Welcome to our first episode of Joint Ops June!

Travis Smith from Operation Game Night podcast joins Have A Seat With Amanda Lee to share how three Air Force officers created a board game podcast to stay connected when stationed across the globe, combining military precision with gaming enthusiasm.

• One-third of Operation Game Night podcast alongside Clay Gable and Jared Erickson
• Air Force officer for 12 years who met his co-hosts while teaching at the Air Force Academy
• Each host brings different gaming preferences – Jared (party games), Clay (technical games), Travis (thematic games)
• Describes their podcast approach as "just a couple of dudes hanging out talking about board games"
• Shared memorable themed nights including their Western Legends night with cowboy attire and whiskey
• Currently enjoying Stone Spine Architects, BGA online games, and button shy games while preparing to move
• Interested in trying one-shot RPGs like Root RPG and other storytelling games
• Plans to restructure OGN podcast into shorter segments and launch "Joint Ops June" featuring other content creators

Huge thanks to Amanda for inviting us to be a part of her amazing podcast! If you want to check out the rest of Amanda's content, you can find her on Instagram @EmptyNestBoardMama, and on Spotify at https://open.spotify.com/show/5IGBbdghTqguP9jNP4cRTR?si=GQ4sv2j5SHCfB5cKzgKAag

We want to hear from our listeners! Send us a text with recommendations, weigh in on discussions, or just say hi!

Support the show

As always, come interact with us online, let us know if you have any feedback, and leave us a review/comment anywhere you get your favorite podcasts!

https://www.instagram.com/operation_game_night_podcast/

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https://www.buzzsprout.com/2396881/support

We're transforming Operation Game Night to better serve our listeners, with exciting changes to our format and schedule coming after a month-long hiatus featuring collaborations with other podcasts.

• Jared reviews Terraforming Mars: The Dice Game, praising its simplified mechanics while maintaining the feel of the original
• Clayton explores the historically-rich Molly House, a game about creating joy in 18th century London among non-gender conforming communities
• Clayton shares his experience with Iliad, a tight two-player abstract battle game designed by Reiner Knizia
• Travis introduces The White Castle, a resource exchange game with unique 3D bridges and challenging decisions
• Special announcement: We're taking a hiatus for "Joint Ops June" to feature collaborations with other podcasts
• Starting in July, we'll restructure our podcast into three separate weekly segments for more consumable content
• Personal updates include Jared's graduation, Clayton's imminent move, and Travis dealing with home construction chaos

Join our Discord community by clicking the link in the description! Follow us on Instagram @OperationGameNightPodcast for updates on our new schedule and format.

We want to hear from our listeners! Send us a text with recommendations, weigh in on discussions, or just say hi!

Support the show

As always, come interact with us online, let us know if you have any feedback, and leave us a review/comment anywhere you get your favorite podcasts!

https://www.instagram.com/operation_game_night_podcast/

Show your support for the OGN Crew by contributing to the OGN War Chest:

https://www.buzzsprout.com/2396881/support

We delve into the fascinating world of push your luck games, examining the psychology behind why these gambling mechanics create some of gaming's most memorable moments.

• How push your luck games level the playing field between experienced and new players
• The distinction between taking a risk and the push your luck mechanic
• Exploring the emotional response when we watch others push their luck
• Games that blend push your luck with other mechanisms like bag building and area control
• Favorite push your luck games including Wonderland's War, Quacks of Quedlinburg, Spots, Ink & Gold, and Captain Flip
• Discussion of classic push your luck games like Can't Stop, Yahtzee, and Blackjack
• How the push your luck mechanism creates memorable gaming moments
• Exploring potential future combinations like push your luck with dexterity games

Next week we'll be sharing a special announcement that will change how Operation Game Night delivers content, so be sure to tune in for episode 41.

We want to hear from our listeners! Send us a text with recommendations, weigh in on discussions, or just say hi!

Support the show

As always, come interact with us online, let us know if you have any feedback, and leave us a review/comment anywhere you get your favorite podcasts!

https://www.instagram.com/operation_game_night_podcast/

Show your support for the OGN Crew by contributing to the OGN War Chest:

https://www.buzzsprout.com/2396881/support

This week Clay and Jared lament the fact that OGN wasn't nominated for a golden geek award. However they put their hurt feelings aside to provide some color commentary the winners and runners up from the 2024 Golden Geek awards. Clay also talks about Cities, a new game by PWH and Steven Finn and Jared talks about one of the pods favorite new games Rebirth. 

00:00 Intro
04:00 Clay Debrief (Cities)
11:55 Jared Debrief (Rebirth)
26:10 Mission Objective (Golden Geek Winners and Runners Up)
01:06:30 Over the Fence

We want to hear from our listeners! Send us a text with recommendations, weigh in on discussions, or just say hi!

