So Very Wrong About Games

*/ ?>

Latest Episodes:

#336: Opening the Box Downers Nov 18, 2024

Apparently there were scrapped plans for the Gorn (the lumbering rubber lizard suit dude Kirk fights in that famous episode) to show up in other Star Trek properties. One plan had a Gorn show up as Worf's guest to Riker's bachelor party in Nemesis, and frankly despite how awful those latter movies were I would have been all over that. I can only imagine that the plan was abandoned when the props department couldn't get a styrofoam cocktail to look right.

01:42 AYURIS: The Wolves (Ashwain Kamath and Clarence Simpson, Pandasaurus Games, 2022)

Games Played Last Week:

03:49 -Tidal Blades 2: Rise of the Unfolders (Tim Eisner and Ben Eisner, Druid City Games, 2024)

10:28 -Mass Effect: The Board Game - Priority: Hagalaz (Eric M. Lang and Calvin Wong Tze Loon, Modiphius Entertainment, 2024)

16:15 -The LOOP (Maxime Rambourg and Théo Rivière, Pandasaurus Games, 2020)

20:57 -Cryo (Tom Jolly & Luke Laurie, Z-Man Games, 2021)

24:37 -Flip 7 (Eric Olsen, The Op Games, 2024)

26:23 -Rebel Princess (Daniel Byrne, José Gerardo Guerrero, Kevin Peláez, and Tirso Virgós, Zombi Paella, 2023)

31:05 -Tiny Laser Heist (Evan Katz and Josh Roberts, Evan and Josh's Very Special Games Company, 2024)

37:54 -D.E.I.: Divide et Impera (Tommaso Battista, Ludus Magnus Studio, 2022)

44:42 -Modern Art (Reiner Knizia, CMON, 2017)

News (and why it doesn't matter):

48:13 Please support us on Patreon! www.patreon.com/svwag

49:15 Ingenious goes vertical: Einfach Genial 3D

49:58 Clans of Caledonia's long-awaited expansion: Industria

51:26 Star Trek Ascendancy: The Gorn!

52:41 Topic: Opening the Box Downers

Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brands
Privacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

#335: Catching Up Nov 12, 2024

Thrill to the latest superhero epic, "X-Men: Layover in Dulles." When the Blackbird is grounded due to an unexplained indicator light (meddling from the sinister Magneto? Who can say?!?!), the elite group of heroic mutants must navigate the perils of terminal D. Wolverine is having problems with the metal detectors again, which is troublesome as he is smuggling Cuban cigars. Rogue must battle the temptation of the 15-minute massage station. Panera bread keeps getting Cyclops' order wrong. It's epic, it's exciting, it's eight hours long!

01:42 AYURIS: The Great Wall (Kamil 'Sanex' Cieśla, Robert Plesowicz, & Łukasz Włodarczyk, Awaken Realms, 2021)

Games Played Last Week:

04:43 -Don't Rock the Croc (Uncredited, FoxMind, Unknown)

07:52 -War Story: Occupied France (Dave Neale and David Thompson, Osprey Games, 2024)

13:20 -Barcelona: Passeig de Gràcia (Dani Garcia, Board&Dice, 2024)

20:27 -Mass Effect: The Board Game - Priority: Hagalaz (Eric M. Lang and Calvin Wong Tze Loon, Modiphius Entertainment, 2024)

27:04 -Freedom Five: A Sentinel Comics Board Game (Richard Launius, Adam Sadler, and Brady Sadler, Arcane Wonders, 2024)

32:13 Behold: Rome (Joe Klipfel, Mythfield Games, 2024)

36:40 -Rebel Princess (Daniel Byrne, José Gerardo Guerrero, Kevin Peláez, and Tirso Virgós, Zombi Paella, 2023)

39:00 -Seers Catalog (Taylor Reiner, Bézier Games, 2024)

40:35 -The Gang (John Cooper and Kory Heath, KOSMOS, 2024)

45:00 -Flip 7 (Eric Olsen, The Op Games, 2024)

49:31 -Scholars of the South Tigris (S J Macdonald and Shem Phillips, Garphill Games, 2023)

53:10 -Dogs of War (Paolo Mori, CMON, 2014)

57:33 -Crossbows & Catapults: Fortress War (Stephen Baker, Noah Cohen, Rob Daviau, Justin D. Jacobson, and Brian Neff, Restoration Games, 2024)

1:03:50 -Catapult Feud (Kristian Fosh, Vesuvius Media, 2021)

1:07:23 -51st State: Ultimate Edition (Ignacy Trzewiczek, Portal Games, 2023)

1:08:54 -Ceres (Gustaf Sundström, Artipia Games, 2023)

1:10:02 -Last Aurora (Mauro Chiabotto, Pendragon Game Studio, 2020)

News (and why it doesn't matter):

1:12:32 Barony Royal Edition on Kickstarter

1:13:59 Smurfs Roleplaying Games

1:14:16 Reiner Knizia anthropomorphic animals: Money and Nyakuza

1:15:29 Zeo Genesis scalable miniatures games from OG Games Workshp designers

1:16:25 Planepita: dexterity with magnets!

1:17:01 Keep the Heroes Out! digital version delayed, Russian contract confusion

Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brands
Privacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

#334: EGO Oct 29, 2024

Walker: But, indeed, sir, we make holiday,

to see Freedom Five and to rejoice in its triumph.

Mark: Wherefore rejoice? What delight brings it home?

What enjoyment follows it to the table,

To grace in fun times its board presence?

You blocks, you stones, you worse than senseless things!

Games Played Last Week:

01:08 -Freedom Five: A Sentinel Comics Board Game (Richard Launius, Adam Sadler, and Brady Sadler, Arcane Wonders, 2024)

10:51 -Things in Rings (Peter C. Hayward, Allplay, 2024)

13:46 -City of the Six Moons (Amabel Holland, Hollandspiele, 2024)

19:56 -Lost Cities: Rivals (Reiner Knizia, KOSMOS, 2018)

22:58 -Through Ice and Snow (Fernando Eduardo Sánchez, 2Tomatoes Games, 2024)

29:54 -Don't L.L.A.M.A. Dice (Reiner Knizia, AMIGO, 2021)

32:24 -Cockroach Poker (Jacques Zeimet, Drei Magier Spiele, 2004)

37:03 -The Lord of the Rings: Duel for Middle-earth (Antoine Bauza & Bruno Cathala, Repos Production, 2024)

39:42 -Harmonies (Johan Benvenuto, Libellud, 2024)

News (and why it doesn't matter):

40:18 Twilight Struggle 20th Anniversary Hall of Fame Edition

41:25 Richard Garfield and CMYK revamp Magical Athlete

42:19 Tons of upcoming Devir releases

44:49 Amazing hidden movement: Burned is back on Kickstarter

45:31 Feature Game: EGO (Reiner Knizia, Bitewing Games, 2025)

Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brands
Privacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

#333: Expectations in Crowdfunding Oct 22, 2024

An auspicious palindrome of an episode number! Granted, in triple digits one encounters a palindrome every ten episodes or so, but I'm sure the numerologists amongst us have special enthusiasm for the mighty TRIP THREE. I mean, primes, and threes, and all that. Anyway, it'll be a minute until we reach episode TRIP FOUR, so lets savour this while we can.

01:10 AYURIS: Mille Fiori (Reiner Knizia, Schmidt Spiele, 2021)

Games Played Last Week:

04:06 -Lunar Rush (Steven "Skippy" Brown, Dead Alive Games, 2023)

08:53 -Dragons Down (Scott DeMers, Mr. B Games, 2024)

16:20 -Things in Rings (Peter C. Hayward, Allplay, 2024)

26:00 -EGO (Reiner Knizia, Bitewing Games, 2025)

33:37 -Keep the Heroes Out!: Boss Battles (Luís Brueh, Brueh Games, 2024)

37:20 -Mexica (Michael Kiesling & Wolfgang Kramer, Rio Grande Games, 2002)

40:22 -Avatar: The Last Airbender--Aang's Destiny (Patrick Marino, The OP Games, 2024)

43:47 -Formula D (Laurent Lavaur & Eric Randall, Asmodee, 2008)

45:18 -Aquatica: Coral Reefs (Ivan Tuzovsky, Arcane Wonders, 2024)

News (and why it doesn't matter):

50:22 Risk 2210 A.D.: Frontline expansion

51:49 New version of Diplomacy: Era of Empire

52:42 Axis & Allies: Battle for the Deep

53:41 Trilogy of Bitewing Knizia games: SILOS, EGO, and ORBIT

55:20 It's time for another Mission: Red Planet reprint

55:49 Join us in celebrating Arkhipov Day on October 27th

56:08 Topic: Expectations in Crowdfunding

Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brands
Privacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

#332: Undaunted 2200: Callisto Oct 15, 2024

Once again, a primer on some of the differences between the US and Canada. We Canadians celebrate Thanksgiving in early October, in honour of our second governor general, the Right Honourable October G. Thanksington. Rather than turkey and football, we do latkes and rugby.

Games Played Last Week:

00:55 -Black Forest (Tido Lorenz and Uwe Rosenberg, Feuerland Spiele, 2024)

09:36 -Bargain Hunter (Uwe Rosenberg, Valley Games, 1998)

12:21 -Unreliable Wizard (Kamibayashi, Salt & Pepper Games, 2024)

15:25 -Space Alert (Vlaada Chvátil, Czech Games Edition, 2008)

20:21 -Wabash Cannonball (John Bohrer, Rio Grande Games, 2023)

25:28 -Quartermaster General: 1914 (Second Edition) (Ian Brody, Ares Games, 2022)

29:20 -Lunar Rush (Steven "Skippy" Brown, Dead Alive Games, 2023)

32:51 -Cross Clues (Grégory Grard, Blue Orange Games, 2020)

35:46 -Avatar: The Last Airbender--Aang's Destiny (Patrick Marino, The OP Games, 2024)

News (and why it doesn't matter):

40:26 The Waste of Parts: a post-apocalyptic journey

42:09 Join us in celebrating Arkhipov Day on October 27th

42:19 Talisman Alliances: Fate Beckons. Co-op Talisman?

43:19 Feature Game: Undaunted 2200: Callisto (Trevor Benjamin and David Thompson, Osprey, 2024)

Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brands
Privacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

#331: Our Favourite Factions Oct 08, 2024

It is October, the month of Fat Bear Week, Decorative Gourd Season, Halloween, and Arkhipov Day! Sure, it has less candy than some of those other celebrations, but I'll wager neither a corpulent bear nor a kid dressed as a pirate has ever saved the entire human race.

01:00 AYURIS: IKI (Koota Yamada, Sorry We Are French, 2015)

Games Played Last Week:

03:38 -Valka (Brooke Penrose, Terrible Games, 2024)

07:16 -Bus (Jeroen Doumen and Joris Wiersinga, Capstone Games, 2019)

09:47 -Warpgate: Beyond (Artyom Nichipurov, Wolff Designa, 2022)

12:33 -Dinosaur World (Brian Lewis, David McGregor, & Marissa Misura, Pandasaurus Games, 2021)

16:02 -SCOUT (Kei Kajino, Oink Games, 2019)

18:18 -Jekyll & Hyde vs Scotland Yard (Gaëtan Beaujannot, Olivier Cipière, and Geonil, Mandoo Games, 2023)

20:11 -Cthulhu: Death May Die--Fear of the Unknown (Rob Daviau, Eric M. Lang, and Marco Portugal, CMON, 2024)

22:57 -Set a Watch (Mike Gnade and Todd Walsh, Rock Manor Games, 2019)

25:04 -Hamster Roll (Jacques Zeimet, Zoch Verlag, 2000)

27:02 -Federation (Dimitri Perrier and Matthieu Verdier, Explor8, 2022)

28:22 -R (Seiji Kanai, Kanai Factory, 2011)

31:03 -Lost Cities: The Board Game (Reiner Knizia, Rio Grande, 2008)

35:21 -Vengeance: Roll & Fight (Gordon Calleja, Noralie Lubbers, & Dávid Turczi, Mighty Boards, 2022)

News (and why it doesn't matter):

38:57 Friedemann Friese's Fishing: trick-taking

39:37 Mac Gerdts' 7 Empires

40:40 Reiner Knizia's Cosmolancer: Kingdoms, again

41:48 Burned relaunches on crowdfunding October 23 from Jon Moffat and Stone Circle Games

42:15 Daniele Tascini's Transgalactica

42:29 Chonkers Party: phat animals

42:50 Walker on Boards and Brews

43:14 Join us in celebrating Arkhipov Day on October 27th

44:22 Topic: Our Favourite Factions

Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brands
Privacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

#330: Andromeda's Edge Sep 24, 2024

Generally we here at SVWAG prefer sci-fi to fantasy, especially if it is of the general sort. There is something joyous about the weird flights of fancy that sci-fi can enable, such as Andromeda's Edge with its "Jelluloid Technoblorps." That said, there's something particularly odious about importing generic fantasy into your sci-fi, like space dwarves and space dragons--something Andromeda's Edge also does. Call it a wash.

Games Played Last Week:

01:01 -Harmonies (Johan Benvenuto, Libellud, 2024)

02:14 -Dro Polter (Paul Schulz, Oink Games, 2023)

05:56 -Rise and Fall (Christophe Boelinger, Ludically, 2024)

11:26 -Planet Unknown (Ryan Lambert & Adam Rehberg, Adam's Apple Games, 2022)

16:27 -Undaunted 2200: Callisto (Trevor Benjamin and David Thompson, Osprey, 2024)

18:18 -Irish Gauge (Amabel Holland, Capstone Games, 2019)

22:25 -Jekyll vs. Hyde (Geonil, Mandoo Games, 2021)

26:42 -Through the Desert (Reiner Knizia, Allplay, 2024)

31:43 -Cthulhu: Death May Die--Fear of the Unknown (Rob Daviau, Eric M. Lang, and Marco Portugal, CMON, 2024)

News (and why it doesn't matter):

37:15 From the Voidfall universe Mindclash brings us Revenant by Allan Kirkeby

39:28 Renegade reprints Acquire

41:03 Please support us on Patreon and take our games! www.patreon.com/svwag

41:53 Feature Game: Andromeda's Edge (Luke Laurie and Maximus Laurie, Cardboard Alchemy, 2024)

Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brands
Privacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

#329: Replayability Sep 17, 2024

If you replayed all the published SVWAG episodes back-back, it would take over 355 hours, or almost 15 days. This is not necessarily how we would recommend you spend your time. Indeed, for our purposes, we are equally wrong regardless of whether anyone is there to hear it; while we sometimes engage with Western philosophy due to Mark's academic background, the realm of the koan is beyond our purview.

Long story short, feel free to re-download all our episodes to your heart's content. I'm sure it would help us with some algorithm somewhere.

01:41 AYURIS: Autobahn (Fabio Lopiano and Nestore Mangone, Alley Cat Games, 2022)

Games Played Last Week:

05:06 -Harmonies (Johan Benvenuto, Libellud, 2024)

11:30 -Valka (Brooke Penrose, Terrible Games, 2024)

17:01 -Keep the Heroes Out!: Boss Battles (Luís Brueh, Brueh Games, 2024)

21:43 -Undaunted 2200: Callisto (Trevor Benjamin and David Thompson, Osprey, 2024)

29:36 -CATAN: Starfarers Duel (Klaus Teuber and Benjamin Teuber, KOSMOS, 2023)

33:38 -Rise and Fall (Christophe Boelinger, Ludically, 2024)

40:54 -Martian Dice (Scott Almes, Tasty Minstrel Games, 2011)

News (and why it doesn't matter):

42:20 International Gamers Awards announce their 2024 winners

43:18 German wooden monstrosity: Drachentreppe

44:59 David Thompson and Trevor Benjamin Line of Fire: Burnt Moon; in the Undaunted 2200 setting

46:12 Topic: Replayability

Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brands
Privacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

#328: The Vale of Eternity Sep 10, 2024

I find so many mnemonics to be profoundly disappointing. Unless there's a structural element to tie the components together, a mnemonic will not serve to dispositively disambiguate a dyad.

I assure you, that lamentable bit of alliteration was unintentional.

For example, "I before E except after C" also works qua slogan as "I after E except before C." There are the ones about beer and liquor, feeding or starving a cold, colour of the sky and sailors' states of mind... I recall the structure, but not which one goes with which. Relatedly, is there a mnemonic to remember how to spell mnemonic?

Games Played Last Week:

02:27 -The Voyages of Marco Polo (Simone Luciani & Daniele Tascini, Hans im Gluck, 2015)

04:52 -Pulsar 2849 (Vladimír Suchý, CGE, 2017)

07:29 -Faiyum (Friedemann Friese, 2F-Spiele, 2020)

12:01 -MicroMacro: Crime City--All In (Johannes Sich, Edition Spielwiese, 2022)

14:45 -Who's the Banana? (Chris Cieslik, Asmadi Games, 2009)

17:07 -Rats of Wistar (Simone Luciani and Danilo Sabia, Cranio Creations, 2023)

19:29 -Raccoon Tycoon (Glenn Drover, Forbidden Games, 2018)

22:05 -Yokohama Roll & Write (Hisashi Hayashi, OKAZU Brand, 2021)

24:29 -Gods Love Dinosaurs (Kasper Lapp, Pandasaurus Games, 2020)

27:05 -Harmonies (Johan Benvenuto, Libellud, 2024)

29:49 -Ratyl (Andy Gallagher, Busy Dad Games, 2023)

News (and why it doesn't matter):

33:51 Monopoly goes to Flavortown

34:38 Zheng He by Greg Engelstein and David Thompson on GMT's P500

35:47 Cyberpunk 2077: more promising-looking than CMON's offering

39:46 Beyond the Horizon: Dennis K. Chan, Adam Hill, Ben Pinchback, Matt Riddle

41:20 Studio Ghibli Othello/Reversi sets: https://boardgamegeek.com/image/8405167/othello

43:20 Feature Game: The Vale of Eternity (Eric Hong, Mandoo Games, 2023)

Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brands
Privacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

#327: Game Mastery Sep 03, 2024

Solidarity, dear listeners, on this most august September Labour Day. Of course, Labour Day is the labour holiday invented for the US and Canada so as to undermine global solidarity. Nearly everywhere else celebrates International Workers' Day instead. One must marvel at the ingenuity of inventing Labour Day so as to undermine global labour solidarity.

02:29 AYURIS: Rolling Heights (John D. Clair, AEG, 2023)

Games Played Last Week:

06:59 -Harmonies (Johan Benvenuto, Libellud, 2024)

09:49 -Flowerfall (Carl Chudyk, Asmadi Games, 2012)

11:51 -MicroMacro: Crime City--All In (Johannes Sich, Edition Spielwiese, 2022)

12:29 -Who's the Banana? (Chris Cieslik, Asmadi Games, 2009)

14:52 -Dodo (Frank Bebenroth and Marco Teubner, MOSMOS, 2020)

19:00 -Life in Reterra (Ken Gruhl and Eric M. Lang, Hasbro, 2024)

21:48 -Windmill Valley (Dani Garcia, Board&Dice, 2024)

25:12 -Ra (Reiner Knizia, alea, 1999)

28:28 -River of Gold (Keith Piggott, Office Dog, 2024)

33:06 -Spectral (Ryan Courtney, Bitewing Games, 2024)

37:07 -Bargain Hunter (Uwe Rosenberg, Valley Games, 1998)

41:53 -Fateforge: Chronicles of Kaan (Gordon Calleja, Mighty Boards, 2024)

45:15 -Heat: Pedal to the Metal (Asger Harding Granerud and Daniel Skjold Pedersen, Days of Wonder, 2022)

News (and why it doesn't matter):

47:18 Kronologic series: Paris 1920, Cuzco 1450, and Babylon 2500

48:15 Topic: Game Mastery

Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brands
Privacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

#326: Deep Rock Galactic Aug 27, 2024

Some important editorial notes!

-the game walker mentioned is Völuspá, and no we don't know what work those accents are doing;

-SVWAG does not engage in the eating of seal meat (no one's thought to offer, really);

-we hope that Undaunted 2200: Callisto will follow in Battle of Britain's excellent example of having a badass Sikh pilot.

Games Played Last Week:

01:02 -Nocturne (David Iezzi, Flatout Games, 2024)

03:24 -Cosmic Encounter (Bill Eberle, Jack Kittredge, Bill Norton, Peter Olotka, and Kevin Wilson, Fantasy Flight, 2008)

12:20 -Spectral (Ryan Courtney, Bitewing Games, 2024)

15:13 -The Edge: Dawnfall (Michał Oracz, Krzysztof Piskorski, and Marcin Świerkot, Awaken Realms, 2018)

22:20 -Darwin’s Journey (Simone Luciani and Nestore Mangone, ThunderGryph Games, 2023)

24:50 -Life in Reterra (Ken Gruhl and Eric M. Lang, Hasbro, 2024)

28:06 -Undaunted: Battle of Britain (Trevor Benjamin and David Thompson, Osprey Games, 2023)

News (and why it doesn't matter):

34:55 English Sakura Arms now owned by Japanime Games; third time's the charm?

37:03 Res Arcana Duo expandalone

37:48 Natera: New Beginning: cute and only somewhat anthropomorphic

38:53 Lords of Heaven from PHALANX: Crusades revisionism or culturally sensitive?

40:55 Feature Game: Deep Rock Galactic (Ole Steiness, MOOD Publishing, 2022)

Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brands
Privacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

#325: Collection Organization Aug 20, 2024

The full title of the Spider Lord is Spider the Third, by the Grace of God of the Unfinished Basement, Canada and His other Realms and Territories King, Head of the Subterranean, Defender of the Faith.

01:56 AYURIS: Ginkgopolis (Xavier Georges, Pearl Games, 2012)

Games Played Last Week:

05:02 -Knarr (Thomas Dupont, Bombyx, 2023)

08:12 -Primal: The Awakening (Tommaso Mondadori and Alberto Parisi, Reggie Games, 2024)

12:55 -Beowulf: The Legend (Reiner Knizia, KOSMOS, 2005)

19:19 -Pavlov's House (David Thompson, Dan Verssen Games, 2018)

23:26 -Deep Rock Galactic (Ole Steiness, MOOD Publishing, 2022)

24:47 -Capital Lux 2: Generations (Eilif Svensson & Kristian Amundsen Østby, Aporta Games, 2020)

29:17 -Trolls & Princesses (Pim Thunborg, Game Brewer, 2023)

32:21 -Dro Polter (Paul Schulz, Oink Games, 2023)

36:47 -Gnome Hollow (Ammon Anderson, Levity Games, 2024)

News (and why it doesn't matter):

42:22 Board Game Arena: Gnome Hollow, Orleans, Darwin's Journey

43:47 Flickering Stars: sci-fi dexterity by Matt Leacock

44:11 French Republican Calendar from Karate Fight Publishing

45:15 Tikal Legendary

46:19 Please consider supporting us on Patreon! www.patreon.com/svwag

46:40 Topic: Collection Organization

Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brands
Privacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

#324: Design Pet Peeves Aug 13, 2024

It is Festivus once again here at SVWAG, where we shall once again vent our collective spleen over features of games that irk us. Sometimes we will assert that our umbrage is righteous and ought to be shared, and other times we will concede we are merely motivated by idiosyncratic pique. Our feelings, in either case, shall not be denied.

00:46 AYURIS: Beowulf: The Legend (Reiner Knizia, KOSMOS, 2005)

Games Played Last Week:

04:21 -Terminus (Earl Aspiras and Tom Volpe, Inside Up Games, 2024)

08:53 -For Northwood! A Solo Trick-Taking Game (Wilhelm Su, Self-published, 2021)

12:41 -Deep Rock Galactic (Ole Steiness, MOOD Publishing, 2022)

15:15 -Harvest (Trey Chambers, Keymaster Games, 2024)

20:44 -Assault on Doomrock: Ultimate Edition (Tom Stasiak, Beautiful Disaster Games, 2023)

24:46 -Tribune (Karl-Heinz Schmiel, Spielworxx, 2021)

29:18 -Charioteer (Matt Calkins, GMT Games, 2022)

News (and why it doesn't matter):

33:59 Peacemakers: Horrors of War, a promising sequel to Dawn of the Peacemakers

35:27 Quartermaster General: South Front

36:37 Valiant Defense: Guadalcanal: The Battle for Henderson Field NOT designed by David Thompson

37:53 Topic: Game Design Pet Peeves

Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brands
Privacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

#323: Wilmot's Warehouse Aug 06, 2024

Who is this Wilmot? What wares is he housing? Few answers are offered. We are merely told, rather imperiously, that we work at his warehouse. Sure, we have weekends off, but on occasion the fickle demiurge Wilmot commands us to speak in monosyllable, or move seats, or hide secrets from our colleagues. One shudders to imagine what terrible fate befalls those foolhardy enough to flout his edicts.

Games Played Last Week:

00:41 -Terminus (Earl Aspiras and Tom Volpe, Inside Up Games, 2024)

10:15 -Hour of Need (Adam Sadler & Brady Sadler, Blacklist Games, 2022)

13:40 -Animal Upon Animal (Klaus Miltenberger, HABA, 2005)

14:01 -Ghost Blitz (Jacques Zeimet, Zoch Verlag, 2010)

14:50 -Green Team Wins (Nathan Thornton, 25th Century Games, 2022)

15:45 -Spirit Island: Nature Incarnate (R. Eric Reuss, Greater Than Games, 2023)

21:39 -Robinson Crusoe: Collector's Edition (Joanna Kijanka and Ignacy Trzewiczek, Portal Games, 2024)

28:29 -Slay the Spire: The Board Game (Gary Dworetsky, Anthony Giovannetti, and Casey Yano, Contention Games, 2024)

34:39 -Deep Rock Galactic (Ole Steiness, MOOD Publishing, 2022)

37:04 -Quartermaster General: East Front (Ian Brody, Ares Games, 2023)

News (and why it doesn't matter):

44:49 Phil Walker-Harding, Dr. Finn, and Devir Game's Cities

46:15 Feature Game: Wilmot's Warehouse (Ricky Haggett, Richard Hogg, and David King, CMYK, 2024)

Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brands
Privacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

#322: Michael Walker Revolutionizes Physical Therapy Jul 30, 2024

We here at SVWAG take pains to differentiate between two conflated ideas. We say "approachable" for rulesets that are easily learned and internalized, reserving the similar-sounding term "accessible" to refer to games that are usable for people with disabilities.

Relatedly, MICHAEL WALKER IS BACK.

02:43 AYURIS: Oak (Wim Goossens, Game Brewer, 2022)

Games Played Last Week:

04:25 -Friday (Friedemann Friese, 2F-Spiele, 2011)

07:12 -Fast Sloths (Friedemann Friese, 2F-SPiele, 2019)

10:56 -Ghost Blitz Mini (Jacques Zeimet, Zoch Verlag, 2010)

12:11 -For Sale (Stefan Dorra, Uberplay, 1997)

13:52 -Primal: The Awakening (Tommaso Mondadori and Alberto Parisi, Reggie Games, 2024)

18:19 -Corporate America (Teale Fristoe, Nothing Sacred Games, 2013)

23:10 -Guards of Atlantis II (Artyom Nichipurov, Wolff Designa, 2022)

25:57 -Arcs (Cole Wehrle, Leder Games, 2024)

33:00 -Slay the Spire: The Board Game (Gary Dworetsky, Anthony Giovannetti, and Casey Yano, Contention Games, 2024)

35:33 -Combat Commander: Europe (Chad Jensen, GMT, 2006)

40:08 -Marshmallow Test (Reiner Knizia, Gamewright, 2020)

42:06 -Wilmot's Warehouse (Ricky Haggett, Richard Hogg, and David King, CMYK, 2024)

News (and why it doesn't matter):

46:31 Until Proven Guilty: cooperative storytelling

46:55 More Root factions: bats and frogs

47:35 Planet of the Apes cooperative miniatures game

48:24 Barrage legendary box

48:38 Great Western Trail El Paso

48:55 Liège of Games is Walker's source of news: https://www.youtube.com/c/Li%C3%A8geofGames/videos

49:13 Unmatched Adventures: TMNT and cross-license games

51:07 Topic: Michael Walker Revolutionizes Physical Therapy

Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brands
Privacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

#321: Captain Flip and the SdJ Jul 23, 2024

Our guest host this week is the estimable Mark Besada of the Golden Geek Award-winning podcast, Board Game Barrage! Known as the Green Tank because he is more swole than the Hulk (rumours persist that Lou Ferrigno learned all he knew about bodybuilding from Mark), he nonetheless exudes generosity and hospitality.

Unless you throw down in Ghost Blitz, that is. Then it's Go Time.

Games Played Last Week:

02:31 -Skytear Horde: Monoliths (Giacomo Neri and Riccardo Neri, Skytear Games, 2024)

07:39 -Lords of Scotland (Richard James, Z-Man Games, 2010)

11:27 -Slay the Spire: The Board Game (Gary Dworetsky, Anthony Giovannetti, and Casey Yano, Contention Games, 2024) [EDIT: The "Ironclad" character was erroneously referred to as the Ironborn. We apologize for the error and look forward to your many, many correction emails]

17:11 -Distilled (Dave Beck, Paverson Games, 2023)

21:51 -RelicBlade: Adventure Battle Game (Sean Sutter, Metal King Studio, 2015)

30:23 -Sky Team (Luc Rémond, Le Scorpion Masqué, 2023)

34:05 -Ghost Blitz Mini (Jacques Zeimet, Zoch Verlag, 2010)

39:55 -Arcs (Cole Wehrle, Leder Games, 2024)

News (and why it doesn't matter):

46:00 Atlantis Exodus has an "apotheosis track"

47:18 Please support us on Patreon! www.patreon.com/svwag

47:36 Feature Game: Captain Flip (Remo Conzadori and Paolo Mori, PlayPunk, 2024) and the Spiel des Jahres

1:18:14 SVWAG Presents Masterpiece Theatre: Ripley

Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brands
Privacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

#320: Slay the Spire Jul 16, 2024

Our next guest host during Michael Walker's recovery is Efka Bladukas, half of No Pun Included! Efka is an internationally-renowned board game critic and dog enthusiast, known for his detestation of whimsy and tireless tolerance of Mark's yammerings. He once split a mountain in twain with his bare hands while simultaneously inventing cold fusion, but he's so humble he'll probably deny it--which is proof positive that it's all true.

Games Played Last Week:

01:37 -Captain Flip (Remo Conzadori and Paolo Mori, PlayPunk, 2024)

08:30 -In the Footsteps of Darwin (Grégory Grard and Matthieu Verdier, Sorry We Are French, 2023)

13:31 -It’s a Wonderful World: Corruption & Ascension (Frédéric Guérard, La Boîte de Jeu, 2020)

17:34 -Cascadero (Reiner Knizia, Bitewing Games, 2024)

22:03 -Dungeons & Dragons: Dungeon Scrawlers--Heroes of Waterdeep (Vangelis Bagiartakis and Konstantinos Karagiannis, WizKids, 2023)

27:27 -Power Vacuum (Kaleb Wentzel-Fisher, Keen Bean Studio, 2024)

39:03 -Leviathan Wilds (Justin Kemppainen, Moon Crab Games, 2024)

43:32 -Primal: The Awakening (Tommaso Mondadori and Alberto Parisi, Reggie Games, 2024)

53:38 -Dune: Imperium (Paul Dennen, Dire Wolf, 2020)

News (and why it doesn't matter):

57:55 Walker continues to recover and is doing well

58:32 Leviathan Wilds expansion and reprint soon on Gamefound; uncertainty as to possible fixes

59:22 Flickering Stars by Matt Leacock and Josh Cappel; another sci-fi flicking boardgame

1:00:34 Feature Game: Slay the Spire: The Board Game (Gary Dworetsky, Anthony Giovannetti, and Casey Yano, Contention Games, 2024)

Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brands
Privacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

#319: When to Go Digital Jul 09, 2024

Our first guest host while Michael Walker is recovering is James de Moss, aka Jimbo!

Many a human being has become lost in the deep recesses of Jimbo's sonorous voice, and thus one must take care lest you become consumed by his powerful charisma. Jimbo brings his extensive experience of digital board games, and board game adaptations, to SVWAG.

02:29 AYURIS: Planet Unknown

Games Played Last Week:

06:13 -Skytear Horde: Monoliths (Giacomo Neri and Riccardo Neri, Skytear Games, 2024)

09:32 -Mythwind (Nathan Lige and Brendan McCaskell, Open Owl Studios, 2023)

12:10 -Slay the Spire: The Board Game (Gary Dworetsky, Anthony Giovannetti, and Casey Yano, Contention Games, 2024)

15:07 -Sentinels of the Multiverse (Christopher Badell, Paul Bender, & Adam Rebottaro, Greater Than Games, 2011)

22:50 -Marshmallow Test (Reiner Knizia, Gamewright, 2020)

26:20 -Primal: The Awakening (Tommaso Mondadori and Alberto Parisi, Reggie Games, 2024)

37:33 -Oak (Wim Goossens, Game Brewer, 2022)

39:50 -Gaia Project (Jens Drögemüller & Helge Ostertag, Feuerland Spiele, 2017)

News (and why it doesn't matter):

42:50 A sincere thank you for the outpouring of support

43:23 Shapeways has filed for bankruptcy and ceased operations, independent operators left in the lurch

44:40 X-Wing community's efforts in the wake of cessation of official support

47:54 Martin Wallace news: Cthulhu: Dark Providence with Travis Chance, and Casus Belli

49:42 Topic: When to Go Digital

Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brands
Privacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

#318: Fateforge: Chronicles of Kaan Jul 02, 2024

One of the under-appreciated virtues of an auction game is that each session can provide its own economy. While daunting to new players, who don't know what things might be worth, their flailing speculation actually helps determine what things are worth. If they buy that share of red for a squillion moneys, guess what, that is what that market would bear. At least for now, that is. Some jerk might then get the next share for two cents and a smile, but watching those economies develop differently every time is part of the magic.

Games Played Last Week:

01:22 -Snow Planner (Akashi, Soragame Studio, 2024)

04:24 -That's Not a Hat (Kasper Lapp, Ravensburger, 2023)

05:45 -Guards of Atlantis II (Artyom Nichipurov, Wolff Designa, 2022)

10:27 -Iberian Gauge (Amabel Holland, Capstone Games, 2017)

18:17 -Medici (Reiner Knizia, AMIGO, 1995)

23:08 -CATAN: Starfarers Duel (Klaus Teuber and Benjamin Teuber, KOSMOS, 2023)

28:46 -Mythwind (Nathan Lige and Brendan McCaskell, Open Owl Studios, 2023)

News (and why it doesn't matter):

31:08 Star Realms 10th Anniversary edition and Star Trek Star Realms

31:41 Satoshi Matsuura illustrates Yield

31:56 Iliad and Ichor from Reiner Knizia and Bitewing on Kickstarter

32:53 Imperial Borders--massive numbers of troops on a massive map from Larry Summers

33:44 Feature Game: Fateforge: Chronicles of Kaan (Gordon Calleja, Mighty Boards, 2024)

Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brands
Privacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

#317: The 180 Jun 25, 2024

While we pride ourselves on our internationalist focus here at SVWAG, we have been remiss in our multilingualism lately. While we reliably rendezvous with French on a semi-regular basis, a skosh of Japanese here and there, a quantum of Latin periodically, and whatever language AYURIS pretends to be, our Spanish could use some work. We thus devote ourselves to utter three whole words of Spanish in this episode.

01:30 AYURIS: Dwellings of Eldervale (Luke Laurie, Breaking Games, 2020)

Games Played Last Week:

03:36 -Federation (Dimitri Perrier and Matthieu Verdier, Explor8, 2022)

06:40 -Successors 4th Edition (Richard H. Berg and Mark Simonitch, PHALANX, 2022)

12:10 -Knarr (Thomas Dupont, Bombyx, 2023)

13:13 -TRICKTAKERs (Hiroken, Joyple Games, 2021) [EDIT: Mark mistakenly claimed that there is no English edition, but this is incorrect]

16:40 -Fateforge: Chronicles of Kaan (Gordon Calleja, Mighty Boards, 2024)

22:03 -The Plum Island Horror (Hermann Luttmann, GMT Games, 2023)

26:36 -Sky Team (Luc Rémond, Le Scorpion Masqué, 2023)

28:45 -Slay the Spire: The Board Game (Gary Dworetsky, Anthony Giovannetti, and Casey Yano, Contention Games, 2024)

35:42 -Gaia Project (Jens Drögemüller & Helge Ostertag, Feuerland Spiele, 2017)

37:47 -nana (Kaya Miyano, Mob+, 2021)

40:48 -Murray the A**hole Frog (Jenna Felli, Devious Weasel Games, 2024)

46:04 -Jenga Maker (Uncredited, Hasbro, 2022)

48:32 -Arcs (Cole Wehrle, Leder Games, 2024)

News (and why it doesn't matter):

55:33 Game Brewer, publisher of Stroganov, Oak and Gugong, calls it quits

55:51 Star Wars: X-Wing and Armada terminated by Atomic Mass Games

56:56 Hans im Glück starts asserting its ownership of the word "meeple"

57:30 Mike Hutchinson and Planet Smasher Games' possible future products: Perilous Tales/Gaslands XL box sets?, Space Gits merging dexterity and miniatures, and more

59:26 Topic: The 180

Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brands
Privacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

#316: Le déluge Jun 18, 2024

There are certain portentous events that presage massive upheaval and transformative revolution, both good and ill--Mark regards travel as one of these cataclysmic convulsions (ill), but the same is true of the arrival of the man known as Doctor Stallone (good). Both have coincided in the world of SVWAG this week, a confluence more consequential than the great passage of Halley's comet that prompted the original quote of "Après moi, le déluge." There's just a lot, people.

01:33 AYURIS: Flamecraft (Manny Vega, Cardboard Alchemy, 2022)

Games Played Last Week:

03:12 -Dune: Imperium--Uprising (Paul Dennen, Dire Wolf, 2023)

06:17 -Anunnaki: Dawn of the Gods (Simone Luciani and Danilo Sabia, Cranio Creations, 2023)

10:08 -Ra (Reiner Knizia, alea, 1999)

13:19 -Skyrise (Gavan Brown, Sébastien Pauchon, and Adam Wyse, Roxley, 2024)

16:37 -Medici (Reiner Knizia, AMIGO, 1995)

22:13 -Stroganov (Andreas Steding, Game Brewer, 2021)

26:53 -Blitzkrieg!: World War Two in 20 Minutes (Paolo Mori, PSC Games, 2019)

29:05 -Radlands (Daniel Piechnick, Roxley, 2021)

31:05 -Root (Cole Wehrle, Leder Games, 2018)

33:40 -Paku Paku (Antoine Bauza, Ravensburger, 2017)

34:26 -Project: ELITE (Konstantinos Kokkinis, Marco Portugal, & Sotirios Tsantilas, CMON, 2020)

36:47 -Orléans (Reiner Stockhausen, dlp Games, 2014)

38:14 -Tower of Babel (Reiner Knizia, Hans im Gluck, 2005)

39:27 -Telestrations (Uncredited, USAopoly, 2009)

41:11 -Beyond Balderdash (Laura Robinson and Paul Toyne, Canada Games Company, 1993)

43:30 -Quest (Don Eskridge, Indie Boards & Cards, 2021)

46:23 -Calico (Kevin Russ, Flatout Games, 2020)

47:55 -Legacy of Yu (Shem Phillips, Garphill Games, 2023)

49:51 -BattleCON: Unleashed (D. Brad Talton, Level 99 Games, 2020)

53:07 -TEAM3 GREEN (Alex Cutler & Matt Fantastic, Brain Games, 2019)

News (and why it doesn't matter):

55:32 Tapple After Dark...? Uh, no thanks

56:28 Race for the Galaxy Roll & Write from Tom Lehman

57:04 Walker tells lies that evoke a greater truth

57:50 Check out Mark's video game podcast, All My Best Friends Are Digital

Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brands
Privacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

#315: Games that Make You Uncomfortable Jun 11, 2024

All I need to know about animal reproduction I learned from Uwe Rosenberg. I suspect many people have The Talk, which in my case was my father teaching me how to play Agricola. Navigating my twenties in utter ignorance wasn't easy, but now that Uwe has told me about the birds and the bees (and the sheep and the pigs and the cows) via Agricola I'm practically a biologist.

01:25 AYURIS: Dead Reckoning (John D. Clair, Alderac Entertainment Group, 2022)

Games Played Last Week:

05:10 -Tigris & Euphrates (Reiner Knizia, Hans im Gluck, 1997)

09:12 -Antike II (Mac Gerdts, PD-Verlag, 2015)

11:32 -That's Not a Hat (Kasper Lapp, Ravensburger, 2023)

16:26 -Galactic Renaissance (Christian Martinez, Matagot, 2024)

21:56 -The Vale of Eternity (Eric Hong, Mandoo Games, 2023)

23:58 -Meeple Circus (Cedric Millet, Matagot, 2017)

27:31 -Mythwind (Nathan Lige and Brendan McCaskell, Open Owl Studios, 2023)

30:48 -Titans Tactics (G. Kelly Toyama, Imbalanced Games, 2013)

News (and why it doesn't matter):

33:59 Please support us on Patreon, if inclined! www.patreon.com/svwag

35:06 Dávid Turczi and Nigel Buckle's pseudo-sequel to Imperium, Star Trek: Captain's Chair

36:47 Dungeon Fighter will get a Star Trek reimplementation

37:05 Mark's new podcast with Caitlin Bailey, All My Best Friends Are Digital: video games and the stories they tell

37:37 Defenders of the Realm gets a reprint and a facelift

38:10 Topic: Games that Make You Uncomfortable

Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brands
Privacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

#314: Leviathan Wilds Jun 04, 2024

After a prolonged period where we have not discussed Kramer & Kiesling (the Kramer & Ulrich duo yielded El Grande, which we mention rather frequently), here we see a bumper krop of K&K kollaborations. The gibbons are fickle, and even the mighty Wolfgang and Michael must yield to their whims. But fortune (and apes) have at last smiled on them, and we revel in the classic Euro goodness as well as their more recent offering.

Games Played Last Week:

01:05 -Monikers (Alex Hague and Justin Vickers, CMYK, 2015)

05:34 -Java (Michael Kiesling and Wolfgang Kramer, Ravensburger, 2000)

11:31 -Tikal (Michael Kiesling and Wolfgang Kramer, Ravensburger, 1999)

13:31 -Wandering Towers (Michael Kiesling and Wolfgang Kramer, ABACUSSPIELE, 2022)

18:30 -Morgan's Magic Map (Gian Andrea Cappuzzo, Rio Grande Games, 2023)

20:17 -Tiny Towns (Peter McPherson, Alderac Entertainment Group, 2019)

22:08 -Sniper Elite: The Board Game (Roger Tankersly & David Thompson, Rebellion Unplugged, 2022)

25:43 -Earthborne Rangers (Andrew Fischer, Brooks Flugaur-Leavitt, Andrew Navaro, Adam Sadler, and Brady Sadler, Earthborne Games, 2023)

35:57 -Through the Desert (Reiner Knizia, Allplay, 2024)

38:34 -Mythwind (Nathan Lige and Brendan McCaskell, Open Owl Studios, 2023)

44:41 -Tapple (Uncredited, The Op Games, 2021)

46:04 -G.I. JOE: Battle for the Arctic Circle (Matt Hyra, Renegade Game Studios, 2024)

News (and why it doesn't matter):

48:56 CYSMIC update on Gamefound and board game bundling economics

51:03 Ada's Dream from Alley Cat

51:20 So much drama around Wonders of the First CCG! AI art, NFTs, ratings, oh my!

53:10 Feature Game: Leviathan Wilds (Justin Kemppainen, Moon Crab Games, 2024)

Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brands
Privacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

#313: The One that Broke the Kallax's Back May 28, 2024

In the vast panoply of human misfortunes, it is often fruitless to try to rank misery. Was historical tragedy X worse or better than atrocity Y? It seems callous to ask. That said, thanks to the applied research of a retired ethicist with the aid of Reiner Knizia's Zoo Vadis, we have conclusively discovered that it is better to be extorted by a marmoset than assaulted by an armadillo. Thus is human knowledge expanded.

01:01 AYURIS: Heroscape (Stephen Baker, Rob Daviau, & Craig Van Ness, Hasbro, 2004)

Games Played Last Week:

05:30 -Uprising: Curse of the Last Emperor (Cornelius Cremin, Pawel Mazur, & Dirk Sommer, Nemesis.Games, 2021)

10:23 -Zoo Vadis (Reiner Knizia, Bitewing Games, 2023)

15:53 -Marabunta (Reiner Knizia, Space Cowboys, 2023)

22:35 -Feed the Kraken (Maikel Cheney, Dr. Hans Joachim Höh, and Tobias Immich, Funtails, 2022)

26:19 -La Granja: Deluxe Master Set (Michael Keller and Andreas "ode." Odendahl, Board&Dice, 2023)

31:30 -Sand (Ariel Di Costanzo and Javier Pelizzari, Devir, 2024)

News (and why it doesn't matter):

38:45 Calico spinoff: Knitting Circle

39:29 Founders of Reyvick: Richard Garfield and GMT

40:54 Boardgaming has jumped the shark: Winston: Nineteen Eighty-Four

42:56 Expeditions: Gears of Corruption

43:14 Radlands gets 1.2 rules and a new deck

44:20 Topic: The One that Broke the Kallax's Back

Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brands
Privacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

#312: Cascadero May 21, 2024

Before the people of Quebec celebrated the Journée nationale des Patriotes (National Patriots' Day), they instead on the same day had the Fête de Dollard. A cynic might speculate that the timing of these holidays was chosen so as to pre-empt the English Canadian Victoria Day, and that cynic would be right.

Games Played Last Week:

01:21 -Dice Flick (Rami Gaber, Pegasus Spiele, 2021)

04:49 -A Message from the Stars (Clarence Simpson, Allplay, 2024)

11:21 -Switchbacks (Susumu Kawasaki, Allplay, 2022)

14:23 -Mage Knight: The Board Game (Vlaada Chvatil, WizKids, 2011)

18:29 -Leviathan Wilds (Justin Kemppainen, Moon Crab Games, 2024)

19:32 -Priorities (Uncredited, Clarendon Games, 2020)

22:11 -Word Traveler (Thomas Dagenais-Lespérance, Office Dog, 2024)

25:59 -Cascadito (Reiner Knizia, Bitewing Games, 2024)

News (and why it doesn't matter):

28:27 Grail Games will be reprinting Marc André's Barony with its Sorcery expansion

28:53 Indonesia reprint from Splotter with a new board

29:51 Black Forest from Tido Lorenze, Uwe Rosenberg, and Feuerland Spiele

30:04 Another Frostpunk game, this time from Board&Dice

30:28 Walking Dead game from Button Shy

30:39 New expansion for Aquatica, Coral Reefs

30:50 Followup to Oathsworn from Shadowborne and Jamie Jolly: Avalon: The Riven Veil

31:02 Darktide the miniatures game from Games Workshop

31:33 Dungeon Twister 20th Anniversary Edition by Christophe Boelinger and Ludically

32:57 Congratulations to the Golden Geek winners!

34:02 Feature Game: Cascadero (Reiner Knizia, Bitewing Games, 2024)

Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brands
Privacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

#311: Omnibus Questions Delta Bet May 14, 2024

It is striking that no one submitted a question regarding the hues of our auras, so allow us to address the issue here and declare that amber is the colour of our energy.

I regret nothing.

01:39 AYURIS: Capital Lux 2: Generations (Eilif Svensson & Kristian Amundsen Østby, Aporta Games, 2020)

Games Played Last Week:

03:46 -G.I. JOE Deck-Building Game: Raise the Flagg Campaign Expansion (T.C. Petty III, Renegade Game Studios, 2023)

07:10 -Through the Desert (Reiner Knizia, Allplay, 2024)

11:27 -Leviathan Wilds (Justin Kemppainen, Moon Crab Games, 2024)

14:14 -Dungeons & Dragons: Dungeon Scrawlers--Heroes of Waterdeep (Vangelis Bagiartakis and Konstantinos Karagiannis, WizKids, 2023)

16:44 -Set a Watch (Mike Gnade and Todd Walsh, Rock Manor Games, 2019)

20:52 -Mysterium Park (Oleksandr Nevskiy and Oleg Sidorenko, Libellud, 2020)

24:08 -Biohack (Yofiandhy D Indrayana, uchibacoya, 2024)

30:05 -Mage Knight: The Board Game (Vlaada Chvatil, WizKids, 2011)

32:31 -Word Traveler (Thomas Dagenais-Lespérance, Office Dog, 2024)

News (and why it doesn't matter):

36:23 Regicide Legacy on Kickstarter! Can Badgers from Mars triumph again?

38:30 Dune: War for Arrakis expansion/reprint on Gamefound

40:03 Topic: Omnibus Questions Delta Bet

Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brands
Privacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

#310: Omnibus Questions Delta Aleph May 07, 2024

There is only one novel and commendable Kant pun, delivered in the novel and commendable film Hedwig and the Angry Inch:

"I got kicked out of university after delivering a brilliant lecture on the aggressive influence of German philosophy on rock and roll, entitled, 'You, Kant, Always Get What You Want.'"

01:41 AYURIS: Mosaic: A Story of Civilization (Glenn Drover, Forbidden Games, 2022)

Games Played Last Week:

04:11 -Gloomhaven: Buttons & Bugs (Joe Klipfel and Nikki Valens, Cephalofair Games, 2024)

07:59 -Scrap (Kenny Michael-Otton, Jolly Swagman Games, 2023)

14:52 -Biohack (Yofiandhy D Indrayana, uchibacoya, 2024)

18:42 -Leviathan Wilds (Justin Kemppainen, Moon Crab Games, 2024)

23:44 -Wolves (Connor Alexander, Coyote & Crow LLC, 2024)

33:57 -Dungeon Fighter: Second Edition (Aureliano Buonfino, Lorenzo Silva, and Lorenzo Tucci Sorrentino, Horrible Guild, 2021)

News (and why it doesn't matter):

38:42 Mythic Battles goes to Egypt

40:07 Vote for the Golden Geek and for the Deutsche Spiele Preis (DSP) awards!

40:44 Please support us on Patreon! www.patreon.com/svwag Coming soon: 3-part series on philosophy

42:07 Topic: Omnibus Questions Delta Aleph

Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brands
Privacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

#309: An Age Contrived Apr 30, 2024

We are storytellers here at SVWAG. This week, we tell the stories of mismatched plagues with dead llamas posing as European dudes, of quixotic strivings for yet more skirmish games, of famous philosophers who hustled cards. Of course, if you wish to hear different stories, the power is yours! You have but to submit your questions for the upcoming Omnibus Questions episode, and all your idle demands shall be satisfied!

Games Played Last Week:

02:33 -Scrap (Kenny Michael-Otton, Jolly Swagman Games, 2023)

09:12 -Root: The Marauder Expansion (Nick Brachmann, Patrick Leder, Cole Wehrle, and Joshua Yearsley, Leder Games, 2022)

14:29 -Cartographers: A Roll Player Game (Jordy Adan, Thunderworks Games, 2019)

16:52 -Lacuna (Mark Gerrits, CMYK, 2023)

19:21 -The Edge: Dawnfall (Michał Oracz, Krzysztof Piskorski, and Marcin Świerkot, Awaken Realms, 2018)

News (and why it doesn't matter):

27:26 dlp's Orléans 10th Anniversary Edition, Walker has grievances

30:47 Star Control II sequel, Free Stars: Children of Infinity, on Kickstarter

31:56 Feature Game: An Age Contrived (Chris Matthew, Bellows Intent, 2024)

Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brands
Privacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

#308: Favourite Mechanisms Apr 23, 2024

No topic is off-limits for the upcoming return of our Omnibus Questions, as we demonstrate in this episode by tackling such issues as pre-Reformation papal indulgences. And if you were to guess which host brought up that little historical nugget, you'd be wrong!

Possible questions: who would win in a street fight, J.G. Fichte or Nietzsche? Do sheep poop? Who is the best member of Team Avatar? (Fichte, yes, and Appa, respectively)

02:17 AYURIS: It's a Wonderful World (Frédéric Guérard, La Boîte de Jeu, 2019) and It's a Wonderful Kingdom (Frédéric Guérard, La Boîte de Jeu, 2021)

Games Played Last Week:

06:23 -Orléans: The Plague (Reiner Stockhausen, dlp games, 2023)

13:59 -Antiquity (Joroen Doumen & Joris Wiersinga, Splotter, 2004)

20:30 -Just One (Ludovic Roudy & Bruno Sautter, Repos Production, 2018)

22:51 -Green Team Wins (Nathan Thornton, 25th Century Games, 2022)

23:47 -Quest (Don Eskridge, Indie Boards & Cards, 2021)

28:38 -Sidereal Confluence (TauCeti Deichmann, Wizkids, 2017)

32:53 -Fast Sloths (Friedemann Friese, 2F-SPiele, 2019)

35:59 -Set a Watch (Mike Gnade and Todd Walsh, Rock Manor Games, 2019)

37:38 -The Big Push: Trench Warfare on the Western Front in World War One (Renaud Verlaque, Hollandspiele, 2017)

42:14 -Robinson Crusoe: Collector's Edition (Joanna Kijanka and Ignacy Trzewiczek, Portal Games, 2024)

45:43 -Wabash Cannonball (John Bohrer, Rio Grande Games, 2023)

News (and why it doesn't matter):

48:28 Adventure Time RPG on crowdfunding

49:27 Business Time! Embracer group spins off Asmodee (with debt), Goliath acquires Lucky Duck Games

51:06 Munchkin Big Box solves our problems

51:43 Topic: Favourite Mechanisms

Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brands
Privacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

#307: Galactic Renaissance Apr 16, 2024

While we have little experience with Ed Sullivan's TV offerings, his legacy is a fascinating one. While he capitulated to pressure during the Red Scare, he did show remarkable courage in platforming African American performers despite opposition from his sponsors. Quite surprising is that the illness that eventually killed him was kept a secret from him by his family, a practise that was already frowned on in the United States by the seventies but is still widespread in many parts of the world.

Games Played Last Week:

01:36 -The Vale of Eternity (Eric Hong, Mandoo Games, 2023)

04:28 -Voidfall (Nigel Buckle & Dávid Turczi, Mindclash Games, 2023)

08:42 -Radlands (Daniel Piechnick, Roxley, 2021)

10:11 -Mindbug Battlefruits (Christian Kudahl, Marvin Hegen, Skaff Elias, and Richard Garfield, Nerdlab Games, 2024)

14:36 -ICECOOL Wizards (Brian Gomez, Brain Games, 2024)

19:32 -Ratyl (Andy Gallagher, Busy Dad Games, 2023)

25:46 -Agricola (Revised Edition) (Uwe Rosenberg, Lookout Games, 2016)

29:42 -Almost Innocent (Philippe Attali, Kolossal Games, 2023)

31:18 -E.T. The Extra-Terestrial: Light Years from Home Game (Propsero Hall and Brian Kirk, Funko Games, 2022)

33:55 -Dune: Imperium--Uprising (Paul Dennen, Dire Wolf, 2023)

38:16 -Word Traveler (Thomas Dagenais-Lespérance, Office Dog, 2024)

News (and why it doesn't matter):

41:11 Earth Reborn by Christophe Boelinger possibly to be expanded

44:31 Vladimír Suchý and Delicious Games go to Resafa

45:12 Feature Game: Galactic Renaissance (Christian Martinez, Matagot, 2024)

Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brands
Privacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

#306: What Brings You Back Apr 09, 2024

It is said that both politics and religion are not good conversational fodder among people you don't know well (and perhaps not even for people with whom you are close), but sadly those are among Mark's favourite topics. The sun having been devoured may cause the astronomers to be delighted, but Mark knows a portent when he sees one, and he is confident some kind of sacrifice to appease violent spirits is in order. Walker escalates things by invoking the divine right of kings, the intersection of religion and politics, but then again escalation is Walker's default instinct. Further proof of Fenrir's influence, no doubt!

01:44 AYURIS: Space Station Phoenix (Gabriel J. Cohn, Rio Grande Games, 2022)

Games Played Last Week:

03:54 -Black Rose Wars: Rebirth (Andrea Colletti, Diego Fonseca, and Marco Montanaro, Ludus Magnus Studio, 2024)

11:15 -G.I. JOE Deck-Building Game: Raise the Flagg Campaign Expansion (T.C. Petty III, Renegade Game Studios, 2023)

12:34 -Hissy Fit (Levi Robertson and Chris Stone, Stone Age Distractions, 2023)

16:09 -Almost Innocent (Philippe Attali, Kolossal Games, 2023)

16:47 -Don't L.L.A.M.A. Dice (Reiner Knizia, AMIGO, 2021)

17:15 -Matches (Daniel McKinley, Thing 12 Games, 2024)

19:42 -FORK (Ta-Te Wu, Sunrise Tornade Game Studio, 2023)

22:08 -Voidfall (Nigel Buckle & Dávid Turczi, Mindclash Games, 2023)

25:13 -Battlecrest: Metronn Base Game (Dustin Dobson & Milan Zivkovic, Button Shy, 2024)

28:55 -Omen: Whispers of the Muse (John Clowdus, Small Box Games, 2024)

News (and why it doesn't matter):

32:11 Divine Right is back on Kickstarter

34:04 Light Speed Arena by Tablescope Games on Kickstarter May 7

36:26 Topic: What Brings You Back?

Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brands
Privacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

#305: Barely Alive Apr 02, 2024

I never really understood the term "undead." I mean, it's a binary, right? If it's not dead it must be alive, at least in the context of things that could or were once alive. The negation never seemed to be doing enough work to imply what it was intended to imply. That is, until Walker and Mark got sick. They're not dead, but going straight to "alive" seems a rather hopeful exaggeration. Undead seems appropriate for now.

01:47 AYURIS: Carnegie (Xavier Georges, Quined Games, 2022)

Games Played Last Week:

03:48 -Legacy of Yu (Shem Phillips, Garphill Games, 2023)

07:30 -Set a Watch (Mike Gnade and Todd Walsh, Rock Manor Games, 2019)

09:12 -Gloomhaven: Buttons & Bugs (Joe Klipfel and Nikki Valens, Cephalofair Games, 2024)

15:03 -Stonespine Architects (Jordy Adan, Thunderworks Games, 2024)

17:23 -Marshmallow Test (Reiner Knizia, Gamewright, 2020)

19:21 -Black Rose Wars: Rebirth (Andrea Colletti, Diego Fonseca, and Marco Montanaro, Ludus Magnus Studio, 2024)

21:47 -Almost Innocent (Philippe Attali, Kolossal Games, 2023)

25:52 -Paint the Roses (Ben Goldman, North Star Games, 2022)

28:50 -Fromage (Matthew O'Malley and Ben Rosset, Road to Infamy Games, 2024)

32:40 -Dragonbond: Lords of Vaala (Jack Caesar and Alessio Cavatore, Draco Studios, 2023)

37:52 -City of the Living (Sebastian Bleasdale and Reiner Knizia, Trick or Treat Studios, 2024)

News (and why it doesn't matter):

42:31 Micro Macro Bonus Box has come home

43:26 Age of Innovation balance adjustments for Illusionists and Navigators

46:22 Don't Starve the board game

47:26 Upcoming from Alex "Green Team" Cutler: Don't Skip Leg Day and Box Top Pinball Haunted House from Pandasaurus

48:44 Walker cuteness weakness: Kyoto no Neko

49:30 Railroad Tiles from Horrible Guild

50:38 Lots of content on our Patreon: www.patreon.com/svwag

Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brands
Privacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

#304: We Are Sick Mar 26, 2024

We haul ourselves off of our deathbeds to deliver this episode unto you. Prospects for our recovery seem dim, but we would sooner die than deprive you of that which is most sacred--namely content. Of course, illness may yet claim us, but we are far too stoic and noble to complain.

01:49 AYURIS: Stroganov (Andreas Steding, Game Brewer, 2021)

Games Played Last Week:

04:46 -Hissy Fit (Levi Robertson and Chris Stone, Stone Age Distractions, 2023)

06:53 -Finished! (Friedemann Friese, 2F-Spiele, 2017)

12:01 -City of the Living (Sebastian Bleasdale and Reiner Knizia, Trick or Treat Studios, 2024)

15:07 -Legacy of Yu (Shem Phillips, Garphill Games, 2023)

20:27 -Bus (Jeroen Doumen and Joris Wiersinga, Capstone Games, 2019)

24:51 -Battlecrest: Metronn Base Game (Dustin Dobson & Milan Zivkovic, Button Shy, 2024)

28:59 -G.I. JOE Deck-Building Game: Raise the Flagg Campaign Expansion (T.C. Petty III, Renegade Game Studios, 2023)

31:25 -Gloomhaven: Buttons & Bugs (Joe Klipfel and Nikki Valens, Cephalofair Games, 2024)

Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brands
Privacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

#303: Kutna Hora: The City of Silver Mar 19, 2024

We present to you a specially chemically-enhanced episode. Walker has been doping specifically in preparation, eschewing any sustenance other than military-grade lozenges. Mark will be performing his hosting duties while fully immersed in a tank of benzocaine oral painkiller. It is a good thing that the International Olympic Committee has no sway here in SVWAG studios, or we would likely get disqualified for the podcast luge event.

Games Played Last Week:

01:30 -Raising Robots (Brett Sobol & Seth Van Orden, Nauvoo Games, 2023)

08:26 -Omen: Banks of the Styx (John Clowdus, Small Box Games, 2024)

11:40 -Set a Watch (Mike Gnade and Todd Walsh, Rock Manor Games, 2019)

13:47 -Cryo (Tom Jolly & Luke Laurie, Z-Man Games, 2021)

17:33 -Formula D (Laurent Lavaur & Eric Randall, Asmodee, 2008)

18:39 -Riftforce (Carlo Bortolini, 1 More Time Games, 2021)

22:36 -Piazza Rabazza (Guido Hoffman and Jens-Peter Schliemann, Zoch Verlag, 2022)

News (and why it doesn't matter):

25:37 RoboRally Transformers: can Autobots get drunk?

27:12 An expansion to Unfathomable, the Battlestar Galactica re-theme

27:52 Burned was too pure for this crowdfunded world

28:19 Etherstone from ThunderGryph Games by Virginio Gigli and Simone Luciani on Kickstarter

29:11 Avatar: The Last Airbender co-op deckbuilder

29:43 Feature Game: Kutná Hora: The City of Silver (Ondřej Bystroň, Petr Čáslava, and Pavel Jarosch, Czech Games Edition, 2023)

51:24 SVWAG Presents Masterpiece Theatre: Avatar: The Last Airbender (2024)

Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brands
Privacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

#302: Rules Explanations Mar 12, 2024

For reasons both personal and highly arbitrary, the SVWAG style guide (authored by gibbons, of course) does not countenance using the word "teach" as a noun, with the possible exception as a casual nickname for a teacher. Thus a game does not, in our parlance, have a "teach" except insofar as you call the person explaining the rules to you "teach". As in, "yo, teach, thanks for doing this thankless job, you make our hobby possible, I'm certainly not going to give you a hard time for any minor rules errors or didactic missteps, lemme buy you a pizza, teach, you incredibly physically attractive hero."

01:25 AYURIS: Sakura Arms (BakaFire, Level 99 Games 2022)

Games Played Last Week:

04:04 -La Granja: Deluxe Master Set (Michael Keller and Andreas "ode." Odendahl, Board&Dice, 2023)

10:19 -Unchained (David Gregg, Trick or Treat Studios, 2024)

18:04 -Paku Paku (Antoine Bauza, Ravensburger, 2017)

21:34 -Turbo Kidz (Emmanuel Gauvain, Scorpion Masqué, 2023)

23:46 -Nine Tiles Panic (Jens Merkl and Jean-Claude Pellin, Oink Games, 2019)

25:49 -5 Towers (Kasper Lapp, Deep Print Games, 2023)

26:33 -Clip Cut Parks (Shaun Graham and Scott Huntington, Renegade Game Studios, 2019)

28:17 -The Same Game (Wolfgang Warsch, Edition Spielwiese, 2023)

34:17 -Omen: Songs of Far Shores (John Clowdus, Small Box Games, 2024)

38:45 -The Vale of Eternity (Eric Hong, Mandoo Games, 2023)

43:27 -Sentinels of the Multiverse (Christopher Badell, Paul Bender, & Adam Rebottaro, Greater Than Games, 2011)

News (and why it doesn't matter):

49:39 Ninja Division declares bankruptcy, leaves thousands of Kickstarter backers in the lurch

50:57 New Mage Knight expansion! Apocalypse Dragon from WizKids by Phil Pettifer

51:43 Star Trek Star Realms

52:02 Magical Athlete reprint by CMYK in 2025

52:41 Topic: Rules Explanations

Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brands
Privacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

#301: Leonardo da Vinci's Codex Leicester Mar 05, 2024

Before shouting about toys professionally, Mark taught ethics at a health sciences university. He discussed matters of life and death, of cutting edge controversial technologies, of war and politics, and matters of fundamental rights and duties. He has learned two lessons from those experiences: never ever talk about animal rights with a pit bull owner, and his views on Mass Effect are vastly more controversial than any of his other views. In this episode, he is at least smart enough to stay silent about dogs.

Games Played Last Week:

01:54 -Street Masters (Adam Sadler & Brady Sadler, Blacklist Games, 2018)

07:45 -The Barracks Emperors (Wray Ferrell and Brad Johnson, GMT Games, 2023)

15:08 -Dune: Imperium--Uprising (Paul Dennen, Dire Wolf, 2023)

17:58 -Tank Duel: Enemy in the Crosshairs (Mike Bertucelli, GMT Games, 2019)

28:09 -Lunar Rush (Steven "Skippy" Brown, Dead Alive Games, 2023)

32:27 -Regicide (Paul Abrahams, Luke Badger, & Andy Richdale, Badgers from Mars, 2020)

News (and why it doesn't matter):

34:44 Modiphius' upcoming Mass Effect game by Eric Lang and Calvin Wong Tze Loon

36:49 Ares will publish and distribute new Mega Empires (further descendants of Mega Civilization)

38:17 Heroscape: Age of Annihilation from Renegade Games--prepaints and all your money

44:57 Street Masters Kickstarter buyer's guide redux

48:15 Feature Game: Leonardo da Vinci's Codex Leicester (Changhyun Baek, Flaminia Brasini, Virginio Gigli, Stefano Luperto, and Antonio Tinto, DiceTree Games, 2023)

Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brands
Privacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

#300: Patrons' Top 20 Feb 27, 2024

Walker was all like "there's this card effect in Successors" and Mark was all like "nuh-uh" but Walker was like "yeah, fer sure" and Mark goes "no way" and Walker says "way" and that's a 100% accurate transcript.

01:53 AYURIS: Dice Realms (Thomas Lehmann, Rio Grande Games, 2022)

Games Played Last Week:

04:07 -Lorenzo il Magnifico (Flaminia Brasini, Virginio Gigli, and Simone Luciani, Cranio Creations, 2016)

10:55 -Leonardo da Vinci's Codex Leicester (Changhyun Baek, Flaminia Brasini, Virginio Gigli, Stefano Luperto, and Antonio Tinto, DiceTree Games, 2023)

17:00 -Darwin’s Journey (Simone Luciani and Nestore Mangone, ThunderGryph Games, 2023)

21:23 -The North: Provenance (John Clowdus, Small Box Games, 2020)

27:03 -Sail (Akiyama Koryu & Korzu Yusei, Allplay, 2023)

28:18 -MLEM: Space Agency (Reiner Knizia, Rebel Studio, 2024)

31:15 -My Island (Reiner Knizia, KOSMOS, 2023)

36:48 -Successors 4th Edition (Richard H. Berg and Mark Simonitch, PHALANX, 2022)

News (and why it doesn't matter):

46:25 Lifeboats reprint: Plank of Carneades

47:27 Mike Hutchinson running a survey on Gaslands: https://forms.gle/8DjmJDxpaivpsznW7

48:06 Eric Lang and Ken Grul's Life in Reterra from Hasbro

48:24 Please support us on Patreon, if so inclined! www.patreon.com/svwag

51:02 Topic: The Patrons' Top 20

Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brands
Privacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

#299: Nucleum Feb 20, 2024

The theory of the atom first posited by the pre-Socratic philosopher Democritus in roughly the 4th Century BCE. None of his actual writings have survived. The great thing about the pre-Socratics is that so few of their works are available, you can spend about ten minutes (or less!) and have read as much of their stuff as have the world's leading experts.

Games Played Last Week:

01:53 -Kingdom Rush: Elemental Uprising (Alara Cameron, Helana Hope, and Sen-Foong Lim, Lucky Duck Games, 2023)

04:15 -Assault on Doomrock: Ultimate Edition (Tom Stasiak, Beautiful Disaster Games, 2023)

06:43 -Caverna: The Cave Farmers (Uwe Rosenberg, Lookout Games, 2013)

07:22 -Hidden Leaders (Andreas Müller, Markus Müller, & Raphael Stocker, BFF Games, 2022)

08:28 -AQUA: Biodiversity in the Oceans (Dan Halstad and Tristan Halstad, Sidekick Games, 2024)

13:05 -Project: ELITE (Konstantinos Kokkinis, Marco Portugal, & Sotirios Tsantilas, CMON, 2020)

16:54 -Lacuna (Mark Gerrits, CMYK, 2023)

19:33 -5 Towers (Kasper Lapp, Deep Print Games, 2023)

News (and why it doesn't matter):

24:05 Kemet: Rise of the Gods reprint with additional modules on crowdfunding soon from Matagot

25:11 Burned on Kickstarter February 13 from Stone Circle Games and Jon Moffat

25:52 Wandering Galaxy: new Crossroads game from Plaid Hat Games

26:52 Feature Game: Nucleum (Simone Luciani & Dávid Turczi, Board&Dice, 2023)

Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brands
Privacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

#298: Deckbuilding Feb 13, 2024

Every man wants to be a macho, macho man

To have the kind of body always in demand

Jogging in the mornings, go man go

Work outs in the health spa, muscles glow

You can best believe that he's a macho man

Ready to get down with, anyone he can

You can tell a macho, he has a funky walk

His western shirts and leather, always look so boss

Funky with his body, he's a king

Call him Mister Ego, dig his chains

You can best believe that he's a macho man

He likes to be the leader, he never dresses grand

-"Macho Man" by The Village People

03:05 AYURIS: Guards of Atlantis II (Artyom Nichipurov, Wolff Designa, 2022)

Games Played Last Week:

05:06 -AQUA : Biodiversity in the Oceans (Dan Halstad and Tristan Halstad, Sidekick Games, 2024)

08:05 -Bloodstones (Martin Wallace, Wallace Designs, 2023)

09:36 -Kingdom Rush: Elemental Uprising (Alara Cameron, Helana Hope, and Sen-Foong Lim, Lucky Duck Games, 2023)

10:45 -Imperium: Horizons (Nigel Buckle and Dávid Turczi, Osprey Games, 2024)

15:48 -Tokyo Highway: Rainbow City (Naotaka Shimamoto and Yoshiaki Tomioka, itten, 2023)

19:32 -Sail (Akiyama Koryu & Korzu Yusei, Allplay, 2023)

21:33 -For Science! (R. Eric Reuss, Grey Fox Games, 2021)

24:45 -Charioteer (Matt Calkins, GMT Games, 2022)

27:59 -Great Western Trail: New Zealand (Alexander Pfister, eggertspiele, 2023)

35:09 -Don't L.L.A.M.A. Dice (Reiner Knizia, AMIGO, 2021)

36:14 -That's Not a Hat (Kasper Lapp, Ravensburger, 2023)

News (and why it doesn't matter):

37:54 Bus from Capstone reprint in 2024

38:34 Burned on Kickstarter February 13 from Stone Circle Games and Jon Moffat

39:15 CMON moving to Gamefound for A Song of Ice and Fire Tactics

41:37 Topic: Deckbuilding

Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brands
Privacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

#297: Envelopes of Cash Feb 06, 2024

Let us, following in Andy Schwarz's example, highlight the fine work of Nancy Skinner, a California state senator whose "Fair Pay to Play Act" granted college athletes in California the right to profit from their name, image, and likeness. This forced the NCAA to allow such changes more broadly.

It hasn't been perfect, but let's acknowledge one thing: if someone's gonna be making millions off your name and face, maybe--just maybe!--you should be able to get a cut.

Games Played Last Week:

01:43 -AQUA : Biodiversity in the Oceans (Dan Halstad and Tristan Halstad, Sidekick Games, 2024)

06:24 -Imperium: Horizons (Nigel Buckle and Dávid Turczi, Osprey Games, 2024)

13:40 -World Wonders (Zé Mendes, Arcane Wonders, 2023)

19:33 -MLEM: Space Agency (Reiner Knizia, Rebel Studio, 2024)

24:14 -Maskmen (Jun Sasaki and Taiki Shinzawa, Oink Games, 2014)

28:27 -The Barracks Emperors (Wray Ferrell and Brad Johnson, GMT Games, 2023)

32:17 -Tokyo Highway: Rainbow City (Naotaka Shimamoto and Yoshiaki Tomioka, itten, 2023)

37:14 -Vengeance (Gordon Calleja, Mighty Boards, 2018)

40:03 -Charioteer (Matt Calkins, GMT Games, 2022)

News (and why it doesn't matter):

44:29 "Wednesdays with Walker"--streaming on Twitch

45:05 Unpublished Flickateers by Trevor Benjamin and David Thompson

45:55 Storm Raiders by Shem Phillips

46:48 Voidfall Solo Online by Mark Hutchinson! https://boardgamegeek.com/thread/3222419/play-voidfall-solo-online-fan-made-app

47:59 Feature Game: Envelopes of Cash (Andy Schwarz, Envelopes of Cash LLC, 2023)

Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brands
Privacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

#296: Dexterity Games Revisited Jan 30, 2024

It has been many a year since our early days, our salad days when we were younger and dumb and didn't know what we were doing. Much has changed, in that we are now older and dumb and don't know what we're doing. But the inexorable march of time has at least offered many new offerings in the broad tent of dexterity games, and so it is past time that we focus on one of our preferred genus of toy.

01:26 AYURIS: Golem (Flaminia Brasini, Virginio Gigli, & Simone Luciani, Cranio Creations, 2021)

Games Played Last Week:

04:19 -Anachrony (Dávid Turczi, Mindclash Games, 2017)

11:11 -Welcome to the Moon (Alexis Allard & Benoit Turpin, Blue Cocker Games, 2021)

15:44 -General Orders: World War II (Trevor Benjamin and David Thompson, Osprey Games, 2023)

22:16 -Sail (Akiyama Koryu & Korzu Yusei, Allplay, 2023)

25:25 -Burned (Jon Moffat, Stone Circle Games, Unpublished)

28:39 -My Island (Reiner Knizia, KOSMOS, 2023)

34:50 -Bloodstones (Martin Wallace, Wallace Designs, 2023)

News (and why it doesn't matter):

39:59 Mythic Games sells Anastyr and Hel: The Last Saga to CMON; backers will get base game only

41:44 Renegade Games' Axis and Allies: G.I. Joe

44:19 Ads for Votes for Women pulled from Facebook because they apparently think women's suffrage is contentious

47:00 Carolingi pulled from Gamefound, pre-orders directly from Sea Cove Games

47:59 7 Empires from Mac Gerdts

49:27 Star Trek: Away Missions goes Original Series

51:52 Topic: Dexterity Games Revisited

Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brands
Privacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

#295: Federation Jan 23, 2024

A pretty solid rule of thumb is that if you've been disappointed in a kind of game, try David Thompson's version of it and see how delightful it can be. Hidden movement got you down? Sniper Elite is the cure. Abstract chunky tiled fighty thing didn't please? War Chest might please. Mediocre skirmish cramping your style? For What Remains is ready to serve. It's a good thing he has styles of games he hasn't explored, lest he just obsolete the remainder of the games industry. Give him time. He'll collaborate with everyone eventually.

Games Played Last Week:

01:41 -Beast (Aron Midhall, Elon Midhall, and Assar Pettersson, Studio Midhall, 2022)

07:17 -Iberia (Jesús Torres Castro and Matt Leacock, Z-Man Games, 2016)

11:42 -Sankoré: The Pride of Mansa Musa (Mandela Fernandez-Grandon and Fabio Lopiano, Osprey Games, 2024)

18:16 -Bitoku: Resutoran (Germán P. Millán, Devir, 2023)

23:00 -Kurz vor Knapp (Helmut Punke and Tobias Punke, Zoch Verlag, 2020)

28:06 -Animal Upon Animal (Klaus Miltenberger, HABA, 2005)

29:33 -Bloodstones (Martin Wallace, Wallace Designs, 2023)

News (and why it doesn't matter):

38:01 Shipyard reprint from Delicious Games

38:55 In the Gang from KOSMOS

39:56 Kabuto Sumo: Sakura Slam on Kickstarter

40:51 Feature Game: Federation (Dimitri Perrier and Matthieu Verdier, Explor8, 2022)

Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brands
Privacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

#294: 2023 Year in Review Jan 16, 2024

As ever, and with no clue what a lang syne is (much less an auld-y type configuration), we embrace the new year by commemorating the old. We would venture that the new year only truly begins once SVWAG has given its imprimatur on the best game published in the preceding year. The Julian Calendar was abandoned in favour of the Gregorian, and it is evident that the Gregorian should be abandoned in favour of the SVWAGgering Calendar.

Games Played Last Week:

01:34 -Kutná Hora: The City of Silver (Ondřej Bystroň, Petr Čáslava, and Pavel Jarosch, Czech Games Edition, 2023)

06:53 -Voidfall (Nigel Buckle & Dávid Turczi, Mindclash Games, 2023)

07:57 -K2 (Adam Kałuża, Rebel Sp. z o.o., 2010)

09:35 -Cover Your Assets (Brent Beck & Jeffrey Beck, Grandpa Beck's Games, 2011)

11:52 -Assault on Doomrock: Ultimate Edition (Tom Stasiak, Beautiful Disaster Games, 2023)

16:53 -Road Trippin (Uncredited, Guilt Free Gaming, 2021)

19:42 -Evacuation (Vladimír Suchý, Delicious Games, 2023)

28:05 -Solar Titans (Phillip Gee and Xian Wu, SunnySideUp Games, 2023)

31:03 -Tiny Mini Golf (Kamis Kamiński, Self-published, 2023)

News (and why it doesn't matter):

Nothing to see here.

34:25 Topic: 2023 Year in Review

35:04 Mark and Walker's Top 10s

52:28 SVWAG 2023 Game of the Year

53:37 Special Categories

Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brands
Privacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

#293: Out of Print Games Revisited Jan 09, 2024

Heraclitus, an ancient Greek philosopher, claimed that you never step in the same river twice; for it is not the same river and you are not the same person. Such as it is with games! They are reprinted and thus reborn, all along some blurred spectrum of redesign spanning from carbon copy all the way to entirely new design.

Let us not forget Heraclitus' student Cratylus, who evidently thought Heraclitus some kind of squish, insofar as he is credited with countering that you cannot step into the same river once.

