Just Play
Just Play is a board gaming podcast hosted by JP, who serves as your Player Two through the hobby. Episodes cover games played at the table, chats with industry guests, and convention coverage. The show aims to be a relaxed companion for board game enthusiasts.
Episodes
Essen SPIEL 2026 Diaries | VLOG No. 1 (Tues 20th Oct / Weds 21st Oct)
JP gets to the mic and recounts the travel day and Day 0 (Press Event) of Essen SPIEL 2026.Get in touch with the showSupport the showGET IN TOUCHWebsite - https://www.justplaypod.co.uk YouTube - https://www.youtube.com/@JustPlayPodcastFacebook - https://www.facebook.com/JustPlayPodInstagram - https://www.instagram.com/justplaypodDiscord - Join us on DiscordINTRO / OUTRO CREDITSIntro / Outro Music:
E10: Ranking the Lacerda-verse
When you've been playing boardgames for a while you'll inevitably have to answer this question "What's your favourite Lacerda?". So to answer this question JP decides to try and rank the big box Lacerda games on Tiermaker, lets see what ends up where.IN THIS EPISODE- In "Centre of the Table" JP jumps on Tiermaker and ranks Lacerda games and highlights why each o
Just Play With Others: From Renegade to Deckers Duplicity Interview (Feat. Ricky Royal)
Did you know that Deckers was once a game called Renegade and originally it was themed around historical Anglo-Saxon times. Well JP gets some time with Richard Wilkins (aka Ricky Royal) to talk about his experience in the hobby, his designs and of course the new Deckers expansion called Deckers: Duplicity being released at Essen SPIEL 2026.IN THIS EPISODE- Learn about Ricky's entry into the
EP9: My top 12 picks for Essen SPIEL 2026
Essen SPIEL 2026 is nearly upon us and JP has pulled together his top 12 picks from the preview list. IN THIS EPISODE- JP talks in the "Centre of the Table" about his 12 preview picks to check out for Essen SPIEL 2026 and why they've made the list which include Courtroom, -60 Below, Timespan, Kingdom Come Deliverance, Carpet Racers, Carl von Linne, Forestry: Growing Further, Hegemo
EP8: Why asymmetric games hit different
A listener once asked JP how he felt about asymmetry in board games and it sparked an idea to talk about it, what it means, how he feel about it and would he recommend it for new players.IN THIS EPISODE- We start now with the "Centre of the table" where JP dives into the topic of asymmetry and the variations of it in board games- JP has got more games to the table in "Just Played&qu
Just Play With Others: EZBoardGames Interview (Feat: Asaf Hirsch)
Ever since JP met Asaf at David Turczi's gaming retreat this year, he's made it his mission to get Asaf from EZBoardGames on the channel for a good old chat about board games and content creation.DISCLAIMER: It appears JP didn't sacrifice enough terrible boardgames to the lords of the internet so Asaf's video feed is quite laggy for those watching on video.IN THIS EPISODE- Lear
EP7: Top 5 solo card games you need to play
When you struggle nail down a few peoples calendars to play games it's great to have some cracking solo card games to full back on to keep you gaming. Today JP talks about his top 5 solo card games which are just absolute bangers.IN THIS EPISODE- In the "Just Played" segment JP focuses on two games not in his typically his type, first up Rolling Realms Redux by Stonemaier Games whi
Just Play Reunion: Belonging at the table (Feat. Becky from Whose Turn Is It Anyway?)
It's reunion time again and this time Becky jumps on the show to bring some of that old Whose Turn Is It Anyway magic back again. We talk about belonging at the board game table and put ourselves in the shoes of new gamers again, what are the pitfalls, what are the perils, what gateway games have worked for it. Join us for a chat as it's about to get nostalgic.IN THIS EPISODE- JP intro
EP6: 8 great games I'll never play again
Sometimes great games just don't hit the mark for a variety of reasons and in this episode I pick eight genuinely good games that fall into that category.IN THIS EPISODE- In the "Just Played" segment JP travels back to 1760 England and tries to make his factory as efficient and profitable as possible in Arkwright: Anniversary Edition by Capstone Games and then travels to the future
Just Play With Others: The Success of Tenby Interview (Cosy Cub Games)
Some games challenge your brain and some warm your heat, every now and then some games manage to do both. We've got Benjie Talbott from Cosy Cub Games to talk about the meteoric rise of Tenby by Mighty Boards IN THIS EPISODE- Learn about Benjie's early gaming experiences and what he likes to play to unwind- Benjie provides his experience from taking a game design to have it literally fl
EP5: Board games that feel like a Black Mirror episode
What if your favourite game is actually playing you? In a homage to the fantastic TV series Black Mirror JP takes a look at board games that could well feature as an episode in that series. Expect dark, expect adult themes and lets lean into the dystopia.IN THIS EPISODE- In the "Just Played" segment JP talks about his recent experience with Politik by Black Yeti Games after releasing a
Just Play Reunion: Beale Street Board Games (Feat: Rob from Whose Turn Is It Anyway?)
It's time for something a little different. JP is away on a work trip to Memphis in the US and joined by Rob formally from the Whose Turn Is It Anyway Podcast, so naturally it felt like a little reunion. We've brought the mics and thought we share a little of our gaming experiences whilst we visited the "Home of the Blues".IN THIS EPISODE- JP introduces Rob for those who don&
EP4: Just Play...but not like that
Let's face it, we love this hobby it provides so many great things, the social interaction, the fun at the table, we wouldn't change it for the world. However, there are some things about the hobby which make us question our life choices...buckle up we're about to dive into a few of them.IN THIS EPISODE- In the "Just Played" segment JP has now had a full game of Terraria
Just Play With Others: Snowdonia Grand Tour Interview (Naylor Games)
There's something magical about railways, the routes, the stories and the people that built them. Snowdonia Grand Tour from Naylor Games captures all of that and then dares to go bigger.IN THIS EPISODE- We meet Jaya Baldwin from Naylor Games and learn about what his favourite games are and what he's been playing lately.- You can learn more about Snowdonia Special Edition and the new Sno
EP3: From Punch to Play
We've all been there right, the game has been ordered, we're all excited and we start punching it all out on the table. At some point this all needs organising and we're going to have to teach this game to real people who are now relying on you for a good evening of entertainment. In this episode JP talks about his approach from acquisition to post game analysis.IN THIS EPISODE- I
Just Play With Others: Echobound Adventures Interview (Tempest Workshop & Open Owl Studios)
Imagine a world where every decision sends a ripple, a literal echo that shapes the world... that's Echobound Adventures. In this episode Chris & Isaias from Tempest Workshop pull back the curtain on their latest game being published by Open Owl Studios.IN THIS EPISODE- Learn about Chris & Isaias' favourite games and what they been playing recently- Understand more about the ric
Just a Quick Play: Politik & the "Road to 500"
This week we don't have an audio episode for you although JP talks for 3 minutes to update on two key things:JUST A QUICK PLAYPolitik Playthrough - On YouTube right now you can watch a 2-player game of Politik by Black Yeti Games which is coming out on Gamefound on the 30th June right here - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OudozpVBLbwPolitik Campaign Page - You can find the Gamefound campaign
EP2: Please don't touch the mechanisms
Welcome the Board Game Mechanism Museum, you've got your ticket, come on in and take a look around as I talk about my favourite mechanisms that I particularly enjoy in gaming. Just remember though to not touch the exhibits.IN THIS EPISODE- In our "Just Played" segment JP tried to become Unstoppable, a card crafting game by Renegade Studios and tries a different take on the 4x genre
Just Play With Others: My Netherlands Board Game Retreat 2026
JP returns from a rather sweaty weekend in the Netherlands...no not like that, board gaming in 30+ degree heat of course. Every year Dávid Turczi hosts an invite only retreat for friends, family, developers, testers and this is my second year attending. So will I'll divulge any industry secrets, well no because NDA is a real thing but I did get a lot of games played so what an excuse to tal
Just Play With Others: UK Games Expo 2026 (Feat. NinjaGeek Games)
Con-Crud is a real thing but you know what, it's worth it when you've attended the UK Games Expo 2026. JP is joined by Mark Monk from @NinjaGeekGames where they break down the show, the games they've played, the people they've met and the wicked awesome (thanks Mark) time they had.DISCLAIMER!!! For those watching on video Mark's video / audio has a slight delay which will
EP1: Top 10 games that made me love tabletop
In a world where there are over 100,000 board games it only takes a special few to make a difference. In this episode JP takes us through his top 10 games that made him fall in love with the hobby.IN THIS EPISODE- In our "Just Played" segment JP talks about why it's important to be careful in waking up eternals in Eternal Decks by Tricktakers Games and managing workers in a dystopi
EP0: Welcome to Just Play
Welcome to a brand new board gaming podcast called Just Play. I'm your host JP and your "Player Two" guiding you through the hobby. Whether that's talking about the latest hotness, the golden oldies or the joys of board gaming. Grab yourselves a chair, sit back and relax and...Just Play.IN THIS EPISODE- We learn more about the host JP and introduces new listeners to the show
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