#158: Choosing a Game to Play

It's time for the yearly star studded parade of excellent games that is our Dads on a Map Top 20 Episode. This year James is joined by Derek and Tim as we all run down our personal Top 20s and also reveal the DoaM Community Top 20 results for 2026. Need to get a read on what this community is all about? Enjoy the show and find out! DoaMcoN 7 Signups are live! August 18-22, 2027!https://docs.google.com/document/d/1asPuxqWS5-TZKjCAI2OKbz17lp__IdfjYSFjl-Xjvzk/edit?usp=sharinghttp://www.dadsonamap.comhttp://www.youtube.com/@dadsonamapSupport the Show - Patreon: http://www.patreon.com/dadsonamap

Tension! Why is it so vital to the board game experience and what are some of our favorite tense games & moments? Clef from Punchboard Paradise joins James as we discuss this and recent plays of Pax Pamir 1e, Inis, Manila, Aladdin's Dragons, Tichu, Shark, and so much more! Enjoy the show!:38 Chatting with Clef11:55 DoaMcoN 7 Announcement14:30 Disc Golf Weather18:50 Pax Pamir 1e27:13 Inis w/Nemed Expansion33:56 Manila42:13 Aladdin's Dragons52:14 Tichu58:26 Shark1:03:00 Main Topic: Tension in Games1:24:58 Disc Golf Talk to the end!DoaMcoN 7 Signups are live! August 18-22, 2027!https://docs.google.com/document/d/1asPuxqWS5-TZKjCAI2OKbz17lp__IdfjYSFjl-Xjvzk/edit?usp=sharingSubmit your DoaM Community Top 20!https://forms.gle/3LEmtgX6MS4VcZyF6http://www.dadsonamap.comhttp://www.youtube.com/@dadsonamapSupport the Show - Patreon: http://www.patreon.com/dadsonamap

The game night is scheduled, the players are accounted for, but now...how do we pick the game? James is joined by Steve as we discuss our personal methodology, considerations, and what works for our group when it comes to choosing the games we play at game night. Also recent plays of Guards of Atlantis II, 1894, Kaivai, Boomtown, and Rise & Fall. Enjoy the show! 3:55 Guards of Atlantis II13:22 Boomtown20:53 1894 36:31 Revisiting: Medieval Merchant & Freya's Folly46:04 Kaivai53:56 Rise & Fall59:05 Main Topic: Choosing a Game to PlayDoaMcoN 7 Announcement Coming Soon! http://www.dadsonamap.comhttp://www.youtube.com/@dadsonamapSupport the Show - Patreon: http://www.patreon.com/dadsonamap

It's the DoaMcoN Wrap Up Episode! After a full week of gaming at our 6th annual con, James & Derek sit down to discuss memorable moments and iconic plays. Special correspondent Dylan joins live from the past with attendee interviews as we relive some of their favorite games from the event as well. Enjoy the show! No Timestamps for this one, far too many games to mention! But you'll hear about Mega Medina, late night DoaMcoN nonsense, James' return to train games, Derek and the ghost of the COIN Collectors, Negotiation & Trolling, Splotters & Wehrle Love, and so much more! Interviews in order: Dylan, Justin, Stephan, Zach, BL, Joshua, Steve, Alexander, Vince, Colton, Tim, Bernease, and Olly! DoaMcoN 7 Announcement Coming Soon! http://www.dadsonamap.comhttp://www.youtube.com/@dadsonamapSupport the Show - Patreon: http://www.patreon.com/dadsonamap

Vincent joins James as we discuss the insatiable need for modern publishers to "fix" games when they rescue them from obscurity and reprint them. Why is this so common? Who are the good guys doing it right and the bad guys blowing it every time? Also recent plays of some reprinted games such as Container, Gold Country, Medieval Merchant, Waddle, and so much more. Enjoy the show! 1:18 Hellas: The DoaM Knight Rises5:19 Full DoaMcoN VI Hype Train8:20 Medieval Merchant17:33 Container26:48 Tales of the Arabian Nights32:53 Waddle37:57 Decko44:56 Freya's Folly51:34 Die Saulen von Venedig57:44 Gold Country1:10:48 Main Topic: The Modernization of Games1:41:31 James' Top 5 Most Anticipated DoaMcoN Games http://www.dadsonamap.comhttp://www.youtube.com/@dadsonamapSupport the Show - Patreon: http://www.patreon.com/dadsonamap

