Episode 164: The End

Length: 39:28

Show Links: RSS | iTunes | Stitcher | Download Episode

Welcome back to Vox Republica, the Cardboard Republic Podcast!

We post new episodes every other Thursday, with each episode being about 45 minutes long.

Vox Republica is proudly supported by our Patreon. Consider contributing today!

DESCRIPTION: All good things must come to an end. And that happens to include the Vox itself. This week, Erin and Ryan explain the decision to bring this project to a close and then share some of their favorite episodes of its nearly five year run.

We'd love to hear from you! You can send questions or feedback via email at [email protected]. You can also reach us social media, including Twitter, Facebook, and BoardGameGeek.

Audio Credits: Intro music track is "Swing!" by Bargo!, used under Creative Commons license.

Episode 163: Reskins - The Good, The Bad, And The Formerly Ugly

Length: 56:28

Show Links: RSS | iTunes | Stitcher | Download Episode

Welcome back to Vox Republica, the Cardboard Republic Podcast!

We post new episodes every other Thursday, with each episode being about 45 minutes long.

Vox Republica is proudly supported by our Patreon. Consider contributing today!

DESCRIPTION: There are themes and then there are themes. And then there are themes. But...what if those are all the same game? This week, Erin and Ryan talk about reskinning games. When is it worth it and when is it a money grab? Can it be both?

GUESTS: None

RECENTLY PLAYED GAMES - (0:28):

• Clans of Caledonia by Karma Games (BGG Link)
• Otys by Pearl Games / Asmodee (BGG Link)
• Merlin by Queen Games (BGG Link)
• The North Sea Runesaga (Shipwrights, Raiders, and Explorers of the North Sea by Garphill Games / Renegade Game Studios (BGG Link)

QUICK TOPICS – (17:28):

• We discuss our thoughts on the second multi-day Granite Game Summit, a local convention with plenty of good things going for it.

FEATURED TOPIC - (23:10):

• A reskin is when you take an existing game and either change the mechanics very little (or not at all) but give it a new setting, theme, etc. We parse through several areas of their existence, including areas such as?
  • Why are reskins even a thing? Are there any equivalents in other industries?
  • What's the difference between adaptation and reskin?
  • Why do publishers reskin a game?
  • When is a reskin worth it and when is it a cash grab?
  • What about reskins that bring a game in line with an existing IP?
  • How do consumers feel about reskins generally?

PLUGS - (55:09):

• The 2017 Laurel Nominees are in full swing! We even have a couple of contests going on for the Socializer and Striker winners announced so far (and probably a third by now). Check them out!
• We're also raffling off a copy of Draconis Invasion to a lucky Patreon backer. Consider donating today!
• As always, Cardboard Republic YouTube videos, Instagram pictures, and the BGG Guild are still ongoing. Subscribe to one or two - or all of them if you really love us. You do really love us, right?

We'd love to hear from you! You can send questions or feedback via email at [email protected]. You can also reach us social media, including Twitter, Facebook, and BoardGameGeek.

Audio Credits: Intro music track is "Swing!" by Bargo!, used under Creative Commons license.

Episode 162: Without a Fight: Aggressive Games

Length: 57:49

Show Links: RSS | iTunes | Stitcher | Download Episode

Welcome back to Vox Republica, the Cardboard Republic Podcast!

We post new episodes every other Thursday, with each episode being about 45 minutes long.

Vox Republica is proudly supported by our Patreon. Consider contributing today!

DESCRIPTION: In gaming, there's conflict and then there's conflict. This week, Erin and Ryan talk about why some competitive games are more aggressive than others, and what to do when a game demands a level of intensity that you don't want to give to it.

GUESTS: None

RECENTLY PLAYED GAMES - (0:28):

• Concordia by Rio Grande Games (BGG Link)
• The Last Garden by One Thousand XP (BGG Link)

QUICK TOPICS – (13:24):

We discuss the recent drama around the cancellation of Deep and what that those kinds of public dust-ups mean for the industry.

FEATURED TOPIC - (23:10):

• Competition can get more heated at some times than at others. But what is it about one kind of game versus another that causes those reactions. Areas we dive into include:
  • The notion of conflict versus combat
  • How some games ruin friendships and some games build them
  • What makes competition friendly? And how do you tell when it's not?
  • How do you react to un-friendly competition?

PLUGS - (56:56):

• The 2017 Laurel Nominees have been announced! Check out who made the list!
• As always, Cardboard Republic YouTube videos, Instagram pictures, and the BGG Guild are still ongoing. Subscribe to one or two - or all of them if you really love us. You do really love us, right?

We'd love to hear from you! You can send questions or feedback via email at [email protected]. You can also reach us social media, including Twitter, Facebook, and BoardGameGeek.

Audio Credits: Intro music track is "Swing!" by Bargo!, used under Creative Commons license.

Episode 161: The Asmo-daze

Length: 1:05:01

Show Links: RSS | iTunes | Stitcher | Download Episode

Welcome back to Vox Republica, the Cardboard Republic Podcast!

We post new episodes every other Thursday, with each episode being about 45 minutes long.

Vox Republica is proudly supported by our Patreon. Consider contributing today!

DESCRIPTION: Well, we didn't even get six weeks in before Asmodee announced its first major company purchase of 2018. Just like previous purchases, the reaction from the community is varied and wide-ranging. This week, Erin and Ryan take a deep look into some of those various areas of discussion.

GUESTS: None

RECENTLY PLAYED GAMES - (0:57):

• Pandemic Iberia by Z-Man Games (BGG Link)
• Smile by Z-Man Games (BGG Link)
• Rialto by Tasty Minstrel Games (BGG Link)

FEATURED TOPIC - (20:43):

• Asmodee has become a common name in the board gaming world due to their continued purchases of well known board gaming companies, with the most recent being Mayfair Games and Lookout Games. This sort of move always causes a wide variety of responses, and so we decided to finally sit down and parse through what these kinds of decisions mean for the hobby, be it from the publisher, retailer, or consumer's point of view.

PLUGS - (1:04:01):

• The 2017 Laurel Nominees will be announced on February 15th. Check out the site to see all the games recognized!
• As always, Cardboard Republic YouTube videos, Instagram pictures, and the BGG Guild are still ongoing. Subscribe to one or two - or all of them if you really love us. You do really love us, right?

We'd love to hear from you! You can send questions or feedback via email at [email protected]. You can also reach us social media, including Twitter, Facebook, and BoardGameGeek.

Audio Credits: Intro music track is "Swing!" by Bargo!, used under Creative Commons license.

Episode 160: Escape the Podcast

Length: 1:25:52

Show Links: RSS | iTunes | Stitcher | Download Episode

Welcome back to Vox Republica, the Cardboard Republic Podcast!

We post new episodes every other Thursday, with each episode being about 45 minutes long.

Vox Republica is proudly supported by our Patreon. Consider contributing today!

DESCRIPTION: 2018 may only be a month old, but that doesn't mean the hobby hasn't found itself stumbling over a couple notable mistakes by the publisher CMON. This week, Erin and Ryan dive into those issues, and gush about Charterstone, before diving into a lengthy discussion about what makes an escape room game challenging and memorable.

GUESTS: None

RECENTLY PLAYED GAMES - (0:27):

• Charterstone by Stonemaier Games (BGG Link)
• Five Seals of Magic by Mayfair Games (BGG Link)

QUICK TOPICS – (16:14):

• Within weeks of each other, noted publisher Cool Mini or Not found itself on the receiving end of two PR messes pertaining to two of their games. The first revolved around the inclusion of some tasteless tiles in their recent HATE campaign, while the second is an embarrassing (and abject) lesson to not rely on Wikipedia for all your research information, as has happened with their Rising Sun game.

FEATURED TOPIC - (32:48):

• It should come as no surprise to anyone at this point...but Erin loves escape room games. We've talked about it in passing a couple times already. But with well over a dozen titles in the small but growing genre, we decided to sit down and parse out what makes them so special. Topics include:
  • What makes a fun escape room game (i.e. difficulty, player size, theme, etc.)
  • The limitations of an escape room game as they currently exist
  • What can break the experience
  • How to get started with escape rooms
  • How we'd like to see the genre row

PLUGS - (1:23:56):

• We recently reviewed Charterstone! (Spoiler Free)
• We're raffling off a copy of Kokoro to a lucky Patreon backer. Consider donating today!
• As always, Cardboard Republic YouTube videos, Instagram pictures, and the BGG Guild are still ongoing. Subscribe to one or two - or all of them if you really love us. You do really love us, right?

We'd love to hear from you! You can send questions or feedback via email at [email protected]. You can also reach us social media, including Twitter, Facebook, and BoardGameGeek.

Audio Credits: Intro music track is "Swing!" by Bargo!, used under Creative Commons license.

Episode 159: Gaming Predictions (And Omens) for 2018

Length: 1:10:27

Show Links: RSS | iTunes | Stitcher | Download Episode

Welcome back to Vox Republica, the Cardboard Republic Podcast!

We post new episodes every other Thursday, with each episode being about 45 minutes long.

Vox Republica is proudly supported by our Patreon. Consider contributing today!

DESCRIPTION: A new year means different things to different people. For us, aside from running screaming from 2017, it means it's time for Erin and Ryan to sit down and make some predictions for what lies in store in 2018 regarding games and the games industry!

GUESTS: None

RECENTLY PLAYED GAMES - (1:19):

• Altiplano by dlp games / Renegade Game Studios (BGG Link)
• Alien Artifacts by Portal Games (BGG Link)
• Deckscape - Test Time by DV Giochi (BGG Link)

FEATURED TOPIC - (18:59):

• It's 2018, which means it's time for all sorts of annual predictions and prognostications about games and the gaming industry. Are they wild guesses or educated methodical extrapolations of notable trends in the industry? We'll see! But both Erin and Ryan dive into what some of those may be.
  • We also recap our 2017 predictions (see Vox episode 133 for the full rundown) to see how close we came during what can only be described a garbage fire of a year personified.

PLUGS - (1:09:22):

• We're raffling off a copy of Kokoro to a lucky Patreon backer. Consider donating today!
• As always, Cardboard Republic YouTube videos, Instagram pictures, and the BGG Guild are still ongoing. Subscribe to one or two - or all of them if you really love us. You do really love us, right?

We'd love to hear from you! You can send questions or feedback via email at [email protected]. You can also reach us social media, including Twitter, Facebook, and BoardGameGeek.

Audio Credits: Intro music track is "Swing!" by Bargo!, used under Creative Commons license.

Episode 158: What Even Is A Game?

Length: 58:09

Show Links: RSS | iTunes | Stitcher | Download Episode

Welcome back to Vox Republica, the Cardboard Republic Podcast!

We post new episodes every other Thursday, with each episode being about 45 minutes long.

Vox Republica is proudly supported by our Patreon. Consider contributing today!

DESCRIPTION: They say time flies when you're having fun, right? Well we must've been having a ton of fun, because 5 years have passed in a flash. That's right - The Cardboard Republic is now 5 years old! And this week, Erin and Ryan reflect on that fact, sharing some thoughts about the era when the started and what they hope for gaming in the future.

GUESTS: None

RECENTLY PLAYED GAMES - (0:48):

• Unlock! The Nautilus' Traps by Space Cowboys / Asmodee (BGG Link)
• Charterstone by Stonemaier Games (BGG Link)
• Bargain Quest by Jonathan Ying (BGG Link)

QUICK TOPICS - (19:38):

• We briefly expound on this being the final Vox episode of 2017 and some quick programming announcements.

FEATURED TOPIC - (20:26):

• What is the difference between a game and an activity? When it comes to deconstructing what makes a game a game, be it as a mental exercise, a means of categorizing one's free time, or a healthy discussion of game theory, there has to be a way of creating a clear definition. At least, in theory.
  • In truth, it's not actually that simple.
  • Erin and Ryan each share their own criteria on how to determine if something is a game or not and compare where they overlap.
  • They also address potential situations where such distinctions can actually have ramifications for certain players.

PLUGS - (56:37):

• We're raffling off a copy of Harvest Dice to a lucky Patreon backer. Consider donating today!
• As always, Cardboard Republic YouTube videos, Instagram pictures, and the BGG Guild are still ongoing. Subscribe to one or two - or all of them if you really love us. You do really love us, right?

We'd love to hear from you! You can send questions or feedback via email at [email protected]. You can also reach us social media, including Twitter, Facebook, and BoardGameGeek.

Audio Credits: Intro music track is "Swing!" by Bargo!, used under Creative Commons license.

Episode 157: Five Years Of Cardboard

Length: 1:15:13

Show Links: RSS | iTunes | Stitcher | Download Episode

Welcome back to Vox Republica, the Cardboard Republic Podcast!

We post new episodes every other Thursday, with each episode being about 45 minutes long.

Vox Republica is proudly supported by our Patreon. Consider contributing today!

DESCRIPTION: They say time flies when you're having fun, right? Well we must've been having a ton of fun, because 5 years have passed in a flash. That's right - The Cardboard Republic is now 5 years old! And this week, Erin and Ryan reflect on that fact, sharing some thoughts about the era when the started and what they hope for gaming in the future.

GUESTS: None

RECENTLY PLAYED GAMES - (0:54):

• Harvest Dice by Grey Fox Games (BGG Link)
• Professor Evil and the Citadel of Time by Passport Game Studios / Funforge (BGG Link)
• Pulsar 2849 By Czech Games Edition (BGG Link)
• Through The Desert by Z-Man Games / Asmodee (BGG Link)

FEATURED TOPIC - (25:42):

• The CR turned 5 years old last month. In a lengthy retrospective, Erin and Ryan reflect on what the industry was like when we first launched and the numerous ways it has changed: the good, the bad, and everything in between. We then crack open the mailbag and answer some of your questions!

