Game designers Mike Hutchinson and Glenn Ford talk about how, why and if they design tabletop miniatures games. With discussions, tips, reviews and interviews.
In Episode 153 The guys have been wondering about how they might redesign some popular games based on the imagined brief they might be based on, first up: Weird WW1... Trench Crusade, Last War and A War Transformed.Check out Man O' Kent Games here: https://www.manokentgames.comCheck out Planet Smasher Games here: http://planetsmasher.gamesThe Rule of Carnage discord server: https://discord.gg/Gb4aK7uEChIf you want to support the channel financially you can join Mike's Patreon here: https://www.patreon.com/planetsmashergamesor Glenn's Patreon here: https://www.patreon.com/manokentgames
In Episode 152 Glenn has been comment munging for chat subjects, and someone asked about archetypes and factions, what sorts are they and what are they good for? So they guys are going to chat about just that.===If you enjoy hearing our game design advice, why not read it also in our upcoming book about designing miniatures games, available here: www.routledge.com/9781032324012You can pick up Pukeapocalypse from Exalted Funeral here:https://www.exaltedfuneral.com/products/pukeapocalypseOr if you're in the UK you might prefer to get it from Glenn here: https://www.manokentgames.com/product-page/pukeapocalypseCheck out Man O' Kent Games here: https://www.manokentgames.comCheck out Planet Smasher Games here: http://planetsmasher.gamesThe Rule of Carnage discord server: https://discord.gg/Gb4aK7uEChIf you want to support the channel financially you can join...Mike's Patreon here: https://www.patreon.com/planetsmashergamesor Glenn's Patreon here: https://www.patreon.com/manokentgames
In Episode 151 Mike has been listening to game design podcasts, which is always dangerous, and has formulated some thoughts on at least one of them. Glenn also formulated some thoughts, very quickly, just now. Here they are.===If you enjoy hearing our game design advice, why not read it also in our upcoming book about designing miniatures games, available here: www.routledge.com/9781032324012You can pick up Pukeapocalypse from Exalted Funeral here:https://www.exaltedfuneral.com/products/pukeapocalypseOr if you're in the UK you might prefer to get it from Glenn here: https://www.manokentgames.com/product-page/pukeapocalypseCheck out Man O' Kent Games here: https://www.manokentgames.comCheck out Planet Smasher Games here: http://planetsmasher.gamesThe Rule of Carnage discord server: https://discord.gg/Gb4aK7uEChIf you want to support the channel financially you can join...Mike's Patreon here: https://www.patreon.com/planetsmashergamesor Glenn's Patreon here: https://www.patreon.com/manokentgames
In part 2 of Episode 149 Mike and Glenn have both been making books for their games, which has been a bit of a learning curve, so they share their experiences.Check out Man O' Kent Games here: https://www.manokentgames.comCheck out Planet Smasher Games here: http://planetsmasher.gamesThe Rule of Carnage discord server: https://discord.gg/Gb4aK7uEChIf you want to support the channel financially you can join Mike's Patreon here: https://www.patreon.com/planetsmashergamesor Glenn's Patreon here: https://www.patreon.com/manokentgames
In part 1 of Episode 149 Mike and Glenn are both making minis for their games this year, which has been a bit of a learning curve, so they share their experiences here.Check out Man O' Kent Games here: https://www.manokentgames.comCheck out Planet Smasher Games here: http://planetsmasher.gamesThe Rule of Carnage discord server: https://discord.gg/Gb4aK7uEChIf you want to support the channel financially you can join Mike's Patreon here: https://www.patreon.com/planetsmashergamesor Glenn's Patreon here: https://www.patreon.com/manokentgames
In Episode 148 Mike and Glenn have both been considering model removal in minis games. It seems like an unexamined assumption that we have to take our toys off, and we don't like unexamined assumption, so the guys talk about it.Check out Man O' Kent Games here: https://www.manokentgames.comCheck out Planet Smasher Games here: http://planetsmasher.gamesThe Rule of Carnage discord server: https://discord.gg/Gb4aK7uEChIf you want to support the channel financially you can join Mike's Patreon here: https://www.patreon.com/planetsmashergamesor Glenn's Patreon here: https://www.patreon.com/manokentgames
In Episode 147 Glenn has been thinking about player affordances, what you allow your players to do and why while designing his new game, Boarders and Black Flags. He talks to Mike about it here.Check out Man O' Kent Games here: https://www.manokentgames.comCheck out Planet Smasher Games here: http://planetsmasher.gamesThe Rule of Carnage discord server: https://discord.gg/Gb4aK7uEChIf you want to support the channel financially you can join Mike's Patreon here: https://www.patreon.com/planetsmashergamesor Glenn's Patreon here: https://www.patreon.com/manokentgames
In Episode 146 Part 2, rulebooks can be in many voices, formal, fun, narrative, which is right for you. The guys talk about it.Check out Man O' Kent Games here: https://www.manokentgames.comCheck out Planet Smasher Games here: http://planetsmasher.gamesThe Rule of Carnage discord server: https://discord.gg/Gb4aK7uEChIf you want to support the channel financially you can join Mike's Patreon here: https://www.patreon.com/planetsmashergamesor Glenn's Patreon here: https://www.patreon.com/manokentgames
