Actualol

I've Been Playing - December 2018

Happy New Year! I want to hit the ground running by talking about more board games.

The games are:

Just One,  Gunkimono, Walls of York, The Table Is Lava, Before There Were Stars, Honga and Affinity.

This week, I'll be planning the shoot for my next music video which we're filming a week on Saturday. Exciting!

Actually yours,

Jon

Game of Thrones: Mother of Dragons Expansion Overview

I had a lot of fun lately playing the new Mother of Dragons expansion for Game of Thrones 2nd Edition board game. And I wanted to make a video so I could talk about what it adds and why I like it. 

I'm experimenting with a new format in this one (still a bit rough around the edges). It won't replace any other types of video I make, but might allow me to cover a few more games in a little more detail. If people like it, I'll film more like this. (I've already filmed another one).

Act...

Happy Actualol Christmas!

For the fourth year running, here is the Actualol Christmas video and more importantly a return for Timmy, Barry, Mum, Girlfriend, Hipster, J-Lol and Ceedee. 

I really, really hope you enjoy it. 

Actually yours,

Jon

Christmas is coming!

It wouldn't be December without an Actualol Christmas video. Here's a sneak peek at the character's you'll see! 😁

Actually yours,

Jon

Thank You Actual Patrons

Thank you - each and everyone one of you for supporting Actualol. This is still just the beginning - and you are one of the foundations. 

Actually Yours,

Jon

Reef Review

I dive into Reef and sea what I think of it! This is the next plastic heavy abstract game from Plan B Games, the makers of Azul.

I'm pleased to point out that I've been averaging a video a week this last month, but more on that topic soon.

Actually yours,

Jon

I've Been Playing - October 2018 (Part 2)

Believe it or not, there were board games that existed before Essen, and I played some of them and I made a video about them. Life is different now, but it's nice to look back at the simpler times.

I hope you're having a palatable week!

Jon

Essen Haul 2018

I'm back! I had a really great time in Essen this year, reminding myself what a wonderful community we're a part of. Thanks to everyone who came and said hi! I'm sorry I didn't have more time to chat whilst working on the Fog of Love booth.

As is now tradition, here is my haul video showing all the games I brought home from Germany (via post).

I've Been Playing - October 2018

I'm back from Essen with a croaky voice and some delightful games. Thankfully, I filmed this one before I left when my voice was intact.

I talk about my experiences with Micropolis, Home Alone Game, The Big Score, Schone S**** (No Thanks) and Bohnanza.

My Essen haul will be coming soon, when the boxes arrive!

The Hottest Games at Essen 2018

Here's my second video for Essen this year. Ten games that I've already played so I can give them a proper recommendation and give you a taste of how they play. Actualove you all, Jon

Top 20 Anticipated Essen Games

Hello lovely people,

I'm making two pre-Essen videos this year. This first one is a chat through my most anticipated games. But on Monday I'll be releasing a nice, pretty video showing off 10 games that I've been able to play before Essen that I recommend - so please watch out for that!

I hope I get a chance to say hello to some of you in Essen. And if you'd like one of the prints, or Champions of Midgard promos they're free to Patreon backers so let me know. (Promos will be going out in...

Spring Meadow Review

I review the latest Tetris inspired game from the designer of Patchwork, Uwe Rosenberg and compare it to Patchwork, Cottage Garden and Indian Summer.

I'm working on my Essen preview video(s) this week, so look out for them in the coming weeks!

Actually yours,

Jon
 

I've Been Playing - September 2018

I talk about my experiences with Krazy Wordz, Shifty Eyed Spies, the Penny Papers trilogy and Legends of Andor.

After helpful comments on the first "I've Been Playing" video, I've decided to not make these videos exclusive, as it actually created problems for backers who just want to watch things on YouTube. I will have a refresh of my Patreon later this year which will reflect those changes and a new plan for the future.

In exciting news, last night I recorded the vocals to my next boar...

The Reckoners Review

I review this new game from the designers of Stockpile, based on books by Brandon Sanderson.

I'm off to Tabletop Gaming Live in London this weekend - let me know if you're going!

Actually yours,

Jon

Welcome To... Review

Review time! Today it's the new darling of the roll and write genre - Welcome To..., a game about building neighbourhoods.

Enjoy!

Forbidden Sky Review

This is my next review in my new style. It's for Forbidden Sky, a co-operative family game from Pandemic designer Matt Leacock.

It's the third in the trilogy of Forbidden Island and Forbidden Desert. And in this one you're trying to connect up a real electric circuit to power a rocket ship, whilst trying not to be struck by lightning.

I hope you like it!

Actually yours,

Jon

Detective: A Modern Crime Board Game Review

After a lot of soul-searching, I’m going back to making scripted, passionate reviews of single board games. My vision was always quality over quantity, and I lost sight of that along the way. 

My first review back is Detective: A Modern Crime Board Game by Portal Games. I hope you enjoy it.

Thank you for your support,

Actually Yours,

Jon

Now Playing: Pyramid of the Pengqueen, Rising 5, Nut So Fast, Sakura, Hotshots

This week, I'm giving my thoughts on Pyramid of the Penqueen, Rising 5: Runes of Asteros, Nut So Fast, Sakura and Hotshots.

It's a particularly good selection and I give two of the games some Actualove.

Behind the scenes I've been trying to make some decisions on how to improve how I do things with videos. Nothing to announce as yet, but I hope I can make some changes which will make a noticeable difference.

The Game That Changed My Mind About Trick-Taking - Pikoko

Here's my review of Pikoko, one of my favourite games that I brought back from the UK Games Expo. If you've never been fussed about trick-taking card games, don't dismiss this one!

I recently filmed a bunch more reviews like this one, so keep an eye out for them soon!

Happy News!

I'd like to share with you some happy personal news - last week I proposed to my girlfriend Serena and she said yes! :)

We've been together for a long time and I'd long put off the idea of marriage because I didn't feel in a place in my life to be worth marrying - not having a stable career or a place in the world. I don't feel like that anymore thanks to wonderful people like you. The reality is that I wouldn't have my Fog of Love job without you lot watching my videos and helping me get noti...

Live Q&A on Wednesday 27th June - Ask questions here!

I'll be doing a live Q&A on YouTube this Wednesday (27th June) at 4pm British Standard Time. If you click the image above it will take you to the YouTube video for it, where you can set a reminder to watch it.

The original plan with live Q&As was to make them exclusive to Actualol Heroes, but having tried to keep them private with the past few attempts, there weren't enough people watching to ask a consistent stream of questions and I ended up opening them up to my entire YouTube audie...

UK Games Expo 2018 Haul

Introducing a new character - Ceedee! She's a fashion YouTuber and she knows all about doing haul videos, so I've brought her in for my UK Games Expo haul.

Thank you for your support! I am forever grateful.

Actually yours,

Jon

Update - June 2018

Hello Actual Patrons! I send greetings from my holiday in Crete. Or Creteings, if you will! (You don't have to). I just wanted to update you on some things coming up for Actualol - I'll be making 1 or 2 videos about my time at UK Games Expo, talking about the few games I got to try out. I had my buddy Sam helping me by filming stuff, so it should be a bit nicer than usual! It won't be out for a bit because I'm on holiday at the moment. - Sam is a professional videographer and he's also going...

The Hottest Board Games at UK Games Expo 2018

Here’s my guide to UK Games Expo 2018 - all the games worth trying and buying.

Let me know if you're coming in the comments! I'd love to see you there and give you one of my new Hipster badges :)

Now Playing: Blurble, Warstones, DVONN, Mafiozoo, Pitch Deck

There's a couple of games in this video that I wouldn't be surprised if you've never heard of. Thankfully, that's why I'm here to tell you that those games are worth checking out.

In other news, I'll be releasing a video next week about what's worth checking out at UK Games Expo.

And in other, other news, a very helpful viewer has solved a problem for me that means I have another board game song in the works! 

Now Playing: Decrypto, Skyward, Junta: Las Cartas, Ilos, Dr Microbe, Panic Mansion

After last month's weak selection of games, I'm excited to be giving two lots of Actualove to games in this video.

Is Decrypto a Codenames killer?

Why Actualol Went Quiet - An Explanation

I made this video for all of you.

I felt I owed you an explanation for why there haven't been as many comedy videos as usual since I launched the Patreon.

The video is introspective, and not remotely entertaining or about board games - so don't feel like you have to watch it. I just wanted to be open about this.

The important point to take away is that the bad times are in the past, and the future of Actualol is looking bright. Thank you for your patience and continued support - it...

Short Videos - Feedback Requested

Hi Actual backers!

If it feels like I've been quiet lately, it's because I have been. Rather than talk about it here, it's something I want to address in a video so look out for that soon.

I'm desperate to come up with ways to release regular videos, because I want to repay you for all your support. But I also know that it's not worth churning out low-effort videos for the sake of it, because that's not what people are here for.

For ages, I've wanted to come up with a format that w...

Now Playing: Battle for Rokugan, Queendomino, Star Cartel, Harvest Island, Matterhorn

I give my thoughts on five more games that I've been playing lately.

Why Sleeving Your Cards Makes You Live Longer

J-LOL is back for Pimp Yo Game, and he's not happy. I talk about why I'm a card sleeving addict, and share the things I've learnt along the way.

And there's a little appearance from everyone's favourite creepy art teacher.