Meeple Nation Board Game Podcast

We often hear people ask what makes a game a game. We've formed our own opinions and parroted others. Well after some reflection, and with excited and odd new games entering the market, we have come to a different conclusion. So what exactly comprises our hobby? Many many different types of games. Listen for more.

We talk about the creative process and puzzle hunts, including those created at BGG.Con and those for SaltCON Please consider supporting our sponsors, The Tasty Minstrel Games Podcast and Game Toppers LLC.

We discuss two new games this episode. The Mind is a cooperative game of non-communication. What level can you reach? Thunderstone Quest is the newest iteration of Thunderstone and while it is yet another improvement, how much has it approved?

We are again joined by Matt and Barb while we discuss gaming news including an almost update on Big Trouble in Little China, World War Hulk Legendary, Thanos Rising: Avengers Infinity War We are excited to announce that Game Toppers is our new sponsor, check them out at http://gametoppersllc.com We also discuss Kickstarters past and present including Fire in the Library, AuZtralia, Dragon Keepers,...

We review the games that won the Golden Geek Awards for 2017 from Boardgamegeek.com and we talk a bit about the Stonemaier Games and Steve Jackson Games Stakeholder Reports. https://www.boardgamegeek.com/thread/1955324/12th-annual-golden-geek-awards-winners-2017 https://stonemaiergames.com/2017-behind-the-scenes-stakeholder-report-for-stonemaier-games/ http://www.sjgames.com/general/stakeholders/...

This week we discuss Gloomhaven, the monstrous game by Isaac Childres. Ryan, Brent, and Nathan are joined by Dennis Holliday for this podcast.

We talk about more games played at SaltCON including Fast Forward: Flee, Fast Forward: Fear, Verflucht!, Dominion: Nocturne. We discuss Con Games feedback, and have a few more interviews from attendees.

We have just returned from SaltCON 2018 and we have reports on the events we ran for the convention inlcuding a Game Show, Werewolf, and a Puzzle Hunt. We also (mainly Nathan) played large group games of Deception Murder In Hong Kong and Salem 1692. We also talk about other convention events, games, dealers, and other SaltCON stuff. And is that Brent and Sam on the same episode? This episode might...

Ryan, Brent, Nathan and Matt sit down and discuss current news and Kickstarters. They start by talking about convention expectations, meander into prototypes, then jump into what is new!

We sit down with Tim Fowers of Fowers Games creator of Wok Star, Burgle Bros, Hardback, Paperback, Now Boarding and Fugitive. We talk his company and distribution philosophy and what is going on at his company. Then we talk pacing in games, strong finishes, and alternate win conditions.

This week we are joined by Shane Larsen as we talk about complexity in games including talks about Puerto Rico, Through the Ages, Lorenzo Il Magnifco, and many more. Are complex games better, or just longer?

This week we take a half dozen of your questions and answer them. Why do people play cooperative games? How do you make sure that hype doesn't affect you when you are evaluating a game? What do you do when you are mathematically eliminated from the game?

Welcome to episode 201 of the Meeple Nation podcast. This week our opener is our origin story. Then we get into the meat of the podcast where we discuss advice for new people entering our hobby, and a reminder that we need to be aware of others as we game. Be nice, Brent!

We have reached 200 episodes and gather to talk news. We discuss Kickstarters from Brian's Got Game, CMoN Unlimited, TMG, and more. Also news from Plan B, and more.

We take time this episode to discuss four games we have been playing. In addition to Nathan's update on Imperial Assault, we discuss Azul, from Michael Kiesling and Plan B Games, Exodus Fleet from TMG, and Tichu, published in English by Rio Grande Games.

Charterstone has begun, and while we say little about it, Ryan riffs on people trying to make permanence temporary in Legacy games. We also discuss some games we have played recently, including Crosstalk, Nmbr9, Timebomb: Evolution, and Terraforming Mars: Venus Next.

2017 is in the books! We discuss our highlights and report on how we failed (or did we?) at our gaming goals. Bring on the new year, and Nathan's ambitious, 15x10 challenge.

We love deckbuilding games. We each discuss our top three games, explain what deckbuilders are and talk about our recent experience playing Hero Realms The Ruins of Thandar Campaign and Tyrants of the Underdark.

This week Nathan and Ryan and joined by Sam Aho and Matt and Barb Allen to discuss Kickstarters and other news in the board game industry.

This holiday seasons people make lists and people play games. Some even make lists of games they would play. Do you prefer Nathan's Twelve (mostly short games) that he wants to play 1-12 times in the next few weeks? What do you think about Brent's list of games that have the number of the day in them? Even better, Ryan has ideas for mini goals to do while playing games. Whatever you celebrate this...

Brent returns, barely, from BGG.Con and we discuss many of the events he enjoyed and games he played including Nusfjord, Majesty: For the Realm, Reworld, Otys, Roll Player, the Puzzle Hunt, and more. Brent also conducts and interview with a Ravensburger North America representative about their upcoming games! 

In November, Meeple Nation helped put on a 24 hour board game event, which collected donations for Extra Life and the Children's Miracle Network. We review and recap the event, which turned out great. Some of the awesome games that we got to the table were Infected, The Quest for El Dorado, Terraforming Mars, Iron Dragon, Crossfire, and Dead of Winter: Warring Colonies. We'd like to thank Tab Bank...

Our Gift Guide: Family Games Ticket to Ride The Quest for El Dorado Kingdomino Fast Forward: FLEE Transamerica Century: Spice Road Delve Splendor NMBR 9 Can't Stop Express Clank! In! Space! Harry Potter Hogwarts Battle Children Games Ice Cool Rhino Hero Flick 'Em Up Bang: The Dice Games Coconuts Happy Salmon Group Games Fuse Deception: Murder in Hong Kong Magic Maze Stocking Stuffers (Small Games)...

Ryan, Nathan, and Brent sit down and discuss Kickstarters, new games, what we are playing, and board game art and presentation. Join us on Facebook at Meeple Nation Off Air.

This week, Ryan, Nathan and Dennis sit down and talk about the monstrosity that is Massive Darkness. How does it stand up? Is it better as a stand-alone game or in story mode? Listen to their review.