Four Corners of the Board podcast

This is it, the final episode of Talking Across the Game Board. We have a look back at the history (briefly) of the shows on the network. We also give a behind the scenes look - what do we use to edit the audiofiles? How do we record remotely? How do you publish a podcast? What equipment do you need? We also look at why we are stopping, then look at what is next.

This week Dean and Graeme discuss gaming as relaxation. Can we play games to relax or is there always some level of stress in games? What would make a game relaxing? Are there certain genres of games that are more relaxing?

We then look at our Top 5 Games We Play To Relax.

This week Dean and Graeme have a look at light games. How do we classify light games? Can you have a long light game? What about a simple rule set but lots to think about? Do we look down our noses at light games?

We then do our Top 5 Light Games (rated 1.5 or below on BoardGameGeek)

We look back at 2020, and look at the games we never got a chance to play. We also have a discussion on older games in general. Do we only look at the New Releases section or do we have a list of older games we always keep an eye out for? If we miss a new release, is it out of sight out of mind?

We then do a Top 5 2020 Games We Want To Play

This week Graeme had some sticker shock while looking at games! We look at deluxe editions - do we buy them? Do we want them? How much is too much? Given the option, would we get a Deluxe edition or a normal edition?

Top 5 Games We Want As A Deluxe Edition

Only a few episodes left of the Podcast, please make sure you send in any questions/comments for the finale ASAP!

This week Dean and I look at games that are Stuck in Time - that is games that have a strong connection to the time period in which they are set (not just historical, but could be future time period as well). Do we have a preference for the time period? With our different backgrounds in gaming, does that make a difference in what we call a "Historical Game"?

We then do a Top 5 Games Stuck in Time (pick 5 different Eras and pick one game from each).

This week Dean and Graeme talk about disappointments. What would cause our disappointment in a game? Hype? Designer Expectations? Recommendations? Have gotten wise in our old age and can avoid disappointments?

We then do our Top 5 Games We Wanted to Like but Were Disappointed

This week we look at the BGG Top 100 games - and specifically the ones we have not played. How many do you need to play to get your "gamer" badge? Is there a need to play them? What about genres you like - should you try those from the top 100?

We then do our Top 5 Games we have NOT played in the top 100 that we want to.

It's that time of year! Essen Spiel just finished where publishers show off shiny new games. In our yearly tradition we look back at the 10 games we picked from last year's Essen Spiel to see if we've played them and what we thought of them.

Then we give out Top 10 Games we are looking forward to from Essen Spiel 2020.

This week we look at large publishers. Do we seek out large publishers? Do we trust the games they put out? Are we more willing to take a chance on an unknown game from them? Are their brands diluted?

We then do our pick from 5 large publishers.

This week we start with a brief announcement, then we talk about game endings. What are our favourite ways for a game to end? Can the ending of a game feel anticlimactic? Do we have a favourite way for a game to end?

We then do our Top 5 Game Endings

This week we look at bad expansions. Have you ever disliked an expansion to a game you love? What about an expansion that made you dislike the base game? We look at what makes a bad expansion and decide what exactly the role of an expansion is.

We then do our Top 5 Bad Expansions.

This week we look at what games would we back into an evacuation box if we had to leave our houses in a hurry. Do we have insurance on our games? Would we replace our games if something happened to them or start afresh?

We then look at our Top 5 Games We'd Pack into our Evacuation Box.

Dean and Graeme talk competitiveness in this episode. Since neither one of us is remotely competitive in any way we try and understand the need to do well. Does it effect our enjoyment of the game? Do we wish we were more competitive?

We finish with our Top 5 Games We Are Always Competitive In.

Both Dean and Graeme use BoardGameGeek on a regular basis and agree it is the best board game site out there. But in our perfect world, what would we add to the site to make it even better? We also look at the stats that are available on BGG and see which ones we find useful.

We then do our Top 10 Games from the Most Voted On Games from BoardGameGeek.com

This week we talk about gaming with our families. How often do we get to play? What types of gamers do we have in the house? How do we pick games for them? Do we buy games for them?

We then do our Top 5 Games We Play with our Family

This week we look at heavy games - what makes a game heavy? Do we like them? Do we seek them out? Are there things that a heavy game must have? What about length?

We then do our Top 5 Heavy Games (outside of our Top 100 games of all time).

After finishing our Top 100 Games of All Time and seeing how many different designers there were, we thought it would be a good idea to revisit the topic of Designers. Do designers make a difference to our gaming choices? Are there automatic buys/skips? Is there one designer where we have to get all their games?

We then do our Top 5 Games Designed by Non-male Designers.

This week Dean and Graeme discuss "one hit wonders". What do we mean? What/Who qualifies? Is it more of a percent of games we like/dislike? This is a very subjective topic.

We then do our Top 5 One (or two...) Hit Wonders

This week Dean and Graeme have a look at the Spiel des Jahres nominations. We discuss how useful we find awards and which awards, if any, we follow. Do they influence our purchasing? And what type of jury for awards do we prefer?

We then do our top 5 Spiel des Jahres Games (either nominated or winners)