Board Gamers Anonymous

Episode 589 – Roll for Initiative…With Strangers! This week, Chris is joined by our good friend Chris Rodriguez from Board Games for the Better to tackle something almost every gamer has experienced at some point: the anxiety of sitting down at a table with people you don’t know. Whether you’re walking into a local game night for the first time, looking for a seat at a convention, or trying to find a new gaming group, playing with strangers can be intimidating. Chris and Chris talk about the challenges of putting yourself out there, finding a group where you feel comfortable, recognizing a welcoming table, and getting past that initial awkwardness so you can actually enjoy the reason you showed up in the first place—the games! And there are plenty of games to talk about this week. Roll for Preview Chris previews Everdell Journeys, a new standalone adventure in the world of Everdell that takes the familiar woodland setting in a new direction, and Drillers, a deck-building and resource-management game about piloting mechs deeper and deeper into an abandoned mine in search of valuable minerals—while making sure you can still get back out. Chris Rodriguez checks out Legendary: A DC Deck-Building Game, which brings DC's superheroes, villains, Masterminds, and Schemes to Upper Deck's Legendary system, including new elements such as Sidekicks and the Hope and Fear Tracker. Roll for Review Chris takes a seat at the infernal poker table with Hell of a Deal, a cooperative, Texas Hold'em-inspired game where players take on cheating bosses from Hell, use some questionable tricks of their own, and ultimately hope to beat the Devil himself. Chris Rodriguez covers three games: Mountain Goats Legacy, which expands the dice-rolling mountain-climbing game into an evolving, fully resettable legacy experience with new powers, hazards, and challenges; Fairy, a tiny push-your-luck prediction game about guessing whether the next card will be higher, lower, the same suit, or a fairy; and Panda Panda, a quick set-collection card game where you're manipulating your hand, watching your opponents, and trying to be the first to yell “Panda Panda!” with the right combination of cards. Then, Roll for Initiative…With Strangers! How do you get past the anxiety of joining a table full of people you've never met? How do you find the right group for you? And, for those of us already sitting comfortably at the table, what can we do to make it easier for the next person looking for a friendly seat? If you haven’t yet, check out the recently updated BGA website at www.boardgamersanonymous.com. Be sure to connect with us on Facebook at www.facebook.com/boardgamersanonymous, on Bluesky at bsky.app/profile/bganonymous.bsky.social, and at www.boardgamersanonymous.com. And if you enjoy the show, support Board Gamers Anonymous on Patreon at www.patreon.com/c/bga. Support: https://boardgamesforthebetter.org/ Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Episode 588: 13 Years of BGA — Taking on the BGG Top 100 Board Gamers Anonymous is officially 13 years old! To celebrate, Chris is joined by Tim and Game Master Dave, together on the podcast for the very first time, for a special look at the BoardGameGeek Top 100 games. All three of us are diving into the list and giving our hot takes: the games that deserve their spots, the ones that should be higher, the ones we can't believe are still there, and the sacred cows we're willing to knock down a few pegs. After 13 years of talking board games, we've accumulated plenty of opinions, and we're not keeping them to ourselves. Most importantly, a huge thank you to all of the friends who have been part of BGA over the years (especially Anthony) and to every listener who has downloaded an episode, shared the show, sent us a message, argued with one of our lists, or kept coming back week after week. And an extra special thank you to our Patreon backers, whose support helps make BGA possible. We couldn't have made it to 13 years without all of you. Here's to 13 years of Board Gamers Anonymous, and plenty more games, debates, rankings, and questionable opinions still to come! Support BGA on Patreon and get ad-free episodes and bonus BGA content: https://www.patreon.com/c/bga Check out the recently updated BGA website: www.boardgamersanonymous.com Connect with Board Gamers Anonymous: Facebook: www.facebook.com/boardgamersanonymous Bluesky: https://bsky.app/profile/bganonymous.bsky.social Website: www.boardgamersanonymous.com Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Episode 587: The Clue Is…10 Games That Keep You Guessing The clue is…a great game night! Chris and Tim count down 10 games built around giving clues, deciphering hints, and guessing the right words or numbers. Some clues will lead straight to the answer, while others may leave everyone wondering what their teammates were thinking. In Roll for Preview, Chris checks out DC Deck-Building Game: Green Lantern Corps, while Tim heads Abroad. Then, in Roll for Review, Chris puts the pedal to the prehistoric metal with Dino Racer, and Tim shares his thoughts on Whistle Mountain, Rebirth, and Hoplomachus: Origins. If you haven’t yet, check out the recently updated BGA website at ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠www.boardgamersanonymous.com⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠. If you haven’t yet, be sure to connect with us on Facebook (⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠www.facebook.com/boardgamersanonymous⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠), Bluesky (https://bsky.app/profile/bganonymous.bsky.social), and our website (⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠www.boardgamersanonymous.com⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠). Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Chris is joined by Game Master Dave for an episode packed with previews, reviews, and a dive into the world of solitaire gaming. Roll for Preview: Chris checks out Reiner Knizia’s Medici Traders, a tile auction game that brings a new spin to the classic Medici system, while Dave digs into Drillers. Roll for Review: Chris stomps into King of Tokyo: Godzilla, while Dave tackles Lumberjacks with Rocket Launchers, Hot Streak, and Flip 7. Then it’s time for Solitaire Game Commander Dave! Dave takes command of the table to explore solo gaming, including Agricola, Master of Britain, B-17: Queen of the Skies, and The Hunters: German U-Boats at War, 1939–43. What makes these games work when there’s nobody sitting across the table from you, and what can modern solo games learn from them? Auctions, drilling, kaiju, lumberjacks, horse racing, card games, and commanding an entire table by yourself- it’s another week of Board Gamers Anonymous! If you haven’t yet, check out the recently updated BGA website at ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠www.boardgamersanonymous.com⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠. If you haven’t yet, be sure to connect with us on Facebook (⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠www.facebook.com/boardgamersanonymous⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠), Bluesky (https://bsky.app/profile/bganonymous.bsky.social), and our website (⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠www.boardgamersanonymous.com⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠). Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Gen Con 2026 Postgame Report! Gen Con is in the books, and Chris and Tim are breaking down the biggest news, announcements, and games coming out of another record-breaking year in Indianapolis. More than 74,000 gamers showed up and brought rain, leaking roofs, tornado warnings, and plenty of tabletop chaos with them. We cover the growing presence of massive IPs like Dungeons & Dragons, World of Warcraft, Star Wars, Stormlight Archive, and Dungeon Crawler Carl before diving into the games that caught our attention, including Entropy, Gruntz, Drillers, Kokeshi, Layers, Three Witches, Thunder Road: Ignition, The Lord of the Rings: The King’s Gambit, and more. Then it’s Roll for Review, with Tim hitting the table with Moon Colony Bloodbath, Finspan, and more. The crowds were bigger, the announcements were louder, and somehow the cardboard survived. It’s our Gen Con 2026 Postgame Report! If you haven’t yet, check out the recently updated BGA website at ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠www.boardgamersanonymous.com⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠. If you haven’t yet, be sure to connect with us on Facebook (⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠www.facebook.com/boardgamersanonymous⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠), Bluesky (https://bsky.app/profile/bganonymous.bsky.social), and our website (⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠www.boardgamersanonymous.com⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠). Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In anticipation of Christopher Nolan's epic take on The Odyssey, Chris and Tim set sail in search of board games that capture the timeless themes of Homer's legendary journey. From perilous voyages and impossible choices to cunning strategy, loyalty, monsters, and the long road home, discover tabletop adventures that evoke the spirit of one of history's greatest stories. Plus, in Roll for Preview, Chris digs into Rosalie: A Rosy Game of Gardening, while Tim heads to the wizarding world with Defenders of Hogwarts. Then it's time for Roll for Review as Chris takes a look at the travel-friendly Wingspan Pocket, and Tim shares his thoughts on Oh, My Pigeons! and Dizzle. Whether you're a fan of mythology, movies, or memorable game nights, this episode is an odyssey worth taking. If you haven’t yet, check out the recently updated BGA website at ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠www.boardgamersanonymous.com⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠. If you haven’t yet, be sure to connect with us on Facebook (⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠www.facebook.com/boardgamersanonymous⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠), Bluesky (https://bsky.app/profile/bganonymous.bsky.social), and our website (⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠www.boardgamersanonymous.com⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠). Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

