Tabletop Game Talk

Social distancing seems to be the phrase of the day and with all this distancing we're finding ourselves with a lot of extra time on our hands.  So what do gamers do with extra time, they game, but... oh right, we need to social distance.  In this episode we talk about ways we can still game without being in the same room.  (Oh and this isn't about video version of games or electronic gaming platf...

This week, while in quarantine, we talk about The Game Designers Movie by Eric Rayl.  This is a great peek behind the hobbyist board game designer curtain.  We only give an overview, but it's definitely worth watching.  You can find out more at http://www.thegamedesignersmovie.com Also, since most of us are now quarantined in some way, here is Suzanne's list of board game apps which is much longer...

This week we catalog a bunch of board game apps.  Kitty and Fletcher haven't played many of these, yet, but Chris seems to have played everything - yeah yeah, not surprising.  But we do talk about a ton of games, so in case you missed any, here is the list... Pandemic Catan Classic Ticket to Ride 7 Wonders Splendor Mille Bornes Ganz Schon Clever / Doppelt So Clever Sushi Go Morels Tides of Time Fr...

This week we go long.  Well not really long in the episode, but long in gaming.  Or really we just talk about long gaming sessions.  Like all day or maybe even a weekend.  Sometimes the same game, sometimes a series of games.  Sometimes you just need to go through an entire legacy game in one session (ok, no, you should never really do that).  But in any case we're talking about long gaming sessio...

This week we're talking about competitive legacy games (or campaign games) and how the story can overshadow the game play and desire to win.  At least for some people.  This is all spoiler free, mostly because we don't remember enough of some of these games to spoil them in the first place, and because it's not nice to spoil stuff. If you want to read the credits, send an mp3 (or similar audio fil...

This week we're looking at the age old question, why make games.  In doing so we talk about the games we're thinking of and the state of design they are in.  We also touch on the difficulty of making games in the first place.  Oh, and we learn a little bit about White Castle as well! If you want to read the credits, send an mp3 (or similar audio file) of you reading the following names. (feedback@...

This week we finally talk about our gaming couch to 5k which we end up renaming near the end of the conversation (spoiler alert: the title of the episode).  We take 4 different approaches (4th thanks to Joey) to create our lists.  And find it's a fun thought experiment at the very least.  Oh, and Chris really likes Homeworlds, so you should check it out. If you want to read the credits, send an mp...

This is a continuations of last weeks episode and we pick up where we left off...talking about rulebooks again.  This is the last time we talk about rulebooks though, we promise.  Kickstarters and rulebooks, both topics are off limits for Chris and Kitty now. If you want to read the credits, send an mp3 (or similar audio file) of you reading the following names. (feedback@TabletopGameTalk.com, sub...

This week is all about you, well your feedback.  Ok well, for the vast majority of you, it's about other people's feedback, but you're still a part of it all, so that's completely ok.  Alright, alright, this is probably mostly about rulebooks again.  And only part 1?  huh!@!?. If you want to read the credits, send an mp3 (or similar audio file) of you reading the following names. (feedback@Tableto...

This week we add on to our episode 177/40 discussion (talking about rulebooks) and talk about what it would be to get rid of the rulebook.  We take different sides on this one right down to whether we should even consider getting rid of rulebooks at all.  And if we did what it should and shouldn't look like.  We could have problem gone on for another couple hours, but had to cut it at some point.....

This week we wanted to talk about getting rid of rulebooks.  But Kitty is too sick to record, so instead of recording without her, this is a rerun of episode 40 where we talk about what we like and don't like about rulebooks.  It's been edited to remove time sensitive content (what we referred to as off topic at the time) but otherwise remains intact and relevant to next week's conversation where...

It's the start of a new year, so where better to start than talking about how complex the games we play really are.  And as a result we find out what types of games we really enjoy the most when it comes to complexity.  Oh, and we talk a lot about BGG's weight rating for games, turns out it's a surprisingly good indicator for games you may or may not like. If you want to read the credits, send an...

Last week we looked back, this week we look forward.  We talk about a few games we're looking to play in 2020, we talk about some cons we may or may not go to.  Kitty makes an announcement.  And we go on a whole lot of tangents.  Happy New Year! If you want to read the credits, send an mp3 (or similar audio file) of you reading the following names. (feedback@TabletopGameTalk.com, subject: CREDITS)...

