The Secret Cabal Gaming Podcast

Enter, Ye Gods of War! In Volume One of Battletome, a podcast about the miniatures gaming hobby, Bender, Aaron and Jamie discuss all the games and hobby project they've been getting into lately including Aeronautica Imperialis, Kings of War: Armada, Warhammer 40,000 9th edition, Aaron's Kharadron Overlords Age of Sigmar Army, Don't Look Back, Blood Bowl Second Season and the Duncan Rhodes Painting Academy. Then Aaron and Jamie give a full review of Games Workshop's small model count, fantasy skirmish miniatures game, Warcry!

Direct download: 01Battletome.mp3
Category:general -- posted at: 2:09am EDT

In episode 67 Jamie, Don and Chris are joined by their great friend Rodney Smith of Watch It Played to talk about what they've been up to this holiday season, how to give great gifts to the gamers in their lives and some of the best gifts they've given and received in the past. From all of us here at the Secret Cabal Gaming Podcast, we hope you have a wonderful, joyous, and safe holiday season!

Direct download: 068SecretCabalExpress.mp3
Category:general -- posted at: 3:13pm EDT

Hey Now and Happy Holidays Cabalists! In the holiday special of The Secret Cabal Gaming Podcast the Founders start out talking about Steve's Facebook and delivering Grub Hub woes and discuss a bunch of games the group’s been playing including Aliens: Another Glorious Day in the Corps, Paladins of the West Kingdom, Chronicles of Crime Welcome to Redview, New York Zoo, Honey Buzz and Dixit. Then sandwiched between our famous holiday tunes the founders hook you up with a feature review of Altar Quest from Blacklist Games and look back at both Cthulhu Death May Die and Batman Gotham City Chronicles. Then Tony is up to bat for his amazing tabletop gaming news roundup followed by a Potpourri of Short Topics of Yesteryear Extravaganza in which we take questions sourced by Cabalists way back in 2013. Then the gang closes out the episode with their yearly tradition of giving each other Secret Santa gifts. We hope everyone has an amazing and wonderful holiday this year!

Direct download: 221SecretCabalGamingPodcast.mp3
Category:general -- posted at: 12:18am EDT

In episode 45 the Lords start out by updating their throughs on online gaming during the pandemic and talk about the software they've been using to game - Fantasy Grounds on Steam. Then the gang takes a question from a listener about maturing as a role player - Where as it used to be fun to fight and argue during game, it's not more fun to get along and be cooperative. Then the show is closed with a discussion about Collaborative Worldbuilding and how it might inject some much-needed energy into a group that's showing some lockdown fatigue.

Direct download: 045LordsoftheDungeon.mp3
Category:general -- posted at: 10:24pm EDT

Hey Now Cabalists! The gang is back for another nonsense filled episode of The Secret Cabal Gaming Podcast. Today we start out hearing Tony's complaints about Kickstarter and discuss some games we've been playing including Altar Quest, Dune Imperium, Smartphone, Inc, Charterstone, Unmatched, and King’s Dilemma. Then the crew jumps into our feature review of Viscounts of the West Kingdom designed by Shem Phillips and published by Renegade Games. Tony T, as always, throws down the best damned news segment in all of tabletop gaming media and the rest of the boys quack in the background. And finally, the Founder's host a discussion about rulebooks. Do we like them? Hate them? And the traits of good and bad rulebooks. Viscounts of the West Kingdom Overview 01:07:25, Viscounts of the West Kingdom Review 01:12:09, News with Tony T 01:38:56, The Sins of the Rulebook 02:38:38

Direct download: 220SecretCabalGamingPodcast.mp3
Category:general -- posted at: 12:27am EDT

In episode 67 Don and Jamie get together to talk about board games that set the trends and revolutionized board game design and some that have stood the test of time and some that have faded into obscurity. Then we list of some of the most unique games we have played that you might want to add to your collection.

