Brainwaves - Board Game and Tabletop News Show The Giant Brain

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

Hi folks,
 
This is another special from my time at Gothcon in Sweden. This is a panel I lead where the panellists and I talk about the state of RPG criticism in 2024 and how we go about reviewing RPG products.
 
The Panellists
Thanks to the panellists for joining me and discussing this interesting topic!
Andreas Lundström - Sweden Rolls
https://www.swedenrolls.com/
Hjlmar Norden - Red Moon Roleplaying
https://www.redmoonroleplaying.com/
Michael Ericson - Äventyrarna Rollspelspodd
https://www.facebook.com/arpodd/
Ras
https://dragon-legion.com/
 

Brainwaves is a whole 6 years old! We would like to thank all our listeners for their support and encouragement over the time we have been running the show. 
The whole team are back this episode to bring you the return of Golden Bell, the defence of Hasbro by Chris Cocks, more plagiarism in Magic: The Gathering and much more!
 
Headlines
 
Webcomic Name creator sued by Golden Bell
https://icv2.com/articles/news/view/56568/oh-no-suit-sends-webcomic-name-creator-alex-norris-back-gofundme?fbclid=IwAR157V87k3IHCdMbXEX1IOCca6gkQw6J7myVSPZZP2FXFDxKVgrav7Ifo9I_aem_AbGJEwj7A1FunkxrgJRj7Z16rAdAxaq8Cq67f8Vv2K8gyG1kU8GE1CIOevLobqXVhpSt2yFSzm7tMi8UWYdiwwCU
 
Episode 110
https://giantbrain.co.uk/2022/11/14/brainwaves-episode-110-tolling-bells/
 
History of Golden Bell scandals
https://boardgamegeek.com/geeklist/259248/golden-bell-affiliated-projects-and-companies
 
Chris Cocks interview with NPR
https://www.wbur.org/hereandnow/2024/04/03/dungeons-and-dragons-hasbro
 
MTG Plagiarism again
https://www.dicebreaker.com/games/magic-the-gathering-game/news/magic-the-gathering-trouble-in-pairs-plagiarism-allegations
 
Post from the artist
https://www.facebook.com/story.php/?id=100001083559756&story_fbid=7377140402332005&paipv=0&eav=AfZSnOVTwNPLL5S7U8xIMYnHQ14DVal1Iacs_KVUuBbPOfyXw_04en2Y3gt2C_dnSyg&_rdr
 
Updates
 
Embracer finishes restructuring at Asmodee
https://boardgamewire.com/index.php/2024/03/28/embracer-group-commits-to-asmodees-future-as-restructuring-program-ends/
 
News
 
Ellie Dix works with Hasbro
https://boardgamewire.com/index.php/2024/03/27/hasbro-invests-in-design-from-women-innovators-of-play-winner-ellie-dix/
 
https://www.dicebreaker.com/companies/hasbro/news/hasbro-second-annual-women-innovators-of-play-winning-card-game-publishing-deal
 
Capstone and Spielworx
https://www.spielworxx.de/news/
 
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/
 
Metallic Dice Games
https://metallicdicegames.com/
Promo Code: ROLLWITHBRAINS
 
Sir Meeple
https://sirmeeple.com/collections/the-giant-brain
 
Outro
 
Scouts Cluedo
https://shop.scouts.org.uk/outlet/scouts-cluedo#selection.color=34&selection.size=719
 
Monopoly film, Margot Robbie’s company now producing
https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/entertainment-arts-68786095
 
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

Bit of a different cast to our usual today. This is an actual play I did at Gothcon, Sweden. If you aren't familiar Actual Play is a type of RPG that is recorded for people to listen to how a game plays out. I hope you enjoy it. This one is for Blades in the Dark, a game I love to bits.
Players
Huge thanks to the folks who played and made my job really easy!
Andreas Lundström - Sweden Rolls
https://www.swedenrolls.com/
Hjlmar Norden - Red Moon Roleplaying
https://www.redmoonroleplaying.com/
Krister Svanlund
https://www.svartvikenrp.se/
Giant Brain links for Blades
How to play, and run, Blades in the Dark
https://giantbrain.co.uk/2023/04/06/how-to-play-and-run-blades-in-the-dark/
Review
https://giantbrain.co.uk/2017/07/30/blades-in-the-dark-review/
Player's Review
https://giantbrain.co.uk/2022/06/22/blades-in-the-dark-players-review/
 
Giant Brain socials
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
 

The team of 3 are back together to bring you the best, weirdest, and most controversial news stories from around the tabletop industry. This episode cover companies collapsing, “compelling” AI, and new factories. 
 
Headlines
 
Ninja Division files for bankruptcy
https://boardgamewire.com/index.php/2024/03/11/thousands-of-kickstarter-backers-left-out-of-pocket-as-super-dungeon-explore-publisher-ninja-division-files-for-bankruptcy/
 
Hasbro presents “compelling” case for AI
https://www.dicebreaker.com/games/dungeons-and-dragons-5e/news/dungeons-and-dragons-ai-generation-chris-cocks-comments-dice-summit
 
https://venturebeat.com/games/how-hasbro-is-jumping-on-the-game-opportunity-chris-cocks-interview/
 
CGE acquires new factory 
https://czechgames.com/en/home/news-24-03-01-cge-acquires-their-own-factory/
 
Updates
 
Haba emerges from Bankruptcy
https://habafamilygroup.com/en/haba-familygroup-end-self-administration-insolvency-proceeding
 
News
 
Nasa RPG
https://science.nasa.gov/mission/hubble/multimedia/online-activities/the-lost-universe/
 
Stonemaier Stakeholder Report
https://stonemaiergames.com/2023-behind-the-scenes-stakeholder-report-for-stonemaier-games/?fbclid=IwAR0f0pS_e4xnPPp7Dy2had_gziNjqCrdG-0d8no0f9cNnj2uBG1pxR2aLQc
 
James Ward Dies
https://www.dicebreaker.com/games/dungeons-and-dragons-5e/news/james-m-ward-obituary-dungeons-and-dragons-designer-gamma-world-metamorphosis-alpha-creator
 
Jobs, Opportunities, and Events
 
https://www.facebook.com/groups/TabletopJobs
 
BRP Design challenge
https://www.chaosium.com/blogthe-basic-roleplaying-design-challenge/
 
Gothcon
https://wordpress.gothcon.se/en/
 
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/
 
Metallic Dice Games
https://metallicdicegames.com/
Promo Code: ROLLWITHBRAINS
 
Sir Meeple
https://sirmeeple.com/collections/the-giant-brain
 
Outro
 
Uno fan decks 
https://nerdist.com/article/uno-fandom-decks-celebrates-disney-villains-avatar-the-last-airbender-star-trek-and-more/
 
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 is back in the studio giving us a full complement of hosts this week! On Brainwaves Episode 138 we look at awards, shipping issues, a Tempest reising in the industry and look ahead to some conventions Iain is attending. 
 
Headlines
 
As D’Or Winners announced
https://www.tabletopgaming.co.uk/news/french-board-game-award-winners-announced/
 
Cardboard Edison Awards
https://cardboardedison.com/award
 
Prospero Hall folk start a new studio
https://www.linkedin.com/posts/chris-rowlands-9b3209b2_openforwork-activity-7167897574983581696-IkIm/?utm_source=share&utm_medium=member_desktop
 
https://www.tempestworkshop.com/?trk=public_post-text
 
News
 
Shipping woes
https://boardgamewire.com/index.php/2024/02/21/this-is-not-going-away-anytime-soon-how-soaring-costs-and-long-delays-from-the-red-sea-shipping-crisis-are-taking-their-toll-on-the-board-game-industry/
 
Rascal
https://www.rascal.news/
 
Jobs, Opportunities, and Events
 
https://www.facebook.com/groups/TabletopJobs
 
Roleplay for Ukraine
https://linktr.ee/roleplayua?fbclid=IwAR2Bj78x6y1VTvvjh7Z_w1ujo9Pgim8KwR5w9kO8SY72N__siGrCY_cxbLk
 
Diana Jones Emerging Artist Award 
https://www.dianajonesaward.org/
 
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/
 
Metallic Dice Games
https://metallicdicegames.com/
Promo Code: ROLLWITHBRAINS
 
Sir Meeple
https://sirmeeple.com/collections/the-giant-brain
 
Outro
 
Airecon
https://www.airecon.co.uk/
 
Gothcon
https://wordpress.gothcon.se/en/
 
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