The Secret Cabal Gaming Podcast

Don and Jamie open the show discussing a topic from the forums regarding our favorite Holiday movies and transition into our main topic - The Island of Misfit Games. Just like in Rudolph the Red Nose Reindeer in which Rudolph, Hermey and Yukon Cornelius discover the Island of Misfit Toys, Don and Jamie visit a different island at which strange, broken, or unattractive - yet fun to play - games reside. Can we find homes for these misfit games?

Direct download: 079SecretCabalExpress.mp3
Category: -- posted at: 11:14pm EDT

Ho Ho Ho and Happy Holidays Cabalists! It's time for the Secret Cabal's 2021 Christmas Special! Today we start out with the weirdest Chris story you'll ever hear so get ready. And then of course we dive into some games we've been playing including Kokopelli, Ghostbusters Men In Black Ecto-Terrestrial Invasion, Sub Terra, Heads Up, Trophies, Just One Online, Unsettled, Brick & Mortar, Betrayal Legacy and Betrayal Widows Walk. Don, Jamie and Chris slide into a feature review of the amazing Sleeping Gods from Ryan Laukat. Then Tony T crushes it with the last gaming new segment for 2021 while the rest of us yammer on in the background. Then we roll right into an irreverent version of The Newlywed Game where the founders find out how well they know each other. And of course, like all Christmas special you'll get a bunch of great Cabal Christmas songs and our annual Secret Santa tradition. Sleeping Gods Overview 01:07:46, Sleeping Gods World Review 01:11:59, News with Tony T 01:42:09, The Newlywed Game Founders Edition 02:25:59

Direct download: 245SecretCabalGamingPodcast.mp3
Category: -- posted at: 11:49pm EDT

In episode 57 Bender starts out by talking about his recent game of Heirs to Heresy: The Fall of the Knights Templar from Osprey Games. Then the gang talks about their first foray into the Fallout RPG from Modiphius. Then the Lords round out the episode with a discussion about the things in RPG that they hate - their tabletop roleplaying game pet peeves.

Direct download: 057LordsoftheDungeon.mp3
Category: -- posted at: 1:04am EDT

Awwwww yeah, It's Cabal Time! Today the Founders talk about the Rock Apes and Tony's new career as a Rock Ape Hunter and a bunch of games they've been playing including Cleopatra and the Society of Architects, Savannah Park, Abomination: The Heir of Frankenstein, That Time You Killed Me, Galaxy Hunters and Radlands. Then Don and Jamie jump into a feature review of It's a Wonderful World from designer Frédéric Guérard. Then Tony T wows the crowd with the greatest tabletop gaming news segment in the known universe. And finally, the gang takes a look at 5 game designers including Ryan Laukat, Uwe Rosenberg, Corey Konieczka, Martin Wallace and Stefan Feld and discusses their body of work. It's a Wonderful World Overview 01:11:06, It's a Wonderful World Review 01:14:48, News with Tony T 01:37:35, Designer Bodies of Work 02:26:45

Direct download: 244SecretCabalGamingPodcast.mp3
Category: -- posted at: 12:49pm EDT

Chris, Don and Jamie dive into a discussion about games that have a single standout mechanism that elevates its game to something special. Each of the gang lists three games that they feel include one of these brilliant mechanisms.

Direct download: 078SecretCabalExpress.mp3
Category: -- posted at: 10:28pm EDT

Hey Now! It's time for some irreverent Cabal shenanigans! Today the gang chats about some games and hobby junk we've been getting into including Imperial Steam, Deception: Murder in Hong Kong, Mouse Cheese Cat Cucumber, Dinosaur World, Furnace, and Elfenland. Then Jamie and Don get into an overview and review of Anno 1800 from Kosmos and designed by Martin Wallace. After Tony T goes through all the most important news items in the entire world, the Founders get into a discussion about giving potentially great board games a second chance. Anno 1800 Overview 00:59:59, Anno 1800 Review 01:06:10, News with Tony T 01:37:49, Second Chance Board Games 02:36:29

Direct download: 243SecretCabalGamingPodcast.mp3
Category: -- posted at: 12:27am EDT

Today the Lords start out episode 56 by discussing their new campaign using the Fallout RPG from Modiphius. Jesko explains the setting and the rest of the gang details the characters they'll be playing. Then the group takes a question from a listener asking which we more value, campaign story arcs or our own personal character's story arc. And finally, the Lords each give one pick of a video game that they think would make a great tabletop RPG.

Direct download: 056LordsoftheDungeon.mp3
Category: -- posted at: 2:15am EDT

Hey Now Cabalists! Episode 242 starts with an announcement regarding Don playing a game of Europe Divided with the designer of A Gest of Robin Hood and Red Flag over Paris, Fred Serval. The match will also have running commentary by its designer Dave Thompson! The match will be held on November 13th, 11am PST (2pm EST). Check out https://tabletop.events/conventions/sdhist-con-2021 for more details. Then the gang jumps into talking about some great games we've been playing including Isle of Skye, Scythe, Tapestry: Plans and Ploys, Empire of the Stars, Box One, Northern Pacific, and Juicy Fruits. Then Don and Jamie jump into a feature review of Martin Wallace's Struggle of Empires from Eagle-Gryphon Games. 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 jump into a Short Topic Extravaganza including discussion about too many Kicsktarters, how hard should a co-op game be and do the BGG rankings really reflect how good games are. Struggle of Empires Overview 00:57:26, Struggle of Empires 01:03:00, News with Tony T 01:31:53, Short Topic Extravaganza 02:13:45

Direct download: 242SecretCabalGamingPodcast.mp3
Category: -- posted at: 1:01am EDT

Don and Jamie welcome Honorary Founder Matt Evans of Board Game Replay to celebrate Halloween with some spooky, creepy and super fun horror video games! Most of the games discussed in this episode are by indie developers but are inexpensive giving you a good bang for your buck - or scare for your buck in some cases. Please check out https://www.thesecretcabal.com/express-77-horror-video-games for a full list of the games discussed. Also check out https://www.youtube.com/boardgamereplay for all of Matt's amazing videos.

Direct download: 077SecretCabalExpress.mp3
Category: -- posted at: 4:03pm EDT

It's Halloween and the Founders are back to scare your pants off! First the gang talks about their recent trip to Columbus Ohio for Origins Game Fair. Then they get into some games they've been playing including Return to Dark Tower, DC Deck Building Game, Lost Ones, Bitoku, Seasons and Voidfall. Then Chris, Don and Jamie jump into a feature review the Battlestar Galactica retheme, Unfathomable from Fantasy Flight Games. Then Tony T throws runs down all the tabletop gaming news that matters to you, the Cabalist. And finally, to honor our feature review, we pitch some horror movie board game rethemes that we'd love to see made. Oh, and throughout the entire episode the gang is visited by the Gatekeeper from the old Nightmare board game to give us some Halloween pop quizzes. Unfathomable Overview 01:08:55, Unfathomable Review 01:13:28, News with Tony T 01:40:49, Spooky Rethemes 02:28:13

Direct download: 241SecretCabalGamingPodcast.mp3
Category: -- posted at: 10:00am EDT

In episode 55, The gang starts out by having Aaron reveal his purchases at Origins Game Fair 2021 and then jump into a listener submitted question about how the Lords prepare for campaigns as Game Masters. And finally, the Lords discuss roleplaying fear, game mechanisms that promote fear in players and running spooky adventures for the Halloween season.

Direct download: 055LordsoftheDungeon.mp3
Category: -- posted at: 1:42am EDT

The Cabal is back for another dose of insubordinate nonsense! Today the gang talks about some great games including Magic the Gathering, Khora: Rise of an Empire, Immortals, Scooby Doo: Escape from the Haunted Mansion, Run Cowboy Run and Intrepid. Then Don and Jamie feature review Clash of Cultures Monumental Edition from designer Christian Marcussen and Wiz-Kids. Then Tony T pulls out the news articles if runs down all the most important things happening in the tabletop gaming world. Then finally the Founders discuss Unwritten Rules in board gaming. Clash of Cultures Overview 01:01:28, Clash of Cultures Review 01:06:22, News with Tony T 01:29:51, The Unwritten Rules 02:30:57

Direct download: 240SecretCabalGamingPodcast.mp3
Category: -- posted at: 1:00am EDT

Enter, Ye Gods of War! In Volume four 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 Age of Sigmar, Warhammer 40k, Don't Look Back, Duncan Rhodes Two Thin Coats, Myth and Goal, and Aeronautica Imperialis Wrath of Angels. Then Aaron and Jamie dive into a feature review of Star Wars Legion published by Fantasy Flight Games and Atomic Mass Games!

Direct download: 04Battletome.mp3
Category: -- posted at: 3:59pm EDT

Don and Jamie are so happy to be joined by Joel Eddy of Drive Thru Games and Rodney Smith of Watch It Played to talk about gaming conventions. We discuss the question, are Board Game Conventions still as relevant as they once were to the gaming industry - both publishers and convent creators.

Direct download: 076SecretCabalExpress.mp3
Category: -- posted at: 1:46pm EDT

Awww yeah, the gang is back in action for another bananas episode of The Secret Cabal! Today the Founders chat about the games they've been playing including DinoGenics: Controlled Chaos, Paleo, Soldiers in Postmen’s Uniforms, Ankh: Gods of Egypt, Seastead and Chronicles of Crime 1400. Then Don and Jamie dive into a feature review of the classic Vlaada Chvátil game, Through The Ages: A New Story of Civilization from CGE. Then Tony T, as always, wows us with the best gaming news there is to hear, and the gang wraps up the show with another Short Topic Extravaganza with topics including is it okay to turn down designers when they ask you to playtest? Do you like long turns with few rounds or fast turns with tons of rounds? And do we believe in bigfoot and UFOs? Through The Ages Overview 01:12:13, Through The Ages Review 01:16:31, News with Tony T S 01:46:34, Short Topic Extravaganza 02:48:21

Direct download: 239SecretCabalGamingPodcast.mp3
Category: -- posted at: 1:41am EDT

In episode 54, The gang starts out by talking about their recent roleplaying game battery recharging hiatus and their meeting to discuss what we're going to play next included - Fallout, Shadowrun, Pulp Cthulhu and Star Wars. Then the Lords take a question from Cabalist Brett regarding creating and running dastardly villains and how to do it without feeling like a dirtbag. Then finally the group talks about all kinds of gaming group styles, look at their own gaming style and discuss the impact style has on enjoyment.

Direct download: 054LordsoftheDungeon.mp3
Category: -- posted at: 12:54am EDT

Oh Yeah! Tony and Chris are back in action in episode 238 of The Secret Cabal! Today we start off by hearing a little about Tony's journey across the country and then dive into the games we've been playing over the past 2 weeks including The Shores of Tripoli, Vanuatu, Dark Domains, Meadow, Karuba, Steve's mobile escape rooms experience, and Coyote. Then Don and Jamie dive into an in-depth review of Descent Legends of the Dark from Fantasy Flight Games. Tony T takes back the reigns of the news segment and gives us a tour of all the stuff going on around the industry. The finally the gang discusses whether size matters in board gaming - box size, card size, table presence, etc. Descent Legends of the Dark Overview 01:04:57, Descent Legends of the Dark Review 01:09:34, News with Tony T S 01:47:47, Does Size Matter 02:38:35

Direct download: 238SecretCabalGamingPodcast.mp3
Category: -- posted at: 11:54pm EDT

Hey Now Cabalists! In today's episode of The Secret Cabal Express, Don and Jamie start out by talking about the new Descent Legends of the Dark and transition into talking about the challenges that make up the board games we love and why those challenges enhance the enjoyment.

Direct download: 075SecretCabalExpress.mp3
Category: -- posted at: 1:18am EDT

Hey Now Cabalists! It’s time for another wild, crazy, bananas, brilliant, bombastic, and meshugenah episode of The Secret Cabal Today it's only Don, Steve and Jamie as the others are off doing whatever they do and the gang dives into the games they've been playing including Ankh, Robinhood and his Merry Men, Descent: Legends of the Dark, Vast Mysterious Manor, Terraforming Mars: Ares Expedition, Terraforming Mars with upgrades and Kill Team Octarius. Then Don and Jamie hook the Cabalists up with a feature review of SpaceCorp 2025-2300AD plus the Spacecorp Ventures expansion from GMT Games. Steve S takes over the news chair while Tony T is driving across country and does a bang-up job! Then finally Don and Jamie talk about their shelves of shame. SpaceCorp 2025-2300AD Overview 01:08:54, SpaceCorp 2025-2300AD Review 01:15:31, News with Steve S 01:48:32, The Shelf of Shame 02:43:00

Direct download: 237SecretCabalGamingPodcast.mp3
Category: -- posted at: 1:33am EDT

In episode 53, The Lords begin by talking about their recent cinematic Alien Role Playing Game session and discuss the system and boxed adventure structure. Then the gang takes a question from a listener asking which we like better, pure Cyberpunk like Cyberpunk Red or Shadowrun with magic and fantasy races in the mix. Finally, Jamie, Bender, Jess and Jesko discuss the tone of a campaign and how that can affect the mood and enjoyment of the players.

