Brainwaves - Board Game and Tabletop News Show The Giant Brain

The team of 3 are back again like a renegade master. Only up to date references on this show. It’s another bumper cast as we cover the Spiel des Jahres, trademarks you won’t believe exist, and people on the move in the industry. All this, and more, on episode 145 of Brainwaves. 
 
Headlines
Spiel des Jahres Nominations
https://www.spiel-des-jahres.de/nominierte-spiele-2024.html
https://boardgamegeek.com/blogpost/162128/spiel-des-jahres-nominations-for-2024-captain-flip
 
Martina Fuchs Interview
https://giantbrain.co.uk/2023/07/24/brainwaves-episode-126-spiel-special/
 
Meeple trademarks 
https://gamefound.com/en/projects/cogito-ergo-meeple/meeple-inc/updates/9
 
https://boardgamewire.com/index.php/2024/06/14/the-word-meeple-is-being-trademarked-in-the-us-in-reaction-to-cease-and-desist-activity-from-carcassonne-publisher-hans-im-glueck/
 
https://web.archive.org/web/20101130212607/http://games.groups.yahoo.com/group/Unity_Games/message/2301
EU trademark: https://register.dpma.de/DPMAregister/marke/registerHABM?AKZ=016791741&CURSOR=0
 
German trademark: https://register.dpma.de/DPMAregister/marke/register/3020211016416/DE 
 
US trademark attempt: https://tsdr.uspto.gov/#caseNumber=98576863&caseSearchType=US_APPLICATION&caseType=DEFAULT&searchType=statusSearch
 
Hachette Boardgames UK and Laurence King partner
https://www.hachetteboardgames.co.uk/
 
Updates
 
Dicebreaker broken
https://boardgamewire.com/index.php/2024/06/12/dicebreakers-future-remains-unclear-as-silenced-site-makes-editor-in-chief-senior-staff-writer-redundant-after-ign-takeover/
 
Evil Genius games continue to live up to half of their name 
https://evilgeniusgames.com/blog/our-technology-code-of-ethics/?ref=rascal.news
https://www.rascal.news/rpg-publisher-that-promised-not-to-use-web3-technology-in-their-business-does-it-anyway/
 
TTWU negotiations
https://www.rascal.news/tabletop-workers-united-negotiations-stalled-by-lawyers-belligerence-and-subsequent-vacation-2/
 
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BbmYN8ZiMRI&embeds_referring_euri=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.rascal.news%2F&source_ve_path=MzY4NDIsMjg2NjY&feature=emb_logo
 
https://aftermath.site/
 
News
 
UKGE People's Choice Awards
https://www.ukgamesexpo.co.uk/content/news/peoples-choice-awards-2024/
 
Jogo do Ano
https://www.spielportugal.org/jogo-do-ano
 
Game Brewer is Closing
https://gamebrewer.com/gamebrewer-goodbuy/
 
X-Wing and Armada ending
https://www.atomicmassgames.com/transmission/update-on-star-wars-x-wing-and-star-wars-armada/
 
People on the Move
 
Liz Davidson becomes solo game specialist for Leder Games
https://bsky.app/profile/beyondsolitaire.bsky.social/post/3kvcjlxe35k2k
https://x.com/ledergames/status/1803532695886028857?s=46
 
James Hewitt and Sophie Wiliams join Warcradle 
https://blog.warcradle.com/blog/welcoming-sophie-williams-and-james-hewitt-to-warcradle-studios?fbclid=IwZXh0bgNhZW0CMTAAAR02vK1h_H5i3VqLN5Wh2qJkDvsJ9pPE_vwoq_UOMIXUoMKMzjMFCLz5Di4_aem_ZmFrZWR1bW15MTZieXRlcw&format=amp
 
Jobs, Opportunities, and Events
 
https://www.facebook.com/groups/TabletopJobs

Patreon Shoutouts
 
Kevin Bertram
https://www.fortcircle.com/
 
James Naylor
https://naylorgames.com/
 
Shaun Newman
game-a-lot.fun/en
facebook.com/gamealotboardgames
 
Our Patreon
https://www.patreon.com/thegiantbrain
 
Support Us
https://giantbrain.co.uk/support-us-new/
 
Fanroll
https://fanrolldice.com/ref/2783/

Sir Meeple
https://sirmeeple.com/collections/the-giant-brain
 
Outro
 
Medieval game pieces
https://news.artnet.com/art-world/medieval-game-pieces-emerge-from-the-ruins-of-a-mysterious-german-castle-2497815
 
Our Links
 
Thanks very much for listening. If you like what you’ve listened to then the best way to help us out is to share the podcast and drop us a review and rating on itunes.  You can also follow us on
 
Oliver: https://tabletopgamesblog.com/
Discord: https://discord.gg/3bMx2HK75r
Blusky:https://bsky.app/profile/giantbrain.co.uk
Instagram: https://www.instagra

Hello everyone,
 
In a break from our usual cast, this is a set of interviews I carried out at UK Games Expo 2024. I’ve provided links to all the folk mentioned and more besides in the show notes. Hope you enjoy! 
 
Folks we mention on the cast
 
Soul Muppet Publishing
Leyline Press
Mousehole press
Paverson Games 
Black Chantry
Null Signal
 
Orbital Blues 
Slightly Reckless Games
Wanderer’s Tome  
Burn After Running
Boardgamewire
UK Tabletop Industry Network
Arcs
Darington Press - Candela Obscura 
UK Indie RPG collective 
Undaunted Calisto
Roland MacDonald
Crossed Paths
Tabletop Games Blog - Oliver
Tabletop Scotland 

The whole team are back together covering a bumper crop of news. Mergers everywhere, UK Games Expo expands (and we were there), awards, controversies, and of course we tell you if Ryan Dancey is accountable. The answer will not surprise you. 
 
Headlines
 
Steamforged bought Privateer Press rights
https://steamforged.com/en-gb/blogs/brands/sfg-acquires-iron-kingdoms
 
https://home.privateerpress.com/2024/06/03/privateer-press-the-next-phase/?fbclid=IwZXh0bgNhZW0CMTEAAR2PzhzcDq_j5L7gg_0Esd1OvoKskXDomYpeb4rZYiQ4EY2MLBiJ3K-ns5c_aem_ARXNYQHsZBzeuEloediavrCp-Otisvcr6wr9GP2XlHPjjhzD0SqbIcDlZOftHMmNO8TPyvLxqPTWbRWjktKcix9g
 
Update 1
https://steamforged.com/en-gb/blogs/brands/iron-kingdoms-manifesto-part1?_kx=-sFq1XbQgQy7s_Rxhtdsx3d0aCtUpZBpQpd6_AghaTE.Xq6fgY&utm_campaign=WM%2C+IKRPG%2C+P3+-+Manifesto+P1%3A+Vision+%26+Mission&utm_medium=campaign&utm_source=Klaviyo
 
UK Games Expo figures
https://boardgamewire.com/index.php/2024/06/06/record-breaking-uk-games-expo-preps-for-even-bigger-future-after-being-outbid-for-its-main-hall-next-year/
 
Diana Jones finalists
https://www.dianajonesaward.org/the-2024-award/
 
Updates
 
Ryan Dancey update
https://x.com/rsdancey/status/1795600725034283418
 
Spiel Essen drops AI art
https://boardgamewire.com/index.php/2024/06/06/worlds-biggest-board-game-fair-scraps-using-ai-art-to-promote-event-after-backlash-last-year-ongoing-legal-uncertainty/
 
News
 
Roll20 acquires Demiplane
https://blog.roll20.net/posts/roll20-has-acquired-demiplane/
 
Mantic acquires River Horse assets
https://icv2.com/articles/news/view/57016/mantic-acquires-river-horses-brand-assets
 
Gamefound becomes a store
https://gamefound.com/en/blog/post/our-next-big-release-introducing-creator-stores-to-gamefound
 
https://help.gamefound.com/article/381-project-settings-for-store
 
Quantum teach board game with Uwe Rosenburg
https://boardgamewire.com/index.php/2024/06/04/uwe-rosenberg-is-developing-a-quantum-tech-themed-board-game-thanks-to-e820000-of-government-funding/
 
First Wonders CCG
https://boardgamegeek.com/thread/3307388/a-little-light-doxxing-from-jeff

Jobs, Opportunities, and Events
 
https://www.facebook.com/groups/TabletopJobs
 
Palestinian children-focused fundraiser
https://boardgamewire.com/index.php/2024/06/05/board-game-industry-professionals-band-together-for-palestinian-children-focused-fundraiser/
 
https://www.pcrf.net/
 
Patreon Shoutouts
 
Kevin Bertram
https://www.fortcircle.com/
 
James Naylor
https://naylorgames.com/
 
Shaun Newman
game-a-lot.fun/en
facebook.com/gamealotboardgames
 
Our Patreon
https://www.patreon.com/thegiantbrain
 
Support Us
https://giantbrain.co.uk/support-us-new/
 
Fanroll
https://fanrolldice.com/ref/2783/

Sir Meeple
https://sirmeeple.com/collections/the-giant-brain
 
Outro
 
Cluedo Liars edition
https://boardgamegeek.com/boardgame/345582/clue-liars-edition
 