James is joined by Camden as we open up the haterade and talk about the DoaM Darlings that the community loves - but we just don't. We'll examine what keeps us from falling in line on some of Dads on a Map's favorite titles. Also recent plays of Cross Bronx Expressway, Nokosu Dice, Owner's Choice, Capital Lux 2, and Wolfel. Enjoy the show! 7:45 Cross Bronx Expressway22:00 Paths of Glory31:02 Owner's Choice39:35 Nokosu Dice46:25 Wolfel58:50 Capital Lux 21:03:37 Main Topic: Dissing DoaM Darlingshttp://www.dadsonamap.comhttp://www.youtube.com/@dadsonamapSupport the Show - Patreon: http://www.patreon.com/dadsonamap

A nice full month of gaming means a nice full show full of game talk! James is joined by Steve to talk recent plays of Archipelago, John Company, Pax Pamir 1E, Shadow Hunters, Intrigue, and so much more! We're down to our last few lodging spots for DoaMcoN VI, live in Kansas City on August 19-23. Sign up now! :51 Get to know Steve12:35 The Old Prince 187117:52 Archipelago24:53 Pax Pamir 1E30:47 Intrigue38:08 Bad Bets41:21 Nur Peanuts46:59 Santiago49:28 Bohnanza55:03 Bauernschlau57:00 John Company1:02:36 Shark1:06:05 Shadow Hunters1:16:24 Magical Athlete & Hot Streak1:21:49 Puerto BananaInformation & Signups for DoaMcoN VI - August 19-23: https://docs.google.com/document/d/10h3wllpU-VjCqA7YcL3JUndSmZY2AqE1U9K1K4sRNuA/edit?usp=sharinghttp://www.dadsonamap.comhttp://www.youtube.com/@dadsonamapSupport the Show - Patreon: http://www.patreon.com/dadsonamap

James is joined by his 2 boys Colton & Corbin for the traditional Father's Day Episode. Fresh off of a family vacation filled with some rare gaming time, hear all about plays of Puerto Banana, Panda Royale, I'm The Boss, Cozy Stickerville, and a 19 player game of Blood on the Clocktower. Happy Father's Day DoaM! 1:30 New Patron Shivan, DoaMcoN Signups2:49 Get to know the boys16:12 Family Vacation! 17:35 Cozy Stickerville23:45 Escape Room in a Box?29:58 Puerto Banana31:58 Epic Universe - Nintendo World41:28 Tampa w/ DoaMer Brandon42:28 Panda Royale47:56 I'm The Boss 7P51:05 Bohnanza52:36 Incan Gold & Skull King56:13 Blood on the Clocktower 19P1:09:07 What Video Game would you like to see as a Board Game? Information & Signups for DoaMcoN VI - August 19-23: https://docs.google.com/document/d/10h3wllpU-VjCqA7YcL3JUndSmZY2AqE1U9K1K4sRNuA/edit?usp=sharinghttp://www.dadsonamap.comhttp://www.youtube.com/@dadsonamapSupport the Show - Patreon: http://www.patreon.com/dadsonamap

Derek & Drew headed over to the DFW Airport to enjoy BGG Spring Con 2026! Listen in as we talk Cross Bronx Expressway, 1830, Euro Crisis, and many more! Enjoy the show!0:00 - Opening Discussion3:10 - Day One (Santiago, 1830, Snowp, Puerto Banana)22:00 - Day Two (DNUP, Night Soil, Euro Crisis)41:30 - Day Three (Cross Bronx Expressway, Tricktaker Event, Giants)1:13:20 - Day Four (Baltic Empires, Manila, Late Night Madness)1:35:00 - Day Five (Crits & Tricks, Die Verbotene Stadt)Information & Signups for DoaMcoN VI - August 19-23: https://docs.google.com/document/d/10h3wllpU-VjCqA7YcL3JUndSmZY2AqE1U9K1K4sRNuA/edit?usp=sharinghttp://www.dadsonamap.comhttp://www.youtube.com/@dadsonamapSupport the Show - Patreon: http://www.patreon.com/dadsonamap

James & Tim link up at Punchboard Paradise Con and talk all about some of their favorite plays of the weekend. The Old Prince, Wiz War, Rocky Ventures, UR 1830, Aquadukt, Liberty or Death, Infamous Traffic and more! Enjoy the show! 2:41 Crokinole, Blood on the Clocktower, and Doppelkopf5:56 The Old Prince 187114:15 Wiz War16:21 Rocky Ventures24:02 Bad Bets27:27 1830 UR30:55 Aquadukt35:59 Kuhhandel Master39:57 Liberty or Death42:42 An Infamous Traffic47:33 Bests & WorstsInformation & Signups for DoaMcoN VI - August 19-23: https://docs.google.com/document/d/10h3wllpU-VjCqA7YcL3JUndSmZY2AqE1U9K1K4sRNuA/edit?usp=sharinghttp://www.dadsonamap.comhttp://www.youtube.com/@dadsonamapSupport the Show - Patreon: http://www.patreon.com/dadsonamap