In Episode 146, rulebooks can be in many voices, formal, fun, narrative, which is right for you. The guys talk about it.===Here Come The Bastards, the first expansion book for SPACE GITS, is on Kickstarter during March-April 2026: https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/planetsmashergames/space-gits-here-come-the-bastards?ref=4680n3===If you enjoy hearing our game design advice, why not read it also in our upcoming book about designing miniatures games, available here: www.routledge.com/9781032324012You can pick up Pukeapocalypse from Exalted Funeral here:https://www.exaltedfuneral.com/products/pukeapocalypseOr if you're in the UK you might prefer to get it from Glenn here: https://www.manokentgames.com/product-page/pukeapocalypseCheck out Man O' Kent Games here: https://www.manokentgames.comCheck out Planet Smasher Games here: http://planetsmasher.gamesThe Rule of Carnage discord server: https://discord.gg/Gb4aK7uEChIf you want to support the channel financially you can join...Mike's Patreon here: https://www.patreon.com/planetsmashergamesor Glenn's Patreon here: https://www.patreon.com/manokentgames
In Episode 145, Draws happen. Sometimes they're not much fun, which is a shame, so its worth making them fun. Let's figure out how we do that!===Here Come The Bastards, the first expansion book for SPACE GITS, is on Kickstarter during March-April 2026: https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/planetsmashergames/space-gits-here-come-the-bastards?ref=4680n3===If you enjoy hearing our game design advice, why not read it also in our upcoming book about designing miniatures games, available here: www.routledge.com/9781032324012You can pick up Pukeapocalypse from Exalted Funeral here:https://www.exaltedfuneral.com/products/pukeapocalypseOr if you're in the UK you might prefer to get it from Glenn here: https://www.manokentgames.com/product-page/pukeapocalypseCheck out Man O' Kent Games here: https://www.manokentgames.comCheck out Planet Smasher Games here: http://planetsmasher.gamesThe Rule of Carnage discord server: https://discord.gg/Gb4aK7uEChIf you want to support the channel financially you can join...Mike's Patreon here: https://www.patreon.com/planetsmashergamesor Glenn's Patreon here: https://www.patreon.com/manokentgames
In Episode 144, Mike has been thinking about the vibes of a game, the special something that makes it more than just the mechanics. The guys talk about it.===Here Come The Bastards, the first expansion book for SPACE GITS, is on Kickstarter during March-April 2026: https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/planetsmashergames/space-gits-here-come-the-bastards?ref=4680n3===If you enjoy hearing our game design advice, why not read it also in our upcoming book about designing miniatures games, available here: www.routledge.com/9781032324012You can pick up Pukeapocalypse from Exalted Funeral here:https://www.exaltedfuneral.com/products/pukeapocalypseOr if you're in the UK you might prefer to get it from Glenn here: https://www.manokentgames.com/product-page/pukeapocalypseCheck out Man O' Kent Games here: https://www.manokentgames.comCheck out Planet Smasher Games here: http://planetsmasher.gamesThe Rule of Carnage discord server: https://discord.gg/Gb4aK7uEChIf you want to support the channel financially you can join...Mike's Patreon here: https://www.patreon.com/planetsmashergamesor Glenn's Patreon here: https://www.patreon.com/manokentgames
In Episode 143, Mike has been thinking a lot about the onboarding process for games, how to get people playing and keep them coming back. The guys talk about it.===If you enjoy hearing our game design advice, why not read it also in our upcoming book about designing miniatures games, available here: www.routledge.com/9781032324012You can pick up Pukeapocalypse from Exalted Funeral here:https://www.exaltedfuneral.com/products/pukeapocalypseOr if you're in the UK you might prefer to get it from Glenn here: https://www.manokentgames.com/product-page/pukeapocalypseCheck out Man O' Kent Games here: https://www.manokentgames.comCheck out Planet Smasher Games here: http://planetsmasher.gamesThe Rule of Carnage discord server: https://discord.gg/Gb4aK7uEChIf you want to support the channel financially you can join...Mike's Patreon here: https://www.patreon.com/planetsmashergamesor Glenn's Patreon here: https://www.patreon.com/manokentgames
Back in June 2025, Mike was in the final development stages of SPACE GITS, buffing edges and polishing out any last blemishes. The guys got together to record what was going to be a full video playtesting session but ended up talking through various problems instead and never turned the cameras on. So while we never got to play a full game, you get a conversation that peeks behind the development curtain on SPACE GITS.Here Come The Bastards, the first expansion book for SPACE GITS, is on Kickstarter during March-April 2026: https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/planetsmashergames/space-gits-here-come-the-bastards?ref=4680n3===If you enjoy hearing our game design advice, why not read it also in our upcoming book about designing miniatures games, available here: www.routledge.com/9781032324012You can pick up Pukeapocalypse from Exalted Funeral here:https://www.exaltedfuneral.com/products/pukeapocalypseOr if you're in the UK you might prefer to get it from Glenn here: https://www.manokentgames.com/product-page/pukeapocalypseCheck out Man O' Kent Games here: https://www.manokentgames.comCheck out Planet Smasher Games here: http://planetsmasher.gamesThe Rule of Carnage discord server: https://discord.gg/Gb4aK7uEChIf you want to support the channel financially you can join...Mike's Patreon here: https://www.patreon.com/planetsmashergamesor Glenn's Patreon here: https://www.patreon.com/manokentgames
