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In this episode, Brendan talks about the way that theme and mechanisms integrate. In particular, he asks how the two go together in weird or unusual games. Post your thoughts on our Board Game Geek guild. Games mentioned: A Feast
Listen on Spreaker! Brendan provides his “hot take” on Sagrada, and then talks a bit about Area Control as a game mechanisms. Games mentioned: Sagrada Axis & Allies Rex: Final Days of an Empire A Study in Emerald Mythotopia Star Wars:
Brendan shares a bit about the shows and contexts he uses to keep himself in the loop in the hobby. Here are the podcasts he mentions, in order: Rolling Dice and Taking Names This Game is Broken Flip Florey’s Super
In this episode, Brendan reflects on the nature of creativity and remix in the boardgame design sphere, and the games Insider and Werewords. Episode Notes: Insider Werewords Alspach on Insider and Werewords The Werewords Kickstarter update under discussion Growl kickstarter Pick Up and Deliver BGG Guild
Brendan continues his discussion of the idea of free riders and how they appear in games. He ponders the fact that games allow for a different moral or ethical code to come into play, and wonders if that alternate code makes
In this first of two part episodes, Brendan talks about the “free-rider” economic model and the nature of freemium programs, donor programs, and the relationship of content to cost. In episode two, he’ll talk about how the free-rider model can
Brendan discusses games he has that have elaborate components and what effect those components have on the experience of playing them. Games mentioned: Recently played: Carnival Zombie, Crystal Clans Century: Golem edition Anachrony Arkham Horror: LCG Stonemaier fancy bits Food Chain Magnate
Brendan shares his system for managing and tracking his gameplays, and introduces a new monthly segment, Top of the Stack. (Nod to Podcast of Nonsensical Gamers for their creation of this segment.) Notes: Top of the Stack list Ravenous River
Brendan shares his thoughts about what makes a game “burn your brain” and which games like that are his favorite ones. Games mentioned: Bunny Kingdom Mottainai Last Will AquaSphere Trickerion
Brendan discusses the Annie Jacobsen book, Operation Paperclip: The Secret Intelligence Program that Brought Nazi Scientists to America. He reflects on how games can simulate the murky morality of this kind of activity, and whether that can be fun in a game.