstarter launches Sept 21 at this link: https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/postcurious/the-light-in-the-mist

00:00 - Intro & scope of the game

06:04 - Why bring in a collaborator?

10:19 - The design process

13:24 - Why make something smaller

15:52 - Gaging the right level of challenge

22:21 - Non-linear structure & multiuse components

25:04 - Writing the story

30:56 - Post-kickstarter endeavors & The future of PostCurious

Other Links:

Our Site - https://www.cardboardherald.com

Our Video Channel - https://www.youtube.com/TheCardboardHerald

Our Twitter - https://twitter.com/CardboardHerald

Our Patreon - https://www.patreon.com/user?u=9669551

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You may know Eduardo Baraf as a game designer and owner of Pencil First Games, but may more will know him from his popular review channel Gaming With Edo.

00:00 - Intro

01:10 - Designer; Publisher; Content Creator

03:35 - Emphasizing smaller publishers

06:42 - Perception of reviewers

11:37 - Contacting publishers for reviews

16:46 - Ed & Ed Trash Games

17:42 - The spark to create games

22:30 - Switching creative focus from video to tabletop

29:04 - Inspirations & Aspirations

33:34 - Skulk Hollow Design & Development

37:43 - Preference for Collaborative Design

47:32 - Maul Peak & Solo

Links:

Pencil First - https://www.pencilfirstgames.com

Gaming with Edo - https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCpvwHi-2kifAtpvZ64gBv9A

Our Site - https://www.cardboardherald.com

Our Video Channel - https://www.youtube.com/TheCardboardHerald

Our Twitter - https://twitter.com/CardboardHerald

Our Patreon - https://www.patreon.com/user?u=9669551

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Potent theme delivery systems or sinister cash grabs preying on your nostalgia? Today we talk about licensed games.

Defining IP

Cynical cash grabs or a source of joy?

What makes something look promising or damning?

Games where fighting IPs are the platform (unmatched, Funko Battles, VS System)

IP Games in our collections

Lovecraft vs. the Mythos & Public Domain

Licensing & preventing games getting

Best/Worst that we’ve seen

What IPs are you dying to see?

LINKS:

Our Site - https://www.cardboardherald.com

Our Video Channel - https://www.youtube.com/TheCardboardHerald

Our Twitter - https://twitter.com/CardboardHerald

Our Patreon - https://www.patreon.com/user?u=9669551

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This was a great chat with Fertessa and a rare opportunity to dive deep with a full-timer at a game company. Wicked & Wise is live on Kickstarter August 10th, here's the link: http://weirdgiraffegames.com/WW17

00:00 - Intro

00:48 - Staffer or Freelancer?

02:19 - Funco, Production & Prospero Hall

07:09 - History with tabletop games

11:44 - Alternate career paths

13:31 - Buy in from family?

16:10 - Pitching to Weird Giraffe

18:53 - Design & development of Wicked & Wise

19:45 - The problem with cooperative games

24:57 - Establishing Theme

26:29 - Design & Development sacrifices

29:28 - Inspiration to improve output?

34:20 - Day to day routine as a games producer

40:42 - Dream game with dream IP

LINKS:

Fertessa's Twitter https://twitter.com/fertessa

Our Site - www.cardboardherald.com

Our Video Channel - https://www.youtube.com/TheCardboardHerald

Our Twitter - https://twitter.com/CardboardHerald

Our Patreon - https://www.patreon.com/user?u=9669551

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We've gotten it to the table, some of us more than once! Gonna talk through our opinions of the new release of this modern classic.

SHOW NOTES:

Hypecicles

-Terraforming Mars: Ares Expedition

-MTG D&D

-Descent: Legends of the Dark

History of Kemet

Game 2012 - https://boardgamegeek.com/boardgame/127023/kemet

Ta Seti 2015 - https://boardgamegeek.com/boardgameexpansion/161842/kemet-ta-seti

Seth 2018 - https://boardgamegeek.com/boardgameexpansion/254543/kemet-seth

Blood & Sand KS 2020 - https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/matagot/kemet-blood-and-sand

Our History with the game

Blood & Sand

-How many times we’ve played?

-Does it feel like the same game?

Highlights:

-How scaling powers are handled

-Balance

-Power trays

-Cosmetics (dem pyramids)

Low Points:

-Board design

-Rules wording

-Errata!? https://boardgamegeek.com/thread/2694291/rulebooks-revision-available

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Going over the history, the methodology (that we know of) and how much importance we should place on the BGG rankings & top 100. Come talk to us on discord: https://discord.gg/6nGJsA6NNp

Our notes for the podcast:

What is it?

BGG founded in 2000 https://boardgamegeek.com/wiki/page/BoardGameGeek_History#

By 2001 they had rankings

Uses an undisclosed algorithm that seeds some votes and incorporates user ratings

Ratings are not about quality, necessarily, but about desire to play https://boardgamegeek.com/wiki/page/ratings

10 - Outstanding. Always want to play and expect this will never change.

9 - Excellent game. Always want to play it.

8 - Very good game. I like to play. Probably I'll suggest it and will never turn down a game.

7 - Good game, usually willing to play.

6 - Ok game, some fun or challenge at least, will play sporadically if in the right mood.

5 - Average game, slightly boring, take it or leave it.

4 - Not so good, it doesn't get me but could be talked into it on occasion.

3 - Likely won't play this again although could be convinced. Bad.

2 - Extremely annoying game, won't play this ever again.

1 - Defies description of a game. You won't catch me dead playing this. Clearly broken

What do we know about the methodology for ranking?

30 ratings to be eligible for ranking, seeded with 100 votes of 5.5, and apparently more dummy votes are added the more rankings a game has: https://boardgamegeek.com/wiki/page/ratings

Entropy?

Moderation to avoid false fraud votes

Past # 1 games

Tigris & Euphrates

Puerto Rico

Agricola

Twilight Struggle

Pandemic Legacy Season 1

Gloomhaven

Of the top 100 - Jack’s played 56

Jack’s most surprising game that’s not in the top 100 - Kemet

John’s most surprising game that is in the top 100 - Nemesis

Other cool stuff:

Our Site - https://www.cardboardherald.com

Our Video Channel - https://www.youtube.com/TheCardboardHerald

Our Twitter - https://twitter.com/CardboardHerald

Our Patreon - https://www.patreon.com/user?u=9669551

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01:46 Childhood expressions

04:36 Cartooning inspirations

08:20 Is being part of a studio restrictive?

12:35 Using art to get people into the game

14:31 Translating the abstract

19:18 Oath's visual identity

23:12 Oath's Worldbuilding

30:56 Fort's visual identity

31:56 How do you organize your day?

37:41 Impact on & advice for the next generation

40:30 What makes the Leder team so special

44:37 Art for engagement

47:59 Fort Cats & Dogs

51:05 Capturing animal personalities

54:08 Grounding Oath with animals

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Talking about the different forms conflict can take in games. Come talk to us on discord: https://discord.gg/6nGJsA6NNp

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Come talk to us on discord: https://discord.gg/JZYZHUgqGR

I can easily answer no to "are expansions bad?", but it's much harder to answer if they are good. So John and I talk it through.

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00:11 Who are you and what are you doing here?

01:59 - Acceptance of game design theory in academia

05:59 - Getting into board games

08:38 - Did you want to design board games right away?

11:07 - Start with theme or mechanics?

11:37 - When did you know when Distilled was something special?

14:59 - Concerns about an alcohol focussed theme?

16:47 - Overcooking a game

20:37 - Luck vs. skill

23:48 - Other designs in the works?

26:32 - Targetting kickstarter

TASTY LINKS:

Richard Garfield Lecture - https://youtu.be/av5Hf7uOu-o

Our Site - https://www.cardboardherald.com

Our Video Channel - https://www.youtube.com/TheCardboardHerald

Our Twitter - https://twitter.com/CardboardHerald

Our Patreon - https://www.patreon.com/user?u=9669551

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Tackling the what, when, and how of trimming down the game collection. Also here are the links to the other stuffs:

New Gale Force 9 Dune - https://www.belloflostsouls.net/2021/06/new-dune-board-game-coming-later-this-year.html

Terraforming Mars - Ares Expedition kickstarter fire - https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/strongholdgames/ares-expedition-the-terraforming-mars-card-game/posts/3224358

Fort - Cats & Dogs - https://ledergames.com/products/fort-cats-dogs-expansion

Come talk to us on discord: https://discord.gg/JZYZHUgqGR

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Jen makes an excellent subject matter expert due to PARKS having the dopest insert ever.

Check the vid version here: https://youtu.be/tLnnELnfliA

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Games to play over a nice warm cup of Joe. (or Tea, I guess. If you must...)

02:31 - Azul: Summer Pavillion

03:37 - Sagrada

05:23 - Splendor

07:33 - Harbour

10:38 - Istanbul

12:49 - Cartographers

15:02 - Crystallo

19:02 - Carcassonne

21:32 - Terraforming Mars

23:27 - Jaipur

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J. Arthur Ellis is the co/designer of Forgotten Waters, Raxxon and more. It was great to talk to one of the OG Dougs who joined the PHG team, now developing their digital products.

01:14 - Entry into Plaid Hat Games

03:45 - Tackling Summoner Wars 2.0 as a fan

05:49 - PHG's Goals with Summoner Wars 2.0

09:47 - Web based vs. Installed Applications

13:04 - Transition from web guy to game designer

14:30 - Raxxon

15:54 - Collaborative Game Design

19:58 - Asmodee to Independent

25:17 - Changes to Summoner Wars 2.0 most looking forward to

31:03 - Scope for Summoner Wars vs. Ashes

34:54 - Physical versions of digital solo content?

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This is a long one, fam. Mainly because there was some really great conversation about the nature of games, collection, and getting them played. Though spoilers and timestamps below, I'll have this up on the podcast channel soon.

04:44 - Santorini

08:46 - Rise of Tribes

11:45 - Dungeon Mayhem

14:17 - Kingdom Builder

16:59 - Century Golem Edition

21:20 - 7 Wonders Duel

25:56 - Parks

31:44 - Gloomhaven: Jaws of the Lion

36:57 - Carcassonne

42:11 - Audience Picks

43:36 - Dune Imperium

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Kyle & I recorded this video podcast & originally published on his channel as Episode 1 of "If Shelves Could Talk". Go check out his channel here: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCiDT1qNRYXxeWVsJ4jnF42g?feature=emb_ch_name_ex

03:50 - Marco Polo II

07:00 - Mafia De Cuba

10:50 - Terraforming Mars

12:55 - Dune Imperium

19:15 - Wingspan

23:45 - Ethnos

28:30 - Spirit Island

35:10 - Small World

39:15 - Lords of Waterdeep

"Onion Capers" Kevin MacLeod (http://incompetech.com)

Licensed under Creative Commons: By Attribution 4.0 License

https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/

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Because there are so many games, and we haven't even scratched the surface of playing all of them. Still resetting up the studio post-flood so forgive the weird camera angles.

01:24 - Why this list?

03:49 - Kingdom Death: Monster

06:10 - 1977 SPI War of the Ring

09:29 - Lords of Vegas

11:47 - Cuba Libre

13:15 - Sekigahara

14:30 - Star Wars Rebellion

16:10 - Suburbia

18:03 - Food Chain Magnate

20:24 - Agricola / Caverna

22:20 - Fan Pick - Small World

23:47 - Fan Pick - Arkham Horror LCG

25:09 - Fan Pick - Twilight Imperium

26:38 - Fan Pick - Concordia

27:39 - Memoir '44

Big thanks to people who submit their own picks. You can find their channels here:

Give Pause Hobby: https://www.youtube.com/user/Dea7hfrog

Dice & Dragons: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCCsWuE13J_UW-Ge1jdxVLew

Board Game Hot Takes Podcast: https://boardgamehottakes.com

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Ian has his hand in a lot of pies, but currently it's mostly this oceanic one, Kingdoms of the Deep: https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/galacticraptorgames/kingdoms-of-the-deep

02:40 - Vibe Check

04:08 - Pitched as a sequel?

07:31 - 75 minutes to design... how long to develop?

11:29 - Breaking games in the best sort of ways

13:09 - Why not include the intended expansion in the base game?

14:30 - Carla Kopp telling it like it is

17:53 - How do you make actionable advice based on this "pitch"

21:38 - Podcasting

24:39 - Getting jaded to games & taking the blue pill

29:28 - Gravitation Games

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Video version here: https://youtu.be/XqBaGBbvIKk

Find the sister vid on games we loved at first play here: https://youtu.be/ttlq_N0zWCE

01:30 - Methodology for curating the list

03:25 - Pandemic: In The Lab

05:31 - Champions of Midgard: Dark Mountains & Valhalla

07:47 - Lords of Waterdeep: The Scoundrels of Skullport

10:52 - Concordia: Salsa

13:39 - Telsa Vs. Edison: Powering Up

17:01 - Viticulture: Tuscany Essential Edition

19:56 - Spirit Island: Branch & Claw

23:28 - Caverna: The Forgotten Folk

26:15 - Root: The Underworld Expansion

31:24 - Terraforming Mars: Prelude

Go check out GIVEPAUSE Hobby here: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCiDT1qNRYXxeWVsJ4jnF42g?feature=emb_ch_name_ex

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Because I know the best games. Also, I know how to spoil the best games so here is the list of my top 10 for your convenience. Originally published as a Casual Friday video here: https://youtu.be/6GCWMI--E7I

01:12 - # 10 - Clans of Caledonia

02:36 - # 09 - Set a Watch

04:33 - # 08 - Everdell

05:43 - # 07 - Tiny Towns

07:02 - # 06 - Marvel Champions

08:25 - # 05 - Wingspan

10:03 - # 04 - Terraforming Mars

11:43 - # 03 - Pax Pamir 2nd Edition

13:03 - # 02 - Gloomhaven

14:52 - # 01 - Spirit Island

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Holidays are a time to observe the squishy stuff. Here's the top 10 games for reasons beyond what we normally quantify in board games. Originally published as a casual Friday video here: https://youtu.be/PBv5quyBZP4

00:51 - Santorini

02:11 - Dragon Dice

03:51 - 7 Wonders Duel

05:13 - The Lord of the Rings

06:58 - Root

08:21 - Cartographers

09:01 - Eldritch Horror

11:49 - Eclipse

13:18 - The Grizzled

15:18 - HeroQuest

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Find out more about the Zenobia Award here: https://zenobiaaward.org. Watch the video version of this interview here: https://youtu.be/UmrC1FdGHZ8

01:04 - What is the Zenobia Award?

03:01 - How'd they get involved

04:47 - Why limit the scope to historical games?

10:50 - Hope to expand the genres of historical games?

14:41 - How do you measure outcomes?

16:29 - Backlash

20:41 - Navigating authenticity and tragedy when making historical games

23:01 - Where's the money coming from?

24:52 - What can the average gamer do to create a more inclusive hobby?

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I talk with Tom Young of Nomad Games, publishers of many popular digital adaptations including Fury of Dracula on Steam now.

00:19 - Response to Fury of Dracula

02:08 - How did you start with Nomad Games

03:48 - Nomad's relationship to Games Workshop

06:19 - Goalposts for development

09:05 - How going digital changes a game?

