The 2009 Dice Tower Awards

In this episode, we announce our Dice Tower Awards for the best boardgames of 2009. We discuss the best expansion, best artwork, best production, best new designer, best game from a small publisher, most innovative game, best party game, best war game, and finally – the best game of the year.

The Dice Tower is a podcast about BoardGames. Not your Monopoly and Checkers fare, but REAL boardgames. There are boardgames with real strategy, that are actually fun to play. The Dice Tower is the most listened to boardgame podcast in the world.

I do the interior segment pieces on the show. Eric Summerer does the show intro/outtro and is the co-host. He is a very talented voice artist himself, you can download some of the audiobooks he has narrated at Audible.com.

Tom Vasel is the show’s host. I have never encountered a more knowledgeable person concerning boardgames.

Give the show a listen, you might find a whole new hobby to explore!

You can download the show here Funagain Games: The Dice Tower.

Top Hot Games from Gencon 2010

In this episode we spend a bit of time talking about Gen Con 2010, and some of the strengths and weaknesses of the convention. Geoff talks about one of the most famous math problems and how it relates to games, and Dexxter and the Chief recount a recently played game. Finally, Tom talks about his top “hot” games from GenCon 2010.

The Dice Tower is a podcast about BoardGames. Not your Monopoly and Checkers fare, but REAL boardgames. There are boardgames with real strategy, that are actually fun to play. The Dice Tower is the most listened to boardgame podcast in the world.

I do the interior segment pieces on the show. Eric Summerer does the show intro/outtro and is the co-host. He is a very talented voice artist himself, you can download some of the audiobooks he has narrated at Audible.com.

Tom Vasel is the show’s host. I have never encountered a more knowledgeable person concerning boardgames.

Give the show a listen, you might find a whole new hobby to explore!

You can download the show here Funagain Games: The Dice Tower.

New Format

In this show, we talk about several games – Campaign Manager 2008, Mad Zeppelin, Triplica, and Telestrations. We also talk about our top ten game experiences from our lifetimes.

The Dice Tower is a podcast about BoardGames. Not your Monopoly and Checkers fare, but REAL boardgames. There are boardgames with real strategy, that are actually fun to play. The Dice Tower is the most listened to boardgame podcast in the world.

I do the interior segment pieces on the show. Eric Summerer does the show intro/outtro and is the co-host. He is a very talented voice artist himself, you can download some of the audiobooks he has narrated at Audible.com.

Tom Vasel is the show’s host. I have never encountered a more knowledgeable person concerning boardgames.

Give the show a listen, you might find a whole new hobby to explore!

You can download the show here Funagain Games: The Dice Tower.

New Format

Starting with this episode, the Dice Tower moves to a weekly format! Tom and Eric talk about several new games – including Dominon: Alchemy, Hagoth: Builder of Ships, and Asteroyds. We talk about news, preview some expansions, and review Armorica.

The Dice Tower is a podcast about BoardGames. Not your Monopoly and Checkers fare, but REAL boardgames. There are boardgames with real strategy, that are actually fun to play. The Dice Tower is the most listened to boardgame podcast in the world.

I do the interior segment pieces on the show. Eric Summerer does the show intro/outtro and is the co-host. He is a very talented voice artist himself, you can download some of the audiobooks he has narrated at Audible.com.

Tom Vasel is the show’s host. I have never encountered a more knowledgeable person concerning boardgames.

Give the show a listen, you might find a whole new hobby to explore!

You can download the show here Funagain Games: The Dice Tower.

Origins 2010

In this special Origins 2010 Episode, we check out the latest releases from Eagle, Queen, Jolly Roger, AEG and Z-Man, as well as some small-press surprises. Plus, Eric tries Descent for the first time, Mark gets stuck in a marathon kids game session, and we sit down with Rio Grande Games to talk about the future of Dominion and Race for the Galaxy.

The Dice Tower is a podcast about BoardGames. Not your Monopoly and Checkers fare, but REAL boardgames. There are boardgames with real strategy, that are actually fun to play. The Dice Tower is the most listened to boardgame podcast in the world.

