So Very Wrong About Games

Walker feels he has missed his calling, and tries out his tight five as an insult comic this week. He directs his barbs at the typical targets--Mark, board game covers, games no one asked for, Mark, media he finds unengaging, and Mark. The latter (and former) does his level best at being supportive in the classic tradition of Ed McMahon, but one remembers why Don Rickles and Triumph the Insult Comic Dog are solo acts.02:03 AYURIS: Talon (Jim Krohn, GMT, 2016) and Talon 1000 (Jim Krohn, GMT, 2018)Games Played Last Week:03:45 -The Voyages of Marco Polo (Simone Luciani & Daniele Tascini, Hans im Gluck, 2015)06:20 -The Crew: The Quest for Planet 9 (Thomas Sing, KOSMOS, 2019)07:29 -Versailles 1919 (Geoff Engelstein & Mark Herman, GMT Games, 2020)16:10 -The Taverns of Tiefenthal (Wolfgang Warsch, Schmidt Spiel, 2019)17:38 -Cosmic Frog (Jim Felli, Devious Weasel Games, 2020)21:02 -Reichbusters: Project Vril (Jake Thornton, Mythic Games, 2020)26:20 -That's Pretty Clever (Wolfgang Warsch, Schmidt Spiele, 2018)30:04 -The Hunted: Twilight of the U-Boats, 1943-1945 (Gregory M. Smith, GMT Games, 2020)News (and why it doesn't matter):36:14 Aliens: Another Glorious Day in the Corps at last?!37:20 Dim possibility of Descent Third Edition?39:50 Not Alone expands on Kickstarter40:26 Tammany Hall reprint41:03 Rita Modl and King of 1242:04 Mindclash's Perserverence: Castaway Chronicles43:39 Catapult Kingdoms43:48 Walker dunks on Escape the Night45:41 Topic: I'm 90% Sure: Rules you Forget or IgnoreAdvertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brandsPrivacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

"From the discovery of New France to the 1981 Referendum, all of Quebec history is based on a single fallacy: that the British actually wanted to own Quebec. In fact, nothing could be further from the truth. The British already had a surplus of colonies in the sunny Caribbean and took little interest in the Canadian icebox later dismissed by Voltaire as nothing more than 'quelques arpents de neige'... In 1759, with war raging everywhere between France and England, the British knew if would look suspicious if they didn't engage the French in North America. They placed the expedition in the hands of a thirty-two-year-old, inexperienced general, James Wolfe, and gave him strict orders: 'Put up a good fight... but lose.' Wolfe devised a clever theatrical strategy. He would choose an impossible attack-route: Arriving by boat on the St. Lawrence river then scaling the unassailable walls of the fortress of Quebec, thus guaranteeing defeat and dumping Quebec with France for good. But Wolfe's glorious defeat was snapped from the jaws of victory by Montcalm who brilliantly out-manoeuvred Wolfe and surrendered--a stroke of genius that got the colony off France's hands once and for all."-Nick Auf der Mar, "La Petite Histoire du Québec (Version Anglaise)"Games Played Last Week:01:09 -SEAL Team Flix (Pete Ruth & Mark Thomas, WizKids, 2018) 02:37 -Teotihuacan: City of Gods (Daniele Tascini & Dávid Turczi, NSKN Games, 2018)04:04 -Yokohama (Hisashi Hayashi, Tasty Minstrel Games, 2016)04:48 -Sprawlopolis (Steven Aramini, Danny Devine, & Paul Kluka, Button Shy, 2018)08:26 -Mezo (John Clowdus, Kolossal Games, 2019)13:25 -The Crew: The Quest for Planet 9 (Thomas Sing, KOSMOS, 2019)15:02 -Qwixx (Steffen Benndorf, Gamewright, 2012)16:41 -That's Pretty Clever (Wolfgang Warsch, Schmidt Spiele, 2018)17:30 -Coloretto (Michael Schacht, ABACUSSPIELE, 2003)19:32 -Orléans: Invasion (Inka Brand, Markus Brand, & Reiner Stockhausen, dlp Games, 2015)20:59 -Scythe (Jamey Stegmaier, Stonemaier Games, 2016)News (and why it doesn't matter):25:55 Expansion to Twilight Imperium 4th ed.26:44 Pandemic Legacy Season 027:20 Undaunted: Reinforcements28:39 DeepMind: An AI for Diplomacy?29:35 Lord of the Rings: Anniversary Edition31:01 Steven Universe Beach-a-Palooza on Kickstarter July 14th31:29 Pendulum by Stonemaier31:39 Lost Ruins of Arnak by CGE31:59 Documentary: Gamemaster32:42 Feature Game: Imperial Struggle (Ananda Gupta & Jason Matthews, GMT Games, 2020)Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brandsPrivacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

We return, ill-advisedly, to the heavily-mined waters of classification and taxonomy. Mark will put up with it because of his love of Mac Gerdts, and Walker will put up with it because he gets to troll Mark with contrived classifications. 01:10 AYURIS: Gloomhaven (Isaac Childres, Cephalofair Games, 2017)Games Played Last Week:03:24 -Reichbusters: Project Vril (Jake Thornton, Mythic Games, 2020)07:56 -Hanamikoji (Kota Nakayama, EmperorS4, 2013)10:59 -Lords of Waterdeep (Peter Lee & Rodney Thompson, Wizards of the Coast, 2012)14:44 -Cartographers: A Roll Player Game (Jordy Adan, Thunderworks Games, 2019)20:50 -Barrage (Tommaso Battista & Simone Luciani, Cranio Creations, 2019)25:18 -Thunderbolt Apache Leader (Dan Verssen, Dan Verssen Games, 2012)News (and why it doesn't matter):29:48 Frostpunk Board Game 30:43 The Field of the Cloth of Goldhttps://www.boardgamegeek.com/blogpost/105690/designer-diary-story-making-field-cloth-gold 32:08 Yura Yura Penguin33:12 Max Temkin and Cards Against Humanity’s Toxicity35:06 Paranoia: The Infinite Hole36:15 Topic: RondelsAdvertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brandsPrivacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Editorial standards are constantly evolving here at SVWAG, and they lately proceed largely from Walker's unilateral declarations. Things get to be pronounced however he wills them. Prior utterances by anyone are rendered immediately obsolete if and when he deigns to acknowledge something. Comparisons are now his exclusive purview. Walker has spoken.Games Played Last Week:01:52 -Hour of Need (Adam Sadler & Brady Sadler, Blacklist Games, 2020)04:21 -Inhuman Conditions (Tommy Maranges & Cory O'Brien, Web published, 2018)08:59 -Crazy Tower: Contruction/Sabotage (Alexis Harvey, Félix Leblanc, Manuel-Lucas Bergeron Duhamel, & Mathieu Auger, Synapses Games, 2020)12:15 -Fantastic Factories (Joseph Z Chen & Justin Faulkner, Metafactory Games, 2019)14:51 -Fuji Koro: Deluxe (Jerome Demeyere, Game Brewer, 2020)17:04 -Flick Wars (Shaun Austin & Andrew Tullsen, Breaking Games, 2019)20:59 -Big City: 20th Anniversary Jumbo Edition! (Franz-Benno Delonge, Mercury Games, 2019)News (and why it doesn't matter):24:52 Pipeline 2P? Curious Cargo 25:31 Pandemic: Hot Zone PnP26:28 Starfinder pre-painted minis27:09 Gloomhaven hits Target28:33 Sonora: "Flick and Write", again29:41 More Battleground: Fantasy Warfare31:13 Games are political: ConsimWorld's myopia[NB: An earlier version of this episode falsely claimed that Cool Mini or Not has been silent on Black Lives Matter. CMON issued a statement of support on June 5th, 2020. We apologize sincerely for the error.]35:29 Feature Game: Project: ELITE (Konstantinos Kokkinis, Marco Portugal, & Sotirios Tsantilas, CMON, 2020)Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brandsPrivacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Change is exactly like a starving polar bear, in that it is a frightening beast that will bite your face off. Despite that, we have changed the format of our episode notes in a startling act of courage. That said, as Robert Browning wrote, "One taste of the old time sets all to rights." It is in that spirit that we began, with the blessing of the Government of Ontario's health guidelines, to actually play games in meatspace again. We express our sincere condolences to those unfortunates living in situations where that is not safely feasible.03:22 AYURIS: New Frontiers (Thomas Lehmann, Rio Grande, 2018)Games Played Last Week:05:17 -Street Masters (Adam Sadler & Brady Sadler, Blacklist Games, 2018)10:47 -Monolith Arena (Michał Oracz, Portal Games, 2018)14:05 -Tank Duel: Enemy in the Crosshairs (Mike Bertucelli, GMT Games, 2019)17:34 -Flick Wars (Shaun Austin & Andrew Tullsen, Breaking Games, 2019)22:23 -Spirit Island (R. Eric Reuss, Greater Than Games, 2017)24:45 -Hyperborea (Andrea Chiarvesio & Pierluca Zizzi, Asterion, 2014)26:49 -Asgard’s Chosen (Morgan Dontanville, Mayfair Games, 2013)29:16 -Fuji Koro: Deluxe (Jerome Demeyere, Game Brewer, 2020)News (and why it doesn't matter):37:33 Biblios Roll & Write37:53 Freedom Five: More Sentinels39:19 Monumental Cost40:00 Charles S. Roberts Wargame Awards40:45 Domination41:21 Topic: Multiple Paths to VictoryAdvertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brandsPrivacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

"Please note that there are only two references to sports in this book... and both are appropriately dismissive. If you wish for sports information, might I kindly refer you to every other aspect of our culture?"-John Hodgman, "The Areas of My Expertise"Games Played Last Week:-Commands and Colors: Napoleonics 1m40s (Richard Borg, GMT Games, 2010) -Wingspan 3m08s (Elizabeth Hargrave, Stonemaier Games, 2019)-Flick ‘Em Up: Dead of Winter 6m05s (Gaëtan Beaujannot, Jonathan Gilmour, Jean Yves Monpertuis, & Isaac Vega, Pretzel Games, 2017)-The Taverns of Tiefenthal 12m47s (Wolfgang Warsch, Schmidt Spiel, 2019)-Legacy of Dragonholt 20m17s (Nikki Valens with Daniel Clark, Tim Flanders, Annie VanderMeer Mitsoda, & Greg Spyridis, FFG, 2017)-Tank Duel: Enemy in the Crosshairs 22m48s (Mike Bertucelli, GMT Games, 2019)News (and why it doesn't matter):-Terraforming Mars Big Box 26m40s-Awaken Realms Makes Walker Whole 29m01s-Dragon Gyas 29m36s -Massive Darkness 2 31m53s-Merchants of the Dark Road 34m28s-Kemet: Blood and Sand--Matagot's Responsiveness 35m56sFeature Game: Aristeia! 37m41s (Alberto Abal, Jesús Fuster, & David Rosillo, Corvus Belli, 2017)Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brandsPrivacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

To be clear, we're not giving or receiving any awards this week--rather we're discussing their use, possible abuse, and impact on the hobby. Were we to deserve an award for this episode, though, clearly it would be for the quality and quantity of top-notch segues. Play style leads to play style, mechanism to mechanism, all flowing as naturally and as smoothly as a natural and smooth thing. Note that while our segues are stellar, are metaphors are often less so.AYURIS: Pandemic: Fall of Rome 1m28s (Matt Leacock & Paolo Mori, Z-Man, 2018)Games Played Last Week:-Commands and Colors: Napoleonics 4m00s (Richard Borg, GMT Games, 2010) -Kemet 6m37s (Jacques Bariot & Guillaume Montiage, Matagot, 2012)-Twilight Struggle 11m13s (Ananda Gupta & Jason Matthews, GMT Games, 2005)-Blood Rage 15m00s (Eric Lang, CMON, 2015)-Teotihuacan: City of Gods 15m57s (Daniele Tascini, NSKN Games, 2018)-Gaslands: Refuelled 20m58s (Mike Hutchinson, Osprey Publishing, 2019)-Maharaja 24m53s (Michael Kiesling & Wolfgang Kramer, Cranio Creations, 2020)News (and why it doesn't matter):-Reiner Knizia's Whale Riders 30m53s-Infinity CodeOne and 4th Edition 31m35s-Warhammer 40,000 9th Edtiion 33m43s[EDIT] Early reports indicate that 9th Edition will not, in point of fact, obsolete codices. We apologize for the error.-X-Wing Solo Rules 34m33s-Pokémon Battle Academy 34m44s-CMON's Masters of the Universe 35m23s-Hope for the world: rubber ducks in dice 36m40s -BGG selling more games 37m20s-Upcoming GMT Games 37m54sTopic: Awards 39m07sAdvertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brandsPrivacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

We sometimes don't understand the appeal of food-based games, friends and neighbours. To be sure, we adore Food Chain Magnate, but that is not parasitic upon our sincere appreciation of (say) lemonade and pizza. There seem to be many games based on enthusiasm for beer, coffee, whiskey, spicy food, wine... Wait, I'm noticing a trend. Is our indifference to alcohol poisoning yet another area of life?!Games Played Last Week:-Gaia Project 1m01s (Jens Drögemüller & Helge Ostertag, Feuerland Spiele, 2017)-Legacy of Dragonholt 2m55s (Nikki Valens with Daniel Clark, Tim Flanders, Annie VanderMeer Mitsoda, & Greg Spyridis, FFG, 2017)-Race for the Galaxy 6m37s (Thomas Lehmann, Rio Grande Games, 2007)-Star Wars: X-Wing Second Edition 11m30s(Jason Little & Frank Brooks, Fantasy Flight, 2018)-Guards of Atlantis II: Tabletop MOBA 15m13s (Artyom Nichipurov, Wolff Designa, 2020)-A War of Whispers 19m55s (Jeremy Stoltzfus, Starling Games, 2019)-Tobago 24m49s (Bruce Allen, Zoch Verlag, 2009)-TINYforming Mars 27m3s (Michael Bevilacqua, Web published, 2019)News (and why it doesn't matter):-Gen Con 2020 Cancelled 30m04s-Schotten Totten 2 30m31s-Wingspan App Beta 31m17s-Kemet and Tribune Reprints on Kickstarter 31m52sFeature Game: Clans of Caledonia 33m44s (Juma Al-JouJou, Karma Games, 2017)Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brandsPrivacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Podcasts are often a discursive medium, and so naturally we find ourselves touching on many and diverse topics. This week, we delve into poetry and Star Trek, just in case you were under the illusion that we were anything other than unreconstructed nerds. Walker, being part jock, had to be restrained so as to not spontaneously give himself a wedgie.AYURIS: Crusaders: Thy Will Be Done 2m06s (Seth Jaffee, Tasty Minstrel, 2018) Games Played Last Week:-Bullet♥︎ 3m22s (Joshua Van Laningham, Level 99 Games, 2021)-Sapiens 7m10s (Cyrille Leroy, IELLO, 2015)-Legacy of Dragonholt 10m12s (Nikki Valens with Daniel Clark, Tim Flanders, Annie VanderMeer Mitsoda, & Greg Spyridis, FFG, 2017)-Can't Stop 17m38s (Sid Sackson, Parker Brothers, 1980)-Gaslands: Refuelled 19m36s (Mike Hutchinson, Osprey Publishing, 2019)-Kingdomino 24m58s (Bruno Cathala, Blue Orange Games, 2016)-TINYforming Mars 27m11s (Michael Bevilacqua, Web published, 2019)-Innovation (Carl Chudyk, Asmadi Games, 2010)-Hour of Need 35m48s (Adam Sadler & Brady Sadler, Blacklist Games, 2020)News (and why it doesn't matter):-Spiel des Jahres nominees announced 39m20s-Spiel at Essen canceled 39m25s-Small World of Warcraft 42m14s-Embarrassing Kemet Sphinx mini inspires new SVWAG Poetry Corner 42m38s-New Maharaja 44m45s-Frenemy Pastry Party 45m35s-Who Asked for These? (TM): Battle of the Boy Bands 46m10sTopic: Digital Life After COVID 47m02sAdvertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brandsPrivacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

There are so many life lessons to be learned from the presidency of Richard Milhous Nixon. For one, shave before debates. For another, hire limber secretaries with flexible standards on truth. Always be sure to hire expert lockpickers. Make sure your vice president will have your back (Nixon at least got a mulligan on that one). I mean, he's not a role model of mine--I wouldn't get his face tattooed on my back, to pick something at random--but he does serve as a potent set of object lessons. Games Played Last Week:-Warfighter: The Tactical Special Forces Card Game 3m31s (Dan Verssen, DVG, 2014)-Splendor 5m48s (Marc André, SPace Cowboys, 2014)-Bullet♥︎ 8m28s (Joshua Van Laningham, Level 99 Games, 2021)-Castles of Burgundy 12m36s (Stefan Feld, alea, 2011)-Horizon Wars: Zero Dark 15m34s (Robey Jenkins, Precinct Omega Publishing, 2020)-Patchwork 20m57s (Uwe Rosenberg, Lookout Games, 2014)-Potion Explosion 21m55s (Stefano Castelli, Andrea Crespi, & Lorenzo Silva, Horrible Guild, 2015)-Glory to Rome 24m48s (Ed Carter & Carl Chudyk, Cambridge Games Factory, 2005)-Mottainai 25m47s (Carl Chudyk, Asmadi Games, 2015)-Mini Express 29m16s (Mark Gerrits, Moaideas Game Design, 2020)News (and why it doesn't matter):-Who Asked for These? (TM) Headlock, Paper, Scissors 32m57s-Who Asked for These? (TM) Clank! for 6 players 34m40s-Kickstarter lays off 40% of workforce 35m24s-Who Asked for These? (TM) Marvel Splendor 36m32s-Who Asked for These? (TM) Star Wars: Talisman 37m18s-A Billion Suns extended beta 37m39s-Rodney Smith and Watch It Played expand 40m36sFeature Game: Watergate 41m37s (Matthias Cramer, Capstone Games, 2019)Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brandsPrivacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices