Meeple Nation Board Game Podcast

We talk everything Pandemic including:

Pandemic 2008

  • On the brink 2009
  • In the Lab 2013
  • State of Emergency 2015

Pandemic: Contagion 2014

Pandemic: The Cure 2014

  • Experimental Meds 2016

Pandemic: Legacy Season 1 2015

Pandemic: Reign of Cthulhu 2016

Pandemic: Iberia 2016

Pandemic: Rising Tide 2017

Pandemic: Legacy Season 2 2017

Pandemic: Fall of Rome 2018

Direct download: MN0248_Everything_Pandemic.mp3
Category:BoardGame -- posted at: 3:48pm MDT

We discuss NaNoWriMo, Social Deduction, Gaming Goals, App Supported Board Games, and answer a few questions.

Direct download: MN_0247_Year_End_Gaming.mp3
Category:BoardGame -- posted at: 2:00am MDT

Brent and Nathan sit down and talk about their last few days of gaming from BoardGameGeek.Con 2018 in Dallas. 

Games played:

  • Poker
  • Two Rooms and a Boom
  • Capital Lux
  • Rebel Nox
  • Discover: Lands Unknown
  • Lost Expedition
  • Sentient
  • Dominion: Nocturne and Renaissance.
Direct download: MN0246_More_Games_Played_at_BGGCon_2018.mp3
Category:BoardGame -- posted at: 7:04pm MDT

We are joined by Matt for this news episode.

We talk Keyforge Names, Kickstarter Games, One Dollar Kickstarter Pledges, Errant Uber Drivers, Layoffs and Acquisition during this Golden Age.

Direct download: MN_0245_December_2018_Gaming_News.mp3
Category:BoardGame -- posted at: 2:00am MDT

Nathan and Ryan made it to BGG.Con 2018. This recording is their coverage of the first 20 games they play which includes:

Downfall

Brikks

Blueprint

Sherlock: Last Call

Sherlock: Tomb of the Archeologist

Flowerfall x3

The Quest for El Dorado Heroes and Hexes

New York Slice

Thunderstone Quest

A Study in Emerald

Ticket to Ride New York

Big Trouble in Little China

Steamrollers

Big Dig

Fuji

The River

Kashgar: Merchants of the Silk Road

U.S. Telegraph

Firefly

Iron Dragon

 

Direct download: MN0244_Twenty_Games_played_at_BGG.Con_2018.mp3
Category:BoardGame -- posted at: 9:09pm MDT

This is the episode that everyone, or at least one, has been waiting for. In this episode we discuss dozens of games, and a history of what makes up the Cthulhu Mythos. We start with the Fantasy Flight games, labeled Arkham Horror Files, including Arkham Horror 2nd Edition, 3rd Edition, Mansions of Madness 1st and 2nd Editions, Elder Sign, and Eldritch Horror.

Then we discuss a good many games that are not Fantasy Flight properties, including Cthulhu Wars, Towers of Madness, Cthulhu Realms, and many more.

Music Clip provided by: Echoes of Time v2 Kevin MacLeod (incompetech.com)
Licensed under Creative Commons: By Attribution 3.0 License
http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/3.0/

Direct download: MN0243_Everything_Cthulhu_Mythos.mp3
Category:BoardGame -- posted at: 10:18am MDT

This is our 5th annual Holiday Gift guide. We each bring five recommendations to the table, along with our recommendations for audience.

Nathan

  • Muse
  • Sagrada
  • Space Base
  • Azul
  • Magic Maze

Brent

  • Ticket to Ride
  • Pandemic
  • Sushi Go Party!
  • King of Tokyo
  • Exit and Unlock! Escape Room Games

Ryan

  • Codenames (Harry Potter)
  • The Mind
  • Disney's Villainous
  • Magic: The Gathering
  • Reef
Direct download: MN0242_Holiday_Gift_Guide_2018.mp3
Category:BoardGame -- posted at: 2:00am MDT

This week we have an intervention of sorts, but who needs intervening, Nathan or Ryan? We discuss how perception, attitude, and enthusiasm affect enjoyment in gaming, for everyone.

What is your attitude towards games? What types of games do you enjoy?

Direct download: MN0241_Perceptions_and_Attitudes_about_Gaming.mp3
Category:BoardGame -- posted at: 2:00am MDT

Ryan, Brent and Nathan sit down with Matt and Barb and talk news and Kickstarters.

 

Make sure you look for us at BGG.con and consider donating to our Extra Life effort at https://extra-life.org/team/nugg

Thanks for listening!

Direct download: MN_0240_October_2018_News.mp3
Category:BoardGame -- posted at: 11:10pm MDT

Once again Brent is away which somehow means that Sam comes over to play. Sam Aho from Sam Says Game Reviews joins Ryan and Nathan while they discuss Introducing New Games to Players.

What should you do when an experience player teaches a game to a new player? Should there be strategy discussion, commentary on moves, warnings about game timing and more? Tune in to listen to a few differing opinions on the subject.

Direct download: MN_0239_Introducing_New_Players_to_GamesFinal.mp3
Category:BoardGame -- posted at: 10:52am MDT

We discuss games from the past, ones we consider hidden gems including Taj Mahal, Balloon Cup, Cartagena, Pirates Cove, Around the World in 80 Days (Michael Reinick version), and Mutant Chronicles: Siege of the Citadel, among other games from the listeners.

Direct download: MN_0238_Forgotten_Board_Game_Gems.mp3
Category:general -- posted at: 2:00am MDT

This week, Sam Aho, of Sam Says, joins Ryan and Nathan to talk about two games from Gamelyn Games and Scott Almes, Tiny Epic Zombies and Tiny Epic Galaxies, including the Into the Dark expansion.

Listen to hear their thoughts!

Direct download: MN0237_Tiny_Epic_Extravaganza.mp3
Category:general -- posted at: 8:57pm MDT

Nathan, Ryan and Sam Aho from Sam Says sit down to discuss their experience with this Scott Almes creation from Gamelyn Games.

Heroes of Land Air and Sea is a 4X game, and definitely not tiny. Listen to hear their thoughts.

Direct download: MN_0236_Heroes_of_Land_Air_Sea.mp3
Category:BoardGame -- posted at: 9:38am MDT

In this month's news episode we discuss expansions including The Quest for El Dorado: Heroes and Hexes, Magic Maze: Hidden Roles, remixed games including Between Two Castles of Mad King Ludwig, and many more original games.

Direct download: MN_0235_September_2018_Board_Game_News_.mp3
Category:BoardGame -- posted at: 2:00am MDT

This week we talk about Raiders of the North Sea along with the Hall of Heroes and Fields of Fame expansions.

These games are now published in the US and are designed by Shem Phillips with art by Mihajlo Dimitrievski.

 

Direct download: MN_0234_Raiders_of_the_North_Sea_and_Expansions.mp3
Category:BoardGame -- posted at: 11:21pm MDT

The many games played at SaltCON end of summer including Hail Hydra, Battleline, Reef and many more.

Direct download: MN_0233_SaltCON_EOS_and_Games_Galore.mp3
Category:BoardGame -- posted at: 11:37pm MDT

This week we talk through five games we've been playing. We start with Majesty: For the Realm, Ryan continues with Terraforming Mars: Prelude, Nathan talks Mountains of Madness, I bring up Fast Forward Fortress and we end with more Decrypto.

Direct download: MN_0232_Majesty_Prelud_Madness_Fortress_Decrypto.mp3
Category:BoardGame -- posted at: 8:28pm MDT

When you picnic or camp do you game, or just enjoy the outdoors? Do you beat up your cards, watch over them carefully, or choose tile based or pencil games? 

We discuss all manor of games from our past and suggestions from you, Meeple Nation.

Direct download: MN0231_Camping_and_other_Outdoor_Games.mp3
Category:BoardGame -- posted at: 6:50pm MDT

It is again time for news. We talk Power Rangers, Unique Games, Keyforge and Discover, the exit of Christian Peterson from Asmodee North America, and the merger of Stronghold Games and Indie Boards and Cards.

We discuss Root, Everdell, Monster Crunch, Flotsam Fight, and many more games.

Join us in the guild or at Meeple Nation Off Air on Facebook.

Direct download: MN_0230_August_2018_Gaming_News.mp3
Category:BoardGame -- posted at: 2:00am MDT

This week we are again joined by Matt and Barb of the Players Wanted Podcast. We discuss their recent trip to GenCon including Oink Games, Pikoko, Ice Cool 2, and Matt's GenCon Hat, which is not a game.

We cover all that and over a dozen other titles, including Keyforge, Welcome To..., Reef, and more.

Direct download: MN0229_Matts_GenCon_Hat.mp3
Category:BoardGame -- posted at: 1:28pm MDT

We've been deep in the hobby for 20 years now and we are surprised when some games remain for sale continually, or in other words, become evergreen games, and why some don't.

What makes Ticket to Ride, Catan, Pandemic, and many others stand out and sell thousands of times more copies than the average hobby game.

We have some ideas. Let us know what you think.

 

Direct download: MN_0228_What_Games_are_Evergreen.mp3
Category:general -- posted at: 10:14pm MDT

This episode Ryan, Brent and Nathan each choose five games from the massive list of 615 titles previewed on boardgamegeek.com.

This list is found at https://www.boardgamegeek.com/geekpreview/7/gen-con-2018-preview

We talk Robotech, Alien, Aliens, Towers, and many more.

Direct download: MN_0227_GenCon_2018_Anticipated_Games.mp3
Category:BoardGame -- posted at: 5:41pm MDT

We are joined this week by friend of the podcast, Thomas Roybal, a university professor that has used games and gaming concepts for years in his classrooms. 

He gives us examples of games he was occasionally able to play with the kids when he taught high school, and his more subtle way of using games at the university.

Direct download: MN_0226_Games_in_the_Classroom_with_Thomas_Roybal.mp3
Category:BoardGame -- posted at: 2:00am MDT

Brent, Nathan and Ryan are joined again by Barb and Matt for a lot of fun and a little chaos.

We talk Kickstarters, Games ending, games beginning, and for some reason, real news about Big Trouble in Little China

Direct download: MN_0225_July_Gaming_News.mp3
Category:BoardGame -- posted at: 10:37pm MDT

Sam Aho joins Nathan and Ryan while they discuss their favorite games, including Ryan being on a quest.

Direct download: MN_0224_Favorite_Games_with_Sam_Aho.mp3
Category:BoardGame -- posted at: 2:00am MDT

What do you play when you have seven or more players and splitting into two or more groups isn't an option? We discuss games we enjoy plus ideas from you, the listeners. Let us know what we missed by contacting us in the BGG guild or on the Meeple Nation Off Air Facebook group!

Direct download: MN0223_Too_Many_Players_-_Games_for_7_or_more.mp3
Category:BoardGame -- posted at: 5:17pm MDT

This week we sit down and talk about the fantastic cooperative game from Greater than Games.

Nathan likes it. Brent likes it. What does Ryan think? Does the theme resonate, do the mechanics and theme come together to provide a nice narrative?

Yes.

Direct download: MN_0222_Spirit_Island.mp3
Category:BoardGame -- posted at: 2:00am MDT

This episode we introduce and review two games, starting with Space Base from John D Clair and AEG and The Thing: Infection at Outpost 31 from Mondo games and Joe Van Wetering.

 

Could Ryan and Nathan like them both?

Direct download: MN_0221_Space_Base_and_TheThingt.mp3
Category:BoardGame -- posted at: 1:58pm MDT

Nathan finally plays Starfarers of Catan, he raves about his Game Toppers Tables, we talk Kickstarter, more Asmodee acquisitions and Asmodee's possible desire to be acquired, and more June news.

Direct download: MN_0220_June_2018_News.mp3
Category:BoardGame -- posted at: 5:34pm MDT

We talk a bit about the nine Spiel des Jahres Nominees. Brent has played them all and Nathan and Ryan talk Ganz Shon Clever, The Mind and Azul. Ryan sneaks in some Terraforming Mars jabs.

Kinderspiel des Jahres Nominees:

  • Shaky Manor
  • Emojito
  • Dragon's Breath

Kennerspiel des Jahres Nominees:

  • Heaven & Ale
  • Ganz Shon Clever
  • Die Quacksalber von Quedlenburg

Spiel des Jahres Nominees:

  • Luxor
  • The Mind
  • Azul
Direct download: MN_0219_SdJ.mp3
Category:general -- posted at: 9:42pm MDT

Ryan and Nathan are joined by Daniel Hadlock. Brent and Sam are conspicuously absent. Daniel is president of Tasty Minstrel Games and caries out a variety of tasks in order to get games out to market. Sit back and listen while Daniel answers Nathan and Ryan's quetions.

Direct download: MN0218_Daniel_Hadlock_from_TMG.mp3
Category:BoardGame -- posted at: 12:29am MDT

We discuss a number of games we have been playing including 7th Continent, Muse, Illusion, Mystic Vale: Conclave and the Estrella Drive expansion for Time Stories

Be sure to support our sponsors: The TMG Podcast and Game Toppers!

Direct download: MN_0217_7th_Continent_Muse_Illusion_Mystic_Vale_Conclave.mp3
Category:BoardGame -- posted at: 2:00am MDT

This week we talk about what we are playing including a non-spoiler wrap-up of Charterstone, Roll Player, Eldritch Horror, Arkham Horror: TCG, and despite an attempt to move this off 6 months, even more Cthulhu Mythos games.

Pardon some Audio Glitches that caused occasional loss of audio.

Make sure you support our sponsors, the TMG Podcast, and GameToppersLLC.com

 

Direct download: MN_0216_More_Gloomhaven_Charterstone_Eldritch_Horror_and_More.mp3
Category:BoardGame -- posted at: 5:50pm MDT

Nathan is now interested in Thanos Rising: Infinity War. We talk about games we are playing (or watching) including Clank! The Mummy's Curse, The Quest for El Dorado, Welcome To Your Dream Home, Space Cadet: Dice Duel.

Meatball Nation is now available through Google Home or Amazon Echo. On the Play say: Play Meeple Nation Board Game Podcast. On the Echo say: Enable Meatball Nation then Play Meatball Nation. Yeah, that's right.

X-Wing is getting a second edition, Robotech is getting two new games from a new publisher (despite the issues with the previous licensee), we banter minis vs standees, then talk Kickstarters, Hellboy, a return of Thunderstone Quest, Homesteaders, and The City of Kings.

Remember to support our sponsors, the TMG podcast and Game Toppers! Let them know that Meatball Nation sent you.

Direct download: MN_0215_May_2018_Board_Game_News.mp3
Category:BoardGame -- posted at: 2:00am MDT

A dozen years ago many of us talked about how to grow the gaming community. Now, the chatter has changed. Now, the question is more about when or if this golden age will end, and many of us wonder when we will get to play the games we already own, or possibly have on order.

What do all these games mean to the industry, to gamers, and to me? Why won't anybody play my game?

Direct download: MN_0214_The_Speed_of_the_Board_Game_Industry.mp3
Category:BoardGame -- posted at: 5:21pm MDT

We often hear people ask what makes a game a game. We've formed our own opinions and parroted others.

Well after some reflection, and with excited and odd new games entering the market, we have come to a different conclusion.

So what exactly comprises our hobby? Many many different types of games. Listen for more.

Direct download: MN_0213_What_Is_A_Hobby_Game.mp3
Category:BoardGame -- posted at: 12:26am MDT

We talk about the creative process and puzzle hunts, including those created at BGG.Con and those for SaltCON

Please consider supporting our sponsors, The Tasty Minstrel Games Podcast and Game Toppers LLC.

Direct download: MN_0212_Puzzle_Hunt.mp3
Category:general -- posted at: 2:00am MDT

We discuss two new games this episode.

The Mind is a cooperative game of non-communication. What level can you reach?

Thunderstone Quest is the newest iteration of Thunderstone and while it is yet another improvement, how much has it approved?

Direct download: MN_0211_The_Mind_and_Thunderstone_Quest.mp3
Category:BoardGame -- posted at: 12:57am MDT

We are again joined by Matt and Barb while we discuss gaming news including an almost update on Big Trouble in Little China, World War Hulk Legendary, Thanos Rising: Avengers Infinity War

We are excited to announce that Game Toppers is our new sponsor, check them out at http://gametoppersllc.com

We also discuss Kickstarters past and present including Fire in the Library, AuZtralia, Dragon Keepers, and many more.

Direct download: MN_0210_Gaming_News_for_April_2018.mp3
Category:BoardGame -- posted at: 2:00am MDT

We review the games that won the Golden Geek Awards for 2017 from Boardgamegeek.com and we talk a bit about the Stonemaier Games and Steve Jackson Games Stakeholder Reports.

https://www.boardgamegeek.com/thread/1955324/12th-annual-golden-geek-awards-winners-2017

https://stonemaiergames.com/2017-behind-the-scenes-stakeholder-report-for-stonemaier-games/

http://www.sjgames.com/general/stakeholders/

 

 

Direct download: MN_0209_Geek_Awards_and_Stakeholder_Reports_1.mp3
Category:BoardGame -- posted at: 2:00am MDT

This week we discuss Gloomhaven, the monstrous game by Isaac Childres. Ryan, Brent, and Nathan are joined by Dennis Holliday for this podcast.

Direct download: MN_0208_Gloomhaven.mp3
Category:general -- posted at: 12:23am MDT

We talk about more games played at SaltCON including Fast Forward: Flee, Fast Forward: Fear, Verflucht!, Dominion: Nocturne. We discuss Con Games feedback, and have a few more interviews from attendees.

Direct download: MN_0207_More_SaltCON_2018_Coverage.mp3
Category:BoardGame -- posted at: 2:00am MDT

We have just returned from SaltCON 2018 and we have reports on the events we ran for the convention inlcuding a Game Show, Werewolf, and a Puzzle Hunt.

We also (mainly Nathan) played large group games of Deception Murder In Hong Kong and Salem 1692.

We also talk about other convention events, games, dealers, and other SaltCON stuff.

And is that Brent and Sam on the same episode? This episode might explode in 60 seconds.

Direct download: MN_0206_SaltCON_2018_and_Con_Games.mp3
Category:BoardGame -- posted at: 7:06pm MDT

Ryan, Brent, Nathan and Matt sit down and discuss current news and Kickstarters.

They start by talking about convention expectations, meander into prototypes, then jump into what is new!

Direct download: MN_0205_Feb_2018_News.mp3
Category:BoardGame -- posted at: 1:15am MDT

We sit down with Tim Fowers of Fowers Games creator of Wok Star, Burgle Bros, Hardback, Paperback, Now Boarding and Fugitive. We talk his company and distribution philosophy and what is going on at his company.

Then we talk pacing in games, strong finishes, and alternate win conditions.

Direct download: MN_0204_Table_Time_With_Tim_Fowers.mp3
Category:BoardGame -- posted at: 2:00am MDT

This week we are joined by Shane Larsen as we talk about complexity in games including talks about Puerto Rico, Through the Ages, Lorenzo Il Magnifco, and many more. Are complex games better, or just longer?

Direct download: MN_0203_Complex_and_Heavy_Games.mp3
Category:BoardGame -- posted at: 12:20am MDT

This week we take a half dozen of your questions and answer them. Why do people play cooperative games? How do you make sure that hype doesn't affect you when you are evaluating a game? What do you do when you are mathematically eliminated from the game?

Direct download: MN_0202_Your_Questions_-_Our_Answers.mp3
Category:BoardGame -- posted at: 12:25am MDT

Welcome to episode 201 of the Meeple Nation podcast. This week our opener is our origin story. Then we get into the meat of the podcast where we discuss advice for new people entering our hobby, and a reminder that we need to be aware of others as we game. Be nice, Brent!

Direct download: MN_0201_Welcome_To_Board_Gaming.mp3
Category:BoardGame -- posted at: 11:38pm MDT

We have reached 200 episodes and gather to talk news. We discuss Kickstarters from Brian's Got Game, CMoN Unlimited, TMG, and more. Also news from Plan B, and more.

Direct download: MN_0200_News_Jan_2018.mp3
Category:BoardGame -- posted at: 12:32am MDT

We take time this episode to discuss four games we have been playing. In addition to Nathan's update on Imperial Assault, we discuss Azul, from Michael Kiesling and Plan B Games, Exodus Fleet from TMG, and Tichu, published in English by Rio Grande Games.

Direct download: MN_0199_Azul_Exodus_Fleet_Tichu_Imperial_Assault.mp3
Category:BoardGame -- posted at: 12:26am MDT

Charterstone has begun, and while we say little about it, Ryan riffs on people trying to make permanence temporary in Legacy games.

We also discuss some games we have played recently, including Crosstalk, Nmbr9, Timebomb: Evolution, and Terraforming Mars: Venus Next.

Direct download: MN_0198_Legacy_Next.mp3
Category:BoardGame -- posted at: 2:00am MDT

2017 is in the books! We discuss our highlights and report on how we failed (or did we?) at our gaming goals. Bring on the new year, and Nathan's ambitious, 15x10 challenge.

Direct download: MN_0197_Goodnight_2017.mp3
Category:BoardGame -- posted at: 2:28pm MDT

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