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Episode #4x: Expansion Maps for Age of Steam with Ted Alspach In Part 2 of my conversation with Ted Alspach we talk about some of our favorite maps for Age of Steam. Exploring our favorite maps for different numbers of players, different skill levels and preview some of Ted's upcoming Age of Steam Maps. If you missed part 1 of this conversation be sure to go back and download Episode #4w with Age of Steam Strategy.Listen | Listen in your iPhone | Download | View full cache | Episode #4w: How to Win Age of Steam with Ted AlspachIn this episode I get a chance to discuss strategy for my favorite game Age of Steam with a very special guest, Ted Alspach. Ted is the designer of many games and notably over forty maps for the game Age of Steam which definitely qualifies him as an authority on all things Age of Steam. In Part 1 of this conversation we talk generally about advice for playing Age of Steam well on any Age of Steam map. Look forward to Part 2 soon in which we discuss some of our favorite Age ... Listen | Listen in your iPhone | Download | View full cache | Episode #29b: How to Play Through the Ages Part 2In this second episode for Through the Ages, I explain how to play one of the more complex versions of the game, give a little starting strategy and a thorough run-through of all of the oft-misplayed rules.Listen | Listen in your iPhone | Download | View full cache | Episode #29a: How to Play Through the Ages Part 1Over the last year I have gotten endless requests for instruction on how to learn this game, Through the Ages. A wonderful epic game about guiding a civilization through hundreds of years of history. Over the last few weeks I have spent a lot of effort in putting this one together. It became the most difficult one to produce yet.
I hope that you enjoy and learn this great game. Due to the complexity of the game for the first time ever I am breaking the episode into t ... Listen | Listen in your iPhone | Download | View full cache | Episode #28: How to Play AcquireToday we cover a classic in board games, Acquire. This game from 1962 holds up with some of the greatest modern games in our hobby. If you are unfamiliar with this game, you owe it to yourself to listen to this episode and play this game as soon as possible. How does it take 40 minutes to cover 4 pages of rules you might ask? Good question, well I wax poetic about the influence and awesomeness of the game for a while, give some strategy, take about open vs. closed in ... Listen | Listen in your iPhone | Download | View full cache | Episode #15w: How to Win CaylusThis is the first of a potential series of episodes moving beyond learning a game to Advanced Strategy. This podcast is intended for experienced players of the game looking to take their play to the next level.
This episode is released in preparation for this year's Caylubration, May 16-22, 2011. Sign up to spread the Caylus love and win fabulous prizes. See the How to Play guild for more details.Listen | Listen in your iPhone | Download | View full cache | Episode #27: How to Play Race for the GalaxySpace. The Final Frontier. Our quest: to bravely go where no card game has gone before. (besides San Juan, but that doesn't really count cause it was sort of designed at the same time and really well this game is in space so it's totally different.)
Learn to play and teach this excellent card game that takes the ideas innovated in the great game Puerto Rico and takes them into the future! (the future in this case being 2007)
Engage!Listen | Listen in your iPhone | Download | View full cache | Episode #26: How to Play ShogunIn this episode we get into the exciting Japanese themed game Shogun. This unique game combines some wonderful mechanics with a well integrated theme for a great experience. You will have a great time attempting to become the next SHOGUN!!!Listen | Listen in your iPhone | Download | View full cache | Episode #25: How to Play Hansa Teutonica
It’s a request episode, Hansa Teutonica. This is one of the best games to come out in the last couple of years. So download this and learn it today Expect your typical amount of “How to Play” goofiness, also stay tuned for some exciting news regarding this podcast and more podcasting goodness! . Thanks to Mike Amos for donating this game to make this episode possible.
Listen | Listen in your iPhone | Download | View full cache | Episode #G: The Evolution of Board Game Mechanics with Geoff EnglesteinSo here is an extended musings to go along with Episode #24 on the evolution of board game mechanics. Fortunately I had the chance to discuss this with Gametek's Geoff Englestein. We have about a 40 minute discussion that ranges from the evolution of recent mechanics, to obsolesence of games to the future of board games. I hope you enjoy it.Listen | Listen in your iPhone | Download | View full cache | Episode #24: How to Play Dominant Species
Try out the latest evolution in worker placement games, Dominant Species. This is my favorite game of 2010, and in my top ten games of all time. It contains all the things I love in my games, difficult decisions, an integrated theme and a great game experience. Learn to play it from this episode.
