The Dice Tower

Starting with this episode, the Dice Tower moves to a weekly format! Tom and Eric talk about several new games - including Dominon: Alchemy, Hagoth: Builder of Ships, and Asteroyds. We talk about news, preview some expansions, and review Armorica.

In this special Origins 2010 Episode, we check out the latest releases from Eagle, Queen, Jolly Roger, AEG and Z-Man, as well as some small-press surprises. Plus, Eric tries Descent for the first time, Mark gets stuck in a marathon kids game session, and we sit down with Rio Grande Games to talk about the future of Dominion and Race for the Galaxy.

This is a special (updated!) edition of the Dice Tower, in which we introduce ourselves, our contributors, and talk about different aspects of the show. We also give you ten games every gamer should own.

Dexter and the Chief explore Ubongo, Moritz talks about the history of SPI, and Geoff interviews the artist for his upcoming game. We finish off our recent contests, and compare Castle Panic to Forbidden Island. Our feature of this show is our top ten pick-up and delivery games.

In this show, we give a couple of character stereotypes, talk about the future of game publishing, and the horror of moving games. The Dice Tower gang give info and tips for Origins 2010, and Geoff eulogizes Marvin Gardner. Erik talks about D6 shooters, Giles about Traders of Carthage, and we finish up the show with our top ten games that give 'bang for the buck'.

In this show, we talk about why Eric logs his game plays, why Scrabble is annoying, and why old games can be great. Dexter and the Chief talk about Cartagena, Eric talks about Entdecker, and Tom talks abou You're Bluffing! Moritz talks about the history of Avalon Hill, and we end the show with our top ten Word games. We have a new contest - to enter, fill out the survey at http://spreadsheets.google.com/viewform?formkey=dEhJbTFLYWpQSm01LTcybm9UdDh0V3c6MQ

In this episode, Tom and Eric talk about Vasco da Gama and the "Cult of the New". Tom reveals where he is relocating, we start a new contest for an interesting new game, and we talk about some of the latest gaming news. Brad talks about Winsome reprints, Mortiz talks about 3M, and Mark talks about gaming magazines. Finally, we end the show talking about what we like about game companies, and what are our top ten board game companies?

In this show, we take some time talking about the top ten games that have replaced other games in our collections. Dexter and the Chief talk about Take it Easy, Brad goes over Age of Steam, Tom reviews 10 games in 9 minutes (or something like that), and Moritz talks about the evolution of Lord of the Rings. We review Wits and Wagers: Family, do Conventional wisdom, and talk about some recently played games - including our never ending online game of Stone Age.

In this episode, Eric reviews a pile of games, Moritz discusses Mozart and games, and Geoff defends High Society. Dexter and the Chief go over Long Shot, Tom rants against publishers' lack of respect for dads, and Adam gives us some Dominion variants. Ryan gives more instructions on how to properly teach a game, and Eric talks about Ra: the Dice Game. Finally, we give our top ten stress-inducing board games, along with guest Charley Eastman.

In this episode, Geoff talks about the worries of publishing a new game, we have several reviews from contributors, and we continue our Summoner Wars contest. Dexter and the Chief make an appearance, and Tom talks about 17 games in 17 minutes (or less). Finally, we end the show with a look back fifteen years ago - what are the best games from 1995?

In this episode, we talk about the best games from 2000 - a decade ago! Our contributors talk about the game you would have "to pry form our cold, dead hands", Geoff talks about rulebooks, and Brad mentions a new Martin Wallace game! We talk about our online throwdown, and Tom reviews Mystery Express.

In this show, Geoff talks about rules writing, and Adam tells us a Wits and Wagers variant. We do more player categories, talk about some recently played games, and go over the latest gaming news. The whole gang gets together, and takes a look back five years ago - at the top ten games from 2005!

In this show, Geoff plays games with robots, Adam changes the rules to Risk, and we check in with Dexter and the Chief. We debut a new convention segment, explore the exciting world of dungeon bureaucracy with Dungeon Lords, and present our top ten ways to play games online.

This is the second part of two in which Tom and Eric talk about the best games of 2009. This show is simply our top ten games. Joining us is our regular cast of contributors, including Joe Steadman, Sam Healey, Giles Pritchard, Mary Prasad, Moritz Eggert, Erik Herman, Mark Zielinski, and Melody Vasel. We also have guest contributors such as the D6 Generation, the Spiel, On Board Games, Game On!, Myriad Games, and Garrett's Games and Geekiness Podcasts. Lots of opinions on 2009 - and whether or not it was a great year of gaming.

In this show, the first part of two, Tom and Eric talk about the best and worst games of 2009. They discuss the worst game, biggest disappointment, biggest surprise, best expansion, best war game, best artwork, coolest components, best party game, and more! Joining us is our regular cast of contributors, including Joe Steadman, Sam Healey, Giles Pritchard, Moritz Eggert, Mary Prasad, Erik Herman, Mark Zielinski, and Melody Vasel. We also have guest contributors such as the D6 Generation, the Spiel, On Board Games, Game On!, Myriad Games, and Garrett's Games and Geekiness Podcasts. Lots of opinions on 2009 - and whether or not it was a great year of gaming.

