Designer Marceline Leiman joins the show for an episode that ebbs and flows in such an engaging way, much like the tides and other marvels in nature. Amongst many other games, Marceline recently designed High Tide, which was an extreme success at the Indie Games Night Market and serves as an anchor for much of this conversation. The game was handcrafted with so many unique considerations and stories that I was fortunate enough to hear, and you will be able to too now. In addition to this indie market release, there will be a subsequent production through Underdog Games!

I’m by no stretch an expert in the tides (or the ocean, or much of anything for that matter), but my cursory “research” shows that the biggest waves typically come in right before high tide. And a wave is an apt descriptor of how Marceline has been creating lately, with many things to look forward to from her. Grab yourself a tea (or coffee) and enjoy a wonderful episode.

Check out Marceline on Bluesky and BoardGameGeek

Intro and Character/Craft/Creation (0:00)

Tea

Seeing something and feeling the human creation that went into it

Thermostat boxes

“I [the tide] am inevitable.” (35:18)

After discussing a lot of the physicality and process of creating everything needed to play the game, Marceline dives into stories of how the game plays–how a main focus was the intentionality of having the game constantly moving forward.

“To Indie or Not to Indie?” (50:00)

This sub-header probably isn’t the most apt, but I liked it.

Anyway, Marceline reflects on researching games throughout history, the purposefulness of seeing those connections in modern games, and how that’s being worked into her designs.

Bluer Skies Ahead (1:12:50)

In addition to appreciating Marceline’s designs, I cannot overstate how thoughtful her social media presence is. The threads read like stories and touch on game design, social issues, the overlap between them, and a multitude of other things. Thank you, Marceline!

Wrap-up Questions (1:30:27)

A text on Marceline’s mine and future games to look out for.

***The cover image is currently a picture from Marceline, posted on BGG and elsewhere. As I like trying to personally make unique episode images, I have a plan for something here (just not the time, as I want this one to be really good/different; there are a couple others I want to go back and redo). Regardless, this is a gorgeous picture, and you get to see the awesome production of the game from it being the current image.***

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Intertextual Cardboard Experience is excited to start the new year in atypical fashion, and it couldn’t be more exciting. Cole Wehrle, Creative Director at Leder Games and Co-Founder of Wehrlegig Games, joins the show, and I had the bright idea of having us not talk about board games… In all seriousness, we do talk directly about board games a handful-ish times, but, for the most part, those thoughts are scattered between some deep and personal insights that Cole shares about a couple of other things: reading (specifically Pynchon) and running. Through Cole’s reflections on these topics, approaching a text where it’s trying to meet you, and other ideas that Cole elaborates a lot more eloquently than I could put here, beautiful intersections in these hobbies are highlighted, demonstrating how those intersections translate into lifestyle choices and creative approaches.

Wehrlegig Games

Leder Games

Cole on Bluesky

Introduction (0:00)

A little bit of context behind the idea of the episode and a formative gaming memory.

“Beyond the Board Game” (10:00)

This section explores Cole’s experiences and thoughts reading Gravity’s Rainbow (amongst other related topics).

“What does running mean to you?” (58:26)

Short answer: a lot (for both of us). But Cole shares a powerful account of his running history here, and we just chat about running for a bit.

Wrap-up Questions (1:26:00)

A text on Cole’s mind and what work you should be on the lookout for.

Random note: Listening back to this episode, I noticed that I said some iteration/tense of "(insert person here) tried to do (insert something here)" a couple of times, and I say that with no negative connotation. It's meant to be something where I'm trying to acknowledge authorial intent, not saying that whoever tried to do something didn't (probably beyond unnoticeable and/or is being heard the way I intended it to be—just a phrase that gave me a slight pause).

The episode logo is me trying to sketch a version of the kid on the cover of Fort that's holding a book but with them running instead of standing and shouting. My apologies to Kyle Ferrin for butchering that.

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If you like this show, liking it on whatever platform you listen to and writing a review would mean so much! Furthermore, it's as independent as it gets, so any financial support would help with the subscriptions that make this project go smoothly. That can be done here: Buy Me a Coffee

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Part of me wanted to jokingly name this episode, “The Official Podcast of Indie Games Night Market,” but it would have probably been more confusing than funny.

Anyway, this one is a special episode for so many reasons! First off, it’s the first time the show has had a repeat guest. It’s also the first time there have been guest episodes released in back to back weeks, as this “bonus” episode gets to serve as a little holiday present, making it the year’s twentieth guest episode (I had four solo, rambly things to make the total count for the year twenty-four) and thirtieth guest episode overall. I am very proud of this. None of that would have been possible without awesome guests, so a huge thank you to Daniel for mentioning he’d chat with me on the podcast about the FIRST EVER Indie Games Night Market. It was a smashing success, and I was extremely fortunate to have been a part of it with a game of my own (a couple notes on that below). With Game Market West and Indie Games Night Market being the first couple of independent events like this in the states, there’s a huge wave of excitement to see where this goes, and I’m here for it.

Check out Daniel’s site, New Mill Industries, for the two games he brought to the event (and many more awesome titles currently there while also being on the lookout for that batch of climbers he mentions are coming in February as well!!. The site also has a link to some information on Indie Games Night Market.

Daniel on Bluesky

A Discord for indie markets (seems like the link might expire, so check out US Indie Markets [Board Games] on Discord).

As this episode is a little treat for you, I’m treating myself to not breaking this one up into chapters. Honestly, everything here kind of just flows from the episode’s main idea.

My game! It’s called Oversized Sandwich. There’s a BGG page. The deck is available for purchase on DriveThruCards. In the product’s description, I try to make it very clear that there were elements of what I took to IGNM that aren’t present when you buy just a deck, but you’d still be able to play the game if you pull up the rules. Check it out; I think it’s cool.

I typically try to come up with a "clever" episode logo, but Daniel's logo for IGNM is just really cool as is, so that's from his site.

If you like this show, liking it on whatever platform you listen to and writing a review would mean so much! Furthermore, it's as independent as it gets (pretty fitting for this episode), so any financial support would help with the subscriptions that make this project go smoothly. That can be done here: Buy Me a Coffee

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Prolific designer Matthew Dunstan joins the show in a unique opportunity to link to the last episode as well as Intertextual Cardboard Experience’s famous Collabstraction Trilogy. There are many unique topics discussed here, and, to me, the ethos of most everything we talked about boiled down to the idea of community and the relationships Matthew has with others in the gaming space. Unsurprisingly, this episode is a real treat.

Last episode, I was fortunate enough to chat with Rory Muldoon, Matthew’s partner at Postmark Games. If you haven’t, check out that episode. Additionally, keep refreshing your browser until 52 Realms: Adventures is available on the Postmark site (some time in January). Matthew on Bluesky

Intro and Matthew’s Version (0:00) Matthew talks about a special person in his life that fostered an early love for gaming. The story of the “Cambridge Cabal” or Cambridge design groups had been discussed a few times on the show. Hearing a little bit more from another perspective, keeps adding to that fun. Some of the Collabstraction staples make it into here, and Matthew discusses some of the decision making behind whether a game will be a solo design or co-design.

A Little Voyage to Postmark (23:55) This section introduces the aforementioned episode with Rory. In this portion, I do correctly say that I’m going to bring up portions of the conversation with Rory where he asked (or just mentioned) that I ask or bring up certain things to Matthew. In later parts, I think I accidentally kind of clump that verbiage into saying that Rory asked me to ask you this. Anyway, in this introductory part, I tell Matthew to bring back his designer live streams (a request from Rory [and me and others!]).

Continued Adventures (33:17) This portion dives into some design decisions made for 52 Realms: Adventures, the idea of community, and how the design relationship between Rory and Matthew works so well. Matthew also reflects on some other possibilities for games designed specifically for print and play.

Wrap-up Questions (1:00:36) A couple of texts on Matthew’s mind and what to look out for from him next!

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***Postcard image courtesy of Schmidsi via Pixabay

***Other images from Postmark's site

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If you like this show, liking it on whatever platform you listen to and writing a review would mean so much! Furthermore, it's as independent as it gets, so any financial support would help with the subscriptions that make this project go smoothly. That can be done here: Buy Me a Coffee

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Rory Muldoon, designer and one-half of Postmark Games, joins the show to discuss the exciting spaces available in the print and play format. With an upcoming project to show off these ideas in 52 Realms: Adventures, it was a really fun conversation charting Rory’s adventures in the board gaming profession and ways he enjoys designing. We also talk about community, co-design, and a massive print and play space opera 4x game (kind of).

Anyway, this discussion was fantastic. Enjoy and check out the links for 52 Realms: Adventures and all things Postmark Games.

Kickstarter page for 52 Realms: Adventures

Postmark Game’s Website

Postmark Game’s Discord

Rory’s Website

Intro (0:00)

The introductory segment now has an option for the first question, and Rory answered them both! We also talk about Rory’s work in graphic design and how everything transitioned to where he is with Postmark today.

Perks of Being a Print and Player (17:17)

Starts off with some information about Postmark Games. Then there are a couple of sections on the benefits of the format from both the board game “consumer” and designer/publisher standpoint. Rory, unsurprisingly, has some awesome insights here.

52 Realms: Adventures (38:53)

The aforementioned project! I’m a big fan of dice, and I’m a big fan of cards as randomizers too. The way this game uses cards, multiple sheets, and space in general is something I’m very excited to try.

Wrap-up Questions (46:57)

A text on Rory’s mind and things to look out for from Postmark Games.

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***Printer image courtesy of OpenClipart-Vectors via Pixabay

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Contact, follow, and support information:

If you like this show, liking it on whatever platform you listen to and writing a review would mean so much! Furthermore, it's as independent as it gets, so any financial support would help with the subscriptions that make this go project go smoothly. That can be done here: Buy Me a Coffee

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Enter for a chance to win a surprise giveaway (cool, I promise). Ending mid-December (probably the 16th).

No crazy episode notes today. I chat about some things to look forward to with the show and beyond (a game I'm making and some videos). There's a quick thought about "fear" in board games, and then I talk about the following games a little bit. They'll all be linked to their BGG pages.

Final Girl

Cthulhu: Death May Die

Skulls of Sedlec

Mind Space

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If you like this show, liking it on whatever platform you listen to and writing a review would mean so much! Furthermore, it's as independent as it gets, so any financial support would help with the subscriptions that make this go project go smoothly. That can be done here: Buy Me a Coffee

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Jon Barron, designer of Tricky Time Crisis, Best Candy on the Block, and a few more extremely exciting games in an upcoming Kickstarter (let’s just pause to link the Kickstarter <<< it’s right there!), joins the show to discuss [redacted], injecting theme and flavor into card games, [redacted], [redacted], proxy decks, and a whole bunch of trick-taking and Halloween-ish topics. If you can’t tell already, Dr. Tricky Time has unfortunately messed with the show notes, so you’ll need to tune in for an extremely fun conversation here.

Intro (0:00)

Longest set of prefaces ever (from me) and an interesting explanation of the card distribution in Trick Time Crisis (from Jon).

Halloween #1 (6:47)

Formative Gaming Memory (8:03)

Halloween #2 (10:39)

Notes on Upcoming Kickstarter Project (12:45)

Jon recently talked on the “Dads on a Map” Podcast regarding the upcoming group of games coming to Kickstarter, so I asked him about something he didn’t discuss there. Speaking of there, check that episode out too!

“Halloween” #3 (19:16)

Tricky Time Crisis, Theme, and Daylight Savings Time (25:44)

Jon talks about the creation of the characters in Tricky Time Crisis and how he approaches design in general. And there’s a bit about daylight savings time (and more).

Halloween #4 (44:44)

Proxy Decks (49:09)

Wrap-up Questions (56:50)

A text on Jon’s mind, and things to look out for from him!

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Dust off your headphones and get ready for an amazing talk with Jonathan Cox of JonGetsGames. As a voice that I started listening to early in my time in “the hobby,” being able to talk about Jon’s experiences with board games and how that’s led to this culmination of different work and creation within the space was a real treat. And he designed Spring Cleaning, which I’ve been binging and cannot recommend enough. Listen to us talk about all of that and more!

Order Spring Cleaning Here!

JonGetsGames on YouTube

Introduction (0:00)

Formative gaming experiences and other background information.

Learn While _____ (13:04)

This section spans quite a bit of time (and perhaps could be broken into more chapters?), but Jon talks about what led to the learn while playing format, different processes of learning, and other things he’s created through these various processes (some of this within the framework of a “twist” set of questions [some not]).

Developing Development Work (39:05)

Cleaning Up and/or Mutating One’s Own Designs (46:07)

Jon reflects on creating a learn while playing video for his own game, how creating videos for card games didn’t wind up being too different in general, and a game he’s bringing to the Indie Games Night Market at Pax Unplugged.

Wrap-up Questions (1:06:15)

A text on Jonathan’s mind and things to look out for from him in the future.

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In this episode, I set up some questions (per usual), and Patrick Leder, founder of Leder Games, takes them and leads a delightful conversation about the company, robots, baby simulators, and other less random things not included in this cherry-picked short list. In all seriousness, this episode covers a range of stories and sentiments, and it’s a real (Trick or) Treat.

Check out the Leder Games website.

Check out the upcoming Kickstarter for the next Root expansion.

Introduction (0:00)

A slightly tweaked first question asking Patrick about some foundational gaming memories, transition to design/publishing, and where asymmetry entered into all of this.

All Things Four - Part I: Words (19:18)

Four words to describe Leder Games.

All Things Four - Part II: Titles (27:19)

Titling various things to only words with four letters.

All Things Four - Part III: Texts (38:20)

Various texts Patrick picks that capture the essence of Leder in some way.

All Things Four - Part IV: Potluck (50:36)

Semi-random questions that all just kind of fit here.

Wrap-up Questions (1:07:56)

A couple of texts on Patrick’s mind and things to look out for from him and Leder Games.

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These will be the shortest show notes yet because I have more than enough words in the episode itself.

Listen for some unique insights from Board Game Arena developer ufm, and check out all of their BGA adaptations here (you might need to have an account to see this page?).

Also, thanks for being a part of this journey. It's been a blast.

Also also, I think the instructions for the giveaway are pretty clear, so listen to the episode for details on that.

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