Brainwaves - Board Game and Tabletop News Show

The team of three are back to bring you the latest tabletop news. This episode we have fresh stats from UK Games Expo, companies setting fire to their IPs, ebay busting unions, and the Spiel des Jahres nominations.    Headlines   UK Games Expo figures https://bsky.app/profile/ukge.bsky.social/post/3lqkkfgaem22y   https://boardgamewire.com/index.php/2025/06/03/uk-games-expo-now-fully-on-the-world-stage-of-mega-cons-as-record-breaking-event-surpasses-gen-con-for-trade-hall-size/   Union Busting Escalation https://cwa-union.org/news/releases/ebay-escalates-intimidation-union-members-after-closure-announcement   CMON Fire Sale https://www.cmon.com/press/legendary-games-find-new-homes/   News   Spiel des Jahres nominations announced https://www.spiel-des-jahres.de/aktuelle-preistraeger-2025/   HCM Kinzel GmbH goes into insolvency https://verbraucherschutzforum.berlin/2025-05-19/hcm-kinzel-gmbh-unter-vorlaeufiger-insolvenzverwaltung-gericht-ordnet-umfassende-sicherungsmassnahmen-an-369652/   HCM Kinzel website: https://shop.hcm-kinzel.de/    Cardboard Edison Award Winners 2025 Announced https://cardboardedison.com/award   Jobs, Opportunities, and Events   https://www.facebook.com/groups/TabletopJobs   Game in Lab (Asmodee) - International call for projects https://www.game-in-lab.org/en/international-call-for-projects/   IWGB launches tabletop freelancer survey https://bsky.app/profile/gameworkers.co.uk/post/3lpmfw3tj2k2u The survey: https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSdT1nYVqWkNVZa_jH_9q1Ofw_k-7Bbpko9EkrZFsvGU6ny3eQ/viewform    Tabletop Games Blog Raffle http://tabletopgamesblog.com/raffle    Battle in the Burgh https://www.ticketsource.co.uk/battle-in-the-burgh/?fbclid=IwY2xjawKuuUBleHRuA2FlbQIxMQBicmlkETBlelpxZ0ZJY01rR0szT3JCAR6AfPtg4y3wvpPMqpjKs-xKUlGJCAT7Ctwbz3ktUgBfkFLyIztWQaznraAb6g_aem_u0AKKQZHqXFvl7a8HRnaQQ   Patreon Shoutouts   Kevin Bertram https://www.fortcircle.com/   James Naylor https://naylorgames.com/   Shaun Newman game-a-lot.fun/en facebook.com/gamealotboardgames   Our Patreon https://www.patreon.com/thegiantbrain   Support Us https://giantbrain.co.uk/support-us-new/   Fanroll https://fanrolldice.com/ref/2783/   Outro   StoryBake- game and bake your game https://www.rascal.news/storybake-is-out-of-the-oven/   Our Links   Thanks very much for listening. If you like what you’ve listened to then the best way to help us out is to share the podcast and drop us a review and rating on itunes.  You can also follow us on   Oliver: https://tabletopgamesblog.com/ Discord: https://discord.gg/3bMx2HK75r Blusky:https://bsky.app/profile/giantbrain.co.uk Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/giantbrainuk/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/thegiantbrain Website: https://giantbrain.co.uk/ Email: giantbrainuk@gmail.com

Oliver and Iain are the dynamic duo this week as we bring you a packed show full of the usual controversy, the bizarre, and worthwhile celebrations.  Headlines   Games Workshop on Rampage https://spikeybits.com/warhammer-40k/games-workshop-freezes-assets-amid-world-wide-seller-takedown/   World Warhammer Championship boycotted by some players https://www.rascal.news/players-boycott-the-world-championships-of-warhammer-because-of-trump/   Goodman Games works with Fascists https://www.enworld.org/threads/goodman-games-revives-relationship-with-anti-semitic-publisher-for-new-city-state-kickstarter-updated.713282/?utm_source=dlvr.it&utm_medium=bluesky   https://goodman-games.com/a-statement-about-city-state-of-the-invincible-overlord/   https://goodman-games.com/an-additional-statement-about-city-state-of-the-invincible-overlord/   Updates   Greater Than Games https://www.backerkit.com/c/projects/greater-than-games/sentinels-of-the-multiverse-disparation-expansion/updates/22203   Tariff pause  https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2025/may/12/china-us-agree-pause-trade-war-trump  https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/cvgv5n00e0jo  https://www.npr.org/2025/05/13/nx-s1-5395866/us-china-tariffs-trade-deal  https://ludorum.substack.com/p/tariffs-and-pricing-oh-my   Alliance Game Distributors acquired https://icv2.com/articles/news/view/59575/under-new-ownership-alliance-diamond   News   Rowan, Rook and Decard give Gencon a wide berth https://rowanrookanddecard.com/were-not-coming-to-gencon-this-year/?v=7885444af42e   https://www.rascal.news/rowan-rook-and-decard-pull-out-of-gen-con-2025-over-international-travel-concerns/   Canada’s largest miniatures producer shutters  https://www.geeknative.com/172839/silver-fox-productions-and-rafm-miniatures-canadas-largest-miniatures-producer-is-closing/   Original Facebook post: https://www.facebook.com/RafmCthuhluMiniatures/posts/pfbid02Zj5n1Jy8Kf85o3ap12FwAFQNMbirMGcD3FzYoLnB6TcLUyLHrpZtMXQZanDCKoDnl    Silver Fox / RAFM website: https://rafm.com/    Diana Jones Emerging Designer Award Winners https://www.dianajonesaward.org/   BGG winners announced https://boardgamegeek.com/thread/3508413/article/46053839#46053839   Jobs, Opportunities, and Events   https://www.facebook.com/groups/TabletopJobs   http://tabletopgamesblog.com/raffle    Patreon Shoutouts   Kevin Bertram https://www.fortcircle.com/   James Naylor https://naylorgames.com/   Shaun Newman game-a-lot.fun/en facebook.com/gamealotboardgames   Our Patreon https://www.patreon.com/thegiantbrain   Support Us https://giantbrain.co.uk/support-us-new/   Fanroll https://fanrolldice.com/ref/2783/ Sir Meeple https://sirmeeple.com/collections/the-giant-brain   Outro   Pendragon features at law creative day  https://www.chaosium.com/blogcreativity-in-the-law-companions-of-arthur-release-features-in-legal-creative-showcase/   Our Links   Thanks very much for listening. If you like what you’ve listened to then the best way to help us out is to share the podcast and drop us a review and rating on itunes.  You can also follow us on   Oliver: https://tabletopgamesblog.com/ Discord: https://discord.gg/3bMx2HK75r Blusky:https://bsky.app/profile/giantbrain.co.uk Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/giantbrainuk/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/thegiantbrain Website: https://giantbrain.co.uk/ Email: giantbrainuk@gmail.com

