Decision Space

By Jacob Frydman, Brendan Hansen, Pete Wissinger, Paul Salomon

Decision Space is a board game podcast about the decisions in games.... more

4.8

132132 ratings

Download on the App Store

Download on the App Store

Get it on Google Play

FAQs about Decision Space:

How many episodes does Decision Space have?

The podcast currently has 275 episodes available.

Decision Space episodes:

June 03, 2026 We Played New Hotness (Dark Pact, Feya's Swamp), Stone Cold Oldies, and All Time Favorites at Geekway to the West!
Episode 268- Geekway Convention Plays 2026
Jake and Pete recap the best weekend of the year: Geekway to the West! They discuss their favorite new plays, old favorites, and also give first impressions of some hot new titles.

Timestamps
17:00- Feya's Swamp
21:50- Dark Pact
28:10- Market Fresh
34:40- I'm the Boss
38:45- Auf Teufel Komm Raus
43:00- Lowenherz
51:30- John Company Second Edition
59:00- Broom Service
1:03:30- Oath
1:09:30- Tikal
1:15:30- TRICKTAKERs, Skull Queen, Daytime Minutes
1:18:00- Indonesia
1:19:30- Guards of Atlantis II, El Grande, Big Shot
1:22:00- L'Oaf

Preplanners
We've got a tier list episode in the works!

Music and Sound Credits
Thank you to Hembree for our intro and outro music from their song Reach Out. You can listen to the full song on YouTube here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gQuuRPfOyMw&list=TLGGFNH7VEDPgwgyNTA4MjAyMQ&t=3s
You can find more information about Hembree at https://www.hembreemusic.com/.
Thank you to Flash Floods for use of their song Palm of Your Hand as a sting from their album Halfway to Anywhere: https://open.spotify.com/album/2fE6LrqzNDKPYWyS5evh3K?si=CCjdAGmeSnOOEui6aV3_nA

Intermission Music:
music elevator ext part 1/3 by Jay_You -- https://freesound.org/s/467243/ -- License: Attribution 4.0
Bell with Crows by MKzing -- https://freesound.org/s/474266/ -- License: Creative Commons 0
hammer v2.wav by blukotek -- https://freesound.org/s/337815/ -- License: Creative Commons 0

Contact
Follow and reach us on social media on Bluesky @decisionspace.bsky.social.
If you prefer email, then hit us up at [email protected].
This information is all available along with episodes at our new website decisionspacepodcast.com.
Byeee!
...more
1h 26min
May 27, 2026 "I Drink Your Milkshake": Bus and other Shared Infrastructure Games
Episode 267- Shared Infrastructure Games and Bus
Time to deep dive the new hotness... from 1999. In this episode we do a deep dive on Splotter's first major hit Bus and discuss other shared infrastructure games. Why are we drawn to these crowded, brutal logistics puzzles?

Timestamps

3:00- shared infrastructure games
32:00- Bus deep dive

Other Games Mentioned
Barrage, Brass Birmingham, Medina, Keyflower, Food Chain Magnate

Preplanners
Geekway to the West 2026 recap is coming soon! Also, Paul is going to take us through a tier list of his favorite designer: Phil Walker Harding!

Music and Sound Credits
Thank you to Hembree for our intro and outro music from their song Reach Out. You can listen to the full song on YouTube here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gQuuRPfOyMw&list=TLGGFNH7VEDPgwgyNTA4MjAyMQ&t=3s
You can find more information about Hembree at https://www.hembreemusic.com/.
Thank you to Flash Floods for use of their song Palm of Your Hand as a sting from their album Halfway to Anywhere: https://open.spotify.com/album/2fE6LrqzNDKPYWyS5evh3K?si=CCjdAGmeSnOOEui6aV3_nA

Intermission Music:
music elevator ext part 1/3 by Jay_You -- https://freesound.org/s/467243/ -- License: Attribution 4.0
Bell with Crows by MKzing -- https://freesound.org/s/474266/ -- License: Creative Commons 0
hammer v2.wav by blukotek -- https://freesound.org/s/337815/ -- License: Creative Commons 0

Contact
Follow and reach us on social media on Bluesky @decisionspace.bsky.social.
If you prefer email, then hit us up at [email protected].
This information is all available along with episodes at our new website decisionspacepodcast.com.
Byeee!
...more
1h 18min
May 20, 2026 Agency, Storytelling, and Play: A Conversation with Cole Wehrle
Episode 266- Storytelling with Cole Wehrle
Big day here for Pete. In this episode he chats one on one with Cole Wehrle from Buried Giant Studios. They talk a lot about player agency, emergent storytelling, and what it's like the make and play long, heavy games.

