32.6K
Downloads
189
Episodes
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 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.
Monday Mar 02, 2020
Monday Mar 02, 2020
Iain Chantler has established a Robot Fight Club in the basement of Brainwaves HQ and who better than James Hewitt to help him get it setup. Iain McAllister is enthusiastic about the idea but James really needs to help out around the place if the club is going to stay, so he joins the Iains on the cast. This episode we cover Kickstarter unions, DTRPG categories, Hasbro Finances, Replacement policies and more. In Brainwaves we cast our eye to the new Federal Trade Commision rules on influencers and discuss the relationship between the press and publishers.
Headlines
Kickstarter employees form union
Kickstarter Hires law firm that advertises maintaining a union free workplace
DTRPG launches LGBTQ+ and Romance genres
https://www.geeknative.com/71220/drivethrurpg-launches-lgbtq-and-romance-genres
Episode 43 link - Free League Workshop
https://giantbrain.co.uk/2020/02/17/episode-43-executive-bell/
Hasbro Finance report, MTG up 30%
https://icv2.com/articles/news/view/45147/magic-the-gathering-up-30-including-digital-2019
News
Daniel Scott Palter, of Final Sword Games, passes away
https://icv2.com/articles/news/view/45207/r-i-p-daniel-scott-palter.
Asmodee Replacement Parts policy
https://www.asmodeena.com/en/customer-service-faq/
FFG to end RPG production
http://www.d20radio.com/main/fantasy-flight-games-long-term-plan-will-discontinue-rpg-development/
Brainstorm
FTC announces crackdown on undisclosed influencer advertising
https://www.inputmag.com/culture/ftc-social-media-influencers-new-rules-instagram-youtube-tiktok
Advertising Standards Authority
Fyre Festival Documentary
https://www.netflix.com/title/81035279
Outro
Monopoly News:
Patreon Shoutouts
Exec Producers: Lucky Sparrow Gaming Cafe
Guest Links
Twitter: https://twitter.com/lagoon83
Website: https://www.needycatgames.com/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/needycatgames/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/needycatgames/?hl=en
Robot Fight Club: https://www.needycatgames.com/robotfightclub
Other Links
Bugglebots https://www.bugglebots.com/
Bristol Bot Builders - audio from one of their fights was used in this cast https://bristolbotbuilders.com/
Our Links
Twitter: @thegiantbrain
Instagram: giantbrainuk
Facebook: The Giant Brain
Website: giantbrain.co.uk
Email: giantbrainuk@gmail.com
Monday Feb 17, 2020
Monday Feb 17, 2020
Jamie is gone and Iain is hiding below the recording desk. No not that Iain, the other one. Checking up that their Patreon money isn’t going to frivolous expenditure, the Executive Producers turn up for a performance review and join the team behind the mics. This episode they cover notorious Kickstarter company Golden Bell, Wizards of the Coast setting up games studios, more awards, Archaeological finds and Iain takes his first trip to RPG corner which is definitely not filled with lizards.
Headlines
Golden Bell Banned from Kickstarter
WOTC establish Arkwright games studio
As D'or
News
Coronavirus shuts down factories
https://www.reddit.com/r/boardgames/comments/f283yb/restoration_games_is_reporting_that_no_game/
Boardgame piece found
RPG Corner
RPG industry report from Roll 20
https://blog.roll20.net/post/190665086865/the-orr-group-industry-report-q4-2020-a
Free League Workshop
https://support.drivethrurpg.com/hc/en-us/articles/360037116592-Free-League-Workshop
Thinking Cap
Unboxed Gaming Cafe
https://www.unboxedcafe.co.uk/
Southside gaming initiative
https://twitter.com/d20glasgow
Outro
Monopoly: New version announced on Thursday
https://www.salisburyjournal.co.uk/news/18213427.salisbury-running-monopoly-game/
Patreon Shoutouts
Exec Producers: Lucky Sparrow Gaming Cafe
A good read
https://www.dicebreaker.com/categories/board-game/feature/counterfeit-board-games-pandemic-catan
Guest links
Lucky Sparrow Gaming Groups
https://www.facebook.com/groups/1904084749709801/
https://twitter.com/theluckysparrow
Links will be in show notes
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
Twitter: @thegiantbrain
Instagram: giantbrainuk
Facebook: The Giant Brain
Website: giantbrain.co.uk
Email: giantbrainuk@gmail.com
Sound effects used from Freesound.org
https://freesound.org/people/kwahmah_02/sounds/275072/
Monday Feb 03, 2020
Monday Feb 03, 2020
It’s week two of intern training and it’s Iain’s turn to get Iain behind the mic as Jamie is off doing….something. They start off by covering the latest developments at Monolith games and when Jamie eventually turns up, without coffee, all three of the team cover Kickstarter Boardgame finances, Mythic getting sued, Kickstarter Union updates, charity efforts by gamers, Warhammer 40k escape rooms and mainstream boardgames. In our Brainstorm we answer a question posed by a follower: What RPG would you recommend to a new DM and/or player?
Headlines
Beyond the Monolith
The Kickstarter
https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/806316071/beyond-the-monolith-core-system-conan-universe
Brainwaves Episode 36
https://giantbrain.co.uk/2019/10/14/episode-36-creaking-brains/
Official statement from Monolith
Tabletop Tribe article
Boardgames on Kickstarter
Pascal Bernard sues Mythic Games
The Kickstarter
https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/1162110258/time-of-legends-joan-of-arc/description
Facebook Thread
https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=10219452961328525&set=a.2309367647470&type=3&theater
Boardgamegeek thread
https://boardgamegeek.com/thread/2341737/pascal-bernards-ip-dispute-hopefully-we-can-hear-h
News
Kickstarter Union update
https://twitter.com/aprilaser/status/1220363637597958144?s=19
Gamers band together to donate to Australian Fire relief funds
https://twitter.com/anarchytabletop/status/1220473182152318977?s=09
24 hour boardgame marathon
https://www.facebook.com/groups/1795750387160773/?hc_location=ufi
Auroch Digital gave all money from sales of their game On Mars to an animal charity
Reaper Minis put out some minis with all proceeds going to the relief funds
Facebook event for Edinburgh “Blob that ate everything event”
https://www.facebook.com/events/1496676043820777/
Orchard Toys in the money thanks to boardgames
Warhammer 40k Escape Room
https://www.escapologic.com/nottingham-escape-rooms/immaterium/
Brainstorm
DnD
Blades in the Dark
https://www.drivethrurpg.com/product/170689/Blades-in-the-Dark
Inspectres
https://www.drivethrurpg.com/product/17891/InSpectres?term=inspectr
Genesys
https://www.fantasyflightgames.com/en/products/genesys/
Rowan, Rook and Decard
https://rowanrookanddecard.com/
Outro
Monopoly goes back to the 80s
Tabletop Scotland
https://tabletopscotland.co.uk/
Patreon Shoutouts
Exec Producers: Lucky Sparrow Gaming Cafe
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
Twitter: @thegiantbrain
Instagram: giantbrainuk
Facebook: The Giant Brain
Website: giantbrain.co.uk
Email: giantbrainuk@gmail.com
Monday Jan 20, 2020
Monday Jan 20, 2020
The Brainwaves studios are dusty, Jamie has been sleeping under a desk and there has been some confusion over who was booking the next guest. Luckily we have a spare intern lying around, Iain Chantler, who helps out on this cast and makes us both look like consummate unprofessionals.
On our first Brainwaves of 2020 we cover FFG layoffs and cancellations, new DnD, Tabletop Art initiatives, small game, big games and pre-order systems. In our Brainstorm the team read the signs, chuck runes up in the air and look forward to 2020 and what it might bring to the hobby.
Headlines
FFG Layoffs and cancellations
https://www.reddit.com/r/boardgames/comments/elfkbq/massive_layoffs_at_ffg/ - Reddit
https://icv2.com/articles/news/view/44911/fantasy-flight-games-layoffs-rpg-lines-continue- RPG info
New D&D book announced… and Matt Mercer has to defend it
Critical Role
https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCpXBGqwsBkpvcYjsJBQ7LEQ
DMs Guild
Art of the Tabletop Initiative
More Games Please episode
https://giantbrain.co.uk/2019/04/29/episode-27-kollosal-cash/
Oath Kickstarter
News
Gibsons picks up Quirk
https://twitter.com/gibsons_games/status/1215645038178336773
Emmerse Studios
https://twitter.com/EmmerseStudios
AEG P3 Programme
https://icv2.com/articles/news/view/44889/aeg-reveals-new-p3-pre-order-program
Cosmic Encounter Duel
https://www.fantasyflightgames.com/en/news/2020/1/13/cosmic-encounter-duel/?fbclid=IwAR2aQFCeN_e739mJ3-U68yJVEOjSEuqMv07HMu1WZKcXvB1RmZbWw_dD-MU
7 Wonders Duel
https://boardgamegeek.com/boardgame/173346/7-wonders-duel
Brainstorm
Kemet Blood & Sand
https://boardgamegeek.com/boardgame/297562/kemet-blood-and-sand
Return to Dark Tower Kickstarter
Dan Thurot
Owen Duffy
https://twitter.com/owen_duffy
There Will Be Games
Dan Jolin
Matt Thrower
Critical Faculties article
https://giantbrain.co.uk/2019/12/11/critical-faculties/
Outro
Monopoly Llamas vs Unicorns
https://www.worldofmonopoly.com/list-ru/list-un-uq/unicornsvsllamas/index.php
Patreon Shoutouts
Welcome to new patron Hal Duncan, Team member
Exec Producers: Lucky Sparrow Gaming Cafe
Links will be in show notes
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
Twitter - https://twitter.com/thegiantbrain
Instagram – https://www.instagram.com/giantbrainuk/
Facebook – https://www.facebook.com/thegiantbrain/
Website – http://www.giantbrain.co.uk/
Email – giantbrainuk@gmail.com
Sound effects used from Freesound