01:25 AYURIS: Perseverance: Castaway Chronicles Episodes 1 & 2 (Richard Amann, Thomas Vande Ginste, Viktor Peter, Wolf Plancke, & Dávid Turczi, Mindclash Games, 2022)

Games Played Last Week:

03:32 -Rats of Wistar (Simone Luciani and Danilo Sabia, Cranio Creations, 2023)

09:15 -Voidfall (Nigel Buckle & Dávid Turczi, Mindclash Games, 2023)

11:00 -Faiyum: Privileges (Friedemann Friese, 2F-Spiele, 2023)

15:04 -Horizon Wars: Midnight Dark (Robey Jenkins, Precinct Omega Publishing, 2023)

22:52 -Burned (Jon Moffat, Stone Circle Games, Unpublished)

26:36 -My Island (Reiner Knizia, KOSMOS, 2023)

30:40 -Trick Shot (Second Edition) (Artyom Nichipurov, Wolff Designa, 2023)

35:05 -Napoleon's Conquests (Bruno Lamotte, Fellowship of Simulations, 2023)

42:47 -Splendor Duel (Marc André and Bruno Cathala, Space Cowboys, 2022)

43:42 -Federation (Dimitri Perrier and Matthieu Verdier, Explor8, 2022)

News (and why it doesn't matter):

47:23 War Story: Occupied France; narrative game by David Thompson, Dave Neale, and Osprey Games

49:02 Keyside: Richard Breese and

49:37 Turing Machine on Boardgamearena and designer's notes on BGG

50:49 Terra Pyramides by Kiesling & Kramer

51:06 Moby Trick

51:25 Halo miniatures game by Mantic Games

52:02 Gaia Project Expansion announced, again

52:49 RIP Bryan Ansell, co-founder of Games Workshop

54:05 Topic: Out of Print Games Revisited

Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brands
Privacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

#292: Arborea Jan 02, 2024

"This here's a jam for all the gamers

Tryin' to do what those rulebooks offer

Get shot down 'cause you're overzealous

Take too long, opponents get jealous

Ok, smarty, go to a party

Games are on the menu for everybody

You wanna play a game that's more complexer

But you're standin' on the wall like you was Poindexter

A game is laid out, one not played out

The options unfold and your mind just spins out

They say you should take your turn or get removed

So come on, gamer, and just bust a move"

-Young MC, noted foe of analysis paralysis

Games Played Last Week:

01:10 -Evolution: Climate (Dominic Crapuchettes, Dmitry Knorre, & Sergey Machin, North Star Games, 2016)

05:57 -Tiny Epic Crimes (Scott Almes, Gamelyn Games, 2023)

10:20 -The Fox Experiment (Jeff Fraser and Elizabeth Hargrave, Pandasaurus Games, 2023)

13:45 -Undergrove (Elizabeth Hargrave and Mark Wootton, AEG, 2024)

15:15 -Votes for Women (Tory Brown, Fort Circle Games, 2022)

17:52 -The Gods Will Have Blood (Daniel Bullock, Lock Horns Games, 2023)

21:56 -Green Team Wins (Nathan Thornton, 25th Century Games, 2022)

23:40 -Fun Facts (Kasper Lapp, Repos Production, 2022)

24:31 -Just One (Ludovic Roudy & Bruno Sautter, Repos Production, 2018)

24:39 -So Clover! (François Romain, Repos Production, 2021)

25:55 -Duhr: The Lesser Houses (Jenna Felli, Devious Weasel, 2018)

30:47 -No Thanks! (Thorsten Gimmler, AMIGO, 2004)

32:37 -Leonardo da Vinci's Codex Leicester (Changhyun Baek, Flaminia Brasini, Virginio Gigli, Stefano Luperto, and Antonio Tinto, DiceTree Games, 2023)

38:58 -Road Trippin (Uncredited, Guilt Free Gaming, 2021)

41:00 -Star Trek: Away Missions (Andrew Haught, Mike Haught, and Phil Yates, Gale Force Nine, 2023)

News (and why it doesn't matter):

47:35 Shackleton Base: A Journey to the Moon by Fabio Lopiano and Nestore Magone, published by Sorry We Are French

48:04 Amabel Holland in The New Yorker: https://www.newyorker.com/culture/annals-of-inquiry/the-personal-political-art-of-board-game-design

48:36 Zombie Sniper. That is all.

48:59 Jenna Felli's upcoming game Murray the A**hole Frog (trans designer and trans artist) and upcoming novel Serpent Ascending

50:24 Co-op Dungeon Scrawlers?! 2together by OldChap Editions

51:24 Andy Schwarz's "Financial Reckoning" for Envelopes of Cash: https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/envelopesofcash/envelopes-of-cash/posts/3995962

52:47 Assault on Doomrock: Ultimate Edition accidentally published with crypto-fascist imagery. Burn the "Banner of Kekistan"

54:48 Feature Game: Arborea (Dani Garcia, Alley Cat Games, 2023)

Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brands
Privacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

#291: Adventure Games Dec 19, 2023

Just before Mark is de-platformed, he would like to remind the SVWAG audience of two very important facts.

First, he is but a man shouting into a can, and just because he doesn't like the thing you like doesn't make either less worthy of respect, dignity, and chocolate. He is willing to accept the possibility that he's Playing It Wrong and/or Doesn't Get It and/or needs to Git Gud and/or is just insufficiently evolved.

Second, a reminder that complaints are to be directed to support@aircanada.ca.

01:12 AYURIS: El Grande (Wolfgang Kramer & Richard Ulrich, Hans im Glück, 1995)

Games Played Last Week:

02:26 -Age of Innovation (Helge Ostertag, Capstone Games, 2023)

07:55 -Mage Knight: The Board Game (Vlaada Chvatil, WizKids, 2011)

14:08 -Knarr (Thomas Dupont, Bombyx, 2023)

15:13 -The Fox Experiment (Jeff Fraser and Elizabeth Hargrave, Pandasaurus Games, 2023)

18:45 -Android: Netrunner (Richard Garfield and Lukas Litzsinger, Fantasy Flight Games, 2012)

23:23 -Apiary (Connie Vogelmann, Stonemaier Games, 2023)

29:49 -Air, Land & Sea (Jon Perry, Arcane Wonders, 2018)

31:47 -Schadenfreude (ctr, Studio Turbine, 2021)

34:13 -For Science! (R. Eric Reuss, Grey Fox Games, 2021)

38:13 -Paku Paku (Antoine Bauza, Ravensburger, 2017)

40:01 -The Crew: Mission Deep Sea (Thomas Sing, KOSMOS, 2021)

41:03 -G.I. JOE Deck-Building Game: Raise the Flagg Campaign Expansion (T.C. Petty III, Renegade Game Studios, 2023)

44:01 -My Island (Reiner Knizia, KOSMOS, 2023)

News (and why it doesn't matter):

45:09 Unchained by Trick or Treat Studios, inspired by Nightfall

45:49 Small Box Games' three Omen sets on Kickstarter now!

46:21 Quacks of Quedlinburg Duel

46:40 Votes for Women reprint on Kickstarter

47:16 German magnets! Die verdrehte Spuknacht

48:28 You can support us on Patreon, if you're so inclined: www.patreon.com/svwag

49:12 Nucleum: Australia

49:29 Topic: Adventure Games

Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brands
Privacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

#290: Mindclash Games Dec 12, 2023

A review of So Very Wrong About Games, not actually by Werner Herzog:

"To listen to SVWAG is to court madness. One host is beholden to the delusion that if he utters sufficient words in a short period of time he may stave off his inevitable death, whereas the other grapples with the false consciousness of refusing to acknowledge life's meaninglessness. Collectively their banter serves as a cruel rebuke to evolution, a bitter mockery of humanity's purported superiority over a nature they despise and denigrate. It is reason's death rattle in the face of pure chaos. Thank you for recommending Rhino Hero Super Battle, I enjoyed it with my family very much. Four stars."

01:20 AYURIS: Agricola (Uwe Rosenberg, Lookout Games, 2007) and Agricola (Revised Edition) (Uwe Rosenberg, Lookout Games, 2016)

Games Played Last Week:

04:25 -Ceres (Gustaf Sundström, Artipia Games, 2023)

10:22 -Daybreak (Matt Leacock & Matteo Menapace, CMYK, 2023)

13:59 -Raising Robots (Brett Sobol & Seth Van Orden, Nauvoo Games, 2023)

16:02 -Demon Ship (Malev Da Shinobi, Black Site Studios, 2023)

19:58 -Hyperborea (Andrea Chiarvesio & Pierluca Zizzi, Asterion, 2014)

26:19 -Vaalbara (Olivier Cipière, Studio H, 2022)

29:03 -Septima: Shapeshifting & Omens (Robin Hegedűs, Mindclash Games, 2023)

News (and why it doesn't matter):

36:45 Preview of Phantom Division Relaunch on Gamefound

38:24 French Revolution! 1793 Patriots & Traitors on Gamefound

39:21 Redevelopment of Omen: A Reign of War from John Clowdus and Small Box Games next year

40:16 Topic: Mindclash Games

Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brands
Privacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

#289: Daybreak Dec 05, 2023

Dexterity games, dismissed by many in the board game world as children's toys (whereas, by contrast, we laud them as children's toys), can offer a unique window into the player's soul. A fine dexterity game is a crucible in which one's true character emerges. Are you an assertive, grandiose table-hog capable of great feats but undone by hubris? Are you a small-minded, plodding dilettante lacking in ambition or imagination? Junk Art can reveal all!

Games Played Last Week:

02:11 -Age of Innovation (Helge Ostertag, Capstone Games, 2023)

13:33 -Paku Paku (Antoine Bauza, Ravensburger, 2017)

14:49 -Belratti (Michael Loth, Mogel-Verlag, 2018)

16:47 -Revive: Call of the Abyss (Helge Meissner, Kristian Amundsen Østby, Eilif Svensson, and Anna Wermlund, Aporta Games, 2023)

22:13 -Tetra Tower (Uncredited, Enksy, 2014)

24:27 -Junk Art (Jay Cormier & Sen-Foong Lim, Pretzel Games, 2016)

27:47 -General Orders: World War II (Trevor Benjamin and David Thompson, Osprey Games, 2023)

36:30 -Riftforce (Carlo Bortolini, 1 More Time Games, 2021)

37:20 -The Wolves (Ashwain Kamath and Clarence Simpson, Pandasaurus Games, 2022)

39:34 -Cthulhu: Death May Die (Eric M. Lang & Rob Daviau, CMON, 2019)

43:19 -Drags 2 Riches (David Pettifer, Bored Wreckers Inc, 2023)

News (and why it doesn't matter):

48:35 Prepare to get uncomfortable: Hollandspiele's Doubt Is Our Product about the tobacco industry

50:59 Aqua, oceanic tile-laying

51:44 Mark laments the market rewarding bad actors: Palladium Games and Steamforged Games

56:19 Feature Game: Daybreak (Matt Leacock & Matteo Menapace, CMYK, 2023)

Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brands
Privacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

#288: All the Games Nov 28, 2023

There's no time no time at all we must get to the games there's been so many all the time one after another hurry hurry we must get to all of the games

01:26 AYURIS: Riftforce (Carlo Bortolini, 1 More Time Games, 2021)

Games Played Last Week:

03:07 -Septima (Robin Hegedűs, Mindclash Games, 2023)

10:42 -White Castle (Israel Cendrero & Sheila Santos, Devir Games, 2023)

16:25 -Paku Paku (Antoine Bauza, Ravensburger, 2017)

20:45 -Nekojima (David Carmona & Karen Nguyen, Unfriendly Games, 2023)

25:02 -Catch the Moon (Fabien Riffaud & Juan Rodriguez, Bombyx, 2017)

27:25 -TEAM3 GREEN (Alex Cutler & Matt Fantastic, Brain Games, 2019)

30:58 -Piazza Rabazza (Guido Hoffman and Jens-Peter Schliemann, Zoch Verlag, 2022)

33:43 -Tumblin' Dice (Carey Grayson, Randy Nash, and Rick Soued, Eagle-Gryphon Games, 2004)

35:38 -After Us (Florian Sirieix, Catch Up Games, 2023)

43:12 -Raising Robots (Brett Sobol & Seth Van Orden, Nauvoo Games, 2023)

46:49 -Moonrakers (Max Anderson, Zac Dixon, and Austin Harrison, IV Studio, 2020)

52:14 -Great Western Trail: New Zealand (Alexander Pfister, eggertspiele, 2023)

53:09 -Tiger and Dragon (Hashimoto Atsushi, Oink Games, 2021)

56:21 -Mosaic: Wars and Disasters (Glenn Drover, Forbidden Games, 2023)

1:01:00 -Ready Set Bet (John D. Clair, AEG, 2022)

1:03:12 -Fairy Tale (Satoshi Nakamura, Z-Man Games, 2004)

1:05:04 -Hollywood 1947 (Travis Hancock, Facade Games, 2023)

1:08:46 -My Island (Reiner Knizia, KOSMOS, 2023)

1:11:08 -Daybreak (Matt Leacock & Matteo Menapace, CMYK, 2023)

1:17:37 -Arborea (Dani Garcia, Alley Cat Games, 2023)

1:19:48 -Nucleum (Simone Luciani & Dávid Turczi, Board&Dice, 2023)

News (and why it doesn't matter):

1:25:25 Anno 1800 Expansion

1:25:54 "Pop culture" That's Not a Hat

1:26:33 Albedo available as print and play!

Cards: https://kaiherbertz.files.wordpress.com/2018/06/albedoprintandplayfullcolor.pdf

Rules: http://hespiele.de/downloads/albedo_en.pdf

1:27:35 City of the Living: Prosperity (by Reiner Knizia) with zombies

Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brands
Privacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

#287: Voidfall Nov 14, 2023

The shift from Beckett references to low-grade puns might strike one as jarring, but it is important to note that both hosts have essentially been twelve going on sixty for most of their lives. If it's not juvenile and/or obscure, it is difficult for the hosts to process--they become disoriented and frightened. In such circumstances, a nice Star Control II reference will probably calm them down. Hey, there's one of those in this episode, too!

Games Played Last Week:

01:52 -Great Western Trail: New Zealand (Alexander Pfister, eggertspiele, 2023)

07:03 -FlickFleet: Xeno Wars (Jackson Pope & Paul Willcox, Eurydice Games, 2022)

13:04 -White Castle (Israel Cendrero & Sheila Santos, Devir Games, 2023)

16:38 -Forgotten Depths (Peter Albertson, Void Knight Games, 2022)

20:37 -Omicron Protocol (Brendan Kendrick & Bernie Lin, Dead Alive Games, 2022)

29:09 -Among Cultists: A Social Deduction Thriller (Stefan Godot, Godot Games, 2023)

News (and why it doesn't matter):

38:40 Rafter Five: Dexterity from Oink Games

39:23 Expandalone to Wizards of the Grimoire (aka Bookie-Bookie Pew-Pew) on Kickstarter: Shifting Sands

41:00 Feature Game: Voidfall (Nigel Buckle & Dávid Turczi, Mindclash Games, 2023)

Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brands
Privacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

#286: Through the Desert Nov 07, 2023

One has to be careful in buffet situations. There are so many options, and you are pulled in so many different directions. You must differentiate the false urgency from the genuinely pressing, and it is a test of your evaluation and timing skills to successfully navigate your priorities. What to do, and when? How much of what? If you fail to make the wise choices, you might not get through the dessert.

Games Played Last Week:

02:20 -IKI: Akebono (Koota Yamada, Sorry We Are French, 2023)

08:22 -Inhuman Conditions (Tommy Maranges & Cory O'Brien, Web published, 2018)

13:19 -FlickFleet: Xeno Wars (Jackson Pope & Paul Willcox, Eurydice Games, 2022)

18:09 -Gods Love Dinosaurs (Kasper Lapp, Pandasaurus Games, 2020)

22:35 -That's Not a Hat (Kasper Lapp, Ravensburger, 2023)

26:00 -Fun Facts (Kasper Lapp, Repos Production, 2022)

31:33 -Sail (Akiyama Koryu & Korzu Yusei, Allplay, 2023)

35:51 -Sunrise Lane (Reiner Knizia, Horrible Guild, 2023)

38:55 -Sky Team (Luc Rémond, Le Scorpion Masqué, 2023)

News (and why it doesn't matter):

40:35 Dexterity expansions! Tokyo Highway: Rainbow City and ICECOOL Wizards

41:22 Gaia Project expansion in "late 2024"

42:42 Sand by Devir Games

42:57 Calimala reprint by Alley Cat Games

43:57 Through the Desert on Kickstarter with A Message from the Stars and Switchbacks

44:25 My Favourite Things on Kickstarter: trick-taking and social ranking

45:37 Diablo role-playing and board games

45:59 Dragons Down by Mr. B Games on Kickstarter, inspired by the madness that is Magic Realm

48:35 Feature Game: Through the Desert (Reiner Knizia, KOSMOS, 1998)

Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brands
Privacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

#285: Updating the Canon Oct 31, 2023

"'Well, I remember it as though it were an episode ago'

Said Walker the Host as he reeled back to clear whatever foreign matter

May have nestled its way into his mighty throat

Many a poor design had met its demise while staring point-blank down

The cavernous barrel of this awesome critical machine

Truly a wonder of nature, this urban gamer

Walker the Host had many a story to tell

And it was a frequent occasion such as this that he did

...

'Say Bigney, do you wanna play games with me?

Say, Bigney, do you wanna play games by my side?

Ah, Bigney, do you wanna play games with me?

Say, Bigney, SAY, BIGNEEEEEY'"

-Walker the Host, lesser-known variant of Tommy the Cat (Primus, 1991)

02:12 AYURIS: Bitoku (Germán P. Millán, Devir, 2021)

Games Played Last Week:

04:32 -Imperial Miners (Tim Armstrong, Portal Games, 2023)

07:34 -Imperium: Legends (Nigel Buckle & Dávid Turczi, Osprey Games, 2021)

12:00 -Knarr (Thomas Dupont, Bombyx, 2023)

12:39 -My Island (Reiner Knizia, KOSMOS, 2023)

16:41 -G.I. JOE Deck-Vuilding Game: New Alliances--A Tranformers Crossover Expansion (Dan Blanchett, Renegade Game Studios, 2023)

21:58 -Anunnaki: Dawn of the Gods (Simone Luciani and Danilo Sabia, Cranio Creations, 2023)

30:33 -Sky Team (Luc Rémond, Le Scorpion Masqué, 2023)

33:51 -Messina 1347 (Raúl Fernández Aparicio & Vladimír Suchý, Delicious Games, 2021)

News (and why it doesn't matter):

40:53 Next Valiant Defense game by David Thompson illustrated by Nils Johansson: Guadalcanal

41:42 Tiny Epic Crimes misallocation shenanigans

42:48 Please support us on Patreon! Or don't, that's cool. Two new bonus episodes coming this week! www.patreon.com/svwag

43:23 Topic: Updating the Canon

Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brands
Privacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

#284: Zoo Vadis Oct 24, 2023

On October 27th, 1962, a man named Vasili Arkhipov saved the world. Literally. Had he not stood up to his commanding officer and refused to launch a nuclear warhead during the Cuban Missile Crisis, the resulting retaliations would have obliterated all human life. Probably the marmosets and gibbons, too. We here at SVWAG think the man deserves a holiday in his honour, especially given that we all owe our lives to him. October 27th is Arkhipov Day.

Games Played Last Week:

01:05 -Undaunted: Stalingrad (Trevor Benjamin and David Thompson, Osprey Games, 2022)

05:56 -Voidfall (Nigel Buckle & Dávid Turczi, Mindclash Games, 2023)

25:58 -Louis XIV (Rudiger Dorn, alea, 2005)

29:46 -Terraforming Mars: The Dice Game (Jacob Fryxelius, FryxGames, 2023)

33:26 -Trailblazers (Ryan Courtney, Bitewing Games, 2023)

37:08 -Argent: Mancers of the University (Trey Chambers, Level 99 Games, 2015)

46:06 -Planet Unknown (Ryan Lambert & Adam Rehberg, Adam's Apple Games, 2022)

48:50 -Cockroach Poker (Jacques Zeimet, Drei Magier Spiele, 2004)

News (and why it doesn't matter):

52:32 Haunted Lands by Ludus Magnus

53:24 Check out sowronggames.com: Searchable episode notes, SVWAG profiles, the Canon, and more!

54:29 Arkhipov Day: Oct. 27th. Celebrate Vasili Arkhipov and his having saved the human race!

55:30 Feature Game: Zoo Vadis (Reiner Knizia, Bitewing Games, 2023)

Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brands
Privacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

#283: Calling It a Win Oct 17, 2023

"Somethin' tells me it's all happening at the zoo

I do believe it

I do believe it's true

The monkeys stand for honesty

Giraffes are insincere

And the elephants are kindly but they're dumb

Orangutans are skeptical

Of changes in their cages

And the zookeeper is very fond of rum

Zebras are reactionaries

Antelopes are missionaries

Pigeons plot in secrecy

And hamsters turn on frequently

What a gas, you gotta come and see

At the zoo"

-Simon and Garfunkel, "At the Zoo", clearly written about contemporary board games

01:39 AYURIS: -G.I. JOE Deck-Building Game (T.C. Petty III, Renegade Game Studios, 2021)

Games Played Last Week:

04:28 -Knarr (Thomas Dupont, Bombyx, 2023)

06:05 -Trolls & Princesses (Pim Thunborg, Game Brewer, 2023)

13:14 -Imperium: Legends (Nigel Buckle & Dávid Turczi, Osprey Games, 2021)

17:11 -Neotopia (Orlando Sá and André Santos, Arcane Wonders, 2023)

24:27 -Trailblazers (Ryan Courtney, Bitewing Games, 2023)

28:21 -Federation (Dimitri Perrier and Matthieu Verdier, Explor8, 2022)

34:21 -Whirling Witchcraft (Erik Andersson Sundén, Alderac Entertainment Group, 2021)

37:41 -Cosmoctapus (Henry Audubon, Paper Fort Games, 2023)

40:00 -Paku Paku (Antoine Bauza, Ravensburger, 2017)

42:59 -R (Seiji Kanai, Kanai Factory, 2011)

45:46 -Yura Yura Penguin Mini (Yabuchi Ryoko, Self-published, 2022)

48:06 -Innovation (Carl Chudyk, Asmadi Games, 2010)

54:25 -Don't L.L.A.M.A. Dice (Reiner Knizia, AMIGO, 2021)

55:11 -Almost Innocent (Philippe Attali, Kolossal Games, 2023)

57:59 -Albedo (Kai Herbertz, Herbertz Entertainment UG, 2017)

59:39 -Zoo Vadis (Reiner Knizia, Bitewing Games, 2023)

1:07:02 -A Feast for Odin (Uwe Rosenberg, Feuerland Spiele, 2016)

News (and why it doesn't matter):

1:10:15 Attribution is incredibly important, especially in new media

1:12:00 Doctor Rat: deduction

1:12:37 International Gamers Awards ceremony: https://www.internationalgamersawards.net/ceremony/2023-ceremony

1:13:23 Warhammer: The Old World is coming back in 2024

1:14:43 Little Plastic Train Company's Deluxe Board Game Train Sets: Wave 2 on Kickstarter

1:15:29 Duel of Ages' redevelopment, Worldspanner: Factions by Brett G Murrell, soon on Kickstarter

1:17:05 Topic: Calling It a Win

Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brands
Privacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

#282: City of the Great Machine Oct 10, 2023

It's all Fat Bear Week and puns this week, both of which share one important characteristic--they have distended, pendulous bellies. Wait, that wasn't it.

It's that they are both to be respected for their power and danger. Those people you hear about who try to live with bears always suffer the same fates as the serial deployers of puns, in that they are both found dead and alone.

Games Played Last Week:

01:42 -Undaunted: Stalingrad (Trevor Benjamin and David Thompson, Osprey Games, 2022)

04:45 -Don't L.L.A.M.A. Dice (Reiner Knizia, AMIGO, 2021)

08:02 -Can't Stop (Sid Sackson, Playte Games, 2023)

14:23 -Hybris: Disordered Cosmos (Damien Chauvreau, Aurora Game Studio, 2023)

27:38 -Praga Caput Regni (Vladimír Suchý, Delicious Games, 2020)

28:52 -Fast & Furious: Highway Heist (Prospero Hall, Funko Games, 2021)

32:32 -Trolls & Princesses (Pim Thunborg, Game Brewer, 2023)

37:06 -Battle Card: Series 1 (Nils Johansson and David Thompson, Postmark Games, 2023)

News (and why it doesn't matter):

40:32 A Study in Emerald 3rd Edition by CMON

41:43 Star Trek: Into the Unknown

43:36 Mythic shamelessly goes in for yet more money, again, for Darkest Dungeon

45:37 Feature Game: City of the Great Machine (German Tikhomirov, CrowD Games, 2023)

Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brands
Privacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

#281: Games for Mixed Company Oct 03, 2023

We turn to yet another discussion of important issues in boardgaming, this time

WE INTERRUPT YOUR SILLY EPISODE NOTES FOR A SERIOUS ANNOUNCEMENT

It is fat bear week! The possibility of a US federal government shutdown has been averted, and thus the voting public (even foreigners, we won't tell) may vote on which lorge bois of the ursine variety shall take the prize! For those uninitiated, the US National Park Service runs a bracketed competition to determine the preferred corpulent bear. Note: none of these bears are anthropomorphic, nor have any been inadvisably given projectile weapons.

01:20 AYURIS: Ankh: Gods of Egypt (Eric M. Lang, CMON, 2021)

Games Played Last Week:

03:45 -My Island (Reiner Knizia, KOSMOS, 2023)

08:23 -3 Ring Circus (Remo Conzadori and Fabio Lopiano, Devir, 2023)

14:36 -Uprising: Curse of the First Age Expansion (Cornelius Cremin, Pawel Mazur, and Dirk Sommer, Nemesis.Games, 2023)

16:38 -Sky Team (Luc Rémond, Le Scorpion Masqué, 2023)

24:21 -Green Team Wins (Nathan Thornton, 25th Century Games, 2022)

28:42 -Faeries & Magical Creatures (Glenn Drover, Foridden Games, 2023)

34:22 -Aquatica: Cold Waters (Ivan Tuzovsky, Arcane Wonders, 2020)

News (and why it doesn't matter):

38:08 GameTrayz making a new folding table

39:49 Renegade reprinting Hasbro designs: Nexus Ops, Vegas Showdown, Risk: 2210 and Risk Godstorm

40:53 Sci-Fi Undaunted! Undaunted 2200: Callisto

42:31 Consider supporting us on Patreon! www.patreon.com/svwag

43:25 Topic: Games for Mixed Company

Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brands
Privacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

#280: Knarr Sep 26, 2023

Any old person could consult Wikipedia, but only the true elite tune in to SVWAG to hear Walker summarize random boat-related articles for them. It's a power move to rival even the most outrageous exploits of the viking peoples.

Games Played Last Week:

00:50 -Faeries & Magical Creatures (Glenn Drover, Foridden Games, 2023)

05:27 -Dogfight! (Carlo A. Rossi, PSC Games, 2023)

09:48 -Ceylon (Chris Zinsli and Suzanne Zinsli, Ludonova, 2018)

12:10 -Almost Innocent (Philippe Attali, Kolossal Games, 2023)

16:55 -Barrage: The Nile Affair Expansion (Tommaso Battista and Simone Luciani, Cranio Creations, 2022)

22:33 -Jenga Maker (Uncredited, Hasbro, 2022)

25:21 -Dungeons & Dragons: Dungeon Scrawlers--Heroes of Waterdeep (Vangelis Bagiartakis and Konstantinos Karagiannis, WizKids, 2023)

27:53 -3 Ring Circus (Remo Conzadori and Favio Lopiano, Devir, 2023)

33:16 -Paku Paku (Antoine Bauza, Ravensburger, 2017)

36:39 -Emerge (Adam DeYoung, Pandasaurs Games, 2023)

42:18 -Albedo (Kai Herbertz, Herbertz Entertainment UG, 2017)

44:22 -Sky Team (Luc Rémond, Le Scorpion Masqué, 2023)

48:24 -Battle Card: Series 1 (Nils Johansson and David Thompson, Postmark Games, 2023)

52:33-Wabash Cannonball (John Bohrer, Rio Grande Games, 2023)

News (and why it doesn't matter):

58:54 Uprising: Curse of the Last Emperor expansion contents unboxing and live stream

59:36 New Food Chain Magnate on Gamefound in November by Lucky Duck Games

1:00:52 Second Edition Yokohama (domestic and deluxe) by Synapses Games

1:02:11 Redeveloped Hansa Teutonica with gangster theme being shopped around by Andreas Steding

1:03:05 Ghost in the Shell from River Horse Games coming in 2024

1:03:34 Feature Game: Knarr (Thomas Dupont, Bombyx, 2023)

Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brands
Privacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

#279: Barcelona Sep 19, 2023

We return to the bizarre cant of Letterkenny, invoking specifically the term "ferda," which is a contraction of "for the boys/girls." It is a great way to punctuate a sentence, especially if you do not wish to be understood--but that is true of all cant. Relatedly, if you haven't already, please do peruse our own glossary on sowronggames.com! We are not above our own cant, especially given our penchant for acronyms.

Games Played Last Week:

02:07 -My Island (Reiner Knizia, KOSMOS, 2023)

05:48 -Too Many Bones: Unbreakable (Josh J. Carlson, Adam Carlson, Logan Giannini, and Josh Wielgus, Chip Theory Games, 2023)

11:14 -El Grande (Wolfgang Kramer & Richard Ulrich, Hans im Gluck, 1995)

15:03 -Asgard's Chosen (Morgan Dontanville, Mayfair Games, 2013)

19:07 -Wild Tiled West (Paul Dennen, Dire Wolf, 2023)

24:33 -Dawn of Ulos (Jason Lentz, Thunderworks Games, 2023)

26:41 -Marshmallow Test (Reiner Knizia, Gamewright, 2020)

28:04 -Kabuto Sumo: Total Mayhem (John Brieger, Michael Dunsmore, and Tony Miller, BoardGameTables.com, 2022)

31:46 -Just One (Ludovic Roudy & Bruno Sautter, Repos Production, 2018)

32:31 -Perfect Words (Paul-Henri Argiot, TIKI Editions, 2023)

News (and why it doesn't matter):

34:32 Cheap 3D Catan and Ticket to Ride at Costco

36:34 Bitewing Games to crowdfund Knizia's Cascadeo and Cascadito

37:44 Flatout Games' Nocturne and anthropomorphic animals

39:58 Tiny Mini Golf--generate and then play mini gold courses

40:56 PSA: Friends don't let friends go into Games Workshop lifestyles blindly

45:15 Feature Game: Barcelona (Dani Garcia, Board&Dice, 2023)

Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brands
Privacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

#278: Ending Games Early Sep 12, 2023

Walker and Huey voted to end the game early, but there were then procedural questions as to whether that warranted a runoff in the French Presidential style. Chip III repeated his preference for a ranked-choice voting system, but he couldn't decide whether his second choice was a single transferable vote or first past the post. Meanwhile, Mark gerrymandered the rest of the table into one sprawling district, and made three new districts intersect at his spine so he got three votes to everyone else's collective one. He moved, seconded, and veto-proofed a motion to the effect that everyone else should stop talking.

00:59 AYURIS: Cryo (Tom Jolly & Luke Laurie, Z-Man Games, 2021)

Games Played Last Week:

03:23 -The Witcher: Old World (Łukasz Woźniak, Go On Board, 2023)

11:55 -My Father's Work (T.C. Petty III, Renegade Game Studios, 2022)

15:09 -City of the Great Machine (German Tikhomirov, CrowD Games, 2023)

20:47 -Gang of Dice (Reiner Knizia, Mandoo Games, 2022)

23:10 -Tinderblox (Rob Sparks, Alley Cat Games, 2020)

24:29 -Cat in the Box: Deluxe Edition (Muneyuki Yokouchi, Bézier Games, 2022)

28:23 -Just One (Ludovic Roudy & Bruno Sautter, Repos Production, 2018)

33:49 -Deception: Murder in Hong Kong (Tobey Ho, Grey Fox Games, 2014)

40:32 -Jenga Maker (Uncredited, Hasbro, 2022)

48:14 -My Island (Reiner Knizia, KOSMOS, 2023)

News (and why it doesn't matter):

53:28 New Can't Stop is being published by Playte Games (magnetic enclosure!)

[EDIT: The episode erroneously attributes the publisher as Tanuki games, but that is the retailer; the publisher is in fact Playte. We apologize for the error.]

54:17 MicroMacro: Crime City - Showdown

55:07 Barrage: New Lands on Kickstarter; new maps

55:36 Planta Nubo by Keller, Odendahl, and Rosenberg

55:56 Apiary by Stonemaier; yet another missed zombibees opportunity

56:52 Battlecrest Year Two by Button Shy

57:37 Topic: Ending Games Early

Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brands
Privacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

#277: Race to the Raft Sep 05, 2023

No cats were harmed during the recording of this episode. Official SVWAG cat Chandler (aka Potato aka Chan-Chan aka The Chan-Man) had his dignity challenged when Mark laughed at his strange partially-shaved body, but we don't think that counts. Official SVWAG dog Bruno (aka The Dog) resents human non-walk activities, but again, that probably doesn't count. The editorial gibbons and the HR gibbons colluded to classify Mark and Walker as "sub-animal automated speakboxes" and then took Labour Day off.

Games Played Last Week:

01:10 -Marshmallow Test (Reiner Knizia, Gamewright, 2020)

03:30 -Amun-Re: 20th Anniversary Edition (Reiner Knizia, Alley Cat Games, 2023)

05:52 -Everything Ever (Nathan Thornton, Floodgate Games, 2023)

10:28 -Sushi Boat (Dario Massarenti and Francesco Testini, Japanime Games, 2023)

14:49 -Fit to Print (Peter McPherson, Flatout Games, 2023)

20:58 -That's Not a Hat (Kasper Lapp, Ravensburger, 2023)

22:18 -Lunar Rush (Steven "Skippy" Brown, Dead Alive Games, 2023)

29:03 -Aegean Sea (Carl Chudyk, Asmadi Games, 2023)

37:16 -Lacuna (Mark Gerrits, CMYK, 2023)

News (and why it doesn't matter):

39:08 Snow Planner--dice worker-placement ski resort

39:48 Rats of Wistar by Simone Luciani and Danilo Sabia

41:09 David Thompson and Nils Johansson's Battle Card

42:46 Apology--Aegean Sea cannot be a feature game

43:45 Feature Game: Race to the Raft (Frank West, The City of Games, 2023)

Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brands
Privacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

#276: Gaming on the Road Aug 29, 2023

I was originally going to riff on Ginsberg's Howl, but I confess I had completely forgotten what a monster of a piece it is--redolent in imagery and references that are very much of a time since past. I considered then moving on to Nelson's On the Road Again, and faced the opposite problem--man, that song has some simple lyrics. I guess Shelley and Shakespeare are the sweet spot.

01:24 AYURIS: Praga Caput Regni (Vladimír Suchý, Delicious Games, 2020)

Games Played Last Week:

03:56 -Shadowrift (Jeremy Anderson, Game Salute, 2012)

06:41 -Jetpack Joyride: Deluxe Edition (Michał Gołębiowski, Lucky Duck Games, 2019)

10:18 -Barcelona (Dani Garcia, Board&Dice, 2023)

14:22 -Regicide (Paul Abrahams, Luke Badger, & Andy Richdale, Badgers from Mars, 2020)

17:17 -Project: ELITE (Konstantinos Kokkinis, Sotirios Tsantilas, Artipia Games, 2016)

20:33 -Ready Set Bet (John D. Clair, AEG, 2022)

26:32 -Aegean Sea (Carl Chudyk, Asmadi Games, 2023)

34:52 -So Clover! (François Romain, Repos Production, 2021)

39:02 -Northgard: Uncharted Lands (Adrian Dinu, Shiro Games, 2022)

40:35 -Forest Shuffle (Kosch, Lookout Games, 2023)

News (and why it doesn't matter):

41:39 Borderlands: Mister Torgue's Arena of Badassery looking oddly pedestrian

43:18 Can't Stop! talking about MAGNETS

44:51 Tabletop miniatures games contain multitudes: setting vs. mechanisms

47:58 Topic: Gaming on the Road

Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brands
Privacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

#275: Nidavellir Aug 22, 2023

As a certain talk-show huckster was wont to say, we train people how to treat us. Without absolving other people of their own responsibility, we can nonetheless take a certain amount of responsibility for entirely predictable reactions to our own decisions. "Don't feed the troll," goes the internet wisdom, and wise it is--Mark routinely fails to heed that good advice in the face of taunting by Walker. That said, Walker cannot claim to be long-suffering about Mark's mythological digressions while simultaneously goading him with mythologically-themed games.

Games Played Last Week:

01:41 -Demon Ship (Malev Da Shinobi, Black Site Studios, 2023)

06:05 -Space Base (John D. Clair, AEG, 2018)

10:22 -Snap Ships Tactics (Josh Derksen, Snap Ships, 2023)

15:00 -Knarr (Thomas Dupont, Bombyx, 2023)

19:39 -Quantum (Eric Zimmerman, Funforge, 2013)

23:00 -Orléans Stories (Reiner Stockhausen, dlp Games, 2019)

26:18 -Dracula vs Van Helsing (Maxime Rmbourg and Théo Rivière, Mandoo Games, 2023)

29:02 -Caverna: Frantic Fiends (Karl-Heinz Kettl, Jürgen Mayrhofer, and Uwe Rosenberg, Lookout Games, 2022)

News (and why it doesn't matter):

32:10 After Us, a game of post-apocalyptic apes, features NO GIBBONS. #nogibbonsnosale

32:55 Disney Lorcana price woes; allegations gouging

35:21 Orléans: The Plague. Diverse token printing woes!

36:54 www.patreon.com/svwag

37:54 Agricola 15 is the gift that keeps on taking--redundant components with the expansion

40:39 Check out Howie of What Does It Eat on Judge John Hodgman #630

41:12 Regicide giveaway on Twitch! Saturday, August 26th at 12:00 PM.

41:41 Feature Game: Nidavellir (Serge Laget, GRRRE Games, 2020)

Nidavellir: Thingvellir (Serge Laget, GRRRE Games, 2020)

Nidavellir: Idavoll (Serge Laget, GRRRE Games, 2022)

Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brands
Privacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

#274: Cruel Betrayal of Expectations Aug 15, 2023

David Hume argued that all ideas are either simple or complex, and that in turn all complex ideas are merely composed of simple ideas. He wasn't a huge fan of some of those complex ideas; he used the example of a chimera, where you take a lion, a snake, and a goat (three simple ideas, but we can quibble with that later if you like) and smush them all together to get a complex idea. Hume was sceptical about complex ideas, to say the least.

We can agree or disagree with Hume on many fronts, and indeed this is a podcast fundamentally aligned with German Idealism; but we would happily ally ourselves with the Humeans to declare with one unified voice that "phygital" is an abomination that must be purged.

01:37 AYURIS: Ultimate Railroads (Helmut Ohley & Leonhard "Lenny" Orgler, Hans im Glück, 2021)

Games Played Last Week:

04:43 -Witchstone: Full Moon (Martino Chiacchiera & Reiner Knizia, R&R Games, 2023)

11:57 -Lacuna (Mark Gerrits, CMYK, 2023)

16:20 -Dice Miner (Joshua DeBonis & Nikola Risteski, Atlas Games, 2021)

18:11 -Pavlov's House (David Thompson, Dan Verssen Games, 2018)

25:06 -Marvel United (Andrea Chiarvesio and Eric M. Lang, CMON, 2020)

30:05 -Demon Ship (Malev Da Shinobi, Black Site Studios, 2023)

36:47 -Caverna: The Forgotten Folk (Uwe Rosenberg & Alex Wilber, Lookout Games, 2018)

42:03 -Pocket Master Builder (Wei-Min Ling, MaiMin Games, 2022)

46:30 -Flick of Faith (Paweł Stobiecki, Jan Truchanowicz, & Łukasz Włodarczyk, Awaken Realms Lite, 2019)

49:45 -Oros (Brandt Brinkerhoff, Aesc Games, 2023)

56:08 -Fantasy Realms: Deluxe Edition (Bruce Galssco, WizKids, 2022)

News (and why it doesn't matter):

58:38 Walker complains about marketing copy buzzwords

59:55 Digital "ownership" vs. "actual" ownership as applied to Altered

1:02:11 Tiny Laser Heist!

1:03:28 Magic: the Gathering Heist at GenCon; persons of interest and incriminating t-shirt

1:04:58 Richard Garfield's Spynet reborn as Shadow Blades

1:05:56 IANAL, Farms Race and Fair Use

1:11:46 Topic: Cruel Betrayal of Expectations

Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brands
Privacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

#273: Games from the Crypt Aug 08, 2023

There was A Time Before. Historians no doubt will soon abandon the antiquated notions of BCE and CE, and will instead resort to the infinitely more practical Pre-SVWAG and Post-SVWAG eras. In the dim and distant past of Pre-SVWAG, people had the audacity to release games before we could weigh in on them officially. Whether this was borne of opportunism, undue haste, or some other impulse we will not speculate.

03:40 AYURIS: Khôra: Rise of an Empire (Head Quarter Simulation Game Club, IELLO, 2021)

Games Played Last Week:

05:02 -The Defence of Procyon III (Dávid Turczi, PSC Games, 2021)

08:34 -Catacombs: Red Box (Aron West, Elzra, 2022)

10:40 -Snap Ships Tactics (Josh Derksen, Snap Ships, 2023)

17:03 -Wizards of the Grimoire (Cole Banning and Joe Banning, Grimoire Games, 2022)

19:01 -Super Fantasy Brawl (Jochen Eisenhuth, Mythic Games, 2022)

22:59 -Autobahn (Fabio Lopiano and Nestore Mangone, Alley Cat Games, 2022)

24:57 -Age of Civilization (Jeffrey CCH, ICE Makes, 2019)

29:05 -Mists over Carcassonne (Klaus-Jürgen Wrede, Hans im Glück, 2022)

32:36 -That's Not a Hat (Kasper Lapp, Ravensburger, 2023)

34:12 -Wonderland's War (Tim Eisner, Ben Eisner, & Ian Moss, Druid City Games, 2022)

38:50 -Agricola 15 (Uwe Rosenberg, Lookout Games, 2022)

News (and why it doesn't matter):

45:11 GenCon happened

45:54 In response to GenCon hauls, ask what was purchased

46:50 EVE Online gets (another) tabletop adaptation by Titan Forge Games

47:36 Pirates of Maracaibo, pseudo-sequel to Maracaibo

48:13 Guilty Gear: The Board Game by Level 99, in point of fact Exceed Season 7

50:08 Colosseum 3rd edition by Fantasia

51:14 Foundations of Rome minimalistic version called Foundations: Metropolis

51:56 GenCon can't express concern over anti-LGBTQ laws and then re-up with Indiana until 2030

53:34 Topic: Games from the Crypt

Successors 3rd. ed, La révolution française, Sword of Rome, Here I Stand, Loopin' Louie, Die Kutschfahrt zur Teufelsburg, Gunslinger, Battlestar Galactica, Dark Moon, Colosseum, Princes of Florence, Android, Android: Netrunner, New Angeles, Descent, Imperial Assault, Star Wars: Rebellion, Axis and Allies: WWI 1914, Warhammer 40,000, Warhammer Fantasy Battle, Diplomacy, Formula Dé, Inkognito

Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brands
Privacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

#272: Archeos Society Aug 01, 2023

Perhaps the greatest lingering question is how and why the Ethnos fantasy races were translated into academic professions for Archeos Society's re-theme. Apparently dwarves (Ethnos) are analogous to photographers (Archeos Society), and orcs (orc board!) are akin to curators. Odd. Halflings into students seems appropriately condescending.

As much as the comparison stings, though, I can't teally object into making trolls professors. I've met some that truly fit the description.

Games Played Last Week:

03:07 -Race to the Raft (Frank West, The City of Games, 2023)

08:08 -Dorfromantik: The Board Game (Michael Palm and Lukas Zach, Pegasus Spiele, 2022)

14:30 -Too Many Bones: Dart (Adam Carlson & Josh J. Carlson, Chip Theory Games, 2020)

18:10 -Lords of Ragnarok (Adam Kwapiński, Awaken Realms, 2023)

26:58 -Blood Rage: Promos Box (Eric M. Lang, CMON, 2019)

29:23 -Project: ELITE (Konstantinos Kokkinis, Marco Portugal, & Sotirios Tsantilas, CMON, 2020)

32:22 -One Deck Galaxy (Chris Cieslik, Asmadi Games, 2022)

35:35 -Amun-Re: 20th Anniversary Edition (Reiner Knizia, Alley Cat Games, 2023)

42:49 -Cthulhu: Death May Die (Eric M. Lang & Rob Daviau, CMON, 2019)

News (and why it doesn't matter):

46:07 From Chinatown to Waterfall Park; simpler?

47:05 Invincible hero deckbuilding game

48:06 Undaunted: Normandy Early Access on Steam

49:40 Nucleum by Dávid Turczi and Simone Luciani

50:29 Feature Game: Archeos Society (Paolo Mori, Space Cowboys, 2023)

Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brands
Privacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

#271: Expeditions Jul 25, 2023

Some randomness is accepted nearly uncritically by many gamers. Conventional deckbuilders have exceptionally high variance as a rule, but no one bats an eye. We accept that anything martial might have mixed results, even after repeated attempts--in fact, many protest when the wound-making is too deterministic. Tiles from a bag? Sure. The instant that locomotion is involved, though, your typical gamer gets all shirty.

Magical Athlete would like a word.

Games Played Last Week:

02:52 -Don't L.L.A.M.A. Dice (Reiner Knizia, AMIGO, 2021)

06:00 -Lacuna (Mark Gerrits, CMYK, 2023)

08:25 -Picky Eaters (Tanya Basu and Avi Setton, Le Fou, 2024)

14:42 -Spirit Island: Nature Incarnate (R. Eric Reuss, Greater Than Games, 2023)

15:43 -Time Barons (Jon Perry and Derek Yu, WizKids, 2014)

19:07 -Kemet: Blood and Sand (Jacques Bariot & Guillaume Montiage, Matagot, 2021)

21:40 -Shards of Infinity (Gary Arant & Justin Gary, Stone Blade Entertainment, 2018)

25:36 -Merchant of Venus (Richard Hamblen, Avalon Hill, 1988)

News (and why it doesn't matter):

32:44 Firefighters on Duty; real-time co-op from the team behind Kitchen Rush and Rush M.D.

34:08 Infinity: Endsong--new rules and units for free (as always with Infinity)

35:26 Dorfromantik goes competitive with Das Duell

37:12 Match of the Century by Paolo Mori--Spassky vs. Fischer's 1972 chess championship

39:36 Turbo Kidz--real-time blind racing

40:41 Sunrise Lane by Reiner Knizia and Horrible Guild

41:09 DM-less roleplaying in Bramble Trek

41:28 Mass market fare by Games Workshop--Space Marine and Combat Arena

43:22 Granblue Fantasy skirmish board game

44:05 Feature Game: Expeditions (Jamey Stegmaier, Stonemaier Games, 2023)

Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brands
Privacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

#270a: Bonus Patreon Sampler Jul 22, 2023

We offer to you a sampler, a little smorgasbord, a variety platter of content from our Patreon. We hope this will placate you in light of our absence last week. If you'd like more, you can of course support us on Patreon. Only if you want to, though. We'll still be wrong either way.

www.patreon.com/SVWAG

03:46 Pledge of Indifference 2023-07-06 Audio (we also publish a video version)

03:56 Shipwrights of the North Sea

07:17 Tanares Adventures Ultimate Edition

11:41 Cyclades Legendary Edition

18:14 Buttons & Bugs

20:23 Other pledges: Planet Unknown Supermoon, Stroganov expansion

(Note: Mark did not end up backing Projekt Riese, but Walker did back Cyclades Legendary Edition)

21:23 BLOAT #18

21:44 World Beyond SVWAG--Returnal's storytelling, emergent vs. narrative storytelling, have difficulty with emergent storytelling in video games, but prefer it in board games, Nikki Valens

34:45 Meta Media--ethical standards of US Supreme Court, Thurgood and Cecilia Marshall, "dicta," rules textualism, For Sale, Tower of Babel: Reiner Knizia vs. Hans im Glück

52:34 SIZZLER #1

Credit to elevenlabs.io for the introduction voice.

Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brands
Privacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

#270: Ra Jul 18, 2023

While we pride ourselves on editorial standards here at SVWAG, we have no shame when it comes to pandering. We thus present to you the episode of SVWAG with the most cat discussion yet. The good news is that Chandler (aka Chan-Chan aka Potato aka SVWAG Cat) is doing extremely well. Could a co-host stint be far behind? Perhaps a guest appearance by Bruno (aka SVWAG Dog)? Whatever we think the market wants.

Games Played Last Week:

02:20 -The Siege of Runedar (Reiner Knizia, Ludonova, 2021)

03:27 -Radiant: Offline Battle Arena (Jack Murray, Heel Turn Games, 2019)

04:26 -Sakura Arms (BakaFire, Level 99 Games, 2022)

05:35 -Blitzkrieg!: World War Two in 20 Minutes (Paolo Mori, PSC Games, 2019)

06:36 -Green Team Wins (Nathan Thornton, 25th Century Games, 2022)

08:24 -Imperium: The Contention (Gary Dworetsky, Contention Games, 2021)

10:08 -Ankh: Gods of Egypt (Eric M. Lang, CMON, 2021)

14:14 -SEAL Team Flix (Pete Ruth & Mark Thomas, WizKids, 2018)

16:49 -Cosmic Frog: Find Muck (Jim Felli, Devious Weasel Games, 2023)

21:45 -Mindbug Beyond (Skaff Elias, Richard Garfield, Marvin Hegen, and Christian Kudahl, Nerdlab Games, 2023)

23:07 -Neuroshima Hex!: The Year of Moloch (Michał Oracz, Portal Games, 2021)

24:30 -Robotech: Reconstruction (Dr. Wictz, Strange Machine Games, 2023)

30:44 -Challengers! (Johannes Krenner and Markus Slawitscheck, 1 More Time Games, 2022)

36:48 -Heaven & Ale (Michael Kiesling & Andreas Schmidt, eggertspiele, 2017)

39:36 -Night of the Ninja (Justin Gary, Brotherwise Games, 2021)

44:14 -The Resistance (Don Eskridge, Indie Boards & Cards, 2009)

48:25 -Uprising: Curse of the Last Emperor (Cornelius Cremin, Pawel Mazur, & Dirk Sommer, Nemesis.Games, 2021)

News (and why it doesn't matter):

52:27 Please consider supporting us on Patreon! www.patreon.com/svwag

54:15 Wolves by Coyote and Crow Games

55:46 Keep the Heroes Out Boss Battles in October

56:29 Shards of Infinity: Saga on Kickstarter

57:53 Upcoming reprints: Gloomhaven Buttons & Bugs, El Grande, Calimala, Tigris & Euphrates

59:37 American FTC underscores importance of disclosure in media

1:02:48 Stupor Mundi on Board Game Arena prior to crowdfunding

1:04:12 Dogfight!: Rule the Skies in 20 Minutes! Not by Paolo Mori

1:05:05 Feature Game: Ra (Reiner Knizia, alea, 1999)

Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brands
Privacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

#269: Credibility in Crowdfunding Jul 04, 2023

Two crowdfunding campaigns stand before you. One only tells lies, the other only tells the truth. Both claim to be innovative and to be able to deliver on time. How do you decide which one to back? Or wait, a crowdfunding campaign launches but during the funding period every individual component is replaced by a new one; is it the same campaign? Or wait, there are five crowdfunding campaigns on one side of a track and one campaign on the other, and this trolley...

02:25 AYURIS: Imperium: The Contention (Gary Dworetsky, Contention Games, 2021)

Games Played Last Week:

03:56 -Tapple (Uncredited, The Op Games, 2021)

06:43 -Undaunted: Battle of Britain (Trevor Benjamin and David Thompson, Osprey Games, 2023)

08:14 -Oh No, Volcano! (Phil Walker-Harding, Buffalo Games, 2023)

10:58 -The Siege of Runedar (Reiner Knizia, Ludonova, 2021)

16:04 -Sakura Arms (BakaFire, Level 99 Games, 2022)

18:17 -Autobahn (Fabio Lopiano and Nestore Mangone, Alley Cat Games, 2022)

22:35 -Sidereal Confluence: Bifurcation (TauCeti Deichmann, WizKids, 2022)

25:55 -For What Remains (Paul Low, David Thompson, & Ricardo Manuel Luis Tomas, DVG, 2020)

30:38 -Cosmic Frog: Find Muck (Jim Felli, Devious Weasel Games, 2023)

34:43 -Root (Cole Wehrle, Leder Games, 2018)

36:48 -Tigris & Euphrates (Reiner Knizia, Hans im Gluck, 1997)

News (and why it doesn't matter):

38:30 Avatar: The Last Airbender Crossroads of Destiny by Prospero Hall

39:10 Spy x Family Love Letter, because of course

39:53 Kaiju Table Battles by Amabel Holland

Designer diary: https://boardgamegeek.com/blogpost/149425/designer-diary-kaiju-table-battles-or-queer-love-l

41:18 Topic: Credibility in Crowdfunding

Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brands
Privacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

#268: Undaunted: Battle of Britain Jun 27, 2023

It is a well-known fact, observed by Infinity: the Game, Across the Spider-Verse, and Undaunted: Battle of Britain, that a Sikh man in uniform is always a good look. So here's to pilot Singh in his Hurricane! Not to mention Sergeant Singh in his power armour, and Captain Singh in his Spider-Man movie (in my heart, it is his film).

Games Played Last Week:

01:01 -The Defence of Procyon III (Dávid Turczi, PSC Games, 2021)

11:02 -That's Not a Hat (Kasper Lapp, Ravensburger, 2023)

14:49 -Beyond the Sun: Leaders of a New Dawn (Dennis K. Chan and Joseph Summa, Rio Grande Games, 2023)

19:50 -Thunder Road: Vendetta (Dave Chalkers, Brett Myers, Noah Cohen, Rob Daviau, Justin D. Jacobson, Jim Keifer, and Brian Neff, Restoration Games, 2023)

25:07 -Sherlock Holmes: Baker Street Irregulars (Cédric Asna, Makaka Editions, 2019)

27:26 -It's a Wonderful World (Frédéric Guérard, La Boîte de Jeu, 2019)

31:48 -IKI (Koota Yamada, Sorry We Are French, 2015)

34:41 -Knarr (Thomas Dupont, Bombyx, 2023)

News (and why it doesn't matter):

36:30 Doggerland; 15,000 BCE

36:58 Further confirmation of Paolo Mori's Dogs of War 2nd edition

37:29 Adventure Time RPG from Cryptozoic

37:43 Monty Python Zombicide? Wha...?

38:30 FISH FISH FISH! Nusfjord Big Box

39:37 Aristeia! will see more in the future; Corvus Belli's history of being consumer-friendly

42:23 Planet Unknown: Supermoon expansion and reprint on Gamefound July 7th

43:14 Feature Game: Undaunted: Battle of Britain (Trevor Benjamin and David Thompson, Osprey Games, 2023)

1:04:54 SVWAG Presents Masterpiece Theatre: Fast X

Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brands
Privacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

#267: Top 10 Revisited & "Golden Age" Jun 20, 2023

Times are bad. Children no longer obey their parents and everyone is running a Kickstarter. It is trivially easy to string together quotations going back to the dawn of human civilization lamenting how the youth are ruining everything, how the good old days were so great, and wishing we could go back to the golden age. See, I blame it on the baby boomers aging and succumbing more and more to nostalgia. See, in the good old days, before the boomers, we had things in perspective.

01:51 AYURIS: Anno 1800 (Martin Wallace, KOSMOS, 2020)

Games Played Last Week:

03:37 -Yucatan (Guillaume Montiage, Matagot, 2023)

14:06 -Skytear Horde (Giacomo Neri and Riccardo Neri, Skytear Games, 2023)

15:44 -Sorcerer City (Scott Caputo, Druid City Games, 2020)

20:50 -Dungeons & Dragons: Dungeon Scrawlers--Heroes of Waterdeep (Vangelis Bagiartakis and Konstantinos Karagiannis, WizKids, 2023)

25:36 -Dorfromantik: The Board Game (Michael Palm and Lukas Zach, Pegasus Spiele, 2022)

26:15 -The Red Cathedral: Contractors (Isra C. and Shei S., Devir, 2022)

30:06 -Judgement: Eternal Champions (Gunmeister Games, Creature Caster, 2022)

36:27 -My City: Roll & Build (Reiner Knizia, KOSMOS, 2022)

40:51 -That's Not a Hat (Kasper Lapp, Ravensburger, 2023)

43:25 -Tinderblox (Rob Sparks, Alley Cat Games, 2020)

45:03 -Radiant: Offline Battle Arena (Jack Murray, Heel Turn Games, 2019)

News (and why it doesn't matter):

48:41 Monopoly Scrabble. What?

49:42 Follow-up: Soldiers in Postman's Uniforms still available!

50:24 Perseverance: Castaway Chronicles episodes 3 & 4

51:27 "Dinosaurs, everybody!" VelociRapture by Xoe Allred

52:51 Knarr by Thomas Dupont, already available on BGA

54:30 Topic: Top 10 Revisited & "Golden Age"

Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brands
Privacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

#266: Pent-Up Extravaganza Jun 13, 2023

Mark's enthusiasm for Dungeon Scrawlers is telling. Whereas most children enjoy mazes, drawing, or even colouring, Mark instead as a child enjoyed the programmatic, deterministic mundanity of connect-the-dots. Straight(ish) lines and ascending natural numbers only, please. No doubt at a similar age Walker was already pursuing his jock/theatre kid synthesis, doing a number from Gilbert & Sullivan as his endzone dance after scoring a touchdown.

01:13 AYURIS: Soldiers in Postmen's Uniforms (David Thompson, Dan Verssen Games, 2021)

Games Played Last Week:

03:32 -Tindaya (Lolo González, Red Mojo, 2022)

06:41 -Radiant: Offline Battle Arena (Jack Murray, Heel Turn Games, 2019)

09:07 -Formula D (Laurent Lavaur & Eric Randall, Asmodee, 2008)

12:15 -Undaunted: Battle of Britain (Trevor Benjamin and David Thompson, Osprey Games, 2023)

16:39 -Orléans (Reiner Stockhausen, dlp Games, 2014)

18:48 -Witchcraft! (Trevor Benjamin, Roger Tankersly, and David Thompson, Salt & Pepper Games, 2023)

23:49 -The Red Cathedral (Israel Cendrero & Sheila Santos, Devir Games, 2020)

26:13 -Castles by the Sea (Jon Benjamin and Michael Xuereb, Brotherwise Games, 2023)

31:12 -Sherlock Holmes: Baker Street Irregulars (Cédric Asna, Makaka Editions, 2019)

33:32 -Dorfromantik: The Board Game (Michael Palm and Lukas Zach, Pegasus Spiele, 2022)

38:51 -Ragnarocks (Gord!, Grey Fox Games, 2022)

41:44 -Princes of the Renaissance (Martin Wallace, Mercury Games, 2016)

50:00 -The Taverns of Tiefenthal (Wolfgang Warsch, Schmidt Spiel, 2019)

52:19 -The Crew: Mission Deep Sea (Thomas Sing, KOSMOS, 2021)

53:40 -Marshmallow Test (Reiner Knizia, Gamewright, 2020)

57:47 -Dice Miner (Joshua DeBonis & Nikola Risteski, Atlas Games, 2021)

58:50 -Dungeons & Dragons: Dungeon Scrawlers--Heroes of Waterdeep (Vangelis Bagiartakis and Konstantinos Karagiannis, WizKids, 2023)

1:00:55 -Viking See-Saw (Reiner Knizia, itten, 2021)

1:03:20 -Thunder Road: Vendetta (Dave Chalkers, Brett Myers, Noah Cohen, Rob Daviau, Justin D. Jacobson, Jim Keifer, and Brian Neff, Restoration Games, 2023)

1:07:25 -Splendor Duel (Marc André and Bruno Cathala, Space Cowboys, 2022)

1:08:51 -Crazy Tower (Alexis Harvey, Félix Leblanc, Manuel-Lucas Bergeron Duhamel, & Mathieu Auger, Synapses Games, 2020)

News (and why it doesn't matter):

1:10:35 Terraria board game by Paper Fort Games

1:11:09 Witchcraft! on Gamefound

1:11:14 Heroscape to be re-resurrected by Renegade Games

1:12:32 Regicide Legacy Badgers from Mars

1:13:46 The Smurfs: Hidden Village board game

1:14:26 Conquest Princess: Fashion is Power

1:15:08 Worms board game by Mantic

1:15:34 Gloomhaven 2nd Edition will have an upgrade pack

1:16:47 Board gamers: Be good allies during Pride Month and oppose book bans

Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brands
Privacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

#265: Lacrimosa May 30, 2023

We are very proud of our strict editorial standards here at SVWAG. Among them is our firm stance on Monty Python references, which are very firmly circumscribed. Philosophers are mentioned all the time, but never the song; and similarly we discuss Mozart here (in two different media!) without any kind of passing gesture to his decomposition. People have tried to smuggle in other references to the show, but those responsible have been sacked.

Games Played Last Week:

01:34 -Dice Hospital: ER--Emergency Roll (Matthew Dunstan and Brett J. Gilbert, Alley Cat Games, 2022)

02:35 -Joan of Arc: Orléans Draw & Write (Ryan Hendrickson and Reiner Stockhausen, dlp Games, 2022)

04:46 -Tinderblox (Rob Sparks, Alley Cat Games, 2020)

06:36 -Similo (Martino Chiacchiera, Hjalmar Hach, & Pierluca Zizzi, Horrible Guild, 2019)

08:21 -Crazy Tower (Alexis Harvey, Félix Leblanc, Manuel-Lucas Bergeron Duhamel, & Mathieu Auger, Synapses Games, 2020)

09:30 -Glenn Drover's Empires: Galactic Rebellion (Don Beyer and Glenn Drover, Eagle-Gryphon Games, 2016)

17:40 -The North: Provenance (John Clowdus, Small Box Games, 2020)

20:45 -Tsukuyumi: Full Moon Down (Second Edition) (Felix Mertikat, Grey Fox Games, 2021)

27:21 -Radiant: Offline Battle Arena (Jack Murray, Heel Turn Games, 2019)

News (and why it doesn't matter):

31:00 Marceline Leiman points out hidden barriers to minoritized people and the importance of accessibility

32:59 Freaky Frogs from Outaspace by Friedemann Friese

33:45 Metal Gear Solid from Emerson Matsuuchi finally being piblished by CMON

35:58 Tankersly, Benjamin, and Thompson reunite with Albert Monteys for Witchcraft!

36:34 Please support us on Patreon! www.patreon.com/svwag

37:46 Feature Game: Lacrimosa (Gerard Ascendi and Ferran Renalias, Devir, 2022)

1:00:13 SVWAG Presents Masterpiece Theatre: Amadeus

Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brands
Privacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

#264: Completionism May 23, 2023

The episode notes will be released in installments. The base pledge, "Generic Non-Sequiturs," will give you the first two sentences and the last sentence. But don't miss out on the "Forced Macross Reference" add-on pack, which gives you sentence five; or the "Austen Allusion" pack featuring sentence four. The ultra-limited "Stupid Kant Wordplay" pack will never be reprinted (until, let's face it, next week's episode notes, when you'll be subjected to some more regardless). Pledge now!

01:29 AYURIS: Vienna Connection (Jakub Poczęty, Przemysław Rymer, Ignacy Trzewiczek, & Jakub Łapot, Portal Games, 2021)

Games Played Last Week:

04:21 -Mindbug Beyond (Skaff Elias, Richard Garfield, Marvin Hegen, and Christian Kudahl, Nerdlab Games, 2023)

05:59 -Abandon All Artichokes (Emma Larkins, Gamewright, 2020)

06:49 -Crazy Tower (Alexis Harvey, Félix Leblanc, Manuel-Lucas Bergeron Duhamel, & Mathieu Auger, Synapses Games, 2020)

09:03 -Empires: Age of Discovery (Glenn Drover, Eagle-Gryphon Games, 2015)

13:22 -Ierusalem: Anno Domini (Carmen García Jiménez, Devir, 2023)

16:31 -Raccoon Tycoon (Glenn Drover, Forbidden Games, 2018)

19:26 -Agricola 15 (Uwe Rosenberg, Lookout Games, 2022)

20:49 -Cacti (John Clowdus, Small Box Games, 2020)

23:22 -Company of Heroes (Bryan Kromley, Bad Crow Games, 2021)

23:22 -Darkest Dungeon: The Board Game (Nick Niotis and Argyris Poungouras, Mythic Games, 2022)

News (and why it doesn't matter):

34:18 Our take on the Quackalope v. Into the Unknown controversy: Pay-to-play infomercials and editorial content shouldn't mix in board game media

38:41 Anti-cookie propaganda from the pie partisans

39:10 Spiel des Jahres nominees: Dorfromantik, Fun Facts, and Next Station: London

Kennerspiel des Jahres: Challengers, Iki, and Planet Unknown

41:11 Portal continues to support Neuroshima Hex!: The Merchants Guild

41:21 Catalyst Game Labs kicks off new board game division with Overlords in Training,

41:53 Battletech starter set in Target

42:52 Topic: Completionism

Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brands
Privacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

#263: Darwin's Journey May 16, 2023

It is a truth universally acknowledged in eurogames that every famous historical man (it's almost always a man, of course) had a retinue of about 2-5 hangers-on whose sole job was to impress him. They did this mostly by doing stuff he did; maybe after he did them, maybe running states he conquered, maybe even by doing the stuff he was credited with. Their names are lost to antiquity. All we know is that they liked solid colours, and that the famous dude was most impressed with one of them.

Games Played Last Week:

00:54 -Lacrimosa (Gerard Ascendi and Ferran Renalias, Devir, 2022)

06:30 -Tapple (Uncredited, The Op Games, 2021)

07:48 -Forests of Pangaia (Thomas Franken, Pangaia Games, 2022)

09:48 -Wizards of the Grimoire (Cole Banning and Joe Banning, Grimoire Games, 2022)

12:46 -Sentinels of the Multiverse (Christopher Badell, Paul Bender, & Adam Rebottaro, Greater Than Games, 2011)

16:51 -So Clover! (François Romain, Repos Production, 2021)

19:07 -Spots (Alex Hague, Jon Perry, and Justin Vickers, CMYK, 2022)

20:42 -Hemloch: Dark Promenade (John Clowdus, Small Box Games, 2017) HEMLOCH 2011

24:41 -Hanamikoji (Kota Nakayama, EmperorS4, 2013)

25:52 -Vengeance: Roll & Fight (Gordon Calleja, Noralie Lubbers, & Dávid Turczi, Mighty Boards, 2022)

29:12 -Spirit Island (R. Eric Reuss, Greater Than Games, 2017)

News (and why it doesn't matter):

29:50 The Pirate Republic: The Africa Gambit

30:15 Guards of Atlantis II can't credit its author on BGG, they're not registered on BGG

30:59 Nine Tiles: Chainsaw Man by Oink Games

32:13 Summer PSA: Be careful of games outside! Cards and tokens will flee and disappear

33:49 Night Witches: Fort Circle Games, Liz Davidson, and David Thompson about the 588th Night Bomber Regiment

35:16 Feature Game: Darwin’s Journey (Simone Luciani and Nestore Mangone, ThunderGryph Games, 2023)

Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brands
Privacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

#262: Right Game, Wrong People May 09, 2023

"L'enfer, c'est les autres," wrote Sartre, which translates into "why don't nobody wanna play with me?" You see, Sartre only liked his consims and other historical wargames, but people didn't want to join him--possibly on account of there having been less history back in his old-timey days. His angst over unplayed games was the key inspiration of his existentialist philosophy. Camus tried to show him that the answer is to play with randos with his work "The Stranger."

01:52 AYURIS: Tribune (Karl-Heinz Schmiel, Spielworxx, 2021)

Games Played Last Week:

06:33 -Imperium: The Contention (Gary Dworetsky, Contention Games, 2021)

09:57 -Distilled (Dave Beck, Paverson Games, 2023)

17:25 -Quartermaster General (Second Edition): Total War (Ian Brody, Ares Games, 2020)

22:26 -Sniper Elite: Eagle's Nest (Roger Tankersly and David Thompson, Rebellion Unplugged, 2022)

28:53 -Tapple (Uncredited, The Op Games, 2021)

30:29 -The Great Zimbabwe (Jeroen Doumen and Joris Wiersinga, Splotter Spellen, 2012)

36:52 -Guards of Atlantis II: Tabletop MOBA (Artyom Nichipurov, Wolff Designa, 2021)

41:07 -Hanamikoji (Kota Nakayama, EmperorS4, 2013)

43:49 -Darwin’s Journey (Simone Luciani and Nestore Mangone, ThunderGryph Games, 2023)

News (and why it doesn't matter):

46:16 Thank to Warmboy, our Discord, and all our listeners

47:18 Walker is disgusted by How to Lose a Guy in 10 DMs

47:53 Planet Unknown reprint/expansion

48:50 Shards of Infinity on crowdfunding

49:52 Ryan Laukat's Creature Caravan

50:28 Mythic Games' serial quasi-extortion; 6: Siege and all upcoming projects

55:40 Cysmic's many versions; people ask for economy but back the toys

58:44 Walker's patience is running out along with his shelf space

59:30 Faiyum: Privileges expansion

1:00:31 Topic: Right Game, Wrong People

Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brands
Privacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

#261: Stationfall May 02, 2023

In the show Ted Lasso (possibly the subject of a future Masterpiece Theatre?), French-Canadian goaltender Zoreaux asks to be called Van Damme. This is partly because people kept mispronouncing his name as "Zorro," and also because he admired the Muscles from Brussels. The point is that even people who thought it was stupid respected his wishes and called him what he wanted to be called, because that's what not being a jerk is. Similarly, ain't nothing necessarily wrong with being called Sally, but if you consistently call someone Sally when they don't want to be called that, you're being a toxic jerk.

It doesn't have to be a big deal, and we're not the ones making it a big deal. Call people what they want to be called. It costs you nothing and decency is always a good look.

Games Played Last Week:

00:49 -Hot Lead (Reiner Knizia, Bitewing Games, 2022)

02:49 -Masters of the Universe: Fields of Eternia The Board Game (Dave Ketch and Jakub S. Olekszyk, Archon Studio, 2022)

09:48 -Beyond the Sun: Leaders of a New Dawn (Dennis K. Chan and Joseph Summa, Rio Grande Games, 2023)

14:06 -Keep the Heroes Out (Luís Brüeh, Brueh Games, 2022)

18:33 -Theurgy (Charlotte Dowling and Oliver Josiah, The Ministry of Meeples, 2022)

23:37 -Tapple (Uncredited, The Op Games, 2021)

26:52 -Empyreal: Spells & Steam (Trey Chambers, Level 99 Games, 2020)

29:47-Ethnos (Paolo Mori, CMON, 2017)

News (and why it doesn't matter):

34:06 Cysmic on KickStarter; toys galore

36:10 Guards of Atlantis II

37:24 Go vote for the Golden Geek wards on BGG!

38:00 MasQueOca's exclusionary edits and language; common decency demands proper pronoun use

39:08 Feature Game: Stationfall (Matt Eklund, Ion Game Design, 2023)

Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brands
Privacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

#260: The Game Must Flow Apr 25, 2023

We get introspective this week, or at least as much as the editorial gibbons allow. If we get too deep they get nervous, and as every podcaster will tell you, nervous gibbons are bad for the show. Walker, Mark alleges, is a masochist who sacrifices himself on the altar of speed, which may or may not mean game flow; Walker counters that Mark abuses the takesies-backsies.

01:50 AYURIS: Imperium: Classics and Imperium: Legends (Nigel Buckle & Dávid Turczi, Osprey Games, 2021)

Games Played Last Week:

06:13 -XenoShyft: Dreadmire (Michael Shinall, CMON, 2017)

11:24 -Raccoon Tycoon (Glenn Drover, Forbidden Games, 2018)

16:01 -Dwellings of Eldervale (Luke Laurie, Breaking Games, 2020)

20:37 -Code of Nine (BakaFire, Z-Man Games, 2012)

22:47 -Akropolis (Jules Messaud, Gigamic, 2022)

25:47 -Ortus Regni (Jon Sudbury, Jon Sudbury Games, 2014)

29:11 -Rallyman: DIRT (Jean-Christophe Bouvier, Holy Grail Games, 2023)

38:21 -Resist! (Trevor Benjamin, Roger Tankersley, and David Thompson, Salt & Pepper Games, 2022)

News (and why it doesn't matter):

41:14 Support us on Patreon! Tons of exclusive content and bennies at www.patreon/svwag

42:41 Mike Hutchinson's Hobgoblin on Kickstarter

43:34 Walker's Who Asked for This? Call of Duty: The Board Game by Arcane Wonders

44:39 Walker's Who Asked for This? The Last Spell: The Board Games

45:23 Path of Civilization by Fabien Gridel, simultaneous play Civ game

45:48 Altay: Dawn of Civilization by Paolo Mori and Ole Steiness, deck-building/kingdom-building

46:14 Revive: Call of the Abyss expansion

47:15 Bitoku: Resutoran expansion

47:36 Ernest et Célestine, co-operative back-drawing from Space Cow

48:27 Non-Key game from Richard Breese: The Glade

48:59 Topic: The Games Must Flow

Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brands
Privacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

#259: Revive Apr 18, 2023

Is there a difference between a fruit salad and a fruit cup? I mean, the first question is whether a fruit cup contains a fruit salad, or if the contents are some other substance; then one can query whether the cup and its contents are a gestalt whole. Let us not forget the prospect of a fruit cup of Theseus, whereby each fruit piece is removed and replaced with an equivalent fruit (I would ask what an equivalent fruit is, but that's getting sidetracked)--is it the same fruit cup? Heraclitus would say you can't take a bite of the same fruit salad twice. There's the somewhat absurd possibility of a fruit cup of Damocles--presumably the fruits therein would have been prepared by Procrustes.

What I'm getting at is melon is gross.

Games Played Last Week:

00:53 -Just One (Ludovic Roudy & Bruno Sautter, Repos Production, 2018)

01:04 -So Clover! (François Romain, Repos Production, 2021)

04:17 -Green Team Wins (Nathan Thornton, 25th Century Games, 2022)

08:19 -Decrypto (Thomas Dagenais-Lespérance, Le Scorpion Masqué, 2018)

12:08 -Horseless Carriage (Jeroen Doumen and Joris Wirsinga, Splotter Spellen, 2023)

25:57 -Mosaic: A Story of Civilization (Glenn Drover, Forbidden Games, 2022)

28:34 -Planet Unknown (Ryan Lambert & Adam Rehberg, Adam's Apple Games, 2022)

31:47 -Capital Lux 2: Generations (Eilif Svensson & Kristian Amundsen Østby, Aporta Games, 2020)

33:48 -Wizards of the Grimoire (Cole Banning and Joe Banning, Grimoire Games, 2022)

36:53 -Ra (Reiner Knizia, 25th Century Games, 2023)

42:53 -Tiny Turbo Cars (Hjalmar Hach, Alessandro Manuini, Jonathan Panada, Laura Severino, and Giulia Tamagni, Horrible Guild, 2022)

47:46 -Blazon (David Conklin, 25th Century Games, 2023)

News (and why it doesn't matter):

51:45 Ad-free episodes at www.patreon.com/svwag

52:00 Paolo Mori shopping a reprint of Dogs of War

52:48 Support your favourite creators at the BGG Golden Geek Awards!

53:55 Movie rights of Trickerion, Anachrony, and Terraforming Mars sold

55:22 Regicide 2nd edition: now with bards!

56:12 Heavy Gear RPG 4th Edition on KickStarter

58:21 Feature Game: Revive (Helge Meissner, Eilif Svensson, Anna Wermlund, and Kristian Amundsen Østby)

Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brands
Privacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

#258: Gatefall Apr 11, 2023

From Wikipedia:

"Boglins were a series of toy puppets distributed by Mattel. They were created by Tim Clarke, Maureen Trotto, and Larry Mass, and licensed by Seven Towns. The original run of Boglins was released in 1987, coinciding with a "creatures" craze that included Ghoulies, Critters, and Gremlins. Boglins were goblin-themed hand puppets made of flexible rubber and could be manipulated to represent speech and facial expressions."

Games Played Last Week:

01:26 -The Crew: The Quest for Planet Nine (Thomas Sing, KOSMOS, 2019)

03:38 -Cartographers: A Roll Player Game (Jordy Adan, Thunderworks Games, 2019)

05:27 -Res Arcana (Thomas Lehmann, Sand Castle Games, 2019)

08:41 -Tribes of the Wind (Joachim Thôme, La Boîte de Jeu, 2022)

10:20 -Steam Up: A Feast of Dim Sum (Pauline Kong, Haymen Lee, and Marie Wong, Hot Banana Games, 2023)

13:20 -Switch & Signal (David Thompson, KOSMOS, 2020)

16:06 -SEAL Team Flix (Pete Ruth & Mark Thomas, WizKids, 2018)

18:30 -Star Fighters: Rapid Fire (Michael Dunsmore and Jordan Nichols, Alley Cat Games, 2023)

22:10 -For Northwood! A Solo Trick-Taking Game (Wilhelm Su, Self-published, 2021)

24:47 -Oak (Wim Goossens, Game Brewer, 2022)

28:28 -Messina 1347 (Raúl Fernández Aparicio & Vladimír Suchý, Delicious Games, 2021)

31:01 -Cysmic (Jason Blake, Star Reach Games, 2023)

News (and why it doesn't matter):

38:20 RIP Klaus Teuber, inventor of Catan. Dan Thurot's obituary: https://spacebiff.com/tag/klaus-teuber/

39:23 Vladimír Suchý and Delicious Games: Evacuation

39:39 Ultimate Innovation: Age 11 for each expansion, Unseen Expansion

41:15 The List is back! www.sowronggames.com/episodenotes

42:26 Feature Game: Gatefall (Jack Dire, Jack Dire Studios, 2020)

Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brands
Privacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

#257: Just the Games Apr 04, 2023

And I said, I don't care if they lay me off either, because I told, I told Huey that if Walker moves my games one more time, then, then I'm, I'm quitting, I'm going to quit. And, and I told Dewey too, because Walker's moved my games four times already this year, and they used to be over by the window, and they could see the squirrels, and they were merry, but then, Walker switched from the Swingline to the Boston stapler, but I kept my Swingline stapler because it didn't bind up as much, and I kept the staples for the Swingline stapler and it's not okay because if Walker takes my stapler then I'll set the studio on fire...

