Tabletop Games Blog - board game reviews and discussions with a personal touch

You sit quietly in your hide, binoculars in hand, peering out over the lake, with the grassland on the other side and the woodlands in the background. You have already spotted a fair number of birds that frequent this nature reserve regularly, but suddenly you spot something new. You think you glimpsed a read head and black and white back. Slowly scanning the woodlands, you see it again, hanging onto the trunk of a dead tree. It's a white-backed woodpecker, which is a new visitor and comes with 80 other birds in Wingspan: European Expansion by Stonemaier Games.Read the full article here: https://tabletopgamesblog.com/2020/01/25/wingspan-european-expansion-saturday-review/LinksWingspan: European Expansion: https://stonemaiergames.com/games/wingspan/wingspan-european-expansion/Stonemaier Games: https://stonemaiergames.com/Unboxing video: https://youtu.be/nUjttWsgiPgWingspan review: https://tabletopgamesblog.com/2019/03/16/wingspan/Top 5 Tabletop Games of 2019: https://tabletopgamesblog.com/2019/12/28/top-5-tabletop-games-of-2019-saturday-review/If you want to support this podcast financially, please check out the links below:Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/tabletopgamesblogKo-Fi: https://ko-fi.com/TabletopGamesBlogPayPal: https://paypal.me/pools/c/8hovaYouKDWebsite: https://tabletopgamesblog.com/

Tabletop game designers want to create an enjoyable experience for people - whatever enjoyable means in this context. From that starting point, they create a game that is balanced, flows well and meets the desired complexity requirements, as well as meets other criteria. They may use the skillset of developers to refine everything, and if a publisher is involved, there will be additional criteria that have to be met. However, in this article, I want to focus on enjoyment, what it means and whose responsibility it is to make a game enjoyable.Read the full article here: https://tabletopgamesblog.com/2020/01/21/enjoyable-design-topic-discussion/LinksYogi: http://www.brainbox.co.uk/game/yogiFog of Love: https://www.fogoflove.com/Article about my journey as an alpha player: https://tabletopgamesblog.com/2019/12/03/alpha-one/Unboxing videos: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nUjttWsgiPg&list=PLU5Vut7xXvcIGkbx6vTtHJ9yfdPHlpXkeIntro Music: Bomber (Sting) by Riot (https://www.youtube.com/audiolibrary/)Music: Midnight Stroll by Avalon (https://soundcloud.com/freebmusic/avalon-midnight-stroll)If you want to support this podcast financially, please check out the links below:Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/tabletopgamesblogKo-Fi: https://ko-fi.com/TabletopGamesBlogPayPal: https://paypal.me/pools/c/8hovaYouKDWebsite: https://tabletopgamesblog.com/

"...as more people are put into isolation in specifically built camps that are guarded by military personnel and run by medical experts and support staff brought in from around the country. The World Health Organization has so far identified five different viruses in this global epidemic. A number of scientific laboratories across the world are working around the clock in an attempt to discover a cure for them all, while teams on the ground travel to infection sites to gather samples and monitor outbreaks." You switch off the TV, because you have to return to your fieldwork and help your team find cures in Pandemic by Z-Man Games.Read the full article here: https://tabletopgamesblog.com/2020/01/18/pandemic-saturday-review/LinksUnboxing video: https://tabletopgamesblog.com/2020/01/23/pandemic-unboxing/Pandemic: https://www.zmangames.com/en/games/pandemic/Z-Man Games: https://www.zmangames.com/en/index/Pandemic: Rising Tide: https://zmangames.com/en/products/pandemic-rising-tide/If you want to support this podcast financially, please check out the links below:Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/tabletopgamesblogKo-Fi: https://ko-fi.com/TabletopGamesBlogPayPal: https://paypal.me/pools/c/8hovaYouKDWebsite: https://tabletopgamesblog.com/

Chits, tokens, player boards, tiles, pieces, cards and all the other components we have come to know and love can sometimes be a bit of a problem: when you need to place dozens upon dozens of them into specific places on the game board or player mat and spend hours shuffling dozens of decks of cards before you can even think about starting the game. Setup is something most of us will want to be quick, so we can get to the fun bit as soon as possible.Read the full article here: https://tabletopgamesblog.com/2020/01/14/setup-pains/LinksShuffling methods on Wikipedia: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/ShufflingIntro Music: Bomber (Sting) by Riot (https://www.youtube.com/audiolibrary/)Music: Happiness by BenSound (https://www.bensound.com)If you want to support this podcast financially, please check out the links below:Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/tabletopgamesblogKo-Fi: https://ko-fi.com/TabletopGamesBlogPayPal: https://paypal.me/pools/c/8hovaYouKDWebsite: https://tabletopgamesblog.com/

After a short journey by train, you arrive in Berlin at Friedrichstraße central station. Wasting no time, you immediately take the stairs down to the U-Bahn platforms. You want to see as much of this metropole as possible, not just the usual tourist sites, but also the more regular stations that locals would travel to. Your first destination is Zitadelle in Spandau, after which you want to see the famous Potsdamer Platz. However, as you arrive on the platform, you notice there are no trains running. It turns out that you have to take a taxi to Jungfernheide, after which you can take the yellow line to Zitadelle, then back to Jungfernheide and another taxi to Zoologischer Garten, where you can catch the white line. It seems weird, but this is On the Underground London/Berlin by LudiCreations.Read the full article here: https://tabletopgamesblog.com/2020/01/11/on-the-underground-london-berlin-saturday-review/Links On the Underground London/Berlin: http://ludicreations.com/product/on-the-underground-london-berlin/ LudiCreations: http://ludicreations.com/ Unboxing video: https://youtu.be/klx_ta_uWw4 Gaming Rules! how to play video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iv5n4KxXWQg Gaming Rules! playthrough video: https://youtu.be/d1BtU4xNZZg If you want to support this podcast financially, please check out the links below:Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/tabletopgamesblogKo-Fi: https://ko-fi.com/TabletopGamesBlogPayPal: https://paypal.me/pools/c/8hovaYouKDWebsite: https://tabletopgamesblog.com/

Let's start 2020 with a serious topic and wade straight in. I might as well start the year as I mean to go on. So, turn order. It's something that matters very little in some games, and a lot in others. In some games, players take their turns in clockwise order, in others it's based on the faction they've chosen or some other similar measure, or you might bid for turn order. In some games, turn order remains the same throughout the game, in others it changes from round to round. I want to look at the different ways turn order is implemented in games and the effect this can have.Read the full article here: https://tabletopgamesblog.com/2020/01/07/turn-order/https://tabletopgamesblog.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/01/turn-order-topic-discussion.wav Intro Music: Bomber (Sting) by Riot (https://www.youtube.com/audiolibrary/) Music from https://filmmusic.io “Chill” by MusicParadise (http://www.music-paradise.de) License: CC BY (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/)If you want to support this podcast financially, please check out the links below:Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/tabletopgamesblogKo-Fi: https://ko-fi.com/TabletopGamesBlogPayPal: https://paypal.me/pools/c/8hovaYouKDWebsite: https://tabletopgamesblog.com/

