Episode 175 – “Objectively” Bad

What makes a game objectively bad? It was the question that was asked of the internet from the folks at Board Game Blitz on their twitter feed. Naturally, we were curious about that concept too – but not specifically because we wanted to know the answer as much as we were observing how subjective all the answers were.

In this episode, we may not have had a lot of time to play (due to increases in job requirements and snow) – but I talk about playing Tides of Time with my wife. We talk about Fireball Island – both in its classic form and new, fresh, Restoration Games flavors – and ask how much is this nostalgia-soaked gimmick and how much just fun, silly gameplay?

And then we move into the main topic… how easy it is to think that your opinion on a given topic must be objectively correct simply because it’s the one you hold to. In board games, in life, and most especially in faith – this is a dangerous proposition if left unchecked.

 

P.S. – You really should check out Flip the Table’s back catalog – especially Gone Birding. And I checked – it’s Flip Florey’s Super Saturday Board Game Serial. Worth a listen.

Episode 174 – How Do You Do, Fellow Kids!

We got a chance to send a team out to Gary Con X this year to help them bring back their board game library after it had disappeared from the event for a while. In this episode, we have Shawn and Daniel on, who lead the team, to talk about the experience of playing games with some legends in the gaming world, as well as talk about Shawn’s new endeavor to see his local team of volunteers adopt a local game store.

As we talk about this desire to build connections in these local stores, we got to talking about the nature of intentional relationship building as a methodology for sharing the gospel with folks.

Specifically how the sole purpose of the relationship can’t be to get them to that moment of faith. Because that’s not an actual relationship. That’s somebody trying to play at having a real relationship to get what they want out of somebody. And that never goes well.

Bonus Content – Gary Con X

Daniel and Shawn lead a team – Zack, Hope, and Chuck – to Gary Con X in Lake Geneva, Wisconsin. Their mission: to answer the call and bring board games back to the convention built in memory of Gary Gygax.

In this episode, you’ll hear from Derek White – the Geekpreacher, Cathy Conner – designer of Elf Quest, as well as Daniel and Shawn themselves.

A great time was definitely had by all at the event, and if they’ll have us back – we’ll be returning to Gary Con again.

Episode 173 – Simplicity Itself

With the rest of your hosts off either on ministry related trips or gearing up for them – it’s time for another solo-Mike episode. You didn’t think you were done with them did you?

We live in a world of gaming filled with miniatures, gorgeous artwork, super complicated rule sets. While the big and impressive titles catch the eye and garner most of the attention – that doesn’t mean there isn’t a place for small, well-designed experiences that can evoke powerful moments. The same holds true in life and ministry also. You don’t need an elaborate setup and powerful story to be greatly loved and used by God.

If you would like to donate games to the MSD High School – the information can be found here.

Games discussed:
Lords of Waterdeep
Guillotine
Space Princess (If you like the game – support the Indie Go Go campaign to get a copy (and support the International Bipolar Foundation)
Win, Lose, or Banana
Onitama
Council of Verona
Avignon: Clash of Popes
Tides of Time
And Then We Held Hands

Episode 172 – Don’t Fear the Gamers

Don’t Fear the Gamers

Why stop at three when you can have four?  The time has come to pay the piper as Mike returns to the…uh…mic!  While we have our fun welcoming back our fearless leader, we thought it appropriate that the 4-strong lineup tackle the difficult topics of fear and anxiety. Sometimes the games we play express a certain flavor of fear exemplified by the times in which they were created. And even some other games actually help us deal with the anxieties of our current condition.

Even further, the gaming group that surrounds us at the table or on the digital waves can be a part of the most important weapon we have against fear – fellowship!

Games Discussed

The infamous Blue Mic Mike adds +4 against clipping!

Episode 171 – Gaming as a Social Contract

Getting it Right (or semi-right) from Design to Table

Daniel, Jeff and T.R. discuss what it means to bring a game to the table. How deeply does (or should) game designers and players consider what goes into a game and when (or if) it actually makes an appearance?  Anything ranging from historical accuracy to social contracts come into play as we range across the cardboard battlefields of gaming to find out!

Games Discussed

 

Episode 170 – Down, Down to Tolkien Town

The Influence Goes Ever On…

In this episode, Jeff, Daniel and guest wise-man T.R. Knight gather in the Green Dragon to discuss their love of Tolkien. Like so many fans, it’s influenced art, music, literature and (of course) gaming. Join us as we cover some of the highlights that have shaped our lives in and out of gaming.  And for your viewing pleasure, please enjoy the following links to all things Tolkien!!