11:14 - Surprising challenges with adapting Fury of Dracula

16:17 - How to manage music

19:30 - Market research in the digital realm

23:39 - Partnering with publishers of the physical games

29:07 - Dream game to adapt

30:30 - Mac & mobile availability?

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Covered a ton of ground on this one, including a surprising amount of details about Root's upcoming expansion and reflections on Oath, as well as some tidbits on Void Lich & tinkering with Vast 3. Recorded Dec 3rd (the day after my studio flooded), audio version will go on the pod channel Dec 16th. Find the official Leder Games Woodland Warriors Discord Channel here: https://discord.gg/EnJwxZKkKm

00:24 - How is quarantine impacting work at Leder HQ

06:05 - What makes for an ideal playtester?

10:32 - Oath - Can early public feedback compromise creative integrity?

15:19 - Oath - What was the original spark?

22:00 - Oath - Points of contention between the two of you?

24:34 - Oath - Sacrifices to make for a better game

24:34 - Root - Scrapped alternate win conditions

29:17 - Evolution of Leder's company identity

34:44 - Void Lich - A Leder take on Twilight Imperium style factions

44:05 - Vast - Tinkering with Vast 3

46:58 - Root - Scope of the new expansion

49:37 - Root - Minor Factions & Drafting

54:02 - Root - Adding rounds to a boundless game

01:00:09 - Root - Rats & Badgers; the two new factions

01:07:05 - Root - Balance becoming exponentially more difficult?

01:14:06 - Root - Clockwork expansion 2 & a Big Box?

01:19:56 - Oath & Root - Release & Launch windows

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I welcome Elizabeth Hargrave, designer of Mariposas, Tussie Mussie and Kennerspiel winner Wingspan to the show.

01:01 - Getting started in game design

02:39 - How has your life changed since Wingspan's release?

04:53 - Design lessons learned?

06:04 - Success, access and guilt

08:14 - Why use naturalist themes

12:27 - Game influences

14:05 - Weilding a platform for activism

22:02 - Backlash to Wingspan?

24:34 - What most excites you about Oceania?

27:37 - Favorite bird yet to include in Wingspan?

27:40 - What's on the horizon?

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Grant Lyon has been a professional comedian for years but is now making his game design debut with Curmudgeon by 25th century games.

01:19 - What is Curmudgeon?

03:02 - Did you account for hurt feelings in the design?

06:15 - Tumbling into the tabletop gaming universe

09:53 - Interest in designing strategy games?

12:48 - Gatekeeping in games vs. comedy?

16:24 - Do you take games on the road with you?

17:50 - If you could play any game with any comedian...

19:53 - How grueling is self-promotion?

21:04 - Vulnerability, bombing, and playtesting

23:26 - Pitching & the road to publication

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Friend of the show Andrew Birkett comes on to talk about Atheris' upcoming gamer blanket kickstarter.

02:00 - Why break into merch?

04:21 - Character design for the blanket

12:34 - Jack rants about inclusion

14:51 - Different hurdles in a clothing kickstarter?

17:36 - Atheris Entertainment and comics

21:25 - The challenge with rulebooks

24:03 - Upcoming Atheris GAMES

27:17 - Swaddle tech

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00:11 - 10 Years of Catacombs

01:17 - What is Catacombs Monster Pit?

04:32 - Worried about brand confusion?

07:06 - Taking on different tones & settings?

10:39 - Working on a solo dexterity game?

11:49 - Development of Monster Pit

13:51 - What is the killer feature of the game to you?

15:41 - Why does Elzra need to kickstart?

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John is back on the show and we come up with the irrevocably indisputable list of the greatest cooperative games of all time.

00:53 - Why we are doing this list

06:40 - Flashpoint Fire Rescue

07:37 - Journeys in Middle Earth

09:24 - Descent: Road to Legend

10:58 - Pandemic Legacy

12:32 - Magic Maze

14:57 - The Grizzled

18:32 - Mysterium

22:11 - Gloomhaven: Jaws of the Lion

25:43 - Fan Pick - Marvel Legendary

29:01 - Fan Pick - The Mind

30:12 - Fan Pick - Eldritch Horror

33:21 - Marvel Champions

38:09 - Spirit Island

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Since the 90s, Dan Yarrington has worked in just about every aspect of this hobby. We dive into his history, how the industry has evolved, the rise of kistarter, Starling Games, and their upcoming release, Flourish.

00:59 - Humble origins in the 90s

06:20 - Dipping toes into publishing in the 00s

13:17 - The impact and evolution of kickstarter

26:48 - The rise of Starling Games

32:02 - The "Flavor-ware" of Everdell

35:25 - Player age & safety clarifications

42:02 - Finding the right theme & non-traditional themes

52:55 - Criticisms of games being overproduced

61:01 - COVID, Social distancing and social responsibility

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John comes back and this time we talk through two games we've recently played together, Skytear & Gates of delirium. But more than that, we talk about the nature of games as hobbies, adapting video game genres, integration of theme, and occult angles.

SKYTEAR

00:00 - What is a MOBA?

02:39 - The ambitions of Skytear

06:13 - Gameplay

09:23 - Highlights & Impressions

17:37 - Final thoughts

GATES OF DELIRIUM

23:58 - Overview (The scope of evil)

28:38 - Highlights & Impressions

34:19 - Final thoughts

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T is one of the coolest people in the industry. Also, don't sleep on Miyabi.

02:02 - Starting at HABA

04:01 - The eye opening experience of toy fairs

07:57 - Comparing US & European markets

16:34 - Balancing for age differences

24:23 - The twists and turns of age ratings

30:17 - Testing impacting US releases

34:27 - Perceptions & Game Night Approved line

38:21 - Cultural bias and "developmentally appropriate" activities

43:53 - HABA's kindergarten

46:22 - Retroactive dismissal

49:35 - Marketing games in a COVID world

57:55 - The serendipitous timing of a new flip & write

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As usual I take on a topic and then talk about what I've been playing.

00:01 - More interpretive solo games

03:13 - More combative area control games

04:53 - Better victory conditions

06:10 - Stop gatekeeping components

07:51 - More solo games for kids

New games added to the playlist -

09:41 - Terraforming Mars

11:29 - Sagrada

13:53 - Marvel Champions

15:48 - Catacombs Cubes

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Following up our Pendulum conversation released a few days ago, I talk with Jamey about the upcoming expansion to Tapestry.

00:31 - Nature of Plans & Ploys

01:38 - The development cycle

03:58 - Reacting to Tapestry's criticisms

06:51 - Consumer or playtester?

12:04 - New mechanics in Plans & Ploys

13:51 - Civs, Tapestries, Synergy & Balance

21:21 - Partnering with community members

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Vowl is on KS right now, find it here: https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/cameronart/vowl-the-game-of-letters-gone-astray

00:44 - Why debut with a word game?

02:35 - Self publishing vs. pitching to publishers

03:35 - Rad scoring system

06:08 - Early ambitions for Cameron Art Games

07:14 - Future design focus

08:31 - What happens if you don't fund?

10:28 - Advice for other new creators who haven't gotten this far

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I sit down with my good friend & Platypus Con manager John Foster to talk through our respective top 5 area control games while we explore what the mechanic even is in the first place.

Timestamps (SPOILER WARNING)

04:25 - John's 5 - Diplomacy by Email

05:36 - Jack's 5 - Kemet

07:23 - John's 4 - Plague Inc.

