A podcast about all manner of hobby games by Mike Walker and Mark Bigney. Bad games don&#39;t go easy on you, so we don&#39;t go easy on them. Thorough analysis via reviews, news, and discussion of topics in gaming. We take context seriously, we value your time, and we&#39;re not into hype. Just because games are fun doesn&#39;t mean we can&#39;t take them seriously, and just because we take them seriously doesn&#39;t mean we can&#39;t have fun.

https://s3.us-east-2.amazonaws.com/pod-public-media-files/2024/4/29/19/71862c00-8b70-47c7-b8ec-e9e866364485_episode_309_-_an_age_contrived.mp3

We are storytellers here at SVWAG. This week, we tell the stories of mismatched plagues with dead llamas posing as European dudes, of quixotic strivings for yet more skirmish games, of famous philosophers who hustled cards. Of course, if you wish to hear different stories, the power is yours! You have but to submit your questions for the upcoming Omnibus Questions episode, and all your idle demands shall be satisfied! Games Played Last Week:02:33 -Scrap (Kenny Michael-Otton, Jolly Swagman Games, 2023)09:12 -Root: The Marauder Expansion (Nick Brachmann, Patrick Leder, Cole Wehrle, and Joshua Yearsley, Leder Games, 2022)14:29 -Cartographers: A Roll Player Game (Jordy Adan, Thunderworks Games, 2019)16:52 -Lacuna (Mark Gerrits, CMYK, 2023)19:21 -The Edge: Dawnfall (Michał Oracz, Krzysztof Piskorski, and Marcin Świerkot, Awaken Realms, 2018) News (and why it doesn&#39;t matter):27:26 dlp&#39;s Orléans 10th Anniversary Edition, Walker has grievances30:47 Star Control II sequel, Free Stars: Children of Infinity, on Kickstarter 31:56 Feature Game: An Age Contrived (Chris Matthew, Bellows Intent, 2024) Advertising Inquiries: <a href='https://redcircle.com/brands'>https://redcircle.com/brands</a> Privacy & Opt-Out: <a href='https://redcircle.com/privacy'>https://redcircle.com/privacy</a>

#309: An Age Contrived

https://s3.us-east-2.amazonaws.com/pod-public-media-files/2024/4/22/23/49d3182f-a6f8-407e-a929-2d6f6711b5be_episode_308_-_favourite_mechanisms.mp3

No topic is off-limits for the upcoming return of our Omnibus Questions, as we demonstrate in this episode by tackling such issues as pre-Reformation papal indulgences. And if you were to guess which host brought up that little historical nugget, you&#39;d be wrong!Possible questions: who would win in a street fight, J.G. Fichte or Nietzsche? Do sheep poop? Who is the best member of Team Avatar? (Fichte, yes, and Appa, respectively)  02:17 AYURIS: It&#39;s a Wonderful World (Frédéric Guérard, La Boîte de Jeu, 2019) and It&#39;s a Wonderful Kingdom (Frédéric Guérard, La Boîte de Jeu, 2021) Games Played Last Week:06:23 -Orléans: The Plague (Reiner Stockhausen, dlp games, 2023)13:59 -Antiquity (Joroen Doumen &amp; Joris Wiersinga, Splotter, 2004)20:30 -Just One (Ludovic Roudy &amp; Bruno Sautter, Repos Production, 2018)22:51 -Green Team Wins (Nathan Thornton, 25th Century Games, 2022)23:47 -Quest (Don Eskridge, Indie Boards &amp; Cards, 2021)28:38 -Sidereal Confluence (TauCeti Deichmann, Wizkids, 2017)32:53 -Fast Sloths (Friedemann Friese, 2F-SPiele, 2019)35:59 -Set a Watch (Mike Gnade and Todd Walsh, Rock Manor Games, 2019)37:38 -The Big Push: Trench Warfare on the Western Front in World War One (Renaud Verlaque, Hollandspiele, 2017)42:14 -Robinson Crusoe: Collector&#39;s Edition (Joanna Kijanka and Ignacy Trzewiczek, Portal Games, 2024)45:43 -Wabash Cannonball (John Bohrer, Rio Grande Games, 2023) News (and why it doesn&#39;t matter):48:28 Adventure Time RPG on crowdfunding49:27 Business Time! Embracer group spins off Asmodee (with debt), Goliath acquires Lucky Duck Games 51:06 Munchkin Big Box solves our problems 51:43 Topic: Favourite Mechanisms Advertising Inquiries: <a href='https://redcircle.com/brands'>https://redcircle.com/brands</a> Privacy & Opt-Out: <a href='https://redcircle.com/privacy'>https://redcircle.com/privacy</a>

#308: Favourite Mechanisms

https://s3.us-east-2.amazonaws.com/pod-public-media-files/2024/4/16/0/d14be7f6-90d9-45e6-a69d-0b95254685fd_episode_307_-_galactic_renaissance.mp3

While we have little experience with Ed Sullivan&#39;s TV offerings, his legacy is a fascinating one. While he capitulated to pressure during the Red Scare, he did show remarkable courage in platforming African American performers despite opposition from his sponsors. Quite surprising is that the illness that eventually killed him was kept a secret from him by his family, a practise that was already frowned on in the United States by the seventies but is still widespread in many parts of the world.  Games Played Last Week:01:36 -The Vale of Eternity (Eric Hong, Mandoo Games, 2023)04:28 -Voidfall (Nigel Buckle &amp; Dávid Turczi, Mindclash Games, 2023)08:42 -Radlands (Daniel Piechnick, Roxley, 2021)10:11 -Mindbug Battlefruits (Christian Kudahl, Marvin Hegen, Skaff Elias, and Richard Garfield, Nerdlab Games, 2024)14:36 -ICECOOL Wizards (Brian Gomez, Brain Games, 2024)19:32 -Ratyl (Andy Gallagher, Busy Dad Games, 2023)25:46 -Agricola (Revised Edition) (Uwe Rosenberg, Lookout Games, 2016)29:42 -Almost Innocent (Philippe Attali, Kolossal Games, 2023)31:18 -E.T. The Extra-Terestrial: Light Years from Home Game (Propsero Hall and Brian Kirk, Funko Games, 2022)33:55 -Dune: Imperium--Uprising (Paul Dennen, Dire Wolf, 2023)38:16 -Word Traveler (Thomas Dagenais-Lespérance, Office Dog, 2024) News (and why it doesn&#39;t matter):41:11 Earth Reborn by Christophe Boelinger possibly to be expanded44:31 Vladimír Suchý and Delicious Games go to Resafa 45:12 Feature Game: Galactic Renaissance (Christian Martinez, Matagot, 2024) Advertising Inquiries: <a href='https://redcircle.com/brands'>https://redcircle.com/brands</a> Privacy & Opt-Out: <a href='https://redcircle.com/privacy'>https://redcircle.com/privacy</a>

#307: Galactic Renaissance

https://s3.us-east-2.amazonaws.com/pod-public-media-files/2024/4/9/1/d22be6e4-0547-4ac3-9f8a-974fc6d5c969_episode_306_-_what_brings_you_back.mp3

It is said that both politics and religion are not good conversational fodder among people you don&#39;t know well (and perhaps not even for people with whom you are close), but sadly those are among Mark&#39;s favourite topics. The sun having been devoured may cause the astronomers to be delighted, but Mark knows a portent when he sees one, and he is confident some kind of sacrifice to appease violent spirits is in order. Walker escalates things by invoking the divine right of kings, the intersection of religion and politics, but then again escalation is Walker&#39;s default instinct. Further proof of Fenrir&#39;s influence, no doubt! 01:44 AYURIS: Space Station Phoenix (Gabriel J. Cohn, Rio Grande Games, 2022) Games Played Last Week:03:54 -Black Rose Wars: Rebirth (Andrea Colletti, Diego Fonseca, and Marco Montanaro, Ludus Magnus Studio, 2024)11:15 -G.I. JOE Deck-Building Game: Raise the Flagg Campaign Expansion (T.C. Petty III, Renegade Game Studios, 2023)12:34 -Hissy Fit (Levi Robertson and Chris Stone, Stone Age Distractions, 2023)16:09 -Almost Innocent (Philippe Attali, Kolossal Games, 2023)16:47 -Don&#39;t L.L.A.M.A. Dice (Reiner Knizia, AMIGO, 2021)17:15 -Matches (Daniel McKinley, Thing 12 Games, 2024)19:42 -FORK (Ta-Te Wu, Sunrise Tornade Game Studio, 2023)22:08 -Voidfall (Nigel Buckle &amp; Dávid Turczi, Mindclash Games, 2023)25:13 -Battlecrest: Metronn Base Game (Dustin Dobson &amp; Milan Zivkovic, Button Shy, 2024)28:55 -Omen: Whispers of the Muse (John Clowdus, Small Box Games, 2024) News (and why it doesn&#39;t matter):32:11 Divine Right is back on Kickstarter34:04 Light Speed Arena by Tablescope Games on Kickstarter May 7 36:26 Topic: What Brings You Back? Advertising Inquiries: <a href='https://redcircle.com/brands'>https://redcircle.com/brands</a> Privacy & Opt-Out: <a href='https://redcircle.com/privacy'>https://redcircle.com/privacy</a>

#306: What Brings You Back

https://s3.us-east-2.amazonaws.com/pod-public-media-files/2024/4/1/22/fc1432e1-6d5f-4179-a813-d4220d7d7403_episode_305_-_barely_alive.mp3

I never really understood the term &#34;undead.&#34; I mean, it&#39;s a binary, right? If it&#39;s not dead it must be alive, at least in the context of things that could or were once alive. The negation never seemed to be doing enough work to imply what it was intended to imply. That is, until Walker and Mark got sick. They&#39;re not dead, but going straight to &#34;alive&#34; seems a rather hopeful exaggeration. Undead seems appropriate for now. 01:47 AYURIS: Carnegie (Xavier Georges, Quined Games, 2022) Games Played Last Week:03:48 -Legacy of Yu (Shem Phillips, Garphill Games, 2023) 07:30 -Set a Watch (Mike Gnade and Todd Walsh, Rock Manor Games, 2019)09:12 -Gloomhaven: Buttons &amp; Bugs (Joe Klipfel and Nikki Valens, Cephalofair Games, 2024)15:03 -Stonespine Architects (Jordy Adan, Thunderworks Games, 2024)17:23 -Marshmallow Test (Reiner Knizia, Gamewright, 2020)19:21 -Black Rose Wars: Rebirth (Andrea Colletti, Diego Fonseca, and Marco Montanaro, Ludus Magnus Studio, 2024)21:47 -Almost Innocent (Philippe Attali, Kolossal Games, 2023)25:52 -Paint the Roses (Ben Goldman, North Star Games, 2022)28:50 -Fromage (Matthew O&#39;Malley and Ben Rosset, Road to Infamy Games, 2024)32:40 -Dragonbond: Lords of Vaala (Jack Caesar and Alessio Cavatore, Draco Studios, 2023) 37:52 -City of the Living (Sebastian Bleasdale and Reiner Knizia, Trick or Treat Studios, 2024) News (and why it doesn&#39;t matter):42:31 Micro Macro Bonus Box has come home43:26 Age of Innovation balance adjustments for Illusionists and Navigators46:22 Don&#39;t Starve the board game47:26 Upcoming from Alex &#34;Green Team&#34; Cutler: Don&#39;t Skip Leg Day and Box Top Pinball Haunted House from Pandasaurus48:44 Walker cuteness weakness: Kyoto no Neko49:30 Railroad Tiles from Horrible Guild50:38 Lots of content on our Patreon: www.patreon.com/svwag Advertising Inquiries: <a href='https://redcircle.com/brands'>https://redcircle.com/brands</a> Privacy & Opt-Out: <a href='https://redcircle.com/privacy'>https://redcircle.com/privacy</a>

#305: Barely Alive

https://s3.us-east-2.amazonaws.com/pod-public-media-files/2024/3/26/1/ddbf5045-254f-419d-aa18-b7a4c57b247d_episode_304_-_we_are_sick.mp3

We haul ourselves off of our deathbeds to deliver this episode unto you. Prospects for our recovery seem dim, but we would sooner die than deprive you of that which is most sacred--namely content. Of course, illness may yet claim us, but we are far too stoic and noble to complain. 01:49 AYURIS: Stroganov (Andreas Steding, Game Brewer, 2021) Games Played Last Week:04:46 -Hissy Fit (Levi Robertson and Chris Stone, Stone Age Distractions, 2023)06:53 -Finished! (Friedemann Friese, 2F-Spiele, 2017)12:01 -City of the Living (Sebastian Bleasdale and Reiner Knizia, Trick or Treat Studios, 2024)15:07 -Legacy of Yu (Shem Phillips, Garphill Games, 2023) 20:27 -Bus (Jeroen Doumen and Joris Wiersinga, Capstone Games, 2019)24:51 -Battlecrest: Metronn Base Game (Dustin Dobson &amp; Milan Zivkovic, Button Shy, 2024)28:59 -G.I. JOE Deck-Building Game: Raise the Flagg Campaign Expansion (T.C. Petty III, Renegade Game Studios, 2023)31:25 -Gloomhaven: Buttons &amp; Bugs (Joe Klipfel and Nikki Valens, Cephalofair Games, 2024) Advertising Inquiries: <a href='https://redcircle.com/brands'>https://redcircle.com/brands</a> Privacy & Opt-Out: <a href='https://redcircle.com/privacy'>https://redcircle.com/privacy</a>

#304: We Are Sick

https://s3.us-east-2.amazonaws.com/pod-public-media-files/2024/3/19/1/444ad22f-cfc8-498e-aca0-890f2de1049e_episode_303_-_kutna_hora.mp3

We present to you a specially chemically-enhanced episode. Walker has been doping specifically in preparation, eschewing any sustenance other than military-grade lozenges. Mark will be performing his hosting duties while fully immersed in a tank of benzocaine oral painkiller. It is a good thing that the International Olympic Committee has no sway here in SVWAG studios, or we would likely get disqualified for the podcast luge event. Games Played Last Week:01:30 -Raising Robots (Brett Sobol &amp; Seth Van Orden, Nauvoo Games, 2023)08:26 -Omen: Banks of the Styx (John Clowdus, Small Box Games, 2024)11:40 -Set a Watch (Mike Gnade and Todd Walsh, Rock Manor Games, 2019)13:47 -Cryo (Tom Jolly &amp; Luke Laurie, Z-Man Games, 2021)17:33 -Formula D (Laurent Lavaur &amp; Eric Randall, Asmodee, 2008)18:39 -Riftforce (Carlo Bortolini, 1 More Time Games, 2021)22:36 -Piazza Rabazza (Guido Hoffman and Jens-Peter Schliemann, Zoch Verlag, 2022) News (and why it doesn&#39;t matter):25:37 RoboRally Transformers: can Autobots get drunk?27:12 An expansion to Unfathomable, the Battlestar Galactica re-theme27:52 Burned was too pure for this crowdfunded world28:19 Etherstone from ThunderGryph Games by Virginio Gigli and Simone Luciani on Kickstarter29:11 Avatar: The Last Airbender co-op deckbuilder 29:43 Feature Game: Kutná Hora: The City of Silver (Ondřej Bystroň, Petr Čáslava, and Pavel Jarosch, Czech Games Edition, 2023) 51:24 SVWAG Presents Masterpiece Theatre: Avatar: The Last Airbender (2024) Advertising Inquiries: <a href='https://redcircle.com/brands'>https://redcircle.com/brands</a> Privacy & Opt-Out: <a href='https://redcircle.com/privacy'>https://redcircle.com/privacy</a>

#303: Kutna Hora: The City of Silver

https://s3.us-east-2.amazonaws.com/pod-public-media-files/2024/3/12/1/a7d08f34-4268-4966-b7d2-aa9c9611d4a1_episode_302_-_rules_explanations.mp3

For reasons both personal and highly arbitrary, the SVWAG style guide (authored by gibbons, of course) does not countenance using the word &#34;teach&#34; as a noun, with the possible exception as a casual nickname for a teacher. Thus a game does not, in our parlance, have a &#34;teach&#34; except insofar as you call the person explaining the rules to you &#34;teach&#34;. As in, &#34;yo, teach, thanks for doing this thankless job, you make our hobby possible, I&#39;m certainly not going to give you a hard time for any minor rules errors or didactic missteps, lemme buy you a pizza, teach, you incredibly physically attractive hero.&#34;  01:25 AYURIS: Sakura Arms (BakaFire, Level 99 Games 2022) Games Played Last Week:04:04 -La Granja: Deluxe Master Set (Michael Keller and Andreas &#34;ode.&#34; Odendahl, Board&amp;Dice, 2023)10:19 -Unchained (David Gregg, Trick or Treat Studios, 2024)18:04 -Paku Paku (Antoine Bauza, Ravensburger, 2017)21:34 -Turbo Kidz (Emmanuel Gauvain, Scorpion Masqué, 2023)23:46 -Nine Tiles Panic (Jens Merkl and Jean-Claude Pellin, Oink Games, 2019)25:49 -5 Towers (Kasper Lapp, Deep Print Games, 2023)26:33 -Clip Cut Parks (Shaun Graham and Scott Huntington, Renegade Game Studios, 2019)28:17 -The Same Game (Wolfgang Warsch, Edition Spielwiese, 2023)34:17 -Omen: Songs of Far Shores (John Clowdus, Small Box Games, 2024)38:45 -The Vale of Eternity (Eric Hong, Mandoo Games, 2023)43:27 -Sentinels of the Multiverse (Christopher Badell, Paul Bender, &amp; Adam Rebottaro, Greater Than Games, 2011) News (and why it doesn&#39;t matter):49:39 Ninja Division declares bankruptcy, leaves thousands of Kickstarter backers in the lurch50:57 New Mage Knight expansion! Apocalypse Dragon from WizKids by Phil Pettifer51:43 Star Trek Star Realms52:02 Magical Athlete reprint by CMYK in 2025 52:41 Topic: Rules Explanations Advertising Inquiries: <a href='https://redcircle.com/brands'>https://redcircle.com/brands</a> Privacy & Opt-Out: <a href='https://redcircle.com/privacy'>https://redcircle.com/privacy</a>

