Game Schooler Podcast

In this week’s episode we talk to Chris Yi of the Dice Tower about Gaming, Content Creation, and Designing Games!00:00 - Introduction to Tabletop Gaming and Guest Introduction01:35 - Chris Yi's Journey into Gaming03:33 - Transitioning to Content Creation08:25 - Managing Content Creation and Burnout13:09 - Staying Positive in the Gaming Community16:41 - Exciting Developments in the Gaming Industry18:34 - The Joys of Working in Gaming20:49 - Unexpected Aspects of the Job23:13 - Family Gaming Experiences26:02 - The Essence of Tabletop Gaming27:07 - The Joy of Podcasting and Game Design27:38 - Diving into Game Design: The Birth of Soda Jerk30:49 - Understanding Soda Jerk: Gameplay Mechanics Explained32:32 - Future Projects: What's Next for Chris?33:45 - Teaching vs. Learning Games: A Personal Preference34:29 - Conventions: Essen vs. Gen Con40:01 - The Dice Tower Retreat vs. Convention: A Comparison45:08 - Philosophy of Luck: A Positive Mindset

In this week’s episode Piper Kotecki and Eliza McCabe share their Top 10 Board Games of All Time!

In this week’s episode we interview Joe Hout, the designer of 3 Chapters.01:33 - Joe Hout's Love for Gen Con02:29 - Joe Hout's Gaming Origin Story03:36 - Twin City Games and Game Design Journey05:03 - The Concept Behind 'Animal Espionage'06:34 - The Transition to Game Design08:35 - Balancing Game Design with a Full-Time Job09:53 - The Art of the Pitch at Gen Con12:45 - The Journey of 'Three Chapters'14:36 - Self-Publishing vs. Working with a Publisher20:13 - Pitching 'Three Chapters'22:11 - Understanding the Game Mechanics of Three Chapters24:06 - Future Projects and Game Design Aspirations25:54 - The Appeal of Lighter Games29:44 - The Importance of Accessibility in Gaming32:58 - The Joy of Game Design and Community35:07 - The Unique Value of Tabletop Gaming36:25 - Celebrating Community and Librarians in Gaming

In this week's episode we recap our journey at Gen Con in Indianapolis. We discuss games that stood out and our experiences as a whole.#Gen Con 2025 #tabletopgaming #boardgames #gamereviews

In this week’s episode we'll cover The Fellowship of the Ring: Trick-Taking Game, our Game of the Week, discuss Mitigating the Churn in The School of Gaming,  and wrap it up by revealing our High-Five Engine-Building  Games!  We also Spotlight 3,000 Scoundrels from Unexpected Games!00:00:00 - Introduction00:09:05 - Spotlight: 3,000 Scoundrels00:19:15 - Game of the Week: The Fellowship of the Ring: Trick-Taking Game00:42:51 - School of Gaming: Mitigating the Churn01:02:34 - High-Five: Engine-Building Games

In this week’s episode we'll cover Star Explorer, our Game of the Week, discuss Player Interaction in The School of Gaming,  and wrap it up by revealing our High-Five Route-Building Games!  We also Spotlight The Faraway from Pandasaurus!00:00:00 - Introduction00:15:11 - Spotlight: Faraway00:25:20 - Game of the Week: Star Explorer00:47:52 - School of Gaming: Player Interaction Explained01:04:12 - High-Five: Route-Building Games

In this week’s episode we'll cover The Crew: Family Adventure, our Game of the Week, discuss a Good Rulebook or a Good Teach in The School of Gaming,  and wrap it up by revealing our High-Five Letter D Games!  We also Spotlight The Dwarf King from IELLO!00:00 - Introductions & Awesomeness12:58 - Spotlight: The Dwarf King20:59 - Game of the Week: The Crew: Family Adventure43:53 - School of Gaming: Good Rulebook or Good Teach?57:03 - High-Five: Letter "D" Games

In this week’s episode we'll cover Zenith, our Game of the Week, discuss Life After Candy Land in The School of Gaming,  and wrap it up by revealing our High-Five Games with Cars!  We also Spotlight Balderdash from Mattel!00:00:00 - Introductions & Awesomeness00:11:08 - Spotlight: Balderdash00:19:06 - Game of the Week: Zenith00:48:26 - School of Gaming: Life After Candy Land01:00:45 - High-Five: Games With Cars

In this week’s episode we'll cover Australis, our Game of the Week, feature Kosmos in a publisher spotlight in The School of Gaming,  and wrap it up by revealing our High-Five Calliope Games!  We also Spotlight Line-it from Gigamic!00:00:00 - Introductions & Awesomeness00:11:31 - Spotlight: Line-it!00:19:47 - Game of the Week: Australis00:40:14 - School of Gaming: Publisher Spotlight - Kosmos01:01:12 - High-Five: Calliope Games

In this week’s episode we'll cover Forever Home, our Game of the Week, discuss Games & Themes in The School of Gaming,  and wrap it up by revealing our High-Five Drafting Games!  We also Spotlight Jewels for the Emperor Penguin from Left Justified Studio!00:00:00 - Introductions & Awesomeness00:08:24 - Spotlight: Jewels For the Emperor Penguin00:16:42 - Game of the Week: Forever Home00:35:56 - School of Gaming: Does Every Game Need a Theme?00:51:12 - High-Five: Drafting Games

In this week’s episode we'll cover Castle Combo, our Game of the Week, discuss Getting Rules Right in The School of Gaming,  and wrap it up by revealing our High-Five Letter C Games!  We also Spotlight Mega Jackpot from Randolph Games!00:00:00 - Introductions & Awesomeness00:10:43 - Spotlight: Mega Jackpot00:19:37 - Game of the Week: Castle Combo00:39:42 - School of Gaming: Getting Rules Right or Keep It Moving?01:00:08 - High-Five: Letter "C" Games

In this episode of the Game Schooler podcast, Doug and Michael hosts a discussion with the design team behind Flash Point Legacy and Flash Point: Golden State Heroes, known as Cronoverse Labs. The team of Kevin Rodgers, Chris Leder, and Ken Franklin shares their origin story, the dynamics of co-designing games, and the creative process that leads to fun game design. They delve into the evolution of Flash Point, the challenges of legacy game design, and their interactions with the Flash Point community. The conversation also introduces the new Golden State Heroes game and its innovative Ignition System, while emphasizing the importance of honoring the firefighting community. The episode concludes with reflections on what makes tabletop gaming enjoyable and the significance of shared experiences around the table.Back the project here - https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/ibcgames/flash-point-golden-state00:00 - Introduction to Chronoverse Labs03:53 - The Origins of Game Design Collaboration06:50 - The Dynamics of Co-Designing Games09:57 - Navigating Creative Differences12:47 - Defining Fun in Game Design15:51 - The Evolution of Flash Point18:50 - Designing Legacy Games vs. Standard Games21:46 - Engaging with the Flash Point Community24:57 - Expanding the Flash Point Universe27:40 - Introducing Golden State Heroes30:46 - The Ignition System Explained33:55 - Campaign vs. Legacy in Game Design38:18 - Understanding the Call Guide40:17 - Legacy and Ignition Series Explained41:11 - Kickstarter Campaign Insights42:35 - Future of Flash Point Series43:46 - Reaching New Audiences45:32 - The Simplicity of Flash Point47:47 - Honoring the Firefighting Community50:43 - Balancing Fun and Realism53:38 - Dedication to First Responders55:23 - The Heart of Tabletop Gaming

In this week’s episode we'll cover 3 Chapters, our Game of the Week, interview Andrew Bosley in The School of Gaming,  and wrap it up by revealing our High-Five Real-Time Games!  We also Spotlight Bruges and Hamburg!00:00:00 - Introduction to the Game Schooler Podcast00:17:06 - Spotlight: Bruges/Hamburg00:27:52 - Game of the Week: 3 Chapters00:49:11 - School of Gaming: Andrew Bosley01:36:32 - High-Five: Real Time Games

In this episode of the Game Schooler podcast, Doug and Michael engage with artist and game designer Manny Trembley. They explore Manny's journey into tabletop gaming, the creation of Dice Throne, and his insights on game design and play. Manny shares his experiences with various games, discusses the development of new titles like Slam Throne, and emphasizes the importance of world-building in game design. The conversation also touches on the future of Dice Throne, upcoming projects, and the joy of creating games that foster connections among players.00:36 - Introduction and Background of Manny Trembley 03:08 - The Journey to Creating Dice Throne 06:04 - Playing Games: Manny's Favorites and Family Involvement 09:15 - Expanding the Dice Throne Universe 12:24 - Introducing Slam Throne: A New Game Concept 15:10 - The Joy of Tabletop Gaming and Relationship Building 19:50 - Reimagining Wonderland: The Art of World Building 24:28 - Tangle Woods: A Collaborative Creation 27:25 - Neon Rain: A New Card Dueling Experience 33:54 - The Joy of Creation: Insights from Game Design 36:16 - The Future of Board Games: Trends and Innovations 42:36 - What's Next for Dice Throne and Beyond?

In this week’s episode we'll cover Critter Kitchen, our Game of the Week, discuss Asymmetry in The School of Gaming,  and wrap it up by revealing our High-Five App Assisted Games!  We also Spotlight Graphic Novel Adventures Jr. from Van Ryder Games!00:00 - Introduction to the Game Schooler Podcast10:31 - Spotlight: Graphic Novel Adventures Jr.21:44 - Game of the Week: Critter Kitchen46:08 - School of Gaming: Asymmetry In Games58:06 - High-Five: App Assisted Games

 In this week’s episode we'll cover Kronologic: Paris 1920, our Game of the Week, talk to Dr. Jon Spike in The School of Gaming,  and wrap it up by revealing our High-Five Letter B Games!  We also Spotlight How Dare You? from Alion!00:00:00 - Introductions & Awesomeness00:09:41 - Spotlight - How Dare You?00:17:39 - Game of the Week - Kronologic: Paris 192000:37:34 - School of Gaming - Dr. Jon Spike and Doomscroll01:07:27 - High-Five - Games Starting With The Letter "B"

In this week’s episode we'll cover Hutan: Life in the Rainforest2, our Game of the Week, discuss Factors that Influence Expectations in The School of Gaming,  and wrap it up by revealing our High-Five Transportation Games!  We also Spotlight Middle Ages from Studio H!00:00:00 - Introductions & Awesomeness00:06:37 - Spotlight: Middle Ages00:18:11 - Game of the Week: Hutan - Life in the Rainforest00:41:02 - School of Gaming: Factors That Influence Expectations00:53:28 - High Five: Transportation Games

In this episode of the Game Schooler podcast, hosts Doug Kotecki and Dr. Michael McCabe explore various aspects of tabletop gaming, including a spotlight on the game 'Stalk Exchange' and a review of 'Vegas Showdown.' They also delve into the role of reviewers in the gaming community, discussing the fine line between constructive criticism and negativity. The episode concludes with a high five list of favorite memory games, showcasing a variety of titles that emphasize memory and strategy.00:00:00 - Introductions & Awesomeness00:12:39 - Spotlight: Stalk Exchange00:21:53 - Game of the Week: Vegas Showdown00:43:02 - School of Gaming: When Do Reviewers Go Too Far?00:58:19 - High-Five: Memory Games

In this week’s episode we'll cover Foundations of Metropolis, our Game of the Week, discuss Variable Setups in The School of Gaming,  and wrap it up by revealing our High-Five Abstract Games!  We also Spotlight A Gentle Rain from Incredible Dream!00:00:00 - Introductions & Awesomeness00:09:30 - Spotlight: A Gentle Rain00:19:03 - Game of the Week: Foundations of Metropolis00:49:10 - School of Gaming: Variable Setup in Board Games01:02:49 - High-Five: Abstract Games

In this week’s episode we'll cover Dreadful Meadows, our Game of the Week, feature Lucky Duck Games for a Publisher Spotlight in The School of Gaming,  and wrap it up by revealing our High-Five Games Set In Ancient Times!  We also Spotlight Cat Lady from AEG!00:00:00 - Introductions & Awesomeness00:16:29 - Spotlight: Cat Lady00:26:59 - Game of the Week: Dreadful Meadows00:49:49 - School of Gaming: Publisher Spotlight - Lucky Duck Games01:15:10 - High-Five: Games Set In Ancient Times