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Games, Gamers, and Why We Play

An in depth look at games, Gamers, and why we play

The Cardboard Herald

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Episode 149 - Emerald Flame Designer Rita Orlov in The Tale of Ord Spoilercast

May 6, 2020 Jack Eddy
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Rita’s next project The Emerald Flame will be hitting kickstarter May 27th, so we thought it was a good opportunity to get down and deep into her prior box of madness, The Tale of Ord. There are spoilers abound, so you are warned, but if you haven’t had a chance to play, don’t worry too much as TTOO is likely to never be produced again. Follow the kickstarter here: https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/postcurious/the-emerald-flame

HOT LINKS:

Our Site - https://www.cardboardherald.com

Our Video Channel - https://www.youtube.com/TheCardboardHerald

Our Twitter - https://twitter.com/CardboardHerald

Our Patreon - https://www.patreon.com/user?u=9669551

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Bonus Episode - Quarantine Solo Diary # 1 - Why play solo & what I've been rocking

April 22, 2020 Jack Eddy
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As promised, here's our casual stream of consciousness on solo games # 1 except now in audio form so you can mow your lawn or whatever. 

01:20 - Why should you play solo games?

09:17 - Why I'm playing more solo games

10:28 - Wingspan

11:27 - Root

12:43 - Shadows of Kilforth

13:49 - Everdell Bellfaire & Spirecrest

14:59 - Clans of Caledonia

16:55 - Tiny Towns

17:42 - Spirit Island

20:10 - Solo plans for the future

HOT LINKS: Our Site - https://www.cardboardherald.com

Our Video Channel - https://www.youtube.com/TheCardboardHerald

Our Twitter - https://twitter.com/CardboardHerald

Our Patreon - https://www.patreon.com/user?u=9669551

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Episode 148 - Talking Kalewala: Tale of Sampo with Finnish Designer Tuomas Mansikka

April 15, 2020 Jack Eddy
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Tuomas and I talk epics, Tolkien, and Kalewala: Tale of Sampo, launching April 13 on Kickstarter.

01:16 - What is the Kalevala?

04:01 - How pervasive is the Kalevala in Finland?

06:16 - What makes this an ideal setting for a game?

08:40 - What is the overall flow of the game?

12:06 - What stage of completion is the game?

13:44 - Experience as a game designer

15:33 - Kalewala vs. Kalevala

17:31 - Unique challenges publishing from Finland?

19:30 - Action items moving forward?

23:05 - Hidden movement and approachability

28:37 - What is the killer moment in this game?

HOT LINKS:

Our Site - www.cardboardherald.com

Our Video Channel - https://www.youtube.com/TheCardboardHerald

Our Twitter - https://twitter.com/CardboardHerald

Our Patreon - https://www.patreon.com/user?u=9669551

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Bonus Episode - The Asmodee Situation Casually Explained

April 10, 2020 Jack Eddy
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Walking through 13 years in 13 minutes. Lots to unpack here, would love to hear your thoughts.

Link to vid for visual companion: https://youtu.be/86-CyHYv5Sg

00:42 - Foundation of Asmodee

02:32 - The Age of Acquisition

04:56 - Worldwide Distribution & PAI

05:38 - Recent Layoffs

06:34 - Component Replacement

09:25 - Plaid Hat Goes Indie (Again)

10:19 - Price Hike

10:52 - Where Does That Leave Us?

HOT LINKS: Our Site - www.cardboardherald.com Our

Video Channel - https://www.youtube.com/TheCardboardHerald

Our Twitter - https://twitter.com/CardboardHerald

Our Patreon - https://www.patreon.com/user?u=9669551

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Episode 147 - Talking Frosthaven & Jaws of the Lion with Isaac Childres

April 1, 2020 Jack Eddy
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Talking about the hot new entries in the Gloomhaven series, and about the changes from then to now with the founder himself, Isaac Childres.

