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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 Apr 22, 2024
Monday Apr 22, 2024
Hi folks,
This is another special from my time at Gothcon in Sweden. This is a panel I lead where the panellists and I talk about the state of RPG criticism in 2024 and how we go about reviewing RPG products.
The Panellists
Thanks to the panellists for joining me and discussing this interesting topic!
Andreas Lundström - Sweden Rolls
Hjlmar Norden - Red Moon Roleplaying
https://www.redmoonroleplaying.com/
Michael Ericson - Äventyrarna Rollspelspodd
https://www.facebook.com/arpodd/
Ras
Monday Apr 15, 2024
Monday Apr 15, 2024
Brainwaves is a whole 6 years old! We would like to thank all our listeners for their support and encouragement over the time we have been running the show.
The whole team are back this episode to bring you the return of Golden Bell, the defence of Hasbro by Chris Cocks, more plagiarism in Magic: The Gathering and much more!
Headlines
Webcomic Name creator sued by Golden Bell
Episode 110
https://giantbrain.co.uk/2022/11/14/brainwaves-episode-110-tolling-bells/
History of Golden Bell scandals
https://boardgamegeek.com/geeklist/259248/golden-bell-affiliated-projects-and-companies
Chris Cocks interview with NPR
https://www.wbur.org/hereandnow/2024/04/03/dungeons-and-dragons-hasbro
MTG Plagiarism again
Post from the artist
Updates
Embracer finishes restructuring at Asmodee
News
Ellie Dix works with Hasbro
Capstone and Spielworx
https://www.spielworxx.de/news/
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/
Metallic Dice Games
https://metallicdicegames.com/
Promo Code: ROLLWITHBRAINS
Sir Meeple
https://sirmeeple.com/collections/the-giant-brain
Outro
Scouts Cluedo
https://shop.scouts.org.uk/outlet/scouts-cluedo#selection.color=34&selection.size=719
Monopoly film, Margot Robbie’s company now producing
https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/entertainment-arts-68786095
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 Apr 08, 2024
Monday Apr 08, 2024
Bit of a different cast to our usual today. This is an actual play I did at Gothcon, Sweden. If you aren't familiar Actual Play is a type of RPG that is recorded for people to listen to how a game plays out. I hope you enjoy it. This one is for Blades in the Dark, a game I love to bits.
Players
Huge thanks to the folks who played and made my job really easy!
Andreas Lundström - Sweden Rolls
Hjlmar Norden - Red Moon Roleplaying
https://www.redmoonroleplaying.com/
Krister Svanlund
Giant Brain links for Blades
How to play, and run, Blades in the Dark
https://giantbrain.co.uk/2023/04/06/how-to-play-and-run-blades-in-the-dark/
Review
https://giantbrain.co.uk/2017/07/30/blades-in-the-dark-review/
Player's Review
https://giantbrain.co.uk/2022/06/22/blades-in-the-dark-players-review/
Giant Brain socials
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 Mar 25, 2024
Monday Mar 25, 2024
The team of 3 are back together to bring you the best, weirdest, and most controversial news stories from around the tabletop industry. This episode cover companies collapsing, “compelling” AI, and new factories.
Headlines
Ninja Division files for bankruptcy
Hasbro presents “compelling” case for AI
https://venturebeat.com/games/how-hasbro-is-jumping-on-the-game-opportunity-chris-cocks-interview/
CGE acquires new factory
https://czechgames.com/en/home/news-24-03-01-cge-acquires-their-own-factory/
Updates
Haba emerges from Bankruptcy
https://habafamilygroup.com/en/haba-familygroup-end-self-administration-insolvency-proceeding
News
Nasa RPG
https://science.nasa.gov/mission/hubble/multimedia/online-activities/the-lost-universe/
Stonemaier Stakeholder Report
James Ward Dies
Jobs, Opportunities, and Events
https://www.facebook.com/groups/TabletopJobs
BRP Design challenge
https://www.chaosium.com/blogthe-basic-roleplaying-design-challenge/
Gothcon
https://wordpress.gothcon.se/en/
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/
Metallic Dice Games
https://metallicdicegames.com/
Promo Code: ROLLWITHBRAINS
Sir Meeple
https://sirmeeple.com/collections/the-giant-brain
Outro
Uno fan decks
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 Mar 04, 2024
Monday Mar 04, 2024
Oliver is back in the studio giving us a full complement of hosts this week! On Brainwaves Episode 138 we look at awards, shipping issues, a Tempest reising in the industry and look ahead to some conventions Iain is attending.
