Little Wooden Cubist

LWC_#18_20081020

Mon, 13 Oct 2008 07:03:00 GMT

Enjoying "We Didn't Playtest This At All"

Tue, 26 Aug 2008 18:10:00 GMT

Hope to include a little mini-review in the next show.
Did I just say next show?
Wot?

LWC_#17_20080406

Mon, 7 Apr 2008 02:37:00 GMT

Is this really going up? O.K., thanks again to all who wrote and all that, etc. etc., and to Filip at Hunter and to Bob Mould for being such an inspiration and to my parents for making all this possible. um, using a new set-up, let me know if sound stinks. Could revert. Not wedded. Descent Contest is BACK ON...no, wait it never was off, was it? I know the Risk Black Ops piece is a little over the top, and that I'm late to the table, and all the rest of it, but I did get a three player in and will be doing a full review of my own soon. I was too excited not to make too much of it. Is that enough excuses? Did I say thanks? Thanks.

Episode 17 On Final Approach

Thu, 3 Apr 2008 19:38:00 GMT

Okay, I'm a loser, and I'm back. Stay tuned, it's coming, and it's got RISK BLACK OPS on it. Check the video here:
LWC RBO

Next Episode Drops in One Week

Tue, 19 Feb 2008 19:08:00 GMT

wait for it...wait for it...

LWC_#16_20071202

Tue, 4 Dec 2007 12:23:00 GMT

Here it is...

The Winner announced.

The Gamelog unpacked.

The New Contest Begun.

Wow, when you keep to a half hour, things get TIGHT.
Hope you enjoy it, and good luck!

Just a couple games discussed this time, including:

Wasabi!

and

Pop Belly

LWC_#15_20071126

Tue, 27 Nov 2007 16:47:00 GMT

Hey there space rangers! Hope that you had a nice turkey day, or a nice time ignoring it, if that's your bag.

Today it's our Boardgamegeek.COM convention report, courtesy of Jeff Fournier! You can stop by and see more of Jeff's opinions on things gaming at this blog, Counters and Characters. And I recommend you do.

In the gamelog:

Apples to Apples

Phase 10

Brief, but important, as it was all gaming with family...a rare treat for me these days, but more on that next time.

Jeff discusses MANY games, including but not limited to: Tichu, Crockinole, Starcraft, 1960: The Making of the President, Year of the Dragon, Employee of the Month, Cold War: CIA vs. KGB, Fraudsquad, Tigris & Euphrates, and many, many more.

Contest continues, of course, until 10 pm EST, Sunday, December 2nd (and happy Advent, of course).

Remember, ALL guild members are entered, so join to be included, and may the luckiest Geek win! By the by, my k7 line seems to have expired, so please do NOT call 206-888-6544. I really don't like that service AT ALL, so I'll find another alternative. Until then, please just send along an mp3 and I'll embed it right in!

Thanks again for your support via paypal, that helps me do more...and everything goes right back into making the show better.

Cheers, and Happy Christmahanakwanzikah...with only _____ shopping days left!

LWC_#14_20071119

Tue, 20 Nov 2007 18:04:00 GMT

Hello again, Team Cubist! Top 'o' the Holidays to you.
Hope you all plan to avoid Black Friday this year. To those too foolish to stay away: sorry in advance.

In the meantime, we'll conspire, as we play, by the fire, enjoying the first good snowfall of the season here in Boston a few days before T-Giving.
Neil has got the Meeples & Miniatures Guild up and running. Be sure to stop by and say hello.

We've got news, a review (with a twist) and a BRAND NEW CONTEST....oh boy oh boy, I think yr gonna like it!

Some of the games discussed:

Agricola (yeah, us and the free world). --MAN do I push some traffic over to Z-Man!

and a bunch more...

And of course, my TH order:

1960: The Making of the President

Cold War: CIA vs. KGB
FFG link below...don't know why i couldn't find it. Thanks Ekted.

