Games People Play: TantrumCon & Snow Storms
Fourteen inches of snow on a sheet of ice set the tone for a month of chaos—school closures, missed plans, and a toaster scare. We needed a reset, and found it in the most focused place imaginable: a four-day, 1,200-person board game convention where creativity, patience, and play run the show. We dive into TantrumCon from a first-timer’s view and a veteran’s lens, exploring what happens when you trade notifications for rulebooks and sit with strangers who become teammates.
We share the magic of learning straight from the source: playing Castles of Mad King Ludwig with its designer, testing a confidential prototype, and hearing how themes emerge from mechanics rather than the other way around. An independent designer walked us through pitching to publishers and building elegant systems around insects, flowers, and stables—proof that the best tabletop experiences are crafted, revised, and loved into being. Along the way, we unpack how tiny icon tweaks and balance passes can transform a session from swingy to satisfying.
Community is the secret engine here. Retirees, teens, military flyers, families on staycation—everyone shows up to think together. We talk about the volunteer teachers who make intimidating games approachable, the secret meetup that turned invisible ink into alliances, and the quiet relief of a space where politics and hot takes give way to shared goals. Not everything sparkles: we call out the co-op “quarterback” who drains joy and the mid-game doomscroller who misses the whole point. Presence matters, and games reward it.
Then the fun arguments: worker placement vs bidding, push-your-luck as exposure therapy, social deduction as a masterclass in reading people. We gravitate toward grounded themes—nature, parks, castles, Sherlock mysteries—where art, facts, and clean design lift the table. Space epics rarely hook us, but great systems can win converts. We end with practical takeaways for your next con: schedule breathing room, try designer-led sessions, and pick at least one game that scares you a little.
Hit play to travel from ice to insight, from rules to relationships. If this resonated, follow the show, share it with a friend, and leave a quick review—what mechanic or theme are you obsessed with right now?