Decision Space

I love board games, but I didn't really understand the reasons I have the gaming tastes that I do until I started listening to Decision Space. In a sea of internet content consisting of chatter about "new hotness" and surface-level how-did-you-like-it reviews, Decision Space wipes the Vaseline off the lens and digs deeper into the core elements of gaming itself. Why do we like the games that we do? What decisions are afforded us, and how do we wrestle with them? When thinking about games in this more philosophical and ludological framework, I am able to better understand what I want in a game, as well as learning why I might fall in love with a certain title and not another. To allay any potential concerns, though, this isn't just a weekly dry and dusty exercise in academia... You know, the kind of podcast you "accidentally" leave on your phone's lock screen, hoping to impress your first date with your massive intellect. The hosts, Paul, Jake, Brendan, and Pete, all have a great sense of humor and wonderful chemistry. They bring an infectious enthusiasm every episode. They will frequently analyze specific games in depth, or use them as a launching point for discussion of particular mechanics or design choices. So, even if you're just starting to dig deeper into the subject, you'll find common reference points in the form of some of your favorite games. The interview episodes are particular standouts, having contained some of the most engaging gaming conversations I've heard. In short, listening to Decision Space has reassured me that it's perfectly fine to treat the subject of modern hobby gaming with a deeper respect than we typically do, and the fun inherent in the medium is absolutely no worse for it. I wholeheartedly recommend giving this show a listen.

Loved hearing from Thi Nguyen!

First, a bit of context. I have been playing a wide range of board games since childhood (nearly fifty years). For the last 10 years or so, I have tended to gravitate toward “heavier” games that focus on intense player interaction and conflict—I am especially fond of asymmetric war games. I also have a particular fondness for “old school” Euro games that became popular 20 to 30 years ago. I DESPISE the cult of the new, and I am rarely convinced to fund anything on Kickstarter. Candidly, I loathe what influencer culture has done to board games over the last few years. With that grumpy rant as a backdrop, Decision Space feels almost otherworldly to a cranky old gamer like me. There is simply nothing out there quite like it. It seems to have come from an alternate universe where the magic and wonder of gaming was never stealthily snuffed out by unbridled consumerism and the infernal noise of social media. Its thoughtful exploration of what truly makes the gaming experience meaningful is utterly unmatched. It playfully stands alone, and it is WONDERFUL. Like all of their faithful listeners, I have been cheering for Jake, Brendan, Paul and Pete to win the Golden Geek Award for Best Podcast. They certainly deserve it. That said, it occurs to me that the reason they haven’t won is the very reason I love them—they are different in the best possible way. Much of modern gaming commentary exists in its own unfortunate “donkeyspace” (a term I first learned on Decision Space). Would-be influencers survey the landscape of available podcasts and jockey for advantage with suboptimal commentary about their pre-release copies of the latest Kickstarter hype. Meanwhile—Jake, Brendan, Paul and Pete are talking thoughtfully about Ra and Medina. Decision Space really is the best podcast there is. If I had the power, I’d not only give it a Golden Geek, I would give it a Golden Globe. Sadly, I have limited power—so I am left to write this rambling review. Five stars just doesn’t feel like enough. *One quick footnote: Here’s a REAL board game hot take (pun intended)—the episode after the Golden Geek Award winners for 2026 were announced, Decision Space had an interview with Cole Wehrle that left me absolutely breathless. That beats a Golden Geek Award any day in my book!

This is the rare board games podcast that isn’t primarily obsessed with the latest games but the deeper issues that make gaming rewarding and enjoyable. This is the podcast that’s not afraid to have C. Thi Nguyen on to discuss the philosophy of gaming; to drop hot (and WRONG) takes on what makes Eurogames tick; or write love letters in the form of deep analysis to their favorite games.