On today's episode, Mark talks with Austin of IV Studios around premium games and their new game on crowdfunding, Tend.

Reflection Question: IV Studio makes some of the most beautiful and satisfyingly tactile games on the market. So with an audience that appreciates that, but also an audience that might want “just the basics,” what discussions are had to decide what parts and what games are made more premium? What is stopping IV Studio from just making cards and chits?

⌛ Timestamps: --------------------------- 0:00 - Intro 0:29 - Reflection Question 7:17 - Austin Harrison/IV Studio Intro 9:27 - Tell us about your newest project, Tend 13:09 - You call this game a cozy kind of farming game - can you elaborate on what that means and how you might think it differs from other types of farming games? 15:01 - What inspired the creation of this game? Where did it come from and how did it evolve into what it is now? 17:58 - What is it that you hope players will walk away with? How do you want them to feel after playing this game? 21:00 - In the game, how did you create an immersive farming experience on an alien world? 23:15 - With all the different aspects and elements of the game, what are some of the most interesting strategies you’ve seen and have developed over time? 26:05 - What inspired the phase of the game where players can share resources? Was that an early development idea or did that come later on? 27:49 - Can you give us a walkthrough of a typical turn? 30:15 - Why is fishing one of your favorite aspects of the game? 31:18 - You mention Stardew Valley being a kind of inspiration for Tend - how did you settle on the art and atmosphere for the game? 32:37 - What’s the collaboration process like between IV Studio and the game artists? Are there things that come up and you have to go back and edit? 34:33 - For the development process, what would you say was your biggest challenge that you came up against? 37:39 - What was something that came from playtesting the game that was unexpected? What changes came about because of the playtesting? What was your favorite change? 39:03 - How has the community responded to your community challenges feature? Is this going to be something that will always be part of the ongoing life of Tend? 41:28 - Do you have any ideas or plans for the future of Tend? 43:21 - Beyond Tend, what are some other things that you can talk about that you’re starting to work on for the future? 44:17 - What are some of your dreams, or goals, or something you haven’t even started yet but would love to try and do? 44:55 - Where can people find more information about Tend? 45:23 - The Beyond 49:14 - Call-to-Action

🔗 Links: --------------------------- https://shop.iv.studio/ https://tend.iv.studio/ https://www.bouncysmash.com/ https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/ivstudios/tend-0

📃 Credits: --------------------------- Mark Streed - Co-host Austin Harrison - Special Guest Tim Riel - Reflection Question

On today's episode, Mark interviews Ryan Laukat of Red Raven Games about his enchanting worlds and game design adventures. We’ll explore his creative journey, discuss the innovative mechanics of his games and hear more about the process of designing games like Above and Below: Haunted.

Reflection Question: What has been the most rewarding part of your board game career so far? How will it impact future projects as you continue your board game journey?

⌛ Timestamps: --------------------------- 0:00 - Intro 0:27 - Reflection Question 4:19 - Tell us about your newest campaign for Above & Below: Haunted. 7:23 - What new elements are in this version compared to the original Above & Below? 8:54 - What drew you to the spooky theme? 10:18 - What has been the response thus far to this newest campaign? 11:15 - Do you like Gamefound more than Kickstarter? 12:27 - What is your favorite aspect of Above & Below: Haunted? 13:18 - Because you’re so well known for design and illustration, how do you balance the creative process between game mechanics and the art direction? 14:16 - What would you say is the biggest challenge in designing games that combine both exploration and deep narrative? 15:38 - How do you find inspiration for your worlds that you create and the characters in the games? 16:40 - How do you keep your creative ideas fresh across multiple games and different universes that you’ve created? 17:45 - Do you have a particular favorite world or game that you’ve designed? Why does it stand out to you? 18:46 - Aside from your own games, what are some of your favorites to play? 20:39 - How do you ensure that your strategy within the game and the story itself don’t overshadow each other during the development process? 22:26 - In designing your games, what are some elements that ended up completely different from what you initially envisioned? What were some key turning points in the development? 24:18 - What is some of your favorite art from your games? Do you have a piece of art or a series that you are especially proud of? 26:09 - Who are some artists and artwork that inspire you for your games, but also your art in general? 27:01 - Looking forward, what excites you about the future of board game design? Are there any new trends you’re particularly interested in exploring? 27:59 - What are your feelings around apps in board games? 30:03 - The Beyond 34:21 - Call-to-Action

