The board game market has grown dramatically over the past two decades. From the mass market to board games figuring into pop culture and even mainstream media, the community of players has continued to expand as we see more designers and publishers try to reach a broader and more diverse audience. 

We examine this topic from an industry perspective, asking how game designers and developers, publishers, retailers, educators and media outlets try to make sense of the market today and where it might be headed.

The panel:

Stephen Buonocore  (Stronghold Games, Indie Game Studios)

Shari Spiro (Breaking Games)

Morgan Dontanville (Catan)

Kathleen Mercury (teacher, game designer)

Complete Show Notes continue after the break.

The business of games is global. A game today may be designed in Canada, signed by an American publisher, manufactured in China and distributed throughout Europe and sold to players in multiple languages.  It’s a complex engine to keep spinning. We dig into this game behind the games to gain a better sense of how the parts of this trade engine fit together and discuss how tariffs can jeopardize the health of the industry as a whole.  

The panel:

Mike Selinker  (Lone Shark Games)

Daniel Zayas (Longpack Games)

Complete Show Notes continue after the break.

There’s a new wave of drama-driven games. They are fueled by tragic events and deal with topics not often associated with tabletop games let alone fun. We examine how these narrative based games are pushing the boundaries of how we define play with some of the great minds helping to create this new genre.

The panel:

Rory O'Connor (HUB Games)

Michael Fox (HUB Games)

Ignacy Trzewiczek   (Portal Games)

Complete Show Notes continue after the break.

Board Games can be a source for many kinds of enjoyment. But their power also overlaps into many areas of mental health - learning to play can help us develop meaningful skills and ways of looking at the world that extends far beyond the tabletop. We examine how games can be a powerful and positive force on many different levels related to mental health with teachers, professionals and players.

The panel:

Sen Foong Lim   (psychology professor, game designer) 

Katie Aidley   (Wargames Are for Everybody)

John Knoerzer (licensed clinical social worker)

Bruce Voge (North Star Games, The Party Gamecast)

Bebo (Be Bold Games)

Complete Show Notes continue after the break.

Bubble Wrap… Instant Coffee… Processed Cheese… The Zamboni.

Do you know which came first?  The name of the game says it all.

But here's the thing. The inventions in the game - they aren't ones you read about in history books. They are the flotsam and jetsam of our modern world. 

And that's what makes the game shine! 

Written review continues after the break.

In Troika, You are a fortune seeker, hoping to cash in on a recent discovery. On a distant planet, scientists have found a type of stone, which when combined properly, can yield great riches.

You’ve traveled to the planet, but now you’ve been told that getting these gems won’t be enough. You must also gather the right kind of stones to provide enough fuel to get you back to Earth. Gems and fuel. Anything less and your mission will be judged a failure.

Troika is a whimsical twist on classic set collecting games. Read on to discover why we think it's Major Fun!

Written review continues after the break.

You are part of a new team at the Antares National Investigation Agency.

Together you work to solve a cold case with roots in World War II. A tapestry of corruption, greed, and violence across the decades is yours to unravel.

Decide what leads to follow first and be prepared to dig deep. Hit the streets... before they start hitting back!

Like Holding On, Detective is a drama-driven game fueled by tragic situations we normally don't associate with fun.

It provides an immersive and innovative experience by embracing technology. This allows Detective to expand the boundaries of what games can be.

Listen in for a full review and discussion!

Complete Show Notes continue after the break.

It could be tonight, it could be a week, but the end is coming for Billy Kerr. Each day, you and your team of nurses do your best to make him comfortable.

But Billy is not going quietly.

And he's not going to make your lives easy. His troubled past will haunt him to the end of his days unless you help him find peace of mind.

Holding On offers a game experience like no other. It is a drama-driven game that asks us to redefine the boundaries of play.

We don't just witness Billy's story. We play through it - the regrets and triumphs - the decisions that define his path. And in doing so, we are invited to reflect on our own.

It takes an act of true courage and audacity to embrace tragedy as a new voice for games. And that's exactly what Holding On is.

Listen in to explore the game and discover how these brave and bold designers forge a new path for players to enjoy.

Complete Show Notes continue after the break.

You are the mayor of a tiny town in the forest, where the smaller creatures of the woods have created a civilization hidden away from predators. This new land is small and the resources are scarce--you take what you can get, and never say ‘no’ to building materials. Cleverly plan and construct a thriving town, and don’t let it fill up with wasted resources!

Tiny towns is part pattern building puzzle with a generous dose of strategic Bingo thrown in for good measure. Read on to see why we think it offers a fun bridge between casual and thoughtful players where both can meet and have fun.

Written review continues after the break.

Somewhere in the universe, wombats gather in parties to find a champion. All creatures are welcome, facing challenges ridiculous and sublime. In fact every time they play, the challenges will change since the players themselves shape them. A word, a memory, a drawing, a gesture, even a song could be the key to unlock the heart of the judge.

Wombattle is a whacktastic party game driven by an unexpected dexterity element and whimsically weird art. 

It's an arena for laughter and silliness and a giant reminder of the simple joys we can discover through play.

Written review continues after the break.