Meeple Nation Board Game Podcast

Episode 593: September 2025 Turn Two Episode release date is September 17, 2025 Show Notes Intro of Meeple Nation The World's Most Okayest Podcast Web Page Links to Episodes SaltPOD: A SaltCON Podcast Bios Email us at MeepleNation@gmail.com Patreon Instagram @meeplenation Facebook Meeple Nation Facebook Group Meeple Nation Off Air X Meeple Nation Discord Meeple Nation Sponsorship Game Toppers  SaltCON Meeple Nation Gaming Highlights (Highlight-Thirty) Nathan Lying Pirates  Star Wars: Outer Rim  Douglas Battle of Hoth SETI Andy Project L Unstoppable New Game Radar Nathan Saltfjord Doug Brink G.I. Joe Special Announcement Andy Threshold BattleTech: Gothic     

Episode 592: September 2025 Turn One Episode release date is September 03, 2025   Show Notes Intro of Meeple Nation The World's Most Okayest Podcast Web Page Become a Chanameeple Links to Episodes SaltPOD: A SaltCON Podcast Bios Email us at MeepleNation@gmail.com Patreon Instagram @meeplenation Facebook Meeple Nation Facebook Group Meeple Nation Off Air X Meeple Nation Discord Meeple Nation   Sponsorship Game Toppers  SaltCON   Meeple Nation Gaming Highlights (Highlight-Thirty) Nathan Nathan’s Notes Sagani Hutan: Life in the Rainforest Douglas Pergola And That’s How I Died   Andy Shadows of Brimstone Aeon Trespass: Odyssey New Game Radar Nathan Perch Toriki Doug Forest Shuffle: Exploration Expansion Forest Shuffle: Dartmoor The Two Towers Trick Taking Game   Andy Galaxy Trucker: Do What?! Thebai  

Episode 591: August 2025 Turn Two Episode release date is August 20, 2025   Show Notes   This week we kick off our new format. Intro of Meeple Nation The World's Most Okayest Podcast Web Page Links to Episodes SaltPOD: A SaltCON Podcast Bios Email us at MeepleNation@gmail.com Patreon Instagram @meeplenation Facebook Meeple Nation Facebook Group Meeple Nation Off Air X Meeple Nation Discord Meeple Nation Become a Chanameeple   Sponsorship Game Toppers  SaltCON   Meeple Nation Gaming Highlights (Highlight-Thirty) Nathan Chromino Bunny Kingdom   Douglas TREOS Andy Inori New Game Radar Nathan Pergola Up or Down Doug Song of Silveranth  Brass: Pittsburgh  Star Wars: Battle of Hoth!  Andy Vantage The Lord of the Rings: Fate of the Fellowship  

Episode 590: Meeple Nation August 2025 News    Show Notes    Episode release date is August 13, 2025   It is time again for our news episode. We will be talking about some gaming highlights, new games, new game announcements, and we may even manage to get to some crowdfunding games too.  Come join us at the game table.   Sponsorship Game Toppers  SaltCON   Intro of Meeple Nation The World’s Okayest Podcast. Web Page Links to Episodes SaltPOD: A SaltCON Podcast Bios Email us at MeepleNation@gmail.com Patreon Instagram @meeplenation Facebook Meeple Nation Facebook Group Meeple Nation Off Air X Meeple Nation Discord Meeple Nation Come watch us on YouTube   Meeple Nation Gaming Highlights Andy Kids Nathan Life Update Douglas Hawaii   This episode as with all of our news episodes is broken into three sections. New Game releases: games that can now be found in the wild, new game acquisitions, and games we are eager to try. Game announcements: This is a list of games that are fulfilling maybe and have not yet reached the store shelves, unless it is a CMON game then it is on the game shelf and backers are waiting disgruntled. New game announcements also include games that are in late production and will be released at a future time. Crowdfunding is games that have piqued our interest and maybe have even been backed by us. So with that, let's turn to the table and see what games we are talking about today. Zombicide Second Edition: Monty Python’s Flying Circus: A Rather Silly Expansion Monty Python & The Holy Grail: The Game Army of Darkness: The Board Game Lost Ruins of Arnak: Adventure Chest (Twisted Paths) Above and Below: Haunted Ascending Empires: Zenith Edition The South Tigris Moonsaga Inventors of the South Tigris: Era of Experts Scholars of the South Tigris: Body of Books Wayfarers of the South Tigris: Tides of Trade Unmatched: Battle of Legends Volume 3 Brick Like This Square One Chicken! Solar Gardens Frozen Frontier Spokes The White Castle: Duel Return to Dark Tower: Expeditions Thunder Road: Vendetta - Interstate of Decay (Campaign!!) Koinobori Pirates of Maracaibo: Bermuda Triangle Pirates of Maracaibo: Commanders Aqualuma Tea Garden DreamEscape Phoenix New Horizon DOOM: The Dark Ages - Arena Board Game DOOM: Arena Board Game Heroes of Might and Magic: The Card Game The Void Unveiled: Echoes of Arkham The Witcher: Legacy Ascension 15th Anniversary  Teburu Dungeon: Sword and Sorcery:  Unmatched: Stars and Stripes

Episode 589: Player Elimination Games Episode release date is July 30, 2025   Show Notes   This week we are discussing Player Elimination Games. This is not a mechanic we all love, but we have a surprising amount of player elimination games. Intro of Meeple Nation The World's Most Okayest Podcast Web Page Links to Episodes SaltPOD: A SaltCON Podcast Bios Email us at MeepleNation@gmail.com Patreon Instagram @meeplenation Facebook Meeple Nation Facebook Group Meeple Nation Off Air X Meeple Nation Discord Meeple Nation Become a Chanameeple   Sponsorship Game Toppers  SaltCON   Meeple Nation Gaming Highlights (Highlight-Thirty) Andy Zombicide: White Death Zombicide: White Death - Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles Nathan Mythicals The Player Elimination mechanic is one where one or more players are removed from the game before it officially ends. This can happen with two players or 16. When a player is eliminated, they typically can no longer take actions, score points, or influence the outcome, and must simply observe the rest of the game unfold. This mechanic can create tension and urgency, as players try to avoid being eliminated and race to stay in the game. However, it can also lead to long periods of downtime for eliminated players. So lets turn to the game table and see who gets eliminated.   Player Elimination Games Gloomhaven Jaws of the Lion Clank!: A Deck-Building Adventure Game Clank! In! Space!: A Deck-Building Adventure Clank! Catacombs Clank! Legacy: Acquisitions Incorporated Nemesis Nemesis: Lockdown Shadows over Camelot Battlestar Galactica Arkham Horror: The Card Game  Magic: The Gathering Star Wars: Customizable Card Game Star Trek: Customizable Card Game Overpower Star Wars: X-Wing Miniatures Game Star Wars: X-Wing (Second Edition) Star Wars: Miniatures Memoir ‘44 Twilight Imperium: Third Edition Mythic Battles: Pantheon   The Castles of Burgandy Merchants of the Dark Road Cyclades: Legendary Edition Lords of Waterdeep Legendary Encounters: An Alien Deck Building Game Tiny Towns Ankh: Gods of Egypt Skull Feed the Kraken Risk Legacy Betrayal Legacy Betrayal At House on a Hill

Episode 588: Pick-up and Delivery Games Episode release date is July 23, 2025   Show Notes   This week we complete our discussion of Pick up and Delivery games. So, we are going to line up a bunch of games and choose some to discuss. Intro of Meeple Nation The World's Most Okayest Podcast Web Page Links to Episodes SaltPOD: A SaltCON Podcast Bios Email us at MeepleNation@gmail.com Patreon Instagram @meeplenation Facebook Meeple Nation Facebook Group Meeple Nation Off Air X Meeple Nation Discord Meeple Nation Become a Chanameeple   Sponsorship Game Toppers  SaltCON   Meeple Nation Gaming Highlights (Highlight-Thirty) Nathan Gonza index Solar 175 Douglas Marvel Zombies (X-Men) Andy Architects of the West Kingdom   Top Pickup and Delivery Games on BGG   Clank! Legacy: Acquisitions Incorporated Pandemic Legacy: Season 2 Darwin’s Journey Final Girl  Age of Steam Istanbul Xia: Legends of a Drift System Star Wars: Outer Rim  Railways of the World Horrified Western Legends  Steam The Witcher: Old World Istanbul: Big Box Indonesia Merchants and Marauders Firefly: The Game Flash Point Fire Rescue Bus Macao Black Orchestra Forbidden Desert Mansions of Madness Freedom: The Underground Railroad In the Hall of the Mountain King Broom Service Roads and Boats High Frontier 4 All The Oracle of Delphi Railways of Europe Coal Baron Leaving Earth Century: Golem Edition - Eastern Mountains Stationfall My Little Scythe Deep Sea Adventure Vast: The Crystal Caverns Evacuation Panamax Clinic: Deluxe Edition Imperial Steam Lords of Xidit Forbidden Island Container Akrotiri Horrified: American Monsters Genoa Merchants of the Dark Road Wasteland Express Delivery Service Flick ‘em Up! Container: 10th Anniversary Jumbo Edition Empires of the Void II Explores of the Empires of the Void II | Board Game | BoardGameGeekNorth Sea Wiz War Black Fleet Ghost Fightin’ Treasure Hunters Islebound Cafe Via Nebula Merchant of Venus (Second Edition) Zombie Teenz Evolution Fortune and Glory: The Cliffhanger Game Dead Men Tell no Tales Tiny Epic Zombies Maglev Metro Maximum Apocalypse Hansa Whistle Stop Santiago de Cuba Ahoy Yukon Airways Thunderbirds Merchant of Venus Aftermath Fire and Axe: A Viking Saga Fireball Island: The Curse of Vul-Kar Merkator Solenia Curious Cargo Ride the Rails Empire Builder Alien: Fate of the Nostromo Pirates Cove Giants Himalaya Nuns on the Run    

Episode 586: Pickup and Delivery Games Episode release date is July 9, 2025   Show Notes   This week we kick off our discussion of pickup and deliver games. So, we are going to line up a bunch of games and choose some to discuss. Intro of Meeple Nation The World's Most Okayest Podcast Web Page Become a Chanameeple Links to Episodes SaltPOD: A SaltCON Podcast Bios Email us at MeepleNation@gmail.com Patreon Instagram @meeplenation Facebook Meeple Nation Facebook Group Meeple Nation Off Air X Meeple Nation Discord Meeple Nation   Sponsorship Game Toppers  SaltCON   Meeple Nation Gaming Highlights (Highlight-Thirty) Nathan Sequoia Sequoia is a quick, light dice-rolling and area majority game where players compete to grow the tallest trees in 11 different "forests." Objective: Have the tallest tree (most tree tokens) in as many forests as possible to score victory points. Over 10 turns, all players simultaneously roll five dice. They then secretly form two pairs from four of those dice (leaving one die unused). The sum of each pair determines which "forest" (numbered 2-12) they can place a tree token in. Strategy: You have to decide whether to focus on a few forests to dominate them, or spread your efforts to secure second-place consolation prizes. After 10 turns, the player with the most trees in a forest gets the first-place points, and the second-place player gets a smaller consolation prize. Ties are resolved with special tie-breaker rounds. Quick and Portable: Sequoia is known for its fast gameplay (around 10-15 minutes) and small box size, making it easy to bring to game nights. Switchback Switchback is a quick and engaging tile-laying board game where players are trying to create the longest continuous paths of numbers (representing hiking trails up a mountain). Score the most points by having your "hikers" on tiles that form continuous numerical sequences of four or more tiles. Players take turns placing a tile from their hand onto the board. After placing a tile, they either place one of their hikers on that tile, or "buddy up" two of their hikers for a future double move. You'll constantly be making choices like: Where to place your tile to extend your own paths or block opponents. When to place a hiker versus buddying them up for a better placement later. Whether to join an opponent's path to share points or create your own. At the end of the game (when all tiles are placed), only hikers on paths of four or more consecutive numbers score points. Simple rules but tough decisions, all with a quick playtime (10-20 minutes).   Douglas Tiny Epic Cthulhu   This week we are kicking off our discussion of pickup and delivery games. The "Pick-up and Delivery" (P&D) mechanic in board games is a core gameplay loop where players acquire specific items or units from one location on the game board and then transport them to another designated location to complete an objective or earn points. It's a fundamental concept that simulates logistics, trade, and transportation challenges within a game's theme. Here's a breakdown of its characteristics and how it's used: Core Characteristics of Pick-up and Delivery: Goods/Passengers/Resources: There's always something to be picked up. Pick-up Locations (Sources): Designated spots on the board where the goods originate. These can be: Fixed locations: Factories, farms, cities, ports. Player-controlled locations: A player's own production buildings. Dynamically generated: Cards drawn that specify a pick-up point. Delivery Locations (Destinations): Designated spots where the goods need to be dropped off.  Movement/Transportation: Players use their game pieces (vehicles, ships, trains, pawns representing workers) to move from the pick-up location to the delivery location. This often involves: Movement costs: Spending actions, money, or specific movement points. Route planning: Deciding the most efficient or strategic path. Obstacles/Competition: Other players, terrain, or events that impede movement or make certain routes less desirable. Capacity Limits: Players usually have a limited capacity for how many items they can carry at once, forcing strategic decisions about what to pick up and when. Reward/Completion: Successfully delivering an item typically grants: Victory points: The most common form of reward. Money or resources: To fund further actions. Unlocking new abilities: Access to new routes or upgrades. Advancing on a track: Progressing towards an endgame condition. The P&D mechanic is incredibly versatile and appears in many genres: Logistics and Trade Games: Theme: Often about managing a transportation network or economy. Economic Games: Theme: Focus on resource management, production, and supply chains. Adventure and Quest Games: Theme: Characters embarking on journeys, completing tasks, or rescuing individuals. Worker Placement Games (often integrated): Theme: Players assigning workers to perform actions. Overall, the Pick-up and Delivery mechanic adds a layer of logistical challenge and strategic depth to board games, forcing players to think about movement, resource management, and timing to achieve their objectives.   Pickup and Delivery Games Dead Men Tell No Tales Space Dealer Century: Golem Edition - Eastern Mountains Escape Zombie City Forbidden Desert Maglev Metro The Witcher: Old World Pirates Cove Waste Knights: Second Edition Evacuation Pandemic Legacy Season 2  

Episode 585: Meeple Nation July 2025 News    Show Notes    Episode release date is July 2, 2025   It is time again for our news episode. We will be talking about some gaming highlights, new games, new game announcements, and we may even manage to get to some crowdfunding games too.  Come join us at the game table.   Sponsorship Game Toppers  SaltCON   Intro of Meeple Nation The World’s Okayest Podcast. Web Page Links to Episodes SaltPOD: A SaltCON Podcast Bios Email us at MeepleNation@gmail.com Patreon Instagram @meeplenation Facebook Meeple Nation Facebook Group Meeple Nation Off Air X Meeple Nation Discord Meeple Nation Come watch us on YouTube   Meeple Nation Gaming Highlights Nathan Games with Dianne Azul Lucky Numbers Tsuro Douglas Azul Duel Dorfromantik Dorfromantik Duel Res Arcana Duo    This episode as with all of our news episodes is broken into three sections. New Game releases: games that can now be found in the wild, new game acquisitions, and games we are eager to try. Game announcements: This is a list of games that are fulfilling maybe and have not yet reached the store shelves, unless it is a CMON game then it is on the game shelf and backers are waiting disgruntled. New game announcements also include games that are in late production and will be released at a future time. Crowdfunding is games that have piqued our interest and maybe have even been backed by us. So with that, let's turn to the table and see what games we are talking about today.   New Game Releases Wondrous Creatures DC Forever The Anarchy Marvel Champions: Falcon Marvel Champions: Winter Soldier  https://arkhamdb.com/ https://marvelcdb.com/ https://ringsdb.com/  New Game Announcements Clank!: Catacombs - Underworld Point Galaxy Fortunes of Scoundrel Bay Gwent: The Legendary Card Game Azure Wispwood Wroth Recall Crowdfunding Games Kickstarter Endeavor Deep Sea: Uncharted Waters Gamefound Lord of the Rings: The Confrontation

SaltPOD 0006, Summer 2025 Release date: June 30, 2025 Welcome gamers! If you are a board gamer, a social gamer, or someone who loves RPGs, SaltCON is a place for you. Welcome back to SaltPOD, your dedicated deep dive into the vibrant world of SaltCon and the incredible community that makes it tick! If you're new here, SaltPOD is your backstage pass, your insider scoop, your direct line to all things SaltCON. SaltCON – the biggest and best tabletop gaming convention in the Mountain West! We're here to explore the amazing games, the fantastic people, and the unforgettable experiences that make SaltCon a must-attend event year after year. Get ready to level up your excitement!" This episode we are reviewing all the great things that happened at SaltCON Summer which happened June 6th through the 8th at the Davis Conference Center, in Layton City. The first Summer event is the smallest of the events that happen at the Davis Conference Center, but that does not mean there is a shortage of events and fun to be had. This was still three days that were packed full of RPG events, Board Game events, Social gaming events, and even a tournament or two to be played in. So sit back and let’s dig in. We have a lot to talk about. Vendor Hall Some very cool stuff for gaming drinks, games, and gaming accessories. https://www.facebook.com/diethuludimension/ https://www.etsy.com/shop/DiceChaos/ https://wyvernwarfare.com/ https://www.facebook.com/Fictionmobile/ https://binarycocoa.com/ https://aalazersquirrel.com/ https://www.4xpgaming.com/ Hot Games: Andromeda’s Edge Cat Blues: The Big Gig Creature Caravan Critter Kitchen Finspan House of Fado SETI: Search for Extraterrestrial Intelligence Slay the Spire: The Board Game Play to Win Games  I played a handful of games from this game on the shelves, there were around 30 games that were there to try out and to get a chance to win them. Even if you just wanted to review the rules and enter to win the game that is an option, but this is a great way to try a game and see if you want to have a chance to win them. https://saltcon.com/summer-play-to-win/ Gaming library A huge game library with over 2500 games to check out and play. Classic games, and new games alike. There were 278 different events the attendees could sign up for.  178 Total RPG events. 85 RPG events 26 Pathfinder events 67 Dungeons and Dragons Adventurers League events Pathfinder Society: Salt of the Ocean Multi Table Event In the Eye of Abendego, the storm has receded just enough to reveal two particularly interesting new sites: one is a wrecked Pathfinder ship and the other an ancient island associated with prophesiers and demons. With some help from an old pirate friend, the Pathfinders are kitted up in order to investigate these two new occurrences, however it seems like she wasn't the only pirate with her eyes on these strange new prizes. The Society will have to face the dangers of sea and storm as they sail to their goal, hoping to beat their rivals to the hidden secrets! This event was played with multiple tables running simultaneously, at multiple level tiers. The Pathfinder Society came out victorious! D&D Adventurers League: Hold Back the Dead Multi Table Event The Adventurer's League had some close calls, and not everyone made it out alive this time... but the dead have been vanquished. For now.  Hold Back the Dead is a multi-table Dungeons & Dragons adventure where heroes must defend a stronghold under siege by an overwhelming undead force. As the tide of the dead rises, players work together across tables to uncover the source of the invasion and prevent an ancient evil from breaking through. Designed for epic coordination and tense decisions, it blends horror, heroism, and high-stakes combat in a dynamic battlefield setting. Playtests for new RPG systems were available at SaltCON Summer with the highlights being  Untold RPG and  Nephilim the Forsaken, brought in by local game designers.  SaltCON End of Summer will have a stronger focus on prototype RPG systems and welcomes game developers to join the SaltCON GameMasters Guild on Discord or Facebook to learn more about bringing their systems to the convention. Total sessions run: 175 Other popular games included Cyberpunk Red, Shadowdark, Call of Cthulhu, Shadowrun, Vampire the Masquerade, The Electric State, BESM, Nimble 2, Dragonbane, DC20, and many more! Game Swap Flea Market Saturday for 2-hours Tournaments Sabacc EventsBroadway Murder Mystery - Groomed for Murder! This was a big hit and will return for End of Summer with rumor of a second game being added. Grilled to Death Nebula: A 4X inspired Big Group Game Tichu around with Danny We had about half of the attendees learning Tichu for the first time, it was really cool to see them pick up strategies after each hand! There were many surprising outcomes, including many successful and unsuccessful Tichu calls, hands that looked certain, than turned upside down, and many laughs. Everyone that I spoke to that was learning for the first time was excited to get the game, and play some more! Blood on the Clock Tower Nine different event and one how to play event Mini Painting Seminar Saturday 1:30 64 total board game events Board Game Events 30 Board Game Events Meeple Nation events 34 Meeple Nation Board Game Events What a way to start the Summer of Gaming. So what is next? SaltCON End of Summer August 29-31 1000 badges Game library RPG area Tons of RPG events Hot Games No-Ship Math Trade Game swap Open all three days Flea Market Saturday 9-10AM Figure Painting  Saturday 12:30 -3:30PM Vendors Reserved tables Four left Next Year SaltCON is adding a Sixth Event. One that will have many people very excited.  SaltCON Cruise August 7-14 Leaving Seattle and cruising up to Alaska and then back to Seattle. Limited to 100 spots Gaming Library Room Block If you have any questions feel free to email us at MeepleNation@gmail.com. We are always excited to hear about new games and exciting events and great times. And with that we have completed another deep dive into the salty goodness of SaltCon! We hope you're as excited as we are for all the fun and games. Remember, SaltPOD is your ongoing connection to these amazing events. But the board gaming adventure doesn't stop here! If you love in-depth discussions, diverse perspectives, and talking about all things board games, be sure to check out our regular podcast, Meeple Nation! There we have episodes serving up fantastic content week after week. Until next time, keep rolling those dice, and we'll see you at SaltCon!"Thanks for listening.   

isode 584: A Look at Market Games  Episode release date is June 25, 2025   Show Notes   This week we in contrast with the open drafting mechanic we discussed the last few episodes, this week we are focusing on games that have and use a market, and how a market game is different from an open drafting game.   Intro of Meeple Nation The World's Most Okayest Podcast Web Page Links to Episodes SaltPOD: A SaltCON Podcast Bios Email us at MeepleNation@gmail.com Patreon Instagram @meeplenation Facebook Meeple Nation Facebook Group Meeple Nation Off Air X Meeple Nation Discord Meeple Nation Become a Chanameeple   Sponsorship Game Toppers  SaltCON   Meeple Nation Gaming Highlights (Highlight-Thirty) Nathan River of Gold with Cheryl Azul with Madi and BGA Andy Aeons Trespass Odyssey The Market mechanic, in essence, simulates a dynamic economy within a board game. Unlike a simple "take one from a pile" or a closed draft where items circulate, a market presents players with a publicly available pool of goods, actions, or resources. This pool often changes, either by new items being revealed, existing items being bought, or even prices fluctuating. What makes the Market mechanic so engaging is the tension it creates. Players are constantly evaluating not just what they need, but also what their opponents might be eyeing. With what is currently available in the market. Is it worth paying a premium for that crucial item now, or should you wait and hope a cheaper option appears? Do you play the jerk role and counter draft to deny an opponent a vital resource by taking it yourself, even if it's not your absolute top priority? Markets can take many forms: Static Markets: Where a set of items is always available, and players choose from it. Dynamic Markets: Prices might change based on supply and demand. Rotating Markets: Items might enter and exit the market over time, creating a flow of new opportunities. "I-Cut-You-Choose" Style Markets: While sometimes a separate mechanic, some games blend this, where one player sets up a market or splits resources, and another player chooses first. We discussed how open drafting games are very closely related to market games, but ultimately, the Market mechanic adds layers of tactical decision-making, player interaction, and often, an exciting push-your-luck element.  It's about optimizing your purchases, anticipating others' moves, and adapting to the ever-changing landscape of available options. So next time you're sitting down to play and see a row of tempting cards or a pile of valuable resources, you're likely engaging with the dynamic world of the Market mechanic! Top Rated Market Games Power Grid Puerto Rico Clans of Caledonia The Pillars of the EarthDIY Expansion link Tiny Epic Pirates Wasteland Express Delivery Service Foundations of Rome Foundations of Metropolis Skyrise Merchants of the Dark Road Ark Nova Jaipur Glen More II: Chronicles Glen More Kutna Hora: The City of Silver Brass: Birmingham Galactic Cruise Windmill Valley Cubitos Honey Buzz The Lord of the Rings: Duel for Middle-earth Acquire Queendomino Catan Distilled Archipelago Gentes River of Gold The Vale of Eternity The Vale of Eternity: Artifacts The Vale of Eternity: Curses Architect of the West Kingdom  Games we did not discuss Brass: Lancashire Food Chain Magnate Paladins of the West Kingdom Nucleum La Granja Hallertau Anno 1800: The Board Game 1830: Railways and Robber Barons The Manhattan Project: Energy Empire Navegador The Great Zimbabwe Pax Renaissance: 2nd Edition Bonfire At the Gates of Loyang Fresco Stockpile Pipeline Port Royal 1846: The Race for the Midwest Pax Porfiriana Paperback Shikoku 1889 Pax Renaissance Cuba Arkwright CO2: Second Chance Raccoon Tycoon Imperial Steam Akrotiri Age of Industry Genotype: A Mendelian Genetics Game Vanuatu Planet Steam The Rich and the Good  

Episode 583: Top Rated Open Drafting Games Episode release date is June 18, 2025   Show Notes   This week we are concluding our discussion of open drafting games. This episode we will be picking out games off the top Open Drafting Games, some games we missed and some we don’t own.   Intro of Meeple Nation The World's Most Okayest Podcast Web Page Links to Episodes SaltPOD: A SaltCON Podcast Bios Email us at MeepleNation@gmail.com Patreon Instagram @meeplenation Facebook Meeple Nation Facebook Group Meeple Nation Off Air X Meeple Nation Discord Meeple Nation Become a Chanameeple   Sponsorship Game Toppers  SaltCON   Meeple Nation Gaming Highlights (Highlight-Thirty) Nathan Living Forest Siege of Rundar, Game I could not remember The Guild of Merchant Explores Andy D&D 5.5 Japanese Setting In board game mechanics, open drafting is a specific type of drafting where players take turns selecting items (like cards, tiles, dice, or tokens) from a shared, visible pool of options. To touch on the key points again. Open Drafting and Market games will have a lot of overlap. Key Characteristics of Open Drafting: Shared Pool: There's a central display or common area where all the items available for selection are laid out. Visibility: All players can see all the available options in the pool at all times. This is the defining feature of "open" drafting. Turn-Based Selection: Players take turns choosing and taking one or more items from this shared pool. Once an item is taken, it's removed from the pool (or sometimes replaced immediately, depending on the game). Strategic Interaction: Because everyone can see what's available and what others are taking, open drafting encourages a high level of player interaction and strategic depth. Players aren't just thinking about what they need for their own strategy, but also: "Hate Drafting": Taking an item that might not be optimal for you, but is crucial for an opponent's strategy, thereby "denying" them that piece. This can be a friendly jab or a crucial tactical move. Anticipation: Trying to predict what other players will take on their turns based on their visible boards or strategies. Adapting: Adjusting your own plans if a key item you wanted is taken by an opponent. How it Differs from Other Drafting Types: The main contrast to open drafting is closed drafting (often called "pick-and-pass" or "hand drafting"): Closed Drafting: Players typically receive a hand of cards (or a set of items) and select one (or more) to keep, then pass the rest of their hand to the next player.  The key difference is that the pool of options available to the next player is unknown until they receive the new hand. Players don't see the full communal pool; they only see their current hand. Top Rated Open Drafting Games Dune: Imperium Dune: Imperium - Uprising Railways of the World Concordia Concordia Venus Ticket to Ride Legacy: Legends of the West Food Chain Magnate Everdell Lost Ruins of Arnak The Gallerist Clank! Clank! Legacy Clank! Catacombs Clank! In! Space! Dominion Legendary Encounters: An Alien Deck Building Game Wingspan Wyrmspan Harmonies Star Realms Lisboa Cascadia Endeavor: Age of Sail Endeavor: Deep Sea Mage Knight: Ultimate Edition Mage Knight: Board Game Space Base Tyrants of the Underdark Games not Mentioned Ark Nova Through the Ages: A New Story of Civilization The Castles of Burgundy 7 Wonders Duel The Lord of the Rings: Duel for Middle-earth Pax Pamir: Second Edition Anachrony Blood Rage Obsession Paladins of the West Kingdom Mechs vs Minions The White Castle Azul Revive Aeon’s End El Grande Through the Ages: A Story of Civilization Splendor Duel Architect of the West Kingdom The Quest for El Dorado Lorenzo il Magnifico Mombasa Patchwork Trajan Wonderland’s War Aeon’s End: War Eternal ISS Vanguard Targi Res Arcana Alchemist Ticket to Ride: Europe The Isle of Cats Undaunted: Normandy Planet Unknown Kemet Jaipur Forest Shuffle Welcome To… Meadow Sagrada Star Wars: Deck Building Game Azul: Summer Pavilion

Episode 582: Our Top-Five Open Drafting Games  Episode release date is June 11, 2025   Show Notes   This week we are continuing our discussion of open drafting games. This episode we are hitting on our top-five Open Drafting Games   Intro of Meeple Nation The World's Most Okayest Podcast Web Page Links to Episodes SaltPOD: A SaltCON Podcast Bios Email us at MeepleNation@gmail.com Patreon Instagram @meeplenation Facebook Meeple Nation Facebook Group Meeple Nation Off Air X Meeple Nation Discord Meeple Nation Become a Chanameeple   Sponsorship Game Toppers  SaltCON   Meeple Nation Gaming Highlights (Highlight-Thirty) Nathan BBQ Cheryl teaching games Ribs tonight Summer cooking Douglas Barenpark Andy Everdell Duo In board game mechanics, open drafting is a specific type of drafting where players take turns selecting items (like cards, tiles, dice, or tokens) from a shared, visible pool of options. To touch on the key points again. Open Drafting and Market games will have a lot of overlap. Key Characteristics of Open Drafting: Shared Pool: There's a central display or common area where all the items available for selection are laid out. Visibility: All players can see all the available options in the pool at all times. This is the defining feature of "open" drafting. Turn-Based Selection: Players take turns choosing and taking one or more items from this shared pool. Once an item is taken, it's removed from the pool (or sometimes replaced immediately, depending on the game). Strategic Interaction: Because everyone can see what's available and what others are taking, open drafting encourages a high level of player interaction and strategic depth. Players aren't just thinking about what they need for their own strategy, but also: "Hate Drafting": Taking an item that might not be optimal for you, but is crucial for an opponent's strategy, thereby "denying" them that piece. This can be a friendly jab or a crucial tactical move. Anticipation: Trying to predict what other players will take on their turns based on their visible boards or strategies. Adapting: Adjusting your own plans if a key item you wanted is taken by an opponent. How it Differs from Other Drafting Types: The main contrast to open drafting is closed drafting (often called "pick-and-pass" or "hand drafting"): Closed Drafting: Players typically receive a hand of cards (or a set of items) and select one (or more) to keep, then pass the rest of their hand to the next player.  The key difference is that the pool of options available to the next player is unknown until they receive the new hand. Players don't see the full communal pool; they only see their current hand. Top Five   Number Five: Andy The Taverns of Tiefenthal Douglas Undaunted Normandy Nathan Beowulf: The Legend   Number Four: Andy Architects of the West Kingdom Douglas The Reckoners: Steelslayer Nathan Corsari   Number Three: Andy Reavers of Midgard Douglas SETI Nathan Akropolis Arkropolis: Athenna   Number Two: Andy Paladins of the West Kingdom Douglas Everdell  Nathan River Valley Glassworks   Number One: Andy The Castles of Burgundy Douglas Ark Nova Nathan The White Castle

Episode 581: Open Drafting Games  Episode release date is June 4, 2025   Show Notes   This week we kick off our discussion of open drafting games. So, we are going to line up a bunch of games and choose some to discuss. Intro of Meeple Nation The World's Most Okayest Podcast Web Page Become a Chanameeple Links to Episodes SaltPOD: A SaltCON Podcast Bios Email us at MeepleNation@gmail.com Patreon Instagram @meeplenation Facebook Meeple Nation Facebook Group Meeple Nation Off Air X Meeple Nation Discord Meeple Nation   Sponsorship Game Toppers  SaltCON   Meeple Nation Gaming Highlights (Highlight-Thirty) Nathan Doomlings Douglas Andy David In board game mechanics, open drafting is a specific type of drafting where players take turns selecting items (like cards, tiles, dice, or tokens) from a shared, visible pool of options. Here's a breakdown of its key characteristics and how it differs from other drafting types: Key Characteristics of Open Drafting: Shared Pool: There's a central display or common area where all the items available for selection are laid out. Visibility: All players can see all the available options in the pool at all times. This is the defining feature of "open" drafting. Turn-Based Selection: Players take turns choosing and taking one or more items from this shared pool. Once an item is taken, it's removed from the pool (or sometimes replaced immediately, depending on the game). Strategic Interaction: Because everyone can see what's available and what others are taking, open drafting encourages a high level of player interaction and strategic depth. Players aren't just thinking about what they need for their own strategy, but also: "Hate Drafting": Taking an item that might not be optimal for you, but is crucial for an opponent's strategy, thereby "denying" them that piece. This can be a friendly jab or a crucial tactical move. Anticipation: Trying to predict what other players will take on their turns based on their visible boards or strategies. Adapting: Adjusting your own plans if a key item you wanted is taken by an opponent. How it Differs from Other Drafting Types: The main contrast to open drafting is closed drafting (often called "pick-and-pass" or "hand drafting"): Closed Drafting: Players typically receive a hand of cards (or a set of items) and select one (or more) to keep, then pass the rest of their hand to the next player. The key difference is that the pool of options available to the next player is unknown until they receive the new hand. Players don't see the full communal pool; they only see their current hand. Examples of Closed Drafting: 7 Wonders (the original), Sushi Go!, Blood Rage. Why Designers Use Open Drafting: Increased Player Interaction: Players are constantly engaged with the overall game state, not just their own limited hand. Tactical Depth: Decisions often involve weighing immediate personal gain against denying opponents. Transparency: All information about available items is public, allowing for more calculated and less luck-driven decisions regarding the draft itself. Emergent Strategy: The way the pool changes based on player choices creates dynamic and evolving strategic opportunities.   Open Drafting Games Alchemist Land vs Sea Azul Azul Duel Azul: Stained Glass of Sintra Azul: Summer Pavilion Azul: The Queen’s Garden Storm Raiders Res Arcana Firefly: The Game Project L: Collector's Edition Altiplano P.I. Planet Unknown Truffle Shuffle The Gang 7 Wonders: Duel Faraway Thunderstone Advance Dominion Ticket to Ride: Europe Ticket to Ride Star Wars: The Deckbuilding Game Gizmo Queendomino Clank!: Catacombs Nightfall  Bootleggers Dice Forge Star Trek Deck Building Game: The Next Generation Doug’s Rapid Fire Mentions Cloud City The Witcher: Old World Revive Wonderland’s War Wingspan Wyrmspan 51st State Scarface 1920 Waste Knights Rurik: Dawn of Kiev Champion of Midgard  

Episode 580: Meeple Nation May 2025 News - New Games, Announcements, & Crowdfunding! Release Date: May 28, 2025 Welcome to Episode 580 of Meeple Nation, The World's Okayest Podcast! This week, Nathan, Douglas, and Dave pull up a chair to the game table to dive into all the exciting news from the board gaming world for May 2025. We're covering a ton of ground, including: New Game Releases: Discover what's just hit the shelves and is ready for your game night! New Game Announcements: Get the scoop on upcoming titles that have the community buzzing. Crowdfunding Games: We'll highlight some intriguing projects currently seeking support on Kickstarter and Gamefound. In this episode, we chat about: Our Gaming Highlights: Nathan: Twilight Inscription Flip 7 Hadrian’s Wall Douglas: Arkham Horror Dave: Dominion Hot New Releases: Marvel Champions: Silk Hero Pack Marvel Champions: Black Panther Hero Pack (Suri) Cyclades: Legendary Edition Parks Second Edition Knitting Circle Zombicide 2nd Ed: PariZ Marvel Zombies Marvel Zombies: X-Men Resistance Santorini: Pantheon Edition Toy Battle Tiny Turbo Cars Dragon Eclipse Pokemon Critter Kitchen Emerald Skull Exciting Announcements: Battle for Hoth (Command and Colors) Risk GI Joe: Special Missions Risk Legacy 7 Wonders Dice Lord of the Rings: Duel for Middle-Earth 7 Wonders Architects Slam Throne Pogs Sea Salt & Paper: Extra Pepper Lorcana: Reign of Jafar Grand Central Skyport Skyrise Cloud City The Anarchy Hadrian’s Wall Dry Erase Board SETI: Space Agencies Mystery of the Abbey In the Footsteps of Darwin: Correspondence 7 Empires Crowdfunding Spotlight: Kickstarter: Flamecraft Duels Gamefound: Aeon’s End: Beyond the Breach A huge shout-out to our amazing sponsors, Game Toppers and SaltCON! Whether you're a veteran gamer or just getting into the hobby, there's something for everyone in this action-packed episode. Join us for your essential dose of board game news and discussion! Connect with Meeple Nation: Website: Meeplenation.com SaltPOD: A SaltCON Podcast: SaltPOD Email: MeepleNation@gmail.com Patreon: Meeple Nation Instagram: @meeplenation Facebook Page: Meeple Nation Facebook Group (Meeple Nation Off Air): Meeple Nation Off Air X (Twitter): @MeepleNation Discord: Meeple Nation YouTube: Meeple Nation Thanks for listening! If you enjoyed the show, please subscribe, rate, and review us on your favorite podcast platform!

Episode 576: Network or Route Building Games Episode release date is April 30, 2025 Show Notes This week we kick off our discussion of games that involve network building. The "network building mechanic" refers to the gameplay element where players construct and expand interconnected systems, often representing transportation, communication, and resource distribution. It's about establishing links and leveraging those connections for strategic advantage. Some of the main concepts of network and route building include: Connectivity: The fundamental element of establishing links between nodes, such as locations, cities, or points of interest. These links from a network. Expansion: Players progressively expand their network, reaching new destinations and making further connections. Expansion is often tied to resource management, technology advancement, or through fulfilling objectives. Strategic advantage: A well-developed network provides: efficient resource movement, faster travel or delivery, control over locations, increased scoring opportunities, and influence over other game elements. Player interdependence: Networks can create interdependence between players, either through competition for resources and routes or through cooperative efforts. Come join us at the game table where we are going to talk about networking games, and I bet it includes more than train games.   Intro of Meeple Nation The World's Most Okayest Podcast Web Page Links to Episodes SaltPOD: A SaltCON Podcast Bios Email us at MeepleNation@gmail.com Patreon Instagram @meeplenation Facebook Meeple Nation Facebook Group Meeple Nation Off Air X Meeple Nation Discord Meeple Nation Become a Chanameeple   Sponsorship Game Toppers  SaltCON Meeple Nation Gaming Highlights (Highlight-Thirty) Nathan Clans of Caledonia Douglas Aqua: Biodiversity in the Oceans Andy That Escalated Quickly Network or Route Building Games Ticket to Ride: 10th Anniversary Ticket to Ride: Europe - 15th Anniversary Ticket to Ride: London Ticket to Ride: New York Transamerica Tsuro Carcassonne Metro Street Car Fairy Trails Thurn and Taxes On Tour Iwari Web of Power Airlines Europe Terminus Revive Next Station: London, Tokyo, Paris Get on Board: Paris & Roma, New York and London Metorunner Brass Burmingham Hansa Teutonica: Big Box Nucleum Dice Hospital: ER - Emergency Roll Tokyo Highway Maglev Metro   Games not Mentioned Douglas Smartphone Land vs Sea Catan Cloud City Andy Railways of the World Near and Far Catan Kingdom Builder Android Catan: Junior Aeroplanes: Aviation Ascendant Nathan Concordia Venus Maglev Metro Dinosaur Island: Rawr ‘n Write Takenoko Catan Terra Nova Maharaja: The Game of Palaces Building in India Free Ride Wormholes Saboteur 2 Dice Manor Sanora Globetrotting Tucana Builders The Settlers of the Stone Age Spy Connection Falconry

SaltPOD 0005, SaltCON Summer 2025 Release date: May 27, 2025 Welcome gamers! If you are a board gamer, a social gamer, or someone who loves RPGs, SaltCON is a place for you. Welcome back to SaltPOD, your dedicated deep dive into the vibrant world of SaltCon and the incredible community that makes it tick! If you're new here, SaltPOD is your backstage pass, your insider scoop, your direct line to all things SaltCON. SaltCON – the biggest and best tabletop gaming convention in the Mountain West! We're here to explore the amazing games, the fantastic people, and the unforgettable experiences that make SaltCon a must-attend event year after year. Get ready to level up your excitement!" This episode we are discussing SaltCON Summer which is happening June 6th through the 8th at the Davis Conference Center, in Layton City. This event is smaller than the Spring event but still has three action packed days of events, tournaments, open gaming and amazing people. Vendor Hall The Gauntlet of vendors and wears and gaming goodies.   Hot Games: Andromeda’s Edge Cat Blues: The Big Gig Creature Caravan Critter Kitchen Finspan House of Fado SETI: Search for Extraterrestrial Intelligence Slay the Spire: The Board Game Play to Win Games  Friday and Saturday   Gaming library A huge game library with over 2500 games to check out and play. Classic games, and new games alike.   There were 278 different events the attendees could sign up for. 178 Total RPG events. 85 RPG events 26 Pathfinder events 67 Dungeons and Dragons Adventurers League events   Game Swap Flea Market Saturday for 2-hours Tournaments Sabacc   Events Broadway Murder Mystery - Groomed for Murder! Nebula: A 4X inspired Big Group Game Tichu around with Danny Blood on the Clock Tower Nine different event and one how to play event Mini Painting Seminar Saturday 1:30 64 total board game events   Board Game Events 30 Board Game Events   Meeple Nation events 34 Meeple Nation Board Game Events   What a way to start the Summer of Gaming. So what is next? SaltCON End of Summer August 29-31 1000 badges Game library RPG area Hot Games Game swap Flea Market Miniature painting Vendors Reserved tables   If you have any questions feel free to email us at MeepleNation@gmail.com. We are always excited to hear about new games and exciting times. And with that we have completed another deep dive into the salty goodness of SaltCon! We hope you're as excited as we are for all the fun and games. Remember, SaltPOD is your ongoing connection to these amazing events. But the board gaming adventure doesn't stop here! If you love in-depth discussions, diverse perspectives, and talking about all things board games, be sure to check out our other podcast, Meeple Nation! There we have episodes serving up fantastic content week after week. Until next time, keep rolling those dice, and we'll see you at SaltCon!"Thanks for listening. 

Episode 579: Narrative Choice or Paragraph Games  Episode release date is May 21, 2025 Show Notes   Meeple Nation discusses several games that include the narrative or paragraph game mechanic. Come join us at the game table and find some new and amazing games.   Sponsorship Game Toppers  SaltCON   Intro of Meeple Nation The World's Most Okayest Podcast Web Page Links to Episodes SaltPOD: A SaltCON Podcast Bios Email us at MeepleNation@gmail.com Patreon Instagram @meeplenation Facebook Meeple Nation Facebook Group Meeple Nation Off Air X Meeple Nation Discord Meeple Nation Become a Chanameeple   Meeple Nation Gaming Highlights (Highlight-Thirty) Nathan Welcome to the Moon Douglas Clans of Caledonia From the Moon Andy Return to Dark Tower Zombicide White Death Narrative Choice and Paragraph Games. The Narrative Choice or Paragraph Games mechanic puts a strong emphasis on storytelling and player agency through making decisions that directly influence the narrative's progression. Instead of relying solely on traditional game mechanics like dice rolling or resource management to drive the plot, these games present players with textual descriptions, scenarios, and choices that lead to different outcomes and further narrative branches. Think of it like a "Choose Your Own Adventure" book integrated into a board game experience. Players often read paragraphs of text that describe a situation, and then they are presented with a set of choices. Each choice directs them to a different paragraph or section, unfolding the story in a unique way based on their decisions. Here's how the mechanic typically works: Narrative Presentation: The game presents story elements through text, often in the form of cards, books, or even app-based interfaces. These descriptions set the scene, introduce characters, and present challenges. Choice Points: At key moments in the narrative, players are given distinct options on how to proceed. These choices can range from dialogue options and actions to strategic decisions that have narrative consequences. Branching Narrative: Each choice leads to a different part of the story. This might involve reading a specific paragraph number, drawing a particular card, or triggering a new event within the app. The narrative unfolds non-linearly based on the collective decisions of the players. Consequences: The choices players make often have consequences that affect the ongoing narrative. This could involve changes in character relationships, the availability of future options, the acquisition of items, or even the overall outcome of the game. Emergent Storytelling: While the core narrative is pre-written, the combination of player choices leads to a unique emergent story for each playthrough. Different groups of players, or even the same group playing again, will likely experience the narrative in a different sequence and with different outcomes. Narrative Choice or Paragraph Games Scythe Chronicles of Drunagor Stars of Akarios Above and Below  Near and Far Star Wars: Outer Rim Star Wars: Outer Rim - Unfinished Business My Father’s Work Folklore the Affliction Gloomhaven Frosthaven   Clank! Legacy: Acquisitions Incorporated SeaFall Wingspan ISS Vanguard Bureau of Investigation: Investigations in Arkham & Elsewhere  Lost Ones Too Many Bones Tainted Grail Sleeping Gods The Witcher: Old World Vagrantsong Waste Knights Tamashii T.I.M.E. Stories Forgotten Waters The Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim – The Adventure Game Sea of Legends Abomination: The Heir of Frankenstein  Oil Town Roll Player Adventures Robinson Crusoe: Adventures on the Cursed Island Kingdom Death: Monster Maracaibo  This War of Mine The Witcher: Old World Legacy of Dragonholt Aftermath  Oltree Nathan   Andy Aeon Trespass: Odyssey Clank!: A Deck-Building Adventure Game   Near and Far Folklore: The Affliction   The Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim – The Adventure Game   Abomination: The Heir of Frankenstein Sea of Legends Oil Town Etherfields Dragon Quest  Sleeping Gods   Douglas Scythe Too Many Bones Tainted Grail Sleeping Gods Sleeping Gods: Distant Skies TIME Stories ISS Vanguard The Witcher: Old World Star Wars: Outer Rim Clank! Legacy Earthborn Rangers My Fathers Work Waste Knights Tamashii

Episode 578: Network or Route Building Games We Don’t Own Episode release date is May 14, 2025   Show Notes   This week we are at the final connection of our Network or Route building games discussion. All routes are closing in this episode. For those who may have missed it, network or route building games where players are establishing connections between points on the board or map.    For this last episode in this series, we will be looking at the larger list of top rated network or route building games according to BGG. I selected the Network or Route building Mechanic and limited that search to games that are rated with 7 stars or higher, and each of these games must have a minimum of 2000 user ratings.   So let’s get on board and punch the ticket of this discussion of network building games at the game table. Sponsorship Game Toppers  SaltCON   Intro of Meeple Nation The World's Most Okayest Podcast Web Page Links to Episodes SaltPOD: A SaltCON Podcast Bios Email us at MeepleNation@gmail.com Patreon Instagram @meeplenation Facebook Meeple Nation Facebook Group Meeple Nation Off Air X Meeple Nation Discord Meeple Nation Become a Chanameeple   Meeple Nation Gaming Highlights (Highlight-Thirty) Nathan Beer and Bread Gift of Tulips Tower Up 3000 Scoundrels Great Western Trail Ahoy Targi Stamp Swap Welcome to the Moon Living Forest Bonsai Douglas Biome Gray Knight Games Andy     Top network or route building games Concordia Concordia Venus Smartphone Yokohama The Guild of Merchant Explorers Age of Innovation Terra Mystica Gaia Project Terra Nova  Ginkgopolis Carnegie Imperial Steam Empire Builder 1846: The Race for the Midwest Clans of Caledonia Dinosaur Island: Rawr ‘n Write DinoGenics Near and Far Pipeline Framework Keyflower

Episode 577: Our Top Five Network or Route Building Games  Episode release date is May 7, 2025   Show Notes   This week we are at the middle point of our Network or Route building games discussion. Once again network or route building games mean players are establishing connections between points on the board or map.    For this episode we will be focusing on our top five games that make use of the network or route building.   So let’s return to the game table and continue the discussion of network building games at the game table.   Intro of Meeple Nation The World's Most Okayest Podcast Web Page Links to Episodes SaltPOD: A SaltCON Podcast Bios Email us at MeepleNation@gmail.com Patreon Instagram @meeplenation Facebook Meeple Nation Facebook Group Meeple Nation Off Air X Meeple Nation Discord Meeple Nation Become a Chanameeple   Sponsorship Game Toppers  SaltCON   Meeple Nation Gaming Highlights (Highlight-Thirty) Nathan SETI: Search for Extraterrestrial Intelligence Douglas SETI: Search for Extraterrestrial Intelligence LCGs!!! Marvel Champions Arkham Horror Lord of the Rings: Card Game Our top five Network or Route building games. Douglas In the Hall of the Mountain King Trails of Tucana Cloud City Ticket to Ride: Japan Railroad Ink Challenge Andy Empire Builder Underwater Cities Terra Mystica/Gaia Project Planet Unknown Windmill Valley Nathan Ticket to Ride Legacy: Legends of the West Planet Unknown Power Grid Looot Attika US Telegraph