Our Links
 
Thanks very much for listening. If you like what you’ve listened to then the best way to help us out is to share the podcast and drop us a review and rating on itunes.  You can also follow us on
 
Oliver: https://tabletopgamesblog.com/
Discord: https://discord.gg/3bMx2HK75r
Blusky:https://bsky.app/profile/giantbrain.co.uk
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/giantbrainuk/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/thegiantbrain
Website: https://giantbrain.co.uk/
Email: giantbrainuk@gmail.com

Oliver and Iain are back in the studio as Jamie continues to travel Scotland. This episode they bring you up to date news on the winners of the Cardboard Edison Award, look at the finances of our overlords, and ask “Is Ryan Dancey accountable?”. Tune in to find out the answer. 
 
Headlines
 
Cardboard Edison Awards
https://cardboardedison.com/
https://cardboardedison.com/award
 
Asmodee financials and Embracer Write Down
https://icv2.com/articles/news/view/56967/embracer-writes-down-asmodee-dark-horse
 
https://boardgamewire.com/index.php/2024/05/23/asmodee-writes-down-more-than-620m-of-asset-value-despite-posting-strong-annual-sales/
 
Is Ryan Dancey Accountable?
 
Original tweet
https://x.com/PonchoRebound/status/1661308221326229504/photo/3
 
Apology Tweet
https://twitter.com/rsdancey/status/1661409374735327235
 
Updates
 
Mythic doubles down 
https://gamefound.com/en/projects/mythic-games/rise-of-the-necromancers#/section/rewards/reward-product-20652
 
Iain’s “Review”
https://giantbrain.co.uk/2024/05/19/6-siege-first-thoughts/

News
 
Dicebreaker acquired by IGN
https://bsky.app/profile/soulmuppet.bsky.social/post/3kt3qiftbh32l
https://www.gamesindustry.biz/ign-entertainment-acquires-eurogamer-gi-vg247-rock-paper-shotgun-and-more
 
18th Annual Golden Geek Winners for 2023 Announced
https://boardgamegeek.com/thread/3300892/18th-annual-golden-geek-winners-for-2023
 
Diana Jones emerging designer
https://www.dianajonesaward.org/
 
Dice Tower AI
https://bsky.app/profile/boardgamefeast.bsky.social/post/3ksp5kgndn22u
 
Funko Gets a Wizard
https://icv2.com/articles/news/view/56880/wotc-prez-funko
 
Japan’s Game Market Website Hacked
https://gamemarket-jp.translate.goog/information/177383?_x_tr_sl=auto&_x_tr_tl=en&_x_tr_hl=en&_x_tr_pto=wapp
 
https://boardgamewire.com/index.php/2024/05/16/hackers-attack-website-of-japans-biggest-board-game-fair-years-of-irreplacable-information-lost/

Jobs, Opportunities, and Events
 
https://www.facebook.com/groups/TabletopJobs

Patreon Shoutouts
 
Kevin Bertram
https://www.fortcircle.com/
 
James Naylor
https://naylorgames.com/
 
Shaun Newman
game-a-lot.fun/en
facebook.com/gamealotboardgames
 
Our Patreon
https://www.patreon.com/thegiantbrain
 
Support Us
https://giantbrain.co.uk/support-us-new/
 
Fanroll
https://fanrolldice.com/ref/2783/
 
Sir Meeple
https://sirmeeple.com/collections/the-giant-brain
 
Outro
 
Cluedo Conspiracy
https://boardgamegeek.com/boardgame/391824/clue-conspiracy
 
Our Links
 
Thanks very much for listening. If you like what you’ve listened to then the best way to help us out is to share the podcast and drop us a review and rating on itunes.  You can also follow us on
 
Oliver: https://tabletopgamesblog.com/
Discord: https://discord.gg/3bMx2HK75r
Blusky:https://bsky.app/profile/giantbrain.co.uk
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/giantbrainuk/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/thegiantbrain
Website: https://giantbrain.co.uk/
Email: giantbrainuk@gmail.com

Jamie is on tour around the islands of Scotland so it falls to Oliver and Iain to bring you the latest episode of Brainwaves. They look at the finances of CMON, support for designers in the US and UK, and cover some interesting programmes from the folk behind the Spiel des Jahres. 
 
Headlines
CMON sales
https://icv2.com/articles/news/view/56802/cmon-sales-flat-2023
Tabletop Games Designers Association
https://www.ttgda.org/
IWBG Union welcomes tabletop members
https://iwgb.org.uk/en/post/iwgb-tabletop-workers/
 
Updates
 
Mythic review email
 
News
Spiel des Jahres Support Programme
https://www.spiel-des-jahres.de/foerderprogramm-2024-73-000-euro-fuer-spielerische-projekte/
Deutsche Spiele Preis
https://spiel-essen.de/de/programm/dsp#abstimmen
 
Black Lotus beats the One Ring 
https://www.dicebreaker.com/games/magic-the-gathering-game/news/magic-the-gathering-pristine-black-lotus-sold-at-3-million-dollar-auction
Biggest card tournament
https://icv2.com/articles/news/view/56813/largest-tcg-tournament-ever
 
Jobs, Opportunities, and Events
https://www.facebook.com/groups/TabletopJobs
 
Fallcon game award
https://fallcon.com/CGDA/Rules
 
Patreon Shoutouts
Kevin Bertram
https://www.fortcircle.com/
James Naylor
https://naylorgames.com/
Shaun Newman
game-a-lot.fun/en
facebook.com/gamealotboardgames
Our Patreon
https://www.patreon.com/thegiantbrain
Support Us
https://giantbrain.co.uk/support-us-new/
Fanroll
https://fanrolldice.com/ref/2783/
Sir Meeple
https://sirmeeple.com/collections/the-giant-brain
 
Our Links
 
Thanks very much for listening. If you like what you’ve listened to then the best way to help us out is to share the podcast and drop us a review and rating on itunes.  You can also follow us on
 
Oliver: https://tabletopgamesblog.com/
Discord: https://discord.gg/3bMx2HK75r
Blusky:https://bsky.app/profile/giantbrain.co.uk
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/giantbrainuk/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/thegiantbrain
Website: https://giantbrain.co.uk/
Email: giantbrainuk@gmail.com

It’s been a busy couple of weeks in the tabletop industry, but never fear. The Brainwaves team are here to bring you all the latest news both big and small from across the globe. 
Headlines
Embracer splits up
https://embracer.com/releases/embracer-group-announces-its-intention-to-transform-into-three-standalone-publicly-listed-entities-at-nasdaq-stockholm/
https://embracer.com/releases/asmodee-secures-financing-agreement-of-eur-900-million-as-part-of-separation-deleveraging-the-remaining-embracer-group/
https://embracer.com/releases/open-letter-by-embracer-group-ceo-about-the-transformation-into-three-standalone-publicly-listed-entities/
 
WOTC ceo steps down
https://icv2.com/articles/news/view/56723/wizards-coast-president-resigns
 
Goliath buys Lucky Duck
https://toyworldmag.co.uk/goliath-acquires-lucky-duck-games/
 
News
Japon Brand joins CMON
https://icv2.com/articles/news/view/56786/japon-brand-love-letter-machi-koro-to-join-cmon-limited
 
Kickstarter implements late pledges 
https://updates.kickstarter.com/first-look-late-pledges-on-kickstarter/
 
D&D is good for you?
https://researchonline.jcu.edu.au/81119/1/JCU_Merrick%20et%20al%202023%20AAM.pdf
 
Steve Jackson Game Sales down
https://www.sjgames.com/general/stakeholders/
 
Jobs, Opportunities, and Events
https://www.facebook.com/groups/TabletopJobs

Patreon Shoutouts
Kevin Bertram
https://www.fortcircle.com/
 
James Naylor
https://naylorgames.com/
 
Shaun Newman
game-a-lot.fun/en
facebook.com/gamealotboardgames
 
Our Patreon
https://www.patreon.com/thegiantbrain
 
Support Us
https://giantbrain.co.uk/support-us-new/
 
Fanroll
https://fanrolldice.com/ref/2783/
 
Sir Meeple
https://sirmeeple.com/collections/the-giant-brain
 
Outro
Clue TV series
https://variety.com/2024/tv/news/clue-film-tv-adaptations-hasbro-sony-1235979732/
 
Our Links
 
Thanks very much for listening. If you like what you’ve listened to then the best way to help us out is to share the podcast and drop us a review and rating on itunes.  You can also follow us on
 
Oliver: https://tabletopgamesblog.com/
Discord: https://discord.gg/3bMx2HK75r
Blusky:https://bsky.app/profile/giantbrain.co.uk
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/giantbrainuk/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/thegiantbrain
Website: https://giantbrain.co.uk/
Email: giantbrainuk@gmail.com