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. 3H AGO

    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

  2. 2D AGO

    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

  3. DEC 18

    Special Ops: Publishers On A Hot Streak

    What makes a board game leap off the shelf and onto the table, again and again? We dig into the publishers whose choices—production quality, component feel, rule clarity, art direction, and smart release strategies—turned solid designs into go-to weeknight plays and all-day favorites. From lavish dice trays and neoprene to tight, small-box curation, this conversation unpacks how labels build trust, reduce friction, and create onramps that welcome newcomers without alienating veterans. We start by reframing the “game of the year” idea through the lens of time, cost, and table realities, then spotlight the companies that delivered. Stonemaier’s big swing with a long-brewing passion project shows how consistent craft keeps players curious. Chip Theory doubles down on tactile joy and character growth that feels amazing in hand. Fantasy Flight steadies its flagship living card games with smart pauses, refreshed entry points, and a revived release cadence that rebuilt excitement for Marvel Champions and Arkham Horror. Alongside them, Restoration Games evolves Unmatched with a stellar TMNT co-op set that still meshes with competitive boxes. We also celebrate boutique brilliance. Bytewing pairs Kenizia’s razor designs with modern art and clean rules that pop at any player count. Gamehead launches a cohesive lineup of small-box titles under Paul Solomon’s creative direction, balancing casual, thinky, and party experiences that teach fast and shine on repeat plays. Allplay’s consistent form factor and price make quality an easy impulse buy, while CMYK’s magenta line and inventive rulebooks prove that bold presentation can be both friendly and fresh. And 25th Century keeps important designs alive with thoughtful reprints and accessible imports, helping more players find evergreen classics. If you care about how games teach, store, and feel—and why that matters for your group—this is your roadmap to the publishers delivering the goods right now. Subscribe, share with your game night crew, and drop a review with your top publisher picks so we can highlight them in a future episode. 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

  4. DEC 16

    Special Ops: 2025's Noteworthy "New-to-Us" Games (ft. Tiff from @Tiffs.Board.Games)

    We swap stories with Tiffany from Tiffs Board Games and share the best “new to us” plays that defined our year, from gentle family co-ops to solo epics and evergreen euros. The thread that ties them together is clean design, strong arc, and table moments that stick. • Victorian engine-building and gossip in Obsession  • Family laughs and tension in First Orchard  • Trinket Trove’s turn-order bidding and quick teach  • Rebirth as a clean, scalable Knizia tile-layer  • Castles of Burgundy’s timeless flow and upgrades  • Card crafting and player counts in Ruins  • El Grande’s live-table edge over async  • Solo depth in Hoplomachus: Victorum  • Sandbox chaos and expansions in Western Legends  • Acquire’s stock-and-merge elegance across editions  • Fromaggio’s wedges and scoring nuance  • Blue Lagoon’s interactive routing best at four  • Critter Kitchen’s market mind games and roles  • The Hobbit roll-and-write’s chapter variety  • Old King’s Crown’s auctions and bluffing automa  • Yokohama’s point salad without the bloat  • Dominion’s base-box replay and on-ramp  • Sanctuary as a streamlined Ark Nova sibling Go check her Instagram out @Tiffs.Board.Games. All of her posts are amazing. 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

    54 min

  5. DEC 10

    Special Ops: The Knizia Mount Rushmore (ft. Nick Murray from Bitewing Games)

    What if you had to carve Reiner Knizia’s legacy into stone—just four games to represent a career that spans genres, decades, and thousands of tables? We are pumped to be joined by Bitewing Games’ Nick Murray to help us do exactly that, starting wide with party‑ready card games, heavyweight strategy, and auction masterclasses, then narrowing to a final four that balance impact, accessibility, and pure design brilliance. We revisit Essen stories and the reality of publishing while putting big ideas under the microscope: why The Quest for El Dorado makes deckbuilding intuitive by tying every card to the map; how Ra fuses auctions with push‑your‑luck and tempo in a way that still feels unmatched; why Tigris & Euphrates delivers multi‑layered conflict and genius “weakest‑color” scoring that drives desperate, thrilling plays; and how MLEM: Space Agency shows Knizia’s lighter side can still create unforgettable tension and table talk through shared risk. Along the way, we weigh Modern Art’s glorious chaos against Ra’s razor‑clean structure, pit Blue Lagoon against Through the Desert for route‑building purity, and spotlight the negotiation fireworks of Zoo Vadis and the point‑salad teeth of Mille Fiori. Lost Cities gets its due as the 20‑minute two‑player gut‑twister couples keep coming back to, and we make space for why small boxes and family‑weight designs matter in a legacy conversation. By the end, we land on a Mount Rushmore that feels both timeless and alive: The Quest for El Dorado, Ra, Tigris & Euphrates, and MLEM. It’s a mix of deep strategy, elegant auctions, intuitive racing, and joyous dice drama—a snapshot of why Knizia still hooks new players and keeps veterans obsessed. Listen, argue with our picks, and tell us what you’d chisel into the rock. If you enjoyed this, follow and share the show, and drop a review so more gamers can find it. What would make your Knizia Mount Rushmore? 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