Headlines
As D’Or Winners announced
https://www.tabletopgaming.co.uk/news/french-board-game-award-winners-announced/
Cardboard Edison Awards
https://cardboardedison.com/award
Prospero Hall folk start a new studio
https://www.tempestworkshop.com/?trk=public_post-text
News
Shipping woes
Rascal
Jobs, Opportunities, and Events
https://www.facebook.com/groups/TabletopJobs
Roleplay for Ukraine
https://linktr.ee/roleplayua?fbclid=IwAR2Bj78x6y1VTvvjh7Z_w1ujo9Pgim8KwR5w9kO8SY72N__siGrCY_cxbLk
Diana Jones Emerging Artist Award
https://www.dianajonesaward.org/
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/
Metallic Dice Games
https://metallicdicegames.com/
Promo Code: ROLLWITHBRAINS
Sir Meeple
https://sirmeeple.com/collections/the-giant-brain
Outro
Airecon
Gothcon
https://wordpress.gothcon.se/en/
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 Feb 19, 2024
Monday Feb 19, 2024
The Brainwaves team are back to bring you the best in tabletop gaming news. This cast covers callous corporations, soaring crowdfunding, fantastically diverse awards, and D&D on stage?
Headlines
Hasbro Financials
https://investor.hasbro.com/financial-information/quarterly-results
Embracer prioritises shareholders
https://icv2.com/articles/news/view/56241/board-game-sales-down-asmodee-embracer-q3
Gamefound soars
https://www.polygon.com/24063935/gamefound-top-10-biggest-board-game-campaigns-2023-kickstarter
https://www.polygon.com/24054381/kickstarter-top-10-biggest-most-backed-board-games-campaigns-2023
https://gamefound.com/en/blog/post/cmon-and-gamefound-announce-exclusive-pact
Updates
So you want to be a games master
Evil Genius games may just be evil
https://www.enworld.org/threads/the-rise-and-fall-of-evil-genius-games.702617/
News
Sexism in Chess
https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-asia-india-68201529
https://twitter.com/SusanPolgar/status/1752090239491830179
Non-Binary Tabletop Awards
https://www.snowbrightstudio.com/press/first-annual-nonbinary-tabletop-award
Jobs, Opportunities, and Events
https://www.facebook.com/groups/TabletopJobs
MTG grant
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/
Metallic Dice Games
https://metallicdicegames.com/
Promo Code: ROLLWITHBRAINS
Sir Meeple
https://sirmeeple.com/collections/the-giant-brain
Outro
D&D on stage
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 Jan 29, 2024
Monday Jan 29, 2024
It’s the team of Iain and Jamie this episode to bring you all the best, and worst, in tabletop gaming news. From Funko selling off their best asset, to Mojo award winners, we have all the latest breaking news.
Headlines
Funko sells game division
RPG controversy
https://diyanddragons.blogspot.com/2024/01/xandering-is-slandering.html?m=1
Mojo Nation
https://mojo-nation.com/read-the-mojo-nation-100-2024-edition-online-now/
https://mojo-nation.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/01/Mojo-Nation-100-2024-Edition-Digital-Download.pdf
Updates
Evil Genius settles Netflix case
https://evilgeniusgames.com/blog/the-netflix-case-been-settled/
Synapse fires up the engines
https://jeuxsynapsesgames.com/en/
News
Mythic sends backers to Hel
https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/1162110258/anastyr/posts
BGA Award Winners
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/
Metallic Dice Games
https://metallicdicegames.com/
Promo Code: ROLLWITHBRAINS
Sir Meeple
https://sirmeeple.com/collections/the-giant-brain
Outro
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 Jan 15, 2024
Monday Jan 15, 2024
The Brainwaves Team are back from our festive hiatus. Every two weeks we bring you the best in tabletop gaming news from the controversial to the down right strange. This episode we cover Hasbro’s unwanted Christmas present, Wizards in AI art trouble (again), Tabletop Mentorship programme expanding, and can you guess what Iain thought he would never type into the show notes?
Headlines
Hasbro cuts workforce in the run-up to Christmas
https://www.theguardian.com/business/2023/dec/11/toymaker-hasbro-layoffs
Wizards under fire for AI art. Again
https://www.polygon.com/24029754/wizards-coast-magic-the-gathering-ai-art-marketing-image
D&D Beyond on AI
Tabletop Mentorship Programme joins Unpub
https://unpub.net/tabletop-mentorship-program-now-part-of-unpub/
Punchboard UK Link
Updates
Brooklyn Strategist Unionises https://boardgamewire.com/index.php/2023/12/14/third-new-york-board-game-cafe-in-a-month-wins-fight-to-establish-union/
News
Votes for Women wins Summit Award
https://sdhist.com/votes-for-women-2023-summit-award/
American Economic Liberties Project
Amazon secures 40k series
https://www.warhammer-community.com/2022/12/16/warhammer-starring-henry-cavill/
Nightfall Games picks up on AI art
Kelp counterfeited before release
https://wonderbowgames.com/en-uk/blogs/news/counterfeit-copies-of-kelp
Steamforged partners with Lucky Duck
https://icv2.com/articles/news/view/55980/steamforged-partners-lucky-duck
Chess back in the news
Obituaries
Bernward Thole
Bryan Charles Ansell
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bryan_Ansell
Jenell Jaquay
Jobs, Opportunities, and Events
https://www.facebook.com/groups/TabletopJobs
Cardboard Edison Awards Open
https://cardboardedison.com/award
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/
Metallic Dice Games
https://metallicdicegames.com/
Promo Code: ROLLWITHBRAINS
Sir Meeple
https://sirmeeple.com/collections/the-giant-brain
Outro
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
Bluesky: 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 Dec 11, 2023
Monday Dec 11, 2023
The team are back after a longer break between episodes and the tabletop world has been busy. From more art theft, to awards, loads of updates, and unfortunate lawsuits Jamie and Iain bring you the best in tabletop news from across the world in the last Brainwaves of the year!
Headlines
Wizards steals more art
https://twitter.com/L_Lanfranconi/status/1725886246176587996?s=20
Embracer in trouble
https://kotaku.com/embracer-dead-island-2-remnant-2-layoffs-lord-rings-1851028963
Dicebreaker Awards
https://www.dicebreaker.com/events/tabletop-awards-2023/news/tabletop-awards-2023-finalists
https://www.dicebreaker.com/events/tabletop-awards-2023/news/tabletop-awards-2023-winners
https://www.dicebreaker.com/companies/dicebreaker/news/dicebreaker-owner-reedpop-investigating-sale
Updates
Berserk Games
https://boardgamegeek.com/thread/2757485/seeking-help-regarding-berserk-games-resolved-reop
Hasbro women innovators winners announced
https://spark.hasbro.com/womeninnovators#contest
New york board game cafe unionises
Tranquility update
https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/boardgamehub/tranquility-the-ascent/posts/3977117
News
Colin Dixon dies
https://medium.com/@eric.seri/colin-dixon-in-memory-of-a-great-sculptor-artist-de7f85f0ffc8
https://bolterandchainsword.com/topic/381735-colin-dixon-has-passed/
https://twitter.com/Eldritchseer/status/1726963857162457350
Games companies sue each other
US postal service D&D stamps next year
GW £2500 bonus
Jobs, Opportunities, and Events
Contestants wanted for the Genius Game in the UK on ITV
https://www.thegeniusgameuk.com/
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/
Metallic Dice Games
https://metallicdicegames.com/
Promo Code: ROLLWITHBRAINS
Sir Meeple
https://sirmeeple.com/collections/the-giant-brain
Outro
Bonjopoly
https://shop.bonjovi.com/products/bon-jovi-monopoly
Natwest board game
https://www.tabletopgaming.co.uk/News/natwest-bank-launch-their-own-christmas-board-game
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
Twitter: https://twitter.com/thegiantbrain
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/giantbrainuk/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/thegiantbrain
Website: https://giantbrain.co.uk/
Email: giantbrainuk@gmail.com
Monday Nov 13, 2023
Monday Nov 13, 2023
It’s just the two of us, by which I mean Oliver and Iain bringing you the tabletop news this week. This episode we cover the collapse of games companies, the formation of organisations, where you can watch the new D&D TV channel, and much more on episode 133 of Brainwaves.
Headlines
Devil pig down the drain
https://boardgamegeek.com/thread/3176686/devil-pig-team-official-statement
Essen Hacked
https://boardgamegeek.com/thread/3179815/looks-essen-messe-have-been-hacked
Tabletop Game Designers Association
Updates
Handiwork Games theft update
https://handiwork.games/the-loss-of-the-trials-of-the-twin-seas-pallet.html#more-33369
News
Othello solved
https://arxiv.org/pdf/2310.19387.pdf
John Wick leaves Chaosium
https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/johnwickpresents/7th-sea-second-edition/posts/3955825
Lin Codega and others fired from G/O Media
https://twitter.com/lincodega/status/1722678033037865255
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
Promo Code: ROLLWITHBRAINS
Sir Meeple
https://sirmeeple.com/collections/the-giant-brain
Outro
Gaelic Scrabble
https://www.thenational.scot/news/23892986.scottish-gaelic-scrabble-game-released-christmas/
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
Twitter: https://twitter.com/thegiantbrain
Bluesky: 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