The Brainwaves team are back to bring you the best in Tabletop Gaming News. This week they cover the sad closure of Girls Game Shelf, troubles in a galaxy far, far away, legal troubles here on earth, convention cancellations, interesting kickstarters, and much, much more. 

Headlines

Girls’ Game Shelf shuts up shop

https://girlsgameshelf.com/2020/11/not-goodbye-but-hello/

Asmodee moves Star Wars minis from FFG to Atomic Mass Games

https://www.atomicmassgames.com/special-announcement

Gale Force Nine sues Wizards of the Coast

https://icv2.com/articles/news/view/47010/gale-force-nine-sues-wizards-coast

News

Pokemon Auction 

https://comics.ha.com/itm/memorabilia/pokemon-first-edition-base-set-sealed-booster-box-wizards-of-the-coast-1999-/a/7236-92312.s?ic4=GalleryView-ShortDescription-071515

https://icv2.com/articles/news/view/47011/heritage-auctions-sets-new-record-sale-price-sealed-pokemon-1st-edition-booster-box

GAMA 2021 cancelled

https://icv2.com/articles/news/view/46933/gama-cancels-expo-2021-reno

Endangered Alphabet Project

https://www.dicebreaker.com/games/ulus/news/board-game-ulus-mongolian-language

DnD Combat Wheelchair resources released

https://www.dicebreaker.com/games/the-witcher-trpg/news/witcher-trpg-disability-resources

Comic Relief DnD

https://twitter.com/TabletopMag/status/1329400465113706498?s=19

Patreon Shoutouts

Exec Producers: Lucky Sparrow Gaming Cafe

https://luckysparrow.co.uk/

Shaun Newan

game-a-lot.fun/en

facebook.com/gamealotboardgames

Our Patreon

https://www.patreon.com/thegiantbrain

Support Us

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

Outro

Uno to become tv game show

https://variety.com/2020/tv/news/uno-game-show-1234833785/

Cluedo: Disney Villains

https://www.dicebreaker.com/games/clue-disney-villains/news/clue-disney-villains-board-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

Twitch: https://www.twitch.tv/thegiantbrain 

Twitter: @thegiantbrain

Instagram: giantbrainuk

Facebook: The Giant Brain

Website: giantbrain.co.uk

Email: [email protected]

Viva le Revolution! Iain Chantler leads the charge in strike action at the Brainwaves studio! After a brief negotiation involving coffee, the team resolve their differences by coming together behind the mics. This cast we cover new studios, old money, sad partings, pay deals, auctions, and more! 

Headlines

Critical Role announce boardgame studio

https://critrole.com/announcing-darrington-press-our-game-publishing-company/

Ex-Blizzard dev starts Tabletop game studio

https://warchiefgaming.com/2020/10/27/chris-metzen-charges-back-into-world-development-with-warchief-gaming/

Pokemon deal goes south

https://www.theguardian.com/games/2020/oct/28/how-live-streamed-375k-deal-for-pokemon-cards-ended-in-disaster

Hasbro Earnings call

https://icv2.com/articles/news/view/46853/big-gains-hasbro-gaming-q3

https://icv2.com/articles/news/view/46855/hasbro-developing-d-d-tv-more

https://seekingalpha.com/article/4381371-hasbro-inc-ceo-brian-goldner-on-q3-2020-results-earnings-call-transcript?page=1

News

Martin McKenna dies

https://officialfightingfantasy.blogspot.com/2020/11/martin-mckenna-1969-2020.html

Asmodee launches P&P online guides

https://connect-and-play.asmodee.fun/

Wotc strikes deal to pay DMs

https://www.geeknative.com/99894/wizards-of-the-coast-strikes-a-deal-to-pay-some-dms/

http://heraldsguild.com/virtual-dd-weekends/

…..and auctions off unique items

Patreon Shoutouts

Exec Producers: Lucky Sparrow Gaming Cafe

https://luckysparrow.co.uk/

Shaun Newan

game-a-lot.fun/en

facebook.com/gamealotboardgames

Our Patreon

https://www.patreon.com/thegiantbrain

Support Us

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

Metallic Dice Games

https://metallicdicegames.com/

Outro

Monopoly for Sore Losers

https://www.argos.co.uk/product/8114895

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

Twitch: https://www.twitch.tv/thegiantbrain 

Twitter: @thegiantbrain

Instagram: giantbrainuk

Facebook: The Giant Brain

Website: giantbrain.co.uk

Email: [email protected]

The team is excited to bring you their first cast live from Essen! Turns out it’s been cancelled. Boo. Gathering themselves and retreating back to the confines of their hotel room the team diligently bring you the latest in tabletop gaming news: Wizards getting sued, more awards, chess cheating continued, rappers, pokemon and much, much more! 