#302: Rules Explanations

https://s3.us-east-2.amazonaws.com/pod-public-media-files/2024/3/5/2/673ebff6-d743-44e1-98e6-88c371f75d69_sode_301_-_leonardo_da_vinci_s_codex_leicester.mp3

Before shouting about toys professionally, Mark taught ethics at a health sciences university. He discussed matters of life and death, of cutting edge controversial technologies, of war and politics, and matters of fundamental rights and duties. He has learned two lessons from those experiences: never ever talk about animal rights with a pit bull owner, and his views on Mass Effect are vastly more controversial than any of his other views. In this episode, he is at least smart enough to stay silent about dogs. Games Played Last Week:01:54 -Street Masters (Adam Sadler &amp; Brady Sadler, Blacklist Games, 2018)07:45 -The Barracks Emperors (Wray Ferrell and Brad Johnson, GMT Games, 2023)15:08 -Dune: Imperium--Uprising (Paul Dennen, Dire Wolf, 2023)17:58 -Tank Duel: Enemy in the Crosshairs (Mike Bertucelli, GMT Games, 2019)28:09 -Lunar Rush (Steven &#34;Skippy&#34; Brown, Dead Alive Games, 2023)32:27 -Regicide (Paul Abrahams, Luke Badger, &amp; Andy Richdale, Badgers from Mars, 2020) News (and why it doesn&#39;t matter):34:44 Modiphius&#39; upcoming Mass Effect game by Eric Lang and Calvin Wong Tze Loon36:49 Ares will publish and distribute new Mega Empires (further descendants of Mega Civilization)38:17 Heroscape: Age of Annihilation from Renegade Games--prepaints and all your money 44:57 Street Masters Kickstarter buyer&#39;s guide redux 48:15 Feature Game: Leonardo da Vinci&#39;s Codex Leicester (Changhyun Baek, Flaminia Brasini, Virginio Gigli, Stefano Luperto, and Antonio Tinto, DiceTree Games, 2023) Advertising Inquiries: <a href='https://redcircle.com/brands'>https://redcircle.com/brands</a> Privacy & Opt-Out: <a href='https://redcircle.com/privacy'>https://redcircle.com/privacy</a>

#301: Leonardo da Vinci's Codex Leicester

https://s3.us-east-2.amazonaws.com/pod-public-media-files/2024/2/27/23/0fe543a7-4c0a-408e-afff-efa3b96b8af9_episode_300b_-_patrons__top_20.mp3

Walker was all like &#34;there&#39;s this card effect in Successors&#34; and Mark was all like &#34;nuh-uh&#34; but Walker was like &#34;yeah, fer sure&#34; and Mark goes &#34;no way&#34; and Walker says &#34;way&#34; and that&#39;s a 100% accurate transcript. 01:53 AYURIS: Dice Realms (Thomas Lehmann, Rio Grande Games, 2022) Games Played Last Week:04:07 -Lorenzo il Magnifico (Flaminia Brasini, Virginio Gigli, and Simone Luciani, Cranio Creations, 2016)10:55 -Leonardo da Vinci&#39;s Codex Leicester (Changhyun Baek, Flaminia Brasini, Virginio Gigli, Stefano Luperto, and Antonio Tinto, DiceTree Games, 2023)17:00 -Darwin’s Journey (Simone Luciani and Nestore Mangone, ThunderGryph Games, 2023)21:23 -The North: Provenance (John Clowdus, Small Box Games, 2020)27:03 -Sail (Akiyama Koryu &amp; Korzu Yusei, Allplay, 2023)28:18 -MLEM: Space Agency (Reiner Knizia, Rebel Studio, 2024)31:15 -My Island (Reiner Knizia, KOSMOS, 2023)36:48 -Successors 4th Edition (Richard H. Berg and Mark Simonitch, PHALANX, 2022) News (and why it doesn&#39;t matter):46:25 Lifeboats reprint: Plank of Carneades47:27 Mike Hutchinson running a survey on Gaslands: https://forms.gle/8DjmJDxpaivpsznW748:06 Eric Lang and Ken Grul&#39;s Life in Reterra from Hasbro48:24 Please support us on Patreon, if so inclined! www.patreon.com/svwag 51:02 Topic: The Patrons&#39; Top 20 Advertising Inquiries: <a href='https://redcircle.com/brands'>https://redcircle.com/brands</a> Privacy & Opt-Out: <a href='https://redcircle.com/privacy'>https://redcircle.com/privacy</a>

#300: Patrons' Top 20

https://s3.us-east-2.amazonaws.com/pod-public-media-files/2024/2/19/21/88b555a7-7208-466e-be1d-5cc58faccbb5_episode_299_-_nucleum.mp3

The theory of the atom first posited by the pre-Socratic philosopher Democritus in roughly the 4th Century BCE. None of his actual writings have survived. The great thing about the pre-Socratics is that so few of their works are available, you can spend about ten minutes (or less!) and have read as much of their stuff as have the world&#39;s leading experts.  Games Played Last Week:01:53 -Kingdom Rush: Elemental Uprising (Alara Cameron, Helana Hope, and Sen-Foong Lim, Lucky Duck Games, 2023)04:15 -Assault on Doomrock: Ultimate Edition (Tom Stasiak, Beautiful Disaster Games, 2023)06:43 -Caverna: The Cave Farmers (Uwe Rosenberg, Lookout Games, 2013)07:22 -Hidden Leaders (Andreas Müller, Markus Müller, &amp; Raphael Stocker, BFF Games, 2022)08:28 -AQUA: Biodiversity in the Oceans (Dan Halstad and Tristan Halstad, Sidekick Games, 2024)13:05 -Project: ELITE (Konstantinos Kokkinis, Marco Portugal, &amp; Sotirios Tsantilas, CMON, 2020)16:54 -Lacuna (Mark Gerrits, CMYK, 2023)19:33 -5 Towers (Kasper Lapp, Deep Print Games, 2023) News (and why it doesn&#39;t matter):24:05 Kemet: Rise of the Gods reprint with additional modules on crowdfunding soon from Matagot25:11 Burned on Kickstarter February 13 from Stone Circle Games and Jon Moffat25:52 Wandering Galaxy: new Crossroads game from Plaid Hat Games 26:52 Feature Game: Nucleum (Simone Luciani &amp; Dávid Turczi, Board&amp;Dice, 2023) Advertising Inquiries: <a href='https://redcircle.com/brands'>https://redcircle.com/brands</a> Privacy & Opt-Out: <a href='https://redcircle.com/privacy'>https://redcircle.com/privacy</a>

#299: Nucleum

https://s3.us-east-2.amazonaws.com/pod-public-media-files/2024/2/13/2/591726a5-f361-457d-9f5a-222e2ec264bb_episode_298_-_deckbuilding.mp3

Every man wants to be a macho, macho manTo have the kind of body always in demandJogging in the mornings, go man goWork outs in the health spa, muscles glowYou can best believe that he&#39;s a macho manReady to get down with, anyone he can You can tell a macho, he has a funky walkHis western shirts and leather, always look so bossFunky with his body, he&#39;s a kingCall him Mister Ego, dig his chainsYou can best believe that he&#39;s a macho manHe likes to be the leader, he never dresses grand -&#34;Macho Man&#34; by The Village People 03:05 AYURIS: Guards of Atlantis II (Artyom Nichipurov, Wolff Designa, 2022) Games Played Last Week:05:06 -AQUA : Biodiversity in the Oceans (Dan Halstad and Tristan Halstad, Sidekick Games, 2024)08:05 -Bloodstones (Martin Wallace, Wallace Designs, 2023)09:36 -Kingdom Rush: Elemental Uprising (Alara Cameron, Helana Hope, and Sen-Foong Lim, Lucky Duck Games, 2023)10:45 -Imperium: Horizons (Nigel Buckle and Dávid Turczi, Osprey Games, 2024)15:48 -Tokyo Highway: Rainbow City (Naotaka Shimamoto and Yoshiaki Tomioka, itten, 2023)19:32 -Sail (Akiyama Koryu &amp; Korzu Yusei, Allplay, 2023)21:33 -For Science! (R. Eric Reuss, Grey Fox Games, 2021)24:45 -Charioteer (Matt Calkins, GMT Games, 2022)27:59 -Great Western Trail: New Zealand (Alexander Pfister, eggertspiele, 2023)35:09 -Don&#39;t L.L.A.M.A. Dice (Reiner Knizia, AMIGO, 2021)36:14 -That&#39;s Not a Hat (Kasper Lapp, Ravensburger, 2023) News (and why it doesn&#39;t matter):37:54 Bus from Capstone reprint in 202438:34 Burned on Kickstarter February 13 from Stone Circle Games and Jon Moffat39:15 CMON moving to Gamefound for A Song of Ice and Fire Tactics 41:37 Topic: Deckbuilding Advertising Inquiries: <a href='https://redcircle.com/brands'>https://redcircle.com/brands</a> Privacy & Opt-Out: <a href='https://redcircle.com/privacy'>https://redcircle.com/privacy</a>

#298: Deckbuilding

https://s3.us-east-2.amazonaws.com/pod-public-media-files/2024/2/6/2/28ebfa78-5b2d-446d-ae09-f9848b967d97_episode_297_-_envelopes_of_cash.mp3

Let us, following in Andy Schwarz&#39;s example, highlight the fine work of Nancy Skinner, a California state senator whose &#34;Fair Pay to Play Act&#34; granted college athletes in California the right to profit from their name, image, and likeness. This forced the NCAA to allow such changes more broadly.It hasn&#39;t been perfect, but let&#39;s acknowledge one thing: if someone&#39;s gonna be making millions off your name and face, maybe--just maybe!--you should be able to get a cut.  Games Played Last Week:01:43 -AQUA : Biodiversity in the Oceans (Dan Halstad and Tristan Halstad, Sidekick Games, 2024)06:24 -Imperium: Horizons (Nigel Buckle and Dávid Turczi, Osprey Games, 2024)13:40 -World Wonders (Zé Mendes, Arcane Wonders, 2023)19:33 -MLEM: Space Agency (Reiner Knizia, Rebel Studio, 2024)24:14 -Maskmen (Jun Sasaki and Taiki Shinzawa, Oink Games, 2014)28:27 -The Barracks Emperors (Wray Ferrell and Brad Johnson, GMT Games, 2023)32:17 -Tokyo Highway: Rainbow City (Naotaka Shimamoto and Yoshiaki Tomioka, itten, 2023)37:14 -Vengeance (Gordon Calleja, Mighty Boards, 2018)40:03 -Charioteer (Matt Calkins, GMT Games, 2022) News (and why it doesn&#39;t matter):44:29 &#34;Wednesdays with Walker&#34;--streaming on Twitch45:05 Unpublished Flickateers by Trevor Benjamin and David Thompson45:55 Storm Raiders by Shem Phillips46:48 Voidfall Solo Online by Mark Hutchinson! https://boardgamegeek.com/thread/3222419/play-voidfall-solo-online-fan-made-app 47:59 Feature Game: Envelopes of Cash (Andy Schwarz, Envelopes of Cash LLC, 2023) Advertising Inquiries: <a href='https://redcircle.com/brands'>https://redcircle.com/brands</a> Privacy & Opt-Out: <a href='https://redcircle.com/privacy'>https://redcircle.com/privacy</a>

