Whose Turn Is It Anyway?

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Becky returns for another deep dive discussion all about games which stand the test of time and keep us coming back for more, and why that's the case.

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

OVERVIEW
This week's episode is all about games which stand the test of time. Whether they already have, or in our opinion, are still going to be going strong in 10 years. We talk about some of our favourites that fit this category and, more importantly, why that's the case.  In this episode you'll learn:

- How you can't build industry without sausages in a game of Anno 1800.
- Kerley's excitement of retelling the epic moments of nuking Davey in Civilization 2010 edition.
- That Ian still hasn't played much, and really should sort this out if he wants to continue the podcast.
- What makes games call us back for more.
- What are some of our favourite games that stand the test of time and why
- Why do some of us crowdfund and some of us don't, in the question of the week

LINKS REFERENCED IN THE SHOW
N/A

EPISODE CHAPTERS
0:00 - TURN 1 - Player Count
2:05 - TURN 2 - Let's Talk About Hex
2:21 - JP - Anno 1800
7:41 - Kerley - Civilization 2010
13:46 - Becky - Bärenpark
18:16 - Ian - Dreaming about playing Netrunner
22:56 - TURN 3 - Games that stand the test of time
23:35 - What do we think makes games that want to call you back time and time again?
30:04 - The retention of rules helps games to have that status of standing the test of time
34:17 - Group consistency supports games to stand the test of time
36:58 - What other games do we personally feel stand the test of time?
52:12 - TURN 4 - Question Time: Do we routinely back crowdfunding projects and if not, why not?
1:04:05 - TURN 5 - The Penultimate Turn: What's Coming Up?
1:04:17 - JP - Inis
1:06:39 - Kerley - Northgard & Carnegie
1:08:56 - Ian - Netrunner & Ark Nova
1:10:33 - Becky - Astra
1:13:41 - 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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Becky takes to the mic as our new "First Player" to chat about playing games together on the same team (well sometimes).

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

OVERVIEW
Becky steals the first player token from Davey to start her run of episodes and focusing on co-operative gaming and it's various forms.  In this episode you'll learn:

- Becky nearly walking away from Spirit Island but having a redeeming game where it finally clicked has saved the day
- Adrian playing the "NEW" Sabika at Gaming Rules HQ and telling us his thoughts on the game
- the various experiences of co-op gaming within the group, why they enjoy it, some problems with it and much more
- how the group would survive on a desert island, who's a cannibal and oh and what games they would play
- about Tambo's accidental mulligan in Perseverance Chronicle Mode which he's pleased about

LINKS REFERENCED IN THE SHOW
N/A

EPISODE CHAPTERS
0:00 - TURN 1 - Player Count
0:59 - TURN 2 - Let's Talk About Hex
1:10 - Tambo - Codenames
3:35 - Adrian - Sabika (NEW)
9:29 - Rob - Marvel Champions
13:13 - Becky - Spirit Island
15:06 - TURN 3 - Main Event - I get by with a little help from my friends (co-op gaming)
15:25 - The various categories of co-op gaming
16:04 - Gloomhaven
16:42 - Mansions of Madness
17:46 - Pandemic
25:19 - Spirit Island
29:22 - Do we think it changes the dynamics of the group in co-ops?
33:43 - The backstabbing of semi co-ops
36:05 - The ups and downs of being the traitor / villain
42:58 - The negatives of co-ops
52:17 - Do we think there will be more innovation in co-op games?
56:17 - TURN 4 - Question Time: What are our desert island games?
1:02:28 - TURN 5 - The Penultimate Turn: What's Coming Up?
1:02:49 - Rob - Star Wars Outer Rim
1:04:44 - Adrian - The War Room Teaser - Chinese flag stickers have turned up
1:07:33 - Tambo - Perseverance Chronicle Mode Game 2
1:09:34 - Becky - Zuuli
1:13:10 - 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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Davey returns all alive and well to complete his run of episodes as "First Player" to talk about one of his favourite genres in boardgaming "Dungeon Crawlers".

FIRST PLAYER: Davey
OTHER PLAYERS: Rob & Chris (New Player)

OVERVIEW
Davey is joined by Rob and a new player to the podcast Chris (no not Kris with the K but Chris with the C), to chat through their experiences with dungeon crawler co-op games and why they love them so much.  In this episode you'll learn:

- All about our new player to the pod "Chris" and how he relishes co-op games and the occasional turn at being evil
- Rob is pushing Carrooka onto everyone he sees and now his mum has taken over the board
- Davey provides the shortest description of Anno 1800
- about the differences in the Descent (Journeys & Legend)
- how the group have experienced a range of dungeon crawlers but there's still a lot left to try
- about "coffeegate" and "pizzagate" when we mix food / drink with board games
- and finally who will be taking over as the next "first player" for Episodes 13-16

LINKS REFERENCED IN THE SHOW
https://carrooka.com/

EPISODE CHAPTERS
0:00 - TURN 1 - Player Count
0:39 - Welcoming Chris
1:51 - TURN 2 - Let's Talk About Hex
2:01 - Davey - Anno 1800
2:29 - Rob - Carrooka
7:05 - Chris - Gloomhaven
9:14 - TURN 3 - The Descent into Dungeon Crawlers
9:22 - Introducing Descent
13:51 - Differences in managing a character to now a roster
16:55 - The model quality is fantastic in Legends
18:34 - What are the major differences between Journeys & Legends?
21:49 - The set-up & tare down in the older versions is noticable
22:39 - What draws us to Dungeon Crawlers?
30:32 - An aside with Imperial Assault
35:43 - Zombies are hard to kill, unless they are in Zombicide
40:34 - Our apprehension with Darkest Dungeon
43:35 - What was our first Dungeon Crawler experience?
46:06 - Our favourite moments playing Dungeon Crawlers
50:46 - TURN 4 - Question Time: What is our rules around food & drink at the table?
1:00:06 - TURN 5 - The Penultimate Turn: What's Coming Up?
1:00:21 - Rob - Top Gun Maverick & House of the Dragon
1:03:07 - Chris - She-Hulk & Bloodborne The Card Game
1:06:12 - Davey - Horus Heresy 30k, Barrage & Rurik
1:08:25 - 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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Our expansion packs return with Adam Richards from Punchboard talking all about his love for the hobby, the importance of written media in board gaming and his passion behind why he set-up his website Punchboard.

GUEST PLAYER: Adam Richards from Punchboard
THE PLAYERS: JP
 
OVERVIEW
In this Expansion Pack episode JP flies solo and meets Adam Richards from Punchboard to talk about his love for playing, writing and reviewing games in our fantastic hobby of ours

In this episode you'll learn:

- What Adams favourite games are at the moment
- How Punchboard began
- The importance of writing about how games make you feel in reviews
- how solo gaming supports mental health
- how Adam fairs at a few of our Niche Number 1's from Round 1

LINKS REFERENCED IN THE SHOW
Check out Punchboard and Adam's highlighted written work
- Website - https://punchboard.co.uk/
- Solo Board Gaming Article - https://punchboard.co.uk/why-not-just-play-a-video-game/
- Nemo's War - https://punchboard.co.uk/review-nemos-war-2nd-edition/
- Gandhi GMT Review- https://punchboard.co.uk/gandhi-gmt-games-review/

You can learn more about Adam on his socials:
Twitter - https://twitter.com/PunchboardUK
Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/punchboarduk/
Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/punchboard

Space Biff - Adam mentions a great review site from Dan Thurot, check it out here - https://spacebiff.com/

EPISODE CHAPTERS
0:00 - TURN 1 - Player Count
0:49 - TURN 2 - Welcoming Our Guest Player
2:56 - What brought Adam to tabletop gaming?
5:09 - What kind of games do you tend to enjoy?
6:41 - What are your favourite games?
8:02 - What's been hitting the table a lot recently for you?
11:06 - TURN 3 - Main Interview
11:16 - What was your motivation behind Punchboard?
15:47 - The importance of writing about how it makes you feel
17:59 - Writing about the industry and mental health
23:10 - Do you get support from publishers to cover their games?
28:15 - Is there a favourite piece of content?
32:41 - Has there been any games you've reviewed that surprised you?
37:28 - Do you test review games with a group or club?
39:29 - Adam's Niche Number 1's
40:30 - Favourite game under £20
44:53 - Favourite games to play at 2 players that also plays at 5
46:40 - Favourite game you're getting rid of
53:28 - TURN 4 - Planning Your Turn - What's coming up for our guest
57:49 - Thanking Adam
58:40 - 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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Wait a minute where's Davey!!!! JP stands in as Davey is feeling under the weather to continue this episode with the exciting return of Niche Number 1's.  Yes they're back for another round.

FIRST PLAYER: Davey (well JP's covering)
OTHER PLAYERS: Adrian & Kerley

OVERVIEW
Niche Number 1's are back and we're here to talk through another round of obscure categories and what games we link to those categories, these include favourite game with no VP's, favourite game you bought on a whim, favourite game you hated on your first play but then liked and much much more.  In this episode you'll learn:

- Adrian has been dabbling in a bit of Raiders of the North Sea for more viking fun and games
- Kerley has indoctrinated one of his overseas friend into the hobby in the space of a week
- JP has been caused serious amounts of net damage from Jinteki servers in Netrunner (yes it's a thing)
- The team run through six new Niche Number ones
- And why won't anyone make a board game version of Dizzy The Egg? Surely a missed opportunity here

LINKS REFERENCED IN THE SHOW
N/A

EPISODE CHAPTERS
0:00 - TURN 1 - Player Count
2:26 - TURN 2 - Let's Talk About Hex
2:38 - Adrian - Raiders of the North Sea
8:24 - Kerley - Gugong
13:50 - JP - Netrunner
19:33 - TURN 3 - Main Event - Niche Number 1's - Round 2
21:03 - What's your favourite game that doesn't have VP's?
26:52 - What's your favourite game that you don't own?
34:39 - What's your favourite game that you hated on your first play then liked?
42:45 - What's your favourite game that you've bought on a whim?
47:22 - What's your favourite game without an available expansion?
51:38 - What's your favourite game that has the most useless component?
56:39 - TURN 4 - Question Time: As we get deeper in the hobby do we find ourselves getting more snobby / elitist?
1:05:49 - TURN 5 - The Penultimate Turn: What's Coming Up?
1:06:09 - Adrian - Board gaming birthdays
1:07:03 - Kerley - Kickstarter Releases (Northgard & Europa Universalis)
1:07:58 - JP - Hoplomachus Victorum & Perseverance Chronicle Mode
1:09:39 - 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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Our first player Davey returns and we're going in heavy, well it's difficult to not when you've devoted an episode around one of our favourite publishers "Mindclash Games".

FIRST PLAYER: Davey
OTHER PLAYERS: JP & Kerley

OVERVIEW
In this episode our new "First Player" Davey takes us around the world in complex, heavy cardboard that is Mindclash Games.  In this episode you'll learn:

- How Beckys recent purchase of Spirit Island is fast becoming a firm favourite in the Kerley household
- That JP loves role playing the captain in Unfathomable a bit too much, "Throw him in the brig"
- that Davey is finally getting his copy of Clank! Legacy to the table
- How we rank the main 4 games from Mindclash (Cerebria, Anachrony, Trickerion and Perseverance)
- how we "try" to answer the question of why do we buy board games and not play them

LINKS REFERENCED IN THE SHOW
N/A

EPISODE CHAPTERS
0:00 - TURN 1 - Player Count
1:55 - TURN 2 - Let's Talk About Hex
2:10 - Kerley - Spirit Island
6:49 - JP - Unfathomable
11:47 - Davey - Clank Legacy
15:06 - TURN 3 - Main Event - Mindclash of the Titans
15:16 - Cerebria
18:04 - It's full of terminology
19:38 - It's not going to be for everyone
22:57 - It's one of the most unique games & themes
24:08 - Anachrony
28:17 - Two worker placement areas
30:58 - Fractures of Time expansion
33:11 - Variability & first time players
36:02 - Perseverance
37:56 - Episode 1
39:16 - Episode 2
41:01 - Chronicle Mode
42:06 - Trickerion
45:35 - It's climbing to be one of our favourites
46:22 - Ensuring the trick lifecycle is understood
49:19 - How do we rank the games of Mindclash Games?
51:52 - What is Mindclash Games' DNA?
53:47 - What's coming up next from Mindclash? Septima & Voidfall
58:28 - TURN 4 - Question Time: Why do I buy games and not play them?
1:02:54 - TURN 5 - The Penultimate Turn: What's Coming Up?
1:03:07 - Davey - The Boys & Barrage
1:04:32 - Kerley - Rediscovering Heroes of Might & Magic & On Mars
1:07:21 - JP - Viva La France & Twilight Imperium
1:09:41 - 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 Episode 9 and there is a new first player in town!!! Davey takes the token and dedicates an episode all about the conversion of video games into tabletop board games.  Are they generally good, bad or ugly, lets find out.