In Episode 141, the guys have been thinking about "cursed problems", and when they think about such things, they talk about them. Next up, politics. This can cover many things, quarterbacking and kingmaking are two they chat about here.===Here Come The Bastards, the first expansion book for SPACE GITS, is on Kickstarter during March-April 2026: https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/planetsmashergames/space-gits-here-come-the-bastards?ref=4680n3===If you enjoy hearing our game design advice, why not read it also in our upcoming book about designing miniatures games, available here: www.routledge.com/9781032324012You can pick up Pukeapocalypse from Exalted Funeral here:https://www.exaltedfuneral.com/products/pukeapocalypseOr if you're in the UK you might prefer to get it from Glenn here: https://www.manokentgames.com/product-page/pukeapocalypseCheck out Man O' Kent Games here: https://www.manokentgames.comCheck out Planet Smasher Games here: http://planetsmasher.gamesThe Rule of Carnage discord server: https://discord.gg/Gb4aK7uEChIf you want to support the channel financially you can join...Mike's Patreon here: https://www.patreon.com/planetsmashergamesor Glenn's Patreon here: https://www.patreon.com/manokentgames
In Episode 140, the guys have been thinking about "cursed problems", and when they think about such things, they talk about them. Next up, teams often break down during play for various reasons. How can you lessen break downs and strive for unity?===Here Come The Bastards, the first expansion book for SPACE GITS, is on Kickstarter during March-April 2026: https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/planetsmashergames/space-gits-here-come-the-bastards?ref=4680n3===If you enjoy hearing our game design advice, why not read it also in our upcoming book about designing miniatures games, available here: www.routledge.com/9781032324012You can pick up Pukeapocalypse from Exalted Funeral here:https://www.exaltedfuneral.com/products/pukeapocalypseOr if you're in the UK you might prefer to get it from Glenn here: https://www.manokentgames.com/product-page/pukeapocalypseCheck out Man O' Kent Games here: https://www.manokentgames.comCheck out Planet Smasher Games here: http://planetsmasher.gamesThe Rule of Carnage discord server: https://discord.gg/Gb4aK7uEChIf you want to support the channel financially you can join...Mike's Patreon here: https://www.patreon.com/planetsmashergamesor Glenn's Patreon here: https://www.patreon.com/manokentgames
In Episode 139, the guys have been thinking about "cursed problems", and when they think about such things, they talk about them. Next up, with three or more players you can end up with a "piggy in middle". How can you fix that?===What happened to episodes 137 and 138 you ask? Best you do not.===The Boarders and Black Flags Landing Page:https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/manokentgames/boarders-and-black-flagsIf you enjoy hearing our game design advice, why not read it also in our upcoming book about designing miniatures games, available here: www.routledge.com/9781032324012You can pick up Pukeapocalypse from Exalted Funeral here:https://www.exaltedfuneral.com/products/pukeapocalypseOr if you're in the UK you might prefer to get it from Glenn here: https://www.manokentgames.com/product-page/pukeapocalypseCheck out Man O' Kent Games here: https://www.manokentgames.comCheck out Planet Smasher Games here: http://planetsmasher.gamesThe Rule of Carnage discord server: https://discord.gg/Gb4aK7uEChIf you want to support the channel financially you can join...Mike's Patreon here: https://www.patreon.com/planetsmashergamesor Glenn's Patreon here: https://www.patreon.com/manokentgames
In Episode 136, the guys have been thinking about "cursed problems", and when they think about such things, they talk about them. Next up, we want minis to have a purpose in our games, but we don't want to allow modelling for advantage, while we want to give people freedom to use the minis they want. What to do about that?Late Pledge Boarders and Black Flags on Kickstarter:https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/manokentgames/boarders-and-black-flagsIf you enjoy hearing our game design advice, why not read it also in our book about designing miniatures games, available here: www.routledge.com/9781032324012You can pick up Pukeapocalypse from Exalted Funeral here:https://www.exaltedfuneral.com/products/pukeapocalypseOr if you're in the UK you might prefer to get it from Glenn here:https://www.manokentgames.com/product-page/pukeapocalypseCheck out Man O' Kent Games here: https://www.manokentgames.comCheck out Planet Smasher Games here: http://planetsmasher.gamesThe Rule of Carnage discord server: https://discord.gg/Gb4aK7uEChIf you want to support the channel financially you can join Mike's Patreon here: https://www.patreon.com/planetsmashergamesor Glenn's Patreon here: https://www.patreon.com/manokentgames
