Lese-Ansicht

Notebook Nations

The world is changing, what with everything being cozy and (some) crowdfunding projects fulfilling in weeks rather than years. This dizzying pace of evolution can be disorienting, which is why Notebook Nations seeks to comfort and console you by having throwbacks to the design decisions of years past.


Games Played Last Week:

01:55 -Wonderland's War (Tim Eisner, Ben Eisner, and Ian Moss, Druid City Games, 2022)

06:48 -The Quest for El Dorado: Expansion Collection (Reiner Knizia, Lautapelit.fi, 2025)

13:54 -Star Wars: Rebellion (Corey Konieczka, Fantasy Flight, 2016)

23:34 -Container (Franz-Benno Delonge, Thomas Ewert, and Kevin Nesbitt, Allplay, 2026)

30:06 -Tag Team (Gricha German & Corentin Lebrat, Scorpion Masqué, 2025)

35:38 -Chang'an (Carlo Camarotto & Nestore Mangone, Arcane Wonders, 2026)

37:57 -Nokosu Dice (Yusuke Matsumoto, Engames, 2016)

44:12 -Kabuto Sumo: Sakura Slam (John Brieger, Michael Dunsmore, & Tony Miller, Allplay, 2024)


News (and why it doesn't matter):

47:26 Glorious Listener Survey! https://forms.gle/ghqMH9cuiRWCVyZn9

48:26 The Lord of the Rings: King's Gambit price speculation and lamentation


52:21 Feature Game: Notebook Nations (Amy Droz & Dusty Droz, Dux Somnium Games, 2026)

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Episode 383: Hunt for Blackbeard, Star Wars Unlimited Galactic Championship, Southern Fried Gaming Expo

00:01:00 Intro
00:02:00 SWU Vegas
00:15:00 SFGE
00:20:00 1775: Rebellion
00:25:00 Las Vegas
00:27:30 Ashes Ascendency: Natural Magic Expansion
00:29:30 New Twin Suns Decks
00:32:00 Miniature Market
00:33:00 Hunt for Blackbeard
00:49:30 Gen Con Thoughts
00:56:00 Outro

We kicked things off at the Star Wars Unlimited Galactic Championship in Las Vegas, not as competitors in the main event but as fans soaking in the convention atmosphere and jumping into SWU games with some of the best players in the world during their breaks. The vibe at every table was incredible—full of camaraderie, excitement, and a shared love for a truly outstanding trading card game. No matter your skill level, players were patient, welcoming, and happy to walk you through plays in the side events. Now, the main event, that was all business. One more thing worth noting: the crowd spanned all ages, including families, which was great to see. Next year’s event is heading to Disneyland, so if you’re thinking about going, start planning now!

While we were in Vegas, we also tried a new game from Fort Circle Games: Hunt for Blackbeard. It’s a two‑player hidden‑movement game that really picks up speed once you understand the action flow, and the tension spikes beautifully in the final two rounds. The rules take a bit to settle in, but by the second playthrough we had it down. And if Blackbeard’s history isn’t familiar to you, keep reading below.

Blackbeard, born Edward Teach around 1680 in Bristol, England, became one of the most feared and legendary pirates of the Golden Age of Piracy, terrorizing the Caribbean and the Atlantic coast between 1716 and 1718. Known for his dramatic appearance—most famously his long black beard and the smoldering fuses he tied into it to intimidate enemies—he commanded the formidable Queen Anne’s Revenge, a 40‑gun warship crewed by hundreds of men. Blackbeard’s exploits included blockading Charleston, capturing merchant vessels, and cultivating a fearsome reputation that often allowed him to win without violence. He also operated with a small fleet that included the Adventure, a sloop commanded by his lieutenant Israel Hands, as well as smaller vessels such as the Margaret and the Sea Captain. His pirating career was short-lived, ending in November 1718 when he was killed in a fierce battle at Ocracoke Island, NC by Lieutenant Robert Maynard’s forces, cementing his place as one of history’s most iconic pirates.

Thanks for listening

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Mid-Year Tag Questions

We have recovered from SVWAG Con II: Electric Boogaloo, and to the best of our knowledge there was no "con crud" or equivalent contagion. We make no claims that the con possesses curative powers, though we haven't had anyone say that it *didn't* cure a chronic illness.


