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Welcome to Episode 64, and a return to our usual format.  In this episode Aaron and I discuss the Board Game Geek rankings.  What does it mean to be ranked number one?  How are the rankings determined?  And of course, what are the TOP 3 games ranked 3000 or higher?Plus our usual Quick Thoughts, News and More.

In this episode Royce is joined by Liam, and we throw the usual format out of the window.  Instead, we do a deep dive book report on the novelization of Settlers of Catan.  Is this giant tome of a book worth hunting down a copy?  Is this the pinnacle of game fiction? Or a waste of several trees?  Let's find out together.

In Episode 60, Royce and Aaron talked about their favourite games played in 2022, and now we turn to the rest.  What was the best TV, Movies, Books, Music and everything else that we got to experience in 2022?  Let's find out.But just in case you think we aren't still a board game podcast, we also look at some recent plays including Calico, Block and Key, Pictures and Furnace.We have an all Aaron new to the collection.In the News we talk about Cicero, the Diplomacy playing AI and all of the potentially terrifying ramifications of teaching a computer to betray humanity.Finally we end with a TOP 3 Happy Moments from 2022, it wasn't a great year, but there were some highpoints, let's celebrate the highpoints.

In a special express episode, Royce talks about going back to a time in his life when he was obsessed with just one game instead of every game.  Warhammer 40k.  What is it like to return to a lifestyle game after over 10 years.  Can any game hold up to that kind of pressure?  

Royce and Aaron talk about their 12 best games of 2022!  Why 12?  Because we thought it was 2012 and that it made sense...until we realized it didn't, but by then it was too late so we just went with it.  Plus we look at how Magic the Gathering is tanking the stock market, and a few of our recent quick plays.It's our end of the year episode!

Welcome Henk Rolleman, arguably the best professional board game photographer in the world.  Henk has been working as a board game photographer for almost 2 decades, he's been the official photographer for Essen Spiel, is the photo editor for two board game magazines, and I guarantee you've seen his work.Henk joins Royce to talk about everything board game photography, as well as to give quick thoughts on Heat: Pedal to the Metal, Splendor Duel, Flamecraft, and World Splitters.We talk about the growing use of AI art in board games, and end with our TOP 3 most photogenic games.  

Welcome to Episode 58: A Store by any other name!Aaron's back again to talk about what makes a game store great!  What do we look for in a store?  What turns us off a store?  We even rank some of our best local stores.In Quick thoughts we talk about Dune Imperium, Imagineers, Point Salad: Eevee Edition, and Ono99.We discuss the new arrangement between Hasbro and Renegade Games.  What classic Hasbro games are being produced and distributed by Renegade?And finally a TOP 3, the best names for a Board Game Store (real or imagined)!

Welcome Daniel Newman and Tony Miller of New Mill Industries!Royce, Daniel and Tony talk about everything gaming!  In new to the collection we look at potential spiel winner Duos, kid's legacy game Zombie Kids, and the story driven Almanac: The Dragon Road.The news is all about a recent kickstarter scandal, and what happens when someone copies someone else's game?  How does it affect future playtesting, production and sales?In the Main Event, we take a closer look at the Punk Rock publishing company New Mill Industries!  New Mill is the new kid on the block and they're doing everything different.  Tony and Daniel tell us all about starting and running a game production company in the middle of a pandemic.And finally we finish with our TOP 3 best things about running a game company!

Let's Party!  What makes a party game?  What's a good party game, or a not-so-good party game?Aaron is back!  And we're talking party games.But first our quick thoughts on Mining Colony, New York Zoo, and Star Trek Missions.In the news we talk about some fundamental shifts that seem to be happening at Games Workshop, and Aaron shows off some of his newest aquisitions.Finally our TOP 3 Party games that can be played with everyone from the most experienced gamer to your non-gaming family.And did I mention Aaron!  Definitely a great episode!

Episode 55!  Holy Cannoli, we made it!  And to celebrate I'm joined by the one and only Caroline Black, The Dyslexic Gamer.  Caroline has one of the most popular blogs on Board Game Geek, and we get to talk about everything Blogging!  We also talk about 4 games we've recently gotten to the table: Dice Miners, Star Trek Missions, Dune Imperium, and Everdell.  In the news, we talk about the return of Games Workshop's UK Games Day, and what games we're excited to get from the upcoming Essen Spiel.  And we top it all of with a TOP 3 Games that will get us the most clicks as content creators!  Wingspan  

It's been a longer than expected unplanned break but we're back!  It's the triumphant return of Definitely a Board Game Podcast.   Joining Royce in this episode is Steve from Vancouver.  Royce and Steve talk about their recent plays of Terraforming Mars Online, High Frontiers 4th Edition, and Durian.  Followed by a kickstarter packed News segment.  Jeff and Yee Kuang join Royce for a Definitely first, a live unboxing of a Yee Kuang's kickstarter pledge for Cytosis and Cellulose.  In the Main Event, we discuss purchasing fatigue.  Purchases are down, we explore some of the reasons why.And then we end on a happier note with our TOP 3 games that we're still excited to get!

A last minute scheduling snafu means Royce is all by himself in this episode.  That's never a good idea, so instead of having Royce do a full episode, we introduce the Accelerated Episodes!  A short episode where Royce discusses a single topic.  In this episode Royce talks about two of his favourite area control games: Diplomacy and Dominant Species. How are they the same? How do they differ?Why should you love them as well?Enjoy this little break from our usual massive episodes!

Welcome special guest host Tim, from the Board Game Hot Takes Podcast!https://boardgamehottakes.com/Tim brings his extensive knowledge when he and Royce debate whether old games are objectively better than new games. But first, in New to the Collection, we look at a new game, an old game, and a game in between: Watch by Daniel Newman, Trajan by Stefan Feld, and Relic by Joe Goodenough and Jason Walden.In the News, we look at reprinting one of the greatest old games as Awaken Realms announced they are reprinting Castles of Burgundy complete with plastic castles.Shelf of opportunity includes three new games that Royce wants to play, it's your chance to vote on what to play!Main Event: Hot Take: Old Games are objectively better than New Games!  A board game debate, Royce vs Tim, what do you think?And finally, our TOP 3 classic games that need a modern thematic or artistic upgrade!

Welcome this week's cohost Dan: The Game Master!  In this episode we look at three recent plays: Obsession, Risk: Lord of the Rings, and Betrayal at House on the Hill.In the News we look at the new Wizard of the Coast release The Radiant Citadel.  New to the Collection is...gone!  Yup, we've replaced it with Shelf of Opportunity.  It's your chance to help me play some of my unplayed games, and maybe help me control my out of control game buying!In the Main event, we discuss Role-Playing games. Whether you've played RPG's before, or are just RPG curious, we cover it all.And finally, our TOP 3 RPG settings.  Where do we want to play?  

It's episode 50!   We're half way to 100!In this episode, Royce is once again joined by regular guest host Jeff.  In QUICK THOUGHTS we discuss Anno 1800, Unmatched, and Mall Night Long!IN THE NEWS, you won't believe the line up of titles that Funko Games is putting out in 2022.NEW TO THE COLLECTION includes a couple classics and one new game.MAIN EVENT is all about traveling with games.  What games are great for traveling?  What can you do to pack the games safely and compactly?  Plus a few more tips.And in our EXTRA HUGE TOP 3 EVENT we play Desert Island, our TOP 3 Games, TV Shows, and Movies we'd bring to a desert island.You don't want to miss it!

Welcome special guest host Joe Slack, author of The Board Game Designers Guide, and force behind The Board Game Designers Course.  In Quick Thoughts, Joe and Royce talk about some recent plays, include Night Parade of 100 Yokai, recent kickstarter Voyages, and Iwari.  In The News, how will Ravensburger buying Gamefound affect the future of Kickstarter and crowdfunding table top games?In New to the Collection, Royce has a super deluxe game that includes a cow poop mechanic, and a new beige trading in the Mediterranean euro.  Joe talks about Cartographers.Our Main Event is all about supporting your local game designers.  What can you do?  Where can you find them?  Why is it important to give to the local design community?And finally in a very special TOP 3:  We talk about the game designers you should be watching. These are the folks that are new to the scene but have the potential to be among the greats.  Our TOP 3 up and coming game designers.

Solo Games!  One of the fastest growing areas of board gaming.Royce welcomes guest co-host, long time listener, and solo gamer Stuart to talk all about Solo games.In our Quick Thoughts we discuss Keep up the Fire, Skyline Express and Hardback.Of course, Marvel Zombicide is the proverbial elephant in the News room.New to the Collection includes discussions of Faiyum, Button Shy, and the Wargamers Complete Paint Set.And we finish up with our TOP 3 other activities that can be done solo but still give you the same feel of a Solo Game.

Welcome to Season 3 of Definitely a Board Game Podcast!In this episode Royce is joined by Jeff, and we discuss gaming with our families. What games worked and what games didn't? How do you introduce games to your non-gamer family and friends?  Plus a TOP 3 Next Step games for when your family is ready to try something a bit more complex.Also, a game day recording in quick thoughts where Royce, Jeff, Liam, and Yee talk about a bunch of new games including Terraforming Mars Ares Project, Project L, and the GI Joe Deck Building Game.New to the Collection includes P'achakuna, Bear Stare Down, and the digital implementation of Gloomhaven.And Finally, the Quebec Government says Royce and Jeff are wrong about Azul!

Welcome to Episode 45!  In this episode Royce and Aaron explore Trick taking games with a winter draft.  What trick taking game will be the trickiest trick taking game of them all!Plus a potentially scary/boring event that is made better with games in Quick Thoughts, and still more games in New to the Collection.In the News, we look at Greater Than Games and their merger with the Flat River Group, and what it could mean for the hobby.Finally a very important announcement about the future of the podcast.

Happy Holidays!  And that means we turn our attention to the most important part of the holidays, Gifts!  Our recommendations for the best games at three different price points.  Give the gift of gaming to your loved ones.Plus:Royce eats his words in Quick Thoughts, but makes up for it by introducing Aaron to a modern classic.In the News: A classic high tech game comes back to Kickstarter, and a New to the Collection that includes an amazing success story.And we end with the TOP 3 games we'd love to get for Christmas....in case any of our listeners were wondering. :)