Episode 168 – 2017’s End of Year Awards!

Each year we try to point out some of the games, people, and resources in the gaming world we think are worth looking into – whether they came out this year or they just did something special that grabbed our attention above everything else in the wide world of options. Sadly, as Jeff has had to deal with a lot of family issues this year, his experiences were drastically limited. He’s sitting this one out to spend just that much more time with his family while Daniel and I wax on about games.

If you don’t have the hour and change to listen to the episode when you hit this post and just want to results – here you are. For explanations as to why we made our choices, listen to the episode. Feel free to comment on this post and share your favorites from this year.

BEST GAME PLAYED –
Doesn’t need to be new this year, but a game that gave us the best single play experience in 2017

Mike- Terraforming Mars (Stronghold Games)
Daniel- Castle Ravenloft (Wizards of the Coast)

 

BEST GAME ADDED
Doesn’t need to be new this year, but our favorite game that we added to our game libraries in 2017

Mike- Scythe (Stonemaier Games)
Daniel- Wasteland Express Delivery Service (Pandasaurus Games)

 

FAVORITE GAME PUBLISHER –
Publishers who went above and beyond the call this year with consistently great titles and/or business choices

Mike- Restoration Games (Honorable Mention: Renegade Games)
Daniel- HABA

 

FAVORITE FRANCHISE GAME –
A game that continues on an established franchise and/or best utilizes a popular IP

Mike- Near & Far (Red Raven Games)
Daniel-  ZOMBIES!!!!! 15 – Another One Bites The Dust (Twilight Creations)

 

HIDDEN GEM –
A title the flew under the radar for a while but really impressed us after we found it

Mike- Cat Lady (AEG)
Daniel- Mole Rats in Space (Peaceable Kingdom)

 

FAVORITE GAME RESOURCE –
Something outside of any specific game that made our gaming experience better, more varied, etc.

Mike- Board Game Stats App
Daniel- Bundle of Holding (Honorable Mention: Paint Rack app)

 

FAVORITE GAME INDUSTRY/GAMING MEDIA PERSONALITY –
People making games or gaming content that did something noteworthy this year

Mike- Suzanne Sheldon & Mandi Hutchinson
Daniel- Duncan Rhodes

 

FAVORITE NON-INNROADS PODCAST – 
A podcast not necessarily about gaming, but definitely worth your attention

Mike – Board Game Blitz (Honorable mention – Mission to Zyxx)
Daniel – The Lonesome Pine Podcast

 

FAVORITE VIDEO GAME –
A video game or digital implementation of a board game that came out this year

Mike – Pyre
Daniel – Mysterium

 

GAME OF THE YEAR –
The best of the best

Mike- Spirit Island
Daniel- Photosynthesis

Episode 167 – Top of the Collection 2017

It’s that time of year again when we take stock of the games that we have seen over the past year’s gaming and reflect on it for our listeners. This first “end of the year” episode has your three hosts basically gushing about the favorite games they have in their collections at this moment and why. If you’ve ever had your theories on the sort of games we love – now’s your time to test them out.

 

Episode 155 – Tired of Explaining Ourselves

Coming off of not one, but two major events – GameChurch’s Academy East conference and the third annual Tavern Con – Daniel and I sit down to talk about some things. Daniel talks about playing Carrotia with his kids, and seeing them plan out deeper strategies in a simple game.I talk about playing Scythe, and how it has now officially claimed my #1 spot in the collection – as well as talking about what happened at the events and how I even took a shot at painting miniatures.

But all of this work is tiring – especially in a ministry where so much of what we have to do is dedicated to explaining to people that this is ministry and not just a social club for Christian gamers. When you have to throw yourself into relationships constantly wondering if you’re doing any good at all. It is always encouraging to be with those who know exactly what that feels like.

If you’re not in the tavern, you can find us HERE.