Summary

In this episode, Joe Mahaffey and James Engelhardt discuss various topics related to the board game industry, including the bankruptcy of Seamon, the impact of tariffs on game production, updates on Kickstarter projects, and the introduction of Game Toppers 5.0. They also share insights from their experiences at May X, focusing on student engagement with deck-building games and the learning dynamics involved. In this conversation, James Engelhardt and Joe Mahaffey delve into the intricacies of deck building in board games, discussing the evolution and diversity of gameplay. They share personal experiences with various games, highlighting the importance of game literacy and player preferences. The discussion transitions into the concept of the 'Shelf of Shame,' where they reflect on unplayed games and the challenges of engaging with new titles. The conversation concludes with a humorous take on the quest for game mastery and the desire to play more games.

Summary

In this episode of Lay It On The Table, Joe Mahaffey and James Engelhardt discuss recent travels, updates on board game tariffs, and insights from their experiences with Kickstarter projects. They delve into the world of deck-building games, particularly focusing on how students engage with these mechanics and their preferences in gaming. The conversation highlights the importance of understanding game vocabulary and how it shapes players' experiences. In this episode, Joe Mahaffey and James Engelhardt discuss their recent gaming experiences, focusing on family-friendly games like La Petite Fleur and the second edition of Parks. They explore the challenges of game distribution, the mechanics of new games, and the importance of community in board gaming. The conversation also touches on technical issues faced during the podcasting process, highlighting the dynamic nature of their discussions.

In this episode of the Southern board game podcast, hosts Joe Mahaffey and James Engelhardt discuss personal challenges, the impact of tariffs on the board game community, and their recent game acquisitions. They share highlights from their game nights, including experiences with new games and the excitement surrounding upcoming events. The conversation emphasizes the importance of community and the joy of gaming, even amidst challenges.

In this episode, hosts Joe Mahaffey and James Engelhardt discuss a range of topics from personal loss to the latest in board games. They reflect on the recent passing of Joe's mother and how it impacted their podcast schedule. The conversation shifts to the news of Hasbro scrapping Project Sigil, a virtual tabletop initiative, and the implications for the gaming community. They delve into game reviews, including 'It's a Wonderful World', 'Mothership', and 'La Corsa', highlighting their mechanics and gameplay experiences. The hosts also share insights on quick games for couples and discuss exciting Kickstarter projects like Propolis and The Western Reaches, showcasing the evolving landscape of tabletop gaming.

In this episode of the Southern board game podcast, the hosts discuss various topics including the weather, recent changes in the board game industry, and reviews of new games like Castle Combo and Rock Hard 1977. They also touch on the importance of teaching games to students and share updates on expansions and new arrivals in their collections.

# Season 4, Episode 2

# Welcome

[A New Hope | Geek & Southern | Lay It On The Table, Episode 38](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fUtNixjP2nk&t=708s)

Shout out from Dirty Rascal Games…

# Board Game News

The BoardGameGeek Hall of Fame honors games that have made meaningful contributions to the board game hobby in the areas of innovation, artistry, and impact.

[Announcing The BoardGameGeek Hall of Fame Day 1 Inductees](https://boardgamegeek.com/blog/1/blogpost/169777/announcing-the-boardgamegeek-hall-of-fame-day-1-in)

[Announcing The BoardGameGeek Hall of Fame Day 2 Inductees](https://boardgamegeek.com/blog/1/blogpost/169778/announcing-the-boardgamegeek-hall-of-fame-day-2-in)

[Announcing The BoardGameGeek Hall of Fame Day 3 Inductees](https://boardgamegeek.com/blog/1/blogpost/169781/announcing-the-boardgamegeek-hall-of-fame-day-3-in)

[Announcing The BoardGameGeek Hall of Fame Day 4 Inductees](https://boardgamegeek.com/blog/1/blogpost/169783/announcing-the-boardgamegeek-hall-of-fame-day-4-in)

[Announcing The BoardGameGeek Hall of Fame Day 5 Inductees](https://boardgamegeek.com/blog/1/blogpost/169785/announcing-the-boardgamegeek-hall-of-fame-day-5-in)

# The places we play…

Does where we play change how we play?

Do we expect different experiences?

Do we prepare in different ways?

[Carolina Tabletop Games](https://carolinatabletop.shopsettings.com/)

ZOOM

D&D

with friends during Covid

Home

Game nights/home

Church

Out and About/the Commons

Cons

# How to play what is on our tables

## James

[Evenfall](https://boardgamegeek.com/boardgame/396989/evenfall)

It's Evenfall, and the Clans of Magic are preparing for a new era. Evenfall is the time when the boundaries of reality collapse and the supernatural awakens. The World-Tree opens its glowing gateways to unknown distant regions. Send Witches from your clan to discover and control new Places of Power. Use them for arcane rituals and battle for the favor of the Powerstones. But there is only one seat on the Enchanted Throne! Do you have the skills to lead the world into a new era?

