I've Been Diced!

I've Been Diced! episode 32: Mage Knight

kingdaddy8@gmail.com (Tom Grant) — Tue, 21 Feb 2012 15:49:30 PST

We heard that Mage Knight: The Boardgame was mildly popular, so we're providing an introduction to the game. What are the core rules, and how do they work together? What are some tips for beginning players? But first, we bemoan the frequency with which many recent games become unavailable. And later, Tom outlines his theory of gaming hours per dollar. Has that ratio gone up or down over time? Are

I've Been Diced! episode 31: Three player games

kingdaddy8@gmail.com (Tom Grant) — Mon, 06 Feb 2012 23:01:40 PST

Three gamers walk into a bar. So what do they play? We discuss three player boardgames: which ones are good, and what makes them work. Plus, a quick historical overview of Eastern Front wargames. Which is a history of history, really. (c) 2012 Tom Grant

I've Been Diced! episode 30: The games that got away

kingdaddy8@gmail.com (Tom Grant) — Wed, 25 Jan 2012 12:39:57 PST

What are the boardgames we regret not buying, when we had the chance? Which ones do we regret selling? In this episode, we discover how light of heart Dave is, and what a great burden of remorse Tom carries with him. Plus, since we've frequently discussed Martin Wallace's Princes of the Renaissance, Tom gives a quick overview of the game and a recommendation for a related Wallace game. (c) 2012

I've Been Diced! episode 29: 2011 in review

kingdaddy8@gmail.com (Tom Grant) — Wed, 18 Jan 2012 09:07:29 PST

Our obligatory but spirited take on 2011. What we liked and hated, what surprised us, what disappointed us. Plus, why Pursuit of Glory is both a great game and a great history lesson. (c) 2011 Tom Grant

I've Been Diced! episode 28: Eric Lee Smith

kingdaddy8@gmail.com (Tom Grant) — Tue, 10 Jan 2012 21:27:55 PST

Our game designer interviews continue with Eric Lee Smith. Aside from designing classic wargames like Across 5 Aprils, Panzer Command, Ambush!, and The Civil War, Eric is also the founder of Shenandoah Studio, which is bringing wargames like these to the iPad. Plus, a review of both Titan the beloved boardgame and its iPad version. (c) 2012 Tom Grant

I've Been Diced! episode 27: An expanding universe of expansions

kingdaddy8@gmail.com (Tom Grant) — Tue, 20 Dec 2011 23:25:14 PST

Tom, Scott, and Paul discuss expansions. When is a game worth expanding? What kind of value should expansions provide -- More complexity? More of the same? A fix for a core game that didn't work? Plus, Tom reviews Elder Sign and two iOS board games, Loot And Scoot and Legion Of The Damned. (c) Tom Grant 2011

I've Been Diced! episode 26: Colby Dauch, designer/publisher of Summoner Wars

kingdaddy8@gmail.com (Tom Grant) — Mon, 07 Nov 2011 17:45:01 PST

Colby Dauch of Plaid Hat Games stops by to discuss Summoner Wars, his upcoming game Dungeon Run, the iOS version of Summoner Wars, Heroscape, and more. Plus, a Star Trek/Tales of the Arabian Nights hybrid is this week's Game Off The Beaten Track. (c) 2011 Tom Grant

I've Been Diced! episode 25: Genres that do or don't work as boardgames

kingdaddy8@gmail.com (Tom Grant) — Mon, 07 Nov 2011 17:44:56 PST

Summer blockbusters based on comic books are now the norm. Publishers release hundreds of new mystery novels every year. Westerns are still iconic parts of American popular culture. So why are there so few good games based on these genres, and so many better games based on medieval merchants, farmers, and castle builders? Plus, Tom recommends a few superhero games that succeed where others have

I've Been Diced! episode 24: Jim Krohn, designer of Space Empires: 4X

kingdaddy8@gmail.com (Tom Grant) — Mon, 07 Nov 2011 17:44:52 PST

Jim Krohn, designer of the just-published Space Empires: 4X, talks about the history of this game, plus some of the key design decisions that went into it. What started as a two-player monster game became something playable in a few hours. Plus, a new iPad game, King Of Dragon Pass, makes Tom nostalgic for one of his first board games. (c) 2011 Tom Grant

I've Been Diced! episode 23: Why we wargame

kingdaddy8@gmail.com (Tom Grant) — Mon, 07 Nov 2011 17:44:48 PST

Paul, Dave, and Tom discuss the distinct appeal of wargames. We play them for different reasons than other boardgames, and we judge them according to different standards. Plus, three classic wargames off the beaten track, and we discuss how Origins: How We Became Human can break your brain. (c) 2011 Tom Grant

I've Been Diced! episode 22: Alan Emrich of Victory Point Games

kingdaddy8@gmail.com (Tom Grant) — Mon, 07 Nov 2011 17:44:44 PST

Alan Emrich drops by to talk about designing games, publishing games, and teaching game design. What's his company, Victory Point Games, working on next? How do you teach game design? Is it harder to design a small game than a big one? What's the plan for getting VPG's titles onto mobile devices? Plus, the strange case of a game that deftly blends politics and war, A Line In The Sand, but didn't

I've Been Diced! episode 21: Arkham Horror

kingdaddy8@gmail.com (Tom Grant) — Mon, 07 Nov 2011 17:44:41 PST

The stars are right for summoning our opinions about Arkham Horror. Why do we keep coming back to it, in spite of the insane amount of setup? Which expansions are worth getting? How should new players dive into Arkham Horror's murky depths? Plus, during our discussion of games we've played recently, Tom and Paul recount their return to ASL, via VASSAL. Verily. (c) 2011 Tom Grant

I've Been Diced! episode 20: Brian Train on wargames about revolutionary and asymmetric warfare

kingdaddy8@gmail.com (Tom Grant) — Mon, 07 Nov 2011 17:44:37 PST

Brian Train, wargame designer, joins us to discuss simulations of irregular warfare. How do insurgencies differ from conventional wars, and what's different about how you simulate them in wargames? We talk about many of Brian's published games on these topics, such as ¡Arriba España!, Battle for China, Shining Path, and Algeria, as well as his upcoming games. For more info on Brian and his games,

I've Been Diced! episode 19: Magic Realm

kingdaddy8@gmail.com (Tom Grant) — Mon, 07 Nov 2011 17:44:34 PST

We love Magic Realm, so why not spread the love? This episode, we give an overview of the game for new players, and we talk about what makes Magic Realm both unique and great. Later, Tom has Spain on the brain, so he gives a quick overview of wargames about the Spanish Civil War. Plus, an announcement about future episodes that will rock your world! Or just mildly perturb it.

I've Been Diced! episode 18: Twilight Imperium

kingdaddy8@gmail.com (Tom Grant) — Mon, 07 Nov 2011 17:44:30 PST

Ever wanted to play Twilight Imperium? We dedicate this episode to you. Tom, Paul, and Scott give an overview of the game for beginners, with a summary of the core mechanics, tips for beginners, and even a few strategy suggestions. We've finished sessions of Twilight Imperium on a weeknight (really!), so why not you? Plus, the games we've been playing, and a run-down of some notable "great sweep

I've Been Diced! episode 17: The enduring appeal of Cosmic Encounter

kingdaddy8@gmail.com (Tom Grant) — Mon, 07 Nov 2011 17:44:27 PST

Cosmic Encounter has been around for decades, with a dedicated fan base. What's the secret behind this boardgame's lasting appeal? Is Scott suffering from a Virus, a Fungus, or an enlarged Macron? Why are there so few games like Cosmic Encounter? During the Games Off The Beaten Track segment, we'll mention a few of those Cosmic-esque, Encounter-ish games.

