So Very Wrong About Games

When is a thing like another thing? Is Albedo like Core Worlds? Is Cat Blues like Rummy? Is Through the Desert like Go? Is a nudge as good as a wink to blind bat? Are all Roll & Writes inferior to Roll a 6, Win a Cookie? Is Christophe Boelinger France's Vlaada Chvátil? Probably, because it's all just like Mage Knight in the end. Games Played Last Week:04:46 -Street Masters: Tide of the Dragon (Scott McFall, Adam Sadler, Brady Sadler, and Mitch Schroeder, Blacklist Games, 2022)09:45 -Castles of Mad King Ludwig: Collector's Edition (Ted Alspach, Bézier Games, 2022)13:55 -Cat Blues: The Big Gig (Reiner Knizia, Bitewing Games, 2024)22:14 -Moon Colony Bloodbath (Donald X. Vaccarino, Rio Grande Games, 2025)28:03 -Albedo: Space Pirates! (Kai Herbertz, Herbertz Entertainment UG, 2018)35:43 -Malediction (Leo Cunha, Nicole Lobo, and Daniel Pettersen de Lucena, Loot Studios, 2025)39:46 -Hey, That's My Fish! (Günter Cornett & Alvydas Jakeliunas, Bambus Spieleverlag, 2003)40:55 -Parks: Roll & Hike (Henry Audubon & Mattox Shuler, Keymaster Games, 2024)News (and why it doesn't matter):44:04 Tariffs impacting the hobby45:12 Please support us on Patreon! www.patreon.com/svwag46:23 Zombie Princess, a riff on Spades, by Bézier and Ted Alspach47:05 Feature Game: Rise & Fall (Christophe Boelinger, Ludically, 2024)Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brandsPrivacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

People have favourably described our physical appearances as "borderline tolerable" and "just short of hideous", and that was just our mothers. In light of this, we put ourselves forward as candidates for all manner of game show. Mark is quite fond of Rice-a-Roni and thus would be more than happy to just have a consolation prize, and Walker just wants to spin something as hard as he can. Better reinforce your props.01:43 AYURIS: Archeos Society (Paolo Mori, Space Cowboys, 2023)Games Played Last Week:03:16 -Ethnos (Paolo Mori, CMON, 2017)08:20 -Wizards of the Grimoire: Shifting Sands (Cole Banning & Joe Banning, Grimoire Games, 2025)12:14 -Jenga Maker (Uncredited, Hasbro, 2022)16:20 -Click A Tree (Uwe Rosenberg, Skellig Games, 2025)18:15 -Street Masters: Tide of the Dragon (Scott McFall, Adam Sadler, Brady Sadler, and Mitch Schroeder, Blacklist Games, 2022)22:15 -Crafting the Cosmos (David Gordon & TAM, Office Dog, 2025)23:48 -Scape Goat (Jon Perry, Indie Boards & Cards, 2020)28:41 -Shuffle and Swing (Robert Hovakimyan, Bitewing Games, 2025)32:31 -Bebop (Robert Hovakimyan, Bitewing Games, 2025)39:53 -El Grande (Wolfgang Kramer & Richard Ulrich, Hans im Glück, 1995)44:03 -Crokinole (Uncredited, Mayday, 2025)News (and why it doesn't matter):47:19 Phantom Division returning and editorial challenges47:55 Early Registration for SVWAGCon for patrons! www.patreon.com/svwag48:20 G.I. Joe Heroscape--will Transformers follow?52:53 CMYK game show: Perfect Line hosted by Deborah Norville54:26 Ark Nova spin-off Sanctuary54:54 StarCraft miniatures and board games incoming55:14 Alley Cat games sticking to crowdfunding, skipping retail55:37 Topic: 20th Century GamesAdvertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brandsPrivacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

In logic, conditionals are always true if the antecedent is false. You can't falsify the conditional if the conditions aren't met. For example, if Mark can bench 500 pounds, then vinegar tastes like cotton candy. Rest assured that I ain't benching that much, so don't worry about it; the conditional is true. Similarly, I can invite pretty much whoever I want to SVWAGCon. Fareed Zakaria, Olivia Rodrigo, and Jordan Mechner? Sure, they're all invited. They don't know about us, but it's all good.Games Played Last Week:04:00 -Finspan (David Gordon & Michael O'Connell, Stonemaier Games, 2025)07:51 -Slay the Spire: The Board Game (Gary Dworetsky, Anthony Giovannetti, and Casey Yano, Contention Games, 2024) 11:16 -Marvel Dice Throne Missions (Gavan Brown & Nate Chatellier, Roxley, 2025)13:28 -Star Trek: Into the Unknown (Max Brooke & Michael Gernes, WizKids, 2025)21:51 -Lunar (Masato Uesagi, Allplay, 2024)23:25 -Lone Wolves (Yasuyuki Nakamura, Wonderful World Board Games, 2024)27:57 -Fateforge: Chronicles of Kaan (Gordon Calleja, Mighty Boards, 2024)33:00 -Duos (Johannes Schmidauer-König, CMYK, 2025) 35:35 -Creature Caravan (Ryan Laukat, Red Raven Games, 2024)News (and why it doesn't matter):41:00 Early Registration for SVWAGCon for patrons! www.patreon.com/svwag42:37 Space Gits on Kickstarter soon! A dexterity miniatures game of drunk orcs43:48 Feature Game: Rebirth (Reiner Knizia, Mighty Boards, 2024)Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brandsPrivacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

I was donating blood while wearing my Transformers Converse shoes, and two different phlebotomists commented positively about them. "We have won the cultural argument," I said, deliberately burying the lede that demographic destiny is probably the chief cause. I suspect that the same forces explain increased societal acceptance of toys, and board games are not immune. Thank goodness!Games Played Last Week:01:22 -Guards of Atlantis II Arcane Hero Pack (Artyom Nichipurov, Wolff Designa, 2024)07:56 -Creature Caravan (Ryan Laukat, Red Raven Games, 2024) 10:46 -Marvel Dice Throne Missions (Gavan Brown & Nate Chatellier, Roxley, 2025)15:55 -The Elder Scrolls: Betrayal of the Second Era (Josh J. Carlson, Michael Gernes, Logan Giannini, Ryan Howard, Salem Scott, and Josh Wielgus, Chip Theory Games, 2025)26:21 -Dungeon Kart (Michael Xuereb, Brotherwise Games, 2024)30:50 -Star Trek: Captain's Chair (Nigel Buckle & Dávid Turczi, WizKids, 2025)34:47 -Keyflower: The Merchants (Sebastian Bleasdale & Richard Breese, R&D Games, 2014)40:47 -Rush M.D. (Athony Howgego, Konstantinos Kokkinis, & Dávid Turczi, Artipia Games, 2020)News (and why it doesn't matter):46:34 Yokohama Duel 2nd edition by Synapses Games46:56 Helldivers II board game by Steamforged Games49:02 New content for Inis and Tiletum50:02 Early Registration for SVWAGCon for patrons! www.patreon.com/svwag50:41 Feature Game: Ascending Empires: Zenith Edition (Ian Cooper, Play to Z, 2024)Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brandsPrivacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

As is readily apparent from the show's subject matter and our general presentation, we here at SVWAG are stone-cold jocks who excel at the sports and are thoroughly ripped. We trust the launcher and never ever skip leg day.00:57 AYURIS: Expeditions (Jamey Stegmaier, Stonemaier Games, 2023)Games Played Last Week:03:04 -Coloretto (Michael Schacht, ABACUSSPIELE, 2003)07:16 -Metal Gear Solid: The Board Game (Emerson Matsuuchi, CMON, 2025)14:20 -Mega Civilization (Flo de Haan, John Rodriguez, and Francis Tresham, 999 Games, 2015) 30:11 -Star Trek: Captain's Chair (Nigel Buckle & Dávid Turczi, WizKids, 2025)37:38 -Keep the Heroes Out!: Boss Battles (Luís Brueh, Brueh Games, 2024)40:46 -Until Proven Guilty: The Starry Sky Necklace (Enrico Procacci, DV Games, 2024)46:46 -Crafting the Cosmos (David Gordon & TAM, Office Dog, 2025)News (and why it doesn't matter):48:24 Granddaughter success with Heap-O-Sheep48:48 Registration for SVWAGCon open for patrons! www.patreon.com/svwag50:18 Note-taking in Space Alert and Paint the Roses53:57 Topic: Flexing New MusclesAdvertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brandsPrivacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Join for a wild ride through the world of board games with engaging discussions on unique mechanics and recent favorites. Discover the chaos of flinging sheep and the subtle strategies of 'Space Alert.' Uncover the complexities of 'Imperium: Horizons' and how it evokes civilization narratives. Delight in new card games from CMYK's Magenta series while critiquing their gameplay. Plus, explore the buzz around the zombie-themed 'Agricola: Dead Harvest' and pay tribute to beloved game designer Rodger MacGowan.

While we hate to confirm your most reductive of preconceived notions, snow removal in Canadian cities is no joke. The fleet of vehicles required to allow for daily life in even a small Canadian city after major snowfall is impressive. The balletic dance of some of their formations while in operation calls to mind the precise of mid-air refuelling.  01:03 AYURIS: Ra (Reiner Knizia, alea, 1999)Games Played Last Week:04:07 -Mistborn (John D. Clair, Brotherwise Games, 2024)09:17 -Cerebria: The Inside World (Richard Amann, Viktor Peter, István Pócsi, Frigyes Schőberl, Nick Shaw, & Dávid Turczi, Mindclash Games, 2018)13:40 -1793: Patriots & Traitors (Jason St.Just, Sound of Drums, 2024) 20:35 -Navegador (Mac Gerdts, PD-Verlag, 2010)26:43 -Galactic Renaissance (Christian Martinez, Matagot, 2024)29:25 -Cyclades: Legendary Edition (Bruno Cathala & Ludovic Maublanc, Open Sesame Games, 2024)39:24 -Whale Riders (Reiner Knizia, Grail Games, 2021)41:06 -Figment (Wolfgang Warsch, CMYK, 2025)46:01 -Kabuto Sumo: Sakura Slam (John Brieger, Michael Dunsmore, & Tony Miller, Allplay, 2024)49:53 -Portmanteau: A Cooperative Game of Linguistic Fusion (Robert Fisk, Doghalla Games, 2025)54:26 -Dragon Valley (CW Karstens, Diamond K Games, 2012)News (and why it doesn't matter):1:01:56 Dragon Valley: Advisors & Quests, 20121:02:27 2001: A Space Odyssey 1 vs. all1:03:13 Paolo Mori and Alessandro Zucchini form Ingenioso Hidalgo for Battlefields of the Napoleonic Wars1:03:53 Feya's Swamp from Helge and Anselm OstertagAdvertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brandsPrivacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Colour nouns are essentially arbitrary; how one decides to chop up the visible spectrum of light is a matter of contingent taxonomy. Some languages have one noun for both blue and green, for example. English has a word for light red (pink) where other languages don't. Russian similarly has a word for light blue. And then there's magenta, which we can all agree is a scene and a half. Games Played Last Week:02:35 -Fruit Fight (Reiner Knizia, CMYK, 2025) 06:55 -Fives (Taiki Shinzawa, CMYK, 2025) 09:49 -Figment (Wolfgang Warsch, CMYK, 2025)12:49 -Duos (Johannes Schmidauer-König, CMYK, 2025) 16:17 -Sidereal Confluence (TauCeti Deichmann, Wizkids, 2017)19:24 -Fishing (Friedemann Friese, 2F-Spiele, 2024)24:36 -The Elder Scrolls: Betrayal of the Second Era (Josh J. Carlson, Michael Gernes, Logan Giannini, Ryan Howard, Salem Scott, and Josh Wielgus, Chip Theory Games, 2025)32:24 -Storm Raiders (Shem Phillips, Arkus Games, 2025)News (and why it doesn't matter):38:55 Mythic Games in trouble (again), crowdfunding commitments unfulfilled40:37 Monolith's Reichbusters: Reloaded41:10 Cardboard Ghosts by Amabel Holland and CRC Press41:46 Lord of the Rings Pandemic! Fate of the Fellowship42:06 Crawling Chaos by Mike Hutchinson on Kickstarter44:15 Endless Winter expansion crowdfunding soon44:28 Rebel Princess: Happily Ever After44:44 Feature Game: SETI: Search for Extraterrestrial Intelligence (Tomáš Holek, Czech Games Edition, 2024)Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brandsPrivacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Our upcoming convention, July 25th-27th 2025, is in its planning stages! We have a venue but nothing much else yet. Not even a name! Suggestions welcome. Mark quite likes So Very Wrong About Games Fun Times Good Vibes Only Trans Rights Are Human Rights Boardgame Jamboree, but he worries that it might be too pithy. Few things are off the table! Special guests? Maybe! Fabulous prizes? Well, prizes, definitely. More like obligatory prizes.03:08 AYURIS: Undaunted: Battle of Britain (Trevor Benjamin and David Thompson, Osprey Games, 2023)Games Played Last Week:04:49 -Malediction (Leo Cunha, Nicole Lobo, and Daniel Pettersen de Lucena, Loot Studios, 2025)12:09 -Slay the Spire: The Board Game (Gary Dworetsky, Anthony Giovannetti, and Casey Yano, Contention Games, 2024)13:43 -Lone Wolves (Yasuyuki Nakamura, Wonderful World Board Games, 2024)18:51 -Massive Darkness 2: Hellscape (Alex Olteanu & Marco Portugal, CMON, 2022)24:01 -Critter Kitchen (Alex Cutler & Peter C. Hayward, Carboard Alchemy, 2025) 27:59 -Coloretto (Michael Schacht, ABACUSSPIELE, 2003)29:26 -The White Castle: Matcha (Israel Cendrero & Sheila Santos, Devir Games, 2024)32:56 -Planet Unknown: Supermoon (Ryan Lambert & Adam Rehberg, Adam's Apple Games, 2024)News (and why it doesn't matter):38:59 Bullet big box40:03 Benjamin Sperling Persuasion roll and write on Kickstarter40:32 Champions of Midgard 10th Anniversary Edition41:15 SVWWAG Convention! July 25th, 26th, 27th. Details to follow!42:21 Topic: How Expansions Can FailAdvertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brandsPrivacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Dive into the chaos of Cosmic Frog and explore the whimsical yet strategic mechanics that make it a standout. Discover the intriguing dynamics of Ankh: Gods of Egypt, where player positioning can make or break your victory. Reflect on personal top ten lists for 2024, highlighting both disappointments and surprises in the board gaming landscape. Enjoy heartfelt gratitude for supporters, while discussing the unique artifact expansion for Veil of Eternity and its strategic depth. This journey through gaming brings laughter, nostalgia, and a renewed appreciation for tabletop adventures.