The State of Games, Episode 39 – The One About Auld Lang Syne

There is a time and a season for all things – unfortunately, it’s the time on The State of Games for a season of change. This episode marks the first time in 38 episodes where Monkey238 was not seated faithfully in her co-host’s chair. As I announce on the podcast, she is moving onto ballet priorities and time is wickedly short for her. Although the show must go on, we raise our cups and sing a bit of the old refrain: “We two have run about the slopes, and picked the daisies fine; But we’ve wandered many a weary foot, since auld lang syne.” Read More  Read More

The State of Games, Episode 38 – The One About a Little “Guy Time”

The phrase “Winter Is Coming” can mean many things to many people, but around Dice Hate Me HQ that most commonly means that Monkey238 is up to her eyeballs in ballet duties. During this special time, she is typically holed up in a ballet studio somewhere teaching the best and brightest on how to be the premiere snow queen or sugarplum fairy. For poor old Dice, however, that typically means “fend for yourself” when it comes to games. Luckily, I had a November back-up plan to get in as much gaming as possible – and the gaming was superb. Lucky for all of you, however, is that Monkey still has enough time to play –... Read More

SAGCon 2012 Wrap-Up

Every year around this time, it’s been a tradition to head to MACE, a North Carolina gaming convention that used to be held in High Point. This year they decided to expand, but also switched venues, moving the festivities to Charlotte. Instead of making the trek west, five local gaming friends and I gathered together at a Springhill Suites in a grand experiment we called SAGCon – SAG standing for Stay And Game. Although we didn’t have all the grand spectacle and amenities offered at MACE, it was still a great time, and we played 17 games over two days. Here’s a look at some of the more memorable experiences and my thoughts... 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 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

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

The State of Games, Episode 33 – The One About The Heartland

Alright, all you good buddies out there – we hope you’ve got your ears on. Or your eyes peeled. Or whatever will get your attention, because it’s time to load up and roll out another great Dice Hate Me Games release! Today is the big day – the opening day of pledging for The Great Heartland Hauling Co. Just before the clock strikes midnight on July 31, we thought it would be fitting to sit down with designer Jason Kotarski and figure out what makes him – and this great game – keep on trucking. Read More  Read More

The State of Games, Episode 32 – The One About Culling and Critics

Sometimes it’s just nice to be able to sit and talk to your best friend about board games and having fun – and that’s precisely what Monkey and I did on this episode of the State of Games. No guests, no retelling of adventures at the last convention, just the two of us spending an hour of quality time chatting about the good stuff and reaffirming our love for this great hobby. Join us – we’ve missed you. Read More  Read More