Just Play

Jonathan (JP) Parnaby

Welcome to Just Play, your board gaming podcast.  Your host JP acts as your Player Two to guide you through the hobby, whether that's talking about games played at the table, chatting with guests in the industry or covering conventions.  Pull up a chair, relax and...Just Play.

Episodes

  1. 5 days ago ·  Video

    EP4: Just Play...but not like that

    Let's face it, we love this hobby it provides so many great things, the social interaction, the fun at the table, we wouldn't change it for the world.  However, there are some things about the hobby which make us question our life choices...buckle up we're about to dive into a few of them. IN THIS EPISODE - In the "Just Played" segment JP has now had a full game of Terraria by Paper Fort Games and discusses the fun in getting lost in a 2D sandbox world, and trying to score big in Jackpot: Set The Reel by Dranda Games - At the "Centre of the table" JP talks about what gets on his nerves within the hobby.  Are these just specific to JP or is he on his own? What are some of your pet peeves? - We take a look at the the top 5 trending games in "What's Hot, What's Not" including Altera, Harmonies Expansions, Container and Concordia: Special Edition LINKS REFERENCED IN THE SHOW Watch this episode on YouTube - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7h0CVOGDZEY Watch JP play Terraria on Gaming Rules! Part One - https://www.youtube.com/live/cxhDqZh-QFg?si=-7KCXKyN8eBBSo_H Part Two - https://www.youtube.com/live/y7lx7D4mCxw?si=duLMZLiGK5HsKu0O CHAPTERS 00:00:00 - OPENING 00:00:38 - PHASE A: PULL UP A CHAIR 00:03:16 - Question from our listeners 00:05:31 - PHASE B: JUST PLAYED 00:05:51 - Terraria 00:20:04 - Jackpot: Set The Reel 00:25:35 - PHASE C: CENTRE OF THE TABLE 00:26:56 - Where the hell are you? 00:28:51 - Erm sorry I can't make it now...WHAT!!!! 00:30:53 - Would you kindly stop bending my frickin cards!!! 00:32:03 - Right guys...I need to go 00:33:03 - In your face...have some of that 00:34:35 - Well there's no point carrying on now 00:36:40 - Excuse me...what did you say? 00:37:27 - Whose Turn Is It? 00:38:46 - Oh it's my turn...whoops you didn't want to keep this game did you? 00:41:04 - Erm no thanks, i'll stick to my old favourites 00:41:57 - Where does this go? 00:42:55 - Board game phone zombies 00:44:07 - PHASE D: WHAT'S HOT, WHAT'S NOT 00:49:05 - PHASE E: JUST ABOUT TO PLAY 00:50:52 - PHASE F: THE LAST PLAY Get in touch with the show Support the show GET IN TOUCH Website - https://www.justplaypod.co.uk YouTube - https://www.youtube.com/@JustPlayPodcast Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/JustPlayPod Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/justplaypod Discord - Join us on Discord INTRO / OUTRO CREDITS Intro / Outro Music: Getaway by D0d Music from #Uppbeat (free for Creators!): https://uppbeat.io/t/d0d/getaway

  2. 15 Jul ·  Bonus Video

    Just Play With Others: Snowdonia Grand Tour Interview (Naylor Games)

