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Artwork for Five Games for Doomsday

Five Games for Doomsday

Ben Maddox
Board Games
Spiel Des Jahres
Game Design
Euro Games
Essen Spiel
Pandemic
Board Game Design
Essen
Game Mechanics
Cabincon
Call Of Cthulhu
Gloomhaven
Tabletop Games
Spielworxx
Weimar Berlin
Germany
Here I Stand
Agricola
Essen Spiel 2025
Horrible Guild

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.

PublishesDailyEpisodes939Founded9 years ago
Number of ListenersCategories
GamesHobbiesLeisure

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Artwork for Five Games for Doomsday

Latest Episodes

To hear the full episode go to 5g4d.com

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

Support the show here

In this episode of the journaling RPG, Jamais Vu, Ben gets a new band member and more of the town gets revealed.

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

Support the show here

This week's guest is game designer Matt Green. We talk about urban degradation, class consciousness, and petty British nimbyism...but which games did he choose?

Become a supporter of this podcast: www.spreaker.com/podcast/five-games-for-doom... more

In this second actual play of RPG Jamais Vu, our protagonist meets some old friends and goes to the theatre.

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

Uli Blenerman
Guts of the German board game industry; founder of Spielworxx
Spielworxx
Episode: The Spielworxx Bulletin - The Construction Episode
Richard Breeze
One of the most storied game designers in the hobby
UK game design community
Episode: Reef Encounter - Sample
Christian Kudahl
Game designer
Final Titan, MindBug collaborator
Episode: 5G4D News Flash - Final Titan with Christian Kudahl
Chris Bissette
Designer of the game The Wretched
Chris Bissette (designer)
Episode: The Wretched - Episode 3 - Discoveries and Regrets
Chris Bissett
Maker of the game being discussed and interviewed in this episode
Episode: The Wretched - Episode 2 - A Conscious Hate
Jeroen Doumen
Designer and publisher at Splotter Spelon
Splotter Spelon
Episode: Jeroen Doumen
Benjamin Schoenleiter
Publisher/CEO at Frosted Games
Frosted Games
Episode: Spiel des Jahres 2026
Carol Rapp
Head of Spiel des Jahres
Spiel des Jahres
Episode: Spiel des Jahres 2026
Michael Palm
Game designer
Palm Games / Pegasus Spiele (interviewee)
Episode: The Kenner Spiel des Jahres 2026 - Boss Fighter QR with Michael Palm and Lukas Zach

Host

Ben Maddox
Host and creator with multiple aliases; central figure behind the show's journaling/actual-play formats.

Reviews

4.7 out of 5 stars from 198 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.

Fans highlight the host's interview craft and ability to challenge guests with sharp, well-prepared questions.
Audiences note high production quality and engaging guests.
Listeners praise the thoughtful interview style and deep design insight.
Many appreciate the unique cabin-in-the-woods premise as a framework for meaningful industry discussions.
Some listeners critique long ads and commercial breaks but still regard content as valuable.

Chart Rankings

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

Apple Podcasts
#250
United Kingdom/Leisure/Games
Apple Podcasts
#220
France/Leisure/Games
Apple Podcasts
#14
South Korea/Leisure/Games
Apple Podcasts
#31
Austria/Leisure/Games
Apple Podcasts
#79
Indonesia/Leisure/Games
Apple Podcasts
#80
Singapore/Leisure/Games

Talking Points

Recent interactions between the hosts and their guests.

5G4D News Flash - Final Titan with Christian Kudahl
Q: What was the design philosophy behind including 100 titans and the ultimate attacks?
The goal was to push for maximum fun and a wild, cinematic feel, even if it meant a heavier, more complex product; the bigger roster allowed for varied matchups and memorable moments, guided by Brave experimentation rather than strict minimalism.
5G4D News Flash - Final Titan with Christian Kudahl
Q: How did the collaboration with Richard Garfield come about for Final Titan?
We started from a shared excitement for a crazy, spectacle-driven game and iterated through early prototypes and discussions with Garfield, eventually handing the project to him for months to explore characters and mechanics deeply before deciding to publish with Nerd Lab.
Jeroen Doumen
Q: So my first question is, how difficult was it for you to pick the five games to take to the cabin?
It was tough because narrowing down to five requires balancing personal favorites with games that best represent what you'd want to explore in a cabin-like setting, and also considering how the games' design space could influence the conversation.
The Wretched - Episode 2 - A Conscious Hate
Q: What was it like interviewing the game's creator during this episode?
The interviewer within the show probes the creator about the origin of the mechanic and the design philosophy, while the host reflects on how the system drives tension and narrative, revealing practical insights into building an RPG-based audio experience.
The Kenner Spiel des Jahres 2026 - Boss Fighter QR with Michael Palm and Lukas Zach
Q: Why make Boss Fighters a co-op game instead of a competitive loot-driven game?
The designers wanted to emphasize cooperative play to open space for families and to differentiate from existing competitive boss-lighters, leveraging teamwork and combined strategies against the boss.

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?

This show blends thoughtful interviews with game design deep-dives and practical industry context, anchored by a host who guides conversations through the lens of five-game-for-doomsday scenarios. Listeners can expect conversations with designers, publishers, and industry figures, plus crisp game reviews and meta-commentary on production, distribution, and the hobby's culture. Notable strengths include rigorous design insight, a willingness to challenge conventions, and a cadence that mixes sharp questions with lively, often humorous, banter. The format often threads personal storytelling and career perspectives into discussions about how games are made, marketed, and enjoyed by communities around the world.

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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 Dice Tower
5. The Secret Cabal Gaming Podcast

How many episodes of Five Games for Doomsday are there?

Five Games for Doomsday launched 9 years ago and published 939 episodes to date. You can find more information about this podcast including rankings, audience demographics and engagement in our podcast database.

How do I contact Five Games for Doomsday?

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What guests have appeared on Five Games for Doomsday?

Recent guests on Five Games for Doomsday include:

1. Uli Blenerman
2. Richard Breeze
3. Christian Kudahl
4. Chris Bissette
5. Chris Bissett
6. Jeroen Doumen
7. Benjamin Schoenleiter
8. Carol Rapp

To view more recent guests and their details, simply upgrade your Rephonic account. You'll also get access to a typical guest profile to help you decide if the show is worth pitching.

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