))
We’ve spent over a decade in the tabletop gaming space, as content creators, local store owners, and online retailers. Now it’s time to answer your questions, dive into complex topics, and have an incredible amount of fun along the way -- featuring exclusive updates, candid dialogue, and fascinating interviews with designers, publishers, and visionaries.
T
The Covenant Cast
1
152: Industry Insight - Brenda Mulgrew of Knight Watch Games
53:02
53:02
+
Play later
Play later
+
Lists
Like
Liked
53:02
We've kept up with Brenda and Paraic of Knight Watch Games since they won the Power Retailer Award at GAMA (after which we interviewed the former), watching their space improve and their vision come to life. What happens, though, when COVID injects uncertainty into those long term plans? How can retailers adapt? Let's find out. Find all previous ca…
T
The Covenant Cast
1
151: Industry Insight - Rodney Smith of Watch It Played
1:14:59
1:14:59
+
Play later
Play later
+
Lists
Like
Liked
1:14:59
If you've been in this hobby for any amount of time, you've probably seen a video from Rodney's iconic Watch It Played YouTube channel. In this continuation of our Industry Insight series, join us for a closer look at content creation in the age of COVID, and the impact it might have on the future of tabletop. Find all previous casts, as well as pr…
T
The Covenant Cast
1
150: Industry Insight - PvP Geeks & Skytear
1:00:26
1:00:26
+
Play later
Play later
+
Lists
Like
Liked
1:00:26
"The only way to stop us is to kill us." Kicking off our Industry Insight series, Giacomo and Riccardo share the inspiring (and terrifying) story of PvP Geeks' first foray into tabletop games - right as COVID-19 shut down the world. Find all previous casts, as well as products, subscriptions, and blogs, on our website: https://teamcovenant.com…
T
The Covenant Cast
1
149: How to Ruin a Game, Part 6 - Communication
55:37
55:37
+
Play later
Play later
+
Lists
Like
Liked
55:37
In our final episode of the "How to Ruin a Game" series, and our final episode of Season 3, we embrace one of the most sacred necessities of any modern business - what to say, how to say it, and perhaps most importantly, when to say it. It's particularly relevant for community-driven games, where even a day of silence can compromise everything. We'…
T
The Covenant Cast
1
148: How to Ruin a Game, Part 5 - Marketing
1:10:19
1:10:19
+
Play later
Play later
+
Lists
Like
Liked
1:10:19
The ultimate buzzword for any business, marketing is yet another way that tabletop games can fail - and effective marketing is a particularly unique quandary in this industry. Join us for an exploration of marketing considerations for every publisher, from our perspective as an online and local retailer. Find all previous casts, as well as learning…
T
The Covenant Cast
1
147: How to Ruin a Game, Part 4 - Production
1:08:43
1:08:43
+
Play later
Play later
+
Lists
Like
Liked
1:08:43
There's a hard reality behind every expandable game. The system can be perfectly designed without extraneous, floating information and rules bloat. The content can stick to first principles while adding exciting new decision points. The organized play program can be robust and focused on the right things. But if production is erratic, delayed, and …
T
The Covenant Cast
1
146: Ashes Relaunch and the PDP System
1:16:14
1:16:14
+
Play later
Play later
+
Lists
Like
Liked
1:16:14
Expandable card games thread the middle ground between the fixed costs of board games and the evolving meta of collectible games, but non-cooperative titles have struggled to survive in the standard three tier system. Join us for a discussion about the fundamental reasons for this difficulty, and a potential solution to them - one we're pioneering …
T
The Covenant Cast
1
145: How to Ruin a Game, Part 3 - Organized Play
52:51
52:51
+
Play later
Play later
+
Lists
Like
Liked
52:51
Organized play is so much more than tournaments, and so often a tremendous source of dysfunction for the long-term health of an expandable game. It's incredibly important, and surprisingly simple - but few publishers understand that it's as critical as the content being printed. Find all previous casts, as well as learning content and products, on …
T
The Covenant Cast
1
144: How to Ruin a Game, Part 2 - Random Access Memory
58:19
58:19
