Vox Republica: Podcast of The Cardboard Republic

Episode 164: The End Length: 39:28 Show Links: RSS | iTunes | Stitcher | Download Episode   Welcome back to Vox Republica, the Cardboard Republic Podcast! We post new episodes every other Thursday, with each episode being about 45 minutes long. Vox Republica is proudly supported by our Patreon. Consider contributing today! DESCRIPTION: All good things must come to an end. And that happens to include the Vox itself. This week, Erin and Ryan explain the decision to bring this project to a close and then share some of their favorite episodes of its nearly five year run.     We’d love to hear from you! You can send questions or feedback via email at podcast@cardboardrepublic.com. You can also reach us social media, including Twitter, Facebook, and BoardGameGeek.   Audio Credits: Intro music track is "Swing!" by Bargo!, used under Creative Commons license.

Episode 163: Reskins - The Good, The Bad, And The Formerly Ugly Length: 56:28 Show Links: RSS | iTunes | Stitcher | Download Episode   Welcome back to Vox Republica, the Cardboard Republic Podcast! We post new episodes every other Thursday, with each episode being about 45 minutes long. Vox Republica is proudly supported by our Patreon. Consider contributing today! DESCRIPTION: There are themes and then there are themes. And then there are themes. But...what if those are all the same game? This week, Erin and Ryan talk about reskinning games. When is it worth it and when is it a money grab? Can it be both? GUESTS: None RECENTLY PLAYED GAMES - (0:28): Clans of Caledonia by Karma Games (BGG Link) Otys by Pearl Games / Asmodee (BGG Link) Merlin by Queen Games (BGG Link) The North Sea Runesaga (Shipwrights, Raiders, and Explorers of the North Sea by Garphill Games / Renegade Game Studios (BGG Link) QUICK TOPICS – (17:28): We discuss our thoughts on the second multi-day Granite Game Summit, a local convention with plenty of good things going for it. FEATURED TOPIC - (23:10): A reskin is when you take an existing game and either change the mechanics very little (or not at all) but give it a new setting, theme, etc. We parse through several areas of their existence, including areas such as? Why are reskins even a thing? Are there any equivalents in other industries? What’s the difference between adaptation and reskin? Why do publishers reskin a game? When is a reskin worth it and when is it a cash grab? What about reskins that bring a game in line with an existing IP? How do consumers feel about reskins generally? PLUGS - (55:09): The 2017 Laurel Nominees are in full swing! We even have a couple of contests going on for the Socializer and Striker winners announced so far (and probably a third by now). Check them out! We’re also raffling off a copy of Draconis Invasion to a lucky Patreon backer. Consider donating today! As always, Cardboard Republic YouTube videos, Instagram pictures, and the BGG Guild are still ongoing. Subscribe to one or two - or all of them if you really love us. You do really love us, right?   We’d love to hear from you! You can send questions or feedback via email at podcast@cardboardrepublic.com. You can also reach us social media, including Twitter, Facebook, and BoardGameGeek.   Audio Credits: Intro music track is "Swing!" by Bargo!, used under Creative Commons license.

Episode 162: Without a Fight: Aggressive Games Length: 57:49 Show Links: RSS | iTunes | Stitcher | Download Episode   Welcome back to Vox Republica, the Cardboard Republic Podcast! We post new episodes every other Thursday, with each episode being about 45 minutes long. Vox Republica is proudly supported by our Patreon. Consider contributing today! DESCRIPTION: In gaming, there's conflict and then there's conflict. This week, Erin and Ryan talk about why some competitive games are more aggressive than others, and what to do when a game demands a level of intensity that you don’t want to give to it. GUESTS: None RECENTLY PLAYED GAMES - (0:28): Concordia by Rio Grande Games (BGG Link) The Last Garden by One Thousand XP (BGG Link) QUICK TOPICS – (13:24): We discuss the recent drama around the cancellation of Deep and what that those kinds of public dust-ups mean for the industry. FEATURED TOPIC - (23:10): Competition can get more heated at some times than at others. But what is it about one kind of game versus another that causes those reactions. Areas we dive into include: The notion of conflict versus combat  How some games ruin friendships and some games build them What makes competition friendly? And how do you tell when it’s not? How do you react to un-friendly competition? PLUGS - (56:56): The 2017 Laurel Nominees have been announced! Check out who made the list! As always, Cardboard Republic YouTube videos, Instagram pictures, and the BGG Guild are still ongoing. Subscribe to one or two - or all of them if you really love us. You do really love us, right?   We’d love to hear from you! You can send questions or feedback via email at podcast@cardboardrepublic.com. You can also reach us social media, including Twitter, Facebook, and BoardGameGeek.   Audio Credits: Intro music track is "Swing!" by Bargo!, used under Creative Commons license.

Episode 161: The Asmo-daze Length: 1:05:01 Show Links: RSS | iTunes | Stitcher | Download Episode   Welcome back to Vox Republica, the Cardboard Republic Podcast! We post new episodes every other Thursday, with each episode being about 45 minutes long. Vox Republica is proudly supported by our Patreon. Consider contributing today! DESCRIPTION: Well, we didn't even get six weeks in before Asmodee announced its first major company purchase of 2018. Just like previous purchases, the reaction from the community is varied and wide-ranging. This week, Erin and Ryan take a deep look into some of those various areas of discussion.  GUESTS: None RECENTLY PLAYED GAMES - (0:57): Pandemic Iberia by Z-Man Games (BGG Link) Smile by Z-Man Games (BGG Link) Rialto by Tasty Minstrel Games (BGG Link) FEATURED TOPIC - (20:43): Asmodee has become a common name in the board gaming world due to their continued purchases of well known board gaming companies, with the most recent being Mayfair Games and Lookout Games. This sort of move always causes a wide variety of responses, and so we decided to finally sit down and parse through what these kinds of decisions mean for the hobby, be it from the publisher, retailer, or consumer's point of view. PLUGS - (1:04:01): The 2017 Laurel Nominees will be announced on February 15th. Check out the site to see all the games recognized! As always, Cardboard Republic YouTube videos, Instagram pictures, and the BGG Guild are still ongoing. Subscribe to one or two - or all of them if you really love us. You do really love us, right?   We’d love to hear from you! You can send questions or feedback via email at podcast@cardboardrepublic.com. You can also reach us social media, including Twitter, Facebook, and BoardGameGeek.   Audio Credits: Intro music track is "Swing!" by Bargo!, used under Creative Commons license.

Episode 160: Escape the Podcast Length: 1:25:52 Show Links: RSS | iTunes | Stitcher | Download Episode   Welcome back to Vox Republica, the Cardboard Republic Podcast! We post new episodes every other Thursday, with each episode being about 45 minutes long. Vox Republica is proudly supported by our Patreon. Consider contributing today! DESCRIPTION: 2018 may only be a month old, but that doesn't mean the hobby hasn't found itself stumbling over a couple notable mistakes by the publisher CMON. This week, Erin and Ryan dive into those issues, and gush about Charterstone, before diving into a lengthy discussion about what makes an escape room game challenging and memorable. GUESTS: None RECENTLY PLAYED GAMES - (0:27): Charterstone by Stonemaier Games (BGG Link) Five Seals of Magic by Mayfair Games (BGG Link) QUICK TOPICS – (16:14): Within weeks of each other, noted publisher Cool Mini or Not found itself on the receiving end of two PR messes pertaining to two of their games. The first revolved around the inclusion of some tasteless tiles in their recent HATE campaign, while the second is an embarrassing (and abject) lesson to not rely on Wikipedia for all your research information, as has happened with their Rising Sun game. FEATURED TOPIC - (32:48): It should come as no surprise to anyone at this point...but Erin loves escape room games. We've talked about it in passing a couple times already. But with well over a dozen titles in the small but growing genre, we decided to sit down and parse out what makes them so special. Topics include: What makes a fun escape room game (i.e. difficulty, player size, theme, etc.) The limitations of an escape room game as they currently exist What can break the experience How to get started with escape rooms How we'd like to see the genre row PLUGS - (1:23:56): We recently reviewed Charterstone! (Spoiler Free) We’re raffling off a copy of Kokoro to a lucky Patreon backer. Consider donating today! As always, Cardboard Republic YouTube videos, Instagram pictures, and the BGG Guild are still ongoing. Subscribe to one or two - or all of them if you really love us. You do really love us, right?   We’d love to hear from you! You can send questions or feedback via email at podcast@cardboardrepublic.com. You can also reach us social media, including Twitter, Facebook, and BoardGameGeek.   Audio Credits: Intro music track is "Swing!" by Bargo!, used under Creative Commons license.

Episode 159: Gaming Predictions (And Omens) for 2018 Length: 1:10:27 Show Links: RSS | iTunes | Stitcher | Download Episode   Welcome back to Vox Republica, the Cardboard Republic Podcast! We post new episodes every other Thursday, with each episode being about 45 minutes long. Vox Republica is proudly supported by our Patreon. Consider contributing today! DESCRIPTION: A new year means different things to different people. For us, aside from running screaming from 2017, it means it's time for Erin and Ryan to sit down and make some predictions for what lies in store in 2018 regarding games and the games industry! GUESTS: None RECENTLY PLAYED GAMES - (1:19): Altiplano by dlp games / Renegade Game Studios (BGG Link) Alien Artifacts by Portal Games (BGG Link) Deckscape - Test Time by DV Giochi (BGG Link) FEATURED TOPIC - (18:59): It’s 2018, which means it’s time for all sorts of annual predictions and prognostications about games and the gaming industry. Are they wild guesses or educated methodical extrapolations of notable trends in the industry? We’ll see! But both Erin and Ryan dive into what some of those may be. We also recap our 2017 predictions (see Vox episode 133 for the full rundown) to see how close we came during what can only be described a garbage fire of a year personified. PLUGS - (1:09:22): We’re raffling off a copy of Kokoro to a lucky Patreon backer. Consider donating today! As always, Cardboard Republic YouTube videos, Instagram pictures, and the BGG Guild are still ongoing. Subscribe to one or two - or all of them if you really love us. You do really love us, right?   We’d love to hear from you! You can send questions or feedback via email at podcast@cardboardrepublic.com. You can also reach us social media, including Twitter, Facebook, and BoardGameGeek.   Audio Credits: Intro music track is "Swing!" by Bargo!, used under Creative Commons license.

Episode 158: What Even Is A Game? Length: 58:09 Show Links: RSS | iTunes | Stitcher | Download Episode   Welcome back to Vox Republica, the Cardboard Republic Podcast! We post new episodes every other Thursday, with each episode being about 45 minutes long. Vox Republica is proudly supported by our Patreon. Consider contributing today! DESCRIPTION: They say time flies when you're having fun, right? Well we must've been having a ton of fun, because 5 years have passed in a flash. That's right - The Cardboard Republic is now 5 years old! And this week, Erin and Ryan reflect on that fact, sharing some thoughts about the era when the started and what they hope for gaming in the future. GUESTS: None RECENTLY PLAYED GAMES - (0:48): Unlock! The Nautilus' Traps by Space Cowboys / Asmodee (BGG Link) Charterstone by Stonemaier Games (BGG Link) Bargain Quest by Jonathan Ying (BGG Link) QUICK TOPICS - (19:38): We briefly expound on this being the final Vox episode of 2017 and some quick programming announcements.  FEATURED TOPIC - (20:26): What is the difference between a game and an activity? When it comes to deconstructing what makes a game a game, be it as a mental exercise, a means of categorizing one's free time, or a healthy discussion of game theory, there has to be a way of creating a clear definition. At least, in theory. In truth, it's not actually that simple. Erin and Ryan each share their own criteria on how to determine if something is a game or not and compare where they overlap. They also address potential situations where such distinctions can actually have ramifications for certain players. PLUGS - (56:37): We’re raffling off a copy of Harvest Dice to a lucky Patreon backer. Consider donating today! As always, Cardboard Republic YouTube videos, Instagram pictures, and the BGG Guild are still ongoing. Subscribe to one or two - or all of them if you really love us. You do really love us, right?   We’d love to hear from you! You can send questions or feedback via email at podcast@cardboardrepublic.com. You can also reach us social media, including Twitter, Facebook, and BoardGameGeek.   Audio Credits: Intro music track is "Swing!" by Bargo!, used under Creative Commons license.

Episode 157: Five Years Of Cardboard Length: 1:15:13 Show Links: RSS | iTunes | Stitcher | Download Episode   Welcome back to Vox Republica, the Cardboard Republic Podcast! We post new episodes every other Thursday, with each episode being about 45 minutes long. Vox Republica is proudly supported by our Patreon. Consider contributing today! DESCRIPTION: They say time flies when you're having fun, right? Well we must've been having a ton of fun, because 5 years have passed in a flash. That's right - The Cardboard Republic is now 5 years old! And this week, Erin and Ryan reflect on that fact, sharing some thoughts about the era when the started and what they hope for gaming in the future. GUESTS: None RECENTLY PLAYED GAMES - (0:54): Harvest Dice by Grey Fox Games (BGG Link) Professor Evil and the Citadel of Time by Passport Game Studios / Funforge (BGG Link) Pulsar 2849 By Czech Games Edition (BGG Link) Through The Desert by Z-Man Games / Asmodee (BGG Link) FEATURED TOPIC - (25:42): The CR turned 5 years old last month. In a lengthy retrospective, Erin and Ryan reflect on what the industry was like when we first launched and the numerous ways it has changed: the good, the bad, and everything in between. We then crack open the mailbag and answer some of your questions! PLUGS - (1:14:37): We’re raffling off a copy of the aforementioned Harvest Dice to a lucky Patreon backer. Consider donating today! As always, Cardboard Republic YouTube videos, Instagram pictures, and the BGG Guild are still ongoing. Subscribe to one or two - or all of them if you really love us. You do really love us, right?   We’d love to hear from you! You can send questions or feedback via email at podcast@cardboardrepublic.com. You can also reach us social media, including Twitter, Facebook, and BoardGameGeek.   Audio Credits: Intro music track is "Swing!" by Bargo!, used under Creative Commons license.

Episode 156: BGG Recap & Game Gifts For Non-Gamers Length: 1:05:40 Show Links: RSS | iTunes | Stitcher | Download Episode   Welcome back to Vox Republica, the Cardboard Republic Podcast! We post new episodes every other Thursday, with each episode being about 45 minutes long. Vox Republica is proudly supported by our Patreon. Consider contributing today! DESCRIPTION: Game nights may have been lacking lately, but Ryan returns from BGGCon to make up for that with plenty to spare! In this episode Erin and Ryan recap some of the highlights of this years's BGGCon and then pivot into the holidays by suggesting some games you can offer up at holiday events filled with adults who may not have touched a game since Monopoly. GUESTS: None RECENTLY PLAYED GAMES - (1:11): None! Because of BGGCon! QUICK TOPICS - (1:11): BGGCon! Ryan discusses - at length - a number of game highlights, as well as his favorite part of the convention. FEATURED TOPIC - (34:13): Rather than rattle off our own version of a holiday gift guide, we take a different angle going into the holiday season talking about games to bring to events that will appeal to a wide crowd - be they gamers or not. The best Yankee Swap games are abstract, accessible, and easy-to-learn. This leads to suggestions ranging from some classic non-gamer games (like LCR) to some great Gateway level alternatives, like Splendor. PLUGS - (1:04:57): We’re raffling off a copy of Rocky Road to a lucky Patreon backer. Consider donating today! As always, Cardboard Republic YouTube videos, Instagram pictures, and the BGG Guild are still ongoing. Subscribe to one or two - or all of them if you really love us. You do really love us, right?   We’d love to hear from you! You can send questions or feedback via email at podcast@cardboardrepublic.com. You can also reach us social media, including Twitter, Facebook, and BoardGameGeek.   Audio Credits: Intro music track is "Swing!" by Bargo!, used under Creative Commons license.

Episode 155: Charitable Gaming Length: 46:47 Show Links: RSS | iTunes | Stitcher | Download Episode   Welcome back to Vox Republica, the Cardboard Republic Podcast! We post new episodes every other Thursday, with each episode being about 45 minutes long. Vox Republica is proudly supported by our Patreon. Consider contributing today! DESCRIPTION: Gaming can sometimes be seen from the outside as a childish or selfish pastime. Contrary to that thought, however, the hobby is actually known for charitable acts both large and small. On the heels of one such event, this week Erin and Ryan discuss Extra Life and a few other board game charity events that take place this time of year. For donation links, please check down below! GUESTS: None RECENTLY PLAYED GAMES - (01:35): Lisboa by Eagle-Gryphon Games (BGG Link) Flamme Rouge by Stronghold Games (BGG Link) Downforce by Restoration Games (BGG Link) That's A Question by Czech Games Edition (BGG Link) QUICK TOPICS - (20:37): We recap our annual Extra Life charity marathon held at CR headquarters! FEATURED TOPIC - (30:46): Continuing the topic, we also chat about a number of charitable efforts in the hobby, including: Extra Life The Jack Vasel Memorial Fund Stonemaier Games Charity Auction DFW Nerd Nighters Cheapass Games' Trolling For Good Campaign PLUGS - (45:37): We’re raffling off a copy of Rocky Road to a lucky Patreon backer. Consider donating today! As always, Cardboard Republic YouTube videos, Instagram pictures, and the BGG Guild are still ongoing. Subscribe to one or two - or all of them if you really love us. You do really love us, right?   We’d love to hear from you! You can send questions or feedback via email at podcast@cardboardrepublic.com. You can also reach us social media, including Twitter, Facebook, and BoardGameGeek.   Audio Credits: Intro music track is "Swing!" by Bargo!, used under Creative Commons license.

Episode 154: Escape Rooms, Essen Picks, and BFIG Expansions Length: 1:14:36 Show Links: RSS | iTunes | Stitcher | Download Episode   Welcome back to Vox Republica, the Cardboard Republic Podcast! We post new episodes every other Thursday, with each episode being about 45 minutes long. Vox Republica is proudly supported by our Patreon. Consider contributing today! DESCRIPTION: It's convention time! This week Erin and Ryan are joined by Caroline Murphy, CEO of the Festival of Indie Games, to discuss the past, present, and future of Boston’s home-grown indie convention. Before that, though, Ryan walks us through his Essen picks for 2017. GUESTS: Caroline Murphy RECENTLY PLAYED GAMES - (00:56): Exit: The Abandoned Cabin by Thames & Kosmos (BGG Link) Unlock! The Formula by Space Cowboys (BGG Link) Harry Potter: Hogwarts Battle: Monster Box of Monsters by USAopoly (BGG Link) QUICK TOPICS - (19:28): Ryan runs down five games worth checking out at Essen 2017 that aren't currently bound for the US, as well as his guess at a convention sleeper.  FEATURED TOPIC - (45:01): Caroline Murphy joins us to talk about the Festival of Indie Games, and where it’s headed. This is one of our favorite game events - it’s local, it focuses on indie creators, and it’s just a lot of fun. She’s leading the team in trying to do some great things for gaming and community in Boston and beyond! PLUGS - (1:13:55): We’re raffling off a copy of Major General to a lucky Patreon backer. Consider donating today! As always, Cardboard Republic YouTube videos, Instagram pictures, and the BGG Guild are still ongoing. Subscribe to one or two - or all of them if you really love us. You do really love us, right?   We’d love to hear from you! You can send questions or feedback via email at podcast@cardboardrepublic.com. You can also reach us social media, including Twitter, Facebook, and BoardGameGeek.   Audio Credits: Intro music track is "Swing!" by Bargo!, used under Creative Commons license.

Episode 153: Cardboard Noir Length: 1:00:30 Show Links: RSS | iTunes | Stitcher | Download Episode   Welcome back to Vox Republica, the Cardboard Republic Podcast! We post new episodes every other Thursday, with each episode being about 45 minutes long. Vox Republica is proudly supported by our Patreon. Consider contributing today! DESCRIPTION: This week, Erin and Ryan talk about the eclectic mix of recent games that made it to the table. Then they talk to Evan Derrick of Van Ryder Games about his new title Detective: City of Angels - a game adding a new take on an old genre! GUESTS: Evan Derrick RECENTLY PLAYED GAMES - (00:26): Xia: Legends of a Drift System by Far Off Games (BGG Link) Festival of Thousand Cats by Fukuroudou (BGG Link) AVES by Play With Us Design (BGG Link) FEATURED TOPIC - (18:51): In this episode's interview, we talk Detective: City of Angels with designer Evan Derrick, which has recently launched on Kickstarter. The game is a thematic take on noir…which means Erin goes on an L.A. Noire tangent almost immediately. No but really, the conversation covers Detective: City of Angels and what makes it so different compared to other one-and-done narrative-driven games, but they also discuss the role of noir in the current political climate, the way that designers balance difficulty for players of all skill levels, and how hard it is to drive in LA. PLUGS - (59:59): We’re raffling off a copy of Major General to a lucky Patreon backer. Consider donating today! As always, Cardboard Republic YouTube videos, Instagram pictures, and the BGG Guild are still ongoing. Subscribe to one or two - or all of them if you really love us. You do really love us, right?   We’d love to hear from you! You can send questions or feedback via email at podcast@cardboardrepublic.com. You can also reach us social media, including Twitter, Facebook, and BoardGameGeek.   Audio Credits: Intro music track is "Swing!" by Bargo!, used under Creative Commons license.

Episode 152: The Business of Gaming Length: 1:05:34 Show Links: RSS | iTunes | Stitcher | Download Episode   Welcome back to Vox Republica, the Cardboard Republic Podcast! We post new episodes every other Thursday, with each episode being about 45 minutes long. Vox Republica is proudly supported by our Patreon. Consider contributing today! DESCRIPTION: This week, Erin and Ryan talk about the business side of gaming. Is the board game industry really so different from other industries? It feels like it sometimes. Why is that and where do we think it’s going? GUESTS: None RECENTLY PLAYED GAMES - (01:00): Hellapagos by Gigamic (BGG Link) Mansions of Madness by Fantasy Flight Games (BGG Link) Overlords of Infamy by Obscure Reference Games (BGG Link) FEATURED TOPIC - (23:32): Whether you consider board games to be art or not, the idea that designers make poor business people persists in the board game industry. Why is this? And why do fans tend to react poorly when game companies grow and become more professional? This week, we’re talking about all that, plus the idea of companies from other sectors coming into the board game world. PLUGS - (1:05:02): We’re raffling off a copy of Go Nuts For Donuts to a lucky Patreon backer. Consider donating today! As always, Cardboard Republic YouTube videos, Instagram pictures, and the BGG Guild are still ongoing. Subscribe to one or two - or all of them if you really love us. You do really love us, right?   We’d love to hear from you! You can send questions or feedback via email at podcast@cardboardrepublic.com. You can also reach us social media, including Twitter, Facebook, and BoardGameGeek.   Audio Credits: Intro music track is "Swing!" by Bargo!, used under Creative Commons license.

Episode 151: A Qwixx Episode Length: 48:54 Show Links: RSS | iTunes | Stitcher | Download Episode   Welcome back to Vox Republica, the Cardboard Republic Podcast! We post new episodes every other Thursday, with each episode being about 45 minutes long. Vox Republica is proudly supported by our Patreon. Consider contributing today! DESCRIPTION: This week, Erin and Ryan recover from their giant Gen Con episode by reviewing…probably one of the smallest games they have - Qwixx! They also talk about BFiG and some prototypes! GUEST: None RECENTLY PLAYED GAMES - (0:53): The Networks: Executives by Formal Ferret Games (BGG Link) Cerebria by Mindclash Games (BGG Link) QUICK TOPICS – (21:48): The Boston Festival of Indie Games is coming up on September 23rd. We’ll be there playing games and presenting an award. If you’re in the Boston Area, swing by and say hello! REVIEW - (26:16): Qwixx is a small, speedy roll-and-write game from Gamewright. Over the course of about 15-20 minutes, 2-5 players take turns rolling dice and crossing numbers off their player sheets, but there’s still a bit of strategy involved. A little bit. If you choose the wrong numbers to scratch out, you’re doomed to lock yourself out of valuable options down the road. If you play too conservatively, though, you’re going to struggle to keep up. We build up a consensus on who this accessible, portable dice chucking game and who should roll on to other things instead. (Note: if you don't see pictures below, you can view them via the RSS feed or clicking this link.) A standard Qwixx scorepad, with Red and Yellow in ascending numerical order and Blue and Green in descending order With this dice roll, any player may choose to cross out a six on any of their four tracks The active player chooses to pair the 2 white die with the blue die and crosses out Blue 6 A player's final score of 88 points   PLUGS - (48:22): We’re raffling off a copy of Go Nuts For Donuts to a lucky Patreon backer. Consider donating today! As always, Cardboard Republic YouTube videos and the BGG Guild are still ongoing. Subscribe to either - or both if you really love us. You do really love us, right?   We’d love to hear from you! You can send questions or feedback via email at podcast@cardboardrepublic.com. You can also reach us social media, including Twitter and BoardGameGeek.   Audio Credits: Intro music track is "Swing!" by Bargo!, used under Creative Commons license.

Episode Special 01: Gen Con 2017 Length: 1:43:42 Show Links: RSS | iTunes | Stitcher | Download Episode   Welcome back to Vox Republica, the Cardboard Republic Podcast! We post new episodes every other Thursday, with each episode being about 45 minutes long. Vox Republica is proudly supported by our Patreon. Consider contributing today! DESCRIPTION: In our first episode out-of-normal-schedule special Vox, Erin and Ryan go into the details of their adventures at Gen Con 2017 FEATURED TOPIC Erin and Ryan were on hand for Gen Con 50! In this episode special, they detail their activities over each of the game's four days, and then wrap up by listing some of their biggest surprises, favorite moments, and why not having a marquee game at the con was actually a good thing.   We’d love to hear from you! You can send questions or feedback via email at podcast@cardboardrepublic.com. You can also reach us social media, including Twitter, Facebook, and BoardGameGeek.   Audio Credits: Intro music track is "Swing!" by Bargo!, used under Creative Commons license.

Episode 150: Escapewolf Length: 1:03:56 Show Links: RSS | iTunes | Stitcher | Download Episode   Welcome back to Vox Republica, the Cardboard Republic Podcast! We post new episodes every other Thursday, with each episode being about 45 minutes long. Vox Republica is proudly supported by our Patreon. Consider contributing today! DESCRIPTION: This week, Erin and Ryan talk about a few post Gen Con games that made it to the table and then interview Juliana Patel and Ariel Rubin, the creators of Escape Room in a Box: The Werewolf Experiment. GUESTS: Juliana Patel & Ariel Rubin RECENTLY PLAYED GAMES - (01:19): Champions of Hara by Greenbrier Games (BGG Link) Stop Thief! by Restoration Games (BGG Link) Mountains of Madness by IELLO Games (BGG Link) QUICK TOPICS – (00:36): Stay tuned next week for a special bonus Vox episode focusing solely on Gen Con 2017! FEATURED TOPIC - (29:56): We speak to the creator’s of Escape the Room: The Werewolf Experiment about bringing physical escape rooms to the table. We talk a bit about what separates this game from other escape room games, and about the design and playtesting process going into such games. Julianna and Ariel also provide some insight into the current state of the board game industry and reflect on what it’s like to be extremely competitive people designing an extremely cooperative game. PLUGS - (1:03:14): We’re raffling off a copy of Unlock to a lucky Patreon backer. Consider donating today! As always, Cardboard Republic YouTube videos, Instagram pictures, and the BGG Guild are still ongoing. Subscribe to one or two - or all of them if you really love us. You do really love us, right?   We’d love to hear from you! You can send questions or feedback via email at podcast@cardboardrepublic.com. You can also reach us social media, including Twitter, Facebook, and BoardGameGeek.   Audio Credits: Intro music track is "Swing!" by Bargo!, used under Creative Commons license.

Episode 149: Card Crafting With John Clair And Gen Con 50  Length: 1:15:18 Show Links: RSS | iTunes | Stitcher | Download Episode   Welcome back to Vox Republica, the Cardboard Republic Podcast! We post new episodes every other Thursday, with each episode being about 45 minutes long. Vox Republica is proudly supported by our Patreon. Consider contributing today! DESCRIPTION: This week, Erin and Ryan talk about a few games they managed to get played, announce some Gen Con plans, and Ryan tries to guess the Gen Con sleeper hit. Then they interview designer John Clair on his innovating Card Crafting system. GUESTS: John Clair RECENTLY PLAYED GAMES - (01:24): Qwixx by Gamewright Games (BGG Link) Macroscope by Mayday Games (BGG Link) Saga of the Northmen by Minion Games (BGG Link) Valley of the Kings: Last Rites by AEG (BGG Link) QUICK TOPICS – (13:11): We're doing a Gen Con panel! If you're going, come check out Cardboard Quills: A Written Reviewer Roundtable - a written reviewer Q&A. (If you can't make it, feel free to still leave a question you'd like asked and we can see if we can get it answered!) We list our five Gen Con games of personal note that aren't going to make many Top Ten Gen Con lists. Then Ryan tries to postulate on the sleeper hit of the con. FEATURED TOPIC - (32:53): We speak to John Clair about Mystic Vale, Edge of Darkness, and Custom Heroes regarding his creative and innovative 'Card Crafting System', where you upgrade the abilities of cards in the game by use of card sleeves. We ask him about several avenues of this including: How the idea originated Why Edge of Darkness has taken so long to come to market (and maybe when it's finally going to...) Where you can play Edge of Darkness during Gen Con And more! PLUGS - (1:14:37): We’re raffling off a copy of Unlock to a lucky Patreon backer. Consider donating today! As always, Cardboard Republic YouTube videos, Instagram pictures, and the BGG Guild are still ongoing. Subscribe to one or two - or all of them if you really love us. You do really love us, right?   We’d love to hear from you! You can send questions or feedback via email at podcast@cardboardrepublic.com. You can also reach us social media, including Twitter, Facebook, and BoardGameGeek.   Audio Credits: Intro music track is "Swing!" by Bargo!, used under Creative Commons license.

Episode 148: Combating The Pile of Shame Length: 56:07 Show Links: RSS | iTunes | Stitcher | Download Episode   Welcome back to Vox Republica, the Cardboard Republic Podcast! We post new episodes every other Thursday, with each episode being about 45 minutes long. Vox Republica is proudly supported by our Patreon. Consider contributing today! DESCRIPTION: This week, Erin and Ryan go into detail on a few of the games they've had the pleasure of trying out, chat about some Gen Con plans, and then pivot into a discussion about the significance - or lack thereof - to a person's To Be Played game list (often called their pile of shame). Turns out it's only as significant as you want it to be. Who knew? GUESTS: None RECENTLY PLAYED GAMES - (04:51): Caverna: Cave vs Cave by Mayfair Games (BGG Link) Sidereal Confluence by WizKids (BGG Link) Nemo's War by Victory Point Games (BGG Link) Lisboa by Eagle-Gryphon Games (BGG Link) QUICK TOPICS – (26:27): We're doing a Gen Con panel! If you're going, come check out Cardboard Quills: A Written Reviewer Roundtable - a written reviewer Q&A. (If you can't make it, feel free to still leave a question you'd like asked and we can see if we can get it answered!) We announce the title of the next Board Game Club! Reflecting a cruel case of tragic irony, we briefly talk about the recent fire affecting the European backer copies of Lisboa. Also, unboxing videos? FEATURED TOPIC - (30:07): One of the most frequent conversations in gaming (or reading) is how to manage the list of titles that you haven’t played yet. Whether referred to as a bucket list, a to be played list, or as it's often called, your pile of shame, we parse out what that means - or doesn't - to your gaming experience overall. In this we cover: Game play shaming on both sides of the equation. Pushing back on the idea that such lists somehow depict a sign of your dedication to the hobby. One in, one out policies Time-delayed policies Austerity Pledges Logging Plays Spreadsheets And more! PLUGS - (55:25): We’re raffling off a copy of Unlock to a lucky Patreon backer. Consider donating today! As always, Cardboard Republic YouTube videos, Instagram pictures, and the BGG Guild are still ongoing. Subscribe to one or two - or all of them if you really love us. You do really love us, right?   We’d love to hear from you! You can send questions or feedback via email at podcast@cardboardrepublic.com. You can also reach us social media, including Twitter, Facebook, and BoardGameGeek.   Audio Credits: Intro music track is "Swing!" by Bargo!, used under Creative Commons license.

Episode 147: Sea Captains And Solo Games Length: 1:10:37 Show Links: RSS | iTunes | Stitcher | Download Episode   Welcome back to Vox Republica, the Cardboard Republic Podcast! We post new episodes every other Thursday, with each episode being about 45 minutes long. Vox Republica is proudly supported by our Patreon. Consider contributing today! DESCRIPTION: This week, Erin and Ryan go into detail on a few of the games they've been playing, then discuss the lingering stigma of solo board gaming. Then they cap it off by having on a pair of folks who know a thing or two about solo games: Chris Taylor and Alan Emrich, the minds behind solo game hit Nemo's War! GUESTS: Chris Taylor and Alan Emrich RECENTLY PLAYED GAMES - (00:36): TIME Stories: Expedition: Endurance by Space Cowboys (BGG Link) Visitor in Blackwood Grove by Resonym (BGG Link) Pirates Vs Dinosaurs by Jolly Roger Games (BGG Link) QUICK TOPICS – (19:21): Branching largely off of the recent article around solo gaming stigmas by the site Gaming for Justice, both Erin and Ryan reflect on their own opinions on solo gaming, its place in the hobby, and whether or not it has any appeal to them personally - and why. FEATURED TOPIC - (33:02): And then since it ties in so darn nicely, we sit down with Chris and Alan of Victory Point Games to discuss the 2nd Edition of Nemo's War, our July Indie Spotlight game. A solo game based on Jules Verne's 20,000 Leagues Under the Sea, you captain the infamous Nemo and the Nautilus around the world going on adventures, fighting imperial ships, and exploring the natural world. We talk about a range of topics on the game, including: How they chose the theme of the game What made them want to make a 2nd edition What prompted them to use Kickstarter over their traditional on-demand model Their opinion on the source material itself And some exclusive info on what may lie in store for more Nemo-based adventures down the line! PLUGS - (1:10:37): We're doing a Gen Con panel! If you're going, come check out Cardboard Quills: A Written Reviewer Roundtable - a written reviewer Q&A. (If you can't make it, feel free to still leave a question you'd like asked and we can see if we can get it answered!) We’re raffling off a copy of Rolling America (plus a surprise!) to a lucky Patreon backer. Consider donating today! As always, Cardboard Republic YouTube videos, Instagram pictures, and the BGG Guild are still ongoing. Subscribe to one or two - or all of them if you really love us. You do really love us, right?   We’d love to hear from you! You can send questions or feedback via email at podcast@cardboardrepublic.com. You can also reach us social media, including Twitter, Facebook, and BoardGameGeek.   Audio Credits: Intro music track is "Swing!" by Bargo!, used under Creative Commons license.

Episode 146: Outside Trends Length: 57:39 Show Links: RSS | iTunes | Stitcher | Download Episode   Welcome back to Vox Republica, the Cardboard Republic Podcast! We post new episodes every other Thursday, with each episode being about 45 minutes long. Vox Republica is proudly supported by our Patreon. Consider contributing today! DESCRIPTION: This week, Erin and Ryan mention a certain Gen Con panel, recap some games that hit the table recently, ponder over the latest Monopoly hype, talk about the progress made (and still needed to go) with diversity in gaming, and then discuss at length outside influences that affect trends within the gaming industry. Phew! Did we miss anything? GUESTS: None RECENTLY PLAYED GAMES - (03:36): Tau Ceti by Out Limit Games (BGG Link) Leaders of Euphoria by Overworld Games (BGG Link) Exit: The Game - The Pharaoh's Tomb by Thames & Kosmos (BGG Link) QUICK TOPICS – (17:49): Monopoly Gamer is a new Nintendo-themed version of Monopoly that was just released, and is being sold exclusively through GameStop for the first month. There was also a bunch of social chatter about it immediately upon release. We chat about both the game and the oddly-sudden hype around it. A recent article appeared titled "A Seat at the Table: Board Gaming is for Us Too", reflects on board gaming as a member of a minority group, both in terms of why African-American and Latino youths often avoid board games over video games and how even though board gaming is making overtures towards progress of diversity and inclusion, it still has a ways to go from an outside perspective. FEATURED TOPIC - (28:44): Video games, pop culture, and, more recently, live action games/activities are just a few examples of areas that have had a huge impact on the board game industry. Which had us wondering: where exactly do gaming trends come from outside the traditional mold of publishers and designers. We look at a few areas, such as: Video games Live action activities such as escape rooms The impact of influencers The relationship between small but engaged communities with the ability to control game designs and publications And of course, society as a whole PLUGS - (57:06): We're doing a Gen Con panel! If you're going, come check out Cardboard Quills: A Written Reviewer Roundtable - a written reviewer Q&A. (If you can't make it, feel free to still leave a question you'd like asked and we can see if we can get it answered!) We’re raffling off a copy of Rolling America (plus a surprise!) to a lucky Patreon backer. Consider donating today! As always, Cardboard Republic YouTube videos, Instagram pictures, and the BGG Guild are still ongoing. Subscribe to one or two - or all of them if you really love us. You do really love us, right?   We’d love to hear from you! You can send questions or feedback via email at podcast@cardboardrepublic.com. You can also reach us social media, including Twitter, Facebook, and BoardGameGeek.   Audio Credits: Intro music track is "Swing!" by Bargo!, used under Creative Commons license.

Episode 145: Breaking Into Origins Length: 59:29 Show Links: RSS | iTunes | Stitcher | Download Episode   Welcome back to Vox Republica, the Cardboard Republic Podcast! We post new episodes every other Thursday, with each episode being about 45 minutes long. Vox Republica is proudly supported by our Patreon. Consider contributing today! DESCRIPTION: This week, Erin and Ryan chat about their experiences from their first trip to the Origins Game Fair. They discuss things they saw, things they played, what they liked, and what they wished they had done differently. If you're an Origins regular, how did their time in Columbus compare to yours? And if you've never been, does their conversation make you want to? Just wondering... GUESTS: None RECENTLY PLAYED GAMES - (01:22): Avenue by Aporta Games (BGG Link) Honshu by Renegade Game Studios (BGG Link) Shahrazad by Osprey Games (BGG Link) Exoplanets by Greater Than Games (BGG Link) QUICK TOPICS – (16:42): Erin and Ryan discuss the rather unexpected news about the popular gaming furniture company Geek Chic going out of business. FEATURED TOPIC - (23:19): We were Origins bound this year! Marking Erin and Ryan's first trip to Origins - albeit not at the same time - they cover a number of things pertaining to how they thought about the convention going up to it, what they did while they were there, and their thoughts of attending in retrospect. Areas included: Reasons for attending Attendance numbers for 2017 Highlights of various games played and seen Events we got to partake in while at Origins Pros and cons of the convention and yes, even an inordinate amount of travel woes PLUGS - (59:02): You can check out Ryan's written recap of his first Origins experience here! We’re raffling off a copy of Honshu to a lucky Patreon backer. Consider donating today! As always, Cardboard Republic YouTube videos, Instagram pictures, and the BGG Guild are still ongoing. Subscribe to one or two - or all of them if you really love us. You do really love us, right?   We’d love to hear from you! You can send questions or feedback via email at podcast@cardboardrepublic.com. You can also reach us social media, including Twitter, Facebook, and BoardGameGeek.   Audio Credits: Intro music track is "Swing!" by Bargo!, used under Creative Commons license.

Episode 144: The Magic of PoSplo Length: 1:03:56 Show Links: RSS | iTunes | Stitcher | Download Episode   Welcome back to Vox Republica, the Cardboard Republic Podcast! We post new episodes every other Thursday, with each episode being about 45 minutes long. Vox Republica is proudly supported by our Patreon. Consider contributing today! DESCRIPTION: It's one look forward and another look back. With the summer convention scene vastly approaching, Erin and Ryan discuss their expectations for visiting Origins for the first tine. Then they dive into a review of Potion Explosion to reiterate just what makes the game so darn entertaining. GUEST: None RECENTLY PLAYED GAMES - (01:22): The Manhattan Project: Energy Empire by Minion Games (BGG Link) Armageddon by Queen Games (BGG Link) Honshu by Renegade Game Studios (BGG Link) QUICK TOPICS – (19:47): Origins is, like, super soon! And the CR is going! For the first time! We lay out what some of our expectations are and what we hope to do what we get there. If you're going here's hoping our paths cross! REVIEW - (25:39): Based off the "Match 3" style of video games, Potion Explosion is all about making potions and causing explosions...hence the name. In this short 2-4 player game, each person is an apprentice wizard gathering ingredients to fill a series of potions, which is done by removing one or more marbles from the game's eye-catching dispenser tray. Completed potions are worth a variable number of points - depending on how difficult it is to complete - as well can be used to generate a number of different one-time effects throughout the game. Originally released by Horrible Games and subsequently picked up by Cool Mini or Not, Potion Explosion rose to rapid popularity in part because of an ideal blend of casual gameplay and tactile marble-plinking enjoyment. Tapping into both a person's desire for socializing through gaming and an innate love of pattern recognition, Potion Explosion delivers so well as a casual game as to have been one of the 2016 Socializer Laurel nominees. That said, as we elaborate, its magic won't work on everyone. Also, you can check out Ryan's simple Potion Explosion trick for tray storage here.  (Note: if you don't see pictures below, you can view them via the RSS feed or clicking this link.) The center marble tray where you gather magic ingredients (cleverly disguised as marbles) The game comes with a variety of colorful potions of different effects With all the necessary marbles, this potion is now ready for drinking Sets of potions are worth points and are a victory condition at the same time Several possible pulls could make for magical explosions. Which will you grab?   PLUGS - (1:03:07): Speaking of Honshu, we’re raffling off a copy of it to a lucky Patreon backer. Consider donating today! As always, Cardboard Republic YouTube videos and the BGG Guild are still ongoing. Subscribe to either - or both if you really love us. You do really love us, right?   We’d love to hear from you! You can send questions or feedback via email at podcast@cardboardrepublic.com. You can also reach us social media, including Twitter and BoardGameGeek.   Audio Credits: Intro music track is "Swing!" by Bargo!, used under Creative Commons license.

Episode 143: Dominant Strategies Length: 1:04:35 Show Links: RSS | iTunes | Stitcher | Download Episode   Welcome back to Vox Republica, the Cardboard Republic Podcast! We post new episodes every other Thursday, with each episode being about 45 minutes long. Vox Republica is proudly supported by our Patreon. Consider contributing today! DESCRIPTION: Big money, big money, big money - stop! Nearly every game invokes some kind of strategy, and, generally, the more complicated the game, the deeper and more varied those strategies may be. Most of the time, this is all part of the game's appeal. But...what happens when not every strategy is created equal? What do you do when one particular path is so much better than the rest that it warps the entire experience. This week, Erin and Ryan discuss dominant (aka broken) gaming strategies, and what you can do about them. GUESTS: None RECENTLY PLAYED GAMES - (01:28): Yokohama by Tasty Minstrel Games (BGG Link) Zephyr: Winds of Change by Portal Dragon (BGG Link) QUICK TOPICS – (19:30): Erin reflects on why it is she finds it so hard to play new games of late, and how that can be compounded by things such as the pressure of content creation, the added mental energy of learning new systems constantly, and even the paradox of having too many options to choose from. FEATURED TOPIC - (33:08): Some games, try as they might to offer a wide variety of strategies, run into a problem of having one path to victory that wins a disproportionate amount of the time. We deconstruct what this may mean for that game, and for games overall. Areas of discussion include: Is it still a dominant strategy if you can beat it? Are they a flaw or a feature of a game? How does this differ from, you know, a normal strategy? Are there any upsides to their existence in a game? What can a designer do to correct these imbalances? What about a publisher? Or a player for that matter? PLUGS - (1:58:37): We previewed Path of Light and Shadow, as well as Ursa Miner! We’re raffling off a copy of ZooScape to a lucky Patreon backer. Consider donating today! As always, Cardboard Republic YouTube videos, Instagram pictures, and the BGG Guild are still ongoing. Subscribe to one or two - or all of them if you really love us. You do really love us, right?   We’d love to hear from you! You can send questions or feedback via email at podcast@cardboardrepublic.com. You can also reach us social media, including Twitter, Facebook, and BoardGameGeek.   Audio Credits: Intro music track is "Swing!" by Bargo!, used under Creative Commons license.  

Episode 142: Gaming Speculation Length: 59:17 Show Links: RSS | iTunes | Stitcher | Download Episode   Welcome back to Vox Republica, the Cardboard Republic Podcast! We post new episodes every other Thursday, with each episode being about 45 minutes long. Vox Republica is proudly supported by our Patreon. Consider contributing today! DESCRIPTION: It's one thing to excitedly find a rare or popular game in a thrift store. But have you ever bought one there with the sole purpose of turning around and selling it? It's capitalism at its most basic, but what are the possibilities and pitfalls of going down the road of gaming speculation? This week Erin and Ryan dive into flipping games for profit. GUESTS: None RECENTLY PLAYED GAMES - (01:28): Yokohama by Tasty Minstrel Games (BGG Link) Zephyr: Winds of Change by Portal Dragon (BGG Link) Path of Light And Shadow by Indie Boards & Cards (BGG Link) New Angeles by Fantasy Flight Games (BGG Link) FEATURED TOPIC - (22:13): You've probably heard of people flipping houses - buying them for one price in the plans of reselling them for a higher price later on. But people resell items all the time, including games. We investigate various ethical areas (and problems) revolving around game reselling and game speculation. Areas we explore include: thrift store / yard sale finds how to price out games games to look for if you want to make a profit capitalizing on the window between Kickstarter fulfillment and retail distribution taking advantage of Kickstarter exclusives review copy flipping and more! PLUGS - (58:37): We previewed the aforementioned Path of Light and Shadow, as well as Ursa Miner! We’re raffling off a copy of ZooScape to a lucky Patreon backer. Consider donating today! As always, Cardboard Republic YouTube videos, Instagram pictures, and the BGG Guild are still ongoing. Subscribe to one or two - or all of them if you really love us. You do really love us, right?   We’d love to hear from you! You can send questions or feedback via email at podcast@cardboardrepublic.com. You can also reach us social media, including Twitter, Facebook, and BoardGameGeek.   Audio Credits: Intro music track is "Swing!" by Bargo!, used under Creative Commons license.  

Episode 141: Science Is Your Friend Length: 1:06:45 Show Links: RSS | iTunes | Stitcher | Download Episode   Welcome back to Vox Republica, the Cardboard Republic Podcast! We post new episodes every other Thursday, with each episode being about 45 minutes long. Vox Republica is proudly supported by our Patreon. Consider contributing today! DESCRIPTION: Science is your friend! With Earth Day and the unprecedented March For Science taking place recently, this week Erin and Ryan talk about science in gaming and recommend some titles that do an excellent job conveying real world scientific concepts. GUESTS: None RECENTLY PLAYED GAMES - (01:05): Ursa Miner (Coming Soon!) The Big Book of Madness by IELLO (BGG Link) QUICK TOPICS - (07:42): When is the best time of the year for gaming? As New Englanders our snap reaction almost always is winter time, what with it being cold and snowy outside. But...is it really the best time of the year? We discuss. FEATURED TOPIC - (13:38): Science! It's fun! It's informative! And it's essential to understanding more about how the world works, from the cells in our bodies to the molecules in a distant star, as well as pretty much everything in between. Like many, we've noticed in recent years the odd rise of science dismissal (and even denial) on the rise, culminating in the recent March for Science in D.C, where scientists the world over felt the need to demonstrate in defense of the very notion of science and scientific pursuit. These are strange times... In honor of that, our focus topic in this week is to celebrate and highlight specific games that do an excellent job teaching real science concepts while also being fun. There's a whole bunch out there, but we provide some suggestions that you should check out in areas such as: Aerospace Biology & Microbiology Chemistry Medicine Physics Zoology And more! PLUGS - (1:05:08): Dann reviewed the digital version of Paperback! We’re raffling off a copy of Overseers to a lucky Patreon backer. Consider donating today! As always, Cardboard Republic YouTube videos, Instagram pictures, and the BGG Guild are still ongoing. Subscribe to one or two - or all of them if you really love us. You do really love us, right?   We’d love to hear from you! You can send questions or feedback via email at podcast@cardboardrepublic.com. You can also reach us social media, including Twitter, Facebook, and BoardGameGeek.   Audio Credits: Intro music track is "Swing!" by Bargo!, used under Creative Commons license.

Episode 140: On The Case! Length: 1:09:09 Show Links: RSS | iTunes | Stitcher | Download Episode   Welcome back to Vox Republica, the Cardboard Republic Podcast! We post new episodes every other Thursday, with each episode being about 45 minutes long. Vox Republica is proudly supported by our Patreon. Consider contributing today! DESCRIPTION: It's been a busy and chaotic month or so, between new digs, new gigs, local conventions, and localized pathogens. But we're making up for that now! This episode Erin and Ryan discuss the Granite Game Summit and review Sherlock Holmes Consulting Detective: Jack the Ripper & West End Adventures! GUEST: None RECENTLY PLAYED GAMES - (02:01): Terraforming Mars by Stronghold Games (BGG Link) Sagrada by Floodgate Games (BGG Link) The Manhattan Project: Energy Empire by Minion Games (BGG Link) World Monuments by Queen Games (BGG Link) Mexica by Super Meeple / IELLO (BGG Link) Sherlock Holmes Consulting Detective: Jack the Ripper & West End Adventures by Space Cowboys (BGG Link) FEATURED TOPIC – (18:54): April 2017 saw the first multi-day attempt of the Granite Game Summit in Nashua, NH, and we were front and center for attending! Yes, after a couple one-day events in 2016, the troupe at G2S decided to try their hand at a 3-day con. We recap our thoughts and experiences from the inaugural event. REVIEW - (30:22): The original Sherlock Holmes Consulting Detective first burst onto the gaming scene in 1981 and has circulated in some form ever since. Yet an updated reprint in the last couple years gave rise to renewed interest in the classic game by a whole new generation of gamers. This recent standalone expansion (Jack the Ripper & West End Adventures) is a continuation of that trend. It contains six updated cases from the original West End Adventures expansion, as well as four brand new cases in the form of the Jack the Ripper series, which unlike any past cases, are all tied together and have a cap on how many actions you can take. In this narrative-driven game of mystery solving, each playthrough consists of a single case upon which players must collectively solve. To do this, everyone takes turns moving about Victorian London gathering story clues, interviewing witnesses, and inspecting crime scenes, all in the hopes of figuring out the whodunnit before Sherlock does (at least in theory). Prepare to be taken all over London as you chase leads and deal with dead ends, each of which is represented by storybook elements read aloud that correspond to the people and places you decide to visit. The combined effect is a co-op based literary puzzle that will appeal to those who love solving mysteries or those who appreciate a well-executed thematic setting (though not necessarily both groups at the same time). With an abundance of flavor and plenty to explore, Consulting Detective provides ten story-centric sleuthing experiences definitely worth checking out, even if playthroughs can take longer than advertised, can ony be played once, and can be a little clunky on exposition in some instances. Well, so long as you just give up on trying to best Sherlock and enjoy the world it presents to you at your own pace. (Note: if you don't see pictures below, you can view them via the RSS feed or clicking this link.) Everything you need to run a Consulting Detective scenario Running around London looking for clues! Thanks to the handy directory, we found Emmet Ogden lives at 83 EC (East Central district) Scouring East London to catch Jack the Ripper 10 Scenarios equals a many, many hours of worthwhile gaming   PLUGS - (1:08:24): We’re raffling off a copy of Overseers to a lucky Patreon backer. Consider donating today! As always, Cardboard Republic YouTube videos and the BGG Guild are still ongoing. Subscribe to either - or both if you really love us. You do really love us, right?   We’d love to hear from you! You can send questions or feedback via email at podcast@cardboardrepublic.com. You can also reach us social media, including Twitter and BoardGameGeek.   Audio Credits: Intro music track is "Swing!" by Bargo!, used under Creative Commons license.

Episode 139: Con Budgets Length: 51:22 Show Links: RSS | iTunes | Stitcher | Download Episode   Welcome back to Vox Republica, the Cardboard Republic Podcast! We post new episodes every other Thursday, with each episode being about 45 minutes long. Vox Republica is proudly supported by our Patreon. Consider contributing today! DESCRIPTION: Gaming conventions are pretty fun. But not every con is for every gamer. With an ever-growing list of conventions to attend and only so many resources to devote to attending them, how do you decide which conventions to devote your efforts to? This week, Erin and Ryan explore how you can properly prepare to attend them while comparing and contrasting their approaches to con budgeting. GUESTS: None RECENTLY PLAYED GAMES - (03:38): Defenders of the Last Stand by 8th Summit Sherlock Holmes Consulting Detective: Jack the Ripper & West End Adventures by Space Cowboys QUICK TOPICS - (13:42): We spoke last time of convention season beginning in earnest, so we thought this time around we'd share a reminder of which cons we're definitely going to be at over the rest of 2017. FEATURED TOPIC - (19:24): How do you budget for attending a game convention? Just like taking a vacation, there's only so much time, money, and effort to devote to conventioning. To that end, we dive into a number of topic areas, including: How do you figure out cost? What are the benefits of booking a hotel through the convention? What are the downsides? How far ahead do you book? How do you decide if it’s worth it? Why you don't need to go to every convention Determining the type con that’s right for you! (We go into length at this one in Episode 74) Tips for budgeting and monitoring your cash flow PLUGS - (48:03): Be sure to check out the website to celebrate all of the 2016 Laurel winners! We’re also also raffling off a copy of The Blood Of An Englishman to a lucky Patreon backer. Consider donating today! As always, Cardboard Republic YouTube videos, Instagram pictures, and the BGG Guild are still ongoing. Subscribe to one or two - or all of them if you really love us. You do really love us, right?   We’d love to hear from you! You can send questions or feedback via email at podcast@cardboardrepublic.com. You can also reach us social media, including Twitter, Facebook, and BoardGameGeek.   Audio Credits: Intro music track is "Swing!" by Bargo!, used under Creative Commons license.

Episode 138: Havens Of Gloooooom Length: 58:46 Show Links: RSS | iTunes | Stitcher | Download Episode   Welcome back to Vox Republica, the Cardboard Republic Podcast! We post new episodes every other Thursday, with each episode being about 45 minutes long. Vox Republica is proudly supported by our Patreon. Consider contributing today! DESCRIPTION: Laurel season is in full swing. Yet somehow we manged to fit in a bunch of new games and a trip to PAX East to kick off convention season. Ryan recaps his PAX trip, and then he and Erin sit down for an enlightening chat with Gloomhaven designer Isaac Childres to learn some interesting tidbits on what it took to make such a massive game. GUESTS: Isaac Childres RECENTLY PLAYED GAMES - (01:27): Gloomhaven by Cephalofair Games Explorers of the North Sea by Garphill Games Sherlock Holmes Consulting Detective: Jack the Ripper & West End Adventures by Space Cowboys Planetarium by Game Salute QUICK TOPICS - (18:16): Con season has begun in earnest! Ryan recaps his experience at PAX East 2017. FEATURED TOPIC - (26:51): What does it take to make a fully immersive fantast-based legacy-style dungeon crawler? That alone sounds tiring. But that's Gloomhaven in a nutshell. We sit down with sole designer Isaac Childres to find out how did this mammoth game came to be. Topics included: How it was decided what went into a 21 pound game box The inspiration behind creating the world of Gloomhaven Where in the design process the legacy aspect was added Whether Issac was the kind of kid who held the page of a CYOA book or not The lessons learned of running such a massive Kickstarter game and how it differed from his first game. How he went about the extensive playtesting necessary for a game of this size What's next for the world of Gloomhaven And more!   PLUGS - (58:12): We’re also also raffling off a copy of The Blood Of An Englishman to a lucky Patreon backer. Consider donating today! As always, Cardboard Republic YouTube videos, Instagram pictures, and the BGG Guild are still ongoing. Subscribe to one or two - or all of them if you really love us. You do really love us, right?   We’d love to hear from you! You can send questions or feedback via email at podcast@cardboardrepublic.com. You can also reach us social media, including Twitter, Facebook, and BoardGameGeek.   Audio Credits: Intro music track is "Swing!" by Bargo!, used under Creative Commons license.

Episode 137: Award Season Length: 1:14:03 Show Links: RSS | iTunes | Stitcher | Download Episode   Welcome back to Vox Republica, the Cardboard Republic Podcast! We post new episodes every other Thursday, with each episode being about 45 minutes long. Vox Republica is proudly supported by our Patreon. Consider contributing today! DESCRIPTION: It's award season all over the place, including in the game world. Which, naturally, includes our own - second only to the Oscars, really. To kick that process off, this week Ryan and Erin chat about gaming awards and discuss the nominees for the 2017 Laurels! We also mention a handful of notable games played and an example of gaming news in the real world. GUESTS: None RECENTLY PLAYED GAMES - (01:19): Freedom: The Underground Railroad by Academy Games The Oracle of Delphi by Tasty Minstrel Games Escape the Room: Secret of Dr. Gravely's Retreat by ThinkFun Tin Goose by Rio Grande Games QUICK TOPICS - (22:31): Calling back to that whole idea of gaming not pretending the outside world doesn't exist, we briefly mention the latest stunt by the Cards Against Humanity crowd, involving Secret Hitler and Congress.  No gaming awards would be complete without discussing the Golden Geek awards. We briefly provide our thoughts on the 15 Game of the Year titles and make our predictions on who we think will win. FEATURED TOPIC - (30:37): Continuing the talk about gaming awards, our featured topic this episode focuses on the 2016 Laurel nominees. We delve into how each of the games ended up as an archetype nominee and why they fit their category so well. You can check out the full list here.   PLUGS - (1:13:23): We’re also also raffling off a copy of The Blood Of An Englishman to a lucky Patreon backer. Consider donating today! As always, Cardboard Republic YouTube videos, Instagram pictures, and the BGG Guild are still ongoing. Subscribe to one or two - or all of them if you really love us. You do really love us, right?   We’d love to hear from you! You can send questions or feedback via email at podcast@cardboardrepublic.com. You can also reach us social media, including Twitter, Facebook, and BoardGameGeek.   Audio Credits: Intro music track is "Swing!" by Bargo!, used under Creative Commons license.

Episode 136: Creating A Gaming Cafe Length: 1:02:45 Show Links: RSS | iTunes | Stitcher | Download Episode   Welcome back to Vox Republica, the Cardboard Republic Podcast! We post new episodes every other Thursday, with each episode being about 45 minutes long. Vox Republica is proudly supported by our Patreon. Consider contributing today! DESCRIPTION: What does it take to create a board game cafe? It's something many of us dream about doing, but aside from the desire to do it and a lot of hard work, what else is required to get such a dream off the ground? This week, Erin and Ryan invite on Kathleen Miller of the upcoming House Rules Cafe to get the details. There may also be some talk about games and the 2016 Laurels. GUESTS: Kathleen Miller RECENTLY PLAYED GAMES - (01:46): New York Slice by Bezier Games Islebound by Red Raven Games Ponzi Scheme by Tasty Minstrel Games One Deck Dungeon by Asmadi Games QUICK TOPICS - (16:22): It's that time of the year again. We are happy to announce the nominees for the CR's 2016 Laurels - our nominees for the 2016 games of the year. You can check out the full list here, and stay tuned in a couple weeks when start rolling out the winners! FEATURED TOPIC - (18:40): Kathleen Miller and her crew are in the process of creating House Rules Cafe in Hudson, New York, deciding to take the brave steps that so many gamers dream about doing. We explore not only why she wanted to take on this endeavor, but what she plans to make this gaming cafe as accommodating as possible. Topics include: How her background in the service industry prior to creating the cafe shaped her planning The central tenants she insists for her cafe with regards to openness and inclusivity How nebulous the whole definition of a 'gaming cafe' can be What products and services she plans to offer and how it compares to other gaming cafes Her current Kickstarter perks being offered to future potential patrons Who she hopes to entice into her store and why she isn't planning to cater solely to gamers for her business The difference between a milkshake and a frappe. (Such things are important.) And more!   PLUGS - (1:02:13): We reviewed the digital version of Colt Express! We’re also also raffling off a copy of Grifters to a lucky Patreon backer. Consider donating today! As always, Cardboard Republic YouTube videos, Instagram pictures, and the BGG Guild are still ongoing. Subscribe to one or two - or all of them if you really love us. You do really love us, right?   We’d love to hear from you! You can send questions or feedback via email at podcast@cardboardrepublic.com. You can also reach us social media, including Twitter, Facebook, and BoardGameGeek.   Audio Credits: Intro music track is "Swing!" by Bargo!, used under Creative Commons license.

Episode 135: Gaming Difficulty Length: 1:03:41 Show Links: RSS | iTunes | Stitcher | Download Episode   Welcome back to Vox Republica, the Cardboard Republic Podcast! We post new episodes every other Thursday, with each episode being about 45 minutes long. Vox Republica is proudly supported by our Patreon. Consider contributing today! DESCRIPTION: This week, Erin and Ryan dive into some recent game nights, talk about whether non-gaming topics that affect gamers are legitimate discourse, and then debate the differences in what difficulty means in regards to board games. GUESTS: None RECENTLY PLAYED GAMES - (01:14): Meduris by HABA Quartz by Passport Game Studios Stronghold by Portal Games Dark Gothic by Flying Frog Productions Morocco by Eagle-Gryphon Games QUICK TOPICS - (20:08): We briefly address the notion that's been circulating on whether or not gaming conversation should include topics that affect gamers in the real world. That is, should gaming talk only be about games.  FEATURED TOPIC - (24:36): Difficulty in a game is a term thrown around regularly, but while it seems like an obvious definition at first glance, it isn't as universal once you start parsing it out. We dive into the various components that may go into what makes a game 'difficult', including Iconography Strategy depth Complexity Time Committment Player Size Theme How much of the idea of difficulty is subjective? What are our preferred difficulty levels? Can difficulty change over time? And, ultimately - does the quality of a game coincide with its difficulty?   PLUGS - (1:02:37): We previewed Trickster. No fooling! We’re also also raffling off a copy of Grifters to a lucky Patreon backer. Consider donating today! As always, Cardboard Republic YouTube videos, Instagram pictures, and the BGG Guild are still ongoing. Subscribe to one or two - or all of them if you really love us. You do really love us, right?   We’d love to hear from you! You can send questions or feedback via email at podcast@cardboardrepublic.com. You can also reach us social media, including Twitter, Facebook, and BoardGameGeek.   Audio Credits: Intro music track is "Swing!" by Bargo!, used under Creative Commons license.

Episode 134: Teeny Santorini Length: 1:01:47 Show Links: RSS | iTunes | Stitcher | Download Episode   Welcome back to Vox Republica, the Cardboard Republic Podcast! We post new episodes every other Thursday, with each episode being about 45 minutes long. Vox Republica is proudly supported by our Patreon. Consider contributing today! DESCRIPTION: This week, Erin and Ryan recap some of their lighter games played and address some positive feedback for the hobby before being joined by Gordon Hamilton, the designer of Santorini. GUESTS: Gordon Hamilton RECENTLY PLAYED GAMES - (01:40): Ra by Windrider Games Monsters in the Elevator by Yaya Play Games Talisman by Fantasy Flight Games Cable Car by Queen Games Tokaido by Funforge / Passport Game Studios QUICK TOPICS - (20:12): We address the recent troubles surrounding Crash Games founder Patrick Nickell, including the reasoning behind recent Kickstarter efforts to keep the company solvent and the hobby community's reaction to his heartfelt personal explanation for said troubles. FEATURED TOPIC - (27:05): What is Santorini, and how did it come to be? We sit down with the game's designer Gordon 'Gord' Hamilton, to ask all about Santorini's past, present, and future ambitions. We cover certain areas, including: How long it actually took to get published What the game's origins were What surprised him about the game's Kickstarter campaign How his day job as a mathematician affect his design ideas The other themes (or lack thereof) that the game almost became instead of Santorini   PLUGS - (1:00:55): Did we mention we previewed Monsters in the Elevator? We did! We’re also also raffling off a copy of Evolution: Climate to a lucky Patreon backer. Consider donating today! As always, Cardboard Republic YouTube videos, Instagram pictures, and the BGG Guild are still ongoing. Subscribe to either - or both if you really love us. You do really love us, right?   We’d love to hear from you! You can send questions or feedback via email at podcast@cardboardrepublic.com. You can also reach us social media, including Twitter, Facebook, and BoardGameGeek.   Audio Credits: Intro music track is "Swing!" by Bargo!, used under Creative Commons license.

Episode 133: Gaming Predictions For 2017 Length: 56:30 Show Links: RSS | iTunes | Stitcher | Download Episode   Welcome back to Vox Republica, the Cardboard Republic Podcast! We post new episodes every other Thursday, with each episode being about 45 minutes long. Vox Republica is proudly supported by our Patreon. Consider contributing today! DESCRIPTION: A new year means different things to different people. For us, it means it's time for Erin and Ryan to sit down and make some predictions for what lies in store in 2017 regarding games and the games industry! GUESTS: None RECENTLY PLAYED GAMES - (01:49): Harry Potter: Hogwarts Battle by USAopoly Taluva by Ferti Arkham Horror LCG by Fantasy Flight Games The Goonies: Adventure Card Game by Albino Dragon FEATURED TOPIC - (19:21): It’s 2017, which means it’s time for all sorts of annual predictions about games and the gaming industry. Are they wild guesses or educated methodical extrapolations of notable trends in the industry? We’ll see! But both Erin and Ryan dive into what some of those may be. We also recap our 2016 predictions (see Vox episode 108 for the full rundown) to see how close we came during what can only be described as an unpredictable year.   PLUGS - (55:25): We reviewed Karuba! We’re also also raffling off a copy of Evolution: Climate to a lucky Patreon backer. Consider donating today! As always, Cardboard Republic YouTube videos, Instagram pictures, and the BGG Guild are still ongoing. Subscribe to either - or both if you really love us. You do really love us, right?   We’d love to hear from you! You can send questions or feedback via email at podcast@cardboardrepublic.com. You can also reach us social media, including Twitter, Facebook, and BoardGameGeek.   Audio Credits: Intro music track is "Swing!" by Bargo!, used under Creative Commons license.

Episode 132: Seven Dragons And A Treasured Year Length: 1:03:28 Show Links: RSS | iTunes | Stitcher | Download Episode   Welcome back to Vox Republica, the Cardboard Republic Podcast! We post new episodes every other Thursday, with each episode being about 45 minutes long. Vox Republica is proudly supported by our Patreon. Consider contributing today! DESCRIPTION: The end of 2016 is fast approaching - not that we're complaining mind you. This week, after recapping some of the games we managed to play between the holiday rush, we briefly look back at how the CR has fared over the last year...and maybe drop a couple minor announcements about what lies in store for us next in 2017. After that we pull out the 2011 card game Seven Dragons for review. Because, well, dragons! Production Note: Apologies on the audio quality for this episode - it appears to have recorded on the backup mic by mistake! GUEST: None RECENTLY PLAYED GAMES - (01:36): Colony by Bezier Games SeaFall by Plaid Hat Games Karmaka by Hemisphere Games Queen's Architect by Queen Games Centauri Saga by Vesuvius Media FEATURED TOPIC – (27:42): 2016 site recap! The CR has seen a number of aspects to the site added or changed over the last year, and since it's the end of the year and all, we figured now is as good a time as any to talk briefly about what those changes entailed, including: New faces at the CR A new review subset The launch of our Patreon A podcast collaboration What the first few tasks may be for 2017 REVIEW - (42:00): Seven Dragons is a 2011 color-matching card game by Looney Labs. In this simple game, players take turns drawing and playing cards to a sprawling communal tableau, with every card placed containing 1-4 panels of different colored dragons. The goal in the game is to create a series of seven connected dragon panels all of the same color, while, of course, trying to prevent your opponent from doing the same thing. The end result is a simple game that's quick to play and even easier to teach, all while leaving a colorful dragon-laden mosaic on the table at the end each playthrough. That said, while it definitely works as a casual end of the night style game, it's probably not going to be the most memorable game for many players as a result. Seven Dragons may not be flashy or complicated - it could easily be billed as a card-based color dominoes with some action cards thrown in- yet we argue that it still has merit in the right settings. (Note: if you don't see pictures below, you can view them via the RSS feed or clicking this link.) The five primary dragons of Seven Dragons This is a valid placement because the two Black dragons match on one side Having two matching panels results in drawing a bonus card! The player with the Red goal wins for having seven matching panels touching The five possible Action cards in the game, and the poor Silver dragon stuck at their mercy The whole family together. Yeah, there's a couple layabouts, even in dragon clans...   PLUGS - (1:02:49): We reviewed Cash N Guns! We’re also also raffling off a copy of Speechless to a lucky Patreon backer. Consider donating today! As always, Cardboard Republic YouTube videos and the BGG Guild are still ongoing. Subscribe to either - or both if you really love us. You do really love us, right?   We’d love to hear from you! You can send questions or feedback via email at podcast@cardboardrepublic.com. You can also reach us social media, including Twitter and BoardGameGeek.   Audio Credits: Intro music track is "Swing!" by Bargo!, used under Creative Commons license.

Episode 131: Online Communities Length: 58:47 Show Links: RSS | iTunes | Stitcher | Download Episode   Welcome back to Vox Republica, the Cardboard Republic Podcast! We post new episodes every other Thursday, with each episode being about 45 minutes long. Vox Republica is proudly supported by our Patreon. Consider contributing today! DESCRIPTION: A primary reason that board gaming is such an entertaining hobby is that it fosters and encourages socializing with other people. To that end, this week Erin and Ryan talk about this year's BGG Con, then discuss some of the many online communities available to gamers. GUESTS: None RECENTLY PLAYED GAMES - (01:34): Fuju Flush by Stronghold Games Terraforming Mars by Stronghold Games Honshu by Lautapelit / Renegade Game Studios Ave Roma by A-Games Flamme Rouge by Lautapelit FEATURED TOPIC - (20:30): This week is all about board gaming communities within the board gaming world, including the positives and negatives they each offer to the hobby. The primary ones : Facebook Twitter Reddit BoardGameGeek Instagram   PLUGS - (57:57): As always, Cardboard Republic YouTube videos, Instagram pictures, and the BGG Guild are still ongoing. Subscribe to either - or both if you really love us. You do really love us, right?   We’d love to hear from you! You can send questions or feedback via email at podcast@cardboardrepublic.com. You can also reach us social media, including Twitter, Facebook, and BoardGameGeek.   Audio Credits: Intro music track is "Swing!" by Bargo!, used under Creative Commons license.

Episode 130: Gaming Slumps Length: 52:55 Show Links: RSS | iTunes | Stitcher | Download Episode   Welcome back to Vox Republica, the Cardboard Republic Podcast! We post new episodes every other Thursday, with each episode being about 45 minutes long. Vox Republica is proudly supported by our Patreon. Consider contributing today! DESCRIPTION: The world has been a bit topsy-turvy of late, and that has us a bit distracted from our normal love of gaming. So, this week we talk about the idea of gaming dry spells, where other interests or other factors pull you away from gaming regularly - and why that's not necessarily a bad thing. GUESTS: None RECENTLY PLAYED GAMES - (01:45): Ice Cool by Brain Games Mare Nostrum by Academy Games Dice City by AEG / Artipia Games Covert by Renegade Game Studios Joraku by Moaideas Game Design QUICK TOPICS - (22:11): In light of a recent publisher snaffu, we dissect the sometimes nebulous role of gaming media in relation to publishers in terms of ethical boundaries of journalist versus marketer. We reflect the recent uptick in digital board game ports. FEATURED TOPIC - (34:37): Most invested board gamers will inevitably go into periods where they go into a gaming slump. We explore (especially of late) some of the reasons why that happens and why it's also entirely normal. How external factors can cause this, from time to energy to other things vying for your attention. Why it's healthy to consider other activities or hobbies during these slumps. Why you shouldn't feel guilty for having to step back now and then. How Erin and Ryan are addressing their own genuine current board game slump. As well as them musing on ways people can rekindle interest in games after such slumps.   PLUGS - (52:02): We're raffling off a copy of AssassinCon to a lucky Patreon backer. Consider donating today! As always, Cardboard Republic YouTube videos, Instagram pictures, and the BGG Guild are still ongoing. Subscribe to either - or both if you really love us. You do really love us, right?   We’d love to hear from you! You can send questions or feedback via email at podcast@cardboardrepublic.com. You can also reach us social media, including Twitter, Facebook, and BoardGameGeek.   Audio Credits: Intro music track is "Swing!" by Bargo!, used under Creative Commons license.

Episode 129 Length: 44:01 Show Links: RSS | iTunes | Stitcher | Download Episode   Welcome back to Vox Republica, the Cardboard Republic Podcast! We post new episodes every other Thursday, with each episode being about 45 minutes long. Vox Republica is proudly supported by our Patreon. Consider contributing today! DESCRIPTION: It's our Extra Life special! In this episode, Erin and Ryan talk about their Extra Life 2016 gaming charity marathon efforts, including some of the more notable games played and the unique challenges running it this year brought. GUESTS: None* *Although scheduled to include a small handful of live interviews during the Extra Life marathon taping, a series of unfortunate events prevented said people from attending. Alas. FEATURED TOPIC - (1:37 / 32:01): Every year the CR participates in Extra Life, an annual 24 hour gaming charity marathon to raise money for sick kids within the Children's Miracle Network - in our case those at the Boston Children's Hospital. We discuss aspects of this effort, including: Why we participate every year and how it helps both the cause and the gaming hobby as a whole. How we plan it every year and keep it a manageable effort, including successes and where we can improve. How people can donate to the cause. Some of the 'events' we run during that 24 hour period.   Why we keep it to a rather modest campaign size.    RECENTLY PLAYED GAMES - (05:12): Betrayal At House On The Hill: Widow's Walk by Avalon Hill Evolution: Climate by North Star Games The Blood of An Englishman by Renegade Game Studios Inis by Matagot / Asmodee Papa Paolo by Quined Games   PLUGS - (43:25): To celebrate the fall convention season, we're raffling off a copy of AssassinCon to a lucky Patreon backer. Consider donating today! As always, Cardboard Republic YouTube videos, Instagram pictures, and the BGG Guild are still ongoing. Subscribe to either - or both if you really love us. You do really love us, right?   We’d love to hear from you! You can send questions or feedback via email at podcast@cardboardrepublic.com. You can also reach us social media, including Twitter, Facebook, and BoardGameGeek.   Audio Credits: Intro music track is "Swing!" by Bargo!, used under Creative Commons license.

Episode 128: America & Atmosphere Length: 59:26 Show Links: RSS | iTunes | Stitcher | Download Episode   Welcome back to Vox Republica, the Cardboard Republic Podcast! We post new episodes every other Thursday, with each episode being about 45 minutes long. Vox Republica is proudly supported by our Patreon. Consider contributing today! DESCRIPTION: It's October, which means Halloween! Which means spooky things! Which brings us to the idea of gaming atmosphere. Why is it that exactly that board games struggle so hard to generate feelings of dread? What makes this medium, as opposed to movies, books, and even RPGs, so much more difficult? This week, Erin and Ryan parse over the possibilities behind it. Then, they venture back to the early American Frontier with a review of the dice allocation game Discoveries. GUEST: None RECENTLY PLAYED GAMES - (01:39): Strife: Shadows & Steam by V3G Ahead in the Clouds by Button Shy Games Lord of the Rings: The Confrontation by Fantasy Flight Games FEATURED TOPIC – (13:15): It's rare for a horror themed game to make you feel afraid, upset, or otherwise creeped out. Why is it that board games as a form of entertainment fare so much better at causing that to happen as opposed to movies, TV, or even classic RPGs? Some things we discuss to that end include: What is it about them inherently makes this difficult  The difficulty of being surprised when you know what can happen Outside influences such as lighting, music, and even scents can help set the mood How whole genres of board games avoid theme as a primary goal to begin with How app-enabled games may help going forward QUICK TOPICS - (22:59): Erin makes an announcement about her participation in a new positive launching soon that'll focus on the positive things board gaming offers. REVIEW - (25:35): Discoveries is a 2015 dice placement and dice manipulation game by Ludonaute & Asmodee Editions. Designed to be a lighter experience to their heftier title Lewis & Clark while maintaining a similar theme, this game does exactly that. In this dice rolling adventure, each player is a member of the famed Lewis & Clark Expedition. Their goal was to venture across the American Frontier through unexplored lands (to the Europeans anyway) and take note of everything they experienced, from the plants and animals, to interactions with the various American Indian tribes, to mapping out the land itself. This is represented by each player having access to a handful of resource dice that are rolled periodically. Through a series of turns, players allocate dice results to different actions as a means of befriending tribes as to claim their cards for more powerful action abilities, and / or complete journal cards to score VP. The goal is to essentially have the most complete (i.e. valuable) journal at the end of the game. With excellent artwork, simple rules, and a uncommon theme, Discoveries does a decent job conveying this game's purpose. That said, as we explore it, it's evident that much like the Expedition, Discoveries runs into its own share of obstacles. (Note: if you don't see pictures below, you can view them via the RSS feed or clicking this link.) The initial board layout The four possible die face results A pair of possible American Indian cards that can be acquired Blue chooses to allocate Journal results, completing both actions and generating 2 Mountain movement as well as 3 River or 3 additional Mountains This journal card requires either 2 River + 1 Mountain movement or 2 Mountain Does Red take the right bank, the left bank, or just their own dice? Hmm... Blue's tableau in action   PLUGS - (58:50): We reviewed The Guardians: Explore! We’re also also raffling off a copy of Tides of Madness to a lucky Patreon backer. Consider donating today! As always, Cardboard Republic YouTube videos and the BGG Guild are still ongoing. Subscribe to either - or both if you really love us. You do really love us, right?   We’d love to hear from you! You can send questions or feedback via email at podcast@cardboardrepublic.com. You can also reach us social media, including Twitter and BoardGameGeek.   Audio Credits: Intro music track is "Swing!" by Bargo!, used under Creative Commons license.

Episode 127: This Funny Dude From Poland Length: 1:17:11 Show Links: RSS | iTunes | Stitcher | Download Episode   Welcome back to Vox Republica, the Cardboard Republic Podcast! We post new episodes every other Thursday, with each episode being about 45 minutes long. Vox Republica is proudly supported by our Patreon. Consider contributing today! DESCRIPTION: This week we return from our fall mini-break refreshed and ready to go. We start off by chatting about a small handful of the many games played recently, chat about our recent past and future convention plans, and then sit down with Ignacy Trzewiczek, head of Portal Games, to talk about the processes he goes through when designing games. GUESTS: Ignacy Trzewiczek RECENTLY PLAYED GAMES - (01:49): Clank! by Renegade Game Studios & Dire Wolf Digital Inis by Asmodee Editions / Matagot  The Guardians: Explore by Reihon Games Roll Player by Thunderworks Games QUICK TOPICS - (26:06): We chat about the next Granite Game Summit in a few weeks - Halloween Edition. If you're in the area, consider coming on down! Ryan explains The Pantheon of Meeples. Oh, and there's our first meeting of Board Game Club! We recap some of the highlights from the 2016 Boston Festival of Indie Games, including memorable games and our presentation of one of the Figgie awards. FEATURED TOPIC - (38:32): With a dozen or so memorable, well-received games under its belt and a self-assured designer at the helm, it's crazy to think that Portal Games is less than a decade old. The biggest reason for their success rests with the fundamental design philosophy of Ignacy Trzewiczek that board games should be an experience when played. He's stated numerous times in public and on his own blog the importance of this focus in everything they create. Today we sit down with him to go into that idea in more detail, include areas like: How important Robinson Crusoe was to Portal's initial success and instant reputation.  Why theme for him always comes before mechanics. And where that philosophy came from The purpose of his Board Games That Tell Stories blog Both his first and second books emerged from it How his background in GMing RPGs influenced First Martians Why he keeps a journal on most games he play What his two most influential games are on his design process   PLUGS - (1:16:16): To celebrate Ignacy's participation and the Halloween season, we're raffling off a copy of Tides of Madness to a lucky Patreon backer. Consider donating today! As always, Cardboard Republic YouTube videos, Instagram pictures, and the BGG Guild are still ongoing. Subscribe to either - or both if you really love us. You do really love us, right?   We’d love to hear from you! You can send questions or feedback via email at podcast@cardboardrepublic.com. You can also reach us social media, including Twitter, Facebook, and BoardGameGeek.   Audio Credits: Intro music track is "Swing!" by Bargo!, used under Creative Commons license.

