Release Date: May 28, 2025

Welcome to Episode 580 of Meeple Nation, The World's Okayest Podcast!

This week, Nathan, Douglas, and Dave pull up a chair to the game table to dive into all the exciting news from the board gaming world for May 2025. We're covering a ton of ground, including:

• New Game Releases: Discover what's just hit the shelves and is ready for your game night!
• New Game Announcements: Get the scoop on upcoming titles that have the community buzzing.
• Crowdfunding Games: We'll highlight some intriguing projects currently seeking support on Kickstarter and Gamefound.

In this episode, we chat about:

• Our Gaming Highlights:

  • Nathan:
    • Twilight Inscription
      • Flip 7
      • Hadrian’s Wall
  • Douglas:
    • Arkham Horror
  • Dave:
    • Dominion

• Hot New Releases:

  • Marvel Champions: Silk Hero Pack
  • Marvel Champions: Black Panther Hero Pack (Suri)
  • Cyclades: Legendary Edition
  • Parks Second Edition
  • Knitting Circle
  • Zombicide 2nd Ed: PariZ
  • Marvel Zombies
  • Marvel Zombies: X-Men Resistance
  • Santorini: Pantheon Edition
  • Toy Battle
  • Tiny Turbo Cars
  • Dragon Eclipse
  • Pokemon
  • Critter Kitchen
  • Emerald Skull

• Exciting Announcements:

  • Battle for Hoth (Command and Colors)
  • Risk GI Joe: Special Missions
    • Risk Legacy
  • 7 Wonders Dice
    • Lord of the Rings: Duel for Middle-Earth
    • 7 Wonders Architects
  • Slam Throne
    • Pogs
  • Sea Salt & Paper: Extra Pepper
  • Lorcana: Reign of Jafar
  • Grand Central Skyport
    • Skyrise
    • Cloud City
  • The Anarchy
    • Hadrian’s Wall Dry Erase Board
  • SETI: Space Agencies
  • Mystery of the Abbey
  • In the Footsteps of Darwin: Correspondence
  • 7 Empires

• Crowdfunding Spotlight:

  • Kickstarter: Flamecraft Duels
  • Gamefound: Aeon’s End: Beyond the Breach

A huge shout-out to our amazing sponsors, Game Toppers and SaltCON!

Whether you're a veteran gamer or just getting into the hobby, there's something for everyone in this action-packed episode. Join us for your essential dose of board game news and discussion!

Connect with Meeple Nation:

• Website: Meeplenation.com
• SaltPOD: A SaltCON Podcast: SaltPOD
• Email: [email protected]
• Patreon: Meeple Nation
• Instagram: @meeplenation
• Facebook Page: Meeple Nation
• Facebook Group (Meeple Nation Off Air): Meeple Nation Off Air
• X (Twitter): @MeepleNation
• Discord: Meeple Nation
• YouTube: Meeple Nation

Thanks for listening! If you enjoyed the show, please subscribe, rate, and review us on your favorite podcast platform!

SaltPOD 0005, SaltCON Summer 2025 Release date: May 27, 2025 Welcome gamers! If you are a board gamer, a social gamer, or someone who loves RPGs, SaltCON is a place for you. Welcome back to SaltPOD, your dedicated deep dive into the vibrant world of SaltCon and the incredible community that makes it tick! If you're new here, SaltPOD is your backstage pass, your insider scoop, your direct line to all things SaltCON. SaltCON – the biggest and best tabletop gaming convention in the Mountain West! We're here to explore the amazing games, the fantastic people, and the unforgettable experiences that make SaltCon a must-attend event year after year. Get ready to level up your excitement!" This episode we are discussing SaltCON Summer which is happening June 6th through the 8th at the Davis Conference Center, in Layton City. This event is smaller than the Spring event but still has three action packed days of events, tournaments, open gaming and amazing people. Vendor Hall The Gauntlet of vendors and wears and gaming goodies.

Hot Games:

• Andromeda’s Edge

• Cat Blues: The Big Gig

• Creature Caravan

• Critter Kitchen

• Finspan

• House of Fado

• SETI: Search for Extraterrestrial Intelligence

• Slay the Spire: The Board Game

Play to Win Games 

• Friday and Saturday

Gaming library

• A huge game library with over 2500 games to check out and play.

• Classic games, and new games alike.

There were 278 different events the attendees could sign up for.

178 Total RPG events.

• 85 RPG events

• 26 Pathfinder events

• 67 Dungeons and Dragons Adventurers League events

Game Swap

Flea Market

• Saturday for 2-hours

Tournaments

• Sabacc

Events

• Broadway Murder Mystery - Groomed for Murder!

• Nebula: A 4X inspired Big Group Game

• Tichu around with Danny

• Blood on the Clock Tower

• Nine different event and one how to play event

• Mini Painting Seminar

• Saturday 1:30

64 total board game events

Board Game Events

• 30 Board Game Events

Meeple Nation events

• 34 Meeple Nation Board Game Events

What a way to start the Summer of Gaming. So what is next?

• SaltCON End of Summer

• August 29-31

• 1000 badges

• Game library

• RPG area

• Hot Games

• Game swap

• Flea Market

• Miniature painting

• Vendors

• Reserved tables

If you have any questions feel free to email us at [email protected]. We are always excited to hear about new games and exciting times. And with that we have completed another deep dive into the salty goodness of SaltCon! We hope you're as excited as we are for all the fun and games. Remember, SaltPOD is your ongoing connection to these amazing events. But the board gaming adventure doesn't stop here! If you love in-depth discussions, diverse perspectives, and talking about all things board games, be sure to check out our other podcast, Meeple Nation! There we have episodes serving up fantastic content week after week. Until next time, keep rolling those dice, and we'll see you at SaltCon!"Thanks for listening. 

Episode 579: Narrative Choice or Paragraph Games 

Episode release date is May 21, 2025

Show Notes

Meeple Nation discusses several games that include the narrative or paragraph game mechanic. Come join us at the game table and find some new and amazing games.

Sponsorship

• Game Toppers 

• SaltCON

Intro of Meeple Nation The World's Most Okayest Podcast

• Web Page

• Links to Episodes

• SaltPOD: A SaltCON Podcast

• Bios

• Email us at [email protected]

• Patreon

• Instagram @meeplenation

• Facebook Meeple Nation

• Facebook Group Meeple Nation Off Air

• X Meeple Nation

• Discord Meeple Nation

• Become a Chanameeple

Meeple Nation Gaming Highlights (Highlight-Thirty)

• Nathan

• Welcome to the Moon

• Douglas

• Clans of Caledonia

• From the Moon

• Andy

• Return to Dark Tower

• Zombicide White Death

Narrative Choice and Paragraph Games.

The Narrative Choice or Paragraph Games mechanic puts a strong emphasis on storytelling and player agency through making decisions that directly influence the narrative's progression. Instead of relying solely on traditional game mechanics like dice rolling or resource management to drive the plot, these games present players with textual descriptions, scenarios, and choices that lead to different outcomes and further narrative branches.

Think of it like a "Choose Your Own Adventure" book integrated into a board game experience. Players often read paragraphs of text that describe a situation, and then they are presented with a set of choices. Each choice directs them to a different paragraph or section, unfolding the story in a unique way based on their decisions.

Here's how the mechanic typically works:

1. Narrative Presentation: The game presents story elements through text, often in the form of cards, books, or even app-based interfaces. These descriptions set the scene, introduce characters, and present challenges.

2. Choice Points: At key moments in the narrative, players are given distinct options on how to proceed. These choices can range from dialogue options and actions to strategic decisions that have narrative consequences.

3. Branching Narrative: Each choice leads to a different part of the story. This might involve reading a specific paragraph number, drawing a particular card, or triggering a new event within the app. The narrative unfolds non-linearly based on the collective decisions of the players.

4. Consequences: The choices players make often have consequences that affect the ongoing narrative. This could involve changes in character relationships, the availability of future options, the acquisition of items, or even the overall outcome of the game.

5. Emergent Storytelling: While the core narrative is pre-written, the combination of player choices leads to a unique emergent story for each playthrough. Different groups of players, or even the same group playing again, will likely experience the narrative in a different sequence and with different outcomes.

