So Very Wrong About Games

I've always chafed at the conventional wisdom that young goats are good at trick-taking games. Or, at least, ones where you are not incentivized to go null. Do they hold their cards in their cloven hooves? Do their dead eyes come to life when contemplating the vagaries of trump suits? It must be true, though, because I have it on good authority from a cartoon rabbit that tricks are for kids. 01:23 AYURIS: Envelopes of Cash (Andy Schwarz, Envelopes of Cash LLC, 2023) Games Played Last Week: 03:57 -Ginkgopolis (Xavier Georges, Pearl Games, 2012) 08:48 -Vaultbreakers (Valentino Mori, Vaultbreakers Games, 2024) 13:07 -Sidereal Confluence (TauCeti Deichmann, Wizkids, 2017) 17:46 -Uprising: Curse of the Last Emperor (Cornelius Cremin, Pawel Mazur, & Dirk Sommer, Nemesis.Games, 2021) 20:01 -Hot Streak (Jon Perry, CMYK, 2025) 21:47 -Signal (Jasper Beatrix, DVC Games, 2025) 26:36 -KINGs: TRICKTAKERs (Hiroken, Joyple Games, 2023) 32:40 -Quantum (Eric Zimmerman, Funforge, 2013) -Fromage (Matthew O'Malley and Ben Rosset, Road to Infamy Games, 2024) News (and why it doesn't matter): 38:52 Part of the Pickaxe Network! Join us Thursday, September 25th at 17:00-18:30 BST for Pickaxe week on the Yogscast feed. 39:49 Hanami by Keymaster, reprint of Reiner Knizia's Samurai, on Kickstarter 40:51 Topic: Trick-Taking Games Redux Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Losing a component is rough. Knowing that one of your games is incomplete is like having a permanent absence in your soul. It's one thing to eschew that one added expansion--that's a triumph of restraint. But that missing block in Viking See-Saw will taunt you forever, a blight on your consciousness that can never be healed. Maybe I'm exaggerating. Games Played Last Week: 00:52 -Uprising: Curse of the Last Emperor (Cornelius Cremin, Pawel Mazur, & Dirk Sommer, Nemesis.Games, 2021) 04:37 -Riftforce: Beyond (Carlo Bortolini, 1 More Time Games, 2022) 09:44 -Unstoppable (John D. Clair, Renegade Game Studios, 2025) 3D printed tokens: https://www.etsy.com/ca/listing/1851400332/ 14:27 -Signal (Jasper Beatrix, DVC Games, 2025) 20:35 -Viking See-Saw (Reiner Knizia, itten, 2021) 23:19 -Dune: Imperium--Uprising (Paul Dennen, Dire Wolf, 2023) 28:32 -MicroMacro: Kids--Crazy City Park (Johannes Sich, Edition Spielwiese, 2025) 29:35 -Champions of Midgard (Ole Steiness, Grey Fox Games, 2015) News (and why it doesn't matter): 31:57 Part of the Pickaxe Network! Join us Thursday, September 25th at 17:00-18:30 BST for Pickaxe week on the Yogscast feed. 32:57 Ryan Laukat's Song of Silveranth 33:42 Feature Game: The Lord of the Rings: Fate of the Fellowship (Matt Leacock, Z-Man Games, 2025) Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Inigo: I am waiting for you, Vizzini. You told me to go back to the beginning. So I have. This is where I am, and this is where I’ll stay. I will not be moved. Brute: But the Prince gave orders — Inigo: — So did Vizzini — when a job went wrong, you went back to the beginning. And this is where we got the job. So it’s the beginning, and I’m staying till Vizzini comes. -The Princess Bride (who knew Inigo was a Black Sabbath fan?) 02:39 AYURIS: Federation (Dimitri Perrier and Matthieu Verdier, Explor8, 2022) Games Played Last Week: 05:32 -The Gang (John Cooper and Kory Heath, KOSMOS, 2024) 10:08 -The King Is Dead: Second Edition (Peer Sylvester, Osprey Games, 2020) 13:28 -TEAM3 PINK (Alex Cutler & Matt Fantastic, Brain Games, 2019) 18:02 -Rebel Princess (Daniel Byrne, José Gerardo Guerrero, Kevin Peláez, and Tirso Virgós, Zombi Paella, 2023) 23:00 -Fives (Taiki Shinzawa, CMYK, 2025) 26:53 -Bargain Hunter (Uwe Rosenberg, Valley Games, 1998) 31:14 -The Lord of the Rings: Fate of the Fellowship (Matt Leacock, Z-Man