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Happy New Year! As we look back at our favorite games, books, minis, shows, and moments of 2025—plus what we’re playing, painting, backing, and watching as we kick off 2026.
Also: MMOs, Kill Team, Zombicide, LitRPGs, and an Adepticon giveaway.

There is also a video version of the podcast: https://youtu.be/jq9fAtmp3iA

Our theme music is by *FADEBACK*

🎮 Things We Talked About
Board Games
+ SETI: Search for Extraterrestrial Intelligence
https://boardgamegeek.com/boardgame/418059/seti-search-for-extraterrestrial-intelligence
+ Vantage
https://boardgamegeek.com/boardgame/420033/vantage
+ The Lord of the Rings: Fate of the Fellowship
https://boardgamegeek.com/boardgame/436217/the-lord-of-the-rings-fate-of-the-fellowship
+ Flip 7
https://boardgamegeek.com/boardgame/420087/flip-7
+ Zombicide: Invader
https://boardgamegeek.com/boardgame/248065/zombicide-invader
+ Santorini
https://boardgamegeek.com/boardgame/194655/santorini
+ Unlock! (series / game family)
https://boardgamegeek.com/boardgamefamily/39442/series-unlock-space-cowboys
+ Abducktion
https://boardgamegeek.com/boardgame/368609/abducktion
+ Coyote (the classic forehead bluffing game)
https://boardgamegeek.com/boardgame/8172/coyote

Video Games
+ Ashes of Creation
https://ashesofcreation.com
+ ARC Raiders
https://arcraiders.com
+ Dune: Awakening
https://duneawakening.com

🧙 Miniatures & Tabletop
+ Kill Team
https://www.warhammer.com/en-US/kill-team
+ Relicblade
https://relicblade.com
+ Marvel Crisis Protocol
https://www.atomicmassgames.com/marvel-crisis-protocol
+ Miao Ying, the Storm Dragon (Warhammer: Old World)
https://www.warhammer.com/en-US/shop/grand-cathay-miao-ying-the-storm-dragon

📚 Books & RPGs
Books / Audiobooks
+ The Primal Hunter (series)
https://www.goodreads.com/series/339304-the-primal-hunter
+ Friday Black — Nana Kwame Adjei-Brenyah
https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/37570595-friday-black
+ The Egg and Other Stories — Andy Weir
https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/35502775-the-egg-and-other-stories
+ Tom’s Crossing — Mark Z. Danielewski
https://www.penguinrandomhouse.com/books/737859/toms-crossing-by-mark-z-danielewski/
+ Knight of Shadows (King’s Dark Tidings #6) — Kel Kade
https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/218689293-knight-of-shadows

RPG Books
+ Mörk Borg
https://morkborg.com
+ Thousand Year Old Vampire
https://thousandyearoldvampire.com
+ Daggerheart
https://www.daggerheart.com
+ Deities & Demigods
https://www.drivethrurpg.com/product/17004/Deities--Demigods-1e

📺 TV & Movies
+ The Penguin (HBO)
https://www.hbo.com/the-penguin
+ The Mighty Nein
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0B6K7M9L4
+ Stranger Things
https://www.netflix.com/title/80057281
+ Fallout
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0CVKJ4ZJG
+ Kingdom of the Planet of the Apes
https://www.imdb.com/title/tt11389872/

🧃 Other Cool Stuff
+ Smuggler’s Coffee – Limited Hot Sauces
https://www.smugglerscoffee.com

🎧 Playin’ & Slayin’: https://playinandslayin.com
🏠 Basement of Death: https://basementofdeath.com
🧙 Goonhammer Media Network: https://www.goonhammer.com
🎲 Adepticon: https://www.adepticon.org

Playin' and Slayin' is proud to be a member of the Goonhammer Media Network. Find more podcasts like this one at https://media.goonhammer.com/

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In Episode 97 of Playin’ and Slayin’, Ty and Troy settle in for a cozy, late-year catch-up: games played, hobby progress, Kickstarters backed, and a little Adepticon/DepthCon narrative plotting. They also expand the library segment into a mini year-end reading chat, talking Malazan, Primal Hunter, Critical Role’s Mighty Nein animated series, and more of their favorite books and media from the year.