Episode 126: The Art Of The [Preorder] Deal Length: 1:03:20 Show Links: RSS | iTunes | Stitcher | Download Episode   Welcome back to Vox Republica, the Cardboard Republic Podcast! We post new episodes every other Thursday, with each episode being about 45 minutes long. Vox Republica is proudly supported by our Patreon. Consider contributing today! DESCRIPTION: Attempting to get back to a normal length podcast after August's heavier episodes, this week Erin and Ryan talk about some recent Patreon happenings - including an announcement about it - and then they dive into a discussion on how much you need to know about a game before you order it. After that, the days is rounded out by a review of Avalanche at Yeti Mountain. GUEST: None RECENTLY PLAYED GAMES - (01:43): Codenames: Pictures by Czech Games Edition Looting Atlantis by Shoot Again Games Prospectus by Mr. B Games Discoveries by Ludonaute / Asmodee Editions QUICK TOPICS - (24:12): We chat about a couple of our recent Patreon happenings, including our past milestone goal progress and our plans for the next one. FEATURED TOPIC – (27:08): How much do you need to know about a game before you buy it? With Essen approaching, it's not uncommon for people to purchase games from limited markets with little or no information about them. We ponder some of the implications of this approach including: The scale from impulse purchasing to meticulous research, and how there's room for both Why sometimes it can be difficult to do research ahead of purchasing it How do preorders fit into one's game planning? Where impulse buying really thrives REVIEW - (41:33): Avalanche at Yeti Mountain is the latest title from Green Couch Games, a company who focuses on engaging little games that are visually appealing and as portable as they are easy to teach. In this snow-capped expedition for 1-5 players, a number of crazy engineering students decided that what skis were really missing to make them ultra cool were rocket boosters. So they went out and made some. Unfortunately, all of the rocket noise from their testing has attracted the wrong kind of attention, both in the form of the mountain's resident yeti, and a pending avalanche. Your goal is to either be the first one to the bottom of the hill by playing a card each round to speed yourself along, or simply being the last one to survive the avalanche. It's a quick and chaotic game with an amusing premise, but we look at whether that's enough.  (Note: if you don't see pictures below, you can view them via the RSS feed or clicking this link.) The rocket ski card for the Purple..er..Yellow...er...Green player? With the card played matching their space, Purple can activate their rockets to leap ahead and still move four spaces The various cards found on Yeti Mountain Yellow has made an unexpected friend this turn It's all downhill from here The avalanche is about to spell the end for Orange It's a photo finish!   PLUGS - (1:02:07): We reviewed Dark Dealings! We’re also also raffling off a copy of Flag Dash to a lucky Patreon backer. Consider donating today! As always, Cardboard Republic YouTube videos and the BGG Guild are still ongoing. Subscribe to either - or both if you really love us. You do really love us, right?   We’d love to hear from you! You can send questions or feedback via email at podcast@cardboardrepublic.com. You can also reach us social media, including Twitter and BoardGameGeek.   Audio Credits: Intro music track is "Swing!" by Bargo!, used under Creative Commons license.

Episode 125: The Impact Of Large Scale Media Length: 1:51:00 Show Links: RSS | iTunes | Stitcher | Download Episode   Welcome back to Vox Republica, the Cardboard Republic Podcast! We post new episodes every other Thursday, with each episode being about 45 minutes long. Vox Republica is proudly supported by our Patreon. Consider contributing today! DESCRIPTION: This week we turn the lens inward on gaming media itself. After discussing the philosophy behind how often someone should play a game before judging (or reviewing) it, Erin and Ryan then invite on veteran reviewers Michael Fox (Little Metal Dog Show) and Jonathan Wolf (islaythedragon) to chat about the 800 pound Kotaku in the room. As gaming continues to grow, it's attracting attention from non-traditional hobby gaming sites to cover games. With scopes of coverage dwarfing even that of The Dice Tower, we examine the positives - and negatives - that such newcomers have on gaming media and the hobby on the whole. GUESTS: Michael Fox & Jonathan Wolf RECENTLY PLAYED GAMES - (01:36): Vast: The Crystal Caverns by Leder Games Agility by Two Lanterns Games Potion Explosion by Cool Mini Or Not Mystic Vale by Alderac Entertainment Group Mansions of Madness: Second Edition by Fantasy Flight Games QUICK TOPICS - (38:23): How many times do you have to play a game before being able to render a verdict on it? Erin and Ryan discuss what they feel their ideal number is, both for gamers and for reviewers. Ryan also floats his idea for a new vlog. FEATURED TOPIC - (54:39): As the gaming hobby continues to expand, it seems that some entities with sizable readership have decided to get in on the fun. To figure out what that means for the hobby and hobby media, we decided to round up a couple and chat about it. Together with Michael Fox of Little Metal Dog Show and editor Jonathan Wolf of islaythedragon, we dive into how it affects those of us on the content creation side. Topics include: Why are larger entities taking more of an interest in gaming lately?  Was this a natural progression due to growth of the hobby?  What the positive implications that their involvement can have on the hobby itself How their presence impacts 'hobbyist media' and how entities should adjust/cope with that impact Are there any serious detriments to this increased interest from large outlets?   PLUGS - (1:51:00): We reviewed Quadropolis! We're also raffling off a copy of August Indie Spotlight game Vast! We're also also raffling off a copy of Avalanche at Yeti Mountain to a lucky Patreon backer. Consider donating today! As always, Cardboard Republic YouTube videos, Instagram pictures, and the BGG Guild are still ongoing. Subscribe to either - or both if you really love us. You do really love us, right?   We’d love to hear from you! You can send questions or feedback via email at podcast@cardboardrepublic.com. You can also reach us social media, including Twitter, Facebook, and BoardGameGeek.   Audio Credits: Intro music track is "Swing!" by Bargo!, used under Creative Commons license.

Episode 124: Gen Con 2016 Length: 1:51:44 Show Links: RSS | iTunes | Stitcher | Download Episode   Welcome back to Vox Republica, the Cardboard Republic Podcast! We post new episodes every other Thursday, with each episode being about 45 minutes long. Vox Republica is proudly supported by our Patreon. Consider contributing today! DESCRIPTION: Erin and Ryan, between bouts of fatigue, talk all about the mega gaming convention known as Gen Con 2016, including all the highlights and a few disappointments.  GUEST: None FEATURED TOPIC - (1:54): It's Gen Con! With tons to see and do on each of the four days, we recap games of note that we saw, those we played, events we participated in, and all the excellent people we interacted with. It's roughly broken down by day: Thursday - (03:17) Friday - (37:49) Saturday - (58:04) Sunday - (1:19:58) Favorite Parts of Gen Con 2016 - (1:31:54) Least Favorite Parts of Gen Con 2016 - (1:40:36)   We’d love to hear from you! You can send questions or feedback via email at podcast@cardboardrepublic.com. You can also reach us social media, including Twitter, Facebook, and BoardGameGeek.   Audio Credits: Intro music track is "Swing!" by Bargo!, used under Creative Commons license.

Episode 123: The Undead Viking Goes Pro Length: 1:29:57 Show Links: RSS | iTunes | Stitcher | Download Episode   Welcome back to Vox Republica, the Cardboard Republic Podcast! We post new episodes every other Thursday, with each episode being about 45 minutes long. Vox Republica is proudly supported by our Patreon. Consider contributing today! DESCRIPTION: Erin and Ryan talk about the recent Asmodee acquisition announcement, the new Mansions of Madness news, and Gen Con. They're then joined by Lance Myxter, the Undead Viking himself, for an in-depth conversation about the evolution of board game media. GUEST: Lance Myxter RECENTLY PLAYED GAMES - (01:11): Dark Dealings by Nevermore Games Total Rickall by Cryptozoic Entertainment Scythe by Stonemaier Games QUICK TOPICS - (17:22): Asmodee is at it again, announcing they are planning to acquire F2Z Entertainment (including Z-Man Games, Plaid Hat Games, and Pretzel Games). We tackle what that does - and doesn't - mean for the industry. Fantasy Flight announced they will be doing a 2nd Edition of Mansions of Madness, replacing the GM-styled Keeper player with an AI-driven app instead. We give our reactions to that change. FEATURED TOPIC - (26:35): Lance Myxter (more commonly known as Undead Viking) has been a presence in the gaming hobby for nearly a decade. From his being an early adopter of video reviews to his new employment as a member of publisher Tasty Minstrel Games, he has worn many (hopefully viking-themed) hats. He's also been around to watch the hobby change and explode in recent years. We sit down to hear his thoughts on how gaming and gaming media has changed in his time. Areas of discussion include: How he got into reviews and how he became Undead Viking His thoughts on the explosion of new gamers to the hobby Reflections of forays of incorporating technology into games The difficulties of having standout games nowadays and the challenge of finding them in today's era Negative reviews The transition from reviewer to also an employee of Tasty Minstrel Games Also plenty of tangents, such as: Good v Evil alignments in MMOs D&D Go How we as hobby gamers overestimate the reach of BGG Why he largely switched form published to pre-published game reviews   PLUGS - (1:27:20): We'll be at Gen Con very soon. Let us know if you'll be there too! Also, if you are going to Gen Con, be sure to check out www.indiecavalcade.com and follow #IndieCavalcade to see where the indie games will be found during those four days. Did we mention the site's new Instagram already? Pretty sure we haven't. As always, Cardboard Republic YouTube videos and the BGG Guild are still ongoing. Subscribe to either - or both if you really love us. You do really love us, right?   We’d love to hear from you! You can send questions or feedback via email at podcast@cardboardrepublic.com. You can also reach us social media, including Twitter, Facebook, and BoardGameGeek.   Audio Credits: Intro music track is "Swing!" by Bargo!, used under Creative Commons license.

Episode 122: Roll For Self-Care Length: 1:00:12 Show Links: RSS | iTunes | Stitcher | Download Episode   Welcome back to Vox Republica, the Cardboard Republic Podcast! We post new episodes every other Thursday, with each episode being about 45 minutes long. Vox Republica is proudly supported by our Patreon. Consider contributing today! DESCRIPTION: It's been an eventful few weeks, both within - and especially outside of - the gaming world. And that has an impact. So, in this episode the Vox is all about self-care. We ponder the question "What games do you play to make yourself feel better when the world gets you down?" We then round out the week on a more upbeat tone by talking about The Castle, a new gaming cafe in our region and then review the crazy and chaotic dice fight for the West known as Boomtown Bandits. GUEST: None RECENTLY PLAYED GAMES - (01:15): Arkwright by Capstone Games / Spielworkxx Avalanche at Yeti Mountain by Green Couch Games Escape the Room: Mystery at the Stargazer's Manor by ThinkFun Kodama: The Tree Spirits by Action Phase Games Sushi Go Party by Gamewright QUICK TOPICS - (25:50): It's no huge secret that the real world has been hard for many of us lately, and it’s important to take time to breathe. This isn’t to say that you should disengage or bury your head in the sand, but self-care is important. We address how games factor into that process. Ryan ventured to The Castle in Beverly, MA, a new gaming cafe in the region. We touch briefly on his reaction to the latest gaming cafe in our area. REVIEW - (40:54): Boomtown Bandits is a 2015/2016 release from Breaking Games for 2-5 players of chaotic dice-chucking entertainment. In this 30 minute game, players have stumbled into a boom town in the Old West, and everyone is trying to ransack the town for the most loot. Through a series of short rounds, each player allocates their three gunslingers to different town locations, and then each of those places is resolved via real-time dice rolling. You want to be the first to land a successful hit result - and the the first to call it out loud - in order to secure that location's card. These cards both grant one-time effects as well as count as your money for the end of the game. It's quick, energetic, and though it certainly functions best at higher numbers, the game works well for 3-5. Today we strap on our six-shooters and visit the dusty town to see why that is. We investigate which aspects make this rowdy casual game so enticing, and which could use a little polish. (Note: if you don't see pictures below, you can view them via the RSS feed or clicking this link.) A Boomtown setup for four players After all shooters have been placed, they are revealed. Here, Blue and Green each have one gunslinger. Red has two. Red and Green rolled dice until Green called out a hit. They may remove either Red token, and then another shootout occurs Light strategy or abuse of power? Either way, the Train is off limits this round Boomtown Bandit cards, both with an single-use ability and a dollar value Some of Boomtown Bandit's sturdy components   PLUGS - (59:19): We reviewed Millennium Blades, the CCG simulator in a box. We're continuing the Gen Con Indie Cavalcade effort - a list of all the indie games available at Gen Con. Check it out, and share it around! As always, Cardboard Republic YouTube videos and the BGG Guild are still ongoing. Subscribe to either - or both if you really love us. You do really love us, right?   We’d love to hear from you! You can send questions or feedback via email at podcast@cardboardrepublic.com. You can also reach us social media, including Twitter and BoardGameGeek.   Audio Credits: Intro music track is "Swing!" by Bargo!, used under Creative Commons license.

Episode 121: Meeples (And Humans) Included Length: 1:17:26 Show Links: RSS | iTunes | Stitcher | Download Episode   Welcome back to Vox Republica, the Cardboard Republic Podcast! We post new episodes every other Thursday, with each episode being about 45 minutes long. Vox Republica is proudly supported by our Patreon. Consider contributing today! DESCRIPTION: Diversity and Inclusion in the gaming hobby has been a common topic of late, both on the design side and on the content creator side. This week, after traveling through time and becoming CCG masters, Erin and Ryan  the issues of female representation on box cover art and then have on Marguerite Cottrell (aka Maggibot), creator of the new inclusivity-minded Meeples Included gaming content site. GUEST: Marguerite Cottrell RECENTLY PLAYED GAMES - (01:35): Millennium Blades by Level 99 Games Signorie by What's Your Game? T.I.M.E. Stories: The Marcy Case by Space Cowboys / Asmodee Edition QUICK TOPICS - (15:10): This week Erin has written up an article on the gender diversity of box cover art among BGG's top ranked board games - or lack thereof. FEATURED TOPIC - (18:57): Marguerite Cottrell (more commonly known as Maggibot) has been a figure in the board gaming for some time, both as a big fan of the hobby as well a content creator in various forms. Recently she launched Meeples Included, a new gaming content site with a mission statement of including more diversity focus in gaming. We look into how that came about and what she hopes to get out of it. Areas of discussion include: The inception of Meeples Included overall How she got into gaming in the first place The organic nature of the MI contributors The challenges of bringing diversity into the hobby Has that changed from a few years ago? Different obstacles that arise because of those attempts And what it was like to reinvent his own game What drives them to keep moving forward even with the invisible barriers that may exist What lies next for the MI group   PLUGS - (1:15:47): We have a newsletter now! If you sign up before the end of June, you have chance to win Isle of Skye. Don't delay! Did we mention the site's new Instagram already? Pretty sure we haven't. As always, Cardboard Republic YouTube videos and the BGG Guild are still ongoing. Subscribe to either - or both if you really love us. You do really love us, right?   We’d love to hear from you! You can send questions or feedback via email at podcast@cardboardrepublic.com. You can also reach us social media, including Twitter, Facebook, and BoardGameGeek.   Audio Credits: Intro music track is "Swing!" by Bargo!, used under Creative Commons license.

Episode 120: The Art Of The Con Game Length: 34:01 Show Links: RSS | iTunes | Stitcher | Download Episode   Welcome back to Vox Republica, the Cardboard Republic Podcast! We post new episodes every other Thursday, with each episode being about 45 minutes long. Vox Republica is proudly supported by our Patreon. Consider contributing today! DESCRIPTION: It seems that summer convention season has begun, which is always a chaotic and exciting time. Of the many things you can do to prepare for that experience, one of them is deciding which games get thrown into your bag. This week, Ryan and Erin go over their (albeit paltry) short list of games they've been playing and then dive into some of their particular favorites to bring on the road. We also share what some of our remaining 2016 con schedule looks like. GUEST: None RECENTLY PLAYED GAMES - (01:19): Rise to Power by APE Games Imhotep by KOSMOS QUICK TOPICS - (8:12): Ryan briefly talks about our latest Kickstarter preview for Tim Fowler's newest game, Fugitive.  We briefly go over which conventions the CR will guaranteed to be making an appearance at in the latter half of the year. FEATURED TOPIC - (16:51): Most of the time game conventions are associated with bringing new games home with you. Ask most regular con goers, however, and you'll quickly find that most have a shortlist of games that are often squirreled away that they bring to them, whether it's because of their portability, accessibility, or something else entirely. We share some of our particular favorites, including interesting tidbits such as: What our most common travel games are Why we usually have at least one two-player game Why we often don't bring social bluffing games like Werewolf or Coup The common traits of a good travel game How often we actually pull these games out to use on any given trip   PLUGS - (33:14): Did we mention the site's new Instagram already? Pretty sure we haven't. As always, Cardboard Republic YouTube videos and the BGG Guild are still ongoing. Subscribe to either - or both if you really love us. You do really love us, right?   We’d love to hear from you! You can send questions or feedback via email at podcast@cardboardrepublic.com. You can also reach us social media, including Twitter, Facebook, and BoardGameGeek.   Audio Credits: Intro music track is "Swing!" by Bargo!, used under Creative Commons license.

Episode 119: The Evolution Of A Pandemic Length: 1:06:22 Show Links: RSS | iTunes | Stitcher | Download Episode   Welcome back to Vox Republica, the Cardboard Republic Podcast! We post new episodes every other Thursday, with each episode being about 45 minutes long. Vox Republica is proudly supported by our Patreon. Consider contributing today! DESCRIPTION: This week Erin and Ryan ponder over the Spiel des Jahres nominee choices and then settle in to to talk all about the history of disease with Patient Zero - Matt Leacock, designer of Forbidden Island and the Pandemic game series. GUEST: Matt Leacock RECENTLY PLAYED GAMES - (01:27): T.I.M.E Stories by Asmodee Editions Onitama by Arcane Wonders World's Fair 1893 by Foxtrot Games Mice & Mystics by Plaid Hat Games QUICK TOPICS - (20:05): We didn't have time for a full preview, so instead we briefly chat about Trick of the Rails, now on Kickstarter. We've officially launched our Cardboard Republic Instagram account and monthly site newsletter!  We look over the three Spiel and Kennerspiel nominees for 2016 and give our thoughts. Tell us who you think will win! FEATURED TOPIC - (32:42): We've traced Pandemic to the source by isolating designer Matt Leacock. We know that his name is synonymous with one of the most successful game franchises to date, but to understand how we got here, we dive into the patient's history to see what it took to make it to this point. These include areas of discussion such as: How he got into the design process in the first place The inspiration behind the creation of Pandemic And what it was like to reinvent his own game His thoughts on the success of the Pandemic line overall The valuation of quality design Why he has a fondness for designing cooperative games What white boards has to do with his latest game, Knit Wit   PLUGS - (1:05:12): Did we mention the site's new Instagram already? Pretty sure we haven't. As always, Cardboard Republic YouTube videos and the BGG Guild are still ongoing. Subscribe to either - or both if you really love us. You do really love us, right?   We’d love to hear from you! You can send questions or feedback via email at podcast@cardboardrepublic.com. You can also reach us social media, including Twitter, Facebook, and BoardGameGeek.   Audio Credits: Intro music track is "Swing!" by Bargo!, used under Creative Commons license.

Episode 118: A Quarriors Qretrospective Length: 1:02:54 Show Links: RSS | iTunes | Stitcher | Download Episode   Welcome back to Vox Republica, the Cardboard Republic Podcast! We post new episodes every other Thursday, with each episode being about 45 minutes long. Vox Republica is proudly supported by our Patreon. Consider contributing today! DESCRIPTION: Fresh off attending a new local game convention, Erin and Ryan talk about the excitement that surrounds the foundation of a new con. Then, after talking about a few of the many games played lately, they move from the present to the past by doing a retrospective review on the innovative dice drafting game Quarriors. Is it still good now? Was it good then? Let's find out! GUEST: None RECENTLY PLAYED GAMES - (01:15): Scoville Labs by Tasty Minstrel Games Dr. Eureka by Blue Orange Games Powerpuff Girls: Saving The World Before Bedtime by Hasbro Lords of Waterdeep by Wizards of the Coast Anachrony by Mindclash Games QUICK TOPICS - (20:27): We attended the inaugural launch of the first Granite Game Summit, a new New England-based gaming convention! REVIEW - (27:13): Quarriors is a 2011 release from WizKids for 2-4 players that focuses on the idea of 'dice drafting'. Set in a fantasy world, you play as warriors who must ready spells and summon creatures to fight for you on the field of battle. You do this Each turn by drawing six dice from your bag and rolling them. From there you spend your rolled resources assigning on assigning monsters and buying new recruits. It’s essentially a deck-building game in dice form, so you spend a lot of the game attempting to get more dice to improve your rolls. Innovative when it first came out, we take a look back and see if it holds up today - and whether it ever did in the first place. (Note: if you don't see pictures below, you can view them via the RSS feed or clicking this link.) All the Quarriors snugged in tightly A Quarrior Qreature Qard A typical Quarriors setup This player can spend 3 of their 4 Quiddity to ready both of their monster dice The player only has enough resources to either summon their Wizard or buy a new Ghost Having survived the round, this Goblin scores 2 Glory (VP) The Quarriors Qlan family photo   PLUGS - (1:02:07): We previewed Anachrony, the time-traveling worker placement game, currently on Kickstarter We reviewed Apotheca, the light set-matching tile game. As always, Cardboard Republic YouTube videos and the BGG Guild are still ongoing. Subscribe to either - or both if you really love us. You do really love us, right?   We’d love to hear from you! You can send questions or feedback via email at podcast@cardboardrepublic.com. You can also reach us social media, including Twitter and BoardGameGeek.   Audio Credits: Intro music track is "Swing!" by Bargo!, used under Creative Commons license.

Episode 117: Gil Hova Needs Sleep Length: 56:48 Show Links: RSS | iTunes | Stitcher | Download Episode   Welcome back to Vox Republica, the Cardboard Republic Podcast! We post new episodes every other Thursday, with each episode being about 45 minutes long. Vox Republica is proudly supported by our Patreon. Consider contributing today! DESCRIPTION: Fresh off of TableTop Day (also known as Saturday), and back from PAX East, Erin and Ryan settle in talk to designer and publisher Gil Hova of Formal Ferret Games about the ups and downs of running your own game company. GUEST: Gil Hova RECENTLY PLAYED GAMES - (01:23): Colt Express by Asmodee Editions Blood Rage by Cool Mini Or Not Above And Below by Red Raven Games Nippon by What's Your Game? / Asmodee Editions Ninja Camp by Action Phase Games QUICK TOPICS - (23:41): We recently attended PAX East and briefly touch upon a few of the major aspects of the convention. For a more comprehensive look at PAX East 2016, check out our convention recap. FEATURED TOPIC - (25:47): Today we feature designer, publisher, and podcaster Gil Hova of Formal Ferret Games. We take a wide angle view at what it takes to make your own games and the process of attempting to turn game publishing into an occupation. These include areas of discussion such as: How he got into designing board games in the first place The experiences of revisiting his first published game, Prolix The unique difficulties of game design versus development versus publishing How game design resources have changed since he first started doing it The inspiration behind the launch of his podcast Breaking Into Games, which looks at the challenges of starting in the board game world today We also touch briefly upon his newest title, Bad Medicine: Second Opinion, an expansion for pitch game Bad Medicine, which just launched on Kickstarter, as well as what his next game idea on the horizon may be   PLUGS - (58:02): As always, Cardboard Republic YouTube videos and the BGG Guild are still ongoing. Subscribe to either - or both if you really love us. You do really love us, right?   We’d love to hear from you! You can send questions or feedback via email at podcast@cardboardrepublic.com. You can also reach us social media, including Twitter, Facebook, and BoardGameGeek.   Audio Credits: Intro music track is "Swing!" by Bargo!, used under Creative Commons license.

Episode 116: North Wind (Is Totally Not A Pirate Game) Length: 1:18:17 Show Links: RSS | iTunes | Stitcher | Download Episode   Welcome back to Vox Republica, the Cardboard Republic Podcast! We post new episodes every other Thursday, with each episode being about 45 minutes long. Vox Republica is proudly supported by our Patreon. Consider contributing today! DESCRIPTION: This week, Erin and Ryan review the game North Wind - which is absolutely not a pirate game. They also dive into the cesspool that is sexism in gaming, but then shine some positive light on the hobby with a discussion of a recent gaming charity event! GUEST: None RECENTLY PLAYED GAMES - (01:03): Apotheca by Knapsack Games & Renegade Game Studios Odin's Ravens by Osprey Games Mottainai by Asmadi Games ETI: Estimated Time to Invasion by Eye-Level Entertainment The Grizzled by Cool Mini Or Not QUICK TOPICS - (24:45): We address the recent ongoing issues regarding harassment in gaming. Hold on to your hats. But to make up for it, we recap our time at the Home Away Boston gaming charity day. There is hope! Plus we mention our next convention appearances. REVIEW - (43:25): This week we wade right in to the lightweight but super visually-appealing sailing game North Wind by Z-Man Games. In this 2-4 player game, each person is the admiral of a ship - who are totally not pirates - looking to help a trio of pirate-ransacked islands get back on their feet. Each island comes with its own set of needs, from money and wine, to basic foods, to the capturing of the very pirates responsible for their plight. Your goal is to be the first ship to successfully complete 8 or 10 tasks, depending on player size. To do this, you take turns sailing around the waters of these different islands (each represented by a stack of randomly assigned tiles). Each tile allows you to buy and sell the game's five basic resources or purchase equipment to upgrade your 3-D ship with more crew, faster sails, and more cannons - all of which fit right on the ship itself. Of course, you can also run into the pirates themselves, which results in a battle of a few success/fail dice roll. With excellent component quality, striking table presence, straightforward rules, and copious replayability, we dive into why North Wind is such a successful hour of casual gaming entertainment. One possible tile assortment for the Fort Haven stack This tile allows you to buy or sell up to 2 grain resources for 3 gold each This Lookout spies island tiles and adventure! Red is heading into port well stocked with two crew, four commodities, and a captured pirate captain White is the winner, having placed all 10 of their task cubes first. I'm selling two...pineapples...and broccoli?   PLUGS - (1:17:23): As always, Cardboard Republic YouTube videos and the BGG Guild are still ongoing. Subscribe to either - or both if you really love us. You do really love us, right?   We’d love to hear from you! You can send questions or feedback via email at podcast@cardboardrepublic.com. You can also reach us social media, including Twitter and BoardGameGeek.   Audio Credits: Intro music track is "Swing!" by Bargo!, used under Creative Commons license.

Episode 115: What IS Indie? Length: 59:03 Show Links: RSS | iTunes | Stitcher | Download Episode   Welcome back to Vox Republica, the Cardboard Republic Podcast! We post new episodes every other Thursday, with each episode being about 45 minutes long. Vox Republica is proudly supported by our Patreon. Consider contributing today! DESCRIPTION: Indie gaming. Chances are you've heard this term casually mentioned throughout the gaming world. But...what does that mean exactly? Erin and Ryan break down the term “indie.” What qualities does an indie game or company have to have, and when does an indie turn into a small publisher, big publisher, or mega-hit? GUEST: None RECENTLY PLAYED GAMES - (01:13): Hearts Blazing by Games By Play Date Pandemic Legacy by Z-Man Games Takenoko by Asmodee Editions Quadropolis by Days of Wonder Green Deal by Karma Games QUICK TOPICS - (23:14): Privateer Press has announced on the heels of the Asmodee changes to its distribution rules that it too will be limiting distribution to online retailers. The CR will be participating in the Home Away Boston gaming charity event being hosted by the gang at The Cardboard Jungle podcast to raise money for cancer patients while undergoing treatment. It's for a good cause and they'll be giving numerous games away as prizes. Best part: you don't have to attend to participate. Consider making a donation today! FEATURED TOPIC - (30:34): The term 'indie' is used pretty freely in board gaming, and the intention is well understood. At least, until you try to define it. So we decided to sit down and hammer out what some of that criteria may be. What IS indie? What is the line between indie and mainstream publisher? We consider some of the following criteria: The size of the publisher How long has the publisher been around The designer of the game Print run size Production model of the game (i.e. factory made, self-publisher, Game Crafter, etc.) Marketability of being indie Cultivation of an 'indie' brand Also, we ponder if the idea of 'indie-ness' is still useful as a term at all.   PLUGS - (58:02): As always, Cardboard Republic YouTube videos and the BGG Guild are still ongoing. Subscribe to either - or both if you really love us. You do really love us, right?   We’d love to hear from you! You can send questions or feedback via email at podcast@cardboardrepublic.com. You can also reach us social media, including Twitter, Facebook, and BoardGameGeek.   Audio Credits: Intro music track is "Swing!" by Bargo!, used under Creative Commons license.