Episode 247 - Arcs

Pete is joined by Kniziologist and Blighted Reach afficionado Jared Ingersoll to do a deep dive on the hottest game of 2024: Cole Wehrle's Arcs!

Timestamps

3:40- Arcs introduction 9:30- rules overview 16:30- personal reviews 23:00- trick-taking system 30:30- actions and resources 36:30- ambitions 46:00- combat 55:30- influencing the court 1:01:30- leaders and lore 1:08:00- player count 1:12:30- frustration points

Preplanners

Next up is a deep dive on Ra!

Music and Sound Credits

Thank you to Hembree for our intro and outro music from their song Reach Out. You can listen to the full song on YouTube here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gQuuRPfOyMw&list=TLGGFNH7VEDPgwgyNTA4MjAyMQ&t=3s

You can find more information about Hembree at https://www.hembreemusic.com/.

Thank you to Flash Floods for use of their song Palm of Your Hand as a sting from their album Halfway to Anywhere: https://open.spotify.com/album/2fE6LrqzNDKPYWyS5evh3K?si=CCjdAGmeSnOOEui6aV3_nA

Intermission Music: music elevator ext part 1/3 by Jay_You -- https://freesound.org/s/467243/ -- License: Attribution 4.0

Bell with Crows by MKzing -- https://freesound.org/s/474266/ -- License: Creative Commons 0

hammer v2.wav by blukotek -- https://freesound.org/s/337815/ -- License: Creative Commons 0

Contact

Follow and reach us on social media on Bluesky @decisionspace.bsky.social.

If you prefer email, then hit us up at decisionspa@gmail.com.

This information is all available along with episodes at our new website decisionspacepodcast.com.

Byeee!

Episode 246 - The 2025 Decidies

The hosts continue their now TWO year tradition of awarding our bronze, silver, and gold medal decisions of the year. Congrats to all the winners!

Timestamps

11:15- honorable mentions 24:45- Agent Avenue 29:15- Vantage 33:05- Bomb Busters 38:00- Waddle 41:05- Toy Battle 45:15- Old King's Crown 50:50- Formaggio 54:55- Vantage 57:55- Tag Team 1:05:40- Hot Streak 1:11:55- Duel for Cardia 1:18:30- Bid Coin 1:24:00- hopes for 2026

honorable mentions: Bid Coin, Molly House, Bested Another Time, Two Towers Trick-Taking Game, EGO, Formaggio, Fives, Snack Rabbits

Preplanners

We have deep dives coming up soon for Ra and Arcs as well as part 3 of our deckbuilding series!

Music and Sound Credits

Thank you to Hembree for our intro and outro music from their song Reach Out. You can listen to the full song on YouTube here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gQuuRPfOyMw&list=TLGGFNH7VEDPgwgyNTA4MjAyMQ&t=3s

You can find more information about Hembree at https://www.hembreemusic.com/.

Thank you to Flash Floods for use of their song Palm of Your Hand as a sting from their album Halfway to Anywhere: https://open.spotify.com/album/2fE6LrqzNDKPYWyS5evh3K?si=CCjdAGmeSnOOEui6aV3_nA

Intermission Music: music elevator ext part 1/3 by Jay_You -- https://freesound.org/s/467243/ -- License: Attribution 4.0

Bell with Crows by MKzing -- https://freesound.org/s/474266/ -- License: Creative Commons 0

hammer v2.wav by blukotek -- https://freesound.org/s/337815/ -- License: Creative Commons 0

Contact

Follow and reach us on social media on Bluesky @decisionspace.bsky.social.

If you prefer email, then hit us up at decisionspa@gmail.com.

This information is all available along with episodes at our new website decisionspacepodcast.com.

Byeee!

Episode 245 - Year in Review

We look back at the past year, which was full of changes for the show. We also rank all the games we deep dived LIVE together and chart a course for 2026.

Timestamps

4:10- reflections on the past year 21:15- favorite episodes from 2025 27:30- ranking the games we covered in 2025 55:50- what we learned this year 1:00:30- looking ahead to 2026

Preplanners

We're taking a week off for Christmas but will return with our awards for the best decisions of 2025!

Music and Sound Credits

Thank you to Hembree for our intro and outro music from their song Reach Out. You can listen to the full song on YouTube here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gQuuRPfOyMw&list=TLGGFNH7VEDPgwgyNTA4MjAyMQ&t=3s

You can find more information about Hembree at https://www.hembreemusic.com/.

Thank you to Flash Floods for use of their song Palm of Your Hand as a sting from their album Halfway to Anywhere: https://open.spotify.com/album/2fE6LrqzNDKPYWyS5evh3K?si=CCjdAGmeSnOOEui6aV3_nA

Intermission Music: music elevator ext part 1/3 by Jay_You -- https://freesound.org/s/467243/ -- License: Attribution 4.0

Bell with Crows by MKzing -- https://freesound.org/s/474266/ -- License: Creative Commons 0

hammer v2.wav by blukotek -- https://freesound.org/s/337815/ -- License: Creative Commons 0

Contact

Follow and reach us on social media on Bluesky @decisionspace.bsky.social.

