Pick Up and Deliver

Brendan talks a bit about what games people born under the zodiac sign Virgo might like best. Join us, won’t you?Previous Astrology Files episodesAllure.com’s “12 Zodiac Signs: Dates and Personality Traits”Farming and WheatThe Canadian Potato MuseumAgricola (2007)Pick Up & Deliver 229: Duel – Agricola vs. EverdellLogical, Practical, and SystemicTrickerion: Legends of Illusion (2015)Tzolkin: The Mayan Calendar (2012)Messina 1347 (2021)Meticulous, DeductiveSherlock Holmes Consulting Detective: The Thames Murders & Other Cases (1981)Got Five! (2026)Helpful to othersThe Big Book of Madness (2015)Daybreak (2023)What other games do you think represent Virgo gamers well? Share your thoughts over on boardgamegeek in guild #3269.

Brendan gives his first impressions of three games he tried recently. Join us, won’t you?The Game Makers (2026)Fromage (2024)Wanted Wombats (2022)Wandering Towers (2022)The Downfall of Pompeii (2004) revisitedWhat do you think of these games? Share your thoughts over on Boardgamegeek in guild #3269.

Transcript: PDF or TXT

Brendan shares his thoughts on the films he watched in May, June, and July of 2026. Join us, won’t you?The Sheep Detectives (2026)Three Bags Full by Leonie SwannBattle Sheep (2010)Tipperary (2023)
Shear Panic (2005)Swimming with Men (2018)Castell (2018)Raas: A Dance of Love (2026)The Crash (2026)Superman (2026)Justice League: Hero Dice – Superman (2015)Eurovision Song Contest: The Story of Fire Saga (2020)Rock Hard: 1977 (2024)Come Together (2022)The Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the RingThe Lord of the Rings: The Two TowersThe Lord of the Rings: The Return of the King

Fresh off his episode about crowd pleasing beginner games, Brendan shares insights into how to introduce people to the hobby’s mechanisms. Join us for this conclusion, won’t you?Introducing the Hobby (episode 20)Introducing the Hobby, part 1 – Crowd Pleasers (episode 860)Forbidden Island (2010)Hanabi (2010)Kingdomino (2016)Between Two Cities (2015)Bärenpark (2017)Lords of Waterdeep (2012)Demon Worker (2016)Legendary: A Marvel Deck Building Game (2012)Dominion (2008)Star Realms (2014)QE (2019)High Society (1995)Canvas (2021)Royals (2014)Through the Desert (2017)Guillotine (1998)What games would you add to the list of mechanism boot camp? Share your thoughts over on 

Brendan shares insights into how to introduce people to the hobby. Join us for this first of two parts, won’t you?
Introducing the Hobby (episode 20)Wits & Wagers: It’s Vegas, Baby! (2019)Qwixx (2012)Las Vegas (2026)Wavelength (2019)Diamant (2005)Skyjo (2015)Time’s Up! Title Recall! (2008)The Chameleon (2017)What games would you add to the list of essential crowd pleasers? Share your thoughts over on boardgamegeek in guild #3269.

Brendan shares his first impressions of three games he tried for the first time recently. Join us, won’t you?Fit to Print (2023)Tiny Towns (2019)Galaxy Trucker (2007)Destinies (2021)Ticket to Ride: Europe (2005)Hex Effects (2025)Mantis (2022)Unstable Unicorns (2017)What games have you tried recently? Share your plays over on boardgamegeek in guild #3269.

Transcript: Txt or Pdf

Brendan talks a bit about what games he played in August, and what games he wants to play in September. Join us, won’t you?August 2026 Top of the StackNew Game – Night at the Zoo✓Top 50 game – Messina 1347XAnother New Game – Wandering Towers✓One More – Tekhenu: Obelisk of the SunXShelf of OpportunityExpand yourShelfSeptember 2026 Top of the StackNew Game – RecallTop 50 game – Messina 1347Another New Game – Outdoor SurvivalOne More – Tekhenu: Obelisk of the SunWhat games did you play in August? Share your game plays over on Boardgamegeek in guild #3269.

Transcript: Txt or PDF

Brendan revisits an old Themestorm, “Back to School,” and reflects on some ideas about it. Join us, won’t you?Pick Up & Deliver 259: Back to School (Board Game Sommelier)For the Love of BooksAtheneum: Mystic Library (2020)The Big Book of Madness (2015)Mr. Penumbra’s 24-Hour BookstoreThe Library of the UnwrittenScience and LearningDarwin’s Journey (2023)Lovelace & Babbage (2019)The Imitation Game (2014)Unconscious Mind (2024)School LifeArgent: The Consortium (2015)Alma Mater (2020)Trickerion: Dahlgaard’s Academy (2019)Survival of the Witless (1997)MOO by Jane SmileyWhite Noise (2022)What games did I miss? Which ones would you add to the conversation? Share your thinking over in our guild, #3269, on boardgamegeek.