David & Goliath

A Victory Los t

Ticket to Ride: Switzerland

Enjoy! This contest will run until 10 p.m. Eastern time the night before Episode 16 (Dec. 3rd) when I'll announce the winner and the next contest....

LWC_#13_20071112

Tue, 13 Nov 2007 15:43:00 GMT

In this episode: The First Geekterror Report...and it's demise...

We (I, not the royal we) discuss many things, through the Game Log, The News (fear, fear!), Convention reports, and a review of Mr. Jack (more fear).

Neil Shuck (earthquake) of Meeples & Miniatures and I ramp up the chits vs. mini debate, though I do sidestep a bit...I find myself recommending Episode 75 of Boardgames to Go to you all. A new classic in the Podtheon. We get a report on CarnageCon from Kevin Goldenbogen (kevgol). and let me just say, ANYONE who uses umlauts on an "n" is sick, twisted, and alright in my book!

By the way, when you hear how great it is to have mp3 feedback sent via email, you'll want to do it too! Both Kevin and Neil sent great quality bits with minimal outlay in time and materials. Come on and add your voice to the Cubist!

Some games discussed, in whole or part:

Star Fleet Battles
Warrior K-nehggetz
Mr. Jack
Cowboys: The Way of the Gun
Pitchcar
Twilight Struggle
Balloon Cup
Carcassonne (The Vanilla)

We'll get the forums a bit more lit up with this one...so swing by the guild and join if you haven't. We're almost at the 100 mark!
Cheers,
C

LWC_#12_20071106

Wed, 7 Nov 2007 04:59:00 GMT

The end of my interview with David Leshinsky of Eureka Puzzles and More in Brookline, MA!

Hope you enjoy.

And remember:
"Pirates are hot."

Oh, and:
"Phone rings are really easy to see on digital recording software..."

Many games discussed, of course, including:

Ticket to Ride

some "Monopoly" thing, ???

Unspeakable Words

and more...

See you in week, when I'll report on what might be the first instance of Board Game Geek Terrorism! FEAR! FEAR! Tune in for the latest!

LWC_#11_20071029

Mon, 29 Oct 2007 16:42:00 GMT

"This one goes to eleven..."

Congrats to the Sox and their nation for an exciting (though still not at Fenway) win of the World Series. This cast was recorded during game four, so if it's a little distracted...hey, what can we say.

But Matthew's there, so that's fun! We've got the Gamelog, a Review, Part two of the interview with David Leshinsky of Eureka Puzzles and More in Brookline, MA.

Games discussed:

Nexus Ops

Quebec 1759

Duel in the Dark

Cowboys: The Way of the Gun

Review: Cowboys: The Way of the Gun

Contest Winner Announced! Next contest begins in Episode Twelve, so stay tuned for the kickoff next week.

LWC_#10_20071022

Tue, 23 Oct 2007 13:48:00 GMT

So here's the surprise...episode ten...in a week!
That's right, we're going to a weekly, so don't worry if you were going to chime in for the tenth...I'm still happy to hear whatever you've got, with thanks.

Less fanfare than I anticipated, but with some real nice feedback from some real nice folks, and a new dash of resolve!

Here's MY POST ESSENALIA, Spielerrific episode, and I begin my interview series with David Leshinsky of Eureka Puzzles and More!

Cheers!

LWC_#9_20071015

Thu, 18 Oct 2007 11:27:00 GMT

Everybodyâs talkinâ about Essen, and here we areâitâs the Game Log, the News, a review of Duel in the Dark and a continuation of the Why Do I Hate This Game Contest for Winnerâs Circle. Entries have been piling up, and at the end of this podcast, I mention that the contest will end before the next episode. Thatâs not true anymore, but youâll know why in a bit. So join the Guild and do what you got to do to enter!

I mentioned a blog by Jeff F. called Counters and Characters, though I think I called Counters and Chits or Chits and Counters and hey, you know chitshappen, so thatâs entirely my fault, and his blog is great, and I want you to check it out and comment and show him some love.

