Vox Republica: Podcast of The Cardboard Republic

Welcome to the Vox Republica: Podcast of The Cardboard Republic gaming site. We discuss board games, card games, and tabletop games with special guests and industry insiders.

Vox Republica 164: The End 03/29/2018

Vox Republica 163: Reskins - The Good, The Bad, And The Formerly Ugly 03/15/2018

Vox Republica 163: Reskins - The Good, The Bad, And The Formerly Ugly Episode 163: Reskins - The Good, The Bad, And The Formerly Ugly Length: 56:28 Show Links: | | | Welcome back to Vox Republica, the Cardboard Republic Podcast! We post new episodes every other Thursday, with each episode being about 45 minutes long. Vox Republica is proudly supported by . Consider contributing today! DESCRIPTION: There are themes and then there are themes. And then there are themes. But...what if those are all the same game? This week, Erin and Ryan talk about reskinning games. When is it worth it and when is it a money grab? Can it be both? GUESTS: None RECENTLY PLAYED GAMES - (0:28): by Karma Games () by Pearl Games / Asmodee () by Queen Games () (, , and by Garphill Games / Renegade Game Studios () QUICK TOPICS – (17:28): We discuss our thoughts on the second multi-day , a local convention with plenty of good things going for it. FEATURED TOPIC - (23:10): A reskin is when you take an existing game and either change the mechanics very little (or not at all) but give it a new setting, theme, etc. We parse through several areas of their existence, including areas such as? Why are reskins even a thing? Are there any equivalents in other industries? What’s the difference between adaptation and reskin? Why do publishers reskin a game? When is a reskin worth it and when is it a cash grab? What about reskins that bring a game in line with an existing IP? How do consumers feel about reskins generally? PLUGS - (55:09): The 2017 Laurel Nominees are in full swing! We even have a couple of contests going on for the and announced so far (and probably a third by now). Check them out! We’re also raffling off a copy of Draconis Invasion to a lucky Patreon backer. Consider ! As always, videos, pictures, and the are still ongoing. Subscribe to one or two - or all of them if you really love us. You do really love us, right? We’d love to hear from you! You can send questions or feedback via email at . You can also reach us social media, including , , and . Audio Credits: Intro music track is "Swing!" by , used under Creative Commons license. /episode/index/show/voxrepublica/id/6367715

Vox Republica 162: Without a Fight: Aggressive Games 03/01/2018

Vox Republica 161: The Asmo-daze 02/15/2018

Vox Republica 160: Escape the Podcast 02/02/2018

Vox Republica 160: Escape the Podcast Episode 160: Escape the Podcast Length: 1:25:52 Show Links: | | | Welcome back to Vox Republica, the Cardboard Republic Podcast! We post new episodes every other Thursday, with each episode being about 45 minutes long. Vox Republica is proudly supported by . Consider contributing today! DESCRIPTION: 2018 may only be a month old, but that doesn't mean the hobby hasn't found itself stumbling over a couple notable mistakes by the publisher CMON. This week, Erin and Ryan dive into those issues, and gush about Charterstone, before diving into a lengthy discussion about what makes an escape room game challenging and memorable. GUESTS: None RECENTLY PLAYED GAMES - (0:27): by Stonemaier Games () by Mayfair Games () QUICK TOPICS – (16:14): Within weeks of each other, noted publisher Cool Mini or Not found itself on the receiving end of two PR messes pertaining to two of their games. The first revolved around the inclusion of some tasteless tiles in their recent HATE campaign, while the second is (and abject) lesson to not rely on Wikipedia for all your research information, as has happened with their Rising Sun game. FEATURED TOPIC - (32:48): It should come as no surprise to anyone at this point...but Erin loves escape room games. We've talked about it in passing a couple times already. But with well over a dozen titles in the small but growing genre, we decided to sit down and parse out what makes them so special. Topics include: What makes a fun escape room game (i.e. difficulty, player size, theme, etc.) The limitations of an escape room game as they currently exist What can break the experience How to get started with escape rooms How we'd like to see the genre row PLUGS - (1:23:56): We recently reviewed ! (Spoiler Free) We’re raffling off a copy of Kokoro to a lucky Patreon backer. Consider ! As always, videos, pictures, and the are still ongoing. Subscribe to one or two - or all of them if you really love us. You do really love us, right? We’d love to hear from you! You can send questions or feedback via email at . You can also reach us social media, including , , and . Audio Credits: Intro music track is "Swing!" by , used under Creative Commons license. /episode/index/show/voxrepublica/id/6216931

