Brainwaves: Recent Episodes
Iain McAllister
Iain and Iain were off in Harrogate over the last weekend, and haven't had the time to put together the usual Brainwaves cast. To fill the gap we are releasing one of our older Idle Thoughts episodes featuring the original team of Iain, Jamie and Sam. We hope you enjoy their thoughts on the games they played round December 2018.
Iain Chantler has established a Robot Fight Club in the basement of Brainwaves HQ and who better than James Hewitt to help him get it setup. Iain McAllister is enthusiastic about the idea but James really needs to help out around the place if the club is going to stay, so he joins the Iains on the cast. This episode we cover Kickstarter unions, DTRPG categories, Hasbro Finances, Replacement policies and more. In Brainwaves we cast our eye to the new Federal Trade Commision rules on influencers and discuss the relationship between the press and publishers.
Headlines
Kickstarter employees form union
https://www.vice.com/amp/en_us/article/3a8pp5/kickstarter-employees-win-historic-union-election?__twitter_impression=true
Kickstarter Hires law firm that advertises maintaining a union free workplace
https://www.vice.com/en_us/article/3a8vyk/kickstarter-hired-a-law-firm-that-advertises-maintaining-a-union-free-workplace
DTRPG launches LGBTQ+ and Romance genres
https://www.geeknative.com/71220/drivethrurpg-launches-lgbtq-and-romance-genres
Episode 43 link - Free League Workshop
https://giantbrain.co.uk/2020/02/17/episode-43-executive-bell/
Hasbro Finance report, MTG up 30%
https://icv2.com/articles/news/view/45147/magic-the-gathering-up-30-including-digital-2019
News
Daniel Scott Palter, of Final Sword Games, passes away
https://icv2.com/articles/news/view/45207/r-i-p-daniel-scott-palter.
Asmodee Replacement Parts policy
https://www.asmodeena.com/en/customer-service-faq/
FFG to end RPG production
http://www.d20radio.com/main/fantasy-flight-games-long-term-plan-will-discontinue-rpg-development/
Brainstorm
FTC announces crackdown on undisclosed influencer advertising
https://www.inputmag.com/culture/ftc-social-media-influencers-new-rules-instagram-youtube-tiktok
Advertising Standards Authority
https://www.asa.org.uk/?gclid=Cj0KCQiA1-3yBRCmARIsAN7B4H1ZvU-F4FCfCCJVsSYqt-Jlr4Bwq79YLyN56VSi7k9KHpJTOt8WfyIaAoDXEALw_wcB
Fyre Festival Documentary
https://www.netflix.com/title/81035279
Outro
Monopoly News:
https://icv2.com/articles/news/view/45149/the-op-partners-toho-international-two-godzilla-brand-games
Patreon Shoutouts
Exec Producers: Lucky Sparrow Gaming Cafe
https://luckysparrow.co.uk/
Guest Links
Twitter: https://twitter.com/lagoon83
Website: https://www.needycatgames.com/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/needycatgames/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/needycatgames/?hl=en
Robot Fight Club: https://www.needycatgames.com/robotfightclub
Other Links
Bugglebots https://www.bugglebots.com/
Bristol Bot Builders - audio from one of their fights was used in this cast https://bristolbotbuilders.com/
Our Links
Twitter: @thegiantbrain
Instagram: giantbrainuk
Facebook: The Giant Brain
Website: giantbrain.co.uk
Email: giantbrainuk@gmail.com
Jamie is gone and Iain is hiding below the recording desk. No not that Iain, the other one. Checking up that their Patreon money isn’t going to frivolous expenditure, the Executive Producers turn up for a performance review and join the team behind the mics. This episode they cover notorious Kickstarter company Golden Bell, Wizards of the Coast setting up games studios, more awards, Archaeological finds and Iain takes his first trip to RPG corner which is definitely not filled with lizards.
