9:55 Please don't! I really enjoy all the variety on this channel. Something new all the time (and sometimes even something vaguely familiar :D ). I am here because of the great mix of boardgames, tabletop wargaming and everything in between. Thank you for all the videos so far!

@EsotericOrderGamers

4 ай бұрын

Fear not! Variety will continue. 😆

Glad you enjoyed your holiday and keeping the band together. Here's to a great 2024

Brilliant to have you back Peter 🎉 and glad you had a great holiday (illness aside) Sounds like a great path for the channel to go, I personally love the "great old ones" series you started a while back and I'm dying to hear you're thoughts and opinions of War of the Ring: The Card Game. I can't believe that Universal Head, Mr War of the Ring, hasn't updated us in 8 months. Can't wait to to travel forward with the EOG

@EsotericOrderGamers

4 ай бұрын

Thanks for the support! I did a review of WOTR: The Card Game, did you see it? As for WOTR updates, I assume you mean battle reports - unfortunately visits by Will from across the pond don't happen as often as I'd like these days, but perhaps I can film one with Dylan.

Hi Peter, the primary reason I follow you is the coverage of non GW games, plus your wonderful summaries, my hobby comprises boardgames, card games and slightly more obscure skirmish stuff. Have you looked at Vince V and Atoms stuff?

@EsotericOrderGamers

4 ай бұрын

Are they KZreadrs? I never have time to watch other KZreadrs - too busy doing my own thing!

I agree with you, too many people addicted to social media. That's what is attractive about our gaming hobby, is it gets us away from our phones and into a great board game.

@EsotericOrderGamers

4 ай бұрын

I agree completely - the analog nature of gaming is one of the main things I enjoy about it.

I really love the idea of going back in time and revisiting all the games that I used to really love in the earlier days of my gaming journey that just haven’t seen play in years. Has the art of game crafting really advanced so much that the games we played back then really do seem cumbersome and flawed when experienced in the context of more modern game designs, or are they just as great now as they were back then and have just been eclipsed over time by always chasing what is new and in the spotlight? I’ve been recently digging out some of these ancient treasures buried in my archives - from the old coffin box Fantasy Flight games to classic early Euros from Days of Wonder, and many other small cheap independent gems from back in the early 2000s, and have found a lot of joy just revisiting how great they still can be if you give them a chance.

@EsotericOrderGamers

4 ай бұрын

I'll be balancing it with new stuff of course, but yes, I love rediscovering old games too. Just recently played a few games of Runewars in succession and it was great. Got my eye on Starcraft again now. Talking about FFG games, some are rough early attempts that evolved into better versions, like the original Doom and Descent games. But some are still beauties.

@dustinkuykendall7478

4 ай бұрын

@@EsotericOrderGamers StarCraft is one of those I excavated. 😄 Now just trying to convince a few others to join me…

@dustinkuykendall7478

4 ай бұрын

And speaking of new games and evolutions, very interested to hear your take on Dune: War for Arrakis. Any chance that’s on deck somewhere in the future? 🤓

@EsotericOrderGamers

4 ай бұрын

@dustinkuykendall7478 Unfortunately CMON never respond to my requests for review copies, Kickstarters are too pricey for me living in NZ, and the game won't be reaching retail in NZ until November, when it will be about NZD$290. So I doubt I'll able to cover it, as much as I'd like to.

Hi Pete, Ed here (from down the road). I watch your videos to enjoy you enjoying whatever you are passionate about at the moment. If thats a board game, great! If it's a painting tutorial, fantastic, but my advise would be do what makes you happy, that'll always be the best content for me. All the best mate, lets get some games in soon! P.S. have you considered growing out the mutton chops? I think you could pull it off!

@pancakeonions

4 ай бұрын

The Esoteric Order of Mutton Chops. I'm in.

@EsotericOrderGamers

4 ай бұрын

Hey Ed, it's been too long. I'd be happy to have a game anytime, I just assume you're always busy with fatherhood duties! It's very rare that I get any multiplayer games in these days, and that's frustrating. Thanks as always for the support mate. As for mutton chops, I reckon I could too, but between my girlfriend not wanting to kiss me and the general itchiness of the thing, it's gotta go! 🤣

@EsotericOrderGamers

4 ай бұрын

@pancakeonions It does suit the whole concept doesn't it? 🤣

Good to see you back. Looking forward to whatever you do next. Always interesting. Thanks Peter.

@EsotericOrderGamers

4 ай бұрын

Cheers mate!

Thanks for the great content that your putting out.

@EsotericOrderGamers

4 ай бұрын

Cheers, and you're welcome!

I traveled frequently to India a lot when I was younger. Between birth and the age of 7, I went there just before Holi and then came back to Chicago right after Dipawali. Always starting in Dharmavaram and then crossing the plateau to Goa then ending in Pune. When I talk to people about this experience, I usually get glazed looks, but it brings perspective that only travel can ever impart. You see your own life just so much more clearly. I think what I am trying to say while imparting some level of empathy about experiencing such a rich culture, is that love knows we suffer enough and that I hope you are doing what you do because it brings you joy, and that if it no longer does that, that you engage more in something that does. Being able to sit across the table from friends and enjoy a nice game of battle dollies is always good. It is even better to sup with strangers/not-yet-friends at early autumn dusk peering out across the avenue of shattered Bodhisattva, dotted with blinking fireflies, just south of Baphuon amidst the ruins of the ancient Khmer. Shanti.

@EsotericOrderGamers

2 ай бұрын

Age 7? I can't remember anything before age 12, and not much of that ... Indeed, given a choice between watching the sun set from a hillside Hanuman temple over the ruins of Vijayanagara and sitting at my computer editing videos and reading crap on social media, I know what I'd choose. But we can't, unfortunately, have those experiences all the time - and they'd quickly be devalued if we did. Also we tend to glorify them in our minds as time passes. As my grandfather used to say when giving me writing tips, "it's all too easy to look at the ruins of the Parthenon and be pre-occupied with the site of the nearest toilet!" Thanks for your thoughts! Oh, and the Baphuon is incredible, I agree. Check out my travel diaries at petergifford.com if you're interested!

I’m down with the idea! Kudos!

@EsotericOrderGamers

4 ай бұрын

Good to hear, thanks!

Bravo Peter! I agree, social media has increased the amount of garbage we are faced with. I found the channel when I was looking for Deadzone battle reports before buying it. Your vids really helped on that! I'm excited to see more videos about the stuff that excites you - those videos are the best ones anyway! As an aside, I have no interest whatsoever in Games Workshop games this millennium, so I'm looking forward to vids about other games. I thoroughly recommend Five Parsecs From Home, a really fun, creative solo experience

@EsotericOrderGamers

4 ай бұрын

Cheers. I'm not a solo gamer at all, but I'll have a look anyways.

Sounds all good!

@EsotericOrderGamers

4 ай бұрын

I know you'll always stick with me Ralf! 🍺

And welcome back - those few clips of India were brilliant

@EsotericOrderGamers

4 ай бұрын

Look out for my travel diaries on my personal website, they’ll be lots more info and images about the trip (and well as other trips!)

I support everything you said!

@EsotericOrderGamers

4 ай бұрын

My favourite sentence! 🤣

I see a bunch of interesting games on the shelf behind you. I’d love to hear your thoughts on some of them.

@EsotericOrderGamers

4 ай бұрын

There's a lot more than you can see there! Indeed, many of them deserve more exploration. I intend to do that!

Love the beard!

@EsotericOrderGamers

4 ай бұрын

I've had a few people really like it - but not my girlfriend, so it's gone!

