In this lovely 18th episode of the HEX&CUBE podcast, I invite my friend Jeremy Lounds on to have a little chat about abstract games. We get into the usual conversation about cashew milk and our fragile, old-man bodies. Jeremy's Game "Duwen" Jeremy's Twitter Link to discussion. Sign up for our newsletter! Join the HEX&CUBE Facebook group! Kyle's Twitter Kyle's Instagram  Welcome (00:18) Get to know Jeremy (02:10) Ode and Game Design(11:18) DECO and Abstract games (16:53) Outro - (54:49 ..read more

Wow. What an enjoyable episode! I had a blast talking with Andreas Odendahl (Ode). We talked about Helmets, chickens, and even board games. I learned that censoring can actually be fun, and that Suchy is lazy (Ode's words, not mine). :D We got to talk about Ode's approach to designing and about his game, Cooper Island. This is a long'n, but an oh-so-good'n. "Ode's Box of Games" Facebook Page Ode's Twitter Ode's Instagram Link to discussion. Sign up for our newsletter! Join the HEX&CUBE Facebook group! Kyle's Twitter Kyle's Instagram  Welcome (00:18) Get to know....Ode! (00:56 ..read more

In this laborious 16th episode of the HEX&CUBE podcast, Luke and I hang out while working; working on this amazing episode, that is! I lie about when this episode would be live and Luke sands a table during part of the episode. It's wonderful how well he can multitask! In between the carpentry and deceit, we chat about worker placement games and my pretentious clarification of the term "action selection". I hope you enjoy! Link to discussion. (Right click and open in new window) Sign up for our newsletter! (Right click and open in new window) Join the HEX&CUBE Facebook group! (Right ..read more

In this workshop episode, Kyle is joined by Jonathan Weaver to talk about narrative in games. Jonathan takes us on an enlightening journey in which Kyle discovers that he has been in love with narrative in games all along....or has he? That's for you to decide, and for me to find out. This episode is half-full of agreeable groans. Enjoy! * Jonathan's Twitter * (Right click and open in new window) Link to discussion. (Right click and open in new window) Sign up for our newsletter! (Right click and open in new window) Join the HEX&CUBE Facebook group! (Right click and open in new windo ..read more

Merry New Year! In this episode Kyle, Joe, and Luke chat about balancing unicorns and some village people. They also share some of their favs from 2020, which is difficult when you didn't play anything that came out that year, as well as some games that they're looking forward to in 2021, which is the year we are currently in if you were unaware. Which I was. Where am I? Link to discussion. (Right click and open in new window) Sign up for our newsletter! (Right click and open in new window) Join the HEX&CUBE Facebook group! (Right click and open in new window) Kyle's Twitter (Right cli ..read more

There are four seasons in a Midwestern year, and this is the last episode of our first season. Sorry, that was probably confusing. In this final episode of Season 1, Kyle brings Luke and Michael back on the show to give Descent more credit than it's due, and to also talk about old games. We talk a little about the excellence that is El Grande and how the Chess is still good after all these years. If both parties are willing to work at it, you can keep the fire alive through anything! I genuinely am grateful for all the support thus far, and I'm really excited about the future of the show. L ..read more

In this beautiful 12th episode of the HEX&CUBE podcast, Kyle figuratively and presumably literally sits down with Mark Swanson to talk about his game Feudum. They explore some of Mark's approach to this design, some challenges he faced, and his experience with Kickstarter. If you enjoy the warm, sultry voices of guests matched with the shrill, hesitations of the host, you're gonna love this episode. FOLLOW MARK'S ADVENTURES! Mark's Facebook Page (Right click and open in new window) Mark's Publishing Company (Right click and open in new window) Mark's BGG Designer Page (Right click and ..read more

By golly, we have made it to episode 11! George Lucas would be proud! I am joined for the first time by friend of the podcast, Luke Rensink, a fellow heavy-game lover and game designer. We talk about some okay games and some great games in our game night segment, and then transition into a discussion about some of our favorite designers, like Kenneth Johnson and Merle Robbins. Hey, how about your John Hancock?! Link to discussion. (Right click and open in new window) Sign up for our newsletter! (Right click and open in new window) Welcome (00:20) Luke's Origin Story (1:39) News (7:42) Game ..read more

In this most wonderful and exciting of 10th episodes of the HEX&CUBE podcast, Joe joins Kyle for a discussion about theme in games. We discuss how we should approach controversial or difficult themes, as well as theme's function in gaming. We also announce our very first giveaway! We will be giving away a brand new and heavily used 2014 Chevy Spark! JK. We're giving away a game, which is slightly better. Sign-up for our newsletter or re-tweet the contest info for a chance to win In the Year of the Dragon, by Stefan Feld. The giveaway will be open for entry from Monday, September 21st 2020 ..read more

In this 9th episode of the HEX&CUBE podcast, Kyle tries to convince himself that the show is actually better without any co-hosts or guests, which is of course....wrong. He also talks a little about AquaSphere and Bus, and shares his thoughts on mechanisms and theme. Mostly mechanisms. Theme is useless. All games should just be abstract games with black and white numbers and shapes on some cardboard. *Link to discussion.* (Right click and open in new window) Sign up for our newsletter! (Right click and open in new window) Welcome (00:20) News (1:52) Game Night - AquaSphere, Bus(3:46) To ..read more