So Very Wrong About Games

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 stuff33:47 Robotech: Reconstruction34:45 Pandemic Hot Zone: Europe35:04 Matt Calkins' Charioteer35:54 David Turczi and Nigel Buckle's Imperium: Classics and Legends37:02 Mantic's Rainbow Six 37:29 SVWAG heads West, brief interruption in July38:29 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 FuriousAdvertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brandsPrivacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

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 good41:05 War Room 2nd Edition on Kickstarter41:50 Paris not at all a reprint on Kickstarter42:25 Chip Theory teases Elder Scrolls43:12 Arydia: The Paths We Dare Tread from Far Off Games43:48 Feature Game: Trickerion: Legends of Illusion (Richard Amann & Viktor Peter, Mindclash Games, 2015)1:07:40 SVWAG Presents: Masterpiece Theatre: The Fast & the FuriousAdvertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brandsPrivacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

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 GenCon37:23 Horizon Wars: Infinite Dark launches this week37:55 The Goonies: Never Say Die by Prospero Hall38:48 Follow-up to Versailles 1919: Triumvir39:23 Zombicide: Army of the Dead40:15 Bizarre gatekeeping alert: Bruno Faidutti doesn't trust you if you don't drink42:40 Topic: What Prompts Our PurchasesAdvertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brandsPrivacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

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 nominations53:44 MicroMacro: Crime City: Full House56:09 Descent: Legends of the Dark57:00 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 Book59:08 Transformers deck-building game59:47 Pixel Tactics digital1:00:58 Feature Game: Whale Riders (Reiner Knizia, Grail Games, 2021)Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brandsPrivacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

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 Voidfall35:30 Games Workshop's Gaunt's Ghosts36:06 Richard Halliwell, designer of Space Hulk, passed away36:38 Shipping costs from China skyrocket37:53 Prospero Hall's Fast & Furious: Highway Heist38:57 Topic: Market Differences: Video Games vs. Board GamesAdvertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brandsPrivacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

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 Winners34:42 Witchstone from Reiner Knizia35:20 D&D Monopoly...?35:42 My Father's Work on Kickstarter36:35 Stationfall from Matt Eklund on Kickstarter37:16 Take Mark's Siege of the Citadel Dark Legion pledge!Link: https://forms.gle/52vHVkc66Gx7aSEt537:51: Feature Game: The Red Cathedral (Israel Cendrero & Sheila Santos, Devir Games, 2020)Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brandsPrivacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

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 Trucker52:36 Hurlyburly54:07 TTCombat and Ostrich riders 54:39 Warhammer Quest: The Cursed City and Games Workshop gaslighting56:41 Tyrants of the Underdark reprint57:12 Hidden Leaders on Kickstarter57:21 More Hellboy on Kickstarter57:38 Needy Cat Games' Myth and Goal 58:26 Topic: TempoAdvertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brandsPrivacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

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 billing40:56 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 EST45:16 Feature Game: Dominant Species Marine (Chad Jensen, GMT Games, 2021)Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brandsPrivacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

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 BGG47:51 Mighty Boards' Vengeance: Roll and Fight!48:37 Let's Make a Bus Route dice game49:06 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: ProbabilityAdvertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brandsPrivacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

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: Battlecharged36:19 Unmatched System gets Deadpool et al, because Marvel is all-consuming37:35 Reiner Knizia: The Siege of Runedar, Witchstone, Blue Moon reprint38:47 KS roundup: Longshot roll and write, googley-eyed dice39:33 Mythic Battles: Ragnarok40:56 Level 99 Games Expansions: Bullet Orange and Empyreal reprint42:05 Little Plastic Train Company42:38 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/brandsPrivacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy