You may have seen this image and not know where it comes from: a large moon with a human face is hit in the eye by a rocket. This iconic scene comes from the silent film: Le Voyage dans La Lune (Journey to the Moon). It is one of the first science fiction movies ever made. The creative force behind the film was Georges Méliès. Stage magician turned filmmaker, Méliès built a glorified barn in his Paris garden as a studio where the entire production was made.

In the game, you are one of Méliès’ assistants. Every aspect of the film will require planning and organization between many departments: scenery, costumes, special effects, actors, and the camera. And once the each scene is shot, each frame needs to be hand colored and spliced together in just the right sequence to follow the script. If your efforts stand out, Méliès will take you on as a protege, opening the first door to a new career, here in 1902 at the dawn of the film industry.

ALSO FEATURED IN THIS EPISODE

Lucio Rodriguez stops by with a history segment on the life and career of Méliès.

Noted BGG game reviewer Roger Leroux joins us at the table for another installment of The Meal. Roger shows us how to make peanut butter cups form scratch and pairs his recipe with a game where candy takes center stage.

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In the wee hours of the darkest night it comes. That pesky ghost bumping thumping and booing its way into your room. It isn’t scary, but it sure is annoying. Who can sleep with all that racket? Tonight, though, you are ready! You have all your lucky charms held tight in one fist. If you can drop them in just the right order, you can nab the ghost and send it to bed!

Dropolter: Ghost vs Palm Muscle is a whimsically absurd dexterity game. Drop the right combination of charms and grab the ghost to earn a bell. Collect five bells to win. Be careful, though.  The bells you earn, you keep in your hand as you play. If you drop them, you lose those points!

ALSO FEATURED IN THIS EPISODE

A travelogue of our grand adventure to Europe. Five guests from around the world tell us about their experiences at Spiel 2024 in Essen, Germany.

Artur Mittlebach and Pedro Fatuch from Brazil

Elijah Djan from South Africa

Paco Garcia from Spain

Katherine Rosland from Norway

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From 1700 to 1850, Barcelona grew from a small town of 34,000 residents to a bustling city of 160,000. Steam powered textile mills and chintz printers pulled thousands of new citizens into the increasingly tight quarters of Barcelona’s medieval city walls. Living conditions were appalling for all.

Ildefons Cerdá, a civil engineer, measured life expectancy for Barcelona’s poor at under 20 years and only 38 for the wealthy. This led to an outcry to take down the old battlements and expand the city.

When the walls finished falling in 1859, Cerdá had a plan - a modern city grid divided into blocks. Each neighborhood would have wide streets for carriages and new electric trams, common areas for all to gather, limits on building sizes and heights, and essential services in each area allowing easy and equal access for all. Sadly, Cerdá died before his full dream for Barcelona could be implemented.

BUT that is where you come in. You and your fellow players are builders of this new Barcelona. Each new intersection in the city grid adds many layers of possibilities and actions. How will you attract new citizens to the area? New streets? New tram lines? New city services? How and where will you build each new block? And with Cerdá gone, will you stay true to his vision? Avante garde modernist architecture like the incredible La Sagrada Familia cathedral might have a place in this new Barcelona with your help. Your decisions will shape the future of Europe’s first truly urbanized city.

ALSO FEATURED IN THIS EPISODE

Paco Garcia from GMS Magazine and So Play We All provides two delectable recipes popular in Barcelona for our cooking segment, The Meal.

Bruce Voge stops by to tell us about one of his favorite games: Unmatched!

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Mojo in the African American practice of Hoodoo is a prayer in a bag - a spell or charm that can provide protection and good luck… or sometimes the opposite. In this game, Mojo is a card that carries the same kind of mixed blessing. Everyone starts with eight cards and wants to shed as many as they can. If you end the round, you grab the Mojo and hope you’ve created the lowest score. If so, that Mojo is good luck. If not, your score will pay the price.

ALSO FEATURED IN THIS EPISODE

Our GenCon recap featuring Doug Richardson and Gubbins

And Francie Broadie tells us about one of her favorite games: Witch of Salem

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Its bright walls and curved rooftops rise up - a majestic heron made from stone and plaster and wood, poised to take flight from the rolling green fields of Hyogo in Harima Province. Himeji Castle, Shirasagi-jo, the white heron castle, is the center of power and culture for the region.

Your clan has a plan to gain favor and influence with the Daimyo but many rivals vie for attention across all levels of life at the castle. Gardeners cultivate the grounds, soldiers train at the nearby school, and courtiers forge alliances and swap favors within the halls of the ruling class. Each family member you place has an important role to play. Develop your domain by selecting dice from bridges and using card actions from the castle and surrounding lands to help your clan rise to prominence.

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Fun begins at the ends in Butts on Things. Collect as many cards with keisters by pairing posteriors on the tails of any row or column on the table. It might be a juicy set of peaches, a burger with a nice set of buns, or a cactus with a caboose that cant stop. You’ll be over the moon when you find a way to cap off any line with a nice set of cans.  You should also be on the lookout for the dumptruck. When it shows, get off your duff and snag a buttload of cards.

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Waves of folded paper are calling… come play! In Sea, Salt & Paper players create an origami seascape by assembling a tableau of ocean themed cards, some with special abilities, each with its own way to score. When you reach the limit, bet on yourself for a chance to grab a big lead or play it safe and bank your points. Be warned, though. Four mermaids could undo your best beachside plans.

ALSO featured in this episode

Paco Garcia from GMS Magazine and So Play We All joins us for a Meal segment, providing a delicious recipe and game recommendation for a night of delicious fun.

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