Yes, our show is called Going Analog, so you know we love our video games -- but how do board games bring in the digital vibe that we love into the tabletop medium? Luckily, we found the perfect guests to ask: Level 99 Games, the publisher of video-game-inspired fare such as the recent Bullet series, BattleCON, and Exceed! Joshua Van Laningham, Production and Design Lead at Level 99, and Ferdinand Capitulo, Head of Media at Level 99 and the Cardboard Stacker himself, join us to discuss which aspects we've seen in board games and how they designed the "feel" of certain video game genres into their lineup. Plus, how is theme symbiotically integrated into certain game designs, and when does it pay to abstractify certain thematic steps (and when does it not)? Topics this episode: Christina (host): What are some other games that have given us the "video game" vibe? Ferdinand (guest): What are some great examples of crafting mechanisms we've seen in games? Josh (guest):  Abstraction in board games 

Going Analog Podcast

76: Video games going analog, turning theme into gameplay (guests: Level 99 Games)

Kellen Laker, Red Tank from the popular podcast Board Game Barrage, joins Christina and Shoe to discuss Innovation and...fine, some games other than Innovation, too.  Plus, we're old hands at gaming these days, so what do we try to keep in mind when introducing brand spanking newbies to tabletop games? And what stands out to us as the best marketing we've seen in the board game biz? Topics this week: Christina (host): Which games do you consider your favorite "Forever Games"? Kellen (guest): Maintaining perspective when introducing new gamers to the hobby Shoe (producer): What are some examples of the coolest game marketing you've seen? 

75: Forever games, teaching newbies, coolest marketing (guest: Board Game Barrage)

Designer Nikki Valens (Legacy of Dragonholt, Eldritch Horror, Quirky Circuits) drops by Going Analog again to discuss recent favorite co-op games, crafting mechanisms, and their latest project, the ambitious co-op, campaign-based Artisans of Splendent Vale. Plus, which designers and artists would we pair together for our ultimate game-design dream teams? Games mentioned on this show: Intro: Eldritch Horror Mansions of Madness Arkham Horror Legacy of Dragonholt Quirky Circuits Artisans of Splendent Vale MicroMacro: Crime City Nemesis Grand Austria Hotel Christina's topic: Recent co-op faves The Crew: The Quest for Planet Nine The Crew: Mission Deep Sea Forgotten Waters Shipwreck Arcana Team3 Gloomhaven Artisans of Splendent Vale Sleeping Gods The Night Cage Nikki's topic: Crafting examples in games Caverna: The Cave Farmers Descent: Legends of the Dark Le Havre Artisans of Splendent Vale Star Wars: Imperial Assault Mottainai Shoe's topic: Board game design dream teams Caverna: The Cave Farmers Le Havre Feast for Odin Tidal Blades: Heroes of the Reef Wonderland's War Descent: Legends of the Dark Mansions of Madness Wingspan Mariposas 

74: Recent co-op faves, crafting in games, & board game "dream teams" (guest: Nikki Valens)

Have a bunch of two-player games you want to play? You and your partner can't agree on which ones to play? Try a Partner Swap (trademark forthcoming, and get your mind out of the gutter)! Board game TikTok champions Raina and Phil from 1 Minute Board Games took a random Wednesday off and swapped partners with Going Analog: Phil and Shoe played head-to-head two-player card games, and Christina and Raina played twice as many games together in the same amount of time. Were we still all friends afterward? Did we leave our partners for the new and shiny? Listen and find out! Topics for this episode: Phil (guest): What can two-player games bring to the table that higher player-count games can't? Raina (guest): Gaming with your significant other versus with friends Shoe (producer): Thoughts on booster-less card games (Keyforge, Summoner Wars, Ashes Reborn) 

73: Partner swap! Two-player gaming with 1 Minute Board Games

Famed board game designer Dr. Reiner Knizia (Tigris & Euphrates, Lost Cities, Modern Art, and tons more) graces Going Analog with his bowtied presence. (You won't be able to hear the bowtie, but trust us that it was there, and it was glorious!) We ask Reiner for some juicy stories about some of his most acclaimed designs and what he thinks about current board game trends...and then we spring a trivia quiz on him at the end -- just a sampling of what we do on The Board Game Quiz Show. How well did the good doctor do? Listen to find out! Games mentioned in this episode: Intro: Tigris & Euphrates Modern Art Ra Ingenious Lost Cities The Quest for El Dorado L.L.A.M.A. Ankh: Gods of Egypt Dominion Magic: The Gathering Coffee Roaster Three influential Reiner Knizia games: Modern Art Tigris & Euphrates Lost Cities Pickomino Lost Cities: Roll & Write Lost Cities: The Board Game Keltis Gaming trends: The Quest for El Dorado My City Dominion Lost Cities: Roll & Write Criss Cross Exit Gorilla Marketing Quizzing Reiner Knizia: Lost Cities Tigris & Euphrates Medici Taj Mahal The Lord of the Rings Ra Blue Moon Blue Lagoon Friday the 13th 

72: Design inspirations, gaming trends, and trivia! (guest: Reiner Knizia)

New game publisher Bitewing Games has not one, not two, but THREE Reiner Knizia games to offer in their upcoming Kickstarter. How does a brand spanking new publisher sign the famous, prolific (famously prolific?) German designer Reiner Knizia? We invited Nick Murray and Kyle Spackman, cofounders of Bitewing Games, to chat with Christina about how it all went down! Plus, we have opinions about our favorite game genres and game length vs. enjoyment. Topics for this week: Christina (host): What are the challenges of being a first-time publisher? How did you sign Reiner Knizia?! Nick (guest): Which game genres do you never get tired of? Which ones are you over? Kyle (guest): Are game length and game satisfaction proportionally related? What are our faves on either side of the spectrum? Games mentioned in this episode: Intro: Soda Smugglers Pumafiosi Hot Lead Social Grooming Oath: Chronicles of Empire and Exile Ticket to Ride Mandala Lost Cities: Roll & Write Lost Cities Ra: The Dice Game Christina's topic: Challenges of being a first-time publisher, signing Reiner Knizia Con Artist Chinatown Hanabi Soda Smugglers Sheriff of Nottingham Pumafiosi Hot Lead ShipShape Nick's topic: Insatiable genres that you never get tired of or genres that you're over Crystal Palace Tigris & Euphrates Yellow & Yangtze Brass: Birmingham 7 Wonders Lost Ruins of Arnak Dune: Imperium Lost Cities: Roll & Write My City Ultimate Werewolf Mysterium Deception: Murder in Hong Kong Werewords Insider Kyle's topic: Game length vs. satisfaction Dune Twilight Imperium: Fourth Edition Oath: Chronicles of Empire and Exile Root Pax Pamir Scythe Terra Mystica Love Letter Lost Legacy: The Starship Social Grooming Nine Tiles Panic Wordsy Tussie Mussie Outro: Junk Art Akrotiri Kingdom Rush Belfort 

71: Working with a legend, game length, and fave genres (guests: Bitewing Games)

Jeremy Howard, solo gaming expert from Man vs. Meeple, joins Christina and Shoe to personally recommend some great solo games and convince everyone that solo gaming is here to stay! But which games need that multiplayer aspect? Topics for this episode: Shoe (producer): What are some good solo games we should check out? Jeremy (guest): Solo gaming during the pandemic...here to stay or no? Christina (host): What do we look for in multiplayer games that solo gaming can’t scratch the itch for? Games mentioned in this episode: Intro: On Mars Tapple Exit: The Sacred Temple Shoe's topic: Jeremy recommends some solo games! Sky Towers Sprawlopolis Agropolis Coffee Roaster Warp Speed Bullet♥︎ BattleCON Pixel Tactics Argent: The Consortium Dawn of the Zeds Tainted Grail A Gentle Rain Caverna Terra Mystica The Pursuit of Happiness Tiny Towns Villagers Smartphone, Inc. Chronicles of Crimes Jeremy's topic: Is solo gaming here to stay? Terraforming Mars Agricola Caverna A Feast for Odin Merchants Cove Mr. Cabbagehead's Garden Shahrazad Folklore Batman: The Dark Knight Returns Christina's topic: What do we look for in multiplayer games that solo gaming can't provide? Snowdonia Alubari: A Nice Cup of Tea The Pursuit of Happiness Anachrony Atlantis Rising Cthulhu: Death May Die 

70: Solo games - here to stay? Plus tons of recs! (guest: Jeremy Howard)

As US game groups start meeting up again, we chat with fellow social bubble-r James Hudson (Skybound Games) about quarantine's effects on us as gamers, which games surprised us, and the unintended effects of COVID on board game shipping and logistics. (Last topic = sad James) Our topics for this show: Shoe (producer): Board gaming outside of the social bubble: what it's been like so far, what's changed, what are the challenges? Christina (host): Games that surprised you over the pandemic James (guest): How publishers are evaluating the short-term future, with current COVID conditions/trends The games mentioned in this episode: Intro: The Grimm Masquerade Guardian's Call Tidal Blades: Heroes of the Reef Wonderland's War Valor & Villainy: Lludwik's Labyrinth Robot Quest Arena Sky Towers Beyond the Sun Shoe's topic: Board gaming outside of the social bubble Beyond the Sun Dune: Imperium Lost Ruins of Arnak Tidal Blades: Heroes of the Reef P for Pizza Dark Harvest Gorilla Marketing Eclipse Dwellings of Eldervale Monopoly Christina's topic: Games that surprised us over the pandemic P for Pizza Forgotten Waters Sovereign Skies Tekhenu: Obelisk of the Sun The Gallerist Sheepy Time Lost Ruins of Arnak Dune: Imperium The Crew: The Quest for Planet Nine Obsession James's topic: How publishers are evaluating the short-term future, with current COVID conditions/trends Wonderland's War 

69: Popping the social bubble, surprise games, publisher woes (guest: James Hudson)

Suzanne Sheldon and Mandi Hutchinson from the Dice Tower Podcast take some time off to do...another podcast with Christina! Listen for our board gamer origin stories, how we balance other hobbies, and Christina and Suz strongly recommend some games to Mandi from Uwe Rosenberg (one of our favorite designers). The games mentioned in this episode: Intro: Fields of Arle Christina's topic: Our board-gamer origin stories Monopoly Mouse Trap Power Grid Bohnanza Chess Checkers Trouble Frustration Dominoes Risk Magic: The Gathering Big 2 Bridge Hearts Euchre Poker Suz's topic: Other hobbies First Ascent Mandi's topic: Which Uwe Rosenberg games should Mandi play? Patchwork Fields of Arle Ora et Labora Le Havre Caverna Agricola Fields of Arle: Tea & Trade At the Gates of Loyang A Feast for Odin Spring Meadow Cottage Garden Second Chance Halltertau Bohnanza Agricola: All Creatures Big & Small Le Havre: The Inland Port Caverna: Cave vs. Cave Caverna: The Forgotten Folk Notre Dame Fairy Trails Bargain Hunter Final thoughts: Second Chance Yahtzee Bonfire Destinies A Gentle Rain 

68: Gamer origin stories, adjacent hobbies, and Uwe! (guest: Dice Tower Podcast)

Things are a mess around the world, but many of us are just starting to socialize again. So what will we be playing first with our long-lost gaming buddies? The prolific Jonathan Cox from JonGetsGames joins us to discuss this and more. Our chosen topics: Christina Ha (host): What board games are you most excited to play with your friends, post-lockdown? (2:24) Jonathan Cox (guest): How do we define "elegant design," and what are our favorite examples? (17:20) Mike Zipkin (editor): What difficulties are there in making board games media a full-time job? (35:28) The games mentioned in this episode: Christina's topic: Games you're excited to get to, post-quarantine Beyond the Sun Lost Ruins of Arnak Taxi Derby Fast and Furious: Highway Heist Ginkgopolis Anno 1800 Trans-Siberian Railroad Irish Gauge Iberian Gauge 18XX Ticket to Ride Paris Connection Praga Caput Regni Telestrations Dixit Jonathan's topic: Elegance in game design Taxi Derby Go Azul Gentes Concordia Calimala Hansa Teutonica Wingspan Pandemic Legacy A Feast for Odin Terraforming Mars Coloretto Arboretum Isle of Skye Tichu City of the Big Shoulders Whale Riders Irish Gauge Iberian Gauge Ride the Rails Mike's topic: Board game content creation Ginkgopolis Final thoughts Genotype 

67: Post-quarantine gaming, elegant designs, content creation (guest: JonGetsGames)

All the cool kids are on TikTok, so Raina and Phil from 1 Minute Board Games make Christina and Shoe honorary Gen Z-ers this week! We discover Raina's allergy to real-time games, Phil's addiction to Android: Netrunner, and Christina needs to shut up about Innovation. Our topics for this episode:  Christina (host): Favorite real-time games (3:57) Raina (guest): Which games do you and your partner not agree on? (15:21) Phil (guest): Games that we feel are the epitome of a board game mechanic (35:51) The games mentioned in this episode: Intro Don't Get Got Christina's topic: Favorite real-time games Sorcerer City 5-Minute Marvel Captain Sonar Space Cadets: Dice Duel Magic Maze Raina's topic: Which games do you and your partner disagree on? Azul: Summer Pavilion Azul: Stained Glass of Sintra Azul Memoir '44 BattleLore Cthulhu Wars War of the Ring Werewolf Werewords Innovation Glory to Rome Medieval Academy Cosmic Encounter Android: Netrunner Star Wars: Rebellion Chess Exit: The Game Unlock Phil's topic: Which games epitomize certain board game mechanics? Chinatown Twilight Imperium Dominion Ascension Moonrakers Lords of Waterdeep Agricola Caverna: The Cave Farmers The Quacks of Quedlinburg Deep Sea Adventure Clank! Final thoughts Targi Hadrian's Wall 

66: Real-time board games, games partners disagree on (guests: 1 Minute Board Games)