Timestamps

1:00- how Cole thinks about making games
18:45- storytelling in games
40:00- long heavy games
49:30- agency and fairness
59:20- fun
1:04:30- learning rules
1:14:00- designing historical games

Games Mentioned
Oath, Root, Arcs, John Company

Preplanners
Next week we are doing a deep dive on Bus!

Music and Sound Credits
Thank you to Hembree for our intro and outro music from their song Reach Out. You can listen to the full song on YouTube here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gQuuRPfOyMw&list=TLGGFNH7VEDPgwgyNTA4MjAyMQ&t=3s
You can find more information about Hembree at https://www.hembreemusic.com/.
Thank you to Flash Floods for use of their song Palm of Your Hand as a sting from their album Halfway to Anywhere: https://open.spotify.com/album/2fE6LrqzNDKPYWyS5evh3K?si=CCjdAGmeSnOOEui6aV3_nA

Intermission Music:
music elevator ext part 1/3 by Jay_You -- https://freesound.org/s/467243/ -- License: Attribution 4.0
Bell with Crows by MKzing -- https://freesound.org/s/474266/ -- License: Creative Commons 0
hammer v2.wav by blukotek -- https://freesound.org/s/337815/ -- License: Creative Commons 0

Contact
Follow and reach us on social media on Bluesky @decisionspace.bsky.social.
If you prefer email, then hit us up at [email protected].
This information is all available along with episodes at our new website decisionspacepodcast.com.
Byeee!
...more
1h 30min
May 13, 2026 What is a Euro Game? (What We Talk About)
Episode 265- Euro Games
"Euro" has been used as a descriptor for decades and it is inarguable that its meaning has changed over time. On this episode, the hosts try to hash out what the word means today and how that differs from the "old school" design philosophy. Also, the episode ends with an unhinged exploration of what games in the BGG top 100 could conceivably be classified as Euros.
(also just a warning, Pete's dog wouldn't shut up during the recording of this)

Timestamps

3:00- defining Euros
12:45- modern vs old school
55:00- categorizing the BGG top 100

Preplanners
Next week we are doing a deep dive on Bus!

Music and Sound Credits
Thank you to Hembree for our intro and outro music from their song Reach Out. You can listen to the full song on YouTube here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gQuuRPfOyMw&list=TLGGFNH7VEDPgwgyNTA4MjAyMQ&t=3s
You can find more information about Hembree at https://www.hembreemusic.com/.
Thank you to Flash Floods for use of their song Palm of Your Hand as a sting from their album Halfway to Anywhere: https://open.spotify.com/album/2fE6LrqzNDKPYWyS5evh3K?si=CCjdAGmeSnOOEui6aV3_nA

Intermission Music:
music elevator ext part 1/3 by Jay_You -- https://freesound.org/s/467243/ -- License: Attribution 4.0
Bell with Crows by MKzing -- https://freesound.org/s/474266/ -- License: Creative Commons 0
hammer v2.wav by blukotek -- https://freesound.org/s/337815/ -- License: Creative Commons 0

Contact
Follow and reach us on social media on Bluesky @decisionspace.bsky.social.
If you prefer email, then hit us up at [email protected].
This information is all available along with episodes at our new website decisionspacepodcast.com.
Byeee!
...more
1h 15min
May 06, 2026 Our Top 5 Games of All Time (...right now)
Episode 264- Top 10 Games of All Time (2026) Part 2
It's the fiiiiiiinal countdown! We gush over how much we love the games that made our top 5 favorite games! Some things have changed this year! There are brand new releases on this list! However, did the new hotness dethrone our old favorites?
Timestamps
3:30- Medina
8:15- Big Top
11:00- Indonesia
16:00- Broom Service
19:15- Isle of Skye
21:15- Unlock
26:15- Lord of the Rings Trick-Taking Games
31:30- Babylonia
34:30- Santiago
39:15- Cozy Stickerville
44:55- Old King's Crown
49:15- Root
52:45- El Grande
57:15- The Castles of Mad King Ludwig
1:02:45- Nokosu Dice
1:09:30- Tag Team
1:14:15- Tikal
1:19:30- Ra / Priests of Ra
1:24:10- Root
1:27:30- The Resistance

Preplanners
Next week we discuss what the term "Euro game" means today!