Direct download: 067SecretCabalExpress.mp3
Category:general -- posted at: 2:39am EDT

Good morning and happy Wednesday to all of you wonderful Cabalists out there! Today we dive into talking about the games we've been playing including: Whistle Mountain, Lorenzo il Magnifico, Beyond the Sun, Pan Am, Gloom Digital and Raiders of the North Sea Digital. Don, Jamie and Chris hook you up with a feature review of Stefan Feld's newest creation, The Castles of Tuscany from Ravensburger and we take a look back at Coloma by Jonny Pac and published by Final Frontier Games. Then Tony T managed to pique our interests with a bunch of great news stories and Kickstarters from across the gaming verse. Then the gang finishes off the show with a discussion about Overuse and Outdated mechanisms and if they're worn out or can innovative designers bring them back in a fresh and new way.

Direct download: 219SecretCabalGamingPodcast.mp3
Category:general -- posted at: 11:17pm EDT

In episode 44, Jamie starts out by talking a little bit about Baldur's Gate 3 now in early access on Steam and the gang reminisces about some old Dungeons and Dragons video games they've played in the past. Then the Lords take a question from a listener regarding dealing with a player character that is lovingly known as "Cheat Code" because he is so overpowered. Then the group gives into a discussion about playing Rogues in roleplaying games and the various archetypes they enjoy playing.

Direct download: 044LordsoftheDungeon.mp3
Category:general -- posted at: 12:51am EDT

It's time for another wild and crazy episode of The Secret Cabal! And today the gang takes a look at a slew of games including Haunted Mansion Call of the Spirits, Barrage, Curious Cargo, Small World and Black Orchestra. Then Chris and Jamie feature review Lost City of Arnak from CGE and the whole gang looks back at Everdell from Starling Games one year later. Then after Tony T regales us with his informative news segment, the guys take questions from the listeners including our favorite game mechanisms, how to pick a game without wasting time and are app driven games good in the long term. Lost Ruins of Arnak Overview 00:57:39, Lost Ruins of Arnak Review 01:01:39, Lookback of Everdell 01:24:05, News with Tony T 01:31:35, Short Topic Extravaganza

Direct download: 218SecretCabalGamingPodcast.mp3
Category:general -- posted at: 2:07am EDT

In episode 66 The gang celebrates Halloween by talking with Matt Evans of Board Game Replay to talk about some of the video games they've all been playing - particularly horror themed games! All of these games are great options for your Halloween video game time!

Direct download: 066SecretCabalExpress.mp3
Category:general -- posted at: 10:28pm EDT

Muwahahahaha! It's Halloween again and ghoulish Founders are back to give you a spooky episode filled with Halloweeny games for you to enjoy. Today we look at Horrified, Friday the 13th: Horror at Camp Crystal Lake, Name 5, Dire Alliance, Dead Man’s Cabal and Armata Strigoi! Then Don and Jamie give a horrifying review of Paranormal Detectives from Lucky Duck Games and the gang looks back at Abomination The Heir of Frankenstein from Plaid Hat Games. Then after Tony T delivers the frightening news cast the ghoulies retell some nightmare gaming stories! Paranormal Detectives Overview 00:57:39, Paranormal Detectives Review 01:01:39, Lookback of Abomination The Heir of Frankenstein 01:24:05, News with Tony T 01:31:35, Nightmare Gaming Stories 02:40:46

Direct download: 217SecretCabalGamingPodcast.mp3
Category:general -- posted at: 2:00am EDT

In episode 43, we start out talking to Jess about taking over their Dungeons and Dragons Ravenloft campaign and what a Cameltaur is. Then we discuss our first training session using the Warhammer Fantasy Roleplay 4th edition game system. And finally, the gang discusses randomness in role playing games and how to handle it when bad luck gets out of hand.

Direct download: 043LordsoftheDungeon.mp3
Category:general -- posted at: 10:35pm EDT

Oh yeah! The Founders are back with another jam-packed episode of The Secret Cabal featuring: Fort, Bios Genesis, Titanic, Just One, Mercado de Lisboa, The Search for Planet X, Living Planet and Root Digital. Then Don and Jamie take a deeper dive into Marvel United from CMON and look back at Tzolk'in The Mayan Calendar from CGE. After Tony T pins the wild meter to the red with his wonderful news segment, we jump into a Short Topic Extravaganza including board game bloat, the best games with the worst components and board games for miniatures gamers.

Direct download: 216SecretCabalGamingPodcast.mp3
Category:general -- posted at: 12:03am EDT

In episode 65 Jamie and Don welcome Honorary Founder, Rodney Smith of Watch It Played, to discuss reviewing board games including the perceptions of viewers, the integrity of the reviewer, what makes good reviews and more.

Direct download: 065SecretCabalExpress.mp3
Category:general -- posted at: 1:57am EDT

In episode 42, The Lords start out by discussing their Star Trek adventures 3 part campaign and decide whether they enjoyed the system or not and why, take a question from a listener regarding tracing their origins of when they got into roleplaying games and finish off by discussing their next campaign in the Old World using Warhammer Fantasy Roleplay 4th edition.

Direct download: 042LordsoftheDungeon.mp3
Category:general -- posted at: 10:26pm EDT

Hey Now Cabalists! Today the gang is back to talk about a ton of board gaming stuff including Crystal Palace, Mariposas, Dinogenics, Spicy, Smartphone, Inc and Among Us. Then we dive into a feature review of Undaunted Normandy and Undaunted North Africa from our good friend Dave Thompson and Trevor Benjamin published by Osprey Games and we look back at Cthulhu A Deck Building Game from Wyvern Gaming one year later. Then after Tony T hooks us up with a batch of awesome tabletop gaming news, the Founder jump into a discussion about the things that annoys us, our pet peeves and generally the things that we hate in tabletop gaming. Undaunted Normandy and North Africa Overview 01:02:04, Undaunted Normandy and North Africa Review 01:07:27, Lookback of Cthulhu A Deck Building Game 01:36:06, News with Tony T 01:42:51, You Know What I Hate? 02:29:27

Direct download: 215SecretCabalGamingPodcast.mp3
Category:general -- posted at: 1:02am EDT

In episode 64 Tony, Chris and Jamie discuss the impact that great artwork, stellar graphic design elements, components and the entire cohesive production of a tabletop game has on the experience of the players. We go into the emotions they trigger and the immersion generated.

Direct download: 064SecretCabalExpress.mp3
Category:general -- posted at: 1:06am EDT

Alrighty Cabalists, Wednesday is back and it's time for some wild Cabal action! today we start out with a review of the documentary film called World of Darkness about White Wolf Games and then jump into some games we're playing including: Expedition to Newdale, Modern Art The Card Game, Unspeakable Words, The Voyages of Marco Polo, Mysterium, and Five Tribes. Then we dive into a feature review of Capstone Game's Ride the Rails and a lookback at Era The Medieval Age from Eggertspiele. Tony T goes bananas with the best damn tabletop gaming news segment ever put to MP3. And finally, the gang tackles from questions from listeners including: do you attack the guy can screw you out of winning? Do you get agitated when stuff you like becomes popular? and unique game recommendations?

Direct download: 214SecretCabalGamingPodcast.mp3
Category:general -- posted at: 12:31am EDT

In episode 63 Tony, Don and Jamie sit down and talk about a topic that's been on our minds lately, when is it right to get back to gaming in person? And when we do, what precautions are we going to have to take to ensure the comfort and safety of ourselves and our friends. Then, we talk about the awesome games that have come out in 2020 that are piling up around out feet that we're so excited to play when we finally do get back to gaming in-person.

Direct download: 063SecretCabalExpress.mp3
Category:general -- posted at: 1:47am EDT

Hey Now Cabalists! It's another Cabal Wednesday and we jump right in talking about the new Documentary called The Game Masters about hobby board games. Then we get into the games we've been playing including Cosmic Encounter: Duel, Clank!, Back to the Future: Back In Time, Newton, Deckscape, Colosseum and Legendary Encounters Alien: Covenant and Queen Expansions. Then we throw down a feature review of Forgotten Waters from Plaid Hat Games. Then after Tony Topper gets busy with his award winning news segment, Judge Topper dons his robes and powdered wig to call the Cabalist Court into session including cases involving an old gaming friend not coming around anymore, AEG purging Kickstarter pledges and a gaming friend who gets upset when people attack him in games.