01:27 AYURIS: Andromeda's Edge (Luke Laurie and Maximus Laurie, Cardboard Alchemy, 2024)


Games Played Last Week:

03:48 -Eternal Decks (Hiroken, tricktakers Games, 2025)

09:46 -D.E.I.: Divide et Impera (Tommaso Battista, Ludus Magnus Studio, 2022)

14:58 -Coalitions (Andrew Rourke, PHALANX, 2026)

21:37 -Smartphone Inc. (Ivan Lashin, Cosmodrome Games, 2018

24:42 -Wroth (Manny Trembley, Chip Theory Games, 2025)

32:19 -Alibis (Yusuke Sato, Allplay, 2025)

35:35 -Hot Streak (Jon Perry, CMYK, 2025)

36:16 -Green Team Wins (Nathan Thornton, 25th Century Games, 2022)

36:39 -The Resistance (Don Eskridge, Indie Boards & Cards, 2009)

38:49 -The Defence of Procyon III (Dávid Turczi, PSC Games, 2021)


News (and why it doesn't matter):

44:06 Aristeia 2.0: Hexadome Tactics

45:55 XCom miniatures game for preorder

46:46 Malediction expands with new factions and starter sets

48:12 Allplay gives Dominant Species an Ian O'Toole facelift

48:54 Through the Desert gets a sequel: Through the Mountains

49:57 Spirit Island's future, according to R. Eric Reuss: https://boardgamegeek.com/thread/3728767/eric-s-2026-update


51:00 Topic: The Mid-Year Tag Questions


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Designer Series: David Thompson - Rebels Against Rebellion

We are excited to kick off our designer series with one of our favorite designers, David Thompson. Undaunted is one of our all time favorite series along with War Chest.

He has a catalog of great historical games and is adding a new one designed along beside Trevor Benjamin called Rebels Against Rebellion. In this episode we talk about the historical significances of this Civil War era game. But look at the design and development process.


For more information, check out the Kickstarter and the publisher, Flying Pig Games.

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Overly Specific

This week Paula has a tricky episode of components, competitors and communal outrage.

This Game is Broken is a comedy board game panel show with Matthew Jude, Dave Luza, Paula Deming, Nick Murphy and Mike Murphy. We play a lot of nonsense games full of role playing and trivia as well as other fun stuff which can be found at the links below.

Support us here!

PATREON - https://www.patreon.com/thisgameisbroken


This Game is Broken is eternally thankful to our sponsors

Restoration Games - Find them at https://restorationgames.com/

Twitter - https://twitter.com/TGiBpodcast

iTunes - https://itunes.apple.com/gb/podcast/this-game-is-broken/id1282526804?mt=2

Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/this_game_is_broken_podcast/

Facebook -

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Email - Thisgameisbrokenpodcast@gmail.com

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Episode 382: Container, Dogfight: 1917, Moonrollers, Southeast Game Exchange

00:01:00 Intro
00:06:45 Southeast Game Exchange
00:14:45 Quick Hits
00:16:00 Guerre Eclair
00:19:00 Tap 4
00:25:00 Crits & Tricks
00:32:00 Traveluencer
00:36:00 Taste Buds
00:41:30 Portal Games
00:43:15 Dogfight: 1917
00:43:30 Container
01:09:30 Miniature Market
01:11:00 Moonrollers
01:17:00 Outro

Welcome back to the podcast blog, tabletop fans! Today, we’re diving into a lineup that spans high-flying dogfights, historical blitzkriegs, and economic struggles. If you love razor-thin margins and tactical positioning, you’ll want to look at Dogfight 1917 and Guerre ÉclairDogfight 1917 drops you straight into the skies over the Western Front, where every maneuver card forces you to anticipate your rival’s path to line up that perfect shot. Meanwhile, Yasushi Nakaguro’s Guerre Éclair condenses the 1940 Fall of France into a tense, card-driven duel of deception and momentum. The German player pushes armored breakthroughs with hidden operational plans while the Allies scramble to hold fragile defenses, delivering deep strategic tension in a crisp 45 minutes.

