The Spiel

This year GenCon is really Cathala-Con. Famed French designer Bruno Cathala has 7 new games debuting at the con! We decide to focus our discussion on one: Abyss - a game about undersea Lords competing to control a forgotten realm.

Richard Launius and Sean Brown discuss the inspiration and development of Alien Uprising, a cooperative game that pits the crew of a wrecked spaceship against an overwhelming onslaught of bug-like aliens called Zothren.

Noted Polish designer Ignacy Trezwiczek chats about Imperial Settlers, his first experience as a vendor at GenCon, and his new book: Board Games That Tell Stories.

Blue Orange publishes many games for kids and families. They are expanding their catalog to include games with more strategy. Brandan Parsons and designer Charles Chevallier discuss several new releases: Longhorn, Niya, Battle Sheep, Braverats and Wakanda

In Germany, HABA is a well known publisher of wonderful high quality engaging toys and games. Lea Culliton, President of HABA USA, chats about the history of HABA and the company's plans to bring a wider selection of games to the American market.

Justin Gary chats about the challenges and opportunities when developing across cardboard and digital platforms with Ascension and SolForge Each shows how analog and digital games can enhance each other, building a better game in both worlds.

Francois Valentyne & Josh Rivers chat about new titles from Canadian publisher Flux Capacity: Gone Viking - a trick taker with resource management, Zombie Island - an asymmetrical abstract & Khrysos Hunters - a dice based treasure race on a modular board.

Mark Kaufmann from Days of Wonder discusses Five Tribes: a worker displacement game that draws inspiration from the classic game Mancala, set in the world of the Arabian Nights.

Travis Chance and Nick Little discuss the backstory and inspiration for Heroes Wanted, a game where players build misfit superheroes to gain fame and attention in hope of joining a real super team, the Champions of Zeta City.

Decision time. We review Istanbul and Rococo, the final nominees for the Kennerspiel des Jahres, and try to predict the winner.

Strategy or catchall? We begin our coverage of the Kennerspiel des Jahres with a look at the recommended games list, a review of nominee Concordia and finish with a rousing debate about the identity crisis the award faces.

The Big Red Pawn. Which game is worthy to be called Game of the Year (Spiel des Jahres)? We review Camel Up, Splendor and Concept and try to predict the winner.

You know? For kids! We play and review the three nominees for the best Kids Game of the Year (the Kinderspiel des Jahres) and then try to predict the winner.

Set phasers to fun. We review Quantum and Star Realms, two epic space battle games that don't require an epic amount of time to play. You can blow up your friends (or the galaxy) and be home in time for dinner.

Period piece. We review Rococo, a board game where players take on the role of 18th century tailors, making elaborate dresses for a Grand Ball. Manage the party and your talent will be the talk of the town when the fireworks above the palace begin.

PB & play! We review Splendor and Buccaneer Bones, two games that pack a lot of fun into a few minutes. Whether you're mining gems or finding buried treasure, there's plenty of time to enjoy these games while you snarf down a midday meal.

Puppet masters. We review Legacy and CV. Each game allows a player to shape the course of a modern life or a 17th century family through meaningful, sometimes gut-wrenching, decisions.

Hip to be square. We review Amerigo and Ka-Boom, two games that use simple wooden cubes in very creative but very different ways. Amerigo has a cube tower that randomizes actions. Ka-Boom has cube catapults players use to knock down opponent's towers.

Left foot, peg foot, traveling on. We review Freedom: The Underground Railroad, a co-operative game where players take on the roles of brave Abolitionists tasked with the goal of ending slavery in the United States.

Straight outta Krakow. We review two 2-player games from Polish publisher Galakta: King & Assassins and Metallum. Also, Bill Corey visits the padded cell to take a Sommelier Challenge and give us the scoop on the Spring Gaming Hoopla.