This week Kitty and Chris look back at 2019.  They cover the Kickstarters they backed, the top games of the year, and a little behind the scenes of the podcast over the year. If you want to read the credits, send an mp3 (or similar audio file) of you reading the following names. (feedback@TabletopGameTalk.com, subject: CREDITS) Adam Harrison, The SGC, Jason Strong, Terrence Miltner, Steven Sites, ...

This week we talk about party games.  And technical difficulties that we did our best to edit out.  But if you detect any unexpected laughter or exasperation, blame Comcast.  We do. If you want to read the credits, send an mp3 (or similar audio file) of you reading the following names. (feedback@TabletopGameTalk.com, subject: CREDITS) Adam Harrison, The SGC, Jason Strong, Terrence Miltner, Steven...

This week we talk about gaming with kids.  But before you say, "I don't have any kids, I think I'll skip this one," you just might be surprised how applicable this one can be to everyone's gaming (and life) outlook.  We also have an email from Brant... If you want to read the credits, send an mp3 (or similar audio file) of you reading the following names. (feedback@TabletopGameTalk.com, subject: C...

This week we talk about ways to get better at playing games.  Maybe this is how to teach other to get better, maybe it's how we get better ourselves at specific games.  And how do we measure better anyway?  All that and more...   If you want to read the credits, send an mp3 (or similar audio file) of you reading the following names... (feedback@TabletopGameTalk.com, subject: CREDITS) Adam Harrison...

This week we're talking about playing games with non-gamer family and friends.  What kinds of games work well for this?  What expectations should you have?  What are the problems with playing smaller games in large groups?  All that and a question from Grant on gaming communities.   If you want to read the credits, send an mp3 (or similar audio file) of you reading the following names... (feedback...

This week we're defining stuff.  By popular demand.  If you've been in the hobby awhile, you've probably started to use jargon like cooperative, bag building game, hand management game.  But if you're someone a littler newer, that might make no sense whatsoever.  But after this episode, it will... Finally, if you want to read the credits, send an mp3 of you reading the following names... (feedback...

This week we finally get to some feedback.  Which sparks a lot of conversation and fills in a few things we may have missed the first time around.  Chris even lets some listener feedback in that agree with Kitty and Fletcher... yikes! Finally, if you want to read the credits, send an mp3 of you reading the following names... (feedback@TabletopGameTalk.com, subject: CREDITS) Adam Harrison, The SGC,...

This week it's Stonemaier's turn as we take a look at some of the bigger names in board games.  This is the smallest of the big names, but just because they don't have as many games as the others, doesn't mean they don't have as big an influence on the industry. Chris's top 3 Stonemaier games are... Viticulture Scythe Wingspan Finally, if you want to read the credits, send an mp3 of you reading th...

This week we're focusing on CMON or Cool Mini or Not or C'MON.  But however you say it, they've had a pretty big impact in the gaming world and on how kickstarters are run. We also answer a couple listener questions from Jesse and JTT. Chris's top 3 CMON games are... Arcadia Quest Gizmos Zombicide Black Plague/Green Horde Finally, if you want to read the credits, send an mp3 of you reading the fol...

Chris does a LOT of the talking in this episode.  Yes, yes, we know what you're thinking, "he always does a lot of the talking."  But this time, it's a LOT.  Anyway, he's talking about FFG and what makes them FFG.  From the early days of TI1 to LCGs to Unique Games.  He covers it all, sort of.  We never do get into the digital side of FFG and we only touch on the story stuff they do. Oh, and if yo...

This week we're looking at the promises publishers make, and break.  Should Kickstarter exclusives stay exclusive forever?  Should publishers be punished for missing releases dates?  Should preorder windows stay open for the entire window even if stock runs out?  Maybe.  But maybe not... Email us at feedback@TabletopGameTalk.com - for questions and feedback. Follow us on twitter http://twitter.com...

This week we talk about cash money, for winning.  And what that can do to a game.  We use KeyForge as an example since FFG recently announced a $100,000 cash event, but really this applies to all types of competitive games.  Does having cash prizes associated with a game make you more likely to play that game? Email us at feedback@TabletopGameTalk.com - for questions and feedback. Follow us on twi...