The World Cup has come to the tabletop! In this special tournament episode of Board Gamers Anonymous, Chris and Tim continue their World Cup of Board Game Designers, where the greatest designers from around the globe represent their countries of origin in a head-to-head bracket to determine who deserves the championship trophy. This week, the competition heats up as we enter the Sweet 16, with legendary designers facing off in epic matchups based on their influence, innovation, iconic games, and lasting impact on the hobby. Will Germany's design powerhouse continue its dominance? Can France, Italy, or the United States pull off an upset? Which countries will survive to advance to the Elite Eight? Grab your bracket and play along as Chris and Tim debate the toughest matchups in board gaming history. Feature Review: 🏆 The World Cup of Board Game Designers – Sweet 16 Who are you picking to cut down the nets and become the greatest board game designer of all time? If you haven’t yet, check out the recently updated BGA website at ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠www.boardgamersanonymous.com⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠. If you haven’t yet, be sure to connect with us on Facebook (⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠www.facebook.com/boardgamersanonymous⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠), Bluesky (https://bsky.app/profile/bganonymous.bsky.social), and our website (⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠www.boardgamersanonymous.com⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠). Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Love Cascadia but looking for your next favorite game? Chris and Tim explore a collection of board games that share a satisfying blend of thoughtful decision-making, relaxing gameplay, and rewarding puzzle-solving. From tile-laying and spatial planning to completing patterns and balancing multiple scoring objectives, they highlight games that scratch the same itch while offering unique twists. Roll for Preview Chris: Kemet: The Gates of Thonis Tim: 8 Dragons Roll for Review Tim: Nippon: Genro and Nippon: Zaibatsu Chris: Container Whether you're searching for another nature-inspired puzzler or simply enjoy games that challenge you to optimize every placement, this episode is packed with recommendations for fans of elegant strategy games. Tune in as Chris and Tim break down what makes Cascadia so compelling and reveal the titles that deserve a spot on your table next. If you haven’t yet, check out the recently updated BGA website at ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠www.boardgamersanonymous.com⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠. If you haven’t yet, be sure to connect with us on Facebook (⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠www.facebook.com/boardgamersanonymous⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠), Bluesky (https://bsky.app/profile/bganonymous.bsky.social), and our website (⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠www.boardgamersanonymous.com⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠). Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

