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Artwork for Five Games for Doomsday

Five Games for Doomsday

Ben Maddox
Board Games
Game Design
Euro Games
Spiel Des Jahres
Pandemic
Essen Spiel
Twilight Struggle
Essen
Board Game Design
Call Of Cthulhu
War Games
Gloomhaven
Tabletop Games
Board Game Geek
Cabincon
Crowdfunding
Weimar Berlin
Game Mechanics
Here I Stand
Berlin

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.

PublishesDailyEpisodes918Founded8 years ago
Number of ListenersCategories
HobbiesLeisureGames

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Artwork for Five Games for Doomsday

Latest Episodes

Ben and Steve head to the Spiel des Jahres and talk to a bevy of notables.

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

Support the show here

Ben sits down to talk with Michael Palm and Lukas Zach about their Kenner Spiel des Jahres-nominated game, Boss Fighters QR.

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

Support the... more

Ben sits down with Martin Ang to talk about his Spiel des Jahres-nominated game, Dito.

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

Support the show here

Ben sits down with Reiner Knizia to talk about his Kenner Spiel des Jahres-nominated game, Rebirth.

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

Reiner Knizia
Renowned board game designer
Self-employed / various publishers
Episode: The Spiel des Jahres 2026 - Rebirth with Reiner Knizia - audio
Peter Adkison
CEO and founder of Wizards of the Coast, pivotal figure in Magic the Gathering and Gen Con
Wizards of the Coast / Gen Con (former owner)
Episode: Peter Adkison
Donald X. Vaccarino
Board game designer known for Moon Colony Bloodbath, Dominion, and Kingdom Builder
Episode: The Spiel des Jahres 2026 - Moon Colony Bloodbath with Donald X. Vaccarino
Sean Patrick Cain
Designer of the game Long Haul 1983, invited guest for an interview in a future episode
Episode: Long Haul 1983 - Episode 9 - To The Sea
Markus Slawitschek
Designer and Spiel des Jahres judge candidate
Spiel des Jahres, Morty Sorty
Episode: The Spiel des Jahres 2026 - Morty Sorty with Markus Slawitscheck
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: The Spiel des Jahres 2026 - Cozy Stickerville with Corey Konieczka- Audio
Avi Noam
Panel guest, RPG/board game enthusiast
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

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
#157
United States/Leisure/Games
Apple Podcasts
#119
United Kingdom/Leisure/Games
Apple Podcasts
#156
Canada/Leisure/Games
Apple Podcasts
#4
Italy/Leisure/Games
Apple Podcasts
#33
Italy/Leisure
Apple Podcasts
#146
Germany/Leisure/Games

Talking Points

Recent interactions between the hosts and their guests.

The Spiel des Jahres 2026 - Moon Colony Bloodbath with Donald X. Vaccarino
Q: Do you plan to attend the Berlin ceremony, and would you consider going if invited?
He explains that attendance depends on travel logistics and companions, mentioning past travel hiccups and uncertainty around press coverage, while leaving the option open for attending if feasible.
The Spiel des Jahres 2026 - Moon Colony Bloodbath with Donald X. Vaccarino
Q: You've had a strong relationship with Spiel des Jahres and you've been nominated for Kennerspiel this time. Did you expect Moon Colony Bloodbath to be nominated, and how do you feel about the nomination?
Vaccarino expresses surprise at the nomination, attributes it to the award's aim of encouraging different kinds of games, and notes the Kennerspiel status still meaningfully impacts sales in Germany. He discusses the value of the award in pushing the development of innovative game designs.
The Spiel des Jahres 2026 - Moon Colony Bloodbath with Donald X. Vaccarino
Q: Was it always the intention to make the game punishing and challenging for players? It seems to push players around a bit.
He confirms the punishing nature was intentional from the start, noting a design intention to create drama through the card order and the risk involved in losing buildings, which contrasts with more forgiving modern games.
The Spiel des Jahres 2026 - Moon Colony Bloodbath with Donald X. Vaccarino
Q: So, my first question is then, is how did you come up with the idea for Moon Colony Bloodbath? And I've been talking a lot about it being a kind of reworking of deck building, going back to your, you know, original hit and sort of reiterating it. How true is that?
Vaccarino explains that the idea originated from an earlier, unwanted concept where players would suffer and even be eliminated, which he ultimately pivoted into Moon Colony Bloodbath. He reused the flavor and ultimately created a shared-deck mechanic that centers the group's decisions around one common deck rather than personal tableaux, enabling a dramatic, punishing arc.
Peter Adkison
Q: How did you decide which five games to take to the cabin?
Adkison explains prioritizing diversity and replayability, selecting titles that cover different genres and offer lasting appeal, such as ASL for depth and Civ for strategic breadth.

Audience Metrics

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

Listeners per Episode
Gender Skew
Location
Interests
Professions
Age Range
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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 918 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. Reiner Knizia
2. Peter Adkison
3. Donald X. Vaccarino
4. Sean Patrick Cain
5. Markus Slawitschek
6. Haim Shafir
7. Corey Konieczka
8. Avi Noam

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