I do the interior segment pieces on the show. Eric Summerer does the show intro/outtro and is the co-host. He is a very talented voice artist himself, you can download some of the audiobooks he has narrated at Audible.com.

Tom Vasel is the show’s host. I have never encountered a more knowledgeable person concerning boardgames.

Give the show a listen, you might find a whole new hobby to explore!

You can download the show here Funagain Games: The Dice Tower.

Top 10 Pick-up and Delivery Games

In this show, Dexter and the Chief explore Ubongo, Moritz talks about the history of SPI, and Geoff interviews the artist for his upcoming game. We finish off our recent contests, and compare Castle Panic to Forbidden Island. Our feature of this show is our top ten pick-up and delivery games.

The Dice Tower is a podcast about BoardGames. Not your Monopoly and Checkers fare, but REAL boardgames. There are boardgames with real strategy, that are actually fun to play. The Dice Tower is the most listened to boardgame podcast in the world.

I do the interior segment pieces on the show. Eric Summerer does the show intro/outtro and is the co-host. He is a very talented voice artist himself, you can download some of the audiobooks he has narrated at Audible.com.

Tom Vasel is the show’s host. I have never encountered a more knowledgeable person concerning boardgames.

Give the show a listen, you might find a whole new hobby to explore!

You can download the show here Funagain Games: The Dice Tower.

Top 10 games that give Bang for the Buck

In this show, Tom and Eric give a couple of character stereotypes, talk about the future of game publishing, and the horror of moving games. The Dice Tower gang give info and tips for Origins 2010, and Geoff eulogizes Marvin Gardner. Erik talks about D6 shooters, Giles about Traders of Carthage, and we finish up the show with the top ten games that give ‘bang for the buck’.

The Dice Tower is a podcast about BoardGames. Not your Monopoly and Checkers fare, but REAL boardgames. There are boardgames with real strategy, that are actually fun to play. The Dice Tower is the most listened to boardgame podcast in the world.

I do the interior segment pieces on the show. Eric Summerer does the show intro/outtro and is the co-host. He is a very talented voice artist himself, you can download some of the audiobooks he has narrated at Audible.com.

Tom Vasel is the show’s host. I have never encountered a more knowledgeable person concerning boardgames.

Give the show a listen, you might find a whole new hobby to explore!

You can download the show here Funagain Games: The Dice Tower.

Top 10 Word Games

In this show, Tom and Eric talk about why Eric logs his game plays, why Scrabble is annoying, and why old games can be great. Dexter and the Chief talk about Cartagena, Eric talks about Entdecker, and Tom talks abou You’re Bluffing! Moritz talks about the history of Avalon Hill, and we end the show with our top ten Word games.

The Dice Tower is a podcast about BoardGames. Not your Monopoly and Checkers fare, but REAL boardgames. There are boardgames with real strategy, that are actually fun to play. The Dice Tower is the most listened to boardgame podcast in the world.

I do the interior segment pieces on the show. Eric Summerer does the show intro/outtro and is the co-host. He is a very talented voice artist himself, you can download some of the audiobooks he has narrated at Audible.com.

Tom Vasel is the show’s host. I have never encountered a more knowledgeable person concerning boardgames.

Give the show a listen, you might find a whole new hobby to explore!

You can download the show here Funagain Games: The Dice Tower.

Top 10 Board Game Companies

In this episode, Tom and Eric talk about Vasco da Gama and the “Cult of the New”. Tom reveals where he is relocating, we start a new contest for an interesting new game, and we talk about some of the latest gaming news. Brad talks about Winsome reprints, Mortiz talks about 3M, and Mark talks about gaming magazines. Finally, we end the show talking about what we like about game companies, and what are our top ten board game companies?

The Dice Tower is a podcast about BoardGames. Not your Monopoly and Checkers fare, but REAL boardgames. There are boardgames with real strategy, that are actually fun to play. The Dice Tower is the most listened to boardgame podcast in the world.