01:38 AYURIS: Witchstone (Martino Chiacchiera & Reiner Knizia, R&R Games, 2021)

Games Played Last Week:

04:00 -Skytear Horde (Giacomo Neri and Riccardo Neri, Skytear Games, 2023)

05:54 -Wizards of the Grimoire (Cole Banning and Joe Banning, Grimoire Games, 2022)

09:15 -Codenames (Vlaada Chvátil, CGE, 2015)

14:05 -Pala (Jeffrey D. Allers, Cambridge Games Factory, 2012)

19:17 -Circadians: First Light (S J Macdonald, Garphill Games, 2019)

24:33 -Dice Manor (Garrett Herdter, Arcane Wonders, 2023)

28:25 -A.E.G.I.S.: Combining Robot Strategy Game (Cassandra Clark, Sarah Como, Breeze Grigas, Zach Kettell, Ryan "The Boulder" Richford, and Tom Wozencraft, Zephyr Workshop, 2018)

33:18 -51st State: Master Set--No Man's Land (Joanna Kijanka and Ignacy Trzewiczek, Portal Games, 2023)

38:22 -Aristeia! (Alberto Abal, Jesús Fuster, and David Rosillo, Corvus Belli, 2017) 2020

42:48 -SCOUT (Kei Kajino, Oink Games, 2019)

45:30 -Summoner Wars (Second Edition): Starter Set (Colby Dauch, Plaid Hat Games, 2021)

47:22 -Whale Riders (Reiner Knizia, Grail Games, 2021)

52:06 -Empyreal: Far Corners (Trey Chambers, Level 99 Games, 2022)

54:56 -Ark Nova (Mathias Wigge, Feuerland Spiele, 2021)

News (and why it doesn't matter):

56:46 Alleged Phantom Division will allegedly be on crowdfunding "soon"-ish

57:57 Expansion to Radlands

58:27 Santorini: Riddle of the Sphinx and deluxe Pantheon Edition

1:00:34 New Decrypto expandalone edition with new words

1:02:08 SVWAG Presents Masterpiece Theatre: Barry

Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brands
Privacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

#256: The Wolves Mar 28, 2023

The mighty weremoose is a solitary creature, peaceable until roused to anger. Its only known predator is the American military deciding to once again invade Canada for reasons. When threatened, the weremoose rises to its full bipedal height of 6 meters, whereupon its sheer Chad-esque magnificence causes other creatures of the forest to quail and flee. Soldiers in the presence of this manifestation of the weremoose have been known to spontaneously reconsider their enlistment and retire on the spot.

Games Played Last Week:

01:45 -Cysmic (Jason Blake, Star Reach Games, 2023)

12:26 -Summoner Wars (Second Edition) (Colby Dauch, Plaid Hat Games, 2021)

16:21 -Weather Machine (Vital Lacerda, Eagle-Gryphon Games, 2022)

18:02 -Skytear Horde (Giacomo Neri and Riccardo Neri, Skytear Games, 2023)

21:04 -League of the Lexicon (Stavros Damos and Steven Noble, Two Brothers Games, 2021)

26:02 -Turncoats (Matilda Simonsson, Milda Matilda Games, 2021)

28:20 -Tribes of the Wind (Joachim Thôme, La Boîte de Jeu, 2022)

News (and why it doesn't matter):

33:01 Three Ring Circus by Fabio Lopiano and

33:54 Silver Bayonets by Joseph McCullough gets the Canada expansion by Ash Barker

34:58 Mantic wins best title award: Dungeon Saga: Origins Legenday Edition

35:19 Gatefall Monsters on Gamefound

36:00 Allies have to do a better job making gaming spaces inclusive, especially at tournaments

39:53 Feature Game: The Wolves (Ashwain Kamath and Clarence Simpson, Pandasaurus Games, 2022)

Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brands
Privacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

#255: The Great Wall Mar 21, 2023

Everything's gotta be a competition. "I've seen better walls," scoffs the ingrate. "I've had darker ages," insists the depressive. "Well, I'm a Time Duke," growls the superstar Duke (esq., O.B.E.). It's all right, people. We can accept the superlatives without making it a contest.

Games Played Last Week:

00:58 -Dark Ages: Heritage of Charlemagne (Adam Kwapiński & Andrei Novac, Board&Dice, 2021)

08:04 -Horizons of Spirit Island (Eric R. Reuss, Greater Than Games, 2022)

09:10 -Keyflower (Sebastian Bleasdale & Richard Breese, R&D Games, 2012)

13:02 -Spots (Alex Hague, Jon Perry, and Justin Vickers, CMYK, 2022)

14:07 -Gatefall: Lost in the North Woods (Jack Dire, Jack Dire Studios, 2022)

17:52 -Time Barons (Jon Perry and Derek Yu, WizKids, 2014)

19:44 -Light Speed (James Ernest and Tom Jolly, Cheapass Games, 2003)

23:37 -Tiletum (Simone Luciani and Daniele Tascini, Board&Dice, 2022)

25:21 -Summoner Wars (Second Edition) (Colby Dauch, Plaid Hat Games, 2021)

News (and why it doesn't matter):

28:09 Walker hates embargos, forgets about the thing

28:29 RPGs let you do anything, so why re-create TV scenarios? The Walking Dead RPG

29:33 New Dark Crystal card game, Walker unimpressed

29:50 Mighty Mighty Boards customer service

30:08 Great Western Trail: New Zealand with SHEEP?

31:31 Please support us on Patreon! www.patreon.com/svwag

32:32 Feature Game: The Great Wall (Kamil 'Sanex' Cieśla, Robert Plesowicz, & Łukasz Włodarczyk, Awaken Realms, 2021)

Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brands
Privacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

#254: Mille Fiori Mar 14, 2023

This episode, as all episodes, is brought to you by our crack editorial team of semi-trained gibbons. Always go with gibbons. Cheaper than interns! More personable than rhesus! Less violent than capuchins! Better hygiene than Mark!

Games Played Last Week:

01:05 -Votes for Women (Tory Brown, Fort Circle Games, 2022)

05:19 -Joan of Arc: Orléans Draw & Write (Ryan Hendrickson and Reiner Stockhausen, dlp Games, 2022)

09:54 -Quantum (Eric Zimmerman, Funforge, 2013)

11:54 -Gang of Dice (Reiner Knizia, Mandoo Games, 2022)

14:25 -Libertalia: Winds of Galecrest (Paolo Mori, Stonemaier Games, 2022)

16:49 -Hamlet: The Village Building Game (David Chircop, Mighty Boards, 2022)

21:35 -Claustrophobia 1643 (Croc & Laurent Pouchain, Monolith, 2019)

23:42 -Spots (Alex Hague, Jon Perry, and Justin Vickers, CMYK, 2022)

24:51 -Piazza Rabazza (Guido Hoffman and Jens-Peter Schliemann, Zoch Verlag, 2022)

28:45 -Findorff (Friedemann Friese, 2F-Spiele, 2022)

33:36 -Nemesis: Lockdown (Adam Kwapiński, Awaken Realms, 2022)

37:51 -Blue Lagoon (Reiner Knizia, Blue Orange Games, 2018)

News (and why it doesn't matter):

39:36 Ad-free versions available on Patreon, please alert us to problematic ads

40:05 Reach out to the content creators you enjoy!

40:21 Call for academic submissions! https://boardgameacademics.com/submissions

41:19 Feature Game: Mille Fiori (Reiner Knizia, Schmidt Spiele, 2021)

57:26 SVWAG Presents Masterpiece Theatre: A Knock at the Cabin

Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brands
Privacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

#253: New and Improved Mar 07, 2023

"And Blass is reeling from Yves Saint-Laurent's inverted atomic drop! But wait, who's that running towards the ring? IT'S THE BIG O! Oscar de la Renta is coming to the assistance of his tag-team partner! We thought Pierre Cardin had locked him backstage in his dressing room but no, here he is, steel chair in hand! And he levels YSL with one perfect shot to the head!!! Can you believe it? This the kind of action you can only see on pay-per-view in Versailles!"

01:24 AYURIS: Trickerion: Legends of Illusion (Richard Amann & Viktor Peter, Mindclash Games, 2015)

Games Played Last Week:

04:06 -Deities (Gary Kim, Mandoo Games, 2022)

08:24 -Manhattan (Andreas Seyfarth, Hans im Glück, 1994)

10:48 -Votes for Women (Tory Brown, Fort Circle Games, 2022)

18:43 -Skytear Horde (Giacomo Neri and Riccardo Neri, Skytear Games, 2023)

23:29 -Barony (Marc André, Matagot, 2015)

24:49 -Don't L.L.A.M.A. Dice (Reiner Knizia, AMIGO, 2021)

24:59 -Antike II (Mac Gerdts, PD-Verlag, 2015)

25:54 -Tribune (Karl-Heinz Schmiel, Spielworxx, 2021)

31:20 -Cockroach Poker (Jacques Zeimet, Drei Magier Spiele, 2004)

31:49 -Karuba (Rüdiger Dorn, HABA, 2015)

34:33 -Fealty (R. Eric Reuss, Asmadi Games, 2011)

37:17-Paperback Adventures (Tim Fowers and Skye Larsen, Fowers Games, 2022)

News (and why it doesn't matter):

41:08 Ad-free versions available on Patreon, please alert us to problematic ads

42:05 Shipyard by Vladimír Suchý being reprinted

42:59 The Battle of Versailles: fashion! Gossip! Celebrities! And... rebuilding Versailles. Ugh.

44:33 Potential SVWAG-Con poll! https://forms.gle/R7pDHNnx5EQXgSUh8

45:08 Topic: New and Improved

Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brands
Privacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

#252: IKI Feb 28, 2023

As employers, we gamers are a strange lot. We are expected to feed our workers, house them, give them their raw materials; we tell them where to go, when to work,a nd for how long; we subject them to fires, predation, starvation... and on top of all this, in some games we appear to confiscate all their wages! At least in Food Chain Magnate we occasionally allow them to go to the beach. Under strict supervision. Until we permit them the sweet release of death. I mean, until they "retire." Yeah, that sounds better.

Games Played Last Week:

01:24 -Air, Land, & Sea: Spies, Lies, & Supplies (Jon Perry, Arcane Wonders, 2022)

02:59 -Tinners' Trail (Martin Wallace, Alley Cat Games, 2021)

06:09 -Skytear Horde (Giacomo Neri and Riccardo Neri, Skytear Games, 2023)

11:31 -Great Western Trail: Argentina (Alexander Pfister, eggertspiele, 2022)

16:57 -The Stygian Society (Kevin Wilson, APE Games, 2020)

21:56 -Company of Heroes (Bryan Kromley, Bad Crow Games, 2021)

29:05 -Voyages (Matthew Dunstan and Rory Muldoon, Postmark Games, 2021)

31:53 -Woodcraft (Ross Arnold and Vladimír Suchý, Delicious Games, 2022)

News (and why it doesn't matter):

33:58 Potential SVWAG-Con poll! https://forms.gle/R7pDHNnx5EQXgSUh8

34:40 Support content creators that you like! Reach out and thank someone.

35:26 Wabash Cannonball by John Bohrer to be reprinted by Rio Grande

36:33 Ethnos by Paolo Mori to be reprinted by Space Cowboys: Archeos Society

38:24 General Orders: WWII by David Thompson and Trevor Benjamin

39:29 Guards of Atlantis II reprint with new content on Gamefound in April

41:22 Ravensburger consolidating Quest for El Dorado with Vincent Dutrait art and new expansion: Dragons, Treasures, and Mysteries

42:18 Feature Game: IKI (Koota Yamada, Sorry We Are French, 2015)

1:07:15 SVWAG Presents Masterpiece Theatre: The Last of Us (eps. 1-5)

Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brands
Privacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

#251: Game Design Trends Feb 21, 2023

You like SVWAG? Their early work was a little too negative for my taste. But when SHUX came out in '20, I think they really came into their own, commercially and artistically. The whole podcast has a clear, crisp sound, and a new sheen of consummate professionalism that really gives the episodes a big boost. They've been compared to Elvis Costello, but I think SVWAG has a far more bitter, cynical sense of humor. In '23, SVWAG released this; episode 251, their most accomplished episode. I think their undisputed masterpiece is "gullet regurgitation". An observation so catchy, most people probably don't think about the meaning. But they should, because it's not just about the pleasures of consumption and the importance of digestion. It's also a personal statement about the podcast itself. Hey, Walker!
01:37 AYURIS: Whale Riders (Reiner Knizia, Grail Games, 2021)
Games Played Last Week:
03:42 -Godtear (David Carl, Alex Hall, & Steve Margetson, Steamforged Games, 2019)
08:30 -Aliens: Another Glorious Day in the Corps (Andrew Haught, Gale Force Nine, 2020)
14:17 -LOAD: League of Ancient Defenders (Uncredited, Archon Studio, 2016)
17:49 -Warpgate: Beyond (Artyom Nichipurov, Wolff Designa, 2022)
22:23 -Code of Nine (BakaFire, Z-Man Games, 2012)
26:17 -American Psycho: A Killer Game (Dan Blanchett, Renegade Game Studios, 2022)
30:25 -Sabika (Germán P. Millán, Ludonova, 2022)
News (and why it doesn't matter):
36:15 Bamboo by Sabika's Germán P. Millán
36:53 Cyclades: Legendary Edition
37:52 The closure and bankruptcy of Holy Grail Games
39:16 Expansion to Cosmic Frog! "Find Muck"
40:15 Topic: Gaming Design Trends
Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brands
Privacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

#250: Autobahn Feb 14, 2023

I once saw a video of a woman driving a Shelby GT350 Mustang on the Autobahn. It hit 275 kph without breaking a figurative sweat, roaring its primal power the entire way. I was petrified even watching the video. This is to say nothing of the terror I felt seeing it take offramps at roughly 100 kph, which is not terribly advisable with a vehicle that is not known for its cornering. Of course, there are many sections of the Autobahn with speed limits--and even more with no Mustangs on it at all. Tragedies heaped upon tragedies.
Games Played Last Week:
00:54 -boop. (Scott Brady, Smirk & Laighter Games, 2022)
01:53 -Bag of Chips (Mathieu Aubert and Théo Rivière, Mixlore, 2021)
03:26 -Ginkgopolis (Xavier Georges, Pearl Games, 2012)
05:32 -Street Masters: Aftershock (Adam Sadler & Brady Sadler, Blacklist Games, 2019)
07:10 -Equinox (Reiner Knizia, Plan B Games, 2021)
13:26 -Tammany Hall (Doug Eckhart, IDW Games, 2007)
17:44 -Marvel United (Andrea Chiarvesio and Eric M. Lang, CMON, 2020)
22:19 -Yellow & Yangtze (Reiner Knizia, Grail Games, 2018)
24:31 -Bot Factory (Vital Lacerda and João Quintela Martins, Eagle-Gryphon Games, 2023)
29:06 -The Wolves (Ashwin Kamath and Clarence Simpson, Pandasaurus Games, 2022)
News (and why it doesn't matter):
35:58 Dead Cells by Scorpion Masqué and Antoine Bauza, Ludovic Maublanc, et al
36:35 Puerto Rico 1897 component problems
36:53 Andromeda's Edge on Gamefound: Dwellings of Eldervale in spaaaace
38:04 More MicroMacro: Crime City. Complete the map!
38:39 Funagain distribution woes: Stationfall, Revive, Horseless Carriage
39:34 Jekyll & Hyde vs. Scotland Yard: two-plaayer co-op trick-taking game
40:21 SVWAG on Patreon! www.patreon.com/svwag
40:56 Renegade deck-builders crossover: G.I. Joe & Transformers: New Alliances
42:13 Feature Game: Autobahn (Fabio Lopiano and Nestore Mangone, Alley Cat Games, 2022)
Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brands
Privacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

#249: Rolling Heights Feb 07, 2023

A comprehensive list of what transpires in RRR would sound like the incoherent ramblings of someone undergoing a very potent trip, which is why we merely indulge in a curated list. While Mark does not retract his naming Decision to Leave as his favourite film of 2022, he will concede that it leads to a less absurdist discussion. It also features slightly fewer dance numbers.
Games Played Last Week:
01:21 -Astra (Patrik Porkoláb, Frigyes Schőberl, and Eszter Krisztina Sas, Mindclash Games, 2022)
03:37 -Much that Is Good and All that Is Evil (Jeeyon Shim, Jeeyon Shim Games, 2022)
06:04 -Wonderland's War (Tim Eisner, Ben Eisner, & Ian Moss, Druid City Games, 2022)
08:30 -Mosaic: A Story of Civilization (Glenn Drover, Forbidden Games, 2022)
12:34 -Pax Ragnarok (Jon Moffat, Unpublished)
17:53 -Street Masters: Twin Tiger (Brady Sadler and Adam Sadler, Blacklist Games, 2018)
19:57 -The Crew: Mission Deep Sea (Thomas Sing, KOSMOS, 2021)
News (and why it doesn't matter):
22:22 Xoe Allred's Persuasion being developed by Wehrlegig Games
23:38 Quartermaster General: East Front Ares Games
24:34 Pride and PrejuDice on Kickstarter
25:19 Hail Caesar 2nd Edition from Warlord Games
26:18 Kabuto Sumo: Beetle Brawl at Target
27:19 Imperial Miners: 51st State with spatial play
28:23 New Sid Sackson's Acquire from Renegade
29:45 Expeditions from Stonemaier: more Jakub Rozalski art; tracing controvery dead?
31:09 Feature Game: Rolling Heights (John D. Clair, AEG, 2023)
54:36 SVWAG Presents Masterpiece Theatre: RRR
Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brands
Privacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

#248: Serge Laget Jan 31, 2023

Our favourite Serge Laget game is Senji. "Senji" is a contraction of "Sengoku Jidai," or Warring States Period, which refers to over a century of near total civil war in Japan that started in 1467. Scholars differ as to when it ended, but mostly we can agree that it started when I traded Huey my grandpa in exchange for boats and then he shipped ol' gramps to Louis' estate. I found this out the hard way when my armies marched on Château Louis to be met with my ex-grandpa. I was a bit miffed, but I was able to use Huey's boat to steal his best stuff, so I guess I got over it. Besides, Dewey gave me Huey's son in exchange for some weapons.
01:19 AYURIS: The Red Cathedral (Israel Cendrero & Sheila Santos, Devir Games, 2020)
Games Played Last Week:
02:35 -Autobahn (Fabio Lopiano and Nestore Mangone, Alley Cat Games, 2022)
08:57 -Soda Smugglers (Reiner Knizia, Bitewing Games, 2022)
11:11 -Woodcraft (Ross Arnold and Vladimír Suchý, Delicious Games, 2022)
12:37 -Chinatown (Karsten Hartwig, Z-Man, 1999)
15:21 -Atiwa (Uwe Rosenberg, Lookout Games, 2022)
20:39 -Eclipse: Second Dawn for the Galaxy (Touko Tahkokallio, Lautapelit.fl, 2020)
23:15 -Karate Tomate (Reiner Knizia, AMIGO, 2018)
23:31 -Monikers (Alex Hague and Justin Vickers, CMYK, 2015)
25:45 -Herd Mentality (Rich Coombs and Dan Penn, Big Potato, 2020)
26:50 -Senji (Bruno Cathala & Serge Laget, Asmodee, 2008)
News (and why it doesn't matter):
27:00 Pearl Games closed by Asmodee, but Sébastien Dujardin might resurrect it
28:37 SVWAG Videos! Uwe Rosenberg and Top 10 of 2022
https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCn7rQYKYwsxouP_7nSza9qQ
29:15 Tom Jolly's Wiz-War on Kickstarter via Steve Jackson Games
30:25 King's Dilemma: Chronicles on Steam
31:03 Topic: Serge Laget
Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brands
Privacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

#247: Ginkgopolis Jan 24, 2023

Ah, you dear internet pedants, I can hear your rapid and ever-present desire for infinite emendations and futile attempts to be comprehensive! "What of the expansion, uhm actually," you demand. We have little experience with the Ginkgopolis expansion, and while it adds several modules, they don't add much to the game--if you catch my subtle distinction.
Games Played Last Week:
01:18 -The Quest for El Dorado: The Golden Temples (Reiner Knizia, Ravensburger, 2019)
05:52 -Heat: Pedal to the Metal (Asger Harding Granerud and Daniel Skjold Pedersen, Days of Wonder, 2022)
11:00 -Last Message (Lee Ju-Hwa and Giung Kim, IELLO, 2021)
15:05 -Hyperborea: Light and Shadow (Andrea Chiarvesio, Maurizio Vergendo, and Pierluca Zizzi, Asterion Press, 2016)
19:10 -Ragnarocks (Gord!, Grey Fox Games, 2022)
23:45 -Undaunted: Stalingrad (Trevor Benjamin and David Thompson, Osprey Games, 2022)
26:18 -Rauha (Johannes Goupy and Théo Rivière, GRRRE Games, 2023)
28:16 -For Sale (Stefan Dorra, Uberplay, 1997)
30:41 -Woodcraft (Ross Arnold and Vladimír Suchý, Delicious Games, 2022)
News (and why it doesn't matter):
34:30 Game Brewer's Trolls and Princesses on Kickstarter
36:02 Expansion to Witchstone: Full Moon
36:40 Nusfjord Big Box: new expansions sold separately
37:54 Gears of War: The Card Game
38:26 SVWAG YouTube Page: new videos
https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCn7rQYKYwsxouP_7nSza9qQ
39:19 Feature Game: Ginkgopolis (Xavier Georges, Pearl Games, 2012)
Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brands
Privacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

#246: 2022 Year in Review Jan 17, 2023

Welcome to our year-end eleganza extravaganza! Lists are compiled. Harsh truths confronted. For example, while one generally takes a while to acclimatize to the using the new year in dates, 2022 seemed immediately apt and people switched over effortlessly. 2023 still seems weird, though--as evidenced by the fact that we forgot to change our tags for our 2023 episodes thus far! How embarrassing.
Games Played Last Week:
01:32 -Good Puppers (Chris Cieslik, Asmadi Games, 2021)
03:21 -Woodcrafters (Ross Arnold and Vladimír Suchý, Delicious Games, 2022)
06:55 -Robotech: Reconstruction (Dr. Wictz, Strange Machine Games, 2023)
12:59 -Black Rose Wars (Marco Montanaro, Ludus Magnus Studio, 2019)
18:46 -Ankh: Gods of Egypt--Pharaoh (Erc M. Lang, CMON, 2021)
22:53 -Age of Industry (Martin Wallace, Treefrog Games, 2010) and Age of Industry Expansion: Belgium and USSR (Clause Sirois, Self-published, 2013)
29:17 -Sentinels of the Multiverse (Christopher Badell, Paul Bender, & Adam Rebottaro, Greater Than Games, 2011)
30:25 -Artisans of Splendent Vale (Nikki Valens, Renegade Game Studios, 2022)
37:14 -Lanzerath Ridge (David Thompson, Dan Verssen Games, 2022)
40:42 Top 10s of 2022
1:04:44 Game of the Year 2022
1:07:33 Special Categories
Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brands
Privacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

#245: Beowulf: The Legend Jan 10, 2023

"I'm head of the class
I'm popular
I'm a quarter back
I'm popular
My mom says I'm a catch
I'm popular
I'm never last picked
I'm in the Green Team clique
Being attractive is the most important thing there is
If you wanna catch the biggest fish in your pond
You have to be as attractive as possible
Make sure to keep your hair spotless and clean
Wash it at least every two weeks
Once every two weeks
And if you see Johnny Football Hero in the hall
Tell him he played a great game
Tell him you liked his choice in the best of three"
-Popular by Nada Surf,
which ought to have been in the Green Team Wins rulebook
Games Played Last Week:
01:09 -Undaunted: Stalingrad (Trevor Benjamin and David Thompson, Osprey Games, 2022)
04:01 -Tiletum (Simone Luciani and Daniele Tascini, Board&Dice, 2022)
08:18 -Green Team Wins (Nathan Thornton, 25th Century Games, 2022)
10:55 -Terracotta Army (Przemysław Fornal and Adam Kwapiński, Board&Dice, 2022)
17:54 -Paperback Adventures (Tim Fowers and Skye Larsen, Fowers Games, 2022)
23:34 -Don't L.L.A.M.A. Dice (Reiner Knizia, AMIGO, 2021)
24:46 -Robotech: Reconstruction (Dr. Wictz, Strange Machine Games, 2021)
29:12 -Hyperborea (Andrea Chiarvesio & Pierluca Zizzi, Asterion, 2014)
34:24 -Roll Camera!: The Filmmaking Board Game (Malachi Ray Rempen, Keen Bean Studios, 2021)
News (and why it doesn't matter):
38:32 Irrgarten der Magier (Magician's Maze): Co-op dexterity with magnets!
40:05 Andrew Parks and Eric Goldberg's Tales of the Arthurian Knights
41:06 Isle of Skye Big Box: Walker Buys Twice Edition
42:16 End of year SVWAG survey! Questions! Prizes! Please help us plan! https://forms.gle/WuqtmUK39xFMAbAb7
42:54 We have a Patreon. www.patreon.com/svwag
44:11 Feature Game: Beowulf: The Legend (Reiner Knizia, KOSMOS, 2005)
Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brands
Privacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

#244: Oak Jan 03, 2023

After much popular demand, we present to you the much-anticipated return of Masterpiece Theatre. Our esteemed patron--who is utterly unaware of our existence, such is his focus on his twin demesnes of fastness and furiousness--deserves no less. Of course, should His Grace, the Reverend Doktor Doktor Vincent, Duke of Diesel, Esq. O.B.E. ever condescend to acknowledge us plebs, we would no doubt swoon from appreciation. We would cherish so much as a grunt! Or a cease and desist!
Games Played Last Week:
01:21 -Undaunted: Stalingrad (Trevor Benjamin and David Thompson, Osprey Games, 2022)
05:33 -Time of Empires (David Simiand and Pierre Voye, Pearl Games, 2022)
09:31 -Time Barons (Jon Perry and Derek Yu, WizKids, 2014)
13:51 -Cat in the Box: Deluxe Edition (Muneyuki Yokouchi, Bézier Games, 2022)
18:19 -Green Team Wins (Nathan Thornton, 25th Century Games, 2022)
22:20 -One Deck Galaxy (Chris Cieslik, Asmadi Games, 2022)
26:02 -G.I. Joe Deck-Building Game: Coldsnap Expansion (T.C. Petty III, Renegade Game Studios, 2022)
29:33 -Tidal Blades: Banner Festival (J.B. Howell and Michael Mihealsick, Druid City Games, 2022)
34:16 -Tiny Turbo Cars (Hjalmar Hach, Alessandro Manuini, Jonathan Panada, Laura Severino, and Giulia Tamagni, Horrible Guild, 2022)
News (and why it doesn't matter):
39:59 Knizia's Quo Vadis becomes Zoo Vadis from Bitewing Games
41:13 Kingmaker from 1974 becomes revised from Gibsons Games
42:38 End of year SVWAG survey! Questions! Prizes! Please help us plan! https://forms.gle/WuqtmUK39xFMAbAb7
43:25 Warsurge on Kickstarter: setting and miniature agnostic with unrestricted unit design
45:59 Feature Game: Oak (Wim Goossens, Game Brewer, 2022)
1:11:32 SVWAG Presents Masterpiece Theatre: Glass Onion
Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brands
Privacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

#243: Real-Time Games Dec 27, 2022

We take no time off for Boxing Day here at SVWAG, a day so named because according to the common law of the King (still feels weird saying that) citizens of the Commonwealth are permitted to punch someone in the face on this day only. It's like a pugilistic The Purge but with the metric system and occasional poutine. The news this week features a number of exemplary game titles. Many a stellar game has crossed our paths purely on the strength of its name, whereas others are so generic as to defy searching. Go ahead, find R on Board Game Geek, or the game Quest. I dare you.
01:59 AYURIS: Dominant Species Marine (Chad Jensen, GMT Games, 2021)
Games Played Last Week:
04:50 -Oak (Wim Goossens, Game Brewer, 2022)
10:59 -Weather Machine (Vital Lacerda, Eagle-Gryphon Games, 2022)
12:42 -Time of Empires (David Simiand and Pierre Voye, Pearl Games, 2022)
23:10 -Wayfarers of the South Tigris (S J Macdonald and Shem Phillips, Garphill Games, 2022)
26:40 -Persuasion (Xoe Allred, Unpublished)
31:31 -Starship Captains (Peter B. Hoffgaard, Czech Games Edition, 2022)
37:22 -Cockroach Poker (Jacques Zeimet, Drei Magier Spiele, 2004)
42:43 -Green Team Wins (Nathan Thornton, 25th Century Games, 2022)
47:53 -Arcana Rising (Tim Armstrong, Grey Fox Games, 2021)
50:12 -R (Seiji Kanai, Kanai Factory, 2011)
News (and why it doesn't matter):
52:35 Much that Is Good, and All that Is Evil: game about the Western Gull
53:08 The Adventures of Robin Hood: Friar Tuck in Danger expansion
54:14 End of year SVWAG survey! Questions! Prizes! Please help us plan! https://forms.gle/WuqtmUK39xFMAbAb7
55:10 Noobs in Space
55:48 Topic: Real-time Games
Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brands
Privacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

#242: Random Events Dec 20, 2022

All things in SVWAG are glorious, and that applies doubly for our glorious returns. We will also not be taking any additional breaks during the holidays! Yes, we can pledge an uninterrupted broadcast schedule through to the new year--leading directly to our annual end-of-year spectacular. And it shall be what, listeners? Say it with me,
It shall be glorious.
02:24 AYURIS: Bullet♥︎ (Joshua Van Laningham, Level 99 Games, 2021)
Games Played Last Week:
05:08 -Tidal Blades: Banner Festival (J.B. Howell and Michael Mihealsick, Druid City Games, 2022)
08:12 -Riftforce: Beyond (Carlo Bortolini, 1 More Time Games, 2022)
11:29 -Turing Machine (Fabien Gridel and Yoann Levet, Le Scorpion Masqué, 2022)
17:27 -Roll Camera!: The Filmmaking Board Game (Malachi Ray Rempen, Keen Bean Studios, 2021)
23:36 -John Company: Second Edition (Cole Wehrle, Wehrlegig Games, 2022)
29:27 -Horizons of Spirit Island (R. Eric Reuss, Greater Than Games, 2022)
33:20 -Terracotta Army (Przemysław Fornal and Adam Kwapiński, Board&Dice, 2022)
35:37 -Pandemic: Fall of Rome (Matt Leacock & Paolo Mori, Z-Man, 2018)
38:11 -Tiletum (Simone Luciani and Daniele Tascini, Board&Dice, 2022)
39:44 -Brazil: Imperial (Zé Mendes, MeepleBR, 2021)
49:02 -Oak (Wim Goossens, Game Brewer, 2022)
50:46 -Frostpunk: The Board Game (Adam Kwapiński, Glass Cannon Unplugged, 2022)
News (and why it doesn't matter):
52:27 Calico app: cats on your phone
53:20 French website Tric Trac to shut down
54:18 Mythic Games divests itself of several IPs to CMON and Monolith Games
56:01 Sweaty Tryhard vs. Filthy Casual: not meant as insult. New Myers-Briggs to be crafted?
58:10 Inside Job: trick-taking with traitor
58:52 IKI expansion: Akebono. Walker summons the purifying flames.
59:23 Queen games reprints Stefan Feld's city collection with no updates in 9-day campaign. Allegedly.
1:00:35 Topic: Random Events
Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brands
Privacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

#241: Planet Unknown Dec 06, 2022

Sometimes a game's title leads to it being underplayed. Such is not the case for Carolus Magnus, whose chief downside might be the surplus of excellent aliases (Chuckie Mags, Charlie Big-Big, Carlos Grande, Caroolie Magoonie, et al). Planet Unknown, on the other hand, hardly sticks in one's memory. Planet Lazy Susan, though perhaps a bit clumsy, would have likely generated more interest and most definitely adhered to gamers' memory more.
Games Played Last Week:
01:06 -I.S.S. Vanguard (Andrzej Betkiewicz, Krzysztof Piskorski, Paweł Samborski, and Marcin Świerkot, Awaken Realms, 2022)
08:03 -Teotihuacan: City of Gods (Daniele Tascini & Dávid Turczi, NSKN Games, 2018)
11:51 -Frostpunk: The Board Game (Adam Kwapiński, Glass Cannon Unplugged, 2022)
24:07 -MicroMacro: Crime City--All In (Johannes Sich, Edition Spielwiese, 2022)
27:27 -Endless Winter: Paleoamericans (Stan Kordonskiy, Fantasia Games, 2022)
29:34 -Last Message (Lee Ju-Hwa and Giung Kim, IELLO, 2021)
33:07 -Eriantys (Leo Colovini, Cranio Creations, 2021)
34:41 -War Chest (Trevor Benjamin & David Thompson, AEG, 2018)
News (and why it doesn't matter):
35:39 Snow People on Kickstarter: inexpensive PnP
37:35 "Convention Haul" pictures are often just marketing; audience beware
39:25 Teeter Tower: Dice-rolling stacking game
40:06 Feature Game: Planet Unknown (Ryan Lambert & Adam Rehberg, Adam's Apple Games, 2022)
Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brands
Privacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

#240: Deal-Making Nov 29, 2022

Walker has yet to inform us what agenda the aliens are pursuing in Argentina during their relentless campaign of cow abduction. Do the alien overlords practise colonialism in the same way as their human counterparts? Do the inscrutable extraterrestrials differentiate between different humans, perhaps much as they differentiate between cows? Are their secret machinations behind the British East India Company as well? Walker, what are you hiding!
01:54 AYURIS: Faiyum (Friedemann Friese, 2F-Spiele, 2020)
Games Played Last Week:
05:22 -Spire's End: Hildegard (Greg Favro, Favro Ventures, LLC., 2022)
07:36 -Innovation (Carl Chudyk, Asmadi Games, 2010)
07:44 -A Feast for Odin (Uwe Rosenberg, Feuerland Spiele, 2016)
07:50 -Jetpack Joyride: Deluxe Edition (Michał Gołębiowski, Lucky Duck Games, 2019)
08:12 -Ankh: Gods of Egypt (Eric M. Lang, CMON, 2021)
08:35 -Whale Riders (Reiner Knizia, Grail Games, 2021)
09:04 -Wavelength (Alex Hague, Justin Vickers, & Wolfgang Warsch, Palm Court, 2019)
10:29 -Trick Shot (Second Edition) (Artyom Nichipurov, Wolff Designa)
14:07 -Crash Octopus (Naotaka Shimamoto, itten, 2021)
16:17 -Riftforce: Beyond (Carlo Bortolini, 1 More Time Games, 2022)
18:55 -Horizons of Spirit Island (R. Eric Reuss, Greater Than Games, 2022)
20:47 -John Company: Second Edition (Cole Wehrle, Wehrlegig Games, 2022)
27:21 -Sidereal Confluence: Bifurcation (TauCeti Deichmann, WizKids, 2022)
30:34 -Oak (Wim Goossens, Game Brewer, 2022)
33:55 -Persuasion (Xoe Allred, Unpublished)
https://knifebunny.itch.io/persuasion
38:25 -Great Western Trail: Argentina (Alexander Pfister, eggertspiele, 2022)
43:53 -Turncoats (Matilda Simonsson, Milda Matilda Games, 2021)
48:00 -Guards of Atlantis II (Artyom Nichipurov, Wolff Designa, 2022)
News (and why it doesn't matter):
52:30 Spread the news of SVWAG! www.patreon.com/svwag
54:09 CMYK New Boardgame Smell scented candle
55:22 Peanut Butter Belly Time
56:20 Kickstarter projects: Pest & Runar
57:29 Regicide new art, new suit theme for diamonds #savepeanut
59:32 Topic: Deal-Making
Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brands
Privacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

#239: Dwellings of Eldervale Nov 22, 2022

Say what you want about the evils of filthy lucre, but I find it amazing how managers turn communitarian and high-minded when it comes to fair remuneration. "Don't you believe in the project?" "Aren't you committed to the team?" et al get deployed all the time when people want to, you know, get compensated for their work. One can't help but notice that racialized workers and women get subjected to such nonsense at a higher-than-average rate. Volunteerism is noble and good, but stiffing workers is not. When someone is trying to elide the difference, you can bet that they're up to something.
Games Played Last Week:
01:12 -Wonderland's War (Tim Eisner, Ben Eisner, & Ian Moss, Druid City Games, 2022)
04:36 -Fantasy Realms: Deluxe Edition (Bruce Galssco, WizKids, 2022)
08:55 -Lands of Galzyr (Seppo Kuukasjärvi and Sami Laakso, Snowdale Design, 2022)
12:12 -Horizons of Spirit Island (R. Eric Reuss, Greater Than Games, 2022)
15:25 -Weather Machine (Vital Lacerda, Eagle-Gryphon Games, 2022)
19:01 -Resurgence (Stan Kordonskiy, Half-a-Kingdom Games, 2022)
22:17 -Darkest Dungeon: The Board Game (Nick Niotis and Argyris Poungouras, Mythic Games, 2022)
28:23 -Innovation (Carl Chudyk, Asmadi Games, 2010)
News (and why it doesn't matter):
30:10 HeroScape: Age of Annihilation fails to reach crowdfunding goal
32:40 Star Wars: Shatterpoint minis game from Atomic Mass
35:35 Hollandays Sale! Freebie "Watch Out! That's a Dracula!"
36:29 Expensive video game adaptation! Archon's Heroes of Might & Magic III, Steamforged's Elden Ring
38:07 Abusive labour practices in hobby businesses
https://www.dicebreaker.com/companies/pandasaurus-games/feature/pandasaurus-games-workers-allege-toxic-workplace-crunch-burnout-payment-issues
39:45 Feature Game: Dwellings of Eldervale (Luke Laurie, Breaking Games, 2020)
Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brands
Privacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

#238: Dealing with Rules Mistakes Nov 15, 2022

Most of those time loop movies, while enjoyable, lack any degree of verisimilitude--clearly the chief use of a power to undo time or back up would be to get another chance at not saying something terribly stupid and embarrassing. One wonders if such time travelers would have a yet deeper reservoir of memories of sounding like a total cretin, even though those utterances were never said in the actual timeline (setting aside the multiverse version of time travel, or the "Infinite Douchebag" theory).
01:33 AYURIS: Anachrony: Fractures of Time (Richard Amann, Viktor Peter, Dávid Turczi, & Mindclash Games, 2020)
Games Played Last Week:
03:56 -Free Ride (Friedemann Friese, 2F-Spiele, 2021)
10:36 -Embryo Machine (Giguru Akiguchi and Toshimitsu Shigaki, LionWing Publishing, 2018)
11:31 -Monolyth (Phil Walker-Harding, CMON, 2022)
13:58 -Arcana Rising (Tim Armstrong, Grey Fox Games, 2021)
18:17 -Skymines (Viktor Kobilke and Alexander Pfister, Deep Print Games, 2022)
24:18 -Soda Smugglers (Reiner Knizia, Bitewing Games, 2022)
27:27 -Hot Lead (Reiner Knizia, Bitewing Games, 2022)
30:42 -Pumafiosi (Reiner Knizia, Bitewing Games, 2022)
33:55 -Tiny Turbo Cars (Hjalmar Hach, Alessandro Manuini, Jonathan Panada, Laura Severino, and Giulia Tamagni, Horrible Guild, 2022)
38:02 -Terra Nova (Andreas Faul, KOSMOS, 2022)
News (and why it doesn't matter):
42:16 New Patreon-exclusive show: WIRED, about our Oathsworn campaign.
42:37 Check your Patreon messages if you submitted to get a copy of Horizons of Spirit Island!
43:10 Tragedy Looper: New Tragedies by BakaFire
45:49 Michael Crossman's 100 Post Apocalyptic Vehicular Combat Accessories on Kickstarter
47:07 The Last of Us: Escape the Dark
48:48 Minimalist version of Gatefall by Jack Dire on Kickstarter
50:16 Topic: Dealing with Rules Mistakes
Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brands
Privacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

#237: Flamecraft Nov 08, 2022

"Let us go then, you and I,
When the board is spread out against the table
Like a beast euthanized inside a stable;
Let us go, through certain half-deserted tracks,
The muttering attacks
During restless nights of one-play bad games
And sepia box lids with familiar names:
Rules that follow like a tedious argument
Of soporific intent
To lead you to an overwhelming question ...
Oh, do not ask, “What to play?”
Let us go and have our say.
In the room the gamers come and stay
Talking of Asmodee."
-The Love Song of J. Alfred Prufrock
Games Played Last Week:
00:55 -Keep the Heroes Out (Luís Brüeh, Brueh Games, 2022)
06:49 -Air, Land, & Sea: Spies, Lies, & Supplies (Jon Perry, Arcane Wonders, 2022)
11:46 -Skymines (Viktor Kobilke and Alexander Pfister, Deep Print Games, 2022)
15:00 -Calimala (Fabio Lopiano, ADC Blackfire Entertainment GmbH, 2017)
18:46 -Resist! (Trevor Benjamin, Roger Tankersley, and David Thompson, Salt & Pepper Games, 2022)
21:25 -Tindaya (Lolo González, Red Mojo, 2022)
26:04 -Oathsworn: Into the Deepwood (Jamie Jolly, Shadowborne Games, 2022)
News (and why it doesn't matter):
31:36 Teotihuacan: Deluxe Version in 2023
32:23 Mosaic: Wars & Disasters Expansion on KS: https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/954412004/mosaic-wars-and-disasters-expansion
33:28 From The Red Cathedral to The White Castle
35:15 Non-US patrons! Send us a Patreon message for a chance to get a copy of Target-exclsuive Horizons of Spirit Island
36:36 Slay the Spire on KS: https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/contentiongames/slay-the-spire-the-board-game
41:36 Dragonlance: Warriors of Krynn by Stephen Baker and ROb Daviau
43:16 Feature Game: Flamecraft (Manny Vega, Cardboard Alchemy, 2022)
Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brands
Privacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

#236: Dead Reckoning Nov 01, 2022

Replete with a robust menagerie in this episode, we perhaps begin to see why anthropomorphic animals seem to feature in every other game lately. We have Dalmations (plus a cow named Doog trying to impersonate a Dalmation), horsies, goats, weasels and wombats (seldom do we see such an august alliteration!), meeses (not to be confused with mooses), and some needed stinkin' badgers. Not a great petting zoo, sure--of limited utility in a game of Ark Nova--but an impressive collection nonetheless.
Games Played Last Week:
02:05 -Spots (Alex Hague, Jon Perry, and Justin Vickers, CMYK, 2022)
02:20 -Long Shot: The Dice Game (Chris Handy, Perplext, 2022)
03:37 -Mountain Goats (Stefan Risthaus, BoardGameTables.com, 2020)
06:10 -Mysterium Park (Oleksandr Nevskiy and Oleg Sidorenko, Libellud, 2020)
09:08 -Oathsworn: Into the Deepwood (Jamie Jolly, Shadowborne Games, 2022)
15:50 -Weasel-Tech (Ivan Sorensen, Nordic Weasel Games, 2021)
21:22 -Hand-to-Hand Wombat (Matthew Inman, Elan Lee, & Cory O'Brien, Exploding Kittens, 2022)
25:02 -Root: The Marauder Expansion (Nick Brachmann, Patrick Leder, Cole Wehrle, and Joshua Yearsley, Leder Games, 2022)
28:45 -Capital Lux 2: Generations (Eilif Svensson & Kristian Amundsen Østby, Aporta Games, 2020)
29:22 -I.S.S. Vanguard (Andrzej Betkiewicz, Krzysztof Piskorski, Paweł Samborski, and Marcin Świerkot, Awaken Realms, 2022)
36:08 -Cult of the Deep (Sam Stockton, B.A. Games, 2022)
39:58 -Strike (Dieter Nüßle, Ravensburger, 2012)
News (and why it doesn't matter):
42:40 Aegean Sea by Carl Chudyk on BackerKit
43:18 All sorts of Patreon-exclusive content and free games! www.patreon.com/svwag
44:27 Canadian patrons! Sent a message through Patreon to possibly win a copy of Horizons of Spirit Island: Tell us your Spirit Name!
46:08 Feature Game: Dead Reckoning (John D. Clair, Alderac Entertainment Group, 2022)
Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brands
Privacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

#235: Games, Games, GAMES Oct 25, 2022

We apologize for the all-caps implied yelling, but really, given this volume we had to have a corresponding... uh, volume. The puns are also somewhat fishy--but those you can feel free to skip, jack. The nautical theme doesn't end with fishing, as the recent Crash Octopus (when compared with older titles that are comparatively crusty) shone. More specifically given that it's about an octopus and we want to minimize the yelling, it's a safe, low pod.
Wait, no, that's the wrong family. If you wanna shop in latin... you mall, usque?
I'll see myself out.
1:04 AYURIS: Trick Shot (Nikita Krylov & Artyom Nichipurov, Wolff Designa, 2021)
Games Played Last Week:
03:27 -Lords of Hellas: Dark Ages Expansion (Adam Kwapiński, Awaken Realms, 2019)
09:43 -Hallertau (Uwe Rosenberg, Lookout Games, 2020)
12:27 -Keep the Heroes Out (Luís Brüeh, Brueh Games, 2022)
17:37 -Nusfjord (Uwe Rosenberg, Lookout Games, 2017)
21:49 -Santa Maria (Eilif Svensson and Kristian Amundsen Østby, Aporta Games, 2017)
25:47 -Spots (Alex Hague, Jon Perry, and Justin Vickers, CMYK, 2022)
29:37 -Long Shot: The Dice Game (Chris Handy, Perplext, 2022)
33:37 -Oathsworn: Into the Deepwood (Jamie Jolly, Shadowborne Games, 2022)
41:00 -Return to Dark Tower (Tim Burrell-Saward, Isaac Childres, Noah Cohen, Rob Daviau, Justin D. Jacobson, & Brian Neff, Restoration Games, 2022)
43:52 -Car Wars (Sixth Edition) (Samuel Mitschke & Rany Scheunemann, Steve Jackson Games, 2021)
49:39 -Twilight Inscription (James Kniffen, FFG, 2022)
51:47 -Space Cadets: Dice Duel (Geoff Engelstein and Sydney Engelstein, Stronghold, 2013)
53:56 -Scooby-Doo! The Board Game (Guilherme Goulart and Fred Perret, CMON, 2022)
57:32 -Guards of Atlantis II (Artyom Nichipurov, Wolff Designa, 2022)
1:02:50 -Chronicles of Avel (Przemek Wojtkowiak, Rebel Studio, 2021)
1:04:23 -Crash Octopus (Naotaka Shimamoto, itten, 2021)
News (and why it doesn't matter):
1:06:29 Funbrick Series by itten: two Reiner Knizia dexterity games!
1:07:19 Queen's Dilemma, and the consumer's dilemma
1:09:09 Spirit Island: Nature Incarnate on BackerKit. Strangely information-free campaign.
1:12:32 HeroScape campaign floundering.
1:14:08 Another G.I. JOE expansion: Cold Snap
1:14:37 Both Sadler brothers out of professional game design
1:15:26 A reason why we don't do previews
1:16:23 October 27th is Arkhipov Day
Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brands
Privacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

#234: Live at SHUX! Oct 18, 2022

Live at SHUX 2022, we are joined with extra-special guest Quinns from Shut Up and Sit Down! He was clearly thrilled to be with us, as evinced by the following exchange:
Mark: "We're professionals, Quinns."
Quinns: "Citation needed."
02:26 AYURIS: Hallertau (Uwe Rosenberg, Lookout Games, 2020)
Games Played Last Week:
05:11 -The Siege of Runedar (Reiner Knizia, Ludonova, 2021)
09:00 -Marrakesh (Stefan Feld, Queen Games, 2022)
14:18 -Endless Winter: Paleoamericans (Stan Kordonskiy, Fantasia Games, 2022)
20:24 -Sidereal Confluence 10m22s (TauCeti Deichmann, Wizkids, 2017)
25:49 -Regicide (Paul Abrahams, Luke Badger, & Andy Richdale, Badgers from Mars, 2020)
26:10 -Caverna: The Cave Farmers (Uwe Rosenberg, Lookout Games, 2013)
28:31 -Master Word (Gérald Cattiaux, Le Scorpion Masqué, 2020)
News (and why it doesn't matter):
32:42 Terraforming Mars: Dice Game
32:57 Reprint of Yellow & Yangtze: Huang by PHALANX
35:07 Temple of Horrors: Dungeon crawling with shuffleboard combat
36:55 October 27th is Akhipov Day
38:11 Topic: Games that Make You Be Mean
Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brands
Privacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

#233: Heroscape Oct 11, 2022

We apologize for the poor quality of Mark's half of the audio this week. We offer two possible explanations. One is that Walker, motivated as he is by spite and malice, engaged in an elaborate act of sabotage so as to undermine Mark in public. The other is that Mark (the editor, mind you) messed up the audio settings. I agree that the latter is too improbable, too conspiratorial, to take seriously--but we include it for the sake of comprehensiveness.
Games Played Last Week:
01:32 -Twilight Inscription (James Kniffen, FFG, 2022)
05:15 -Heaven & Ale (Michael Kiesling & Andreas Schmidt, eggertspiele, 2017)
07:59 -Blood Rage (Eric Lang, CMON, 2015)
09:07 -Fun Facts (Kasper Lapp, Repos Production, 2022)
12:17 -Albedo: Space Pirates! (Kai Herbertz, Herbertz Entertainment UG, 2018)
13:44 -51st State: Master Set (Ignacy Trzewiczek, Portal, 2016)
14:31 -Renegade (Richard Wilkins, Victory Point Games, 2018)
17:31 -Flamecraft (Manny Vega, Cardboard Alchemy, 2022)
19:42 -Massive Darkness 2: Heavenfall (Alex Olteanu & Marco Portugal, CMON, 2021)
22:12 -Oneironauts (Oleksandr Nevskiy, IGAMES, 2022)
26:12 -Now Boarding (Tim Fowers, Fowers Games, 2018)
29:25 -Return to Dark Tower (Tim Burrell-Saward, Isaac Childres, Noah Cohen, Rob Daviau, Justin D. Jacobson, & Brian Neff, Restoration Games, 2022)
News (and why it doesn't matter):
33:40 Cthulhu: Death May Die Season 3 coming to KS
35:41 Persona 5 co-op card game by Atlus and Pandasaurus in October '23
36:12 Spiel in Essen! For example, Cyclades 2
37:03 SHUX '22 is a wrap! Thank you, everyone! Live show with Quinns incoming
37:39 Roundtable discussion with BGB released on Patreon, note about review copies
38:39 Video review of Space Station Phoenix: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ibG5qf1Rwm0
39:14 Daybreak by Matt Leacock on Backerkit
40:18 Arkhipov Day! In recognition of Vasily Arkhipiv saving the entire world on October 27, 1962, we celebrate Arkhipov Day on October 27th.
40:49 Feature Game: Heroscape (Stephen Baker, Rob Daviau, & Craig Van Ness, Hasbro, 2004)
Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brands
Privacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

#232: What a Campaign Needs Sep 27, 2022

001
You approach a door. Test perception. If you fail, go to paragraph 105. If you succeed, go to paragraph 166.
105
You fail to notice a sharp thing, so you step on it and take 1 wound. Go to paragraph 166.
166
On the other side of the door are things you must kill for reasons. Dig out tiles 2B, 4A, 6A, 8B and 12B and get ready for some paperwork.
02:23 AYURIS: Tungaru (Louis Malz & Stefan Malz, Alley Cat Games, 2020)
Games Played Last Week:
03:48 -Blood Rage (Eric Lang, CMON, 2015)
06:29 -Wormholes (Peter McPherson, Alderac Entertainment Group, 2022)
09:16 -Envelopes of Cash (Andy Schwarz, Envelopes of Cash LLC, 2022)
13:52 -Fateforge: Chronicles of Kaan (Gordon Calleja, Mighty Boards, 2023)
18:44 -Albedo: Yggdrasil (Kai Herbertz, Herbertz Entertainment UG, 2019)
22:47 -Anachrony: Fractures of Time (Richard Amann, Viktor Peter, Dávid Turczi, & Mindclash Games, 2020)
27:58 -Trudvang Legends (Jordy Adan, Fel Barros, Guilherme Goulart, Eric M. Lang, Marco Maggi, Francesco Nepitello, Umberto Pignatelli, & Fabio Tola, 2022)
34:13 -Long Shot: The Dice Game (Chris Handy, Perplext, 2022)
37:10 -Hanabi (Antoine Bauza, ABACUSSPIELE, 2010)
40:42 -G.I. Joe Deck-Building Game: Shadow of the Serpent Expansion (Matt Hyra, Renegade Game Studios, 2022)
42:45 -The Mirroring of Mary King (Jim Felli, Devious Weasel Games, 2022)
News (and why it doesn't matter):
44:45 SHUX! September 30-October 2. SVWAG on stage for two live shows on October 1.
46:25 We stream games on Twitch and rebroadcast those session on Youtube! Most recently, Anachrony.
47:09 Space Dwarfs aka "Squats" from Games Workshop:
https://www.warhammer-community.com/2022/09/13/welcome-to-the-big-leagues-who-are-the-five-biggest-leagues-of-votann/
47:50 Fuse: Countdown expandalone
48:21 Topic: What a Campaign Needs
Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brands
Privacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

#231: Capitol Lux 2 Sep 20, 2022

Even the steadfastly Imperial Americans are familiar with metric measurements of distance, volume, and temperature; but alas, the metric French Republican calendar has fallen by the wayside. Consisting of 12 months of exactly 30 days each (3 10-day weeks) with 5 (or 6, for leap years) interstitial days called "complementary days." I mean, you couldn't call them holidays what with your trying to purge religious influence on your calendar! In a fun twist, each of the 360 normal days, instead of Saint's Days, was meant to commemorate the "treasures of the rural economy." Like horseradish day (Frimaire 12), or rabbit day (Nivôse 15). Even more exotic was metric time, and don't get me started on that.
Games Played Last Week:
01:31 -Tobago: Volcano (Bruce Allen, Zoch Verlag, 2020)
03:50 -Ascension Tactics: Miniatures Deckbuilding Game (Justin Gary & Ryan Sutherland, Stone Blade Entertainment, 2021)
06:18 -Uprising: Curse of the Last Emperor (Cornelius Cremin, Pawel Mazur, & Dirk Sommer, Nemesis.Games, 2021)
08:50 -Resist! (Trevor Benjamin, Roger Tankersley, & David Thompson, Salt & Pepper Games, 2022)
14:07 -The Adventures of Robin Hood (Michael Menzel, KOSMOS, 2021)
15:44 -Regicide (Paul Abrahams, Luke Badger, & Andy Richdale, Badgers from Mars, 2020)
16:38 -51st State: Master Set (Ignacy Trzewiczek, Portal, 2016)
18:16 -Swords around the Throne (Renaud Verlaque, My Kind of Games, 2022)
23:23 -Wormholes (Peter McPherson, Alderac Entertainment Group, 2022)
27:04 -Blitz Bowl: Season 2 (James M. Hewitt, Games Workshop Ltd., 2020)
News (and why it doesn't matter):
33:07 SHUX! September 30-October 2. SVWAG on stage for two live shows on October 1.
33:22 Unboxed: Board Game Experience and Design by Gordon Calleja and MIT Press releases October 4.
34:13 Pandemic everything! Star Wars: The Clone Wars--A Pandemic System Game
34:35 Mac Gerdts' Crossing Oceans
35:43 International Gamers Awards winners announced: Carnegie, Ark Nova, and Cascadia.
[EDIT: In the broadcast we mistakenly refer to the International Gamers Awards as the International Gaming Awards. We apologize for the error.]
36:14 Disney trading card game: Disney Lorcana
37:47 Feature Game: Capital Lux 2: Generations (Eilif Svensson & Kristian Amundsen Østby, Aporta Games, 2020)
Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brands
Privacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

#230: Mosaic: A Story of Civilization Sep 13, 2022

We encourage elaborate deception in this week's episode. Go on designers, up your game. While we can't accept anything from you in terms of gifts or donations, you can totally fool us. Stack yourselves three deep in a trenchcoat! Pretend to be long-lost, estranged, and newly-dead relatives! Don silly hats and fake moustaches!
Games Played Last Week:
01:00 -Monumental (Matthew Dunstan, Funforge, 2020)
06:37 -Spirit Island: Jagged Earth (R. Eric Reuss, Greater Than Games, 2020)
08:52 -Ragusa (Fabio Lopiano, Braincrack Games, 2019)
12:52 -Dead Reckoning (John D. Clair, Alderac Entertainment Group, 2022)
18:04 -Castles of Mad King Ludwig: Collector's Edition (Ted Alspach, Bézier Games, 2022)
22:04 -Space Weirdos: A Skirmish Heartbreaker (Casey Garske, Garske Games, 2021)
27:29 -Oathsworn: Into the Deepwood (Jamie Jolly, Shadowborne Games, 2022)
34:38 -Battlecrest: Fellwoods Base Game (Dustin Dobson & Milan Zivkovic, Button Shy, 2022)
News (and why it doesn't matter):
37:53 We have a Patreon. Please keep mum about it, designers! www.patreon.com/svwag
39:11 Fun Facts by Repos Production
39:40 David Thompson and BeyondSolitaire working on a game about the Night Witches
40:31 Almost Innocent on KS: co-op deduction
40:52 Come Together and hold a music festival
41:44 Feature Game: Mosaic: A Story of Civilization (Glenn Drover, Forbidden Games, 2022)
Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brands
Privacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

#229: Efficiency Euros Sep 06, 2022

Fatal Fury 3's subtitle was Road to the Final Victory, ironic given that there were then four more Fatal Fury titles (the first's subtitle was The King of Fighters, which is its own huge delightful kettle of fish). While Fatal Fury Special (the actual third Fatal Fury title, which made 3 the fourth, please do keep up) was worthy in its own right, 3 is clearly where the Fatal Fury series hit its stride. This is to say nothing of the introductions of Ryuji Yamazaki and Blue Mary!
It's either this or Kant, folks.
01:25 AYURIS: Dogs of War (Paolo Mori, CMON, 2014)
Games Played Last Week:
03:12 -Cosmic Frog (Jim Felli, Devious Weasel Games, 2020)
06:20 -Flotilla (J.B. Howell & Michael Mihealsick, WizKids, 2019)
07:55 -Massive Darkness 2: Hellscape (Alex Olteanu & Marco Portugal, CMON, 2022)
09:29 -Dead and Breakfast (Rodrigo Rego, Braincrack Games, 2018)
12:12 -So, You've Been Eaten (Scott Almes, LudiCreations, 2022)
16:13 -Fateforge: Chronicles of Kaan (Gordon Calleja, Mighty Boards, 2023)
20:27 -Ice Floes & Foes (Kees Meis & Dennis Merkx, Keep Exploring Games, 2021)
23:35 -Sentinels of the Multiverse (Christopher Badell, Paul Bender, & Adam Rebottaro, Greater Than Games, 2011)
27:52 -Santorini (Gord!, Roxley, 2016)
News (and why it doesn't matter):
29:02 Chip Theory Games gifting board game media types with swords
30:09 Vital Lacerda and Ian O'Toole: Inventions: Evolution of Ideas
30:40 HeroScape will be distributed by Hasbro's crowdfunding platform, HasLab
31:34 Astra from Mindclash games: straight to retail
32:18 Topic: Efficiency Euros
Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brands
Privacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

#228: It's a Wonderful World/Kingdom Aug 30, 2022

Not every game needs to be four huge boxes full of other boxes and plastic. Some can be delightfully simple games... with boxes that are too big due to crowdfunding. Other games could be underappreciated Reiner Knizia classics brought to a new underappreciating audience! Via, I guess, the medium of crowdfunding. Hm. I suppose I don't have a point, except that we, like pearls before swine or a Knizia before a gamer, are ungrateful contradictory ingrates.
Games Played Last Week:
01:58 -Meadow (Klemens Kalicki, Rebel Studio, 2021)
07:26 -Chronicles of Avel (Przemek Wojtkowiak, Rebel Studio, 2021)
10:42 -Massive Darkness 2: Hellscape (Alex Olteanu & Marco Portugal, CMON, 2022)
13:36 -Noli (Jack Caesar & Alessio Cavatore, River Horse Ltd., 2022)
18:40 -Barrage: The Leeghwater Project (Tommaso Battista & Simone Luciani, Cranio Creations, 2019)
22:30 -Stephenson's Rocket (Reiner Knizia, Pegasus Spiele, 1999)
25:19 -The Mirroring of Mary King (Jim Felli, Devious Weasel Games, 2022)
29:05 -Oathsworn: Into the Deepwood (Jamie Jolly, Shadowborne Games, 2022)
36:23 -Siege of Mantua (Amabel Holland, Hollandspiele, 2022)
News (and why it doesn't matter):
41:01 Friedemann Friese's Findorff
41:46 SLightly more HeroScape news on Hasbro Pulse
43:50 Revive by Aporta Games
44:40 Feature Game: It's a Wonderful World (Frédéric Guérard, La Boîte de Jeu, 2019) and It's a Wonderful Kingdom (Frédéric Guérard, La Boîte de Jeu, 2021)
Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brands
Privacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

#227: Done with CMON? Aug 23, 2022

I met a gamer from an antique land
Who said: “Two vast and trunkless legs of plastic
Stand in the desert. Near them, on the sand,
Half sunk, a shattered visage lies, whose frown,
And wrinkled lip, and sneer of cold command,
Tell that its sculptor well those passions read
Which yet survive, stamped on these lifeless things,
The hand that mocked them, and the heart that fed:
And on the pedestal these words appear:
'My name is Cool Mini or Not, Kickstarter of Kickstarters.
Look on my pledges ye Mighty, and despair!"
Nothing beside remains. Round the decay
Of that Colossal Wreck, boundless and bare
The lone and level sands stretch far away.
-Percy Bysshe Shelley's "Cool Mini or Not"
01:17 AYURIS: Empyreal: Spells & Steam (Trey Chambers, Level 99 Games, 2020)
Games Played Last Week:
03:21 -Marvel Dice Throne (Gavan Brown, Nate Chatellier, & Manny Trembley, Roxley, 2022)
05:39 -Yggdrasil Chronicles (Cédric Lefebvre, Ludonaute, 2019)
09:51 -Brian Boru: High King of Ireland (Peer Sylvester, Osprey Games, 2021)
14:37 -Massive Darkness 2: Hellscape (Alex Olteanu & Marco Portugal, CMON, 2022)
16:26 -Paint the Roses (Ben Goldman, North Star Games, 2022)
18:20 -Décorum (Harry Mackin, Charlie Mackin, & Drew Tenenbaum, Floodgate Games, 2022)
21:24 -Horizon Wars: Zero Dark (Robey Jenkins, Precinct Omega Publishing, 2020)
23:11 -Skull (Hervé Marly, Asmodee, 2011)
23:37 -Dungeons & Dragons: Dungeon Scrawlers--Heroes of Undermountain (Vangelis Bagiartakis & Konstantinos Karagiannis, Wizkids, 2021)
24:57 -So Clover! (François Romain, Repos Production, 2021)
27:04 -Hour of Need (Adam Sadler & Brady Sadler, Blacklist Games, 2022)
29:58 -Framework (Uwe Rosenberg, Edition Spielwiese, 2022)
29:58 -Nova Luna (Uwe Rosenberg & Corné van Moorsel, Edition Spielwiese, 2019)
31:03 -Cerebria: The Inside World (Richard Amann, Viktor Peter, István Pócsi, Frigyes Schőberl, Nick Shaw, & Dávid Turczi, Mindclash Games, 2018)
35:42 -XenoShyft: Onslaught (Keren Philosophales & Michael Shinall, CMON, 2015) and Dreadmire (Michael Shinall, CMON, 2017)
37:32 -Fateforge: Chronicles of Kaan (Gordon Calleja, Mighty Boards, 2023)
News (and why it doesn't matter):
41:59 AGL Tournament Pack--Bixie Edition for Aristeia!
42:37 FFG's Star Wars: The Deckbuilding Game
42:50 Pandasaurus and Elizabeth Hargrave's The Fox Experiment
44:06 Topic: Done with CMON?
1:05:23 SVWAG Presents Masterpiece Theatre: Prey
Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brands
Privacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

#226: Space Station Phoenix Aug 16, 2022

The Smart Car was truly out-of-the-box thinking. "Why do passenger cars all have to be the way they are?" asked some clever group of designers, and designed the minimalistic teensy Smart Car. Of course, the challenges posed by manufacturing the little thing, or driving the little thing on a highway, or walking away from a crash in the little thing, proved to be compelling arguments in favour of more traditional passenger car manufacture. What I'm saying is that sometimes the box exists for a reason, notwithstanding the virtues of experimentation.
Games Played Last Week:
01:48 -The Guild of Merchant Explorers (Matthew Dunstan & Brett J. Gilbert, AEG, 2022)
06:25 -Street Masters (Adam Sadler & Brady Sadler, Blacklist Games, 2018)
11:37 -Oltréé (Antoine Bauza & John Grümph, Studio H, 2021)
17:08 -Massive Darkness 2: Hellscape (Alex Olteanu & Marco Portugal, CMON, 2022)
21:46 -Paint the Roses (Ben Goldman, North Star Games, 2022)
24:04 -Groundhog Day: The Game (Propsero Hall, Funko Games, 2021)
26:21 -Framework (Uwe Rosenberg, Edition Spielwiese, 2022)
29:11 -Circadians: Chaos Order (S J Macdonald & Zach Smith, Garphill Games, 2022)
33:59 -For Science! (R. Eric Reuss, Grey Fox Games, 2021)
35:39 -Vengeance (Gordon Calleja, Mighty Boards, 2018)
News (and why it doesn't matter):
42:24 Tiletum from Daniele Tascini and Simone Luciani, update on the Daniele Tascini controversies
44:47 HeroScape will not return with pre-painted minis and ode to American retail
47:31 SVWAG at the Shut Up & Sit Down Expo: SHUX! September 30 - October 2
47:45 Feature Game: Space Station Phoenix (Gabriel J. Cohn, Rio Grande Games, 2022)
Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brands
Privacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

#225: Carnegie Aug 09, 2022

There was a time you could just stroll in a big box store in the United States and just buy a miniatures skirmish game that was actually pretty good. Sure, it didn't have analog movement or anything, but it used true line of sight and had amazing plastic terrain. So much plastic. Like, a whole lot. One the one hand, Hasbro says they're bringing HeroScape back, but on the other, ain't no way it's coming back the same as it was. They're going to bleed us dry for those little pre-painted dolls--even assuming they're still pre-painted, that is.
Games Played Last Week:
02:22 -My Father's Work (T.C. Petty III, Renegade Game Studios, 2022)
04:20 -Kleos (Jim Kavanagh, Azure Horizon Games, 2021)
08:14 -Meeple War (Max Valembois, Blue Cocker Games, 2016)
10:23 -Imperium: The Contention (Gary Dworetsky, Contention Games, 2021)
12:24 -Neuroshima Hex! 3.0: Beasts (Joanna Kijanka, Portal Games, 2021)
13:48 -Catch the Moon (Fabien Riffaud & Juan Rodriguez, Bombyx, 2017)
15:09 -A Feast for Odin: The Norwegians (Gernot Köpke & Uwe Rosenberg, Feuerland Spiele, 2018)
16:45 -Zeppelin Attack! (Eric B. Vogel, Evil Hat Productions, 2014)
19:22 -Arctic Scavengers (Robert K. Gabhart, Rio Grande Games, 2009)
20:43 -Capital Lux 2: Generations (Eilif Svensson & Kristian Amundsen Østby, Aporta Games, 2021)
23:04 -Wonderland's War (Tim Eisner, Ben Eisner, & Ian Moss, Druid City Games, 2022)
26:53 -Flourish (James A. Wilson & Clarissa A. Wilson, Starling Games, 2021)
News (and why it doesn't matter):
29:37 Everdell digital on Steam by Dire Wolf
30:37 www.patreon.com/svwag
31:39 HeroScape: Age of Annihilation announced at GenCon
34:35 Imperium: Horizons expandalone for Classics/Legends with 14 new civilizations
37:05 SVWAG at the Shut Up & Sit Down Expo: SHUX! September 30 - October 2
37:19 Feature Game: Carnegie (Xavier Georges, Quined Games, 2022)
Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brands
Privacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

#224: Does the Industry Demand Too Much? Aug 02, 2022

Times are bad. Children no longer listen to their elders and everyone is running a Kickstarter. When I started this hobby I had no idea I would get a crash course in international shipping and logistics. Back in the day you might have had a friend in Germany send you the hot new thing, now you're tracking to see when the container ship with your stuff gets to leave port in China.
01:24 AYURIS: Beyond the Sun (Dennis K. Chan, Rio Grande Games, 2020)
Games Played Last Week:
03:42 -Legacy of Dragonholt (Nikki Valens with Daniel Clark, Tim Flanders, Annie VanderMeer Mitsoda, & Greg Spyridis, FFG, 2017)
09:51 -Dungeons & Dragons: Dungeon Scrawlers--Heroes of Undermountain (Vangelis Bagiartakis & Konstantinos Karagiannis, Wizkids, 2021)
11:36 -The Great Wall (Kamil 'Sanex' Cieśla, Robert Plesowicz, & Łukasz Włodarczyk, Awaken Realms, 2021)
15:08 -Eriantys (Leo Colovini, Cranio Creations, 2021)
20:28 -Northgard: Uncharted Lands (Adrian Dinu, Shiro Games, 2022)
26:14 -Space Station Phoenix (Gabriel J. Cohn, Rio Grande Games, 2022)
30:07 -Don't L.L.A.M.A. Dice (Reiner Knizia, AMIGO, 2021)
31:21 -Circadians: Chaos Order (S J Macdonald & Zach Smith, Garphill Games, 2022)
37:35 -Mosaic: A Story of Civilization (Glenn Drover, Forbidden Games, 2022)
News (and why it doesn't matter):
47:38 Peter Pan by Marc Paquien
48:07 Reprint of Traumfabrik: Nightmare Productions (by Trick or Treat Productions)
48:29 Return of the 7th Sea CCG
48:45 Deal with the Devil: hidden roles, app-driven, huge theological questions
49:26 Bloodstones by Martin Wallace
50:31 SVWAG at the Shut Up & Sit Down Expo: SHUX! September 30 - October 2
51:11 Topic: Does the Industry Demand Too Much?
Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brands
Privacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

#223: Stroganov Jul 26, 2022

Much talk of animals this week, what with wombats and mass animal harvesting in Stroganov. Mark's experience was that despite covering many hot-button issues in his medical ethics classes, the one that invariably produced the most voluble emotional responses was that of medical testing on animals. Pit Bull owners, in particular; despite there being no medical testing of the type discussed on Pit Bulls. Go figure.
Games Played Last Week:
01:03 -San Francisco (Reiner Knizia, Rebel Studio, 2022)
04:44 -Ca$h 'n Guns: Second Edition (Ludovic Maublanc, Repos Production, 2014)
06:69 -Carnegie (Xavier Georges, Quined Games, 2022)
08:15 -Vengeance (Gordon Calleja, Mighty Boards, 2018)
10:17 -Dungeons & Dragons: Dungeon Scrawlers--Heroes of Undermountain (Vangelis Bagiartakis & Konstantinos Karagiannis, Wizkids, 2021)
12:58 -Dungeons, Dice & Danger (Richard Garfield, alea, 2022)
15:44 -Space Station Phoenix (Gabriel J. Cohn, Rio Grande Games, 2022)
20:09 -The Great Wall (Kamil 'Sanex' Cieśla, Robert Plesowicz, & Łukasz Włodarczyk, Awaken Realms, 2021)
23:08 -Hand-to-Hand Wombat (Matthew Inman, Elan Lee, & Cory O'Brien, Exploding Kittens, 2022)
26:38 -Transmissions (Adam West, CrossCut Games, 2022)
27:54 -Legacy of Dragonholt (Nikki Valens with Daniel Clark, Tim Flanders, Annie VanderMeer Mitsoda, & Greg Spyridis, FFG, 2017)
News (and why it doesn't matter):
32:06 SVWAG at the Shut Up & Sit Down Expo: SHUX! September 30 - October 2
32:30 SVWAG back on YouTube: Video review of Stars of Akarios' Prelude
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kXJrOXhZz0E
32:42 Gordon Calleja's Fateforge: Chronicles of Kaan
33:33 Undaunted: Battle of Britain
34:37 Ascending Empires: Zenith edition 2023 WizKids
35:48 Hickory Dickory
36:20 Spirit Island: New Horizons Target-exclusive
38:42 CMON's Dune: War for Arrakis
39:20 Feature Game: Stroganov (Andreas Steding, Game Brewer, 2021)
Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brands
Privacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

#222: Fumbling towards a New Normal Jul 19, 2022

We celebrate the release of a palindrome episode with the glorious news of the return of SHUX, the Shut Up & Sit Down Expo. Perhaps more relevantly, SVWAG are invited guests! Both Mark and Walker will be in Vancouver from September 30th to October 2nd. Now that you know where they will be, you can more efficiently avoid them. Or you could go play a game with them, whatevs.
02:54 AYURIS: Tidal Blades: Heroes of the Reef (Tim Eisner & Ben Eisner, Druid City Games, 2020)
Games Played Last Week:
05:45 -Vengeance: Roll & Fight (Gordon Calleja, Noralie Lubbers, & Dávid Turczi, Mighty Boards, 2022)
10:05 -Regicide (Paul Abrahams, Luke Badger, & Andy Richdale, Badgers from Mars, 2020)
10:52 -Scape Goat (Jon Perry, Indie Boards & Cards, 2020)
12:54 -Battlelore 2nd Edition (Richard Borg & Robert A. Kouba, FFG, 2013)
15:57 -Millennium Blades: Collusion (Joshua Van Laningham & D. Brad Talton, Jr., Level 99 Games, 2021)
21:32 -Golem (Flaminia Brasini, Virginio Gigli, & Simone Luciani, Cranio Creations, 2021)
22:42 -Clash of the Gladiators (Reiner Knizia, Rio Grande Games, 2002)
27:17 -Guards of Atlantis II (Artyom Nichipurov, Wolff Designa, 2022)
28:22 -Ghost Adventure (Wlad Watine, Buzzy Games, 2020)
31:36 -Orléans (Reiner Stockhausen, dlp Games, 2014)
33:01 -Shamans (Cédrick Chaboussit, Studio H, 2021)
37:19 -Carnegie (Xavier Georges, Quined Games, 2022)
38:39 -Scythe (Jamey Stegmaier, Stonemaier Games, 2016)
39:44 -The Guild of Merchant Explorers (Matthew Dunstan & Brett J. Gilbert, AEG, 2022)
News (and why it doesn't matter):
41:09 Discordia by Bernd Eisenstein
41:25 Spiel des Jahres Winner: Cascadia from Randy Flynn and Flatout Games, Kennerspiel Living Forest from Aske Christiansen and Ludonaute
41:52 The Wordle nightmare evolves into board form
42.32 Sabika by Germán P. Millán
43:00 SVWAG at the Shut Up & Sit Down Expo: SHUX! September 30 - October 2
43:57Topic: Fumbling towards a New Normal
Video: Board Game Design: How COVID 19 changed the board game industry forever
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QM190p6MiPk
Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brands
Privacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

#221: Sakura Arms Jul 12, 2022

It's a weird little thematic disconnect when you're not sure who or what your avatar in-game is. Perhaps we have swallowed corporate personhood so fully that we can easily accept playing as a corporation but balk a little at an amorphous group of power brokers--or a faceless protagonist channeling tree spirits.
Games Played Last Week:
01:51 -The Great Wall (Kamil 'Sanex' Cieśla, Robert Plesowicz, & Łukasz Włodarczyk, Awaken Realms, 2021)
08:19 -Stars of Akarios (Brendan McCaskell & Jonathan Thwaites, OOMM, 2022)
12:16 -Messina 1347 (Raúl Fernández Aparicio & Vladimír Suchý, Delicious Games, 2021)
[EDIT: An earlier version of this episode uncritically parroted the dodgy history of the game's purported setting. We apologize for the error and will address it further.]
13:56 -So Clover! (François Romain, Repos Production, 2021)
16:01 -Rush Out! (Thomas Dupont, Sit Down!, 2021)
19:43 -Vengeance: Roll & Fight (Gordon Calleja, Noralie Lubbers, & Dávid Turczi, Mighty Boards, 2022)
23:30 -Project L (Michal Mikeš, Jan Soukal, & Adam Spanel, Boardcubator, 2020)
26:45 -Ark Worlds: MOBA Inspired Hero Engagements Game (Orion McClelland, Unpossible Game Labs, 2021)
31:04 -Reichbusters: Project Vril (Jake Thornton, Mythic Games, 2020)
32:42 -The Silver Bayonet (Joseph McCullough, Osprey Games, 2021)
37:30 -Barrage (Tommaso Battista & Simone Luciani, Cranio Creations, 2019)
38:12 -Regicide (Paul Abrahams, Luke Badger, & Andy Richdale, Badgers from Mars, 2020)
38:34 -Aquatica (Ivan Tuzovsky, Cosmodrome Games, 2019)
News (and why it doesn't matter):
40:35 Grand Carnival expansion and Kittens Love Sushi on Kickstarter
41:32 Omicron Protocol: Critical Condition on Kickstarter
42:25 So far so good for Board Game Arena under Asmodee? T&E, Regicide, El Grande
44:17 Feature Game: Sakura Arms (BakaFire, Level 99 Games 2022)
Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brands
Privacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

#220: Dice Realms Jul 05, 2022

Enjoy the works of Thomas Lehmann while you can! Despite the lack of player interaction of Dice Realms, Mr. Lehmann has violated local, provincial, and federal law by not supplying a solo mode. International treaty has also been flouted by the absence of a campaign. I fear he may be put in boardgame jail as a consequence. Can he build a tableau convincing enough as his defence? His attorney, Dr. Gonzo, does not inspire much confidence.
Games Played Last Week:
01:01 -Titan (Matthieu Podevin, Holy Grail Games, 2022)
09:25 -Carnegie (Xavier Georges, Quined Games, 2022)
12:58 -Core Worlds: Nemesis (Andrew Parks, Quixotic Games, 2021)
16:36 -Transmissions (Adam West, CrossCut Games, 2022)
19:11 -burncycle (Josh J. Carlson & Shannon Wedge, Chip Theory Games, 2022)
21:41 -Lancaster: Big Box (Matthias Cramer & Wolfgang Panning, Queen Games, 2015)
27:49 -Sleeping Gods (Ryan Laukat, Red Raven Games, 2021)
31:21 -Shamans (Cédrick Chaboussit, Studio H, 2021)
News (and why it doesn't matter):
34:49 FlickFleet: Xeno Wars on Gamefound
36:12 Village Big Box
36:39 Puerto Rico decolonized: Puerto Rico 1897
37:53 Furnace expansion: Interbellum
38:25 BoardGameGeek signs deal to push Gamegenic sleeves. Too little independent media in boardgaming?
40:22 Feature Game: Dice Realms (Thomas Lehmann, Rio Grande Games, 2022)
Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brands
Privacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