Role Playing Games

Board Games

Recommended Readings

“Down, Down to Goblin Town” from the Original Soundtrack of The Hobbit (1977) animated by Rankin/Bass. Musc by Maury Laws

Episode 169 – Locally Sourced Plans

Locally Sourced, From Brain to Table

On this episode of Game Store Prophets, the group is sans el presidente, but have gathered some new hotness in the form of a guest host. As the triumvirate forms, can they hold it together long enough to put some plans together for 2018?  Find out as we discuss things and stuff and more things!

  1. GaryCon
  2. Fantasy Flight Games – Genesys
  3. Modiphius Games – John Carter of Mars RPG Kickstarter
  4. Spelljammer (link to Nerdarchy)
  5. FFG – Star Wars (not Star Trek) The Roleplaying Game 30th Anniversary Edition
  6. GenCon
  7. Kolossal Games – Western Legends Kickstarter
  8. Sine Nomine Publishing – Stars Without Number RPG
  9. Making Meaningful Resolutions

Find more about our guest host, T.R. Knight and his proclivity for touching way too many RPG books, go here!

Episode 168 – 2017’s End of Year Awards!

Each year we try to point out some of the games, people, and resources in the gaming world we think are worth looking into – whether they came out this year or they just did something special that grabbed our attention above everything else in the wide world of options. Sadly, as Jeff has had to deal with a lot of family issues this year, his experiences were drastically limited. He’s sitting this one out to spend just that much more time with his family while Daniel and I wax on about games.

If you don’t have the hour and change to listen to the episode when you hit this post and just want to results – here you are. For explanations as to why we made our choices, listen to the episode. Feel free to comment on this post and share your favorites from this year.

BEST GAME PLAYED –
Doesn’t need to be new this year, but a game that gave us the best single play experience in 2017

Mike- Terraforming Mars (Stronghold Games)
Daniel- Castle Ravenloft (Wizards of the Coast)

 

BEST GAME ADDED
Doesn’t need to be new this year, but our favorite game that we added to our game libraries in 2017

Mike- Scythe (Stonemaier Games)
Daniel- Wasteland Express Delivery Service (Pandasaurus Games)

 

FAVORITE GAME PUBLISHER –
Publishers who went above and beyond the call this year with consistently great titles and/or business choices

Mike- Restoration Games (Honorable Mention: Renegade Games)
Daniel- HABA

 

FAVORITE FRANCHISE GAME –
A game that continues on an established franchise and/or best utilizes a popular IP

Mike- Near & Far (Red Raven Games)
Daniel-  ZOMBIES!!!!! 15 – Another One Bites The Dust (Twilight Creations)

 

HIDDEN GEM –
A title the flew under the radar for a while but really impressed us after we found it

Mike- Cat Lady (AEG)
Daniel- Mole Rats in Space (Peaceable Kingdom)

 

FAVORITE GAME RESOURCE –
Something outside of any specific game that made our gaming experience better, more varied, etc.

Mike- Board Game Stats App
Daniel- Bundle of Holding (Honorable Mention: Paint Rack app)

 

FAVORITE GAME INDUSTRY/GAMING MEDIA PERSONALITY –
People making games or gaming content that did something noteworthy this year

Mike- Suzanne Sheldon & Mandi Hutchinson
Daniel- Duncan Rhodes

 

FAVORITE NON-INNROADS PODCAST – 
A podcast not necessarily about gaming, but definitely worth your attention

Mike – Board Game Blitz (Honorable mention – Mission to Zyxx)
Daniel – The Lonesome Pine Podcast

 

FAVORITE VIDEO GAME –
A video game or digital implementation of a board game that came out this year

Mike – Pyre
Daniel – Mysterium

 

GAME OF THE YEAR –
The best of the best

Mike- Spirit Island
Daniel- Photosynthesis

Episode 167 – Top of the Collection 2017

It’s that time of year again when we take stock of the games that we have seen over the past year’s gaming and reflect on it for our listeners. This first “end of the year” episode has your three hosts basically gushing about the favorite games they have in their collections at this moment and why. If you’ve ever had your theories on the sort of games we love – now’s your time to test them out.