What's New in Board Gaming: December 25th (and Merry Christmas!)

Check out the latest news surrounding the board gaming hobby. Jared from Meeple Mentor gathers some of the top announcements, hot games buzz, and Kickstarters launched. Your one-stop video for the news you need to know.

Released on December 25, 2020.
Public YouTube link: https://youtu.be/ozh6lVqa7pQ

Giveaway Winner: Charterstone

Check out this quick announcement of the winner of the Meeple Mentor channel's giveaway contest! One lucky fan was the drawn winner and will receive Charterstone new in shrink!

Released on December 22, 2020. Public YouTube link: https://youtu.be/pQVwUdI_coI

Mentor Minutes, Episode 7: Top 10 Over 20

Watch as Jared and Jay discuss their top 10 board game picks released in the 90's! 1991-2000. Share your favorites!

Released on December 22, 2020
Public YouTube link: https://youtu.be/BAW9LrTI2d4

Learn to Play Smartphone Inc

Watch as Meeple Mentor prepares you to play Smartphone Inc by Cosmodrome Games.

Released on December 15, 2020. Public YouTube link: https://youtu.be/dF0y9N88uXQ

What's New in Board Gaming: December 11, 2020

Check out the latest news surrounding the board gaming hobby. Jared from Meeple Mentor gathers some of the top announcements, hot games buzz, and Kickstarters launched. Your one-stop video for the news you need to know.

Released on December 11, 2020.

Public YouTube link: https://youtu.be/NaFINzEiI28

12 Days of Twilight

12 Days of Twilight is a parody song collaboration from many different board game content creators on YouTube. Together we sing a revised version of 12 Days of Christmas, but with lyrics about Twilight Imperium! This is a project to bring awareness of donating to Toys 4 Tots. Please consider donating, by visiting the link below.! Enjoy the song!

Released on December 10, 2020. Public YouTube link: https://youtu.be/dEbexdw4zU8

Consider Donating to Toys 4 Tots this Holiday Season - www.toys4tots.org Check out all of these amazing channels- Space Cat Peace Turtles- https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCuBc-jPq3J9Gg21r9MSME4w The Charity Board Gamer- https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCx5xMoAhXAWk4MmuU0HQUQA Ambierona- https://www.youtube.com/user/ambierona Meeple Mentor- https://bit.ly/MeepleMentor Desks and Dorks- https://www.youtube.com/channel/UChlVmQQQ--Crho8sgSEiaKw Love 2 Hate- https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCgfhuB6_9eImEtIqJDzExBQ Quackalope- https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCkWKBx-tu7D7JZIlQnlIrmQ Core 4 Games- Bit.ly/Core4Games Roll for Crit- https://www.youtube.com/user/RollForCritCast Unfiltered Gamer- https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCdWYS70KMlhWfyqH8Rcz19g boardgamecloset- https://www.youtube.com/user/boardgamecloset Crabbok- https://www.youtube.com/user/Crabbok Shelfside- https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCtT0CIZIXLMlPdQVwmI6RjA RTFM- https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCSWNruTYg0lSqJiifZh-0ww Rahdo- https://www.youtube.com/user/rahdo

Mentor Minutes, Episode 6: Top 10 Over 30

Jared and Jay discuss their top 10 board game picks for games released over 30 years ago: from 1981 to 1990. Check out our picks, and let us know yours!

Released on Dec. 8, 2020. Public YouTube link: https://youtu.be/wTF-d0m8k-E

Unboxing Etherfields by Awaken Realms

Watch as Meeple Mentor opens the latest kickstarter from Awaken Realms, Etherfields. My pledge is sundropped, and includes metal keys and the 5th player expansion.

Released on December 7, 2020. Public YouTube link: https://youtu.be/9oRn11j8zBY

Learn to Play Meeple Land

Watch as Meeple Mentor prepares you to play Meeple Land, by Blue Orange Games.

Released on December 1, 2020. Public YouTube link: https://youtu.be/k5r3NFxET-M

Charterstone free game Giveaway!

To celebrate 600 subscribers, I'm giving away a free copy of Charterstone from Stonemaier Games.

Click here to see the contest page and get entries!

https://kingsumo.com/g/n4cih5/600-subscriber-thank-you-giveaway

Released on Nov 27, 2020 Public YouTube link: https://youtu.be/X1SFKzWrtE8

Mentor Minutes, episode 5: Top 10 Over 40

In episode 5 of Mentor Minutes, we talk about our top 10 board games over 40 years old. Games that came out before 1980! Jared and Jay each came up with their own list- so check out our picks and let us know yours!

