Spirited - Solo Playthrough with Shem Phillips @garphillgames

Spirited - Solo Playthrough with Shem Phillips

Garphill Games 2025-11-17 | Shem plays through the solo mode for Spirited.

Kickstarter: kickstarter.com/projects/shem/spirited
BGG: boardgamegeek.com/boardgame/457476/spirited
How to Play: youtu.be/_w9S4sWmbVU?si=faQsY_zRhccU0Nhi

New Game Announcements from Garphill Games

Garphill Games 2026-09-14 | Join the Garphill Games team as they reveal more about their upcoming games and other news.

www.garphill.com

Lens and Veil | EP #42: The Early Years of Garphill

Garphill Games 2026-08-29 | 🎙️Welcome to the Lens and Veil podcast, join Shem, Sam and Zach as they discuss games they've played together, specifically focusing on game design elements.

In this special episode they discuss the early years of Garphill Games when Shem was self publishing as a brand new designer. Get ready to do a deep dive on the origin story of Garphill Games!

📜Chapters:
0:00:00 - Which would you prefer?
0:8:32 - Intro
0:5:49 - What this episode is about and why we are doing it!
0:10:42 - Linwood
0:17:37 - Capek
0:26:38 - Saqqara
0:27:43 - Plethora
0:32:19 - Playtesting and Development
0:34:07 - Plethora Continued
0:37:50 - Tanzania
0:43:17 - Cibola
0:47:21 - As a new designer, should you try make the best game?
0:49:15 - Garphill's identity as a company
0:51:36 - Woodlands
0:56:48 - Flee the Scene
1:02:22 - Overcoming design problems in the early days
1:04:23 - Which of these would you play and which would you redesign if force to?
1:06:37 - How important is a good premise for a game?
1:14:39 - Bethel Woods
1:24:55 - Wrapping up

⭐About the Cast

Shem Phillips is the owner of Garphill Games and has designed a fair few board games, notably Raiders of the North Sea (Kennerspiel des Jahres Nominee) and Legacy of Yu (Golden Geek, Dice Tower Award, Origins Award for Best Solo Game of 2023).

Sam Macdonald is a Game Designer and Developer at Garphill Games, bursting onto the scene with his co-design together with Shem, Architects of the West Kingdom. He has gone on to design a number of other games, most notable among them is Paladins of the West Kingdom which is currently in the top 100 games on BGG.

Zach Smith works for Garphill Games as Marketing and Media Manager, but is also a credited designer, having co-designed Circadians: Chaos Order and The Great Sea together with Sam, and Spirited and Skute with both Shem and Sam.

🎵 Music licenced from ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Jessy Ribordy Studios⁠ (jessyribordystudios.com)

Lens and Veil | EP #41: Omens & Headlands

Garphill Games 2026-08-16 | 🎙️Welcome to the Lens and Veil podcast, join Shem, Sam and Zach as they discuss games they've played together, specifically focusing on game design elements.

In this episode they discuss Raiders of Scythia: Omens and Skara Brae: Headlands by Shem Phillips. The first ever expansions to Ancient Anthology titles.

📜Chapters:
0:00:00 - Which would you prefer?
0:5:33 - Intro
0:5:49 - Why are we doing Ancient Anthology expansions?
08:37 - Discussion of Omens
0:30:22 - What makes a good expansion?
0:37:20 - Discussion of Headlands
1:00:23 - Questions for the audience
1:00:40 - Kickstarter overview

⭐About the Cast

Shem Phillips is the owner of Garphill Games and has designed a fair few board games, notably Raiders of the North Sea (Kennerspiel des Jahres Nominee) and Legacy of Yu (Golden Geek, Dice Tower Award, Origins Award for Best Solo Game of 2023).

Sam Macdonald is a Game Designer and Developer at Garphill Games, bursting onto the scene with his co-design together with Shem, Architects of the West Kingdom. He has gone on to design a number of other games, most notable among them is Paladins of the West Kingdom which is currently in the top 100 games on BGG.

Zach Smith works for Garphill Games as Marketing and Media Manager, but is also a credited designer, having co-designed Circadians: Chaos Order and The Great Sea together with Sam, and Spirited and Skute with both Shem and Sam.

🎵 Music licenced from ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Jessy Ribordy Studios⁠ (jessyribordystudios.com)

Skara Brae: Headlands - How to use the Folded Space Insert

Garphill Games 2026-08-16 | Shem details how the Headlands expansion for Skara Brae can fit in the base game box while still making use of the Folded Space Insert.

kickstarter.com/projects/shem/omens-and-headlands-expansions-for-scythia-and-skara-brae

Skara Brae: Headlands- Solo Playthrough 2/2 (Raise Young)

Garphill Games 2026-08-14 | Shem plays through the solo mode for the new Headlands expansion to Skara Brae using the Raise Young Special Action Tile.

kickstarter.com/projects/shem/omens-and-headlands-expansions-for-scythia-and-skara-brae

Skara Brae: Headlands- Solo Playthrough 1/2 (Pitch Tents)

Garphill Games 2026-08-11 | Shem plays through the solo mode for the new Headlands expansion to Skara Brae using the Pitch Tents Special Action Tile.

kickstarter.com/projects/shem/omens-and-headlands-expansions-for-scythia-and-skara-brae

Raiders of Scythia: Omens - Solo Playthrough with Shem Phillips

Garphill Games 2026-08-07 | Shem plays through the solo mode for the new Omens expansion to Raiders of Scythia.

kickstarter.com/projects/shem/omens-and-headlands-expansions-for-scythia-and-skara-brae

Lens and Veil | EP #40: Shackleton Base: A Journey to the Moon

Garphill Games 2026-08-05 | 🎙️Welcome to the Lens and Veil podcast, join Shem, Sam and Zach as they discuss games they've played together, specifically focusing on game design elements.

