Release Date: Aug. 1, 2011 Running Time:  165 min. Listen Now: Download: Enhanced Version  MP3 Version Subscribe via iTunes: Enhanced - MP3 See sidebar for other subscription options

Ginnungagap! Team up with your fellow Norse gods in Asgard to protect the nine realms hanging from the World Tree, Yggdrasil. Dig into our in-depth review of this cooperative game from Z-Man.

News & Notes: Int. Game Photo Contest, Rowboat Tournament, Walnut Grove
The List:  Yggdrasil
Truckloads of Goober:  Escape the Mad Mummy
Playbill:  BITS, Hanabi
Mail Bag:  Dice sculptures, Scopa in B&N, Music

Complete Show Notes continue after the break.

Release Date: July 18, 2011 Word Scramble Puzzle Print, Play Along, Win a Prize! Download: Scribbler #9  Subscribe via iTunes: Enhanced - MP3 See sidebar for other subscription options

How well do you know your game components?

Your job is to name all the pieces in the puzzle and unscramble their first letters to find the answer. Don't worry; there's a clue for each bit included. If you do get stuck, use some Google-fu, head to boardgamegeek.com, or conspire with fellow Spielers right here!

Good luck!

Send your solution to dave@thespiel.net.  PRIZE DEADLINE: Aug. 8, 2011

Download the puzzle using the links above.

Release Date: July 4, 2011 Running Time:  211 min. Listen Now: Download: Enhanced Version  MP3 Version Subscribe via iTunes: Enhanced - MP3 See sidebar for other subscription options

Where gaming begins. Join our tour of the trade show which includes 23 interviews with publishers, designers, and writers and information on over 50 games. 

Interviews: 

Complete Show Notes continue after the break.

Release Date: June 20, 2011 Running Time:  211 min. Listen Now: Download: Enhanced Version  MP3 Version Subscribe via iTunes: Enhanced - MP3 See sidebar for other subscription options

Mind games. From pyramids and guild halls to the fields of Agincourt, we review nominees for the "expert" category of gaming's Oscars, the Kennerspiel des Jahres, and predict the winner.

The Nominees: 7 Wonders, Strasbourg, Lancaster
Recommended List:  Die Burgen von Burgund, Luna
Predictions:  Our favorite, our selection, who will win

Complete Show Notes continue after the break.

Release Date: June 13, 2011 Running Time:  147 min. Listen Now: Download: Enhanced Version  MP3 Version Subscribe via iTunes: Enhanced - MP3 See sidebar for other subscription options

Kids at heart. From magnetic wizards and sliding monsters to racing worms, we review the nominees for the most prestigious award for children's games, the Kinderspiel des Jahres, and try to predict the winner.

The Nominees: Magician's Kitchem, Monster Trap, There's A Worm In It
Recommended List:  Der Grosse Kullern, Kissenschlacht, Zicke Zacke, Das Grosse Tier-Rätsel, 1000 Une Ein Schatz, Pappsatt, Grimaffen, Kleine Frschmusik, Magors Lesezauber, Banana Jump, Schätzinsel, Escape from T-Rex
Predictions:  Our favorite, our selection, who will win

Complete Show Notes continue after the break.

Release Date: June 6, 2011 Running Time:  142 min. Listen Now: Download: Enhanced Version  MP3 Version Subscribe via iTunes: Enhanced - MP3 See sidebar for other subscription options

There can be only one. Winner, that is. We review the nominees for the most prestigious award in gaming, The Spiel des Jahres, and try to predict the winner.

The Nominees: Qwirkle, Forbidden Island, Asara
Recommended List:  Geistesblitz, Blockers, Uluru, Mondo, Skull & Roses, Sun Sea & Sand, Freeze, Safranito
Predictions:  Our favorite, our pick, who will win

Complete Show Notes continue after the break.

Release Date: May 30, 2011 Running Time:  140 min. Listen Now: Download: Enhanced Version  MP3 Version Subscribe via iTunes: Enhanced - MP3 See sidebar for other subscription options

The secret is butter. We whet our appetites with an in-depth review of The Secret of Monte Cristo, followed by a look at two games first published in magazines.

News & Notes: Walking Dead x2, Dragon Rampage, Kittens in a Blender
The List:  The Secret of Monte Cristo
Back Shelf Spotlight:  Awful Green Things From Outer Space
Truckloads of Goober:  Farkle Frenzy
Playbill:  Great Western
Game Sommelier:  5 games based on UNESCO World Heritage sites
Mail Bag:  Pastiche feedback, alternat tv series, Nedderman dice

Complete Show Notes continue after the break.

Release Date: May 16, 2011 Running Time:  146 min. Listen Now: Download: Enhanced Version  MP3 Version Subscribe via iTunes: Enhanced - MP3 See sidebar for other subscription options

True Colors. Grab your brush, step up to the easel and join us for a review of Pastiche, a game about mixing paints to create famous works of art.

News & Notes: Alien Frontiers translated, Nedderman Custom Dice, Lancaster
The List:  Pastiche
Back Shelf Spotlight:  Masterpiece
Truckloads of Goober:  Back-of-the-board art
Playbill:  Munchkin Zombies
Game Sommelier:  5 games to use on a reality TV show for gamers
Mail Bag:  Periodic Table dice, Toruro on Pagat, Sommelier feedback

Complete Show Notes continue after the break.

Release Date: May 2, 2011 Running Time:  157 min. Listen Now: Download: Enhanced Version  MP3 Version Subscribe via iTunes: Enhanced - MP3 See sidebar for other subscription options

From Hell. Slip into the foggy gaslit streets with us for an in-depth review of Letters from Whitechapel, a game where players try to plan or prevent Jack the Ripper's killing spree.

News & Notes: Hasbro woes, Deadwood, Uncle Chestnut's Table Gype
The List:  Letters from Whitechapel
Table Talk:  The Game of Great Detectives - Sherlock Holmes
Back Shelf Spotlight:  Bakerstreet
Game Sommelier:  5 games Tom & Eric (The Dice Tower) are terrible at but love to play
Mail Bag:  yucata.de, TableCon, dice pics

Complete Show Notes continue after the break.

Release Date: Apr. 18, 2011 Running Time:  161 min. Listen Now: Download: Enhanced Version  MP3 Version Subscribe via iTunes: Enhanced - MP3 See sidebar for other subscription options

Unleashed. We celebrate 5 years of The Spiel by wagging The Long Tail of gaming, reviewing 9 old obscure and off-the-wall games.

News & Notes: boardga.me, Show Business, Upper Deck: Evolution
The List:  Irondale
Playbill:  R.U.M.B.L.
Back Shelf Spotlight:  Muzundrum, Senet, Image
Truckloads of Goober:  Astron, Sinking of the Titanic, Lie Detector, Robot Quiz
Game Sommelier:  5 games that are more fun to lose
Mail Bag:  Sommelier suggestions, Shapeways dice, Catapult

Complete Show Notes continue after the break.