Evenfall is a card-driven, engine-building game with both novel and familiar mechanisms for 1 to 4 players. Manage your resources, execute your actions in an efficient order, and discover card and action synergies that generate victory points. The game ends after three rounds, then the player with the most points wins.

—description from the publisher

## Joe

[Stamp Swap](https://boardgamegeek.com/boardgame/426796/stamp-swap)

Designer Paul Salomon (Honey Buzz, Genotype) brings stamp collecting to life on tabletops in Stamp Swap! Draft from a public pool of face-down and face-up tiles (along with some bonus cards), then simultaneously divide them into 2 groups. You will select one group from another player and keep the group of yours that isn't selected. Organize your growing collection each round and score 1 of 4 goals--choose wisely, as you can't score that goal again.

The art of stamp collecting is not just in accumulating many stamps, but in collecting high-quality stamps (including rare gold-foil stamps). This 3-round game for 1-5 players is your chance to meet other attendees, put together a beautiful and well-focused stamp collection, and show it off in a series of contests. Do well and you may walk away with the top prize at this year’s Stamp Swap!

—description from the publisher

# Notable

[Rock Hard: 1977](https://boardgamegeek.com/boardgame/402679/rock-hard-1977)

[Finspan](https://boardgamegeek.com/boardgame/436126/finspan)

[Postcards: The Board Game](https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/fenrir-boardgames/postcards-the-board-game

[Darwin's Journey: Oceania](https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/gonab/darwinoceania)[Everdell Silverfrost](https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/starlinggames/everdell-silverfrost)

[La Pâtisserie Rococo](https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/eaglegryphon/la-patisserie-rococo)

Welcome

Description of the new format and plans for season 4 and beyond

The World of Wingspan just got a lot bigger with the addition of Finspan! Elizabeth Hargrave helped designers David Gordon and Michael O’Connell develop this game into something that is familiar-yet-different from Wingspan, delving deep into the fish theme.

You are a marine researcher seeking to find and observe an array of aquatic life in the colorful Sunlight Zone, ghostly Twilight Zone, and pitch-black Midnight Zone of the world’s seas and oceans. In Finspan, the fish you discover over 4 weeks will generate a series of benefits as you dive deeper into the ocean.

Each dive site specializes in a key aspect of expanding your research:

• Grow your collection of fish.
• Discover freshly laid eggs.
• Hatch eggs into young and consolidate young to form schools.

The winner is the player with the most points gained from fish, eggs, young, schools, and achievements.

Finspan

Finspan reveal briefly crashes Stonemaier Games website as players flock to check out final game in Wingspan trilogy -

Super Meeple to shake up distribution amid retailer “reluctance” to stock expert games -

Rock Hard 1977

Rock Hard: 1977

Gnome Hollow

Gnome Hollow

Survival of the Fattest

Ol’ Grizz slowly opened one sleepy eye and peered out from his den. The snow had all but melted in the warm sunshine and the smell of spring filled the air. The old bear found no joy in the beautiful scene though, he had survived enough winters to know the work that lay ahead. His mind reluctantly turned to thoughts of hunting and hoarding; stashing as much food as possible while the woodland was awake and bountiful.

The bear’s brooding was interrupted by an annoyingly cheerful voice:

“Look Huni, another big juicy berry! This will be our biggest stash yet!”

It was those two ridiculously radiant rabbits, Huni & Bunz. As he watched the little bunnies bounce from bush to bush a cunning plan started to form. Maybe he wouldn’t have to make such an effort this year? After all, there were plenty of other critters already hard at work! Ol’ Grizz pondered this new revelation. If he could apply a little pressure, maybe twist a tail or two, he might just be able to convince his new best friends to share...

In Survival of the Fattest, you take the role of a woodland critter and use your unique tricks and abilities to forage for food. Spend your gathered food to complete delicious recipes from the Market for in-game bonuses and end-game victory points. After 3 seasons, if you’ve fed your critter and accumulated the most victory points, you shall be declared the winner!

Survival of the Fattest is a visually stunning family-weight game using action selection, hand management and unique critter abilities!

—description from the designer

Board Game NewsHow to play what is on our tablesJamesJoeNotable

You may have noticed that we have been dark since June of 2024. Here is our previously unreleased Season 3 Finale.

James and I will be back this month with Season 4 with a revised format.