Operation Game Night

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...

This week Clay and Jared lament the fact that OGN wasn't nominated for a golden geek award. However they put their hurt feelings aside to provide some color commentary the winners and runners up from the 2024 Golden Geek awards. Clay also talks about Cities, a new game by PWH and Steven Finn and Jared talks about one of the pods favorite new games Rebirth.  00:00 Intro 04:00 Clay Debrief (Cit...

This week we diving into the mind of a Lost Ruins of Arnak addict and picking Jared's brain about all the hot tips for breaking 100 points in the game. We also do a Kickstarter Preview for Fight for Inheritance, talk about one of our favorite trick takers, and revel over the amazing production and streamlined gameplay of Foundations of Rome.  00:00 Intro 04:18 Jared Debrief (Fight for Inherit...

Step behind the counter of a thriving local game store as we sit down with Cam, the heart and soul behind Petrie's Family Games in Colorado Springs. In this candid conversation, Cam reveals how a childhood obsession with Talisman evolved into a beloved community hub that's been bringing gamers together since 2009. Far from the stereotypical dark, unwelcoming game stores of yesteryear, Ca...

How do you choose the perfect board game for your group size? While many games claim to support various player counts, most have a specific sweet spot where they truly shine. In this intimate, co-host episode, Clay and Travis break down their favorite games for every player count from one to eight players. For solo gaming, Under Falling Skies and Warps Edge offer engaging, thematic experiences tha...

The crew takes their podcast on the road to discuss the best games to bring when traveling. Three board game enthusiasts with different travel constraints share their approaches to portable gaming while preparing for upcoming moves. • Jared recounts his triumph in Dune Imperium, using intrigue cards to steal victory from inexperienced opponents • Clay highlights Creature Caravan, a simultaneous-pl...

We dive into the BoardGameGeek Hotness list to explore what games are capturing the attention of the board game community, while sharing our gaming experiences and insights. • Jared prepares for the World Series of Board Gaming by planning to relearn Azul • Clay reviews Expeditions, appreciating its unique action selection system and card-tucking mechanics • Travis explores digital gaming with Arm...

Engine building games create deeply satisfying gameplay experiences that mimic real-life decision-making through resource management and strategic planning. We explore what makes these games so compelling and highlight some of our all-time favorites. • Engine builders are games where you exchange resources to become more efficient at gathering resources • Games typically start slow with limited ac...

We explore the world of weeknight gaming, discussing how board games can transform mundane weekdays into memorable social experiences while balancing time constraints and life responsibilities. • The group debates what makes a game suitable for weeknight play, considering time, complexity, and energy levels • Clayton and Jared recount their recent epic game night featuring Incan Gold, Camel Up, 7...

Tackling listener questions, we dive into board game characters we'd embody, house rules we implement, and how we respond when people dismiss board games as "just for kids." • Clay defends his monthly board game budget overages as necessary therapeutic purchases • When it's appropriate to change game rules (party games) versus when to follow them strictly (strategic games) • Ou...

Taye from Instagram account Taye and Company (Instagram @Tae_Eat_Tea) joins us to share an insider's look at board game content creation, from getting review copies to maintaining publisher relationships while staying authentic. • Tae started his account three years ago solely to get free games and now manages a thriving Instagram presence • Creating high-quality content with minimal equipmen...

A fresh perspective on classic card games emerges as we discuss timeless favorites like Rummy and their modern adaptations. We dive into the creative process behind Rumathon Royale, exploring how nostalgia meets innovation. • Reflection on classic card games’ enduring appeal  • Introduction and insights from game designer Bryce  • Overview of Rumathon Royale and its unique features  • Discussing t...

Clay is in the Hall of Fame! Jared and Travis do our best without him by  exploring of how AI can innovate board game design. We dive into the interplay of personal stories and gaming mechanics that make for a captivating episode. • Celebrating Clay’s accomplishments and our pride in him  • Sharing highlights from our recent gaming sessions  • Discussing how AI could lead to exciting board game ex...

It's the ultimate showdown in small box games, as we pit favorites against each other to crown a champion!  • Clayton shares his thoughts on SETI and how theme impacts gameplay experience • Jared discusses his strategy and experience with Gizmos  • The competition begins with matchups revealing personal favorites and mechanics  • We explore auction strategies in games like For Sale and Castle...

Our conversation with Sam touched on important aspects of the board gaming community, especially in how to engage with it without succumbing to the pressures of FOMO. We discussed how listeners can keep their gaming experiences fresh by revisiting older classics, attending local meetups, and taking advantage of second-hand options. Sam’s journey in game design reveals the layers of creativity with...

Join us for a deep dive into the world of game design with Paul Salomon, the creative director at GameHead Games. Paul shares insights on mechanics, themes, and the exciting upcoming titles from GameHead, while also providing tips for aspiring game designers on how to break into the industry.  • Discussion on the importance of gameplay mechanics over world-building  • Insights into hit games like...