09:11 - Jack's 4 - Blood Rage

11:44 - John's 3 - Tyrants of the Underpants

13:47 - Jack's 3 - Ethnos

17:31 - John's 2 - Battle for Rokugan

22:31 - Jack's 2 - Root

26:30 - Audience Pick - Chaos in the old world

28:10 - Audience Pick - Inis

30:17 - Audience Pick - El Grande

31:01 - Audience Pick - Cthulhu Wars

32:01 - John's # 1 - Cthulhu Wars

35:48 - Jack's # 1 - Game of Thrones 2nd Edition

You can find Matt Halowell's Cthulhu Wars review and all kinds of other stuff here: https://thematiccircle.wordpress.com. Thank you to everyone who responded on twitter.
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05:00 - Doing away with a need to consume

06:25 - Appreciation of what you own

08:00 - Getting rid of games

08:42 - Selling

09:51 - Trading

11:48 - Donating

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I have a chat with returning guest Jamey stegmaier, all about their Fall 2020 real-time strategy game release, Pendulum.

01:24 - Do realtime elements undermine strategy?

04:26 - Overall course of play

08:27 - Diving headfirst into high fantasy

11:05 - How was the game pitched?

13:13 - Evolution throughout development

14:49 - Curbing audience reaction

20:34 - COVID 19 & Stonemaier

26:33 - Cracking the real-time game solo conundrum

29:31 - Personal life affecting game priorities

32:35 - The mythic "Stonemaier Coop Game"

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Some helpful tips for anyone looking to get started & what i've been playing.

01:14 - Try Before You Buy

01:56 - Think about what you like about games

03:37 - Look at solo focussed reviews

04:42 - Join a community

05:15 - Don't give up after 1

06:08 - What I've been playing

07:05 - Caverna

09:46 - Flamme Rouge

11:24 - Set a Watch

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Following up with a bit more solo talk for your brain.

01:09 - What makes a good solo game?

01:27 - Type 1 - Multiplayer Solitaire

03:02 - Type 2 - Automated Opponents

04:53 - Type 3 - Cooperative Games

Games I've been playing:

06:38 - Gloomhaven

08:18 - Viticulture

09:58 - Animal Kingdoms

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*Note, you get images of many spirit boards in the video version on youtube right here - https://youtu.be/AFzxRMMVd-E * We get some nitty gritty on the design and development of the upcoming Spirit Island expansion, and to know how Eric made such a bold leap from that to the 15 minute realtime spacial dexterity puzzle "For Science".

01:00 - What's been going on since the Jagged Earth Kickstarter?

04:07 - Spirits left on the cutting room floor?

07:44 - Iterating spirits during development

16:30 - Are you "spirit cursed"?

18:32 - Design, testing and balance changes

23:03 - Making major powers cinematic

31:00 - Involvement in the digital adaption

36:05 - What is For Science!

39:16 - What makes an "Eric Reuss" joint?

42:23 - Still designing & pitching games?

45:11 - Expectations of being the "Spirit Island" guy

48:44 - What genre of game would you most like to design next?

HOT LINKS:

Jagged Earth KS - https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/gtgames/spirit-island-jagged-earth

For Science! KS - https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/zonedout/for-science

Spirit Island Digital - https://www.handelabra.com/spiritisland

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Rita’s next project The Emerald Flame will be hitting kickstarter May 27th, so we thought it was a good opportunity to get down and deep into her prior box of madness, The Tale of Ord. There are spoilers abound, so you are warned, but if you haven’t had a chance to play, don’t worry too much as TTOO is likely to never be produced again. Follow the kickstarter here: https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/postcurious/the-emerald-flame

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As promised, here's our casual stream of consciousness on solo games # 1 except now in audio form so you can mow your lawn or whatever.

01:20 - Why should you play solo games?

09:17 - Why I'm playing more solo games

10:28 - Wingspan

11:27 - Root

12:43 - Shadows of Kilforth

13:49 - Everdell Bellfaire & Spirecrest

14:59 - Clans of Caledonia

16:55 - Tiny Towns

17:42 - Spirit Island

20:10 - Solo plans for the future

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Tuomas and I talk epics, Tolkien, and Kalewala: Tale of Sampo, launching April 13 on Kickstarter.

01:16 - What is the Kalevala?

04:01 - How pervasive is the Kalevala in Finland?

06:16 - What makes this an ideal setting for a game?

08:40 - What is the overall flow of the game?

12:06 - What stage of completion is the game?

13:44 - Experience as a game designer

15:33 - Kalewala vs. Kalevala

17:31 - Unique challenges publishing from Finland?

19:30 - Action items moving forward?

23:05 - Hidden movement and approachability

28:37 - What is the killer moment in this game?

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Walking through 13 years in 13 minutes. Lots to unpack here, would love to hear your thoughts.

Link to vid for visual companion: https://youtu.be/86-CyHYv5Sg

00:42 - Foundation of Asmodee

02:32 - The Age of Acquisition

04:56 - Worldwide Distribution & PAI

05:38 - Recent Layoffs

06:34 - Component Replacement

09:25 - Plaid Hat Goes Indie (Again)

10:19 - Price Hike

10:52 - Where Does That Leave Us?

HOT LINKS: Our Site - www.cardboardherald.com Our

Video Channel - https://www.youtube.com/TheCardboardHerald

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Talking about the hot new entries in the Gloomhaven series, and about the changes from then to now with the founder himself, Isaac Childres.

01:02 - COVID Impacts on Frosthaven

04:21 - The Gloomhaven phenomenon and managing expectations

09:31 - Prepping for Jaws of The Lion Retail Release

12:31 - Unique challenges in JoTL Design & Development

17:20 - Design approach to Frosthaven

24:11 - Could Frosthaven become the new, definitive edition?

29:05 - Unique approaches to characters

31:46 - Legacy elements

35:14 - Changes to campaign structure?

37:48 - Adjusting to “boardgame celebrity” status

41:57 - Open ended city building in Frosthaven

46:24 - How do the seasons & weather affect the game?

48:14 - Fail forward games?

50:20 - Most challenging aspect in designing Frosthaven

53:17 - If you weren’t the “Gloomhaven guy”

56:28 - Expanding the 3 pillars of Gloomhaven

HOT LINKS:

Our Site - www.cardboardherald.com

Our Video Channel - https://www.youtube.com/TheCardboardHerald\

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A bonus episode to keep you company during your social distancing. Thank you to Platypus Con for bringing up Mike Selinker. We’ll have a regularly scheduled interview next week.

03:30 Introduction

08:20 - Finding the fun in your games

10:20 - What is elegance?

12:40 - The long process of designing Apocrypha

15:00 - What are my game’s 3 things?

16:40 - Vetting your games

21:30 - What I look for in a designer

22:50 - Q: Once you have an idea, where do you go from there?

34:00 - Q: What about when a game design is cost prohibitive?

38:40 - Q: Do you ever work on video games?

41:15 - Q: How do you reduce setup time on games?

46:45 - Q: Can you tutorialize a board game?

50:10 - Q: Advice for breaking into the industry?

53:40 - Q: How protective are you as a game designer?

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To watch us have this chat with supporting imagery, check out the vid here: https://youtu.be/Ntv_TCtH4Fs

I spend some time talking about Plaid Hat's shocking separation from Asmodee and their plans for the future.