In the guild I will link to pictures to assist you in your understanding of the game and dont forget to check out the teaching guide for thi ... Listen | Listen in your iPhone | Download | View full cache | Episode #F: How to Play's Top 50 Games as of 2010
Today you are in for a special episode. I count down my personal favorite fifty games of all time as of 2010. I give a brief description of each game, and describe why it made the list.
Enjoy!
-Ryan
Listen | Listen in your iPhone | Download | View full cache | Episode #23: How to Play Notre Dame
I'm back. This time I cover a favorite from 2007, Stefan Feld's Notre Dame. If you have yet to play this one you are missing out on a gem, quick to pick up, moderate play time, but with a ton of strategy and tension. Great Fun! In the musings I discuss a new found disease in the gamer community and as a bonus give you an overview of some of my favorites of Stefan Feld's other games.
Enjoy!
Listen | Listen in your iPhone | Download | View full cache | Episode #22: How to Play Khronos
Ready for some time travelin' fun? This game is underappreciated, most people dont like it or haven't played it because they tried to read the rules and their brain began to melt. How to Play to the Rescue! Let me decipher this clever time traveling tile placement game to you. This game offers a really fun implementation of the theme of time travel within a strategy game, give it a shot. In this episode's musings I discuss bad rulebooks and my ... Listen | Listen in your iPhone | Download | View full cache | Episode #21: How to Play Colosseum
It's great to be back. This one has been asked for multiple times, and it happens to be one of my favorite games, Colosseum. We get back to business with a good old fashioned Euro Game. In this episode I will explain to you how to put on the greatest spectacle Rome has ever seen. In the musings I will share a story about outside relationships being brought into games and compare Colosseum to Princes of Florence.
If you enjoy the episo ... Listen | Listen in your iPhone | Download | View full cache | Episode #21: How to Play ColosseumIt's great to be back. This one has been asked for multiple times, and it happens to be one of my favorite games, Colosseum. We get back to business with a good old fashioned Euro Game. In this episode I will explain to you how to put on the greatest spectacle Rome has ever seen. In the musings I will share a story about outside relationships being brought into games and compare Colosseum to Princes of Florence.
If you enjoy the episode please check out our new Teach ... Listen | Listen in your iPhone | Download | View full cache | Episode #20: How to Play Magic RealmIt is finished.Come explore Magic Realm, THE MOST COMPLICATED BOARD GAME OF ALL TIME. This 1978 classic adventure fantasy game has long been deemed unapproachable by most, hopefully this episode can change that. In this episode I will give you a basic walkthrough of playing the most basic version of the game. And the best part is you can play along with me using the Robin Warren's fantastic computer verion of the game RealmSpeak. (available at www.realmspeak.dewkid.c ... Listen | Listen in your iPhone | Download | View full cache | Episode #20: How to Play Magic RealmIt is finished.Come explore Magic Realm, THE MOST COMPLICATED BOARD GAME OF ALL TIME. This 1978 classic adventure fantasy game has long been deemed unapproachable by most, hopefully this episode can change that. In this episode I will give you a basic walkthrough of playing the most basic version of the game. And the best part is you can play along with me using the Robin Warren's fantastic computer verion of the game RealmSpeak. (available at www.realmspeak.dewkid.c ... Listen | Listen in your iPhone | Download | View full cache | Episode #E: How to Paint Miniatures
Today I hope to inspire you to give painting miniatures a try. I start with a motivational speech and then launch into equipment you need to paint your game pieces. I follow that with a brief description of the basics of painting miniatures and include a few of the most popular techniques.
Enjoy!
Listen | Listen in your iPhone | Download | View full cache | Episode #E: How to Paint MiniaturesToday I hope to inspire you to give painting miniatures a try. I start with a motivational speech and then launch into equipment you need to paint your game pieces. I follow that with a brief description of the basics of painting miniatures and include a few of the most popular techniques.