    There's something magical about railways, the routes, the stories and the people that built them.  Snowdonia Grand Tour from Naylor Games captures all of that and then dares to go bigger. IN THIS EPISODE - We meet Jaya Baldwin from Naylor Games and learn about what his favourite games are and what he's been playing lately. - You can learn more about Snowdonia Special Edition and the new Snowdonia Grand Tour with 12 additional scenarios / game boards - We discuss why Snowdonia is a classic and how it has endured over time and also dive into some of the scenarios that can be found in Grand Tour. LINKS REFERENCED IN THE SHOW Watch this episode on YouTube - https://youtu.be/E-YnGADRGtE Snowdonia Grand Tour Late Pledge -https://gamefound.com/en/projects/naylorgames/snowdonia-grand-tour Gaming Rules Snowdonia Playthrough - https://www.youtube.com/live/o7ekpuOcqR8?si=QISwSHYOta2X9tiU CHAPTERS 00:00:00 - OPENING 00:00:21 - PHASE A: INTRODUCING JAYA BALDWIN 00:02:28 - What was the last game Jaya has Just Played? 00:06:38 - What is Jaya's favourite game? 00:12:04 - Where did Jaya's design journey start? 00:17:03 - PHASE B: SNOWDONIA & SNOWDONIA GRAND TOUR 00:22:02 - Why did you make the decision to have a different board for each scenarios 00:26:20 - The experience in opening the box 00:28:01 - How has Tony Boydell been involved in this version? 00:31:08 - Why do you think Snowdonia has endured as a modern classic? 00:39:41 - How difficult was it to do a murder mystery scenario into the system? 00:44:19 - What is Jaya's favourite scenario? 00:47:36 - How can you get a copy of Snowdonia Special Edition or Grand Tour? 00:49:15 - PHASE C: WHAT'S NEXT FOR NAYLOR GAMES? 00:51:53 - PHASE D: THE LAST PLAY Get in touch with the show Support the show GET IN TOUCH Website - https://www.justplaypod.co.uk YouTube - https://www.youtube.com/@JustPlayPodcast Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/JustPlayPod Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/justplaypod Discord - Join us on Discord INTRO / OUTRO CREDITS Intro / Outro Music: Getaway by D0d Music from #Uppbeat (free for Creators!): https://uppbeat.io/t/d0d/getaway

  3. 8 Jul ·  Video

    EP3: From Punch to Play

    We've all been there right, the game has been ordered, we're all excited and we start punching it all out on the table.  At some point this all needs organising and we're going to have to teach this game to real people who are now relying on you for a good evening of entertainment.  In this episode JP talks about his approach from acquisition to post game analysis. IN THIS EPISODE - In the "Just Played" segment JP gets his cardbox box and becomes Solid Snake in the board game adaptation of Metal Gear Solid by CMON Games and becomes Paul Atreides in Dune: War for Arrakis in the epic 1v1 or 2v2 battle. - At the "Centre of the table" JP talks about his process on preparing for game nights which starts when the game arrives at the front door (providing it's not his wife's Amazon delivery instead) - We take a look at the the top 5 trending games in "What's Hot, What's Not" including Wonderous Creatures, Medico, Concordia, World Order & Excalibur LINKS REFERENCED IN THE SHOW Watch this episode on YouTube - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6QEXCabAKtQ CHAPTERS 00:00:23 - PHASE 1: PULL UP A CHAIR 00:01:00 - What is your latest stance on campaign style games? 00:03:21 - PHASE 2: JUST PLAYED 00:03:36 - Metal Gear Solid: The Board Game 00:13:08 - Dune: War for Arrakis 00:19:29 - PHASE 3: CENTRE OF THE TABLE - From punch to play 00:33:30 - PHASE 4: WHAT'S HOT, WHAT'S NOT 00:38:30 - PHASE 5: JUST ABOUT TO PLAY 00:41:03 - PHASE 6: THE LAST PLAY Get in touch with the show Support the show GET IN TOUCH Website - https://www.justplaypod.co.uk YouTube - https://www.youtube.com/@JustPlayPodcast Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/JustPlayPod Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/justplaypod Discord - Join us on Discord INTRO / OUTRO CREDITS Intro / Outro Music: Getaway by D0d Music from #Uppbeat (free for Creators!): https://uppbeat.io/t/d0d/getaway

  4. 1 Jul ·  Video

    Just Play With Others: Echobound Adventures Interview (Tempest Workshop & Open Owl Studios)

