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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
Pandemic
Essen Spiel
Spiel Des Jahres
Twilight Struggle
Carcassonne
War Games
Gloomhaven
Uwe Rosenberg
Call Of Cthulhu
Board Game Industry
Tabletop Games
War Of the Ring
Board Game Geek
Christmas
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.

PublishesDailyEpisodes888Founded8 years ago
Number of ListenersCategories
LeisureHobbiesGames

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Artwork for Five Games for Doomsday

Latest Episodes

In this news Episode, Ben and Steve giveout some nick names, some peerages and answer your questions. Also, Ben talks to Nick Murray form Bitewing Games about his upcoming epic, solo adventure, Rolling Deep.

Become a supporter of this podcast: http... more

In this classic rerun of Ben's solo RPG series something is revealed

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Support the show here

In this classic rerun of Ben's solo RPG series Martin sees fire.

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

Support the show here

In this classic rerun of Ben's solo RPG series Martin experiences the passage of time.

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

Support the show here

Key Facts

Accepts Guests
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

Richard Simpson
Host of We're Not Wizards; board game media personality.
We're Not Wizards
Episode: Richard Simpson
Bruno Faidutti
Designer, thinker, and commentator on board games; known for Citadels and Mystery of the Abbey
Independent game designer
Episode: 5G4D Classics - Bruno Faidutti
Jackie Fox
Rock musician, game designer; former Runaways bass player; multiple careers in entertainment and gaming
Jackie Fox Design Studio
Episode: Jackie Fox
Yuval Grinspun
Game designer
Capstone Games
Episode: Yuval Grinspun on Viridia
Thorsten Gimmler
Board game designer and editor with Ravensburger; former editor/inventor relations at Schmidt Spiele; notable designer of No Thanks, Skull King, Odin's Ravens, Arc Nova, Castles of Burgundy, among others.
Ravensburger; formerly Schmidt Spiele
Episode: Thorsten Gimmler
Mark Herman
War game designer and historian
Mark Herman (independent designer)
Episode: The Spielworxx Bulletin - Live at Leiria Con
Friedemann Friese
Game designer
2F Spiele
Episode: Live at Leiria with Friedemann Friese
C. Thi Nguyen
Author of The Score; philosopher of games
University of Utah
Episode: The Score with C Thi Nguyen - 5G4D News Flash
Luke Laurie
Board game designer and developer, Cardboard Alchemy
Cardboard Alchemy
Episode: Luke Laurie

Hosts

Ben Maddox
Primary host and interviewer; involved in designing, publishing, and discussing board games; known for deep-dive questions and wide-ranging conversations.
Steve
Co-host who contributes banter, topic framing, and industry perspectives; focuses on interviews, news segments, and analysis.

Reviews

4.7 out of 5 stars from 195 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.

Consistently delivers thoughtful, provocative discussions that challenge the status quo in board gaming.
Thoughtful interviews with designers and publishers, plus sharp game insights.
Energetic, witty hosting with deep knowledge of the hobby, though occasional commercial breaks can disrupt pacing.
High-quality long-form conversations, with entertaining banter.
Great balance of design, business, and hobby topics; some guests push into political territory.

Chart Rankings

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

Apple Podcasts
#83
United States/Leisure/Games
Apple Podcasts
#103
United Kingdom/Leisure/Games
Apple Podcasts
#147
Canada/Leisure/Games
Apple Podcasts
#129
Australia/Leisure/Games
Apple Podcasts
#178
Germany/Leisure/Games
Apple Podcasts
#7
South Korea/Leisure/Games

Talking Points

Recent interactions between the hosts and their guests.

Richard Simpson
Q: So after my son was born, how did you get into podcasting and start We're Not Wizards?
Richard describes loneliness after becoming a new parent, the idea of starting a local board game club, and how those social and creative outlets evolved into the We're Not Wizards brand, including the social media handle and the story behind the name.
Jackie Fox
Q: So my first question is, how difficult was it for you to pick the five games to take to the cabin?
The guest explains she focused on a broad mix to cover different people in the group, balancing accessibility for non-gamers with depth for seasoned players, and selecting games that scale across player counts and can be enjoyed in various modes.
Patreon Update Podcast - 12-04-26
Q: Marcus the Dog Shepherd asked about gambling—do you ever play for money, and what are your thoughts on gambling more broadly?
The host explains a mixed past with gambling, including personal family history, and emphasizes a cautious stance on gambling while acknowledging occasional social gambling as a hobby; he also discusses the design and allure of gambling games and why money often drives such activities.
Patreon Update Podcast - 12-04-26
Q: Does it sometimes feel awkward that folks are paying you money to make you answer their questions?
It can feel absurd, but the host embraces the interaction, enjoying the engagement with listeners and valuing the dialogue as a way to connect with fans and discuss varied topics beyond gaming.
Thorsten Gimmler
Q: Why did you leave Schmidt Spiele for Ravensburger, and how did that transition shape your publishing work?
The guest explains the move was motivated by a desire for a new role and improved working flexibility (including working from home). At Ravensburger, he shifted to scouting and refining new ideas rather than handling the full end-to-end development process, which changed how new games are brought to market and how he collaborates with inventors.

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?

A sharp, design-forward board game podcast that pairs deep-dive interviews with concise game reviews and industry analysis. Episodes frequently center on high-profile designers and publishers, exploring design decisions, development tensions, and the broader impact of games like Agricola, Pandemic, War of the Ring, and Codenames. The show also uses a recurring “five games for doomsday” premise to frame personal histories, creative processes, and business insights, making it valuable for listeners who want both tactical game critiques and candid creator stories. A standout trait is the host's willingness to push provocative questions while staying entertaining, often weaving cultural and political threads into discussions about games and the... 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. Board Game Barrage
2. So Very Wrong About Games
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 888 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. Richard Simpson
2. Bruno Faidutti
3. Jackie Fox
4. Yuval Grinspun
5. Thorsten Gimmler
6. Mark Herman
7. Friedemann Friese
8. C. Thi Nguyen

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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