Going Analog Podcast
137 episodes - English - Latest episode: 16 days ago - ★★★★★ - 34 ratingsDifferent board gamers, each bringing a game and unique topic for the group to discuss. Hosted by Christina Ha and Dan "Shoe" Hsu, with new industry guests each episode.
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Episodes
37: Mike Young (Plan B) explains why game publishing is so tough! Plus, our fave board game franchises and imports.
February 12, 2020 06:01 - 1 hour - 47.2 MBMike Young (Plan B) explains why game publishing is so tough! Plus, our fave board game franchises and imports. Games mentioned on the show: Shoe's topic: Game franchises Azul Azul: Stained Glass of Sintra Azul: Summer Pavilion Century Century: Golem Edition Chess Othello Ticket to Ride Settlers of Catan Codenames Cottage Garden Indian Summer Spring Meadow Funkoverse Strategy Game Unmatched Android: Netrunner Magic: The Gathering Mexica Tikal Java ...
36: Celebrating 20 years of BoardGameGeek
January 29, 2020 07:03 - 1 hour - 59.8 MBBoardGameGeek just turned 20! Owner/co-founder Scott Alden and Director of Media Lincoln Damerst stop by to talk about the two-decade making of the do-everything board game website, its most underrated games, and much more. Games discussed: Intro & Scott's topic: How did you first hear about BoardGameGeek? Settlers of Catan Manhattan Die Hanse Magic: The Gathering Chess Poker UNO Risk Mahjong Scrabble Carcassonne Black Box Lost Cities Wingspan Thunderstone ...
35: The 2019 games of the year...and looking ahead at 2020
January 15, 2020 08:35 - 1 hour - 47.7 MBIt's time for Going Analog's 2019 Games of the Year! The crew offers their picks for the best of last year, talks about the state of their board game collections, and makes New Years gaming resolutions. Plus: What are we most excited to play in 2020? Games discussed: Shoe's topic: Games of 2019 Medium Silver: Bullet Letter Jam Ecos: First Continent Sorcerer City Paladins of the West Kingdom Maracaibo Egizia: Shifting Sands Klask Pipeline Q.E. Wavelength 5...
34: BoardGameGeek drops in to discuss Azul, Abomination, and BGGCON
December 18, 2019 07:53 - 1 hour - 57.3 MBBoardGameGeek's Scott Alden (owner) and Lincoln Damerst (host of GameNight!) stops by to offer their thoughts on all three Azul games, the monsterous Abomination, and our favorite popular and under-the-radar games from BGGCON. Games discussed: Intro: Abomination Azul Azul: Stained Glass of Sintra Azul: Summer Pavilion Christina's topic: Best game of BGGCON Aquatica Marvel Champions: The Card Game Silver Silver Bullet Medium Aldie's topic: Best game at BGGCON...that no o...
33: John D. Clair (Ecos, Mystic Vale) explains how he designs board games. Also: Our fave Star Wars, deckbuilding, and engine-building games.
December 04, 2019 05:25 - 1 hour - 52.1 MBJohn D. Clair (Ecos, Mystic Vale) talks us through his mechanics-first approach to game design. And the group discusses our favorite Star Wars, deckbuilding, and engine-building games. Games discussed: Intro: Mystic Vale Custom Heroes Space Base Edge of Darkness Ecos: The First Continent Ascension Ascension: Skulls & Sails Shoe's topic: Engine-building games Rise of Augustus Gizmos Great Western Trail Innovation Dominion Magic: The Gathering John's topic: From i...
32: Rob Manuel (Indie Megabooth, ex-G4TV/Geek & Sundry) discusses what it takes to be a successful board game content creator, plus how to talk to non-gamers about board games over the holidays, why there aren't more negative game reviews, and some Ravens
November 20, 2019 08:00 - 1 hour - 55.8 MBRob Manuel (Indie Megabooth, ex-G4TV/Geek & Sundry) discusses what it takes to be a successful board game content creator, plus how to talk to non-gamers about board games over the holidays, why there aren't more negative game reviews, and some Ravensburger appreciation Games we mentioned: Intro: Age of Steam Christina's topic: How to talk to people about board games over the holidays Monopoly The Settlers of Catan Agricola Caverna Risk Small World Kingdomino Wind...
