Botch Games Podcast

In Episode 36, Craig celebrates the first year of the show and discusses three games that keep hitting his table. First up is Steampunk Rally, a Dice-placement, card-drafting, engine-building racing game of a time, published by Roxley Games. Next up, is Loop, Inc. the game of time-travel-for-profit, released by Eagle Gryphon Games. Lastly, he digs in to a spoiler-free run through of how Pandemic Legacy works, and why you should own it. Right. Now. Also feel free to stick around after the outro for a spoiler HEAVY recap of the first four months of Craig's campaign with his family! Show Times:  Steampunk Rally (Roxley Games): 7:45 Loop, Inc. (Eagle Gryphon): 27:30 Pandemic Legacy SPOILER FREE! (Z-Man Games): 48:30 Pandemic Legacy ALL THE SPOILERS!! (Z-man Games): 1:08:30

In episode 35, Craig pairs up two Word/Deck Building games in a comparison of mechanics and gameplay. First he talks about Paperback from Tim Fowers, the Dominion/Scrabble hybrid, and then he discusses Dexicon from Andrew Rowse and Eagle-Gryphon Games and the new concepts it adds to the almost stale deckbuilding genre. Lastly, Craig digs into Seven7s from Jason Tagmire and Eagle-Gryphon games, discussing its simple deck complexity. Also note, Craig is aware he is terrible at his job. Show Notes: Paperback (Tim Fowers): 8:30 Dexicon (Eagle-Gryphon): 20:30 Seven7s (Eagle-Gryphon): 38:04

In Episode 34, Craig digs in to three tile placement games, which quickly becomes a lesson on intro/family games. During the episode he discusses Lanterns: The Harvest Festival from Foxtrot Games and Renegade Games, Between Two Cities from Stonemaier Games, and New York 1901 from Blue Orange Games.   Show Times: Lanterns (Foxtrot Games): 6:50 Between Two Cities (Stonemaier Games): 20:45 New York 1901 (Blue Orange Games) 41:15

In the first episode of the newest sister program Craig has dreamed up, he digs into the psychological principles of Locus of Control and the Self-Serving Bias. To achieve this goal, he has a long discussion with Edward and Tony from the Heavy Cardboard Podcast and Aaron and Quinten from the Board Alive Podcast where they dig into luck and random factor in games discussing the advantages and disadvantages of randomness or lack of randomness in a large scope of games. HC touts their knowledge of luckless heavy strategy games, while BA talks about their favorite stand-up dice rolls in thematic games and it culminates into an amazing discussion about  how much randomness and luck leaves each group feeling fulfilled.

In Episode 33, Craig dives into three games that showed up on his doorstep thanks to the magic of Kickstarter. All three games are 2015 releases and have shown up within the past month or so which means he has fought hard to get several plays of each game to bring them to your attention, dear listener.  First Craig talks about Vault Wars, the auction game from Floodgate Games, then he digs in the latest installment of the Tiny Epic line from Gamelyn Games, Tiny Epic Galaxies, and he finally wraps us with his newest game obsession, Mottainai, from Asmadi Games.    Show Times: Vault Wars (Floodgate Games): 7:00 Tiny Epic Galaxies (Gamelyn Games): 26:00 Mottainai (Asmadi Games): 39:00

In episode 32, Craig talks specifically about three Cool Mini or Not games. First off he takes a look back at Arcadia Quest, a 2014 release, but with fresh perspectives and more experience. Next, Craig dives into  the cooperative game the Grizzled, which is an upcoming release, and was a big hit at GenCon 2015. Lastly, he dives into the area-control, card-drafting game, Blood Rage designed by Eric Lang. 

In episode 31, Craig begins his convention season wrap-up by discussing three games he played (see bought) at Gen-con 2015, specifically, Rattle, Battle, Grab the Loot from Portal Games, Codenames from CGE, and Trove:The Crystal Caverns from Leder Games.

