One Stop Co-Op Shop 492 | Two to Five Xs | Design Discussion
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Oct 21, 2025 Dive into the intriguing world of 4X games as Peter and Mike dissect their core elements: explore, expand, exploit, and exterminate. They question if traditional definitions meet player expectations and discuss whether the latest board games are losing key components, like tech trees. Highlights include the introduction of a fifth 'X'—expertise or tech—suggesting it ties together the existing elements. The hosts also explore the significance of exploration mechanics, making for a thoughtful discussion on the evolution of board gaming.
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Shackleton Base Play Impression
- Peter played Shackleton Base and liked its worker-placement plus map-revealing design and color-coded worker mechanics.
- He described it as an economic worker-placement game that rewarded building onto the map.
Threshold Preview And Impressions
- Michael previewed Threshold, praising its fast combat, deck-as-life mechanics, and cooperative jumping-in to help allies.
- He compared its progression and card combos to Adventure Tactics and Marvel Champions.
Tech Progression Transforms 4X
- The canonical 4X (explore, expand, exploit, exterminate) often omits tech trees that define civilization-style progression.
- Peter and Michael argue tech progression (a fifth X) transforms map-based skirmishes into true civilization games.