It's a star-studded eleganza extravaganza, featuring your two least-favourite SVWAG hosts giving you an incomplete capsule summary of a terrible year of great games. Of course, they neglected to play That One Game, of course, which means that all their observations are utterly useless, but how does that differentiate this episode from any other? This offering is more classy, however, as in a concession to the glitz and glamour of end-of-year shows, both hosts begrudgingly and uncharacteristically wear pants. (You might be asking--is that "pants" in the British sense or the Canadian sense? The answer is yes.)
Games Played Last Week: 02:50 -Fossilis (David Alberto Diaz, Kids Table BG, 2020) 05:07 -In Too Deep (Josh Cappel & Daryl Chow, Burnt Island Games, 2021) 10:17 -French Toast (Uncredited, Blue Beard Entertainment, 2021) 12:06 -Magnate: The First City (James Naylor, Naylor Games, 2021) 18:02 -Corrosion (Stefan Bauer, Capstone Games, 2021) 20:35 -G.I. JOE Deck-Building Game (T.C. Petty III, Renegade Game Studios, 2021) 24:18 -Uprising: Curse of the Last Emperor (Cornelius Cremin, Pawel Mazur, & Dirk Sommer, Nemesis.Games, 2021) 29:46 -Monstrology (Andy Lubershane, Middle Brain Games, 2017) 33:06 -Conquest & Consequence (Craig Besinque, GMT Games, 2021)
YEAR IN REVIEW 35:59 Personal Top 10s
58:07 SVWAG Game of the Year
1:08:48 Special Categories
1:25:37 SVWAG Presents Masterpiece Theatre Year in Review
In the 14th Century B.C.E., the pharaoh Akhenaten attempted to shift Egypt into monotheism centered on the cult of the god Aten. Apparently there's some who argue it was possibly instead henotheism, whereby many gods are acknowledged but one is elevated above the others--a claim advanced about many ostensibly mono- or polytheistic religions, even some practised today--but at any rate is was exceptionally controversial. By the time his son Tutankhaten became pharaoh, the cult of Aten was suppressed, and the ascendancy of the god Amun was restored in a polytheistic pantheon. Hence the new pharaoh's name was changed from Tutankhaten to Tutankhamun. Theme!
Games Played Last Week: 05:51 -Coyote (Spartaco Albertarelli, New Games Order, 2015) 07:19 -Assault on Doomrock: Ultimate Edition (Tom Stasiak, Beautiful Disaster Games, 2022) 13:11 -Furnace (Ivan Lashin, Hobby World, 2021) 15:24 -That Time You Killed Me (Peter C. Hayward, Pandasaurus Games, 2021) 22:03 -The Adventures of Robin Hood (Michael Menzel, KOSMOS, 2021) 26:16 -Final Girl (Evan Derrick & A.J. Porfirio, Van Ryder Games, 2021) 34:43 -Radlands (Daniel Piechnick, Roxley, 2021) 38:06 -Crash Octopus (Naotaka Shimamoto, itten, 2021) 41:53 -7 Wonders: Architects (Antoine Bauza, Repos Production, 2021)
News (and why it doesn't matter): 43:35 Kickstarter Christmas! Upcoming For Science! giveaway 44:17 Boardgamegeek 2021 Support Drive 44:37 Walker a guest on Board Game Barrage 45:29 25th Century Games' Ra with Ian O'Toole art 46:12 Games Workshop backtracks, re-issues Cursed City 46:53 See you again in 2022
47:36 Feature Game: Ankh: Gods of Egypt (Eric M. Lang, CMON, 2021)
Some things, of course, from Josie and the Pussycats have aged poorly. The idea of "record stores" and CDs (that could, in turn sell out like they were PS5s or something) is downright quaint--especially given the format of this show. I'm pretty confident that the cultural moment of Moviefone Guy has well and truly passed, despite the continued use of both movies and phones. Do people still know who Carson Daly is? I confess I never really did. Mostly I know him from that totally jerkin' movie, Josie and the Pussycats.
Games Played Last Week: 04:10 -Sine Tempore (Luca Bernardini & Andrea Colletti, Ludus Magnus Studio, 2018) 06:27 -L.A.M.A. Dice (Reiner Knizia, AMIGO, 2021) 07:08 -Llamaland (Phil Walker-Harding, Lookout Games, 2021) 11:40 -G.I. JOE Deck-Building Game (T.C. Petty III, Renegade Game Studios, 2021) 13:59 -Assault on Doomrock: Ultimate Edition (Tom Stasiak, Beautiful Disaster Games, 2022) 19:40 -Wingspan (Elizabeth Hargrave, Stonemaier Games, 2019) 21:20 -Factory Funner (2nd ed) (Corné van Moorsel, Boardgametables.com, 2021) 26:18 -Ethnos (Paolo Mori, CMON, 2017) 28:32 -Undaunted: Reinforcements (Trevor Benjamin, David Digby, David Thompson, & Dávid Turczi, Osprey Games, 2021) 37:49 -Bitoku (Germán P. Millán, Devir, 2021) 40:28 -Gutenberg (Katarzyna Cioch & Wojciech Wiśniewski, Granna, 2021)
News (and why it doesn't matter): 45:48 Kickstarter moving to blockchain is better for... reasons 46:32 Fairy Tale Inn from Remo Conzadori and Paolo Mori 47:09 New Patreon-exclusive Discord channel 48:00 Asmodee sold to Swedish Embracer group for €2.75 billion 48:26 Asmodee purchased retailer Miniature Market sometime in 2021
50:08 Topic: Going Off-Script
1:11:16 Masterpiece Theatre: Josie and the Pussycats
The hosts are, briefly, back in the same room again, and this has had the unfortunate effect of bringing out the very worst in Mark. Don't worry, he doesn't spend ten minutes complaining about the implied political claims of kids' shows, but his mind naturally went to the gutter of abominable puns. You have been warned.