YouTube creator and BoardGameCo founder Alex Radcliffe stops by the show! Our picks for topics this week: Alex (guest): How important is theme? Have you kept mediocre board games purely because of a great theme? And what games do you love despite their theme? Shoe (producer): What are some interesting facts that we've learned from playing board games? Christina (host): How did the pandemic affect online retail sales? What gaming trends popped up during stay-at-home? The games discussed in this episode: Alex's topic: Theme in board games Cthulhu: Death May Die Arkham Horror Eldritch Horror Robinson Cursoe: Adventures on the Cursed Island First Martians: Adventures on the Red Planet Terra Mystica Gaia Project Gentes Crusader Surrealist Dinner Party Ugly Gryphon Inn Marvel United Obsession Photosynthesis Shoe's topic: Things we've learned from board games Goa Keystone: North America The Search for Planet X The Crew Timeline Wits and Wagers Terraforming Mars Brass: Birmingham Tinners' Trail Deep Vents Formosa Tea Viticulture Christina's topic: Online retail trends during COVID Monopoly Risk Catan Splendor Codenames Final thoughts: Red Rising Fantasy Realms Viticulture Zombicide Valor & Villainy Drawn to Adventure Merchant's Cove Root Vast Gods Love Dinosaurs Ecos 

65: What board games have taught us, themes, online sales (guest: BoardGameCo)

Husband-wife team Ryan and Malorie Laukat of Red Raven Games (Sleeping Gods, Above and Below, Megaland) stop by with a few gaming topics in hand: Christina (host): Our ideal "3-course meal" of board games Malorie (guest): Culling our collections Ryan (guest): How our gaming tastes have evolved over time The games discussed in this episode: Intro: Above & Below Near & Far Empires of the Void II Eight-Minute Empires Roam Sleeping Gods Megaland Now or Never Surrealist Dinner Party Christina's topic: Ideal 3-course meal of games Point Salad A Feast for Odin Letter Jam Blue Moon City Agricola Caverna Codenames Great Western Trail Race for the Galaxy Roll for the Galaxy Jump Drive New Frontiers Malorie's topic: Culling games/hoarding games Yinzi Arkham Horror Twilight Imperium Ryan's topic: How our gaming tastes have changed Tawantinsuyu: The Inca Empire War of the Ring Arkham Horror Strozzi Thunderstone Lords of Waterdeep Rising Sun Sleeping Gods Roam Final thoughts: Tawantinsuyu: The Inca Empire Paladins of the West Kingdom Viscounts of the West Kingdom 

64: 3-course gaming, culling collections, & evolving tastes (guests: Red Raven Games)

Isaac Vega (designer of Ashes Reborn, co-designer of Dead of Winter and Forgotten Waters) and Lindsey Rode (designer of Labyrinthos) take a quick break from managing their new company, Rose Gauntlet Entertainment, to discuss gaaames! Our topics: our favorite board game names, mixing technology with tabletop, and how we feel about attending conventions this year. The games discussed in this episode: Intro: Dead of Winter Forgotten Waters Ashes Reborn: Rise of the Phoenixborn Keystone: North America Countdown: Action Edition Labyrinthos Christina’s topic: Your favorite names for board games So, You’ve Been Eaten Ashes: Rise of the Phoenixborn Dead of Winter Abyss Terra Mystica Above and Below Roam Alice is Missing Gravwell  Bärenpark  A Fake Artist Goes to New York Campy Creatures Curious Cargo Pipeline The Quacks of Quedlinburg Frenemy Pastry Party Lindsey’s topic: Technology in board games...what are you excited about and what don’t you want to see Forgotten Waters The Search for Planet X Chronicles of Crime Life After Dungeon Dread Isaac’s topic: Conventions in a post-COVID world Atheneum: Mystic Library Final thoughts: Keystone: North America 

63: Fave game names, tech in games, and conventions (guests: Rose Gauntlet)

Great board game discussions with Monique and Naveen of Before You Play! What games did we change our minds on (either way) after a second play? What games have we invested the most in? And what ones do we find hardest to get to the table...for whatever reason? Here are the games covered in this episode: Christina’s topic: Games you’ve invested the most in Lost Ruins of Arnak Abomination: The Heir of Frankenstein Killer Bunnies Dead of Winter Scythe Scythe: Rise of Fenris Wingspan The Quacks of Quedlinburg Innovation Grand Austria Hotel Kanban EV Naveen’s topic: Games you’ve changed your mind about after a second play Root Medium Just One Hansa Teutonica Ticket to Ride Terraforming Mars Loot of Lima The Search for Planet X Cryptid Alchemists Monique’s topic: The hardest games to get to the table The Gallerist Lisboa Vinhos On Mars Pandemic Legacy Sleeping Gods King’s Dilemma Eclipse: Second Dawn for the Galaxy Twilight Imperium Two Rooms and a Boom Witness Final thoughts: Root Tidal Blades: Heroes of the Reef 

62: Board games we changed our opinions on, invested the most in, have a hard time getting to the table

Four gamers, four topics - a board game discussion show hosted by Dan “Shoe” Hsu and his video game industry friends!

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Going Analog Podcast

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