Core Memories in Game Design: The Making of Pizza Roles

Details: Written by Thom Mathews; Category: Blog; Published: 03 February 2025; Hits: 175

Core Memories in Game Design:

The Making of Pizza Roles

by Thom Mathews

It’s 2016. I’m a 20-something hanging out at GenCon, enjoying the break from a less than stimulating job that I can’t quite convince myself to quit because health insurance is nice and this a very easy way to keep it. A friend and I pull out a new game in one of the free-play areas. It’s quick and simple. We roll some dice. My rolls are bad. I realize that the rules of this game are such that these poor rolls not only put me at a disadvantage, but they also cause most of my options to be functionally eliminated. I don’t really feel like I’m even playing. It feels unrecoverable after the first round, and my friend agrees. We don’t bother finishing.

“This game is … really bad,” I say. “How did this get published? I could make a better game than this…”

The Goonies: Never Say Die

Details: Written by Daniel Yocom; Category: Review; Published: 11 February 2025; Hits: 28

Cover

The Goonies: Never Say Die

Designer: Prospero Hall

Artist: Eric Hibbeler, Henning Ludvigsen

Publisher: Funko Games

Year Published: 2022

No. of Players: 2–5

Ages: 12+ (could go younger)

Playing Time: 50 minutes (45 – 60 minutes)

Main mechanic / Theme: Adventure setting with dice rolling / The Goonies Movie

See the Goonies: Under the Goondocks review for an overview of the game experience with the expansion included.

Goonies stick together and never say die.

Find more info on BoardGameGeek.com

Kinfire Delve: Callous' Lab

Details: Written by Stefan Yates; Category: Review; Published: 28 January 2025; Hits: 84

Kinfire Delve: Callous’ Lab

Designer: Kevin Wilson

Artist: Katarzyna Bekus, Sandra Chlewińska, Weronika Kozyra, Kate “vesner” Redesiuk

Publisher: Incredible Dream Studios

Year Published / Kickstarted: 2024

No. of Players: 1-2+

Ages: 14+

Playing Time: 45-60 min

Main mechanic / Theme: Cooperative, Multi-Use Cards / Fantasy, Horror

Do you have the courage to DELVE into the deep, dark depths?

Dice Manor

Details: Written by Dave Ilko; Category: Review; Published: 22 January 2025; Hits: 395

Dice Manor Cover

DICE MANOR

Designer: Garrett Herdter

Artist: Roomie Gontaruk and Danien Mammoliti

Publisher: Arcane Wonders

Year Published / Kickstarted: Published 2023

No. of Players: 2-4 Players

Ages: 14+

Playing Time: 30-45 Minutes

Main mechanic / Theme: Auction/Bidding, Dice Rolling, Tile Placement

Dream big, build big or go home because the player who is able to build and market the most magnificent manor will be victorious!

Cursed Lands: Morgulia

Details: Written by Stefan Yates; Category: Review; Published: 13 January 2025; Hits: 194

Cursed Lands Header Image

Cursed Lands: Morgulia

Designer: Shawn Shultz

Artist: Mike Livolsi and Shawn Shultz

Publisher: Horizon Point Studios

Year Published: 2023

No. of Players: 2+

Ages: 14+

Playing Time: 30-90 min

Main mechanic / Theme: Tabletop Miniature Skirmish / Gothic Horror Fantasy

Step into the Cursed Lands of Morgulia and battle…if you dare!

Pride of Ninja

Details: Written by Lawrence Lair; Category: Review; Published: 21 October 2024; Hits: 425

A Double Edged Drafting Game

Designer: Muneyuki Yokouchi
Artist:
Publisher: Ninja Star Games
Year Published: Kickstarter 2024
No. of Players: 3-5 players
Ages: 10+
Playing Time: 30-45 minutes
Main mechanic / Theme: Drafting, Hand Management, Set Collection

Build your ultimate team of Ninjas to claim victory by standing in the light or hiding in the shadows.

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