If you prefer email, then hit us up at decisionspa@gmail.com.

This information is all available along with episodes at our new website decisionspacepodcast.com.

Byeee!

Decision Space is the podcast about decisions in board games.

Join our active and welcoming Discord community,

Join the crew today! (Decision Space Patreon), or

Leave us a review wherever you find this podcast!

Episode 244 - Our Favorite Video Games

Are we allowed to talk about video games instead of board games? Jake, Brendan, and Pete break down some of their favorite games and examine their decision space and potential connections to tabletop games.

Timestamps

5:00- personal video game histories 19:00- video games vs board games 25:15- Yoshi's Island 31:00- Pokémon Gold and Silver 37:30- Slay the Spire 43:30- Heroes of Might and Magic III 50:30- Gears of War 57:30- Dark Souls / Bloodborne 1:07:10- Pokken Tournament 1:14:00- Super Smash Bros Ultimate 1:17:15- Final Fantasy Tactics

Preplanners

End of the year recap is coming up soon!

Music and Sound Credits

Thank you to Hembree for our intro and outro music from their song Reach Out. You can listen to the full song on YouTube here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gQuuRPfOyMw&list=TLGGFNH7VEDPgwgyNTA4MjAyMQ&t=3s

You can find more information about Hembree at https://www.hembreemusic.com/.

Thank you to Flash Floods for use of their song Palm of Your Hand as a sting from their album Halfway to Anywhere: https://open.spotify.com/album/2fE6LrqzNDKPYWyS5evh3K?si=CCjdAGmeSnOOEui6aV3_nA

Intermission Music: music elevator ext part 1/3 by Jay_You -- https://freesound.org/s/467243/ -- License: Attribution 4.0

Bell with Crows by MKzing -- https://freesound.org/s/474266/ -- License: Creative Commons 0

hammer v2.wav by blukotek -- https://freesound.org/s/337815/ -- License: Creative Commons 0

Contact

Follow and reach us on social media on Bluesky @decisionspace.bsky.social.

If you prefer email, then hit us up at decisionspa@gmail.com.

This information is all available along with episodes at our new website decisionspacepodcast.com.

Byeee!

Decision Space is the podcast about decisions in board games.

Join our active and welcoming Discord community,

Join the crew today! (Decision Space Patreon), or

Leave us a review wherever you find this podcast!

Episode 243 - Donkey Space: Agent Avenue and Hanamikoji

Pete and Brendan go head to head with a pair of "I cut, you choose" games. You know that scene in Princess Bride where the guy is talking himself in and out of which cup of win to drink? It's basically like that.

Timestamps

4:20- defining donkey space 17:30- Unrest 23:15- Agent Avenue 43:45- Hanamikoji

Preplanners

Next up is a list of our favorite video games!

Music and Sound Credits

Thank you to Hembree for our intro and outro music from their song Reach Out. You can listen to the full song on YouTube here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gQuuRPfOyMw&list=TLGGFNH7VEDPgwgyNTA4MjAyMQ&t=3s

You can find more information about Hembree at https://www.hembreemusic.com/.

Thank you to Flash Floods for use of their song Palm of Your Hand as a sting from their album Halfway to Anywhere: https://open.spotify.com/album/2fE6LrqzNDKPYWyS5evh3K?si=CCjdAGmeSnOOEui6aV3_nA

Intermission Music: music elevator ext part 1/3 by Jay_You -- https://freesound.org/s/467243/ -- License: Attribution 4.0

Bell with Crows by MKzing -- https://freesound.org/s/474266/ -- License: Creative Commons 0

hammer v2.wav by blukotek -- https://freesound.org/s/337815/ -- License: Creative Commons 0

Contact

Follow and reach us on social media on Bluesky @decisionspace.bsky.social.

If you prefer email, then hit us up at decisionspa@gmail.com.

This information is all available along with episodes at our new website decisionspacepodcast.com.

Byeee!

Decision Space is the podcast about decisions in board games.

Join our active and welcoming Discord community,

Join the crew today! (Decision Space Patreon), or

Leave us a review wherever you find this podcast!

Episode 242 - Evaluating Auction Games

Ok n00bs, it's time to get good. All four hosts are present to participate in a deep conversation about why we play games and whether getting good at them is a worthwhile endeavor.

There are a lot of references to the work of CT Nguyen, who was interviewed on this podcast way back in episode 67. Check it out

Timestamps

1:45- do you want to get good at games? 9:00- achievement play vs striving play 36:15- why we try to get good 1:08:00- does this connect to game design? 1:18:00- final thoughts

Preplanners

Next up is a deep dive on the donkey space of Hanamikoji and Agent Avenue

Music and Sound Credits

Thank you to Hembree for our intro and outro music from their song Reach Out. You can listen to the full song on YouTube here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gQuuRPfOyMw&list=TLGGFNH7VEDPgwgyNTA4MjAyMQ&t=3s

You can find more information about Hembree at https://www.hembreemusic.com/.

Thank you to Flash Floods for use of their song Palm of Your Hand as a sting from their album Halfway to Anywhere: https://open.spotify.com/album/2fE6LrqzNDKPYWyS5evh3K?si=CCjdAGmeSnOOEui6aV3_nA

Intermission Music: music elevator ext part 1/3 by Jay_You -- https://freesound.org/s/467243/ -- License: Attribution 4.0

Bell with Crows by MKzing -- https://freesound.org/s/474266/ -- License: Creative Commons 0

hammer v2.wav by blukotek -- https://freesound.org/s/337815/ -- License: Creative Commons 0

Contact

Follow and reach us on social media on Bluesky @decisionspace.bsky.social.

If you prefer email, then hit us up at decisionspa@gmail.com.

This information is all available along with episodes at our new website decisionspacepodcast.com.

Byeee!

Decision Space is the podcast about decisions in board games.

Join our active and welcoming Discord community,

Join the crew today! (Decision Space Patreon), or

Leave us a review wherever you find this podcast!

Episode 241 - Evaluating Auction Games

Going once, going twice... Pete, Paul, and Brendan chat about their favorite auction games and how different twists on the concept create unique, interactive decision spaces in games.

Timestamps

05:15- intro to auctions 24:15- Going Going Gone 30:30- Modern Art 34:00- Big Top 36:25- For Sale 43:30- Castles of Mad King Ludwig 47:00- Ra 56:10- QE 1:04:50- Skyrise 1:07:20- The Estates 1:09:30- Chicago Express 1:13:45- Rising Sun 1:15:15- Keyflower 1:20:15- No Thanks 1:24:30- Spyrium

Preplanners

Next up is a discussion on getting good!

Music and Sound Credits

Thank you to Hembree for our intro and outro music from their song Reach Out. You can listen to the full song on YouTube here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gQuuRPfOyMw&list=TLGGFNH7VEDPgwgyNTA4MjAyMQ&t=3s

You can find more information about Hembree at https://www.hembreemusic.com/.

Thank you to Flash Floods for use of their song Palm of Your Hand as a sting from their album Halfway to Anywhere: https://open.spotify.com/album/2fE6LrqzNDKPYWyS5evh3K?si=CCjdAGmeSnOOEui6aV3_nA

Intermission Music: music elevator ext part 1/3 by Jay_You -- https://freesound.org/s/467243/ -- License: Attribution 4.0

Bell with Crows by MKzing -- https://freesound.org/s/474266/ -- License: Creative Commons 0

hammer v2.wav by blukotek -- https://freesound.org/s/337815/ -- License: Creative Commons 0

Contact

Follow and reach us on social media on Bluesky @decisionspace.bsky.social.

If you prefer email, then hit us up at decisionspa@gmail.com.

This information is all available along with episodes at our new website decisionspacepodcast.com.

Byeee!

Decision Space is the podcast about decisions in board games.

Join our active and welcoming Discord community,

Join the crew today! (Decision Space Patreon), or

Leave us a review wherever you find this podcast!

Episode 240 - Deckbuilding 201

Part 2 of our deckbuilding series continues with hybrid designs! Pete and Jake discuss board games that utilize deckbuilding as a mechanism, with a special focus on Paul Dennen's Dune Imperium games. Also Jake comes to the realization that a deckbuilding game is really just a deck shuffling game. He was quite proud of this epiphany.

Also, DECISON SPACE MERCH! Get your sweet, sweet, podcast supporting t-shirts and hats right here - https://www.decisionspacepodcast.com/merch

Timestamps

02:30- Pete Essen recap 10:00- deckbuilding evolution 24:30- Clank! 31:45- Quest for El Dorado 37:00- Aeon's End 43:00- Lost Ruins of Arnak 46:30- Heat 50:30- Challengers 53:10- Undaunted 55:30- Dune Imperium

Preplanners

We're planning a WWTA episode on types of auctions in games!

Music and Sound Credits

Thank you to Hembree for our intro and outro music from their song Reach Out. You can listen to the full song on YouTube here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gQuuRPfOyMw&list=TLGGFNH7VEDPgwgyNTA4MjAyMQ&t=3s

You can find more information about Hembree at https://www.hembreemusic.com/.

Thank you to Flash Floods for use of their song Palm of Your Hand as a sting from their album Halfway to Anywhere: https://open.spotify.com/album/2fE6LrqzNDKPYWyS5evh3K?si=CCjdAGmeSnOOEui6aV3_nA

Intermission Music: music elevator ext part 1/3 by Jay_You -- https://freesound.org/s/467243/ -- License: Attribution 4.0

Bell with Crows by MKzing -- https://freesound.org/s/474266/ -- License: Creative Commons 0

hammer v2.wav by blukotek -- https://freesound.org/s/337815/ -- License: Creative Commons 0

Contact

Follow and reach us on social media on Bluesky @decisionspace.bsky.social.

If you prefer email, then hit us up at decisionspa@gmail.com.

This information is all available along with episodes at our new website decisionspacepodcast.com.

Byeee!