"Because of the long-standing mutual enmity between Meany and Brown, Meany was named among the suspects in The Case Of Encyclopedia Brown’s Mangled Corpse. Meany denied the allegations.

'It’s true that Detective Brown and I didn’t see eye to eye, but I would never do something so downright dirty rotten as murder him,' Meany said. 'Besides, it’s a matter of public record that, at the time the crime was committed, I was at the North Pole watching the penguins.'"

-"Idaville Detective 'Encyclopedia' Brown Found Dead In Library Dumpster", The Onion

01:42 AYURIS: Zoo Vadis (Reiner Knizia, Bitewing Games, 2023)

Games Played Last Week:

4:12 -Sky Team (Luc Rémond, Le Scorpion Masqué, 2023)

7:20 -Ofrenda (Orlando Sá & André Santos, Osprey Games, 2025)

12:51 -Galactic Cruise (T.K. King, Dennis Northcott, and Koltin Thompson, Kinson Key Games, 2025)

20:05 -Twins (Reiner Knizia, Oink Games, 1996)

23:59 -Clinic Deluxe Edition (Alban Viard, AVStudioGames, 2019)

28:23 -Stationfall (Matt Eklund, Ion Game Design, 2023)

37:46 -Great Western Trail: New Zealand (Alexander Pfister, eggertspiele, 2023)

40:45 -Schotten Totten 2 (Reiner Knizia, IELLO, 2020)

45:18 -Corps of Discovery: A Game Set in the World of Manifest Destiny (Jay Cormier & Sen-Foong Lim, Off the Page Games, 2025)

News (and why it doesn't matter):

49:13 Balance updates to Fromage

50:17 Tianxia by Daniele Tascini & Antonio Petrelli, another "T" game by Board&Dice

50:39 Burned by Stone Circle Games will have a crowd sale on The Game Crafter soon

51:19 Open registration for SVWAG Con (July 25th-July 27th) on Eventbrite! https://tinyurl.com/25s6p5jd

51:45 Topic: Pulling Levers

Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brands

Privacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

💾

We generally frown on ad hominem here at SVWAG, ensconced as we are in our glass houses. In the case of Jean-Jacques Rousseau (known affectionately as "Ja-Jay" by no one), though, who wrote extensively about proper methods of childhood education, we shall report that he confessed to rather callously sandbagging his lover into abandoning their children (Rousseau claimed there were five of them, though records are tricky). Way to be a douchebag, Jay-Jay.

01:47 AYURIS: City of the Great Machine (German Tikhomirov, CrowD Games, 2023)

Games Played Last Week:

03:36 -River Rats (Mathijs Jansen & Robin Stokkel, Four Suits Studio, 2025)

08:08 -The Gang (John Cooper and Kory Heath, KOSMOS, 2024)

09:47 -SCOUT (Kei Kajino, Oink Games, 2019)

11:47 -Storm Raiders (Shem Phillips, Arkus Games, 2025)

13:36 -Tigris & Euphrates (Reiner Knizia, Hans im Gluck, 1997)

16:17 -Corps of Discovery: A Game Set in the World of Manifest Destiny (Jay Cormier & Sen-Foong Lim, Off the Page Games, 2025)

21:58 -Dogs of War (Paolo Mori, CMON, 2014)

25:27 -Stroganov: Turukhan (Andreas Steding, Game Brewer, 2024)

32:48 -Veiled Fate (Max Anderson, Zac Dixon, and Austin Harrison, IV Studio, 2022)

40:29 -Jekyll & Hyde vs Scotland Yard (Gaëtan Beaujannot, Olivier Cipière, and Geonil, Mandoo Games, 2023)

News (and why it doesn't matter):

43:56 SEAL Team Flix follow up Phantom Division! Stealth! Tactics! Flicking! on Kickstarter 

44:29 Pacific Command, fleet miniatures game, by Osprey and Mike Hutchinson

45:41 Agricola Special Edition on Gamefound

47:43 Catacombs Alpha, new minimalist Catacombs starter, on Kickstarter

48:25 Open registration for SVWAG Con (July 25th-July 27th) on Eventbrite! https://tinyurl.com/25s6p5jd

49:17 Topic: The Social Contract

Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brands

Privacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

💾

I've read several different accounts of the battle of Sekigahara, and I swear there's no mention of Kevin Bacon or anyone bleaching their hair. How am I to know if Pony Boy stayed golden? 

Games Played Last Week:

01:42 -MicroMacro: Kids--Crazy City Park (Johannes Sich, Edition Spielwiese, 2025)

04:20 -Good Puppers (Chris Cieslik, Asmadi Games, 2021)

07:38 -23 Knives (Tyler J. Brown, Play to Z, 2025)

15:13 -TEAM3 GREEN (Alex Cutler & Matt Fantastic, Brain Games, 2019)

20:04 -Marabunta (Reiner Knizia, Space Cowboys, 2023)

21:28 -Ra (Reiner Knizia, alea, 1999)

23:13 -Ra: The Dice Game (Reiner Knizia, Rio Grande Games, 2009)

26:16 -Moving Company (Guo Jiahui & Wu Ying, Whales Entertainment, 2025)

31:42 -Santorini: Riddle of the Sphinx (James Van Niekerk & Paul Saxberg, Roxley, 2025)

37:30 -The Crew: Family Adventure (Thomas Sing, KOSMOS, 2024)

42:07 -Hot Streak (Jon Perry, CMYK, 2025)

43:42 -Flip 7 (Eric Olsen, The Op Games, 2024)

News (and why it doesn't matter):

45:09 Open registration for SVWAG Con (July 25th-July 27th) on Eventbrite! https://tinyurl.com/25s6p5jd

46:35 Tabletop Tycoon acquires the rights to Eric Lang CMON designs: Blood Rage, Rising Sun, Ankh, Arcadia/Starcadia Quest

48:48 Follow-up to SEAL Team Flix: Phantom Division on Kickstarter! (Pete Ruth, Mark Thomas)

50:52 Sniper Elite: Operation Kraken on Gamefound

52:02 Feature Game: Rumble Nation (Yogi Shinichi, Hobby Japan, 2017)

Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brands

Privacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

💾

Walker and Mark almost come to blows over Flip 7 this week. Their disagreements over the merits of the product (Game? Experience? Way of Life? Sub "Roll a 6, Win a Cookie" distraction?) have long simmered, but the fundamental schism can no longer be ignored or papered over. They finally have it out. 

02:27 AYURIS: Knarr (Thomas Dupont, Bombyx, 2023)

Games Played Last Week:

03:36 -Autobahn (Fabio Lopiano and Nestore Mangone, Alley Cat Games, 2022)

06:39 -Scythe (Jamey Stegmaier, Stonemaier Games, 2016)

09:47 -Fairy Tale (Satoshi Nakamura, What's Your Game?, 2008) 

15:00 -Moon (Haakon Gaarder, Sinister Fish Games, 2023)

18:17 -Spots (Alex Hague, Jon Perry, and Justin Vickers, CMYK, 2022)

21:13 -ito (326, Arclight Games, 2019)

28:06 -Deep Rock Galactic (Ole Steiness, MOOD Publishing, 2022)

31:45 -Flip 7 (Eric Olsen, The Op Games, 2024)

News (and why it doesn't matter):

35:50 Recall from Alion by Dr. Ø; pseudo-sequel to Revive?

38:07 Open registration for SVWAG Con (July 25th-July 27th) on Eventbrite! https://tinyurl.com/25s6p5jd

38:40 Topic: What Makes Longer Games Worth It?

Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brands

Privacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

💾

"Observers brought attention to [Gritty's] appearance, which could be construed as frightening, while The Guardian described him as an "acid trip of a mascot." Response to Gritty's introduction was immediate and sharply mixed, with many fans on social media expressing bewilderment and some fright at his appearance. Public perception of Gritty became increasingly positive as Gritty's antics, which subverted the cuddly, family-friendly appearance and demeanor of other NHL mascots, gained more attention on social media."

-Wikipedia

Games Played Last Week:

00:56 -Can't Stop (Sid Sackson, Playte Games, 2023)

04:01 -Tigris & Euphrates (Reiner Knizia, Hans im Gluck, 1997)

13:09 -Hansa Teutonica: East Expansion (Andreas Steding, Argentum Verlag, 2010)

19:06 -Pandemic: Fall of Rome (Matt Leacock & Paolo Mori, Z-Man, 2018)

22:03 -SpellBook (Phil Walker-Harding, Space Cowboys, 2023)

24:40 -Skara Brae (Shem Phillips, Garphill Games, 2025)

29:52 -Sausage Sizzle (Inka and Marcus Brand, 25th Century Games, 2012)

32:07 -Unstoppable (John D. Clair, Renegade Game Studios, 2025)

38:41 -Toy Battle (Paolo Mori & Alessandro Zucchini, Repos Production, 2025)

40:38 -Leviathan Wilds (Justin Kemppainen, Moon Crab Games, 2024)

43:48 -Men at Work (Rita Modl, Pretzel Games, 2019)

News (and why it doesn't matter):

49:10 Lunar Rush expansion: Innovation

49:30 Open registration for SVWAG Con (July 25th-July27th) on Eventbrite! https://tinyurl.com/25s6p5jd

49:58 Lord of the Rings: Fate of the Fellowship

51:18 Please support us on Patreon! www.patreon.com/svwag

53:32 Feature Game: Hot Streak (Jon Perry, CMYK, 2025)

[EDIT] We neglected to disclose that this was a review copy provided by the publisher. We apologize for the omission.

Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brands

Privacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

💾

"gibber--intransitive verb

:to speak rapidly, inarticulately, and often foolishly"

-Merriam-Webster

"gibberer--noun

:the hosts of SVWAG"

Games Played Last Week:

01:17 -Sausage Sizzle (Inka and Marcus Brand, 25th Century Games, 2012)

05:22 -Landmarks (Rodrigo Rego & Danilo Valente, Floodgate Games, 2024)

09:11 -Skara Brae (Shem Phillips, Garphill Games, 2025)

14:20 -Moving Company (Guo Jiahui & Wu Ying, Whales Entertainment, 2025)

16:49 -First Rat (Gabriele Ausiello & Virginio Gigli, Pegasus Spiele, 2022)

20:47 -Barbecubes (Brett J. Gilbert & Rob Sparks, Alley Cat Games, 2025)

24:35 -Unstoppable (John D. Clair, Renegade Game Studios, 2025)

29:48 -Battle of Mekaverse (Reiner Knizia, Kids Logic, 2024)

34:25 -Dorfromantik: The Board Game (Michael Palm and Lukas Zach, Pegasus Spiele, 2022)

37:41 -Toy Battle (Paolo Mori & Alessandro Zucchini, Repos Production, 2025)

40:04 -Dungeon Twister: The Card Game (Christophe Boelinger, Asmodee, 2013)

46:34 -Rumble Nation (Yogi Shinichi, Hobby Japan, 2017)

News (and why it doesn't matter):

50:10 SETI expansion: Space Agencies

50:46 Flamecraft digital

51:28 POGs are coming back? Slam Throne

52:02 Open registration for SVWAG Con (July 25th-July27th) on Eventbrite! https://tinyurl.com/25s6p5jd

53:53 Feature Game: Gibberers: The Word Game of Language Invention and Civilization Development (Keisei, Hobby Japan, 2024)

Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brands

Privacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

💾

Chaka Khan, let me rock you

Let me rock you, Chaka Khan

Let me rock you, that's all I wanna do

Chaka Khan, let me rock you

Let me rock you, Chaka Khan

Let me rock you, 'cause I feel for you

-Chaka Khan, "I Feel for You"

01:26 AYURIS: Barcelona (Dani Garcia, Board&Dice, 2023)

Games Played Last Week:

03:10 -Snap Ships Tactics: Swarm Box (Josh Derksen, Snap Ships, 2025) 

10:13 -Battle of Mekaverse (Reiner Knizia, Kids Logic, 2024)

15:34 -Everdell Farshore (James A. Wilson & Clarissa A. Wilson, Starling Games, 2023)

20:19 -Trading Titans (Reiner Knizia, Kids Logic, 2024)

25:03 -TAH WARS: Dice Tower Game (Luca Vince Caltabiano, BOARD TO DEATH, 2025)

31:06 -Things in Rings (Peter C. Hayward, Allplay, 2024)

News (and why it doesn't matter):

35:06 Lifeboat by Jeff Siadek reprint on Kickstarter

37:15 Underwater Cities: Data Era expansion

38:18 Open registration for SVWAG Con (July 25th-July27th) on Eventbrite! https://tinyurl.com/25s6p5jd

39:55 Topic: Tricky Edge Cases

Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brands

Privacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

💾

While we pride ourselves in playing more games in a week than many play in a month, when we take a week away from the SVWAG studio we often face a truly herculean backlog of games to discuss. This two-week period is no exception. Rest assured, we would never leave our dear listeners in the lurch, so we will keep you updated so you need not miss a thing.

01:00 AYURIS: Race to the Raft (Frank West, The City of Games, 2023)

Games Played Last Week:

03:40 -Knarr (Thomas Dupont, Bombyx, 2023)

06:42 -Quin (Brian Rooney and Taeleen Woodard, Arch & Gravity Publishing, 2024)

11:41 -Slay the Spire: The Board Game (Gary Dworetsky, Anthony Giovannetti, and Casey Yano, Contention Games, 2024) 

14:47 -Gùgōng: Pànjūn (Andreas Steding, Game Brewer, 2020)

22:00 -Skull (Hervé Marly, Asmodee, 2011)

24:09 -Space Gits (Mike Hutchinson, Planet Smasher Games, 2025)

30:06 -Bad Company (Kenneth Minde, Kristian Amundsen Østby, and Eilif Svensson, Aporta Games, 2021)

34:44 -Rebirth (Reiner Knizia, Mighty Boards, 2024)

36:48 -Tír na nÓg (Isaac Shalev & Jason Slingerland, Grand Gamers Guild, 2024)

38:51 -Let's Go! To Japan (Josh Wood, AEG, 2024)

41:52 -Keyflower (Sebastien Bleasdale & Richard Breese, R&D Games, 2012) 

42:54 -Altay: Dawn of Civilization (Paolo Mori & Ole Steiness, Ares Games, 2024)

47:09 -Abandon All Artichokes (Emma Larkins, Gamewright, 2020)

49:58 -Quacks (Wolfgang Warsch, Schmidt Spiele, 2018)

52:02 -23 Knives (Tyler J. Brown, Play to Z, 2025)

59:15 -Ghost Blitz: Spooky Doo (Jacques Zeimet, Zoch Verlag, 2016)

News (and why it doesn't matter):

1:03:26 Catacombs Alpha, new entry point in the Catacombs series, on crowdfunding

1:04:13 Tariff highlights: Stegmaier lawsuit, CMON, Greater Than Games

1:07:15 Open registration for SVWAG Con (July 25th-July27th) on Eventbrite! https://tinyurl.com/25s6p5jd

1:07:47 Commands & Colors news: new Memoir '44, Battle of Hoth

1:09:08 SVWAG interview with James of One Man Clapping episode #26

Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brands

Privacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

💾

Tiebreakers are arguably a kind of endgame scoring. I respect the fact that they are invariably necessary (I mean, if for no other reason than if they're omitted some smartass like me will complain). That said, clearly if the scoreboard goes to 200+ I don't imagine we'll be hauling out the second tiebreaker condition all that much. Frequently the endgame conversion of resources to points already serves as a tiebreaker anyway. 

01:48 AYURIS: Nidavellir (Serge Laget, GRRRE Games, 2020)

Games Played Last Week:

04:57 -FlickFleet (Jackson Pope & Paul Willcox, Eurydice Games, 2018)

11:55 -Slay the Spire: The Board Game (Gary Dworetsky, Anthony Giovannetti, and Casey Yano, Contention Games, 2024) 

14:21 -Altay: Dawn of Civilization (Paolo Mori & Ole Steiness, Ares Games, 2024)

17:19 -Wizards of the Grimoire: Shifting Sands (Cole Banning & Joe Banning, Grimoire Games, 2025)

21:23 -Risk 2210 A.D.: Frontline (Mike Gills, Renegade Game Studios, 2025)

32:57 -Calimala (Fabio Lopiano, Alley Cat Games, 2024)

37:20 -Ransom Notes: House Party Edition (Josh Roberts, Evan and Josh's Very Special Games Company, 2023)

40:16 -Leviathan Wilds (Justin Kemppainen, Moon Crab Games, 2024)

42:57 -Regicide (Paul Abrahams, Luke Badger, & Andy Richdale, Badgers from Mars, 2020)

News (and why it doesn't matter):

45:15 New Meltwater by Capstone Games

46:19 Open registration for SVWAG Con (July 25th-July27th) on Eventbrite! https://tinyurl.com/25s6p5jd

47:24 Topic: Endgame Scoring

Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brands

Privacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

💾

When is a thing like another thing? Is Albedo like Core Worlds? Is Cat Blues like Rummy? Is Through the Desert like Go? Is a nudge as good as a wink to blind bat? Are all Roll & Writes inferior to Roll a 6, Win a Cookie? Is Christophe Boelinger France's Vlaada Chvátil? Probably, because it's all just like Mage Knight in the end. 

Games Played Last Week:

04:46 -Street Masters: Tide of the Dragon (Scott McFall, Adam Sadler, Brady Sadler, and Mitch Schroeder, Blacklist Games, 2022)

09:45 -Castles of Mad King Ludwig: Collector's Edition (Ted Alspach, Bézier Games, 2022)

13:55 -Cat Blues: The Big Gig (Reiner Knizia, Bitewing Games, 2024)

22:14 -Moon Colony Bloodbath (Donald X. Vaccarino, Rio Grande Games, 2025)

28:03 -Albedo: Space Pirates! (Kai Herbertz, Herbertz Entertainment UG, 2018)

35:43 -Malediction (Leo Cunha, Nicole Lobo, and Daniel Pettersen de Lucena, Loot Studios, 2025)

39:46 -Hey, That's My Fish! (Günter Cornett & Alvydas Jakeliunas, Bambus Spieleverlag, 2003)

40:55 -Parks: Roll & Hike (Henry Audubon & Mattox Shuler, Keymaster Games, 2024)

News (and why it doesn't matter):

44:04 Tariffs impacting the hobby

45:12 Please support us on Patreon! www.patreon.com/svwag

46:23 Zombie Princess, a riff on Spades, by Bézier and Ted Alspach

47:05 Feature Game: Rise & Fall (Christophe Boelinger, Ludically, 2024)

Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brands

Privacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

💾

People have favourably described our physical appearances as "borderline tolerable" and "just short of hideous", and that was just our mothers. In light of this, we put ourselves forward as candidates for all manner of game show. Mark is quite fond of Rice-a-Roni and thus would be more than happy to just have a consolation prize, and Walker just wants to spin something as hard as he can. Better reinforce your props.