For players who prefer fighting over profit margins, Container delivers incredible table presence. Container remains the undisputed king of closed-economy board games, where players produce goods, set dockside prices, and operate shipping vessels. Because every price, purchase, and subsidy is entirely player-driven, a single miscalculated shipment can trigger a hilarious, full-blown economic recession at your table. On the lighter side when just need to roll dice, Moonrollers brings the sleek sci-fi universe of Moonrakers into a fast-paced push-your-luck dice chucker. Captains roll dice to fulfill crew contracts, juggling hazardous bonus points against the very real danger of busting and walking away with nothing. This game provides the necessary dice manipulation that we expect in our push-your-luck games.

Thanks for listening, we really do appreciate the support.

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SVWAGCon Beckons

Just in time for SVWAGCon, Mark's car has fallen prey to Princeton's unforgiving roads and local practitioners of the mechanical arts. Which ones are trustworthy? Which are inept mountebanks? As far as mountebanks are concerned, would one prefer an inept one or a skilled one? These pressing questions will have to wait, as in the interim the barrier between Mark and his SVWAGCon obligations is ALL THE MONEYS.


01:55 AYURIS: The Vale of Eternity (Eric Hong, Mandoo Games, 2023)


Games Played Last Week:

06:12 -Tidal Blades: Heroes of the Reef (Tim Eisner & Ben Eisner, Druid City Games, 2020)

09:24 -Autobahn (Fabio Lopiano & Nestore Mangone, Alley Cat Games, 2022)

14:18 -Shackleton Base: A Journey to the Moon (Fabio Lopiano & Nestore Mangone, Sorry We Are French, 2024)

18:29 -Daybreak (Matt Leacock & Matteo Menapace, CMYK, 2023)

24:10 -Super Auto Pets Card Battle (Nick Conley, Plaid Hat Games, 2026)

29:38 -Gal4xeon (Jackson Pope, Eurydice Games, 2026)

36:03 -dnup (Kei Kajino, asmodee, 2025)

37:53 -Mystic Curling Club (Chris Cieslik, Asmadi Games, 2026)

44:31 -Shadowrift (Jeremy Anderson, Game Salute, 2012)

52:25 -HEROish (TechDweeb, Web-published, 2026)

https://techdweeb.itch.io/heroish


News (and why it doesn't matter):

56:44 Come join us in Kingston, Ontario July 24th-26th for SVWAG Con!

https://www.eventbrite.com/e/svwag-con-ii-electric-boogaloo-tickets-1986634285627

Icebreaker events to meet new people at SVWAG Con!

https://boardgamegeek.com/geeklist/379864/svwagcon-2-icebreaker-signup

58:23 Alexander Pfister and Peter Prinz go Sixty Below in -60°

58:55 Upcoming Snap Ships Tactics "Massive Expansion"

buttons

1:00:27 More details on Tigris & Euphrates reprint's deluxe tile options

1:01:46 Please support us on Patreon! Last week before price increase. www.patreon.com/svwag


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Falling in Love with Your Collection

"If you're down and confused

And you don't remember who you're talking to

Concentration slips away

Because your baby is so far away

Well there's a rose in a fisted glove

And the eagle flies with the dove

And if you can't be with the one you love honey

Love the one you're with"


-Confucius (probably, maybe Socrates, I don't know)


02:13 AYURIS: Deep Rock Galactic (Ole Steiness, MOOD Publishing, 2022)


Games Played Last Week:

05:28 -Firefighters on Duty (Konstantinos Kokkinis & Sotirios Tsantilas, Artipia Games, 2025)

08:48 -The Witches of Willospur (Jenna Felli, Devious Weasel Games, 2026)

18:53 -Gingham (Robert Hovakimyan, Bitewing Games, 2025)

22:53 -Revenant (Allan Kirkeby, Mindclash Games, 2026)

30:51 -Pencil Book Quest (David David, Grumpy Spider Games, 2025)

34:30 -3 Witches (Corey Young, Allplay, 2025)

38:18 -The Lord of the Rings: The Two Towers--Trick-Taking Game (Bryan Bornmueller, Office Dog, 2026)

40:46 -Harmonies (Johan Benvenuto, Libellud, 2024)


News (and why it doesn't matter):

44:03 Come join us in Kingston, Ontario July 24th-26th for SVWAG Con!

https://www.eventbrite.com/e/svwag-con-ii-electric-boogaloo-tickets-1986634285627

Icebreaker events to meet new people at SVWAG Con!

https://boardgamegeek.com/geeklist/379864/svwagcon-2-icebreaker-signup

45:10 Shelfy by Brotherwise lets you blind buy your collection in miniature

48:08 Why associate with Kingdom Come: Deliverance's creator, Daniel Vávra, and his GamerGate support? Make better choices, Vlaada Chvátil! Rated "U" for "UGH"


49:51 Topic: Falling in Love with Your Collection (Again)


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Episode 381: Realm of Reckoning and Devious

00:01:00 Intro
00:04:00 SWU in Vegas
00:06:00 New Game Store
00:08:15 Which is better?
00:11:15 The Vale of Eternity
00:14:00 Pagan
00:15:00 July 4th Gaming
00:23:30 Portal Games
00:24:30 Realm of Reckoning
00:24:00 IV Studio – Tend
00:45:30 Devious
00:51:45 Miniature Market
00:52:30 Summer Movie Thoughts

Realm of Reckoning sharpens its identity as an area‑control showdown built on tight timing and escalating tension. The simultaneous card play is the engine that keeps everyone leaning forward—every reveal forces you to decide whether you’re shoring up your economy or muscling into position before a Reckoning reshapes the board. That push‑and‑pull between long‑term planning and immediate tactical pressure gives the game its pulse. Factions rise, collide, and retreat in a rhythm that feels both dramatic and cleanly mechanical, creating turns where a single decision can swing the entire map. You wrap a session already replaying key moments in your head, plotting what you’ll try on your next run through its volatile world.

Devious looks disarmingly simple at first, but that’s part of the trick. As players draw, flip, and react, the hidden layers of bluffing and timing begin to reveal themselves. Set collection becomes a delicious gamble—you want just enough cards to score well, but every additional draw risks a bust, especially since the pile you’re pulling from was set by your opponents. That tension turns every flip into a moment of doubt and second‑guessing: is this really the best card available, or did someone bury something better to lure me into overreaching? The result is a fast, mischievous game where the table’s collective psychology matters just as much as the cards in your hand.

Thanks for listening and be sure to join our Discord server to keep the conversation going

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The Big Fundamental

This week Mike hosts over Prime Ministers and Purple People with some board game panel show wonderfulness.


This Game is Broken is a comedy board game panel show with Matthew Jude, Dave Luza, Paula Deming, Nick Murphy and Mike Murphy. We play a lot of nonsense games full of role playing and trivia as well as other fun stuff which can be found at the links below.


Support us here!

PATREON - https://www.patreon.com/thisgameisbroken


This Game is Broken is eternally thankful to our sponsors

Restoration Games - Find them at https://restorationgames.com/

Twitter - https://twitter.com/TGiBpodcast

iTunes - https://itunes.apple.com/gb/podcast/this-game-is-broken/id1282526804?mt=2

Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/this_game_is_broken_podcast/

Facebook -

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Email - Thisgameisbrokenpodcast@gmail.com

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Recall

I was three actions deep into my tenth turn of Recall when I achieved total mastery. I was beyond the Schwarzenegger and the Farrell, deep with Koato and triple-mammaried subversives. A newb at the table interrupted my reverie with a question concerning ambiguous inconography. "That card?" I said, feeling like cutting a deal. "I can remember it for you wholesale." They called me a dick.


Games Played Last Week:

01:20 -Innovation Deluxe (Carl Chudyk, Asmadi Games, 2017)

05:19 -Wroth (Manny Trembley, Chip Theory Games, 2025)

08:37 -All In: Predictions (Phil Walker-Harding, Next Move Games, 2026)

12:06 -dnup (Kei Kajino, asmodee, 2025)

14:36 -Double Seven (Michael Schacht, TIKI Editions, 2025)

17:54 -Eternal Decks (Hiroken, tricktakers Games, 2025)

24:49 -Knarr (Thomas Dupont, Bombyx, 2023)

26:03 -Orléans: Invasion (Inka Brand, Markus Brand, & Reiner Stockhausen, dlp Games, 2015)

