Episode 278 - GenCon 2026 Recap Show

We’ve got a great show this week! We’ll be sharing what’s awesome this week in tabletop gaming, discussing our thoughts on the hobby, visiting the Shelf of Shame Support Group, and chatting with Dave Beck of Paverson Games!00:00:00 Introduction to Board Game Radio00:03:28 Drillers Game Sales00:08:18 Accountability Test #100:14:48 This Week In Gaming: Teacher Fund00:17:36 Chess Joker: Review00:31:03 What's On Your Mind? What would you miss?00:41:06 The Shelf of Shame: Confessions and Reflections00:46:55 Understanding Why Games Go Unplayed00:55:46 Rethinking the Shelf of Shame01:02:01 Interview: Dave Beck01:05:16 Video Games to Tabletop Games01:08:05 Balancing Academia and Entrepreneurship01:11:54 Transitioning from Designer to Publisher01:15:53 Class of 89 and Small Batch01:25:10 Celebrating Awards and Recognition01:31:18 The Impact of Board Game Arena01:38:04 What makes tabletop gaming awesome?

In this episode, Michael and Doug share what’s awesome this week in tabletop gaming, including winning contests and new game releases. They also discuss expanding into other parts of the hobby, playing Stupid Money/Smart Money Gencon Edition, and closing out with a Monthly Game Roundup featuring Hell of a Deal, Circadia, Wild Magic, and Guillotine!00:00:00 - Introduction to Board Game Radio00:03:01 - Follow-Up and Community Engagement00:06:22 - What's Awesome in Tabletop Gaming00:09:05 - New Game Releases and Themes00:12:07 - Experiences with Local Game Stores00:16:24 - What's On Your Mind? Diving into Magic: The Gathering00:24:20 - Community Challenges in TCGs00:28:10 - The Barriers to Entry in Collectible Games00:34:07 - Stupid Money, Smart Money: Gen Con Edition00:53:25 - Monthly Game Roundup01:03:30 - Diving into Circadia: Gameplay Mechanics and Strategies01:12:08 - Wild Magic: Family-Friendly Fun and Strategic Depth01:20:11 - Guillotine: A Classic with New Art

In this episode, Doug and Michael do a thorough follow-up of GenCon. They dive into the show's headlines, along with their surprises, misses, and overall impressions.00:00:20 - Welcome Back to the Studio00:01:27 - Reflecting on Gen Con Experience00:06:26 - Crowd Management and Venue Expansion00:08:06 - FOMO and News Coverage at Gen Con00:11:41 - Weather Challenges at Gen Con00:12:34 - Game Announcements and Highlights00:18:21 - All Play's New Game Lines00:26:10 - Restoration Games and Unmatched Updates00:32:46 - Final Thoughts and Reflections00:35:27 - Excitement Over New Games00:39:31 - Surprises from Gen Con00:49:30 - Misses and Regrets at the Convention00:53:07 - Reflections on Future Conventions01:03:41 - Overall Experience and Takeaways

In this episode, Doug and Michael discuss their Day 2 at GenCon! They discuss experiences in the exhibit hall, the Allplay new game announcements, AEG Big Game Night, and more!

In this episode, Doug and Michael discuss their Day 1 at GenCon! They discuss experiences in the exhibit hall, the hottest games, and instant reactions to a great first day at the convention!

In this week's episode, Doug and Michael share Michael's 2026 purchasing plan, talk solo games, discuss convention tips, preview Gencon with guest Harrison Dunn, and play a game of Blind Rank!00:00:20 - Introduction & Follow-up00:03:28 - Michael's Board Game Buying Challenge00:11:15 - What's Awesome This Week in Gaming00:22:37 - What's on Your Mind? - Convention Tips and Tricks00:31:13 - Gencon Preview with Harrison Dunn01:19:40 - Blind Rank

In this episode we’ll be sharing what’s awesome this week in tabletop gaming, discuss reprinting games and going on game buying sabbatical. Lastly we chat with guest Phill Klamm about all things Disney Lorcana and play a game of Troll er No with him!00:00:20 - Introduction and Follow-Up00:02:45 - This Week in Gaming00:08:19 - What's On Your Mind?00:08:50 - Reprints of Older Games: A Trend Analysis00:16:48 - Not Buying Games00:25:38 - Introduction to Phill Klamm and Lorcana00:28:41 - Overview of Lorcana: The Trading Card Game00:31:42 - Phil's Journey into Competitive Play00:34:39 - What Keeps Phil Engaged in Lorcana00:37:24 - Accessibility and Cost of Playing Lorcana00:40:35 - Understanding the Mechanics of Lorcana00:43:36 - Family Involvement and Community in Lorcana00:46:35 - Getting Started with Lorcana00:49:25 - Threats and Future of Lorcana00:52:43 - Pack Opening and Final Thoughts00:56:19 - The Excitement of Opening Packs00:59:11 - The Joy of Gaming and Learning01:00:32 - Troll or No: The Game Begins

This week we’ll be sharing what’s awesome this week in tabletop gaming, discuss industry awards and balancing fun with winning, chat with designer and developer Paul Salomon from GameHead Games, and play a game of The Great Game Guessing Game.00:00:20 - Introduction and Follow-Up on Expansion Extravaganza00:02:20 - This Week In Gaming: Spiel de Jahres Winners00:10:00 - Industry Awards: Value and Insights00:18:07 - Discussion on Playing for Fun vs. Winning00:25:30 - Special Guest: Paul Solomon00:26:54 - Journey into Board Games00:28:29 - Role of Creative Director at Game Head00:30:34 - Current Projects and Exciting Developments00:32:44 - Designing vs. Developing Games00:37:44 - Working with Designers and Publishers00:42:47 - Signing Games from Renowned Designers00:45:43 - Game Development Insights and Strategies00:52:42 - Understanding the Board Game Industry00:56:52 - The Social Aspect of Gaming01:00:38 - The Great Game Guessing Game

This week Doug & Michael discuss upcoming releases from Stonemaier Games, Horrible Guild, and Pandasaurus Games, express gratitude to a local game store, ponder the best way to introduce new games, and the plethora of small box games available. The finish the episode by reviewing expansions for Faraway, Castle Combo, Honey Buzz, and Return to Dark Tower.00:00:20 - Introduction to Board Game Radio00:00:59 - Follow-Up on Previous Games00:02:19 - This Week In Gaming00:13:47 - Celebrating Local Game Stores00:20:07 - What's On Your Mind?00:20:21 - Choosing Games for New Players00:33:31 - Discussion on Small Box Games00:44:12 - Expansion Extravaganza00:45:04 - Faraway: Under Starry Skies00:49:40 - Castle Combo: Out of the Oubliette!00:56:15 - Honey Buzz: Fall Flavors01:06:49 - Return to Dark Tower: Covenant Expansion

In this week's episode Doug and Michael discuss the latest news and headlines including a new edition of Parks and data from Origins Game Fair. In addition, they also speculate on complainers in the hobby, reveal their high-five American themed games, and conclude last week's monthly game roundup with Frosted Blooms, Fox Grove, and Spooktacular.00:00:20 - Introduction to Board Game Radio00:20:42 - What's On Your Mind? - The State of Online Discourse in Gaming00:39:00 - List Time - High-Five American Themed Games00:56:52 - Monthly Game Roundup00:57:34 - Spooktacular01:03:36 - Frosted Blooms01:13:16 - Fox Grove