Released on Nov. 24, 2020
Public YouTube link: https://youtu.be/eDhwxTru2zc 

What's New in Board Gaming: Nov 20

Check out the latest news surrounding the board gaming hobby. Jared from Meeple Mentor gathers some of the top announcements, hot games buzz, and Kickstarters launched. Your one-stop video for the news you need to know.

Released on Nov 20, 2020. Public YouTube link: https://youtu.be/d-bTnaqV_Fo

Learn to Play Batman: Gotham City Chronicles

Watch as Meeple Mentor prepares you to play Batman Gotham City Chronicles.

Released on Nov. 17, 2020.
Public YouTube link: https://youtu.be/9Y9v2lRYN9o

What's New in Board Gaming: Nov 12, 2020

Check out the latest news surrounding the board gaming hobby. Jared from Meeple Mentor gathers some of the top announcements, hot games buzz, and Kickstarters launched. Your one-stop video for the news you need to know.

Released on Nov 12, 2020
Public YouTube link: https://youtu.be/KkNTpEQqPJg 

Mentor Minutes, Episode 4.5: The Charity Boardgamer

In episode 4.5 of Mentor Minutes, Jared and Jay chat with Chris Goodlet of "The Charity Boardgamer"!  We discuss how he got started, what kinds of charities he's involved in (past/current), and more!  He's part of the Gateway Network like us!  Check out his website!

Also, this is an exclusive audio-only episode just for our listeners!  Enjoy!

Released on Nov. 10, 2020

Find the audio episode on one of these streaming services!!

Anchor FM
Apple
RadioPublic
Pocket Casts
Breaker
Google Podcasts
Overcast
Spotify

Learn to Play Rescuing Robin Hood

Watch as Meeple Mentor prepares you to play Rescuing Robin Hood. Check out its Kickstarter page to help fund it! This tutorial is based on an early prototype. Game components and rules may change before final production.

Released on November 10, 2020. Public YouTube link: https://youtu.be/b6hGK7ESMd0

Unboxing Paris

Watch as Meeple Mentor unboxes the Kickstarter game "Paris" by Game Brewer.

Released on November 3, 2020.
Public YouTube link: https://youtu.be/rMuDQNW_xf4 

Learn to Play First Martians: Adventures on the Red Planet

First Martians is a cooperative sci-fi game set on Mars, with astronauts trying to survive and deal with the harsh conditions. Excellent game, similar to Robinson Crusoe, but uses an app to manage much of the random events. Well worth playing!

Release date: November 3, 2020
Public YouTube link: https://youtu.be/dGHlROcIGzY 

Mentor Minutes Episode 4: The Gamecasters!

In episode 4 of Mentor Minutes, the hosts of the Gamecasters podcast join us for a chat! Hosts Ryan, Natalie, and Jeff talk about how they got started, and their recent 50th episode celebration! Learn about the Gateway Network and how that came to be, with some shout outs to other content creators!

Released on October 27, 2020.
Public YouTube link: https://youtu.be/9ot2W7NU7UE

Learn to Play Pendulum

Pendulum is a new Stonemaier Game that combines worker placement mechanisms with flipping timers. Feels like a euro, but plays with some unique tools.

Released on October 20, 2020.
Public YouTube link: https://youtu.be/FX1kYjsKjyc 

Mentor Minutes, Episode 3: Game of the Month

In this episode, Jared and Jay discuss 2 games they played this month as their picks for Game of the Month. They'll also discuss their recommended games over $100. AND, a new announcement about the channel!

Released on October 13, 2020.
Public YouTube link: https://youtu.be/wsXkK0kOj6Y

Unboxing GuGong and PanJun

 I open the latest Kickstarter delivery from Game Brewer for the GuGong and PanJun big box edition.  The box has velvet on the outside.

Released on October 9, 2020.
Public YouTube link: https://youtu.be/x7gjpECd05o 

Learn to Play The Shining

By popular demand, I'm releasing a full tutorial on "the Shining" board game! Based on the Kubrick movie and book by Stephen King. It's a lighter co-op game with a traitor.

Released on October 6, 2020
Public YouTube link: https://youtu.be/E0bI-Ba8BXE 

Learn to Play Planetarium

Watch as Meeple Mentor prepares you to play Planetarium.

Released on September 20, 2020.
Public YouTube link: https://youtu.be/dYiuHTeMhJ8 

Unboxing Mariposas

 Watch as Meeple Mentor opens Mariposas by Elizabeth Hargrave, published by AEG.

Released on September 23, 2020. Public YouTube link: https://youtu.be/Bx0GOwOjlDg

Learn to Play Mage Knight

I made a tutorial for one of the best adventure games out there. An amazing predecessor to Gloomhaven, Mage Knight still shines above others. The tutorial will cover everything you need to know to play your first game!

Released on September 15, 2020.
Public YouTube link: https://youtu.be/di6Om6yZX94

Mentor Minutes, Episode 2: Top 10 Underrated Games

 In episode 2 of Mentor Minutes, Jared and Jay discuss their top 10 underrated board games.

Released on September 11, 2020
Public YouTube link: https://youtu.be/4e3eDXZxHzI

Unboxing Meeple Land

 Watch as Meeple Mentor opens Meeple Land from Blue Orange Games.

Released on September 10, 2020. Public YouTube link: https://youtu.be/DkrZnK3aZNo

Learn to Play Architects of the West Kingdom

Architects of the West Kingdom is a great medieval-type worker placement game with a unique worker capturing mechanism. Take your opponents' worker's hostage and turn them in to the prison for money! SO good!

Release date: September 1, 2020
Public YouTube link: https://youtu.be/eiMfvEUdJFI 

Mentor Minutes, Episode 1: Introductions

 Mentor Minutes is a new video series with Jared and Jay, where we discuss board game topics and more. Being the first episode, we introduce ourselves, how we got into the hobby, some current favorites, and more.

Release date: August 29, 2020 Public YouTube link: https://youtu.be/XqfgKcnfmZ0

Unboxing Pendulum

 Watch as Meeple Mentor opens Stonemaier Games' Pendulum. Designed by Travis Jones. Art by Robert Leask.

Released on August 28, 2020. Public YouTube link: https://youtu.be/kC3Sq1G4KWI

Unboxing Controlled Chaos

 Watch as Meeple Mentor unboxes the latest expansion for Dinogenics from Ninth Haven Games. Controlled Chaos introduces water-type dinosaurs to your parks!

Released on August 25, 2020. Public YouTube link: https://youtu.be/xzl1UJdVC5g

Unboxing Forgotten Waters

 Watch as Meeple Mentor opens the latest game from Plaid Hat Games, "Forgotten Waters."

Released on August 25, 2020. Public YouTube link: https://youtu.be/fR_hBGrySpM

Learn to Play Cowboy Bebop: Space Serenade

Not only my first tutorial for a deck-building game, but my first anime-themed game! Be one of the crew of the spaceship Bebop, and confront and capture criminals on planets!

Released on August 18, 2020.
Public YouTube link: https://youtu.be/100as2Bsb8U

Interviewing Cameron Art- VOWL and Board Game Bulletin

 Watch as Meeple Mentor talks with game designer, Cameron Art, about his game, "VOWL," and his online monthly publication, "The Board Game Bulletin."

The VOWL Kickstarter is currently active! You can find out more and become a backer today at: www.kickstarter.com/projects/cameronart/vowl-the-game-of-letters-gone-astray Subscribe to the online magazine at: www.cameronartgames.com/bgb

Released on August 17, 2020

Public YouTube link: https://youtu.be/rOAXSsUZ4U8

Learn to Play Dead Man's Doubloons

Dead Man's Doubloons is a great pirate themed, competitive game involving exploring an island for buried treasure, AND pirate ship naval combat with other players! What more could you want?
Check out my video tutorial!

Released on August 4, 2020
Public YouTube link: https://youtu.be/JNyoxBnu6iM

Learn to Play Philosophia: Dare to Be Wise

I'm very excited about this game, as Philosophy was one of my majors in college! The game lets you play as one of six influential figures from Ancient Greece, trying to build a following, schools, learn wisdom, and win debates.

Release date: July 21, 2020
Public YouTube link: https://youtu.be/IH5OG11qr0k

Learn to Play Underwater Cities

Watch as Meeple Mentor prepares you to play Underwater Cities.
Underwater Cities is a worker-placement city-building game, using cards to improve and maximize your turns. I teach the full game, with the New Discoveries expansion!

