Kellye is joined by Ruel Gaviola to share a few push-your-luck games that they think deserve some extra attention.

Check out Ruel all over the board game internet, on the platform of your choice: https://linktr.ee/ruelgaviola

Find us online:

• Bluesky: @varianthex
• Instagram: @varianthex
• Twitch: @varianthex (we might start streaming games soon)
• Website: varianthex.com
• Email: podcast@varianthex.com

Additional Info:

Our theme music is "Shimmer" by Mr. Smith, obtained via the Free Music Archive.

"Shimmer" was made available under a public domain license. If you enjoy our theme music, please leave the artist a tip!

Aaron and Kellye recap what they played in February, which was quite a lot for such a short month.

Find us online:

• Bluesky: @varianthex
• Instagram: @varianthex
• Twitch: @varianthex (we might start streaming games soon)
• Website: varianthex.com
• Email: podcast@varianthex.com

Additional Info:

Our theme music is "Shimmer" by Mr. Smith, obtained via the Free Music Archive.

"Shimmer" was made available under a public domain license. If you enjoy our theme music, please leave the artist a tip!

Kellye is joined by Ruel Gaviola to showcase some two player games that could use a little extra attention.

Check out Ruel all over the board game internet, on the platform of your choice: https://linktr.ee/ruelgaviola

Find us online:

• Bluesky: @varianthex
• Instagram: @varianthex
• Twitch: @varianthex (we might start streaming games soon)
• Website: varianthex.com
• Email: podcast@varianthex.com

Additional Info:

Our theme music is "Shimmer" by Mr. Smith, obtained via the Free Music Archive.

"Shimmer" was made available under a public domain license. If you enjoy our theme music, please leave the artist a tip!

Kellye and Aaron discuss the board games they played in January and pick their favorites

Find us online:

• Bluesky: @varianthex
• Instagram: @varianthex
• Twitch: @varianthex (we might start streaming games soon)
• Website: varianthex.com
• Email: podcast@varianthex.com

Additional Info:

Our theme music is "Shimmer" by Mr. Smith, obtained via the Free Music Archive.

"Shimmer" was made available under a public domain license. If you enjoy our theme music, please leave the artist a tip!

Linnea joins Kellye to share her experience at her first BGG con in Dallas, Texas. They compare different sizes of conventions and discuss which ones to attend.

Find us online:

• Bluesky: @varianthex
• Instagram: @varianthex
• Twitch: @varianthex (we might start streaming games soon)
• Website: varianthex.com
• Email: podcast@varianthex.com

Additional Info:

Our theme music is "Shimmer" by Mr. Smith, obtained via the Free Music Archive.

"Shimmer" was made available under a public domain license. If you enjoy our theme music, please leave the artist a tip!

Kellye and Aaron take a look back at their year in gaming and pick their favorites across a handful of categories, including their picks for Game of the Month of the Year.

Find us online:

• Bluesky: @varianthex
• Instagram: @varianthex
• Twitch: @varianthex (we might start streaming games soon)
• Website: varianthex.com
• Email: podcast@varianthex.com

Additional Info:

Our theme music is "Shimmer" by Mr. Smith, obtained via the Free Music Archive.

"Shimmer" was made available under a public domain license. If you enjoy our theme music, please leave the artist a tip!

Kellye and Aaron try to remember what they played in December and if they liked it.

Find us online:

• Bluesky: @varianthex
• Instagram: @varianthex
• Twitch: @varianthex (we might start streaming games soon)
• Website: varianthex.com
• Email: podcast@varianthex.com

Additional Info:

Our theme music is "Shimmer" by Mr. Smith, obtained via the Free Music Archive.

"Shimmer" was made available under a public domain license. If you enjoy our theme music, please leave the artist a tip!

Ruel joins Kellye to discuss a few of the MANY holiday themed board games. A lot of them are also low ranked, but these three are the ones they personally enjoy getting to the table at this time of year.

Check out Ruel all over the board game internet, on the platform of your choice: https://linktr.ee/ruelgaviola

Find us online:

• Bluesky: @varianthex
• Instagram: @varianthex
• Twitch: @varianthex (we might start streaming games soon)
• Website: varianthex.com
• Email: podcast@varianthex.com

Additional Info:

Our theme music is "Shimmer" by Mr. Smith, obtained via the Free Music Archive.

"Shimmer" was made available under a public domain license. If you enjoy our theme music, please leave the artist a tip!

Kellye and Aaron chat about the games they've played this month, both on the table and online.

Find us online:

• Bluesky: @varianthex
• Instagram: @varianthex
• Twitch: @varianthex (we might start streaming games soon)
• Website: varianthex.com
• Email: podcast@varianthex.com

Additional Info:

Our theme music is "Shimmer" by Mr. Smith, obtained via the Free Music Archive.

"Shimmer" was made available under a public domain license. If you enjoy our theme music, please leave the artist a tip!

Ruel joins Kellye to talk about "your grandparents' most boring board game" and other roll and writes. No bad games is a series all about showing some love to lower ranked board games.

You can find Ruel all over the board game internet, but it's easier if you start with his link tree: https://linktr.ee/ruelgaviola

Additional Links:

• Yahtzee on Board Game Arena
• Hex Roller App: iOS | Android
• Reiner Knizia's Decathalon Print and Play sheet

Photo of Decathalon box on episode cover was created by BGG user SiskNY

Find us online:

• Bluesky: @varianthex
• Instagram: @varianthex
• Twitch: @varianthex (we might start streaming games soon)
• Website: varianthex.com
• Email: podcast@varianthex.com

Additional Info:

Our theme music is "Shimmer" by Mr. Smith, obtained via the Free Music Archive.

"Shimmer" was made available under a public domain license. If you enjoy our theme music, please leave the artist a tip!

Kellye and Aaron take some time to revisit the handful of games they managed to play last month.

Additional Info:

• The Brothers Murph's video on Bärenpark: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wyY_je4QP9s
• Antoine Bauza on Board Game Geek: https://boardgamegeek.com/boardgamedesigner/9714/antoine-bauza

Find us online:

• Bluesky: @varianthex
• Instagram: @varianthex
• Twitch: @varianthex (we might start streaming games soon)
• Website: varianthex.com
• Email: podcast@varianthex.com

Additional Info:

Our theme music is "Shimmer" by Mr. Smith, obtained via the Free Music Archive.

"Shimmer" was made available under a public domain license. If you enjoy our theme music, please leave the artist a tip!

Kellye and Aaron recap the handful of games they played in the month of September and pick their favorites.

Find us online:

• Bluesky: @varianthex
• Instagram: @varianthex
• Twitch: @varianthex (we might start streaming games soon)
• Website: varianthex.com
• Email: podcast@varianthex.com

Additional Info:

Our theme music is "Shimmer" by Mr. Smith, obtained via the Free Music Archive.

"Shimmer" was made available under a public domain license. If you enjoy our theme music, please leave the artist a tip!

Kellye and Aaron discuss two small box games perfect for playing somewhere away from home, such as a coffee shop. Panda Spin is a ladder-climbing card game, and High Risk is a push-your-luck dice game.

Find us online:

• Bluesky: @varianthex
• Instagram: @varianthex
• Twitch: @varianthex (we might start streaming games soon)
• Website: varianthex.com
• Email: podcast@varianthex.com

Additional Info:

Our theme music is "Shimmer" by Mr. Smith, obtained via the Free Music Archive.

"Shimmer" was made available under a public domain license. If you enjoy our theme music, please leave the artist a tip!

Kellye and Ruel discuss a trio of low-ranked games and share why they like them anyways, despite their flaws.

Find and follow Ruel all across the board game internet: https://linktr.ee/ruelgaviola

Find us online:

• Bluesky: @varianthex
• Instagram: @varianthex
• Twitch: @varianthex (we might start streaming games soon)
• Website: varianthex.com
• Email: podcast@varianthex.com

Additional Info:

Our theme music is "Shimmer" by Mr. Smith, obtained via the Free Music Archive.

"Shimmer" was made available under a public domain license. If you enjoy our theme music, please leave the artist a tip!

Kellye and Aaron discuss the game they played at the end of Gen Con and the rest of the month that followed.

Find us online:

• Bluesky: @varianthex
• Instagram: @varianthex
• Twitch: @varianthex (we might start streaming games soon)
• Website: varianthex.com
• Email: podcast@varianthex.com

Additional Info:

Our theme music is "Shimmer" by Mr. Smith, obtained via the Free Music Archive.

"Shimmer" was made available under a public domain license. If you enjoy our theme music, please leave the artist a tip!

