So Very Wrong About Games

Apparently there were scrapped plans for the Gorn (the lumbering rubber lizard suit dude Kirk fights in that famous episode) to show up in other Star Trek properties. One plan had a Gorn show up as Worf's guest to Riker's bachelor party in Nemesis, and frankly despite how awful those latter movies were I would have been all over that. I can only imagine that the plan was abandoned when the props department couldn't get a styrofoam cocktail to look right.01:42 AYURIS: The Wolves (Ashwain Kamath and Clarence Simpson, Pandasaurus Games, 2022)Games Played Last Week:03:49 -Tidal Blades 2: Rise of the Unfolders (Tim Eisner and Ben Eisner, Druid City Games, 2024)10:28 -Mass Effect: The Board Game - Priority: Hagalaz (Eric M. Lang and Calvin Wong Tze Loon, Modiphius Entertainment, 2024)16:15 -The LOOP (Maxime Rambourg and Théo Rivière, Pandasaurus Games, 2020)20:57 -Cryo (Tom Jolly & Luke Laurie, Z-Man Games, 2021)24:37 -Flip 7 (Eric Olsen, The Op Games, 2024)26:23 -Rebel Princess (Daniel Byrne, José Gerardo Guerrero, Kevin Peláez, and Tirso Virgós, Zombi Paella, 2023)31:05 -Tiny Laser Heist (Evan Katz and Josh Roberts, Evan and Josh's Very Special Games Company, 2024)37:54 -D.E.I.: Divide et Impera (Tommaso Battista, Ludus Magnus Studio, 2022)44:42 -Modern Art (Reiner Knizia, CMON, 2017)News (and why it doesn't matter):48:13 Please support us on Patreon! www.patreon.com/svwag49:15 Ingenious goes vertical: Einfach Genial 3D49:58 Clans of Caledonia's long-awaited expansion: Industria 51:26 Star Trek Ascendancy: The Gorn!52:41 Topic: Opening the Box DownersAdvertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brandsPrivacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

Thrill to the latest superhero epic, "X-Men: Layover in Dulles." When the Blackbird is grounded due to an unexplained indicator light (meddling from the sinister Magneto? Who can say?!?!), the elite group of heroic mutants must navigate the perils of terminal D. Wolverine is having problems with the metal detectors again, which is troublesome as he is smuggling Cuban cigars. Rogue must battle the temptation of the 15-minute massage station. Panera bread keeps getting Cyclops' order wrong. It's epic, it's exciting, it's eight hours long!01:42 AYURIS: The Great Wall (Kamil 'Sanex' Cieśla, Robert Plesowicz, & Łukasz Włodarczyk, Awaken Realms, 2021)Games Played Last Week:04:43 -Don't Rock the Croc (Uncredited, FoxMind, Unknown)07:52 -War Story: Occupied France (Dave Neale and David Thompson, Osprey Games, 2024)13:20 -Barcelona: Passeig de Gràcia (Dani Garcia, Board&Dice, 2024)20:27 -Mass Effect: The Board Game - Priority: Hagalaz (Eric M. Lang and Calvin Wong Tze Loon, Modiphius Entertainment, 2024)27:04 -Freedom Five: A Sentinel Comics Board Game (Richard Launius, Adam Sadler, and Brady Sadler, Arcane Wonders, 2024)32:13 Behold: Rome (Joe Klipfel, Mythfield Games, 2024)36:40 -Rebel Princess (Daniel Byrne, José Gerardo Guerrero, Kevin Peláez, and Tirso Virgós, Zombi Paella, 2023)39:00 -Seers Catalog (Taylor Reiner, Bézier Games, 2024)40:35 -The Gang (John Cooper and Kory Heath, KOSMOS, 2024)45:00 -Flip 7 (Eric Olsen, The Op Games, 2024)49:31 -Scholars of the South Tigris (S J Macdonald and Shem Phillips, Garphill Games, 2023)53:10 -Dogs of War (Paolo Mori, CMON, 2014)57:33 -Crossbows & Catapults: Fortress War (Stephen Baker, Noah Cohen, Rob Daviau, Justin D. Jacobson, and Brian Neff, Restoration Games, 2024)1:03:50 -Catapult Feud (Kristian Fosh, Vesuvius Media, 2021)1:07:23 -51st State: Ultimate Edition (Ignacy Trzewiczek, Portal Games, 2023)1:08:54 -Ceres (Gustaf Sundström, Artipia Games, 2023)1:10:02 -Last Aurora (Mauro Chiabotto, Pendragon Game Studio, 2020)News (and why it doesn't matter):1:12:32 Barony Royal Edition on Kickstarter1:13:59 Smurfs Roleplaying Games1:14:16 Reiner Knizia anthropomorphic animals: Money and Nyakuza1:15:29 Zeo Genesis scalable miniatures games from OG Games Workshp designers1:16:25 Planepita: dexterity with magnets!1:17:01 Keep the Heroes Out! digital version delayed, Russian contract confusionAdvertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brandsPrivacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

