20 Sided Gamified Podcast

Folks- I have to say- this was a very funny episode that I initially titled, "Random Musings!" You may remember a previous episode where my friend Peter Dennis and I had a fantastic conversation about wargaming. We collectively had the brilliant idea of inviting Andy Callan on the show (author of Nevermind the Billhooks, and Loose Files and American Scramble, a phenomenal game published in the very first Wargames Illustrated), set up a date, invited Cory Ring to come by, and were absolutely ready to do it! Problem is- I forgot to invite him!!!! Thus, the three of us got on Zoom and realized Andy wasn't free. So, if it sounds like Peter, Cory and I were riffing at the VERY LAST MINUTE, it's because we were! I'm still putting the episode out, regardless of how ramshackle it sounds. Please enjoy, and check out the NEXT EPISODE where I rectify my mistake!20 Sided Gamified Listeners- if you’re a fan of this show and want to support what we do, join the game at patreon.com/20SidedGamifiedPodcastLLC . I plan on changing the parameters of what we do on patreon in the near future. See you there, and don’t forget your dice!https://patreon.com/20SidedGamifiedPodcastLLCPico Armor- what do I say?  These guys are simply the best distributor when it comes to small scale, 2mm/3mm figures!  I will be showcasing their products this coming February, 2027, when I begin to use their Seven Years War figures in my classroom.  If you’re interested in their products, John and Greg are super easy to work with, and are all around great guys.  Here is a link to their website:https://picoarmor.com/?srsltid=AfmBOopjIrDqCl9yqzapPiwGGDWA3BT3NWFE3fO9n0AI2AThkmrdqd08Next, I am a huge fan of Cigar Box Battle gaming mats- so much so that they're our first paid collaboration- from one game company to another! If you are interested in checking out their lovely wargaming mats, go to their website at:https://cigarboxbattlestore.bigcartel.com/And, don't forget about our sponsor, BetterHelp! If you're interested in inquiring about what BetterHelp can offer you, please use the link below and get 10% off your first month!https://betterhelp.com/20sidedgamified

Folks- I had the pleasure of scenario designers James, Simon and Ralph from the Battle for Salvation club in West Harrison, NY. They'll be running a narrative 40k game at the annual GT this coming October. The subject- the Battle for Sagan- an interesting encounter set during the Badab War. They were a blast to chat with. If you're from the Tri-State area and have interest in playing, check out my post on IG, where you can get a QR code to sign up. Maybe you'll even see me there- maybe! Enjoy the episode!https://battleforsalvation.com/20 Sided Gamified Listeners- if you’re a fan of this show and want to support what we do, join the game at patreon.com/20SidedGamifiedPodcastLLC . I plan on changing the parameters of what we do on patreon in the near future. See you there, and don’t forget your dice!https://patreon.com/20SidedGamifiedPodcastLLCPico Armor- what do I say?  These guys are simply the best distributor when it comes to small scale, 2mm/3mm figures!  I will be showcasing their products this coming February, 2027, when I begin to use their Seven Years War figures in my classroom.  If you’re interested in their products, John and Greg are super easy to work with, and are all around great guys.  Here is a link to their website:https://picoarmor.com/?srsltid=AfmBOopjIrDqCl9yqzapPiwGGDWA3BT3NWFE3fO9n0AI2AThkmrdqd08Next, I am a huge fan of Cigar Box Battle gaming mats- so much so that they're our first paid collaboration- from one game company to another! If you are interested in checking out their lovely wargaming mats, go to their website at:https://cigarboxbattlestore.bigcartel.com/And, don't forget about our sponsor, BetterHelp! If you're interested in inquiring about what BetterHelp can offer you, please use the link below and get 10% off your first month!https://betterhelp.com/20sidedgamified

Friends- anyone who listens to this show knows how much I like the game Bloody Big Battles, by Chris Pringle. It's really a perfect classroom wargame, for all sorts of reasons. Thus- this was a great podcast to record, as I welcomed Chris back to the show, who brought author Mark Smith along for the ride! Mark wrote the Napoleonic supplement for BBB, as well as the very recently published scenario book, Bloody Big Peninsular Battles! We talk all things Napoleonics and BBB on this episode! Enjoy it!https://bloodybigbattles.blogspot.com/2026/08/bbb-peninsular-war-scenario-book.htmlhttps://onmilitarymatters.com/product/1-206636https://www.caliverbooks.com/bookview.php?a7d9cbabeb630f15c9703e3ddf3ba1bb&id=3167320 Sided Gamified Listeners- if you’re a fan of this show and want to support what we do, join the game at patreon.com/20SidedGamifiedPodcastLLC . I plan on changing the parameters of what we do on patreon in the near future. See you there, and don’t forget your dice!https://patreon.com/20SidedGamifiedPodcastLLCPico Armor- what do I say?  These guys are simply the best distributor when it comes to small scale, 2mm/3mm figures!  I will be showcasing their products this coming February, 2027, when I begin to use their Seven Years War figures in my classroom.  If you’re interested in their products, John and Greg are super easy to work with, and are all around great guys.  Here is a link to their website:https://picoarmor.com/?srsltid=AfmBOopjIrDqCl9yqzapPiwGGDWA3BT3NWFE3fO9n0AI2AThkmrdqd08Next, I am a huge fan of Cigar Box Battle gaming mats- so much so that they're our first paid collaboration- from one game company to another! If you are interested in checking out their lovely wargaming mats, go to their website at:https://cigarboxbattlestore.bigcartel.com/And, don't forget about our sponsor, BetterHelp! If you're interested in inquiring about what BetterHelp can offer you, please use the link below and get 10% off your first month!https://betterhelp.com/20sidedgamified

Folks- please enjoy this lovely chat with Manda Shafer of the Harrisburg Board Game Alliance. Besides being a strong game designer and storyteller in her own right, what truly makes Manda stand out revolves around the work she is doing in her community. Bringing together gamers from across Pennsylvania, Manda is helping to connect and unite people through the power of play. Have fun with this very special episode!20 Sided Gamified Listeners- if you’re a fan of this show and want to support what we do, join the game at patreon.com/20SidedGamifiedPodcastLLC . I plan on changing the parameters of what we do on patreon in the near future. See you there, and don’t forget your dice!https://patreon.com/20SidedGamifiedPodcastLLCPico Armor- what do I say?  These guys are simply the best distributor when it comes to small scale, 2mm/3mm figures!  I will be showcasing their products this coming February, 2027, when I begin to use their Seven Years War figures in my classroom.  If you’re interested in their products, John and Greg are super easy to work with, and are all around great guys.  Here is a link to their website:https://picoarmor.com/?srsltid=AfmBOopjIrDqCl9yqzapPiwGGDWA3BT3NWFE3fO9n0AI2AThkmrdqd08Next, I am a huge fan of Cigar Box Battle gaming mats- so much so that they're our first paid collaboration- from one game company to another! If you are interested in checking out their lovely wargaming mats, go to their website at:https://cigarboxbattlestore.bigcartel.com/And, don't forget about our sponsor, BetterHelp! If you're interested in inquiring about what BetterHelp can offer you, please use the link below and get 10% off your first month!https://betterhelp.com/20sidedgamified

Folks- this was a really exciting one for me, as the interview came together quickly. I was looking for a good classroom game about the Paris Peace Conference, and stumbled across GMT's Versailles 1919. After perusing the rules I immediately knew it would work, and reached out to GMT about a potential interview with two famed designers- Mark Herman, and Geoff Engelstein. If you listen to this episode for even 5 minutes, you'll quickly see that these two are masters at their craft- and New Yorkers to boot! Mark showed up a little late (probably because of me I'm sure) which made the interview even more exciting- it was kind of like Batman making his appearance! Please enjoy the episode, and check out the link below to get yourself a copy of the game.Please note- this episode is coming out a week early, that way it gives you a chance to hear about what Geoff is doing at Gencon 2026- we'll get back on our regular posting schedule sooner rather than later!https://www.gmtgames.com/p-711-versailles-1919.aspx20 Sided Gamified Listeners- if you’re a fan of this show and want to support what we do, join the game at patreon.com/20SidedGamifiedPodcastLLC . I plan on changing the parameters of what we do on patreon in the near future. See you there, and don’t forget your dice!https://patreon.com/20SidedGamifiedPodcastLLCPico Armor- what do I say?  These guys are simply the best distributor when it comes to small scale, 2mm/3mm figures!  I will be showcasing their products this coming February, 2027, when I begin to use their Seven Years War figures in my classroom.  If you’re interested in their products, John and Greg are super easy to work with, and are all around great guys.  Here is a link to their website:https://picoarmor.com/?srsltid=AfmBOopjIrDqCl9yqzapPiwGGDWA3BT3NWFE3fO9n0AI2AThkmrdqd08Next, I am a huge fan of Cigar Box Battle gaming mats- so much so that they're our first paid collaboration- from one game company to another! If you are interested in checking out their lovely wargaming mats, go to their website at:https://cigarboxbattlestore.bigcartel.com/And, don't forget about our sponsor, BetterHelp! If you're interested in inquiring about what BetterHelp can offer you, please use the link below and get 10% off your first month!https://betterhelp.com/20sidedgamified

Friends- please enjoy this conversation with Taylor Shuss, game designer extraordinaire! Taylor is most well known for his game "Stonewall Uprising", a fascinating game which hits on two very important factors- a) it is fun and well designed and b) it gives players a chance to learn some history- in this case, the story of LGBTQ+ rights, and the fight for equal protection under the law. Taylor and I got into many other topics as well- it was a great chat. I hope you get something out of this one!20 Sided Gamified Listeners- if you’re a fan of this show and want to support what we do, join the game at patreon.com/20SidedGamifiedPodcastLLC . I plan on changing the parameters of what we do on patreon in the near future. See you there, and don’t forget your dice!https://patreon.com/20SidedGamifiedPodcastLLCNext, I am a huge fan of Cigar Box Battle gaming mats- so much so that they're our first paid collaboration- from one game company to another! If you are interested in checking out their lovely wargaming mats, go to their website at:https://cigarboxbattlestore.bigcartel.com/And, don't forget about our sponsor, BetterHelp! If you're interested in inquiring about what BetterHelp can offer you, please use the link below and get 10% off your first month!https://betterhelp.com/20sidedgamified

Max Brooks. Daveed Gartenstein-Ross. Do I have to say anything else? If I do- here goes- Max totally redefined and added to the genre of "zombies" with his groundbreaking novels (The Zombie Survival Guide, World War Z). Daveed- the CEO of Expert Theory- a company which I believe is redefining the design and implementation of simulations in the professional world. Together, they worked designed a zombie apocalypse simulation (which is also being turned into a commercial game), refereed by Max, which plays beautifully, and puts folks into major decision making situations. This episode, to me, was one of my favorite to record. Please enjoy!https://www.maxbrooks.com/https://www.experttheory.com/20 Sided Gamified Listeners- if you’re a fan of this show and want to support what we do, join the game at patreon.com/20SidedGamifiedPodcastLLC . I plan on changing the parameters of what we do on patreon in the near future. See you there, and don’t forget your dice!https://patreon.com/20SidedGamifiedPodcastLLCFriends of the Show:Pico Armor- One of my favorite small scale companies- arguably the best in the business when it comes to 3mm sculpts. Greg and John absolutely hooked me up with some beautiful 3mm Seven Years War figures, which I'll be using in my classroom February 2027. Check out the link below to see their offerings!https://picoarmor.com/?srsltid=AfmBOoqAkLNqCsqHj-cJByaZzcEjufjVxavf_ui5ivFK48ogxEjcL1sTI am a huge fan of Cigar Box Battle gaming mats- so much so that they're our first paid collaboration- from one game company to another! If you are interested in checking out their lovely wargaming mats, go to their website at:https://cigarboxbattlestore.bigcartel.com/And, don't forget about our sponsor, BetterHelp! If you're interested in inquiring about what BetterHelp can offer you, please use the link below and get 10% off your first month!https://betterhelp.com/20sidedgamified

Folks- the interview you're about to listen to, in my mind, was one of the most fascinating I've ever recorded. Expert Theory is really doing revolutionizing work using traditional methods coupled with an intelligent AI platform. Eleanor and Jesse were wonderful to talk with- we hit it off immediately and had a lovely conversation. We've never really tackled the use (or even the potential use) of AI in game design here on the pod- this was a first! Please enjoy the conversation! Check out the Expert Theory website below.https://www.experttheory.com/20 Sided Gamified Listeners- if you’re a fan of this show and want to support what we do, join the game at patreon.com/20SidedGamifiedPodcastLLC . I plan on changing the parameters of what we do on patreon in the near future. See you there, and don’t forget your dice!https://patreon.com/20SidedGamifiedPodcastLLCNext, I am a huge fan of Cigar Box Battle gaming mats- so much so that they're our first paid collaboration- from one game company to another! If you are interested in checking out their lovely wargaming mats, go to their website at:https://cigarboxbattlestore.bigcartel.com/And, don't forget about our sponsor, BetterHelp! If you're interested in inquiring about what BetterHelp can offer you, please use the link below and get 10% off your first month!https://betterhelp.com/20sidedgamified