01:02 - COVID Impacts on Frosthaven

04:21 - The Gloomhaven phenomenon and managing expectations

09:31 - Prepping for Jaws of The Lion Retail Release

12:31 - Unique challenges in JoTL Design & Development

17:20 - Design approach to Frosthaven

24:11 - Could Frosthaven become the new, definitive edition?

29:05 - Unique approaches to characters

31:46 - Legacy elements

35:14 - Changes to campaign structure?

37:48 - Adjusting to “boardgame celebrity” status

41:57 - Open ended city building in Frosthaven

46:24 - How do the seasons & weather affect the game?

48:14 - Fail forward games?

50:20 - Most challenging aspect in designing Frosthaven

53:17 - If you weren’t the “Gloomhaven guy”

56:28 - Expanding the 3 pillars of Gloomhaven

HOT LINKS:

Our Site - www.cardboardherald.com

Our Video Channel - https://www.youtube.com/TheCardboardHerald\

Our Twitter - https://twitter.com/CardboardHerald

Our Patreon - https://www.patreon.com/user?u=9669551

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Bonus Episode - Mike Selinker on Game Design (Platypus Con 2020 Panel)

March 25, 2020 Jack Eddy
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A bonus episode to keep you company during your social distancing. Thank you to Platypus Con for bringing up Mike Selinker. We’ll have a regularly scheduled interview next week.

03:30 Introduction

08:20 - Finding the fun in your games

10:20 - What is elegance?

12:40 - The long process of designing Apocrypha

15:00 - What are my game’s 3 things?

16:40 - Vetting your games

21:30 - What I look for in a designer

22:50 - Q: Once you have an idea, where do you go from there?

34:00 - Q: What about when a game design is cost prohibitive?

38:40 - Q: Do you ever work on video games?

41:15 - Q: How do you reduce setup time on games?

46:45 - Q: Can you tutorialize a board game?

50:10 - Q: Advice for breaking into the industry?

53:40 - Q: How protective are you as a game designer?

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Episode 146 - Colby Dauch Plaid Hat Games talks Forgotten Waters, Summoner Wars 2, and Separating from Asmodee

March 18, 2020 Jack Eddy
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To watch us have this chat with supporting imagery, check out the vid here: https://youtu.be/Ntv_TCtH4Fs

I spend some time talking about Plaid Hat's shocking separation from Asmodee and their plans for the future.

00:45 - How long has splitting from Asmodee been in the cards? 
04:50 - Saying goodbye to friends and IPs 
06:48 - The early spirit of Plaid Hat Games 
12:28 - Colby & Isaac 
17:40 - Plaid Hat Ideals 
24:57 - Jerry Hawthorne's next project 
30:07 - Did staff know about the separation? 
31:52 - What does "a crossroads game" mean now as opposed to 2012? 
33:18 - Forgotten Waters Overview 
38:12 - App integration in Forgotten Waters 
43:23 - Summoner Wars 2nd Edition Development
49:39 - New Summoner Wars factions

HOT LINKS:

Our Site - www.cardboardherald.com

Our Video Channel - https://www.youtube.com/TheCardboardHerald

Our Twitter - https://twitter.com/CardboardHerald

Our Patreon - https://www.patreon.com/user?u=9669551

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Bonus Episode - World Building with Keith Baker (Creator of Eberron) - Panel at Platypus Con 2020

March 11, 2020 Jack Eddy

Keith Baker of Twogether studios gives a presentation on World Building.
01:45 - Introduction - my history in gaming
02:26 - WOTC buying TSR and origins of Eberron
08:10 - Core elements of Eberron, how to build a world from there?
13:40 - Setting Eberron apart
15:45 - How does a setting affect the mechanics?
22:30 - How different systems empower you to tell different stories
28:15 - Phoenix Dawn Command discussion
34:25 - What is the story we're trying to tell?
40:00 - Handling travel 44:43 - Fan interpretation of content
47:30 - Playing your class
52:15 - Eberron minis
54:15 - Cause for the day of mourning?
58:45 - How to tell original stories with pre-con books
62:00 - Designing worlds and environments for the story you want to tell

