The BoardGameGeek Podcast

Episode 107: Bryan Bornmueller - Pitching Boardgames: Publisher’s View - Top 5 Trick Taking Games - Tichu and a Baby BlanketBryan Bornmueller, designer, scout, and The Lord of the Rings lover, joins me to talk about his job(s) at Asmodee, pitching games from the publisher’s side, and his love of trick taking games.00:00:00 Intro00:00:16 Who is Bryan Brommueller?00:01:19 Working for Asmodee00:06:21 The start of Office Dog Games00:09:24 Tabletop Career Path00:11:44 Pitching Board Games, Publisher's View00:15:33 Sharing pitches between Asmodee studios00:18:39 First pass over pitches00:21:02 Bryan's Pitching Tips00:24:53 Signing games that's not for Bryan00:26:02 Bryan loves trick taking00:27:06 Bryan's love of The Lord of the Rings00:30:06 Top 5 Trick Taking Games00:30:16 The Lord of the Rings - Trick Taking Games SeriesThe Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Ring – Trick-Taking GameThe Lord of the Rings: The Two Towers – Trick-Taking GameThe Lord of the Rings: The Return of the King – Trick-Taking GameThe Hobbit: There & Back AgainThe Lord of the Rings: Circle of Conflict00:39:51 DoppelkopfSheeps Head aka Schafkopf00:43:01 Rebel Princess00:44:41 Mu and More00:48:17 Skull King00:50:21 Cosmic Eidex00:54:00 Macaron00:55:37 Schadenfreude00:59:27 Trickarus01:02:44 Tichu01:07:22 Moment of Positivity01:11:48 Where can you find Bryan on the internet?Bluesky @bbornmueller.bsky.socialEmail: [email protected]:14:10 Outro(Please note that these time stamps might not be accurate due to the use of dynamic ads.)Buy-Sell-Trade With Noble Knight Games!https://www.nobleknight.com/buy-sell-tradeWeb: https://boardgamegeek.com/YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@boardgamegeekTwitter: https://twitter.com/BoardGameGeekEmail: [email protected]

Episode 106: Moe Poplar - Educational Historic Games?  - Top 5 Cooperative Games - Community and Color Changing TreesBoard game designer and owner of Ashy Feet Games joins me to talk about his views on the educational value of historical games. Our top 5 cooperative games with honorable mentions. And end talking about his tabletop community and how I touched some color changing trees.00:00:00 Intro00:00:13 Who is Moe Poplar?Ashy Feet GamesShibuyan Knights Crumb Snatchers Dark Heists Fabulous Freemen 00:07:27 The Educational Value of Historical GamesJohn Company00:19:48 Top 5 Cooperative Games00:20:46 The Mind00:22:46 Pandemic00:24:59 The Lord of the Rings: Fate of the Fellowship -00:27:46 Codenames: Critical Role Adventures00:31:32 Spirit Island00:33:19 Moe's Honorable mentions00:33:34 Dead Cells: The Rogue-Lite Board Game00:34:02 Slay the Spire: the Board Game00:34:48 Burgle Bros00:36:37 Bomb Busters00:39:06 The Gang: Deluxe Edition00:42:47 Black Orchestra00:45:02 The Crew Series and The Lord of the Rings: Trick Taker SeriesThe Crew: The Quest for Planet NineThe Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Ring – Trick-Taking Game00:47:41 Honorable Mentions00:47:46 Sail00:48:10 Sky Team00:50:24 Take Time00:51:30 Tidal Blades 2: Wardian Sky00:53:41 Moment of Positivity00:56:56 Where can you find Moe?Ashy Feet Games WebsiteInstagram FacebookTik tokFabulous Freeman Kickstarter01:00:19 Outro(Please note that these time stamps might not be accurate due to the use of dynamic ads.)Buy-Sell-Trade With Noble Knight Games!https://www.nobleknight.com/buy-sell-tradeWeb: https://boardgamegeek.com/YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@boardgamegeekTwitter: https://twitter.com/BoardGameGeekEmail: [email protected]

