Low Player Count

If You Buy One Game is a minisode series where the individual Low Player Count crew and friends across the boardgame universe can individually discuss and review a game of their choice, based on theme, topic, or even time of year. This episode? Card Drafting Games 00:30 - Cathy’s Pick: Unfair!06:39 - Travis’ Pick: Sylvion10:59 - Cliff’s Pick: Roll Player16:31 - Bill’s Pick: Among the Stars20:50 - Richard’s Pick: Mage Knight24:23 - Patrick’s Pick: Through the Ages29:26 - Eric’s Pick: The Networks Check us out online here: Twitter | Online | Email | BGG Guild | Slack | iTunes | Stitcher   Sponsored by BoardGameTables.com   Music: Ray Gun - FasterFasterBrighter (Blue Dot Sessions) / CC BY-NC 4.0 Flattered (Blue Dot Sessions) / CC BY-NC 4.0

In Episode 46, the Low Player Count crew returns to the Popular Mechanics series to discuss deckbuilders. They also talk about some of their favorite non-boardgame related podcasts. Times:00:28 - Intros05:19 - Podcast Recommendations #110:35 - Podcast Recommendations #216:19 - Grammar is Important18:33 - Podcast Recommendations #322:33 - BOARDGAMETABLES.COM23:09 - Deckbuilders35:51 - Can Deckbuilding Stand Alone45:41 - What Deckbuilders Do We Enjoy?49:05 - Top 10 Games with Deckbuilding64:00 - Not Deckbuilders68:00 - Our Favorite Deckbuilders79:22 - End Bits   Check us out online here:Twitter | Online | Email | BGG Guild | Slack | iTunes | Stitcher Sponsored by BoardGameTables.com   Music: Ray Gun - FasterFasterBrighter (Blue Dot Sessions) / CC BY-NC 4.0 Flattered (Blue Dot Sessions) / CC BY-NC 4.0

In this minisode of Big Fun in a Little Box, Shawn takes on One Deck Dungeon, what he loves about it, and why it’s a great segue into his next venture. Check us out online here:Twitter | Online | Email | BGG Guild | Slack | iTunes | Stitcher   Sponsored by BoardGameTables.com   Music: Ray Gun - FasterFasterBrighter (Blue Dot Sessions) / CC BY-NC 4.0 Flattered (Blue Dot Sessions) / CC BY-NC 4.0

In Episode 45, the Low Player Count crew kicks off year three with a discussion on Epic Games! They also talk about some of the kickstarters they are the most excited about. Times:00:50 - Introductions & Podcast Magic05:50 - Kickstarter Highlights08:16 - Button Shy Games  14:55 - 18CZ   19:50 - Petrichor   24:35 - Gloomhaven   31:25 - BOARDGAMETABLES.COM32:14 - Let’s Get Epic!33:50 - Defining Epic43:15 - But Why Epic Games?52:38 - Epic Genres56:45 - Favorite Epic Games87:15 - End Bits Check us out online here: Twitter | Online | Email | BGG Guild | Slack | iTunes | Stitcher   Sponsored by BoardGameTables.com   Music: Ray Gun - FasterFasterBrighter (Blue Dot Sessions) / CC BY-NC 4.0 Flattered (Blue Dot Sessions) / CC BY-NC 4.0

In this episode of Variant Species, Donny takes a look at the process of developing a solitaire variant for Alexander Pfister & Stronghold Games' Great Western Trail. Donny's Great Western Trail Solo Variant   Check us out online here: Twitter | Online | Email | BGG Guild | Slack | iTunes | Stitcher   Sponsored by BoardGameTables.com

Contest is over! Winner is the one and only Mark Evans. Thanks to all for participating.  

In Episode 44, the Low Player Count crew celebrates its two-year birthday with friends and others. It is off the rails from the beginning. They talk about Vigilante Gaming Bar and also how to deal with people asking about Game Recommendations. Times:00:51 - Happy Birthday!05:35 - Podcast Time Magic06:54 - Vigilante Gaming Bar in Austin, Texas 14:40 - Constantinople App18:00 - Weekly Slack Shill19:50 - BOARDGAMETABLES.COM21:28 - Game Suggestions23:25 - Is Recommending Games a Difficult Thing?34:24 - Knowing Your Audience46:00 - Words of Advice58:50 - Ridiculous Game Suggestions71:30 - End Bits Check us out online here: Twitter | Online | Email | BGG Guild | Slack | iTunes | Stitcher   Sponsored by BoardGameTables.com   Music: Ray Gun - FasterFasterBrighter (Blue Dot Sessions) / CC BY-NC 4.0 Flattered (Blue Dot Sessions) / CC BY-NC 4.0

If You Buy One Game is a minisode series where the individual Low Player Count crew and friends across the boardgame universe can individually discuss and review a game of their choice, based on theme, topic, or even time of year. This episode? Games That Surprised Us 00:28 - Eric’s Pick: Patchwork04:29 - Cathy’s Pick: Legendary Encounters: Firefly06:45 - Richard’s Pick: 1st and Goal12:06 - Donny’s Pick: Ginkgopolis16:28 - Travis’ Pick: Herbaceous   Check us outTwitter | Online | BGG Guild | iTunes | Stitcher   Music: The Coconut Monkeyrocket & Martinibomb SPLIT! (The Coconut Monkeyrocket & Martinibomb) / CC BY-NC 3.0

Super Secret. lowplayercount@gmail.com

In this episode of Travis Gets Heavy, Travis sits down with renowned game designer John H Butterfield to discuss historical simulations, solitaire game design, and space!   Check us out online here: Twitter | Online | Email | BGG Guild | Slack | iTunes | Stitcher   Sponsored by BoardGameTables.com   Music: Ray Gun - FasterFasterBrighter (Blue Dot Sessions) / CC BY-NC 4.0 Flattered (Blue Dot Sessions) / CC BY-NC 4.0

In Episode 43, the Low Player Count crew discusses Falling Out of Love with Games, while also discussing our picks for the Golden Geek Nominations 01:30 - Golden Geek Award Nominations Picks06:50 - Our Top Picks for Two Player Games10:48 - Our Top Picks for Solitaire Games18:55 - Our Top Picks for Board Game of the Year28:05 - A Discussion of BGG’s Top 10032:50 - boardgametables.com33:41 - Falling Out of Love with Games64:00 - End Bits Check us out online here:Twitter | Online | Email | BGG Guild | Slack | iTunes | Stitcher   Sponsored by BoardGameTables.com Music: Ray Gun - FasterFasterBrighter (Blue Dot Sessions) / CC BY-NC 4.0 Flattered (Blue Dot Sessions) / CC BY-NC 4.0

If You Buy One Game is a minisode series where the individual Low Player Count crew and friends across the boardgame universe can individually discuss and review a game of their choice, based on theme, topic, or even time of year. This episode? Roll and Write Games 00:35 - Donny’s Pick: Dice Stars08:04 - Travis’ Pick: Utopia Engine14:00 - Cathy’s Pick: Roll Through the Ages: The Iron Age15:55 - Ken’s Pick: 30 Rails18:26 - Andy’s Pick: Rolling America22:30 - Richard’s Pick: VivaJava: The Coffee Game: The Dice Game25:37 - Ben’s Pick: Avenue29:59 - Brandon’s Pick: Qwixx34:25 - Patrick’s Pick: Scattergories38:16 - Roll and Write Wednesdays Check us out online here:Twitter | Online | Email | BGG Guild | Slack | iTunes | Stitcher   Sponsored by BoardGameTables.com   Music: Ray Gun - FasterFasterBrighter (Blue Dot Sessions) / CC BY-NC 4.0 Flattered (Blue Dot Sessions) / CC BY-NC 4.0  

In Episode 42, the Low Player Count crew answers a ton of mini-topics and questions that normally wouldn’t fill an entire episode. They also discuss the Golden Geek Awards, all while quoting their favorite Douglas Adams lines. Times:01:40 - The Expanse game05:00 - LPC Shirts at Analog Gamer07:00 - InkedGaming.com11:40 - Indiana Jones13:15 - 2 Year Anniversary Upcoming16:20 - Golden Geek Awards21:44 - A Brief Tribute to the One and Only Douglas Adams24:30 - Get your new table at boardgametables.com26:40 - #LPCMiniTopics27:25 - Buy vs. Trade vs. New vs. Used33:00 - Essential Gaming Component38:00 - App-Enhancement?43:45 - Print and Play Games48:09 - Solitaire Wargaming - Beginner Edition53:08 - Little Set-up and Break-Down Solo Games56:30 - How Long Before A Game Clicks?64:48 - House Ruling?69:33 - End Bits   Check us out online here:Twitter | Online | Email | BGG Guild | Slack | iTunes | Stitcher   Sponsored by BoardGameTables.com   Music: Ray Gun - FasterFasterBrighter (Blue Dot Sessions) / CC BY-NC 4.0 Fla

In the episode of Travis Gets Heavy, Travis goes through his quarterly recap of GMT Games P500 list. What has he acquired? What has he added and removed? And what has really piqued his interest?   Check us out online here: Twitter | Online | Email | BGG Guild | Slack | iTunes | Stitcher   Sponsored by BoardGameTables.com   Music: Ray Gun - FasterFasterBrighter (Blue Dot Sessions) / CC BY-NC 4.0 Flattered (Blue Dot Sessions) / CC BY-NC 4.0

