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 talk about them.

IN THIS EPISODE
- JP talks more about the event and the fun journeys driving to the Netherlands
- I joined a variety of content creators including Paul Grogan from Gaming Rules!, Mark Dainty from Not Bored Gaming and Asaf from EZBoardGames
- I talk about the following games including:
Andromedas Edge by Cardboard Alchemy
Slay the Spire by Contention Games
Leviathan Wilds by Moon Crab Games
Cat In The Box by Bézier Games
The Defence of Procyon III by PSC Games
Recall by Alion Games
World Order by Hegemonic Project Games
Clans of Caledonia

LINKS REFERENCED IN THE SHOW
Watch this episode on YouTube - youtube.com/watch?v=CcJr_buxLWU

CHAPTERS
00:00:00 - OPENING
00:00:18 - PHASE A: PULL UP A CHAIR
00:00:40 - PHASE B: JUST PLAY WITH OTHERS - Netherlands Gaming Retreat
00:01:49 - Who attended the event?
00:03:28 - What was the place like and why was it sweaty?
00:05:04 - The journey to the Netherlands
00:06:17 - Secret games that I can't talk about...seriously JP
00:07:01 - PHASE C: JUST PLAYED AT THE EVENT
00:07:23 - Andromedas Edge
00:12:46 - Slay the Spire
00:18:08 - Leviathan Wilds
00:25:34 - Cat In The Box
00:28:15 - The Defense of Procyon III
00:35:17 - A quick aside for Star Trek Captains Chair
00:35:56 - Recall
00:40:21 - World Order
00:46:58 - Clans of Caledonia
00:51:42 - PHASE D: THE LAST PLAY
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INTRO / OUTRO CREDITS
Intro / Outro Music: Getaway by D0d
Music from #Uppbeat (free for Creators!):
uppbeat.io/t/d0d/getaway