#297: Envelopes of Cash

https://s3.us-east-2.amazonaws.com/pod-public-media-files/2024/1/30/2/e803074b-566b-4cee-af73-83e93505ec60_episode_296_-_dexterity_games_revisited.mp3

It has been many a year since our early days, our salad days when we were younger and dumb and didn&#39;t know what we were doing. Much has changed, in that we are now older and dumb and don&#39;t know what we&#39;re doing. But the inexorable march of time has at least offered many new offerings in the broad tent of dexterity games, and so it is past time that we focus on one of our preferred genus of toy. 01:26 AYURIS: Golem (Flaminia Brasini, Virginio Gigli, &amp; Simone Luciani, Cranio Creations, 2021) Games Played Last Week:04:19 -Anachrony (Dávid Turczi, Mindclash Games, 2017)11:11 -Welcome to the Moon (Alexis Allard &amp; Benoit Turpin, Blue Cocker Games, 2021)15:44 -General Orders: World War II (Trevor Benjamin and David Thompson, Osprey Games, 2023)22:16 -Sail (Akiyama Koryu &amp; Korzu Yusei, Allplay, 2023)25:25 -Burned (Jon Moffat, Stone Circle Games, Unpublished)28:39 -My Island (Reiner Knizia, KOSMOS, 2023)34:50 -Bloodstones (Martin Wallace, Wallace Designs, 2023) News (and why it doesn&#39;t matter):39:59 Mythic Games sells Anastyr and Hel: The Last Saga to CMON; backers will get base game only41:44 Renegade Games&#39; Axis and Allies: G.I. Joe44:19 Ads for Votes for Women pulled from Facebook because they apparently think women&#39;s suffrage is contentious47:00 Carolingi pulled from Gamefound, pre-orders directly from Sea Cove Games47:59 7 Empires from Mac Gerdts49:27 Star Trek: Away Missions goes Original Series 51:52 Topic: Dexterity Games Revisited Advertising Inquiries: <a href='https://redcircle.com/brands'>https://redcircle.com/brands</a> Privacy & Opt-Out: <a href='https://redcircle.com/privacy'>https://redcircle.com/privacy</a>

#296: Dexterity Games Revisited

https://s3.us-east-2.amazonaws.com/pod-public-media-files/2024/1/23/2/fe03f6bf-cd02-4c99-bcc4-dad2323437f4_episode_295_-_federation.mp3

A pretty solid rule of thumb is that if you&#39;ve been disappointed in a kind of game, try David Thompson&#39;s version of it and see how delightful it can be. Hidden movement got you down? Sniper Elite is the cure. Abstract chunky tiled fighty thing didn&#39;t please? War Chest might please. Mediocre skirmish cramping your style? For What Remains is ready to serve. It&#39;s a good thing he has styles of games he hasn&#39;t explored, lest he just obsolete the remainder of the games industry. Give him time. He&#39;ll collaborate with everyone eventually. Games Played Last Week:01:41 -Beast (Aron Midhall, Elon Midhall, and Assar Pettersson, Studio Midhall, 2022)07:17 -Iberia (Jesús Torres Castro and Matt Leacock, Z-Man Games, 2016)11:42 -Sankoré: The Pride of Mansa Musa (Mandela Fernandez-Grandon and Fabio Lopiano, Osprey Games, 2024)18:16 -Bitoku: Resutoran (Germán P. Millán, Devir, 2023)23:00 -Kurz vor Knapp (Helmut Punke and Tobias Punke, Zoch Verlag, 2020)28:06 -Animal Upon Animal (Klaus Miltenberger, HABA, 2005)29:33 -Bloodstones (Martin Wallace, Wallace Designs, 2023) News (and why it doesn&#39;t matter):38:01 Shipyard reprint from Delicious Games38:55 In the Gang from KOSMOS39:56 Kabuto Sumo: Sakura Slam on Kickstarter 40:51 Feature Game: Federation (Dimitri Perrier and Matthieu Verdier, Explor8, 2022) Advertising Inquiries: <a href='https://redcircle.com/brands'>https://redcircle.com/brands</a> Privacy & Opt-Out: <a href='https://redcircle.com/privacy'>https://redcircle.com/privacy</a>

#295: Federation

https://s3.us-east-2.amazonaws.com/pod-public-media-files/2024/1/16/2/b55b562a-0405-4eab-b618-922e98996ebb_episode_294_-_2023_year_in_review.mp3

As ever, and with no clue what a lang syne is (much less an auld-y type configuration), we embrace the new year by commemorating the old. We would venture that the new year only truly begins once SVWAG has given its imprimatur on the best game published in the preceding year. The Julian Calendar was abandoned in favour of the Gregorian, and it is evident that the Gregorian should be abandoned in favour of the SVWAGgering Calendar.  Games Played Last Week:01:34 -Kutná Hora: The City of Silver (Ondřej Bystroň, Petr Čáslava, and Pavel Jarosch, Czech Games Edition, 2023)06:53 -Voidfall (Nigel Buckle &amp; Dávid Turczi, Mindclash Games, 2023)07:57 -K2 (Adam Kałuża, Rebel Sp. z o.o., 2010)09:35 -Cover Your Assets (Brent Beck &amp; Jeffrey Beck, Grandpa Beck&#39;s Games, 2011)11:52 -Assault on Doomrock: Ultimate Edition (Tom Stasiak, Beautiful Disaster Games, 2023)16:53 -Road Trippin (Uncredited, Guilt Free Gaming, 2021)19:42 -Evacuation (Vladimír Suchý, Delicious Games, 2023)28:05 -Solar Titans (Phillip Gee and Xian Wu, SunnySideUp Games, 2023)31:03 -Tiny Mini Golf (Kamis Kamiński, Self-published, 2023) News (and why it doesn&#39;t matter):Nothing to see here. 34:25 Topic: 2023 Year in Review35:04 Mark and Walker&#39;s Top 10s52:28 SVWAG 2023 Game of the Year53:37 Special Categories Advertising Inquiries: <a href='https://redcircle.com/brands'>https://redcircle.com/brands</a> Privacy & Opt-Out: <a href='https://redcircle.com/privacy'>https://redcircle.com/privacy</a>

