Specials 4 - Shut Up & Sit Down

What’s the future of Shut Up & Sit Down?

This might come as a surprise due to the time-warping effects of Covid-19, but it’s that time of year again! Today, we’d like to give you a quick behind-the-scenes message from Shut Up & Sit Down.

If you’re new to this community, you might not yet know that Shut Up & Sit Down is kept alive by donations from people who love what we do. So if you think you can afford it, please consider giving us a dollar or two this summer.

That’s all! We promise to only bother you about this in another six months. Have a great weekend, everybody.

For this week’s Wednesday video, we wanted to offer something a little different.

At SHUX last year Quinns gave a talk on the history of board games. A quick’n’dirty tour of the games of ancient prehistory, all the way through to the invention of cardboard in the 19th century.

We present it today as a reminder that while today’s tabletop scene is overwhelming white, this is a blip in the 8000 year history of the hobby. The earliest known board games are found in Africa. Dice were invented in the Middle East. The first games that tell stories are found in Egypt. Playing cards were conceived in China. Chess came from India, by way of an Islamic Caliphate.

This hobby owes a debt to people of colour that it could never possibly repay. At the very least, we can make sure we don’t forget it.

This will come as no surprise to anyone who saw the child-like glint in Quinns’ eye during last month’s 1 player print’n’play roundup, but this week, we’d like to present even more nearly-free games for anyone to enjoy during self-isolation.

Included in this roundup are are spritely Agent Decker, the cleanly The Cleaner, the sprawling Sprawlopolis and the startlingly compact Under Falling Skies.

Enjoy, everybody.

It’s time for us to apologise the only way we know how. By smearing raw egg on Quinns.

If you caught the first instalment of our Solo Special, you’ll remember we didn’t always find 1 player games easy to recommend. But since then, Quinns has disappeared into the wild thicket that is absolutely free print’n’play solitaire games, and we’re not sure he’s coming out.

To get stuck in yourself, we recommend browsing the winners of BGG’s yearly print’n’play solitaire contest: 2019, 2018, 2017, 2016, 2015, 2014 and 2013.

Godspeed, folks! And do let us know what you find.

WE NEVER THOUGHT IT WOULD COME TO THIS.

After years of ragging on 1 player board games, it’s time for SU&SD to eat crow. It turns out that solitaire games can be fun, if they’re consumed in a rational and safe fashion. We’d wholeheartedly recommend Aerion, Kosmos’ new Adventure Game series, and then also in this video there is The Hunted: Twilight of the U-Boats.

Enjoy, everybody!

March 25, 2020 Specials Hello all! It probably goes without saying, but we just wanted to let you know that the work we do might be a little disrupted or different in the coming months. Thanks for your patience, and we hope you enjoy!

February 26, 2020 Learn to Play, Specials, Welcome

How To Teach Games

This week Matt begged Quinns to revisit a topic he’s talked about a little before: what tips could he impart for mastering “The Teach”? It’s the hurdle that stops so many from getting into the hobby – the stumbling block that has seen a many an evening of potential jolly cardboard fun veer off-course into a scene of pure disaster. Whether you’re a seasoned somelier of analog fun or someone who needs the confidence boost to go for it and host, we don’t think there’s any better source of knowledge for teaching people how to teach a board game.

Enjoy! And do let us know if you have any invaluable tips or tricks that you think we’ve missed!

SHUX’20 tickets are now on sale!

Quinns: Are you interested in coming to the fourth Shut Up & Sit Down convention this October? Because tickets are now on sale on the official event page!

If you’re one of our amazing attendees from previous years, you’ll know what to expect- a world-class buffet of published and experimental games, plenty of goofy stage shows, and all sorts of opportunities to make new friends.

It’s a huge privilege for us to be able to throw this party for the best community in board gaming. If you want to see what all the SHUX is about, we’d love to see you there!

January 8, 2020 Specials

our collections

We’re kicking off the year with a much-requested video! Today Matt will be talking you through his relatively trimmed-down collection of board games, taking you by the hand and walking you through a mental corridor of joy, shame, and occasional warmth. We actually recorded this after PAX Unplugged this year, which explains a handful of references that don’t quite make sense, and why Matt looks a bit like a semi-retired yeti. If you missed Quinns’ collection video from last year, go and take a peek! We’ll be back soon with some exciting new reviews. 2020 is already shaping up to be a stonker!

Review: Cthulhu Wars

Gawd bless us every one! Quinns has cracked the lid from Cthulhu Wars‘ enormous box, and he’s stunned at what he’s found.

This is the sort of game that SU&SD usually steers people away from. It’s too big, too expensive, and much too silly. And yet Quinns is here today to rave about it. It’s a Christmas miracle!

And don’t forget to help us out on our 2019 Christmas Donation Drive!

What’s the future of Shut Up & Sit Down?

8000 Years of Board Game History in 43 Minutes

MORE of the Very Best Solitaire Print’n’Play Games!

The Amazing World of 1 Player Print’n’Play Games!

Our 1 Player Game Review Roundup!

A Shut Up & Sit Down Update

How To Teach Board Games Like a Pro

SHUX’20 tickets are now on sale!

Matt Walks You Through His Board Game Collection

Review: Cthulhu Wars

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