It’s just the Scottish team behind the mics this week as we bring you updates on tariffs and Diamond looking particular rough alongside all the latest industry news in Brainwaves Episode 161.  Headlines Stonemaier Games sues the president Stonemaier Games blog post: https://stonemaiergames.com/we-are-suing-the-president/   Lawsuit press release from Pacific Legal: https://pacificlegal.org/press-release/board-game-company-files-lawsuit-challenging-constitutionality-of-trump-tariffs/    CNN news video clip: https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=I8yFGUk8JG4&t=4s&pp=2AEEkAIB    Flat River Games  https://www.greaterthangames.com/blogs/news/greater-than-games-team-reduced-in-response-to-tariff-crisis   CMON woes https://boardgamewire.com/index.php/2025/04/14/cmons-david-preti-steps-down-as-non-executive-director-seven-months-after-resigning-as-chief-operating-officer/   https://www.cmon.com/press/an-update-on-our-internal-teams-and-company-focus/?fbclid=IwY2xjawJ2_4VleHRuA2FlbQIxMQABHtjCdVVDsyHa8n8FICiQRZm0Lwt6vXXPWkFTGpQOTNSJvMl4fjnPfaBz_NzS_aem_Xyf9LXeqQU2EKZgjz0Wjqw   Updates Alliance and Diamond  https://graphicpolicy.com/2025/04/29/alliance-entertainment-submits-complaint-against-diamond-claiming-fraud-and-deception/   News Meredith Placko, Steve Jackson CEO resigns https://buttondown.com/boardgamewire/archive/steve-jackson-games-ceo-meredith-placko-resigns/   Final Frontier Games Hachette Boardgames acquires 999 Games https://icv2.com/articles/news/view/59439/hachette-acquires-game-distributor https://www.hachette.com/en/publisher/hachette-boardgames/  https://www.999games.nl/    2025 Mensa Select Winners Announced https://www.mensamindgames.com/about/winning-games/   WotC attempts to sidestep Creative Commons license https://thaumavore.substack.com/p/i-drafted-a-legal-argument-against?utm_source=share&utm_medium=android&r=8gj26&triedRedirect=true   Jobs, Opportunities, and Events https://www.facebook.com/groups/TabletopJobs   Ravensburger Game Inventor Days https://www.ravensburger.de/de-DE/entdecken/spiele/game-inventor-days#Englisch   Tabletop Games Blog Raffle http://tabletopgamesblog.com/raffle    Ancient Robot Workshop https://ancientrobotworkshop.co.uk/   Patreon Shoutouts Kevin Bertram https://www.fortcircle.com/   James Naylor https://naylorgames.com/   Shaun Newman game-a-lot.fun/en facebook.com/gamealotboardgames   Our Patreon https://www.patreon.com/thegiantbrain   Support Us https://giantbrain.co.uk/support-us-new/   Fanroll https://fanrolldice.com/ref/2783/ Sir Meeple https://sirmeeple.com/collections/the-giant-brain   Outro Gotta old em all https://www.theguardian.com/world/2025/apr/27/its-done-wonders-trading-card-game-featuring-middle-aged-men-revives-japanese-town   Our Links Thanks very much for listening. If you like what you’ve listened to then the best way to help us out is to share the podcast and drop us a review and rating on itunes.  You can also follow us on   Oliver: https://tabletopgamesblog.com/ Discord: https://discord.gg/3bMx2HK75r Blusky:https://bsky.app/profile/giantbrain.co.uk Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/giantbrainuk/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/thegiantbrain Website: https://giantbrain.co.uk/ Email: giantbrainuk@gmail.com