FIRST PLAYER: Davey
OTHER PLAYERS: JP & Tambo

OVERVIEW
In this episode our new "First Player" Davey takes control of the show to talk all about the development of video games into board games.  The bleep machine is on standby.  In this episode you'll learn:

- Will JP ever stop buying Chip Theory Games, I think we know the answer
- About how Tambo got shanked on his last turn in Nemesis Lockdown
- What games we think have had good conversions from the video game world
- Which video games adaptations we own in our collection
- What other IP's have translated across
- About our biggest board game surprise and disappointments

LINKS REFERENCED IN THE SHOW
N/A

EPISODE CHAPTERS
0:00 - TURN 1 - Player Count
1:37 - An update from our sponsors (well JP)
3:27 - TURN 2 - Let's Talk About Hex
4:07 - JP - Burncycle
9:22 - Tambo Nemesis Lockdown
14:36 - Davey - Bitoku
17:43 - TURN 3 - The Cardboard Arcade
20:41 - Boardgames are more accessible now
23:04 - Good conversions - Civilization
26:02 - Good conversions - Doom
28:05 - Not so good conversions - Fallout
31:01 - Big IP's coming - Cyberpunk: Gangs of Night City
36:13 - Big IP's coming - Darkest Dungeon
39:23 - What video game adaptations do we own?
44:36 - What other notable mentions of games are there?
48:32 - They are crossing over more and more
49:56 - TURN 4 - Question Time: Biggest surprise & disappointment
57:02 - TURN 5 - The Penultimate Turn: What's Coming Up?
57:22 - Davey - Barrage
58:55 - Tambo - Perseverance Chronicle Mode
1:00:23 - JP - Kanban EV
1:02:02 - 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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Adrian completes his run of episodes before being usurped by Davey.  This episode focuses on Wingspan published by Stonemaier Games, but also comes with a warning to not eat those Wingspan eggs.  They are not "Mini Eggs".

FIRST PLAYER: Adrian
OTHER PLAYERS: Becky & Tambo

OVERVIEW
In this episode "First Player" Adrian is joined by players Becky & also our new player to the show "Tambo" to talk about Wingspan published by Stonemaier Games and designed by Elizabeth Hargrave.  We learn more about our new player Tambo, how he got into the hobby, and why Wingspan is a firm favourite in the gaming group.  In this episode you'll learn:

- What Tambo's favourite games are at the moment and how he earned his reputation of being a board gamer you can't trust
- Becky is finally getting through her UKGE haul and gets Takenoko to the table, a game where pandas eat baboons....or is that bamboo.
- An overview of wingspan and why the group enjoy the game and how it's a staple in many collections.
- Adrian's excitement for some purchases which are on the way with Marvel United X-Men, Suburbia expansions and the Village Big Box announcement.

LINKS REFERENCED IN THE SHOW
To learn more about Wingspan and it's expansions check out Stonemaier Games website - https://stonemaiergames.com/games/wingspan/
Also their new announcement on Wingspan Asia
https://stonemaiergames.com/games/wingspan/wingspan-asia/

EPISODE CHAPTERS
0:00 - TURN 1 - Player Count
0:50 - Introducing Tambo
2:02 - What's Tambo's favourite game?
3:39 - What games Tambo is enjoying right now?
5:22 - TURN 2 - Let's Talk About Hex
5:37 - Becky - Takenoko
8:01 - Tambo - Outer Rim with Unfinished Business
11:34 - Adrian - Concordia
17:19 - TURN 3 - Main Event: Wingspan
21:06 - The mechanics of Wingspan
34:55 - What do we like about the game?
40:28 - Expansions for Wingspan (European, Oceania)
47:33 - TURN 4 - Question Time: How do you choose what games to buy when there are so many?
57:53 - TURN 5 - The Penultimate Turn: What's Coming Up?
58:05 - Tambo - Terraforming Mars & HeroQuest
59:11 - Becky - Unfathomable & Lords of Waterdeep
1:00:03 - Adrian - Marvel United X-Men, Suburbia Expansion & Village Big Box
1:03:48 - 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 know, we know!!! This week should be Episode 8 however we've had to juggle the schedule a little bit to get another timely expansion pack episode out.  This week we are focusing on the fantastic charity event "The 24 Hour Board Game Marathon" where we interview the lead organiser "Dan Apsey"

 GUEST PLAYER: Dan Apsey from the 24 Hour Board Game Marathon
 THE PLAYERS: JP & Kerley
 
 OVERVIEW
In this Expansion Pack episode JP & Kerley catch up with Dan Apsey the lead organiser for the 24 Hour Board Game Marathon which is a gaming endurance event to support and raise money for the fantastic charity "Cots for Tots".  In this episode you'll learn:

- More about the upcoming event, what it's about, how it works
- about some stories from previous events
- more about Dan the gamer and his tastes in games
- How Dan & Kerley become besties...
-...then not (shortest bromance ever)

LINKS REFERENCED IN THE SHOW
For more information and tickets for the show - https://www.the24hourboardgamemarathon.co.uk/

If you want to support this cause but can't attend then check out their JustGiving page
https://www.justgiving.com/fundraising/the24hourboardgamemarathon2022

For more information about the Cots for Tots charity
https://www.grandappeal.org.uk/the-grand-appeal/

EPISODE CHAPTERS
0:00 - TURN 1 - Player Count
1:14 - TURN 2 - Welcoming Our Guest Player
2:13 - What's Dan's favourite game?
4:42 - What games is Dan enjoying right now?
7:27 - TURN 3 - Main Interview
10:09 - A side step in how to break Kerley at 4am
13:14 - Getting back to the event & details
16:01 - Places to chill & relax
17:30 - Getting past the COVID disruption
20:34 - Guidance for those who might be apprehensive about the event
21:42 - Boarding is like a religion
22:10 - More about the environment of the event
23:47 - Funny stories from previous events
26:39 - Sustenance to keep you going
27:19 - Ticket details
28:01 - Dan the gamer and inside his mind palace
32:44 - Have you found that you've left videos games behind?
36:45 - Dan's opinions of co-op games
41:04 - App driven games
41:58 - Dan's Niche Number 1 - Favourite game you're getting rid of
45:00 - Dan's Niche Number 1 - Favourite game that needs upgrading
47:41 - Dan's Niche Number 1 - Favourite game under £20
51:02 - TURN 4 - Planning Your Turn - What's coming up for our guest
53:02 - 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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We're really cranking out some expansion packs lately and we have another belter for you.  In this episode we interview Jackson Pope and Paul Wilcox from Eurydice Games the designers, publishers and manufacturers of FlickFleet.

GUEST PLAYER: Jackson Pope & Paul Willcox from Eurydice Games
THE PLAYERS: Davey & Ian
 
 OVERVIEW
In this Expansion Pack episode we get our very first games designer, publisher and manufacturer all rolled in one into the show.   Davey & Ian learn all about Jack & Pauls genesis of Eurydice Games and their popular two player (soon to be four player) dexterity game FlickFleet.  In this episode you'll learn:

- What games Jack & Paul play when they aren't playing FlickFleet
- What backers can expect from Xeno Wars, the new standalone expansion which introduces the Hive and Storm as alien races into the mix
- How FlickFleet began with wooden food shapes "Launch the lettuce!!!"
- How Paul found out that laser cutting and starting fires is all too easy to do
- Will Paul be able to use his daughter’s bedroom as additional storage for the Gamefound campaign which is live right now? 

LINKS REFERENCED IN THE SHOW
You can already purchase a copy of Flickfleet core game from Eurydice Games website - https://www.eurydicegames.co.uk/

Check out FlickFleet Xeno Wars on Gamefound RIGHT NOW!!! - https://gamefound.com/projects/eurydice-games-ltd/flickfleet-xeno-wars

EPISODE CHAPTERS
0:00 - TURN 1 - Player Count
1:29 - TURN 2 - Introducing Jackson Pope & Paul Wilcox
4:02 - What were your favourite games to play?
5:23 - How was Eurydice Games created?
7:15 - Why the transition from Kickstarter to Gamefound?
8:45 - A reflection on self publishing and manufacturing
10:42 - Talking about Xeno Wars the new expansion for FlickFleet
13:55 - What was the genesis of the idea of FlickFleet?
17:58 - What was the decision to self publish & manufacture?
22:38 - Why is there no lore in FlickFleet?
25:22 - What have been your pitfalls in doing this yourselves?
30:03 - What would you change if you could?
36:08 - What was the inspiration behind the box art?
39:12 - Are you looking to grow the Eurydice Games team?
42:43 - What advice do you have for other self publishers & manufacturers?
49:46 - What's coming up in the Gamefound campaign?
51:49 - What are your favourite mechanics of FlickFleet so far?
59:47 - What's your favourite boardgames outside of FlickFleet?
1:03:30 - 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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