So Very Wrong About Games

All of our musical references are at least a decade out of date, even when we attempt to reference contemporary artists--I must assume, because Mark knows her name, that no one listens to Billie Eilish anymore. We think Drake is suing Kendrick Lamar over claims he plagiarized a board game design, but the details elude us. 

01:43 AYURIS: Gatefall (Jack Dire, Jack Dire Studios, 2020)

Games Played Last Week:

05:09 -The Gang (John Cooper and Kory Heath, KOSMOS, 2024)

07:45 -Jekyll & Hyde vs Scotland Yard (Gaëtan Beaujannot, Olivier Cipière, and Geonil, Mandoo Games, 2023)

11:28 -Chronicles of Avel (Przemek Wojtkowiak, Rebel Studio, 2021)

13:49 -Han (Michael Schacht, ABACUSSPIELE, 2014)

16:12 -Splendor Duel (Marc André and Bruno Cathala, Space Cowboys, 2022)

18:41 -Battalion: War of the Ancients (Paolo Mori and Francesco Sirocchi, Osprey, 2024)

23:23 -Rats of Wistar (Simone Luciani and Danilo Sabia, Cranio Creations, 2023)

25:12 -Galactic Renaissance Expansion: 5th Player (Christian Martinez, Matagot, 2024)

30:20 -Hallertau (Uwe Rosenberg, Lookout Games, 2020)

News (and why it doesn't matter):

34:30 Tales of the Arabian Nights 40th Anniversary Edition

35:11 Powerboats ripped off by Rebellion's Joyride? In any case, cite your work! 

38:44 Topic: Tempo Control

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When you are obliged to cite your sources is a fraught question, full of nuance. Even in academia there is some disagreement as to when yo quote, when to paraphrase, and when simply to assume common knowledge. Like the preceding sentence, for example--I assume it is common knowledge not requiring a citation, but then again maybe not, and were I using footnotes here I would comment on the absurdity of citations in episode notes (to say nothing of footnoting episode notes). And don't get me started on ibid, supra, and all their blighted ilk! Safer, I think, just not to ever read anything, and thus one's incoherent nonsense is indisputably one's own.

Games Played Last Week:

01:20 -Versailles 1919 (Geoff Engelstein & Mark Herman, GMT Games, 2020)

12:33 -Mass Effect: The Board Game - Priority: Hagalaz (Eric M. Lang and Calvin Wong Tze Loon, Modiphius Entertainment, 2024)

16:11 -Fromage (Matthew O'Malley and Ben Rosset, Road to Infamy Games, 2024)

24:56 -Behold: Rome (Joe Klipfel, Mythfield Games, 2024)

28:34 -Karvi (Torgei Tjong, Hans im Glück, 2023)

30:44 -Revive (Helge Meissner, Eilif Svensson, Anna Wermlund, and Kristian Amundsen Østby, Aporta Games, 2022)

35:07 -Castle Combo (Grégory Grard and Mathieu Roussel, Catch Up Games, 2024)

News (and why it doesn't matter):

36:04 Fateforge: Chronicles of Kaan re-print and new campaign on crowdfunding

37:06 Sad passing of Kory Heath, designer of Zendo and co-designer of The Gang

38:44 Join us on Bluesky! https://bsky.app/profile/sowronggames.bsky.social

39:13 Feature Game: The Fellowship of the Ring: Trick-Taking Game (Bryan Bormueller, Office Dog, 2025)

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Apparently there were scrapped plans for the Gorn (the lumbering rubber lizard suit dude Kirk fights in that famous episode) to show up in other Star Trek properties. One plan had a Gorn show up as Worf's guest to Riker's bachelor party in Nemesis, and frankly despite how awful those latter movies were I would have been all over that. I can only imagine that the plan was abandoned when the props department couldn't get a styrofoam cocktail to look right.

01:42 AYURIS: The Wolves (Ashwain Kamath and Clarence Simpson, Pandasaurus Games, 2022)

Games Played Last Week:

03:49 -Tidal Blades 2: Rise of the Unfolders (Tim Eisner and Ben Eisner, Druid City Games, 2024)

10:28 -Mass Effect: The Board Game - Priority: Hagalaz (Eric M. Lang and Calvin Wong Tze Loon, Modiphius Entertainment, 2024)

16:15 -The LOOP (Maxime Rambourg and Théo Rivière, Pandasaurus Games, 2020)

20:57 -Cryo (Tom Jolly & Luke Laurie, Z-Man Games, 2021)

24:37 -Flip 7 (Eric Olsen, The Op Games, 2024)

26:23 -Rebel Princess (Daniel Byrne, José Gerardo Guerrero, Kevin Peláez, and Tirso Virgós, Zombi Paella, 2023)

31:05 -Tiny Laser Heist (Evan Katz and Josh Roberts, Evan and Josh's Very Special Games Company, 2024)

37:54 -D.E.I.: Divide et Impera (Tommaso Battista, Ludus Magnus Studio, 2022)

44:42 -Modern Art (Reiner Knizia, CMON, 2017)

News (and why it doesn't matter):

48:13 Please support us on Patreon! www.patreon.com/svwag

49:15 Ingenious goes vertical: Einfach Genial 3D

49:58 Clans of Caledonia's long-awaited expansion: Industria 

51:26 Star Trek Ascendancy: The Gorn!