Direct download: 053LordsoftheDungeon.mp3
Category: -- posted at: 1:13am EDT

The Cabal is back for another jam-packed episode! Today the gang welcomes Tony to the Cabal studios and we hear a little bit about his trip across the country. Then the gang goes into some of the games they've been playing including Underwater Cities, Lords of Vegas, Chinatown, Torres, Oath and Nanty Narking. Then Don and Jamie feature Beyond the Sun and look back at the games reviewed in the first 6 months of 2020. Then Tony T hooks us up with this news segment and the Founders finish off the show by discussing games and game styles they just don’t enjoy. Beyond the Sun Overview 01:02:00, Beyond the Sun Review 01:06:03, Look Back at 2020 Part 1 01:35:03, News with Steve S 02:05:41, Its Not My Jam 02:37:40

Direct download: 236SecretCabalGamingPodcast.mp3
Category: -- posted at: 12:22am EDT

Hey Now Gang and welcome back to another wild and crazy episode of The Secret Cabal! Today the gang flies into action talking about a bunch of great games they've been playing including The Goonies: Never Say Die, Paranormal Detectives, Crimes in History: H.H. Holmes Murder Castle, Juicy Fruits, Azul and Zoinx! Then For the first time in 235 episodes, Jamie IS NOT included in the review segment, and we get Don and Steve taking a look at Mind MGMT: The Psychic Espionage Game by Jay Cormier and Sen-Foong Lim. The, because Tony T is galivanting across the United States on a month-long road trip, Steve takes control of the news desk and gives us every bit of great tabletop gaming news he can. Then the gang talks about board games that really nail their theme! Mind MGMT Overview 00:57:17, Mind MGMT Review 01:00:36, News with Steve S 01:26:40, Nailing a Board Game Theme 02:14:38

Direct download: 235SecretCabalGamingPodcast.mp3
Category: -- posted at: 1:23am EDT

In episode 52, the gang starts out be discussing what they're going to do during the summer months with vacations and other travel interferes with the gaming schedule. Then the Lords take a couple of questions from listeners including running games with little knowledge of the setting and what RPGs would NOT like to run or play in. Then the group rounds out the episode by talking about high vs low complexity role playing game systems.

Direct download: 052LordsoftheDungeon.mp3
Category: -- posted at: 12:42am EDT

Awwww yeah, the Founders are back and celebrating the success of their 2021 Kickstarter campaign! The gang starts the show by talking about some of the games they've been playing including Canvas, Marvel Champions, Cryo, Tapestry, Unmatched, Labyrinthos and Cartographers. Then Don and Jamie get deep into a feature review of Oath Chronicles of Empire and Exile by Cole Wehrle. Then, as usual, Tony T collects and presents the best of the best tabletop gaming news you'll ever heard. Then the gang ends the show with a Short Topic Extravaganza including questions from listeners regarding using chess clocks, getting deeper into the theme of a game and losing your cook at the table. Oath Chronicles of Empire and Exile Overview 01:00:52, Oath Chronicles of Empire and Exile Review 01:05:20, News with Tony T 01:36:10, A Short Topic Extravaganza 02:21:37

Direct download: 234SecretCabalGamingPodcast.mp3
Category: -- posted at: 11:51pm EDT

Enter, Ye Gods of War! In Volume Three 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 Warcry, Oak and Iron and Reign of Hell. Then Aaron and Jamie are joined by our great friend Joel Eddy of Drive Thru Games to dig deep into Age of Sigmar 3rd Edition. We discuss the brand new Domination boxed set and all the changes coming to this new edition of Game Workshop’s fantasy version of Warhammer!

Direct download: 03Battletome.mp3
Category:general -- posted at: 12:15am EDT

The Secret Cabal Gaming Podcast's 2021 Fundraiser currently running on Kickstarter is in its final week! The campaign ends on Friday, June 25th at 5pm ET. If you would like to support our 100 hours of yearly podcast content and other additional event programs and videos, please considering donating to the Cabal and getting some awesome rewards to boot. You can find us on Kickstarter at: https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/secretcabaljamie/the-secret-cabal-gaming-podcast-2021-10th-year-extravaganza. In episode 74 Tony, Don and Jamie pull out our armchair psychologist cards and talk about the psychology of a gaming junkie and what tricks and tactics marketers use to suck us in and part with our money.

Direct download: 074SecretCabalExpress.mp3
Category:general -- posted at: 10:04pm EDT

The Secret Cabal Gaming Podcast's 2021 Fundraiser currently running on Kickstarter is in it's final week! The campaign ends on Friday, June 25th at 5pm ET. If you would like to support our 100 hours of yearly podcast content and other additional event programs and videos, please considering donating to the Cabal and getting some awesome rewards to boot. You can find us on Kickstarter at: https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/secretcabaljamie/the-secret-cabal-gaming-podcast-2021-10th-year-extravaganza

Direct download: 2021KickstarterFinalWeek.mp3
Category:general -- posted at: 11:38am EDT

Hey Now Cabalists! Remember, our Fundraiser is live on Kickstarter right now and ends on Friday, June 25th at 5pm Eastern time. If you would like to support our content, please check it out on Kickstarter! Today the founder jump into discussion about Tony returning home to Pennsylvania for a visit and then we discuss some games we might play with him including Hadrian’s Wall, Shiver Me Timbers, 7 Wonders, Knit Wit, Donning the Purple and Blood Rage. Then Steve and Jamie go wild with a feature review of Titans from Go On Board! Tony T is ready to throw every great news story in his news sport hopper at you while the rest of the gang chirps in the background. And finally, the gang discusses a recent opinion article on Polygon.com entitled "Is Kickstarter killing board game expansions?" Titans Overview 01:01:41, Titans Review 01:05:16, News with Tony T 01:30:55, Is Kickstarter Killing Board Game Expansions Reaction 02:19:02

Direct download: 233SecretCabalGamingPodcast.mp3
Category:general -- posted at: 7:56pm EDT

In episode 51, the Lords start out with Bender raving about his Star Trek Adventures campaign and then the game discusses three pillars of building a strong role-playing adventuring party - building strong relationships, discussing player character ideals and developing sharing long and short term goals.

Direct download: 051LordsoftheDungeon.mp3
Category:general -- posted at: 12:04am EDT

The Secret Cabal's 2021 Fundraiser is live on Kickstarter right now! In today's episode the Founders jump into talking about a bunch of great games we've been playing including Imperium: Classics, Destinies, Stay Cool, The Initiative, Sagrada, and Dungeon Twister. Then Jamie, Chris, Steve and Don dive into a feature review of Monumental designed by Matthew Dunstan and published by Funforge. Tony T, as always, rounded up a list of the most important tabletop gaming news stories you'll find while the rest of the guys chatter away with their thoughts. Then finally the boys discuss Analysis Paralysis and Downtime and how it affects gameplay. Monumental Overview 01:02:24, Monumental Review 01:07:16, News with Tony T 01:41:09, Analysis Paralysis and Downtime 02:26:14

Direct download: 232SecretCabalGamingPodcast.mp3
Category:general -- posted at: 11:26pm EDT

In episode 73 Tony, Don and Jamie jump into a discussion about the Pokemon and Trading Card frenzy going on at Wal-Mart. They discuss a video featuring a swarm of savages descending upon the trading card section and causing a scene. Then the gang discusses Tabletop Trends and Gaming Guts - when a good thing because a fad in the gaming community and when that fad turns into an all-out gut.

Direct download: 073SecretCabalExpress.mp3
Category:general -- posted at: 10:56pm EDT

Don't Forget The Secret Cabal's 2021 Fundraiser Launching on Wedneday June 2nd! The Gang is back again for another dose of meshugenah nonsense and gaming chatter including Expedition to Newdale, Trick Shot, Paranormal Detective, Merchants Cove, Lions of Lydia, and Lost Ruins of Arnak. Then Don, Chris and Jamie jump into a full review of Nidavellir designed by Serge Laget and look back at both Chimera Station and Star Trek Ascendency one year later. And of course, Tony T is all fired up to give you the most important net stories from round the gaming verse. The Founders round out the episode with a Short Topic Extravaganza including discussion on online gaming platforms, animated movies and TV shows and how to use board games for team building events. Nidavellir Overview 01:02:05, Nidavellir Review 01:06:22, Chimera Station Look Back 01:35:53, Star Trek Ascendency Look Back 01:40:01, News with Tony T 01:45:42, Short Topic Extravaganza 02:39:34

