The State of Games, Ep. 187: The One About Unpub 2023

For the first time since 2019, we three were actually at a convention together! It felt like old times. We traveled to Hunt Valley, MD to attend the Unpublished Games Festival and had a blast playtesting ours and others’ prototypes. We saw old friends, played a really massive game of Just One, and got pelted in the privates during a very special game designed by Matt Riddle and Ben Pinchback. Get ready to enjoy the convention coverage, just like back in the day! Read More  Read More

The State of Games, Ep. 183: The One About Works in Progress

Working in the board game industry isn’t always fun and, well, games. It takes a lot of perseverance, patience, and, most importantly, the ability and willingness to adapt. Everyone on this podcast has had to adapt at least once, whether it was in changing a game design, creating some new art, or just letting go of a project that’s simply not working or selling. We’re kind of all over the place on this one, but everything we talk about has to do with that central theme of change and moving forward positively. Read More  Read More

The State of Games, Ep. 182: The One About Getting the Brand Back Together

Sometimes you just need a do-over. Dice Hate Me and Greater Than Games have been together since 2015, but that’s changing now. Dice Hate Me is independent once again, and it’s both scary and exciting. We talk honestly about what all of that entails – well, I talk honestly while TC grills me like Mike Wallace. But it’s all good – and good listening for all of you, Dear Listeners. Enjoy, and thanks for coming along for the ride for as long as you have. And if you’re new, welcome! Hope you like your podcasts with a touch of whimsy and randomness. Read More  Read More

The State of Games, Ep. 176: The One About Boutique Publishing

It’s been awhile since we had guests on the podcast, so we figured it would be best to rectify that. What better way than to revisit that old Dice Hate Me chestnut – boutique publishing – with Daniel Newman and Tony Miller, of New Mill Industries. Their publishing philosophy is pretty punk rock, and TC and I sit down to talk about that with them and ask exactly when they’re going to sell out. Turns out they love the punk rock life, but they’re totally ready for offers. Give ’em a call, Asmodee. Read More  Read More

The State of Games, Ep. 173: The One About Rockets and Racing

Yes, dear listeners, we’re back on schedule with an episode that not only provides a follow-up to last month’s podcast, it gives you everything you ever wanted to know about racing… with cardboard! We here at Dice Hate Me love racing and we’re here to tell you why you should, too. Plus, we diverge deep into why the Spiel des Jahres nominees this year are a huge return to formula for German voters and give TC even more air time to air his grievances. We hope you enjoy – and if you don’t, you know who to blame. Hint, it’s TC. Read More  Read More

The State of Games Ep. 172: The One About One Quiet Night

We are truly living in strange times, and, as such, we thought it was time to take a moment to reflect on how things have changed and what we’ve all been through in the past couple of months. Among the three of us, no one has been through more than our own Darrell Louder, whose family has been living in a COVID-positive household, resulting in him, his mother-in-law, and his son dealing directly with the virus. Yes, it’s a heavier episode, but we do take some time for levity and talk about how we can all deal with our self isolation with some quality gaming, proving that when times get tough we can always count on games to help keep... Read More

The State of Games, Ep. 171: The One About the Cost of Negativity

We love getting mail, especially if that mail can help us pad out an episode with an awesome topic. Although we’ve tackled how board game reviews can be both bad and good for the community in the past – as well as what makes a good review versus just an impression – we haven’t quite tackled a subject like this one from listener Sam Hillier. We delve deep into whether reviewers might actually cost consumers money, and whether that responsibility ultimately lies in the hands of the viewer or the consumer. It’s fairly  heady stuff, but we manage to address it in our usual way – with lots of sarcasm and tangents.... Read More

The State of Games, Ep. 169: The One About Toyetics

It’s a Christmas miracle – we’re back before the holidays with a new episode! The topic of toys as games and games as toys is one we’ve touched on a bit in the past on the podcast, but we thought it would be fun to dig a bit deeper. Plus, it’s particularly timely since ol’ Saint Nick will be dropping tons of toys down chimneys in a few days. So relax and get ready to reminisce about some of your favorite playthings from the past – and where toy factor in board games may be headed in the future. Read More  Read More

The State of Games, Ep. 166: The One About Spoilers

Spoilers are a huge part of our modern culture, and many of us avoid them at all costs. It’s easy to recognize the aversion in blockbuster screen media, and even in the hottest TV shows, but does that culture automatically translate to the board game hobby? In this episode, we dive deep into what sort of spoilers are accepted, which are not, and how best we all might tackle them as consumers and reviewers. We also spoil a couple of parts of Avengers: Endgame, so maybe make sure you’re up to date on your Marvel movies. That’s an official SPOILER ALERT! Read More  Read More

The State of Games, Ep. 164 – The One About Unpub 9

It’s hard to believe that for nine years now, game designers have been gathering to bravely put their unpublished prototypes in front of total strangers and asking for them to help make everything better. It seems like just yesterday that I was traveling to Dover, Delaware to attend Unpub 2 at a small Fraternal Order of Police Lodge where there was just a handful of designers and attendees huddled around some beat-up tables, freezing half to death. And, now, over 2,000 people descended upon Hunts Valley, Maryland to do the exact same thing on an exponentially larger scale. It’s nothing short of awesome. I hope you enjoy just our tiny... Read More