In Episode 135, Glenn has fulfilled several Kickstarters, Mike is just fulfilling his first, they talk about some of the tips and pitfalls for that process.Late Pledge Boarders and Black Flags on Kickstarter:https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/manokentgames/boarders-and-black-flagsIf you enjoy hearing our game design advice, why not read it also in our book about designing miniatures games, available here: www.routledge.com/9781032324012You can pick up Pukeapocalypse from Exalted Funeral here:https://www.exaltedfuneral.com/products/pukeapocalypseOr if you're in the UK you might prefer to get it from Glenn here:https://www.manokentgames.com/product-page/pukeapocalypseCheck out Man O' Kent Games here: https://www.manokentgames.comCheck out Planet Smasher Games here: http://planetsmasher.gamesThe Rule of Carnage discord server: https://discord.gg/Gb4aK7uEChIf you want to support the channel financially you can join Mike's Patreon here: https://www.patreon.com/planetsmashergamesor Glenn's Patreon here: https://www.patreon.com/manokentgames
In Episode 134, the guys have been at Salute pitching their games to strangers one and all and so they've been thinking about doing that, how hard it is, and how important.Late Pledge Boarders and Black Flags on Kickstarter:https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/manokentgames/boarders-and-black-flagsIf you enjoy hearing our game design advice, why not read it also in our book about designing miniatures games, available here: www.routledge.com/9781032324012You can pick up Pukeapocalypse from Exalted Funeral here:https://www.exaltedfuneral.com/products/pukeapocalypseOr if you're in the UK you might prefer to get it from Glenn here:https://www.manokentgames.com/product-page/pukeapocalypseCheck out Man O' Kent Games here: https://www.manokentgames.comCheck out Planet Smasher Games here: http://planetsmasher.gamesThe Rule of Carnage discord server: https://discord.gg/Gb4aK7uEChIf you want to support the channel financially you can join Mike's Patreon here: https://www.patreon.com/planetsmashergamesor Glenn's Patreon here: https://www.patreon.com/manokentgames
In Episode 133, the guys have been thinking about "cursed problems", and when they think about such things, they talk about them. First up, putting differing experience levels together, proscription VS prescription and making impactful failure without creating a win-more.The Boarders and Black Flags Landing Page:https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/manokentgames/boarders-and-black-flagsIf you enjoy hearing our game design advice, why not read it also in our upcoming book about designing miniatures games, available here: www.routledge.com/9781032324012You can pick up Pukeapocalypse from Exalted Funeral here:https://www.exaltedfuneral.com/products/pukeapocalypseOr if you're in the UK you might prefer to get it from Glenn here:https://www.manokentgames.com/product-page/pukeapocalypseCheck out Man O' Kent Games here: https://www.manokentgames.comCheck out Planet Smasher Games here: http://planetsmasher.gamesThe Rule of Carnage discord server: https://discord.gg/Gb4aK7uEChIf you want to support the channel financially you can join Mike's Patreon here: https://www.patreon.com/planetsmashergamesor Glenn's Patreon here: https://www.patreon.com/manokentgames
In Episode 132, the guys have been thinking about "cursed problems", and when they think about such things, they talk about them. First up, "its possible to win until the last roll of the dice" vs "every decision matters" and then "list building matters" vs "you can't lose before getting to the table".You can pick up Pukeapocalypse from Exalted Funeral here:https://www.exaltedfuneral.com/products/pukeapocalypseOr if you're in the UK you might prefer to get it from Glenn here:https://www.manokentgames.com/product-page/pukeapocalypseThe Boarders and Black Flags Landing Page:https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/manokentgames/boarders-and-black-flagsIf you enjoy hearing our game design advice, why not read it also in our upcoming book about designing miniatures games, available here: www.routledge.com/9781032324012Check out Man O' Kent Games here: https://www.manokentgames.comCheck out Planet Smasher Games here: http://planetsmasher.gamesThe Rule of Carnage discord server: https://discord.gg/Gb4aK7uEChIf you want to support the channel financially you can join Mike's Patreon here: https://www.patreon.com/planetsmashergamesor Glenn's Patreon here: https://www.patreon.com/manokentgames
In Episode 131, Glenn recently released Pukeapocalypse, a punk skirmish game, with Exalted Funeral, here the guys talk about it.You can pick up Pukeapocalypse from Exalted Funeral here:https://www.exaltedfuneral.com/products/pukeapocalypseOr if you're in the UK you might prefer to get it from Glenn here:https://www.manokentgames.com/product-page/pukeapocalypseThe Boarders and Black Flags Landing Page:https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/manokentgames/boarders-and-black-flagsIf you enjoy hearing our game design advice, why not read it also in our upcoming book about designing miniatures games, available here: www.routledge.com/9781032324012Check out Man O' Kent Games here: https://www.manokentgames.comCheck out Planet Smasher Games here: http://planetsmasher.gamesThe Rule of Carnage discord server: https://discord.gg/Gb4aK7uEChIf you want to support the channel financially you can join Mike's Patreon here: https://www.patreon.com/planetsmashergamesor Glenn's Patreon here: https://www.patreon.com/manokentgames