It’s been a little longer between episodes but the whole team are back to tackle the only news that matters on the latest episode of Brainwaves.    Headlines Trump tariffs turn tabletop topsy turvy https://us8.campaign-archive.com/?u=036529e593805041d1127c76d&id=c7c5d971eb   https://rowanrookanddecard.com/what-the-new-usa-tariffs-mean-for-us/?v=7885444af42e   https://boardgamewire.com/index.php/2025/04/04/board-game-industry-reels-as-trump-tariffs-threaten-job-losses-company-extinctions/   https://www.backerkit.com/c/projects/cephalofair/gloomhaven/updates/20854?ref=bk-noti-project-update-20854   Updates   CMONs woes continue    CMON’s profit warning: https://www1.hkexnews.hk/listedco/listconews/sehk/2025/0312/2025031201125.pdf CMON’s statement on the delay of publishing results: https://www1.hkexnews.hk/listedco/listconews/sehk/2025/0325/2025032502165.pdf  HK Stock Exchange suspension notice: https://www1.hkexnews.hk/listedco/listconews/sehk/2025/0401/2025040103643.pdf  News Corey retires https://unexpectedgames.com/news/corey-konieczka-retiring-as-head-of-studio?fbclid=IwY2xjawJUApZleHRuA2FlbQIxMQABHduavlnMOoTDKHnBYU2X0yEIk58oYX8qkWXLsundEdM0ib6D52O5gNFMmg_aem_J01OzFq_wEbLWHc2_aMP2A   Greg Stafford recognised at Garycon https://bsky.app/profile/newsnerd.bsky.social/post/3lkzejdtf3c2z   https://www.chaosium.com/bloggreg-stafford-is-named-2025-e-gary-gygax-lifetime-achievement-award-recipient/?srsltid=AfmBOooESLE9FSnAjdkplLVfDpiI0eRu2cTXYmeG0qoeVtFB6KCKJ6BL   Amy Lowe leaves GAMA https://icv2.com/articles/news/view/59242/people-move-gama-marketing-communications-manager-out   Jobs, Opportunities, and Events   https://www.facebook.com/groups/TabletopJobs   Golden Geek Awards  https://boardgamegeek.com/thread/3489648/19th-annual-golden-geek-awards-nominations-open   Tabletop RPG Grant https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLScWfC5OMFE4woK5ryF9a-fYPlyVP2W4EsZcrez3QPbc11OnBw/viewform   Patreon Shoutouts   Kevin Bertram https://www.fortcircle.com/   James Naylor https://naylorgames.com/   Shaun Newman game-a-lot.fun/en facebook.com/gamealotboardgames   Our Patreon https://www.patreon.com/thegiantbrain   Support Us https://giantbrain.co.uk/support-us-new/   Fanroll https://fanrolldice.com/ref/2783/ Sir Meeple https://sirmeeple.com/collections/the-giant-brain   Outro CMYK launches TV Show https://boardgamewire.com/index.php/2025/03/28/quacks-publisher-cmyk-is-launching-a-tv-game-show-based-on-another-wolfgang-warsch-game-this-year/   Our Links   Thanks very much for listening. If you like what you’ve listened to then the best way to help us out is to share the podcast and drop us a review and rating on itunes.  You can also follow us on   Oliver: https://tabletopgamesblog.com/ Discord: https://discord.gg/3bMx2HK75r Blusky:https://bsky.app/profile/giantbrain.co.uk Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/giantbrainuk/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/thegiantbrain Website: https://giantbrain.co.uk/ Email: giantbrainuk@gmail.com

It’s been a while but we are back with all the latest tabletop news. From profit warnings to big projects being cancelled, tune in to the only tabletop podcast that brings you the stories that really matter.  Headlines CMON Issues Profit Warning https://boardgamewire.com/index.php/2025/03/13/board-game-crowdfunding-major-cmon-issues-profit-warning-says-losses-could-exceed-2m-for-2024/   https://www.cmon.com/project-status/#crowdfunding    Is Magic losing its sparkle? No of course not.   https://icv2.com/articles/news/view/58912/wotc-magic-sales-down-q4-full-year-2024   https://giantbrain.co.uk/2024/01/15/news-digest-brainwaves-episode-135/   The Sigils aren’t good https://www.rascal.news/wizards-of-the-coast-shutters-sigil-virtual-tabletop-project-lays-off-30-staff/   News GAMA/Origins Award Nominations https://www.originsawards.net/news/announcing-the-48th-annual-origins-awards-finalists   https://boardgamewire.com/index.php/2025/03/12/new-look-origins-awards-has-a-massive-120-nominees-this-year-new-hall-of-fame-inductees-revealed/   https://icv2.com/articles/news/view/59086/the-academy-adventure-gaming-arts-designs-hall-fame-inducts-three   Cardboard Edison award finalists announced  https://drive.google.com/file/d/1rZLrFoWkt4E4uDjcUYDYvkwAUcjlqkCR/view   As D’Or Award https://www.festivaldesjeux-cannes.com/en/festival-as-d-or-jeu-de-l-annee   https://tabletopgamesblog.com/2024/03/30/odin-saturday-review/   Stonemaier Games Stockholder Report https://stonemaiergames.com/2024-behind-the-scenes-stakeholder-report-for-stonemaier-games/   Obituaries   Respected boardgame box artist Rodger MacGowan passes https://boardgamegeek.com/blog/1/blogpost/171204/rodger-b-macgowan-has-passed-away-at-age-77   GoFundMe: https://www.gofundme.com/f/support-the-recovery-of-rodger-mae-and-steven    Ernie Gygax passes https://www.enworld.org/threads/ernie-gygax-has-passed-away.712080/ Jobs, Opportunities, and Events   https://www.facebook.com/groups/TabletopJobs   Tabletop Mentorship Programme https://www.unpub.org/mentorship   Patreon Shoutouts   Kevin Bertram https://www.fortcircle.com/   James Naylor https://naylorgames.com/   Shaun Newman game-a-lot.fun/en facebook.com/gamealotboardgames   Our Patreon https://www.patreon.com/thegiantbrain   Support Us https://giantbrain.co.uk/support-us-new/   Fanroll https://fanrolldice.com/ref/2783/ Outro   Nearly 2 decades later, they win again https://boardgamewire.com/index.php/2025/03/17/almost-two-decades-after-impressing-in-the-childrens-spiel-des-jahres-wild-vikings-has-won-the-japan-boardgame-prize/   Our Links   Thanks very much for listening. If you like what you’ve listened to then the best way to help us out is to share the podcast and drop us a review and rating on itunes.  You can also follow us on   Oliver: https://tabletopgamesblog.com/ Discord: https://discord.gg/3bMx2HK75r Blusky:https://bsky.app/profile/giantbrain.co.uk Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/giantbrainuk/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/thegiantbrain Website: https://giantbrain.co.uk/ Email: giantbrainuk@gmail.com

The team are back to scour the corners of the world for the best in Tabletop Gaming News. This episode we cover mergers, departures, destruction, and we have an interview with those Rascals.    Headlines   Steve Jackson merges with Possum Games https://www.rascal.news/possum-creek-games-wanders-to-a-new-home-with-steve-jackson-games/ https://www.sjgames.com/ill/archive/2025-02-11?ref=rascal.news   Mythic crumbles https://boardgamewire.com/index.php/2025/02/06/end-looms-for-mythic-games-as-company-gives-up-trying-to-deliver-1-3m-monsterpocalypse-kickstarter-hands-files-over-to-ip-holder-privateer-press/   Thomas Interview https://www.rascal.news/   Updates   BGA Awards update https://boardgamearena.com/news?id=873   News   6 out of 10 tabletop role-playing games campaigns were Gamefound. KS rattled? https://www.polygon.com/analysis/520142/gamefound-top-10-biggest-board-game-crowdfund-campaigns   GTS cancels Splotter’s Indonesia https://www.facebook.com/permalink.php?story_fbid=pfbid03ThtQGdUZ2wfNsbLu9yL95kKShCaQv1aJFzUkUZWpHmzpKKPQCvEFJd9BKMquzetl&id=100057260687209   Snowbright Studio announces winners of the second annual Nonbinary Tabletop Award https://bsky.app/profile/snowbrightstudio.bsky.social/post/3liamf2lp2k2g https://www.snowbrightstudio.com/awards    Swiss Game Awards https://boardgamewire.com/index.php/2025/02/17/harmonies-captain-flip-triumph-in-this-years-swiss-gamers-award-castle-combo-seals-two-finalist-spots/ https://swissgamersaward.ch/   Haba and Asmodee France https://www.spielwarenmesse.de/en/mag/toy-market-news/asmodee-france-chosen-as-official-distribution-partner-for-haba/   Roman discovery  https://www.smithsonianmag.com/smart-news/archaeologists-discover-ancient-tokens-that-roman-soldiers-used-to-play-strategy-games-180985903/   Obituaries   Carla Horger https://bsky.app/profile/gmtgames.bsky.social/post/3lha6racnoc26   Jobs, Opportunities, and Events   https://www.facebook.com/groups/TabletopJobs Young Game Designers Scholarship Open for Applications Again https://www.spiel-des-jahres.de/nachwuchs-spieleautoren-stipendium-wieder-ausgeschrieben/ https://www.spieleautorenzunft.de/files/public/Veranstaltungen-Events/Stipendium%20Bewerbung%202025.pdf    Evil Hat creator programme  https://bsky.app/profile/evilhat.bsky.social/post/3lhh5uzbtts25   Patreon Shoutouts   Kevin Bertram https://www.fortcircle.com/   James Naylor https://naylorgames.com/   Shaun Newman game-a-lot.fun/en facebook.com/gamealotboardgames   Our Patreon https://www.patreon.com/thegiantbrain   Support Us https://giantbrain.co.uk/support-us-new/   Fanroll https://fanrolldice.com/ref/2783/   Outro   People of note: Cornelius O’Donovan https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/cgj29qly2dvo   Our Links   Thanks very much for listening. If you like what you’ve listened to then the best way to help us out is to share the podcast and drop us a review and rating on itunes.  You can also follow us on   Oliver: https://tabletopgamesblog.com/ Discord: https://discord.gg/3bMx2HK75r Blusky:https://bsky.app/profile/giantbrain.co.uk Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/giantbrainuk/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/thegiantbrain Website: https://giantbrain.co.uk/ Email: giantbrainuk@gmail.com

