The Covenant Cast

Theme and mechanics should always strive for harmony, but what happens when a wild wrestling match turns into an analytical challenge full of unexpected complexities? For some, the greatest game ever made. For others, confusion. Find all previous casts, as well as learning content and products, on our website: https://teamcovenant.com

Continuing a series of reflections spurred by our revisit to a number of classic CCGs, we try to pin down the mechanical style that makes certain games exhausting. It's a lot more than the number of decisions being made. Find all previous casts, as well as learning content and products, on our website: https://teamcovenant.com

When we say a game is "complex", that really doesn't tell us much. Simple decision trees with complex mechanics can lead to beautifully thematic experiences. Complex decision trees with simple mechanics can lead to incredibly satisfying gameplay. We look at the Middle Earth CCG, Legend of the Five Rings LCG, and Skytear - among others - to dig deeper into the different ways that complexity can help, or hurt, a game. Find all previous casts, as well as learning content and products, on our website: https://teamcovenant.com

Having now streamed over 100 hours from a diverse catalog of games in the past month, we crack open the eternal topic - why do some games stand the test of time while others fall away? Great design is a mixture of mechanics and expectations, and there is no better framing device for this discussion than the recently played classic, Star Wars: Epic Duels. Find all previous casts, as well as learning content and products, on our website: https://teamcovenant.com

Just as we finalized a months-long effort to bring clarity to the online component of Covenant, the perfect candidate for our new mission arrived on our doorstep. Join us for a discussion about Skytear, a tremendous game that ushers in a new way for us to help publishers, players, and local stores. Find all previous casts, as well as learning content and products, on our website: https://teamcovenant.com

After nearly a week of daily streaming for The Forgotten Age, Arkham is top of mind. Join us for a discussion about the merits of a game that you really do have to "earn". Find all previous casts, as well as learning content and products, on our website: https://teamcovenant.com

Nothing could be more disruptive or important to address than the COVID-19 pandemic - it's impact on people, games, and the world. As tabletop retail stores close their doors and mass unemployment looms heavily on the horizon, we're certain that things will never be the same. Find all previous casts, as well as learning content and products, on our website: https://teamcovenant.com

Data and privacy issues continue to impact customers and businesses, especially as Facebook and Google receive greater scrutiny. But do you really need to collect all of this data to succeed as a business? Do you owe it to your customers to protect their privacy? And do you actually make better decisions when you throw it all away? Join us as we discuss our recent decision to do the latter, using real examples from the Covenant website. Find all previous casts, as well as learning content and products, on our website: https://teamcovenant.com

Following from last week's podcast, games that have a higher barrier to entry often have a more fulfilling payoff. Is this true, and if so, what makes it the case? And should it be encouraged? Find all previous casts, as well as learning content and products on our website: https://teamcovenant.com

With a livestream of Star Wars CCG on the horizon, we talk about why the game has such a tremendous level of adoration - even now - and question whether there are lessons to be learned from Decipher's classic system. With Skytear and Flesh and Blood on our minds, we can't help but wonder if these games are capturing some of this old game design magic. Find all previous casts, as well as learning content and products on our website: https://teamcovenant.com

We're joined by Jamey Stegmaier, founder of Stonemaier Games, to get a publisher's perspective on direct sales, allocation, and product certainty - particularly in light of the recent Wrecking Crew supply issues. Find all previous casts, as well as learning content and products on our website: https://teamcovenant.com

A sudden supply shortage cascades across retail and, for the first time, impacts Marvel Champions subscribers. Why did it happen? What does it mean? And how does retail operate without certainty? Let's find out. Find all previous casts, as well as learning content and products on our website: https://teamcovenant.com

Former Head of Studio for Fantasy Flight Games, Andrew Navaro, joins us for a chat about his growth at FFG, how creative output can dissipate with advancement, and the future of the industry and his place within it. Disclaimer: We have no interest in pressing Andrew to dish on the current state of FFG, and this interview is not that. Find all previous casts, as well as learning content and products on our website: https://teamcovenant.com

After many years of a frustrating "two steps forward, one step back" approach, Fantasy Flight Games announced the end of Star Wars: Destiny. We discuss what that might mean for us, for FFG, and for the future of the expandable format. Find all previous casts, as well as learning content and products on our website: https://teamcovenant.com

Unofficial sources have confirmed that Fantasy Flight Games experienced significant layoffs this week, mainly affecting the RPG, Digital, and Board Games teams. We discuss the potential reasons for this move, and what it might mean for the future. Find all previous casts, as well as learning content and products on our website: https://teamcovenant.com

Godtear utilizes excellent starter products, pre-assembled models, and a streamlined rulebook to get players to the table almost instantly - and what awaits them, perhaps unexpectedly, is a heavy strategy game. Is that a problem? Using Arena Rex, Crisis Protocol, and X-Wing as examples, we do our best to find the answer. Find all previous casts, as well as learning content and products on our website: https://teamcovenant.com

Hot off the heels of a third Marvel Champions release date change, we discuss the uncertainty present in the tabletop gaming industry, how it happens from a retailer perspective, and why it matters. Find all previous casts, as well as learning content and products on our website: https://teamcovenant.com

Right from Covenant Tulsa, where Michael Boggs is attending our Marvel Champions Celebration Weekend event, we take a moment to chat about his journey from South Korea, to Netrunner, to being on the design team of arguably the biggest title of the year - the Marvel Champions LCG. Find all previous casts, as well as learning content and products on our website: https://teamcovenant.com

Marvel Champions, Crisis Protocol, and KeyForge point to an underlying evolution in product development and distribution. Champions shows a new way for LCGs, Crisis Protocol breaks out of complexity and faction-specificity, and KeyForge shows a long tail on unique games. Find all previous casts, as well as learning content and products on our website: https://teamcovenant.com

KeyForge sees its third set, Worlds Collide, this weekend, and we reflect on the journey from Call of the Archons, through Age of Ascension, to Worlds Collide - in the context of KeyForge occupying a very special place in the hobby. With FFG providing a solid foundation for design and OP, and continuing to build it in an intentional way, KeyForge has a bright future ahead. Find all previous casts, as well as learning content and products on our website: https://teamcovenant.com

Today is the official release date for the Marvel Champions Living Card Game, and we take a moment to soak it all up, discussing the strategy guide, unexpected favorite decks, Cosmic Tokens, and Champions Weekend. Find all previous casts, as well as learning content and products on our website: https://teamcovenant.com

We're so ready for the upcoming Marvel games. Things kick off with Crisis Protocol a week after the Move Set videos, continue into the Champions chaos with early and non-existent release dates, and conclude with a recap of Zach's experience at Star Wars Worlds. Find all previous casts, as well as learning content and products on our website: https://teamcovenant.com

Fresh off of an 8 hour live play of the Marvel: Crisis Protocol miniatures game, we give our first impressions of the game - including both its relevance to the industry and an evaluation of the system itself. We expect these views to evolve and develop over time as we gain experience with Crisis Protocol, and look forward to sharing more as we go along! Find all previous casts, as well as Crisis Protocol products and subscriptions on our website: https://teamcovenant.com

With Zach fresh off of a Destiny Prime Championship, the evolving discussion about tournaments, prizes, winning, and self realization re-emerges. This time, an unexpected depth is explored - one that deals more with human psychology than tabletop gaming tournaments. Find all previous casts, as well as learning content and products on our website: https://teamcovenant.com

KeyForge has recently done a tremendous job of playing to its strengths, and in light of those discussions, we take a look at how publishers and local retail can best play to theirs. If you could simply wipe the slate clean, how would the FLGS handle community building through events? Visit us on the web: https://teamcovenant.com

The Vaultwarrior tournament series brings a $200,000 tournament circuit to KeyForge. Cash prizes have both failed and succeeded in the past, so is this the right approach for KeyForge? We bring a lot of historical skepticism to this topic, but the discussion turned out to be a surprising one. Visit us on the web: https://teamcovenant.com

With Stonemaier's latest in-demand game, the same conversations and disappointments have erupted from every part of the publisher-distributor-retailer chain. Tapestry continues where Wingspan left off, and both reveal systemic problems - but shouldn't that be expected when the systems were never built to accommodate these kinds of titles? There is value in direct sales, distribution, and local retail, but a realignment must occur if the goal is to maximize each. Visit our website for more: https://teamcovenant.com

The tabletop game store environment continues to shift, with new and veteran retailers asking how best to capitalize on their space. Some say play space is the way forward. Others find success stocking a diversity of products and focusing on traditional retail. After a trip to New York City and witnessing a few stores with the latter model, Zach re-ignites the debate about the future of tabletop retail. Visit our website for more: https://teamcovenant.com

Zach is in New York City celebrating his wedding anniversary! We'll be back next week for an installation of our Marvel Mondays live stream at 2PM CST and a new episode of the Covenant Cast on Friday.

An oft-cited critique of tabletop games, particularly board games, is that tracking all of the necessary variables is an unneeded burden. As a response, various digital integrations and simplified rulesets are pitched as removing this element from the experience and liberating players from the clunky and fiddly moments that "get in the way" of the actual game. But what if these moments were understood to be not only incredible opportunities for engagement but also a necessary component of the "tabletop game" category? This one goes deep. Visit our website for more: https://teamcovenant.com

Marvel: Crisis Protocol embraces the fundamental divider of a hobby miniatures game - highly detailed models that must be fully assembled and painted. We discuss whether or not the game has a shot at breaking through the "industry" bubble and reaching a level of ubiquity previously unattained by the likes of Warhammer: 40k. Visit our website at https://teamcovenant.com and keep in touch via Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, and YouTube.

Marvel Champions does a lot of things right, but its most important features may well be found in the nuts and bolts of packaging and distribution. We dive into that, using examples from past LCGs, and also spend a bit of time discussing the surprising number of design and deck building levers hidden in the system - because we can't help it. Visit our website: https://teamcovenant.com

After an extremely busy weekend in Indianapolis, we're back with a full assessment of Gen Con 2019 - including Unmatched, Defiance, Marvel Champions, and Crisis Protocol - as well as Teburu and Stonemaier stealing thunder with Tapestry! Visit our website: https://teamcovenant.com

After two months, The Covenant Cast returns with greater clarity and an audio-focused approach. Join hosts Zach and Steven as they discuss the relaunch, their time with Power Rangers and Pokemon, the lead up to Gen Con, and a looming digital horizon at the doorstep of CMON.

There will not be a new episode of the Covenant Cast this week, and we've paused production for a bit while we focus fully on a number of other initiatives that need our attention. We hope to be back soon!

We are excited to be joined by Jamey Stegmaier of Stonemaier Games on episode 102 of the Covenant Cast, and talking about transparency in tabletop game publishing and retail. Plus discussions about Wingspan and it's expansions, Scythe's impact, and a few upcoming games!

Prompted by a simple question, Zach and Steven dive back into Warhammer: Champions to decide if it's still fun to play. After several rounds of draft, they are ready to answer and cover the latest news from PlayFusion including the recent cash tournament changes. Also, Zach finishes his Star Wars fan edit!

On the monumental 100th episode, Zach and Steven contemplate the next 10 years of Covenant, ask the tough questions about our industry, and unpack the latest ripples made by Stonemaier - including Wingspan pre-orders. Thank you for supporting the cast through its first 100 episodes, and we hope to have you listening for hundreds more! If you have any questions for us, leave us a comment with #askcovenant on Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, or Youtube. You can find video versions of these podcasts on the latter. You can find us at teamcovenant.com and learn more about our business at teamcovenant.com/about

Zach and Steven close out the recent industry-focused push with a discussion about allocation and the tabletop supply chain, using the second set of KeyForge as a real world example of its impact. If you have any questions for us, leave us a comment with #askcovenant on Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, or Youtube. You can find video versions of these podcasts on the latter. You can find us at teamcovenant.com and learn more about our business at: teamcovenant.com/about

This week, on episode 98 of the Covenant Cast, Zach and Steven discuss changes to our local membership model and how we are continuing to support a more casual environment. Plus upcoming events, Gold Squadron Podcast, and breaking down the "boardgamer cliche". If you have any questions for us, leave us a comment with #askcovenant on Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, or Youtube. You can find video versions of these podcasts on the latter. You can find us at teamcovenant.com and learn more about our business at: teamcovenant.com/about

Zach is back from Star Wars Celebration and Steven wants to hear all about it. Star Wars: Destiny gets ReyLo and Spark of Hope. X-wing announces Epic gameplay and huge ships. Plus Star Wars Episode 9, The Rise of Skywalker, teaser talk and The Mandalorian aspirations! If you have any questions for us, leave us a comment with #askcovenant on Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, or Youtube. You can find video versions of these podcasts on the latter. You can find us at teamcovenant.com and learn more about our business at: teamcovenant.com/about

Zach and Steven share their adventures of Adepticon 2019 and thoughts from playing Star Wars: Outer Rim! If you have any questions for us, leave us a comment with #askcovenant on Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, or Youtube. You can find video versions of these podcasts on the latter. You can find us at teamcovenant.com and learn more about our business at: teamcovenant.com/about

Zach and Steven are joined by our friend D.C. to get an insider point of view into creating a new game. Check out this episode if you are interested in how games get designed and developed! If you have any questions for us, leave us a comment with #askcovenant on Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, or Youtube. You can find video versions of these podcasts on the latter. You can find us at teamcovenant.com and learn more about our business at: teamcovenant.com/about

Zach and Jon share thoughts from GAMA and try to solve the "three tier problem" of how games move from publishers to players. If you have any questions for us, leave us a comment with #askcovenant on Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, or Youtube. You can find video versions of these podcasts on the latter. You can find us at teamcovenant.com and learn more about our business at: teamcovenant.com/about

Zach and Steven are joined by Patrick Day of Uncle's Games and Paige Gance of Just Games to discuss the state of retail. We are live from GAMA 2019 and are discussing the challenges of retail and how each store overcomes hurdles in their unique ways If you have any questions for us, leave us a comment with #askcovenant on Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, or Youtube. You can find video versions of these podcasts on the latter. You can find us at teamcovenant.com and learn more about our business at: teamcovenant.com/about

Zach is joined by Travis of Millennium Games, Paul of Games and Stuff, and Steve from Rainy Day Games. We are live from GAMA 2019 and are discussing the challenges of retail and how each store overcomes hurdles in their unique ways. If you have any questions for us, leave us a comment with #askcovenant on Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, or Youtube. You can find video versions of these podcasts on the latter. You can find us at teamcovenant.com and learn more about our business at: teamcovenant.com/about

It's the two year anniversary of the Covenant Cast! In this special episode, Zach and Steven take an in-depth look at two common game design elements, how they are used, and how they balance against each-other. Thank you for tuning in for the first time, the 91st time, or anytime in between! If you have any questions for us, leave us a comment with #askcovenant on Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, or Youtube. You can find video versions of these podcasts on the latter. You can find us at teamcovenant.com and learn more about our business at: teamcovenant.com/about

The Covenant Crew discuss concepts for the 'cast! Plus, the upcoming Rise of the Combiners livestream, Godtear videos get posted, and we answer #AskCovenant questions from fans like you! If you have any questions for us, leave us a comment with #askcovenant on Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, or Youtube. You can find video versions of these podcasts on the latter. You can find us at teamcovenant.com and learn more about our business at: teamcovenant.com/about

The Covenant Crew discuss the great feedback we received from our Star Wars: Destiny vs Magic: The Gathering episode and share their thoughts about everything from upcoming set design and retail impact, to handing out decks at movie theaters! If you have any questions for us, leave us a comment with #askcovenant on Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, or Youtube. You can find video versions of these podcasts on the latter. You can find us at teamcovenant.com and learn more about our business at: teamcovenant.com/about

The Covenant Crew breakdown Age of Ascension. The good, the bad (if there was any) and the details. Steven talks keywords like Alpha, Omega, and Deploy. Zach looks longterm and talks new and returning cards! Plus, where the name "Covenant" comes from! If you have any questions for us, leave us a comment with #askcovenant on Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, or Youtube. You can find video versions of these podcasts on the latter. You can find us at teamcovenant.com and learn more about our business at: teamcovenant.com/about