Narrative Choice or Paragraph Games

• Scythe

• Chronicles of Drunagor

• Stars of Akarios

• Above and Below

•  Near and Far

• Star Wars: Outer Rim

• Star Wars: Outer Rim - Unfinished Business

• My Father’s Work

• Folklore the Affliction

• Gloomhaven

• Frosthaven  

• Clank! Legacy: Acquisitions Incorporated

• SeaFall

• Wingspan

• ISS Vanguard

• Bureau of Investigation: Investigations in Arkham & Elsewhere 

• Lost Ones

• Too Many Bones

• Tainted Grail

• Sleeping Gods

• The Witcher: Old World

• Vagrantsong

• Waste Knights

• Tamashii

• T.I.M.E. Stories

• Forgotten Waters

• The Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim – The Adventure Game

• Sea of Legends

• Abomination: The Heir of Frankenstein 

• Oil Town

• Roll Player Adventures

• Robinson Crusoe: Adventures on the Cursed Island

• Kingdom Death: Monster

• Maracaibo 

• This War of Mine

• The Witcher: Old World

• Legacy of Dragonholt

• Aftermath 

• Oltree

Nathan

Andy

• Aeon Trespass: Odyssey Clank!: A Deck-Building Adventure Game

•  

• Near and Far

• Folklore: The Affliction

•  

• The Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim – The Adventure Game

•  

• Abomination: The Heir of Frankenstein

• Sea of Legends

• Oil Town

• Etherfields

• Dragon Quest 

• Sleeping Gods

•  

Douglas

• Scythe

• Too Many Bones

• Tainted Grail

• Sleeping Gods

• Sleeping Gods: Distant Skies

• TIME Stories

• ISS Vanguard

• The Witcher: Old World

• Star Wars: Outer Rim

• Clank! Legacy

• Earthborn Rangers

• My Fathers Work

• Waste Knights

• Tamashii

Episode 578: Network or Route Building Games We Don’t Own

Episode release date is May 14, 2025

Show Notes

This week we are at the final connection of our Network or Route building games discussion. All routes are closing in this episode. For those who may have missed it, network or route building games where players are establishing connections between points on the board or map. 

For this last episode in this series, we will be looking at the larger list of top rated network or route building games according to BGG. I selected the Network or Route building Mechanic and limited that search to games that are rated with 7 stars or higher, and each of these games must have a minimum of 2000 user ratings.

So let’s get on board and punch the ticket of this discussion of network building games at the game table.

Sponsorship

• Game Toppers 

• SaltCON

Intro of Meeple Nation The World's Most Okayest Podcast

• Web Page

• Links to Episodes

• SaltPOD: A SaltCON Podcast

• Bios

• Email us at [email protected]

• Patreon

• Instagram @meeplenation

• Facebook Meeple Nation

• Facebook Group Meeple Nation Off Air

• X Meeple Nation

• Discord Meeple Nation

• Become a Chanameeple

Meeple Nation Gaming Highlights (Highlight-Thirty)

• Nathan

• Beer and Bread

• Gift of Tulips

• Tower Up

• 3000 Scoundrels

• Great Western Trail

• Ahoy

• Targi

• Stamp Swap

• Welcome to the Moon

• Living Forest

• Bonsai

• Douglas

• Biome

• Gray Knight Games

• Andy

•  

Top network or route building games

• Concordia

• Concordia Venus

• Smartphone

• Yokohama

• The Guild of Merchant Explorers

• Age of Innovation

• Terra Mystica

• Gaia Project

• Terra Nova 

• Ginkgopolis

• Carnegie

• Imperial Steam

• Empire Builder

• 1846: The Race for the Midwest

• Clans of Caledonia

• Dinosaur Island: Rawr ‘n Write

• DinoGenics

• Near and Far

• Pipeline

• Framework

• Keyflower

Episode 577: Our Top Five Network or Route Building Games 

Episode release date is May 7, 2025

Show Notes

This week we are at the middle point of our Network or Route building games discussion. Once again network or route building games mean players are establishing connections between points on the board or map. 

For this episode we will be focusing on our top five games that make use of the network or route building.

So let’s return to the game table and continue the discussion of network building games at the game table.

Intro of Meeple Nation The World's Most Okayest Podcast

• Web Page

• Links to Episodes

• SaltPOD: A SaltCON Podcast

• Bios

• Email us at [email protected]

• Patreon

• Instagram @meeplenation

• Facebook Meeple Nation

• Facebook Group Meeple Nation Off Air

• X Meeple Nation

• Discord Meeple Nation

• Become a Chanameeple

Sponsorship

• Game Toppers 

• SaltCON

Meeple Nation Gaming Highlights (Highlight-Thirty)

• Nathan

  • SETI: Search for Extraterrestrial Intelligence

• Douglas

  • SETI: Search for Extraterrestrial Intelligence

  • LCGs!!!

    • Marvel Champions

    • Arkham Horror

    • Lord of the Rings: Card Game

Our top five Network or Route building games.

Douglas

• In the Hall of the Mountain King

• Trails of Tucana

• Cloud City

• Ticket to Ride: Japan

• Railroad Ink Challenge

Andy

• Empire Builder

• Underwater Cities

• Terra Mystica/Gaia Project

• Planet Unknown

• Windmill Valley

Nathan

• Ticket to Ride Legacy: Legends of the West

• Planet Unknown

• Power Grid

• Looot

• Attika

• US Telegraph

Episode 577: Our Top Five Network or Route Building Games 

Episode release date is May 7, 2025

Show Notes

This week we are at the middle point of our Network or Route building games discussion. Once again network or route building games mean players are establishing connections between points on the board or map. 

For this episode we will be focusing on our top five games that make use of the network or route building.

So let’s return to the game table and continue the discussion of network building games at the game table.

Intro of Meeple Nation The World's Most Okayest Podcast

• Web Page

• Links to Episodes

• SaltPOD: A SaltCON Podcast

• Bios

• Email us at [email protected]

• Patreon

• Instagram @meeplenation

• Facebook Meeple Nation

• Facebook Group Meeple Nation Off Air

• X Meeple Nation

• Discord Meeple Nation

• Become a Chanameeple

Sponsorship

• Game Toppers 

• SaltCON

Meeple Nation Gaming Highlights (Highlight-Thirty)

• Nathan

• SETI: Search for Extraterrestrial Intelligence

• Douglas

• SETI: Search for Extraterrestrial Intelligence

• LCGs!!!

• Marvel Champions

• Arkham Horror

• Lord of the Rings: Card Game

• Andy

•  

Our top five Network or Route building games.

Douglas

• In the Hall of the Mountain King

• Trails of Tucana

• Cloud City

• Ticket to Ride: Japan

• Railroad Ink Challenge

Andy

• Empire Builder

• Underwater Cities

• Terra Mystica/Gaia Project

• Planet Unknown

• Windmill Valley

Nathan

• Ticket to Ride Legacy: Legends of the West

• Planet Unknown

• Power Grid

• Looot

• Attika

• US Telegraph

Episode 576: Network or Route Building Games Episode release date is April 30, 2025

Show Notes

This week we kick off our discussion of games that involve network building. The "network building mechanic" refers to the gameplay element where players construct and expand interconnected systems, often representing transportation, communication, and resource distribution. It's about establishing links and leveraging those connections for strategic advantage.

Some of the main concepts of network and route building include:

Connectivity: The fundamental element of establishing links between nodes, such as locations, cities, or points of interest. These links from a network.

Expansion: Players progressively expand their network, reaching new destinations and making further connections. Expansion is often tied to resource management, technology advancement, or through fulfilling objectives.

Strategic advantage: A well-developed network provides: efficient resource movement, faster travel or delivery, control over locations, increased scoring opportunities, and influence over other game elements.

Player interdependence: Networks can create interdependence between players, either through competition for resources and routes or through cooperative efforts.

Come join us at the game table where we are going to talk about networking games, and I bet it includes more than train games.

Intro of Meeple Nation The World's Most Okayest Podcast

• Web Page

• Links to Episodes

• SaltPOD: A SaltCON Podcast

• Bios

• Email us at [email protected]

• Patreon

• Instagram @meeplenation

• Facebook Meeple Nation

• Facebook Group Meeple Nation Off Air

• X Meeple Nation

• Discord Meeple Nation

• Become a Chanameeple

Sponsorship

• Game Toppers 

• SaltCON

Meeple Nation Gaming Highlights (Highlight-Thirty)

• Nathan

• Clans of Caledonia

• Douglas

• Aqua: Biodiversity in the Oceans

• Andy

• That Escalated Quickly

Network or Route Building Games

• Ticket to Ride: 10th Anniversary

• Ticket to Ride: Europe - 15th Anniversary

• Ticket to Ride: London

• Ticket to Ride: New York

• Transamerica

• Tsuro

• Carcassonne

• Metro

• Street Car

• Fairy Trails

• Thurn and Taxes

• On Tour

• Iwari

• Web of Power

• Airlines Europe

• Terminus

• Revive

• Next Station: London, Tokyo, Paris

• Get on Board: Paris & Roma, New York and London

• Metorunner

• Brass Burmingham

• Hansa Teutonica: Big Box

• Nucleum

• Dice Hospital: ER - Emergency Roll

• Tokyo Highway

• Maglev Metro

Games not Mentioned

Douglas

• Smartphone

• Land vs Sea

• Catan

• Cloud City

Andy

• Railways of the World

• Near and Far

• Catan

• Kingdom Builder

• Android

• Catan: Junior

• Aeroplanes: Aviation Ascendant

Nathan

• Concordia Venus

• Maglev Metro

• Dinosaur Island: Rawr ‘n Write

• Takenoko

• Catan

• Terra Nova

• Maharaja: The Game of Palaces Building in India

• Free Ride

• Wormholes

• Saboteur 2

• Dice Manor

• Sanora

• Globetrotting

• Tucana Builders

• The Settlers of the Stone Age

• Spy Connection

• Falconry

It is time for the SaltCON SideCast. Episode 4. This week the hosts of Meeple Nation talk about the four ways to buy, sell, and trade games during SaltCON Spring, Summer, and End of Summer Events. There are four organized options, the no ship math trade, the virtural flea market, the game swap, and the in person flea market. Come join us at the game table as we discuss and come join us at the next SaltCON event, SaltCON summer this June from the 6th through the 8th.

Episode 575: Meeple Nation April 2025 News 

Show Notes 

Episode release date is April 23, 2025

This week we are talking about new games, new game announcements, new game releases and we also just had our HUGG-A-Meeple gathering. We may even manage to get to some crowdfunding games too.  Come join us at the game table.

Sponsorship

• Game Toppers 

• SaltCON

Intro of Meeple Nation The World’s Okayest Podcast.

• Web Page

• Links to Episodes

• SaltPOD: A SaltCON Podcast

• Bios

• Email us at [email protected]

• Patreon

• Instagram @meeplenation

• Facebook Meeple Nation

• Facebook Group Meeple Nation Off Air

• X Meeple Nation

• Discord Meeple Nation

•  

Meeple Nation Gaming Highlights

• Nathan

• Fantastic Factories

• Stamp Swap

• Living Forest

• Enchanted Plumes

• Ready Set Bet 

• Feed the Kraken

• Next Station

• Douglas

• Yokohama

• Life of the Amazonia

• Andy

• Endeavor: Deep Sea

New Game Releases

• Innovation: Ultimate

• Flamme Rouge: Grand Tour Expansion (2024) (Reprint)

• Arkham Horror LCG: The Drowned City Campaign Expansion

• Everdell Duo

• Elden Ring: The Board Game

• Spectacular (2024) (Reprint)

• Tiny Epic Cthulhu

• Lying Pirates: The Race for the Pirate Throne (Deluxe Edition)

• Mythicals 

• Crafting Cosmos

• Survive The Island / Monster Pack

• Castle Builder

• Mesos

•  

New Game Announcements

• Stonemaier Games Email

• Confirmed Expansions in the works for all “-span” games

• Wingspan

• Wyrmspan

• Finspan

• For fans of the “Trailblazer” series (John Muir & Arizona)

• The Colorado Trail

• Single-Player Solitaire with great looking art

• Hercules and the 12 Labors

• Maglev Maps: Volume 2 (Maglev Metro)

• The Wolves: Apex Expansion

• Underwater Cities: Data Era

• Tower Up: Paradise Island

• Earth: Animal Kingdom (Abundance isn’t even here yet!)

• StarCraft Tabletop Miniatures Game (2026)

• For fans of Arc Nova

• Sanctuary

• For fans of Terra Mystica

• Terra Mystica: Fan Fictions

• Quacks: All-in Edition (Causing some turmoil over the art style)

• Heat Tunnel Vision Expansion

• Galactic Cruise

• Fantasy Realms Greek Legends

• The Lord of the Rings: Fate of the Fellowship

• The Crew: Family Adventure - Marooned in Paradise

• Arkham Travel Guide

• Flash Point: Legacy of Flame

• How to Save the World

•  

Crowdfunding Games

• Kickstarter

• Project L: Ultimate All-In Collection

• Project L All-In

• Plus Square One

Episode 574: Games that use movement points

Episode release date is April 2, 2025

Show Notes

This week we are doing a one episode discussion of games that use movement points as a movement. What are movement points you ask? Well, movement points regulate how far a player can move their pieces during the game. For example, players are given a specific number of "points" that can be spent to move game pieces. Different spaces or terrains on the game board may cost varying amounts of movement points to enter. Players may receive a set number of movement points each turn that can be spread across multiple pieces. Those points could fluctuate depending on card draws or dice rolls.

Sometimes movement points can be part of a larger pool of actions, and movement can be part of or one of those actions.

In short, movement points provide a structured way to manage in game movement while adding a tactical element to gameplay.

So let’s make it a point to move to the game table and discuss some games.

Sponsorship

• Game Toppers 

• SaltCON

Intro of Meeple Nation The World's Most Okayest Podcast

• Web Page

• Links to Episodes

• SaltPOD: A SaltCON Podcast

• Bios

• Email us at [email protected]

• Patreon

• Instagram @meeplenation

• Facebook Meeple Nation

• Facebook Group Meeple Nation Off Air

• X Meeple Nation

• Discord Meeple Nation

•  

Meeple Nation Highlights (Highlight-Thirty)

• Nathan

• Volunteer Group

• Flip 7

• Douglas

• Outlive

• Andy

• Orléans

Games that use movement points

Nathan

• Memoir ‘44

• Clank!: A Deck-Building Adventure Game

• Maracaibo

• Specter Ops

• Tiny Epic Pirates

• The Hunger

• Near and Far

• Free Ride

• Secrets of the Lost Station

• Glory Island

• Concordia

• Concordia Venus

Andy

• Descent: Journeys in the Dark (Second Edition)

• Clank!: A Deck-Building Adventure Game

• Maracaibo

• Near and Far

• Heroes of Might and Magic III: The Board Game

• Hyperborea

• Warrior Night

• Empire Builder

• Bardwood Grove

• Vanishing Planet

• Tiny Epic Pirates

•  

Douglas

• Scythe

• War of the Ring: Second Edition

• Memoir ‘44

• Clank!: A Deck-Building Adventure Game

• Dinosaur World

• Euthia: Torment of Resurrection - Fierce Powers / Crawling Shadows

• Endless Winter: River & Rafts 

Telanislyon

• Carnegie has some interesting management choices in activating departments to move workers around for various economic functions.

• Carnegie is definitely a good game, I think it's tough to outcompete some of the newer ones though. It was a popular blip for a sec, then kinda floated down to the lower mid of bgg pack. It's still a good game, solid 7.

• Maracaibo would also have a choice of action to move your ship a certain distance also for triggering spaces. Not sure if that's totally true movement points, but fairly close

• The only other ones I can even think of would be troop movement for war games, like War of the Ring/for Arrakis or Axis & Allies.

• War of the Ring is awesome! Great 2p strategy game.

• War for Arrakis, same designer, basically the truncated version of War of the Ring in Dune!

Top games that use movement points

• Scythe

• Robinson Crusoe: Adventures of the Cursed Island

• War of the Ring: Second Edition

• Descent: Journeys in the Dark (Second Edition)

• Twilight Imperium

• Concordia

• Memoir ‘44

• Clank!: A Deck-Building Adventure Game

• On Mars

• Maracaibo

• Combat Commander: Europe

• Advanced Squad Leader

• Space Empires 4X

• Here I stand

• Descent: Legends in the Dark

• Near and Far

• Clash of Cultures

• Carnegie

• Spartacus: A Game of Blood and Treachery

• Triumph and Tragedy: European Balance of Power 1936-1945

• My Little Scythe

• Hyperborea

• Concordia Venus

• Ambush

• Dinosaur World

• Specter Ops

• Washington’s War

• Merchant of Venus

• Lacrimosa

• Squad Leader

• Blood Bowl

• The Magnificent

• The Hunger

• BattleTech

• Tribes of the Wind

• Tiny Epic Pirates

• 3 Ring Circus