We are very proud of our strict editorial standards here at SVWAG. Among them is our firm stance on Monty Python references, which are very firmly circumscribed. Philosophers are mentioned all the time, but never the song; and similarly we discuss Mozart here (in two different media!) without any kind of passing gesture to his decomposition. People have tried to smuggle in other references to the show, but those responsible have been sacked.

Games Played Last Week:

01:34 -Dice Hospital: ER--Emergency Roll (Matthew Dunstan and Brett J. Gilbert, Alley Cat Games, 2022)

02:35 -Joan of Arc: Orléans Draw & Write (Ryan Hendrickson and Reiner Stockhausen, dlp Games, 2022)

04:46 -Tinderblox (Rob Sparks, Alley Cat Games, 2020)

06:36 -Similo (Martino Chiacchiera, Hjalmar Hach, & Pierluca Zizzi, Horrible Guild, 2019)

08:21 -Crazy Tower (Alexis Harvey, Félix Leblanc, Manuel-Lucas Bergeron Duhamel, & Mathieu Auger, Synapses Games, 2020)

09:30 -Glenn Drover's Empires: Galactic Rebellion (Don Beyer and Glenn Drover, Eagle-Gryphon Games, 2016)

17:40 -The North: Provenance (John Clowdus, Small Box Games, 2020)

20:45 -Tsukuyumi: Full Moon Down (Second Edition) (Felix Mertikat, Grey Fox Games, 2021)

27:21 -Radiant: Offline Battle Arena (Jack Murray, Heel Turn Games, 2019)

News (and why it doesn't matter):

31:00 Marceline Leiman points out hidden barriers to minoritized people and the importance of accessibility

32:59 Freaky Frogs from Outaspace by Friedemann Friese

33:45 Metal Gear Solid from Emerson Matsuuchi finally being piblished by CMON

35:58 Tankersly, Benjamin, and Thompson reunite with Albert Monteys for Witchcraft! 

36:34 Please support us on Patreon! www.patreon.com/svwag

37:46 Feature Game: Lacrimosa (Gerard Ascendi and Ferran Renalias, Devir, 2022)

1:00:13 SVWAG Presents Masterpiece Theatre: Amadeus

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The episode notes will be released in installments. The base pledge, "Generic Non-Sequiturs," will give you the first two sentences and the last sentence. But don't miss out on the "Forced Macross Reference" add-on pack, which gives you sentence five; or the "Austen Allusion" pack featuring sentence four. The ultra-limited "Stupid Kant Wordplay" pack will never be reprinted (until, let's face it, next week's episode notes, when you'll be subjected to some more regardless). Pledge now!

01:29 AYURIS: Vienna Connection (Jakub Poczęty, Przemysław Rymer, Ignacy Trzewiczek, & Jakub Łapot, Portal Games, 2021)

Games Played Last Week:

04:21 -Mindbug Beyond (Skaff Elias, Richard Garfield, Marvin Hegen, and Christian Kudahl, Nerdlab Games, 2023) 

05:59 -Abandon All Artichokes (Emma Larkins, Gamewright, 2020)

06:49 -Crazy Tower (Alexis Harvey, Félix Leblanc, Manuel-Lucas Bergeron Duhamel, & Mathieu Auger, Synapses Games, 2020)

09:03 -Empires: Age of Discovery (Glenn Drover, Eagle-Gryphon Games, 2015)

13:22 -Ierusalem: Anno Domini (Carmen García Jiménez, Devir, 2023)

16:31 -Raccoon Tycoon (Glenn Drover, Forbidden Games, 2018)

19:26 -Agricola 15 (Uwe Rosenberg, Lookout Games, 2022)

20:49 -Cacti (John Clowdus, Small Box Games, 2020)

23:22 -Company of Heroes (Bryan Kromley, Bad Crow Games, 2021)

23:22 -Darkest Dungeon: The Board Game (Nick Niotis and Argyris Poungouras, Mythic Games, 2022)

News (and why it doesn't matter):

34:18 Our take on the Quackalope v. Into the Unknown controversy: Pay-to-play infomercials and editorial content shouldn't mix in board game media 

38:41 Anti-cookie propaganda from the pie partisans

39:10 Spiel des Jahres nominees: Dorfromantik, Fun Facts, and Next Station: London

Kennerspiel des Jahres: Challengers, Iki, and Planet Unknown

41:11 Portal continues to support Neuroshima Hex!: The Merchants Guild

41:21 Catalyst Game Labs kicks off new board game division with Overlords in Training, 

41:53 Battletech starter set in Target

42:52 Topic: Completionism

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It is a truth universally acknowledged in eurogames that every famous historical man (it's almost always a man, of course) had a retinue of about 2-5 hangers-on whose sole job was to impress him. They did this mostly by doing stuff he did; maybe after he did them, maybe running states he conquered, maybe even by doing the stuff he was credited with. Their names are lost to antiquity. All we know is that they liked solid colours, and that the famous dude was most impressed with one of them. 