Kellye and Aaron discuss two small-box games great for playing anywhere: Bottle Imp and Art Robbery.

Find us online:

• Bluesky: @varianthex
• Instagram: @varianthex
• Twitch: @varianthex (we might start streaming games soon)
• Website: varianthex.com
• Email: podcast@varianthex.com

Additional Info:

Our theme music is "Shimmer" by Mr. Smith, obtained via the Free Music Archive.

"Shimmer" was made available under a public domain license. If you enjoy our theme music, please leave the artist a tip!

Kellye and Aaron talk about the games they played in July, which ended with the start of Gen Con!

Find us online:

• Bluesky: @varianthex
• Instagram: @varianthex
• Twitch: @varianthex (we might start streaming games soon)
• Website: varianthex.com
• Email: podcast@varianthex.com

Additional Info:

Our theme music is "Shimmer" by Mr. Smith, obtained via the Free Music Archive.

"Shimmer" was made available under a public domain license. If you enjoy our theme music, please leave the artist a tip!

Kellye and Aaron chat about four different baseball-themed board games: Hits & Outs, 7th Inning Stretch, Bottom of the 9th, and Baseball Highlights 2045.

Additional Notes:

• The four solo games mentioned in the outro are: Lux Aeterna, Solus Lost, So You've Been Eaten, and Warp's Edge.

Find us online:

• Bluesky: @varianthex
• Instagram: @varianthex
• Twitch: @varianthex (we might start streaming games soon)
• Website: varianthex.com
• Email: podcast@varianthex.com

Additional Info:

Our theme music is "Shimmer" by Mr. Smith, obtained via the Free Music Archive.

"Shimmer" was made available under a public domain license. If you enjoy our theme music, please leave the artist a tip!

We discuss the engine builder (and engine breaker) Moon Colony Bloodbath. Aaron and Kellye are joined by friend-of-the-pod Ruel Gaviola as they discuss the initial successes and ultimate disasters in their colonies, as well as the shared camaraderie of experiencing the bloodbath together.

Find and follow Ruel all across the board game internet: https://linktr.ee/ruelgaviola

Find us online:

• Bluesky: @varianthex
• Instagram: @varianthex
• Twitch: @varianthex (we might start streaming games soon)
• Website: varianthex.com
• Email: podcast@varianthex.com

Additional Info:

Our theme music is "Shimmer" by Mr. Smith, obtained via the Free Music Archive.

"Shimmer" was made available under a public domain license. If you enjoy our theme music, please leave the artist a tip!

Kellye is joined by Linnea, friend of the pod and Gen Con Veteran, to discuss all thing Gen Con 2025. They'll discuss their convention preparations and traditions, as well as exchange tips and share memories from the last few years.

Find us online:

• Bluesky: @varianthex
• Instagram: @varianthex
• Twitch: @varianthex (we might start streaming games soon)
• Website: varianthex.com
• Email: podcast@varianthex.com

Additional Info:

Our theme music is "Shimmer" by Mr. Smith, obtained via the Free Music Archive.

"Shimmer" was made available under a public domain license. If you enjoy our theme music, please leave the artist a tip!

Kellye and Aaron discuss their plays in June - at least those that the can disclose.

They didn't play the physical versions of any of the three games in the cover photo. They didn't play ANY version of Corrosion, but it was mentioned as similar to Fromage. Give it a try!

Find us online:

• Bluesky: @varianthex
• Instagram: @varianthex
• Twitch: @varianthex (we might start streaming games soon)
• Website: varianthex.com
• Email: podcast@varianthex.com

Additional Info:

Our theme music is "Shimmer" by Mr. Smith, obtained via the Free Music Archive.

"Shimmer" was made available under a public domain license. If you enjoy our theme music, please leave the artist a tip!

Kellye and Aaron highlight many Board Game Arena titles as they recap their month of gaming.

Find us online:

• Bluesky: @varianthex
• Instagram: @varianthex
• Twitch: @varianthex (we might start streaming games soon)
• Website: varianthex.com
• Email: podcast@varianthex.com

Additional Info:

Our theme music is "Shimmer" by Mr. Smith, obtained via the Free Music Archive.

"Shimmer" was made available under a public domain license. If you enjoy our theme music, please leave the artist a tip!

Kellye and Aaron look back over what they played last month and pick their respective games of the month.

Find us online:

• Bluesky: @varianthex
• Instagram: @varianthex
• Twitch: @varianthex (we might start streaming games soon)
• Website: varianthex.com
• Email: podcast@varianthex.com

Additional Info:

Our theme music is "Shimmer" by Mr. Smith, obtained via the Free Music Archive.

"Shimmer" was made available under a public domain license. If you enjoy our theme music, please leave the artist a tip!

Kellye and Aaron talk about two small-box trick-taking games from Allplay.

Find us online:

• Bluesky: @varianthex
• Instagram: @varianthex
• Twitch: @varianthex (we might start streaming games soon)
• Website: varianthex.com
• Email: podcast@varianthex.com

Additional Info:

Our theme music is "Shimmer" by Mr. Smith, obtained via the Free Music Archive.

"Shimmer" was made available under a public domain license. If you enjoy our theme music, please leave the artist a tip!

Aaron and Kellye review their experiences playing through the campaign of the new Lord of the Rings trick-taking game. The first half of the review will be spoiler-free, before a warning and a second half full of spoilers.

Find us online:

• Bluesky: @varianthex
• Instagram: @varianthex
• Twitch: @varianthex (we might start streaming games soon)
• Website: varianthex.com
• Email: podcast@varianthex.com

Additional Info:

Our theme music is "Shimmer" by Mr. Smith, obtained via the Free Music Archive.

"Shimmer" was made available under a public domain license. If you enjoy our theme music, please leave the artist a tip!

Will Kellye and Aaron once again fall victim to the one-episode-a-month curse? Listen to what they played, what they thought was best, and what they are looking forward to next month.

Find us online:

• Bluesky: @varianthex
• Instagram: @varianthex
• Twitch: @varianthex (we might start streaming games soon)
• Website: varianthex.com
• Email: podcast@varianthex.com

Additional Info:

Our theme music is "Shimmer" by Mr. Smith, obtained via the Free Music Archive.

"Shimmer" was made available under a public domain license. If you enjoy our theme music, please leave the artist a tip!

Kellye and Aaron break away from their daily obligations to squeeze out another game of the month episode. We'll have reviews and more shenanigans again soon. ... Hopefully.

Find us online:

• Bluesky: @varianthex
• Instagram: @varianthex
• Twitch: @varianthex (we might start streaming games soon)
• Website: varianthex.com
• Email: podcast@varianthex.com

Additional Info:

Our theme music is "Shimmer" by Mr. Smith, obtained via the Free Music Archive.

"Shimmer" was made available under a public domain license. If you enjoy our theme music, please leave the artist a tip!

Kellye and Aaron talk about what games they liked, didn't like, and their games of the month for January.

Find us online:

• Bluesky: @varianthex
• Instagram: @varianthex
• Twitch: @varianthex (we might start streaming games soon)
• Website: varianthex.com
• Email: podcast@varianthex.com

Additional Info:

Our theme music is "Shimmer" by Mr. Smith, obtained via the Free Music Archive.

"Shimmer" was made available under a public domain license. If you enjoy our theme music, please leave the artist a tip!

Kellye and Aaron revisit their games of the month from 2024 and pick their favorites in a variety of categories.

Find us online:

• Bluesky: @varianthex
• Instagram: @varianthex
• Twitch: @varianthex (we might start streaming games soon)
• Website: varianthex.com
• Email: podcast@varianthex.com

Additional Info:

Our theme music is "Shimmer" by Mr. Smith, obtained via the Free Music Archive.

"Shimmer" was made available under a public domain license. If you enjoy our theme music, please leave the artist a tip!

Kellye and Aaron talk a little bit about a lot of the games they've played over the last month.

Find us online:

• Bluesky: @varianthex
• Instagram: @varianthex
• Twitch: @varianthex (we might start streaming games soon)
• Website: varianthex.com
• Email: podcast@varianthex.com

Additional Info:

Our theme music is "Shimmer" by Mr. Smith, obtained via the Free Music Archive.

"Shimmer" was made available under a public domain license. If you enjoy our theme music, please leave the artist a tip!

Kellye and Aaron recap what they played in November and share their picks for game of the month.

Find us online:

• Bluesky: @varianthex
• Instagram: @varianthex
• Twitch: @varianthex (we might start streaming games soon)
• Website: varianthex.com
• Email: podcast@varianthex.com

Additional Info:

Our theme music is "Shimmer" by Mr. Smith, obtained via the Free Music Archive.

