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Iain & Jamie from The Giant Brain, and Oliver from Tabletop Games Blog bring you a fortnightly show featuring the best in Tabletop Gaming News
Episodes
Monday Jul 20, 2020
Monday Jul 20, 2020
The HQ is on red alert as the news tubes fill up with more information than they can handle. Setting the interns on the problem Iain M and Jamie set about getting the podcast done to reduce the strain on the system whilst Iain C is lost somewhere in the piles of news! This episode we report on the return of Golden Bell to crowdfunding, Wizards having more employee troubles, Twitter Bans, Scrabble bans, deaths, awards and loads more!
Headlines
Golden Bell Studios launches crowdfunding site
https://www.reddit.com/r/boardgames/comments/hkxaun/golden_bell_studios_is_starting_their_own/
https://www.thegrowingtreehouse.com/
Wizards Employee Troubles
https://www.belloflostsouls.net/2020/07/dd-wotc-employee-quits-sparking-uproar.html
https://www.belloflostsouls.net/2020/07/dd-wotc-issues-apology-community-demands-action.html
https://twitter.com/DungeonCommandr/status/1279208531103629312
Eric Lang twitter ban
https://www.facebook.com/eric.lang.1217/posts/10158245957480856
https://www.facebook.com/eric.lang.1217/posts/10158247949970856
News
Mythic Update
https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/1162110258/time-of-legends-joan-of-arc/posts/2893949
Episode 42
https://giantbrain.co.uk/2020/02/03/episode-42-parting-ways/
Jim Holloway has Died
https://www.belloflostsouls.net/2020/07/the-bell-tolls-for-jim-holloway.html
Dice Tower Awards
https://www.dicetowernews.com/article/winners-13th-annual-dice-tower-awards-announced
Scrabble bans offensive words
Edinburgh Games Lab
Asmodee buys Libellud
Patreon Shoutouts
Exec Producers: Lucky Sparrow Gaming Cafe
Our Patreon
https://www.patreon.com/thegiantbrain
Metallic Dice Games
https://metallicdicegames.com/
Use code ROLLWITHBRAINS for 10% off and support the show!
Outro
Gamemaster Documentary
https://www.dicebreaker.com/categories/board-game/news/board-game-documentary-gamemaster-released
Our Links
Twitch: https://www.twitch.tv/thegiantbrain
Twitter: @thegiantbrain
Instagram: giantbrainuk
Facebook: The Giant Brain
Website: giantbrain.co.uk
Email: giantbrainuk@gmail.com
Monday Jul 06, 2020
Monday Jul 06, 2020
Iain M thought he was going to have a nice relaxing time in the Brainwaves studios over lockdown but no! There is so much news that it is threatening to bury the entire HQ! Together the team dig into the giant piles to bring you only the best nuggets of news; CAH revelations continue, WOTC part ways with artist, Ennies deals with their own controversy, AI taking over and much, much more!
Headlines
Cards against humanity head ousted
https://www.cardsagainsthumanity.com/statement/
https://www.polygon.com/2020/6/30/21308708/cards-against-humanity-unionization-toxic-culture-chicago
Wizards of the Coast parts way with Magic the Gathering artist
Zak S Cast
https://giantbrain.podbean.com/e/episode-23-stranger-dice/
Ennies announced amidst Lancer controversy
https://twitter.com/Lancer_RPG/status/1277650899243077632
Meeting of Minds - Loke Battlemats
https://giantbrain.co.uk/2020/07/01/meeting-of-minds-loke-battlemats/
News
DMs Guild removes book from sale for provocative art
https://twitter.com/deathbybadger/status/1277920649055518725
AI set loose on Diplomacy
Alpha Go Episode
https://giantbrain.podbean.com/e/episode-40-wrapping-up/
Assembly Link
Tabletop Games Blog Link
https://tabletopgamesblog.com/
Marvel and Games Workshop Team Up
Tabletop Mentorship announces Micro-Grants
https://twitter.com/TabletopMentor/status/1278339936761139200?s=20
Stephen Buonocore to Step Down as President of Stronghold Games
http://strongholdgames.com/press-release-buonocorestepsdown/
Boardgamegeek acquires TabletopEvents
https://twitter.com/BoardGameGeek/status/1277615780998365184?s=19
Patreon Shoutouts
Exec Producers: Lucky Sparrow Gaming Cafe
Our Patreon
https://www.patreon.com/thegiantbrain
Our Links
Twitch: https://www.twitch.tv/thegiantbrain
Twitter: @thegiantbrain
Instagram: giantbrainuk
Facebook: The Giant Brain
Website: giantbrain.co.uk
Email: giantbrainuk@gmail.com
Monday Jun 22, 2020
Monday Jun 22, 2020
After the rose tinted glasses of episode 50 we put on the harsh specs of reality and dive into this week’s news. Together the team cover the cancellation of Origins Online, Wizards of the Coast banning cards and striving for diversity, Cards Against Humanity abuse allegations, Golden Bell tolling once more, Everything Board Games imploding and much, much more.
