Episode 363: Josh Roberts, Very Special Games

Sam DeLiberato is a Co-Founder of Lightening Lake Games, a publishing company formed by three friends with a deep love for board games. Combining artistic vision, game mechanics expertise, and a knack for design, these friends embarked on a mission to create unique and engaging games. Driven by creativity and a desire to bring people together, they are excited to share their innovative board game designs with the world starting with Breakers, a monster hunting trick-taking game. You can check out Breakers on Kickstarter here: https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/breakersgame/breakers?ref=profile_created&category_id=34FOLLOW US ON: Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/groups/boardgamebingeInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/boardgamebingepodcast/ Twitter: https://www.twitter.com/boardgamebingeWHERE TO FIND OUR PODCAST:Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/5RJbdkguebb3MSLAatZr7riHeart Radio: https://www.iheart.com/podcast/269-board-game-binge-72500104/Tune In: https://tunein.com/embed/player/p1344218/Google Podcasts: https://podcasts.google.com/feed/aHR0cHM6Ly9mZWVkcy5jYXB0aXZhdGUuZm0vYm9hcmRnYW1lYmluZ2U=Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/ca/podcast/board-game-binge/id1522623033Visit Our Websites: Board Game Binge: https://boardgamebinge.com/Tin Robot Games: https://tinrobotgames.comElixir Board Games: https://www.elixirboardgames.com/our-games

Josh Roberts is the Co-Founder of Very Special Games, a two-person creative studio he launched with Evan in Memphis, TN in 2019. The duo started out scribbling their first prototype on sticky notes during lunch breaks at their old consulting jobs, which eventually grew into their first hit game, Charty Party, on Kickstarter. Since then, Josh has been helping create quirky, laughter-filled party games that bring people together—even if it means losing a little more hair along the way.You can check out their latest campaign for skyscratchers here: https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/punsofanarchy/skyscratchers-a-sneakily-strategic-game-of-escaped-catsFOLLOW US ON: Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/groups/boardgamebingeInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/boardgamebingepodcast/ Twitter: https://www.twitter.com/boardgamebingeWHERE TO FIND OUR PODCAST:Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/5RJbdkguebb3MSLAatZr7riHeart Radio: https://www.iheart.com/podcast/269-board-game-binge-72500104/Tune In: https://tunein.com/embed/player/p1344218/Google Podcasts: https://podcasts.google.com/feed/aHR0cHM6Ly9mZWVkcy5jYXB0aXZhdGUuZm0vYm9hcmRnYW1lYmluZ2U=Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/ca/podcast/board-game-binge/id1522623033Visit Our Websites: Board Game Binge: https://boardgamebinge.com/Tin Robot Games: https://tinrobotgames.comElixir Board Games: https://www.elixirboardgames.com/our-gamesI got to meet the very first Champion of the World Series of Board Games this week on the podcast. I talked to Hanshi Li about the tournament, and how he took his win and launched his own publishing company, Whales Entertainment, which bridges the Chinese and Western board game markets. Their latest title Vines and Flowers: Blooming Harmony just wrapped up on Kickstarter and is in now taking late pledges. Check out the interview:Here is a link to the campaign page if you want to check it out: https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/1486633989/vines-and-flowers-a-craft-floral-creativity-game

Whales Entertainment is a passionate game publisher co-founded by game enthusiasts Hanshi 'Hans' Li and Yue 'Luna' Ming, based in Los Angeles. We’re committed to providing a platform for Chinese designers to refine their creations and introduce them to a worldwide audience, building the bridge between Chinese and international board game communities. They we always welcome outstanding games from all over the world.You can check out their latest campaign for Vines and Flowers Blooming Harmony here:  https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/1486633989/vines-and-flowers-a-craft-floral-creativity-gameFOLLOW US ON: Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/groups/boardgamebingeInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/boardgamebingepodcast/ Twitter: https://www.twitter.com/boardgamebingeWHERE TO FIND OUR PODCAST:Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/5RJbdkguebb3MSLAatZr7riHeart Radio: https://www.iheart.com/podcast/269-board-game-binge-72500104/Tune In: https://tunein.com/embed/player/p1344218/Google Podcasts: https://podcasts.google.com/feed/aHR0cHM6Ly9mZWVkcy5jYXB0aXZhdGUuZm0vYm9hcmRnYW1lYmluZ2U=Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/ca/podcast/board-game-binge/id1522623033Visit Our Websites: Board Game Binge: https://boardgamebinge.com/Tin Robot Games: https://tinrobotgames.comElixir Board Games: https://www.elixirboardgames.com/our-games