This week on Board Gamers Anonymous, Game Master Dave returns from the convention circuit with tales from the gaming tables, standout discoveries, and memorable moments in our feature segment, Game Master Dave's Convention Report. In Roll for Preview, Dave looks ahead to the geopolitical strategy game World Order, while Chris previews The Terror: Can You Survive the French Revolution?, a tense historical experience where survival is anything but guaranteed. Then it's time for Roll for Review. Dave shares his thoughts on the classic abstract strategy game Ingenious and the fantasy-themed Diplomancy: The Golden Blade. Chris rounds out the reviews with Rebuilding Chicago, a city-building game focused on restoring and reshaping the Windy City. Join us for another week of board game news, previews, reviews, and discussion from around the tabletop. If you haven’t yet, check out the recently updated BGA website at ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠www.boardgamersanonymous.com⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠. If you haven’t yet, be sure to connect with us on Facebook (⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠www.facebook.com/boardgamersanonymous⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠), Bluesky (https://bsky.app/profile/bganonymous.bsky.social), and our website (⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠www.boardgamersanonymous.com⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠). Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Building Up! This week on Board Gamers Anonymous, we're reaching new heights with our feature review of the Top 10 Games That Build Skyward! From towering structures to layered landscapes, we're celebrating games that feature vertical building mechanics—without venturing into dexterity-game territory. In our Roll for Preview segment, Tim takes a look at Hover - A Surprisingly Brutal Hummingbird Game, while Chris explores the deluxe Concordia Special Edition. Then, in Roll for Review, Tim shares his thoughts on Super Motherload, Mezo, and The Glade. Chris reports back on the epic conflict in Dune: War for Arrakis, the sprawling civilization-building experience in Civolution, and the galactic battles in Star Wars: Battle of Hoth. Join us as we stack, build, and climb our way through some of tabletop gaming's most impressive vertical experiences! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

The Sweet Spot: Six Players What's the ideal player count for a board game? This week on Board Gamers Anonymous, Chris and Tim dive into one of gaming's most debated topics: games that are at their absolute best with six players. From epic table experiences to hidden gems that shine with a full group, we discuss what makes six the magic number and highlight some of our favorite titles that hit that sweet spot. In our Roll for Preview segment, Tim takes a look at War of the Dragon: The Wheel of Time, while Chris previews Antifascist Tooth Fairy, Game Changer: Home Edition, and The Official Cyberpunk Trading Card Game. Then, in Roll for Review, Chris shares his thoughts on Canvas Critters, and Tim reviews Pixies. Join us for another week of board game news, previews, reviews, and discussion from around the tabletop. If you haven’t yet, check out the recently updated BGA website at ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠www.boardgamersanonymous.com⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠. If you haven’t yet, be sure to connect with us on Facebook (⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠www.facebook.com/boardgamersanonymous⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠), Bluesky (https://bsky.app/profile/bganonymous.bsky.social), and our website (⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠www.boardgamersanonymous.com⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠). Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

If You Like Point Salad, Try… takes a look at some of our favorite games that scratch that same satisfying combo-building, engine-crafting, and point-chasing itch! We dive into a variety of games that offer players meaningful choices, clever synergies, and that ever-important feeling of turning a handful of simple actions into a mountain of points. In our preview segment, we take an early look at Terraforming Mars: The Legacy of Mars, the newest evolution of the beloved Mars franchise, and hit the hardwood with Nothing But Net, a fast-paced basketball-themed game full of tense shots and strategic playmaking. Then, in our review segment, we tune up for Luthier, a beautifully crafted game of instrument making, reputation building, and strategic planning, before braving the frozen heights of Nunatak: Temple of Ice, where players work together and compete to construct an icy monument in the harsh Antarctic landscape. If you enjoy games that reward clever planning, combo creation, and maximizing every move, this episode is packed with recommendations and discussion for your next favorite tabletop experience! If you haven’t yet, check out the recently updated BGA website at ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠www.boardgamersanonymous.com⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ If you haven’t yet, be sure to connect with us on Facebook (⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠www.facebook.com/boardgamersanonymous),⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Bluesky (https://bsky.app/profile/bganonymous.bsky.social), and our website (⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠www.boardgamersanonymous.com⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠) Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Welcome to the table! This week on Board Gamers Anonymous, Tim joins us for a deep dive into his gaming history and experiences. for the Voice of our Gamers! Roll for Preview: The Lord of the Rings: Ascension and Reavers of Midgard Roll for Review: Eternal Decks, Magical Athlete, and Planet Unknown If you haven’t yet, check out the recently updated BGA website at ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠www.boardgamersanonymous.com⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ If you haven’t yet, be sure to connect with us on Facebook (⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠www.facebook.com/boardgamersanonymous),⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Bluesky (https://bsky.app/profile/bganonymous.bsky.social), and our website (⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠www.boardgamersanonymous.com⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠) Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Welcome to the table! Game Master Dave joins us at the table this week! This week, Dave takes us through a bunch of game reviews: The Lord of the Rings: Fate of the Fellowship, LOTR Duel for Middle Earth, British Tank Ace, Gettysburg: Badges of Courage, Cradle of Civilization, and RA! And Chris previews: Earth Express and Behind the Lens! If you haven’t yet, check out the recently updated BGA website at ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠www.boardgamersanonymous.com⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ If you haven’t yet, be sure to connect with us on Facebook (⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠www.facebook.com/boardgamersanonymous),⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Bluesky (https://bsky.app/profile/bganonymous.bsky.social), and our website (⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠www.boardgamersanonymous.com⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠) Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Welcome to the table! And join us for a final time with Anthony at the table. This week, we are talking about the Games that change us forever! We preview: The Official Cyberpunk Trading Card Game, Arcs: Beyond the Reach, Barrage: Earned Authority, Clinic Deluxe: the Big box by Alban Viard We review: Druids of Edora If you haven’t yet, check out the recently updated BGA website at ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠www.boardgamersanonymous.com⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Join us over at ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠www.boardgameacademics.com⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ and read the newest journal of tabletop gaming! Volume 3, Issue 1 is out now! If you haven’t yet, be sure to connect with us on Facebook (⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠www.facebook.com/boardgamersanonymous),⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Bluesky (https://bsky.app/profile/bganonymous.bsky.social), and our website (⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠www.boardgamersanonymous.com⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠) Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