"Shimmer" was made available under a public domain license. If you enjoy our theme music, please leave the artist a tip!

Kellye and Aaron reflect on what they played in the last month and pick their favorites.

Find us online:

• Bluesky: @varianthex
• Instagram: @varianthex
• Twitch: @varianthex (we might start streaming games soon)
• Website: varianthex.com
• Email: podcast@varianthex.com

Additional Info:

Our theme music is "Shimmer" by Mr. Smith, obtained via the Free Music Archive.

"Shimmer" was made available under a public domain license. If you enjoy our theme music, please leave the artist a tip!

Kellye and Aaron discuss both Rolling Realms retail boxes, focusing on Rolling Realms Redux.

Find us online:

• Bluesky: @varianthex
• Instagram: @varianthex
• Twitch: @varianthex (we might start streaming games soon)
• Website: varianthex.com
• Email: podcast@varianthex.com

Additional Info:

Our theme music is "Shimmer" by Mr. Smith, obtained via the Free Music Archive.

"Shimmer" was made available under a public domain license. If you enjoy our theme music, please leave the artist a tip!

Kellye and Aaron chat about five different, mostly new card games: Booty Dash, Xlyotar, Sushi Go 10th Anniversary Edition, Flip 7 and Sea Salt & Paper.

Find us online:

• Bluesky: @varianthex
• Instagram: @varianthex
• Twitch: @varianthex (we might start streaming games soon)
• Website: varianthex.com
• Email: podcast@varianthex.com

Additional Info:

Our theme music is "Shimmer" by Mr. Smith, obtained via the Free Music Archive.

"Shimmer" was made available under a public domain license. If you enjoy our theme music, please leave the artist a tip!

Kellye and Aaron discuss a couple of two player card games. Which one did they like more, and would they recommend either? Listen now to find out!

Find us online:

• Bluesky: @varianthex
• Instagram: @varianthex
• Twitch: @varianthex (we might start streaming games soon)
• Website: varianthex.com
• Email: podcast@varianthex.com

Additional Info:

Our theme music is "Shimmer" by Mr. Smith, obtained via the Free Music Archive.

"Shimmer" was made available under a public domain license. If you enjoy our theme music, please leave the artist a tip!

Aaron, Adam, and Kellye make a top ten list of two player games on Board Game Arena by drafting their favorites. But there's a twist: they can steal and destroy other picks, or can choose to protect their own. View the list here: BGA's Best at Two.

Find us online:

• Bluesky: @varianthex
• Instagram: @varianthex
• Twitch: @varianthex (we might start streaming games soon)
• Website: varianthex.com
• Email: podcast@varianthex.com

Additional Info:

Our theme music is "Shimmer" by Mr. Smith, obtained via the Free Music Archive.

"Shimmer" was made available under a public domain license. If you enjoy our theme music, please leave the artist a tip!

Kellye and Aaron discuss their very different game plays over the last month and make their picks for games of the month.

Find us online:

• Bluesky: @varianthex
• Instagram: @varianthex
• Twitch: @varianthex (we might start streaming games soon)
• Website: varianthex.com
• Email: podcast@varianthex.com

Additional Info:

Our theme music is "Shimmer" by Mr. Smith, obtained via the Free Music Archive.

"Shimmer" was made available under a public domain license. If you enjoy our theme music, please leave the artist a tip!

Kellye and Aaron review a new open drafting and worker placement card game steeped in Irish mythology and tableau building.

Additional Notes:

• "NÓg" rhymes with "rogue". Apologies for any instances of mispronunciation.

Find us online:

• Bluesky: @varianthex
• Instagram: @varianthex
• Twitch: @varianthex (we might start streaming games soon)
• Website: varianthex.com
• Email: podcast@varianthex.com

Additional Info:

Our theme music is "Shimmer" by Mr. Smith, obtained via the Free Music Archive.

"Shimmer" was made available under a public domain license. If you enjoy our theme music, please leave the artist a tip!

Kellye and Aaron talk about engine building and biding in Lata, a small box game with big box energy.

Editing Note:

• There was a break in recording for this episode, so a transition has been added to connect the two halves.

Find us online:

• Bluesky: @varianthex
• Instagram: @varianthex
• Twitch: @varianthex (we might start streaming games soon)
• Website: varianthex.com
• Email: podcast@varianthex.com

Additional Info:

Our theme music is "Shimmer" by Mr. Smith, obtained via the Free Music Archive.

"Shimmer" was made available under a public domain license. If you enjoy our theme music, please leave the artist a tip!

Kellye and Aaron share their thoughts about the co-op wire cutting campaign game by Hisashi Hayashi

Find us online:

• Bluesky: @varianthex
• Instagram: @varianthex
• Twitch: @varianthex (we might start streaming games soon)
• Website: varianthex.com
• Email: podcast@varianthex.com

Additional Info:

Our theme music is "Shimmer" by Mr. Smith, obtained via the Free Music Archive.

"Shimmer" was made available under a public domain license. If you enjoy our theme music, please leave the artist a tip!

Adam and Kellye chat about lessons from board gaming that they apply to the rest of their lives.

Find us online:

• Bluesky: @varianthex
• Instagram: @varianthex
• Twitch: @varianthex (we might start streaming games soon)
• Website: varianthex.com
• Email: podcast@varianthex.com

Additional Info:

Our theme music is "Shimmer" by Mr. Smith, obtained via the Free Music Archive.

"Shimmer" was made available under a public domain license. If you enjoy our theme music, please leave the artist a tip!

Kellye and Aaron choose their favorites (and least favorites) from a very busy month of gameplay.

Find us online:

• Bluesky: @varianthex
• Instagram: @varianthex
• Twitch: @varianthex (we might start streaming games soon)
• Website: varianthex.com
• Email: podcast@varianthex.com

Additional Info:

Our theme music is "Shimmer" by Mr. Smith, obtained via the Free Music Archive.

"Shimmer" was made available under a public domain license. If you enjoy our theme music, please leave the artist a tip!

Kellye tells Adam all about her time at Gen Con 2024, including everything from her haul. They'll reflect on this year's convention and muse about how Gen Con may change in the future.

Additional Info

• Indy will be making major investment in downtown over the next few years. Read more about the projects here: https://www.visitindy.com/meetings/why-indy/new-developments/
• The Indianapolis convention campus offers 4,700 rooms connected by enclosed skywalk to the Indiana Convention Center & Lucas Oil Stadium, more than any U.S. city. Read more here: https://www.visitindy.com/meetings/why-indy/connected-hotels/

Find us online:

• Bluesky: @varianthex
• Instagram: @varianthex
• Twitch: @varianthex (we might start streaming games soon)
• Website: varianthex.com
• Email: podcast@varianthex.com

Additional Info:

Our theme music is "Shimmer" by Mr. Smith, obtained via the Free Music Archive.

"Shimmer" was made available under a public domain license. If you enjoy our theme music, please leave the artist a tip!

Kellye and Aaron chat about two games perfect for playing at a coffee shop, or almost anywhere: Space Park and Faraway.

Find us online:

• Bluesky: @varianthex
• Instagram: @varianthex
• Twitch: @varianthex (we might start streaming games soon)
• Website: varianthex.com
• Email: podcast@varianthex.com

Additional Info:

Our theme music is "Shimmer" by Mr. Smith, obtained via the Free Music Archive.

"Shimmer" was made available under a public domain license. If you enjoy our theme music, please leave the artist a tip!

Kellye and Aaron recap what they played in the month of July and each make their pick for game of the month.

Find us online:

• Bluesky: @varianthex
• Instagram: @varianthex
• Twitch: @varianthex (we might start streaming games soon)
• Website: varianthex.com
• Email: podcast@varianthex.com

Additional Info:

Our theme music is "Shimmer" by Mr. Smith, obtained via the Free Music Archive.

"Shimmer" was made available under a public domain license. If you enjoy our theme music, please leave the artist a tip!

Kellye and Adam finish up with part two of the Gen Con 2024 Preview List (before another 50+ games were added...)

Find us online:

• Bluesky: @varianthex
• Instagram: @varianthex
• Twitch: @varianthex (we might start streaming games soon)
• Website: varianthex.com
• Email: podcast@varianthex.com

Additional Info:

Our theme music is "Shimmer" by Mr. Smith, obtained via the Free Music Archive.

"Shimmer" was made available under a public domain license. If you enjoy our theme music, please leave the artist a tip!

Adam and Kellye take on their yearly task of going through the entire Board Game Geek Gen Con Preview List. In part one, they will discuss over 300 games in our longest episode ever!

