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Boardgames deserve a critical language which articulates both where they're at (ie the toddler stage) and what they could be when they grow up. Your voices, Efka & Elaine, are helping to shape that language. Thank you both!
You all's wit and intelligence has stood out since day one. So. Don't apologize too much for the campy early days. They were fun!!! I think I found you all in 2017-2018 and went back and watched your backlog. Love your take on games and the hobby and they leave me thinking almost every time. Also, please don't stop panning games!!! You all aren't mean about it and it's informative to know you all's thoughts on them. With the infancy analogy: Diplomacy, Civilization, Cosmic Encounter, 1830, Dune, Die Macher, Axis and Allies, and Acquire are like the cool parents of the board game world, then 😄
Hi there! Thank you for your video! I am a BIG fan. My wife and I have a blog about board games and, later on, a CZcams channel about board games, (lamatatenabg) both in Spanish. One of the big inspirations for our CZcams channel was NPI. We had an article about your channel in our blog and even emailed you because we wanted to interview you! I also asked about your camera setup when we started our channel (and went with something a bit cheaper because I'm Mexican.) To this day, we enjoy shooting and editing our videos, and it's been our secondary hobby after playing board games when possible. Sadly, in Mexico, having a board game channel in Spanish is quite a task. At least Spain has a big audience. Here in Mexico... well, let's say it's complicated. If you think people look at you weird when you mention that you have a CZcams channel about board games, you should come and see what they do here. It is like telling people I have a CZcams channel about vintage dryers. Most of the time, they don't believe us. Luckily, this is changing because board games are getting more popular. Thank you for pouring all your thoughts into this video. As a creator (even someone who can't live off making videos, like us), it is important to see that other people share our struggles. I think it makes me feel less alone (?). At least someone else suffers as we do. At the start of the pandemic, my company laid me off, and I had nothing else to do but feel pity for myself and shoot videos once in a while. Good thing that changed. Switching gears a little bit, I want to say I backed your Patreon on day 1 (it was not that much because I was unemployed, but I wanted to show support). I think you deserve it. Your concept is unique. I wish I were as creative and good at generating good ideas for videos. I admire what you do and how you do it, and to this day, I think you are underappreciated. You deserve more subscribers, more views, and more everything. Speaking about detaching from board games as physical things, we are just exercising detachment. We are moving from Mexico to Germany this month, leaving behind over 200 board games. Of course, we are taking some of our games with us, but it has been an interesting exercise to decide what to take. I'm saying this also to tell you that you now have a place you can crash if you ever visit Munich. I can't thank you enough for this video.
I can almost guarantee I've been very poor at responding to whatever e-mails I was sent. I've learned a lot about managing my ability to answer letters (which previously was none). Thanks so much for supporting us, and I'm really glad to hear we motivated you to make videos.
I think there's something to be said about the relation between how developed a country is and their mainstream entertainment. Where I live being into boardgames was seen as weird just a decade ago and everything was about sports. Nowadays, nobody I know watched the olympics and it's almost weird when someone mentions they don't play any boardgames.
I appreciate you highlighting the *sheer amount of work* to produce a quality CZcams video these days versus just picking up a camera in the before time and winging it. Content changed, people changed and presentation and quality is the new "expected normal" these days. Keep on keeping on, thank you for your passion and insights into this hobby and interest space.
It's a shame that so much pushback is received when a game is not getting the glowing reviews some people feel they should get. Even the few snippets of "here are some games we didn't like all that much and where are they now?" is something that interests me - I feel like we could maybe gleam and theorise why they didn't so well; is it theme? Mechanisms that don't quite pull together? Just not enough marketing? In any case, I really enjoyed the video Efka, I think from the outside it is just assumed that successful youtubers get to live it up and that's far from the truth. My wife's full-time job is her channel but similarly talking about it with other folks is not a comfortable moment to discuss for the majority of folks don't understand her medium and nor is it enough for us both to ride off. Rambling but I appreciated the video Efka and I appreciate your insight!
Thanks for making this video! It helped me reflect on why I watch different channels. I watch Dice Tower if I want a quick overview and basic review. I watch SUSD if I want to be entertained, Watch it played if I want to learn how to play a game, Before You play for play throughs. And I watch NPI if I want to learn something or thing more critically about design and how mechanisms interact with theme. Thanks for being a entertaining and thoughtful part of my CZcams/board gaming life.
The entire point of a reviewer is that with the good ones, you can set your clock to them as it were. Oh reviewer a liked this so i might BUT reviewer b pointed out something that id REALLY hate about this so this sounds like a good game but deffo not for me.
This was such a cozy video, this honesty and forthright was a really good exploration and explanation of why you do what you do and the potential future of this hobby. Now where's my Oath review Efka?!
I havnt seen any of your videos untill now but man, your sense of humor is great and i now am going to watch your videos. I love that youve been able to do this. Cant wait to see all you have done
Slightly off topic, but thank you for your highlight on library workers. I work in a library and here in the US it's national Library Workers Day. It is a much harder job than people expect.
