At The Table with The Dice Tower - Julie and The Giant Teach

In this episode of At the Table with the Dice Tower, hosts Julie Ahern, Tom Vassal, and Eric Sommerer reflect on their recent experience at Dice Tower West, discussing travel woes, the challenges of convention logistics, and the evolving state of the Dice Tower library. A central theme is Vassal's Law—the idea that truly great games will eventually be reprinted or published—examined through recent announcements like Restoration Games' re-release of Star Wars Queen's Gambit as The King's Gambit. The hosts debate exceptions to the law, citing intellectual property hurdles, lack of demand, and publisher reluctance. Julie shares a personal tale of board gaming horror: a disastrous first play of Galactic Cruise at the convention, where a poorly taught, complex game led to a four-hour slog of confusion and frustration. The episode concludes with a lively 'Roses, Thorns, and Hula Hoops' segment, where the hosts share standout games: Julie praises the absurdly fun pirate RPG Pirate Borg, the streamlined Finspan, and the whimsical Winds of Numa Serra; Eric highlights the strategic museum game First Giants and the surprisingly fast, accessible Catan on the Road, despite its frustrating tuck box. The episode blends humor, reflection, and practical takeaways for gamers and convention-goers alike.