Operation Game Night

Travis, Clay, & Jared
  • 4.6 (10)
  • GAMES
  • UPDATED WEEKLY

Travis Smith, Jared Erickson, and Clay Gable get together to discuss the latest and greatest in board games in this weekly podcast. What's hot, what's hitting the table, featured discussions about board games and the board gaming culture, and the primary mission objective- to play more board games! 

  1. 4D AGO

    Regicide Legacy by Badgers From Mars

    A classic card battler grows fangs when you turn it into a legacy campaign. We unpack how Regicide Legacy transforms a tight solo-friendly system into twelve tough chapters with mercenaries, sleeves, and exact-damage recruits that make every decision feel earned. The best part: you don’t need the original to jump in. The first chapter onboards fast, the mat and iconography remove bookkeeping, and the art swaps plain suits for readable fantasy symbols so tactics come first. We trade notes on why failure fuels progress through gold and unlocks, and how the game stays brisk even as mechanics “get weird” in the best way. Combos take center stage: pair an ace for flexible spikes, stack same-value cards to blend damage, shields, and draw, and time animal companions to tilt the math. When you land perfect damage and pull a fallen boss onto the top of your deck, the payoff feels like a solved puzzle and a power move rolled into one. Production matters here—magnetic box, chapter packs, neoprene mat—so setup is minutes and playtime stays in the 20–60 range, often closer to 20 solo. We also talk table sizes and modes: snappy solo runs that beg for one-more-try, cooperative play that rewards hand-off planning, and post-campaign options that keep the box alive with remixed challenges and core regicide mode. If you want a fast, tactical legacy game that respects your time, looks great, and actually gets deeper as you fail forward, this one earns the shelf space. Hit play, hear why it clicked for us, and tell us how you’d build your deck for those exact-damage recruits. Enjoyed the breakdown? Follow the show, share with a friend who loves co‑op card games, and leave a quick review so more players can find us. We want to hear from our listeners! Send us a text with recommendations, weigh in on discussions, or just say hi! Support the show As always, come interact with us online, let us know if you have any feedback, and leave us a review/comment anywhere you get your favorite podcasts! https://www.instagram.com/operation_game_night_podcast/ Show your support for the OGN Crew by contributing to the OGN War Chest: https://www.buzzsprout.com/2396881/support

    21 min

  2. 6D AGO

    Do Stats Make Games Better?

    We break down a year of board gaming through data, stories, and the people who make play matter. From family tables to BGA marathons, we share what 564 plays reveal about habits, favorites, and how tracking changes the way we choose games. • why logging plays reduces recency bias • BG Stats features, costs and BGA syncing • weekend bursts and Wine Wednesday rhythm • top playing partners led by family • most-played titles and what they teach • co-op trick-taking as a learning tool • digital depth vs around-the-table energy • variety over obsession across 204 unique games • shoutouts to friends, listeners and new players • prompt to share tracking habits and stats Travis, if you could add us at operation game night, please let us know what your stats are looking like. What do you keep your track? How do you keep track of all your games? We want to hear from our listeners! Send us a text with recommendations, weigh in on discussions, or just say hi! Support the show As always, come interact with us online, let us know if you have any feedback, and leave us a review/comment anywhere you get your favorite podcasts! https://www.instagram.com/operation_game_night_podcast/ Show your support for the OGN Crew by contributing to the OGN War Chest: https://www.buzzsprout.com/2396881/support

    31 min

  3. JAN 8

    We Bought Too Many Games & a Pizza Oven...No Regrets

    Holiday chaos meets game night comfort, and it turns out that’s the perfect combo. We swap stories from six Christmases, a last-minute MC gig, and a road trip wedding that turned into a used-game treasure hunt—then zero in on the party games and house rules that kept friends and family engaged without a heavy teach. If your living room is full and attention spans are short, this playbook is for you. Clay breaks down why Challengers shines with big groups and how a quick demo can transform first-time players into tournament diehards in under an hour. Jared takes us through a host-tested lineup—Llama, For Sale, and Blokus—that warms up a room, balances luck and skill, and leaves space for conversation. Travis brings the chaos with Strike, the springy-dice arena game that thrives on laughter and table banter. We debate house rules—single-die precision versus throw-as-many-as-you-dare—and explain why both deliver a satisfying push-your-luck arc. Between sessions, we raid McKay’s for used board games and talk smart collecting: small-box fillers that actually hit the table, evergreen party titles, and a few midweight gems you’ll be excited to teach. Then the show veers deliciously into pizza science. A propane pizza oven turns hosting into a rhythm game—preheat patience, the window test for dough, and semolina on the peel for a flawless launch. Pair rapid-fire pies with short games and you’ve got a pop-up pizzeria powered by laughter and easy rules. We close with new acquisitions (hello, Kenizia), kid reactions to a parade of Santas, and a reminder that the best memories often come from simple tools used well. If you love board games, group hosting, or the pursuit of a perfect thin crust, this one’s packed with practical tips, house-rule debates, and cozy holiday energy. Enjoy the show, share it with a friend who hosts game nights, and don’t forget to subscribe and leave a quick review—what’s your go-to party game right now? We want to hear from our listeners! Send us a text with recommendations, weigh in on discussions, or just say hi! Support the show As always, come interact with us online, let us know if you have any feedback, and leave us a review/comment anywhere you get your favorite podcasts! https://www.instagram.com/operation_game_night_podcast/ Show your support for the OGN Crew by contributing to the OGN War Chest: https://www.buzzsprout.com/2396881/support

    22 min

  4. JAN 6

    Why We Keep Playing Board Games

    Ever wonder why some hobbies fade while others become part of your identity? We open the door to our game closets and our calendars to unpack why board gaming keeps its grip—through job changes, parenting, and a hundred other distractions—when so many pursuits don’t. We start with the quiet truth: unstructured hangouts can be hard. A board game solves for that by giving the room a shared focus, a fair set of rules, and a rhythm that makes conversation easier. From party nights with sizzling burgers to slow-burn engine builders, we show how the table creates connection without pressure. For the optimization lovers, we get into mastery: reading the puzzle, tuning a turn order, and feeling that satisfying click when an engine fires. It’s the same part of the brain that loves clean systems at work, but with stakes that feel fun, not draining. Then we take on the sticky topic of collecting. The shelf of shame is real, and so is the temptation to chase every release. We compare acquisition and intention, share how Board Game Arena helps us test before we buy, and explain why curating for people—choosing games with a friend or sibling in mind—turns cardboard into community. The purest high isn’t unsealing shrink wrap; it’s teaching the right game to the right person and watching their face light up as it clicks. We also talk theme and escapism: being a pirate, a vintner, or an explorer for an hour, and how the best mechanisms make those roles feel alive. Finally, we look at family play. Kids want screens, but they also want time that feels special. Games give us a way to stay present, teach patience, celebrate clever ideas, and build stories together. From First Orchard to The Quest for El Dorado, we see how play scales with age and keeps the bond strong. If you’ve ever asked yourself why you keep coming back to cardboard, this conversation offers honest answers and a few laughs along the way. If this resonates, follow the show, share it with a friend who loves game night, and leave a review to help more people find us. Your stories keep our table growing. We want to hear from our listeners! Send us a text with recommendations, weigh in on discussions, or just say hi! Support the show As always, come interact with us online, let us know if you have any feedback, and leave us a review/comment anywhere you get your favorite podcasts! https://www.instagram.com/operation_game_night_podcast/ Show your support for the OGN Crew by contributing to the OGN War Chest: https://www.buzzsprout.com/2396881/support

    27 min
  5. The Best Reiner Knizia Game for Every Table (Chosen by Knizia)

    JAN 1

    The Best Reiner Knizia Game for Every Table (Chosen by Knizia)

