Game Store Prophets

Technological advances are everywhere – and that includes our board games. Whether it’s the increase in digital implementations of the board games we love getting to our tables or video games that take the mechanics and form of board games and do unique things with them – apps, VR, and other technological wonders are changing the way we view our tabletop gaming.

So what does this have to do with faith? How about making sure that more people than ever are able to stay connected with local bodies of believers or hearing sermons when they are sick, infirmed, or otherwise unable to physically be there.

What makes a game objectively bad? It was the question that was asked of the internet from the folks at Board Game Blitz on their twitter feed. Naturally, we were curious about that concept too – but not specifically because we wanted to know the answer as much as we were observing how subjective all the answers were.

In this episode, we may not have had a lot of time to play (due to increases in job requirements and snow) – but I talk about playing Tides of Time with my wife. We talk about Fireball Island – both in its classic form and new, fresh, Restoration Games flavors – and ask how much is this nostalgia-soaked gimmick and how much just fun, silly gameplay?

And then we move into the main topic… how easy it is to think that your opinion on a given topic must be objectively correct simply because it’s the one you hold to. In board games, in life, and most especially in faith – this is a dangerous proposition if left unchecked.

P.S. – You really should check out Flip the Table’s back catalog – especially Gone Birding. And I checked – it’s Flip Florey’s Super Saturday Board Game Serial. Worth a listen.

We got a chance to send a team out to Gary Con X this year to help them bring back their board game library after it had disappeared from the event for a while. In this episode, we have Shawn and Daniel on, who lead the team, to talk about the experience of playing games with some legends in the gaming world, as well as talk about Shawn’s new endeavor to see his local team of volunteers adopt a local game store.

As we talk about this desire to build connections in these local stores, we got to talking about the nature of intentional relationship building as a methodology for sharing the gospel with folks.

Specifically how the sole purpose of the relationship can’t be to get them to that moment of faith. Because that’s not an actual relationship. That’s somebody trying to play at having a real relationship to get what they want out of somebody. And that never goes well.

Daniel and Shawn lead a team – Zack, Hope, and Chuck – to Gary Con X in Lake Geneva, Wisconsin. Their mission: to answer the call and bring board games back to the convention built in memory of Gary Gygax.

In this episode, you’ll hear from Derek White – the Geekpreacher, Cathy Conner – designer of Elf Quest, as well as Daniel and Shawn themselves.

A great time was definitely had by all at the event, and if they’ll have us back – we’ll be returning to Gary Con again.

With the rest of your hosts off either on ministry related trips or gearing up for them – it’s time for another solo-Mike episode. You didn’t think you were done with them did you?

We live in a world of gaming filled with miniatures, gorgeous artwork, super complicated rule sets. While the big and impressive titles catch the eye and garner most of the attention – that doesn’t mean there isn’t a place for small, well-designed experiences that can evoke powerful moments. The same holds true in life and ministry also. You don’t need an elaborate setup and powerful story to be greatly loved and used by God.

If you would like to donate games to the MSD High School – the information can be found here.

Games discussed:

Why stop at three when you can have four?  The time has come to pay the piper as Mike returns to the…uh…mic!  While we have our fun welcoming back our fearless leader, we thought it appropriate that the 4-strong lineup tackle the difficult topics of fear and anxiety. Sometimes the games we play express a certain flavor of fear exemplified by the times in which they were created. And even some other games actually help us deal with the anxieties of our current condition.

Even further, the gaming group that surrounds us at the table or on the digital waves can be a part of the most important weapon we have against fear – fellowship!

Games Discussed

The infamous Blue Mic Mike adds +4 against clipping!

Daniel, Jeff and T.R. discuss what it means to bring a game to the table. How deeply does (or should) game designers and players consider what goes into a game and when (or if) it actually makes an appearance?  Anything ranging from historical accuracy to social contracts come into play as we range across the cardboard battlefields of gaming to find out!

Games Discussed

In this episode, Jeff, Daniel and guest wise-man T.R. Knight gather in the Green Dragon to discuss their love of Tolkien. Like so many fans, it’s influenced art, music, literature and (of course) gaming. Join us as we cover some of the highlights that have shaped our lives in and out of gaming.  And for your viewing pleasure, please enjoy the following links to all things Tolkien!!

Role Playing Games

Board Games

Recommended Readings

“Down, Down to Goblin Town” from the Original Soundtrack of The Hobbit (1977) animated by Rankin/Bass. Musc by Maury Laws

On this episode of Game Store Prophets, the group is sans el presidente, but have gathered some new hotness in the form of a guest host. As the triumvirate forms, can they hold it together long enough to put some plans together for 2018?  Find out as we discuss things and stuff and more things!

Find more about our guest host, T.R. Knight and his proclivity for touching way too many RPG books, go here!

Each year we try to point out some of the games, people, and resources in the gaming world we think are worth looking into – whether they came out this year or they just did something special that grabbed our attention above everything else in the wide world of options. Sadly, as Jeff has had to deal with a lot of family issues this year, his experiences were drastically limited. He’s sitting this one out to spend just that much more time with his family while Daniel and I wax on about games.

If you don’t have the hour and change to listen to the episode when you hit this post and just want to results – here you are. For explanations as to why we made our choices, listen to the episode. Feel free to comment on this post and share your favorites from this year.

BEST GAME PLAYED –

Mike- Terraforming Mars (Stronghold Games)

BEST GAME ADDED –

Mike- Scythe (Stonemaier Games)

FAVORITE GAME PUBLISHER –

Mike- Restoration Games (Honorable Mention: Renegade Games)

FAVORITE FRANCHISE GAME –

Mike- Near & Far (Red Raven Games)

HIDDEN GEM –

Mike- Cat Lady (AEG)

FAVORITE GAME RESOURCE –

Mike- Board Game Stats App

FAVORITE GAME INDUSTRY/GAMING MEDIA PERSONALITY –

Mike- Suzanne Sheldon & Mandi Hutchinson

FAVORITE NON-INNROADS PODCAST – 

Mike – Board Game Blitz (Honorable mention – Mission to Zyxx)

FAVORITE VIDEO GAME –

Mike – Pyre

GAME OF THE YEAR –

Mike- Spirit Island