30:58 -Queen of Spies (Liz Davidson & David Thompson, Salt & Pepper Games, 2026)

37:32 -Regicide (Paul Abrahams, Luke Badger, & Andy Richdale, Badgers from Mars, 2020)

39:07 -Snakes and Hawks (Carey Suber, Suber Electronics, 2020)


News (and why it doesn't matter):

42:10 Come join us in Kingston, Ontario July 24th-26th for SVWAG Con!

https://www.eventbrite.com/e/svwag-con-ii-electric-boogaloo-tickets-1986634285627

Icebreaker events to meet new people at SVWAG Con!

https://boardgamegeek.com/geeklist/379864/svwagcon-2-icebreaker-signup

43:57 Kingdom Come: Deliverance preorder from CGE (by Vlaada Chvátil & Tomáš Holek!)

47:14 Eternal Sevens, psuedo-sequel to Eternal Decks


47:41 Feature Game: Recall (Helge Meissner, Kristian Amundsen Østby, Kjetil Svendsen, and Anna Wermlund, Alion – by Dr Ø, 2025)

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Teaching vs. Discovery

It is Inadvertent Surprise Railway Week (ISRW, pronounced "is raw") here at SVWAG, and we take a look at some train games without directly addressing the raging controversy of what, exactly, constitutes a train game.


02:25 AYURIS: Wilmot's Warehouse (Ricky Haggett, Richard Hogg, and David King, CMYK, 2024)


Games Played Last Week:

07:06 -Railway Boom (Hisashi Hayashi & Simone Luciani, Arclight Games, 2025)

14:48 -Pickomino (Reiner Knizia, Zoch Verlag, 2005)

19:25 -Keltis: Neue Wege, Neue Ziele (Reiner Knizia, KOSMOS, 2009)

23:04 -King of Tokyo (Richard Garfield, IELLO, 2011)

29:22 -Jekyll & Hyde vs Scotland Yard (Gaëtan Beaujannot, Olivier Cipière, and Geonil, Mandoo Games, 2023)

33:30 -Irish Gauge (Amabel Holland, Capstone Games, 2019)

35:42 -Railroad Tycoon/Railways of the World (Glenn Drover & Martin Wallace, Eagle-Gryphon Games, 2005)

43:06 -Portobello Market (Thomas Odenhaven, Schmidt Spiele, 2007)

46:00 -Medina (Second Edition) (Stefan Dorra, Stronghold Games, 2014)


News (and why it doesn't matter):

49:09 Come join us in Kingston, Ontario July 24th-26th for SVWAG Con!

https://www.eventbrite.com/e/svwag-con-ii-electric-boogaloo-tickets-1986634285627

Icebreaker events to meet new people at SVWAG Con!

https://boardgamegeek.com/geeklist/379864/svwagcon-2-icebreaker-signup

52:21 Stonemaier's Scythe/Expeditions mashup: Duel of Meloch

54:06 Kabuto Sumo Dice! Alex Culter Michael Mihaelsick (Tidal Banner, Flotilla)


55:21 Topic: Teaching vs. Discovery (what to teach and what to let players find out)

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Episode 380: Obsession, Bomb Busters, Lincoln, El Grande and Top 3 Lord of the Rings Games

00:01:00 Intro
00:04:00 Moving the Kids
00:10:15 AI in Board Games
00:16:30 Obsession
00:20:15 Bomb Busters
00:23:30 El Grande
00:25:00 Neuroshima Hex
00:28:30 Miniature Market
00:30:00 Our Top 3 LOTR Games
00:30:00 Lincoln
00:53:30 Portal Games
00:55:00 Guild Wars 3
01:03:30 Outro

Even though our regular game night has been on pause for a few weeks, we still managed to squeeze in some great plays with family and friends. Marty kicked things off with Bomb Busters, a title getting a lot of well‑deserved praise. The way he described it reminded me a bit of Hanabi—that same feeling of relying on your teammates to guide you toward the right moves. There’s something deeply satisfying about working together toward a shared victory, especially when the puzzle finally clicks.

He also finally got Obsession to the table, a game that’s been floating around one his radar for a while. I’ll admit it’s one I wasn’t familiar with, but that’s hardly surprising given how many games slip past me. Marty had some thoughtful pros and cons, but even with those caveats, it still sounds like something I’d love to try on a future game night, there’s a charm to that Victorian engine‑building vibe that’s hard to resist.

And of course, El Grande continues to shine as a perfect introduction to area control, teaching new players the tension and timing that make the genre sing. Every cube, every power card—it all matters. Lincoln, on the other hand, offers a lean, card‑driven take on the American Civil War, capturing momentum, attrition, and asymmetry in a way that feels brisk yet thoughtful. If it weren’t for a few rulebook hiccups, this would’ve been one of those plays that makes you wonder why it took so long to get it to the table in the first place.

Thanks for listening and until next time, keep rolling dice and taking names.


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Goa

Acronyms and initialisms are a tricky thing. In SVWAG circles, one must be careful to use proper punctuation, lest GOA imply 2022's Game of the Year (GotY, not Gotye) Guards of Atlantis. Mark remains enraged that the SC2 acronym was robbed from Greatest of All Time (GOAT, not goat, obviously) Star Control 2 by the usurper StarCraft 2.


Games Played Last Week:

01:07 -The Old King's Crown (Pablo Clark, Eerie Idol Games, 2025)

08:05 -Keltis (Reiner Knizia, KOSMOS, 2008)

11:43 -Das letzte Paradies (Reiner Knizia, KOSMOS, 1993)

16:01 -Keep the Heroes Out (Luís Brüeh, Brueh Games, 2022)

20:56 -All In: Predictions (Phil Walker-Harding, Next Move Games, 2026)

23:52 -Finspan: Sharks and Reefs (Michael O'Connell, Stonemaier Games, 2026)

27:16 -Genshin Tarot (MingYang Lu, Brother Ming Games, 2022)

33:43 -Recall (Helge Meissner, Kristian Amundsen Østby, Kjetil Svendsen, and Anna Wermlund, Alion – by Dr Ø, 2025)

36:21 -Railway Boom (Hisashi Hayashi & Simone Luciani, Arclight Games, 2025)


News (and why it doesn't matter):

41:29 Come join us in Kingston, Ontario July 24th-26th for SVWAG Con!

https://www.eventbrite.com/e/svwag-con-ii-electric-boogaloo-tickets-1986634285627

42:21 Icebreaker events to meet new people at SVWAG Con!

https://boardgamegeek.com/geeklist/379864/svwagcon-2-icebreaker-signup

43:06 Star Trek Lower Decks: Chaos Protocol. Escape room in a box!

43:38 Witches of Willowspur by Devious Weasel and Jenna Felli. Murray's origins!


44:50 Feature Game: Goa (Rüdiger Dorn, Quined Games, 2026)

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An Amount of Ducks



This Game is Broken is a comedy board game panel show with Matthew Jude, Dave Luza, Paula Deming, Nick Murphy and Mike Murphy. We play a lot of nonsense games full of role playing and trivia as well as other fun stuff which can be found at the links below.


Support us here!


PATREON - https://www.patreon.com/thisgameisbroken


This Game is Broken is eternally thankful to our Sponsors


Restoration Games Find them at https://restorationgames.com/


Twitter - https://twitter.com/TGiBpodcast


iTunes - https://itunes.apple.com/gb/podcast/this-game-is-broken/id1282526804?mt=2


Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/this_game_is_broken_podcast/


Facebook -


https://www.facebook.com/Thisgameisbrokenpodcast/


Email - Thisgameisbrokenpodcast@gmail.com

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The Successful Campaign Experience

SVWAG CON II Electric Boogaloo


https://www.eventbrite.com/e/svwag-con-ii-electric-boogaloo-tickets-1986634285627


www.sowronggames.com

www.twitch.tv/soverywrongaboutgames

www.youtube.com/c/SoVeryWrongAboutGames

https://twitter.com/sowronggames

www.facebook.com/sowronggames

www.patreon.com/svwag/



We are now a transnational podcast, bearing the official approval of both United States Customs and Immigration Services and the King of Canada. While it is commonly held that New Jersey is a lawless wasteland ruled over by full service gas station attendants and Wawa franchise holders, the writ of the American Federal Government does in theory hold sway. As for the King, while Walker's embarrassing incident at high tea that one time in '12 didn't go over well, he hasn't been expelled from the Commonwealth yet.


