The delicious schnitzel's are calling us over to Germany again for another round of Essen Spiel 2025 and as always we've got you covered with games, experiences and bringing to life the convention. In this first part we cover the journey over including an encounter with "Double Bake Brenda" on Tuesday, Wednesday including the press event and Thursday. Stay tuned for the next part which includes Friday - Sundays shenanigans.
OUR PLAYERS - JP & Davey SPECIAL GUEST - Mark Monk (NinjaGeekGames)
Becky takes us back in time when we had our first experiences of tabletop gaming and what our "gateway games" were that brought us in. Has those games defined our tastes, how did we step stone through to games we play today and do we still go back to them.
FIRST PLAYER: Becky OTHER PLAYERS: JP, Rob & Dan
In this episode you'll learn: - more about a Scout like card game called Odin by Helvetiq as Becky explains all - how JP has been trying to stop children from freezing in Frostpunk by Glass Cannon Unplugged and failing miserably - Rob has ventured deeper into the Lacerdaverse with his first impressions of The Weather Machine by Eagle-Gryphon Games - Dan has busted out Nucleum: Australia for the first time and his thoughts - about our gateway games and how they have influenced our journey through the hobby
Light up the fire, throw a blanket over yourself as it's time to get cozy with non other the queen of cozy, Rozie Pocket from Cozyboardgames.
GUEST PLAYER: Rozie Pocket PLAYERS: JP & Becky
In this episode you'll learn: - how Rozie started her Cozyboardgames channels on TikTok and Instagram - what are Rozie's favourite cozy games of all time - more about "Murder She Wrote" style D&D sessions...yes this is a thing people - that Rozie really loves frogs, yep frogs - how Rozie's content promotes inclusivity in the hobby and how her journey has led her to working for Cardboard Alchemy.
Becky's back with a bang as an age old topic rears it's head after her turmoil of will we, won't we on the latest Ark Nova 3Dition crowdfunding campaign.
FIRST PLAYER: Becky OTHER PLAYERS: JP, Kerley & Adrian
In this episode you'll learn: - that JP finally managed to preview Terraria thanks to Paperfort Games and gives his first impressions - that Kerley likes it oldschool in Chinatown by ZMan Games - Adrian finally managed to get his first of the City Collection series of Hamburg by Queen Games - that Becky has found a dudes on a map game she enjoys in Wroth by Chip Theory Games - about the positives and negatives of expansion / upgrade content for board games and our thoughts on this.
LINKS REFERENCED IN THE SHOW N/A
EPISODE CHAPTERS
0:00 - TURN 1 - Player Count
2:08 - TURN 2 - Let's Talk About Hex
2:26 - JP - Terraria
11:53 - Kerley - Chinatown
17:10 - Adrian - Hamburg
27:37 - Becky - Wroth
33:32 - TURN 3 - Main Event: Add-Ons and Let-Downs
35:42 - Is it morally right for games to be released knowing expansions are already planned?
40:56 - What games have been ruined by expansions?
52:25 - Expansion that make the base game better
57:08 - Which games do we think would be incomplete without it's expansion?
1:01:43 - What's the most extravagant blinging we've done for our games?
1:07:02 - If you had to ban expansions for content or upgrades which would it be?
Guess who's back...back again. Ok it's Chris Priscott from Unfringed who we interviewed back in 2022 when talking about Zuuli. It's been great to catch-up with Chris' successes in the board game industry and how he has been developing more games including the upcoming crowdfunding campaign of Fetching Feathers & D.O.T.
GUEST PLAYER: Chris Priscott PLAYERS: Becky & JP
In this episode you'll learn: - how Zuuli (aka Moving Wild) ended up joining forces with Oink Games for it's international release - more about Chris' new games Fetching Feathers & D.O.T. - about insights from Chris' perspective designing games in the industry - about a tease for his next new game
Adrian takes us into the world of variation in board games. We discuss the various ways and mechanisms that game design does this and whether we personally like them or not and why.
FIRST PLAYER: Adrian OTHER PLAYERS: JP & Rob
In this episode you'll learn: - that we have a new Discord so come and Join us on Discord and say hi - that Adrian has can to Warp 9 in Star Trek Ascendency by Gale Force Nine Games - that the Lacerdaverse is extended to Rob as he plays Lisboa by Eagle-Gryphon Games - JP gets a full playthrough of The Old Kings Crown by Eerie Idol Games
We've just rolled a load of bones in our back-up plan and about to level up because JP get's some time with Josh Weilgus "Ghillie" and Andrew Santoro from Chip Theory Games to talk through all things CTG.
GUEST PLAYER: Josh Weilgus & Andrew Santoro PLAYERS: JP
In this episode you'll learn: - what games got Josh & Andrew into the hobby - How CTG started from it's humble beginnings and how it turned into one of the largest board game publishers in the industry - more about the upcoming Elder Scrolls campaign and what to expect...there's a lot more content people - about the upcoming line-up and campaigns
After hearing on social media about how to get new board gamers to play Lacerdas in quick progression Adrian conducts a light hearted thought experiment on how this "could" be achieved through different genres and styles of board games.
FIRST PLAYER: Adrian OTHER PLAYERS: Becky & Tambo
In this episode you'll learn: - that JP has sneaked onto Let's Talk About Hex to chat about his recent play of Andromeda's Edge: Genesis expansion by Cardboard Alchemy - about war and what is it good for by Adrian in Quartermaster General by Griggling Games - whether Becky has lost all hope destroying the one virus (ahem) ring in Lord of the Rings: Fate of the Fellowship by Zman Games - that Tambo has gone back to the 90's in Console Wars: The Card Game by Booth Babe Games - all about Adrian's thought experiment about progression through light to heavy board games
Following up from our UK Games Expo meet and greets we've got another belter of an expansion pack with another special guest. This time Jakub the CEO of Glass Cannon Unplugged joins Adrian & JP for a chat around "Engineering Adaptations" of IP's into board games and more about the upcoming title Don't Starve.
GUEST PLAYER: Jakub Wiśniewski PLAYERS: Adrian & JP
In this episode you'll learn: - how Jakub got into the tabletop space and how Glass Cannon Unplugged began - more about the collaborations between GCU & their partners and how they make it a continuing success - more about Don't Starve, their upcoming title launching on Kickstarter in September 2025 - more about their other titles including Apex Legends, Dying Light, Frostpunk and more.
Adrian is back in the chair for his foray of board gaming podcasts and this time we explore when two games eye each other for the space in your kallax and bring some key struggles that we've had to face.
FIRST PLAYER: Adrian OTHER PLAYERS: JP, Kerley & Tambo
In this episode you'll learn: - how Tambo keeps calm deactivating explosive devices in Bomb Busters by Pegasus Spiele - whether people with low moral fibre (pirates) makes for a fun Tiny Epic game in Tiny Epic Pirates by Gamelyn Games - how Kerley is still talking himself around with the Ark Nova 3Dition - what it's like to experience a heavy "something" and write game with The Anarchy by Garphill Games - about 8 specific space invasions where two games go head to head for the justified position on our shelves.
LINKS REFERENCED IN THE SHOW N/A
EPISODE CHAPTERS 0:00 - TURN 1 - Player Count
3:38 - TURN 2 - Let's Talk About Hex
4:21 - Kerley: Too Many Bones & Ark Nova 3Dition
7:41 - Tambo: Bomb Busters
14:55 - JP: The Anarchy
26:36 - Adrian: Tiny Epic Pirates
35:49 - TURN 3 - Main Event: Space Invaders
36:34 - Invasion 1: Furnance & It's a Wonderful World
42:03 - Invasion 2: Dice Throne & Kapow!
46:15 - Invasion 3: Star Trek Captains Chair vs Imperium
51:57 - Invasion 4: Eclipse & Twilight Imperium (4 Player)
59:11 - Invasion 5: Great Western Trail vs Lacromosa
1:06:00 - Invasion 6: Zombicide 2nd Edition vs Marvel Zombies
1:09:29 - Invasion 7: Taverns of Tiefenthal & Cubitos
1:12:56 - Invasion 8: Too Many Bones vs Elder Scrolls BOTSE
It's 1986, the radio is playing your favourite tune and you're in your last week of summer hanging out with your friends trying to be popular. It's time for another expansion pack guest episode where Shawn Hoult from Allies or Enemies joins Adrian & Becky for a nostalgic chat around the Last Week of Summer and also Shakespeare: The Card Game.