Games Played Last Week:

00:54 -Lacrimosa (Gerard Ascendi and Ferran Renalias, Devir, 2022)

06:30 -Tapple (Uncredited, The Op Games, 2021)

07:48 -Forests of Pangaia (Thomas Franken, Pangaia Games, 2022)

09:48 -Wizards of the Grimoire (Cole Banning and Joe Banning, Grimoire Games, 2022)

12:46 -Sentinels of the Multiverse (Christopher Badell, Paul Bender, & Adam Rebottaro, Greater Than Games, 2011)

16:51 -So Clover! (François Romain, Repos Production, 2021)

19:07 -Spots (Alex Hague, Jon Perry, and Justin Vickers, CMYK, 2022)

20:42 -Hemloch: Dark Promenade (John Clowdus, Small Box Games, 2017) HEMLOCH 2011

24:41 -Hanamikoji (Kota Nakayama, EmperorS4, 2013)

25:52 -Vengeance: Roll & Fight (Gordon Calleja, Noralie Lubbers, & Dávid Turczi, Mighty Boards, 2022)

29:12 -Spirit Island (R. Eric Reuss, Greater Than Games, 2017)

News (and why it doesn't matter):

29:50 The Pirate Republic: The Africa Gambit

30:15 Guards of Atlantis II can't credit its author on BGG, they're not registered on BGG

30:59 Nine Tiles: Chainsaw Man by Oink Games

32:13 Summer PSA: Be careful of games outside! Cards and tokens will flee and disappear

33:49 Night Witches: Fort Circle Games, Liz Davidson, and David Thompson about the 588th Night Bomber Regiment 

35:16 Feature Game: Darwin’s Journey (Simone Luciani and Nestore Mangone, ThunderGryph Games, 2023)

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"L'enfer, c'est les autres," wrote Sartre, which translates into "why don't nobody wanna play with me?" You see, Sartre only liked his consims and other historical wargames, but people didn't want to join him--possibly on account of there having been less history back in his old-timey days. His angst over unplayed games was the key inspiration of his existentialist philosophy. Camus tried to show him that the answer is to play with randos with his work "The Stranger."  

01:52 AYURIS: Tribune (Karl-Heinz Schmiel, Spielworxx, 2021)

Games Played Last Week:

06:33 -Imperium: The Contention (Gary Dworetsky, Contention Games, 2021)

09:57 -Distilled (Dave Beck, Paverson Games, 2023)

17:25 -Quartermaster General (Second Edition): Total War (Ian Brody, Ares Games, 2020)

22:26 -Sniper Elite: Eagle's Nest (Roger Tankersly and David Thompson, Rebellion Unplugged, 2022)

28:53 -Tapple (Uncredited, The Op Games, 2021)

30:29 -The Great Zimbabwe (Jeroen Doumen and Joris Wiersinga, Splotter Spellen, 2012)

36:52 -Guards of Atlantis II: Tabletop MOBA (Artyom Nichipurov, Wolff Designa, 2021)

41:07 -Hanamikoji (Kota Nakayama, EmperorS4, 2013) 

43:49 -Darwin’s Journey (Simone Luciani and Nestore Mangone, ThunderGryph Games, 2023)

News (and why it doesn't matter):

46:16 Thank to Warmboy, our Discord, and all our listeners

47:18 Walker is disgusted by How to Lose a Guy in 10 DMs

47:53 Planet Unknown reprint/expansion

48:50 Shards of Infinity on crowdfunding

49:52 Ryan Laukat's Creature Caravan

50:28 Mythic Games' serial quasi-extortion; 6: Siege and all upcoming projects 

55:40 Cysmic's many versions; people ask for economy but back the toys

58:44 Walker's patience is running out along with his shelf space

59:30 Faiyum: Privileges expansion

1:00:31 Topic: Right Game, Wrong People

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In the show Ted Lasso (possibly the subject of a future Masterpiece Theatre?), French-Canadian goaltender Zoreaux asks to be called Van Damme. This is partly because people kept mispronouncing his name as "Zorro," and also because he admired the Muscles from Brussels. The point is that even people who thought it was stupid respected his wishes and called him what he wanted to be called, because that's what not being a jerk is. Similarly, ain't nothing necessarily wrong with being called Sally, but if you consistently call someone Sally when they don't want to be called that, you're being a toxic jerk. 

It doesn't have to be a big deal, and we're not the ones making it a big deal. Call people what they want to be called. It costs you nothing and decency is always a good look.

Games Played Last Week:

00:49 -Hot Lead (Reiner Knizia, Bitewing Games, 2022)

02:49 -Masters of the Universe: Fields of Eternia The Board Game (Dave Ketch and Jakub S. Olekszyk, Archon Studio, 2022)

09:48 -Beyond the Sun: Leaders of a New Dawn (Dennis K. Chan and Joseph Summa, Rio Grande Games, 2023)

14:06 -Keep the Heroes Out (Luís Brüeh, Brueh Games, 2022)

18:33 -Theurgy (Charlotte Dowling and Oliver Josiah, The Ministry of Meeples, 2022)

23:37 -Tapple (Uncredited, The Op Games, 2021)

26:52 -Empyreal: Spells & Steam (Trey Chambers, Level 99 Games, 2020)  

29:47-Ethnos (Paolo Mori, CMON, 2017)

News (and why it doesn't matter):

34:06 Cysmic on KickStarter; toys galore

36:10 Guards of Atlantis II

37:24 Go vote for the Golden Geek wards on BGG!

