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Artwork for Five Games for Doomsday

Five Games for Doomsday

Ben Maddox
Board Games
Game Design
Euro Games
Board Game Design
Essen
Spiel Des Jahres
Pandemic
Essen Spiel
Twilight Struggle
Call Of Cthulhu
War Games
Uwe Rosenberg
Gloomhaven
Tabletop Games
War Of the Ring
Board Game Geek
Cabincon
Christmas
Age Of Steam
Crowdfunding

Five games for Doomsday is a show in which people are thrust into a cabin in the woods but can only take five of their games with them. Which will they choose?Become a supporter of this podcast: www.spreaker.com/podcast/five-games-for-doomsday--5631121/support.

PublishesDailyEpisodes907Founded8 years ago
Number of ListenersCategories
HobbiesLeisureGames

Listen to this Podcast

Artwork for Five Games for Doomsday

Latest Episodes

This is a reupload of Ben's play of Long Haul 1983 by Sean Patrick Cain.

Become a supporter of this podcast: www.spreaker.com/podcast/five-games-for-doomsday--5631121/support.

Support the show here

This is a reupload of Ben's play of Long Haul 1983 by Sean Patrick Cain.

Become a supporter of this podcast: www.spreaker.com/podcast/five-games-for-doomsday--5631121/support.

Support the show here

This is a reupload of Ben's play of Long Haul 1983 by Sean Patrick Cain.

Become a supporter of this podcast: www.spreaker.com/podcast/five-games-for-doomsday--5631121/support.

Support the show here

This is a reupload of Ben's play of Long Haul 1983 by Sean Patrick Cain.

Become a supporter of this podcast: www.spreaker.com/podcast/five-games-for-doomsday--5631121/support.

Support the show here

Key Facts

Accepts Guests
Accepts Sponsors
Contact Information
Podcast Host
Number of Listeners
Find out how many people listen to this podcast per episode and each month.

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Recent Guests

Haim Shafir
Game designer and publisher, founder of Shafir Games
Shafir Games / Amigo (publisher relationships discussed)
Episode: Haim Shafir
Corey Konieczka
Game designer
Unexpected Games
Episode: Spiel des Jahres 2026 - Cozy Stickerville with Corey Konieczka- Audio
Lorenzo Silva
Designer of The Queen's Dilema
The Queen's Dilema
Episode: The Queen's Dilema - Part 1
Avi Noam
Panel guest, RPG/board game enthusiast
Episode: The Queen's Dilema - Part 1
Jens de Hammer Folkman
Panel guest, Discord participant
Episode: The Queen's Dilema - Part 1
Hjallmar Hach
Co-designer of The Queen's Dilema
The Queen's Dilema designers (Odessen interview)
Episode: The Queen's Dilema - Part 1
Samuel M. I
Panel guest, Discord participant
Episode: The Queen's Dilema - Part 1
Leonard Lonny Orgler
Avid board game designer known for 18XX titles
Lonny Games
Episode: Lonny Orgler
Nick Murray
Executive/Publisher at Bitewing Games
Bitewing Games
Episode: 5G4D News - The Rolling Deep Episode

Host

Ben Maddox
Host with strong interview skills and a background in RPG storytelling and game design commentary.

Reviews

4.7 out of 5 stars from 197 ratings
  • Hands down the best board game podcast

    Podcast Addict
    5
    Markus Shepherd
    2 years ago
  • 5G4D can’t be beaten.

    I’ve been listening to Ben since the earlier days of his previous podcasting venture, and over the years he has just gotten better and better. I don’t always agree with his opinions, but I never tire of his hard work and dedication to delivering excellent interviews and commentary. He and Steve have developed a comfortable rapport, and the show always delivers some laughs as well as really interesting content. Ben’s game reviews break away from the tired format of “sort of teach the game, just e... more

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    Up Late Again
    United States3 years ago
  • Low brow humour, highbrow content

    Simply the best board game podcast on the net. Thoughtful interviews are the core of the podcast, but it’s fearless treatment of philosophical issues is excellent. Ben, Steven and guest may not always be right, but they are always thoughtful and challenging.

