012: Diplomacy - International Intrigue and Board Game Betrayal

013: Compile - A Lane Battler Deep Dive

Episode 013: Compile - A Lane Battler Deep Dive In this episode, Steve and Brandon dive into their thoughts about Compile, a lane battler deck mashup card game that has captured their attention. They compare it to Magic the Gathering and discuss its unique mechanics and protocols in detail. TIMESTAMPS: (00:00) Welcome back and introduction (05:26) Why Compile feels like Magic the Gathering (14:06) Unpacking protocol names and concepts (27:27) Mastering drafting strategy for competitive gameplay (34:28) Building a tier list for top protocols (46:11) Revealing favorite card combos and strategic insights (54:07) Planning tournaments and future directions RESOURCES: Games Mentioned: Compile, Magic the Gathering, Pillars of Fate, Land Air & Sea, Smash Up, Spirit Island Publishers/Designers: Michael Yang, IV Studios NEXT EPISODE PREVIEW: The hosts plan to discuss their upcoming tournament for Compile, exploring unique combinations of protocols and sharing insights from competitive play. Thanks for tuning in!

012: Diplomacy - International Intrigue and Board Game Betrayal

Episode 012: Diplomacy - International Intrigue and Board Game Betrayal Welcome back to the podcast! After a long hiatus since spring 2025, hosts Steve and Brandon dive deep into the classic 1957 strategy game Diplomacy - a seven-player game of international intrigue set in the run up to World War I. Steve shares his firsthand experience playing his first postal game of Diplomacy, complete with alliances, betrayals, and the complex web of negotiations that make this game legendary among strategy gamers. From Gen Con 2025 discoveries to the brutal realities of playing as England in a game where binding agreements are non-binding, this episode explores what makes Diplomacy both fascinating and frustrating after nearly 70 years. TIMESTAMPS: (00:00) Welcome back and fall vibes (02:30) Gen Con 2025 recap (08:45) Gen Con collectibles culture (12:15) Tournament experiences (14:30) Introduction to Diplomacy (17:00) Playing Diplomacy by mail (22:30) Game mechanics deep dive (28:15) Communication and press levels (32:45) Victory conditions and stalemate lines (38:00) Steve's England campaign (44:30) Current game state analysis (50:15) Strategic positioning and predictions (55:45) Mid-game dynamics (60:30) Diplomacy's enduring appeal (65:00) Looking ahead (67:30) Transition to D&D discussion RESOURCES: Follow Steve's Diplomacy game progress: https://www.backstabbr.com/sandbox/Diplomacy-2025/5200348763258880 Games Mentioned: Diplomacy, Hive, Tak, Compile, Spirit Island, Dominion NEXT EPISODE PREVIEW: The hosts dive into their ongoing D&D campaign, mini painting, and why tabletop RPGs might represent the ultimate "hearth element" in gaming. Thanks to our two and a half loyal listeners! We'll catch you next time.

011: Board Game Potpourri 2 - Live Service Fatigue and the Joy of Self-Contained Games

Episode 011: Board Game Potpourri 2 - Live Service Fatigue and the Joy of Self-Contained Games After nearly a year hiatus, hosts Brandon and Steve return to discuss their evolving relationship with games, both digital and tabletop. From one host's complete departure from Magic: The Gathering after Modern Horizons 3 to discovering gaming gems like Balatro and Spirit Island, this episode explores the tension between live-service games and self-contained experiences. Brandon also reveals his exciting new venture into board game design, sharing insights from their development process and what they've learned about creating replayable, elegant game experiences. From new gaming setups and RGB regrets to cooperative gaming perfection and sandbox design philosophy, this episode covers the highs and lows of a year spent rediscovering what makes games truly engaging. TIMESTAMPS: (00:00) Welcome back and new gaming setups (05:30) Magic: The Gathering - Modern Horizons 3 fallout (12:15) Live service game fatigue discussion (18:45) Games-as-a-service vs self-contained experiences (22:30) Deadlock - the fallen MOBA episode (25:15) Baldur's Gate 3 couch co-op excellence (28:15) Factorio Space Age expansion deep dive (35:20) Balatro - poker-themed perfection (42:10) Arcs - Cole Wehrle's sandbox masterpiece (48:30) Trick-taking mechanics controversy (52:45) Spirit Island - 50 plays and counting (58:30) Smash Up - deck combining chaos (60:15) Mechabellum - mech auto-battler addiction (63:15) Board game design journey begins (68:45) Sandbox vs hand-holding in game design (72:30) 2025 episode plans and resolutions RESOURCES: Games Mentioned: Magic: The Gathering (Modern), Deadlock, Baldur's Gate 3, Factorio, Balatro, Arcs, Spirit Island, Smash Up, Mechabellum, Root, Gloomhaven Publishers/Designers: Leder Games (Cole Wehrle), LocalThunk (Balatro developer) NEXT EPISODE PREVIEW: The hosts plan monthly episodes throughout 2025, including a deep dive into their ongoing Dungeons & Dragons campaign and continued updates on Brandon's board game development process. Thanks to our patient listeners for waiting through the hiatus! We'll catch you next time.

010: Board Game Potpourri

Brandon and Steve are cookin' up some board game goulash this week! They've got a lot to say about politicking, negotiation, and cooperation. But, of course, they also can't resist the need for speed! 2:30 - King's Dilemma 22:15 - Modern Art 30:47 - Twilight Imperium 39:48 - Mysterium 44:40 - Gloomhaven 50:45 - Spirit Island 1:00:44 - Unfathomable 1:02:00 - Camel Up 1:05:36 - Heat: Pedal to the Metal 1:08:20 - Wrap Up & Teasers

009: Making Big Things

Steve teaches Brandon about software development, and then they speculate about the video game industry. 8:30 - Introduction 17:00 - Climate Change, Big O Notation, & Starfield 33:00 - The Software Development Life Cycle, Henry Ford, & Japanese Auto Manufacturers 39:20 - The Mystery of Unfinished Games: Waterfall vs Agile