31: Jerry Hawthorne (Mice and Mystics) talks world-building, plus kid-friendly family games, how game design taps into dopamine, and leftover legacy game content
November 07, 2019 00:37 - 1 hour - 51.5 MBJerry Hawthorne (Mice and Mystics, Stuffed Fables) talks about how he world-builds for his story-rich adventure games. Also: kid-friendly family games, dopamine (and how game design taps into it), and what we do with the content we never see in adventure/legacy games. Intro: Mice & Mystics Stuffed Fables Comanauts Aftermath Battlelands Christina's topic: How do we feel about the content we might not see in campaign/legacy games? Pandemic Legacy Mike's topic: Game re...
30: Bebo (Be Bold Games) brings the strangest/coolest topic to date. Also: most anticipated Essen releases, the biggest problems in the industry, and games that are/aren't worth the setup time
October 23, 2019 07:48 - 1 hour - 50.2 MBBebo (Be Bold Games) brings the strangest/coolest topic to date. Also: most anticipated Essen releases, the biggest problems in the industry, and games that are/aren't worth the setup time. Games we discussed: Bebo's topic: Which 3 games in a trench coat are you? Caverna Battleline Junk Orbit Rebel Nox Wingspan Flamme Rouge Web of Spies Detective: City of Angels Deception: Murder in Hong Kong Caverna: The Forgotten Folk Barenpark Tokaido Mike's topic: Essen Spiel ...
29: Why are some games so hard to buy? Scott Morris of GTS Distribution explains the manufacturing/distribution process for us -- plus recent faves that we've been playing and some of the best worker-placement games (with a twist).
October 09, 2019 05:12 - 1 hour - 55.7 MBWhy are some games so hard to buy? Scott Morris of GTS Distribution explains the manufacturing/distribution process for us -- plus recent faves that we've been playing and some of the best worker-placement games (with a twist). Games we discussed: Scott's topic: How games get into stores, why they sell out, why they take so long to restock Root Batman: Gotham City Chronicles 7th Continent Shoe's topic: Recent faves Letter Jam Boggle Scrabble Parks Campy Creatures Space Park Pa...
28: Nikki Valens (Mansions of Madness, Quirky Circuits) tells us how she goes from designing horror games to cute and adorable ones, plus our fave co-op games, how legacy games use legacy elements, and escape-room games
September 25, 2019 07:00 - 1 hour - 49.2 MB28: Nikki Valens (Mansions of Madness, Quirky Circuits) tells us how she goes from designing horror games to cute and adorable ones, plus our fave co-op games, how legacy games use legacy elements, and escape-room games Games we discussed: Intro: Quirky Circuits Eldritch Horror Mansions of Madness Arkham Horror Legacy of Dragonholt Cloudspire Shoe's topic: Designing horror-themed vs. family-friendly games Dread Jess's topic: Favorite co-op games The Mind Mag...
27: Scott Alden (BoardGameGeek co-founder) asks if there are too many games being published, plus the top 3 non-obvious things we look for in games, the baggage of BoardGameGeek reviews, and a rave about Japanese favorite Wind the Film
September 11, 2019 16:00 - 1 hour - 54.4 MB27: Scott Alden (BoardGameGeek co-founder) asks if there are too many games being published, Christina wants to know the top 3 non-obvious things we look for in games, Shoe tackles the baggage of BoardGameGeek reviews head-on, and Nick raves about an all-time import favorite, Wind the Film Games we mentioned: Intro: Tricks and the Phantom Scott's topic: Too many games? Monopoly Shoe's topic: Board Game Geek ratings Gloomhaven Tapestry Tigris & Euphrates Wingspan ...
26: Dan Ackerman (Techlandia) chats with us about the making of his board game, how important winning is, the current state of board game media, and how the indie tabletop scene feels like the indie video game scene from five years ago
August 28, 2019 18:25 - 1 hour - 48.9 MBTech journalist/author and first-time designer Dan Ackerman chats with us this week. Our new topics: the making of his board game Techlandia, how important winning is, the current state of board game media, and how the indie tabletop scene feels like the indie video game scene from five years ago. Games we mentioned: Intro: Techlandia Pipeline Mike's topic: Importance of winning a board game Terra Mystica Foundations of Rome Fleet: The Dice Game Heroes of Land, Air, and S...
25: Post-Gen Con 2019! We team up with Board Game Spotlight to announce our games of the show, our favorite early prototypes, why we buy what we buy at the show, and building communities
August 14, 2019 23:10 - 1 hour - 48.9 MBMega gaming convention Gen Con 2019 is over! We team up with Board Game Spotlight to announce our games of the show, our favorite early prototypes (of games we won't see until 2020), why we buy what we buy at the show, and building communities. Intro: The Walking Dead: Something to Fear Christina's topic: Gen Con Game of the Show Dead Man's Cabal Abomination Medium The Mind Unmatched Star Wars: Epic Duels Foundations of Rome Letter Jam Lizzy's topic: What's wo...
24: Gen Con 2019 preview special! Our favorite Gen Con memories, what to plan for as a first-timer, lesser-known things to do there, and a bonus review of a unique new bidding game!
July 31, 2019 15:00 - 1 hour - 45.2 MBGen Con 2019 is this weekend, and we’re too excited not to do a show all about it! Christina shares her favorite Gen Con memories, friends of the show Jess Yi and Joe Canalin talk about what to plan for as a first timer and lesser-know things to do there, while Nick bucks the trend with a review of the unique new bidding game Q.E. Christina's topic: Favorite Gen Con memories Abyss Unearth Scarabya Race for the Galaxy Campy Creatures Control Jess's topic: Gen Con rookie adv...
23: A pre-Gen Con Kickstarter glut, games we’ve purchased second (or third) editions of, and Epic Space Games
July 17, 2019 16:00 - 1 hour - 52.3 MBOnly three podcasters this time but still plenty of games to talk about! Shoe asks how we're doing with the pre-Gen Con glut of Kickstarter deliveries, Mike wants to know which games we've purchased second (or third) editions of, and Christina talks recent Epic Space Games. Shoe's topic: Kickstarter rush The Ancient World Thunderstone Quest Tiny Epic Mechs Tiny Epic Defenders Tiny Epic Kingdoms Tiny Epic Quest Tiny Epic Western Fantastic Factories Metal Campy Creatures ...
22: Grant Rodiek (Cry Havok, Farmageddon) can only save three games to play forever, plus the trials of an indie game designer, what kind of collectors we are, and Tokyo Game Market
July 03, 2019 19:29 - 1 hour - 52.1 MBGrant Rodiek of Hyperbole Games (Cry Havok, Farmageddon, Solstice) wants to know our three desert island games, while Shoe asks him about the life of an indie game designer, Christina shares what type of collector she is, and Nick attends Tokyo Game Market Games we discussed: Intro: Cry Havoc Farmageddon SPQF Imperius Christina's topic: What Kind of Game Collector Are You? Isle of Cats Puerto Rico dibdib/Moneybags Ginkgopolis 6 Nimmt Cockroach Poker The Mind Arbor...
21: Origins Game Fair, 2019 (Kenner)spiel des Jahres, and growing up with Steve Jackson Games
June 05, 2019 15:14 - 1 hour - 50.8 MBPandasaurus Games's Hunter Shelburne drops some industry knowledge as we preview the big Origins show, dissect this year's nominees for gaming's most prestigious awards, and reminisce over how we grew up with Steve Jackson Games. Games we discussed: Intro: The Castles of Burgundy Hunter's topic: Arraial Dead Man's Cabal Puerto Rico Draftosaurus 7 Wonders Sushi Go Teotihuacan: Late Preclassic Period Mississippi Queen Detective: City of Angels Machi Koro The Min...
20: Nicole Amato (Cardboard Fortress) joins our chat! We discuss licensed board games, social deduction (without the lies), what it's like to co-design, and what themes we'd like to see more of
May 22, 2019 17:10 - 1 hour - 51.9 MBNicole Amato of Cardboard Fortress - co-creator of Lazer Ryderz, Resistor_, and Atari's Centipede - joins our chat! We discuss licensed board games, social deduction (without the lies), what it's like to co-design, and what themes we'd like to see more of. Games we discussed: Intro: Lazer Ryderz Atari's Centipede Resistor Shoe's topic: Social Deduction Games without Bluffing Werewolf Hail Hydra Secrets Moneybags Coup Grifters Cryptid The Mind Growl The Grimm Masquerade ...
19: The OG crew are reunited, as Shoe celebrates some recent Kickstarter arrivals, Christina takes stock of the rise of the Roll & Write genre, Mike reflects on the role of ‘super filler’ games, and Nick pens a love letter to Castles of Burgundy
May 08, 2019 16:00 - 1 hour - 45 MBThe OG crew are reunited, as Shoe celebrates some recent Kickstarter arrivals, Christina takes stock of the rise of the Roll & Write genre, Mike reflects on the role of ‘super filler’ games, and Nick pens a love letter to Castles of Burgundy. Games we discussed: Intro segment: Splendor Shoe's topic: The Ancient World Gentes Resident Evil 2: The Board Game Dark Souls: The Board Game Airdeck 2.0 Mech Command RTS Christina's topic: Welcome to... Avenue Kokoro: Ave...
18: Our friend Laura Hubbard stops by to talk math in games, plus games about science (naturally), our favorite games to play with our significant others, and how we engage with early game prototypes
April 24, 2019 16:00 - 1 hour - 56.8 MB18: Our friend Laura Hubbard stops by to talk math in games (and how much is too much), plus Christina complements it by discussing games about science (naturally), Shoe wants to know our favorite games we play with our significant others, and Nick has early game prototypes on the mind Shoe's Topic: Lost Cities Jaipur Crokinole Asante Jambo Targi Tokyo Highway Hatsuden Hounded Raptor Spirit Island Spirit Island: Branch & Claw Arkham Horror: The Card Game The Lord...
17: Anna Kipnis (ex-Double Fine) discusses games with uniquely human interactions, plus modern pub games, games that reveal players’ personalities, and how working in video games has influenced our board game preferences
April 10, 2019 15:30 - 1 hour - 54.8 MBAnna Kipnis (ex-Double Fine) joins us to discuss games with uniquely human interactions, while Nick shares his favorite modern pub games, Christina highlights games that reveal players’ personalities, Shoe muses on how working in video games has influenced our board game preferences. Games we discussed: Intro: Orleans Yokohama Scoville Crusaders: Thy Will Be Done Small World Nick's Topic: Skull Liar's Dice Kobayakawa Lie The Mind Illusion A Fake Artist Goe...
16: Theresa Duringer (Shards of Infinity) tells us how board games can help your career, plus board games we only play digitally, the best ones that need an app, and themed snacks!
March 20, 2019 15:30 - 1 hour - 43 MBThis week, guest Theresa Duringer joins the board game discussion. She's the co-founder of Temple Gates Games, the developer responsible for digital ports of several popular tabletop games like Roll for the Galaxy or Shards of Infinity. And she's a pretty damn good baker, too. Games we talked about: Intro: Ascension Race for the Galaxy Roll for the Galaxy Shards of Infinity Shoe: Carcassonne Settlers of Catan Risk Monopoly The Castles of Burgundy Ticket to Ride ...
15: Jordan Draper (Tokyo Series) discusses integrating diverse themes into games, plus great travel games, expectations for game length, and how games have changed our lives
March 06, 2019 17:00 - 1 hour - 44.2 MBDesigner Jordan Draper (Tokyo Series, Import/Export) joins us to discuss his innovative oeuvre, and integrating diverse themes into games, while Nick reps his favorite travel games, Christina ponders expectations of game length, and Shoe tells us how games changed his life. Games we discussed - Intro: Tokyo Series Tokyo Jutaku Tokyo Metro Tokyo Jidohanbaiki Tokyo Game Show Tokyo Tsukiji Market Tokyo Coin Laundry Metal Tribe Cactus Import/Export Glory to Rome Co...
14: James Hudson (Druid City Games, Skybound Games) joins us to revisit ethics in board game media, plus bad board game art, the importance of story context, and our favorite board game influencers
February 20, 2019 22:40 - 1 hour - 46 MBOur friend James Hudson, head of Druid City Games and the tabletop division of Skybound Games, joins us to revisit ethics in board game media, as well as answer the many questions we throw at him. Plus Christina asks how ugly game art happens, Shoe discusses the importance of story in games that don’t center around story, and Mike shares some of his favorite board game influencers. Games we discussed - Intro: Tidal Blades Valor & Villainy The Grimm Forest The Grimm Masquerade Th...
13: Steve Nix (Gen7) discusses his worldbuilding and how game mechanics can trigger emotions, plus worker placement vs. dice placement games, and the pros and cons of game promos
February 06, 2019 17:00 - 1 hour - 44.3 MBSteve Nix (Gen7) joins us to discuss how game mechanics can trigger emotions, as well as how he built the world of his game, while Christina compares worker-placement to dice-placement games, and Mike goes over the pros and cons of game promo goodies Games we mentioned: Shoe's topic Gen7 Steve's topic Dead of Winter Gloomhaven Pandemic Arkham Horror Robinson Crusoe Forbidden Island Forbidden Desert Forbidden Sky Tokaido Nyctophobia Letters from White Chapel ...
12: Emerson Matsuuchi (Century series, Reef) ponders what qualities of board games attract video gamers, plus what makes for a good rule book, giving players meaningful story choices, and designing games to be merged together
January 23, 2019 16:30 - 1 hour - 51.1 MBEmerson Matsuuchi (Century series, Reef, the upcoming Metal Gear Solid game) ponders what qualities of board games attract video gamers, Christina goes over what makes for a fun and helpful rule book, Nick pits Tales of Arabian Nights against Betrayal Legacy to discuss giving players meaningful story choices, and Shoe asks Emerson how he approaches designing games that can be merged together. Emerson's games we mentioned: Reef Century: Spice Road Century: Eastern Wonders Century: F...
11: Game of the Year Celebration - Part 2
January 09, 2019 16:30 - 1 hour - 44.5 MBThe crew are back to wrap up their favorite games of 2018, with final Game of the Year picks and other favorites that almost made the cut. And stick around until the end, as an array of very special guests share their GOTY as well!
10: Game of the Year Celebration 2018 - Part 1
December 26, 2018 19:05 - 46 minutes - 32.4 MBIt’s a holiday miracle! The crew are united in person, and we dole out awards for some of board gaming’s best - and worst - distinctions of 2018. From best components, to the most disappointing sequel, to the best beige game, to the most stressful game.
09: Ryan and Malorie Laukat (Above and Below, Megaland) talk board games they’d like to see made into video games, plus the prettiest games around, making open-world games, and using our imaginations
December 12, 2018 16:45 - 1 hour - 48.3 MBRyan and Malorie Laukat from Red Raven Games join us to talk about board games we want to see made into video games, the most gorgeous game artwork, what makes for a good open-world board game experience, and how games encourage us to use our imagination.
08: Best practices for teaching games, a trip to BGG.CON, games that make us yell, and the best party game you’ve never heard of
November 28, 2018 16:45 - 1 hour - 42 MBThe OG crew are back together - in Mike’s living room! Nick has some best practices for teaching games, Shoe brings tales from a trip to BGG.CON, Christina screams about games that make us yell, and Mike gives us a hot tip on an unsung party game.
07: Jamey Stegmaier of Stonemaier Games (Scythe) talks Civilization-style games, plus upgrading game components, games that sound lame but are actually great, and why we go to gaming conventions
November 14, 2018 16:45 - 1 hour - 45.8 MBJamey Stegmaier of Stonemaier Games (Scythe, Viticulture) asks what we want out of a Civilization-style game, Mike blings out his components, Christina talks games that sound lame but are actually great, and Shoe explains why we go to game conventions.
06: Tim Schafer joins us to discuss why so many digital game creators are “going analog,” plus the best gateway games for video gamers, the most innovative components we’ve seen, and gaming as a responsible parent
October 31, 2018 15:45 - 1 hour - 46.9 MBTim Schafer (Double Fine) joins us to discuss why so many digital game creators are “going analog,” Shoe covers the best gateway games for video gamers, Christina talks unique game components, and Mike muses on being a responsible gaming parent.
05: Special guest game designer Jon Gilmour talks board game experiences, plus Halloween-appropriate games, being a board game sommelier, and board games everyone loves except you
October 17, 2018 15:45 - 57 minutes - 39.5 MBSpecial Guest Game Designer Jon Gilmour (Dead of Winter) tells us how board game experiences impact design, Mike shares some spooky games for Halloween, Christina tells us how to be a better gaming host, and Shoe craps on games that other people love.
04: The best modern word games, ethics in board game coverage, Western Legends’ cowboy in a box, and Japanese shopping sprees
October 03, 2018 16:00 - 1 hour - 44.7 MBMike gives us the lowdown on Western Legends’ cowboy-in-a-box experience, Christina nerds out on the best modern word games, Shoe get tough on ethics in board game coverage, and Nick spends way too much money game-shopping in Japan.
03: Seminal childhood games, gaming with soundtracks, how we organize our collections, and Keyforge
September 19, 2018 16:00 - 1 hour - 44.3 MBNick brings us back to the seminal games of our childhood, Shoe gives his first impressions of Richard Garfield’s Keyforge, Christina wants to know how we organize our game collections, and Mike sets the mood with custom soundtracks. Your turn!
02: Our Fav 2-Player Games, Great Gateway Games, Roleplaying with Kids on Bikes, and Keymaster Games
September 05, 2018 16:00 - 49 minutes - 45.5 MBMike gets the crew talking about what makes a great gateway game, Nick extolls the polished pleasures of Keymaster Games, Christina wants to know everyone’s favorite 2-player games, and Shoe takes us on a roleplaying adventure with Kids on Bikes!
01: Gen Con 2018 Highs and Lows, Choosing Your Own Adventure with House of Danger, Oink Games
August 08, 2018 04:24 - 50 minutes - 40.3 MBDan "Shoe" Hsu shares his favorite games of Gen Con, Christina Ha discusses an unfortunate part of con culture, Mike Zipkin chooses his own adventure with House of Danger, and Nick proclaims his love for the minimalist brilliance of Oink Games. Join us!