The Offline Gamer Podcast

It’s our Christmas episode! Matt and Karen settle in for a festive catch-up, chatting about the board games they’ve been playing over the last few weeks — from games enjoyed at AireCon West to sessions around the table with friends. They dive into a wide mix of titles, covering everything from deck-building and roll-and-writes to tile-laying city builders, cozy card games, and deeper strategy experiences. Along the way, they share first impressions, highlights, and how these games felt at different player counts and settings. The episode also includes a quick roundup of recent Kickstarter deliveries, as Matt and Karen talk about which long-awaited games have finally arrived and their early thoughts on getting them to the table. A relaxed, festive episode full of tabletop chat, Christmas vibes, and plenty of gaming inspiration to see you through the holidays. 🎁🎲

In this episode, Matt and Karen welcome long-time listener-turned-friend Gareth to talk about his first ever trip to Spiel in Essen. Gareth shares what it was like navigating the world’s biggest board-gaming convention — from travel challenges, sold-out hot releases, and massive crowds to the thrill of discovering new favourites.

This Halloween special features a thrilling departure from our usual format! Adam from the Die Rollin YouTube channel takes over as Game Master for an atmospheric session of Shiver, the horror RPG from Parable Games. Join Matt, Lizzie (Board Gaming With My Family), and Doddy (Summoned Games) as they portray three unlikely heroes in the Old West: Carmine the snake oil salesman, Missy Dubois the horse thief, and Brick the reformed outlaw. When the mysterious Mr. Cornwell hires them to investigate the abandoned Blackrock Mine, they encounter something far more terrifying than they bargained for... This Western horror adventure delivers tension, laughs, and plenty of close calls as our trio faces claustrophobic mine shafts, supernatural threats, and impossible choices. Will they survive to collect their payment, or become the mine's next victims?

In this episode, Matt and Karen are joined by friends from the Instagram board gaming community for a special recording at the Double Six Board Game Café in Moseley, Birmingham. Guests include Emzie from @nerdygirlgaming, Lucy and Carl from @short.stuff.boardgames, and plenty of lively chat about games, gaming spaces, and the café’s fantastic food. The group share their first impressions of the venue, talk about supporting local businesses, and dive into the games they’ve been playing together. Expect plenty of laughs, recommendations, and behind-the-scenes community stories as The Offline Gamer goes on the road! Afterwards, Matt and Karen catch up on their recent gaming adventures, including their trip to HandyCon, plus plenty more board game chat.

In this episode of The Offline Gamer, Matt and Karen step into the immersive audio-driven world of Sound Realms for a playthrough of the dark and dramatic Fortress of Death. Guided by narration, sound effects, and a whole lot of dice rolls, they navigate traps, solve puzzles, and fight for survival—all in real time. It’s part dungeon crawl, part radio drama, and fully chaotic. Can they escape the fortress unscathed? (Spoiler: doubtful.)

Matt and Karen are back with part two of their UK Games Expo 2025 round-up! This time, they chat about even more games they played and picked up—including relaxing pattern builders, clever two-player showdowns, and some truly unique indie gems. They also reflect on the general atmosphere of the show, the creativity on display, and whether the event still delivers the spark that keeps them coming back each year.

In this episode of The Offline Gamer, Matt and Karen return from UK Games Expo 2025 and dive into part one of their two-part wrap-up! Sadly, Rai couldn't join them this year due to illness, so it's just the two of them sharing first impressions, con highlights, and a few mild grumbles (spoiler: air conditioning is important). They discuss how the new hall layout at the NEC added space and accessibility—but also a bit of navigational chaos—and whether the bigger floor plan made it easier or harder to explore everything. There’s also some thoughtful reflection on whether UKGE has outgrown its three-day format.

The UK Games Expo 2025 is nearly here, and Matt, Karen, and Rai are back with their annual mega-preview! In this episode, the team covers everything you need to know for UKGE 2025 – from the new hall layout and bring & buy changes, to Chow Street’s food truck lineup and their top tips for surviving the weekend. They also each highlight five games they’re excited to see at the show, including upcoming releases like Trouble on the Tempus, Restless Spirits, Fathom, Pergola, The Last Week of Summer, Popcorn, Gwent: The Card Game, and many more. Whether you're prepping your spreadsheets or just curious what to keep an eye on, this is your essential guide to UKGE 2025!

In Episode 101, Matt and Karen return for a slightly shorter show ahead of their big UKGE preview. They share highlights from recent game days with friends, discussing a mix of new and favourite titles, including Rebirth, Restless Spirits, Trio, Castle Combo, Explorers of Navoria, and more. Matt also interviews the team behind Minor Disaster Games, creators of the upcoming Kickstarter for Trouble on the Tempus—a co-op, time-travelling disaster management game. The team dives into the game's origins, inspirations, and what sets it apart in the crowded co-op space.

To celebrate 100 episodes and 10 years of The Offline Gamer, we brought together a fantastic group of board game creators, friends, and fellow enthusiasts for a chaotic, laughter-filled quiz live at AireCon 2025! Hosted by Matt, this special episode features guest teams including Adam from Die Rollin’, Will the Board Game Wizard, Chris from Unfringed, Lee from Molinarius Games, Mike from Huff No More, and Dave from Board Wreckers. Over multiple rounds teams competed for glory, groans, and the occasional pity half-point. Expect puns, passionate debate, obscure trivia, and lots of playful chaos.