Brendan shares an update on the pile of games he owns but hasn’t played yet. Join us, won’t you?My Shelf of OpportunityEmptying The Dust Bin (reflections)Collecting to collectFun themesDesigner PedigreeGame PedigreeOnly So Much Time for CrunchyBig Games that are hard to schedule2 player games that are hard to scheduleGames I got for free, cheap, or in tradeSolos I haven’t solo’d yetSomeday we’ll get to itWhat games are on your Shelf of Opportunity? Share your thoughts over on boardgamegeek in guild #3269.

Brendan shares his first impressions of three games he tried recently, and one he revisited. Join us, won’t you?Everdell Emerland (2026)Everdell (2018)Darwin’s Journey (2023)Thunder Road: Vendetta (2023) (revisited)Tranquility (2020)What do you think of these games? What games have you tried recently? Share your thoughts over on boardgamegeek in guild #3269.

Brendan talks about his favorite games from 1996-2000. Join us, won’t you?Pick Up & Deliver 827: Look Back at 2001-2004Top 5 games from this era:Lost Cities (1999)Ra (1999)Through the Desert (2017)Torres (1999)Guillotine (1998)Honorable Mentions:Carcassonne (2000)Samurai (1998)Bohnanza (1997)Grandparent of modern games:of co-ops: The Lord of the Rings (2000)of asynch deck construction games: Netrunner (1996)of modern parlour games: Time’s Up! (1999)of dumb judge games: Apples to Apples (1999)Game I played once and stunk at: Tigris & Euphrates (1997)Great head to head games:Quoridor (1997)Schotten Totten (1999)Kahuna (1998)Mystery Rummy: Jack the Ripper (1998)Hera and Zeus (2000)No thanks

Brendan talks a bit about teaching games, particularly the delightfully complex game Anachrony. Join us, won’t you?Teaching About Boardgames, Part 1 and Part 2Help on how to introduce this to non boardgamer for a 2p game? (boardgamegeek thread)Anachrony (2017)Lords of Waterdeep (2012)Worker PlacementWorker Placement, Different Worker TypesContractsTurn Order: Claim ActionSet CollectionEnd Game BonusesBärenpark (2017)Open DraftingZombie Dice (2010)Dice RollingDie Icon ResolutionLost Ruins of Arnak (2020)What do you think about this teaching philosophy? How do you approach teaching hard games to new players?

Brendan shares his first impressions of three games he played for the first time at Gencon this year. Join us, won’t you?
Trickarus (2024)Hey Hey Relay (2024)In a Nutshell (2025)The Trial of the Forest (2026)Magical Athlete (2025)Got Five! (2026)Cyberpunk Legends (2026)What do you think of these games? Which do you find most interesting to try? Share your thoughts over on boardgamegeek in guild #3269.

Brendan shares some highlights from GenCon 2026. Join us, won’t you?
XYZ Game LabsChecking in with friendsAzkadelia (All Play)Kervin Queliza (For Why Games)Flying Frog ProductionsCall of CthluhuTornado Warning at GenConMeeting designersBen Harkin (Floodgate Games)Dominic (North Star Games)Nick Little (Indie Boards and Cards)Gencon tipsBook a few events, but don’t overschedule yourselfThink about using Lyft or Uber rather than drivingPack a LunchWhat’s your favorite thing to do at a convention? Did you go to Gencon? Speak out over on boardgamegeek in guild #3269.

Brendan shares his game plays from July and his plans for August. Join us, won't you?


Top of the Stack, July 2026New Game - LibertéTop 50 game - Dungeon Petz✓I've been meaning to play this - Fit to Print✓One More - The Fox Experiment✓Shelf of OpportunityMy Top 50Top of the Stack, August 2026New Game - Night at the ZooTop 50 game - Messina 1347Another New Game - Wandering TowersOne More - Tekhenu: Obelisk of the Sun
What games did you play in July? What games will you play in August?

Brendan shares his first impressions of three games he played recently for the first time. Join us, won’t you?Bury Me in the RiftThe Fox ExperimentRegarding evolution: LysenkoismDiplomacy: The Golden BladeKnow Thy Enemy: Designing for Yomi in GamesSentinels of the MultiverseWhat games have you played for the first time recently? Share your plays over on boardgamegeek in guild #3269.

Brendan continues his discussion of his boardgame class. Join us, won’t you?Pick Up & Deliver 847: Teaching About Boardgames, part 1“Fail Faster”Playtesting for game designWhat do you think about this class? What should I add or remove? Join the conversation over on Boardgamegeek in guild #3269.

Brendan talks about his approach to teaching his class about Board Games and Community. (Well, he returns to this topic, really.) Join us, won’t you?Previous episodes about my teaching:Pick Up & Deliver 772: My Board Game Class (400 back)Pick Up & Deliver 366: My Board Game ClassGames we play:Monikers (2015)Beyond Balderdash (1993)Point Salad (2019)7 Wonders (2010)Carcassonne (2000)Dominion (2008)Lasers and FeelingsThe Crew: The Quest for Planet Nine (2019)Unlock! SeriesBurn the Fort (2023)
Libertalia: Winds of Galecrest (2022)Games we might play:Yut Nori (500)Kalah (1940)Perudo (1800)Mexican Train (1994)Tablut (1700)What games would you use in a course? Share your thoughts over on 

Brendan shares his thoughts about the books he read in April, May, and June of 2026. Join us, won’t you?ChallengerThe Kingdom of GodsDeath of a Gentle LadyThe Wind Through the KeyholeRapport: Friendship, Solidarity, Communion, EmpathyThe Wizard HuntersSupergirl: Woman of TomorrowSystem CollapsePlatform DecayMr. Penumbra’s 24-Hour BookstoreImpostorThe Hobbit, or There and Back AgainThe Company of OwlsThe Birds That Audubon Missed: Discovery and Desire in the American WildernessThe StandWhat did you read in April, May, or June of 2026? Share your reading over on boardgamegeek in guild #3269.

Brendan discusses three games he played for the first time recently, and one he dusted off. Join us, won’t you?Disney: The Haunted Mansion – Call of the Spirits Game (2020)Jaws (2019)Nestlings (2024)The Gardens (2022)Camel Up (2014) (6 years, 4 months, 13 days dusty)Ready Set Bet (2022)Hot Streak (2025)Animal Upon Animal (2005)Velonimo (2020)Fuji Flush (2016)What games have you tried lately? Share your thoughts over on boardgamegeek in guild #3269.

Brendan talks about the games he got out of the dust in the last couple months but did talk about in the podcast. Join us, won’t you?March 2026Axis & Allies: Guadalcanal  (2 years, 5 months, 25 days dusty)Quest for El Dorado  (1 year, 9 months, 11 days dusty)Hues and Cues (1 year, 1 month, 19 days dusty)Point Salad (1 year, 6 months, 19 days dusty)Woodcraft  (2 years, 7 months, 16 days dusty)Rhino Hero (5 years, 5 months dusty)Can’t Stop (5 years, 8 months, 9 days dusty)April 2026None un-discussedMay 2026Heat: Pedal to the Metal (1 year, 2 months, 22 days dusty)Last Will (1 year, 1 month, 11 days dusty)Forest Shuffle (1 year, 9 months, 6 days dusty)Lost Ruins of Arnak (1 year...

Brendan talks about board games that have been adapted from published sources. Join us, won’t you?Previous episodes about this subject:Established Creative WorldsComic Book IPsGame Play by Paul BoothFlip the TableFeels like the textJaws (2019)Harry Potter: Hogwarts Battle (2016)Buffy the Vampire Slayer: The Board Game (2016)Game components evoke the gameBack to the Future: Back in Time (2020)Shark Island (2017)Buffy the Vampire Slayer: The Game (2000)Game that feel like they take place in the text.The Expanse Board Game (2017)The Godfather: Corleone’s Empire (2017)5 best adaptationsLegendary Encounters: An Alien Deck Building Game (2014)Dune (2019)Battlestar Galactica: The Board Game (2008)The Thing: The Boardga

Brendan shares his gameplay achievements from June 2026, and looks ahead to July. Join us, won’t you?June 2026 Top of the StackNew Game – Struggle of Empires ✓Top 50 game – Glory to Rome ✓I’ve been meaning to play this – Tekhenu: Obelisk of the Sun XOne More – Bury Me In the Rift ✓Shelf of OpportunityGame StreaksJuly 2026 Top of the StackNew Game – LibertéTop 50 game – Dungeon PetzI’ve been meaning to play this – Fit to PrintOne More – The Fox ExperimentWhat did you play in June? Share your plays over on boardgamegeek in guild #3269.

Brendan shares some tales of his vacation to the Maritime provinces of Canada, shares the games he played there, and talks about what games the events he went to reminded him of.Games we played on the trip:Qwixx (2012)Lost Cities (1999)Cribbage (1630)Gin Rummy (1909)Game StoresBoard Room Game Cafe, HalifaxOrloj: The Prague Astronomical Clock (2025)Winter Rabbit (2025)Exor Games, CharlottetownNestlings (2024)Bird IslandRiverside (2021)Wingspan (2019)Wild: Serengeti (2022)Costa Rica (2016)Redwood (2023)Birdwatcher (2022)CeilidhRock Hard: 1977 (2024)Come Together (2022)On Tour (2019)HikingParks (2019)

Brendan shares his experience at a home-con he attends yearly, Bogencon. Join us, won’t you?
The Board Game ShowRegular games for me:The Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Ring – Trick-Taking Game (2025)Dice Miner (2021)Strike (2012)The Gang (2024)Games I dusted off:Chicken! (2023)Skull (2011)Glory to Rome (2005)Games I tried for the first timeDune (1984)Struggle of Empires (2004)What games have you tried lately? What are some of your favorite home-con games? Share your thoughts over on boardgamegeek in guild #3269.

Brendan shares his thoughts about the books he read in the first three months of 2026. Join us, won’t you?
The Death of the Necromancer (Ile-Rien, #2)The Element of Fire (Ile-Rien #1)The Courage of Birds: And the Often Surprising Ways They Survive Winter
Seven Surrenders (Terra Ignota, #2)
For We Are Many (Bobiverse, #2)All These Worlds (Bobiverse, #3)
Barrayar (Vorkosigan Saga, #7)The Warrior’s Apprentice (Vorkosigan Saga, #2)
The Secret of Secrets (Robert Langdon, #6)
The Mistress of Spices
The Decagon House Murders
Howling Dark (The Sun Eater, #2)A Conventional Boy: A Laundry Files Novel (The Laun...

Brendan talks a bit about what games people born under the zodiac sign Gemini might like best. Join us, won’t you?Previous Astrology Files episodesAllure.com’s “12 Zodiac Signs: Dates and Personality Traits”Guiding Change and TransformationSeasons (2012)Revive (2022)Ark Nova (2021)Very Talkative and CommunicativeMonikers (2015)The Resistance (2009)Blood on the Clocktower (2022)Sidereal Confluence (2017)Unreliable or ScatteredFlip 7 (2024)Mottainai (2015)Stationfall (2023)TwinsSanctuary (2025)Fantasy Realms (2017)Awkward Guests: The Walton Case (2016)Are you a Gemini? Do these games appeal to you? Do you think these fit Geminis you know? Share your thoughts over on boardgamegeek in guild #3269.

Brendan talks about three games he tried for the first time lately, and one game he dusted off. Join us, won’t you?King of the Dice (2017)Yahtzee (1956)Level 7: Escape (2012)Last Night on Earth: The Zombie Game (2007)Gold Ahoy! (2014)Glasgow (2020)Dog Park (2022)What do you think of these games? What games have you played lately? Share your thoughts over on boardgamegeek in our guild, #3269.

Brendan shares his gameplay achievements from May 2026, and looks ahead to June. Join us, won’t you?May 2025 Top of the StackNew Game – AhoyXTop 50 game – Lost Ruins of Arnak✓Old Game New to Collection – TeotihuacanXOne More – Level 7 Escape✓Shelf of OpportunityJune 2026 Top of the StackNew Game – Struggle of EmpiresTop 50 game – Glory to RomeI’ve been meaning to play this – Tekhenu: Obelisk of the SunOne More – Bury Me In the RiftWhat did you play in May? Share your plays over on boardgamegeek in guild #3269.

Brendan talks about games themed around books. Join us, won’t you?Games about LibrariesEx Libris (2017)The Big Book of Madness (2015)Mythic Mischief (2022)The Great Library (2026)Fire in the Library (2019)Alexandria (2017)Atheneum: Mystic Library (2020)Games about Managing BooksA Place for All My Books (2025)My Shelfie (2022)Games about Words and BooksIlliterati (2023)Paperback (2014)Hardback (2018)Fiction (2023)Games About Book-MakingBiblios (2007)Gutenberg (2021)Other themesBooks of Time (2023)Alma Mater (2020)What games about books do you enjoy? Share them over on boardgamegeek in guild #3269.

Brendan examines the recent posts on boardgamegeek as though the threads are there as questions for him. Join us, won’t you?Negotiation in GamesSpiel des Jahres NomineesTrying to replace a stock image – need help8 Board Game Re-Themes I Made for FunLooking to get into more complex Euros… what is a good “step up”?New to board/card game design so using simulation to test mechanicsOn Board Games 589: TeachabilityMultiple or singular artists?Hello New ComersHow to choose the best board game ?Requesting 10 GG to start a guild for a local gaming groupWhat do you think of this format? Share your thoughts o...

Brendan talks about three games he played for the first time recently. Join us, won’t you?Postcards (2025)Leviathan Wilds (2024)Episode 027: Shadow of the LeviathanMANTIS (2022)“Why the MANTIS shrimp is my new favorite animal.”Fugitive (2017) (revisited)What games have you tried lately? Share your plays over on boardgamegeek in guild #3269.

Brendan shares his thoughts about what makes for a great beginning to a game. This follows up on the previous episode about ends of games. Join us, won’t you?Happy Salmon (2016)Bruce Voge IIIPaku Paku (2017)Escape: The Curse of the Temple (2012)dude (2018)Agricola (2007)Res Arcana (2019)3 Chapters (2024)Calico (2020)Las Vegas (2012)A Game of Thrones: The Board Game (Second Edition) (2011)A Handful of Stars (2017)Sidereal Confluence (2017)Pandemic (2008)Honorable Mentions:Through the Ages: A New Story of Civilization (2015)The Resistance: Avalon (2012)Which games do you hope think have amazing openings? Share your thoughts with the guild over on boardgamegeek, #3269. See you there!

Brendan talks about how games end, and recommends five games with compelling endings. Join us, won’t you?Skull King (2013)Arkham Horror: The Card Game (2016)Monikers (2015)Escape! The Curse of the Temple (2012)A Study in Emerald (2013)Honorable MentionsRes Arcana (2019)The Adventurers: The Pyramid of Horus (2011)QE (2019)What games do you think have good endings? Share your thoughts over on boardgamegeek in guild #3269.

Brendan talks about three games he tried recently for the first time, and one game he dusted off. Join us, won’t you?
Light Speed: Arena (2025)Core Worlds (2011)
Verdant (2022)Underwater Cities: Data Era (2025)What do you think of these games? What have you been playing lately? Share your thoughts over on boardgamegeek in guild #3269.

Brendan shares the films he watched during March and April of 2026, and what he thought of them. Join us, won’t you?An Honest LiarTrickerion: Legends of Illusion (2015)Unmatched: Houdini vs. The Genie (2022)Birds (workaround for Listers)ListersWingspan (2019)Project Hail MaryDaybreak (2023)The Search for Planet X (2020)The Naked GunDeception: Murder in Hong Kong (2014)Poetry for Neanderthals (2020)Empire RecordsEmpire Records (themestorm)Red, White & Royal BlueFog of Love (2017)Road HouseFree With Ads podcast “Road House”Vengeance (2018)

Brendan examines the games that came out between 2001 and 2004 (inclusive), and shares his view of which games are best. Join us, won’t you?
Top 5 games from 2001-2004Betrayal at House on the Hill (2004)Ticket to Ride (2004)The Downfall of Pompeii (2004)Coloretto (2003)Alhambra (2003)Best Game whose revised version is great: A Game of Thrones (2003)Best Game I don’t like that much: Power Grid (2004)Best Game I haven’t played much: Puerto Rico (2002)Best Game with a BORING theme: Ingenious (2004)Best Stabby game: Lifeboat (2002)Previous Look Back episodesWhat are your favorite games from 2001-2004? Which ones should I seek out to try? Share you...

Brendan shares his gameplay stats and experiences from April of 2026, and his plans for May. Join us, won’t you?Top of the Stack, April 2026New Game – Light Speed Arena✓Top 50 game – Lost Ruins of ArnakOld Game New to Collection – RootOne More – Core Worlds✓Shelf of OpportunityMy Top 50Top of the Stack, May 2026New Game – AhoyTop 50 game – Lost Ruins of ArnakOld Game New to Collection – TeotihuacanOne More – Level 7 EscapeWhat did you play in April? Share your plays and your plans in our boardgamegeek guild #3269!

Brendan shares his thoughts on three games he tried for the first time recently. Join us, won’t you?
Gnome Hollow (2024)Horrified: Greek Monsters (2023)Horrified (2019)Horrified: American Monsters (2021)Horrified: World of Monsters (2024)Awkward Guests 2: The Berwick Cases (2023)Clue (1949)Awkward Guests: The Walton Case (2016)Seasons (2012)Res Arcana (2019)What games have you been playing lately? What do you think of this episode’s games? Share your thoughts over on boardgamegeek in our guild, #3269.