Eric and Jack have chat about board game components, why they’re important and why the film American Tale deserves to be developed into a mid-weight Euro
Read moreLuck in Board Games
Jack and Eric discuss how luck affects board games
00:00 Intro
02:04 Games We've Played
16:18 2025 Luck in Board Games
56:58 1st Listener Question - Our take on how luck in board games has evolved?
01:03:43 2nd Listener Question - Only No-Luck games or Only Medium-Luck Games?
1:06:26 3rd Listener Question - Our thoughts on games that feature negative emotions?
2025 Board Game Industry Outlook
Jack and Eric discuss what 2025 will look like for the board game industry as we know it
00:00 Intro
01:23 Games We've Played
26:20 2025 Board Game Industry Outlook
01:04:49 Listener Questions
Teaching Games
Eric and Jack chat about our experiences and tips for teaching games.
00:00 - Intro
02:16 - Games we've been playing
20:41 - Teaching Games
58:11 - Listener questions
Links:
Our Site - https://www.cardboardherald.com
Our Video Channel - https://www.youtube.com/TheCardboardHerald
Our Twitter - https://twitter.com/CardboardHerald
Our Patreon - https://www.patreon.com/user?u=9669551
Stolen Harmony (PAX U 2024 Wrap-up)
Eric and Jack sit down to talk about our experience and the games we played at PAX Unplugged 2024. You can watch the video for this chat on our youtube channel here: https://youtu.be/TX0A9JFHtak
Links:
Our Site - https://www.cardboardherald.com
Our Video Channel - https://www.youtube.com/TheCardboardHerald
Our Twitter - https://twitter.com/CardboardHerald
Our Patreon - https://www.patreon.com/user?u=9669551
River of Gold Designer Keith Piggott - TCbH Interviews
00:00 - Releasing a game at GenCon
04:33 - Did River of Gold start as an L5R Game?
09:25 - Working with an imprint of Asmodee
11:34 - Why no solo mode?
14:55 - Developing the linear aspect of the game
18:32 - Commercial pressures for success
21:24 - Motivation to become a designer
25:13 - What makes a good sell sheet & game pitch?
27:18 - Dream universe to adapt into a board game
31:34 - What's next for Keith & River of Gold?
Links:
Our Site - https://www.cardboardherald.com
Our Video Channel - https://www.youtube.com/TheCardboardHerald
Our Twitter - https://twitter.com/CardboardHerald
Our Patreon - https://www.patreon.com/user?u=9669551
From root expansions to rulebooks with Joshua Yearsley of Leder Games - TCbH Interview
00:00 - Intro
03:42 - From editing to design
04:42 - What makes a good rule book?
07:53 - Why big floppy rulebooks?
10:15 - Root 4 a New Hope
11:42 - Big box for all your stuff?
14:57 - What's the pitch room like for Root content?
22:21 - What was the starting point?
25:50 - Clockwork & hirelings support
28:26 - Coolest part of the expansion?
31:06 - Reach and player count for new factions
32:31 - Long public development process
35:05 - Involvement in art direction
38:49 - What still needs development?
44:46 - What's the 3rd element of the expansion?
47:40 - What other games are cookin' at Leder?
Links:
Our Site - https://www.cardboardherald.com
Our Video Channel - https://www.youtube.com/TheCardboardHerald
Our Twitter - https://twitter.com/CardboardHerald
Our Patreon - https://www.patreon.com/user?u=9669551
Luthier and how publishing impacts game design with Dave Beck of Paverson Games - TCbH Interview (Copy)
00:00 - Intro
01:42 - Different approach than with Distilled?
04:21 - Did you always plan on publishing in addition to design work?
07:17 - How do publication concerns impact game design?
09:45 - What sets Luthier apart from other games?
13:19 - Was there hesitation over the complexity level?
17:11 - How much do you design for the catalog?
20:27 - Did the long public exposure impact development?
24:26 - How was working with Vincent Dutrait?
29:27 - How much did you dictate art style and aesthetic?
33:01 - Should luck and randomness be proportional to a game?
35:28 - Is randomness necessary for modern games?
Links:
Our Site - https://www.cardboardherald.com
Our Video Channel - https://www.youtube.com/TheCardboardHerald
Our Twitter - https://twitter.com/CardboardHerald
Our Patreon - https://www.patreon.com/user?u=9669551
Nick Brachmann on being Senior Developer at Leder Games and Ahoy: New Horizons - TCbH Interview
The backer kit campaign for Ahoy: New Horizons launches November 14, 2023 here: https://www.backerkit.com/call_to_action/fd610745-96dd-4289-839e-ac0757c468bd/landing
00:00 - Intro & genesis of the expansion
02:04 - What type of expansion is this
04:09 - New factions, same limitations?
04:46 - Solo considered?
06:09 - Approach to figuring out what to expand
08:15 - Smugglers in a 2 player game?
10:48 - What makes a good game developer?
13:14 - Leder & external designs
16:10 - ARCS internal pitch & development
20:41 - Role of market research & staying up on games
24:13 - Early transparency & impact on creativity
29:36 - Minnesota & Board Games
32:00 - What makes a Leder game?
Links:
Our Site - https://www.cardboardherald.com
Our Video Channel - https://www.youtube.com/TheCardboardHerald
Our Twitter - https://twitter.com/CardboardHerald
Our Patreon - https://www.patreon.com/user?u=9669551
From FFG to Earthborne Rangers with Andrew Navaro - TCbH Interviews
Earthborne Rangers is the exciting new cooperative, open-world adventure game that I highly recommend. You can find our review here: https://youtu.be/uX91cv5H43M?si=m6WW_zI7V3BLKILx
00:00 - Earthborne Rangers background
05:25 - Inspiration for the setting
12:51 - 15 years with Fantasy Flight Games
21:27 - Creative director and leaving FFG
28:23 - Earthborne's commitment to sustainability
36:24 - How to teach and tutorialize games better
46:24 - Challenges designing an open world adventure
54:01 - Now and future Earthborne
Links:
Our Site - https://www.cardboardherald.com
Our Video Channel - https://www.youtube.com/TheCardboardHerald
Our Twitter - https://twitter.com/CardboardHerald
Our Patreon - https://www.patreon.com/user?u=9669551
Donald Shults on Plaid Hat, Crossroad Games & Freelancers
Freelancers is the new crossroads game from Plaid Hat Games. Timestamps are below, pre-order here: https://www.plaidhatgames.com/news/2023/03/30/announcing-freelancers-crossroads-game/
00:00 - Introduction & feelings leading up to release
04:26 - The Plaid Hat Way
06:10 - Starting Board With Life
11:00 - Freedom & flexibility in the design process
13:53 - What defines a crossroads game?
17:49 - Freelancers' art direction
21:32 - Setting
24:32 - Character creation
27:07 - Gameplay, saving & progress
30:08 - Emergent elements?
33:35 - Designing to player count
38:44 - The lost mechanical germ
42:25 - What caused this apocalypse
44:51 - What's on the horizon?
Links:
Our Site - https://www.cardboardherald.com
Our Video Channel - https://www.youtube.com/TheCardboardHerald
Our Twitter - https://twitter.com/CardboardHerald
Our Patreon - https://www.patreon.com/user?u=9669551
Talking Games, Movies & Podcasting with Tim Dolloff of Board Game Hot Takes - TCbH Interview
Prefer audio? Check out this interview on our pod channel. Also, go check out Tim and the rest of the BGHT team at: https://boardgamehottakes.com
00:00 - Intro
03:43 - Getting games played for the podcast
08:21 - Evolution of tastes
14:30 - Vested interest in recruiting gamers
17:58 - Gaming history starting with MTG
24:25 - Converting to board games
30:06 - Goals for the podcast
33:40 - Cost of content creation
41:16 - Other pursuits & passions (and movies!)
51:00 - Importance of theme and presentation
56:42 - Upcoming shows
Links:
Our Site - https://www.cardboardherald.com
Our Video Channel - https://www.youtube.com/TheCardboardHerald
Our Twitter - https://twitter.com/CardboardHerald
Our Patreon - https://www.patreon.com/user?u=9669551
Isaac Childres talks Frosthaven, Gloomhaven RPG, the future & more - TCbH Interview
00:00 - Intro
00:52 - Distribution of Frosthaven vs. Gloomhaven
03:25 - Moving into a managerial role
05:19 - Fatherhood
06:16 - Frosthaven Design & Development
10:54 - Frosthaven a response to Gloomhaven or Jaws?
15:42 - Settling on a hefty MSRP and leftovers on the cutting floor
18:47 - Crimson Scales
21:13 - Gloomhaven RPG
25:45 - Card integration into the RPG
29:45 - Who is the market?
31:25 - World building?
34:08 - Evolution as a designer
37:57 - What's on the horizon?
39:42 - Most exciting part of the RPG
Links:
Our Site - https://www.cardboardherald.com
Our Video Channel - https://www.youtube.com/TheCardboardHerald
Our Twitter - https://twitter.com/CardboardHerald
Our Patreon - https://www.patreon.com/user?u=9669551
David Thompson on historical games, design, and Undaunted Stalingrad - TCbH Interview
00:00 - Intro
01:10 - Making war games more approachable
03:31 - Origins as a designer
06:01 - First pitch, first publish
08:25 - Mistakes as an early designer
10:55 - Developing a partnership with Trevor
14:08 - Did you know how big Undaunted would be?
18:09 - Fetishizing elegance
20:01 - When to work alone vs. co-design
22:42 - No solo in Stalingrad?
27:29 - Origins of Resist!
31:26 - Accuracy vs. sensitivity in historical games
37:14 - Design objectives with Stalingrad
44:54 - What media helps fuel your creativity
50:20 - Did research for a game every change your mind?
Links:
Our Site - https://www.cardboardherald.com
Our Video Channel - https://www.youtube.com/TheCardboardHerald
Our Twitter - https://twitter.com/CardboardHerald
Our Patreon - https://www.patreon.com/user?u=9669551
Reviewing all 11 new-to-me games I played at PAX Unplugged 2022 - TCbH
00:00 - Intro
00:48 - Radlands
02:21 - Dice Conquest
04:03 - Voyages
04:52 - Orichalcum
06:15 - Life Siphon
07:53 - Once Upon a Time
08:56 - Star Fighters Rapid Fire
10:47 - Kitchen Rush
12:38 - Twilight Inscription
14:45 - Dinosaur Island Rawr 'N Write
16:57 - Flamecraft
Links:
Our Site - https://www.cardboardherald.com
Our Video Channel - https://www.youtube.com/TheCardboardHerald
Our Twitter - https://twitter.com/CardboardHerald
Our Patreon - https://www.patreon.com/user?u=9669551
Chatting puzzles & new projects with Rita Orlov at PostCurious' first PAX U booth - TCbH Interviews
Find out more at PC's site here: https://www.getpostcurious.com or watch our review of Adrift here: https://youtu.be/bNiYeftscXY
00:00 - First time with a booth
00:57 - A more robust lineup
02:21 - Panneling for puzzles at the con
03:04 - Audience awareness
04:21 - Upcoming projects
Links:
Our Site - https://www.cardboardherald.com
Our Video Channel - https://www.youtube.com/TheCardboardHerald
Our Twitter - https://twitter.com/CardboardHerald
Our Patreon - https://www.patreon.com/user?u=9669551
A chill chat with designer Henry Audubon on PARKS, Floe, and Defenders of the Wilds - TCbH Interview
Had to guerrilla shoot this at the airbnb, so please excuse the limited camera angle & dim lighting. The audio version of this interview is up on our pod channel.
00:00 - Intro
06:15 - Defenders of the Wild
16:43 - Design & Development in the KS Cylce
21:32 - Defenders of the wild
31:31 - Frustrations with projects?
35:22 - Pitching at PAX U 2022?
37:08 - Signature style
39:27 - Research to hone the design craft
47:06 - More creative sway on the end product?
Links:
Our Site - https://www.cardboardherald.com
Our Video Channel - https://www.youtube.com/TheCardboardHerald
Our Twitter - https://twitter.com/CardboardHerald
Our Patreon - https://www.patreon.com/user?u=9669551
Undaunted: Normandy is a Modern Masterpiece - TCbH Review
00:00 - Intro
00:22 - What is this game?
02:10 - Card play & management
03:43 - Combat units
05:06 - Attacking
06:55 - Tactics & Strategy
07:22 - Final Thoughts
Links:
Our Site - https://www.cardboardherald.com
Our Video Channel - https://www.youtube.com/TheCardboardHerald
Our Twitter - https://twitter.com/CardboardHerald
Our Patreon - https://www.patreon.com/user?u=9669551
Frosthaven Review - Improving on an Icon
Want to just listen to the review? Check it out on the podcast channel. Also you can check out the Jaws of the Lion Review here: https://youtu.be/0jYwmUwZ6uc
00:00 - Intro & Gloomy Review
01:36 - What is this game?
03:34 - Characters
04:30 - Bannerspear
05:51 - Blinkblade
06:46 - Deathwalker
08:18 - Outpost phase & base building
11:07 - Loot & Crafting
12:48 - Rules presentation
15:21 - Visuals & Narrative
16:23 - Finessing the system
18:41 - Final thoughts
Links:
Our Site - https://www.cardboardherald.com
Our Video Channel - https://www.youtube.com/TheCardboardHerald
Our Twitter - https://twitter.com/CardboardHerald
Our Patreon - https://www.patreon.com/user?u=9669551
Raina of Pandasaurus talks releases, Family + & expansions at PAX Unplugged 2022 - TCbH Interview
00:00 - Response to new releases
02:49 - Development & production of The Fox Experiment
03:49 - Rawr & Write expansion
04:52 - "Family +" and the Pandasaurus Ethos
05:43 - Taking pitches at the con?
06:19 - Brew expansion
Links:
Our Site - https://www.cardboardherald.com
Our Video Channel - https://www.youtube.com/TheCardboardHerald
Our Twitter - https://twitter.com/CardboardHerald
Our Patreon - https://www.patreon.com/user?u=9669551