Headlines

Wizards taken to court over Dragonlance Books

https://www.geeknative.com/99114/racism-and-sexism-blamed-for-ruining-multi-million-dollar-dragonlance-deal-as-wizards-of-the-coast-are-taken-to-court/

International Gamers Award Game of the Year Nominees Announced

https://therewillbe.games/news-newsflashes/8206-international-gamers-award-game-of-the-year-2020-nominees-announced?utm_source=dlvr.it&utm_medium=twitter

Chess Cheating Crisis Continues

https://www.theguardian.com/sport/2020/oct/16/chesss-cheating-crisis-paranoia-has-become-the-culture

News

Wu-Tang Clan play chess for Charity

https://www.dicebreaker.com/games/chess/news/wu-tang-chess-rza-gza-charity-match

https://www.chess.com/news/view/hennessy-wu-tang-maurice-ashley-chess

Rapper Logic buys pokemon card for $200,574

https://twitter.com/ICV2/status/1317169445534535680?s=19

Geek Retreat to expand

https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/business-54599300?fbclid=IwAR0a1yjtf4hwkyb8dj3LWYCN5hyFhimu-Z1pZpOKTuN85VwKu90B0cRGt-o

Dragonmeet Cancelled

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

Sign up to GM https://www.dragonmeet.co.uk/gms.html?fbclid=IwAR0axku_DzAR-LguWhTa-moeKq40OZtGu5jPZiTn4bRlfl3h3-BkEU09EMc

Haba USA gets new CEO

https://icv2.com/articles/news/view/46698/haba-usa-gets-new-ceo

Hasbro President retiring

https://icv2.com/articles/news/view/46718/hasbro-president-retiring?utm_source=dlvr.it&utm_medium=twitter

Patreon Shoutouts

Exec Producers: Lucky Sparrow Gaming Cafe

https://luckysparrow.co.uk/

Shaun Newan

game-a-lot.fun/en

facebook.com/gamealotboardgames

Our Patreon

https://www.patreon.com/thegiantbrain

Support Us

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

Outro

Catan Shoes?

https://www.dicebreaker.com/games/catan-1/news/catan-footwear-collection-plainview

https://mojo-nation.com/catan-footwear-collection-way-plainview/

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

Twitch: https://www.twitch.tv/thegiantbrain 

Twitter: @thegiantbrain

Instagram: giantbrainuk

Facebook: The Giant Brain

Website: giantbrain.co.uk

Email: [email protected]

The cast has hit 10000 downloads and Iain M is throwing a party! He does seem to have forgotten about having to record the cast though. The show must go on and the team wrangle karaoking interns out of the studio and get down to the business of recording cast 58. This time round they cover Origins Awards, Magic meets the Walking Dead, Covid impact on Scottish stores, new crowdfunding sites and much more. Iain M has been hard at work in the basement on his latest news gathering invention, the Rumor Mill. What nuggets has he managed to sift from the detritus of the internet? Listen on to find out. 

Headlines

Origins Awards announce winners

https://www.originsawards.net/

Magic the Gathering/ Walking Dead crossover

https://www.gamespot.com/articles/wizards-of-the-coast-responds-to-concerns-over-walking-dead-crossover/1100-6482915/

Scottish stores hit by Covid 19

http://www.commongroundgames.co.uk/

https://www.westendgames.co.uk/

Rumour Mill

Battlestar Galactica Returns

https://boardgamegeek.com/thread/2515543/unconfirmed-rumourleak-rethemererelease-bsg-arkham

News

Update: Heroquest available in UK

https://www.zavvi.com/toys-games/heroquest-board-game-by-haslab-hasbro/12706785.html?sv_campaign_id=78888&sv_tax1=affiliate&sv_tax2=17149&sv_tax3=Skimlinks&sv_tax4=tabletopgaming.co.uk&sv_affiliate_id=78888&awc=2549_1602183647_823d1e34621f2fd195fdad29dff1a4f0&utm_source=AWin-78888&utm_medium=affiliate&utm_campaign=AffiliateWin&sv_campaign_id=78888&sv_tax1=affiliate&sv_tax2=17149&sv_tax3=Skimlinks&sv_tax4=0&sv_affiliate_id=78888

Folklore KS hit by Mold

https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/gbg/folklore-the-fall-of-the-spire/posts/2968464

Steam to host digital Tabletop Games festival in October

https://steamcommunity.com/games/593110/announcements/detail/2769108226045128183

Scandal in Chess World

https://kotaku.com/chess-tournament-winner-banned-says-opponent-was-doin-1845295980?rev=1602107874550&utm_campaign=Kotaku&utm_content=1602108128&utm_medium=SocialMarketing&utm_source=facebook

