Five Games for Doomsday

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Five games for Doomsday is a show in which people are thrust into a cabin in the woods but can only take five of their games with them. Which will they choose?

Ben Maddox

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    • May 21, 2026 LATEST EPISODE
    • weekdays NEW EPISODES
    • 43m AVG DURATION
    • 897 EPISODES

    Ivy Insights

    The Five Games for Doomsday podcast is a must-listen for any board game enthusiast. Host Ben Maddox has created a unique and engaging show that combines interviews with industry professionals, deep-dive game reviews, and thought-provoking discussions about the role of games in our lives. From the early days of his previous podcasting venture to the present, Ben has continued to improve and impress with his dedication to delivering high-quality content.

    One of the best aspects of The Five Games for Doomsday is Ben's skill as an interviewer. He has a natural talent for asking insightful and thought-provoking questions that go beyond surface-level discussions about games. His interviews are in-depth and provide a deep dive into the minds and experiences of his guests. Ben's ability to challenge the status quo and share fresh perspectives adds an intellectual depth to the podcast that sets it apart from other board gaming podcasts.

    Another standout feature of the podcast is Ben's game reviews. Unlike many other review formats that can feel formulaic or lacking in substance, Ben puts games into context with similar titles, explores their thematic strengths and weaknesses, and treats them as cultural and artistic products. This approach brings a refreshing perspective to game reviews and offers listeners a deeper understanding of how games impact our lives.

    However, one aspect that could be improved upon is the inclusion of game titles in episode descriptions. Sometimes during discussions, it can be easy to forget which game they are talking about, and they don't always reiterate the title. Including this information in episode descriptions would make it easier for listeners to reference specific games discussed in each episode.

    In conclusion, The Five Games for Doomsday podcast is a brilliant show that offers a unique blend of entertainment, insight, and intellectual stimulation. Ben Maddox's skills as an interviewer combined with his fresh take on game reviews make this podcast stand out from others in the genre. Whether you're looking for engaging interviews, insightful game reviews, or thought-provoking discussions about the hobby, this podcast has it all.



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    Latest episodes from Five Games for Doomsday

    5G4D's Very Best Things About Board Games

    Play Episode Listen Later May 21, 2026 12:09 Transcription Available


    These are the things I love about board games. Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/five-games-for-doomsday--5631121/support.Support the show here

    The Thousand Year Old Vampire Episode Ten - Death Comes Ripping

    Play Episode Listen Later May 20, 2026 33:35 Transcription Available


    In this classic rerun of Ben's solo RPG series the end is nigh. Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/five-games-for-doomsday--5631121/support.Support the show here

    The Thousand Year Old Vampire - Episode Nine - After the Darkness the Light!

    Play Episode Listen Later May 19, 2026 39:03 Transcription Available


    In this classic rerun of Ben's solo RPG series Martin finds peace?Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/five-games-for-doomsday--5631121/support.Support the show here

    Paul Grogan

    Play Episode Listen Later May 18, 2026 85:20 Transcription Available


    Ben speaks to the host of Gaming Rules, Paul Grogan. We talk about how he met his wife, the importance of a rulebook and how he changed a classic game...but which games did he choose?Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/five-games-for-doomsday--5631121/support.Support the show here

    The Thousand Year Old Vampire - Episode Eight - Reformations and Deformations

    Play Episode Listen Later May 17, 2026 31:52 Transcription Available


    In this classic rerun of Ben's solo RPG series Martin finds religion. Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/five-games-for-doomsday--5631121/support.Support the show here

    The Thousand Year Old Vampire - Episode Seven - The Hazards of Love

    Play Episode Listen Later May 16, 2026 40:22 Transcription Available


    In this classic rerun of Ben's solo RPG series we see the haards of love. Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/five-games-for-doomsday--5631121/support.Support the show here

    5G4D News - The Rolling Deep Episode

    Play Episode Listen Later May 15, 2026 66:42 Transcription Available


    In this news Episode, Ben and Steve giveout some nick names, some peerages and answer your questions. Also, Ben talks to Nick MUrray form Bitewinf Games about his upcoming epic, solo adventure, Rolling Deep. Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/five-games-for-doomsday--5631121/support.Support the show here

    The Thousand Year Old Vampire - Episode Six - A Revelation and a Shock

    Play Episode Listen Later May 15, 2026 36:29 Transcription Available


    In this classic rerun of Ben's solo RPG series something is revealedBecome a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/five-games-for-doomsday--5631121/support.Support the show here

    The Thousand Year Old Vampire - Episode Five - Conflagrations and Recriminations

    Play Episode Listen Later May 14, 2026 39:31 Transcription Available


    In this classic rerun of Ben's solo RPG series Martin sees fire.Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/five-games-for-doomsday--5631121/support.Support the show here

    The Thousand Year Old Vampire - Episode Four -Time's Swift Passage

    Play Episode Listen Later May 13, 2026 36:07 Transcription Available


    In this classic rerun of Ben's solo RPG series Martin experiences the passage of time. Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/five-games-for-doomsday--5631121/support.Support the show here

    The Thousand Year Old Vampire - Episode Three- A Hop Across The Channel

    Play Episode Listen Later May 12, 2026 47:40 Transcription Available


    In this classic rerun of Ben's solo RPG series Martin goes the Britain. Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/five-games-for-doomsday--5631121/support.Support the show here

    The Thousand Year Old Vampire - Episode Two - The Languedoc

    Play Episode Listen Later May 11, 2026 33:54 Transcription Available


    In this classic rerun of Ben's solo RPG series we meet the vampire. Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/five-games-for-doomsday--5631121/support.Support the show here

    Cuts from the Cabin - First public release!

    Play Episode Listen Later May 6, 2026 17:00 Transcription Available


    5G4D's first album remasterted by compressing it into an mp3.Side One:1. The Thousand Year Old Vampire Suite: Allegro: Pork Church Andante: Anger Scherzo: Sea Growth Rondo: Defenses 2.I like Blood 3.Bite Yo Face 4.The Ballard of Martin Dufour 5.Bloody Christmas 6.I Like Eating PeopleSide Two:1. Drivin' a Truck 2.Truck 3.It's My Truck 4.My Lorry 5.Do You Like My Lorry? 6.It's My Lorry 7.I'm A Truck Driver 8.Look At My LorryBecome a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/five-games-for-doomsday--5631121/support.Support the show here

    Richard Simpson

    Play Episode Listen Later May 4, 2026 87:42 Transcription Available


    Ben speaks to Richard Simpson of We're Not Wizards. We talk about stand up, nationalism and media...but which games did he choose?Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/five-games-for-doomsday--5631121/support.Support the show here

    richard simpson not wizards
    5G4D Classic Reviews - Berlin Con

    Play Episode Listen Later May 1, 2026 7:48 Transcription Available


    Ben gives hias view on an old con. Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/five-games-for-doomsday--5631121/support.Support the show here

    5G4D Classic Reviews - Skull King

    Play Episode Listen Later Apr 29, 2026 7:06 Transcription Available


    Ben revisits his classic review of Skull King. Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/five-games-for-doomsday--5631121/support.Support the show here

    5G4D Classics - Bruno Faidutti

    Play Episode Listen Later Apr 27, 2026 68:45 Transcription Available


    Ben revisits his interview with Bruno Faidutti in tis classic episode. Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/five-games-for-doomsday--5631121/support.Support the show here

    5G4D's Top 100 - 10 - 1 audio

    Play Episode Listen Later Apr 24, 2026 13:42 Transcription Available


    These are the best games ever made. Someone on Youtube called this an "old man list". Fucking right!Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/five-games-for-doomsday--5631121/support.Support the show here

    The Spielworxx Bulletin - The Unbridled Joy Episode

    Play Episode Listen Later Apr 23, 2026 45:11 Transcription Available


    Ben and Uli talk about the joy of gaming. Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/five-games-for-doomsday--5631121/support.Support the show here

    Jackie Fox

    Play Episode Listen Later Apr 20, 2026 73:31 Transcription Available


    Ben speaks to bassist, lawyer and game designer, Jackie Fox. Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/five-games-for-doomsday--5631121/support.Support the show here

    Yuval Grinspun on Viridia

    Play Episode Listen Later Apr 16, 2026 22:18 Transcription Available


    Ben speaks to Yuval Grinspun on hos new game Viridia. Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/five-games-for-doomsday--5631121/support.Support the show here

    Yuval Grinspun on Viridia

    Play Episode Listen Later Apr 16, 2026 22:18 Transcription Available


    Ben speaks to Yuval Grinspun on his new game Viridia. Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/five-games-for-doomsday--5631121/support.Support the show here

    Patreon Update Podcast - 12-04-26

    Play Episode Listen Later Apr 13, 2026 75:18 Transcription Available


    This is a free episode of the patreon update podcast. If you like it get it every week at: https://www.patreon.com/c/5g4dBecome a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/five-games-for-doomsday--5631121/support.Support the show here

    5G4D'S Top 100 - 20 - 11

    Play Episode Listen Later Apr 8, 2026 15:03 Transcription Available


    Here's 10 more amazing games...nearly there. Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/five-games-for-doomsday--5631121/support.Support the show here

    Thorsten Gimmler

    Play Episode Listen Later Apr 6, 2026 41:36 Transcription Available


    This week's guest is head of inventor relations at Ravensburger Thorsten Gimmler. We talk about No Thanks and developing games...but which games did he choose?Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/five-games-for-doomsday--5631121/support.Support the show here

    The Spielworxx Bulletin - Live at Leiria Con

    Play Episode Listen Later Apr 3, 2026 43:53 Transcription Available


    Ben and Uli are joined by war game legend, Mark Herman to talk aboout the importance of historical games. Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/five-games-for-doomsday--5631121/support.Support the show here

    Live at Leiria with Friedemann Friese

    Play Episode Listen Later Mar 31, 2026 9:34 Transcription Available


    Ben sits down with Friedemann Friese to talk Leira Con and his life in games. Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/five-games-for-doomsday--5631121/support.Support the show here

    The Score with C Thi Nguyen - 5G4D News Flash

    Play Episode Listen Later Mar 20, 2026 54:21 Transcription Available


    In this news flash Ben speaks with author of The Score, C.Thi Nguyen.Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/five-games-for-doomsday--5631121/support.Support the show here

    Getting to the end - Every Day I Write The Book

    Play Episode Listen Later Mar 18, 2026 48:28 Transcription Available


    In this episode Ben and Isaac talk about getting to the end of the book and some of the interesting things they've found out.  Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/five-games-for-doomsday--5631121/support.Support the show here

    Luke Laurie

    Play Episode Listen Later Mar 16, 2026 83:05


    This week's guest is designer of Dwellings of Eldervale and Andromeda's Edge, Luke Laurie. We discuss teaching, imposter syndrome and whisky...but which game did he choose?Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/five-games-for-doomsday--5631121/support.Support the show here

    5G4D Classics - Richard Launius

    Play Episode Listen Later Mar 13, 2026 52:10 Transcription Available


    In this classic episode Ben talks to the designer of Arkham Horror, Richard Launius. Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/five-games-for-doomsday--5631121/support.Support the show here

    Cd Hunter's Game of the Century - Semi Finals

    Play Episode Listen Later Mar 6, 2026 68:03 Transcription Available


    It's the semi-final! Who's gonna win? You decide!Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/five-games-for-doomsday--5631121/support.Support the show here

    Peter Vaughan

    Play Episode Listen Later Mar 2, 2026 71:36 Transcription Available


    Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/five-games-for-doomsday--5631121/support.Support the show here

    Battle Report - Mycelia(Sample of Patreon Content)

    Play Episode Listen Later Feb 27, 2026 16:06


    Visit http://5g4d.com/ to listen to the full show.Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/five-games-for-doomsday--5631121/support.Support the show here

    Malachi Ray Rempen on Almighty

    Play Episode Listen Later Feb 23, 2026 25:18 Transcription Available


    Ben is joined by Malachi Ray Rempen to discuss Almighty.Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/five-games-for-doomsday--5631121/support.Support the show here

    Spielworxx Bulletin - The Bad Communication Episode

    Play Episode Listen Later Feb 18, 2026 48:59 Transcription Available


    In this episode Ben amd Uli talk about the problems board game publishers have with communicating to the wider cultural world. Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/five-games-for-doomsday--5631121/support.Support the show here

    Ulrich Blum

    Play Episode Listen Later Feb 16, 2026 67:39 Transcription Available


    This week's guest is designer of Spaceship Unity, Divvy Dice and Minecraft: Builders and Biomes, Ulrich Blum. We talk about being a chef, the beauty of Switzerland and being an indie creator...but which games did he choose?Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/five-games-for-doomsday--5631121/support.Support the show here

