Episodes
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September 13, 2018
In this episode, Brandon goes Source-hunting in Divinity, and Chris goes Nazi-hunting in Wolfenstein II. That's it. That's all we got. We play games and then talk about them. What do you want from us?
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August 30, 2018
In this episode, Brandon takes us back to the grand strategy of Through the Ages and the somewhat insufficient Thunderstone Advance. Chris gives us the scoop on the Trade and Intrigue expansion for Orléans and beats the wealthy at their own game in High Society.
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August 16, 2018
In this episode, Brandon demonstrates the power of the French in Empires, while Chris demonstrates the lack of theme of the French in Orléans. Farmers and luxuries and automation! Vive les boardgames!
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July 26, 2018
In this episode, Brandon let's us know what it's like to to play One Deck Dungeon on his black mirror, followed by a deep dive into Dice Forge, a game in which you... forge... dice... Chris reminds us that he thought the Spiel des Jahres winner was just okay, but The King is Dead (RPG) is much...
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July 12, 2018
In this episode, Brandon explores the ancient complexities of the game Julius Caesar called "Knights of the Old Republic," and Chris accidentally blue himself. Turns out there is no Dana, only Azul.
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June 29, 2018
In this episode, Brandon reminds us that One Deck Dungeon is as good as Chris said, while Chris waggles his finger at house rules, then suggests a house rule for his favorite game...
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June 14, 2018
In this episode, Brandon tells us everything he thinks about the new expansion/update to Stellaris. Chris gets his brain invaded by the Antiquity worm, but more importantly, he's played One Deck Dungeon a whole lot. Poop emojis comin' atcha.
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May 31, 2018
In this episode, Brandon regales us with the complexities of Tournament at Camelot, including the difference between a poison apple and a sword. Chris takes two turns as he describes the other The King is Dead and the absolute plague of fun in Antiquity.
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May 17, 2018
In this episode, Brandon fills us in on Battletech and how very, very different it might be from Mechwarrior Online, and Chris can't stop talking about how tight and restrictive The King Is Dead is. We keep it to a nice, listenable 40 minutes, and hardly get sidetracked at all!
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May 3, 2018
In this episode, Brandon updates us on MWO updates and "finds" a "path" to the "stars." Chris plays through the latest game in the "Kratos angrily kills everything" series and lets us know what's up. Mechwarrior Online updates - 01:26 Starfinder - 05:52 God of War (2018) - 30:11 Closing and…
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April 12, 2018
In this episode, we talk about games to play while bar-hopping, the Whitehack RPG, BattleCon, and the Ascension app. Boy, it's a good thing we didn't play more games over the past couple of weeks, or we would never have been able to keep this under an hour...
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March 22, 2018
In this episode, Chris revisits some games from a decade ago, Brandon gets sucked into the Stardew Valley void, and we talk about Fugitive (and whether or not catching a fugitive constitutes "taking a prisoner"). Brandon's Mushroom Farm - 01:36 Starfound? - 04:39 Dominion and Race for the Galaxy…
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March 15, 2018
In this episode, Chris talks about D&D, OSR, Whitehack, and how that last one does really cool stuff in its magic system.
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March 8, 2018
In this episode, Brandon finally gets to brag about his stock market gains... he also mentions an actual game (playing Sentinels of the Multiverse at that restaurant Farva likes with all the goofy sh*t on the walls). Chris regales us with his excitement for farming turnips and melons in Stardew...
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March 1st, 2018
In this very, very short episode, Chris fills us in on what's up with the Godbound game we've been playing, and how to have success with imposter syndrome in A Fake Artist Goes to New York.
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February 10, 2018
In this episode, we laugh about our Godbound game, play some old favorites (Mechwarrior Online and One Night Ultimate Werewolf), and some new games that may (or may not) be Chris' jam. Godbound - 00:52 Mechwarrior Online - 06:00 One Lunch Ultimate Werewolf - 08:04 Stardew Valley - 14:08…
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January 25, 2018
In this episode, we talk about the troubles of bards as they gain levels in D&D, the troubles of demigods as they try to fight mortal heroes in Godbound, and the troubles of fudging in games. D&Days go by... - 01:30 Godbound - 07:57 ...and fudging, in context - 13:50 Closing and Contact Info - 40:45
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January 11, 2018
In this episode, Brandon talks about his experiences with Betrayal at House on the Hill, a game about exploring a haunted house, and Chris talks about his experiences with The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild, a game about exploring Hyrule. Betrayal at House on the Hill - 02:07 The Legend of...