01:43 AYURIS: Archeos Society (Paolo Mori, Space Cowboys, 2023)

Games Played Last Week:

03:16 -Ethnos (Paolo Mori, CMON, 2017)

08:20 -Wizards of the Grimoire: Shifting Sands (Cole Banning & Joe Banning, Grimoire Games, 2025)

12:14 -Jenga Maker (Uncredited, Hasbro, 2022)

16:20 -Click A Tree (Uwe Rosenberg, Skellig Games, 2025)

18:15 -Street Masters: Tide of the Dragon (Scott McFall, Adam Sadler, Brady Sadler, and Mitch Schroeder, Blacklist Games, 2022)

22:15 -Crafting the Cosmos (David Gordon & TAM, Office Dog, 2025)

23:48 -Scape Goat (Jon Perry, Indie Boards & Cards, 2020)

28:41 -Shuffle and Swing (Robert Hovakimyan, Bitewing Games, 2025)

32:31 -Bebop (Robert Hovakimyan, Bitewing Games, 2025)

39:53 -El Grande (Wolfgang Kramer & Richard Ulrich, Hans im Glück, 1995)

44:03 -Crokinole (Uncredited, Mayday, 2025)

News (and why it doesn't matter):

47:19 Phantom Division returning and editorial challenges

47:55 Early Registration for SVWAGCon for patrons! www.patreon.com/svwag

48:20 G.I. Joe Heroscape--will Transformers follow?

52:53 CMYK game show: Perfect Line hosted by Deborah Norville

54:26 Ark Nova spin-off Sanctuary

54:54 StarCraft miniatures and board games incoming

55:14 Alley Cat games sticking to crowdfunding, skipping retail

55:37 Topic: 20th Century Games

Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brands

Privacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

💾

In logic, conditionals are always true if the antecedent is false. You can't falsify the conditional if the conditions aren't met. For example, if Mark can bench 500 pounds, then vinegar tastes like cotton candy. Rest assured that I ain't benching that much, so don't worry about it; the conditional is true. Similarly, I can invite pretty much whoever I want to SVWAGCon. Fareed Zakaria, Olivia Rodrigo, and Jordan Mechner? Sure, they're all invited. They don't know about us, but it's all good.

Games Played Last Week:

04:00 -Finspan (David Gordon & Michael O'Connell, Stonemaier Games, 2025)

07:51 -Slay the Spire: The Board Game (Gary Dworetsky, Anthony Giovannetti, and Casey Yano, Contention Games, 2024) 

11:16 -Marvel Dice Throne Missions (Gavan Brown & Nate Chatellier, Roxley, 2025)

13:28 -Star Trek: Into the Unknown (Max Brooke & Michael Gernes, WizKids, 2025)

21:51 -Lunar (Masato Uesagi, Allplay, 2024)

23:25 -Lone Wolves (Yasuyuki Nakamura, Wonderful World Board Games, 2024)

27:57 -Fateforge: Chronicles of Kaan (Gordon Calleja, Mighty Boards, 2024)

33:00 -Duos (Johannes Schmidauer-König, CMYK, 2025) 

35:35 -Creature Caravan (Ryan Laukat, Red Raven Games, 2024)

News (and why it doesn't matter):

41:00 Early Registration for SVWAGCon for patrons! www.patreon.com/svwag

42:37 Space Gits on Kickstarter soon! A dexterity miniatures game of drunk orcs

43:48 Feature Game: Rebirth (Reiner Knizia, Mighty Boards, 2024)

Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brands

Privacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

💾

I was donating blood while wearing my Transformers Converse shoes, and two different phlebotomists commented positively about them. "We have won the cultural argument," I said, deliberately burying the lede that demographic destiny is probably the chief cause. I suspect that the same forces explain increased societal acceptance of toys, and board games are not immune. Thank goodness!