38:00 MasQueOca's exclusionary edits and language; common decency demands proper pronoun use

39:08 Feature Game: Stationfall (Matt Eklund, Ion Game Design, 2023)

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We get introspective this week, or at least as much as the editorial gibbons allow. If we get too deep they get nervous, and as every podcaster will tell you, nervous gibbons are bad for the show. Walker, Mark alleges, is a masochist who sacrifices himself on the altar of speed, which may or may not mean game flow; Walker counters that Mark abuses the takesies-backsies. 

01:50 AYURIS: Imperium: Classics and Imperium: Legends (Nigel Buckle & Dávid Turczi, Osprey Games, 2021)

Games Played Last Week:

06:13 -XenoShyft: Dreadmire (Michael Shinall, CMON, 2017)

11:24 -Raccoon Tycoon (Glenn Drover, Forbidden Games, 2018)

16:01 -Dwellings of Eldervale (Luke Laurie, Breaking Games, 2020)

20:37 -Code of Nine (BakaFire, Z-Man Games, 2012)

22:47 -Akropolis (Jules Messaud, Gigamic, 2022)

25:47 -Ortus Regni (Jon Sudbury, Jon Sudbury Games, 2014)

29:11 -Rallyman: DIRT (Jean-Christophe Bouvier, Holy Grail Games, 2023)

38:21 -Resist! (Trevor Benjamin, Roger Tankersley, and David Thompson, Salt & Pepper Games, 2022)

News (and why it doesn't matter):

41:14 Support us on Patreon! Tons of exclusive content and bennies at www.patreon/svwag 

42:41 Mike Hutchinson's Hobgoblin on Kickstarter

43:34 Walker's Who Asked for This? Call of Duty: The Board Game by Arcane Wonders

44:39 Walker's Who Asked for This? The Last Spell: The Board Games

45:23 Path of Civilization by Fabien Gridel, simultaneous play Civ game

45:48 Altay: Dawn of Civilization by Paolo Mori and Ole Steiness, deck-building/kingdom-building

46:14 Revive: Call of the Abyss expansion

47:15 Bitoku: Resutoran expansion

47:36 Ernest et Célestine, co-operative back-drawing from Space Cow

48:27 Non-Key game from Richard Breese: The Glade

48:59 Topic: The Games Must Flow

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Is there a difference between a fruit salad and a fruit cup? I mean, the first question is whether a fruit cup contains a fruit salad, or if the contents are some other substance; then one can query whether the cup and its contents are a gestalt whole. Let us not forget the prospect of a fruit cup of Theseus, whereby each fruit piece is removed and replaced with an equivalent fruit (I would ask what an equivalent fruit is, but that's getting sidetracked)--is it the same fruit cup? Heraclitus would say you can't take a bite of the same fruit salad twice. There's the somewhat absurd possibility of a fruit cup of Damocles--presumably the fruits therein would have been prepared by Procrustes. 

What I'm getting at is melon is gross.

Games Played Last Week:

00:53 -Just One (Ludovic Roudy & Bruno Sautter, Repos Production, 2018)

01:04 -So Clover! (François Romain, Repos Production, 2021)

04:17 -Green Team Wins (Nathan Thornton, 25th Century Games, 2022)

08:19 -Decrypto (Thomas Dagenais-Lespérance, Le Scorpion Masqué, 2018)

12:08 -Horseless Carriage (Jeroen Doumen and Joris Wirsinga, Splotter Spellen, 2023)

25:57 -Mosaic: A Story of Civilization (Glenn Drover, Forbidden Games, 2022)

28:34 -Planet Unknown (Ryan Lambert & Adam Rehberg, Adam's Apple Games, 2022)

31:47 -Capital Lux 2: Generations (Eilif Svensson & Kristian Amundsen Østby, Aporta Games, 2020)

33:48 -Wizards of the Grimoire (Cole Banning and Joe Banning, Grimoire Games, 2022)

36:53 -Ra (Reiner Knizia, 25th Century Games, 2023)

42:53 -Tiny Turbo Cars (Hjalmar Hach, Alessandro Manuini, Jonathan Panada, Laura Severino, and Giulia Tamagni, Horrible Guild, 2022)

47:46 -Blazon (David Conklin, 25th Century Games, 2023)

News (and why it doesn't matter):

51:45 Ad-free episodes at www.patreon.com/svwag

52:00 Paolo Mori shopping a reprint of Dogs of War

52:48 Support your favourite creators at the BGG Golden Geek Awards!

53:55 Movie rights of Trickerion, Anachrony, and Terraforming Mars sold

55:22 Regicide 2nd edition: now with bards!

