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

    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

  2. 3D AGO

    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

  3. FEB 5

    Overplayed and Underplayed Board Game Themes

    Tired of yet another cozy mushroom harvest or another horde of shambling minis? We take a scalpel to today’s most overused board game themes—nature deluges, zombie burnout, Cthulhu overload, space saturation, and farm fatigue—and talk about why they once worked, why they’re stale now, and what could replace them without losing the fun. Along the way, we dig into how theme shapes mechanics, who feels welcome at the table, and which stories actually stick after the box closes. We make the case for underrepresented directions that deserve more love: sports built around the emotional arc of being an athlete rather than spreadsheets; healthcare games that blend spatial planning, capacity tradeoffs, and ethical choices; and historically grounded designs that respectfully center minority struggles, from Votes for Women to Molly House. If you enjoy modern systems with real stakes, we also highlight the untapped potential of contemporary commerce and logistics—think Smartphone Inc. meets supply chain resilience, carbon costs, and port delays—where every decision reverberates across a living economy. For IP fans, we go beyond shallow reskins and imagine mechanics that honor the worlds we love. Picture a Pokemon board game focused on exploration, set collection, and campaign growth instead of card duels. Envision Sanderson’s universes as tight, asymmetric strategy with oaths, storms, and faction politics. And don’t miss our sci-fi pitch for Children of Time as a compact 4X where uplifted species evolve unique tech and collide at first contact. Ready to refresh your shelf and spark better table talk? Hit play, then tell us the themes and IPs you want publishers to tackle next. If this conversation got you thinking, tap follow, share with a friend, and leave a quick review—what theme should we explore on 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

    24 min

  4. FEB 3

    Hercules The 12 Labors by Envy Born Games

    The moment the Hydra spawns a second die, you realize this isn’t just another solo dice chucker. We dive into Hercules and the 12 Labors, a compact, gold-trimmed card-and-dice battler that turns Greek myth into a tight sequence of allocation puzzles, track pressure, and mood-driven twists. We unpack how the design forces smart choices: spend a die permanently to power a life-saving boon, or keep your pool healthy to meet the labor’s exacting conditions next turn. Across the journey, we chart the rhythm that makes this small-box game feel big. Early labors pop quickly, boosting your confidence before the track begins chewing through your health and options. The Hydra stands out as a mechanical story beat—new dice “heads” respawn as the track advances—capturing the legend without rules bloat. We also talk through the spirit track and how it adds a second victory axis, pushing you to play efficiently rather than just survive. Mood cards further remix each attempt, nudging stats up or down so no labor feels identical twice. We balance the love with clear-eyed critique. The art and production are stellar, the iconography is clean, and the price is hard to beat. Still, the late-labor loop can run a bit samey, and a few myth beats—like Cerberus—could use more clever mechanical storytelling. If you enjoy solo strategy that lives and dies on resource tension, unpredictable dice, and meaningful trade-offs, this one’s an easy recommendation, especially for fans of Greek mythology or anyone hunting for a travel-friendly challenge that sets up fast. Give it a listen, then tell us: would you lock a die for a permanent boon or gamble on the next roll? If you enjoy the show, follow, share with a friend who loves myth and solo games, and leave a quick review to help more listeners 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

    19 min

  5. JAN 29

    It's a Quick Games Roundup! (Yeehaw)

    Eight games. One wild ride. We corral a posse of quick, high-impact titles you can teach in minutes and replay all night, from clever card shedders to a pocket-sized area control gem and a fresh twist on roll-and-writes. If your game night needs fast starts, tight decisions, and big table moments, this roundup delivers. We kick off with Trio, a compact deduction game that turns “show me your lowest or highest” into a satisfying hunt for perfect information. Then we slide into Wolf Days, a two-player-only week planner where dogs pile up points with simple rules and snappy turns. Shedding fans get two flavors: Jungo, a Scout-style experience that keeps fixed card order and juicy set-building while streamlining the teach, and The Yellow House, a thematic duel where inspiration, skill, money, and passion climb a shared ladder as you manage tempo and timing. Craving volatility? Fruit Fight brings push-your-luck fireworks and delayed scoring that changes with player count—thrilling at three, chaotic at six. For strategy in a tiny box, Small Fjords blends tile-laying and area control with Blue Lagoon energy: seed longhouses, flood the map with Vikings, and cut off routes in tense micro-battles. We also try I’m Out, a crisp number-line shedding game that forces higher-or-lower choices and lets you spike difficulty by stacking plays. To close, Take a Seat introduces a “share-and-write” format where you pass ticket stubs, stamp polyomino shapes, trigger one-off powers, and race for goals and local majorities across a crowded auditorium. Along the way, we compare table feel, teach time, best player counts, and who each game suits—date night duels, family fillers, or tactical sprints for seasoned groups. If you’re building a travel kit or want fast options that still reward smart play, this mix has you covered. Enjoyed the roundup? Follow and subscribe, share this episode with your game group, and drop a rating or review. Tell us which quick game you’re playing next and why—it helps others find the show and keeps the conversation rolling. 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

    38 min

  6. JAN 27

    Donuts & Downsizing

    A friendly debate about donut etiquette spirals into a funny, honest look at indulgence, shame, and small comforts. We pivot to downsizing a board game collection, handheld story games, coaching youth wrestling, and the media that keeps our spirits up. • donut orders and the unspoken dozen rule • cost, value, and the myth of donut shame • using background audio to calm pets • moving logistics and cutting 150 board games • criteria for keep, sell, or gift in collections • Dispatch on Switch as a story-first game • time-boxed play with kids in the house • youth wrestling coaching style and mindset • West Wing optimism vs Veep satire • Lord of the Rings extended re-release buzz • Shady Maple Buffet and food pilgrimage ideas If you are leaving the house at any point in time, go ahead and put the podcast on for your furniture or pets or goldfish 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. JAN 22

    Gazebo by Reiner Knizia & Bitewing Games

    A calm garden on the table, a knife fight under the hood. We’re diving into Gazebo, the newly tuned abstract from Reiner Knizia and Bitewing Games, to unpack how a simple one-tile turn creates tempo races, bold steals, and those delicious patio flips. We lay out the core loop—build nooks, deploy gazebos, protect with large nooks—and show how merges can rip control away in a single, perfectly timed placement. We also compare Gazebo to Qin, spotlighting the rebalance that trims luck without losing spark. Starting with a defined set of double-sided tiles and earning more through board spots opens planning lines and reduces swingy draws. Add in double-sided cloth maps with different starting positions and bonuses—like extra turns from vases—and you get a fresh opening theory each play. The result is a game that teaches in minutes yet keeps you thinking about the next move long after the mat is rolled up. Production matters here, and we talk about it. Acrylic tiles make clarity and table feel sing, the zipper case boosts portability, and iconography makes refills and bonuses obvious at a glance. We don’t shy away from the heat either: this is a mean, interactive abstract where a single patio majority can flip the score. That’s exactly why matches run 10 to 15 minutes—you’ll want a rematch. If you crave tight spatial play, strong interaction, and travel-ready design, this one earns a spot in the bag. Hit play, then tell us your spiciest Gazebo swing, subscribe for more elegant strategy gems, and drop a review to help others find the show. 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

    23 min

  8. JAN 20

    Star Wars: Battle of Hoth from Days of Wonder

    We put Star Wars: Battle of Hoth on the table, compare it to Memoir ’44, and test how well the Hoth theme holds up under fast, card-driven tactics. Quick scenarios, clean rules, and cinematic moments make this a strong gateway war game with a few thematic misses. • how command cards drive three-lane tactics • why snowspeeders vs AT-ATs feel iconic • where leader cards underdeliver on theme • scenario length, pace, and teaching new players • campaign structure vs deeper narrative systems • terrain, line of sight, and common rules snags • balance swings, dice variance, and hand management • component scale, minis visibility, and table pop Well, if we said anything wrong, let us know in the comments and let us know if you've played Memoir 44 or Star Wars Battle of Hoth 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
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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
    112
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © 2026 Operation Game Night
  • Show Website
    Operation Game Night