Brainwaves Episode 166 - Itchy Conjurations

Brainwaves Episode 166 - Itchy Conjurations

Author: The Giant Brain August 4, 2025 Duration: 42:17
Jamie and Oliver bring you the latest news from around the tabletop gaming world. From CGE failing to conjure a decent response, to Gamefound acquiring a rival they cover the stories that really matter in episode 166 of Brainwaves.    Headlines Czech Games Edition announces new Harry Potter Codenames https://bsky.app/profile/codenamesgame.bsky.social/post/3lul7oqmuws25 https://boardgamewire.com/index.php/2025/07/29/reviewers-including-no-pun-included-shut-up-sit-down-boycott-codenames-publisher-cge-for-releasing-new-harry-potter-game-while-ignoring-jk-rowlings-anti-trans-rhetoric/ Gamefound Acquires Indiegogo https://gamefound.com/en/blog/post/gamefound-acquires-indiegogo https://go.indiegogo.com/blog/2025/07/gamefound-x-indiegogo-the-future-of-creativity.html    Itch blocks nsfw content itch.iohttps://itch.io/updates/update-on-nsfw-content   Updates Diamond https://icv2.com/articles/news/view/60125/diamond-moves-sell-diamond-uk-employee-grouphttps://icv2.com/articles/news/view/60161/new-filings-diamond-consignment-dispute-sparkle-pop-amends-complaint-against-alliance-entertainment   News Zatu denies exploitative environment claims https://boardgamewire.com/index.php/2025/07/21/board-game-retailer-zatu-games-denies-exploiting-low-paid-apprentices-toxic-work-culture-claims-after-wave-of-online-criticism/ Reddit post that was deleted - link to Web Archive / Way Back Machine saved version: https://web.archive.org/web/20250427174157/https://www.reddit.com/r/Norwich/comments/1k5xipq/experiences_with_employment_at_zatu_games/ Games Workshop rides high  https://investor.games-workshop.com/news-posts/annualreport2025 Diana Jones Award 2025 Winners Announced https://www.dianajonesaward.org/   Obituaries Ace of Aces designer Al Leonardi passed away https://boardgamegeek.com/thread/3542362/passing-of-al-leonardi https://www.potterfuneralhome.com/obituaries/alfred-leonardi/#!/Obituary    Jobs, Opportunities, and Events https://www.facebook.com/groups/TabletopJobs Playfest London https://www.minervatabletop.co.uk/playfest   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/ 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 Iain https://bsky.app/profile/giantbrain.co.uk Oliver https://bsky.app/profile/tabletopgamesblog.com Jamie https://bsky.app/profile/jamsandwich.bsky.social   Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/thegiantbrain Website: https://giantbrain.co.uk/ Email: giantbrainuk@gmail.com

Every week, the trio from Brainwaves-Board Game and Tabletop News Show-Iain, Jamie, and Oliver-gathers to sift through the bustling world of hobby games. This isn't just a recap of headlines; it's a conversational deep dive where news about upcoming releases, industry shifts, and crowdfunding phenomena gets unpacked with the insight of seasoned enthusiasts. The Giant Brain's hosts blend their distinct perspectives, often debating the merits of a new design or pondering the implications of a major publisher's announcement, making each episode feel like you're listening in on a lively chat among well-informed friends. You'll hear specific details on games hitting the market, from expansive strategy titles to clever card games, along with thoughtful commentary on the wider tabletop culture. Tuning into this podcast means getting a curated, digestible, and genuinely engaging update on everything happening beyond the box lid, delivered with a mix of expertise and palpable excitement for the hobby. It's the perfect audio companion for your commute or game night prep, ensuring you're always in the loop.
Author: Language: English Episodes: 100

Brainwaves - Board Game and Tabletop News Show
Podcast Episodes
Brainwaves Episode 145 - Trademark Trouble [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 59:30
The team of 3 are back again like a renegade master. Only up to date references on this show. It’s another bumper cast as we cover the Spiel des Jahres, trademarks you won’t believe exist, and people on the move in the i…
Brainwaves Special Edition - UK Games Expo 2024 [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 1:21:41
Hello everyone, In a break from our usual cast, this is a set of interviews I carried out at UK Games Expo 2024. I’ve provided links to all the folk mentioned and more besides in the show notes. Hope you enjoy! Folks we…
Brainwaves Episode 144 - Merger Palooza [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 54:43
The whole team are back together covering a bumper crop of news. Mergers everywhere, UK Games Expo expands (and we were there), awards, controversies, and of course we tell you if Ryan Dancey is accountable. The answer w…
Brainwaves Episode 143 - Awards Accountability [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 38:33
Oliver and Iain are back in the studio as Jamie continues to travel Scotland. This episode they bring you up to date news on the winners of the Cardboard Edison Award, look at the finances of our overlords, and ask “Is R…
Brainwaves Episode 142 - Unions Unite [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 26:22
Jamie is on tour around the islands of Scotland so it falls to Oliver and Iain to bring you the latest episode of Brainwaves. They look at the finances of CMON, support for designers in the US and UK, and cover some inte…
Brainwaves Episode 141 - Triple Threat [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 25:44
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://embr…
Gothcon - How do we review RPGs? [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 48:59
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 Panelli…
Brainwaves Episode 140 - Copied Spells [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 35:00
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…
Blades in the Dark at Gothcon [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 1:37:27
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 e…
Brainwaves Episode 139 - "Compelling" AI [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 35:02
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. Headlin…