In Episode 130, since Mike just opened the Space Gits Pledge Manager for late pledges, the guys are having a chat about Pledge Managers.The Boarders and Black Flags Landing Page: https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/manokentgames/boarders-and-black-flagsIf you enjoy hearing our game design advice, why not read it also in our upcoming book about designing miniatures games, available here: www.routledge.com/9781032324012You can pick up Pukeapocalypse from Exalted Funeral here:https://www.exaltedfuneral.com/products/pukeapocalypseOr if you're in the UK you might prefer to get it from Glenn here:https://www.manokentgames.com/product-page/pukeapocalypseCheck out Man O' Kent Games here: https://www.manokentgames.comCheck out Planet Smasher Games here: http://planetsmasher.gamesThe Rule of Carnage discord server: https://discord.gg/Gb4aK7uEChIf you want to support the channel financially you can join Mike's Patreon here: https://www.patreon.com/planetsmashergamesor Glenn's Patreon here: https://www.patreon.com/manokentgames
In Episode 129, Glenn's new game Pukeapocalypse has just come out from Exalted Funeral, so Mike is asking him a few questions about it.The Boarders and Black Flags Landing Page: https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/manokentgames/boarders-and-black-flagsIf you enjoy hearing our game design advice, why not read it also in our upcoming book about designing miniatures games, available here: www.routledge.com/9781032324012You can pick up Pukeapocalypse from Exalted Funeral here:https://www.exaltedfuneral.com/products/pukeapocalypseOr if you're in the UK you might prefer to get it from Glenn here:https://www.manokentgames.com/product-page/pukeapocalypseCheck out Man O' Kent Games here: https://www.manokentgames.comCheck out Planet Smasher Games here: http://planetsmasher.gamesThe Rule of Carnage discord server: https://discord.gg/Gb4aK7uEChIf you want to support the channel financially you can join Mike's Patreon here: https://www.patreon.com/planetsmashergamesor Glenn's Patreon here: https://www.patreon.com/manokentgames
In Episode 128, okay, we've been away for a while partly this is because we've been running a couple of Kickstarters, the other is that we recorded several episodes on running a Kickstarter that I wanted to edit together into one episode. So, here we're back with an absolute monster of an episode going into everything you need to know about running your own Kickstarter.The Boarders and Black Flags Landing Page:https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/manokentgames/boarders-and-black-flagsIf you enjoy hearing our game design advice, why not read it also in our upcoming book about designing miniatures games, available here: www.routledge.com/9781032324012You can pick up Pukeapocalypse from Exalted Funeral here:https://www.exaltedfuneral.com/products/pukeapocalypseOr if you're in the UK you might prefer to get it from Glenn here:https://www.manokentgames.com/product-page/pukeapocalypseCheck out Man O' Kent Games here: https://www.manokentgames.comCheck out Planet Smasher Games here: http://planetsmasher.gamesThe Rule of Carnage discord server: https://discord.gg/Gb4aK7uEChIf you want to support the channel financially you can join Mike's Patreon here: https://www.patreon.com/planetsmashergamesor Glenn's Patreon here: https://www.patreon.com/manokentgames
In Episode 127, the guys wrote a book, which they've mentioned once or twice, about how to design miniatures games. Since its just lauched, they're going to talk a bit about it. If you enjoy hearing our game design advice, why not read it also in our upcoming book about designing miniatures games, available here: www.routledge.com/9781032324012 Check out Man O' Kent Games here: https://www.manokentgames.com Check out Planet Smasher Games here: http://planetsmasher.games The Rule of Carnage discord server: https://discord.gg/Gb4aK7uECh If you want to support the channel financially you can join Mike's Patreon here: https://www.patreon.com/planetsmashergames or Glenn's Patreon here: https://www.patreon.com/manokentgames
In Episode 126, the guys finally actually have the conversation about hidden movement that they've been constantly implying but never having. Its really hard to do hidden movement in minis games, but there are ways and means of representing it to some degree. Pick up Hobgoblin here: https://www.electi-studio.com/store/p/hobgoblin-standard-harcover If you enjoy hearing our game design advice, why not read it also in our upcoming book about designing miniatures games, available here: www.routledge.com/9781032324012 Check out Man O' Kent Games here: https://www.manokentgames.com Check out Planet Smasher Games here: http://planetsmasher.games The Rule of Carnage discord server: https://discord.gg/Gb4aK7uECh If you want to support the channel financially you can join Mike's Patreon here: https://www.patreon.com/planetsmashergames or Glenn's Patreon here: https://www.patreon.com/manokentgames
In Episode 125, the guys have returned to thinking about mechanics that are common in boardgames but rarer in minis games, this time its Push Your Luck mechanics. What are they, how do they work, and where do they fit into your game? If you enjoy hearing our game design advice, why not read it also in our upcoming book about designing miniatures games, available here: www.routledge.com/9781032324012 Check out Man O' Kent Games here: https://www.manokentgames.com Check out Planet Smasher Games here: http://planetsmasher.games The Rule of Carnage discord server: https://discord.gg/Gb4aK7uECh If you want to support the channel financially you can join Mike's Patreon here: https://www.patreon.com/planetsmashergames or Glenn's Patreon here: https://www.patreon.com/manokentgames