Here is a game that has been around the blocks for a few years, but still seems very popular amongst people who like trick-taking games. Skull King by Schmidt Spiele* does a few things differently to other trick-taking games, which is why it’s so much fun and a game that you can teach to people who are new to trick-taking games. Yet, there is as much depth in this game as there is in other trick-taking games. Read the full article here: https://tabletopgamesblog.com/2020/01/04/skull-king-saturday-review/ Links Skull King: https://www.schmidtspiele-shop.de/skull-king Schmidt Spiele: https://www.schmidtspiele-shop.de/ Grandpa Beck’s Games: https://www.grandpabecksgames.com/ Thing 12 Games: http://thing12games.com/ Intro Music: Bomber (Sting) by Riot (https://www.youtube.com/audiolibrary/) If you want to support this podcast financially, please check out the links below: Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/tabletopgamesblog Ko-Fi: https://ko-fi.com/TabletopGamesBlog Website: https://tabletopgamesblog.com/

I wanted to use this opportunity to thank everyone who supports me via Patreon, follows me on Twitter, has subscribed to my YouTube channel, follows me on Instagram, likes my LinkedIn page or who supports me otherwise. A particular thank you goes, of course, to Antoinette from Board Game Inquisition with whom I'm running the Tabletop Inquisition podcast.Read the full article here: https://tabletopgamesblog.com/2019/12/31/thank-you-for-a-wonderful-2019/https://tabletopgamesblog.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/12/thank-you-for-a-wonderful-2019-topic-discussion.mp3 Music: Positive Motivation by AShamaluevMusicIf you want to support this podcast financially, please check out the links below:Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/tabletopgamesblogKo-Fi: https://ko-fi.com/TabletopGamesBlogPayPal: https://paypal.me/pools/c/8hovaYouKDWebsite: https://tabletopgamesblog.com/

For the first time, the Tabletop Games Blog is giving away an award: the Top Table Award for the best game released in 2019. As you know, a lot of new tabletop games were released this year, probably around 3,000 to 4,000, excluding expansions. That's more games anyone will ever be able to play in a year, and I have probably only seen 20-30 of those. However, I still thought it'd be good to share with you my top 5 games that were published in 2019 and crown the winner.Read the full article here: https://tabletopgamesblog.com/2019/12/28/top-5-tabletop-games-of-2019-saturday-review/LinksSilver: https://beziergames.com/products/silverBezier Games: https://beziergames.com/Silver review: https://tabletopgamesblog.com/2019/08/31/silver-saturday-review/Tapestry: https://stonemaiergames.com/games/tapestry/Stonemaier Games: https://stonemaiergames.com/Tapestry review: https://tabletopgamesblog.com/2019/11/09/tapestry-saturday-review/Roam: https://redravengames.squarespace.com/roamRed Raven Games: https://redravengames.squarespace.com/Roam review: https://tabletopgamesblog.com/2019/11/02/roam-saturday-review/Vivaldi: http://www.xvgames.it/en/vivaldi/XV Games: http://www.xvgames.it/en/Vivaldi review: https://tabletopgamesblog.com/2019/11/23/vivaldi-saturday-review/Wingspan: https://stonemaiergames.com/games/wingspan/Elizabeth Hargrave: https://www.elizhargrave.com/Beth Sobel: http://bethsobel.com/aboutAna Maria Martinez Jaramillo: https://www.anammartinez.com/Natalia Rojas: https://www.nataliarojasart.com/shop/original-artwork/Spiel des Jahres: https://www.spiel-des-jahres.de/Wingspan Kennerspiel des Jahres 2019: https://www.spiel-des-jahres.de/spiele/fluegelschlag/Wingspan review: https://tabletopgamesblog.com/2019/03/16/wingspan/Music from https://filmmusic.io“Epic Intro 2017” by Sascha Ende (https://www.sascha-ende.de)License: CC BY (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/)If you want to support this podcast financially, please check out the links below:Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/tabletopgamesblogKo-Fi: http

I know, it's Christmas Eve, so talking about New Year's resolutions might feel a little early, but I thought I'd get them out of the way now, so I can enjoy the holidays. As this blog is about tabletop games, my list of resolutions featured here focuses solely on what I promise to do, or stop doing, with regards to the hobby. Of course, there are many other things, that are personal and private to me and that I aim to become better at next year, but that I won't mention below.Read the full article here: https://tabletopgamesblog.com/2019/12/24/resolutions/Links Blog article “Alpha One”: https://tabletopgamesblog.com/2019/12/03/alpha-one/ https://tabletopgamesblog.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/12/resolutions-topic-discussion.mp3 Music: Corporate Motivation by AShamluevMusicIf you want to support this podcast financially, please check out the links below:Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/tabletopgamesblogKo-Fi: https://ko-fi.com/TabletopGamesBlogPayPal: https://paypal.me/pools/c/8hovaYouKDWebsite: https://tabletopgamesblog.com/

Another year has come and gone. A lot has happened in the world, some good, some bad. The tabletop game community has not got away unscathed of course. Yet, there have also been a lot of positive trends and changes. So as we're nearing the end of 2019, I want to look back at what happened in the tabletop games hobby.Read the full article here: https://tabletopgamesblog.com/2019/12/21/2019-saturday-review/Links Francis Tresham: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Francis_Tresham_(game_designer) Chad Jensen: https://boardgamegeek.com/boardgamedesigner/6331/chad-jensen Dominant Species: https://www.gmtgames.com/p-621-dominant-species-5th-printing.aspx Combat Commander: https://www.gmtgames.com/p-703-combat-commander-europe-4th-printing.aspx Dominant Species: Marine: https://www.gmtgames.com/p-738-dominant-species-marine.aspx Starting Roll: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FjAMzVSxHSw&amp;list=PLUII-TIgX3qFUvnssiJ7puvASOKF1rJHG GammaRay: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCSf8PUVb3DRY85sFL2BTyPA Nyctophobia: https://boardgamegeek.com/boardgame/249505/nyctophobia Meeple Like Us: https://meeplelikeus.co.uk/ Sightless Fun: https://sightless.fun/ Dibs on Blue: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC9FMiJybd6Wlf5f_HPKX9ag Watch It Played: https://www.youtube.com/user/WatchItPlayed UK Gaming Media Network: https://www.ukgmn.co.uk/ Tabletop Inquisition: https://tabletopinquisition.com/ Board Game Inquisition: https://boardgameinquisition.com/ UK Games Expo: https://www.ukgamesexpo.co.uk/ Essen Spiel: https://www.spiel-messe.com/en/ AireCon: https://www.airecon.co.uk/ https://tabletopgamesblog.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/12/2019-saturday-review.mp3 Music: Documentary Piano by AShamaluevMusicIf you want to support this podcast financially, please check out the links below:Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/tabletopgamesblogKo-Fi: https://ko-fi.com/TabletopGamesBlogPayPal: <a href="https://paypal.me/pools/c/8

I thought it would be helpful to talk about something that I, and many other people, struggle with around this time of year. It's not quite a tabletop games related topic, but there is a link, as you will see. What I am talking about is the feelings of gloom, self-doubt and general negativity when the days get shorter and the weather is less pleasant. I hope my experiences are helpful to others, even if it's just so people know they are not alone. After all, mental health does matter.Read the full article here: https://tabletopgamesblog.com/2019/12/17/dark-times/Links TED Talk &#8220;The surprisingly charming science of your gut&#8221; by Giulia Enders: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HNMQ_w7hXTA https://tabletopgamesblog.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/12/dark-times-topic-discussion.mp3 Music: Filaments by Scott Buckley on SoundCloudIf you want to support this podcast financially, please check out the links below:Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/tabletopgamesblogKo-Fi: https://ko-fi.com/TabletopGamesBlogPayPal: https://paypal.me/pools/c/8hovaYouKDWebsite: https://tabletopgamesblog.com/

