Gen Con 2020: HABA Games with T. Caires
For Gen Con online, we interview T from HABA about a few of their new releases: 5er Finden, Cloaked Cats, Barnyard Bunch, and new Animal upon Animal sets.
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Gen Con 2020: Gamewright with Nora
It’s been a weird Gen Con, but Gamewright still has a ton of games to show us! Check out the interview about some of our new favorites and their events Gen Con weekend.
» Read moreGen Con 2020: Funko Games with Jess Aceti
Funko Games has more new releases than we can deal with! We talk to Jess Aceti about just a few of our favorites.
» Read moreGen Con 2018: Travis Drake – Brouhaha Games
Brouhaha Games is a brand-new publisher, focused on making family-friendly games with a Halloween theme. We talked to Travis Drake, Creative Director, at Gen Con 2018. Check out their first game, Pumpkin Patch: Bad Seeds, on Kickstarter now. Pumpkin Patch: Bad Seeds On Kickstarter through Thursday, August 9 for only $9 (plus shipping)! 10-15 minute abstract game 1-3 players, kid-friendly
» Read moreGen Con 2018: Ryan Laukat – Red Raven Games
Nick talked to Ryan Laukat, of Red Raven Games. What were they promoting at Gen Con? Amber Mines expansion to Near and Far just released. This expands the mine for exploration and adds spells and new characters. There’s also a co-op mode, where everyone’s scores are added together, but as the game continues, the score needed is higher. Megaland –
» Read moreGen Con 2018: Randy Hoyt – Foxtrot Games
Randy Hoyt from Foxtrot Games was kind enough to talk to Nick at Gen Con. Foxtrot Games big hit this year is Spy Club. Nick also asked about his first-ever trick-taking game, The Fox in the Forest. Spy Club This is a cooperative game for 2-4 “junior detectives”. Hand management and set collection to solve a mystery. You can play
» Read moreGen Con 2018: Maxime Tardif – Sphere Games
At Gen Con, we talked to Maxime Tardif of Sphere Games. Sphere Games is a small publisher based in Quebec, Canada. Mini Diver City – in pre-release (will be available in October). 1-7 players are divers that save species from extinction. Plays in 15-20 minutes and only costs $20. Twist: you hold your cards face-out. You cannot see what is
» Read moreGen Con 2018: Jonathan Chaffer – Designer
Jonathan Chaffer talked with us about two of his games, both present at Gen Con 2018. Filler Published by Green Couch Games. It is a filler game, about 20 minutes long. It’s about filling pastries: “I believe in pun-first design.” Hand-building game: you’re trying to put more cards in your hand, but unlike a deck-builder, you don’t have to shuffle
» Read moreGen Con 2018: Jon Mietling – Portal Dragon Games
Jon Mietling from Portal Dragon Games talked to our roving reporter, Nick, at Gen Con. Palm Island Palm Island is a unique game that plays completely in the palm of your hand. Play solo, cooperatively, or competitively. Each card has 4 states (top & bottom on each side of the card), and there are only 17 cards in the entire
» Read moreGen Con 2018: JC Dorais – FoxMind Games
We talk to JC Dorais of FoxMind Games about what they were promoting at Gen Con 2018. Originally, FoxMind was known for educational games, but they’ve been increasing their catalog of family games. (Easy to teach, affordable, colorful.) Here’s some of their newest: The Potion – a microgame for 3-7 players. Deduction and bluffing, packaged in a small bottle! Acrylic
» Read moreGen Con 2018: Jason Kotarski – Green Couch Games
Nick was able to grab Jason Kotarski from Green Couch Games and talk about what they’ve been doing at Gen Con. Before the Earth Explodes – the newest offering from Green Couch Games. Designed by Daryl Andrews and Adrian Adamescu, who also designed Sagrada. Two player head-to-head, rock-paper-scissors style play with four ways to win. Best Treehouse Ever: Forest of
» Read moreGen Con 2018: David Gerrard – Junk Spirit Games
Nick caught up with David Gerrard of Junk Spirit Games at Gen Con. Here are a few games they are excited about: Tyler Sigman’s Crows – Tyler Sigman is the designer of the video game “Darkest Dungeon”. This card game has been revamped and polished since its first version in 2010. By the Order of the Queen – an introduction
» Read moreGen Con 2018: Chris Leder – Calliope Games Preview!
Chris Leder spoke to us about upcoming games for Calliope Games! All three of these games are due to come out before the end of 2018. Everyone Loves a Parade! by Mike Mulvihill Spymaster by Seth Johnson Ship Shape by Rob Daviau Like this? Listen to more short interviews.
» Read moreGen Con 2018: Chris Leder – Calliope Games – The Mansky Caper
Chris Leder sat down with our roving reporter, Nick, to talk about Calliope’s big hit of Gen Con: The Mansky Caper. Ken Franklin is finally seeing his dream come true: The Mansky Caper, which he designed, is finally seeing the light of day. This is definitely not a cooperative game. Big Al Mansky is the biggest, meanest mobster in the
» Read moreGen Con 2018: Allen Chang – Rule & Make Games
We got a chance to talk to Allen Chang, creative director of Rule & Make Games, about a few of the games they have currently available, and what is coming out soon. Rule & Make is a publisher based in Australia. They make a variety of games: from family-weight to heavier hobbyist games. Family Games Robots and Rockets – a
» Read moreGarden Nation – Smurf Skyscraper Strategy
Clans of tiny woodland people join together to build a new Garden Nation – but each clan wants to reign supreme by constructing the best buildings.
» Read moreGAP
There has been no shortage of clever family-weight card games over the past couple of years, and for us, GAP is another welcome addition to this category of games.
» Read moreGameschool for the Boring Parts (Math and ELA – Part 4 of 4)
The 3 Rs (Reading, wRiting, and aRithmetic) are a huge part of elementary school, even at older ages. Can games make these “boring” subjects more fun?
» Read moreGames for US History and Geography (Gameschooling Part 3)
Science isn’t the only place that games can help! Our social studies curriculum this year was US history and geography, with a concentration on local Massachusetts history, culture, and geography. Could we use games to reinforce these lessons too?
» Read moreGames for Science! (Gameschooling Part 2)
Last week, I explained why we are using games to supplement our first year of homeschooling. We had the most success adding games to our studies in science.
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