Enjoy!Listen | Listen in your iPhone | Download | View full cache | Episode #19: How to Play Shadows Over Camelot
From a close vote at the guild today's chosen episode is Shadows over Camelot.
Gasp! A cooperative thematic experience game, not your typical HTP material! I talk about making this experience a great one. I also discussing using the Teach as You Go technique. A technique that works well with this game particularly and have a short discussion on other similar cooperative games.
Enjoy.
Listen | Listen in your iPhone | Download | View full cache | Episode #19: How to Play Shadows Over CamelotFrom a close vote at the guild today's chosen episode is Shadows over Camelot.
Gasp! A cooperative thematic experience game, not your typical HTP material! I talk about making this experience a great one. I also discussing using the Teach as You Go technique. A technique that works well with this game particularly and have a short discussion on other similar cooperative games.
Enjoy.Listen | Listen in your iPhone | Download | View full cache | Episode #18: How to Play AlhambraToday we cover a fabulous gateway game, Alhambra. This is a great midweight game to bring out with family or friends. As such in the musings I discuss the topic of attempting to turn your family or friends into gamers, can it be done and how? I also go over the other games in the Alhambra line and revisit my occasional tendencies towards silliness. I hope you enjoy.Listen | Listen in your iPhone | Download | View full cache | Episode #18: How to Play AlhambraToday we cover a fabulous gateway game, Alhambra. This is a great midweight game to bring out with family or friends. As such in the musings I discuss the topic of attempting to turn your family or friends into gamers, can it be done and how? I also go over the other games in the Alhambra line and revisit my occasional tendencies towards silliness. I hope you enjoy.Listen | Listen in your iPhone | Download | View full cache | Episode #17: How to Play Le HavreThis time around I cover Uwe Rosenberg's other game, Le Havre. This is quickly becoming one of my favorite games. The mechanics of the game are simple but navigating the strategy can be quite challenging, hopefully listening to this show can give you a leg up on your first few plays of this great game or on how to teach this game. In the musings for this game I muse on Honesty and compare Le Havre to some similar games.Listen | Listen in your iPhone | Download | View full cache | Episode #17: How to Play Le HavreThis time around I cover Uwe Rosenberg's other game, Le Havre. This is quickly becoming one of my favorite games. The mechanics of the game are simple but navigating the strategy can be quite challenging, hopefully listening to this show can give you a leg up on your first few plays of this great game or on how to teach this game. In the musings for this game I muse on Honesty and compare Le Havre to some similar games.Listen | Listen in your iPhone | Download | View full cache | Episode #D: Overviews and Opinions of the Top 50 Strategy Games
It's time for another lettered episode How to Play fans. The lettered episodes are episodes that don't follow our typical How to Play format and do something just a bit different. In this very special How to Play I give you a rundown of the current top 50 strategy games as ranked at BGG. I give you a short summary of the games' themes and mechanics and my rating and personal opinion of each game. I start the episode by musing a bit about the pros and ... Listen | Listen in your iPhone | Download | View full cache | Episode #D: Overviews and Opinions of the Top 50 Strategy GamesIt's time for another lettered episode How to Play fans. The lettered episodes are episodes that don't follow our typical How to Play format and do something just a bit different. In this very special How to Play I give you a rundown of the current top 50 strategy games as ranked at BGG. I give you a short summary of the games' themes and mechanics and my rating and personal opinion of each game. I start the episode by musing a bit about the pros and cons of the cate ... Listen | Listen in your iPhone | Download | View full cache | Episode #16: How to Play MediciToday I cover Reiner Knizia's excellent auction game, Medici. How to Play is also graced with our first actual real life Guest Stars, Scott Nicholson and Donald Dennis from "On Board Games" oh and the ubiquitous "Derek from Canada" I'm not quite sure what ubiquitous means but I like the way it sounds. In the musings segment we muse together on the Auction Game Genre. Enjoy!Listen | Listen in your iPhone | Download | View full cache | Episode #16: How to Play MediciToday I cover Reiner Knizia's excellent auction game, Medici. How to Play is also graced with our first actual real life Guest Stars, Scott Nicholson and Donald Dennis from "On Board Games" oh and the ubiquitous "Derek from Canada" I'm not quite sure what ubiquitous means but I like the way it sounds. In the musings segment we muse together on the Auction Game Genre. Enjoy!Listen | Listen in your iPhone | Download | View full cache | Episode #15: How to Play Caylus
After an editing battle Episode #15: Caylus is finally finished.
