Operation Game Night

The one-year anniversary episode of Operation Game Night serves up a delightful mix of reflection, gaming enthusiasm, and genuine appreciation as Travis, Clay, and Jared look back on their podcasting journey. The trio dives into the games that almost made their coveted top 10 lists but fell just short—revealing as much about their gaming habits as their preferences. Clay opens with a candid reflec...

We reveal our top 5 board games of all time as part of our one-year anniversary celebration. This countdown showcases the games that captivate us through their unique mechanics, replayability, and pure fun factor. • Root secures a spot for its asymmetrical woodland warfare and the sneaky Vagabond faction • Western Legends offers a sandbox frontier experience with poker-based combat • Incan Gold de...

Our first anniversary episode celebrates a major milestone as we revisit and revise our top ten favorite board games, starting with positions 10 through 6. • Only 20% of podcasts make it to the one-year mark, and we're excited to have reached this milestone • Each host explains their methodology for selecting their updated top ten games • We introduce each game with a creative "operation...

Aliens have landed, and they're hunting the most intelligent species on Earth—cows! Welcome to the wonderfully weird world of Silos, where Bitewing Games has transformed Reiner Knizia's overlooked Municipium into a delightfully quirky strategic experience. Clay and Travis pull back the curtain on this alien invasion adventure, exploring how players navigate human society in disguise whil...

The dynamic duo of Operation Game Night is back as Travis welcomes Clayton for a catch-up session that ventures far beyond their typical board gaming territory. What starts as a humorous defense of Clayton's "Scrooge-like" bedtime routine—a carefully orchestrated wind-down process designed to combat insomnia—quickly evolves into an entertaining discussion about sleep habits, with bo...

Party Panda Pirates tries to bring Mario Party to the tabletop with mixed success, featuring 24 mini-games and adorable panda characters in a pirate-themed package. • Game includes four phases: dropping pandas to select islands, predicting winners/losers, playing mini-games, and moving on a treasure map • Mini-games are the highlight - quick, accessible challenges like Buccaneer Bingo, dice stacki...

We reunite with co-host Jared Erickson as he settles into life after his PCS move to the DC area, discussing the challenges of unpacking and establishing a new home while exploring local attractions. • Living in "Box City" during the transition period of a military move • Navigating DC traffic and becoming a regular metro rider • Finding community through local events like Montgomery Bis...

We excitedly explore Gen Con 2025's most anticipated tabletop releases despite not attending the convention in Indianapolis this year. Our distance from the board gaming event of the year doesn't diminish our enthusiasm for the impressive lineup of new titles making their debut on the convention floor. • Lightning Train by Direwolf combines train game mechanics with bag building for a un...

The Operation Game Night podcast welcomes Mike from @BearwynPlaysGames to discuss Stonemaier Games' ambitious new release Vantage, a solo/co-op adventure game eight years in the making. • Vantage's premise: You crash-land on a mysterious planet separated from your crew and must complete missions with your companion • Players manage health, morale, and time resources while exploring throu...

Dive into the enduring brilliance of El Grande, the 1995 area control masterpiece that revolutionized board gaming and continues to captivate players nearly three decades later. Despite its unassuming appearance, this Spiel des Jahres winner delivers some of the purest strategic gameplay you'll ever experience. What makes El Grande special isn't flashy components or complex rules—it&apos...

Travis, Clayton, and Jared explore Hoplomachus: Victorum, a solo gladiatorial combat game from Chip Theory Games with exceptional production quality and an immersive campaign system. • Players choose from multiple champions with unique abilities and stats • Gameplay follows an 8-week campaign structure culminating in boss battles against mythological Scions • Five different encounter types: skirmi...

The hosts of Operation Game Night welcome Vic from Games Y Más podcast to discuss their non-gaming interests, adventures, and misadventures in a special "Over the Fence" episode. • Vic shares his love for Universal Studios and why their Platinum Pass offers better value than Disney with no blackout dates, free parking, and special perks • Everyone agrees the new Jurassic World Rebirth fi...

