PlayDNA

What's the first thing that pops into your head when you think of a "gamer?" The answer will differ for everyone but we may find some common themes. Where do these stereotypes come from? And are they accurate?  Games we played: https://boardgamegeek.com/boardgame/307997/insider-black https://boardgamegeek.com/boardgame/246228/impact-battle-elements

Do you listen to music while you are playing games? Have any favorite games that utilize music and soundtracks in their gameplay? This episode we talk about great utilization of audio in creating immersion and unique game mechanics. Games we played: Skull | Board Game | BoardGameGeek Cosmic Encounter | Board Game | BoardGameGeek Tichu | Board Game | BoardGameGeek Get some cool tabletop soundtracks...

Travelling to space is now affordable for everyone! Just play one of these great space themed board games. Games we played: Mission: Red Planet (Second Edition) | Board Game | BoardGameGeek Near and Far | Board Game | BoardGameGeek Skull | Board Game | BoardGameGeek For Sale | Board Game | BoardGameGeek Cartographers | Board Game | BoardGameGeek Eminent Domain | Board Game | BoardGameGeek Relation...

We went on a trip! And played a crapload of games. This episode is a catchup. Games we played: Shifting Stones | Board Game | BoardGameGeek Ghost Blitz | Board Game | BoardGameGeek Durian | Board Game | BoardGameGeek Taco Cat Goat Cheese Pizza | Board Game | BoardGameGeek Trails of Tucana | Board Game | BoardGameGeek Illusion | Board Game | BoardGameGeek Summer Camp | Board Game | BoardGameGeek PA...

It's easy to forget that play is not just a luxury, but an essential part of our development into fully functional adults. This episode we talk about how play continues even when children and adults are face with extremely distressing circumstances. Content warning- We talk about some dark historical moments that may not be appropriate for children. Games we played: Skull King | Board Game |...

Yu-Gu-Oh! is one of the most popular card games of all time. Today, Damon talks about how it came to be and some of the absolutely absurd cards the game has accumulated over time. Games we played: Deckscape: The Mystery of Eldorado | Board Game | BoardGameGeek Escape Room in a Box: Flashback | Board Game | BoardGameGeek Pitchstorm | Board Game | BoardGameGeek The Shining | Board Game | BoardGameGe...

What are some games with amazing, unusual components that you just can't stop playing with? From rugs, to drones, to dice towers, these are some super cool components! Games we played: Nine Tiles Panic | Board Game | BoardGameGeek Moon Adventure | Board Game | BoardGameGeek Bausack | Board Game | BoardGameGeek Dungeon Drop | Board Game | BoardGameGeek Summer Camp | Board Game | BoardGameGeek...

Let's do some gambling! Or rather, bidding, and boy are there some fantastic bidding games out there. From Medici to Dogs of War, here are our favorite bidding games! Games we played: Veiled Fate | Board Game | BoardGameGeek Piepmatz | Board Game | BoardGameGeek Chakra | Board Game | BoardGameGeek Games we discuss: Ra | Board Game | BoardGameGeek Medici | Board Game | BoardGameGeek Biblios |...

How do you feel about weird game boxes? Boxes shaped like books? Boxes shaped like bullets? Or banana shaped bags with the pieces thrown in? Today we talk weird board game packaging! Games we played: Spicy | Board Game | BoardGameGeek Black Spy | Board Game | BoardGameGeek Tapeworm | Board Game | BoardGameGeek CuBirds | Board Game | BoardGameGeek Games we discussed: Bananagrams | Board Game | Boar...

Points, points, points. So much of gaming is a question of how we get points. But there are a growing number of games that will give players points for well, just about anything. This week Damon talks 'mathiness' in game, point salad mechanics and how it can hurt players' ability to intuit rules and strategy. Games we played: Dwellings of Eldervale | Board Game | BoardGameGeek Exit:...

One of the joys of board games is that there are so many localized, culture specific ones. Konane is one such game, also known as Hawaiian Checkers. Sarah goes over the history of the game and its survival even in the face of Christian Missionaries. Games we Played Marrakech | Board Game | BoardGameGeek Black Sonata | Board Game | BoardGameGeek Break In: Alcatraz | Board Game | BoardGameGeek (Oops...

Do you like treasure? So do we! Here are our recommendations for games that will make you feel like Indiana Jones. Games we played: Wish You Were Here | Board Game | BoardGameGeek Mariposas | Board Game | BoardGameGeek Turn the Tide | Board Game | BoardGameGeek Slip Strike | Board Game | BoardGameGeek Games we discussed: Diamant | Board Game | BoardGameGeek Forgotten Waters | Board Game | BoardGam...