There is absolute silence and the flickering candles cast eerie shadows of the four people sitting around the table. Everyone has one hand on the table and moves their gaze from face to face, trying to lock onto the thoughts that waft through the other person's mind. The tension is palpable and the air is thick. There is a faint sound of ticking, as if from a grandfather clock, but it's not real. It's in everyone's head. Yet, it's not a single clock, but a jumbled rhythm as each player counts down at their own frequency. Then, slowly, everyone withdraws their hand and the game begins. It's time to get into synch as the game of The Mind Extreme by Nürnberger-Spielkarten-Verlag begins.Read the full article here: https://tabletopgamesblog.com/2019/12/14/the-mind-extreme-saturday-review/Links The Mind Extreme: http://www.spiele-offensive.de/nsv/index.php?cmd=nsv_artikel_anzeigen&amp;aid=1024431&amp;kat=109 Nürnberger-Spielkarten-Verlag: https://nsv.de/ The Mind Extreme unboxing video: https://tabletopgamesblog.com/2019/12/12/the-mind-extreme-unboxing The Mind: https://coiledspring.co.uk/product/the-mind/ The Mind review: https://tabletopgamesblog.com/2019/01/05/the-mind/ If you want to support this podcast financially, please check out the links below:Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/tabletopgamesblogKo-Fi: https://ko-fi.com/TabletopGamesBlogPayPal: https://paypal.me/pools/c/8hovaYouKDWebsite: https://tabletopgamesblog.com/

I thought it might be time to give everyone an update of where I'm at with the blog, the podcast, videos and everything else I do in the industry. After all, we're nearing the end of the year and everyone is starting to reflect on what they have achieved. However, there will be a separate article on my blog talking about what happened in 2019 in the industry in general and with regards to my work specifically, so here I focus on what is involved in producing the content for my various outlets and give you a behind-the-scenes look of what I do.Read the full article here: https://tabletopgamesblog.com/2019/12/10/working-9-to-5/Links Board Game Inquisition: https://boardgameinquisition.com/ Tabletop Inquisition: https://tabletopinquisition.com/ Make My Game Travel: https://makemygametravel.com/ https://tabletopgamesblog.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/12/working-9-to-5-topic-discussion.mp3 Music: Cinematic Light by AShamaluevMusicIf you want to support this podcast financially, please check out the links below:Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/tabletopgamesblogKo-Fi: https://ko-fi.com/TabletopGamesBlogPayPal: https://paypal.me/pools/c/8hovaYouKDWebsite: https://tabletopgamesblog.com/

The four armies have landed on the beach of the abandoned island and deposited their troops with intent. They are here to claim their stake and become the new rulers. Yet, battles are rare. The invaders mostly compete for majority, tolerating their opponents’ presence, while brave cohorts cross the seas to reach neighbouring islands in this tiny archipelago. Cities are built to establish a permanent presence, but it doesn’t take long until it is all over. In&nbsp;Eight-Minute Empire: Legends by&nbsp;Red Raven Games, you and up to three other players try to manoeuvre your armies over eight to eleven rounds to come out victorious. Read the full article here: https://tabletopgamesblog.com/2019/12/07/eight-minute-empire-legends-saturday-review/ Links Eight-Minute Empire: Legends: https://redravengames.squarespace.com/eightminute-empire-legends Red Raven Games:&nbsp;https://redravengames.squarespace.com/ Unboxing video: https://youtu.be/ih-yggBm1gI Intro Music: Bomber (Sting) by Riot (https://www.youtube.com/audiolibrary/) If you want to support this podcast financially, please check out the links below: Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/tabletopgamesblog Ko-Fi: https://ko-fi.com/TabletopGamesBlog Website: https://tabletopgamesblog.com/

As some of you will know, I’m an alpha player at the core, which means I can take over co-operative games and tell people what to do. Even in competitive games I’m the one who makes sure rules are followed and actions are done in the right order. I even adjust tokens or tiles to line them up properly and ensure everything is in the right place. However, I’ve changed a lot over the last year or so and I want to share my journey with you. Maybe it will give you some tips for yourself, if you’re an alpha player too. Read the full article here: https://tabletopgamesblog.com/2019/12/03/alpha-one/ Intro Music: Bomber (Sting) by Riot (https://www.youtube.com/audiolibrary/) If you want to support this podcast financially, please check out the links below: Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/tabletopgamesblog Ko-Fi: https://ko-fi.com/TabletopGamesBlog Website: https://tabletopgamesblog.com/

The price bubble has burst and the property market has crashed. People have lost a lot of money when they were forced to sell everything at a much lower price. They bought too high and got out too late. Yet, there are also a number of happy faces around the table. They bought land when prices were still extremely low, built properties, rented them out, earned a decent income and then sold everything at the peak of the market - or at least sold most of it, breaking even with everything else. These are the property tycoons that managed to make it big in Magnate: The First City by Naylor Games.Read the full article here: https://tabletopgamesblog.com/2019/11/30/takebacks-magnate-the-first-city/Links Magnate: The First City: https://magnategame.com/ Naylor Games: https://naylorgames.com/ Saturday Review of Magnate: The First City: https://tabletopgamesblog.com/2019/06/29/magnate-the-first-city/ UK Games Expo: https://www.ukgamesexpo.co.uk/ If you want to support this podcast financially, please check out the links below:Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/tabletopgamesblogKo-Fi: https://ko-fi.com/TabletopGamesBlogPayPal: https://paypal.me/pools/c/8hovaYouKDWebsite: https://tabletopgamesblog.com/

I guess it has become tradition now for boardgame blogs to suggest a number of games that people should play with their friends and family over the festive period. As I love tradition, I will do what everyone else is doing and give you a selection of games some of which may suit your taste and may also be a good match for whoever you choose to play with when you enjoy some time off over Christmas.Read the full article here: https://tabletopgamesblog.com/2019/11/26/games-of-christmas/https://tabletopgamesblog.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/11/games-of-christmas-topic-discussion.mp3 Music: Yuletide Greetings by Purple Planet MusicIf you want to support this podcast financially, please check out the links below:Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/tabletopgamesblogKo-Fi: https://ko-fi.com/TabletopGamesBlogPayPal: https://paypal.me/pools/c/8hovaYouKDWebsite: https://tabletopgamesblog.com/

It's been a very long time since I have played one of the classic, German trick-taking games, like Skat or Doppelkopf. My family and I used to play Skat at home a lot when I was in my late teens, early twenties, and I used to play Doppelkopf pretty much every break with my friends in school when I was in my late teens, keeping the session going virtually all day, as one person would leave to get to their lesson and someone else would take their place. I had very much forgotten how much I loved these sort of games, especially the uncertainty in Doppelkopf where you don't know who your partner is until later in the game. However, when someone bought Vivaldi by XV Games at Spiel Essen this year and brought it to the Gaming Rules meet-up, we had so much fun and all my fond memories flooded back.Read the full article here: https://tabletopgamesblog.com/2019/11/23/vivaldi-saturday-review/Links Vivaldi: http://www.xvgames.it/en/vivaldi/ XV Games: http://www.xvgames.it/en/ Skat: https://boardgamegeek.com/boardgame/6819/skat Doppelkopf: https://boardgamegeek.com/boardgame/9364/doppelkopf Briscola Chiamata: https://boardgamegeek.com/boardgame/99696/briscola-chiamata Spiel Essen: https://www.spiel-messe.com/en/ Gaming Rules: https://www.youtube.com/user/GamingRulesVideos/ If you want to support this podcast financially, please check out the links below:Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/tabletopgamesblogKo-Fi: https://ko-fi.com/TabletopGamesBlogPayPal: https://paypal.me/pools/c/8hovaYouKDWebsite: https://tabletopgamesblog.com/