Games, 2025) 32:48 -Line of Fire: Burnt Moon (Trevor Benjamin & David Thompson, Osprey Games, 2025) 39:22 -Cosmic Frog (Jenna Felli, Devious Weasel Games, 2020) 45:05 -Planepita (Eisuke Fuijinawa & Kazunori Hori, SzpiLAB, 2022) News (and why it doesn't matter): 47:15 Part of the Pickaxe Network! Join us Thursday, September 25th at 17:00-18:30 BST for Pickaxe week on the Yogscast feed. [EDIT: Mark says the wrong date on the show. The correct date is September 25th.] 48:35 Expansions! For Freedom: The Underground Railroad, Twilight Imperium 4th, Thunder Road: Vendetta, and another edition of Shogun because why not? 51:08 Update on CGE's Harry Potter-themed Codenames: CGE pledges 100% of profits to appropriate charities 52:14 Devir pledges to replace racist imagery in Ace of Spades 53:09 Topic: Starting Over Your Collection Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

"We don’t ask that you stop loving your fantasy world. We askyou stop paying money for the privilege to dream of it. Ifyou want to read the [Harry Potter] books or watch the movies, considerbuying second-hand or renting them from a library. Smallchanges can make sure you never put your hard-earnedmoney into JKR’s hands."-Blacklist CGE zineGames Played Last Week:01:01 -Through the Desert (Reiner Knizia, KOSMOS, 1998)05:49 -Tiletum: Prospect for Silver (Simone Luciani & Daniele Tascini, Board&Dice, 2025)10:10 -Endeavor: Deep Sea (Carl de Visser and Jarratt Gray, Burnt Island Games, 2024)18:03 -Through Ice and Snow (Fernando Eduardo Sánchez, 2Tomatoes Games, 2024)22:41 -Hot Streak (Jon Perry, CMYK, 2025)27:39 -The Lord of the Rings: Fate of the Fellowship (Matt Leacock, Z-Man Games, 2025)News (and why it doesn't matter):41:05 New Doom board game(s) by Modiphius41:46 High Tide by Marceline Leiman42:20 SVWAG's statement on boycotting Czech Games Edition and in support of trans and non-binary gamersBlacklist CGE zine: https://drive.google.com/drive/folders/10BUxxRO08jS9ZFnfnt0dnMPEZi5lrwke44:15 Feature Game: Vantage (Jamey Stegmaier, Stonemaier Games, 2025)Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brandsPrivacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

A chief misgiving Mark has about the con is that he is a terrible playtester. He was able to play two unpublished games, and while the designers were gracious he is seldom able to offer anything of much substance. "This game," he might say, "has cards. And other things." Past that, for some reason, when confronted with a prototype his faculties often fail him.01:48 AYURIS: Arborea (Dani Garcia, Alley Cat Games, 2023)Games Played Last Week:05:00 -Phantom Division (Pete Ruth & Mark Thomas, Phantom Horizon, 2026)14:38 -Westphalia (Amabel Holland, Hollandspiele, 2019)23:33 -Project: ELITE (Konstantinos Kokkinis, Marco Portugal, & Sotirios Tsantilas, CMON, 2020)27:19 -Ankh: Gods of Egypt (Eric M. Lang, CMON, 2021)33:25 -Rise & Fall (Christophe Boelinger, Ludically, 2024)38:15 -Space Cadets: Dice Duel (Geoff Engelstein and Sydney Engelstein, Stronghold, 2013)43:06 -Outlive (Gregory Iliver, La Boite de Jeu, 2017)News (and why it doesn't matter):N/A45:22 Topic: SVWAG Con ReportChef Ashlee: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100068315809451Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brandsPrivacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

