RDTN Episode 106: Great Western Trail, A Feast for Odin and Essen

Two new strategy games anchor Episode 106 of RDTN: A Feast for Odin from Z-man Games and Great Western Trail from Stronghold Games. The hosts give each a quick look through their five minute format, laying out pros and cons rather than attempting full reviews. They return to the pair in the outro to compare which one they preferred and explain why. Their verdict is that both are solid games worth trying, though the conversation leaves room for players to decide which better suits their tastes.

That distinction matters: the episode offers an initial read on each game, then makes the comparison itself part of the discussion. Listeners looking for a full rules rundown or a detailed review won’t find one here. Instead, they’ll hear the hosts’ high-level impressions and the reasons behind their preference. It’s a useful format for anyone weighing two new releases: get a sense of what stood out, then decide whether the differences are compelling enough to bring either game to the table.

MACE: demos, open gaming and a packed weekend

The hosts also recap their time at MACE, held in Charlotte, NC, over the weekend of 11/11 to 11/13. They enjoyed seeing the people who attended and praise the organizers for creating space both for scheduled play and open gaming. Even an 18-hour visit left them wishing they’d had more time, a familiar con feeling when the tables, games and conversations keep offering another reason to stay.

A major part of the weekend was demonstrating Harry Potter: Hogwarts Battle with the Envoy Team. The episode points listeners interested in joining toward the team’s information on its time commitment. One activity the hosts call out is the team’s “splashes”: demonstrations of a game taking place across the USA over a single weekend. It gives volunteers a chance to introduce a game to players in different places, while also requiring enough time to make that commitment practical.

The schedule returns to Harry Potter: Hogwarts Battle at 5:05, followed by A Feast for Odin at 10:55. The hosts mention The Broken Token at 16:10, then turn to Great Western Trail at 17:10. Those timestamps make it easy to jump between the convention recap and the game discussions, or listen straight through to hear how the topics fit together.

Funagain on Essen and the route games take

The episode’s longer conversation is with Nick Medinger, COO at Funagain Games. The hosts start from a familiar player’s pleasure: spotting a package on the doorstep and knowing a new game is inside. Medinger talks about the work behind that moment, including how games reach customers and local game stores. The interview connects the excitement of discovering a new title with the less visible business and distribution work that puts it within reach.

Essen is a central thread in that conversation. The hosts ask what was happening at the convention and invite Medinger to share some of the titles that caught attention. They also explore how Essen games make their way to the USA, how accessible the convention is, and how Funagain decides which games to pick. The questions move from discovery to the practical details of bringing a selection of games to players.

That practical angle continues with discussion of a major Essen pre-order, why prices fluctuate, and how Essen compares with other conventions. The hosts also ask about release dates, the business side of the hobby, and what the team has planned for BGG Con. These topics give the interview its shape: it’s about the route from an international convention to a shop shelf, as well as the choices and timing involved along the way.

The schedule marks the Funagain interview at 22:50, with the segment on Essen Games reaching the USA at 24:45. “How accessible is Essen” follows at 28:30, then “How do you pick” at 29:50 and the pre-order discussion at 34:00. Price changes come up at 37:50, followed by Essen and other conventions at 41:15 and miscellaneous Essen topics at 44:05. BGG Con plans start at 45:50; the questions about puzzles and Funko begin at 47:40, the business discussion at 49:45, release dates at 53:00 and Portal at 57:00. The outro begins at 57:48.

For listeners, the episode offers two different kinds of table talk: a quick comparison of two new games and a look at the work that helps games travel from convention halls to local stores and homes. The game segments give a starting point for choosing what to try, while Medinger’s interview adds context for the journey behind the next box on the doorstep.