Direct download: 231SecretCabalGamingPodcast.mp3
Category:general -- posted at: 11:49pm EDT

In episode 50, The Lords celebrate because they're finally getting back together to game in person after more than a year of online gaming! Then they take a question from a listener asking them what they like about the Warhammer Fantasy Roleplay RPG setting. And finally, they discuss when they do get back together for in-person gaming, what things can they do to enhance the experience so that its more fun than it has ever been?

Direct download: 050LordsoftheDungeon.mp3
Category:general -- posted at: 1:16am EDT

Awwww yeah! It's time for another dose of Secret Cabal Insubordinate Nonsense! Today the gang starts out by talking about 2021 being the 10th anniversary year and promoting their upcoming Kickstarter on June 2nd. Then they dive into the games they've been playing including Red Rising, Stacadia Quest, SpellTable, 50 Clues The Pendulum of the Dead, Cavemen: Quest for Fire and Mr. Jack. Then Don, Steve and Jamie jump into a feature review of Deranged from designer German Tikhomirov and published by Hobby World. Then, of course, Tony T gets busy with the biggest and best tabletop gaming news review of all time and the other Founders give their valued thoughts on the topics of the day. And finally, the gang gets into talking about all the great games they're excited to play now that we're all vaccinated up and ready to get back to gaming in person! Deranged Overview 01:05:14, Deranged Review 01:09:44, News with Tony T 01:36:44, Returning To Normalcy 02:28:37

Direct download: 230SecretCabalGamingPodcast.mp3
Category:general -- posted at: 11:54pm EDT

In episode 72 Chris, Don and Jamie discuss the four types of immersion as defined in the book "Patterns In Game Design" by Staffan Björk and Jussi Holopainen. The four types include Sensory-motoric Immersion, Cognitive Immersion, Emotional Immersion and Spatial Immersion. The gang talks about how each of these traditionally video game related categories relate to tabletop gaming.

Direct download: 072SecretCabalExpress.mp3
Category:general -- posted at: 3:20pm EDT

The Founders are back again for some meshugenah nonsense in episode 229! Today the gang talks about some games they've been playing which include Blitz Bowl Season 2, Endangered, Broom Service, Sherlock Files, Tribond and Beyond the Sun. Then Jamie and DOn dive into a feature review of After the Empire from Grey Fox Games and look back at Viticulture Essentials edition from Stonemaier Games one year later. Then Tony T does what TOny T does best - giving you the best damned tabletop gaming news roundup in all of tabletop gaming while the rest of the guys chirp in the background. And finally, the gang take a break from gaming conversation to tell some stories from their pasts while playing Two Truths and a Lie! After the Empire Overview 00:55:05, After the Empire Review 00:59:02, Viticulture Look Back 01:24:21, News with Tony T 01:31:36, Two Truths and a Lie 02:11:15

Direct download: 229SecretCabalGamingPodcast.mp3
Category:general -- posted at: 11:22pm EDT

In episode 49, Bender talks about his new Star Trek Adventures Campaign and Jamie and the gang discuss Cyberpunk Red. Then the Lords take a question from a listener regarding making game systems and skills more exciting. Then finally the group tells their favorite gaming stories and discuss why they were fun moments.

Direct download: 049LordsoftheDungeon.mp3
Category:general -- posted at: 12:58am EDT

Hey Now Cabalists! It's time for your weekly dose of board gaming nonsense from the kings of nonsense and board games, The Secret Cabal Founders! Today the gang gives wishes Tony T a happy birthday and allows him to talk about microplastics and then we jump into the games we've been playing including Glass Road, Tiny Towns and it's Fortune expansion, Magic Legends on PC, Merlin, Labyrinthos and Gloomier. Then Don and Jamie jump into a feature review of an amazing game from Tom Lehmann, Res Arcana and look back at Vladimír Suchý's Underwater Cities. Then Tony T goes absolutely bananas with this well-rounded tabletop gaming news segment. And finally, the gang hosts a short topic extravaganza in which they discuss reprints, what real life jobs would make great board games and the best way to adapt video games to board games. Res Arcana Overview 00:58:36, Res Arcana Review 01:01:15, Underwater Cities Look Back 01:23:52, News with Tony T 01:29:46, Short Topic Extravaganza 02:17:11