Mathias Wigge is a German game designer and graduate in business informatics. He became well-known through the game Ark Nova, published in 2021 by Feuerland Spiele. His debut work has won multiple awards, including the Deutscher Spielepreis 2022.During his studies in business informatics in Paderborn, Mathias Wigge developed an interest in competitive card games. He devoted much of his free time to the tournament scene of Magic: The Gathering. His greatest individual achievements include two Grand Prix Top-8 finishes: at GP Dortmund 2006 and the Two-Headed Giant GP Amsterdam 2007.You can check out his newest the campaign for Ark Nova 3Dition here: https://gamefound.com/en/projects/kekpop-spiele/ark-novaFOLLOW US ON: Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/groups/boardgamebingeInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/boardgamebingepodcast/ Twitter: https://www.twitter.com/boardgamebingeWHERE TO FIND OUR PODCAST:Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/5RJbdkguebb3MSLAatZr7riHeart Radio: https://www.iheart.com/podcast/269-board-game-binge-72500104/Tune In: https://tunein.com/embed/player/p1344218/Google Podcasts: https://podcasts.google.com/feed/aHR0cHM6Ly9mZWVkcy5jYXB0aXZhdGUuZm0vYm9hcmRnYW1lYmluZ2U=Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/ca/podcast/board-game-binge/id1522623033Visit Our Websites: Board Game Binge: https://boardgamebinge.com/Tin Robot Games: https://tinrobotgames.comElixir Board Games: https://www.elixirboardgames.com/our-games

ordan Plosky is the Co-Founder & CEO of Zoop Collective, Inc.  Started in 2020 as a full service crowdfunding platform, Zoop has expanded into the world of game development.  Care Bears is an officially licensed game from CloudCo Entertainment by the licensee of record, Naftos.  Zoop is providing design and development on the game, as well as handling the crowdfunding.You can check out the campaign for Care Bears: Unlock the Magic here:  https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/zoopgames/care-bears-unlock-the-magic-the-deckbuilding-gameFOLLOW US ON: Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/groups/boardgamebingeInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/boardgamebingepodcast/ Twitter: https://www.twitter.com/boardgamebingeWHERE TO FIND OUR PODCAST:Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/5RJbdkguebb3MSLAatZr7riHeart Radio: https://www.iheart.com/podcast/269-board-game-binge-72500104/Tune In: https://tunein.com/embed/player/p1344218/Google Podcasts: https://podcasts.google.com/feed/aHR0cHM6Ly9mZWVkcy5jYXB0aXZhdGUuZm0vYm9hcmRnYW1lYmluZ2U=Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/ca/podcast/board-game-binge/id1522623033Visit Our Websites: Board Game Binge: https://boardgamebinge.com/Tin Robot Games: https://tinrobotgames.comElixir Board Games: https://www.elixirboardgames.com/our-games

Steven Aramini is an avid player, designer and publisher of board games. His first published game, Yardmaster, helped get his foot in the door in the industry in 2014 and he has continued designing ever since, creating such games as Animal Kingdoms, Sprawlopolis, Circle the Wagons, Ancient Realm, Station to Station and many others. In 2023, he ventured into the self-publishing realm, creating Write Stuff Games and publishing Fliptown. Currently the second title from Write Stuff Games, Flip Voyage, is live on Kickstarter, along with a new expansion, Fliptown: New Frontier.You can check out his newest campaign for Flip Voyage and Fliptown New Frontier here: https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/writestuffgames/flip-voyage-fliptown-new-frontierFOLLOW US ON: Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/groups/boardgamebingeInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/boardgamebingepodcast/ Twitter: https://www.twitter.com/boardgamebingeWHERE TO FIND OUR PODCAST:Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/5RJbdkguebb3MSLAatZr7riHeart Radio: https://www.iheart.com/podcast/269-board-game-binge-72500104/Tune In: https://tunein.com/embed/player/p1344218/Google Podcasts: https://podcasts.google.com/feed/aHR0cHM6Ly9mZWVkcy5jYXB0aXZhdGUuZm0vYm9hcmRnYW1lYmluZ2U=Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/ca/podcast/board-game-binge/id1522623033Visit Our Websites: Board Game Binge: https://boardgamebinge.com/Tin Robot Games: https://tinrobotgames.comElixir Board Games: https://www.elixirboardgames.com/our-games

Simon is an Italian-Canadian, raised in Hong Kong, Saudi Arabia, Singapore, Canada, and has worked as a music teacher in New Zealand, the UAE, and now Ethiopia. He has designed One Card Maze, Hand of Cthulhu, Fave Game, Beginner Briscola, and Starter Scopa. When Simon isn't teaching music or game designing he is making digital art or playing music at school or venues around Addis Ababa. His passion lies in logo and poster design and he plays bass guitar, drums, and sings. Simon currently lives in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia.To learn more about One Card Maze, go here: onecardmaze.comFOLLOW US ON: Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/groups/boardgamebingeInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/boardgamebingepodcast/ Twitter: https://www.twitter.com/boardgamebingeWHERE TO FIND OUR PODCAST:Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/5RJbdkguebb3MSLAatZr7riHeart Radio: https://www.iheart.com/podcast/269-board-game-binge-72500104/Tune In: https://tunein.com/embed/player/p1344218/Google Podcasts: https://podcasts.google.com/feed/aHR0cHM6Ly9mZWVkcy5jYXB0aXZhdGUuZm0vYm9hcmRnYW1lYmluZ2U=Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/ca/podcast/board-game-binge/id1522623033Visit Our Websites: Board Game Binge: https://boardgamebinge.com/Tin Robot Games: https://tinrobotgames.comElixir Board Games: https://www.elixirboardgames.com/our-games

Since 2018, Dead Alive Games has aimed to design and publish high quality games that are inclusive and representative of the diverse gaming community they belong to. They are the designers, developers, and publisher who have successfully funded and fulfilled critically acclaimed games such as Omicron Protocol, Lunar Rush, Cyber Pet Quest.Their newest entry into the board game world is Kittens in Space, which is now on Kickstarter. Check it out: https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/deadalivegames/kittens-in-spaceWHERE TO BUY OUR BOOK: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0DSJ1LMQ1FOLLOW US ON: Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/groups/boardgamebingeInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/boardgamebingepodcast/ Twitter: https://www.twitter.com/boardgamebingeWHERE TO FIND OUR PODCAST:Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/5RJbdkguebb3MSLAatZr7riHeart Radio: https://www.iheart.com/podcast/269-board-game-binge-72500104/Tune In: https://tunein.com/embed/player/p1344218/Google Podcasts: https://podcasts.google.com/feed/aHR0cHM6Ly9mZWVkcy5jYXB0aXZhdGUuZm0vYm9hcmRnYW1lYmluZ2U=Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/ca/podcast/board-game-binge/id1522623033Visit Our Websites: Board Game Binge: https://boardgamebinge.com/Tin Robot Games: https://tinrobotgames.comElixir Board Games: https://www.elixirboardgames.com/our-games

Ammon Anderson is a lifelong creative. His background is in Fortune 500 corporate design and brand management. He is a game designer, graphic designer, Art director, illustrator, and public speaker.He is the owner of Levity Games, a game design studio and Etsy shop that makes sticker upgrades for board games. Ammon is the designer of Gnome Hollow (also Illustrator), Twinkle Twinkle, Cats vs Cucumbers and T.A.C.O."Check it out Cats vs. Cucumbers here: Check out Cats vs. Cucumbers here: https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/levitygames/cats-vs-cucumbersWHERE TO BUY OUR BOOK: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0DSJ1LMQ1FOLLOW US ON: Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/groups/boardgamebingeInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/boardgamebingepodcast/ Twitter: https://www.twitter.com/boardgamebingeWHERE TO FIND OUR PODCAST:Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/5RJbdkguebb3MSLAatZr7riHeart Radio: https://www.iheart.com/podcast/269-board-game-binge-72500104/Tune In: https://tunein.com/embed/player/p1344218/Google Podcasts: https://podcasts.google.com/feed/aHR0cHM6Ly9mZWVkcy5jYXB0aXZhdGUuZm0vYm9hcmRnYW1lYmluZ2U=Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/ca/podcast/board-game-binge/id1522623033Visit Our Websites: Board Game Binge: https://boardgamebinge.com/Tin Robot Games: https://tinrobotgames.comElixir Board Games: https://www.elixirboardgames.com/our-games

With over 15 years experience as a branding and product design expert, Gavan has been creative director and overseen production for many board games. Gavan’s true passion lies in game design and development. Roxley’s most recent campaign was for Excalibur a 2-8 player lighthearted game of tomfoolery, scumbagger, and hilarious backstabbery.Check it out: https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/roxley/excaliburWHERE TO BUY OUR BOOK: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0DSJ1LMQ1FOLLOW US ON: Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/groups/boardgamebingeInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/boardgamebingepodcast/ Twitter: https://www.twitter.com/boardgamebingeWHERE TO FIND OUR PODCAST:Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/5RJbdkguebb3MSLAatZr7riHeart Radio: https://www.iheart.com/podcast/269-board-game-binge-72500104/Tune In: https://tunein.com/embed/player/p1344218/Google Podcasts: https://podcasts.google.com/feed/aHR0cHM6Ly9mZWVkcy5jYXB0aXZhdGUuZm0vYm9hcmRnYW1lYmluZ2U=Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/ca/podcast/board-game-binge/id1522623033Visit Our Websites: Board Game Binge: https://boardgamebinge.com/Tin Robot Games: https://tinrobotgames.comElixir Board Games: https://www.elixirboardgames.com/our-games