Vox Republica: Podcast Of The Cardboard Republic

Episode 145: Breaking Into Origins Length: 59:29 Show Links: RSS | iTunes | Stitcher | Download Episode   Welcome back to Vox Republica, the Cardboard Republic Podcast! We post new episodes every other Thursday, with each episode being about 45 minutes long. Vox Republica is proudly supported by our Patreon. Consider contributing today! DESCRIPTION: This week, Erin and Ryan chat about their experiences from their first trip to the Origins Game Fair. They discuss things they saw, things they played, what they liked, and what they wished they had done differently. If you're an Origins regular, how did their time in Columbus compare to yours? And if you've never been, does their conversation make you want to? Just wondering... GUESTS: None RECENTLY PLAYED GAMES - (01:22): Avenue by Aporta Games (BGG Link) Honshu by Renegade Game Studios (BGG Link) Shahrazad by Osprey Games (BGG Link) Exoplanets by Greater Than Games (BGG Link) QUICK TOPICS – (16:42): Erin and Ryan discuss the rather unexpected news about the

Episode 144: The Magic of PoSplo Length: 1:03:56 Show Links: RSS | iTunes | Stitcher | Download Episode   Welcome back to Vox Republica, the Cardboard Republic Podcast! We post new episodes every other Thursday, with each episode being about 45 minutes long. Vox Republica is proudly supported by our Patreon. Consider contributing today! DESCRIPTION: It's one look forward and another look back. With the summer convention scene vastly approaching, Erin and Ryan discuss their expectations for visiting Origins for the first tine. Then they dive into a review of Potion Explosion to reiterate just what makes the game so darn entertaining. GUEST: None RECENTLY PLAYED GAMES - (01:22): The Manhattan Project: Energy Empire by Minion Games (BGG Link) Armageddon by Queen Games (BGG Link) Honshu by Renegade Game Studios (BGG Link) QUICK TOPICS – (19:47): Origins is, like, super soon! And the CR is going! For the first time! We lay out what some of our expectations are and what we hope to do what we get there. If you're

Episode 143: Dominant Strategies Length: 1:04:35 Show Links: RSS | iTunes | Stitcher | Download Episode   Welcome back to Vox Republica, the Cardboard Republic Podcast! We post new episodes every other Thursday, with each episode being about 45 minutes long. Vox Republica is proudly supported by our Patreon. Consider contributing today! DESCRIPTION: Big money, big money, big money - stop! Nearly every game invokes some kind of strategy, and, generally, the more complicated the game, the deeper and more varied those strategies may be. Most of the time, this is all part of the game's appeal. But...what happens when not every strategy is created equal? What do you do when one particular path is so much better than the rest that it warps the entire experience. This week, Erin and Ryan discuss dominant (aka broken) gaming strategies, and what you can do about them. GUESTS: None RECENTLY PLAYED GAMES - (01:28): Yokohama by Tasty Minstrel Games (BGG Link) Zephyr: Winds of Change by Portal Dragon (BGG Link) QUICK T

Episode 142: Gaming Speculation Length: 59:17 Show Links: RSS | iTunes | Stitcher | Download Episode   Welcome back to Vox Republica, the Cardboard Republic Podcast! We post new episodes every other Thursday, with each episode being about 45 minutes long. Vox Republica is proudly supported by our Patreon. Consider contributing today! DESCRIPTION: It's one thing to excitedly find a rare or popular game in a thrift store. But have you ever bought one there with the sole purpose of turning around and selling it? It's capitalism at its most basic, but what are the possibilities and pitfalls of going down the road of gaming speculation? This week Erin and Ryan dive into flipping games for profit. GUESTS: None RECENTLY PLAYED GAMES - (01:28): Yokohama by Tasty Minstrel Games (BGG Link) Zephyr: Winds of Change by Portal Dragon (BGG Link) Path of Light And Shadow by Indie Boards & Cards (BGG Link) New Angeles by Fantasy Flight Games (BGG Link) FEATURED TOPIC - (22:13): You've probably heard of people flipping

