PlayDNA

Games in Translation

Can you buy board games in your native language? Are the games translated or are they localized? What's the difference and why is it important? This week we talk about how differences in language structure, cultural references, and cultural sensibilities are tackled creatively to insure that board games can be enjoyed around the world. Games we played: Tiki Topple | Board Game | BoardGameGeek Cahoots | Board Game | BoardGameGeek Excape | Board Game | BoardGameGeek Shifting Stones | Board Ga...

How Does it Begin?

There are multiple layers to a game's beginning- the rules reading, the setup, and the actual first turn. What makes for a great beginning and which ones leave players feeling immediately unbalanced and annoyed? Find us on Instagram PlayDNA (@playdna_podcast) or  Facebook Play DNA | Facebook Games we played: Catan | Board Game | BoardGameGeek Calico | Board Game | BoardGameGeek Qwixx | Board Game | BoardGameGeek Istanbul | Board Game | BoardGameGeek Chairs | Board Game | BoardGameGeek Let...

Wild Picks! (animal themed games)

Love board games AND animals? So do we! These picks are for you. This episode is a crossover between this podcast and our new comedy animal themed podcast, Best Beast. Check out Best Beast here! Best Beast (buzzsprout.com) Games we played: Awkward Guests | Board Game | BoardGameGeek Forgotten Waters | Board Game | BoardGameGeek Durian | Board Game | BoardGameGeek The Climbers | Board Game | BoardGameGeek Games we discussed: Evolution | Board Game | BoardGameGeek Happy Pigs | Board Game | ...

Toy vs Game

Which one is it? Can a toy have a beginning and end and not be a game? Can a game have rules and actually be a toy? And where on earth do we fit in puzzles? We slog our way through this question and try to determine what qualities make something feel like a "game" vs any other activity. Games we played: Commands & Colors: Napoleonics | Board Game | BoardGameGeek Underwater Cities | Board Game | BoardGameGeek School of Sorcery | Board Game | BoardGameGeek

Games as Propaganda

Games have been used throughout history as a means of communication, for both good and evil. From Hitler to Queen Elizabeth I,  cards and games have proven a powerful tool in manipulating people's feelings and beliefs. Games we played: ZÈRTZ | Board Game | BoardGameGeek Commands & Colors: Napoleonics | Board Game | BoardGameGeek More information about propaganda in games: In der Fuehrer’s Face - The World of Playing Cards (wopc.co.uk) Using Playing Cards For Propaganda – PlayingCardDecks.c...

How Does it End?

How important is the way a game ends? A good ending can cement a playing experience together, while a bad one can erase a game completely from your memory, or even worse, make it memorable for all the wrong reasons. This week Damon talks about how having a strong narrative arc and a satisfying ending is possible to achieve, even in games without complex stories or themes. We discuss our favorite victory point endings, fixed time endings, control endings, and aha endings, and which ones left ...

Play With My Heart Picks (Love Themed Games)

A Valentine's Day Curation- 9 love themed games you can play with your partner or friends this Valentine's Day, or anytime you are feeling the love! Games we discuss: The Ravens of Thri Sahashri | Board Game | BoardGameGeek Rose Ceremony | Board Game | BoardGameGeek Consentacle | Board Game | BoardGameGeek Fog of Love | Board Game | BoardGameGeek Marrying Mr. Darcy | Board Game | BoardGameGeek ...and then, we held hands. | Board Game | BoardGameGeek Arranged! | Board Game | BoardGameGeek Gi...

All Aboard Games!

This week Sarah tells us about the two most common flavors of train game, we talk about our favorite train games, and how the "genre" train and the "theme" train differ. Games we played: Shadows in Kyoto | Board Game | BoardGameGeek Portals and Prophets | Board Game | BoardGameGeek Games we discussed: 1829 | Board Game | BoardGameGeek Railways of the World | Board Game | BoardGameGeek Paris Connection | Board Game | BoardGameGeek Empire Builder | Board Game | BoardGameGeek String Railway |...

Games You Can Eat!

Yes! Edible games are a thing and they are delicious. Cassandra discusses her experience with one of Jenn Sandercock's edible games The Order of the Oven Mitt, and how edible games can make us think differently about design and play. Games we played: Drone Home | Board Game | BoardGameGeek PARKS | Board Game | BoardGameGeek Curious Cargo | Board Game | BoardGameGeek Edible Game Links: The Order of the Oven Mitt (free sample recipe and game!) EdibleGamesCookbook_sample.pdf Edible Games Co...

The Church of Bridge

Bridge is a classic game- but more than that it's a tradition, passed down for centuries. The game has blossomed into a culture, with rituals, conventions, and metagaming that go well beyond the game rules. This week Damon discusses Bridge and the vast difference between the game as written vs the game as practiced.  We also discuss other trick taking games that have evolved from Whist and which one might be the best for your group. Games we played: Via Nebula | Board Game | BoardGameGeek T...

Disability Picks! (The best board games for different types of disability)

Starting off this season we wanted to talk about accessibility! Here are our ideas for how to make sure everyone can be included in your board gaming sessions. We aren't experts but the people over at Meeple Like Us are! Check out their list of accessible board games here! Meeple Like Us Masterlist - Meeple Like Us Games we discussed: Great games for Visual Impairment: Chess | Board Game | BoardGameGeek Nyctophobia | Board Game | BoardGameGeek Great games for Hearing Impairment: Chess | ...

Our Holiday Catchup

New year, new season! Welcome to season 2 of PlayDNA- this week we catch up on all the games we received and played over the holidays. Games we played: Visitor in Blackwood Grove | Board Game | BoardGameGeek Chocolate Factory | Board Game | BoardGameGeek Dune | Board Game | BoardGameGeek Cóatl | Board Game | BoardGameGeek Illusion | Board Game | BoardGameGeek Fugitive | Board Game | BoardGameGeek Hardback | Board Game | BoardGameGeek SHŌBU | Board Game | BoardGameGeek The Great Dalmuti | B...

2020 End of Year Review

This is our last episode of 2020! We discuss the games we loved the most this year, plus the things we are looking forward to in 2021. Have a great holiday season, friends! We will be back in January! Games we played: UNO | Board Game | BoardGameGeek Red7 | Board Game | BoardGameGeek The Crew: The Quest for Planet Nine | Board Game | BoardGameGeek Games we mentioned: Azul: Summer Pavilion | Board Game | BoardGameGeek The Taverns of Tiefenthal | Board Game | BoardGameGeek Tang Garden | Boa...

Thanksgiving!

We are grateful for this podcast and for you guys! Today we talk about what makes us grateful about our board gaming hobby, how we got into it, and why others should, too! Games we played: Paranormal Detectives | Board Game | BoardGameGeek Compounded | Board Game | BoardGameGeek Cartographers | Board Game | BoardGameGeek Big Money | Board Game | BoardGameGeek Las Vegas | Board Game | BoardGameGeek Silver & Gold | Board Game | BoardGameGeek Railways of the World | Board Game | BoardGa...

Pink vs. Blue

Like it or not, there's a gender divide in play of all kinds, including board games. Why does this divide exist and what can we do about it? Damon talks about inclusivity in design and in play, we talk about early experiences playing with 'gendered' toys, and we discuss what makes a game feel more "masculine" or "feminine." Games we Played: Ubongo https://boardgamegeek.com/boardgame/16986/ubongo Twinkle https://boardgamegeek.com/boardgame/318559/twinkle Wasteland Express https://boardgam...

Food Picks! (The Best Food Themed Games)

Games good enough to eat! For all you foodies and home chefs out there, this week we talk about food themed games! From the fast-playing casual Sushi Go, to the elegant Elevenses, we have some great picks to satisfy your appetite. Games we mention: Piece O' Cake  https://boardgamegeek.com/boardgame/37371/piece-o-cake A La Carte https://boardgamegeek.com/boardgame/217/la-carte Sushi Go https://boardgamegeek.com/boardgame/133473/sushi-go Wasabi https://boardgamegeek.com/boardgame/33154/wa...

Cheaters

The accidental cheat is bound to happen when you're an avid boardgamer, but purposeful cheating is another matter entirely. Sarah discusses some of the psychology behind cheating and how you can address a cheater in your gaming group. Games we Played: Tichu https://boardgamegeek.com/boardgame/215/tichu Just One https://boardgamegeek.com/boardgame/254640/just-one Games Mentioned: https://boardgamegeek.com/boardgame/254617/monopoly-cheaters-edition Articles: https://boardgamegeek.com/blo...