Apparently, modern tabletop games have had a huge surge worldwide recently. Mind you, "recently" really means a few years, and it doesn't seem to let up. It's great to see so many people pick up cardboard and have a great time, whether it's alone or with friends, family or complete strangers. So I want to look at what has been happening and see where and how tabletop games have appeared in people's lives.Read the full article here: https://tabletopgamesblog.com/2019/11/19/hitting-the-mainstream/Links Monopoly: https://monopoly.hasbro.com/en-gb Game of Life: https://boardgamegeek.com/boardgame/2921/game-of-life Wil Wheaton: http://wilwheaton.net/ TableTop: https://geekandsundry.com/shows/tabletop/ James Hudson: https://twitter.com/druidcitygames Starting Roll: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLUII-TIgX3qFUvnssiJ7puvASOKF1rJHG Gamma Ray TV: http://gammaray.tv/ South Park: https://www.southparkstudios.co.uk/ Target: https://www.target.com/ Barnes &amp; Noble: https://www.barnesandnoble.com/ Waterstones: https://www.waterstones.com/ Baloise: https://www.baloise.com/en/home.html Sarah&#8217;s Vision: https://www.baloise.com/en/home/news-stories/news/media-releases/2019/baloise-develops-a-board-game-for-strategy-communication.html https://tabletopgamesblog.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/11/hitting-the-mainstream.mp3 Music: Sweet by BensoundIf you want to support this podcast financially, please check out the links below:Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/tabletopgamesblogKo-Fi: https://ko-fi.com/TabletopGamesBlogPayPal: https://paypal.me/pools/c/8hovaYouKDWebsite: https://tabletopgamesblog.com/

You and a handful of brave explorers have finally found the entrance to Mount Arima, the fearsome volcano that has laid sleeping for decades, and which hides an important secret in its maze of tunnels. Tales of a magical sanctum have drawn you and your fellow adventurers together. You all promise to work together and face whatever dangers you may encounter in the depths of this mountain. Yet, none of you have realized that your allegiance will be tested to your death, if you are not able to escape before the volcano erupts and burns you alive. Sub Terra II: Inferno's Edge by ITB Board Games will require you to work together effectively and swiftly if you want to succeed.Read the full article here: https://tabletopgamesblog.com/2019/11/16/sub-terra-ii-infernos-edge-saturday-review/Links Sub Terra II: Inferno&#8217;s Edge: http://itbboardgames.com/games/sub-terra-2/ ITB Board Games: http://itbboardgames.com/ Sub Terra: http://itbboardgames.com/games/sub-terra If you want to support this podcast financially, please check out the links below:Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/tabletopgamesblogKo-Fi: https://ko-fi.com/TabletopGamesBlogPayPal: https://paypal.me/pools/c/8hovaYouKDWebsite: https://tabletopgamesblog.com/

As we commemorate the fall of the Berlin Wall 30 years ago, I wanted to talk about walls in tabletop gaming and look at what walls there still are that might stop people from enjoying the hobby or becoming a part of our growing community. I don't proclaim to be able to tear down all the walls that still exist, but hopefully my thoughts will start a constructive discussion and help move us forward in some way. Maybe we can look back in 30 years and see the positive things that have happened and evaluate what else needs to be done.Read the full article here: https://tabletopgamesblog.com/2019/11/12/breaking-down-walls/Links Starting Roll: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLUII-TIgX3qFUvnssiJ7puvASOKF1rJHG Gaming Rules: https://www.youtube.com/user/GamingRulesVideos/ Essen Spiel: https://www.spiel-messe.com/en/ Cards or Die: https://www.cardsordie.com/ Tabletop Inquisition podcast: https://tabletopinquisition.com/2019/10/28/episode-11-ann-jones-of-cards-or-die-interview/ Catherine Stippell: https://twitter.com/playnyctophobia Stephanie Jessup: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC9FMiJybd6Wlf5f_HPKX9ag https://tabletopgamesblog.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/11/breaking-down-walls-topic-discussion.mp3 Music: Cinematic Ambient by AShamaluevMusicIf you want to support this podcast financially, please check out the links below:Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/tabletopgamesblogKo-Fi: https://ko-fi.com/TabletopGamesBlogPayPal: https://paypal.me/pools/c/8hovaYouKDWebsite: https://tabletopgamesblog.com/

Through five millennia you guide your civilization from the discovery of fire through vastly different eras to its ultimate end. You discover and develop different technologies, flex your military muscle, explore new lands and execute unexpected and sometimes devastating science experiments as your people advance from generation to generation. In Tapestry by Stonemaier Games, you write an alternative history that has echoes of mankind's but turns out completely different, but hopefully for the better.Read the full article here: https://tabletopgamesblog.com/2019/11/09/tapestry-saturday-review/LinksTapestry: https://stonemaiergames.com/games/tapestry/Stonemaier Games: https://stonemaiergames.com/Tapestry updated review: https://tabletopgamesblog.com/2020/02/22/tapestry-takebacksAndrews Bosley interview: https://tabletopgamesblog.com/2020/07/22/andrew-bosley-let-me-illustrate/Wingspan (Saturday Review): https://tabletopgamesblog.com/2019/03/16/wingspan/Scythe (Saturday Review): https://tabletopgamesblog.com/2019/01/19/scythe/Tapestry unboxing video: https://youtu.be/vT8kOHae9j4If you want to support this podcast financially, please check out the links below:Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/tabletopgamesblogKo-Fi: https://ko-fi.com/TabletopGamesBlogPayPal: https://paypal.me/pools/c/8hovaYouKDWebsite: https://tabletopgamesblog.com/

I'm sure, many of you are tired of hearing all about Essen Spiel 2019. Everyone who went is talking about all the games they saw, played and bought, and anyone who didn't go is reading about all the games everyone saw, played and bought. So I want to talk about the people side of the exhibition and share my experiences of attending this major event for the first time.Read the full article here: https://tabletopgamesblog.com/2019/11/05/post-show-blues/Links Essen Spiel 2019: https://www.spiel-messe.com/en/ Essen Spiel 2019 Most Wanted (Saturday Review): https://tabletopgamesblog.com/2019/10/12/essen-spiel-2019-most-wanted-saturday-review/ Mark Cooke: https://twitter.com/aireconuk Hush Hush Projects: https://hushhushprojects.com/ We&#8217;re Not Wizards: http://werenotwizards.podbean.com/ Fog of Love: https://www.fogoflove.com/ Slickerdrips: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCmtyR1piEzGwYR5cfHo_VTQ Skull King: https://www.schmidtspiele-shop.de/skull-king Schmidt Spiele: https://www.schmidtspiele-shop.de/ Jacob Jaskov: https://twitter.com/jacobjaskov Emma: https://twitter.com/emmzaja Semi Co-op: https://www.semicoop.com/ Board Game Inquisition: https://boardgameinquisition.com/ Tabletop Inquisition: https://tabletopinquisition.com/ Gaming Rules: https://www.youtube.com/user/GamingRulesVideos/ Steeped Games: http://www.steepedgames.com/ Heavy Cardboard: https://www.heavycardboard.com/ Jess: https://twitter.com/Boardgame_girl1 Meet and Play: https://meetandplay-essen.de/ Der Ablagestapel: http://ablagestapel.blogspot.com/ UK Games Expo: https://www.ukgamesexpo.co.uk/ https://tabletopgamesblog.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/11/post-show-blues-topic-discussion.mp3 Music: Smooth Jazz by AShamaluevMusicIf you want to support this podcast financially, please check out the links below:Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/tabletopgames

