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. 1D AGO

    A Quick State Of The Podcast OTF

    One host, one hotel room, and zero room for pretending everything is perfectly on schedule. Travis checks in solo to share a quick state of Operation Game Night Podcast, give a real update on where Jared’s been, and say thank you to everyone who’s still listening, commenting, and sending messages even when life slows our posting down. If you’ve wondered why the Instagram reels went quiet or whether the crew is still intact, Travis clears it up and keep it honest. After that, he pivots into pure comfort entertainment, starting with a book series that has completely taken over pop culture: Dungeon Crawler Carl by Matt Dinniman. It’s litRPG, it’s chaotic, it’s violent, it’s loaded with jokes, and it’s way more immersive than it has any right to be, especially on the Dungeon Crawler Carl audiobook narrated by Jeff Hays. Travis talks why the voice work and sound design make it feel like a premium production, why book three can feel like a speed bump, and why it’s worth pushing through if you want the bigger story payoffs. Then Travis talks a surprise hit, back in reality TV after basically two decades, thanks to The Traitors on Peacock. He breaks down the murder mystery setup, Alan Cumming’s larger-than-life hosting, and the real reason it’s so addictive: you know who the traitors are while everyone else melts down, forming alliances and accusing the wrong people. The ending hits in a way not all will love, but the ride is undeniable. If you’ve got a dumb fun book rec or a reality show Travis should try next, let him know in the comments. Subscribe, leave a review on Spotify or Apple Podcasts, and share the episode with a friend who needs something fun 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

    12 min

  2. 3D AGO

    Dungeon Crawler Board Game Draft!

    We build two complete dungeon crawlers through a 10-round draft, weighing combat feel, map design, AI, loot, campaign arcs, and components. One becomes a two-player ant colony crawl; the other a four-player zombie lab thriller with branching paths and giant bosses. • combat systems compared and chosen • dungeon layout tradeoffs and pacing • initiative options that shape tempo • enemy AI that stays fast and clear • loot philosophy from random decks to gear slots • campaign arcs with legacy vs persistent worlds • character growth without bookkeeping drag • events and story that add flavor not friction • ideal player counts for speed and table energy • components that drive immersion and drama Go check out Vic's page, Games y Mas podcast. They're on YouTube, Spotify, TikTok, Instagram, Facebook, and Apple Podcasts. Go give him some love. Go give Clay's mustache some love, too. If you're listening to this episode, let us know which of those two games that you would rather play 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

  3. MAR 5

    Playing Games to Strengthen Communities

    We share how a simple board game day for a good cause sparked joy, trust, and belonging, then map easy paths for giving back without making it a heavy lift. From libraries to café shelves, we outline practical ways to turn your hobby into community impact. • why showing up in their space matters • quick, social games that work across ages • easing nerves when gaming with strangers • partnering with libraries and local hubs • donation ideas for game backlogs • scaling complexity over repeat visits • inviting listener ideas and experiences Write us a comment or a note on Instagram or comment and tell us how you give back through board gaming 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

    16 min

  4. MAR 3

    Our First D&D Campaign, Part 2

    We finish our first Dungeons and Dragons campaign and unpack how four players grew from hesitant dice rollers into a confident party with distinct voices. Fantasy terms, party synergy, and a villain’s escape shaped how we think about storytelling, systems, and next steps. • choosing a dragonborn druid and finding agency through description • easing new players with passive perception and theater of the mind • comparing D&D to other TTRPGs for better genre fit • party composition benefits and starting at level three • fighter and monk arcs across low-level slog to signature moments • table size, pacing, and spotlight management • why the villain’s escape can be a satisfying hook 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

    42 min

  5. FEB 26

    We Binge So You Don't Have To!

    We swap stories from the fence about parenting phases, shrinking free time, and how we still find room for TV, books, and games. From Stranger Things to a warmer Westeros and a clever mystery book, we share what sticks when life won’t slow down. • juggling kids’ sports with late evenings and less downtime • coping with pre‑toddler meltdowns and shifting expectations • micro‑bingeing Stranger Things and why characters keep us watching • franchise fatigue and losing momentum between long seasons • why A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms feels fresh and hopeful • choosing stories that fit limited time and headspace • a beach‑friendly choose‑your‑own murder mystery recommendation • gaming anniversaries, Resident Evil nostalgia, and slow‑burn playthroughs Jared, we miss you. If you're listening to this podcast and you've made it thus far, like and subscribe, give us some love, comment, you know, go back and listen to some old episodes for us because you know, we appreciate you for tuning in. We appreciate you for supporting this show. We do have a Discord that you can join. Check the link in the show notes and come come talk with us, come play games with us, come interact with us. Let's do all that. Let's do all that. Just do it all. Make that a checklist, print it out, hang it up next to your computer every day. Just go down that checklist. One more video to like and subscribe. 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

    19 min

  6. FEB 24

    Cozy Stickerville by Unexpected Games

    What if the most satisfying legacy campaign isn’t about winning at all, but about watching a small town come to life one sticker at a time? We dive into Cozy Stickerville from Unexpected Games and explore why this 10-session, 30-minute-per-year story-builder is winning hearts at family tables and weeknight game nights alike. With designer Corey Konieczka pivoting from space operas to small comforts, the result is a gentle, branching experience where your choices shape a shared map, not your stress levels. We break down how it plays: draw an event, choose a path, place a sticker, then visit a location with an hourglass icon to unlock a mini story. The milestones you collect echo forward—sometimes as delightful perks, sometimes as red-flag consequences that resurface with a wink—giving real weight to decisions without punishing anyone. There’s no win or loss state here, just a growing scrapbook of moments: adopting a wolf pup, debating a shady election, chasing the fishing milestone, or planting more trees for a nature-first town. Setup is quick, teardown is nothing, and the tuck boxes keep your progress ready for the next cozy session. We also look at the bigger picture: why cozy board games resonate right now, how this design borrows the best vibes from Animal Crossing and Stardew Valley, and what legacy can feel like when permanence enhances memories instead of anxiety. With two boards for replay and dozens of branching routes, Cozy Stickerville is approachable, cooperative, and surprisingly reflective—perfect for parents seeking meaningful play, partners wanting calm connection, and groups that crave story over spreadsheets. If you’re searching for family board games, cooperative campaign games, or an easy legacy experience you’ll actually finish, this is the one to check out. Enjoy our take, then tell us how you’d shape your town: nature preserve, bustling market, or legendary bakery? Subscribe, share with a friend who loves cozy games, and leave a review to help others find their next favorite game night. 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

    20 min

  7. FEB 12

    Twilight Imperium by Fantasy Flight Games (ft. Vic from Games Y Más)

    Ten hours. Six players. One planet daring everyone to blink first. We sat down with our friend Vic Diaz from the Games EMoss podcast to unpack why Twilight Imperium turns a day-long session into a story you’ll retell for years—equal parts senate brawl, star-spanning war, and social chess. We start with the core loop that makes this galaxy tick: strategy cards that set initiative and shape your round, streamlined actions that keep turns moving, and a center gravity well—Mecatol Rex—that rewards boldness with points and influence. Vic breaks down how public objectives push players out of their comfort zones, forcing timing plays and map pressure instead of passive turtling. When fleets collide, combat stays clean and quick: resolve defenses, roll hits, sustain damage on the big ships, and decide whether to retreat. The rules aren’t the real barrier; commitment is. Then the table tilts. Once Mecatol is taken, the agenda phase unlocks a political game that steals the show. Influence turns into votes, but the true currency is negotiation. We trade goods for promises, bribe rivals to switch sides, and watch a single law swing two victory points and the entire endgame. Vic spotlights favorite factions like the Mentak Coalition—space pirates who skim trade goods from neighbors—and explains how asymmetry fuels different paths to the same scoreboard without muddying clarity. If you’ve eyed the big box and felt intimidated, we’ve got you. We share first-time lessons, setup traps to avoid, and sanity-saving prep: pre-draft factions and starting spots on Discord, build the map ahead of time, and cap debates with a timer so agendas don’t sprawl. Curious but spread across states? Tabletop Simulator’s mod is excellent for learning, though nothing beats the spectacle of plastic armadas converging at the center. Start with four to five players to learn the rhythm; graduate to six when you’re ready for maximum politics. Our verdict lands with a clear caveat: top shelf for seasoned gamers who love high-interaction strategy and dramatic payoffs; a hard pass for beginners until they’ve leveled up. If Dune Imperium, War of the Ring, or Nemesis live on your table, Twilight Imperium belongs in your rotation. Hit play, tell us your faction, and share how you’d balance firepower versus influence for the win. If you enjoyed this conversation, subscribe, leave a review, and send the episode to your game group—then start drafting your seats around Mecatol Rex. 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

  8. FEB 10

    3 Witches from Allplay

    A three-player card game that dares to say “only three” and actually earns it. We sat down with Three Witches from Allplay and found a lean, tense trick taker that turns familiar rules into a focused 2v1 puzzle. One player steps into the role of lead witch, laying two cards each trick—one face up to set pressure, one face down to hold power—while the two lesser witches coordinate to beat the total with carefully timed responses. The twist? Matching rank or suit lets you add values for a bigger punch, elixirs double their partner, and a revealed two plunges the table into hidden-information chaos. We break down why the bidding stakes matter—calling three or four across just five tricks—and how fate tokens reward precision over greed. There’s real rhythm here: quick hands, fast reshuffles, fresh bids, and a sly recursion rule where the winner’s side chooses which of the lead’s two cards returns to hand. That small loop fuels tempo, mind games, and a lot of second-guessing in a tight 20-minute arc. If you’ve dabbled in trick takers like Skull King or crave the tempo planning of small-box hits, this one brings a new edge without burying you in exceptions. Along the way, we talk teaching curves, why player aids matter, and how to onboard family who love traditional trick-taking but want something sharper. We also widen the lens to ask why strict player counts can make games better, trimming bloat and amplifying the exact moments that spark table talk and laughter. If you’re hunting for a travel-friendly title that shines with exactly three, Three Witches is a clever, low-cost bet that rewards planning, reading the table, and a touch of mischief. If you enjoyed this deep dive, subscribe, leave a quick review, and share the episode with your favorite coven of three—then tell us your best three-player-only recommendation. 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

    16 min
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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
    118
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © 2026 Operation Game Night
  • Show Website
    Operation Game Night

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