Rolling Dice & Taking Names Gaming Podcast

00:00:40 Intro00:05:50 Movie Talk00:08:15 Holiday Games00:12:30 Things in Rings00:15:30 Blood on the Rails00:16:45 Ichor00:19:00 PSA Time00:23:00 Miniature Market00:25:00 Night Soil00:41:00 Tulip Bubble00:57:30 Portal Games00:58:30 Mini Express01:11:00 Outro

Every so often, a set of games lands on the table that feels like a curated journey through time and that is what we got in this episode. First up is Night Soil where we are basically poop pushers through the streets of London in the 15th century. This game cleverly challenges players with a worker placement style of game that can fill both rewarding and frustrating at the same time.

Then comes Tulip Bubble, which flips the tone entirely. Gone is the damp, stinky sewers—now you’re in the bustling markets of 17th‑century Holland, chasing fortunes in the most famous economic bubble in history. The game thrives on timing, speculation, and reading your opponents as much as the market itself. Prices rise, collapse, and ricochet with emotional volatility, and every round feels like a miniature psychological standoff. It’s fast, sharp, and deliciously stressful in the best way.

Rounding out the games are Mini Express and Ichor, two games that couldn’t be more different yet both deliver rich strategic tension. Mini Express is a lean, elegant rail game built on shared incentives: every track you lay and every share you take strengthens someone else as much as you. It’s a puzzle of timing, tempo, and subtle positioning. Ichor, on the other hand, plunges players into a Greek mythology world where asymmetric power challenges players in an Othello style game. Its resource‑driven push‑and‑pull creates a brooding atmosphere, rewarding ambition while constantly reminding you that brillant flashes of strategy can suddenly disappear before your next turn. Together, these four games form a wonderfully varied journey each offering its own flavor of tension and delight.
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In this special end of the year episode, Marty and Vanessa talk about their favorite movies of 2025. Plus movies they are looking forward to in 2026.
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00:01:40 Happy Anniversary00:06:30 Miniature Market Contest00:11:15 AI makes RDTN better00:12:30 Passing of a Legend00:16:30 Toy Hall of Fame Revisit00:17:45 Family Games00:27:30 Taste Buds00:32:45 Miniature Market00:33:45 Operation Barclay00:40:00 Sanctuary00:58:30 Portal Games00:59:30 Scope Panzer01:05:00 Neko Syndicate01:09:30 Outro

This year marks our 13th anniversary in the world of play, as board games continue to cement their place in our lives. Anniversaries often invite reflection, and it’s remarkable to see how games that once felt like simple pastimes have evolved into celebrated traditions like gaming with friends, family members asking “So, what are we playing?”, or a gateway to conversation with people you meet. These moments remind us that board games are more than cardboard and dice—they’re shared memories that endure across generations.

Board games themselves have become a bridge between nostalgia and innovation, and their recognition in the National Toy Hall of Fame underscores their cultural significance. Titles like Monopoly, Scrabble, and Clue have already earned their place among the Hall’s inductees, standing alongside toys like the Rubik’s Cube and LEGO. It’s a reminder that the Hall isn’t just about toys—it’s about honoring the timeless rituals of play.

Thanks to all that continue to listen to us, we really appreciate it.
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We got into the tabletop hobby through TCGs (trading card games). For ten years we invested and played many card games. But when the TCG bubble popped, we got out.

However, in the past 5 years, there has a resurgence in TCGs with an influx of new cards games.

To discuss they reasons of why this happening and where will it end up, we have two special guests. Dan Green of Main Deck Games and the owner of To The Table Game Store, Mike Benson.
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00:01:40 Intro 00:05:30 Cost how much?! 00:10:15 SWU Local Tourny 00:15:15 Codenames Live 00:16:45 Taste Buds 00:20:45 Miniature Market 00:22:40 Ayar: Children of the Sun 00:53:15 Temple Code 00:58:45 Portal Games 00:59:45 Bretwalda 01:15:30 Baseball Card GM 01:23:00 Guild Wars Reforged

Balancing everyday responsibilities with hobbies can be tricky,
especially when medical appointments come into play. Dermatology visits,
for example, often feel like interruptions in a busy schedule, but
they’re essential for maintaining long-term health. Whether it’s a
routine skin check or addressing a specific concern, these visits
provide peace of mind and ensure that small issues don’t become larger
ones. But sometimes, as you will hear, we often are confused by the
charges we receive during our visits. Don’t get us wrong, these things
are needed, but it is surprising just how things are billed.

Recently, we played Ayar, a game that has some very enjoyable mechanics, some challenging choices to make, and straight forward gameplay. Then there is Temple Code
which scratches a different itch, with its puzzle-like challenges and
mind-numbing play that feels almost like deciphering ancient mysteries
with friends.

Then there’s Bretwalda, a sweeping strategy game set in
early medieval Britain. Its blend of area control and historical flavor
makes every session feel like a grand contest of wits and could create
lively discussions long after the board is packed away.

APBA Baseball and Baseball Card GM both capture the thrill of
America’s pastime, but they do so in very different ways. APBA Baseball,
which grew up playing, is a classic tabletop simulation that has been
around for decades, using dice and player cards to recreate the strategy
and drama of real games. Where APBA leans into simulation and
tradition, Baseball Card GM emphasizes creativity and collection,
turning the act of managing a team into a dynamic, customizable
experience using real baseball cards. Together, they highlight two
different but equally engaging ways to enjoy baseball beyond the
ballpark.

Thanks for listening and next episode will highlight another year of RDTN

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