2:49 - I always say I'm an "educator," but that actually bit me in the ass when I was at a shop and the cashier responded "Oh, awesome! You can get a teacher discount!" And that's when I had to shamefully reveal that, no, actually, I'm - unfortunately - a CZcamsr.
Thanks for this video Efka, I enjoyed the insight and personal side of it. CZcams is a funny media; I see so much of your content that I would almost consider you as a friend despite you not knowing me (boy that sounded creepy). After all those years, your content is still a breath of fresh air in the board game world. I hope you still find some joy in that work because it does indeed bring joy to so many of us.
I really like your essay videos, I think you do a great job at them. I don't play boardgames, but I'm into game design a lot because I direct TTRPGs and I always find the videos a learning experience. OMG was that H-BomberGuy's hand??!
I just wanted to say, that I love the direction you are going. You offer a perspective on elements of gaming that most reviewers gloss over. I particularly appreciate your dive into harder topics. You are doing amazing work and you are right, you've improved immeasurably. For the record, your Kanban video is exceptional, and it encouraged me to dive into Lacerda. Kanban is now in my top 10. The "faceless workers" of Ian O'tool are actually part of my teach. Keep being great.
The way you and others like Dan Thurot of Spacebiff talks about boards games are truely inspiring and engrossing. Your team is one of my favorite content creators on this media. Thanks and keep up! Just for you know, as I backed John Company, I was thinking to myself that I'm almost as eager to play it then to watch your upcoming review of it! Games like that or Kanban are clearly great media to inspire great discussions and engrossing critics.
I found your Kanban video incredibly moving and came across it during a very specific time of my pandemic era life thinking about my relationship to my work… and I think about that video often- I was just listening to concepts of management while I mulled over what direction my life was taking…
I think it is safe to say that we love you, Efka! Doesn't matter how blue your screen, you and Elaine bring something special to the hobby and that will be indelible!
Thanks so much for this video man. It’s always great to have a moment to sit down and “meet” content creators. It’s been an awesome journey watching the channel grow. Thanks for all your hard work. It’s been an absolute pleasure. That last line really hammered it home for me. “I care about the experiences board games create and being part of it. That’s what I love”
The Kanban review is probably my favorite. Another one, I don’t even remember what game it was for, but you created an analogy by adding odd items to what you were eating, which I believe was IKEA meatballs.
I've only been subscribed for probably a month or so, I'm really new to the whole modern board game thing. I've found your videos brilliant, thank you for providing lots of great content, even if you don't like the early stuff I'm enjoying it. Hopefully when I get out of the massive lack of money patch of life I'm in I can afford to give you a monthly sub. In the meantime please know that you guys make great videos that are informative and funny (at least for me anyway).
It's great seeing your evolvolution over the years! And tomorrow I guess I'll try saying to my toddlers, "these are your golden years, enjoy them while you can" to see how they respond.
I can honestly say that your channel produces THE best board game reviews anno 2022. They are well crafted, witty and informative. Keep up the amazing work, both of you!
You guys are fun, funny, bright, thoughtful, interesting, and always entertaining. I treasure every video you guys do because they not only are entertaining, educational and fun (what else is the point of spending time on youtube?) but you continue to inspire an interest in the fun of board games and game design. Thank you guys for being you, and for embracing the fun challenge of continuing to grow your techniques and abilities as the channel develops. .
There have been plenty of NPI reviews where the offered opinion differed greatly from my own... just like it is between myself and my closest friends. The internet, among other things, often clouds the truth that differing opinions, held in good faith by open minds, serves to deepen and enrich a space substantially. A space like the one that has crackled forth out of the ether and into the world between and around and within boardgames and the people who enjoy them. A space that continues to grow with every game night, rules discussion, CZcams review, or shared memory made. I feel like the thoughtfulness with which NPI approaches the subject matter is a hallmark of the channel. I share your excitement at where the modern boardgame space is today and where it might go in years to come, as well as a desire to be here for all of it. Any hobby that allows for people like yourselves to create content like this for people like me, and everything else that that implies must be true about boardgaming, is worthy of love.
Your Too Many Bones video might be my favorite as when the next crowd funding campaign came up your deep dive was very useful in deciding that even if I just stuck with the good stuff in the game that it was out of my price range, so thank you for that. That's also why I'd love for you to do a part 2 for Arkham Horror but I know the work involved would be a lot. Keep up the great work!
Just want to say that as an occasional viewer of this channel, I am always very impressed with the fun that you and Elaine (sp?) display through your videos. Today's video provided great insight into what you do and why you do it, thank you very much for sharing! Keep up the good work!
NPI is a golden lighthouse of quality. As with many other of the great voices in BG on YT, you’ve helped to move the conversation forward and improve this great hobby. Thank you.