Episode 141: Science Is Your Friend Length: 1:06:45 Show Links: RSS | iTunes | Stitcher | Download Episode   Welcome back to Vox Republica, the Cardboard Republic Podcast! We post new episodes every other Thursday, with each episode being about 45 minutes long. Vox Republica is proudly supported by our Patreon. Consider contributing today! DESCRIPTION: Science is your friend! With Earth Day and the unprecedented March For Science taking place recently, this week Erin and Ryan talk about science in gaming and recommend some titles that do an excellent job conveying real world scientific concepts. GUESTS: None RECENTLY PLAYED GAMES - (01:05): Ursa Miner (Coming Soon!) The Big Book of Madness by IELLO (BGG Link) QUICK TOPICS - (07:42): When is the best time of the year for gaming? As New Englanders our snap reaction almost always is winter time, what with it being cold and snowy outside. But...is it really the best time of the year? We discuss. FEATURED TOPIC - (13:38): Science! It's fun! It's informative!

Episode 140: On The Case! Length: 1:09:09 Show Links: RSS | iTunes | Stitcher | Download Episode   Welcome back to Vox Republica, the Cardboard Republic Podcast! We post new episodes every other Thursday, with each episode being about 45 minutes long. Vox Republica is proudly supported by our Patreon. Consider contributing today! DESCRIPTION: It's been a busy and chaotic month or so, between new digs, new gigs, local conventions, and localized pathogens. But we're making up for that now! This episode Erin and Ryan discuss the Granite Game Summit and review Sherlock Holmes Consulting Detective: Jack the Ripper & West End Adventures! GUEST: None RECENTLY PLAYED GAMES - (02:01): Terraforming Mars by Stronghold Games (BGG Link) Sagrada by Floodgate Games (BGG Link) The Manhattan Project: Energy Empire by Minion Games (BGG Link) World Monuments by Queen Games (BGG Link) Mexica by Super Meeple / IELLO (BGG Link) Sherlock Holmes Consulting Detective: Jack the Ripper & West End Adventures by Space Cowboys (B

Episode 139: Con Budgets Length: 51:22 Show Links: RSS | iTunes | Stitcher | Download Episode   Welcome back to Vox Republica, the Cardboard Republic Podcast! We post new episodes every other Thursday, with each episode being about 45 minutes long. Vox Republica is proudly supported by our Patreon. Consider contributing today! DESCRIPTION: Gaming conventions are pretty fun. But not every con is for every gamer. With an ever-growing list of conventions to attend and only so many resources to devote to attending them, how do you decide which conventions to devote your efforts to? This week, Erin and Ryan explore how you can properly prepare to attend them while comparing and contrasting their approaches to con budgeting. GUESTS: None RECENTLY PLAYED GAMES - (03:38): Defenders of the Last Stand by 8th Summit Sherlock Holmes Consulting Detective: Jack the Ripper & West End Adventures by Space Cowboys QUICK TOPICS - (13:42): We spoke last time of convention season beginning in earnest, so we thought this ti

Episode 138: Havens Of Gloooooom Length: 58:46 Show Links: RSS | iTunes | Stitcher | Download Episode   Welcome back to Vox Republica, the Cardboard Republic Podcast! We post new episodes every other Thursday, with each episode being about 45 minutes long. Vox Republica is proudly supported by our Patreon. Consider contributing today! DESCRIPTION: Laurel season is in full swing. Yet somehow we manged to fit in a bunch of new games and a trip to PAX East to kick off convention season. Ryan recaps his PAX trip, and then he and Erin sit down for an enlightening chat with Gloomhaven designer Isaac Childres to learn some interesting tidbits on what it took to make such a massive game. GUESTS: Isaac Childres RECENTLY PLAYED GAMES - (01:27): Gloomhaven by Cephalofair Games Explorers of the North Sea by Garphill Games Sherlock Holmes Consulting Detective: Jack the Ripper & West End Adventures by Space Cowboys Planetarium by Game Salute QUICK TOPICS - (18:16): Con season has begun in earnest! Ryan recaps his ex

