Episodes

Tuesday May 28, 2024
Brainwaves Episode 143 - Awards Accountability
Tuesday May 28, 2024
Tuesday May 28, 2024
Oliver and Iain are back in the studio as Jamie continues to travel Scotland. This episode they bring you up to date news on the winners of the Cardboard Edison Award, look at the finances of our overlords, and ask “Is Ryan Dancey accountable?”. Tune in to find out the answer.
Headlines
Cardboard Edison Awards
https://cardboardedison.com/award
Asmodee financials and Embracer Write Down
https://icv2.com/articles/news/view/56967/embracer-writes-down-asmodee-dark-horse
Is Ryan Dancey Accountable?
Original tweet
https://x.com/PonchoRebound/status/1661308221326229504/photo/3
Apology Tweet
https://twitter.com/rsdancey/status/1661409374735327235
Updates
Mythic doubles down
Iain’s “Review”
https://giantbrain.co.uk/2024/05/19/6-siege-first-thoughts/
News
Dicebreaker acquired by IGN
https://bsky.app/profile/soulmuppet.bsky.social/post/3kt3qiftbh32l
18th Annual Golden Geek Winners for 2023 Announced
https://boardgamegeek.com/thread/3300892/18th-annual-golden-geek-winners-for-2023
Diana Jones emerging designer
https://www.dianajonesaward.org/
Dice Tower AI
https://bsky.app/profile/boardgamefeast.bsky.social/post/3ksp5kgndn22u
Funko Gets a Wizard
https://icv2.com/articles/news/view/56880/wotc-prez-funko
Japan’s Game Market Website Hacked
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
Cluedo Conspiracy
https://boardgamegeek.com/boardgame/391824/clue-conspiracy
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 May 13, 2024
Brainwaves Episode 142 - Unions Unite
Monday May 13, 2024
Monday May 13, 2024
Jamie is on tour around the islands of Scotland so it falls to Oliver and Iain to bring you the latest episode of Brainwaves. They look at the finances of CMON, support for designers in the US and UK, and cover some interesting programmes from the folk behind the Spiel des Jahres.
Headlines
CMON sales
https://icv2.com/articles/news/view/56802/cmon-sales-flat-2023
Tabletop Games Designers Association
IWBG Union welcomes tabletop members
https://iwgb.org.uk/en/post/iwgb-tabletop-workers/
Updates
Mythic review email
News
Spiel des Jahres Support Programme
https://www.spiel-des-jahres.de/foerderprogramm-2024-73-000-euro-fuer-spielerische-projekte/
Deutsche Spiele Preis
https://spiel-essen.de/de/programm/dsp#abstimmen
Black Lotus beats the One Ring
Biggest card tournament
https://icv2.com/articles/news/view/56813/largest-tcg-tournament-ever
Jobs, Opportunities, and Events
https://www.facebook.com/groups/TabletopJobs
Fallcon game award
https://fallcon.com/CGDA/Rules
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
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 29, 2024
Brainwaves Episode 141 - Triple Threat
Monday Apr 29, 2024
Monday Apr 29, 2024
It’s been a busy couple of weeks in the tabletop industry, but never fear. The Brainwaves team are here to bring you all the latest news both big and small from across the globe.
Headlines
Embracer splits up
WOTC ceo steps down
https://icv2.com/articles/news/view/56723/wizards-coast-president-resigns
Goliath buys Lucky Duck
https://toyworldmag.co.uk/goliath-acquires-lucky-duck-games/
News
Japon Brand joins CMON
https://icv2.com/articles/news/view/56786/japon-brand-love-letter-machi-koro-to-join-cmon-limited
Kickstarter implements late pledges
https://updates.kickstarter.com/first-look-late-pledges-on-kickstarter/
D&D is good for you?
https://researchonline.jcu.edu.au/81119/1/JCU_Merrick%20et%20al%202023%20AAM.pdf
Steve Jackson Game Sales down
https://www.sjgames.com/general/stakeholders/
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
Clue TV series
https://variety.com/2024/tv/news/clue-film-tv-adaptations-hasbro-sony-1235979732/
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 22, 2024
Gothcon - How do we review RPGs?
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
Brainwaves Episode 140 - Copied Spells
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
Blades in the Dark at Gothcon
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
Brainwaves Episode 139 - "Compelling" AI
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
Brainwaves Episode 138 - Golden Edison
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
Brainwaves Episode 137 - Cold Embrace
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
Brainwaves Episode 136 - Cold Funk
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