Games Played Last Week: 01:16 -On Mars (Vital Lacerda, Eagle-Gryphon Games, 2020) 04:24 -Pulsar 2849 (Vladimír Suchý, CGE, 2017) 06:37 -Hibachi (Marco Teubner, Grail Games, 2021) 09:41 -The Siege of Runedar (Reiner Knizia, Ludonova, 2021) 16:51 -Isle of Skye: Druids (Andreas Pelikan & Alexander Pfister, Lookout Games, 2018) 21:08 -L.A.M.A. Dice (Reiner Knizia, AMIGO, 2021) 25:15 -The Dragon Prince: Battlecharged (Johnny O'Neal, Britherwise Games, 2021) 27:09 -Brian Boru: High King of Ireland (Peer Sylvester, Osprey Games, 2021) 33:37 -7 Wonders: Architects (Antoine Bauza, Repos Production, 2021) 37:21 -For Science! (R. Eric Reuss, Grey Fox Games, 2021)
News (and why it doesn't matter): 45:44 Werewolves of Miller's Hollow (i.e., Werewolf/Mafia) licensed for a movie 47:12 Kickstarter moving to blockchain for... reasons
We skip over substantial portions of our hosts' stories, of course. No mention is made of Walker's extensive experience with Gilbert & Sullivan. Mark's stint as the Official Pokémon Master of Canada is glossed over. The deep tribal conflict of Jocks versus Geeks, of which Walker is destined to be the bridge (think Dune but even more messianic), is only alluded to. Someday, the whole story might be told, but you wouldn't believe us.
Games Played Last Week: 04:27 -Stardew Valley: The Board Game (Eric Barone & Cle Medeiros, CorcernedApe, 2021) 11:30 -Imhotep (Phil Walker-Harding, KOSMOS, 2016) 14:56 -Sheepy Time (Neil Kimball, Alderac Entertainment Group, 2021) 18:38 -IKI (Koota Yamada, Sorry We Are French, 2015) 21:43 -Mindbug (Skaff Elias, Richard Garfield, Marvin Hegen, & Christian Kudahl, Nerdlab Games, 2021) 27:55 -Paper Dungeons (Leandro Pires, MeepleBR, 2020) 29:12 -Ultimate Railroads (Helmut Ohley & Leonhard "Lenny" Orgler, Hans im Glück, 2021), Board Game Arena adaptation by Elena Laskavaia 31:36 -Coffee Traders (Rolf Sagel & André Spil, Capstone Games, 2021) 34:29 -Magnate: The First City (James Naylor, Naylor Games, 2021) 40:45 -Sentinels of the Multiverse (Christopher Badell, Paul Bender, & Adam Rebottaro, Greater Than Games, 2011) 41:19 -The Siege of Runedar (Reiner Knizia, Ludonova, 2021)
News (and why it doesn't matter): 43:16 Loto Quebec's Azul scratch tickets 44:50 7.6 tons of counterfeit Pokémon cards 45:31 Flat River Group acquires Greater Than Games 46:34 Stan Lee's Genesis 47:15 A Billion Suns: Warzone
We have become feature-hungry here at SVWAG. We debut Walker's Language Corner which, let us be frank, is not apt to be repeated, especially given Walker's aversion to dead languages. We finally name a recurring segment that has been airing unaccredited for years, and we have dubbed in Mark's Rage Theatre. It is Festivus every day of the year, and Mark has some grievances to air.
Games Played Last Week: 01:18 -Paper Dungeons (Leandro Pires, MeepleBR, 2020) 04:40 -Sheepy Time (Neil Kimball, Alderac Entertainment Group, 2021) 09:45 -Draftosaurus: Aerial Show (Antoine Bauza, Corentin Lebrat, Ludovic Maublanc, & Théo Rivière, Ankama, 2020) 12:07 -Disney Gargoyles: Awakening (Nate Heiss, Ravensburger, 2021) 16:26 -Imperial Steam (Alexander Huemer, Capstone Games, 2021) 21:14 -Puerto Rico (Andreas Seyfarth, alea, 2002) 27:49 -Beez (Dan Halstad, Next Move Games, 2020) 30:03 -Keyflower (Sebastien Bleasdale & Richard Breese, R&D Games, 2012) BGA implementation by Radu Stefan & Adam Dewbery 34:31 -Llamaland (Phil Walker-Harding, Lookout Games, 2021) 36:04 -Cellulose (John Coveyou & Steve Schlepphorst, Genuis Games, 2022)
News (and why it doesn't matter): 38:50 My City Roll and Write 39:10 Play-Along Parasocial Saturdays! Dec. 4 at 10:30 EST, join us in playing Paper Dungeons and Cartographers 39:34 I, Napoleon from GMT Games and Ted Raicer 40:24 Boards&Dice: Terracotta Army 40:51 Tasty Minstrel's remaining stock being sold off through CoolStuffInc
42:28 Feature Game: Praga Caput Regni (Vladimír Suchý, Delicious Games, 2020)
1:08:10 SVWAG Presents Masterpiece Theatre: The Legend of Korra Season 4
One of the great tragic modern misapprehensions of history is the blanching of fascism. It seems that people can watch Attack on Titan and play with their space marines, and simply because there are no swastikas to be found they assume that there are no connections to fascistic ideology contained therein. This is one of the reasons why we so appreciate the humble cucumber sandwich--we would assert that its very fragility and delicacy evoke anti-fascism. Whether one ought to use butter or cream cheese is of great doctrinal import, of course, but we're not gonna get all dogmatic about it.
