Games That Go Bump in the Night

It’s no secret – we love spooky games at Dice Hate Me. There’s just something rich and engaging about a dark setting done well. We don’t play scary games as often as those with other themes, but when we do, we like to do it right – and we like to share our experiences. And, so, in the spirit of this most bewitched month, here’s a look back at some of those spooky games we’ve played and shared – and a fresh look at a new addition to the library! If I’m Going Down In the boardgaming world of late, and much like the shambling undead upon which they are based, zombie games just keep coming, wave... Read More

The State of Games, Episode 37 – The One About the Ghost Fleet and the Haunted Dungeon

We love this time of year – leaves falling, crazy-faced pumpkins appearing on every doorstep, and lots and lots of new games popping up in our local store, and on Kickstarter! For this episode, we wanted to capture a bit of that October game ghoulishness, as well as talk about the spooky spirit of Halloween. And what better way to do that than to run a little bit long on the podcast talking to four different people? So sit back, admire your finely-crafted Jack-O-Lantern and enjoy this holiday hodgepodge of game designers and publishers, talking up their craft. Read More  Read More

Not Garden Variety – A Guest Interview with Doug Bass of Meridae Games

Dice Hate Me and Go Forth and Game have joined forces to bring you some of the best gaming interviews on the web! That’s right, from time to time here on Dice Hate Me, Tom Gurganus will contribute one of his comprehensive conversations. In this interview, Tom talks with fellow Carolinian Doug Bass, designer of Garden Dice and founder of Meridae Games. Enjoy the interview and be sure to let us know if there are other designers, artists or gaming insiders that you would like to know more about! Tom: Tell us about yourself. Doug Bass: I’ve lived in the South most of my life, am married, and enjoy playing my banjo and collecting record... Read More

The Crowded Table: Fall 2012 Edition

Hello, dear readers, and welcome to another installment of The Crowded Table. Despite all the work that’s been piling up here at Dice Hate Me HQ, we’ve been able to squeeze in a surprising amount of gaming, including one weekend visit by Compounded designer Darrell Louder in which we fit in 23 different titles, all while working on some game design. We didn’t sleep much, but it was worth it. Below you’ll find four games that have graced our table in the past few weeks, a couple of which you’ll probably see pop up again on Dice Hate Me before too long. Enjoy! Star Wars: X-Wing Miniatures Game There were a lot of overly-hyped... Read More

The State of Games, Episode 36 – The One About the Stronghold

From time to time on the podcast we like to just sit down and talk to some of our favorite people in the gaming industry. We’re lucky to have not only met one of our favorites, Stephen Buonocore, but we’ve also gamed, imbibed and worked side-by-side with him. As it turns, out we had a lot to talk about with him this time around, so we decided to break the episode down into a listed timeline of important talking points for your listening convenience. Enjoy! Read More  Read More

The State of Games, Episode 35 – The One About Cards With Words

Sometimes profound things come out of Monkey238’s mouth. One podcast she identified why certain types of luck are good and bad in a game depending on when they happen. In another, she pontificated on the popularity of zombies. And last podcast she practically invented a new game category, just on the fly. This is probably why I can’t seem to win at most of the games we play… Read More  Read More

Escapist Expo 2012: A Brief Pictorial Wrap-Up

Traditionally, the bulk of gaming con season has ended around the first of September, typically with the party and parade of passioned freaks at Dragon*Con down in Atlanta. Over the past few years, however, a few local cons have started springing up just before or after the string of big shows, extending the seasons for a lucky few. Thankfully, Durhamites are now one of those lucky few as we now have The Escapist Expo in mid-September – a smallish, PAX-like affair with video games, board games and more than a few costumed geeks. This was the Expo’s inaugural year, and it was a rousing success; we gathered together with over 2,000 of... Read More

Goggles Not Included – A Kickstarter Quick-Look at Mars Needs Mechanics

For the past couple of years, Dice Hate Me has covered the Kickstarter beat very closely. That means we’ve seen more than our fair share of prototypes, and been privy to the behind-the-scenes stories of many remarkable projects. Other than our own projects, none have been more familiar to us in details and development than the recently-launched Mars Needs Mechanics. We first met designer Benjamin Rosset at the 2011 World Boardgaming Championships in Lancaster, PA. While there, I had a chance to try out one of his more ambitious designs, the simultaneous turn selection/time management survival game, Stranded. Our friend Shawn, however, also... Read More

The State of Games, Episode 34 – The One About GenCon, DC and The WBC

Wow. It’s been awhile since we talked to all of you, dear listeners! But there’s good reason – we’ve been on the road. A lot. A LOT. It seems as though we’ve barely been at home for the past month, and yet it also seems like we’ve taken our home with us since so many of you have made our convention season wonderful with games and camaraderie. So sit back, have a lemonade, and let’s reminisce. We promise not to be gone so long for a good, long bit. Read More  Read More

Tom Gurganus Asks “What Makes a Game Great?”

Dice Hate Me and Go Forth and Game have joined forces to bring you some of the best gaming interviews on the web! That’s right, from time to time here on Dice Hate Me, Tom Gurganus will contribute one of his comprehensive conversations. In Part 1 of this special column, Tom shares one of his common questions that he likes to ask of each person interviewed. If you like this and would like to read Part 2, please check it out here on Go Forth and Game. Enjoy this special edition and be sure to let us know if there are other designers, artists or gaming insiders that you would like to know more about! I’ve been doing interviews for... Read More