56:12 Heavy Gear RPG 4th Edition on KickStarter

58:21 Feature Game: Revive (Helge Meissner, Eilif Svensson, Anna Wermlund, and Kristian Amundsen Østby)

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From Wikipedia:

"Boglins were a series of toy puppets distributed by Mattel. They were created by Tim Clarke, Maureen Trotto, and Larry Mass, and licensed by Seven Towns. The original run of Boglins was released in 1987, coinciding with a "creatures" craze that included Ghoulies, Critters, and Gremlins. Boglins were goblin-themed hand puppets made of flexible rubber and could be manipulated to represent speech and facial expressions."

Games Played Last Week:

01:26 -The Crew: The Quest for Planet Nine (Thomas Sing, KOSMOS, 2019)

03:38 -Cartographers: A Roll Player Game (Jordy Adan, Thunderworks Games, 2019)

05:27 -Res Arcana (Thomas Lehmann, Sand Castle Games, 2019)

08:41 -Tribes of the Wind (Joachim Thôme, La Boîte de Jeu, 2022)

10:20 -Steam Up: A Feast of Dim Sum (Pauline Kong, Haymen Lee, and Marie Wong, Hot Banana Games, 2023)

13:20 -Switch & Signal (David Thompson, KOSMOS, 2020)

16:06 -SEAL Team Flix (Pete Ruth & Mark Thomas, WizKids, 2018)

18:30 -Star Fighters: Rapid Fire (Michael Dunsmore and Jordan Nichols, Alley Cat Games, 2023)

22:10 -For Northwood! A Solo Trick-Taking Game (Wilhelm Su, Self-published, 2021)

24:47 -Oak (Wim Goossens, Game Brewer, 2022)

28:28 -Messina 1347 (Raúl Fernández Aparicio & Vladimír Suchý, Delicious Games, 2021)

31:01 -Cysmic (Jason Blake, Star Reach Games, 2023)

News (and why it doesn't matter):

38:20 RIP Klaus Teuber, inventor of Catan. Dan Thurot's obituary: https://spacebiff.com/tag/klaus-teuber/

39:23 Vladimír Suchý and Delicious Games: Evacuation

39:39 Ultimate Innovation: Age 11 for each expansion, Unseen Expansion 

41:15 The List is back! www.sowronggames.com/episodenotes

42:26 Feature Game: Gatefall (Jack Dire, Jack Dire Studios, 2020)

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And I said, I don't care if they lay me off either, because I told, I told Huey that if Walker moves my games one more time, then, then I'm, I'm quitting, I'm going to quit. And, and I told Dewey too, because Walker's moved my games four times already this year, and they used to be over by the window, and they could see the squirrels, and they were merry, but then, Walker switched from the Swingline to the Boston stapler, but I kept my Swingline stapler because it didn't bind up as much, and I kept the staples for the Swingline stapler and it's not okay because if Walker takes my stapler then I'll set the studio on fire...

01:38 AYURIS: Witchstone (Martino Chiacchiera & Reiner Knizia, R&R Games, 2021)

Games Played Last Week:

04:00 -Skytear Horde (Giacomo Neri and Riccardo Neri, Skytear Games, 2023)

05:54 -Wizards of the Grimoire (Cole Banning and Joe Banning, Grimoire Games, 2022)

09:15 -Codenames (Vlaada Chvátil, CGE, 2015)

14:05 -Pala (Jeffrey D. Allers, Cambridge Games Factory, 2012)

19:17 -Circadians: First Light (S J Macdonald, Garphill Games, 2019)

24:33 -Dice Manor (Garrett Herdter, Arcane Wonders, 2023)

28:25 -A.E.G.I.S.: Combining Robot Strategy Game (Cassandra Clark, Sarah Como, Breeze Grigas, Zach Kettell, Ryan "The Boulder" Richford, and Tom Wozencraft, Zephyr Workshop, 2018)

33:18 -51st State: Master Set--No Man's Land (Joanna Kijanka and Ignacy Trzewiczek, Portal Games, 2023)

38:22 -Aristeia! (Alberto Abal, Jesús Fuster, and David Rosillo, Corvus Belli, 2017) 2020

42:48 -SCOUT (Kei Kajino, Oink Games, 2019)

45:30 -Summoner Wars (Second Edition): Starter Set (Colby Dauch, Plaid Hat Games, 2021)

47:22 -Whale Riders (Reiner Knizia, Grail Games, 2021)

52:06 -Empyreal: Far Corners (Trey Chambers, Level 99 Games, 2022)

54:56 -Ark Nova (Mathias Wigge, Feuerland Spiele, 2021)

News (and why it doesn't matter):

56:46 Alleged Phantom Division will allegedly be on crowdfunding "soon"-ish

57:57 Expansion to Radlands

58:27 Santorini: Riddle of the Sphinx and deluxe Pantheon Edition

1:00:34 New Decrypto expandalone edition with new words

1:02:08 SVWAG Presents Masterpiece Theatre: Barry

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The mighty weremoose is a solitary creature, peaceable until roused to anger. Its only known predator is the American military deciding to once again invade Canada for reasons. When threatened, the weremoose rises to its full bipedal height of 6 meters, whereupon its sheer Chad-esque magnificence causes other creatures of the forest to quail and flee. Soldiers in the presence of this manifestation of the weremoose have been known to spontaneously reconsider their enlistment and retire on the spot.