Your opinion on a board game is how you feel, even if others like or dislike it, don't praise or hate on a game if its not how you feel. Keep up the good work.
What a fantastic video. I love the insight into your experience, motivations and perspective on your own work. I find you and Elaine charming, entertaining and edifying. To this viewer, your videos manage to speak to a range of tabletop fans and also present your genuine social and personal values. You share your well-considered and articulated political and sociological insight, and you explore it through the context of games. I love that. The colonialism video, the industrial history of the UK video, the Canban video each have taught me interesting history and encouraged me to view games as a legible “text.” The Sleeping Gods review gave me a new way to understand and consider player agency in games, across gaming media. Videos like this one ARE self-indulgent, in that you are referring to yourself, explaining yourself, but you do not come across as arrogant or whatever. We are interested! We are your actual fans!
I watch this channel because the chemistry between Efka and Elaine is adorable. Because their filming skills improved, I was no longer embarrassed to share the vids.😉
Ive been to Nida and can confirm it's a beautiful place in a beautiful country. Aside from that tangent, I've loved your videos for a long time, and have loved the direction your channel has went in. Long way your art continue!
Only recently discovered your videos. They're great! You're very punny! About to watch the Scythe review. Scythe holds a special place in my heart as the game that got me into modern boardgames. Keep up the great work!
Your first video I watched was for New Angeles and I still think its great. I bought the game off the back of that review and have no regrets. I love that sketch! Thanks, Salman
March of the Ants rules actually! The economy and combat are cool, the biggest problem is the randomness of the deck, but there are drafting variants that basically fix those problems.
Interestingly one thing I learned about your channel today is that you are also interested (at least somewhat) in TTRPGs :D I have only watched a couple of reviews from you, but they've all been superb - both entertaining and insightful, keep up the ma I'll probably take a look at your D&D campaign - I'm a bit wary, since I do own the dragon heist book and hoped that I can find somebody to DM it (I DM 90% of the time, but at least from its description it sounds like it would be a campaign I would enjoy playing in a ton), so I didn't want to spoiler myself on it. In reality I don't think there is a chance I'll be a player in it, either I'll have to DM it myself or I won't be able to experience it first hand, so I might as well watch it being played to get a feeling if I want to run it :D This is a long shot - but in case you would be interested in RPGs other than D&D, I would loooove to hear your (BTW your in this entire post of course mean both you and Elain) opinion about them. I've constructed a short(ish) scenario (3 - 4 sessions) for Traveller (Mongoose publishing 2nd edition), which I've used as sort of a tutorial for my own group and they quite liked it; so in the unlikely case that you would have time and be interested, it would be an honor to run it for you and Elain (and 1 or 2 more players). No prior knowledge of the system is required, my players also did not know anything about traveller before I run them through this mission and it worked out fine.
You reviews are really appreciated and your opinion definitely influences my purchases, even if we disagree about Ark Nova (which is good, but not exceptional). Please keep the humor in your videos, it's great 😀
Efka, I've enjoyed every one of the videos that have graced my screen for the better part of the past decade. Your British and Lithuanian wit (is that a thing?) is both clever and sharp. You and Elaine are so adorable as a couple...you are lucky to have one another. Finally, it's wonderful that the two of you enjoy making these videos even if you don't "love board games." I'm always enamored by those who engage the hobby from the video or podcast perspective as it's a tremendous amount of work especially when you may end up playing games that you do truly dislike. Again, thank you for all that you (both of you) do for the industry and our hobby. Cheers, Joe
Thank you for sharing, Efka. That surprised me to what degree that you like board games. That, it's enjoyable but your job could be reviewing whatever with some bit of interest. I also learned that just like here in the States, the library system is underfunded and understaffed. It's an important institution and I encourage all to subscribe to a reoccurring donation. In fact, my library system has gotten into the hobby board games. Games like Scythe, Dune Imperium, Spirit Island, and smaller games are available for a 3 week loan! Amazing!
Kanban is definetly my fabourite video you have done. Just from the sheer quality and stoey built into it I have recommended it to some of my non boardgaming friends!
I couldn't agree more. As a recently addition to the community surrounding the hobby, one thing I've noticed that bothers me a bit is that fans seem to care more about the superficial experience of amassing a collection for collecting's sake rather than considering the value of the experiences they receive. The video game community has a similar problem, but at least the medium has matured to the point where there are many experiences that have challenged me emotionally and intellectually. Whereas mainstream board games are still in that era where the most important mental reward for many players is the hit of dopamine from unboxing the latest expansion for whatever game without considering the message it is delivering or the cultural implications it carries with it.
I'm always brought back to the abridged words of Totalbiscuit, mayherestinpiece, when it comes to reviewing entertainment media of any kind. The point is that some people might be too busy to do research on everything or they might not have enough cash to buy and try things, they need to know they'll click with what they get. Your job is to make sure people know, not maliciously or w/e, if a game sucks or not and the surrounding things with the company because that matters more and more everyday.