Headlines
Origins Online Cancelled amidst mass walkout of guests over silence on American protests
Statement can be found on GAMA facebook page @TheGAMAOnline
https://icv2.com/articles/news/view/45895/gama-cancels-origins-online
Eric Lang Statement
https://twitter.com/eric_lang/status/1271095405644779521
Wizards of the Coast bans Racist magic cards
https://www.geeknative.com/73805/here-are-the-racist-magic-cards-wizards-have-banned/
https://gatherer.wizards.com/Pages/Default.aspx
Cards against Humanity under fire
https://twitter.com/atheresastewart/status/1269310742450393089
News
Golden Bell Strike again
https://twitter.com/moregamespls/status/1270687206756233217?s=19
Episode 34 cast link
https://giantbrain.co.uk/2019/08/19/episode-34-golden-gnomes/
Everything Board Games implodes
https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/1941412327/everything-board-games-bi-monthly-digital-magazin
https://mobile.twitter.com/NDShipley/status/1273357515846189058
https://twitter.com/NDShipley/status/1273383596653457410
Diversity & Dungeons & Dragons
Kinderspiel announced
https://www.spiel-des-jahres.de/en/aktuelle-preistraeger-2020/
Itch bundle breaks $8million dollars
https://itch.io/b/520/bundle-for-racial-justice-and-equality
Blades in the Dark Review
https://giantbrain.co.uk/2017/07/30/blades-in-the-dark-review/
CMON does P&P Foodies
https://www.cmon.com/news/foodies-print-play-edition
Patreon Shoutouts
Exec Producers: Lucky Sparrow Gaming Cafe
Our Patreon
https://www.patreon.com/thegiantbrain
Outro
New reddit!
https://www.reddit.com/r/boardgamediscussion/
Munchkin Disney
https://theop.games/2020/06/munchkin-disney-game-coming-soon/
Dobble Variants are on the way
https://twitter.com/ICV2/status/1270386811102101505?s=19
Our Links
Twitch: https://www.twitch.tv/thegiantbrain
Twitter: @thegiantbrain
Instagram: giantbrainuk
Facebook: The Giant Brain
Website: giantbrain.co.uk
Email: giantbrainuk@gmail.com
Monday Jun 08, 2020
Monday Jun 08, 2020
Brainwaves Statement on the U.S. Protests
Hello everyone, before we get to the cast proper we wanted to take a moment to address how the Brainwaves team feels about the current situation in America. We feel that even though our voice is small, it is important to speak up when events like this occur.
As 3 white guys we will not pretend to understand what the black community has experienced worldwide during our lifetimes and for centuries beforehand. However we do stand with the protesters who are seeking justice for the killing of George Floyd and the countless other black Americans who have been unlawfully killed.
The United States is being run by a fascist who wants nothing more than to line his pockets and those of his rich, white friends. He doesn’t care about people, especially those who look different from him. We hope his rule is brought to an end in November. Our own country is being run by people who foster the fear of ‘the other’ to score political points, to divide, and make money. Whilst they have not quite sunk to the levels of the Trump administration, it is all too easy to imagine a scenario where they would.
For our own part we will be endeavouring to highlight the work of BAME UK designers more. We are conscious of the fact that we have not had a diverse range of voices on the cast or in interviews. We'll be striving to do better on that front over the coming weeks, months, and years. Our goal has always been to lift up smaller publishers and designers and we also need to add diversity to that goal. We, and games, are all made better by listening to and understanding diverse voices.
It is easy to feel powerless against what is happening in the US, and in the UK regarding Brexit, at the moment. We hope in our own small corner of the internet that we can do better, and that we can help lift up a diverse range of voices through our actions.
Black Lives Matter.
Show Notes
It’s our 50th episode! Before we break out the bubbly, the team bring you the choicest slices of tabletop games news from Magic competitions going digital to pintable trains. In a longer than normal cast, we look back on how the cast came to be, what the future holds, and chat about our experiences behind the scenes.