#294: 2023 Year in Review

https://s3.us-east-2.amazonaws.com/pod-public-media-files/2024/1/9/3/3b1c54d1-33d1-4074-977d-7f1c6db71bff_episode_293_-_out_of_print_games_revisited.mp3

Heraclitus, an ancient Greek philosopher, claimed that you never step in the same river twice; for it is not the same river and you are not the same person. Such as it is with games! They are reprinted and thus reborn, all along some blurred spectrum of redesign spanning from carbon copy all the way to entirely new design.Let us not forget Heraclitus&#39; student Cratylus, who evidently thought Heraclitus some kind of squish, insofar as he is credited with countering that you cannot step into the same river once. 01:25 AYURIS: Perseverance: Castaway Chronicles Episodes 1 &amp; 2 (Richard Amann, Thomas Vande Ginste, Viktor Peter, Wolf Plancke, &amp; Dávid Turczi, Mindclash Games, 2022) Games Played Last Week:03:32 -Rats of Wistar (Simone Luciani and Danilo Sabia, Cranio Creations, 2023)09:15 -Voidfall (Nigel Buckle &amp; Dávid Turczi, Mindclash Games, 2023)11:00 -Faiyum: Privileges (Friedemann Friese, 2F-Spiele, 2023)15:04 -Horizon Wars: Midnight Dark (Robey Jenkins, Precinct Omega Publishing, 2023)22:52 -Burned (Jon Moffat, Stone Circle Games, Unpublished)26:36 -My Island (Reiner Knizia, KOSMOS, 2023)30:40 -Trick Shot (Second Edition) (Artyom Nichipurov, Wolff Designa, 2023)35:05 -Napoleon&#39;s Conquests (Bruno Lamotte, Fellowship of Simulations, 2023)42:47 -Splendor Duel (Marc André and Bruno Cathala, Space Cowboys, 2022)43:42 -Federation (Dimitri Perrier and Matthieu Verdier, Explor8, 2022) News (and why it doesn&#39;t matter):47:23 War Story: Occupied France; narrative game by David Thompson, Dave Neale, and Osprey Games49:02 Keyside: Richard Breese and 49:37 Turing Machine on Boardgamearena and designer&#39;s notes on BGG50:49 Terra Pyramides by Kiesling &amp; Kramer51:06 Moby Trick51:25 Halo miniatures game by Mantic Games52:02 Gaia Project Expansion announced, again 52:49 RIP Bryan Ansell, co-founder of Games Workshop 54:05 Topic: Out of Print Games Revisited Advertising Inquiries: <a href='https://redcircle.com/brands'>https://redcircle.com/brands</a> Privacy & Opt-Out: <a href='https://redcircle.com/privacy'>https://redcircle.com/privacy</a>

#293: Out of Print Games Revisited

https://s3.us-east-2.amazonaws.com/pod-public-media-files/2024/1/2/0/9f9362fc-71fd-4cee-bab1-6c3ce4aeb812_episode_292_-_arborea.mp3

&#34;This here&#39;s a jam for all the gamersTryin&#39; to do what those rulebooks offerGet shot down &#39;cause you&#39;re overzealousTake too long, opponents get jealousOk, smarty, go to a partyGames are on the menu for everybodyYou wanna play a game that&#39;s more complexerBut you&#39;re standin&#39; on the wall like you was Poindexter A game is laid out, one not played outThe options unfold and your mind just spins outThey say you should take your turn or get removedSo come on, gamer, and just bust a move&#34; -Young MC, noted foe of analysis paralysisGames Played Last Week:01:10 -Evolution: Climate (Dominic Crapuchettes, Dmitry Knorre, &amp; Sergey Machin, North Star Games, 2016)05:57 -Tiny Epic Crimes (Scott Almes, Gamelyn Games, 2023)10:20 -The Fox Experiment (Jeff Fraser and Elizabeth Hargrave, Pandasaurus Games, 2023)13:45 -Undergrove (Elizabeth Hargrave and Mark Wootton, AEG, 2024)15:15 -Votes for Women (Tory Brown, Fort Circle Games, 2022)17:52 -The Gods Will Have Blood (Daniel Bullock, Lock Horns Games, 2023)21:56 -Green Team Wins (Nathan Thornton, 25th Century Games, 2022)23:40 -Fun Facts (Kasper Lapp, Repos Production, 2022)24:31 -Just One (Ludovic Roudy &amp; Bruno Sautter, Repos Production, 2018)24:39 -So Clover! (François Romain, Repos Production, 2021)25:55 -Duhr: The Lesser Houses (Jenna Felli, Devious Weasel, 2018)30:47 -No Thanks! (Thorsten Gimmler, AMIGO, 2004)32:37 -Leonardo da Vinci&#39;s Codex Leicester (Changhyun Baek, Flaminia Brasini, Virginio Gigli, Stefano Luperto, and Antonio Tinto, DiceTree Games, 2023)38:58 -Road Trippin (Uncredited, Guilt Free Gaming, 2021)41:00 -Star Trek: Away Missions (Andrew Haught, Mike Haught, and Phil Yates, Gale Force Nine, 2023) News (and why it doesn&#39;t matter):47:35 Shackleton Base: A Journey to the Moon by Fabio Lopiano and Nestore Magone, published by Sorry We Are French 48:04 Amabel Holland in The New Yorker: https://www.newyorker.com/culture/annals-of-inquiry/the-personal-political-art-of-board-game-design48:36 Zombie Sniper. That is all. 48:59 Jenna Felli&#39;s upcoming game Murray the A**hole Frog (trans designer and trans artist) and upcoming novel Serpent Ascending 50:24 Co-op Dungeon Scrawlers?! 2together by OldChap Editions51:24 Andy Schwarz&#39;s &#34;Financial Reckoning&#34; for Envelopes of Cash: https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/envelopesofcash/envelopes-of-cash/posts/399596252:47 Assault on Doomrock: Ultimate Edition accidentally published with crypto-fascist imagery. Burn the &#34;Banner of Kekistan&#34;  54:48 Feature Game: Arborea (Dani Garcia, Alley Cat Games, 2023) Advertising Inquiries: <a href='https://redcircle.com/brands'>https://redcircle.com/brands</a> Privacy & Opt-Out: <a href='https://redcircle.com/privacy'>https://redcircle.com/privacy</a>