    Besime Uyanik on MinIon Subscriptions

    Play Episode Listen Later Feb 13, 2026 17:12 Transcription Available


    CEO of Ion Games, Besime Uyanik talks about their new subscription service. https://iongamedesign.com/pages/minionBecome a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/five-games-for-doomsday--5631121/support.Support the show here

    5G4D Classics - Jason Matthews

    Play Episode Listen Later Feb 9, 2026 77:27


    In this classic episdode Jason Matthews talks about his life. Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/five-games-for-doomsday--5631121/support.Support the show here

    The Game of the Century - The Last 16

    Play Episode Listen Later Feb 4, 2026 48:51


    In this episode Ben and Steve review the last round and loof forward to the quarter finals!Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/five-games-for-doomsday--5631121/support.Support the show here

    Christian Opperer

    Play Episode Listen Later Feb 2, 2026 86:07


    This week's guest is designer of Cloud Age and Ohanami, Christian Opperer. We discuss the difference in twins, traditional games and the limitations of A.I....but which games did he choose?ChessRiftforceTime's Up FamilyFirst ClassOhanamiBecome a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/five-games-for-doomsday--5631121/support.Support the show here

    5G4D News - The A.I. Boycott Episode

    Play Episode Listen Later Jan 26, 2026 80:37 Transcription Available


    In this news episode Ben and Steve give some nicknames and Ben talks to Justin from Meeple Mountain about their boycott of A.I. art.   Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/five-games-for-doomsday--5631121/support.Support the show here

    Pirates of Maracaibo(Sample of Patreon Content)

    Play Episode Listen Later Jan 21, 2026 24:00 Transcription Available


    You can listen to the full show by going to https://www.patreon.com/5g4dBecome a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/five-games-for-doomsday--5631121/support.Support the show here

    Hjalmar Hach

    Play Episode Listen Later Jan 19, 2026 75:31 Transcription Available


    My guest this week is co-owner of Horrible Guild, Hjalmar Hach. We talk about family history, creative obsession and the joys of working in the board game industry...but which games did he choose?DixitLetters form WhitechapelKemetPower GridChessBecome a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/five-games-for-doomsday--5631121/support.Support the show here

    hach hjalmar horrible guild
    The Game of the Century - The Round of 32

    Play Episode Listen Later Jan 14, 2026 51:33 Transcription Available


    Ben and Steve sit down to discuss the round of 32 and get in a row. Enjoy. Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/five-games-for-doomsday--5631121/support.Support the show here

    The Spielworxx Bulletin - The Serious Game Episode

    Play Episode Listen Later Jan 12, 2026 62:10 Transcription Available


    In the first 2026 episode of The Spielworxx Bulletin, Ben and Uli talk about serious games and what they bring to the art form. Get Spielworxx Games here: https://www.spielworxx.de/ Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/five-games-for-doomsday--5631121/support.Support the show here

    Battle Report - -Limit - Sample of the patreon feed

    Play Episode Listen Later Jan 9, 2026 20:41 Transcription Available


    Listen to the full show hereBecome a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/five-games-for-doomsday--5631121/support.Support the show here

    Camilla Cleghorn

    Play Episode Listen Later Jan 5, 2026 59:37 Transcription Available


    This week's guest is presenter on The Dice Tower, Camila Cleghorn. We talk about ASL, doing a dream job and competitive swimming...but which games did she choose? Too Many BonesThe CrewArkham Horror:The Card GameKing of TokyoCrokinoleBecome a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/five-games-for-doomsday--5631121/support.Support the show here

    The 5G4D Advent Calendar - Dec 25th - Worker Placement

    Play Episode Listen Later Dec 25, 2025 34:15 Transcription Available


    Merry Christmas you filthy animals! Get on this!!!!Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/five-games-for-doomsday--5631121/support.Support the show here

    The 5G4D Advent Calendar - Dec 24th - Social Deduction

    Play Episode Listen Later Dec 24, 2025 17:37 Transcription Available


    In this episode of the Advent Calendar Ben and Steve talk about social deduction.Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/five-games-for-doomsday--5631121/support.Support the show here

    The 5G4D Advent Calendar - Dec 23rd - Real Time

    Play Episode Listen Later Dec 23, 2025 18:39 Transcription Available


    In this episode of the Advent Calendar Ben and Steve talk about real time games. Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/five-games-for-doomsday--5631121/support.Support the show here

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