The purest juxtaposition that reveals the absurdity of "take that" effects can be found in many of your heavier games and some consims with cards. You gather the resources, marshal your forces, laboriously haul those troops hither and yon, and then sometimes have to manage some activation tokens or whatnot to finally get it on. And then your opponent plays the "nuh uh" card. Fun!01:19 AYURIS: Daybreak (Matt Leacock & Matteo Menapace, CMYK, 2023)Games Played Last Week:04:35 -Star Wars Unlimited (Jim Cartwright, Tyler Parrott, Daniel Schaefer, & Jeremy Zwirn, Fantasy Flight Games, 2024)09:33 -Steam Power (Martin Wallace, Wallace Designs, 2024)16:20 -Spot It! Bluey (Denis Blanchot, Jacques Cottereau, Guillaume Gille-Naves, & Igor Polouchine, Blue Orange, 2025)19:15 -Mosaic: A Story of Civilization (Glenn Drover, Forbidden Games, 2022)21:47 -TowerBrix (Simon Thomas, KOSMOS, 2024)25:46 -Walk the Plank: Deluxe Edition (Shane Steely & Jared Tinney, Mayday Games, 2017)28:36 -Bomb Busters (Hisashi Hayashi, Pegasus Spiel, 2024)32:47 -Paint the Roses (Ben Goldman, North Star Games, 2022)38:24 -Kinfire Delve: Scorn's Stockade (Kevin Wilson, Incredible Dream Studios, 2024)41:55 -Transgalactica (Daniele Tascini, Devir, 2025)49:15 -Phantom Division (Pete Ruth & Mark Thomas, Phantom Horizon, 2026)News (and why it doesn't matter):55:14 Looking forward to SVWAGCon!55:43 Topic: Take ThatAdvertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brandsPrivacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

"Dear friend, if you wanna feel betterDon't let the devil make you toss this letterIf you've been crossed up by hoodoo voodooA wizard or the lizardYou got family trouble, man trouble, woman troubleNo light through the tunnelIf you're lookin' for a true friend, or a true loverOr if you've been livin' undercoverWell, I'm comin' to your town to break it all downAnd help you with all of thisI'm lookin' to help you find bliss one dayOr one way, can't miss"-Jack White, "Archbishop Harold Holmes", presumably extolling the virtues of the Millipede Death CultGames Played Last Week:01:14 -Cthulhu: Death May Die--Fear of the Unknown (Rob Daviau, Eric M. Lang, and Marco Portugal, CMON, 2024)06:28 -Dune: Imperium--Uprising (Paul Dennen, Dire Wolf, 2023)12:48 -Innovation Ultimate (Carl Chudyk, Asmadi Games, 2025)18:25 -Leviathan Wilds: Deepvale (Justin Kemppainen, Moon Crab Games, 2025)22:03 -Line of Fire: Burnt Moon (Trevor Benjamin & David Thompson, Osprey Games, 2025) 27:23 -Rumble Nation (Yogi Shinichi, Hobby Japan, 2017)29:23 -Iron Forest (Brian Gomez, Brain Games, 2024)32:23 -Crash Octopus (Naotaka Shimamoto, itten, 2021)33:08 -Junk Art (Jay Cormier & Sen-Foong Lim, Pretzel Games, 2016)33:51 -The Breach (Michele Morosini, Ludus Magnus Studio, 2024)41:27 -A Gentle Rain (Kevin Wilson, Incredible Dream Studios, 2024)News (and why it doesn't matter):44:34 Open registration for SVWAG Con (July 25th-July 27th) on Eventbrite! https://tinyurl.com/25s6p5jd45:24 REPRINTS! PitchCar and expansions, Ra: The Dice Game, Rheinlander, Junk Art49:35 Carnegie expansion in development49:52 Feature Game: Shackleton Base: A Journey to the Moon (Fabio Lopiano & Nestore Mangone, Sorry We Are French, 2024)Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brandsPrivacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

It is remarkable to reflect on how much hobbies can demand of us, and certainly board gaming is no different. Setting aside the administrative, economic, and social burdens; we then have to spend so much time teaching, setting up, and tearing down. Alas! 23-step processes for general set up prior to the 12-step individual player board set up. It was not always thus, but here we are.01:42 AYURIS: Voidfall (Nigel Buckle & Dávid Turczi, Mindclash Games, 2023)Games Played Last Week:07:15 -Shackleton Base: A Journey to the Moon (Fabio Lopiano & Nestore Mangone, Sorry We Are French, 2024)13:37 -Cthulhu: Death May Die--Fear of the Unknown (Rob Daviau, Eric M. Lang, and Marco Portugal, CMON, 2024)17:48 -Barony: Heroes (Marc André, Grail Games, 2025)21:04 -Netrunner: System Gateway (Zoe Cohen, McGregor Crowley, June Valencia Cuervo, Max