Brainwaves Episode 165 - Diamond Heist

Jamie’s off boating around, no really, so it’s just Oliver and Iain in the studio this week. On episode 165 of Brainwaves they cover Diamond Heists, Spiel Des Jahres, more trouble for CMON and D&D moving to a franchise model, whatever that means. 

 

Headlines

 

Diamond Distribution go on a heist

https://www.gofundme.com/f/support-green-ronin-in-critical-legal-defense?attribution_id=sl:0591297a-c303-4ba5-a93c-3b7bd62227df&lang=en_US&ts=1752187231&utm_campaign=fp_sharesheet&utm_content=amp13_c-amp14_t2-amp15_t1&utm_medium=customer&utm_source=copy_link&v=amp14_t2

 

https://icv2.com/articles/news/view/60060/numerous-objections-diamonds-hostage-inventory-plan?utm_source=dlvr.it&utm_medium=bluesky

Draughts union plans

Rascal report: https://www.rascal.news/draughts-workers-celebrated-a-unanimous-strike-vote-with-a-rally-and-a-police-visit/

UVW statement: https://www.uvwunion.org.uk/en/disputes/were-not-playing-anymore/

Strike fund: https://www.uvwunion.org.uk/en/donate/

 

Spiel des Jahres Award Winners

https://www.spiel-des-jahres.de/aktuelle-preistraeger-2025/

https://www.spiel-des-jahres.de/das-spiel-des-jahres-2025-heisst-bomb-busters/

https://www.spiel-des-jahres.de/preisverleihung-2025-ich-dachte-das-koennte-etwas-werden

 

News

 

CMON announces cancellation of Degenesis: Clan Wars Gamefound campaign after breakdown in relationship

https://boardgamewire.com/index.php/2025/07/04/cmon-announces-cancellation-of-degenesis-clan-wars-gamefound-campaign-after-breakdown-in-relationship-legal-dispute-with-ip-holder/

 

https://gamefound.com/en/projects/cmon/degenesis-clan-wars/updates/43

 

https://www.goonhammer.com/games-industry-news-roundup-july-8th-2025/

 

Asmodee partners with Maestro

https://www.tabletopgaming.co.uk/news/asmodee-launches-a-new-partnership-with-maestro-media/

 

https://maestromedia.com/blogs/news/asmodee-usa-announces-exclusive-distribution-partnership-with-maestro-media?srsltid=AfmBOoqJAC0wnG3lfCmhalOgqifajKstu7Jzb2AkDTcYinp-Fg2ZM_jj

 

https://icv2.com/articles/news/view/59936/maestro-media-strikes-exclusive-distro-deal-asmodee

 

D&D moves to a franchise model

https://www.linkedin.com/posts/dan-ayoub-0479491_dungeonsanddragons-dnd-gamedevelopment-activity-7348517655173054464-a2W3?utm_source=share&utm_medium=member_android&rcm=ACoAAAzo-SsBsPeDaLi3-DsTkFrdOApKJU-qNAc

 

Tycoon Games acquires Gamelyn Games

https://boardgamegeek.com/blog/1/blogpost/175835/tycoon-games-acquires-gamelyn-games

 

https://icv2.com/articles/news/view/59970/tycoon-acquires-gamelyn-brand

 

Women in Toys - Wonder Women Awards - 2025 Nominees

https://www.womenintoys.com/nominees

 

Cubicle 7 misses the credits

https://bsky.app/profile/oldoakgames.bsky.social/post/3lslf7c2zsc2h

 

Jobs, Opportunities, and Events

 

https://www.facebook.com/groups/TabletopJobs

 

Tag der Brettspielkritik 2025

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WuxxkAzN7LI

 

Tabletop Scotland 

https://tabletopscotland.co.uk/

 

Tabletop Games Blog Raffle

http://tabletopgamesblog.com/raffle 

 

Patreon Shoutouts

 

Kevin Bertram

https://www.fortcircle.com/

 

James Naylor

https://naylorgames.com/

 

Shaun Newman

game-a-lot.fun/en

facebook.com/gamealotboardgames

 

Our Patreon

https://www.patreon.com/thegiantbrain

 

Support Us

https://giantbrain.co.uk/support-us-new/

 

Fanroll

https://fanrolldice.com/ref/2783/

 

Outro

 

Uno Casino edition

 

https://www.palms.com/press-room/mattel-debuts-uno-experience-at-palms-casino-resort

 

Our Links

 

Thanks very much for listening. If you like what you’ve listened to then the best way to help us out is to share the podcast and drop us a review and rating on itunes.  You can also follow us on

 

Oliver: https://tabletopgamesblog.com/

Discord: https://discord.gg/3bMx2HK75r

Blusky

Iain https://bsky.app/profile/giantbrain.co.uk

Oliver https://bsky.app/profile/tabletopgamesblog.com

Jamie https://bsky.app/profile/jamsandwich.bsky.social

 

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/thegiantbrain

Website: https://giantbrain.co.uk/

Email: giantbrainuk@gmail.com