Headlines
Spiel des Jahres nominations out
https://www.dicebreaker.com/topics/spiel-des-jahres/news/spiel-des-jahres-2020-nominations
Wizards of the Coast announces major changes to M:tG competitive play.
Gen Con online
https://www.tabletopgaming.co.uk/News/gen-con-online-registration-to-open-1-june-2020
News
Boardgame design lab hires J.R. Honeycutt
https://mobile.twitter.com/BGDesignLab/status/1268505651522740224
Ticket to Ride Print and Play
https://print-and-play.asmodee.fun/files/tickettoride/Ticket-to-Ride-Stay-at-Home-A4_en.pdf
Aquelarre RPG now coming out in English
https://www.tabletopgaming.co.uk/News/aquelarre-rpg-out-now?utm_source=facebook&utm_medium=post&utm_campaign=news&fbclid=IwAR36vxnSIpoRNLacCsxqRkNxw1b80uXhrovIpSfxYJfSAhp2dygGkSLTYkE
Retrospective
Meeple People Podcast
https://soundcloud.com/user-434999721
First Player Token
https://twitter.com/1stplayertoken?lang=en
Unlucky Frog
We’re Not Wizards
https://werenotwizards.podbean.com/
Patreon Shoutouts
Exec Producers: Lucky Sparrow Gaming Cafe
Our Patreon
https://www.patreon.com/thegiantbrain
Our Links
Twitch: https://www.twitch.tv/thegiantbrain
Twitter: @thegiantbrain
Instagram: giantbrainuk
Facebook: The Giant Brain
Website: giantbrain.co.uk
Email: giantbrainuk@gmail.com
Monday May 25, 2020
Monday May 25, 2020
Iain C is having some outside time in the Brainwaves garden, leaving Jamie and Iain M to get on with the business of the cast. This week we cover convention cancellations, Avengers’ board game night, BGG Geek Game store, Spartacus returning, Hot Zones for free and more. In Brainstorm we discuss the possibility of a silver lining to all the convention cancellations: are release schedules going to get a little more spread out?
Headlines
Coronavirus cancels conventions
Uk Games Expo
https://www.ukgamesexpo.co.uk/virtually-expo/
Tabletop Scotland
https://tabletopscotland.co.uk/tabletop-scotland-2020-cancelled/
Essen
https://www.spiel-messe.com/en/covid-19/
Gencon
https://www.gencon.com/press/updates-gen-con-covid19
https://icv2.com/articles/news/view/45767/gen-con-officially-cancelled-2020-over-covid-19-concerns
Play boardgames with the Avengers
Boardgamegeek announce new geek store- Geek Game Shop
https://boardgamegeek.com/thread/2432453/announcing-geek-game-shop
News
FFG takedowns follow up
Pandemic Hot Zone
https://www.dicebreaker.com/games/pandemic-hot-zone-north-america/news/pandemic-hot-zone-print-and-play-demo
Spartacus returns
https://icv2.com/articles/news/view/45726/spartacus-returns
Patreon Shoutouts
Exec Producers: Lucky Sparrow Gaming Cafe
Our Patreon
https://www.patreon.com/thegiantbrain
Outro
Breaking Bad Monopoly
https://twitter.com/joindicebreaker/status/1259778023789867009?s=19
The Child Monopoly
https://icv2.com/articles/news/view/45730/baby-yoda-monopoly
Godzilla Monopoly
Guardian article about DnD
James Wallis head of UK Games studio
https://twitter.com/JamesWallis/status/1262323767910502400?s=19
Our Links
Twitch: https://www.twitch.tv/thegiantbrain
Twitter: @thegiantbrain
Instagram: giantbrainuk
Facebook: The Giant Brain
Website: giantbrain.co.uk
Email: giantbrainuk@gmail.com
Monday May 11, 2020
Monday May 11, 2020
It’s time for the most coveted prize in the boardgame award season calendar, The Golden Brains! These coveted prizes are only given out on this cast to categories of our own devising, number two will shock you. Of course we still have time to bring you the best in tabletop gaming news: comic relief DnD, Wingspan sweeps awards and picks up some controversy, Frosthaven rocks Kickstarter, Asmodee takedowns, Union negotiations and much more! In our Brainstorm we look at the thorny subject of boardgame categories and ask if it is time that things are shaken up.
