Yes, you could make the argument that every game is a negotiation game if you try hard enough, but for a lot of games it’s more integral to the design. We look at games that we think integrate negotiation mechanics especially well, and ask how much is too much (or too little) when it comes to negotiation. Before we compromise, we talk about Septima, and Kremlin.
There are many ways that we can accidentally contribute to gatekeeping in the hobby – pushing those who want to embrace it away. Whether it’s to those outside, or even, bizarrely, to those already in, we break down the subtle (and unsubtle) ways we do it, whether or not we mean to. Before we find the keymaster, we talk about San Marco, Gloomhaven: Jaws of the Lion, and Ghosts of Christmas.
I can only show you the door. You’re the one that has to walk through it. Gateway games are an often requested topic, but we wouldn’t be us without a big old debate about them first. Are they important? Should you be trying to convert your friends at all? Isn’t every game a gateway...
Let’s just keep doing this forever. It’s question time again! After last week’s massive success, we couldn’t resist the urge to have you, loyal listener, once more do all the work for us. Before we turn the microphones around, we also talk about Brass: Birmingham, Exodus: Paris Nouveau, and Werewords. If you don’t want to miss...
Alea iacta est. Or, as the poet Robert Van Winkle translated from the original Latin, dice dice baby. Luck is an element of almost every board game there is, but it’s still a major point of contention. Whether it’s the roll of dice, or the draw of a card, randomness can make or break...