Sam Altman turns to the crowd and motions. "For 2027, we're revealing our most exicting evolution yet... humanity will be optional." The crowd errupts in applause. The keynote stage fades to black as an electro swing remix of Hi-Ho from Snow White begins blasting at full volume.

DISCLAIMER: this episode is satire. Everything we do is human made. We do not cover games that use AI art. We are opposed to the plagiarisation of people's hard work, the environmental impact, and the cocktail that is unregulated bias + misinformation + lack of accountability in these generative models that are being force fed down our thoats. Thank you sensei, viva la revolucion!

Games we played:

6:46 - Chu Han (2024, Thomas Lehmann, Matagot)

14:11 - Age of Innovation (2023, Helge Ostertag, Capstone)

24:20 - Shadow Moon Syndicates (2026, Jarrod Carmichael, Arkus)

32:27 - Dino Racer (2026, Marceline Leiman, Underdog)

100 games before you die:

35:54 - El Grande (1995, Wolfgang Kramer & Richard Ulrich, Hans im Gluck)

https://boardgamegeek.com/geeklist/321471/100-tabletop-games-to-play-before-turning-100

Topic:

40:42 - UnstAIble Shelf

Songs:

100 Games to Play Before You Die by Michael, Tyler, Devon, and Josh of The Boise RainBeaus

ROT by Bone Haus https://bonehaus.bandcamp.com/album/in-mourning

Patreon https://www.patreon.com/c/ShelfStableCast

All our socials https://linktr.ee/shelfstablecast

Look, I don't make the rules. Scoop that peanut butter and plop it in your medium roast. No, don't eat the peanuts with a spoon! Gross. Grab yourself one of those boba straws and slurp it up!

1:31 - Intro: Richard Garfield

Characteristics of Games (2012, George Skaff Elias & Richard Garfield & K. Robert Gutschera, MIT Press)

https://mitpress.mit.edu/9780262542692/characteristics-of-games

9:56 - We Have to Know!

Games we played:

23:58 - Innovation (2010, Carl Chudyk, Asmadi)

Topic:

35:54 - Making a Netrunner

Where to find Richard:

https://boardgamegeek.com/boardgamedesigner/14/richard-garfield

Songs:

ROT by Bone Haus https://bonehaus.bandcamp.com/album/in-mourning

Patreon https://www.patreon.com/c/ShelfStableCast

All our socials https://linktr.ee/shelfstablecast

As a mentat myself, I feel like mentats are commonly misunderstood. Not surprising as we are just so far superior in intellect to the average peon. Coincidence that mentat and mensa are such similar words? I think not.

Games we played:

2:39 - Neuroshima Hex (2006, Michał Oracz, Portal)

8:29 - Pandemic Legacy Season 1 (2015, Rob Daviau & Matt Leacock, Z-Man)

12:08 - JUMP HERE FOR SPOILER FREE

15:07 - Yokohama (2016, Hisashi Hayashi, Synapses)

21:42 - Cosmic Wimpout (1975, Boston Logical Society & W.W. Swilling, C3 Inc)

100 games before you die:

26:47 - Concordia (2013, Mac Gerdts, Rio Grande)

https://boardgamegeek.com/geeklist/321471/100-tabletop-games-to-play-before-turning-100

Topic:

32:10 - Characteristics of Games Pt. 4 (chapters 6-7)

Characteristics of Games (2012, George Skaff Elias & Richard Garfield & K. Robert Gutschera, MIT Press)

https://mitpress.mit.edu/9780262542692/characteristics-of-games

Songs:

100 Games to Play Before You Die by Michael, Tyler, Devon, and Josh of The Boise RainBeaus

ROT by Bone Haus https://bonehaus.bandcamp.com/album/in-mourning

Patreon https://www.patreon.com/c/ShelfStableCast

All our socials https://linktr.ee/shelfstablecast