In this lovely 18th episode of the HEX&CUBE podcast, I invite my friend Jeremy Lounds on to have a little chat about abstract games. We get into the usual conversation about cashew milk and our fragile, old-man bodies.

Jeremy's Game "Duwen"
Jeremy's Twitter


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Welcome (00:18)
Get to know Jeremy (02:10)
Ode and Game Design(11:18)
DECO and Abstract games (16:53)
Outro - (54:49)

Wow. What an enjoyable episode! I had a blast talking with Andreas Odendahl (Ode). We talked about Helmets, chickens, and even board games. I learned that censoring can actually be fun, and that Suchy is lazy (Ode's words, not mine). :D We got to talk about Ode's approach to designing and about his game, Cooper Island. This is a long'n, but an oh-so-good'n.


"Ode's Box of Games" Facebook Page
Ode's Twitter
Ode's Instagram


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Welcome (00:18)
Get to know....Ode! (00:56)
Ode and Game Design(23:30)
Cooper Island (45:43)
Outro - (1:31:43)

In this laborious 16th episode of the HEX&CUBE podcast, Luke and I hang out while working; working on this amazing episode, that is! I lie about when this episode would be live and Luke sands a table during part of the episode. It's wonderful how well he can multitask! In between the carpentry and deceit, we chat about worker placement games and my pretentious clarification of the term "action selection". I hope you enjoy!

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Welcome (00:18)
News (1:23)
Kickstarter News - Maquis (2:07)
Game Night - Barrage, Caylus, Hansa Tuetonica, City of the Big Shoulders, Gugong, Concordia: Venus  (8:35)
Topic - Worker Placement (27:09)
Outro - (1:31:43)

In this workshop episode, Kyle is joined by Jonathan Weaver to talk about narrative in games. Jonathan takes us on an enlightening journey in which Kyle discovers that he has been in love with narrative in games all along....or has he? That's for you to decide, and for me to find out. This episode is half-full of agreeable groans. Enjoy!

* Jonathan's Twitter * (Right click and open in new window)



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Welcome (00:17)
Introducing: Jonathan Weaver (2:40)
A Conversation on Narrative (13:22)
Outro - (1:03:36)

Merry New Year! In this episode Kyle, Joe, and Luke chat about balancing unicorns and some village people. They also share some of their favs from 2020, which is difficult when you didn't play anything that came out that year, as well as some games that they're looking forward to in 2021, which is the year we are currently in if you were unaware. Which I was. Where am I?

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Welcome (00:20)
News (2:24)
Kickstarter News - Darwin's Journey (5:00)
Game Night - Villagers, Yokohama, Unicorn Glitterluck: Cloud Stacking   (9:32)
Topic - Favorite games of 2020, and games we're excited about for 2021 (22:01)
Outro - (1:27:41)

There are four seasons in a Midwestern year, and this is the last episode of our first season.

Sorry, that was probably confusing.

In this final episode of Season 1, Kyle brings Luke and Michael back on the show to give Descent more credit than it's due, and to also talk about old games. We talk a little about the excellence that is El Grande and how the Chess is still good after all these years. If both parties are willing to work at it, you can keep the fire alive through anything!

I genuinely am grateful for all the support thus far, and I'm really excited about the future of the show. Let's get it.

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Welcome (00:20)
News (1:19)
Kickstarter News - Citta-Stato (4:46)
Game Night - Alhambra, Brick & Mortar, Sagrada/Azul/Point Salad(11:10)
Topic - Old Games(32:58)
Outro - (1:39:59)

In this beautiful 12th episode of the HEX&CUBE podcast, Kyle figuratively and presumably literally sits down with Mark Swanson to talk about his game Feudum. They explore some of Mark's approach to this design, some challenges he faced, and his experience with Kickstarter. If you enjoy the warm, sultry voices of guests matched with the shrill, hesitations of the host, you're gonna love this episode.

FOLLOW MARK'S ADVENTURES!

Mark's Facebook Page (Right click and open in new window)

Mark's Publishing Company (Right click and open in new window)

Mark's BGG Designer Page (Right click and open in new window)



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Welcome (00:19)
Introducing: Mark Swanson (0:38)
A Look at Feudum (9:06)
Outro - (53:41)

By golly, we have made it to episode 11! George Lucas would be proud! I am joined for the first time by friend of the podcast, Luke Rensink, a fellow heavy-game lover and game designer. We talk about some okay games and some great games in our game night segment, and then transition into a discussion about some of our favorite designers, like Kenneth Johnson and Merle Robbins. Hey, how about your John Hancock?!

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Welcome (00:20)
Luke's Origin Story (1:39)
News (7:42)
Game Night - Yokohama, Haspelknecht, On Mars(11:42)
Topic - Favorite Designers(42:56)
Outro - (1:54:21)