Iain and Oliver are in the studio to bring you the latest tabletop news from around the globe. From crowdfunding messes and AI promotion to Upper Deck getting counter-claimed by Ravensburger, we have all the important information you need. Also this episode we have a special announcement at the end of the cast. 

Headlines

Altering the Deal

https://gamefound.com/en/projects/altered/seeds-of-unity/updates/10

Steamforged Slash Terra Mystica Special Edition

https://boardgamewire.com/index.php/2025/11/05/high-price-complaints-sluggish-start-sees-steamforged-slash-terra-mystica-special-edition-all-in-price-by-over-100-within-hours-of-gamefound-launch/

Terra Mystica Gamefound campaign: https://gamefound.com/en/projects/steamforged-games/terra-mystica 

Campaign update announcing the price drop: https://gamefound.com/en/projects/steamforged-games/terra-mystica/updates/7 

UKGE promotes AI art 

https://www.facebook.com/share/p/1aAkxyfbrB/

Gates of Krystalia Kickstarter page: https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/gatesofkrystalia-rpg/gates-of-krystalia-book-anime-tt-jrpg-in-style-isekai 

Kickstarter United victory

https://www.rascal.news/kickstarter-united-workers-will-strike-beginning-october-2/

https://www.rascal.news/kickstarter-united-ends-six-week-strike-with-a-resounding-victory/

https://kickstarterunited.org/?ref=rascal.news

Updates

Ravensburger wants money back from Upper Deck

https://boardgamewire.com/index.php/2025/11/08/ravensburger-pushes-for-upper-deck-to-pay-3-8m-legal-fees-it-racked-up-defeating-groundless-but-unrelenting-disney-lorcana-lawsuit/

News

Braincrack Games shutters

instagram.com/p/DQfH0H3jH8t/?igsh=MXFjejF3aHhoZGc1OA==

Wise Wizard Games

https://www.wisewizardgames.com/wise-wizard-games-business-update/

Asmodee interim report April-September 2025

https://corporate.asmodee.com/news/asmodees-interim-report-april-september-2025-sustained-growth-and-ebitda-improvement 

Bezier Games’ Socials Hacked

https://bsky.app/profile/beziergames.bsky.social/post/3m5umtfrre22v

Jobs, Opportunities, and Events

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

Tabletop Games Blog Raffle in aid of Trussell / UK Food Banks

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

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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

Oliver: https://tabletopgamesblog.com/

Discord: https://discord.gg/3bMx2HK75r

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Iain https://bsky.app/profile/giantbrain.co.uk

Oliver https://bsky.app/profile/tabletopgamesblog.com

Jamie https://bsky.app/profile/jamsandwich.bsky.social

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

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

Email: [email protected]

The whole team is back in the studio to bring you the latest news from across the tabletop gaming globe. From acquisitions, financial reports, record breaking conventions, and card game companies taking on Musk. 

Spiel Essen 25 Breaks Attendance Record

https://www.spiel-essen.de/en/press?view=article&id=304&catid=12

Deutscher Spiele Preis 2025 Winners

https://www.spiel-essen.de/en/program/dsp 

Asmodee wants the precious 

https://corporate.asmodee.com/news/asmodee-becomes-the-exclusive-tabletop-games-category-manager-to-middle-earth-enterprises-home-to-iconic-the-lord-of-the-rings-and-the-hobbit-ips

Asmodee announces new studio

https://corporate.asmodee.com/news/asmodee-announces-the-creation-of-moodbox-games-a-new-studio-dedicated-to-developing-party-games-for-the-us-mass-market 

https://icv2.com/articles/news/view/60787/asmodee-launches-new-party-game-studio

Hasbro 3rd Quarter Results

https://investor.hasbro.com/news-releases/news-release-details/hasbro-reports-third-quarter-2025-financial-results

https://www.rascal.news/sigil-suffered-a-slow-ignoble-death/

Upper Deck goes back to the well

https://boardgamewire.com/index.php/2025/10/10/upper-deck-brings-new-claim-against-ravensburger-in-disney-lorcana-lawsuit-after-losing-all-its-existing-claims-against-publisher-trial-of-designer-ryan-miller-to-start-next-month/

https://icv2.com/articles/news/view/60786/judge-rules-against-upper-deck-ravensburger-suit

Asmodee acquires Cthulhu Death May Die from CMON

https://corporate.asmodee.com/news/cthulhu-death-may-die-ip-and-games-now-part-of-asmodee 

Amigo games US shutters

https://bsky.app/profile/amigogames.bsky.social/post/3m3ajgvmohc26

Cards Against Humanity and against SpaceX

https://uk.pcmag.com/networking/160848/cards-against-humanity-we-forced-spacex-to-get-off-our-land

D&D Club goes to court

https://archive.ph/NvJwh

D&D Head brings back key talent

https://icv2.com/articles/news/view/60896/new-d-d-head-brings-back-key-talent

Rob Wieland

https://icv2.com/articles/news/view/60796/r-i-p-robert-wieland

https://www.enworld.org/threads/gaming-journalist-rob-wieland-passes-at-age-48.715723/

https://www.gofundme.com/f/family-of-robert-wieland

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

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Support Us

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Ca-Ton

https://www.ign.com/articles/netflix-goes-all-in-on-catan-with-live-action-and-animated-films-and-tv-series-planned?link_source=ta_first_comment&taid=68f7dbba1f00ed0001016c78&fbclid=IwY2xjawNk3J1leHRuA2FlbQIxMAABHiAAGCEB1IgEdWOK3TXcWCPxOVkow0HuoZTGAStyGBdf0ACjWyPRRwj_OBq__aem_crgubThNaWNbem7KUfD8vQ

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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Jamie https://bsky.app/profile/jamsandwich.bsky.social

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

Email: [email protected]

Jamie and Iain bring you the choicest cuts from the worldwide tabletop news beast. Seasoned with the usual amount of controversy, nonsense, and awards. Dig in on episode 169 of Brainwaves. 

Kickstarter workers go on strike 

https://boardgamewire.com/index.php/2025/10/01/kickstarter-workers-set-to-strike-tomorrow-over-minimum-salary-proposals-four-day-work-week-protection/

GAMA rebrands

https://www.rascal.news/gama-has-been-rebranded-as-er-gama/

https://boardgamewire.com/index.php/2025/10/02/gama-unveils-10-year-plan-to-become-epicenter-of-global-tabletop-gaming-industry-renames-itself-after-almost-50-years/

CMON sells HQ

https://boardgamewire.com/index.php/2025/10/08/cmon-sells-global-headquarters-after-suffering-12m-h1-revenue-slump-charges-some-pre-order-customers-extra-to-cover-tariffs/

https://gamefound.com/en/projects/cmon/dc-heroes-united/updates/116

Games workshop sues miniature designer

https://www.facebook.com/reel/1128194319521158

French Games competition

https://boardgamewire.com/index.php/2025/09/29/french-competition-which-has-celebrated-unpublished-board-game-designs-for-almost-50-years-unveils-2025-winners/

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

Hasbro woman innovators in play

https://spark.hasbro.com/womeninnovators

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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Kaiju cluedo

https://www.tabletopgaming.co.uk/news/clue-gets-a-monstrous-makeover-with-clue-godzilla/

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/

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Blusky

Iain https://bsky.app/profile/giantbrain.co.uk

Oliver https://bsky.app/profile/tabletopgamesblog.com

Jamie https://bsky.app/profile/jamsandwich.bsky.social

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

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

Email: [email protected]

The team are back in full force to bring you the latest news from across the tabletop gaming world. From CMON escaping Hel, to the gender split in designers, and an interview with two of the team behind Tabletop Scotland, we work hard to bring you the news that really matters. 

Cmon escapes Hel

https://boardgamewire.com/index.php/2025/09/10/cmon-continues-battle-against-heavy-losses-by-selling-on-recently-acquired-hel-anastyr-ips-to-dont-panic-games/

Ludonatue stops making new games

https://boardgamewire.com/index.php/2025/09/08/passion-in-board-game-profession-has-given-way-to-economic-reality-ludonaute-to-stop-publishing-new-games-in-wake-of-selling-off-colt-express-living-forest-ips/

Tabletop Scotland grows

https://bsky.app/profile/tabletopscot.bsky.social/post/3lyl5umadk32l

Diamond

https://icv2.com/articles/news/view/60388/order-clarifies-next-steps-diamond-consignment-inventory

https://icv2.com/articles/news/view/60503/diamond-files-adversary-proceedings-against-31-vendors

https://icv2.com/articles/news/view/60518/diamond-fees-top-1-million-july

Dutch boardgame prize

https://denederlandsespellenprijs.nl/nieuws/nominaties-2025-bekend/

Gender split in designers

https://bsky.app/profile/elizhargrave.bsky.social/post/3ly25x3cez227

https://boardgamegeek.com/geeklist/297088/games-by-women-and-people-of-marginalized-genders

Nominees for Bobby Nunes Memorial award

https://sdhist.com/2025-bobby-nunes-memorial-award-finalists/

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

Tabletop Games Blog Raffle

http://tabletopgamesblog.com/raffle 

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

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Monopoly Coin

https://www.theguardian.com/lifeandstyle/2025/sep/15/ninety-years-monopoly-special-50p-coin-royal-mint

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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Email: [email protected]

Iain and Oliver bring you a bumper packed episode of Brainwaves with all the latest news, controversies, and occurrences from across the tabletop gaming world in episode 167 of Brainwaves. 