Games Played Last Week:

01:45 -Cysmic (Jason Blake, Star Reach Games, 2023)

12:26 -Summoner Wars (Second Edition) (Colby Dauch, Plaid Hat Games, 2021)

16:21 -Weather Machine (Vital Lacerda, Eagle-Gryphon Games, 2022)

18:02 -Skytear Horde (Giacomo Neri and Riccardo Neri, Skytear Games, 2023)

21:04 -League of the Lexicon (Stavros Damos and Steven Noble, Two Brothers Games, 2021)

26:02 -Turncoats (Matilda Simonsson, Milda Matilda Games, 2021)

28:20 -Tribes of the Wind (Joachim Thôme, La Boîte de Jeu, 2022)

News (and why it doesn't matter):

33:01 Three Ring Circus by Fabio Lopiano and 

33:54 Silver Bayonets by Joseph McCullough gets the Canada expansion by Ash Barker

34:58 Mantic wins best title award: Dungeon Saga: Origins Legenday Edition

35:19 Gatefall Monsters on Gamefound

36:00 Allies have to do a better job making gaming spaces inclusive, especially at tournaments

39:53 Feature Game: The Wolves (Ashwain Kamath and Clarence Simpson, Pandasaurus Games, 2022)

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Everything's gotta be a competition. "I've seen better walls," scoffs the ingrate. "I've had darker ages," insists the depressive. "Well, I'm a Time Duke," growls the superstar Duke (esq., O.B.E.). It's all right, people. We can accept the superlatives without making it a contest.

Games Played Last Week:

00:58 -Dark Ages: Heritage of Charlemagne (Adam Kwapiński & Andrei Novac, Board&Dice, 2021)

08:04 -Horizons of Spirit Island (Eric R. Reuss, Greater Than Games, 2022)

09:10 -Keyflower (Sebastian Bleasdale & Richard Breese, R&D Games, 2012)

13:02 -Spots (Alex Hague, Jon Perry, and Justin Vickers, CMYK, 2022)

14:07 -Gatefall: Lost in the North Woods (Jack Dire, Jack Dire Studios, 2022)

17:52 -Time Barons (Jon Perry and Derek Yu, WizKids, 2014)

19:44 -Light Speed (James Ernest and Tom Jolly, Cheapass Games, 2003)

23:37 -Tiletum (Simone Luciani and Daniele Tascini, Board&Dice, 2022)

25:21 -Summoner Wars (Second Edition) (Colby Dauch, Plaid Hat Games, 2021)

News (and why it doesn't matter):

28:09 Walker hates embargos, forgets about the thing

28:29 RPGs let you do anything, so why re-create TV scenarios? The Walking Dead RPG

29:33 New Dark Crystal card game, Walker unimpressed

29:50 Mighty Mighty Boards customer service

30:08 Great Western Trail: New Zealand with SHEEP?

31:31 Please support us on Patreon! www.patreon.com/svwag

32:32 Feature Game: The Great Wall (Kamil 'Sanex' Cieśla, Robert Plesowicz, & Łukasz Włodarczyk, Awaken Realms, 2021)

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This episode, as all episodes, is brought to you by our crack editorial team of semi-trained gibbons. Always go with gibbons. Cheaper than interns! More personable than rhesus! Less violent than capuchins! Better hygiene than Mark!

Games Played Last Week:

01:05 -Votes for Women (Tory Brown, Fort Circle Games, 2022)

05:19 -Joan of Arc: Orléans Draw & Write (Ryan Hendrickson and Reiner Stockhausen, dlp Games, 2022)

09:54 -Quantum (Eric Zimmerman, Funforge, 2013)

11:54 -Gang of Dice (Reiner Knizia, Mandoo Games, 2022)

14:25 -Libertalia: Winds of Galecrest (Paolo Mori, Stonemaier Games, 2022)

16:49 -Hamlet: The Village Building Game (David Chircop, Mighty Boards, 2022)

21:35 -Claustrophobia 1643 (Croc & Laurent Pouchain, Monolith, 2019)

23:42 -Spots (Alex Hague, Jon Perry, and Justin Vickers, CMYK, 2022)

24:51 -Piazza Rabazza (Guido Hoffman and Jens-Peter Schliemann, Zoch Verlag, 2022)

28:45 -Findorff (Friedemann Friese, 2F-Spiele, 2022)

33:36 -Nemesis: Lockdown (Adam Kwapiński, Awaken Realms, 2022)

37:51 -Blue Lagoon (Reiner Knizia, Blue Orange Games, 2018)

News (and why it doesn't matter):

39:36 Ad-free versions available on Patreon, please alert us to problematic ads

40:05 Reach out to the content creators you enjoy!

40:21 Call for academic submissions! https://boardgameacademics.com/submissions

41:19 Feature Game: Mille Fiori (Reiner Knizia, Schmidt Spiele, 2021)

57:26 SVWAG Presents Masterpiece Theatre: A Knock at the Cabin

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"And Blass is reeling from Yves Saint-Laurent's inverted atomic drop! But wait, who's that running towards the ring? IT'S THE BIG O! Oscar de la Renta is coming to the assistance of his tag-team partner! We thought Pierre Cardin had locked him backstage in his dressing room but no, here he is, steel chair in hand! And he levels YSL with one perfect shot to the head!!! Can you believe it? This the kind of action you can only see on pay-per-view in Versailles!" 