Find us online:

• Bluesky: @varianthex
• Instagram: @varianthex
• Twitch: @varianthex (we might start streaming games soon)
• Website: varianthex.com
• Email: podcast@varianthex.com

Additional Info:

Our theme music is "Shimmer" by Mr. Smith, obtained via the Free Music Archive.

"Shimmer" was made available under a public domain license. If you enjoy our theme music, please leave the artist a tip!

Kellye and Aaron recap their month in this nearly live recording, and share why they've been so busy lately. (You'll also be able to hear why later in the episode)

Find us online:

• Bluesky: @varianthex
• Instagram: @varianthex
• Twitch: @varianthex (we might start streaming games soon)
• Website: varianthex.com
• Email: podcast@varianthex.com

Additional Info:

Our theme music is "Shimmer" by Mr. Smith, obtained via the Free Music Archive.

"Shimmer" was made available under a public domain license. If you enjoy our theme music, please leave the artist a tip!

Kellye and Aaron talk about the games they played in the May, and what they've picked for their games of the month.

Find us online:

• Bluesky: @varianthex
• Instagram: @varianthex
• Twitch: @varianthex (we might start streaming games soon)
• Website: varianthex.com
• Email: podcast@varianthex.com

Additional Info:

Our theme music is "Shimmer" by Mr. Smith, obtained via the Free Music Archive.

"Shimmer" was made available under a public domain license. If you enjoy our theme music, please leave the artist a tip!

Kellye and Aaron talk about what they played in April and chose their picks for Game of the Month.

Find us online:

• Bluesky: @varianthex
• Instagram: @varianthex
• Twitch: @varianthex (we might start streaming games soon)
• Website: varianthex.com
• Email: podcast@varianthex.com

Additional Info:

Our theme music is "Shimmer" by Mr. Smith, obtained via the Free Music Archive.

"Shimmer" was made available under a public domain license. If you enjoy our theme music, please leave the artist a tip!

Kellye and Aaron discuss two games perfect for playing out and about that don't take up much space on the table.

Find us online:

• Bluesky: @varianthex
• Instagram: @varianthex
• Twitch: @varianthex (we might start streaming games soon)
• Website: varianthex.com
• Email: podcast@varianthex.com

Additional Info:

Our theme music is "Shimmer" by Mr. Smith, obtained via the Free Music Archive.

"Shimmer" was made available under a public domain license. If you enjoy our theme music, please leave the artist a tip!

Kellye and Aaron talk about their viking adventures and challenges in the new euro game, Karvi.

Find us online:

• Bluesky: @varianthex
• Instagram: @varianthex
• Twitch: @varianthex (we might start streaming games soon)
• Website: varianthex.com
• Email: podcast@varianthex.com

Additional Info:

Our theme music is "Shimmer" by Mr. Smith, obtained via the Free Music Archive.

"Shimmer" was made available under a public domain license. If you enjoy our theme music, please leave the artist a tip!

Kellye and Aaron discuss two games that don't take up too much table space and are perfect for playing out and about.

Find us online:

• Bluesky: @varianthex
• Instagram: @varianthex
• Twitch: @varianthex (we might start streaming games soon)
• Website: varianthex.com
• Email: podcast@varianthex.com

Additional Info:

Our theme music is "Shimmer" by Mr. Smith, obtained via the Free Music Archive.

"Shimmer" was made available under a public domain license. If you enjoy our theme music, please leave the artist a tip!

Kellye and Aaron recap what they played in March 2024, and what they each chose for game of the month.

Find us online:

• Bluesky: @varianthex
• Instagram: @varianthex
• Twitch: @varianthex (we might start streaming games soon)
• Website: varianthex.com
• Email: podcast@varianthex.com

Additional Info:

Our theme music is "Shimmer" by Mr. Smith, obtained via the Free Music Archive.

"Shimmer" was made available under a public domain license. If you enjoy our theme music, please leave the artist a tip!

Kellye and Aaron discuss their experiences at a small local board game convention.

Additional Notes

• Really, no one knows why Indiana residents are called "Hoosiers". Here's what the state's website has to say: https://www.in.gov/history/about-indiana-history-and-trivia/emblems-and-symbols/what-is-a-hoosier/

Find us online:

• Bluesky: @varianthex
• Instagram: @varianthex
• Twitch: @varianthex (we might start streaming games soon)
• Website: varianthex.com
• Email: podcast@varianthex.com

Additional Info:

Our theme music is "Shimmer" by Mr. Smith, obtained via the Free Music Archive.

"Shimmer" was made available under a public domain license. If you enjoy our theme music, please leave the artist a tip!

Adam and Kellye discuss collection curation, and share the list of 60+ games that Kellye donated.

Find us online:

• Bluesky: @varianthex
• Instagram: @varianthex
• Twitch: @varianthex (we might start streaming games soon)
• Website: varianthex.com
• Email: podcast@varianthex.com

Additional Info:

Our theme music is "Shimmer" by Mr. Smith, obtained via the Free Music Archive.

"Shimmer" was made available under a public domain license. If you enjoy our theme music, please leave the artist a tip!

Aaron and Kellye recount their experiences at their first Dice Tower West conference in Las Vegas. They'll discuss what they did, ate, saw, and played.

Additional notes:

Content creators:

• Thinker Themer | Rahdo
• Ruel Gaviola | Rahdo | Good Time Society | Tabletop Live Network
• Paula Deming | Watch it Played | This Game is Broken
• The Game Boy Geek
• Taylor’s Trick Taking Table
• Before You Play | Watch it Played
• The Two Gamers
• Banzinator

Game Variants

• Simple solo for Knarr

Find us online:

• Bluesky: @varianthex
• Instagram: @varianthex
• Twitch: @varianthex (we might start streaming games soon)
• Website: varianthex.com
• Email: podcast@varianthex.com

Additional Info:

Our theme music is "Shimmer" by Mr. Smith, obtained via the Free Music Archive.

"Shimmer" was made available under a public domain license. If you enjoy our theme music, please leave the artist a tip!

Kellye and Aaron chat about all the games they played last month.

Find us online:

• Bluesky: @varianthex
• Instagram: @varianthex
• Twitch: @varianthex (we might start streaming games soon)
• Website: varianthex.com
• Email: podcast@varianthex.com

Additional Info:

Our theme music is "Shimmer" by Mr. Smith, obtained via the Free Music Archive.

"Shimmer" was made available under a public domain license. If you enjoy our theme music, please leave the artist a tip!

Kellye and Aaron share what they played in January and each pick a game of the month.

Find us online:

• Bluesky: @varianthex
• Instagram: @varianthex
• Twitch: @varianthex (we might start streaming games soon)
• Website: varianthex.com
• Email: podcast@varianthex.com

Additional Info:

Our theme music is "Shimmer" by Mr. Smith, obtained via the Free Music Archive.

"Shimmer" was made available under a public domain license. If you enjoy our theme music, please leave the artist a tip!

Kellye and Aaron revisit their 2023 game of the month picks and choose an game of the year.

Find us online:

• Bluesky: @varianthex
• Instagram: @varianthex
• Twitch: @varianthex (we might start streaming games soon)
• Website: varianthex.com
• Email: podcast@varianthex.com

Additional Info:

Our theme music is "Shimmer" by Mr. Smith, obtained via the Free Music Archive.

"Shimmer" was made available under a public domain license. If you enjoy our theme music, please leave the artist a tip!

Aaron, Kellye, and Adam discuss two Exit the Game Advent Calendars: The Hunt for the Golden Book and The Silent Storm.

You can watch the BGG Game Night crew solve a calendar day by day on their Youtube channel:

• The Mystery of the Ice Cave (2020)
• The Hunt for the Golden Book (2021)

CORRECTIONS

• We thought The Silent Storm was the 2021 calendar, and The Hunt for the Golden Book was the 2022 calendar. In truth, the years are switched.
• We thought that there was a Game Night play through of Adam's calendar (The Silent Storm) but the other play through is for the Mystery of the Ice Cave, which is not mentioned in this episode.
• The game retails for $50, not $60 as mentioned during the episode.

Find us online:

• Bluesky: @varianthex
• Instagram: @varianthex
• Twitch: @varianthex (we might start streaming games soon)
• Website: varianthex.com
• Email: podcast@varianthex.com

Additional Info:

Our theme music is "Shimmer" by Mr. Smith, obtained via the Free Music Archive.

"Shimmer" was made available under a public domain license. If you enjoy our theme music, please leave the artist a tip!

Aaron and Kellye quickly discuss what games they played, liked or culled, and what they've picked for game of the month for December.

Find us online:

• Bluesky: @varianthex
• Instagram: @varianthex
• Twitch: @varianthex (we might start streaming games soon)
• Website: varianthex.com
• Email: podcast@varianthex.com

Additional Info:

Our theme music is "Shimmer" by Mr. Smith, obtained via the Free Music Archive.

"Shimmer" was made available under a public domain license. If you enjoy our theme music, please leave the artist a tip!

Adam and Kellye pick board games with titles that would make great band names.

Find us online:

• Bluesky: @varianthex
• Instagram: @varianthex
• Twitch: @varianthex (we might start streaming games soon)
• Website: varianthex.com
• Email: podcast@varianthex.com

Additional Info:

Our theme music is "Shimmer" by Mr. Smith, obtained via the Free Music Archive.

"Shimmer" was made available under a public domain license. If you enjoy our theme music, please leave the artist a tip!

Cover Photo by Yvette de Wit on Unsplash

Aaron and Kellye take on a double (triple?) review of games by Hobby Japan.

Aside from chancing into these games somewhere in the U.S., you can find them on Amazon Japan:

• Builder's High
• R-Eco+
• Box Set

Find us online:

• Bluesky: @varianthex
• Instagram: @varianthex
• Twitch: @varianthex (we might start streaming games soon)
• Website: varianthex.com
• Email: podcast@varianthex.com

Additional Info:

Our theme music is "Shimmer" by Mr. Smith, obtained via the Free Music Archive.

"Shimmer" was made available under a public domain license. If you enjoy our theme music, please leave the artist a tip!

Aaron, Kellye and Adam discuss what they played in November (and the beginning of the December)

Find us online:

• X (Formerly Twitter): @varianthex
• Instagram: @varianthex
• Twitch: @varianthex (we might start streaming games soon)
• Website: varianthex.com
• Email: podcast@varianthex.com

Additional Info:

Our theme music is "Shimmer" by Mr. Smith, obtained via the Free Music Archive.

"Shimmer" was made available under a public domain license. If you enjoy our theme music, please leave the artist a tip!

Aaron and Kellye tell Adam all about their experiences at Pax Unplugged 2023 in Philadelphia.

Additional notes:

• The Pax merch was available online after the convention, but only until December 7th. We heard that they were selling last year's merch at a discount during the convention, so that may be true again in 2024.
• Restaurant cheese whiz is typically used for classic cheesesteaks. Grocery store cheese whiz is different, and contains less cheese. The original cheese whiz made in 1950 was aiming to imitate welsh rarebit.
• Pax U counts attendance by gate entry (3 Day pass = 3 attendees) but Gen Con counts by unique entry (3 Day pass = 1 attendee). Pax U 2023 attendance was over 30,000 and Gen Con 2032 was over 70,000.
• The restaurants we went to were Terakawa Ramen, Prince Tea House, Pho Street, and a variety of stalls in Reading Market.

Find us online:

• X (formerly Twitter): @varianthex
• Instagram: @varianthex
• Twitch: @varianthex (we might start streaming games soon)
• Website: varianthex.com
• Email: podcast@varianthex.com

Additional Info:

Our theme music is "Shimmer" by Mr. Smith, obtained via the Free Music Archive.

"Shimmer" was made available under a public domain license. If you enjoy our theme music, please leave the artist a tip!

Aaron and Kellye discuss the handful of games they played in October and make their picks for game of the month.

Find us online:

• X (formerly Twitter): @varianthex
• Instagram: @varianthex
• Twitch: @varianthex (we might start streaming games soon)
• Website: varianthex.com
• Email: podcast@varianthex.com

Additional Info:

Our theme music is "Shimmer" by Mr. Smith, obtained via the Free Music Archive.

"Shimmer" was made available under a public domain license. If you enjoy our theme music, please leave the artist a tip!

Kellye and Aaron discuss growing and then evacuating the ancient city of Pompeii, while also tossing one another's relatives into a volcano.

Find us online:

• X (formerly Twitter): @varianthex
• Instagram: @varianthex
• Twitch: @varianthex (we might start streaming games soon)
• Website: varianthex.com
• Email: podcast@varianthex.com

Additional Info:

Our theme music is "Shimmer" by Mr. Smith, obtained via the Free Music Archive.

"Shimmer" was made available under a public domain license. If you enjoy our theme music, please leave the artist a tip!

Kellye and Aaron discuss their impressions of the tableau building and card drafting board game called Moon.

Find us online:

• X (formerly Twitter): @varianthex
• Instagram: @varianthex
• Twitch: @varianthex (we might start streaming games soon)
• Website: varianthex.com
• Email: podcast@varianthex.com

Additional Info:

Our theme music is "Shimmer" by Mr. Smith, obtained via the Free Music Archive.

"Shimmer" was made available under a public domain license. If you enjoy our theme music, please leave the artist a tip!

Adam and Kellye browse the ding and dent sections of a variety of board game websites, including:

• boardgamebliss
• rockinbgames
• cardhaus
• morethanmeeples
• boardlandia
• tabletopmerchant
• gamenerdz

Find us online:

• X (formerly Twitter): @varianthex
• Instagram: @varianthex
• Twitch: @varianthex (we might start streaming games soon)
• Website: varianthex.com
• Email: podcast@varianthex.com

Additional Info:

Our theme music is "Shimmer" by Mr. Smith, obtained via the Free Music Archive.

"Shimmer" was made available under a public domain license. If you enjoy our theme music, please leave the artist a tip!

Kellye and Aaron recap what they played in the month of September, and each select a game of the month.

Find us online:

• X (formerly Twitter): @varianthex
• Instagram: @varianthex
• Twitch: @varianthex (we might start streaming games soon)
• Website: varianthex.com
• Email: podcast@varianthex.com

Additional Info:

Our theme music is "Shimmer" by Mr. Smith, obtained via the Free Music Archive.

"Shimmer" was made available under a public domain license. If you enjoy our theme music, please leave the artist a tip!

Kellye and Aaron do a double review, covering two games by designer Vladimír Suchý. In both you are trying to drive yourself to ruin as fast as possible!

Check out the games on Board Game Geek:

• Last Will
• The Prodigals Club

Find us online:

• X (formerly Twitter): @varianthex
• Instagram: @varianthex
• Twitch: @varianthex (we might start streaming games soon)
• Website: varianthex.com
• Email: podcast@varianthex.com

Additional Info:

Our theme music is "Shimmer" by Mr. Smith, obtained via the Free Music Archive.

"Shimmer" was made available under a public domain license. If you enjoy our theme music, please leave the artist a tip!

Kellye and Aaron discuss Men at Work, a dexterity game where you build a rather unsafe construction site.

Find us online:

• X (formerly Twitter): @varianthex
• Instagram: @varianthex
• Twitch: @varianthex (we might start streaming games soon)
• Website: varianthex.com
• Email: podcast@varianthex.com

Additional Info:

Our theme music is "Shimmer" by Mr. Smith, obtained via the Free Music Archive.

"Shimmer" was made available under a public domain license. If you enjoy our theme music, please leave the artist a tip!

Kellye and Aaron discuss grouping druids and the value of deceit in their review of Fae

• They were not confident about the rules, so here's a pdf.
• For more information on Fae, view full details on Board Game Geek.
• If you're considering picking up the game for yourself, be sure you're getting the best deal with Board Game Oracle.

Find us online:

• X (formerly Twitter): @varianthex
• Instagram: @varianthex
• Twitch: @varianthex (we might start streaming games soon)
• Website: varianthex.com
• Email: podcast@varianthex.com

Additional Info:

Our theme music is "Shimmer" by Mr. Smith, obtained via the Free Music Archive.

"Shimmer" was made available under a public domain license. If you enjoy our theme music, please leave the artist a tip!

Kellye and Aaron share their thoughts about Make the Difference by Oink Games

Find us online:

• X (formerly Twitter): @varianthex
• Instagram: @varianthex
• Twitch: @varianthex (we might start streaming games soon)
• Website: varianthex.com
• Email: podcast@varianthex.com

Additional Info:

Our theme music is "Shimmer" by Mr. Smith, obtained via the Free Music Archive.

"Shimmer" was made available under a public domain license. If you enjoy our theme music, please leave the artist a tip!

Kellye and Aaron discuss what they played in August and pick their games of the month.

Find us online:

• X (formerly twitter): @varianthex
• Instagram: @varianthex
• Twitch: @varianthex (we might start streaming games soon)
• Website: varianthex.com
• Email: podcast@varianthex.com

Additional Info:

Our theme music is "Shimmer" by Mr. Smith, obtained via the Free Music Archive.

