Botch Games Podcast

In the fifth installment of Botched Viewpoints, Craig is joined by Tiffany Bahnsen and Patrick Hillier to talk about some tip, tricks, and etiquette for convention season. Whether you're an Introvert, Extrovert, or somewhere in between, listen in to hear the pros talk about what to expect at a con and how to survive the experience!  

In Episode 51, Craig is joined by Erin and Tyler to talk about their Origins 2016 experience, including the games they played, the food they ate, the people they met, the highs, the lows and everything in between! Show Times: Intro: 0:34 Family What We've Played: 8:03 Tyler and Craig's Origins Highlights: 41:03 Outro: 1:04:11

We made it to 50 whole episodes! In celebration we got a whole bunch of of congrats from a gaggle of our media friends and our only listener! We're so thankful for the support of the community and the friends we've made during our tenure. As the main feature of the episode, Craig, Will, Erin, and Tyler each go through their Top 10 games of all time lists and have a lot of fun in the process. We hope you enjoy as we begin our path to episode 100! Show Times: PNCN Bumper: 0:00 Aaron--Boards Alive Congrats: 0:25 Patrick Hillier Congrats: 1:38 Intro Banter: 2:12 Heavy Cardboard Congrats: 10:45 Steve, Our Only Listener Congrats: 11:12 Docking Bay 94 Congrats: 11:22 Family What We've Played: 11:40 Happy Salmon: 13:30 Spaceteam: 15:35 Timeline: 20:00 Codenames: 20:00 Takenoko: 22:55 Seven7s: 23:35 Zombie Dice: 24:08 Brandon--WDYPTW Congrats: 27:23 Cloak and Meeple Congrats: 27:50 Matt--PoNG Congrats: 28:15 TOP 10s!: 28:38 Craig's #10: Betrayal at the House on the Hill: 31:00 Erin #10: Bring Out Yer Dead: 32:55 Tyler

In this episode, Craig is flying solo for the main review section so he talks about his two favorite games from Level 99 Games: Argent the Consortium and Pixel Tactics. Since he's solo, the games only get a quick overview and gush session, but there's enough info in there to wet your whistle for what each game is about. Also, Craig is joined by his family for a run down of a slew of games they played together, both at home and at the Malted Meeple. We hope you enjoy the episode and join us next episode for our 50th episode celebration! Show Times: Intro: 0:35 What the Family played: 6:57 Argent the Consortium (Lvl 99): 43:10 Pixel Tactics (Lvl 99): 56:41 

In the fourth installment of Botched Viewpoints, Craig is joined by David Sommerville, the creator of Vast, Patrick Leder, the head of Leder Games and designer of Vast, and Kyle Woelful, the developer of Vast to talk about their soon-to-be-arriving game. In the episode they discuss how the idea went from BGG WIP to a published product and some of the work and issues with balancing and asymmetrical play. Also, they discuss the name change from Trove to Vast, and wrap up with discussion of the how the brand will expand and continue in the future. Look for Vast in the very near future as it is Craig most anticipated game of this year, or you can pre-order the game on www.ledergames.com!

In the 48th episode of the Botch Games Podcast, Craig and will loosely tie in three games based on trees and discuss the games they've played and what they're anticipating. First, Craig is joined by Erin and Tyler to talk about the games they've played since last recording (surprise, it's not much). Craig and Will then dig into (ha) Norsaga, a competitive family tree-building game, and Arboretum, a competitive rummy-style tree path laying game. Lastly, Tyler joins Craig and Will to talk about Kodama: The Tree Spirits and Tyler's unbreakable strategy... until we break it by discovering we played one rule horrible wrong. All in all it's a great time, if not a little embarrassing... Show Times: Introduction/Banter: 0:35 What We Played as a Family: 10:52 Norsaga (Merromorph): 30:40 Arboretum (Z-Man): 46:25 Kodama (Action Phase): 57:45

In episode 47, we celebrate International Tabletop Day bytalkingabout our experience at the Malted Meeple board game cafein Hudson,Ohio, and the games we played throughout the day. Craigis joined byTyler and Will to discuss a small trove a games theyplayedthroughout the day, and joined by Tyler and Erin to talkabout thegames they played throughout the week. Also, Craig had ashort, butspecial interview with ITTD special guest at the MaltedMeeple, JonGilmour, the designer of Dead of Winter and Vault Wars.We hope youall got some amazing games in during InternationalTabletop Day andwe will be back in two weeks with a regularepisode!Show Times:Introduction: 0:35Family Chat: 5:55Sushi Go (Gamewright): 6:55Tsuro (Calliope): 9:25Timeline (Asmodee): 15:20Mission Red Planet (Fantasy Flight): 17:55Viticulture (Stonemaier): 20:30International Tabletop Day!: 27:45Stone Age (Rio Grande): 31:20Bad Beets (Stoneblade): 35:25Camel Up (Z-Man): 37:50Tsuro of the Seas (Calliope): 41:40Hey That's My Fish! (Fantasy Flight): 47:45Le

In the 46th episode of the Podcast, Craig and Will finish out April with two of their favorite newer Fantasy Flight games in Mission Red Planet, an area control game from the Brunos, and Warhammer Quest The Adventure Card Game, which replaces every instance of Pathfinder on Craig's shelves. Also, Craih is joined by his family, as always, to discuss the games they've been playing. Lastly, The Tattered Board Podcast joins in on the FFG celebration and discusses their favorite Fantasy Flight games, including Rex.  Show Times: General Banter: 0:36 Family What We've Played: 11:24 iTunes reviews/Tattered Board Intro: 26:42 Tattered Board Segment: 29:42 Mission Red Planet: 46:06 Warhammer Quest: 1:04:55

In the third episode of Botched Viewpoints, Craig is joined by Chris Darden, designer of Dungeon Roll and Geekway to the West organizer, and Anthony Racano, host of the Cardboard Jungle and long-time convention demoer, to talk about the rise of conventions, the swells in convention attendance, the importance conventions have within the community of gamers, and what conventions can do better logistically to avoid housing and/or badge nightmares.

In the first episode of April, which we're dedicating to Fantasy Flight Games, Craig and Will talk about the four collectible games their addicted to from FFG. After a catch up with Craig's family on what they've been playing the past two weeks, the boys dig deep into two Living Card Games (Warhammer 40,000 Conquest and Android Netrunner) and two Collectible Miniature Games (Star Wars: Imperial Assault and the X-wing Miniatures Game) and why they have become completely addicted to each of these collectible games, the ups, the downs, and whether the cost is right. We hope you enjoy the first of two Fantasy Flight Games episodes in April, as next episode we discuss Warhammer Quest the Adventure Card Game and Mission Red Planet.    Show Times: Friendly Banter: 0:36 Family What We've Played: 10:37 FFG LCGs (WH40k Conquest, Android Netrunner): 31:33 FFG CMGs (Imperial Assault, X-Wing): 1:00:41

In Episode 44 , Craig and Will dig deep into Chris Handy's entire first collection of Pack O Games in anticipation of the newest set which is now live on Kickstarter. They go through each game individually, looking at strengths and weaknesses before each of them lists their worst to best lists for the entire set. Also in this episode, Craig is joined by Erin and Tyler were they have a nice discussion about Dingo's Dreams (preventing Erin's alzheimer's disease) and Agricola: ACBAS (and Tyler's infatuation with raising sheep). Lastly, the cast is now a proud member Pathological Nerdcaster's Network, which you can check out at PNCN.rocks. Show Times: HUE: 22:50 TKO: 29:05 GEM: 32:38 FLY: 36.30 TAJ: 43:16 LIE: 49:05 SHH: 52:48 BUS: 56:35

In episode 43, Craig and Will continue their love of Above and Below by diving into more of Ryan Laukat's library. First they review Eight Minute Empire, a game which has been in Craig's collection for years, but also one he has never beaten his wife at. Next, Craig and Will dive in to Dingo's Dreams and City of Iron 2nd edition which were recently fulfilled through Kickstarter. As usual, Craig is joined by his wife, Erin, and his son, Tyler to talk about the games they played as a family. Lastly, Craig and Will answer some listener questions, emptying out the mailbag and clearing out the Twitter queue.  Show Times: Family Banter: 8:45 Dingo's Dreams (Red Raven): 22:00 Eight Minute Empire (Red Raven): 31:10 City of Iron Second Edition (Red Raven): 43:15  

This extra episode focuses on objectivity, subjectivity and the roles of media. Craig is joined by Matt from the League of Nonsensical Gamers and Brandon from the What Did You Play This Week Podcast and they discuss why we, as reviewers exist, who we're a benefit to, and our role as intermediary between producer and consumer. I sincerely hope you enjoy this discussion and thanks for listening!  

In Episode 42, Craig invites his board game apprentice, Will,  into the studio to go in depth with the 2015 release, Trickerion from Mindclash Games, a nifty worker placement with a theme that makes sense. He also catches up with his family and discusses the games they played as a family. Also, to round out the episode, Will runs through his favorite games from the early stages of his board gaming life, and surprise, they're not gateway games! Show Times: Family Played Games: 8:30 featuring... Doodle Quest (Blue Orange) One Night Ultimate Werewolf (Bezier) Spaceteam Pandemic Legacy (Z-Man) Orleans (Tasty Minstrel) Cosmic Encounter (FFG) Trickerion (Mindclash Games): 24:00 Will's Choice: 59:00 featuring... Lanterns (Foxtrot Games) Blood Rage (CMoN) Above and Below (Red Raven Games)

In episode 41, Craig is joined by his lovely wife, Erin, to discuss every iteration and expansion of her favorite game, 7 Wonders, from the base game all the way through 7 Wonders Duel! Listen to a nice breakdown of the advantages and disadvantages of every expansion and what are essential additions to your base game! We hope you enjoy the episode and a deeper look into one of our family's favorite games!   Show Times: Family Played Games Discussion: 5:30 7Wonders Base Game: 22:45 7Wonders: Leaders: 34:00 7Wonders: Cities: 38.45 7Wonders: Wonder Pack: 46:00 7Wonders: Babel: 49:00 7Wonders: Duel: 56:00

In a very special bonus episode, you get the full, unedited, 36 minute long Top 5 games of 2015 lists from Craig wife, Erin and his son, Tyler. The version in episode 40 is a mere 20 minutes long and doesn't capture the full scope of our family dynamic or the fun the Botch family has looking back at 2015 and the fun they have picking on each other. I hope you enjoy this longer version in all of it's cough-filled, shout-out riddled glory!

In episode 40, Craig follows the trend of every other media site out there and goes through all of his lists of 2015. First off, Craig hits the low notes and talks about his disappointments of 2015 and the games he wished he had played during 2015. Then in a SPECIAL GUEST segment, Craig is joined by his lovely wife, and surprisingly talkative son who give their top 5 games from the previous year. Lastly, Craig gets in to the meat of the episode and talks his top 10 games of 2015, and wraps up the show with his biggest anticipations of 2016! We hope you enjoy the episode and that you have a wonderful start to your new year! A list of Games you might hear in the episode: Bring out yer Dead (Upper Deck) Ticket to Ride (Days of Wonder) The Networks (Formal Ferret) Seafall (Plaid Hat) Ashes (Plaid Hat) Colt Express (Asmodee) Flick em Up (Pretzel Games) Elysium (Space Cowboys) Pandemic Legacy (Z-Man) Arboretum (Z-man) X-Com (FFG) Blood Rage (CMON) Dark Moon (Stronghold Games) 504 (Stronghold Games) Mottainai (Asmad

In Episode 39, Craig takes a look at three games sent to him for review from Tasty Minstrel Games (TMG). First up is the competitve push your luck game of cutting wires and making your friends explode in Bomb Squad Academy. Secondly, He look at the cooperative, Hanabi-style game, Bomb Squad, full of map movement, bomb defusal, secret hands, and a real-time countdown timer. Lastly, he looks at the import/reprint Orleans, a bag building, action selection game. Happy New Years Everyone! Show Times: Keep Talking and Nobody Explodes: (9:30) Bomb Squad Academy (TMG): 13:00 Bomb Squad (TMG): 32:20 Orleans (TMG): 56:00

In Episode 38, Craig digs through his stack and pulls out the last few games to be reviewed from 2015 in anticipation of his best of 2015 list debuting in January 2016. Starting off Craig gives a brief synopsis of Lifeline, a storytelling iOS and Android game and his adoration for the style. Second, he goes even further away from his normal reviews and gives an in-depth look at Secret Hitler, a hidden role game which is live on Kickstarter from the team the created Cards Against Humanity. Now on to the main event! This week, Craig reviews Bring out Yer Dead from Upper Deck Entertainment, an area-control, family style game, Elysium from Space Cowboy, a Greek mythology card drafting/selection game, and Cosmic Encounter, the age old classic game of conquest and OP aliens. Have a great holiday, dear listener! Show Times: Lifeline App (3 minute games): 6:00 Secret Hitler (Max Temkin): 10:30 Bring OUt Yer Dead (Upper Deck): 23:30 Elysium (Space Cowboy): 37:40 Cosmic Encounter (FFG): 52:20

In Episode 37, Craig takes a look at expansions for two of his favorite Antoine Bauza games, in Takenoko Chibis, an expansion about baby pandas, and Tokaido Crossroads, a game about even more choices on Tokaido road. He discusses what he thinks was necessary additions in the expansions, what didn't need to exist, and his overall thoughts of how the expansions add or detract from the base games. Also in this episode, Craig goes in depth about Above and Below from Ryan Laukat's Red Raven Games, and if the game can blend mechanisms from Thematic games and Euro games successfully.  Show Times: Takenoko: Chibis (Matagot): 9:03 Tokaido: Crossroads (FunForge): 26:20 Above and Below (Red Raven Games): 41:18