Support the show

As always, come interact with us online, let us know if you have any feedback, and leave us a review/comment anywhere you get your favorite podcasts!

https://www.instagram.com/operation_game_night_podcast/

Show your support for the OGN Crew by contributing to the OGN War Chest:

https://www.buzzsprout.com/2396881/support

This week we diving into the mind of a Lost Ruins of Arnak addict and picking Jared's brain about all the hot tips for breaking 100 points in the game. We also do a Kickstarter Preview for Fight for Inheritance, talk about one of our favorite trick takers, and revel over the amazing production and streamlined gameplay of Foundations of Rome. 

00:00 Intro
04:18 Jared Debrief (Fight for Inheritance)
12:07 Jared Debrief (Skull King)
21:15 Clay Debrief (Foundations of Rome/Metropolis)
31:30 Jared Debrief (Blokus)
35:45 Mission Objective (Lost Ruins of Arnak Strategy)
01:10 Over the Fence

We want to hear from our listeners! Send us a text with recommendations, weigh in on discussions, or just say hi!

Support the show

As always, come interact with us online, let us know if you have any feedback, and leave us a review/comment anywhere you get your favorite podcasts!

https://www.instagram.com/operation_game_night_podcast/

Show your support for the OGN Crew by contributing to the OGN War Chest:

https://www.buzzsprout.com/2396881/support

Step behind the counter of a thriving local game store as we sit down with Cam, the heart and soul behind Petrie's Family Games in Colorado Springs. In this candid conversation, Cam reveals how a childhood obsession with Talisman evolved into a beloved community hub that's been bringing gamers together since 2009.

Far from the stereotypical dark, unwelcoming game stores of yesteryear, Cam shares how Petrie's deliberately focused on creating a bright, accessible space where relationships matter more than transactions. "We're not just selling games," he explains, "we're becoming part of people's weekly routines, their culture." This philosophy becomes evident as Cam recalls recognizing customers by name from their first visit—a seemingly small gesture that creates lasting loyalty.

The podcast offers rare insights into the genuine challenges of running a game store in today's market. With thousands of new games releasing monthly, Cam describes the impossible task of curating inventory when "if you stocked everything available, it would be a warehouse and even then you wouldn't be able to find anything." We learn how Petrie's balances the revenue-driving demands of trading card tournaments with their passion for family-centered events like their annual Couples' Dessert Night featuring cheesecake, themed decorations, and two-player games.

Perhaps most eye-opening is Cam's thoughtful explanation of why game stores aren't an easy path to profit. "Don't get into this to get rich," he advises potential store owners, challenging the fantasy that owning a game store means getting paid to play games. Instead, success comes from "loving spreadsheets, projections, marketing... and even mopping floors."

Whether you're a curious gamer, an aspiring entrepreneur, or simply fascinated by the intersection of passion and business, this episode offers a heartfelt look at what it truly takes to create a space where every player feels welcome. Subscribe now and join us at the gaming table!

We want to hear from our listeners! Send us a text with recommendations, weigh in on discussions, or just say hi!

Support the show

As always, come interact with us online, let us know if you have any feedback, and leave us a review/comment anywhere you get your favorite podcasts!

https://www.instagram.com/operation_game_night_podcast/

Show your support for the OGN Crew by contributing to the OGN War Chest:

https://www.buzzsprout.com/2396881/support

How do you choose the perfect board game for your group size? While many games claim to support various player counts, most have a specific sweet spot where they truly shine. In this intimate, co-host episode, Clay and Travis break down their favorite games for every player count from one to eight players.

For solo gaming, Under Falling Skies and Warps Edge offer engaging, thematic experiences that keep you coming back for more. The duo discusses how two-player gaming has exploded recently with titles like Ironwood, Kelp Shark vs Octopus, and the classics like Schotten Totten creating perfect head-to-head experiences.

The conversation reveals some surprising picks for those tricky middle counts - Small World becomes a strategic masterpiece at three players, while trick-taking games like The Crew find their perfect form with exactly four players around the table. As the player counts increase, Clay and Travis highlight games with simultaneous actions and high player engagement like Modern Art (five players), Battlestar Galactica (six players), and Seven Wonders (appropriately best at seven).

Beyond game recommendations, the hosts discuss a troubling industry development as Final Frontier Games announces they can't fulfill their Kickstarter for Merchants Cove Mastercraft despite the games being manufactured. This leads to a broader conversation about how tariffs and logistics challenges might permanently reshape the board game industry and the types of games being produced.

Whether you're planning a solo gaming session or hosting a large game night, this episode provides the perfect guide to selecting games that will maximize enjoyment at every player count. The next time someone asks "What plays well with exactly five players?" - you'll have the answer ready!

Have a specific game night you need help planning? Reach out to Operation Game Night, and Clay and Travis will curate the perfect selection for your next tabletop gathering!

We want to hear from our listeners! Send us a text with recommendations, weigh in on discussions, or just say hi!

Support the show

As always, come interact with us online, let us know if you have any feedback, and leave us a review/comment anywhere you get your favorite podcasts!

https://www.instagram.com/operation_game_night_podcast/

Show your support for the OGN Crew by contributing to the OGN War Chest:

https://www.buzzsprout.com/2396881/support

The crew takes their podcast on the road to discuss the best games to bring when traveling. Three board game enthusiasts with different travel constraints share their approaches to portable gaming while preparing for upcoming moves.

• Jared recounts his triumph in Dune Imperium, using intrigue cards to steal victory from inexperienced opponents
• Clay highlights Creature Caravan, a simultaneous-play dice placement game with beautiful art from Red Raven Games
• Travis introduces Stonespine Architects, a blueprint-fulfilling game where players build mazes for heroes to get trapped in
• ButtonShy wallet games earn unanimous praise for their ultra-portable design
• The hosts debate the merits of various small-box publishers including Oink, AllPlay, and Bitewing
• Clay recommends "Things and Rings" as an accessible party game perfect for non-gamers
• Roll and write games emerge as strong options for airplane tray tables
• Clay sparks debate about whether to bring games with significant strategic depth or focus on accessibility
• The group plans to document their final travel game selections on social media

If you have suggestions for great travel games, hit us up on Instagram or leave a comment!

We want to hear from our listeners! Send us a text with recommendations, weigh in on discussions, or just say hi!

Support the show

As always, come interact with us online, let us know if you have any feedback, and leave us a review/comment anywhere you get your favorite podcasts!

https://www.instagram.com/operation_game_night_podcast/

Show your support for the OGN Crew by contributing to the OGN War Chest:

https://www.buzzsprout.com/2396881/support

We dive into the BoardGameGeek Hotness list to explore what games are capturing the attention of the board game community, while sharing our gaming experiences and insights.

• Jared prepares for the World Series of Board Gaming by planning to relearn Azul
• Clay reviews Expeditions, appreciating its unique action selection system and card-tucking mechanics
• Travis explores digital gaming with Armello, an app that gives Mage Knight vibes with a physical board game version coming in 2025
• We analyze the BoardGameGeek Top 50 Hotness list, from Orleans at #50 to Sanctuary at #1
• Despite our best efforts, we're completely stumped by Sanctuary, the current #1 hottest game
• Personal updates include Jared revisiting early podcast episodes, Clay finishing The Sopranos, and Travis following Nintendo Switch 2 news

Join us next week for another episode where we continue to explore the world of board games with our signature blend of enthusiasm and friendly banter.

We want to hear from our listeners! Send us a text with recommendations, weigh in on discussions, or just say hi!

Support the show

As always, come interact with us online, let us know if you have any feedback, and leave us a review/comment anywhere you get your favorite podcasts!

https://www.instagram.com/operation_game_night_podcast/

Show your support for the OGN Crew by contributing to the OGN War Chest:

https://www.buzzsprout.com/2396881/support

Engine building games create deeply satisfying gameplay experiences that mimic real-life decision-making through resource management and strategic planning. We explore what makes these games so compelling and highlight some of our all-time favorites.

• Engine builders are games where you exchange resources to become more efficient at gathering resources
• Games typically start slow with limited actions, then accelerate as your engine develops
• Splendor represents one of the purest examples of engine building with its gem-collecting mechanics
• Terraforming Mars offers a rich thematic setting where blue cards create powerful ongoing effects
• Gizmos functions like "Splendor on steroids" with satisfying chain reactions and marble-drawing mechanics
• Seven Wonders combines drafting with engine building across three distinct ages
• Engine building games reflect real-life decision-making about investments and trade-offs
• Underwater Cities is touted as the "Terraforming Mars killer" with similar resource management concepts
• Engine building often combines with other mechanisms like deck building and tableau building

Tune in next month for our special Big Boy Game Night when Jerry visits Alabama for an epic gaming session!

See Wyatt Hendrickson's winning match here: https://youtu.be/IwfUPELy6HA?si=xM46-foPCMZHYjw8

We want to hear from our listeners! Send us a text with recommendations, weigh in on discussions, or just say hi!

Support the show

As always, come interact with us online, let us know if you have any feedback, and leave us a review/comment anywhere you get your favorite podcasts!

https://www.instagram.com/operation_game_night_podcast/

Show your support for the OGN Crew by contributing to the OGN War Chest:

https://www.buzzsprout.com/2396881/support