The Die Is Podcast

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?

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.

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!

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 better. And the guilty pleasure of imperialist colonization feel a little less guilty in Empires.

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.

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...

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.

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.

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!

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 Contact Info - 47:58

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...

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 - 18:18 Fugitive - 26:39 Closing and Contact Info - 37:38

In this episode, Chris talks about D&D, OSR, Whitehack, and how that last one does really cool stuff in its magic system.

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 Valley, but never lets us forget the number of coffee pot kickstarters he has participated in. Brandon's Stock Market Analysis - 01:33 Sentinels of the Multiverse and using “shenanigans” as an adjective - 13:06 A little improvement at Games Workshop - 19:44 Hot Springs eternal - 22:28 The Impulse to kickstart and the difficulty of waiting - 26:09 Stardew Valley - 30:11 Closing and Contact Info - 43:54

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.

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 Solitairica - 19:14 Closing and Contact Info - 31:23

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

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 Zelda: Breath of the Wild - 14:15 Closing and Contact Info - 37:52

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

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 Info- 36:18

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 Brandon's GotW: Heroes Wanted - 18:33 Imperial politics - 33:25 Power Grid shark - 38:12 Burning Wheel Codex - 42:00 Chris' GotW: Just Cause 3 - 48:40 Closing and Contact Info - 64:46

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 without them? “Addiction to Magic” - 01:33 The everpresence of powers in RPGs - 07:29 Why have them? - 23:01 But why not have them? - 35:53 Games without powers and magic - 47:27 Closing and Contact Info - 58:37

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 games - 06:54 Or not! - 12:00 Bad or boring - 18:26 One play-through or completion - 33:08 Discontinued or lost-in-the-shuffle - 40:17 Games that must be stopped! - 46:55 Closing and Contact Info - 53:05

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 Touching Agricola - 19:10 More on “Godbound”!?! - 26:46 Valor RPG - 30:33 Party gaming - 36:23 Game of the Week: BraveRats or R - 41:53 Closing and Contact Info - 58:44

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? - 27:17 The fun of wild imbalance - 56:08 The fun of meticulous balance - 64:14 Closing and Contact Info - 67:41

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 Minecraft - 01:48 Brandon hates loving Star Wars GoH - 05:04 Overwatch rebalance - 15:13 Tokaido and Through the Ages Apps - 23:33 Party Games and Tequila - 35:05 Scheduling RPG sessions - 37:08 Chris' GotW: Index Card RPG - 41:43 Closing and Contact Info - 65:09

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 - 11:36 Other incentives? - 20:12 Non-mechanical Progress - 27:40 What could advancement be good for? - 43:13 Bad incentive? - 51:12 A preference here... - 57:43 Closing and Contact Info - 60:09

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 to play Galaxy of Heroes - 05:12 Brandon's GotW: Death Angel: The Card Game - 10:43 Pairs doing what it oughta - 26:57 Long-distance Godbound - 29:53 Video games? - 38:03 Chris' GotW: Tammany Hall - 40:09 Closing and Contact Info - 66:18

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 Convention! - 03:51 The Winner of the Con - 10:51 Some Oink Games - 23:08 Gamblin' Games - 27:08 Fugitive - 32:06 Spy Games - 34:34 One Deck Dungeon - 40:25 Mini-Rails - 42:50 Final Thoughts - 50:29

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 Sequence with family - 31:22 Chris' GotW: Tiny Epic Quest - 34:28 Closing and Contact Info 51:45

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? - 9:20 The possibility of winning - 26:05 Playing isn't fun? - 33:26 Favorite games to lose - 45:37 Closing and Contact Info - 59:30

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 Week, Follow. Brandon makin' videos - 01:10 Star Wars GoH Minute - 05:41 Game night shenanigans - 12:02 The spirit of Resistance - 14:46 Overwatch penalties! - 24:50 Diablo III Necromancer - 29:16 RPGs in Athens! - 32:40 Chris' GotW: Follow - 36:47 Closing and Contact Info - 64:39

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 are we doing here? Overvaluing our opinions? - 02:16 What's the point? - 04:52 Claiming to be reviewers - 14:18 Gleeful negativity - 23:50 What is a game review? - 35:22 What are we doing here? - 55:41 Closing and Contact Info - 66:36

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 the Dark - 16:17 Getting more Overwatched - 34:04 Stuff and Nonsense - 51:34 Pax Pamir! - 58:37 GenCon Badges... What do?! - 62:33 Closing and Contact Info - 68:42

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! - 31:21 What do we like running? - 40:49 Common mistakes! - 49:30 Closing and Contact Info - 60:39

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 might never have heard of. (Mmmmaybe...?) Group Stellaris - 01:41 Games with Cousins - 03:38 An aside about podcasts - 10:06 Life is Strange is Cinematic - 11:33 Freebooting on the Frontier - 17:23 Kemet again - 20:18 Sorcery! - 21:34 Game of the Week: Overwatch - 25:05 Closing and Contact Info - 64:02

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 Games from the first half of 2017 - 02:09 Least Favorite Games from etc. - 28:31 E3 and Origins? - 42:12 Looking Forward - 49:40 Closing and Contact Info - 65:29

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 "frontier" in the title, and gets specific with the benefits of Kemet for your digestion. They play Mechwarrior! - 05:39 Still-aris - 09:18 Incomplete Alien Frontiers - 12:37 Freebooters on the Frontier - 14:37 Alright, Overwatch, alright - 17:53 Chris' GotW: Kemet - 23:08 Closing and Contact Info - 48:42

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 newbie game? If you have any more ideas, let us know! Chris recruits for an RPG - 02:09 What's the most important stuff? - 08:13 Choosing and explaining the game - 26:10 Actually running the thing- 38:08 Get to the important stuff! - 46:07 What next? - 51:44 Closing and Contact Info - 62:53

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 rules of games, and ask "how difficult is Small World, really?" An actual LAN!? - 01:25 Splendor with a six-year-old - 02:47 Brandon's Game of the Week: Ergo - 04:32 The Castles of Burgundy card game stream - 22:29 Small World and Coup G54 - 24:26 Chris' Game of the Week: Horizon: Zero Dawn - 30:48 Closing and Contact Info - 51:46

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 arguments why they shouldn't? What makes a good adaptation? What makes a bad one? And what are the best and worst board game apps out there? Also, we announce the winner of our Tak Contest! Is it you? What justifies a board game app? - 2:10 Why the opposition? - 15:55 What makes a good implementation? - 29:17 What makes a bad implementation? - 39:29 The Worst Board Game Apps - 50:58 The Best Board Game Apps - 58:30 The Tak Contest Winner! - 63:32 Closing and Contact Info - 65:50

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 to Mechwarrior Online - 02:22 New Galaxy of Heroes Character - 06:11 Bears, Babies, Battlestar Galactica - 07:57 Brandon's GotW: Stellaris - 10:31 The livestream games - 38:40 Too much social deduction - 40:45 Horizon Zero Dawn - 45:30 Chris' GotW: Millennium Blades - 49:36 Closing and Contact Info - 63:45

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"? "Repetitive" criticism - 1:58 Core Gameplay Loops - 04:09 "Bad" Repetition - 18:04 What makes it good? - 33:11 Closing and Contact Info - 47:54

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 for a mobile app version to come out. Tak! - 01:11 BraveRats, or R - 04:10 Brandon's Not A GotW: Discord - 09:10 Blades in the Dark - 16:11 Antike Duellum Livestream - 24:14 Millennium Blades - 26:25 Final Fantasy 6 - 32:14 Chris' GotW: Race for the Galaxy - 34:08 Contest reminder - 52:14 Closing and Contact Info - 53:12

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 board games and RPGs? And what games that we love are hard or easy to teach? Also, don't forget: a contest for a copy of Tak from Cheapass Games! Explaining the pitch - 02:28 Preparing to teach - 11:49 Teaching board games - 22:35 Teaching RPGs - 31:46 Interruptions! - 42:56 How much strategy to address? - 46:22 Difficult and Easy to teach games - 51:58 Contest Reminder - 61:24 Closing and Contact Info - 61:48

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 GotW: Warlock 2 - 09:00 Game Night: Between Two Cities and Space Cadets - 27:32 Livestream Recap - 30:03 Commute - 36:42 Follow RPG - 37:52 Chris' GotW: Concrete Jungle - 43:34 Enter our contest! - 53:37 Closing and Contact Info - 58:09

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 massive game with thousands of options? We talk and talk and talk. And we give you instructions on how to enter our contest to receive a copy of Tak straight to your door. (Hint: you are going to need to answer a question of the week!) Competitive video games and flashy board games - 01:53 Mechanical Substance - 17:47 The Potential Substance of Board Games - 25:53 Misinterpreting Depth - 35:24 What is the abstract game's draw? - 40:38 Abstract games that we enjoy - 48:28 The Contest for Tak! - 56:06 Closing and Contact Info - 59:06

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 contest for a copy of Cheapass Games' Tak; stay tuned for Part B where we will tell you how to enter! A contest for Tak! - 00:43 Somehow playing Star Wars Galaxies - 04:05 Brandon's GotW: Majesty 2 - 06:54 Game Night at Chris' - 20:33 The Die is Broadcast - 33:15 Unbound RPG - 34:38 Reigns - 38:30 Chris' GotW: Impulse - 41:28 Closing and Contact Info - 60:07

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 Preferences? - 02:01 What is Punishment? - 04:28 A GM aside... - 14:03 Why Punish? - 17:23 What behavior is targeted? - 28:31 Games where it's good! - 39:34 Games where it's not! - 53:28

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 - 04:15 Brandon's GotW: Firefly - 05:26 Goat Simulator - 34:44 Ponzi Scheme - 37:13 Chris' GotW: Card Thief - 45:01 Closing and Contact Info - 57:20

In this episode, Chris tries to answer a question that he has brushed off in the past because the answer is long and involved: "How do you find these board games, and how do you choose?" He and Brandon discuss knowing what to look for, knowing where to look, choosing a game, and many other important aspects of the decision making process. Let's be helpful - 02:53 Know what you want - 05:26 Look in the right places - 12:22 The selection process - 29:16 When and with whom? - 36:26 The Fear of Missing Out - 41:52