Released on July 7, 2020
Public YouTube link: https://youtu.be/mfH6jzAlmmg

Learn to Play Cubeo

Watch as Meeple Mentor prepares you to play Cubeo!  Cubeo is a relatively unknown strategy using 2 sets of 6 D6 dice. For 2 players and pure strategy- you can play it anywhere with a table!

Released on June 30, 2020
Public YouTube link: https://youtu.be/QmgYn6USYZc

Unboxing Smartphone Inc.

Check out the unboxing I did for the kickstarter, Smartphone Inc.  From Cosmodrome Games, it's an economic euro game about creating and selling phones around the world!

Released on June 26, 2020
Public YouTube link: https://youtu.be/x6RMCzrJ39Q

Unboxing Kodama 3D

Watch as Meeple Mentor opens the newly released Kodama 3D from Indie Boards and Cards.

Released on June 18, 2020.
Public YouTube link: https://youtu.be/Mmf4VOKLf6U

Unboxing Egizia: Shifting Sands

Watch as Meeple Mentor opens Egizia Shifting Sands from Stronghold Games.

Released on June 17, 2020.
Public YouTube link: https://youtu.be/tqJ_D9yq0Iw

Learn to Play Lisboa

Watch as Meeple Mentor prepares you to play Lisboa from Vital Lacerda. Published by Eagle-Gryphon Games.

Released on June 16, 2020
Public YouTube link: https://youtu.be/Mj-M3ezOd7M

Learn to Play Archipelago

I'm happy to say I finally fully remade my original tutorial video for "Archipelago."  Now it's in the new format, with better visuals and audio.  It's now an official Meeple Mentor tutorial!  What a great game too!

Released on June 3, 2020
Public YouTube link: https://youtu.be/N5thoM_Bkoc

Unboxing Core Connection

Watch as Meeple Mentor opens Core Connection: Rise of Atlantis, a deck-building game from Japanime Games!

Released on May 29, 2020 Public YouTube link: https://youtu.be/QYZYRTLilSM

Unboxing Cowboy Bebop: Space Serenade

Watch as Meeple Mentor opens Cowboy Bebop: Space Serenade from Japanime Games! Check out this colorful deck-builder based on the popular anime!

Released on May 28, 2020
Public YouTube link: https://youtu.be/rrljZPLgybM

Unboxing the "All About Town" games

The All About Town game series was released in 1981 and 1982. These were roll and move games, derivative of Monopoly, with custom map layouts for each unique city. Made a decade before Monopoly started creating variants, these game were sold as promotional, novelty items, with extremely limited print runs. I open on camera the 4 different cities' games I own.

Asheville: https://youtu.be/4zSwVrKdvro

Nashville: https://youtu.be/wz-x9N7jI2k

Terre Haute: https://youtu.be/wiGywBY6L-w

Raleigh: https://youtu.be/srZ2HD_iDig

Interview with Dr. Tom Black

Watch as Meeple Mentor interviews the man behind the All About Town game series released in 1981 and 1982. These were roll and move games, derivative of Monopoly, with custom map layouts for each unique city. Made a decade before Monopoly started creating variants, these game were sold as promotional, novelty items, with extremely limited print runs. What was it like getting these made? Tune in!

Released on May 24, 2020.
Public YouTube link: https://youtu.be/eRbKV2bFo2A

Learn to Play Game of HAM

Watch as Meeple Mentor prepares you to play Game of Ham, an adult party game with a twist on the Cards Against Humanity formula.

Released on May 19, 2020
Public YouTube link: https://youtu.be/GYBZ-XVdEsE

Unboxing Philosophia: Dare to Be Wise

Watch as Meeple Mentor unboxes the newest Kickstarter delivery of Philosophia: Dare to Be Wise from Cogito Ergo Meeple.

Released on: 5/8/20
Public YouTube link: https://youtu.be/E2wIBEZc_Vc

Learn to Play Star Wars Rebellion

May the FOURTH be with you!  While I usually upload a new tutorial video on Tuesdays, I couldn't resist uploading a tutorial on Star Wars on May 4!
Star Wars Rebellion is the best board game to experience Star Wars on your table!  Take a look!  I also cover the expansion: Rise of the Empire.

Released on May 4, 2020
Public YouTube link: https://youtu.be/6fK__wg8O6M

Interview with Jamey Stegmaier

I had the amazing opportunity to interview game designer and CEO of Stonemaier Games, Jamey Stegmaier.  Check out the full video on the channel!

Release Date: May 1, 2020.
Public YouTube Link: https://youtu.be/YlgbIgfONrA

Learn to Play Everdell

Watch Meeple Mentor's tutorial for Everdell, with all three of its expansions: Pearlbrook, Spirecrest, and Bellfaire!  This is one beautiful-looking worker-placement game from Starling Games.

Released on April 28, 2020
Public YouTube link: https://youtu.be/uYbUiBQpwqM

Learn to Play Charterstone

Check out how to play Charterstone, a legacy game from Stonemaier Games.  Spoilers are kept to a minimum, so you learn what you need to for your very first game.

Release date: April 21, 2020
Public YouTube link: https://youtu.be/gPIgdIBsMbk

Unboxing Endeavor: Age of Sail

Watch as Meeple Mentor opens the Kickstarter for Endeavor: Age of Sail, with the Age of Expansion.

Released on April 18, 2020
Public YouTube link: https://youtu.be/UULeaqb_S6M

Batman: Gotham City Chronicles Rules

I was an original Kickstarter backer of Batman: Gotham City Chronicles.  I also backed the season 2 kickstarter for a few additional items being offered.
When the game first came out, there were a lot of people having serious trouble understanding their English rulebook.  It was written with flowcharts, but wasn't organized in an easy-to-learn format for most.  At that time, I took it upon myself to rewrite the rulebook.  I encourage anyone who has the game to take a look at it, as I printed it out to keep with the game.  It's much easier to review it than the included rules.
Check it out!
https://www.boardgamegeek.com/filepage/179821/batman-gcc-rules-abridged

Additionally, I started the official FAQ forum thread, and created a printable FAQ document to help players.  Find it here:
https://www.boardgamegeek.com/filepage/180362/faq-errata

Unboxing Batman Gotham City Chronicles (season 2)

Watch as Meeple Mentor opens the latest Kickstarter from Monolith Games. Season 2 of Batman Gotham City Chronicles.

Released 4/10/20
Public YouTube link: https://youtu.be/GiITknESwy4

Learn to Play Kanban

One of Vital Lacerda's best games which deserves a full tutorial! Heavy euro about efficiently producing cars in a factory.

Release date: April 7, 2020
Public YouTube link: https://youtu.be/DkTh0jMVExY

Help Comes

As I continued to produce videos alone, I looked for assistance still with the editing portion.  Anyone I talked to that was interested, also needed me to pay them, which I couldn't do.  Finally, a friend of mine introduced me to his buddy who lives locally and manages a YouTube channel.  He was very eager to help, and insisted he teach me how to edit on my own, instead of him doing it.  Made total sense to me: teach a man to fish instead of giving him a fish.
After a session of meeting with him, I picked up a lot of helpful tips and shortcuts in using Adobe Premiere.  I also used Google A LOT early on to search for answers on what I wanted to do with Premiere.  Through this method, I also learned how to use the green screen effectively.  I'm still not an expert editor, but I get by with what I need!

Around November, I was contacted by a friend of a friend who was interested in doing board gaming video content on YouTube as well.  She regularly plays Dungeons & Dragons and has another board gaming meetup group meeting weekly.  Her interest was to be able to represent the female gamer perspective online.  The plan was for her and I to start working together and doing news together or some kind of 2 person show.  Before that, the PAX Unplugged convention was about to happen, and she was planning to attend.  So, we started with the idea that she would be the reporter on the road for board gaming content.  Looking for interviews and board gaming news via attending various conventions around the country.

We started actually with a Skype interview with Shem Phillips in New Zealand, from Garphill Games.  The interview went very well, and I was looking forward to more interviews she would be getting in the coming week at PAX.  Unfortunately, that didn't work out for a number of reasons.  I won't get into everything here, but by the time we reconnected after the convention, she decided to back out of helping the Meeple Mentor channel.  I think she shared her excitement of working in YouTube, and her long-time friend asked her to help him with his channel instead.  I'm not sure how that's going, but she has said she'll still support me when she can.  I think this means maybe passing out business cards at conventions.

Most recently I discussed with one of my old friends from college the prospect of doing reviews on the channel.  He's a huge board gamer like me, and we still try to game together when we can.  We live 3 hours away, and life gets busy.  I'm not sure the timeline yet on when the reviews may start, because everyone's plans got pushed out due to the Coronavirus COVID-19 pandemic.  Additionally, I know he has a lot of family plans right now taking up time, such as moving to a new house.
Until then, I'm still doing everything I can with limited help.  I'm enjoying doing it, and have a passion for board gaming.  I plan on continuing forward with creating great gaming content for a long, long time.

Picking up the pieces

After my channel partner quit on me, I needed to figure out how I could continue to make videos myself.  With him gone, I lost my recording space, camera, editor, lights, microphone, and experience.  Additionally, my kids dropped my personal laptop on the floor and broke it beyond repair.  Yikes.
I reached out to local friends and gamers I knew for anyone experienced with filming or editing.  After a couple weeks, I hadn't found anyone that was interested in joining up, without being paid a salary.  It's a hobby project, and one that I have no funding for- so it's difficult to find any help.
I knew I had to get at least the basic resources myself, and learn the editing process as I go.
Thankfully, my parents supported the channel idea and wanted to help.  They gave me an early Christmas AND birthday gift in the form of a new laptop.  Bingo!
My wife is an amateur photographer and uses a high quality digital camera.  She was very happy to help me continue filming gaming videos, and agreed to let me use her camera when I needed it.  We still share it!
Around this time, a friend of mine was working at Sam Ash music and was about to quit for a different career.  On his last day, I was able to pick up some supplies using his employee discount, which was a big help!  I got an attachable microphone for the camera, mic stands, cables, and some other things.
Lighting was my next concern, so I asked my first recording buddy where he got his lights and what he uses to diffuse it.  He gave me some great advice and referred me to some very practical items to get 4 clip lights to use.  He also had an extra green screen I could have, so I can record almost anywhere!
To start recording again, I needed a space.  We have a playroom that our kids use, but only on the rarest occasions.  They really prefer not to be alone, and tend to play wherever mom and dad are.  So, the room was largely unused and available.  I set up the green screen on the wall, set up lights around the room using mic stands, and set up the camera.
After some tests and practice, I got comfortable with how to light the room, and where to place the camera.  I was happy to see the channel may survive after all!  I continued on my own like this, but still open to finding people to help.  Slowly, some people reached out to me... at varying degrees of assistance.

How it Began

For fun, about a year ago I made a teaching video on how to play the game “Archipelago.” It was rough around the edges, for sure, but it was a way to have my friends come to game night ready to play. I figured if they watched a video before coming, we wouldn’t have to take extra time going over the rules. Archipelago can be complex to understand, but a lot of fun once everyone knows what’s going on.

Even though the video was shot in poor quality, I gained a lot of valuable feedback and positive comments! I realized there are a lot of people that absolutely need video explanations of things in order to understand them. I didn’t know just how many people refuse to read a long rulebook, or just have so much trouble with it that they quit! I knew there was something to this, and that there are lots of fairly complex games that most people won’t ever get to play if left to figure it out on their own.

Creating that first video was useful to me to get practice, but also find other people who would be able to help me with making better quality videos. Since making it over a year ago, I partnered with a friend who is an expert videographer, editor, and graphic designer. Together, we launched a channel dedicated to providing helpful board game teaching videos. Archipelago became a proof-of-concept thing, to help me get my project together. Having a year of YouTube analytics on it has been extremely valuable.

I’ve been able to get a clear idea of the direction of the channel, and what kinds of games to cover. We’ve created Meeple Mentor because too many great games get unplayed or sit on shelves because they are deemed "too complicated." I aim to change that by creating helpful teaching videos for all kinds of tabletop board games, focusing primarily on medium-to-heavy weight complexity games. I want everyone to be able to enjoy the wide range of games now out there and being created! It's amazing the variety we have, and yet we're still limited by our ability to read, comprehend, and teach new rules.

My YouTube channel's first teaching videos were recorded and edited during the months leading up to the launch in July, 2019. We prepared 3-4 ready to go for July, then planned for 1-2 a month thereafter.  The first recording session was April 27, 2019.  On May 13, the first video was uploaded and published to the YouTube channel.  It was our coming soon announcement for the big launch.  I began getting involved in social media around June.  Media like Instagram, Twitter, Tumblr, and of course Facebook.

My friend quit on me after a few videos recorded, unfortunately.  His life was picking up with a new baby on the way, and he didn't share my passion for the project.  It takes a lot of time to record and edit the kind of videos I wanted to make.  So, I was left to pick up the pieces and find out how to continue to make this channel happen on my own...