    1h 19m

  6. DEC 4

    Special Ops: A Rookie’s Ride Through PAX Unplugged

    A first-timer’s crash course at PAX Unplugged turns from chaos to clarity after a late badge pickup, an impulse buying spree, and an anchor meetup with designer Paul Solomon at the Game Head booth. We share hard-won tips on planning, scheduling, demoing smart, and making the most of crowded play spaces and overwhelming choices. • arriving late on Friday and missing badge pickup  • early Saturday push, exploring vendors outside the expo hall  • expo hall overload, impulse spending, and budget lessons  • focused demos with Paul Solomon and Game Head highlights  • scanning the event schedule too late and missing panels  • crowded open gaming library and timing strategies  • honest haul breakdown with hits and misses  • city logistics, off-peak meals, and saving on lodging  • planning a smarter, anchored return next year 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

  7. DEC 2

    OTF: Talkin' Turkey and Texts to the Void

    We roast the perfect smoked turkey, rescue a podcast from broken texts, and marathon board games until the table begs for mercy. Retro hardware meets Switch advice, while a koi dilemma becomes a quiet lesson in stewardship and starting fresh. • Brining, drying, buttering and aromatics for smoked turkey • MLEM highlights and Pinatas’ second-to-last trick strategy • Magical Athlete chaos and playful stakes with a pickle bet • Flip Seven’s quick teach and score-tracking tips • Analog Pocket nostalgia and an Elden Ring demake • Switch Online value, family plans and must-play titles • Fixing cross-platform messaging and planning episode 100 • Rehoming koi and choosing sustainable responsibilities 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

    30 min

  8. NOV 27

    Joint Ops: OGN Takes Over Games Y Mas for Thanksgiving

    A podcast takeover with heart, dice, and a little chaos: we hijacked Games Y Mas to say thanks and to build your holiday game bag with confidence. We start by unpacking the three mechanics that made our year brighter—deck building for agency and momentum, push your luck for laughs and energy, and RPG-style progression for that sweet feeling of earned growth—then connect them to real games that work at actual tables with actual families. Jared makes a spirited case for deck building, from Arnak fandom to a Vegas detour that reminded us why fine-tuning a deck feels like gambling with better odds. Clayton champions push-your-luck designs such as MLEM and Incan Gold, pointing to the big reveals and instant stories that keep everyone engaged after the turkey coma. Travis shares his dive into RPG and legacy mechanics through Hoplomachus: Victorum and solo frameworks, highlighting how leveling up powers re-frames each challenge and rewards persistence. We each bring two titles we’re grateful for, and the range is intentional: Acquire proves a 1960s classic still hits with stock merges and clean tension, while Star Wars: The Deckbuilding Game blends fast turns with theme you can teach to cousins on the fly. Hot Streak and Magical Athlete deliver glorious table chaos; Harvest offers cozy farm-building that scratches a Stardew-like itch without the rules weight. Then we assemble a Thanksgiving-ready shortlist you can actually run with: Wavelength for social calibration and big laughs, Flip 7 for instant push-your-luck tension, and Ready Set Bet for living-room horse races that turn spectators into shouty bettors in minutes. Round it out with travel-friendly sleepers like Strike, Don’t L.L.A.M.A., Spots, and Jurassic Parts when suitcase space is tight. If you’re staring at shelves wondering what works for grandparents, teens, and board game skeptics, we’ve got you. Hit play, steal our picks, and make the kind of holiday memories people ask to repeat. If you had to pack just one game for family night, what’s your go-to? Subscribe, share with a friend who hosts game night, and leave a review to help more people find the fun. 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

    36 min
See All (98)

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 - 2025
  • Episodes
    98
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © 2025 Operation Game Night
  • Show Website
    Operation Game Night