This week on the pod, Erin Escobedo talks about Meltwater, her game about the aftermath of a devastating nuclear war. It was originally published by Hollandspiele, but a new edition is coming out through Capstone. We also discuss fighting games! Keep the Faith campaign: https://www.backerkit.com/call_to_action/ffdefab3-adb6-48aa-8335-797e720c58a1/l…

Waweru denies special relativity. Liam's says his family doesn't age, and we claim Thomas Jefferson was an abolitionist. Reseune Educational Publications: Approved for 60+ Remember to subscribe in your preferred podcasting portal and Support the show. To keep with our review please read chapters chapter 11, section 6 through tape. Support the show…

This week on the pod, Brooks Barber ([email protected]) drops in to discuss several of his upcoming game designs, all of which are both very cool and historically inspired. Check out Sykes-Picot here: https://hollandspiele.com/products/sykes-picot Keep the Faith campaign: https://www.backerkit.com/call_to_action/ffdefab3-adb6-48aa-8335-797e72…

Liam thinks drugs excuse everything, Waweru thinks teen parties should involve more property damage, and we discuss the appropriate use of the Sunday funnies in sex-ed. Reseune Educational Publications: Approved for 80+ Discussion of the abuse of children Remember to subscribe in your preferred podcasting portal and Support the show. To keep with o…

This week on the pod, Mark Herman (@markherman45.bsky.social) drops by to tell us about his new book, "Wargames According to Mark," as well as his views on game design and the process of building a game. Keep the Faith campaign: https://www.backerkit.com/call_to_action/ffdefab3-adb6-48aa-8335-797e720c58a1/landing Beyond Solitaire is proudly sponsor…

Waweru proposes that minors have a right to take acid. Liam finds new frontiers for toxic relationships, and we think about if adulthood is defined by how many bodies you have. Reseune Educational Publications: Approved for 80+ Discussion of the abuse of children Remember to subscribe in your preferred podcasting portal and Support the show. To kee…

Liam tries to be Catholic, Waweru recommends Law and we abandon Nuance. https://forms.gle/wKsnAZNnxgCQiLYA8 Discussion of personal and political violence Remember to subscribe in your preferred podcasting portal and Support the show. Next week we're discussing Cyteen, then tape for chapter 9 and sections 1-3 of Chapter 10! Support the show…

This week on the pod, game designer Eric Lang (@ericlang.bsky.social) discusses his thoughts on game design, what makes projects exciting, the course of his long career, and how he's giving back. Keep the Faith campaign: https://www.backerkit.com/call_to_action/ffdefab3-adb6-48aa-8335-797e720c58a1/landing Beyond Solitaire is proudly sponsored by Ce…

If you care about the board game industry, then you've been worrying about tariffs. In this episode, Jason Matthews (@jasondcmatthews.bsky.social) talks about what they are, their potential consequences for publishers and hobbyists, and what we can decide to do about it. Keep the Faith campaign: https://www.backerkit.com/call_to_action/ffdefab3-adb…

This week on the pod, Michelle Strayer, a wargame designer and analyst at CNA, talks about how data for wargames is collected and how design teams ensure that what they collect is meaningful. Keep the Faith campaign: https://www.backerkit.com/call_to_action/ffdefab3-adb6-48aa-8335-797e720c58a1/landing Beyond Solitaire is proudly sponsored by Centra…

This week on the pod, Lichao Zhu discusses several linguistics projects that look into the language we use when we play--and what that might mean. Keep the Faith campaign: https://www.backerkit.com/call_to_action/ffdefab3-adb6-48aa-8335-797e720c58a1/landing Beyond Solitaire is proudly sponsored by Central Michigan University's Center for Learning T…

Waweru promotes isolationism, Liam wonders if lizards have emotions, and we claim it's impossible to learn without school. Reseune Educational Publications: Approved for 80+ Discussion of personal and political violence Remember to subscribe in your preferred podcasting portal and Support the show. Support the show…

This week on the pod, Ada Palmer (@adapalmer.bsky.social) speaks about her papal election LARP at The University of Chicago--but also about historical research, her work as a sci-fi author, and how both history and fiction can help us talk about today's world. Keep the Faith campaign: https://www.backerkit.com/call_to_action/ffdefab3-adb6-48aa-8335…

Waweru says foreign names aren't real, Liam claims dance is solved problem, and we wonder how much surveillance a growing child needs. Reseune Educational Publications: Approved for 80+ Discussion of the emotional abuse and manipulation of children Remember to subscribe in your preferred podcasting portal and Support the show. Next week we're discu…

This week on the pod, Amabel Holland drops by to discuss her new book, Cardboard Ghosts. We also talk about her excellent video essay work and upcoming games from Hollandspiele. https://www.youtube.com/@UCeCCgRim_uLg-clrSQGhQiQ Keep the Faith campaign: https://www.backerkit.com/call_to_action/ffdefab3-adb6-48aa-8335-797e720c58a1/landing Beyond Soli…

Waweru says models aren't beautiful, Liam claims that Macbeth is bullshit, and we wonder about the right age to become a cult leader Reseune Educational Publications: Approved for 80+ Discussion of the emotional abuse and manipulation of children Remember to subscribe in your preferred podcasting portal and Support the show. Next week we're discuss…

This week on the pod, Thomas Malaby joins us to discuss his work as an anthropologist who studies gaming, specifically contingency (i.e. gambling!) and the formation of digital cultures. Keep the Faith campaign: https://www.backerkit.com/call_to_action/ffdefab3-adb6-48aa-8335-797e720c58a1/landing Beyond Solitaire is proudly sponsored by Central Mic…

Waweru supports military oversight of civilians , Liam posits people need horses to be full human beings, and we wonder how bad office politics has to be to cause suicide. Reseune Educational Publications: Approved for 80+ Discussion of the emotional abuse and manipulation of children Remember to subscribe in your preferred podcasting portal and Su…

This week on the pod, Professor Emily Knox, an expert on libraries and book banning, discusses why people ban books, why books are targeted more than other forms of media, and what we can learn from that. She's also a gamer! Keep the Faith campaign: https://www.backerkit.com/call_to_action/ffdefab3-adb6-48aa-8335-797e720c58a1/landing Beyond Solitai…

Liam accepts the efficiency of academic meetings, Waweru accepts dogs at funerals and we wonder about the effects of family deaths on polling Reseune Educational Publications: Approved for 80+ Discussion of the emotional abuse and manipulation of children Discussion of Murder Remember to subscribe in your preferred podcasting portal and Support the…

This week on the pod, Eric Zimmerman, a professor at NYU, talks about teaching game design, game design as an art form, and much more. Keep the Faith campaign: https://www.backerkit.com/call_to_action/ffdefab3-adb6-48aa-8335-797e720c58a1/landing Beyond Solitaire is proudly sponsored by Central Michigan University's Center for Learning Through Games…

Waweru endorses the stabbed in the back myth, Liam proposes surveillance as humane, and we find out how to ride a horse. Magic Mind! Reseune Educational Publications: Approved for 80+ Discussion of the emotional abuse and manipulation of children Discussion of Murder Remember to subscribe in your preferred podcasting portal and Support the show…

This week on the pod, NYU professor Laine Nooney discusses their work on gaming and computer history, how we collect material artifacts that shed light on the digital past, and how to write about a computer system that for some has already entered the realm of myth. Also, they mention their journal, ROMchip, which is currently fundraising and which…

Waweru declares the Founding Fathers to be progressives, Liam praises the revolutionary potential of academia, and we wonder how many troops a nine year old should own. Reseune Educational Publications: Approved for 80+ Discussion of the emotional abuse and manipulation of children Discussion of Murder Remember to subscribe in your preferred podcas…

This week on the pod, Sreyashi Mukherjee discusses her love of reality TV dating shows--and what they have taught her about consent, stereotyping, and gaming's "magic circle." Also, she and Greg Loring-Albright co-designed a game that is available here: https://gregisonthego.itch.io/food-for-home Keep the Faith: https://www.backerkit.com/call_to_ac…

This week on the pod, Daniel Newman and Marceline Leiman drop in to discuss the Indie Games Night Market--which was a huge success at PAXU 2024--and also indie games in general. Keep the Faith: https://www.backerkit.com/call_to_action/ffdefab3-adb6-48aa-8335-797e720c58a1/landing Beyond Solitaire is proudly sponsored by Central Michigan University's…

Waweru asserts Horse Girls hate animals, Liam is surprised someone enjoyed their birthday party, and we love heavy handed metaphors as gifts. Magic Mind! Reseune Educational Publications: Approved for 80+ Impugning the scientific and planning credentials of the head of Reseune Remember to subscribe in your preferred podcasting portal and Support th…

Welcome to the start of SEASON 10! I can't even believe it! This week, I'm speaking with Greg Loring-Albright about Keep the Faith, a light RPG that is about to be on Backerkit. It's being published through Central Michigan University and I'm writing the curriculum guide. Keep the Faith: https://www.backerkit.com/call_to_action/ffdefab3-adb6-48aa-8…

Waweru enjoys useless rule following, Liam learns people like reading about horses, and we learn that some people in the world are poorer than us. Magic Mind! Reseune Educational Publications: Approved for 80+ Discussion of the neglect and emotional abuse of children Remember to subscribe in your preferred podcasting portal and Support the show. Ne…

Liam tries to justify Azi, Waweru Says moral perfection is obedience to your betters, and we try to figure out who can come up with the worse ethical theory. Magic Mind! Scoring Sheet Reseune Educational Publications: Approved for 80+ Discussion and justification of the neglect and abuse of children Next week we'll be discussing chapter 6 section 1…

Waweru complains that Liam read the book, Liam admits that motherhood is not essential to humanity, and we try to solve a refugee crisis Reseune Educational Publications: Approved for 80+ Discussion of torture Dicussion of refugee camps Remember to subscribe in your preferred podcasting portal and Support the show. We're publishing our thoughts on …

Johnny claims being a lab rat is a choice, Waweru praises the ideological consistency of Centrism and we consider if the best way to break up with a friend is murder. Reseune Educational Publications: Approved for 80+ Discussion of the neglect and emotional abuse of children Remember to subscribe in your preferred podcasting portal and Support the …

Depending on where you get your news, 2024 probably sounded like a complete disaster. And while a lot of terrible things happened, not everything that happened in the world was terrible. From breakthrough treatments for HIV and obesity, to the rise in global happiness and the decline in deforestation in the Amazon – there were a lot of bright glimm…

Waweru accuses farms of emotional abuse , Liam proposes war as a chil raising technique, and we discuss the if people should be punished simply for being next to a possible crime Reseune Educational Publications: Approved for 80+ Discussion of the neglect and emotional abuse of children Remember to subscribe in your preferred podcasting portal and …

For the Season 9 finale, Paul Wright and I discuss Foxes & Lions, a game we are co-designing about the Italian Wars. Are you into Machiavelli, Renaissance Italy, and political chaos? Then this is gonna be a game for you. Keep the Faith: https://www.backerkit.com/call_to_action/ffdefab3-adb6-48aa-8335-797e720c58a1/landing Beyond Solitaire is proudly…

Waweru endorses young earth creationism, Liam proposes trauma as a solution to forgetfulness, and we theorize about international standards for offensiveness Reseune Educational Publications: Approved for 80+ Discussion of mild neglect of children Remember to subscribe in your preferred podcasting portal and Support the show. Follow along our readt…

This week on the pod, Natalia Zwarts and Chris Gledhill discuss their scholarly work on a game that explores the possibility of peace in Ukraine, and the linguistic conclusions that can be drawn from recordings of players as they work through the conflict. Give to CLGS: https://giving.apps.cmich.edu/fund/9100111?fbclid=IwY2xjawG2oxNleHRuA2FlbQIxMAA…