In this episode they discuss Shackleton Base: A Journey to the Moon by Fabio Lopiano and Nestore Mangone. Shackleton Base: A Journey to the Moon is a competitive euro worker placement game in which players lead one of the space agencies that are working together to expand a permanent base in the Shackleton crater at the Moon's South Pole, while at the same time working with the three major corporations sponsoring the mission.

📜Chapters:
0:00:00 - Which would you prefer?
0:7:52 - Intro
0:8:09 - Overview of Shackleton Base
0:13:02 - Discussion of Shackleton Base
0:55:41 - Questions for audience
0:55:58 - Reflections on Play Con (Australia)

⭐About the Cast

Shem Phillips is the owner of Garphill Games and has designed a fair few board games, notably Raiders of the North Sea (Kennerspiel des Jahres Nominee) and Legacy of Yu (Golden Geek, Dice Tower Award, Origins Award for Best Solo Game of 2023).

Sam Macdonald is a Game Designer and Developer at Garphill Games, bursting onto the scene with his co-design together with Shem, Architects of the West Kingdom. He has gone on to design a number of other games, most notable among them is Paladins of the West Kingdom which is currently in the top 100 games on BGG.

Zach Smith works for Garphill Games as Marketing and Media Manager, but is also a credited designer, having co-designed Circadians: Chaos Order and The Great Sea together with Sam, and Spirited and Skute with both Shem and Sam.

🎵 Music licenced from ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Jessy Ribordy Studios⁠ (jessyribordystudios.com)

Lens and Veil | EP #39: Disney Villains, Robotrick and Nanatoridori

Garphill Games 2026-07-20 | 🎙️Welcome to the Lens and Veil podcast, join Shem, Sam and Zach as they discuss games they've played together, specifically focusing on game design elements.

In this special episode they discuss three Japanese card games: Disney Villains by Jun Sasaki and Taiki Shinzawa, Nanatoridori by Toshiki Arao, and Robotrick by Domi.

📜Chapters:
0:00:00 - Which would you prefer?
0:06:58 - Intro
0:07:17 - Discussion of Disney Villains
0:21:06 - Discussion of Nanatoridori
0:32:11 - Discussion of Robotrick
0:46:29 - Questions for the audience
0:46:47 - Discussion about designing card games

⭐About the Cast

Shem Phillips is the owner of Garphill Games and has designed a fair few board games, notably Raiders of the North Sea (Kennerspiel des Jahres Nominee) and Legacy of Yu (Golden Geek, Dice Tower Award, Origins Award for Best Solo Game of 2023).

Sam Macdonald is a Game Designer and Developer at Garphill Games, bursting onto the scene with his co-design together with Shem, Architects of the West Kingdom. He has gone on to design a number of other games, most notable among them is Paladins of the West Kingdom which is currently in the top 100 games on BGG.

Zach Smith works for Garphill Games as Marketing and Media Manager, but is also a credited designer, having co-designed Circadians: Chaos Order together with Sam. They also have another game together under development.

🎵 Music licenced from ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Jessy Ribordy Studios⁠ (jessyribordystudios.com)

Play Con 2026

Garphill Games 2026-07-03 | Come visit us at #playconau!

Lens and Veil | EP #38: Kennerspiel Des Jahres 2026

Garphill Games 2026-06-25 | 🎙️Welcome to the Lens and Veil podcast, join Shem, Sam and Zach as they discuss games they've played together, specifically focusing on game design elements.

In this special episode they discuss the nominees for the Kennerspiel Des Jahres 2026: Rebirth by Reiner Knizia, Boss Fighters QR by Michael Palm and Lukas Zach, and Moon Colony Bloodbath by Donald X. Vaccarino.

📜Chapters:
0:00:00 - Which would you prefer?
0:07:24 - Intro
0:07:42 - Discussion of Rebirth
0:33:26 - Discussion of the Kennerspiel
0:42:29 - Discussion of Boss Fighters QR
0:57:42 - Discussion of Moon Colony Bloodbath
1:00:13 - Questions for the audience
1:00:29 - Prediction and our winners

⭐About the Cast

Shem Phillips is the owner of Garphill Games and has designed a fair few board games, notably Raiders of the North Sea (Kennerspiel des Jahres Nominee) and Legacy of Yu (Golden Geek, Dice Tower Award, Origins Award for Best Solo Game of 2023).

Sam Macdonald is a Game Designer and Developer at Garphill Games, bursting onto the scene with his co-design together with Shem, Architects of the West Kingdom. He has gone on to design a number of other games, most notable among them is Paladins of the West Kingdom which is currently in the top 100 games on BGG.