+
Play later
Play later
+
Lists
Like
Liked
58:19
On our second installment of this hyperbolically titled mini-series, we spotlight how information can build during the course of a game - or even before it begins - to the point that meaningful decisions cease to exist. Stacking an ever-growing burden of need-to-remember information does not give a game more depth, just as taxing a computer's RAM i…
T
The Covenant Cast
1
143: How to Ruin a Game, Part 1 - First Principles
47:25
47:25
+
Play later
Play later
+
Lists
Like
Liked
47:25
So you get excited for an expandable game, buy in, and fall in love. Each new expansion opens up new, unexplored ways to play. Time passes, players come and go, and then suddenly you find yourself sitting down to play and realizing that you don't really enjoy it much anymore. Something about the game just isn't what it used to be, and you long for …
T
The Covenant Cast
1
142: The Collectible Format ft. Flesh and Blood
51:56
51:56
+
Play later
Play later
+
Lists
Like
Liked
51:56
Collectibility is usually a divisive topic - with some claiming the format is predatory and ethically dubious. But what happens when you view the model as something more productive than a convoluted and expensive way to get everything? Lessons from the past may well cause a realignment of expectations, and a much more enjoyable - and sustainable - …
Publishers and retailers face a big challenge in onboarding players, the former typically leading the charge through the products that they make. Having recently experienced the classic, random cards approach of the 90s, as well as the somewhat revolutionary, "brand new system and expandable line" approach of Infinity CodeOne, we discuss starter pr…
After eight weeks of cooperative campaign play through Arkham Horror's Path to Carcosa, there's simply no comparison to the experience. This might be the best that cooperative tabletop can be. Find all previous casts, as well as learning content and products, on our website: https://teamcovenant.comBy Covenant
T
The Covenant Cast
1
139: Origins Online Cancellation and a Deeper Look
1:03:25
1:03:25
+
Play later
Play later
+
Lists
Like
Liked
1:03:25
Earlier this week, Origins Online was cancelled after a significant number of content creators and hosts walked away from the event. We discuss what happened, what it means, and what it teaches about the greater realities of tabletop gaming culture. Find all previous casts, as well as learning content and products, on our website: https://teamcoven…
T
The Covenant Cast
1
138: The Abstract Strategy of Star Wars LCG
40:14
40:14
+
Play later
Play later
+
Lists
Like
Liked
40:14
The Star Wars LCG, with one of the innovative Eric Lang designs shaking up the scene at the time, instantly threw Star Wars fans into yet another furious debate about the proper way to recreate the "magic of Star Wars". For some, it was too abstract. For others, it was an entirely fresh way to experience a card game. After revisiting it this week o…
Games from all genres thrive when they provide players a point of connection when not playing with others - whether through solo play, deck-building, painting, or even collecting. These elements might be more important than any of us fully realize, especially as COVID has forced us to appreciate them. Find all previous casts, as well as learning co…
T
The Covenant Cast
1
136: Gen Con Cancelled, Habits Disrupted
44:02
44:02
+
Play later
Play later
+
Lists
Like
Liked
44:02
Following in the footsteps of Origins and others, Gen Con has officially canceled their in-person convention, replacing it with an online variant. What could these kinds of disruptions mean for businesses and players who viewed Gen Con as a "no-brainer" every year? Forced reflection and introspection abounds in the age of COVID. Find all previous c…
Theme and mechanics should always strive for harmony, but what happens when a wild wrestling match turns into an analytical challenge full of unexpected complexities? For some, the greatest game ever made. For others, confusion. Find all previous casts, as well as learning content and products, on our website: https://teamcovenant.com…
Continuing a series of reflections spurred by our revisit to a number of classic CCGs, we try to pin down the mechanical style that makes certain games exhausting. It's a lot more than the number of decisions being made. Find all previous casts, as well as learning content and products, on our website: https://teamcovenant.com…
When we say a game is "complex", that really doesn't tell us much. Simple decision trees with complex mechanics can lead to beautifully thematic experiences. Complex decision trees with simple mechanics can lead to incredibly satisfying gameplay. We look at the Middle Earth CCG, Legend of the Five Rings LCG, and Skytear - among others - to dig deep…
T
The Covenant Cast
1
132: Great Game Design - A Retrospective ft. Epic Duels
1:04:05
1:04:05
+
Play later
Play later
+
Lists
Like
Liked
1:04:05
Having now streamed over 100 hours from a diverse catalog of games in the past month, we crack open the eternal topic - why do some games stand the test of time while others fall away? Great design is a mixture of mechanics and expectations, and there is no better framing device for this discussion than the recently played classic, Star Wars: Epic …
T
The Covenant Cast
1
131: Skytear and the Covenant Mission
41:02
41:02
+
Play later
Play later
+
Lists
Like
Liked
41:02
Just as we finalized a months-long effort to bring clarity to the online component of Covenant, the perfect candidate for our new mission arrived on our doorstep. Join us for a discussion about Skytear, a tremendous game that ushers in a new way for us to help publishers, players, and local stores. Find all previous casts, as well as learning conte…
T
The Covenant Cast
1
130: Appreciating the Arkham Horror LCG
41:34
41:34
+
Play later
Play later
+
Lists
Like
Liked
41:34
After nearly a week of daily streaming for The Forgotten Age, Arkham is top of mind. Join us for a discussion about the merits of a game that you really do have to "earn". Find all previous casts, as well as learning content and products, on our website: https://teamcovenant.comBy Covenant
Nothing could be more disruptive or important to address than the COVID-19 pandemic - it's impact on people, games, and the world. As tabletop retail stores close their doors and mass unemployment looms heavily on the horizon, we're certain that things will never be the same. Find all previous casts, as well as learning content and products, on our…
Data and privacy issues continue to impact customers and businesses, especially as Facebook and Google receive greater scrutiny. But do you really need to collect all of this data to succeed as a business? Do you owe it to your customers to protect their privacy? And do you actually make better decisions when you throw it all away? Join us as we di…
Following from last week's podcast, games that have a higher barrier to entry often have a more fulfilling payoff. Is this true, and if so, what makes it the case? And should it be encouraged? Find all previous casts, as well as learning content and products on our website: https://teamcovenant.comBy Covenant
T
The Covenant Cast
1
126: Star Wars CCG, Flesh and Blood, Skytear - Classic Design in the Modern Era
1:12:28
1:12:28
+
Play later
Play later
+
Lists
Like
Liked
1:12:28
With a livestream of Star Wars CCG on the horizon, we talk about why the game has such a tremendous level of adoration - even now - and question whether there are lessons to be learned from Decipher's classic system. With Skytear and Flesh and Blood on our minds, we can't help but wonder if these games are capturing some of this old game design mag…
T
The Covenant Cast
1
125: Jamey Stegmaier on Certainty, Allocation, and Direct Sales
1:04:50
1:04:50
+
Play later
Play later
+
Lists
Like
Liked
1:04:50
We're joined by Jamey Stegmaier, founder of Stonemaier Games, to get a publisher's perspective on direct sales, allocation, and product certainty - particularly in light of the recent Wrecking Crew supply issues. Find all previous casts, as well as learning content and products on our website: https://teamcovenant.com…
T
The Covenant Cast
1
124: Allocation - The Wrecking Crew, Literally
1:01:33
1:01:33
+
Play later
Play later
+
Lists
Like
Liked
1:01:33
A sudden supply shortage cascades across retail and, for the first time, impacts Marvel Champions subscribers. Why did it happen? What does it mean? And how does retail operate without certainty? Let's find out. Find all previous casts, as well as learning content and products on our website: https://teamcovenant.com…