Waweru demotes science below politics, Liam argues children thrive with neglect and we wonder whether meeting your grandchildren is morally permissible Reseune Educational Publications: Approved for 80+ Discussion of mild neglect of children Remember to subscribe in your preferred podcasting portal and Support the show. Follow along our readthrough…

This week on the pod, Clarence Simpson (@stoichamster) of The Wolves, Merchants of Magick, and more, discusses the growth of his design career--and the design group, mentorship, and design competitions that have helped him along the way. If you're curious about how game designers get started, or interested in trying it yourself, this is the episode…

Waweru claims surgery should be unregulated, Liam wonders if azi can do things, and we litigate how much we should blame a teenager for a murder he did not commit. Waweru promotes colonialism, Liam defends torture, and we conclude the most moral thing is to do nothing. Reseune Educational Publications: Approved for 80+ Discussion of Murder Remember…

This week on the pod, Anthony Chatfield of Board Gamers Anonymous drops in to discuss gaming in the classroom, as well as his journal/conference on the subject, Board Game Academics. https://www.boardgamersanonymous.com/ Keep the Faith: https://www.backerkit.com/call_to_action/ffdefab3-adb6-48aa-8335-797e720c58a1/landing Beyond Solitaire is proudly…

Waweru promotes colonialism, Liam defends torture, and we conclude the most moral thing is to do nothing. Reseune Educational Publications: Approved for 80+ Discussion of Murder Remember to subscribe in your preferred podcasting portal and Support the showBy Liam Nolan, Waweru Kariuki

This week on the pod, Tim Clare (@timclarepoet) discusses his newly-released book, The Game Changers, which will come to the US next year as Across the Board. I truly enjoyed both the convo and book itself, which you can currently find at: Amazon: https://a.co/d/4XSNcX3 Publishers: https://store.abramsbooks.com/products/across-the-board Keep the Fa…

Waweru wonders if mind control implies consent, Liam condemns a teen for being questioned, and we decide that motive is for suckers. Reseune Educational Publications: Approved for 80+ Discussions of Murder Remember to subscribe in your preferred podcasting portal and to read chapter 3 sections i-iv this week to keep up with our read through of Cyte…

Meet Steven Pinker, a cognitive psychologist and public intellectual who is one of the world’s greatest thinkers on the topic of progress. He is the author of 12 books,including ‘Better Angels of Our Nature,’ which played a key role in the origin story of Fix The News. After five years of email correspondence between Steven and Gus, this is their f…

This week on the pod, Zenobia 2020 finalist Alison Collins drops by to discuss her game, Publish or Perish: Wiñay Kawsay, which is about the scholarship surrounding Machu Picchu. It is expected to be out from WizKids in Q1 2025! Preorder here: https://wizkids.io/ShopPublishOrPerishWK Keep the Faith: https://www.backerkit.com/call_to_action/ffdefab3…

Meet Ncazelo Ncube-Mlilo, a psychologist and narrativetherapist who uses a travelling caravan to bring mental health services to townships on the outskirts of Johannesburg. Tackling gender-based violence andhigh rates of youth depression, Ncazelo’s cutting edge methods for healing trauma are now being used across the globe. We are proud to support …

In this episode, Dave Neale and David Thompson discuss their co-design, War Story, which weaves together story and game mechanisms to tell a story with branching pathways and plenty of player agency. Keep the Faith: https://www.backerkit.com/call_to_action/ffdefab3-adb6-48aa-8335-797e720c58a1/landing Beyond Solitaire is proudly sponsored by Central…

Liam takes credit for liking Ariane Emory, Waweru argues rights are a sometimes food, and we wonder whether the culprit is trauma, mind control, or both. Reseune Educational Publications: Approved for 80+ Discussions of Sexual Assault Discussions of Suicidal Ideation Remember to subscribe in your preferred podcasting portal and to read chapter 3 se…

Meet Sonia Vallabh, a lawyer turned scientist with one of the most compelling stories we have ever heard. In 2011, Sonia was diagnosed with prion disease, a rare and fatal genetic illness with no viable treatment. Against all odds, Sonia and her husband retrained as a patient–scientists and set out to cure the disease before Sonia misses her window…