Games Played Last Week:

01:22 -Guards of Atlantis II Arcane Hero Pack (Artyom Nichipurov, Wolff Designa, 2024)

07:56 -Creature Caravan (Ryan Laukat, Red Raven Games, 2024) 

10:46 -Marvel Dice Throne Missions (Gavan Brown & Nate Chatellier, Roxley, 2025)

15:55 -The Elder Scrolls: Betrayal of the Second Era (Josh J. Carlson, Michael Gernes, Logan Giannini, Ryan Howard, Salem Scott, and Josh Wielgus, Chip Theory Games, 2025)

26:21 -Dungeon Kart (Michael Xuereb, Brotherwise Games, 2024)

30:50 -Star Trek: Captain's Chair (Nigel Buckle & Dávid Turczi, WizKids, 2025)

34:47 -Keyflower: The Merchants (Sebastian Bleasdale & Richard Breese, R&D Games, 2014)

40:47 -Rush M.D. (Athony Howgego, Konstantinos Kokkinis, & Dávid Turczi, Artipia Games, 2020)

News (and why it doesn't matter):

46:34 Yokohama Duel 2nd edition by Synapses Games

46:56 Helldivers II board game by Steamforged Games

49:02 New content for Inis and Tiletum

50:02 Early Registration for SVWAGCon for patrons! www.patreon.com/svwag

50:41 Feature Game: Ascending Empires: Zenith Edition (Ian Cooper, Play to Z, 2024)

Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brands

Privacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

💾

As is readily apparent from the show's subject matter and our general presentation, we here at SVWAG are stone-cold jocks who excel at the sports and are thoroughly ripped. We trust the launcher and never ever skip leg day.

00:57 AYURIS: Expeditions (Jamey Stegmaier, Stonemaier Games, 2023)

Games Played Last Week:

03:04 -Coloretto (Michael Schacht, ABACUSSPIELE, 2003)

07:16 -Metal Gear Solid: The Board Game (Emerson Matsuuchi, CMON, 2025)

14:20 -Mega Civilization (Flo de Haan, John Rodriguez, and Francis Tresham, 999 Games, 2015) 

30:11 -Star Trek: Captain's Chair (Nigel Buckle & Dávid Turczi, WizKids, 2025)

37:38 -Keep the Heroes Out!: Boss Battles (Luís Brueh, Brueh Games, 2024)

40:46 -Until Proven Guilty: The Starry Sky Necklace (Enrico Procacci, DV Games, 2024)

46:46 -Crafting the Cosmos (David Gordon & TAM, Office Dog, 2025)

News (and why it doesn't matter):

48:24 Granddaughter success with Heap-O-Sheep

48:48 Registration for SVWAGCon open for patrons! www.patreon.com/svwag

50:18 Note-taking in Space Alert and Paint the Roses

53:57 Topic: Flexing New Muscles

Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brands

Privacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

💾

Despite the welcome relative absence of anthropomorphic animals this week--aside from some sundry ducks in Lorcana--we see a lot of animals and various critters this week. We eschew sacrifices to a dodgy snake in Imperium, we fling sheep with abandon, we throw down with some wrestling bugs, and that's on top of comparatively mundane animal husbandry in Keyflower. Mark offered some unflattering comparisons between Walker and various animals during Crokinole, but that doesn't quite count.

Games Played Last Week:

02:22 -Space Alert (Vlaada Chvátil, Czech Games Edition, 2008)

04:58 -Imperium: Horizons (Nigel Buckle and Dávid Turczi, Osprey Games, 2024)

09:17 CMYK's Magenta Series: Duos (Johannes Schmidauer-König, CMYK, 2025), Figment (Wolfgang Warsch, CMYK, 2025), Fives (Taiki Shinzawa, CMYK, 2025), Fruit Fight (Reiner Knizia, CMYK, 2025) 

12:21 -Heap-O-Sheep: The High Flying Game of Flingin' Sheep! (Dominic Yard, Fat Brain Toy Company, Unknown)

16:48 -Crokinole (Uncredited, Mayday, 2025)

19:36 -Kabuto Sumo: Sakura Slam (John Brieger, Michael Dunsmore, & Tony Miller, Allplay, 2024)

24:28 -Disney Lorcana (David Iezzi, Ryan Miller, and Steve Warner, Ravensburger, 2023)  

32:40 -Keyflower: The Farmers (Sebastian Bleasdale & Richard Breese, R&D Games, 2013)

News (and why it doesn't matter):

38:24 Agricola: Dead Harvest from Awaken Realms

39:07 Rest in peace, Rodger MacGowan, prolific designer and artist

40:01 Chris Farrell has a substack! https://chrisfarrell317.substack.com/p/week-of-feb-24th-2025

40:52 Please support us on Patreon! www.patreon.com/svwag 

Patreon perk: early registration for SVWAG Con!