00:45 - How long has splitting from Asmodee been in the cards?
04:50 - Saying goodbye to friends and IPs
06:48 - The early spirit of Plaid Hat Games
12:28 - Colby & Isaac
17:40 - Plaid Hat Ideals
24:57 - Jerry Hawthorne's next project
30:07 - Did staff know about the separation?
31:52 - What does "a crossroads game" mean now as opposed to 2012?
33:18 - Forgotten Waters Overview
38:12 - App integration in Forgotten Waters
43:23 - Summoner Wars 2nd Edition Development
49:39 - New Summoner Wars factions

HOT LINKS:

Our Site - www.cardboardherald.com

Our Video Channel - https://www.youtube.com/TheCardboardHerald

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Keith Baker of Twogether studios gives a presentation on World Building.
01:45 - Introduction - my history in gaming
02:26 - WOTC buying TSR and origins of Eberron
08:10 - Core elements of Eberron, how to build a world from there?
13:40 - Setting Eberron apart
15:45 - How does a setting affect the mechanics?
22:30 - How different systems empower you to tell different stories
28:15 - Phoenix Dawn Command discussion
34:25 - What is the story we're trying to tell?
40:00 - Handling travel 44:43 - Fan interpretation of content
47:30 - Playing your class
52:15 - Eberron minis
54:15 - Cause for the day of mourning?
58:45 - How to tell original stories with pre-con books
62:00 - Designing worlds and environments for the story you want to tell

Thank you to Platypus Con, find out more about Alaska's biggest tabletop gaming convention here: http://www.platypusgaming.org OTHER HOT LINKS: Our Site - www.cardboardherald.com Our Video Channel - https://www.youtube.com/TheCardboardHerald Our Twitter - https://twitter.com/CardboardHerald Our Patreon - https://www.patreon.com/user?u=9669551

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I chat with designer Michael Dunsmore about his new gig with John Brieger Game Development Studio. Thank you to Platypus Con, find out more about Alaska's biggest tabletop gaming convention here: http://www.platypusgaming.org

OTHER HOT LINKS:
Our Site - www.cardboardherald.com
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01:17 - Humble beginnings with Fresco
05:25 - Opening a game & comic shop
07:33 - Joining Keymaster Games
10:41 - Partnering with 59 Parks
13:43 - PARKS: Nightfall
14:51 - Expanding an already cohesive game
17:58 - More divergent gameplay?
20:25 - PARKS: Memories
24:14 - The biggest hurdle in development
27:16 - Running Iron
31:27 - Firebreak
32:18 - Australian wildfires impacting direction?
33:47 - What makes Keymaster unique?

HOT LINKS: Our Site - https://www.cardboardherald.com Our Video Channel - https://www.youtube.com/TheCardboardHerald Our Twitter - https://twitter.com/CardboardHerald Our Patreon - https://www.patreon.com/user?u=9669551

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I talk with my friend, game designer and Winsmith Games co-owner, David Smith. You can find David’s debut game 10 Gallon Tank on kickstarter RIGHT NOW.

HOT LINKS:

Our Site - https://www.cardboardherald.com

Our Video Channel - https://www.youtube.com/TheCardboardHerald

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This interview was from a bit back (speaking of which, I recommend you check out the video channel for tightly produced video interviews released typically much earlier than the podcast). Anyway, it was a great conversation about Tapestry BEFORE it came out. I have a feeling that our conversation would have been a whole other thing if it were post release (though equally as pleasant, I’m sure). Anyway, hope you dig it.

00:52 - Plans to grow Stonemaier

03:23 - Feelings on the precipice of Tapestry

04:34 - Origins of the game - Sculpts informing mechanical decisions

06:37 - Controversy over Tapestry price

13:11 - Design & Development - What is the killer feature of the game

16:29 - Most surprising thing to come out of blind playtesting

17:57 - The conflict between gamer Jamey and designer/publisher Jamey

19:11 - How have you evolved as a designer?

21:14 - Reflections on Charterstone

26:19 - Planning the Tapestry rollout and media schedule

27:10 - Tapestry rulebook & becoming the Apple of boardgames

30:00 - Any plans for a Stonemaier cooperative game?

32:04 - Reserving content for expansions

35:13 - How is Stonemaier preparing for a potential Tariff war?

38:42 - What are you doing for fun these days?

41:10 - Making time for fun outside of work

43:14 - How / When / Where can people find Tapestry?

HOT LINKS:

Our Site - https://www.cardboardherald.com

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ErinRose and Dean are the wonderful creators of this awesome show. Meeple People is an ongoing comedy-drama webseries about a group of board gamers.

00:40 - Respective roles on the show

02:55 - Are the characters based on real people?

04:36 - Joining a group in life and the show

05:38 - What makes this hobby a good platform for drama?

07:36 - Elevator pitch for the show

08:41 - Why such short episodes

10:32 - Why handheld camera work?

12:08 - Production catastrophes?

14:32 - Writer / actor from the get-go?

16:02 - Funding and payoff

18:43 - Dean's gaming origin story

19:58 - Laughing with VS. Laughing at nerds

23:12 - Inherent inclusion of the hobby

25:49 - Capturing authenticity

HOT LINKS:

Meeple People Show - https://www.youtube.com/user/TheGr8Indoors

Our Site - https://www.cardboardherald.com

Our Video Channel - https://www.youtube.com/TheCardboardHerald

Our Twitter - https://twitter.com/CardboardHerald

Our Patreon - https://www.patreon.com/user?u=9669551

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Missed our video interview with Dustin Freund, designer of The Ghosts Betwixt? Time to catch the audio on our podcast feed and learn more about how this game is the culmination of a creative soul.

00:20 - Why "Innocent Traveler" Games?

01:23 - It all starts with Electronica

03:08 - Overview of The Ghosts Betwixt

10:34 - The audacity to say "I can make a board game"

15:21 - Putting creative work out there

18:46 - Who do you rely on to stay resilient?

22:18 - Steps to take for a relaunch

24:05 - What makes boardgames the right platform for this story?

HOT LINKS:

The Ghosts Betwixt KS - http://kck.st/2kOQfsT

Our Site - https://www.cardboardherald.com

Our Video Channel - https://www.youtube.com/TheCardboardHerald

Our Twitter - https://twitter.com/CardboardHerald

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Board Game Design Lab’s Gabe Barrett comes back to the show to talk about his newly launched kickstarter, Hunted, a 2-game solo adventure. Check it out here: https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/gabebarrett/hunted

HOT LINKS:

Our Site - https://www.cardboardherald.com

Our Video Channel - https://www.youtube.com/TheCardboardHerald

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Our interview with Ruins of Mars designer Don Riddle

03:19 - Thematic resonance in Ruins of Mars

05:08 - Why a rondel?

10:59 - From custom MTG Maker to Game Designer

16:54 - The help of local / online game design communities

19:57 - Solo mode?

20:32 - Killer feature of the game

21:59 - Biggest challenges during development?

23:44 - One skill aspiring designers must hone

HOT LINKS:

Our Site - www.cardboardherald.com

Our Video Channel - https://www.youtube.com/TheCardboardHerald

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Sorry for the weird processed audio quality on my track. Had a snafu during recording that's all fixed now. Peter's audio sounds great though, so I hope you dig it!

00:31 - Origins of Tiny Towns
03:49 - Always strive to be a game designer?
06:18 - Pitching to AEG
10:56 - Development of Master Builder & Town Hall Variant
15:13 - Do you have a favorite building?
16:44 - Designing for player experience?
20:55 - Tiny Towns Fortune (upcoming expansion)
23:49 - Players who struggle with spacial reasoning
25:28 - Hard earned lessons in game design
27:50 - Highlights of Success

HOT LINKS:

Our Site - https://www.cardboardherald.com
Our Video Channel - https://www.youtube.com/TheCardboardHerald
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Our chat with Carte Rouge designer Khiara Foss. Check out our video review of Carte Rouge here - https://youtu.be/TAYMwWZHdMk, and the kickstarter here: https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/enigmaemporium/carterouge

00:40 - What is Carte Rouge?
02:05 - What should people expect going into this?
04:51 - Particular challenges in the design process?
08:30 - Collaboration at Enigma
11:02 - Major obstacles?
13:42 - Preparing for Kickstarter launch day
17:27 - What does Enigma have coming after Carte Rouge?