Music and Sound Credits
Thank you to Hembree for our intro and outro music from their song Reach Out. You can listen to the full song on YouTube here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gQuuRPfOyMw&list=TLGGFNH7VEDPgwgyNTA4MjAyMQ&t=3s
You can find more information about Hembree at https://www.hembreemusic.com/.
Thank you to Flash Floods for use of their song Palm of Your Hand as a sting from their album Halfway to Anywhere: https://open.spotify.com/album/2fE6LrqzNDKPYWyS5evh3K?si=CCjdAGmeSnOOEui6aV3_nA

Intermission Music:
music elevator ext part 1/3 by Jay_You -- https://freesound.org/s/467243/ -- License: Attribution 4.0
Bell with Crows by MKzing -- https://freesound.org/s/474266/ -- License: Creative Commons 0
hammer v2.wav by blukotek -- https://freesound.org/s/337815/ -- License: Creative Commons 0

Contact
Follow and reach us on social media on Bluesky @decisionspace.bsky.social.
If you prefer email, then hit us up at [email protected].
This information is all available along with episodes at our new website decisionspacepodcast.com.
Byeee!
...more
1h 33min
April 29, 2026 Our Top 10 Games of All Time (...right now): Part 1
Episode 263- Top 10 Games of All Time (2026) Part 1
It's time for the annual countdown of our favorite games! In this episode we count down numbers 10-6. What has fallen from the ranks since last year? What are we hot on right now? Listen and find out!
Timestamps
8:55- Fives
12:15- Lunarchitects
16:00- Pax Renaissance
20:00- Chicago Express
23:30- Bus
26:30- Incan Gold
30:10- Modern Art
35:10- Fox in the Forest
38:20- Renature
42:20- Skyrise
46:50- Dune Imperium Uprising
51:20- El Grande
53:30- Lost Cities
58:20- Fromage / Formaggio
1:01:50- Ito
1:05:40- My City
1:09:00- Nokosu Dice
1:13:00- Heat
1:16:20- Arcs
1:21:30- Keyflower

Preplanners
Top 5 of all time is next week!

Music and Sound Credits
Thank you to Hembree for our intro and outro music from their song Reach Out. You can listen to the full song on YouTube here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gQuuRPfOyMw&list=TLGGFNH7VEDPgwgyNTA4MjAyMQ&t=3s
You can find more information about Hembree at https://www.hembreemusic.com/.
Thank you to Flash Floods for use of their song Palm of Your Hand as a sting from their album Halfway to Anywhere: https://open.spotify.com/album/2fE6LrqzNDKPYWyS5evh3K?si=CCjdAGmeSnOOEui6aV3_nA

Intermission Music:
music elevator ext part 1/3 by Jay_You -- https://freesound.org/s/467243/ -- License: Attribution 4.0
Bell with Crows by MKzing -- https://freesound.org/s/474266/ -- License: Creative Commons 0
hammer v2.wav by blukotek -- https://freesound.org/s/337815/ -- License: Creative Commons 0

Contact
Follow and reach us on social media on Bluesky @decisionspace.bsky.social.
If you prefer email, then hit us up at [email protected].
This information is all available along with episodes at our new website decisionspacepodcast.com.
Byeee!
...more
1h 28min
April 22, 2026 What Makes Games Deep? A Conversation About Complexity, Luck, and Skill with Jon Perry
Episode 262- Depth, Complexity, and Luck
Game designer Jon Perry returns to Decision Space to participate in a discussion about what makes games deep. Are heavy games deeper than light games? Can games with a high luck factor also reward skilled play? Why is there a heavy game bias on BGG?

Check out some of Jon's games: Air Land and Sea, Hot Streak, Spots, and more!