Patreon Shoutouts

Exec Producers: Lucky Sparrow Gaming Cafe

https://luckysparrow.co.uk/

Shaun Newman

game-a-lot.fun/en

facebook.com/gamealotboardgames

Our Patreon

https://www.patreon.com/thegiantbrain

Outro

Holidays are coming

https://www.boardgamehalv.com/new-holiday-board-games-based-on-movies-funko/?fbclid=IwAR1UybjS-dKoVmKJRbQTZ8HN04MmFXAMboxaC7qOuY8syugybRh79u1XNck

Our Links

Twitch: https://www.twitch.tv/thegiantbrain 

Twitter: @thegiantbrain

Instagram: giantbrainuk

Facebook: The Giant Brain

Website: giantbrain.co.uk

Email: [email protected]

Jamie has returned from the depths of the Brainwaves HQ with the help of Iain C and large quantities of caffeine. As Iain M gets them back in the studio and calms things down the team get back on the news wagon. This cast covers the return of an old friend, more awards, Critical role’s charitable side, old games, new money and much more. Brainstorm returns as the team discusses whether bigger companies should use crowdfunding at all. 

Headlines

Hero Quest Returns

https://hasbropulse.com/products/heroquest-game-system

Iain plays Heroquest with Paul Grogan and others.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yg4TwGKDsKU&ab_channel=GamingRules%21

More Awards

https://www.dicebreaker.com/games/the-crew-the-quest-for-planet-nine/news/the-crew-wins-deutscher-spielepreis

https://www.dianajonesaward.org/the-2020-award/

Critical Role Foundation

https://critrole.com/foundation/

News

Cards against humanity sells cafe

https://icv2.com/articles/news/view/46589/in-quick-surrender-cards-against-humanity-sells-chicago-board-game-cafe

https://giantbrain.co.uk/2019/11/11/episode-39-selling-up/

Viking Game dug up

https://www.msn.com/en-gb/news/uknews/metal-detectorist-unearths-1150-year-old-viking-board-game/ar-BB18UtKK?li=BBoPWjQ

Pokemon sells for lots

https://www.geeknative.com/93364/first-edition-wizards-of-the-coast-pokemon-box-doubles-world-record-price/?fbclid=IwAR2BBCpO3wdNVt3Zr8vB0h34lXbvieSUyc82FazjPdmfCVl9glE1lF-4MZ8

Patreon Shoutouts

UK Games Expo Interview

https://www.twitch.tv/videos/749676849

Exec Producers: Lucky Sparrow Gaming Cafe

https://luckysparrow.co.uk/

Our Patreon

https://www.patreon.com/thegiantbrain

Shaun Newman

game-a-lot.fun/en

facebook.com/gamealotboardgames

Our Patreon

https://www.patreon.com/thegiantbrain

Outro

https://www.zavvi.com/toys-games/monopoly-mandalorian-edition-board-game/12693692.html?fbclid=IwAR0e-NMVnnt9sVIRdbZq50duKCDlUejFTPjL3etKUm56Rirk0bmSN9SS_Jw

Our Links

Twitch: https://www.twitch.tv/thegiantbrain 

Twitter: @thegiantbrain

Instagram: giantbrainuk

Facebook: The Giant Brain

Website: giantbrain.co.uk

Email: [email protected]

Jamie’s back from travels and Iain M has had a nice long sleep. Too long though it seems as they missed the last cast! Making up for lost time the pair, Iain C is fixing the coffee machine, cover Eric Lang leaving CMON, updates from previous reports, Avalon Hill changing hands (sort of), and much more on this edition of Brainwaves. 

Headlines

Eric Lang leaves Cool Mini or Not(CMON)

https://twitter.com/eric_lang/status/1299401294201917441

https://cmon.com/press/eric-lang-steps-down-from-his-exec-role-at-cmon-to-focus-on-design-and-activism

Fantasy Flight Games cancels Organised Play

https://www.fantasyflightgames.com/en/news/2020/8/24/august-covid-update/

UK Games Expo Award Winners

https://www.facebook.com/watch/?v=704305163454777&extid=fn6fbyBbGb9NHyDx

https://www.ukgamesexpo.co.uk/plan/at-the-expo/uk-games-expo-awards/

News

Curse of Hearts returns to sale

https://www.geeknative.com/87846/curse-of-hearts-controversial-horny-vampire-dd-goes-back-on-sale/?fbclid=IwAR3hh6ywAvPeZ0doGRhYPrWgTSNxyk7VHuuulRLUb91ziaP6zX6YgZYbFbY

https://www.proud-geek.co.uk/product-page/curse-of-hearts-stake-parry-kill

https://giantbrain.co.uk/2020/07/06/brainwaves-52-controversial-machines/

CMON choose new auditor

https://giantbrain.co.uk/2020/04/13/brainwaves-episode-46-non-euclidean-coffee/

Stonemaier Games takes brokerage in house

https://icv2.com/articles/news/view/46445/stonemaier-takes-distribution-brokerage-in-house?utm_source=dlvr.it&utm_medium=twitter

Avalon Hill changes hands

https://icv2.com/articles/news/view/46496/management-avalon-hill-board-game-brand-will-move-from-wizards-coast-hasbro

Patreon Shoutouts

Exec Producers: Lucky Sparrow Gaming Cafe

https://luckysparrow.co.uk/

Shaun Newman

game-a-lot.fun/en

facebook.com/gamealotboardgames

Our Patreon

https://www.patreon.com/thegiantbrain

Outro

Bob Ross Monopoly

https://news.artnet.com/art-world/bob-ross-themed-version-monopoly-1904610

Root on PC

https://twitter.com/direwolfdigital/status/1296171599977222145

Our Links

Twitch: https://www.twitch.tv/thegiantbrain 

Twitter: @thegiantbrain

Instagram: giantbrainuk

Facebook: The Giant Brain

Website: giantbrain.co.uk

Email: [email protected]

Welcome to Idle Thoughts our spin-off podcast where the team get together and talk about games they have played recently. This cast was formerly a patreon exclusive that we would occasionally share with the main feed, but it is now going to be a regular fixture of our release schedule. Patrons still get it early and extended, as we do for the Brainwaves cast. 

This is a recording of our opinions about a bunch of games that we played when we met up recently in Glasgow to actually play some games together. We cover Overstocked, Swatch, Biblios, Valley of the Kings, Letterpress and Root!

Going to try something a bit different for the show notes here. I'll link to the companies for the KS games of course but for the ones that are actually out and you fancy buying we are providing Amazon Affiliate links (marked AL as usual). If you buy the game through one of these links we get a small cut. 

Games that we talked about

The deluge of news is finally slowing and the team takes a well deserved rest in the gardens, whilst still bringing you the latest information from the world of tabletop. This cast covers the Ennie Winners, Roll20 boom, Combat Wheelchairs, Asmodee going alone, Starfinder returning to Alexa and more! As the storm clouds gather overhead the team discuss the relationship between publishers and reviewers and where the line lies between reviews and paid content.  

Headlines

Ennies announced

https://ennie-awards.com/2020-nominees_winners/

https://www.theguardian.com/music/2020/aug/11/mork-borg-swedish-metal-role-playing-game

Roll20 reports covid RPG boom

https://www.geeknative.com/82373/roll20-reports-2020-q2-boom-in-rpgs-dd-reigns-supreme/?fbclid=IwAR0TuxfLid81m4OLS00i6HplH6Zmc-RFaziDb02k037zWq7pTsm18bEB8cA

Combat Wheelchair

https://www.belloflostsouls.net/2020/08/dd-combat-wheelchair-makes-splash-with-wotc-staff-critical-roles-dm-but-not-all-agree.html

AJ Le Brun Interview

https://giantbrain.co.uk/2020/08/12/meeting-of-minds-able-table-gaming/

News

AEG CEO John Zinser unwell

https://www.alderac.com/2020/08/03/statement-about-john-zinsers-health/

Asmofair

https://www.toynews-online.biz/2020/08/11/asmodee-introduces-its-own-virtual-trade-event-asmofair-for-2020/

WOTC drops ACD

https://icv2.com/articles/news/view/46274/wizards-coast-says-acd-distribution-no-longer-option

Alexa Starfinder RPG grows

https://www.engadget.com/amazon-alexa-starfinder-rpg-series-140029360.html?guccounter=1

Patreon Shoutouts

Exec Producers 

Lucky Sparrow Gaming Cafe

https://luckysparrow.co.uk/

Shaun Newman

game-a-lot.fun/en

facebook.com/gamealotboardgames

Our Patreon

https://www.patreon.com/thegiantbrain

Metallic Dice Games

https://metallicdicegames.com/

Use code ROLLWITHBRAINS for 10% off and help support the cast

Outro

Captain Sir Tom Moore memorial mini

https://www.tabletopgaming.co.uk/News/nhs-tribute-miniature-from-warlord-games

Albacon

https://twitter.com/AlbaConRPG/status/1294348360007196674

Our Links

Twitch: https://www.twitch.tv/thegiantbrain 

Twitter: @thegiantbrain

Instagram: giantbrainuk

Facebook: The Giant Brain

Website: giantbrain.co.uk

Email: [email protected]

Excavating Iain Chantler out from underneath a huge pile of news the team are reunited and set about the latest developments in Tabletop gaming with enthusiasm (or at least workman-like efficiency). This episode we take a look at the Spiel des Jahres, Uk Games Expo Award shortlists, a whole bunch of financial news from across the industry, Mind Sports Olympiad. Also the return of RPG corner where the team uncovers tales of HORROR!

Headlines

Spiel des Jahres Winner announced

https://www.spiel-des-jahres.de/en/aktuelle-preistraeger-2020/

UK Games Expo Awards

https://www.ukgamesexpo.co.uk/whats-on/show/awards-shortlist/

Board Game Sales Data

https://icv2.com/articles/markets/view/46196/hobby-game-sales-hit-1-675-billion-2019?utm_source=dlvr.it&utm_medium=twitter#.Xx68pgJBDHo.twitter

News

Time of Legends Update

https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/destinies/time-of-legends-destinies/posts/2906454?fbclid=IwAR1sr6O3YAbCbBiHexahZ1seV2JjpNt0kF9qMW966X1MiMHc-Zh-bsy0kIM

Open letter to retailers from minority creators

https://medium.com/@cardsforallpeople/minority-gamemakers-open-letter-to-retailers-c9b7472f36b8

https://icv2.com/articles/news/view/46150/minority-game-makers-urge-changes-big-box-retailers

Hasbro reports sales in Q2

https://icv2.com/articles/news/view/46203/hasbros-total-gaming-sales-down-19-q2

Games Workshop thrives despite Covid

https://icv2.com/articles/news/view/46227/games-workshop-shrugs-off-covid-shutdown

Mind sports olympiad

RPG Corner

Update - Modiphius cuts ties with Adam Koebel

https://www.geeknative.com/77184/adam-koebel-quits-the-dune-rpg-adventures-in-the-imperium/?fbclid=IwAR0X_Baqvl1GRtrEBp1ohnJkUG3k6AP32FKkcRiybnodvkhJLoebzgrVvIQ

https://twitter.com/Modiphius/status/1287749933215502338?s=19

https://www.adam-koebel.com/blog

Lamentations invites Zak S in

https://www.geeknative.com/74747/lamentations-of-the-flame-princess-lose-major-project-over-zak-smith-support/?fbclid=IwAR13LYwW_3HuY20svInOx9JnhGUpn05sJQ3ufL8Ze27NxqvX37YXnATlyLU

Green ronin report

https://greenronin.com/blog/2020/07/10/ronin-report-july-9-2020/

Patreon Shoutouts

Exec Producers: Lucky Sparrow Gaming Cafe

https://luckysparrow.co.uk/

Our Patreon

https://www.patreon.com/thegiantbrain

Outro

Super Mario Monopoly

https://twitter.com/NintendoAmerica/status/1283831264525647874?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw%7Ctwcamp%5Etweetembed%7Ctwterm%5E1283831264525647874%7Ctwgr%5E&ref_url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.gamesradar.com%2Fuk%2Fwahoo-nintendo-announces-special-super-mario-editions-of-monopoly-and-jenga%2F

Albacon

https://albacon.co.uk/

Our Links

Twitch: https://www.twitch.tv/thegiantbrain 

Twitter: @thegiantbrain

Instagram: giantbrainuk

Facebook: The Giant Brain

Website: giantbrain.co.uk

Email: [email protected]

On this special episode of Brainwaves we chat to two of the people behind Project Nisei, a fan run continuation of the Netrunner card game. Serenity, Community Manager, and Jonni, Design lead, join Iain and Iain to chat about the challenges of keeping a worldwide community going amidst the current crisis, how the game is continuing to evolve, their plans for forthcoming releases, and the best way for new players to get into this fantastic game of cyber criminals and the corps who hate them. 

Jonni

http://www.twitter.com/jvtrev

http://www.twitch.tv/jvtrev

Serenity

https://twitter.com/exalts

Project Nisei

https://nisei.net/

https://twitter.com/ProjectNISEI

Other things mentioned

Duelyst

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Duelyst

Dave Hoyland vs. Kenny Wong match

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lmrfrT1lYfI

Make Playing Cards

https://www.makeplayingcards.com/

Drivethrucards

https://www.drivethrucards.com/

Netrunner subreddit

https://www.reddit.com/r/Netrunner/

There you can also find the link to the Green level clearance discord

Calvin Wong

https://twitter.com/ithayla