    Imagine a world where every decision sends a ripple, a literal echo that shapes the world... that's Echobound Adventures.  In this episode Chris & Isaias from Tempest Workshop pull back the curtain on their latest game being published by Open Owl Studios. IN THIS EPISODE - Learn about Chris & Isaias' favourite games and what they been playing recently - Understand more about the rich world of Echobound Adventures which aims to shake up the exploration / adventuring genre in board games - Meet the four Stewards in the game and how they develop, support each other and grow through your experience - A game with persistence and open decisions, your experience will vastly differ to others. LINKS REFERENCED IN THE SHOW Watch this episode on YouTube - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LoNymPMnMQY Echobound Adventure Crowdfunding Page - https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/openowlstudios/echobound-adventures Tempest Workshop Website - https://www.tempestworkshop.com/ Open Owl Studios Website - https://openowlstudios.com/ CHAPTERS 00:00:00 - OPENING 00:00:24 - PHASE A: INTRODUCING CHRIS & ISAIAS 00:01:48 - What was the last game Chris & Isaias has Just Played? 00:05:08 - What are Chris & Isaias's favourite games? 00:13:27 - PHASE B: ECHOBOUND ADVENTURES 00:16:07 - Where did the origins of Echobound Adventures come from? 00:22:23 - What is the core gameplay loop? 00:31:36 - The variety & persistence in the gameplay 00:38:39 - Introducing the Stewards 00:42:03 - Creating builds for the Stewards 00:48:15 - What was one of the hardest mechanisms to get right in the game? 00:58:35 - What are the design team excited to learn about the game? 01:03:10 - Thanking Chris & Isaias 01:04:02 - PHASE C: THE LAST PLAY Get in touch with the show Support the show GET IN TOUCH Website - https://www.justplaypod.co.uk YouTube - https://www.youtube.com/@JustPlayPodcast Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/JustPlayPod Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/justplaypod Discord - Join us on Discord INTRO / OUTRO CREDITS Intro / Outro Music: Getaway by D0d Music from #Uppbeat (free for Creators!): https://uppbeat.io/t/d0d/getaway

  5. 24 Jun ·  Bonus Video

    Just a Quick Play: Politik & the "Road to 500"

    This week we don't have an audio episode for you although JP talks for 3 minutes to update on two key things: JUST A QUICK PLAY Politik Playthrough - On YouTube right now you can watch a 2-player game of Politik by Black Yeti Games which is coming out on Gamefound on the 30th June right here - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OudozpVBLbwPolitik Campaign Page - You can find the Gamefound campaign page right here - https://gamefound.com/en/projects/black-yeti-games/politikRoad to 500 Subs - JP gives a little update on the podcast and channel and highlights his next goal to try and hit 500 subscribers on YouTube after recently hitting 2K followers on Instagram.JP will be back next week with more episodes, starting with an interview for an intriguing game involving, exploration, persistence and a rogue-like element all thrown in.  Sounds intriguing? it should do so tune in next week. CHAPTERS 00:00:00 - INTRO 00:00:11 - PHASE A: JUST A QUICK PLAY - POLITIK PLAYTHROUGH 00:01:16 - Just Play Podcast Update & Road to 500 Subs 00:03:06 - PHASE B: THE LAST PLAY Get in touch with the show Support the show GET IN TOUCH Website - https://www.justplaypod.co.uk YouTube - https://www.youtube.com/@JustPlayPodcast Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/JustPlayPod Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/justplaypod Discord - Join us on Discord INTRO / OUTRO CREDITS Intro / Outro Music: Getaway by D0d Music from #Uppbeat (free for Creators!): https://uppbeat.io/t/d0d/getaway