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    cdhunter-gladiator
    New Zealand3 years ago
  • In this podcast you'll get everything. The best serious interview series in board gaming and at the same time the silliest game plays (battle report) but also some fine acting on the solo RPG shows.

    Podcast Addict
    axllxa
    3 years ago
  • I would like to be stuck on an island with Ben

    I really like both the quick fire well thought out reviews and the bigger moain episodes where you really get under the skin of the guests. A really interesting podcast. Brilliant stuff

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    We're Not Wizards
    United Kingdom3 years ago

Listeners Say

Key themes from listener reviews, highlighting what works and what could be improved about the show.

Excellent balance of deep dives and approachable reviews.
High-quality production, though some listeners note lengthy ad spots.
Strong storytelling with insightful game design and publishing context.
Thoughtful interviews with designers and engaging, concise questions.

Chart Rankings

How this podcast ranks in the Apple Podcasts, Spotify and YouTube charts.

Apple Podcasts
#134
United Kingdom/Leisure/Games
Apple Podcasts
#208
Canada/Leisure/Games
Apple Podcasts
#171
Australia/Leisure/Games
Apple Podcasts
#248
Italy/Leisure/Games
Apple Podcasts
#28
Norway/Leisure/Games
Apple Podcasts
#35
Belgium/Leisure/Games

Talking Points

Recent interactions between the hosts and their guests.

Haim Shafir
Q: What is your philosophy on creativity and risk in game design?
He argues that creativity involves risk and sometimes foolish ideas, but these can lead to great breakthroughs; learning from mistakes is essential.
Haim Shafir
Q: What makes Halli Galli so popular and enduring in Israel?
He attributes its success to timing, the 'x factor' that makes a game evergreen, and the bell mechanic that added a tactile, distinctive excitement.
Haim Shafir
Q: Why did you end up publishing with Amigo for so long?
He emphasizes trust, a close collaboration, and a shared philosophy on gaming, noting Amigo handles much of the licensing logistics while he focuses on invention.
Haim Shafir
Q: How difficult was it to pick the five games to take to the cabin?
He explains that he started with criteria to cover a wide spectrum of playing needs across ages, aiming for games that would remain meaningful for a lifetime and could serve multiple purposes in play.
Lonny Orgler
Q: What is your biggest strength as a designer, and how does that influence your approach to new titles like 1822?
My strength lies in deep experience with 8NXX-style mechanics, especially balancing trains, money, and private companies; this experience informs how I design new maps and balance complex auction and company interactions in 1822.

Audience Metrics

Listeners, social reach, demographics and more for this podcast.

Listeners per Episode
Gender Skew
Location
Interests
Professions
Age Range
Household Income
Social Media Reach

Frequently Asked Questions About Five Games for Doomsday

What is Five Games for Doomsday about and what kind of topics does it cover?

Five Games for Doomsday often frames conversations around selecting five board games to take to a cabin, but episodes frequently expand into deep-dive designer interviews, game design philosophy, and industry insights. The show blends thoughtful critique with personal storytelling, examining everything from rulebooks and production decisions to the cultural moments around gaming. Expectations for listeners include candid, well-prepared interviews, sharp opinions, and entertaining banter that keeps complex topics accessible. A notable strength is how quickly episodes pivot from game picks to broader discussions about design, publishing, and the hobby's social dynamics, making it appealing to both fans of sharp analysis and engaging personali... more

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Which podcasts are similar to Five Games for Doomsday?

These podcasts share a similar audience with Five Games for Doomsday:

1. So Very Wrong About Games
2. Board Game Barrage
3. Board Game Hot Takes
4. The Secret Cabal Gaming Podcast
5. The Dice Tower

How many episodes of Five Games for Doomsday are there?

Five Games for Doomsday launched 8 years ago and published 907 episodes to date. You can find more information about this podcast including rankings, audience demographics and engagement in our podcast database.

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What guests have appeared on Five Games for Doomsday?

Recent guests on Five Games for Doomsday include:

1. Haim Shafir
2. Corey Konieczka
3. Lorenzo Silva
4. Avi Noam
5. Jens de Hammer Folkman
6. Hjallmar Hach
7. Samuel M. I
8. Leonard Lonny Orgler

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