Direct download: 228SecretCabalGamingPodcast.mp3
Category:general -- posted at: 11:52pm EDT

Enter, Ye Gods of War! In Volume Two 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 Warhammer 40k, Age of Sigmar, Flames of War, Gaslands and Lasting Tales. Then Aaron and Jamie give a full review of Privateer Press's kaiju brawling game, Monsterpocalypse! Then Don and Steve join Jamie and Aaron to discuss games that miniatures gamers and board gamers can play together, and both get their fix.

Direct download: 02Battletome.mp3
Category:general -- posted at: 12:09am EDT

In episode 71 Tony, Jamie and Don discuss the components, gameplay, designer credit, publisher and many other factors that contribute to the cost of and perceived value of board games.

Direct download: 071SecretCabalExpress.mp3
Category:general -- posted at: 11:53pm EDT

The Founders are back for your weekly dose of Secret Cabal Gaming Action and nonsense! Today the gang starts out by talking about the first them most of them have been together in person in a long long time as they fulfill the 2020 Kickstarter rewards for all the Cabalists! Then they dive into some games they've been playing including Nusfjord, Guilds of London, Anachrony, Victim: The Cursed Forest and MicroMacro: Crime City. Then, Jamie, Tony Chris and Don host a feature review of the new Uwe Rosenburg game, Hallertau from Lookout Games and Look Back at Clinic from AV Studio Games. Then after Tony T gives you the most meshugenah tabletop gaming news roundup you'll ever year the Founders play four rounds of Insider by Oink Games.

Direct download: 227SecretCabalGamingPodcast.mp3
Category:general -- posted at: 4:07pm EDT

In episode 48, Jamie tries to justify pledging to the Zombicide Undead or Alive Kickstarter by asking the gang if they'd like to play in an old west roleplaying game like Deadlands... so he can use the miniatures. Then the Lords take a question from a listener regarding arguments in the group resulting campaign gridlock. And finally, the gang talks about Where Did It All Go Wrong? When campaigns, players and game masters screw up, make bad choices or just walk the wrong way and it all goes downhill from there.

Direct download: 048LordsoftheDungeon.mp3
Category:general -- posted at: 12:49am EDT

Hey Now Cabalists! In episode 226 the Founders begin by talking about Chris' Shelf Disaster Watch 2021 and the pool started by the Board Game Geek Cabalists and then jump into some games they've been playing including Hallertau with a surprise visit from Judge Topper, Favor of the Pharaoh, Trekking The World, H. H. Holmes Murder Castle, Fake Artist Goes to New York and Charterstone Campaign Update from Tony. Then Don and Jamie dive into a feature review of Grand Austria Hotel from Lookout Games and a look back at Chronicle of Crime from Lucky Duck Games. Tony T is back on the scene with another groundbreaking tabletop gaming news segment while the rest of the guys chatter in the background. And Finally the Founders discuss managing a game collection and culling games from said collection. Grand Austria Hotel Overview 01:03:11, Grand Austria Hotel Review 01:07:51, Chronicle of Crime Look Back 01:31:50, News with Tony T 01:38:38, Managing a Game Collection 02:20:08

Direct download: 226SecretCabalGamingPodcast.mp3
Category:general -- posted at: 3:37pm EDT

In episode 70 Jamie and Steve welcome Honorary Founder Dan King the Game Boy Geek to talk about Dan's currently running Kickstarter Campaign, his causal game recommendations for Jamie's family, Jamie's top three Dan King recommendations and Mystery Board Games.

Direct download: 070SecretCabalExpress.mp3
Category:general -- posted at: 10:24pm EDT

It's that time again for another Cabal episode and this time the gang rattles off a bunch of great games the Founders have been playing including The Shining, Bloodborne, Tapestry, Renature, Dice Throne Adventures and By Stealth and Sea. Then Don and Jamie jump into the feature review segment to talk about the brand-new hotness everyone is chirping about, Dwellings of Eldervale and look back at a classic board game everyone should play at least once, Puerto Rico. And of course, as always, Tony T goes bananas in his world-renowned tabletop gaming news segment. And finally, the boys tackle some questions from listeners including topic such as, how has Kickstarter changed us positively and negatively, is the cult of the new a board game only thing and what are some great hidden gems that no one is talking about. Dwellings of Eldervale Overview 01:11:31, Dwellings of Eldervale Review 01:14:34, Puerto Rico Look Back 01:35:15, News with Tony T 01:39:43, Short Topic Extravaganza 02:31:53

Direct download: 225SecretCabalGamingPodcast.mp3
Category:general -- posted at: 2:02am EDT

In episode 47, Bender starts out by talking about his Muppets in space Star Wars campaign and has chosen to switch gaming systems to Star Wars Edge of the Empire from Fantasy Flight Games. Then the Lords take a series of questions form listeners describing problems situations that many role playing groups experience and how they've dealth with them in the past.

Direct download: 047LordsoftheDungeon.mp3
Category:general -- posted at: 1:53am EDT

The Founders are back for another jam-packed episode of The Cabal. The gang jumps into a bunch of games they've been playing including Dice Throne Adventures, Biblios, Risk Legacy update, Etherfields and Slay the Spire. Then Jamie, Don and Chris get into a feature review of Praga Caput Regni by Vladimír Suchý and a double header look back of both Flotilla and Maracaibo. Then after Tony T's news segment, the Founders discuss movies tv shows and intellectual property board games. Overview 00:51:34, Praga Caput Regni Review 00:56:21, Flotilla Look Back 01:18:41, Maracaibo Look Back 01:22:32, News with Tony T 01:25:28, Movies, TV and Board Games 02:16:08

Direct download: 224SecretCabalGamingPodcast.mp3
Category:general -- posted at: 11:59pm EDT

In episode 69 Jamie, Steve and Aaron start out by talking about some video games they've been playing lately including, Slay the Spire and Hell Let Loose and transion into a long discussion about how theme, lore and backstory can enrich the gameplay of many tabletop games.

Direct download: 069SecretCabalExpress.mp3
Category:general -- posted at: 2:36am EDT

Hey Now Cabalists, the Founders are back for another installment of your favorite 3-hour dose of insubordinate nonsense! Today the gang chats up a bunch of awesome games including Risk: Legacy, The Shores of Tripoli, Dwellings of Eldervale, What Do You Meme?, Survive Escape from Atlantis and Tidal Blades: Heroes of the Reef. Then we jump right into a feature review of Aliens: Another Glorious Day in the Corps from Gale Force Nine. Tony T is on point yet again with the most astounding tabletop gaming news segment in the history of tabletop gaming media and the rest of the guys ruin it by cracking wise and pointing out all the mispronunciations. And the crew wraps up the show with another Short Topic Extravaganza featuring the topics of how to make a top 50 favorite games list, do we keep stats of our plays and do the Founders enjoy new games or old games better. Aliens: Another Glorious Day in the Corps Imperium Overview 01:00:37, Aliens: Another Glorious Day in the Corps Review 01:06:14, News with Tony T 01:33:15, Short Topic Extravaganza 02:18:35

Direct download: 223SecretCabalGamingPodcast.mp3
Category:general -- posted at: 1:36am EDT

In episode 46 the gang gets together to talk about Warhammer Fantasy Roleplay 4th Edition from Cubicle 7. The Lords are into their second month of play and give their thoughts on the system so far. Then the group takes a question from a listener regarding adversarial Game Masters and the challenge of combat - what is too much, Death and Dying and the Game Master fairness.

Direct download: 046LordsoftheDungeon.mp3
Category:general -- posted at: 12:26am EDT

It's a brand new year and the Founders and back with another jam packed episode! Today the gang goes on about a bunch of great games including Endeavor Age of Sail, 1960 The Making of the President, Clank! The Mummy's Curse, Glen More 2 Chronicles, Mystery of the Abbey and Everdell. Then Don, Tony and Jamie dive into a feature review of Dune Imperium from Dire Wolf Games and look back at Sanctum from CGE. Then after Tony T gives his world renowned performace as a throughly prepared newsman the guys talk about Reprints, Reimplementations and Nostalgia in board gaming. Dune Imperium Overview 00:59:10, Dune Imperium Review 01:03:21, Sanctum Look Back 01:38:20, News with Tony T 01:45:06, Reprints, Reimplementations and Nostalgia 02:37:04

Direct download: 222SecretCabalGamingPodcast.mp3
Category:general -- posted at: 10:44pm EDT

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