Direct download: 213SecretCabalGamingPodcast.mp3
Category:general -- posted at: 12:09am EDT

In episode 41, The Lords dig into an entire hour of short topics all about role playing games. Discussion includes session duration, mundane encounters, the balance of roleplaying and combat, when players get bored, and more.

Direct download: 041LordsoftheDungeon.mp3
Category:general -- posted at: 1:08am EDT

Hey Now all you wonderful Cabalists! Today the gang is back in action to break balls, talk about awesome board games and provide some series low buffoonery. Today we start out by chatting up games including Altiplano, Spirit Island: Branch and Claw, Sonora, Set A Watch, Tapestry and Stick’em. Then we jump into a feature review of Nevada City designed by Alan D. Ernstein and published by Rio Grande Games. Then Tony T provides a comprehensive look into the board game industry with his top-notch news segment. And finally the Founders go into some more listener submitted questions including crossovers in board games, unique mechanisms and with special guest question answerers, Bender and Aaron from Lords of the Dungeon, we discuss which Warhammer 40k armies we play and which ones we're looking to start next. Nevada City Overview 00:53:42, Nevada City Review 00:58:06, News with Tony T 01:26:57, Short Topic Extravaganza 02:12:58

Direct download: 212SecretCabalGamingPodcast.mp3
Category:general -- posted at: 12:38am EDT

In episode 62 Jamie welcomes Honorary Founders Rodney Smith of Watch It Played and Marty Connell of Rolling Dice and Taking Names to bring back play the This or That Game! We talk about conventions, gaming awards, Project Winter and in the game, we go into movies, board games, miniatures games and more.

Direct download: 062SecretCabalExpress.mp3
Category:general -- posted at: 1:31am EDT

Hey Now Cabalists! Today we get right down to business talking about some great games including In Too Deep, Marvel Champions, Castles of Burgundy: The Dice Game, Jungle Cruise, Dead Reckoning, Stockpile, The Dwarves, and Project Winter. Then we dive in deep with an overview and review of Newton from Cranio Creations and give a Look Back of Pipeline from Capstone Games. Then finally we discuss games that fired other games. Newton Overview 00:57:26, Newton Review 01:03:00, Pipeline Look Back 01:03:00, News with Tony T 01:31:53, Games That Fired Other Games 02:13:45

Direct download: 211SecretCabalGamingPodcast.mp3
Category:general -- posted at: 12:47am EDT

In episode 40, Bender starts out by talking about a new RPG he played called Blades in the Dark and the gang discusses campaigns in which all players play the same class. Then the Lords chat about the new edition of Warhammer 40,000. Aaron talks about his first time taking over as Game Master for our Star Trek Adventures campaign. Then finally the group discusses theater of the mind, setting the scene, and integrating more description in their games.

Direct download: 040LordsoftheDungeon.mp3
Category:general -- posted at: 1:48am EDT

Hey Now Cabalists! Episode 210 starts out with a little bit of a bummer as we discuss how sad we are the Origins Game Fair won’t be happening this year but before too long, we jump into talking about some great games we've been playing including; Wingspan, Bumuntu, Fields of Green, Tapestry, Lockup: A Roll Player Tale, Claustrophobia 1643 and Small World. Then Don and Jamie jump into a feature review of Spirit Island from Greater Than Games and designed by R. Eric Reuss. Tony T collects and delivers a bonkers series of news articles and currently running Kickstarter projects while the gang chirps in the background. Then finally the Founders discuss various elements of gaming etiquette and the social contract with playing board games.

Direct download: 210SecretCabalGamingPodcast.mp3
Category:general -- posted at: 12:26am EDT

In episode 61 Jamie, Steve, Don and Aaron from Lords of the Dungeon start off by talking about retail therapy and their growing collection of video games. Then the gang jumps into a discussion about Euro Games and Ameritrash games and what we like and dislike about both.

Direct download: 061SecretCabalExpress.mp3
Category:general -- posted at: 12:19am EDT

Hey Now Cabalists! Today the gang starts out with a bit of celebration as we achieved all three of our Kickstarter Goals and The Cabal will go on! The the Founders get into some of the games they've been playing including The Shining, Pan Am The Game, Escape Room: The Game, Healthy Heart Hospital, Ghost Stories, and Arcadia Quest. Then the gang features Vital Lacerda's Escape Plan and look back at Lord of the Rings Journeys In Middle-Earth from Fantasy Flight Games. Tony T goes overboard with some crazy news stories (including the weirdest sex themed board game you've ever seen) and finally a short topic extravaganza including topics about Cthulhu in Kemet, What our other hobbies are and underrated game designers.

Direct download: 209SecretCabalGamingPodcast.mp3
Category:general -- posted at: 1:09am EDT

In episode 39, the Lords start out by discussing Bender and Jess' new 1829 golden age of piracy Ravenloft campaign using the Dungeons and Dragons system. Then the gang takes a question from a listener regarding players asking to take back their action after committing. Finally, in the main discussion, the Lords talk about AC preparing for his first-time game mastering and the feelings he has, his preparation and some tips for handling first time GM jitters.

Direct download: 039LordsoftheDungeon.mp3
Category:general -- posted at: 1:27am EDT

It's the last day of the Kickstarter! If you haven't checked it out and you would like to support the show, check it out at www.TheSecretCabal.com/Kickstarter. Today the gang starts out by discussing the games we've been playing including Century: Golem Edition – Eastern Mountains, REEF, The Pursuit of Happiness, Detective City of Angels, Tichu, and Jurassic Park: Danger! Then we give a feature review of Quacks of Quedlinburg and look back at Space Gate Odyssey. Then, after Tony T's news segment the Founder's discuss building a strategy in a board game and cultivating that strategy long term. Quacks of Quedlinburg Overview 01:00:35, Quacks of Quedlinburg Review 01:05:49, Space Gate Odyssey Look Back 01:26:20, News with Tony T 01:31:34, Developing and Cultivating Strategy Discussion 02:37:25

Direct download: 208SecretCabalGamingPodcast.mp3
Category:general -- posted at: 2:09am EDT

In episode 60, Chris, Steve, Don, Tony and Jamie sit down to talk about what seems to be the golden age of intellectual properties in board games. Games using movies, tv shows, video games, books and more are becoming more and more thoughtful and well developed and many publishers are thriving from developing quality hobby minded board games developing games in this space. The Founders discuss this and pitch some ideas for IP board games that they would love to see happen.

Direct download: 060SecretCabalExpress.mp3
Category:general -- posted at: 1:41am EDT

The Secret Cabal's 2020 Fundraiser is live on Kickstarter right now! Jump over to Kickstarter and search The Secret Cabal 2020 now or head over to www.thesecretcabal.com and click the banner! In today's episode the Founders start out by talking about some games they've been playing including: Star Trek Conflick in the Neutral Zone, Chronicles of Crime: Welcome to Review, On Mars, Chrono-Trek, Star Realms, and Among the Stars. Then Tony, Aaron and Jamie jump right into a feature review of Charterstone, specifically the Steam digital edition designed by Jamey Stegmier and published by Stonemier Games and look back at Fantasy Flight Games' Star Wars Outer Rim. Then Tony T goes ape with some important news from all around the gaming industry while the gang chatters in the background. Then the Founders end the episode with another Short Topic Extravaganza including discussion about Expansions, Dungeon Crawl Games and who would play us in the movies. Charterstone Overview 00:48:18, Charterstone Non-Spoiler Section Review 00:53:18, Charterstone Spoiler Section Review 01:16:20, Charterstone Non-Spoiler Final Thoughts 01:25:05, Star Wars Outer Rim Look Back 01:30:47, News with Tony T 01:36:27, Short Topic Extravaganza 02:27:00

Direct download: 207SecretCabalGamingPodcast.mp3
Category:general -- posted at: 2:32am EDT

In episode 38, the Lords finally return for a new episode! The gang managed to get at least some recording ability at their homes, and we hope that all of you will bear with us as we figure out this new style of recording. We start off the episode by discussing what we've been doing over the past few months and how we've been gaming. We've started a new Star Trek Adventures and are doing it online first the first time. Then we go into our thoughts of Star Trek Adventures from Modiphius.

