Hey Now Cabalists! Today Don and Jamie share their time at one of the best game stores they've ever experienced - Games and Stuff in Glen Burnie, Maryland. Then the gang dives into a bunch of games they've been playing, including The Presence, Mythwind, Etherstone, Shackleton Base, and Age of Galaxy. Don, Chris, and Jamie throw down a feature review of Tea Garden from Tomas Holek and Capstone Games. And after Tony T’s legendary news segment, the gang tackles a slew of listener questions like what types of players we most enjoy gaming with, whether Kickstarting board games has become too volatile, and how to handle the dreaded phrase: We got it, let’s just play. The Presence: 00:08:42, Mythwind: 00:17:16, Etherstone: 00:28:33, Shackleton Base: 00:36:06, Age of Galaxy: 00:46:26, Tea Garden Review: 00:59:59, News with Tony T: 01:32:18, Short Topic Extravaganza: 02:27:30. Check out our sponsors Restoration Games at https://restorationgames.com/ and Game Toppers at https://www.gametoppersllc.com/.

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Guten Tag Cabalists! Don, Jamie, and Tony T are raising their steins high for Oktoberfest and running down their top picks for the hottest games releasing at Essen Spiel 2025! It’s a full-on beer hall bash here at The Secret Cabal, and the excitement is flowing like a fresh keg. All we need now is a heaping plate of wienerschnitzel, spaetzle, and sauerkraut to make it complete. So grab a brew, settle in, and join the Founders for the festivities. PROST!

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Welcome back, Cabalists, to another jam-packed episode of The Cabal! Today, the gang dives into a stack of games they’ve been playing, including Unsettled, Agricola, Blood Rage, Tony’s take on Blood Rage: Valhalla, Endangered, and Regicide Legacy. After that, Don and Jamie feature Luthier from Paverson Games. Then Tony T reclaims the reins from Stevie S and brings you one hell of a news segment. And finally, the Founders dig into the big topic of the past few episodes - increasing complexity - are games becoming too complex and where should the line be drawn? Unsettled: 00:01:30, Agricola: 00:12:16, Blood Rage: 00:21:26, Endangered: 00:32:41, Regicide Legacy: 00:41:52, Luthier Review: 00:54:36, News with Tony T: 01:32:57, The Complexity Issue: 02:32:53. Check out our sponsors Restoration Games at https://restorationgames.com/ and Game Toppers at https://www.gametoppersllc.com/.

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Welcome, Cabalists, to another Wednesday packed with games and shenanigans with the Founders! Today we dive into Raising Robots, Here Lies, Flock Together, Everdell Silverfrost, Hot Streak, and feature Jamey Stegmaier’s newest creation, Vantage! Then, after Steve steps in to fill Tony T’s big shoes for the news segment, we tackle a couple of listener questions including what to do when you know you’re going to lose, and which games we’d choose to guarantee victory over our fellow Founders. Raising Robots: 00:05:48, Here Lies: 00:14:22, Flock Together: 00:24:12, Everdell Silverfrost: 00:39:40, Hot Streak: 00:51:16, Vantage: 01:06:59, News with Stevie S: 01:44:33, Short Topic Extravaganza: 02:36:16. Check out our sponsors Restoration Games at https://restorationgames.com/. Game Toppers at https://www.gametoppersllc.com/. And Game Night Picks at http://gamenightpicks.com/cabal.

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In Express episode 111, Don, Tony, and Jamie are inspired by a listener question and discuss patterns and fads in game design and try and answer the question - is there truly anything original out there?

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Hey now, Cabalists! The gang is back and fired up for another episode of The Cabal! Tony’s dealing with his dog’s unfortunate bout of diarrhea, Chris went out to see Weird Al, and the crew hit the table with a pile of great new games including Above and Below Haunted, Ark Nova: Marine Worlds, El Burro, Heat Pedal to the Metal, Moon Colony Bloodbath, and feature Shackleton Base by Fabio Lopiano and Nestore Mangone, published by Sorry We Are French. After Tony T delivers his always-popular News segment, the gang dives into a discussion on the vital connection between theme and mechanisms in board games. Above and Below Haunted: 00:09:41, Ark Nova: Marine Worlds: 00:18:15, El Burro: 00:27:16, Heat: 00:37:35, Moon Colony Bloodbath: 00:46:319, Shackleton Base: 01:04:09, News with Tony T: 01:38:04, Theme and Mechanism Alignment: 02:31:41. Check out our sponsors Restoration Games at https://restorationgames.com/. Game Toppers at https://www.gametoppersllc.com/. And Game Night Picks at http://gamenightpicks.com/cabal.