Playing games with a significant other is a great way to spend time together- but it can also be challenging. This week we talk about gaming in relationships and games expose our most vulnerable selves. Games we played: Fantasy Realms | Board Game | BoardGameGeek Thunderstone Quest | Board Game | BoardGameGeek Break In: Alcatraz | Board Game | BoardGameGeek Unlock!: Mystery Adventures – The Nautil...

Remember Scene It? VHS games? How about more modern games that heavily utilize apps as part of gameplay? This week Damon talks multimedia games and how video/audio components can add to or limit a gaming experience. Games we played: Carte Rouge (theenigmaemporium.com) Boss Monster: The Dungeon Building Card Game | Board Game | BoardGameGeek Dungeon Roll | Board Game | BoardGameGeek Orchard: A 9 ca...

How did the famous Milton Bradley get his start in games? Sarah takes us through the winding company of both the man and the company. Plus we talk about Hasbro's unique place in the gaming market. Games we played: Unlock!: Timeless Adventures | Board Game | BoardGameGeek Unlock!: Exotic Adventures – Scheherazade's Last Tale | Board Game | BoardGameGeek Unlock!: Heroic Adventures | Board...

What games have tickled you? Made you laugh till you cried? The answer will be different for everyone, but here are our favorites! Games we played Treasure Island | Board Game | BoardGameGeek Exit: The Game – The Cemetery of the Knight | Board Game | BoardGameGeek Ricochet Robots | Board Game | BoardGameGeek Games we discussed Pit | Board Game | BoardGameGeek Once Upon a Time: The Storytelling Car...

It's the thrill of an escape room- inside of a box! Back on the show this week is escape room aficionado, Kyu Saiewitz. Here are our favorite thrilling escape experiences! Games we played: A Game of Cat & Mouth | Board Game | BoardGameGeek Second Chance | Board Game | BoardGameGeek The Bloody Inn | Board Game | BoardGameGeek Medium | Board Game | BoardGameGeek Red Flags | Board Game | Boa...

Where do you put your games? On a shelf, under a table, stuffed between couch cushions? This is a hobby that takes up some serious space. Are your games organized by name? Shape? Theme? Or do you just freeform it and pray? Show us your shelfies! Games we played: Squire for Hire | Board Game | BoardGameGeek Catacombs Conquest | Board Game | BoardGameGeek The Isle of Cats | Board Game | BoardGameGee...

No one to play games with? No problem! There are countless solo games available nowadays. Sarah takes us through some of her favorites, and why she loves the solo play experience. Games we played: https://boardgamegeek.com/boardgame/294612/unlock-epic-adventures https://boardgamegeek.com/boardgame/254386/raccoon-tycoon https://boardgamegeek.com/boardgame/323255/box-one https://boardgamegeek.com/bo...

Escape rooms are an utterly unique and powerful game genre- one that combines game design with story, lighting, production design, engineering, and sometimes even acting. Today we speak with special guest and escape room enthusiast Kyu Saiewitz about their many escape room experiences all over the US. We discuss what makes a room great, and what leaves us wanting. WARNING! Minor spoilers in the ep...

Have you played every single game in your library 100 times? Print some more! Here are our top picks for Print n' Play games that are officially released by their publishers and (in most cases) free! Have fun! Games we played: Istanbul: The Dice Game | Board Game | BoardGameGeek Cat Café | Board Game | BoardGameGeek Condottiere | Board Game | BoardGameGeek MetroX: Sendai & Hakata & Na...

Flavor text! Compelling writing! These obviously make games better, so why does it seem like many tabletop games put so little effort into these elements? This week Damon talks about games with great writing and flavor, and which games fall surprisingly short. Visit us at our website playdnapodcast.com, and shoot us an email to tell us about games you think have great (or awful) writing! Games we...

Let's be honest- there are a lot of games that we would never play again. Like, ever. Here are some of the ones we can't stand, and why we wouldn't recommend it to others. Of course, everyone's taste is different, so all advice is given with a grain of salt! Games we played Cuba | Board Game | BoardGameGeek Evolution | Board Game | BoardGameGeek Fumbling Ferrets | Board Game |...

Can you buy board games in your native language? Are the games translated or are they localized? What's the difference and why is it important? This week we talk about how differences in language structure, cultural references, and cultural sensibilities are tackled creatively to insure that board games can be enjoyed around the world. Games we played: Tiki Topple | Board Game | BoardGameGeek...

There are multiple layers to a game's beginning- the rules reading, the setup, and the actual first turn. What makes for a great beginning and which ones leave players feeling immediately unbalanced and annoyed? Find us on Instagram PlayDNA (@playdna_podcast) or  Facebook Play DNA | Facebook Games we played: Catan | Board Game | BoardGameGeek Calico | Board Game | BoardGameGeek Qwixx | Board...