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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
Pandemic
Essen Spiel
Essen
Board Game Design
Call Of Cthulhu
Gloomhaven
Tabletop Games
Board Game Geek
Cabincon
Crowdfunding
Weimar Berlin
Game Mechanics
Germany
Here I Stand
Berlin
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.

PublishesDailyEpisodes919Founded8 years ago
Number of ListenersCategories
LeisureHobbiesGames

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Artwork for Five Games for Doomsday

Latest Episodes

Ben talks to one half of legendary indie publisher, Splotter Spellen, Jeroen Doumen. We talk about deep tech, having a following, and being original...but which games did he choose?

Become a supporter of this podcast: www.spreaker.com/podca... more

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

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

Benjamin Schoenleiter
Publisher/CEO at Frosted Games
Frosted Games
Episode: Spiel des Jahres 2026
Michael Palm
Designer/partner in the Michel Palm-Lucas-Zach trio
Ditto / Boss Fighters
Episode: Spiel des Jahres 2026
Lukas Zach
Designer/author of Boss Fighters
Pegasus (app component) and team behind Boss Fighters
Episode: Spiel des Jahres 2026
Carol Rapp
Head of Spiel des Jahres
Spiel des Jahres
Episode: Spiel des Jahres 2026
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
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

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
#222
United Kingdom/Leisure/Games
Apple Podcasts
#22
Italy/Leisure/Games
Apple Podcasts
#196
Italy/Leisure
Apple Podcasts
#3
Singapore/Leisure/Games
Apple Podcasts
#22
Indonesia/Leisure/Games
Apple Podcasts
#31
South Korea/Leisure/Games

Talking Points

Recent interactions between the hosts and their guests.

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.
The Spiel des Jahres 2026 - Dito with Martin Ang - Audio
Q: Did you expect Dito to be nominated for Spiel des Jahres, and how did the publisher respond?
The team felt hopeful after conversations with the German publisher and believed in the game's quality, given strong local reception in Indonesia; the nomination was a historic moment for Southeast Asian game designers and led to celebrations and heightened expectations for future opportunities.
The Spiel des Jahres 2026 - Dito with Martin Ang - Audio
Q: Tell us what Dito is and what the game does.
Dito is a party word game where players choose a category and must provide three different answers; the goal is to match with other players and score based on multiple answers, with a twist that multiple unrelated answers can still earn points or cause a jinx, making the game fun and surprising.

Audience Metrics

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

Listeners per Episode
Gender Skew
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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 919 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. Benjamin Schoenleiter
2. Michael Palm
3. Lukas Zach
4. Carol Rapp
5. Martin Ang
6. Reiner Knizia
7. Peter Adkison
8. Donald X. Vaccarino

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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