In Episode 30, Craig and Dave take a look at a few games they've played recently, including Dragon Run and Dimensions, and Craig talks about the Star Wars Edge of the Empire campaign he's running. In kickstarter newsm The look at Zombicide: Black Plague from Cool Mini or Not and Dark Dealings. Lastly, due to technical difficulties, there is no third segment this week, but Craig takes the mic to give a special announcement. Show Times: Dragon Run (Blue Orange): 9:45 Star Wars:Edge of the Empire (FFG): 18:45 Dimension (KOSMOS): 26:15 FTC Suit against Kickstarter Publisher: 35:30 Zombicide: Black Plague (CMON): 39:15 TMNT Heroclix (Wizkids): 47:15 Dark Dealings (Nevermore Games): 50:00 Paperize Dev Tool (Oil and Rope): 55:15 Smog Riders (Scale 75): 58:00 Craig's Announcement: 59:45

In Episode 29, Craig takes the mic to recap the games he played during the 2015 Origins Game Fair in Columbus, Ohio. He breaks down over twenty titles that he and his son demoed during their time at the convention. Next, Craig and Dave interview Brooklynn Lundberg from Succubus Publishing about their current kickstarter project, Middara.  Show Times: Lanterns (Renegade Games): 3:40 Shoot Your Friends (Gangrene Games): 6:00 Monster Truck Mayhem (Dice Hate Me): 8:45 Welcome to the Dungeon (Iello): 11:00 Pie Factory (Dice Hate Me): 12:40 Bottom of the 9th (Dice Hate Me): 14:00 Sylvion (Z-Man): 17:45 Angry Dice (Dice Hate Me): 19:15 Bring Out Yer Dead (Upper Deck): 21:15 Arcadia Quest (Cool Mini or Not): 28:15 Xenoshyft (Cool Mini or Not): 29:15 Patchwork (Mayfair): 32:10 Wombat Rescue (Eagle Games): 34:00 Flick 'em Up (Z-Man Games): 37:00 Dogs of War (Cool Mini or Not): 38:15 Bad Beets (Stoneblade): 39:00 Pingo Pingo (Iello): 40:45 Hogger Logger (Breaking Games): 43:35 Ubongo (Kosmos): 43:35 Dimension (Kosmos):

In episode 28, Craig and Dave are joined by special guest, Matt Wolfe, the designer of Wombat Rescue, which is on Kickstarter right now from Eagle Games. Also in this episode, The boys give first impressions of The Metagame from Local No. 12, and X-Men Mutant Revolution from Wizkids Games. In Kickstarter news, they look at Middara from Succubus Publishing and Ether Wars from EtherDev, and lastly they talk about the nominees for this year's Spiel des Jahres.  Show Times: The Metagame (Local No. 12): 2:45 Star Wars Edge of the Empire (FFG): 16:15 The End of the World Line (FFG): 17:15 X-Men Mutant Revolution (Wizkids): 19:15 Middara (Succubus): 31:45 Ether Wars (EtherDev): 35:30 Wombat Rescue (Eagle Games): 37:00 Spiel des Jahres 2015 Nominees: 38:30 Welcome to the Dungeon (Iello): 41:45 Interview with designer Matt Wolfe: 48:00  

In Episode 27, Craig and Dave talk forever in their first impressions of Assassinorum Execution Force from Games Workshop which may end in a bit of a heated disagreement.  They also give a full game review of Plaid Hat's 2014 hit game, Dead of Winter. In kickstarter news, they look at One Hit Kill from John August, Gruff from Studio Woe, and Mottainai from Asmadi Games.  Show Times: Assassinorum Execution Force (Games Workshop): 4:15 One Hit Kill (John August): 32:45 Skyrelics Update: 36:30 Mottainai (Asmadi): 38:45 Gruff (Studio Woe): 41:30 Mensa Select 2015 Winners: 44:15 Fluxx Dice (Looney Labs): 47:00 Imperial Settlers: Atlanteans: 48:30 Dead of Winter Review (Plaid Hat): 51:45 Stinger: Music with our mouths!