T
The Covenant Cast
1
123: Andrew Navaro, Former Head of Fantasy Flight Games
1:10:53
1:10:53
+
Play later
Play later
+
Lists
Like
Liked
1:10:53
Former Head of Studio for Fantasy Flight Games, Andrew Navaro, joins us for a chat about his growth at FFG, how creative output can dissipate with advancement, and the future of the industry and his place within it. Disclaimer: We have no interest in pressing Andrew to dish on the current state of FFG, and this interview is not that. Find all previ…
T
The Covenant Cast
1
122: The End of Star Wars: Destiny
1:04:04
1:04:04
+
Play later
Play later
+
Lists
Like
Liked
1:04:04
After many years of a frustrating "two steps forward, one step back" approach, Fantasy Flight Games announced the end of Star Wars: Destiny. We discuss what that might mean for us, for FFG, and for the future of the expandable format. Find all previous casts, as well as learning content and products on our website: https://teamcovenant.com…
T
The Covenant Cast
1
121: The 2020 Fantasy Flight Shakeup
1:07:28
1:07:28
+
Play later
Play later
+
Lists
Like
Liked
1:07:28
Unofficial sources have confirmed that Fantasy Flight Games experienced significant layoffs this week, mainly affecting the RPG, Digital, and Board Games teams. We discuss the potential reasons for this move, and what it might mean for the future. Find all previous casts, as well as learning content and products on our website: https://teamcovenant…
T
The Covenant Cast
1
120: Godtear and Product Alignment
1:20:07
1:20:07
+
Play later
Play later
+
Lists
Like
Liked
1:20:07
Godtear utilizes excellent starter products, pre-assembled models, and a streamlined rulebook to get players to the table almost instantly - and what awaits them, perhaps unexpectedly, is a heavy strategy game. Is that a problem? Using Arena Rex, Crisis Protocol, and X-Wing as examples, we do our best to find the answer. Find all previous casts, as…
Hot off the heels of a third Marvel Champions release date change, we discuss the uncertainty present in the tabletop gaming industry, how it happens from a retailer perspective, and why it matters. Find all previous casts, as well as learning content and products on our website: https://teamcovenant.com…
T
The Covenant Cast
1
118: Michael Boggs on Marvel Champions, Netrunner
54:59
54:59
+
Play later
Play later
+
Lists
Like
Liked
54:59
Right from Covenant Tulsa, where Michael Boggs is attending our Marvel Champions Celebration Weekend event, we take a moment to chat about his journey from South Korea, to Netrunner, to being on the design team of arguably the biggest title of the year - the Marvel Champions LCG. Find all previous casts, as well as learning content and products on …
T
The Covenant Cast
1
117: The Evolution of Product Design and Distribution
1:10:01
1:10:01
+
Play later
Play later
+
Lists
Like
Liked
1:10:01
Marvel Champions, Crisis Protocol, and KeyForge point to an underlying evolution in product development and distribution. Champions shows a new way for LCGs, Crisis Protocol breaks out of complexity and faction-specificity, and KeyForge shows a long tail on unique games. Find all previous casts, as well as learning content and products on our websi…
T
The Covenant Cast
1
116: KeyForge Worlds Collide Reflection
1:03:20
1:03:20
+
Play later
Play later
+
Lists
Like
Liked
1:03:20
KeyForge sees its third set, Worlds Collide, this weekend, and we reflect on the journey from Call of the Archons, through Age of Ascension, to Worlds Collide - in the context of KeyForge occupying a very special place in the hobby. With FFG providing a solid foundation for design and OP, and continuing to build it in an intentional way, KeyForge h…
Today is the official release date for the Marvel Champions Living Card Game, and we take a moment to soak it all up, discussing the strategy guide, unexpected favorite decks, Cosmic Tokens, and Champions Weekend. Find all previous casts, as well as learning content and products on our website: https://teamcovenant.com…
T
The Covenant Cast
1
114: Worlds Ends, the Marvel Era Begins
1:03:33
1:03:33
+
Play later
Play later
+
Lists
Like
Liked
1:03:33
We're so ready for the upcoming Marvel games. Things kick off with Crisis Protocol a week after the Move Set videos, continue into the Champions chaos with early and non-existent release dates, and conclude with a recap of Zach's experience at Star Wars Worlds. Find all previous casts, as well as learning content and products on our website: https:…
T
The Covenant Cast
1
113: Marvel Crisis Protocol First Impressions
1:18:49
1:18:49
+
Play later
Play later
+
Lists
Like
Liked
1:18:49
Fresh off of an 8 hour live play of the Marvel: Crisis Protocol miniatures game, we give our first impressions of the game - including both its relevance to the industry and an evaluation of the system itself. We expect these views to evolve and develop over time as we gain experience with Crisis Protocol, and look forward to sharing more as we go …
With Zach fresh off of a Destiny Prime Championship, the evolving discussion about tournaments, prizes, winning, and self realization re-emerges. This time, an unexpected depth is explored - one that deals more with human psychology than tabletop gaming tournaments. Find all previous casts, as well as learning content and products on our website: h…
KeyForge has recently done a tremendous job of playing to its strengths, and in light of those discussions, we take a look at how publishers and local retail can best play to theirs. If you could simply wipe the slate clean, how would the FLGS handle community building through events? Visit us on the web: https://teamcovenant.com…
The Vaultwarrior tournament series brings a $200,000 tournament circuit to KeyForge. Cash prizes have both failed and succeeded in the past, so is this the right approach for KeyForge? We bring a lot of historical skepticism to this topic, but the discussion turned out to be a surprising one. Visit us on the web: https://teamcovenant.com…
T
The Covenant Cast
1
109: Tapestry and Evergreen Retail
1:09:19
1:09:19
+
Play later
Play later
+
Lists
Like
Liked
1:09:19
With Stonemaier's latest in-demand game, the same conversations and disappointments have erupted from every part of the publisher-distributor-retailer chain. Tapestry continues where Wingspan left off, and both reveal systemic problems - but shouldn't that be expected when the systems were never built to accommodate these kinds of titles? There is …
The tabletop game store environment continues to shift, with new and veteran retailers asking how best to capitalize on their space. Some say play space is the way forward. Others find success stocking a diversity of products and focusing on traditional retail. After a trip to New York City and witnessing a few stores with the latter model, Zach re…
Zach is in New York City celebrating his wedding anniversary! We'll be back next week for an installation of our Marvel Mondays live stream at 2PM CST and a new episode of the Covenant Cast on Friday.
An oft-cited critique of tabletop games, particularly board games, is that tracking all of the necessary variables is an unneeded burden. As a response, various digital integrations and simplified rulesets are pitched as removing this element from the experience and liberating players from the clunky and fiddly moments that "get in the way" of the …
T
The Covenant Cast
1
106: Can Crisis Protocol Break Into the Mainstream?
1:12:57
1:12:57
+
Play later
Play later
+
Lists
Like
Liked
1:12:57
Marvel: Crisis Protocol embraces the fundamental divider of a hobby miniatures game - highly detailed models that must be fully assembled and painted. We discuss whether or not the game has a shot at breaking through the "industry" bubble and reaching a level of ubiquity previously unattained by the likes of Warhammer: 40k. Visit our website at htt…
T
The Covenant Cast
1
105: Marvel Champions - The Perfect LCG?
1:16:50
1:16:50
+
Play later
Play later
+
Lists
Like
Liked
1:16:50
Marvel Champions does a lot of things right, but its most important features may well be found in the nuts and bolts of packaging and distribution. We dive into that, using examples from past LCGs, and also spend a bit of time discussing the surprising number of design and deck building levers hidden in the system - because we can't help it. Visit …
After an extremely busy weekend in Indianapolis, we're back with a full assessment of Gen Con 2019 - including Unmatched, Defiance, Marvel Champions, and Crisis Protocol - as well as Teburu and Stonemaier stealing thunder with Tapestry! Visit our website: https://teamcovenant.comBy Covenant
