While browsing through the list of Dice Tower Network Podcast I stumbled upon The Long View. Not even halfway through listening to my first episode, I became enamored with how Geof Gambil and his guests analyze a game on his podcast The Long View. Not only does he go deep into the theme, mechanics, and strategy, but also opens up the discussion to how the games places among its peers and society at large. So I am quite happy he is able to stop by and talk with me today.
Dr. Wictz: Greg, can you give a quick overview about The Long View for people not familiar with it.
Geof Gambill: The Long View is a show that is designed to examine and critique a single game each episode. Usually, the game is one that I have played many, many times, or it is a game my guest would be considered an “expert” in. We take the time to try to discuss all aspects of the game from its graphic design to strategies and playing tips. The episodes are usually considered exhaustive and, I hope, somewhat authoritative. A game is never featured or discussed after a single, or few plays. There’s enough of that out there already. I am trying to fill the need for more in depth, critical analysis of games.
Dr. Wictz: Did you consider any other name for your show other than “The Long View”?
Geof Gambill: The only other contender was 10 and Up. The idea there was not to review a game unless I had played it 10 times or more. The original concept was for it to just be me, talking about games I had played 10 or more times.
Dr. Wictz: Why didn’t you stick with that format?
Geof Gambill: I was lucky enough to find that there were many people who wanted to be on the show, so I decided to put myself more in the host chair and let other’s lead the way. This had the benefit of making the show broader in scope, potentially, and appeal since I did not have to be the expert to do a show about a game that someone else was passionate about and familiar with.
Dr. Wictz: Why did you settle on the name “The Long View” instead of 10 and Up?
Geof Gambill: Eventually, I decided against the name 10 and Up because I was concerned people would think the show was about kid’s games or something like that. The Long View jumped to mind as an alternative, and an artist friend of mine came up with the logo which sold me on the name as much as anything else!
Dr. Wictz: What inspired the format for The Long View?
Geof Gambill: If by format you mean the casual style, I would say it was an old show I watched on PBS years ago with Bill Moyers called Genesis. In Genesis a panel of guests just sat around a table and discussed the book of Genesis from multiple perspectives. I remember the conversation being very organic, dynamic and free form, and I liked that concept for the show.
There is barely a skeleton there to the show. It’s amoeba like in that I keep things loose so that ideas can flow freely. As soon as you add an overarching structure, you have, inherently, begun to limit the freedom of thought, topic and the possibilities for discussion. This and the fact that I’m a little lazy! Don’t have time for scripts and all that…
Dr. Wictz: You periodically do a feature looking over all the games released in a certain year. Have you discovered anything about these games they have in common to withstand the test of time?
Geof Gambill: I have begun to work on a concept of a great unified theory of game awesomeness (GUToGA). Here’s what I have so far. Games need to offer choice, and multiple paths to victory. Perfect information is often something that will lead to game death as soon as reliable, repeatable strategies emerge (read Puerto Rico here). Some variability and variety is imperative for the long term life of a game. This can be as simple as a semi-random set up, to the judicious use of dice in a game.
Games need to offer the player some control over what happens, or ways to mitigate luck, for players to accept randomness. Direct interaction is usually preferred over “multiplayer solitaire” style games. Many of the greats have direct interaction, though this is the most malleable point. Games that stand the test of time often last for 1-2 hours. 3+ hour games can certainly be great and have longevity (i.e. Twilight Imperium 3, Dominant Species etc.), but these are often viewed as experience games that are often as much about the anticipation of the play as much as the actual experience of the play.
Dr. Wictz: I notice you like looking back at older board game, do you see yourself as a historian of board games?
Geof Gambill: Not necessarily. I do like looking at older games, but often it is just to examine the roots of a game or its systems, and then exploring just how far and wide the branches have grown since the game was released. Where do I see El Grande in more recent games? What has been done with deck building since Magic: The Gathering? What has been borrowed and why? What ideas in games resonate with players AND designers. These things fascinate me.
Dr. Wictz: The way you unpack a single game reminds me of discussions with game designers after playing an unpublished game. Do you also share insights for unpublished games with unpublished game designers?
Geof Gambill: Yes. I have been fortunate enough to have done some work for a few of the major publishers as a playtester. I greatly enjoy trying to refine great ideas into something even better. My game group and I have made some contributions I’m quite proud of. I’ve also done my share to sell some designer’s games to publishers who may have been reluctant. Fortunately, the publishers I know are all great people who are willing to listen, and I’m glad that they trust my opinion. It’s gratifying. Now that I’m on the other side of the fence as an aspiring designer, I know just how valuable and important feedback from playtesters is.
Dr. Wictz: Where do you find your guest-hosts/game players for the podcast?
Geof Gambill: At first, it was just myself and my friends. As time passed, I was lucky enough to have Joel Eddy of Drive Through Reviews join me for many, many shows. He has been a major mentor and very gracious with his time and assistance. He actually hosts my podcast! He’s a good egg, even if he’s wrong about Amerigo!
I also have often reached out to users on boardgamegeek who I either know from their contributions, or who are members of the guild. In fact, two of my most frequent guests, Joe Huber and Eric Brosius started a thread requesting episodes they wanted to hear, so I wrote them back and asked, “How about you?”. They were, thankfully, up for it! I have been fortunate so far to never run out of guests and people willing to come on the show.
Dr. Wictz: So I take it that you have done an episode upon request?
Geof Gambill: Many, many times. I rely often on the audience to tell me what they may be interested in. If I don’t hear from them, I program episodes myself or put out requests for co-hosts on the guild on boardgamegeek.
Dr. Wictz: If you were to introduce someone to your show and you could only have them listen to one episode, which episode would you play for them?
Goef Gambill: I was very, very happy with the episode just released about the War of the Ring, but if I had to pick just one, it would be the A Few Acres of Snow episode with the late Tim Seitz. He and Justin were fabulous in this episode, and the content was compelling in my opinion. A close second would be the episode with W. Eric Martin about Innovation. That episode not only covered the game, but ranged far and wide and reflects the kinds of things we can tackle on the show that makes it unique. (At least I hope!)
Dr. Wictz: Is there a board game designer you want as a guest on your show?
Geof Gambill: Martin Wallace or Stefan Feld. They are two of my favorite designers. One because of his use of theme and how he integrates the theme into the fabric and mechanics of his games, and the other for the sheer mechanical brilliance of the designs. Guess which is which! They both scratch itches for me that satisfy my diverse tastes. Two of my all time favorites.
Dr. Wictz: Geof, thank you again for the interview. If you want to learn more about The Long View Podcast or you happen to be Martin Wallace or Stefan Feld and want to be on the show, you can find Geof @Longviewpodcast on twitter, join The Long View Guild on boardgamegeek.com, or join The Long View Facebook group. Episodes of The Long View podcast can be found on itunes or at The Long View podcast feed.
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