Episode 137: Award Season Length: 1:14:03 Show Links: RSS | iTunes | Stitcher | Download Episode   Welcome back to Vox Republica, the Cardboard Republic Podcast! We post new episodes every other Thursday, with each episode being about 45 minutes long. Vox Republica is proudly supported by our Patreon. Consider contributing today! DESCRIPTION: It's award season all over the place, including in the game world. Which, naturally, includes our own - second only to the Oscars, really. To kick that process off, this week Ryan and Erin chat about gaming awards and discuss the nominees for the 2017 Laurels! We also mention a handful of notable games played and an example of gaming news in the real world. GUESTS: None RECENTLY PLAYED GAMES - (01:19): Freedom: The Underground Railroad by Academy Games The Oracle of Delphi by Tasty Minstrel Games Escape the Room: Secret of Dr. Gravely's Retreat by ThinkFun Tin Goose by Rio Grande Games QUICK TOPICS - (22:31): Calling back to that whole idea of gaming not pretending th

Episode 136: Creating A Gaming Cafe Length: 1:02:45 Show Links: RSS | iTunes | Stitcher | Download Episode   Welcome back to Vox Republica, the Cardboard Republic Podcast! We post new episodes every other Thursday, with each episode being about 45 minutes long. Vox Republica is proudly supported by our Patreon. Consider contributing today! DESCRIPTION: What does it take to create a board game cafe? It's something many of us dream about doing, but aside from the desire to do it and a lot of hard work, what else is required to get such a dream off the ground? This week, Erin and Ryan invite on Kathleen Miller of the upcoming House Rules Cafe to get the details. There may also be some talk about games and the 2016 Laurels. GUESTS: Kathleen Miller RECENTLY PLAYED GAMES - (01:46): New York Slice by Bezier Games Islebound by Red Raven Games Ponzi Scheme by Tasty Minstrel Games One Deck Dungeon by Asmadi Games QUICK TOPICS - (16:22): It's that time of the year again. We are happy to announce the nominees for the

Episode 135: Gaming Difficulty Length: 1:03:41 Show Links: RSS | iTunes | Stitcher | Download Episode   Welcome back to Vox Republica, the Cardboard Republic Podcast! We post new episodes every other Thursday, with each episode being about 45 minutes long. Vox Republica is proudly supported by our Patreon. Consider contributing today! DESCRIPTION: This week, Erin and Ryan dive into some recent game nights, talk about whether non-gaming topics that affect gamers are legitimate discourse, and then debate the differences in what difficulty means in regards to board games. GUESTS: None RECENTLY PLAYED GAMES - (01:14): Meduris by HABA Quartz by Passport Game Studios Stronghold by Portal Games Dark Gothic by Flying Frog Productions Morocco by Eagle-Gryphon Games QUICK TOPICS - (20:08): We briefly address the notion that's been circulating on whether or not gaming conversation should include topics that affect gamers in the real world. That is, should gaming talk only be about games.  FEATURED TOPIC - (24:36):

Episode 134: Teeny Santorini Length: 1:01:47 Show Links: RSS | iTunes | Stitcher | Download Episode   Welcome back to Vox Republica, the Cardboard Republic Podcast! We post new episodes every other Thursday, with each episode being about 45 minutes long. Vox Republica is proudly supported by our Patreon. Consider contributing today! DESCRIPTION: This week, Erin and Ryan recap some of their lighter games played and address some positive feedback for the hobby before being joined by Gordon Hamilton, the designer of Santorini. GUESTS: Gordon Hamilton RECENTLY PLAYED GAMES - (01:40): Ra by Windrider Games Monsters in the Elevator by Yaya Play Games Talisman by Fantasy Flight Games Cable Car by Queen Games Tokaido by Funforge / Passport Game Studios QUICK TOPICS - (20:12): We address the recent troubles surrounding Crash Games founder Patrick Nickell, including the reasoning behind recent Kickstarter efforts to keep the company solvent and the hobby community's reaction to his heartfelt personal explanation for

