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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 Oct 21, 2024
Monday Oct 21, 2024
Iain is taking this cast off so Jamie and Oliver are at the helm. This episode they cover further troubles at Mythic, companies being saved and consolidating their lines, controversial giveaways and more on episode 152 of Brainwaves.
Headlines
Mythic Games France liquidates
https://annonces-legales.leparisien.fr/annonce/23cba43f-8a82-48c1-8f57-6a2285e239c3
Funforge ‘saved’ by Tokaido deal
Spiel Essen Sold Out
https://www.spiel-essen.de/en/press?view=article&id=222&catid=12
News
Barnes & Noble to list game designers
https://icv2.com/articles/news/view/57959/barnes-noble-begin-listing-game-designers
NAC Wargames hands out Nazi memorabilia
https://bsky.app/profile/celacanto.bsky.social/post/3l5qu6lhp4j2n
The Other Side of the Hill crowdfunding campaign: https://gamefound.com/en/projects/masqueoca/the-other-side-of-the-hill/
Publisher’s response on BGG: https://boardgamegeek.com/image/8461574/the-other-side-of-the-hill?commentid=12438977
Gamefound update about the Iron Cross medal: https://gamefound.com/en/projects/masqueoca/the-other-side-of-the-hill/updates/5
Matagot shrinks catalogue
Steve Jackson Games announces Fighting Fantasy Deal
https://www.sjgames.com/fightingfantasy/
Jobs, Opportunities, and Events
https://www.facebook.com/groups/TabletopJobs
Patreon Shoutouts
Kevin Bertram
James Naylor
Shaun Newman
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/
Sir Meeple
https://sirmeeple.com/collections/the-giant-brain
Boardgamewire
Outro
English Heritage Games
https://www.english-heritageshop.org.uk/toys-games/games/board-games
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:https://bsky.app/profile/giantbrain.co.uk
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/giantbrainuk/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/thegiantbrain
Website: https://giantbrain.co.uk/
Email: giantbrainuk@gmail.com
Monday Oct 14, 2024
Monday Oct 14, 2024
This special episode of Brainwaves is all the interviews I conducted at Gothcon earlier in the year. Gothcon is Sweden’s premier convention with games across all genres of the hobby and it was my privilege to be invited across. You can read all about my time there in the posts below and listen to the wonderful RPG community I had the pleasure of being involved with
https://giantbrain.co.uk/2024/03/30/gothcon-2024-arrival-and-day-1/
https://giantbrain.co.uk/2024/03/31/gothcon-2024-day-2/
https://giantbrain.co.uk/2024/04/07/gothcon-2024-why-do-i-attend-events/
Pontus
Gothcon
https://wordpress.gothcon.se/en/
Blackfisk Publishing
https://blackfiskpublishing.com/
Mika
https://mindy.nu/2024/07/29/bubblare-ian-mcallister-fran-brainwaves/
Emil. ROAR
Hjalmar Norden, Red Moon Roleplaying
https://www.redmoonroleplaying.com/
Magnus Seter
Nina, Gothcon Organiser
Anna, Podcast Room Organiser
Monday Oct 07, 2024
Monday Oct 07, 2024
While Jamie is off in that there London, Iain and Oliver are once more behind the mics to bring you the latest tabletop news. In episode 151 we cover Wizards taking over Commander, CMON losing board members, the usual smattering of awards, and a good few stories about unions. All this and more on this episode of Brainwaves.
