NaPodPomo 2023: 30 Days of Game Mechanics: Engine Building Games

NaPodPomo 2023: 30 Days of Game Mechanics: Engine Building Games

Author: Michael & Suzanne Teske November 11, 2023 Duration: 5:17

Welcome to Meeples and Wine Na Pod Pomo 2023, hosted by Michael and Suzy, where they review board and tabletop games for couples. They explore how well games play with two players, their fun factor, complexity, and whether they might “destroy the marriage.” Each episode also includes a thematic wine, beer, or drink tasting to accompany the game.

Exploring Engine Building Games: From Terraforming Mars to Magic Gathering

In this episode of our NaPodPoMo 2023 run, Michael discusses the concept of engine building in board and tabletop games. Highlighting the buzz that comes from creating efficient, interconnected systems in various games like ‘Terraforming Mars’ and ‘Magic: The Gathering.’ Engine building isn’t genre-specific, we underline its presence in resource management, card drafting, and worker placement games.

00:13 Introduction and Podcast Overview
00:53 Engaging with the Podcast
01:12 Introduction to Engine Building Games
01:51 Understanding Engine Building with Terraforming Mars
02:24 The Appeal of Engine Building Games
02:49 Engine Building in Different Game Genres
03:31 Engine Building in Magic: The Gathering
04:05 Variety in Engine Building Mechanics
04:40 Appreciating the Design of Engine Building Games
05:02 Conclusion and Look Ahead

If you’ve got a game that you’d like us to demo get in touch at meeplesandwine@gmail.com, at our Twitter (@Meeplesandwine) or Facebook or if you’d like to leave us a voicemail you can go to 

https://www.speakpipe.com/MeeplesandWine or call at (707) 572-5282!

You can also check out our quicklinks page! https://podcast.show/meeplesandwine/


Every week, Michael and Suzanne Teske turn their dining table into a testing ground for connection and cardboard. Meeples And Wine-Tabletop Games for Couples is their ongoing experiment in pairing a great game with a great drink, all while navigating the unique dynamics of playing as a pair. You’ll hear their real-time reactions as they learn new rules, their strategic banter during play, and their honest post-game debriefs about what worked, what caused hilarious friction, and what truly brought them together. It’s less a formal review and more a live-play session with friends, where the conversation flows as freely as the wine, beer, or spirit they’re sampling that episode. They focus on games that are ideal for two players or work well in a couple’s setting, always with an eye toward shared enjoyment over cutthroat competition. The result is a warm, relatable podcast that feels like an invitation to their table, offering genuine recommendations for your next game night and a companionable audio experience that celebrates leisure, strategy, and partnership. You get a sense of the game’s mechanics, the drink’s profile, and the unscripted laughter that happens when two people prioritize fun. It’s about finding those perfect combinations that make an evening memorable, ensuring the only thing left on the couch at the end of the night is the game box.
Author: Language: en-us Episodes: 100

Meeples And Wine - Tabletop Games for Couples
Podcast Episodes
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Duration: 23:54
This weekend Suzy and Michael went to see the Dungeons and Dragons Honor Among Thieves preview! Here’s our review as both a life long gamer and D&D fan, and the take from someone who just loves heist movies! We’re all ov…
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Duration: 22:47
This week Michael and Suzy take on the high-flying world of zeppelin racing! Yes, we’re playing Quicksilver a tabletop game for 2 to 6 people that has you zipping your dirigibles high above the city of Paradise Falls. Th…
Cat in the Box & Juggernaut Hillside Cabernet Sauvignon [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 27:22
This week we’re getting QUANTIUM! We’re playing Bezier Games’ Cat In The Box, a trick taking card game where you both know and don’t know the cards in your hand until they’re played. We also taste Juggernaut Hillside Cab…