Headlines
Golden Bell Banned from Kickstarter
https://www.reddit.com/r/boardgameindustry/comments/ewr237/golden_bell_studios_officially_suspended_from/?utm_medium=android_app&utm_source=share
https://www.abbynews.com/news/abbotsford-woman-wins-legal-battle-over-board-game-on-reality-t-v-s-the-peoples-court/
WOTC establish Arkwright games studio
https://www.polygon.com/platform/amp/2020/1/30/21115752/wizards-of-the-coast-archetype-entertainment-bioware-new-studio
As D'or
https://www.dicebreaker.com/categories/board-game/news/as-dor-game-of-the-year-awards-2020-nominations
News
Coronavirus shuts down factories
https://www.reddit.com/r/boardgames/comments/f283yb/restoration_games_is_reporting_that_no_game/
Boardgame piece found
https://www.theguardian.com/science/2020/feb/06/boardgame-piece-first-viking-raid-found-lindisfarne-archaeology
RPG Corner
RPG industry report from Roll 20
https://blog.roll20.net/post/190665086865/the-orr-group-industry-report-q4-2020-a
Free League Workshop
https://support.drivethrurpg.com/hc/en-us/articles/360037116592-Free-League-Workshop
Thinking Cap
Unboxed Gaming Cafe
https://www.unboxedcafe.co.uk/
Southside gaming initiative
https://twitter.com/d20glasgow
Outro
Monopoly: New version announced on Thursday
https://www.salisburyjournal.co.uk/news/18213427.salisbury-running-monopoly-game/
Patreon Shoutouts
Exec Producers: Lucky Sparrow Gaming Cafe
https://luckysparrow.co.uk/
A good read
https://www.dicebreaker.com/categories/board-game/feature/counterfeit-board-games-pandemic-catan
Guest links
https://luckysparrow.co.uk/
Lucky Sparrow Gaming Groups
https://www.facebook.com/groups/1904084749709801/
https://twitter.com/theluckysparrow
Links will be in show notes
Thanks very much for listening. If you like what you’ve listened to then the best way to help us out is to share the podcast and drop us a review and rating on itunes. You can also follow us on
Twitter: @thegiantbrain
Instagram: giantbrainuk
Facebook: The Giant Brain
Website: giantbrain.co.uk
Email: giantbrainuk@gmail.com
Sound effects used from Freesound.org
https://freesound.org/people/kwahmah_02/sounds/275072/
https://freesound.org/people/MrAuralization/sounds/163683/
It’s week two of intern training and it’s Iain’s turn to get Iain behind the mic as Jamie is off doing….something. They start off by covering the latest developments at Monolith games and when Jamie eventually turns up, without coffee, all three of the team cover Kickstarter Boardgame finances, Mythic getting sued, Kickstarter Union updates, charity efforts by gamers, Warhammer 40k escape rooms and mainstream boardgames. In our Brainstorm we answer a question posed by a follower: What RPG would you recommend to a new DM and/or player?
Headlines
Beyond the Monolith
The Kickstarter
https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/806316071/beyond-the-monolith-core-system-conan-universe
Brainwaves Episode 36
https://giantbrain.co.uk/2019/10/14/episode-36-creaking-brains/
Official statement from Monolith
https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/806316071/beyond-the-monolith-core-system-conan-universe/posts/2731545-
Tabletop Tribe article
https://www.tabletoptribe.com/beyond-the-monolith-or-how-to-ruin-cool-with-bloat/?fbclid=IwAR1HFYnIOcYAZFzUpv68I0lF06J56VCcDoHRHTafqONVT5SqUS5vowTy0ic
Boardgames on Kickstarter
https://www.geeknative.com/70594/tabletop-games-pledges-at-an-all-time-high-on-kickstarter-but-campaign-success-ratio-drops/
Pascal Bernard sues Mythic Games
The Kickstarter
https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/1162110258/time-of-legends-joan-of-arc/description
Facebook Thread
https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=10219452961328525&set=a.2309367647470&type=3&theater
Boardgamegeek thread
https://boardgamegeek.com/thread/2341737/pascal-bernards-ip-dispute-hopefully-we-can-hear-h
News
Kickstarter Union update
https://twitter.com/aprilaser/status/1220363637597958144?s=19
Gamers band together to donate to Australian Fire relief funds
https://twitter.com/anarchytabletop/status/1220473182152318977?s=09
24 hour boardgame marathon
https://www.facebook.com/groups/1795750387160773/?hc_location=ufi
Auroch Digital gave all money from sales of their game On Mars to an animal charity
https://www.aurochdigital.com/blog/2020/1/20/you-helped-us-save-loads-of-lovely-animals-thank-you?fbclid=IwAR1l5OmqGfKE6HVwwjYHeKxFjYB5Y9ImYPfj9LG2AaEs4RL2DZlsui_BebU
Reaper Minis put out some minis with all proceeds going to the relief funds
https://www.reapermini.com/search/Australia?fbclid=IwAR1SOS6jkXF-yzg1Z-maGypwCoxv7ZKz27kvQuWoAEGKnkYu6FIw8BE1ZUY
Facebook event for Edinburgh “Blob that ate everything event”
https://www.facebook.com/events/1496676043820777/
Orchard Toys in the money thanks to boardgames