Headlines
Comic Relief goes Dungeon Delving
https://twitter.com/comicrelief/status/1255814860102828033?s=19
https://tiltify.com/@comic-relief-plays-dungeons-dragons/crplaysdnd
BGG announces Golden Geek Awards 2019
https://boardgamegeek.com/thread/2421320/14th-annual-golden-geek-awards-winners-2019
Frosthaven takes eleventybillion dollars
https://icv2.com/articles/news/view/45687/frosthaven-kickstarter-raises-nearly-13-million
News
Hasbro gets lift from lockdown
https://www.wsj.com/articles/monopoly-maker-gets-a-big-lift-from-lockdown-11588169873
https://icv2.com/articles/news/view/45666/hasbros-total-gaming-business-up-40-q1
Kickstarter Union announces negotiated settlement
https://twitter.com/ksr_united/status/1256382357311012871
Steamforged Games offer to retailers
https://icv2.com/articles/news/view/45652/steamforged-offers-retailers-40-affiliate-sales
DM’s Guild giving 100% of royalties to Creators until 17th May
https://twitter.com/RPG_EmeraldS/status/1257248719449268224
https://www.dmsguild.com/special.php
Asmodee Humble Bundle
Asmodee takedowns
https://boardgamegeek.com/thread/2415261/asmodee-ffg-seem-be-taking-down-all-ffg-games-tts/page/3
Patreon Shoutouts
Exec Producers: Lucky Sparrow Gaming Cafe
Our Patreon
https://www.patreon.com/thegiantbrain
Outro
Huge bet on Rock, Paper, Scissors
https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/montreal/500-k-bet-on-rock-paper-scissors-1.5543533
Our Links
Twitch: https://www.twitch.tv/thegiantbrain
Twitter: @thegiantbrain
Instagram: giantbrainuk
Facebook: The Giant Brain
Website: giantbrain.co.uk
Email: giantbrainuk@gmail.com
Monday Apr 27, 2020
Monday Apr 27, 2020
This week on Brainwaves Iain Chantler is on trial for crimes too heinous to write down! With the proceedings out of the way the team gather to pour over the last fortnight in boardgame news: CMON trading statement, Kickstarter cuts, Game store owner arrested and companies support for your FLGS. We look at Roll20 and the ways it can help you roleplay online.
Headlines
Cmon Trading Statement
https://cmon.com/news/cmon-april-2020-update
Kickstarter to cut staff
Florida Game Store Owner arrested over stay at home orders
https://icv2.com/articles/news/view/45620/game-store-owner-to-fight-charges
News
Games Workshop to begin Opening Stores around the world
https://www.warhammer-community.com/2020/04/21/lockdown-updategw-homepage-post-2
Tales from the Loop on TV, boardgame out on KS
https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/1192053011/tales-from-the-loop-the-board-game
Pegasus Spiele and Portal Games announce Kickback programmes
https://boardgamegeek.com/blogpost/103078/covid-19-gaming-table-vi-store-support-pegasus-and
CGE blog
https://blog.czechgames.com/2020/04/06/why-cge-blog-now/
At Home with Iain
Outro
Trivial Pursuit
Patreon Shoutouts
Exec Producers: Lucky Sparrow Gaming Cafe
No Pun Included
https://www.nopunincluded.com/
Our Links
Twitch: https://www.twitch.tv/thegiantbrain
Twitter: @thegiantbrain
Instagram: giantbrainuk
Facebook: The Giant Brain
Website: giantbrain.co.uk
Monday Apr 13, 2020
Monday Apr 13, 2020
The Team are all together in Brainwaves HQ and Iain C has made his way back from the non-euclidean geometry of the coffee machine. Joining Jamie and Iain M they dive into the news ocean once more to bring you the juiciest pearls. This week they cover the Far Verona cancellation, the passing of a TSR founder, CMON trading woes, Asmodee generosity, Z-Man on Pandemic and much, much more. Iain M has been busy putting together a new corner of the studio to help out those stuck at home with online gaming, and the team chat about the merits of Tabletop Simulator.