Halloween!

It's here! Even if you're staying in, board games can make your Halloween fun, spooky, memorable. We discuss all our favorite spooky and monster themed games from Mysterium to Nemesis. Games we played: Jaws https://boardgamegeek.com/boardgame/272738/jaws Blank Slate https://boardgamegeek.com/boardgame/254188/blank-slate Cartographers https://boardgamegeek.com/boardgame/263918/cartographers Jungle Speed https://boardgamegeek.com/boardgame/8098/jungle-speed Hues & Cues https://board...

All's Fair in Games and War

How many lives have Monopoly and Playing Cards saved? Turns out, the answer is in the thousands. This week Cassandra talks about the ways that games have been used as tools of war- as a means of educating wartorn populations, boosting morale, and as incognito war prison escape kits. Games we played: The Taverns of Tiefenthal https://boardgamegeek.com/boardgame/269207/taverns-tiefenthal Cribbage https://boardgamegeek.com/boardgame/2398/cribbage Punderdome https://boardgamegeek.com/boardga...

Paper Picks! (games that can be played with only a pencil and paper)

When you've played every game you own 100 times and you're strapped for cash, make your own games! We list games that can be easily made at home using only pencil and paper. Games we mentioned: Skull https://boardgamegeek.com/boardgame/92415/skull Just One https://boardgamegeek.com/boardgame/254640/just-one A Fake Artist Goes to New York https://boardgamegeek.com/boardgame/135779/fake-artist-goes-new-york Eat Poop You Cat https://boardgamegeek.com/boardgame/30618/eat-poop-you-cat Blank...

Games That Teach

Games are extraordinary educational tools that allow players to learn new concepts and explore new cultures and histories visually, audibly, and kinesthetically.  In our opinion there are some concepts that are better taught through games than any other medium. Damon goes over his favorite educational games, and how designers can take advantage of the opportunity to teach through their games. PODCAST NOTES Games we played this week: Dead Men Tell No Tales https://boardgamegeek.com/boardga...

Aging Gamefully

Board games have an astoundingly positive effect on an aging brain. Sarah expresses her fear that people won't want to play games with her when she ages, and we discuss great games that can be played with seniors who have varying capabilities.

The Triumph and Tragedy of Marvin Glass

Perhaps the most famous toy inventor of all time, Marvin Glass rocked the toy world with hits such as wind up chattering teeth and Rock'em Sock'em Robots. With the creation of Mousetrap and Operation he changed the board game industry forever. Despite his incredible success, Glass led a life filled with depression and paranoia.

Magical Mechanics

Have you ever played a game that used simple technologies in such fresh and novel ways that they felt absolutely magical? Damon discusses some of the games that have successfully used magnets, mirrors, and light to achieve truly magical play experiences.

Plane picks! (Games you can play on a plane)

Going on a trip? We've got you covered! Here are some great small games to throw into your carry on before boarding the plane including Jaipur, Cribbage, and A Fake Artist Goes to New York.

September Challenge: Plane picks! (Games you can play on a plane)

Going on a trip? We've got you covered! Here are some great small games to throw into your carry on before boarding the plane including Jaipur, Cribbage, and A Fake Artist Goes to New York.

Pet Peeves

When you're gaming all the time, you are bound to come across things you don't like. Sarah and special guest Glenn go over the design choices and mechanics that have annoyed and baffled them the most.

Gaming the System

Perhaps you've heard the buzzword gamification, but what exactly is it? Games are highly motivating because they tap into our core drives as humans. Cassandra goes over these core drives and how they have been used to "gamify" learning, mental health, productivity, and even grocery shopping.

But is it Art?

We can all agree- games are fun! But does the fact that they are enjoyable place them outside the realm of "Art?" Damon talks about what makes something art, and whether games can fit into this definition. 

August Challenge: Party picks! (Games for 8 or more players)

A new once a month series of curation and design challenges- this month, what games will make an 8+ person gaming party a hit. No teaming up spouses ever again!

Party picks! (Games for 8 or more players)

A new once a month series of curation and design challenges- this month, what games will make an 8+ person gaming party a hit. No teaming up spouses ever again!

Child's Play

Children's board games are quite a mixed bag, encompassing everything from edu-games to games that involve stepping in rubber 'poop'. But there are a lot of gems in the children's space that both kid and adult players alike can enjoy. Sarah takes us through some of her favorite children's games and we discuss competing philosophies on what makes a children's game good.

Olympic Chess

Is chess a sport? Many players think so, and there has be a push to get chess declared an official Olympic sport for over 20 years. Cassandra discusses the many ways the chess community has tried to prove their sport status, from forming an international governing body to administrating doping tests at tournaments. Oh, and she discusses the joys of Chess Boxing.

The Life and Death of CCG's

Following the release of Magic The Gathering in 1993 there was an explosion of unique and branded collectible card games, many of questionable quality. Many have fallen into obscurity only to be found in the darkest corners of ebay and craigslist. Damon takes us through the best CCG's, both the well known and the forgotten, and gives tips on how to get into the world of CCG's without breaking the bank.

Pigs in a Clover

From ball mazes, to Blow Football, to Meeple Circus, dexterity games have blossomed and grown into a rich, diverse genre of tabletop experiences. Sarah takes us through some historical delights and modern favorites.

The Game of the Goose

Considered by many to be the first "modern" board game, The Game of the Goose has grown and evolved with European culture for 400 year. Cassandra takes us through its strange rise to popularity and the proceeding explosion in branded and rethemed versions of the game.

Your Gamer Zodiac

Not every game is for every gamer. And choosing the perfect game is often more complicated than just staying inside of a single genre or theme. So how should you go about choosing a game that everyone in your group will love? Damon discusses how to discover someone's gamer personality, and how you can use that knowledge during game selection.

Puzzle Me This

Induction, my dear Watson

Inductive reasoning games are as rare as they are spectacularly fun. Cassandra discusses her favorite genre and the differences between induction and deduction.  Warning: We do discuss spoilers relating to the card game Mao!

Getting to "Let's Just Play"

We've all experienced it- trying to teach a board game to a friend or parent utterly unfamiliar with the gaming world and getting nowhere. This week Damon discusses game literacy and how we can design and teach games differently to reduce the stress of learning and get closer to the coveted "let's just play." 

Ancient Games

Archaeologists have found hundreds of ancient board games dating back thousands of years, most of which, unsurprisingly, had no instruction manual included. The Digital Ludeme Research Project is using artificial intelligence to discover how these games were played.

Seeking the Divine

Which came first, the playing card, or the tarot card? From Tarot decks in the 18th century to the Satanic Panic and backlash against Ouija in the 90's, board games and fortunetelling have evolved in parallel, and often intersected.

Feelies

The tactile feeling of a game can make or break the experience. Damon talks about how a game can be elevated (or hindered) by the materials it is made up of, and the board games that offer the most unique and satisfying tactile experiences.

Scare Us!

Horror board games- how are they defined, and how do they differ from horror movies, video games, and books? Sarah goes over some of the best horror games out there. Find podcast notes at www.playdnapodcast.com Check out Tabatha's horror podcast Test Pattern at www.testpatternshow.com/

How Games Made Computers

In the 16th century, a mysterious human-shaped automaton called The Turk toured Europe beating thousands of human players in Chess. Its eerily human intelligence inspired a technology revolution. Find episode notes at www.playdnapodcast.com

Simple Simulations

Damon gives us a list of games with elegant, simple mechanics that simulate complex real-world situations.

Let's Teach You Tichu

The card game Tichu was released in 1991, with a wacky origin story to go with it. But similar climbing games have existed for generations both in China and worldwide. Find episode notes at https://playdnapodcast.com/index.php/episode-7-lets-teach-you-tichu/

Gaming Under Quarantine

Digital board gaming spaces make playing and socializing with others easy, during quarantine or simply when looking to game long distance . Cassandra lays out the plethora of online gaming options available. Find episode notes at https://playdnapodcast.com/index.php/episode-6-gaming-under-quarantine/

How Games Tell Us Stories

Linear narrative games like TimeStories aren't the only ones that can tell us stories. Legacy games, roleplaying games, deception games, and even CCG's can deliver compelling narratives in surprising ways. Find episode notes at https://playdnapodcast.com/index.php/episode-5-games-that-tell-us-stories/

Joy in Abstraction

Love them or hate them, abstract strategy games are the most enduring genre of tabletop games. So what makes them so polarizing? Find episode notes at https://playdnapodcast.com/index.php/episode-4-abstract-strategy-games/