@burobufisshu8611

4 ай бұрын

@@EsotericOrderGamers the things we do for love 😔

@oneofmanyAndyRobertsons

4 ай бұрын

​I've finally found the thing in which Carol and I disagree! 😂

Bravo! we all know that social media and too much social media is ultimately detrimental to our day-to-day- we know this! do what you know to be true to yourself anf your principles and I truly believe that life will meet you there; pandering to on-line pressures of clicks and numbers is ultimately robbing yourself of energy that could be better spent towards those things that are most important and that ultimately matter the most. There are few things more inspiring and affirming than watching someone celebrate and thrive in the enviornment of the things they love. Thank you for sharing such things with us!

@EsotericOrderGamers

4 ай бұрын

Thankyou, I really appreciate those words. And I agree with you that there’s a real freedom in ignoring the social media pressures.

Nice to see you back in one piece Peter!

@EsotericOrderGamers

4 ай бұрын

It was touch and go a few times ... 💩🤣

More power to you. Your collection is so extensive that you could spend the rest of your life deep-diving into what you've already got. I've been a minis gamer (on and off) for 25 years, an avid boardgamer for over 12 years and a roleplayer (DM) for the last 3 years; I'm burnt out on the "new". I've reached the stage where anything I grab from my shelves is a pleasure to play. I don't need more. Every so often, something appears that entices me, but they're rarely truly new, merely a tweak, upgrade, or something offering a nostalgia hit. I started a blog at the end of last year, purely for myself to just remind me of times I spent having fun playing games with my friends. It's just nice to read when I'm stressed at work or thinking about what to revisit. Dedicate your personal time to doing what you love, don't waste too much time on what you don't. Life really is too short.

@EsotericOrderGamers

4 ай бұрын

Thankyou, we're thinking the same way obviously!

Sounds great, and necessary! Plenty of other channels banging on about GWs one millionth Space Marine release 😴

@EsotericOrderGamers

4 ай бұрын

I enjoy GW games, always have, and I'll continue to cover them - I just enjoy lots of other games too.

@grimskald

4 ай бұрын

@@EsotericOrderGamers me too. I play loads of them. But there is a whole world of games out there, and plenty of old classics as you say.

@Solenomads

4 ай бұрын

India is not for beginners...!! India for who dedicate mind and soul in reality...do not visit India ever with soft stomach and foot..!! ❤

@EsotericOrderGamers

4 ай бұрын

I assume you're not a native English speaker, but that was beautifully expressed! 🤣

Love it! Now I have beard envy as well as boardgame (and boardgame room) envy! LOL ... but I understand about needing to shave it off when it gets to the itchy stage. 😁

@EsotericOrderGamers

4 ай бұрын

I don't seem to have passed the itchy stage yet - and also it makes my face warm, which also isn't very pleasant. Perhaps it's a look for cooler climes.

I found your channel through my curiosity about Deadzone, and you certainly delivered! Have you made any content about One Page Rules? I'm trying to get my two miniature hobby mates to try it with me, so I'm curious to see good quality videos about it. OPR's miniature range also looks cool (I particularly like the Jackals). Cheers!

@oneofmanyAndyRobertsons

4 ай бұрын

I'd love to see how OPR stacks up against the other contenders in the beer & pretzel bracket too. I've no doubt the rules make for a fun enough game, but will it add enough of that magical immersive quality that only the best systems have?

@EsotericOrderGamers

4 ай бұрын

One Page Rules have been mentioned a few times, but I haven't had time to check them out, because there are so many great new and indie games to cover in the miniatures space these days. I prefer rules sets that are specifically tied to a theme or style of play rather than generic fast-play rules. Still, I'll have a look, I didn't know they made minis too.

@Christian_from_Copenhagen

4 ай бұрын

@@EsotericOrderGamers Sounds good! OPR is also another reason I got interested in Deadzone, because most (if not all) of Mantic's factions are represented alongside GW's in their army builder. The idea of pitting Veer-myn against Space Marines sounds like good fun to me.

i would love to see another game of Helldorado !!