In Episode 99, Matt and Karen recount their jam-packed weekend at AireCon 2025 in Harrogate. From the ups and downs of the Bring & Buy to an epic quest for food through the convention’s labyrinthine layout, they dive into the highlights, including games played, exhibitors visited, and surprise finds. They also preview exciting upcoming releases, share some fun raffle moments, and thank everyone involved in recording their milestone 100th episode.

Join Matt and Karen in Episode 98 of The Offline Gamer as they dive into all things Airecon 2025! They discuss what makes this Harrogate-based board game convention a must-visit, covering the exhibitor lineup, open gaming spaces, event highlights, and even a sneak peek at upcoming releases. Whether you're a seasoned attendee or a first-timer, get ready for a fun and informative guide to this relaxed and community-driven gaming event.

In this episode, Matt, Karen, and Rai take a deep dive into their gaming highlights of 2024, reflecting on favourite titles, standout events, and exciting moments shared with friends and listeners. They also discuss their gaming plans for 2025, including conventions and anticipated releases. Rai returns as a guest co-host. The team shares updates on various Kickstarter projects, discusses upcoming conventions like AireCon and UKGE, and reminisces about the joy of connecting with the gaming community. Plus, they explore their favourite games of the year and their most memorable gaming sessions.

In this festive episode of The Offline Gamer, Matt and Karen share their Christmas gaming plans, discuss family-friendly titles like Wuzzled and Rolling Ranch, and reflect on recent plays, including Balatro, Tape to Tape, and The Spill. They recount highlights from the Meeple People Weekender, featuring games like Century: Golem Edition and Yukon Salon, and dive into their latest arrivals, including Tang Garden: Seasons and River Valley Glassworks. The episode wraps up with holiday cheer, a giveaway, and teasers for their 2025 plans. Intro music was AI generated using Udio.

In this special Halloween episode, Adam from the Die Rollin' YouTube channel helms a thrilling three-hour journey through The Lost Ship, a bone-chilling adventure from the SHIVER RPG. Set in the icy Arctic Circle, this story follows a military team investigating a lost vessel, only to discover terrifying secrets lurking below deck. With SHIVER’s unique system for horror-inspired tales, prepare for a frightfully good time full of suspense, strategy, and a few ghostly surprises. Don’t drift off—this is one adventure you’ll want to brave from start to finish!

In this episode of The Offline Gamer, Matt and Karen are live from ACWest at the Telford International Center, sharing their experiences at this vibrant convention. From exploring the exhibitor hall and checking out unique accessories to trying out new board games, they’ve packed in plenty of gaming action. Tune in for their thoughts on games like Chemistry Fluxx, Dawn of Peacemakers, Kavango, Escape from Pompeii, and the memory-challenging Order Overload Cafe. They also dive into digital games, discussing recent favourites such as Brotato, Writer’s Rush, Tactical Breach Wizards, and Preserve, plus their ongoing obsession with Stardew Valley. Wrapping up, they preview upcoming events like the Meeple People Weekender and reflect on why ACWest and Aircon remain some of their favourite conventions. Whether you’re curious about the latest tabletop releases or indie video games, this episode has you covered!

In this episode, Matt is joined by special guest Mill from Dissent Games. Mill shares the journey of creating board games with her co-designer Jess, including their successful Kickstarter campaign for Library Labyrinth and the upcoming Loose in the Library. Mill talks about her background in board gaming, starting with Small World and jumping into Twilight Imperium, and how the COVID-19 pandemic helped her dive into board game design. They also discuss the process of designing Library Labyrinth, balancing mechanics, and how historical women and mazes became a central part of the game. The conversation touches on playtesting at conventions, challenges with running a board game café, and the evolution of Loose in the Library, a quicker, competitive version of Library Labyrinth. Finally, Mill highlights upcoming conventions, including AireCon and her own event, Paradice, while reflecting on how board gaming has built lasting friendships and community connections. Links: https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/dissentgames/library-0 https://dissentgames.com/ https://www.instagram.com/dissentgames https://www.x.com/dissentgames https://paradice.uk

Matt celebrates his birthday with Karen as they catch up on the latest in board games, video games, and crowdfunding. They discuss their recent gaming adventures, including highlights like Vampire Survivors, Slay the Spire, Calico, and the newly announced Tomb Raider: The Crypt of Chronos board game. Plus, they dive into a Reddit thread of the month and spotlight some exciting Kickstarter campaigns. Tune in for all the fun and gaming goodness!

In this episode, hosts Matt and Karen dive into their experiences at the recent UK Games Expo. They share highlights from their interactions with other gaming enthusiasts, exhibitors, and designers, and reflect on the community spirit that makes such events special. Join them as they recount memorable moments, offer insights on the latest trends in the board game industry, and provide a glimpse into their gaming haul from the expo.

It's episode 90, and we're looking ahead a few days to our weekend at UKGE 2024! Hear what we're looking forward to seeing, and keep your ears peeled for a competition!