Welcome back to the podcast! After a long hiatus since spring 2025, hosts Steve and Brandon dive deep into the classic 1957 strategy game Diplomacy - a seven-player game of international intrigue set in the run up to World War I. Steve shares his firsthand experience playing his first postal game of Diplomacy, complete with alliances, betrayals, and the complex web of negotiations that make this game legendary among strategy gamers.

From Gen Con 2025 discoveries to the brutal realities of playing as England in a game where binding agreements are non-binding, this episode explores what makes Diplomacy both fascinating and frustrating after nearly 70 years.

TIMESTAMPS:

(00:00) Welcome back and fall vibes

(02:30) Gen Con 2025 recap

(08:45) Gen Con collectibles culture

(12:15) Tournament experiences

(14:30) Introduction to Diplomacy

(17:00) Playing Diplomacy by mail

(22:30) Game mechanics deep dive

(28:15) Communication and press levels

(32:45) Victory conditions and stalemate lines

(38:00) Steve's England campaign

(44:30) Current game state analysis

(50:15) Strategic positioning and predictions

(55:45) Mid-game dynamics

(60:30) Diplomacy's enduring appeal

(65:00) Looking ahead

(67:30) Transition to D&D discussion

RESOURCES:

Follow Steve's Diplomacy game progress: https://www.backstabbr.com/sandbox/Diplomacy-2025/5200348763258880

Games Mentioned: Diplomacy, Hive, Tak, Compile, Spirit Island, Dominion

NEXT EPISODE PREVIEW:

The hosts dive into their ongoing D&D campaign, mini painting, and why tabletop RPGs might represent the ultimate "hearth element" in gaming.

Thanks to our two and a half loyal listeners! We'll catch you next time.

Episode 011: Board Game Potpourri 2 - Live Service Fatigue and the Joy of Self-Contained Games

After nearly a year hiatus, hosts Brandon and Steve return to discuss their evolving relationship with games, both digital and tabletop. From one host's complete departure from Magic: The Gathering after Modern Horizons 3 to discovering gaming gems like Balatro and Spirit Island, this episode explores the tension between live-service games and self-contained experiences. Brandon also reveals his exciting new venture into board game design, sharing insights from their development process and what they've learned about creating replayable, elegant game experiences.

From new gaming setups and RGB regrets to cooperative gaming perfection and sandbox design philosophy, this episode covers the highs and lows of a year spent rediscovering what makes games truly engaging.

TIMESTAMPS:

(00:00) Welcome back and new gaming setups

(05:30) Magic: The Gathering - Modern Horizons 3 fallout

(12:15) Live service game fatigue discussion

(18:45) Games-as-a-service vs self-contained experiences

(22:30) Deadlock - the fallen MOBA episode

(25:15) Baldur's Gate 3 couch co-op excellence

(28:15) Factorio Space Age expansion deep dive

(35:20) Balatro - poker-themed perfection

(42:10) Arcs - Cole Wehrle's sandbox masterpiece

(48:30) Trick-taking mechanics controversy

(52:45) Spirit Island - 50 plays and counting

(58:30) Smash Up - deck combining chaos

(60:15) Mechabellum - mech auto-battler addiction

(63:15) Board game design journey begins

(68:45) Sandbox vs hand-holding in game design

(72:30) 2025 episode plans and resolutions

RESOURCES:

Games Mentioned: Magic: The Gathering (Modern), Deadlock, Baldur's Gate 3, Factorio, Balatro, Arcs, Spirit Island, Smash Up, Mechabellum, Root, Gloomhaven

Publishers/Designers: Leder Games (Cole Wehrle), LocalThunk (Balatro developer)

NEXT EPISODE PREVIEW:

The hosts plan monthly episodes throughout 2025, including a deep dive into their ongoing Dungeons & Dragons campaign and continued updates on Brandon's board game development process.

Thanks to our patient listeners for waiting through the hiatus! We'll catch you next time.

Brandon and Steve are cookin' up some board game goulash this week! They've got a lot to say about politicking, negotiation, and cooperation. But, of course, they also can't resist the need for speed! 2:30 - King's Dilemma 22:15 - Modern Art 30:47 - Twilight Imperium 39:48 - Mysterium 44:40 - Gloomhaven 50:45 - Spirit Island 1:00:44 - Unfathomable 1:02:00 - Camel Up 1:05:36 - Heat: Pedal to the Metal  1:08:20 - Wrap Up & Teasers

Steve teaches Brandon about software development, and then they speculate about the video game industry.

8:30 - Introduction

17:00 - Climate Change, Big O Notation, & Starfield

33:00 - The Software Development Life Cycle, Henry Ford, & Japanese Auto Manufacturers

39:20 - The Mystery of Unfinished Games: Waterfall vs Agile

Steve and Brandon drift out of their lane with this one, so tighten the velcro on your shoes and strap in.

If you love anime, join us for a breakdown of a great series - and if you don't love anime, then you're welcome - we'll save you 1 day, 11 hours, & 15 minutes.

Spoilers warning at the 8:10 minute mark.

Happy holidays, ya filthy animals!

Brandon and Steve host their first guest from the Hawkdove Podcast Universe for the first holiday special! Join us while you pack up your Halloween decorations to reflect on spooky games, social deduction, and Blood on the Clocktower.

Steve and Brandon ask one of life's big questions - what is a metagame? And what do you think about the Internet solving your favorite games?

Timestamps: 2:15 - What'd we play while away 15:30 - What's a meta 25:40 - Evolving or becoming stale

Brandon and Steve talk about Fallout RPG elements in this installment of their post-apocalypse game breakdown.

Steve and Brandon finally talk about a board game! Steve holds Brandon hostage in a bizarre conspiracy about woodland creatures and U.S. national security.

Brandon and Steve explore the concepts of top-down and bottom-up design and how the two schools have influenced Magic: The Gathering set flavor and mechanics.

Visit our website if you enjoy written content as well: https://www.hawkdove.io/