This week, we preview The Lord of the Rings: The King's Gambit and review Fantasy Realms: Greek Legends, Trismegistus (2026)! Our feature is Anthony's Final Top 100 update, all-time! If you haven’t yet, check out the recently updated BGA website at ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠www.boardgamersanonymous.com⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Join us over at ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠www.boardgameacademics.com⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ and read the newest journal of tabletop gaming! Volume 3, Issue 1 is out now! If you haven’t yet, be sure to connect with us on Facebook (⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠www.facebook.com/boardgamersanonymous),⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Bluesky (https://bsky.app/profile/bganonymous.bsky.social), and our website (⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠www.boardgamersanonymous.com⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠) Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

It all comes down to this! 64 of the greatest board game mechanics, down to our Sweet 16, Final Four, and then, our Number 1 Board Game Mechanic! Which mechanic is top?! Find out now, with Chris & Anthony. If you haven’t yet, check out the recently updated BGA website at ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠www.boardgamersanonymous.com⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠! Join us over at ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠www.boardgameacademics.com⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ and read the newest journal of tabletop gaming! Volume 3, Issue 1 is out now! If you haven’t yet, be sure to connect with us on Facebook (⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠www.facebook.com/boardgamersanonymous),⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Bluesky (https://bsky.app/profile/bganonymous.bsky.social), and our website (⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠www.boardgamersanonymous.com⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠) Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

This week on the podcast, we go a bit mad with our yearly Board Game Bracket. This year, it is the best board game mechanics! And we also get a bit sad with Anthony's announcement. If you haven’t yet, check out the recently updated BGA website at ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠www.boardgamersanonymous.com⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠! Join us over at ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠www.boardgameacademics.com⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ and read the newest journal of tabletop gaming! Volume 3, Issue 1 is out now! If you haven’t yet, be sure to connect with us on Facebook (⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠www.facebook.com/boardgamersanonymous),⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Bluesky (https://bsky.app/profile/bganonymous.bsky.social), and our website (⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠www.boardgamersanonymous.com⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠) Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

(Sorry for the late upload from last week! Stay tuned for this week's regularly scheduled episode in a couple of days). Anthony and Chris take a look at some of their favorite types of games: tableau builders set in nature. Find out which ten games make the list and why they're the best of the bunch. If you haven’t yet, check out the recently updated BGA website at ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠www.boardgamersanonymous.com⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠! Join us over at ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠www.boardgameacademics.com⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠. Volume III Issue 1 is now live. Contents Goodbye to the Compleat Strategist? Roll for Preview: Mage Knight: Emergence — The Portal to Power Roll for Review: 7 Wonders Dice, Corvids Feature: Top 10 Nature-Based Tableau Engine Builders If you haven’t yet, be sure to connect with us on Facebook (⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠www.facebook.com/boardgamersanonymous),⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Bluesky (https://bsky.app/profile/bganonymous.bsky.social), and our website (⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠www.boardgamersanonymous.com⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠). Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Anthony and Chris dig into the full list of nominees (all 120 of them!!) for the Origins Awards, recently announced of June's Origins Game Fair. Plus more discussion of AI's impact on the industry, and Hasbro's recent comments on the future use of AI in MTG and D&D. If you haven’t yet, check out the recently updated BGA website at ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠www.boardgamersanonymous.com⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠! Join us over at ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠www.boardgameacademics.com⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠. The CFP is up for Volume IV of the journal. Contents MTG and D&D (Will they or won't they go there with AI)? Roll for Preview: Re;MATCH Roll for Review: Point Galaxy, Up or Down? Feature: Origins Game Fair Awards If you haven’t yet, be sure to connect with us on Facebook (⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠www.facebook.com/boardgamersanonymous),⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Bluesky (https://bsky.app/profile/bganonymous.bsky.social), and our website (⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠www.boardgamersanonymous.com⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠). Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Game Master Dave joins Chris this week to talk about the nuts and bolts of running a board game convention in the lead up to Long Island Tabletop Gaming Expo. If you haven’t yet, check out the recently updated BGA website at ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠www.boardgamersanonymous.com⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠! Join us over at ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠www.boardgameacademics.com⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠. The CFP is up for Volume IV of the journal. Contents Continue Fallout between Rodney and Chaz Roll for Preview: Concordia Special Edition, Citadel Duels Roll for Review: SETI, Civolution Feature: From Meeple to Megacon If you haven’t yet, be sure to connect with us on Facebook (⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠www.facebook.com/boardgamersanonymous),⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Bluesky (https://bsky.app/profile/bganonymous.bsky.social), and our website (⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠www.boardgamersanonymous.com⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠). Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

This week, Anthony and Chris take a deep dive into 10 of their favorite designers, and identify the game that represents them at the peak of their designer game. Plus discussions on the good, the bad, and the ugly of the board gaming hobby right now, and previews of Labyrinth Chronicles and Almighty: The Godliest God Game. If you haven’t yet, check out the recently updated BGA website at ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠www.boardgamersanonymous.com⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠! Join us over at ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠www.boardgameacademics.com⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠. Registration is now open for Tabletop Scholars, and the CFP is up for Volume IV of the journal. Contents The Good, The Bad, and The Ugly: Atlas raises money in Minnesota, the Supreme Court rules on Tariffs, and AEG's COO says a dumb thing. Roll for Preview: Labyrinth Chronicles, Almighty: The Godliest God Game Feature: Top 10 Designers at Their Peak If you haven’t yet, be sure to connect with us on Facebook (⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠www.facebook.com/boardgamersanonymous),⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Bluesky (https://bsky.app/profile/bganonymous.bsky.social), and our website (⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠www.boardgamersanonymous.com⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠). Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