This video ❤️ my goodness. Amazing work. It made me feel like I’m still at the start of my journey still in a way. Also my favorite videos have the least views too…
Great video! Amazing as always... best part... I was having a cup of coffee and it felt like chatting with Efka on a coffee shop. Yes.. the pandemic has made me wierd(er). I don't get out that much! 😅
I miss the old videos. I know you're producing better content now, but there's a lot of heart and charm in the early stuff, not to mention some insightful reviews. Just because you didn't (entirely) know what you were doing doesn't mean it's without value. The early videos are your Purple Tape or your Slay Tracks.
For the record, I loved the goofy early years. I have enjoyed some of them more than the polished newer reviews in many cases. But I have a hypothesis that it's video length extending in the pandemic, not the quality. Also, than Kamban video was the most excited I've been for a game I know I'd never get to the table. Thanks for that.
It took me an embarrassingly long time in this video to realise that the cardboard TV set around the old clips was added for this video as opposed to being part of your channel's presentation back in the old days...
Just like hbomberguy, I view your videos as more like video essays on board games :) Your video essay on colonialism as *amazing* to watch! It's a very niche topic, but your channel is so far the only one doing it good! Thanks for your uploads.
There is an argument that a medium's "golden generation" is a period before it fully establishes itself as a capitalist endeavour. While that may or may not be the case, I often ascribe the current boardgaming milieu with the period of digital games between 1989-1999 give or take. That is, a boom of creativity before these huge companies (Sony and later Microsoft) know how to truly wield the industry for smooth, marketable, capitalist gains. They were but jazzing it up it nightclubs and trying to get students to namedrop their titles. They didn't know how to create addictive skinner boxes then... And I can see the current period of boardgames as existing in a state before similar conglomerates know how to truly monetise the strengths of the medium. Asmodee are closing the net on the UK market but they are equally benefitting from the bounty. For now. BGG becoming increasingly monetised and "slick", for me at least, gives further credence to the idea that we are actually in a golden generation and sooner or later, we will get a slower rate of output from established names only.
Would've been awesome to link those videos you mention in this video in the description or in a pinned message. Like, some are clear to find but some you only mention by name and not clear enough for me to look up.
@@NoPunIncluded I've watched literally every other video review you've put out since I found your channels like maybe 5 years ago though. So I literally just want to watch that movie yo watch the review 😂. I like your specific style that's different to other reviewers
Instead of saying "I'm a CZcamsr with a channel about board games", why not say, "I'm a journalist and tabletop game critic, and I actually earn a modest amount from my CZcams channel"?
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Boardgames deserve a critical language which articulates both where they're at (ie the toddler stage) and what they could be when they grow up. Your voices, Efka & Elaine, are helping to shape that language. Thank you both!
You all's wit and intelligence has stood out since day one. So. Don't apologize too much for the campy early days. They were fun!!! I think I found you all in 2017-2018 and went back and watched your backlog. Love your take on games and the hobby and they leave me thinking almost every time.
Also, please don't stop panning games!!! You all aren't mean about it and it's informative to know you all's thoughts on them.
With the infancy analogy: Diplomacy, Civilization, Cosmic Encounter, 1830, Dune, Die Macher, Axis and Allies, and Acquire are like the cool parents of the board game world, then 😄
Hi there! Thank you for your video! I am a BIG fan. My wife and I have a blog about board games and, later on, a CZcams channel about board games, (lamatatenabg) both in Spanish. One of the big inspirations for our CZcams channel was NPI. We had an article about your channel in our blog and even emailed you because we wanted to interview you! I also asked about your camera setup when we started our channel (and went with something a bit cheaper because I'm Mexican.)
To this day, we enjoy shooting and editing our videos, and it's been our secondary hobby after playing board games when possible. Sadly, in Mexico, having a board game channel in Spanish is quite a task. At least Spain has a big audience. Here in Mexico... well, let's say it's complicated. If you think people look at you weird when you mention that you have a CZcams channel about board games, you should come and see what they do here. It is like telling people I have a CZcams channel about vintage dryers. Most of the time, they don't believe us. Luckily, this is changing because board games are getting more popular.
Thank you for pouring all your thoughts into this video. As a creator (even someone who can't live off making videos, like us), it is important to see that other people share our struggles. I think it makes me feel less alone (?). At least someone else suffers as we do. At the start of the pandemic, my company laid me off, and I had nothing else to do but feel pity for myself and shoot videos once in a while. Good thing that changed.
Switching gears a little bit, I want to say I backed your Patreon on day 1 (it was not that much because I was unemployed, but I wanted to show support). I think you deserve it. Your concept is unique. I wish I were as creative and good at generating good ideas for videos. I admire what you do and how you do it, and to this day, I think you are underappreciated. You deserve more subscribers, more views, and more everything.
Speaking about detaching from board games as physical things, we are just exercising detachment. We are moving from Mexico to Germany this month, leaving behind over 200 board games. Of course, we are taking some of our games with us, but it has been an interesting exercise to decide what to take. I'm saying this also to tell you that you now have a place you can crash if you ever visit Munich.
I can't thank you enough for this video.
I can almost guarantee I've been very poor at responding to whatever e-mails I was sent. I've learned a lot about managing my ability to answer letters (which previously was none).
Thanks so much for supporting us, and I'm really glad to hear we motivated you to make videos.
Buen comentario. Muy inspirador. Voy a buscar su canal.
@@luiscarlosqg Gracias :D
I think there's something to be said about the relation between how developed a country is and their mainstream entertainment. Where I live being into boardgames was seen as weird just a decade ago and everything was about sports. Nowadays, nobody I know watched the olympics and it's almost weird when someone mentions they don't play any boardgames.
I appreciate you highlighting the *sheer amount of work* to produce a quality CZcams video these days versus just picking up a camera in the before time and winging it. Content changed, people changed and presentation and quality is the new "expected normal" these days. Keep on keeping on, thank you for your passion and insights into this hobby and interest space.
It's a shame that so much pushback is received when a game is not getting the glowing reviews some people feel they should get. Even the few snippets of "here are some games we didn't like all that much and where are they now?" is something that interests me - I feel like we could maybe gleam and theorise why they didn't so well; is it theme? Mechanisms that don't quite pull together? Just not enough marketing?
In any case, I really enjoyed the video Efka, I think from the outside it is just assumed that successful youtubers get to live it up and that's far from the truth. My wife's full-time job is her channel but similarly talking about it with other folks is not a comfortable moment to discuss for the majority of folks don't understand her medium and nor is it enough for us both to ride off.
Rambling but I appreciated the video Efka and I appreciate your insight!
Thanks for making this video! It helped me reflect on why I watch different channels. I watch Dice Tower if I want a quick overview and basic review. I watch SUSD if I want to be entertained, Watch it played if I want to learn how to play a game, Before You play for play throughs. And I watch NPI if I want to learn something or thing more critically about design and how mechanisms interact with theme. Thanks for being a entertaining and thoughtful part of my CZcams/board gaming life.
The entire point of a reviewer is that with the good ones, you can set your clock to them as it were. Oh reviewer a liked this so i might BUT reviewer b pointed out something that id REALLY hate about this so this sounds like a good game but deffo not for me.
This was such a cozy video, this honesty and forthright was a really good exploration and explanation of why you do what you do and the potential future of this hobby. Now where's my Oath review Efka?!
The Kanban video was the one that made go "whoa these guys are doing something more". Sucks that it didn't so well.
I havnt seen any of your videos untill now but man, your sense of humor is great and i now am going to watch your videos. I love that youve been able to do this. Cant wait to see all you have done
Slightly off topic, but thank you for your highlight on library workers. I work in a library and here in the US it's national Library Workers Day. It is a much harder job than people expect.
2:49 - I always say I'm an "educator," but that actually bit me in the ass when I was at a shop and the cashier responded "Oh, awesome! You can get a teacher discount!"
And that's when I had to shamefully reveal that, no, actually, I'm - unfortunately - a CZcamsr.
Thanks for this video Efka, I enjoyed the insight and personal side of it. CZcams is a funny media; I see so much of your content that I would almost consider you as a friend despite you not knowing me (boy that sounded creepy). After all those years, your content is still a breath of fresh air in the board game world. I hope you still find some joy in that work because it does indeed bring joy to so many of us.
Things I learned from this video: 1. Abttoir is another word for slaughterhouse 2. Legoland is evil 3. Efka doesn't love board games
Abbatoir is the french word for slaughterhouse.
I really like your essay videos, I think you do a great job at them. I don't play boardgames, but I'm into game design a lot because I direct TTRPGs and I always find the videos a learning experience.
OMG was that H-BomberGuy's hand??!
I just wanted to say, that I love the direction you are going. You offer a perspective on elements of gaming that most reviewers gloss over. I particularly appreciate your dive into harder topics. You are doing amazing work and you are right, you've improved immeasurably. For the record, your Kanban video is exceptional, and it encouraged me to dive into Lacerda. Kanban is now in my top 10. The "faceless workers" of Ian O'tool are actually part of my teach. Keep being great.
The way you and others like Dan Thurot of Spacebiff talks about boards games are truely inspiring and engrossing. Your team is one of my favorite content creators on this media. Thanks and keep up!
Just for you know, as I backed John Company, I was thinking to myself that I'm almost as eager to play it then to watch your upcoming review of it! Games like that or Kanban are clearly great media to inspire great discussions and engrossing critics.
I love Boardgames, but not for the boxes, but for the people i can share them with.
I found your Kanban video incredibly moving and came across it during a very specific time of my pandemic era life thinking about my relationship to my work… and I think about that video often- I was just listening to concepts of management while I mulled over what direction my life was taking…
I think it is safe to say that we love you, Efka! Doesn't matter how blue your screen, you and Elaine bring something special to the hobby and that will be indelible!
As a foreign speaker, you really got me confused for a second as to why what Efka and Elaine do is inedible...
@@DagarCoHlol well they do like to eat board game components
Yeah, blue videos were good. Do not be ashamed of them.
Thanks so much for this video man. It’s always great to have a moment to sit down and “meet” content creators. It’s been an awesome journey watching the channel grow. Thanks for all your hard work. It’s been an absolute pleasure. That last line really hammered it home for me.
“I care about the experiences board games create and being part of it. That’s what I love”
The Kanban review is probably my favorite. Another one, I don’t even remember what game it was for, but you created an analogy by adding odd items to what you were eating, which I believe was IKEA meatballs.
I've only been subscribed for probably a month or so, I'm really new to the whole modern board game thing.
I've found your videos brilliant, thank you for providing lots of great content, even if you don't like the early stuff I'm enjoying it.
Hopefully when I get out of the massive lack of money patch of life I'm in I can afford to give you a monthly sub.
In the meantime please know that you guys make great videos that are informative and funny (at least for me anyway).
It's great seeing your evolvolution over the years! And tomorrow I guess I'll try saying to my toddlers, "these are your golden years, enjoy them while you can" to see how they respond.
I can honestly say that your channel produces THE best board game reviews anno 2022. They are well crafted, witty and informative. Keep up the amazing work, both of you!
You guys are fun, funny, bright, thoughtful, interesting, and always entertaining. I treasure every video you guys do because they not only are entertaining, educational and fun (what else is the point of spending time on youtube?) but you continue to inspire an interest in the fun of board games and game design. Thank you guys for being you, and for embracing the fun challenge of continuing to grow your techniques and abilities as the channel develops. .
Stumbled upon your channel a few days ago, and it's a true gem! Keep up the excellent, honest, and, above all, enlightening reviews!
Thanks Efka, we enjoy watching the videos Eliane and you produce
There have been plenty of NPI reviews where the offered opinion differed greatly from my own... just like it is between myself and my closest friends. The internet, among other things, often clouds the truth that differing opinions, held in good faith by open minds, serves to deepen and enrich a space substantially. A space like the one that has crackled forth out of the ether and into the world between and around and within boardgames and the people who enjoy them. A space that continues to grow with every game night, rules discussion, CZcams review, or shared memory made.
I feel like the thoughtfulness with which NPI approaches the subject matter is a hallmark of the channel. I share your excitement at where the modern boardgame space is today and where it might go in years to come, as well as a desire to be here for all of it.
Any hobby that allows for people like yourselves to create content like this for people like me, and everything else that that implies must be true about boardgaming, is worthy of love.
Your Too Many Bones video might be my favorite as when the next crowd funding campaign came up your deep dive was very useful in deciding that even if I just stuck with the good stuff in the game that it was out of my price range, so thank you for that. That's also why I'd love for you to do a part 2 for Arkham Horror but I know the work involved would be a lot. Keep up the great work!
I'm watching through all of your older videos by popularity and now I'm adding Kanban to the top of the list
Watching your videos is like spending time with a good, witty, friend. Thank you.
Just want to say that as an occasional viewer of this channel, I am always very impressed with the fun that you and Elaine (sp?) display through your videos. Today's video provided great insight into what you do and why you do it, thank you very much for sharing! Keep up the good work!
oh wow, it's the flashback episode!
NPI is a golden lighthouse of quality. As with many other of the great voices in BG on YT, you’ve helped to move the conversation forward and improve this great hobby. Thank you.
Your opinion on a board game is how you feel, even if others like or dislike it, don't praise or hate on a game if its not how you feel.
Keep up the good work.
This channel is getting better each video. You entered an exponential time of quality and interest growth. Thanks for your both amount of work!!!!
What a fantastic video. I love the insight into your experience, motivations and perspective on your own work. I find you and Elaine charming, entertaining and edifying. To this viewer, your videos manage to speak to a range of tabletop fans and also present your genuine social and personal values. You share your well-considered and articulated political and sociological insight, and you explore it through the context of games. I love that. The colonialism video, the industrial history of the UK video, the Canban video each have taught me interesting history and encouraged me to view games as a legible “text.” The Sleeping Gods review gave me a new way to understand and consider player agency in games, across gaming media. Videos like this one ARE self-indulgent, in that you are referring to yourself, explaining yourself, but you do not come across as arrogant or whatever. We are interested! We are your actual fans!
I watch this channel because the chemistry between Efka and Elaine is adorable. Because their filming skills improved, I was no longer embarrassed to share the vids.😉
Ive been to Nida and can confirm it's a beautiful place in a beautiful country. Aside from that tangent, I've loved your videos for a long time, and have loved the direction your channel has went in. Long way your art continue!
Only recently discovered your videos. They're great! You're very punny! About to watch the Scythe review. Scythe holds a special place in my heart as the game that got me into modern boardgames. Keep up the great work!
Been watching since your Star Wars: Armada review and I've enjoyed each video since.
I loved the video and the deep dive into the history of NPI. Thank you!
This video was absolutely fascinating! Amazing work and super well articulated!
Thanks E&E! NPI is great for reviews and for the humour added to board games. I'm grateful for being able to send a few quids your way on Patreon.
Your first video I watched was for New Angeles and I still think its great. I bought the game off the back of that review and have no regrets.
I love that sketch! Thanks, Salman
Can't wait to watch this later today. I hope all things are well with you :)
Very special behind the scenes insight! A really worthwhile video to watch! Thank you!
March of the Ants rules actually!
The economy and combat are cool, the biggest problem is the randomness of the deck, but there are drafting variants that basically fix those problems.
Absolutely love the two of you and what you bring to the table. Thank you for your work!!
I follow you for years now, i even like the videos on BoardGames I will never play! I will start to start to support you two!
Interestingly one thing I learned about your channel today is that you are also interested (at least somewhat) in TTRPGs :D I have only watched a couple of reviews from you, but they've all been superb - both entertaining and insightful, keep up the ma
I'll probably take a look at your D&D campaign - I'm a bit wary, since I do own the dragon heist book and hoped that I can find somebody to DM it (I DM 90% of the time, but at least from its description it sounds like it would be a campaign I would enjoy playing in a ton), so I didn't want to spoiler myself on it.
In reality I don't think there is a chance I'll be a player in it, either I'll have to DM it myself or I won't be able to experience it first hand, so I might as well watch it being played to get a feeling if I want to run it :D
This is a long shot - but in case you would be interested in RPGs other than D&D, I would loooove to hear your (BTW your in this entire post of course mean both you and Elain) opinion about them. I've constructed a short(ish) scenario (3 - 4 sessions) for Traveller (Mongoose publishing 2nd edition), which I've used as sort of a tutorial for my own group and they quite liked it; so in the unlikely case that you would have time and be interested, it would be an honor to run it for you and Elain (and 1 or 2 more players). No prior knowledge of the system is required, my players also did not know anything about traveller before I run them through this mission and it worked out fine.
You reviews are really appreciated and your opinion definitely influences my purchases, even if we disagree about Ark Nova (which is good, but not exceptional). Please keep the humor in your videos, it's great 😀
Efka,
I've enjoyed every one of the videos that have graced my screen for the better part of the past decade. Your British and Lithuanian wit (is that a thing?) is both clever and sharp. You and Elaine are so adorable as a couple...you are lucky to have one another. Finally, it's wonderful that the two of you enjoy making these videos even if you don't "love board games." I'm always enamored by those who engage the hobby from the video or podcast perspective as it's a tremendous amount of work especially when you may end up playing games that you do truly dislike.
Again, thank you for all that you (both of you) do for the industry and our hobby.
Cheers,
Joe
Absolutely cracking video. The camcorder and white balance ignorance is too real though 🙂
Thank you for sharing, Efka. That surprised me to what degree that you like board games. That, it's enjoyable but your job could be reviewing whatever with some bit of interest.
I also learned that just like here in the States, the library system is underfunded and understaffed. It's an important institution and I encourage all to subscribe to a reoccurring donation. In fact, my library system has gotten into the hobby board games. Games like Scythe, Dune Imperium, Spirit Island, and smaller games are available for a 3 week loan! Amazing!
Me too, I love the experience games create, I love when more humans than just me can experience this, this is the first time I realize it, thank you
If I listed the top 100,000 things in my life I would still be listing things I love
All I heard was “I don’t love board games”
I really liked your Catan alternatives video and still think about it, even though I have not seen it since release.
Your Food Chain Magnate video is my favorite of yours. I like the others too, but that is my fav video for what it's worth.
Kanban is definetly my fabourite video you have done. Just from the sheer quality and stoey built into it I have recommended it to some of my non boardgaming friends!
I unexaggeratedly adore this channel, thank you both.
I couldn't agree more. As a recently addition to the community surrounding the hobby, one thing I've noticed that bothers me a bit is that fans seem to care more about the superficial experience of amassing a collection for collecting's sake rather than considering the value of the experiences they receive.
The video game community has a similar problem, but at least the medium has matured to the point where there are many experiences that have challenged me emotionally and intellectually. Whereas mainstream board games are still in that era where the most important mental reward for many players is the hit of dopamine from unboxing the latest expansion for whatever game without considering the message it is delivering or the cultural implications it carries with it.
The root review was definitely my favorite. It's been a wild ride for NPI hasn't it. Thanks
Efka, you're such a great guy. Thanks for encouraging people to follow their dreams.
I dont know why, but i thoroughly enjoyed this video. Thank you both for your always inspiring always entertaining work! Trip to Nida almost booked.
Y'all have only gotten better and better, and it feels like you have only just begun to scratch the surface of what this medium can be.
I'm always brought back to the abridged words of Totalbiscuit, mayherestinpiece, when it comes to reviewing entertainment media of any kind. The point is that some people might be too busy to do research on everything or they might not have enough cash to buy and try things, they need to know they'll click with what they get. Your job is to make sure people know, not maliciously or w/e, if a game sucks or not and the surrounding things with the company because that matters more and more everyday.
This video ❤️ my goodness. Amazing work. It made me feel like I’m still at the start of my journey still in a way. Also my favorite videos have the least views too…
Great video! Amazing as always... best part... I was having a cup of coffee and it felt like chatting with Efka on a coffee shop. Yes.. the pandemic has made me wierd(er). I don't get out that much! 😅
I can so related to that opening section where people ask what my job is. These days I just say 'writer' and wave hand about the rest.
Interesting video! Please make an Oath review. I'd be interested to hear your opinions :)
omg i did the blue thing too in my dungeon academy video lol Stay Hexy!
I miss the old videos. I know you're producing better content now, but there's a lot of heart and charm in the early stuff, not to mention some insightful reviews. Just because you didn't (entirely) know what you were doing doesn't mean it's without value. The early videos are your Purple Tape or your Slay Tracks.
For the record, I loved the goofy early years. I have enjoyed some of them more than the polished newer reviews in many cases. But I have a hypothesis that it's video length extending in the pandemic, not the quality. Also, than Kamban video was the most excited I've been for a game I know I'd never get to the table. Thanks for that.
Really enjoy both of your hard work. One question that may have been answered and I missed, What ever happened to the arkham horror LCG series?
Beautiful, transparent and wonderful. Thank you.
It took me an embarrassingly long time in this video to realise that the cardboard TV set around the old clips was added for this video as opposed to being part of your channel's presentation back in the old days...
Just like hbomberguy, I view your videos as more like video essays on board games :) Your video essay on colonialism as *amazing* to watch!
It's a very niche topic, but your channel is so far the only one doing it good!
Thanks for your uploads.
Love you buddy, keep cracking on!
I was in Nida and Joudkrante with my son last summer. Amazing place, reminds a bit Slowinski Park Narodowy in Leba.
Great comic shop in Nottingham, Page ??? Used to visit for GameCity.
My experience begs to differ :(
@@NoPunIncluded Nuff said ;-) was a while back
There is an argument that a medium's "golden generation" is a period before it fully establishes itself as a capitalist endeavour. While that may or may not be the case, I often ascribe the current boardgaming milieu with the period of digital games between 1989-1999 give or take. That is, a boom of creativity before these huge companies (Sony and later Microsoft) know how to truly wield the industry for smooth, marketable, capitalist gains. They were but jazzing it up it nightclubs and trying to get students to namedrop their titles. They didn't know how to create addictive skinner boxes then...
And I can see the current period of boardgames as existing in a state before similar conglomerates know how to truly monetise the strengths of the medium. Asmodee are closing the net on the UK market but they are equally benefitting from the bounty. For now. BGG becoming increasingly monetised and "slick", for me at least, gives further credence to the idea that we are actually in a golden generation and sooner or later, we will get a slower rate of output from established names only.
I beg to differ about the best open. The Sythe video opening is the mother of all openings.
The Meeple Circus review was really great. It sold me on the game and on NPI.
Sadly, I am really bad at Meeple Circus. So bad.
more videos shot in Lithuania!
I'm interested to see what your top 10 list looks like today. It has been quite a few years since the last one.
Slightly offtopic (really loved the video though) - what was this Lithuanian seafront place that you mentioned?
Nida, on the Kuršių Nerija peninsula.
Essay videos are the best.
The Kanban review was brilliant
I love your shirt! And your videos!
Its not the game its the experience....this is the way. You are quite right.
Self indulgent introspection is *tight*
Thank you for this video.
I'm in board games makes me think you wear a monopoly suit to parties.
Would've been awesome to link those videos you mention in this video in the description or in a pinned message.
Like, some are clear to find but some you only mention by name and not clear enough for me to look up.
That's a good point, I'll get on that a bit later today.
@@NoPunIncluded Awesome! :)
The only reason I haven't watched the Kanban video is because it says it has spoilers for a movie I haven't yet seen 😂
live your life!
@@NoPunIncluded I've watched literally every other video review you've put out since I found your channels like maybe 5 years ago though. So I literally just want to watch that movie yo watch the review 😂. I like your specific style that's different to other reviewers
Instead of saying "I'm a CZcamsr with a channel about board games", why not say, "I'm a journalist and tabletop game critic, and I actually earn a modest amount from my CZcams channel"?
I'm unsure of what video is my favorite but I know the most interesting topic has been Colonialism.