Headlines
Far Verona Cancellation
https://www.reddit.com/r/rpg/comments/fts4rd/adam_koebel_dungeon_worlds_far_verona_stream/
Elspeth Eastman Explainer Vid
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0Y21hx6FEPE&feature=emb_err_watch_on_yt
Koebel Apology
Monte Cooke material
https://www.montecookgames.com/consent-in-gaming/
Brian J Blume dies
https://icv2.com/articles/news/view/45529/r-i-p-brian-j-blume
Cool Mini Or Not Stock Trading Suspended
News
Asmodee PnP
https://print-and-play.asmodee.fun/
Asmodee hires GW Interactive Games licensing Manager
https://icv2.com/articles/news/view/45523/asmodee-adds-interactive-games-licensing-manager
Gama launches search and help site
https://icv2.com/articles/news/view/45535/gama-launches-game-store-locator-status-info
Z-Man on Pandemic.
https://www.zmangames.com/en/news/2020/3/28/pandemic-and-covid-19/
Matt Leacocks’ oped: https://www.nytimes.com/2020/03/25/opinion/pandemic-game-covid.html?fbclid=IwAR2q1ZAglTon2KlcmmqOhCayWWp_qKbsxQshv0OSgTNVXBLK7mfqj0aUnC0
New edition of Love Letter from Z-Man Games
https://www.zmangames.com/en/news/2020/4/1/announcing-love-letter-sender/
WOTC announces game store relief
https://icv2.com/articles/news/view/45511/wotc-announces-game-store-relief
Frosthaven KS
https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/frosthaven/frosthaven/description
At Home with Iain M
Tabletop Simulator
https://store.steampowered.com/app/286160/Tabletop_Simulator/
Patreon Shoutouts
Exec Producers: Lucky Sparrow Gaming Cafe
Our Links
Twitch: https://www.twitch.tv/thegiantbrain
Twitter: @thegiantbrain
Instagram: giantbrainuk
Facebook: The Giant Brain
Website: giantbrain.co.uk
Email: giantbrainuk@gmail.com
Monday Mar 30, 2020
Monday Mar 30, 2020
Brainwaves HQ is a lonely place for Iain M to be on his own: Iain C is self isolating, and we’ve sent all the interns home for safety. Contemplating what to do next he is thankfully joined by Jamie who has returned from his walkabout, and a very special guest. Together they look at the impact Covid-19 has had on the boardgaming world before turning to news of companies splitting, awards being announced, and games companies reacting to counterfeiting. In Brainstorm we look at ways you can still engage with the Tabletop community online.
Headline
Coronavirus Impacts Tabletop World
Games Expo Moves to August
https://www.ukgamesexpo.co.uk/content/news/uk-games-expo-postponed-august-2020/
Tabletop Scotland moves to October
https://tabletopscotland.co.uk/tabletop-scotland-2020-postponed-news/
Asmodee USA is not releasing any new titles over April
https://www.boardgamegeek.com/blogpost/102183/covid-19-gaming-table-iii-asmodee-alliance-and-acd
Wizards suspends WPN
Brighton A&E staff use boardgame to practice managing overcrowded department
News
Plaid Hat Games Splits from Asmodee
https://twitter.com/PlaidHatGames/status/1233512952965337088
https://www.fantasyflightgames.com/en/news/2020/2/28/fight-for-survival/
https://www.plaidhatgames.com/news/1049
Boardgame Crate Shutters
https://www.boardgamecrate.co.uk/
Calliope Games reduces distribution roster
https://icv2.com/articles/news/view/45443/calliope-games-slashes-distributor-roster
Origins Awards nominees
https://www.originsgamefair.com/news/2020-origins-awards-nominees
Brainstorm
Search the #isloationcon on Twitter to see all the stuff we have found or check this list:
https://giantbrain.co.uk/2020/03/24/isolationcon-the-list/
You can join the Discord here
Smartparty Agon AP
https://smartparty.wordpress.com/2020/03/04/agon-actual-play/
Patreon Shoutouts
Olive Kinne
- Tabletop Games blog https://tabletopgamesblog.com/
- Tabletop Inquisition podcast https://tabletopinquisition.com/
Exec Producers: Lucky Sparrow Gaming Cafe
Outro
Ayr Monopoly
Our Links
Twitter: @thegiantbrain
Instagram: giantbrainuk
Facebook: The Giant Brain
Website: giantbrain.co.uk
Email: giantbrainuk@gmail.com
Monday Mar 16, 2020
Monday Mar 16, 2020
Iain and Iain were off in Harrogate over the last weekend, and haven't had the time to put together the usual Brainwaves cast. To fill the gap we are releasing one of our older Idle Thoughts episodes featuring the original team of Iain, Jamie and Sam. We hope you enjoy their thoughts on the games they played round December 2018.