#219: Guards of Atlantis II Jun 28, 2022

Mark had to reign himself in considerably this week, what with the song temptations of the Talking Heads followed by his favourite torch song teased by Welcome to the Moon. He also tried to workshop a Gourds of Atlantis joke, but responses were--to put it mildly--not encouraging. It wasn't a total loss, as he managed to sneak in some Norse mythology in Telestrations. So that's... something.
Games Played Last Week:
01:11 -XenoShyft: Onslaught (Keren Philosophales & Michael Shinall, CMON, 2015)
06:21 -Azul: Queen's Garden (Michael Kiesling, Next Move Games, 2021)
09:55 -Spirit Island (R. Eric Reuss, Greater Than Games, 2017)
11:42 -Dungeons & Dragons: Dungeon Scrawlers--Heroes of Undermountain (Vangelis Bagiartakis & Konstantinos Karagiannis, Wizkids, 2021)
13:41 -Telestrations (Uncredited, USAopoly, 2009)
19:17 -Trickerion: Legends of Illusion (Richard Amann & Viktor Peter, Mindclash Games, 2015)
20:40 -Psycho Killer (Michael Wilkinson, Escape Tabletop Games, 2020)
23:47 -Welcome to the Moon (Alexis Allard & Benoit Turpin, Blue Cocker Games, 2021)
25:47 -Yak (Michael Luu, Pretzel Games, 2022)
26:44 -Dice Realms (Thomas Lehmann, Rio Grande Games, 2022)
32:44 -Yokohama Roll & Write (Hisashi Hayashi, OKAZU Brand, 2021)
34:54 -Stars of Akarios (Brendan McCaskell & Jonathan Thwaites, OOMM, 2022)
News (and why it doesn't matter):
39:22 Spirit Island expansion to be funded on BackerKit; new crowdfunding options
40:55 Galactic Renaissance by Christian Martinez of Inis; the "Political Trilogy" by Matagot
42:05 Feature Game: Guards of Atlantis II (Artyom Nichipurov, Wolff Designa, 2022)
Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brands
Privacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

#218: Golem Jun 21, 2022

The dam has burst, and the flow of large player-count games rushes without signs of abating. We are willing to be sufficiently foolhardy to gather in larger groups, so the demand for 6+ player games has skyrocketed; and with it, the chance to return to old favourites. Dare we call it... a party?
Games Played Last Week:
02:22 -Guards of Atlantis II (Artyom Nichipurov, Wolff Designa, 2022)
07:46 -Thor (Reiner Knizia, Heidelberger Spieleverlag, 2002)
10:37 -Reichbusters: Project Vril (Jake Thornton, Mythic Games, 2020)
12:13 -Just One (Ludovic Roudy & Bruno Sautter, Repos Production, 2018)
13:28 -Wits & Wagers (Dominic Crapuchettes, North Star Games, 2005)
13:58 -For Sale: Advisors (Stefan Dorra, Eagle-Gryphon Games, 2021)
17:39 -The Guild of Merchant Explorers (Matthew Dunstan & Brett J. Gilbert, AEG, 2022)
19:21 -Empyreal: Spells & Steam (Trey Chambers, Level 99 Games, 2020)
21:20 -Yak (Michael Luu, Pretzel Games, 2022)
23:28 -Trial by Trolley (Scott Hauser, Skybound Games, 2020)
26:59 -The Chameleon (Rikki Tahta, Big Potato, 2017)
28:09 -Cockroach Poker (Jacques Zeimet, Drei Magier Spiele, 2004)
28:49 -Blood Bound (Kalle Krenzer, Fantasy Flight Games, 2013)
News (and why it doesn't matter):
31:49 Joan of Arc: Orléans Draw & Write, Yokohama Roll & Write
32:53 KS: Metropolys becomes Skyrise, Septima from Mindclash, and Bot Factory from Lacerda
33:29 RIP Maureen Hiron, hall-of-fame designer of Continuo and many others
34:14 Feature Game: Golem (Flaminia Brasini, Virginio Gigli, & Simone Luciani, Cranio Creations, 2021)
Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brands
Privacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

#217: Let's Get on the Same Page Jun 14, 2022

Walker yearns for a universal grammar, a sort of iconograhic Esperanto. That is a bridge too far for Mark, but they nonetheless find common ground on certain time terms and certain graphical conventions. They may be alone, of course, but they would rather that everyone deferred to their intuitions.
01:17 AYURIS: The Castles of Tuscany (Stefan Feld, alea, 2020)
Games Played Last Week:
03:17 -Unsettled (Marc Neidlinger & Tom Mattson, Orange Nebula, 2021)
08:45 -Sniper Elite: The Board Game (Roger Tankersly & David Thompson, Rebellion Unplugged, 2022)
12:48 -Hidden Leaders (Andreas Müller, Markus Müller, & Raphael Stocker, BFF Games, 2022)
15:18 -For Science! (R. Eric Reuss, Grey Fox Games, 2021)
17:41 -Stars of Akarios (Brendan McCaskell & Jonathan Thwaites, OOMM, 2022)
25:13 -Omicron Protocol (Brendan Kendrick & Bernie Lin, Dead Alive Games, 2022)
31:14 -Ark Nova (Mathias Wigge, Feuerland Spiele, 2021)
32:10 -Warpgate (Artyom Nichipurov, Wolff Designa, 2018)
33:45 -Shards of Infinity (Gary Arant & Justin Gary, Stone Blade Entertainment, 2018)
News (and why it doesn't matter):
34:36 TOYS! Snap Ships Tactics
36:09 CMON: Cyberpunk 2077 and Zombicide Flip and Write. Whee.
36:58 DVG Reprints & Dice: Pavlov's House and Soldiers in Postman's Uniforms
37:53 War of the Ring Card Game by Ian Brody
38:24 Drags 2 Riches: Eleganza Deckbuilding Extravanganza
39:00 MicroMacro Crime City All-In: Sept 22
39:28 Topic: Let's Get on the Same Page
Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brands
Privacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

#216: Not Applicable Bravo Jun 07, 2022

After a purgatorial thirteen months, Mark will be released from his Cain-like wanderings and allowed to repatriate to Kingston where he will get to be home. He figures that if Immanuel Kant got to be world famous before the age of global communications without leaving a 50 kilometer radius of his hometown, he has more than paid his dues. If anyone wants him to attend a function in the future, they had best plan on getting married and/or dying in close proximity to Mark's home.
01:43 AYURIS: Lost Ruins of Arnak (Elwen & Mín, CGE, 2020)
Games Played Last Week:
03:51 -Foundations of Rome (Emerson Matsuuichi, Arcane Wonders, 2022)
07:05 -Golem (Flaminia Brasini, Virginio Gigli, & Simone Luciani, Cranio Creations, 2021)
10:56 -Token Terrors: Battlegrounds (John de Campos & Phillip Doccolo, Terrible Games, 2020)
16:50 -Switch & Signal (David Thompson, KOSMOS, 2020)
19:13 -Unsettled (Marc Neidlinger & Tom Mattson, Orange Nebula, 2021)
27:09 -Ark Nova (Mathias Wigge, Feuerland Spiele, 2021)
28:21 -The Bridges of Shangri-La (Leo Colovini, Uberplay, 2003)
32:09 -Merchants of the Dark Road (Brian Suhre, Elf Creek Games, 2022)
36:09 -Paper Tales (Masato Uesugi, Stronghold, 2017)
38:31 -Memoir '44 (Richard Borg, Days of Wonder, 2004)
41:52 -Iwari (Michael Schacht, ThunderGlyph Games, 2020)
News (and why it doesn't matter):
44:51 Ghost Adventure: spinning, grabbing, tilting!
45:57 Uwe Rosenberg's Atiwa (Ghana)
47:42 Idavoll for Nidavellir: giants, Aesir, and more
49:33 Terra Mystica minus tracks becomes Terra Nova?
50:24 Terraforming Mars: Dice Game
Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brands
Privacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

#215: David Thompson May 31, 2022

Multi-Deck System Games! Canadian content! Kevin Bacon! So many digressions in an episode packed with so much culture it couldn't even fit in one of Vin Diesel's muscle shirts. We do, however, focus on games long enough to rhetorically ask--with several stress patterns--of David Thompson: who is this guy? As a note, during the time of the taping of this episode, David Thompson released five more excellent board games. Oh, sorry, I type slowly, make that six.
01:23 AYURIS: Fort (Grant Rodiek, Leder Games, 2020)
Games Played Last Week:
03:36 -Contra: The Board Game (Adam Sadler & Brady Sadler, Blacklist Games, 2022)
08:23 -Hour of Need (Adam Sadler & Brady Sadler, Blacklist Games, 2022)
13:58 -Paint the Roses (Ben Goldman, North Star Games, 2022)
17:41 -Sniper Elite: The Board Game (Roger Tankersly & David Thompson, Rebellion Unplugged, 2022)
24:31 -SCOUT (Kei Kajino, Oink Games, 2019)
26:48 -Hidden Leaders (Andreas Müller, Markus Müller, & Raphael Stocker, BFF Games, 2022)
30:09 -Foundations of Rome (Emerson Matsuuichi, Arcane Wonders, 2022)
34:18 -Stroganov (Andreas Steding, Game Brewer, 2021)
37:44 -burncycle (Josh J. Carlson & Shannon Wedge, Chip Theory Games, 2022)
44:48 -For Sale (Stefan Dorra, Uberplay, 1997)
News (and why it doesn't matter):
46:39 Support the show on Patreon, by word of mouth, or don't. You do you!
48:56 Fantasy Realms Deluxe. With sleeves!
49:35 Arcs by Leder Games on Kickstarter now. Trick-taking!
50:27 Batman: Gotham City Chronicles Season 3. New rulebook!
52:48 Topic: Designer Spotlight: David Thompson
[EDIT: The actor who co-starred in Tremors is named Michael Gross. We regret the error.]
1:17:45 SVWAG Presents Masterpiece Theatre: The Pentaverate
Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brands
Privacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

#214: Perseverance: Castaway Chronicles May 24, 2022

On Mark's drive across Canada (the first time), he stopped in Drumheller, Alberta for some dinosaur tourism. It has a truly impressive nodosaur specimen. The nodosaur is a close relative of the ankylosaur, a key difference being the former's lack of a thagomizer, the club-like appendage at the end of an ankylosaur's tail. Mark bought a plastic ankylosaur as a souvenir. Its name is Angie.
Perseverance doesn't have any ankylosaurs or nodosaurs. A shame.
Games Played Last Week:
00:53 -Planet Unknown (Ryan Lambert & Adam Rehberg, Adam's Apple Games, 2022)
04:53 -Carnegie (Xavier Georges, Quined Games, 2022)
11:16 -Imperium: Legends (Nigel Buckle & Dávid Turczi, Osprey Games, 2021)
15:08 -Titan (Matthieu Podevin, Holy Grail Games, 2022)
21:19 -Hour of Need (Adam Sadler & Brady Sadler, Blacklist Games, 2022)
27:25 -Get on Board: New York & London (Saashi, IELLO, 2022)
28:31 -Omicron Protocol (Brendan Kendrick & Bernie Lin, Dead Alive Games, 2022)
News (and why it doesn't matter):
34:05 Starship Captains by CGE (not Vlaada)
34:56 Leave the Church in the Village: Quoridor-esque?
35:50 Spiel des Jahres Nominees: Cascadia, SCOUT, Top Ten. Kennerspiel: Living Forest, Cryptid, Dune: Imperium
37:13 Escape from New York
38:07 Feature Game: Perseverance: Castaway Chronicles Episodes 1 & 2 (Richard Amann, Thomas Vande Ginste, Viktor Peter, Wolf Plancke, & Dávid Turczi, Mindclash Games, 2022)
1:09:53 SVWAG Presents Masterpiece Theatre: The Kid Detective
Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brands
Privacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

#213: Omnibus Questions Charlie Bravo May 17, 2022

We received a number of questions of a more personal nature which we have decided not to address. This is only partially out of a sense of privacy. Rather, we are firmly of the editorial position that the show is best when we focus on games, rather than the personal details of the hosts. We pride ourselves in only wasting a certain amount of your valuable time, and were we to indulge in more personal digressions that could easily balloon the show well beyond the limits of absurdity.
01:08 AYURIS: Flotilla (J.B. Howell & Michael Mihealsick, WizKids, 2019)
Games Played Last Week:
04:10 -Ark Nova (Mathias Wigge, Feuerland Spiele, 2021)
07:26 -Massive Darkness 2: Hellscape (Alex Olteanu & Marco Portugal, CMON, 2022)
11:40 -Foundations of Rome (Emerson Matsuuichi, Arcane Wonders, 2022)
13:31 -Planet Unknown (Ryan Lambert & Adam Rehberg, Adam's Apple Games, 2022)
17:45 -Ghosts of Christmas (Taiki Shinzawa, BoardGameTables.com, 2022)
20:00 -Imperium: The Contention (Gary Dworetsky, Contention Games, 2021)
21:26 -Legendary Inventors (Frédéric Henry, Bombyx, 2016)
22:50 -Capital Lux 2: Generations (Eilif Svensson & Kristian Amundsen Østby, Aporta Games, 2021)
26:22 -Paint the Roses (Ben Goldman, North Star Games, 2022)
29:40 -Space Alert (Vlaada Chvátil, Czech Games Edition, 2008)
30:57 -Reichbusters: Project Vril (Jake Thornton, Mythic Games, 2020)
News (and why it doesn't matter):
32:02 Tough Calls: Dystopia; negotiation reminiscent of Durance?
33:05 Anunnaki: Dawn of the Gods is back, revised, on Kickstarter #noTyrnosale
34:10 Awlrach the Drowner from Games Workshop
34:49 Topic: Omnibus Questions Charlie Bravo
Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brands
Privacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

#212: Omnibus Questions Charlie Alpha May 10, 2022

Inquiring minds demand to know, and we, your humble servants, must perforce answer. Mark resists the urge to elaborate on Kant and Macross! Walker resists the siren call of nineties hip hop! Such feats of iron will are the least of what our curious and/or trolling listeners deserve.
(It's the curious trolls that always get you in the end)
01:21 AYURIS: Babylonia (Reiner Knizia, Ludonova, 2019)
Games Played Last Week:
03:05 -Switch & Signal (David Thompson, KOSMOS, 2020)
05:30 -Cryptid: Urban Legends (Hal Duncan & Ruth Veevers, Osprey Games, 2022)
09:21 -Horrified: American Monsters (Michael Mulvihill, Ravensburger, 2021)
11:48 -Massive Darkness 2: Hellscape (Alex Olteanu & Marco Portugal, CMON, 2022)
18:29 -Perseverance: Castaway Chronicles Episode 1 (Richard Amann, Thomas Vande Ginste, Viktor Peter, Wolf Plancke, & Dávid Turczi, Mindclash Games, 2022)
22:42 -Core Worlds: Empires (Christopher Guild & Andrew Parks, Quixotic Games, 2021)
30:47 -Paint the Roses (Ben Goldman, North Star Games, 2022)
35:19 -Envelopes of Cash (Andy Schwarz, Envelopes of Cash LLC, 2022)
40:17 -Fjords (Franz-Benno Delonge & Phil Walker-Harding, Grail Games, 2022)
42:55 -Capital Lux 2: Pocket (Eilif Svensson & Kristian Amundsen Østby, Aporta Games, 2021)
News (and why it doesn't matter):
46:30 Age of Steam Deluxe with new maps and no authorial attribution
47:05 Reprint of classic game Inkognito
48:40 David Thompson's RESIST! on Gamefound May 12th
49:09 Point Salad Pokémon version
49:56 Kingdom Builder: Empire Edition for exorbitant monies
51:57 Topic: Omnibus Questions Charlie Alpha
Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brands
Privacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

#211: Hidden Trackable Information May 03, 2022

I wanna be where the patients are
I wanna see, wanna see 'em coughin'
Buildin' your wings, you don't get too far
Clients are required for billing, charging
Up where they sneeze, up where they shudder
Up where they stay all day just to suffer
Treatin' for a fee, wish I could be
Part of that world
01:37 AYURIS: Cosmic Frog (Jim Felli, Devious Weasel Games, 2020)
Games Played Last Week:
04:10 -Wonderland's War (Tim Eisner, Ben Eisner, & Ian Moss, Druid City Games, 2022)
10:04 -Décorum (Harry Mackin, Charlie Mackin, & Drew Tenenbaum, Floodgate Games, 2022)
14:48 -Crescent Moon (Steven Mathers, Osprey Games, 2022)
23:07 -Gutenberg (Katarzyna Cioch & Wojciech Wiśniewski, Granna, 2021)
26:06 -Jekyll vs. Hyde (Geonil, Mandoo Games, 2021)
28:30 -Stroganov (Andreas Steding, Game Brewer, 2021)
31:01 -Ark Nova (Mathias Wigge, Feuerland Spiele, 2021)
39:25 -Hippocrates (Alain Orban, Game Brewer, 2022)
42:31 -Clinic Deluxe Edition (Alban Viard, AVStudioGames, 2019)
News (and why it doesn't matter):
46:38 Twilight Imperium Roll and Write
46:56 Twilight Imperium Codex on FFG website
47:27 Anunnaki: Dawn of the Gods cancelled Kickstarter campaign; #noTyrnosale
50:07 Firefly deckbuilding game from Gale Force Nine
50:27 Topic: Hidden Trackable Information
Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brands
Privacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

#210: El Grande Apr 26, 2022

Preparation is important. We very carefully do our advance research here at SVWAG, but occasionally mild errors do creep in. For this week, Mark studiously crafted notes and observations on such issues as four octave vocal ranges, Nickelodeon celebrity culture, and whether boredom of a third party constitutes necessary or sufficient conditions for breaking up with one's girlfriend. Sadly for Mark, Ariana was not the Grande under discussion this week, so he was forced to begin anew.
Games Played Last Week:
01:12 -Clinic Deluxe Edition (Alban Viard, AVStudioGames, 2019)
05:36 -Contra: The Board Game (Adam Sadler & Brady Sadler, Blacklist Games, 2022)
07:08 -Furnace (Ivan Lashin, Hobby World, 2021)
08:38 -Pulsar 2849 (Vladimír Suchý, CGE, 2017)
10:59 -Settlement (Oleksandr Nevskiy, IGAMES, 2021)
12:43 -Race for the Galaxy (Thomas Lehmann, Rio Grande Games, 2007)
16:23 -Décorum (Harry Mackin, Charlie Mackin, & Drew Tenenbaum, Floodgate Games, 2022)
19:49 -Terraforming Mars: Ares Expedition (Sydney Engelstein, Jacob Fryxelius, & Nick Little, Stronghold Games, 2021)
23:34 -Factory 42 (Timo Multamäki, Dragon Dawn Productions, 2021)
31:05 -Nidavellir: Thingvellir (Serge Laget, GRRRE Games, 2020)
33:31 -Dune: Imperium--Rise of Ix (Paul Dennen, Dire Wolf, 2022)
News (and why it doesn't matter):
37:19 Rise & Fall by Christophe Boelinger and Ludically launching on Kickstarter in July
37:54 Doomrock Ultimate on Gamefound
38:46 Castles by the Sea on Kickstarter
39:41 Robotech Macross DOG FIGHT follow-up: caveat emptor, perhaps best to wait and see
41:05 Mark on Board Game Barrage this Thursday, April 28
41:45 Check out our Patreon: www.patreon.com/svwag, new exclusive show BLOAT
42:30 Upcoming Omnibus questions episode! Please submit any and all questions. www.sowronggames.com/contact
43:07 Feature Game: El Grande (Wolfgang Kramer & Richard Ulrich, Hans im Glück, 1995)
1:15:08 SVWAG Presents Masterpiece Theatre: The Orbital Children
Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brands
Privacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

#209: End Conditions Apr 19, 2022

A tragedy of consuming media or goods is that sometimes, regardless of how diligent you are, you cannot keep up with new releases. The creators you love might keep putting out new products, and even a casual enthusiast of a given medium might be disappointed to learn that they missed out on an offering. What I'm trying to get at is that HOW DARE they make a new Macross tabletop game and NOT TELL MARK.
01:15 AYURIS: Eclipse: Second Dawn for the Galaxy (Touko Tahkokallio, Lautapelit.fl, 2020)
Games Played Last Week:
03:44 -Cascadia (Randy Flynn, Flatout Games, 2021)
06:25 -Contra: The Board Game (Adam Sadler & Brady Sadler, Blacklist Games, 2022)
12:25 -Planet Unknown (Ryan Lambert & Adam Rehberg, Adam's Apple Games, 2022)
14:43 -Mega Man Adventures (Peter Gousis & Michael D. Kelley, Blacklist Games, 2022)
19:35 -Crusaders: Thy Will Be Done (Seth Jaffee, Tasty Minstrel, 2018)
21:16 -Albedo (Kai Herbertz, Herbertz Entertainment UG, 2017)
23:13 -Reichbusters: Project Vril (Jake Thornton, Mythic Games, 2020)
28:01 -Medici: The Dice Game (Reiner Knizia, Grail Games, 2020)
30:01 -Merchants of the Dark Road (Brian Suhre, Elf Creek Games, 2022)
33:57 -Mogul (Michael Schacht, Spiele aus Timbuku, 2002)
36:38 -Jekyll vs. Hyde (Geonil, Mandoo Games, 2021)
37:05 -Attika (Marcel-André Casasola Merkle, Hans im Glück, 2003)
News (and why it doesn't matter):
39:43 Robotech Macross DOG FIGHT and Mark loses his mind
41:30 Boardgamegeek Golden Geek Award Nominations
42:32 A Game of Thrones 2nd. edition app gets A Feast for Crows expansion
43:12 New Necromunda gets vehicles: Ash Wastes
44:40 Shut Up & Sit Down Expo (SHUX) back in Vancouver: Sep. 30-Oct. 2
45:09 Topic: End Conditions
Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brands
Privacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

#208: Agricola Apr 12, 2022

Yes, we are but slaves to the new releases, which is why we are reviewing a fifteen-year-old game. "But that's impossible!" you reply, "No one was alive back then!" Records are scant, but there is a rich oral tradition that people have been playing games at least since the release of Nirvana's Nevermind. Archeologists are still trying to carbon-date that period exactly, though.
Games Played Last Week:
01:39 -Dead Reckoning (John D. Clair, Alderac Entertainment Group, 2022)
08:14 -Cosmic Frog (Jim Felli, Devious Weasel Games, 2020)
09:54 -Familienbande (Leo Colovini, Winning Moves Germany, 2004)
13:23 -Barrage (Tommaso Battista & Simone Luciani, Cranio Creations, 2019)
16:04 -Cursed Court (Andrew Hanson, Atlas Games, 2017)
19:37 -Blockers! (Kory Heath, AMIGO, 2007)
21:48 -Dicke Dämonen (Heinrich Glumpler, Edition Erlkönig, 2004)
24:09 -New York Zoo (Uwe Rosenberg, Feuerland Spiele, 2020)
28:05 -Khmer (team SAIEN, Saien, 2010)
30:05 -Priests of Ra (Reiner Knizia, Rio Grande Games, 2009)
News (and why it doesn't matter):
32:26 Corvus Belli's (of Infinity fame) upcoming fantasy game: Warcrow
33:31 Pfister's Mombasa to become Skymines
34:13 New Cosmic Encounter expansion: Cosmic Odyssey
35:30 Walker's Who Asked for This? Fantasy Realms Marvel, and Deluxe Castles of Burgundy
36:48 Board game beat-em-up à la Golden Axe? Mythic Games' Anastyr
38:35 Through the Desert 25th Anniversary Edition from Steeped Games
39:50 Feature Game: Agricola (Uwe Rosenberg, Lookout Games, 2007) and Agricola (Revised Edition) (Uwe Rosenberg, Lookout Games, 2016)
Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brands
Privacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

#207: Miniatures Apr 05, 2022

Kids in the Hall reviewing Great Western Trail:
"What's the point of what we do?"
"Sorry, I don't follow you."
"Well, I mean, we travel 250,000 light years across the universe, abduct cows, probe them, and release them."
"Yeah, and?"
"Well, doesn't it seem kind of pointless?"
"I don't think I should question the leadership of our Great Leader."
"Oh, come on. We've been coming here for fifty years and performing cow probes, and all that we have learned is that one in ten doesn't really seem to mind. Couldn't we at least abduct their political or religious leaders instead of just random livestock?"
"I'm sure the Great Leader has his reasons."
"Well, I'm sure the Great Leader is just some twisted cow freak."
01:21 AYURIS: Cthulhu: Death May Die (Eric M. Lang & Rob Daviau, CMON, 2019)
Games Played Last Week:
04:19 -Switch & Signal (David Thompson, KOSMOS, 2020)
06:32 -Big Monster (Dimitri Perrier, BoardBros, 2018)
09:13 -Ghosts of Christmas (Taiki Shinzawa, BoardGameTables.com, 2022)
14:29 -Champions of Midgard (Ole Steiness, Grey Fox Games, 2015)
16:11 -Tsukuyumi: Full Moon Down (Second Edition) (Felix Mertikat, Grey Fox Games, 2021)
22:41 -Yokohama (Hisashi Hayashi, Tasty Minstrel Games, 2016)
24:15 -Dinosaur Table Battles (Amabel Holland, Hollanspiele, 2020)
27:17 -Great Western Trail: Rails to the North (Alexander Pfister, eggertspiele, 2018)
29:12 -Quirky Circuits (Nikki Valens, Plaid Hat Games, 2019)
News (and why it doesn't matter):
33:55 Agricola 15; not remotely a "big box"-style omnibus
36:03 Squats return to Warhammer 40K
37:25 Trick Shot Second Edition soon on Gamefound
38:13 Topic: Miniatures
Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brands
Privacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

#206: Not Applicable Mar 29, 2022

Let us not, as the saying goes, hold the perfect in opposition to the good. We here at SVWAG always encourage the lowering of standards, which the hosts tend to do by their very presences--dragging down the average of any group of which they are a part. We offer but a portion of an episode, but let us be optimists and observe that that allows us to be less wrong.
01:34 AYURIS: Versailles 1919 (Geoff Engelstein & Mark Herman, GMT Games, 2020)
Games Played Last Week:
05:42 -Creature Comforts (Roberta Taylor, Kids Table BG, 2022)
10:18 -IKI (Koota Yamada, Sorry We Are French, 2015)
14:24 -The Red Cathedral (Israel Cendrero & Sheila Santos, Devir Games, 2020)
18:45 -Switch & Signal (David Thompson, KOSMOS, 2020)
22:55 -Core Worlds (Andrew Parks, Stronghold, 2011)
26:08 -SCOUT (Kei Kajino, Oink Games, 2019)
28:50 -Dinosaur Island: Rawr 'n Write (Brian Lewis, David McGregor, & Marissa Misura, Pandasaurus Games, 2021)
31:16 -Just One (Ludovic Roudy & Bruno Sautter, Repos Production, 2018)
33:30 -Brass: Birmingham (Gavan Brown, Matt Tolman, & Martin Wallace, Roxley, 2018)
36:40 -Uprising: Curse of the Last Emperor (Cornelius Cremin, Pawel Mazur, & Dirk Sommer, Nemesis.Games, 2021)
38:33 -Clinic Deluxe Edition (Alban Viard, AVStudioGames, 2019)
News (and why it doesn't matter):
40:43 Pathways: Canadian dexterity game on Kickstarter
41:25 Come see Warmboy's website sowronggames.com! Merch, esoteric information, streaming and more!
43:22 ONUS! Traianus on Kickstarter: 2D miniatures-esque gaming.
44:16 Sidereal Confluence: Bifurcation expansion
44:50 Air, Land & Sea: Spies, Lies & Supplies expandalone
45:20 Crescent Moon by Steven Mathers and Osprey Games
46:44 Richard Garfield rolls, writes with Dungeons, Dice & Danger
47:07 Reiner Knizia's follow-up to My City: My Island
47:43 Simpler Lacerda? Bot Factory
48:07 A BGG Top 100 without Reiner Knizia (and Tigris & Euphrates)?
51:39 SVWAG Presents Masterpiece Theatre: Clue
Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brands
Privacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

#205: Draws and Red Flags Mar 15, 2022

The range of new features our merch line has opened up is endless. Who wore it better?, SVWAG Hypebeast, Project Runway SVWAG, Making the Cut SVWAG, the possibilities abound! Get me Tim Gunn on the line, I'm sure he's heard of us. I'm sure we'll see His Grace, Professor Doktor Doktor Vincent, Duke of Diesel, esq. O.B.E. in a t-shirt two sizes too small before long.
01:07 AYURIS: Imperial Struggle (Ananda Gupta & Jason Matthews, GMT Games, 2020)
Games Played Last Week:
03:26 -Black Hole Rainbows (Uncredited, June Dune Games Production, 2022)
06:45 -Ascension Tactics: Miniatures Deckbuilding Game (Justin Gary & Ryan Sutherland, Stone Blade Entertainment, 2021)
15:00 -Meeples and Monsters (Ole Steiness, Alderac Entertainment Group, 2022)
17:17 -Assault on Doomrock: Ultimate Edition (Tom Stasiak, Beautiful Disaster Games, 2022)
22:45 -Teotihuacan: Late Preclassic Period (Rainer Ahlfors, Andrei Novac, & Daniele Tascini, Board2Dice, 2019)
28:01 -Crash Octopus (Naotaka Shimamoto, itten, 2021)
31:39 -Reichbusters: Project Vril (Jake Thornton, Mythic Games, 2020)
33:45 -Città-Stato (Simone Cerruti Sola, Giochix.it, 2021)
37:06 -Clinic Deluxe Edition (Alban Viard, AVStudioGames, 2019)
40:32 -IKI (Koota Yamada, Sorry We Are French, 2015)
News (and why it doesn't matter):
41:51 SVWAG on break
42:25 Warpgate: Beyond by Artyom Nichipurov and Wolff Designa on Gamefound
43:11 Renegade reprinting Crusaders: Thy Will Be Done and distributing expansion
44:30 Can we stop using the word "pimp" in gaming contexts? Let us "bling" instead
45:18 MERCH! soverywrongaboutgames.myspreadshop.com (or .ca) 15% off the next two weeks!
46:45 Topic: Draws and Red Flags
Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brands
Privacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

#204: Riftforce Mar 08, 2022

Much art is discussed this week, from French Romantics, to pirate stuff, to conspiracist vision boards, to whatever Walker is doing when he uses clothespins on felt. Mark wonders whether he can justify leaving in dead air and calling it "bold use of negative space," but the deeper worry is that too many people would prefer the silence.
Games Played Last Week:
01:14 -Ark Nova (Mathias Wigge, Feuerland Spiele, 2021)
05:46 -Agricola (Revised Edition) (Uwe Rosenberg, Lookout Games, 2016)
10:09 -Witchstone (Martino Chiacchiera & Reiner Knizia, R&R Games, 2021)
10:50 -Republic of Virtue (Amabel Holland, Hollandspiele, 2021)
15:08 -Pulsar 2849 (Vladimír Suchý, CGE, 2017)
22:58 -Libertalia: Winds of Galecrest (Paolo Mori, Stonemaier Games, 2022)
31:16 -Pictures: Orange (Daniela Stöhr & Christian Stöhr, PD-Verlag, 2021)
34:50 -Reichbusters: Project Vril (Jake Thornton, Mythic Games, 2020)
38:11 -Table Battles (Amabel Holland, Hollandspiele, 2017)
43:19 -Ascension Tactics: Miniatures Deckbuilding Game (Justin Gary & Ryan Sutherland, Stone Blade Entertainment, 2021)
News (and why it doesn't matter):
47:22 Arcs: Collapse and Conflict in the Void by Cole Wehrle and Leder Games
48:06 Zheng He solo game by Geoff Engelstein and David Thompson
49:07 Avatar: The Last Airbender Fire Nation Rising
50:01 Dead by Daylight board game by Brad Talton of Level 99 Games
51:53 No singing in The Wizard of Oz Adventure Book Game
53:09 Feature Game: Riftforce (Carlo Bortolini, 1 More Time Games, 2021)
Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brands
Privacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

#203: Difficulty in Co-ops Mar 01, 2022

We're always on the lookout for new potential taglines here at SVWAG, as our earlier efforts "that one where the guy talks to that dude" and "we shout into a can so you don't have to" have been deemed insufficient. "We like it hard" was put forth by Walker, but the editorial staff are afraid it is apt to be misconstrued. "We weaponize children" was rejected for the opposite reason, namely that it might be correctly interpreted. Specificity tends to get us into trouble, which is why we have kept "a boardgaming podcast about boardgames" for as long as we have.
1:04 AYURIS: Project: ELITE (Konstantinos Kokkinis, Marco Portugal, & Sotirios Tsantilas, CMON, 2020)
Games Played Last Week:
02:33 -Crusaders: Thy Will Be Done (Seth Jaffee, Tasty Minstrel, 2018)
04:54 -Beyond the Sun (Dennis K. Chan, Rio Grande Games, 2020)
08:48 -Gutenberg (Katarzyna Cioch & Wojciech Wiśniewski, Granna, 2021)
11:24 -Reign (Uncredited, PlayMonster, 2020)
16:55 -Gizmos (Phil Walker-Harding, CMON Global Limited, 2018)
18:30 -Combat Commander: Mediterranean (Chad Jensen, GMT Games, 2007)
23:15 -Jekyll vs. Hyde (Geonil, Mandoo Games, 2021)
27:08 -Ankh: Gods of Egypt (Eric M. Lang, CMON, 2021)
30:52 -Merchants Cove (Jonny Pac, Carl Van Ostrand, & Drake Villareal, Final Frontier Games, 2021)
33:33 -Caverna: The Cave Farmers (Uwe Rosenberg, Lookout Games, 2013)
News (and why it doesn't matter):
37:16 Co-op Carcassonne: Nebel über Carcassonne, "Fog over Carcassonne"
38:00 Frostpunk and Dying Light Adaptations
39:00 Undaunted Normandy on PC, Mac, and iPad by Bookmark Games
40:04 51st State Master Set Ultimate Edition on Gamefound
40:29 Topic: Difficulty in Co-ops
Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brands
Privacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

#202: Bitoku Feb 22, 2022

We are Canadian, and thus must perforce apologize for those we may have slandered, misquoted, or used their name in vain: Warmboy, Alan Turing, Dewey, Peggy Lee, Dick Pound, Bruno Faidutti, and His Grace, Professor Doktor Doktor Vincent, Duke of Diesel, esq. O.B.E. We are honoured to have inadvertently tarnished the reputations of such grandees.
Games Played Last Week:
00:52 -The Quest for El Dorado: The Golden Temples (Reiner Knizia, Ravensburger, 2019)
03:59 -Copenhagen (Asger Harding Granerud & Daniel Skjold Pedersen, Queen Games, 2019)
05:12 -Imperium: Classics and Imperium: Legends (Nigel Buckle & Dávid Turczi, Osprey Games, 2021)
07:51 -Città-Stato (Simone Cerruti Sola, Giochix.it, 2021)
10:39 -Caesar!: Seize Rome in 20 Minutes! (Paolo Mori, PSC Games, 2022)
15:07 -Petrichor: Collector's Edition (David Chircop, Mighty Boards, 2021)
17:58 -Merlin: Big Box (Stefan Feld & Michael Rieneck, Queen Games, 2020)
20:24 -Kleos (Jim Kavanagh, Azure Horizon Games, 2021)
24:51 -Vampire: The Masquerade -- Vendetta (Charlie Cleveland & Bruno Faidutti, Horrible Guild, 2020)
News (and why it doesn't matter):
26:46 Turing Machine from Scorpion Masqué
28:06 Reiner Roundup: Into the Blue, Longboard, San Francisco
29:05 New logo and incoming SVWAG merch!
29:55 Feature Game: Bitoku (Germán P. Millán, Devir, 2021)
1:01:15 SVWAG Presents: Masterpiece Theatre: All of Us Are Dead
Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brands
Privacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

#201: Having Fun While Losing Feb 15, 2022

It is a strange thing for one's hobby to be utterly infused with a nominally competitive structure. I would venture to say that knitters, for instance, devote precious little thought as to whether they can knit more or less well than their fellow crafters. Perhaps it is different for scrapbookers, I don't know, they seem like a ruthless lot.
01:16 AYURIS: Aristeia! (Alberto Abal, Jesús Fuster, & David Rosillo, Corvus Belli, 2017)
Games Played Last Week:
04:20 -Città-Stato (Simone Cerruti Sola, Giochix.it, 2021)
07:04 -Uprising: Curse of the Last Emperor (Cornelius Cremin, Pawel Mazur, & Dirk Sommer, Nemesis.Games, 2021)
15:34 -G.I. JOE Deck-Building Game (T.C. Petty III, Renegade Game Studios, 2021)
17:16 -Bitoku (Germán P. Millán, Devir, 2021)
22:58 -Steamwatchers (Marc Lagroy, Mythic Games, 2021)
29:44 -Regicide (Paul Abrahams, Luke Badger, & Andy Richdale, Badgers from Mars, 2020)
30:58 -Boonlake (Alexander Pfister, Capstone Games, 2021)
38:18 -Shards of Infinity: Into the Horizon (Gary Arant, Justin Gary, Ryan Sutherland, Jared Saramago, Mataio Wilson, & Jason Zila, Stone Blade Entertainment, 2021)
39:49 -For Science! (R. Eric Reuss, Grey Fox Games, 2021)
41:43 -Niagara (Thomas Liesching, Zoch Verlag, 2004)
News (and why it doesn't matter):
43:34 Riftforce expansion: Beyond
43:57 Instead of sci-fi -> fantasy, Aeon's End -> Astro Knights
44:30 Ravensburger investing in GameFound
45:45 Sláine: Warlord Games' cavalcade of talent
47:05 Topic: Having Fun While Losing
Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brands
Privacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

#200: G.I. JOE Deck-Building Game Feb 08, 2022

The So Very Wrong About Games line of Action Princess Dolls (TM) are coming to a store near you! Thrill to all your favourite characters, like Huey, Dewey, and Louis, each with weird monochromatic accessories and some spring-loaded gimmick that'll bruise some kid in Oregon and thus be regulated into weaksauce! Plus, get the Kingston Action Playset. Your parents put it together, batteries not included.
Games Played Last Week:
01:57 -Puzzle Strike 2 (David Sirlin, Sirlin Games, 2022)
08:49 -The Crew: Mission Deep Sea (Thomas Sing, KOSMOS, 2021)
10:59 -Uprising: Curse of the Last Emperor (Cornelius Cremin, Pawel Mazur, & Dirk Sommer, Nemesis.Games, 2021)
11:36 -Reign of Witches (Amabel Holland, Hollandspiele, 2020)
16:56 -Bitoku (Germán P. Millán, Devir, 2021)
18:47 -Riftforce (Carlo Bortolini, 1 More Time Games, 2021)
20:54 -Orléans: Invasion (Inka Brand, Markus Brand, & Reiner Stockhausen, dlp Games, 2015)
22:18 -Regicide (Paul Abrahams, Luke Badger, & Andy Richdale, Badgers from Mars, 2020)
25:29 -Final Girl (Evan Derrick & A.J. Porfirio, Van Ryder Games, 2021)
News (and why it doesn't matter):
31:54 Iron Forest on Kickstarter February 8th by Brain Games
33:20 Hand-to-Hand Wombat on Kickstarter now
35:05 Rolling Heights from John D. Clair on Kickstarter February 8th
35:51 Space Station Phoenix by Gabriel J Cohn and Rio Grande Games in April 2022
36:58 Deep Rock Galactic: The Board Game on Kickstarter February 10th
38:08 Libertalia: Winds of Galecrest by Paolo Mori and Stonemaier Games
39:33 Feature Game: G.I. JOE Deck-Building Game (T.C. Petty III, Renegade Game Studios, 2021)
Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brands
Privacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

#199: Trick-Taking Games Feb 01, 2022

No, dear listener, we haven't played that one regional trick-taking game popular in the Adirondacks where the only red card is the 9 of diamonds and you play counter-clockwise and the bid is called in pig latin and you have to wear your socks on your hands. I'm sure it's a blast. We are but tourists in the wide world of taking tricks, and to some extent it can be a hobby unto itself. Contract Bridge alone! But we share our thoughts all the same.
01:49 AYURIS: Clans of Caledonia (Juma Al-JouJou, Karma Games, 2017)
Games Played Last Week:
03:50 -Uprising: Curse of the Last Emperor (Cornelius Cremin, Pawel Mazur, & Dirk Sommer, Nemesis.Games, 2021)
05:22 -Radlands (Daniel Piechnick, Roxley, 2021)
10:04 -Tabbanusi: Builders of Ur (David Spada & Daniele Tascini, Board&Dice, 2021)
12:33 -Shamans (Cédrick Chaboussit, Studio H, 2021)
16:09 -Ankh: Gods of Egypt (Eric M. Lang, CMON, 2021)
17:51 -SCOUT (Kei Kajino, Oink Games, 2019)
21:14 -Steamwatchers (Marc Lagroy, Mythic Games, 2021)
22:28 -MicroMacro: Crime City--Full House (Johannes Sich, Pegasus Spiele, 2021)
22:54 -El Grande (Wolfgang Kramer & Richard Ulrich, Hans im Gluck, 1995)
[EDIT: Mark incorrectly said that El Grande was playable on Boardgamegeek when he should have said Board Game Arena. We apologize for the error.]
25:47 -The Field of the Cloth of Gold (Amabel Holland, Hollanspiele, 2020)
News (and why it doesn't matter):
29:19 Bonfire on yucata.de
29:55 Yak wrangling with Pretzel Games
30:53 David Thompson's next Valiant Defense game: Lanzerath Ridge on KS
31:56 La Granja reprint from Board&Dice on KS
33:01 3D printable, pay-what-you-want Blood Rage files on KS
34:12 51st State Ultimate Edition from Portal launching February 22
35:50 Topic: Trick-Taking Games
1:03:52 Masterpiece Theatre: Midnight Mass
Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brands
Privacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

#198: 2021 Year in Review Jan 25, 2022

It's a star-studded eleganza extravaganza, featuring your two least-favourite SVWAG hosts giving you an incomplete capsule summary of a terrible year of great games. Of course, they neglected to play That One Game, of course, which means that all their observations are utterly useless, but how does that differentiate this episode from any other? This offering is more classy, however, as in a concession to the glitz and glamour of end-of-year shows, both hosts begrudgingly and uncharacteristically wear pants.
(You might be asking--is that "pants" in the British sense or the Canadian sense? The answer is yes.)
Games Played Last Week:
02:50 -Fossilis (David Alberto Diaz, Kids Table BG, 2020)
05:07 -In Too Deep (Josh Cappel & Daryl Chow, Burnt Island Games, 2021)
10:17 -French Toast (Uncredited, Blue Beard Entertainment, 2021)
12:06 -Magnate: The First City (James Naylor, Naylor Games, 2021)
18:02 -Corrosion (Stefan Bauer, Capstone Games, 2021)
20:35 -G.I. JOE Deck-Building Game (T.C. Petty III, Renegade Game Studios, 2021)
24:18 -Uprising: Curse of the Last Emperor (Cornelius Cremin, Pawel Mazur, & Dirk Sommer, Nemesis.Games, 2021)
29:46 -Monstrology (Andy Lubershane, Middle Brain Games, 2017)
33:06 -Conquest & Consequence (Craig Besinque, GMT Games, 2021)
YEAR IN REVIEW
35:59 Personal Top 10s
58:07 SVWAG Game of the Year
1:08:48 Special Categories
1:25:37 SVWAG Presents Masterpiece Theatre Year in Review
Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brands
Privacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

#197: Ankh: Gods of Egypt Dec 28, 2021

In the 14th Century B.C.E., the pharaoh Akhenaten attempted to shift Egypt into monotheism centered on the cult of the god Aten. Apparently there's some who argue it was possibly instead henotheism, whereby many gods are acknowledged but one is elevated above the others--a claim advanced about many ostensibly mono- or polytheistic religions, even some practised today--but at any rate is was exceptionally controversial. By the time his son Tutankhaten became pharaoh, the cult of Aten was suppressed, and the ascendancy of the god Amun was restored in a polytheistic pantheon. Hence the new pharaoh's name was changed from Tutankhaten to Tutankhamun. Theme!
Games Played Last Week:
05:51 -Coyote (Spartaco Albertarelli, New Games Order, 2015)
07:19 -Assault on Doomrock: Ultimate Edition (Tom Stasiak, Beautiful Disaster Games, 2022)
13:11 -Furnace (Ivan Lashin, Hobby World, 2021)
15:24 -That Time You Killed Me (Peter C. Hayward, Pandasaurus Games, 2021)
22:03 -The Adventures of Robin Hood (Michael Menzel, KOSMOS, 2021)
26:16 -Final Girl (Evan Derrick & A.J. Porfirio, Van Ryder Games, 2021)
34:43 -Radlands (Daniel Piechnick, Roxley, 2021)
38:06 -Crash Octopus (Naotaka Shimamoto, itten, 2021)
41:53 -7 Wonders: Architects (Antoine Bauza, Repos Production, 2021)
News (and why it doesn't matter):
43:35 Kickstarter Christmas! Upcoming For Science! giveaway
44:17 Boardgamegeek 2021 Support Drive
44:37 Walker a guest on Board Game Barrage
45:29 25th Century Games' Ra with Ian O'Toole art
46:12 Games Workshop backtracks, re-issues Cursed City
46:53 See you again in 2022
47:36 Feature Game: Ankh: Gods of Egypt (Eric M. Lang, CMON, 2021)
Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brands
Privacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

#196: Going Off-Script Dec 21, 2021

Some things, of course, from Josie and the Pussycats have aged poorly. The idea of "record stores" and CDs (that could, in turn sell out like they were PS5s or something) is downright quaint--especially given the format of this show. I'm pretty confident that the cultural moment of Moviefone Guy has well and truly passed, despite the continued use of both movies and phones. Do people still know who Carson Daly is? I confess I never really did. Mostly I know him from that totally jerkin' movie, Josie and the Pussycats.
01:39 AYURIS: Watergate (Matthias Cramer, Capstone Games, 2019)
Games Played Last Week:
04:10 -Sine Tempore (Luca Bernardini & Andrea Colletti, Ludus Magnus Studio, 2018)
06:27 -L.A.M.A. Dice (Reiner Knizia, AMIGO, 2021)
07:08 -Llamaland (Phil Walker-Harding, Lookout Games, 2021)
11:40 -G.I. JOE Deck-Building Game (T.C. Petty III, Renegade Game Studios, 2021)
13:59 -Assault on Doomrock: Ultimate Edition (Tom Stasiak, Beautiful Disaster Games, 2022)
19:40 -Wingspan (Elizabeth Hargrave, Stonemaier Games, 2019)
21:20 -Factory Funner (2nd ed) (Corné van Moorsel, Boardgametables.com, 2021)
26:18 -Ethnos (Paolo Mori, CMON, 2017)
28:32 -Undaunted: Reinforcements (Trevor Benjamin, David Digby, David Thompson, & Dávid Turczi, Osprey Games, 2021)
37:49 -Bitoku (Germán P. Millán, Devir, 2021)
40:28 -Gutenberg (Katarzyna Cioch & Wojciech Wiśniewski, Granna, 2021)
News (and why it doesn't matter):
45:48 Kickstarter moving to blockchain is better for... reasons
46:32 Fairy Tale Inn from Remo Conzadori and Paolo Mori
47:09 New Patreon-exclusive Discord channel
48:00 Asmodee sold to Swedish Embracer group for €2.75 billion
48:26 Asmodee purchased retailer Miniature Market sometime in 2021
50:08 Topic: Going Off-Script
1:11:16 Masterpiece Theatre: Josie and the Pussycats
Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brands
Privacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

#195: Cryo Dec 14, 2021

The hosts are, briefly, back in the same room again, and this has had the unfortunate effect of bringing out the very worst in Mark. Don't worry, he doesn't spend ten minutes complaining about the implied political claims of kids' shows, but his mind naturally went to the gutter of abominable puns. You have been warned.
Games Played Last Week:
01:16 -On Mars (Vital Lacerda, Eagle-Gryphon Games, 2020)
04:24 -Pulsar 2849 (Vladimír Suchý, CGE, 2017)
06:37 -Hibachi (Marco Teubner, Grail Games, 2021)
09:41 -The Siege of Runedar (Reiner Knizia, Ludonova, 2021)
16:51 -Isle of Skye: Druids (Andreas Pelikan & Alexander Pfister, Lookout Games, 2018)
21:08 -L.A.M.A. Dice (Reiner Knizia, AMIGO, 2021)
25:15 -The Dragon Prince: Battlecharged (Johnny O'Neal, Britherwise Games, 2021)
27:09 -Brian Boru: High King of Ireland (Peer Sylvester, Osprey Games, 2021)
33:37 -7 Wonders: Architects (Antoine Bauza, Repos Production, 2021)
37:21 -For Science! (R. Eric Reuss, Grey Fox Games, 2021)
News (and why it doesn't matter):
45:44 Werewolves of Miller's Hollow (i.e., Werewolf/Mafia) licensed for a movie
47:12 Kickstarter moving to blockchain for... reasons
50:41 Feature Game: Cryo (Tom Jolly & Luke Laurie, Z-Man Games, 2021)
Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brands
Privacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

#194: Our Gaming Autobiographies Dec 07, 2021

We skip over substantial portions of our hosts' stories, of course. No mention is made of Walker's extensive experience with Gilbert & Sullivan. Mark's stint as the Official Pokémon Master of Canada is glossed over. The deep tribal conflict of Jocks versus Geeks, of which Walker is destined to be the bridge (think Dune but even more messianic), is only alluded to. Someday, the whole story might be told, but you wouldn't believe us.
01:43 AYURIS: Nemesis (Adam Kwapiński, Awaken Realms, 2018)
Games Played Last Week:
04:27 -Stardew Valley: The Board Game (Eric Barone & Cle Medeiros, CorcernedApe, 2021)
11:30 -Imhotep (Phil Walker-Harding, KOSMOS, 2016)
14:56 -Sheepy Time (Neil Kimball, Alderac Entertainment Group, 2021)
18:38 -IKI (Koota Yamada, Sorry We Are French, 2015)
21:43 -Mindbug (Skaff Elias, Richard Garfield, Marvin Hegen, & Christian Kudahl, Nerdlab Games, 2021)
27:55 -Paper Dungeons (Leandro Pires, MeepleBR, 2020)
29:12 -Ultimate Railroads (Helmut Ohley & Leonhard "Lenny" Orgler, Hans im Glück, 2021), Board Game Arena adaptation by Elena Laskavaia
31:36 -Coffee Traders (Rolf Sagel & André Spil, Capstone Games, 2021)
34:29 -Magnate: The First City (James Naylor, Naylor Games, 2021)
40:45 -Sentinels of the Multiverse (Christopher Badell, Paul Bender, & Adam Rebottaro, Greater Than Games, 2011)
41:19 -The Siege of Runedar (Reiner Knizia, Ludonova, 2021)
News (and why it doesn't matter):
43:16 Loto Quebec's Azul scratch tickets
44:50 7.6 tons of counterfeit Pokémon cards
45:31 Flat River Group acquires Greater Than Games
46:34 Stan Lee's Genesis
47:15 A Billion Suns: Warzone
49:00 Topic: Our Gaming Autobiographies
Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brands
Privacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

#193: Praga Caput Regni Nov 30, 2021

We have become feature-hungry here at SVWAG. We debut Walker's Language Corner which, let us be frank, is not apt to be repeated, especially given Walker's aversion to dead languages. We finally name a recurring segment that has been airing unaccredited for years, and we have dubbed in Mark's Rage Theatre. It is Festivus every day of the year, and Mark has some grievances to air.
Games Played Last Week:
01:18 -Paper Dungeons (Leandro Pires, MeepleBR, 2020)
04:40 -Sheepy Time (Neil Kimball, Alderac Entertainment Group, 2021)
09:45 -Draftosaurus: Aerial Show (Antoine Bauza, Corentin Lebrat, Ludovic Maublanc, & Théo Rivière, Ankama, 2020)
12:07 -Disney Gargoyles: Awakening (Nate Heiss, Ravensburger, 2021)
16:26 -Imperial Steam (Alexander Huemer, Capstone Games, 2021)
21:14 -Puerto Rico (Andreas Seyfarth, alea, 2002)
27:49 -Beez (Dan Halstad, Next Move Games, 2020)
30:03 -Keyflower (Sebastien Bleasdale & Richard Breese, R&D Games, 2012) BGA implementation by Radu Stefan & Adam Dewbery
34:31 -Llamaland (Phil Walker-Harding, Lookout Games, 2021)
36:04 -Cellulose (John Coveyou & Steve Schlepphorst, Genuis Games, 2022)
News (and why it doesn't matter):
38:50 My City Roll and Write
39:10 Play-Along Parasocial Saturdays! Dec. 4 at 10:30 EST, join us in playing Paper Dungeons and Cartographers
39:34 I, Napoleon from GMT Games and Ted Raicer
40:24 Boards&Dice: Terracotta Army
40:51 Tasty Minstrel's remaining stock being sold off through CoolStuffInc
42:28 Feature Game: Praga Caput Regni (Vladimír Suchý, Delicious Games, 2020)
1:08:10 SVWAG Presents Masterpiece Theatre: The Legend of Korra Season 4
Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brands
Privacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

#192: Event Gaming Nov 23, 2021

One of the great tragic modern misapprehensions of history is the blanching of fascism. It seems that people can watch Attack on Titan and play with their space marines, and simply because there are no swastikas to be found they assume that there are no connections to fascistic ideology contained therein. This is one of the reasons why we so appreciate the humble cucumber sandwich--we would assert that its very fragility and delicacy evoke anti-fascism. Whether one ought to use butter or cream cheese is of great doctrinal import, of course, but we're not gonna get all dogmatic about it.
01:47 AYURIS: Undaunted: Normandy (Trevor Benjamin & David Thompson, Osprey Games, 2019)
Games Played Last Week:
05:07 -Riftforce (Carlo Bortolini, 1 More Time Games, 2021)
07:55 -Ark Nova (Mathias Wigge, Feuerland Spiele, 2021)
10:21 -1846: The Race for the Midwest (Thomas Lehmann, GMT Games, 2005)
20:33 -Railroad Tycoon/Railways of the World (Glenn Drover & Martin Wallace, Eagle-Gryphon Games, 2005)
22:20 -Llamaland (Phil Walker-Harding, Lookout Games, 2021)
24:53 -Res Arcana: Perlae Imperii (Thomas Lehmann, Sand Castle Games, 2021)
27:49 -Faiyum (Friedemann Friese, 2F-Spiele, 2020)
30:08 -Regicide (Paul Abrahams, Luke Badger, & Andy Richdale, Badgers from Mars, 2020)
31:03 -Dinosaur World (Brian Lewis, David McGregor, & Marissa Misura, Pandasaurus Games, 2021)
36:28 -Too Many Bones (Adam & Josh Carlson, Chip Theory Games, 2017)
40:11 -Sentinels of the Multiverse (Christopher Badell, Paul Bender, & Adam Rebottaro, Greater Than Games, 2011)
42:26 -Ankh: Gods of Egypt (Eric M. Lang, CMON, 2021)
45:18 -MicroMacro: Crime City--Full House (Johannes Sich, Pegasus Spiele, 2021)
46:21 -Khôra: Rise of an Empire (Head Quarter Simulation Game Club, IELLO, 2021)
47:04 -A Feast for Odin (Uwe Rosenberg, Feuerland Spiele, 2016)
News (and why it doesn't matter):
48:02 Marvel Zombicide, because of course
49:10 20th Anniversary of the Lord of the Rings movies: Games Workshop's Battle of Balin's Tomb
50:09 Games Workshop condemns Nazis and Nazism in their community
54:22 Topic: Event Gaming
1:14:57 SVWAG Presents Masterpiece Theatre: The Legend of Korra Season 3 (Walker's Take)
Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brands
Privacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

#191: Keepers Nov 09, 2021

Sometimes your devotion and enthusiasm doesn't translate into research or comprehensiveness. Case in point, dear listeners--The Legend of Korra, a franchise Walker introduced to Mark, is one that Walker loves but--shocker!--is one he has only seen but half of. It is revealed during Mark's unhinged ramblings about he would have "fixed" season 3 that Walker is utterly unfamiliar with what he's talking about, and not for the usual reasons. Masterpiece Theatre will never be the same, and Walker just discovered he's got a lot more episodes of Korra than he thought existed.
01:12 AYURIS: Tainted Grail: Fall of Avalon (Krzysztof Piskorski & Marcin Świerkot, Awaken Realms, 2019)
Games Played Last Week:
04:40 -Sine Tempore (Luca Bernardini & Andrea Colletti, Ludus Magnus Studio, 2018)
08:15 -Ultimate Railroads (Helmut Ohley & Leonhard "Lenny" Orgler, Hans im Glück, 2021)
10:06 -The Siege of Runedar (Reiner Knizia, Ludonova, 2021)
11:07 -Furnace (Ivan Lashin, Hobby World, 2021)
15:31 -Brew (Stevo Torres, Pandasaurus Games, 2021)
17:12 -Bärenpark (Phil Walker-Harding, Lookout, 2017)
20:57 -Destinies (Michał Gołębiowski & Filip Miłuński, Lucky Duck Games, 2021)
23:54 -War Chest (Trevor Benjamin & David Thompson, AEG, 2018)
28:16 -Golem (Flaminia Brasini, Virginio Gigli, & Simone Luciani, Cranio Creations, 2021)
31:01 -MicroMacro: Crime City--Full House (Johannes Sich, Pegasus Spiele, 2021)
News (and why it doesn't matter):
34:09 New Dungeon Bowl from Games Workshop
35:24 Horseless Carriage by Jeroen Doumen & Joris Wiersinga of Splotter
37:25 Familiar Tales by Jerry Hawthorne and Plaid Hat Games
38:21 Star Fighters: Rapid Fire by Michael Dunsmore & Jordan Nichols and Alley Cat Games on Kickstarter
40:07 Parasocial Saturdays! Saturday November 13th at 10:30 AM EST: Sentinels of the Multiverse
40:46 No regular episode next week
41:46 Topic: Keepers
1:10:57 SVWAG Presents Masterpiece Theatre: The Legend of Korra Season 3 (Mark's Take)
Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brands
Privacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

#190: Ultimate Railroads Nov 02, 2021

"Planned obsolescence" is not just an economic term, it is a way of life for some companies. It is the practice of deliberately making a sold item frail or of limited use until it is unfashionable; this forces the consumer to replace it sooner than they would otherwise. Analysts tell us that it is best deployed by oligopolies to increase their sales volume. Completely unrelatedly, we talk about Games Workshop in the news.
Games Played Last Week:
01:26 -Mindbug (Skaff Elias, Richard Garfield, Marvin Hegen, & Christian Kudahl, Nerdlab Games, 2021)
03:36 -Ticket to Ride: Germany (Alan R. Moon, Days of Wonder, 2017)
06:18 -Chocolate Factory (Matthew Dunstan & Brett J. Gilbert, Alley Cat Games, 2019)
08:22 -Cockroach Poker (Jacques Zeimet, Drei Magier Spiele, 2004)
09:55 -My Farm Shop (Rüdiger Dorn, Pegasus Spiele, 2020)
12:05 -Royal Visit (Reiner Knizia, IELLO, 2021)
14:18 -Dunaïa (Thomas Dupont, BLAM !, 2021)
15:42 -The Siege of Runedar (Reiner Knizia, Ludonova, 2021)
20:10 -One Deck Dungeon: Abyssal Depths (Chris Cieslik, Asmadi Games, 2021)
News (and why it doesn't matter):
23:55 Warhammer Underworlds Harrowdeep changes the card backs, prices us out of the game
27:15 Steam Up on Kickstarter: dim sum board game
28:28 David Gregg working on Nightfall 2.0
29:05 Parasocial Saturdays: streaming Dinosaur World November 6th at 10:30 AM EST on Twitch.
29:17 www.patreon.com/svwag, final week of Arkhipov Day sale
30:28 Feature Game: Ultimate Railroads (Helmut Ohley & Leonhard "Lenny" Orgler, Hans im Glück, 2021)
Board Game Arena adaptation by Elena Laskavaia.
52:25 SVWAG Presents Masterpiece Theatre: The Legend of Korra Season 2
Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brands
Privacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

#189: Resolving Rules Disputes Oct 26, 2021

This topic was suggested by Penn State law professor Jacob Schuman, although let us be perfectly clear that he does not necessarily endorse any of the views expressed. I mean, if Justices Breyer and/or Alito heard us impugn their oracular insights, no doubt we would be put on blast; much like those terrible journalists for having the sheer gall to posit that judges are, well, human and all. Perish the thought! We also apologize for suggesting that textualism does not ineffably guide one to the True and Correct Opinion, just like it did in Bostock, where textualist methods gave you at least three competing interpretations.
01:05 AYURIS: Clinic Deluxe Edition (Alban Viard, AVStudioGames, 2019)
Games Played Last Week:
03:40 -Tinners' Trail (Martin Wallace, Alley Cat Games, 2021)
07:09 -Merchants of Amsterdam (Reiner Knizia, Rio Grande Games, 2000)
10:59 -Merchants Cove (Jonny Pac, Carl Van Ostrand, & Drake Villareal, Final Frontier Games, 2021)
13:26 -Ra (Reiner Knizia, alea, 1999)
15:17 -Isle of Cats (Frank West, The City of Games, 2019)
17:52 -For Science! (R. Eric Reuss, Grey Fox Games, 2021)
20:28 -Furnace (Ivan Lashin, Hobby World, 2021)
22:36 -Arkham Horror: The Card Game (Nate French & MJ Newman, Fantasy Flight Games, 2016)
26:00 -Messina 1347 (Raúl Fernández Aparicio & Vladimír Suchý, Delicious Games, 2021)
28:34 -Dark Ages: Heritage of Charlemagne (Adam Kwapiński & Andrei Novac, Board&Dice, 2021)
News (and why it doesn't matter):
32:58 Risk: Shadow Forces. Legacy light?
33:51 Art Robbery from Helvetiq and Reiner Knizia
34:29 Iron Forest approaches
35:07 Assault on Doomrock Ultimate Edition approaches, Too Many Bones is... too... many bones.
37:05 Parasocial Saturdays! October 30th at 10:00 EST on Twitch.
37:35 Arkhipov Day: October 27, 1962: 59th anniversary of Vasily Arkhipov saving the world. Theme song "Two Atomic Heroes" by Lemon Knife! Arkhipov Day Patreon sale!
38:15 Topic: Resolving Rules Disputes
1:08:23 SVWAG Presents: Masterpiece Theatre: The Legend of Korra Season 1
Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brands
Privacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

#188: Khôra: Rise of an Empire Oct 19, 2021

We are dangerously approaching peak culture here on SVWAG. In addition to Masterpiece Theatre, we have the return of the pie ranking system, plus now music tie-ins for Arkhipov Day. Could a wine section be far behind? Well, actually, Mark labels most of Walker's in-game comments the wine section. You see?! Yet more culture!
Games Played Last Week:
01:53 -Tidal Blades: Heroes of the Reef (Tim Eisner & Ben Eisner, Druid City Games, 2020)
02:41 -ALIEN: Fate of the Nostromo (Scott Rogers, Ravensburger, 2021)
04:38 -For Science! (R. Eric Reuss, Grey Fox Games, 2021)
08:40 -Project: ELITE (Konstantinos Kokkinis, Marco Portugal, & Sotirios Tsantilas, CMON, 2020)
09:57 -Ankh: Gods of Egypt (Eric M. Lang, CMON, 2021)
15:31 -Brass: Birmingham (Gavan Brown, Matt Tolman, & Martin Wallace, Roxley, 2018)
17:33 -Paint the Roses (Ben Goldman, North Star Games, 2022)
22:17 -Keep the Heroes Out (Luís Brüeh, Self-published, 2022)
23:49 -A Feast for Odin (Uwe Rosenberg, Feuerland Spiele, 2016)
28:45 -After the Empire (Evan Halbert & Ryan Mauk, Grey Fox Games, 2021)
30:00 -Mercado de Lisboa (Vital Lacerda & Julián Pombo, Eagle-Gryphon Games, 2021)
32:00 -Skull (Hervé Marly, Asmodee, 2011)
33:25 -Sine Tempore (Luca Bernardini & Andrea Colletti, Ludus Magnus Studio, 2018)
35:24 -Root (Cole Wehrle, Leder Games, 2018)
38:03 -Anno 1800 (Martin Wallace, KOSMOS, 2020)
News (and why it doesn't matter):
39:50 Expansion for The Red Cathedral
40:02 Cowboy Bebop RPG
41:13 Secrets of the Vibrant Isle: Solo RPG
42:22 Gaia Project and Ultimate Railroads on Board Game Arena
43:00 Arkhipov Day: October 27, 1962: 59th anniversary of Vasily Arkhipov saving the world. Theme song "Two Atomic Heroes" by Lemon Knife! Arkhipov Day Patreon sale!
44:15 Feature Game: Khôra: Rise of an Empire (Head Quarter Simulation Game Club, IELLO, 2021)
1:12:13 SVWAG Presents: Masterpiece Theatre: Avatar: The Last Airbender Season 3
Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brands
Privacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

#187: Multiplayer Solitaire Oct 05, 2021

It was a thrill to have a pan-Anglo alliance together to raise money for Food Banks Canada, with many current or prior Commonwealth countries represented either on the stream or in the donations. That is globalism we can get behind here at SVWAG. That said, let us make our next planned fundraising endeavour yet more international: a Kickstarter campaign to fund Mark's acquisition of a Ferrari Portofino. Equally altruistic, yes?
02:56 -Posthuman Saga (Gordon Calleja, Mighty Boards, 2019)
Games Played Last Week:
04:21 -Galaxy Trucker (Vlaada Chvátil, Czech Games Edition, 2021)
10:36 -Barrage (Tommaso Battista & Simone Luciani, Cranio Creations, 2019)
12:36 -Ankh: Gods of Egypt (Eric M. Lang, CMON, 2021)
16:12 -Neuroshima Hex!: The Year of Moloch (Michał Oracz, Portal Games, 2021)
19:41 -Towering Dice (marcmagus, Web published, 2021)
22:09 -Streets (Haakon Gaarder, Sinister Fish Games, 2021)
25:02 -Draftosaurus (Antoine Bauza, Corentin Lebrat, Ludovic Maublanc, & Théo Rivière, Ankama, 2019)
28:05 -Settlement (Oleksandr Nevskiy, IGAMES, 2021)
32:06 -Race for the Galaxy (Thomas Lehmann, Rio Grande Games, 2007)
32:06 -Innovation (Carl Chudyk, Asmadi Games, 2010)
35:27 -Men at Work (Rita Modl, Pretzel Games, 2019)
37:10 -For Science! (R. Eric Reuss, Grey Fox Games, 2021)
42:55 -The Pursuit of Happiness (Adrian Abela & David Chircop, Artipia Games, 2015)
45:07 -Concordia (Mac Gerdts, PD-Verlag, 2013)
News (and why it doesn't matter):
47:23 A Feast for Odin Alpha on Board Game Arena
47:56 Board Game Arena called Yucata.de, Tabletopia, et al "illegal"
49:58 Walker's new campaign: Sine Tempore
50:45 Yura Yura Penguin Mini on Kickstarter
51:27 Cole Wehrle's Arcs
52:45 Parasocial Saturdays: Twitch stream of Tidal Blades on Saturday, October 9th at 10:30 EST
53:00 No episode on October 12th, Happy Thanksgiving
53:11 Topic: Multiplayer Solitaire
Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brands
Privacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

#186: Imperium: The Contention Sep 28, 2021

In case you missed it, we have now offered to the series of tubes the definitive website for all your non-porn non-cat needs. Sowronggames.com is your official repository for all things SVWAG, including all of our episodes, editorial policies, the full Swagoo, and definitions of all the arcane cant of the show (such as Swagoo). Excellent for neophytes and long-time Svwaggers alike. Unlike other websites, we don't discriminate against bots! We believe sapient bots deserve full moral recognition, and that includes access to our font of digital nonsense. You're welcome, Messrs. Prime and Magnus.
Games Played Last Week:
01:12 -Ankh: Gods of Egypt (Eric M. Lang, CMON, 2021)
07:44 -Furnace (Ivan Lashin, Hobby World, 2021)
11:58 -Core Worlds: Galactic Orders (Andrew Parks, Stronghold Games, 2012)
14:34 -Khôra: Rise of an Empire (Head Quarter Simulation Game Club, IELLO, 2021)
17:23 -Tapestry (Jamey Stegmaier, Stonemaier Games, 2019)
19:46 -The Resistance: Avalon (Don Eskridge, Indie Boards & Cards, 2012)
21:46 -Cloud City (Phil Walker-Harding, Blue Orange Games, 2020)
23:07 -Simplicity (David Brain, Fractal Juegos, 2021)
23:57 -Niagara (Thomas Liesching, Zoch Verlag, 2004)
26:47 -Kabuto Sumo (Tony Miller, BoardGameTables.com, 2021)
28:38 -Camel Up (Second Edition) (Steffan Bogen, eggertspiele, 2018)
31:11 -Robotech: Brace for Impact (Nick Ferris, Strange Machine Games, 2019)
News (and why it doesn't matter):
35:27 Fundraiser on Twitch for Food Banks Canada on October 2nd at 3 PM EST.
Guests: No Pun Included, Board Game Barrage, the SVWAG crew! KOSMOS has donated copies of The Crew: Mission Deep Sea to give away!
https://tiltify.com/@svwag/so-very-wrong-about-games-food-drive
36:11 Parasocial Saturdays! Saturday, 10:30 EST.
36:45 Myth and Goal: James Hewitt & Sophie Williams
37:27 Let's Make a Bus Route domestic reprint: Get on Board: New York & London
38:08 Eastern Empires by 999 Games
40:01 No episode next week; Happy Thanksgiving!
40:25 Skinny Minis
41:46 International Gamers Awards winners: Lost Ruins of Arnak, My City, and Under Falling Skies
42:40 Language that insidiously encourages gatekeeping
45:26 Feature Game: Imperium: The Contention (Gary Dworetsky, Contention Games, 2021)
1:04:58 SVWAG Presents: Masterpiece Theatre: Avatar The Last Airbender Season 2
Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brands
Privacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

#185: What Makes a Game Worth Recommending? Sep 21, 2021

All right, we need to talk about Sokka. Another staple of kid's shows is often The Annoying One. I don't know why, but they're often there. Steven Universe had Ronaldo, but they knew to use him sparingly. Sokka is so aggressively obnoxious in the first two episodes it is a miracle anyone makes it to episode three. He could have just been the complainer, but additionally his monumental and gratuitous misogyny is so bad that one wonders what Suki (an awesome character) ever saw in him. Sure, he gets better, but always in my mind the Early Days Sokka looms over the show like some terrible shadow.
00:59 AYURIS: On Mars (Vital Lacerda, Eagle-Gryphon Games, 2020)
Games Played Last Week:
02:33 -Cryo (Tom Jolly & Luke Laurie, Z-Man Games, 2021)
07:22 -Red Outpost (Raman Hryoryk, Lifestyle Boargames Ltd, 2019)
11:38 -Cantaloop: Book 1--Breaking into Prison (Friendemann Findeisen & Grzegorz Kobiela, Lookout Games, 2020)
15:36 -Brass: Birmingham (Gavan Brown, Matt Tolman, & Martin Wallace, Roxley, 2018)
19:14 -Clever Cubed (Wolfgang Warsch, Schmidt Spiele, 2020)
21:09 -Sleeping Gods (Ryan Laukat, Red Raven Games, 2021)
23:38 -PARKS (Henry Audubon, Keymaster Games, 2019)
27:16 -Shards of Infinity: Into the Horizon (Gary Arant, Justin Gary, Ryan Sutherland, Jared Saramago, Mataio Wilson, & Jason Zila, Stone Blade Entertainment, 2021)
29:19 -Pickomino Deluxe (Reiner Knizia, Zoch Verlag, 2018)
31:53 -Witchstone (Martino Chiacchiera & Reiner Knizia, R&R Games, 2021)
34:48 -Empire of the Stars (Adam West, CrossCut Games, 2021)
40:15 -The Grimm Masquerade (Tim Eisner, Ben Eisner, & James Hudson, Druid City Games, 2019)
News (and why it doesn't matter):
45:53 Fundraiser on Twitch for Food Banks Canada on October 2nd at 3 PM EST.
Guests: No Pun Included, Board Game Barrage, the SVWAG crew! KOSMOS has donated copies of The Crew: Mission Deep Sea to give away!
46:42 Assault on Doomrock: Ultimate Edition is coming along nicely
47:31 Signs of life at Fantasy Flight: expansions for Star Wars: Outer Rim and Descent 3rd.
48:52 Neuroshima Hex big box won't fit all the stuff
49:49 Next Valiant Defense: Battle of the Bulge, New Undaunted next year
50:52 Warhammer Underworlds: Harrowdeep
51:26 One Deck Galaxies
51:52 Parasocial Saturdays: Sep. 25th at 10:30 EST on Twitch
52:51 Special discount on Patreon: pay for ten months, get two months free! www.patreon.com/svwag
54:05 Check out our silly website! sowronggames.com
54:35 Topic: What Makes a Game Worth Recommending?
1:21:10 SVWAG Presents: Masterpiece Theatre: Avatar The Last Airbender Season 1
Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brands
Privacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

#184: Anno 1800 Sep 14, 2021

We have seen the future, and it is now. We have fired up our Netscape Navigator, and interfaced the hypertext protocol over at Geocities, and made us our very own webzone. Maybe soon we'll be able to set up an FTP server for our episodes. We will register on every web ring we can find, whether it's about Sailor Moon or Tamagotchi or Neopets. So go tell your Usenet groups to head on over to sowronggames.com!
Games Played Last Week:
01:14 -Tidal Blades: Heroes of the Reef (Tim Eisner & Ben Eisner, Druid City Games, 2020)
03:51 -Cascadia (Randy Flynn, Flatout Games, 2021)
07:54 -Yokohama (Hisashi Hayashi, Tasty Minstrel Games, 2016)
08:27 -So Clover! (François Romain, Repos Production, 2021)
10:27 -Codenames (Vlaada Chvatil, CGE, 2015)
12:33 -Equinox (Reiner Knizia, Plan B Games, 2021)
12:58 -Ankh: Gods of Egypt (Eric M. Lang, CMON, 2021)
17:25 -Quest (Don Eskridge, Indie Boards & Cards, 2021)
20:38 -Atelier: The Painter's Studio (Uncredited, Alderac Entertainment Group, 2019)
23:23 -Warp's Edge (Scott Almes, Renegade Game Studios, 2020)
27:38 -Muse (Jordan Sorenson, 999 Games, 2017)
30:39 -Hellboy: The Board Game (James M. Hewitt & Sophie Williams, Mantic Games, 2019)
34:08 -Kabuto Sumo (Tony Miller, BoardGameTables.com, 2021)
News (and why it doesn't matter):
36:05 Fundraiser on Twitch for Food Banks Canada! October 2nd at 3 PM EST.
36:40 Mille Fiori from Reiner Knizia
37:33 Air, Land & Sea: Critters at War
38:11 Warpgate expansion incoming
38:31 One Deck Galaxy on KS
39:04 KeyForge on hold; algorithm busted
40:06 Duel of Ages pseudo-sequel: Worldspanner Factions
40:47 Statement on The Gaming Goat's online toxicity
42:21 Feature Game: Anno 1800 (Martin Wallace, KOSMOS, 2020)
Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brands
Privacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

#183: App Assistance Sep 07, 2021

MARCUS BIGNEY
Here comes Fantasy Flight's body, mourned by Michael Walker: who,
though he had no hand in its death, shall receive
the benefit of its dying, a place in the
hobby; as which of you shall not?
WALKER
Friends, gamers, hobbyists, lend me your ears;
I come to bury Fantasy Flight, not to praise it.
The evil that publishers do lives after them;
The good is oft interred with their bones;
So let it be with Fantasy Flight. The noble Bigney
Hath told you FFG was ambitious:
If it were so, it was a grievous fault,
And grievously hath FFG answer'd it.
Here, under leave of Bigney and the rest--
For Bigney is an honourable man;
So are they all, all honourable men--
Come I to speak in FFG's funeral.
It was my friend, faithful and just to me:
But Bigney says it was ambitious;
And Bigney is an honourable man.
It hath published many games home to Rome
Whose playing did the gaming public thrill:
Did this in FFG seem ambitious?
When that the games were broken, FFG hath wept:
Ambition should be made of sterner stuff:
Yet Bigney says it was ambitious;
And Bigney is an honourable man.
I speak not to disprove what Bigney spoke,
But here I am to speak what I do know.
You all did love it once, not without cause:
What cause withholds you then, to mourn for it?
O judgment! thou art fled to brutish beasts,
And men have lost their reason. Bear with me;
My heart is in the coffin box there with expansions,
And I must pause till it come back to me.
01:32 AYURIS: Imperial 2030 (Mac Gerdts, PD-Verlag, 2009)
Games Played Last Week:
04:08 -Yokohama (Hisashi Hayashi, Tasty Minstrel Games, 2016)
07:54 -Vampire Queen (Wolfgang Kramer, Schmidt Spiele, 2016)
11:40 -Regicide (Paul Abrahams, Luke Badger, & Andy Richdale, Badgers from Mars, 2020)
12:13 -Pickomino Deluxe (Reiner Knizia, Zoch Verlag, 2018)
14:25 -Equinox (Reiner Knizia, Plan B Games, 2021)
18:33 -Rhino Hero (Scott Frisco & Steven Strumpf, HABA, 2011)
18:33 -Rhino Hero: Super Battle (Scott Frisco & Steven Strumpf, HABA, 2017)
21:50 -The Search for Planet X (Matthew O'Malley & Ben Rosset, Renegade Game Studios, 2020)
23:15 -Descent: Legends in the Dark (Kara Centell-Dunk & Nathan I. Hajek, Fantasy Flight, 2021)
31:00 -Beyond the Sun (Dennis K. Chan, Rio Grande Games, 2020)
News (and why it doesn't matter):
32:42 Fundraiser for Food Banks Canada with Badgers from Mars and Regicide! Saturday, Oct 2nd, 3 PM EST on Twitch
33:21 Mini Yura Yura Penguin
33:52 Shout out to SVWAG Guild on Boargamegeek: https://boardgamegeek.com/guild/3236
34:41 Sushi Boat on KS soon
35:05 G.I. Joe RPG
35:57 CMON getting into NFTs
38:16 Parasocial Saturdays: Streaming Equinox on Saturday, Sep. 11 at 10:30 AM EST on Twitch
38:34 Topic: App Assistance
1:15:27 SVWAG Presents: Masterpiece Theatre: F9
Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brands
Privacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

#182: Soldiers in Postmen's Uniforms Aug 31, 2021

Cultural gaps can be quite tragic, to say nothing of socially debilitating. Mark discovers to his horror that Walker is unfamiliar both with a key game and a crucial character in film history. Thank goodness that this faux pas does not sully Masterpiece Theatre, as that would bring shame to both the Warrior of the Wasteland and Vin Diesel.
Games Played Last Week:
01:02 -Regicide (Paul Abrahams, Luke Badger, & Andy Richdale, Badgers from Mars, 2020)
03:19 -Onitama (Shimpei Sato, conception, 2014)
04:46 -Card Capture (Lucas Gentry, Wep published, 2018)
07:06 -Flotilla (J.B. Howell & Michael Mihealsick, WizKids, 2019)
11:56 -Veritas (James Ernest & Mike Selinker, Cheapass Games, 2013)
16:04 -The Shipwreck Arcana (Kevin Bishop, Meromorph Games, 2017)
19:14 -Empire of the Stars (Adam West, CrossCut Games, 2021)
25:04 -Ruination (Travis R. Chance, Kolossal Games, 2021)
28:33 -The Staufer Dynasty (Andreas Steding, Z-Man Games, 2014)
30:22 -Mandala Stones (Filip Głowacz, Board&Dice, 2021)
33:21 -Detective Club (Oleksandr Nevskiy, IGAMES, 2018)
35:58 -Glorantha: The Gods War (Sandy Petersen, Petersen Games, 2019)
News (and why it doesn't matter):
41:02 Parasocial Saturdays! Streaming every Saturday at 10:30 EST on Twitch
41:33 Fog of Love expansions: Nikki Valens focuses on queer andtrans stories, plus Love on Lockdown: I guess we'll stay in and watch a movie... again
42:26 No more board games from IDW
43:44 Avatar RPG broke the internet
43:50 For Science! updates tragicomedy
45:17 Feature Game: Soldiers in Postmen's Uniforms (David Thompson, Dan Verssen Games, 2021)
Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brands
Privacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

