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Artwork for Five Games for Doomsday

Five Games for Doomsday

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

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.

PublishesDailyEpisodes929Founded8 years ago
Number of ListenersCategories
HobbiesGamesLeisure

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Artwork for Five Games for Doomsday

Latest Episodes

This is a reupload of Ben's playthrough of the classic journaling RPG, The Wretched.

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 playthrough of the classic journaling RPG, The Wretched.

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 playthrough of the classic journaling RPG, The Wretched.

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 playthrough of the classic journaling RPG, The Wretched.

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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People also subscribe to these shows.

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Recent Guests

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
Lukas Zach
Game designer
Zach & Co. / Pegasus Spiele (interviewee)
Episode: The Kenner Spiel des Jahres 2026 - Boss Fighter QR with Michael Palm and Lukas Zach
Martin Ang
Designer at Table Toys
Table Toys
Episode: The Spiel des Jahres 2026 - Dito with Martin Ang - Audio
Reiner Knizia
Renowned board game designer
Self-employed / various publishers
Episode: The Spiel des Jahres 2026 - Rebirth with Reiner Knizia - audio

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
#247
Canada/Leisure/Games
Apple Podcasts
#134
Italy/Leisure/Games
Apple Podcasts
#21
Singapore/Leisure/Games
Apple Podcasts
#43
Indonesia/Leisure/Games
Apple Podcasts
#70
South Korea/Leisure/Games
Apple Podcasts
#73
Belgium/Leisure/Games

Talking Points

Recent interactions between the hosts and their guests.

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.
The Kenner Spiel des Jahres 2026 - Boss Fighter QR with Michael Palm and Lukas Zach
Q: What is Boss Fighters essentially about?
It is a cooperative boss battler where players choose classes and heroes to fight against a series of bosses controlled by a companion app that reacts to player actions, creating a hybrid experience that blends tabletop play with digital support.
The Spiel des Jahres 2026 - Dito with Martin Ang - Audio
Q: What was your reaction to watching the announcement live and the nomination?
The group was visibly emotional, with many crying and celebrating, recognizing the prestige of the award and the historical significance for players and designers from Southeast Asia, especially Indonesia.

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 929 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. Chris Bissette
2. Chris Bissett
3. Jeroen Doumen
4. Benjamin Schoenleiter
5. Carol Rapp
6. Michael Palm
7. Lukas Zach
8. Martin Ang

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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