Tabletop Game Talk

Audio note: The audio in this episode isn't up to our normal standards.  Chris will explain at the beginning, that said... This week marks our 300th episode which we recorded at the end of our first TGT Con (an online con run on Discord and BGA).  We'll recap the con, announce some winners and then move on to our main topic... Comfort games.  This is one of those rare top 5 episodes.  So if you wa...

This week we start out talking about TGT Con which is happening this weekend!  The link to the list of games is below and you can sign up for them on our discord (link also below).  We then switch over to talk about One D&D, the next "version" of Dungeons and Dragons due out in 2024. (Audio note: Fletcher's audio was cut off for the first few seconds, but everything is fine for the remainder of th...

This week we talk about collecting...stuff.  What drives us to collect? Why must we "catch them all"?  And does everyone have the desire to collect?  Turns out it's a spectrum.  Who knew, right? Register for TGT Con: TGT Con Registration Watch and subscribe to my How to BGA YouTube Channel: https://youtu.be/1_lXYSaTAdc Join our discord, just click (or copy/paste) here: https://discord.gg/ypK2dEQXP...

This week Sydnie joins us again and we talk about our 1 day at GenCon, her upcoming trip to Dragon Con, and more about TGT Con happening in less than 3 weeks (Sat Aug 27 & Sun Aug 28). Register for TGT Con at TGT Con Registration Watch and subscribe to my How to BGA YouTube Channel: https://youtu.be/1_lXYSaTAdc Join our discord, just click (or copy/paste) here: https://discord.gg/ypK2dEQXPH Our BG...

This week Sydnie joins us to talk about KeyForge and SolForge Fusion. Two unique deck games go in... who will come out on top? We don't know, but we're going to talk about where these games have been, where they are now, and where they want to go.  As a bonus, is there a place for uniqueness in more traditional board games?   https://solforgefusion.com https://keyforging.com Register for TGT Con:...

This week we make a super cool announcement and that's all we're going to say.  Once you hear the announcement you can click here: Secret Link. Join our discord, just click (or copy/paste) here: https://discord.gg/ypK2dEQXPH Our BGA group can be found here: https://boardgamearena.com/group?id=5729425 Email feedback and contest entries to feedback [at] tabletopgametalk.com. Go to http://TabletopGam...

This week we talk about buying games.  Where we buy them.  Why we buy them there.  The ethical dilemmas that come from wanting a good deal on games.  And a fair bit of why you might want to buy Next Station London. Join our discord, just click (or copy/paste) here: https://discord.gg/ypK2dEQXPH Our BGA group can be found here: https://boardgamearena.com/group?id=5729425 Email feedback and contest...

This week we talk about all those Marvel games.  Well mostly we talk about Marvel in general, but we do talk about some of the games too.  Are there too many Marvel games?  Nah, but that doesn't mean they are all good... Join our discord, just click (or copy/paste) here: https://discord.gg/ypK2dEQXPH Our BGA group can be found here: https://boardgamearena.com/group?id=5729425 Email feedback and co...

This week we accept our addiction to Board Game Arena (.com) and look at the top games on the site.  First we look at them as rated by Board Game Geek, and then we look at them by what's being played on BGA itself.  And we throw in a few that didn't make either of those lists that we really like. We promise - we're not sponsored by BGA, but we probably should be... Join our discord, just click (or...

This week we take a closer look at how the number of players effects the overall enjoyment of a game.  Should all games strive for max player count, or should we avoid the max whenever possible?  Is 2-4 players a myth?  How do games attempt to adjust for different player counts?  And will we ever stop talking about BGA?  (nope to that last one) Join our discord, just click (or copy/paste) here: ht...

This week we talk about losing.  We've heard over and over that losing can be "character building" but what does that mean?  Is losing really not all that bad?  Why lose when you could win?  This one is dedicated to all you losers out there!  (In the nicest possible way, honest, this is a good one.) Join our discord, just click (or copy/paste) here: https://discord.gg/ypK2dEQXPH Our BGA group can...

This week Fletcher and Kitty are on their own! With Chris out of town we discuss card games you can play with a standard deck of 52 cards and if Board Games can do everything they can do, but better. Join our discord, just click (or copy/paste) here: https://discord.gg/ypK2dEQXPH Our BGA group can be found here: https://boardgamearena.com/group?id=5729425 Email feedback and contest entries to feed...