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December 28, 2017
In this episode, and we look back over the past year to review our favorite games we played, our least favorites, and then we throw out some expectations for 2018. Favorite games in 2017 - 02:12 Least Favorites - 25:22 Looking to 2018 - 39:47 Closing and Contact Info - 54:24
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December 14, 2017
In this episode, we try out a new, shorter, more focused format, and discuss the madcap shenanigans of EA with the latest Star Wars video games, and the complexity that comes from the simple rules of Mini Rails. EA really messed up - 01:27 Mini Rails first impressions - 19:09 Closing and Contact...
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Episode 122a: Heroes Wanted and Just Cause 3
In this episode, Brandon relates a tale of influence gone wrong and Chris sharks noobs in Power Grid. We also talk a bit about our Godbound game, what's up with the Burning Wheel Codex, and of course, our games of the week. Star Wars Galaxy of Heroes Influencers - 01:59 Godbounding - 07:40...
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Episode 121b: I Must Have Powers!
In this episode, we discuss the ever-presence of magical powers in RPGs and why they are so significant. What makes them so important to so many games that listing off more than one or two is difficult? What purpose do they serve, in-character and out-of-Character? What are some great games…
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Episode 120b: Never Again!... Probably
In this episode, we discuss many of the games that we will most likely never play again, and most importantly, why! Is this always a bad thing? What makes you not want to play a game again? When will the madness end? Could this possibly be good? - 02:14 How do you know? - 03:57 Getting rid of…
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Episode 120a: BraveRats or R
In this episode, we discuss some video games and also some board games. We even have time for some RPGs! Through the Ages, Godbound, Valor RPG, BraveRats... if you want to learn more, dig in. Through the Ages Board Game App Port - 01:03 Godbound (of a sort) - 06:01 Minute Minecraft Minute - 11:41...
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Episode 119b: Balance
In this episode, we discuss the most important, absolutely-critical-to-everyone's-fun part of a game, balance. What exactly is it? Why does it matter? How is it achieved? And can you actually have fun without it in some way? Balance - 03:00 The problems of imbalance? - 10:47 What gets balanced? -...
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Episode 119a: Index Card RPG
In this episode, we talk about many platforms Minecrafting in harmony, how much Brandon still hates Star Wars Galaxy of Heroes, the recent rebalances in Overwatch, tequila, scheduling RPGs, and finally, Chris gives us his thoughts on and experiences with the Index Card RPG. Cross-platform…
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Episode 118b: Advancement in RPGs
In this episode, we talk about the way your characters in an RPG get better. Why is advancement important? What kinds of advancement are there? What can go wrong with advancement systems? Is character change even really that important? Character advancement in RPGs - 01:54 The Big Incentive…
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Episode 118a: Death Angel and Tammany Hall
In this episode, Brandon forces refugees to play board games, Chris forces Brandon to play Godbound, Death Angel forces marines to get eaten by totally-not-Zerg, and Tammany Hall forces us to be racist. How bad can it get? Brandon forces refugees to play board games - 01:08 Brandon forces himself...
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Episode 117b: Gen Con 2017
In this episode, Chris regales us with stories from the biggest, oldest, and stickiest board game convention on the planet Earth. What games did he see? What costumes? What are the best games he played? The worst? Is there any thing worse than actually going to Gen Con? Listen closely... The...
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Episode 117a: Guild Wars 2 and Tiny Epic Quest
In this episode, Chris makes RPG kits, gets detailed about the Index Card RPG, and plays Sequence for the first time. Brandon talks about the best MMO ever, again. And both of them play Tiny Epic Quest from Gen Con! Brandon's GotW: Guild Wars 2 - 01:36 RPG kits! - 23:07 Index Card RPG - 26:43...
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Episode 116b: Fun to play, Fun to win
In this episode, we talk about being losers. Is losing fun in any way? Is winning? What makes a game enjoyable, win or lose? What are some games we really enjoy playing, even when disaster befalls us? "Games that are fun to lose!" - 01:49 Is it fun to win? - 03:51 What stuff makes losing fun? -...
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Episode 116a: Follow
In this episode, Brandon makes videos about Star Wars and Mechwarrior, while Chris has uninvited people show up to play games, and rants about the spirit of the game in The Resistance. He is also excited about a couple of RPGs he might soon have the opportunity to play, including the Game of the...
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Episode 115b: Overly Critical
in this episode, we discuss how games are discussed, and make a plea for you to be a part of the discussion. What is a "game review?" Do we review games? Why do so many people try to redefine "review" so they can be reviewers when it is convenient and "not reviewers" when it isn't? What the hell...