https://www.edp24.co.uk/business/toy-firm-based-in-wymondham-attributes-success-to-kids-wanting-to-play-old-fashioned-board-games-1-6478601
Warhammer 40k Escape Roomhttps://www.escapologic.com/nottingham-escape-rooms/immaterium/
Brainstorm
DnD
https://dnd.wizards.com/
Blades in the Dark
https://www.drivethrurpg.com/product/170689/Blades-in-the-Dark
Inspectres
https://www.drivethrurpg.com/product/17891/InSpectres?term=inspectr
Genesys
https://www.fantasyflightgames.com/en/products/genesys/
Rowan, Rook and Decard
https://rowanrookanddecard.com/
Outro
Monopoly goes back to the 80s
https://icv2.com/articles/news/view/45014/usaopoly-the-op-offers-irreverent-80s-nostalgia-with-monopoly-garbage-pail-kids
Tabletop Scotland
https://tabletopscotland.co.uk/
Patreon Shoutouts
Exec Producers: Lucky Sparrow Gaming Cafe
https://luckysparrow.co.uk/
Thanks very much for listening. If you like what you’ve listened to then the best way to help us out is to share the podcast and drop us a review and rating on itunes. You can also follow us on
Twitter: @thegiantbrain
Instagram: giantbrainuk
Facebook: The Giant Brain
Website: giantbrain.co.uk
Email: giantbrainuk@gmail.com
The Brainwaves studios are dusty, Jamie has been sleeping under a desk and there has been some confusion over who was booking the next guest. Luckily we have a spare intern lying around, Iain Chantler, who helps out on this cast and makes us both look like consummate unprofessionals.
On our first Brainwaves of 2020 we cover FFG layoffs and cancellations, new DnD, Tabletop Art initiatives, small game, big games and pre-order systems. In our Brainstorm the team read the signs, chuck runes up in the air and look forward to 2020 and what it might bring to the hobby.
Headlines
FFG Layoffs and cancellationshttps://www.reddit.com/r/boardgames/comments/elfkbq/massive_layoffs_at_ffg/ - Reddithttps://icv2.com/articles/news/view/44911/fantasy-flight-games-layoffs-rpg-lines-continue- RPG info
New D&D book announced… and Matt Mercer has to defend it
https://www.geeknative.com/70491/matthew-mercer-defends-explorers-guide-to-wildemount-and-thats-a-shame/
Critical Role
https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCpXBGqwsBkpvcYjsJBQ7LEQ
DMs Guild
https://www.dmsguild.com/
Art of the Tabletop Initiative
https://mojo-nation.com/asmodee-mojo-nation-uk-games-expo-usher-next-wave-tabletop-art-talent-new-university-initiative/?fbclid=IwAR1WVveaYgduLmfhwo7G1x_aLu_uTXjYEJRgO3G8axIHiubR9r7FSGX2eMQ
More Games Please episode
https://giantbrain.co.uk/2019/04/29/episode-27-kollosal-cash/
Oath Kickstarter
https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/2074786394/oath-chronicles-of-empire-and-exile?ref=discovery_category
News
Gibsons picks up Quirk
https://twitter.com/gibsons_games/status/1215645038178336773
Emmerse Studios
https://twitter.com/EmmerseStudios
AEG P3 Programme
https://icv2.com/articles/news/view/44889/aeg-reveals-new-p3-pre-order-program
Cosmic Encounter Duelhttps://www.fantasyflightgames.com/en/news/2020/1/13/cosmic-encounter-duel/?fbclid=IwAR2aQFCeN_e739mJ3-U68yJVEOjSEuqMv07HMu1WZKcXvB1RmZbWw_dD-MU
7 Wonders Duel
https://boardgamegeek.com/boardgame/173346/7-wonders-duel
Brainstorm
Kemet Blood & Sand
https://boardgamegeek.com/boardgame/297562/kemet-blood-and-sand
Return to Dark Tower Kickstarter
https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/restorationgames/return-to-dark-tower?ref=section-homepage-featured-project
Dan Thurot
https://spacebiff.com/
Owen Duffy
https://twitter.com/owen_duffy
There Will Be Games
https://therewillbe.games/
Dan Jolin
https://twitter.com/DanJolin
Matt Thrower
https://twitter.com/mattthr
Critical Faculties article
https://giantbrain.co.uk/2019/12/11/critical-faculties/
Outro
Monopoly Llamas vs Unicornshttps://www.worldofmonopoly.com/list-ru/list-un-uq/unicornsvsllamas/index.php
Patreon Shoutouts
Welcome to new patron Hal Duncan, Team member
Exec Producers: Lucky Sparrow Gaming Cafe
https://luckysparrow.co.uk/
Links will be in show notes
Thanks very much for listening. If you like what you’ve listened to then the best way to help us out is to share the podcast and drop us a review and rating on itunes. You can also follow us on
Twitter - https://twitter.com/thegiantbrain
Instagram – https://www.instagram.com/giantbrainuk/
Facebook – https://www.facebook.com/thegiantbrain/
Website – http://www.giantbrain.co.uk/
Email – giantbrainuk@gmail.com
Sound effects used from Freesound
https://freesound.org/search/?q=398919
https://freesound.org/search/?q=360498
Happy New Year everyone! Iain did some interviews down at Dragonmeet 2019 (not 2020 as he says repeatedly throughout) and now you can hear them as well. He spoke to giants of the UK RPG podcast scene The Smart Party and some of the indie board game publishers. Hope you enjoy!
Loke Battlemats
https://lokebattlemats.com/
Ruined Sky Games
https://www.ruinedsky.com/
The Smart Party
https://smartparty.wordpress.com/
Hercules Game Studios
https://www.after-london.com/role-quest
Play For Keeps
https://www.playforkeeps.games/
Contact Us
Twitter - https://twitter.com/thegiantbrain
Instagram – https://www.instagram.com/giantbrainuk/
Facebook – https://www.facebook.com/thegiantbrain/
Website – http://www.giantbrain.co.uk/
Email – giantbrainuk@gmail.com
The plans for the award show have gone awry so Iain and Jamie retreat to RPG corner to discuss their nominations for the year in games.
Best Short Game
Tortuga 1667
https://facadegames.com/products/tortuga-1667
Cockroach Poker
https://boardgamegeek.com/boardgame/11971/cockroach-poker
Tabletop Scotland
https://tabletopscotland.co.uk/
Best Rulebook
Villagers
https://www.sinisterfish.com/games/villagers/
Bargain Quest
https://www.renegadegamestudios.com/bargain-quest-landing-page
Paul Grogan - Gaming Rules
https://gaming-rules.com/
Shut up & Sit Down
https://www.shutupandsitdown.com/
Best Original Screenplay - An Award for Story in Game
Roll Player
https://www.thunderworksgames.com/
Dune
https://www.gf9.com/
Best Blacklist Game - we've played but isn't released yet
Magnate: The First City
https://magnategame.com/
Riftforce
https://boardgamegeek.com/boardgame/291859/riftforce
Best Production/ Most Overproduced Game
Warhammer Fantasy Roleplay: Starter Set
https://www.cubicle7games.com/our-games/warhammer-fantasy-roleplay/
Root
https://ledergames.com/root/
Best Visual Effects - An Award for Art in Games
Chronicles of Crime
https://luckyduckgames.com/games/chroniclesofcrime.html
Root
Unlucky Frog
https://www.unluckyfrog.com/
More Games Please
https://www.moregamesplease.com/
Most Innovative Product
Chronicles of Crime
Icarus
https://www.renegadegamestudios.com/icarus
Dicebreaker playthrough of Icarus
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TRmf9ZmUm40
Best Director (Publisher)
Big Potato Games
https://bigpotato.com/
Renegade Game Studios
https://www.renegadegamestudios.com/
Best Game (we've played this year that wasn't released this year)
Scrawl, Big Potato Games
Cockroach Poker
These sound effects were used in this episode
https://freesound.org/people/FractalStudios/sounds/363093/
https://freesound.org/people/humanoide9000/sounds/466133/
Brainwaves HQ is undergoing a bit of a revamp in preparation for our awards show. With the news room inaccessible and construction everywhere Iain and Jamie do the cast themselves. On this show they cover world champions going away, Uno politics and boardgames in old age. Removing themselves to the crackling fire of RPG corner they cover a couple of recent announcements before looking back on the year for The Giant Brain. We hope you will pour yourself a glass and join us.
Headlines
Go Champion retires
https://www.theguardian.com/world/2019/nov/27/go-game-master-quits-saying-machines-cannot-be-defeated
Uno has a political problem, apparently
https://www.mattelgames.com/en-us/uno-nonpartisan?fbclid=IwAR2Xq48AfxqKziEUOUnOwS97uRQCTWEwL0N-RhYirid7uqaUdF9N7cQnGSk
Edinburgh led study looks at boardgames
https://stv.tv/news/scotland/1442675-playing-board-games-keeps-you-mentally-sharp-in-later-life/?fbclid=IwAR02POvkG_Jcawg9xQGiznA4V_g8KbamLw26y4QRUfvjKAnC1Mvr5OVFCoI
https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2019/11/191126140413.htm
RPG Corner
The One Ring is cast into the flames
https://www.cubicle7games.com/unexpected-tor2-update/
https://icv2.com/articles/news/view/44616/dispute-ends-cubicle-7s-the-one-ring-publishing-agreement
Chaosium sail the Rivers of London
https://twitter.com/Chaosium_Inc/status/1200793820826423298?s=20
The Year in Review
Uk Games Expo
https://www.ukgamesexpo.co.uk/
Tabletop Scotland
https://tabletopscotland.co.uk/
Art Panel at Tabletop Scotland
https://unluckyfrog.podbean.com/e/tabletop-scotland-2019-seminar-the-art-of-tabletop-featuring-ralph-horsley-andy-hepworth-jon-hodgson/
Dragonmeet
https://www.dragonmeet.co.uk/
Jamie and Peter’s pieces
https://giantbrain.co.uk/2019/10/05/watch-the-skies-diary/
https://giantbrain.co.uk/2019/09/04/warcry-review/
Patreon
https://www.patreon.com/thegiantbrain
Exec Producers
Lucky Sparrow Gaming Cafe
https://www.facebook.com/luckysparrowgamescafe/
Outro
Monopoly but morehttps://boardgamegeek.com/boardgame/295178/monopoly-longest-game-ever
Barkham Horror April Fools becomes realhttps://www.fantasyflightgames.com/en/news/2019/12/2/barkham-horror/?fbclid=IwAR1IOJszClZVC9nzHtlTADJ5FXiBJUDyTYUVwgZ8O_uwUcs9PJSZ1l50J08
Contact Us
Twitter - https://twitter.com/thegiantbrain
Instagram – https://www.instagram.com/giantbrainuk/
Facebook – https://www.facebook.com/thegiantbrain/
Website – http://www.giantbrain.co.uk/
Email – giantbrainuk@gmail.com
Iain has big plans for the first Giant Brain convention but Jamie is not so sure. Luckily our convention correspondent Mark Cooke is back from Essen with lots of excellent advice. This episode the team cover abuse allegations, industry deaths, awards and more. Iain’s been working on something in the basement and it proves very useful when getting to the core of what convention organisation is all about. No interns were harmed in the making of this episode.
Headline
Industry distances itself from JR Honeycutt after abuse allegations
https://www.thefandomentals.com/abuse-allegations-lead-board-game-industry-to-distance-itself-from-prolific-designer/
https://medium.com/@victoria.mann11/coming-forward-to-move-forward-8608e9c27e74
Esther MacCallum Stewart - https://twitter.com/neveahfs
Chad Jensen dies
https://twitter.com/HeavyCardboard/status/1195355111612129281?s=20&fbclid=IwAR1srh307usDj-jSIhVeh4YVK6ci9Gu08BgBES_2XhS8Tce_JTGbBbZzaB4http://www.dicetowernews.com/the-board-game-community-loses-chad-jensen-designer-of-dominant-species/61302
MTG has made it into National Toy Hall of Fame (USA)
https://www.toyhalloffame.org/toys/magic-gathering
News
MTG player asked to remove card in support of trans rights
https://dotesports.com/mtg/news/autumn-burchett-told-to-remove-cards-supporting-trans-rights-at-magics-mythic-championship-vi
Gw profits soar
https://www.cityam.com/games-workshop-shares-soar-as-profits-beat-55m/
Amazon Alexa now plays Ticket to Ride
https://www.amazon.com/Days-of-Wonder-Ticket-Ride/dp/B08178MR5M
Catan World Explorers
https://www.catan.com/game/catan-world-explorers
Exec Producers
Lucky Sparrow Gaming Cafe
https://www.facebook.com/luckysparrowgamescafe/
Outro
DnD Cluedo
https://www.geeksaresexy.net/2019/11/08/theres-a-dungeons-dragons-version-of-clue-now/
Mark Cooke and Airecon
Twitter: https://twitter.com/aireconuk
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/aireconuk/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/aireconuk/?hl=en
Website: https://www.airecon.co.uk/
Contact Us
Twitter - https://twitter.com/thegiantbrain
Instagram – https://www.instagram.com/giantbrainuk/
Facebook – https://www.facebook.com/thegiantbrain/
Website – http://www.giantbrain.co.uk/
Email – giantbrainuk@gmail.com