  6. 17 Jun ·  Video

    EP2: Please don't touch the mechanisms

    Welcome the Board Game Mechanism Museum, you've got your ticket, come on in and take a look around as I talk about my favourite mechanisms that I particularly enjoy in gaming.  Just remember though to not touch the exhibits. IN THIS EPISODE - In our "Just Played" segment JP tried to become Unstoppable, a card crafting game by Renegade Studios and tries a different take on the 4x genre in March of the Ants by Weird City Games - At the "Centre of the table" JP talks about some of his favourite mechanisms from board games which are so good they ought to be in a museum - We take a look at the the top 5 trending games in "What's Hot, What's Not" including Terraria: The Board Game, LOTR Fate of the Fellowship, Lands of Evershade, Rolling Deep and Feya's Swamp LINKS REFERENCED IN THE SHOW Watch this episode on YouTube - https://youtu.be/kyfBA9vXjC8 CHAPTERS 00:00:00 - OPENING 00:00:24 - PHASE A: PULL UP A CHAIR 00:01:49 - PHASE B: JUST PLAYED  00:01:56 - Unstoppable 00:09:25 - March of the Ants: Evolved Edition 00:16:21 - PHASE C: CENTRE OF THE TABLE - Please don't touch the mechanisms  00:17:35 - Hand Management in Concordia  00:19:08 - Dice Drafting in Coimbra 00:21:24 - The Combat System in Arcs 00:23:43 - Aim Board in Apex Legends 00:25:37 - Powering Up Cards in Civ New Dawn  00:26:51 - Tile Placement & Activation in Glen More II  00:28:15 - Card Shedding in Anno 1800 00:29:48 - Deck Shift Management in Revive 00:31:12 - Secret Action Selection in Coloma 00:32:29 - Analogue Point & Click in Cantaloop 00:35:01 - PHASE D: WHAT'S HOT, WHAT'S NOT 00:40:07 - PHASE E: JUST ABOUT TO PLAY 00:41:43 - PHASE F: THE LAST PLAY Get in touch with the show Support the show GET IN TOUCH Website - https://www.justplaypod.co.uk YouTube - https://www.youtube.com/@JustPlayPodcast Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/JustPlayPod Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/justplaypod Discord - Join us on Discord INTRO / OUTRO CREDITS Intro / Outro Music: Getaway by D0d Music from #Uppbeat (free for Creators!): https://uppbeat.io/t/d0d/getaway

  7. 10 Jun ·  Bonus Video

    Just Play With Others: My Netherlands Board Game Retreat 2026

    JP returns from a rather sweaty weekend in the Netherlands...no not like that, board gaming in 30+ degree heat of course.  Every year Dávid Turczi hosts an invite only retreat for friends, family, developers, testers and this is my second year attending.  So will I'll divulge any industry secrets, well no because NDA is a real thing but I did get a lot of games played so what an excuse to talk about them. IN THIS EPISODE - JP talks more about the event and the fun journeys driving to the Netherlands - I joined a variety of content creators including Paul Grogan from Gaming Rules!, Mark Dainty from Not Bored Gaming and Asaf from EZBoardGames - I talk about the following games including: Andromedas Edge by Cardboard Alchemy Slay the Spire by Contention Games Leviathan Wilds by Moon Crab Games Cat In The Box by Bézier Games The Defence of Procyon III by PSC Games Recall by Alion Games World Order by Hegemonic Project Games Clans of Caledonia LINKS REFERENCED IN THE SHOW Watch this episode on YouTube - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CcJr_buxLWU CHAPTERS 00:00:00 - OPENING 00:00:18 - PHASE A: PULL UP A CHAIR 00:00:40 - PHASE B: JUST PLAY WITH OTHERS - Netherlands Gaming Retreat 00:01:49 - Who attended the event? 00:03:28 - What was the place like and why was it sweaty? 00:05:04 - The journey to the Netherlands 00:06:17 - Secret games that I can't talk about...seriously JP 00:07:01 - PHASE C: JUST PLAYED AT THE EVENT 00:07:23 - Andromedas Edge 00:12:46 - Slay the Spire 00:18:08 - Leviathan Wilds 00:25:34 - Cat In The Box 00:28:15 - The Defense of Procyon III 00:35:17 - A quick aside for Star Trek Captains Chair 00:35:56 - Recall 00:40:21 - World Order 00:46:58 - Clans of Caledonia 00:51:42 - PHASE D: THE LAST PLAY Get in touch with the show Support the show GET IN TOUCH Website - https://www.justplaypod.co.uk YouTube - https://www.youtube.com/@JustPlayPodcast Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/JustPlayPod Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/justplaypod Discord - Join us on Discord INTRO / OUTRO CREDITS Intro / Outro Music: Getaway by D0d Music from #Uppbeat (free for Creators!): https://uppbeat.io/t/d0d/getaway