@EsotericOrderGamers

4 ай бұрын

Oh wow, I was just thinking about that the other day when I was looking at my Hell Dorado figures. Great minds!

You're talking to a confirmed isolationist luddite. Yes, I watch KZread, but I've never had a Twitter or Facebook account in my life and avoid them wherever possible (occasionally I've gone on them by accident and left hastily). I've NEVER owned a smart phone - in fact I have no mobile phone at all nowadays. I just hate the obsessive compulsive nature of these things. By all means you can call me grandad (though I have no children). I just don't need any of that garbage in my life. I'm off to start the water wheel now.

@pancakeonions

4 ай бұрын

So says Lord Technopants! :) I do love your user name. No smart phone, but goldarnnit, your pants are top notch!

@LordTechnopants

4 ай бұрын

@@pancakeonions They direct the techno (the pants), rather than hold any tech in my pocket. Cheers.

@EsotericOrderGamers

4 ай бұрын

No phone at all! That's impressive. Yes, I never created personal social media accounts (except I was forced to get a Facebook one so I could create a 'business' EOG one).The one frustrating thing about running the EOG is that I have to spend time on social media, which otherwise I would completely ignore. I never saw the point of showing off the minutiae of my life to friends, and certainly not to strangers.

Haven't even heard of more than half those social media platforms you listed......and I'm glad Also, I used to watch several youtubers due to their passion for games and the hobby. When they went "full time" they spent more and more time talking about new camera setups, lighting, editing and the almighty Algorithm. So Isimply stopped watching and unsubscribed. Glad you are still passionate to the core and it shows through your videos.

@EsotericOrderGamers

4 ай бұрын

Thankyou. Yes, I've get frustrated by the drive towards making YT videos look like professional productions - well, not that so much, but more the *expectation* that they should be like that. I'm not a professional video maker, I don't have a crew or a big budget, and it's silly for me to compete with those who do. And again, to me they all end up looking the same, with a 'retail' style and a loudness and unfunny humour like an American radio show or sitcom that doesn't appeal to my tastes at all. Though a lot of people like that kind of thing I guess!

Hello Peter, sounds like you've had a revelation in your trip to India. Had the same thing myself in the 80s, lost 2 stone in 2 days, thanks to Mr. Jiardia. Want to loose weight? Visit India. Love your channel, humor , and love for Battlemaster, Dreadfleet and other classics. Keep living the dream buddy ! Too many adverts trying to sell us useless crap. Reality check achieved !

@EsotericOrderGamers

4 ай бұрын

Not so much of a revelation really, just a recognition of priorities. I'm certainly not one of those people who goes to India and gets religion! 🤣 Thanks mate, it's definitely time to revisit some classics!

@EsotericOrderGamers

4 ай бұрын

And wow, that sounds like a rough 2 days ...

So are you increasing your number of videos? or decreasing? as you said you're still covering GW relases as they will still be sending you product? are these other projects in addition to GW videos? or are you being more selective of what you are going to get from GW?

@EsotericOrderGamers

4 ай бұрын

I don't have a quota of videos, I make them as and when I feel like it. As mentioned, I still be covering GW stuff as I still play their games! There are things I've chosen not to get from GW because I don't play those particular games much. That said, they were pretty much my first games back in the 80s and I still love GW stuff, despite all the overly detailed lore, the high prices, and the marketing and selling shenanigans. 😆 I just want to make sure I always talk about a variety of different types of games, because I love variety.

Hi. I see Sedition Wars in the background. Have you ever played it? It was my first Kickstarter but haven’t found time to play, partly due to the models you need to put together and partly due to the critique on the rules and mechanisms.

@EsotericOrderGamers

4 ай бұрын

Ahh, Sedition Wars. I spent SO much time doing and redoing that rules summary and creating new unit cards! That really is one I must revisit, I only played it once or twice - it seemed a bit overly complex for what it was, but it's intriguing.