Gaia Project, Zombie Kidz Evolution, Wavelength, Guest: Oliver Millin

Aug 4, 2020

On this episode of the Board Game BBQ, Sarah is joined by Def and Dan to talk about heavy games, light games, and everything in between. In our Sizzling Games, Def wows us with the epic Gaia Project, Dan (and his son) battle the undead in Zombie Kidz Evolution, and Sarah has been trying to get everyone onto her wavelength in, er… Wavelength.

We also introduce a new segment: Beyond the Board, an interview series where we speak to interesting people in the board gaming community. This week we spoke with Oliver Millin, a Melbourne board game designer who has been working on his pet project, Matchbox Empires, for over two years. We discuss his inspiration for the game, and learn about its mechanics, but also enjoy a greater discussion about prototypes and playtesting.

There’s not a lot of Kickstarter action between the team this week, so instead Def breaks down the heavily-backed Nemesis for us. Meanwhile, Dan has backed the fun-sounding Roll Camera!: The Filmmaking Board Game.

We reveal the winner of the most recent Board Game Bracket: Aeons End Legacy vs Azul, before announcing the next match-up: Through The Ages vs Dead of Winter. It’s Dan vs Def in this one and only one game can be victorious. Make sure your favourite goes through to the next round by casting your vote on all of our socials.

Swear An Oath is such an important segment – it’s when out team stand before each other and our listeners and vow to honor the Board Game Gods by playing a game from our #shelfofshame. Which is why it is so disappointing when one of our own fails to respect the code and fulfill their oath. Okay, that was a bit heavy-handed – basically Sarah didn’t have time to play Race For the Galaxy: Alien Artifacts this week. But she does make amends by doubling-down on her oath and adding Papayoo to the list. Meanwhile Dan played both Stuffed Fables and Fox In The Forest Duet, and Def played Tzolk’in. The lads then add Back In Time (Dan) and Viticulture (Def) to their oaths.

You can find more info about Oliver’s game Matchbox Empires, and support him on his journey to fulfilling his dream, by visiting his on his Instagram or on his website.

Sizzling Games: Gaia Project (3:03), Zombie Kidz Evolution (10:05), Wavelength (17:44)
Beyond The Board: Oliver Millan – Game Designer (24:37)
Kickstarter (57:17)
Board Game Bracket (1:09:59)
Swear An Oath (1:23:42)

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Has this episode left you with a thirst for more? Here are all of the games that we discussed:

Gaia Project (2017)

Zombie Kidz Evolution (2018)

Ghost Fighting Treasure Hunters (2013)

Labyrinth (1986)

Wavelength (2019)

Perseverance (2021)

Nemesis(2018)

Nemesis: Lockdown (2021)

Roll Camera!: The Filmmaking Board Game (2020)

My City (2020)

Cosmic Encounter (2008)

Gizmos (2018)

Hungry Hungry Hippos (1978)

Dead of Winter (2014)

Through The Ages (2015)

Race For The Galaxy: Alien Artifacts (2013)

Papayoo (2010)

Tzolk’in (2012)

Viticulture (2015)

The Fox In The Forest Duet (2020)

Stuffed Fables (2018)

Back To The Future: Back In Time (2020)