This week, Anthony and Chris look at 11 games that act as the magical bridge between medium and big, crunchy Euro games. Which heavy games come first? We have you covered. If you haven’t yet, check out the recently updated BGA website at ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠www.boardgamersanonymous.com⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠! Join us over at ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠www.boardgameacademics.com⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠. Registration is now open for Tabletop Scholars, and the CFP is up for Volume IV of the journal. Contents Roll for Preview: Foes of Middle Earth Roll for Review: Sagrada (2026 Edition) Feature: My First Heavy Game If you haven’t yet, be sure to connect with us on Facebook (⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠www.facebook.com/boardgamersanonymous),⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Bluesky (https://bsky.app/profile/bganonymous.bsky.social), and our website (⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠www.boardgamersanonymous.com⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠). Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

This week, Anthony and Chris delve into ten games that are not just defined by one central mechanic, but that are as good as they are almost solely because of that mechanic. If you haven’t yet, check out the recently updated BGA website at ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠www.boardgamersanonymous.com⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠! Join us over at ⁠⁠⁠⁠www.boardgameacademics.com⁠⁠⁠⁠. Registration is now open for Tabletop Scholars, and the CFP is up for Volume IV of the journal. Contents Roll for Preview: Rurik Second Edition Roll for Review: Tea Garden Feature: Critiquing BGG’s 2026 Hall of Fame Class If you haven’t yet, be sure to connect with us on Facebook (⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠www.facebook.com/boardgamersanonymous),⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Bluesky (https://bsky.app/profile/bganonymous.bsky.social), and our website (⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠www.boardgamersanonymous.com⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠). Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

This week, Anthony and Chris delve into the five games added to the BGG Hall of Fame this year, with plenty of controversy and concern on display. If you haven’t yet, check out the recently updated BGA website at ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠www.boardgamersanonymous.com⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠! Join us over at ⁠⁠⁠www.boardgameacademics.com⁠⁠⁠. Registration is now open for Tabletop Scholars, and the CFP is up for Volume IV of the journal. Contents Roll for Preview: Marco Polo Deluxe Master Set, 7 Wonders Deluxe Roll for Review: Aquaria Feature: Critiquing BGG's 2026 Hall of Fame Class If you haven’t yet, be sure to connect with us on Facebook (⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠www.facebook.com/boardgamersanonymous),⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Bluesky (https://bsky.app/profile/bganonymous.bsky.social), and our website (⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠www.boardgamersanonymous.com⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠). Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

This week, Anthony and Chris are joined by Will and Megan to talk about a whole bunch of games we've all been playing lately, plus some corrections and additions to our board game cinematic universe last week, and a breakdown of how and why so many board games companies are failing all of a sudden. If you haven’t yet, check out the recently updated BGA website at ⁠⁠⁠⁠www.boardgamersanonymous.com⁠⁠⁠⁠! Join us over at ⁠⁠www.boardgameacademics.com⁠⁠. Registration is now open for Tabletop Scholars, and the CFP is up for Volume IV of the journal. Contents Roll for Preview: Mountain Goats Legacy Roll for Review: Wroth, Concept, Puppies or Poop, Stardew Valley, Splendor Kids, Herd Mentality, Outsmarted!, Pictionary Air, Horrible Therapist, Flip 7 Grinch Feature: Rolling a Nat 1 on Corporate Strategy If you haven’t yet, be sure to connect with us on Facebook (⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠www.facebook.com/boardgamersanonymous),⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Bluesky (https://bsky.app/profile/bganonymous.bsky.social), and our website (⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠www.boardgamersanonymous.com⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠). Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

This week, Anthony and Chris dig into a big list of questions, asking each other some truly impossible ones about what they would rather do, plus discussions of recent games hitting the table and more. If you haven’t yet, check out the recently updated BGA website at ⁠⁠⁠www.boardgamersanonymous.com⁠⁠⁠! Join us over at ⁠www.boardgameacademics.com⁠. Registration is now open for Tabletop Scholars, and the CFP is up for Volume IV of the journal. Contents Roll for Preview: The Crew: Journey to the Ends of the Earth Roll for Review: Flamecraft Duals Feature: Would You Rather: BGA Edition If you haven’t yet, be sure to connect with us on Facebook (⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠www.facebook.com/boardgamersanonymous),⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Bluesky (https://bsky.app/profile/bganonymous.bsky.social), and our website (⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠www.boardgamersanonymous.com⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠). Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

The year is just getting started and we have a dozen spicy predictions about how it will go in the next eleven and a half months. Check out Anthony and Chris's thoughts for the year ahead, plus new reviews and discussions. If you haven’t yet, check out the recently updated BGA website at ⁠⁠www.boardgamersanonymous.com⁠⁠! Join us over at www.boardgameacademics.com. Registration is now open for Tabletop Scholars, and the CFP is up for Volume IV of the journal. Contents Roll for Preview: The Thundercats Roleplaying Game is Here! Roll for Review: Moon Colony Bloodbath Feature: 2026 Predictions! If you haven’t yet, be sure to connect with us on Facebook (⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠www.facebook.com/boardgamersanonymous),⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Bluesky (https://bsky.app/profile/bganonymous.bsky.social), and our website (⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠www.boardgamersanonymous.com⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠). Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

