Brainwaves

Oliver is back in the studio giving us a full complement of hosts this week! On Brainwaves Episode 138 we look at awards, shipping issues, a Tempest reising in the industry and look ahead to some conventions Iain is attending.    Headlines   As D’Or Winners announced https://www.tabletopgaming.co.uk/news/french-board-game-award-winners-announced/   Cardboard Edison Awards https://cardboardedison.com/award   Prospero Hall folk start a new studio https://www.linkedin.com/posts/chris-rowlands-9b3209b2_openforwork-activity-7167897574983581696-IkIm/?utm_source=share&utm_medium=member_desktop   https://www.tempestworkshop.com/?trk=public_post-text   News   Shipping woes https://boardgamewire.com/index.php/2024/02/21/this-is-not-going-away-anytime-soon-how-soaring-costs-and-long-delays-from-the-red-sea-shipping-crisis-are-taking-their-toll-on-the-board-game-industry/   Rascal https://www.rascal.news/   Jobs, Opportunities, and Events   https://www.facebook.com/groups/TabletopJobs   Roleplay for Ukraine https://l

The Brainwaves team are back to bring you the best in tabletop gaming news. This cast covers callous corporations, soaring crowdfunding, fantastically diverse awards, and D&D on stage?    Headlines   Hasbro Financials https://boardgamewire.com/index.php/2024/02/13/magic-dd-maker-hasbro-lost-over-1bn-in-q4-predicts-wotc-revenue-decline-in-2024/ https://investor.hasbro.com/financial-information/quarterly-results   Embracer prioritises shareholders https://www.gamedeveloper.com/business/embracer-says-it-s-looking-out-for-shareholders-after-cutting-almost-1-400-jobs?utm_source=dlvr.it&utm_medium=bluesky#close-modal   https://icv2.com/articles/news/view/56241/board-game-sales-down-asmodee-embracer-q3   Gamefound soars https://www.polygon.com/24063935/gamefound-top-10-biggest-board-game-campaigns-2023-kickstarter   https://www.polygon.com/24054381/kickstarter-top-10-biggest-most-backed-board-games-campaigns-2023   https://gamefound.com/en/blog/post/cmon-and-gamefound-announce-exclusive-pact   Updates   So y

It’s the team of Iain and Jamie this episode to bring you all the best, and worst, in tabletop gaming news. From Funko selling off their best asset, to Mojo award winners, we have all the latest breaking news.    Headlines   Funko sells game division https://boardgamewire.com/index.php/2024/01/17/funko-just-sold-its-board-games-assets-and-prospero-hall-design-team-to-rummikub-maker-goliath/ https://boardgamewire.com/index.php/2024/01/19/how-goliath-bought-prospero-halls-game-assets-but-left-its-heart-behind/   RPG controversy https://diyanddragons.blogspot.com/2024/01/xandering-is-slandering.html?m=1   Mojo Nation https://mojo-nation.com/read-the-mojo-nation-100-2024-edition-online-now/ https://mojo-nation.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/01/Mojo-Nation-100-2024-Edition-Digital-Download.pdf   Updates   Evil Genius settles Netflix case https://evilgeniusgames.com/blog/the-netflix-case-been-settled/   Synapse fires up the engines https://jeuxsynapsesgames.com/en/   News   Mythic sends backers to Hel https://www.kick

The Brainwaves Team are back from our festive hiatus. Every two weeks we bring you the best in tabletop gaming news from the controversial to the down right strange. This episode we cover Hasbro’s unwanted Christmas present, Wizards in AI art trouble (again), Tabletop Mentorship programme expanding, and can you guess what Iain thought he would never type into the show notes? Headlines Hasbro cuts workforce in the run-up to Christmas https://www.theguardian.com/business/2023/dec/11/toymaker-hasbro-layoffs   Wizards under fire for AI art. Again https://www.polygon.com/24029754/wizards-coast-magic-the-gathering-ai-art-marketing-image   D&D Beyond on AI https://www.dndbeyond.com/posts/1642-updated-statement-on-ai?utm_campaign=DnD-D%26D-Beyond&utm_source=FACEBOOK&utm_medium=social&utm_content=12126547969   Tabletop Mentorship Programme joins Unpub https://unpub.net/tabletop-mentorship-program-now-part-of-unpub/   Punchboard UK Link https://punchboard.co.uk/ Updates Brooklyn Strategist Unionises htt

The team are back after a longer break between episodes and the tabletop world has been busy. From more art theft, to awards, loads of updates, and unfortunate lawsuits Jamie and Iain bring you the best in tabletop news from across the world in the last Brainwaves of the year!    Headlines   Wizards steals more art https://www.dicebreaker.com/games/magic-the-gathering-game/news/magic-the-gathering-artst-apologises-for-stolen-art-lost-caverns-of-ixalan   https://twitter.com/L_Lanfranconi/status/1725886246176587996?s=20   https://imgur.com/0qW5J62   Embracer in trouble https://kotaku.com/embracer-dead-island-2-remnant-2-layoffs-lord-rings-1851028963   https://boardgamewire.com/index.php/2023/11/21/restructuring-has-started-at-asmodee-as-owner-embracer-group-battles-to-cut-1-4bn-debt-pile/   Dicebreaker Awards https://www.dicebreaker.com/events/tabletop-awards-2023/news/tabletop-awards-2023-finalists   https://www.dicebreaker.com/events/tabletop-awards-2023/news/tabletop-awards-2023-winners   https://www.dicebre

It’s just the two of us, by which I mean Oliver and Iain bringing you the tabletop news this week. This episode we cover the collapse of games companies, the formation of organisations, where you can watch the new D&D TV channel, and much more on episode 133 of Brainwaves.   Headlines   Devil pig down the drain https://boardgamegeek.com/thread/3179322/here-statement-today?fbclid=IwAR31BF_-WUGVuEOJxoNUmuh3MvOPWQEEvX-aREXnvnixXMrNflsSChwqR6E   https://boardgamegeek.com/thread/3176686/devil-pig-team-official-statement   Essen Hacked https://boardgamegeek.com/thread/3179815/looks-essen-messe-have-been-hacked   Tabletop Game Designers Association https://www.ttgda.org/   Updates   Handiwork Games theft update https://handiwork.games/the-loss-of-the-trials-of-the-twin-seas-pallet.html#more-33369   News   Othello solved https://arxiv.org/pdf/2310.19387.pdf   John Wick leaves Chaosium https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/johnwickpresents/7th-sea-second-edition/posts/3955825   Lin Codega and others fired from G/O

It’s a spooky news cast. No not really. Well maybe a bit. At the start. Blame Jamie. This episode of Brainwaves the team bring you a Hasbro heavy episode as that company releases its third quarter earnings, Magic changes its booster format, Wizards starts a TV channel. All this and more in Brainwaves Episode 132.   Headlines   Wizards starting TV channel https://www.polygon.com/23919779/dnd-dungeons-dragons-actual-play-tv-show-encounter-party https://variety.com/2023/digital/news/dungeons-dragons-free-streaming-fast-channel-eone-launch-1235609856/   Hasbro Third Quarter Earnings https://investor.hasbro.com/static-files/a2a2197c-0a07-49c8-8506-34ccf3bee347 https://investor.hasbro.com/static-files/e4ea25ee-9afa-4e94-9467-443df121a4c7   Magic pack change after 29 years https://magic.wizards.com/en/news/making-magic/what-are-play-boosters   News   Paizo Price rises https://paizo.com/community/blog/v5748dyo6sifa?Paizo-Pricing-Sustainability-Update   Snowbright Announces New Award https://www.snowbrightstudio.com/a

Oliver and Iain are back behind the mics after a little hiatus due to holidays and lurgy. We bring you a bumper crop of news from the last month from companies suing netflix to Essen using creep AI, companies closing down, others asking for money and all the news from across the tabletop gaming hobby! All this and more on episode 131 of Brainwaves.    Headlines   Evil Genius sues Netflix regarding Snyder project https://evilgeniusgames.com/press-release/evil-genius-games-sues-netflix-over-rebel-moon-game/   Essen uses AI https://boardgamewire.com/index.php/2023/10/02/the-worlds-biggest-board-game-fair-is-using-ai-art-on-its-tickets-posters-and-app/   Backerkit announces AI policy https://www.backerkit.com/blog/backerkit-ai-policy/?ref=bk_social_100223   Updates   Mythic games go back to the well https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/1162110258/darkest-dungeon-the-board-game/posts/3927462   News   Winner of the Deutscher Spielepreis  https://twitter.com/brettseggel/status/1709490335628345637   Board Game Hub fo

In this edition of Brainwaves the team cover Berserk Games not paying their dues, troubles at Haba, and the continued rise of AI in the hobby. All this, and more, on this episode of Brainwaves.   Headlines   Berserk Games   https://twitter.com/digisprite/status/1700078934769987626   https://boardgamegeek.com/thread/2757485/seeking-help-regarding-berserk-games-resolved-reop   Dicebreaker Article we refer to in the Jamey Stegmaier quote https://www.dicebreaker.com/topics/tabletop-simulator/news/tabletop-simulator-moderation-transphobia-allegation-1   Haba is insolvent   https://www.zeit.de/wirtschaft/unternehmen/2023-09/spielwarenhersteller-haba-familienunternehmen-insolvenz-eigenverwaltung   https://observatorial.com/news/economy/510171/german-toy-manufacturer-haba-filed-for-bankruptcy/   TerrAIforming Mars   https://www.dicebreaker.com/games/terraforming-mars/news/terraforming-mars-expansion-ai-art-criticism   https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/strongholdgames/more-terraforming-mars/description   https://ww

Iain Chantler, Jamie Adams, and Iain McAllister from the Brainwaves team recount their trip to Tabletop Scotland, games played, people seen, and events run! We also discuss the announcement of the 2024 move to Edinburgh.   Games Mentioned (in running order)   Turncoats    Rallyman GT   War of Whispers   Kings Breakfast   Long Shot: The Dice Game   Featherweight Fiesta   Old Kings Crown   Stomp The Plank   Men At Work   Flickfleet   Crokinole   Warhammer Underworlds   Walk The Plank   Chaos in the Old World   Cockroach Poker Companies Mentioned (in running order)   Rent, Shuffle and Roll   Handiwork Games   Nightfall Games   Sleepy Sparrow   Hive Mind Games   Bad Cat Games - Dreamscape   Inspiring Games   Drawn to the Flame   Stuff by Bez   Edinburgh Playtest Group   Glasgow Games Lab

Jamie and Iain are fresh off their trip to Tabletop Scotland and back in the studio with Oliver for a bumper week for news. This episode we cover thefts, accusations of predatory behaviour, and we have an exclusive on Tabletop News regarding their stance on unions. All this, and more, on episode 129 of Brainwaves   Headlines   No Rolls Barred host accused of predatory behaviour (again) https://www.reddit.com/r/boardgames/comments/15wj09c/adam_blampied_is_on_disciplinary_leave_from_no/ https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oLP-nJ7QYuU https://www.patreon.com/posts/message-from-no-88033991 https://twitter.com/Jam_sponge/status/1697547767785066886 https://www.tridentdigitalmedia.co.uk/case-studies/no-rolls-barred/ https://www.independent.co.uk/voices/sexual-harassment-women-life-career-ruined-deserved-adam-blampied-youtube-a8167751.html   Tabletop News hiring, but not if you are part of a Union https://twitter.com/watchtabletop/status/1693722739365089683 https://www.sagaftra.org/files/sa_documents/Strike_Can_Work.pdf

In Brainwaves Episode 128 the team are reporting on a lighter week for news. Gencon is in the spotlight for attendance and theft, Wizards of the Coast are in trouble (again), and the Zenobia awards make a pleasant return. All this, and more, on this episode of Brainwaves.    Headlines   Gencon Breaks attendance record https://gamingtrend.com/news/gen-con-2023-breaks-attendance-record/   Gencon Theft https://www.wrtv.com/news/local-news/crime/impd-seeking-publics-help-in-identifying-2-people-of-interest-who-stole-300-000-worth-of-gaming-cards https://boardgamegeek.com/thread/3133996/designers-game-are-accused-stealing-300000-worth-m   Wizards uses AI art https://www.dndbeyond.com/posts/1525-preview-3-fearsome-frost-giants-from-bigby   https://twitter.com/The_Rembutt/status/1687666168390094848?s=20   https://twitter.com/leidensygdom/status/1687665130048245760   https://giantbrain.co.uk/2022/09/26/on-stage-with-jon-hodgson/   Updates   Embracers mysterious deal partner revealed https://kotaku.com/embracer-saudi-

The team of three are back together to bring you the latest tabletop gaming news. From AI declarations, to new materials, and games becoming tv series becoming games, no news escapes our watchful eye.    Headlines   Kickstarter walks the line on AI https://updates.kickstarter.com/introducing-our-new-ai-policy/?ref=ksr_email_mktg_AIPOLICY_2023-08-01&lid=ntvmpknk03hh   Drivethru lays out policy on AI https://www.belloflostsouls.net/2023/07/drivethrurpg-brings-down-the-ban-hammer-on-ai-written-content.html   https://help.onebookshelf.com/hc/en-us/articles/12780748778135-Product-Standards-Guidelines#note-0-16   CGE announces Rewood https://czechgames.com/en/home/news-23-07-27-introducing-re-wood/#left   Updates   Petersen Games joins up with Catalyst Games Labs https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/petersengames/cthulhu-wars-the-daemon-sultan/posts/3874477?ref=android_update_share   Chai: Tea for 2 still steeping https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/strider88/chai-tea-for-2a-tea-board-game-duel/posts/3870641  

Oliver has been on special assignment in Germany attending the Spiel des Jahres ceremony! To celebrate the award, and to learn more about it, we bring you interviews with the winners and with a member of the jury, Martina Fuchs. Never fret though, the cast is still full of the good, bad, and ugly news of the industry.    Headlines   Spiel des Jahres Special https://www.spiel-des-jahres.de/   Martina Fuchs https://www.spiel-des-jahres.de/en/the-jury/martina-fuchs/ https://twitter.com/MissBayBee_de   Fox & Bear Podcast https://www.fuxundbaer.de/   Updates   Upper Deck vs Ravensburger https://twitter.com/Paul_Lesko/status/1677298938091560960?s=20   Petersen Games Pallet Peace https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/petersengames/cthulhu-wars-the-daemon-sultan/posts/3863193?ref=android_update_share   Naylor Games move closer to delivering ITB projects https://gamefound.com/projects/naylorgames/itb-delivery   News   IGDN Awards https://www.igdnonline.com/groundbreakers?fbclid=IwAR2lnxvjldws-l71nMA_XoF7RuuMGrvogk8

The team of Iain and Jamie are in the studio this week to bring you the latest in Kickstarter woes, AI writers, and blockchain backtracking. We bring you the best in tabletop gaming industry news so you don’t have to go looking.   Headlines   Petersen games in Pallet wars https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/petersengames/cthulhu-wars-the-daemon-sultan/posts/3846716?fbclid=IwAR2WeExpT79HKXZ6ZWoC7IVl8JX-jIqUK560YoYAJWVB8gw8Y6uN8pQprrk   https://boardgamegeek.com/thread/3108824/data-breach-us-os4-backers   Gizmodo welcomes AI Overlords https://twitter.com/lincodega/status/1676704648139362307?s=46 https://gizmodo.com/a-chronological-list-of-star-wars-movies-tv-shows-1850592566   Kickstarter steers away from Blockchain https://www.polygon.com/23778387/kickstarter-blockchain-controversy-community-advisory-council News   One Ring has been found https://www.polygon.com/23779892/mtg-the-one-ring-found-how-much-price-spain   Ennie Award Nominees https://ennie-awards.com/2023-nominees/   Game Crafter gets into Wareh

Iain is off dealing with problems in the basement of the HQ so it is up to Jamie and Oliver to bring you the latest tabletop news. This episode we cover Embracer reversing course, nuTSR’s story coming to an end, Quackalope under more fire, studios forming and closing and much more!    Headlines   Embracer layoffs https://boardgamewire.com/index.php/2023/06/13/asmodee-owner-embracer-group-to-make-layoffs-to-help-tackle-1-5bn-debt-pile/   https://embracer.com/releases/open-letter-by-embracer-group-ceo-on-restructuring-program/   https://embracer.com/releases/embracer-group-announces-comprehensive-restructuring-program-with-immediate-implementation/   nuTSR goes under https://twitter.com/BrainClouds/status/1668485643532378113?t=LJW7ESGnJWay3ogLVhASxQ&s=19   ITU issue new statement https://drive.google.com/file/d/1eweFqyYmmzUBA0OuPMp6w6FusbDHdw60/view   News   Asmodee opens European Distribution Hub https://boardgamewire.com/index.php/2023/06/22/asmodee-launches-new-distribution-business-to-get-english-titles