Headlines
Commander Format Firestorm
https://magic.wizards.com/en/news/announcements/on-the-future-of-commander
Zenobia Award Finalists Announced
https://zenobiaaward.org/finalists/
CMON loses COO
https://investor.cmon.com/governance
Updates
Cops called on TTWU protestors
https://www.rascal.news/brooklyn-strategist-owner-calls-police-on-employee-walkout/
https://www.gofundme.com/f/supportTWU?ref=rascal.news
https://actionnetwork.org/petitions/tabletop-workers-united-boycott-pledge?source=direct_link&
News
TCG Player workers call for Union contract
https://www.polygon.com/tabletop-games/459782/tcgplayer-union-ebay-rally-fair-pay
https://cwa-union.org/tapped-out-tcgplayer
Games Workshop Shareholder Revolt
CAH sues Elon Musk
2024 Player’s Handbook Breaks Dungeons & Dragons Records
Big Bad Con Boycott averted
https://docs.google.com/document/d/1mrxQaSbXd_SlFB7NJxhrCIHFsKKOvcvmLEHoXxVBstY/edit
Deutscher Spiele Preis 2024 Winners Announced
https://brettspielbox.de/brettspiel-preis-deutscher-spielepreis-2024-dsp24-sieger/
Stonemaier Games acquires "Tokaido" from Funforge
https://mailchi.mp/stonemaiergames/stonemaier-games-monthly-newsletter-august-2989870?e=f9ef617363
Jobs, Opportunities, and Events
https://www.facebook.com/groups/TabletopJobs
Bluesky list of board game people
https://bsky.app/starter-pack/boardgamehottakes.bsky.social/3l5aovjrq6j2p
Tabletop Games Blog Board Game Raffle in aid of The Trussell Trust / UK Food Banks
https://tabletopgamesblog.com/raffle
Patreon Shoutouts
Kevin Bertram
James Naylor
Shaun Newman
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/
Sir Meeple
https://sirmeeple.com/collections/the-giant-brain
Outro
What we Clue-do in the Shadows
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:https://bsky.app/profile/giantbrain.co.uk
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/giantbrainuk/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/thegiantbrain
Website: https://giantbrain.co.uk/
Email: giantbrainuk@gmail.com
Wednesday Sep 18, 2024
Wednesday Sep 18, 2024
We have a longer than usual cast for your this week as we take a look at the controversy around Simon Lavender, a UK board game influencer. It is our only headline this week, but we still cover the business of the industry with new hires at Restoration Games, Asmodee, financial hits at CMON, a series of competitions and more!
Headlines
Influencer Simon Lavender accused of bad practices
https://boardgamegeek.com/thread/3352419/a-simon-lavender-review-what-to-do-with-dishonest/page/1
The accusations at the centre of this are on page one of the link above. There are a large number of screenshots we have saved in regards to this story that will appear in a separate document linked to below. These include Simon’s replies in the thread above and my conversation with Simon.
Amass Games channel page
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Xg-md_i730k&ab_channel=AmassGames
Amass games video on The Strange Forgeries of S.C. Rheber
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Xg-md_i730k&ab_channel=AmassGames
News
Paul Sawyer shares Terminal Diagnosis
Tabletop Workers Union subject to Union busting
https://www.rascal.news/tabletop-workers-union-protest-alleged-union-busting-hex-co-management/
Thomas Kœgler appointed as New Chief Executive Officer of Asmodee
Hasbro CEO Chris Cocks talks AI
https://www.enworld.org/threads/hasbro-ceo-chris-cocks-talks-ai-usage-in-d-d.706638
CMON Profits Take a Hit
Tabletop Scotland goes large
https://bsky.app/profile/tabletopscot.bsky.social/post/3l3xcqlecdx2g
Jobs, Opportunities, and Events
https://www.facebook.com/groups/TabletopJobs
2024 Traditional Deck Game Design Contest
https://boardgamegeek.com/thread/3360317/2024-traditional-deck-game-design-contest
2024 Roll and Write Game Design Contest
https://boardgamegeek.com/thread/3353041/2024-roll-and-write-game-design-contest
The Game Crafter VHS Challenge
https://www.thegamecrafter.com/contests/vhs-case-challenge
Patreon Shoutouts
Kevin Bertram
James Naylor
Shaun Newman
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/
Sir Meeple
https://sirmeeple.com/collections/the-giant-brain
Outro
Map-nopoly
https://www.worldofmonopoly.com/otherpages/map.php
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:https://bsky.app/profile/giantbrain.co.uk
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/giantbrainuk/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/thegiantbrain
Website: https://giantbrain.co.uk/
Email: giantbrainuk@gmail.com
Monday Aug 26, 2024
Monday Aug 26, 2024
Jamie is off seeing some shows at the Edinburgh Fringe, so Oliver and Iain are behind the mics this week to report on the latest tabletop news. From poisoning and sexual harrasment in chess to astonishing numbers, we bring you the news that really matters.
Headlines
Chess Poisoning & Sexual Harassment
https://www.chess.com/news/view/russian-chess-player-suspended-after-allegedly-poisoning-her-rival
https://www.polygon.com/gaming/440094/international-chess-scandals-2024
Lego and Asmodee build a house
Gen Con sells out
https://www.gencon.com/press/gen-con-2024-breaks-attendance-records-press-release
https://www.gencon.com/press/4daysellout
https://www.gencon.com/press/2024-charity-partners-announcement-tangram-rose-gauntlet
News
Embracer Numbers
Deutscher Spiele Preis 2024 Finalists
https://www.spiel-essen.de/en/program/dsp
Boardgamearena passes 10 million users
Jobs, Opportunities, and Events
https://www.facebook.com/groups/TabletopJobs
People of Play Young Inventor Challenge
https://www.peopleofplay.com/blog/young-inventor-challenge-registration-is-open
International Game Inventors Convention
https://www.spielwarenmesse.de/en/game-inventors-convention/
SDhistcon
https://sdhist.com/badges-sdhistcon-summit-2024/
Patreon Shoutouts
Kevin Bertram
James Naylor
Shaun Newman
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/
Sir Meeple
https://sirmeeple.com/collections/the-giant-brain
Outro
Tabletop Scotland
https://tabletopscotland.co.uk/
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:https://bsky.app/profile/giantbrain.co.uk
https://bsky.app/profile/tabletopgamesblog.com
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/giantbrainuk/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/thegiantbrain
Website: https://giantbrain.co.uk/
Email: giantbrainuk@gmail.com
Monday Aug 05, 2024
Monday Aug 05, 2024
With Oliver back from the Spiel des Jahres we have interviews with the winners, chat about the controversy, dive into finances, and lift up awards. Just another day at GB HQ as we bring you the best in tabletop gaming news.
Headlines
Spiel des Jahres 2024 awards ceremony controversy
https://www.spiel-des-jahres.de/preisverleihung-kennerspiel-des-jahres-2024/
Matteo Statement
https://medium.com/@baddeo/why-i-wear-55cb9459d8e7
Hasbro Earnings
https://www.fastcompany.com/91163137/hasbro-earnings-reveal-monopoly-go-made-3-billion-dollars
Diana Jones Award 2024 Winner Announced
https://x.com/dianajonesaward/status/1818883478617723112?s=4
Tabletop Industry Network (not Indie like Iain said on the cast)
Alex’s email
alex.speidel@unitedpaizoworkers.org
News
Braincrack Games
WOTC removes credits
https://www.enworld.org/threads/wotc-removes-digital-content-team-credits-from-d-d-beyond.705711/
Funforge not forging fun
https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/funforge/monumental-african-empires/description
GAMA Announces First Tabletop Game Retailer Survey
https://icv2.com/articles/news/view/57477/gama-announces-their-first-tabletop-game-survey
Berlin Brettspiel Con 2024 visitor figures up
Gary Gygax day
https://www.visitlakegeneva.com/blog/post/celebrating-50-years-the-birthplace-of-dungeons-dragons/
Dave Arneson estate questions publisher
https://www.arnesonestate.com/press
Jobs, Opportunities, and Events
https://www.facebook.com/groups/TabletopJobs
Elizabeth Hargrave List
Pegasus Designer Days
https://pegasus.de/en/designer-days
2024 Inventor Pitch & Innovation Conference
https://www.chitag.com/2024-inventor-pitch-innovation-conference
Board Game Raffle in Aid of The Trussell Trust / UK Food Banks
Tabletop Scotland
https://tabletopscotland.co.uk/
Patreon Shoutouts
Kevin Bertram
James Naylor
Shaun Newman
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/
Sir Meeple
https://sirmeeple.com/collections/the-giant-brain
Outro
Monopoly Go board game
https://www.polygon.com/24199990/monopoly-go-board-game-announcement
Monopo-Lee-ds
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:https://bsky.app/profile/giantbrain.co.uk
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/giantbrainuk/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/thegiantbrain
Website: https://giantbrain.co.uk/
Email: giantbrainuk@gmail.com
Monday Jul 22, 2024
Monday Jul 22, 2024
Oliver is off at the Spiel des Jahres ceremony and Brettspiel so it is up to Iain and Jamie to bring you the latest tabletop news. From Facebook scams to new presidents we bring you the news that really matters across the tabletop world on episode 147 of Brainwaves.