HOT LINKS:
Our Site - https://www.cardboardherald.com
Our Video Channel - https://www.youtube.com/TheCardboardHerald
Our Twitter - https://twitter.com/CardboardHerald
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Our interview with Rob Daviau, co-designer of Unmatched, Pandemic Legacy, and everything.

00:37 - Managing multiple game projects at once

03:34 - Creating whole cloth vs working from a pitch

08:14 - Food, artisanship, and creativity

15:57 - How do publishers pitch games to you?

18:45 - Revisiting shelved projects

21:06 - Stop taking games so seriously

23:11 - Death May Die

24:45 - Pandemic Legacy development, and Pandemic Legacy Season 3

30:33 - Resolving conflict with co-designers

32:47 - Bringing in outside help to work on a design

35:55 - Critics, good games, and credibility

40:33 - Unmatched; unique aspects of resurrecting your own game

45:56 - Dream IP for Unmatched?

47:15 - Resurrecting Heroquest

50:09 - Fireball Island: Spider Springs Expansion

HOT LINKS:

Our Site - https://www.cardboardherald.com

Our Video Channel - https://www.youtube.com/TheCardboardHerald

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I talk with Dan Letzring and Nicholas Yu, creators of Adventure Tactics, a new cooperative board game inspired by classic tactical RPGs like Final Fantasy Tactics. Originally published as a video interview which you can watch here: https://youtu.be/3973q4N0pI4

01:12 - Inspired by Final Fantasy Tactics?

04:40 - Overview of the Game

07:18 - Campaign & Story

08:27 - Characters & Their Classes

09:46 - Ideas on the cutting room floor?

13:38 - Failing forward

18:00 - Player time investment

20:44 - Maintaining tension

24:04 - Simultaneous release expansions

26:19 - Minis & Art Direction

29:32 - What excites you about the game?

Our Site - www.cardboardherald.com

Our Video Channel - https://www.youtube.com/TheCardboardHerald

Our Twitter - https://twitter.com/CardboardHerald

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In case you missed the video on our YouTube channel, here is the audio from my interview with Jerry Hawthorne of Plaid Hat Games. Original vid here: https://youtu.be/5P9jnyi9yDE

Timestamps:

00:27 - What is Aftermath & The Adventure Book Series

04:39 - Aftermath - Theme’s, Universe, and Campaign

12:11 - Future Aftermath content plans

13:53 - Current state of Plaid Hat

17:06 - The Nuts & Bolts of Aftermath (Mechanics)

21:40 - Rulebooks & Reflections

23:42 - Physicality & App Integration

28:13 - Mice & Mystics Movie

32:41 - Origins of Mice & Mystics

37:31 - Impact of Fatherhood on Creativity

41:44 - Aftermath - Animal Inspiration & Characters

44:41 - Mechanics in service of story

49:09 - Heart & Soul of Plaid Hat

Other hot hot hot links:

Our Site - www.cardboardherald.com

Our Video Channel - https://www.youtube.com/TheCardboardHerald

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Frequent guest host Luke takes some time to talk with Keith Matejka abotu Thuderworks Games, Gen Con Releases and most importantly, about Cartographers; the upcoming Flip & Write in the Roll Player universe.

Thanks for listening, here are some hot links for you to check out:

Thunderworks Games - https://www.thunderworksgames.com/

Our Site - www.cardboardherald.com

Our Video Channel - https://www.youtube.com/TheCardboardHerald

Our Twitter - https://twitter.com/CardboardHerald

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I don’t often get to talk to RPG designers on this podcast, but I couldn’t pass up the opportunity to chat with Nick and Dominic, designers of Sagas of Midgard. This beautiful kickstarter darling is one of the most intriguing systems I’ve seen in a long time, and I had a blast chatting with them about RPGs, design, and bar-room inspiration. Check out their stuff at https://sagasofmidgard.com

HOT LINKS:

Our Site - www.cardboardherald.com

Our Video Channel - https://www.youtube.com/TheCardboardHerald

Our Twitter - https://twitter.com/CardboardHerald

Our Patreon - https://www.patreon.com/user?u=9669551

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Our interview with Janice Turner of Wren Games. Check her game Sensor Ghosts on Kickstarter RIGHT NOW! Time Stamps -

01:54 - Origins of Assembly
05:39 - Design competitions on BGG
08:09 - Co-op way of life
13:12 - Assembly & Sensor Ghosts at higher player counts?
18:04 - Sensor Ghosts overview
23:31 - Origins of Sensor Ghosts
29:06 - Maintaining tension in Co-Op Games
32:10 - Theming in Assembly & Sensor Ghosts

Link to Game - https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/wrengames/sensor-ghosts-and-assembly-2-unique-sci-fi-coop-puzzle-games
Our Site - https://www.cardboardherald.com
Our Video Channel - https://www.youtube.com/TheCardboardHerald
Our Twitter - https://twitter.com/CardboardHerald
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I talk with Glenn Drover and discover that this founder of Forbidden Games has so, so, so much history with this industry. From seeing Gygax as a kid to founding Eagle (Now Eagle-Gryphon) Games. Check out their kickstarter for Raccoon Tyconn: The Fat Cat Expansion, up right now!

Links

Fat Cat Kickstarter - https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/954412004/raccoon-tycoon-the-fat-cat-expansion
Our Site - www.cardboardherald.com
Our Video Channel - https://www.youtube.com/TheCardboardHerald
Our Twitter - https://twitter.com/CardboardHerald
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James Lang is bringing something new to tabletop gaming. A way to bring your physical games into virtual space, and boy, was I blown away in a demonstration. This was originally recorded as a video with lots of bonus B-Roll so you can check that out here on the youtube channel: https://youtu.be/acTRSq0B144

Other links -

Vorpal Board Kickstarter - https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/vorpalboard/1725511227?ref=644435&token=d0ec6542
Our Site - www.cardboardherald.com
Our Video Channel - https://www.youtube.com/TheCardboardHerald
Our Twitter - https://twitter.com/CardboardHerald
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In a few short months, Jay and his channel Three Minute Boardgames has made a big splash in the gaming community. We talk about brevity, complexity, technique, and being a Kiwi in the world of gaming content creation.

3MBG Channel - https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCFkpP6mxunxD4unmS3_64aQ
3MBG Chinatown - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ksa9gBos2Jw
Our Site - www.cardboardherald.com
Our Video Channel - https://www.youtube.com/TheCardboardHerald
Our Twitter - https://twitter.com/CardboardHerald
Our Patreon - https://www.patreon.com/user?u=9669551

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In this episode, Luke talks with Marshall about his game Blume, his work with Leder, and just other general board gamey stuff.

Blume kickstarter - https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/692298020/blume/
Our Site - www.cardboardherald.com
Our Video Channel - https://www.youtube.com/TheCardboardHerald
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Tony Miller comes back to talk about the back end of the wild Fire In The Library ride. We talk about the joy that comes from holding a game you made in your hands, the new season of Breaking Into Boardgames, and what songs Tony used to cover in his high-school band.

Tony’s Twitter - https://twitter.com/beardedrogue
Our Site - www.cardboardherald.com
Our Video Channel - https://www.youtube.com/TheCardboardHerald
Our Twitter - https://twitter.com/CardboardHerald
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Last time Casey Hill was on the show, he was just about to launch Arkon, unsure where the project would take him. Now, he has a successful kickstarter and fulfillment under his belt and is ready to start working on some new projects, both Arkon and not Arkon related. We talk about the road that led him from there to here.

Arkon Site - https://arkongame.com/
Our Site - www.cardboardherald.com
Our Video Channel - https://www.youtube.com/TheCardboardHerald
Our Twitter - https://twitter.com/CardboardHerald
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Cole Wehrle may be the Pax Pamir guy to you, or the Root guy, but to me he is now the incredibly contemplative & thoughtful Leder Games Guy. I talk to Cole primarily about Root, but we spend some time chatting about Pax Pamir, Deep, his education, and how he got wrapped up in Leder Games. You can check out Root: The Underworld Expansion now!