It's that time of year again - we're looking at the most anticipated games on the upcoming year's release calendar. Check out more than 50 games, expansions, and rereleases we're excited to see, play, or purchase in the year ahead. If you haven’t yet, check out the recently updated BGA website at ⁠www.boardgamersanonymous.com⁠! If you haven’t yet, be sure to connect with us on Facebook (⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠www.facebook.com/boardgamersanonymous),⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Bluesky (https://bsky.app/profile/bganonymous.bsky.social), and our website (⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠www.boardgamersanonymous.com⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠). Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

It's time for the 2025 BGA Awards, in which we choose our top picks in 10 different categories for the year. Find out which game takes home our game of the year award, plus so much more in this year's Awards! If you haven’t yet, check out the recently updated BGA website at www.boardgamersanonymous.com! If you haven’t yet, be sure to connect with us on Facebook (⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠www.facebook.com/boardgamersanonymous),⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Bluesky (https://bsky.app/profile/bganonymous.bsky.social), and our website (⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠www.boardgamersanonymous.com⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠). Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

We take a look back at all the games we thought would be in the hotness in 2025, discuss the ones we played, the ones we didn't, and the surprises along the way. A great way to recap and prepare for next week's BGA Awards episode! If you haven't yet, check out the recently updated BGA website at www.boardgamersanonymous.com! If you haven’t yet, be sure to connect with us on Facebook (⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠www.facebook.com/boardgamersanonymous),⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Bluesky (https://bsky.app/profile/bganonymous.bsky.social) and our website (⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠www.www.boardgamersanonymous.com⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠). You can support the show as well by donating on Patreon (⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠www.patreon.com/bga)⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ or using our Amazon affiliate link. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

This week, Chris and Anthony dig into the paradox that is AI and how it is impacting and influencing tabletop gaming. We have pros, cons, and a few extra thoughts on the future of AI in our hobby. Roll for Preview: Chess Joker Roll for Review: A Place for All My Books Feature Review: AI in Tabletop Gaming: The Wall-E Paradox If you haven’t yet, be sure to connect with us on Facebook (⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠www.facebook.com/boardgamersanonymous),⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Bluesky (https://bsky.app/profile/bganonymous.bsky.social) and our website (⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠www.www.boardgamersanonymous.com⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠). You can support the show as well by donating on Patreon (⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠www.patreon.com/bga)⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ or using our Amazon affiliate link. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

This week on BGA, Chris and Anthony are joined by Will to talk about conventions and what makes for a killer experience. We bring our favorite experiences, the things that stood out to us over the years, and what we wish conventions could bring in going forward. Roll for Preview: Scales of Fate Roll for Review: SETI: Space Agencies Feature Review: Your Ideal Tabletop Convention: Past Highlights & Future Wishes If you haven’t yet, be sure to connect with us on Facebook (⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠www.facebook.com/boardgamersanonymous),⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Bluesky (https://bsky.app/profile/bganonymous.bsky.social) and our website (⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠www.www.boardgamersanonymous.com⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠). You can support the show as well by donating on Patreon (⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠www.patreon.com/bga)⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ or using our Amazon affiliate link. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

This week, Chris and Anthony are joined by special guests and BGA cohorts Will and Meghan, who attended PAX Unplugged and have a bunch of games to talk about. Roll for Review: Side Effects, Kite, Pillars of Fate Feature: PAX Unplugged vs. BGGCon top library games (lists reviewed from of Hilary Clair and Matt Morgan on BoardGameGeek.com). If you haven’t yet, be sure to connect with us on Facebook (⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠www.facebook.com/boardgamersanonymous),⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Bluesky (https://bsky.app/profile/bganonymous.bsky.social) and our website (⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠www.www.boardgamersanonymous.com⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠). You can support the show as well by donating on Patreon (⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠www.patreon.com/bga)⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ or using our Amazon affiliate link. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Anthony and Chris are back from PAX Unplugged this year and have a whole bunch of games to talk about, plus some previews and reviews of even more games from before the con. Roll for Preview: The Great Library, Employee Disposal Program Roll for Review: CakoZaurus, Star Trek Lower Decks: Buffer Time The Card Game PAX Unplugged Hotness 2025Fantasy Flight In-Flight Report
Lord of the Rings Room: Dave
New Stuff: * Deckers* SETI: Space Agencies* Sanctuary* Flamecraft Duals* The Lord of the Rings: The Two Towers - Trick Taking Game* A Place for All My Books* Graft* Orleans Big Box* Emberheart* Cozy Stickerville* Six Sojourns* Burgle Bros BlackjackPreviews:* Cascadia Alpine Lakes* Whisperwood* Slay the Spire: Downfall* The Game Makers* Voidfall: Resurgence* Re;MATCH: Marble Puzzle Fighter* Mystic Curling Club* Flintlock!: Global Warfare in 20 Minutes If you haven’t yet, be sure to connect with us on Facebook (⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠www.facebook.com/boardgamersanonymous),⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Bluesky (https://bsky.app/profile/bganonymous.bsky.social) and our website (⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠www.www.boardgamersanonymous.com⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠). You can support the show as well by donating on Patreon (⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠www.patreon.com/bga)⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ or using our Amazon affiliate link. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Anthony and Chris are back with another annual holiday gift guide, featuring our top picks in nearly a dozen categories for games, apps, and accessories that fit the gamer in your life. If you're going to PAX Unplugged this weekend, be sure to reach out so we can connect! Roll for Review: Clans of Caledonia: Industria, FlipToons Feature: 2025 Holiday Gift Guide If you haven’t yet, be sure to connect with us on Facebook (⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠www.facebook.com/boardgamersanonymous),⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Bluesky (https://bsky.app/profile/bganonymous.bsky.social) and our website (⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠www.www.boardgamersanonymous.com⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠). You can support the show as well by donating on Patreon (⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠www.patreon.com/bga)⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ or using our Amazon affiliate link. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