1:11 AYURIS: Captain Flip (Remo Conzadori and Paolo Mori, PlayPunk, 2024)


Games Played Last Week:

04:14 -Corrosion (Stefan Bauer, Capstone Games, 2021)

08:07 -Hunt for Blackbeard (Volko Ruhnke, Fort Circle Games, 2026)

16:26 -Shards of Infinity: Saga Collection (Gary Arant & Justin Gary, Stone Blade Entertainment, 2025)

19:51 -Azure (Trevor Benjamin & Brett J. Gilbert, Bitewing Games, 2026)

23:05 -Nokosu Dice (Yusuke Matsumoto, Engames, 2016)

28:31 -Tag Team (Gricha German & Corentin Lebrat, Scorpion Masqué, 2025)

34:44 -Tidal Blades 2: Rise of the Unfolders (Tim Eisner and Ben Eisner, Druid City Games, 2024)

36:50 -Schotten Totten (Reiner Knizia, IELLO, 1999)

39:23 -Tidal Blades: Banner Festival (J.B. Howell and Michael Mihealsick, Druid City Games, 2022)


News (and why it doesn't matter):

48:10 Come join us in Kingston, Ontario July 24th-26th!

https://www.eventbrite.com/e/svwag-con-ii-electric-boogaloo-tickets-1986634285627

48:45 Icebreaker events to meet new people at SVWAG Con!

https://boardgamegeek.com/geeklist/379864/svwagcon-2-icebreaker-signup

50:37 Please support us on Patreon! www.patreon.com/svwag

51:46 Concordia Special Edition fills us with sadness

54:54 Harmonies expansion! Crescendo

55:15 X-Com Miniatures Game from Modiphius

55:42 New edition of St. Petersburg


56:16 Topic: The Successful Campaign Experience


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Episode 379: Zombie Princess, Chang’an, Comic Book Boom w/Chaz Marler

00:01:15 Intro

00:06:30 Chaz is back!

00:09:45 ⁠Fun collaboration⁠

00:12:00 How has gaming changed over the years

00:40:00 ⁠Miniature Market⁠

00:41:00 New Review System

00:47:00 ⁠Chang’an

00:58:00 ⁠Zombie Princess⁠

01:05:00 ⁠Portal Games⁠

01:06:00 ⁠Comic Book Boom⁠

01:17:30 Outro with Chaz

In this episode, Marty is joined by Chaz Marler from ⁠Game Night Picks⁠. They talk about all the different ways the table top industry has changed over the past 10 years from content creation, to games, to the community.

Marty and Tony review some new games using their new format. Shorter, more concise and with a numerical rating. Let us know your thoughts on the new format over on our ⁠Discord ⁠Channel


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Nippon: Zaibatsu

Rest assured, Mark was subjected to the appropriate onboarding procedures and workplace safety trainings incumbent with his new (old?) role. The HR gibbons are ever-vigilant, and wouldn't dream of letting him skip the mandatory 56 week course. Well, that's the longest one, anyway--the ape sensitivity course is a mere 45 weeks long, despite the gibbons' insistence that it ought to be the most exhaustive.


Games Played Last Week:

02:14 -Crusaders: Thy Will Be Done--Divine Influence (Seth Jaffee, Tasty Minstrel Games, 2022)

08:37 -Regicide Legacy (Paul Abrahams, Luke Badger, and Andy Richdale, Badgers from Mars, 2025)

12:41 -Jekyll vs. Hyde (Geonil, Mandoo Games, 2021)

16:07 -Cry Baby (Frédéric Vuagnat, BLAM !, 2026)

19:46 -Creature Comforts (Roberta Taylor, Kids Table BG, 2022)

23:11 -Trio (Kaya Miyano, Cocktail Games, 2021)

26:15 -Orloj: The Prague Astronomical Clock (Abraham Sanchez Hermida, Paloma J. Pascual Perro, Loko Games 2025)

31:24 -Battlefields of the Napoleonic Wars (Paolo Mori & Alessandro Zucchini, Ingenioso Hidalgo, 2025)

35:54 -The Lord of the Rings: The Two Towers--Trick-Taking Game (Bryan Bornmueller, Office Dog, 2026)

36:36 -Meeples and Monsters (Ole Steiness, Alderac Entertainment Group, 2022)

38:04 -Small World (Philippe Keyaerts, Days of Wonder, 2009)


News (and why it doesn't matter):

40:02 SVWAGCon II: Electric Boogaloo (Trans Rights Are Stull Human Rights) Icebreakers! Balloons! Social lubricants! Tickets available on Eventbrite!