52:41 Topic: Opening the Box Downers

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Thrill to the latest superhero epic, "X-Men: Layover in Dulles." When the Blackbird is grounded due to an unexplained indicator light (meddling from the sinister Magneto? Who can say?!?!), the elite group of heroic mutants must navigate the perils of terminal D. Wolverine is having problems with the metal detectors again, which is troublesome as he is smuggling Cuban cigars. Rogue must battle the temptation of the 15-minute massage station. Panera bread keeps getting Cyclops' order wrong. It's epic, it's exciting, it's eight hours long!

01:42 AYURIS: The Great Wall (Kamil 'Sanex' Cieśla, Robert Plesowicz, & Łukasz Włodarczyk, Awaken Realms, 2021)

Games Played Last Week:

04:43 -Don't Rock the Croc (Uncredited, FoxMind, Unknown)

07:52 -War Story: Occupied France (Dave Neale and David Thompson, Osprey Games, 2024)

13:20 -Barcelona: Passeig de Gràcia (Dani Garcia, Board&Dice, 2024)

20:27 -Mass Effect: The Board Game - Priority: Hagalaz (Eric M. Lang and Calvin Wong Tze Loon, Modiphius Entertainment, 2024)

27:04 -Freedom Five: A Sentinel Comics Board Game (Richard Launius, Adam Sadler, and Brady Sadler, Arcane Wonders, 2024)

32:13 Behold: Rome (Joe Klipfel, Mythfield Games, 2024)

36:40 -Rebel Princess (Daniel Byrne, José Gerardo Guerrero, Kevin Peláez, and Tirso Virgós, Zombi Paella, 2023)

39:00 -Seers Catalog (Taylor Reiner, Bézier Games, 2024)

40:35 -The Gang (John Cooper and Kory Heath, KOSMOS, 2024)

45:00 -Flip 7 (Eric Olsen, The Op Games, 2024)

49:31 -Scholars of the South Tigris (S J Macdonald and Shem Phillips, Garphill Games, 2023)

53:10 -Dogs of War (Paolo Mori, CMON, 2014)

57:33 -Crossbows & Catapults: Fortress War (Stephen Baker, Noah Cohen, Rob Daviau, Justin D. Jacobson, and Brian Neff, Restoration Games, 2024)

1:03:50 -Catapult Feud (Kristian Fosh, Vesuvius Media, 2021)

1:07:23 -51st State: Ultimate Edition (Ignacy Trzewiczek, Portal Games, 2023)

1:08:54 -Ceres (Gustaf Sundström, Artipia Games, 2023)

1:10:02 -Last Aurora (Mauro Chiabotto, Pendragon Game Studio, 2020)

News (and why it doesn't matter):

1:12:32 Barony Royal Edition on Kickstarter

1:13:59 Smurfs Roleplaying Games

1:14:16 Reiner Knizia anthropomorphic animals: Money and Nyakuza

1:15:29 Zeo Genesis scalable miniatures games from OG Games Workshp designers

1:16:25 Planepita: dexterity with magnets!

1:17:01 Keep the Heroes Out! digital version delayed, Russian contract confusion

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Walker: But, indeed, sir, we make holiday,

to see Freedom Five and to rejoice in its triumph.

Mark: Wherefore rejoice? What delight brings it home?

What enjoyment follows it to the table,

To grace in fun times its board presence?

You blocks, you stones, you worse than senseless things!

Games Played Last Week:

01:08 -Freedom Five: A Sentinel Comics Board Game (Richard Launius, Adam Sadler, and Brady Sadler, Arcane Wonders, 2024)

10:51 -Things in Rings (Peter C. Hayward, Allplay, 2024)

13:46 -City of the Six Moons (Amabel Holland, Hollandspiele, 2024)

19:56 -Lost Cities: Rivals (Reiner Knizia, KOSMOS, 2018) 

22:58 -Through Ice and Snow (Fernando Eduardo Sánchez, 2Tomatoes Games, 2024)

29:54 -Don't L.L.A.M.A. Dice (Reiner Knizia, AMIGO, 2021)

32:24 -Cockroach Poker (Jacques Zeimet, Drei Magier Spiele, 2004)

37:03 -The Lord of the Rings: Duel for Middle-earth (Antoine Bauza & Bruno Cathala, Repos Production, 2024)

39:42 -Harmonies (Johan Benvenuto, Libellud, 2024)

News (and why it doesn't matter):

40:18 Twilight Struggle 20th Anniversary Hall of Fame Edition

41:25 Richard Garfield and CMYK revamp Magical Athlete

42:19 Tons of upcoming Devir releases  

44:49 Amazing hidden movement: Burned is back on Kickstarter

45:31 Feature Game: EGO (Reiner Knizia, Bitewing Games, 2025)

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An auspicious palindrome of an episode number! Granted, in triple digits one encounters a palindrome every ten episodes or so, but I'm sure the numerologists amongst us have special enthusiasm for the mighty TRIP THREE. I mean, primes, and threes, and all that. Anyway, it'll be a minute until we reach episode TRIP FOUR, so let's savour this while we can.

01:10 AYURIS: Mille Fiori (Reiner Knizia, Schmidt Spiele, 2021)

Games Played Last Week:

04:06 -Lunar Rush (Steven "Skippy" Brown, Dead Alive Games, 2023)

08:53 -Dragons Down (Scott DeMers, Mr. B Games, 2024)

16:20 -Things in Rings (Peter C. Hayward, Allplay, 2024)

26:00 -EGO (Reiner Knizia, Bitewing Games, 2025)

33:37 -Keep the Heroes Out!: Boss Battles (Luís Brueh, Brueh Games, 2024)

37:20 -Mexica (Michael Kiesling & Wolfgang Kramer, Rio Grande Games, 2002)

40:22 -Avatar: The Last Airbender--Aang's Destiny (Patrick Marino, The OP Games, 2024)

43:47 -Formula D (Laurent Lavaur & Eric Randall, Asmodee, 2008)

45:18 -Aquatica: Coral Reefs (Ivan Tuzovsky, Arcane Wonders, 2024)

News (and why it doesn't matter):

50:22 Risk 2210 A.D.: Frontline expansion

51:49 New version of Diplomacy: Era of Empire

52:42 Axis & Allies: Battle for the Deep 

53:41 Trilogy of Bitewing Knizia games: SILOS, EGO, and ORBIT 

55:20 It's time for another Mission: Red Planet reprint

55:49 Join us in celebrating Arkhipov Day on October 27th

56:08 Topic: Expectations in Crowdfunding

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Once again, a primer on some of the differences between the US and Canada. We Canadians celebrate Thanksgiving in early October, in honour of our second governor general, the Right Honourable October G. Thanksington. Rather than turkey and football, we do latkes and rugby. 

Games Played Last Week:

00:55 -Black Forest (Tido Lorenz and Uwe Rosenberg, Feuerland Spiele, 2024)

09:36 -Bargain Hunter (Uwe Rosenberg, Valley Games, 1998)

12:21 -Unreliable Wizard (Kamibayashi, Salt & Pepper Games, 2024)

15:25 -Space Alert (Vlaada Chvátil, Czech Games Edition, 2008)

20:21 -Wabash Cannonball (John Bohrer, Rio Grande Games, 2023)

25:28 -Quartermaster General: 1914 (Second Edition) (Ian Brody, Ares Games, 2022)

29:20 -Lunar Rush (Steven "Skippy" Brown, Dead Alive Games, 2023)

32:51 -Cross Clues (Grégory Grard, Blue Orange Games, 2020)

35:46 -Avatar: The Last Airbender--Aang's Destiny (Patrick Marino, The OP Games, 2024)

News (and why it doesn't matter):

40:26 The Waste of Parts: a post-apocalyptic journey

42:09 Join us in celebrating Arkhipov Day on October 27th

42:19 Talisman Alliances: Fate Beckons. Co-op Talisman?

43:19 Feature Game: Undaunted 2200: Callisto (Trevor Benjamin and David Thompson, Osprey, 2024)

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It is October, the month of Fat Bear Week, Decorative Gourd Season, Halloween, and Arkhipov Day! Sure, it has less candy than some of those other celebrations, but I'll wager neither a corpulent bear nor a kid dressed as a pirate has ever saved the entire human race. 

01:00 AYURIS: IKI (Koota Yamada, Sorry We Are French, 2015)

Games Played Last Week:

03:38 -Valka (Brooke Penrose, Terrible Games, 2024)

07:16 -Bus (Jeroen Doumen and Joris Wiersinga, Capstone Games, 2019)

09:47 -Warpgate: Beyond (Artyom Nichipurov, Wolff Designa, 2022)

12:33 -Dinosaur World (Brian Lewis, David McGregor, & Marissa Misura, Pandasaurus Games, 2021)

16:02 -SCOUT (Kei Kajino, Oink Games, 2019)

18:18 -Jekyll & Hyde vs Scotland Yard (Gaëtan Beaujannot, Olivier Cipière, and Geonil, Mandoo Games, 2023)

20:11 -Cthulhu: Death May Die--Fear of the Unknown (Rob Daviau, Eric M. Lang, and Marco Portugal, CMON, 2024)

22:57 -Set a Watch (Mike Gnade and Todd Walsh, Rock Manor Games, 2019)

25:04 -Hamster Roll (Jacques Zeimet, Zoch Verlag, 2000)

27:02 -Federation (Dimitri Perrier and Matthieu Verdier, Explor8, 2022)

28:22 -R (Seiji Kanai, Kanai Factory, 2011)

31:03 -Lost Cities: The Board Game (Reiner Knizia, Rio Grande, 2008)

35:21 -Vengeance: Roll & Fight (Gordon Calleja, Noralie Lubbers, & Dávid Turczi, Mighty Boards, 2022)

News (and why it doesn't matter):

38:57 Friedemann Friese's Fishing: trick-taking

39:37 Mac Gerdts' 7 Empires

40:40 Reiner Knizia's Cosmolancer: Kingdoms, again

41:48 Burned relaunches on crowdfunding October 23 from Jon Moffat and Stone Circle Games

42:15 Daniele Tascini's Transgalactica

42:29 Chonkers Party: phat animals

42:50 Walker on Boards and Brews

43:14 Join us in celebrating Arkhipov Day on October 27th

44:22 Topic: Our Favourite Factions

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Generally we here at SVWAG prefer sci-fi to fantasy, especially if it is of the general sort. There is something joyous about the weird flights of fancy that sci-fi can enable, such as Andromeda's Edge with its "Jelluloid Technoblorps." That said, there's something particularly odious about importing generic fantasy into your sci-fi, like space dwarves and space dragons--something Andromeda's Edge also does. Call it a wash.

Games Played Last Week:

01:01 -Harmonies (Johan Benvenuto, Libellud, 2024)

02:14 -Dro Polter (Paul Schulz, Oink Games, 2023)

05:56 -Rise and Fall (Christophe Boelinger, Ludically, 2024)

11:26 -Planet Unknown (Ryan Lambert & Adam Rehberg, Adam's Apple Games, 2022)

16:27 -Undaunted 2200: Callisto (Trevor Benjamin and David Thompson, Osprey, 2024)

18:18 -Irish Gauge (Amabel Holland, Capstone Games, 2019)

22:25 -Jekyll vs. Hyde (Geonil, Mandoo Games, 2021)

26:42 -Through the Desert (Reiner Knizia, Allplay, 2024)

31:43 -Cthulhu: Death May Die--Fear of the Unknown (Rob Daviau, Eric M. Lang, and Marco Portugal, CMON, 2024)

News (and why it doesn't matter):

37:15 From the Voidfall universe Mindclash brings us Revenant by Allan Kirkeby 

39:28 Renegade reprints Acquire

41:03 Please support us on Patreon and take our games! www.patreon.com/svwag

41:53 Feature Game: Andromeda's Edge (Luke Laurie and Maximus Laurie, Cardboard Alchemy, 2024)

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If you replayed all the published SVWAG episodes back-back, it would take over 355 hours, or almost 15 days. This is not necessarily how we would recommend you spend your time. Indeed, for our purposes, we are equally wrong regardless of whether anyone is there to hear it; while we sometimes engage with Western philosophy due to Mark's academic background, the realm of the koan is beyond our purview. 

Long story short, feel free to re-download all our episodes to your heart's content. I'm sure it would help us with some algorithm somewhere.

01:41 AYURIS: Autobahn (Fabio Lopiano and Nestore Mangone, Alley Cat Games, 2022)

Games Played Last Week:

05:06 -Harmonies (Johan Benvenuto, Libellud, 2024)

11:30 -Valka (Brooke Penrose, Terrible Games, 2024)

17:01 -Keep the Heroes Out!: Boss Battles (Luís Brueh, Brueh Games, 2024)

21:43 -Undaunted 2200: Callisto (Trevor Benjamin and David Thompson, Osprey, 2024)

29:36 -CATAN: Starfarers Duel (Klaus Teuber and Benjamin Teuber, KOSMOS, 2023) 

33:38 -Rise and Fall (Christophe Boelinger, Ludically, 2024)

40:54 -Martian Dice (Scott Almes, Tasty Minstrel Games, 2011)

News (and why it doesn't matter):

42:20 International Gamers Awards announce their 2024 winners

43:18 German wooden monstrosity: Drachentreppe

44:59 David Thompson and Trevor Benjamin Line of Fire: Burnt Moon; in the Undaunted 2200 setting

46:12 Topic: Replayability

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