I do the interior segment pieces on the show. Eric Summerer does the show intro/outtro and is the co-host. He is a very talented voice artist himself, you can download some of the audiobooks he has narrated at Audible.com.

Tom Vasel is the show’s host. I have never encountered a more knowledgeable person concerning boardgames.

Give the show a listen, you might find a whole new hobby to explore!

You can download the show here Funagain Games: The Dice Tower.

Top 10 Replacement Games

In this show, we take some time talking about the top ten games that have replaced other games in our collections. Dexter and the Chief talk about Take it Easy, Brad goes over Age of Steam, Tom reviews 10 games in 9 minutes (or something like that), and Moritz talks about the evolution of Lord of the Rings. We review Wits and Wagers: Family, do Conventional wisdom, and talk about some recently played games – including our never ending online game of Stone Age.

The Dice Tower is a podcast about BoardGames. Not your Monopoly and Checkers fare, but REAL boardgames. There are boardgames with real strategy, that are actually fun to play. The Dice Tower is the most listened to boardgame podcast in the world.

I do the interior segment pieces on the show. Eric Summerer does the show intro/outtro and is the co-host. He is a very talented voice artist himself, you can download some of the audiobooks he has narrated at Audible.com.

Tom Vasel is the show’s host. I have never encountered a more knowledgeable person concerning boardgames.

Give the show a listen, you might find a whole new hobby to explore!

You can download the show here Funagain Games: The Dice Tower.

Top 10 Stress-Inducing Board Games

In this episode, Eric reviews a pile of games, Moritz discusses Mozart and games, and Geoff defends High Society. Dexter and the Chief go over Long Shot, Tom rants against publishers’ lack of respect for dads, and Adam gives us some Dominon variants. Ryan gives more instructions on how to properly teach a game, and Eric talks about Ra: the Dice Game. Finally, we give our top ten stress-inducing board games, along with guest Charley Eastman.

The Dice Tower is a podcast about BoardGames. Not your Monopoly and Checkers fare, but REAL boardgames. There are boardgames with real strategy, that are actually fun to play. The Dice Tower is the most listened to boardgame podcast in the world.

I do the interior segment pieces on the show. Eric Summerer does the show intro/outtro and is the co-host. He is a very talented voice artist himself, you can download some of the audiobooks he has narrated at Audible.com.

Tom Vasel is the show’s host. I have never encountered a more knowledgeable person concerning boardgames.

Give the show a listen, you might find a whole new hobby to explore!

You can download the show here Funagain Games: The Dice Tower.

This time around an eclectic mix of gems from the days when radio was king!

This week:

Musical Opening – Sing, Sing, Sing – Benny Goodman

Space Patrol: February 21, 1953 – The Moon Beetles
Bela Kovacs, Dick Tufeld (announcer), Ed Kemmer, Ken Mayer, Larry Robertson (producer, director), Lou Houston (writer), Lyn Osborn, Mike Mosser (creator).

My Friend Irma: March 23rd, 1948 – Election Connection
Marie Wilson, Cathy Lewis, John Brown, Cy Howard (creator, producer, director, writer), Parke Levy, Hans Conried, Frank Bingman (announcer), Leif Erickson.

The March of Time: January 1st, 1942
Westbrook Van Voorhis (narrator).

The Black Museum: June 3rd, 1952 – The Leather Bag
Orson Welles (narrator), Ira Marion (writer), Harry Alan Towers (producer), Sidney Torch (composer, conductor).

Cavalcade of America: April 13th, 1938 – Thomas Jefferson and American Education
Donald Voorhees (composer, conductor), Edward Longstreth, Kenneth Webb (writer, director), Arthur Pryor (producer), Frank Singiser (announcer).

Candy Matson, YUkon 2-8209: April 4th, 1948 – The Donna Dunham Case
Bill Brownell (sound effects), Dudley Manlove (announcer), Eloise Rowan (organist), Helen Kleeb, Henry Leff, Jack Thomas, Jay Rendon (sound effects), John Grover (announcer), Lou Tobin, Monte Masters (writer, producer), Natalie Masters.

