Episode 78: Driven to Abstraction

78: Driven to Abstraction

Release Date: May 11, 2009

Running Time: 142 min.

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These games have potential, literally. If there's a modern rival to chess, it's the Gipf Project. In this mega-episode, we play Ultimate Gipf and the final game in the series, Tzaar.

News & Notes: Game Journals, Fits, Mensa Winners, Qwirkle Cib
The List: Ultimate Gipf, Tzaar
Back Shelf Spotlight: 
Breakthru

Table Talk:  Miracle Five
Truckloads of Goober:  Yali
Game Sommelier:  5 games for the 5 Star Trek Captains
Mail Bag: Poisoned Poll, Spiel Index, Swedish "Millionaire"

Complete Show Notes continue after the break.

Episode 77: Paradise Lost

77: Paradise Lost

Release Date: April 27, 2009

Running Time: 114 min.

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Letter perfect. We build ancient monuments and wonders to impress the King in Utopia and spell our way Boggle-style through hedge rows in Amuse Amaze.

News & Notes: Small World, Scary Tales, Kingsburg: To Forge A Realm
The List: Utopia, Amuse Amaze
Back Shelf Spotlight: 
Earthquake, Probe

Truckloads of Goober:  The Perfect Storm
Game Sommelier:  5 games for people planning their own utopian society
Mail Bag: Shanghaien, Fische Fluppen Frikadellen, Video tour of the padded cell

Complete Show Notes continue after the break.

Episode 76: A Kind Word & A Gun

76: A Kind Word & A Gun

Release Date: April 13, 2009

Running Time: 117 min.

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An offer you can't refuse. We play by mob rule this week, packing heat and hijacking hooch with two gangster themed games: Chicago Poker and Family Business.

News & Notes: Spiel-a-thon 2009, Dominion Intrigue, Dicetown, Miss Poutine
The List: Chicago Poker, Family Business
Back Shelf Spotlight: 
Gangsters, The Chicago Caper

Truckloads of Goober:  The Godfather Game
Game Sommelier:  5 games with whacked out themes to play with a mob of people
Mail Bag: Gamer Cruises, Where's Kevin?, Modul4r

Complete Show Notes continue after the break.

Episode 75: Plan 9

75: Plan 9

Release Date: Mar. 30, 2009

Running Time: 116 min.

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Ground Control to Major Tom. We take to the stars to haul freight for The Man in Galaxy Trucker and then battle through a collapsing star to become the Galactic Emperor.

News & Notes: Yes Button, Catan Geographies, Lexio online, Age of Conan, Kingsburg Deluxe Token
The List: Galactic Emperor, Galaxy Trucker
Table Talk: 
Roll Through the Ages, Ninja vs Ninja

Truckloads of Goober:  Planet of the Apes
Game Sommelier:  5 games to play with Daleks
Mail Bag: Bongo surprise, Cheese Chasers, Spiel calms babies?

Complete Show Notes continue after the break.

Episode 74: Can't We All Just Get Along?

74: Can't We All Just Get Along?

Release Date: Mar. 16, 2009

Running Time: 129 min.

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Board games are team sports, too. There are plagues to fight and a village to defend! We dive into Pandemic and Ghost Stories, two in the latest wave of co-op "us vs. the world" games. 

News & Notes: Formula D Sebring/Chicago, League Leader, Alea Iacta Est 
The List: Pandemic, Ghost Stories
Back Shelf Spotlight: 
Scotland Yard, Escape from Colditz

Truckloads of Goober:  Zip Code
Game Sommelier:  5 games with co-op elements that are not co-op games
Mail Bag: Black Vienna online, Toruro correction, gaudy etymology

Complete Show Notes continue after the break.

Episode 73: Espadas & Cigarros (Swords & Cigars)

73: Espadas & Cigarros

Release Date: Mar. 2, 2009

Running Time: 130 min.

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Avoid the Lulo List. More games inspired by the Spanish speaking world. We duel for glory in Toledo and angle for rum and power in Cuba. Plus two classic card games little known to gringos.

News & Notes: Dominion promo cards, Córdoba, Jugamos Todos, Alea Expansions 
The List: Toledo, Cuba
Back Shelf Spotlight: 
Toruro, Mus

Truckloads of Goober:  Tango
Game Sommelier:  5 Spanish games English speaking players may not know about
Mail Bag: NorthEast Wars, Tantrix online

Complete Show Notes continue after the break.

Episode 72: Viva Los Juegos

72: Viva Los Juegos

Release Date: Feb. 16, 2009

Running Time: 119 min.

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No pasarán! From building towers of people in Catalonia to manning the barricades in Madrid, we play España 1936 and Castellers, two games from Brazilian publisher Devir.

News & Notes: LEGO Board Games, Keltis  & Pandemic Expansions, Space Alert 
The List: España 1936, Castellers
Back Shelf Spotlight:  Papillons, Dancing Eggs
Truckloads of Goober:  Kamisado
Game Sommelier:  Five games you can lose pieces but not ruin the game
Mail Bag: Puzzle game suggestion, Flying Turtle correction

Complete Show Notes continue after the break.

Episode 71: High-Risers

71: High-Risers

Release Date: Feb. 2, 2009

Running Time: 108 min.

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The alphabet of giants. We shake the buildings from our sleeves by playing Metropolys and Manhattan, two simple, elegant games about skyscrapers.

News & Notes: Gryphon Games Bookshelf Series, dICEHOUSES, Kingsburg Expansion
The List: Metropolys, Manhattan
Back Shelf Spotlight: 
Shark, Big City

Turckloads of Goober:  Sky Runner
Mail Bag: Coleson syndrome, dice collection pics

Complete Show Notes continue after the break.

Scribbler #3 - Back to Basics

Scribbler #3 - Back to Basics

Release Date: Jan. 19, 2009

Laddergram by David Coleson

Print, Play Along, Win a Prize!

Download: Scribbler #3  |  Solution

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While we enjoy our Winter hiatus, it's time for you to get cracking on another great puzzle. This time, it's a laddergram freshly minted from Dave's twisted brain. As added incentive, correct entries will be placed into a drawing for a FREE GAME - Toboggans of Doom, courtesy of Buchephalus Games.

We'll return in two weeks, rarin' to go with another audio show.

Send your solutions to stephen@thespiel.net.  Good Luck!

Download the solution: Scribbler #3 - Solution - PDF

Background image is Ladder to The Moon by Georgia O'Keeffe.

Episode 70: Hernandez

70: Hernandez

Release Date: Jan. 5, 2009

Running Time: 118 min.

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Puzzle primer. We explore a new trend: the convergence between puzzles and games. We review six different titles including On the Dot, three forms of Ubongo, Code Omega and Santy Anno.

News & Notes: Baked Dice, Bits & Pieces Mag, Zooloretto Gorilla, Alhambra Gold
The List: On the Dot, Ubongo, Ubongo Extreme, Ubongo Das Duell, Code Omega, Santy Anno
Back Shelf Spotlight: Code 777, Take It Easy
Truckloads of Goober: Jungle Smart
Mail Bag: Haunting House suggestion, Japanese lesson, NFL Pool results

Complete Show Notes continue after the break.

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