Brainwaves - Board Game and Tabletop News Show

All good things come to an end, and so it is with Brainwaves. In this last special episode Richard from ‘We’re Not Wizards’ runs the show as we bring together all the hosts from the years of Brainwaves. Iain McAllister, Jamie Adams, Iain Chantler, Oliver Kinne, and Sam Maggs reminisce about the formation of the show, how it has changed over the years, why I brought it to an end and the future of games journalism.    Show Notes   Meeple People Podcast   No Pun Included   Dized Episode   Simon Lavender   Jason Perez on board game journalism   https://soundcloud.com/onestopcoopshop/397-board-game-media-a-critical-assessment-with-jason-luke-plunkett-and-keith-law   Indie Game Reading Club   Aftermath   Rascal   Boardgamewire   Mothership   Patreon Shoutouts   Kevin Bertram https://www.fortcircle.com/   James Naylor https://naylorgames.com/   Shaun Newangame-a-lot.fun/enfacebook.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 Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/giantbrainuk/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/thegiantbrain Website: https://giantbrain.co.uk/ Email: [email protected]  

It is the very last episode of Brainwaves. Iain, Jamie, and Oliver venture once more into the news wilds to bring you only the latest and best news. For our last show Mythic finally admit they are no more, the Diamond case starts to actually look like there may be a conclusion in sight, Ryan Dancey puts his backing behind AI, and the usual news on movements, promotions, hirings and more.    Headlines   Mythic is gone https://boardgamewire.com/index.php/2025/12/10/darkest-dungeon-board-game-maker-mythic-games-officially-liquidated-fails-to-deliver-on-millions-of-dollars-worth-of-crowdfunding-projects/   Ryan Dancey embraces AI https://www.linkedin.com/feed/update/urn:li:activity:7402402221167894529?commentUrn=urn%3Ali%3Acomment%3A(activity%3A7402402221167894529%2C7402427021819076608)&dashCommentUrn=urn%3Ali%3Afsd_comment%3A(7402427021819076608%2Curn%3Ali%3Aactivity%3A7402402221167894529)   https://bsky.app/profile/giantbrain.co.uk/post/3m7isbb6h6s2e   Diamond Bankruptcy Court Denies Motions to Dismiss + Advisors Bill Another $900k https://icv2.com/articles/news/view/61085/bankruptcy-court-denies-motions-dismiss   https://icv2.com/articles/news/view/61108/diamond-advisors-bill-another-900k    https://icv2.com/articles/news/view/61214/bank-pulls-plug-diamond   News   GAMA moves chairs https://boardgamewire.com/index.php/2025/11/27/gama-names-veteran-leadership-consultant-past-lives-regression-hypnotist-zaria-davis-as-interim-executive-director/   Mongoose licenses Traveller https://icv2.com/articles/news/view/61113/mongoose-licenses-traveller-5e-version   The Picts https://www.thenational.scot/news/25614713.scottish-archaeologists-gamer-designers-collaborate-picts-book/?utm_medium=Social&utm_source=Facebook&fbclid=Iwb21leAOBc-RjbGNrA4Fz3WV4dG4DYWVtAjExAHNydGMGYXBwX2lkDDM1MDY4NTUzMTcyOAABHlLsAPy1xBcyuIovYHbLe8vwyB3En18KMj2-nWXN-01Fp3-TZk5xaq6n9P0g_aem_ZHoILtQp6CTdnactQo8lyQ#Echobox=1762933955-3   https://www.rascal.news/carved-in-stone-is-both-a-history-book-and-an-eye-catching-rpg/ - paying subscribers only   https://www.stoutstoat.co.uk/products/carved-in-stone?ref=rascal.news   Obituaries   RIP Burt Meyer https://www.nytimes.com/2025/11/21/arts/design/burton-meyer-dead.html?unlocked_article_code=1.3k8.fC2y.y0ySzxk44dLP&smid=url-share   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 for all these years. The cast will still be around if you want to listen to our back catalogue and Iain will be covering the news in his newsletter that you can sign up for on our Patreon.    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: [email protected]

Iain and Oliver are in the studio to bring you the latest tabletop news from around the globe. From crowdfunding messes and AI promotion to Upper Deck getting counter-claimed by Ravensburger, we have all the important information you need. Also this episode we have a special announcement at the end of the cast.    Headlines   Altering the Deal https://gamefound.com/en/projects/altered/seeds-of-unity/updates/10   Steamforged Slash Terra Mystica Special Edition https://boardgamewire.com/index.php/2025/11/05/high-price-complaints-sluggish-start-sees-steamforged-slash-terra-mystica-special-edition-all-in-price-by-over-100-within-hours-of-gamefound-launch/   Terra Mystica Gamefound campaign: https://gamefound.com/en/projects/steamforged-games/terra-mystica    Campaign update announcing the price drop: https://gamefound.com/en/projects/steamforged-games/terra-mystica/updates/7    UKGE promotes AI art  https://www.facebook.com/share/p/1aAkxyfbrB/   Gates of Krystalia Kickstarter page: https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/gatesofkrystalia-rpg/gates-of-krystalia-book-anime-tt-jrpg-in-style-isekai    Kickstarter United victory https://www.rascal.news/kickstarter-united-workers-will-strike-beginning-october-2/ https://www.rascal.news/kickstarter-united-ends-six-week-strike-with-a-resounding-victory/ https://kickstarterunited.org/?ref=rascal.news   Updates   Ravensburger wants money back from Upper Deck https://boardgamewire.com/index.php/2025/11/08/ravensburger-pushes-for-upper-deck-to-pay-3-8m-legal-fees-it-racked-up-defeating-groundless-but-unrelenting-disney-lorcana-lawsuit/   News   Braincrack Games shutters instagram.com/p/DQfH0H3jH8t/?igsh=MXFjejF3aHhoZGc1OA==   Wise Wizard Games https://www.wisewizardgames.com/wise-wizard-games-business-update/   Asmodee interim report April-September 2025 https://corporate.asmodee.com/news/asmodees-interim-report-april-september-2025-sustained-growth-and-ebitda-improvement    Bezier Games’ Socials Hacked https://bsky.app/profile/beziergames.bsky.social/post/3m5umtfrre22v   Jobs, Opportunities, and Events   https://www.facebook.com/groups/TabletopJobs   Tabletop Games Blog Raffle in aid of Trussell / UK Food Banks http://tabletopgamesblog.com/raffle    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: [email protected]