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Episode 115a: Elephants and Rhinos
In this episode, we talk about Mechwarrior Online, The Game of Things, Blades in the Dark, Overwatch, Stuff and Nonsense, Pax Pamir, and Gen Con. What are our games of the week? Hell if I know. But we have a lot to say otherwise. Game of Things - 2:47 Mechwarrior gets civil - 05:41 Brandon's in…
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Episode 114b: Thoughts on GMing
In this episode, we discuss the task of GMing an RPG. What does it entail? What does it not entail? How do you have fun doing it? HOw do we decide what games to run? And what are the most common mistakes? Is GMing hard? - 05:01 What does it entail? - 10:52 What does it not entail? - 23:07 Prep! -...
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Episode 114a: Overwatch
In this episode, Brandon gets stuck on Stellaris, but also manages to play some actually cool games with his cousins. We compliment every who listens to this show, recap some games Chris has been playing, and then talk and talk and talk about the modern-day classic Overwatch, which some of you...
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Episode 113b: The First Half of 2017
In this episode, we talk about our gaming experiences in the first six months of the year. What are the best games we played? What are the worst games we played? Do we have any thoughts on E3 or convention season? And what are we looking forward to playing for the next several months? Favorite...
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Episode 113a: Kemet
In this episode, Brandon's computer is struck by lightning, limiting his ability to play games (although not Mechwarrior Online or Stellaris), but turning it into a super-podcast-recording machine! Chris also suffered technical difficulties in Alien Frontiers, is prepping for another game with...
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Episode 112b: Introducing people to RPGs
In this episode, Chris recruits a bunch of newbies to play in an RPG, and we discuss how that is best done. What do you need to explain about RPGs in general and the game you will be playing specifically? What's the best way to do that? Is there anything you should or shouldn't include in a…
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Episode 112a: Ergo and Horizon: Zero Dawn
In this episode, Brandon wonders what the future will be like as his kids start playing actual games, and Chris knows what the future will be like because of the prophetic storylines of Horizon: Zero Dawn. We also argue about whether complicated, real-world processes make a good basis for the…
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Episode 111b: Board Game Apps
In this episode, we discuss the digitizations of board games, transforming a three-hour table hog into something you can carry around in your pocket and knock out in 30 minutes without ever interacting with another person. What are the reasons games undergo this transformation? Are there…
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Episode 111a: Stellaris and Millennium Blades
In this episode, Brandon tells us about a massive update to Mechwarrior Online and a tiny update to Star Wars Galaxy of Heroes. Chris overdoes it with social deduction games, walks back through the livestream, and is late to the Horizon Zero Dawn party. Also, Games of the Week, what? Major update...
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Episode 110b: Repetition
In this episode, we talk about the generic criticism that a game is "repetitive," and why such a statement needs a lot more clarification if it is to be meaningful. What makes a game repetitive? What makes that bad... or what makes that good? Are there really games that aren't "repetitive"?...
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Episode 110a: Discord and Race for the Galaxy
In this episode, Brandon finally gets what Chris was talking about with Tak and BraveRats, and he doesn't even have to use Discord to do it. Chris looks back over Antike Duellum, explains Millenium Blades, and realizes that he has never had Race for the Galaxy as his Game of the Week just in time...
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Episode 109b: Teaching Games
In this episode, we talk about Chris' professional passion: teaching! Wait, don't go! We do it in the context of games (of course)! How do you convince someone that they should be interested in learning a game? How do you make a plan to explain it all? What are the differences between teaching...
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Episode 109a: Warlock 2 and Concrete Jungle
In this episode, Brandon keeps playing Star Wars Galaxy of Heroes, and Chris keeps hosting game nights and live streams. Less new games and more classics! Also, for some reason, Brandon keeps playing sequels to super old games... Star Wars gets an R2 - 01:58 More Samurai Spirit - 06:08 Brandon's...
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Episode 108b: Flash and Substance
In this episode, we talk about competitive video games, abstract board games, mechanical substance, and empty flash. How much staying power do League of Legends and Starcraft have? How deep do games like that go? Why would you play a game with a small sheet of rules when you could explore a…
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Episode 108a: Majesty 2 and Impulse
In this episode, Brandon plays a Star Wars game that no longer exists and a game of hero management that has existed for decades. Chris hosts a game night with all-old games, crashes a kingdom dozens of times in Reigns, and can't be clear enough about how unclear Impulse is. We also announce a...
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Episode 107b: Gaming Masochism
In this episode, we get the whips cracking and discuss punishment in games. How do games punish their players? Why? In what games is it fun to avoid those punishments, and in what games is it simply a frustrating hassle? Would you rather a game have punishments or not? The Goals in a Game - 01:07...
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Episode 107a: Firefly and Card Thief
In this episode, Brandon is thinking about live streaming D&D while playing the Firefly board game. Chris tries to avoid Goat Simulator and going bankrupt in Ponzi Scheme. Also, Card Thief! And Thieving Cardses! Influence - 01:30 Brandon wants to D&D stream - 02:37 Sunday Board Game Stream…
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