01:47 AYURIS: Undaunted: Normandy (Trevor Benjamin & David Thompson, Osprey Games, 2019)
Games Played Last Week: 05:07 -Riftforce (Carlo Bortolini, 1 More Time Games, 2021) 07:55 -Ark Nova (Mathias Wigge, Feuerland Spiele, 2021) 10:21 -1846: The Race for the Midwest (Thomas Lehmann, GMT Games, 2005) 20:33 -Railroad Tycoon/Railways of the World (Glenn Drover & Martin Wallace, Eagle-Gryphon Games, 2005) 22:20 -Llamaland (Phil Walker-Harding, Lookout Games, 2021) 24:53 -Res Arcana: Perlae Imperii (Thomas Lehmann, Sand Castle Games, 2021) 27:49 -Faiyum (Friedemann Friese, 2F-Spiele, 2020) 30:08 -Regicide (Paul Abrahams, Luke Badger, & Andy Richdale, Badgers from Mars, 2020) 31:03 -Dinosaur World (Brian Lewis, David McGregor, & Marissa Misura, Pandasaurus Games, 2021) 36:28 -Too Many Bones (Adam & Josh Carlson, Chip Theory Games, 2017) 40:11 -Sentinels of the Multiverse (Christopher Badell, Paul Bender, & Adam Rebottaro, Greater Than Games, 2011) 42:26 -Ankh: Gods of Egypt (Eric M. Lang, CMON, 2021) 45:18 -MicroMacro: Crime City--Full House (Johannes Sich, Pegasus Spiele, 2021) 46:21 -Khôra: Rise of an Empire (Head Quarter Simulation Game Club, IELLO, 2021) 47:04 -A Feast for Odin (Uwe Rosenberg, Feuerland Spiele, 2016)
News (and why it doesn't matter): 48:02 Marvel Zombicide, because of course 49:10 20th Anniversary of the Lord of the Rings movies: Games Workshop's Battle of Balin's Tomb 50:09 Games Workshop condemns Nazis and Nazism in their community
54:22 Topic: Event Gaming
1:14:57 SVWAG Presents Masterpiece Theatre: The Legend of Korra Season 3 (Walker's Take)
Sometimes your devotion and enthusiasm doesn't translate into research or comprehensiveness. Case in point, dear listeners--The Legend of Korra, a franchise Walker introduced to Mark, is one that Walker loves but--shocker!--is one he has only seen but half of. It is revealed during Mark's unhinged ramblings about he would have "fixed" season 3 that Walker is utterly unfamiliar with what he's talking about, and not for the usual reasons. Masterpiece Theatre will never be the same, and Walker just discovered he's got a lot more episodes of Korra than he thought existed.
01:12 AYURIS: Tainted Grail: Fall of Avalon (Krzysztof Piskorski & Marcin Świerkot, Awaken Realms, 2019)
Games Played Last Week: 04:40 -Sine Tempore (Luca Bernardini & Andrea Colletti, Ludus Magnus Studio, 2018) 08:15 -Ultimate Railroads (Helmut Ohley & Leonhard "Lenny" Orgler, Hans im Glück, 2021) 10:06 -The Siege of Runedar (Reiner Knizia, Ludonova, 2021) 11:07 -Furnace (Ivan Lashin, Hobby World, 2021) 15:31 -Brew (Stevo Torres, Pandasaurus Games, 2021) 17:12 -Bärenpark (Phil Walker-Harding, Lookout, 2017) 20:57 -Destinies (Michał Gołębiowski & Filip Miłuński, Lucky Duck Games, 2021) 23:54 -War Chest (Trevor Benjamin & David Thompson, AEG, 2018) 28:16 -Golem (Flaminia Brasini, Virginio Gigli, & Simone Luciani, Cranio Creations, 2021) 31:01 -MicroMacro: Crime City--Full House (Johannes Sich, Pegasus Spiele, 2021)
News (and why it doesn't matter): 34:09 New Dungeon Bowl from Games Workshop 35:24 Horseless Carriage by Jeroen Doumen & Joris Wiersinga of Splotter 37:25 Familiar Tales by Jerry Hawthorne and Plaid Hat Games 38:21 Star Fighters: Rapid Fire by Michael Dunsmore & Jordan Nichols and Alley Cat Games on Kickstarter 40:07 Parasocial Saturdays! Saturday November 13th at 10:30 AM EST: Sentinels of the Multiverse 40:46 No regular episode next week
41:46 Topic: Keepers
1:10:57 SVWAG Presents Masterpiece Theatre: The Legend of Korra Season 3 (Mark's Take)
"Planned obsolescence" is not just an economic term, it is a way of life for some companies. It is the practice of deliberately making a sold item frail or of limited use until it is unfashionable; this forces the consumer to replace it sooner than they would otherwise. Analysts tell us that it is best deployed by oligopolies to increase their sales volume. Completely unrelatedly, we talk about Games Workshop in the news.