Zach Smith works for Garphill Games as Marketing and Media Manager, but is also a credited designer, having co-designed Circadians: Chaos Order together with Sam. They also have another game together under development.

🎵 Music licenced from ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Jessy Ribordy Studios⁠ (jessyribordystudios.com)

Lens and Veil | EP #37: Eternal Decks

Garphill Games 2026-06-08 | 🎙️Welcome to the Lens and Veil podcast, join Shem, Sam and Zach as they discuss games they've played together, specifically focusing on game design elements.

In this episode they discuss Eternal Decks by Hiroken. Eternal Decks is a limited communication co-operative game in which players try to complete the stage objectives before any one player cannot take an action.

📜Chapters:
0:00:00 - Which would you prefer?
0:6:45 - Intro
0:7:02 - Overview of Eternal Decks
0:15:41 - Discussion of Eternal Decks
0:47:43 - Questions for audience
0:48:01 - Top 200 Draft: 191-200

⭐About the Cast

Shem Phillips is the owner of Garphill Games and has designed a fair few board games, notably Raiders of the North Sea (Kennerspiel des Jahres Nominee) and Legacy of Yu (Golden Geek, Dice Tower Award, Origins Award for Best Solo Game of 2023).

Sam Macdonald is a Game Designer and Developer at Garphill Games, bursting onto the scene with his co-design together with Shem, Architects of the West Kingdom. He has gone on to design a number of other games, most notable among them is Paladins of the West Kingdom which is currently in the top 100 games on BGG.

Zach Smith works for Garphill Games as Marketing and Media Manager, but is also a credited designer, having co-designed Circadians: Chaos Order and The Great Sea together with Sam, and Spirited and Skute with both Shem and Sam.

🎵 Music licenced from ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Jessy Ribordy Studios⁠ (jessyribordystudios.com)

Scholars Plat Mat and South Tigris Reprint

Garphill Games 2026-05-19 | Kickstarter: kickstarter.com/projects/shem/scholars-play-mat-and-south-tigris-reprints?ref=cksti9

Lens and Veil | EP #36: Men-Nefer

Garphill Games 2026-05-08 | 🎙️Welcome to the Lens and Veil podcast, join Shem, Sam and Zach as they discuss games they've played together, specifically focusing on game design elements.

In this episode they discuss Men-Nefer by Germán P. Millán. In Men-Nefer you relive one of the greatest periods of ancient Egypt, carrying out tasks typical to Egyptian culture: acquiring knowledge in the houses of life, navigating and trading on the Nile River, making offerings to the revered God, embalming the corpses of the nobles to send them off to a better life, erecting beautiful sphinxes, and contributing to the construction of the Great Pyramids.

📜Chapters:
0:00:00 - Which would you prefer?
0:8:05 - Intro
0:8:18 - Overview of Men-Nefer
0:13:35 - Discussion of Men-Nefer
0:58:00 - Questions for audience
0:58:17 - Top 200 Draft: 181-190

⭐About the Cast

Shem Phillips is the owner of Garphill Games and has designed a fair few board games, notably Raiders of the North Sea (Kennerspiel des Jahres Nominee) and Legacy of Yu (Golden Geek, Dice Tower Award, Origins Award for Best Solo Game of 2023).

Sam Macdonald is a Game Designer and Developer at Garphill Games, bursting onto the scene with his co-design together with Shem, Architects of the West Kingdom. He has gone on to design a number of other games, most notable among them is Paladins of the West Kingdom which is currently in the top 100 games on BGG.

Zach Smith works for Garphill Games as Marketing and Media Manager, but is also a credited designer, having co-designed Circadians: Chaos Order and The Great Sea together with Sam, and Spirited and Skute with both Shem and Sam.

🎵 Music licenced from ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Jessy Ribordy Studios⁠ (jessyribordystudios.com)

Lens and Veil | EP #35: Towers of Sifnos

Garphill Games 2026-04-05 | 🎙️Welcome to the Lens and Veil podcast, join Shem, Sam and Zach as they discuss games they've played together, specifically focusing on game design elements.

In this episode they discuss Towers of Sifnos by Shem Phillips and S J Macdonald. In Towers of Sifnos players step into the role of an ancient Greek military commander! Prepare your people against raiding pirates by constructing towers, mustering soldiers, and investing into the future of Sifnos. The game ends immediately once the third allied ship is drawn from the bag and the player with the most victory points wins.

📜Chapters:
0:00:00 - Which would you prefer?
0:08:16 - Intro
0:08:31 - Overview of Towers of Sifnos
0:13:11 - Discussion of Towers of Sifnos
0:54:51 - Questions for audience
0:55:09 - Top 200 Draft: 171-180

⭐About the Cast

Shem Phillips is the owner of Garphill Games and has designed a fair few board games, notably Raiders of the North Sea (Kennerspiel des Jahres Nominee) and Legacy of Yu (Golden Geek, Dice Tower Award, Origins Award for Best Solo Game of 2023).

Sam Macdonald is a Game Designer and Developer at Garphill Games, bursting onto the scene with his co-design together with Shem, Architects of the West Kingdom. He has gone on to design a number of other games, most notable among them is Paladins of the West Kingdom which is currently in the top 100 games on BGG.