Root: The Underworld - https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/2074786394/root-the-underworld-expansion?ref=discovery&term=root%20underworld
Our Site - www.cardboardherald.com
Our Video Channel - https://www.youtube.com/TheCardboardHerald
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It wasn’t long ago that Trent was just making custom playmats, soon it was making games, then it was making one of the more exciting developments in the online gaming community, Board Game Atlas.

Board Game Atlas - https://www.boardgameatlas.com
Our Site - www.cardboardherald.com
Our Video Channel - https://www.youtube.com/TheCardboardHerald
Our Twitter - https://twitter.com/CardboardHerald
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Khiara is 1/2 of Enigma Emporium, creators of the hit puzzle post card mystery “Wish You Were Here”. They are back with their sophomore kickstarter, the sequel “Blowback”, and Khiara comes on the show to talk about the puzzles, the process, and the creative work that she most marvels at. Blowback is on kickstarter right now!

Their Kickstarter - https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/1327814917/blowback-wish-you-were-here-part-ii
Our Site - www.cardboardherald.com
Our Video Channel - https://www.youtube.com/TheCardboardHerald
Our Twitter - https://twitter.com/CardboardHerald
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Adam from Adam’s Apple Games comes onto the show so we can find out about our shared love for SNES JRPGs. Oh, and we talk about how cool Sword Crafters is, what got him into publishing games, and his upcoming project Thrive.

Our Site - www.cardboardherald.com
Our Video Channel - https://www.youtube.com/TheCardboardHerald
Our Twitter - https://twitter.com/CardboardHerald
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Here is an assembly of awesome people that I talked to at Platypus Con. You can find videos for these interviews up on your channel; 2 are up now and 2 will be up shortly. The interviews are with:

John Foster of Platypus Gaming - www.platypusgaming.org/
Michael Dunsmore of Dunsmore Games - https://www.twitter.com/DunsmoreGames
Jack Bolin of The Dragon Den - https://www.facebook.com/TheDragonDenJuneau
Jack Whitley of FireBrand Woodcrafts - https://www.facebook.com/FireBrandWoodcrafts
Our Site - www.cardboardherald.com
Our Video Channel - https://www.youtube.com/TheCardboardHerald
Our Twitter - https://twitter.com/CardboardHerald
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Joshua Mills comes on to the show to tell me about the most romantic tunes and the worst pitch he’s ever made, but mostly we talk about his new design Big Easy Busking, which is up on kickstarter though Weird Giraffe Games right now!

Hot Links:

Big Easy Busking Kickstarter - http://weirdgiraffegames.com/BEB18
Our Site - www.cardboardherald.com
Our Video Channel - https://www.youtube.com/TheCardboardHerald
Our Twitter - https://twitter.com/CardboardHerald
Our Patreon - https://www.patreon.com/user?u=9669551

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The conclusion to my extra long episode with Chrisophe Boelinger. In it, we talk about the controversy surround Archipelago, Living Planet, the change of hands at Ludically, and their exciting new developments on the horizon. I am so thankful that I had this opportunity to speak with Christophe, who, while sometimes making some at-the-very-least naive decisions about the reactions to his craft, comes across as a genuine, caring person who wants to make the world a better place.

Our Site - www.cardboardherald.com
Our Video Channel - https://www.youtube.com/TheCardboardHerald
Our Twitter - https://twitter.com/CardboardHerald
Our Patreon - https://www.patreon.com/user?u=9669551

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You may know Chrisophe from his hit designs like Dungeon Twister, Earth Reborn, Archipelago, or the upcoming Lost Planet; or maybe you are familiar with him as the founder and co-owner of Ludically. Either way, I don’t think you were expecting this interview, and neither was I. I anticipated about 40-60 minutes focussed on game design, some tough questions about Archihpelago (one of my favorite games), and maybe some discussion about his other pursuits like music and winter sports. While we certainly got all that, it went places. Rather than chop it down, I’ve decided to put up the whole shebang, but in two parts. Here is part 1, and part 2 will go live next week.

Our Site - www.cardboardherald.com
Our Video Channel - https://www.youtube.com/TheCardboardHerald
Our Twitter - https://twitter.com/CardboardHerald
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Joe and Jason take a few minutes to talk with guest host Andrew Birkett about the development of Ore, what led them to hear, and plans for the kickstarter which is live right now! Disclaimer: Andrew is the owner of Atheris Entertainment, which is assisting with the kickstarter process of this game.

HOT LINKS:

Ore: The Mining Game Kickstarter - https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/773388521/ore-the-mining-game?ref=nav_search&result=project&term=ore%20mining%20game
Our Site - www.cardboardherald.com
Our Video Channel - https://www.youtube.com/TheCardboardHerald
Our Twitter - https://twitter.com/CardboardHerald
Our Patreon - https://www.patreon.com/user?u=9669551

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I take some time to talk with Maggie Clayton, one of my favorite people with one of my favorite publishers in the hobby. We talk about the challenges of growing a brand while sticking to your principles, aspirations of Greater Than Games, and what got her into this biz in the first place.

HOT LINKS:

Our Site - www.cardboardherald.com

Our Video Channel - https://www.youtube.com/TheCardboardHerald

Our Twitter - https://twitter.com/CardboardHerald

Our Patreon - https://www.patreon.com/user?u=9669551

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Steven Aramini started designing games in 2014, but his projects took off this last year and now his design “Animal Kingdoms” is the debut kickstarter of Galactic Raptor Games, the joint venture between Carla Kopp of Weird Giraffe Games, and Dan Letiman of Letiman Games. If you are listening when this podcast debuts, Animal Kingdoms is up on kickstarter RIGHT NOW!

Animal Kingdoms Kickstarter -
Our Site - www.cardboardherald.com
Our Video Channel - https://www.youtube.com/TheCardboardHerald
Our Twitter - https://twitter.com/CardboardHerald
Our Patreon - https://www.patreon.com/user?u=9669551

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Mr. Cuddington is one of the hottest design entities in the industry, and many people don’t know that this singular entity (not studio) is two people - David Forest & Lina Cossette. In one of my favorite episodes to date, we talk about design, influence, Akira Toriyama, and not getting pigeonholed into doing one type of thing.

Mr. Cuddington Website - mrcuddington.com/
Our Site - www.cardboardherald.com
Our Video Channel - https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCsBLZ33CJXoUffCBF7plpjg
Our Twitter - https://twitter.com/CardboardHerald
Our Patreon - https://www.patreon.com/user?u=9669551

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Rita Orlov makes her return for a short conversation at the TCbH PAX Unplugged HQ. We talk about conventions, escape rooms, and the next big project from PostCurious.

Hot Links:

PostCurious Website - http://getpostcurious.com/
PostCurious Twitter - https://www.twitter.com/getpostcurious
Our Site - www.cardboardherald.com
Our Video Channel - https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCsBLZ33CJXoUffCBF7plpjg
Our Twitter - https://twitter.com/CardboardHerald
Our Patreon - https://www.patreon.com/user?u=9669551

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Here’s episode two of our PAX Unplugged 2018 content, featuring Carla and Nick Kopp of Weird Giraffe Games, Sean Epperson of Thing12Games, David Smith of Winsmith Games, and Rob Conley of Ginger Cat Productions.