This week we take a closer look at the "Living Card Games" (LCG) currently in print by Fantasy Flight Games (FFG).  Which, are all co-op games; The Lord of the Rings, Arkham Horror, and Marvel Champions.  Each host gives their first impressions of one of these games and by the end, we may just find that there's an LCG for each of us. Join our discord, just click (or copy/paste) here: https://disco...

This week we talk about how games that require deck building (MtG, Arkham Horror The Card Game, Marvel Champions, ect.) can have a huge barrier to entry in trying and continuing to play these kinds of games.  If you're someone who loves deck building, these games are for you.  If you're not, we come up with some pretty good alternatives that can get you in the game with less friction than you migh...

This week Fletcher is out and Chris and Kitty just chat aimlessly.  They cover playing games in person vs. online.  3D printing.  Marvel Zombicide.  A Hadrian's Wall update.  The next BGA tournament.  Where Chris's favorite games are today.  And bananas. Join our discord, just click (or copy/paste) here: https://discord.gg/ypK2dEQXPH Our BGA group can be found here: https://boardgamearena.com/grou...

This week we look at the opposite of luck: skill.  How much can you get better at games?  Some games are pure skill games, but even then your opponent(s) comes into the question.  But most games do have an amount of luck involved, so when does that start to play more of an effect than your skill?  That's the skill cap. We also draw winners for our Azul prizes. Join our discord!   Just click (or co...

This week Spenser joins us as we compare traditional RPGs with the RPGs you may find "in a box."  In other words, a board game that's trying to simulate what a traditional RPG does.  How are they different?  Why are they different?  Why should Chris not play them alone.  And what is it about pickled eggs? We also draw winners for our Azul prizes. Join our discord!  Just click (or copy/paste) here:...

This week Fletcher couldn't join us, so Kitty and Chris spend an hour talking about the next game they are going to play on Tuesday's virtual game night.  The requirements: a game you can play and have a conversation during at the same time. Join our discord!  Just click (or copy/paste) here: https://discord.gg/phjS78TKch Our BGA group can be found here: https://boardgamearena.com/group?id=5729425...

This week we talk about the games that we used to love but just don't play anymore and why.  And how to avoid playing out a game if that's your goal.  Is playing game out really all that bad?  Probably not, but it was fun to talk about none-the-less. Join our discord!  Just click (or copy/paste) here: https://discord.gg/phjS78TKch Our BGA group can be found here: https://boardgamearena.com/group?i...

This week Fletcher leaves Chris with Kitty, who wants to talk about tie breakers and how unfair they are when they make her lose.  Or something like that.  But really, this is a fun one.  Should tie breakers exist?  What makes a good, or bad, tie breaker?  And why do they always feel like an after thought?  (spoiler: because they are) Join our discord!  Just click (or copy/paste) here: https://dis...

This week Kitty leaves Chris and Fletcher alone and they decide to talk about work.  Kind of.  They discuss what it takes to write a digital version of a board game.  But don't worry, they don't go too technical, and when they do, they back up and explain what they are talking about.  Probably.  Oh, and, software development isn't easy - $.99 isn't too much to pay :)  Join our discord!  Just click...

This week we talk about board game tournaments.  Probably because we're all participating in the first ever TGT Azul tournament (being run on boardgamearena.com).  What makes a good game for tournaments?  Why might you want to play in a tournament even if you're not that good?  And will Fletcher ever win a game?  (that last one will make more sense later.) Join our discord!  Just click (or copy/pa...

This week we take a deep dive into why we (as a collective whole in the board gaming hobby - yes we speak for all of you) tend to play a game once and move on.  Or maybe we don't.  Maybe we play the same game over and over and Chris just has a problem.  Could go either way on this one... Join our discord!  Just click (or copy/paste) here: https://discord.gg/phjS78TKch Our BGA group can be found he...

This week we use a new found addition to roll and write games on board game arena as a reason to take about roll and write games (mostly on board game arena).  From Yahtzee to Hadrian's Wall we cover EVERY (no we don't) roll and write ever!! (no. we don't.  There are thousands, we talk about, like, 6). Join our discord!  Just click (or copy/paste) here: https://discord.gg/phjS78TKch Our BGA group...

This week we have a replay episode from about 3 1/2 years ago where we talk about Euro Games.  We did plan to record a new episode, but due to sick kids we just weren't able to make it happen.  As long as everything goes as planned though, next week we will talk about Roll & Writes (probably, hopefully, just depends on how the dice come up). Join our discord!  Just click (or copy/paste) here: http...