Devir… damn guys that’s racist as hell

https://boardgamegeek.com/thread/3555308/just-some-ole-racist-history-crap/page/1 

https://boardgamegeek.com/thread/3555308/article/46440167#46440167 

https://boardgamegeek.com/thread/3555679/a-message-to-the-community 

https://boardgamewire.com/index.php/2025/08/08/devir-to-recall-all-copies-of-new-release-ace-of-spades-after-backlash-over-slavery-depictions-in-artwork-apologises-for-causing-harm/

https://icv2.com/articles/news/view/60259/devir-recalling-ace-spades

https://boardgamegeek.com/thread/3555679/a-message-to-the-community 

More CMON Executive Leavers and profit warning 

https://boardgamewire.com/index.php/2025/08/07/cmons-long-serving-chief-financial-officer-company-secretary-latest-to-resign-from-financially-troubled-business/

https://www.marketscreener.com/news/cmon-limited-announces-resignation-of-koh-zheng-kai-as-chief-financial-officer-with-effect-from-14-ce7c5ed2dd8bf026

https://consent.yahoo.com/v2/collectConsent?sessionId=3_cc-session_a4de1fe9-336e-4f30-98af-42f7d08fc4ce

https://boardgamewire.com/index.php/2025/08/21/new-cmon-profit-warning-says-losses-could-reach-8m-for-first-half-of-2025-almost-three-times-its-overall-profit-from-the-last-ten-years/

US Import Tariff Troubles

https://www.ctpa.org.uk/news/usa-de-minimis-exemption-suspended-8542

https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/cx2p17xypgko?fbclid=IwY2xjawMWgf5leHRuA2FlbQIxMQABHjtV7mqx6qv6P4-CSGWofvqYpk1vI-O59FV4q2U0N-UOduSuyZ8kGm8ruuFX_aem_rHTP6ygrvyZB_JDrDY_mYg

CGE Responds to HP Codenames Backlash

CGE’s response on various social media platforms:

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/story.php?story_fbid=1328670495928290&id=100063560561493&mibextid=wwXIfr&rdid=c6aJLUWZCsvY5SJG# 

Block Collective’s response: https://bsky.app/profile/blockcollectives.bsky.social/post/3lvyas4jezs2q 

Read this

https://www.rascal.news/zatu-denies-toxic-workplace-allegations-from-former-employees/

Ultimate Guard jump into Harry Potter controversy

https://icv2.com/articles/news/view/60061/new-harry-potter-ultimate-guard-deck-boxes-unveiled

GenCon 2025 Sets New Attendance Record

https://www.gencon.com/press/record-breaking-gencon-2025

https://icv2.com/articles/news/view/60227/gen-con-2025-sets-new-attendance-record

https://boardgamewire.com/index.php/2025/08/05/gen-con-exhibitor-numbers-rebound-to-record-levels-despite-tariffs-uncertainty-biggest-ever-attendance-reaches-almost-72000/

Suzanne Sheldon post on Bluesky: https://bsky.app/profile/425suzanne.bsky.social/post/3lvqiqhyche2g 

Funforge has been liquidated

https://ludovox.fr/funforge-en-liquidation-judiciaire-le-dernier-mot-de-son-fondateur/

Mobeus makes Big Potato a Hot Potato

https://www.mobeus.co.uk/news/mobeus-backs-big-potato-games/

https://www.mobeus.co.uk/investments/big-potato-games/

https://www.dcadvisory.com/news-deals-insights/deal-announcements/dc-advisory-advises-mobeus-equity-partners-on-its-investment-in-big-potato-games/#gref

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

Pegasus Designer Days 2025

https://pegasus.de/UEber-uns/Karriere/Designer-Days/

Application form: https://de.surveymonkey.com/r/KS5KF9F 

Playfest London

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

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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Pictionary Potato

https://shopping.mattel.com/en-gb/products/pictionary-pic-tato-hot-potato-game-jdx95-en-gb

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/

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Iain https://bsky.app/profile/giantbrain.co.uk

Oliver https://bsky.app/profile/tabletopgamesblog.com

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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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Support Us

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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

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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https://fanrolldice.com/ref/2783/

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

Oliver: https://tabletopgamesblog.com/

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Oliver https://bsky.app/profile/tabletopgamesblog.com

Jamie https://bsky.app/profile/jamsandwich.bsky.social

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

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

Email: [email protected]

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

https://www.patreon.com/thegiantbrain

Support Us

https://giantbrain.co.uk/support-us-new/

Fanroll

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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

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: [email protected]

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

Our Patreon

https://www.patreon.com/thegiantbrain

Support Us

https://giantbrain.co.uk/support-us-new/

Fanroll

https://fanrolldice.com/ref/2783/

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

Oliver: https://tabletopgamesblog.com/

Discord: https://discord.gg/3bMx2HK75r

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

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

Email: [email protected]

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/

Fanroll

https://fanrolldice.com/ref/2783/

Sir Meeple

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

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/

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