Archive for advice
RPPR Episode 63: Stylish Substance
Posted by: | CommentsAd: Critical Miss magazine edited by Jonny Nexus.
Synopsis: Adventure design is a complex topic so we’d thought we would delve into it once again. In this episode, Tom and I discuss the difference between good design choices and style choices. While good design is applicable to any genre of RPG scenario, it is possible to make choices in creating an adventure that only work under certain circumstances. The choice to emphasize one aspect of a game over another isn’t necessarily right or wrong. It’s a style choice. Hack and slash versus political intrigue? Style. Dungeon crawling versus mass battles? Style. Tom also has a new letter entailing the virtues of various cinematic firearms.
Shout outs:
- Americus: A graphic novel about a student dealing with a book banning. Excellent writing and art.
- Island of the Fishmen: Bizarre Italian horror flick about fishmen.
- Cthulhu Dark: An ultra rules light RPG of Cthulhu inspired insanity.
- Messiah of Evil: Public domain 1970s Lovecraftian zombie horror film
- Bastion: Amazing indie RPG with unique setting, art and music
- Cargo: The most Eclipse Phase-ish sci fi movie I’ve seen in a while
- Seven Minutes in Heaven: Hilariously awkward interviews. Check out Elijah Wood’s interview.
Song: PonPonPon De Floor mashup (special request from Caleb)
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RPPR Episode 60: It’s not a cliche!
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Zombies of the World products now have free US shipping. Order your copy today. 
Synopsis: THIS IS A NSFW EPISODE. Tom remembered a horribly boring dungeon crawl campaign he suffered from in his youth. He wanted to take the cliches he saw in that game and make them actually fun. So, we discuss how to take cliches like traps, prisoners and treasure in dungeons and make them new and exciting. Also, because we are horrible, horrible monsters we read another excerpt from the rpg.net FATAL review. Also, Tom was too busy to write a letter. Be sure to let him know that you like his letters. Maybe he’ll grace us with a letter again. Maybe.
Shout outs:
- Emissary of War: An iOS RPG created by a RPPR listeners. Check out the trailer
- Re: Old Spice – Cthulhu wants to talk about deodorant. Plus a brain in a jar.
- Calypsis: Post-apocalyptic dystopian novel written as a wiki.
- SVK: Warren Ellis wrote a unique comic that utilizes ultraviolet light and ink.
- The Presidents: History Channel TV show boxed set about the US presidents
- Cthulhu Saves the World: Now on PC via Steam. Less than three bucks too
- Conspiracy: History Channel show about conspiracy theories
Song: Good Days and Cliches by Nevernoodz
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RPPR Episode 59: Bildungsroman
Posted by: | CommentsZombies of the World is now available in print, PDF and Kindle format!
My book, Road Trip, has been nominated for an Ennie!
Synopsis: Bildungsroman is a fancy way of describing the ‘youth to adulthood’ genre – stories like “to Kill a Mockingbird” where the character grows from a child to become an adult or closer to an adult. Role playing games are often like these stories – characters grow from being relatively weak and naive to eventually becoming epic badasses of destiny. However, many game systems do not encourage character growth – advancement is slow, ponderous and mechanically difficult. Furthermore, most campaigns are relatively short – interrupted or abandoned for myriad reasons. If you want players to grow at a faster pace, what should you do? How is mechanical growth different from role playing growth? Tom and I discuss these issues and more. Plus, instead of a letter, Tom and I read an excerpt from the infamous rpg.net review of FATAL. It’s definitely NSFW.
Shout outs
- Attack the Gas Station 1 and 2: Hilariously insane Korean comedies.
- The Eliminators: An action sci-fi movie with ninjas, mandroids, cavemen, robots and time travel. Follows the conventions of RPGs coincidentally enough.
- Ugly Americans: an animated sitcom about monsters and normal people living together.
- Killing Floor: Steampunk/circus summer event going on right now! Monkeys with chainsaws!
- Steam Summer Sale: only a few days left!
- The Man From Nowhere: Intense Korean action/thriller. Do not fuck with the pawnshop owner.
Song: Growing up and Getting out by Adam Boucher.
Podcast: Play in new window | Download
