RPPR Episode 63: Stylish Substance
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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)
Podcast: Play in new window | Download (Duration: 1:30:19 — 62.0MB)
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RPPR Episode 62: Post Gencon 2011 Wrapup part 2
News: Check out Raillery Redux, my new video game focused podcast.
Synopsis: In this episode, we bring in Aaron and David to discuss their experiences at Gencon 2011. Aaron ran three sessions of a Monsters and Other Childish Things game based on the Secrets of NIMH while this was David’s first Gencon. David cosplayed as an anime character, so he had a different experience. We also go over our purchases at Gencon and share more anecdotes from con games.
Shout outs:
- The Last Lovecraft: A horror-comedy about the Cthulhu Mythos and H.P. Lovecraft.
- Stealing Cthulhu: the perfect resource to jumpstart your next Cthulhu mythos based game
- The Noodle Company: Holy shit they have great noodles
- 7 Wonders: A board game of skill and strategy
- LFG volume 2: If you like the webcomic, you’ll like this print collection
- Hobomancer: Magic hobos fight crime or evil or some junk. Awesome name for a game
- Arkham Horror: It’s still the best Cthulhu themed board game ever
- Shane Ivey: Keep up with the Arc Dream publisher on Twitter
- Adam Scott Glancy: BUY HIS BOOKS
- Mutuk Wolfsbreath Hard Boiled Shaman: Film Noir meets Siberian shamanism. AND IT WORKS
- The Hunger Games: Battle Royale as a YA novel series. Very gameable material
Song: Comedians by Cossbysweater
Podcast: Play in new window | Download (Duration: 1:33:54 — 64.5MB)
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RPPR Episode 61: Post Gencon 2011 wrapup part 1
This year’s Gencon was so great, we will have to do two episodes to cover it all. In this episode, we bring RPPR regular Caleb to discuss his first impressions of the con and the games he ran and played in. We all talk about the newest games we picked up and Tom discusses the game he ran and other things he did.
I also interviewed George Strayton, creator of The Secret Fire, a new fantasy RPG. It’s a short interview but I added in place of Tom’s letter. He discusses the design philosophy behind the game, his background as a screenwriter and more.
Shout outs
Panopticon: The newest Eclipse Phase supplement.
Zombie Spaceship Wasteland: A hilarious book by Patton Oswalt.
Old School Hack: Awesome free rules-light RPG and gold Ennie winner.
Delta Green Gencon Panel: Listen to the informative Delta Green/Unspeakable Oath panel recorded at this Gencon.
Cthulhu Invictus: Cthulhu in ancient Rome. A winning combination!
Song: Zombie by Anssi 8000 and Maria Stereo
Podcast: Play in new window | Download (Duration: 1:30:58 — 62.5MB)
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