43:14 Battlefields of the Napoleonic Wars second printing: some improved components

44:14 Bluey Catan

45:21 Another Medici spin-off from Knizia: Medici Traders


45:53 Feature Game: Nippon: Zaibatsu (Nuno Bizarro Sentieiro & Paulo Soledade, CrowD Games, 2026)


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Feya's Swamp

SVWAG CON II Electric Boogaloo


https://www.eventbrite.com/e/svwag-con-ii-electric-boogaloo-tickets-1986634285627


www.sowronggames.com

www.twitch.tv/soverywrongaboutgames

www.youtube.com/c/SoVeryWrongAboutGames

https://twitter.com/sowronggames

www.facebook.com/sowronggames

www.patreon.com/svwag/




00:00 INTRO

01:39 Salton Sea (David Bernal Devir 2024)

09:25 Stellar Ventures (Pontus Nilsson TableTapas Games 2026)

14:54 Paku Paku (Antoine Bauza Ravensburger AG 2017)

17:12 Small World (Philippe Keyaerts Days of Wonder 2009)

21:22 Speakeasy (Vital Lacerda Eagle-Gryphon Games 2025)

25:45 SCOUT (Kei Kajino Oink Games 2019)

27:00 Dark Pact (Thomas Lehmann Trick or Treat Studios 2026)

30:44 Lifeboat (Jeff Siadek Gorilla Games 2002)

37:04 NEWS

42:25 Main Review Feya's Swamp (Helge Ostertag, Anselm Ostertag Fractal Juegos 2025)

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Episode 378: Castelnuovo 1539, Rebuilding Chicago, Toy Battle

00:01:15 Intro
00:06:30 Gencon 2026 Update
00:10:30 Quartermaster General: WWII
00:15:00 Moon Colony: Bloodbath
00:20:15 Star Wars Unlimited Update
00:21:45 Portal Games
00:23:30 Rebuilding Chicago
00:41:30 Castelnuovo 1539
00:55:30 Miniature Market
00:56:30 Toy Battle
01:01:30 Pragmata
01:04:30 R-Type Dimensions III
01:09:00 Sektori
01:10:00 Outro

For history fans who enjoy thoughtful, asymmetric challenges, Castelnuovo 1539 offers a compelling take on the “last stand” style of wargame. Blending classic conflict simulation with Euro‑style area control, this two‑player design places you with the Spanish defenders doing everything they can to slow an advancing Ottoman siege. The Spanish side isn’t trying to win outright so much as hold firm and make every step costly, creating a tense, measured experience where each decision carries real weight. With custom card decks and hidden wooden blocks shaping the flow of play, the game builds a steady, immersive pressure without ever feeling overwhelming.

Shifting to a much lighter tone, Rebuilding Chicago and Toy Battle trade battlefield grit for creativity and quick, satisfying play. As the standalone follow‑up to Rebuilding SeattleRebuilding Chicago invites up to five players to reshape neighborhoods and guide a growing population after the Great Fire of 1871. It’s a warm, engaging tile‑laying puzzle with plenty of room for clever planning. And if you’re looking for something breezy to wrap up a game night, Paolo Mori’s Toy Battle delivers a delightful 15‑minute burst of abstract strategy. With charming toy‑themed troops and whimsical double‑sided maps like the Volcanic Jungle or City of Clouds, it pairs simple rules with just enough tactical bite to leave everyone smiling.

We’re truly disappointed that we won’t be able to host the Strike tournament at Gen Con this year. It’s always a highlight for us, and we’ll miss the energy, laughter, and chaos that only Gladiators in an Arena, I mean, a bowl of dice can create.

Thanks for listening and a special guest joins us for our next episode, assuming he is on his best behavior.

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