PLUGS - (1:14:37):

• We're raffling off a copy of the aforementioned Harvest Dice to a lucky Patreon backer. Consider donating today!
• As always, Cardboard Republic YouTube videos, Instagram pictures, and the BGG Guild are still ongoing. Subscribe to one or two - or all of them if you really love us. You do really love us, right?

We'd love to hear from you! You can send questions or feedback via email at [email protected]. You can also reach us social media, including Twitter, Facebook, and BoardGameGeek.

Audio Credits: Intro music track is "Swing!" by Bargo!, used under Creative Commons license.

Episode 156: BGG Recap & Game Gifts For Non-Gamers

Length: 1:05:40

Show Links: RSS | iTunes | Stitcher | Download Episode

Welcome back to Vox Republica, the Cardboard Republic Podcast!

We post new episodes every other Thursday, with each episode being about 45 minutes long.

Vox Republica is proudly supported by our Patreon. Consider contributing today!

DESCRIPTION: Game nights may have been lacking lately, but Ryan returns from BGGCon to make up for that with plenty to spare! In this episode Erin and Ryan recap some of the highlights of this years's BGGCon and then pivot into the holidays by suggesting some games you can offer up at holiday events filled with adults who may not have touched a game since Monopoly.

GUESTS: None

RECENTLY PLAYED GAMES - (1:11):

• None! Because of BGGCon!

QUICK TOPICS - (1:11):

• BGGCon! Ryan discusses - at length - a number of game highlights, as well as his favorite part of the convention.

FEATURED TOPIC - (34:13):

• Rather than rattle off our own version of a holiday gift guide, we take a different angle going into the holiday season talking about games to bring to events that will appeal to a wide crowd - be they gamers or not.
  • The best Yankee Swap games are abstract, accessible, and easy-to-learn.
  • This leads to suggestions ranging from some classic non-gamer games (like LCR) to some great Gateway level alternatives, like Splendor.

PLUGS - (1:04:57):

• We're raffling off a copy of Rocky Road to a lucky Patreon backer. Consider donating today!
• As always, Cardboard Republic YouTube videos, Instagram pictures, and the BGG Guild are still ongoing. Subscribe to one or two - or all of them if you really love us. You do really love us, right?

We'd love to hear from you! You can send questions or feedback via email at [email protected]. You can also reach us social media, including Twitter, Facebook, and BoardGameGeek.

Audio Credits: Intro music track is "Swing!" by Bargo!, used under Creative Commons license.

Episode 155: Charitable Gaming

Length: 46:47

Show Links: RSS | iTunes | Stitcher | Download Episode

Welcome back to Vox Republica, the Cardboard Republic Podcast!

We post new episodes every other Thursday, with each episode being about 45 minutes long.

Vox Republica is proudly supported by our Patreon. Consider contributing today!

DESCRIPTION: Gaming can sometimes be seen from the outside as a childish or selfish pastime. Contrary to that thought, however, the hobby is actually known for charitable acts both large and small. On the heels of one such event, this week Erin and Ryan discuss Extra Life and a few other board game charity events that take place this time of year. For donation links, please check down below!

GUESTS: None

RECENTLY PLAYED GAMES - (01:35):

• Lisboa by Eagle-Gryphon Games (BGG Link)
• Flamme Rouge by Stronghold Games (BGG Link)
• Downforce by Restoration Games (BGG Link)
• That's A Question by Czech Games Edition (BGG Link)

QUICK TOPICS - (20:37):

• We recap our annual Extra Life charity marathon held at CR headquarters!

FEATURED TOPIC - (30:46):

• Continuing the topic, we also chat about a number of charitable efforts in the hobby, including:
  • Extra Life
  • The Jack Vasel Memorial Fund
  • Stonemaier Games Charity Auction
  • DFW Nerd Nighters
  • Cheapass Games' Trolling For Good Campaign

PLUGS - (45:37):

• We're raffling off a copy of Rocky Road to a lucky Patreon backer. Consider donating today!
• As always, Cardboard Republic YouTube videos, Instagram pictures, and the BGG Guild are still ongoing. Subscribe to one or two - or all of them if you really love us. You do really love us, right?

We'd love to hear from you! You can send questions or feedback via email at [email protected]. You can also reach us social media, including Twitter, Facebook, and BoardGameGeek.

Audio Credits: Intro music track is "Swing!" by Bargo!, used under Creative Commons license.