Hot Links:

Thing 12 Games - http://thing12games.com
Weird Giraffe Games - https://weirdgiraffegames.com
Winsmith Games - https://twitter.com/winsmithgames?lang=en
Ginger Cat Production - https://twitter.com/gcat_production
Our Site - www.cardboardherald.com
Our Video Channel - https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCsBLZ33CJXoUffCBF7plpjg
Our Twitter - https://twitter.com/CardboardHerald
Our Patreon - https://www.patreon.com/user?u=9669551

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PAX Unplugged was fantastic and I got a chance to talk with so many cool people! This episode features the Adam Johns and Adam Davis from Game to Grow, Eddy Webb of Onyx Path Games, game designer Julia Nazario, Ariel Burkhurst of White Wizard Games, and Matthew Kroll of Greater Than Games. We’ll have 3 episodes featuring different types of coverage ranging from these mini interview compilations to a big group interview akin to what we did last year.

Hot Links:

Game to Grow - http://gametogrow.org/
Eddy Webb - http://eddyfate.com/about/
Julio Nazario’s Twitter - https://twitter.com/junazaru
Greater Than Games - https://greaterthangames.com
White Wizard Games - https://www.whitewizardgames.com

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Jack is joined by fellow podcaster Gabe Barrett of the wonderful Board Game Design Lab podcast. Gabe has made his kickstarter debut with the wonderful sounding dexterity 4x “Final Flicktier”, which is on kickstarter right now.

HOT LINKS:

Reavers of Midgard Kickstarter - https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/152730994/reavers-of-midgard-the-sequel-to-champions-of-midg?ref=nav_search&result=project&term=midgard
Atheris Entertainment - http://atherisentertainment.com
Our Site - www.cardboardherald.com
Our Video Channel - https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCsBLZ33CJXoUffCBF7plpjg
Our Twitter - https://twitter.com/CardboardHerald
Our Patreon - https://www.patreon.com/user?u=9669551

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Come for the game, stay for the illicit platymoose trading. It's one thing to make a game with a fresh new take on worker placement, it's a whole other thing to be legitimately funny while doing it. I talk with the Vamoose Co boys about their experience as Australian creators, the importance of eating poorly, and the storied history and development leading up to Scoffton's kickstarter, up right now.

Scoffton Kickstarter - https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/3727734/scoffton-the-all-you-can-eat-buffet-board-game

Our Site - www.cardboardherald.com

Our Video Channel - https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCsBLZ33CJXoUffCBF7plpjg

Our Twitter - https://twitter.com/CardboardHerald

Our Patreon - https://www.patreon.com/user?u=9669551

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Game designer, convention starter, HR manager, Ben Rosset has been it all. We talk about his transition from DC to Chicago, how he started up with Panda, and cover games including the recently kickstarted Home Brewers and the recently released Castles of Mad King Ludwig.

HOT LINKS:

Our Site - www.cardboardherald.com

Our Video Channel - https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCsBLZ33CJXoUffCBF7plpjg

Our Twitter - https://twitter.com/CardboardHerald

Our Patreon - https://www.patreon.com/user?u=9669551

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Have you heard of J.B. Howell? Give it a year and you’ll be very familiar with his name. With several projects coming out from multiple major publishers, J.B. is a rising star in the world of game design. Join guest host Andrew Birkett of Atheris Entertainment and JB, as they talk about the game design scene in Orlando, JB’s process, and how to work on so many games in parallel. Reavers of Midgard hits kickstarter in November 2018.

HOT LINKS:

Atheris Entertainment - http://atherisentertainment.com
Our Site - www.cardboardherald.com
Our Video Channel - https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCsBLZ33CJXoUffCBF7plpjg
Our Twitter - https://twitter.com/CardboardHerald
Our Patreon - https://www.patreon.com/user?u=9669551

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Jack, Luke, and Jamey get into the nitty gritty of Rise of Fenris, and some overall reflection on the massive tabletop game, Scythe.

HOT LINKS:

Our Site - www.cardboardherald.com

Our Video Channel - https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCsBLZ33CJXoUffCBF7plpjg

Our Twitter - https://twitter.com/CardboardHerald

Our Patreon - https://www.patreon.com/user?u=9669551

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TCbH Team member and frequent reviews contributor Luke Muench guest hosts this episode with Curt Covert, founder of Smirk & Dagger and (more recently) Smirk & Laughter Games.

Hot Links:
Smirk & Dagger - http://www.smirkanddagger.com
Luke’s Twitter - https://twitter.com/LukeMuench
Our Site - www.cardboardherald.com
Our Video Channel - https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCsBLZ33CJXoUffCBF7plpjg
Our Twitter - https://twitter.com/CardboardHerald
Our Patreon - https://www.patreon.com/user?u=9669551

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I spend some time talking with Eric about the lengthy history of Spirit Island, what got him into designing in the first place, and what his project goals were for the latest expansion, Jagged Earth. You can check out our first look at the expansion on youtube, link is below.

Hot Links:

Jagged Earth preview - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=W_utqBCl40M&t=214s
Our Site - www.cardboardherald.com
Our Video Channel - https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCsBLZ33CJXoUffCBF7plpjg
Our Twitter - https://twitter.com/CardboardHerald
Our Patreon - https://www.patreon.com/user?u=9669551

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Carla Kopp, designer, publisher, gamer. She has been cranking out project after project, teaming up with everyone under the sun. We talk design, conventions, confidence, and the kickstarter for Dreams of Tomorrow, up on kickstarter RIGHT NOW!

Hot Links:
DoT Kickstarter - https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/weirdgiraffegames/184169199?ref=567325&token=90b4bd2c&utm_source=CarlaLink&utm_medium=DreamsKS29&utm_campaign=DreamsKickstarter&utm_content=
Our Site - www.cardboardherald.com
Our Video Channel - https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCsBLZ33CJXoUffCBF7plpjg
Our Twitter - https://twitter.com/CardboardHerald
Our Patreon - https://www.patreon.com/user?u=9669551

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To celebrate our 100th episode, longtime fan and contributor Joshua Simons plays host and interviews Jack. Whether we are talking board games, music, or the events of a person’s past that define them, this is 100% the TCbH you have grown to love. Thank you all for the amazing support over these two years. I can’t wait to see where we go from here!

Josh Simons is a freelance writer and contributor to The Cardboard Herald. You can follow Josh and his creative projects on twitter, @oldroadcreative.

HOT LINKS:
Our Site - www.cardboardherald.com
Our Video Channel - https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCsBLZ33CJXoUffCBF7plpjg
Our Twitter - https://twitter.com/CardboardHerald
Our Patreon - https://www.patreon.com/user?u=9669551

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Rita Orlov is responsible for one of the most ambitious and completely unique tabletop gaming-narrative-experience-adventure-mystery-thingies I’ve ever played. While it’s a struggle to define exactly what to call this new genre of gaming, it’s easy to say that The Tale of Ord is amazing, and after finishing it I could not wait to talk with the mastermind behind it. We talk puzzle design, inspirations, the struggle to balance difficulty, and the manufacturing processes of this amazing thing. If you don’t know what The Tale of Ord is, you can check out our spoiler free reviews of chapters 1 and 2, then 3 and 4, in the links below.

HOT LINKS:
PostCurious Website - https://www.getpostcurious.com/
PostCurious Twitter - https://twitter.com/getpostcurious
PostCurious Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/explore/tags/getpostcurious/
Our Tale of Ord Chapters 1 & 2 Review - http://www.cardboardherald.com/reviews/2018/6/19/post-curious-the-tale-of-ord-a-new-type-of-gaming-thingy
Our Tale of Ord Chapters 3 & 4 Review - http://www.cardboardherald.com/reviews/2018/9/3/the-tale-of-old-chapters-3-4-counting-on-venison
Our Site - www.cardboardherald.com
Our Video Channel - https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCsBLZ33CJXoUffCBF7plpjg
Our Twitter - https://twitter.com/CardboardHerald
Our Patreon - https://www.patreon.com/user?u=9669551