Sinopsis
Five old friends of more than 20 years come together to produce a high quality, bi-weekly podcast about tabletop gaming of all kinds: board games, card games, miniatures, role-playing games and much more. In each episode you can expect board game reviews, gaming industry news and round-table discussions. The Founders, Jamie, Tony, Chris, Steve and Brian, each have varying tastes in gaming to provide a variety of viewpoints. Since 2011, over 100 full length episodes and now more with our new additional show, The Secret Cabal Express, The Secret Cabal has grown to one of the most successful tabletop gaming podcasts in the community. The Founders continue striving to offer irreverent entertainment, thoughtful commentary and enthusiasm about a hobby we love. Topics include discussion of games from publishers such as Asmodee, Cool Mini or Not, Fantasy Fight Games, Wizards of the Coast, Z-Man Games, Days of Wonder, Games Workshop, Plaid Hat Games and more.
Episodios
-
Episode 232: Monumental and Analysis Paralysis and Downtime
02/06/2021 Duración: 03h09minThe Secret Cabal's 2021 Fundraiser is live on Kickstarter right now! In today's episode the Founders jump into talking about a bunch of great games we've been playing including Imperium: Classics, Destinies, Stay Cool, The Initiative, Sagrada, and Dungeon Twister. Then Jamie, Chris, Steve and Don dive into a feature review of Monumental designed by Matthew Dunstan and published by Funforge. Tony T, as always, rounded up a list of the most important tabletop gaming news stories you'll find while the rest of the guys chatter away with their thoughts. Then finally the boys discuss Analysis Paralysis and Downtime and how it affects gameplay. Monumental Overview 01:02:24, Monumental Review 01:07:16, News with Tony T 01:41:09, Analysis Paralysis and Downtime 02:26:14
-
Express 73: Tabletop Trends and Gaming Guts
26/05/2021 Duración: 59minIn episode 73 Tony, Don and Jamie jump into a discussion about the Pokemon and Trading Card frenzy going on at Wal-Mart. They discuss a video featuring a swarm of savages descending upon the trading card section and causing a scene. Then the gang discusses Tabletop Trends and Gaming Guts - when a good thing because a fad in the gaming community and when that fad turns into an all-out gut.
-
Episode 231: Nidavellir, Chimera Station and a Short Topic Extravaganza
19/05/2021 Duración: 03h17minDon't Forget The Secret Cabal's 2021 Fundraiser Launching on Wedneday June 2nd! The Gang is back again for another dose of meshugenah nonsense and gaming chatter including Expedition to Newdale, Trick Shot, Paranormal Detective, Merchants Cove, Lions of Lydia, and Lost Ruins of Arnak. Then Don, Chris and Jamie jump into a full review of Nidavellir designed by Serge Laget and look back at both Chimera Station and Star Trek Ascendency one year later. And of course, Tony T is all fired up to give you the most important net stories from round the gaming verse. The Founders round out the episode with a Short Topic Extravaganza including discussion on online gaming platforms, animated movies and TV shows and how to use board games for team building events. Nidavellir Overview 01:02:05, Nidavellir Review 01:06:22, Chimera Station Look Back 01:35:53, Star Trek Ascendency Look Back 01:40:01, News with Tony T 01:45:42, Short Topic Extravaganza 02:39:34
-
Lords of the Dungeon 50: Warhammer Fantasy Roleplay and Our Game Group Reboot
12/05/2021 Duración: 59minIn episode 50, The Lords celebrate because they're finally getting back together to game in person after more than a year of online gaming! Then they take a question from a listener asking them what they like about the Warhammer Fantasy Roleplay RPG setting. And finally, they discuss when they do get back together for in-person gaming, what things can they do to enhance the experience so that its more fun than it has ever been?
-
Episode 230: Deranged and Returning to Normalcy
05/05/2021 Duración: 03h04minAwwww yeah! It's time for another dose of Secret Cabal Insubordinate Nonsense! Today the gang starts out by talking about 2021 being the 10th anniversary year and promoting their upcoming Kickstarter on June 2nd. Then they dive into the games they've been playing including Red Rising, Stacadia Quest, SpellTable, 50 Clues The Pendulum of the Dead, Cavemen: Quest for Fire and Mr. Jack. Then Don, Steve and Jamie jump into a feature review of Deranged from designer German Tikhomirov and published by Hobby World. Then, of course, Tony T gets busy with the biggest and best tabletop gaming news review of all time and the other Founders give their valued thoughts on the topics of the day. And finally, the gang gets into talking about all the great games they're excited to play now that we're all vaccinated up and ready to get back to gaming in person! Deranged Overview 01:05:14, Deranged Review 01:09:44, News with Tony T 01:36:44, Returning To Normalcy 02:28:37
-
Express 72: The Four Types of Immersion
28/04/2021 Duración: 01h07minIn episode 72 Chris, Don and Jamie discuss the four types of immersion as defined in the book "Patterns In Game Design" by Staffan Björk and Jussi Holopainen. The four types include Sensory-motoric Immersion, Cognitive Immersion, Emotional Immersion and Spatial Immersion. The gang talks about how each of these traditionally video game related categories relate to tabletop gaming.
-
Episode 229: After the Empire, Viticulture and Two Truths and a Lie
21/04/2021 Duración: 02h55minThe Founders are back again for some meshugenah nonsense in episode 229! Today the gang talks about some games they've been playing which include Blitz Bowl Season 2, Endangered, Broom Service, Sherlock Files, Tribond and Beyond the Sun. Then Jamie and Don dive into a feature review of After the Empire from Grey Fox Games and look back at Viticulture Essentials edition from Stonemaier Games one year later. Then Tony T does what Tony T does best - giving you the best damned tabletop gaming news roundup in all of tabletop gaming while the rest of the guys chirp in the background. And finally, the gang take a break from gaming conversation to tell some stories from their pasts while playing Two Truths and a Lie! After the Empire Overview 00:55:05, After the Empire Review 00:59:02, Viticulture Look Back 01:24:21, News with Tony T 01:31:36, Two Truths and a Lie 02:11:15
-
Lords of the Dungeon 49: Making Skills More Exciting and Our Favorite RPG Moments
14/04/2021 Duración: 01h07minIn episode 49, Bender talks about his new Star Trek Adventures Campaign and Jamie and the gang discuss Cyberpunk Red. Then the Lords take a question from a listener regarding making game systems and skills more exciting. Then finally the group tells their favorite gaming stories and discuss why they were fun momeents.
-
Episode 228: Res Arcana, Underwater Cities and a Short Topic Extravaganza
07/04/2021 Duración: 03h01minHey Now Cabalists! It's time for your weekly dose of board gaming nonsense from the kings of nonsense and board games, The Secret Cabal Founders! Today the gang gives wishes Tony T a happy birthday and allows him to talk about microplastics and then we jump into the games we've been playing including Glass Road, Tiny Towns and it's Fortune expansion, Magic Legends on PC, Merlin, Labyrinthos and Gloomier. Then Don and Jamie jump into a feature review of an amazing game from Tom Lehmann, Res Arcana and look back at Vladimír Suchý's Underwater Cities. Then Tony T goes absolutely bananas with this well-rounded tabletop gaming news segment. And finally, the gang hosts a short topic extravaganza in which they discuss reprints, what real life jobs would make great board games and the best way to adapt video games to board games. Res Arcana Overview 00:58:36, Res Arcana Review 01:01:15, Underwater Cities Look Back 01:23:52, News with Tony T 01:29:46, Short Topic Extravaganza 02:17:11
-
Battletome Vol 2: Monsterpocalypse and Games Miniatures Gamers and Board Gamers can Play Together
31/03/2021 Duración: 02h14minEnter, Ye Gods of War! In Volume Two of Battletome, a podcast about the miniatures gaming hobby! Bender, Aaron and Jamie discuss all the games and hobby project they've been getting into lately including Warhammer 40k, Age of Sigmar, Flames of War, Gaslands and Lasting Tales. Then Aaron and Jamie give a full review of Privateer Press's kaiju brawling game, Monsterpocalypse! Then Don and Steve join Jamie and Aaron to discuss games that miniatures gamers and board gamers can play together, and both get their fix.
-
Express 71: The Cost and Value of Board Games
24/03/2021 Duración: 55minIn episode 71 Tony, Jamie and Don discuss the components, gameplay, designer credit, publisher and many other factors that contribute to the cost of and perceived value of board games.
-
Episode 227: Hallertau, Clinic and The Founders Play Insider
17/03/2021 Duración: 03h03minThe Founders are back for your weekly dose of Secret Cabal Gaming Action and nonsense! Today the gang starts out by talking about the first them most of them have been together in person in a long long time as they fulfill the 2020 Kickstarter rewards for all the Cabalists! Then they dive into some games they've been playing including Nusfjord, Guilds of London, Anachrony, Victim: The Cursed Forest and MicroMacro: Crime City. Then, Jamie, Tony Chris and Don host a feature review of the new Uwe Rosenburg game, Hallertau from Lookout Games and Look Back at Clinic from AV Studio Games. Then after Tony T gives you the most meshugenah tabletop gaming news roundup you'll ever year the Founders play four rounds of Insider by Oink Games. Hallertau Overview 00:51:50, Hallertau Review 00:58:45, Clinic Look Back 01:27:21, News with Tony T 01:34:02, The Founders Play Insider 02:24:55
-
Lords of the Dungeon 48: Where Did It All Go Wrong?
10/03/2021 Duración: 01h08minIn episode 48, Jamie tries to justify pledging to the Zombicide Undead or Alive Kickstarter by asking the gang if they'd like to play in an old west roleplaying game like Deadlands... so he can use the miniatures. Then the Lords take a question from a listener regarding arguments in the group resulting campaign gridlock. And finally, the gang talks about Where Did It All Go Wrong? When campaigns, players and game masters screw up, make bad choices or just walk the wrong way and it all goes downhill from there.
-
Episode 226: Grand Austria Hotel, Chronicle of Crime and Managing a Game Collection
03/03/2021 Duración: 02h48minHey Now Cabalists! In episode 226 the Founders begin by talking about Chris' Shelf Disaster Watch 2021 and the pool started by the Board Game Geek Cabalists and then jump into some games they've been playing including Hallertau with a surprise visit from Judge Topper, Favor of the Pharaoh, Trekking The World, H. H. Holmes Murder Castle, Fake Artist Goes to New York and Charterstone Campaign Update from Tony. Then Don and Jamie dive into a feature review of Grand Austria Hotel from Lookout Games and a look back at Chronicle of Crime from Lucky Duck Games. Tony T is back on the scene with another groundbreaking tabletop gaming news segment while the rest of the guys chatter in the background. And Finally the Founders discuss managing a game collection and culling games from said collection. Grand Austria Hotel Overview 01:03:11, Grand Austria Hotel Review 01:07:51, Chronicle of Crime Look Back 01:31:50, News with Tony T 01:38:38, Managing a Game Collection 02:20:08
-
Express 70: Mystery Board Games with Dan King the Game Boy Geek
24/02/2021 Duración: 56minIn episode 70 Jamie and Steve welcome Honorary Founder Dan King the Game Boy Geek to talk about Dan's currently running Kickstarter Campaign, his causal game recommendations for Jamie's family, Jamie's top three Dan King recommendations and Mystery Board Games.
-
Episode 225: Dwellings of Eldervale, Puerto Rico and a Short Topic Extravaganza
17/02/2021 Duración: 03h22minIt's that time again for another Cabal episode and this time the gang rattles off a bunch of great games the Founders have been playing including The Shining, Bloodborne, Tapestry, Renature, Dice Throne Adventures and By Stealth and Sea. Then Don and Jamie jump into the feature review segment to talk about the brand-new hotness everyone is chirping about, Dwellings of Eldervale and look back at a classic board game everyone should play at least once, Puerto Rico. And of course, as always, Tony T goes bananas in his world-renowned tabletop gaming news segment. And finally, the boys tackle some questions from listeners including topic such as, how has Kickstarter changed us positively and negatively, is the cult of the new a board game only thing and what are some great hidden gems that no one is talking about. Dwellings of Eldervale Overview 01:11:31, Dwellings of Eldervale Review 01:14:34, Puerto Rico Look Back 01:35:15, News with Tony T 01:39:43, Short Topic Extravaganza 02:31:53
-
Lords of the Dungeon 47: Problems All Tabletop Role Playing Gamers Experience
10/02/2021 Duración: 58minIn episode 47, Bender starts out by talking about his Muppets in space Star Wars campaign and has chosen to switch gaming systems to Star Wars Edge of the Empire from Fantasy Flight Games. Then the Lords take a series of questions form listeners describing problems situations that many role playing groups experience and how they've dealt with them in the past.
-
Episode 224: Praga Caput Regni, Flotilla, Maracaibo and Movies, TV and Board Games
03/02/2021 Duración: 03h01minThe Founders are back for another jam-packed episode of The Cabal. The gang jumps into a bunch of games they've been playing including Dice Throne Adventures, Biblios, Risk Legacy update, Etherfields and Slay the Spire. Then Jamie, Don and Chris get into a feature review of Praga Caput Regni by Vladimír Suchý and a double header look back of both Flotilla and Maracaibo. Then after Tony T's news segment, the Founders discuss movies tv shows and intellectual property board games. Praga Caput Regni Overview 00:51:34, Praga Caput Regni Review 00:56:21, Flotilla Look Back 01:18:41, Maracaibo Look Back 01:22:32, News with Tony T 01:25:28, Movies, TV and Board Games 02:16:08
-
Express 69: Theme, Lore and Backstory in Tabletop Games
27/01/2021 Duración: 55minIn episode 69 Jamie, Steve and Aaron start out by talking about some video games they've been playing lately including, Slay the Spire and Hell Let Loose and transion into a long discussion about how theme, lore and backstory can enrich the gameplay of many tabletop games.
-
Episode 223: Aliens: Another Glorious Day in the Corps and A Short Topic Extravaganza
20/01/2021 Duración: 02h56minHey Now Cabalists, the Founders are back for another installment of your favorite 3-hour dose of insubordinate nonsense! Today the gang chats up a bunch of awesome games including Risk: Legacy, The Shores of Tripoli, Dwellings of Eldervale, What Do You Meme?, Survive Escape from Atlantis and Tidal Blades: Heroes of the Reef. Then we jump right into a feature review of Aliens: Another Glorious Day in the Corps from Gale Force Nine. Tony T is on point yet again with the most astounding tabletop gaming news segment in the history of tabletop gaming media and the rest of the guys ruin it by cracking wise and pointing out all the mispronunciations. And the crew wraps up the show with another Short Topic Extravaganza featuring the topics of how to make a top 50 favorite games list, do we keep stats of our plays and do the Founders enjoy new games or old games better. Aliens: Another Glorious Day in the Corps Imperium Overview 01:00:37, Aliens: Another Glorious Day in the Corps Review 01:06:14, News with Tony T 01:3