Here is another beautifully illustrated game by&nbsp;Ryan Laukat. You will immediately recognize it from his other games, such as&nbsp;Near and Far. You will also recognize a lot of the characters he created in his other games and which appear in&nbsp;Roam as well. Yet, this game from&nbsp;Red Raven Games is quite different from the others. There is no resource management, no movement and no storytelling. Instead, you get a lovely, light game that is very easy to explain and learn and relatively quick to play. Read the full article here: https://tabletopgamesblog.com/2019/11/02/roam-saturday-review/ Links Roam: https://redravengames.squarespace.com/roam Red Raven Games: https://redravengames.squarespace.com/ Unboxing video: https://tabletopgamesblog.com/2019/10/24/roam-unboxing Intro Music: Bomber (Sting) by Riot (https://www.youtube.com/audiolibrary/) If you want to support this podcast financially, please check out the links below: Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/tabletopgamesblog Ko-Fi: https://ko-fi.com/TabletopGamesBlog Website: https://tabletopgamesblog.com/

It has been nearly a year since I last updated my tabletop player profile using the Quantic Foundry&#8216;s online form. Let&#8217;s see what has changed since December 2018. I have played a lot of games since then, so there must be some change.Read the full article here: https://tabletopgamesblog.com/2019/10/29/tabletop-player-profile-updated-3/https://tabletopgamesblog.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/10/tabletop-player-profile-updated-topic-discussion.mp3 Music: Corporate Ambient by AShamaluevMusic If you want to support this podcast financially, please check out the links below:Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/tabletopgamesblogKo-Fi: https://ko-fi.com/TabletopGamesBlogPayPal: https://paypal.me/pools/c/8hovaYouKDWebsite: https://tabletopgamesblog.com/

Feudal Japan is in turmoil. Warring clans are roaming the land to claim territories and gain influence and power, while vying for the favour of the spirits, the Kami, whose support will help cement the superiority over the enemies. As clans form alliances and recruit legendary monsters to bolster their armies' ranks, everyone prepares for multiple battles which will change the face of Japan. Yet, territories are often held only fleetingly as alliances are betrayed and powers shift. It is up to you to use your cunning and strategic planning to come out the victor in Rising Sun by CMON.Read the full article here: https://tabletopgamesblog.com/2019/10/26/rising-sun-saturday-review/Links Rising Sun: https://cmon.com/product/rising-sun/rising-sun CMON: https://www.cmon.com/ Blood Rage: https://cmon.com/product/blood-rage/blood-rage If you want to support this podcast financially, please check out the links below:Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/tabletopgamesblogKo-Fi: https://ko-fi.com/TabletopGamesBlogPayPal: https://paypal.me/pools/c/8hovaYouKDWebsite: https://tabletopgamesblog.com/

I have previously spoken about unique games, which were something new at the time - see my article "There can be only one". It was KeyForge by Fantasy Flight Games and designed by Richard Garfield of Magic: The Gathering fame, which started this new way of making games. There is probably a better and longer description of the term, but in short, the term unique in this context describes games where every published copy is different in a number of ways. In KeyForge this is, for example, the name and logo, as well as the composition of the different cards, but different decks will still have some cards the same. I want to look at some aspects of unique game design in more detail to explore the concept.Read the full article here: https://tabletopgamesblog.com/2019/10/22/one-of-a-kind/Links KeyForge: https://www.fantasyflightgames.com/en/products/keyforge/ Fantasy Flight Games: https://www.fantasyflightgames.com/ Richard Garfield: https://boardgamegeek.com/boardgamedesigner/14/richard-garfield Magic: The Gathering: https://magic.wizards.com/en Continental Drift: https://boardgamegeek.com/thread/1734082/wip-continental-drift-2017-two-player-pnp-contest Tabula Rasa: https://boardgamegeek.com/thread/2260967/wip-tabula-rasa-2019-wargame-print-and-play-contes Max Seidman: http://twitter.com/resonym Fluxx: https://www.looneylabs.com/games/fluxx Star Realms: https://www.starrealms.com/ https://tabletopgamesblog.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/10/one-of-a-kind-topic-discussion.mp3 Music from https://filmmusic.io &#8220;Dayly&#8221; by MusicParadise (http://www.music-paradise.de) License: CC BY (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/)If you want to support this podcast financially, please check out the links below:Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/tabletopgamesblogKo-Fi: https://ko-fi.com/TabletopGamesBlogPayPal: https://paypal.me/pools/c/8hovaYouKDWebsite: https://tabletopgamesblog.com/

When struggling gramophone salesman Barry discovers a not-so-secret secret lab (I recommend you watch the trailer on Halfbrick's website) which has developed a number of different and increasingly crazy jetpacks, his life changes. He starts with a basic jetpack and flies through the various rooms of the lab to avoid obstacles and find the next and better jetpack to try out for himself. A lot of frantic horizontally scrolling fun ensues, which the boardgame conversion of Jetpack Joyride by Lucky Duck Games tries to reproduce on your dining room table.Read the full article here: https://tabletopgamesblog.com/2019/10/19/jetpack-joyride-saturday-review/Links Jetpack Joyride: https://luckyduckgames.com/jetpackjoyride/ Lucky Duck Games: https://luckyduckgames.com/ Jetpack Joyride app trailer: https://youtu.be/Jzxi8nid9BQ Halfbrick: https://halfbrick.com/ Unboxing video: https://tabletopgamesblog.com/2019/10/17/jetpack-joyride-unboxing If you want to support this podcast financially, please check out the links below:Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/tabletopgamesblogKo-Fi: https://ko-fi.com/TabletopGamesBlogPayPal: https://paypal.me/pools/c/8hovaYouKDWebsite: https://tabletopgamesblog.com/

Trying to organize a group of people to regularly play games with isn't always straightforward. I am lucky to have a weekly games night group of four, including myself, with people who live quite close, making it easy for us to meet up. I have previously described how you can play games with different groups of people (see "Night, night"). So this time I want to focus on what to consider when trying to organize regular games nights with friends.Read the full article here: https://tabletopgamesblog.com/2019/10/15/games-with-friends/https://tabletopgamesblog.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/10/games-with-friends-topic-discussion.mp3 Music from https://filmmusic.io &#8220;Journey Of Hope&#8221; by Alexander Nakarada (https://www.serpentsoundstudios.com/) License: CC BY (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/) If you want to support this podcast financially, please check out the links below:Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/tabletopgamesblogKo-Fi: https://ko-fi.com/TabletopGamesBlogPayPal: https://paypal.me/pools/c/8hovaYouKDWebsite: https://tabletopgamesblog.com/

It's that time of the year again. The huge Essen Spiel game fair is upon us, so as is custom, here is my list of games that will be at the exhibition and that I'm looking forward to.Read the full article here: https://tabletopgamesblog.com/2019/10/12/essen-spiel-2019-most-wanted-saturday-review/Links Board Game Geek: https://boardgamegeek.com/ Tabletop Together Tool: https://tabletoptogether.com/tool/ If you want to support this podcast financially, please check out the links below:Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/tabletopgamesblogKo-Fi: https://ko-fi.com/TabletopGamesBlogPayPal: https://paypal.me/pools/c/8hovaYouKDWebsite: https://tabletopgamesblog.com/

Classifying things we encounter is important. It gives us a way to describe them to others, allows us to decide whether things are similar or different and provides a method to create connections between them. Classifications help us with decision making and prediction. However, classifications alone don't fully describe things and especially when we talk about classifying tabletop games, there are a lot more nuances and details that cannot be described by classifications alone. So I want to explore how far classifications can go until their usefulness deteriorates.Read the full article here: https://tabletopgamesblog.com/2019/10/08/breaking-down/Links Board Game Geek website: https://boardgamegeek.com/ Fluxx: https://www.looneylabs.com/games/fluxx Star Realms: https://www.starrealms.com/ Clans of Caledonia: https://karma-games.com/ Terra Mystica: https://www.zmangames.com/en/products/terra-mystica/ Android: Netrunner: https://www.fantasyflightgames.com/en/products/android-netrunner-the-card-game/ Dominion: http://riograndegames.com/Game/278-Dominion Love Letter: https://www.zmangames.com/en/games/love-letter/ The 7th Continent: https://the7thcontinent.seriouspoulp.com/ Wingspan: https://stonemaiergames.com/games/wingspan/ Jaipur: https://www.asmodee.co.uk/featured-product/jaipur/ https://tabletopgamesblog.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/10/breaking-down-topic-discussion.mp3 Music: Soft Ambient Medical Corporate Background by RainyAudio If you want to support this podcast financially, please check out the links below:Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/tabletopgamesblogKo-Fi: https://ko-fi.com/TabletopGamesBlogPayPal: https://paypal.me/pools/c/8hovaYouKDWebsite: https://tabletopgamesblog.com/

A handful of small trees stand at the edge of a clearing. The wind blows gently as the sun starts to rise in the east. You can almost see the trees reaching for the light, as they slowly convert the sunshine into sugars, which is used to grow and produce seeds. Each species will have different survival strategies, but all trees have a natural urge to disperse their seeds towards the middle of the clearing, where there is less competition and more fertile ground. However, it won’t be long until the many saplings have filled the available space and the fight for sunshine will become more and more intense. In the meantime, some trees will have grown old and will die, freeing up precious ground for seeds to settle and hopefully germinate. It is for you and up to three of your friends to look after your rootstock in&nbsp;Photosynthesis by&nbsp;Blue Orange Games. Read the full article here: https://tabletopgamesblog.com/2019/10/05/photosynthesis-saturday-review/ Links Photosynthesis: https://www.blueorangegames.com/index.php/games/photosynthesis Blue Orange Games: https://www.blueorangegames.com/ Unboxing video: https://tabletopgamesblog.com/2019/10/03/photosynthesis-unboxing Intro Music: Bomber (Sting) by Riot (https://www.youtube.com/audiolibrary/) If you want to support this podcast financially, please check out the links below: Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/tabletopgamesblog Ko-Fi: https://ko-fi.com/TabletopGamesBlog Website: https://tabletopgamesblog.com/

A hook, as per the dictionary definition, is something that draws you in. In games, a hook can be a number of different things. Often it is something visually exciting, such as beautiful illustrations, amazingly detailed miniatures, realistic resources or some sort of physical component that is integral to gameplay. Hooks can also be an interesting theme, an exciting gameplay mechanism or even the background story behind how a game was made. Certain awards or even the price of a game can be a hook too. Ultimately it’s about finding something that grabs your attention and gets you to take a closer look. Read the full article here: https://tabletopgamesblog.com/2019/10/01/im-hooked/ Links Tzolk’in: https://czechgames.com/en/tzolkin-the-mayan-calendar/ Czech Games Edition: https://czechgames.com/en/ Gizmos: https://cmon.com/product/gizmos/gizmos CMON: https://cmon.com/ Everdell: https://www.starling.games/everdell Starling Games: https://www.starling.games/ Rising Sun: https://cmon.com/product/rising-sun/rising-sun Dwellings of Eldervale: https://dwellingsofeldervale.com/ Breaking Games: https://breakinggames.com/ Scythe: https://stonemaiergames.com/games/scythe/ Stonemaier Games: https://stonemaiergames.com/ Jakub Rozalski: https://jakubrozalski.artstation.com/ Chronicles of Crime: https://luckyduckgames.com/games/chroniclesofcrime.html Lucky Duck Games: https://luckyduckgames.com/ Intro Music: Bomber (Sting) by Riot (https://www.youtube.com/audiolibrary/) If you want to support this podcast financially, please check out the links below: Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/tabletopgamesblog Ko-Fi: https://ko-fi.com/TabletopGamesBlog Website: https://tabletopgamesblog.com/

Travelling to games night, weighed down with a giant bag full of games isn't easy. I appreciate that many people have a car and use that to get to games night, and that makes sense, especially if you travel a bit further. However, if your friends live only a short while away, then going by bike would be another, and possibly better, option. Yet, a lot of bikes aren't really designed to carry much. Yes, you could get panniers, but they're not ideal. However, these days there are a lot of utility orientated bicycles available from your local bike shop, or you can go one better and get a custom-built bike that is not only up to the task of ferrying around bulky loads, like board games, but is also made exactly how you want it.Read the full article here: https://tabletopgamesblog.com/2019/09/28/bespoke-cargo-bike-saturday-review/Links Tom of Old Grey Electric Co on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/oldgreyelectricco/ Bike Radar Choice Award: http://www.bespoked.cc/awards.html Bespoked: http://www.bespoked.cc/ Tern: https://www.ternbicycles.com/uk/ Omnium: https://omniumcargo.dk Harry vs Larry: https://www.larryvsharry.com/ Scythe: https://stonemaiergames.com/games/scythe/ Invaders from Afar: https://stonemaiergames.com/games/scythe/scythe-invaders-from-afar/ The Wind Gambit: https://stonemaiergames.com/games/scythe/scythe-the-wind-gambit/ Smallworld: https://www.daysofwonder.com/smallworld/en/ If you want to support this podcast financially, please check out the links below:Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/tabletopgamesblogKo-Fi: https://ko-fi.com/TabletopGamesBlogPayPal: https://paypal.me/pools/c/8hovaYouKDWebsite: https://tabletopgamesblog.com/

It is always nice to get some positive feedback for the work you do, so winning awards is even more satisfying, especially if you receive one of the many prestigious awards from the industry you work in. So far, the Tabletop Games Blog hasn't won any awards, but in this article I am not fishing for praise, but I want to look at the many board game awards that are run every year and show how winning an award affects the popularity of a game, what costs may be attached with some awards and what the different awards try to achieve within the industry.Read the full article here: https://tabletopgamesblog.com/2019/09/24/awarding-times/Links Spiel des Jahres: https://www.spiel-des-jahres.de/ Spielend für Toleranz: https://www.spiel-des-jahres.de/spielend-fuer-toleranz/ Deutscher Spiele Preis: https://www.spiel-messe.com/de/deutscher-spielepreis/ Essen Spiel: https://www.spiel-messe.com/en/ Golden Geek Awards: https://boardgamegeek.com/award/8314/golden-geek-awards Board Game Geek: https://boardgamegeek.com/ The Dice Tower Awards: https://www.dicetower.com/content/dice-tower-awards The Dice Tower: https://www.dicetower.com/ Mind Games: https://mensamindgames.com/ Mensa: https://www.mensa.org.uk/ Diana Jones Award for Excellence in Gaming: https://www.dianajonesaward.org/ Golden Elephant Award: https://www.heavycardboard.com/golden-elephant Heavy Cardboard: https://www.heavycardboard.com/ More Games Please: https://www.moregamesplease.com/ Top 10 Best Board Game Art: https://www.moregamesplease.com/best-board-game-art/2019/1/28/top-10-best-board-game-art-2018 https://tabletopgamesblog.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/09/awarding-times-topic-discussion.mp3 Music: Meant to be by SachkoIf you want to support this podcast financially, please check out the links below:Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/tabletopgamesblogKo-Fi: https://ko-fi.com/TabletopGamesBlogPayPal: https://paypal.me/pools/c/8hovaYouKDWebsite: https://tabletopgamesblog.com/

In the world of Arzium, groups of brave adventurers travel from town to town, where they load up on supplies and pack animals and recruit new members, who are willing to join them on the long journey, as they look for a lost city, called Last Ruin, where legend says lies a powerful artefact that will fulfil the finder's innermost wishes. It is time for you to add your name to the list of famous explorers, venture into the wild to collect valuable and useful items, meet new people, return to town to work for money and food, travel through abandoned mines and do what is needed to successfully complete the journey. Near and Far: Amber Mines by Red Raven Games allows you to become a hero, if you can compete with your fellow bands of explorers and come out ahead.Read the full article here: https://tabletopgamesblog.com/2019/09/21/near-and-far-amber-mines-saturday-review/Links Near and Far: Amber Mines: https://redravengames.squarespace.com/nearandfar Above and Below: https://redravengames.squarespace.com/above-and-below Red Raven Games: https://redravengames.squarespace.com/ If you want to support this podcast financially, please check out the links below:Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/tabletopgamesblogKo-Fi: https://ko-fi.com/TabletopGamesBlogPayPal: https://paypal.me/pools/c/8hovaYouKDWebsite: https://tabletopgamesblog.com/

Games change when played with different numbers of players. I think many of us will have found that games that are said to work for two or more players often are quite a different experience when played with two versus more players. Some games are said to work with a larger number of players, but really work best with a specific number. Games, where you form teams, are often like that, working best with an even number of people, even though they're said to also work with odd numbers. I discussed many of these points in my article Group mentality, so this time I want to focus on some specific issues.Read the full article here: https://tabletopgamesblog.com/2019/09/17/count-me-out/Links Automa Factory: http://www.automafactory.com/ Scythe Saturday Review: https://tabletopgamesblog.com/2019/01/19/scythe/ Tapestry: https://stonemaiergames.com/games/tapestry/ Stonemaier Games: https://stonemaiergames.com/ Wingspan Saturday Review: https://tabletopgamesblog.com/2019/03/16/wingspan/ Rising Sun: https://cmon.com/product/rising-sun/rising-sun CMON: https://cmon.com/ The Mind Saturday Review: https://tabletopgamesblog.com/2019/01/05/the-mind/ Coiledspring Games: https://coiledspring.co.uk/ Star Realms: https://www.starrealms.com/ White Wizard Games: https://www.whitewizardgames.com/ https://tabletopgamesblog.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/09/count-me-out-topic-discussion.wav&#8220;][/audio] Music: Chill by Nina MazeoIf you want to support this podcast financially, please check out the links below:Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/tabletopgamesblogKo-Fi: https://ko-fi.com/TabletopGamesBlogPayPal: https://paypal.me/pools/c/8hovaYouKDWebsite: https://tabletopgamesblog.com/

In a world where every tree is inhabited by its own gentle and benign spirit, it is your important task to ensure that every sapling grows strong and big, and offers a home for as many small creatures and plants as possible, thereby creating harmony and balance in the forest. If you can work in harmony with the seasons and nurture the worms, fireflies, flowers and mushrooms that grow on the tree that you have been tasked to look after, you will come out as the best caretaker and will be generously rewarded with health and happiness by the tree spirit, the kodama, that inhabits your tree. It is this work that you carry out in Kodama: The Tree Spirits by Action Phase Games.Read the full article here: https://tabletopgamesblog.com/2019/09/14/kodama-the-tree-spirits-saturday-review/Links Kodama: The Tree Spirits: https://www.actionphasegames.com/pages/kodama-the-tree-spirits Action Phase Games: https://www.actionphasegames.com/ The Hanging Gardens Saturday Review: https://tabletopgamesblog.com/2019/05/25/the-hanging-gardens/ Hans im Glück: https://www.hans-im-glueck.de/en If you want to support this podcast financially, please check out the links below:Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/tabletopgamesblogKo-Fi: https://ko-fi.com/TabletopGamesBlogPayPal: https://paypal.me/pools/c/8hovaYouKDWebsite: https://tabletopgamesblog.com/

I am not sure if you've come across this before, but you may have heard some people on a podcast or in a tabletop games review video talk about a game being overproduced. Often the term is used in a negative way, implying that a game includes unnecessary components and therefore is more expensive than it needs to be. However, different people seem to apply this term to different games in different ways, so I wanted to look at it a bit more closely and see whether we can investigate what overproduced actually means and whether it is indeed a bad thing.Read the full article here: https://tabletopgamesblog.com/2019/09/10/overproduced/https://tabletopgamesblog.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/09/overproduced-topic-discussion.mp3 Music: Chilled Vibes by ZigZag BeatsIf you want to support this podcast financially, please check out the links below:Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/tabletopgamesblogKo-Fi: https://ko-fi.com/TabletopGamesBlogPayPal: https://paypal.me/pools/c/8hovaYouKDWebsite: https://tabletopgamesblog.com/

The stock market is in turmoil. There is a financial crisis. Companies' solvency is in doubt. Panic selling has started for some securities. The year is 1792, and 24 stockbrokers meet in Wall Street in New York under a buttonwood tree to sign an agreement that creates a new way of securities trading, which creates a closed market where everyone can trust each other to honour payments and where investments are legitimate. In Exchange: A Stock Trading Game of Strategy &#38; Wit by Eric Sillies, you are one of the group of 24 and you have to use your wit and cunning to take the beginnings of a new stock exchange to what will eventually become the New York Stock Exchange.Read the full article here: https://tabletopgamesblog.com/2019/09/07/exchange-a-stock-trading-game-of-strategy-wit-saturday-review/Links Exchange: A Stock Trading Game of Strategy &amp; Wit: https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/ericsillies/exchange-a-stock-trading-game-of-strategy-and-wit/description If you want to support this podcast financially, please check out the links below:Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/tabletopgamesblogKo-Fi: https://ko-fi.com/TabletopGamesBlogPayPal: https://paypal.me/pools/c/8hovaYouKDWebsite: https://tabletopgamesblog.com/

We all know that the use of plastics has become a huge issue. So-called microplastics, tiny particles of plastic, have been found in fish and other marine life, and more recently even in arctic snow. Only last week did the World Health Organization ask for "further assessment of microplastics in the environment and their potential impacts on human health." A lot of us have started replacing single-use plastics with recyclable alternatives, such as plastic straws with paper ones, or even plastic toothbrushes with ones made from bamboo. Yet, there is still a lot of plastic in a lot of tabletop games, and I want us to consider its impact.Read the full article here: https://tabletopgamesblog.com/2019/09/03/plastic-fantastic/LinksWhat are microplastics? article by the National Ocean Service: https://oceanservice.noaa.gov/facts/microplastics.htmlFish eat plastic like teens eat fast food, researchers say article by&nbsp;BBC:&nbsp;https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/science-environment-36435288Plastic particles falling out of sky with snow in Arctic article by&nbsp;BBC:&nbsp;https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/science-environment-49295051World Health Organization (WHO): https://www.who.int/WHO calls for more research into microplastics and a crackdown on plastic pollution:&nbsp;https://www.who.int/news-room/detail/22-08-2019-who-calls-for-more-research-into-microplastics-and-a-crackdown-on-plastic-pollutionThe Wood Games: https://www.thewoodgames.com/Junk Art: http://www.pretzelgames.com/en/18-junk-artPretzel Games: http://www.pretzelgames.com/en/Music: Chill by Nina MazeoIf you want to support this podcast financially, please check out the links below:Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/tabletopgamesblogKo-Fi: https://ko-fi.com/TabletopGamesBlogPayPal: https://paypal.me/pools/c/8hovaYouKDWebsite: https://tabletopgamesblog.com/

Here is another game that I shouldn't like, because I don't like memory games, what you have to remember where certain cards are. However, there is something very addictive about Silver, the new card game by Bézier Games. I can't put my finger on it, but somehow I look past my dislike of games where I have to remember things when I play Silver. In fact, I can't stop playing it, especially against the AI that comes with the app.Read the full article here: https://tabletopgamesblog.com/2019/08/31/silver-saturday-review/Links Silver: https://beziergames.com/collections/silver-1 Bézier Games: https://beziergames.com/ If you want to support this podcast financially, please check out the links below:Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/tabletopgamesblogKo-Fi: https://ko-fi.com/TabletopGamesBlogPayPal: https://paypal.me/pools/c/8hovaYouKDWebsite: https://tabletopgamesblog.com/

I think supporting independent game publishers, and I include self-publishers too here, by buying their games gives you a warm feeling. In many cases, your money goes directly to one or two people who you know by name, whose photos you've seen many times, whose newsletters you've read, who you followed on Twitter and who you've started to trust. If their game was published with the help of a crowdfunding platform, you will have lived through the journey of the game from its first public outing to the final, finished product. Yet, independent doesn't always mean small, and some publishers who seem to be large are actually only a handful of people. So if you like helping small publishers, because you want to know that your money goes to a couple of great people who deserve your support, you might have to think carefully. Read the full article here: https://tabletopgamesblog.com/2019/08/27/independent-perceptions/ Music:&nbsp;Documentary Soundtrack by&nbsp;AShamaluev Music If you want to support this podcast financially, please check out the links below: Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/tabletopgamesblog Ko-Fi: https://ko-fi.com/TabletopGamesBlog PayPal: https://paypal.me/pools/c/8hovaYouKD Website: https://tabletopgamesblog.com/

I don't like word games. Even though I love writing, which is one of the reasons for this blog, I was never any good at crosswords or Scrabble, and it's not because English is my second language. Even when I do a German crossword or play German Scrabble, I'm still not very good, at least not compared to my parents or a couple of my friends who seem to excel at these. Yet, when I play Hardback by Fowers Games, I have a lot of fun and have a good chance of winning.Read the full article here: https://tabletopgamesblog.com/2019/08/24/hardback-saturday-review/Links Hardback: https://www.fowers.games/collections/homepage-products/products/hardback Paperback: https://www.fowers.games/collections/homepage-products/products/paperback Fowers Games: https://www.fowers.games/ Star Realms: https://www.starrealms.com/ If you want to support this podcast financially, please check out the links below:Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/tabletopgamesblogKo-Fi: https://ko-fi.com/TabletopGamesBlogPayPal: https://paypal.me/pools/c/8hovaYouKDWebsite: https://tabletopgamesblog.com/

I recently talked about how some of us need to let people know what we're up to, by regularly sharing updates with our followers - see my article Image matters. Now I want to drill into this a little deeper and discuss the various platforms you might want to use. My focus is on tabletop game reviews, as this is one of the things I do, but you can apply the same ideas to similar content.Read the full article here: https://tabletopgamesblog.com/2019/08/20/viewing-platforms/https://tabletopgamesblog.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/08/tabletop-games-blog-topic-discussion-viewing-platforms.mp3 Music: Corporation by AShamaluevMusicIf you want to support this podcast financially, please check out the links below:Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/tabletopgamesblogKo-Fi: https://ko-fi.com/TabletopGamesBlogPayPal: https://paypal.me/pools/c/8hovaYouKDWebsite: https://tabletopgamesblog.com/

As many of you will know, I absolutely love small box games, and mint tin games in particular (see episode 6 of the Tabletop Inquisition podcast). They're so easy to stash away and take with you anywhere, and Mint Works by Five24 Labs is a great example. The small mint tin is robust and can easily deal with knocks, it's quick to set up, as it consists basically of a deck of cards, and the tin itself functions as the pool for the mint worker tokens. The gameplay is also relatively quick, so overall it's ideal for when you're out and about - on a train, plane or a bus, or while you're waiting for food in a pub or restaurant.Read the full article here: https://tabletopgamesblog.com/2019/08/17/mint-works-saturday-review/Links Mint Works: https://five24labs.com/mint-works Five24 Labs: https://five24labs.com/ Episode 6 of the Tabletop Inquisition podcast: https://tabletopinquisition.com/2019/07/22/episode-6-small-box-games/ If you want to support this podcast financially, please check out the links below:Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/tabletopgamesblogKo-Fi: https://ko-fi.com/TabletopGamesBlogPayPal: https://paypal.me/pools/c/8hovaYouKDWebsite: https://tabletopgamesblog.com/

Unless you're a very outgoing person or working in marketing, you will probably not want to boast about your achievements, or maybe not even see what you do as worth mentioning at all. In fact, you might hate the idea that everyone expects that you constantly post photos and write updates about every little thing that happens in your life. I can see where you're coming from, and there is nothing wrong with that, but if you're a game designer, publisher or a press person, you will need to try and be somehow present, even if that feels alien.Read the full article here: https://tabletopgamesblog.com/2019/08/13/image-matters/https://tabletopgamesblog.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/08/tabletop-games-blog-topic-discussion-image-matters.mp3 Music: Documentary by AShamaluevMusic (Photo by Nordwood Themes on Unsplash)If you want to support this podcast financially, please check out the links below:Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/tabletopgamesblogKo-Fi: https://ko-fi.com/TabletopGamesBlogPayPal: https://paypal.me/pools/c/8hovaYouKDWebsite: https://tabletopgamesblog.com/

I am making a slight diversion from my usual reviews and am looking at a book instead. However, it's The Board Game Book, so don't worry, we're still on topic. It's not the first book all about board games of course, but it certainly stands out, because it counts a number of professional writers among its contributors. So the quality of the writing is high, and the editing and production are also excellent - but let me start at the beginning.Read the full article here: https://tabletopgamesblog.com/2019/08/10/the-board-game-book-saturday-review/Links The Board Game Book website: https://www.boardgame-book.com/ If you want to support this podcast financially, please check out the links below:Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/tabletopgamesblogKo-Fi: https://ko-fi.com/TabletopGamesBlogPayPal: https://paypal.me/pools/c/8hovaYouKDWebsite: https://tabletopgamesblog.com/

When you look at buying a modern tabletop game, you will have a rough idea as to how much you think&nbsp;it is worth - or you will have some sort of budget in your head that you want to stick to, and which guides you to the sort of games that you think you can afford. Your price expectations will be based on things such as the quantity and quality of the components, replayability and probably also rarity or hotness of a game. Yet, the amount of money you're willing to put on the counter doesn't always match the real cost or value of a game and is either too much or too little in comparison. Read the full article here: https://tabletopgamesblog.com/2019/08/06/market-prices/ Music: Relax by AShamaluevMusic If you want to support this podcast financially, please check out the links below Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/tabletopgamesblog Ko-Fi: https://ko-fi.com/TabletopGamesBlog PayPal: https://paypal.me/pools/c/8hovaYouKD Website: https://tabletopgamesblog.com/