Direct download: 038LordsoftheDungeon.mp3
Category:general -- posted at: 12:28am EDT

The Secret Cabal's 2020 Fundraiser is live on Kickstarter right now! Jump over to Kickstarter and search The Secret Cabal 2020 now! In other news, today the founder's welcome Rodney Smith of Watch It Played to talk about some board games including Labyrinth Adventures, Evolution, Oceans, Cloudspire, Codenames, The Grizzled Armistice and Lasers and Feelings! Then Don, Jamie and Aaron give you a feature review of Star Trek Ascendency and a look back at Kingsport Festival. Then after Tony T runs down the most important news in all of the tabletop gaming world, Rodney joins the Founders for the 4th installment of their world famous game show, The Founder's Feud! Star Trek Ascendency Overview 01:02:28, Star Trek Ascendency Review 01:08:30, Kingsport Festival Look Back 01:32:48, News with Tony T 01:36:29, The Founder's Feud 02:15:19

Direct download: 206SecretCabalGamingPodcast.mp3
Category:general -- posted at: 2:10am EDT

In episode 59, Don and Jamie sit down to talk about a series of essential and influential board game mechanisms that were game changers of our hobby. Mechanisms that, when first arriving on the scene, shook up the way games were designed and added a new tool to the game design toolbox.

Direct download: 059SecretCabalExpress.mp3
Category:general -- posted at: 2:33am EDT

Today Steve, Don, Aaron and Jamie sit down with Honorary Founder Matt Evans of Board Game Replay to talk about all the video games they've been playing during the quarentine and go back in time and discuss some of their favorite video games and video game memories of the past.

Direct download: 02SecretCabalBonusEpisode.mp3
Category:general -- posted at: 10:19am EDT

The gang is back again for another episode of The Secret Cabal Gaming Podcast and today we talk about Steve's encounter with a backyard snake, Tony's standing desk, and take a look at a slew of games we've played including: Brook City, Street Masters, Dinogenics, The Liberation of Rietburg, Archmage, Clinic, Kitchen Rush, Race for the Galaxy and Star Trek Panic. Then we throw down a feature review of Chimera Station from Tasty Minstrel Games and a look back at Wingspan from Stonemaier Games. And finally, After Tony T's award-winning news segment, we host a short topic extravaganza including questions about games with new rounds, if we'd play games even though we're cursed to lose and the awkward moments after a game ends. Chimera Station Overview 01:07:13, Chimera Station Review 01:12:30, Wingspan Look Back 01:36:54, News with Tony T 01:41:19, Short Topic Extravaganza 02:43:10

Direct download: 205SecretCabalGamingPodcast.mp3
Category:general -- posted at: 1:27am EDT

Today was supposed to be a Lords of the Dungeon day but due to Social Distancing and the lack of remote recording abilities, Jamie, Steve, Don and Chris do an impromptu recording talking about whatever comes to mind. No plan. No notes. We just hit the record button and talked chase the rabbit down it's hole. We hit topics including TV shows, Movies, Grocery Stores, The Lack of Toilet Paper and How They're Handling The Quarantine.

Direct download: 01SecretCabalBonusEpisode.mp3
Category:general -- posted at: 2:11am EDT

The Founders are sheltered in place, but the Secret Cabal will go on! Today we talk about some awesome games including Everdell Pearlbrook, Doctor Who Time of the Daleks, Europe Divided, Arkham Noir, Funkoverse, Monumental and Chronicles of Crime: Noir. Then we give you a feature review of Viticulture Essentials Edition from Stonemaier Games and look back at Vindication, Shadows of Brimstone and Wendake. Then after Tony T enlightens you with all the most important news items from around the board gaming world, we host a discussion about how to continue gaming even though you're stuck in your house during quarantine. Viticulture Overview 00:57:41, Viticulture Review 01:00:43, Vindication Look Back 01:29:25, Shadows of Brimstone Look Back 01:33:25, Wendake Look Back 01:39:11, News with Tony T 01:44:29, Living without a Game Group 02:29:09

Direct download: 204SecretCabalGamingPodcast.mp3
Category:general -- posted at: 12:41am EDT

In episode 58, We start out today's episode with a special message to the Cabalists and then right into the episode proper. Today the Chris, Don and Jamie are joined by their very good friend Stephen Buonocore of Stronghold Games to discuss the board game publishing industry. Stephen answers all of our and the Cabalists questions about what it takes to publish a board game in today's industry. If you want to hear more about publishing, check out Stephen's podcast called Board Games Insider at BoardGamesInsider.com and all the wonderful games he publishes at StrongholdGames.com

Direct download: 058SecretCabalExpress.mp3
Category:general -- posted at: 10:56pm EDT

Hey Now Cabalists! Today we open but announcing the date of our next Kickstarter which will be May 1st, 2020. Then we jump into talking about a bunch of games we've been playing including On Mars, CO2: Second Chance, Feudum, In the Hall of the Mountain King, Fast Sloths, Bruges and Terror in Meeple City. Then we jump into a feature review of Underwater City designed by Vladimír Suchý and published by Rio Grande Games. Then after Tony T gives us his wild and crazy News segment, we discuss Win/Loss Attribution in board gaming.

Direct download: 203SecretCabalGamingPodcast.mp3
Category:general -- posted at: 12:08am EDT

In episode 37, the lords begin by discussing a recent encounter from their own game involving a puzzle that was a bit too hard for them to figure out and how they feel about puzzles as encounters. Then the gang takes a question from a listener regarding how to talk to your dungeon master about a game in which the players aren't having fun. How do you let them down easy? And finally, the Lords jump the main discussion about clerics and other religious characters and the ins and outs of playing a person who believes and service the greater gods.

Direct download: 037LordsoftheDungeon.mp3
Category:general -- posted at: 7:42am EDT

Alrighty Cabalists! It's time for another jam-packed episode of The Secret Cabal starting off with a new Chris Movie Review this time featuring the new Lovecraft adaptation of Color Out of Space. Then we jump into the games we've been playing including: Undaunted, Charterstone, Aftershock San Francisco and Venice, Cooper Island, Terraforming Mars, Ettin, Last Will and Castles of Burgundy. Then the gang gets into a feature review of Clinic: Deluxe Edition designed by Alban Viard, published by AVStudioGames and featuring artwork by the great Ian O'Toole. Tony T gives us his ever-popular news segment filled with gaming related nonsense and the rest of the gang gives their valuable commentary. And finally, the Founders talk about buzzkill gamers, making noises during the game, are mats better than boards and the annoying things about Kickstarter projects in our Short Topic Extravaganza. Clinic Overview 01:23:27, Clinic Review 01:28:47, News with Tony T 01:57:10, Short Topic Extravaganza 02:49:38

Direct download: 202SecretCabalGamingPodcast.mp3
Category:general -- posted at: 12:51am EDT

In episode 57, Jamie, Steve and Don welcome longtime friend and Honorary Founder, Dan King, The Game Boy Geek. Dan starts out by giving Jamie some recommendations for great casual games to take back to his family and then we talk about Dan's currently running Kickstarter to fun his YouTube review channel. Then the gang goes deep into a discussion about replayability and lists some games that they feel are extremely replayable.

Direct download: 057SecretCabalExpress.mp3
Category:general -- posted at: 11:37pm EDT

Hey Now Cabalists! In episode 201 the gang gets back to basics after our raucous 200th episode celebration. Today we talk about all sorts of great games including Empires of the Void 2, Barrage, Sorcerer City, Underwater Cities, Bunny Kingdom, Backgammon, Celestia, Blood Rage and Caylus 1303. Then Don, Steve and Jamie throw a feature review of Chronicles of Crime from Lucky Duck Games at you, followed up by a look back at DinoGenics from Ninth Haven Games. Then after Tony T's legendary news segment featuring many off the rails conversations, the guys discuss the effect of complexity on your fun when playing board games. Chronicles of Crime Overview 01:03:30, Chronicles of Crime Review 01:08:00, Dinogenics Look Back 01:33:13, News with Tony T 01:37:10, The Effect of Complexity on Your Fun 02:11:20

Direct download: 201SecretCabalGamingPodcast.mp3
Category:general -- posted at: 12:23am EDT

In episode 36, the Lords start out by talking about trying a new game for a few months and discuss the new Altered Cardon RPG raising funds on Kickstarter now. Then the game takes a question from a listener regarding if make were real. Then finally the gang talks about the fun of playing in high and low level campaigns and how to make them fun.

Direct download: 036LordsoftheDungeon.mp3
Category:general -- posted at: 12:24am EDT

Today the Founders celebrate their 200th episode anniversary by going over the past 8 years and each giving two of their favorite games they've ever reviewed - think of it like a giant-sized Games of Yesteryear mixed with 10 Look Back segments. Then Don, Tony and Jamie go back to review a legendary board game that defined a genre, Puerto Rico. Then after Tony T's news segment, the guys take a look back at the past 8 years of The Secret Cabal Gaming Podcast and discuss what they've build and retell some of their favorite moments throughout the life of the show. AND the Founders are visited by some old friends throughout the show too! Puerto Rico Overview 01:24:05, Puerto Rico Review 01:27:12, News with Tony T 01:52:04, A Look Back of the Past 8 Years 02:48:52

Direct download: 200SecretCabalGamingPodcast.mp3
Category:general -- posted at: 12:39am EDT

Direct download: 056SecretCabalExpress.mp3
Category:general -- posted at: 1:16am EDT

The Founders are back for a another game packed episode starting out with Chris and his grasshopper taco and a bunch of games we've been playing including; Taverns of Tiefenthal, Wavelength, Cryptid, Blitzkrieg!, The Grizzled, Crystal Palace, Caverna: The Cave Farmers and Dream Phone. Then after we review Flotilla and look back at Nemesis and Professor Eveil, Tony T, as always, gives us the greatest tabletop gaming news in the entire world of gaming while the rest of us quack in the background. Then we wrap up the episode with discussion about the state of the industry, the state of came consumers and ask the question, is the Acquisition Disorder a thing of the past. Flotilla Overview 01:22:23, Flotilla Review 01:25:06, Professor Evil and the Citadel of Time Look back 01:55:28, Nemesis Look Back 01:57:57, News with Tony T 02:01:14, The Death of the Acquisition Disorder Discussion 02:50:49

Direct download: 199SecretCabalGamingPodcast.mp3
Category:general -- posted at: 12:35am EDT

In episode 35, Jesko talks about his first time Dungeon Mastering a game of Dungeons and Dragons, Jamie talks about his Christmas Presents, we take questions from listeners regarding Eberron and campaign settings from the past they would like to see make a return and finish the episode by talking about Wizards and magic, roleplaying wizards and their favorite magic users from movies, TV, comics and books.

Direct download: 035LordsoftheDungeon.mp3
Category:general -- posted at: 11:49pm EDT

Hey Now Cabalists and Happy New Year! First, we start off with a challenge from a Cabalist on our forums and then get busy with some games we've been playing including: Flotilla, Era: Medieval Age, Fast Sloths, Tapestry, Istanbul The Dice Game, The Others and Cthulhu Death May Die! Then we announce a new series of T-Shirts featuring Steve's artwork. Then we get busy with a feature review of Maracaibo from Alexander Pfister and Capstone Games. Then after Tony T throws some tabletop gaming news at us, we host another Short Topic Extravaganza featuring Steve's Jokes, how games have changed over the years and dealing with a gaming group with varying tastes. Maracaibo Overview 01:00:19, Maracaibo Review 01:04:36, News with Tony T 01:30:30, Short Topic Extravaganza 02:22:00

Direct download: 198SecretCabalGamingPodcast.mp3
Category:general -- posted at: 12:53am EDT

1