I've Been Diced! episode 15: Successors is where the love begins

kingdaddy8@gmail.com (Tom Grant) — Mon, 07 Nov 2011 17:44:18 PST

Our main topic is Successors, the 4-player card-driven wargame from GMT. We really like it, but that's just the beginning of the lovefest this episode. We also love Magic Realm, which for most of us finally just clicked. Dave compares Magic Realm to Victor Hugo's novels, and Tom compares it to Super Street Fighter. We also like some new games, such as Fighting Formations: Grossdeutschland

I've Been Diced: episode 14: Mansions Of Madness

kingdaddy8@gmail.com (Tom Grant) — Mon, 07 Nov 2011 17:44:12 PST

It's a mansion! A maaaaan-shuuuuuun! This episode, we give an introduction to FFG's new Cthulhu Mythos-based boardgame, Mansions Of Madness. Then, after playing it, we give our first impressions. No, R'lyeh, we do. Plus, I put in a quick word for a few other Lovecraftian boardgames off the beaten path. And finally, a recent review of GMT's The Spanish Civil War gets my wargaming goat. You don't

I've Been Diced! episode 13: Guilty pleasure board games

kingdaddy8@gmail.com (Tom Grant) — Mon, 07 Nov 2011 17:44:08 PST

Confession is good for the soul, they say. Well, you might have second thoughts after you hear us reveal our guilty pleasure board games. Plus, this week's game off the beaten path is Caesar's Gallic Wars. (c) 2011 Tom Grant

I've Been Diced! episode 12: High Frontier

kingdaddy8@gmail.com (Tom Grant) — Mon, 07 Nov 2011 17:44:04 PST

High Frontier is an ambitious game about the exploration and exploitation of the solar system. This episode, we outline the rules of the basic game for new players, and we give a few initial thoughts about the game. Plus, our game off the beaten track looks at space as a much less inviting place. (c) 2011 Tom Grant

I've Been Diced! episode 11: How many sessions before judgment?

kingdaddy8@gmail.com (Tom Grant) — Mon, 07 Nov 2011 17:43:59 PST

Sure, there are games you love at first sight, or hate on arrival. But most games aren't like that, and often, these strong first impressions are wrong. How many sessions of a game should you play before rendering judgment? Plus, a tactical wargame by the designer of Squad Leader that deserves another look. (c) 2011 Tom Grant

I've Been Diced! episode 10: Gateway games

kingdaddy8@gmail.com (Tom Grant) — Mon, 07 Nov 2011 17:43:54 PST

What does it take to be a good gateway game? This episode, Tom, Dave, and Scott talk about gateway games -- the ones that got us into the hobby, the ones that we use to introduce the hobby to new players, and the ones that should work but don't. Plus, a recommendation for an introductory wargame that's been a good gateway game for 30 years.

I've Been Diced! episode 9: 2010 in review

kingdaddy8@gmail.com (Tom Grant) — Mon, 07 Nov 2011 17:43:49 PST

It's the obligatory year in review episode! Tom, Scott, John, and Dave pick our best gaming experiences, and the worst. Plus, our biggest surprises and disappointments. Plus, for our games off the beaten track, a different kind of Civ game, and a groundbreaking wargame for the PC.

I've Been Diced! episode 8: Experience games

kingdaddy8@gmail.com (Tom Grant) — Mon, 07 Nov 2011 17:43:45 PST

This episode, we discuss games in which the experience is the best reason for playing. Points are great, but they're not the point in games like Arkham Horror, Chainsaw Warrior, and maybe a whole lot of wargames. Plus, I recommend an old Avalon Hill game, recently reprinted, that's a great example of an "experience game." And welcome back, Paul! And welcome to the podcast, John! These and other

I've Been Diced! episode 7: How much would you pay?

kingdaddy8@gmail.com (Tom Grant) — Mon, 07 Nov 2011 17:42:28 PST

We look at our game collections and ask, how much are we willing to pay? When is it worth paying more than $50 for a game? Howzabout those $100 titles from FFG? How do you know when a game is overproduced? Plus, two wargames from off the beaten track, including one for the Hammer of the Scots fans out there. (c) 2010 Tom Grant