Zach Smith works for Garphill Games as Marketing and Media Manager, but is also a credited designer, having co-designed Circadians: Chaos Order and The Great Sea together with Sam, and Spirited and Skute with both Shem and Sam.

🎵 Music licenced from ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Jessy Ribordy Studios⁠ (jessyribordystudios.com)

Towers of Sifnos - Solo Playthrough with Shem Phillips

Garphill Games 2026-04-03 | Shem Phillips from Garphill Games plays through a solo game of Towers of Sifnos.

Kickstarter Page: kickstarter.com/projects/shem/the-great-sea-and-towers-of-sifnos

www.garphill.com

The Great Sea - 2 Player Designer Runthrough

Garphill Games 2026-04-02 | Sam, and Zach from Garphill Games playthrough The Great Sea

Kickstarter Page: kickstarter.com/projects/shem/the-great-sea-and-towers-of-sifnos

www.garphill.com

Lens and Veil | EP #34: The Great Sea

Garphill Games 2026-03-28 | 🎙️Welcome to the Lens and Veil podcast, join Shem, Sam and Zach as they discuss games they've played together, specifically focusing on game design elements.

In this episode they discuss The Great Sea by S J Macdonald and Zachary Smith. In The Great Sea players take on the role of Phoenician city states vying for military and commercial control of the Mediterranean Sea. Players must construct and mobilize their ships, fortify their trade routes, and research new technologies for land and sea. Key to their success will be controlling the various ancient temple sites across the map. The game ends immediately once a player's temple marker reaches the same space as either their combat or trade marker.

📜Chapters:
0:00:00 - Which would you prefer?
0:07:45 - Intro
0:08:01 - Overview of The Great Sea
0:11:11 - Discussion of The Great Sea
1:00:16 - Questions for audience
1:00:33 - Top 200 Draft: 161-170

⭐About the Cast

Shem Phillips is the owner of Garphill Games and has designed a fair few board games, notably Raiders of the North Sea (Kennerspiel des Jahres Nominee) and Legacy of Yu (Golden Geek, Dice Tower Award, Origins Award for Best Solo Game of 2023).

Sam Macdonald is a Game Designer and Developer at Garphill Games, bursting onto the scene with his co-design together with Shem, Architects of the West Kingdom. He has gone on to design a number of other games, most notable among them is Paladins of the West Kingdom which is currently in the top 100 games on BGG.

Zach Smith works for Garphill Games as Marketing and Media Manager, but is also a credited designer, having co-designed Circadians: Chaos Order and The Great Sea together with Sam, and Spirited and Skute with both Shem and Sam.

🎵 Music licenced from ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Jessy Ribordy Studios⁠ (jessyribordystudios.com)

Towers of Sifnos - 3 Player Runthrough

Garphill Games 2026-03-26 | Shem, Sam, and Zach from Garphill Games playthrough Towers of Sifnos.

Kickstarter Page: kickstarter.com/projects/shem/the-great-sea-and-towers-of-sifnos

www.garphill.com

Lens and Veil | EP #33: Moon Colony Bloodbath

Garphill Games 2026-03-23 | 🎙️Welcome to the Lens and Veil podcast, join Shem, Sam and Zach as they discuss games they've played together, specifically focusing on game design elements.

In this episode they discuss Moon Colony Bloodbath by Donald X. Vaccarino. Moon Colony Bloodbath is an engine-building, engine-losing tableau game, with a shared deck the players build that makes things happen, many of them bad things that kill people in your moon colony, but some positive, and some that let you build up.

📜Chapters:
0:00:00 - Which would you prefer?
0:10:01 - Intro
0:10:18 - Overview of Moon Colony Bloodbath
0:13:51 - Discussion of Moon Colony Bloodbath
0:51:28 - Questions for audience
0:51:46 - Top 200 Draft: 151-160

⭐About the Cast

Shem Phillips is the owner of Garphill Games and has designed a fair few board games, notably Raiders of the North Sea (Kennerspiel des Jahres Nominee) and Legacy of Yu (Golden Geek, Dice Tower Award, Origins Award for Best Solo Game of 2023).

Sam Macdonald is a Game Designer and Developer at Garphill Games, bursting onto the scene with his co-design together with Shem, Architects of the West Kingdom. He has gone on to design a number of other games, most notable among them is Paladins of the West Kingdom which is currently in the top 100 games on BGG.

Zach Smith works for Garphill Games as Marketing and Media Manager, but is also a credited designer, having co-designed Circadians: Chaos Order and The Great Sea together with Sam, and Spirited and Skute with both Shem and Sam.

🎵 Music licenced from ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Jessy Ribordy Studios⁠ (jessyribordystudios.com)

The Great Sea - 3 Player Runthrough

Garphill Games 2026-03-17 | Shem, Sam, and Zach from Garphill Games playthrough The Great Sea

Kickstarter Page: kickstarter.com/projects/shem/the-great-sea-and-towers-of-sifnos

www.garphill.com

Lens and Veil | EP #32: Ten Games That Made Us Part 2

Garphill Games 2026-03-09 | 🎙️Welcome to the Lens and Veil podcast, join Shem, Sam and Zach as they discuss games they've played together, specifically focusing on game design elements.

In this episode they each count down the ten games that made them the gamers and designers they are today, starting with games 5-1.

📜Chapters:
0:00:00 - Which would you prefer?
0:05:45 - Intro
0:06:03 - Preamble & Criteria
0:07:10 - Games 5-1
0:58:39 - Questions for audience
0:58:57 - Top 200 Draft: 141-150

⭐About the Cast

Shem Phillips is the owner of Garphill Games and has designed a fair few board games, notably Raiders of the North Sea (Kennerspiel des Jahres Nominee) and Legacy of Yu (Golden Geek, Dice Tower Award, Origins Award for Best Solo Game of 2023).

Sam Macdonald is a Game Designer and Developer at Garphill Games, bursting onto the scene with his co-design together with Shem, Architects of the West Kingdom. He has gone on to design a number of other games, most notable among them is Paladins of the West Kingdom which is currently in the top 100 games on BGG.

Zach Smith works for Garphill Games as Marketing and Media Manager, but is also a credited designer, having co-designed Circadians: Chaos Order and The Great Sea together with Sam, and Spirited and Skute with both Shem and Sam.

🎵 Music licenced from ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Jessy Ribordy Studios⁠ (jessyribordystudios.com)

What I love about Towers of Sifnos

Garphill Games 2026-03-08 | Kickstarter 👉 garphill.com/ancient

Lens and Veil | EP #31: Ten Games That Made Us Part 1

Garphill Games 2026-02-24 | 🎙️Welcome to the Lens and Veil podcast, join Shem, Sam and Zach as they discuss games they've played together, specifically focusing on game design elements.

In this episode they each count down the ten games that made them the gamers and designers they are today, starting with games 10-6.

📜Chapters:
0:00:00 - Which would you prefer?
0:05:24 - Intro
0:05:45 - Preamble & Criteria
0:07:24 - Games 10-6
0:52:15 - Questions for audience
0:52:31 - Top 200 Draft: 131-140

⭐About the Cast

Shem Phillips is the owner of Garphill Games and has designed a fair few board games, notably Raiders of the North Sea (Kennerspiel des Jahres Nominee) and Legacy of Yu (Golden Geek, Dice Tower Award, Origins Award for Best Solo Game of 2023).

Sam Macdonald is a Game Designer and Developer at Garphill Games, bursting onto the scene with his co-design together with Shem, Architects of the West Kingdom. He has gone on to design a number of other games, most notable among them is Paladins of the West Kingdom which is currently in the top 100 games on BGG.

Zach Smith works for Garphill Games as Marketing and Media Manager, but is also a credited designer, having co-designed Circadians: Chaos Order and The Great Sea together with Sam, and Spirited and Skute with both Shem and Sam.

🎵 Music licenced from ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Jessy Ribordy Studios⁠ (jessyribordystudios.com)

An epic conclusion to The Great Sea!

Garphill Games 2026-02-20 | garphill.com/ancient

Lens and Veil | EP #30: First Rat

Garphill Games 2026-02-03 | 🎙️Welcome to the Lens and Veil podcast, join Shem, Sam and Zach as they discuss games they've played together, specifically focusing on game design elements.

In this episode they discuss First Rat by by Gabriele Ausiello and Virginio Gigli. In First Rat, players take on the role of rats trying to build a rocket and take over the cheese moon. They do this by moving their rat meeples up the board (junkyard) and collecting junk which they can turn into rocket parts.

📜Chapters:
0:00:00 - Which would you prefer?
0:04:27 - Intro
0:04:43 - Overview of First Rat
0:11:33 - Discussion of First Rat
1:02:53 - Questions for audience
1:03:15 - Top 200 Draft: 121-130

⭐About the Cast

Shem Phillips is the owner of Garphill Games and has designed a fair few board games, notably Raiders of the North Sea (Kennerspiel des Jahres Nominee) and Legacy of Yu (Golden Geek, Dice Tower Award, Origins Award for Best Solo Game of 2023).

Sam Macdonald is a Game Designer and Developer at Garphill Games, bursting onto the scene with his co-design together with Shem, Architects of the West Kingdom. He has gone on to design a number of other games, most notable among them is Paladins of the West Kingdom which is currently in the top 100 games on BGG.

Zach Smith works for Garphill Games as Marketing and Media Manager, but is also a credited designer, having co-designed Circadians: Chaos Order and The Great Sea together with Sam, and Spirited and Skute with both Shem and Sam.

🎵 Music licenced from ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Jessy Ribordy Studios⁠ (jessyribordystudios.com)

Spirited – A Fast Paced Push Your Luck Card Game

Garphill Games 2026-01-21 | Kickstarter: kickstarter.com/projects/shem/spirited
BGG: boardgamegeek.com/boardgame/457476/spirited
How to Play: youtu.be/_w9S4sWmbVU?si=faQsY_zRhccU0Nhi

Lens and Veil | EP #29: Spirited

Garphill Games 2026-01-17 | 🎙️Welcome to the Lens and Veil podcast, join Shem, Sam and Zach as they discuss games they've played together, specifically focusing on game design elements.

In this episode they discuss Spirited, their first co-design all together. Spirited is a fast card driven game with push your luck elements where players must build wonders or forge allegiances with the numerous clans of the world. Featuring real historic civilisations interpreted by anthropomorphic animal characters.

Spirited is live on Kickstarter now 👉🏽 kickstarter.com/projects/shem/spirited?ref=apmko7

📜Chapters:
0:00:00 - Which would you prefer?
0:07:08 - Intro
0:07:24 - Overview of Spirited
0:10:53 - Discussion of Spirited
1:07:26 - Questions for audience
1:07:44 - Top 200 Draft: 111-120

⭐About the Cast

Shem Phillips is the owner of Garphill Games and has designed a fair few board games, notably Raiders of the North Sea (Kennerspiel des Jahres Nominee) and Legacy of Yu (Golden Geek, Dice Tower Award, Origins Award for Best Solo Game of 2023).

Sam Macdonald is a Game Designer and Developer at Garphill Games, bursting onto the scene with his co-design together with Shem, Architects of the West Kingdom. He has gone on to design a number of other games, most notable among them is Paladins of the West Kingdom which is currently in the top 100 games on BGG.

Zach Smith works for Garphill Games as Marketing and Media Manager, but is also a credited designer, having co-designed Circadians: Chaos Order and The Great Sea together with Sam, and Spirited with both Shem and Sam.

🎵 Music licenced from ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Jessy Ribordy Studios⁠ (jessyribordystudios.com)

Lens and Veil | EP #28: Top Ten Games Part 2

Garphill Games 2025-12-17 | 🎙️Welcome to the Lens and Veil podcast, join Shem, Sam and Zach as they discuss games they've played together, specifically focusing on game design elements.

In this second part of the countdown of their top 10 games, they cover games 5-1.

📜Chapters:
0:00:00 - Which would you prefer?
0:04:06 - Intro
0:04:21 - Preamble
0:04:37 - Games 5-1
0:41:28 - Questions for audience
0:41:45 - Top 200 Draft: 101-110

⭐About the Cast

Shem Phillips is the owner of Garphill Games and has designed a fair few board games, notably Raiders of the North Sea (Kennerspiel des Jahres Nominee) and Legacy of Yu (Golden Geek, Dice Tower Award, Origins Award for Best Solo Game of 2023).

Sam Macdonald is a Game Designer and Developer at Garphill Games, bursting onto the scene with his co-design together with Shem, Architects of the West Kingdom. He has gone on to design a number of other games, most notable among them is Paladins of the West Kingdom which is currently in the top 100 games on BGG.

Zach Smith works for Garphill Games as Marketing and Media Manager, but is also a credited designer, having co-designed Circadians: Chaos Order and The Great Sea together with Sam, and Spirited and Skute with both Shem and Sam.

🎵 Music licenced from ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Jessy Ribordy Studios⁠ (jessyribordystudios.com)

Lens and Veil | EP #27: Top Ten Games Part 1

Garphill Games 2025-12-11 | 🎙️Welcome to the Lens and Veil podcast, join Shem, Sam and Zach as they discuss games they've played together, specifically focusing on game design elements.

In this episode they count down their top ten games, starting with games 10-6.

📜Chapters:
0:00:00 - Which would you prefer?
0:05:16 - Intro
0:05:31 - Preamble, Criteria and Crossover Predictions
0:12:57 - Games 10-6
0:48:14 - Questions for audience
0:48:30 - Top 200 Draft: 91-100

⭐About the Cast

Shem Phillips is the owner of Garphill Games and has designed a fair few board games, notably Raiders of the North Sea (Kennerspiel des Jahres Nominee) and Legacy of Yu (Golden Geek, Dice Tower Award, Origins Award for Best Solo Game of 2023).

Sam Macdonald is a Game Designer and Developer at Garphill Games, bursting onto the scene with his co-design together with Shem, Architects of the West Kingdom. He has gone on to design a number of other games, most notable among them is Paladins of the West Kingdom which is currently in the top 100 games on BGG.

Zach Smith works for Garphill Games as Marketing and Media Manager, but is also a credited designer, having co-designed Circadians: Chaos Order and The Great Sea together with Sam, and Spirited and Skute with both Shem and Sam.

🎵 Music licenced from ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Jessy Ribordy Studios⁠ (jessyribordystudios.com)

Garphill Games News - Dec 2025

Garphill Games 2025-12-08 | Join Shem Phillips as he covers a number of topics including current and upcoming projects, including the announcement of two new games.

www.garphill.com

Late-pledge for Secret Secret Societies:
kickstarter.com/projects/shem/garphill-games-secret-project

Follow the upcoming Kickstarter for Spirited:
kickstarter.com/projects/shem/spirited

The Great Sea BGG page:
boardgamegeek.com/boardgame/453699/the-great-sea

Lens and Veil | EP #26: Fate of the Fellowship

Garphill Games 2025-12-03 | 🎙️Welcome to the Lens and Veil podcast, join Shem, Sam and Zach as they discuss games they've played together, specifically focusing on game design elements.

In this episode they discuss The Lord of the Rings: Fate of the Fellowship by Matt Leacock. Fate of the Fellowship is a co-operative game in which each player controls two characters, lending their unique abilities to protect Frodo, battle enemies in pivotal locations, and evade the menacing Nazgûl and Sauron's searching Eye.

📜Chapters:
0:00:00 - Which would you prefer?
0:07:34 - Intro
0:07:51 - Overview of Fate of the Fellowship
0:10:40 - Discussion of Fate of the Fellowship
0:55:05 - Questions for audience
0:55:28 - Top 200 Draft: 81-90

⭐About the Cast

Shem Phillips is the owner of Garphill Games and has designed a fair few board games, notably Raiders of the North Sea (Kennerspiel des Jahres Nominee) and Legacy of Yu (Golden Geek, Dice Tower Award, Origins Award for Best Solo Game of 2023).

Sam Macdonald is a Game Designer and Developer at Garphill Games, bursting onto the scene with his co-design together with Shem, Architects of the West Kingdom. He has gone on to design a number of other games, most notable among them is Paladins of the West Kingdom which is currently in the top 100 games on BGG.

Zach Smith works for Garphill Games as Marketing and Media Manager, but is also a credited designer, having co-designed Circadians: Chaos Order and The Great Sea together with Sam, and Spirited with both Shem and Sam.

🎵 Music licenced from ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Jessy Ribordy Studios⁠ (jessyribordystudios.com)

Assyria: Second Edition: 3 Player Runthrough

Garphill Games 2025-11-30 | Shem, Sam, and Zach from Garphill Games playthrough Assyria: Second Edition

www.garphill.com

Spirited - 2 Player Playthrough with Designers

Garphill Games 2025-11-24 | Shem and Zach face off in a 2 player game of Spirited.

Kickstarter: kickstarter.com/projects/shem/spirited
BGG: boardgamegeek.com/boardgame/457476/spirited
How to Play: youtu.be/_w9S4sWmbVU?si=faQsY_zRhccU0Nhi

Shem takes on Spirited solo mode! #shorts

Garphill Games 2025-11-21 | Watch the Playthrough: youtu.be/ZKY4u0wvtHs

Secret Societies - 2 Player Playthrough with Shem and Zach

Garphill Games 2025-11-20 | Shem and Zach face off as the Reptilians and Tech Bros to control Earth!

Late-pledge today:
kickstarter.com/projects/shem/garphill-games-secret-project

Lens and Veil | EP #25: Through the Ages

Garphill Games 2025-11-19 | 🎙️Welcome to the Lens and Veil podcast, join Shem, Sam and Zach as they discuss games they've played together, specifically focusing on game design elements.

In this episode they discuss Through the Ages by Vlaada Chvátil. Through the Ages is a civilisation building game. Each player attempts to build the best civilisation through careful resource management, and by: discovering new technologies, electing competent leaders, building wonders and maintaining a strong military. Weakness in any area can be exploited by your opponents. The game takes place throughout the ages, beginning in the age of antiquity and ending in the modern age.

📜Chapters:
0:00:00 - Which would you prefer?
0:04:35 - Intro
0:04:52 - Overview of Through the Ages
0:09:33 - Discussion of Through the Ages
1:07:05 - Questions for audience
1:07:25 - Top 200 Draft: 71-80

⭐About the Cast

Shem Phillips is the owner of Garphill Games and has designed a fair few board games, notably Raiders of the North Sea (Kennerspiel des Jahres Nominee) and Legacy of Yu (Golden Geek, Dice Tower Award, Origins Award for Best Solo Game of 2023).

Sam Macdonald is a Game Designer and Developer at Garphill Games, bursting onto the scene with his co-design together with Shem, Architects of the West Kingdom. He has gone on to design a number of other games, most notable among them is Paladins of the West Kingdom which is currently in the top 100 games on BGG.

Zach Smith works for Garphill Games as Marketing and Media Manager, but is also a credited designer, having co-designed Circadians: Chaos Order together with Sam. They also have another game together under development.

🎵 Music licenced from ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Jessy Ribordy Studios⁠ (jessyribordystudios.com)

Zach gets wrecked by his own greed! #shorts

Garphill Games 2025-11-13 | Shem, Sam, and Zach face off in a 3 player game of Spirited.

Kickstarter: kickstarter.com/projects/shem/spirited
BGG: boardgamegeek.com/boardgame/457476/spirited
How to Play: youtu.be/_w9S4sWmbVU?si=faQsY_zRhccU0Nhi

Watch us play SPIRITED #shorts

Garphill Games 2025-11-12 | Shem, Sam, and Zach face off in a 3 player game of Spirited.

Kickstarter: kickstarter.com/projects/shem/spirited
BGG: boardgamegeek.com/boardgame/457476/spirited
How to Play: youtu.be/_w9S4sWmbVU?si=faQsY_zRhccU0Nhi

Spirited - 3 Player Playthrough with Designers

Garphill Games 2025-11-10 | Shem, Sam, and Zach face off in a 3 player game of Spirited.

Kickstarter: kickstarter.com/projects/shem/spirited
BGG: boardgamegeek.com/boardgame/457476/spirited
How to Play: youtu.be/_w9S4sWmbVU?si=faQsY_zRhccU0Nhi

Lens and Veil | EP #24: Slay the Spire

Garphill Games 2025-11-07 | 🎙️Welcome to the Lens and Veil podcast, join Shem, Sam and Zach as they discuss games they've played together, specifically focusing on game design elements.