  8. 6 Jun ·  Bonus Video

    Just Play With Others: UK Games Expo 2026 (Feat. NinjaGeek Games)

    Con-Crud is a real thing but you know what, it's worth it when you've attended the UK Games Expo 2026.  JP is joined by Mark Monk from @NinjaGeekGames where they break down the show, the games they've played, the people they've met and the wicked awesome (thanks Mark) time they had. DISCLAIMER!!! For those watching on video Mark's video / audio has a slight delay which will be resolved in future guest episodes as JP has learnt his lesson. IN THIS EPISODE - JP & Mark catch-up around their journeys into the NEC Birmingham and find out that Dolly Parton & Kenny Rogers have nothing to worry about. - We break down our experiences over Thursday to Sunday and talk about games, games, games, people and more games GAMES MENTIONED IN THE SHOW Flip 7 / Flip 7 with a Vengeance by The Op Games The Thing: Infection Outpost 31 by Mondo Games Song of the Wildkin by Boken Games Paths Unknown Series by Raybox Games Almighty by Keen Bean Games Drillers by Czech Games Edition Codenames: Critical Role Adventures by Czech Games Edition Wroth & Wreck by Chip Theory Games Too Many Bones 2.0 by Chip Theory Games Sublime Dark by Hall or Nothing Productions Trouble on the Tempus by Minor Disaster Games Railway Porters by Saachi & Saachi Tally Up by Messy Table Games A Carnivore Did It by Horrible Guild Thief's Market by PickPocket Games Kryptothera: The Cryptid Pursuit by NoctiLux Games Prague: Unseen by Albi Games Tenby by Mighty Boards War of Whispers by Starling Games Snowdonia Gran Tour by Naylor Games Time Troopers by Molinarius Games Whisperwood by Cardboard Alchemy LINKS REFERENCED IN THE SHOW Watch this episode on YouTube - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ECFNdpqcXGs Check out Mark's channel right here - https://www.youtube.com/@NinjaGeekGames Becky's Cheesy Bangers Playlist - https://open.spotify.com/playlist/2GB4D1yA8G2qehCSAOZ27o?si=5Itu0f0rRiyUg2XyX_GmcwEPISODE&nd=1&dlsi=996ec348f8654010 CHAPTERS 00:00:00 - OPENING 00:00:24 - PHASE A: PULL UP A CHAIR 00:03:33 - PHASE B: JUST PLAY WITH OTHERS - UK Games Expo 2026 00:06:41 - Day 0 - THURSDAY - Press Event 00:07:01 - PHASE C: JUST PLAYED AT THE EVENT 00:12:20 - Flip 7 , Cabanga, Things In Rings 00:13:37 - The Thing: Infection Outpost 31 00:14:38 - DAY 1 - FRIDAY & Song of the Wildkin 00:19:41 - Paths Unknown Series 00:22:58 - Almighty 00:29:05 - Drillers 00:31:50 - Codenames: Critical Role Adventures 00:34:13 - Wroth & Wreck 00:37:57 - Too Many Bones 2.0 00:40:55 - Sublime Dark 00:44:15 - Trouble on the Tempus 00:49:58 - Sanctuary 00:51:38 - Flip 7: With a Vengence 00:53:39 - DAY 2 - SATURDAY & Hegemony: Shadows of Authority  00:59:20 - Meet & Greets then Railway Porters 01:03:32 - Tally Up, A Carnivore Did It & Thief's Market 01:08:04 - Kryptothera & Stoke Me A Clipper!!! 01:10:39 - Prague: Unseen 01:15:18 - Tenby 01:20:13 - War of Whispers & Heat: Mario Kart 01:23:47 - DAY 3 - SUNDAY & Snowdonia Grand Tour 01:29:43 - Catching up with Mindclash Games 01:32:03 - Time Troopers 01:34:17 - Whisperwood 01:41:59 - PHASE D: UKGE PURCHASES & WRAP UP 01:52:07 - PHASE E: THE LAST PLAY Get in touch with the show Support the show GET IN TOUCH Website - https://www.justplaypod.co.uk YouTube - https://www.youtube.com/@JustPlayPodcast Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/JustPlayPod Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/justplaypod Discord - Join us on Discord INTRO / OUTRO CREDITS Intro / Outro Music: Getaway by D0d Music from #Uppbeat (free for Creators!): https://uppbeat.io/t/d0d/getaway