I also mentioned On Board Games, which has THREE hosts, * Donald Dennis, Scott Nicholson, and Erik Dewey, and Iâm sorry to have perpetuated the star system on you guys. Itâs a great podcast and worth your time for a more in-depth treatment of the news of the day. Furthermore, I mentioned The Metagamers, with Mark Haberman, Jay Little, and of course, our own (interviewed here to the tune of Sterno) Jim Cote (Mr. Ekted). Fine human beings all and another in-depthful show. Links to both now appear in the bar to the right, as well as to Boardgames to Go, of course.

Episode Ten is coming, so for our Tin Anniversary, Iâd like some comments on Just how far weâve comeâyou can post them via voice mail at 1-206-888-6544 or send me an mp3 file. Comments on this post and e-mail are fine too. What was your favorite moment or part so far? Let yr voice be heard. You are Team Cubist, hear you roar!

LWC_#8.5_20071008

Tue, 9 Oct 2007 12:51:00 GMT

Here it is...a placeholder of sorts, as we move to the opposite every-other week schedule. You'll hear all about it. So there's another one next week, and this one is purely for kicking off the first Why Do I Hate This Game? Contest, and it's your job to tell me why I SHOULDN'T hate this game at our Board Game Geek Forum. There's a link to the right here on the cubist web page. The winner wins the game, Winner's Circle, from Face2face Games! International listeners welcome, I'll ship ANYWHERE.

See you in one week...

LWC_#8_20070924

Wed, 26 Sep 2007 11:46:00 GMT

LWC as a duo? Well, we do everything else together...why not this? A few games discussed, with
The Game Log
News That WE Care About
Ingenious Travel Edition FULL REVIEW
Feedback
And believe it or not, that's ALL the time we had. Chatty chatty.
Ah well.
Let me also note that OTScotty chimed in with an e-mail about Mississippi where I may have made it sound like he was into LSU...that is NOT the case. He is a Mississippi Man, and I didn't want to mischaracterize. It sounds a bit ambiguous on the 'cast. But would I go in and change it? HA! Wargames have errata. So do I.

Games discussed:
1960: The Making of the President
Prussia's Defiant Stand
TTR:Switzerland
Duel in the Dark
Lightning War: North Africa
Mr. Jack
Cowboys: The Way of the Gun
Balloon Cup

And many many more, of course...enjoy, and congratulations to the winner of the Gamewright Prize Pack Contest!

LWC_#7_20070826

Wed, 12 Sep 2007 03:07:00 GMT

I'm trying to get more cubist. My head is ALMOST square, eh?
So this is part two of the interview with Jason Schneider of Gamewright Games.

Various stuff mentioned, including Eureka in Brookline, Ka-Ching, and KEM playing cards.

I think Carrie said the Eureka game nights were on Wednesday and I said Tuesday. I think I'm right, but check with the store to be sure. Oh, also mentioned Puzzle Me This in Provincetown and Heartland cribbage boards...

Mireille appears for a feedback session. And let me say, on the Ka-ching setup, which sounds confusing to me now, that it should look like a completed game of Solitaire when the cards are laid out in the five rows at the start. Also, I referenced a review of Turn the Tide; that's NEXT time. :P

Don't forget the contest! You're my favorite to win. Don't tell the others...

LWC_#6_20070826

Tue, 28 Aug 2007 03:38:00 GMT

HERE IT IS, Episode the Sixth, with special in-studio guest Matthew.
The Game Log, News, a Review of Reiner Knizia's Loot, and Part One of an interview with Jason Schneider of Gamewright Games. And there's finally Feedback!

Don't forget to enter the contest to win the Special Back-to-School Prize Pack of SIX Gamewright Games...

Please sign the frappr map and join the guild at the 'Geek.