We explore how production quality can elevate board games from good to unforgettable, joined by special guest Vic from Games Y Más Podcast. • Game organizers that make setup and storage a delight, from Betrayal Legacy's intuitive system to Dead Reckoning's thematic compartments • The unanimous defense of big boxes when they serve a purpose and enhance the experience • Metal coins and pre...

Board gaming meets mascot racing mayhem in Hot Streak, the latest sensation from CMYK Games that's turning heads and sparking laughter at game tables everywhere. Designer John Perry has crafted what might just be the perfect betting game—one that combines the tactile joy of moving beautiful miniatures with the strategic satisfaction of wagering on uncertain outcomes. Picture this: four vividl...

The OGN crew catches up on a Friday night, sharing stories about family visits, temporary housing situations, movie disappointments, and finding unexpected wisdom in history books. • Clay recounts his weekend at Grandma Fleagle's, featuring boating, tubing, and famous whoopie pies • The hosts debate which "Bad Boy" cologne flavor suits each of them best  • Travis discusses his tempo...

Relocating to a new city comes with many challenges, but for passionate board gamers, one of the most significant hurdles is rebuilding a gaming community from scratch. In this heartfelt and humor-filled episode, we explore the emotional journey of seeking new gaming companions when your established gaming circle suddenly disappears. Clay shares his unexpected struggle with loneliness despite retu...

Dive into the charming yet strategically rich world of Raccoon Tycoon, a market manipulation and auction game that offers surprising depth beneath its Victorian-era animal artwork. The OGN crew explores this hidden gem from Forbidden Games that masterfully blends economic mechanics with approachable gameplay. Ever wonder what happens when you combine adorable anthropomorphic animals with cutthroat...

After taking a much-needed June hiatus, Travis, Jared, and Clay reunite for an episode that feels like catching up with old friends over the fence. Their natural chemistry immediately reignites as they share significant life changes and personal milestones with the authentic, unfiltered conversation that defines Operation Game Night. Clay's transition to civilian life takes center stage as he...

Operation Game Night returns with a deep dive into the World Series of Board Gaming as co-host Jared prepares to compete in the Las Vegas tournament this September. • The tournament structure allows competitors to select specific games rather than requiring mastery of all sixteen featured titles • Each of the four tournament days features different games with champions advancing to higher rounds •...

Our final episode of Joint Ops June comes from our good friend Amanda Lee and her Have A Seat With Amanda Lee Podcast!  Clay Gable joins Amanda to discuss his journey from jock to board game podcaster and content creator, sharing insights about his gaming preferences and podcast production experiences. • Started gaming through family card games and party games while primarily focusing on sports in...

This edition of Joint Ops June comes from the Games Y Mas Podcast with our good friend Vic!  Through a series of "This or That" questions, we explore the fundamental divides in gaming preferences that shape how we play. • Dice vs. Cards - The tactile satisfaction of rolling dice versus the strategic planning of card play • Area Control vs. Engine Building - Whether controlling territory...

This edition of Joint Ops June comes from the Games Y Mas Podcast with our good friend Vic (@gamesymaspod)! Dice, duchies, and heated debate! In this episode, we try to determine whether Castles of Burgundy deserves a coveted spot on your gaming shelf or if it's destined for the neighborhood yard sale. The question seems straightforward enough, but this beloved Stefan Feld classic sparks pass...

Welcome to our first episode of Joint Ops June! Travis Smith from Operation Game Night podcast joins Have A Seat With Amanda Lee to share how three Air Force officers created a board game podcast to stay connected when stationed across the globe, combining military precision with gaming enthusiasm. • One-third of Operation Game Night podcast alongside Clay Gable and Jared Erickson • Air Force offi...

We're transforming Operation Game Night to better serve our listeners, with exciting changes to our format and schedule coming after a month-long hiatus featuring collaborations with other podcasts. • Jared reviews Terraforming Mars: The Dice Game, praising its simplified mechanics while maintaining the feel of the original • Clayton explores the historically-rich Molly House, a game about cr...

We delve into the fascinating world of push your luck games, examining the psychology behind why these gambling mechanics create some of gaming's most memorable moments. • How push your luck games level the playing field between experienced and new players • The distinction between taking a risk and the push your luck mechanic • Exploring the emotional response when we watch others push their...