In Episode 124, we've been thinking a little about the sheer length of rulebooks for minis games. Partly because of the one box wargames challenge, and partly because of our own designs. Why are they so long? Why are boardgame rulebooks so short? Let's chat. If you enjoy hearing our game design advice, why not read it also in our upcoming book about designing miniatures games, available here: www.routledge.com/9781032324012 Check out Man O' Kent Games here: https://www.manokentgames.com Check out Planet Smasher Games here: http://planetsmasher.games The Rule of Carnage discord server: https://discord.gg/Gb4aK7uECh If you want to support the channel financially you can join Mike's Patreon here: https://www.patreon.com/planetsmashergames or Glenn's Patreon here: https://www.patreon.com/manokentgames
In Episode 123 Mike and Glenn recently played the boxed non-violent minis game Redwood. They filmed themselves doing it and you can see the playthrough on YouTube. Sadly, their discussion of the game was lost due to technical issues, so they're discussing it again, here. Redwood playthrough video: https://youtu.be/3RS07WwdtJs Check out Man O' Kent Games here: https://www.manokentgames.com Check out Planet Smasher Games here: http://planetsmasher.games The Rule of Carnage discord server: https://discord.gg/Gb4aK7uECh If you want to support the channel financially you can join Mike's Patreon here: https://www.patreon.com/planetsmashergames or Glenn's Patreon here: https://www.patreon.com/manokentgames
In Episode 122 its been a while since we last caught up with what the guys are currently working on, so this seems as good a time as any to do it. Mike has been contemplating a Gaslands RPG and a Gaslands Board game while Glenn is putting the finishing touches on Boarders and Black Flags. Follow the Boarders and Black Flags Kickstarter here: https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/manokentgames/boarders-and-black-flags Check out Man O' Kent Games here: https://www.manokentgames.com Check out Planet Smasher Games here: http://planetsmasher.games The Rule of Carnage discord server: https://discord.gg/Gb4aK7uECh If you want to support the channel financially you can join Mike's Patreon here: https://www.patreon.com/planetsmashergames Or Glenn's here: https://www.patreon.com/manokentgames
In Episode 121 the One Box Wargames Challenge has been going great guns on our Discord with over 100 entrants. We've tried to take a look at some of them, this week, Mike has cast his eyes over Hakkiyoi, Circo Tartarus and Adventure Quest and Glenn has been checking out Gatling Camel Riders, Crazykoala Rampage and Scurrmish. They have a bit of a chat about them, if you like the sound of them or any other games, drop by the discord and check them out. Follow the Boarders and Black Flags Kickstarter here: https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/manokentgames/boarders-and-black-flags Check out Man O' Kent Games here: https://www.manokentgames.com Check out Planet Smasher Games here: http://planetsmasher.games The Rule of Carnage discord server: https://discord.gg/Gb4aK7uECh If you want to support the channel financially you can join Mike's Patreon here: https://www.patreon.com/planetsmashergames or Glenn's Patreon here: https://www.patreon.com/manokentgames
In Episode 120 thanks to our Discord member Malev, an amazing challenge has been running in the Rule of Carnage Discord server. The challenge is to select a single box of minis and base a game around it. Mike decided to base his game around the Black Seas Frigates and Brigs Flotilla set so he and Glenn started having a discussion on how that might look. Check out Wargames Atlantic to vote for Rad Pirates and many other designs in the One Box Wargames Contest! Check out Man O' Kent Games here: https://www.manokentgames.com Check out Planet Smasher Games here: http://planetsmasher.games The Rule of Carnage discord server: https://discord.gg/Gb4aK7uECh If you want to support the channel financially you can join Mike's Patreon here: https://www.patreon.com/planetsmashergames Or Glenn's here: https://www.patreon.com/manokentgames
In Episode 119 Part 2 our weird little niche channel has recently hit 2000 subscribers. In celebration of this occurring we have asked our discord channel to come up with some intelligent questions. They did this in fine style and now we have enough of them for several videos. Well, three. This is the first one. Check out Man O' Kent Games here: https://www.manokentgames.com Check out Planet Smasher Games here: http://planetsmasher.games The Rule of Carnage discord server: https://discord.gg/Gb4aK7uECh If you want to support the channel financially you can join Mike's Patreon here: https://www.patreon.com/planetsmashergames If you want the number on Glenn's Patreon to go up one, you can join his Patreon here: https://www.patreon.com/manokentgames
In Episode 119 Part 1 our weird little niche channel has recently hit 2000 subscribers. In celebration of this occurring we have asked our discord channel to come up with some intelligent questions. They did this in fine style and now we have enough of them for several videos. Well, three. This is the first one. Check out Man O' Kent Games here: https://www.manokentgames.com Check out Planet Smasher Games here: http://planetsmasher.games The Rule of Carnage discord server: https://discord.gg/Gb4aK7uECh If you want to support the channel financially you can join Mike's Patreon here: https://www.patreon.com/planetsmashergames If you want the number on Glenn's Patreon to go up one, you can join his Patreon here: https://www.patreon.com/manokentgames