    What if you could choose the perfect board game for any table, every time? We sit down with Dr. Reiner Knizia and put his legendary catalog to the test—throwing real game-night scenarios at him and asking for exact recommendations. From quick pre-dinner games like Money, to onboarding video-game players with My City, to big holiday tables where LAMA shines, Knizia explains why simple rules create the best decisions. He shares go-to picks for teens (The Quest for El Dorado), competitive families (Schotten Totten / Battle Line and Ra), and date nights (Lost Cities), all while unpacking his design philosophy: minimal rules, maximum interaction, and games that keep the table talking. If you want better game nights—games that respect your time, fit your group, and actually get played—this episode is a masterclass. Hit play, steal the recommendations, and tell us what you’d put on the table next. We want to hear from our listeners! Send us a text with recommendations, weigh in on discussions, or just say hi! Support the show As always, come interact with us online, let us know if you have any feedback, and leave us a review/comment anywhere you get your favorite podcasts! https://www.instagram.com/operation_game_night_podcast/ Show your support for the OGN Crew by contributing to the OGN War Chest: https://www.buzzsprout.com/2396881/support

    33 min

  6. 12/30/2025

    OTF: Holiday Fun with Mike & Tiff

    The plan was simple: hop the fence and talk about life beyond the table. What followed was a tour of real projects, real rest, and the stories that keep us curious. Mike is in the final stretch of transforming a 1950s metal trailer into a cozy home, complete with a shipping container for laundry now and a dream board game room later. That sparks a candid moment about trimming a 375-game collection to something that fits the life we want, not the shelves we have. Holidays feel different this year. We trade travel stress for staying put with a sick kid, lean into small rituals like lefsa at cookie parties, and give ourselves permission to skip plans. On screen, we sift through Stranger Things fatigue, embrace the joy of finishing a saga, and remember why comfort rewatches like Pitch Perfect hit so hard. The real surprise is Dispatch, a story-first superhero game voiced by Aaron Paul and loaded with Critical Role talent. It plays like an interactive series, makes fast decisions matter, and is friendly to anyone who doesn’t “do” video games. We also tackle creativity fear in tabletop roleplaying. Not everyone wants to improv a backstory on day one, and that’s okay. With a supportive DM, a clear map, and a guided campaign, even the “uncreative” can learn to explore, ask better questions, and find character along the way. We look ahead to a Walking Dead–style TTRPG run by our friend Izzy, then pivot to two sci-fi stops: Pluribus on Apple TV, a hive mind thriller with sharp ideas about identity, and Avatar: Fire and Ash, a long, glossy continuation best watched after the first two films. Come for the tiny home grit, stay for the media gems, and leave with practical courage to downsize, start small, and try a new story format. If you enjoyed this one, follow the show, share it with a friend, and drop us a note with your comfort rewatch or a beginner-friendly TTRPG we should try next. We want to hear from our listeners! Send us a text with recommendations, weigh in on discussions, or just say hi! Support the show As always, come interact with us online, let us know if you have any feedback, and leave us a review/comment anywhere you get your favorite podcasts! https://www.instagram.com/operation_game_night_podcast/ Show your support for the OGN Crew by contributing to the OGN War Chest: https://www.buzzsprout.com/2396881/support

    27 min

  7. 12/25/2025

    Special Ops: Holiday Grab Bag of Games!