#181: Bluffing Aug 24, 2021

I used to tell a joke about Heimdall, but it was pretty horny. I used to tell a joke about Osiris, but it fell to pieces. I used to tell a joke about Venus, but it was masturbatory. I used to tell a joke about Sleipnir, but it didn't have legs. I used to tell a joke about Prometheus, but it needed a spark. I used to tell a joke about Draupnir, but it just didn't ever end. I used to tell a joke about Marathon, but it was a bit of a long walk. I used to tell a joke about the Hecatoncheires, but it was punching down. I used to tell a joke about Tyr, but it wasn't even-handed. I used to tell a joke about Ragnarok, but everyone knew the end already. I used to tell a joke about Jormungand, but it was very toxic. I used to tell a joke about Pandora, but it was too out of the box. I used to tell a joke about Cerberus, but it was just gatekeeping. I used to tell a joke about Yggdrasil, but I had to leaf. I used to tell a joke about the labyrinth's inhabitant, but it was bull. I used to tell a joke about the sword of Damocles, but it was over my head. I used to tell a joke about Procrustes, but I kept getting cut off. I used to tell a joke about Sisyphus, but I got tired of the repetition. I used to tell a joke about Penelope's crafting, but it was just an excuse to kill time. I used to tell a joke about the Golden Apple, but it caused too many arguments. I used to tell a joke about Gordian succession, but it was a tangled mess. I used to tell a joke about Minerva's bird, but I can't remember owl of it.
01:58 AYURIS: Caylus 1303 (William Attia, Space Cowboys, 2019)
Games Played Last Week:
04:38 -Regicide (Paul Abrahams, Luke Badger, & Andy Richdale, Badgers from Mars, 2020)
05:55 -Rhino Hero Super Battle (Scott Frisco & Steven Strumpf, HABA, 2017)
06:00 -Kabuto Sumo (Tony Miller, BoardGameTables.com, 2021)
06:37 -Shards of Infinity: Shadow of Salvation (Justin Gary & Ryan Sutherland, Stone Blade Entertainment, 2019)
07:07 -Star Realms (Robert Dougherty & Darwin Kastle, Wise Wizard, 2014)
09:06 -Root (Cole Wehrle, Leder Games, 2018)
11:39 -Faiyum (Friedemann Friese, 2F-Spiele, 2020)
12:45 -Descent: Legends in the Dark (Kara Centell-Dunk & Nathan I. Hajek, Fantasy Flight, 2021)
25:01 -Dark Souls: The Board Game (David Carl, Alex Hall, Mat Hart, & Richard Loxam, Steamforged Games, 2017)
28:34 -Warp's Edge (Scott Almes, Renegade Game Studios, 2020)
31:46 -ALIEN: Fate of the Nostromo (Scott Rogers, Ravensburger, 2021)
37:56 -Lots (Thomas Wells, Self-Published, 2021)
39:54 -Mandala (Trevor Benjamin & Brett J. Gilbert, 2019)
44:59 -Canvas (Jeff Chin & Andrew Nerger, Road to Infamy Games, 2021)
46:20 -Rush M.D. (Athony Howgego, Konstantinos Kokkinis, & Dávid Turczi, Artipia Games, 2020)
News (and why it doesn't matter):
48:43 International Gamers Award nominees
https://www.boardgamegeek.com/blogpost/121685/nominees-announced-2021-international-gamers-award
49:28 Hero Realms digital beta
50:00 Blood Red Skies and unpainted minis
51:55 Atomic Mass Games: Star Wars: Armada being discontinued?
53:20 SVWAG's statement on allegations against Greg Spence, CEO of Broken Token, and in solidarity with victims of sexual assault
https://www.polygon.com/tabletop-games/22632835/broken-token-greg-spence-allegations-sexual-assault-abuse
54:37 Topic: Bluffing
1:22:29 SVWAG Presents: Masterpiece Theatre Presents: The Fast and the Furious Presents: Hobbs & Shaw
Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brands
Privacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

#180: Vienna Connection Aug 17, 2021

We delve deep into knowledge and doubt this week on SVWAG. How do we know what we know? How can we know what we don't know? Why did Mark think Vienna Connection was a train game? Who or what is Wormy Plums, and is it a euphemism for some kind of sex act? Why is there no Masterpiece Theatre? Thankfully, we can at least answer that last question--it is because The F8 of the Furious took such a toll on the hosts' psyches that they needed a break to recuperate.
Games Played Last Week:
01:16 -Regicide (Paul Abrahams, Luke Badger, & Andy Richdale, Badgers from Mars, 2020)
04:44 -Brew (Stevo Torres, Pandasaurus Games, 2021)
08:40 -Space Base (John D. Clair, AEG, 2018)
12:17 -Fortress (Fridemann Friese, 2F-Spiele, 2017)
14:56 -Destinies (Michał Gołębiowski & Filip Miłuński, Lucky Duck Games, 2021)
17:57 -Imperium: Legends (Nigel Buckle & Dávid Turczi, Osprey Games, 2021)
22:01 -Isle of Skye: From Chieftain to King (Andreas Pelikan & Alexander Pfister, Lookout Games, 2015)
24:20 -Fairy Tale (Satoshi Nakamura, Z-Man Games, 2004)
26:09 -Let's Make a Bus Route: The Dice Game (Saashi, Saashi & Saashi, 2021)
27:31 -Quest (Don Eskridge, Indie Boards & Cards, 2021)
33:12 -Formula D (Laurent Lavaur & Eric Randall, Asmodee, 2008)
News (and why it doesn't matter):
35:00 SVWAG is listener-supported
35:59 Flamecraft: adorable
36:30 Black Rose Wars: Rebirth expandalone
37:20 Harry Potter Talisman
37:40 Marrakesh by Stefan Feld
38:05 Finalists for the Zenobia Awards: historical games by under-represented authors
https://zenobiaaward.org/finalists/
39:18 50th anniversary edition of Québec 1759 in 2022 from Columbia Games
40:27 Parasocial Saturdays: streaming Canvas and Rush M.D. on August 21st.
40:41 Feature Game: Vienna Connection (Jakub Poczęty, Przemysław Rymer, Ignacy Trzewiczek, & Jakub Łapot, Portal Games, 2021)
Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brands
Privacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

#179: Trenchcoat Games Aug 10, 2021

The crushing burden of Masterpiece Theatre is having a toll. I had an attitude problem, but then I took a timeout, and I thought about what I did. The success of the Fast and/or Furious movies is undeniable--business-wise, this all seems like appropriate business--but at what cost? I went to the stock market today. I did a business. SVWAG is most emphatically not children stacked together wearing a trenchcoat. Would you like a alcohol?
02:39 AYURIS: Catan: Starfarers (Klaus Teuber, KOSMOS, 2019)
Games Played Last Week:
03:53 -Sunset Over Water (Eduardo Baraf, Steve Finn, & Keith Matejka, Delight, 2018)
06:44 -Isle of Skye: From Chieftain to King (Andreas Pelikan & Alexander Pfister, Lookout Games, 2015)
09:27 -Mysterium Park (Oleksandr Nevskiy & Oleg Sidorenko, Libellud, 2020)
11:33 -Imperium: The Contention (Gary Dworetsky, Contention Games, 2021)
14:32 -Crash Octopus (Naotaka Shimamoto, itten, 2021)
15:02 -Dice Miner (Joshua DeBonis & Nikola Risteski, Atlas Games, 2021)
16:40 -Regicide (Paul Abrahams, Luke Badger, & Andy Richdale, Badgers from Mars, 2020)
17:25 -Caravan (Joe Huber, Rio Grande Games, 2019)
18:58 -The Quest for El Dorado (Reiner Knizia, Ravensburger, 2017)
21:16 -The Quacks of Quedlinburg: The Alchemists (Wolfgang Warsch, Schmidt Spiele, 2020)
23:36 -Inis (Christian Martinez, Matagot, 2016)
26:50 -Mafiozoo (Rüdiger Dorn, Super Meeple, 2017)
News (and why it doesn't matter):
30:05 KS creators: own your choices, stop guilting backers
32:15 Why's everything gotta have a campaign? (reprise)
34:04 Earthborne Rangers' desire for sustainability
36:17 More crap in dice: dragon eyes
36:39 Excavation Earth expansion: It Belongs in a Museum
37:13 Bix box retail, licensed games are impressive: Ravensburger's Alien: Fate of the Nostromo and Disney Gargoyles: Awakening
38:21 Avatar RPG
38:53 Tasty Minstrel Games suspends operations, refunds Kickstarter
39:48 Pfister becomes post-colonialist? Boonlake
41:21 Topic: Trenchcoat Games
1:08:27 SVWAG Presents: Masterpiece Theatre: The Fate of the Furious
Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brands
Privacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

#178: Tribune Aug 03, 2021

NB: "Language independent" can be a loaded term, and we confess we used it a tad sloppily in our discussion of Tribune. Latin is used throughout the game, and ain't nobody speaks Latin as their first language anymore, but nonetheless in hindsight we could have been more sensitive to those more familiar with non-Latin alphabets. Thus, we should say that the original Primus Inter Pares expansion and the new Spielworxx Tribune are language-independent but not alphabet-independent. I dare any game with an appropriate time period as a theme try to get away with cuneiform.
Games Played Last Week:
01:25 -Coffee Traders (Rolf Sagel & André Spil, Capstone Games, 2021)
05:05 -Praga Caput Regni (Vladimír Suchý, Delicious Games, 2020)
06:18 -Kabuto Sumo (Tony Miller, BoardGameTables.com, 2021)
08:21 -Crash Octopus (Naotaka Shimamoto, itten, 2021)
11:05 -Pan Am (Prospero Hall, Funko Games, 2020)
13:37 -Terraforming Mars: Ares Expedition (Sydney Engelstein, Jacob Fryxelius, & Nick Little, Stronghold Games, 2021)
15:59 -Imperium: The Contention (Gary Dworetsky, Contention Games, 2021)
19:49 -Shelfie Stacker (Shem Philips, Arkus Games, 2021)
23:51 -The Staufer Dynasty (Andreas Steding, Z-Man Games, 2014)
28:34 -One Deck Dungeon: Forest of Shadows (Chris Cieslik, Asmadi Games, 2017)
News (and why it doesn't matter):
31:02 Games Workshop back to its old habits, issuing takedown notices
32:00 Cryptid: Urban Legends from Osprey
32:29 SPECTRE: The Board Game from Modiphius
33:12 AZADI from creators of SHASN, Zain Memon & Abhshek Lamba
35:01 G.I. Joe and Transformers deckbuilders from Renegade
35:41 Batman: Escape from Arkham Asylum from Knight Games
36:05 R.I.P., Pokémon mod for Wingspan on TTS
37:24 Feature Game: Tribune (Karl-Heinz Schmiel, Spielworxx, 2021)
1:11:31 SVWAG Presents: Masterpiece Theatre: Fast & Furious 7
Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brands
Privacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

#177: Omnibus Questions Bravo Bravo Jul 27, 2021

Absence, as they say, makes the heart grow fonder, which I believe was an aphorism coined about a gamer's relationship with their prized game collection. Mark finds himself separated against his will from his many many boxes, which makes Walker's occasional reminders of games he left behind all the more painful. Fortunately, Mark has his stable of insect rikishi to keep him company.
01:18 AYURIS: Last Bastion (Antoine Bauza, Repos Production, 2019)
Games Played Last Week:
03:19 -Spire's End (Greg Favro, Self-Published, 2019)
05:41 -Regicide (Paul Abrahams, Luke Badger, & Andy Richdale, Badgers from Mars, 2020)
05:55 -Race for the Galaxy (Thomas Lehmann, Rio Grande Games, 2007)
06:00 -Imperium: Classics and Imperium: Legends (Nigel Buckle & Dávid Turczi, Osprey Games, 2021)
07:33 -Orleans (Reiner Stockhausen, dlp Games, 2014)
09:30 -The Quacks of Quedlinburg (Wolfgang Warsch, Scmidt Spiele, 2018)
11:36 -Sleeping Gods (Ryan Laukat, Red Raven Games, 2021)
17:08 -Pan Am (Prospero Hall, Funko Games, 2020)
21:24 -Imperium: The Contention (Gary Dworetsky, Contention Games, 2021)
22:00 -Wingspan (Elizabeth Hargrave, Stonemaier Games, 2019)
23:11 -Destinies (Michał Gołębiowski & Filip Miłuński, Lucky Duck Games, 2021)
27:02 -Mind MGMT: The Psychic Espionage "Game." (Jay Cormier & Sen-Foong Lim, Off the Page Games, 2021)
31:01 -Kabuto Sumo (Tony Miller, BoardGameTables.com, 2021)
News (and why it doesn't matter):
36:18 Editorial policy on not accepting payment for coverage
37:07 Kingdomino: Origins
37:47 Pandemic: World of Warcraft
38:04 VektoRace
38:39 Fort Cats & Dogs expansion
38:49 Spiel des Jahres: MicroMacro: Crime City, Kennerspiel winner: Paleo
40:34 Queen's Dilemma
41:12 Carolus Magnus reprint: Eriantys
43:03 Wonder Book: pop-up book game!
43:33 Arena Mortis
44:31 Petersen Games and the Petersen Two-Step
https://www.theatlantic.com/culture/archive/2021/07/board-games-have-colonialism-problem/619518/
47:24 Topic: Omnibus Questions Bravo Bravo
1:22:07 SVWAG Presents: Masterpiece Theatre: Fast & Furious 6
Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brands
Privacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

Interlude: Transition Summer Spectacular Jul 20, 2021

With Mark out of town, we peek behind the curtain here at SVWAG, offering you insights from the seldom-heard support staff that make this show possible. Walker seems liberated from his overbearing colleague, while others are coping with loss in their own way.
Games Played Last Week:
00:40 -Shards of Infinity (Gary Arant & Justin Gary, Stone Blade Entertainment, 2018)
01:11 -Spire's End (Greg Favro, Self-Published, 2019)
02:39 -Lords of Hellas (Awam Kwapinski, Awaken Realms, 2018)
04:04 -Carnegie (Xavier Georges, Quined Games, 2021)
News (and why it doesn't matter):
05:07 SVWAG HQ after Mark's disappearance
06:24 Dune Imperium expands
06:48 Terraforming Mars: Ares Expedition launch issues
08:13 On Mars expands
08:42 Machi Koro 2
09:17 Artisans of Splendent Vale
09:46 Topic: Can a Game Be Bad?
Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brands
Privacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

#176: Omnibus Questions Bravo Alpha Jul 13, 2021

Mark has not yet finished his Cain-like eternal wanderings throughout Canada (though he didn't even murder any siblings), but we nonetheless conspired in advance to make this episode possible. Sporadic though our output may be until such time as SVWAG West gets established, we will take care of you as best we can.
Games Played Last Week:
02:03 -Regicide (Paul Abrahams, Luke Badger, & Andy Richdale, Badgers from Mars, 2020)
05:41 -Pax Viking (Jon Mankr, Ion Game Design, 2021)
09:46 -Dinosaur Tea Party (Rob Daviau, JR Honeycutt, & Justin D. Jacobson, Restoration Games, 2018)
10:41 -Million Dollar Script (Daniel Stamm, Portal Games, 2021)
15:45 -Scape Goat (Jon Perry, Indie Boards & Cards, 2020)
16:56 -Sonic the Hedgehog: Crash Course (Sean Dallas McDonald, IDW Games, 2018)
20:07 -Babylonia (Reiner Knizia, Ludonova, 2019)
22:17 -In the Shadow of the Emperor (Ralf Burkert, Rio Grande Games, 2004)
25:51 -Imperium: The Contention (Gary Dworetsky, Contention Games, 2021)
News (and why it doesn't matter):
27:31 Board Game Arena onslaught of new games
28:05 Lost Ruins of Arnak expansion
28:28 Blue Moon license reverts to Knizia, reprint delayed
29:58 Topic: Omnibus Questions Bravo Alpha
Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brands
Privacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

#175: Imperium: Classics & Legends Jun 29, 2021

It's a card game that spans over four thousand years, but Walker would insist that it only feels like you're playing for three thousand, tops. The great thing about reviewing games by Dávid Turczi is that if you don't enjoy the latest game he's published, wait five minutes and he'll have another one for you. Please remember to tip your server.
Games Played Last Week:
01:16 -Dice Miner (Joshua DeBonis & Nikola Risteski, Atlas Games, 2021)
02:55 -Inlfuentia (Miguel Bruque, Ludonova, 2020)
06:58 -L.A.M.A. Dice (Reiner Knizia, AMIGO, 2021)
08:05 -MicroMacro: Crime City (Johannes Sich, Pegasus Spiele, 2020)
10:09 -Yura Yura Penguin (Yabuchi Ryoko, Self-Published, 2020)
11:02 -Regicide (Paul Abrahams, Luke Badger, & Andy Richdale, Badgers from Mars, 2020)
13:28 -Pax Viking (Jon Mankr, Ion Game Design, 2021)
17:26 -Tutankhamun (Reiner Knizia, 25th Century Games, 2021)
23:18 -Lancaster: Big Box (Matthias Cramer & Wolfgang Panning, Queen Games, 2015)
27:59 -Spire's End (Greg Favro, Sel-Published, 2019)
30:24 -The King's Dilemma (Hjalmar Hach & Lorenzo Silva, Horrible Guild, 2019)
32:34 -Great Western Trail (Alexander Pfister, eggertspiele, 2016)
News (and why it doesn't matter):
33:59 Brass: Birmingham on Steam, tutorial impenetrable to Walker
34:46 Grail Games v. Reiner Knizia on social media
37:17 Twitch unboxings: The Persuit of Happiness, Million Dollar Script
38:43 Imperium: Classics giveaway on Twitter @sowronggames
40:02 Bonfire: Trees and Creatures expansion
41:32 Patreon and schedule news
42:12 Feature Game: -Imperium: Classics and Imperium: Legends (Nigel Buckle & Dávid Turczi, Osprey Games, 2021)
1:03:52 SVWAG Presents: Masterpiece Theatre: Fast 5
Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brands
Privacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

#174: Combos Jun 22, 2021

As far as Walker is concerned, when he says that Mark is a jerk and he smells funny, that's a prime example of a combo. Mark counters that a perfectly sensible combo is a podcast about board games issuing random observations of silly blockbuster movies. In either case, if you want your mind to break and your conception of reality to weaken, we encourage you to investigate short scale vs. long scale. Numbers are meaningless and all is illusion. Another combo!
01:45 AYURIS: Cloudspire (Josh J. Carlson, Adam Carlson, & Josh Wielgus, Chip Theory Games, 2019)
Games Played Last Week:
04:42 -Merchants Cove (Jonny Pac, Carl Van Ostrand, & Drake Villareal, Final Frontier Games, 2021)
11:12 -Rangers of Shadow Deep (Joseph McCullough, Self-Published, 2018)
14:07 -Dice Miner (Joshua DeBonis & Nikola Risteski, Atlas Games, 2021)
17:34 -Railroad Ink Challenge (Hjalmar Hach & Lorenzo Silva, Horrible Guild, 2021)
19:55 -The Quest for El Dorado: The Golden Temples (Reiner Knizia, Ravensburger, 2019)
24:23 -L.A.M.A. Dice (Reiner Knizia, AMIGO, 2021)
25:29 -Abandon All Artichokes (Emma Larkins, Gamewright, 2020)
26:01 -Horizon Wars: Infinite Dark (Robey Jenkins, Precinct Omega Publishing, 2021)
30:15 -Verona Twist (József Dorsonczky, Mind Fitness Games, 2018)
33:04 -Monumental (Matthew Dunstan, Funforge, 2020)
36:23 -Groundhog Day: The Game (Propsero Hall, Funko Games, 2021)
News (and why it doesn't matter):
38:45 Castello Methoni and BoardGameGeek News/Store
40:19 Maracaibo digital, mobile only (for now)
40:48 Terraforming Mars: Ares Expedition; should backers expect a game first?
47:46 Send us questions! justrolldadice@gmail.com
48:51 Knizia and Bitewing Games: "Criminal Capers Collection"
50:00 Topic: The Agony and the Ecstasy of Combos
1:10:19 SVWAG Presents: Masterpiece Theatre: Fast & Furious
Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brands
Privacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

#173: Witchstone Jun 15, 2021

Titles, as Herr Doktor Doktor Vincent Diesel, esq. O.B.E. could tell you, are important things. They must be recorded for posterity, quite literally in the case of Dogberry: "But masters, remember that I am an ass, though it be not written down, yet forget not that I am an ass." Mark and Walker are bereft of such honorifics; "Gilded Ones" apparently only applies if you go the full gilt route, which sounds way too painful to endorse. Whether philosophers get any titles past "lovers of wisdom" is a matter of some controversy; Mark weighs in all the same.
Games Played Last Week:
00:50 -Pandemic: The Cure (Matt Leacock, Z-Man Games, 2014)
04:07 -Fairy Tale (Satoshi Nakamura, Z-Man Games, 2004)
07:13 -Plantopia (Daryl Chow, Origame, 2020)
10:30 -Paleontologists (Joe Hout, Web published, 2020)
11:15 -Shards of Infinity (Gary Arant & Justin Gary, Stone Blade Entertainment, 2018)
16:00 -Dominion (Donald X. Vaccarino, Rio Grande Games, 2008)
16:39 -Imperium: Classics (Nigel Buckle & Dávid Turczi, Osprey Games, 2021)
22:56 -Let's Make a Bus Route: The Dice Game (Saashi, Saashi & Saashi, 2021)
25:54 -Nanga Parbat (Steve Finn, Dr. Finn Games, 2021)
30:54 -Street Masters (Adam Sadler & Brady Sadler, Blacklist Games, 2018)
News (and why it doesn't matter):
33:25 "Swirling the Drain:" Tasty Minstreal loses Orléans to Capstone
34:25 "Swirling the Drain:" Unfathomable re-skins Battlestar Galactica to Arkham Horror
38:02 Phalanx's Coalitions: Grand strategic Napoleonics!
39:17 Compass Games' Coalition: Grand strategic Napoleonics!
40:11 GCT Studios' Bushido
40:54 Traitorous trick-taking: Shamans by Cédrick Chaboussit
42:05 Age of Sigmar: Dominion from Games Workshop
42:29 Feature Game: Witchstone (Martino Chiacchiera & Reiner Knizia, R&R Games, 2021)
1:02:16 SVWAG Presents: Masterpiece Theatre: Tokyo Drift
Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brands
Privacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

#172: Metarules/Parateach Jun 08, 2021

If Walker doesn't want Mark to speak to excess, he really shouldn't be teeing him up by asking about Macross. Or Robotech either, because the difference thereto is a whole discussion unto itself. Of course, Walker is an accomplished troll, willing to return to any subject once raised. Mark has repeatedly been exhorted to not feed trolls, but really, that's just blaming the victim. At this point it's mostly just mutual trolling, like an ouroboros of nonsense.
I think SVWAG might have a new tagline.
01:39 AYRUIS: Rurik: Dawn of Kiev (Stan Kordonskiy, PieceKeeper Games, 2019)
Games Played Last Week:
03:46 -51st State: Master Set--Moloch (Joanna Kijanka, Portal Games, 2021)
08:13 -Gaia Project (Jens Drögemüller & Helge Ostertag, Feuerland Spiele, 2017)
10:38 -Beyond the Sun (Dennis K. Chan, Rio Grande Games, 2020)
12:17 -Great Western Trail (Alexander Pfister, eggertspiele, 2016)
13:20 -No Thanks! (Thorsten Gimmler, AMIGO, 2004)
17:27 -Aquatica: Cold Waters (Ivan Tuzovsky, Arcane Wonders, 2020)
20:42 -The Initiative (Corey Konieczka, Unexpected Games, 2021)
22:46 -Good Puppers (Chris Cieslik, Asmadi Games, 2021)
24:41 -Lost Ruins of Arnak (Elwen & Mín, CGE, 2020)
25:57 -Unmatched: Cobble & Fog (Rob Daviau, Justin D. Jacobson, Chris Leder, & Kevin Rodgers, Restoration Games, 2020)
30:51 -Oath: Chronicles of Empire and Exile (Cole Wehrle, Leder Games, 2021)
News (and why it doesn't matter):
33:40 New Nemesis stuff
33:47 Robotech: Reconstruction
34:45 Pandemic Hot Zone: Europe
35:04 Matt Calkins' Charioteer
35:54 David Turczi and Nigel Buckle's Imperium: Classics and Legends
37:02 Mantic's Rainbow Six
37:29 SVWAG heads West, brief interruption in July
38:29 Topic: Metarules/Parateach: All the non-rules stuff you tell people when teaching or selling a game.
1:07:10 SVWAG Presents: Masterpiece Theatre: 2 Fast 2 Furious
Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brands
Privacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

#171: Trickerion Jun 01, 2021

Get our your cucumber sandwiches and your doilies, you precious little petunias, because we're about to get all cultured on you. Some serious sophistication is going down, and we are not entirely certain our hosts are prepared--mentally, spiritually, let alone hygienically.
Games Played Last Week:
01:14 -Endless Winter: Paleoamericans (Stan Kordonskiy, Fantasia Games, 2021)
03:54 -Altar Quest (Adam Sadler & Brady Sadler, Blacklist Games, 2020)
04:12 -Street Masters: Aftershock (Adam Sadler & Brady Sadler, Blacklist Games, 2019)
06:49 -Fantasy Realms (Bruce Glassco, WizKids, 2017)
14:59 -Fuji Flush (Friedemann Friese, 2F-Spiele, 2016)
15:47 -Go Nuts for Donuts (Zachary Eagle, Gamewright, 2017)
17:07 -Fairy Tale (Satoshi Nakamura, Z-Man Games, 2004)
20:42 -Cryo (Tom Jolly & Luke Laurie, Z-Man Games, 2021)
24:36 -Imperium: The Contention (Gary Dworetsky, Contention Games, 2021)
27:06 -Umbra Via (Connor Wake, Pandasaurus Games, 2021)
30:44 -Fast & Furious: Highway Heist (Prospero Hall, Funko Games, 2021)
32:36 -The Initiative (Corey Konieczka, Unexpected Games, 2021)
34:23 -Stationfall (Matt Eklund, Ion Game Design, 2021)
News (and why it doesn't matter):
39:57 Kudos: Mythic and Stonemaier make good
41:05 War Room 2nd Edition on Kickstarter
41:50 Paris not at all a reprint on Kickstarter
42:25 Chip Theory teases Elder Scrolls
43:12 Arydia: The Paths We Dare Tread from Far Off Games
43:48 Feature Game: Trickerion: Legends of Illusion (Richard Amann & Viktor Peter, Mindclash Games, 2015)
1:07:40 SVWAG Presents: Masterpiece Theatre: The Fast & the Furious
Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brands
Privacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

#170: What Prompts Our Purchases May 25, 2021

Walker's got this friend with a problem--not Walker, no not at all, a friend, you see, his name is... Bike Docker... and Bike has this problem that he judges a game by its cover art. Mike I mean Bike is so blinded by his prejudice that it causes him to rag on games like El Grande or GMT's entire catalog just because the cover doesn't appeal to his sensibilities. Luckily, there are enlightened people like Mike Walker to guide those like Bike Docker.
01:33 AYURIS: Tapestry (Jamey Stegmaier, Stonemaier Games, 2019)
Games Played Last Week:
03:09 -Street Masters: Aftershock (Adam Sadler & Brady Sadler, Blacklist Games, 2019)
04:38 -Fast & Furious: Highway Heist (Prospero Hall, Funko Games, 2021)
11:46 -Imperium: The Contention (Gary Dworetsky, Contention Games, 2021)
15:23 -Four Gardens (Martin Doležal, Korea Boardgames, 2020)
18:12 -A Game of Thrones: The Board Game (Second Edition) (Christian T. Petersen, Fantasy Flight, 2011)
19:30 -Spirit Island: Jagged Earth (R. Eric Reuss, Greater Than Games, 2020)
19:59 -Cryo (Tom Jolly & Luke Laurie, Z-Man Games, 2021)
23:21 -The Initiative (Corey Konieczka, Unexpected Games, 2021)
25:39 -L.A.M.A. Dice (Reiner Knizia, AMIGO, 2021)
27:40 -Good Puppers (Chris Cieslik, Asmadi Games, 2021)
29:43 -Codex Naturalis (Thomas Dupont, Bombyx, 2020)
30:31 -Calico (Kevin Russ, Flatout Games, 2020)
33:57 -Anachrony: Doomsday Enhancement Pack (Dávid Turczi, Mindclash Games, 2017)
34:54 -Rajas of the Ganges (Inka Brand & Markus Brand, HUCH!, 2017)
News (and why it doesn't matter):
35:41 Portal stream: Publishers avoiding GenCon
37:23 Horizon Wars: Infinite Dark launches this week
37:55 The Goonies: Never Say Die by Prospero Hall
38:48 Follow-up to Versailles 1919: Triumvir
39:23 Zombicide: Army of the Dead
40:15 Bizarre gatekeeping alert: Bruno Faidutti doesn't trust you if you don't drink
42:40 Topic: What Prompts Our Purchases
Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brands
Privacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

#169: Whale Riders May 18, 2021

Our inaugural Mark Bigney is a Blithering Idiot Fest has arrived, and we can chronicle a minor subsection of things that make evident Mark is a not a smart man. Although this episode is jam-packed with content, even its confines cannot contain a comprehensive accounting; rest assured we will return to this topic in future instalments.
Games Played Last Week:
01:42 -Kemet: Blood and Sand (Jacques Bariot & Guillaume Montiage, Matagot, 2021)
09:24 -Scythe (Jamey Stegmaier, Stonemaier Games, 2016)
10:55 -Finished! (Friedemann Friese, 2F-Spiele, 2017)
15:51 -Groundhog Day: The Game (Prospero Hall, Funko Games, 2021)
22:27 -Street Masters: Aftershock (Adam Sadler & Brady Sadler, Blacklist Games, 2019)
24:11 -Imperium: The Contention (Gary Dworetsky, Contention Games, 2021)
29:25 -Commands & Colors: Samurai Battles (Richard Borg, GMT Games, 2021)
32:59 -Asgard's Chosen (Morgan Dontanville, Mayfair Games, 2013)
(Variant: https://www.boardgamegeek.com/thread/1058313/solo-variant-more-tense-gameplay)
35:23 -Spirit Island: Jagged Earth (R. Eric Reuss, Greater Than Games, 2020)
39:53 -Galaxy Hunters (Daniel Alves, IDW Games, 2021)
46:30 -Field Commander: Napoleon (Dan Verssen, Dan Verssen Games, 2011)
50:27 -Tokaido (Antoine Bauza, Funforge, 2012)
52:01 -Splendor (Marc André, Space Cowboys, 2014)
News (and why it doesn't matter):
52:42 Spiel des Jahres nominations
53:44 MicroMacro: Crime City: Full House
56:09 Descent: Legends of the Dark
57:00 BakaFire's Are you telling me this genius scientist can’t get the first place?
57:47 Walker's Who Asked for This? Talisman tabletop RPG, The Burn Book
59:08 Transformers deck-building game
59:47 Pixel Tactics digital
1:00:58 Feature Game: Whale Riders (Reiner Knizia, Grail Games, 2021)
Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brands
Privacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

#168: Video Games vs. Board Games Market Differences May 11, 2021

From Wikipedia: "Mark Sinclair (born July 18, 1967), known professionally as Vin Diesel, is an American actor and filmmaker. One of the world's highest-grossing actors, he is best known for playing Dominic Toretto in the Fast & Furious franchise.
Diesel began his career in 1990 but struggled to gain roles until he wrote, directed, produced, and starred in the short film Multi-Facial (1995). This attracted the attention of Steven Spielberg, who was developing Saving Private Ryan (1998), and re-wrote elements of the film to allow Diesel to appear in a supporting role. Diesel subsequently voiced the titular character in The Iron Giant (1999) while gaining a reputation as an action star after headlining the Fast & Furious, XXX, and The Chronicles of Riddick film franchises."
01:20 AYURIS: Black Angel (Sébastien Dujardin, Xavier Georges, & Alain Orban, Pearl Games, 2019)
Games Played Last Week:
03:08 -Vengeance: Roll and Fight Episode 1 (Gordon Calleja, Noralie Lubbers, & Dávid Turczi, Mighty Boards, 2021)
[EDIT: Vengeance: Roll & Fight is on Kickstarter as of now, until May 31st 2021)
07:46 -Aquatica: Cold Waters (Ivan Tuzovsky, Arcane Wonders, 2020)
11:30 -Excavation Earth (Gordon Calleja, Dávid Turczi, & Wai Yee, Mighty Boards, 2021)
18:28 -MicroMacro: Crime City (Johannes Sich, Pegasus Spiele, 2020)
19:09 -Daimyo: Rebirth of an Empire (Jérémy Ducret, La Boîte de Jeu, 2021)
25:30 -Mage Knight Board Game (Vlaada Chvátil, WizKids, 2011)
28:43 -Whale Riders (Reiner Knizia, Grail Games, 2021)
30:36 -The King's Dilemma (Hjalmar Hach & Lorenzo Silva, Horrible Guild, 2019)
31:51 -Takenoko (Antoine Bauza, Matagot, 2011)
News (and why it doesn't matter):
34:10 Mindclash announces Voidfall
35:30 Games Workshop's Gaunt's Ghosts
36:06 Richard Halliwell, designer of Space Hulk, passed away
36:38 Shipping costs from China skyrocket
37:53 Prospero Hall's Fast & Furious: Highway Heist
38:57 Topic: Market Differences: Video Games vs. Board Games
Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brands
Privacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

#167: The Red Cathedral May 04, 2021

Fun fact: The Red Cathedral isn't really a cathedral at all, it's a sobor, which isn't really the same thing. Also fun fact: Unsurprisingly, Mark is wrong to say that Fenrir will swallow the moon at the end of the world, as that is patently absurd. Fenrir swallows the sun, which makes perfect sense. Except, of course, for renditions where Fenrir's children Skoll and Hati swallow the moon and sun respectively. I guess we'll have to wait and see who got it right. We value editorial rigour here at SVWAG.
Games Played Last Week:
01:57 -Veangeance: Roll and Fight Episode 1 (Gordon Calleja, Noralie Lubbers, & Dávid Turczi, Mighty Boards, 2021)
06:30 -Blood Rage: Promos Box (Eric M. Lang, CMON, 2019)
10:09 -Nidavellir: Thingvellir (Serge Laget, GRRRE Games, 2020)
12:03 -Whale Riders: The Card Game (Reiner Knizia, Grail Games, 2021)
13:57 -Whale Riders (Reiner Knizia, Grail Games, 2021)
16:26 -Lancaster (Mathias Cramer, Queen Games, 2011)
20:44 -Cubitos (John D. Clair, AEG, 2021)
22:37 -Regicide (Paul Abrahams, Luke Badger, & Andy Richdale, Badgers from Mars, 2020)
24:52 -Cacao (Phil Walker-Harding, ABACUSSPIELE, 2015)
25:47 -Jekyll vs. Hyde (Geonil, Mandoo Games, 2021)
28:43 -Railroad Ink: Blazing Red Edition (Hjalmar Hach & Lorenzo Silva, Horrible Guild, 2018)
News (and why it doesn't matter):
30:00 (Other) Golden Geek Winners
34:42 Witchstone from Reiner Knizia
35:20 D&D Monopoly...?
35:42 My Father's Work on Kickstarter
36:35 Stationfall from Matt Eklund on Kickstarter
37:16 Take Mark's Siege of the Citadel Dark Legion pledge!
Link: https://forms.gle/52vHVkc66Gx7aSEt5
37:51: Feature Game: The Red Cathedral (Israel Cendrero & Sheila Santos, Devir Games, 2020)
Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brands
Privacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

#166: Tempo Apr 27, 2021

Knizia reference, check; Kant reference, check; Shakespeare reference, check (albeit subtle); Scott Pilgrim reference, check (albeit a gimme); Macross reference, check; Letterkenny reference... wait, this must be a mistake. Where's the Letterkenny reference? This is no way to try to win a Golden Geek.
01:58 AYURIS: Edge of Darkness (John D. Clair, AEG, 2019)
Games Played Last Week:
03:38 -Scott Pilgrim Miniatures the World (Erica Bouyouris, Renegade Game Studios, 2021)
07:53 -Red Rising (Alexander Schmidt & Jamey Stegmaier, Stonemaier Games, 2021)
13:13 -In a Grove (Jun Sasaki, Oink Games, 2011)
16:13 -Moon Adventure (Jun Sasaki, Oink Games, 2021)
19:43 -Cosmic Frog (Jim Felli, Devious Weasel Games, 2020)
20:55 -Galaxy Hunters (Daniel Alves, IDW Games, 2021)
23:15 -Regicide (Paul Abrahams, Luke Badger, & Andy Richdale, Badgers from Mars, 2020)
25:21 -L.A.M.A. Dice (Reiner Knizia, AMIGO, 2021)
27:38 -Abandon All Artichokes (Emma Larkins, Gamewright, 2020)
30:57 -The Magnificent (Eilif Svensson & Kristian Amundsen Østby, Aporta Games, 2019)
36:34 -Claustrophobia 1643 (Croc & Laurent Pouchain, Monolith, 2019)
40:12 -Merv: Heart of the Silk Road (Fabio Lopiano, Osprey Games, 2020)
45:04 -Railroad Ink: Deep Blue Edition (Hjalmar Hach & Lorenzo Silva, Horrible Guild, 2018)
46:32 -Dunaïa (Thomas Dupont, BLAM !, 2021)
News (and why it doesn't matter):
51:23 CGE revisits Galaxy Trucker
52:36 Hurlyburly
54:07 TTCombat and Ostrich riders
54:39 Warhammer Quest: The Cursed City and Games Workshop gaslighting
56:41 Tyrants of the Underdark reprint
57:12 Hidden Leaders on Kickstarter
57:21 More Hellboy on Kickstarter
57:38 Needy Cat Games' Myth and Goal
58:26 Topic: Tempo
Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brands
Privacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

#165: Dominant Species: Marine Apr 20, 2021

The trajectory of spin-offs seems indelibly tied to aquatic environments, so perhaps we ought to accept the inevitable and begin planning for "SVWAG of the Depths" wherein our hosts play games and then talk about them while entirely submerged. Imagine what effect it will have on most dexterity games! Only Chip Theory Games' offerings will emerge unaltered. Sound quality will perforce suffer, as no doubt will the hosts' lungs, but no one said art was going to be easy.
Games Played Last Week:
01:26 -Formula Dé (Laurent Lavaur & Eric Randall, Eurogames, 1997)
01:44 -Automobiles (David Short, AEG, 2016)
02:00 -Cubitos (John D. Clair, AEG, 2021)
12:45 -Ra (Reiner Knizia, alea, 1999)
16:38 -Hallertau (Uwe Rosenberg, Lookout Games, 2020)
20:39 -Regicide (Paul Abrahams, Luke Badger, & Andy Richdale, Badgers from Mars, 2020)
25:00 -Jekyll vs. Hyde (Geonil, Mandoo Games, 2021)
27:04 -The Magnificent (Eilif Svensson & Kristian Amundsen Østby, Aporta Games, 2019)
30:18 -Champions of Midgard (Ole Steiness, Grey Fox Games, 2015)
31:14 -The King's Dilemma (Hjalmar Hach & Lorenzo Silva, Horrible Guild, 2019)
36:32 -Conspiracy: Abyss Universe (Bruno Cathala & Charles Chevallier, Bombyx, 2019)
News (and why it doesn't matter):
38:02 Marvel United X-Men, sans Gambit (so far)
39:39 Frostpunk: Surprise billing
40:56 Classics going out of print prompting media navel-gazing
[EDIT: A previous version of the episode falsely attributed the Euro Classics line to Plaid Hat instead of Z-Man Games. We apologize for the error.]
44:59 Stream of The Magnificent 04/24, 10:30 AM EST
45:16 Feature Game: Dominant Species Marine (Chad Jensen, GMT Games, 2021)
Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brands
Privacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

#164: Probability Apr 13, 2021

Important Macross news! Mark will ruthlessly exploit any and all chances to mention Macross, and so he shoehorns in a quote from a Macross property so he can talk about Macross. He can then mention his mention of Macross in the episode description, in a move called Meta-cross. There's some stuff about board games too, I guess.
01:51 AYURIS: Warhammer Age of Sigmar: Warcry (Uncredited, Games Workshop, 2019)
Games Played Last Week:
04:22 -After the Empire (Evan Halbert & Ryan Mauk, Grey Fox Games, 2021)
12:47 -Beyond the Sun (Dennis K. Chan, Rio Grande Games, 2020)
16:18 -Keyflower (Sebastien Bleasdale & Richard Breese, R&D Games, 2012)
21:22 -Black Rose Wars: Sator Box (Marco Montanaro, Ludus Magnus Studio, 2020)
27:26 -Commands & Colors: Samurai Battles (Richard Borg, GMT Games, 2021)
37:47 -Haiclue (Will Leaf, Tiger Board Games, 2019)
38:46 -Street Fighter: The Miniatures Game (Alex Tune & Joe Vargas, Jasco Games, 2021)
News (and why it doesn't matter):
44:40 15th annual Golden Geek Awards nominations are open on BGG
47:51 Mighty Boards' Vengeance: Roll and Fight!
48:37 Let's Make a Bus Route dice game
49:06 Safe Battle: sound check
[EDIT: Mark mistakenly conflates the Tokyo Game Market with TGS, which are different events. We apologize for the error.]
49:53 Warhammer Underworlds "Starter Set?"
51:56 Topic: Probability
Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brands
Privacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

#163: Bullet♥︎ Apr 06, 2021

A great man once said that he thought bullets should cost five thousand dollars. As we are not currently playing a game of SHASN, we here at SVWAG will demur on weighing in on hot-button political issues at this time. Suffice to say that while there is another raging controversy about whether one should address cost in the context of board games criticism, Bullet♥︎ does not cost five thousand dollars.
Games Played Last Week:
02:05 -Nidavellir: Thingvellir (Serge Laget, GRRRE Games, 2020)
04:48 -Gùgōng: Pànjūn (Andreas Steding, Game Brewer, 2020)
09:50 -A Billion Suns: Interstellar Fleet Battles (Mike Hutchinson, Osprey Games, 2021)
15:01 -Star Trek: Alliance – Dominion War Campaign (Josh Derksen & Thomas M. Gofton, WizKids, 2021)
20:12 -SHASN (Zain Memon, Memesys Culture Lab, 2021)
28:11 -The Red Cathedral (Israel Cendrero & Sheila Santos, Devir Games, 2020)
31:44 -Pandemic Legacy: Season 0 (Rob Daviau & Matt Leacock, Z-Man Games, 2020)
[EDIT: An earlier version of this episode implied that Merv was designed by Andreas Steding, when in fact it was designed by Fabio Lopiano. We apologize for the error.]
News (and why it doesn't matter):
35:37 The Dragon Prince: Battlecharged
36:19 Unmatched System gets Deadpool et al, because Marvel is all-consuming
37:35 Reiner Knizia: The Siege of Runedar, Witchstone, Blue Moon reprint
38:47 KS roundup: Longshot roll and write, googley-eyed dice
39:33 Mythic Battles: Ragnarok
40:56 Level 99 Games Expansions: Bullet Orange and Empyreal reprint
42:05 Little Plastic Train Company
42:38 The shame of Biblios spawns For the King (and Me)
43:24 Feature Game: Bullet♥︎ (Joshua Van Laningham, Level 99 Games, 2021)
Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brands
Privacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

#162: Whining Mar 30, 2021

No, not winning, that is emphatically not on the docket today. Today we inveigh against whining, which is a form of meta-whining; what the Brits call "recursive whinging" or the French language names "le grand boo-hoo." Given that the hosts engage in this degenerate, despicable behaviour, this is very much an issue of do as we say, not as we say when whining. Perhaps this is more complicated than I first suspected.
01:16 AYURIS: Sol: Last Days of a Star (Ryan Spangler & Sean Spangler, Elephant Laboratories, 2017)
Games Played Last Week:
03:55 -Root (Cole Wehrle, Leder Games, 2008)
07:30 -Hard City (Adam Kwapiński & Marek Raczyński, Hexy Studio, 2020)
12:09 -Tajuto (Reiner Knizia, Super Meeple, 2019)
16:09 -Medici (Reiner Knizia, AMIGO, 1995)
19:30 -The Search for Planet X (Matthew O'Malley & Ben Rosset, Renegade Game Studios, 2020)
26:26 -Blackout: Hong Kong (Alexander Pfister, eggertspiele, 2018)
31:06 -The Shores of Tripoli (Kevin Bertram, Fort Circle Games, 2020)
35:42 -Shadows: Amsterdam (Mathieu Aubert, Libellud, 2018)
40:31 -Dice Forge (Régis Bonnessée, Libellud, 2017)
News (and why it doesn't matter):
41:33 Joseph McCullough's Silver Bayonet
43:55 Blacklist Games' Lasting Tales
45:03 https://boardgamegeek.com/guild/3236, https://www.twitch.tv/soverywrongaboutgames
46:02 "Lot" on Kickstarter--each game unique
47:44 FlickFleet Box of Flicks 2
49:08 Topic: Whining
Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brands
Privacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

#161: Faiyum Mar 23, 2021

Don't you know who I am
Remember my name
Faiyum
I'm gonna live for ever
I'm gonna learn how to fly
-clearly some song about ancient Pharaohs
Games Played Last Week:
00:51 -Aquatica (Ivan Tuzovsky, Cosmodrome Games, 2019)
05:06 -Dungeon Petz (Vlaada Chvátil, CGE, 2011)
07:46 -Concordia Solitaria (Mac Gerdts, PD-Verlag, 2021)
11:25 -CuBirds (Stefan Alexander, Catch Up Games, 2018)
12:01 -Dragonwood (Darren Kisgen, AURUM, Inc., 2015)
13:17 -Abyss (Bruno Cathala & Charles CHvallier, Bombyx, 2014)
13:57 -Nidavellir (Serge Laget, GRRRE Games, 2020)
14:58 -Beyond the Sun (Dennis K. Chan, Rio Grande Games, 2020)
15:08 -Lost Ruins of Arnak (Elwen & Mín, CGE, 2020)
15:49 -Bullet♥︎ (Joshua Van Laningham, Level 99 Games, 2021)
18:18 -Project: ELITE (Konstantinos Kokkinis, Marco Portugal, & Sotirios Tsantilas, CMON, 2020)
19:44 -Warhammer Underworlds: Direchasm (David Sanders, Games Workshop, 2020)
23:29 -The Shores of Tripoli (Kevin Bertram, Fort Circle Games, 2020)
30:20 -Yura Yura Penguin (Yabuchi Ryoko, Self-Published, 2020)
News (and why it doesn't matter):
31:09 Robotech: Reconstruction
33:16 More Necromunda and Warhammer Underworlds
34:21 Res Arcana: Perlae Imperii
34:49 In-person GenCon in September
35:35 Lost Cities roll-and-write
36:16 As d'or goes to MicroMacro: Crime City
36:45 Feature Game: Faiyum (Friedemann Friese, 2F-Spiele, 2020)
Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brands
Privacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

#160: Best Foot Forward Mar 16, 2021

CASSIUS: Did SVWAG say any thing?
CASCA: Ay, they spoke Geek.
CASSIUS: To what effect?
CASCA: Nay, an I tell you that, I'll ne'er look you i' the
face again: but those that understood them smiled at
one another and shook their heads; but, for mine own
part, it was Geek to me.
01:54 AYURIS: Star Wars: Outer Rim (Corey Konieczka with Tony Fanchi, FFG, 2019)
Games Played Last Week:
03:30 -Paleo (Peter Rustemeyer, Hans im Glück, 2020)
08:56 -MicroMacro: Crime City (Johannes Sich, Pegasus Spiele, 2020)
10:44 -Root: The Underworld Expansion (Patrick Leder & Cole Wehrle, Leder Games, 2020)
13:30 -Ra (Reiner Knizia, alea, 1999)
15:50 -Dune: Imperium (Paul Dennen, Dire Wolf, 2020)
17:45 -Res Arcana: Lux et Tenebrae (Thoman Lehman, Sand Castle Games, 2019)
19:23 -Beyond the Sun (Dennis K. Chan, Rio Grande Games, 2020)
22:10 -Scape Goat (Jon Perry, Indie Boards & Cards, 2020)
24:47 -Aquatica (Ivan Tuzovsky, Cosmodrome Games, 2019)
26:42 -Flick of Faith (Paweł Stobiecki, Jan Truchanowicz, & Łukasz Włodarczyk, Awaken Realms Lite, 2019)
29:38 -Strike (Dieter Nüßle, Ravensburger, 2012)
News (and why it doesn't matter):
30:40 Jack Vasel Memorial Auction on BGG
31:02 Parasocial Saturdays: Project: ELITE on March 20th, 10:30 AM EST on Twitch.
31:18 Stop appropriating indigenous religious practices, CMON! "Trickster" in Zombicide.
32:54 Dominant Species Marine by GMT.
33:59 www.patreon.com/svwag
34:52 Topic: Putting Your Best Foot Forward
Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brands
Privacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

#159: Anachrony: Fractures of Time Mar 09, 2021

Round structure of Anachrony:
I. Jump to the left phase.
II. Step to the right phase.
III. Bring your knees in tight phase.
IV. Pelvic thrust phase.
V. Drives you insane phase.
Let's play Anachrony again! It's just...
Games Played Last Week:
01:25 -Barrage (Tommaso Battista & Simone Luciani, Cranio Creations, 2019)
07:49 -Argent: Summer Break (Trey Chambers, Level 99 Games, 2014)
11:19 -Warhammer Underworlds: Direchasm (David Sanders, Games Workshop, 2020)
16:48 -Rum & Bones: Second Tide (Michael Shinall, CMON, 2017)
20:55 -Scape Goat (Jon Perry, Indie Boards & Cards, 2020)
24:06 -Yura Yura Penguin (Yabuchi Ryoko, Self-Published, 2020)
26:18 -Hansa Teutonica: East Expansion (Andreas Steding, Argentum Verlag, 2010)
28:33 -Pictures (Christian Stöhr & Daniela Stöhr, PD-Verlag, 2019)
32:41 -Project: ELITE – R.O.O.K. Team (Konstantinos Kokkinis, Marco Portugal, & Sotirios Tsantilas, CMON, 2020)
35:52 -MicroMacro: Crime City (Johannes Sich, Pegasus Spiele, 2020)
38:38 -Pavlov's House (David Thompson, Dan Verssen Games, 2018)
News (and why it doesn't matter):
40:50 Robinson Crusoe Collector's Edition on Gamefound March 23rd
41:55 Trireme racing AND puns?! Greece Lightning
42:46 Level 99 Games' crowdfunding: Launch 99
43:59 Should there be moderation on Kickstarter comments? Mark says yes.
49:06 Feature Game: Anachrony: Fractures of Time (Richard Amann, Viktor Peter, Dávid Turczi, & Mindclash Games, 2020)
Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brands
Privacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

#158: Video Game Adaptations Mar 02, 2021

The kids these days, what with their pokemons and their video games. The bleeping and the blooping. Personally I think civilization's gone downhill since Pong. It's all the colours! Pong had one too many colours if you ask me. What with the violence in the games and in the rock music and the hip hop... Hell in a handbasket.
Coming soon to PS5: "Hell in a Handbasket" by EA.
01:50 AYURIS: Hellboy: The Board Game (James M. Hewitt & Sophie Williams, Mantic Games, 2019)
Games Played Last Week:
03:22 -Cerebria: The Inside World (Richard Amann, Viktor Peter, István Pócsi, Frigyes Schőberl, Nick Shaw, & Dávid Turczi, Mindclash Games, 2018)
05:54 -Shadowrift: Boomtown (Jeremy Anderson, Starling Games, 2020)
08:28 -Horizon Wars: Zero Dark (Robey Jenkins, Precinct Omega Publishing, 2020)
10:56 -Fuji Koro: Deluxe (Jerome Demeyere, Game Brewer, 2020)
13:02 -Kingdom Rush: Rift in Time (Helana Hope, Sen-Foong Lim, & Jessey Wright, Lucky Duck Games, 2020)
18:56 -Bloodborne: The Board Game (Eric M. Lang & Michael Shinall, CMON Limited, 2021)
25:32 -It’s a Wonderful World: Corruption & Ascension (Frédéric Guérard, La Boîte de Jeu, 2020)
28:28 -The Taverns of Tiefenthal (Wolfgang Warsch, Schmidt Spiel, 2019)
News (and why it doesn't matter):
29:19 Batman: Dark Knight Returns solo only
30:01 Bamboo Bash faces accusations of ripping off Toc Toc Woodman
34:15 Tiny Turbo Cars on Kickstarter
34:58 Tiny Epic Dungeons improves its sexist art
36:31 Skyrim: The Boardgame on Gamefound soon
37:54 John Company 2nd Edition on Kickstarter March 30th
39:06 Ragnarocks on Kickstarter
39:41 Patrons eligible for a free copy of Trick Shot
40:13 40K Magic: the Gathering?!
40:25 Brew from Pandasaurus
40:52 Topic: Video Game Adaptations
[EDIT: Mark, when discussing the roguelite deckbuilding game "Griftlands," mistakenly refers to it as "Outlands." We apologize for the error.]
Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brands
Privacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

#157: Trick Shot Feb 23, 2021

Wheel, snipe, celly boys. Crushin' sandos. Superstar power poses? Pfft. I could run a clinic on this, boys. The flow, and the snow. That's it, tarps off boys! You looking for a tilly, buddy? It's time for a donnybrook! Ferda.
Games Played Last Week:
01:17 -Crystal Palace (Carsten Lauber, Feuerland Spiele, 2019)
08:21 -Schotten Totten 2 (Reiner Knizia, IELLO, 2020)
11:04 -Blackout: Hong Kong (Alexander Pfister, eggertspiele, 2018)
15:20 -Cthulhu: Death May Die (Eric M. Lang & Rob Daviau, CMON, 2019)
17:14 -Anachrony: Fractures of Time (Richard Amann, Viktor Peter, Dávid Turczi, & Mindclash Games, 2020)
23:38 -Scape Goat (Jon Perry, Indie Boards & Cards, 2020)
26:33 -The Court of Miracles (Vincent Brugeas & Guilhem Gautrand, Lumberjacks Studio, 2019)
29:07 -Res Arcana (Thomas Lehmann, Sand Castle Games, 2019)
30:03 -Medina (Second Edition) (Stefan Dorra, Stronghold Games, 2014)
31:47 -Pandemic Legacy: Season 0 (Rob Daviau & Matt Leacock, Z-Man Games, 2020)
News (and why it doesn't matter):
31:47 Glorious return of Pandemic Legacy Patreon show The C.U.R.E. Files
32:24 Black History Month at Boardgamegeek
33:26 Core Worlds: Empires
33:58 Metal Gear Solid board game reverts to Matsuuchi, future uncertain
34:41 Stroganov by Andread Steding
35:14 More Great Western Trail(s)
35:58 Let's Role on Kickstarter--online tabletop roleplaying
36:37 Concordia Solitaria
37:08 Feature Game: Trick Shot (Nikita Krylov & Artyom Nichipurov, Wolff Designa, 2021)
Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brands
Privacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

#156: Dead Collectible Games Feb 16, 2021

So. Many. Games. Could two humans play so many games in a mere week? Well, certainly no humans that aren't preternaturally devoted to their dear listeners. But we are devoted, and your mere idlest of wishes is our most sacrosanct of commands; and so, brutal though taskmasters that you are, you bid us play so. Many. Games.
01:19 AYURIS: Asgard's Chosen (Morgan Dontanville, Mayfair Games, 2013)
Games Played Last Week:
03:43 -Sumatra (Reiner Knizia, Ludonova, 2020)
07:34 -Tajuto (Reiner Knizia, Super Meeple, 2019)
11:40 -Scape Goat (Jon Perry, Indie Boards & Cards, 2020)
15:10 -Agricola (Revised Edition) (Uwe Rosenberg, Lookout Games, 2016)
18:08 -Super-Skill Pinball: 4-Cade (Geoff Engelstein, WizKids, 2020)
21:10 -Steven Universe: Beach-a-Palooza Card Battling Game (Erica Bouyouris & Andrew Wolf, Cryptozoic Entertainment, 2020)
26:13 -Ausonia (Zoltán Simon, Lycan Studio, 2021)
28:51 -The Taverns of Tiefenthal (Wolfgang Warsch, Schmidt Spiel, 2019)
30:00 -Yura Yura Penguin (Yabuchi Ryoko, Self-Published, 2020)
34:04 -Tungaru (Louis Malz & Stefan Malz, Alley Cat Games, 2020)
36:11 -Flick of Faith (Paweł Stobiecki, Jan Truchanowicz, & Łukasz Włodarczyk, Awaken Realms Lite, 2019)
38:47 -Strike (Dieter Nüßle, Ravensburger, 2012)
40:20 -Aquatica (Ivan Tuzovsky, Cosmodrome Games, 2019)
43:40 -MegaCity: Oceania (Jordan Draper & Michael Fox, Hub Games, 2019)
47:21 -MicroMacro: Crime City (Johannes Sich, Pegasus Spiele, 2020)
News (and why it doesn't matter):
49:06 Asmodee buys Board Game Arena
51:51 Summoner Wars 2nd Edition: March 1st
52:17 Warhammer Underworlds keeps evolving
53:08 https://tekeli.li/svwag/ is your friend! All episode notes of SVWAG
54:05 Yet more Zombicide?!
54:43 Editorial: The issue isn't who is a racist, the issue is what we do
57:54 Topic: Dead Collectible Games
Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brands
Privacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

#155: Hallertau Feb 09, 2021

One portentious day, Uwe Rosenberg will design a worker-placement game where polyomino sheep breed by being sown into fields that are also special power cards, and the Great Cycle will be complete. No one knows what happens then, and quite frankly we are too afraid to ask.
Games Played Last Week:
01:33 -Anachrony: Fractures of Time (Richard Amann, Viktor Peter, Dávid Turczi, & Mindclash Games, 2020)
08:15 -Honey Buzz (Paul Salomon, Elf Creek Games, 2020)
14:56 -The Crew: The Quest for Planet Nine (Thomas Sing, KOSMOS, 2019)
16:46 -Flick of Faith (Paweł Stobiecki, Jan Truchanowicz, & Łukasz Włodarczyk, Awaken Realms Lite, 2019)
18:54 -Paris (Michael Kiesling & Wolfgang Kramer, Game Brewer, 2020)
26:55 -Guards of Atlantis II: Tabletop MOBA (Artyom Nichipurov, Wolff Designa, 2021)
29:46 -Dice Hospital (Stan Kordonskiy & Mike Nudd, Alley Cat Games, 2018)
News (and why it doesn't matter):
31:21 Red Rising from Stonemaier Games
32:03 Assault on Doomrock: Ultimate Edition
33:26 Oink Games on Kickstarter
34:08 Patreon: Free games, Pledge of Indifference, and more
34:51 The Dragon Prince Tales of Xadia RPG
35:15 We Care: A Grizzled Game
36:30 Unity and empathy: on whose terms? Tascini's critics get death threats
39:21 Feature Game: Hallertau (Uwe Rosenberg, Lookout Games, 2020)
Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brands
Privacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

#154: Gatekeeping Feb 02, 2021

"My defense, Your Honour, was that I was specifically mandated by the rulebook issued by M. Xavier Georges and Quined Games to violate the lockdown restrictions issued by the Province of Ontario. I would put to you that it is unjust for the government to force me to choose between public heath measures backed by civil sanction on the one hand, and being a dirty dirty cheater on the other. Why are you all looking at me like that?"
01:37 AYURIS: Gentes: Deluxified (Stefan Risthaus, Tasty Minstrel, 2018)
Games Played Last Week:
06:04 -Age of Industry (Martin Wallace, Treefrog Games, 2010)
12:20 -Aquatica (Ivan Tuzovsky, Cosmodrome Games, 2019)
16:09 -Russian Railroads (Helmut Ohley & Leanhard "Lonny" Orgler, Hans im Gluck, 2013)
17:52 -Skytear (Giacomo Neri, Riccardo Neri, & Riccardo Parmeggiani, PvP Geeks, 2020)
21:47 -La Granja (Michael Keller & Andreas "ode." Odendahl, Spielworxx, 2014)
23:58 -Paris Connection (John Bohrer, Queen Games, 2010)
26:23 -Anachrony (Dávid Turczi, Mindclash Games, 2017)
30:39 -Carnegie (Xavier Georges, Quined Games, 2021)
News (and why it doesn't matter):
38:01 Caverna: Frantic Fiends
38:44 Sentinels of the Multiverse: Definitive Edition. No.
41:33 Abyss on Board Game Arena
41:55 Isaac Vega and Lindsey Rode form Rose Gauntlet Entertainment
43:41 Daniele Tascini apologizes, Phil Eklund doubles down
45:31 Topic: Gatekeeping
Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brands
Privacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

#153: Tungaru Jan 26, 2021

Board Game Arena gets more and more of our gaming time, what with its snappy interface and minimal system requirements. The sound effects, though, are controversial. The community seems divided on whether the whooshes are pleasing or distracting, and whether the knock-knock-knock sound is charming or nerve-wracking. We have heard the noise accused of being evocative of imminent swatting, which seems excessive but potentially horrifying.
Games Played Last Week:
01:07 -The Crew: The Quest for Planet Nine (Thomas Sing, KOSMOS, 2019)
05:23 -MicroMacro: Crime City (Johannes Sich, Pegasus Spiele, 2020)
08:26 -Flick Wars (Shaun Austin & Andrew Tullsen, Breaking Games, 2019)
10:46 -No Thanks! (Thorsten Gimmler, AMIGI, 2005)
10:52 -Paris Connection (John Bohrer, Queen Games, 2010)
11:42 -Nippon (Nuno Bizarro Sentieiro & Paulo Soledade, What's Your Game?, 2015)
16:30 -Carnegie (Xavier Georges, Quined Games, 2021)
18:43 -A Billion Suns: Interstellar Fleet Battles (Mike Hutchinson, Osprey Games, 2021)
24:33 -Hallertau (Uwe Rosenberg, Lookout Games, 2020)
31:03 -Guards of Atlantis II: Tabletop MOBA (Artyom Nichipurov, Wolff Designa, 2021)
34:00 -Food Chain Magnate (Jeroen Doumen & Joris Wiersinga, Splotter, 2015)
35:38 -Yokohama (Hisashi Hayashi, Tasty Minstrel Games, 2016)
36:18 -Underwater Cities (Vladimír Suchý, Rio Grande Games, 2018)
News (and why it doesn't matter):
37:25 Dune: House Secrets--Detective Dune?
37:52 Ultimate Railroads: Russian, German, American, and Asian
39:10 Sagrada Legacy?!
39:42 Equinox from Reiner Knizia
40:36 Funagain CEO steps down after sexist harrassment
43:07 Feature Game: Tungaru (Louis Malz & Stefan Malz, Alley Cat Games, 2020)
Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brands
Privacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

#152: Death of the Rule Book Jan 19, 2021

If you've been following board games social media recently, you might have noticed that it's been a rough couple of weeks. Incidents like these, albeit difficult, allow us a chance to define our community and underscore our values. Silence can imply consent. We can either choose to silently defend powerful figures use their influence to harm vulnerable people without consequence, or we can choose to try and speak up to become a more welcoming and inclusive community. So Very Wrong About Games chooses to try to do the latter.
00:57 Our statement on Phil Eklund and Daniele Tascini
04:24 AYURIS: Warpgate (Artyom Nichipurov, Wolff Designa, 2018)
Games Played Last Week:
06:46 -Darwin’s Journey (Simone Luciani & Nestore Mangone, ThunderGryph Games, 2021)
12:20 -Dinosaur Tea Party (Rob Daviau, JR Honeycutt, & Justin D. Jacobson, Restoration Games, 2018)
17:00 -Calimala (Fabio Lopiano, ADC Blackfire Entertainment GmbH, 2017)
20:11 -Cosmic Frog (Jim Felli, Devious Weasel Games, 2020)
23:31 -Yokohama (Hisashi Hayashi, Tasty Minstrel Games, 2016)
25:35 -Quantum (Eric Zimmerman, Funforge, 2013)
28:03 -City of the Big Shoulders (Raymond Chandler III, Parallel Games, 2019)
32:21 -Food Chain Magnate (Jeroen Doumen & Joris Wiersinga, Splotter, 2015)
33:28 -A Billion Suns: Interstellar Fleet Battles (Mike Hutchinson, Osprey Games, 2021)
News (and why it doesn't matter):
39:10 Terraforming Mars: Ares Expedition
41:40 Asmodee buys Philibert
42:32 Castles of Mad King Ludwig Collector's Edition
43:32 Topic: Death of the Rule Book
Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brands
Privacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

#151: Dogs of War Jan 12, 2021

Too much news! So much news, in fact, that we had to cut some news. Some news, though news-y, will keep until next week. The key is to wrap the roots of the news in damp paper towel, put the news in a plastic bag, and put the bag in the fridge. The news will keep up to a couple weeks that way, whereas it would have become limp news on the counter in as little as a day.
Games Played Last Week:
01:11 -By Stealth and Sea (Nicola Saggini & David Thompson, DVG Games, 2020)
06:02 -Dinosaur Tea Party (Rob Daviau, JR Honeycutt, & Justin D. Jacobson, Restoration Games, 2018)
09:43 -Guards of Atlantis II: Tabletop MOBA (Artyom Nichipurov, Wolff Designa, 2021)
14:27 -Iwari: Deluxe Edition (Michael Schacht, ThunderGryph Games, 2020)
17:33 -BattleCON: Unleashed (D. Brad Talton, Level 99 Games, 2020)
21:01 -Whistle Mountain (Scott Caputo & Luke Laurie, Bézier Games, 2020)
24:16 -Charterstone (Jamey Stegmaier, Stonemaier Games, 2017)
News (and why it doesn't matter):
26:31 Leftover animal mentions: Kabuto Sumo, Crash Octopus, and Scape Goat
28:05 Ares Games loses Battlestar Galactica license
29:05 Boardgamegeek Artist Series #5
30:22 Kolossal Games' Reload
30:50 Nidavellir expansion: Thingvellir
31:51 More modules for Taverns of Tiefenthal
32:24 It's a Wonderful Kingdom
33:03 New solo modes for Concordia and AuZtralia
33:53 Antoine Bauza's Oltréé
34:51 Fantasy Flight Games forums shutting down
36:12 Mayhem from CMON
36:46 Lizard people for Warhammer Underworlds
36:52 Dark Crystal RPG
37:13 Simone Luciani's Darwin's Journey
37:58 Feature Game: Dogs of War (Paolo Mori, CMON, 2014)
Designer's improvements: https://www.boardgamegeek.com/thread/1470285/some-variants-i-didnt-playtest-yet
Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brands
Privacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

#150: 2020 Year in Review Jan 05, 2021

In honour of our big, blowout, end-of-year extravaganza spectacular, no expense was spared. Mark put on pants. Walker wore his t-shirt with the fewest holes. The sheep freshly sheared. The palanquin carriers were freshly oiled. Come, thrill to the summary of what was actually a very good year in terms of boardgame releases.
Games Played Last Week:
02:16 -Guardians (Callin Flores, Plaid Hat Games, 2018)
03:46 -Super Fantasy Brawl (Jochen Eisenhuth, Mythic Games, 2020)
06:07 -MegaCity: Oceania (Jordan Draper & Michael Fox, Hub Games, 2019)
09:55 -Dwellings of Eldervale (Luke Laurie, Breaking Games, 2020)
14:59 -Bonfire (Stefan Feld, Hall Games, 2020)
19:13 -Caravan (Joe Huber, Rio Grande Games, 2019)
22:50 -Dune: Imperium (Paul Dennen, Dire Wolf, 2020)
27:42 -Nidavellir (Serge Laget, GRRRE Games, 2020)
29:17 -Whistle Mountain (Scott Caputo & Luke Laurie, Bézier Games, 2020)
34:09 -Aristocracy (Reiner Knizia, Tasty Minstrel Games, 2019)
35:08 -Gloomhaven: Jaws of the Lion (Isaac Childres, Cephalofair Games, 2020)
News (and why it doesn't matter):
36:07 The C.U.R.E. Files are now The HOBO Chronicles
38:16 2020 Year in Review
39:31 Personal Top 10s
1:01:56 SVWAG Game of the Year
1:05:02 Miscellaneous Categories
Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brands
Privacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

#149: Empyreal: Spells & Steam Dec 22, 2020

All right, sweethearts, what are you waiting for? Breakfast in bed? Another glorious episode of SVWAG! A day with So Very Wrong About Games is like a day on the farm. Every word's a banquet! Every sentence a fortune! Every review a soliloquy! I love SVWAG!
Games Played Last Week:
01:40 -Aristeia!: Prime Time (Alberto Abal, Jesús Fuster, & David Rosillo, Corvus Belli, 2020)
05:05 -Vengeance: Director’s Cut Expansion (Gordon Calleja, Mighty Boards, 2020)
11:03 -For What Remains: Out of the Basement (Paul Low, David Thompson, & Ricardo Manuel Luis Tomas, DVG, 2020)
14:42 -Undaunted: North Africa (Trevor Benjamin & David Thompson, Osprey Games, 2020)
18:13 -It's a Wonderful World (Frédéric Guérard, La Boîte de Jeu, 2019)
21:20 -Caravan (Joe Huber, Rio Grande Games, 2019)
22:41 -Fast Sloths (Friedemann Friese, 2F-SPiele, 2019)
27:19 -Cacao (Phil Walker-Harding, ABACUSSPIELE, 2015)
28:11 -Aliens: Another Glorious Day in the Corps (Andrew Haught, Gale Force Nine, 2020)
32:45 -Aliens (David McKenzie & Barry Nakazono, Leading Edge Games, 1989)
News (and why it doesn't matter):
34:42 Transmissions
35:13 Hansa Teutonica Big Box exists!
36:22 Commands & Colors Samurai Battles from GMT
37:18 French law enforcement investigate the Confrontation debacle
39:35 The Castles of Mad King Ludwig deluxe
40:12 SVWAG News: See you in 2021
41:58 Feature Game: Empyreal: Spells & Steam (Trey Chambers, Level 99 Games, 2020)
Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brands
Privacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

#148: Combat Systems Dec 15, 2020

"I hit you!" "Nuh-uh, you missed!" "I totally hit you!" "I dodged it!" "I have special homing missiles you can't dodge!" "I have a shield that redirects all your shots back to you!" "I have an invincibility field!" "I can shoot through invincibility!" At this point, Games Workshop would have us roll off, with the person rolling higher getting the title of Most Obnoxious Person.
01:49 AYURIS: Cthulhu Wars (Sandy Peterson & Lincoln Petersen, Petersen Games, 2015)
Games Played Last Week:
05:02 -AuZtralia (Martin Wallace, Stronghold Games, 2018)
11:16 -Under Falling Skies (Tomáš Uhlíř, Czech Games Edition, 2020)
12:49 -The King Is Dead: Second Edition (Peer Sylvester, Osprey Games, 2020)
19:48 -Jetpack Joyride: Deluxe Edition (Michał Gołębiowski, Lucky Duck Games, 2019)
22:43 -Apocalypse Road (Jeff Horger & Carla Horger, GMT Games, 2020)
29:53 -Marvel United (Andrea Chiarvesio & Eric M. Lang, CMON, 2020)
33:06 -Gaia Project (Jens Drögemüller & Helge Ostertag, Feuerland Spiele, 2017)
38:52 -Terraforming Mars (Jacob Fryxelius, Stronghold Games, 2016)
News (and why it doesn't matter):
41:24 Board Game Arena's month of releases mostly old betas
42:15 Everdell publisher sending cease & desist orders to Etsy sellers
46:04 Topic: Combat Systems
Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brands
Privacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

#147: Beyond the Sun Dec 08, 2020

Mark has occasion to quote three different movies in this episode, and miraculously none of them are Pulp Fiction, The Lion in Winter, or even Aliens--despite the latter being related to a game discussed! Perhaps his echolalia is abating, or perhaps merely evolving. One should, after all, take every advantage to quote the well-spoken Ayatollah of Rock-and-Rolla.
Games Played Last Week:
01:19 -Pax Renaissance (Phil Eklund & Matt Eklund, Sierra Madre Games, 2016)
04:14 -Praga Caput Regni (Vladimír Suchý, Delicious Games, 2020)
13:20 -Agricola (Revised Edition) (Uwe Rosenberg, Lookout Games, 2016)
17:56 -Marvel United (Andrea Chiarvesio & Eric M. Lang, CMON, 2020)
21:30 -Under Falling Skies (Tomáš Uhlíř, Czech Games Edition, 2020)
24:59 -The Court of Miracles (Vincent Brugeas & Guilhem Gautrand, Lumberjacks Studio, 2019)
29:05 -Nidavellir (Serge Laget, GRRRE Games, 2020)
32:00 -Last Aurora (Mauro Chiabotto, Pendragon Game Studio, 2020)
37:40 -Evolution: Climate (Dominic Crapuchettes, Dmitry Knorre, & Sergey Machin, North Star Games, 2016)
News (and why it doesn't matter):
43:25 Ginkgopolis (and Hansa Teutonica) reprint soon-ish? Maybe?
44:13 Inuit board game: Nunami
45:37 The Transcontinental: Canadian trains
46:38 Aliens: Another Glorious Day in the Corps actually exists
47:28 Sushi Boat: conveyer tastiness
48:10 Fist of the North Star
49:15 Warhammer Underworlds continues with Direchasm
50:07 Feature Game: Beyond the Sun (Dennis K. Chan, Rio Grande Games, 2020)
Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brands
Privacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

#146: Dungeon Crawlers Dec 01, 2020

One is reminded of those memes that plot definitions on two axes, asking to what degree the reader is a purist or a rebel--the setting purist and the mechanical purist would say "Descent is a dungeon crawler." Perhaps the setting purist and mechanical rebel would say "Dungeon Lords is a dungeon crawler." Invariably these memes revel in the reductio ad absurdum, so I have to imagine the setting rebel and the mechanical rebel would say "Hopscotch is a dungeon crawler."
01:43 AYURIS: Batman: Gotham City Chronicles (Frédéric Henry, Monolith, 2019)
Games Played Last Week:
03:39 -By Stealth and Sea (Nicola Saggini & David Thompson, DVG Games, 2020)
08:26 -Altar Quest (Adam Sadler & Brady Sadler, Blacklist Games, 2020)
18:17 -Gods Love Dinosaurs (Kasper Lapp, Pandasaurus Games, 2020)
19:34 -Yedo: Deluxe Master Set (Thomas Vande Ginste & Wolf Plancke, Board&Dice, 2020)
24:50 -The Court of Miracles (Vincent Brugeas & Guilhem Gautrand, Lumberjacks Studio, 2019)
27:15 -Nidavellir (Serge Laget, GRRRE Games, 2020)
32:38 -Frenemy Pastry Party (Jesse Li, Mizo Games, 2019)
34:52 -Marvel United (Andrea Chiarvesio & Eric M. Lang, CMON, 2020)
37:25 -Eminent Domain (Seth Jaffee, Tasty Minstrel Games, 2011)
News (and why it doesn't matter):
43:59 Board Game Arena Opus Magnus: A new game every day in December
45:11 Topic: Dungeon Crawlers
Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brands
Privacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

#145: Tidal Blades Nov 24, 2020

It is the nature of the Walker who cries wolf that if he repeats the claim often and consistently enough, it might come true eventually. Despite the unrelenting constancy of Chinese New Year, some games do actually get produced--just only after they have emerged from their purgatorial delay in the never-ending holiday. So it is with Tidal Blades; after claims of "any day now" for years, it finally arrived, like some unwieldy piece of oversized deluxe... well... is it flotsam or jetsam? We must review it to find out.
Games Played Last Week:
01:16 -Magic Realm (Richard Hamblen, Avalon Hill, 1979)
07:30 -Funkoverse Strategy Game: Tim Burton’s The Nightmare Before Christmas (Prospero Hall, Funko Games, 2020)
11:53 -Hansa Teutonica (Andreas Steding, Argentum Verlag, 2010)
13:28 -Beyond the Sun (Dennis K. Chan, Rio Grande Games, 2020)
20:00 -Terra Mystica (Jens Drögemüller & Helge Ostertag, Feuerland Spiele, 2012)
21:50 -Project: ELITE (Konstantinos Kokkinis, Marco Portugal, & Sotirios Tsantilas, CMON, 2020)
24:29 -Trekking the World (Charlie Bink, Underdog Games, 2020)
25:26 -Civilization: A New Dawn—Terra Incognita (Tony Fanchi, Fantasy Flight Games, 2020)
News (and why it doesn't matter):
32:57 The Zenobia Award for underrepresented designers of historical games
33:53 Reality Shift! MAGNETS!
34:59 No more Star Wars miniatures for Fantasy Flight
37:51 The Crew: Mission Deep Sea
38:33 Tom Russell's Dual Gauge
40:13 Caverna: Frantic Fiends
41:50 David Thompson's Soldiers in Postmen's Uniforms
43:04 Feature Game: Tidal Blades: Heroes of the Reef (Tim Eisner & Ben Eisner, Druid City Games, 2020)
Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brands
Privacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

#144: Boxes Nov 17, 2020

Clearly the hosts secretly wanted to have a movie podcast, or perhaps just a podcast devoted to the movie Aliens. To their credit, they at least did not devolve into merely parroting quotes from the film, which is a behaviour as obnoxious and it is difficult to avoid. Rest assured they offered their poor paraphrases and hackneyed delivery while actually playing the Aliens game. It was a bad call, listener, it was...
Crap.
02:37 AYURIS: Catacombs 3rd ed. (Ryan Amos, Marc Kelsey, & Aron West, Elzra Corp., 2015)
Games Played Last Week:
04:34 -Rome & Roll (Nick Shaw & Dávid Turczi, PSC Games, 2020)
07:48 -Dice Forge (Régis Bonnessée, Libellud, 2017)
09:48 -Martian Dice (Scott Almes, Tasty Minstrel Games, 2011)
11:28 -Asgard’s Chosen (Morgan Dontanville, Mayfair Games, 2013)
13:57 -Aliens: Bug Hunt (Ryan Miller, Upper Deck Entertainment, 2020)
21:12 -Spirit Island: Jagged Earth (R. Eric Reuss, Greater Than Games, 2020)
23:38 -FlickFleet (Jackson Pope & Paul Willcox, Eurydice Games, 2018)
27:01 -Civilization: A New Dawn—Terra Incognita (Tony Fanchi, Fantasy Flight Games, 2020)
30:29 -Hellenica: Story of Greece (Scott DeMers, Mr. B Games, 2019)
40:00 -Eminent Domain (Seth Jaffee, Tasty Minstrel Games, 2011)
News (and why it doesn't matter):
41:37 Brazil: Imperial
42:39 Upzone and Immersive Battle Atlas: Cheap terrain for minis and RPGs
46:09 burncycle by Chip Theory Games
46:52 Four Humours; can Phlogiston be far behind?
47:52 Paper Dungeons
48:32 No games based on two minutes of a movie
49:49 Topic: Boxes
Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brands
Privacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

