Episode 216: Size Matters

Release Date: Sept. , 2015

Running Time: 132 min.

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Small companies, big fun. There has been a lot of consolidation in the game industry of late. International corporations like Asmodee and F2Z have bought up several well known established game publishers, making large companies even larger.

Despite this trend, there are more small game publishers bringing titles to market than ever before. And while not every game is the next Settlers of Catan, there are a lot of hidden gems from small companies that come and go without getting their due. This episode gives some love to small press companies and small press games. Big or small, we hope you'll agree the only measurement that really matters is fun.

We review two titles: Lift Off and Letter Tycoon.

In Lift Off, you spend fuel and screws to get all your aliens off a planet that is set to explode. You might use a jet pack or a rocket but a slingshot or a trampoline might work in a pinch. You must also time your launch with the phase of the moon and avoid the dreaded Garglore in order to escape.

Letter Tycoon is a word game with an economic twist. You build words with letter cards and then earn money instead of points. With this money, you can buy patents on particular letters, meaning when other players use that letter for the rest of the game, you get to cash in as well.

News & Notes: Spiel-a-thon, Essen, L5R from AEG to FFG
The List: Lift Off, Letter Tycoon
Back Shelf Spotlight: Bullfrogs, Darkest Night
Game Sommelier: 5 games from obscure small publishers in Dave's collection