There is also a video version of the podcast: https://youtu.be/A_gxT7qQejQ

Our theme music is by *FADEBACK*

🎲 Board & Miniature Games
Fate of the Fellowship https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/drivethrurpg/fate-of-the-fellowship
Andromeda’s Edge https://cardboardalchemy.com/andromedas-edge/
Relic Blade https://www.relicblade.com/
Thousand Year Old Vampire https://thousandyearoldvampire.com/

📚 Books & Reading (From Episode 97 Notes)
Malazan Book of the Fallen – Book 6 (The Bonehunters) https://steven-erikson.org/malazan-book-of-the-fallen/the-bonehunters/
Malazan Book of the Fallen – Book 9 (Dust of Dreams) https://steven-erikson.org/malazan-book-of-the-fallen/dust-of-dreams/
Primal Hunter (LITRPG) https://www.audible.com/series/The-Primal-Hunter-Audiobooks/B09R3C87ZD

🎲 Crowdfunding (From Episode 97 Notes)
Abercrombie First Law – https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/litescalates/the-first-law-signed-and-personalized-by-joe-abercrombie
Ghost in the Shell RPG (Blades in the Dark engine) https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/manaprojectstudio/ghost-in-the-shell-roleplaying-game

📺 Watching / Media (From Episode 97 Notes)
Mighty Nein (Critical Role Animated Series) https://critrole.com/shows/mighty-nein/
Project Hail Mary Trailer https://youtu.be/NZJbC1Z6i2c

🎤 Podcasts & Community Content
The Campaign Trail – Goonhammer Patreon Show https://www.patreon.com/goonhammer

🎪 Conventions & Events Mentioned
Midwinter Gaming Convention https://midwintergamingcon.com/
Adepticon https://www.adepticon.org/

Playin' and Slayin' is proud to be a member of the Goonhammer Media Network. Find more podcasts like this one at https://media.goonhammer.com/

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Brice returns to the show, joining Ty and Troy as they recap a busy stretch of events — GameholeCon, Dragon Fall, and Dragon Days.

There is also a video version of the podcast: https://youtu.be/6XzKdmqrb1w

Our theme music is by *FADEBACK*

Playin' and Slayin' is proud to be a member of the Goonhammer Media Network. Find more podcasts like this one at https://media.goonhammer.com/

Send us a text

In Episode 95 of Playin’ and Slayin’, Ty, Troy are again joined by Raf and dive into what they’ve been playing—Frosthaven, Zombicide Invader, Blood Bowl, and more—plus hobby wins, Kickstarter finds, and recent reads and watches. The main topic tackles how to play more games as busy adults, with tips and stories on carving out time, digital tools, and making game nights stick.

There is also a video version of the podcast: https://youtu.be/y7KFLTaslR8

Our theme music is by *FADEBACK*

🎲 Tabletop Games (Played / Talked About)
Splendor Duel
Frosthaven
Dungeons & Dragons
Shadowrun
Chinatown
Root
Blood Rage
Robo Rally
On Mars
Cosmic Encounter Campaign
Overcooked 2
Ready Set Bet (giant version)
Blood Bowl
Zombicide: Invader
Battle of Hoth
Twilight Imperium (Digital on Steam)
Magic: The Gathering – Spider-Man

📚 Books & Audiobooks
Malazan Book of the Fallen (Midnight Tides → The Bonehunters; Book 9) – Steven Erikson
Forward Collection short stories (Audible)
Murderbot Diaries short story – Martha Wells
Be Water, My Friend: The Teachings of Bruce Lee – Shannon Lee
Gates of Fire – Steven Pressfield
The Order of Time – Carlo Rovelli
Songs of the Drowned series (The Stone Knife) – Anna Stephens

📺 TV Shows & Movies
Superman
Thunderbolts
Alien Earth
Animal Kingdom (Netflix)
What We Do in the Shadows (while painting)
Murderbot Diaries

Playin' and Slayin' is proud to be a member of the Goonhammer Media Network. Find more podcasts like this one at https://media.goonhammer.com/

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Ty and Troy return from Gen Con 2025, and special guest host Raf Cordero takes the interviewer’s chair! From first impressions and surprise discoveries to gaming highlights, hidden gems, and funny convention moments, Raf guides Ty and Troy through their Gen Con 2025 recap. Plus, the crew shares what they’ve been playing, hobbying, and reading. Whether you were in Indy or following from home, this episode has the insider scoop you don’t want to miss.

There is also a video version of the podcast: https://youtu.be/eLTWy7-ZtaA

Our theme music is by FADEBACK

Games (Played / Talked About)
Yu-Gi-Oh! TCG
D&D – Dragon’s Sandbox
D&D
Clank: Catacombs
7 Wonders Duel – Lord of the Rings Edition
Thunder Road
Interceptor
Wroth
Vantage
Legions Imperialis
Mörk Borg
Rangers of Shadowdeep
SnapShips
Chinatown
Axolotl with a Gun
Battle Monsters
Lord of the Rings Pandemic
Gundam TCG