Headlines
Scam takes in major publishers
Ennie Awards open
https://vote.ennie-awards.com/vote/2024/
Spiel des Jahres
https://www.spiel-des-jahres.de/2024_preistraeger/
Updates
Berserk Games Update
https://boardgamegeek.com/thread/2757485/article/44554066#44554066
11 Concurso de Protojuegos
https://www.verkami.com/games-contest-2024
Petersen Games and Quimbley
https://www.quimbleys.com/pages/pg-quimbleys-faq
News
Hasbro names new WOTC President
https://icv2.com/articles/news/view/57388/hasbro-names-new-wotc-president
Jobs, Opportunities, and Events
https://www.facebook.com/groups/TabletopJobs
Tabletop Scotland 2024
https://tabletopscotland.co.uk/
Berlin Brettspiel Con 2024
https://berlin-con.de/en/homepage_en/
Board Game Raffle in Aid of The Trussell Trust / UK Food Banks
tabletopgamesblog.com/raffle-july/
AB Con
https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/oluwafemi/the-african-boardgames-convention-ab-con-2024
Patreon Shoutouts
Kevin Bertram
James Naylor
Shaun Newman
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/
Sir Meeple
https://sirmeeple.com/collections/the-giant-brain
Outro
D&D Stamps
https://shop.royalmail.com/dungeons-&-dragons-prestige-stamp-book
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:https://bsky.app/profile/giantbrain.co.uk
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/giantbrainuk/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/thegiantbrain
Website: https://giantbrain.co.uk/
Email: giantbrainuk@gmail.com
Monday Jul 08, 2024
Monday Jul 08, 2024
In a quieter couple of weeks for the tabletop industry the team still endeavors to bring you the industry news that really matters. From data breaches to big anniversaries it’s all here in Brainwaves episode 146
Headlines
Roll20 data breach
https://help.roll20.net/hc/en-us/articles/24620372778775-Data-Security-Incident-July-3rd-2024-FAQ
2018 breach
https://blog.roll20.net/posts/conclusion-of-2018-data-breach-investigation/
2024 WiT Wonder Women Awards Nominations
https://www.womenintoys.com/nominees
https://www.womenintoys.com/wonder-woman-awards
Meeps, the Spiel Essen mascot, is back…
https://www.spiel-essen.de/en/news?view=article&id=172&catid=8
https://www.spiel-essen.de/en/?view=article&id=175&catid=9
News
2023 Charles S. Roberts Awards Winners Announced
https://charlessrobertsawards.com/2023-charles-s-roberts-awards-winners-announced/
https://www.originsgamefair.com/2023-hall-of-fame-class
Mattel colourblind accessible
Nyctophobia
https://boardgamegeek.com/boardgame/249505/nyctophobia
Obituaries
Andreas Mutschke, Spiel der Jahres Jury Member and one of the Founders of Fairplay Magazine, Dies
https://www.spiel-des-jahres.de/in-gedenken-an-andreas-mutschke/
Jobs, Opportunities, and Events
https://www.facebook.com/groups/TabletopJobs
Ravensburger Game Inventor Days
https://www.ravensburger.de/de-DE/entdecken/spiele/game-inventor-days#Englisch
GAMA Horizons Fellowship Applications Now Open
https://www.gama.org/page/Horizons
Rascal Pledge Drive
https://www.rascal.news/audience-appreciation
Patreon Shoutouts
Kevin Bertram
James Naylor
Shaun Newman
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/
Sir Meeple
https://sirmeeple.com/collections/the-giant-brain
Outro
Rubik’s Cube turns 50
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:https://bsky.app/profile/giantbrain.co.uk
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/giantbrainuk/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/thegiantbrain
Website: https://giantbrain.co.uk/
Email: giantbrainuk@gmail.com
Monday Jun 24, 2024
Monday Jun 24, 2024
The team of 3 are back again like a renegade master. Only up to date references on this show. It’s another bumper cast as we cover the Spiel des Jahres, trademarks you won’t believe exist, and people on the move in the industry. All this, and more, on episode 145 of Brainwaves.
Headlines
Spiel des Jahres Nominations
https://www.spiel-des-jahres.de/nominierte-spiele-2024.html
https://boardgamegeek.com/blogpost/162128/spiel-des-jahres-nominations-for-2024-captain-flip
Martina Fuchs Interview
https://giantbrain.co.uk/2023/07/24/brainwaves-episode-126-spiel-special/
Meeple trademarks
https://gamefound.com/en/projects/cogito-ergo-meeple/meeple-inc/updates/9
EU trademark: https://register.dpma.de/DPMAregister/marke/registerHABM?AKZ=016791741&CURSOR=0
German trademark: https://register.dpma.de/DPMAregister/marke/register/3020211016416/DE
US trademark attempt: https://tsdr.uspto.gov/#caseNumber=98576863&caseSearchType=US_APPLICATION&caseType=DEFAULT&searchType=statusSearch
Hachette Boardgames UK and Laurence King partner
https://www.hachetteboardgames.co.uk/
Updates
Dicebreaker broken
Evil Genius games continue to live up to half of their name
https://evilgeniusgames.com/blog/our-technology-code-of-ethics/?ref=rascal.news
TTWU negotiations
News
UKGE People's Choice Awards
https://www.ukgamesexpo.co.uk/content/news/peoples-choice-awards-2024/
Jogo do Ano
https://www.spielportugal.org/jogo-do-ano
Game Brewer is Closing
https://gamebrewer.com/gamebrewer-goodbuy/
X-Wing and Armada ending
https://www.atomicmassgames.com/transmission/update-on-star-wars-x-wing-and-star-wars-armada/
People on the Move
Liz Davidson becomes solo game specialist for Leder Games
https://bsky.app/profile/beyondsolitaire.bsky.social/post/3kvcjlxe35k2k
https://x.com/ledergames/status/1803532695886028857?s=46
James Hewitt and Sophie Wiliams join Warcradle
Jobs, Opportunities, and Events
https://www.facebook.com/groups/TabletopJobs
Patreon Shoutouts
Kevin Bertram
James Naylor
Shaun Newman
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/
Sir Meeple
https://sirmeeple.com/collections/the-giant-brain
Outro
Medieval game pieces
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:https://bsky.app/profile/giantbrain.co.uk
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/giantbrainuk/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/thegiantbrain
Website: https://giantbrain.co.uk/
Email: giantbrainuk@gmail.com
Monday Jun 17, 2024
Monday Jun 17, 2024
Hello everyone,
In a break from our usual cast, this is a set of interviews I carried out at UK Games Expo 2024. I’ve provided links to all the folk mentioned and more besides in the show notes. Hope you enjoy!
Folks we mention on the cast
Darington Press - Candela Obscura