#143: The Castles of Tuscany Nov 10, 2020

We have an unwritten constitution here at SVWAG, which we know causes some people from jurisdictions with written constitutions to get a little mystified and/or twitchy. Trust us, it works! We get to claim a rich constitutional history all the way back to 1215 and the Magna Carta, or at least we will, once we figure out what King John had to do with podcasting. It's the kind of arrangement that works until you have a constitutional crisis, which we have about as often as those places with written constitutions; except we tend to settle ours with sidelong glances and lots of utterances along the lines of, "So... how do you, uh... think this works?"
Games Played Last Week:
01:51 -Welcome To New Las Vegas (Alexis Allard & Benoit Turpin, Blue Cocker Games, 2020)
03:50 -Escape the Dark Sector (Alex Crispin, Thomas Pike, & James Shelton, Themeborne Ltd., 2020)
07:06 -Via Magica (Paolo Mori, Hurrican, 2020)
08:59 -Cthulhu: Death May Die (Rob Daviau & Eric Lang, CMON, 2019)
12:16 -Gods Love Dinosaurs (Kasper Lapp, Pandasaurus Games, 2020)
19:18 -Pandemic Legacy: Season 0 (Rob Daviau & Matt Leacock, Z-Man Games, 2020)
19:50 -Letter Tycoon (Brad Brooks, Breaking Games, 2015)
21:33 -Terror in Meeple City aka Rampage (Antoine Bauza & Ludovic Maublanc, Repos Production, 2013)
25:23 -Sakura Arms (BakaFire, BakaFire Party, 2018)
29:18 -BattleCON: Unleashed (D. Brad Talton, Level 99 Games, 2020)
33:42 -Exceed Fighting System (D. Brad Talton, Level 99 Games, 2016)
News (and why it doesn't matter):
36:40 Arcade1Up's Infinity Game Table
37:19 Feature Game: The Castles of Tuscany (Stefan Feld, alea, 2020)
Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brands
Privacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

#142: Lifetime Games Nov 03, 2020

It's the daylight savings, it's got to be. You give us an extra hour in the week--through the magic of time travel--and we'll take it to play eleventy new games. The geniuses (Canadians, for what it's worth) who invented standard time probably didn't take into account the havoc it might wreak on our podcasting. So many new games! Not enough time for the topic! We will endure.
01:08 AYURIS: Calimala (Fabio Lopiano, ADC Blackfire Entertainment GmbH, 2017)
Games Played Last Week:
02:29 -High Rise (Gil Hova, Formal Ferret Games, 2020)
07:02 -Cthulhu: Death May Die (Rob Daviau & Eric Lang, CMON, 2019)
08:00 -Keyflower (Sebastien Bleasdale & Richard Breese, R&D Games, 2012)
10:23 -Civilization: A New Dawn—Terra Incognita (Tony Fanchi, Fantasy Flight Games, 2020)
16:50 -Feierabend aka Finishing Time (Friedemann Friese, 2F-Spiele, 2020)
22:37 -Gatefall (Jack Dire, Jack Dire Studios, 2020)
28:07 -The Castles of Tuscany (Stefan Feld, alea, 2020)
32:09 -Cosmic Colonies (Scott Almes, Floodgate Games, 2020)
36:37 -Seastead (Ian Cooper & Jan M. Gonzalez, WizKids, 2020)
42:20 -Wingspan (Elizabeth Hargrave, Stonemaier Games, 2019)
43:21 -Pandemic Legacy: Season 0 (Rob Daviau & Matt Leacock, Z-Man Games, 2020)
News (and why it doesn't matter):
45:58 Announcing new bonus show: The C.U.R.E. Files
46:45 Ex-Blizzard employees founding Warchief Gaming
47:49 Horizon Wars: Zero Dark expands with Operation: Nemesis
49:29 Walker hates d20s
50:18 Frostgrave becomes Stargrave, uses d20s
50:59 Chinese New Year has begun
51:33 Topic: Lifetime Games
Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brands
Privacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

#141: Lost Ruins of Arnak Oct 27, 2020

The unofficial motto of SVWAG has always been, "stop trying to make fetch happen." Similarly, you can't just make up words out of thin air--it's not like they're holidays or anything that can be conjured ex nihilo (Happy Arkhipov Day!). What's an Arnak, anyway? Can you lose ruins of something that never existed? I suppose a fantasy is a good pretext to give us an arm's length distance from generations of pith-decked looters and graverobbers. Relatedly, Walker desperately wants to coin the term "Azteckian," but Mark's not having it.
Games Played Last Week:
01:32 -Quantum (Eric Zimmerman, Funforge, 2013)
04:15 -Infinity Gauntlet: A Love Letter Game (Seiji Kanai & Alexander Ortloff, Zman Games, 2020)
07:34 -BattleCON: Unleashed (D. Brad Talton, Level 99 Games, 2020)
12:52 -Sakura Arms (BakaFire, AEG, 2017)
15:05 -Race for the Galaxy: The Brink of War (Thomas Lehmann, Rio Grande Games, 2010)
16:52 -Carcassonne: Hunters and Gatherers (Klaus-Jürgen Wrede & Bernd Brunnhofer, Hans im Glück, 2002)
18:27 -Alhambra (Dirk Henn, Queen Games, 2003)
20:12 -Pavlov's House (David Thompson, Dan Verssen Games, 2018)
27:17 -Luxor (Rudiger Dorn, Queen Games, 2018)
29:25 -Quetzal (Alexandre Garcia, Gigamic, 2020)
News (and why it doesn't matter):
32:24 Descent: Legends of the Dark
34:28 Dragonlance digression
36:38 More Knizia from Grail Games
37:59 Too many Kickstarters! Yedo, Freedom Five, Frostpunk, Darkest Dungeon, Grand Austria Hotel, Crash Octopus, Kabuto Sumo, Sakura Arms
38:51 Arkhipov Day: Ocotber 27th
39:01 Feature Game: Lost Ruins of Arnak (Elwen & Mín, CGE, 2020)
Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brands
Privacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

#140: Reckoning with War Oct 20, 2020

In honour of Arkhipov Day (October 27th--he saved your life or that of your forebears, he deserves a day), we turn to reflections of how games model war. Even themeless euros often include war as a convenient backdrop for the processing of cubes, so it is hardly restricted to one genre of gaming or another. That said, gaming is not unique--pretty much any medium can boast of a plethora of war narratives.
01:17 AYURIS: HATE (Raphaël Guiton, Jean-Baptiste Lullien, Alexandru Olteanu, & Nicolas Raoult, CMON, 2019)
Games Played Last Week:
04:41 -Darkest Night (Second Edition) (Jeremy Lennert, Victory Point Games, 2018)
10:40 -Quantum (Eric Zimmerman, Funforge, 2013)
14:58 -7 Wonders Duel (Antoine Bauza & Bruno Cathala, Repos Production, 2015)
15:58 -Lucky Numbers (Michael Schacht, Ravensburger, 2012)
16:47 -Keyflower (Sebastian Bleasdale & Richard Breese, R&D Games, 2012)
17:03 -The Crew: The Quest for Planet Nine (Thomas Sing, KOSMOS, 2019)
17:58 -For What Remains (Paul Low, David Thompson, & Ricardo Manuel Luis Tomas, DVG, 2020)
22:27 -Black Rose Wars (Marco Montanaro, Ludus Magnus Studio, 2019)
28:05 -Horizon Wars: Zero Dark (Robey Jenkins, Self-published, 2020)
31:53 -Underwater Cities (Vladimír Suchý, Rio Grande Games, 2018)
News (and why it doesn't matter):
39:35 Finishing Time not ready for prime time
41:32 Patreon: sign up for a year and get two months free
42:24 October 27th is Arkhipov Day
42:29 Topic: Reckoning with War
Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brands
Privacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

#139: Fort Oct 13, 2020

I never knew a kid who had any kind of fort. In grade school I heard of a kid who could form Voltron, but that may have been an extravagant lie. My mom's friend's kids had a Sega Genesis, and that was pretty rad. I keep acquiring more games in the vain hope that it will make me popular, but it hasn't worked yet. Maybe one or two more Street Masters expansions will do the trick. I am told to be popular you have to wash your hair at least once every two weeks.
Games Played Last Week:
02:21 -Black Rose Wars (Marco Montanaro, Ludus Magnus Studio, 2019)
14:07 -ELO Darkness (Tommaso Mondadori & Alberto Parisi, Reggie Games, 2018)
17:33 -Sakura Arms (Baka Fire, AEG, 2017)
20:23 -Wits & Wagers (Dominic Crapuchettes, North Star Games, 2005)
22:06 -Too Many Bones (Adam & Josh Carlson, Chip Theory Games, 2017)
27:43 -Nanga Parbat (Steve Finn, Dr. Finn's Games, 2021)
30:17 -Scythe (Jamey Stegmaier, Stonemaier Games, 2016)
32:19 -Through the Ages: A New Story of Civilization (Vlaada Chvátil, CGE, 2015)
34:59 -A Feast for Odin (Uwe Rosenberg, Feuerland Spiele, 2016)
37:09 -Pandoria (Jeffrey D. Allers & Bernd Eisenstein, Irongames, 2018)
News (and why it doesn't matter):
39:42 Street Masters: Tide of the Dragon on Indiegogo
41:03 Core Worlds: Empires and new solo mode
42:38 Neuroshima Hex! 3.0: Troglodytes jumping the shark?
44:11 Horseless Carriage from Splotter
44:45 Does Mega-Gargant mean nothing?!?
46:06 October 27th is Arkhipov Day
46:52 Feature Game: Fort (Grant Rodiek, Leder Games, 2020)
Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brands
Privacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

#138: Subliminal Brainwash Oct 06, 2020

The mere framing of a question can subtly or overtly determine the answer. There's an old joke about a monk who asks his superior, "Can I smoke while I meditate?" He is told no, as that would be sullying an act that is meant to be free from worldly concerns. The clever monk decides instead to ask another superior, "While I smoke, can I meditate?" So it is with boardgames! Framing can have tremendous consequences.
01:55 AYURIS: XenoShyft: Onslaught (Keren Philosophales & Michael Shinall, CMON, 2015) and Dreadmire (Michael Shinall, CMON, 2017)
Games Played Last Week:
04:35 -Assault on Doomrock: Doompocalypse (Christopher Niewiadomski & Tom Stasiak, Beautiful Disaster Games, 2017)
06:47 -Alma Mater (Acchittocca, Flaminia Brasini, Virginio Gigli, Stefano Luperto, & Antonio Tinto, eggertspiele, 2020)
11:50 -Spirit Island: Jagged Earth (R. Eric Reuss, Greater Than Games, 2020)
15:13 -Marco Polo II: In the Service of the Khan (Simone Luciani & Daniele Tascini, Hans im Gluck, 2019)
17:36 -Inhuman Conditions (Tommy Maranges & Cory O'Brien, Web published, 2018)
23:43 -First Class (Helmut Ohley, Hans im Gluck, 2016)
26:35 -Argent: Summer Break (Trey Chambers, Level 99 Games, 2014)
35:55 -On the Edge (John Nephew & Johnathan Tweet, Atlas Games, 1994)
News (and why it doesn't matter):
40:23 Sakura Arms from Level 99 Games
42:27 Armada by Mantic
43:27 Groundhog Day by Prospero Hall
44:10 Renegade and Hasbro monetize your childhood: G.I. Joe, Transformers, and My Little Pony
44:53 Nerd Alert: First Monday in October
46:57 Topic: Subliminal Brainwash
Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brands
Privacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

#137: Flotilla Sep 29, 2020

Social standards of behaviour are often subtle and variable, but we can all agree that children are often blind to their subtle nuances. Like, don't be a massive jerk--that's one of those tricky nuances that often escape the notice of your average child, what with many of them being borderline sociopaths kept in check only by their relative powerlessness and incompetence. Then again, perhaps Mark is the sociopath for not being able to tolerate the annoyances of child behaviour. Then again, perhaps both are true, and Mark is merely a giant, sociopathic man-baby. All that said, no human deserves to be subjected to Monopoly.
Games Played Last Week:
01:20 -Monopoly (Charles Darrow & Elizabeth J. Magie Phillips, Hasbro, 1933)
06:55 -Pendulum (Travis P Jones, Stonemaier Games, 2020)
16:53 -The Crew: The Quest for Planet 9 (Thomas Sing, KOSMOS, 2019)
17:48 -My City (Reiner Knizia, KOSMOS, 2020)
19:35 -Flick ‘Em Up: Dead of Winter (Gaëtan Beaujannot, Jonathan Gilmour, Jean Yves Monpertuis, & Isaac Vega, Pretzel Games, 2017)
21:51 -Cthulhu Wars (Sandy Petersen & Lincoln Petersen, Petersen Games, 2015)
24:25 -Pandoria (Jeffrey D. Allers & Bernd Eisenstein, Irongames, 2018)
28:06 -For What Remains (Paul Low, David Thompson, & Ricardo Manuel Luis Tomas, DVG Games, 2020)
News (and why it doesn't matter):
30:48 HeroQuest, and much history of Hasbro
38:14 Quartermaster General: Total War expansion
38:42 The Last of Us
39:55 GMT makes good on recent errata
40:49 Grand Austria Hotel gets grander?
41:21 For Sale expansion and Autorama
43:14 Dragonland reprint
44:15 Feature Game: Flotilla (J.B. Howell & Michael Mihealsick, WizKids, 2019)
Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brands
Privacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

#136: Games Based on IPs Sep 22, 2020

Hwaet! The second installment of our much-ignored segment, SVWAG Poetry Corner, takes a turn for the epic. First we did haiku, and now we discuss Old English epic poetry. Sure the noble limerick can't be far behind? We also discuss the most excellent lifestyle habits of our new idol, Kane Tanaka, who seems to be living her best life on her own terms. You go, Kane Tanaka! Rip off some monster's arm or something.
01:07 AYRUIS: Concordia (Mac Gerdts, PD-Verlag, 2013) and Concordia Venus (2018)
Games Played Last Week:
02:27 -For What Remains (Paul Low, David Thompson, & Ricardo Manuel Luis Tomas, DVG Games, 2020)
03:36 -Bärenpark (Phil Walker-Harding, Lookout, 2017)
05:08 -My City (Reiner Knizia, KOSMOS, 2020)
06:16 -Forgotten Waters (Mr. Bistro, J. Arthur Ellis, & Isaac Vega, Plaid Hat Games, 2020)
12:54 -Sorcerer (Peter Scholtz, White Wizard Games, 2019)
15:50 -Cerebria: The Inside World (Richard Amann, & Viktor Peter, Mindclash Games, 2018)
18:24 -Alma Mater (Acchittocca, Flaminia Brasini, Virginio Gigli, Stefano Luperto, & Antonio Tinto, eggertspiele, 2020)
23:11 -Reykholt (Uwe Rosenberg, Frosted Games, 2018)
24:08 -Anachrony (Dávid Turczi, Mindclash Games, 2017)
28:18 -Europe Divided (Chris Marling & David Thompson, PHALANX, 2020)
News (and why it doesn't matter):
31:38 More Street Masters and more Aftershock woes
33:37 Tobago gets a volcano
34:56 Do board games make you immortal? The story of Kane Tanaka
36:23 Zoch goodness: Kurtz vor Knapp
36:58 Topic: Games Based on IPs
Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brands
Privacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

#135: Babylonia Sep 15, 2020

Our cup runneth over, if the cup in question is being filled by tiles laid there by Reiner Knizia. Three Knizia tile-laying games were sampled by SVWAG, which of course made it a good week. One feels that if someone proposed a topic of "Reiner Knizia tile-laying games", the appropriate editorial response would be "narrow the scope, please."
Games Played Last Week:
01:12 -Spirit Island: Jagged Earth (R. Eric Reuss, Greater Than Games, 2020)
02:27 -Mariposas (Elizabeth Hargrave, AEG, 2020)
07:07 -Tekhenu: Obelisk of the Sun (Daniele Tascini & Dávid Turczi, Board&Dice, 2020)
14:37 -Carolus Magnus (Leo Colovini, Rio Grande, 2000)
20:04 -My City (Reiner Knizia, KOSMOS, 2020)
21:48 -Indigo (Reiner Knizia, Ravensburger, 2012)
25:27 -Starlink (Markus Slawitscheck & Arno Steinwender, Blue Orange Games, 2020)
News (and why it doesn't matter):
29:36 The possible returns of things called HeroQuest and Avalon Hill
31:17 Dungeon Fighter returns
32:26 Ludonova: Sumatra by Knizia and Polynesia by Peer Sylvester
33:36 Where's Waldo the Murderer? MicroMacro: Crime City
https://www.micromacro-game.com/en/index.html
36:07 Roll and write claims another victim--Troyes: Dice
36:38 Our Patreon: Boss us around! Exclusive content! Get games! etc.
37:24 Feature Game: Babylonia (Reiner Knizia, Ludonova, 2019)
Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brands
Privacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

#134: Games for 6+ Players Sep 08, 2020

In remembrance of things past, we bite hard into the madeleine that is large player count gaming. The recollection of not being sequestered into small basements, where... actually, scratch that, we were often in basements in the Before Times. At least I think so. Time is now an illusion.
01:57 AYURIS: A Feast for Odin: The Norwegians (Gernot Köpke & Uwe Rosenberg, Feuerland Spiele, 2018)
Games Played Last Week:
03:44 -Time of Legends: Joan of Arc (Pascal Bernard, Mythic Games, 2019)
11:32 -Spirit Island: Jagged Earth (R. Eric Reuss, Greater Than Games, 2020)
12:32 -My City (Reiner Knizia, KOSMOS, 2020)
13:19 -Thor (Reiner Knizia, Heidelberger Spieleverlag, 2002)
16:42 -For What Remains (Paul Low, David Thompson, & Ricardo Manuel Luis Tomas, DVG, 2020)
19:45 -Small Islands (Alexis Allard, MushrooM Games, 2018)
22:04 -Iwari: Deluxe Edition (Michael Schacht, ThunderGryph Games, 2020)
News (and why it doesn't matter):
28:20 Moar Assault on Doomrock? Maybe!
29:49 Satire no more: Dinosaur "Rawr 'n Write" from Pandasaurus
30:29 Neuroshima Hex! limited edition big box
34:03 "Borrowed" intellectual property: Fire Emblem and Anna's Roundtable
37:53 Topic: Games for 6+ Players
Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brands
Privacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

#133: Cosmic Frog Sep 01, 2020

"Cosmic Frog: World Eaters from Dimension Zero--A Game of Strategic Gluttony." I mean, what could I or anyone else possibly say that could add to that?
Games Played Last Week:
01:46 -Spirit Island: Jagged Earth (R. Eric Reuss, Greater Than Games, 2020)
03:34 -Shards of Infinity: Shadow of Salvation (Justin Gary & Ryan Sutherland, Stone Blade Entertainment, 2019)
07:19 -Castle Itter (David Thompson, DVG, 2019)
12:44 -Kingdom Builder (Donald X. Vaccarino, Queen Games, 2011)
14:24 -Las Vegas Royale (Rudiger Dorn, alea, 2019)
16:40 -Barrage: The Leeghwater Project (Tommaso Battista & Simone Luciani, Cranio Creations, 2019)
22:17 -My City (Reiner Knizia, KOSMOS, 2020)
25:46 -For What Remains (Paul Low, David Thompson, & Ricardo Manuel Luis Tomas, DVG, 2020)
News (and why it doesn't matter):
32:17 Riot Games' Tellstones
34:48 Meeple Towers (sadly not dexterity)
35:59 More Civ-as-card-game: Imperium
36:54 BGG covering digital gaming again, and Neuroshima: Convoy
37:32 Eric Lang leaving CMON to become freelance again
38:45 Feature Game: Cosmic Frog (Jim Felli, Devious Weasel, 2020)
Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brands
Privacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

#132: Why Is That Still on My Shelf? Aug 25, 2020

I mean, maybe, possibly, hopefully, with luck, theoretically, given the right group, hypothetically, in time, conceivably, eventually, if I push hard enough, imaginably, as a favour, I could imagine, someday, perchance, play this again. Weather permitting.
01:36 AYURIS: Cerebria: The Inside World (Richard Amann, Viktor Peter, István Pócsi, Frigyes Schőberl, Nick Shaw, & Dávid Turczi, Mindclash Games, 2018)
Games Played Last Week:
04:34 -Istanbul (Rudiger Dorn, Pegasus Spiele, 2014)
06:06 -Blue Moon (Reiner Knizia, KOSMOS, 2004)
09:23 -Saint Petersburg (Bernd Brunnhofer, Hans im Glück, 2004)
12:08 -Spirit Island: Jagged Earth (R. Eric Reuss, Greater Than Games, 2020)
16:52 -Undaunted: North Africa (Trevor Benjamin & David Thompson, Osprey Games, 2020)
23:17 -The Crew: The Quest for Planet 9 (Thomas Sing, KOSMOS, 2019)
25:10 -Rome & Roll (Nick Shaw & Dávid Turczi, PSC Games, 2020)
News (and why it doesn't matter):
34:30 Lookout for more Uwe Rosenberg: Hallertau
35:15 More Stories for Orleans
35:39 Multiple He-Mans? Hes-Men? Archon and CMON
37:35 David Thompson's Switch and Signal
38:21 Dinosaur World
39:00 Root digital
42:30 Topic: Why Is That Still on My Shelf?
Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brands
Privacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

#131: Eclipse 2nd Edition Aug 18, 2020

Old conflicts are put to bed, taxonomies are shelved, and instead we take refuge in sweeping declarations. Walker focuses on the ad hominem, trying to dissuade people from game design because they are insufficiently hardcore; Mark focuses on games, declaring that you can't base games on random spat out tiles. Nuance is for the weak, and qualifications are for those lacking character. Mostly.
Games Played Last Week:
02:04 -Too Many Bones: Dart (Adam Carlson & Josh J. Carlson, Chip Theory Games, 2020)
06:28 -Tzolk'in: The Mayan Calendar (Simone Luciani & Daniele Tascini, CGE, 2012)
09:19 -Russian Railroads (Helmut Ohley & Leanhard "Lonny" Orgler, Hans im Gluck, 2013)
13:23 -Through the Desert (Reiner Knizia, KOSMOS, 1998)
16:36 -The Fox in the Forest Duet (Foxtrot Games, Renegade Game Studios, 2020)
18:13 -Shards of Infinity: Shadow of Salvation (Justin Gary & Ryan Sutherland, Stone Blade Entertainment, 2019)
20:44 -Terraforming Mars (Jacob Fryxelius, Stronghold, 2016)
21:37 -Cthulhu: Death May Die (Rob Daviau & Eric Lang, CMON, 2019)
News (and why it doesn't matter):
25:09 The Princess Bride Adventure Book Game
26:26 Capstone's Iron Rails: Iberian Gauge
27:35 Feld's Castles of Tuscany
28:32 Pfister's CloudAge
29:17 Another Teotihuacan expansion
30:00 Correction: Plaid Hat still owns Ashes
30:22 Sniper Elite
31:12 Walker complains about the Board Game Design Starter Kit
32:39 Mark loves the USPS
34:14 Feature Game: Eclipse: Second Dawn for the Galaxy (Touko Tahkokallio, Lautapelit.fl, 2020)
Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brands
Privacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

#130: Restrictive Player Counts Aug 11, 2020

We take a break from heady issues this week; so we instead touch on what constitutes a trick, what friends are good for, and colonialism. You know, light discussion.
02:35 AYURIS: Core Worlds (Andrew Parks, Stronghold, 2011)
Games Played Last Week:
04:09 -Fort (Grant Rodiek, Leder Games, 2020)
09:15 -Ascension Tactics: Miniatures Deckbuilding Game (Justin Gary & Ryan Sutherland, Stone Blade Entertainment, 2021)
12:09 -The Voyages of Marco Polo (Simone Luciani & Daniele Tascini, Hans im Gluck, 2015)
13:16 -Endeavor: Age of Expansion (Jarratt Gray, Burnt Island Games, 2020)
15:51 -Turn the Tide (Stefan Dorra, AMIGO, 1997)
20:22 -6 nimmt! (Wolfgang Kramer, AMIGO, 1994)
21:45 -Spirit Island (R. Eric Reuss, Greater Than Games, 2017)
23:45 -Yokohama (Hisashi Hayashi, Tasty Minstrel Games, 2016)
25:42 -Sonora (Rob Newton, Pandasaurus Games, 2020)
28:36 -Eclipse: Second Dawn for the Galaxy (Touko Tahkokallio, Lautapelit.fi, 2020)
News (and why it doesn't matter):
29:12 Dune: Imperium
30:24 "Everyone's waiting for Tidal Blades"
31:25 More Assault on Doomrock, but only in Polish
32:44 Yet another edition of Blood Bowl, no more Guild Ball
35:02 Gods Love Dinosaurs (as do everyone else)
36:04 Ashes: Reborn
[Editor's note: Plaid Hat has not sold Ashes to Team Covenant; the latter will merely be handling the distribution. We apologize for the error.]
37:10 Topic: Restrictive Player Counts
Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brands
Privacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

#129: Cthulhu: Death May Die Aug 04, 2020

"Put down your chainsaw and listen to me
It's time for us to join in the fight
It's time to let your babies grow up to be cowboys
It's time to let the bedbugs bite
...
Talk with your mouth full
Bite the hand that feeds you
Bite on more than you chew
What can you do
Dare to be stupid"
-"Weird Al" Yankovic, noted Lovecraft scholar, "Dare to Be Stupid"
Games Played Last Week:
01:07 -Project: ELITE (Konstantinos Kokkinis, Marco Portugal, & Sotirios Tsantilas, CMON, 2020)
03:57 -Imperial Struggle (Ananda Gupta & Jason Matthews, GMT Games, 2020)
08:38 -Downforce (Rob Daviau, Justin D. Jacobson, & Wolfgang Kramer, Restoration Games, 2017)
12:03 -Albedo: Yggdrasil (Kai Herbertz, Herbertz Entertainment UG, 2019)
16:25 -Off the Rails (Andrew Platt & Stuart Platt, Rotten Games, 2018)
18:34 -Planet Apocalypse (Sandy Petersen, Sandy Petersen Games, 2020)
23:54 -Madeira (Nuno Bizarro Sentieiro & Paulo Soledade, What's Your Game?, 2013)
26:30 -Gaslands: Refuelled (Mike Hutchinson, Osprey Publishing, 2019)
News (and why it doesn't matter):
31:27 FFG News... except not
32:05 Mythic Games' Darkest Dungeon
32:46 Mythic will do right by its Reichbusters backers?
34:21 TI4: Prophecy of Kings
35:20 X-Men: Mutant Insurrection
36:43 Dire Alliance from Blacklist Games
38:23 Santorini: New York
39:00 Knizia's Tutankhamun
39:15 Street Masters Digital
40:40 All the Games You Like Are Bad is back. Sorry.
41:12 Feature Game: Cthulhu: Death May Die (Rob Daviau & Eric Lang, CMON, 2019)
Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brands
Privacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

#128: Communication Restrictions Jul 28, 2020

Walker is a force of nature, a pent-up human-shaped mass of pure rage. The only outlet that can sate his furious destructive impulses is the ecstasy of the uninhibited flick--the catharsis of venting all of his power on a disc and then watching it careen around the board (then off the table, off someone's skull, off the floor, under the bookshelf, and then embedded in the drywall). He ten thunders with laughter, even as Huey informs him he missed his target and Dewey calls an ambulance. Is it a wonder, then, that Mark favours flicking games that encourage a modicum of restraint?
01:18 AYURIS: Quartermaster General: The Cold War (Ian Brody, PSC Games, 2018)
Games Played Last Week:
03:00 -Menara: Rituals and Ruins (Oliver Richtberg, Zoch Verlag, 2019)
08:08 -Rangers of Shadow Deep (Joseph McCullough, Self-published, 2019)
10:20 -Alone (Andrea Crespi & Lorenzo Silva, Horrible Guild, 2018)
15:48 -Pax Renaissance 2nd Edition (Phil Eklund & Matt Eklund, Ion Game Design, 2020)
18:06 -Albedo (Kai Herbertz, Herbertz Entertainment UG, 2017)
23:08 -FlickFleet (Jackson Pope & Paul Wilcox, Eurydice Games, 2018)
25:33 -Blitzkrieg!: Nippon Expansion (Paolo Mori, PSC Games, 2019)
29:33 -Qwixx (Steffen Benndorf, Gamewright, 2012)
News (and why it doesn't matter):
31:13 The team behind Wavelength gives us Fuzzies
32:25 Everyone can relax: Steven Universe Beach-a-Palooza funded
33:48 Mobile painting studio for the post-plague world
35:08 Return of All the Games You Like Are Bad: video reviews to follow
36:22 Topic: Communication Restrictions
Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brands
Privacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

#127: Versailles 1919 Jul 21, 2020

“The game which our enemies have laid before us is, in so far as the French dictated it, is a monument of pathological fear and pathological hatred; and in so far as the Anglo-Saxons dictated it, it is the work of a capitalistic policy of the most brutal and cleverest kind.”
–A deliberate misquote of Count von Brockdorff-Rantzau reviewing Versailles 1919
Games Played Last Week:
01:40 -Nippon (Nuno Bizarro Sentieiro & Paulo Soledade, What's Your Game?, 2015)
05:24 -Space Cadets: Away Missions (Dan Raspler & Al Rose, Stronghold, 2015)
09:10 -Sonora (Rob Newton, Pandasaurus Games, 2020)
14:51 -Godzilla: Tokyo Clash (Prospero Hall, Funko Games, 2020)
19:41 -Flaming Pyramids (Norbert Abel, Cheeky Parrot Games, 2018)
21:27 -FlickFleet (Jackson Pope & Paul Wilcox, Eurydice Games, 2018)
23:17 -Can't Stop (Sid Sackson, Parker Brothers, 1980)
24:24 -Alone (Andrea Crespi & Lorenzo Silva, Horrible Guild, 2018)
News (and why it doesn't matter):
31:00 Spiel des Jahres (Pictures) and Kennerspiel des Jahres (The Crew) winners
32:06 Daimyo: Rebirth of an Empire by laboitedejeu
33:03 Steven Universe: Beach-a-Palooza is in trouble?
35:30 Walker watches Pendulum
36:15 Spielworxx's Die Macher on BGG Store
37:22 Feature Game: Versailles 1919 (Geoff Engelstein & Mark Herman, GMT Games, 2020)
Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brands
Privacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

#126: I'm 90% Sure Jul 14, 2020

Walker feels he has missed his calling, and tries out his tight five as an insult comic this week. He directs his barbs at the typical targets--Mark, board game covers, games no one asked for, Mark, media he finds unengaging, and Mark. The latter (and former) does his level best at being supportive in the classic tradition of Ed McMahon, but one remembers why Don Rickles and Triumph the Insult Comic Dog are solo acts.
02:03 AYURIS: Talon (Jim Krohn, GMT, 2016) and Talon 1000 (Jim Krohn, GMT, 2018)
Games Played Last Week:
03:45 -The Voyages of Marco Polo (Simone Luciani & Daniele Tascini, Hans im Gluck, 2015)
06:20 -The Crew: The Quest for Planet 9 (Thomas Sing, KOSMOS, 2019)
07:29 -Versailles 1919 (Geoff Engelstein & Mark Herman, GMT Games, 2020)
16:10 -The Taverns of Tiefenthal (Wolfgang Warsch, Schmidt Spiel, 2019)
17:38 -Cosmic Frog (Jim Felli, Devious Weasel Games, 2020)
21:02 -Reichbusters: Project Vril (Jake Thornton, Mythic Games, 2020)
26:20 -That's Pretty Clever (Wolfgang Warsch, Schmidt Spiele, 2018)
30:04 -The Hunted: Twilight of the U-Boats, 1943-1945 (Gregory M. Smith, GMT Games, 2020)
News (and why it doesn't matter):
36:14 Aliens: Another Glorious Day in the Corps at last?!
37:20 Dim possibility of Descent Third Edition?
39:50 Not Alone expands on Kickstarter
40:26 Tammany Hall reprint
41:03 Rita Modl and King of 12
42:04 Mindclash's Perserverence: Castaway Chronicles
43:39 Catapult Kingdoms
43:48 Walker dunks on Escape the Night
45:41 Topic: I'm 90% Sure: Rules you Forget or Ignore
Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brands
Privacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

#125: Imperial Struggle Jul 07, 2020

"From the discovery of New France to the 1981 Referendum, all of Quebec history is based on a single fallacy: that the British actually wanted to own Quebec. In fact, nothing could be further from the truth. The British already had a surplus of colonies in the sunny Caribbean and took little interest in the Canadian icebox later dismissed by Voltaire as nothing more than 'quelques arpents de neige'... In 1759, with war raging everywhere between France and England, the British knew if would look suspicious if they didn't engage the French in North America. They placed the expedition in the hands of a thirty-two-year-old, inexperienced general, James Wolfe, and gave him strict orders: 'Put up a good fight... but lose.' Wolfe devised a clever theatrical strategy. He would choose an impossible attack-route: Arriving by boat on the St. Lawrence river then scaling the unassailable walls of the fortress of Quebec, thus guaranteeing defeat and dumping Quebec with France for good. But Wolfe's glorious defeat was snapped from the jaws of victory by Montcalm who brilliantly out-manoeuvred Wolfe and surrendered--a stroke of genius that got the colony off France's hands once and for all."
-Nick Auf der Mar, "La Petite Histoire du Québec (Version Anglaise)"
Games Played Last Week:
01:09 -SEAL Team Flix (Pete Ruth & Mark Thomas, WizKids, 2018)
02:37 -Teotihuacan: City of Gods (Daniele Tascini & Dávid Turczi, NSKN Games, 2018)
04:04 -Yokohama (Hisashi Hayashi, Tasty Minstrel Games, 2016)
04:48 -Sprawlopolis (Steven Aramini, Danny Devine, & Paul Kluka, Button Shy, 2018)
08:26 -Mezo (John Clowdus, Kolossal Games, 2019)
13:25 -The Crew: The Quest for Planet 9 (Thomas Sing, KOSMOS, 2019)
15:02 -Qwixx (Steffen Benndorf, Gamewright, 2012)
16:41 -That's Pretty Clever (Wolfgang Warsch, Schmidt Spiele, 2018)
17:30 -Coloretto (Michael Schacht, ABACUSSPIELE, 2003)
19:32 -Orléans: Invasion (Inka Brand, Markus Brand, & Reiner Stockhausen, dlp Games, 2015)
20:59 -Scythe (Jamey Stegmaier, Stonemaier Games, 2016)
News (and why it doesn't matter):
25:55 Expansion to Twilight Imperium 4th ed.
26:44 Pandemic Legacy Season 0
27:20 Undaunted: Reinforcements
28:39 DeepMind: An AI for Diplomacy?
29:35 Lord of the Rings: Anniversary Edition
31:01 Steven Universe Beach-a-Palooza on Kickstarter July 14th
31:29 Pendulum by Stonemaier
31:39 Lost Ruins of Arnak by CGE
31:59 Documentary: Gamemaster
32:42 Feature Game: Imperial Struggle (Ananda Gupta & Jason Matthews, GMT Games, 2020)
Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brands
Privacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

#124: Rondels Jun 30, 2020

We return, ill-advisedly, to the heavily-mined waters of classification and taxonomy. Mark will put up with it because of his love of Mac Gerdts, and Walker will put up with it because he gets to troll Mark with contrived classifications.
01:10 AYURIS: Gloomhaven (Isaac Childres, Cephalofair Games, 2017)
Games Played Last Week:
03:24 -Reichbusters: Project Vril (Jake Thornton, Mythic Games, 2020)
07:56 -Hanamikoji (Kota Nakayama, EmperorS4, 2013)
10:59 -Lords of Waterdeep (Peter Lee & Rodney Thompson, Wizards of the Coast, 2012)
14:44 -Cartographers: A Roll Player Game (Jordy Adan, Thunderworks Games, 2019)
20:50 -Barrage (Tommaso Battista & Simone Luciani, Cranio Creations, 2019)
25:18 -Thunderbolt Apache Leader (Dan Verssen, Dan Verssen Games, 2012)
News (and why it doesn't matter):
29:48 Frostpunk Board Game
30:43 The Field of the Cloth of Gold
https://www.boardgamegeek.com/blogpost/105690/designer-diary-story-making-field-cloth-gold
32:08 Yura Yura Penguin
33:12 Max Temkin and Cards Against Humanity’s Toxicity
35:06 Paranoia: The Infinite Hole
36:15 Topic: Rondels
Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brands
Privacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

#123: Project: ELITE Jun 23, 2020

Editorial standards are constantly evolving here at SVWAG, and they lately proceed largely from Walker's unilateral declarations. Things get to be pronounced however he wills them. Prior utterances by anyone are rendered immediately obsolete if and when he deigns to acknowledge something. Comparisons are now his exclusive purview. Walker has spoken.
Games Played Last Week:
01:52 -Hour of Need (Adam Sadler & Brady Sadler, Blacklist Games, 2020)
04:21 -Inhuman Conditions (Tommy Maranges & Cory O'Brien, Web published, 2018)
08:59 -Crazy Tower: Contruction/Sabotage (Alexis Harvey, Félix Leblanc, Manuel-Lucas Bergeron Duhamel, & Mathieu Auger, Synapses Games, 2020)
12:15 -Fantastic Factories (Joseph Z Chen & Justin Faulkner, Metafactory Games, 2019)
14:51 -Fuji Koro: Deluxe (Jerome Demeyere, Game Brewer, 2020)
17:04 -Flick Wars (Shaun Austin & Andrew Tullsen, Breaking Games, 2019)
20:59 -Big City: 20th Anniversary Jumbo Edition! (Franz-Benno Delonge, Mercury Games, 2019)
News (and why it doesn't matter):
24:52 Pipeline 2P? Curious Cargo
25:31 Pandemic: Hot Zone PnP
26:28 Starfinder pre-painted minis
27:09 Gloomhaven hits Target
28:33 Sonora: "Flick and Write", again
29:41 More Battleground: Fantasy Warfare
31:13 Games are political: ConsimWorld's myopia
[NB: An earlier version of this episode falsely claimed that Cool Mini or Not has been silent on Black Lives Matter. CMON issued a statement of support on June 5th, 2020. We apologize sincerely for the error.]
35:29 Feature Game: Project: ELITE (Konstantinos Kokkinis, Marco Portugal, & Sotirios Tsantilas, CMON, 2020)
Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brands
Privacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

#122: Multiple Paths to Victory Jun 16, 2020

Change is exactly like a starving polar bear, in that it is a frightening beast that will bite your face off. Despite that, we have changed the format of our episode notes in a startling act of courage. That said, as Robert Browning wrote, "One taste of the old time sets all to rights." It is in that spirit that we began, with the blessing of the Government of Ontario's health guidelines, to actually play games in meatspace again. We express our sincere condolences to those unfortunates living in situations where that is not safely feasible.
03:22 AYURIS: New Frontiers (Thomas Lehmann, Rio Grande, 2018)
Games Played Last Week:
05:17 -Street Masters (Adam Sadler & Brady Sadler, Blacklist Games, 2018)
10:47 -Monolith Arena (Michał Oracz, Portal Games, 2018)
14:05 -Tank Duel: Enemy in the Crosshairs (Mike Bertucelli, GMT Games, 2019)
17:34 -Flick Wars (Shaun Austin & Andrew Tullsen, Breaking Games, 2019)
22:23 -Spirit Island (R. Eric Reuss, Greater Than Games, 2017)
24:45 -Hyperborea (Andrea Chiarvesio & Pierluca Zizzi, Asterion, 2014)
26:49 -Asgard’s Chosen (Morgan Dontanville, Mayfair Games, 2013)
29:16 -Fuji Koro: Deluxe (Jerome Demeyere, Game Brewer, 2020)
News (and why it doesn't matter):
37:33 Biblios Roll & Write
37:53 Freedom Five: More Sentinels
39:19 Monumental Cost
40:00 Charles S. Roberts Wargame Awards
40:45 Domination
41:21 Topic: Multiple Paths to Victory
Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brands
Privacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

#121: Aristeia! Jun 09, 2020

"Please note that there are only two references to sports in this book... and both are appropriately dismissive. If you wish for sports information, might I kindly refer you to every other aspect of our culture?"
-John Hodgman, "The Areas of My Expertise"
Games Played Last Week:
-Commands and Colors: Napoleonics 1m40s (Richard Borg, GMT Games, 2010)
-Wingspan 3m08s (Elizabeth Hargrave, Stonemaier Games, 2019)
-Flick ‘Em Up: Dead of Winter 6m05s (Gaëtan Beaujannot, Jonathan Gilmour, Jean Yves Monpertuis, & Isaac Vega, Pretzel Games, 2017)
-The Taverns of Tiefenthal 12m47s (Wolfgang Warsch, Schmidt Spiel, 2019)
-Legacy of Dragonholt 20m17s (Nikki Valens with Daniel Clark, Tim Flanders, Annie VanderMeer Mitsoda, & Greg Spyridis, FFG, 2017)
-Tank Duel: Enemy in the Crosshairs 22m48s (Mike Bertucelli, GMT Games, 2019)
News (and why it doesn't matter):
-Terraforming Mars Big Box 26m40s
-Awaken Realms Makes Walker Whole 29m01s
-Dragon Gyas 29m36s
-Massive Darkness 2 31m53s
-Merchants of the Dark Road 34m28s
-Kemet: Blood and Sand--Matagot's Responsiveness 35m56s
Feature Game: Aristeia! 37m41s (Alberto Abal, Jesús Fuster, & David Rosillo, Corvus Belli, 2017)
Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brands
Privacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

#120: Awards Jun 02, 2020

To be clear, we're not giving or receiving any awards this week--rather we're discussing their use, possible abuse, and impact on the hobby. Were we to deserve an award for this episode, though, clearly it would be for the quality and quantity of top-notch segues. Play style leads to play style, mechanism to mechanism, all flowing as naturally and as smoothly as a natural and smooth thing. Note that while our segues are stellar, are metaphors are often less so.
AYURIS: Pandemic: Fall of Rome 1m28s (Matt Leacock & Paolo Mori, Z-Man, 2018)
Games Played Last Week:
-Commands and Colors: Napoleonics 4m00s (Richard Borg, GMT Games, 2010)
-Kemet 6m37s (Jacques Bariot & Guillaume Montiage, Matagot, 2012)
-Twilight Struggle 11m13s (Ananda Gupta & Jason Matthews, GMT Games, 2005)
-Blood Rage 15m00s (Eric Lang, CMON, 2015)
-Teotihuacan: City of Gods 15m57s (Daniele Tascini, NSKN Games, 2018)
-Gaslands: Refuelled 20m58s (Mike Hutchinson, Osprey Publishing, 2019)
-Maharaja 24m53s (Michael Kiesling & Wolfgang Kramer, Cranio Creations, 2020)
News (and why it doesn't matter):
-Reiner Knizia's Whale Riders 30m53s
-Infinity CodeOne and 4th Edition 31m35s
-Warhammer 40,000 9th Edtiion 33m43s
[EDIT] Early reports indicate that 9th Edition will not, in point of fact, obsolete codices. We apologize for the error.
-X-Wing Solo Rules 34m33s
-Pokémon Battle Academy 34m44s
-CMON's Masters of the Universe 35m23s
-Hope for the world: rubber ducks in dice 36m40s
-BGG selling more games 37m20s
-Upcoming GMT Games 37m54s
Topic: Awards 39m07s
Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brands
Privacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

#119: Clans of Caledonia May 26, 2020

We sometimes don't understand the appeal of food-based games, friends and neighbours. To be sure, we adore Food Chain Magnate, but that is not parasitic upon our sincere appreciation of (say) lemonade and pizza. There seem to be many games based on enthusiasm for beer, coffee, whiskey, spicy food, wine... Wait, I'm noticing a trend. Is our indifference to alcohol poisoning yet another area of life?!
Games Played Last Week:
-Gaia Project 1m01s (Jens Drögemüller & Helge Ostertag, Feuerland Spiele, 2017)
-Legacy of Dragonholt 2m55s (Nikki Valens with Daniel Clark, Tim Flanders, Annie VanderMeer Mitsoda, & Greg Spyridis, FFG, 2017)
-Race for the Galaxy 6m37s (Thomas Lehmann, Rio Grande Games, 2007)
-Star Wars: X-Wing Second Edition 11m30s(Jason Little & Frank Brooks, Fantasy Flight, 2018)
-Guards of Atlantis II: Tabletop MOBA 15m13s (Artyom Nichipurov, Wolff Designa, 2020)
-A War of Whispers 19m55s (Jeremy Stoltzfus, Starling Games, 2019)
-Tobago 24m49s (Bruce Allen, Zoch Verlag, 2009)
-TINYforming Mars 27m3s (Michael Bevilacqua, Web published, 2019)
News (and why it doesn't matter):
-Gen Con 2020 Cancelled 30m04s
-Schotten Totten 2 30m31s
-Wingspan App Beta 31m17s
-Kemet and Tribune Reprints on Kickstarter 31m52s
Feature Game: Clans of Caledonia 33m44s (Juma Al-JouJou, Karma Games, 2017)
Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brands
Privacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

#118: Digital Life After COVID May 19, 2020

Podcasts are often a discursive medium, and so naturally we find ourselves touching on many and diverse topics. This week, we delve into poetry and Star Trek, just in case you were under the illusion that we were anything other than unreconstructed nerds. Walker, being part jock, had to be restrained so as to not spontaneously give himself a wedgie.
AYURIS: Crusaders: Thy Will Be Done 2m06s (Seth Jaffee, Tasty Minstrel, 2018)
Games Played Last Week:
-Bullet♥︎ 3m22s (Joshua Van Laningham, Level 99 Games, 2021)
-Sapiens 7m10s (Cyrille Leroy, IELLO, 2015)
-Legacy of Dragonholt 10m12s (Nikki Valens with Daniel Clark, Tim Flanders, Annie VanderMeer Mitsoda, & Greg Spyridis, FFG, 2017)
-Can't Stop 17m38s (Sid Sackson, Parker Brothers, 1980)
-Gaslands: Refuelled 19m36s (Mike Hutchinson, Osprey Publishing, 2019)
-Kingdomino 24m58s (Bruno Cathala, Blue Orange Games, 2016)
-TINYforming Mars 27m11s (Michael Bevilacqua, Web published, 2019)
-Innovation (Carl Chudyk, Asmadi Games, 2010)
-Hour of Need 35m48s (Adam Sadler & Brady Sadler, Blacklist Games, 2020)
News (and why it doesn't matter):
-Spiel des Jahres nominees announced 39m20s
-Spiel at Essen canceled 39m25s
-Small World of Warcraft 42m14s
-Embarrassing Kemet Sphinx mini inspires new SVWAG Poetry Corner 42m38s
-New Maharaja 44m45s
-Frenemy Pastry Party 45m35s
-Who Asked for These? (TM): Battle of the Boy Bands 46m10s
Topic: Digital Life After COVID 47m02s
Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brands
Privacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

#117: Watergate May 12, 2020

There are so many life lessons to be learned from the presidency of Richard Milhous Nixon. For one, shave before debates. For another, hire limber secretaries with flexible standards on truth. Always be sure to hire expert lockpickers. Make sure your vice president will have your back (Nixon at least got a mulligan on that one). I mean, he's not a role model of mine--I wouldn't get his face tattooed on my back, to pick something at random--but he does serve as a potent set of object lessons.
Games Played Last Week:
-Warfighter: The Tactical Special Forces Card Game 3m31s (Dan Verssen, DVG, 2014)
-Splendor 5m48s (Marc André, SPace Cowboys, 2014)
-Bullet♥︎ 8m28s (Joshua Van Laningham, Level 99 Games, 2021)
-Castles of Burgundy 12m36s (Stefan Feld, alea, 2011)
-Horizon Wars: Zero Dark 15m34s (Robey Jenkins, Precinct Omega Publishing, 2020)
-Patchwork 20m57s (Uwe Rosenberg, Lookout Games, 2014)
-Potion Explosion 21m55s (Stefano Castelli, Andrea Crespi, & Lorenzo Silva, Horrible Guild, 2015)
-Glory to Rome 24m48s (Ed Carter & Carl Chudyk, Cambridge Games Factory, 2005)
-Mottainai 25m47s (Carl Chudyk, Asmadi Games, 2015)
-Mini Express 29m16s (Mark Gerrits, Moaideas Game Design, 2020)
News (and why it doesn't matter):
-Who Asked for These? (TM) Headlock, Paper, Scissors 32m57s
-Who Asked for These? (TM) Clank! for 6 players 34m40s
-Kickstarter lays off 40% of workforce 35m24s
-Who Asked for These? (TM) Marvel Splendor 36m32s
-Who Asked for These? (TM) Star Wars: Talisman 37m18s
-A Billion Suns extended beta 37m39s
-Rodney Smith and Watch It Played expand 40m36s
Feature Game: Watergate 41m37s (Matthias Cramer, Capstone Games, 2019)
Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brands
Privacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

#116: AP and the Need to Win May 05, 2020

Subtitles are to be used with discretion. Some people can't be trusted with them, and most of those people seem to work in Hollywood and non-fiction publishing. We resist the urge much of the time, but every once in a while the dam bursts and we must find an outlet for our pent-up subtitling impulses.
We have over twenty this time. We're sorry.
AYURIS: Teotihuacan: City of Gods 3m53s (Daniele Tascini, NSKN Games, 2018)
Games Played Last Week:
-Vanguard: Dawn of War 6m45s (Uncredited, Archon Studio, 2017)
-Trieste 11m11s (Matthew Ma, Victory Point Games, 2013)
-Warfighter: The Tactical Special Forces Card Game 15m46s (Dan Verssen, DVG, 2014)
-Innovation 23m07s (Carl Chudyk, Asmadi Games, 2010)
-Twilight Struggle 27m39s (Ananda Gupta & Jason Matthews, GMT Games, 2005)
-Coralia 31m20s (Michael Rieneck, HUCH!, 2019)
-Under Falling Skies 33m02s (Tomáš Uhlíř, Web-published, 2019)
News (and why it doesn't matter):
-More Walker! Walker a guest on Board Game Barrage 34m59s
-Fantasy Flight pulls down Tabletop Simulator mods 35m29s
-Seastead: 2P Flotilla 38m20s
-New expansion and Kickstarter for Rise of Tribes 38m36s
-Guards of Atlantis II is awesome, its depiction of women less so 38m59s
-New expansion and Kickstarter for Steampunk Rally 42m57s
-UK Games Expo cancelled 43m57s
Topic: Analysis Paralysis and the Need to Win 44m13s
Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brands
Privacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

#115: Nemesis Apr 28, 2020

A rulebook generates expectations, and whether and how those expectations are met or frustrated is an interesting phenomenon. Sometimes you get exactly what you want and that's a good thing--and sometimes the rules promise a set of experiences that never manifest. Over time, you start to get a better feel for what a game might be like by virtue of its rulebook, but even experienced gamers can be thrown for a loop by an unexpected mismatch. To summarize, what I'm saying here is that Nemesis is bad.
Games Played Last Week:
-Cosmic Frog 1m15s (Jim Felli, Devious Weasel Games, 2020)
-Traintopia 8m41s (Przemek Wojtkowiak, Board&Dice, 2020)
-Carolus Magnus 14m54s (Leo Colovini, Rio Grande Games, 2000)
-Wingspan 17m24s (Elizabeth Hargrave, Stonemaier Games, 2019)
-Successors 3rd ed 18m23s (Richard H. Berg, John B. Firer, & Mark Simonitch, GMT Games, 2008)
-Scythe 21m25s (Jamey Stegmaier, Stonemaier Games, 2016)
-Pax Renaissance 2nd Edition 24m58s (Phil Eklund & Matt Eklund, Ion Game Design, 2020)
-Fantastic Factories 29m49s (Joseph Z Chen & Justin Faulkner, Metafactory Games, 2019)
-Crazy Tower: Contruction/Sabotage 32m10s (Alexis Harvey, Félix Leblanc, Manuel-Lucas Bergeron Duhamel, & Mathieu Auger, Synapses Games, 2020)
News (and why it doesn't matter):
-Blokus Puzzle 34m46s
-Guards of Atlantis II 35m43s
-Your games are invalid: 40K Risk 36m48s
-Defence of Procyon III 37m47s
-Canvas 39m28s
-More on Knizia's My City 40m22s
Feature Game: Nemesis 41m27s (Adam Kwapiński, Awaken Realms, 2018)
Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brands
Privacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

#114: De-salting Unplayed Games Apr 21, 2020

“Imagine that you are creating a fabric of human destiny with the object of making men happy in the end, giving them peace and rest at last. Imagine that you are doing this but that it is essential and inevitable to torture to death only one tiny creature...in order to found that edifice on its unavenged tears. Would you consent to be the architect on those conditions? Tell me. Tell the truth.”
― Fyodor Dostoevsky, The Brothers Karamazov
AYURIS: Gùgōng 1m22s (Andreas Steding, Game Brewer, 2018)
Games Played Last Week:
-Radiant: Offline Battle Arena 3m50s (Jack Murray, Heel Turn Games, 2019)
-Cosmic Frog 5m00s (Jim Felli, Devious Weasel Games, 2020)
-Blitzkrieg! 17m07s (Paolo Mori, PSC Games, 2019)
-World of Warcraft Miniatures Game 18m35s (Edward Fear, John Fiorillo, Justin Gary, Matt Hyra, Anthony Shaheen, & Patrick Sullivan, Upper Deck Entertainment, 2008)
-Manoeuvre 23m54s (Jeff Horger, GMT Games, 2008)
-Spyrium 26m07s (William Attia, Ystari Games, 2013)
-Innovation 31m19s (Carl Chudyk, Asmadi Games, 2010)
-Carcassonne 33m54s (Klaus-Jürgen Wrede, Hans im Gluck, 2000)
News (and why it doesn't matter):
-Shadows over (Camelot) Brooklyn 35m28s
-SVWAG Policy: Unlicensed Digital Implementations 36m28s
-Hasbro Mashups 38m44s
-Golden Geek Award Nomination 41m01s
-More Cloudspire 42m35s
-Reichbusters and Wolfenstein 42m55s
Topic: Getting Tears Stains out of Games: What to Do About Unplayed Games 44m16s
Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brands
Privacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

#113: Undaunted: Normandy Apr 14, 2020

No daunts are asked and no daunts are given this week. "I don't give a daunt" is tattooed on Walker's back, no doubt an homage to Rhett Butler's famous ending line. We needed a little breather this time--a break from two-hour epic experiences. A little palate cleanser to ease us into a purely digital gaming life; because, to be frank, in this stage of isolation, we felt a little daunted.
We will plead for your indulgence, as our audio setup is once again in a state of flux as we transition to a two-studio setup.
Games Played Last Week:
-Orleans 2m28s (Reiner Stockhausen, dlp Games, 2014)
-The Quiet Year 3m03s (Avery Alder, Buried Without Ceremony, 2013)
-Shadowrift 6m14s (Jeremy Anderson, Game Night Productions, 2012)
-Spirit Island 8m17s (Eric R. Reuss, Greater Than Games, 2017)
-Carolus Magnus 11m42s (Leo Colovini, Rio Grande Games, 2000)
-Race for the Galaxy 17m25s (Thomas Lehmann, Rio Grande Games, 2007)
-BattleCON: War of Indines 19m40s (D. Brad Talton, Jr., Level 99 Games, 2010)
News (and why it doesn't matter):
-For Science! on Kickstarter now 23m29s
-CMON audit woes? 25m34s
Feature Game: Undaunted: Normandy 28m20s (Trevor Benjamin & David Thompson, Osprey Games, 2019)
Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brands
Privacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

#112: Solo Gaming Apr 07, 2020

Isolation gaming continues, so we turn our lonely eyes to gaming alone--an endeavour that predates plague-induced solitude, but is certainly thriving now. Many a gamer is experimenting with those (increasingly frequent) variants for the first time. We understand--any port in a storm. Let us game alone together.
AYURIS: Coimbra 1m48s (Flaminia Brasini & Virginio Gigli, eggertspiele, 2018)
Games Played Last Week:
-Imperial Settlers: Empires of the North 3m32s (Joanna Kijanka & Ignacy Trzewiczek, Portal Games, 2019)
-The Crew: The Quest for Planet Nine 8m43s (Thomas Sing, KOSMOS, 2019)
-The Fox in the Forest Duet 16m52s (Foxtrot Games, Foxtrot Games, 2020)
-The Quiet Year 18m20s (Avery Alder, Buried Without Ceremony, 2013)
-Radiant: Offline Battle Arena 22m57s (Jack Murray, Heel Turn Games, 2019)
-Hansa Teutonica 24m23s (Andreas Steding, Argentum Verlag, 2009)
-Warhammer Underworlds: Shadespire 26m51s (David Sanders, Games Workshop, 2017)
-The Quest for El Dorado: The Golden Temples 30m31s (Reiner Knizia, Ravensburger, 2019)
News (and why it doesn't matter):
-My Little Scythe: Pie in the Sky 33m18s
-Ascension Tactics 34m14s
-Frosthaven 36m52s
-Ankh: Gods of Egypt 40m24s
-They Live 41m41s
Topic: Solo Gaming 43m05s
Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brands
Privacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

#111: MOBAs and Tainted Grail Mar 31, 2020

A little throwback for you, our dear and loyal listeners, a small taste of the pre-summer schedule splendour and abundance where we spoil you with both a topic and a feature game. It happened organically, you see, what with all the social distancing -mandated two-player gaming we've been doing. That, and we want to try to give you a little more in light of the world giving you a little less. Of course, if you want to hear less of us, you always have that power.
Games Played Last Week:
-Menara: Rituals and Ruins 2m59s (Oliver Richtberg, Zoch Verlag, 2019)
-Sentinels of the Multiverse 5m39s (Christopher Badell, Paul Bender, & Adam Rebottaro, Greater Than Games, 2011)
-ELO Darkness 22m11s (Tommaso Mondadori & Alberto Parisi, Reggie Games, 2018)
-The Fox in the Forest Duet 8m59s (Foxtrot Games, Foxtrot Games, 2020)
-Pax Renaissance 13m24s (Phil Eklund & Matt Eklund, Sierra Madre Games, 2016)
-Mezo: Souls for Xibalba 17m09s (John Clowdus, Kolossal, 2019)
Mini-Spotlight: MOBA-Style Boardgames 19m36s
-Rum & Bones (Michael Shinall, CMON, 2015)/Rum & Bones: Second Tide (Michael Shinall, CMON, 2017)
-Guards of Atlantis (Artyom Nichipurov, Wolff Designaa, 2017)
-ELO Darkness (Tommaso Mondadori & Alberto Parisi, Reggie Games, 2018)
-Battle for Biternia (Chris Faulkenberry, Stone Circle Games, 2018)
-Radiant: Offline Battle Arena (Jack Murray, Heel Turn Games, 2019)
-Skytear (Giacomo Neri, Riccardo Neri, & Riccardo Parmeggiani, PvP Geeks, 2020)
News (and why it doesn't matter):
-Free stuff! XenoShyft, Frostgrave, etc. 41m24s
-Crazy Tower: Construction/Sabotage 43m52s
-Gloomhaven Community Campaign IV: The Blacksmith and the Bear 45m05s
-Digital card game: Legends of Runeterra by Riot 46m11s
-Pax Renaissance 2nd Edition 47m40s
Feature Game: Tainted Grail: Fall of Avalon 49m32s (Krzysztof Piskorski & Marcin Świerkot, Awaken Realms, 2019)
Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brands
Privacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

#110: Social Distancing Mar 24, 2020

Ripped from the headlines, as Dick Wolf is wont to say, we present to you the most timely of discussions. Of course, Walker takes us down theoretical tangents once again, whereas Mark rolls his eyes and tried to keep things on track--the standard roles that our hosts always seem to fall into. In Walker's defense, the Kool-Aid Man is a pressing philosophical issue. Fortunately, boardgaming has resolved the thorny matter of his (its?) identity; with such a success, surely Fermat's Last Theorem could have been resolved by boardgames had that nerd Wiles not solved it first. Nerd.
AYURIS: Claustrophobia 1m54s (CROC, Asmodee, 2009)
Games Played Last Week:
-Jetpack Joyride 6m07s (Michał Gołębiowski, Lucky Duck Games, 2019)
-Horizon Wars: Zero Dark 9m40s (Robey Jenkins, Self-published, 2020)
-Dragon Master: BGG Convention Promo 14m58s (Reiner Knizia, Victory Point Games, 2015)
-Hellboy: The Board Game 18m58s (James M. Hewitt & Sophie Williams, Mantic Games, 2019)
-ELO Darkness 22m11s (Tommaso Mondadori & Alberto Parisi, Reggie Games, 2018)
News (and why it doesn't matter):
-Quid est homo Kool-Aid? 27m12s
-Our hobby under COVID-19: Check Reddit 30m41s
-Walker's roundup: Gears of War, Robot Quest, cons cancelled 32m20s
-Starlight: A tale of Shakespearean scope? 33m20s
SVWAG Scheduling Statement: 35m18s
Topic: Social Distancing 38m19s
Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brands
Privacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

#109: Omnibus Questions Mar 17, 2020

All of your burning questions shall be addressed! Why is there something rather than nothing? Quid est veritas? War, huh! What is it good for? Why do birds suddenly appear every time a Knizia game is near? Rest assured that the topics covered are vast--Macross, objectivism, fictional Thai kick boxers, and so much more. Featuring special guests Dan Thurot (spacebiff.com), Charlie Theel (playerelimination.com), and Kellen and Mark from Board Game Barrage (boardgamebarrage.com).
AYURIS: Discover: Lands Unknown 2m33s (Corey Konieczka, Fantasy Flight, 2018)
Games Played Last Week:
-Blitzkrieg! 4m27s (Paolo Mori, PSC Games, 2019)
-Horizon Wars: Zero Dark 6m56s (Robey Jenkins, Self-published, 2020)
-The Fox in the Forest Duet 10m35s (Foxtrot Games, Renegade Game Studios, 2020)
-Mezo 12m22s (John Clowdus, Kolossal Games, 2019)
-Mega Civilization 17m40s (Flo de Haan, John Rodriguez, & Francis Tresham, 999 Games, 2015)
-Battle for Biternia 24m31s (Chris Faulkenberry, Stone Circle Games, 2018)
-Piratenbillard 28m33s (Reinhold Wittig, ABACUSSPIELE, 1959)
News (and why it doesn't matter):
-Kwapinski ushers in the Dark Ages 31m07s
-Meeple Circus goes giant 32m22s
-Minimizing the sting of isolation during COVID-19 22m59s
Topic: Omnibus Questions 37m00s
Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brands
Privacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

#108: Clinic Deluxe Mar 10, 2020

Warning: there is some implied discussion of the existence of the health care field in this week's review. No jokes were made about current viral events, though, and given the general low-brow nature of this podcast that's a minor miracle. The only jokes about current affairs are related to hip hop, and even those references are dated to over twenty years ago.
Games Played Last Week:
-Street Masters: Aftershock 2m47s (Adam Sadler & Brady Sadler, Blacklist Games, 2019)
-Stephenson's Rocket 4m55s (Reiner Knizia, Pegasus Spiele, 1999)
-Lorenzo il Magnifico 9m19s (Flaminia Brasini, Virginio Gigli, & Simone Luciani, Cranio Creations, 2016)
-Mardi Gras Madness 12m50s (Mark Burlet, Arthur Franz IV, & Ben Jennings, Uplink Underground Games, 2020)
-Horizon Wars: Zero Dark 18m25s (Robey Jenkins, Self-published, 2020)
News (and why it doesn't matter):
-Walker Watches Steamwatchers 21m52s
-Ginkgopolis Reprint 23m53s
-Clean Queen Kickstarter? 24m48s
-Coronavirus Cancellations: CMON Expo 26m46s
-Uwe Rosenberg's New York Zoo 27m46s
Feature Game: Clinic: Deluxe Edition 28m42s (Alban Viard, AVStudioGames, 2019)
Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brands
Privacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

#107: Playing for Second Mar 03, 2020

Some of you might be unfamiliar with the traditions surrounding birthdays in Canada. They are savage affairs, drenched in blood and feats of suffering. I mean, there's the cake, sure, and that part is pretty benign--except for the baking of it, come to think of it, where the birthday girl or birthday boy is expected to remove the cake from an oven with their bare hands and devour the thing whole; then comes the declaration of threats, where the horribly burned, frosting-seared celebrant mounts a nearby table and screams doom to their enemies. Let's not get started on what kind of gifts are considered appropriate.
AYURIS: Stephenson's Rocket 1m36s (Reiner Knizia, Grail Games, 2018)
Games Played Last Week:
-Empyreal: Spells & Steam 3m44s (Trey Chambers, Level 99 Games, 2020)
-Egizia: Shifting Sands 11m05s (Acchittocca, Flaminia Brasini, Virginio Gigli, Stefano Luperto, & Antonio Tinto, Stronghold Games, 2019)
-Root: The Underworld Expansion 13m39s (Patrick Leder & Cole Wehrle, Leder Games, 2020)
-Pax Renaissance 18m58s (Matt Eklund & Phil Eklund, Sierra Madre Games, 2016)
-The Estates 21m42s (Klaus Zoch, Capstone Games, 2018)
-Assault on Doomrock 25m11s (Tom Stasiak, Beautiful Disaster Games, 2014)
News (and why it doesn't matter):
-Into the Spider-Verse for Marvel United (Walker's obsessed) 27m54s
-The Liberaion of Plaid Hat Games? 29m23s
-Toy of the Year! Pictionary Air 30m44s
-The Next Game that Matters: Phantom Division 32m09s
Topic: Playing for Second 33m03s
Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brands
Privacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

#106: Posthuman Saga Feb 25, 2020

Would you like a job at Asmodee? Well guess what, if you need any replacement parts from them, you've just been drafted to work as their support staff. Best of all, your salary is nothing! Are we doomed to become ever more curmudgeonly, rambling to young gamers about how "back in my day, we got replacement parts just by sending an email" and the the young 'uns would be all like "Ok, Millennial, but what's an email?"
Games Played Last Week:
-Quartermaster General WW2 2m25s (Ian Brody, Ares Games, 2019)
-Mars Open: Tabletop Golf 5m19s (Dennis Hoyle, Bellwether Games, 2018)
-Imperial Settlers: Empires of the North 7m53ss (Joanna Kijanka & Ignacy Trzewiczek, Portal Games, 2019)
-Blitzkrieg! 10m57s (Paolo Mori, PSC Games, 2019)
-SEAL Team Flix 15m47s (Pete Ruth & Mark Thomas, WizKids, 2018)
-Empyreal: Spells & Steam 17m50s (Trey Chambers, Level 99 Games, 2020)
News (and why it doesn't matter):
-Secret Operation: Social Deduction Robots 24m10s
-Asmodee's Parts Replacement Policy 25m33s
-Scooby-Doo Escape Rooms 30m40s
-Stefan Bruck Retires 31m23s
-Zen Garden Grows 32m16s
-Epic: The Card Game Digital 32m55s
-Walker Is Dubious About Marvel United 35m15s
-More Batman, More Plastic 36m05s
Feature Game: Posthuman Saga 36m49s (Gordon Calleja, Mighty Boards, 2019)
Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brands
Privacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

#105: False Expectations Feb 18, 2020

On must acknowledge that in many instances, pre-judgment is an adaptive advantage--I don't mean with respect to people, but in terms of being able to sift through the endless data with which we are constantly bombarded. Most of our concepts are pre-fabricated little categories that we can shove sense data into in order to make sense of the world (there's your Kantianism in three seconds for you). In boardgaming, were seventeen releases hit the market while I was typing this sentence, it can be handy to use heuristics or prejudice--I won't play games by designer or publisher X, for example. Then again, it is our thankless task to submerge ourselves wholesale into the hobby's output without fear or favour, and so we must try to overcome such self-imposed limits when we can.
AYURIS: Battle for Rokugan 2m07s (Molly Glover & Tom Jolly, Fantasy Flight, 2017)
Games Played Last Week:
-Troyes 4m11s (Sébastien Dujardin, Xavier Georges, & Alain Orban, Pearl Games, 2010)
-Hanabi 9m40s (Antoine Bauza, ABACUSSPIELE, 2010)
-The Shipwreck Arcana 9m40s (Kevin Bishop, Meromorph Games, 2017)
-Top Gun Strategy Game 11m08s (Prospero hall, Mixlore, 2020)
-Pipeline 16m18s (Ryan Courtney, Capstone Games, 2019)
-Northern Pacific 21m48s (Tom Tussell, Rio Grande, 2013)
-Sakura Arms 23m55s (BakaFire, AEG, 2016)
News (and why it doesn't matter):
-Ghost Adventure 27m01
-Cindr: Date a Dragon 28m05
-Sonora: "Flick and Write" 29m28s
-Waiting on Siege of the Citadel 30m18s
-Coronavirus Uncertainty 31m36
-Dragon Dice Refuse to Die 33m38s
Topic: False Expectations 35m32s
Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brands
Privacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

#104: On Mars Feb 13, 2020

One must learn as a child that just because something is difficult does not mean it isn't worth doing. Sometimes we here at SVWAG feel that the corollary for adults is that just because something is difficult doesn't mean it is worthwhile. Some hard things should just be avoided. It's hard to drive a nail through your own skull, but it doesn't follow that it's necessarily a prime opportunity for self-improvement that ought to be pursued. Unrelatedly, Vital Lacerda games.
Games Played Last Week:
-Street Masters: Aftershock 2m32s (Adam Sadler & Brady Sadler, Blacklist Games, 2019)
-Isle of Skye: From Chieftain to King 6m11s (Andreas Pelikan & Alexander Pfister, Lookout Games, 2015)
-The Resistance 7m40s (Don Eskridge, Indie Boards & Cards, 2009)
-Warhammer Underworlds: Shadespire 10m25s (David Sanders, Games Workshop, 2017)
-Food Chain Magnate: The Ketchup Mechanism & Other Ideas 13m49s (Jeroen Doumen & Joris Wiersinga, Splotter, 2019)
-Imperial Settlers: Empires of the North 21m36s (Joanna Kijanka & Ignacy Trzewiczek, Portal Games, 2019)
-Pretense 24m13s (Jason Tagmire, AEG, 2015)
News (and why it doesn't matter):
-Pay extra for early access to Kanban EV? 28m42s
-Brick and mortar retail for Renegade early access? 31m36s
-Walker wonders about Wonderland's War 32m58s
-SHUX 2020: Oct. 16-18 36m06s
-Marvel United 37m08s
-Mindclash's Perseverance 38m43s
-Nuremberg Toy Fair 2020 miscellany 39m20s
Feature Game: On Mars 41m19s (Vital Lacerda, Eagle-Gryphon Games, 2020)
Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brands
Privacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

#103: Virtues of Popularity Feb 04, 2020

My best friend's sister's boyfriend's brother's girlfriend heard from this guy who knows this kid who's going with the girl who saw Ferris pass out at 31 Flavors last night. I guess it's pretty serious.
AYURIS: Level 7 [Omega Protocol] 2m34s (Will Schoonover, Privateer Press, 2013)
Games Played Last Week:
-Guards of Atlantis II: Tabletop MOBA 6m38s (Artyom Nichipurov, Wolff Designaa, 2020)
-Las Vegas Royale 11m13s (Rudiger Dorn, alea, 2019)
-Tiny Epic Tactics 12m59s (Scott Almes, Gamelyn, 2019)
-In the Hall of the Mountain King 16m20s (Jay Cormier & Graeme Jahns, Burnt Island Games, 2019)
-Die Macher 21m06s (Karl-Heinz Schmiel, Spielworxx, 2019)
News (and why it doesn't matter):
-More toys for Era: Medieval Age 26m58s
-Kickstarter Police: Wherefore art thou? 27m56s
-Banning Golden Bell, that's where 29m39s
Topic: Virtues of Popularity 31m33s
Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brands
Privacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

#102: Imperial 2030 Jan 28, 2020

Rarely has a game been as deeply, frighteningly cynical as Imperial. We are sadly inured to the notion of vast military conflicts; and we are sadly inured to the corrupting influence of enormous wealth; but never before has a game combined the two and posited the Schlieffen Plan as a gambit to improve the marginal rate of return of someone's portfolio. Oh, my RRSP is Russian firepower, by the way.
Games Played Last Week:
-Papillon 1m42s (J.B. Howell, Kolossal, 2019)
-Talon 3m47s (Jim Krohn, GMT Games, 2016)
-On Mars 7m20s (Vital Lacerda, Eagle-Gryphon, 2020)
-Deception: Murder in Hong Kong 10m34s (Tobey Ho, Grey Fox Games, 2014)
-Principle Dilemma 12m37s (Joe Tanowski, Self-published, 2019)
-Las Vegas Royale 21m14s (Rudiger Dorn, alea, 2019)
-Sushi Roll 23m22s (Phil Walker-Harding, Gamewright, 2019)
-Cthulhu: Death May Die 25m43s (Rob Daviau & Eric M. Lang, CMON, 2019)
News (and why it doesn't matter):
-Wiz-Kids' Clash of Cultures 28m23s
-Grimslingers Two 30m14s
-Marvel United 31m39s
-Hansa Teutonica Big Box, Eventually? 33m01s
-Tortuga 2199 34m24s
-Truffle Shuffle, for some reason 35m03s
Feature Game: Imperial (Mac Gerdts, PD-Verlag, 2006)/Imperial 2030 (Mac Gerdts, PD-Verlag, 2009) 35m32s
Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brands
Privacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

#101: New Year's Resolutions Jan 21, 2020

Eventually a charge becomes so tired and rote that it becomes accepted without critical thought--but so often these hackneyed claims are false. Knizia games are themeless is a good example. Canadians are polite is another. The one that rears its ugly head this week is Walker's insistence that he is bullied, which has definitely got to count as attempted gaslighting at this point. On the plus side, a New Year's resolution is made and then immediately fulfilled in the same episode! That is efficiency.
AYURIS: Gaslands 5m23s (Glenn Ford & Mike Hutchinson, Osprey Publishing, 2017)
Games Played Last Week:
-Blue Moon 8m32s (Reiner Knizia, KOSMOS, 2004)
-Barrage 11m08s (Tommaso Battista & Simone Luciani, Cranio Creations, 2019)
-Corporate America 14m54s (Teale Fristoe, Nothing Sacred Games, 2013)
-Papillon 16m34s (J.B. Howell, Kolossal, 2019)
-Secret Hitler 20m53s (Mike Boxleiter, Tommy Maranges, & Max Temkin, Goat Wolf & Cabbage, 2016)
-Reavers of Midgard 22m40s (J.B. Howell, Grey Fox Games, 2019)
-Cthulhu: Death May Die 29m49s (Rob Daviau & Eric M. Lang, CMON, 2019)
News (and why it doesn't matter):
-Repos Productions Swallowed by Asmodee 32m43s
-Smooth Rollout for CMON's Time Machine 33m06s
-From the Root Team, Oath 34m04s
-Foundations of Rome 34m40s
-Breakout in TO: March 20-22 35m19s
-Star Realms Goes Huge 35m49s
-Société des Auteurs de Jeux on Bernard v. Mythic Games 36m48s
Topic: 2020 New Year's Resolutions 42m11s
2019's Resolutions 42m27s
2020's Resolutions 48m27s
Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brands
Privacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

#100: Year in Review 2019 Jan 14, 2020

Better late and wrong than never wrong, am I right? Wait, that doesn't make sense. Suffice to say that we wanted to be as certain as we could this year, as past years offered rather significant asterisks on our best-of lists--but this year, with only minor exceptions, we're pretty confident we played the games most likely to make the cut. I'm sure this sense of certainty and comprehensiveness will last perhaps as long as late January.
Games Played Last Week:
-Blood Rage 2m09s (Eric Lang, CMON, 2015)
-It's a Wonderful World 4m40s (Frédéric Guérard, La Boîte de Jeu, 2019)
-Battle for Biternia 8m03s (Chris Faulkenberry, Stone Circle Games, 2018)
-Istanbul 12m58s (Rudiger Dorn, Pegasus Spiele, 2014)
-Marvel Champions: The Card Game 15m30s (Michael Boggs, Nate French, & Caleb Grace, FFG, 2019)
-Codenames: The Simpsons 16m06s (Vlaada Chvatil, CGE, 2019)
News (and why it doesn't matter):
-Kemet 2.0: Blood and Sand Updates 19m01s
-Mixlore and Prospero Hall 20m13s
-Cosmic Encounter Two-Player? 21m01s
-FFG's RPG Last Gasp: KeyForge 22m07s
-Traintopia: All Trains, All the Time Is Back! 22m45s
-Pascal Bernard v. Mythic Games 23m27s
-Kolossal Games' Ongoing Eclipse Shenanigans 24m25s
-Riot Games to Publish New Boardgames 29m31s
-Patreon News: Presents! 30m16s
Topic: 2019 in Review Extravaganza
Personal Top 10s 32m12s
SVWAG Game of the Year 2019 54m34s
Other Categories 56m42s
Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brands
Privacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

#99: Cultural Expectations Jan 07, 2020

We're using "culture" pretty broadly, here--the SVWAG staff anthropologist is out with the flu, so there's only so much we can do. We're ready to accept some degree of cultural variance, but we don't endorse cultural relativism as a moral theory; our staff ethicist is still very much at his post. That said, social gatherings are most definitely susceptible to cultural standards than moral precepts are, and we are ever in thrall to one of SVWAG's primordial maxims: "Read the room."
AYURIS: BattleCON 2m00s (Brad D. Talton, Level 99 Games, 2010)
Games Played Last Week:
-Flotilla 4m35s (J.B. Howell & Michael Mihealsick, WizKids, 2019)
-Marvel Champions: The Card Game 13m43s (Michael Boggs, Nate French, & Caleb Grace, FFG, 2019)
-It's a Wonderful World 16m16s (Frédéric Guérard, La Boîte de Jeu, 2019)
-The Menace Among Us 18m31s (Jeff Gum, Smirk & Dagger, 2019)
-A Feast for Odin: The Norwegians 23m23s (Gernot Köpke & Uwe Rosenberg, Feuerland Spiele, 2018)
-Godtear 24m49s (David Carl, Alex Hall, & Steve Margetson, Steamforged Games, 2019)
-Core Space 26m34s (Colin Young, Battle Systems Ltd., 2019)
News (and why it doesn't matter):
-Fine Job Labyrinth--fine job, indeed! 29m17s
-Kemet 2.0: Blood and Sand 30m58s
-Egyptian Renaissance? Tekhenu: Obelisk of the Sun 33m38s
Topic: Cultural Expectations 34m42s
Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brands
Privacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

