RPPR Episode 51: Info Dump
Synopsis: In fiction, revealing too much information right away is a sign of bad storytelling. In role playing games, it’s often essential for a good session. Game masters have to realize that what they think the players should know is often not enough for the players to actually understand what’s going on. We discuss the importance of information and how to make sure that everyone know what’s going on. Tom has a letter and we have shout outs and an anecdote.
Shout outs
- Rise Again – a zombie novel with evil mercenaries
- Police Squad – a funny as hell TV comedy
- The Unwritten – A meta-fantasy epic comic from Vertigo
- Gamma World – Gonzo sci fi role playing game
- The Walking Dead – an amazing TV show about surviving a zombie apocalypse
Forum Shout outs
- Order66 Tribute: A very special tribute for a very special forums member
- Pick the Best of RPPR: Help us pick the very best RPPR material for Youtube
- Pirates and Cthulhu: a winning combination!
Music: The Information Age by Anthony Fiaumano
Podcast: Play in new window | Download (Duration: 1:01:51 — 42.5MB)
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RPPR Episode 50: Danse Macabre 2: Electric Boogaloo
Halloween is right around the corner so we are once again talking about running terrifying games. RPGs can’t really provide shocks like film or TV, but it’s still possible to run a truly scary game by keeping a few principles in mind. Specifically, a GM should focus on presenting ambigious information, giving players some but not total control and characterizing NPCs and monsters well. Tom finally has a letter and some shout outs and a reader letter.
Shout outs:
- Night of the Hunter: A brilliant and terrifying film blending film noir and fairy tales. Robert Mitchum’s preacher is legendary as the villain.
- Virus: A 1980 Japanese post apocalyptic sci-fi film. Sonny Chiba’s in it! Hard to find though.
- Four Dragons: A new Stargate novel written by Diana Botsford.
- Smother Brothers’ Comedy Hour: Comedy in an era of censorship. Funny stuff.
- Salvage: A British horror film with great acting and very gameable material.
- Ghost Stories: a horror-comedy anime series.
Music: Danse Macabre by David Kempers
Podcast: Play in new window | Download (Duration: 1:26:58 — 59.7MB)
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RPPR Episode 49: Morality Role Play
Morality and alignment are two of the trickiest issues in tabletop RPGs. Every player has their own perspective, beliefs and biases and they frequently come out during play. How do you deal with conflicts over moral dilemmas? We go over several possible reasons why this occurs and how to resolve it. Tom forgot his letter at work, but we do have several shout outs and anecdotes:
- Minecraft: A highly addicting computer game of building and violent death, still in alpha but worth the $13
- The Daily Show: Earth. A book about Earth by the writers of the Daily Show. It’s funny, I am guessing.
- A Dirty World: Excellent film noir inspired RPG by Greg Stolze.
- Brian Regan: Epitome of Hyperbole. A comedy DVD from the stand up comic.
- Rififi: A film noir classic. A jewel heist goes awry in Paris and someone must pay the price.
- Citizen Cohn: A film about McCarthy’s lawyer, played by James Wood.
- E.S. Posthumus – Makara: Cinematic music that is perfect for gaming.
- Point of Order: A documentary about the McCarthy trials.
- Ean Moody and Violet Kirk: two great artists available for commissions.
Song: Fuck Your Morals by Nothing in Return
Podcast: Play in new window | Download (Duration: 1:00:14 — 41.4MB)
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