Thanks to Matthew and to Jason for their participation. Part Two of the interview next time, and the winner of the drawing from all entries in the contest will be announced in Episode the Eighth!

Hardcore Ludography Gives Good Blog!

Wed, 22 Aug 2007 18:23:00 GMT

On Episode Five I was going on about someone I played Tumblin'-Dice with, and how I forgot his name...well it was Matt Wranovix, one of the masterminds behind the blindingly brilliant blog with the cheeky name, Hardcore Ludography. There's a permanent link on the right, so don't worry if you forget. They make me proud to be from Massachusetts, and that doesn't come lightly. Much deeper insight into gaming then you'll get here, but then, it does take EIGHT of them to do it. S'all about games, and ordering games, and playing games, and thinking about games, and games. And other game-related stuff.

And games.

Matt was a fine tumbler of dice, and I would not hesitate to recommend tossing cubes across surfaces of varying levels in his company to endeavor to achieve points in any game-like enterprise. I'd give him an 8, but only because I haven't played more with him. He has glasses. And a red shirt. At least one. He might own more shirts, red and otherwise.

His BGG handle is mattwran, and he has a lovely avatar of a...thing...

Push some pins, if you don't mind...

Tue, 21 Aug 2007 14:32:00 GMT

Hey folks, thanks for the recent download surge. I just crossed a pretty big threshold in terms of numbers (I can't count you all on one hand anymore...to put it mildly) after these first five or so episodes, and I would love it if you wouldn't mind pushing a pin into the frapr map at the right so we can see how far-flung we may be.

LWC #6 approaches next week with the first part of my interview with Jason Schneider of Gamewright...great guy, great company, look forward to hearing what you all think.

And while I'm spreading the love, have you heard Happy Happy Boardgame Love-in yet? Check it out here. It's the only podcast you'll put on a silk cravat to listen to, and the features are like nothing else the rest of us are doing: "It Should Be a Game" and "Slag of the Week" (despite the fact that this is not a weekly show) are just some of the brilliance. It's done by Hamster of Fury, Luke Morris.

LWC_#5_20070813

Mon, 13 Aug 2007 20:56:00 GMT

As you can see above, Mr. Goldenbogen (kevgol) is about to sleep with the fishes...or is he?

Unity XIII!
Absolute blast, and here's the scoop. Interviews, notes, and the usual format is OUT THE WINDOW.
Game log is sort of the focus this time, and these are the games that rocked us:

Cash & Guns

Meuterer

Vegas Showdown

Tumblin-Dice

Railroad Tycoon (well, maybe not ROCKED, but still good)

Sticheln

and the big winner of the day....

COWBOYS: THE WAY OF THE GUN!!!

A fun time had by all...thanks again to Dave Bernazzani, Adam Smiles, M. Eric Martin, and so many others. Also to David LeMaire for company and willingness to dive in. See you all in January for Unity XIV.

Next episode will be the first of a two-part Back to School Special with Jason Schneider of Gamewright Games. Hope you can join me, and you'll want to...the prize pack has six games for one lucky winner!

LWC_#4_20070730

Mon, 30 Jul 2007 15:13:00 GMT

Finally, PART TWO of the Dave Bernazzani Interview in preparation for Unity Games XIII!
Ticket winners announced....

02:23 Game Log
03:39 The News
04:36 Interview with Dave Bernazzani of Unity Games, and yes, he designed the calculator program!
56:45 Unity Games XIII Contest Winners!
58:38 Outro

Thanks to Dave, Cambridge Games Factory, Unity Games, Jim, Eric, and everyone else who entered. See you at the Con!

Please comment below, and know that I'll be adding the feedback section to the next episode.

A podcaster mentioned

Wed, 18 Jul 2007 21:45:00 GMT

Mentioned The Boardgamer podcast in my show, especially re: his number of times playing before reviewing, and I said I'd get his name up here: Steve Archbold! You can link right to his site here.

Omigosh I Missed This One!

Tue, 17 Jul 2007 18:09:00 GMT

Feeling silly after such a big bunch of news to have missed this very exciting notice about Amyitis, coming from Ystari Games, designed by Cyril Demaegd and illustrated by Arnaud Demaegd (whose names I WILL learn how to pronounce before my next cast).

Looks great at the thumbnail level, and of course there are some pictures up at BGG. It's set to release at Essen 2007, so Octoberfest will be extra special this year...

And while you're at their website, you can check out the new Premium Limited Edition of Caylus. There will only be 1500, and cost isn't mentioned yet...ahem. From their website: "The game will be sold at the Essen fair, but you need to pre-order it on our shop. 500 copies will be sold directly on this website, at the beginning of september. " So join me for the wait at www.ystari.com.

Errata

Tue, 17 Jul 2007 18:06:00 GMT

Just to make it clear...when I play a game a number of times in order to PLAY it, that of course means in order to REVIEW it.

Feeling not so the smartness right now.

What, me edit?

LWC_#3_20070716

Mon, 16 Jul 2007 19:53:00 GMT

Episode the Third, with the Game Twig, New Century Gamers report, a review of Caylus Magna Carta, and a whole lot of news. Also, today begins a two-part interview with Dave Bernazzani of Unity Games in preparation for Unity Games XIII in Wakefield, Mass. on August 11th. Check the link on the right for more info. I'll be giving away two free tickets to Unity Games as well as a copy of Ice Pirates of Harbour Grace to a lucky listener, so listen for details on how to enter!

I played a promo this time for Neil at Meeples and Miniatures, so please be sure to check him out and let him know I sent you. He does a great job over there.

Folks, feel free to send pertinent audio files in mp3 and I'll play them on the show. I haven't yet set up a voice-mail line, but I may do so soon.

Don't forget to add your location on the frappr map on the right.

LWC_SF1_20070709

Mon, 9 Jul 2007 18:45:00 GMT

Special Offweek Episode! Spotlight Feature on 1960: The Making of the President, with very special thanks to Christian Leonhard and Jason Matthews. This is not a review, but rather a general chat and preview based on my playing of the prototype with Chris. Please note that Z-Man has not yet released this title, so there could be changes by publication. This episode also features a session report from my time with the D.C. Gamers, and the winner of the Stellar Conquest Contest is announced...

The Cubist Guild is up, with Thanks to Mr. Norwood!

Fri, 6 Jul 2007 01:04:00 GMT

Don't bother to set up the Board Game Geek Guild...it's done!
Check it out here, and join up. Thanks to Chris, who gets two entries in the Stellar Conquest Unpunched Open Box Contest for his troubles (and his gold, beyargh!)

Hey, Get on the Map!

Thu, 5 Jul 2007 04:53:00 GMT

Love to have folks sign up on the Frappr map below right so I know where you are...and thanks!
C

LWC_#2_20070702

Thu, 5 Jul 2007 01:04:00 GMT

awwwYEAH! Is it really only two so far?
Check out...
an extra long Game long (D.C.Report),
a review of Spiel des Jahres winner Zooloretto,
Wheedle as the Unsung Hero,
and a call for entries in the very close Stellar Conquest Contest.

Winners will be announced in the special episode next week (07/09/06) when I do a spotlight on 1960: The Making of the President. I got to play the game with co-designer Christian Leonhard over the weekend, so you won't want to miss this. I'll also announce the contest winner. Remember the third way to enter: whoever sets up a Guild at BGG for the Little Wooden Cubist podcast gets TWO entries (and my undying gratitude--well, until I die).

Cheers and thanks,
C

MANY MANY thanks

Wed, 4 Jul 2007 22:45:00 GMT

Many thanks to folks who helped to make my gaming experience in D.C. an absolute blast, including, but not limited to: David, Steve, Doug, Dream Wizards, Michelle Z., Jeff, Julius, Octavian, Jesse, Kevin, Mike, Arn, Martin, Norman, David, Jesse, Christian, Beth, Justin, Rafael, Rishi, Jason, Vonda, Owen, Eliza, and President Bush (who is downright MEAN in the late war phase of Twilight Struggle...who knew?)

