Jamie and Oliver bring you the latest news from around the tabletop gaming world. From CGE failing to conjure a decent response, to Gamefound acquiring a rival they cover the stories that really matter in episode 166 of Brainwaves. 

Czech Games Edition announces new Harry Potter Codenames https://bsky.app/profile/codenamesgame.bsky.social/post/3lul7oqmuws25

https://boardgamewire.com/index.php/2025/07/29/reviewers-including-no-pun-included-shut-up-sit-down-boycott-codenames-publisher-cge-for-releasing-new-harry-potter-game-while-ignoring-jk-rowlings-anti-trans-rhetoric/

Gamefound Acquires Indiegogo

https://gamefound.com/en/blog/post/gamefound-acquires-indiegogo

https://go.indiegogo.com/blog/2025/07/gamefound-x-indiegogo-the-future-of-creativity.html 

Itch blocks nsfw content

itch.io

Diamond

https://icv2.com/articles/news/view/60125/diamond-moves-sell-diamond-uk-employee-group

Zatu denies exploitative environment claims

https://boardgamewire.com/index.php/2025/07/21/board-game-retailer-zatu-games-denies-exploiting-low-paid-apprentices-toxic-work-culture-claims-after-wave-of-online-criticism/

Reddit post that was deleted - link to Web Archive / Way Back Machine saved version: https://web.archive.org/web/20250427174157/https://www.reddit.com/r/Norwich/comments/1k5xipq/experiences_with_employment_at_zatu_games/

Games Workshop rides high 

https://investor.games-workshop.com/news-posts/annualreport2025

Diana Jones Award 2025 Winners Announced

https://www.dianajonesaward.org/

Ace of Aces designer Al Leonardi passed away

https://boardgamegeek.com/thread/3542362/passing-of-al-leonardi

https://www.potterfuneralhome.com/obituaries/alfred-leonardi/#!/Obituary 

https://www.facebook.com/groups/TabletopJobs

Playfest London

https://www.minervatabletop.co.uk/playfest

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

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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/

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Jamie’s off boating around, no really, so it’s just Oliver and Iain in the studio this week. On episode 165 of Brainwaves they cover Diamond Heists, Spiel Des Jahres, more trouble for CMON and D&D moving to a franchise model, whatever that means. 

Diamond Distribution go on a heist

https://www.gofundme.com/f/support-green-ronin-in-critical-legal-defense?attribution_id=sl:0591297a-c303-4ba5-a93c-3b7bd62227df&lang=en_US&ts=1752187231&utm_campaign=fp_sharesheet&utm_content=amp13_c-amp14_t2-amp15_t1&utm_medium=customer&utm_source=copy_link&v=amp14_t2

https://icv2.com/articles/news/view/60060/numerous-objections-diamonds-hostage-inventory-plan?utm_source=dlvr.it&utm_medium=bluesky

Rascal report: https://www.rascal.news/draughts-workers-celebrated-a-unanimous-strike-vote-with-a-rally-and-a-police-visit/

UVW statement: https://www.uvwunion.org.uk/en/disputes/were-not-playing-anymore/

Strike fund: https://www.uvwunion.org.uk/en/donate/

Spiel des Jahres Award Winners

https://www.spiel-des-jahres.de/aktuelle-preistraeger-2025/

https://www.spiel-des-jahres.de/das-spiel-des-jahres-2025-heisst-bomb-busters/

https://www.spiel-des-jahres.de/preisverleihung-2025-ich-dachte-das-koennte-etwas-werden

CMON announces cancellation of Degenesis: Clan Wars Gamefound campaign after breakdown in relationship

https://boardgamewire.com/index.php/2025/07/04/cmon-announces-cancellation-of-degenesis-clan-wars-gamefound-campaign-after-breakdown-in-relationship-legal-dispute-with-ip-holder/

https://gamefound.com/en/projects/cmon/degenesis-clan-wars/updates/43

https://www.goonhammer.com/games-industry-news-roundup-july-8th-2025/

Asmodee partners with Maestro

https://www.tabletopgaming.co.uk/news/asmodee-launches-a-new-partnership-with-maestro-media/

https://maestromedia.com/blogs/news/asmodee-usa-announces-exclusive-distribution-partnership-with-maestro-media?srsltid=AfmBOoqJAC0wnG3lfCmhalOgqifajKstu7Jzb2AkDTcYinp-Fg2ZM_jj

https://icv2.com/articles/news/view/59936/maestro-media-strikes-exclusive-distro-deal-asmodee

D&D moves to a franchise model

https://www.linkedin.com/posts/dan-ayoub-0479491_dungeonsanddragons-dnd-gamedevelopment-activity-7348517655173054464-a2W3?utm_source=share&utm_medium=member_android&rcm=ACoAAAzo-SsBsPeDaLi3-DsTkFrdOApKJU-qNAc

Tycoon Games acquires Gamelyn Games

https://boardgamegeek.com/blog/1/blogpost/175835/tycoon-games-acquires-gamelyn-games

https://icv2.com/articles/news/view/59970/tycoon-acquires-gamelyn-brand

Women in Toys - Wonder Women Awards - 2025 Nominees

https://www.womenintoys.com/nominees

Cubicle 7 misses the credits

https://bsky.app/profile/oldoakgames.bsky.social/post/3lslf7c2zsc2h

https://www.facebook.com/groups/TabletopJobs

Tag der Brettspielkritik 2025

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WuxxkAzN7LI

Tabletop Scotland 

https://tabletopscotland.co.uk/

Tabletop Games Blog Raffle

http://tabletopgamesblog.com/raffle 

Kevin Bertram

https://www.fortcircle.com/

James Naylor

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Shaun Newman

game-a-lot.fun/en

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Uno Casino edition

https://www.palms.com/press-room/mattel-debuts-uno-experience-at-palms-casino-resort

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

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It’s the latest episode of Brainwaves! Join Iain and Jamie as they dive into the world of tabletop industry news to bring you the glistening pearls and dank seaweed from across the globe. 

Headlines

Hasbro cuts 3% of workforce 

https://www.reuters.com/business/retail-consumer/hasbro-cuts-3-its-total-workforce-wsj-reports-2025-06-17/

Dungeons and Dragons designers end up at critical role

https://darringtonpress.com/welcoming-chris-perkins-and-jeremy-crawford-to-our-team/

DrivethruRPG hates rebels

https://www.rascal.news/drivethrurpg-delisted-a-tabletop-game-about-revolutions-over-hateful-politics/

Updates

Tabletop Workers United win a Union contract

https://www.rascal.news/new-york-based-tabletop-workers-united-win-a-union-contract-after-prolonged-battle/

Zombicide finds a new home 

https://www.cmon.com/press/zombicide-finds-a-new-home-with-asmodee/

News

Diana Jones Award finalists announced

https://bsky.app/profile/dianajonesaward.org/post/3lrsurculak25

Elizabeth Hargrave, Kristin Looney and others meet Capitol Hill to talk about Tariffs

https://bsky.app/profile/elizhargrave.bsky.social/post/3lrcd6cvll22l

Link to S 1593: https://www.congress.gov/119/bills/s1593/BILLS-119s1593is.pdf

Related post on GAMA’s Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/TheGAMAOnline/photos/gama-members-and-staff-are-on-capitol-hill-advocating-for-zero-tariffs-on-toys-a/1128806115959973/ 

Reaper moves out of the UK

https://bsky.app/profile/leedseurope.bsky.social/post/3lrzrtm47ac25

Jobs, Opportunities, and Events

https://www.facebook.com/groups/TabletopJobs

Tabletop Games Blog Raffle

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

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Support Us

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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

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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. 

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/

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

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

Kevin Bertram

https://www.fortcircle.com/

James Naylor

https://naylorgames.com/

Shaun Newman

game-a-lot.fun/en

facebook.com/gamealotboardgames

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Support Us

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StoryBake- game and bake your game

https://www.rascal.news/storybake-is-out-of-the-oven/

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

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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. 

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/

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

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

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/

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https://sirmeeple.com/collections/the-giant-brain

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

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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. 

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

Alliance and Diamond 

https://graphicpolicy.com/2025/04/29/alliance-entertainment-submits-complaint-against-diamond-claiming-fraud-and-deception/

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

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/

Kevin Bertram

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James Naylor

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Shaun Newman

game-a-lot.fun/en

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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

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

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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. 

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

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 

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

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

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Support Us

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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

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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. 

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/

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/

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/

https://www.facebook.com/groups/TabletopJobs

Tabletop Mentorship Programme

https://www.unpub.org/mentorship

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/

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/

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

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Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/giantbrainuk/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/thegiantbrain

Website: https://giantbrain.co.uk/

Email: [email protected]

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

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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

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

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Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/giantbrainuk/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/thegiantbrain

Website: https://giantbrain.co.uk/

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