Episode 105: Lizzy, Ben, & Josey - Where Game Mechanics Meet Art  - Top 3 Games for Bookworms - Fun weekend plansMeet the designers and artist behind Bookwrym from Sword and Rose Press. We talk about how mechanics influence the art and vice versa in their game. For the book lovers, there’s a few game recommendations. And then we end with our fun weekend plans.00:00:00 Intro00:00:29 Get to know my guests00:00:41 Lizzy Ives00:01:28 Ben Kepner00:01:53 Josey Tsao00:04:48 How did they meet?00:09:24 How did they get into board games?00:11:42 How did Josey become a board game artist?00:13:38 What's their favorite Book?00:19:34 Where Board Game Mechanics, Meet art.00:20:05 When did Josey come into the process?00:23:15 Bookwyrm from Sword and Rose PressKickstarter LinkInstagram - @swordandrosepress 00:24:02 Kitty fur babies in the game.00:26:02 Cats and Plants expansion00:27:43 Importance of good art and graphic design00:29:24 Artist input00:36:40 Layers of Discovery00:38:06 Who's cats are in the expansion?00:40:55 Real life in a fantasy world00:44:43 Artist input is important00:46:37 How important is graphic design?00:49:04 A good artist is worth their weight in ... books.00:53:49 Top 3 games for Bookworms00:54:27 ContraBanter00:56:38 Décorum00:58:55 Spots01:00:06 Detective: City of Angels01:01:15 A Place for All My Books01:04:22 Leaf01:05:22 Rocca Town01:07:01 The Lord of the Rings: Trick Taking GamesThe Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Ring - Trick-Taking GameThe Lord of the Rings: The Two Towers - Trick-Taking Game01:09:07 Roots: A Game of Inventing Words01:10:38 Dune01:12:03 Enchanted Ivy01:14:03 My Shelfie01:19:35 Moment of Positivity01:29:04 Bookwrym on Kickstarter01:31:24 Where can you find my guests?01:31:36 BenBen Kepner’s WebsiteSocial Media: @kepneraptor (Instagram)01:31:59 LizzySocial Media: @lizzytacular (Instagram, Tiktok)Substack Newsletter: https://lizzyives.substack.com/01:33:26 JoseySocial Media: @joseytsao (Instagram)Website: https://www.joseytsao.net | https://ginkgohouse.co/ 01:35:10 Outro(Please note that these time stamps might not be accurate due to the use of dynamic ads.)Buy-Sell-Trade With Noble Knight Games!https://www.nobleknight.com/buy-sell-tradeWeb: https://boardgamegeek.com/YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@boardgamegeekTwitter: https://twitter.com/BoardGameGeekEmail: [email protected]

Episode 104: Tina Burns & Dr. Amelia Herbst  - Geek Girl Con - Women in Gaming - Finding CommunityTina and Amelia from the board of Geek Girl Con joins me to talk about the con, femme presenting designers, artist, and musicians in gaming, and how finding your community makes all the difference.00:00:00 Intro00:00:28 Get to know Tina Burns00:01:48 Get to know Dr. Amelia Herbst00:02:48 Backgrounds and Perspectives on Gaming00:05:05 What types of games do they like to play?00:12:59 Introduction to GeekGirlCon00:14:19 The Importance of Safe Spaces in Geek Culture00:15:24 What's in a name?00:17:02 GGC - Every Geek is welcome!00:20:27 Growing up at GGC00:21:16 Supporting GeekGirlCon00:22:59 Volunteer Opportunities and Roles00:25:16 5 Femme presenting designers, artist, musicians and their work00:25:49 Scarlet Hollow - Abby Howard00:28:03 King's Quest - Roberta Williams00:29:31 Sanibel - Elizabeth Hargrave00:31:02 Wyrmspan - Connie Vogelmann00:32:25 Wingspan - Elizabeth Hargrave00:33:32 River Market - Roberta Taylor00:35:06 Elder Scrolls - Christiane Meister00:36:54 Xbox - Asha Sharma and Sarah Bond00:38:21 Forage - Beth Sobel00:40:25 Celeste - Maddy Thorson, Gabby DaRienzo, and Lena Raine00:41:41 Magic the Gathering: Secret Lair cards00:44:52 Knitting Circle - Emily Vincent00:46:18 Baldur's Gate: Descent into Avernus, and Ghosts of Saltmarsh, - Kate Welch00:47:42 BioShock - Alyssa Finley00:48:55 Menagerie: Unlock the Wonders of a Miniature World- Fertessa Allyse00:51:57 Honorable Mention: Qwirkle - Susan McKinley Ross00:52:43 Moment of Positivity00:59:28 Where can you find Tina and Amelia?Geek Girl Con Website (Linktr.ee, Facebook, Instagram, Bluesky, Twitch, Youtube)Email: [email protected]:02:08 Outro(Please note that these time stamps might not be accurate due to the use of dynamic ads.)Buy-Sell-Trade With Noble Knight Games!https://www.nobleknight.com/buy-sell-tradeWeb: https://boardgamegeek.com/YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@boardgamegeekTwitter: https://twitter.com/BoardGameGeekEmail: [email protected]

Episode 103: Curt Covert (Smirk and Dagger) - Exhibiting at Conventions- Games we’ve been playing lately (not from Smirk and Dagger) Join me as we get to know Curt Covert, the owner of Smirk and Dagger games. We discuss what goes into exhibiting at conventions. While we go through a lot of information, it’s definitely not everything. But it might help someone starting out or might be an interesting peek behind the curtain. Then, we talk about 5 games we’ve been playing lately. And of course, ending with something positive happening in our lives. Don’t be afraid to go up or reach out to Curt if you have questions about the board game industry. He’s truly a fountain of knowledge.00:00:00 Intro00:00:16 Get to know Curt Covert00:01:27 Smirk and Laughter00:04:34 Trickarus00:12:11 Main Topic: Exhibiting at Conventions00:12:33 Curt's overall philosophy00:16:14 Choosing the Right Conventions for Exhibiting00:19:01 First Steps to getting a booth00:24:19 Navigating Convention Spaces and Traffic Flow00:33:03 Line Management at Conventions00:37:54 Efficient Booth Breakdown Strategies00:42:59 Planning for Conventions - when to start00:43:56 Engaging Booth Promotions00:49:37 5 games (not from Smirk and Dagger) that we've been enjoying00:49:55 Wondrous Creatures00:53:32 Dino Racer00:57:42 FliptoonsFliptoons Season 201:02:01 Clank! CatacombsUnderworld Expansion01:05:20 Drillers01:09:06 Things in RingsThings on Strings01:12:56 Rascally Rabbits01:15:34 ItoOne Round?01:21:08 Codenames: Critical Role Adventures01:24:13 The GangThe Gang: Deluxe Edition01:30:38 Moment of Positivity01:39:33 Where can you find Curt?Smirk and Dagger WebsiteFacebookInstagram01:40:36 Outro(Please note that these time stamps might not be accurate due to the use of dynamic ads.)Buy-Sell-Trade With Noble Knight Games!https://www.nobleknight.com/buy-sell-tradeWeb: https://boardgamegeek.com/YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@boardgamegeekTwitter: https://twitter.com/BoardGameGeekEmail: [email protected]

Episode 102: Peter Vaughan - Crowdfunding Tips and Tricks - Top 5 Bag and Deck Building Games - Con MemoriesPeter, one of the owners of Cardboard Alchemy, takes time away from his big Kickstarter for Whisperwood, to talk about what he has learned about crowdfunding, his favorite bag and deck builder, ending with some good memories from conventions.00:00:00 Intro00:00:37 Who is Peter Vaughan?Cardboard AlchemyWhat the FoodFlamecraftAndromeda's Edge00:03:14 Whisperwood on KS00:04:35 Main Topic: Kickstarting Board Games00:04:55 Why Kickstarter?00:06:10 How Kickstarter has changed for Board Games00:07:57 Trends and Changes in Crowdfunding00:13:26 Tips for those starting out in crowdfunding00:17:08 Whisperwood: Cozy, Crunchy, Combo-filled Bag Builder00:23:24 Preparing for a Crowdfunding Launch00:26:08 Kickstarter is live, Now what?00:27:50 Marketing Strategies Post-Kickstarter00:31:27 Top 5 Bag & Deck Building Games00:32:49 Orleans00:37:03 Altiplano00:39:49 Cubitos00:41:42 Concordia00:43:57 Mystic LandsRuins00:46:28 Lost Ruins of Arnak00:49:40 Tea Garden00:53:07 FliptoonsFliptoons: Season 200:56:26 Fishing01:00:05 Moon colony Bloodbath01:04:00 Honorable MentionsWonderland’s WarQuacksClank!: A Deck-Building AdventureDrillers01:08:46 Moments of PositivityLFG Con01:15:40 Where can you find Peter Vaughn on the Internet?Cardboard Alchemy’s:WebsiteFacebookInstagramDiscordYoutube01:20:16 Outro(Please note that these time stamps might not be accurate due to the use of dynamic ads.)Buy-Sell-Trade With Noble Knight Games!https://www.nobleknight.com/buy-sell-tradeWeb: https://boardgamegeek.com/YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@boardgamegeekTwitter: https://twitter.com/BoardGameGeekEmail: [email protected]

Episode 101: Ilka Luza - How to Behave at the Table. - Top 5 Games We Like to Play on Repeat - A Surprise Gift and White Water Rafting.Grab a drink and maybe some snacks because this is a longer episode. My super talented friend, Ilka Luza, joins me to discuss an important topic that’s not necessarily said out loud, some of our favorite comfort games, something that made us smile lately, and lots and lots of stories.00:00:00 Intro00:00:40 Who is Ilka Luza00:08:11 Prevention TheaterEp. 82 - Dave LuzaEp. 83: AnnaMaria Jackson-Phelps00:10:22 How to behave at a table00:21:04 Respect each other00:28:59 Ending a game early00:39:20 Phones at the table00:46:10 Top 5 Games we like to play on repeat00:47:07 Patchwork Doodle00:49:06 Three Sisters: Harvest Edition00:52:17 Azul00:55:54 Lords of Waterdeep01:02:06 Sanctuary01:08:04 Takenoko01:11:55 Wingspan01:17:12 Mahjong01:27:14 Cascadia01:32:25 Akropolis01:36:35 Honorable Mentions01:36:45 Nokosu Dice01:39:40 Fliptoons01:49:11 Moment of PositivityChris Long Prints02:00:43 Where to Find Ilka?Ilka’s Website Luzapalooza on Instagram, Twitch, and YoutubeThis Game is Broken podcast02:03:25 Outro(Please note that these time stamps might not be accurate due to the use of dynamic ads.)Web: https://boardgamegeek.com/YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@boardgamegeekTwitter: https://twitter.com/BoardGameGeekEmail: [email protected]

Episode 100: Lainie - Convention Planning Insights and Tips - 5 Games from BGG's top 100 that we love - Board Game Con FriendsHappy 100th Episode to the BGG Podcast! Let’s peek behind the scenes of Board Game Geek events and conventions with someone who helps run them, Lainie! Then we look at BGG’s top 100 games via user ratings to talk about 5 we love. And share some joy in finding friends through conventions.00:00:00 Intro00:00:18 Get to know Lainey00:05:12 Convention Planning Insights and Tips00:09:57 Managing Volunteers Effectively00:21:40 What are the different BGG Events?00:24:46 5 Games from BGG's top 100 that we love00:26:37 Race for the Galaxy00:28:40 Orleans00:30:17 Power Grid00:31:55 Grand Austria Hotel00:34:04 Clank Legacy: Acquisitions Incorporated00:37:10 Spirit Island00:39:12 Castles of Burgundy00:43:17 Obsession00:46:25 Terraforming Mars00:49:09 Darwin's Journey00:52:15 Honorable Mention00:53:33 Moment of PositivityOmaha Gaming ConventionBoard Game Wagon OFPGSpielbound Board Game Cafe01:02:41 Where to find LainieBGG Con 2026Gen Con Hot Games RoomHot Games Room EmailLainie’s Email01:03:40 Outro(Please note that these time stamps might not be accurate due to the use of dynamic ads.)Buy-Sell-Trade With Noble Knight Games!https://www.nobleknight.com/buy-sell-tradeWeb: https://boardgamegeek.com/YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@boardgamegeekTwitter: https://twitter.com/BoardGameGeekEmail: [email protected]

Episode 99: Dutch Yoda - Gen Con vs Spiel - Top 5 BGG Gen Con Preview List 2026 - World Cup and the Beach BoysMy friend, Dutch Yoda, joins us all the way from around the globe to talk about the differences and similarities between the 2 biggest board game conventions in the world, Gen Con and Spiel. Then we had a hard time picking our Top 5 games from the BGG Gen Con Preview list for 2026. We then talked about how the World Cup and the Beach Boys brought a little joy in our lives. I hope you can stop by one of his streams and chat with him directly especially about coffee and crowdfunding.00:00 Intro00:51 Get to know Dutch Yoda02:24 How you became Dutch Yoda03:17 Start in the hobby05:43 Exploring Gen Con vs. Spiel14:54 Food Culture at Conventions18:02 Media Events: A Contrast Between Gen Con and Spiel26:01 Flea Markets: A Unique Experience28:16 Travel Logistics and Airport Experiences31:09 Availability of Games Post-Conventions42:57 Community and Connections at Conventions47:01 Top Five Games from BGG Gen Con 2026 Preview List47:54 Horrified: Dungeons & Dragons - Ravenloft49:48 Entropy55:45 Sniper Elite: Expansions (Escalation & Operation Kraken)57:46 Wondrous Creatures: Winterfall ExpansionOmaha Gaming Convention01:00:55 Frosted Blooms (A Dutch Connection)01:04:51 Fliptoons Season 201:09:34 Wingspan Pocket01:12:03 Three Sisters: Harvest Edition01:16:35 Endangered: Australia (Expansion)Endangered: Giant Panda scenario01:22:33 Mountain Goats: LegacyLegacy of YuTiny Mountain Goats01:26:51 Honorable Mentions01:27:35 Rascally Rabbits01:30:17 Jason and the ArgonautsHercules and the 12 Labors01:32:33 Whisperwood01:36:15 Perennial01:38:09 Electrify01:42:09 Moments of Positivity01:49:38 Please follow Dutch Yoda  on the web!Twitch @DutchYodaYoutube, Instagram, and Bluesky @DutchYodaPlays 01:51:58 OutroPlease note: this episode was pre-recorded so that it could be edited on time. Therefore, there might be a few games that were posted on the BGG Preview list after this episode was recorded.(Please note that these time stamps might not be accurate due to the use of dynamic ads.)Buy-Sell-Trade With Noble Knight Games!https://www.nobleknight.com/buy-sell-tradeWeb: https://boardgamegeek.com/YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@boardgamegeekTwitter: https://twitter.com/BoardGameGeekEmail: [email protected]

Episode 98: Aaron B. (Game Enthus) - The Remaster’s Era - Top 5 Games We Like to Teach - Lunch Time Gaming & Getting RecognizedHey everyone! I’m excited to introduce Aaron, also known as Game Enthus on social media, who’s joining me to chat about all those games that are getting remastered, remade, updated with a second edition, brought back, or republished with some tweaks. We’re gonna try to nail down what exactly defines the “Remaster’s Era” of tabletop gaming. Then, we’ll share our top 5 favorite games to teach others. We’ll wrap up with some feel-good stories about gaming with coworkers during lunch and those moments when we get recognized. Oh, and we almost forgot to mention—we usually team up to teach a game on the Learn and Play schedule at PAX Unplugged. So, if you’re heading there, come join us for a fun game!00:00:00 Intro00:00:54 Get to know Aaron B.00:06:08 The Remasters Era in Board Games00:33:06 Top 5 Games we Enjoy Teaching00:35:51 Hues and Cues00:39:22 River of Gold00:41:54 Panda Royale00:45:20 Wok and Roll00:47:30 So Clover!00:50:02 Duck and Cover00:53:13 Faraway00:56:36 CitiesCities USA01:00:10 Green Team WinsGreen Team Wins Again01:03:28 Seti: Search for Extraterrestrial Intelligence Kanban EVSweet Lands01:08:00 Honorable Mentions01:08:05 Chicken Fried Dice01:10:55 Takenoko01:12:33 Moments of Positivity in Gaming01:16:52 Where can you find Aaron?Game Enthus on LintreeGame Enthus Podcast WebsiteAaron’s Youtube Channel - @GameEnthusThe Five By Podcast Website / BGG Listing(Please note that these time stamps might not be accurate due to the use of dynamic ads.)Buy-Sell-Trade With Noble Knight Games!https://www.nobleknight.com/buy-sell-tradeWeb: https://boardgamegeek.com/YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@boardgamegeekTwitter: https://twitter.com/BoardGameGeekEmail: [email protected]