In Episode 118 Mike has been thinking about how some games hand out pre-set and created narratives in their lists and scenarios. He chats with Glenn about whether or not this is a good idea. Glenn has doubts. Check out Man O' Kent Games here: https://www.manokentgames.com Check out Planet Smasher Games here: http://planetsmasher.games The Rule of Carnage discord server: https://discord.gg/Gb4aK7uECh If you want to support the channel financially you can join Mike's Patreon here: https://www.patreon.com/planetsmashergames If you want the number on Glenn's Patreon to go up one, you can join his Patreon here: https://www.patreon.com/manokentgames
In Episode 117 Mike has been thinking about games that use multiple different forms of movement, combining and contrasting them and considering their strengths and weaknesses. Probably some other c words too. Glenn was also there. Check out Man O' Kent Games here: https://www.manokentgames.com Check out Planet Smasher Games here: http://planetsmasher.games The Rule of Carnage discord server: https://discord.gg/Gb4aK7uECh If you want to support the channel financially you can join Mike's Patreon here: https://www.patreon.com/planetsmashergames If you want the number on Glenn's Patreon to go up one, you can join his Patreon here: https://www.patreon.com/manokentgames
In Episode 116 the guys has been contemplating using a range of mechanics that are common to boardgames but unusual in minis games. Specifically this time, Mike has put a whole bunch of dexterity mechanics into his new game, Space Gits, about drunk ass orcs Shootin', Scootin' and putting the Boot in on each other, but also, balancing and sliding dice all over the place without their towers falling over. So they thought it would be a good time to talk dexterity mechanics in miniatures games. Check out Man O' Kent Games here: https://www.manokentgames.com Check out Planet Smasher Games here: http://planetsmasher.games The Rule of Carnage discord server: https://discord.gg/Gb4aK7uECh If you want to support the channel financially you can join Mike's Patreon here: https://www.patreon.com/planetsmashergames If you want the number on Glenn's Patreon to go up one, you can join his Patreon here: https://www.patreon.com/manokentgames
In Episode 115 Mike has been trying out some new games and in so doing has encountered a bag pull initiative system that he found interesting. Glenn is unsure about bag pull systems, and voices some of his concerns. Then they talk about it. This is what we do here. Check out Man O' Kent Games here: https://www.manokentgames.com Check out Planet Smasher Games here: http://planetsmasher.games The Rule of Carnage discord server: https://discord.gg/Gb4aK7uECh If you want to support the channel financially you can join Mike's Patreon here: https://www.patreon.com/planetsmashergames If you want the number on Glenn's Patreon to go up one, you can join his Patreon here: https://www.patreon.com/manokentgames
In Episode 114 the guys have been out and about selling Hobgoblin, Gaslands and other games at gaming conventions in the UK for the past few weeks, and they've been thinking about how exactly to do that well. Also, about when sometimes they've seen it done badly. Here they lay out a few of the points behind getting it right. And for once it actually is three steps. Check out Man O' Kent Games here: https://www.manokentgames.com Check out Planet Smasher Games here: http://planetsmasher.games The Rule of Carnage discord server: https://discord.gg/Gb4aK7uECh If you want to support the channel financially you can join Mike's Patreon here: https://www.patreon.com/planetsmashergames If you want the number on Glenn's Patreon to go up one, you can join his Patreon here: https://www.patreon.com/manokentgames
In Episode 113 the guys has been contemplating using a range of mechanics that are common to boardgames but unusual in minis games. They thought other people would like to contemplate it also, so they decided to record them doing so as part of what will hopefully be a series of conversations beginning with Deck Building. Hearts of Plastic: https://www.heartsofplastic.com/ Check out Man O' Kent Games here: https://www.manokentgames.com Check out Planet Smasher Games here: http://planetsmasher.games The Rule of Carnage discord server: https://discord.gg/Gb4aK7uECh If you want to support the channel financially you can join Mike's Patreon here: https://www.patreon.com/planetsmashergames If you want the number on Glenn's Patreon to go up one, you can join his Patreon here: https://www.patreon.com/manokentgames
In Episode 112 Mike has been getting some feedback on his recent game Flagstone, specifically some interesting feedback on the length of the game. It has been mentioned that the game is lots of fun, but too short, which has led Mike to wonder, what exactly is the perfect length for a game? Can it be too short? Check out Man O' Kent Games here: https://www.manokentgames.com Check out Planet Smasher Games here: http://planetsmasher.games The Rule of Carnage discord server: https://discord.gg/Gb4aK7uECh If you want to support the channel financially you can join Mike's Patreon here: https://www.patreon.com/planetsmashergames If you want the number on Glenn's Patreon to go up one, you can join his Patreon here: https://www.patreon.com/manokentgames
In Episode 111 Glenn has been considering what we mean by the social contract in tabletop games. Quite a lot actually. When we play games we need to understand and agree to what degree we expect the game to offer us different social relationships and perspectives, but they very rarely actually tell us. Check out Man O' Kent Games here: https://www.manokentgames.com Check out Planet Smasher Games here: http://planetsmasher.games The Rule of Carnage discord server: https://discord.gg/Gb4aK7uECh If you want to support the channel financially you can join Mike's Patreon here: https://www.patreon.com/planetsmashergames If you want the number on Glenn's Patreon to go up one, you can join his Patreon here: https://www.patreon.com/manokentgames
In Episode 110 Mike has been playtesting Pacific Command, and he's been doing it solo mode, as much playtesting is, and has developed a set of rules for doing that. So he's been wondering, is a solo mode that you use for playtesting the same as one you should present to your players? And if not, why not? So the guys chat about that. Check out Man O' Kent Games here: https://www.manokentgames.com Check out Planet Smasher Games here: http://planetsmasher.games The Rule of Carnage discord server: https://discord.gg/Gb4aK7uECh If you want to support the channel financially you can join Mike's Patreon here: https://www.patreon.com/planetsmashergames If you want the number on Glenn's Patreon to go up one, you can join his Patreon here: https://www.patreon.com/manokentgames
In Episode 109 Mike has been working on his latest game, Pacific Command, and there have been some last minute developments. He and Glenn talk about them. Check out Man O' Kent Games here: https://www.manokentgames.com Check out Planet Smasher Games here: http://planetsmasher.games The Rule of Carnage discord server: https://discord.gg/Gb4aK7uECh If you want to support the channel financially you can join Mike's Patreon here: https://www.patreon.com/planetsmashergames If you want the number on Glenn's Patreon to go up one, you can join his Patreon here: https://www.patreon.com/manokentgames
In Episode 108 the guys have been thinking about a range of ways to focus the attention of your game, Simulation VS Emulation, Abstraction VS Detail and Diegetic VS Non-Diegetic. All of these are ways of focusing your players to they pay attention to the parts of your game you want them to, and all are well worth thinking about. Check out Man O' Kent Games here: https://www.manokentgames.com Check out Planet Smasher Games here: http://planetsmasher.games The Rule of Carnage discord server: https://discord.gg/Gb4aK7uECh
In Episode 107 the guys have decided its a good time to tell you all about some of the things they're working on, including a very special announcement of a project they're very proud of. Check out Man O' Kent Games here: https://www.manokentgames.com Check out Planet Smasher Games here: http://planetsmasher.games The Rule of Carnage discord server: https://discord.gg/Gb4aK7uECh
In Episode 106 Part 2 the guys have been considering the fact that sometimes they need to decide whether a game should be a minis game, or a card game or something else. Well, Glenn does, Mike just makes it into a minis game anyway. But if you're making the same considerations Mike has some reasons for why you might go one way rather than another. Check out Man O' Kent Games here: https://www.manokentgames.com Check out Planet Smasher Games here: http://planetsmasher.games The Rule of Carnage discord server: https://discord.gg/Gb4aK7uECh If you want to support the channel financially you can join Mike's Patreon here: https://www.patreon.com/planetsmashergames If you want the number on Glenn's Patreon to go up one, you can join his Patreon here: https://www.patreon.com/manokentgames
In Episode 106 Part 1 the guys have been considering the fact that sometimes they need to decide whether a game should be a minis game, or a card game or something else. Well, Glenn does, Mike just makes it into a minis game anyway. But if you're making the same considerations Glenn has some reasons for why you might go one way rather than another. Check out Man O' Kent Games here: https://www.manokentgames.com Check out Planet Smasher Games here: http://planetsmasher.games The Rule of Carnage discord server: https://discord.gg/Gb4aK7uECh If you want to support the channel financially you can join Mike's Patreon here: https://www.patreon.com/planetsmashergames If you want the number on Glenn's Patreon to go up one, you can join his Patreon here: https://www.patreon.com/manokentgames
In Episode 105 part of Mike's process is to create small games and prototypes with the purpose of breaking them down into other games like some sort of Cronus of game design. Glenn doesn't really do this, but they chat about it here. Check out Man O' Kent Games here: https://www.manokentgames.com Check out Planet Smasher Games here: http://planetsmasher.games The Rule of Carnage discord server: https://discord.gg/Gb4aK7uECh If you want to support the channel financially you can join Mike's Patreon here: https://www.patreon.com/planetsmashergames If you want the number on Glenn's Patreon to go up one, you can join his Patreon here: https://www.patreon.com/manokentgames
In Episode 104, Mike is now working towards self-publishing some games, having previously worked with a publisher. Glenn is just finishing off a book with a publisher having previously self-published some games. Why did they each make those choices, and can their reasons help you make your own choices? Well, hopefully. Check out Man O' Kent Games here: https://www.manokentgames.com Check out Planet Smasher Games here: http://planetsmasher.games The Rule of Carnage discord server: https://discord.gg/Gb4aK7uECh If you want to support the channel financially you can join Mike's Patreon here: https://www.patreon.com/planetsmashergames If you want the number on Glenn's Patreon to go up one, you can join his Patreon here: https://www.patreon.com/manokentgames
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