This week, Chris is joined by Will Nation to discuss all things dice and defiance, including a preview of next week's Pax Unplugged and some game reviews from recent plays. Roll for Preview: Riftbound: The League of Legends Trading Card Game Roll for Review: Betrayal at House on the Hill: 3rd Edition, Trash Talk, Flamecraft Feature: Dice, Defiance, and the Tabletop Revolution! If you haven’t yet, be sure to connect with us on Facebook (⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠www.facebook.com/boardgamersanonymous),⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Bluesky (https://bsky.app/profile/bganonymous.bsky.social) and our website (⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠www.www.boardgamersanonymous.com⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠). You can support the show as well by donating on Patreon (⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠www.patreon.com/bga)⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ or using our Amazon affiliate link. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

This week, Anthony and Chris dig into the games that we think have a shot at game of the year for 2025, plus which games from this year we think will eventually make the Top 100 on Board Game Geek and which games we'll still be playing in 10 years. Roll for Preview: The Lord of the Rings: Duel for Middle-earth – Allies Roll for Review: The Hobbit: There and Back Again Feature: Predictions for 2025 Board Games If you haven’t yet, be sure to connect with us on Facebook (⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠www.facebook.com/boardgamersanonymous),⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Bluesky (https://bsky.app/profile/bganonymous.bsky.social) and our website (⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠www.www.boardgamersanonymous.com⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠). You can support the show as well by donating on Patreon (⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠www.patreon.com/bga)⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ or using our Amazon affiliate link. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

This week, we take a dive into the hottest games out of Essen SPIEL 2025, looking at the games that drove the hotness on BoardGameGeek and that we're most excited to play when they come stateside. Plus, a review of Ayar: Children of the Sun, and preview of Disney Afternoon Rewind. Roll for Preview: Disney Afternoon REWIND Board Games Roll for Review: Ayar: Children of the Sun Feature: Essen SPIEL 2025 Hotness If you haven’t yet, be sure to connect with us on Facebook (⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠www.facebook.com/boardgamersanonymous),⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Bluesky (https://bsky.app/profile/bganonymous.bsky.social) and our website (⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠www.www.boardgamersanonymous.com⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠). You can support the show as well by donating on Patreon (⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠www.patreon.com/bga)⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ or using our Amazon affiliate link. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

This week, we hit a big round number (550) and talk about the five games that have had a lasting impact on us both on and off the podcast, the five designers and publishers we most resonate with, and our zero regrets over the last 12 years. If you haven’t yet, be sure to connect with us on Facebook (⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠www.facebook.com/boardgamersanonymous),⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Bluesky (https://bsky.app/profile/bganonymous.bsky.social) and our website (⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠www.www.boardgamersanonymous.com⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠). You can support the show as well by donating on Patreon (⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠www.patreon.com/bga)⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ or using our Amazon affiliate link. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

This week, Anthony and Chris are looking back at all of the Versus episodes they've done to reflect on which games won, which ones would win today, and all the good gaming that's happened since. Collecting and value in our collections Roll for Preview: Terra Mystica Special Edition, Berserk: The Board Game Feature: Versus: All the Battles, None of the Rules! If you haven’t yet, be sure to connect with us on Facebook (⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠www.facebook.com/boardgamersanonymous),⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Bluesky (https://bsky.app/profile/bganonymous.bsky.social) and our website (⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠www.www.boardgamersanonymous.com⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠). You can support the show as well by donating on Patreon (⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠www.patreon.com/bga)⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ or using our Amazon affiliate link. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

This week, we take a look at the 10 most influential games of the 20th century, fresh off our visit to the Strong National Museum of Play for Board Game Academics' annual conference, plus a whole bunch of fun previews of upcoming games. Magic The Gathering Universes Beyond reveals Roll for Preview: Underwater Cities: Data Era, Academia: A Game of Administrative Bloat, Obsession Big Box, Origin Story Feature: 10 Most Influential Games of the 20th Century If you haven’t yet, be sure to connect with us on Facebook (⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠www.facebook.com/boardgamersanonymous),⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Bluesky (https://bsky.app/profile/bganonymous.bsky.social) and our website (⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠www.www.boardgamersanonymous.com⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠). You can support the show as well by donating on Patreon (⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠www.patreon.com/bga)⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ or using our Amazon affiliate link. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

This week, we do a deep dive on the games that use deckbuilding most effectively in 2025, plus reflect on our original 2017 list of top 10 deckbuilders (episode 155), and review the expansion materials for Energy Empire. Magic the Gathering Universes Beyond reveals Roll for Preview: Dogs of War, Slay the Spire: Downfall Roll for Review: Manhattan Project: Energy Empire Cold War Feature: Top 10 Games with Deckbuilding If you haven’t yet, be sure to connect with us on Facebook (⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠www.facebook.com/boardgamersanonymous),⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Bluesky (https://bsky.app/profile/bganonymous.bsky.social) and our website (⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠www.www.boardgamersanonymous.com⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠). You can support the show as well by donating on Patreon (⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠www.patreon.com/bga)⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ or using our Amazon affiliate link. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