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The Cabal is back in action, and we dive into a conversation about Chris’ adventures at Anthrocon! One day, we’ll get him to dress up as the red panda. After that, we get into some of the games we’ve been playing, including Cities, Vantage, City of Horror, Creature Caravan, Monsters Menace the World, and a feature review of Lord of the Rings: Fate of the Fellowship from Matt Leacock. Then, after Tony T gives us all the most important news from the board gaming world, we answer a series of listener questions covering gimmicks and innovations, design trends that annoy us, and our least favorite gamer traits. Cities: 00:09:53, Vantage: 00:22:26, City of Horror: 00:34:21, Creature Caravan: 00:44:30, Monsters Menace the World: 00:51:19, The Lord of the Rings: Fate of the Fellowship: 00:58:56, News with Tony T: 01:35:01, Short Topic Extravaganza: 02:22:50. Check out our sponsors Restoration Games at https://restorationgames.com/. Game Toppers at https://www.gametoppersllc.com/. And Game Night Picks at http://gamenightpicks.com/cabal.

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In Express Episode 110, Don, Chris, and Jamie get together to talk about the end game - goals, objectives, and victory in board games. They discuss competitiveness, process-oriented players, winning and losing streaks, imperative and contingent goals, and what it really means to feel like you’ve won a game. Enjoy!

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Hey Now Cabalists! In episode 109 of The Secret Cabal Express Don and Jamie put together all of the games that they're frothing at the mouth and jumping outta their pants to get at from Gen Con 2025 coming up in a few weeks. Head over to TheSecretCabal.com and click on the link to this episode to get links to all the games we discussed on the show today. Enjoy!

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Tony's back from Ireland and Steve's shot out of a cannon! Get ready for a wild ride. Today the gang runs down a bunch of games they've been playing including Transgalactica, Sekigahara The Unification of Japan, The White Castle, Steam Power, Shackleton Base, and a feature review of Galileo Galilei by new designer Tomas Holek. Then after Tony T wrestles the News hosting duties away from Steve, the gang reads and discusses some spicy hot takes submitted by Cabalists! Transgalactica: 00:04:31, Sekigahara: 00:14:35, The White Castle: 00:21:38, Steam Power: 00:32:26, Shackleton Base: 00:42:12, Galileo Galilei: 00:56:08, News with Tony T: 01:27:01, Cabalist Spicy Hot Takes: 02:16:49. Check out our sponsors Restoration Games at https://restorationgames.com/. Game Toppers at https://www.gametoppersllc.com/. And CGE at https://czechgames.com/.

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We're back from Origins, and we've got stories to tell! AC from Lords of the Dungeon joins us to spin some yarns from our trip to Columbus, Ohio. Then we dive into the games we've been playing, including Friedrich, Euphoria, Coffee Traders, Wroth, Mystery of the Abbey, The Quest for El Dorado, and a featured review of Stupor Mundi by Nestore Mangone. Stevie S takes the helm for the News segment while Tony's away, and the Gang answers a couple of listener questions. Friedrich: 00:30:39, Euphoria: 00:39:56, Coffee Traders: 00:45:03, Wroth: 00:53:18, Mystery of the Abbey: 01:02:59, The Quest for El Dorado: 01:13:31, Stupor Mundi: 01:25:32, News with Stevie S: 01:59:55, Short Topic Extravaganza: 02:47:54. Check out our sponsors Restoration Games at https://restorationgames.com/. Game Toppers at https://www.gametoppersllc.com/. And CGE at https://czechgames.com/.

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In our previous episode, we explored what makes a board game a true masterpiece—a creation that showcases a designer’s greatest achievement, marked by exceptional craftsmanship, originality, and lasting impact. This time, we’re taking the conversation even deeper. In Masterpieces 2, the Founders shift the spotlight to the brilliant minds behind the games themselves. We’ll be celebrating the visionary game designers whose work has shaped the hobby - and welcoming four Honorary Founders as guest hosts, each presenting their favorite designer and the game they consider to be that designer’s crowning achievement.

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Hey now, and welcome to a special early release of The Secret Cabal Gaming Podcast! The gang is on their way to Origins Game Fair, and we figured it’d be nice to give everyone something to listen to if you're driving to Columbus, Ohio today. In this episode, the Founders talk about the games they've been playing, including The Quest for El Dorado, Stupor Mundi, Earth, Heat: Pedal to the Metal, and Terraforming Mars with the Colonies and Prelude expansions. They also feature The Dark Quarter from Evan Derrick. Then, after Tony T delivers his always-arousing tabletop gaming news segment, the fellas take questions from listeners - covering topics like what makes a great game day, what they've learned from board games, and what a first-time convention attendee should expect. The Quest for El Dorado: 00:08:32, Stupor Mundi: 00:14:41, Earth: 00:22:58, Heat Pedal to the Metal: 00:31:56, Terraforming Mars: 00:39:12, The Dark Quarter: 00:53:09, News with Tony T: 01:26:59, Short Topic Extravaganza: 02:10:03. Check out our sponsors Restoration Games at https://restorationgames.com/. Game Toppers at https://www.gametoppersllc.com/. And CGE at https://czechgames.com/.