Vox Republica 159: Gaming Predictions (And Omens) for 2018 01/18/2018

Vox Republica 158: What Even Is A Game? 12/21/2017

Vox Republica 158: What Even Is A Game? Episode 158: What Even Is A Game? Length: 58:09 Show Links: | | | Welcome back to Vox Republica, the Cardboard Republic Podcast! We post new episodes every other Thursday, with each episode being about 45 minutes long. Vox Republica is proudly supported by . Consider contributing today! DESCRIPTION: They say time flies when you're having fun, right? Well we must've been having a ton of fun, because 5 years have passed in a flash. That's right - The Cardboard Republic is now 5 years old! And this week, Erin and Ryan reflect on that fact, sharing some thoughts about the era when the started and what they hope for gaming in the future. GUESTS: None RECENTLY PLAYED GAMES - (0:48): by Space Cowboys / Asmodee () by Stonemaier Games () by Jonathan Ying () QUICK TOPICS - (19:38): We briefly expound on this being the final Vox episode of 2017 and some quick programming announcements. FEATURED TOPIC - (20:26): What is the difference between a game and an activity? When it comes to deconstructing what makes a game a game, be it as a mental exercise, a means of categorizing one's free time, or a healthy discussion of game theory, there has to be a way of creating a clear definition. At least, in theory. In truth, it's not actually that simple. Erin and Ryan each share their own criteria on how to determine if something is a game or not and compare where they overlap. They also address potential situations where such distinctions can actually have ramifications for certain players. PLUGS - (56:37): We’re raffling off a copy of Harvest Dice to a lucky Patreon backer. Consider ! As always, videos, pictures, and the are still ongoing. Subscribe to one or two - or all of them if you really love us. You do really love us, right? We’d love to hear from you! You can send questions or feedback via email at . You can also reach us social media, including , , and . Audio Credits: Intro music track is "Swing!" by , used under Creative Commons license. /episode/index/show/voxrepublica/id/6077668

Vox Republica 157: Five Years Of Cardboard 12/07/2017

Vox Republica 156: BGG Recap & Game Gifts For Non-Gamers 11/27/2017

Vox Republica 155: Charitable Gaming 11/09/2017

Vox Republica 154: Escape Rooms, Essen Picks, and BFIG Expansions 10/26/2017

Vox Republica 153: Cardboard Noir 10/12/2017

Vox Republica 152: The Business of Gaming 09/28/2017

Vox Republica 151: A Qwixx Episode 09/14/2017

Vox Republica 151: A Qwixx Episode Episode 151: A Qwixx Episode Length: 48:54 Show Links: | | | Welcome back to Vox Republica, the Cardboard Republic Podcast! We post new episodes every other Thursday, with each episode being about 45 minutes long. Vox Republica is proudly supported by . Consider contributing today! DESCRIPTION: This week, Erin and Ryan recover from their giant Gen Con episode by reviewing…probably one of the smallest games they have - Qwixx! They also talk about BFiG and some prototypes! GUEST: None RECENTLY PLAYED GAMES - (0:53): by Formal Ferret Games () Cerebria by Mindclash Games () QUICK TOPICS – (21:48): is coming up on September 23rd. We’ll be there playing games and presenting an award. If you’re in the Boston Area, swing by and say hello! REVIEW - (26:16): is a small, speedy roll-and-write game from Gamewright. Over the course of about 15-20 minutes, 2-5 players take turns rolling dice and crossing numbers off their player sheets, but there’s still a bit of strategy involved. A little bit. If you choose the wrong numbers to scratch out, you’re doomed to lock yourself out of valuable options down the road. If you play too conservatively, though, you’re going to struggle to keep up. We build up a consensus on who this accessible, portable dice chucking game and who should roll on to other things instead. (Note: if you don't see pictures below, you can view them via the or clicking .) A standard Qwixx scorepad, with Red and Yellow in ascending numerical order and Blue and Green in descending order With this dice roll, any player may choose to cross out a six on any of their four tracks The active player chooses to pair the 2 white die with the blue die and crosses out Blue 6 A player's final score of 88 points PLUGS - (48:22): We’re of Go Nuts For Donuts to a lucky Patreon backer. Consider donating today! As always, videos and the are still ongoing. Subscribe to either - or both if you really love us. You do really love us, right? We’d love to hear from you! You can send questions or feedback via email at . You can also reach us social media, including and . Audio Credits: Intro music track is "Swing!" by , used under Creative Commons license. /episode/index/show/voxrepublica/id/5739025