In Episode 41, the Low Player Count crew sits down to discuss Lore in games, what draws them in, and what makes a good lore. They also banter about games they have recently acquired and games they want to get rid of. Time:01:24 - Game Acquisition Rundown04:22 - 18 Card Game Design Challenge05:55 - Donny’s Reunification16:30 - Games We are Trying to Un-Acquire22:20 - Revisit Austerity 201723:20 - Tubthumping24:24 - boardgametables.com24:55 - Lore in Games25:38 - Distinction Between Theme and Lore27:45 - Spice Wars!31:10 - The Definition of Lore32:37 - Lore within the Game vs. Lore Outside of the Game37:35 - Worlds Created within Games We Love50:30 - When Lore Gets in the Way55:45 - What is it about Lore that Grabs You?61:32 - Does Lore Help with Solo Gaming?63:45 - Mini-Topics!64:40 - End Bits Check us out online here:Twitter | Online | Email | BGG Guild | Slack | iTunes | Stitcher   Sponsored by BoardGameTables.com   Music: Ray Gun - FasterFasterBrighter (Blue Dot Sessions) / CC BY-NC 4.0 Flattered (Blue Do

In Episode 40, the Low Player Count crew returns to its Popular Mechanics series with a discussion about Hand Management Games. They also banter about rules forum etiquette, premium BGGcon tickets, and remind people that their shirts exist! Time:01:04 - LPC Shirts are Available (Again) 04:42 - BGG Forum Etiquette09:14 - Happy Birthday Aldie!10:50 - Titling Your Rules Posts13:40 - Improve your GoogleFu16:00 - Our Turn Podcast Shoutout20:00 - BGGcon Premium Tickets26:40 - boardgametables.com27:25 - Popular Science?28:45 - Hand Management Games29:08 - What is a Hand Management Game?30:08 - Favorite Games in the Mechanic31:45 - Does Hand Management Mean Only Cards?39:25 - Enjoying the Tension of Card Selection42:05 - “Yup…”43:00 - Questionable Games47:15 - Shawn Loves Reading48:05 - Can Hand Management Be a Stand Alone Mechanic?51:10 - Slack Shill55:00 - Scoring vs. Mechanics60:00 - Interesting Reversals in Hand Management Games64:40 - End Bits Check us out online here:Twitter | Online | Email | BGG Guild | iTun

If You Buy One Game is a minisode series where the individual Low Player Count crew and friends across the boardgames universe can individually discuss and review a game of their choice, based on theme, topic, or even time of year. This episode? A flashback to the Spiel des Jahres and Kennerspiel winners. 0:36 - Patrick’s Pick: El Grande5:20 - Cliff’s Pick: Codenames10:28 - Richard’s Pick: Orleans13:34 - Donny’s Pick: 7 Wonders19:15 - Andy’s Pick: Isle of Skye23:17 - Jessica’s Pick: Yspahan   Check us outTwitter | Online | BGG Guild | iTunes | Stitcher   Music: The Coconut Monkeyrocket & Martinibomb SPLIT! (The Coconut Monkeyrocket & Martinibomb) / CC BY-NC 3.0

The Setting the Table minisodes are designed to discuss the deeper implications of theme in boardgaming. Donny interviews board game media, designer, fans, and personalities, speaking deeper into why specific themes matter in our favorite games. This week? Middle Earth with Wroderick and Kevin.   Check us outTwitter | Online | BGG Guild | iTunes | Stitcher   Music: The Zeppelin (Blue Dot Sessions) / CC BY-NC 4.0   The Zeppelin (Blue Dot Sessions) / CC BY-NC 4.0

In Episode 39, the Low Player Count crew discusses the stigma of solo gaming, why we do it, and a slew of quotes from the guild on the topic. They also give away a copy of Agricola: Master of Britain, discuss the Slack channel, and kickoff the New Year.   Time:00:26 - Intros & 2017 Kickoff02:10 - Agricola: MOB Giveaway Winner05:35 - Slack Channel13:25 - boardgametables.com14:07 - Shawn Has the Best BGT Ad14:52 - Episode Suggestions15:32 - Skippen Name Drop15:45 - Why Solo Games?18:30 - What Drove You to Play Games Solo?27:07 - Solo Gaming vs. Video Gaming30:00 - People Interaction32:00 - Rules Questions39:00 - Before We Move to the Next Question…40:40 - Play Solo or with Others?49:00 - Group Scheduling, or Lack Thereof…50:05 - Where Did the 3rd Question Go?52:28 - Random Thoughts from Steve M53:00 - Some Unfortunate Stereotypes62:17 - End Bits63:15 - Pop Screen! Check us out online here:Twitter | Online | Email | BGG Guild | iTunes | Stitcher Sponsored by BoardGameTables.com   Music: Ray Gun - FasterFas

In this minisode of Big Fun in a Little Box, Shawn dissects why the multi award winning game of Hanabi is big fun in a little box. Check us out online here:Twitter | Online | Email | BGG Guild | iTunes | Stitcher Sponsored by BoardGameTables.com   Music: Ray Gun - FasterFasterBrighter (Blue Dot Sessions) / CC BY-NC 4.0 Flattered (Blue Dot Sessions) / CC BY-NC 4.0