In episode 26, Dave and Craig take a long hard look at the X-wing Miniature Game in their first battle report episode. Also in this episode, they look at some Kickstarter games in Karnivore Koala from Voodoo Games and Coup: Rebellion G54 from Indie Boards and Cards, give a first Impression on One Night Ultimate Werewolf: Daybreak from Bezier Games, and talk about news in the hobby. Show Times: 3x3 Update: 4:45 One Night Ultimate Werewolf: Daybreak (Bezier Games): 10:45 Karnivore Koala (Voodoo Games): 14:30 Coup: Rebellion G54 (Indie Boards and Cards): 17:30 Marvel Legendary Secret Wars: 19:00 Smash-up: It's All Your Fault (Alderac): 21:30 Battle Report: X-Wing Miniature Game: 24:30

In Episode 25, Craig and David offer their usual banter about the games they played this week which followed a weird pattern of brutal coop games including Robinson Crusoe from Z-Man Games and Space Hulk: Death Angel from Fantasy Flight. In Kickstarter chatter they look at Dragon Punch from Koen Hendrix and Apocrypha from Mike Selinker and Lone Shark Games. Lastly they go in depth with the game that got them started on the hobby, Betrayal at House on the Hill, before wrapping it up with a quick round of Who Would Win wiith Chuck and Dave. Show Times: Robinson Crusoe (Z-Man Games): 4:15 Space Hulk: Death Angel (Fantasy Flight): 9:45 Dragon Punch (Koen Hendrix): 29:30 Apocrypha (Lone Shark Games): 31:15 B-Sieged (CoolMiniOrNot): 35:15 Battlefleet Gothic: Armada (Tindalos Software): 38:30 Noire Black Box Edition (Level 99 Games): 39:45 In Depth: Betrayal at House on the Hill (Avalon Games, WOTC): 43:15 Who Would Win with Chuck and Dave: 1:12:30

In our twenty-fourth episode, Craig and Dave gather to talk about a few new games this week and update you on their progress in the 3x3 challenge. This week they talk about Shadowrun Crossfire from Catalyst Game Labs and Tschak from Gameworks. In their hype segment, they look at Skulldug! from Ruddy Games, Rattle, Battle, and Grab the Loot from Portal Games, B-Sieged from CoolMiniorNot and Dragon Punch from Kown Hendrix. In a special segment, Dave and Craig have some beef with Games Workshop's new game, Assassinorum Execution Force, and they talk about Board Games based on IP's. Lastly they tell some stories from their games in the 3x3 challenge. Thanks for tuning in! Show Times: Tschak (Gameworks): 8:00 Shadowrun: Crossfire (Catalyst): 18:15 Assassinorum Execution Force (Games Workshop): 32:45 Rattle, Battle, Grab the Loot (Portal Games): 45:00 Skulldug! (Ruddy Games): 46:30 B-Sieged (CoolMiniOrNot): 48:30 Dragon Punch (Kown Hendrix): 51:30 Topic: IP's in Board Games: 53:30 3x3 Challenge: Stories from the ta

In Episode 23, Craig and Dave do a filler game round up in their just played segment, looking at Dungeon Roll from TMG, Just Desserts from Looney Labs, and Walk the Plank from Mayday Games. In a very special interview segment, they talk to Derek Heath from Sky Relics Games about their current Kickstarter project: Sky Relics. Lastly, they pick up the gauntlets thrown down by Punching Cardboard and take on the 3x3 Challenge, where both Craig and Dave each pick three games they will play with each other three times before Origins. We hope you enjoy! Show Times: Dungeon Roll (Tasty Minstrel Games): 5:00 Just Desserts (Looney Labs): 16:10 Walk the Plank (MayDay Games): 25:30 Interview: Derek Heath--Sky Relics Games: 31:30 3x3 Challenge: 59:45 Craig's List for Dave: 1:00:30 Star Wars Imperial Assault Terra Mystica Castles of Mad King Ludwig Dave's List for Craig: 1:06:45 Tschak Dead of Winter X-Wing Miniatures Game Craig's List for his Family: 1:12:45 Scoville Agricola Viticulture After-Credits Stinger: 1:19:15

In the second half of Fiasco from Bully Pulpit games, our heroes (and villians) are trying secure (or steal) the Super Secret Truth Serum inside of a glowing hot dog all while trying to survive and figure out if it's a love triangle or a live trapezoid. We hope you enjoy our wrap up!

Episode 22 marks the return of Craig's beloved co-host David. In this Episode they talk about David's first kickstarter game to arrive in the mail, Antidote by Bellwether Games. Also they dive into Steam Donkey by the Ragnar Brothers and discuss their new addition, The X-Wing miniatures game from Fantasy Flight. In their hype section of the cast, they look at Sky Relics, a new Airship miniature combat game, Posthuman by Mr. B Games, and Star Wars Imperial Assault first full expansion, Twin Shadows. In their topic segment, they discuss grief and the role of games as both an escape from times of tragedy and the imprtance of the community during times of grief. Lastly, Craig finally gets his turn at the Know Your Podcaster Lightning Round. Enjoy and see you next week! Show Times:  Battle Arena Show Cancellation (KOTI Games): 4:15 Antidote (Bellwether Games): 6:30 Steam Donkey (Ragnar Brothers): 18:30 X-Wing Miniatures Game (Fantasy Flight): 27:45 Sky Relics (Sky Relics Games LLC): 42:00 Posthuman (Mr. B Games):

Welcome to another episode of Botch Plays! This time, we're joined by the Nerd Perspetive to play the first half of a game of Fiasco by Bully Pulpit Games. Our setting is a group of "super" heroes, who in all actuality could just be regular people in tights. We hope you enjoy and look for the second half next Friday!

In Episode 21, Craig is joined by Chuck on the episode in which the podcast is now of legal age. They talk at length about Epic Spell Wars of the Battle Wizards: Duel at Mt. Skullzfyre from Cryptozoic Games, Pathfinder Advanture Card Game from Mike Selinker and Paizo, and One Night Ultimate Werewolf from Ted Alspach and Bezier Games, giving a game breakdown and discussion for each. In kickstarter and overall hype news, they talk about Forbidden Stars from Fantasy Flight, 504 from Friedemann Friese, and The Titans of Gaming Series from Calliope Games. After a shout out to their local shops and groups for International Tabletop Day, they dive into a topic where they discuss how to get a group back into roleplaying after a falling out. Show Times: Epic Spell Wars of the Battle Wizards (Cryptozoic): 3:00 Pathfinder Adventure Card Game (Paizo): 11:00 One Night Ultimate Werewolf (Bezier): 27:45 Forbidden Stars (Fantasy Flight): 37:00 504 (2F-Spiele): 41:30 Titans Series Kickstarter (Calliope Games): 45:30 Local Sho

In episode 20, Craig and Duke do their best to derail any kind of board game discussion semblance while discussing a myriad of games. They talk in depth about Keyflower from R&D Games, Star Wars Imperial Assault from Fantasy Flight Games, and Pina Pirata from Iello Games. In Kickstarter talk, they look at Wizard's Academy from 3D Total Games and Battle Arena Show from KOTI Games. Lastly, they do a topic round up where they discuss the controversy surrounding Gen Con 2015 and Indiana Law, the replacement of slave cards with fakir cards in Five Tribes from Days of Wonder, and then talk about innovative game components which are still functional.  Show Times: Keyflower (R&D Games): 4:45 X-Wing (Fantasy Flight): 15:00 Star Wars Imperial Assault (Fantasy Flight): 18:00 Pina Pirata (Iello): 31:30 Wizard's Academy (3D Total Games): 39:15 Battle Arena Show (KOTI Games): 46:30 Topic Roundup: Gen Con 2015 and Indiana Law: 53:30 Five Tribes Slaves to Fakirs: 1:02:15 Beautiful Yet Functional Components: 1:14:00