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Hey now, and welcome to episode 322! Today, the gang kicks things off with a call to action for all you Cabalists -- we need your help coming up with ideas for The Best of The Cabal! Check out the Discord for all the details. Then it’s on to all the games we've been playing lately, including The Breach, Unmatched Adventures, Last Light, A.D.E.L.E., and our feature review of Galactic Cruise. After that, Tony T delivers another incredible Tabletop Gaming News segment, and the gang wraps it all up by playing a live round of Insider right here on the show. The Breach: 00:06:32, Come Sail Away!: 00:16:02, Unmatched Adventures: Tales to Amaze: 00:25:43, Last Light: 00:35:52, A.D.E.L.E.: 00:45:14, Galactic Cruise: 01:11:18, News with Tony T: 01:54:34, Insider: 02:55:30. Check out our sponsors Restoration Games at https://restorationgames.com/. Game Toppers at https://www.gametoppersllc.com/. And CGE at https://czechgames.com/.

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A masterpiece in relation to a creative work is a creation, such as a painting, book, film, musical composition, or other artistic or intellectual work, that is considered to be an artist’s or creator’s greatest and most outstanding achievement, demonstrating exceptional skill, craftsmanship, originality, and impact. Today the Founders discuss game design Masterpieces and the Master Game Designers that created them.

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Hey Now Cabalists! The Founders are back at it again with another episode jam-packed with tabletop gaming mayhem! The gang kicks things off by talking about their plans for Origins and how they’re using Chaz Marler’s new website, GameNightPicks.com. Then it's on to the games they’ve been playing including Corps of Discovery, Tales of the Arthurian Knights, Galileo Galilei, House of Fado, Agemonia, and a feature review of the epic Cyclades Legendary Edition by Bruno Cathala and Ludovic Maublanc. Tony T delivers the best damn tabletop gaming news segment in all of podcasting followed by a juicy discussion about player interaction. Corps of Discovery: 00:05:25, Tales of the Arthurian Knights: 00:14:12, Galileo Galilei: 00:28:38, House of Fado: 00:35:56, Agemonia: 00:41:29, Cyclades Legendary Edition: 00:57:13, News with Tony T: 01:32:45, Short Topic Extravaganza: 02:34:10. Check out our sponsors Restoration Games at https://restorationgames.com/. Game Toppers at https://www.gametoppersllc.com/. And CGE at https://czechgames.com/.

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Hey now Cabalists and welcome to episode 320 of The Secret Cabal! Origins Game Fair 2025 is nearly here and we're all fired up. If you're going to be there you got to join us for our meetup at the Whistle and Keg on June 20th. Then the gang gets into some of the games they've been playing including Praga Caput Regni, YRO, Obsession Upstairs Downstairs, Space Empires 4x, Biblios and a feature review of Septima from Mind Clash games! Then after Tony T hooks us up with his amazing new segment the Founders jump into another Short Topic Extravaganza. Praga Caput Regni: 00:04:44, YRO: 00:12:55, Obsession Upstairs, Downstairs: 00:21:14, Space Empires 4x: 00:31:33, Biblios: 00:42:28, Septima: 00:58:39, News with Tony T: 01:35:45, Short Topic Extravaganza: 02:15:57. Check out our sponsors Restoration Games at https://restorationgames.com/. Game Toppers at https://www.gametoppersllc.com/. And CGE at https://czechgames.com/.

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In this, the first interview special from The Secret Cabal, Jamie welcomes Honorary Founder and President of Restoration Games Justin Jacobson to discuss a very important issue impacting the board game industry right now - tariffs. The goal of this discussion is to understand what the tariffs are and how they work, how they're impacting the board game industry, how the industry is reacting, and what we can do to weather the storm.

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Hey Now Cabalists! In Express 106, Tony, Don, and Jamie get together to discuss who they would carve into the side of a mountain to represent the tabletop gaming industry and community. Each of the Founders have very different criteria they used to make their list and each provide their own lineup of four iconic personalities who they feel should be immortalized in stone.

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Good morning and happy Wednesday, Cabalists! Today the gang kicks things off by spotlighting Erik the Cabalist's homebrew Runebound scenario, packed with Secret Cabal references. Then they dive into the games they've been playing, including Baseball Highlights 2045, Metal Gear Solid: The Board Game, Obsession, Explorers of Navoria, Trick Shot, and a featured review of Moon from Haakon Gaarder. After Tony T's award-winning news segment, the gang launches into a discussion about hooks in board gaming - the things that get us fired up to try new games. Baseball Highlights 2045: 00:05:37, Metal Gear Solid The Board Game: 00:14:09, Obsession: 00:26:08, Explorers of Navoria: 00:38:34, Trick Shot: 00:46:18, Moon: 00:58:56, News with Tony T: 01:27:20, The Hook: 02:21:09. Check out our sponsors Restoration Games at https://restorationgames.com/. Game Toppers at https://www.gametoppersllc.com/. And CGE at https://czechgames.com/.

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