This week, Anthony and Chris revisit a popular topic and update their 2018 list of top 10 heavy euros. See which one stick around and which new games have entered the discussion. Join us at the Board Game Academics Conference at the Strong Museum of Play: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://boardgameacademics.com/register/⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Roll for Preview: Andromeda's Edge: Genesis, Dinosaur Island: Fully Charged Roll for Review: DC Super Heroes United: Hush Feature: Top 10 Heavy Euros If you haven’t yet, be sure to connect with us on Facebook (⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠www.facebook.com/boardgamersanonymous),⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Bluesky (https://bsky.app/profile/bganonymous.bsky.social) and our website (⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠www.www.boardgamersanonymous.com⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠). You can support the show as well by donating on Patreon (⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠www.patreon.com/bga)⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ or using our Amazon affiliate link. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Episode 545 is up featuring our rundown of the most funded games of all time on Gamefound, which hold up, and how many we've gotten to the table, plus a rundown of the BGG Hotness for September. Join us at the Board Game Academics Conference at the Strong Museum of Play: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://boardgameacademics.com/register/⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ If you haven’t yet, be sure to connect with us on Facebook (⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠www.facebook.com/boardgamersanonymous),⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Bluesky (https://bsky.app/profile/bganonymous.bsky.social) and our website (⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠www.www.boardgamersanonymous.com⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠). You can support the show as well by donating on Patreon (⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠www.patreon.com/bga)⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ or using our Amazon affiliate link. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

This week, Anthony and Chris do a deep dive into the games that rank highest on Board Game Geek in each year of the podcast dating back to 2013. Find out if Chris can guess them all, and which games rank highly for us as well. Join us at the Board Game Academics Conference at the Strong Museum of Play: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://boardgameacademics.com/register/⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ If you haven’t yet, be sure to connect with us on Facebook (⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠www.facebook.com/boardgamersanonymous),⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Bluesky (https://bsky.app/profile/bganonymous.bsky.social) and our website (⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠www.www.boardgamersanonymous.com⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠). You can support the show as well by donating on Patreon (⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠www.patreon.com/bga)⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ or using our Amazon affiliate link. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

This week, Chris is joined by special guest Erin from Board Games for the Better to talk about her favorite thematic board games. Join us at the Board Game Academics Conference at the Strong Museum of Play: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://boardgameacademics.com/register/⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Learn more about Board Games for the Better: https://boardgamesforthebetter.org/ Episode Notes: Roll for Preview: Into the FUN FACTORY Roll for Review: Thunder Road: Vendetta: Carnival of Chaos Feature: Our Friends’ Favorite Thematic Games If you haven’t yet, be sure to connect with us on Facebook (⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠www.facebook.com/boardgamersanonymous),⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Bluesky (https://bsky.app/profile/bganonymous.bsky.social) and our website (⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠www.www.boardgamersanonymous.com⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠). You can support the show as well by donating on Patreon (⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠www.patreon.com/bga)⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ or using our Amazon affiliate link. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

This week, Chris is joined by special guest Erin from Board Games for the Better to talk about her favorite games designed by women and what makes them work so well. Join us at the Board Game Academics Conference at the Strong Museum of Play: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://boardgameacademics.com/register/⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Learn more about Board Games for the Better: https://boardgamesforthebetter.org/ Episode Notes: Roll for Preview: Brass: Pittsburgh Roll for Review: Rebel Princess & Happily Never After Feature: Our Friends’ Favorite Games Designed by Women If you haven’t yet, be sure to connect with us on Facebook (⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠www.facebook.com/boardgamersanonymous),⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Bluesky (https://bsky.app/profile/bganonymous.bsky.social) and our website (⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠www.www.boardgamersanonymous.com⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠). You can support the show as well by donating on Patreon (⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠www.patreon.com/bga)⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ or using our Amazon affiliate link. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Episode 541 features our friend and guest, Ian Gauger, co-founder of The Adventure Nexus. We've partnered with Ian and his company to support the upcoming Board Game Academics Conference, plus he was at Gen Con and can give us the rundown on what was hot and what was most interesting at the show. Join us at the Board Game Academics Conference at the Strong Museum of Play: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://boardgameacademics.com/register/⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Episode Notes: Question of the Week: What's a game that should not be considered a gateway game? What about a modern game that we should treat as a gateway game? Roll for Preview: Twilight Imperium IV: Thunder's Edge Roll for Review: Kingdom Death: Monster Feature: Our Friends’ Favorite GEN CON Games 2025 If you haven’t yet, be sure to connect with us on Facebook (⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠www.facebook.com/boardgamersanonymous),⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Bluesky (https://bsky.app/profile/bganonymous.bsky.social) and our website (⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠www.www.boardgamersanonymous.com⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠). You can support the show as well by donating on Patreon (⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠www.patreon.com/bga)⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ or using our Amazon affiliate link. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Anthony and Chris do a deep dive into the last year of the podcast, with a stroll down memory lane with their picks of the best previews, reviews, and features from the last 52 episodes. Join us at the Board Game Academics Conference at the Strong Museum of Play: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://boardgameacademics.com/register/⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Episode Notes: Discussion: Ace of Spades and the Devir Response 12 Year Anniversary: Top Acquisition disorders and Roll for Preview Top At the Table and Roll for Review Favorite Features If you haven’t yet, be sure to connect with us on Facebook (⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠www.facebook.com/boardgamersanonymous),⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Bluesky (https://bsky.app/profile/bganonymous.bsky.social) and our website (⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠www.www.boardgamersanonymous.com⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠). You can support the show as well by donating on Patreon (⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠www.patreon.com/bga)⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ or using our Amazon affiliate link. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices