Shows / Pick Up and Deliver
Pick Up and Deliver
A brief podcast about hobby board games, recorded by English professor Brendan Riley on brief 15 minute walks around town. Join us for a stroll as we discuss mechanisms, gameplay, theory, and topics of the day.
Find show notes at RattleboxGames.com
Episodes
Pick Up and DeliverSesquicentennial Q&A
Brendan answers questions from the PUaD guild over on boardgame geek to commemorate the 150th episode of the podcast.
Pick Up and DeliverPulling Your Punches
Episode 149: Brendan shares his philosophy and thinking about intentionally playing less than optimally. He ponders three phrases for this idea: "sandbagging,"…
Pick Up and DeliverEnd Game
Pick Up and Deliver Episode 148: End Game - Brendan talks about the challenge of creating a game that's fun to play but also has a satisfying narrative arc and…
Pick Up and DeliverA Flight of Games
Episode 147 - Brendan gives very quick takes on five different games, and covers a couple other topics of recent news.
Pick Up and DeliverBoard Game Clubs
In Episode 146, Brendan shares his thinking about how his favorite regular board game night works and what approaches they take to keep and grow members.
Pick Up and DeliverTop of the Stack, May 2019
Episode 145: Brendan shares his "top of the stack" report for the beginning of May, telling us a bit about what he played and a bit about what he plans to play…
Pick Up and DeliverBlocking
In Episode 144: Brendan shares a discussion of what it means to have to block someone in a game, and his thinking about what it means to have to do so.
Pick Up and DeliverGames of Interest/ Want List Update, April 2019
Episode 143: Brendan shares his updated Top Want List and Games of Interest lists -- these are games he's interested in and/or games he wants to buy. Join us…
Pick Up and DeliverCapital Gaming - Triple Shot
Episode 142 - Brendan shares his experiences trying three games during his trip to Washington D.C. - Oceans, Tiny Towns, and K2.
Pick Up and DeliverDIceland Gaming
In Episode 141, Brendan shares his gaming experiences from his recent trip to Iceland - games, stores, and playing with the locals.
Pick Up and DeliverHave Games, Will Travel
In Episode 140, Brendan shares his plans for which games he will bring on his trip to Iceland -- games that pack small and play well with one or two only.
Pick Up and DeliverTwo Short Topics
Episode 140: Two Short Topics. Brendan shares brief discussions of two short topics - the ongoing experience of Terraforming Mars and a chat he had with his…
Pick Up and DeliverExpand YourShelf
Episode 138: Brendan shares the contents of his new adjunct shelf of opportunity just for expansions, which he’s calling “Expand YourShelf.”
Pick Up and DeliverShootin' from the Hip: Underwater Cities
In episode 137, Brendan shares some thoughts about a game he has just tried and learned, Underwater Cities, from PUaD beloved designer Vladimir Suchy.
Pick Up and DeliverOne and Not Done
In Episode 136, Brendan talks about four games that survive cull after cull even though he has only played them once. Check out these four games he wants to…
Pick Up and DeliverTop of the Stack, April 2019
Episode 135: Brendan shares the top of the stack report for the beginning of April, giving you a sense of what he played in March.
Pick Up and DeliverShootin from the Hip: Transatlantic, NMBR 9, Hellboy Jealousy
In Episode 134, Brendan shares a new segment where he reflects on his own jealousy of other gamers, gives a quick response to a new game, and does a “Shootin’…
Pick Up and DeliverBoard Game Sommelier - Spring
Episode 133 - It's the return of the Board Game Sommelier segment. Brendan explores several themes related to SPRING, suggests films to watch that engage with…
Pick Up and DeliverOld Games Anew
Episode 132 - Old Games Anew. Brendan talks a bit about what he's been playing, particularly older games he's revisited in the last few weeks.
Pick Up and DeliverEscape Room Games
In Episode 131, Brendan shares a brief discussion of five different "escape room" tabletop games, comparing the experience and describing what they are like to…
Pick Up and DeliverEstablished Creative Worlds
Episode 130: What makes us enjoy games that are built on pre-established creative worlds (“Intellectual Property” games)? Brendan shares his thoughts on the…
Pick Up and DeliverTriple Shot 2: Reykholt, Holding On, Roll for It!
In Episode 129, "Triple Shot 2 - Reykholt, Holding On, Roll for It!" Brendan shares quick responses to three games he played for the first time over the…
Pick Up and DeliverTop of the Stack, March 2019
In Episode 128, "Top of the Stack, March 2019," Brendan shares the overview of his February game experiences. Check out the Top of the Stack 2019 Geeklist. New…
Pick Up and DeliverBoard Game Snobbery
In Episode 127: Board Game Snobbery, Brendan shares his experience at the Board Game Club for which he serves as faculty adviser, and the thoughts it gave him…
Pick Up and DeliverWhat Games to Bring...
In Episode 126, Brendan shares his thinking about bringing games to a game group when he doesn’t know the size of the group, the hobby-level of the group, or…
Pick Up and DeliverShootin' from the Hip, Feb 2019
In Episode 125, Brendan shares his quick thoughts after a first play of four different games: New York 1901 League of Six Comanauts A Handful of Stars What new…
Pick Up and DeliverWriting Better Rulebooks
In Episode 124, Brendan shares some lessons he’s learned as he studied the particularly difficult-to-parse rulebook for A Handful of Stars. Sherlock Holmes…
Pick Up and DeliverAn Ideal Game Day
Episode 123: Brendan ponders a difficult question from the Pick Up and Deliver Guild: if you could have any game group you’d like and choose the games, what…
Pick Up and DeliverQuick Questions
PUaD Episode 122: Brendan shares some answers to a few brief questions that were posted in the BoardGameGeek guild this weekend. #3269 Games I played this…
Pick Up and DeliverDUEL - London vs. Wingspan
PUaD Episode 121: Brendan explores the similarities between London and Wingspan, two engine building games that he's playing a lot this year.
Pick Up and DeliverTop of the Stack, Feb 2019
Episode 120: Brendan shares his “Top of the Stack” update for February 2019. Show notes: See the whole Top of the Stack post over on BoardGameGeek. Betrayal…
Pick Up and DeliverQ and A
PUaD 119: Brendan answers a question from the PUaD forum and talks about Lord of the Rings: Journeys in Middle Earth, The Arkham Horror Card Game, and Hellboy.
Pick Up and DeliverBoard Game Concierge - Winter
PUaD 118: Brendan shares his board game pairings to accompany films or novels about this episode’s topic: Winter.
Pick Up and DeliverSeason 2
Episode 117: Here at the beginning of January 2019, we start season 2 of PICK UP AND DELIVER. Brendan leaps back into it with a bit of "games I've been…
Pick Up and DeliverTriple Shot
PUaD 116: Brendan discusses three games he’s recently played, each one only once, and his first impressions thereof. The games: Kings of Air and Steam 1960…
Pick Up and DeliverHomer Simpson Car
PUaD 115:Brendan responds to a listener question about the "Homer Simpson Car" game he would like to see. Things Brendan would include: Asymmetry Hidden…
Pick Up and DeliverTop of the Stack, Dec 2018
Episode 114: Brendan shares his monthly gaming update, including his 10x10 progress, his new games played, and other news. November 2018 Top of the Stack entry…
Pick Up and DeliverState of the Podcast, Nov 2018
PUaD 113: Brendan shares his thoughts on the future of the Pick Up and Deliver podcast. Have feedback or thoughts about how we should continue? Let us know…
Pick Up and DeliverOn the Table, November 2018
PUaD 112: Brendan shares games he played in the first half of November. Game discussed: Epic Resort What have you been playing lately? Join us over on…
Pick Up and DeliverQ and A
PUaD 111: Brendan answers a question posed in the Q&A forum over on Boardgame geek. Have some questions you want Brendan to answer for next month? Join us over…
Pick Up and DeliverShootin' from the Hip - AuZtralia
PUaD 110: Brendan shares his early thoughts on the new Martin Wallace game, AuZtralia. AuZtralia A Study in Emerald Have you tried AuZtralia? What do you think…
Pick Up and DeliverOn Swimming, revisited
PUaD 109: Brendan returns to a theme from an early episode -- swimming as a game -- to talk about how the different experiences of officiating swimming taps…
Pick Up and DeliverTop of the Stack, Nov 2018
Episode 108: Brendan shares his top of the stack report from November, filling you in on gameplays from October. Brendan’s Top of the Stack list The Mind Synod…
Pick Up and DeliverRules Blunders
Episode 107: Brendan talks about how easy it is to make serious mistakes when you play a game.
Pick Up and DeliverWant List Update
Episode 106: Brendan shares the latest updates to his top buy list, reflecting some of the exciting new games coming out of Essen this year. Brendan’s Top Want…
Pick Up and DeliverStanding Up Game
Episode 105: Brendan does a little brainstorming about a multi-use card game played standing up. What will it be like? Join us to find out. Show notes…
Pick Up and DeliverProtospiel, part 2
Episode 104: Brendan continues reflecting on the experience at Protospiel Chicago 2018. Pick Up and Deliver 097: Protospiel plans Pick Up and Deliver 101…
Pick Up and DeliverOn the Table, October 2018
Episode 103: Brendan discusses some of the games he's played in the first half of October. The Mind Welcome to... SKULL Secret Hitler Two Rooms and a Boom…
Pick Up and DeliverShootin' from the Hip - SMILE and INNOVATION
Episode 102: Brendan discusses two games he’s tried for the first time recently, Smile and Innovation. He gives his first impressions. Smile Innovation Have…
Pick Up and DeliverProtospiel, part 1
Episode 101: An episode recorded back in September, Brendan shares the first part of his reflection on the Protospiel playtesting event Rattlebox Games…
Pick Up and Deliver100: Look Back 1-99
Brendan looks back at the last 99 episodes and picks out his favorite 10. Enjoy! 10. How well do you know your gaming partners? (Episode 75) 9. On Collecting…
Pick Up and Deliver099: Q and A, October 2018
Brendan answers more questions from the Boardgame Geek guild, #3269. Question: how do you organize your game shelves? Take a look at how I organize my game…
Pick Up and Deliver098: Board Game Sommelier
Introducing a new segment, the Board Game Sommelier, in which Brendan pairs games with other popular media to recommend an evening of entertainment. This…
Pick Up and Deliver097: Protospiel Plans
Brendan discusses his plans for the upcoming Protospiel game development conference. Games discussed: Something Wakes in the Forest Hearts Scythe Have you been…
Pick Up and Deliver096: Top of the Stack Oct 2018
Brendan updates the listening audience on his Top of the Stack challenge and his 10 x 10 challenge. Join us. Top of the Stack Colony Nightmare! Buffy the…
Pick Up and Deliver095: Wishlist Update Sept 2018
Brendan shares his current wishlist and recent Kickstarter interests. Join us to drool over games that are coming! Show notes: View the current wish list…
Pick Up and Deliver094: The Lost Expedition
Brendan discusses solo games he enjoys a lot. Show notes: Friday Onirim Castellion Hostage Negotiator The Lost Expedition What solo games do you enjoy? Pop…
Pick Up and Deliver093: Digitally-Assisted Games
Brendan talks about games that use digital assistance and the old VHS game Nightmare. What makes an interactive game like this fun, and how would a new game…
Pick Up and Deliver092: Raids (Shootin' from the Hip)
Brendan gives his early reactions to a new game from Iello publishing, RAIDS. Show notes: Elysium Raids Tokaido Have you had a chance to play RAIDS? What do…
Pick Up and Deliver091: On the Table - mid-September 2018
Brendan shares what he's been playing during the first half of the month. Show notes: Colony Axis and Allies Azul Bärenpark Sagrada Gloomhaven TIME Stories…