It’s another bumper episode of Brainwaves as we bring you news from across the Tabletop globe. Diamond is in the rough, Asmodee avoids a hug, lawsuits get settled, and Iain gets to go off on one about ethics. All this, and more, on episode 157 of Brainwaves.    Headlines   Diamond files for bankruptcy https://icv2.com/articles/news/view/58618/diamond-files-reorganization-under-chapter-11-bankruptcy   https://bsky.app/profile/deadlyfredly.bsky.social/post/3lgbg6e7np22o   Asmodee may not Embrace https://boardgamewire.com/index.php/2025/01/29/star-wars-lego-lord-of-the-rings-games-drive-29-year-on-year-growth-for-asmodee-studios-as-company-prepares-to-split-from-embracer-next-week/   Ennies cave over AI inclusion https://ennie-awards.com/revised-policy-on-generative-ai-usage/   Updates   Webcomic Name lawsuit settled  https://www.gofundme.com/f/alexnorrislegalfund?attribution_id=sl:8c2bb1ea-1039-4377-86de-d0676453b170&lang=en_GB&utm_campaign=fp_sharesheet&utm_medium=customer&utm_source=copy_link   https://boardgamegeek.com/geeklist/259248/golden-bell-affiliated-projects-and-companies   Evil Genius Games continue to live up to the first part of their name https://www.reddit.com/r/rpg/comments/1i6b2wt/i_was_approached_by_evil_genius_games_to_take/   News   Wizards of the Coast drops support for marginalised gender competition https://bsky.app/profile/vmlmtg.bsky.social/post/3lg6zejwvss2l   Man vs Meeple and CMON https://boardgamewire.com/index.php/2025/01/27/its-important-to-us-that-we-find-new-cmon-fans-all-the-time-cmon-hires-board-game-youtube-channel-man-vs-meeples-ceo-to-run-its-global-marketing-campaigns/   Outcry in Italy over Mafia game https://www.theguardian.com/world/2025/jan/23/outcry-in-italy-over-german-board-game-based-on-sicily-mafia-wars   As d’Or nominees https://boardgamewire.com/index.php/2025/01/30/this-years-nominees-for-frances-biggest-board-gaming-award-highlights-breadth-of-countrys-publishers/   BGA Awards 2025 https://boardgamearena.com/forum/viewtopic.php?t=40673   Devir acquires publisher Maldito Games https://devirgames.com/devir-acquires-publisher-maldito-games   Games Workshop trade grows, but online shrinks https://icv2.com/articles/news/view/58670/trade-grows-online-shrinks-games-workshop?utm_source=dlvr.it&utm_medium=bluesky   Jobs, Opportunities, and Events   https://www.facebook.com/groups/TabletopJobs   Beachhead Expo https://www.beachheadexpo.com/   Diana Jones Award submissions are open https://www.dianajonesaward.org/   Green Games Guide Award https://greengamesguide.us8.list-manage.com/track/click?u=c3b7325699ca9364175785409&id=7cbe2bd72d&e=58728bb48c   TTRPG Bundles   https://bundleofholding.com/presents/Resistance   https://takethisorg.itch.io/solo-but-not-alone-5   Hasbro’s history with the Magdalene Laundries   https://web.archive.org/web/20241125184313/https://littleatoms.com/penance-industry   Patreon Shoutouts   Kevin Bertram https://www.fortcircle.com/   James Naylor https://naylorgames.com/   Shaun Newman game-a-lot.fun/en facebook.com/gamealotboardgames   Our Patreon https://www.patreon.com/thegiantbrain   Support Us https://giantbrain.co.uk/support-us-new/   Fanroll https://fanrolldice.com/ref/2783/   Outro   Pictionary vs AI https://shop.mattel.com/products/pictionary-vs-ai-hyb09   Our Links   Thanks very much for listening. If you like what you’ve listened to then the best way to help us out is to share the podcast and drop us a review and rating on itunes.  You can also follow us on   Oliver: https://tabletopgamesblog.com/ Discord: https://discord.gg/3bMx2HK75r Blusky:https://bsky.app/profile/giantbrain.co.uk Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/giantbrainuk/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/thegiantbrain Website: https://giantbrain.co.uk/ Email: giantbrainuk@gmail.com

The whole team is back for the first Brainwaves of the year. Join us as we dive into the latest tabletop gaming news from Hasbro rolling the dice on gambling to chess clashing with the wrong trousers! All this and more on episode 156 of Brainwaves.    Headlines   Hasbro rolls the dice https://igamingbusiness.com/company-news/games-global-unveils-exciting-partnership-with-hasbro/   It’s the wrong trousers, Magnus https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/c98lkrdkz70o?at_campaign=Social_Flow&at_campaign_type=owned&at_link_origin=BBC_News&at_link_type=web_link&at_bbc_team=editorial&at_ptr_name=facebook_page&at_medium=social&at_link_id=F833A792-C515-11EF-8185-B1A73D8FAC8C&at_format=link&fbclid=IwY2xjawHc7odleHRuA2FlbQIxMQABHfJpJBK1_095wLRlZ0rgn0XuT5wKSmFMu7sRbQZwvUsNfJZ-um3pgAI_dA_aem_xoeYbOqeJBjXbqmJHzGhHg   https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/ce8npkrey66o   Vallejo Workers https://www.rascal.news/striking-workers-at-vallejo-paint-factory-claim-victory/ https://spikeybits.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/12/Vallejo-Statment.png   Updates   Most Monopoly https://www.guinnessworldrecords.com/news/2024/12/owner-of-worlds-largest-monopoly-collection-on-the-hunt-for-holy-grail-of-sets   News   Cardboard Edison Award 2025 Submissions Open https://cardboardedison.com/award https://cardboardedison.com/2025-award-submissions    Jobs, Opportunities, and Events   https://www.facebook.com/groups/TabletopJobs   Protos y Tipos https://asociacionludo.com/actividad/protos-y-tipos Patreon Shoutouts   Kevin Bertram https://www.fortcircle.com/   James Naylor https://naylorgames.com/   Shaun Newman game-a-lot.fun/en facebook.com/gamealotboardgames   Our Patreon https://www.patreon.com/thegiantbrain   Support Us https://giantbrain.co.uk/support-us-new/   Fanroll https://fanrolldice.com/ref/2783/ Sir Meeple https://sirmeeple.com/collections/the-giant-brain   Outro   Monopoly changes the game  https://www.polygon.com/gaming/492505/monopoly-new-version-expansions-announced   Our Links   Thanks very much for listening. If you like what you’ve listened to then the best way to help us out is to share the podcast and drop us a review and rating on itunes.  You can also follow us on   Oliver: https://tabletopgamesblog.com/ Discord: https://discord.gg/3bMx2HK75r Blusky:https://bsky.app/profile/giantbrain.co.uk Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/giantbrainuk/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/thegiantbrain Website: https://giantbrain.co.uk/ Email: giantbrainuk@gmail.com

This podcast contains all the interviews that I conducted during Dragonmeet 2024. Thanks so much to everyone that took the time to talk to me.   The interviewees are:   Jason, Always Checkers Publishing Chris, Beyond Cataclysm Mike, Planet Smasher Games Shaan, RPG Taverns Finbar and Gary, Game Therapy UK   Our Links   Thanks very much for listening. If you like what you’ve listened to then the best way to help us out is to share the podcast and drop us a review and rating on itunes.  You can also follow us on   Oliver: https://tabletopgamesblog.com/ Discord: https://discord.gg/3bMx2HK75r Blusky:https://bsky.app/profile/giantbrain.co.uk Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/giantbrainuk/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/thegiantbrain Website: https://giantbrain.co.uk/ Email: giantbrainuk@gmail.com

It’s the last cast of the year and we have a full team in the studio to bring you the latest tabletop gaming news. From people taking off their masks, to copyright disputes, and awards news. Listen to the only cast to bring you the really important industry news.  Headlines Has Powerboats been taken for a Joyride? Joyride vs Powerboats thread https://boardgamegeek.com/thread/3412685/powerboatspowerships-joyride   Geoff Engelstein https://gametek.substack.com/p/copy-paste   Episodes where we have covered plagiarism allegations https://giantbrain.co.uk/2021/03/08/episode-68-kickstarter-conundrums/ https://giantbrain.co.uk/2018/04/29/episode-3-legal-vampires/   Cardboard Edison changes tack https://bsky.app/profile/cardboardedison.bsky.social/post/3lcatxomwp22c https://cardboardedison.com/award   Sandy Petersen wears no mask Sandy’s posts Quimbley’s response https://www.quimbleys.com/blogs/kickstarter-updates/quimbleys-official-inclusion-statement   Updates   Summit Award for Wargaming winner announced - and Bobby Nunes Memorial Award finalists announced https://sdhist.com/2024-summit-award-land-and-freedom/ https://sdhist.com/2024-bobby-nunes-memorial-award-finalists/   Wyrmwood fires staff  https://www.rascal.news/wyrmwoods-bitter-medicine-is-proving-hard-for-audiences-to-swallow/   Facebook pulls Fort Circle Games ad. Again.  https://bsky.app/profile/fortcircle.bsky.social/post/3lbyybi6hls2s   News   Itch is taken offline by Funko https://www.polygon.com/gaming/492791/itch-io-funko-takedown   Leaf’s post to Hacker News https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=42364033   GW enters the FTSE 100 https://www.theguardian.com/business/2024/dec/01/games-workshop-promoted-ftse-100-quarterly-reshuffle?fbclid=IwY2xjawG5fR9leHRuA2FlbQIxMQABHfpI4qljk5k-fjXOOMOgNiNXzPIQUwHiApvb9oHwY1_zqqmvx12t-fet8Q_aem_h_ZVqr3lvJUDFkDYW9j99w   SUSD becomes a publisher. Sort of  https://www.shutupandsitdown.com/were-partnering-with-play-to-z-to-launch-exciting-new-games/   Hachette becomes distributor for Edition Spielwiese https://www.mojo-nation.com/hachette-boardgames-group-strikes-distribution-deal-with-edition-spielwiese/   Vallejo workers on strike https://www.viaempresa.cat/es/empresa/98-plantilla-acrylicos-vallejo-se-suma-primera-jornada-huelga-indefinida_2206222_102.html   https://www.rascal.news/vallejo-factory-workers-go-on-strike/ Jobs, Opportunities, and Events   https://www.facebook.com/groups/TabletopJobs   Spiel des Jahres Funding Programme 2025 https://www.spiel-des-jahres.de/foerderprogramm-2025-startet-einreichungen-ab-sofort-moeglich/   https://www.spiel-des-jahres.de/foerderprogramm/   Patreon Shoutouts   Kevin Bertram https://www.fortcircle.com/   James Naylor https://naylorgames.com/   Shaun Newman game-a-lot.fun/en facebook.com/gamealotboardgames   Our Patreon https://www.patreon.com/thegiantbrain   Support Us https://giantbrain.co.uk/support-us-new/   Fanroll https://fanrolldice.com/ref/2783/ Outro   Monopoly Toppling Taxi https://monopoly.fandom.com/wiki/Monopoly_Free_Parking:_The_Toppling_Taxi_Game   Our Links   Thanks very much for listening. If you like what you’ve listened to then the best way to help us out is to share the podcast and drop us a review and rating on itunes.  You can also follow us on   Oliver: https://tabletopgamesblog.com/ Discord: https://discord.gg/3bMx2HK75r Blusky:https://bsky.app/profile/giantbrain.co.uk Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/giantbrainuk/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/thegiantbrain Website: https://giantbrain.co.uk/ Email: giantbrainuk@gmail.com

It’s a cast of finances, awards, lawsuits,  and political games as Oliver and Iain cross the world in the episode 154 of Brainwave to bring you the best in Tabletop Gaming News.    Headlines   Tariffs and Trade Rules Tax Tabletop Publishers  https://www.sjgames.com/ill/archive/2024-11-10   https://www.compliancegate.com/general-product-safety-regulation/   https://bsky.app/profile/badsquiddogames.bsky.social/post/3lb7r4n7eni22   https://www.rascal.news/new-legislation-impacts-games-sales-to-the-european-union/   Zenobia Award II Winners Announced https://sdhist.com/zenobia-award-the-porters/   Hasbro Sued by Investors https://www.polygon.com/tabletop-games/479315/hasbro-investor-lawsuit-pandemic-inventor   Updates   US Tabletop Unionisation Solicitation https://www.rascal.news/rascal-receives-solicitation-from-suspicious-email-after-tabletop-union-declares-potential-strike/   News   German Parliamentarian Game Night https://www.spiel-des-jahres.de/spielekultur-landet-im-bundestag/   Asmodee Gets Cash Injection https://embracer.com/releases/embracer-group-intends-to-contribute-eur-400m-to-asmodee-and-presents-asmodees-financial-targets-dividend-policy-and-net-financial-debt/   Obituaries   Amber Cook https://icv2.com/articles/news/view/58275/r-i-p-amber-cook GoFundMe: https://www.gofundme.com/f/9bkqj-in-memory-of-amber-cook-support-her-son-james   Kory Heath https://boardgamegeek.com/blog/1/blogpost/167622/in-memoriam-kory-heath   Jobs, Opportunities, and Events   https://www.facebook.com/groups/TabletopJobs   Board Game Raffle in Aid of The Trussell Trust / UK Food Banks https://tabletopgamesblog.com/raffle   Patreon Shoutouts   Kevin Bertram https://www.fortcircle.com/   James Naylor https://naylorgames.com/   Shaun Newman game-a-lot.fun/en facebook.com/gamealotboardgames   Our Patreon https://www.patreon.com/thegiantbrain   Support Us https://giantbrain.co.uk/support-us-new/   Fanroll https://fanrolldice.com/ref/2783/   Outro   Mystery Monopoly Midden https://www.reddit.com/r/CasualUK/comments/1gu7eel/anyone_wanna_play_monopoly_got_a_neighbour_whos/?utm_source=embedv2&utm_medium=post_embed&utm_content=post_title&embed_host_url=https://www.devonlive.com/news/uk-world-news/sudden-appearance-hundreds-monopoly-boxes-9726484&rdt=64307   Our Links   Thanks very much for listening. If you like what you’ve listened to then the best way to help us out is to share the podcast and drop us a review and rating on itunes.  You can also follow us on   Oliver: https://tabletopgamesblog.com/ Discord: https://discord.gg/3bMx2HK75r Blusky:https://bsky.app/profile/giantbrain.co.uk Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/giantbrainuk/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/thegiantbrain Website: https://giantbrain.co.uk/ Email: giantbrainuk@gmail.com

It’s been a mix of huge stories and not much else in the last few weeks. Iain and Jamie bring you the lowdown on what is going on at World of Game Design, who is bagging awards, hasbro’s financials, and what size of country the population of D&D Beyond could establish. All this, and more, on episode 153 of Brainwaves   Headlines   WOGD investigation by Rascal https://www.rascal.news/former-world-of-game-design-employees-claim-tabletop-company-exploits-workers-and-clients/   Zac Goins Facebook post https://www.facebook.com/xzacklee/posts/pfbid02yf9PBqMH47ReMwKBBH7rVVTtKtYZaSioPAAYJb57Wq7YpannnPSZGLCyR1xvnsNAl   Hasbro conference call https://investor.hasbro.com/news-releases/news-release-details/hasbro-reports-third-quarter-2024-financial-results   https://icv2.com/articles/news/view/58109/hasbro-ceo-reveals-magic-plans-secret-lair-volumes-d-d-dtc-percentage-more   https://www.enworld.org/threads/hasbro-hit-with-layoffs-wizards-of-the-coast-impacted.707539/page-2   FSC award https://boardgamewire.com/index.php/2024/11/05/life-in-reterra-becomes-first-board-game-to-win-forest-stewardship-council-sustainability-award/   https://us.fsc.org/en-us/get-involved/fsc-leadership-awards/2024-leadership-award-winners-01   News   Commander Format https://www.polygon.com/mtg-magic-the-gathering/468627/mtg-new-commander-format-panel-rules-committee   https://magic.wizards.com/en/news/announcements/introducing-the-commander-format-panel   Summit award finalists  https://boardgamewire.com/index.php/2024/10/23/summit-award-reveals-2024-contenders-which-have-best-helped-draw-in-players-broaden-scope-of-historical-board-gaming/   Jobs, Opportunities, and Events   https://www.facebook.com/groups/TabletopJobs   Boardgamewire report on Tabletop Jobs Group https://boardgamewire.com/index.php/2024/11/07/board-gamings-biggest-job-site-is-an-almost-20000-strong-facebook-group-and-is-planning-its-first-ever-live-event-next-year/   Dragonmeet Attendance https://dragonmeet.co.uk/   Patreon Shoutouts   Kevin Bertram https://www.fortcircle.com/   James Naylor https://naylorgames.com/   Shaun Newman game-a-lot.fun/en facebook.com/gamealotboardgames   Our Patreon https://www.patreon.com/thegiantbrain   Support Us https://giantbrain.co.uk/support-us-new/   Fanroll https://fanrolldice.com/ref/2783/ Sir Meeple https://sirmeeple.com/collections/the-giant-brain   Outro   Food for Fought   https://nerdist.com/article/dungeons-dragons-beer-bourbon-dragons-milk/?fbclid=IwY2xjawGKRLBleHRuA2FlbQIxMQABHd7-QA1c_7gdVbxEq4gt7b59ABwXNx-YAwUz0S30T11j2J0OLEHTRcJU5A_aem_aB4GlBcElnqiWARtJzGidg   https://www.enworld.org/threads/game-night-is-well-catered-with-these-official-d-d-meat-sticks.707556/   Our Links   Thanks very much for listening. If you like what you’ve listened to then the best way to help us out is to share the podcast and drop us a review and rating on itunes.  You can also follow us on   Oliver: https://tabletopgamesblog.com/ Discord: https://discord.gg/3bMx2HK75r Blusky:https://bsky.app/profile/giantbrain.co.uk Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/giantbrainuk/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/thegiantbrain Website: https://giantbrain.co.uk/ Email: giantbrainuk@gmail.com