Walker: But, indeed, sir, we make holiday,to see Freedom Five and to rejoice in its triumph.Mark: Wherefore rejoice? What delight brings it home?What enjoyment follows it to the table,To grace in fun times its board presence?You blocks, you stones, you worse than senseless things!Games Played Last Week:01:08 -Freedom Five: A Sentinel Comics Board Game (Richard Launius, Adam Sadler, and Brady Sadler, Arcane Wonders, 2024)10:51 -Things in Rings (Peter C. Hayward, Allplay, 2024)13:46 -City of the Six Moons (Amabel Holland, Hollandspiele, 2024)19:56 -Lost Cities: Rivals (Reiner Knizia, KOSMOS, 2018) 22:58 -Through Ice and Snow (Fernando Eduardo Sánchez, 2Tomatoes Games, 2024)29:54 -Don't L.L.A.M.A. Dice (Reiner Knizia, AMIGO, 2021)32:24 -Cockroach Poker (Jacques Zeimet, Drei Magier Spiele, 2004)37:03 -The Lord of the Rings: Duel for Middle-earth (Antoine Bauza & Bruno Cathala, Repos Production, 2024)39:42 -Harmonies (Johan Benvenuto, Libellud, 2024)News (and why it doesn't matter):40:18 Twilight Struggle 20th Anniversary Hall of Fame Edition41:25 Richard Garfield and CMYK revamp Magical Athlete42:19 Tons of upcoming Devir releases  44:49 Amazing hidden movement: Burned is back on Kickstarter45:31 Feature Game: EGO (Reiner Knizia, Bitewing Games, 2025)Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brandsPrivacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

An auspicious palindrome of an episode number! Granted, in triple digits one encounters a palindrome every ten episodes or so, but I'm sure the numerologists amongst us have special enthusiasm for the mighty TRIP THREE. I mean, primes, and threes, and all that. Anyway, it'll be a minute until we reach episode TRIP FOUR, so lets savour this while we can.01:10 AYURIS: Mille Fiori (Reiner Knizia, Schmidt Spiele, 2021)Games Played Last Week:04:06 -Lunar Rush (Steven "Skippy" Brown, Dead Alive Games, 2023)08:53 -Dragons Down (Scott DeMers, Mr. B Games, 2024)16:20 -Things in Rings (Peter C. Hayward, Allplay, 2024)26:00 -EGO (Reiner Knizia, Bitewing Games, 2025)33:37 -Keep the Heroes Out!: Boss Battles (Luís Brueh, Brueh Games, 2024)37:20 -Mexica (Michael Kiesling & Wolfgang Kramer, Rio Grande Games, 2002)40:22 -Avatar: The Last Airbender--Aang's Destiny (Patrick Marino, The OP Games, 2024)43:47 -Formula D (Laurent Lavaur & Eric Randall, Asmodee, 2008)45:18 -Aquatica: Coral Reefs (Ivan Tuzovsky, Arcane Wonders, 2024) News (and why it doesn't matter):50:22 Risk 2210 A.D.: Frontline expansion51:49 New version of Diplomacy: Era of Empire52:42 Axis & Allies: Battle for the Deep 53:41 Trilogy of Bitewing Knizia games: SILOS, EGO, and ORBIT 55:20 It's time for another Mission: Red Planet reprint55:49 Join us in celebrating Arkhipov Day on October 27th56:08 Topic: Expectations in CrowdfundingAdvertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brandsPrivacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

Once again, a primer on some of the differences between the US and Canada. We Canadians celebrate Thanksgiving in early October, in honour of our second governor general, the Right Honourable October G. Thanksington. Rather than turkey and football, we do latkes and rugby. Games Played Last Week:00:55 -Black Forest (Tido Lorenz and Uwe Rosenberg, Feuerland Spiele, 2024)09:36 -Bargain Hunter (Uwe Rosenberg, Valley Games, 1998)12:21 -Unreliable Wizard (Kamibayashi, Salt & Pepper Games, 2024)15:25 -Space Alert (Vlaada Chvátil, Czech Games Edition, 2008)20:21 -Wabash Cannonball (John Bohrer, Rio Grande Games, 2023)25:28 -Quartermaster General: 1914 (Second Edition) (Ian Brody, Ares Games, 2022)29:20 -Lunar Rush (Steven "Skippy" Brown, Dead Alive Games, 2023)32:51 -Cross Clues (Grégory Grard, Blue Orange Games, 2020)35:46 -Avatar: The Last Airbender--Aang's Destiny (Patrick Marino, The OP Games, 2024) News (and why it doesn't matter):40:26 The Waste of Parts: a post-apocalyptic journey42:09 Join us in celebrating Arkhipov Day on October 27th42:19 Talisman Alliances: Fate Beckons. Co-op Talisman?43:19 Feature Game: Undaunted 2200: Callisto (Trevor Benjamin and David Thompson, Osprey, 2024)Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brandsPrivacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

It is October, the month of Fat Bear Week, Decorative Gourd Season, Halloween, and Arkhipov Day! Sure, it has less candy than some of those other celebrations, but I'll wager neither a corpulent bear nor a kid dressed as a pirate has ever saved the entire human race. 01:00 AYURIS: IKI (Koota Yamada, Sorry We Are French, 2015)Games Played Last Week:03:38 -Valka (Brooke Penrose, Terrible Games, 2024)07:16 -Bus (Jeroen Doumen and Joris Wiersinga, Capstone Games, 2019)09:47 -Warpgate: Beyond (Artyom Nichipurov, Wolff Designa, 2022)12:33 -Dinosaur World (Brian Lewis, David McGregor, & Marissa Misura, Pandasaurus Games, 2021)16:02 -SCOUT (Kei Kajino, Oink Games, 2019)18:18 -Jekyll & Hyde vs Scotland Yard (Gaëtan Beaujannot, Olivier Cipière, and Geonil, Mandoo Games, 2023)20:11 -Cthulhu: Death May Die--Fear of the Unknown (Rob Daviau, Eric M. Lang, and Marco Portugal, CMON, 2024)22:57 -Set a Watch (Mike Gnade and Todd Walsh, Rock Manor Games, 2019)25:04 -Hamster Roll (Jacques Zeimet, Zoch Verlag, 2000)27:02 -Federation (Dimitri Perrier and Matthieu Verdier, Explor8, 2022)28:22 -R (Seiji Kanai, Kanai Factory, 2011)31:03 -Lost Cities: The Board Game (Reiner Knizia, Rio Grande, 2008)35:21 -Vengeance: Roll & Fight (Gordon Calleja, Noralie Lubbers, & Dávid Turczi, Mighty Boards, 2022) News (and why it doesn't matter):38:57 Friedemann Friese's Fishing: trick-taking39:37 Mac Gerdts' 7 Empires40:40 Reiner Knizia's Cosmolancer: Kingdoms, again41:48 Burned relaunches on crowdfunding October 23 from Jon Moffat and Stone Circle Games42:15 Daniele Tascini's Transgalactica42:29 Chonkers Party: phat animals42:50 Walker on Boards and Brews43:14 Join us in celebrating Arkhipov Day on October 27th44:22 Topic: Our Favourite FactionsAdvertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brandsPrivacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

Generally we here at SVWAG prefer sci-fi to fantasy, especially if it is of the general sort. There is something joyous about the weird flights of fancy that sci-fi can enable, such as Andromeda's Edge with its "Jelluloid Technoblorps." That said, there's something particularly odious about importing generic fantasy into your sci-fi, like space dwarves and space dragons--something Andromeda's Edge also does. Call it a wash.Games Played Last Week:01:01 -Harmonies (Johan Benvenuto, Libellud, 2024)02:14 -Dro Polter (Paul Schulz, Oink Games, 2023)05:56 -Rise and Fall (Christophe Boelinger, Ludically, 2024)11:26 -Planet Unknown (Ryan Lambert & Adam Rehberg, Adam's Apple Games, 2022)16:27 -Undaunted 2200: Callisto (Trevor Benjamin and David Thompson, Osprey, 2024)18:18 -Irish Gauge (Amabel Holland, Capstone Games, 2019)22:25 -Jekyll vs. Hyde (Geonil, Mandoo Games, 2021)26:42 -Through the Desert (Reiner Knizia, Allplay, 2024)31:43 -Cthulhu: Death May Die--Fear of the Unknown (Rob Daviau, Eric M. Lang, and Marco Portugal, CMON, 2024) News (and why it doesn't matter):37:15 From the Voidfall universe Mindclash brings us Revenant by Allan Kirkeby 39:28 Renegade reprints Acquire41:03 Please support us on Patreon and take our games! www.patreon.com/svwag41:53 Feature Game: Andromeda's Edge (Luke Laurie and Maximus Laurie, Cardboard Alchemy, 2024)Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brandsPrivacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

If you replayed all the published SVWAG episodes back-back, it would take over 355 hours, or almost 15 days. This is not necessarily how we would recommend you spend your time. Indeed, for our purposes, we are equally wrong regardless of whether anyone is there to hear it; while we sometimes engage with Western philosophy due to Mark's academic background, the realm of the koan is beyond our purview. Long story short, feel free to re-download all our episodes to your heart's content. I'm sure it would help us with some algorithm somewhere.01:41 AYURIS: Autobahn (Fabio Lopiano and Nestore Mangone, Alley Cat Games, 2022)Games Played Last Week:05:06 -Harmonies (Johan Benvenuto, Libellud, 2024)11:30 -Valka (Brooke Penrose, Terrible Games, 2024)17:01 -Keep the Heroes Out!: Boss Battles (Luís Brueh, Brueh Games, 2024)21:43 -Undaunted 2200: Callisto (Trevor Benjamin and David Thompson, Osprey, 2024)29:36 -CATAN: Starfarers Duel (Klaus Teuber and Benjamin Teuber, KOSMOS, 2023) 33:38 -Rise and Fall (Christophe Boelinger, Ludically, 2024)40:54 -Martian Dice (Scott Almes, Tasty Minstrel Games, 2011) News (and why it doesn't matter):42:20 International Gamers Awards announce their 2024 winners43:18 German wooden monstrosity: Drachentreppe44:59 David Thompson and Trevor Benjamin Line of Fire: Burnt Moon; in the Undaunted 2200 setting46:12 Topic: ReplayabilityAdvertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brandsPrivacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

I find so many mnemonics to be profoundly disappointing. Unless there's a structural element to tie the components together, a mnemonic will not serve to dispositively disambiguate a dyad. I assure you, that lamentable bit of alliteration was unintentional.For example, "I before E except after C" also works qua slogan as "I after E except before C." There are the ones about beer and liquor, feeding or starving a cold, colour of the sky and sailors' states of mind... I recall the structure, but not which one goes with which. Relatedly, is there a mnemonic to remember how to spell mnemonic?Games Played Last Week:02:27 -The Voyages of Marco Polo (Simone Luciani & Daniele Tascini, Hans im Gluck, 2015)04:52 -Pulsar 2849 (Vladimír Suchý, CGE, 2017)07:29 -Faiyum (Friedemann Friese, 2F-Spiele, 2020)12:01 -MicroMacro: Crime City--All In (Johannes Sich, Edition Spielwiese, 2022)14:45 -Who's the Banana? (Chris Cieslik, Asmadi Games, 2009)17:07 -Rats of Wistar (Simone Luciani and Danilo Sabia, Cranio Creations, 2023)19:29 -Raccoon Tycoon (Glenn Drover, Forbidden Games, 2018)22:05 -Yokohama Roll & Write (Hisashi Hayashi, OKAZU Brand, 2021)24:29 -Gods Love Dinosaurs (Kasper Lapp, Pandasaurus Games, 2020)27:05 -Harmonies (Johan Benvenuto, Libellud, 2024)29:49 -Ratyl (Andy Gallagher, Busy Dad Games, 2023) News (and why it doesn't matter):33:51 Monopoly goes to Flavortown34:38 Zheng He by Greg Engelstein and David Thompson on GMT's P50035:47 Cyberpunk 2077: more promising-looking than CMON's offering39:46 Beyond the Horizon: Dennis K. Chan, Adam Hill, Ben Pinchback, Matt Riddle41:20 Studio Ghibli Othello/Reversi sets: https://boardgamegeek.com/image/8405167/othello43:20 Feature Game: The Vale of Eternity (Eric Hong, Mandoo Games, 2023)Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brandsPrivacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

Solidarity, dear listeners, on this most august September Labour Day. Of course, Labour Day is the labour holiday invented for the US and Canada so as to undermine global solidarity. Nearly everywhere else celebrates International Workers' Day instead. One must marvel at the ingenuity of inventing Labour Day so as to undermine global labour solidarity. 02:29 AYURIS: Rolling Heights (John D. Clair, AEG, 2023)Games Played Last Week:06:59 -Harmonies (Johan Benvenuto, Libellud, 2024)09:49 -Flowerfall (Carl Chudyk, Asmadi Games, 2012)11:51 -MicroMacro: Crime City--All In (Johannes Sich, Edition Spielwiese, 2022)12:29 -Who's the Banana? (Chris Cieslik, Asmadi Games, 2009)14:52 -Dodo (Frank Bebenroth and Marco Teubner, MOSMOS, 2020)19:00 -Life in Reterra (Ken Gruhl and Eric M. Lang, Hasbro, 2024)21:48 -Windmill Valley (Dani Garcia, Board&Dice, 2024)25:12 -Ra (Reiner Knizia, alea, 1999)28:28 -River of Gold (Keith Piggott, Office Dog, 2024)33:06 -Spectral (Ryan Courtney, Bitewing Games, 2024)37:07 -Bargain Hunter (Uwe Rosenberg, Valley Games, 1998)41:53 -Fateforge: Chronicles of Kaan (Gordon Calleja, Mighty Boards, 2024)45:15 -Heat: Pedal to the Metal (Asger Harding Granerud and Daniel Skjold Pedersen, Days of Wonder, 2022)News (and why it doesn't matter):47:18 Kronologic series: Paris 1920, Cuzco 1450, and Babylon 250048:15 Topic: Game MasteryAdvertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brandsPrivacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

Some important editorial notes!-the game walker mentioned is Völuspá, and no we don't know what work those accents are doing;-SVWAG does not engage in the eating of seal meat (no one's thought to offer, really);-we hope that Undaunted 2200: Callisto will follow in Battle of Britain's excellent example of having a badass Sikh pilot.Games Played Last Week:01:02 -Nocturne (David Iezzi, Flatout Games, 2024) 03:24 -Cosmic Encounter (Bill Eberle, Jack Kittredge, Bill Norton, Peter Olotka, and Kevin Wilson, Fantasy Flight, 2008)12:20 -Spectral (Ryan Courtney, Bitewing Games, 2024)15:13 -The Edge: Dawnfall (Michał Oracz, Krzysztof Piskorski, and Marcin Świerkot, Awaken Realms, 2018)22:20 -Darwin’s Journey (Simone Luciani and Nestore Mangone, ThunderGryph Games, 2023)24:50 -Life in Reterra (Ken Gruhl and Eric M. Lang, Hasbro, 2024)28:06 -Undaunted: Battle of Britain (Trevor Benjamin and David Thompson, Osprey Games, 2023)News (and why it doesn't matter):34:55 English Sakura Arms now owned by Japanime Games; third time's the charm?37:03 Res Arcana Duo expandalone 37:48 Natera: New Beginning: cute and only somewhat anthropomorphic38:53 Lords of Heaven from PHALANX: Crusades revisionism or culturally sensitive?40:55 Feature Game: Deep Rock Galactic (Ole Steiness, MOOD Publishing, 2022)Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brandsPrivacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

The full title of the Spider Lord is Spider the Third, by the Grace of God of the Unfinished Basement, Canada and His other Realms and Territories King, Head of the Subterranean, Defender of the Faith.01:56 AYURIS: Ginkgopolis (Xavier Georges, Pearl Games, 2012)Games Played Last Week:05:02 -Knarr (Thomas Dupont, Bombyx, 2023)08:12 -Primal: The Awakening (Tommaso Mondadori and Alberto Parisi, Reggie Games, 2024)12:55 -Beowulf: The Legend (Reiner Knizia, KOSMOS, 2005)19:19 -Pavlov's House (David Thompson, Dan Verssen Games, 2018)23:26 -Deep Rock Galactic (Ole Steiness, MOOD Publishing, 2022)24:47 -Capital Lux 2: Generations (Eilif Svensson & Kristian Amundsen Østby, Aporta Games, 2020)29:17 -Trolls & Princesses (Pim Thunborg, Game Brewer, 2023)32:21 -Dro Polter (Paul Schulz, Oink Games, 2023)36:47 -Gnome Hollow (Ammon Anderson, Levity Games, 2024)News (and why it doesn't matter):42:22 Board Game Arena: Gnome Hollow, Orleans, Darwin's Journey43:47 Flickering Stars: sci-fi dexterity by Matt Leacock 44:11 French Republican Calendar from Karate Fight Publishing45:15 Tikal Legendary46:19 Please consider supporting us on Patreon! www.patreon.com/svwag46:40 Topic: Collection OrganizationAdvertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brandsPrivacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