🔗 Links: --------------------------- https://www.redravengames.com/ https://gamefound.com/en/projects/red-raven-games/above-and-below-haunted

📃 Credits: --------------------------- Mark Streed - Co-host Ryan Laukat - Special Guest Phong Nguyen - Reflection Question

In this episode, Mark sits down with Dan Madsen, the ultimate fan ambassador, to dive into their shared passion for all things nerd and fandom. From the iconic universes of Star Trek and Star Wars to the wider world of film and fan culture, they explore what makes these stories timeless and their communities so vibrant. Tune in for a fun, in-depth conversation packed with nostalgia, trivia, and deep fandom love!

⌛ Timestamps: ---------------------------

0:00 - Intro

2:12 - Dan Madsen Intro

7:10 - What sparked your passion for the Star Trek universe, among the others?

9:09 - Tell us about your experience making “Free Enterprise.”

15:02 - How did your early interactions with George Lucas and Gene Roddenberry help shape your career and life? What were some of the most meaningful moments that you had with them?

18:53 - Of all the interactions/franchises/actors/directors/etc., what is the most memorable moment that stands out in your memory?

21:50 - How do you think fandoms have evolved over the years?

22:31 - What advice would you give someone looking to turn their passion into a career?

24:40 - Of all the different Star Trek sets that you got to visit, which is your favorite?

27:44 - What are some of your new and upcoming projects?

34:14 - The Beyond

36:00 - Call-to-Action

🔗 Links: ---------------------------

https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/mnstrgames/montoons-clash-of-the-coral-isles

https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0141105/

https://www.rollacrit.com/

📃 Credits: ---------------------------

Mark Streed - Co-host

Dan Madsen - Special Guest

Laura Rodriguez - Timestamps

In this episode, Mark and Devon roll into the epic world of Dice Throne! We break down why this fast-paced, dice-rolling "battle-Yahtzee" style game with asymmetric characters keeps players coming back for more. From the strategic depth to the non-stop action, we’ll explore what makes Dice Throne a must-play for anyone who craves intense competition and endless replayability.

Reflection Question: "What strategies or approaches have you found to be most effective in balancing competitive gameplay with a positive atmosphere and experience around the table?"

⌛ Timestamps: --------------------------- 0:00 - Intro 0:39 - Reflection Question 5:48 - Dice Throne 8:15 - Theme & Story 11:30 - Two-Player vs. Multiplayer Discussion 16:04 - Overview & Mechanisms 20:03 - Components & Production 22:52 - Art & Graphic Design 27:30 - Roxley Games Community & Culture 43:30 - The Beyond 46:44 - Call-to-Action

🔗 Links: ---------------------------

https://www.thefamilygamers.com/ https://roxley.com/pages/dice-throne https://shop.dicethrone.com/ https://boardgamegeek.com/boardgamedesigner/63023/manny-trembley

📃 Credits: ---------------------------

Devon Mettlin - Co-host Mark Streed - Co-host

Andrew (Family Gamers) - Reflection Question Laura Rodriguez - Timestamps

On today's episode, Devon interviews his co-host, Mark Streed about his fascinating journey as a full-time board game previewer for The Dice Tower. Mark shares stories from his career, insights into the world of board game previewing and what it takes to stay on top in the ever-evolving tabletop industry.

Reflection Question: "If you were to be made out of any ONE element, what would it be and why?"

⌛ Timestamps: --------------------------- 0:00 - Intro 0:51 - Reflection Question 3:24 - Mark Streed Intro 5:52 - Can you start by sharing what first drew you into the world of board games? Why board games? How has that evolved into a career? 9:28 - What was the journey like, from playing games as a hobby to turning it into a fulltime job? Was there a defining moment for you? 11:00 - Can you walk us through your life as a fulltime previewer? What does the day-to-day look like from start to finish? 14:21 - Can you talk about what it’s like to put together a quality preview? 17:46 - Are you the one who decides what games to feature? 20:25 - When you’re doing previews, what aspects of game design catch your attention? Are there certain themes or mechanisms that stand out to you the most? 22:23 - Do you find it challenging to stay objective when previewing a game because you’re working closely with the publishers and designers? 24:38 - What’s something behind the scenes in the process that we don’t realize or we might not see? 28:58 - Do you think board game previewers have a responsibility to call out subpar games or games that are more problematic? 30:07 - Has there been a game that you’ve previewed that you knew right away would be a breakout success? What tipped you off about that game? 31:36 - With the growing number of influencers that we now have, do you think the quality of previews have actually been diluted based on quantity? What sets true professionals apart from the casuals? 33:46 - Looking forward, how do you see board game media in previewing evolving over the next few years? What role do you hope to play in that future? 37:02 - What three pieces of key advice can you give to people out there who want to start doing board game previews? 40:53 - The Beyond 43:47 - Call-to-Action

🔗 Links: ---------------------------

https://grandgamersguild.com/

https://www.dicetower.com/

https://firesidegames.com/

https://www.mrbgames.com/

https://mayfair-games.com/

https://renegadegamestudios.com/

https://www.youtube.com/c/Li%C3%A8geofGames

https://boardgamegeek.com/boardgame/348220/deep-rock-galactic-the-board-game

https://shop.iv.studio/

https://boardgamegeek.com/boardgame/423553/above-and-below-haunted

📃 Credits: ---------------------------

Devon Mettlin - Co-host Mark Streed - Co-host

Marc Specter - Reflection Question Laura Rodriguez - Timestamps

Join Mark and Devon as they sit down with Ammon Anderson to dive into their unforgettable experiences at GenCon 2024. From navigating the bustling crowds to discovering hidden gems, they share their personal highlights and how the game Gnome Hollow left everyone in awe, taking the industry by storm. Reflection Question:

"After experiencing such a sold-out, high-energy event, how do you feel about GenCon’s role in the tabletop industry, and what are your hopes for the future?"

⌛ Timestamps: ---------------------------

0:00 - Intro

0:39 - Reflection Question

4:59 - Ammon Anderson Intro

10:16 - Devon’s GenCon Experience

13:04 - Mark’s GenCon Experience

16:24 - Ammon’s GenCon Experience

22:04 - Given how crazy GenCon was, did you find it challenging to connect with people or attend events that you were interested in?

24:58 - What is the origin story of Gnome Hollow?

28:45 - Do you think your concussion led you to the peaceful theme of Gnome Hollow? How did you go about building a world that feels magical and inviting at the same time?

30:17 - How did your artistic vision influence the mechanics of the game? Were there any specific challenges you faced in merging the two?

37:47 - What was your approach to playtesting Gnome Hollow and what were any major revisions or ‘aha’ moments during that process?

43:24 - The Beyond

49:32 - Call-to-Action

🔗 Links: ---------------------------

https://theop.games/?srsltid=AfmBOooZwyMRC6-E8I_OjwThUMR2NkryFaqSXaiawH_nKNgF4xWtMQR7

https://theop.games/products/gnome-hollow

https://renegadegamestudios.com/heroscape-home

https://boardgamegeek.com/boardgame/310728/taco-taunt-attack-conquer-obsess

https://sales.kaganproductions.com/kagan-duckademy/

📃 Credits: ---------------------------

Devon Mettlin - Co-host Mark Streed - Co-host

Ammon Anderson - Special Guest; Gnome Hollow

Laura Rodriguez - Timestamps

On today's episode, we chat with Juli B, founder of Distant Rabbit Games, about the challenges of starting her own indie publishing studio with her husband. Juli shares the hard work and determination it takes to bring an indie game company to life. Whether you're into game design or curious about the indie scene, this episode offers valuable insights and inspiration.

⌛ Timestamps: ---------------------------

0:00 - Intro 0:42 - Reflection Question 6:09 - Juli Bierwirth Intro 7:46 - What is an Indie Publisher? 11:17 - Can you talk about how Distant Rabbit Games started? Why did you want to get into this in the first place? 16:25 - How do you design games with player psychology in mind? 18:34 - Can you give us a brief explanation of Mantis Falls? 23:17 - When you were designing this game and getting it to publication, what were some of the biggest challenges that you faced when you were launching it? How did you overcome those challenges? 28:08 - Can you personally share some strategies you’ve found effective in building and maintaining your community around the game? 31:54 - What are some common misconceptions about Indie publishing that you wish more people would understand? 35:43 - Can you talk about a time when you had to pivot and adapt your plans? What have you learned from that experience? 40:33 - When you approach the marketing for your games, how do you do that with the limited resources that you have compared to larger publishers? 43:05 - What are three pieces of advice that you would give to someone who wants to start their own Indie publishing company? 46:18 - The Beyond 49:23 - Call-to-Action

🔗 Links: ---------------------------

https://distantrabbitgames.com/ https://stonemaiergames.com/ https://distantrabbitgames.com/mantis-falls.html https://boardgamegeek.com/boardgame/299594/megapulse https://boardgamegeek.com/boardgame/395375/art-society https://boardgamegeek.com/boardgame/393343/smug-owls https://melodice.org/

📃 Credits: ---------------------------

Devon Mettlin - Co-host Juli Bierwirth - Special Guest

Laura Rodriguez - Timestamps Kevin Levy - Reflection Question

On today's episode, Mark sits down with Sean Brown, the new president of Mayfair Games, to discuss the exciting revival of the beloved game company. Sean shares his vision for bringing classic titles back to the forefront while introducing fresh, innovative games to captivate new audiences. Together, they explore the future of Mayfair Games and what fans can expect in the years to come.

⌛ Timestamps: ---------------------------

0:00 - Intro 0:33 - Reflection Question 1:45 - Sean Brown Intro 10:13 - What inspired the decision to revive Mayfair and why? What does the brand represent to you personally? 13:10 - What were some of your biggest challenges that you faced in bringing Mayfair Games back to life? 19:20 - How will the revived Mayfair Games differ from the original, in terms of game selection, branding, and target audience? 24:06 - What are some of the first titles that you will be bringing out? 26:53 - What are some of the other classic titles that you’re going to be bringing back? 28:22 - How do you maintain the balance between the nostalgia of the old Mayfair Games and the need to innovate and have new games to move the company forward? 29:27 - How does that change the landscape for you, with so many new publishers and games? Where do you see Mayfair playing the role in moving forward? What is your niche? 32:34 - What are some insights you have into the design and development process for new games coming from Mayfair? 37:46 - Are you doing any other collaborations or partnerships that might surprise fans and just excite everyone? 39:57 - Looking ahead, where do you see Mayfair Games in the next 5, 10, or 20 years? What are some of the long-term goals that you hope you can reach for the brand? 42:19 - The Beyond 51:11 - Call-to-Action

🔗 Links: ---------------------------

https://mayfair-games.com/ https://www.mrbgames.com/ https://boardgamegeek.com/boardgame/713/nuclear-war https://boardgamegeek.com/boardgamedesigner/756/rick-loomis https://boardgamegeek.com/boardgame/418247/nuclear-destruction https://store.asmodee.com/ https://mayfair-games.com/products/cafe-and-expresso https://mayfair-games.com/products/lata https://boardgamegeek.com/boardgame/94/union-pacific

📃 Credits: ---------------------------

Mark Streed - Co-host Sean Brown - Special Guest

Randy White - Reflection Question Laura Rodriguez - Timestamps