Episode recap of the Las Vegas Open 2026 results alongside a look at Bandai’s new Gundam Assemble competitive tabletop miniatures format.
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The Long War: Episode 529
Article Table of Contents:
Show Summary:
This week, Kenny and Wyatt recap LVO, celebrate the Long War Doubles winners, talk Gundam Assemble’s $35 starter set, and discuss whether Bandai can give GW some real competition. Here are the key takeaways, section by section:
- 00:00-02:30: The guys open with Kenny’s internet problems and explain last week’s canceled show, before getting ready to recap LVO and mercifully skipping another one-man Would You Rather.
- 02:30-05:35: Long War Doubles sets a new LVO attendance high with 68 teams starting round one, as Kenny thanks the crew, recounts Arthur answering award questions through the “magic phone,” and recognizes the painting and theme winners.
- 05:35-08:35: A missing sportsmanship trophy becomes a standout father-son moment, with vendors donating roughly $450 in merchandise to the winning pair. Major Major takes best general, CUSP Gaming earns the Haspel Award of Excellence, and Hoping to Achieve Mediocrity wins best overall.
- 08:35-12:30: Bandai’s Gundam Assemble launch party at AREA15 has Kenny and Wyatt asking why GW can’t do the same, with food, drinks, and a private event space making a strong impression. A story about GW cutting off a volunteer open bar doesn’t help its case.
- 12:30-18:40: Free starter sets, glowing display cubes, painting stations, and demos fuel a discussion about customer loyalty, with the guys arguing that Bandai understands how giving hobbyists cool stuff can keep them coming back.
- 18:40-21:30: Gundam Assemble’s $35 starter set puts GW pricing under the microscope, packing six miniatures, dice, tokens, cards, and a handbook into one box. Wyatt credits Bandai’s modeling background for understanding what hobbyists expect for their money.
- 21:30-23:35: Snap-fit models and a useful handbook make Gundam Assemble easier to get into, with assembly instructions, a painting guide, compact rules, scenarios, lore, and FAQs helping newcomers get moving without a pile of extra purchases.
- 23:35-29:30: Star Wars and Marvel tabletop games frame the debate over Gundam’s chances, as the guys discuss licensing headaches and why a huge franchise doesn’t guarantee success. They see Bandai’s control over its products as a major advantage.
- 29:30-34:05: Slow releases and poor competitive balance top Wyatt’s list of concerns, especially if a few teams dominate while players wait months for new options. Kenny argues newcomers can’t afford the same mistakes GW gets away with.
- 34:05-38:35: Regular releases, collectible models, and tournament rewards could keep Gundam players invested, with the guys praising Bandai’s enthusiastic staff and discussing store support, convention events, and participation swag.
- 38:35-41:35: Kenny explains how Bandai’s glowing Gundam display helped sell him on the hobby, while Wyatt discusses the launch party’s word-of-mouth payoff. A viewer questioning whether he’s too old for Gundam sends the conversation toward the franchise’s history.
- 41:35-47:35: Toonami, Adult Swim, and decades of Gundam anime take over the discussion, as Kenny talks about watching a two-hour franchise explainer. Wyatt recommends Mobile Fighter G Gundam as basically WWE with giant robots.
- 47:35-50:30: Wyatt’s longtime Gundam obsession finally gets its own tabletop game, with starter-set Zakus and Gundam-inspired 40k conversions rounding out the conversation. His opinions on T’au design lead to another claim that he could teach a college course on Gundam.
- 50:30-52:00: The show closes with Eileen’s first Waffle House visit, questionable breakfast extras, and Kenny’s post-travel bathroom emergency, because apparently giant robots weren’t enough to cover in one episode.
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