#98: Caylus 1303 Dec 31, 2019

Look, it's hard enough to remember games without them injecting too many dates into their titles. Claustrophobia 1643 I keep misremembering as 1648 (Treaty of Westphalia), Ausburg 15whenever is as forgettable as the game, Pulsar 2849 barely sticks in my mind, and now Caylus 1303. I'd be tempted to just try and parse the game as "Caylus 13XX," but it's not about trains, now, is it?
Games Played Last Week:
-Karate Tomate 3m01s (Reiner Knizia, AMIGO, 2018)
-Telestrations: 12 Player Party Pack 5m10s (Uncredited, USAopoly, 2011)
-The Shipwreck Arcana 6m59s (Kevin Bishop, Meromorph Games, 2017)
-Yellow & Yangtze 9m22s (Reiner Knizia, Grail Games, 2018)
-Marvel Champions: The Card Game 10m05s (Michael Boggs, Nate French, & Caleb Grace, FFG, 2019)
-Maracaibo 14m42s (Alexander Pfister, Capstone Games, 2019)
-Aristocracy 21m09s (Reiner Knizia, Tasty Minstrel Games, 2019)
-Flotilla 23m24s (J.B. Howell & Michael Mihealsick, WizKids, 2019)
-Era: Medieval Age 24m46s (Matt Leacock, eggertspiele, 2019)
News (and why it doesn't matter):
-Rococo Deluxe 27m17s
-Kanban EV 27m59s
Feature Game: Caylus 1303 29m01s (William Attia, Space Cowboys, 2019)
Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brands
Privacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

#97: Familiarity Breeds Contempt Dec 24, 2019

The Holidays are upon us--Christmas very soon, Hanukkah is ongoing, Kwanzaa around the corner--but today on SVWAG, as it is on most days, we celebrate Festivus. On Mark's insistence, we forego the Feats of Strength, as the outcome would be certain and humiliating; O, but the Airing of the Grievances! Canadians have much to complain about, what with one mess of a fulfillment after another. And complain we do.
AYURIS: Too Many Bones: Undertow 3m15s (Adam Carlson & Josh J. Carlson, Chip Theory Games, 2018)
Games Played Last Week:
-Mechanica 6m37s (Mary Flanagan, Emma Hobday, & Max Seidman, Resonym, 2019)
-One Deck Galaxy 11m25s (Chris Cieslik, Asmadi Games, 2020)
-It's a Wonderful World 13m02s (Frédéric Guérard, La Boîte de Jeu, 2019)
-Yggdrasil Chronicles 17m35s (Cédric Lefebvre, Ludonaute, 2019)
-Yokohama 21m09s (Hisashi Hayashi, Tasty Minstrel Games, 2016)
-Cthulhu: Death May Die 21m56s (Eric M. Lang & Rob Daviau, CMON, 2019)
-Res Arcana: Lux et Tenebrae 26m25s (Thomas Lehmann, Sand Castle Games, 2019)
News (and why it doesn't matter):
-Best of 2019 coming, just possibly not in 2019 29m09s
-Wherefore art thou, Reavers? 30m12s
Topic: Familiarity Breeds Contempt 31m01s
Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brands
Privacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

#96: Catan: Starfarers Dec 17, 2019

Perhaps it would be inevitable that there would be juvenile comments about the components in Catan: Starfarers. This is, after all, the gaming series that brought us endless unfunny remarks about wood and sheep. Perhaps the sculptors for the pieces knew what they were doing and, in turn, laughing at us. I suppose we must be thankful that Klaus Teuber remained high-minded--one shudders to imagine what the satirical outlook of, say, Vlaada Chvatil would have done with the same material.
Games Played Last Week:
-Street Masters: Aftershock 2m18s (Adam & Brady Sadler, Blacklist Games, 2019)
-Big City: 20th Anniversary Jumbo Edition! 4m51s (Franz-Benno Delonge, Mercury Games, 2019)
-Wavelength 7m46s (Alex Hague, Justin Vickers, & Wolfgang Warsch, Palm Court, 2019)
-Warfighter: The Private Military Contractor Card Game 10m32s (Dan Verssen, DVG Games, 2019)
-The Shipwreck Arcana 15m42s (Kevin Bishop, Meromorph Games, 2017)
-Yggdrasil Chronicles 17m26s (Cédric Lefebvre, Ludonaute, 2019)
News (and why it doesn't matter):
-Tokyo Game Market 21m39s
-Matagot Makes Pronoun Progress 22m00s
-Spycon (Where Everyone Is a Spy) 23m46s
-Warhammer Underworlds Digital 24m33s
-Airship City in English 26m00s
-Expanding Spheres of Influence 27m00s
-Flotilla 29m07s
Feature Game: Catan: Starfarers 30m08s (Klaus Teuber, KOSMOS, 2019)
Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brands
Privacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

#95: Fillers and Holiday Gaming Dec 10, 2019

There are times when immediately upon finishing recording, one or both of our hosts immediately feel the tremendous regret of having forgotten The Thing. But, alas, the moment has passed, and they cannot now mention The Thing. The only redress available is this episode description, which sadly no one but you reads. We salute you, hyper-literate outlier!
This week, The Thing is Wavelength--recently-released masterful filler and wonderful fodder for holiday gaming in mixed circles. Rest assured the host feel pretty stupid most of the time, but doubly stupid for neglecting to mention Wavelength.
AYURIS: Sentinels of the Multiverse 1m45s (Christopher Badell, Paul Bender, & Adam Rebottaro, Greater Than Games, 2011)
Games Played Last Week:
-Amun-Re the Card Game 4m47s (Reiner Knizia, Super Meeple, 2016)
-The King's Dilemma 7m41s (Hjalmar Hach & Lorenzo Silva, Horrible Guild, 2019)
-Pandemic: Rapid Response 16m32s (Kane Klenko, Z-Man, 2019)
-Yokohamma 18m10s (Hisashi Hayashi, Tasty Minstrel Games, 2016)
-Street Masters: Aftershock 20m23s (Adam & Brady Sadler, Blacklist Games, 2019)
-Gugong 21m51s (Andreas Steding, Game Brewer, 2018)
-Barrage 25m29s (Tommaso Battista & Simone Luciani, Cranio Creations, 2019)
-Warhammer Underworlds: Beastgrave 31m43s (David Sanders, Games Workshop, 2019)
News (and why it doesn't matter):
-Award for Kane Klenko 33m22s
-Rangers of Shadow Deep Deluxe 33m55s
-Knizia does Legacy with My City 35m18s
-Barkham Horror (sigh) 35m56s
-Frosthaven 36m58s
-Collectivism in Red Outpost 37m17s
-Thank you for your support! 38m22s
Topic: Fillers and Holiday Gaming 38m55s
Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brands
Privacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

#94: Last Bastion Dec 03, 2019

Black Secret was an expansion to Ghost Stories where you played as vicious, frenetic shoppers trying to ascertain what were the best hidden deals on Black Friday. I think. If nothing else, one can appreciate the fact that online shopping might one day prevent the trampling deaths that accompany this uniquely retail "holiday." The end of brick and mortar retail will surely be a great loss, and one that hurts our hobby a great deal, but come on--that inevitable b-roll of crazed bargain hunters year after year is a psychically damaging indictment of our culture.
Games Played Last Week:
-Marco Polo II: In the Service of the Khan 2m27s (Simone Luciani & Daniele Tascini, Hans im Gluck, 2019)
-Catan: Starfarers 7m39s (Klaus Teuber, KOSMOS, 2019)
-Neuroshima Hex! 3.0 11m39s (Michal Oracz, Portal Games, 2006)
-Caylus Magna Carta 14m59s (William Attia, Ystari Games, 2007)
-Vindication 20m56s (Marc Neidlinger, Orange Nebula, 2018)
News (and why it doesn't matter):
-Ticket to Ride with Alexa 22m23s
-So Much Sakura Arms! 24m56s
-Christmas Card Roll-and-Write from Dice and Ink 27m48s
-The King is Dead (Long Live Osprey Publishing) 28m33s
-Fantastic Factories 29m28s
-Warning: Chinese New Year Always Wins 30m08s
Feature Game: Last Bastion 31m28s (Antoine Bauza, Repos Production, 2019)
Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brands
Privacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

#93: Worker Placement Nov 26, 2019

Walker introduces a new feature, the LIGHTNING ROUND. Destinies are determined and legends are forged in the lightning round, or at least they could be if it were not merely the pretext for his trolling. Someone should translate "I'm not saying, I'm just saying" into Latin so he can make it his family credo.
AYURIS: The Voyages of Marco Polo 2m00s (Simone Luciani & Daniele Tascini, Hans im Gluck, 2015)
Games Played Last Week:
-The Menace Among Us 5m06s (Jeff Gum, Smirk & Dagger, 2019)
-Wayfinders 9m18s (Thomas Dagenais-Lespérance, Pandasaurus Games, 2019)
-Paranormal Detectives 12m41s (Szymon Maliński, Adrian Orzechowski, & Marcin Łączyński, Lucky Duck Games, 2019)
-Barenpark: The Bad News Bears 17m44s (Phil Walker-Harding, Lookout Games, 2019)
-Modern Art 19m54s (Reiner Knizia, Hans im Gluck, 1992)
-Gaia Project 21m41s (Jens Drögemüller & Helge Ostertag, Feuerland Spiele, 2017)
-Wavelength 25m13s (Alex Hague, Justin Vickers, & Wolfgang Warsch, Palm Court, 2019)
-Babylonia 29m56s (Reiner Knizia, Ludonova, 2019)
News (and why it doesn't matter):
-Don't you know that Scott Pilgrim is the best fighter in the province? 33m01s
-Uwe Rosenberg tries some fairies 33m31s
-Excellent SVWAG website: https://tekeli.li/svwag/ 34m09s
-Car Wars again, and again 35m42s
-Hollandspiele Sale 37m11s
-Canadian fulfillment woes: Reavers of Midgard, etc. 38m43s
Topic: Worker Placement 41m22s
Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brands
Privacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

#92.5: Mea Culpa Nov 19, 2019

Sorry, people, no episode this week. Mark explains why.
Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brands
Privacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

#92: Cloudspire Nov 12, 2019

We puzzle over the practices and intentions of game designers this week as though we were archaeologists trying to divine the practices of ashen Pompeiians. Why did these authors insert this mechanism into their artifact? Was it a mating ritual? Was it an obeisance to some vengeful, long-dead god? Was it to shoehorn in player interaction? Or was it to placate a Kickstarter audience? Oh, sorry, that one is redundant with the obeisance to a god thing. Also the mating ritual thing, if you think about it.
Games Played Last Week:
-Wavelength 1m12s (Alex Hague, Justin Vickers, & Wolfgang Warsch, Palm Court, 2019)
-Carcassonne: Gold Rush (Klaus-Jürgen Wrede, Hans im Gluck, 2014)
-Unmatched: Battle of Legends 12m56s (Rob Daviau, JR Honeycutt, & Justin D. Jacobson, Restoration Games, 2019)
-The Menace Among Us 15m41s (Jeff Gum, Smirk & Dagger, 2019)
-Barenpark 19m19s (Phil Walker-Harding, Lookout Games, 2017)
-Vindication 20m41s (Marc Neidlinger, Orange Nebula Productions, 2018)
News (and why it doesn't matter):
-Fallout: Shelter--from promotional money-sink to... ? 30m39s
-Wiz-War NINTH 31m50s
-Inis in SPAAACE 32m27s
-Hansa Teutonica Big Box MIA at Spiel 33m43s
-DEI: Divide et Impera 34m17s
-Titan is, actually, kinda BIG 35m35s
-All the best to Chad Jensen 36m53s
Feature Game: Cloudspire 37m44s (Josh J. Carlson, Adam Carlson, & Josh Wielgus, Chip Theory Games, 2019)
Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brands
Privacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

#91: The Cost of Upgraded Components Nov 05, 2019

You can replace the Mark and Walker voices with lovingly-rendered miniatures with the SVWAG Host Minis add-on, which you can have for $35, but only if you pay for it before you know what they look like and before you know the content of the episode. You can also buy the SVWAG playmat, metal coins, realistic resources, microphone first-player marker, and custom insert. This is a free podcast that can cost you a zillion dollars. Decide now, though!
AYURIS: Root 2m02s (Cole Wehrle, Leder Games, 2018)
Games Played Last Week:
-Warhammer Underworlds: Beastgrave 3m41s (David Sanders, Games Workshop, 2019)
-Era: Medieval Age 8m23s (Matt Leacock, eggertspiele, 2019)
-Ghost Blitz 12m03s (Jacques Zeimet, Zoch Verlag, 2010)
-Menara 13m23s (Oliver Richtberg, Zoch Verlag, 2018)
-Unmatched: Battle of Legends 14m01s (Rob Daviau, JR Honeycutt, & Justin D. Jacobson, Restoration Games, 2019)
-The Menace Among Us 19m38s (Jeff Gum, Smirk & Dagger, 2019)
-Hit Z Road 22m01s (Martin Wallace, Space Cowboys, 2016)
News (and why it doesn't matter):
-Infinity Defiance defies innovation? 25m35s
-Beyond Humanity: Colonies has glowy bits 28m30s
-Vengeance: Director's Cut 30m35s
-Small World of Warcraft 31m16s
-Blacklist Games' Hour of Need 32m54s
-More Teotihuacan (with better titling) 35m11s
-More Karl-Heinz Schmiel with Tribune 36m26s
Topic: The Cost of Upgraded Components 37m46s
Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brands
Privacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

#90: Rurik: Dawn of Kiev Oct 29, 2019

Fatherhood is the overall theme of this week's episode. Imagine Harry Chapin's Cat's in the Cradle, except with the father played by Vladimir the Great and the son by Svyatopolk the Accursed. "When you coming home, dad?" asks the Accursed, to which the reply is "I don't know when. But we'll get together then, son." And then, the son allegedly murders several of his siblings in a vicious power struggle. Just like in the song! Folk music of the seventies is more bloodthirsty than many people recall. Remember that Cat Stevens song about the wars of the Diadochi? It was even better than his acoustic rendering of the murder of the Romanovs.
Games Played Last Week:
-Letter Jam 4m01s (Ondra Skoupý, CGE, 2019)
-Codenames: Duet 8m22s (Vlaada Chvátil & Scot Eaton, CGE, 2017)
-Spirit Island 9m57s (R. Eric Reuss, Greater Than Games, 2017)
-The Crusoe Crew 13m02s (Shuky, Makaka Editions, 2019)
-UGO! 15m28s (Ronald Hoekstra, Thomas Jansen, & Patrick Zuidhof, IELLO, 2013)
-Carcassonne 17m49s (Klaus-Jürgen Wrede, Hans im Gluck, 2000)
-Undaunted: Normandy 20m56s (Trevor Benjamin & David Thomspon, Osprey Games, 2019)
-Cloudspire 23m14s (Josh J. Carlson, Adam Carlson, & Josh Wielgus, Chip Theory Games, 2019)
-Era: Medieval Age 26m42s (Matt Leacock, eggertspiele, 2019)
-Terraforming Mars 31m26s (Jacob Fryxelius, Stronghold, 2016)
-Ulm 32m15s (Günter Burkhardt, R&R Games, 2016)
News (and why it doesn't matter):
-Pharaon Afterlife Prepping 34m19s
-Patreon Content Galore 35m34s
-Scared by High Frontier 4 All 36m01s
-Square Off NEO & SWAP 38m07s
-Valkyrie Outrage 39m34s
-Francis Tresham Obituary 41m33s
Feature Game: Rurik: Dawn of Kiev 43m10s (Stan Kordonskiy, PieceKeeper Games, 2019)
Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brands
Privacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

#89: Competition and Competitiveness Oct 22, 2019

SHUX has passed, but the memories have not. Your hosts give a final rundown of some of the goings-on during the august October event.
Mark asserts that no one is less competitive than he, no one by a long shot, he is much less competitive than you and if you disagree he will fight you. Unless you are a child or infirm, in which case he will still fight you out of a grudging sense of duty and respect, but he will pull his punches. Some of them.
Editorial note: the hosts neglected to repeat that Air, Land & Sea was a review copy received from the author. They apologize for the oversight.
Added SHUX dig: The Quacks of Quedlinburg 2m18s (Wolfgang Warsch, Scmidt Spiele, 2018)
AYURIS: Yellow & Yangtze 5m38s (Reiner Knizia, Grail Games, 2018) and Tigris & Euphrates (Reiner Knizia, Hans im Gluck, 1997)
Games Played Last Week:
-Durance 8m05s (Jason Morningstar, Bully Pulpit Games, 2012)
-Aftermath 10m33s (Jerry Hawthorne, Plaid Hat Games, 2019)
-Mysthea 13m09s (Martino Chiacchiera & Marta Ciaccasassi, Tabula Games, 2019)
-Guards of Atlantis II: Tabletop MOBA 15m57s (Artyom Nichipurov, Wolff Designa, 2020?)
-Blood on the Clocktower 19m19s (Steven Medway, The Pandemonium Institute, 2019)
-Sine Tempore 27m43s (Luca Bernardini & Andrea Colletti, Ludus Magnus Studio, 2018)
-Air, Land & Sea 33m27s (Jon Perry, Arcane Wonders, 2018)
-Mr. Lister's Quiz Shootout 35m24s (Uncredited, Big Potato, 2015)
-SiegeStorm: Siege Mode 38m34s (Kamil 'Sanex' Cieśla & Marcin Świerkot, Awaken Realms Lite, 2019)
News (and why it doesn't matter):
-Barrage Expansion 40m50s
-Erica Bouyouris' Scott Pilgrim and Steven Universe Offerings 42m16s
-Calico Cuteness 44m13s
-Arkhipov Day on October 27th 44m29s
Topic: Competition and Competitiveness 44m53s
Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brands
Privacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

#88: Live at SHUX 2019! Oct 15, 2019

"You two are idiots."
-Quinns
We are live (on tape)! With special guest Quintin Smith aka Quinns from Shut Up & Sit Down. Also featuring guest appearances from French Canadian snack cakes, passive aggression, wonderful prizes (none for you, sorry, all gone), and the man who saved your life, Vasili Arkhipov! Also some feedback and noise from the megagame next door. Oh, well.
Games Played Last Week:
-Irish Gauge 8m34s (Tom Russell, Capstone Games, 2014)
-Mandala 10m39s (Trevor Benjamin & Brett J. Gilbert, Lookout Games, 2019)
-Warband: Against the Darkness 15m20s (Micah Fuller, Dyskami Publishing Company, 2015)
-Ragusa 18m29s (Fabio Lopiano, Capstone Games, 2019)
-Flash Duel 22m43s (David Sirlin, Sirlin Games, 2010)
-Cowboy Bebop: Boardgame Boogie 27m17s (Josh Derksen, Thomas M. Gofton, & Aron Murch, Jasco Games, 2019)
-Glory to Rome 29m37s (Carl Chudyk, Cambridge Games Factory, 2005)
-Labyrinthos 31m07s (Lindsey Rose, Dog Might Games, 2020)
-Quacks of Quedlinburg 36m03s (Wolfgang Warsch, Schmidt Spiele, 2018)
-Ancient Civilizations of the Inner Sea 42m22s (Mark McLaughlin & Chris Vorder Bruegge, GMT Games, 2019)
News (and why it doesn't matter):
-Boardgame anime! 48m24s
-Kemet 1.5 in English 50m38s
-Cooper Island 51m17s
-Arkhipov Day on October 27th 51m36s
Audience Questions 54m31s
Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brands
Privacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

#87: Market Saturation Oct 01, 2019

The saturation point is the point at which you can no longer dissolve a deck of cards into a bottle of water. I am told that in summer, it feels hotter than it is really is because of all the board game particles diffused throughout the air. It gets really hard to breathe sometimes--my cousin nearly choked on a cube, once. The dewpoint, I think, is the temperature at which a full copy of Catan will coalesce out of nowhere. Join us for our podcast about science.
AYURIS: Thunderstone Quest 2m22s (Mike Elliott, Bryan Reese, & Mark Wootton, AEG, 2018)
Games Played Last Week:
-Teotihuacan: Late Preclassic Period 4m06s (Rainer Ahlfors, Andrei Novac, & Daniele Tascini, Board2Dice, 2019)
-Tigris & Euphrates 6m07s (Reiner Knizia, Hans im Gluck, 1997)
-Cockroach Poker 8m36s (Jacques Zeimet, Drei Magier Spiele, 2004)
-Sidereal Confluence 10m22s (TauCeti Deichmann, Wizkids, 2017)
-Slide Quest 12m27s (Nicolas Bourgoin & Jean-François Rochas, Blue Orange, 2019)
-Obscurio 13m24s (L'Atelier, Libellud, 2019)
-Mental Blocks 16m49s (Jonathan Gilmour & Micah Sawyer, Pandasaurus Games, 2019)
-Conspiracy: The Solomon Gambit 19m17s (Rob Daviau, JR Honeycutt, Justin D. Jacobson, & Eric Solomon, Restoration Games, 2019)
News (and why it doesn't matter):
-Time Machine, Redux 22m42s
-Tajuto: Fresh Take on Buddhism 25m58s
-Pfister's Bizarre Rewriting of History, Again 29m15s
-Doesn't he know that Scott Pilgrim's the best fighter in the province? 31m31s
-Warhammer Underworlds Beastgrave: Pre-Made Decks 32m33s
Topic: Market Saturation 34m12s
Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brands
Privacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

#86: Tapestry Sep 24, 2019

The cube trundles onward, marching inexorably--if haltingly--towards its ultimate destination. It is told it must explore, and so explore it does. The other cube conquers, but that is not this cube's concern. They met once at a party. It seemed nice, but that was long ago, and the cube must explore, not mingle. Sometimes it does not explore; sometimes it scores for some quantity of non-explore things. These things it does not understand, but it knows that points are good, and so it does those things. The explore cube also cares about farms, for some reason, and mushrooms. Near the end of its track, it pauses--not for lack of mushrooms, this time, but out of an uncharacteristic self-doubt. Why does it do these things, it wonders. What mad god intersperses these random tasks so? And down from Olympus comes the pronouncement of the cube's controller--perhaps that very mad god, or perhaps merely a lesser divinity in thrall of some yet more powerful, some yet more capricious deity--"BECAUSE THEME."
Games Played Last Week:
-Shards of Infinity 2m38s (Gary Arant & Justin Gary, Stone Blade Entertainment, 2018)
-The Bridges of Shangri-La 4m33s (Leo Colovini, Uberplay, 2003)
-Vengeance 9m22s (Gordon Calleja, Mighty Boards, 2018)
-Slide Quest 12m03s (Nicolas Bourgoin & Jean-François Rochas, Blue Orange, 2019)
-Gaslands: Refuelled 14m02s (Mike Hutchinson, Osprey Publishing, 2019)
News (and why it doesn't matter):
-Walker deploys facts, CMON travels in time 18m00s
-More Warhammer Underworlds 21m58s
-More Sidereal Confluence 24m20s
-Foundations of Rome 25m44s
-Mark must resist Obsidian Protocol 26m07s
-Blacklist Games' Hour of Need 27m19s
-Root RPG 28m34s
Feature Game: Tapestry 29m06s (Jamey Stegmaier, Stonemaier Games, 2019)
Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brands
Privacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

#85: Tableau-Builders Sep 17, 2019

Mark thinks it is colossally unfair that he gets so much flak for speaking French when mediocre game designers get to throw around a word like "tableau." Then again, Mark and Walker can't quite agree on what a tableau constitutes. Mark seems to define it the way that American judge famously defined pornography--he knows it when he sees it--whereas Walker is more conspiratorial about tableaus (Tableaux? Tableausies?), seeing them everywhere and lurking behind every player board or suite of special powers. Nothing seems to inspire disagreement among geeks like a taxonomy.
AYURIS: Street Masters 2m17s (Adam Sadler & Brady Sadler, Blacklist Games, 2018)
Games Played Last Week:
-Attribute 5m27s (Marcel-Andre Casasola Merkle, Z-Man Games, 2002)
-Pax Pamir: Second Edition 7m33s (Cole Wehrle, Wehrlegig Games, 2019)
-Air, Land & Sea 9m57s (Jon Perry, Arcane Wonders, 2018)
-Shadows of Malice: Revised 2nd Printing 13m27s (Jim Felli, Devious Weasel Games, 2019)
-Undaunted: Normandy 17m10s (Trevor Benjamin & David Thompson, Osprey Games, 2019)
-Infinity 21m44s (Gutier Lusquiños Rodríguez, Corvus Belli, 2005)
News (and why it doesn't matter):
-Root's solitaire expansion 23m54s
-Donning more Purple 24m42s
-Mark pleads for strength in the face of Aeon Trespass 26m27s
-John Company 2nd edition: Mo JoCo Fo Sho 28m14s
Topic: Tableau-Builders 29m10s
Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brands
Privacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

#84: Black Angel Sep 10, 2019

Adorable little pudgy robots soar through a blazing pink sky, stubby arms outstretched as they speed towards their destination--a yellow planet in the distance. "GIVE ME YOAR COOOBS" bellow the aliens upon arrival. "POINTZ 4 COOOOBS." A robot obliges, and a sonorous "cha-ching" resounds through its programming. But the robot is now a drifting derelict, its home ship long gone. It is now doomed to tumble through inky pinkness until its energy reserves burn to nothing. It begins to wonder, "Why have I done this? What is my purpose? What is this all for?" And the cosmos replies with a whisper, "It is for 1-4 players."
Games Played Last Week:
-Hellboy: The Board Game 2m03s (James M. Hewitt & Sophie Williams, Mantic Games, 2019)
-Mech Command: RTS 4m37s (Chris Gabrielson, Bad Crow Games, 2018)
-Modern Art 8m06s (Reiner Knizia, CMON, 2017)
-XenoShyft: Dreadmire 10m21s (Michael Shinall, CMON, 2017)
-Among Thieves 12m32s (Floyd Pretz, Indie Boards & Cards, 2019)
-Barenpark 15m58s (Phil Walker-Harding, Lookout Games, 2017)
-Pax Renaissance 19m35s (Phil Eklund & Matt Eklund, Sierra Madre Games, 2016)
News (and why it doesn't matter):
-Walker getz Dized 21m50s
-Kemet 1.5 22m49s
-Terra Mystica expands, why no Gaia Project? 24m32s
-Vengeance: Director's Cut 25m35s
-Co-op Trick-taking 27m38s
Feature Game: Black Angel 28m26s (Sébastien Dujardin, Xavier Georges, & Alain Orban, Pearl Games, 2019)
Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brands
Privacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

#83: Card-Driven Games Sep 03, 2019

We return to games of weeks past, for the most part, to see if our initial impressions persist. We were young and foolish in past weeks, of course, whereas now we are older and foolish. Whether our errors mature like fine wine or spoil to the vinegar of harsh insight is up to you. One thing is certain, though--our metaphors certainly aren't getting any sweeter.
AYURIS: SEAL Team Flix 2m09s (Pete Ruth & Mark Thomas, WizKids, 2018)
Games Played Last Week:
-Kobayakawa 5m46s (Jun Sasaki, IELLO, 2013)
-Black Angel 7m25s (Sébastien Dujardin, Xavier Georges, & Alain Orban, Pearl Games, 2019)
-Human Punishment: Social Deduction 2.0 9m05s (Stefan Godot, Godot Games, 2018)
-Teotihuacan: Late Preclassic Period 12m40s (Rainer Ahlfors, Andrei Novac, & Daniele Tascini, Board&Dice, 2019)
-Import/Export 17m52s (Jordan Draper, Dark Flight, 2017)
-Rangers of Shadow Deep 21m37s (Joseph McCullough, Self-published, 2018)
-Horizon Wars 23m13s (Robey Jenkins, Osprey Publishing, 2016)
News (and why it doesn't matter):
-Vague intimations of important podcast news
-Evil Dead 2 made whole? 25m26s
-IGA Nominations announced 27m07s
Topic: Card-Driven Games 28m24s
Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brands
Privacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

#82: Edge of Darkness Aug 27, 2019

The Card Crafting System returns once more, its heaps of mylar inserting into our gaming life. I would say it darkens our door, but the things are mostly transparent, so the idiom doesn't quite fit. One wonders whether and how one could sleeve a Card Crafting game, given that the games largely consist of sleeves already--but once one has witnessed the recursive horror that is sleeve sleeves, you cannot doubt the persistence and ingenuity of the Cult of Sleeves. They will, like life, find a way--perhaps sleeving each insert before inserting them into an ur-sleeve that will smother us all. The horror.
Games Played Last Week:
-Tiny Epic Mechs 1m32s (Scott Almes, Gamelyn Games, 2019)
-Yokohama 2m45s (Hisashi Hayashi, Tasty Minstrel Games, 2016)
-Risk: Mass Effect Galaxy at War Edition 7m43s (Andrew Wolf, The OP, 2013)
-Pulsar 2849 10m37s (Vladimír Suchý, CGE, 2017)
-Antidote 13m06s (Dennis Hoyle, Bellwether Games, 2013)
-Human Punishment: Social Deduction 2.0 14m33s (Stefan Godot, Godot Games, 2018)
-Villagers 18m21s (Haakon Gaarder, Sinister Fish Games, 2019)
News (and why it doesn't matter):
-Sidereal Confluence expansion? 20m12s
-New Orleans (gotta have a campaign) 21m11s
-More Steding: Gugong expansion 23m16s
-Pandemic system offshoots staying in print 23m53s
-Successors Kickstarter launched 25m40s
-Jagged Alliance expansion 27m59s
Feature Game: Edge of Darkness 29m10s (John D. Clair, AEG, 2019)
Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brands
Privacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

#81: Excluding People Aug 20, 2019

There are happy stories. Stories of social serendipity, where you like them and they like you, and all opinions are as one and there is harmony. Where no awkward conversations need be had and no unfortunate lines drawn. Where no one is annoyed, and no one is harassed, and no one must bury their preferences so as to placate another. These are not these stories.
AYURIS: Food Chain Magnate 1m37s (Jeroen Doumen & Joris Wiersinga, Splotter Spellen, 2015)
Games Played Last Week:
-Gugong 3m50s (Andreas Steding, Game Brewer, 2018)
-Infinity 4m37s (Gutier Lusquiños Rodríguez, Corvus Belli, 2005)
-Slide Quest 7m34s (Nicolas Bourgoin & Jean-François Rochas, Blue Orange, 2019)
-Rhino Hero Super Battle 11m41s (Scott Frisco & Steven Strumpf, HABA, 2017)
-Tiny Epic Mechs 13m40s (Scott Almes, Gamelyn Games, 2019)
-Horizon Wars 16m50s (Robey Jenkins, Osprey Publishing, 2016)
-Calimala 20m39s (Fabio Lopiano, ADC Blackfire Entertainment GmbH, 2017)
News (and why it doesn't matter):
-Hansa Teutonica Big Box! 21m52s
-After the After the Empire Kickstarter 23m00s
-Blacklist Games goes 8-bit with Bomberman and Contra 24m15s
-Asmodee bought something again (again) 25m27s
-Mark Rosewater “Why Diversity Matters in Game Design” 26m41s
https://magic.wizards.com/en/articles/archive/making-magic/why-diversity-matters-game-design-2019-08-19
Topic: When, Why and How to Exclude People 27m32s
Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brands
Privacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

#80: Warcry Aug 13, 2019

So. Many. Games. Even after careful curation and surgical editing, Mark and Walker talk about thirteen different games they played last week, not even counting the feature game. It was truly a good week. New games! Old games! Co-ops, minis, dexterity, wargames! Come join us at the cornucopia of amusement that is this week's SVWAG.
Games Played Last Week:
-Beasts of Balance 1m29s (George Buckenham & Alex Fleetwood, Sensible Object, 2016)
-Teotihuacan: City of Gods 3m32s (Daniele Tascini, NSKN Games, 2018)
-Obsession 4m19s (Dan Halladay, Kayenta Games, 2018)
-Star Trek: Conflick in the Neutral Zone 6m31s (Mike Elliott, WizKids, 2019)
-Pandemic: Fall of Rome 11m10s (Matt Leacock & Paolo Mori, Z-Man, 2018)
-Pandemic: Rapid Response 12m25s (Kane Klenko, Z-Man Games, 2019)
-Concordia 16m18s (Mac Gerdts, PD-Verlag, 2013)
-Pulsar 2849 19m26s (Vladimír Suchý, CGE, 2017)
-Lords of Hellas: Dark Ages Expansion 25m01s (Adam Kwapiński, Awaken Realms, 2019)
-Just One 28m06s (Ludovic Roudy & Bruno Sautter, Repos Production, 2018)
-Sekigahara: The Unification of Japan 28m41s (Matt Calkins, GMT, 2011)
-Tannhauser Revised Edition 31m22s (Daniel Clark, J. R. Godwin, William Grosselin, & Jeff Tidball, Fantasy Flight, 2010)
-Core Worlds 34m22s (Andrew Parks, Stronghold, 2011)
News (and why it doesn't matter):
-https://www.patreon.com/svwag
-Puerto Rico reprint 35m43s
-How to earn success with Successors 36m57s
-Gloomhaven digital early access 38m51s
-Those without SEAL Team Flix, you have failed 39m28s
-The Tiny Epic brand goes Ultra Tiny 40m21s
-A Tapestry of distribution 41m01s
Feature Game: Warhammer Age of Sigmar: Warcry 42m33s (Uncredited, Games Workshop, 2019)
Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brands
Privacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

#79: Would Have Done at GenCon Aug 06, 2019

What is gaming other than an outlet for vicarious experiences and thrills? To enjoy the simulacrum of killing, adventure, high finance, and impressing feudal lords? We can thus assert with great sincerity that ours shall be the very best GenCon coverage, in that we didn't go. Why trust the easily-misled first hand accounts? We know from both philosophy and science that sense data deceives. You can put your faith in our reflections, completely unbiased by any experience.
AYURIS: Kemet 1m15s (Jacques Bariot & Guillaume Montiage, Matagot, 2012)
Games Played Last Week:
-Kemet 3m57s (Jacques Bariot & Guillaume Montiage, Matagot, 2012)
-Tower of Babel 5m41s (Reiner Knizia, Hans im Gluck, 2005)
-Q.E. 10m09s (Gavin Birnbaum, Boardgametables.com, 2019)
-The Ares Project 11m53s (Brian Engelstein & Geoff Engelstein, Z-Man, 2011)
-Mech Command RTS 14m28s (Chris Gabrielson, Bad Crow Games, 2018)
-Import/Export 20m14s (Jordan Draper, Dark Flight Games, 2017)
News (and why it doesn't matter):
-How many Cyperpunks does one need? 25m05s
-An actual Eric Lang joint: Ankh 25m33s
-More Fiasco 26m51s
-Everyone can relax, Mark has been made whole 28m28s
Topic: What We Would Have Done at GenCon 30m39s
Lou Zocchi: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qXZbdZNuRIw&t=5s
Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brands
Privacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

#78: Pax Renaissance Jul 30, 2019

Failure can be a fortuitous thing, which is very good for Mark, as he is well accustomed to failure. While this week's review of Pax Renaissance is certainly not on the scale of, say, penicillin, it did give him the opportunity to play one of his top 20 games more. As to whether Walker profited or suffered from this development is a deep and abiding mystery solvable only by listening to this week's episode.
Games Played Last Week:
-Gaslands 2m29s (Glenn Ford & Mike Hutchinson, Osprey Publishing, 2017)
-Space Hulk 3rd edition 4m56s (Richard Halliwell, Games Workshop, 2009)
-Horizon Wars 7m37s (Robey Jenkins, Osprey Publishing, 2016)
-Time of Crisis 10m30s(Wray Ferrell & Brad Johnson, GMT, 2017)
-Q.E. 12m30s (Gavin Birnbaum, Boardgametables.com, 2019)
-Lords of Hellas: Dark Ages Expansion 15m12s (Adam Kwapinski, Awaken Realms, 2019)
-Getaway Driver 16m12s (Jeff Beck, Uproarious Games, 2019)
News (and why it doesn't matter):
-Goodbye to Richard Berg 18m17s
-Spyfall through time 19m35s
-The unfolding Golden Bell situation 20m28s
-Walker shills his auction 23m53s
Feature Game: Pax Renaissance 24m14s (Phil Eklund & Matt Eklund, Sierra Madre Games, 2016)
Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brands
Privacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

#77: Tabletop Miniatures Gaming Jul 23, 2019

We can pretend that our adult pastimes are more sophisticated and evolved from the trivialities of mere children, but really, let's admit it--it's all the same. We can't claim any degree of superiority when compared to the antics of ankle-biters. Let's be mature about it and lean into the juvenalia, shall we? My doll is better than your doll. My doll has the Plasmanator Meltotron. You can't hit my doll, it has an invisible everything shield!
AYURIS: Keyflower 1m58s (Sebastian Bleasdale & Richard Breese, R&D Games, 2012)
Games Played Last Week:
-Pax Renaissance 4m25s (Phil Eklund & Matt Eklund, Sierra Madre Games, 2016)
-Root 4m27s (Cole Wehrle, Leder Games, 2018)
-Neuroshima Hex! 3.0 6m46s (Michal Oracz, Portal Games, 2006)
-Modern Art 8m30s (Reiner Knizia, CMON, 2017)
-Quadropolis 12m30s (Francois Gandon, Days of Wonder, 2016)
-Lords of Hellas: Lord of the Sun 14m03s (Adam Kwapinski, Awaken Realms, 2019)
-Men at Work 17m53s (Rita Modl, Pretzel Games, 2019)
-Rhino Hero Giant Edition 18m57s (Scott Frisco & Steven Strumpf, Sugorokuya, 2018)
-Piratenbillard 20m36s (Reinhold Wittig, ABACUSSPIELE, 1959)
-Joraku 22m47s (Iori Tsukinami, Tasty Minstrel, 2015)
News (and why it doesn't matter):
-CMON's "Teburu": The future? 25m17s
-Mental Blocks at Gencon 30m47s
-Real-time medical follies with Rush M.D. 32m07s
-More Carl Chudyk in the Aegean Sea 33m09s
-Dragonball Zed 34m58s
-Spiel des Jahres winners 35m51s
-More Aristeia! 36m56s
Topic: Tabletop Miniatures Gaming 38m03s
Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brands
Privacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

#76: Sol: Last Days of a Star Jul 16, 2019

"May you get everything you want" is nothing short of a curse, I think, and so this week we curse you with your own desires. You wanted us to play Middara, so we did. You wanted more information about Sol: Last Days of a Star, so we oblige. As you weep, surrounded by the wreckage wrought by your own wishes, don't come to us for solace, for we are but the accomplices of your own self-destruction. Also, if that weren't terrifying enough, intergalactic scorpions!
Games Played Last Week:
-Men at Work 1m43s (Rita Modl, Pretzel Games, 2019)
-Middara: Unintentional Malum Act 1 5m48s (Clayton Helme, Brooklynn Lundberg, Brennon Moncur, & Ian Tate, SUccubus Publishing, 2019)
-Dinosaur Island 12m44s (Jonathan Gilmour & Brian Lewis, Pandasaurus Games, 2017)
-Planet 14m11s (Urtis Šulinskas, Blue Orange, 2018)
-Rangers of Shadow Deep 17m38s (Joseph McCullough, Self-published, 2018)
-Pax Renaissance 19m39s (Phil Eklund & Matt Eklund, Sierra Madre Games, 2016)
-Tsukuyumi: Full Moon Dawn 20m16s (Felix Mertikat, King Racoon Games, 2018)
News (and why it doesn't matter):
-Conan. Again. 25m46s
-Good compatibility news about Quest for El Dorado 26m19s
-Kingdomino gets a roll-and-write 26m51s
-Yggdrasil needed a campaign 27m44s
-Through the Ages expands after 16 years 28m56s
-Support for Meltwater's Erin Lee Escobedo's mom 29m50s
https://www.gofundme.com/f/help-kirsten-beat-cancer
Feature Game: Sol: Last Days of a Star 30m39s (Ryan Spangler & Sean Spangler, Elephant Laboratories, 2017)
Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brands
Privacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

#75: Auctions Jul 09, 2019

Since tableau-building today is very much what auctions were twenty years ago, we take a look at both in this week's episode. The Pax games continue ever onward, even as most of our favourite auction game were published 10+ years ago. Mark resists the urge to go off on a tangent about the Trolley Problem, which allows Walker to resist the urge to send Mark's teeth off on a tangent from his mouth. Compromise.
AYURIS: 1m32s Hyperborea (Andrea Chiarvesio & Pierluca Zizzi, Asterion Press, 2014)
Orleans (Reiner Stockhausen, dlp Games, 2014)
Altiplano (Reiner Stockhausen, dlp Games, 2017)
Games Played Last Week:
-Thunderstone Quest: Barricades Mode 4m14s (Mike Elliott, Bryan Reese, & Mark Wootton, AEG, 2019)
-Pax Pamir (Second Edition) 9m01s (Cole Wehrle, Wehrelegig Games, 2019)
-Sol: Last Days of a Star 17m16s (Ryan Spangler & Sean Spangler, Elephant Laboratories, 2017)
-Skip-Bo 21m36s (Hazel "Skip" Bowman, Mattel, 1967)
-LAMA (aka Wrath of the Appliances: Rise of the Killer Kameras) 23m10s (Reiner Knizia, AMIGO, 2019)
-Glen More 24m32s (Matthias Cramer, alea, 2010)
-Among Thieves 26m53s (Floyd Pretz, Indie Boards & Cards, 2019)
News (and why it doesn't matter):
-Planned obsolescence in Quest for El Dorado? 31m50s
-Pacific Rim could defy expectations? 32m35s
-Tariff reprieve? 33m10s
-Knizia's Babylonia shows promise? 33m45s
-Will Mark sap the fun out of Principle Dilemma? 34m42s
Topic: Auctions 36m46s
Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brands
Privacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

#74: Star Wars Outer Rim Jul 02, 2019

I swear, one dude gets his arm cut off in a cantina and we're still harping on about it forty years later. Have a sense of proportion! I got beat up in high school twenty years ago, but you don't hear me whining. That dude should have done what I did--rounded up a posse and threatened retaliation if any assault persisted. He could have rallied those pushed around by laser sword-wielding hermits and made the galaxy safe for... hold on, I think I just started writing fanfic.
Games Played Last Week:
-Antike II 1m33s (Mac Gerdts, PD-Verlag, 2015)
-Council of 4 3m42s (Simone Luciani & Daniele Tascini, CMON, 2015)
-Deception: Murder in Hong Kong 6m18s (Tobey Ho, Grey Fox Games, 2014)
-Gaslands: Refuelled 8m06s (Mike Hutchinson, Osprey Publishing, 2019)
-Rangers of Shadow Deep 10m04s (Joseph McCullough, Self-published, 2019)
-Beasts of Balance 12m51s (George Buckenham & Alex Fleetwood, Sensible Object, 2016)
News (and why it doesn't matter):
-Die Macher Die Hards Disappointed 14m24s
-Flotilla invents the post-apocalypse 16m36s
-Ticket to Ride: The Musical? 17m22s
-Dance Card (High School 2.0) 19m00s
-Bloomberg article follow-up by Eric J. Francis 20m27s
https://www.reddit.com/r/boardgames/comments/c7pnf7/i_wrote_that_bloomberg_article_on_luxury_board/
Feature Game: Star Wars: Outer Rim 23m57s (Corey Konieczka with Tony Fanchi, FFG, 2019)
Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brands
Privacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

#73: Second Chances Jun 25, 2019

Knowing when to give up is a valuable skill. As children we are told to stick with painful and unpleasant things, and while that is often wise, sometimes it just results in more pain. Discerning the difference between choking down one's vegetables--good!--and pursuing a hobby merely for the sake of it--bad!--is a tricky bit of prudence that many adults can't quite seem to get. The notion of an "acquired taste" is somewhat related. Eating chocolate is something you can nail the first time and every time, so acquiring a taste for expensive Scotch whisky that tastes of dirt seems a little off. But sometimes... sometimes! You should try that thing again.
AYURIS: Crisis at Steamfall 4m16s (Tom Stasiak, Beautiful Disaster Games, 2019)
Games Played Last Week:
-Just One 6m04s (Ludovic Roudy & Bruno Sautter, Repos Productions)
-Isle of Skye: From Chieftain to King 9m06s (Andreas Pelikan & Alexander Pfister, Lookout Games, 2015)
-Up Front 10m49s (Courtney F. Allen, Avalon Hill, 1983)
-Sol: Last Days of a Star 14m45s (Ryan Spangler & Sean Spangler, Elephant Laboratories, 2017)
-Bunny Kingdom 20m41s (Richard Garfield, IELLO, 2017)
-Rangers of Shadow Deep 25m25s (Joseph McCullough, Self-published, 2019)
News (and why it doesn't matter):
-More Middara 29m28s
-Starfarers of Catan Returns 30m32s
-Bloomberg Doesn't Understand 32m03s
-Pronunciation Legends from CMON 35m13s
Topic: Second Chances 36m14s
Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brands
Privacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

#72: Hellboy: The Board Game Jun 18, 2019

This is not, strictly speaking, the first foray into gaming that Hellboy has done--not even the first in the miniatures genre. There were some Hellboy Heroclix, but let us speak as adults--that's not really saying much. Everyone has been in Heroclix now. 43% of the human population has been represented as a Heroclix figure at some point. Walker has, like, four different versions (albeit two of those are repaints). I hear the "Raging Fury" Walker figure is banned in most tournament play.
Games Played Last Week:
-Just One 1m59s (Ludovic Roudy & Bruno Sautter, Repos Productions)
-Lords of Hellas 4m57s (Awam Kwapinski, Awaken Realms, 2018)
-Tammany Hall 7m39s (Doug Eckhart, IDW Games, 2007)
Editorial note: Mark erred in his playing of Tammany Hall (unused favour chips are not worth points). We'll have a full correction next week, and Mark will revisit the game as soon as he can. We apologize for the error.
-Small City 14m37s (Alban Viard, AVStudioGames, 2015)
News (and why it doesn't matter):
-Free Doomrock expansion! 21m55s
-Moar Apocalypse with Last Aurora 23m00s
-Sadler Bros.' Altar Quest 24m00s
Feature Game: Hellboy: The Board Game 24m35s (James M. Hewitt & Sophie Williams, Mantic Games, 2019)
Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brands
Privacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

#71: You Need to Take a Little Off the Top, Bud Jun 11, 2019

Heroscape! This show has spent far, far too long talking about things that are not Heroscape. Today we attempt to remedy that deficiency by talking about Heroscape, which is a game--nay, an experience--nay, a lifestyle!--worth discussing. It was a wonderful retail oddity, an overproduced and affordable big box beauty. It is why basements were invented. It isn't the greatest game, but it is definitely Heroscape.
AYURIS: Lords of Hellas 1m54s (Awam Kwapinski, Awaken Realms, 2018)
Games Played Last Week:
-Junk Art 6m31s (Jay Cormier & Sen-Foong Lim, Pretzel Games, 2016)
-Claustrophobia 1643 9m02s (Croc & Laurent Pouchain, Monolith, 2019)
-Pax Renaissance 12m34s (Matt Eklund & Phil Eklund, Sierra Madre, 2016)
-Heroscape 13m32s (Stephen Baker, Rob Daviau, & Craig Van Ness, Hasbro, 2004)
-Scythe 16m37s (Jamey Stegmaier, Stonemaier Games, 2016)
-Newton 18m20s (Simone Luciani & Nestore Mangone, Cranio Creations, 2018)
News (and why it doesn't matter):
-Earth Reborn Reborn? 20m44s
https://www.boardgamegeek.com/article/32180941#32180941
-Too Many Too Many Bones? 22m36s
-Co-op City Building 23m32s
-Karate Tomate! 24m18s
-RTS -> Cardboard in Company of Heroes 26m05s
-Snake? SNAAKE! 27m22s
-Post-Apocalyptic Small Furry Things 29m19s
-Jim Felli's The World Reapers: A Game of Overpowered, World-Eating, Cosmic Frogs 30m05s
Topic: You Need to Take a Little Off the Top, Bud 32m14s
Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brands
Privacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

#70: Asgard's Chosen Jun 04, 2019

Do you sometimes feel like having your blind brother hurl spears at you as a party trick? Do you feel the urge to put your hand in a giant wolf's mouth to make your friends feel bad? Do you wish you could ride a chariot pulled by cats for no discernible reason? Do you long to carry on rambling conversations with a severed head? Do you want days of the week to be named after you?
Well, this is your episode!
Games Played Last Week:
-Just One 1m26s (Ludovic Roudy & Bruno Sautter, Repos Productions, 2018)
-Lords of Hellas 3m12s (Adam Kwapiński, Awaken Realms, 2018)
-Combat Commander: Europe 5m26s(Chad Jensen, GMT, 2006)
-Barenpark 7m56s (Phil Walker-Harding, Lookout Games, 2017)
-Corporate America 8m31s (Teale Fristoe, Nothing Sacred Games, 2013)
-Reykholt 10m09s (Uwe Rosenberg, Frosted Games, 2018)
-Burning Suns 11m05s (Emil Larson, SunTzu Games, 2013)
-51st State: Master Set - Allies 13m32s (Joanna Kijanka & Ignacy Trzewiczek, Portal Games, 2019)
-Tammany Hall 16m12s (Doug Eckhart, IDW Games, 2007)
News (and why it doesn't matter):
-Chad Jensen diagnosed with cancer and is raising funds 21m24s
https://www.gofundme.com/help-chad-with-chemo
-Stack with Tuki 22m16s
-Ready availability of Queenies? 23m16s
-Papillon flies again 24m51s
-Modiphius doubles down on Bethesda 25m31s
Feature Game: Asgard's Chosen 27m14s (Morgan Dontanville, Mayfair Games, 2013)
Solo variant: https://www.boardgamegeek.com/thread/1058313/solo-variant-more-tense-gameplay
Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brands
Privacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

#69: How Big a Collection? May 28, 2019

Names are powerful. The Spiel des Jahres means "game of the year" simpliciter, but for years we know that the juries have been casting a narrower and narrower net of what games thay would consider. It has become more of a specialized imprint, which is fine--but it's strange that the name still inspires such cachet. Anything with rules in excess of 3 or so pages seems now to be firmly beyond the pale as far as the SdJ is concerned. Ah, well, times change, and we are prone to fits of curmudgeonly behavior. We do at least give our rundown of the 3 nominated games.
AYURIS: The City of Kings 1m02s (Frank West, The City of Games, 2018)
Games Played Last Week:
-Trick Shot 2m35s (Nikita Krylov &Artyom Nichipurov, Wolff Designa, 2019)
-LAMA aka Wrath of the Appliances: Rise of the Killer Kameras 4m50s (Reiner Knizia, AMIGO, 2019)
-Just One 8m01s (Ludovic Roudy & Bruno Sautter, Repos Productions, 2018)
-Red Alert: Space Fleet Warfare 10m03s (Richard Borg, PSC Games, 2019)
-Fireball Island: The Curse of Vol-Kar 13m51s (Rob Daviau, JR Honeycutt, Justin D. Jacobson, Chuck Kennedy, & Bruce Lund, Restoration Games, 2018)
-Hansa Teutonica 15m38s (Andreas Steding, Z-Man Games, 2010)
-SpaceCorp 17m03s (John H. Butterfield, GMT Games, 2018)
-Rayguns and Rocketships 19m33s (Scott Rogers, IDW Games, 2017)
News (and why it doesn't matter):
-The tangled webs Kickstarter weaves (and then pulls) 26m23s
(Correction: During this segment we mistakenly conflated Travis Worthington of Indie Boards and Cards and Travis R. Chance of Kolossal Games. They have both had projects canceled by Kickstarter. We apologize for the error.)
-Endeavor: Age of Expansion Expansion 30m30s
-Pandemic Targets real-time 31m51s
Topic: How Big a Collection? 33m00s
Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brands
Privacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

#68: Gentes Deluxified May 21, 2019

Credibility, like a butterfly, is a fragile and beautiful thing. Mark is fundamentally opposed to subtlety and ephemeral joy, so he naturally seeks to destroy either whenever he encounters it. When it comes to credibility he does this by routinely making gross over-generalizations. This time he has managed to make an instant replay-esque correction, at least. As for what he does to butterflies, let's just say he manages to make garden parties awkward.
Games Played Last Week:
-Bios: Megafauna 2nd Edition 3m08s (Andrew Doull, Phil Eklund, & Jon Manker, Sierra Madre, 2017)
-Brook City 6m37s (Adam Sadler & Brady Sadler, Blacklist Games, 2019)
-Rayguns and Rocketships 12m06s (Scott Rogers, IDW Games, 2017)
-A Game of Thrones: Catan--Brotherhood of the Watch 15m45s (Klaus Teuber & Benjamin Teuber, Fantasy Flight, 2017)
News (and why it doesn't matter)
-Walker expands what he no longer has 22m00s
-Wherefore art thou, journalism? Round 1: Tariffs vs. Gamers 22m31s
(Polygon article: http://bit.ly/polygontariffs)
-Space Invaders 27m16s
-Round 2: Stonemaier vs. Gaming Goat 28m01s
-Papillon rises again? 30m41s
Feature Game: Gentes: Deluxified 31m38s (Stefan Risthaus, Tasty Minstrel, 2018)
Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brands
Privacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

#67: Good Games that Induce Pain May 14, 2019

Summer is here, friends and neighbours, and with it comes a a thickening of the blood that prompts torpor. We here at SVWAG are part lizard, you see, and so we must budget additional time to sun ourselves and slough off our scales. At any rate, we will be shifting to a summer schedule but still releasing an episode every week--though the magic of segment-swapping. How can such wizardry be true? The secrets are revealed herein!
AYURIS: Mage Knight 2m10s (Vlaada Chvatil, WizKids, 2011)
Games Played Last Week:
-Imperius 5m36s (Grant Rodiek, Kolossal Games, 2018)
-Bärenpark 7m18s (Phil Walker-Harding, Lookout, 2017)
-Burning Suns 10m05s (Emil Larson, SunTzuGames, 2013)
-Downfall 13m11s (John D. Clair, Tasty Minstrel, 2019)
-Adrenaline: Team Play DLC 15m41s (Filip Neduk, Czech Games Edition, 2018)
-Pandemic: Fall of Rome 17m39s (Matt Leacock & Paolo Mori, Z-Man, 2018)
-Space Cadets: Dice Duel 19m25s (Geoff Engelstein and Sydney Engelstein, Stronghold, 2013)
-Gentes: Deluxified Edition 21m14s (Stefan Risthaus, Tasty Minstrel, 2018)
-Roll for the Galaxy 24m53s (Wei-Hwa Huang & Thomas Lehmann, Rio Grande, 2014)
-Brook City 26m54s (Adam Sadler & Brady Sadler, Blacklist Games, 2019)
News (and why it doesn't matter)
-Trick Shot on Kickstarter 31m16s
-No dice for BloodBorne 32m36s
-Pax Renaissance goes deluxe but not -ified 33m08s
-Die Macher improves its graphics 34m18s
-Cleopatra, comin' at ya (Clone High fans? Anyone?) 36m00s
-Scythe goes modular, jumps shark? 37m03s
Topic: Good Games that Induce Pain 38m07s
Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brands
Privacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

#66: Warpgate and Biggest Rules Mistakes Apr 30, 2019

We humble ourselves before you, O merciful audience, so as to lay bare our sins against the gaming world. Granted we toil as rules explainers on the behalf of ungrateful vermin who do not appreciate our labours, but nonetheless we take full responsibility for mildly inconveniencing the filthy ingrates who can't be bothered to read a rulebook. We implore that these monstrously selfish demons might find it in their paltry hearts and feeble minds to grant us a little mercy. We sincerely apologize to these subhuman monsters, we truly do.
AYURIS: Feudum 3m20s (Mark K. Swanson, Odd Bird Games, 2017)
Games Played Last Week:
-The Boldest 4m38s (Sophia Wagner, Pegasus Spiele, 2019)
-Wingspan 6m36s (Elizabeth Hargrave, Stonemaier Games, 2019)
-Council of 4 9m00s (Simone Luciani & Daniele Tascini, Cranio Creations, 2015)
-Root 11m42s (Cole Wehrle, Leder Games, 2018)
-Imperius 12m20s (Grant Rodiek, Kolossal Games, 2018)
-Siege of the Citadel 15m23s (Richard Borg, Eric M. Lang, Jason Little, & Kevin Wilson, Modiphius, 2019)
News (and why it doesn't matter)
-51st State expands with Allies 18m00s
-Mark is not a lawyer on the Great Western Trail 19m14s
-In space, no one can hear you roleplay 21m59s
-Warhammer Underworlds goes digital 22m32s
-Terraforming Kickstarter 23m27s
-Kolossal Kickstarter takedown 24m15s
Feature Game: Warpgate 26m52s (Artyom Nichipurov, Wolff Designa, 2018)
Topic: Biggest Rules Mistakes 53m10s
Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brands
Privacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

#65: Cthulhu Wars and Dueling Rulesets Apr 23, 2019

"Money makes the world go 'round" is a common saying decried by most astronomers and physicists, who instead stubbornly maintain that it is due to some invisible thing that can't even qualify for a credit card. "More money than God" is also a strange phrasing, insofar as I believe the theological consensus (ranging from the Abrahamic faiths all the way to Pastafarianism) is that God does not hold assets in the standard sense. Then again, I've never seen His portfolio. Anyway, Cthulhu Wars is expensive and so are exciting plans.
AYURIS: Quartermaster General 2m35s (Ian Brody, Griggling Games, 2014)
Games Played Last Week:
-Walker has a family 4m24s
-Res Arcana 5m27s (Thomas Lehmann, Sand Castle Games, 2019)
-The Boldest 7m19s (Sophia Wagner, Pegasus Spiele, 2019)
-Snit's Revenge 10m51s (Tom Wham, TSR, 1977)
-Hanabi 12m39s (Antoine Bauza, R&R, 2010)
-FlickFleet 13m18s (Jackson Pope & Paul Willcox, Eurydice Games, 2018)
-Magnastorm 15m42s (Bauldric & Friends, Feuerland Spiele, 2018)
News (and why it doesn't matter)
-CMON licenses God of War... 18m48s
-...and Bloodborne 19m07s
-More pretty things from Ryan Laukat 20m20s
-Marco Polo voyages again 21m04s
-Warhammer Underworlds (Shadespire, really) lives on 21m58s
Feature Game: Cthulhu Wars 22m31s (Sandy Peterson & Lincoln Petersen, Petersen Games, 2015)
Topic: Dueling Rules: The "Right" Way to Play 51m30s
Loopin' Louie tournament rules: http://bit.ly/loopingtournament
Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brands
Privacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

#64: Batman: Gotham City Chronicles and Changing Tastes Apr 16, 2019

We spare you the onomatopoeias this week, as our audio editing software cannot process the brightly-coloured spiky expostulations properly. Walker gets to backpedal at full speed this week, having previously declared his being done with both 1 vs. all games and games with tons of minis. So he surely wouldn't have any enthusiasm for this 1 vs. all minis-heavy game, would he? Could he?!
Na na na na na na na na
Na na na na na na na na
PLASTIC
AYURIS: GKR: Heavy Hitters 1m25s (Matt Hyra, Cryptozoic Entertainment, 2018)
Games Played Last Week:
-Res Arcana 3m08s (Thomas Lehmann, Sand Castle Games, 2019)
-Warhammer Quest: Blackstone Fortress 6m56s (Jervis Johnson, Games Workshop, 2018)
-Warpgate 9m38s (Artyom Nichipurov, Wolff Designa, 2018)
-Titans Tactics 12m37s (G. Kelly Toyama, Imbalanced Games, 2013)
-Pax Renaissance 14m21s (Phil Eklund & Matt Eklund, Sierra Madre Games, 2016)
-For Sale 18m34s (Stefan Dorra, Uberplay, 1997)
News (and why it doesn't matter)
-Mensa? Do we care about Mensa? 19m26s
-Renegade charms again with Bubble Tea 21m40s
-Mega Vampires and Mega Werewolves 22m13s
-More tile-laying from Reiner Knizia 23m19s
Feature Game: Batman: Gotham City Chronicles 24m06s (Frédéric Henry, Monolith, 2019)
Topic: Changing Tastes Over Time 53m17s
Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brands
Privacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

#63: Catacombs 3rd ed. and Mastering a Game Apr 09, 2019

Here's the thing, at least as Mark understands it: acquired tastes are weird. Some things are great the first time. Furthermore, some things are easy and great the first time. Take chocolate, for example. Most people start out champs at eating chocolate. Mark tried to get good at something once, but he found out that requires effort. Who has time for ten thousand hours when there's elite-level candy consumption to be had? Walker on the other hand laments Mark's narrow little horizons.
AYURIS: Space Alert 2m59s (Vlaada Chvatil, CGE, 2008)
Games Played Last Week:
-Warpgate 4m22s (Artyom Nichipurov, Wolff Designa, 2018)
-Caverna: The Cave Farmers 6m38s (Uwe Rosenberg, Lookout Games, 2013)
-Codenames 8m10s (Vlaada Chvatil, CGE, 2015)
-KeyForge: Call of the Archons 9m29s (Richard Garfield, Fantasy Flight, 2018)
-Intrigue 10m06s (Stefan Dorra, AMIGO, 1994)
-Combat Commander: Europe 14m13s (Chad Jensen, GMT, 2006)
-Aristeia! 16m39s (Alberto Abal, Jesús Fuster, & David Rosillo, Corvus Belli, 2017)
-Pax Renaissance 19m01s (Phil Eklund & Matt Eklund, Sierra Madre Games, 2016)
News (and why it doesn't matter)
-Spread the Love Letter, spread the pain 21m59s
-In Defiance of the glut of dungeon crawlers 22m58s
-Conflick in the Neutral Zone, again 25m35s
-Scramble for outrage in wargamer land 26m37s
Feature Game: Catacombs 3rd ed. 28m44 (Ryan Amos, Marc Kelsey, & Aron West, Elzra Corp., 2015)
Topic: Mastering a Game 49m35s
Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brands
Privacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

#62: Calimala and Gaming Ambiance Apr 02, 2019

Today is a telling day in the annals of SVWAG, especially with respect to Mark coming to terms with his own essential wrongness. He gets to partially repent for his tonal excesses with respect to the AYURIS; he gets to mull over painful loves lost in Billionaire Banshee; and he gets to realize that once again that while Walker cares deeply about people, he cares mostly about stuffing his face and listening to loud music. Things get real.
AYURIS: Champions of Midgard 1m47s (Ole Steiness, Grey Fox Games, 2015)
Games Played Last Week:
-Die fiesen 7 4m03s (Jacques Zeimet, Drei Hasen in der Abendsonne, 2015)
-Factory Funner 6m17s (Corné van Moorsel, Cwali, 2016)
-Swordcrafters 7m15s (Ryan Lambert, Chris Neuman, & Adam Rehberg, Adam's Apple Games, 2018)
-Formula D 8m48s (Laurent Lavaur & Eric Randall, Asmodee, 2008)
-Billionaire Banshee 10m26s (Steven “Razlo” Bailey, Breaking Games, 2014)
-Quadropolis 13m20s (François Gandon, Days of Wonder, 2016)
-Vengeance 14m05s (Gordon Calleja, Mighty Boards, 2018)
-Race for the Galaxy: The Brink of War 15m35s (Thomas Lehmann, Rio Grande Games, 2010)
News (and why it doesn't matter)
-Carnival Zombie 2nd ed. finally shambles out of development limbo 17m28s
-Vicious, adorable creatures in Crumbs 19m03s
-Golden Geek Awards voting over 20m24s
-Bus reprint by Capstone 21m05s
Feature Game: Calimala 22m19s (Fabio Lopiano, ADC Blackfire Entertainment GmbH, 2017)
Topic: Gaming Ambiance 43m35s
Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brands
Privacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

#61: HATE and Knowing the Deck Mar 26, 2019

HATE has landed, and you can't have it. CMON's dalliances with Kickstarter exclusives have been numerous, but now they have their first Kickstarter-exclusive game. We review it not to taunt you with things you can't acquire, but rather to give you the vicarious thrill of someone who can have everything. Let your imagination whisk you away to a universe that is all plastic cannibalistic hardcases!
AYURIS: Battlelore 2nd Edition 2m14s (Richard Borg & Robert A. Kouba, FFG, 2013)
Games Played Last Week:
-Root 4m39s (Cole Wehrle, Leder Games, 2018)
-Gùgōng 6m37s (Andreas Steding, Game Brewer, 2018)
-Blood Rage 8m36s (Eric M. Lang, CMON, 2015)
-Die fiesen 7 10m34s (Jacques Zeimet, Drei Hasen in der Abendsonne, 2015)
-Calimala 11m33s (Fabio Lopiano, ADC Blackfire Entertainment GmbH, 2017)
-Hansa Teutonica 13m11s (Andreas Steding, Argentum Verlag, 2010)
-Amun-Re: The Card Game 13m54s (Reiner Knizia, Super Meeple, 2017)
-Agricola 15m45s (Uwe Rosenberg, Lookout Games, 2007)
-Hanabi 18m25s (Antoine Bauza, ABACUSSPIELE, 2010)
News (and why it doesn't matter)
-Bauza has sequels for Ghost Stories and Tokaido 20m21s
-Asmodee will distribute CMON post-Kickstarter 21m37s
-The OP lands Die Hard license 22m57s
-Walker falls for Aquicorn Cove's stunning visuals 24m48s
-...and for Fuji Koro 25m12s
Feature Game: HATE 25m50s (Raphaël Guiton, Jean-Baptiste Lullien, Alexandru Olteanu, & Nicolas Raoult, CMON, 2019)
Topic: Needing to Know the Deck 50m01s
Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brands
Privacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

#60: XenoShyft and 1 vs. All vs. Coop vs. Semi-Coop vs. Vs. Mar 19, 2019

As my father is wont to say, "Accept credit, pass blame." Actually, no, I said that, and it's my father's fault that I forgot the correct attribution. Is that how that works? At any rate, we here at SVWAG are always happy to claim responsibility for all positive developments. When and if peace breaks out anywhere, we will assert it is our doing based merely on this aside. Such is the power of our episode notes and our self-aggrandizement!
AYURIS: The World of SMOG: Rise of Moloch 2m08s (Fel Barros, Christophe Madura, Alexandru Olteanu, David Rakoto, & Michael Shinall, CMON, 2018)
Games Played Last Week:
-Barony 4m51s (Marc André, Matagot, 2015)
-Millennium Blades 5m37s (D. Brad Talton, Level 99 Games, 2016)
-Santorini 7m32s (Gord!, Roxley, 2016)
-Space Base 8m37s (John D. Clair, AEG, 2018)
-Scythe 11m43s (Jamey Stegmaier, Stonemaier Games, 2016
-Obsession 13m17s (Dan Hallagan, Kayenta Games, 2018)
-Caverna: The Forgotten Folk 16m20s (Uwe Rosenberg & Alex Wilber, Lookout Games, 2018)
-Claustrophobia: 1642 (Croc & Laurent Pouchain, Monolith, 2019)
News (and why it doesn't matter)
-Mild Patreon Shilling 23m34s
-Peace during the Age of Steam 24m09s
-Dune is back. Insert reference here. 25m36s
-Sneak Breakout preview 28m35s
Feature Game: XenoShyft: Onslaught 29m12s (Keren Philosophales & Michael Shinall, CMON, 2015) and Dreadmire (Michael Shinall, CMON, 2017)
Topic: 1 vs. All vs. Coop vs. Semi-Coop vs. Vs. 53m54s
Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brands
Privacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

#59: Concordia Venus and Spending Money on the Hobby Mar 12, 2019

Currencies drive many things, perhaps most things. HATE is driven by a currency called Savagery, which I believe is floated on the international market and its exchange rate fluctuates daily. We here at So Very Wrong About Games fuel our episodes with Snark, which is pegged conveniently to the Canadian Dollar. As a consequence, when some of you might be tempted to correct Mark on the name of the 1987 Richard Halliwell design ("um, actually, it's Block Mania, not Block Panic"), you are only making them stronger.
AYURIS: Warhammer Underworlds: Shadespire (David Sanders, Games Workshop, 2017) 1m54s
Games Played Last Week:
-HATE 4m34s (Raphaël Guiton, Jean-Baptiste Lullien, Alexandru Olteanu, & Nicolas Raoult, CMON, 2019)
-Climb! 7m08s (Benoit Michaud, Le Scorpion Masqué, 2008)
-Siege of the Citadel 9m32s (Richard Borg, Eric M. Lang, Jason Little, & Kevin Wilson, Modiphius Entertainment, 2019)
-Goodcritters 11m45s (Fabian Zimmermann, Arcane Wonders, 2018)
-Teotihuacan: City of Gods 14m43s (Daniele Tascini, NSKN Games, 2018)
-Infinity 15m20s (Gutier Lusquiños Rodríguez, Corvus Belli, 2005)
-Pax Pamir 17m25s (Phil Eklund & Cole Wehrle, Sierra Madre Games, 2015)
-Obsession 21m35s (Dan Hallagan, Kayenta Games, 2018)
News (and why it doesn't matter)
-The Talisman nightmare has started: Batman and Kingdom Hearts 25m34s
-It, and I can't even 26m43s
-Worst expansion title competition 27m30s
-Judge Dredd enters the Wildlands 28m57s
-Restoring Epic Duels 30m09s
-Age of Steam boils over. Again. 31m49s
Feature Game: Concordia (Mac Gerdts, PD-Verlag, 2013) and Concordia Venus (2018) 34m14s
Topic: Spending Money on the Hobby: Are You Getting Your Money's Worth? 1h01m43s
Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brands
Privacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

#58: A Feast for Odin: The Norwegians and Theme vs. Balance Feb 26, 2019

You do you, Walker always says, except he almost never does. Mark always says smoke 'em if you got 'em, despite his never uttering those words and frankly not knowing what they mean. He tried smoking once and didn't enjoy it. Why care about such petty things as truth or data when it feels consistent with a narrative you're peddling? Echoes of contemporary politics abound, as we ponder whether a game needs to be balanced so long as it tells a good tale.
AYURIS: Rising Sun (Eric Lang, CMON, 2018) 5m26s
Games Played Last Week:
-Cerebria: The Inside World 8m57s (Richard Amann, Viktor Peter, István Pócsi, Frigyes Schőberl, Nick Shaw, & Dávid Turczi, Mindclash Games, 2018)
-Teotihuacan: City of Gods 11m22s (Daniele Tascini, NSKN Games, 2018)
-Spirit Island 12m10s (R. Eric Reuss, Greater Than Games, 2017)
-Tajemnicze Domostwo/Mysterium 15m24s (Oleksandr Nevskiy & Oleg Sidorenko, Portal Games, 2013)
-Millennium Blades 19m11s (D. Brad Talton Jr., Level 99 Games, 2016)
-Shadowrift 21m11s (Jeremy Anderson, Game Salute, 2012)
-Donning the Purple 24m54s (Petter Schanke Olsen, Tompet Games, 2018)
News (and why it doesn't matter)
-Hanabi deluxe blows up again 27m32s
-Dice Forge rebels 28m45s
-Capstone gauges Winsome's Irish Gauge 29m09s
-Sailor Moon deceives...? 31m00s
-White Goblin will Yoko no mo 32m04s
Feature Game: A Feast for Odin: The Norwegians 33m37s (Gernot Köpke & Uwe Rosenberg, Feuerland Spiele, 2018)
Topic: Theme vs. Balance 59m35s
Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brands
Privacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

#57: Cerebria and Hype Feb 19, 2019

The Peter Principle observes that people tend to get promoted to their level of incompetence. Namely if someone does a job well, they'll be promoted, until such time as they cease doing a job well and persist at that level of ineptitude. We mention this not because it accurately describes the arc of Mark's life both professionally and personally--which, let's face it, it does--but rather because we have decided to promote the AYURIS from off-hand remark into Full Fledged Segment (AYURIS, FFS [tm]). Time stamp and everything! If it does well, it'll get it's own podcast; if it does poorly, all hail the Peter Principle.
AYURIS: 51st State: Master Set (Ignacy Trzewiczek, Portal, 2016) 1m31s
Games Played Last Week:
-Kingdom Death: Monster 5m28s (Adam Poots, Kingdom Death, 2015)
-Reykholt 9m02s (Uwe Rosenberg, Frosted Games, 2018)
-Bargain Hunter 15m35s (Uwe Rosenberg, Valley Games, 1998)
-Meltwater: A Game of Tactical Starvation 17m34s (Erin Lee Escobedo, Hollandspiele, 2018)
News (and why it doesn't matter)
-The Orville Clix 19m34s
-Samuel Bailey's Stars a little less Forbidden 19m59s
-Samuel Bailey digs Deep 21m17s
-Rooting around for more factions 22m22s
-KeyForging on 22m46s
-Being on the same Wavelength 23m14s
-Even deeper Descent 24m31s
-Rushing into the Kingdom of boardgames of apps 25m19s
Feature Game: Cerebria: The Inside World 25m58s (Richard Amann, Viktor Peter, István Pócsi, Frigyes Schőberl, Nick Shaw, & Dávid Turczi, Mindclash Games, 2018)
Topic: Hype 54m39s
Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brands
Privacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

#56: Core Worlds and Out of Print Games Feb 12, 2019

Sometimes categories are useful taxonomical tools, and sometimes they are so blunt as to be confusing and unhelpful. What gets parsed as "worker placement" can get downright murky at times. To Walker, though, the world is clear and simple. Tolstoy tells us that "All happy families are alike; each unhappy family is unhappy in its own way." Walker has a modified view--all fun games are fun and thus good and interchangeable, and all unfun games are bad and thus the same. It's a good thing he's not a critic or anything.
Games Played Last Week:
-Welcome to... 3m47s (Benoit Turpin, Blue Cocker Games, 2018)
-A Feast for Odin: The Norwegians 6m19s (Gernot Köpke & Uwe Rosenberg, Feuerland Spiele, 2018)
-Architects of the West Kingdom 9m55s (Shem Phillips & S. J. Macdonald, Garphill Games, 2018)
-Byzantium 16m06s (Martin Wallace, Warfrog, 2005)
News (and why it doesn't matter)
-Sushi Go Rolls on 20m13s
-New Quest for El Dorado? Expansion? Hybrid? 21m21s
-Scotland Yard: Now with dice, uncertain haberdashery 22m25s
-Who wants to license Talisman? 22m59s
-Ignorance is Bliss 24m36s
-Time for more T.I.M.E. Stories 24m55s
Feature Game: Core Worlds 26m47s (Andrew Parks, Stronghold, 2011)
Topic: OOP Games that Should Be Reprinted 51m26
Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brands
Privacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

#55: Quartermaster General: The Cold War and Real-Time Games Feb 05, 2019

Just as we are told that it's always five o'clock somewhere, we can be assured that Mark and Walker are always wrong somewhere. Time marches inexorably forward, and we mark that passage of time by checking in with the much-loved Quartermaster General series. Mark would happily tell you that time is nothing more and nothing less than a priori intuition, which when internalized allows us to ground the science of mathematics--and then Walker would rightfully point out that it's time for Mark to shut up.
Games Played Last Week:
-Menara 3m01s (Oliver Richtberg, Zoch Spiele, 2018)
-Massive Darkness 5m18s (Raphaël Guiton, Jean-Baptiste Lullien & Nicolas Raoult, CMON, 2017)
-Sentinels of the Multiverse 8m13s (Christopher Badell, Paul Bender, & Adam Rebottaro, Greater than Games, 2011)
-Millennium Blades 10m20s (D. Brad Talton, Jr., Level 99 Games, 2016)
-Kitchen Rush 12m17s (Vangelis Bagiartakis & Dávid Turczi, Artipia, 2017)
News (and why it doesn't matter)
-Quartermaster General (WWII) re-(quarter)mastered 15m22s
-alea games joins a euro publishing revival 16m12s
-Mystic Vale Steams up 17m27s
-Plan B Games in a new Era from Matt Leacock 18m39s
-Role-play as a Sentinel of the Multiverse 20m23s
Feature Game: Quartermaster General: The Cold War 22m11s (Ian Brody, PSC Games, 2018)
Topic: Real-Time Games 49m59s
Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brands
Privacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

#54: Talon and Table Talk Jan 29, 2019

Sometimes our hosts can't quite understand what the situation demands of them. Walker has been known to approach thoughtful, deliberative games with the oft-repeated demand of "when do I get to shoot LEMME SHOOT." Mark tends to greet new acquaintances with profanity-laden assaults on their life choices, hygiene, and character. These traits perhaps serve to explain how they find themselves in the social circles that they do.
Games Played Last Week:
-The Quacks of Quedlingburg 2m37s (Wolfgang Warsch, North Star Games, 2018)
-Brass: Birmingham 5m18s (Gavan Brown, Matt Tolman, & Martin Wallace, Roxley, 2018)
-In the Shadow of the Emperor 8m29s (Ralf Burkert, Rio Grande Games, 2004)
-Kemet: Seth 11m09s (Jacques Bariot & Guillaume Montiage, Matagot, 2018)
-Gaslands 15m39s (Glenn Ford & Mike Hutchinson, Osprey Publishing, 2017)
News (and why it doesn't matter)
-Portal 2019: Roll & write, Neuroshima Hex! 16m58s
-Restoring Conspiracy 17m50s
-Build with ice (the Canadian currency) in Tuki 19m19s
-Mark takes credit for Iwari 20m05s
-New pain to Discover 21m52s
-Rooting for new factions in Root 22m37s
-Jim Henson's Labyrinth gets proportionally less Bowie 23m02s
-How many Odysseys? Want 1001 of them? 23m58s
Feature Game: Talon 26m11s (Jim Krohn, GMT, 2016) and Talon 1000 (Jim Krohn, GMT, 2018)
Topic: Table Talk 53m51s
Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brands
Privacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

#53: Gloomhaven and What Can a Game Demand? Jan 22, 2019

We take endorsements very seriously here at SVWAG. The Ferragamo deal fell through after Walker was seen wearing Fendi, and the whole Burberry fiasco is better left forgotten. Converse was our backup, but suffice to say after Mark's public comments about sportsball that seems like a distant possibility at best.
All that said, we endorse Gloomy Companion unreservedly. We don't resort to apps very often, but we don't Gloomhaven without Gloomy Companion employed on a tablet. We've tried others but it suits us the best.
Games Played Last Week:
-Mombasa 3m14s (Alexander Pfister, eggertspiele, 2015)
-Decrypto 5m28s (Thomas Dagenais-Lespérance, Le Scorpion Masqué, 2018)
-Han 6m57s(Michael Schacht, ABACUSSPIELE, 2014)
-Sakura Arms 7m55s (BakaFire, AEG, 2016)
-Kitchen Rush 10m08s (Vangelis Bagiartakis & Dávid Turczi, Artipia, 2017)
-Chinatown 10m36s (Karsten Hartwig, Z-Man, 1999)
-Eclipse 13m14s (Touko Tahkokallio, Lautapelit.fi, 2011)
News (and why it doesn't matter)
-Frontier Wars 15m34s
-Rio Grande is back? 15m59s
-The Galaxy Rolls on 16m55s
-35 years of BattleTech 18m08s
-Official statement on pronunciation 18m48s
Feature Game: Gloomhaven 20m46s (Isaac Childres, Cephalofair Games, 2017)
Topic: How Much Can a Game Demand of Its Players? 48m38s
Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brands
Privacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

#52: New Frontiers and Too Many Versions Jan 15, 2019

Constant vigilance is the price of audio quality, and we apologize for how badly that struggle has been going of late. Walker prostrates himself before the altar of Bars, and Bars we achieve, but the nature of those Bars have been fickle. Their shape and pattern cannot be properly contained or channeled, and thus they spurn us and assault your ears. Rest assured that we are consulting the augurs and they are poring over the entrails of many a cassette tape in order to discern how we may appease the Bars. But yeah, it's totally Mark's fault.
We have a Patreon, if you're inclined to support us.
Games Played Last Week:
-XCOM: The Boardgame--Evolution 1m51s (Samuel Bailey & Mark Larson, Fantasy Flight, 2016)
-Quest for El Dorado: Heroes and Hexes 2m56s (Reiner Knizia, Ravensburger, 2018)
-Kitchen Rush 5m59s (Vangelis Bagiartakis & Dávid Turczi, Artipia, 2017)
-Codenames 6m59s (Vlaada Chvatil, CGE, 2015)
-Wildlands 9m18s (Martin Wallace, Osprey, 2018)
-Scythe: The Rise of Fenris 14m44s (Ryan Lopez DeVinaspre & Jamey Stegmaier, Stonemaier, 2018)
-Tobago 18m40s (Bruce Allen, Zoch Verlag, 2009)
-This Guilty Land 19m42s (Tom Russell, Hollandspiele, 2018)
News (and why it doesn't matter)
-FFG Returns to Lord of the Rings 24m27s
-Wolff Designaa in 2019: Guards and Tricks 26m11s
-Snakes and Lattes unhinges its jaw and expands 27m41s
-Suburbia's custom colours 28m12s
Feature Game: New Frontiers 29m43s (Thomas Lehmann, Rio Grande, 2018)
Topic: How Many Versions Is Too Many? 58m30s
Patreon Summary 1h12m11s
Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brands
Privacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

#51: Pandemic: Fall of Rome and New Year's Resolutions Jan 08, 2019

Peer influence is a strange thing. For years Mark has been yelling at Walker about various ways he really ought to change, but a single board game now has Walker spewing Macross lore like he's a convert. Perhaps the authors like Erin Lee Escobedo have a point, and board games really can serve to deliver subtle yet powerful influence. Perhaps we could make board games to convince people to like and dislike the right board games...
Games Played Last Week:
-Telestrations 3m40s (Uncredited, USAopoly, 2009)
-Diamonds 4m52s (Mike Fitzgerald, Stronghold, 2014)
-Meltwater: A Game of Tactical Starvation 8m30s (Erin Lee Escobedo, Hollandspiele, 2018)
-Tokyo Highway 14m07s (Naotaka Shimamoto & Yoshiaki Tomioka, itten, 2016)
-Robotech: Attack on the SDF-1 15m51s (Darius Hambleton & Jeff Mechlinski, Strange Machine Games, 2018)
-Great Western Trail: Rails to the North 20m04s (Alexander Pfister, Stronghold, 2018)
-Shards of Infinity: Relics of the Future 24m17s (Gary Arant & Justin Gary, Stone Blade Entertainment, 2018)
News (and why it doesn't matter)
-2491 Planetship disappoints Walker pre-emptively 26m17s
-Successors' Successor 27m36s
-Age of Steam's authorship evaporates 28m43s
-Vital Lacerda and Railways of the World 30m10s
-Suburbia gets purdy 30m30s
-Walker unimpressed by the Hotness 31m41s
-SVWAG succumbs to the inevitable with an upcoming Patreon 32m47s
Feature Game: Pandemic: Fall of Rome 34m17s (Matt Leacock & Paolo Mori, Z-Man, 2018)
Topic: New Year's Resolutions Past and Present 53m48s
Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brands
Privacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

#50: Year in Review 2018 Dec 18, 2018

Another round about the sun is complete, at least for those who acknowledge that sort of thing. I'm certain there must be a strand of Flat Eartherism that bows to the reality of the Earth's orbit--I could find out, but boardgaming already more than satisfies my desire for obscure minutia. We look back at the releases of the year, agreeing on many things but rather sharply disagreeing on others. There will be lists! And categories! Oh, the pageantry!
Games Played Last Week:
-Space Hulk: Second Edition 1m30s (Dean Bass, Andy Chambers, Chris Colston, Richard Halliwell, Jervis Johnson, Andy Jones, & Paul Murphy, Games Workshop, 1996)
-Senji 2m58s (Bruno Cathala & Serge Laget, Asmodee, 2008)
-Terraforming Mars 6m19s (Jacob Fryxelius, Stronghold, 2016)
-Dinosaur Island 6m58s (Jonathan Gilmour & Brian Lewis, Pandasaurus, 2017)
-Cryptid 12m14s (Hal Duncan & Ruth Veevers, Osprey Games, 2018)
-Mega Civilization 13m26s (Flo de Haan, John Rodriguez, & Francis Tresham, Pegasus, 2015)
-Welcome To... 20m12s (Benoit Turpin, Blue Cocker Games, 2018)
-Reef 21m20s (Emerson Matsuuchi, Next Move Games, 2018)
-Menara 22m18s (Oliver Richtberg, ZOCH, 2018)
-Diamonds 23m00s (Mike Fitzgrald, Stronghold, 2016)
2018 Year in Review
Personal Top 10s 23m59s
SVWAG Game of the Year 45m06s
Other Categories 48m30s
Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brands
Privacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

#49: Crusaders and Thematic Disconnects Dec 11, 2018

Players aren't the only people who make choices, of course. Designers and publishers make decisions about the setting and the theme of their games. Insofar as games can communicate a message--whether purely aesthetic or more ideological--it is beneficial to have a clear vision. Things can get exceptionally problematic when you start playing fast and loose with things of great cultural and historical import. Incidentally, I will note that while our topic and our feature game often have no connection between them, sometimes they do. I don't know why I'm mentioning that this week.
Games Played Last Week:
-Hyperborea: Light and Shadow 1m37s (Andrea Chiarvesio, Maurizio Vergendo, & Pierluca Zizzi, Asterion Press, 2016)
-Between Two Cities 3m15s (Matthew O'Malley, Morten Monrad Pedersen, & Ben Rosset, Stonemaier, 2015)
-Factory Funner 5m03s (Corné van Moorsel, Cwali, 2016)
-Photosynthesis 8m06s (Hjalmar Hach, Blue Orange, 2017)
-Stephenson's Rocket: Eastern USA & China 9m13s (Reiner Knizia, Grail Games, 2018)
-Petrichor 12m12s (David Chircop & Dávid Turczi, APE Games, 2018)
-The Voyages of Marco Polo 12m57s (Simone Luciani & Daniele Tascini, Hans im Gluck, 2015)
-Teotihuacan: City of Gods 14m59s (Daniele Tascini, NSKN Games, 2018)
-Dominant Species 15m37s (Chad Jensen, GMT, 2010)
-Res Publica 18m03s (Reiner Knizia, Queen, 1991)
News (and why it doesn't matter)
-Descent into new digital depths 22m05s
-Fards of Inshinity digital 22m20s
-Failed Carnival of Monsters rises again 23m02s
-Die Macher won't die 24m15s
Feature Game: Crusaders: Thy Will Be Done 25m10s (Seth Jaffee, Tasty Minstrel, 2018)
Topic: Thematic Disconnects 48m15s
Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brands
Privacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

#48: Teotihuacan and How Far Is Too Far Dec 04, 2018

As a new coping mechanism, Mark and Walker decide to expunge their deepest shameful acts of conspicuous consumption and frivolous travel by talking about it on the internet. Now that Tumblr is is divesting themselves of adult content they can't post their Stephen Universe erotica there, so this is the next best thing. Don't tell Mark and Walker that a) anyone is listening, or b) they've been using their real names.
Games Played Last Week:
-Gùgong 3m33s (Andreas Steding, Game Brewer, 2018)
-Quartermaster General: Prelude 4m05s (Ian Brody, Griggling Games, 2018)
-Triumph and Tragedy 6m18s (Craig Besinque, GMT, 2015)
-Goodcritters 14m03s (Fabian Zimmermann, Arcane Wonders, 2018)
-Heroes of Terrinoth 15m36s (Adam & Brady Sadler, Fantasy Flight, 2018)
-The Estates 18m17s (Klaus Zoch, Capstone Games, 2018)
-Gaslands 20m48s (Glenn Ford & Mike Hutchinson, Osprey Publishing, 2017)
-Hero Realms: The Ruin of Thandar Campaign Deck (Ben Cichoski, Robert Dougherty, Darwin Kastle & Daniel Mandel, White Wizard, 2018) 22m35s
News (and why it doesn't matter)
-Snake. Snake! SNAAAKE!! 24m30s
-Terra Mystica Incognita 25m27s
-Shadowrift Booms 26m41s
-What's Your Game? Well, Madeira and Zhanguo, for two 28m15s
Feature Game: Teotihuacan: City of Gods 28m53s (Daniele Tascini, NSKN Games, 2018)
Topic: How Far Is Too Far? 54m45s
Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brands
Privacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

#47: Gugong and Resolving Rules Disputes Nov 27, 2018

Lots of talk of economics in this week's news. One might expect a diminishing return on such talk, but as rational consumers of news we often find a deficit of such a valuable commodity. Ceteris paribus, we're willing to offer you the free lunch of our altruism, even though that may lead to a tragedy of the commons. We value your investment of time when you listen to us--our intellectual capital is all we have, after all.
I don't think I'm very bullish on this bit any more.
Games Played Last Week:
-KeyForge: Call of the Archons 4m00s (Richard Garfield, Fantasy Flight, 2018)
-Epic: The Card Game 6m26s (Robert Dougherty & Darwin Kastle, White Wizard, 2015)
-Teotihuacan: City of Gods 8m12s (Daniele Tascini & Dávid Turczi, NSKN Games, 2018)
-Argent: The Consortium 9m01s (Trey Chambers, Level 99 Games, 2015)
-BattleLore: Second Edition 11m51s (Richard Borg & Robert A. Kouba, Fantasy Flight, 2013)
-North Wind 13m23s (Klaus Teuber, Z-Man, 2014)
-Everdell 15m18s (James A. Wilson, Starling Games, 2018)
News (and why it doesn't matter)
-Super Dungeon Explore's money fades into Legend 17m10s
-Cool Mini or Not's earnings get more mini, isn't cool 19m08s
-Omega Protocol proves once again that LoS ain't easy 23m18s
-Inflation hits the stellar market with A Billion Suns 24m52
Feature Game: Gùgōng 26m30s (Andreas Steding, Game Brewer, 2018)
Topic: Resolving Rules Disputes 54m26s
Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brands
Privacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

#46: Coimbra and Eric Lang Nov 20, 2018

There's this substance that the British people deploy called "salad cream." Chemists, for decades, have tried to break down its constituent parts; but the substance's sheer viscosity--not to mention its disturbing colour and odour--have defied all analysis. I mention this because despite our Canadian prerogative of spelling colour and odour as we do, the cultural rites of salad cream are alien to us. We're proud members of the Commonwealth, but we have our limits. Also, you could put some salad cream on your point salad, bruh.
Games Played Last Week:
-FUSE 3m19s (Kane Klenko, Renegade Game Studios, 2015)
-KeyForge: Call of the Archons 5m22s (Richard Garfield, Fantasy Flight, 2018)
-Twilight Imperium 4th Edition 10m55s (Dane Beltrami, Corey Konieczka & Christian T. Petersen, Fantasy Flight, 2017)
-Innovation Deluxe 11m26s (Carl Chudyk, Asmadi, 2017)
-Hero Realms 14m36s (Robert Dougherty & Darwin Kastle, White Wizard, 2016)
-One Deck Dungeon: Forest of Shadows 16m49s (Chris Cieslik, Asmadi, 2017)
-Gugong 18m33s (Andreas Steding, Game Brewer, 2018)
-Root 21m12s (Cole Wehrle, Leder Games, 2018)
News (and why it doesn't matter)
-V-Commandos morphing into Assassin's Creed 23m21s
-Warhammer Quest gets Grimdark 26m03s
-New Frontiers for Race for the Galaxy 29m50s
Feature Game: Coimbra 30m10s (Flaminia Brasini & Virginio Gigli, eggertspiele, 2018)
Topic: Eric Lang 50m08s
Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brands
Privacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

#45: Claustrophobia and KeyForge Nov 13, 2018

What's in a name? Well, if the game is KeyForge, the name is pretty much the entire game. As we have learned from bots in the past, set an algorithm loose on the internet and it'll probably come back as a racist misogynist troll. So far we've seen little of that scale in KeyForge deck names, but it's spat out some pretty amazing names nonetheless.
Games Played Last Week:
-Paper Tales 3m24s (Masato Uesugi, Stronghold, 2017)
-Food Chain Magnate 6m08s (Jeroen Doumen & Joris Wiersinga, Splotter, 2015)
-For Sale 8m22s (Stefan Dorra, Ravensburger, 1997)
-A Feast for Odin (Uwe Rosenberg, Feuerland Spiele, 2016)
-Pantone: The Game 11m31s (Scott Rogers, Cryptozoic, 2018)
-Great Western Trail: Rails to the North 14m48s (Alexander Pfister, Stronghold, 2018)
-Root 17m02s (Cole Wehrle, Leder Games, 2018)
-Assault on Doomrock 20m48s (Tom Stasiak, Beautiful Disaster, 2014)
News (and why it doesn't matter)
-Fenris Rages again 23m26s
-More bunnies for Walker to loathe 24m17s
-Cleopatra reprint; why, exactly? 24m57s
-Andrew Parks and the Marvel B-list 25m44s
-Walker liked Little Town Builders before it was cool 27m30s
-Moar dexterity with Catch the Moon 28m00s
Feature Game: Claustrophobia 28m20s (CROC, Asmodee, 2009)
Topic: First Impressions of KeyForge (Richard Garfield, Fantasy Flight, 2018)
Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brands
Privacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

#44: Discover: Lands Unknown and Overused Themes Nov 06, 2018

We are an easily-triggered group, we geeks, we nerds; so allow us to exercize due diligence and offer the following warnings. Spoiler Alert: we discuss what spoilers are. Meta Alert: we get pretty meta about spoilers. Existentialism Alert: Walker gets pretty existential (parenthetical alert: you might have figured Mark would instead, but he has very little time for existentialism, being more modern than post-modern).
Games Played Last Week:
-Endeavor: Age of Sail 1m41s (Carl de Visser & Jarratt Gray, Burst Island Games, 2018)
-Spinderella 5m06s (Roberto Fraga, Zoch Verlag, 2015)
-Everdell 7m38s (James A. Wilson, Starling Games, 2018)
-Western Legends 7m59s (Hervé Lemaître, Kolossal, 2018)
-Assault on Doomrock 12m40s (Tom Stasiak, Beautiful Disaster, 2014)
-Sakura Arms 15m38s (BakaFire, AEG, 2016)
-Space Cadets: Away Missions 17m35s (Dan Raspler & Al Rose, Stronghold, 2015)
News (and why it doesn't matter)
-How many states past the 51st are we up to? 18m51s
-Flicking, puns, and strategy 20m12s
-A bear park for more godless killing machines 21m31s
Feature Game: Discover: Lands Unknown 22m30s (Corey Konieczka, Fantasy Flight, 2018)
Topic: Overused Themes 50m12s
Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brands
Privacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

#43: Stephenson's Rocket and Dealing with Frustration Oct 30, 2018

We've always been here. Waiting, in this basement, yelling into the can. When we invented podcasts all those years ago it was merely as avenue for our pre-existing subterranean discourse. Now some of you have joined us, and our labours are no longer in vain. Once the power dies out, we'll still be here, yelling into the can. About boardgames.
Games Played Last Week:
-Race for the Galaxy: Xeno Invasion 1m43s (Thomas Lehmann, Rio Grande Games, 2015)
-Everdell 5m54s (James A. Wilson, Starling Games, 2018)
-Starfarers of Catan 10m06s (Klaus Teuber, Mayfair Games, 1999)
-Barbarians: The Invasion 12m44s (Martino Chiacchiera, Marta Ciaccasassi, & Pierluca Zizzi, Tabula Games, 2018)
-Forbidden Sky 19m21s (Matt Leacock, Gamewright, 2018)
News (and why it doesn't matter)
-Asmodee sold, Asmodee buys something 21m55s
-Taiwanese flag flap 23m58s
-CMON tries zombies for the first time ever 25m27s
-More Spirits on the Island 26m13s
Feature Game: Stephenson's Rocket 28m03s (Reiner Knizia, Grail Games, 2018)
Topic: Dealing with Frustration 54m40s
Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brands
Privacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

#42: Battle for Rokugan and Gateway Games Oct 23, 2018

Reading your audience is a hard thing, and not even just when blasting your errant opinions over the interwebs. Mark couldn't read the room when Walker requested a certain game, and that didn't end well. Walker couldn't perceive Mark's growing misgivings about the feature game. This one time I thought a baby boy was a baby girl and the parents were very offended. Life is hard!
Games Played Last Week:
-Star Realms 2m19s (Robert Dougherty & Darwin Kastle, White Wizard, 2014)
-Amun-Re: The Card Game 4m59s (Reiner Knizia, Super Meeple, 2017)
-Endeavor: The Age of Sail 7m03s (Carl de Visser & Jarratt Gray, Burnt Island Games, 2018)
-Ortus Regni 9m26s (Jon Sudbury, Jon Sudbury Games, 2014)
-Star Wars: Imperial Assault - Jabba's Realm 12m02s (Todd Michlitsch & Paul Winchester, FFG, 2017)
-Pandemic: Reign of Cthulhu 13m10s (Matt Leacock & Chuck D. Yager, Z-Man, 2016)
-Mage Knight Board Game 15m42s (Vlaada Chvatil, WizKids, 2011)
-Race for the Galaxy: The Brink of War 18m25s (Thomas Lehmann, Rio Grande Games, 2010)
News (and why it doesn't matter)
-Fighting games have sequels, so too must Street Masters 19m45s
-Carcassonne goes on safari 21m48s
-The Grail lost? 22m44s
Feature Game: 24m24s
-Battle for Rokugan (Molly Glover & Tom Jolly, Fantasy Flight, 2017)
Topic: Gateway Games 51m50s
Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brands
Privacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

#41: Omega Protocol and Keeping Games Moving Oct 16, 2018

I hope you're planning your Arkhipov Day festivities. Don't get me wrong, I dig Stanislav Petrov as much as the next guy, but for my money Vasili Arkhipov is the man, and he doesn't get nearly enough credit. Because, you know, he either saved your life or your ancestors' lives--the least we could do is give the man a holiday. He doesn't even have a card in Twilight Struggle! See, I brought it back to games in the end.
Games Played Last Week:
-Galaxy Trucker: Missions 3m00s (Vlaada Chvátil, CGE, 2015)
-Terraforming Mars: Prelude 6m04s (Jacob Fryxelius, Stronghold, 2018)
-Quartermaster General: Prelude 7m01s (Ian Brody, Griggling Games, 2018)
-Star Wars: Imperial Assault - Jabba's Realm 9m24s (Todd Michlitsch & Paul Winchester, FFG, 2017)
-Specter Ops 10m24s (Emerson Matssuchi, Plaid Hat Games, 2015)
-Master of the Galaxy 14m54s (Timofey Bokarev & Konstantin Seleznev, Ares Games, 2018)
-Paper Tales: Beyond the Gate 19m38s (Masato Uesugi, Strongold, 2018)
News (and why it doesn't matter)
-Fog of Love expands to LGBTQ scenarios 24m22s
-Z-Man Lords over Vegas 25m34s
-SVWAG SWAG: Take our stuff 26m20s
-Pfister Blacks Out Hong Kong 27m46s
-Mac Gerdts brings the love in Concordia 28m37s
-Terraforming Mars digitally 29m40s
-Chip Theory's neoprene obsession 30m00s
Feature Game: 31m28s
-Level 7 [Omega Protocol] (Will Schoonover, Privateer Press, 2013)
Topic: Keeping Games Moving 57m42s
Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brands
Privacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

#40: Gaslands and The Perils of Collecting Oct 02, 2018

We're always wondering about what comes next, always on the lookout for the next big thing--both in games and broadcasting. That's why we're open to being elevated to the judiciary, so the next time there's a search committee feel free to add Mark and Walker to the ol' shortlist. We're open to traveling, so it doesn't have to be any particular country. We hear The Hague is nice?
Games Played Last Week:
-Mystic Vale 2m02s (John D. Clair, AEG, 2016)
-Sentinels of the Multiverse 6m27s (Christopher Badell, Paul Bender, & Adam Rebottaro, Greater Than Games, 2011)
-Istanbul 10m34s (Rudiger Dorn, Pegasus Spiele, 2014)
-Vengeance 11m49s (Gordon Calleja, Mighty Boards, 2018)
-XenoShyft: Onslaught 13m30s (Keren Philosophales & Michael Shinall, CMON, 2015)
-51st State: Master Set 15m46s (Ignacy Trzewiczek, Portal, 2016)
-War Chest 17m46s (Trevor Benjamin & David Thompson, AEG, 2018)
-Menara 21m41s (Oliver Richtberg, Zoch Verlag, 2018)
News (and why it doesn't matter)
-Food Chain Magnate catches up to condiments 22m07s
-Takla's bridge to nowhere 23m28s
-The Boldest, a Wagnerian epic 24m22s
-The city published once in a Blue Moon 25m36s
Feature Game: Gaslands 27m42s (Glenn Ford & Mike Hutchinson, Osprey Publishing, 2017)
Topic: The Perils of Collecting 54m58s
Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brands
Privacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

#39: BattleCON and Catch-up Mechanics Sep 25, 2018

We would like to apologize for the poorer audio quality of this episode. The editor (Mark) would dearly like to attribute it somehow to Walker's illness-induced stupor, but try as he might he can't seem to blame the victim on this one. The microphone has let us all down, dear listeners, and all we can do is vow not to repeat the twin errors--the one being the reduced audio quality, the other in Mark not being able to scapegoat the victim.
Games Played Last Week: -Street Masters: Redemption 1m30s (Brady Sadler & Adam Sadler, Blacklist Games, 2018)
-Sentinels of the Multiverse 3m35s (Christopher Badell, Paul Bender, & Adam Rebottaro, Greater Than Games, 2011)
-SEAL Team Flix 7m34s (Pete Ruth & Mark Thomas, WizKids, 2018)
-Mystic Vale 10m57s (John D. Clair, AEG, 2016)
-Vengeance 13m10s (Gordon Calleja, Mighty Boards, 2018)
-Isle of Skye: From Chieftain to King 16m26s (Andreas Pelikan & Alexander Pfister, Lookout Games, 2015)
News (and why it doesn't matter)
-Mississippi Queen: too many reprints? 17m00s
-The Key series Flows on 20m21s
-Pretzel Games puts Men at Work 21m31s
-Neuroshima Hex! gets fantastical in Monolith Arena 22m31s
Feature Game: BattleCON 23m54s (Brad D. Talton, Level 99 Games, 2010)
Topic: Catch-up Mechanics 53m31s
Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brands
Privacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

#38: Too Many Bones and Difficulty in Co-ops Sep 18, 2018

Sometimes, dear listeners, the news does matter, and in such instances our hosts feel under-equipped to address them properly. Such is the nature of crippling incompetence. I mean, they could have devoted their time to worthwhile pursuits (like playing games) but instead they shout into a can to strangers (about playing games). But sometimes circumstances demand a brief segue into matters of consequence, and so we here at SVWAG swear by the majestic mountains of Manitoba to do our best.
Games Played Last Week: -Ethnos 1m54s (Paolo Mori, CMON, 2017)
-El Grande 2m52s (Wolfgang Kramer & Richard Ulrich, Hans im Gluck, 1995)
-Who Goes There? 4m34s (Anthony Coffey & Jesse Labbe, Certifiable Games, 2018)
-Street Masters: Twin Tiger 8m51s (Brady Sadler & Adam Sadler, Blacklist Games, 2018)
-Level 7 [Invasion] 10m49s (Will Schoonover, Privateer Press, 2014)
-Grand Austria Hotel 13m19s (Virginio Gigli & Simone Luciani, Lookout Games, 2015)
-Mecanisburgo 15m43s (Servando Cavallar, Gen-X Games, 2008)
News (and why it doesn't matter)
-Walker discovers Norwegia 20m05s
-BattleCON big (huge) box 20m45s
-El Dorado gets hexed 21m05s
-dlp Games' callous disregard and intellectual laziness re: Manitoba 21m29s
Feature Game: Too Many Bones: Undertow 29m19s (Adam Carlson & Josh J. Carlson, Chip Theory Games, 2018)
Topic: Difficulty in Co-ops 52m01s
Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brands
Privacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

#37: Sentinels of the Multiverse OblivAeon and Explaining Rules Sep 11, 2018

Oh, hello there. The door's unlocked--just come on in. Please pardon our informal setting, here, we just want you to be comfortable. I suppose, though, that a tone of complete familiarity shouldn't prevent us from doing introductions. I'm the episode description, and I'm the thing you don't read. Our hosts are Mark Bigney and Mike Walker, and they're the ones you don't respect. Stay with us for a while, won't you?
Games Played Last Week: -Aeon's End 1m15s (Kevin Riley, Action Phase Games, 2016), -XenoShyft: Onslaught 4m43s (Keren Philosophales & Michael Shinall, CMON, 2015), -Fast Forward: Fortress 11m17s (Friedmann Friese, Stronghold Games, 2017), -Asgard's Chosen 16m24s (Morgan Dontanville, Mayfair Games, 2013), -Age of Industry 21m26s (Martin Wallace, Treefrog Games, 2010)
News (and why it doesn't matter)
-Ancient Rome falls to a Pandemic 23m31s
-Horizon: Zero Dawn 24m36s
-There's a party and you're not invited 26m06s
Feature Game: Sentinels of the Multiverse 27m05s (Christopher Badell, Paul Bender, & Adam Rebottaro, Greater than Games, 2011)
Sentinels of the Multiverse: OblivAeon 36m53s (Christopher Badell, Paul Bender, & Adam Rebottaro, Greater than Games, 2018)
Topic: Explaining Rules 54m14s
Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brands
Privacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

#36: The Voyages of Marco Polo and Walker's Top 10 Sep 04, 2018

Walker, ever truculent, finally succumbs to the inevitable and submits his top ten. Now we can move on, and it is best we do, as there is no shortage of games to be played! Gencon is over and the new releases flow like sweet chocolate milk. Despite this pressure, Mark and Walker find the time to indulge in old classics of yesteryear, and not just the "classics" from "back in the day" of "2012".
Games Played Last Week:
-Eclipse 3m00s (Touko Tahkokallio, Lautapelit.fi, 2011)
-Dungeon Alliance 4m41s (Andrew Parks, Quixotic Games, 2018)
-Outlive 8m16s (Gregory Iliver, La Boite de Jeu, 2017)
-Food Chain Magnate 9m20s (Jeroen Doumen & Joris Wiersinga, Splotter Spellen, 2015)
-Star Wars: Imperial Assault 12m22s (Justin Kemppainen, Corey Konieczka, & Jonathan Ying, Fantasy Flight, 2014)
-Blue Lagoon 14m37s (Reiner Knizia, Blue Orange, 2018)
-Mechs vs. Minions 17m02s (Chris Cantrell, Rick Ernst, Stone Librande, Prashant Saraswat, & Nathan Tiras, Riot Games, 2016)
-Ghost Blitz 19m55s (Jacques Zeimet, Zoch Verlag, 2010)
-Kingdomino: Age of Giants 22m00s (Bruno Cathala, Blue Orange, 2018)
-Cult of the Cockroach King/Don't Mess with Cthulhu Deluxe 23m09s (Yusuke Sato, Indie Boards & Cards, 2018)
-Root 25m34s (Cole Wehrle, Leder Games, 2018)
-DC Spyfall 27m04s (Uncredited, Cryptozoic Entertainment, 2018)
-Civilization 30m00s (Francis Tresham, Avalon Hill, 1980)
News (and why it doesn't matter)
-Quite a quantity of Quarriors 36m57s
-Norwegians' toast to Odin 38m53s
-Jabba lands on your mobile device 39m57s
-OblivAeon is a lie 41m16s
-Walker gets digital 42m34s
-The Great Looping One loops ever onward, praise be his biplane 43m16s
Feature Game: The Voyages of Marco Polo 44m24s (Simone Luciani & Daniele Tascini, Hans im Gluck, 2015)
Topic: Walker's Top 10 Games (whatever that means) 1h10m51s
In no particular order:
-Tigris & Euphrates
-Scythe
-Space Hulk
-Gaia Project
-Orleans
-Level 7: Invasion
-Diplomacy
-Hansa Teutonica
-Kemet
-Axis and Allies: WWI 1914
Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brands
Privacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

#35: Root and Mark's Top 10 Aug 21, 2018

We are but slaves to your whims here at SVWAG, and when our massed masters demand that we dance for their amusement, we must perforce oblige. We resisted for a time, but clearly that was folly. The people have spoken, and their demands will be met: we will descend to the realm of clickbait and listicles and present to your our top 10 games. Walker remains dubious of the enterprise, but Mark is confident that slavish obedience is the path to true happiness.
Games Played Last Week:
-Battle for Rokugan 1m11s (Tom Jolly & Molly Glover, FFG, 2017)
-Warhammer 40K: Kill Team 5m04s (Uncredited, Games Workshop, 2018)
-Hit Z Road 8m09s (Martin Wallace, Asmodee, 2016)
-Outlive 10m00s (Gregory Iliver, La Boite de Jeu, 2017)
-Lost Cities: Rivals 12m13s (Reiner Knizia, KOSMOS, 2018)
-Shogun 14m11s (Dirk Henn, Queen Games, 2006)
-Mansions of Madness 2nd Edition 17m35s (Nikki Valens, FFG, 2016)
-Scythe: The Rise of Fenris 23m38s (Ryan Lopez DiVinaspre & Jamey Stegamaier, Stonemaier Games, 2018)
News (and why it doesn't matter)
-More Neue Heimat = The Estates 25m05s
-More Dune = more silly Spice memes 27m59s
-More Meeple Circus = more joy 29m31s
-More Spirit Island = more dead colonizers 29m49s
-More Shadespire = Nightvault 30m48s
Feature Game: Root 32m31s (Cole Wehrle, Leder Games, 2018)
Topic: Mark's Top 10 Games of All Time 56m49s
#10: Tribune Expansion
#9:Ra
#8:Infinity
#7:Loopin' Louie
#6:Race for the Galaxy: The Brink of War
#5:Gloomhaven
#4:Imperial 2030
#3:Antike II
#2:Blue Moon Legends
#1:Tigris & Euphrates
Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brands
Privacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

#34: Tigris & Euphrates and Yellow & Yangtze Aug 07, 2018

Since the dawn of time, predating recorded history, there has been the genius of Reiner Knizia. The Code of Hammurabi taught its readers how to play Tigris & Euphrates. Enkidu had his own custom set fashioned from the bones of his enemies. Gilgamesh sought immortality merely so he had enough time to git gud. Marduk once accidentally flooded the world in enthusiasm over a blue external conflict. It is literally the Ur-game. But everything gets a sequel now, so let's talk about Yellow & Yangtze.
Games Played Last Week:
-Downforce 1m59s (Rob Daviau, Justin D. Jacobson, & Wolfgang Kramer, Restoration Games, 2017)
-Let's Make a Bus Route 3m11s (Saashi, Saashi & Saashi, 2018)
-Grimslingers: The Northern Territory 3m54s (Stephen Gibson, Greenbrier Games, 2018)
-Custom Heroes 6m15s (John D. Clair, AEG, 2017)
-Chicken Caesar 9m07s (Bryan Fischer & John Sizemore, Nevermore Games, 2012)
-Menara 11m31s (Oliver Richtberg, Zoch Verlag, 2018)
-Paper Tales 13m61s (Masato Uesugi, Catch Up Games, 2017)
-Blood Bowl: Team Manager 15m47s (Jason Little, Fantasy Flight, 2011)
-Titans Tactics 17m06s (G. Kelly Toyama, Imbalanced Games, 2013)
-The Resistance: Avalon 20m00s (Don Eskridge, Indie Boards & Cards, 2012)
News (and why it doesn't matter)
-Richard Garfield has a new distribution model to take your money 22m09s
-Consolidation: It's not just for Asmodee 27m01s
-Make Project ELITE again 28m25s
Feature Game(s): Tigris & Euphrates 30m44s (Reiner Knizia, Hans im Gluck, 1997)
Yellow & Yangtze 48m51s (Reiner Knizia, Grail Games, 2018)
Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brands
Privacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

#33: Thunderstone Quest and Mechanisms We're Tired Of Jul 24, 2018

This episode enters the Fire Swamp, the reputed lair of the R.O.U.S.--the Rodents of Unusual Size. Mark doesn't think they exist. We go in-depth into Thunderstone Quest, a long-serving deckbuilder that is a loyal as a farm boy. Walker announces that take-that cards killed his father, and they should prepare to die. I guess Andre the Giant shows up...?
Games Played Last Week:
-Gaslands 3m46s (Glenn Ford & Mike Hutchinson, Osprey Publishing, 2017)
-San Juan 2nd ed. 5m27s (Andreas Seyfarth, alea, 2014)
-13 Days: The Cuban Missile Crisis 6m39s (Asger Harding Granerud & Daniel Skjold Pedersen, Jolly Roger Games, 2016)
-EXCEED Fighting System 9m01s (D. Brad Talton, Level 99 Games, 2016)
-Duhr: The Lesser Houses 10m11s (Jim Felli, Devious Weasel, 2018)
-Rum & Bones: Second Tide 14m03s (Michael Shinall, CMON, 2017)
-Guards of Atlantis 14m53s (Artyom Nichipurov, Wolff Designa, 2017)
-Scoville 15m57s (Ed Marriott, Tasty Minstrel, 2014)
News (and why it doesn't matter)
-Eclipse 1st edition gets eclipsed by 2nd ed. 17m43s
-Overturn KS gets overturned by KS 21m36s
-Vital Lacerda's vital work continues 24m36s
-Knizia lays tiles in the Blue Lagoon 25m01s
-Walker explains Wacky Races 25m44s
-Asmodee being transferred from one Paris equity firm to another 27m27s
Feature Game: Thunderstone Quest 28m40s (Mike Elliott, Bryan Reese & Mark Wootton, AEG, 2018)
Topic: The Romance is Over: Mechanisms We're Tired Of 1h00m46s
Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brands
Privacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

#32: Street Masters and Etiquette Jul 10, 2018

This week we stumble on the terrible, horrifying fact that there are other hobbies than boardgames, and we take pity on those poor lamented souls who are enslaved in their thrall. Just what is scrapbooking, anyway? Walker has a theory, but no one is really sure. We should thus feel blessed that we chosen few enjoy the hobby that we do, and so we discuss ways to try to be decent while doing so.
Games Played Last Week:
-Clans of Caledonia 1m59s (Juma Al-Joujou, Karma Games, 2017)
-Starship Samurai 4m04s (Isaac Vega, Plaid Hat Games, 2018)
-Neuroshima Hex! 8m45s (Michal Oracz, Portal Games, 2006)
-Hellapagos 9m50s (Laurence & Philippe Gamelin, Gigamic, 2017)
-Azul 11m46s (Michael Kiesling, Plan B Games, 2017)
-Fog of Love 14m33s (Jacob Jaskov, Hush Hush Projects, 2017)
-When I Dream 18m13s (Chris Darsaklis, Drawlab Entertainment, 2016)
-Goa 20m23s (Rudiger Dorn, Hans im Gluck, 2004)
News (and why it doesn't matter)
-Quartermaster General gets downright chilly 22m16s
-The first ever Cthulhu game, ever (Walker's excited) 24m05s
-Kwanchai Moriya Targets The Game 26m46s
-Terraforming Mars metastasizes further (Mark's excited) 28m31s
-Race races further into the galaxy 29m02s
-Catan isn't history thanks to Catan Histories 30m13s
Feature Game: Street Masters 31m13s (Brady & Adam Sadler, Blacklist Games, 2018)
Topic: Board Game Table Etiquette 54m28s
Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brands
Privacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

#31: SEAL Team Flix and Getting Rid of Games Jun 26, 2018

A reminder that there is no necessary connection between our feature game and our topic. We would not divest ourselves of SEAL Team Flix, The Only Game that Matters, if for no other reason than we need it on hand so we can talk about it and only it for perpetuity. That, and it's great. Sorry, spoilers! Oh, and Walker was Keyser Söze the entire time.
Games Played Last Week:
-Cthulhu Wars 1m28s (Sandy Peterson & Lincoln Peterson, Peterson Games, 2015)
-Decrypto 5m09s (Thomas Dagenais-Lespérance, Le Scorpion Masqué, 2018)
-Gaslands 7m39s (Glenn Ford & Mike Hutchinson, Osprey Publishing, 2017)
-Beowulf: The Legend 12m06s (Reiner Knizia, KOSMOS, 2005)
-The Voyages of Marco Polo 15m04s (Simone Luciani & Daniele Tascini, Hans im Gluck, 2015)
-Dungeon Degenerates: Hand of Doom 18m03s (Sean Äaberg & Eric Radey, Goblinko, 2018)
News (and why it doesn't matter)
-SVWAG Summer Schedule 20m29s
-An editorial from Mark in the context of #MeToo: Making our gaming environment safe and welcoming 21m04s
Feature Game: SEAL Team Flix 26m03s (Pete Ruth & Mark Thomas, WizKids, 2018)
Topic: When and Why to Get Rid of Games 51m57s
Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brands
Privacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

#30: Food Chain Magnate and Game Storage Jun 20, 2018

It is important to stay flexible, and follow the ways of those who practise judo and jiu-jitsu. That is why we choke people as often as we can. Wait, that's not right. Rather, it is important to be supple and adaptable. We had intended to be on time and talking about different things, but sundry unrelated crises have changed both of those plans. We apologize for the delay, but we are confident our new plans are much better. We adapt. We choke. It is a good thing no one reads these, or these comments might be construed as an admission of assault.
Games Played Last Week:
-LOAD: League of Ancient Defenders 1m43s (Archon Studio, 2016)
-The 7th Continent 3m42s (Ludovic Roudy & Bruno Sautter, Serious Poulp Games, 2017)
-Heroes of Air, Land, & Sea 6m34s (Scott Almes, Gamelyn Games, 2018)
-John Company 11m38s (Cole Wehrle, Sierra Madre, 2017)
-Shards of Infinity 12m34s (Gary Arant & Justin Gary, Stone Blade Entertainment, 2018)
-Grimslingers: The Northern Territory 15m30s (Stephen Gibson, Greenbrier Games, 2018)
News (and why it doesn't matter)
-Netrunner Runs No More? 18m00s
-Kung Fu Panda...? 18m41s
-Monolith: A New Mold for Kickstarter? 19m07s
-Summer Hours at SVWAG? 23m02s
Feature Game: Food Chain Magnate 23m11s (Jeroen Doumen & Joris Wiersinga, Splotter Spellen, 2015)
Topic: Board Game Storage 48m56s
Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brands
Privacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

#29: Kemet and Turn Order Jun 12, 2018

We here at SVWAG take acronyms very seriously, but sometimes get carried away with such abbreviations. As a public service announcement, allow me to remind all of you that TI:4 stands for Twilight Imperium 4th Edition. It is purely coincidental that I mention this in the context of an episode dealing with games that have turn order problems. It is also a coincidence that Kemet is the feature game of said episode. Don't read too much into either of those facts, you wild conspiracist you.
Games Played Last Week:
-Ra 1m34s (Reiner Knizia, alea, 1999)
-First Class 4m31s (Helmut Ohley, Hans im Gluck, 2016)
-Dogs of War 7m49s (Paolo Mori, CMON, 2014)
-Downforce 8m53s (Rob Daviau, Justin D. Jacobson, & Wolfgang Kramer, Restoration Games, 2017)
-Deception: Murder in Hong Kong 10m39s (Tobey Ho, Grey Fox Games, 2014)
-Skull 12m34s (Hervé Marly, Asmodee, 2011)
News (and why it doesn't matter)
-Borg's Command is that the Color be Red (Alert) 13m08s
-Designing SEAL Team Flix 14m50s
-First Cthulhu game ever 16m38s
-Mythic Battles Pantheon returns 17m52s
-Warhammer Quest Adventure Card Game decamps to Terrinoth 18m44s
Feature Game: Kemet 20m44s (Jacques Bariot & Guillaume Montiage, Matagot, 2012)
Topic: Turn Order 51m02s
Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brands
Privacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

#28: Keyflower and Games that Are Too Long Jun 05, 2018

You can have too much of a good thing, which is why Mark always tries to interrupt Walker before he can finish a single sentence. Of course, "too much" is a highly subjective idea, whether applied to game length or pie. This week Keyflower is discussed, which is not too long but can feel too short--except if it were not too short it would be too long. Clear enough.
Games Played Last Week:
-Star Wars: Imperial Assault 3m25s (Justin Kemppainen, Corey Konieczka, & Jonathan Ying, Fantasy Flight, 2014)
-Lords of Vegas 5m31s (James Ernest & Mike Silenker, Mayfair, 2010)
-Sagrada 6m41s (Adrian Adamescu & Daryl Andrews, Floodgate Games, 2017)
-Thunderbolt Apache Leader 8m12s (Dan Verssen, DVG, 2012)
-Ginkgopolis 9m57s (Xavier Georges, Pearl Games, 2012)
-Ora et Labora 11m46s (Uwe Rosenberg, Lookout Games, 2011)
-Dungeon Alliance 15m11s (Andrew Parks, Quixotic Games, 2018)
-Spheres of Influence 20m33s (Josh Lamont, Little Nuke Games, 2016)
News (and why it doesn't matter)
-Jetpack Joyride 24m45s
-Spring Meadow 25m22s
-Contest Results! 25m55s
-Mark on The Long View (again) 26m36s
Feature Game: Keyflower 27m57s (Sebastian Bleasdale & Richard Breese, R&D Games, 2012)
Topic: Games that Are Too Long 51m45s
Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brands
Privacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

#27: Hyperborean Bag-Building and Rating Systems May 29, 2018

We delve into the culinary arts here at So Very Wrong About Games; having failed at math but excelling in eating, both Mark and Walker eschew conventional rating systems for gastronomical ones. They had considered rating the rating systems themselves, but were reminded of the podcast's firm stance against paradoxes. So, they threw all their pies into a bag and drew them randomly. It's been a confusing week, to say nothing of the mess.
Games Played Last Week:
-Quantum 1m00s (Eric Zimmerman, Funforge, 2013)
-Spheres of Influence 2m23s (Josh Lamont, Little Nuke Games, 2016)
-Lords of Hellas 3m37s (Adam Kwapinski, Awaken Realms, 2018)
-Core Worlds 4m24s (Andrew Parks, Stronghold Games, 2011)
-Ethnos 7m03s (Paolo Mori, CMON, 2017)
-Sakura Arms 11m41s (BakaFire, AEG, 2017)
-Empires: Age of Discovery 13m28s (Glenn Drover, Eagle-Gryphon Games, 2015)
-Too Many Bones 16m33s (Adam Carlson & Josh Carlson, Chip Theory Games, 2017)
News (and why it doesn't matter)
-Jettisoning Arcadia Quest into space 19m33s
-More Clank, more space 21m02s
-Cosmic Encounter is the answer to life, the universe, and everything 21m21s
-Giant Azul 25m40s
-Last contest reminder 26m55s
Feature Game: Bag-Building Bonanza 27m30s
Hyperborea (Andrea Chiarvesio & Pierluca Zizzi, Asterion, 2014)
Orleans (Reiner Stockhausen, dlp Games, 2014)
Altiplano (Reiner Stockhausen, dlp Games, 2017)
Topic: Rating Systems 55m27s
Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brands
Privacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

#26: Crisis at Steamfall and Interview with Chris Cieslik May 22, 2018

Walker encourages you to tell friends about So Very Wrong About Games, despite his not listening to the podcast. Mark has recommended it to him, but apparently Walker's contempt for his co-host's opinions is not limited to games, but extends also to the podcast they produce together about games. One assumes Walker also does not read the episode descriptions, which is truly risky, and might create an incentive to make them devoted to discussing his manifold character flaws.
Games Played Last Week:
-Forbidden Stars 2m51s (Samuel Bailey, James Kniffen, & Corey Konieczka, Fantasy Flight, 2015)
-Dice Hockey 4m17s (Artyom Nichipurov, Unpublished Wolff Designa prototype)
-Ortus Regni 5m46s (Jon Sudbury, Jon Sudbury Games, 2014)
-Xia: Legends of a Drift System 7m00s (Cody Miller, Far Off Games, 2014)
-Skull 9m27s (Hervé Marly, Asmodee, 2011)
-Cockroach Poker 9m27s (Jacques Zeimet, Dre Magier Spiele, 2004)
-Escape: The Curse of the Temple 14m24s (Kristian Amundsen Østby, Queen Games, 2012)
-878: Vikings – Invasions of England 15m16s (Beau Beckett, Dave Kimmel, & Jeph Stahl, Academy Games, 2017)
News (and why it doesn't matter)
-Ortus Regni back...ish 17m19s
-Tokyo Game Market 19m18s
-Nostalgic Splat Attack 19m38s
-Knizia auctions Lost Cities 20m13s
Feature Game: Preview of Crisis at Steamfall 22m36s (Tom Stasiak, Beautiful Disaster Games, 2018)
Topic: Interview with Chris Cieslik of Asmadi Games 40m16s
Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brands
Privacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

#25: Lords of Hellas and Problematic Expansions May 15, 2018

Mark tries to come to terms with his outright hypocrisy, largely on the basis that he feels it's acceptable for him but not for everyone else. Walker yearns for glory, but learns to his disappointment that glory is not legal tender and cannot be exchanged for goods or services. Lords of Hellas offer such piercing insights into the soul, "self-knowledge" being one of its 43 victory conditions. Also, SVWAG is giving away stuff.
Massive Darkness Giveaway: 1m33s
Games Played Last Week:
-Spirit Island 3m05s (Eric Reuss, Greater Than Games, 2017)
-John Company 4m21s (Cole Wehrle, Sierra Madre Games, 2017)
-Altiplano 5m57s (Reiner Stockhausen, dlp Games, 2017)
-Fairy Tale 9m14s (Satoshi Nakamura, Z-Man Games, 2004)
News (and why it doesn't matter)
-Asmodee for sale? Maybe? Maybe not? 10m42s
-Forbidden City Forbidden 11m43s
-Spiel des Jahres 12m24s
-More Kemet. Purple for everything! 13m05s
-Jakub Rozalski's art under scrutiny 13m32s
Feature Game: Lords of Hellas 17m05s (Adam Kwapinski, Awaken Realms, 2018)
Topic: Problematic Expansions 51m14s
Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brands
Privacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

#24: The City of Kings and Interview with Eric Reuss May 08, 2018

As it happens, games do not spawn ex nihilo, fully armed and armored from Zeus' forehead. I'm certain that's what most of you believed, but it's not true! To confirm this implausible fact, Mark sat down with Eric Reuss, the designer of Spirit Island, to talk about stuff. Walker and Mark also discuss The City of Kings, a game that is a fascinating mixture of euro mechanics, grand adventure, and both excellent and terrible theming.
Games Played Last Week:
-Kemet 1m25s (Jacques Bariot & Guillaume Montiage, Matagot, 2012)
-The Castles of Burgundy 3m22s (Stefan Feld, alea, 2011)
-878: Vikings – Invasions of England 4m40s (Beau Beckett, Dave Kimmel, & Jeph Stahl, Academy Games, 2017)
-One Deck Dungeon: Forest of Shadows 7m12s (Chris Cieslik, Asmadi Games, 2018)
-Warhammer Underworlds: Shadespire 8m19s (David Sanders, Games Workshop, 2017)
News (and why it doesn't matter)
-Acros forced off of Steam 12m55s
-X-Wing Second Edition 14m16s
-Empyreal: Spells and Steam 18m39s
Feature Game: The City of Kings 19m01s (Frank West, The City of Games, 2017)
Topic: Interview with Eric Reuss, designer of Spirit Island 41m32s
Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brands
Privacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

#23: Mage Knight and Player Scaling May 01, 2018

This podcast scales seamlessly from 2 to an in finite number of listeners, but we're not nearly that optimistic. Walker sometimes dreams of a solo mode, but sadly Mark insists on speaking. Mark and Walker again turn to Vlaada Chvatil, a designer who loves idiosyncrasy and detail--sometimes to excess. Walker asks if it would be appropriate to rant, and Mark gladly lets him off leash.
Games Played Last Week:
-Railroad Tycoon/Railways of the World 1m52s (Glenn Drover & Martin Wallace, Eagle-Gryphon Games, 2005)
-House of Borgia 3m13s (Scott Almes, Gamelyn Games, 2017)
-Ex Libris 5m24s (Ada P. McIver, Renegade Game Studios, 2017)
-Situation 7 7m27s (Marvin Glass, Parker Brothers, 1969)
-Biblios 10m47s (Steve Finn, Iello, 2007)
-Corporate America 13m15s (Teale Fristoe, Nothing Sacred Games, 2013)
-Winner's Circle 14m36s (Reiner Knizia, Face2Face, 2001)
-Rheinlander 15m30s (Reiner Knizia, Face2Face, 1999)
News (and why it doesn't matter)
-7 Wonders expands, Walker sighs 16m32s
-SVWAG expands, Walker sighs 17m37s
-Renegade Arboretum 18m41s
Feature Game: Mage Knight: The Board Game 20m25s (Vlaada Chvatil, WizKids, 2011)
Topic: Player Scaling 51m39s
Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brands
Privacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

#22: Feudum and Euro/Ameritrash Hybridization Apr 24, 2018

You wouldn't like Mark when he's angry, but that's probably attributable to his being fundamentally unlikable at the best of times. At any rate, Walker tries to rein him in from ranting too long about obvious component failures, publisher laziness, and alleged outright theft. Walker, for his part, just wants things to mean something. We are seekers here at So Very Wrong About Games.
Games Played Last Week:
-Spirit Island 2m10s (Eric Reuss, Fabled Nexus, 2017)
-The City of Kings 4m00s (Frank West, The City of Games, 2018)
-Warhammer Underworlds: Shadespire 6m00s (David Sanders, Games Workshop, 2017)
-World of SMOG: Rise of Moloch 9m04s (Fel Barros, Christophe Madura, Alexandru Olteanu, David Rakoto, & Michael Shinall, CMON, 2018)
-Shadowrift: Skittering Darkness 9m47s (Jeremy Anderson, Game Salute, 2018).
-John Company 15m22s (Cole Wehrle, Sierra Madre, 2018)
News (and why it doesn't matter)
-Music and geopolitics 22m14s
-Red Raven Targets the mass market 24m10s
-App didn't kill Imperial Assault 25m07s
-In France, no one can hear you scream theft 26m18s
-No app didn't kill Specter Ops 29m24s
Feature Game: Feudum 30m06s (Mark K. Swanson, Odd Bird Games, 2018)
Topic: Euro/Ameritrash Hybridization 54m22s
Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brands
Privacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

#21: Quartermaster General and Gaming Conventions Apr 17, 2018

Mark and Walker delve into matters of criminal justice this week, pondering the balance and tradeoffs between deterrence, retribution, and rehabilitation. Walker seems to think that Bunny Kingdom a form of cruel and unusual punishment, whereas Mark seems to think that any form of travel is necessarily a form of inhumane rendition. Anyway, they're sellouts now, so if you send them free stuff in the mail they'll say whatever you want them to.
Games Played Last Week:
-When I Dream 3m22s (Chris Darsaklis, Repos Productions, 2016)
-Noria 6m09s (Sophia Wagner, Stronghold, 2017)
-A Feast for Odin 8m46s (Uwe Rosenberg, Feuerland Spiele, 2016)
-Space Hulk 3rd Edition 12m13s (Richard Halliwell, Games Workshop, 2009)
-XenoShyft: Onslaught 14m00s (Michael Shinall, CMON, 2015)
-Massive Darkness 18m07s (Raphaël Guiton, Jean-Baptiste Lullien, & Nicolas Raoult, CMON, 2017)
-Feudum 21m12s (Mark K. Swanson, Odd Bird Games, 2018)
News (and why it doesn't matter)
-More Shade, more Spire 28m15s
-Boarders' backers left in the lurch 28m46s
-Battlestar Galactica minis 30m20s
-Starship Samurai 32m11s
Feature Game: Quartermaster General 33m50s (Ian Brody, Griggling Games, 2014)
Quartermaster General: Victory or Death: The Peloponnesian War (Ian Brody, Griggling Games, 2016)
Quartermaster General: 1914 (Ian Brody, Griggling Games, 2016)
Topic: Gaming Conventions 55m20s
Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brands
Privacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

#20: GKR: Heavy Hitters and Blinging Games Apr 10, 2018

Times are bad--children no longer respect their elders and everyone is running a Kickstarter. Nostalgia fuels our news segment today, with varying levels of scorn for cherished memories. For those of you playing along at home with their So Very Wrong About Games bingo cards, Walker talks about a Mystic Vale expansion and Mark brings up Macross--let us know if that makes five in a row.
Games Played Last Week:
-Not Alone 1m48s (Ghislain Masson, Stronghold Games, 2016)
-Quartermaster General: 1914 2m49s (Ian Brody, PSC Games, 2016)
-Mythic Battles: Pantheon 5m07s (Benoit Vogt, Monolith, 2017)
-Formula D 7m10s (Laurent Lavaur & Eric Randall, Asmodee, 2008)
-Rising Sun 9m30s (Eric Lang, CMON, 2018) vs.
-Blood Rage 9m30s (Eric Lang, CMON, 2015)
-The City of Kings 13m34s (Frank West, The City of Games, 2018)
News (and why it doesn't matter)
-Mousetrap Redux...? 16m59s
-Robot? Eck. 19m12s
-The Mystic Vale gets yet bigger 20m11s
-So much Confrontation 21m21s
-2nd editions for Claustrophobia and Race 23m15s
Feature Game: GKR: Heavy Hitters 23m41s (Matt Hyra, Cryptozoic and WETA Workshop, 2018)
Topic: Blinging Out Your Games 45m26s
Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brands
Privacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

#19: Space Alert and Multiplayer Conflict Games Apr 03, 2018

We adopt a policy of firm opposition to irresolvable paradoxes here at So Very Wrong About Games. Then again, everything we say is wrong, so take that for what it is worth. Don't even ask us about sets not containing themselves. We turn our attention to Vlaada Chvatil's work for the first time, and ruminate about multiplayer conflict games and how they often fail. Also, swimwear...? And "cascades of nightmarish terribleness," which might become our new podcast name.
Games Played Last Week:
-World of SMOG: Rise of Moloch 1m10s (Fel Barros, Christophe Madura, Alexandru Olteanu, David Rakoto, & Michael Shinall, CMON, 2018)
-Concordia 2m59s (Mac Gerdts, PD-Verlag, 2013)
-Meeple Circus 8m30s (Cedric Millet, Matagot, 2017)
-Clans of Caledonia 10m13s (Juma Al-Joujou, Karma Games, 2017)
-Rum & Bones: Second Tide 11m31s (Michael Shinall, CMON, 2017)
-Warfighter 13m59s (Dan Verssen, DVG, 2014)
News (and why it doesn't matter)
-April Fools disappointment roundup 16m06s
-More Mystic, more Vale 17m25s
-More Gloom, more Haven 17m51s
Feature Game: Space Alert 19m21s (Vlaada Chvatil, CGE, 2008)
Topic: Problems in Multiplayer Conflict Games 43m33s
Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brands
Privacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

#18: Champions of Midgard and Victory Point Systems Mar 27, 2018

Mark references several films while trying, and failing, to keep his composure. Walker tells stories that may or may not resemble reality. Both hosts rant about design decisions they find inexplicable. It's a very cathartic experience for all involved.
Games Played Last Week:
-Dinosaur Island 1m16s (Jonathan Gilmour & Brian Lewis, Pandasaurus, 2017)
-Cockroach Poker Royal 2m17s (Jacques Zeimet, 999 Games, 2012)
-Caverna: The Cave Farmers 4m05s (Uwe Rosenberg, Lookout Games, 2013)
-Unusual Suspects 6m00s (Paolo Mori, Cranio Creations, 2015)
-Too Many Bones 8m45s (Adam & Josh Carlson, Chip Theory Games, 2017)
-Infinity 12m16s (Gutier Lusquiños Rodríguez, Corvus Belli, 2005)
-Warhammer Underworlds: Shadespire 13m38s (David Sanders, Games Workshop, 2017)
-Food Chain Magnate 15m35s (Jeroen Doumen & Joris Wiersinga, Splotter, 2015)
News (and why it doesn't matter)
-Bruno's Imaginarium 19m15s
-Other Bruno's Chawai 19m45s
-Asmodee: The Movie 20m20s
-Shilling for Dinosaur Island 21m10s
-Infinity plus one 22m06s
-SVWAG Giveaway 23m00s
Feature Game: Champions of Midgard 24m14s (Ole Steiness, Grey Fox Games, 2015)
Topic: Victory Point Systems 47m24s
Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brands
Privacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

#17: Battlelore 2nd Edition and Board Game Life Hacks Mar 20, 2018

Mark and Walker explore how sophisticated the rejoinder "git gud" can be, perhaps indicating that they are getting good at unhelpful trash talking. Perhaps anything can be an art. Perhaps being a better degerenate is truly the life lesson they have extracted from their years as hobbyists; Mark's experiences have certainly turned him into a fantasy racist. Join us for A Very Special Episode of So Very Wrong About Games.
Games Played Last Week:
-Path of Light and Shadow 1m05s (Travis R. Chance, Jonathan Gilmour, & Nick Little, Action Phase Games, 2017)
-Catacombs 4m02s (Ryan Amos, Marc Kelsey, & Aron West, Elzra Corp., 2015)
-Barony 5m56s (Marc Andre, Matagot, 2015)
-Core Worlds 7m22s (Andrew Parks, Stronghold, 2011)
-Antike II 8m05s (Mac Gerdts, PD-Verlag, 2014)
-Rum & Bones: Second Tide 10m49s (Michael Shinall, CMON, 2017)
News (and why it doesn't matter)
-Mercury taking on Valley Games' legacy with Big City 13m59s
-Monsterpocalypse mutates, rises again 14m50s
-Death Note, an animated series, is licensed 16m44s
-Plan B for Tric Trac and gaming coverage? 16m59s
-Samurai Jack, an animated series, is licensed 18m55s
-Higher prices are constant as the Northern Star 19m43s
-Renegade stays Frosted, stuns the world with Rosenberg agriculture 21m01s
Feature Game: BattleLore 2nd Edition 21m57s (Richard Borg & Rob Kouba, FFG, 2013)
Topic: Board game hacks in real life 44m22s
Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brands
Privacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

#16: SMOG Rise of Moloch and Games that Shouldn't Work Mar 13, 2018

Walker pretends to tolerate Mark's digression into pronunciation, and in exchange Mark pretends to be surprised to hear that TI4 has problems. Both fail to be even remotely surprised that CMON is in the plastic pushing business, novelty or creativity optional.
Games Played Last Week:
-Zombicide: Black Plague 4m39s (Raphaël Guiton, Jean-Baptiste Lullien, & Nicolas Raoult, CMON, 2015)
-Black Orchestra 6m08s (Philip duBarry, Game Salute, 2016)
-Tobago 15m00s (Bruce Allen, Zoch Verlag, 2009)
-The Nasty 7 16m07s (Jacques Zeimet, Drei Hasen in der Abendsonne, 2015)
-Twilight Imperium 4th Edition 17m10s (Dane Beltrami, Corey Konieczka, & Christian T. Petersen, Fantasy Flight, 2017)
-Ortus Regni 18m08s (Jon Sudbury, Jon Sudbury Games, 2014)
News (and why it doesn't matter)
-Zombies! In! Space! 20m30s
-Where to avoid hearing more from Mark 21m57s
-Mage Knight likes big boxes and cannot lie 23m27s
Feature Game: World of SMOG: Rise of Moloch 24m08s (Fel Barros, Christophe Madura, Alexandru Olteanu, David Rakoto & Michael Shinall, CMON, 2018)
Topic: Games that Shouldn't Work, But Do 53m01s
Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brands
Privacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

#15: Shadespire and House Rules Mar 06, 2018

Why can't we all just get along? This week Mark and Walker agree that anyone causing pain should be tortured to death. Wait, that doesn't work. Okay, can we agree that people who cause pain wrongly are wrong? Hm. That seems problematic. What about we should shun those that aren't friendly? Crap. Let's just say that everyone should be nice to me, how's that?
Games Played Last Week:
-Clans of Caledonia 2m45s (Juma Al-Joujou, Karma Games, 2017)
-Gaia Project 5m15s (Jens Drögemüller & Helge Ostertag, Feuerland Spiele, 2017)
-Path of Light and Shadow 6m08s (Jonathan Gilmour, Travis Chance, & Nick Little, Indie Boards and Cards, 2017)
-World of SMOG: Rise of Moloch 11m19s (Fel Barros, Christophe Madura, Alexandru Olteanu, David Rakoto & Michael Shinall, CMON, 2018)
-Deception: Murder in Hong Kong 15m50s (Tobey Ho, Jolly Thinkers, 2014)
News (and why it doesn't matter)
-Luma Games and historical linguistics 16m34s
-Palladium finally puts Robotech backers out of their misery 17m24s
-Terraforming Mars needs to be longer 20m53s
-Fireball Island: this time with choices? 21m14s
-Batman. Lots of Batman. 23m14s
Feature Game: Warhammer Underworlds: Shadespire 25m39s (David Sanders, Games Workshop, 2017)
Topic: House Rules 51m52s
Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brands
Privacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

#14: Rising Sun and Inappropriate Themes Feb 27, 2018

Walker acts on his firm conviction that sympathy is for the weak, and the internet seems to endorse this position. Fueled by Mark's misery, the pair utter a great deal of words on the topic of Rising Sun, which has had a firm grip on their gaming time of late. They then decide to move on to matters of history and politics, which are always safe topics. Nothing could possibly go wrong.
Games Played Last Week:
-Arcane Academy 3m49s (Eric Lang & Kevin Wilson, IDW Games, 2016)
-Dogs of War 5m26s (Paolo Mori, CMON, 2014)
News (and why it doesn't matter):
-Deep in deep trouble 11m04s
-Star Trek Ascendancies yet further 16m19s
Feature Game: Rising Sun 18m12s (Eric Lang, CMON, 2018)
Topic: Inappropriate Themes 53m22s
Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brands
Privacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

#13: 51st State Master Set and Kickstarter Exclusives Feb 20, 2018

Mark and Walker dare the siege perilous in this, their thirteenth installment. Walker shares a rare moment of sincerity, and Mark restrains himself from taunting him for the lapse. Rising Sun is revisited and compared to Twilight Imperium, and shockingly Mark highlights ways in which that is favorable to TI:4. Mass hysteria ensues.
Games Played Last Week:
-Tigris & Euphrates 2m16s (Reiner Knizia, Hans im Gluck, 1997)
-Inkognito 3m36s (Leo Colovini & Alex Randolph, Ares Games, 1988)
-Charterstone 4m40s (Jamey Stegmaier, Stonemaier Games, 2017)
-Barony 9m29s (Marc Andre, Matagot, 2015)
-Rising Sun 10m58s (Eric Lang, CMON, 2018)
-Twilight Imperium: Fourth Edition 13m44s (Dane Beltrami, Corey Konieczka, & Christian T. Petersen, Fantasy Flight, 2017)
-Han 19m14s (Michael Schacht, ABACUSSPIELE, 2014)
News (and why it doesn't matter):
-Harry Potter Minis Game 21m38s
-Race for the Galaxy's Branching Expansions 23m04s
-Munchkin CCG...? Munchkin CCG. 24m20s
-AMIGO en los Estados Unidos 25m23s
Feature Game: 51st State Master Set 26m45s (Ignacy Trzewiczek, Portal Games, 2016)
Topic: Kickstarter Exclusives 49m06s
Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brands
Privacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

#12: Deception: Murder in Hong Kong and Hidden Game States Feb 13, 2018

Mark has a bit of an identity crisis, but his devotion to his listeners will see him through. Walker, as is his wont, merely patiently rolls his eyes-especially when Mark almost tries to get him to review a game they've only played once. The insolence!
Games Played Last Week:
-Rising Sun 2m14s (Eric Lang, CMON, 2018)
-Sid Meier's Civilization: A New Dawn 11m31s (James Kniffen, Fantasy Flight, 2017)
-Domaine 13m27s (Klaus Teuber, KOSMOS, 2003)
-Tigris & Euphrates 14m56s (Reiner Knizia, Hans im Gluck, 1997)
-Codenames 15m34s (Vlaada Chvatil, CGE, 2015)
-Star Trek: Ascendancy 16m19s (Aaron Dill, John Kovaleski & Sean Sweigart, Gale Force Nine, 2016)
-One Deck Dungeon 17m30s (Chris Cieslik, Asmadi Games, 2016)
News (and why it doesn't matter):
-Asmodee Buys Something Important 20m18s
-Walker at Cons 23m15s
-A Wrinkle in Time License 24m02s
-Games Workshop Tolerates File Submissions on BGG 25m12s
Feature Game: Deception: Murder in Hong Kong (Tobey Ho, Grey Fox, 2014) and Deception: Undercover Allies (2018)
Topic: Hidden Game States 55m31s
Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brands
Privacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

#11: Gaia Project and Reskins & Second Editions Feb 06, 2018

Mark and Walker switch roles this week in a stunning reversal. Walker avoids telling Mark to "get good," but it's a close thing only narrowly avoided. In Walker's defense, Mark really should git gud--as has been noted by many a scholar and physician. They discuss the redevelopment of Terra Mystica called Gaia Project, and then they generalize to how publishers sometimes mess up new editions of their games. Mark's sanity is questioned throughout; probably a sound policy.
Games Played Last Week:
-Stone Age 1m17s (Bernd Brunnhofer, Hans im Gluck, 2008)
-Corporate America 3m44s (Teale Fristoe, Nothing Sacred Games, 2013)
-Scythe: The Wind Gambit 8m12s (Kai Starck & Jamey Stegmaier, Stonemaier Games, 2017)
-Mythic Battles: Pantheon 9m55s (Eric Bourlett & Benoit Vogt, Monolith, 2017)
-Galaxy Trucker 14m26s (Vlaada Chvatil, Czech Games Edition, 2007)
News (and why it doesn't matter):
-Asmodee Buys Something 18m01s
-ShipNaked and Dan Yarrington's Run-in with Phil Eklund 18m20s
Feature Game: Gaia Project 22m06s (Jens Drögemüller & Helge Ostertag, Feuerland Spiele, 2017)
Topic: Reskins & Second Editions 45m40s
Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brands
Privacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

#10: A Feast for Odin and Apps Jan 30, 2018

Mark and Walker address so many questions this week. How many ways can Walker pronounce "coyote?" Why is all of Oceania laughing at CMON? What is the best social and economic system? How condescending can Mark get? Listen up, as all will be explained herein.
Games Played Last Week:
-First Martians: Adventures on the Red Planet 1m59s (Ignacy Trzewiczek, Portal Games, 2017)
-Mombasa 3m17s (Alexander Pfister, eggertspiele, 2015)
-Blood Rage 5m54s (Eric Lang, CMON Limited, 2015)
-Empires of the Void II 7m47s (Ryan Laukat, Red Raven, 2018)
-Coyote 11m23s (Spartaco Albertarelli, New Games Order, 2015)
-Sakura Arms 14m21s (BakaFire, AEG, 2017)
News (and why it doesn't matter):
-Wiki Kiwi Kotahi Rising Sun Fail 15m10s
-Menara 18m41s
-Progress on Myth? 19m45s
-Starship Samurai 20m43s
Feature Game: A Feast for Odin 21m29s (Uwe Rosenberg, Feuerland Spiele, 2016)
Topic: Apps in Board Games 41m02s
-Companion Apps 41m48s
-"Overlord" Apps 48m58s
-App-Driven Games 54m42s
Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brands
Privacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

#9: Sidereal Confluence and HATE Jan 23, 2018

Mark and Walker engage the ALL CAPS in a very HARDCORE WAY. Or something. All in all, they're very civil, even while disagreeing about Sidereal Confluence and being mystified by people's strong reactions to HATE. Rage gets all the love, but HATE gets all the confusion.
Games Played Last Week:
0:54 -Sakura Arms (BakaFire, AEG, 2017)
2:31 -Blood Rage (Eric Lang, CMON Games, 2015)
4:15 -Assault on Doomrock (Tom Stasiak, Beautiful Disaster Games, 2014)
7:31 -Star Wars: Imperial Assault (Justin Kemppainen, Corey Konieczka, & Jonathan Ying, FFG, 2014)
8:52 -Charterstone (Jamey Stegmaier, Stonemaier Games, 2017)
10:28 -Great Western Trail (Alexander Pfister, eggertspiele, 2016)
News (and why it doesn’t matter):
10:57 Reiner Knizia returns to Tigris & Euphrates with Yellow & Yangtze
14:56 BGG suffered a DDoS attack from bots this week
16:09 New expansion for Great Western Trail coming
16:52 Nemesis on Kickstarter, but does the publisher have the track record?
18:42 Feature Game: Sidereal Confluence (TauCeti Deichmann, WizKids, 2017)
40:33 Topic: CMON’s new Kickstarter: Hate
Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brands
Privacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

#8: Alien Artifacts and Kickstarter Jan 16, 2018

Mark and Walker engage in rampant hearsay, or at least that's what someone told me. They perform a dissection of Alien Artifacts, only to discover that it was a shoddy rubber suit all along. They then discuss their thoughts on Kickstarter's influence on the hobby--is it making games cute but stupid?
Also, a friendly reminder that Star Control II is the greatest video game ever made.
Games Played Last Week:
1:00 -Secret Hitler (Mike Boxleiter, Tommy Maranges & Max Temkin, Self-published, 2016)
2:39 -Sheriff of Nottingham (Sérgio Halaban & André Zatz, Arcane Wonders, 2014)
5:11 -Keyflower (Sebastien Bleasdale & Richard Breese, R&D Games, 2012)
7:57 -Neuroshima Hex (Michał Oracz, Portal, 2006)
11:08 -Empires of the Void II (Ryan Laukat, Red Raven, 2018)
15:45 -Unlock! Mystery Adventures (Cyril Demaegd, Arnaud Ladagnous, Fabrice Mazza, Sébastien Pauchon & Billy Stevenson, Space Cowboys, 2017)
19:25 -Twilight Imperium: Fourth Edition (Dane Beltrami, Corey Konieczka, & Christian T. Petersen, Fantasy Flight, 2017)
20:31 -Cockroach Poker (Jacques Zeimet, Drei Magier, 2004)
News (and why it doesn’t matter):
23:04 Immortal 8, a new drafting game, but is it Fairy Tale?
23:36 Chinese New Year has been mainstreamed in BG community
25:13 Clash of Cultures reprint on hold
26:34 Feature Game: Alien Artifacts (Viola Kijowska & Marcin Senior Ropka, Portal Games, 2017)
49:19 Topic: Kickstarter
Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brands
Privacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

#7: Scythe: The Wind Gambit and Campaigns Jan 09, 2018

Mark and Walker discuss many things Stonemaier games, and ask the rhetorical question: why does everything gotta have a campaign? They then try to answer that question, because they don't know what rhetorical means.
Games Played Last Week:
1:35 -Monikers (Alex Hague & Justin Vickers, Palm Court, 2015)
2:16 -One Night Ultimate Werewolf (Ted Alspach & Akihisa Okui, Bezier Games, 2014)
4:10 -Pandemic Legacy Season 2 (Rob Daviau & Matt Leacock, Z-Man, 2017)
5:40 -Charterstone (Jamey Stegmaier, Stonemaier Games, 2017)
9:04 -Sakura Arms (Baka Fire, AEG, 2017)
11:47 -Alien Artifacts (Marcin Senior Ropka & Viola Kijowska, Portal, 2017)
13:56 -El Grande (Wolfgang Kramer & Richard Ulrich, Hans im Gluck, 1995)
16:26 -Antiquity (Joroen Doumen & Joris Wiersinga, Splotter, 2004)
News (and why it doesn’t matter):
21:13 Next and possibly final expansion for Scythe announced
25:20 Seal Team Flix coming from WizKids
26:27 Carnival Zombie 2nd Edition coming to Kickstarter
27:24 Don Eskidge’s next game will be Black Hole Council
28:49 Mantic Games will release Hellboy: The Board Game
30:01 Feature Game: Scythe: The Wind Gambit
44:56 Topic: Campaigns
Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brands
Privacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

#6: Space Hulk and New Year's Resolutions Jan 02, 2018

Mark and Walker spend zero moments wondering what a lang syne is, but instead praise the classic Space Hulk and look forward to 2018 with some gaming resolutions. As is the way with such things, they've probably already been broken--especially the one where Mark tries to be more nice.
Games Played Last Week:
1:34 -Through the Desert (Reiner Knizia, KOSMOS, 1998)
4:19 -Santorini (Gord!, Roxley, 2016)
5:51 -Beowulf: The Legend (Reiner Knizia, KOSMOS, 2005)
10:06 -Alien Artifacts (Marcin Senior Ropka & Viola Kijowska, Portal, 2017)
13:00 -Tajemnicze Domostwo/Mysterium (Oleksandr Nevskiy & Oleg Sidorenko, Portal, 2013)
16:05 -Trivial Pursuit (Scott Abbott & Chris Haney, Parker Brothers, 1981)
News (and why it doesn’t matter):
20:20 DC Spyfall
21:49 Games Workshop now partnering with WizKids
24:03 Feature Game: Space Hulk (Richard Halliwell, Games Workshop, 1989)
48:46 Topic: New Year’s Resolutions
Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brands
Privacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

#5: Year in Review 2017 Dec 19, 2017

Mark and Walker engage in furious duel, where Mantis Style triumphs over Crane Style. Music is impugned. Characters disparaged. Time itself is on trial! This is getting metaphysical, people. Games are also discussed.
The highs and lows of 2017 are discussed, and each host lists their personal Top 10 before jointly declaring So Very Wrong About Games' 2017 Game of the Year.
Games played last week:
2:23 -Flip Ships (Kane Klenko, Renegade, 2017)
4:33 -Gaia Project (Jens Drögemüller & Helge Ostertag, Feuerland Spiele, 2017)
7:12 -Mystic Vale (John D. Clair, AEG, 2016)
8:20 -Feast for Odin (Uwe Rosenberg, Feuerland Spiele, 2016)
10:46 -Werewords (Ted Alpsach, Bezier Games, 2017)
13:39 Special Holiday Insert: Not Forcing It: Knowing the Room
18:44 Year in Review 2017
Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brands
Privacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

#4: Spirit Island and Rulebooks Dec 12, 2017

Mark (alias Flavor Flav) and Walker (alias Chuck D) disagree about many things, among them Twilight Imperium 4th ed., Spirit Island, GMT Games, and rulebooks. Fight the power, by which we mean listen to this podcast of a couple of white dudes talking about games.
Games played last week:
1:37 -Pericles: The Peloponnesian Wars (Mark Herman, GMT Games, 2017)
4:42 -Great Western Trail (Alexander Pfister, eggertspiele, 2016)
6:32 -Sid Meier's Civilization: A New Dawn (James Kniffen, Fantasy Flight, 2017)
9:11 -Twilight Imperium: Fourth Edition (Dane Beltrami, Corey Konieczka, & Christian T. Petersen, Fantasy Flight, 2017)
21:51 -Pandemic Legacy: Season 2 (Rob Daviau & Matt Leacock, Z-Man, 2017)
22:39 -Scythe: The Wind Gambit (Kai Starck & Jamey Stegmaier, Stonemaier Games, 2017)
News (and why it doesn’t matter):
25:01 CMON announces HATE
27:10 Feature Game: Spirit Island (R. Eric Reuss, Greater Than Games, 2017)
43:08 Topic: Rulebooks
Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brands
Privacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

#3: Hansa Teutonica and Theme Dec 05, 2017

Mark and Walker praise the themeless Hansa Teutonica and proceed to break down what makes for successful themes in games, leading to unexpected agreement on many things Star Wars.
Games played last week:
1:18 -Castles of Burgundy (Stefan Feld, alea, 2011)
2:46 -The Expanse (Geoffrey Engelstein, Wizkids, 2017)
5:27-Die Fiesen 7 (Jacques Zeimet, 999 Games 2015)
6:54 -Tribune: Primes Inter Pares (Karl-Heinz Schmiel, Heidelberger, 2007)
8:19 -Imperial Assault, especially Legends of the Alliance (Justin Kemppainen, Corey Konieczka, Jonathan Ying, Fantasy Flight, 2014)
11:52 -Project: ELITE (Konstantinos Kokkinis, Sotirios Tsantilas, Artipia Games, 2016)
13:56 -Kingdomino (Bruno Cathala, Blue Orange, 2016)
14:34 Feature Game: Hansa Teutonica (Andreas Steding, Argentum Verlag, 2009)
News (and why it doesn’t matter):
33:27 Renegade offering pre-orders for Altiplano
33:59 BoardGameGeek End-of-Year Membership Drive
35:22 CMON putting out Munchkin games, Eric Lang doing Munchkin CCG
36:34 Mayfair Games no more?
37:46 Topic: Theme
Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brands
Privacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

#2: Terraforming Mars and Dexterity Games Nov 28, 2017

Mark and Walker have some civil disagreements concerning Terraforming Mars (Jacob Fryxelius, Stronghold, 2016) and cannibalism before enthusing about playing with toys. As a note, whips are not considered toys in this context.
Games Played Last Week:
1:27 -Empires (David and Daniel Stephenson, WizKids, 2017)
5:03 -Clank! In! Space! (Paul Dennen, Renegade Game Studios, 2017)
6:23 -Pandemic Legacy: Season 2 (Matt Leacock & Rob Daviau, Z-Man, 2017)
8:47 -Orleans: Trade & Intrigue (Reiner Stockhausen, dlp Games, 2016)
11:21 -Mafia de Cuba (Philippe des Pallières & Loïc Lamy, Lui-même, 2015)
14:18 -Bunny Kingdom (Richard Garfield, IELLO, 2017)
18:18 Feature Game: Terraforming Mars (Jacob Fryxelius, Stronghold, 2016)
News (and why it doesn't matter):
43:16 Necromunda: Underhive is out
44:06 News on the Imperial Assault App
45:04 New Scythe expansion and Big Box, discussion of airship models
48:48 Topic: Dexterity Games
Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brands
Privacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

#1: Kingdom Death and Randomness Nov 23, 2017

Mark and Walker talk about how Kingdom Death: Monster (Adam Poots, 2015) is an unrelenting nightmare, and why that's (mostly) a good thing. The featured topic is randomness and how to deal with it, both from a game design and a player's perspective.
Games played last week:
1:00 Champions of Midgard and its expansions (Ole Steiness, Grey Fox Games, 2015)
2:15 Sidereal Confluence (TauCeti Deichmann, Wizkids, 2017)
4:17 Orléans: Invasion (Inka Brand, Markus Brand, Reiner Stockhausen, dlp Games, 2015)
5:28 Warhammer Underworlds: Shadespire (David Sanders, Games Workshop, 2017)
7:21 Keyper (Richard Breese, HUCH, 2017)
8:51 Immortals (Dirk Henn & Mike Elliott, Queen Games, 2017)
11:18 Feature Game: Kingdom Death: Monster (Adam Poots, Kingdom Death, 2015)
News (and why it doesn't matter):
34:12 Betrayal Legacy
37:49 WizKids ups its game
40:08 Necromunda on its way back
45:24 A word from our sponsor
45:32 Topic: Randomness
Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brands
Privacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

Our TOPPODCAST Picks

Follow Us

Stay Connected

Related Podcasts

Links

Stay Connected