The Covenant Cast

Latest Episodes:

139: Origins Online Cancellation and a Deeper Look Jun 13, 2020

Show notes

Earlier this week, Origins Online was cancelled after a significant number of content creators and hosts walked away from the event. We discuss what happened, what it means, and what it teaches about the greater realities of tabletop gaming culture.

Find all previous casts, as well as learning content and products, on our website: https://teamcovenant.com

138: The Abstract Strategy of Star Wars LCG Jun 06, 2020

Show notes

The Star Wars LCG, with one of the innovative Eric Lang designs shaking up the scene at the time, instantly threw Star Wars fans into yet another furious debate about the proper way to recreate the "magic of Star Wars". For some, it was too abstract. For others, it was an entirely fresh way to experience a card game. After revisiting it this week on the stream, we give our thoughts.

Find all previous casts, as well as learning content and products, on our website: https://teamcovenant.com

137: The Game Outside the Game May 30, 2020

Show notes

Games from all genres thrive when they provide players a point of connection when not playing with others - whether through solo play, deck-building, painting, or even collecting. These elements might be more important than any of us fully realize, especially as COVID has forced us to appreciate them.

Find all previous casts, as well as learning content and products, on our website: https://teamcovenant.com

136: Gen Con Cancelled, Habits Disrupted May 24, 2020

Show notes

Following in the footsteps of Origins and others, Gen Con has officially canceled their in-person convention, replacing it with an online variant. What could these kinds of disruptions mean for businesses and players who viewed Gen Con as a "no-brainer" every year? Forced reflection and introspection abounds in the age of COVID.

Find all previous casts, as well as learning content and products, on our website: https://teamcovenant.com

135: When Wrestling Isn't Wrestling May 16, 2020

Show notes

Theme and mechanics should always strive for harmony, but what happens when a wild wrestling match turns into an analytical challenge full of unexpected complexities? For some, the greatest game ever made. For others, confusion.

Find all previous casts, as well as learning content and products, on our website: https://teamcovenant.com

134: What Makes Games Exhausting May 03, 2020

Show notes

Continuing a series of reflections spurred by our revisit to a number of classic CCGs, we try to pin down the mechanical style that makes certain games exhausting. It's a lot more than the number of decisions being made.

Find all previous casts, as well as learning content and products, on our website: https://teamcovenant.com

133: Game Complexity is Complex Apr 25, 2020

Show notes

When we say a game is "complex", that really doesn't tell us much. Simple decision trees with complex mechanics can lead to beautifully thematic experiences. Complex decision trees with simple mechanics can lead to incredibly satisfying gameplay. We look at the Middle Earth CCG, Legend of the Five Rings LCG, and Skytear - among others - to dig deeper into the different ways that complexity can help, or hurt, a game. Find all previous casts, as well as learning content and products, on our website: https://teamcovenant.com

132: Great Game Design - A Retrospective ft. Epic Duels Apr 19, 2020

Show notes

Having now streamed over 100 hours from a diverse catalog of games in the past month, we crack open the eternal topic - why do some games stand the test of time while others fall away? Great design is a mixture of mechanics and expectations, and there is no better framing device for this discussion than the recently played classic, Star Wars: Epic Duels.

Find all previous casts, as well as learning content and products, on our website: https://teamcovenant.com

131: Skytear and the Covenant Mission Apr 11, 2020

Show notes

Just as we finalized a months-long effort to bring clarity to the online component of Covenant, the perfect candidate for our new mission arrived on our doorstep. Join us for a discussion about Skytear, a tremendous game that ushers in a new way for us to help publishers, players, and local stores.

Find all previous casts, as well as learning content and products, on our website: https://teamcovenant.com

130: Appreciating the Arkham Horror LCG Mar 28, 2020

Show notes

After nearly a week of daily streaming for The Forgotten Age, Arkham is top of mind. Join us for a discussion about the merits of a game that you really do have to "earn".

Find all previous casts, as well as learning content and products, on our website: https://teamcovenant.com

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