Crowdfunding / Purchases
Nemesis: Retaliation
The Dead Keep
Forsaken

🎮 Video Games
Armored Core
Nightreign
Apex Legends

📚 Books & Audiobooks
Malazan: Midnight Tides – Steven Erikson
Malazan: Dust of Dreams - Steven Erikson
Ark – Veronica Roth
Summer Frost – Blake Crouch
The Order of Time – Carlo Rovelli
He Who Fights With Monsters – Shirtaloon (Travis Deverell)
The Gates of Fire – Steven Pressfield
Rust Colored Rain –

📺 TV Shows
Below Deck: Sailing Yacht
Sinners
Animal Kingdom

Playin' and Slayin' is proud to be a member of the Goonhammer Media Network. Find more podcasts like this one at https://media.goonhammer.com/

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Ty and Troy are joined by Raf Cordero as they crack some drinks, talk hobby progress, and revisit Gen Cons past in “The Gen Con Time Machine.” From their first unforgettable trips to Parkside and Milwaukee to late-night gaming in Indy, it’s a nostalgic dive through decades of dice, drinks, and dungeons. Plus: Relic Blade, Zombicide White Death, Outbreak Undead, Nightreign, and more!

🎲 Games We Played & Talked About
Zombicide: White Death
Seven Wonders Duel – Lord of the Rings Edition
Relic Blade
Frosthaven
Pendragon (RPG)
ARCS
Captain Sonar
Blood Bowl
Dragon Delves
Unmatched: Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles (TMNT)
Speakeasy (Lacerda Game)

🧪 Video Games
Dune: Awakening
Nightreign

Gen Con Exhibit at UW-Parkside https://libguides.uwp.edu/gencon


📚 Books / Audiobooks
The Devils – Joe Abercrombie
Sun Eater Series (Book 1: Empire of Silence) – Christopher Ruocchio
The Stone Knife (Songs of the Drowned series) – Anna Stephens
Dungeon Crawler Carl – Matt Dinniman
He Who Fights With Monsters – Shirtaloon (Travis Deverell)
The System Apocalypse – Tao Wong
Gates of Fire – Steven Pressfield
Randomize (short story) – Andy Weir
Midnight Tides (Malazan Book of the Fallen, Book 5) – Steven Erikson
Era of Ruin (Warhammer 40K short story collection) – various authors
Impact Winter (Season 3) – Audible Original Audio Drama

📺 TV Shows / Streaming Series
Murderbot Diaries (TV adaptation) – based on the series by Martha Wells
Silo – Apple TV+
What We Do in the Shadows – FX / Hulu
Squid Game (Seasons 1–3) – Netflix
Daggerheart: Age of Umbra (Critical Role live play series) – Darrington Press / Critical Role


Our theme music is by FADEBACK

Playin' and Slayin' is proud to be a member of the Goonhammer Media Network. Find more podcasts like this one at https://media.goonhammer.com/

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Ty and Troy share what they’ve been playing, building, and backing—from Zombicide: White Death and Frosthaven to Pendragon 6E and Legions Imperialis. They also talk hobby progress, new Kickstarters, and Ty and Raf’s new Goonhammer podcast The Campaign Trail. The main topic dives into adapting favorite books and movies into RPG encounters and miniature wargame scenarios, bringing epic moments from page and screen to the tabletop.

Games We Played & Talked About
Zombicide: White Death – with Lacuna Coil & TMNT expansions
Frosthaven
Pendragon 6E – Arthurian RPG campaign
Carcassonne
Dorfromantik
Relic Blade – Caverns of Kural terrain
Legions Imperialis
Trench Crusade

Books, Shows & Media
The Last of Us Season 2 (HBO)
Murderbot Diaries by Martha Wells – and Apple TV adaptation
Witch King by Martha Wells
Solo Leveling (Anime)
Inevitable Ruin
The Buffalo Hunter Hunter
Fantasticland

Other
The Campaign Trail – new campaign-focused podcast on Goonhammer Patreon
Universal Studios D&D Experience – Waterdeep live-action attraction https://youtu.be/hdHJvBCGz_Q?si=K38VPvUPQkETtVRV

Crowdfunding
Sin Eater https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/huntersbooks/sin-eater-0
Helwick Part II - Hell Hath No Fury https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/terrabloks/helwick-part-ii-hell-hath-no-fury
Blades in the Dark Deep Cuts https://johnharper.itch.io/deep-cuts

Playin' and Slayin' is proud to be a member of the Goonhammer Media Network. Find more podcasts like this one at https://media.goonhammer.com/

Send us a text

Ty and Troy discuss their summer gaming goals, including Trench Crusade table planning, terrain accumulation, and a RelicBlade game. They also share updates on games they are playing, such as Dorf Romantik and Drakkenheim, and their hobby progress.

There is also a video version of the podcast: https://youtu.be/FdpR1K6hiR8

Our theme music is by FADEBACK

Playin' and Slayin' is proud to be a member of the Goonhammer Media Network. Find more podcasts like this one at https://media.goonhammer.com/