Botch Games Podcast

In our first fifth week minisode we take a look at the different learning stlyes of our little group from the mouths of each group member. Each of us talks for a few minutes about how we learn to play new games and how our group can accomodate each learning style to promote an atmosphere of fun and learning. 

We hope you enjoy this little episode and we'll be back next week with a full length episode!

Show Times:

Craig's Spiel: 3:00

Erin's Speech: 5:55

Tyler's Summary: 7:10

Duke's Sales-Pitch: 9:30

B's Story: 11:25

Chuck's Scoop: 12:50

Wrap-up: 13:55

Direct download: minisode1fin.mp3
Category:Games -- posted at: 3:50pm EDT

In episode 19, Craig and Duke discuss the social contract of gathering at the table to play games: what is expected as a participant, how to function as part of the group, and the faux pas that ruin game nights. They get in depth with two games they're playing: At the Gates of Loyang from Z-man Games and Last will by Czech Games Edition. In Kickstarter talk, they look at Neon Sanctum and Burgle Bros. and talk about the hits their wallets have taken recently. Lastly, in their What the What segment, they finally define "Botch Games." 

Show Times:

At the Gates of Loyang (Z-Man Games): 8:00

Last Will (Czech Games Edition): 16:00

Burgle Bros. Kickstarter (Tim Fowers): 30:30

Neon Sanctum Kickstarter (Grenade Punch Games): 35:45

What the What?! "Botch Games": 40:30

Topic: Social Contract: 45:00

Direct download: ep19fin.mp3
Category:general -- posted at: 4:13pm EDT

In episode 18, Craig and guest co-host Duke discuss the struggle of scaling their four and five player games down to a two player format for spousal gaming: What games do it right? What games do it wrong? How can designers better figure in scalability?

They also discuss a number of games including Deus from Pearl Games, XCOM The Board Game from Fantasy Flight, and Star Realms from White Wizard Games. They talk some kickstarter games such as Vault Wars from Floodgate Games, Entropy from Allen Chang, and Valeria Card Kingdoms from Daily Magic. In their What the What?! segment, Craig defines what a 4x game is and what must exist for a game to be called a 4x game. Lastly, they recap some local gaming events with the grand opening Pi day celebration at the Malted Meeple, and the Board Game flea market at Underhills Games before subjecting Duke to a little game of Know Your Podcaster Lightning Round.

Show Times:

Deus (Pearl Games): 2:15

XCOM The Board Game (Fantasy Flight): 9:15

Star Realms (White Wizard): 19:45

Entropy (Allen Chang): 20:45

Vault Wars (Floodgate): 22:45

Valeria Card Kingdoms (Daily Magic): 25:45

Castles of Mad King Ludwig Expansion (Bezier): 27:30

Malted Meeple Opening and Underhills Games Flea Market: 30:45

What the What?! 4x Defined: 43:15

Topic: Scalability of Games to 2 Players: 46:00

Know Your Podcaster Lightning Round: 1:26:00

Direct download: ep18fin.mp3
Category:Games -- posted at: 4:58pm EDT

In Episode 17, Craig and guest-co-host B discuss a few games they've played this week: Aquasphere from Stefan Feld and Tasty Minstrel Games, and Kingsburg from Fantasy Flight. In Kickstarter news, they talk about Above and Below from Ryan Laukat and Red Raven Games. During the What the What?! segment, Craig defines what a pasted on theme which leads to a discussion on what came first, the Mechanic or the Theme? In the main topic of this episode, Craig and B set up a theme game night with a plethora of Antoine Bauza games, ranging from the simplistic to the complex and everything in between, and their ideas on implementing a Bauza game night, including games like Tokaido, Hanabi, Ghost stories, and 7 Wonders. Finally Craig subjects B to the "know your podcaster lightning round"!

Show Times:

Kingsburg (Fantasy Flight): 3:45

Aquasphere (Tasty Minstrel): 11:15

Above and Below (Red Raven Games): 23:00

Between Two Cities (Stonemaier Games): 27:00

What the What?! Pasted-On Theme: 28:30

Main Topic: An Evening of Bauza: 36:30

Hanabi (RnR Games): 38:00

Tokaido (Passport Games): 43:30

Takenoko (Asmodee): 46:45

Ghost Stories (Asmodee): 51:00

Samurai Spirit (FunForge): 54:15

7 Wonders (Repos Productions): 57:30

Know Your Podcaster Lightning Round: 1:08:15

Direct download: ep17fin.mp3
Category:Games -- posted at: 4:17pm EDT

In Episode 16, Craig and Dave tackle the fringes of the role of art in hobby games, touching on the characterisctics artwork and design adds to the look, play style, and theme of games. They discuss a few games they've played this week including Samurai Spirit from Funforge and Antoine Bauza, Ancient Terrible Things from Pleasant Company Games, and Wizard Dodgeball from Peter Newland and Mind the Gap Studios. They talk some kickstarter hype with Dragoon from Lay Waste Games, Between Two Cities from Jamey Stegmaier, and Project Dreamscape from Ben Haskett. In their What the What segment, they take a few minutes to define and describe the term point salad weighing the advantages and disadvantages of the mechanic. Lastly, in a new segment, you get to learn a little bit about everyone's favorite bearded co-host, Dave, in out "Know Your Podcaster Lightning Round"

Show Times:

Samurai Spirit (Funforge): 4:00

Ancient Terrible Things (Pleasant Company Games): 11:30

Wizard Dodgeball (Mind The Gap Studios): 16:15

COMING SOON:

Steam Donkey (Ragnar Brothers): 29:15

X-COM (FFG): 30:30

Dragoon Kickstarter (Lay Waste Games): 32:30

Between Two Cities Kickstarter (Stonemaier Games): 37: 00

Project Dreamscape Kickstarter (Ben Haskett): 40:00

Bad Medicine--Botch Plays Plug (Formal Ferret): 50:45

What the What?! Point Salad: 53:45

Main Theme: The Importance of Art: 59:00

Know your podcaster: Lightning Round: 1:25:00

Direct download: ep16fin.mp3
Category:Games -- posted at: 5:34pm EDT

In our third special episode of Botch Plays, Craig, Erin, Chuck, and Lindsay sit down to play a game of "Bad Medicine" by Gil Hova of Formal Ferret studios. Listen to nearly a full game as Craig sits with three actual nurses while we attempt to cure the world of a myriad of ridiculous maladies in this pharmaceutical party game!

Direct download: badmedicine1fin.mp3
Category:Games -- posted at: 12:28pm EDT

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