RDG Tabletalk

This week, we fully embrace the chaos and talk about why we do what we do. We share how Royal Dachshund Games came to be, why podcasting lets us finally have endless board game conversations without a caption limit, and shout out friends who inspired Emerson to take on a new challenge in 2026. We also applaud Emily’s massive technical glow-up (she now likes comments on purpose), while noting she still refuses to learn a game without her trusty, noble husband nearby.
 
Some gaming friends we'd like to shoutout and you can find on Instagram are:
@spaghettiandmeeples
@saraalwaysloses
@bettermoodboardgames
@timchuon
 
Thanks for listening! Follow us on Instagram @royal_dachshund_games for more board game content. Want to collaborate or just say hi? Shoot us an email at royal.dachshund.games@gmail.com

Does AI have a place in the board gaming hobby? In this episode, we dig into the pros and cons of AI’s growing influence- from game design and generated art, to its impact on artists and the community as a whole. We talk consumer responsibility, “voting with your money,” crediting original creators, and somehow, eventually, end up asking the most important question of all: what candy bar did Charlie Bucket buy with his winning golden ticket?

Are price hikes and “fake” discounts becoming the new normal? We kick off today’s episode by calling out misleading sales and debating whether holiday deals actually save you money anymore— or just look good on a tag.
Then, we hit the table with two Reiner Knizia designs: Iliad and Ichor, to explore a classic board game question: symmetry or asymmetry? We break down how each game approaches player balance, decision-making, and tension, and why those differences can completely change the way a game feels. If you enjoy thoughtful strategy, clever design choices, and a bit of tabletop debate, this episode is for you!
Huge thanks to @BitwewingGames for sending us review copies! All thoughts and opinions expressed in this episode remain fully our own.

In this episode, we take a deep dive into Santorini (2nd Edition), the elegant, abstract strategy game that pairs simple rules with deep, tactical decision-making. We discuss some of the matches we played, how the iconic god powers shaped each match, and whether the game still holds up as a must-play for both casual and competitive players. Is Santorini a timeless classic or does it show its age? Let’s find out! 

Spiel Essen 2025 hit hard… and so did our FOMO. In this episode, we break down everything we assume went down in Germany this year, share the standout titles that had us drooling from afar, and make a bold promise: we’re finally attending a board game convention in 2026! Emerson faces a board-game-con quiz, we revisit the games that fueled our envy, and yes… we genuinely debate whether you can get through a convention center’s security with a microwave... (Don’t ask why. Just go with it.)
If you couldn’t make it to Essen either, this episode is basically your emotional support recap. Let’s unpack the FOMO together.

In this episode, we discuss Kalypso, a survival focused tile-drafting game wrapped in gorgeous, atmospheric art. We explore how its holdfast system is either a successful risk or an epic fail, why its solo, co-op, and competitive modes all genuinely shine, and how this design confidently weathers any storm thrown its way. 
 
Huge thanks to @InsideUp Games for sending us a review copy! All thoughts and opinions expressed in this episode remain fully our own.

If you’ve ever wanted a game to judge your multitasking skills, Tianxia has officially entered the chat. We explore how its action timing, resource webs, and layered scoring tracks create meaningful decisions from start to finish. We break down the game’s pacing, interaction, and overall design to help you decide if this crunchy puzzle is your kind of challenge.
Huge thanks to @Board & Dice for sending us a review copy! All thoughts and opinions expressed in this episode remain fully our own.

We’re taking our turns among the stars in this celestial episode! Twinkle Twinkle (and its How I Wonder & Extraterrestrials mini expansions) brings open drafting, clever turn order decisions, and satisfying pattern building to the table. We share our favorite moments, discuss what makes this constellation-creating puzzle shine, and debate whether it’s more thinky than twinkly.
Huge thanks to @allplay for sending us these review copies! All thoughts and opinions expressed in this episode remain fully our own.