This month, we wrap up our retrospective of Fantasy Flight Games, and unfortunately, this month's events aren't quite as positive as last month's. Hope you still enjoy the episode! www.ascentofboardgames.com/e/episode-81...

Even though this is episode number 81, due to the number of two-parters we've put out, this is actually our 100th episode. So...yay us, I guess? www.ascentofboardgames.com/e/episode-81...

This month we present the first part of our retrospective on Fantasy Flight Games, which is subtitled "The Rise". You may be able to guess what's coming next month... www.ascentofboardgames.com/e/episode-81...

Just finished recording our June episode...this one's a little bit different, but hopefully you'll enjoy it!

This month, we do a deep dive into the games of the esteemed Antoine Bauza (@toinito.bsky.social ), who released two SdJ-winning games in one year (and also a lot of other cool games). Come listen to us talk about them (and badly mispronounce some French)! www.ascentofboardgames.com/e/episode-80...

We return to complete our overview of sandbox games, including (surprise surprise) at least one that stretches the definition. (Yes, it's Frank's fault.) Join us, won't you? www.ascentofboardgames.com/e/episode-79...

We're back, this time to talk about "sandbox games" - games that have bigger maps and/or more content than you can possibly explore in a single game, but which aren't built as long campaign or legacy games. We hope you like it! www.ascentofboardgames.com/e/episode-79...

Playing through The Lord of the Rings: The Two Towers – Trick-Taking Game. We've just reached Helm's Deep and - appropriately - we've hit a wall. But we're loving it! @bbornmueller.bsky.social is a fiendish genius.

Despite my computer's best efforts to destroy this episode, it's out! Join us as we discuss games where one or more players are looking to win the game in a completely different way from everyone else. www.ascentofboardgames.com/e/episode-78...

Get great game stuff at a discount AND help folks dealing with the ICE storm in Minnesota!

Well, now that THAT's over with (THAT being 2025), it's time to see what we're looking forward to in 2026. A list of our hopes and dreams for the new year, shared with all of our beloved listeners. www.ascentofboardgames.com/e/episode-77...

It's time to look back at our favorite board games and game-related stuff from The Year That Was. What were your favorites from 2025? www.ascentofboardgames.com/e/episode-76...

Just played our first game of La Pâtisserie Rococo, sadly too late to make our year-end wrap-up episode. It feels (unsurprisingly) like Rococo with a lot of the rough edges filed off, and generally seems quite good. Looking forward to playing it again!

We conclude - for now - our discussion on video games that have been turned into board games. Plus, we uncover the solution to a mystery that has been haunting us for far too long! (A month. It's been a month.) www.ascentofboardgames.com/e/episode-75...

Episode 75 is here, as we start examining computer games that were turned into board games...with varying degrees of success. www.ascentofboardgames.com/e/episode-75...

Dungeons & Dragons Lords of Waterdeep: Scoundrels of Skullport Expansion 10% off and part of the save $10 when you spend $50 sale #ad amzn.to/420IYrq

We welcome September in with a deep dive into the board game designs of Richard Garfield. He did a lot more than just Magic, y'all! www.ascentofboardgames.com/e/episode-74...

We've back to finish what we began, discussing more recent developments in the world of trick-taking games. Once again, we apologize for the number of times that this topic requires us to say the word "trump." www.ascentofboardgames.com/e/episode-73...

Welcome to part 1 of our overview of trick-taking games! We apologize for the number of times that this topic requires us to say the word "trump." www.ascentofboardgames.com/e/episode-73...

This month we're talking about games with a social/political message. It's not JUST because it's Pride Month in the USA, and it's not JUST because tariffs are wreaking havoc on the board game industry...but it's not NOT because of those things, either. www.ascentofboardgames.com/e/episode-72...

We're back, and so is Brian's voice! We finish our digression into TTRPGs (including lots of love for @bullypulpithq.bsky.social and @rowanrookanddecard.bsky.social ). Come back for more of our traditional board game nonsense next month! www.ascentofboardgames.com/e/episode-71...

I know, I know, we said we weren't going to do the "Ascent of Role-Playing Games" thing. And we're not! But there ARE a bunch of role-playing games that have some interesting mechanics, and we're going to be talking about those this month and next. www.ascentofboardgames.com/e/episode-71...

