Episodes

5 days ago
5 days ago
Episode 265- Euro Games
"Euro" has been used as a descriptor for decades and it is inarguable that its meaning has changed over time. On this episode, the hosts try to hash out what the word means today and how that differs from the "old school" design philosophy. Also, the episode ends with an unhinged exploration of what games in the BGG top 100 could conceivably be classified as Euros.
(also just a warning, Pete's dog wouldn't shut up during the recording of this)
Timestamps
3:00- defining Euros
12:45- modern vs old school
55:00- categorizing the BGG top 100
Preplanners
Next week we are doing a deep dive on Bus!
Music and Sound Credits
Thank you to Hembree for our intro and outro music from their song Reach Out. You can listen to the full song on YouTube here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gQuuRPfOyMw&list=TLGGFNH7VEDPgwgyNTA4MjAyMQ&t=3s
You can find more information about Hembree at https://www.hembreemusic.com/.
Thank you to Flash Floods for use of their song Palm of Your Hand as a sting from their album Halfway to Anywhere: https://open.spotify.com/album/2fE6LrqzNDKPYWyS5evh3K?si=CCjdAGmeSnOOEui6aV3_nA
Intermission Music:
music elevator ext part 1/3 by Jay_You -- https://freesound.org/s/467243/ -- License: Attribution 4.0
Bell with Crows by MKzing -- https://freesound.org/s/474266/ -- License: Creative Commons 0
hammer v2.wav by blukotek -- https://freesound.org/s/337815/ -- License: Creative Commons 0
Contact
Follow and reach us on social media on Bluesky @decisionspace.bsky.social.
If you prefer email, then hit us up at decisionspa@gmail.com.
This information is all available along with episodes at our new website decisionspacepodcast.com.
Byeee!

Wednesday May 06, 2026
Our Top 5 Games of All Time (...right now)
Wednesday May 06, 2026
Wednesday May 06, 2026
Episode 264- Top 10 Games of All Time (2026) Part 2
It's the fiiiiiiinal countdown! We gush over how much we love the games that made our top 5 favorite games! Some things have changed this year! There are brand new releases on this list! However, did the new hotness dethrone our old favorites?
Timestamps
3:30- Medina
8:15- Big Top
11:00- Indonesia
16:00- Broom Service
19:15- Isle of Skye
21:15- Unlock
26:15- Lord of the Rings Trick-Taking Games
31:30- Babylonia
34:30- Santiago
39:15- Cozy Stickerville
44:55- Old King's Crown
49:15- Root
52:45- El Grande
57:15- The Castles of Mad King Ludwig
1:02:45- Nokosu Dice
1:09:30- Tag Team
1:14:15- Tikal
1:19:30- Ra / Priests of Ra
1:24:10- Root
1:27:30- The Resistance
Preplanners
Next week we discuss what the term "Euro game" means today!
Music and Sound Credits
Thank you to Hembree for our intro and outro music from their song Reach Out. You can listen to the full song on YouTube here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gQuuRPfOyMw&list=TLGGFNH7VEDPgwgyNTA4MjAyMQ&t=3s
You can find more information about Hembree at https://www.hembreemusic.com/.
Thank you to Flash Floods for use of their song Palm of Your Hand as a sting from their album Halfway to Anywhere: https://open.spotify.com/album/2fE6LrqzNDKPYWyS5evh3K?si=CCjdAGmeSnOOEui6aV3_nA
Intermission Music:
music elevator ext part 1/3 by Jay_You -- https://freesound.org/s/467243/ -- License: Attribution 4.0
Bell with Crows by MKzing -- https://freesound.org/s/474266/ -- License: Creative Commons 0
hammer v2.wav by blukotek -- https://freesound.org/s/337815/ -- License: Creative Commons 0
Contact
Follow and reach us on social media on Bluesky @decisionspace.bsky.social.
If you prefer email, then hit us up at decisionspa@gmail.com.
This information is all available along with episodes at our new website decisionspacepodcast.com.
Byeee!

Wednesday Apr 29, 2026
Our Top 10 Games of All Time (...right now): Part 1
Wednesday Apr 29, 2026
Wednesday Apr 29, 2026
Episode 263- Top 10 Games of All Time (2026) Part 1
It's time for the annual countdown of our favorite games! In this episode we count down numbers 10-6. What has fallen from the ranks since last year? What are we hot on right now? Listen and find out!
Timestamps
8:55- Fives
12:15- Lunarchitects
16:00- Pax Renaissance
20:00- Chicago Express
23:30- Bus
26:30- Incan Gold
30:10- Modern Art
35:10- Fox in the Forest
38:20- Renature
42:20- Skyrise
46:50- Dune Imperium Uprising
51:20- El Grande
53:30- Lost Cities
58:20- Fromage / Formaggio
1:01:50- Ito
1:05:40- My City
1:09:00- Nokosu Dice
1:13:00- Heat
1:16:20- Arcs
1:21:30- Keyflower
Preplanners
Top 5 of all time is next week!
Music and Sound Credits
Thank you to Hembree for our intro and outro music from their song Reach Out. You can listen to the full song on YouTube here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gQuuRPfOyMw&list=TLGGFNH7VEDPgwgyNTA4MjAyMQ&t=3s
You can find more information about Hembree at https://www.hembreemusic.com/.
Thank you to Flash Floods for use of their song Palm of Your Hand as a sting from their album Halfway to Anywhere: https://open.spotify.com/album/2fE6LrqzNDKPYWyS5evh3K?si=CCjdAGmeSnOOEui6aV3_nA
Intermission Music:
music elevator ext part 1/3 by Jay_You -- https://freesound.org/s/467243/ -- License: Attribution 4.0
Bell with Crows by MKzing -- https://freesound.org/s/474266/ -- License: Creative Commons 0
hammer v2.wav by blukotek -- https://freesound.org/s/337815/ -- License: Creative Commons 0
Contact
Follow and reach us on social media on Bluesky @decisionspace.bsky.social.
If you prefer email, then hit us up at decisionspa@gmail.com.
This information is all available along with episodes at our new website decisionspacepodcast.com.
Byeee!