43:03 Feature Game: Beyond the Horizon (Dennis K. Chan, Adam Hill, Ben Pinchback, and Matt Riddle, Cranio Creations, 2024)

Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brands

Privacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

💾

While we hate to confirm your most reductive of preconceived notions, snow removal in Canadian cities is no joke. The fleet of vehicles required to allow for daily life in even a small Canadian city after major snowfall is impressive. The balletic dance of some of their formations while in operation calls to mind the precise of mid-air refuelling.  

01:03 AYURIS: Ra (Reiner Knizia, alea, 1999)

Games Played Last Week:

04:07 -Mistborn (John D. Clair, Brotherwise Games, 2024)

09:17 -Cerebria: The Inside World (Richard Amann, Viktor Peter, István Pócsi, Frigyes Schőberl, Nick Shaw, & Dávid Turczi, Mindclash Games, 2018)

13:40 -1793: Patriots & Traitors (Jason St.Just, Sound of Drums, 2024) 

20:35 -Navegador (Mac Gerdts, PD-Verlag, 2010)

26:43 -Galactic Renaissance (Christian Martinez, Matagot, 2024)

29:25 -Cyclades: Legendary Edition (Bruno Cathala & Ludovic Maublanc, Open Sesame Games, 2024)

39:24 -Whale Riders (Reiner Knizia, Grail Games, 2021)

41:06 -Figment (Wolfgang Warsch, CMYK, 2025)

46:01 -Kabuto Sumo: Sakura Slam (John Brieger, Michael Dunsmore, & Tony Miller, Allplay, 2024)

49:53 -Portmanteau: A Cooperative Game of Linguistic Fusion (Robert Fisk, Doghalla Games, 2025)

54:26 -Dragon Valley (CW Karstens, Diamond K Games, 2012)

News (and why it doesn't matter):

1:01:56 Dragon Valley: Advisors & Quests, 2012

1:02:27 2001: A Space Odyssey 1 vs. all

1:03:13 Paolo Mori and Alessandro Zucchini form Ingenioso Hidalgo for Battlefields of the Napoleonic Wars

1:03:53 Feya's Swamp from Helge and Anselm Ostertag

Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brands

Privacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

💾

Colour nouns are essentially arbitrary; how one decides to chop up the visible spectrum of light is a matter of contingent taxonomy. Some languages have one noun for both blue and green, for example. English has a word for light red (pink) where other languages don't. Russian similarly has a word for light blue. And then there's magenta, which we can all agree is a scene and a half. 

Games Played Last Week:

02:35 -Fruit Fight (Reiner Knizia, CMYK, 2025) 

06:55 -Fives (Taiki Shinzawa, CMYK, 2025) 

09:49 -Figment (Wolfgang Warsch, CMYK, 2025)

12:49 -Duos (Johannes Schmidauer-König, CMYK, 2025) 

16:17 -Sidereal Confluence (TauCeti Deichmann, Wizkids, 2017)

19:24 -Fishing (Friedemann Friese, 2F-Spiele, 2024)

24:36 -The Elder Scrolls: Betrayal of the Second Era (Josh J. Carlson, Michael Gernes, Logan Giannini, Ryan Howard, Salem Scott, and Josh Wielgus, Chip Theory Games, 2025)

32:24 -Storm Raiders (Shem Phillips, Arkus Games, 2025)

News (and why it doesn't matter):

38:55 Mythic Games in trouble (again), crowdfunding commitments unfulfilled

40:37 Monolith's Reichbusters: Reloaded

41:10 Cardboard Ghosts by Amabel Holland and CRC Press

41:46 Lord of the Rings Pandemic! Fate of the Fellowship

42:06 Crawling Chaos by Mike Hutchinson on Kickstarter

44:15 Endless Winter expansion crowdfunding soon

44:28 Rebel Princess: Happily Ever After

44:44 Feature Game: SETI: Search for Extraterrestrial Intelligence (Tomáš Holek, Czech Games Edition, 2024)

Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brands

Privacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

💾

Our upcoming convention, July 25th-27th 2025, is in its planning stages! We have a venue but nothing much else yet. Not even a name! Suggestions welcome. Mark quite likes So Very Wrong About Games Fun Times Good Vibes Only Trans Rights Are Human Rights Boardgame Jamboree, but he worries that it might be too pithy. Few things are off the table! Special guests? Maybe! Fabulous prizes? Well, prizes, definitely. More like obligatory prizes.

03:08 AYURIS: Undaunted: Battle of Britain (Trevor Benjamin and David Thompson, Osprey Games, 2023)

Games Played Last Week:

04:49 -Malediction (Leo Cunha, Nicole Lobo, and Daniel Pettersen de Lucena, Loot Studios, 2025)

12:09 -Slay the Spire: The Board Game (Gary Dworetsky, Anthony Giovannetti, and Casey Yano, Contention Games, 2024)

13:43 -Lone Wolves (Yasuyuki Nakamura, Wonderful World Board Games, 2024)

18:51 -Massive Darkness 2: Hellscape (Alex Olteanu & Marco Portugal, CMON, 2022)

24:01 -Critter Kitchen (Alex Cutler & Peter C. Hayward, Carboard Alchemy, 2025) 

27:59 -Coloretto (Michael Schacht, ABACUSSPIELE, 2003)

29:26 -The White Castle: Matcha (Israel Cendrero & Sheila Santos, Devir Games, 2024)

32:56 -Planet Unknown: Supermoon (Ryan Lambert & Adam Rehberg, Adam's Apple Games, 2024)

News (and why it doesn't matter):

38:59 Bullet big box

40:03 Benjamin Sperling Persuasion roll and write on Kickstarter

40:32 Champions of Midgard 10th Anniversary Edition

41:15 SVWWAG Convention! July 25th, 26th, 27th. Details to follow!

42:21 Topic: How Expansions Can Fail

Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brands

Privacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

💾

If you can choose to be the regular version or the spicy version, you obviously choose the spicy version. I mean, sure, the capsaicin may sting, but one assumes that the canonical version is caliente. Put another way, would you prefer "SVWAG" or "SVWAG en fuego?" The choice is clear. It is a corollary of sorts to Winston Zeddemore axiom that when someone asks you if you are a god, you say yes.

Games Played Last Week:

01:33 -Under Our Sun (Maximilian Lichtner and David Poluda, tabletopper games, 2024)

06:05 -Cosmic Frog (Jenna Felli, Devious Weasel Games, 2020)

09:34 -Ankh: Gods of Egypt (Eric M. Lang, CMON, 2021)

14:20 -Trio (Kaya Miyano, Cocktail Games, 2021)

17:17 -Don't L.L.A.M.A. Dice (Reiner Knizia, AMIGO, 2021)

18:58 -Slay the Spire: The Board Game (Gary Dworetsky, Anthony Giovannetti, and Casey Yano, Contention Games, 2024)

21:02 -The Vale of Eternity: Artifacts (Eric Hong and Mathieu Rivero, Mandoo Games, 2024)

News (and why it doesn't matter):

25:06 If you know of games lost in the L.A. fires, let us know!

26:28 Topic: Year in Review 2024

27:43 Walker and Mark's Personal Top 10s

48:50 2024 SVWAG Game of the Year

52:24 Special Categories

Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brands

Privacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

💾

"Robert! This here is velvet--not velveteen. A gentleman must learn the difference."

-Gilbert Fontaine de la Tour D'Haute Rive

Games Played Last Week:

01:53 -Fishing (Friedemann Friese, 2F-Spiele, 2024)

08:04 -Revive (Helge Meissner, Eilif Svensson, Anna Wermlund, and Kristian Amundsen Østby, Aporta Games, 2022)

10:46 -SCOUT (Kei Kajino, Oink Games, 2019)

14:33 -MLEM: Space Agency (Reiner Knizia, Rebel Studio, 2024)

16:53 -Unconscious Mind (Laskas, Jonny Pac, Yoma, and Antonio Zax, Fantasia Games, 2024)

20:10 -SETI: Search for Extraterrestrial Intelligence (Laskas, Jonny Pac, Yoma, and Antonio Zax, Czech Games Edition, 2024)

28:27 -Kollide (Uncredited, Relatable, 2024)

31:12 -Gun It (Randy O'Connor, Randy O Games, 2024)

35:14 -Harmonies (Johan Benvenuto, Libellud, 2024)

38:08 -Gudnak (Timothy S. O'Brien and Ian Oliver, Chaotic Great, 2024)

42:19 -Good Puppers (Chris Cieslik, Asmadi Games, 2021)

News (and why it doesn't matter):

44:20 The System Works: BGG improved plague counters, Rise & Fall replacement part

45:50 Please support us on Patreon! www.patreon.com/svwag

46:05 If you or someone you know has lost games in the West Coast fires, please reach out 

47:05 Feature Game: Thunder Road: Vendetta--Maximum Chrome (Dave Chalker, Noah Cohen, Rob Daviau, Justin D. Jacobson, Brett Myers, and Brian Neff, Restoration Games, 2023)

Thunder Road: Vendetta--Carnival of Chaos (Noah Cohen, Rob Daviau, Justin D. Jacobson, and Brian Neff, Restoration Games, 2024)

Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brands

Privacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

💾