It is Festivus once again here at SVWAG, where we shall once again vent our collective spleen over features of games that irk us. Sometimes we will assert that our umbrage is righteous and ought to be shared, and other times we will concede we are merely motivated by idiosyncratic pique. Our feelings, in either case, shall not be denied.00:46 AYURIS: Beowulf: The Legend (Reiner Knizia, KOSMOS, 2005)Games Played Last Week:04:21 -Terminus (Earl Aspiras and Tom Volpe, Inside Up Games, 2024)08:53 -For Northwood! A Solo Trick-Taking Game (Wilhelm Su, Self-published, 2021)12:41 -Deep Rock Galactic (Ole Steiness, MOOD Publishing, 2022)15:15 -Harvest (Trey Chambers, Keymaster Games, 2024)20:44 -Assault on Doomrock: Ultimate Edition (Tom Stasiak, Beautiful Disaster Games, 2023)24:46 -Tribune (Karl-Heinz Schmiel, Spielworxx, 2021)29:18 -Charioteer (Matt Calkins, GMT Games, 2022)News (and why it doesn't matter):33:59 Peacemakers: Horrors of War, a promising sequel to Dawn of the Peacemakers35:27 Quartermaster General: South Front36:37 Valiant Defense: Guadalcanal: The Battle for Henderson Field NOT designed by David Thompson 37:53 Topic: Game Design Pet PeevesAdvertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brandsPrivacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

Who is this Wilmot? What wares is he housing? Few answers are offered. We are merely told, rather imperiously, that we work at his warehouse. Sure, we have weekends off, but on occasion the fickle demiurge Wilmot commands us to speak in monosyllable, or move seats, or hide secrets from our colleagues. One shudders to imagine what terrible fate befalls those foolhardy enough to flout his edicts.Games Played Last Week:00:41 -Terminus (Earl Aspiras and Tom Volpe, Inside Up Games, 2024)10:15 -Hour of Need (Adam Sadler & Brady Sadler, Blacklist Games, 2022)13:40 -Animal Upon Animal (Klaus Miltenberger, HABA, 2005)14:01 -Ghost Blitz (Jacques Zeimet, Zoch Verlag, 2010)14:50 -Green Team Wins (Nathan Thornton, 25th Century Games, 2022)15:45 -Spirit Island: Nature Incarnate (R. Eric Reuss, Greater Than Games, 2023)21:39 -Robinson Crusoe: Collector's Edition (Joanna Kijanka and Ignacy Trzewiczek, Portal Games, 2024)28:29 -Slay the Spire: The Board Game (Gary Dworetsky, Anthony Giovannetti, and Casey Yano, Contention Games, 2024) 34:39 -Deep Rock Galactic (Ole Steiness, MOOD Publishing, 2022)37:04 -Quartermaster General: East Front (Ian Brody, Ares Games, 2023)News (and why it doesn't matter):44:49 Phil Walker-Harding, Dr. Finn, and Devir Game's Cities46:15 Feature Game: Wilmot's Warehouse (Ricky Haggett, Richard Hogg, and David King, CMYK, 2024)Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brandsPrivacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

We here at SVWAG take pains to differentiate between two conflated ideas. We say "approachable" for rulesets that are easily learned and internalized, reserving the similar-sounding term "accessible" to refer to games that are usable for people with disabilities.Relatedly, MICHAEL WALKER IS BACK.02:43 AYURIS: Oak (Wim Goossens, Game Brewer, 2022) Games Played Last Week:04:25 -Friday (Friedemann Friese, 2F-Spiele, 2011)07:12 -Fast Sloths (Friedemann Friese, 2F-SPiele, 2019)10:56 -Ghost Blitz Mini (Jacques Zeimet, Zoch Verlag, 2010)12:11 -For Sale (Stefan Dorra, Uberplay, 1997)13:52 -Primal: The Awakening (Tommaso Mondadori and Alberto Parisi, Reggie Games, 2024)18:19 -Corporate America (Teale Fristoe, Nothing Sacred Games, 2013)23:10 -Guards of Atlantis II (Artyom Nichipurov, Wolff Designa, 2022)25:57 -Arcs (Cole Wehrle, Leder Games, 2024)33:00 -Slay the Spire: The Board Game (Gary Dworetsky, Anthony Giovannetti, and Casey Yano, Contention Games, 2024) 35:33 -Combat Commander: Europe (Chad Jensen, GMT, 2006)40:08 -Marshmallow Test (Reiner Knizia, Gamewright, 2020)42:06 -Wilmot's Warehouse (Ricky Haggett, Richard Hogg, and David King, CMYK, 2024)News (and why it doesn't matter):46:31 Until Proven Guilty: cooperative storytelling46:55 More Root factions: bats and frogs47:35 Planet of the Apes cooperative miniatures game48:24 Barrage legendary box48:38 Great Western Trail El Paso48:55 Liège of Games is Walker's source of news: https://www.youtube.com/c/Li%C3%A8geofGames/videos49:13 Unmatched Adventures: TMNT and cross-license games51:07 Topic: Michael Walker Revolutionizes Physical TherapyAdvertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brandsPrivacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

Our guest host this week is the estimable Mark Besada of the Golden Geek Award-winning podcast, Board Game Barrage! Known as the Green Tank because he is more swole than the Hulk (rumours persist that Lou Ferrigno learned all he knew about bodybuilding from Mark), he nonetheless exudes generosity and hospitality. Unless you throw down in Ghost Blitz, that is. Then it's Go Time.  Games Played Last Week:02:31 -Skytear Horde: Monoliths (Giacomo Neri and Riccardo Neri, Skytear Games, 2024)07:39 -Lords of Scotland (Richard James, Z-Man Games, 2010)11:27 -Slay the Spire: The Board Game (Gary Dworetsky, Anthony Giovannetti, and Casey Yano, Contention Games, 2024) [EDIT: The "Ironclad" character was erroneously referred to as the Ironborn. We apologize for the error and look forward to your many, many correction emails]17:11 -Distilled (Dave Beck, Paverson Games, 2023)21:51 -RelicBlade: Adventure Battle Game (Sean Sutter, Metal King Studio, 2015)30:23 -Sky Team (Luc Rémond, Le Scorpion Masqué, 2023)34:05 -Ghost Blitz Mini (Jacques Zeimet, Zoch Verlag, 2010)39:55 -Arcs (Cole Wehrle, Leder Games, 2024)News (and why it doesn't matter):46:00 Atlantis Exodus has an "apotheosis track"47:18 Please support us on Patreon! www.patreon.com/svwag47:36 Feature Game: Captain Flip (Remo Conzadori and Paolo Mori, PlayPunk, 2024) and the Spiel des Jahres1:18:14 SVWAG Presents Masterpiece Theatre: RipleyAdvertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brandsPrivacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

Our next guest host during Michael Walker's recovery is Efka Bladukas, half of No Pun Included! Efka is an internationally-renowned board game critic and dog enthusiast, known for his detestation of whimsy and tireless tolerance of Mark's yammerings. He once split a mountain in twain with his bare hands while simultaneously inventing cold fusion, but he's so humble he'll probably deny it--which is proof positive that it's all true.Games Played Last Week:01:37 -Captain Flip (Remo Conzadori and Paolo Mori, PlayPunk, 2024)08:30 -In the Footsteps of Darwin (Grégory Grard and Matthieu Verdier, Sorry We Are French, 2023)13:31 -It’s a Wonderful World: Corruption & Ascension (Frédéric Guérard, La Boîte de Jeu, 2020)17:34 -Cascadero (Reiner Knizia, Bitewing Games, 2024)22:03 -Dungeons & Dragons: Dungeon Scrawlers--Heroes of Waterdeep (Vangelis Bagiartakis and Konstantinos Karagiannis, WizKids, 2023)27:27 -Power Vacuum (Kaleb Wentzel-Fisher, Keen Bean Studio, 2024)39:03 -Leviathan Wilds (Justin Kemppainen, Moon Crab Games, 2024)43:32 -Primal: The Awakening (Tommaso Mondadori and Alberto Parisi, Reggie Games, 2024)53:38 -Dune: Imperium (Paul Dennen, Dire Wolf, 2020)News (and why it doesn't matter):57:55 Walker continues to recover and is doing well58:32 Leviathan Wilds expansion and reprint soon on Gamefound; uncertainty as to possible fixes59:22 Flickering Stars by Matt Leacock and Josh Cappel; another sci-fi flicking boardgame1:00:34 Feature Game: Slay the Spire: The Board Game (Gary Dworetsky, Anthony Giovannetti, and Casey Yano, Contention Games, 2024)Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brandsPrivacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

Our first guest host while Michael Walker is recovering is James de Moss, aka Jimbo!Many a human being has become lost in the deep recesses of Jimbo's sonorous voice, and thus one must take care lest you become consumed by his powerful charisma. Jimbo brings his extensive experience of digital board games, and board game adaptations, to SVWAG.02:29 AYURIS: Planet UnknownGames Played Last Week:06:13 -Skytear Horde: Monoliths (Giacomo Neri and Riccardo Neri, Skytear Games, 2024)09:32 -Mythwind (Nathan Lige and Brendan McCaskell, Open Owl Studios, 2023)12:10 -Slay the Spire: The Board Game (Gary Dworetsky, Anthony Giovannetti, and Casey Yano, Contention Games, 2024)15:07 -Sentinels of the Multiverse (Christopher Badell, Paul Bender, & Adam Rebottaro, Greater Than Games, 2011)22:50 -Marshmallow Test (Reiner Knizia, Gamewright, 2020)26:20 -Primal: The Awakening (Tommaso Mondadori and Alberto Parisi, Reggie Games, 2024)37:33 -Oak (Wim Goossens, Game Brewer, 2022)39:50 -Gaia Project (Jens Drögemüller & Helge Ostertag, Feuerland Spiele, 2017)News (and why it doesn't matter):42:50 A sincere thank you for the outpouring of support43:23 Shapeways has filed for bankruptcy and ceased operations, independent operators left in the lurch44:40 X-Wing community's efforts in the wake of cessation of official support47:54 Martin Wallace news: Cthulhu: Dark Providence with Travis Chance, and Casus Belli49:42 Topic: When to Go DigitalAdvertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brandsPrivacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

One of the under-appreciated virtues of an auction game is that each session can provide its own economy. While daunting to new players, who don't know what things might be worth, their flailing speculation actually helps determine what things are worth. If they buy that share of red for a squillion moneys, guess what, that is what that market would bear. At least for now, that is. Some jerk might then get the next share for two cents and a smile, but watching those economies develop differently every time is part of the magic.Games Played Last Week:01:22 -Snow Planner (Akashi, Soragame Studio, 2024)04:24 -That's Not a Hat (Kasper Lapp, Ravensburger, 2023)05:45 -Guards of Atlantis II (Artyom Nichipurov, Wolff Designa, 2022)10:27 -Iberian Gauge (Amabel Holland, Capstone Games, 2017)18:17 -Medici (Reiner Knizia, AMIGO, 1995)23:08 -CATAN: Starfarers Duel (Klaus Teuber and Benjamin Teuber, KOSMOS, 2023) 28:46 -Mythwind (Nathan Lige and Brendan McCaskell, Open Owl Studios, 2023)News (and why it doesn't matter):31:08 Star Realms 10th Anniversary edition and Star Trek Star Realms 31:41 Satoshi Matsuura illustrates Yield 31:56 Iliad and Ichor from Reiner Knizia and Bitewing on Kickstarter32:53 Imperial Borders--massive numbers of troops on a massive map from Larry Summers33:44 Feature Game: Fateforge: Chronicles of Kaan (Gordon Calleja, Mighty Boards, 2024)Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brandsPrivacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

While we pride ourselves on our internationalist focus here at SVWAG, we have been remiss in our multilingualism lately. While we reliably rendezvous with French on a semi-regular basis, a skosh of Japanese here and there, a quantum of Latin periodically, and whatever language AYURIS pretends to be, our Spanish could use some work. We thus devote ourselves to utter three whole words of Spanish in this episode.01:30 AYURIS: Dwellings of Eldervale (Luke Laurie, Breaking Games, 2020)Games Played Last Week:03:36 -Federation (Dimitri Perrier and Matthieu Verdier, Explor8, 2022)06:40 -Successors 4th Edition (Richard H. Berg and Mark Simonitch, PHALANX, 2022)12:10 -Knarr (Thomas Dupont, Bombyx, 2023)13:13 -TRICKTAKERs (Hiroken, Joyple Games, 2021) [EDIT: Mark mistakenly claimed that there is no English edition, but this is incorrect]16:40 -Fateforge: Chronicles of Kaan (Gordon Calleja, Mighty Boards, 2024)22:03 -The Plum Island Horror (Hermann Luttmann, GMT Games, 2023)26:36 -Sky Team (Luc Rémond, Le Scorpion Masqué, 2023)28:45 -Slay the Spire: The Board Game (Gary Dworetsky, Anthony Giovannetti, and Casey Yano, Contention Games, 2024)35:42 -Gaia Project (Jens Drögemüller & Helge Ostertag, Feuerland Spiele, 2017)37:47 -nana (Kaya Miyano, Mob+, 2021)40:48 -Murray the A**hole Frog (Jenna Felli, Devious Weasel Games, 2024)46:04 -Jenga Maker (Uncredited, Hasbro, 2022)48:32 -Arcs (Cole Wehrle, Leder Games, 2024)News (and why it doesn't matter):55:33 Game Brewer, publisher of Stroganov, Oak and Gugong, calls it quits55:51 Star Wars: X-Wing and Armada terminated by Atomic Mass Games56:56 Hans im Glück starts asserting its ownership of the word "meeple"57:30 Mike Hutchinson and Planet Smasher Games' possible future products: Perilous Tales/Gaslands XL box sets?, Space Gits merging dexterity and miniatures, and more59:26 Topic: The 180Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brandsPrivacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy