So Very Wrong About Games

Walker's got this friend with a problem--not Walker, no not at all, a friend, you see, his name is... Bike Docker... and Bike has this problem that he judges a game by its cover art. Mike I mean Bike is so blinded by his prejudice that it causes him to rag on games like El Grande or GMT's entire catalog just because the cover doesn't appeal to his sensibilities. Luckily, there are enlightened people like Mike Walker to guide those like Bike Docker.

01:33 AYURIS: Tapestry (Jamey Stegmaier, Stonemaier Games, 2019)

Games Played Last Week:
03:09 -Street Masters: Aftershock (Adam Sadler & Brady Sadler, Blacklist Games, 2019)
04:38 -Fast & Furious: Highway Heist (Prospero Hall, Funko Games, 2021)
11:46 -Imperium: The Contention (Gary Dworetsky, Contention Games, 2021)
15:23 -Four Gardens (Martin Doležal, Korea Boardgames, 2020)
18:12 -A Game of Thrones: The Board Game (Second Edition) (Christian T. Petersen, Fantasy Flight, 2011)
19:30 -Spirit Island: Jagged Earth (R. Eric Reuss, Greater Than Games, 2020)
19:59 -Cryo (Tom Jolly & Luke Laurie, Z-Man Games, 2021)
23:21 -The Initiative (Corey Konieczka, Unexpected Games, 2021)
25:39 -L.A.M.A. Dice (Reiner Knizia, AMIGO, 2021)
27:40 -Good Puppers (Chris Cieslik, Asmadi Games, 2021)
29:43 -Codex Naturalis (Thomas Dupont, Bombyx, 2020)
30:31 -Calico (Kevin Russ, Flatout Games, 2020)
33:57 -Anachrony: Doomsday Enhancement Pack (Dávid Turczi, Mindclash Games, 2017)
34:54 -Rajas of the Ganges (Inka Brand & Markus Brand, HUCH!, 2017)

News (and why it doesn't matter):
35:41 Portal stream: Publishers avoiding GenCon
37:23 Horizon Wars: Infinite Dark launches this week
37:55 The Goonies: Never Say Die by Prospero Hall
38:48 Follow-up to Versailles 1919: Triumvir
39:23 Zombicide: Army of the Dead
40:15 Bizarre gatekeeping alert: Bruno Faidutti doesn't trust you if you don't drink

42:40 Topic: What Prompts Our Purchases

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Our inaugural Mark Bigney is a Blithering Idiot Fest has arrived, and we can chronicle a minor subsection of things that make evident Mark is a not a smart man. Although this episode is jam-packed with content, even its confines cannot contain a comprehensive accounting; rest assured we will return to this topic in future instalments.

Games Played Last Week:
01:42 -Kemet: Blood and Sand (Jacques Bariot & Guillaume Montiage, Matagot, 2021)
09:24 -Scythe (Jamey Stegmaier, Stonemaier Games, 2016)
10:55 -Finished! (Friedemann Friese, 2F-Spiele, 2017)
15:51 -Groundhog Day: The Game (Prospero Hall, Funko Games, 2021)
22:27 -Street Masters: Aftershock (Adam Sadler & Brady Sadler, Blacklist Games, 2019)
24:11 -Imperium: The Contention (Gary Dworetsky, Contention Games, 2021)
29:25 -Commands & Colors: Samurai Battles (Richard Borg, GMT Games, 2021)
32:59 -Asgard's Chosen (Morgan Dontanville, Mayfair Games, 2013)
(Variant: https://www.boardgamegeek.com/thread/1058313/solo-variant-more-tense-gameplay)
35:23 -Spirit Island: Jagged Earth (R. Eric Reuss, Greater Than Games, 2020)
39:53 -Galaxy Hunters (Daniel Alves, IDW Games, 2021)
46:30 -Field Commander: Napoleon (Dan Verssen, Dan Verssen Games, 2011)
50:27 -Tokaido (Antoine Bauza, Funforge, 2012)
52:01 -Splendor (Marc André, Space Cowboys, 2014)

News (and why it doesn't matter):
52:42 Spiel des Jahres nominations
53:44 MicroMacro: Crime City: Full House
56:09 Descent: Legends of the Dark
57:00 BakaFire's Are you telling me this genius scientist can’t get the first place?
57:47 Walker's Who Asked for This? Talisman tabletop RPG, The Burn Book
59:08 Transformers deck-building game
59:47 Pixel Tactics digital

1:00:58 Feature Game: Whale Riders (Reiner Knizia, Grail Games, 2021)

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From Wikipedia: "Mark Sinclair (born July 18, 1967), known professionally as Vin Diesel, is an American actor and filmmaker. One of the world's highest-grossing actors, he is best known for playing Dominic Toretto in the Fast & Furious franchise.

Diesel began his career in 1990 but struggled to gain roles until he wrote, directed, produced, and starred in the short film Multi-Facial (1995). This attracted the attention of Steven Spielberg, who was developing Saving Private Ryan (1998), and re-wrote elements of the film to allow Diesel to appear in a supporting role. Diesel subsequently voiced the titular character in The Iron Giant (1999) while gaining a reputation as an action star after headlining the Fast & Furious, XXX, and The Chronicles of Riddick film franchises."

01:20 AYURIS: Black Angel (Sébastien Dujardin, Xavier Georges, & Alain Orban, Pearl Games, 2019)

Games Played Last Week:
03:08 -Vengeance: Roll and Fight Episode 1 (Gordon Calleja, Noralie Lubbers, & Dávid Turczi, Mighty Boards, 2021)
[EDIT: Vengeance: Roll & Fight is on Kickstarter as of now, until May 31st 2021)
07:46 -Aquatica: Cold Waters (Ivan Tuzovsky, Arcane Wonders, 2020)
11:30 -Excavation Earth (Gordon Calleja, Dávid Turczi, & Wai Yee, Mighty Boards, 2021)
18:28 -MicroMacro: Crime City (Johannes Sich, Pegasus Spiele, 2020)
19:09 -Daimyo: Rebirth of an Empire (Jérémy Ducret, La Boîte de Jeu, 2021)
25:30 -Mage Knight Board Game (Vlaada Chvátil, WizKids, 2011)
28:43 -Whale Riders (Reiner Knizia, Grail Games, 2021)
30:36 -The King's Dilemma (Hjalmar Hach & Lorenzo Silva, Horrible Guild, 2019)
31:51 -Takenoko (Antoine Bauza, Matagot, 2011)

News (and why it doesn't matter):
34:10 Mindclash announces Voidfall
35:30 Games Workshop's Gaunt's Ghosts
36:06 Richard Halliwell, designer of Space Hulk, passed away
36:38 Shipping costs from China skyrocket
37:53 Prospero Hall's Fast & Furious: Highway Heist

38:57 Topic: Market Differences: Video Games vs. Board Games

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Fun fact: The Red Cathedral isn't really a cathedral at all, it's a sobor, which isn't really the same thing. Also fun fact: Unsurprisingly, Mark is wrong to say that Fenrir will swallow the moon at the end of the world, as that is patently absurd. Fenrir swallows the sun, which makes perfect sense. Except, of course, for renditions where Fenrir's children Skoll and Hati swallow the moon and sun respectively. I guess we'll have to wait and see who got it right. We value editorial rigour here at SVWAG.

Games Played Last Week:
01:57 -Veangeance: Roll and Fight Episode 1 (Gordon Calleja, Noralie Lubbers, & Dávid Turczi, Mighty Boards, 2021)
06:30 -Blood Rage: Promos Box (Eric M. Lang, CMON, 2019)
10:09 -Nidavellir: Thingvellir (Serge Laget, GRRRE Games, 2020)
12:03 -Whale Riders: The Card Game (Reiner Knizia, Grail Games, 2021)
13:57 -Whale Riders (Reiner Knizia, Grail Games, 2021)
16:26 -Lancaster (Mathias Cramer, Queen Games, 2011)
20:44 -Cubitos (John D. Clair, AEG, 2021)
22:37 -Regicide (Paul Abrahams, Luke Badger, & Andy Richdale, Badgers from Mars, 2020)
24:52 -Cacao (Phil Walker-Harding, ABACUSSPIELE, 2015)
25:47 -Jekyll vs. Hyde (Geonil, Mandoo Games, 2021)
28:43 -Railroad Ink: Blazing Red Edition (Hjalmar Hach & Lorenzo Silva, Horrible Guild, 2018)

News (and why it doesn't matter):
30:00 (Other) Golden Geek Winners
34:42 Witchstone from Reiner Knizia
35:20 D&D Monopoly...?
35:42 My Father's Work on Kickstarter
36:35 Stationfall from Matt Eklund on Kickstarter
37:16 Take Mark's Siege of the Citadel Dark Legion pledge!
Link: https://forms.gle/52vHVkc66Gx7aSEt5

37:51: Feature Game: The Red Cathedral (Israel Cendrero & Sheila Santos, Devir Games, 2020)

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Knizia reference, check; Kant reference, check; Shakespeare reference, check (albeit subtle); Scott Pilgrim reference, check (albeit a gimme); Macross reference, check; Letterkenny reference... wait, this must be a mistake. Where's the Letterkenny reference? This is no way to try to win a Golden Geek.

01:58 AYURIS: Edge of Darkness (John D. Clair, AEG, 2019)

Games Played Last Week:
03:38 -Scott Pilgrim Miniatures the World (Erica Bouyouris, Renegade Game Studios, 2021)
07:53 -Red Rising (Alexander Schmidt & Jamey Stegmaier, Stonemaier Games, 2021)
13:13 -In a Grove (Jun Sasaki, Oink Games, 2011)
16:13 -Moon Adventure (Jun Sasaki, Oink Games, 2021)
19:43 -Cosmic Frog (Jim Felli, Devious Weasel Games, 2020)
20:55 -Galaxy Hunters (Daniel Alves, IDW Games, 2021)
23:15 -Regicide (Paul Abrahams, Luke Badger, & Andy Richdale, Badgers from Mars, 2020)
25:21 -L.A.M.A. Dice (Reiner Knizia, AMIGO, 2021)
27:38 -Abandon All Artichokes (Emma Larkins, Gamewright, 2020)
30:57 -The Magnificent (Eilif Svensson & Kristian Amundsen Østby, Aporta Games, 2019)
36:34 -Claustrophobia 1643 (Croc & Laurent Pouchain, Monolith, 2019)
40:12 -Merv: Heart of the Silk Road (Fabio Lopiano, Osprey Games, 2020)
45:04 -Railroad Ink: Deep Blue Edition (Hjalmar Hach & Lorenzo Silva, Horrible Guild, 2018)
46:32 -Dunaïa (Thomas Dupont, BLAM !, 2021)

News (and why it doesn't matter):
51:23 CGE revisits Galaxy Trucker
52:36 Hurlyburly
54:07 TTCombat and Ostrich riders
54:39 Warhammer Quest: The Cursed City and Games Workshop gaslighting
56:41 Tyrants of the Underdark reprint
57:12 Hidden Leaders on Kickstarter
57:21 More Hellboy on Kickstarter
57:38 Needy Cat Games' Myth and Goal

58:26 Topic: Tempo

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The trajectory of spin-offs seems indelibly tied to aquatic environments, so perhaps we ought to accept the inevitable and begin planning for "SVWAG of the Depths" wherein our hosts play games and then talk about them while entirely submerged. Imagine what effect it will have on most dexterity games! Only Chip Theory Games' offerings will emerge unaltered. Sound quality will perforce suffer, as no doubt will the hosts' lungs, but no one said art was going to be easy.

Games Played Last Week:
01:26 -Formula Dé (Laurent Lavaur & Eric Randall, Eurogames, 1997)
01:44 -Automobiles (David Short, AEG, 2016)
02:00 -Cubitos (John D. Clair, AEG, 2021)
12:45 -Ra (Reiner Knizia, alea, 1999)
16:38 -Hallertau (Uwe Rosenberg, Lookout Games, 2020)
20:39 -Regicide (Paul Abrahams, Luke Badger, & Andy Richdale, Badgers from Mars, 2020)
25:00 -Jekyll vs. Hyde (Geonil, Mandoo Games, 2021)
27:04 -The Magnificent (Eilif Svensson & Kristian Amundsen Østby, Aporta Games, 2019)
30:18 -Champions of Midgard (Ole Steiness, Grey Fox Games, 2015)
31:14 -The King's Dilemma (Hjalmar Hach & Lorenzo Silva, Horrible Guild, 2019)
36:32 -Conspiracy: Abyss Universe (Bruno Cathala & Charles Chevallier, Bombyx, 2019)

News (and why it doesn't matter):
38:02 Marvel United X-Men, sans Gambit (so far)
39:39 Frostpunk: Surprise billing
40:56 Classics going out of print prompting media navel-gazing
[EDIT: A previous version of the episode falsely attributed the Euro Classics line to Plaid Hat instead of Z-Man Games. We apologize for the error.]
44:59 Stream of The Magnificent 04/24, 10:30 AM EST

45:16 Feature Game: Dominant Species Marine (Chad Jensen, GMT Games, 2021)

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Important Macross news! Mark will ruthlessly exploit any and all chances to mention Macross, and so he shoehorns in a quote from a Macross property so he can talk about Macross. He can then mention his mention of Macross in the episode description, in a move called Meta-cross. There's some stuff about board games too, I guess.

01:51 AYURIS: Warhammer Age of Sigmar: Warcry (Uncredited, Games Workshop, 2019)

Games Played Last Week:
04:22 -After the Empire (Evan Halbert & Ryan Mauk, Grey Fox Games, 2021)
12:47 -Beyond the Sun (Dennis K. Chan, Rio Grande Games, 2020)
16:18 -Keyflower (Sebastien Bleasdale & Richard Breese, R&D Games, 2012)
21:22 -Black Rose Wars: Sator Box (Marco Montanaro, Ludus Magnus Studio, 2020)
27:26 -Commands & Colors: Samurai Battles (Richard Borg, GMT Games, 2021)
37:47 -Haiclue (Will Leaf, Tiger Board Games, 2019)
38:46 -Street Fighter: The Miniatures Game (Alex Tune & Joe Vargas, Jasco Games, 2021)

News (and why it doesn't matter):
44:40 15th annual Golden Geek Awards nominations are open on BGG
47:51 Mighty Boards' Vengeance: Roll and Fight!
48:37 Let's Make a Bus Route dice game
49:06 Safe Battle: sound check
[EDIT: Mark mistakenly conflates the Tokyo Game Market with TGS, which are different events. We apologize for the error.]
49:53 Warhammer Underworlds "Starter Set?"

51:56 Topic: Probability

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A great man once said that he thought bullets should cost five thousand dollars. As we are not currently playing a game of SHASN, we here at SVWAG will demur on weighing in on hot-button political issues at this time. Suffice to say that while there is another raging controversy about whether one should address cost in the context of board games criticism, Bullet♥︎ does not cost five thousand dollars.

Games Played Last Week:
02:05 -Nidavellir: Thingvellir (Serge Laget, GRRRE Games, 2020)
04:48 -Gùgōng: Pànjūn (Andreas Steding, Game Brewer, 2020)
09:50 -A Billion Suns: Interstellar Fleet Battles (Mike Hutchinson, Osprey Games, 2021)
15:01 -Star Trek: Alliance – Dominion War Campaign (Josh Derksen & Thomas M. Gofton, WizKids, 2021)
20:12 -SHASN (Zain Memon, Memesys Culture Lab, 2021)
28:11 -The Red Cathedral (Israel Cendrero & Sheila Santos, Devir Games, 2020)
31:44 -Pandemic Legacy: Season 0 (Rob Daviau & Matt Leacock, Z-Man Games, 2020)

[EDIT: An earlier version of this episode implied that Merv was designed by Andreas Steding, when in fact it was designed by Fabio Lopiano. We apologize for the error.]

News (and why it doesn't matter):
35:37 The Dragon Prince: Battlecharged
36:19 Unmatched System gets Deadpool et al, because Marvel is all-consuming
37:35 Reiner Knizia: The Siege of Runedar, Witchstone, Blue Moon reprint
38:47 KS roundup: Longshot roll and write, googley-eyed dice
39:33 Mythic Battles: Ragnarok
40:56 Level 99 Games Expansions: Bullet Orange and Empyreal reprint
42:05 Little Plastic Train Company
42:38 The shame of Biblios spawns For the King (and Me)

43:24 Feature Game: Bullet♥︎ (Joshua Van Laningham, Level 99 Games, 2021)

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No, not winning, that is emphatically not on the docket today. Today we inveigh against whining, which is a form of meta-whining; what the Brits call "recursive whinging" or the French language names "le grand boo-hoo." Given that the hosts engage in this degenerate, despicable behaviour, this is very much an issue of do as we say, not as we say when whining. Perhaps this is more complicated than I first suspected.

01:16 AYURIS: Sol: Last Days of a Star (Ryan Spangler & Sean Spangler, Elephant Laboratories, 2017)

Games Played Last Week:
03:55 -Root (Cole Wehrle, Leder Games, 2008)
07:30 -Hard City (Adam Kwapiński & Marek Raczyński, Hexy Studio, 2020)
12:09 -Tajuto (Reiner Knizia, Super Meeple, 2019)
16:09 -Medici (Reiner Knizia, AMIGO, 1995)
19:30 -The Search for Planet X (Matthew O'Malley & Ben Rosset, Renegade Game Studios, 2020)
26:26 -Blackout: Hong Kong (Alexander Pfister, eggertspiele, 2018)
31:06 -The Shores of Tripoli (Kevin Bertram, Fort Circle Games, 2020)
35:42 -Shadows: Amsterdam (Mathieu Aubert, Libellud, 2018)
40:31 -Dice Forge (Régis Bonnessée, Libellud, 2017)

News (and why it doesn't matter):
41:33 Joseph McCullough's Silver Bayonet
43:55 Blacklist Games' Lasting Tales
45:03 https://boardgamegeek.com/guild/3236, https://www.twitch.tv/soverywrongaboutgames
46:02 "Lot" on Kickstarter--each game unique
47:44 FlickFleet Box of Flicks 2

49:08 Topic: Whining

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Don't you know who I am
Remember my name
Faiyum
I'm gonna live for ever
I'm gonna learn how to fly

-clearly some song about ancient Pharaohs

Games Played Last Week:
00:51 -Aquatica (Ivan Tuzovsky, Cosmodrome Games, 2019)
05:06 -Dungeon Petz (Vlaada Chvátil, CGE, 2011)
07:46 -Concordia Solitaria (Mac Gerdts, PD-Verlag, 2021)
11:25 -CuBirds (Stefan Alexander, Catch Up Games, 2018)
12:01 -Dragonwood (Darren Kisgen, AURUM, Inc., 2015)
13:17 -Abyss (Bruno Cathala & Charles CHvallier, Bombyx, 2014)
13:57 -Nidavellir (Serge Laget, GRRRE Games, 2020)
14:58 -Beyond the Sun (Dennis K. Chan, Rio Grande Games, 2020)
15:08 -Lost Ruins of Arnak (Elwen & Mín, CGE, 2020)
15:49 -Bullet♥︎ (Joshua Van Laningham, Level 99 Games, 2021)
18:18 -Project: ELITE (Konstantinos Kokkinis, Marco Portugal, & Sotirios Tsantilas, CMON, 2020)
19:44 -Warhammer Underworlds: Direchasm (David Sanders, Games Workshop, 2020)
23:29 -The Shores of Tripoli (Kevin Bertram, Fort Circle Games, 2020)
30:20 -Yura Yura Penguin (Yabuchi Ryoko, Self-Published, 2020)

News (and why it doesn't matter):
31:09 Robotech: Reconstruction
33:16 More Necromunda and Warhammer Underworlds
34:21 Res Arcana: Perlae Imperii
34:49 In-person GenCon in September
35:35 Lost Cities roll-and-write
36:16 As d'or goes to MicroMacro: Crime City

36:45 Feature Game: Faiyum (Friedemann Friese, 2F-Spiele, 2020)

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