#292: Arborea

https://s3.us-east-2.amazonaws.com/pod-public-media-files/2023/12/19/2/06983145-72da-433e-ba10-aeda30543295_episode_291_-_adventure_games.mp3

Just before Mark is de-platformed, he would like to remind the SVWAG audience of two very important facts. First, he is but a man shouting into a can, and just because he doesn&#39;t like the thing you like doesn&#39;t make either less worthy of respect, dignity, and chocolate. He is willing to accept the possibility that he&#39;s Playing It Wrong and/or Doesn&#39;t Get It and/or needs to Git Gud and/or is just insufficiently evolved.Second, a reminder that complaints are to be directed to support@aircanada.ca. 01:12 AYURIS: El Grande (Wolfgang Kramer &amp; Richard Ulrich, Hans im Glück, 1995) Games Played Last Week:02:26 -Age of Innovation (Helge Ostertag, Capstone Games, 2023)07:55 -Mage Knight: The Board Game (Vlaada Chvatil, WizKids, 2011)14:08 -Knarr (Thomas Dupont, Bombyx, 2023)15:13 -The Fox Experiment (Jeff Fraser and Elizabeth Hargrave, Pandasaurus Games, 2023)18:45 -Android: Netrunner (Richard Garfield and Lukas Litzsinger, Fantasy Flight Games, 2012)23:23 -Apiary (Connie Vogelmann, Stonemaier Games, 2023)29:49 -Air, Land &amp; Sea (Jon Perry, Arcane Wonders, 2018)31:47 -Schadenfreude (ctr, Studio Turbine, 2021)34:13 -For Science! (R. Eric Reuss, Grey Fox Games, 2021)38:13 -Paku Paku (Antoine Bauza, Ravensburger, 2017)40:01 -The Crew: Mission Deep Sea (Thomas Sing, KOSMOS, 2021)41:03 -G.I. JOE Deck-Building Game: Raise the Flagg Campaign Expansion (T.C. Petty III, Renegade Game Studios, 2023)44:01 -My Island (Reiner Knizia, KOSMOS, 2023) News (and why it doesn&#39;t matter):45:09 Unchained by Trick or Treat Studios, inspired by Nightfall45:49 Small Box Games&#39; three Omen sets on Kickstarter now!46:21 Quacks of Quedlinburg Duel 46:40 Votes for Women reprint on Kickstarter47:16 German magnets! Die verdrehte Spuknacht48:28 You can support us on Patreon, if you&#39;re so inclined: www.patreon.com/svwag49:12 Nucleum: Australia 49:29 Topic: Adventure Games Advertising Inquiries: <a href='https://redcircle.com/brands'>https://redcircle.com/brands</a> Privacy & Opt-Out: <a href='https://redcircle.com/privacy'>https://redcircle.com/privacy</a>

#291: Adventure Games

https://s3.us-east-2.amazonaws.com/pod-public-media-files/2023/12/12/2/53db2d10-1b2c-4c3b-a521-104dbca35e39_episode_290_-_mindclash_games.mp3

A review of So Very Wrong About Games, not actually by Werner Herzog:&#34;To listen to SVWAG is to court madness. One host is beholden to the delusion that if he utters sufficient words in a short period of time he may stave off his inevitable death, whereas the other grapples with the false consciousness of refusing to acknowledge life&#39;s meaninglessness. Collectively their banter serves as a cruel rebuke to evolution, a bitter mockery of humanity&#39;s purported superiority over a nature they despise and denigrate. It is reason&#39;s death rattle in the face of pure chaos. Thank you for recommending Rhino Hero Super Battle, I enjoyed it with my family very much. Four stars.&#34; 01:20 AYURIS: Agricola (Uwe Rosenberg, Lookout Games, 2007) and Agricola (Revised Edition) (Uwe Rosenberg, Lookout Games, 2016) Games Played Last Week:04:25 -Ceres (Gustaf Sundström, Artipia Games, 2023)10:22 -Daybreak (Matt Leacock &amp; Matteo Menapace, CMYK, 2023)13:59 -Raising Robots (Brett Sobol &amp; Seth Van Orden, Nauvoo Games, 2023)16:02 -Demon Ship (Malev Da Shinobi, Black Site Studios, 2023)19:58 -Hyperborea (Andrea Chiarvesio &amp; Pierluca Zizzi, Asterion, 2014)26:19 -Vaalbara (Olivier Cipière, Studio H, 2022)29:03 -Septima: Shapeshifting &amp; Omens (Robin Hegedűs, Mindclash Games, 2023) News (and why it doesn&#39;t matter):36:45 Preview of Phantom Division Relaunch on Gamefound38:24 French Revolution! 1793 Patriots &amp; Traitors on Gamefound 39:21 Redevelopment of Omen: A Reign of War from John Clowdus and Small Box Games next year 40:16 Topic: Mindclash Games Advertising Inquiries: <a href='https://redcircle.com/brands'>https://redcircle.com/brands</a> Privacy & Opt-Out: <a href='https://redcircle.com/privacy'>https://redcircle.com/privacy</a>

#290: Mindclash Games

A podcast about all manner of hobby games by Mike Walker and Mark Bigney. Bad games don't go easy on you, so we don't go easy on them. Thorough analysis via reviews, news, and discussion of topics in gaming. We take context seriously, we value your...

A podcast about all manner of hobby games by Mike Walker and Mark Bigney. Bad games don't go easy on you, so we don't go easy on them. Thorough analysis via reviews, news, and discussion of topics in gaming. We take context seriously, we value your time, and we're not into hype. Just because games are fun doesn't mean we can't take them seriously, and just because we take them seriously doesn't mean we can't have fun.