Brendan was inspired after this episode to write an article about game depth. Read it here: https://www.decisionspacepodcast.com/articles/going-deep-on-depth-in-games

Timestamps
2:15- game depth and complexity
41:15- high luck, high skill games

Preplanners
The next two weeks will be the annual countdown of our top 10 games of all time!

Music and Sound Credits
Thank you to Hembree for our intro and outro music from their song Reach Out. You can listen to the full song on YouTube here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gQuuRPfOyMw&list=TLGGFNH7VEDPgwgyNTA4MjAyMQ&t=3s
You can find more information about Hembree at https://www.hembreemusic.com/.
Thank you to Flash Floods for use of their song Palm of Your Hand as a sting from their album Halfway to Anywhere: https://open.spotify.com/album/2fE6LrqzNDKPYWyS5evh3K?si=CCjdAGmeSnOOEui6aV3_nA

Intermission Music:
music elevator ext part 1/3 by Jay_You -- https://freesound.org/s/467243/ -- License: Attribution 4.0
Bell with Crows by MKzing -- https://freesound.org/s/474266/ -- License: Creative Commons 0
hammer v2.wav by blukotek -- https://freesound.org/s/337815/ -- License: Creative Commons 0

Contact
Follow and reach us on social media on Bluesky @decisionspace.bsky.social.
If you prefer email, then hit us up at [email protected].
This information is all available along with episodes at our new website decisionspacepodcast.com.
Byeee!
...more
1h 18min
April 15, 2026 Arcs Strikes Back: Exploring the Blighted Reach with Analog Arnie and Jared Ingersoll
Episode 261- Arcs Blighted Reach Campaign
Pete is joined by returning guest Jared Ingersoll and muppet board game critic Analog Arnie to deep dive the Blighted Reach campaign expansion for Arcs. This is the sequel to episode 247 in case you missed our original Arcs deep dive!

Find Analog Arnie here: https://www.youtube.com/@analog_arnie

Timestamps
2:50- intro to Blighted Reach
15:45- act 1
42:45- act 2
59:45- act 3
1:15:30- final thoughts

Preplanners
Another returning guest is coming to discuss depth and light games. Also we'll be deep diving Bus soon!

Music and Sound Credits
Thank you to Hembree for our intro and outro music from their song Reach Out. You can listen to the full song on YouTube here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gQuuRPfOyMw&list=TLGGFNH7VEDPgwgyNTA4MjAyMQ&t=3s
You can find more information about Hembree at https://www.hembreemusic.com/.
Thank you to Flash Floods for use of their song Palm of Your Hand as a sting from their album Halfway to Anywhere: https://open.spotify.com/album/2fE6LrqzNDKPYWyS5evh3K?si=CCjdAGmeSnOOEui6aV3_nA

Intermission Music:
music elevator ext part 1/3 by Jay_You -- https://freesound.org/s/467243/ -- License: Attribution 4.0
Bell with Crows by MKzing -- https://freesound.org/s/474266/ -- License: Creative Commons 0
hammer v2.wav by blukotek -- https://freesound.org/s/337815/ -- License: Creative Commons 0

Contact
Follow and reach us on social media on Bluesky @decisionspace.bsky.social.
If you prefer email, then hit us up at [email protected].
This information is all available along with episodes at our new website decisionspacepodcast.com.
Byeee!
...more
1h 29min
April 12, 2026 Arcs Strikes Back: Exploring the Blighted Reach with Analog Arnie and Jared Ingersoll
Episode 261- Arcs Blighted Reach Campaign
Pete is joined by returning guest Jared Ingersoll and muppet critic Analog Arnie to deep dive the Blighted Reach campaign expansion for Arcs. This is the sequel to episode 247 in case you missed our original Arcs deep dive!

Find Analog Arnie here: https://www.youtube.com/@analog_arnie

Timestamps
2:50- intro to Blighted Reach
15:45- act 1
42:45- act 2
59:45- act 3
1:15:30- final thoughts

Preplanners
Another returning guest is coming to discuss depth and light games. Also we'll be deep diving Bus soon!

