Episode 168 – 2017’s End of Year Awards!

Each year we try to point out some of the games, people, and resources in the gaming world we think are worth looking into – whether they came out this year or they just did something special that grabbed our attention above everything else in the wide world of options. Sadly, as Jeff has had to deal with a lot of family issues this year, his experiences were drastically limited. He’s sitting this one out to spend just that much more time with his family while Daniel and I wax on about games. If you don’t have the hour and change to listen to the episode when you hit this post and just want to results – here you are. For explanations as to why we made our choices, listen to the episode. Feel free to comment on this post and share your favorites from this year. BEST GAME PLAYED – Doesn’t need to be new this year, but a game that gave us the best single play experience in 2017 Mike- Terraforming Mars (Stronghold Games) Daniel- Castle Ravenloft (Wizards of the Coast)   BEST GAME ADDED – Doesn’t need to be new this year, but our favorite game that we added to our game libraries in 2017 Mike- Scythe (Stonemaier Games) Daniel- Wasteland Express Delivery Service (Pandasaurus Games)   FAVORITE GAME PUBLISHER – Publishers who went above and beyond the call this year with consistently great titles and/or business choices Mike- Restoration Games (Honorable Mention: Renegade Games) Daniel- HABA   FAVORITE FRANCHISE GAME – A game that continues on an established franchise and/or best utilizes a popular IP Mike- Near & Far (Red Raven Games) Daniel-  ZOMBIES!!!!! 15 – Another One Bites The Dust (Twilight Creations)   HIDDEN GEM – A title the flew under the radar for a while but really impressed us after we found it Mike- Cat Lady (AEG) Daniel- Mole Rats in Space (Peaceable Kingdom)   FAVORITE GAME RESOURCE – Something outside of any specific game that made our gaming experience better, more varied, etc. Mike- Board Game Stats App Daniel- Bundle of Holding (Honorable Mention: Paint Rack app)   FAVORITE GAME INDUSTRY/GAMING MEDIA PERSONALITY – People making games or gaming content that did something noteworthy this year Mike- Suzanne Sheldon & Mandi Hutchinson Daniel- Duncan Rhodes   FAVORITE NON-INNROADS PODCAST –  A podcast not necessarily about gaming, but definitely worth your attention Mike – Board Game Blitz (Honorable mention – Mission to Zyxx) Daniel – The Lonesome Pine Podcast   FAVORITE VIDEO GAME – A video game or digital implementation of a board game that came out this year Mike – Pyre Daniel – Mysterium   GAME OF THE YEAR – The best of the best Mike- Spirit Island Daniel- Photosynthesis