In this show, the gang talks about the strangest games they ever played, Geoff talks about giving, and Mark talks about Christmas. We discuss recently played games - Thunderstone, the Adventurers, Castle Panic, the Ares Project, Summoner Wars, and World without End. Giles talks about a game convention, we take a look back at Lord of the Rings, and we give our top ten most unique games.

In this show we talk about the games we want to get for Christmas. We finish up our contest and review Knights of the Realm. Geoff talks about gaming tables, and Moritz reviews a wargame. Finally, we end the show with our top ten Fantasy Flight games.

In this episode, we talk about the future of the Dice Tower, review El Grande, and compare Shadows over Camelot to Battlestar Galactica. We discuss games played over the Thanksgiving holidays, and give our list of games that should be reprinted.

In this show, we talk about what games are good to bring a young gamer into heavier strategy games, and discuss recently played games. We start a new contest, discuss Metro, and discuss our top ten Wolfgang Kramer games.

In this show, Tom answers some questions about the game fair in Essen, and talks about some of the new games he picked up there. Sturm and Geoff talk about game rules, and Moritz ambushes the listeners. Joe and Mark talk about their ASL conference, Sam reviews some new games, and we end the show talking about our top ten gimmicks in board games.

In this episode, Geoff crunches some numbers, Eric and Tom talk about some recently played (or NOT played) games, and Giles goes head to head with Tom about Doom and Descent. We preview a couple of games, and take a look at an older game - Lost Cities. We discuss how much money the show makes us (hint - not much), and end the show with our top ten party games!

In this episode, Sam Healey reviews Revolution; and Tom and Eric review Railways of the World and 2 De Mayos. We have a showdown between Acquire and Union Pacific, and discuss recently played games. We talk about deduction games, with input from several contributors - ending the show with our top ten deduction games.

In this show, the Englesteins talk some more about their game design process, Moritz discusses solitaire gaming, and Giles and Mark show up with gaming goodness. We start a new question segment, talk about Arimaa, both the game and book, and discuss Attika. Brad concludes his interview, and we announce the top ten enemies of gaming!

In this show, Tom and Eric discuss some recently played games, and Tom talks about Middle Earth Quest. Geoff gets random, Joe goes to war with his wife, Sam checks in from California, and Brad talks about WBC. Snow Tails and Formula D go in for a grudge match, and we dig into the vault - talking about Amun Re. We continue our contest for Gryphon games, and end the show with our top ten "Filler" games!

In this episode, Eric Summerer joins us as the new co-host of the Dice Tower. Mary, Brad, and Mark talk about Origins 2009, and we start a great new contest from Gryphon Games. Geoff and his son start a series about a game they are getting published, and we talk about some exciting new game news. The podcast finishes with Eric and Tom talking about their top ten Parker Brother games.

In this show, the Dice Tower gang, along with friends, announce the winner of the Dice Tower Gaming Awards, for the best games from 2008. We announce the most innovative game, best game from a new designer, best art/design in a game, best small publisher game, best family game, best reprint, best expansion, and Game of the Year!

In this episode, Tom and Ben discuss several recently played games, including Funny Business, Triviathon, Cartagena 2, Dice Town, Twilight Struggle, Frontiers, and Bonobo Beach. We also talk about the best games and gaming experiences from Origins 2009.

In this show, Ben Forgard joins Tom and they talk about some recent games, such as Timber Tom, Dominion, and Tales of Arabian Knights. Algo talks about Mechanicsburgo, Brad talks about Age of Steam, Steve talks about Monsters Ravage America, and Mark talks about playing games with children. We start a new contest, talk about gaming awards, and Geoff finishes up the show with his top ten train games.

In this show, we say goodbye to Sam Healey, cohost of the show for 100 episodes! Geoff interviews a designer of the world's largest dice tower, Moritz sings a song, and Sam talks about his top ten games of all time.

This is a special preview for Origins Game Fair 2009. Mark discusses taking your kids to Origins; Tom asks some questions about Puffing Billy, and Mary and Brad give some good tips for newcomers. Want to know what's going on, and what to see and do? Check out this episode!

In this show, Giles raves about Red November, Moritz explains a game you've likely never heard of, and Mark talks about Warhammer Quest. Tom and Sam then spend the rest of the show talking about cooperative games - listing the major ones, and explaining why they are cooperative, and what makes them bad/good. We also answer a few questions near the end.

In this episode, originally aired October 26, 2005, we ended one contest, and announce a new contest for Memoir '44 and all its expansions!. We review Beowulf and Formula De, and answer several user and random questions. Finally, we top the episode off with my top ten auction games, and Joe's top ten card driven war games.

