A listener once asked JP how he felt about asymmetry in board games and it sparked an idea to talk about it, what it means, how he feel about it and would he recommend it for new players.

IN THIS EPISODE
- We start now with the "Centre of the table" where JP dives into the topic of asymmetry and the variations of it in board games
- JP has got more games to the table in "Just Played" where a classic from 2015 Forbidden Stars finally gets played "For The Emperor" and then we look after a heavy crunchy zoo in Zoo Tycoon: The Board Game
- We now have a dedicated segment for questions called "Just Ask" and todays question talks about running campaign games and my approach for rules clarifications
- "What's Hot, What's Not" returns again this episode so lets see what the latest BGG has to offer

LINKS REFERENCED IN THE SHOW
Forbidden Stars Playthrough on NinjaGeekGames - https://www.youtube.com/live/2z1mcRVmIS4?si=BdiA1j4HWHlQHJAR

CHAPTERS
00:00:00 - OPENING
00:00:32 - PHASE A: PULL UP A CHAIR
00:01:06 - PHASE B: CENTRE OF THE TABLE
00:01:49 - What does asymmetry mean?
00:05:53 - What are the positives of asymmetry?
00:10:26 - What don't I like about asymmetry?
00:12:53 - PHASE C: JUST PLAYED
00:13:06 - Forbidden Stars
00:20:44 - Zoo Tycoon: The Board Game
00:30:14 - PHASE D: JUST ASK
00:32:23 - PHASE E: WHAT'S HOT, WHAT'S NOT
00:35:58 - PHASE F: JUST ABOUT TO PLAY
00:37:05 - A thank you to my latest exhibit in my studio
00:37:49 - PHASE G: THE LAST PLAY

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GET IN TOUCH
Website - https://www.justplaypod.co.uk
YouTube - https://www.youtube.com/@JustPlayPodcast
Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/JustPlayPod
Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/justplaypod
Discord - Join us on Discord

INTRO / OUTRO CREDITS
Intro / Outro Music: Getaway by D0d
Music from #Uppbeat (free for Creators!):
https://uppbeat.io/t/d0d/getaway

Ever since JP met Asaf at David Turczi's gaming retreat this year, he's made it his mission to get Asaf from EZBoardGames on the channel for a good old chat about board games and content creation.

DISCLAIMER: It appears JP didn't sacrifice enough terrible boardgames to the lords of the internet so Asaf's video feed is quite laggy for those watching on video.

IN THIS EPISODE
- Learn about Asaf's love for the 4X genre and his favourite games of all time
- Asaf highlights the importance of Gloomhaven and how it triggered the genesis of his channel EZBoardGames
- We discuss examples of how barriers in games can prevent gamers from accessing the gold in board gaming and how as consumers we strive for better and better experiences.

LINKS REFERENCED IN THE SHOW
EZBoardGames Channel - https://www.youtube.com/@ezbgames

CHAPTERS
00:00:00 - OPENING
00:00:35 - PHASE A: PULL UP A CHAIR
00:02:55 - PHASE B: INTRODUCING ASAF
00:03:11 - What have you "Just Played" recently
00:05:30 - What are your favourite board games?
00:13:54 - How did Asaf get into the hobby?
00:20:46 - PHASE C: EZBOARDGAMES INTERVIEW
00:25:28 - What was the first video you did where you thought, this is working
00:29:11 - Engagement for small channels is so important
00:32:06 - What's the one thing you want people to know about you?
00:34:46 - What does JP do outside of board games?
00:43:14 - How do you balance honesty & kindness in your views in your videos?
00:49:48 - Examples of hitting barriers in the hobby
00:56:18 - What things have you seen change the most from old to new games that you cover?
01:01:09 - PHASE D: THANKING ASAF
01:03:29 - PHASE E: THE LAST PLAY

Get in touch with the show

Support the show

GET IN TOUCH
Website - https://www.justplaypod.co.uk
YouTube - https://www.youtube.com/@JustPlayPodcast
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Discord - Join us on Discord

INTRO / OUTRO CREDITS
Intro / Outro Music: Getaway by D0d
Music from #Uppbeat (free for Creators!):
https://uppbeat.io/t/d0d/getaway

When you struggle nail down a few peoples calendars to play games it's great to have some cracking solo card games to full back on to keep you gaming.  Today JP talks about his top 5 solo card games which are just absolute bangers.