Wednesday Apr 22, 2026
What Makes Games Deep? A Conversation About Complexity, Luck, and Skill with Jon Perry
Wednesday Apr 22, 2026
Wednesday Apr 22, 2026
Episode 262- Depth, Complexity, and Luck
Game designer Jon Perry returns to Decision Space to participate in a discussion about what makes games deep. Are heavy games deeper than light games? Can games with a high luck factor also reward skilled play? Why is there a heavy game bias on BGG?
Check out some of Jon's games: Air Land and Sea, Hot Streak, Spots, and more!
Brendan was inspired after this episode to write an article about game depth. Read it here: https://www.decisionspacepodcast.com/articles/going-deep-on-depth-in-games
Timestamps
2:15- game depth and complexity
41:15- high luck, high skill games
Preplanners
The next two weeks will be the annual countdown of our top 10 games of all time!
Music and Sound Credits
Thank you to Hembree for our intro and outro music from their song Reach Out. You can listen to the full song on YouTube here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gQuuRPfOyMw&list=TLGGFNH7VEDPgwgyNTA4MjAyMQ&t=3s
You can find more information about Hembree at https://www.hembreemusic.com/.
Thank you to Flash Floods for use of their song Palm of Your Hand as a sting from their album Halfway to Anywhere: https://open.spotify.com/album/2fE6LrqzNDKPYWyS5evh3K?si=CCjdAGmeSnOOEui6aV3_nA
Intermission Music:
music elevator ext part 1/3 by Jay_You -- https://freesound.org/s/467243/ -- License: Attribution 4.0
Bell with Crows by MKzing -- https://freesound.org/s/474266/ -- License: Creative Commons 0
hammer v2.wav by blukotek -- https://freesound.org/s/337815/ -- License: Creative Commons 0
Contact
Follow and reach us on social media on Bluesky @decisionspace.bsky.social.
If you prefer email, then hit us up at decisionspa@gmail.com.
This information is all available along with episodes at our new website decisionspacepodcast.com.
Byeee!

Wednesday Apr 15, 2026
Arcs Strikes Back: Exploring the Blighted Reach with Analog Arnie and Jared Ingersoll
Wednesday Apr 15, 2026
Wednesday Apr 15, 2026
Episode 261- Arcs Blighted Reach Campaign
Pete is joined by returning guest Jared Ingersoll and muppet board game critic Analog Arnie to deep dive the Blighted Reach campaign expansion for Arcs. This is the sequel to episode 247 in case you missed our original Arcs deep dive!
Find Analog Arnie here: https://www.youtube.com/@analog_arnie
Timestamps
2:50- intro to Blighted Reach
15:45- act 1
42:45- act 2
59:45- act 3
1:15:30- final thoughts
Preplanners
Another returning guest is coming to discuss depth and light games. Also we'll be deep diving Bus soon!
Music and Sound Credits
Thank you to Hembree for our intro and outro music from their song Reach Out. You can listen to the full song on YouTube here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gQuuRPfOyMw&list=TLGGFNH7VEDPgwgyNTA4MjAyMQ&t=3s
You can find more information about Hembree at https://www.hembreemusic.com/.
Thank you to Flash Floods for use of their song Palm of Your Hand as a sting from their album Halfway to Anywhere: https://open.spotify.com/album/2fE6LrqzNDKPYWyS5evh3K?si=CCjdAGmeSnOOEui6aV3_nA
Intermission Music:
music elevator ext part 1/3 by Jay_You -- https://freesound.org/s/467243/ -- License: Attribution 4.0
Bell with Crows by MKzing -- https://freesound.org/s/474266/ -- License: Creative Commons 0
hammer v2.wav by blukotek -- https://freesound.org/s/337815/ -- License: Creative Commons 0
Contact
Follow and reach us on social media on Bluesky @decisionspace.bsky.social.
If you prefer email, then hit us up at decisionspa@gmail.com.
This information is all available along with episodes at our new website decisionspacepodcast.com.
Byeee!

