Episode 011: Board Game Potpourri 2 - Live Service Fatigue and the Joy of Self-Contained Games
After nearly a year hiatus, hosts Brandon and Steve return to discuss their evolving relationship with games, both digital and tabletop. From one host's complete departure from Magic: The Gathering after Modern Horizons 3 to discovering gaming gems like Balatro and Spirit Island, this episode explores the tension between live-service games and self-contained experiences. Brandon also reveals his exciting new venture into board game design, sharing insights from their development process and what they've learned about creating replayable, elegant game experiences.
From new gaming setups and RGB regrets to cooperative gaming perfection and sandbox design philosophy, this episode covers the highs and lows of a year spent rediscovering what makes games truly engaging.
TIMESTAMPS:
(00:00) Welcome back and new gaming setups
(05:30) Magic: The Gathering - Modern Horizons 3 fallout
(12:15) Live service game fatigue discussion
(18:45) Games-as-a-service vs self-contained experiences
(22:30) Deadlock - the fallen MOBA episode
(25:15) Baldur's Gate 3 couch co-op excellence
(28:15) Factorio Space Age expansion deep dive
(35:20) Balatro - poker-themed perfection
(42:10) Arcs - Cole Wehrle's sandbox masterpiece
(48:30) Trick-taking mechanics controversy
(52:45) Spirit Island - 50 plays and counting
(58:30) Smash Up - deck combining chaos
(60:15) Mechabellum - mech auto-battler addiction
(63:15) Board game design journey begins
(68:45) Sandbox vs hand-holding in game design
(72:30) 2025 episode plans and resolutions
RESOURCES:
Games Mentioned: Magic: The Gathering (Modern), Deadlock, Baldur's Gate 3, Factorio, Balatro, Arcs, Spirit Island, Smash Up, Mechabellum, Root, Gloomhaven
Publishers/Designers: Leder Games (Cole Wehrle), LocalThunk (Balatro developer)
NEXT EPISODE PREVIEW:
The hosts plan monthly episodes throughout 2025, including a deep dive into their ongoing Dungeons & Dragons campaign and continued updates on Brandon's board game development process.
Thanks to our patient listeners for waiting through the hiatus! We'll catch you next time.
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