Episode 133: Gaming Predictions For 2017 Length: 56:30 Show Links: RSS | iTunes | Stitcher | Download Episode   Welcome back to Vox Republica, the Cardboard Republic Podcast! We post new episodes every other Thursday, with each episode being about 45 minutes long. Vox Republica is proudly supported by our Patreon. Consider contributing today! DESCRIPTION: A new year means different things to different people. For us, it means it's time for Erin and Ryan to sit down and make some predictions for what lies in store in 2017 regarding games and the games industry! GUESTS: None RECENTLY PLAYED GAMES - (01:49): Harry Potter: Hogwarts Battle by USAopoly Taluva by Ferti Arkham Horror LCG by Fantasy Flight Games The Goonies: Adventure Card Game by Albino Dragon FEATURED TOPIC - (19:21): It’s 2017, which means it’s time for all sorts of annual predictions about games and the gaming industry. Are they wild guesses or educated methodical extrapolations of notable trends in the industry? We’ll see! But both Erin and Ry

Episode 132: Seven Dragons And A Treasured Year Length: 1:03:28 Show Links: RSS | iTunes | Stitcher | Download Episode   Welcome back to Vox Republica, the Cardboard Republic Podcast! We post new episodes every other Thursday, with each episode being about 45 minutes long. Vox Republica is proudly supported by our Patreon. Consider contributing today! DESCRIPTION: The end of 2016 is fast approaching - not that we're complaining mind you. This week, after recapping some of the games we managed to play between the holiday rush, we briefly look back at how the CR has fared over the last year...and maybe drop a couple minor announcements about what lies in store for us next in 2017. After that we pull out the 2011 card game Seven Dragons for review. Because, well, dragons! Production Note: Apologies on the audio quality for this episode - it appears to have recorded on the backup mic by mistake! GUEST: None RECENTLY PLAYED GAMES - (01:36): Colony by Bezier Games SeaFall by Plaid Hat Games Karmaka by Hemisphere G

Episode 131: Online Communities Length: 58:47 Show Links: RSS | iTunes | Stitcher | Download Episode   Welcome back to Vox Republica, the Cardboard Republic Podcast! We post new episodes every other Thursday, with each episode being about 45 minutes long. Vox Republica is proudly supported by our Patreon. Consider contributing today! DESCRIPTION: A primary reason that board gaming is such an entertaining hobby is that it fosters and encourages socializing with other people. To that end, this week Erin and Ryan talk about this year's BGG Con, then discuss some of the many online communities available to gamers. GUESTS: None RECENTLY PLAYED GAMES - (01:34): Fuju Flush by Stronghold Games Terraforming Mars by Stronghold Games Honshu by Lautapelit / Renegade Game Studios Ave Roma by A-Games Flamme Rouge by Lautapelit FEATURED TOPIC - (20:30): This week is all about board gaming communities within the board gaming world, including the positives and negatives they each offer to the hobby. The primary one

Episode 130: Gaming Slumps Length: 52:55 Show Links: RSS | iTunes | Stitcher | Download Episode   Welcome back to Vox Republica, the Cardboard Republic Podcast! We post new episodes every other Thursday, with each episode being about 45 minutes long. Vox Republica is proudly supported by our Patreon. Consider contributing today! DESCRIPTION: The world has been a bit topsy-turvy of late, and that has us a bit distracted from our normal love of gaming. So, this week we talk about the idea of gaming dry spells, where other interests or other factors pull you away from gaming regularly - and why that's not necessarily a bad thing. GUESTS: None RECENTLY PLAYED GAMES - (01:45): Ice Cool by Brain Games Mare Nostrum by Academy Games Dice City by AEG / Artipia Games Covert by Renegade Game Studios Joraku by Moaideas Game Design QUICK TOPICS - (22:11): In light of a recent publisher snaffu, we dissect the sometimes nebulous role of gaming media in relation to publishers in terms of ethical boundaries of jour

Episode 129 Length: 44:01 Show Links: RSS | iTunes | Stitcher | Download Episode   Welcome back to Vox Republica, the Cardboard Republic Podcast! We post new episodes every other Thursday, with each episode being about 45 minutes long. Vox Republica is proudly supported by our Patreon. Consider contributing today! DESCRIPTION: It's our Extra Life special! In this episode, Erin and Ryan talk about their Extra Life 2016 gaming charity marathon efforts, including some of the more notable games played and the unique challenges running it this year brought. GUESTS: None* *Although scheduled to include a small handful of live interviews during the Extra Life marathon taping, a series of unfortunate events prevented said people from attending. Alas. FEATURED TOPIC - (1:37 / 32:01): Every year the CR participates in Extra Life, an annual 24 hour gaming charity marathon to raise money for sick kids within the Children's Miracle Network - in our case those at the Boston Children's Hospital. We discuss aspects

Episode 128: America & Atmosphere Length: 59:26 Show Links: RSS | iTunes | Stitcher | Download Episode   Welcome back to Vox Republica, the Cardboard Republic Podcast! We post new episodes every other Thursday, with each episode being about 45 minutes long. Vox Republica is proudly supported by our Patreon. Consider contributing today! DESCRIPTION: It's October, which means Halloween! Which means spooky things! Which brings us to the idea of gaming atmosphere. Why is it that exactly that board games struggle so hard to generate feelings of dread? What makes this medium, as opposed to movies, books, and even RPGs, so much more difficult? This week, Erin and Ryan parse over the possibilities behind it. Then, they venture back to the early American Frontier with a review of the dice allocation game Discoveries. GUEST: None RECENTLY PLAYED GAMES - (01:39): Strife: Shadows & Steam by V3G Ahead in the Clouds by Button Shy Games Lord of the Rings: The Confrontation by Fantasy Flight Games FEATURED

Episode 127: This Funny Dude From Poland Length: 1:17:11 Show Links: RSS | iTunes | Stitcher | Download Episode   Welcome back to Vox Republica, the Cardboard Republic Podcast! We post new episodes every other Thursday, with each episode being about 45 minutes long. Vox Republica is proudly supported by our Patreon. Consider contributing today! DESCRIPTION: This week we return from our fall mini-break refreshed and ready to go. We start off by chatting about a small handful of the many games played recently, chat about our recent past and future convention plans, and then sit down with Ignacy Trzewiczek, head of Portal Games, to talk about the processes he goes through when designing games. GUESTS: Ignacy Trzewiczek RECENTLY PLAYED GAMES - (01:49): Clank! by Renegade Game Studios & Dire Wolf Digital Inis by Asmodee Editions / Matagot  The Guardians: Explore by Reihon Games Roll Player by Thunderworks Games QUICK TOPICS - (26:06): We chat about the next Granite Game Summit in a few weeks - Hallo

Episode 126: The Art Of The [Preorder] Deal Length: 1:03:20 Show Links: RSS | iTunes | Stitcher | Download Episode   Welcome back to Vox Republica, the Cardboard Republic Podcast! We post new episodes every other Thursday, with each episode being about 45 minutes long. Vox Republica is proudly supported by our Patreon. Consider contributing today! DESCRIPTION: Attempting to get back to a normal length podcast after August's heavier episodes, this week Erin and Ryan talk about some recent Patreon happenings - including an announcement about it - and then they dive into a discussion on how much you need to know about a game before you order it. After that, the days is rounded out by a review of Avalanche at Yeti Mountain. GUEST: None RECENTLY PLAYED GAMES - (01:43): Codenames: Pictures by Czech Games Edition Looting Atlantis by Shoot Again Games Prospectus by Mr. B Games Discoveries by Ludonaute / Asmodee Editions QUICK TOPICS - (24:12): We chat about a couple of our recent Patreon happenings, includ