Learn to Play Nemo's War

Watch as Meeple Mentor prepares you to play Nemo’s War.

Release date: March 31, 2020
Public YouTube link: https://youtu.be/X8vpxrNNMiU

Unboxing Everdell's expansion: Bellfaire

Watch as Meeple Mentor opens the latest expansions to Everdell. Check out the unboxing to Bellfaire!

Released on March 20, 2020
YouTube video link: https://youtu.be/0yMM95XVVeM

Unboxing Everdell expansion: Spirecrest

Watch as Meeple Mentor opens the latest expansions to Everdell. Check the unboxing of Spirecrest!

Released March 20, 2020
YouTube video link: https://youtu.be/dlR9deMahUI

Learn to Play Carnival of Monsters

Watch as Meeple Mentor prepares you to play Carnival of Monsters.

Release date: March 17, 2020
Public YouTube link: https://youtu.be/SgMPQCV7QZc

Unboxing The Shining

Watch as Meeple Mentor unboxes The Shining board game based on Stanley Kubrick's movie.

Released March 13, 2020
YouTube video link: https://youtu.be/DOjEpcpudNQ

Feudum Lore

The Lore of Feudum

Release Date: March 10, 2020 














YouTube link: https://youtu.be/jmtcvuthwJs

Learn to Play Maracaibo

Watch as Meeple Mentor prepares you to play Maracaibo.

Release date: March 3, 2020
Public YouTube link: https://youtu.be/Ex3bMTOayRg

Re-Chord Giveaway

During the month of March, 2020, I held a Gleam competition for anyone to enter to win a free copy of Re-Chord by Yanaguana Games.  New in Shrink copy.
Running March 1 - 31, we had 366 entries.
Gleam Link: https://gleam.io/9d8sh/rechord-giveaway 
Congratulations to Brandon Taylor!

See announcement video here: https://youtu.be/DLoCviy2zUo

See winner announcement video here: https://youtu.be/9XNlYuWSGeY

Unboxing Crossed Words

Watch as Meeple Mentor unboxes the upcoming game, "Crossed Words," to come out later in 2020.

Released February 28, 2020
YouTube video link: https://youtu.be/q7nnxuwdiYA

Unboxing Feudum: Rudders & Ramparts

Watch as Meeple Mentor opens the kickstarter delivery of Feudum's expansion Rudders and Ramparts!

Released February 21, 2020
YouTube video link: https://youtu.be/IZWuFlrsME0

Learn to Play City of the Big Shoulders

Watch as Meeple Mentor gets you ready to play City of the Big Shoulders.

Release date: February 18, 2020
Public YouTube link: https://youtu.be/lQwsQCljrv4

Unboxing Maracaibo

Watch as Meeple Mentor unboxes the latest Alexander Pfister game, "Maracaibo."

Released February 14, 2020
YouTube video link: https://youtu.be/HXt37CMFYGg

Alchemists Lore

Release Date: Feb. 11, 2020


YouTube link: https://youtu.be/PtLFwpMLOoM

Unboxing The Coldest Night

Watch as Meeple Mentor unboxes the upcoming game, "The Coldest Night," due out in 2020!

Released February 7, 2020
YouTube video link: https://youtu.be/ky3UGq-GEks

Unboxing Coffee Roaster

Watch as Meeple Mentor unboxes Coffee Roaster by Stronghold Games and Saashi & Saashi.

Released February 6, 2020
YouTube video link: https://youtu.be/mxw7ZXJD2bA

Learn to Play Grand Austria Hotel

Watch as Meeple Mentor prepares you to play Grand Austria Hotel.

Release date: February 3, 2020
Public YouTube link: https://youtu.be/6WVyuf446CY

Learn to Play Black Angel

Watch as Meeple Mentor prepares you to play Black Angel.

Release date: January 21, 2020
Public YouTube link: https://youtu.be/YXmpCcC3psc

Unboxing Food Chain Magnate: The Ketchup Mechanism

Watch as Meeple Mentor unboxes the new expansion for Food Chain Magnate, "The Ketchup Mechanism and Other Ideas," from Splotter Spellen.

Released January 9, 2020
YouTube video link: https://youtu.be/T5iwaQNi_do

Learn to Play Pioneer Days

Watch as Meeple Mentor prepares you to play Pioneer Days.

Release date: January 7, 2020
Public YouTube link: https://youtu.be/D5uu1VS2bOQ