01:24 AYURIS: Trickerion: Legends of Illusion (Richard Amann & Viktor Peter, Mindclash Games, 2015)

Games Played Last Week:

04:06 -Deities (Gary Kim, Mandoo Games, 2022)

08:24 -Manhattan (Andreas Seyfarth, Hans im Glück, 1994)

10:48 -Votes for Women (Tory Brown, Fort Circle Games, 2022)

18:43 -Skytear Horde (Giacomo Neri and Riccardo Neri, Skytear Games, 2023)

23:29 -Barony (Marc André, Matagot, 2015)

24:49 -Don't L.L.A.M.A. Dice (Reiner Knizia, AMIGO, 2021)

24:59 -Antike II (Mac Gerdts, PD-Verlag, 2015)

25:54 -Tribune (Karl-Heinz Schmiel, Spielworxx, 2021)

31:20 -Cockroach Poker (Jacques Zeimet, Drei Magier Spiele, 2004)

31:49 -Karuba (Rüdiger Dorn, HABA, 2015)

34:33 -Fealty (R. Eric Reuss, Asmadi Games, 2011)

37:17-Paperback Adventures (Tim Fowers and Skye Larsen, Fowers Games, 2022)

News (and why it doesn't matter):

41:08 Ad-free versions available on Patreon, please alert us to problematic ads

42:05 Shipyard by Vladimír Suchý being reprinted

42:59 The Battle of Versailles: fashion! Gossip! Celebrities! And... rebuilding Versailles. Ugh.

44:33 Potential SVWAG-Con poll! https://forms.gle/R7pDHNnx5EQXgSUh8

45:08 Topic: New and Improved

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As employers, we gamers are a strange lot. We are expected to feed our workers, house them, give them their raw materials; we tell them where to go, when to work,a nd for how long; we subject them to fires, predation, starvation... and on top of all this, in some games we appear to confiscate all their wages! At least in Food Chain Magnate we occasionally allow them to go to the beach. Under strict supervision. Until we permit them the sweet release of death. I mean, until they "retire." Yeah, that sounds better.

Games Played Last Week:

01:24 -Air, Land, & Sea: Spies, Lies, & Supplies (Jon Perry, Arcane Wonders, 2022)

02:59 -Tinners' Trail (Martin Wallace, Alley Cat Games, 2021)

06:09 -Skytear Horde (Giacomo Neri and Riccardo Neri, Skytear Games, 2023)

11:31 -Great Western Trail: Argentina (Alexander Pfister, eggertspiele, 2022)

16:57 -The Stygian Society (Kevin Wilson, APE Games, 2020)

21:56 -Company of Heroes (Bryan Kromley, Bad Crow Games, 2021)

29:05 -Voyages (Matthew Dunstan and Rory Muldoon, Postmark Games, 2021)

31:53 -Woodcraft (Ross Arnold and Vladimír Suchý, Delicious Games, 2022)

News (and why it doesn't matter):

33:58 Potential SVWAG-Con poll! https://forms.gle/R7pDHNnx5EQXgSUh8

34:40 Support content creators that you like! Reach out and thank someone.

35:26 Wabash Cannonball by John Bohrer to be reprinted by Rio Grande

36:33 Ethnos by Paolo Mori to be reprinted by Space Cowboys: Archeos Society

38:24 General Orders: WWII by David Thompson and Trevor Benjamin

39:29 Guards of Atlantis II reprint with new content on Gamefound in April

41:22 Ravensburger consolidating Quest for El Dorado with Vincent Dutrait art and new expansion: Dragons, Treasures, and Mysteries

42:18 Feature Game: IKI (Koota Yamada, Sorry We Are French, 2015)

1:07:15 SVWAG Presents Masterpiece Theatre: The Last of Us (eps. 1-5)

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You like SVWAG? Their early work was a little too negative for my taste. But when SHUX came out in '20, I think they really came into their own, commercially and artistically. The whole podcast has a clear, crisp sound, and a new sheen of consummate professionalism that really gives the episodes a big boost. They've been compared to Elvis Costello, but I think SVWAG has a far more bitter, cynical sense of humor. In '23, SVWAG released this; episode 251, their most accomplished episode. I think their undisputed masterpiece is "gullet regurgitation". An observation so catchy, most people probably don't think about the meaning. But they should, because it's not just about the pleasures of consumption and the importance of digestion. It's also a personal statement about the podcast itself. Hey, Walker!