Thank you to Platypus Con, find out more about Alaska's biggest tabletop gaming convention here: http://www.platypusgaming.org OTHER HOT LINKS: Our Site - www.cardboardherald.com Our Video Channel - https://www.youtube.com/TheCardboardHerald Our Twitter - https://twitter.com/CardboardHerald Our Patreon - https://www.patreon.com/user?u=9669551

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Episode 145 - Michael Dunsmore; Professional Game Developer

March 4, 2020 Jack Eddy
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I chat with designer Michael Dunsmore about his new gig with John Brieger Game Development Studio. Thank you to Platypus Con, find out more about Alaska's biggest tabletop gaming convention here: http://www.platypusgaming.org

OTHER HOT LINKS:
Our Site - www.cardboardherald.com
Our Video Channel - https://www.youtube.com/TheCardboardHerald
Our Twitter - https://twitter.com/CardboardHerald
Our Patreon - https://www.patreon.com/user?u=9669551

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Episode 144 - Jennifer Graham-Macht - From LFGS owner to Keymaster Games PR

February 5, 2020 Jack Eddy
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01:17 - Humble beginnings with Fresco
05:25 - Opening a game & comic shop
07:33 - Joining Keymaster Games
10:41 - Partnering with 59 Parks
13:43 - PARKS: Nightfall
14:51 - Expanding an already cohesive game
17:58 - More divergent gameplay?
20:25 - PARKS: Memories
24:14 - The biggest hurdle in development
27:16 - Running Iron
31:27 - Firebreak
32:18 - Australian wildfires impacting direction?
33:47 - What makes Keymaster unique?

HOT LINKS: Our Site - https://www.cardboardherald.com Our Video Channel - https://www.youtube.com/TheCardboardHerald Our Twitter - https://twitter.com/CardboardHerald Our Patreon - https://www.patreon.com/user?u=9669551

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Episode 143 - David Smith of Winsmith Games

January 22, 2020 Jack Eddy
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I talk with my friend, game designer and Winsmith Games co-owner, David Smith. You can find David’s debut game 10 Gallon Tank on kickstarter RIGHT NOW.

HOT LINKS:

Our Site - https://www.cardboardherald.com

Our Video Channel - https://www.youtube.com/TheCardboardHerald

Our Twitter - https://twitter.com/CardboardHerald

Our Patreon - https://www.patreon.com/user?u=9669551

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Episode 142 - Jamey Stegmaier Talks Tapestry

November 20, 2019 Jack Eddy
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This interview was from a bit back (speaking of which, I recommend you check out the video channel for tightly produced video interviews released typically much earlier than the podcast). Anyway, it was a great conversation about Tapestry BEFORE it came out. I have a feeling that our conversation would have been a whole other thing if it were post release (though equally as pleasant, I’m sure). Anyway, hope you dig it.

00:52 - Plans to grow Stonemaier

03:23 - Feelings on the precipice of Tapestry

04:34 - Origins of the game - Sculpts informing mechanical decisions

06:37 - Controversy over Tapestry price

13:11 - Design & Development - What is the killer feature of the game

16:29 - Most surprising thing to come out of blind playtesting

17:57 - The conflict between gamer Jamey and designer/publisher Jamey

19:11 - How have you evolved as a designer?

21:14 - Reflections on Charterstone

26:19 - Planning the Tapestry rollout and media schedule

27:10 - Tapestry rulebook & becoming the Apple of boardgames

30:00 - Any plans for a Stonemaier cooperative game?

32:04 - Reserving content for expansions

35:13 - How is Stonemaier preparing for a potential Tariff war?

38:42 - What are you doing for fun these days?

41:10 - Making time for fun outside of work

43:14 - How / When / Where can people find Tapestry?

HOT LINKS:

Our Site - https://www.cardboardherald.com

Our Video Channel - https://www.youtube.com/TheCardboardHerald

Our Twitter - https://twitter.com/CardboardHerald

Our Patreon - https://www.patreon.com/user?u=9669551

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Episode 141 - Dean Donofrio and ErinRose Widner are Meeple People

November 6, 2019 Jack Eddy
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ErinRose and Dean are the wonderful creators of this awesome show. Meeple People is an ongoing comedy-drama webseries about a group of board gamers.

00:40 - Respective roles on the show

02:55 - Are the characters based on real people?

04:36 - Joining a group in life and the show

05:38 - What makes this hobby a good platform for drama?

07:36 - Elevator pitch for the show

08:41 - Why such short episodes

10:32 - Why handheld camera work?

12:08 - Production catastrophes?

14:32 - Writer / actor from the get-go?

16:02 - Funding and payoff

18:43 - Dean's gaming origin story

19:58 - Laughing with VS. Laughing at nerds

23:12 - Inherent inclusion of the hobby

25:49 - Capturing authenticity

HOT LINKS:

Meeple People Show - https://www.youtube.com/user/TheGr8Indoors

Our Site - https://www.cardboardherald.com

Our Video Channel - https://www.youtube.com/TheCardboardHerald

Our Twitter - https://twitter.com/CardboardHerald

Our Patreon - https://www.patreon.com/user?u=9669551

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Episode 140 - Dustin Freund and the Haunting of The Ghosts Betwixt

October 23, 2019 Jack Eddy
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Missed our video interview with Dustin Freund, designer of The Ghosts Betwixt? Time to catch the audio on our podcast feed and learn more about how this game is the culmination of a creative soul.

00:20 - Why "Innocent Traveler" Games?

01:23 - It all starts with Electronica

03:08 - Overview of The Ghosts Betwixt

10:34 - The audacity to say "I can make a board game"

15:21 - Putting creative work out there

18:46 - Who do you rely on to stay resilient?

22:18 - Steps to take for a relaunch

24:05 - What makes boardgames the right platform for this story?

HOT LINKS:

The Ghosts Betwixt KS - http://kck.st/2kOQfsT

Our Site - https://www.cardboardherald.com

Our Video Channel - https://www.youtube.com/TheCardboardHerald

Our Twitter - https://twitter.com/CardboardHerald

Our Patreon - https://www.patreon.com/user?u=9669551

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Episode 139 - Gabe Barrett has you hunted; alone

October 15, 2019 Jack Eddy
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Board Game Design Lab’s Gabe Barrett comes back to the show to talk about his newly launched kickstarter, Hunted, a 2-game solo adventure. Check it out here: https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/gabebarrett/hunted

HOT LINKS:

Our Site - https://www.cardboardherald.com

Our Video Channel - https://www.youtube.com/TheCardboardHerald

Our Twitter - https://twitter.com/CardboardHerald

Our Patreon - https://www.patreon.com/user?u=9669551

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Episode 138 - Rondels, Community, and Ruins of Mars with Don Riddle

October 2, 2019 Jack Eddy
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Our interview with Ruins of Mars designer Don Riddle

03:19 - Thematic resonance in Ruins of Mars

05:08 - Why a rondel?

10:59 - From custom MTG Maker to Game Designer

16:54 - The help of local / online game design communities

19:57 - Solo mode?

20:32 - Killer feature of the game

21:59 - Biggest challenges during development?

23:44 - One skill aspiring designers must hone

HOT LINKS:

Our Site - www.cardboardherald.com

Our Video Channel - https://www.youtube.com/TheCardboardHerald

Our Twitter - https://twitter.com/CardboardHerald

Our Patreon - https://www.patreon.com/user?u=9669551

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Episode 137 - Tiny Towns Designer Peter McPherson

September 18, 2019 Jack Eddy
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Sorry for the weird processed audio quality on my track. Had a snafu during recording that's all fixed now. Peter's audio sounds great though, so I hope you dig it!

00:31 - Origins of Tiny Towns
03:49 - Always strive to be a game designer?
06:18 - Pitching to AEG
10:56 - Development of Master Builder & Town Hall Variant
15:13 - Do you have a favorite building?
16:44 - Designing for player experience?
20:55 - Tiny Towns Fortune (upcoming expansion)
23:49 - Players who struggle with spacial reasoning
25:28 - Hard earned lessons in game design
27:50 - Highlights of Success

HOT LINKS:

Our Site - https://www.cardboardherald.com
Our Video Channel - https://www.youtube.com/TheCardboardHerald
Our Twitter - https://twitter.com/CardboardHerald
Our Patreon - https://www.patreon.com/user?u=9669551

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Episode 136 - Talking Carte Rouge with Khiara Foss of The Enigma Emporium

September 4, 2019 Jack Eddy
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Our chat with Carte Rouge designer Khiara Foss. Check out our video review of Carte Rouge here - https://youtu.be/TAYMwWZHdMk, and the kickstarter here: https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/enigmaemporium/carterouge

00:40 - What is Carte Rouge?
02:05 - What should people expect going into this?
04:51 - Particular challenges in the design process?
08:30 - Collaboration at Enigma
11:02 - Major obstacles?
13:42 - Preparing for Kickstarter launch day
17:27 - What does Enigma have coming after Carte Rouge?

HOT LINKS:
Our Site - https://www.cardboardherald.com
Our Video Channel - https://www.youtube.com/TheCardboardHerald
Our Twitter - https://twitter.com/CardboardHerald
Our Patreon - https://www.patreon.com/user?u=9669551

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Episode 135 - Rob Daviau: An Unmatched Legacy

August 21, 2019 Jack Eddy
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Our interview with Rob Daviau, co-designer of Unmatched, Pandemic Legacy, and everything.

00:37 - Managing multiple game projects at once

03:34 - Creating whole cloth vs working from a pitch

08:14 - Food, artisanship, and creativity

15:57 - How do publishers pitch games to you?

18:45 - Revisiting shelved projects

21:06 - Stop taking games so seriously

23:11 - Death May Die

24:45 - Pandemic Legacy development, and Pandemic Legacy Season 3

30:33 - Resolving conflict with co-designers

32:47 - Bringing in outside help to work on a design

35:55 - Critics, good games, and credibility

40:33 - Unmatched; unique aspects of resurrecting your own game

45:56 - Dream IP for Unmatched?

47:15 - Resurrecting Heroquest

50:09 - Fireball Island: Spider Springs Expansion

HOT LINKS:

Our Site - https://www.cardboardherald.com

Our Video Channel - https://www.youtube.com/TheCardboardHerald

Our Twitter - https://twitter.com/CardboardHerald

Our Patreon - https://www.patreon.com/user?u=9669551

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Episode 134 - Daniel Letzring & Nicholas You talk Adventure Tactics

August 7, 2019 Jack Eddy
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I talk with Dan Letzring and Nicholas Yu, creators of Adventure Tactics, a new cooperative board game inspired by classic tactical RPGs like Final Fantasy Tactics. Originally published as a video interview which you can watch here: https://youtu.be/3973q4N0pI4

01:12 - Inspired by Final Fantasy Tactics?

04:40 - Overview of the Game

07:18 - Campaign & Story

08:27 - Characters & Their Classes

09:46 - Ideas on the cutting room floor?

13:38 - Failing forward

18:00 - Player time investment

20:44 - Maintaining tension

24:04 - Simultaneous release expansions

26:19 - Minis & Art Direction

29:32 - What excites you about the game?

Our Site - www.cardboardherald.com

Our Video Channel - https://www.youtube.com/TheCardboardHerald

Our Twitter - https://twitter.com/CardboardHerald

Our Patreon - https://www.patreon.com/user?u=9669551

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