GUEST PLAYER: Shawn Hoult from Allies or Enemies PLAYERS: Adrian & Becky
In this episode you'll learn: - all about how Shawn begun his indie publisher journey with Allies or Enemies and how it started off from a YouTube channel - more about their latest game Last Week of Summer which puts you back in the 1980's trying to relive those glory days - more about how Shawn wanted to create the MCU within the world of Shakespeare and succeeds in Shakespeare: The Card Game - what it's like for an indie publisher in getting started, challenges and rewards they face.
JP finishes off his run by putting the nice guy act on the shelf for a while. Sometimes in our hobby we make up for some shortfalls for the things we adore so today it's time to put our love aside as we "roast" some of our favourite board games.
FIRST PLAYER: JP OTHER PLAYERS: Adrian, Rob & Davey
In this episode you'll learn: - about Tetris adjacent game Project L by Boardcubator from Adrian - how a game about making board games works with JP and Tabletop Inc by Cotsworld Games - that Rob has gone back to the classics for a bit of Carcassonne by Hans im Glück - how Davey faired as he mans his sub exploring the depths in Endeavor Deep Sea by Burnt Island Games - that whilst we roast out favourite games we do actually really enjoy them so take this episode in the spirit it was intended...a bit of fun
LINKS REFERENCED IN THE SHOW N/A
EPISODE CHAPTERS 0:00 - TURN 1 - Player Count
2:03 - TURN 2 - Let's Talk About Hex
2:16 - Rob - Carcassonne
6:18 - Davey - Endeavor Deep Sea
12:23 - Adrian - Project L
20:51 - JP - Tabletop Inc
27:05 - TURN 3 - Main Event: The board game roast
29:02 - Roasting Gaia Project
35:33 - Roasting Pandemic
42:03 - Roasting Too Many Bones
49:33 - Roasting Descent
53:00 - Roasting Primal
57:38 - Roasting Concordia
1:01:21 - Roasting Lisboa
1:08:03 - Roasting The Witcher: Old World
1:15:47 - TURN 4 - Receive, Sleeve or Leave
1:21:25 - TURN 5 - Penultimate Turn: What's Coming Up
Our hobby is full of great games which lets face it sometimes don't see the light of day, either they're not promoted as well as others, they release and disappear or just sometimes gaming groups don't get the opportunity. We're here to shine a light on some of our "unpunched gems" and talk about some of these games.
FIRST PLAYER: JP OTHER PLAYERS: Adrian, Dan & Davey
In this episode you'll learn: - more about the latest expansion for Dune Imperium: Bloodlines by Dire Wolf - the conclusion to Adrian's cliffhanger...sort of...as he's now played Harry Potter: Catch the Snitch by Knight Games - that JP has been experimenting (literally) in the latest expansion of Nucleum: Energy Research Institute - about Dan's board gaming renaissance with Agricola and why he's sticking with the older version and not the remaster - all about our groups unpunched gems, games which have flown under the radar within our grown or generally in the hobby. Let us know what your unpunched gems are
We're back again with another set of mishaps, blunders and cock-ups. The gang discuss their porn names, dogs setting their tails on fire, the Dune popcorn bucket and much much more. Welcome to "Can i get a rewind: Vol 12", you've been warned...literally 12 times now.
JP takes the stand and the first player token as he returns for his run. Imagine a fantasy football draft where instead of players being drafted for a team we're drafting board games for an epic weekend at "WhoseCon" (not real). We act as a committee to curate the best board game library covering a variety of mechanisms. Let us know what you would have added.
FIRST PLAYER: JP OTHER PLAYERS: Rob, Becky & Tambo
In this episode you'll learn: - how Becky faired with more nature game recommendations with Verdant by Flatout Games - weather Rob got lost in the well without his Kinfire Lantern in Kinfire Delve by Incredible Dream Studios - if Tambo survives the apocalypse in Under Our Sun by tabletopper games - more about the latest game on crowdfunding (well one of them) in Colosseum by Fantasia Games - how a committee of board gamers put on a fictional convention by drafting games across a variety of mechanisms
In Becky's last episode within her run she takes board gaming to the beach, well on holiday at least as we chat about when the hobby meets travel. We chat through our tips, some of our favourite travel games and anything else in between.
FIRST PLAYER: Becky OTHER PLAYERS: JP, Davey and Tambo
In this episode you'll learn: - about JP's first few games of the hit battle royale shooter Apex Legends by Glass Cannon Unplugged - how Tambo argues with his family about what colours the walls should be in Décorum by Floodgate Games - all about the chaos that is Galaxy Trucker from Czech Games Edition and why it's Davey's perfect board game warm up act - that Becky cheats and gets two games in Harmonies by Libellud the the powerhouse that is Flip 7 by The Op Games - all about taking games on your travels, why it's fun, top tips and more.
LINKS REFERENCED IN THE SHOW N/A
EPISODE CHAPTERS 0:00 - TURN 1 - Player Count
1:06 - TURN 2 - Let's Talk About Hex
1:13 - JP - Apex Legends
14:48 - Tambo - Decorum
19:37 - Davey - Galaxy Trucker
26:40 - Becky - Harmonies & Flip 7
35:07 - TURN 3 - Main Event: Hex on the beach
35:59 - The key aspects to taking games on holiday
41:56 - What are our top travel friendly games?
53:54 - The type of holidays will help curate the type of games to bring
55:55 - Top tips for preparing to take games on holiday
1:01:51 - What is out one chosen game & honourary mention to take away?
1:11:47 - TURN 4 - Receive, Sleeve or Leave
1:14:45 - TURN 5 - Penultimate Turn: What's Coming Up
After the business of the UK Games Expo we managed to carve out some time for on our our good friends in the industry and chat to Lee Miller the founder of Molinarius Games to talk about him, the company and their upcoming game Time Troopers which is available on Gamefound right now.
GUEST PLAYER: Lee Miller from Molinarius Games PLAYER: JP
In this episode you'll learn: - all about Lee's entry into the tabletop gaming space and his favourite games he likes to unwind with - about how Molinarius Games got started and how it's developing and growing each year as a publisher - more about the latest game live on Gamefound right now which is Time Troopers. Check out the Gamefound link below - how composed music is playing more of an important role in board games and how the team at Molinarius are leaning into this more and more
We're in Becky's happy place this episode as she takes us through all things bright & beautiful with a focus on nature themed games. The gang discuss their favourites and why it gives them the cosy feels.
FIRST PLAYER: Becky OTHER PLAYERS: Kerley & Adrian
In this episode you'll learn: - All about Adrian's experience with Parks from Keymaster Games - about Kerleys return to a classic space tech tree game, yep theirs only one it's Beyond the Sun by Rio Grande Games - about Becky's love for LOTR: Duel for Middle-Earth by Repos Productions - to take a walk around the meeple managerie as the team walk through nature games and how they fit into the hobby
We're not done with UKGE 2025 and we've got some more goodies for you. This episode focuses on our live show recorded on Friday 30th May in Piazza 4 (Dice Room) and we've spliced in our interviews with various publishers, designers and general punters. A massive thank you to those who attended to make it our biggest show yet, we love seeing this grow and grow.
OVERVIEW In this episode you'll learn all about our live show that we recorded at the UK Games Expo so if you missed it don't fear it's right here people
It's the crown jewel of the UK board conventions and we've not long been back from UK Games Expo 2025 and this year sees a lot of changes and the biggest it's ever been. Check out our first of two episodes covering the show where we talk through our experiences, the games we've played and the stories that happened. Strap yourselves in, this is going to be a long one.
OUR PLAYERS - JP, Adrian, Davey & Becky
OVERVIEW In this episode you'll learn all about what we got up during the biggest ever UKGE.
Anmelden