01:37 AYURIS: Whale Riders (Reiner Knizia, Grail Games, 2021)

Games Played Last Week:
03:42 -Godtear (David Carl, Alex Hall, & Steve Margetson, Steamforged Games, 2019)
08:30 -Aliens: Another Glorious Day in the Corps (Andrew Haught, Gale Force Nine, 2020)
14:17 -LOAD: League of Ancient Defenders (Uncredited, Archon Studio, 2016)
17:49 -Warpgate: Beyond (Artyom Nichipurov, Wolff Designa, 2022)
22:23 -Code of Nine (BakaFire, Z-Man Games, 2012)
26:17 -American Psycho: A Killer Game (Dan Blanchett, Renegade Game Studios, 2022)
30:25 -Sabika (Germán P. Millán, Ludonova, 2022)

News (and why it doesn't matter):
36:15 Bamboo by Sabika's Germán P. Millán
36:53 Cyclades: Legendary Edition
37:52 The closure and bankruptcy of Holy Grail Games
39:16 Expansion to Cosmic Frog! "Find Muck"

40:15 Topic: Gaming Design Trends

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I once saw a video of a woman driving a Shelby GT350 Mustang on the Autobahn. It hit 275 kph without breaking a figurative sweat, roaring its primal power the entire way. I was petrified even watching the video. This is to say nothing of the terror I felt seeing it take offramps at roughly 100 kph, which is not terribly advisable with a vehicle that is not known for its cornering. Of course, there are many sections of the Autobahn with speed limits--and even more with no Mustangs on it at all. Tragedies heaped upon tragedies.

Games Played Last Week:
00:54 -boop. (Scott Brady, Smirk & Laighter Games, 2022)
01:53 -Bag of Chips (Mathieu Aubert and Théo Rivière, Mixlore, 2021)
03:26 -Ginkgopolis (Xavier Georges, Pearl Games, 2012)
05:32 -Street Masters: Aftershock (Adam Sadler & Brady Sadler, Blacklist Games, 2019)
07:10 -Equinox (Reiner Knizia, Plan B Games, 2021)
13:26 -Tammany Hall (Doug Eckhart, IDW Games, 2007)
17:44 -Marvel United (Andrea Chiarvesio and Eric M. Lang, CMON, 2020)
22:19 -Yellow & Yangtze (Reiner Knizia, Grail Games, 2018)
24:31 -Bot Factory (Vital Lacerda and João Quintela Martins, Eagle-Gryphon Games, 2023)
29:06 -The Wolves (Ashwin Kamath and Clarence Simpson, Pandasaurus Games, 2022)

News (and why it doesn't matter):
35:58 Dead Cells by Scorpion Masqué and Antoine Bauza, Ludovic Maublanc, et al
36:35 Puerto Rico 1897 component problems
36:53 Andromeda's Edge on Gamefound: Dwellings of Eldervale in spaaaace
38:04 More MicroMacro: Crime City. Complete the map!
38:39 Funagain distribution woes: Stationfall, Revive, Horseless Carriage
39:34 Jekyll & Hyde vs. Scotland Yard: two-plaayer co-op trick-taking game
40:21 SVWAG on Patreon! www.patreon.com/svwag
40:56 Renegade deck-builders crossover: G.I. Joe & Transformers: New Alliances

42:13 Feature Game: Autobahn (Fabio Lopiano and Nestore Mangone, Alley Cat Games, 2022)


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A comprehensive list of what transpires in RRR would sound like the incoherent ramblings of someone undergoing a very potent trip, which is why we merely indulge in a curated list. While Mark does not retract his naming Decision to Leave as his favourite film of 2022, he will concede that it leads to a less absurdist discussion. It also features slightly fewer dance numbers.

Games Played Last Week:
01:21 -Astra (Patrik Porkoláb, Frigyes Schőberl, and Eszter Krisztina Sas, Mindclash Games, 2022)
03:37 -Much that Is Good and All that Is Evil (Jeeyon Shim, Jeeyon Shim Games, 2022)
06:04 -Wonderland's War (Tim Eisner, Ben Eisner, & Ian Moss, Druid City Games, 2022)
08:30 -Mosaic: A Story of Civilization (Glenn Drover, Forbidden Games, 2022)
12:34 -Pax Ragnarok (Jon Moffat, Unpublished)
17:53 -Street Masters: Twin Tiger (Brady Sadler and Adam Sadler, Blacklist Games, 2018)
19:57 -The Crew: Mission Deep Sea (Thomas Sing, KOSMOS, 2021)

News (and why it doesn't matter):
22:22 Xoe Allred's Persuasion being developed by Wehrlegig Games
23:38 Quartermaster General: East Front Ares Games
24:34 Pride and PrejuDice on Kickstarter
25:19 Hail Caesar 2nd Edition from Warlord Games
26:18 Kabuto Sumo: Beetle Brawl at Target
27:19 Imperial Miners: 51st State with spatial play
28:23 New Sid Sackson's Acquire from Renegade
29:45 Expeditions from Stonemaier: more Jakub Rozalski art; tracing controvery dead?

31:09 Feature Game: Rolling Heights (John D. Clair, AEG, 2023)

54:36 SVWAG Presents Masterpiece Theatre: RRR


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Our favourite Serge Laget game is Senji. "Senji" is a contraction of "Sengoku Jidai," or Warring States Period, which refers to over a century of near total civil war in Japan that started in 1467. Scholars differ as to when it ended, but mostly we can agree that it started when I traded Huey my grandpa in exchange for boats and then he shipped ol' gramps to Louis' estate. I found this out the hard way when my armies marched on Château Louis to be met with my ex-grandpa. I was a bit miffed, but I was able to use Huey's boat to steal his best stuff, so I guess I got over it. Besides, Dewey gave me Huey's son in exchange for some weapons.