    Looking for fresh games that actually hit the table? We dig into a stack of recent plays that span fast fillers, tight two-player duels, a chewy co-op, a welcoming auction classic, and even a solo RPG you can toss in your bag. The throughline is simple: clear rules, meaningful choices, and sessions short enough to replay right away. We start with Bohemians, a sleeper deckbuilder that remixes After Us’ symbol-chaining puzzle with a bohemian artist theme that finally makes the mechanisms sing. From there, Flamecraft Duels trims the cozy original into an elegant contract-filling duel-in-a-briefcase, and Penguin Party reminds us how a single adjacency rule can fuel ruthless, five-minute mind games. Co-op fans get a spicy recommendation in Flock Together, where punny chickens face predators that level up and weather that wrecks plans, demanding smart coordination and tempo control. Seasonal spirit shows up in Santa’s Workshop, a bright worker placement refresh with family and advanced modes that both feel satisfying. For auction lovers, Medici earns a place on the shelf as a gateway-friendly once-around classic that balances total value with color-track jockeying. Solo time? The Tainted Grail solo RPG delivers a portable, Arthurian narrative crawl powered by tarot-style exploration, evolving maps, and character arcs that persist across runs, making it perfect for commutes and quiet evenings. We also gush over White Castle Duel’s razor-tight twelve-turn lantern puzzle, Come Sail Away’s Sashi-designed guest-placement flow that hides depth behind minimal rules, and Agent Avenue’s I-split-you-choose mind games that turn two cards into a bluffing clinic. If you want games that teach fast, play clean, and leave you wanting one more round, this lineup is your new shortlist. Enjoyed the recommendations? Follow the show, share this episode with your game group, and leave a quick review to help more players find us. What should we play next—got a hidden gem we should try? We want to hear from our listeners! Send us a text with recommendations, weigh in on discussions, or just say hi! Support the show As always, come interact with us online, let us know if you have any feedback, and leave us a review/comment anywhere you get your favorite podcasts! https://www.instagram.com/operation_game_night_podcast/ Show your support for the OGN Crew by contributing to the OGN War Chest: https://www.buzzsprout.com/2396881/support

    49 min

  8. 12/23/2025

    Debrief: Tag Team from Scorpion Masqué

    A duel that teaches itself, bites fast, and still makes you sweat—Tag Team brings auto-battler energy to the tabletop without the bloat. We break down how two fighters per side, a locked deck order, and a single placement choice each round can produce real drama in under fifteen minutes. With 12 asymmetric fighters—tanks that soak, glass cannons that spike, and a rage-fueled shapeshifter chasing a late-game flip—the game rewards timing, foresight, and a little nerve. We walk through the core loop step by step, then dig into the mind games: when to slot a clutch block on top, when to hide a heal mid-sequence, and how overcommitting to one star creates both control and a target on their back. Clear iconography and plain-text effects keep new players comfortable, while the partial-information dance keeps veterans guessing. We also explore the broader rise of auto battlers from apps like Super Auto Pets to tabletop hits like Challengers, and why Tag Team hits a sweet spot of simplicity and agency where many designs stumble. If you’re balancing family schedules, late nights, or tight game windows, this one punches above its weight: quick to teach, quick to finish, and easy to replay with new pairings. We share where it shines, where it might feel too brisk, and a few light tweaks you can try if you want longer arcs. Ready to find out if “almost plays itself” can still feel strategic? Press play, then tell us your favorite fighter combo and whether you’re Team Speed or Team Depth. If you enjoyed the breakdown, follow the show, leave a rating, and share this with a friend who loves tight two-player games. We want to hear from our listeners! Send us a text with recommendations, weigh in on discussions, or just say hi! Support the show As always, come interact with us online, let us know if you have any feedback, and leave us a review/comment anywhere you get your favorite podcasts! https://www.instagram.com/operation_game_night_podcast/ Show your support for the OGN Crew by contributing to the OGN War Chest: https://www.buzzsprout.com/2396881/support

    17 min
See All (104)

4.6
out of 5
10 Ratings

About

Travis Smith, Jared Erickson, and Clay Gable get together to discuss the latest and greatest in board games in this weekly podcast. What's hot, what's hitting the table, featured discussions about board games and the board gaming culture, and the primary mission objective- to play more board games! 

Information

  • Creator
    Travis, Clay, & Jared
  • Years Active
    2024 - 2026
  • Episodes
    104
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © 2026 Operation Game Night
  • Show Website
    Operation Game Night