"Shimmer" was made available under a public domain license. If you enjoy our theme music, please leave the artist a tip!

Kellye and Aaron talk about everything they played during Gen Con 2023

Find us online:

• Bluesky: @varianthex
• Instagram: @varianthex
• Twitch: @varianthex (we might start streaming games soon)
• Website: varianthex.com
• Email: podcast@varianthex.com

Additional Info:

Our theme music is "Shimmer" by Mr. Smith, obtained via the Free Music Archive.

"Shimmer" was made available under a public domain license. If you enjoy our theme music, please leave the artist a tip!

Adam interviews Kellye and Aaron about their experiences at Gen Con 2023.

Find us online:

• Bluesky: @varianthex
• Instagram: @varianthex
• Twitch: @varianthex (we might start streaming games soon)
• Website: varianthex.com
• Email: podcast@varianthex.com

Additional Info:

Our theme music is "Shimmer" by Mr. Smith, obtained via the Free Music Archive.

"Shimmer" was made available under a public domain license. If you enjoy our theme music, please leave the artist a tip!

Our sensor beep comes from: https://www.soundjay.com/censor-beep-sound-effect.html

Adam and Kellye finalize the Gen Con 2023 Preview list and discuss Kellye's #GenConHaul

Also mentioned:

• Here's the artist for Mission Control.
• You can get this waffle maker to play real life Waffle Time, which is 5x5 (not 4x4 as mentioned in the recording).

Find us online:

• Bluesky: @varianthex
• Instagram: @varianthex
• Twitch: @varianthex (we might start streaming games soon)
• Website: varianthex.com
• Email: podcast@varianthex.com

Additional Info:

Our theme music is "Shimmer" by Mr. Smith, obtained via the Free Music Archive.

"Shimmer" was made available under a public domain license. If you enjoy our theme music, please leave the artist a tip!

Adam and Kellye conclude their countdown to Gen Con 2023 with final prep and hype!

Find us online:

• Twitter (or, X?): @varianthex
• Instagram: @varianthex
• Twitch: @varianthex (we might start streaming games soon)
• Website: varianthex.com
• Email: podcast@varianthex.com

Additional Info:

Our theme music is "Shimmer" by Mr. Smith, obtained via the Free Music Archive.

"Shimmer" was made available under a public domain license. If you enjoy our theme music, please leave the artist a tip!

Kellye and Adam continue their countdown to Gen Con 2023 with a discussion of packing and traveling.

Find us online:

• Twitter (or, X?): @varianthex
• Instagram: @varianthex
• Twitch: @varianthex (we might start streaming games soon)
• Website: varianthex.com
• Email: podcast@varianthex.com

Additional Info:

Our theme music is "Shimmer" by Mr. Smith, obtained via the Free Music Archive.

"Shimmer" was made available under a public domain license. If you enjoy our theme music, please leave the artist a tip!

Adam and Kellye continue counting down to Gen Con 2023 with a discussion of tickets and scheduling.

Find us online:

• Twitter (or, X?): @varianthex
• Instagram: @varianthex
• Twitch: @varianthex (we might start streaming games soon)
• Website: varianthex.com
• Email: podcast@varianthex.com

Additional Info:

Our theme music is "Shimmer" by Mr. Smith, obtained via the Free Music Archive.

"Shimmer" was made available under a public domain license. If you enjoy our theme music, please leave the artist a tip!

Kellye and Adam count down to Gen Con with four mini episodes, the first one being about goals and planning for a convention.

Find us online:

• Twitter (or, X?): @varianthex
• Instagram: @varianthex
• Twitch: @varianthex (we might start streaming games soon)
• Website: varianthex.com
• Email: podcast@varianthex.com

Additional Info:

Our theme music is "Shimmer" by Mr. Smith, obtained via the Free Music Archive.

"Shimmer" was made available under a public domain license. If you enjoy our theme music, please leave the artist a tip!

Kellye and Aaron sneak in a quick Game of the Month episode before heading off to Gen Con 2023.

You can try a partially scripted digital version of I C E by using Tabletop Simulator's Workshop: https://steamcommunity.com/sharedfiles/filedetails/?id=2333576686

Find us online:

• Twitter (or, X?): @varianthex
• Instagram: @varianthex
• Twitch: @varianthex (we might start streaming games soon)
• Website: varianthex.com
• Email: podcast@varianthex.com

Additional Info:

Our theme music is "Shimmer" by Mr. Smith, obtained via the Free Music Archive.

"Shimmer" was made available under a public domain license. If you enjoy our theme music, please leave the artist a tip!

Kellye and Adam are back for a live final lightning round of games newly added to the BGG Gen Con 2023 Preview List!

View the BGG List and follow along with Variant Hex's picks!

Find us online:

• Twitter (or, X?): @varianthex
• Instagram: @varianthex
• Twitch: @varianthex (we might start streaming games soon)
• Website: varianthex.com
• Email: podcast@varianthex.com

Additional Info:

Our theme music is "Shimmer" by Mr. Smith, obtained via the Free Music Archive.

"Shimmer" was made available under a public domain license. If you enjoy our theme music, please leave the artist a tip!

Kellye and Adam finish up the BGG Gen Con preview list, and circle back through the games added since they started. (48 more have been added since then. This 🔥 is 🐶 fine ☕)

After discussing all the games, they'll talk about what's most popular so far, and how they use this list to help prepare for walking the convention hall.

View the BGG List and follow along with Variant Hex's picks!

Find us online:

• Bluesky: @varianthex
• Instagram: @varianthex
• Twitch: @varianthex (we might start streaming games soon)
• Website: varianthex.com
• Email: podcast@varianthex.com

Additional Info:

Our theme music is "Shimmer" by Mr. Smith, obtained via the Free Music Archive.

"Shimmer" was made available under a public domain license. If you enjoy our theme music, please leave the artist a tip!

Kellye and Adam continue perusing the Board Game Geek Gen Con 2023 Preview List.

We've lost count of how many games we covered in this episode. We pick up with Dragon Dawn Productions and continue through Restoration Games.

View the BGG List and follow along with Variant Hex's picks!

Find us online:

• Bluesky: @varianthex
• Instagram: @varianthex
• Twitch: @varianthex (we might start streaming games soon)
• Website: varianthex.com
• Email: podcast@varianthex.com

Additional Info:

Our theme music is "Shimmer" by Mr. Smith, obtained via the Free Music Archive.

"Shimmer" was made available under a public domain license. If you enjoy our theme music, please leave the artist a tip!

Kellye and Adam kick off their annual review of every game listed for sale on the BGG Gen Con preview list. Organized by publisher, they will cover the first 84 games, from 25th century to Draco Studios.

View the BGG List and follow along with Variant Hex's picks!

Publishers in this episode:

• 25th Century Games
• 3WS Games
• Adam's Apple Games, LLC
• Alderac Entertainment Group (AEG)
• Alley Cat Games
• Allplay
• APE Games
• Arcane Wonders
• Ares Games
• ASYNCRON games
• Atomic Mass Games
• Bézier Games
• Bitewing Games
• Bluencore
• Board&Dice
• La Boîte de Jeu
• Brexwerx Games
• Bright Eye Games
• Broadway Toys LTD
• Brotherwise Games
• Capstone Games
• Catan Studio
• The City of Games
• CrowD Games
• Czech Games Edition
• Darrington Press
• Dead Alive Games
• Devious Weasel Games
• Devir
• Dire Wolf
• Dolphin Hat Games
• Draco Studios

Find us online:

• Bluesky: @varianthex
• Instagram: @varianthex
• Twitch: @varianthex (we might start streaming games soon)
• Website: varianthex.com
• Email: podcast@varianthex.com

Additional Info:

Our theme music is "Shimmer" by Mr. Smith, obtained via the Free Music Archive.

"Shimmer" was made available under a public domain license. If you enjoy our theme music, please leave the artist a tip!

Kellye and Aaron discuss all the board games they played during June.

Find us online:

• Bluesky: @varianthex
• Instagram: @varianthex
• Twitch: @varianthex (we might start streaming games soon)
• Website: varianthex.com
• Email: podcast@varianthex.com

Additional Info:

Our theme music is "Shimmer" by Mr. Smith, obtained via the Free Music Archive.

"Shimmer" was made available under a public domain license. If you enjoy our theme music, please leave the artist a tip!

Kellye and Aaron quickly review every project that Kellye has backed on Kickstarter.

Find us online:

• Bluesky: @varianthex
• Instagram: @varianthex
• Twitch: @varianthex (we might start streaming games soon)
• Website: varianthex.com
• Email: podcast@varianthex.com

Additional Info:

Our theme music is "Shimmer" by Mr. Smith, obtained via the Free Music Archive.

"Shimmer" was made available under a public domain license. If you enjoy our theme music, please leave the artist a tip!

Kellye and Aaron review Bosk, a game about planting trees and spreading leaves.

Find us online:

• Bluesky: @varianthex
• Instagram: @varianthex
• Twitch: @varianthex (we might start streaming games soon)
• Website: varianthex.com
• Email: podcast@varianthex.com

Additional Info:

Our theme music is "Shimmer" by Mr. Smith, obtained via the Free Music Archive.

"Shimmer" was made available under a public domain license. If you enjoy our theme music, please leave the artist a tip!

Kellye and Aaron review Pioneer Days and discuss what makes this game great.

Find us online:

• Bluesky: @varianthex
• Instagram: @varianthex
• Twitch: @varianthex (we might start streaming games soon)
• Website: varianthex.com
• Email: podcast@varianthex.com

Additional Info:

Our theme music is "Shimmer" by Mr. Smith, obtained via the Free Music Archive.

"Shimmer" was made available under a public domain license. If you enjoy our theme music, please leave the artist a tip!

Aaron and Kellye discuss what they played in May and pick their games of the month.

Additional Info:

• For community BGA games and more, join Ruel Gaviola's friendly Discord server!

Find us online:

• Bluesky: @varianthex
• Instagram: @varianthex
• Twitch: @varianthex (we might start streaming games soon)
• Website: varianthex.com
• Email: podcast@varianthex.com

Additional Info:

Our theme music is "Shimmer" by Mr. Smith, obtained via the Free Music Archive.

"Shimmer" was made available under a public domain license. If you enjoy our theme music, please leave the artist a tip!

3 mini episodes in one! The gang talks about how they’ll be enjoying board games this summer.

Find us online:

• Bluesky: @varianthex
• Instagram: @varianthex
• Twitch: @varianthex (we might start streaming games soon)
• Website: varianthex.com
• Email: podcast@varianthex.com

Additional Info:

Our theme music is "Shimmer" by Mr. Smith, obtained via the Free Music Archive.

"Shimmer" was made available under a public domain license. If you enjoy our theme music, please leave the artist a tip!

Adam and Kellye talk about every Clever game ever made (so far…)

We said that there would be links to all of them in the description, but that's a lot of links! You've used Google, you'll figure it out.

Find us online:

• Bluesky: @varianthex
• Instagram: @varianthex
• Twitch: @varianthex (we might start streaming games soon)
• Website: varianthex.com
• Email: podcast@varianthex.com

Additional Info:

Our theme music is "Shimmer" by Mr. Smith, obtained via the Free Music Archive.

"Shimmer" was made available under a public domain license. If you enjoy our theme music, please leave the artist a tip!

Kellye and Aaron chat about the games they played in the month of April, 2023.

Find us online:

• Bluesky: @varianthex
• Instagram: @varianthex
• Twitch: @varianthex (we might start streaming games soon)
• Website: varianthex.com
• Email: podcast@varianthex.com

Additional Info:

Our theme music is "Shimmer" by Mr. Smith, obtained via the Free Music Archive.

"Shimmer" was made available under a public domain license. If you enjoy our theme music, please leave the artist a tip!

Aaron and Kellye talk about every game in the Century Golem Edition Trilogy, including Century: Golem Edition, Century Golem: Eastern Mountains, and Century Golem: An Endless World.

Find us online:

• Bluesky: @varianthex
• Instagram: @varianthex
• Twitch: @varianthex (we might start streaming games soon)
• Website: varianthex.com
• Email: podcast@varianthex.com

Additional Info:

Our theme music is "Shimmer" by Mr. Smith, obtained via the Free Music Archive.

"Shimmer" was made available under a public domain license. If you enjoy our theme music, please leave the artist a tip!

Aaron and Kellye discuss nine different board games with “nine” in the title (or subtitle)

Find us online:

• Bluesky: @varianthex
• Instagram: @varianthex
• Twitch: @varianthex (we might start streaming games soon)
• Website: varianthex.com
• Email: podcast@varianthex.com

Additional Info:

Our theme music is "Shimmer" by Mr. Smith, obtained via the Free Music Archive.

"Shimmer" was made available under a public domain license. If you enjoy our theme music, please leave the artist a tip!

Adam and Aaron discuss their playthrough of Twilight Imperium, 4th Edition.

Here's a few handy links mentioned in the episode outro:

• RTFM's How to Play video
• Shut Up and Sit Down's review
• Shut Up and Sit Down's Space Lions documentary
• Shut Up and Sit Down's playthrough: Part 1, Part 2, and Part 3

Find us online:

• Bluesky: @varianthex
• Instagram: @varianthex
• Twitch: @varianthex (we might start streaming games soon)
• Website: varianthex.com
• Email: podcast@varianthex.com

Additional Info:

Our theme music is "Shimmer" by Mr. Smith, obtained via the Free Music Archive.

"Shimmer" was made available under a public domain license. If you enjoy our theme music, please leave the artist a tip!

Space Swoosh Sound effect courtesy of Pixabay

Aaron and Kellye blinked, and it was already time to pick a board game of the month for March 2023!

Find us online:

• Bluesky: @varianthex
• Instagram: @varianthex
• Twitch: @varianthex (we might start streaming games soon)
• Website: varianthex.com
• Email: podcast@varianthex.com

Additional Info:

Our theme music is "Shimmer" by Mr. Smith, obtained via the Free Music Archive.

"Shimmer" was made available under a public domain license. If you enjoy our theme music, please leave the artist a tip!

Aaron and Kellye talk mostly about board games as they recap the month of February. Here’s links to some of their other mentions:

• Lofoten Designer Diary
• Friedman Friese’s Feieraband
• Purple Witcher's Twitch, if you’re looking for chill wholesome video gaming vibes
• Ruel Gaviola's Twitch, if you’re looking for chill wholesome board game vibes
• Tabletop Live Network (TLN)

Find us online:

• Bluesky: @varianthex
• Instagram: @varianthex
• Twitch: @varianthex (we might start streaming games soon)
• Website: varianthex.com
• Email: podcast@varianthex.com

Additional Info:

Our theme music is "Shimmer" by Mr. Smith, obtained via the Free Music Archive.

"Shimmer" was made available under a public domain license. If you enjoy our theme music, please leave the artist a tip!

Adam and Kellye peruse the 2023 Preview List from Board Game Geek. Here's what they picked.

A few notes:

• The link to click for your titles if you make selections is "View my titles". The text permalink is used for sharing your collection, not your lists.
• The one expansion that got mentioned was IKI: Akebono Expansion
• The drinking age in Germany is 18
• The game with the weird egg is Dodo, not Morris the Dodo
• Here are some Ireland themed games

Find us online:

• Bluesky: @varianthex
• Instagram: @varianthex
• Twitch: @varianthex (we might start streaming games soon)
• Website: varianthex.com
• Email: podcast@varianthex.com

Additional Info:

Our theme music is "Shimmer" by Mr. Smith, obtained via the Free Music Archive.

"Shimmer" was made available under a public domain license. If you enjoy our theme music, please leave the artist a tip!

Kellye and Aaron discuss what they played in January and each make a selection for game of the month.

Find us online:

• Bluesky: @varianthex
• Instagram: @varianthex
• Twitch: @varianthex (we might start streaming games soon)
• Website: varianthex.com
• Email: podcast@varianthex.com

Additional Info:

Our theme music is "Shimmer" by Mr. Smith, obtained via the Free Music Archive.

"Shimmer" was made available under a public domain license. If you enjoy our theme music, please leave the artist a tip!

Kellye and Adam make picks and share ideas about what makes for a good value in a board game.

Here's some helpful links for things that were mentioned:

• Wavelength App
• Play Codenames Online
• Cost Per Play on BGStatsApp
• BGShield Waterproof Sealant for Board Games

Find us online:

• Bluesky: @varianthex
• Instagram: @varianthex
• Twitch: @varianthex (we might start streaming games soon)
• Website: varianthex.com
• Email: podcast@varianthex.com

Additional Info:

Our theme music is "Shimmer" by Mr. Smith, obtained via the Free Music Archive.

"Shimmer" was made available under a public domain license. If you enjoy our theme music, please leave the artist a tip!

Adam and Kellye talk about thematic games featuring Harry Potter and share their Hogwarts houses and favorite spells.