My love for this game caused the length for this to get out of hand because I had a lot I wanted to talk about!
I start the episode with a segment trying to restore Caylus’ damaged reputation and explain why I think it is such a great game.
I include a lot of beginning strategy throughout ... Listen | Listen in your iPhone | Download | View full cache | Episode #15: How to Play CaylusAfter an editing battle Episode #15: Caylus is finally finished.
My love for this game caused the length for this to get out of hand because I had a lot I wanted to talk about!
I start the episode with a segment trying to restore Caylus’ damaged reputation and explain why I think it is such a great game.
I include a lot of beginning strategy throughout the explanation and provide some strategic path guides in the hamster. In the vegetables I give you some se ... Listen | Listen in your iPhone | Download | View full cache | Episode #14: How to Play Citadels
Citadels the game of outguessing your opponents, its ten years old this year and still going strong. This was one of very first requests and I am finally fufilling that request. Sorry about more Princess Bride references but it just kind of fit, no more Vizzini and Inigo I promise.
In this episode's musings I talk about the included expansion to the game, the games wide polarity of opinion and wide range of players, with a focus on playing Citade ... Listen | Listen in your iPhone | Download | View full cache | Episode #14: How to Play CitadelsCitadels the game of outguessing your opponents, its ten years old this year and still going strong. This was one of very first requests and I am finally fufilling that request. Sorry about more Princess Bride references but it just kind of fit, no more Vizzini and Inigo I promise.
In this episode's musings I talk about the included expansion to the game, the games wide polarity of opinion and wide range of players, with a focus on playing Citadels with just two.
I hope you enjo ... Listen | Listen in your iPhone | Download | View full cache | Episode #13: How to Play 1830
Here it is. The 18xx episode. 18xx; The granddaddy of train games, a legendary game design, and an unforgettable experience. This episode will teach you how to play the great game 1830, which rumours say is due to be reprinted this year. If you cant find 1830, there are plenty of other great variations of this system out there which are discussed in the show.
Though the length of the show may be intimidating, dont be afraid, the ... Listen | Listen in your iPhone | Download | View full cache | Episode #13: How to Play 1830Here it is. The 18xx episode. 18xx; The granddaddy of train games, a legendary game design, and an unforgettable experience. This episode will teach you how to play the great game 1830, which rumours say is due to be reprinted this year. If you cant find 1830, there are plenty of other great variations of this system out there which are discussed in the show.
Though the length of the show may be intimidating, dont be afraid, the major rules explanation is just ... Listen | Listen in your iPhone | Download | View full cache | Episode #C: How to Play Game Quiz
Were back with a very special episode, a game quiz. 60 questions about the 12 games discussed so far on the How to Play podcast. How well do you really know these games? Find out by taking this quiz. Haven't listened to a few episodes, you may want to check those out before taking these quiz. Quiz questions range from basic to the most devilishly difficult. Before you play print out the scoresheet available from www.howtoplaypodcast.com. ... Listen | Listen in your iPhone | Download | View full cache | Episode #C: How to Play Game QuizWere back with a very special episode, a game quiz. 60 questions about the 12 games discussed so far on the How to Play podcast. How well do you really know these games? Find out by taking this quiz. Haven't listened to a few episodes, you may want to check those out before taking these quiz. Quiz questions range from basic to the most devilishly difficult. Before you play print out the scoresheet available from www.howtoplaypodcast.com. Have fun!
-RyanListen | Listen in your iPhone | Download | View full cache | Episode #12: How to Play Reef EncounterToday by listener request our show is on Reef Encounter. A tough to explain game but I do my best. In today's musings I discuss the concept of schemas and talk a bit about online gaming.Listen | Listen in your iPhone | Download | View full cache | Episode #12: How to Play Reef EncounterToday by listener request our show is on Reef Encounter. A tough to explain game but I do my best. In today's musings I discuss the concept of schemas and talk a bit about online gaming.Listen | Listen in your iPhone | Download | View full cache | Episode #11: How to Play Abstract Games
In this show you get a 5 for 1 deal. I take a break from the big heavy games and take a look at some great abstract games. I will explain how to play; Take it Easy, Uptown, Blokus, Hive and YINSH, in that order. I finish the episode with some thoughts on abstract vs. thematic games.
Listen | Listen in your iPhone | Download | View full cache | Episode #11: How to Play Abstract GamesIn this show you get a 5 for 1 deal. I take a break from the big heavy games and take a look at some great abstract games. I will explain how to play; Take it Easy, Uptown, Blokus, Hive and YINSH, in that order. I finish the episode with some thoughts on abstract vs. thematic games.
Listen | Listen in your iPhone | Download | View full cache | Episode #10: How to Play Age of EmpiresThis week I cover another of my favorite games Age of Empires. This is a worker placement game with a well integrated theme. This episode also includes a surprise guest, check it out.Hook (Intro) 4:28Meat (Full Rules Explanation) 6:25Hamster (Beginning Strategy) 32:30Footnotes and Musings 38:12In this episodes musings I wax poetic on Thematic Integration and a random collection of thoughts on Competition in Board Games.Enjoy!Listen | Listen in your iPhone | Download | View full cache | Episode #10: How to Play Age of EmpiresThis week I cover another of my favorite games Age of Empires. This is a worker placement game with a well integrated theme. This episode also includes a surprise guest, check it out.Hook (Intro) 4:28Meat (Full Rules Explanation) 6:25Hamster (Beginning Strategy) 32:30Footnotes and Musings 38:12In this episodes musings I wax poetic on Thematic Integration and a random collection of thoughts on Competition in Board Games.Enjoy!Listen | Listen in your iPhone | Download | View full cache | Episode #9: How to Play BrassToday is my most ambitious game to date. Brass is one complex game, therefore this is the longest episode yet! But its a great game too and hopefully this tool will be useful to you in learning it. Hook 3:00Meat 4:30Hamster 48:00Footnotes and musings 52:30In this episode's footnotes, there is a 10 question Brass rules quiz and a discussion about strategy vs. tactics. Enjoy!Listen | Listen in your iPhone | Download | View full cache | Episode #9: How to Play BrassToday is my most ambitious game to date. Brass is one complex game, therefore this is the longest episode yet! But its a great game too and hopefully this tool will be useful to you in learning it. Hook 3:00Meat 4:30Hamster 48:00Footnotes and musings 52:30In this episode's footnotes, there is a 10 question Brass rules quiz and a discussion about strategy vs. tactics. Enjoy!Listen | Listen in your iPhone | Download | View full cache | Episode #B: How to Choose the Right GameIn this episode for the sake of variety, I go into how to pick the right game for different situations. I discuss the factors that go into making this decision and talk about my favorite games for each specific situation. I include different player types and different player numbers. It culminates in listing "Ryan's Essential 10." A set of games that I think works for a variety of situations. Enjoy!Listen | Listen in your iPhone | Download | View full cache | Episode #B: How to Choose the Right GameIn this episode for the sake of variety, I go into how to pick the right game for different situations. I discuss the factors that go into making this decision and talk about my favorite games for each specific situation. I include different player types and different player numbers. It culminates in listing "Ryan's Essential 10." A set of games that I think works for a variety of situations. Enjoy!Listen | Listen in your iPhone | Download | View full cache | Episode #8: How to Play Crayon RailsIn this show I cover the game I play the most, crayon rails. Huh? never heard of it? Well you better give this one a listen as the crayon rails system is an unappreciated gem. Plus the show has gone upscale with fancy sound equipment and software, boy I hope you can tell the difference :)Hook (Intro) 6:36Meat (Full Rules Explanation) 9:00Hamster (Beginning Strategy) 24:08Footnotes and Musings 27:05In the musings for this game I discuss tips to get the most enjoyment from the cra ... Listen | Listen in your iPhone | Download | |