  9. 1 Jun ·  Video

    EP1: Top 10 games that made me love tabletop

    In a world where there are over 100,000 board games it only takes a special few to make a difference.  In this episode JP takes us through his top 10 games that made him fall in love with the hobby. IN THIS EPISODE - In our "Just Played" segment JP talks about why it's important to be careful in waking up eternals in Eternal Decks by Tricktakers Games and managing workers in a dystopian future can be tough when they get too intelligent in Euphoria by Stonemaier Games - At the "Centre of the table" JP takes us through his journey of 10 core games which has helped cement his love for the hobby - We take a look at the the top 5 trending games in "What's Hot, What's Not" including Lands of Evershade, Dark Pact, Rolling Deep, Eternal Decks (again!!) and World Order LINKS REFERENCED IN THE SHOW Watch this episode on YouTube - https://youtu.be/B9GBxCJh_2s CHAPTERS 00:00:00 - Opening 00:00:21 - PHASE A: PULL UP A CHAIR 00:01:46 - PHASE B: JUST PLAYED 00:02:27 - Eternal Decks 00:12:11 - Euphoria: Build a Better Dystopia 00:19:24 - PHASE C: CENTRE OF THE TABLE - Top 10 games that made me love tabletop 00:20:56 - No. 10 - XCOM: The Board Game 00:24:11 - No. 9 - Mansions of Madness 1st Edition 00:26:59 - No. 8 - Star Wars Rebellion 00:30:14 - No. 7 - Scythe 00:32:34 - No. 6 - Lorenzo Il Magnifico 00:35:17 - No. 5 - On Mars 00:37:22 - No. 4 - Anachrony 00:39:30 - No. 3 - Game of Thrones: 2nd Edition 00:41:58 - No. 2 - Imperium Classics 00:46:43 - No. 1 - Too Many Bones 00:50:58 - PHASE D: WHAT'S HOT, WHAT'S NOT 00:56:41 - PHASE E: JUST ABOUT TO PLAY 00:58:23 - PHASE F: THE LAST PLAY Get in touch with the show Support the show GET IN TOUCH Website - https://www.justplaypod.co.uk YouTube - https://www.youtube.com/@JustPlayPodcast Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/JustPlayPod Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/justplaypod Discord - Join us on Discord INTRO / OUTRO CREDITS Intro / Outro Music: Getaway by D0d Music from #Uppbeat (free for Creators!): https://uppbeat.io/t/d0d/getaway

About

Welcome to Just Play, your board gaming podcast.  Your host JP acts as your Player Two to guide you through the hobby, whether that's talking about games played at the table, chatting with guests in the industry or covering conventions.  Pull up a chair, relax and...Just Play.

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