PODCAST

Decision Space

Jacob Frydman, Brendan Hansen, Pete Wissinger, Paul Salomon

Decision Space is a board game podcast about the decisions in games.

leisure games

All Episodes

84:55

Is Art a Game? C. Thi Nguyen Answers Our Questions...

Decision Space ·

2026/03/04

Episode 255- Art and Games with C. Thi NguyenProfessor C. Thi Nguyen returns to the pod! We discuss process art, getting good, value capture, empathy, and his new book The Score. Timestamps 2:00- about The Score 10:00- art is a game 18:30- how games affect us 25:00- depth and difficulty 32:30- getting good 45:00- empathy and intimacy 53:00- value capture 1:03:30- process art 1:18:00- closing thoughts Preplanners Next week is a discussion of Isle of Skye! Music and Sound Credits Thank you to

85:10

Concordia: Pursuit of Perfection

Decision Space ·

2026/02/25

Episode 254- ConcordiaIt's an old school episode in every way! The original Decision Space duo (Brendan and Jake) do a deep dive on a new classic with an old school soul: Mac Gerdts' Concordia! Timestamps 4:20- intro to Concordia 21:00- Concordia deep dive 1:18:00- other Gerdts games Preplanners Next week is the return of C Thi Nguyen to the podcast and after that we're deep diving Isle of Skye! Music and Sound Credits Thank you to Hembree for our intro and outro music from their song Reach

118:06

Historical Games and Pax Renaissance with Andy Nealen

Decision Space ·

2026/02/18

Episode 253- Historical Games and Pax RenaissancePete is joined by Andy Nealen, an academic, game maker, and podcaster. Together they explore what makes the historical war games so special but also so niche in the hobby. Also, Pax Renaissance is in both of their top 10 games of all time, so they do a full deep dive on that game. This is a long one, so buckle up! Andy is a co-host on the Secret Lives of Games podcast: https://secretlives.games/ Timestamps 14:30- historical games 26:30-

90:18

Area Control, Majority, and Conflict (What We Talk...

Decision Space ·

2026/02/11

Episode 252- Area Control (WWTA)In this "what we talk about" episode, Pete and Brendan try to sort through vocabulary and feelings related to area control and area majority games. Brendan tries to pitch "area conflict" as a new term for the genre. Do you buy that? Listen and find out! Timestamps 3:45- introduction to the genre 15:00- defining mechanisms 29:45- area majority 47:06- area control 1:11:00- the decision space 1:17:00- how conflict makes us feel Games Mentioned Risk, Chess, El

80:01

The Shapes of Games: Decision Spaces and Gameplay Arcs

Decision Space ·

2026/02/04

Episode 251- The Shapes of GamesIn this episode, Pete and Brendan go back to the basics. How should we characterize a decision space? What shapes the arc of a game? Timestamps 5:00- types of decision spaces 36:00- game arcs 1:04:30- other terminology Games Mentioned Keyflower, Decrypto, Viticulture, Wingspan, Vantage, Arcs, Dominion, the Resistance, Root, Codenames, Scout, Pax Pamir, Pax Renaissance, Race for the Galaxy, Spades, El Grande, Chicago Express, Agent Avenue Preplanners Upcoming

87:19

Episode 250: Counting Down the Best of the Rest

Decision Space ·

2026/01/28

Episode 250- Best of the Rest (re upload to fix a file error)All four hosts share their favorite games that have never been covered in the show's extensive 249 episode back catalogue of deep dives and lists! Timestamps 6:30- The King of Frontier 11:05- Star Wars Rivals 16:45- Gravwell 21:10- Bus 28:15- Clans of Caledonia 35:40- Old West Empresario 40:30- Star Wars Rebellion 49:30- Trails of Tucana 54:15- The Princes of Florence 1:03:15- Cartouche 1:09:15- Jekyll vs Hyde 1:16:45- Brass

72:22

Trio, Jungo, and the Joys of Family Gaming with Jason...

Decision Space ·

2026/01/21

Episode 249 - Family GamesPaul and Pete are joined by Happy Camper Games founder Jason Schneider to dissect what makes for a great family game experience Timestamps 3:50- mission of Happy Camper 8:45- what is a family game? 20:10- Trio 33:30- game development 40:30- Jungo 52:15- gaming with the family Preplanners Next up is our 250th extravaganza! Music and Sound Credits Thank you to Hembree for our intro and outro music from their song Reach Out. You can listen to the full song on YouTube

89:51

Ra: The Doctor's Greatest Game?

Decision Space ·

2026/01/14

Episode 248 - RaJake and Paul deep dive Reiner Knizia's 1999 classic auction game Ra. They dig into the elegant systems and the unique push your luck element. Also, Paul explores the various Ra spin off titles! Timestamps 4:45- Ra overview 12:30- the decision space 40:00- the tiles 1:00:00- expansions and spinoffs Preplanners Next up is a discussion on what makes a good small box game! Music and Sound Credits Thank you to Hembree for our intro and outro music from their song Reach Out. You

87:02

Arcs is Ambitious, Aggravating... and Awesome

Decision Space ·

2026/01/07

Episode 247 - ArcsPete is joined by Kniziologist and Blighted Reach afficionado Jared Ingersoll to do a deep dive on the hottest game of 2024: Cole Wehrle's Arcs! Timestamps 3:40- Arcs introduction 9:30- rules overview 16:30- personal reviews 23:00- trick-taking system 30:30- actions and resources 36:30- ambitions 46:00- combat 55:30- influencing the court 1:01:30- leaders and lore 1:08:00- player count 1:12:30- frustration points Preplanners Next up is a deep dive on Ra! Music and Sound

90:14

Awarding Our Favorite Decisions in Games from 2025

Decision Space ·

2025/12/31

Episode 246 - The 2025 DecidiesThe hosts continue their now TWO year tradition of awarding our bronze, silver, and gold medal decisions of the year. Congrats to all the winners! Timestamps 11:15- honorable mentions 24:45- Agent Avenue 29:15- Vantage 33:05- Bomb Busters 38:00- Waddle 41:05- Toy Battle 45:15- Old King's Crown 50:50- Formaggio 54:55- Vantage 57:55- Tag Team 1:05:40- Hot Streak 1:11:55- Duel for Cardia 1:18:30- Bid Coin 1:24:00- hopes for 2026 honorable mentions: Bid Coin, Molly

78:52

Podcast Year in Review: Reflections and Ranking All...

Decision Space ·

2025/12/17

Episode 245 - Year in ReviewWe look back at the past year, which was full of changes for the show. We also rank all the games we deep dived LIVE together and chart a course for 2026. Timestamps 4:10- reflections on the past year 21:15- favorite episodes from 2025 27:30- ranking the games we covered in 2025 55:50- what we learned this year 1:00:30- looking ahead to 2026 Preplanners We're taking a week off for Christmas but will return with our awards for the best decisions of 2025! Music and

83:24

Our Favorite Video Games of All Time

Decision Space ·

2025/12/10

Decision Space is the podcast about decisions in board games.Join our active and welcoming Discord community, Join the crew today! (Decision Space Patreon), or Leave us a review wherever you find this podcast! Episode 244 - Our Favorite Video Games Are we allowed to talk about video games instead of board games? Jake, Brendan, and Pete break down some of their favorite games and examine their decision space and potential connections to tabletop games. Timestamps 5:00- personal video game

75:12

Entering the Donkey Space: Agent Avenue and Hanamikoji

Decision Space ·

2025/12/03

Decision Space is the podcast about decisions in board games.Join our active and welcoming Discord community, Join the crew today! (Decision Space Patreon), or Leave us a review wherever you find this podcast! Episode 243 - Donkey Space: Agent Avenue and Hanamikoji Pete and Brendan go head to head with a pair of "I cut, you choose" games. You know that scene in Princess Bride where the guy is talking himself in and out of which cup of win to drink? It's basically like that. Timestamps 4:20-

82:18

"Get Good?": What Motivates Us To Play Games

Decision Space ·

2025/11/26

Decision Space is the podcast about decisions in board games.Join our active and welcoming Discord community, Join the crew today! (Decision Space Patreon), or Leave us a review wherever you find this podcast! Episode 242 - Evaluating Auction Games Ok n00bs, it's time to get good. All four hosts are present to participate in a deep conversation about why we play games and whether getting good at them is a worthwhile endeavor. There are a lot of references to the work of CT Nguyen, who was

89:33

Evaluating Auction Games

Decision Space ·

2025/11/19

Decision Space is the podcast about decisions in board games.Join our active and welcoming Discord community, Join the crew today! (Decision Space Patreon), or Leave us a review wherever you find this podcast! Episode 241 - Evaluating Auction Games Going once, going twice... Pete, Paul, and Brendan chat about their favorite auction games and how different twists on the concept create unique, interactive decision spaces in games. Timestamps 05:15- intro to auctions 24:15- Going Going

74:19

Every Game I'm Shufflin': Deckbuilding 201 and Dune...

Decision Space ·

2025/11/12

Decision Space is the podcast about decisions in board games.Join our active and welcoming Discord community, Join the crew today! (Decision Space Patreon), or Leave us a review wherever you find this podcast! Episode 240 - Deckbuilding 201 Part 2 of our deckbuilding series continues with hybrid designs! Pete and Jake discuss board games that utilize deckbuilding as a mechanism, with a special focus on Paul Dennen's Dune Imperium games. Also Jake comes to the realization that a deckbuilding

83:37

Spatial Puzzles and Tile Laying Tropes

Decision Space ·

2025/11/05

Decision Space is the podcast about decisions in board games.Join our active and welcoming Discord community, Join the crew today! (Decision Space Patreon), or Leave us a review wherever you find this podcast! Episode 239 - Spatial Puzzles and Tile Laying Tropes Brendan and Paul dig deep into the mechanisms behind tile-laying games. What are the different decisions players make with tiles and what makes them special? Also, a mini deep dive on Paris: La Cite de la Lumiere Also, DECISON SPACE

83:59

Fighting Games of Understanding and Tag Team Review...

Decision Space ·

2025/10/29

Decision Space is the podcast about decisions in board games.Join our active and welcoming Discord community, Join the crew today! (Decision Space Patreon), or Leave us a review wherever you find this podcast! Episode 238 - Fighting Games and Tag Team Jake, Brendan, and special guest Luke Williams of the Laughing Table Friends are here to talk about the fighting game video game genre and review a new card game that simulates the very same thing, Tag Team. Also, we announce DECISON SPACE MERCH

74:56

Design Day Recap: Feedback, Feelings, and Fun

Decision Space ·

2025/10/22

Decision Space is the podcast about decisions in board games.Join our active and welcoming Discord community, Join the crew today! (Decision Space Patreon), or Leave us a review wherever you find this podcast! Episode 237 - Design Day Recap Pete, Paul, and Jake share their experiences at Stonemaier Design Day 2025. They discuss games they demoed and played while shooting the breeze about what to do with player feedback and how to figure out the next steps for your designs. Timestamps 04:30-

54:19

The Best Components of All Time

Decision Space ·

2025/10/15

Decision Space is the podcast about decisions in board games.Join our active and welcoming Discord community, Join the crew today! (Decision Space Patreon), or Leave us a review wherever you find this podcast! Episode 236 - The Best Components of All Time The whole gang is together for a VERY silly episode that acts as a finale to our component series. We do a competitive draft to see who has the best collection of components and also pick out some of our favorite board game productions of all

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