IN THIS EPISODE
- In the "Just Played" segment JP focuses on two games not in his typically his type, first up Rolling Realms Redux by Stonemaier Games which doubles as a great travel roll & write games and Magical Athlete by CMYK Games which takes the worst mechanism in board games "roll & move" and turns it into chaos, all in the best way.
- At the "Centre of the table" JP lists his top 5 solo card games that he keeps returning to again and again
- There is no "What's Hot, What's Not" segment this time but it'll return next episode

LINKS REFERENCED IN THE SHOW
N/A

CHAPTERS
00:00:00 - OPENING
00:00:31 - PHASE A: PULL UP A CHAIR
00:03:31 - PHASE B: JUST PLAYED
00:03:44 - Rolling Realms Redux
00:12:18 - Magical Athlete
00:18:04 - PHASE C: CENTRE OF THE TABLE
00:19:21 - 5. Unstoppable
00:21:31 - 4: Earthborn Rangers
00:28:44 - 3. Baseball Highlights 2045
00:37:11 - 2. Ashes Ascendancy
00:39:47 - 1. Star Trek Captains Chair
00:46:39 - PHASE D: JUST ABOUT TO PLAY
00:47:47 - PHASE E: THE LAST PLAY

Get in touch with the show

Support the show

GET IN TOUCH
Website - https://www.justplaypod.co.uk
YouTube - https://www.youtube.com/@JustPlayPodcast
Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/JustPlayPod
Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/justplaypod
Discord - Join us on Discord

INTRO / OUTRO CREDITS
Intro / Outro Music: Getaway by D0d
Music from #Uppbeat (free for Creators!):
https://uppbeat.io/t/d0d/getaway

It's reunion time again and this time Becky jumps on the show to bring some of that old Whose Turn Is It Anyway magic back again.  We talk about belonging at the board game table and put ourselves in the shoes of new gamers again, what are the pitfalls, what are the perils, what gateway games have worked for it.  Join us for a chat as it's about to get nostalgic.

IN THIS EPISODE
- JP introduces Becky for those who don't know her from the Whose Turn podcast days and for those who do we learn what life has been like since Whose Turn ended.
- Let's Talk About Hex briefly returns as Becky talks about summoning puzzly wisps in Wispwood by Czech Games Edition and creating bidding snakes in Nocturne by Flatout Games
- Becky brings a topic close to her heart about feeling like you belong at the table and reminds us what's it's like for new players.
- Becky helps JP answer a listener question from the bank

LINKS REFERENCED IN THE SHOW
You can still catch the Whose Turn Is It Anyway Podcast show here -https://www.whoseturn.co.uk/

CHAPTERS
00:00:00 - OPENING
00:00:22 - PHASE A: INTRODUCING BECKY
00:02:11 - Introducing Becky
00:05:17 - What is Becky's favourite game?
00:06:39 - Life after Whose Turn Podcast
00:10:01 - PHASE B: LET'S TALK ABOUT HEX
00:21:31 - PHASE C: BELONGING AT THE TABLE
00:22:54 - What do you think are the barriers for newcomers to the hobby? 
00:27:30 - Have you ever experienced people bounce off the hobby?
00:29:41 - How should we behave when there's a new player at the table?
00:33:51 - The importance of curating games for new players
00:37:57 - What gateway games that  have worked for us
00:44:00 - Practicing dealing with conflict
00:45:58 - What games that people recommend but might not be the best for new players?
00:52:48 - PHASE D: LISTENERS QUESTION TIME
00:59:30 - PHASE E: THE LAST PLAY

Get in touch with the show

Support the show

GET IN TOUCH
Website - https://www.justplaypod.co.uk
YouTube - https://www.youtube.com/@JustPlayPodcast
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Discord - Join us on Discord

INTRO / OUTRO CREDITS
Intro / Outro Music: Getaway by D0d
Music from #Uppbeat (free for Creators!):
https://uppbeat.io/t/d0d/getaway

Sometimes great games just don't hit the mark for a variety of reasons and in this episode I pick eight genuinely good games that fall into that category.

IN THIS EPISODE
- In the "Just Played" segment JP travels back to 1760 England and tries to make his factory as efficient and profitable as possible in Arkwright: Anniversary Edition by Capstone Games and then travels to the future Scotland for some Rebirth by Mighty Boards
- At the "Centre of the table" JP lists games which are great, but haven't hit the mark
- JP takes a look at the top 5 trending games in "What's Hot, What's Not" which includes Whisperwood, The Crew: Journey to the Ends of the Earth, Wildscape, Drillers & Hell of a Deal

LINKS REFERENCED IN THE SHOW
N/A

CHAPTERS
00:00:00 - OPENING
00:01:07 - PHASE A: PULL UP A CHAIR
00:04:52 - PHASE B: JUST PLAYED
00:05:03 - Arkwright: Anniversary Edition
00:17:30 - Rebirth
00:23:05 - PHASE C: CENTRE OF THE TABLE
00:24:36 - Ark Nova
00:26:35 - Brass Birmingham
00:27:50 - Spirit Island
00:29:18 - Clank!
00:30:32 - Eclipse: Second Dawn
00:33:10 - Barrage
00:35:20 - Vantage
00:37:21 - Mage Knight
00:40:50 - PHASE D: WHAT'S HOT, WHAT'S NOT
00:46:38 - PHASE E: JUST ABOUT TO PLAY
00:48:36 - PHASE F: THE LAST PLAY

Get in touch with the show

Support the show

GET IN TOUCH
Website - https://www.justplaypod.co.uk
YouTube - https://www.youtube.com/@JustPlayPodcast
Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/JustPlayPod
Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/justplaypod
Discord - Join us on Discord

INTRO / OUTRO CREDITS
Intro / Outro Music: Getaway by D0d
Music from #Uppbeat (free for Creators!):
https://uppbeat.io/t/d0d/getaway

Some games challenge your brain and some warm your heat, every now and then some games manage to do both.  We've got Benjie Talbott from Cosy Cub Games to talk about the meteoric rise of Tenby by Mighty Boards

IN THIS EPISODE
- Learn about Benjie's early gaming experiences and what he likes to play to unwind
- Benjie provides his experience from taking a game design to have it literally fly off the shelves at the UK Games Expo and other stores.
- You can learn more about the game of Tenby, it's expansion "Community" and what Benjie's favourite modules are to play

LINKS REFERENCED IN THE SHOW
Watch the episode on YouTube - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8JtLC8Tetjk
Cosy Cub Games Website - https://www.cosycubgames.com/

CHAPTERS
00:00:00 - OPENING
00:00:20 - PHASE A: INTRODUCING BENJIE TALBOTT
00:01:10 - What was the last game Benjie has Just Played?
00:03:02 - What are Benjie's favourite games?
00:06:36 - How did you into the hobby?
00:10:04 - PHASE B: COSY CUB GAMES & TENBY
00:13:05 - The meteoric success of Tenby
00:18:37 - What is Tenby?
00:23:24 - How does the Community Expansion work?
00:25:55 - Why is Tenby a special place for Benjie?
00:27:30 - An aside on Heartbeat the TV Show...yep really
00:29:22 - What's the one mechanism in Tenby that defines the game for you?
00:34:43 - Listener Question - What is your dream bling to have in your game?
00:37:06 - Listener Question - What is Bejies favourite modules to play with in Tenby?
00:38:56 - PHASE C: WHAT'S NEXT FOR COSY CUB GAMES?
00:44:29 - What are you looking forward to?
00:46:33 - PHASE D: WHAT'S HOT, THE LAST PLAY

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GET IN TOUCH
Website - https://www.justplaypod.co.uk
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INTRO / OUTRO CREDITS
Intro / Outro Music: Getaway by D0d
Music from #Uppbeat (free for Creators!):
https://uppbeat.io/t/d0d/getaway

What if your favourite game is actually playing you? In a homage to the fantastic TV series Black Mirror JP takes a look at board games that could well feature as an episode in that series.  Expect dark, expect adult themes and lets lean into the dystopia.

IN THIS EPISODE
- In the "Just Played" segment JP talks about his recent experience with Politik by Black Yeti Games after releasing a Just Play-Through recently on the channel.  Also he loads up, joins a team and takes down other legends in Apex Legends: The Board Game by Glass Cannon Unplugged 
- At the "Centre of the table" JP lists games which lean into that Black Mirror vibe.  When researching for this episode there's actually quite a lot more games, what do you think should be included?
- JP takes a look at the top 5 trending games in "What's Hot, What's Not" which includes Schadenfreude, Duel of Meloch, Chilvary, Rolling Deep, Container

LINKS REFERENCED IN THE SHOW
Watch this episode on YouTube - https://youtu.be/1I1R5NYSq_k

CHAPTERS
00:00:00 - OPENING
00:00:19 - PHASE A: PULL UP A CHAIR
00:05:28 - PHASE B: JUST PLAYED
00:05:56 - Politik
00:17:04 - Apex Legends: The Board Game
00:25:06 - PHASE C: CENTRE OF THE TABLE - Boardgames that belong in a Black Mirror episode
00:27:14 - This War Is Mine
00:29:00 - Kingdom Death Monster
00:31:15 - Holding On: The Troubled Life of Billy Kerr
00:33:11 - Frostpunk: The Board Game
00:36:19 - New Angeles
00:38:08 - Cerebria: The Inside World
00:39:20 - Nyctophobia
00:40:30 - Deckers
00:41:41 - Nemesis
00:43:18 - PHASE D: WHAT'S HOT, WHAT'S NOT
00:48:28 - PHASE E: JUST ABOUT TO PLAY
00:49:30 - PHASE F: THE LAST PLAY

Get in touch with the show

Support the show

GET IN TOUCH
Website - https://www.justplaypod.co.uk
YouTube - https://www.youtube.com/@JustPlayPodcast
Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/JustPlayPod
Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/justplaypod
Discord - Join us on Discord

INTRO / OUTRO CREDITS
Intro / Outro Music: Getaway by D0d
Music from #Uppbeat (free for Creators!):
https://uppbeat.io/t/d0d/getaway

It's time for something a little different.  JP is away on a work trip to Memphis in the US and joined by Rob formally from the Whose Turn Is It Anyway Podcast, so naturally it felt like a little reunion.  We've brought the mics and thought we share a little of our gaming experiences whilst we visited the "Home of the Blues".

IN THIS EPISODE
- JP introduces Rob for those who don't know him from the Whose Turn podcast days and for those that do will learn what life has been like since Whose Turn was sunsetted.
- We bring back "Let's Talk About Hex" for Rob to update us on what he has been playing including getting 20 Strong by Chip Theory Games, time travelling in Warp's Edge by Renegade Studios and trying to wake some Sleeping Gods by Red Raven Games
- We try and bring some of those Memphis Blues to the episode by sharing our gaming experiences and what games we've played across the work trip including hands on the latest Kickstarter Echobound Adventures by Open Owl Studios and Tempest Workshop

LINKS REFERENCED IN THE SHOW
You can still catch the Whose Turn Is It Anyway Podcast show here - www.whoseturn.co.uk

CHAPTERS
00:00:00 - OPENING
00:00:23 - PHASE A: INTRODUCING ROB
00:01:21 - Introducing Rob
00:04:06 - Life after Whose Turn Podcast
00:07:40 - PHASE B: LET'S TALK ABOUT HEX
00:09:17 - Sleeping Gods
00:12:19 - 20 Strong
00:14:24 - Warp's Edge
00:17:21 - PHASE C: BEALE STREET BOARD GAMES
00:21:43 - Kelp: Shark vs Octopus
00:30:26 - Sagrada
00:32:28 - Flamecraft Duals
00:37:31 - Echobound Adventures
00:50:21 - Cosmic Encounter Duel
00:55:24 - Baseball Highlights 2045
01:02:46 - PHASE D: THE LAST PLAY

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GET IN TOUCH
Website - https://www.justplaypod.co.uk
YouTube - https://www.youtube.com/@JustPlayPodcast
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Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/justplaypod
Discord - Join us on Discord

INTRO / OUTRO CREDITS
Intro / Outro Music: Getaway by D0d
Music from #Uppbeat (free for Creators!):
https://uppbeat.io/t/d0d/getaway

Let's face it, we love this hobby it provides so many great things, the social interaction, the fun at the table, we wouldn't change it for the world.  However, there are some things about the hobby which make us question our life choices...buckle up we're about to dive into a few of them.

IN THIS EPISODE
- In the "Just Played" segment JP has now had a full game of Terraria by Paper Fort Games and discusses the fun in getting lost in a 2D sandbox world, and trying to score big in Jackpot: Set The Reel by Dranda Games
- At the "Centre of the table" JP talks about what gets on his nerves within the hobby.  Are these just specific to JP or is he on his own? What are some of your pet peeves?
- We take a look at the the top 5 trending games in "What's Hot, What's Not" including Altera, Harmonies Expansions, Container and Concordia: Special Edition

LINKS REFERENCED IN THE SHOW
Watch this episode on YouTube - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7h0CVOGDZEY
Watch JP play Terraria on Gaming Rules!
Part One - https://www.youtube.com/live/cxhDqZh-QFg?si=-7KCXKyN8eBBSo_H
Part Two - https://www.youtube.com/live/y7lx7D4mCxw?si=duLMZLiGK5HsKu0O

CHAPTERS
00:00:00 - OPENING
00:00:38 - PHASE A: PULL UP A CHAIR
00:03:16 - Question from our listeners
00:05:31 - PHASE B: JUST PLAYED
00:05:51 - Terraria
00:20:04 - Jackpot: Set The Reel
00:25:35 - PHASE C: CENTRE OF THE TABLE
00:26:56 - Where the hell are you?
00:28:51 - Erm sorry I can't make it now...WHAT!!!!
00:30:53 - Would you kindly stop bending my frickin cards!!!
00:32:03 - Right guys...I need to go
00:33:03 - In your face...have some of that
00:34:35 - Well there's no point carrying on now
00:36:40 - Excuse me...what did you say?
00:37:27 - Whose Turn Is It?
00:38:46 - Oh it's my turn...whoops you didn't want to keep this game did you?
00:41:04 - Erm no thanks, i'll stick to my old favourites
00:41:57 - Where does this go?
00:42:55 - Board game phone zombies
00:44:07 - PHASE D: WHAT'S HOT, WHAT'S NOT
00:49:05 - PHASE E: JUST ABOUT TO PLAY
00:50:52 - PHASE F: THE LAST PLAY

Get in touch with the show

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GET IN TOUCH
Website - https://www.justplaypod.co.uk
YouTube - https://www.youtube.com/@JustPlayPodcast
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Discord - Join us on Discord

INTRO / OUTRO CREDITS
Intro / Outro Music: Getaway by D0d
Music from #Uppbeat (free for Creators!):
https://uppbeat.io/t/d0d/getaway

There's something magical about railways, the routes, the stories and the people that built them.  Snowdonia Grand Tour from Naylor Games captures all of that and then dares to go bigger.

IN THIS EPISODE
- We meet Jaya Baldwin from Naylor Games and learn about what his favourite games are and what he's been playing lately.
- You can learn more about Snowdonia Special Edition and the new Snowdonia Grand Tour with 12 additional scenarios / game boards
- We discuss why Snowdonia is a classic and how it has endured over time and also dive into some of the scenarios that can be found in Grand Tour.

LINKS REFERENCED IN THE SHOW
Watch this episode on YouTube - https://youtu.be/E-YnGADRGtE
Snowdonia Grand Tour Late Pledge -https://gamefound.com/en/projects/naylorgames/snowdonia-grand-tour
Gaming Rules Snowdonia Playthrough - https://www.youtube.com/live/o7ekpuOcqR8?si=QISwSHYOta2X9tiU

CHAPTERS
00:00:00 - OPENING
00:00:21 - PHASE A: INTRODUCING JAYA BALDWIN
00:02:28 - What was the last game Jaya has Just Played?
00:06:38 - What is Jaya's favourite game?
00:12:04 - Where did Jaya's design journey start?
00:17:03 - PHASE B: SNOWDONIA & SNOWDONIA GRAND TOUR
00:22:02 - Why did you make the decision to have a different board for each scenarios
00:26:20 - The experience in opening the box
00:28:01 - How has Tony Boydell been involved in this version?
00:31:08 - Why do you think Snowdonia has endured as a modern classic?
00:39:41 - How difficult was it to do a murder mystery scenario into the system?
00:44:19 - What is Jaya's favourite scenario?
00:47:36 - How can you get a copy of Snowdonia Special Edition or Grand Tour?
00:49:15 - PHASE C: WHAT'S NEXT FOR NAYLOR GAMES?
00:51:53 - PHASE D: THE LAST PLAY

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YouTube - https://www.youtube.com/@JustPlayPodcast
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Discord - Join us on Discord

INTRO / OUTRO CREDITS
Intro / Outro Music: Getaway by D0d
Music from #Uppbeat (free for Creators!):
https://uppbeat.io/t/d0d/getaway