Yup. This exists. You can't unsee it now.News: Caleb’s added a stretch goal for his No Security Kickstarter. Check it out.

We’ve also added a few guest games on RPPR Actual Play. What do you think of them?

Synopsis: Kickstarter, the new crowdfunding platform and social network, has taken the gaming world by storm. Both video and tabletop game developers have used Kickstarter to fund games like a sequel to the classic CRPG Wasteland to a tabletop RPG based on Meso-American mythology. Also, Dolphin based RPGs. Of course, this has led to criticism of the site, as some believe that it’s only a fad or that backers or project creators are being ripped off by Kickstarter. So in this episode, we talk about our views on this recent wave of crowdfunding games. No letter from Tom but we do have anecdotes and shout outs.

Shout outs

  • Kick Saver: Site that shows you Kickstarters about to end that only need a little more money to succeed. Save that Kickstarter!
  • RPG Kickstarters: A Tumblr that lists new tabletop RPG Kickstarters
  • Shit Starter: The worst Kickstarters, for your entertainment and D:
  • Kicktraq: New stat tracking tool for Kickstarter
  • City of Clocks: A Fantasy systemless setting from RPPR friend James Knevitt.
  • The Silent City: A new zombie web series that will premiere on July 1. Made possible by Kickstarter
  • CLANG: Real swordfighting? In my computer game? It’s more likely than you think.

Music: three guesses man.

News: No Security, a horror scenario anthology set in the American Great Depression, written by RPPR regular Caleb Stokes, is up on Kickstarter. If you enjoyed Bryson Springs or Lover in the Ice, consider contributing to it.

Synopsis: My recent trip to China got me thinking about complexity. RPGs are often very reductive, very simple worlds, but adding a bit of complexity to a game can greatly enhance it. Of course too much complexity can be awful especially in the wrong areas, but tweaking a specific aspect like a setting detail or a single game mechanic can make an average game into a great one. I also reveal my idea for a new Iron Heroes campaign, plus a letter from Tom, shout outs and an anecdote:

Shout outs

  • Liminal States: A genre-bending novel of immortality and Lovecraftian horrors and highly recommended by Caleb.
  • China Road: A journalist travels across China, seeing the highs and lows of the country.
  • The Weird: A massive anthology of weird fiction from around the world. Over 1000 pages of weirdness!
  • Black Books: A hilarious sitcom starring Dylan Moran.
  • Book of Cthulhu: A great anthology of Cthulhu mythos fiction.
  • Nyarko-San: An insane anime recommended to us by several RPPR listeners. A very unique view of the mythos to say the least.
  • Stealth of Nations: A study of the world’s global informal economy. Great fodder for dystopian and post-apocalyptic games.
  • A Corpse in the Koryo: A brilliant detective/thriller novel about a police inspector in North Korea caught up the machinations of competing security agencies.
  • Wool: A highly reviewed and recommended sci-fi ebook novella. Only 99 cents!

Music: Beautiful Lies by B-Complex

I am A Vampire You Can't See Me RPPR News: The first RPPR video is now online. Check it out!

RPPR friend, Pagan Publishing has a Kickstarter going on. Take a look at it.

Arc Dream has a Kickstarter for Sense of the Sleight of Hand Man, a Call of Cthulhu Dreamlands campaign.

Synopsis: The World of Darkness is a massive family of role playing games spanning from 1991 to today. We invite Jason and Aaron, both regulars from the RPPR AP podcast, to discuss the wide range of horror games. As we are more familiar with the old World of Darkness than the new, we spend more time discussing that the new World of Darkness but neither side is neglected. We also discuss how to jump in the World of Darkness, common pitfalls for running games in this universe and some of our favorite books or settings for it. Oh and of course, the metaplot. Tom also has a letter, and we have shout outs and a horror related anecdote from a listener email.

Shout outs:

  • Drifter Broken Road: A post-apocalyptic Western. Shoot outs in the ruins of a bombed out world.
  • Kindred the Embraced: An ill-fated television show based on the role playing game, Vampire: The Masquerade.
  • Destroyer: A horror movie starring Anthony Perkins.
  • Feed: A dystopian sci-fi novel about inserting the Internet in your head. Kind of.
  • Rochard: A fun 2d platformer/puzzle video game on Steam with a great soundtrack.
  • The Sixth Gun: A horror/western comic created by Cullen Bunn. Great fodder for RPGs!
  • Danger 5: A hilariously insane Australian comedy show about fighting Nazis, being sexist and drinking too much.
  • Community: A funny sitcom that had a D&D based episode.
  • Amnesia: Dark Descent – a scary as fuck video game.
  • Horror Recognition Guide: Great fiction set in the new World of Darkness.
  • Reincarnation: A flash game that Tom likes.

Song: Darkness be thy Name by Midnight Configuration