That's right, folks, it's episode 70! Do I hear 75? No? Episode 70, going once, going twice...sold to the discerning podcast listener! www.ascentofboardgames.com/e/episode-70...

This is episode 69. We're discussing sex games. We're sorry. (Except Joe...Joe isn't sorry at all.) www.ascentofboardgames.com/e/episode-69...

It's 2025! We're not all dead yet! Let's talk about some board games we're looking forward to for the year ahead! www.ascentofboardgames.com/e/episode-68...

A great list of great boardgame folks on Bluesky to follow, individually or en masse!

We're back with our year-end countdown! What games did each of us enjoy the most in 2024? www.ascentofboardgames.com/e/episode-67...

Hey folks! After a long time of letting it lie fallow, we're relaunching our Discord server, and we'd love for you to join! Come chat with like-minded nerds about board games, our episodes, or whatever game-adjacent nonsense takes your fancy (within reason). Find us at discord.gg/tdH3QAn

Now that everyone's hopped up on sugar (and/or in a sugar crash coma), let's finish our discussion of party games! www.ascentofboardgames.com/e/episode-66...

Anyone looking for a short, creepy game for the Hallowdays might want to check out Victim Complex (store.steampowered.com/app/2840800/...) - and as a bonus, you can hear me voice an annoying jerk of a landlord!

Scheduling struggles and power outages mean this episode is a bit on the short side, but there will be more next month. In the meantime, welcome to the party! www.ascentofboardgames.com/e/episode-66...

We *just* missed this during our episode on 2-player war games - the resurrection of a 1950s chess-like WWII-era boardgame by Kurt Vonnegut. (Yes, that Kurt Vonnegut.) Great review as always from @danthurot.bsky.social !

This month, we talk about two-player games of the fighty variety - only 22 episodes after we talked about two-player games of the non-fighty variety! www.ascentofboardgames.com/e/episode-65...

It's a bit late on the East Coast, but Episode 64 is finally out, featuring a deep dive into the works of Vlaada Chvátil! www.ascentofboardgames.com/e/episode-64...

Legendary early D&D artist Darlene (remember the original Greyhawk map? That was her work) is running a GoFundMe to make critically needed restorations to her century-old home. Please help if you can! www.gofundme.com/f/save-queen...

Ooh! I am a big fan of Freelancers and Forgotten Waters, and the latest entry in the series looks like another winner! www.kickstarter.com/projects/pla...

Hey you! It's your turn to listen to The Ascent of Board Games, so get on it! This month, we discuss the many ways of determining turn order. Enjoy! www.ascentofboardgames.com/e/episode-63...

We conclude our deep dive into Kingdom Death: Monster, including pros and cons, its effects on board gaming, and arguments about glue. Enjoy! www.ascentofboardgames.com/e/episode-62...

What's your sign?

Get ready, folks - it's time for a deep dive into the weird, challenging, and sometimes disturbingly sexy Kingdom Death: Monster! www.ascentofboardgames.com/e/episode-62...

Quinns is not wrong. Anyone with any interest in TTRPG design or philosophy needs to be listening to this podcast.

Happy April! We're not supposed to talk DURING these games, but it won't stop us from talking ABOUT them. www.ascentofboardgames.com/e/episode-61...

New episode! More wildlife games, more disagreements with popular opinion, more nonsense! You know, the usual. www.ascentofboardgames.com/e/episode-60...

Happy February, ya animals! Here's an episode on wildlife games, where you can hear why some of us hate games everyone else seems to love. Also salmon, butterflies, and more Phil Eklund. www.ascentofboardgames.com/e/episode-60...

Happy New Year! Here's a new episode talking about new games with a new cohost and a new...well, no, frankly, it's the same old attitude as before. Some things don't need to change. www.ascentofboardgames.com/e/episode-59...

I'm editing our next episode, and folks...I didn't think it was possible, but we have a new cast member that giggles louder, longer, and more often than Jayson. Prepare yourselves.

Finally got to play The Fox Experiment, and I quite like it.

Man, this is a GREAT deal. If only I didn't already own all of it.

Here's the remainder of our Best of 2023 list, with each of us naming our top 3 games we played this year. What game shows up on the most lists? Why does Frank always cheat with his #1 pick? Listen and find out!

Welcome to our 2023 year-end countdown...or at least the first 40% of it! www.ascentofboardgames.com/e/episode-58...