The Cardboard Mechanics

Apr 29 2023 12 ep. 56 mins 10
The Cardboard Mechanics Podcast artwork

Aaron Wilson and John Prather take a look under the hood of board games and talk about the mechanisms and narratives that drive board game design. Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/cardboardmechanics/support

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Episode 12 - First of Season 2 - More like Fun-building. Amirite?

Apr 29 2023 61 mins  
Episode 12 - First of Season 2 - More like Fun-building. Amirite? In this 12th episode (and first for 2023) John and Aaron talk about Deckbuilding and John's obsession with Dominion. Games we mention: Dominion Starcraft The Board Game 2007 Ascension Star Realms Eternal Clank: In Space Quest for Eldorado/Salmon Run Heat Flamme Rouge Few Acres of Snow Undaunted: Normandy Tyrant

Episode 11 - Season 1 Wrap - Tip of the Iceberg

Dec 23 2022 37 mins  
In this 11th and final episode of Season 1, John and Aaron touch on the things covered in 2022 and what lies ahead for Season 2 in 2023. Intro/outro music by Sickabod Follow us on the Twitter! (And now Hive also) @Cardboard_Mechs @internetsmagic @anygrytetris --- Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/cardboardmechanics/support

Episode 10 - Just Flat Out Tiles

Oct 15 2022 71 mins  
In this epic 10th episode John and Aaron welcome Shawn Stankewich of Flatout Games, to talk about tile the placement mechanism and Flatout's upcoming real-time tile placement game, Fit To Print by Peter McPherson. Games we mention: Cascadia  Carcassonne Orx My City Terraforming Mars Ark Nova Tsuro Karuba Whistle stop Azul Go Vegas Showdown Patchwork A Feast for Odin Cottage G

Episode 9 - My Father's Worker Placement

Jul 31 2022 59 mins  
In this 9th episode John and Aaron welcome TC Petty the 3rd to talk about his new game My Father's Work, among many other games that successfully utilize a worker placement mechanism. Games we mention: My Father's Work Twilight Imperium 4th edition Russian Railroads Agricola Lords Of Waterdeep The River Mint Works Anachrony Viva Java Energy Empire: Manhattan Project Tzolkin Chimer

Episode 8 - Take Stock!

Jun 16 2022 71 mins  
In this 8th episode John and Aaron talk about stock holding games with guest, Ryan Courtney. Games we talk about: Bear Raid Stockpile Vegas Showdown Please Fix the Teleporter 18XX - 1830/22/46/ches Cube Rails - Chicago Express/Irish Gauge/German Railways/Union Station Stocks and Bonds (1964) LCR Acquire 504/Power Grid Startups Mystic Market Mars Needs Mechanics Jaipur Reef Encount

Episode 7 - Should I stay or should I go?

May 13 2022 80 mins  
In this 7th episode John and Aaron talk about Push/Press your Luck games with guest, Tony Miller. Games we talk about: Blackjack The Split Can't Stop Deep Sea Adventure Clank! Incan Gold Quacks of Quedlinburg Yatzee Escape: the curse of the temple The Grizzled Arkham Horror the card game No Thanks! Coloretto  Abyss Cardcassone Biblios Fire in the Library Captain Carcass Megala

Episode 6 - So much More to talk about

Apr 06 2022 38 mins  
In this 6th episode John and Aaron take a deep dive into Glen More and talk about its main mechanic of going around in a square. Intro/outro music by Sickabod Follow us on the Twitter! @Cardboard_Mechs @internetsmagic @anygrytetris Learn MORE about Glen More and Glen More 2 by Matthias Cramer on Board Game Geek --- Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/ca

Episode 5 - The Mechanic that Gets Better with Age

Mar 25 2022 43 mins  
In this 5th episode John and Aaron talk about the world of time tracks Intro/outro music by Sickabod Follow us on the Twitter! @Cardboard_Mechs @internetsmagic @anygrytetris The games we mention: Seeland (2010) Rocky Road à la Mode (2017) Kraftwagen (2015) Glen More (2010) Circle the Wagons (2017) Tokaido (2012) PARKS (2019) Patchwork (2014) World of Warcraft Miniatures Game (2008

Episode 4 - The Ouroboros of Board Games

Feb 13 2022 52 mins  
In this 4th episode John and Aaron talk about the world of rondels Intro/outro music by Sickabod Follow us on the Twitter! @Cardboard_Mechs @internetsmagic @anygrytetris The games we mention: Teotihuacan: City of Gods (2018) Viscounts of the West Kingdom (2020) Mystery of the Temples (2017) Round House (2016) Antike II (2014) Watch (2021) Sovereign Skies (2020) The Networks (

Episode 3 - Sovereign Skies deep dive

Jan 24 2022 60 mins  
In this 3rd episode John and Aaron talk about the mechanics of Sovereign Skies. Learn more about Sovereign Skies: https://youtu.be/CA-KBl4KWyc https://www.deepwatergaming.com/products/sovereign-skies Intro/outro music by Sickabod Follow us on the Twitter! @Cardboard_Mechs @internetsmagic @anygrytetris --- Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/cardboard