The whole team is back in the studio to bring you the latest news from across the tabletop gaming globe. From acquisitions, financial reports, record breaking conventions, and card game companies taking on Musk.  Headlines Spiel Essen 25 Breaks Attendance Record https://www.spiel-essen.de/en/press?view=article&id=304&catid=12   Deutscher Spiele Preis 2025 Winners https://www.spiel-essen.de/en/program/dsp    Asmodee wants the precious  https://corporate.asmodee.com/news/asmodee-becomes-the-exclusive-tabletop-games-category-manager-to-middle-earth-enterprises-home-to-iconic-the-lord-of-the-rings-and-the-hobbit-ips   Asmodee announces new studio https://corporate.asmodee.com/news/asmodee-announces-the-creation-of-moodbox-games-a-new-studio-dedicated-to-developing-party-games-for-the-us-mass-market    https://icv2.com/articles/news/view/60787/asmodee-launches-new-party-game-studio   Hasbro 3rd Quarter Results https://investor.hasbro.com/news-releases/news-release-details/hasbro-reports-third-quarter-2025-financial-results   https://www.rascal.news/sigil-suffered-a-slow-ignoble-death/   Updates   Upper Deck goes back to the well https://boardgamewire.com/index.php/2025/10/10/upper-deck-brings-new-claim-against-ravensburger-in-disney-lorcana-lawsuit-after-losing-all-its-existing-claims-against-publisher-trial-of-designer-ryan-miller-to-start-next-month/   https://icv2.com/articles/news/view/60786/judge-rules-against-upper-deck-ravensburger-suit   Asmodee acquires Cthulhu Death May Die from CMON https://corporate.asmodee.com/news/cthulhu-death-may-die-ip-and-games-now-part-of-asmodee    News   Amigo games US shutters https://bsky.app/profile/amigogames.bsky.social/post/3m3ajgvmohc26   Cards Against Humanity and against SpaceX https://uk.pcmag.com/networking/160848/cards-against-humanity-we-forced-spacex-to-get-off-our-land   D&D Club goes to court https://archive.ph/NvJwh   D&D Head brings back key talent https://icv2.com/articles/news/view/60896/new-d-d-head-brings-back-key-talent   Obituaries   Rob Wieland https://icv2.com/articles/news/view/60796/r-i-p-robert-wieland   https://www.enworld.org/threads/gaming-journalist-rob-wieland-passes-at-age-48.715723/   https://www.gofundme.com/f/family-of-robert-wieland   Jobs, Opportunities, and Events   https://www.facebook.com/groups/TabletopJobs 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/   Outro   Ca-Ton https://www.ign.com/articles/netflix-goes-all-in-on-catan-with-live-action-and-animated-films-and-tv-series-planned?link_source=ta_first_comment&taid=68f7dbba1f00ed0001016c78&fbclid=IwY2xjawNk3J1leHRuA2FlbQIxMAABHiAAGCEB1IgEdWOK3TXcWCPxOVkow0HuoZTGAStyGBdf0ACjWyPRRwj_OBq__aem_crgubThNaWNbem7KUfD8vQ   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: [email protected]

Jamie and Iain bring you the choicest cuts from the worldwide tabletop news beast. Seasoned with the usual amount of controversy, nonsense, and awards. Dig in on episode 169 of Brainwaves.  Headlines   Kickstarter workers go on strike  https://boardgamewire.com/index.php/2025/10/01/kickstarter-workers-set-to-strike-tomorrow-over-minimum-salary-proposals-four-day-work-week-protection/   GAMA rebrands https://www.rascal.news/gama-has-been-rebranded-as-er-gama/   https://boardgamewire.com/index.php/2025/10/02/gama-unveils-10-year-plan-to-become-epicenter-of-global-tabletop-gaming-industry-renames-itself-after-almost-50-years/   CMON sells HQ https://boardgamewire.com/index.php/2025/10/08/cmon-sells-global-headquarters-after-suffering-12m-h1-revenue-slump-charges-some-pre-order-customers-extra-to-cover-tariffs/   https://gamefound.com/en/projects/cmon/dc-heroes-united/updates/116   News   Games workshop sues miniature designer https://www.facebook.com/reel/1128194319521158   French Games competition https://boardgamewire.com/index.php/2025/09/29/french-competition-which-has-celebrated-unpublished-board-game-designs-for-almost-50-years-unveils-2025-winners/ Jobs, Opportunities, and Events   https://www.facebook.com/groups/TabletopJobs   Hasbro woman innovators in play https://spark.hasbro.com/womeninnovators 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/   Outro   Kaiju cluedo https://www.tabletopgaming.co.uk/news/clue-gets-a-monstrous-makeover-with-clue-godzilla/   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: [email protected]