Find us online:

• Bluesky: @varianthex
• Instagram: @varianthex
• Twitch: @varianthex (we might start streaming games soon)
• Website: varianthex.com
• Email: podcast@varianthex.com

Additional Info:

Our theme music is "Shimmer" by Mr. Smith, obtained via the Free Music Archive.

"Shimmer" was made available under a public domain license. If you enjoy our theme music, please leave the artist a tip!

Kellye and Aaron discuss a small game and an even smaller game.

Find us online:

• Bluesky: @varianthex
• Instagram: @varianthex
• Twitch: @varianthex (we might start streaming games soon)
• Website: varianthex.com
• Email: podcast@varianthex.com

Additional Info:

Our theme music is "Shimmer" by Mr. Smith, obtained via the Free Music Archive.

"Shimmer" was made available under a public domain license. If you enjoy our theme music, please leave the artist a tip!

Adam and Aaron DEFINITELY SPOIL this escape room-style game. We recommend you pick up a copy of this game, try it yourself, and then give this episode a listen.

Additional notes:

• They also attempted to spoil Charterstone, an underappreciated legacy game by Stonemeier, but Kellye edited out the reveals. There's an app on Steam, Switch, iOS and the Play store for that is excellent, but we also recommend the physical game that is a steal right now on Amazon for $43.
• Kellye has played 300 total hours of across Picross 1, 2, 3, and 4 on Switch, not the 1000s of hours stated by Aaron in this episode. But, she may hit 1k hours by the time she plays Picross 5, 6, 7, 8, and GENESIS.

Find us online:

• Bluesky: @varianthex
• Instagram: @varianthex
• Twitch: @varianthex (we might start streaming games soon)
• Website: varianthex.com
• Email: podcast@varianthex.com

Additional Info:

Our theme music is "Shimmer" by Mr. Smith, obtained via the Free Music Archive.

"Shimmer" was made available under a public domain license. If you enjoy our theme music, please leave the artist a tip!

Adam and Aaron discuss their picks for Game of the Month.

A few notes: Aaron meant to pick Encyclopedia for his game of the month, so it's been featured in the episode cover. And, if you'd like to know more about Project L, check out the game's page on Board Game Geek.

Find us online:

• Bluesky: @varianthex
• Instagram: @varianthex
• Twitch: @varianthex (we might start streaming games soon)
• Website: varianthex.com
• Email: podcast@varianthex.com

Additional Info:

Our theme music is "Shimmer" by Mr. Smith, obtained via the Free Music Archive.

"Shimmer" was made available under a public domain license. If you enjoy our theme music, please leave the artist a tip!

Adam and Kellye talk about the wintry roll and write game Riverside.

Find us online:

• Bluesky: @varianthex
• Instagram: @varianthex
• Twitch: @varianthex (we might start streaming games soon)
• Website: varianthex.com
• Email: podcast@varianthex.com

Additional Info:

Our theme music is "Shimmer" by Mr. Smith, obtained via the Free Music Archive.

"Shimmer" was made available under a public domain license. If you enjoy our theme music, please leave the artist a tip!

Adam and Kellye review the board game 12 Days of Christmas.

Find us online:

• Bluesky: @varianthex
• Instagram: @varianthex
• Twitch: @varianthex (we might start streaming games soon)
• Website: varianthex.com
• Email: podcast@varianthex.com

Additional Info:

Our theme music is "Shimmer" by Mr. Smith, obtained via the Free Music Archive.

"Shimmer" was made available under a public domain license. If you enjoy our theme music, please leave the artist a tip!

Adam and Kellye talk about the holiday card game 12 Days.

Find us online:

• Bluesky: @varianthex
• Instagram: @varianthex
• Twitch: @varianthex (we might start streaming games soon)
• Website: varianthex.com
• Email: podcast@varianthex.com

Additional Info:

Our theme music is "Shimmer" by Mr. Smith, obtained via the Free Music Archive.

"Shimmer" was made available under a public domain license. If you enjoy our theme music, please leave the artist a tip!

Aaron, Adam, and Kellye discuss their playthrough and review of Ghosts of Christmas.

Find us online:

• Bluesky: @varianthex
• Instagram: @varianthex
• Twitch: @varianthex (we might start streaming games soon)
• Website: varianthex.com
• Email: podcast@varianthex.com

Additional Info:

Our theme music is "Shimmer" by Mr. Smith, obtained via the Free Music Archive.

"Shimmer" was made available under a public domain license. If you enjoy our theme music, please leave the artist a tip!

Aaron, Kellye, and Adam discuss what they played in the month of November.

Find us online:

• Bluesky: @varianthex
• Instagram: @varianthex
• Twitch: @varianthex (we might start streaming games soon)
• Website: varianthex.com
• Email: podcast@varianthex.com

Additional Info:

Our theme music is "Shimmer" by Mr. Smith, obtained via the Free Music Archive.

"Shimmer" was made available under a public domain license. If you enjoy our theme music, please leave the artist a tip!

Adam, Kellye, and Aaron discuss the board games also liked by fans of Century Spice Road, according to Board Game Geek.

Find us online:

• Bluesky: @varianthex
• Instagram: @varianthex
• Twitch: @varianthex (we might start streaming games soon)
• Website: varianthex.com
• Email: podcast@varianthex.com

Additional Info:

Our theme music is "Shimmer" by Mr. Smith, obtained via the Free Music Archive.

"Shimmer" was made available under a public domain license. If you enjoy our theme music, please leave the artist a tip!

Kellye, Adam, and Aaron each draft their picks for board games to buy in-store at Target.

Find us online:

• Bluesky: @varianthex
• Instagram: @varianthex
• Twitch: @varianthex (we might start streaming games soon)
• Website: varianthex.com
• Email: podcast@varianthex.com

Additional Info:

Our theme music is "Shimmer" by Mr. Smith, obtained via the Free Music Archive.

"Shimmer" was made available under a public domain license. If you enjoy our theme music, please leave the artist a tip!

Aaron and Kellye are back with two more coffee shop games: Dice Stack and Dice Hunters of Therion.

Find us online:

• Bluesky: @varianthex
• Instagram: @varianthex
• Twitch: @varianthex (we might start streaming games soon)
• Website: varianthex.com
• Email: podcast@varianthex.com

Additional Info:

Our theme music is "Shimmer" by Mr. Smith, obtained via the Free Music Archive.

"Shimmer" was made available under a public domain license. If you enjoy our theme music, please leave the artist a tip!

Kellye and Adam go through the entire Board Game Geek Holiday Gift guide for 2022!

Use the "sort by: special category option" on the top left and the "list view" option on the top right to follow along with the list and our picks!

View the full list and make your own picks!

View our picks!

Find us online:

• Bluesky: @varianthex
• Instagram: @varianthex
• Twitch: @varianthex (we might start streaming games soon)
• Website: varianthex.com
• Email: podcast@varianthex.com

Additional Info:

Our theme music is "Shimmer" by Mr. Smith, obtained via the Free Music Archive.

"Shimmer" was made available under a public domain license. If you enjoy our theme music, please leave the artist a tip!

Aaron and Kellye discuss their picks for board game of the month. They'll talk about what they played, what they want to bring back to the table, what they don't want to play again, and select their individual board game of the month.

Find us online:

• Bluesky: @varianthex
• Instagram: @varianthex
• Twitch: @varianthex (we might start streaming games soon)
• Website: varianthex.com
• Email: podcast@varianthex.com

Additional Info:

Our theme music is "Shimmer" by Mr. Smith, obtained via the Free Music Archive.

"Shimmer" was made available under a public domain license. If you enjoy our theme music, please leave the artist a tip!

Adam and Kellye continue the Gatecrasher series with a discussion about how to learn a new game. They'll talk about the different methods and resources available to help, and what to do if you get the rules wrong.

Find us online:

• Bluesky: @varianthex
• Instagram: @varianthex
• Twitch: @varianthex (we might start streaming games soon)
• Website: varianthex.com
• Email: podcast@varianthex.com

Additional Info:

Our theme music is "Shimmer" by Mr. Smith, obtained via the Free Music Archive.

"Shimmer" was made available under a public domain license. If you enjoy our theme music, please leave the artist a tip!

Kellye and Adam continue the Gatecrasher series with a discussion about buying board games. They'll cover new and used games, bought in person or online, from big and small retailers.

Find us online:

• Bluesky: @varianthex
• Instagram: @varianthex
• Twitch: @varianthex (we might start streaming games soon)
• Website: varianthex.com
• Email: podcast@varianthex.com

Additional Info:

Our theme music is "Shimmer" by Mr. Smith, obtained via the Free Music Archive.

"Shimmer" was made available under a public domain license. If you enjoy our theme music, please leave the artist a tip!