In this special edition of Brainwaves we present the interviews that we carried out at Tabletop Scotland 2024. Thanks so much to everyone who spoke to us.    People and Organisations   Tanya Floaker Edinburgh Indie Gamers Hive Mind Games Village on Stilts  Hall or Nothing Kayla Dice - Rat Wave Game House Laurie O’Connell Phil Harris   Games mentioned   DrievthruRPG links are affiliate links   Dead Air Be Seeing You  Connection Machine Solstice The great Martian tripod race Wise Women  Conspiracy & Reality  Outliers Signal to Noise Numbers Station  Stealing the Throne The Gardener is Dead  Hopes and Dreams of the Orbital Bound  What’s so daring about sky pirates Duskbringers Runesword Colostle  Sandwich Master Brother Why? At your Peril Wretched and Alone   Our Links   Thanks very much for listening. If you like what you’ve listened to then the best way to help us out is to share the podcast and drop us a review and rating on itunes.  You can also follow us on   Oliver: https://tabletopgamesblog.com/ Discord: https://discord.gg/3bMx2HK75r Blusky:https://bsky.app/profile/giantbrain.co.uk Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/giantbrainuk/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/thegiantbrain Website: https://giantbrain.co.uk/ Email: giantbrainuk@gmail.com

Iain is taking this cast off so Jamie and Oliver are at the helm. This episode they cover further troubles at Mythic, companies being saved and consolidating their lines, controversial giveaways and more on episode 152 of Brainwaves.    Headlines   Mythic Games France liquidates  https://boardgamewire.com/index.php/2024/10/17/no-mythic-games-hasnt-gone-into-liquidation-but-its-fate-should-be-decided-by-the-end-of-the-month/ https://annonces-legales.leparisien.fr/annonce/23cba43f-8a82-48c1-8f57-6a2285e239c3   Funforge ‘saved’ by Tokaido deal https://boardgamewire.com/index.php/2024/10/11/did-it-save-the-company-yes-and-no-funforges-ceo-on-fighting-its-financial-woes-by-selling-the-tokaido-line-to-stonemaier/   Spiel Essen Sold Out https://www.spiel-essen.de/en/press?view=article&id=222&catid=12   News   Barnes & Noble to list game designers  https://icv2.com/articles/news/view/57959/barnes-noble-begin-listing-game-designers   NAC Wargames hands out Nazi memorabilia https://bsky.app/profile/celacanto.bsky.social/post/3l5qu6lhp4j2n The Other Side of the Hill crowdfunding campaign: https://gamefound.com/en/projects/masqueoca/the-other-side-of-the-hill/ Publisher’s response on BGG: https://boardgamegeek.com/image/8461574/the-other-side-of-the-hill?commentid=12438977 Gamefound update about the Iron Cross medal: https://gamefound.com/en/projects/masqueoca/the-other-side-of-the-hill/updates/5   Matagot shrinks catalogue https://boardgamewire.com/index.php/2024/10/16/matagot-stops-publishing-heavier-games-like-kemet-inis-shifts-focus-to-family-and-childrens-titles/   Steve Jackson Games announces Fighting Fantasy Deal https://www.sjgames.com/fightingfantasy/   Jobs, Opportunities, and Events   https://www.facebook.com/groups/TabletopJobs Patreon Shoutouts   Kevin Bertram https://www.fortcircle.com/   James Naylor https://naylorgames.com/   Shaun Newman game-a-lot.fun/en facebook.com/gamealotboardgames   Our Patreon https://www.patreon.com/thegiantbrain   Support Us https://giantbrain.co.uk/support-us-new/   Fanroll https://fanrolldice.com/ref/2783/   Sir Meeple https://sirmeeple.com/collections/the-giant-brain   Boardgamewire https://boardgamewire.com/   Outro   English Heritage Games https://www.english-heritageshop.org.uk/toys-games/games/board-games   Our Links   Thanks very much for listening. If you like what you’ve listened to then the best way to help us out is to share the podcast and drop us a review and rating on itunes.  You can also follow us on   Oliver: https://tabletopgamesblog.com/ Discord: https://discord.gg/3bMx2HK75r Blusky:https://bsky.app/profile/giantbrain.co.uk Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/giantbrainuk/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/thegiantbrain Website: https://giantbrain.co.uk/ Email: giantbrainuk@gmail.com

This special episode of Brainwaves is all the interviews I conducted at Gothcon earlier in the year. Gothcon is Sweden’s premier convention with games across all genres of the hobby and it was my privilege to be invited across. You can read all about my time there in the posts below and listen to the wonderful RPG community I had the pleasure of being involved with    https://giantbrain.co.uk/2024/03/30/gothcon-2024-arrival-and-day-1/   https://giantbrain.co.uk/2024/03/31/gothcon-2024-day-2/   https://giantbrain.co.uk/2024/04/07/gothcon-2024-why-do-i-attend-events/   Pontus   Gothcon  https://wordpress.gothcon.se/en/   Blackfisk Publishing    https://blackfiskpublishing.com/   Mika   https://mindy.nu/2024/07/29/bubblare-ian-mcallister-fran-brainwaves/   Emil. ROAR   https://open.spotify.com/show/3gptPHq0l1mg2ZuyuWMQ4R?si=5318d580a0f14560&utm_medium=share&utm_source=linktree&nd=1&dlsi=8196858e350a4fab   Hjalmar Norden, Red Moon Roleplaying   https://www.redmoonroleplaying.com/   Magnus Seter   https://www.rollspel.nu/   Nina, Gothcon Organiser Anna, Podcast Room Organiser    https://www.svartvikenrp.se/