Brainwaves Episode 165 - Diamond Heist

Jamie’s off boating around, no really, so it’s just Oliver and Iain in the studio this week. On episode 165 of Brainwaves they cover Diamond Heists, Spiel Des Jahres, more trouble for CMON and D&D moving to a franchise model, whatever that means. 

 

Headlines

 

Diamond Distribution go on a heist

https://www.gofundme.com/f/support-green-ronin-in-critical-legal-defense?attribution_id=sl:0591297a-c303-4ba5-a93c-3b7bd62227df&lang=en_US&ts=1752187231&utm_campaign=fp_sharesheet&utm_content=amp13_c-amp14_t2-amp15_t1&utm_medium=customer&utm_source=copy_link&v=amp14_t2

 

https://icv2.com/articles/news/view/60060/numerous-objections-diamonds-hostage-inventory-plan?utm_source=dlvr.it&utm_medium=bluesky

Draughts union plans

Rascal report: https://www.rascal.news/draughts-workers-celebrated-a-unanimous-strike-vote-with-a-rally-and-a-police-visit/

UVW statement: https://www.uvwunion.org.uk/en/disputes/were-not-playing-anymore/

Strike fund: https://www.uvwunion.org.uk/en/donate/

 

Spiel des Jahres Award Winners

https://www.spiel-des-jahres.de/aktuelle-preistraeger-2025/

https://www.spiel-des-jahres.de/das-spiel-des-jahres-2025-heisst-bomb-busters/

https://www.spiel-des-jahres.de/preisverleihung-2025-ich-dachte-das-koennte-etwas-werden

 

News

 

CMON announces cancellation of Degenesis: Clan Wars Gamefound campaign after breakdown in relationship

https://boardgamewire.com/index.php/2025/07/04/cmon-announces-cancellation-of-degenesis-clan-wars-gamefound-campaign-after-breakdown-in-relationship-legal-dispute-with-ip-holder/

 

https://gamefound.com/en/projects/cmon/degenesis-clan-wars/updates/43

 

https://www.goonhammer.com/games-industry-news-roundup-july-8th-2025/

 

Asmodee partners with Maestro

https://www.tabletopgaming.co.uk/news/asmodee-launches-a-new-partnership-with-maestro-media/

 

https://maestromedia.com/blogs/news/asmodee-usa-announces-exclusive-distribution-partnership-with-maestro-media?srsltid=AfmBOoqJAC0wnG3lfCmhalOgqifajKstu7Jzb2AkDTcYinp-Fg2ZM_jj

 

https://icv2.com/articles/news/view/59936/maestro-media-strikes-exclusive-distro-deal-asmodee

 

D&D moves to a franchise model

https://www.linkedin.com/posts/dan-ayoub-0479491_dungeonsanddragons-dnd-gamedevelopment-activity-7348517655173054464-a2W3?utm_source=share&utm_medium=member_android&rcm=ACoAAAzo-SsBsPeDaLi3-DsTkFrdOApKJU-qNAc

 

Tycoon Games acquires Gamelyn Games

https://boardgamegeek.com/blog/1/blogpost/175835/tycoon-games-acquires-gamelyn-games

 

https://icv2.com/articles/news/view/59970/tycoon-acquires-gamelyn-brand