Vox Republica S01: Gen Con 2017 Special 09/11/2017

Vox Republica 150: Escapewolf 08/31/2017

Vox Republica 149: Card Crafting With John Clair And Gen Con 50 08/16/2017

Vox Republica 149: Card Crafting With John Clair And Gen Con 50 Episode 149: Card Crafting With John Clair And Gen Con 50 Length: 1:15:18 Show Links: | | | Welcome back to Vox Republica, the Cardboard Republic Podcast! We post new episodes every other Thursday, with each episode being about 45 minutes long. Vox Republica is proudly supported by . Consider contributing today! DESCRIPTION: This week, Erin and Ryan talk about a few games they managed to get played, announce some Gen Con plans, and Ryan tries to guess the Gen Con sleeper hit. Then they interview designer John Clair on his innovating Card Crafting system. GUESTS: John Clair RECENTLY PLAYED GAMES - (01:24): by Gamewright Games () by Mayday Games () by Minion Games () by AEG () QUICK TOPICS – (13:11): We're doing a Gen Con panel! If you're going, come check out - a written reviewer Q&A. (If you can't make it, feel free to still leave a question you'd like asked and we can see if we can get it answered!) We list our five Gen Con games of personal note that aren't going to make many Top Ten Gen Con lists. Then Ryan tries to postulate on the sleeper hit of the con. FEATURED TOPIC - (32:53): We speak to John Clair about Mystic Vale, Edge of Darkness, and Custom Heroes regarding his creative and innovative 'Card Crafting System', where you upgrade the abilities of cards in the game by use of card sleeves. We ask him about several avenues of this including: How the idea originated Why Edge of Darkness has taken so long to come to market (and maybe when it's finally going to...) Where you can play Edge of Darkness during Gen Con And more! PLUGS - (1:14:37): We’re raffling off a copy of Unlock to a lucky Patreon backer. Consider donating today! As always, videos, pictures, and the are still ongoing. Subscribe to one or two - or all of them if you really love us. You do really love us, right? We’d love to hear from you! You can send questions or feedback via email at . You can also reach us social media, including , , and . Audio Credits: Intro music track is "Swing!" by , used under Creative Commons license. /episode/index/show/voxrepublica/id/5649654

Vox Republica 148: Combating The Pile of Shame 08/03/2017

Vox Republica 148: Combating The Pile of Shame Episode 148: Combating The Pile of Shame Length: 56:07 Show Links: | | | Welcome back to Vox Republica, the Cardboard Republic Podcast! We post new episodes every other Thursday, with each episode being about 45 minutes long. Vox Republica is proudly supported by . Consider contributing today! DESCRIPTION: This week, Erin and Ryan go into detail on a few of the games they've had the pleasure of trying out, chat about some Gen Con plans, and then pivot into a discussion about the significance - or lack thereof - to a person's To Be Played game list (often called their pile of shame). Turns out it's only as significant as you want it to be. Who knew? GUESTS: None RECENTLY PLAYED GAMES - (04:51): by Mayfair Games () by WizKids () by Victory Point Games () by Eagle-Gryphon Games () QUICK TOPICS – (26:27): We're doing a Gen Con panel! If you're going, come check out - a written reviewer Q&A. (If you can't make it, feel free to still leave a question you'd like asked and we can see if we can get it answered!) We announce the title of the next Board Game Club! Reflecting a cruel case of tragic irony, we briefly talk about the affecting the European backer copies of Lisboa. Also, unboxing videos? FEATURED TOPIC - (30:07): One of the most frequent conversations in gaming (or reading) is how to manage the list of titles that you haven’t played yet. Whether referred to as a bucket list, a to be played list, or as it's often called, your pile of shame, we parse out what that means - or doesn't - to your gaming experience overall. In this we cover: Game play shaming on both sides of the equation. Pushing back on the idea that such lists somehow depict a sign of your dedication to the hobby. One in, one out policies Time-delayed policies Austerity Pledges Logging Plays Spreadsheets And more! PLUGS - (55:25): We’re raffling off a copy of Unlock to a lucky Patreon backer. Consider donating today! As always, videos, pictures, and the are still ongoing. Subscribe to one or two - or all of them if you really love us. You do really love us, right? We’d love to hear from you! You can send questions or feedback via email at . You can also reach us social media, including , , and . Audio Credits: Intro music track is "Swing!" by , used under Creative Commons license. /episode/index/show/voxrepublica/id/5605372

Vox Republica 147: Sea Captains And Solo Games 07/21/2017

Vox Republica 147: Sea Captains And Solo Games Episode 147: Sea Captains And Solo Games Length: 1:10:37 Show Links: | | | Welcome back to Vox Republica, the Cardboard Republic Podcast! We post new episodes every other Thursday, with each episode being about 45 minutes long. Vox Republica is proudly supported by . Consider contributing today! DESCRIPTION: This week, Erin and Ryan go into detail on a few of the games they've been playing, then discuss the lingering stigma of solo board gaming. Then they cap it off by having on a pair of folks who know a thing or two about solo games: Chris Taylor and Alan Emrich, the minds behind solo game hit Nemo's War! GUESTS: Chris Taylor and Alan Emrich RECENTLY PLAYED GAMES - (00:36): by Space Cowboys () Visitor in Blackwood Grove by Resonym () by Jolly Roger Games () QUICK TOPICS – (19:21): Branching largely off of the around solo gaming stigmas by the site Gaming for Justice, both Erin and Ryan reflect on their own opinions on solo gaming, its place in the hobby, and whether or not it has any appeal to them personally - and why. FEATURED TOPIC - (33:02): And then since it ties in so darn nicely, we sit down with Chris and Alan of Victory Point Games to discuss the 2nd Edition of Nemo's War, our July Indie Spotlight game. A solo game based on Jules Verne's 20,000 Leagues Under the Sea, you captain the infamous Nemo and the Nautilus around the world going on adventures, fighting imperial ships, and exploring the natural world. We talk about a range of topics on the game, including: How they chose the theme of the game What made them want to make a 2nd edition What prompted them to use Kickstarter over their traditional on-demand model Their opinion on the source material itself And some exclusive info on what may lie in store for more Nemo-based adventures down the line! PLUGS - (1:10:37): We're doing a Gen Con panel! If you're going, come check out - a written reviewer Q&A. (If you can't make it, feel free to still leave a question you'd like asked and we can see if we can get it answered!) We’re raffling off a copy of (plus a surprise!) to a lucky Patreon backer. Consider donating today! As always, videos, pictures, and the are still ongoing. Subscribe to one or two - or all of them if you really love us. You do really love us, right? We’d love to hear from you! You can send questions or feedback via email at . You can also reach us social media, including , , and . Audio Credits: Intro music track is "Swing!" by , used under Creative Commons license. /episode/index/show/voxrepublica/id/5560850

Vox Republica 146: Outside Trends 07/06/2017

Vox Republica 146: Outside Trends Episode 146: Outside Trends Length: 57:39 Show Links: | | | Welcome back to Vox Republica, the Cardboard Republic Podcast! We post new episodes every other Thursday, with each episode being about 45 minutes long. Vox Republica is proudly supported by . Consider contributing today! DESCRIPTION: This week, Erin and Ryan mention a certain Gen Con panel, recap some games that hit the table recently, ponder over the latest Monopoly hype, talk about the progress made (and still needed to go) with diversity in gaming, and then discuss at length outside influences that affect trends within the gaming industry. Phew! Did we miss anything? GUESTS: None RECENTLY PLAYED GAMES - (03:36): by Out Limit Games () by Overworld Games () by Thames & Kosmos () QUICK TOPICS – (17:49): is a new Nintendo-themed version of Monopoly that was just released, and is being sold exclusively through GameStop for the first month. There was also a bunch of social chatter about it immediately upon release. We chat about both the game and the oddly-sudden hype around it. A recent article appeared titled "", reflects on board gaming as a member of a minority group, both in terms of why African-American and Latino youths often avoid board games over video games and how even though board gaming is making overtures towards progress of diversity and inclusion, it still has a ways to go from an outside perspective. FEATURED TOPIC - (28:44): Video games, pop culture, and, more recently, live action games/activities are just a few examples of areas that have had a huge impact on the board game industry. Which had us wondering: where exactly do gaming trends come from outside the traditional mold of publishers and designers. We look at a few areas, such as: Video games Live action activities such as escape rooms The impact of influencers The relationship between small but engaged communities with the ability to control game designs and publications And of course, society as a whole PLUGS - (57:06): We're doing a Gen Con panel! If you're going, come check out - a written reviewer Q&A. (If you can't make it, feel free to still leave a question you'd like asked and we can see if we can get it answered!) We’re raffling off a copy of (plus a surprise!) to a lucky Patreon backer. Consider donating today! As always, videos, pictures, and the are still ongoing. Subscribe to one or two - or all of them if you really love us. You do really love us, right? We’d love to hear from you! You can send questions or feedback via email at . You can also reach us social media, including , , and . Audio Credits: Intro music track is "Swing!" by , used under Creative Commons license. /episode/index/show/voxrepublica/id/5511288

Vox Republica 145: Breaking Into Origins 06/29/2017

Vox Republica 145: Breaking Into Origins Episode 145: Breaking Into Origins Length: 59:29 Show Links: | | | Welcome back to Vox Republica, the Cardboard Republic Podcast! We post new episodes every other Thursday, with each episode being about 45 minutes long. Vox Republica is proudly supported by . Consider contributing today! DESCRIPTION: This week, Erin and Ryan chat about their experiences from their first trip to the Origins Game Fair. They discuss things they saw, things they played, what they liked, and what they wished they had done differently. If you're an Origins regular, how did their time in Columbus compare to yours? And if you've never been, does their conversation make you want to? Just wondering... GUESTS: None RECENTLY PLAYED GAMES - (01:22): by Aporta Games () by Renegade Game Studios () by Osprey Games () by Greater Than Games () QUICK TOPICS – (16:42): Erin and Ryan discuss the rather unexpected news about the popular gaming furniture company Geek Chic going . FEATURED TOPIC - (23:19): We were Origins bound this year! Marking Erin and Ryan's first trip to Origins - albeit not at the same time - they cover a number of things pertaining to how they thought about the convention going up to it, what they did while they were there, and their thoughts of attending in retrospect. Areas included: Reasons for attending Attendance numbers for 2017 Highlights of various games played and seen Events we got to partake in while at Origins Pros and cons of the convention and yes, even an inordinate amount of travel woes PLUGS - (59:02): You can check out Ryan's of his first Origins experience here! We’re raffling off a copy of to a lucky Patreon backer. Consider donating today! As always, videos, pictures, and the are still ongoing. Subscribe to one or two - or all of them if you really love us. You do really love us, right? We’d love to hear from you! You can send questions or feedback via email at . You can also reach us social media, including , , and . Audio Credits: Intro music track is "Swing!" by , used under Creative Commons license. /episode/index/show/voxrepublica/id/5491386

Vox Republica 144: The Magic of PoSplo 06/08/2017

Vox Republica 144: The Magic of PoSplo Episode 144: The Magic of PoSplo Length: 1:03:56 Show Links: | | | Welcome back to Vox Republica, the Cardboard Republic Podcast! We post new episodes every other Thursday, with each episode being about 45 minutes long. Vox Republica is proudly supported by . Consider contributing today! DESCRIPTION: It's one look forward and another look back. With the summer convention scene vastly approaching, Erin and Ryan discuss their expectations for visiting Origins for the first tine. Then they dive into a review of Potion Explosion to reiterate just what makes the game so darn entertaining. GUEST: None RECENTLY PLAYED GAMES - (01:22): by Minion Games () by Queen Games () by Renegade Game Studios () QUICK TOPICS – (19:47): Origins is, like, super soon! And the CR is going! For the first time! We lay out what some of our expectations are and what we hope to do what we get there. If you're going here's hoping our paths cross! REVIEW - (25:39): Based off the "Match 3" style of video games, Potion Explosion is all about making potions and causing explosions...hence the name. In this short 2-4 player game, each person is an apprentice wizard gathering ingredients to fill a series of potions, which is done by removing one or more marbles from the game's eye-catching dispenser tray. Completed potions are worth a variable number of points - depending on how difficult it is to complete - as well can be used to generate a number of different one-time effects throughout the game. Originally released by Horrible Games and subsequently picked up by Cool Mini or Not, Potion Explosion rose to rapid popularity in part because of an ideal blend of casual gameplay and tactile marble-plinking enjoyment. Tapping into both a person's desire for socializing through gaming and an innate love of pattern recognition, Potion Explosion delivers so well as a casual game as to have been one of the . That said, as we elaborate, its magic won't work on everyone. Also, you can check out Ryan's simple Potion Explosion trick for . (Note: if you don't see pictures below, you can view them via the or clicking .) The center marble tray where you gather magic ingredients (cleverly disguised as marbles) The game comes with a variety of colorful potions of different effects With all the necessary marbles, this potion is now ready for drinking Sets of potions are worth points and are a victory condition at the same time Several possible pulls could make for magical explosions. Which will you grab? PLUGS - (1:03:07): Speaking of Honshu, we’re raffling off to a lucky Patreon backer. Consider donating today! As always, videos and the are still ongoing. Subscribe to either - or both if you really love us. You do really love us, right? We’d love to hear from you! You can send questions or feedback via email at . You can also reach us social media, including and . Audio Credits: Intro music track is "Swing!" by , used under Creative Commons license. /episode/index/show/voxrepublica/id/5429539

Vox Republica 143: Dominant Strategies 05/25/2017

Vox Republica 143: Dominant Strategies Episode 143: Dominant Strategies Length: 1:04:35 Show Links: | | | Welcome back to Vox Republica, the Cardboard Republic Podcast! We post new episodes every other Thursday, with each episode being about 45 minutes long. Vox Republica is proudly supported by . Consider contributing today! DESCRIPTION: Big money, big money, big money - stop! Nearly every game invokes some kind of strategy, and, generally, the more complicated the game, the deeper and more varied those strategies may be. Most of the time, this is all part of the game's appeal. But...what happens when not every strategy is created equal? What do you do when one particular path is so much better than the rest that it warps the entire experience. This week, Erin and Ryan discuss dominant (aka broken) gaming strategies, and what you can do about them. GUESTS: None RECENTLY PLAYED GAMES - (01:28): by Tasty Minstrel Games () by Portal Dragon () QUICK TOPICS – (19:30): Erin reflects on why it is she finds it so hard to play new games of late, and how that can be compounded by things such as the pressure of content creation, the added mental energy of learning new systems constantly, and even the paradox of having too many options to choose from. FEATURED TOPIC - (33:08): Some games, try as they might to offer a wide variety of strategies, run into a problem of having one path to victory that wins a disproportionate amount of the time. We deconstruct what this may mean for that game, and for games overall. Areas of discussion include: Is it still a dominant strategy if you can beat it? Are they a flaw or a feature of a game? How does this differ from, you know, a normal strategy? Are there any upsides to their existence in a game? What can a designer do to correct these imbalances? What about a publisher? Or a player for that matter? PLUGS - (1:58:37): We previewed , as well as ! We’re raffling off a copy of to a lucky Patreon backer. Consider donating today! As always, videos, pictures, and the are still ongoing. Subscribe to one or two - or all of them if you really love us. You do really love us, right? We’d love to hear from you! You can send questions or feedback via email at . You can also reach us social media, including , , and . Audio Credits: Intro music track is "Swing!" by , used under Creative Commons license. /episode/index/show/voxrepublica/id/5388000

Vox Republica 142: Gaming Speculation 05/11/2017

Vox Republica 142: Gaming Speculation Episode 142: Gaming Speculation Length: 59:17 Show Links: | | | Welcome back to Vox Republica, the Cardboard Republic Podcast! We post new episodes every other Thursday, with each episode being about 45 minutes long. Vox Republica is proudly supported by . Consider contributing today! DESCRIPTION: It's one thing to excitedly find a rare or popular game in a thrift store. But have you ever bought one there with the sole purpose of turning around and selling it? It's capitalism at its most basic, but what are the possibilities and pitfalls of going down the road of gaming speculation? This week Erin and Ryan dive into flipping games for profit. GUESTS: None RECENTLY PLAYED GAMES - (01:28): Yokohama by Tasty Minstrel Games () Zephyr: Winds of Change by Portal Dragon () by Indie Boards & Cards () by Fantasy Flight Games () FEATURED TOPIC - (22:13): You've probably heard of people flipping houses - buying them for one price in the plans of reselling them for a higher price later on. But people resell items all the time, including games. We investigate various ethical areas (and problems) revolving around game reselling and game speculation. Areas we explore include: thrift store / yard sale finds how to price out games games to look for if you want to make a profit capitalizing on the window between Kickstarter fulfillment and retail distribution taking advantage of Kickstarter exclusives review copy flipping and more! PLUGS - (58:37): We previewed the aforementioned Path of Light and Shadow, as well as ! We’re raffling off a copy of to a lucky Patreon backer. Consider donating today! As always, videos, pictures, and the are still ongoing. Subscribe to one or two - or all of them if you really love us. You do really love us, right? We’d love to hear from you! You can send questions or feedback via email at . You can also reach us social media, including , , and . Audio Credits: Intro music track is "Swing!" by , used under Creative Commons license. /episode/index/show/voxrepublica/id/5346514

Vox Republica 141: Science Is Your Friend 04/27/2017

Vox Republica 141: Science Is Your Friend Episode 141: Science Is Your Friend Length: 1:06:45 Show Links: | | | Welcome back to Vox Republica, the Cardboard Republic Podcast! We post new episodes every other Thursday, with each episode being about 45 minutes long. Vox Republica is proudly supported by . Consider contributing today! DESCRIPTION: Science is your friend! With Earth Day and the unprecedented March For Science taking place recently, this week Erin and Ryan talk about science in gaming and recommend some titles that do an excellent job conveying real world scientific concepts. GUESTS: None RECENTLY PLAYED GAMES - (01:05): Ursa Miner (Coming Soon!) by IELLO () QUICK TOPICS - (07:42): When is the best time of the year for gaming? As New Englanders our snap reaction almost always is winter time, what with it being cold and snowy outside. But...is it really the best time of the year? We discuss. FEATURED TOPIC - (13:38): Science! It's fun! It's informative! And it's essential to understanding more about how the world works, from the cells in our bodies to the molecules in a distant star, as well as pretty much everything in between. Like many, we've noticed in recent years the odd rise of science dismissal (and even denial) on the rise, culminating in the recent March for Science in D.C, where scientists the world over felt the need to demonstrate in defense of the very notion of science and scientific pursuit. These are strange times... In honor of that, our focus topic in this week is to celebrate and highlight specific games that do an excellent job teaching real science concepts while also being fun. There's a whole bunch out there, but we provide some suggestions that you should check out in areas such as: Aerospace Biology & Microbiology Chemistry Medicine Physics Zoology And more! PLUGS - (1:05:08): Dann reviewed the ! We’re raffling off a copy of to a lucky Patreon backer. Consider donating today! As always, videos, pictures, and the are still ongoing. Subscribe to one or two - or all of them if you really love us. You do really love us, right? We’d love to hear from you! You can send questions or feedback via email at . You can also reach us social media, including , , and . Audio Credits: Intro music track is "Swing!" by , used under Creative Commons license. /episode/index/show/voxrepublica/id/5303533

Vox Republica 140: On The Case! 04/20/2017

Vox Republica 140: On The Case! Episode 140: On The Case! Length: 1:09:09 Show Links: | | | Welcome back to Vox Republica, the Cardboard Republic Podcast! We post new episodes every other Thursday, with each episode being about 45 minutes long. Vox Republica is proudly supported by . Consider contributing today! DESCRIPTION: It's been a busy and chaotic month or so, between new digs, new gigs, local conventions, and localized pathogens. But we're making up for that now! This episode Erin and Ryan discuss the Granite Game Summit and review Sherlock Holmes Consulting Detective: Jack the Ripper & West End Adventures! GUEST: None RECENTLY PLAYED GAMES - (02:01): by Stronghold Games () by Floodgate Games () by Minion Games () by Queen Games () by Super Meeple / IELLO () by Space Cowboys () FEATURED TOPIC – (18:54): April 2017 saw the first multi-day attempt of the in Nashua, NH, and we were front and center for attending! Yes, after a couple one-day events in 2016, the troupe at G2S decided to try their hand at a 3-day con. We recap our thoughts and experiences from the inaugural event. REVIEW - (30:22): The original Sherlock Holmes Consulting Detective first burst onto the gaming scene in 1981 and has circulated in some form ever since. Yet an updated reprint in the last couple years gave rise to renewed interest in the classic game by a whole new generation of gamers. This recent standalone expansion (Jack the Ripper & West End Adventures) is a continuation of that trend. It contains six updated cases from the original West End Adventures expansion, as well as four brand new cases in the form of the Jack the Ripper series, which unlike any past cases, are all tied together and have a cap on how many actions you can take. In this narrative-driven game of mystery solving, each playthrough consists of a single case upon which players must collectively solve. To do this, everyone takes turns moving about Victorian London gathering story clues, interviewing witnesses, and inspecting crime scenes, all in the hopes of figuring out the whodunnit before Sherlock does (at least in theory). Prepare to be taken all over London as you chase leads and deal with dead ends, each of which is represented by storybook elements read aloud that correspond to the people and places you decide to visit. The combined effect is a co-op based literary puzzle that will appeal to those who love solving mysteries or those who appreciate a well-executed thematic setting (though not necessarily both groups at the same time). With an abundance of flavor and plenty to explore, Consulting Detective provides ten story-centric sleuthing experiences definitely worth checking out, even if playthroughs can take longer than advertised, can ony be played once, and can be a little clunky on exposition in some instances. Well, so long as you just give up on trying to best Sherlock and enjoy the world it presents to you at your own pace. (Note: if you don't see pictures below, you can view them via the or clicking .) Everything you need to run a Consulting Detective scenario Running around London looking for clues! Thanks to the handy directory, we found Emmet Ogden lives at 83 EC (East Central district) Scouring East London to catch Jack the Ripper 10 Scenarios equals a many, many hours of worthwhile gaming PLUGS - (1:08:24): We’re raffling off a copy of to a lucky Patreon backer. Consider donating today! As always, videos and the are still ongoing. Subscribe to either - or both if you really love us. You do really love us, right? We’d love to hear from you! You can send questions or feedback via email at . You can also reach us social media, including and . Audio Credits: Intro music track is "Swing!" by , used under Creative Commons license. /episode/index/show/voxrepublica/id/5282233

Vox Republica 139: Con Budgets 03/30/2017

Vox Republica 139: Con Budgets Episode 139: Con Budgets Length: 51:22 Show Links: | | | Welcome back to Vox Republica, the Cardboard Republic Podcast! We post new episodes every other Thursday, with each episode being about 45 minutes long. Vox Republica is proudly supported by . Consider contributing today! DESCRIPTION: Gaming conventions are pretty fun. But not every con is for every gamer. With an ever-growing list of conventions to attend and only so many resources to devote to attending them, how do you decide which conventions to devote your efforts to? This week, Erin and Ryan explore how you can properly prepare to attend them while comparing and contrasting their approaches to con budgeting. GUESTS: None RECENTLY PLAYED GAMES - (03:38): by 8th Summit by Space Cowboys QUICK TOPICS - (13:42): We spoke last time of convention season beginning in earnest, so we thought this time around we'd share a reminder of which cons we're definitely going to be at over the rest of 2017. FEATURED TOPIC - (19:24): How do you budget for attending a game convention? Just like taking a vacation, there's only so much time, money, and effort to devote to conventioning. To that end, we dive into a number of topic areas, including: How do you figure out cost? What are the benefits of booking a hotel through the convention? What are the downsides? How far ahead do you book? How do you decide if it’s worth it? Why you don't need to go to every convention Determining the type con that’s right for you! (We go into length at this one in ) Tips for budgeting and monitoring your cash flow PLUGS - (48:03): Be sure to check out the website to celebrate all of the ! We’re also also raffling off a copy of to a lucky Patreon backer. Consider donating today! As always, videos, pictures, and the are still ongoing. Subscribe to one or two - or all of them if you really love us. You do really love us, right? We’d love to hear from you! You can send questions or feedback via email at . You can also reach us social media, including , , and . Audio Credits: Intro music track is "Swing!" by , used under Creative Commons license. /episode/index/show/voxrepublica/id/5217301

Vox Republica 138: Havens Of Gloooooom 03/16/2017

Vox Republica 138: Havens Of Gloooooom Episode 138: Havens Of Gloooooom Length: 58:46 Show Links: | | | Welcome back to Vox Republica, the Cardboard Republic Podcast! We post new episodes every other Thursday, with each episode being about 45 minutes long. Vox Republica is proudly supported by . Consider contributing today! DESCRIPTION: Laurel season is in full swing. Yet somehow we manged to fit in a bunch of new games and a trip to PAX East to kick off convention season. Ryan recaps his PAX trip, and then he and Erin sit down for an enlightening chat with Gloomhaven designer Isaac Childres to learn some interesting tidbits on what it took to make such a massive game. GUESTS: Isaac Childres RECENTLY PLAYED GAMES - (01:27): by Cephalofair Games by Garphill Games by Space Cowboys by Game Salute QUICK TOPICS - (18:16): Con season has begun in earnest! Ryan recaps his experience at PAX East 2017. FEATURED TOPIC - (26:51): What does it take to make a fully immersive fantast-based legacy-style dungeon crawler? That alone sounds tiring. But that's Gloomhaven in a nutshell. We sit down with sole designer Isaac Childres to find out how did this mammoth game came to be. Topics included: How it was decided what went into a 21 pound game box The inspiration behind creating the world of Gloomhaven Where in the design process the legacy aspect was added Whether Issac was the kind of kid who held the page of a CYOA book or not The lessons learned of running such a massive Kickstarter game and how it differed from his first game. How he went about the extensive playtesting necessary for a game of this size What's next for the world of Gloomhaven And more! PLUGS - (58:12): We’re also also raffling off a copy of to a lucky Patreon backer. Consider donating today! As always, videos, pictures, and the are still ongoing. Subscribe to one or two - or all of them if you really love us. You do really love us, right? We’d love to hear from you! You can send questions or feedback via email at . You can also reach us social media, including , , and . Audio Credits: Intro music track is "Swing!" by , used under Creative Commons license. /episode/index/show/voxrepublica/id/5174592

Vox Republica 137: Award Season 03/01/2017

Vox Republica 137: Award Season Episode 137: Award Season Length: 1:14:03 Show Links: | | | Welcome back to Vox Republica, the Cardboard Republic Podcast! We post new episodes every other Thursday, with each episode being about 45 minutes long. Vox Republica is proudly supported by . Consider contributing today! DESCRIPTION: It's award season all over the place, including in the game world. Which, naturally, includes our own - second only to the Oscars, really. To kick that process off, this week Ryan and Erin chat about gaming awards and discuss the nominees for the 2017 Laurels! We also mention a handful of notable games played and an example of gaming news in the real world. GUESTS: None RECENTLY PLAYED GAMES - (01:19): by Academy Games by Tasty Minstrel Games by ThinkFun by Rio Grande Games QUICK TOPICS - (22:31): Calling back to that whole idea of gaming not pretending the outside world doesn't exist, we briefly mention the latest stunt by the Cards Against Humanity crowd, involving . No gaming awards would be complete without discussing the . We briefly provide our thoughts on the 15 Game of the Year titles and make our predictions on who we think will win. FEATURED TOPIC - (30:37): Continuing the talk about gaming awards, our featured topic this episode focuses on the 2016 Laurel nominees. We delve into how each of the games ended up as an archetype nominee and why they fit their category so well. You can check out . PLUGS - (1:13:23): We’re also also raffling off a copy of to a lucky Patreon backer. Consider donating today! As always, videos, pictures, and the are still ongoing. Subscribe to one or two - or all of them if you really love us. You do really love us, right? We’d love to hear from you! You can send questions or feedback via email at . You can also reach us social media, including , , and . Audio Credits: Intro music track is "Swing!" by , used under Creative Commons license. /episode/index/show/voxrepublica/id/5130667

Vox Republica 136: Creating A Gaming Cafe 02/22/2017

Vox Republica 136: Creating A Gaming Cafe Episode 136: Creating A Gaming Cafe Length: 1:02:45 Show Links: | | | Welcome back to Vox Republica, the Cardboard Republic Podcast! We post new episodes every other Thursday, with each episode being about 45 minutes long. Vox Republica is proudly supported by . Consider contributing today! DESCRIPTION: What does it take to create a board game cafe? It's something many of us dream about doing, but aside from the desire to do it and a lot of hard work, what else is required to get such a dream off the ground? This week, Erin and Ryan invite on Kathleen Miller of the upcoming House Rules Cafe to get the details. There may also be some talk about games and the 2016 Laurels. GUESTS: Kathleen Miller RECENTLY PLAYED GAMES - (01:46): by Bezier Games by Red Raven Games by Tasty Minstrel Games by Asmadi Games QUICK TOPICS - (16:22): It's that time of the year again. We are happy to announce the nominees for the CR's 2016 Laurels - our nominees for the 2016 games of the year. You can check out , and stay tuned in a couple weeks when start rolling out the winners! FEATURED TOPIC - (18:40): Kathleen Miller and her crew are in the process of creating in Hudson, New York, deciding to take the brave steps that so many gamers dream about doing. We explore not only why she wanted to take on this endeavor, but what she plans to make this gaming cafe as accommodating as possible. Topics include: How her background in the service industry prior to creating the cafe shaped her planning The central tenants she insists for her cafe with regards to openness and inclusivity How nebulous the whole definition of a 'gaming cafe' can be What products and services she plans to offer and how it compares to other gaming cafes being offered to future potential patrons Who she hopes to entice into her store and why she isn't planning to cater solely to gamers for her business The difference between a milkshake and a frappe. (Such things are important.) And more! PLUGS - (1:02:13): We reviewed the of Colt Express! We’re also also raffling off a copy of to a lucky Patreon backer. Consider donating today! As always, videos, pictures, and the are still ongoing. Subscribe to one or two - or all of them if you really love us. You do really love us, right? We’d love to hear from you! You can send questions or feedback via email at . You can also reach us social media, including , , and . Audio Credits: Intro music track is "Swing!" by , used under Creative Commons license. /episode/index/show/voxrepublica/id/5107136