Episodes

  • Episode 11 – Essen Spiel 2024

    Episode 11 – Essen Spiel 2024
    Oct 23 2024
    Summary In this episode of the Board Game Squad podcast, hosts Paul Shapiro and Gabe Pesso discuss Gabe's recent experience at Essen Spiel, the world's largest board game convention. They explore the differences between Essen and other conventions like Gen Con, delve into Gabe's journey into board gaming, and share insights on various games played at the convention, including Civolution, Tea Garden, and SETI. The conversation also touches on the impact of language at international conventions, the importance of good demos, and the upcoming games and conventions in the board gaming community. Takeaways Essen Spiel is the largest board game convention in the world, attracting around 200,000 attendees. Gabe's board game collection has grown from 20 to 4,000 games since he started in 2016. Civolution is a complex game that requires significant learning but offers a rewarding experience. Tea Garden combines deck building with strategic gameplay, making it accessible yet deep. Language at Essen is predominantly English, making it easier for international attendees to communicate. Good demos are crucial for game sales; a bad demo can sour the experience. Gabe brought back around 130 pounds of games from Essen, showcasing his passion for board gaming. Pax Unplugged is favored for its cozy atmosphere and great food compared to larger conventions. AI-generated art in games is a controversial topic, but it shouldn't deter players from enjoying the game. The board gaming community is vibrant and constantly evolving, with new games and conventions emerging. Chapters 00:00 Essen Spiel 2024: The World's Biggest Board Game Convention04:29 Gabe's Journey into Board Gaming08:37 Comparing Essen Spiel and Gen Con11:47 Overall Impressions of Essen Spiel16:26 Language and Communication at Essen20:13 Games Played at Essen: Highlights and Experiences27:41 Demo Experiences: The Good and the Bad36:45 Exploring New Board Games44:46 Highlights from Essen Spiel 202354:18 Upcoming Games and Conventions57:02 Final Thoughts on Game Design and Art
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    1 hr and 10 mins
  • Episode 10 - Paladins of the West Kingdom

    Episode 10 - Paladins of the West Kingdom
    Jan 24 2021
    It’s a new year and we are up to our old shenanigans. Adam can't make a decision and Paul might be immortal? We will also do a deep dive into the stories that the West Kingdom games tell. What we have been playing lately: 3:11 Chess (5d Chess with Multiverse Time Travel 4:56) Divvy Dice 6:33 First Orchard 8:46 Horrified 9:44 Cooper Island 12:31 Biblios 16:47 Clank! In! Space! 19:21 Three Sisters 20:49 Terra Mystica Gaia Project 21:49 Yokohama 23:14 Bandido 24:06 Kickstarters Carnegie 25:25 Darwin’s Journey 29:02 Terraforming Mars Ares Expedition 29:42 Coming to KS mid feb (est) Mint Bid 30:31 Review 31:29 Paladins of the West Kingdom ~ From around the blog: See our list of the best two player board games. See our list of the best board games of all time.
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    59 mins
  • Episode 9 - Essen Spiel 2020, Tekhenu, and Lowlands

    Episode 9 - Essen Spiel 2020, Tekhenu, and Lowlands
    Oct 18 2020
    It's Essen time! Adam and Paul talk about what they have been playing lately as well as some of their top Essen picks. Paul gives us a sneak peek at Tekhenu, meanwhile, Adam tries to convince us ‘Coopetition’ is a real word while talking about Lowlands. What we have been playing lately: 2:05 Squire For Hire, Taco V Burrito, Space Base, 1830. Stick Em, Spires End, Root, Maracaibo, Mandala Stones, Convert, Belfort, Crystal Palace Essen Picks: 25:49 Adam: Tawantinsuyu: The Inca Empire, Pandemic Legacy Season 0, Clever Hoch Drei, Divvy Dice, Hallertau, Pandemain, Rococo: DE, Moonrakers, West Kingdom Tomesaga, Unlock!: Star Wars, Under Falling Skies Paul: Bonfire, Cloudage, Lost Ruins of Arnak, Praga Caput Regni Preview 54:59 Tekhenu: Obelisk of the Sun Review 1:02:44 Lowlands ~ From around the blog: See our list of the best two player board games. See our list of the best board games of all time.
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    1 hr and 16 mins
  • Episode 8 - Sanctum, Online Convention, Spiel des Jahres, and More

    Episode 8 - Sanctum, Online Convention, Spiel des Jahres, and More
    Aug 11 2020
    On our way through the depths of pandemic gaming, we talk about navigating the maze of online conventions, the winds of change with trick taking games, the shiny SdJ winners, and more treasures leading to the final boss: our deep dive review of Sanctum. Online Conventions and catch up: 1:36 Spiel des Jahres: 8:34 Paradise Lost (review): 19:20 Ride The Rails: 20:01 Metro X: 21:56 Tekhenu: Obelisk of the Sun: 24:13 Vinyl Jukebox: 25:42 Fort: 26:31 Herrlof: 31:30 Sanctum: 34:44 Obvious TROLL Giveaway Link (https://kingsumo.com/g/nha1ai/troll-by-oink-games-out-of-print-giveaway-from-board-game-squad) Be sure to visit us at https://boardgamesquad.com/podcast/. Email us at podcast@boardgamesquad.com! We want to hear from you. Ask us questions, let us know what we got wrong, and let us know what you have been playing lately so we can look into and review your favorite games as well! ~ From around the blog: See our list of the best board games for two players. See our list of the best board games of all time.
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    59 mins
  • Podcast: Episode 7 – Barrage

    Podcast: Episode 7 – Barrage
    May 20 2020
    In this episode Adam and Paul talk about how they are coping with quarantine by relying on TikTok, playing board games online, and deep diving into the murky waters of Barrage. If you were looking for an itemized list of the issues with the Kickstarter campaign, listen in. They also go over the merits of the game and review it based on those, despite the rough campaign and fulfillment. Online Play 3:19 Welcome To… 6:32 Second Chance and Ganz schön clever 8:27 Cartographers: A Roll Player Tale 9:27 Cooper Island 11:38 On Tour 15:53 Lost Cities 17:09 Clans of Caledonia 18:35 Castles of Burgundy: The Dice Game 22:20 Grand Austria Hotel 24:19 Splendor 31:46 The Quacks of Quedlinburg 33:04 ICECOOL 36:09 Clank! Legacy: Acquisitions Incorporated 37:16 Barrage 43:28 Be sure to visit us at https://boardgamesquad.com/podcast/. Email us at podcast@boardgamesquad.com! We want to hear from you. Ask us questions, let us know what we got wrong, and let us know what you have been playing lately so we can look into and review your favorite games as well! ~ ~ From around the blog: See our list of the best board games for two players. See our list of the best board games.
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    1 hr and 34 mins
  • Episode 6 - David Turczi

    Episode 6 - David Turczi
    Apr 6 2020
    On this episode of the Board Game Squad Podcast, Paul interviews our special guest - game designer David Turczi. Listen in to hear about upcoming titles, David's process for designing and a ton of info on how he collaborates with other designers. Related: See our reviews of Tawantinsuyu, Rome & Roll, Perseverance: Castaway Chronicles, and Anachrony. Be sure to visit us at https://boardgamesquad.com/podcast/. Email us at podcast@boardgamesquad.com! We want to hear from you. Ask us questions, let us know what we got wrong, and let us know what you have been playing lately so we can look into and review your favorite games as well! ~ From around the blog: See our list of the best two-player board games. See our list of the best board games of all time.
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    52 mins
  • Episode 5 – Maracaibo

    Episode 5 – Maracaibo
    Mar 15 2020
    Want to talk about one of the most exciting games of 2019? Adam and Paul walk you through Maracaibo’s different strategies, eccentricities, mechanisms, and ways you can successfully navigate the rules and gameplay. Gaming accessories: 3:01 News/Kickstarter 13:44 What we have been playing recently 26:56 Xenon Profiteer 28:29 Quirky Circuits 31:24 Viticulture 32:43 Nyet! 34:53 Terramara 38:01 Blood on the Clocktower 41:50 Atelier: The Painters Studio 44:03 Spirit Island 45:54 Main Review: Maracaibo 49:50 Be sure to visit us at https://boardgamesquad.com/podcast. Email us at podcast@boardgamesquad.com! We want to hear from you. Ask us questions, let us know what we got wrong, and let us know what you have been playing lately so we can look into and review your favorite games as well! ~ From around the blog: See our list of the best two player board games. See our list of the best board games of all time.
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    1 hr and 34 mins
  • Episode 4 – The Castles of Burgundy

    Episode 4 – The Castles of Burgundy
    Feb 14 2020
    Adam and Paul are back with Episode 4 of the Board Game Squad Podcast. There's a lot to talk about and catch up on - starting with a giveaway! The boys talk about what kind of intentions players go into games with, as well a deep retrospective of the classic The Castles of Burgundy. Along the way, they will go over games they have recently been playing, some board game industry news, upcoming releases, Kickstarter projects to keep an eye on, and more. Giveaway: Cartographers: A Roll Player Tale 0:01 Welcome back: 2:20 What we have been playing recently: Maracaibo 7:53 Great Western Trail 10:05 Trismegistus 13:24 Quirky Circuits 16:38 Kings Dilemma 19:47 Squire for hire 23:11 Seasons of Rice 25:40 Forest of Tataraba 26:52 Trails of Tucana 29:13 Calimala 30:12 Rockwell 33:19 News 37:05 Kickstarter 49:45 Castles of Burgundy 53:43 Be sure to visit us at https://boardgamesquad.com/podcast/. Email us at podcast@boardgamesquad.com! We want to hear from you. Ask us questions, let us know what we got wrong, and let us know what you have been playing lately so we can look into and review your favorite games as well!
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    1 hr and 24 mins