Top 10 Most Anticipated Board Games at GenCon 2024

[@BeforeYouPlay]

What are some of the board games you're looking forward to this year?

[@lisamarin8836]

I'm also looking forward to Arcs and Middle Ages! And to playing Kronologic, but I'm in the UK and have a copy of that one in my hot little hands already.

[@grantfraser5430]

Arcs is a must have but also looking forward to Civolution and Galactic Renaissance. Next year maybe for Galactic Renaissance, as well as Time Lancers. Not sure when Inventors of The South Tigris will be out but I'm a sucker for Garphill games now.

[@ferrum5]

My most anticipated board games for this year are: Unconscious mind Pirates of Maracaibo Undaunted 2200: Callisto The search for UAPS Little alchemists SETI

[@zeradox1901]

Black Forest 🌳🌲 the New BIG Rosenberg (Like expert „Glassstraße“, photos are already available on BGG!). The hype is real

[@ferrum5]

I'm looking forward to playing this year: - Unconscious mind - Pirates of Maracaibo - The search for UAPs - Undaunted 2200: Callisto - SETI - Little Alchemists

[@alexxpfister]

What a nice surprise, thanks for mentioning Pirates of Maracaibo!!

[@smigmo]

You two are so good at this, really natural and easy on camera. Thanks for the videos!

[@LordoftheBoard]

Really hope to see you all at Gencon! Let me know if you want me to teach and play Arcs with you guys! I know games are hard to come by but ill have a copy so just let me know :)

[@jettryker]

I’m hoping to check that one out too. 👍

[@jankogo]

I am trying to stop buying so many games, but this one makes it hard to resist. 😅

[@jettryker]

@@jankogo haha I’m much more picky these days as well. The trick taking aspect makes me hesitant.

[@ericnelson382]

My goodness, that’s a lot of stress all at once. You guys are amazing. Everyone here supports you both and can’t wait for the play throughs later down the road. We aren’t going anywhere 😉

[@ColbyHiggs]

Awesome list!!

[@TheBoardGameGarden]

Excited to hear you guys will be at Gen Con! 👏🏻 If you do end up playing Ezra & Nehemiah I would LOVE to join! It’s one of my anticipated games as well. Hope to see you two there! 😊

[@BeforeYouPlay]

HEY JENNA! We'd love that, see you there!

[@mokeydmeeple9880]

Just dropping a comment here to say that I ran into you both on Day 1 of Gen Con. You were great, and I was glad I got to compliment your videos in person. I hope you had a nice time out there.

[@zvnetzley9209]

Grab one of those offers to learn and play Arcs. Ran into a gentelman teaching it at Origins and fell in love with the game.

[@Breyfunk]

Thank you all for this, my family will be at the con on Friday, you’re adding a few games to my want list for sure! I hope to bump into you all there!

[@steveg9939]

Great list. Good job at highlighting lesser known games (at least for me). Have a wonderful time at GENCON. I agree that Pirates seems to take forever to cross the Altantic 😅 I was looking forward to it last year at Essen.

[@duncanh.7130]

One of my favourite channels! Looking forward to the post-Gencon content! Hope you have a great time! Thank you two for all of the wonderful content!

[@jonathancheung8545]

I feel you regarding throwing out those Shipyard 2E pieces. I threw out the cardboard pieces I thought I were trash, but I got lucky and watched a video about how to properly assemble it. I went and retrieved those pieces from my recycling before they were gone forever!

[@bettermoodboardgames]

Oh my goodness! I'm so excited to meet you guys! This will be my first Gen Con!

[@HachetteBoardgamesUSA]

Can't wait to see you both! Thank you for including Middle Ages and Kronologic Paris!

[@Stormbrise]

Tir na nog was the capital city in the Hibernia realm in Dark Age of Camelot MORPG, which was based off of Celtic myths. The other two realms were Albion (the Brits) and Midgaard, the Viking realm. So I would be interested in looking into this game. If you ever come to Denmark they have a tourist deduction game where you walk around part of Copenhagen where the Palace is, not a castle as you know it mind you. It may even go to the Little Mermaid. You solve a murder that actually took place in the early 20th century.

[@Brend0ver]

I got Ezra and Nehemiah from the Kickstarter. It really is great. It incorporates a lot of stuff from their other games, but still feels unique.

[@thierryvilboux2669]

Plenty of games to add to my wishlist. Thank you both for all your videos!!

[@greybeardedmeeple739]

Just played Pirates of Maracaibo at Capstone earlier this week. Really enjoyed it. Played it 3 players and it took about 90 minutes.

[@rogerniner]

I had to watch some how to plays for Arcs after a friend received it, and you were the first folks I looked for on how to learn it. I would have held out if I could have.

[@scratcher1996]

18:37 that look you shared which almost made you burst out laughing, i know what you were thinking 😂

[@briancline4173]

I learned Shipyard 2nd edition from Rahdo and Slickerdrips, both of whom have great playthroughs of the game on their channels. Each of them were already familiar with the original game from many years back. The playthroughs are solo, but you should be able to easily extropolate what you need for a two-player game.

[@BasherBanane]

I didn't know that Pagan wasn't available in English yet. There is a large expansion and about 4 small card packs (about 5€) with which you can then adapt the two decks. I think the basic game is great and if necessary the large expansion is enough.

[@foglight11]

I am so pleased to see you guys there! I won’t be too shy to come say hello this year. 😂

[@thisissrsbzns]

I look forward to hopefully seeing you there! It'll be my first time. I appreciate your videos and vlogs! Cheers.

[@yougotsnail8266]

Great compilation of games to look out for! I don't want to spoil ARCS for you, but don't worry too much about the trick taking component. It's mainly used to determine player order for the round, and the action (possibly multiple if you lead or follow suit) that you're able to take on your turn.

[@aaronlucaskampmann4221]

to answer your question: so far Pagan has 1 big box expansions that offers 50 new cards per player and a few new Villagers as well as 4 small box expansions, 3 of them focus around more player cards while the last one gives a few more villagers and scenarios.

[@BBYROO5155]

This will be my first GenCon!! Hope to meet both of you!

[@jettryker]

I can’t believe it’s next week. So excited! Hopefully I run into you guys. I’m also excited to learn more about ARCS. I’ve been hearing great things.

[@KRABBIT32]

I'm glad yall got to shine a light on some of the lesser talked about games!

[@EmmaNovaheim]

Geonil does great 2 player only trick taking games. We played Jekyll & Hyde Vs Scotland Yard and had a really great time with it. I highly recommend checking out Infiltraitors - it was one of the best games we picked up at Essen last year, and it's being released at GenCon by Pandasaurus.

[@bookaddict777]

Nice list! Thanks for the video! I have Pirates of Maracaibo on pre-order and cannot wait to get my hands on it.

[@BeforeYouPlay]

Thanks! Hope you have been doing well 🙂.

[@bookaddict777]

@@BeforeYouPlay Yes, I have. Thanks!

[@ten_oclock_scholar4690]

I'm really looking forward to Infiltraitors (another limited communication co-op deduction game), Landmarks, and Jekyll and Hyde vs. Scotland Yard. I've never heard of Pagan before, but I'm immediately interested!

[@marknadeski7485]

Have a fantastic time at GenCon! Wish I could go and see you there. Fun list. I got Pagan: Fate of Roanoke as a kickstarter back in 2022 so surprised to see it on the list. Still haven't played it, though!

[@ultimate-voyage]

I was just searching for what's hot on GenCon and u have already done a video! Bravo!

[@in1548]

Ahh with all thr arcs hype i was wondering when you guys would release a video on it. Cant wait

[@BeforeYouPlay]

We will likely get to it in 1-2 months, we still haven't received a copy yet.

[@nikies1611]

My first time going to Gen Con was two years ago so I'm still a newbie. I would suggest really taking in the convention floor your first year and limiting events. It is SO much bigger than I expected and even though we went all 4 days in 2022 we still didn't see it all! Also, don't forget to wander into the stadium it's a great way to test games and hear about them from fellow gamers! My friends and I tend to lean more toward medium games (80 mins or less if possible) so I am keeping an eye on some of the quicker games. Vegetable Stock, Fromage, Mistwind, Pixies, HiFi and River Valley Glassworks just to name a few. I actually go through every vendor and make lists of Games of Interest every year :D. Have you guys ever heard of or played Eschaton?? It's one of my favorite heavier games and they are actually going to be showcasing a 2-player module this year called Iconoclasm that I'm super pumped for. Anyway, I hope you guys have an amazing time!! Enjoy and take it all in!

[@colelautzenheiser910]

A little suggestion as I have been 5 times but it has been a couple years now. Try to eat during what you would consider “off hours” maybe like 10 or 3, it’s much less crowded eating, it’s less crowded in the ball and it’s easier to accomplish both things!

[@gabrieljacobs1344]

Great video! I'm surprised Exoterra didn't make the list. I've seen a ton of hype online about it. Can't wait to play it.

[@chopc2w]

Really really excited to see Pagan on the list. I’ve been playing it since the reprint/expansion KS and it’s really great. Like others have said, don’t let the expandable thing scare you. The core box is an incredible experience.

[@starshadow8857]

Glad your dog is still doing good! I have a 15 1/2 year old dog (lab/border collie) who is handicapped and can’t walk on her own due to her spine so either drags herself around or we put her in her wheelchair to move around. I can’t wait to hear more from your adventures at GenCon. I’ve never been but always wanted to go. Hoping to make it there next year!

[@evanstanek5838]

Arcs being lauded as an instant classic, will have to see if it's a style and set of mechanics that I'm into!

[@4theluvofbooks211]

Your Dexter looked like our dachshund, Cooper. We had to have him put down last month, he was 16 years old. Our other dachshund passed away when she was 16 too. On a happier note, I am really looking forward to Pagan The Fate of Roanoke! My son and I love your videos! Have fun at GenCon!

[@famillet-l340]

Kronologik is really Cluedo meets Turing Machine. Each player tries to get info from a certain time or a certain place for the characters and share that info with the other players BUT sometimes get additionnal info to solve the case. I really enjoyed it, it's a race to get the best info and find the murderer.

[@grepbeer]

Welcome back to Indy! Games I am looking forward to: Galactic Cruise (played it at origins but man I love it), terminus and Æterna(all i know is its a martin wallace lol). But thanks to your video I have a few more on my radar, specially ezra and nehemiah. Thanks!

[@KenDudd]

I really hope your impressions of Shipyard aren’t soured! The second edition sounds like a nightmare. The first edition feels really straightforward and easy to learn, so not sure how they messed it up so badly!! Can’t wait for you to cover Suchy though.

[@AndrewRStiles]

Great video! I'll be at Gen Con and I hope to accidentally find you while I'm running around between pitches to various publishers. Thanks so much for all the great content you create. I've always enjoyed your work and hopefully someday I can show you my game Wine Cellar. Windmill Valley is my most anticipated game of GenCon, but the Forest Shuffle expansion. I'm so glad Dexter is doing well. hopefully see you at GenCon...

[@laurenherrmann_videos]

Landmarks also sounds similar to Mystic Paths! Another word association game where you are meeting specific location requirements with each clue.

[@walkredroad]

Thanks for your Gen Con list ... and if you all catch a peek of the Gaia Project: The Lost Fleet ... I'd love an Update on it!!! Enjoy my friends ...

[@mrbastos]

I aam also excited for Pirates of Maracaibo. I have it ordered already because it sounds really fun, also Shipyard is pretty neat too.

[@mkitten13]

Pirates of Maracaibo definitely replaced Maracaibo for me (picked it up at Essen last year). I never cared much for the player rushing issue that Maracaibo had (7 steps along that map really was a bit too much movement in a single turn for my taste), and in Pirates, every space is an action or a card to buy, so you are not just skipping blank spaces, you are skipping actual things to do. I feel everything I loved about Maracaibo is in this game, and I find there is nothing I miss (I never played the campaign, so who knows there, but I'm not really a campaign kind of person anyway).

[@Stormbrise]

I am on a quest, to get my husband to drive down to Essen with me to this event. Maybe we can convince some friends to split the gas costs.

[@mkitten13]

@@Stormbrise lol, driving for me would be a bit of a long journey, so opting to fly in for it. But good luck and hope you succeed at convincing your hubby to go ;)

[@mirandav2803]

Great list! I am most eager for Sand by Devir games. Their games are always a hit for me so I am eager to play it!

[@ferrum5]

I’m pleasantly surprised to see Pirates of Maracaibo as your most anticipated board game at Gen Con. I didn’t see that coming! I’ve been eagerly awaiting this game since it was released at Essen last year. Did you know there’s already an expansion coming to Essen 2024? It’s called Pirates of Maracaibo: Commanders.

[@supermegavega]

Pirates of Maracaibo is on my Gen Con list. I hope to cross paths with you! Enjoy my home town of Indy!

[@EmmaNovaheim]

I also saw a coop deduction game by Hisashi Hiyashi called BombBusters. That looked really intriguing, and I'm always interested in anything by this designer (Yokohama & Metro X)

[@scottpriske6793]

Would love to see a review of Ezra and Nehemiah.

[@SFXDreamer]

Thank you so much for this top 10! I was surprised by your nr. 1 (not that it was your top pick, because it is awesome). I bought it at Spiel 23 and the first expansion (Commanders) will be for sale at Spiel 24. So it is strange that you are now just able to get it. So to make sure: get it, it's great!

[@crosscutgames]

What a terrific list! I hope to see you at GEN CON!

[@lisamarin8836]

I backed Tír na nÓg and have received it. I like the worker placement/card drafting aspect and the tableau building, and the cards are pretty - but mainly landscapes rather than mythological figures. For a game that was marketed as a celebration of Celtic legends, the theme felt somewhat pasted on rather than well integrated with the gameplay. It's essentially an abstract tableau-building puzzle with some flavor text on each goal card. But it's easy to teach/learn, and the decisions are interesting.

[@tah27891]

My second time going gencon as well. Hope to grab a pic with y'all

[@JMack-nl7vh]

This absolutely happened to me!! Except I didn’t toss them but they were in my throw away pile.

[@Twincitiesnerdcore]

Don't sleep on Elder scrolls betrayal of the 2nd era from chip theory games! I'm so stoked on that one and mandilorioan adventures

[@ekurisona663]

everdell duo just got announced for Kickstarter

[@voyager5333]

I've 4 plays of Pagan under the belt and absolutely loved it. Definitely not easy and very tactical. Don't worry about the expandable cardgame type, as the expansions are really limited and do not fundamentally change gameplay. They can somewhat speed up the game. It's not like a living cardgame where you need to keep buying expansions to remain competitive, especially as you play from the same box.

[@brandbryson3616]

Yay hope to see you in the crowds!!

[@johnathanrhoades7751]

CrowdStrike was crazy. Happy my company doesn’t use it but…dang. My heart goes out to all affected.

[@DonoghueLozon]

I've played Majesty and it was fine, just didn't click with me and wasn't sold on the look as well as component quality. This reimplementation I think will be great as I love the look... definitely checking it out.

[@dansimmons2095]

I would love to teach you 2 the basics of Shipyard!! Its pretty dope 😊

[@JarradShaw]

Katie and I hope to see you two at Gen Con 🥰

[@Cissewis]

Thank you for the video and have fun at Gencon! :) Cis

[@grantfraser5430]

I bought Majesty For The Realm because it was designed by Marc Andre. It's decent, a good light game. You need to pick the cards you play carefully, scoring for both diversity and specialty in only 12 turns as I recall. A few cards are dual purposed but once played they can't be changed. There is a bit of player interaction but it is mostly multiplayer solitaire and lots of scoring available, particularly end game points. Scoring 1 or 2 points to start, up to around 10 points per turn later in the game blossoms into over 150 points by the end of this short, fun game. I doubt I will pick up Middle Ages if it's just rethemed with no other changes but I would recommend it as a good filler game. Also a big fan of Deus for it's replayability but sadly it joins my ever growing list of games that don't get played often enough.

[@DrHaybailer]

I am a lucky Indianapolis native but just now going to my first Gen Con, as I am a newbie in the hobby. I have learned much from your videos and have become a big fan! I’s love to meet you sometime…are you going to be in any particular place and time?

[@tourguidechuck]

Yay! It will be my second year at Gen Con. I'd love to meet you! On the 2nd-4th day I'll be either the 5th Doctor Who or the 2nd Doctor Who! Say, "hi" I'll have gifts!

[@susanoerter1419]

My brother and nephew are going I told them to bring Rebel Princess home for me. Have a great time.

[@dsbrothers2898]

👋👋👋 hi Monique. Love the hand wave and video.

[@coyotemoon722]

Arcs is the hottest game right now.

[@BeforeYouPlay]

We're excited to try it out!!

[@brandbryson3616]

I can teach you Arcs at the con if you need to take a backseat!

[@LuisOrtega-od4rd]

I just got into the hobby and am very confused about how board games are released because i see Ezra and Nehemiah available on Amazon right now lol. So many people have Arcs as well but its technically not officially released? So lost lol

[@AeronwyD]

I am wrapping up my first game of Middle Ages on BGA. It's an interesting game! (Although if you wind up late in choosing a spot, odds are you are going to keep going late in order for several rounds.) I am definitely looking forward to Pirates of Maracaibo - I like the original game, but it's too heavy for any of my friends, so maybe this will hit the sweet spot. :)

[@hatray4540]

Please show more than only board game box. We want know how game and assets looks on table :)

[@blackboardgaming5348]

Unfortunately, there is no GenCon for me this year. Would have l loved to see you both and play a game. If I did attend, Comic Hunters and Fromage would be my first aquires. Have fun!

[@TheEmo0407]

Pagan and Pirates of Maracaibo are both fantastic !

[@mbphm]

Ezra & Nehemiah is a great Euro - you‘ll like it. Most anticipated upcoming games: Endeavour Deep Sea and Through Ice and Snow (shall finally be delivered)

[@timnickerson5389]

I’m looking forward to Keyside and Black Forest by Uwe Rosenberg.

[@BeforeYouPlay]

Same! Unfortunately it doesn't look like they will be at GenCon 😞.

[@MegaKhas]

Weather is supposed to be sweltering and thunderstorming this year round 🙃hope it doesn't effect the foodtrucks, imagine all the hangry convention goers...

[@HiddenTableGames]

Majesty is an OK game. Its a GREAT entry level game, splendor offers way more replayability. Hoping that middle ages has more depth

[@DevilsTreasure]

Are you guys organizing any meet and greets or will you be at any booths? Or just purely random encounter only?

[@ImaginEric]

Hope to see you there! I’ll have a copy of Arcs if you wanted me to bring it for a game. 😁

[@ahmadnasser5978]

Pagan is a fantastic game! The base game on it's own is great as it is :)

[@ScytheNoire]

Man vs Meeple did a preview of Kronologic and it seems interesting. Don't feel the video had spoilers, but appears each game has three puzzles, each getting more difficult. Always interested in deduction games. Pagan is a theme I'm interested, but didn't back the KS campaign, but maybe when it comes to retail. Capstone always does a good job. Curious to know more about Pirates. Ezra & Nehemiah and Tir Na Nog are two I backed and received.

[@muppetjoe870]

Wooohooo!!! GENCON TIME 🎉❤🎉

[@BeforeYouPlay]

SOON!!!

[@angelxob64]

Don't worry about the expandable thing in Pagan! The base game is more than enough. The deck building is not important, is just an add on if you enjoy that but not really needed

[@BeforeYouPlay]

That's great to hear!!

[@Wosho1982]

Why are you waiting for Pagan if its available for some time in EU at least?

[@markchamberlain7715]

Enjoy GenCon! I'd really like to hear what you both think of Pagan Fate of Roanoke. I know Naveen likes poker and this game has been compared to Netrunner, which has been compared to poker.

[@carlodechiro]

I would like you to play and review SETI as its something that looks very different thank you.

[@darrenthedude7283]

Can you buy tickets to gencon at the con, or do you have to order them in advanced ??

[@dariusdale3946]

You always want to buy them in advance, Tickets are sold out

[@BeforeYouPlay]

Here is the website with the most up to date info: www.gencon.com/badge_selection?c=indy2024

[@darrenthedude7283]

@@BeforeYouPlay thank you👍

[@DenisRyan]

So close! Long "o". You got the first two right - Tear (water drops from your eye) Nah (meh. No thanks) No (opposite of yes) guh (just the sound of g in words like grow, green, Grand) - Tear nah no-guh.

[@reubenlopez7821]

Hello, I'll be running AI for portal this year at Gencon. If you need a play I can probably fit your group in for a run through as early as Wednesday morning to Monday morning. Let me know if there is interest and I can share some possbile times

[@BeforeYouPlay]

How awesome!! We'll definitely swing by the booth at some point 🙂.

[@mokeydmeeple9880]

I would say, “See you at Gen Con”, but that seems doubtful in that large crowd. 😂

[@Duxa_]

Black Forest (new Uwe game) wont be at Gen Con? Cant wait on more info on it. Its to Glass Road as Caverna is to Agricola.

[@RuggerMart]

OMG, I sooo want to see Monique rage quitting, Naveen and Dexter in the background trying to dodge those airborne game pieces, continuously pressing the beep button to cover the fruity language 😂! Enjoy GenCon all that are going ❤