In this episode, Jim Reed talks about the usefulness of reviews, while Geoff talks about stats and train games. We review several games, including Galaxy's Edge, and talk about some game news - with Giles previewing Middle Earth Quest. Finally, we end the show talking about our top ten multiplayer conflict games.

In this show, Tom and Sam give the results of their Cutthroat Caverns contest, and discuss using www.artscow.com to make custom game parts. Geoff talks about Chess ranking, while Giles muses on how adventure works with board games. We discuss various board game awards, and give our top ten adventure games.

In this episode, we continue our contest for Cutthroat Caverns and expansions, and talk about Sam leaving the show. We discuss some upcoming expansions, and Geoff tells us how winning makes us lose. Moritz says goodbye to Dave Arneson, Giles talks about Australian game expos, and Mark discusses war game expansions. We discuss Tom's top ten games from 1994 - and end the show with an interview with Kimberly Maita about board game cruises.

In this episode, Geoff tells us how to manipulate negotiations in games, and Moritz gives some suprising game news. Tom and Sam talk about some game news, their current gaming trends, and ideas for drafting in games. Finally, we end the show with our top ten games from ten years ago - in 1999.

In this show, Jim Reed interviews Curt from Smirk and Dagger Games, discussing Cutthroat Caverns and more. Tom and Sam talk about news and answer questions - how many games should a gamer buy in a year? Finally, we give our top ten games from five years ago - 2004, and discuss 2004's effect on gaming.

In this episode, Moritz wonders why not everyone enjoys cooperative games, and Giles talks about changing the components of Hive. Tom and Sam discuss Le Havre and Catan Geographies: Germany, and go over some news. Geoff, Tom, and Sam then discuss "pushing your luck" and how it's used in games - including the top ten Push Your Luck games.

A special announcement from The Dice Tower.

In this show, Tom and Sam talk about the best trading games, and Geoff talks about the mechanics of trading. We start a new contest to win Age of Steam, talk about some upcoming games and news. Moritz reviews the "living card game" from Fantasy Flight, and Mark reviews Red November. Finally, we review nineteen games in nineteen minutes!

In this episode, Tom and Sam review Battlestar Galactica, while Geoff goes over evolution-themed games. Giles talks about a game expo in Australia, and Tom and Sam mention several recently played games. Finally, we talk about the Spiel des Jahres, talking about the game that SHOULD have won, and finishing with our top ten Spiel des Jahres games.

This is the last in a three-parter in which Tom interviews several publishers about what to expect from their companies in 2009. In this segment, Tom talks with Gamewright Games, Z-Man Games, Treefrog, Valley Games, and Jolly Roger Games.

This is the second of a three-parter in which Tom interviews several publishers about what to expect from their companies in 2009. In this segment, Tom talks with Mayfair Games, Asmodee Editions, Days of Wonder, Slugfest, and Tablestar Games.

This is the first of a three-parter in which Tom interviews several publishers about what to expect from their companies in 2009. In this segment, Tom talks with FRED distribution, Gorilla Games, Rio Grande Games, Northstar Games, and Your Move Games.

In this classic episode, first posted in October 2005, review Walk the Dogs and Mag Blast, 2nd Edition. We answer a lot of questions, moan about a lack of good space games, and talk about games that we've played recently. Finally, we top the episode off with our top ten party games.

In this episode, Tom and Sam talk about a their favorite gateway games, and have a look at 2008 as a whole. We talk about gaming events, while Eric reviews Monastary. We end the show with the top ten games of 2008. Thanks to guest contributors Moritz Eggert, Mark Haberman, Mark Zielinksi, Mary Prasad, Doug Cooley, Geoff Englestein and family, Rick Thornquist, Eric Summerer, and Eric Burgess.

In this episode, Tom and Sam talk about a few games that they've played recently. This is part one of the big "end of the year" show, and we talk about our favorite Children's Game, strangest games, war games, innovative games, best expansions, worst games, biggest disappointments, best components, best party games, and biggest surprises. With guest contributors Moritz Eggert, Mark Haberman, Mark Zielinksi, Mary Prasad, Doug Cooley, Geoff Englestein and family, Rick Thornquist, Eric Summerer, and Eric Burgess.

In this episode, we review several games: War for Edadh, Comuni, B-29, and the China map for Power Grid. We read off the best entries for our Lookout contest, and start a new contest! Tom and Sam give their top ten multiplayer games that work well with two players. Finally, Mortiz ends the show with an interview with Derk and Aldie - founders of www.boardgamegeek.com.

This is the second episode in a series that Tom and Giles are doing on using board games in the classroom. This show won't be posted to the feed on a regular basis, this is merely here to give you a sample of the show. Email Tom or Giles for more information (http://www.thedicetower.com/thedicetower/index.php?page=contact_us).

In this show, we talk about games that allow 'trash talking'. Giles discusses different ways to do it, and we give our top ten games that encourage it. Geoff talks about card shuffling, and Mark reviews Band of heroes. We discuss recent plays of several games, continue our contest, and answer several questions.