Games Played Last Week: 01:26 -Mindbug (Skaff Elias, Richard Garfield, Marvin Hegen, & Christian Kudahl, Nerdlab Games, 2021) 03:36 -Ticket to Ride: Germany (Alan R. Moon, Days of Wonder, 2017) 06:18 -Chocolate Factory (Matthew Dunstan & Brett J. Gilbert, Alley Cat Games, 2019) 08:22 -Cockroach Poker (Jacques Zeimet, Drei Magier Spiele, 2004) 09:55 -My Farm Shop (Rüdiger Dorn, Pegasus Spiele, 2020) 12:05 -Royal Visit (Reiner Knizia, IELLO, 2021) 14:18 -Dunaïa (Thomas Dupont, BLAM !, 2021) 15:42 -The Siege of Runedar (Reiner Knizia, Ludonova, 2021) 20:10 -One Deck Dungeon: Abyssal Depths (Chris Cieslik, Asmadi Games, 2021)
News (and why it doesn't matter): 23:55 Warhammer Underworlds Harrowdeep changes the card backs, prices us out of the game 27:15 Steam Up on Kickstarter: dim sum board game 28:28 David Gregg working on Nightfall 2.0 29:05 Parasocial Saturdays: streaming Dinosaur World November 6th at 10:30 AM EST on Twitch. 29:17 www.patreon.com/svwag, final week of Arkhipov Day sale
30:28 Feature Game: Ultimate Railroads (Helmut Ohley & Leonhard "Lenny" Orgler, Hans im Glück, 2021) Board Game Arena adaptation by Elena Laskavaia.
52:25 SVWAG Presents Masterpiece Theatre: The Legend of Korra Season 2
This topic was suggested by Penn State law professor Jacob Schuman, although let us be perfectly clear that he does not necessarily endorse any of the views expressed. I mean, if Justices Breyer and/or Alito heard us impugn their oracular insights, no doubt we would be put on blast; much like those terrible journalists for having the sheer gall to posit that judges are, well, human and all. Perish the thought! We also apologize for suggesting that textualism does not ineffably guide one to the True and Correct Opinion, just like it did in Bostock, where textualist methods gave you at least three competing interpretations.
Games Played Last Week: 03:40 -Tinners' Trail (Martin Wallace, Alley Cat Games, 2021) 07:09 -Merchants of Amsterdam (Reiner Knizia, Rio Grande Games, 2000) 10:59 -Merchants Cove (Jonny Pac, Carl Van Ostrand, & Drake Villareal, Final Frontier Games, 2021) 13:26 -Ra (Reiner Knizia, alea, 1999) 15:17 -Isle of Cats (Frank West, The City of Games, 2019) 17:52 -For Science! (R. Eric Reuss, Grey Fox Games, 2021) 20:28 -Furnace (Ivan Lashin, Hobby World, 2021) 22:36 -Arkham Horror: The Card Game (Nate French & MJ Newman, Fantasy Flight Games, 2016) 26:00 -Messina 1347 (Raúl Fernández Aparicio & Vladimír Suchý, Delicious Games, 2021) 28:34 -Dark Ages: Heritage of Charlemagne (Adam Kwapiński & Andrei Novac, Board&Dice, 2021)
News (and why it doesn't matter): 32:58 Risk: Shadow Forces. Legacy light? 33:51 Art Robbery from Helvetiq and Reiner Knizia 34:29 Iron Forest approaches 35:07 Assault on Doomrock Ultimate Edition approaches, Too Many Bones is... too... many bones. 37:05 Parasocial Saturdays! October 30th at 10:00 EST on Twitch. 37:35 Arkhipov Day: October 27, 1962: 59th anniversary of Vasily Arkhipov saving the world. Theme song "Two Atomic Heroes" by Lemon Knife! Arkhipov Day Patreon sale!
38:15 Topic: Resolving Rules Disputes
1:08:23 SVWAG Presents: Masterpiece Theatre: The Legend of Korra Season 1
We are dangerously approaching peak culture here on SVWAG. In addition to Masterpiece Theatre, we have the return of the pie ranking system, plus now music tie-ins for Arkhipov Day. Could a wine section be far behind? Well, actually, Mark labels most of Walker's in-game comments the wine section. You see?! Yet more culture!
Games Played Last Week: 01:53 -Tidal Blades: Heroes of the Reef (Tim Eisner & Ben Eisner, Druid City Games, 2020) 02:41 -ALIEN: Fate of the Nostromo (Scott Rogers, Ravensburger, 2021) 04:38 -For Science! (R. Eric Reuss, Grey Fox Games, 2021) 08:40 -Project: ELITE (Konstantinos Kokkinis, Marco Portugal, & Sotirios Tsantilas, CMON, 2020) 09:57 -Ankh: Gods of Egypt (Eric M. Lang, CMON, 2021) 15:31 -Brass: Birmingham (Gavan Brown, Matt Tolman, & Martin Wallace, Roxley, 2018) 17:33 -Paint the Roses (Ben Goldman, North Star Games, 2022) 22:17 -Keep the Heroes Out (Luís Brüeh, Self-published, 2022) 23:49 -A Feast for Odin (Uwe Rosenberg, Feuerland Spiele, 2016) 28:45 -After the Empire (Evan Halbert & Ryan Mauk, Grey Fox Games, 2021) 30:00 -Mercado de Lisboa (Vital Lacerda & Julián Pombo, Eagle-Gryphon Games, 2021) 32:00 -Skull (Hervé Marly, Asmodee, 2011) 33:25 -Sine Tempore (Luca Bernardini & Andrea Colletti, Ludus Magnus Studio, 2018) 35:24 -Root (Cole Wehrle, Leder Games, 2018) 38:03 -Anno 1800 (Martin Wallace, KOSMOS, 2020)
News (and why it doesn't matter): 39:50 Expansion for The Red Cathedral 40:02 Cowboy Bebop RPG 41:13 Secrets of the Vibrant Isle: Solo RPG 42:22 Gaia Project and Ultimate Railroads on Board Game Arena 43:00 Arkhipov Day: October 27, 1962: 59th anniversary of Vasily Arkhipov saving the world. Theme song "Two Atomic Heroes" by Lemon Knife! Arkhipov Day Patreon sale!
44:15 Feature Game: Khôra: Rise of an Empire (Head Quarter Simulation Game Club, IELLO, 2021)
1:12:13 SVWAG Presents: Masterpiece Theatre: Avatar: The Last Airbender Season 3
It was a thrill to have a pan-Anglo alliance together to raise money for Food Banks Canada, with many current or prior Commonwealth countries represented either on the stream or in the donations. That is globalism we can get behind here at SVWAG. That said, let us make our next planned fundraising endeavour yet more international: a Kickstarter campaign to fund Mark's acquisition of a Ferrari Portofino. Equally altruistic, yes?
Games Played Last Week: 04:21 -Galaxy Trucker (Vlaada Chvátil, Czech Games Edition, 2021) 10:36 -Barrage (Tommaso Battista & Simone Luciani, Cranio Creations, 2019) 12:36 -Ankh: Gods of Egypt (Eric M. Lang, CMON, 2021) 16:12 -Neuroshima Hex!: The Year of Moloch (Michał Oracz, Portal Games, 2021) 19:41 -Towering Dice (marcmagus, Web published, 2021) 22:09 -Streets (Haakon Gaarder, Sinister Fish Games, 2021) 25:02 -Draftosaurus (Antoine Bauza, Corentin Lebrat, Ludovic Maublanc, & Théo Rivière, Ankama, 2019) 28:05 -Settlement (Oleksandr Nevskiy, IGAMES, 2021) 32:06 -Race for the Galaxy (Thomas Lehmann, Rio Grande Games, 2007) 32:06 -Innovation (Carl Chudyk, Asmadi Games, 2010) 35:27 -Men at Work (Rita Modl, Pretzel Games, 2019) 37:10 -For Science! (R. Eric Reuss, Grey Fox Games, 2021) 42:55 -The Pursuit of Happiness (Adrian Abela & David Chircop, Artipia Games, 2015) 45:07 -Concordia (Mac Gerdts, PD-Verlag, 2013)
News (and why it doesn't matter): 47:23 A Feast for Odin Alpha on Board Game Arena 47:56 Board Game Arena called Yucata.de, Tabletopia, et al "illegal" 49:58 Walker's new campaign: Sine Tempore 50:45 Yura Yura Penguin Mini on Kickstarter 51:27 Cole Wehrle's Arcs 52:45 Parasocial Saturdays: Twitch stream of Tidal Blades on Saturday, October 9th at 10:30 EST 53:00 No episode on October 12th, Happy Thanksgiving
In case you missed it, we have now offered to the series of tubes the definitive website for all your non-porn non-cat needs. Sowronggames.com is your official repository for all things SVWAG, including all of our episodes, editorial policies, the full Swagoo, and definitions of all the arcane cant of the show (such as Swagoo). Excellent for neophytes and long-time Svwaggers alike. Unlike other websites, we don't discriminate against bots! We believe sapient bots deserve full moral recognition, and that includes access to our font of digital nonsense. You're welcome, Messrs. Prime and Magnus.
Games Played Last Week: 01:12 -Ankh: Gods of Egypt (Eric M. Lang, CMON, 2021) 07:44 -Furnace (Ivan Lashin, Hobby World, 2021) 11:58 -Core Worlds: Galactic Orders (Andrew Parks, Stronghold Games, 2012) 14:34 -Khôra: Rise of an Empire (Head Quarter Simulation Game Club, IELLO, 2021) 17:23 -Tapestry (Jamey Stegmaier, Stonemaier Games, 2019) 19:46 -The Resistance: Avalon (Don Eskridge, Indie Boards & Cards, 2012) 21:46 -Cloud City (Phil Walker-Harding, Blue Orange Games, 2020) 23:07 -Simplicity (David Brain, Fractal Juegos, 2021) 23:57 -Niagara (Thomas Liesching, Zoch Verlag, 2004) 26:47 -Kabuto Sumo (Tony Miller, BoardGameTables.com, 2021) 28:38 -Camel Up (Second Edition) (Steffan Bogen, eggertspiele, 2018) 31:11 -Robotech: Brace for Impact (Nick Ferris, Strange Machine Games, 2019)
News (and why it doesn't matter): 35:27 Fundraiser on Twitch for Food Banks Canada on October 2nd at 3 PM EST. Guests: No Pun Included, Board Game Barrage, the SVWAG crew! KOSMOS has donated copies of The Crew: Mission Deep Sea to give away! https://tiltify.com/@svwag/so-very-wrong-about-games-food-drive 36:11 Parasocial Saturdays! Saturday, 10:30 EST. 36:45 Myth and Goal: James Hewitt & Sophie Williams 37:27 Let's Make a Bus Route domestic reprint: Get on Board: New York & London 38:08 Eastern Empires by 999 Games 40:01 No episode next week; Happy Thanksgiving! 40:25 Skinny Minis 41:46 International Gamers Awards winners: Lost Ruins of Arnak, My City, and Under Falling Skies 42:40 Language that insidiously encourages gatekeeping
All right, we need to talk about Sokka. Another staple of kid's shows is often The Annoying One. I don't know why, but they're often there. Steven Universe had Ronaldo, but they knew to use him sparingly. Sokka is so aggressively obnoxious in the first two episodes it is a miracle anyone makes it to episode three. He could have just been the complainer, but additionally his monumental and gratuitous misogyny is so bad that one wonders what Suki (an awesome character) ever saw in him. Sure, he gets better, but always in my mind the Early Days Sokka looms over the show like some terrible shadow.
00:59 AYURIS: On Mars (Vital Lacerda, Eagle-Gryphon Games, 2020)
Games Played Last Week: 02:33 -Cryo (Tom Jolly & Luke Laurie, Z-Man Games, 2021) 07:22 -Red Outpost (Raman Hryoryk, Lifestyle Boargames Ltd, 2019) 11:38 -Cantaloop: Book 1--Breaking into Prison (Friendemann Findeisen & Grzegorz Kobiela, Lookout Games, 2020) 15:36 -Brass: Birmingham (Gavan Brown, Matt Tolman, & Martin Wallace, Roxley, 2018) 19:14 -Clever Cubed (Wolfgang Warsch, Schmidt Spiele, 2020) 21:09 -Sleeping Gods (Ryan Laukat, Red Raven Games, 2021) 23:38 -PARKS (Henry Audubon, Keymaster Games, 2019) 27:16 -Shards of Infinity: Into the Horizon (Gary Arant, Justin Gary, Ryan Sutherland, Jared Saramago, Mataio Wilson, & Jason Zila, Stone Blade Entertainment, 2021) 29:19 -Pickomino Deluxe (Reiner Knizia, Zoch Verlag, 2018) 31:53 -Witchstone (Martino Chiacchiera & Reiner Knizia, R&R Games, 2021) 34:48 -Empire of the Stars (Adam West, CrossCut Games, 2021) 40:15 -The Grimm Masquerade (Tim Eisner, Ben Eisner, & James Hudson, Druid City Games, 2019)
News (and why it doesn't matter): 45:53 Fundraiser on Twitch for Food Banks Canada on October 2nd at 3 PM EST. Guests: No Pun Included, Board Game Barrage, the SVWAG crew! KOSMOS has donated copies of The Crew: Mission Deep Sea to give away! 46:42 Assault on Doomrock: Ultimate Edition is coming along nicely 47:31 Signs of life at Fantasy Flight: expansions for Star Wars: Outer Rim and Descent 3rd. 48:52 Neuroshima Hex big box won't fit all the stuff 49:49 Next Valiant Defense: Battle of the Bulge, New Undaunted next year 50:52 Warhammer Underworlds: Harrowdeep 51:26 One Deck Galaxies 51:52 Parasocial Saturdays: Sep. 25th at 10:30 EST on Twitch 52:51 Special discount on Patreon: pay for ten months, get two months free! www.patreon.com/svwag 54:05 Check out our silly website! sowronggames.com
54:35 Topic: What Makes a Game Worth Recommending?
1:21:10 SVWAG Presents: Masterpiece Theatre: Avatar The Last Airbender Season 1
We have seen the future, and it is now. We have fired up our Netscape Navigator, and interfaced the hypertext protocol over at Geocities, and made us our very own webzone. Maybe soon we'll be able to set up an FTP server for our episodes. We will register on every web ring we can find, whether it's about Sailor Moon or Tamagotchi or Neopets. So go tell your Usenet groups to head on over to sowronggames.com!
Games Played Last Week: 01:14 -Tidal Blades: Heroes of the Reef (Tim Eisner & Ben Eisner, Druid City Games, 2020) 03:51 -Cascadia (Randy Flynn, Flatout Games, 2021) 07:54 -Yokohama (Hisashi Hayashi, Tasty Minstrel Games, 2016) 08:27 -So Clover! (François Romain, Repos Production, 2021) 10:27 -Codenames (Vlaada Chvatil, CGE, 2015) 12:33 -Equinox (Reiner Knizia, Plan B Games, 2021) 12:58 -Ankh: Gods of Egypt (Eric M. Lang, CMON, 2021) 17:25 -Quest (Don Eskridge, Indie Boards & Cards, 2021) 20:38 -Atelier: The Painter's Studio (Uncredited, Alderac Entertainment Group, 2019) 23:23 -Warp's Edge (Scott Almes, Renegade Game Studios, 2020) 27:38 -Muse (Jordan Sorenson, 999 Games, 2017) 30:39 -Hellboy: The Board Game (James M. Hewitt & Sophie Williams, Mantic Games, 2019) 34:08 -Kabuto Sumo (Tony Miller, BoardGameTables.com, 2021)
News (and why it doesn't matter): 36:05 Fundraiser on Twitch for Food Banks Canada! October 2nd at 3 PM EST. 36:40 Mille Fiori from Reiner Knizia 37:33 Air, Land & Sea: Critters at War 38:11 Warpgate expansion incoming 38:31 One Deck Galaxy on KS 39:04 KeyForge on hold; algorithm busted 40:06 Duel of Ages pseudo-sequel: Worldspanner Factions 40:47 Statement on The Gaming Goat's online toxicity
42:21 Feature Game: Anno 1800 (Martin Wallace, KOSMOS, 2020)
MARCUS BIGNEY Here comes Fantasy Flight's body, mourned by Michael Walker: who, though he had no hand in its death, shall receive the benefit of its dying, a place in the hobby; as which of you shall not?
WALKER Friends, gamers, hobbyists, lend me your ears; I come to bury Fantasy Flight, not to praise it. The evil that publishers do lives after them; The good is oft interred with their bones; So let it be with Fantasy Flight. The noble Bigney Hath told you FFG was ambitious: If it were so, it was a grievous fault, And grievously hath FFG answer'd it. Here, under leave of Bigney and the rest-- For Bigney is an honourable man; So are they all, all honourable men-- Come I to speak in FFG's funeral. It was my friend, faithful and just to me: But Bigney says it was ambitious; And Bigney is an honourable man. It hath published many games home to Rome Whose playing did the gaming public thrill: Did this in FFG seem ambitious? When that the games were broken, FFG hath wept: Ambition should be made of sterner stuff: Yet Bigney says it was ambitious; And Bigney is an honourable man. I speak not to disprove what Bigney spoke, But here I am to speak what I do know. You all did love it once, not without cause: What cause withholds you then, to mourn for it? O judgment! thou art fled to brutish beasts, And men have lost their reason. Bear with me; My heart is in the coffin box there with expansions, And I must pause till it come back to me.
Games Played Last Week: 04:08 -Yokohama (Hisashi Hayashi, Tasty Minstrel Games, 2016) 07:54 -Vampire Queen (Wolfgang Kramer, Schmidt Spiele, 2016) 11:40 -Regicide (Paul Abrahams, Luke Badger, & Andy Richdale, Badgers from Mars, 2020) 12:13 -Pickomino Deluxe (Reiner Knizia, Zoch Verlag, 2018) 14:25 -Equinox (Reiner Knizia, Plan B Games, 2021) 18:33 -Rhino Hero (Scott Frisco & Steven Strumpf, HABA, 2011) 18:33 -Rhino Hero: Super Battle (Scott Frisco & Steven Strumpf, HABA, 2017) 21:50 -The Search for Planet X (Matthew O'Malley & Ben Rosset, Renegade Game Studios, 2020) 23:15 -Descent: Legends in the Dark (Kara Centell-Dunk & Nathan I. Hajek, Fantasy Flight, 2021) 31:00 -Beyond the Sun (Dennis K. Chan, Rio Grande Games, 2020)
News (and why it doesn't matter): 32:42 Fundraiser for Food Banks Canada with Badgers from Mars and Regicide! Saturday, Oct 2nd, 3 PM EST on Twitch 33:21 Mini Yura Yura Penguin 33:52 Shout out to SVWAG Guild on Boargamegeek: https://boardgamegeek.com/guild/3236 34:41 Sushi Boat on KS soon 35:05 G.I. Joe RPG 35:57 CMON getting into NFTs 38:16 Parasocial Saturdays: Streaming Equinox on Saturday, Sep. 11 at 10:30 AM EST on Twitch
Cultural gaps can be quite tragic, to say nothing of socially debilitating. Mark discovers to his horror that Walker is unfamiliar both with a key game and a crucial character in film history. Thank goodness that this faux pas does not sully Masterpiece Theatre, as that would bring shame to both the Warrior of the Wasteland and Vin Diesel.
Games Played Last Week: 01:02 -Regicide (Paul Abrahams, Luke Badger, & Andy Richdale, Badgers from Mars, 2020) 03:19 -Onitama (Shimpei Sato, conception, 2014) 04:46 -Card Capture (Lucas Gentry, Wep published, 2018) 07:06 -Flotilla (J.B. Howell & Michael Mihealsick, WizKids, 2019) 11:56 -Veritas (James Ernest & Mike Selinker, Cheapass Games, 2013) 16:04 -The Shipwreck Arcana (Kevin Bishop, Meromorph Games, 2017) 19:14 -Empire of the Stars (Adam West, CrossCut Games, 2021) 25:04 -Ruination (Travis R. Chance, Kolossal Games, 2021) 28:33 -The Staufer Dynasty (Andreas Steding, Z-Man Games, 2014) 30:22 -Mandala Stones (Filip Głowacz, Board&Dice, 2021) 33:21 -Detective Club (Oleksandr Nevskiy, IGAMES, 2018) 35:58 -Glorantha: The Gods War (Sandy Petersen, Petersen Games, 2019)
News (and why it doesn't matter): 41:02 Parasocial Saturdays! Streaming every Saturday at 10:30 EST on Twitch 41:33 Fog of Love expansions: Nikki Valens focuses on queer andtrans stories, plus Love on Lockdown: I guess we'll stay in and watch a movie... again 42:26 No more board games from IDW 43:44 Avatar RPG broke the internet 43:50 For Science! updates tragicomedy
45:17 Feature Game: Soldiers in Postmen's Uniforms (David Thompson, Dan Verssen Games, 2021)
I used to tell a joke about Heimdall, but it was pretty horny. I used to tell a joke about Osiris, but it fell to pieces. I used to tell a joke about Venus, but it was masturbatory. I used to tell a joke about Sleipnir, but it didn't have legs. I used to tell a joke about Prometheus, but it needed a spark. I used to tell a joke about Draupnir, but it just didn't ever end. I used to tell a joke about Marathon, but it was a bit of a long walk. I used to tell a joke about the Hecatoncheires, but it was punching down. I used to tell a joke about Tyr, but it wasn't even-handed. I used to tell a joke about Ragnarok, but everyone knew the end already. I used to tell a joke about Jormungand, but it was very toxic. I used to tell a joke about Pandora, but it was too out of the box. I used to tell a joke about Cerberus, but it was just gatekeeping. I used to tell a joke about Yggdrasil, but I had to leaf. I used to tell a joke about the labyrinth's inhabitant, but it was bull. I used to tell a joke about the sword of Damocles, but it was over my head. I used to tell a joke about Procrustes, but I kept getting cut off. I used to tell a joke about Sisyphus, but I got tired of the repetition. I used to tell a joke about Penelope's crafting, but it was just an excuse to kill time. I used to tell a joke about the Golden Apple, but it caused too many arguments. I used to tell a joke about Gordian succession, but it was a tangled mess. I used to tell a joke about Minerva's bird, but I can't remember owl of it.
01:58 AYURIS: Caylus 1303 (William Attia, Space Cowboys, 2019)
Games Played Last Week: 04:38 -Regicide (Paul Abrahams, Luke Badger, & Andy Richdale, Badgers from Mars, 2020) 05:55 -Rhino Hero Super Battle (Scott Frisco & Steven Strumpf, HABA, 2017) 06:00 -Kabuto Sumo (Tony Miller, BoardGameTables.com, 2021) 06:37 -Shards of Infinity: Shadow of Salvation (Justin Gary & Ryan Sutherland, Stone Blade Entertainment, 2019) 07:07 -Star Realms (Robert Dougherty & Darwin Kastle, Wise Wizard, 2014) 09:06 -Root (Cole Wehrle, Leder Games, 2018) 11:39 -Faiyum (Friedemann Friese, 2F-Spiele, 2020) 12:45 -Descent: Legends in the Dark (Kara Centell-Dunk & Nathan I. Hajek, Fantasy Flight, 2021) 25:01 -Dark Souls: The Board Game (David Carl, Alex Hall, Mat Hart, & Richard Loxam, Steamforged Games, 2017) 28:34 -Warp's Edge (Scott Almes, Renegade Game Studios, 2020) 31:46 -ALIEN: Fate of the Nostromo (Scott Rogers, Ravensburger, 2021) 37:56 -Lots (Thomas Wells, Self-Published, 2021) 39:54 -Mandala (Trevor Benjamin & Brett J. Gilbert, 2019) 44:59 -Canvas (Jeff Chin & Andrew Nerger, Road to Infamy Games, 2021) 46:20 -Rush M.D. (Athony Howgego, Konstantinos Kokkinis, & Dávid Turczi, Artipia Games, 2020)
We delve deep into knowledge and doubt this week on SVWAG. How do we know what we know? How can we know what we don't know? Why did Mark think Vienna Connection was a train game? Who or what is Wormy Plums, and is it a euphemism for some kind of sex act? Why is there no Masterpiece Theatre? Thankfully, we can at least answer that last question--it is because The F8 of the Furious took such a toll on the hosts' psyches that they needed a break to recuperate.
Games Played Last Week: 01:16 -Regicide (Paul Abrahams, Luke Badger, & Andy Richdale, Badgers from Mars, 2020) 04:44 -Brew (Stevo Torres, Pandasaurus Games, 2021) 08:40 -Space Base (John D. Clair, AEG, 2018) 12:17 -Fortress (Fridemann Friese, 2F-Spiele, 2017) 14:56 -Destinies (Michał Gołębiowski & Filip Miłuński, Lucky Duck Games, 2021) 17:57 -Imperium: Legends (Nigel Buckle & Dávid Turczi, Osprey Games, 2021) 22:01 -Isle of Skye: From Chieftain to King (Andreas Pelikan & Alexander Pfister, Lookout Games, 2015) 24:20 -Fairy Tale (Satoshi Nakamura, Z-Man Games, 2004) 26:09 -Let's Make a Bus Route: The Dice Game (Saashi, Saashi & Saashi, 2021) 27:31 -Quest (Don Eskridge, Indie Boards & Cards, 2021) 33:12 -Formula D (Laurent Lavaur & Eric Randall, Asmodee, 2008)
News (and why it doesn't matter): 35:00 SVWAG is listener-supported 35:59 Flamecraft: adorable 36:30 Black Rose Wars: Rebirth expandalone 37:20 Harry Potter Talisman 37:40 Marrakesh by Stefan Feld 38:05 Finalists for the Zenobia Awards: historical games by under-represented authors https://zenobiaaward.org/finalists/ 39:18 50th anniversary edition of Québec 1759 in 2022 from Columbia Games 40:27 Parasocial Saturdays: streaming Canvas and Rush M.D. on August 21st.
The crushing burden of Masterpiece Theatre is having a toll. I had an attitude problem, but then I took a timeout, and I thought about what I did. The success of the Fast and/or Furious movies is undeniable--business-wise, this all seems like appropriate business--but at what cost? I went to the stock market today. I did a business. SVWAG is most emphatically not children stacked together wearing a trenchcoat. Would you like a alcohol?
Games Played Last Week: 03:53 -Sunset Over Water (Eduardo Baraf, Steve Finn, & Keith Matejka, Delight, 2018) 06:44 -Isle of Skye: From Chieftain to King (Andreas Pelikan & Alexander Pfister, Lookout Games, 2015) 09:27 -Mysterium Park (Oleksandr Nevskiy & Oleg Sidorenko, Libellud, 2020) 11:33 -Imperium: The Contention (Gary Dworetsky, Contention Games, 2021) 14:32 -Crash Octopus (Naotaka Shimamoto, itten, 2021) 15:02 -Dice Miner (Joshua DeBonis & Nikola Risteski, Atlas Games, 2021) 16:40 -Regicide (Paul Abrahams, Luke Badger, & Andy Richdale, Badgers from Mars, 2020) 17:25 -Caravan (Joe Huber, Rio Grande Games, 2019) 18:58 -The Quest for El Dorado (Reiner Knizia, Ravensburger, 2017) 21:16 -The Quacks of Quedlinburg: The Alchemists (Wolfgang Warsch, Schmidt Spiele, 2020) 23:36 -Inis (Christian Martinez, Matagot, 2016) 26:50 -Mafiozoo (Rüdiger Dorn, Super Meeple, 2017)
News (and why it doesn't matter): 30:05 KS creators: own your choices, stop guilting backers 32:15 Why's everything gotta have a campaign? (reprise) 34:04 Earthborne Rangers' desire for sustainability 36:17 More crap in dice: dragon eyes 36:39 Excavation Earth expansion: It Belongs in a Museum 37:13 Bix box retail, licensed games are impressive: Ravensburger's Alien: Fate of the Nostromo and Disney Gargoyles: Awakening 38:21 Avatar RPG 38:53 Tasty Minstrel Games suspends operations, refunds Kickstarter 39:48 Pfister becomes post-colonialist? Boonlake
41:21 Topic: Trenchcoat Games
1:08:27 SVWAG Presents: Masterpiece Theatre: The Fate of the Furious
Anmelden