Wednesday Apr 08, 2026
Duel for Cardia and the Value of Gameplay Modules (or the Lack Thereof)
Wednesday Apr 08, 2026
Wednesday Apr 08, 2026
Episode 260- Duel for Cardia
Jake and Brendan deep dive yet another dueling game! This time it's 2025's Duel for Cardia. After the review, they discuss gameplay modules and try to decide when they add value to a game and when they just add noise.
Timestamps
3:50- Cardia deep dive
50:00- modular content
Preplanners
We are returning to Arcs! Also more special guests!
Music and Sound Credits
Thank you to Hembree for our intro and outro music from their song Reach Out. You can listen to the full song on YouTube here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gQuuRPfOyMw&list=TLGGFNH7VEDPgwgyNTA4MjAyMQ&t=3s
You can find more information about Hembree at https://www.hembreemusic.com/.
Thank you to Flash Floods for use of their song Palm of Your Hand as a sting from their album Halfway to Anywhere: https://open.spotify.com/album/2fE6LrqzNDKPYWyS5evh3K?si=CCjdAGmeSnOOEui6aV3_nA
Intermission Music:
music elevator ext part 1/3 by Jay_You -- https://freesound.org/s/467243/ -- License: Attribution 4.0
Bell with Crows by MKzing -- https://freesound.org/s/474266/ -- License: Creative Commons 0
hammer v2.wav by blukotek -- https://freesound.org/s/337815/ -- License: Creative Commons 0
Contact
Follow and reach us on social media on Bluesky @decisionspace.bsky.social.
If you prefer email, then hit us up at decisionspa@gmail.com.
This information is all available along with episodes at our new website decisionspacepodcast.com.
Byeee!

Wednesday Apr 01, 2026
2026 Game Show Spectacular: Achievement Play on Display
Wednesday Apr 01, 2026
Wednesday Apr 01, 2026
Episode 259- April Fool's Game Show Spectacular
The only game show that takes place right here, in the space between the episodes of your favorite podcast.
Preplanners
We deep dive Cardia next week!
Music and Sound Credits
Thank you to Hembree for our intro and outro music from their song Reach Out. You can listen to the full song on YouTube here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gQuuRPfOyMw&list=TLGGFNH7VEDPgwgyNTA4MjAyMQ&t=3s
You can find more information about Hembree at https://www.hembreemusic.com/.
Thank you to Flash Floods for use of their song Palm of Your Hand as a sting from their album Halfway to Anywhere: https://open.spotify.com/album/2fE6LrqzNDKPYWyS5evh3K?si=CCjdAGmeSnOOEui6aV3_nA
Intermission Music:
music elevator ext part 1/3 by Jay_You -- https://freesound.org/s/467243/ -- License: Attribution 4.0
Bell with Crows by MKzing -- https://freesound.org/s/474266/ -- License: Creative Commons 0
hammer v2.wav by blukotek -- https://freesound.org/s/337815/ -- License: Creative Commons 0
Contact
Follow and reach us on social media on Bluesky @decisionspace.bsky.social.
If you prefer email, then hit us up at decisionspa@gmail.com.
This information is all available along with episodes at our new website decisionspacepodcast.com.
Byeee!

Wednesday Mar 25, 2026
Wednesday Mar 25, 2026
Episode 258- Gamer's Ranch 2026 Report
Pete and Jake played a ton of games together! New hotness, old beige games, and a big dramatic session of Blood on the Clocktower!
Timestamps
9:45- The Old King's Crown
20:15- Blood on the Clocktower
34:15- Renature
41:30- Medina
48:40- Skyrise
52:15- Here Lies
1:00:30- Indonesia
1:08:15- Gudnak
1:10:15- Keyforge
1:12:15- Mindbug
1:15:45- Moon Colony Bloodbath
1:21:30- El Grande
Preplanners
Upcoming deep dives of Bus and Cardia will be in the coming weeks, so get those plays in so you're ready!
Music and Sound Credits
Thank you to Hembree for our intro and outro music from their song Reach Out. You can listen to the full song on YouTube here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gQuuRPfOyMw&list=TLGGFNH7VEDPgwgyNTA4MjAyMQ&t=3s
You can find more information about Hembree at https://www.hembreemusic.com/.
Thank you to Flash Floods for use of their song Palm of Your Hand as a sting from their album Halfway to Anywhere: https://open.spotify.com/album/2fE6LrqzNDKPYWyS5evh3K?si=CCjdAGmeSnOOEui6aV3_nA
Intermission Music:
music elevator ext part 1/3 by Jay_You -- https://freesound.org/s/467243/ -- License: Attribution 4.0
Bell with Crows by MKzing -- https://freesound.org/s/474266/ -- License: Creative Commons 0
hammer v2.wav by blukotek -- https://freesound.org/s/337815/ -- License: Creative Commons 0
Contact
Follow and reach us on social media on Bluesky @decisionspace.bsky.social.
If you prefer email, then hit us up at decisionspa@gmail.com.
This information is all available along with episodes at our new website decisionspacepodcast.com.
Byeee!