In this episode they discuss Slay the Spire by Gary Dworetsky, Anthony Giovannetti and Casey Yano. Slay the Spire: The Board Game is a co-operative deck-building, dungeon-crawling adventure based on the video game of the same name. Each player starts with a character with unique abilities and a simple deck of cards that they can improve by adding and removing cards during the game. Slay the Spire is also a rogue-like. That means that when you die you start over from the beginning. The game is divided into Acts. At the end of an Act you can continue, stop and end the adventure there, or save and continue another time! If players defeat the final Boss, they win the game!

📜Chapters:
0:00:00 - Which would you prefer?
0:05:17 - Intro
0:05:34 - Overview of Slay the Spire
0:09:56 - Discussion of Slay the Spire
1:04:45 - Questions for audience
1:05:04 - Top 200 Draft: 61-70

⭐About the Cast

Shem Phillips is the owner of Garphill Games and has designed a fair few board games, notably Raiders of the North Sea (Kennerspiel des Jahres Nominee) and Legacy of Yu (Golden Geek, Dice Tower Award, Origins Award for Best Solo Game of 2023).

Sam Macdonald is a Game Designer and Developer at Garphill Games, bursting onto the scene with his co-design together with Shem, Architects of the West Kingdom. He has gone on to design a number of other games, most notable among them is Paladins of the West Kingdom which is currently in the top 100 games on BGG.

Zach Smith works for Garphill Games as Marketing and Media Manager, but is also a credited designer, having co-designed Circadians: Chaos Order together with Sam. They also have another game together under development.

🎵 Music licenced from ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Jessy Ribordy Studios⁠ (jessyribordystudios.com)

New Game Announcement from Garphill Games

Garphill Games 2025-11-02 | Join the Garphill Games team as they reveal more about their next upcoming game.

Kickstarter: kickstarter.com/projects/shem/spirited
BGG: boardgamegeek.com/boardgame/457476/spirited
Upcoming playthrough with Shem, Sam, and Zach: youtu.be/bqv3vAfBOzU

Secret Societies + Merica Expansion - 3 Player Playthrough with Sam, Shem and Zach

Garphill Games 2025-10-14 | Sam, Shem and Zach face off as the Lycans, Spec Ops, and Bankers to control Merica!

kickstarter.com/projects/shem/garphill-games-secret-project

Lens and Veil | EP #23: Secret Societies

Garphill Games 2025-10-08 | 🎙️Welcome to the Lens and Veil podcast, join Shem, Sam and Zach as they discuss games they've played together, specifically focusing on game design elements.

In this episode they discuss Secret Societies by S J Macdonald. This is Sam's second ever solo design after Circadians: First Light. The aim of Secret Societies is to gain the most Power by outbidding and outsmarting your opponents to establish your institute as the one most deserving of total governance. Players step into the role of a highly unique Secret Society, equipped with various tools and abilities to help give them the edge over the competition. Over 7 Rounds you will gain Income, Bid for Deeds, deploy Agents, start Projects, make Investments, and seek to control the all-important Conferences. Secret Societies is currently live on Kickstarter here: kickstarter.com/projects/shem/garphill-games-secret-project?ref=7924ba .

📜Chapters:
0:00:00 - Which would you prefer?
0:06:16 - Intro
0:06:31 - Overview of Secret Societies
0:07:56 - Discussion of Secret Societies
1:05:03 - Questions for audience
1:13:35 - Top 200 Draft: 51-60

⭐About the Cast

Shem Phillips is the owner of Garphill Games and has designed a fair few board games, notably Raiders of the North Sea (Kennerspiel des Jahres Nominee) and Legacy of Yu (Golden Geek, Dice Tower Award, Origins Award for Best Solo Game of 2023).

Sam Macdonald is a Game Designer and Developer at Garphill Games, bursting onto the scene with his co-design together with Shem, Architects of the West Kingdom. He has gone on to design a number of other games, most notable among them is Paladins of the West Kingdom which is currently in the top 100 games on BGG.

Zach Smith works for Garphill Games as Marketing and Media Manager, but is also a credited designer, having co-designed Circadians: Chaos Order together with Sam. They also have another game together under development.

🎵 Music licenced from ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Jessy Ribordy Studios⁠ (jessyribordystudios.com)

Secret Societies - 3 Player Playthrough with Sam, Shem and Zach

Garphill Games 2025-10-07 | Sam, Shem and Zach face off as the Influencers, Robots, and Vampires to control Earth!

kickstarter.com/projects/shem/garphill-games-secret-project

All 11 Factions in a Minute! - Secret Societies #shorts

Garphill Games 2025-10-04 | Learn more about Secret Societies here 👉 garphill.com/secret

The Merica Expansion - Secret Societies #shorts

Garphill Games 2025-10-03 | Learn more about Secret Societies here 👉 garphill.com/secret

Secret Societies - 2 Player Playthrough with Sam and Shem

Garphill Games 2025-10-03 | Sam and Shem face off as the Aliens and Stonesmiths to control Earth!

kickstarter.com/projects/shem/garphill-games-secret-project

Secret Societies - How to Win #shorts

Garphill Games 2025-10-02 | Learn more about Secret Societies here 👉 garphill.com/secret