Chippington Derrick, Gregory Tongue, and Jade Wesley, Null Signal Games, 2021)34:37 -Planepita (Eisuke Fuijinawa & Kazunori Hori, SzpiLAB, 2022)40:50 -ALIEN: Fate of the Nostromo (Scott Rogers, Ravensburger, 2021)44:47 -Endeavor: Deep Sea (Carl de Visser and Jarratt Gray, Burnt Island Games, 2024)News (and why it doesn't matter):50:05 Germán P. Millán's Covenant50:35 Blood Rage: Valhalla expandalone to be on crowdfunding53:52 Little Soldiers: green army men miniatures game54:38 SVWAG Con (July 25th-July 27th) SOLD OUT55:34 Topic: Setup and TeardownAdvertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brandsPrivacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Apparently the American custom of the "push present" can trace its roots to the Anglo-Indian tradition of the "baby bauble", although in the latter case jewellery is the more standard gift (instead of, say, boardgames). Can we acknowledge that baby bauble is a much less crude term? Let's try to be classy here, people. There is already enough about childbirth that is fraught.Games Played Last Week:2:07 -Galactic Cruise (T.K. King, Dennis Northcott, and Koltin Thompson, Kinson Key Games, 2025)6:31 -Cerebria: The Inside World (Richard Amann, Viktor Peter, István Pócsi, Frigyes Schőberl, Nick Shaw, & Dávid Turczi, Mindclash Games, 2018)12:53 -Phantom Division (Pete Ruth & Mark Thomas, Phantom Horizon, 2026)23:19 -Space Gits (Mike Hutchinson, Planet Smasher Games, 2025)28:03 -Earthborne Rangers (Andrew Fischer, Brooks Flugaur-Leavitt, Andrew Navaro, Adam Sadler, and Brady Sadler, Earthborne Games, 2023)30:00 -Dro Polter (Paul Schulz, Oink Games, 2023)33:14 -Shackleton Base: A Journey to the Moon (Fabio Lopiano & Nestore Mangone, Sorry We Are French, 2024)40:56 -TONKS (Apocrypha_Now, Web-published, 2023)News (and why it doesn't matter):43:41 Flurry of Friedemann Friese: Formidable Farm, Fearless, Five Families44:45 Open registration for SVWAG Con (July 25th-July 27th) on Eventbrite! https://tinyurl.com/25s6p5jd45:14 Feature Game: 7 Empires (Mac Gerdts, PD-Verlag, 2024)Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brandsPrivacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Walker's approach to parenting eschews what he sees as the coddling endemic in other families. He believes in competition above all else, where newbs must be pwned and even babies must git gud. "L2P" is his family motto. Some appalled anthropologists tried making a documentary about the Walker household, but they were forced to tone it down and release it as Squid Game.01:21 AYURIS: Through the Desert (Reiner Knizia, KOSMOS, 1998)Games Played Last Week:02:56 -Pocket Paladin (Joe Klipfel, Mythfield Games, 2025)09:44 -7 Empires (Mac Gerdts, PD-Verlag, 2024)21:10 -A Gentle Rain (Kevin Wilson, Incredible Dream Studios, 2024)24:37 -Flip 7 (Eric Olsen, The Op Games, 2024)25:31 -NMBR 9 (Peter Wichmann, ABACUSSPIELE, 2017)27:44 -Earthborne Rangers (Andrew Fischer, Brooks Flugaur-Leavitt, Andrew Navaro, Adam Sadler, and Brady Sadler, Earthborne Games, 2023)31:23 -Everdell (James A. Wilson, Starling Games, 2018)35:12 -Shackleton Base: A Journey to the Moon (Fabio Lopiano & Nestore Mangone, Sorry We Are French, 2024)40:47 -Animal Upon Animal (Klaus Miltenberger, HABA, 2005)News (and why it doesn't matter):45:16 Open registration for SVWAG Con (July 25th-July 27th) on Eventbrite! https://tinyurl.com/25s6p5jd47:38 Support us on Patreon! www.patreon.com/svwag48:12 Law 96 threatens hobby game stores: https://www.ctvnews.ca/montreal/article/hobby-shops-say-it-will-be-game-over-for-their-businesses-due-to-quebecs-language-law/49:49 Topic: Small Box, Big GameAdvertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brandsPrivacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices