Game Schooler Podcast

In this episode of the Game Schooler Podcast, hosts Doug and Michael revisit their top 10 games from 2024, discussing various titles and their experiences with each game. They explore a range of themes including cooperative gameplay, unique mechanics, and the joy of family gaming. The conversation also highlights the importance of community engagement and the excitement surrounding new game releases, especially during the holiday season.

In this episode, Michael and Doug explore Michael's top 25 board games of all time, discussing various themes, mechanics, and personal experiences with each game. From cooperative games like Cthulhu Death May Die to classic strategy games like Ticket to Ride, the conversation delves into what makes each game special and the joy of playing with friends and family. The hosts also reflect on the impact of nostalgia and game complexity on their preferences, encouraging listeners to share their own top games.

In this episode of the Game Schooler podcast, hosts Doug and Michael explore the concept of curating a board game collection down to just 24 games. Doug shares his personal list of games he would keep, discussing the criteria behind his selections, the mechanics of each game, and the sentimental value they hold. The conversation delves into various genres, including strategy, family, and cooperative games, while also highlighting the unique aspects that make each game special.

In this week’s episode we'll cover Ticket to Ride: United Kingdom, Stranger Things: Upside Down, answer questions in the School of Gaming and say Thank You to some very important games!00:00 - Introduction to The Game Schooler Podcast02:31 - Ticket To Ride: United Kingdom11:54 - Ad - Pawn Porter13:06 - Stranger Things: Upside Down24:26 - Ad - The Gimmies25:41 - Welcoming New Players to the Table31:21 - Eco-Friendly Packaging: Worth It or Waste?38:45 - Ad - Dreamboard40:26 - Thank You Notes

In this week’s episode we'll cover Ticket to Ride: Pennsylvania and Deep Regrets, answer questions in the School of Gaming and discuss where the Hotness from Gen Con 2023 is today!00:00 - Introduction02:18 - Ticket To Ride: Pennsylvania17:22 - Ad - CoverCraft Workshop18:32 - Deep Regrets35:01 - Ad - Pack It Back: Board Game36:40 - School of Gaming: Card Games vs. Board Games43:03 - School Gaming: Game Length and Fulfillment46:38 - Ad - Ogre's Hoard Game Store47:46 - Gen Con 2023 Hotness Review

In this week’s episode we'll cover Mille Fiori, Maki Master, answer questions in the School of Gaming and discuss What’s Awesome in Tabletop Gaming.00:00 - Introduction04:03 - Mille Fiori17:04 - Ad - International Factory Cologne17:39 - Maki Master29:54 - Ad - BacKallax31:17 - School of Gaming48:52 - Ad - Personal Rules Lawyer49:51 - What's Awesome In Gaming

 In this week’s episode we'll cover Kingdomino: Origins, The Lord of the Rings: Duel for Middle-earth, answer questions in the School of Gaming and discuss changes in the hobby in the new segment, Game Schooler Reacts!00:00 - Introduction03:34 - Kingdomino: Origins15:01 - Ad - Chameleon15:36 - Lord of the Rings: Duel for Middle-earth28:49 - Ad - Dice Alarm For Weak-Wristed Rolls29:59 - School of Gaming38:00 - Ad - Gaming Snack Mittens39:08 - Game Schooler Reacts: Changes in the Hobby

In this week’s episode we'll cover Caldera Park, Newton, answer questions in the School of Gaming and recap our experience at Gamehole Con!00:00 - Introduction to Game Schooler Podcast01:58 - Caldera Park14:17 - Accruals: The Budget Balancing Game15:13 - Newton29:51 - Deluxe Edition Stickers30:52 - Enjoying Games You're Not Good At38:46 - Confidence and Doubt in Gaming45:48 - Shelf of Shame Storage Cloth46:44 - Gamehole Con Experience Recap

In this week’s episode we'll feature an extended School of Gaming, and play Game Schooler Blind Rank, Troll Er No?, and the Great Game Guessing Game!03:21 - School of Gaming24:44 - Ad - People In A Room25:37 - Game Schooler Blind Rank34:43 - Ad - Portable Convention Shower36:20 - Troll Er No - 7 Wonders40:45 - Ad - Board Game Vacuum41:37 - The Great Game Guessing Game

In this week’s episode we'll cover Santorini: Second Edition, Forest Shuffle, discuss Unboxing Videos in the School of Gaming and play Troll er No?00:00 - Introduction to the Game Schooler Podcast03:07 - Santorini: Second Edition14:22 - Marriage: The Game15:20 - Forest Shuffle30:54 - Immaculate Game Kit: Protecting Your Game Investment31:58 - School of Gaming: Unboxing Videos39:30 - Utility Gaming Pants40:35 - Troll or No: The Game Review Challenge

In this week’s episode we'll cover MicroMacro: Kids - Crazy City Park, Ticket to Ride: Europe, discuss Solid Game Stores in the School of Gaming and play The Great Game Guessing Game!00:00 - Introductions & Follow-up03:25 - Micro Macro: Kids - Crazy City Park12:47 - Super Deluxe Monopoly14:01 - Ticket to Ride Europe25:05 - The Automatic Rating Changer26:45 - Solid Game Stores33:21 - Game Schooling and Building Connections38:28 - The Appeal of Spin-Off Games42:36 - Nomad: Foldable Gaming Table43:43 - The Great Game Guessing Game

In this episode of the GameSchooler Podcast, hosts Doug and Michael discuss various tabletop games, including '10 Days in the National Parks', 'Toy Battle', 'SuperStore 3000', and 'River Valley Glassworks'. They share insights on gameplay mechanics, strategies, and the overall experience of each game, emphasizing the importance of community engagement and the evolution of their podcast.00:00 - Introductions & Awesomeness04:19 - 10 Days in the National Parks13:10 - Ad - Gotcha! The Game of Parental Dominance14:09 - Toy Battle25:05 - Ad - Advanced Gamer Stimulus Expansion26:29 - Superstore 300036:55 - Ad - Meeple Musk - Convention Scents38:07 - River Valley Glassworks

In this week’s episode we'll cover Don’t L.L.A.M.A. Dice, Point Galaxy, Finspan, and Teach Witches!00:00 - Introductions & Awesomeness11:09 - Don't L.L.A.M.A. Dice18:54 - Metal Coins Collection20:32 - Point Galaxy31:49 - The BacKallax34:01 - Finspan46:23 - Fantasy Orc Dungeon Tropes: The Miniatures Game47:57 - Tea Witches

In this week’s episode we'll discuss the future of the Game Schooler Podcast, and cover Parks Second Edition, Graft, Tag Team, and Fountains!00:00 - Introduction to the Game Schooler Podcast03:55 - Parks Second Edition15:15 - Graft23:49 - Tag Team34:48 - Fountains50:12 - Carl's Crowdfundin' Countdown

In this week’s episode we'll discuss the future of the Game Schooler Podcast, and cover Fight 5, Fliptoons, Railroad Tiles, and A Place For All My Books00:00 - Podcast Evolution and Future Directions11:48 - Fight 519:46 - Exploring Flip Tunes29:00 - Railroad Tiles41:07 - A Place for All My Books52:03 - Closing Thoughts and Future Plans

In this week’s episode we talk to Chris Yi of the Dice Tower about Gaming, Content Creation, and Designing Games!00:00 - Introduction to Tabletop Gaming and Guest Introduction01:35 - Chris Yi's Journey into Gaming03:33 - Transitioning to Content Creation08:25 - Managing Content Creation and Burnout13:09 - Staying Positive in the Gaming Community16:41 - Exciting Developments in the Gaming Industry18:34 - The Joys of Working in Gaming20:49 - Unexpected Aspects of the Job23:13 - Family Gaming Experiences26:02 - The Essence of Tabletop Gaming27:07 - The Joy of Podcasting and Game Design27:38 - Diving into Game Design: The Birth of Soda Jerk30:49 - Understanding Soda Jerk: Gameplay Mechanics Explained32:32 - Future Projects: What's Next for Chris?33:45 - Teaching vs. Learning Games: A Personal Preference34:29 - Conventions: Essen vs. Gen Con40:01 - The Dice Tower Retreat vs. Convention: A Comparison45:08 - Philosophy of Luck: A Positive Mindset

In this week’s episode Piper Kotecki and Eliza McCabe share their Top 10 Board Games of All Time!

In this week’s episode we interview Joe Hout, the designer of 3 Chapters.01:33 - Joe Hout's Love for Gen Con02:29 - Joe Hout's Gaming Origin Story03:36 - Twin City Games and Game Design Journey05:03 - The Concept Behind 'Animal Espionage'06:34 - The Transition to Game Design08:35 - Balancing Game Design with a Full-Time Job09:53 - The Art of the Pitch at Gen Con12:45 - The Journey of 'Three Chapters'14:36 - Self-Publishing vs. Working with a Publisher20:13 - Pitching 'Three Chapters'22:11 - Understanding the Game Mechanics of Three Chapters24:06 - Future Projects and Game Design Aspirations25:54 - The Appeal of Lighter Games29:44 - The Importance of Accessibility in Gaming32:58 - The Joy of Game Design and Community35:07 - The Unique Value of Tabletop Gaming36:25 - Celebrating Community and Librarians in Gaming

In this week's episode we recap our journey at Gen Con in Indianapolis. We discuss games that stood out and our experiences as a whole.#Gen Con 2025 #tabletopgaming #boardgames #gamereviews

In this week’s episode we'll cover The Fellowship of the Ring: Trick-Taking Game, our Game of the Week, discuss Mitigating the Churn in The School of Gaming,  and wrap it up by revealing our High-Five Engine-Building  Games!  We also Spotlight 3,000 Scoundrels from Unexpected Games!00:00:00 - Introduction00:09:05 - Spotlight: 3,000 Scoundrels00:19:15 - Game of the Week: The Fellowship of the Ring: Trick-Taking Game00:42:51 - School of Gaming: Mitigating the Churn01:02:34 - High-Five: Engine-Building Games