Music and Sound Credits
Thank you to Hembree for our intro and outro music from their song Reach Out. You can listen to the full song on YouTube here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gQuuRPfOyMw&list=TLGGFNH7VEDPgwgyNTA4MjAyMQ&t=3s
You can find more information about Hembree at https://www.hembreemusic.com/.
Thank you to Flash Floods for use of their song Palm of Your Hand as a sting from their album Halfway to Anywhere: https://open.spotify.com/album/2fE6LrqzNDKPYWyS5evh3K?si=CCjdAGmeSnOOEui6aV3_nA

Intermission Music:
music elevator ext part 1/3 by Jay_You -- https://freesound.org/s/467243/ -- License: Attribution 4.0
Bell with Crows by MKzing -- https://freesound.org/s/474266/ -- License: Creative Commons 0
hammer v2.wav by blukotek -- https://freesound.org/s/337815/ -- License: Creative Commons 0

Contact
Follow and reach us on social media on Bluesky @decisionspace.bsky.social.
If you prefer email, then hit us up at [email protected].
This information is all available along with episodes at our new website decisionspacepodcast.com.
Byeee!
...more
1h 30min
April 08, 2026 Duel for Cardia and the Value of Gameplay Modules (or the Lack Thereof)
Episode 260- Duel for Cardia
Jake and Brendan deep dive yet another dueling game! This time it's 2025's Duel for Cardia. After the review, they discuss gameplay modules and try to decide when they add value to a game and when they just add noise.

Timestamps
3:50- Cardia deep dive
50:00- modular content

Preplanners
We are returning to Arcs! Also more special guests!

Music and Sound Credits
Thank you to Hembree for our intro and outro music from their song Reach Out. You can listen to the full song on YouTube here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gQuuRPfOyMw&list=TLGGFNH7VEDPgwgyNTA4MjAyMQ&t=3s
You can find more information about Hembree at https://www.hembreemusic.com/.
Thank you to Flash Floods for use of their song Palm of Your Hand as a sting from their album Halfway to Anywhere: https://open.spotify.com/album/2fE6LrqzNDKPYWyS5evh3K?si=CCjdAGmeSnOOEui6aV3_nA

Intermission Music:
music elevator ext part 1/3 by Jay_You -- https://freesound.org/s/467243/ -- License: Attribution 4.0
Bell with Crows by MKzing -- https://freesound.org/s/474266/ -- License: Creative Commons 0
hammer v2.wav by blukotek -- https://freesound.org/s/337815/ -- License: Creative Commons 0

Contact
Follow and reach us on social media on Bluesky @decisionspace.bsky.social.
If you prefer email, then hit us up at [email protected].
This information is all available along with episodes at our new website decisionspacepodcast.com.
Byeee!
...more
1h 16min

FAQs about Decision Space:

How many episodes does Decision Space have?

The podcast currently has 275 episodes available.

More shows like Decision Space

The Dice Tower by Tom Vasel, Julie Ahern, and Eric Summerer

The Dice Tower

1,144 Listeners

Blue Peg, Pink Peg by Blue Peg, Pink Peg, LLC

Blue Peg, Pink Peg

249 Listeners

The Secret Cabal Gaming Podcast by The Secret Cabal Founders

The Secret Cabal Gaming Podcast

792 Listeners

Board Gamers Anonymous by Board Gamers Anonymous

Board Gamers Anonymous

78 Listeners

Talk Cardboard by No Pun Included

Talk Cardboard

129 Listeners

Shut Up & Sit Down by Shut Up & Sit Down

Shut Up & Sit Down

1,610 Listeners

So Very Wrong About Games by Pickaxe

So Very Wrong About Games

293 Listeners

Five Games for Doomsday by Ben Maddox

Five Games for Doomsday

66 Listeners

Board Game Barrage by Board Game Barrage

Board Game Barrage

411 Listeners

MeepleTown: Board Game Podcast by MeepleTown

MeepleTown: Board Game Podcast

52 Listeners

Space-Biff! Space-Cast! by The Space-Biff! Space-Cast!

Space-Biff! Space-Cast!

27 Listeners

Game Brain: A Board Game Podcast About Our Gaming Group by Game Brain

Game Brain: A Board Game Podcast About Our Gaming Group

175 Listeners

The Board Game BBQ Podcast by Board Game BBQ

The Board Game BBQ Podcast

26 Listeners

Board Game Hot Takes by Board Game Hot Takes

Board Game Hot Takes

188 Listeners

The BoardGameGeek Podcast by BoardGameGeek

The BoardGameGeek Podcast

59 Listeners