Devon invites Justin Gary—designer of the popular Ascension deckbuilding game and CEO of Stone Blade Entertainment to sit down and have a conversation! In this session, we talked about Justin’s journey from student of law to master of games. His path toward design was unique given his professional success as a Magic: The Gathering player that pivoted toward a career in design and entrepreneurship. While he still is pumping out content for Ascension (including an upcoming miniatures game to...

Everybody roleplays as Jesse but some ducks are inimitable and some coins should be left untossed! Today, in Shelf or Sell, Alex raids again (arguably) with Raiders of Scythia, Jesse really likes rondels with Praga Caput Regni, and Will dusts off the board game years with Lords of Waterdeep. Afterward, for the Medley Minute, Jan celebrates Alex’s feature on the BGG creator spotlight, Alex can’t help but bring up more Zombicide, and Will talks shop with the first con coming back this year....

Today we discuss Funfair, designed by Joel Finch and published by Good Games Publishing. It’s a lightweight tableau-builder that takes the mechanics of its predecessor Unfair and distills it into a more accessible, short game. Players act as managers or architects of budding theme parks and must construct the most epic attractions in the hopes of drawing guests. With a tight coin economy and quick rounds, it’s hard to ignore how easily you can get this to the table. Have you played Unfair?...

Devon invites Dave Beck—designer of upcoming Kickstarter Distilled—and Brandt Brinkerhoff—designer of another upcoming Kickstarter Oros—to sit down and have a conversation! In this session, we talked about board game design, from conception to production, with all of the steps that must be climbed that the typical gamer might not think of when seeing a finished product on the table or a campaign on Kickstarter. They share an inside look at the process behind both Distilled and Oros, as well...

Today we discuss Red Rising, designed by Jamey Stegmaier and Alexander Schmidt. Published by Stonemaier Games, it’s a hand-management game based on the popular books series by author Pierce Brown. In a dystopian society bound by strict Color-associated castes, there is endless conflict and it will be up to the players to determine which Colors they ally with to create the most effective and highest-scoring hand. Does this slick card game measure up to the books and what’s it play like for...

Jesse has retired to a duck sanctuary but the pond sizzles with the arrival of special guest hosts: Board Game BBQ! Today, in Shelf or Sell, Alex talks about (you guessed it) powers with Adventure Tactics: Domianne’s Tower, Adrian brings out a horror classic with Arkham Horror: 3rd Edition, Jan romances Rosenberg with Hallertau, and Jules forms a tower with copies of Castell. Afterward, for the Medley Minute, Jules and Jan team up to take on Voidfall, Alex gets sly talking about The Witcher:...

Devon invites Mike Gnade from Rock Manor Games to sit down and have a conversation!   In this session, we talked about the small indie beginnings of Rock Manor Games, what Mike searches for in a game as a publisher, the various titles he’s been involved over the last several years, and the upcoming Kickstarter launch for Maximum Apocalypse: Wasted Wilds (as well as some juicy info on the next Rock Manor Games title). Sit down with us on the banks of the board game pond and let’s have a...

* Please follow the link to fill out our poll. * Alex gets betrayed, Jan lays down some tile, and Alex talks about a wolf! Today, in Shelf or Sell, Jesse considers a classic with Betrayal at House on the Hill, Jan gets all gooey about Ginkgopolis, and Alex smashes past the Stonemaier scores in Red Rising. Afterward, for the Medley Minute, Jan regales us with the many achievements of Julio Nazario, Jesse squeaks with delight about a Quackalope in Valor & Villainy: Lludwik’s Labyrinth, and...

Today we discuss Wild Assent, designed by Robert McConnell and published by Lazy Squire Games. It’s been more than two years since this game was revealed to the Kickstarter community but it’s in the fulfillment process now, so it’s time to return to the days of old and hunt packs of monsters in this tactical skirmish game replete with gorgeous miniatures. It’s a different board gaming world from when Wild Assent first launched. So… how does it measure up to the hype and years of...

* Please follow the link to fill out our poll. * Odin’s oath has been fulfilled, Mars gets messy, and all the merchants are asymmetrical! Today, in Shelf or Sell, Jan has finally tabled A Feast for Odin, Jesse gets red dirt on his hands with On Mars, and Alex swims in the economic waters of Merchant’s Cove. Afterward, for the Medley Minute, Jesse and Alex share a milestone together with 25K subscribers on YouTube while Jan gets dextrous with the Hurlyburly relaunch. Later, in On the Radar,...

* Please follow the link to fill out our poll. *Death in the kingdom, monsters in the world, and a whole lotta X-men! Today, in Shelf or Sell, Alex remains mysterious about Canvas, a whimsical game of art, Devon returns to the dream in Bloodborne: The...

Today we discuss Dive, designed by Romain Caterdjian and Anthony Perone, rendered in drool-worthy detail from Alexandre Bonvalot, and published by Sit Down! In Dive, players act as ocean divers who will push their luck in order to explore the depths and...

* Please follow the link to fill out our poll. *Mountain mayhem, hard-bargaining barters, and a bigger village! Today, in Shelf or Sell, Alex discusses Whistle Mountain, one of Luke Laurie’s hits from the past year, Jan brings up old negotiations with...

Today we discuss Empyreal: Spells & Steam, designed by Trey Chambers and published by Level 99 Games! In Empyreal: Spells & Steam, players act as necromancers in an industrial age, using their skill and savvy to construct rails and connect a...

* Please follow the link to fill out our poll. *Sour wine, sneaky rats, and publishers making great games (who knew?)! Today in Shelf or Sell, Alex finally breaks out Valor & Villainy, Jesse gets a taste of the Tuscany expansion for Viticulture, and...

Jan invites Thibaud de la Touanne and Fabrice Lamidey from Triton Noir to sit down and have a conversation!  In this session we talked about Triton Noir's origin, their progress so far, and the influence the video game industry has had on the studio. We...

* Please follow the link to fill out our poll. *Miniatures, migrations, and beers (bears?), oh my! Today in Shelf or Sell, Alex teases Jan with After the Empire, Jan bustles through mayhem with Factory Funner, and Jesse loves not having to learn games...

Today we discuss Air, Land, & Sea by Arcane Wonders designed by Jon Perry! In Air, Land, & Sea, two players participate in a series of Battles, with the objective to control two of the three Theaters of war. At the start of each battle, you will...

* Please follow the link to fill out our poll. *Quidditch, time travel , and canals! Today in Shelf or Sell Jesse sends his opinion to the past with Anachrony, Alex builds temples with Cuzco, and Jan travels to Brass: Birmingham! Afterwards on the...

Today we discuss Cosmic Frog by Devious Weasel Games designed by Jim Felli! Cosmic Frog is a game of collection, combat, and theft on a planetary scale. Each player controls a two-mile-tall, immortal, invulnerable frog-like creature that exists solely...

* Please follow the link to fill out last week's poll. *Misinformation, roll and write games, and stellar drama! Today in Shelf or Sell Alex takes us on the Trails of Tucana, Jan fights his way to glory in Starcadia Quest, and Jesse surprises us by...

Today we discuss Sleeping Gods by Red Raven Games, a game that combines campaign, rich narrative, worker placement, tableau building and action efficiency! In Sleeping Gods, you and up to 3 players become Captain Sofi Odessa and her crew, lost in a...

* Please follow the link to fill out the poll. *Restructuring, animal folk, and big changes! Today in Shelf or Sell Alex talks about Court of Miracles, Jesse brings in a party game of royal stature and Jan discusses Bunny Kingdom! Afterwards on the...

Jesse had the opportunity to sit down and talk with Cole Wehrle from Leder Games and founder of Wehrlegig Games! In this new interview format we will be touching base with leaders and designers within our industry and finding out what makes them...