Tim Clare has had a varied career. Poet, writer, podcaster, writing course designer and teacher, tabletop critic and podcaster. His podcast "Death of 1000 cuts" is a fascinating insight into writers and writing. I first came across Tim through his writing boot camps and he is a guest I've been looking forward to getting on the show.  Having previously worked in fiction with "The Honours" and "The Ice House", Tim has recently turned his attention to the world of non-fiction and subject of Anxiety. His most recent work is called 'Coward: Why we get Anxious and what we can do about it. To talk about that and his love of the tabletop hobby I invited Tim along to the GB HQ for a chat.  Subjects Mentioned Coward: Why we get anxious and what we can do about it Airecon UK Games Expo Walking in Burano (Roll & Write) Joraku Festival of 1000 cats Dracula Dossier Santorini Jacob Geller Rhystic Studies Martin Lotze Episode of death of 1000 cuts Project Nisei - Now called Null Signal Games   Tim’s Twitter Death of 1000

Iain and Oliver bring you the latest tabletop news from around the world. Upper Deck sues Ravensburger, we speak to the winner of the Cardboard Edison award, UK Games Expo report, and stamps for the Emperor!    Headlines   Upper Deck sues Ravenburger http://upperdeck.com/Corporate/News-And-Events/2023-06-07.aspx?fbclid=IwAR23uaH-lm-nn0wq8fdfjSiF3iic2ckQdBgIkS8e9WLkWdCLH5WPsL0Y2vY   Paul Lesko analysis https://twitter.com/paul_lesko/status/1666487311943495681?s=46&t=v9SXGFVIWqrzDczbh8j44Q   Cardboad Edison Award Winner Announced https://cardboardedison.com/award https://twitter.com/saeru http://diatomsthegame.com http://ludoliminal.com http://instagram.com/ludoliminal https://www.google.com/search?q=diatom+mosaics UK Games Expo https://www.ukgamesexpo.co.uk/ https://www.linkedin.com/feed/update/urn:li:activity:7071393453913366528   Games Expo RPG controversy https://twitter.com/Aryl_Ether/status/1666030601378340864?s=20   Expo response https://twitter.com/UKGamesExpo/status/1666425856657444865?s=20   Updat

All 3 of the team are back in the studio to cover the latest tabletop controversies! This episode we cover things that go Quack in the night, Spiel des Jahres, important people putting their foot in it, financials, and much more!    Headlines   Quacaklope and Aeon Trespass Odyssey   The original call out on reddit https://www.reddit.com/r/boardgames/comments/13mm6tw/creators_of_aeon_trespass_odyssey_call_out/   The Horrible Truth about Aeon Trespass Odyssey review https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uNcXpNoTRe0   Jesse’s original response https://boardgamegeek.com/thread/3086551/quackalope-ato-video-youtubers-relationship-publis/page/3   Into the Unknown statement https://drive.google.com/file/d/1tXH4U1eCTBjQ7h8qng_-dDpW54tZRvWm/view?usp=drivesdk   Iain’s thoughts on the divide between sponsorship and critic https://giantbrain.co.uk/2022/06/08/class-acts-what-sort-of-content-creator-are-you/   Boardgameco video https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eIZ9QXxDolE   Jesse’s video statement  https://youtu.be/YgxJT0vGrak   S

In the latest episode of Brainwaves we dive into the troubles of Mythic Games, the sad demise of another company, Awards news from both sides of the pond, and Pokemon as an antique!    Headlines   Mythic games issues https://boardgamewire.com/index.php/2023/05/04/exclusive-mythic-games-rejects-bankrupcty-fears-in-wake-of-6-siege-kickstarter-turmoil/ https://info.mythicgames.net/6siege-boardgame-faq   Grimlord Games goes into Administration Village Attacks: Grim Dynasty by Grimlord Games - A Statement from Grimord Games - Gamefound   17th Annual Golden Geek Award Winners Announced https://boardgamegeek.com/thread/3080060/17th-annual-golden-geek-winners-2022   Updates   Zak S vs. Gencon https://twitter.com/SarahDarkmagic/status/1656808513283260416/photo/1   News   UK Games Expo 2023 Judges Choice Awards https://www.ukgamesexpo.co.uk/whats-on/uk-games-expo-awards/   Rebellion acquires Tunnels and Trolls https://rebellionunplugged.com/rebellion-acquires-trailblazing-tunnels-trolls-rpg/   Root Movie https://boardg