Thu, 29 April 2021
Sometimes you just can't get things right. You find a ghost in the signal chain and try to fix it only to find you've made things worse. Apologies in advance for all the pops and clicks. 00:09:49 -- Drinkin' and Vaxxin' |
Thu, 14 January 2021
This is a pretty rough and raw episode. We're fighting off the depths of despair, the height of a Pandemic, and an attack on our way of life from the people who are sworn to protect it. Can a two-mile high frog be the hero we need to get us through this episode. Tune in and find out. |
Wed, 30 December 2020
It's almost over. This . . . year. Nothing much to do other than gather up some lists of the things that got us through. We hope you dig it.
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Fri, 27 November 2020
This episode marks the beginning of our 8th year ranting and raving about games (and books (and music (and life))). We kick it into gear with some heavy discussions of almost all of the above. Pretty much, if it ain't broke. . . . or, if it is broke, lean into it. TOAST: 00:19:09 -- Whiskies |
Thu, 12 November 2020
Favorite mechanics? Nah. How about a discussion of a bunch of games and the one thing each of them offers to stand out from the crowd? One thing in one game! Yeah, we can get into that. Follow along, if you please. THINGS (Not just One and Two): 00:04:22 -- The Election of the Century
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Wed, 28 October 2020
We're keeping it simple as we're back to remote recording. One Game. One book. One in-depth discussion. Still over two hours of quality goodness. Enjoy. CHAPTERS: 00:05:39 -- Tekhenu (in-depth) |
Thu, 24 September 2020
To hell with the experts, if just for one day. Travel happened. Games were played. Most importantly, human contact was regained, if just for 9 days. 00:17:00 -- I Did a Bad Thing |
Wed, 2 September 2020
It was a lovely evening away from the maddening crowd so we decided to do a show. Just like the 181 times before, we gathered with some microphones and chatted about board games and other things. Even our special guest, Chip, the cricket, seemed to approve. CHIRPS: 00:09:49 -- Celebrity Boardgame Deathmatch
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Tue, 14 July 2020
Well, you caught us on a nice summer evening, sitting outside, sippin' whisky, and talkin' board games. It's the best we can do in this paranoid pandemic times. Maybe the closest we've come to the old days in a while. The most human the interaction has been. Whatever the case, we think we did alright with this one. |
Wed, 8 July 2020
And on and on and on. |
Mon, 22 June 2020
With Joe still on the road two of the masterminds behind the upcoming Spielworxx game The Cost, Armando Canales and Lyndon Martin, join Jim in a wide-ranging discussion of games, game-states and playing manners. In addition, Jim finds out just how wrong he's been all these episodes. INCORRECTIONS: 00:06:00 -- A differing opinion on Tank Duel
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Thu, 21 May 2020
Have you really played all the games? Probably not. And we've all probably got a couple on our list that folks might consider classics, or required games. We talk about those glaring oversights here in the latest episode of As the Lockdown Turns. Many other items covered as well. You know, a typical show. Enjoy. |
Mon, 20 April 2020
Here we are in the new world order, or rather, the chaotic world order. We're just trying to survive and maybe discuss a few games and other things of cultural import. Just trying to raise our spirits. It's a journey. Thanks for your company on the ride. TICKETS: 00:20:11 -- Surprising Lack of Games on the Table during Lockdown |
Thu, 9 April 2020
Struggling for sanity, we put together another installment of our virus lockdown series. In this one we answer the question, which five non-GMT titles should’ve been developed and published by GMT? There might be something about someone getting drunk as well. Hopefully this will distract you for a little while. |
Wed, 1 April 2020
Live from Portland, the 173rd stop on our world tour, presented in it's entirety without cuts or overdubs, our latest show in all its glory. Will there be technical difficulties? Yes. Will we stumble trying to answer tough questions? Possibly.
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Thu, 26 March 2020
Part 4 of this series and we've settled in a little to the new reality. Having solved his technological difficulties, Joe returns to add his wisdom to the question of getting games to the table with your significant other. Also, we discuss table games played via computer vs. computer games. |
Wed, 4 March 2020
There are times when you need to make something out of nothing. Entering the studio for episode 172 was one of those times. I mean, we had next to nothing. A game session, a new dram, a couple albums. But we pulled it together, rambled into other territories, consolidated some stray ideas, and in the end lasted for the marathon. Yea us!? PATHS: 00:04:17 -- The 2020 PCBA Baseball Season: Last Call |
Wed, 19 February 2020
If you're only here for our in-depth, main game discussion, then skip the first two hours of the show. If you want to know a little about a lot of game related things, then tuck in at the beginning and enjoy the ride. |
Wed, 5 February 2020
The water flows. The oil moves. The beat goes on. A new era begins, same as the old era. We continue on. Enjoy. 00:05:00 -- The State of the Podcast |
Wed, 22 January 2020
Route building. Colony building. Future building. Restaurant building. We turned a lot of resources into a lot of structures these past few weeks. We also bought and sold shares of stock and grilled some burgers. A little of everything, really, resulting in a lot of game talk. STATIONS: 00:17:52 -- On Joe's Table: Xenon Profiteer & The Arrival |
Wed, 8 January 2020
Missiles are raining down in Iraq, but ain't we got smiles. Yeah, I guess. With 2020 already looking doomed already, we steady ourselves and take a look at some of the good things we encountered over the Winter break. We have hope. We will forge ahead. There are games to be played. |
Thu, 19 December 2019
Another Year gone by and it's time for the lists to come out. These are the things that moved us in 2019. How do your experiences compare? 00:09:41 -- TV & Visual Entertainment (Spoilers and Rants)
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Thu, 12 December 2019
We go heavy on the games in this year's penultimate episode. Almost two hours taken to cover three games. We expect you'll have a good Idea on whether these are for you. Enjoy. PROCEEDINGS: 00:00:00 -- Straight Into Some Music (Delines, Clutch, Joe Henry, Perpetual Grace, Ltd.)
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Fri, 22 November 2019
This episode marks six years on the air. We take some time, at Joe's behest, to consider this and where the show might go from here. Also, we revisit a a game that was featured on the second episode, and preview a new release.
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Wed, 13 November 2019
Fighting a cold and the off-season blues, we power though this episode to bring you some pretty heavy game discussion on entries old and new. Whisky, music and a book round out the proceedings. CARGO: 00:14:26 -- Panamax (revisited, in-depth) |
Wed, 30 October 2019
Often postponed, but never defeated, this new episode transforms from a pile of scraps into a glorious quilt of gaming discourse. Enjoy PATTERNS: 00:10:24 -- High Frontier |
Thu, 3 October 2019
Consider a concert set list. The band comes out and opens with a couple of deep cuts, a bit slow-tempo, really a nod to the fans. But then they kick it in, building tension, generating release, mixing cuts from all their albums, back and forth across the years. For the encore, a few more deep cuts for the die-hards who haven't rushed out to beat the traffic. We'll just say that this episode is like that show. CUTS: 00:16:08 -- Player Usage and the Art of Making Out |
Wed, 18 September 2019
We start slow, as cool ambient music on a rainy Autumn evening, but by the halfway point we warm to the task and heat the discussion up to a boil. Some games just get you that way. TEMPS: 00:06:01 -- Tournament Losses (Wir Sind das Volk)
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Thu, 5 September 2019
Games, Games, Game. Now that Summer is ended, or at least Summer vacation has, we're getting back into a routine that promises to result in the playing of more games. As a result, despite a brief interlude where we express a bit of weariness with the state of the world, we're diving deep into a few games currently hitting our table. Get your wet suit on and join us. 00:09:18 -- Wir Sind das Volk (tournament sessions) |
Thu, 15 August 2019
It's been a pretty lazy Summer here in the Pacific Northwest; hence, we are pretty lazy at the moment. Cheers. |
Thu, 25 July 2019
There is no particular order to the order in which we talk about games in this episode. We have a free-wheelin' conversation covering several games to kick things off and then go off on tangents for awhile before a couple deeper dives, including all the mistakes we made. I mean, come on, who presents their mistakes as a feature of a game conversation? That's just how we do I guess. Enjoy. CRITICAL ERRORS: 00:04:26 -- Freewheelin' Game Chatter |
Thu, 11 July 2019
Here we present a nice little boardgame stew peppered with a bit of digression and topped off with morally ambiguous book. A hearty Summer meal, kinda like a pasty in Phoenix in the middle of July, except it's games. Made sense to me when I wrote it. Enjoy. COMMODITIES: 00:13:24 -- Homestretch with Middle-Schoolers |
Tue, 25 June 2019
Everything old is new again. We spend a couple hours discussing games that are maybe a bit long in the tooth. Do they hold up? Are their technologies still viable in this modern world? We also talk about some new old music and old new whiskey. 00:09:47 -- Caylus or Doing Taxes (Joe's choice) |
Wed, 5 June 2019
Not you people. Not you, the listeners. But when you put 9 people in a house for a week things can get lively. I wonder why they've never made a TV show about this. So here's what we recall of our annual trip to Colorado, at least the games portion of it. Lots of games CHAPTERS: 00:03:46 -- A Festivus of Thank Yous |
Wed, 15 May 2019
A pretty full show. We cover three Euro games of various weights, several albums that have found their way into rotation and a dram of fine Scotch. Also, a heated discussion about the penultimate episode of Game of Thrones. Now, who needs more rocks? PLOT POINTS: 00:11:12 -- Game of Thrones, Penultimate edition (SPOILERS!!!!), Now With More Mandalorian |
Thu, 2 May 2019
I will never fly again. I will never fly again. I will never fly again. I will never fly again. We played Escape Plan. I will never fly again. I will never fly again. I will never fly again. I will never fly again. I will never fly again. Enjoyed a dram of the BenRiach Horizons. I will never fly again. I will never fly again. Not Leet. I will never fly again. I will never fly again. DELAYS: 00:07:42 -- Are You Watching Game of Thrones (Spoilers) |
Mon, 15 April 2019
Sometimes, after recording, I'm uncertain as to whether the episode is worth releasing. Sometimes we go into the recording session thinking we have very little to say. Episode 151 met both of those conditions. Yet, in the editing, all seemed well, and in fact, it felt as though much good was accomplished. Whether you agree or not is another matter completely. MEDITATIONS: 00:15:45 -- 10 Days of Silence |
Wed, 27 March 2019
Welcome to our 150th episode extravaganza! And by extravaganza we mean the same ol' same ol'. A few games, an album, a book, some banter, a disagreement or two. Parades and fireworks not included. 00:12:44 -- Great Western Trail: Rails to the North (in-depth) |
Wed, 27 February 2019
We execute all the plans we never had. Rather, we have no plan and decide to abandon the plan we don't have. In other words, this one is just a loose conversation touching on a slew of games, a couple artful albums, and a damn fine dram of whisky. Enjoy. GAME PLAN: 00:15:08 -- Sessions (Game of Thrones, Aquasphere, Calimala, Thunder Alley, Agra) |
Wed, 6 February 2019
Some Games. A Dram. A good book. Need More? Thought not. INDULGENCES: 00:16:11 -- Feudum Revisited |
Wed, 23 January 2019
It was the best of games. It was the worst of games. Yeah, we got wisdom, and foolishness, and whatever else this old fat world throws at us. Welcome to the 147. The people of the 147 are in a bit of a mood and and the discussion is a bit gritty, but there is much to explore in this one. The folk here aren't interested in the black and white of things, but instead revel in the shades of gray embedded throughout. Don't be outraged, be engaged. 00:18:27 -- 18Ireland |
Wed, 9 January 2019
Here it be. Our annual look back. Our listaganza. The episode where we talk all about the best games, whiskies, and albums we encountered the previous year. You ask for it and we provide it. Or, maybe you don't ask for it, but here it is anyway. So take a listen and see if we are remotely close to where last year took you. REMEMBRANCES: 00:02:30 -- January's Book |
Thu, 27 December 2018
Welcome to the final episode of 2018. In contrast to the happenings of the real world, we close out the year on a high note, talking about some recent plays and recent releases that have us excited to sit down at the table again. Enjoy. LAGRANGE POINTS: |
Tue, 11 December 2018
With the December chill in full swing we need to get down with something hot, so we're talking a couple new releases that were highly anticipated here in the dungeon. Could they live up to our expectations? Do they play? Do they have legs? Will our travels be rewarded? The answers to those questions and much more can be heard in our latest episode. Have fun. TIMETABLES: 00:09:20 -- Blood on the Ohio contest |
Wed, 25 June 2014
It's one episode before 30 (will there be a 30?) and we've decided to give some underplayed and undervalued games some love. This is a long episode, which starts with a discussion about reviewing games and gives a little insight on how we approach this podcast. For our discussion proper we each choose 3 games and reveal them in order. Here's a rough idea of when we actually get to the games. Number 3 choices -- @ 20 minute mark |
Tue, 3 June 2014
On tour again, back in the power trio format! We ship ourselves to the Portuguese colony of Madeira, where we encounter wild grapes, free range wheat and unprocessed sugar. And lots of wood. Yep, it's a Euro game and we have punched the cardboard and pushed the wood. Is Madeira the best of the 2013 Essen crop? Listen on. |
Tue, 27 May 2014
What creates depth in a board game? Is it a complexity of mechanics? A heavy coat of theme? Level 10 armor? Cows? A fair amount to drink? Listen in and see if we can figure it out as we discuss some recent releases that are simple to play but offer more than meets the eye, or brain. |
Wed, 21 May 2014
Everything old is new again as Eric makes his triumphant return to the podcast. In this episode we take a long look at playing with our . . . by, by ourselves, and we talk about some of the games that lend themselves well to this endeavor. Mainly we discuss what everyone in the know already knows about Mage Knight, but we do it in a charming and entertaining fashion. Just go with it. |
Tue, 13 May 2014
I am a Samurai warrior, going it alone for episode 23. One must do what one has to in order to keep to schedule, and I must talk to myself for 30 minutes (I can't believe I went on for 30 Minutes). Anyway, what follows is a fairly comprehensive review of Sekigahara: The Unification of Japan. |
Tue, 6 May 2014
Hello and welcome to cross-stitching 101. Okay, not really, but we are going off into the world of the Arts with today's podcast arguing (and we mean arguing) over the qualities of a little game called Bruxelles 1893. Listen in to find out what we think about schmoozing patrons at the theater and building fancy works of art. Hint: we disagree. |
Tue, 29 April 2014
We answer viewer mail in this episode. Well, we respond to a question posed by one of our listeners. Same thing, really. No? Okay, fine, so we have no viewers, but we do ramble on a little about viewing bad TV game shows, so something somewhere has been viewed. Anyway (and I say this too many times in this episode), after quite a bit of banter to open the show we decide to address the question of whether collectible editions are good for the hobby. Are they? And, oh yeah, those are old school Netrunner cards in that photo. |
Tue, 22 April 2014
Seeing as Russia has taken over the world's headlines (and not yet the world) we decide to get all topical up in this house and revisit the new version of an old game that we played a while ago. The game is set in a Russia's second city, which is how we get all topical. We also give The Agents another shout out and then because we like you we cut this episode short and leave you with more time in your day to find something fun to do. You're welcome. |
Mon, 31 March 2014
Spring Break is over and we are back to talk about board game expansions. What do they add to game play? Are they worth it? Why such a big box? That little box is cute. Where the hell is the Trains expansion? I don't like these giants. You're sacrificing who to whom? You got your Carcassone in my Keyflower! We want Trains, expanded! |
Fri, 14 March 2014
It's a Cramer fest! This week we discuss the merits of making Scotch whisky for clansmen up in Scotland, fighting France for the favor of King Henry, and sewing dresses for the French socialites we just, um, conquered for said King, while drinking the whisky we made, because, well, why make it if you're not going to drink it, and will this sentence ever stop running?!? What we're trying to say is we look at several games designed by Matthias Cramer. Maybe we should stop drinking. |
Tue, 4 March 2014
Yes, this was it: our show about nothing, our Seinfeld episode. See what the critics have to say. "Not since the Pop-O-Matic have we been so enthralled." ~ Gerbil Monthly We promise to be much better next time out. |
Mon, 24 February 2014
If you thought that when humans set up a colony on Mars we would have a group of industrious scientists working to unlock the secrets of the red planet, you were wrong. According to Travis R. Chance, we humans will do what we do best once we colonize Mars: Exploit and corrupt everything. We cover the excellent game Infamy on this week's show, and we get a little help from our friend Craige, who has recently become a hardcore analog game addict. He must've taken too much compound in his younger days. |
Mon, 10 February 2014
Really, you're sitting there with Candyland spread out on the table and the Wiggles on your stereo? Oh, the humanity! Save Yourself! Trust that your kids can handle something more, something deeper, something that makes you less likely to pack it all in. Throw Galaxy Trucker on the table and Magical Mystery Tour on the turntable (what, no turntable!?!?), and watch your children come alive. |
Tue, 4 February 2014
Beware, low energy conversation ahead! The dog days of August are an exaggeration. It's the dog days of February that really get ya, and as our energy wanes we attempt an intelligent and critical discussion of Russian Railroads. Maybe Monday night isn't the best time to record. |
Mon, 20 January 2014
Would you rather fight 100 duck-sized bone catapults or one bone-catapult-shaped duck? Or, as an alternative to dying either way, would you rather listen to this podcast? "Just look at those bones in the middle there." All in All a very difficult decision, one similar to the decisions that will break your brain in Vlaada Chvatil's latest invention. All of this is discussed within. |
Thu, 16 January 2014
It's a rainy night in Portland. It's toward the end of a long week, and it's getting late. Energy levels are low and we are far from progressing to our next power plant upgrade. But we push forward and fight through the dead air. We will not be defeated. We will discuss this beast called The Capitals. We will conquer a wonky rule book and fiddly mechanics, and we will be the better for it. For this Capital can be beautiful. * FYI - Contrary to the info provided in this podacst the inventor of the Segway is alive and well; however, we were close to the truth in our Segway story. Tune in to Episode 10 where we solve the mystery. |
Tue, 14 January 2014
Think of this podcast as our "about" page, at least until we think up some really good stuff to write about ourselves. We try to discuss what brings each of us into the hobby, and then we try to explain why this analog form of gaming bests digital gaming. Success? Eh?? |
Tue, 31 December 2013
It's that time of year. Top 10 lists abound. People pontificate. This is better than that and that is nowhere near as good as the other, all in order, from 1 - 10. We decide that we too can count to ten, and make lists, but we like to be different. So, our New Year's Eve episode sees us taking on BGG contributor Sarah Reed's challenge of playing 10 games 10 times each in 2014. We make individual lists (because it's a list episode, and well, it's just the thing to do) and then compare them in an utterly thrilling manner. Unable to leave well enough alone, we add a special Punching Cardboard rule to the madness and count to 11. It all results in a what seems to be a very logical commitment: we decide to play our games. |
Mon, 23 December 2013
In our longest episode so far we discuss the longest game we play. How long is too long? Does satisfaction diminish as the hours drag on? Why are all those little wooden pieces so fiddly? And can we play again, immediately? Now! |
Thu, 5 December 2013
We review Francis Drake and discuss the high quality of its components and the trend toward higher game prices. |