COIN Collectors
Click here to view all COIN Collectors Episodes
The COIN Collectors were formed in March 2021, as a group of like-minded friends on the Dads on a Map discord found themselves meeting to play and discuss COIN games. COIN games are historical multi-player games where they are trying to explore and model insurgencies in various periods while each faction has different actions and win conditions. The game provides an insight into the relationships an dynamics between the player factions. Tom, Phil, Mark and Tyler met together on a weekly basis to play through most of the entire GMT COIN series where they host a podcast dedicated to the thematic discussion, game production and analysis of the various factions and strategies.
Over time, the COIN Collectors have also branched out to other historical wargames and asymmetric science fiction games such as Bayonets & Tomahawks and Imperial Struggle. More recently, they have started to explore shorter and faster playing games such as Flashpoint South China Sea and Shores of Tripoli. Typically, you’ll also find one of the hosts organizing a weekly online game where DoaMers can meet over Vassal or Tabletop Simulator to play COIN or other historical/science-fiction games. If you’re looking for that partner(s) to learn COIN or some other interesting or obscure games – come join us in the COIN Collectors channel on the DoaM discord as you’ll have no problem finding opponents!
Xander Munroe - Host | San Francisco, CA
In 2020, a crack commando unit was exposed to cube rails and other interactive games they didn’t realize existed. They promptly escaped from a maximum security stockade to the Choo Choo Crew underground. Today, still wanted by the government, they survive as soldiers of fortune. If you have a problem, if no one else can help, and if you can find them, maybe you can hire... Xander.
Tyler Lanser - Former Host | Raleigh, NC
I'm a husband, father, software engineer, and lifelong gamer. I love a wide range of games; Euros, abstracts, 18xx, and RPGs, but recently have been diving deep into wargames. My engineer side loves to think about complicated systems and break down problems, and my RPG side loves games with stories and narrative that emerge from mechanics, and wargames deliver these like no other. I also enjoy sharing my gaming hobby with my wife, who especially likes Euro and thematic games, and my kids.
When not playing tabletop games, I also enjoy video games, science fiction and fantasy novels, Mystery Science Theater 3000, and coffee.
Twitch: @eternalswordsman7
Phil Johnson - Former Host | Indianapolis, IN
I've been involved in boardgaming for most of the last 20 years, getting heavily into it during college and grad school in the early 2000s. I've been lucky to have a variety of great gaming groups that helped me explore my interests, and I consider myself an omnigamer. Some of my favorite games are 1841, Tichu, Fire in the Lake and Hansa Teutonica. Although I'm a non-dad, I am grateful to the Dads on a Map community for giving me such a great outlet to discuss and play games. I live on Indianapolis, IN with my partner and our three dogs, and when I'm not gaming I enjoy cooking and guitar.
Hector Reyes - Host | Los Angeles, CA
From COIN to euros, I have enjoyed gaming for nearly 15 years. I consider myself a heavy omnigamer, and I am known to never turn down a game of Ark Nova or Maria. I've only recently delved into the wargaming sphere during the pandemic and have been enjoying my time exploring all the great titles this part of the hobby offers. In between games, I work in the software industry in the Bay Area of sunny California and love to hang out with my partner, dog, and cat.
Mark Fredrickson - Host | Ann Arbor, MI
I returned to modern board games after having kids. I had played contract bridge throughout high school and dabbled in a few games of Dominion and Carcassonne when my kids were young. One Thanksgiving I decided to see what I could find for a family activity at the local game store. I walked out with King of New York and haven’t looked back since. While I appear on the COIN Collectors segments, I considered myself an omnigamer with an emphasis on games that get players interacting. I’ll never turn down a game of Bohnanza! My favorite part of recording COIN Collectors is getting the opportunity to collect my thoughts after the game and talk through the nuances of the play with my fellow hosts.
Thomas Looi - Host | Toronto, Ontario
I grew up as a kid playing the classics such as Monopoly and Clue. In highschool, I got bit with the gaming bug where I played a variety of games such as Risk, Magic and RPGs. One faithful day, a friend gifted me a copy of Agricola and said the game was too “hard”. Taking up the challenge to learn the game, I soon found myself at Boardgamegeek and the rest is history! As a result, I’ve become the games guru for my family and take them on all sort of gaming experiences. With my love of history and science, I have recently immersed myself with historical and space-based games that run all the way from Ancient Rome to building colonies on faraway planets. In addition to boardgames, I love exploring new restaurants, cooking and sitting down with a good science fiction/fantasy novel.
BGG: @ArcanumTL
