Thank you Jake and Brendan for sharing your thoughts and knowledge about board games through Decision Space. I am about 3 years into my own game design journey and I credit your podcast as one that has helped me become better at communicating with other designers and gamers about the craft. I just spent much of my past weekend in the Unpub Room at BGG Con where I playtested several designer’s games. I was able to clarify my feedback more effectively because of the terms and concepts I learned as a DS listener. For those same reason I was also able to explain my own prototype better. Until a month ago I had not heard the term sweet spot mechanic but that was the perfect descriptor for the betting mechanic in my latest game design. If I had more time I would relisten to all the past episodes in order to identify DS vocabulary words for the purpose of compiling them into a Decision Space lexicon spreadsheet. Perhaps this list already exists? If so, it would be a valuable resource to share with others who are interested in deepening their knowledge. I look forward to listening to the next few hundred Decision Space episodes and to the vocabulary words and concepts I will learn from you both about board games. Cheers, Heather

You’re listening to this podcast on your commute. You pull into your parking space. You should make dinner. You should greet your family. You should change into some PJs. You have lots of ‘you shoulds,’ but you stay in your vehicle, listening. That’s the NPR effect and Decision Space has me full on addicted, NPR-effecting every time Iisten. Decision Space features dynamic and well-spoken hosts who aren’t merely game enthusiasts — though their enthusiasm for games shines in the podcast — they are players who understand games from the perspective of a game’s mechanisms, as designers themselves, and as highly analytical players who don’t simply analyze their next turn, but the game itself. Decision Space has many different episode types, which mixes things up nicely. Some of my favorites are the art awards, designer features, and single game deep dives. I listened to both their Feld feature episode and their Bonfire episode after acquiring Bonfire. (I even re-listened to the Bonfire episode after playing it!) The episodes got me hyped up to play the game, but also helped me to feel like I was connecting with others through a shared experience of this game — since Brendan and I both ‘broke’ the game by running out of actions before the game ended. I love that Jake and Brendan are not afraid to disagree with each other, nor are they bullheaded know-it-alls; each of them are open to revising their claims throughout their discussion in light of new information and points of view. They have the minds and attitudes of philosophers. Their intellectual stature might suggest they are ‘untouchables’ of the gaming community, but after joining their off-pod discussion group, I was welcomed warmly by Jake himself. All that’s left is to coin a new phrase for endlessly analyzing every nuanced aspect of board games: The Decision Space Effect.

I discovered Decision Space about a year ago, and it’s one of the few shows I check every Wednesday when a new episode drops. As a newbie game designer without a deep history of gaming myself, I enjoy all the episodes, from deep dives of games I’m not familiar with to game theory conversations. It’s a good sign when I find myself opening the Notes app on my phone to write down ideas from the show. The host chemistry and banter between Jake and Brendan is humorous and honest, and I love that it’s family friendly so my kids can listen along in the car. Keep up the good work, and know that you’ve made many of my car commutes and even waits in the checkout line at Walmart something I actually look forward to!

I don’t listen or watch most board game reviews because reviewing board games is very subjective, so it’s understandably difficult to make review podcasts/videos that will appeal to all 3 camps of listeners: 1) people who already like the game being reviewed, 2) people who don’t like the game being reviewed, and 3) people who haven’t played the game. If you’ve played the game and share the reviewer’s opinion, it can feel like an echo chamber. If you’ve played the game and have a differing opinion, you might think “well maybe we just don’t like the same games” and write off the rest of the review. For people who haven’t played the game, a bad review can turn a listener away from trying it (based on the reviewer’s subjective opinion) and a good review can boost sales. Many reviews don’t tell you much beyond “it just works” or “it’s just not fun.” I can take your word for it, but maybe we don’t have the same taste in games…it’s hard to extract much value from that review because you just enjoy different games. I like Decision Space a lot because their discussions feel valuable regardless of your pre-existing opinions of a game. The thing that separates Decision Space from the rest is that they go into depth about gameplay and decision-making in games in a way that’s interesting and insightful for listeners of all 3 camps. I don’t really care if their overall sentiments are positive/negative/mixed, because they cover strategy and playing experiences with enough nuance for me to have my own opinions and come to my own conclusions. It’s easy to listen to—there’s not a lot of fluff, but it doesn’t feel overly dry and analytical. Definitely 5/5 podcast, I highly recommend trying it out to anyone who likes board games. Maybe listen to an episode on a game you already have an opinion on, and see for yourself what I mean. The one thing I don’t love is the intro

Do you like board games? Give a listen. Do you really like board games? Give a good listen. Do you love board games? Do you love thinking about how they work? Please stop reading and start listening right away. This is a podcast where you come for the deep dives into games, the definitions about aspects in games, and the discussions (or debates) about board games. And you stay for the camaraderie! Full disclosure: I’m now a patron. I have been trying to write this every month or every other week for two years.

Most board game reviewers will tell you what they feel about a game, but won’t tell you why. Not so on Decision Space. Jake and Brendan put a ton of effort into understanding and explaining how games work and why they generate such strong feelings. It’s especially interesting when they disagree! A must-listen for anyone interested in deep understanding of tabletop games.

I’ve been listening to board game podcasts for a few years, and many of them have come and gone. Since I’ve discovered them a few months ago, Decision Space quickly rose to be one of my favorites in the space. I love how they balance classic games rather than focusing on only the “new hotness.” Here’s hoping for some more Knizia dance breaks in the near future!

This is my new favorite board game podcast. A deep dive into games and topics that can only come from true gamers. I have been designing board games since 2018 and I think this might be the perfect blend of entertaining, nuanced and insightful conversations on board games. My only regret is not finding it sooner because it will take me awhile to burn through the entire library of episodes and amazing conversations.

Decision space is the best in-depth board game content you can find on the web and it is a mandatory listen for any aspiring board game designer. Each episode is so well researched that I don’t know how they’re doing it on a weekly basis. Decision space has been a treasure trove of knowledge and entertainment for my daily commute. 5/5 podcast and I wish more content creator take their content as seriously as these guys. Can’t believe they didn’t give Can’t Stop a 10/10 though. Pitchforks out

Enjoy your breakdown of the games you played. Yes trick taking games are a great time!

Very nice show, very entertaining top 10 and trick taking episodes

This has quickly become a favorite podcast. The banter back and forth makes you smile. I love the deep dives on games. It has also ignited a passion for designers Reiner Knizia (Rhino Kanizz!) and Kramer

I consume a lot of tabletop hobby content and in a world full of 10 minute micro reviews, Decision Space stands out. This is the most inside-baseball discussion for gamers that I have encountered and I am here for it! Most content creators make videos or podcasts about games they’ve probably only played once or twice and this makes everything feel like I’m just reading the back of the box. Jake and Brendan really do the academic work of dissecting a game that is only possible after playing it a ton! This show is for the try-hard obsessive nerds in your game group (like me). The goofy banter is just icing on the cake. I hope they can keep it going because I cannot imagine how exhausting it must be to create this kind of quality work on a weekly schedule.

Wow! 150 episodes. I am a podcast hoarder, always collecting more than I can listen to, but when a Decision Space podcast shows up on my feed I consume it right away. Thanks for the excellent show gentlemen, you should be quite proud of what you have built. Thanks for all your hard work.

Decision Space is my favorite board game podcast going right now. Where the Ludology podcast digs into the details of a game’s design from the perspective of the designer, Decision Space, with their deep dive episodes, does the same from the PLAYER’s perspective. The format feels really unique and engaging. Jake and Brendan are fun together and have good insights, even when I outright disagree with their takes. (see Challengers) Decisionaut and infrequent guest host, Paul Salomon

I really enjoy listening to Jake and Brendan talk about board games each week. If you’re like me and haven’t played a ton of different games, there’s still lots to enjoy in this show. I feel like I have a better understanding of the hobby overall, and the amateur designer in me loves the deep dives into mechanics and vocabulary. I’ve bought a few games they highly recommended (including Challengers) and haven’t been disappointed. Thanks for putting out a great show!

Are you mad about mechanisms? Would you love to know the difference between input and output randomness? Did you always feel like Reiner Knizia deserved his own theme song? Then this podcast is for you. After listening to your first episode, I guarantee you will go on a downloading spree through their back catalog.

I love this podcast! As someone who loves board games and is infatuated with their design, this podcast offers a much-needed avenue for true critique. Episodes dig much deeper than a simple “is it good?” review and evaluate how a game works, why it succeeds (or doesn’t) and how the designers accomplish their goals.

When I started getting into game design, Ludology was THE podcast for serious discussions about crafting fun. Decision Space is a newer discovery for me, but has quickly become essential listening. The (what we talk about) episodes earnestly tackle broad topics, and always bring a new perspective. The deep dive single game episodes are not disposable reviews, but great analysis that makes the discussion as evergreen as the classic games. Going back listening to older episodes now. 10 out of 10, great job!

Casablanca. Citizen Kane. Don Quixote. The Wire. August 92 issue of Letters to Penthouse. Beauty and the Beast. The Count of Monte Cristo. Willie Wanker and the Fudge Packer Factory. Decision Space. Somethings are just ubiquitous with greatness and stand the test of time. And in the genre of in depth modern board game analysis there is only Decision Space. It’s not just a review of games, it’s a review of how it feels to play games and that’s the sweet spot.

But iTunes only lets me give five. Here are the bonus two ⭐️⭐️ Jake and Brenden have an entertaining and informative take on board games, and I’m here for it. I used their El Grande episode as a litmus, and wasn’t disappointed. Their Imperial 2030, Ark Nova, and their recent conversation on push your luck are all spot on. Keep up the great work gentlemen!!

I initially began listening because Jake and my son Christopher played Magic together as kids, but I continue listening because every episode is so entertaining and informative! The personal way the hosts interact with each other and the detailed yet easy to digest way they describe and dissect games is exceptional. I have oodles of new games on my wishlist now (as well as a few removed from it)! Thanks, guys!!

I enjoy listening to these gentlemen . They explain well and give details that clearly identify games . Telling a timeframe is helpful to me as well. They list both positive and negative aspects . Thank you for creating this podcast.

The deep-dives into what makes specific games tick is what makes this stand out from other board game podcasts, but having a mix of different types of episodes keeps things so fresh and interesting.

For me, what separates Decision Space from the pack of other great board game podcasts is their consistency. Lots of podcasts deliver excellent week to week content that follows a singular format. However, Decision Space does that across several different formats! From their bread and butter single game deep dives, to their “what we talk about” episodes covering different mechanics and genres, to event episodes that rundown what they played at a con or a getaway weekend, to their one-off episodes, Jake and Brendan consistently provide depth and humor every time they record!

As other have pointed out here, our hobby had a strong desire for this content: smart, critical analysis of boardgames who’s decision space we all love to spend time in. But I think the reason these guys are succeeding is because they seem like nice guys with good banter. They remind me of Board Game Barrage: you tune in for cool content, but end up staying because they sound like guys I’d want to have a beer with. In fact, I hope I do at the next convention! Keep it up lads.

This podcast appeals to both the board game player & amateur designer in me. I love how they dissect decisions in games, and I appreciate the definitions and concepts they discuss. The only thing that would take this podcast to the next level IMO would be to introduce some some broader and diverse opinions at times. Maybe through having guests, or interviewing designers or something.

Decision Space is in a league of their own. Most board game podcasts cover the overall feel of a game, and a few dive into specific elements and game mechanics. Jake and Brendan take it even further and analyze the game design and its impact on the players - their decisions, interactions, agency within the game systems, and overall user journey. Their thoughtful breakdowns and reviews are a great source of for learning about game design, and the nuances of the decision spaces it create for the players.

So I think both of the gentlemen in this podcast are very bright and seem to have played a few games. My concern is that they spend most of their time saying the same things other podcasts say, resulting in a recording that isn’t bringing anything terribly new to the table. In their Memoir 44 episode they almost got interesting talking about the emotional implications of the setting of the game, but then retreated before they spoke to it at a level that would have brought insight, brought heat to the discussion. Their own personal feelings were fleeting, and would have been the most interesting part of the episode had they expressed them in more detail. Memoir is more complicated than they concluded, but that’s fine. I think these gentlemen would do well to explain their level of experience with the game they are reviewing, even if that is only one play. That’s as valid a point of view as any other, and the listener knowing how deep they’ve waded in to the title provides a useful benchmark to understand where they’re coming from. A good podcast, but not worth a special trip as they’re saying the same thing everyone else is saying. At least for the moment. A bit of disagreement between them might raise the temperature of the recordings, as would a wander into more games like Memoir where including risk in your “decision space” makes for a broader perspective on how games can be more emotionally invigorating.

I've been in the hobby for awhile and have gone through wanting to ingest as much board game podcasts as I can during my long commute back and forth each day. As the years pass, I have gotten WAY more picky on who I listen to. They need to really bring something to the table. Decision Space is a WONDERFUL podcast that does as advertised. If you are in the hobby, you know that some of the best times are RIGHT after playing a game and discussing it. With this podcast, you feel like you are truly getting some in depth discussion that really challenges your own perspective and gives you things you might not have considered. They are also good when talking about a game you haven't played yet because they can help you decide of it sounds good or not. Thank you Jacob and Brendan for all you do on this show and especially your enthusiasm for the hobby and THIS specific part of it. You are both great!

Decision space is one of my favorite board game podcasts. Their deep-dive episodes are excellent: part review, part strategy guide; they’re interested in what makes a game tick. They’re coverage of classic games is second to none. Highly recommended.

I really enjoy hearing Jake and Brendan's perspectives on game design!

Brendan and Jake do a great job of dissecting games and calling out what makes them so special. Love hearing their weekly thoughts on the games they’re playing - especially because they manage to cover such a wide range of games, new and old. It helps that their humor and banter keep the conversation so engaging throughout. Definitely worth a listen!

I don't get my podcasts from Apple, but I wanted to hop on here to give this podcast a review. There is a lot of media available on board games - reviews, unboxings, how to play, etc., but these guys take things in a different direction, and it's great. Love the back and forth, the positive vibe even when their viewpoints differ, the ability to think a little deeper about a hobby I enjoy. Great stuff. I found this podcast when Jamey Stegmeier mentioned being a guest, so I have a lot of catching up to do. Luckily one of the most recent episodes when I first tuned in was about which episodes I should start with! Nice timing.

Before discovering this Podcast I didn’t know that someone can have a quality 1h discussion about Sushi Go ;-) Regardless if it is about a game that I have played before or a game that I want to know more about it is always such a pleasure to listen to this knowledgeable duo! Keep spreading the joy of board gaming with kindness and professionalism!!!

This podcast really scratches an itch. High quality discussions around board game and the decision space they provide. The hosts are obviously very passionate about board games and games in general. They have differing tastes which help push conversations forward. Also, I like when the hosts talk about all things games as opposed to just board games. The concepts and theory around play apply to all types of mediums and it’s insightful to see those connections made.

I’ve now listened to every episode, so I can say with authority that Jake and Brendan are quadruple threats: They’re passionate, enthusiastic, thoughtful AND articulate. They seem well prepared for every episode, which makes me feel like they value my time. Their episodes with special guests truly are special and occasionally rise to the level of awesome. Most of the time, it’s just the two of them talking about decisions in board games, developing a lexicon for the subject, and plunging into games. I enjoy listening to them regardless of whether I’ve played the game, like the game, or disagree vehemently with their opinions (e.g., Spades is NOT a waning decision space.). I’m so glad I found this show and can’t wait to see what next Wednesday brings to my feed.

This is the first podcast that I have really listened to all the way through. The game analysis is top notch. Height recommend!

Love, love,love this game playing podcast. Brendan and Jake know there stuff!

I enjoy this podcast quite a bit. It’s rewarding to listen to a show that really gets into how a game plays out, and what works and what does not. My only caveat is that it’s not as interesting for me to listen to episodes about games that I have not played. But that’s a tough problem to address. This is really subjective, but I think that Jake and Brendan have good taste, both in choosing games, and in evaluating them. They like the parts that are likable and dislike the rest.

This is a great podcast to learn about games or more about games you already love to play. The hosts are informative and fun to listen to.

The show provides a unique approach to breaking down games, providing keen insights and a new vocabulary for talking about games while being entertaining to listen to. One of the only podcasts I listen to with any regularity. Had I a boombox, rest assured that I would be blasting it from there.

I love this podcast, yet I can’t stand this podcast. Why? Because they talk about awesome games that I must purchase and play immediately after listening to the show, but my budget hates me for purchasing yet another game… Keep it up guys, you really are doing a good job. (Oh, yeah, my non-Apple Podcast rating is 7 out of 10. Just for the cliche value.)

This is the first podcast that I have found that is devoted to decision making in board games. I recommend for anyone interested in game design or just the modern board game hobby!

Amazing podcast with amazing hosts. Highly recommend!

In a world where most board podcasts have a similar format, Decision Space is a breath of fresh air, focusing on those excruciating decisions love (and hate) in modern board games. If you’re more into ideas than personalities, this is a good listen.

Interesting conversations about games you may or may not of heard of - as well as the larger theories/concepts of games themselves.

A lot of ideas explored here are pretty seminal in the context of games, yet Jake and Brendan still manage to frame them in such a way as to make them understandable even as someone who hasn’t played many of the games discussed. Highly recommend.

These episodes are always interesting and thoughtful discussions about great games. Give them a listen!

Great board game podcast that goes to another level as they discuss what makes specific games so interesting. Great listen!