01:19 AYURIS: The Red Cathedral (Israel Cendrero & Sheila Santos, Devir Games, 2020)

Games Played Last Week:
02:35 -Autobahn (Fabio Lopiano and Nestore Mangone, Alley Cat Games, 2022)
08:57 -Soda Smugglers (Reiner Knizia, Bitewing Games, 2022)
11:11 -Woodcraft (Ross Arnold and Vladimír Suchý, Delicious Games, 2022)
12:37 -Chinatown (Karsten Hartwig, Z-Man, 1999)
15:21 -Atiwa (Uwe Rosenberg, Lookout Games, 2022)
20:39 -Eclipse: Second Dawn for the Galaxy (Touko Tahkokallio, Lautapelit.fl, 2020)
23:15 -Karate Tomate (Reiner Knizia, AMIGO, 2018)
23:31 -Monikers (Alex Hague and Justin Vickers, CMYK, 2015)
25:45 -Herd Mentality (Rich Coombs and Dan Penn, Big Potato, 2020)
26:50 -Senji (Bruno Cathala & Serge Laget, Asmodee, 2008)

News (and why it doesn't matter):
27:00 Pearl Games closed by Asmodee, but Sébastien Dujardin might resurrect it
28:37 SVWAG Videos! Uwe Rosenberg and Top 10 of 2022
https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCn7rQYKYwsxouP_7nSza9qQ
29:15 Tom Jolly's Wiz-War on Kickstarter via Steve Jackson Games
30:25 King's Dilemma: Chronicles on Steam

31:03 Topic: Serge Laget


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Ah, you dear internet pedants, I can hear your rapid and ever-present desire for infinite emendations and futile attempts to be comprehensive! "What of the expansion, uhm actually," you demand. We have little experience with the Ginkgopolis expansion, and while it adds several modules, they don't add much to the game--if you catch my subtle distinction.

Games Played Last Week:
01:18 -The Quest for El Dorado: The Golden Temples (Reiner Knizia, Ravensburger, 2019)
05:52 -Heat: Pedal to the Metal (Asger Harding Granerud and Daniel Skjold Pedersen, Days of Wonder, 2022)
11:00 -Last Message (Lee Ju-Hwa and Giung Kim, IELLO, 2021)
15:05 -Hyperborea: Light and Shadow (Andrea Chiarvesio, Maurizio Vergendo, and Pierluca Zizzi, Asterion Press, 2016)
19:10 -Ragnarocks (Gord!, Grey Fox Games, 2022)
23:45 -Undaunted: Stalingrad (Trevor Benjamin and David Thompson, Osprey Games, 2022)
26:18 -Rauha (Johannes Goupy and Théo Rivière, GRRRE Games, 2023)
28:16 -For Sale (Stefan Dorra, Uberplay, 1997)
30:41 -Woodcraft (Ross Arnold and Vladimír Suchý, Delicious Games, 2022)

News (and why it doesn't matter):
34:30 Game Brewer's Trolls and Princesses on Kickstarter
36:02 Expansion to Witchstone: Full Moon
36:40 Nusfjord Big Box: new expansions sold separately
37:54 Gears of War: The Card Game
38:26 SVWAG YouTube Page: new videos
https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCn7rQYKYwsxouP_7nSza9qQ

39:19 Feature Game: Ginkgopolis (Xavier Georges, Pearl Games, 2012)


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Welcome to our year-end eleganza extravaganza! Lists are compiled. Harsh truths confronted. For example, while one generally takes a while to acclimatize to the using the new year in dates, 2022 seemed immediately apt and people switched over effortlessly. 2023 still seems weird, though--as evidenced by the fact that we forgot to change our tags for our 2023 episodes thus far! How embarrassing.

Games Played Last Week:
01:32 -Good Puppers (Chris Cieslik, Asmadi Games, 2021)
03:21 -Woodcrafters (Ross Arnold and Vladimír Suchý, Delicious Games, 2022)
06:55 -Robotech: Reconstruction (Dr. Wictz, Strange Machine Games, 2023)
12:59 -Black Rose Wars (Marco Montanaro, Ludus Magnus Studio, 2019)
18:46 -Ankh: Gods of Egypt--Pharaoh (Erc M. Lang, CMON, 2021)
22:53 -Age of Industry (Martin Wallace, Treefrog Games, 2010) and Age of Industry Expansion: Belgium and USSR (Clause Sirois, Self-published, 2013)
29:17 -Sentinels of the Multiverse (Christopher Badell, Paul Bender, & Adam Rebottaro, Greater Than Games, 2011)
30:25 -Artisans of Splendent Vale (Nikki Valens, Renegade Game Studios, 2022)
37:14 -Lanzerath Ridge (David Thompson, Dan Verssen Games, 2022)

40:42 Top 10s of 2022
1:04:44 Game of the Year 2022
1:07:33 Special Categories


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