We are a part of a hobby that is about community as much as anything else, and you all did a great job of reminding me of that. Best wishes to all and let me know when you're in old Beantown...

Mr. Cubist Goes to Washington

Wed, 27 Jun 2007 15:19:00 GMT

Hey there folks,
I'm headed to the Washington D.C. area this weekend, and would love to do some gaming. How about puttin' up with a northener for a weekend?

Also, post here and let me know what game stores to check out while I'm in our nation's capital, and museums that shouldn't be missed. I probably won't have THAT much free time, but there are pockets...
Here's a cell picture if we try to connect!

Also, I'll have the mobile recording rig, so if you want to be on the podcast...here's your chance.*

Cheers and thanks,
Charley

*Meeting me for games does NOT mean you have to be recorded...ever. :)

Little Wooden Cubist Gets a Mention on Board Game News

Mon, 25 Jun 2007 15:37:00 GMT

Follow here to see the mention. Makes sense, as it IS a site about board game news, and it IS a board game podcast. I'm still getting those "your name in lights" feelings, though. I love this community...

Episode One: Begin the Begin Again

Thu, 21 Jun 2007 06:10:00 GMT

At last! Snafu after snafu couldn't keep this one from coming out! Here's the first official 'cast with the features I've decided to use (for now). Hope you like it. Game log, News, New Century Gamers, Citadels review, RUCKUS, and the Stellar Conquest Contest. That's right, you could win Stellar Conquest, long out of print, and I'll ship it ANYWHERE! Please comment here, or at itunes, and shoot me an email at littlewoodencubist@gmail.com. Thanks.

Introductory Episode

littlewoodencubist@gmail.com — Mon, 4 Jun 2007 13:24:00 GMT

Hey, thanks for coming by. My name's Charley Eastman and this is my first podcast about games. I'm going to leave this one up for as long as I can as sort of an introduction, but I probably won't start really advertising until I get another podcast up...episode one, coming soon...which means the first contest is coming soon!

Would you come by without a contest? Of course you would because that's the nice kind of person you are. You aren't like the other listeners. I value you much more than them, but don't tell, okay?

E-mail me with questions, comments, tips, recipes, free games, etc. etc. at littlewoodencubist@gmail.com. I'd also appreciate your comments right here at the site.

0-1:39 Intro/Welcome

1:39-13:48 My Ancient History

13:48-19:58 Why Podcasting?

20:08-38:10 Current Top Ten

38:21-40:27 Show Format & Outro

stuff mentioned or discussed: www.gmail.com, yahtzee, sorry, monopoly, dungeons and dragons, magic the gathering, risk, mousetrap, feeley meeley, arabian nights, settlers of catan, battle cry, new york city, massachusetts, BU school of Law, Preston (prestonisnormal) Fuller, Andover Newton Theological School, www.boardgamegeek.com, Bohnanza, Malaysia, Micronesia, England, Korea, microbadges, avatars, Twilight Struggle, Colisseum, Adam Curry, Dawn and Drew, Evil Genius Dave Slusher, ipod, Rio mp3 Player, Boardgamespeak, The Dice Tower, Board Games to Go, Hamster of Fury, Luke Morris, Happy Happy Boardgame Love in, Boardgame Babylon, It's Time 4 Games, Neil Shuck, The Spiel, Meeples and Miniatures, wargames, Games Workshop, Warhammer 40K, Into the Gamescape, Yogradio, Romania, Battle Lore, Memoir '44, Command & Colors: Ancients, William Wallace

MY TOP TEN RIGHT NOW IN NO PARTICULAR ORDER UNTIL I CHANGE MY MIND AGAIN IN FIVE MINUTES: