Whose Turn Is It Anyway?

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Rob steps off the iron "first player" throne and explores the world of dexterity games within the hobby and why they are just so accessible for gamers.

FIRST PLAYER: Rob
OTHER PLAYERS: Ian, Kris & JP

OVERVIEW
In this weeks episode, Rob steps down as first player in his final run to talk all about dexterity games and why they are so accessible for everyone.  Also Rob runs us through the groups particular favourites.  In this episode you'll learn:
- that the group really can't tell their left from their right in Wavelength
- Kris' preparation for Twilight Imperium 4th edition is unmatched
- JP is gutted after a shocking performance at the last game night
- There's such a thing as streaking subbuteo models (apparently - there's no source to validate this)
- about the dexterity games we play such as Carooka, Crokinole, Flick 'em Up!, Kubb, Mölkky, Cornhole, FlickFleet, Klask and much more
- That Rob hands the first player token back to JP who returns in Episode 21

LINKS REFERENCED IN THE SHOW
NOTE: We are not affiliated with any of the below, these links are to help you understand some of the games we play
Carooka - https://carrooka.com/
Crokinole Boards - https://www.mastersofgames.com/cat/table/crokinole.htm
Kubb - https://www.kubb.world/the-game
Mölkky - https://www.molkky.world/molkky-game
Klask - https://www.klaskgame.com/

EPISODE CHAPTERS
0:00 - TURN 1 - Player Count
1:55 - TURN 2 - Let's Talk About Hex
2:15 - Ian - Wavelength
8:17 - Kris - Preparing for Twilight Imperium
11:17 - JP - Lorenzo Il Magnifico
17:05 - Rob - Zuuli
20:29 - TURN 3 - Let's Talk About Dex
21:19 - Carooka
24:09 - Crokinole
34:01 - Subbuteo & the accessibility of dexterity games
36:02 - Flick 'em Up!
37:42 - Kubb
42:14 - Mölkky
44:51 - Cornhole
47:52 - FlickFleet
54:13 - Ice Cool
56:00 - Klask
59:12 - TURN 4 - Question Time: What's our best boardgame bargain?
1:08:23 - TURN 5 - The Penultimate Turn: What's Coming Up?
1:08:36 - Kris - Twilight Imperium & Scythe
1:10:05 - Ian - Welsh Crokinole Tournament & Netrunner episode
1:11:29 - JP - Twilight Imperium & ISS Vanguard
1:15:15 - Rob - Christmas, Journeys Through Middle-Earth & Mansions of Madness
1:16:39 - TURN 6 - The Final Turn

You can check out JP's new podcast called Just Play right here https://www.justplaypod.co.uk we'd love to have you and also on the new YouTube channel https://www.youtube.com/@JustPlayPodcast

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IT'S CHRISTMASSSSSSSSS!!! We're so happy to bring you our first Christmas Special ever and although Christmas has been and gone, quiz-mas is here to stay.  The players unite to put on a festive board game quiz so play along and see how well you do

SANTA'S ELVES: JP, Kerley, Becky, Ian & Davey
 
OVERVIEW
In this Expansion Pack episode Santa's elves are in festive spirits as they produce their first annual "Quiz-Mas" where all 5 players are pitted against each other in a casual "yeah right" board game quiz and also for our listeners to play along with us.

In this episode you'll learn:
- An overview of the games we've played in the run up to x-mas
- What the hell is a danger dolphin
- How competitve Davey gets with quizs (and games)
- How much Kerley hates Rummikub
- about 5 rounds of board gaming questions with varying difficulty (and quality)

LINKS REFERENCED IN THE SHOW
- Check out our brand new trailer

EPISODE CHAPTERS
0:00 - TURN 1 - Player Count
2:23 - Introducing our new trailer
4:11 - TURN 2 - Simply having a wonderful quiz-mas time
5:44 - ROUND 1: JP's Round
6:23 - Endless Winter
9:07 - Heat: Pedal to the Metal
14:20 - Round 1: Questions
17:44 - Round 1: Answers
22:11 - What is JP looking forward to over x-mas?
24:45 - ROUND 2: Kerley's Round
25:02 - Dinosaur Island
29:52 - Terraforming Mars: Ares Expedition
34:48 - Round 2: Questions
40:09 - Round 2: Answers
47:22 - What is Kerley looking forward to over x-mas?
48:16 - ROUND 3: Becky's Round
48:23 - Too Many Bones
50:03 - Rock Band
51:42 - Round 3: Questions
56:41 - Round 3: Answers
1:00:01 - What is Becky looking forward to over x-mas?
1:02:04 - ROUND 4: Ian's Round
1:03:38 - Ark Nova
1:05:51 - Zuuli
1:07:38 - Round 4: Questions
1:11:48 - Round 4: Answers
1:16:39 - What is Ian looking forward to over x-mas?
1:19:57 - ROUND 5: Davey's Round
1:20:12 - Weather Machine
1:23:06 - Anno 1800
1:26:30 - Round 5: Questions
1:31:17 - Round 5: Answers
1:34:11 - What is Davey looking forward to over x-mas?
1:35:33 - Quiz-mas is over - How did we all do?
1:38:07 - A tease for our 1st birthday in March 2023
1:39:19  - TURN 3 - The Final Turn

You can check out JP's new podcast called Just Play right here https://www.justplaypod.co.uk we'd love to have you and also on the new YouTube channel https://www.youtube.com/@JustPlayPodcast

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---AUDIO DISCLAIMER--- Apologies for the audio quality not being as up to scratch on this episode, we've cleaned it up as much as possible. 

As Rob continues he swears he's not being first player again but still comes back for more, however he brings us a discussion into LCG's (Living Card Games), what they are and what the group enjoys.

FIRST PLAYER: Rob
OTHER PLAYERS: Davey, Tambo & Kerley

OVERVIEW
In this weeks episode, Rob is pushing to the end of his episode run and chats with the group about LCG's (Living Card Games) and their experiences in how they've led to some great game experiences.  In this episode you'll learn:
- that Davey can't say Teotihuacan properly
- how "ahem" deep various group members are in Marvel Champions 
- Rob gains great pleasure in destroying his daughter in his latest game of Villainous
- A good discussion on the differences between LCG's vs TCG's
- A run through of Arkham Horror, Marvel Champions and Lord of the Rings LCG's

LINKS REFERENCED IN THE SHOW
Please check out our BoardGameGeek page and become a fan and subscribe to be notified on when our next episode lands.

EPISODE CHAPTERS
0:00 - A small audio quality disclaimer
0:19 - TURN 1 - Player Count
6:25 - TURN 2 - Let's Talk About Hex
6:41 - Tambo Talisman Batman Super Villains Edition
10:16 - Kerley - Viticulture
13:31 - Davey - Teotihuacan
16:21 - Rob - Villainous
18:54 - TURN 3 - Just hit the east side of the LCG...
19:18 - Arkham Horror LCG
23:36 - What is an LCG?
24:45 - Marvel Champions LCG
33:49 - Lord of the Rings LCG
43:47 - The comparison to TCG's
52:30 - TURN 4 - Question Time: What Fantasy Flight Game should I own?
58:31 - TURN 5 - The Penultimate Turn: What's Coming Up?
58:56 - Kerley - Heroes of Might & Magic III & Mosaic
1:01:02 - Davey - Viva Lacerda
1:02:50 - Tambo - ISS Vanguard & Wolverine Deck
1:03:51 - Rob - Journeys of Middle Earth
1:06:52 - TURN 6 - The Final Turn

You can check out JP's new podcast called Just Play right here https://www.justplaypod.co.uk we'd love to have you and also on the new YouTube channel https://www.youtube.com/@JustPlayPodcast

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We've got another guest on the show and this time it's the designer of Zuuli, Chris Priscott from Unfringed.  Chris joins us to chat through the genesis of Zuuli and also game design in general.
 
GUEST PLAYER: Chris Priscott from Unfringed.co
THE PLAYERS: JP & Becky
 
OVERVIEW
In this Expansion Pack episode JP & Becky meet Chris Priscott the designer of Zuuli to talk about how his design began, whats coming up and who Chris the gamer is.  In this episode you'll learn:
- How Becky would have elbowed the other players out of the way to be on this episode (spoiler alert - she's a big fan)
- What happens to the animals in Zuuli when you can't fit them in your zoo
- What's up next for Zuuli fans
- more about Chris' niche number 1 answers
- that Resident Evil from the 90s has a strong pull for conversation

LINKS REFERENCED IN THE SHOW
Check out more on Chris and Unfringed below
- Website - https://unfringed.co
- Zuuli - https://unfringed.co/zuuli/

You can learn more about Chris on his socials:
Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/unfringedthings/
Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/UnfringedThings

EPISODE CHAPTERS
0:00 - TURN 1 - Player Count
1:07 - TURN 2 - Introducing Chris Priscott
3:29 - What is Chris' favourite game?
6:01 - What games does Chris enjoy right now?
9:19 - TURN 3 - Main Interview
9:42 - What was the genesis of Unfringed?
13:40 - Was your background in software engineering helpful with the process?
15:12 - What was the most surprising thing in the process in getting Zuuli out to market? 
16:48 - Having played Zuuli, what happens to the animals that don't fit in the zoo?
17:58 - What is Zuuli?

22:09 - What's it been like going through crowdfunding and getting the response you have? 
26:50 - How deliberate was the child friendly art style?
30:34 - What expert tips can you give Becky to help beat her husband (Kerley) at the game?
33:26 - Will you cover on socials fan made cards & animals?
36:23 - Listeners Questions - What's next from the Zuuliverse?
41:06 - Are you working on anything outside of the Zuuliverse right now?
42:48 - Listeners Questions - How did you find the blind draft when we switched playing with an open draft?
45:45 - Listeners Questions - Do you feel the success of Zuuli puts more pressure on you? 
47:47 - Chris' Niche Number 1's - Favourite game you've bought on a whim?
49:45 - Chris' Niche Number 1's - Favourite game that you don't own?
50:34 - Chris' Niche Number 1's - Favourite game with the most useless component?
54:42 - TURN 4 - Planning Your Turn - What's coming up for our guest
1:02:52 - Thanking Chris
1:04:00 - TURN 5 - The Final Turn

You can check out JP's new podcast called Just Play right here https://www.justplaypod.co.uk we'd love to have you and also on the new YouTube channel https://www.youtube.com/@JustPlayPodcast

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As Rob warms up as first player we bring you back another round of Niche Number 1's and we've got a brand new set of obscure and thinky questions.

FIRST PLAYER: Rob
OTHER PLAYERS: Becky, Kerley & Adrian

OVERVIEW
In this weeks episode, Rob continues the torch of Niche Number 1's which we started all those episodes ago and poses a brand new set of questions to the group.  In this episode you'll learn:

- Rob's thoughts on GRIDCON as he missed out on the expansion pack episode
- that not all heroes wear capes when Rob loses the tiniest boardgame component at a convention
- our group's first thoughts on ISS Vanguard as the Vanguardians of the Galaxy begin their space exploration
- which game is our favourite but we don't know why?
- what our favourite games are that never hit the table,
- which of the games we got rid of we regretted the most,
- our favourite game to lure non-gamers into the hobby,
- the game we were reluctant to play because of the box art that is now a favourite,
- what our favourite games are that puts us in a state of zen,
- our thoughts on a listener's question about Kickstarter regret and some of our thoughts on that subject.

LINKS REFERENCED IN THE SHOW
Check out our GRIDCON episode to learn more about the conversion - Click here to listen

EPISODE CHAPTERS
0:00 - TURN 1 - Player Count
2:08 - TURN 2 - Let's Talk About Hex
2:22 - Becky - Astra
3:26 - Adrian - 3D Printing
5:20 - Kerley - ISS Vanguard
6:57 - Rob - Fort
9:16 - TURN 3 - Niche Number 1's - Round 3
10:02 - Favourite game you like but you don't know why
17:13 - Favourite game you never get to the table
26:40 - Favourite game you got rid off and wish you hadn't
36:16 - Favourite game to lure non gamers into the hobby
44:50 - Favourite game you were reluctant to play because of the box art
53:36 - Favourite game that puts you in the state of zen
1:03:01 - TURN 4 - Question Time: What kickstarters have you regretted not backing when you see copies arriving
1:12:09 - TURN 5 - The Penultimate Turn: What's Coming Up?
1:12:26 - Becky - Everdell Big Box
1:13:37 - Adrian - A lot of Lacerda & Spirit Island
1:14:29 - Kerley - More ISS Vanguard
1:15:01 - Rob - Building his Lego Ecto 1 & Black Panther 2
1:16:21 - TURN 6 - The Final Turn

You can check out JP's new podcast called Just Play right here https://www.justplaypod.co.uk we'd love to have you and also on the new YouTube channel https://www.youtube.com/@JustPlayPodcast

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Essen has been and gone but we've got to play many of the hot new releases at GRIDCON 3, a Gaming Rules run convention primarily focused on the playing of games rather than the commercial presence.  We have a jam-packed expansion pack episode for you!!!

FIRST PLAYER: N/A
OTHER PLAYERS: Adrian, JP, Davey & Kerley

OVERVIEW
In this week's expansion pack, the group get together to chat about their experiences at GRIDCON 3. The convention based in the South West UK ran by Gaming Rules! In this episode you'll learn:

- Which games we've managed to play on each day and our initial thoughts
- That Lacrimosa could do with a "Simply Red" expansion
- What everyone's "Game of the Weekend" was
- that even the fry up gets a review
- how to navigate the bring & buy just like TKMaxx
- how personal GRIDCON feels to attend (spoiler it's awesome)

LINKS REFERENCED IN THE SHOW
What is GRIDCON?
Paul Grogan's Gridcon 3 Wrap Up Video
Gaming Rules Youtube Channel

EPISODE CHAPTERS
0:00 - TURN 1 - Player Count
2:20 - TURN 2 - What is GRIDCON 3?
4:49 - DAY 1 - FRIDAY
5:00 - The Great Wall
8:24 - Astra
13:20 - Space Base
14:02 - It's a Wonderful Kingdom
16:48 - Marvel United
18:09 - An aside on social anxiety at conventions
22:05 - Starship Captains
27:52 - DAY 2 - SATURDAY
28:10 - Lacrimosa
37:05 - Furnace
42:10 - Northgard
46:53 - Gugong
47:25 - The Gallerist
52:12 - Deal with the Devil
1:01:36 - Hoplomachus Remastered
1:08:45 - DAY 3 - SUNDAY
1:09:46 - Golem
1:16:30 - A quick note about the food
1:17:55 - Terraforming Mars
1:19:06 - Castles of Burgundy
1:23:13 - The epic raffle draw!!!
1:28:00 - Revive
1:43:22 - Bring & Buy experiences
1:47:25 - Signing off from GRIDCON
1:53:14 - TURN 3 - The Final Turn

You can check out JP's new podcast called Just Play right here https://www.justplaypod.co.uk we'd love to have you and also on the new YouTube channel https://www.youtube.com/@JustPlayPodcast

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It's a new episode and a new first player with Rob stepping up to the mic to talk about his favourite publisher "Fantasy Flight Games" and to discuss why some of the group have gone through their honeymoon period with FFG

FIRST PLAYER: Rob
OTHER PLAYERS: Adrian, JP, Chris

OVERVIEW
In this weeks episode, Rob takes the mic and debuts his first episode as first player to chat about his favourite publisher and why they aren't other peoples favourites anymore.  In this episode you'll learn

- Adrian has finally completed Pandemic Legacy Season 1 (no spoilers)
- Chris is needing some players to stop his partner from "having" to play Marvel Champions
- JP declares his love for Vital Lacerda as he enters the "Lacerdaverse"
- Rob introduces why FFG are his favourite publisher and the group discuss their varying opinions on the publisher
- What is the best board game snacks and drinks at game night, find out in our question segment

LINKS REFERENCED IN THE SHOW
"He Who Fights With Monsters" as referenced by Rob at the end of the episode - Click here to review the audible link

EPISODE CHAPTERS
0:00 - TURN 1 - Player Count
2:32 - TURN 2 - Let's Talk About Hex
2:47 - Adrian - Pandemic Legacy Season 1
8:08 - Chris - Bloodborne The Card Game
12:50 - JP - On Mars
19:18 - Rob - Marvel Champions
20:58 - TURN 3 - Fantasy Flight Games
22:57 - Some of our experiences of FFG
29:04 - The FFG honeymoon period
32:00 - FFG holds a lot of IP's to get new gamers into the hobby
36:05 - There's an opinion that FFG seems to be less exciting for seasoned gamers
42:42 - Are FFG like a comfy pair of slippers?
44:28 - The Keyforge bubble
48:07- Adrian's Star Wars Destiny revival
51:13 - There's so many games Rob's loved playing and introducing people to
52:50 - What do we hope for FFG in the future?
58:38 - The FFG expansion effect
59:39 - TURN 4 - Question Time: What are our boardgame snacks and drinks of choice?
1:07:59 - TURN 5 - The Penultimate Turn: What's Coming Up?
1:08:15 - Chris - Fury of Dracula
1:09:27 - Adrian - GRIDCON, Space Base & Castes of Burgundy
1:12:38 - JP - ISS Vanguard
1:15:28 - Rob - New book series (He Who Fights With Monsters)
1:17:36 - TURN 6 - The Final Turn

You can check out JP's new podcast called Just Play right here https://www.justplaypod.co.uk we'd love to have you and also on the new YouTube channel https://www.youtube.com/@JustPlayPodcast

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As Becky prepares to step down from the First Player throne she's devoted an episode to one of her favourite games Battlestar Galactica / Unfathomable to chat through cylons, hybrids and frakking backstabbing gameplay

FIRST PLAYER: Becky
OTHER PLAYERS: Rob, Kris & Tambo (JP managed to sneak in for 5 mins)

OVERVIEW
In this week's episode, we discuss both Battlestar Galactica (BSG) and Unfathomable and talk about why they are firm favourites on our tables.  In this episode you'll learn

- Kris makes a return to the pod since his debut in Episode 1
- More about one of the hot Essen releases Lacrimosa as JP has had a chance to try this out.
- Kris has been playing mainly with himself...solo Scythe of course
- Becky has saved Ian from exile of the podcast by getting a game of Ark Nova
- We finally reveal how Kris has a reputation in setting games up wrong, especially in BSG
- A few of the group have been dabbling in crowdfunding with small expansions up to gaming tables
- Rob is handed the baton for the next round of episodes

LINKS REFERENCED IN THE SHOW
N/A

EPISODE CHAPTERS
0:00 - TURN 1 - Player Count
1:23 - TURN 2 - Let's Talk About Hex
1:35 - Rob - Too Many Bones
3:38 - Kris - Solo Scythe
6:01 - Tambo - Apollo
7:51 - Becky - Ark Nova
10:50 - JP - Lacrimosa
16:25 - Turn 3 - Main Event - Battlestar Galactica & Unfathomable
18:15 - Initial impressions from the group
20:40 - Kris' Italian Job
22:37 - Kris is notorious for setting up games wrong
25:41 - The variations of characters & abilities
27:15 - The aesthetics of both games
31:39 - It might not be for everyone
35:30 - Do we think you should buy Unfathomable if you own BSG?
41:18 - What would we change about the revamp?
42:40 - TURN 4 - Question Time: What is your single most influence in getting into the hobby and what keeps us coming back?
52:22 - TURN 5 - The Penultimate Turn: What's Coming Up?
52:36 - Becky - Astra & Zuuli Expansion
54:10 - Tambo - New Ironside Gaming Table
56:37 - Kris - Civilization 2010, Dog Park and Surfing
58:26 - Rob - All hail King Rob the new first player
59:04 - TURN 6 - The Final Turn

You can check out JP's new podcast called Just Play right here https://www.justplaypod.co.uk we'd love to have you and also on the new YouTube channel https://www.youtube.com/@JustPlayPodcast

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Some people love teaching board games, some people don't and Becky falls into the latter. In this episode we chat all about the teach, how important it is, and some of the perspectives of the teachers and the players.

FIRST PLAYER: Becky
OTHER PLAYERS: JP, Adrian & Ian

OVERVIEW
In this week's episode, we discuss the part of the game, which is some people's favourite part of gaming, and some people's nightmares; "The Teach".  In this episode you'll learn:

- What do you get when you combine the classic game Snake with a Euro?
- Becky's excitement in getting her hands on Zuuli
- Ian is on strike two for appearing on a board gaming podcast, having not played a game in quite a while.
- Whether the responsibility of learning a game is on the teacher or the student.
- Some of our experiences in teaching and being taught
- That GRIDCON 2022 is approaching and is literally on our doorstep.

LINKS REFERENCED IN THE SHOW
Teaching Games by Paul Grogan (Gaming Rules) - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RI_PXDsNu5Y
How to teach games like a pro by Shut Up & Sit Down - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=P5fjDaFuft8

EPISODE CHAPTERS
0:00 - TURN 1 - Player Count
1:21 - TURN 2 - Let's Talk About Hex
1:32 - JP - Istanbul
6:26 - Adrian - Carnegie
13:24 - Becky - Zuuli
16:53 - Ian - Still hasn't played anything - Strike 2!!
20:47 - TURN 3 - Teaching the Teach
22:47 - Is the responsibility on the learner or the teacher?
29:02 - The player types influence the teach
34:07 - The teach isn't just the first few minutes
37:49 - What about playing learning games or learning rounds
41:30 - It's the hosts responsibility to support new players
44:27 - What resources do we use to support learning games?
47:32 - How can we get new players to accept the first play is a learning game?
48:47 - As a teacher don't quarterback new players
51:51 - Be mindful that it's daunting for new players when they are the only one that doesn't
know the game
53:15 - What do you find annoying when teaching games?
57:34 - Some helpful resources to help you improve your teach
58:30 - TURN 4 - Question Time: Is box art important & aesthetics vs gameplay
1:05:20 - TURN 5 - The Penultimate Turn: What's Coming Up?
1:05:32 - Becky - GRIDCON 2022
1:08:41 - Ian - Netrunner & Ark Nova
1:09:44 - JP - We need to talk about Riffle
1:12:09 - Adrian - Viticulture Tuscany Expansion
1:13:59 - TURN 6 - The Final Turn

You can check out JP's new podcast called Just Play right here https://www.justplaypod.co.uk we'd love to have you and also on the new YouTube channel https://www.youtube.com/@JustPlayPodcast

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Shhhhhh don't tell anyone but we've crawled through the archives up to Episode 6 and created our first volume of a short series of episodes called "Can I Get a Rewind" containing all of our NSFW cock-ups, mistakes and deleted bits from the show.

THE PLAYERS: JP, Kerley, Rob, Becky, Davey, Adrian, Ian & Kris
 
OVERVIEW
In this Expansion Pack episode we've collated our first round of bloopers, deleted bits and definite NSFW cock-ups for your listening pleasure.  A couple of disclaimers:

1) The language gets quite salty
2) There is a jump on audio quality because we've clipped our older episodes which suffered from "well" JP's microphone balls up

In this episode you'll learn...nothing really but you can laugh at our expense

LINKS REFERENCED IN THE SHOW
N/A

EPISODE CHAPTERS
N/A

You can check out JP's new podcast called Just Play right here https://www.justplaypod.co.uk we'd love to have you and also on the new YouTube channel https://www.youtube.com/@JustPlayPodcast

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