Duffy’s Tavern: March 16th, 1949 – Spike Mcguirk Bully
Ed Gardner, Eddie Green, Charlie Cantor, Sheldon Leonard.

Musical Closing – Roll ‘Em – Benny Goodman

Once again, Elliott Miller is our humble announcer!

You can also download the program HERE so you can listen at your leisure. Or click the logo below to subscribe through iTunes!

Top 10 Games of 1995

In this episode, Geoff talks about the worries of publishing a new game, we have several reviews from contributors, and we continue our Summoner Wars contest. Dexter and the Chief make an appearance, and Tom talks about 17 games in 17 minutes (or less). Finally, we end the show with a look back fifteen years ago – what are the best games from 1995?

The Dice Tower is a podcast about BoardGames. Not your Monopoly and Checkers fare, but REAL boardgames. There are boardgames with real strategy, that are actually fun to play. The Dice Tower is the most listened to boardgame podcast in the world.

I do the interior segment pieces on the show. Eric Summerer does the show intro/outtro and is the co-host. He is a very talented voice artist himself, you can download some of the audiobooks he has narrated at Audible.com.

Tom Vasel is the show’s host. I have never encountered a more knowledgeable person concerning boardgames.

Give the show a listen, you might find a whole new hobby to explore!

So this time around we’ll focus on lesser known gems from the days when radio was king!

This week:

Musical Opening – Sing, Sing, Sing – Benny Goodman

The Henry Morgan Show: May 7th, 1947
Arnold Stang, Bernard Green and His Orchestra, Charles Irving, Henry Morgan, The Golden Gate Quartet.

The New Adventures of Nero Wolfe: December 15th,1950 – The Case Of The Girl Who Cried Wolfe
Sydney Greenstreet, Charles O’Neill (writer), J. Donald Wilson (producer, director), Lamont Johnson, Herb Butterfield, Don Stanley (announcer), Rex Stout (creator), Edwin Fadiman (producer), Lawrence Dobkin, Charlotte Lawrence, Monica Nealy, Howard McNear.

Beyond Midnight: 1968 or 1969 – The Happy Return

Words at War: February 13th, 1945 – What To Do With Germany
Julian Noa, Peter Fernandez, Jack Costello (host), William Meeder (organ), Anton M. Leader (director), Edward Jurist (adaptor), Louis Nizer (author), Craig McDonnell.

Gene Autry’s Melody Ranch: May 5th, 1940 – Cattle Drive to Carsonville
Gene Autry, Pat Buttram, The Cass County Boys, Alvino Rey.

The Mel Blanc Show: November 5th, 1946
Mel Blanc, Mary Jane Croft, Joseph Kearns, Hans Conried, The Sportsmen, Victor Miller and His Orchestra, Earle Ross, Bud Hiestand (announcer), Joe Rines (producer, director).

The Man Called X: June 19th, 1947 – Silver Scarab
Herbert Marshall, Leon Belasco, J. Richard Kennedy (originator), Wendell Niles (announcer), Jack Johnstone (director), Sidney Marshall (writer), Johnny Green (composer, conductor).

Musical Closing – Roll ‘Em – Benny Goodman

Once again, Elliott Miller is our humble announcer!

You can also download the program HERE so you can listen at your leisure. Or click the logo below to subscribe through iTunes!

Top 10 Games of 2000

In this episode, we talk about the best games from 2000 – a decade ago! Our contributors talk about the game you would have “to pry form our cold, dead hands”, Geoff talks about rulebooks, and Brad mentions a new Martin Wallace game! We talk about our online throwdown, and Tom reviews Mystery Express.

The Dice Tower is a podcast about BoardGames. Not your Monopoly and Checkers fare, but REAL boardgames. There are boardgames with real strategy, that are actually fun to play. The Dice Tower is the most listened to boardgame podcast in the world.

I do the interior segment pieces on the show. Eric Summerer does the show intro/outtro and is the co-host. He is a very talented voice artist himself, you can download some of the audiobooks he has narrated at Audible.com.

Tom Vasel is the show’s host. I have never encountered a more knowledgeable person concerning boardgames.

Give the show a listen, you might find a whole new hobby to explore!

I am the humble announcer on this wonderful podcast.

This week:

Musical Opening – Sing, Sing, Sing – Benny Goodman

The Shadow: June 19, 1938 – The Tomb of Terror
Orson Welles, Margot Stevenson, Ken Roberts (announcer), Edwin Jerome (doubles), Arthur Vinton, Alan Devitt (triples), Paul Stewart (doubles), Kenny Delmar (doubles), Rosa Rio (organist).

Inner Sanctum Mysteries: March 7, 1943 – The Black Sea Gull
Peter Lorre, Raymond Edward Johnson (host), Sigmund Miller (writer), Himan Brown (director), Santos Ortega, Ed Herlihy (announcer).

Suspense: November 1, 1945 – The Dunwich Horror
William Spier (adaptor, producer, editor, director), Ronald Colman, H. P. Lovecraft (author), William Johnstone, Elliott Lewis, Joseph Kearns (announcer), Lucien Moraweck (composer), Lud Gluskin (conductor).

Lights Out: May 11, 1938 – It Happened
Arch Oboler (writer), Mercedes McCambridge.

Quiet Please: May 1st, 1949 – Dark Gray Magic
Ernest Chappell, Jean White, Mark Forbus, Albert Buhrman (organ).

The Witch’s Tale: March 29, 1938 – The Wedding Gift
Alonzo Deen Cole (writer, producer, performer), Marie O’Flynn, Miriam Wolfe (as “Old Nancy”).

The Haunting Hour: 1945 – Uptown Express

Musical Closing – Roll ‘Em – Benny Goodman

WWBR is now available through the iTunes Store!

Jeff has many more Old Time Radio shows available just to listen to or download at your leisure. You can find them at AMFWOTR.com

You can also download the show Here

Top 10 Games of 2005

In this show, Geoff talks about rules writing, and Adam tells us a Wits and Wagers variant. We do more player categories, talk about some recently played games, and go over the latest gaming news. The whole gang gets together, and takes a look back five years ago – at the top ten games from 2005!

The Dice Tower is a podcast about BoardGames. Not your Monopoly and Checkers fare, but REAL boardgames. There are boardgames with real strategy, that are actually fun to play. The Dice Tower is the most listened to boardgame podcast in the world.

I do the interior segment pieces on the show. Eric Summerer does the show intro/outtro and is the co-host. He is a very talented voice artist himself, you can download some of the audiobooks he has narrated at Audible.com.

Tom Vasel is the show’s host. I have never encountered a more knowledgeable person concerning boardgames.

Give the show a listen, you might find a whole new hobby to explore!

I am the humble announcer on this wonderful podcast.

This week we celebrate not only Valentine’s Day but radio legend Jack Benny’s birthday as well!

As of this week, WWBR is now available through the iTunes Store!

Jeff has many more Old Time Radio shows available just to listen to or download at your leisure. You can find them at AMFWOTR.com

You can also download the show Here

Top 10 Ways to Play Games Online

In this show, Geoff plays games with robots, Adam changes the rules to Risk, and we check in with Dexter and the Chief. We debut a new convention segment, explore the exciting world of dungeon bureaucracy with Dungeon Lords, and present our top ten ways to play games online.

The Dice Tower is a podcast about BoardGames. Not your Monopoly and Checkers fare, but REAL boardgames. There are boardgames with real strategy, that are actually fun to play. The Dice Tower is the most listened to boardgame podcast in the world.

I do the interior segment pieces on the show. Eric Summerer does the show intro/outtro and is the co-host. He is a very talented voice artist himself, you can download some of the audiobooks he has narrated at Audible.com.

Tom Vasel is the show’s host. I have never encountered a more knowledgeable person concerning boardgames.

Give the show a listen, you might find a whole new hobby to explore!

I am the humble announcer on this wonderful podcast.

Jeff has many more Old Time Radio shows available just to listen to or download at your leisure. You can find them at AMFWOTR.com

You can also download the show Here