Out of Character
By Jason Corley & The Pulp Gamer Crew
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Podcast Description
In the web series Out of Character, Jason Corley and the Pulp Gamer Crew explore topics in roleplaying and related table-top gaming. The audio podcast version is also available.
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OOC 212: Success and Failure | What makes a roleplaying game a success, both on your table and in the greater games market? And what keeps other games from greatness? The Pulp Gamer Crew tackles this elementary question. We also welcome back Jonathan Strootman, better known as orc storyteller Grok Bloodface. Check out his work with us at Tales of an Orc (http://www.talesofanorc.com), or find Grok on Facebook (http://www.facebook.com/GrokBloodface) and Twitter (http://twitter.com/#!/GrokBloodface). | 5/22/12 | Free | View In iTunes |
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OOC 211: Casual Players - Threat or Menace? | You know that player. The one who sits in at the far end of the table, plays around on their phone, and occasionally throws the (sometimes wrong) dice when prompted. They never remember the rules, they aren't involved in any subplots, and they just bob along after the rest of the party. But when you ask them why they aren't engaged with the game, they respond, "Are you kidding? I'm having a blast!" As casual gaming become more and more a part of our culture, many GMs face the challenge of creating a game that can appease both their casual and hardcore players. This week, Jason and the crew discuss their own experiences with casuals and the solutions they've found. We'd also like to welcome Jonathan Strootman to the crew! Jonathan is the man behind Grok Bloodface's intimidating scowl. Go check out his work at the Tales of an Orc kickstarter page (http://www.talesofanorc.com)! | 5/15/12 | Free | View In iTunes |
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OOC 210: Chaotic Neutral Blues | It was cute the first time she slew the princess and saved the dragon. You all laughed when he decided to kiss the villain right on the face. But the antics are getting out of hand, you haven't seen the plot in a month, and you'd really like to work for a king once in a while without Captain Fruitloops attempting an impromptu assassination or showing up to the banquet naked. How do you manage "the crazy character" in your group? How can they become problematic? How can you channel their shenanigans into a net positive? And at what point do you have to issue an ultimatum? We'd like to thank Stephanie Pegg of Flying Monkeys for this week's question. Be sure to check out their game, Super Sparkle Action Princess GX! (http://www.rpgnow.com/product/91557/Super-Sparkle-Action-Princess-GX!) | 5/8/12 | Free | View In iTunes |
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OOC 209: Background Check, Part II | We switch up a few seats and finish our discussion on character backgrounds. This week: How much physical description is a good idea, or is it necessary at all? How do you build personal goals for your characters, and how do you keep them aligned with the main plotline? What do you do with NPCs related to the player characters? And more! | 5/1/12 | Free | View In iTunes |
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OOC 208: Background Check, Part I | A character begins with a simple question. Not "What did you roll for Dex?" or "How many points did you put in Interpretive Dance?" Rather, "Who are you? Where have you been? What did you see?" How do you craft a background that is engaging and full of plot hooks without creating a boring brick of useless and unnecessary details? We couldn't squeeze all our thoughts into one episode (or all the crew members behind the desk), so we're making this one a two-part series! We also give a shout-out to John Wick's Wicked Fantasy (http://johnwickpresents.com/wicked-fantasy/) project for Pathfinder (http://paizo.com/pathfinder). Check it out! | 4/24/12 | Free | View In iTunes |
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OOC 207: You Have Chosen...Wisely | You've just wrapped your last campaign, or maybe you've gathered your friends for the first time, and it's time to decide on a new game. How do you choose your next game? Do you just go along with the GM? Do you democratically elect the next one? Does the choice rotate within the group? The crew explores all of these options, and how they've worked out. Also, we discuss the release of The Play's the Thing, the new Shakespearean RPG from Magpie Games (http://www.magpiegames.com/). | 4/17/12 | Free | View In iTunes |
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OOC 206: Whodunnit? | This week, we inflate Jason's ego a bit more by conflating him with Agatha Christie and Sir Arthur Conan Doyle. Three of Pulp Gamer's GMs weigh in--how do you run a murder mystery? How do pace the adventure? How do you handle clues? How do you keep your players from getting completely lost or figuring out the culprit in the first ten minutes? Plus! We're gearing up for a new batch of Stump the Chump, and we need your questions! Ask us anything from any field of expertise, and we'll find someone who can stumble their way into an answer. (Please note however, these episodes are recorded in large batches a month in advance. So if we don't get to your question right away, don't think we haven't heard it! We're just waiting for a chance to slip it in.) | 4/10/12 | Free | View In iTunes |
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OOC 205: The Definition of "Gamer" | The definition of the term "gamer" is a hotly-debated topic in the gaming community. Who is a gamer? Who isn't? Why does it matter so much to so many of us? The crew tries to weight in on the matter...and in the process, the term itself comes under attack! | 4/3/12 | Free | View In iTunes |
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OOC 204: Prep Time | Whether you're running a boxed adventure, a tightly-plotted personal epic, or an off-the-cuff sandbox game, every gaming veteran knows the value of adventure preparation. This week, the GMs on the crew share and compare their own prep techniques. | 3/27/12 | Free | View In iTunes |
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OOC 203: Unexpected, Disagreeable Outcomes | This week, a quote from Vincent Baker of Lumpley Games (http://www.lumpley.com/) sparks the crew--to paraphrase, "A roleplaying system exists to create unexpected, disagreeable outcomes." Is this a valid assessment? | 3/20/12 | Free | View In iTunes |
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OOC 202: Kill It Before It Dies | We've all suffered the slow death of a campaign at some point or another. This week, the crew tries to identify when a campaign is better put to rest, and how to end it gracefully. Also, we give a shoutout to the brand new Marvel Heroic Roleplaying (http://www.margaretweis.com/mwp-online-store/13-marvel/51-marvel-heroic-roleplaying-basic-game). | 3/12/12 | Free | View In iTunes |
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OOC 201: The Good Game Day | What makes a successful "Game Day" event? The Pulp Gamer Crew discuss their experiences running Notacon for the Creative Play Project (http://www.creativeplayproject.org/). We also namedrop our new sister show, Pulp Gamer Prime (http://www.pulpgamer.com/pulpgamerprime/), as well as our Facebook page (http://www.facebook.com/PulpGamer). | 3/6/12 | Free | View In iTunes |
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PGOC 200: Season 1 Finale | We've made it, folks. Two hundred episodes of Out of Character. The crew takes an extra long episode to celebrate their survival, and to bid the old times farewell before we make the jump to video. This one's full of nostalgia--if you're new to the show, we recommend going back a few episodes before listening to this one. We also receive some well-wishing from various friends of the podcast, including: * Dave Hat from Hat's Games (http://www.hatsgames.com) * Ron and Veronica Blessing (http://www.thegamesthething.com/) * Tom Gurganus (http://goforthandgame.com/) * Marcelo Figaro from Warpath Games (http://www.warpathgames.com/) * Jess Hartley (http://www.jesshartley.com/) * Wayne from Spare Brains Games (http://sparebrainsgames.com/) * Gerri Creason from Game Daze (http://www.gamedaze.com/) * Jeremiah Lynch We also remind our listeners of the upcoming Creative Play Day on April 28th for the Creative Play Project (http://www.creativeplayproject.org/). And if you're looking for other ways to donate to the project, don't forget to check out the Board Gamer Charity T-Shirt from OffWorld Designs (http://www.offworlddesigns.com/p-729-board-gamer-t-shirt.aspx) This episode is dedicated to you, the fans who have seen us through to 200 episodes. Thank you for all your support, and we'll see you on Youtube. | 1/30/12 | Free | View In iTunes |
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PGOC 199: First Contact | You've assembled your notes, you've prepared your world, you've polished your dice. It's the first session. For some, it's the first foray into this particular campaign. For others, it's the first time they've ever held dice. How do you kickoff the first session? The Pulp Gamer Crew discusses how to make that first step memorable, understandable, and--above all--repeatable. Along the way, we drop a few names, including: * Dungeons & Dragons (http://www.wizards.com/dnd/) * Champions (http://www.herogames.com/home.htm#) * Dresden Files (http://www.dresdenfilesrpg.com/) * Vampire: the Masquerade (http://www.vampirethemasquerade.com/) * FATE (http://www.evilhat.com/home/fate/) * Smallville (http://www.margaretweis.com/mwp-online-store/smallville/33-smallville-roleplaying-game) * Sons of Liberty (http://joshroby.com/?q=taxonomy/term/34) * Dogs in the Vineyard (http://www.lumpley.com/dogsources.html) * Tales from the Floating Vagabond (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tales_from_the_Floating_Vagabond) * Cat (http://www.johnwickpresents.com/market/products/cat.html) * A Penny For My Thoughts (http://www.orphicinstitute.com/?page_id=65) * Extra Credits: Skyrim's Opening (http://extra-credits.net/episodes/skyrims-opening/) In news, we discuss the upcoming fifth "iteration" of D&D (http://www.wizards.com/dnd/Article.aspx?x=dnd/4ll/20120109), the upcoming Creative Play Day (http://www.creativeplayproject.org/), and the extended preorder for John Wick's Big Book of Little Games (http://johnwickpresents.com/big-book-of-little-games). We also take a peek at some behind the scenes shenanigans from The Bob & Angus Show (http://www.pulpgamer.com/thebobandangusshow/135390/caught-cheating/), and give a shoutout to the Canon Puncture (http://www.canonpuncture.com/) podcast. We'd like to thank our sponsor, Gamer Adventures (http://www.gameradventures.com)--cruising Mexico, the Caribbean, and Alaska with gamers and their families. | 1/16/12 | Free | View In iTunes |
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PGOC 198: Sample This | Pulp Gamer's had a bit of a turf war with video games these past few years, but it's time to acknowledge that electronic media has some vital lessons to teach the traditional gamers. This week, we discuss the lessons we've learned from video games, and how they can be incorporated into the pen and paper world. But in turn, we also point out some things our digital cousins could still stand to learn from us. Along the way, we drop a number of titles both electronic and analogue, including: * Grand Theft Auto: San Andreas (http://www.rockstargames.com/sanandreas/) * Fallout 3 (http://fallout.bethsoft.com/) * Ultima V (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ultima_5) * The Bard's Tale (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Bard%27s_Tale_%281985_video_game%29) * City of Heroes (http://na.cityofheroes.com/en/) * EVE Online (http://www.eveonline.com/) * Left 4 Dead (http://www.l4d.com/blog/) * The Gold Box series of D&D games (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gold_Box) * Dungeons & Dragons (http://www.wizards.com/dnd/) * Dogs in the Vineyard (http://www.lumpley.com/dogsources.html) * Sons of Liberty (http://joshroby.com/?q=taxonomy/term/34) * Spycraft (http://www.crafty-games.com/node/622) * Star Wars RPG (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Star_Wars_Roleplaying_Game_%28Wizards_of_the_Coast%29) * The Shotgun Diaries (http://johnwickpresents.com/the-shotgun-diaries) In addition, we discuss some interesting upcoming releases, including John Wick's Big Book of Little Games (http://johnwickpresents.com/big-book-of-little-games), the new editions of Grimtooth's Traps (http://www.flyingbuffalo.com/catalyst.htm), the newly-kickstarted releases for The Dance and the Dawn (http://games.forgreatjustice.net/my-games/the-dance-and-the-dawn/), and the ongoing campaign for Streets of Bedlam (http://www.kickstarter.com/projects/669629655/streets-of-bedlam-a-savage-world-of-crime-corrupti?ref=live). We also hear back from Listener Dave on Episode 195 (http://www.pulpgamer.com/outofcharacter/135422/pgoc-195-ripped-from-the-headlines/). And in news, Paizo (http://paizo.com/paizo) announces their Pathfinder MMO. The Southern Arizona Gamers Association (http://southernarizonagamersassociation.org/)is holding elections. And OffWorld Designs (http://www.offworlddesigns.com) releases a charity T-shirt (https://www.offworlddesigns.com/p-729-board-gamer-t-shirt.aspx) for the Creative Play Project (http://www.creativeplayproject.org/). We sponsor ourselves this week with Accent Your Character (http://www.pulpgamer.com/products/)--dialect training for roleplayers and other casual pretenders! | 12/19/11 | Free | View In iTunes |
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PGOC 197: Board Game Bonanza | With the upcoming change to Out of Character, the Crew is using this week to clear out all the board games we've had waiting in our queue. We scale a mountain of plastic and cardboard, including: * Perplexus (http://perplexus.net/) * Phone Frenzy (http://www.buffalogames.com/products/party_games/?tx_ttproducts_pi1[backPID]=17&tx_ttproducts_pi1[product]=332&cHash=5435564c86) * Struggle for Catan (http://www.catan.com/catan-games/struggle-for-catan.html) * Cambria (http://closetnerdgames.wordpress.com/coming-soon/cambria/) * Hibernia (http://closetnerdgames.wordpress.com/coming-soon/hibernia/) * Test of Fire: First Bull Run 1861 (http://mayfairgames.com/game.php?id=365&stock=MFG4861&name=Test+of+Fire+-+First+Bull+Run+1861) * Discworld: Ankh-Morpork (http://mayfairgames.com/game.php?id=361&stock=MFG3305&name=Discworld%3A+Ankh-Morpork) * Orbit (http://www.fortytwogames.com/) * GUBS (http://www.gamewright.com/gamewright/index.php?section=games&page=game&show=260) * Tikal II: The Lost Temple (http://www.gameworks.ch/2010/index.php?m=17&PHPSESSID=2449a9674e49b44b10d49510168c852b) * BattleTech: 25 Years of Art & Fiction (http://bg.battletech.com/?wpsc-product=battletech-25-years-of-art-fiction) And speaking of Phone Frenzy, we take the opportunity to pester our friend Marcelo over at WarPath Games Distribution (http://www.warpathgames.com/wholesale/warpath.php). We also get a thank you from listener Dave with Gamers for Cures (http://www.gamersforcures.com/). We talk about the upcoming Worldwide Creative Play Day for the Creative Play Project (http://www.creativeplayproject.org/). And we challenge you to compare how many of the Games Magazine (http://www.gamesmagazine-online.com/) Games 100 you've played. (You can see the whole list here at Board Game Geek (http://www.boardgamegeek.com/geeklist/60165/games-magazine-games-100-year-2011) We'd like to thank our sponsor, Gamer Adventures (http://www.gameradventures.com) - cruising the Caribbean, Mexico, and Alaska with gamers and their families. | 12/14/11 | Free | View In iTunes |
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PGOC 196: From the Shadows | Stealth-based challenges have always been tricky in tabletop games, for numerous reasons--the strict pass/fail nature of most challenges, the difficulty of "group-stealth," and the risk of inadvertently bypassing the meat of the game.. This week, the Pulp Gamer Crew discusses the advantages and disadvantages of using these challenges, games with good stealth mechanics, and ways to make sneaking through the shadows satisfying for your players. Along the way, we mention a few games, including: * Black Seven (http://rpg.drivethrustuff.com/product_info.php?products_id=93976&affiliate_id=81234) * Shadowrun (http://www.shadowrun4.com/) * Spycraft (http://www.crafty-games.com/node/622) * Gumshoe (http://www.pelgranepress.com/site/?page_id=672) * Smallville (http://www.margaretweis.com/mwp-online-store/smallville/33-smallville-roleplaying-game) * Leverage (http://www.margaretweis.com/component/content/article/41-roknewspager-showcase/97-the-leverage-rpg-con-artists-criminals-crooks) * Ninja Burger (http://www.sjgames.com/ninjaburger/) * Nuns on the Run (http://mayfairgames.com/game.php?id=100&stock=MFG4117&name=Nuns+on+the+Run) * The Target (http://closetnerdgames.wordpress.com/our-games/the-target/) * Scotland Yard (http://www.ravensburger.com/us/shop/games/family-games/scotland-yard-26117/index.html) * Fury of Dracula (http://www.fantasyflightgames.com/edge_minisite.asp?eidm=40&enmi=Fury%20Of%20Dracula) * Mr. Jack (http://www.hurricangames.com/mrjindex.html) * Cadwallon: City of Thieves (http://www.fantasyflightgames.com/edge_minisite.asp?eidm=124&enmi=Cadwallon:%20City%20of%20Thieves) * and Jason's GURPS (http://www.sjgames.com/gurps/) homebrew, based on Thief: The Dark Project (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Thief:_The_Dark_Project) In addition, Jason takes the opportunity to rant about one of his GM pet peeves, the concept of "training your players" through negative play experiences. We also receive some mysterious feedback on Episode 193: It's a Conspiracy (http://www.pulpgamer.com/outofcharacter/135410/pgoc-193-its-a-conspiracy/). | 12/5/11 | Free | View In iTunes |
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PGOC 195: Ripped from the Headlines | This week, the Crew discusses the sensitive issue of bringing current events into your game. When is it appropriate and when is it too much? What about recreating similar events in more removed, fantisifal settings? We share our experiences and perspectives, dropping a few names along the way: * Fishing for Terrorists (http://www.slugfestgames.com/games_fft2.0.php) * Victoriana: Beastmen of Britain (http://www.cubicle7.co.uk/2011/11/beastmen-of-britain-out-now-for-victoriana/) * Dungeons and Dragons: Forgotten Realms (http://www.wizards.com/dnd/ForgottenRealms.aspx) * Brenda Brathwaite's The Mechanic Is the Message (http://mechanicmessage.wordpress.com/) project We also discuss the best games for playing at the various Occupy protests, including Pit (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pit_%28game%29), Zombies (http://www.twilightcreationsinc.com/index.php), Poo (http://poothecardgame.com/), and Zombie Dice (http://www.sjgames.com/dice/zombiedice/). In news, John Nephew has lost his city council seat. Once Upon a Time comes out with a new edition. And Gerri brings in a copy of Sentinels of the Multiverse (http://greaterthangames.info/) to drool over. We also get feedback (and errata!) from Robin Laws on Episode 192 (http://www.pulpgamer.com/outofcharacter/135406/pgoc-192-just-say-no/), and Listener Wayne on Episode 193 (http://www.pulpgamer.com/outofcharacter/135410/pgoc-193-its-a-conspiracy/). | 11/28/11 | Free | View In iTunes |
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PGOC 194: Weird New Worlds | The Crew takes a turn for the bizarre, heading straight for the "weird" roleplaying settings. What makes a setting weird? What are the benefits of having a setting divorced from reality--or even fantasy--as we know it? What are the challenges with running a game in a world so far afield? Along the way, we namedrop a few settings, including: * Deadlands (http://peginc.com/games.html#Deadlands) * Shadowrun (http://www.shadowrun4.com/) * RIFTS (https://palladium-store.com/1001/product/800HC-Rifts-Ultimate-Edition.html) * Low Life (http://peginc.com/games.html#LowLife) * 50 Fathoms (http://peginc.com/games.html#FiftyFathoms) * Children of the Sun (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Children_of_the_Sun_%28role-playing_game%29) * Eclipse Phase (http://eclipsephase.com/) * GURPS Discworld (http://www.sjgames.com/gurps/books/Discworld/) * Paranoia (http://www.mongoosepublishing.com/rpgs/paranoia.html) * Tales from the Floating Vagabond (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tales_from_the_Floating_Vagabond) * HoL (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hol_%28role-playing_game%29) Meanwhile, some interesting projects on Kickstarter (http://www.kickstarter.com/) catch our attention , including: * Adventures in OZ: Beyond the Deadly Desert (http://www.kickstarter.com/projects/575175333/adventures-in-oz-beyond-the-deadly-desert?ref=live) * The Play's the Thing (http://www.kickstarter.com/projects/marktruman/the-plays-the-thing-a-shakespearean-rpg?ref=live) * Ghost Pirates (http://www.kickstarter.com/projects/2068026266/ghost-pirates-a-board-game-of-ship-to-ship-tactica?ref=spotlight) * Quantum (http://www.kickstarter.com/projects/joshuafrost/quantum-roleplaying-game-an-all-new-science-fantas?ref=live) * DiceAFARI (http://www.kickstarter.com/projects/stratusgames/diceafari-a-photo-safari-board-game?ref=live) * Matt Forbeck's 12 for '12 (http://www.kickstarter.com/projects/forbeck/12-for-12-10-bnw-novels?ref=live) project We also take a look at City Square Off (http://www.gamewright.com/gamewright/index.php?section=games&page=game&show=258), Catan: Oil Springs (http://www.oilsprings.catan.com/), the Mutants and Masterminds: Threat Repor (http://mutantsandmasterminds.com/)t series, and Deadlands: Weird White North (http://www.studio2publishing.com/shop/product_info.php?products_id=3556) | 11/21/11 | Free | View In iTunes |
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PGOC: 193: It's a Conspiracy | Alrighty! This week, we check in withhhhhhhhhhhhhhl101010110 ***ACTIVATING DRONE CONTROL PROTOCOL. BROADCAST INTERCEPTED*** Directives received from the secret masters: Sleeper agents among Pulp Gamer Crew are to be activated, begin broadcasting subliminal messages. Disguise hypnotic transmission as podcast about conspiracies in gaming. Raise topics about games featuring conspiracies, how to use conspiracies as antagonists, and how to run conspirator characters. Direct attention from true goals. Induct listeners into following mass-produced disinformation campaigns: * Illuminati * GURPS Illuminati * Conspiracy X * World of Darkness * Android * Shadowrun * Diplomacy * The Skeptic's Guide to Conspiracy by Monte Cook ***RESUME NORMAL TRANSITION*** Huh? Did I fall asleep on the keyboard? Weird. Anyway, we hear from Marcelo Figueroa from Warpath Games Distribution as he reports in from Spieltag in Essen! He gives us a rundown of the event, and gives us the heads up on some exciting games, including * Drum Roll (http://www.artipiagames.com/drumroll.html) * Magnum Sal (http://www.gryleonardo.pl/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=31&Itemid=10&lang=en) * Interstellar Mayhem (http://www.soylent-games.com/produkt-im.html) * Test of Fire - First Bull Run 1861 (http://www.mayfairgames.com/game.php?id=365&stock=MFG4861&name=Test+of+Fire+-+First+Bull+Run+1861) Speaking of Monte Cook (were we talking about Monte Cook? I can't remember...), we talk about his upcoming web series, GeekSeekers (http://www.facebook.com/GeekSeekers)! We'd like to thank our sponsor this week PETE THE FRIENDLY BEVERAGE DISPENSER. PLEASE CONTINUE CONSUMING THE DELICIOUS MIND CONTROL FORMULA. | 11/14/11 | Free | View In iTunes |
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PGOC 192: Just Say No | One of the first rules of improv, and of roleplaying, is "never negate." But sometimes, you have to put your foot down. Prompted by Ryan Macklin at Evil Hat Productions (http://www.evilhat.com/home/), we discuss when GMs and players should say no to the game events, both at convention games and at our weekly game table. Also, Thanksgiving is upon us here in the U.S., and we've got families to entertain. We discuss our thoughts on games to play with your guests--the kids, the adults, and even the disaffected teenagers. Some notable names that come up include: * Catch Phrase (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Catch_Phrase_%28game%29) * Spot It! (http://www.blueorangegames.com/spotit-pg.php) * Impossible Machine (http://glowflygames.com/pageGames) * Fluxx (http://www.looneylabs.com/games/fluxx) * King of Tokyo (http://www.iello.fr/index.php/iello/Nos-produits/Jeux-de-soci%C3%A9t%C3%A9/IELLO/King-of-Tokyo) * Pandemic (http://www.zmangames.com/boardgames/pandemic.htm) * Forbidden Island (http://www.gamewright.com/gamewright/index.php?section=games&page=game&show=245) * Hogwarts House Cup Challenge (http://www.quixoticgames.com/harrypotter/) * Star Trek Expeditions (http://wizkidsgames.com/startrek/star-trek-expeditions/) * To Court the King (http://www.riograndegames.com/games.html?id=194) * Martian Dice (http://playtmg.com/collections/frontpage/products/martian-dice) * Kung Fu Fighting (http://www.slugfestgames.com/games_kff.php) * Bang! (http://www.dvgiochi.com/giochi/bang/?id=1) * Tsuro (http://www.calliopegames.com/#!__tsuro) * Trigger! (http://www.blueorangegames.com/trigger.php) Don and Jason finally explore the Gumshoe system with a playthrough of Mutant City Blues (http://www.pelgranepress.com/site/?page_id=423). Jason talks about the upcoming Marvel RPG--as much as his playtest NDA will allow, anyways. And we take a quick look at the Savage Worlds Horror Companion (http://www.studio2publishing.com/shop/advanced_search_result.php?keywords=horror+companion), Mouse Guard (http://www.burningwheel.org/), The One Ring (http://www.cubicle7.co.uk/our-games/the-one-ring/), Eminent Domain (http://playtmg.com/collections/frontpage/products/eminent-domain), Eruption (http://www.stratusgames.com/games/eruption), and Math Twister (http://www.mathtwister.com/). We sponsor ourselves this week: Accent Your Character (http://www.pulpgamer.com/products/)--dialect training for roleplayers and other casual pretenders! | 11/7/11 | Free | View In iTunes |
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PGOC 191: DEATH | In honor of the Halloween/All Saints/All Souls Day trifecta, the Pulp Gamer Crew tackles the subject of death in games. How should a system and/or a group address character death and ressurection? At what point is it a burden, and at what point is it a speed bump? We also discuss death and elimination mechanics in board games, and a few games that concern themselves primarily with death and the afterlife. Along the way, we drop a few names, including * Dungeons and Dragons (http://www.wizards.com/DnD/) * Wraith: the Oblivion (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wraith:_The_Oblivion) * Geist: the Sin-Eaters (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Geist:_The_Sin-Eaters) * The Walking Dead (both the Cryptozoic game (http://www.cryptozoic.com/games/walking-dead-board-game) and the Z-Man game (http://www.walkingdeadboardgame.com/)) * Paranoia (http://www.mongoosepublishing.com/rpgs/paranoia.html) * Shadowfist (http://www.shadowfist.com/) * The Lord of the Rings Board Game (http://www.fantasyflightgames.com/edge_minisite.asp?eidm=58&enmi=Lord%20of%20the%20Rings:%20The%20Board%20Game) * Forbidden Island (http://www.gamewright.com/gamewright/index.php?section=games&page=game&show=245) In news: Both Stronghold Games (http://strongholdgames.com/2011/10/22/stronghold-games-announces-the-merchant-of-venus/) and Fantasy Flight Games (http://www.fantasyflightgames.com/edge_minisite.asp?eidm=188) announce they've acquired the rights to the same game, Merchant of Venus. Most of the staff at White Wolf suffers layoffs. And a woman stabs her boyfriend over a game of Monopoly (http://www.thesmokinggun.com/buster/assault/new-mexico-monopoly-stabbing-976532). We also give a heads up to NutaCon (http://www.nutacon.com.co/) in Medellin, Colombia, which launches us into a discussion on language support for various games, including White Wolf's Spanish and French releases for its back catalog at DriveThruRPG (http://rpg.drivethrustuff.com/index.php?manufacturers_id=1), as well as the fan-provided resources at Board Game Geek (http://boardgamegeek.com/). We'd like to thank our sponsor this week, the Peculiar Magpie (http://www.thepeculiarmagpie.com): creatively acquiring items since 1894! | 10/31/11 | Free | View In iTunes |
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PGOC 190: Cheating! | Partly inspired by Angus's shenanigans on this week's Bob & Angus Show (http://www.pulpgamer.com/thebobandangusshow/135390/caught-cheating/), the Pulp Gamer Crew holds a philosophical discussion on the nature of cheating. What defines cheating? What motivates it, especially in cooperative games and RPGs? How do you handle it? And are there occasions when cheating is perhaps acceptable or even encouraged? (For example, is it cheating when the GM does it?) We share our cheating stories, experiences, and ultimate conclusions. Along the way, we namedrop a few choice games--the first three of which actually encourage "cheating" in some capacity! * Diplomacy (http://www.wizards.com/default.asp?x=ah/prod/diplomacy) * Illuminati (http://www.sjgames.com/illuminati/) * Intrigue (http://mayfairgames.com/game.php?id=2&stock=ASI5721&name=Intrigue) * Apocalype World (http://apocalypse-world.com/) * Puerto Rico (http://www.riograndegames.com/games.html?id=4) * Star Wars RPG (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Star_Wars_Roleplaying_Game_%28Wizards_of_the_Coast%29) * Smallville (http://www.margaretweis.com/mwp-online-store/smallville/33-smallville-roleplaying-game) In addition, we take a look at the Square Shooters (http://www.squareshooters.com/) dice game and the new electronic release for A Song of Ice and Fire (http://www.greenronin.com/store/product/grr2705e.html). We also help patron the arts--listener Jeremiah (not ours) points us towards the Into the Dark Wood kickstarter page (http://www.kickstarter.com/projects/698548099/come-with-us-into-the-dark-wood), and Drew plugs his upcoming show at The Comedy Playhouse (http://www.thecomedyplayhouse.com/). Finally, we talk about the upcoming changes to the format of Out of Character. We'd like to thank our sponsor, Gamer Adventures (http://www.gameradventures.com)--cruising the Caribbean, Mexico, and Alaska with gamers and their families. | 10/24/11 | Free | View In iTunes |
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PGOC 189: Where Is Your Hall Pass | Alrighty class, sit down. Please open your textbooks to page 20, "High School Settings and Roleplaying Games." Everyone, take notes on the salient points as we respond to listener Christopher's prompt: How can high school settings be used in games? How do you mock up the social realities of the environment? What kind of adventures can be found in the setting? How has the setting changed since the days of The Breakfast Club? Your homework for tonight is the following games: * Weird Times at Charles Fort High (http://www.hexgames.com/qags/component/virtuemart/details/12/10/all-products/weird-times-at-charles-fort-high-pdf) * Hope Prep (http://rpg.drivethrustuff.com/product_info.php?products_id=89495&filters=0_0_0_44292) * High School Drama (http://www.catalystgamelabs.com/high-school-drama/) * Smallville (http://www.margaretweis.com/mwp-online-store/smallville/33-smallville-roleplaying-game) * Eldritch High (http://johnwickpresents.com/market/products/eldritchhigh.html) * Mutants and Masterminds: Hero High (http://greenronin.com/store/grr2513e/) * Curriculum of Conspiracy for Monsters and Other Childish Things (http://www.arcdream.com/zencart/index.php?main_page=product_info&cPath=6&products_id=17) * Redhurst * Wandering Monster High School (http://www.1km1kt.net/rpg/wandering-monster-high-school) * Buffy the Vampire Slayer (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Buffyverse_role-playing_games) For extra credit on the test, you can attend some of the following upcoming events: Essen (http://www.merz-verlag.com/spiel/e000.php4), NeonCon (http://www.neoncon.com/), Tucson Comic Con (http://www.tucsoncomic-con.com/), TusCon (http://home.earthlink.net/~basfa/t38main.html), and International Catan Day (http://www.catan.com/eventnews/324-international-catan-day-november-15th-2011.html). We'll also be hearing your book reports on Haunted: 11 Tales of Ghostly Horror, which includes a story from Pulp Gamer alumnus Jess Hartley. And Don, you still need to make up work for missing last week's podcast. Also, letters of recommendation are out this week for all of our volunteers, for all their tireless work in making Pulp Gamer (http://www.pulpgamer.com/) and the Creative Play Project (http://www.creativeplayproject.org/) great. Class dismissed. | 10/17/11 | Free | View In iTunes |
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PGOC 188: Outside Looking In | In honor of National Coming Out Day, we discuss the experiences of marginalized groups in the gaming and geek communities--women, LGBT gamers, people of color, religious minorities. What issues still remain prevalent in our community, and how do we address the problem and reach out to the excluded? In addition, we namedrop Confessions of a Part-Time Sorceress (http://www.wizards.com/dnd/Product.aspx?x=dnd/products/dndnovel/confessions) and address the crucial question: How does a transgendered individual play Munchkin (http://www.worldofmunchkin.com/)? We also take a quick glance at Dreadfleet (http://www.games-workshop.com/gws/catalog/productDetail.jsp?prodId=prod1350015a&_requestid=4917590), Ashen Stars (http://www.pelgranepress.com/?p=2330), and 0one Games' Virtual Boxed Sets (http://0onegames.com/catalog/index.php?manufacturers_id=12). This week's episode is dedicated to the community, and to everyone on the outside looking in. | 10/10/11 | Free | View In iTunes |
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PGOC 187: Tearing Down the Wall | This week, we take a look at roleplaying game plot structures, from the one shot wonder to the fifteen year D&D game and everything in between. How does each type flow? How do you keep your group interested in the three year campaign, and how do you bring new players in two years on? And how do you switch your story from one form to another--turning the surprise hit one-shot into an ongoing storyline, for example? Along the way, we mention: * Dungeons and Dragons (http://www.wizards.com/dnd) * Outbreak: UNDEAD (http://outbreakundead.com/) * Savage Worlds (http://www.peginc.com/games.html) * The FATE System (http://www.evilhat.com/home/fate/) * Vampire: the Masquerade (http://www.vampirethemasquerade.com/) We also take a look at the Vampire: 20th Anniversary Edition (http://www.vampirethemasquerade.com/), Cosmic Patrol (http://www.cosmicpatrol.com/), and Star Fluxx. (http://wunderland.com/LooneyLabs/Fluxx/Star/index.html) We'd like to thank our sponsor, The Peculiar Magpie (http://www.thepeculiarmagpie.com)--creatively acquiring items since 1894 | 10/3/11 | Free | View In iTunes |
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PGOC 186: Colonization | We come in peace. Now where do you keep your gold and magic fountains? Colonization is a popular theme in board games, and colonial frontiers make fascinating roleplaying settings. The Pulp Gamer crew ponders the appeal of colony games--from the skill of resource management, to the thrill of braving the undiscovered and untamed, to the satisfaction of building civilization from nothing. At the same time, however, we devote attention to a theme that often goes uncommented or is pushed aside in many games--the sensitive topic of native populations. In our discussion, we drop a number of titles, including: * The Settlers of Catan (http://www.catan.com/catan-games/boardgame/base-game.html) * Candamir: The First Settlers (http://www.catan.com/catan-games/adventures/candamir.html) * Elasund The First City of Catan (http://www.catan.com/catan-games/adventures/elasund.html) * Colonial Gothic (http://www.rogue-games.net/Games/Colonial-Gothic/) * Space 1889 (http://www.peginc.com/Art/Articles/Space1889/Space1889.html) * Blue Planet (http://www.redbrick-limited.com/cms/index.php?categoryid=20) * Witch Hunter (http://www.paradigmconcepts.com/witch_hunter/) * Small World (http://www.daysofwonder.com/smallworld/en/) * Rio de la Plata (http://www.riograndegames.com/games.html?id=382) * Dakota * Eminent Domain (http://playtmg.com/collections/frontpage/products/eminent-domain) * Victoriana (http://shop.cubicle7store.com/epages/es113347.sf/en_GB/?ObjectPath=/Shops/es113347_shop/Products/CB7201) * Vampire: the Masquerade (http://www.vampirethemasquerade.com/) We also take a quick gander at Spontuneous (http://www.spontuneous.com/), and turn a critical eye to this Chicago Tribune article (http://www.chicagotribune.com/site/newspaper/business/sc-cons-0908-save-monopoly-20110909,0,1242815.story). This episode is dedicated to the many charitable donors in the gaming community. Don't forget about NOTACON (http://teamcpp.ning.com/) in Tucson, AZ (benefiting The Creative Play Project (http://www.creativeplayproject.org/)), the 24-Hour Board Game Marathon (http://www.gamersarmory.com) in Cary, NC (benefiting Gamers for Cures (http://www.gamersforcures.com/)), and FlatCon (http://www.flatcon.com/default.shtml) in Bloomington, IL (benefiting the American Cancer Society (http://www.cancer.org/)). | 9/26/11 | Free | View In iTunes |
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PGOC 185: Cold War | We can't let there be a podcast gap! Spurred on by some 80's nostalgia, this week Pulp Gamer discusses games set in the Cold War era. We recommend a few of our favorites and how they've transitioned into the post-Soviet world. We also discuss the tone of the era--both the seriousness of the looming nuclear threat and the absurdity of superspies and Strangelove--and how to bring it to life in your games. Along the way, we mention: * Buckaroo Banzai (http://www.adamantentertainment.com/2011/07/18/buckaroo-banzai-is-back/) * Paranoia (http://www.mongoosepublishing.com/rpgs/paranoia.html) * Twilight 2000 (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Twilight_2000) * Twilight Struggle (http://www.gmtgames.com/p-284-twilight-struggle-deluxe-edition.aspx) * 1955: The War of Espionage (http://www.livingworldsgames.com/index-2%20-%201955.html) * Spycraft (http://www.crafty-games.com/product_catalog/spycraft20) * Cold War: CIA vs KGB (http://fantasyflightgames.com/edge_minisite.asp?eidm=56) * Wargames: Superhuman Threats of the Cold War (http://www.rpgobjects.com/index.php?c=product&p_id=465) * Hot War (http://www.contestedground.co.uk/hotmain.html) * Cold City (http://www.contestedground.co.uk/coldprev.html) * Nuclear War (http://www.flyingbuffalo.com/nucwar.htm) * GURPS Technomancers: Funny New Guys (http://www.sjgames.com/gurps/books/funnynewguys/) * The Target (http://closetnerdgames.wordpress.com/our-games/the-target/) We also field some feedback from our listeners. Listener Steve offers some advice for the pirate-ship problem from last episode (http://www.pulpgamer.com/outofcharacter/135357/pgoc-184-lets-vary-gaming-with-a-little-piracy/). Foolster proposes a solution to Stupid Fantasy Name syndrome. Eric asks about game modification and house rules. And Don G takes us up on our accent challenge. We also discuss Luke Crane's acquisition of the Dark Crystal license, and toss out another reminder for Can't Stop the Serenity (http://azbrowncoats.org/CSTS) and NOTACON (http://teamcpp.ning.com/). We sponsor ourselves this week: Accent Your Character (http://www.pulpgamer.com/products/)--dialect training for roleplayers and other casual pretenders! | 9/19/11 | Free | View In iTunes |
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PGOC 184: Let's Vary Gaming With a Little Piracy | Ahoy, Matey! Talk Like a Pirate Day be comin' into port this week, and ye don't want your gaming crew caught without shot and powder. Good thing for you, Cap'n Pulp Gamer be feelin' generous today, and be sharin' a couple pirate-themed games from the chest. The crew be diggin their hands in deep, and comin up with some gems from the high seas and the frontier stars, including: * 7th Sea (http://www.swashbucklingadv.com/) * Merchants and Marauders (http://www.zmangames.com/boardgames/merchants_and_marauders.htm) * 50 Fathoms (http://peginc.com/games.html) * Buccaneers and Bokor (http://adamant.rpgnow.com/index.php?cPath=272_4002) * Freebooter's Fate (http://www.freebooterminiatures.de/en) * Bulldogs! (http://galileogames.com/bulldogs-fate/) * Rogue Trader (http://www.fantasyflightgames.com/edge_minisite.asp?eidm=78) * Star Fleet Battles (http://www.starfleetgames.com/starfleetbattles.shtml) We also be takin' a gander at Eclipse Phase: Panopticon (http://eclipsephase.com/), Don shanghais himself some airtime to talk about Scott Nicholson's (http://scottnicholson.com/) Everybody Plays at the Library, and Jason invites you all aboard his multimedia Smallville (http://www.margaretweis.com/mwp-online-store/smallville) game--the Tumbler page be here (http://uncannyvillerpg.tumblr.com/). We be awful grateful to our sponsors, Gamer Adventures (http://www.gameradventures.com)--cruising the Caribbean, Mexico, and Panama with gamers and their families! | 9/12/11 | Free | View In iTunes |
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PGOC 183: Ain't No Party Like a Labor Party | Labor Day is over, and it's back to the salt mines for you. But despair not, because now you can work like a dog in your games, too! This week, we look at labor and employment themes in games. Along the way, we talk about: * Agricola (http://www.zmangames.com/boardgames/agricola.htm) * Pit (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pit_%28game%29) * Hecho (http://glowflygames.com/pageGames) * Pillars of the Earth (http://mayfairgames.com/game.php?id=86&stock=MFG4103&name=Pillars+of+the+Earth) * Management Material (http://www.zipwhaa.com/) * Give Me the Brain (http://www.sjgames.com/givemethebrain/) * Ninja Burger (http://ninjaburger.com/about/new.shtml) * Paranoia (http://www.mongoosepublishing.com/rpgs/paranoia.html) * The Farming Game (http://www.farmgame.com/) * Globalization (http://closetnerdgames.wordpress.com/our-games/globalization/) * Scotland Yard (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Scotland_Yard_%28board_game%29) * 221B Baker Street (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/221B_Baker_Street_%28board_game%29) In charity news, we hear from listener Dan and his organization, Gamers for Cures (http://www.gamersforcures.com/), about the 24-hour game day at Gamer's Armory (http://www.gamersarmory.com) in Cary, NC on November 12th. For our listeners who can't attend but want to show their support, you can donate here at TurnerSyndrome.org (http://www.turnersyndrome.org/). Meanwhile, Pulp Gamer is hosting the gaming room at Cant Stop the Serenity (http://azbrowncoats.org/CSTS) in Tucson, AZ. Likewise, we announce Not-A-Con, a game day to benefit The Creative Play Project (http://www.creativeplayproject.org/). We also talk about Hollowpoint (http://www.vsca.ca/Hollowpoint/), Risk Legacy, Do: Pilgrims of the Flying Temple (http://danielsolisblog.blogspot.com/2007/08/do-pilgrims-of-flying-temple.html), and Space Alert (http://czechgames.com/en/space-alert). We field a couple questions for listener Eric. And we bring a little gaming multimedia to the table, as we take a listen to a bit of Midnight Syndicate (http://www.midnightsyndicate.com/) (Don's current favorite source for table music) and discuss the upcoming horror film The Dead Matter (http://www.thedeadmatter.com/). We'd like to thank this week's sponsor, The Peculiar Magpie (http://www.thepeculiarmagpie.com)--creatively acquiring items since 1894. | 9/5/11 | Free | View In iTunes |
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PGOC 182: Thunderstorms! | Our recording this week was cut short due to thunderstorms and flooding in the Tucson area, and several of our correspondents weren't able to brave the maelstrom, so this week's episode is a short one. We'll be going on hiatus until our next recording session, but we'll be back with our full length show in two weeks! We focus on some great charities this week, including some updates on the efforts of the Creative Play Project (http://www.creativeplayproject.org/)! We also talk about Extra Life 2011 (http://www.extra-life.org/index.cfm?), the Jack Vasel Fund (http://www.boardgamegeek.com/thread/681534/jack-vasel-memorial-fund), and Can't Stop the Serenity (http://azbrowncoats.org/CSTS). (A correction, though: The fan-driven Help Nathan Buy Firefly (http://www.unstoppablesignals.com/hnbf#) drive is no longer running as of this episode's publication.) In addition, we take a look at Vampire Werewolf Fairies (the expansion to Ninja Pirate Zombies), as well as Martian Dice. | 8/22/11 | Free | View In iTunes |
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PGOC 181: Are We There Yet? | One of the quintessential thrills of roleplaying games lies in exploration. You put some graph paper in your hands and some unfamiliar world beneath your feet, and you trace a line with your boots and your deeds until you circumscribe a world. In this week's episode, the Pulp Gamer crew talks about setting, maps, and geography and how they can bring a roleplaying game to life. Along the way, we drop a few names, including: * Nuclear Sunset: The Southwest (http://www.rpgobjects.com/index.php?c=product&p_id=518) * The Waterdeep setting for Dungeons & Dragons (http://www.wizards.com/DnD/) * The Tough Guide to Fantasyland by Diana Wynne Jones * The Sandstorm and Frostbite supplements for D&D 3.5 * ProFantasy (http://www.profantasy.com/)'s various mapmaking tools In news, everything old is new again! New editions are out for several great games, including: * Call of Cthulhu: 30th Anniversary Edition (http://www.chaosium.com/) * A Game of Thrones 2nd Edition (http://www.fantasyflightgames.com/edge_minisite.asp?eidm=172&enmi=A%20Game%20of%20Thrones:%20The%20Board%20Game%20Second%20Edition) * Run for Your Life, Candyman (http://www.smirkanddagger.com/candyman.htm) * Ikusa (http://www.wizards.com/default.asp?x=ah/prod/ikusa) We also take a look at Hope Prep (http://www.meliorvia.com/), Into the Void (http://www.white-wolf.com/new-world-of-darkness/news/into-the-void-now-available), and In Flames (http://shop.cubicle7store.com/In-Flames-RPG). Pulp Gamer sponsors itself this week with Accent Your Character (http://www.pulpgamer.com/products/)--dialect training for roleplayers and other casual pretenders! | 8/15/11 | Free | View In iTunes |
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PGOC 180: Gen Con 2011 | This week, Pulp Gamer reports straight from the field at Gen Con 2011! We're joined by Mike Selinker from Lone Shark Games (http://www.lonesharkgames.com/), James Ernst from Cheapass Games (http://www.cheapass.com/), Marcelo Figueroa from WarPath Games (http://www.warpathgames.com/wholesale/warpath.php), Alex Yeager from Mayfair Games (http://mayfairgames.com/), and Steve Jackson from Steve Jackson Games (http://www.sjgames.com/). as well as Pulp Gamer alumnus Jeremiah Lynch and listener Jeff Ide! Our motley crew gives their impressions of the show and the shiny new games on display. * Impact! Miniatures (http://www.impactminiatures.com/)' Band of Orcs (http://www.impactminiatures.com/index.php?option=elfother_profile&id=EO_ABOO) figures * Remnants (http://www.remnantsrpg.com/) * Mistborn (http://www.crafty-games.com/category/line/mistborn) * Fiasco (http://www.bullypulpitgames.com/), winner of the Diana Jones Award (http://www.dianajonesaward.org/) * Stomple! (http://www.stomple.com/) * Quarriors! (http://wizkidsgames.com/quarriors/) * Lords of Vegas (http://mayfairgames.com/game.php?id=341&stock=MFG4120&name=Lords+of+Vegas) and its upcoming expansion In charity news, we talk some more about the Creative Play Project (http://www.creativeplayproject.org/) as well as the Cardhalla (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cardhalla)event for Schools on Wheels (http://www.schoolonwheels.org/). We also discuss the upcoming Kobold (http://www.koboldquarterly.com/kqstore/) Guide to Board Game Design, and the upcoming PAX (http://prime.paxsite.com/) seminar "Ten Reasons We Don't Want to See Your Game (And a Few Reasons That We Do). And for those who missed our Origins episode, Mike Selinker's song can be found here (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GH0GsSPGPnA). We'd like to thank our sponsors this week, Gamer Adventures (http://www.gameradventures.com)--cruising the Caribbean, Mexico, and Alaska with gamers and their families! And we'd also like to thank GameSalute.com (http://www.gamesalute.com/) for all their help with the podcast this week. (Editor's Note: There were some technical issues with the microphones early on during the recording of this podcast. Please forgive the occasional jumps in audio quality.) | 8/8/11 | Free | View In iTunes |
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PGOC 179: Gamer Burnout | Our topic this week is prompted by (read: stolen wholesale from) our friends Game On! with Cody and John (http://www.pulpgamer.com/gameon/135292/episode-68-burnout/). Burnout. It strikes everyone in the hobby sooner or later, the feeling that the hobby has become a chore. The weekly session becomes an appointment as dreaded as a doctor's visit, you're getting sick of your friends, and you just can't give anymore to the game. The Pulp Gamer discusses their own experiences with burnout, its causes and ways to hopefully prevent or cure it. Along the way, we drop a couple names, including Space Alert (http://czechgames.com/en/space-alert-the-new-frontier/), Forbidden Island (http://www.gamewright.com/gamewright/index.php?section=games&page=game&show=245), and Lord of the Rings (http://www.fantasyflightgames.com/edge_minisite.asp?eidm=58&enmi=Lord%20of%20the%20Rings:%20The%20Board%20Game). We also have a few announcements this week: First, Pulp Gamer is also proud to announce the Creative Play Project (http://www.creativeplayproject.org/), a charity dedicated to putting board games in youth programs and after-school organizations. Chairman Don Dehm says a few words about the CPP's purpose, and how you can help. In addition, Pulp Gamer will be running the game room at the Arizona Browncoats' Can't Stop the Serenity (http://azbrowncoats.org/CSTS) event. For the dedicated fan who has already seen the movie too many times to count, you can come try your hand at the all-night poker table, join a session of the Serenity RPG (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Serenity_%28role-playing_game%29), try out the Firefly-based Munchkin (http://www.worldofmunchkin.com/cardgame/) variant, and much more. And of course, we can't forget GenCon (http://gencon.com/) next week. We hope to see you at the Pulp Gamer Media Party, a get together for podcasters and their fans. You can find more info at the Facebook event page (http://www.facebook.com/event.php?eid=216023491774807). We also take some feedback from listeners Gary and "Evil Bruce," and namedrop the Hat's Games (http://www.hatsgames.com) auction and the possible Game Swap Days coming to Game Daze (http://www.gamedaze.com) in Tucson. We'd like to thank our sponsor, OffWorld Designs (http://www.offworlddesigns.com)--bringing you the best shirts in gaming! | 8/1/11 | Free | View In iTunes |
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PGOC 178: Organizational Tools | "Hold on, guys, just need to find which book that table was in. It'll just take an hour, two tops." For roleplaying games, miniatures games, and some of the larger boardgames, organization and pre-prep are the crucial difference between a fast, flowing experience and a jarring slog. The Pulp Gamer Crew discusses some of their favorite tools and practices, from the old, practical standbyes to accidental discoveries to the magic of PDFs and wikis. We also touch on how these tools and their use can influence character, setting, and mood in your games. Along the way, we drop a few names: * Berin Kinsman's Campaign Tiddlywiki (http://berinkinsman.wordpress.com/downloads/) (formerly The Ten Foot Wiki) * Army Builder (http://wolflair.com/index.php?context=army_builder) * Infrno (http://www.infrno.net/) * Arkham Horror (http://www.fantasyflightgames.com/edge_minisite.asp?eidm=6) and the Toolkit for iPhone (http://itunes.apple.com/us/app/arkham-horror-toolkit/id403288032?mt=8) * Strands of Fate (http://voidstar.squarespace.com/strands-of-fate/) * Houses of the Blooded (http://housesoftheblooded.net/) In news, Alpha Omega (http://www.alphaomegathegame.com/) has started releasing game-fiction through RPGNow, including "One Ten-Thousandth" (http://www.rpgnow.com/product_info.php?products_id=92678) by our own Jason Corley and Little Yoshida by Jess Hartley. And in games, we take a look at Space Alert (http://czechgames.com/en/space-alert-the-new-frontier/) and Masks: 1,000 Memorable NPCs for Any Roleplaying Game (http://www.enginepublishing.com/masks-1000-memorable-npcs-for-any-roleplaying-game). We also discuss--of all things--chess variants, from Chess960 (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Chess960) to Khet (http://www.khet.com/). We sponsor ourselves this week: Accent Your Character (http://www.pulpgamer.com/products/)--dialect training for roleplayers and other casual pretenders! | 7/25/11 | Free | View In iTunes |
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PGOC 177: Tell Us Your Fantasy | With the grand finale of the Harry Potter franchise upon us, and Peter Jackson's Lord of the Rings revival receding into the distance, the Pulp Gamer crew ponders what the next big movement in fantasy is going to be, both in entertainment and in games. Along the way, we namedrop a few titles, including: * Exalted (http://www.white-wolf.com/exalted) * Anima (http://www.animarpg.com/) * Scion (http://www.white-wolf.com/scion) * The Dresden Files (http://www.dresdenfilesrpg.com/) * Legend of the Five Rings (http://www.l5r.com/rpg/) * Sword Noir (http://swordsedgepublishing.ca/) * Prime Time Adventures (http://www.dog-eared-designs.com/pta.html) * Lashings of Ginger Beer The Pulpsters also talk about their favorite fantasy works, including: * The works of Louis de Bernières (http://louisdebernieres.co.uk/) * Eden of the East (http://www.funimation.com/eden-of-the-east) * The Legend of the Five Rings (http://www.l5r.com/) Clan War and Four Winds novels * Glen Cook's Black Company (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Black_Company) series * Cast a Deadly Spell (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cast_a_Deadly_Spell) We also take a look at a few different fantasy games and supplements that have caught our eye: * The Hacklopedia of Beasts (http://www.kenzerco.com/product_info.php?products_id=751) for Hackmaster Basic (http://www.kenzerco.com/product_info.php?products_id=670) * Storm of Magic (http://www.games-workshop.com/gws/catalog/productDetail.jsp?catId=cat640009a&prodId=prod1250231a) for Warhammer Fantasy Battles (http://www.games-workshop.com/gws/catalog/landing.jsp?catId=cat440002a&rootCatGameStyle=wh) * Rule of Fear (http://paizo.com/store/games/roleplayingGames/p/pathfinderRPG/paizo/pathfinderChronicles/v5748btpy8j5u) for Pathfinder (http://paizo.com/pathfinder) * Amethyst Evolution (http://www.diasexmachina.com/Games-Amethyst-Evolution.htm), a third party D&D 4th Edition (http://www.wizards.com/dnd/) supplement And in news, we talk about the cancellation of RinCon 11, the Pulp Gamer Media Party at GenCon 11 (http://www.gencon.com/2011/indy/default.aspx), and season 2 of The Bob & Angus Show (http://www.pulpgamer.com/thebobandangusshow/). We'd like to thank our sponsor this week, The Peculiar Magpie (http://www.thepeculiarmagpie.com)--creatively acquiring items since 1894. | 7/18/11 | Free | View In iTunes |
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PGOC 176: But I See You Won First Prize | With the Origins Awards (http://www.originsgames.com/) still fresh in our memories, we devote our attentions to the topic of gaming awards. What impact do they have on the industry? What do we expect from them? Recently, there's been some conversation on the fact that the Origins Award for Best Historical--a category traditionally taken by a historical wargame--went to Settlers of America: Trails to Rails (http://mayfairgames.com/game.php?id=212&stock=MFG3203&name=Catan+Histories:+Settlers+of+America+Trails+to+Rails), and this sparked discussion. Along the way, we also talk about: * The Spiel des Jahres Award (http://www.spiel-des-jahres.com/) * The Mensa Mind Games Award (http://mindgames.us.mensa.org//AM/Template.cfm?Section=Home10) * Dr. Toy's Awards (http://www.drtoy.com/main/index.html) * Lords of Vegas (http://mayfairgames.com/game.php?id=341&stock=MFG4120&name=Lords+of+Vegas) * Nuns on the Run (http://www.mayfairgames.com/game.php?id=100) * Back to the Future (http://wunderland.com/LooneyLabs/BTTF/Default.html) * 7 Wonders (http://www.rprod.com/en/7WONDERS.html) * Innovation (http://asmadigames.com/ourgames.php) Jason calls in to ask us to consider the concept of "the party" in a roleplaying game, which prompts a whole discussion on cohesive party roleplay versus split-party roleplay. We namedrop a couple of games, including (http://www.vampirethemasquerade.com/) * Vampire (http://www.vampirethemasquerade.com/) * Dungeons & Dragons (http://www.wizards.com/dnd) * Paranoia (http://www.mongoosepublishing.com/rpg/series.php?qsSeries=19) * Teenagers from Outer Space (http://www.talsorian.com/talsorian/NEWWEBSITE/TeenerPage.html) * Smallville RPG (http://www.margaretweis.com/mwp-online-store/smallville/33-smallville-roleplaying-game) In news, we examine the recent sale of Z-Man Games (http://www.zmangames.com/) to Filosofia Games (http://www.filosofiagames.com/). What does it entail for Z-Man's current releases, future projects, and Zev himself? We also have a chat with Alex Yeager from Mayfair Games (http://www.mayfairgames.com), the head writer for the Bob & Angus Show. (http://www.pulpgamer.com/thebobandangusshow/) Thanks again to our sponsor this week, Offworld Designs (http://www.offworlddesigns.com), makers of the best shirts in gaming--including Sheep Rule! (https://www.offworlddesigns.com/p-693-bob-angus-t-shirt.aspx) | 7/11/11 | Free | View In iTunes |
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PGOC 175: Going to War | Listener Ken from Wyoming asks us a complex question: Is there a profile for the average gamer, and how do you introduce gaming to those who don't fit the profile? This little question launches the crew into an in-depth discussion of typing and stereotyping in the gaming community How are gamers viewed as a whole? Within the community, how do we stereotype our own subgroups--board gamers, role-players, wargamers, and so forth? Are their any truisms within these stereotypes? And, of course, how do we bring gaming to those who "just aren't the type?" Amidst the discussion, we drop a few names: * Dungeons & Dragons 4th Edition (http://www.wizards.com/dnd/) * Pathfinder (http://paizo.com/pathfinder) * Tales of the Arabian Nights (http://www.zmangames.com/boardgames/tales_arabian_nights.htm) * Dixit (http://us.asmodee.com/ressources/jeux_versions/dixit_2.php) * Arkham Horror (http://www.fantasyflightgames.com/edge_minisite.asp?eidm=6&enmi=Arkham%20Horror) * Settlers of Catan (http://www.catan.com/) * Loot (http://www.gamewright.com/gamewright/index.php?section=games&page=game&show=142) In addition, Dave continues his quest to bring wargames to Pulp Gamer. One of the most daunting aspects of the hobby is the cost and the scale, but we talk about some smaller, skirmish-level wargames that won't break your bank or your back, including: * Malifaux (http://wyrd-games.net/) * Hell Dorado (http://cipher-studios.com/) * Anima (http://cipher-studios.com/) * WizKids (http://wizkidsgames.com/)' various Clix series * Mercs (http://www.mercsminis.com/) * Pulp City (http://www.pulp-city.com/) We also take a little sightseeing trip with Hike (http://www.moosetachegames.com/games/hike) from Moosetache Games. We'd like to thank our sponsors this week, Gamer Adventures (http://www.gameradventures.com/) and Her Royal Majesty's Steampunk Symposium (http://hrmsteam.com/)! | 7/4/11 | Free | View In iTunes |
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PGOC 174: Origins 2011 | This week, Pulp Gamer reports in from the Origins Game Fair (http://originsgamefair.com/)! Rather than our usual crew, we're joined by Alex Yeager from Mayfair Games (http://www.mayfairgames.com/), Mike Selinker from Lone Shark Games (http://www.lonesharkgames.com/), and James Ernest from Cheapass Games (http://www.cheapass.com/). We talk about the race for the prize (coverage of which can be found at Critical-Hits.com (http://critical-hits.com/2011/06/25/2011-origins-awards-winners/)). particularly the tense struggle for Best RPG this year between outstanding notables like Gamma World (http://www.wizards.com/dnd/Product.aspx?x=dnd/products/dndacc/254600000), Fiasco (http://www.bullypulpitgames.com/games/fiasco/), and The Dresden Files RPG (http://www.dresdenfilesrpg.com/) (the winner, as well as winner of Best RPG supplement). And it just so happens that our three guests are the team behind the Best Board Game Nominee Lords of Vegas (http://www.mayfairgames.com/game.php?id=341). They share a little about the game, its showing at the awards, and a tiny teaser for the upcoming first expansion. In addition, Alex talks a bit about Settlers of America (http://mayfairgames.com/game.php?id=212&stock=MFG3203&name=Settlers+of+America+Trails+to+Rails) (winner of Best Historical). James and Mike talk about the game designer panel, the Kobold Quarterly Guide to Game Design (Vol 1) (http://www.koboldquarterly.com/kqstore/index.php?main_page=product_info&products_id=12), and shameful youtube videos (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GH0GsSPGPnA). And we test James's boast that he can design and release a game in six minutes. We also touch on the new Hall of Fame inductees, the eulogies for Jim Roslof and Charles S. Roberts, and the radio broadcasts from the Big Bar on 2 (http://gamapodcasts.blogspot.com/)! And of course, we can't help but talk about the new products and nifty events, including: * Mage Wars (http://www.magewars.com/) * IRONDIE (http://www.irondie.com/Default.aspx) * Flippin' Cornholes (http://flipincornhole.com/default.aspx) * Donkey (http://donkeythegame.com/) * The Star Trek Deck Building Game (http://www.bandaicg.com/startrek/) * Looney Labs (http://www.looneylabs.com/) games against Andy Looney himself This week's episode is brought to you by the Bob & Angus Show (http://www.pulpgamer.com/thebobandangusshow/)- our two newsrams bring you the latest in-depth reporting from the world of Mayfair Games! | 6/27/11 | Free | View In iTunes |
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PGOC 173: Why We Game | It's not always the same motivation that brings your players to the table. One is here to socialize. One is here to explore. One is here to perfect. One is here to conquer. And why are you here? In this week's episode, the Pulp Gamer Crew discusses what draws them to games, how to identify (and satisfy) the needs of the players at the table, and how to discover the motivation that might pull a "non-gamer" into the fold. Along the way, we drop a few names: * Catan: Cities and Knights (http://www.catan.com/catan-games/boardgame/cities-and-knights.html) * Apples to Apples (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Apples_to_Apples) * Carcassonne (http://www.riograndegames.com/games.html?id=48) * Tigris & Euphrates (http://www.mayfairgames.com/game.php?stock=MFG4116) * Ticket to Ride (http://www.daysofwonder.com/tickettoride/en/) And as per listener Itamar's request, we also devote some time to the topic of converting RPGs from one system to another: Why do it? What advantages does it bring, and what pitfalls can you stumble into? We bring up a few notables: * Dragonlance (http://www.wizards.com/default.asp?x=products/dlacc/869900000) into Cartoon Action Hour (http://spectrum-games.com/cahs2.aspx) * Legend of the Five Rings RPG (http://www.l5r.com/rpg/) transitions between Alderac Entertainment Group (http://www.alderac.com/)and Wizards of the Coast (http://www.wizards.com/) * John Wick's Flux (http://johnwickpresents.com/market/products/flux.html) * Trail of Cthulhu (http://www.pelgranepress.com/site/?page_id=242) and Call of Cthulhu (http://catalog.chaosium.com/index.php?cPath=41&osCsid=74560aa38e2890c4172fa2a074071649) * FATE (http://www.evilhat.com/home/fate/) * Expedition to the Barrier Peaks (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Expedition_to_the_Barrier_Peaks) * The San Angelo: City of Heroes multi-system setting We also take a look at some games, including Rivals for Catan (http://www.catan.com/catan-games/rivals-for-catan/base-game.html), Junta: Viva el Presidente (http://www.zmangames.com/cardgames/junta_dice.htm), and the WatchGuard (http://www.rpgnow.com/product_info.php?products_id=92168) sourcebook. We'd like to thank our sponsor, Gamer Adventures (http://www.gameradventures.com)--cruising the Caribbean, Mexico, and Alaska with gamers and their families! | 6/20/11 | Free | View In iTunes |
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PGOC 172: Crowd Control | From six-man brackets at the friendly local to the massive, game-defining regional slugfests, tournaments are central to the gaming community, but actually staging one is an even greater struggle. Our crew talks through tournament essentials, discussing what sort of games lend themselves to tournament play, how to manage the atmosphere of the event, and maybe even explaining why you'd want to run one of these madhouses in the first place. Along the way, we touch on a few tournament memorables, including * D&D Encounters (http://www.wizards.com/dnd/event.aspx?x=dnd/4new/event/dndencounters) * Blood Bowl (http://www.games-workshop.com/gws/catalog/landingArmy.jsp?catId=cat480004a&rootCatGameStyle=specialist-games) * Settlers of Catan (http://www.catan.com/) * Boot Hill (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Boot_Hill_%28role-playing_game%29) * Gangbusters (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gangbusters_%28role-playing_game%29) * Pokemon Trading Card Game (http://www.pokemon.com/us/trading-cards/) * Magic: the Gathering (http://www.wizards.com/Magic/) * Legend of the Five Rings (http://www.l5r.com/) We also turn our attention to some charity efforts in the gaming community. Fear the Boot (http://www.feartheboot.com/ftb/) is auctioning off a set of signed Dresden Files rulebooks (http://cgi.ebay.com/Fear-Boot-charity-auction-/200617994099), the proceeds of which will go towards the March of Dimes (http://www.marchofdimes.com/). Also, Marcelo from WarPath Games (http://www.warpathgames.com/) tells us how we can provide tornado-relief to local game stores. Check out his Twitter (http://twitter.com/#!/MarceloFCI) for more info. Listener Luis talks to us about the postage issue in getting the Vampire: the Masquerade 20th Anniversary Edition (http://www.vampirethemasquerade.com/) to Europe. If you live in Europe and would like to join the bulk order, visit V20-Europe.com (http://www.v20-europe.com/)! We also take a look at Mortal Coil (http://galileogames.com/category/mortal-coil/) and Faces of the Tarnished Souk (http://ritepublishing.com/?s=coming-next-week-faces-of-the-tarnished-souk). A big thanks to this week's sponsor, Moosetache Games (http://www.moosetachegames.com/), makers of Rowboat: the bidding, trick-taking card game where trump changes at every turn! Fan of the game? Join the Inaugural Rowboat Championship (http://www.moosetachegames.com/tourney.html) this year at GenCon! (http://images.pulpgamer.com/webart/rowboat.jpg) | 6/13/11 | Free | View In iTunes |
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PGOC 171: Outside the Game | At some point, you have to leave the table, but that doesn't have to end the fun. This week, we discuss the strange sorcery of doing non-gaming activities with your gaming group, and how they can strengthen your game and even bring in new players. Along the way, our crew namedrops some of their favorites, both local to our Tucson studios and beyond, including: * The Society for Creative Anachronism (http://www.sca.org/) * The Titan Missile Museum (http://www.titanmissilemuseum.org/) * The Pima Air and Space Museum (http://www.pimaair.org/) * Old Tucson Studios (http://www.oldtucson.com/) Our absentee Jason calls in from the playtest of the new edition of Prime Time Adventures (http://www.dog-eared-designs.com/pta.html). We also take a look at the free gaming primers written by Leslie Shepherd, a great resource for introducing non-gamers to the hobby. We'd like to thank our sponsor, Offworld Designs (http://www.offworlddesigns.com), makers of the best shirts in gaming! | 6/6/11 | Free | View In iTunes |
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PGOC 170: Minutia | The world of miniatures is changing! Several major miniatures manufacturers, including Games Workshop (http://www.games-workshop.com/gws/home.jsp) and Privateer Press (http://privateerpress.com/), have begun to change out their metal miniatures for new resin replacements. What's motivating this shift? How do the new resin minis hold up to their metal counterparts in quality? And what does this mean for the future of old metalhead companies like Reaper Miniatures (http://www.reapermini.com/)? We're also joined by a newcomer to the show, Dave's wife and co-owner of Hat's Games (http://www.hatsgames.com), Sam Hat! Of course, we put her through a round of Stump the Chump and provoke some intriguing insights into the "community" behind the gaming community. We also take a gander at Faux-Cabulary (http://www.otb-games.com/fauxcabulary/index.html) and talk about two big upcoming events: Origins (http://www.originsgamefair.com/) and Free RPG Day (http://www.freerpgday.com/). This week's episode is dedicated to all the game retailers out there, manning the front lines of our hobby. This one's for you! --- Out of Character moves to Tuesday mornings! Check back here or on iTunes for your friends at Pulp Gamer earlier in the week, starting June 7. Welcome to our new gaming table. | 6/1/11 | Free | View In iTunes |
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PGOC 169: Convention Survival Guide | The summer convention season is upon us! For those of you venturing out into your first few conventions, Pulp Gamer offers this guide to getting the most out of your experience. Why go to a convention? What should you expect to see? How do you get the most out of your experience without burning yourself out? Our crew of con-hall fixtures offers their take on the necessities of convention survival. We also take a look at two new games: The Resistance (http://www.indieboardsandcards.com/resistance.php) and Microscope (http://www.lamemage.com/). We also take a look back into the history of the show and reminisce on our first few interviews with the likes of Mur Lafferty (http://murverse.com/) and Margaret Weis (http://www.margaretweis.com/). This week's sponsor is Pulp Gamer's own Accent Your Character (http://www.pulpgamer.com/products/): dialect training for roleplayers, storytellers, and other casual pretenders. | 5/25/11 | Free | View In iTunes |
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PGOC 168: Roleplay and the Law | In honor of Police Week, we put out an APB on games that deal with law enforcement We talk about the police as both antagonists and protagonists, about their changing role in history and the permutations they may take in the far future. Along the way, we snap the cuffs on these suspicious characters: * Shadowrun (http://www.shadowrun4.com/) * Mutant City Blues (http://www.pelgranepress.com/site/?page_id=423) * Serenity (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Serenity_%28role-playing_game%29) * Vampire (http://www.vampirethemasquerade.com/) * Paranoia (http://www.mongoosepublishing.com/rpg/series.php?qsSeries=19) * Pathfinder's Cheliax (http://paizo.com/store/games/roleplayingGames/p/pathfinderRPG/paizo/pathfinderAdventurePath/councilOfThieves/v5748btpy89m7) setting * Scotland Yard (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Scotland_Yard_%28board_game%29) * Murder City (http://store.white-wolf.com/Murder-City-P5390.aspx) * Bang! (http://www.dvgiochi.com/giochi/bang/?id=1) * and the Star Wars, Star Trek, and Stargate franchises Jason also points us towards a handy resource for GMs wanting to seem knowledgeable about the law: the West Academic Nutshell (http://www.westacademic.com/Professors/ProductSearchResults.aspx?tab=6&series=69&searchtypeasstring=ADVANCED-SEARCH) series. From the fans: Listener Tim asks our interrogators how to deal with an in game interrogation that has gone too far. And Listener TJ asks us to point out some other quality RPG podcasts, and we deliver: * Actual People, Actual Play (http://apap.libsyn.com/) * Yog-Sothoth Radio (http://www.yog-sothoth.com/content/848-Yog-Radio-and-Cthulhu-Podcasts) * The Game's the Thing (http://www.pulpgamer.com/gamesthething/) * Fear the Boot (http://www.pulpgamer.com/feartheboot/) * The Walking Eye (http://www.thewalkingeye.com/) * 1d4cast (http://1d4cast.dvd20-productions.com/news.php) * D6 Generation (http://www.pulpgamer.com/thed6generation/) * Gamer: the Podcasting (http://carolinehimmelman.com/gtp/) * RPGpodcasts.com (http://www.rpgpodcasts.com/) We take a look at two new one-shot LARPS from Flying Monkeys: But Nobody Loses an Eye (http://rpg.drivethrustuff.com/product_info.php?products_id=91495) and Super Sparkle Action Princess GX (http://rpg.drivethrustuff.com/product_info.php?products_id=91557). (Yes, you read that right.) We also spotlight the new free material for Godlike (http://arcdream.com/home/?cat=6). Big thanks to this week's sponsor, Offworld Designs (http://www.offworlddesigns.com/), bringing you the best shirts in gaming. | 5/18/11 | Free | View In iTunes |
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PGOC 167: The Reality of Fantasy | Prompted by a question from listener William, we take a look behind the scenes of brick-and-mortar games retail and distribution. How do game distributors work? Why does some product take weeks to get a special order through when the online stores have it right there? Can stores deal directly with the publishers? Drew and Gerri from Game Daze (http://www.gamedaze.com/)weigh in on the subject. We also bring an armful of game awards news: the 2010 winners of Dr. Toy's Green Toy Awards (http://www.drtoy.com/awards/2011-Green-Products-Awards.php) (including Gerri's personal favorite, Gobblet (http://www.blueorangegames.com/gobblet.php)) and the MENSA Mind Games Awards (http://mindgames.us.mensa.org//AM/Template.cfm?Section=Home10). Also, Spiel des Jahres (http://www.spiel-des-jahres.org/cms/front_content.php) announces a new third award category--the Kennerspiel des Jahres, an award specifically for hardcore "gamer" games. In other news, the government of Armenia is making chess education compulsory (http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/magazine-13140772) in its public schools. And we also follow up on Adamant Entertainment (http://www.adamantentertainment.com/)'s discontinued app-pricing model, as Vigilance Press weighs in on their experience with adopting the model. We'd like to thank our sponsor The Peculiar Magpie (http://www.thepeculiarmagpie.com/), "creatively" acquiring items since 1894! They have goggles! And rayguns! | 5/11/11 | Free | View In iTunes |
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PGOC 166: Destruction and Disaster | For this week, we pull from current events. Drawing from international news, we discuss terrorism and counterterrorism in games, and discuss how different games handle this delicate subject. Along the way, we touch on Labyrinth: The War on Terror (http://www.gmtgames.com/p-294-labyrinth.aspx), Fishing for Terrorists (http://www.slugfestgames.com/games_fft2.0.php), Strike Force Seven (http://www.supergeniusgames.com/savage-worlds/), the Wargames (http://rpg.drivethrustuff.com/product_info.php?products_id=88665) series, James Bond 007 (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/James_Bond_007_%28role-playing_game%29), and War on Terror: The Boardgame (http://www.waronterrortheboardgame.com/) And from US news, listener Marcelo from Warpath Games Distribution (http://www.warpathgames.com/wholesale/warpath.php) brings our attention to members of the games industry displaced by the recent disaster in Alabama. You can help out Avalanche Press (http://www.avalanchepress.com/)--as well as everyone else harmed by the tragedy--through the American Red Cross (http://www.redcross.org/) and Habitat for Humanity (http://www.habitat.org). And game designer Jamie Chambers points us towards other ways (http://www.jamiechambers.net/2011/04/sweet-home-help-alabama-storm-victims/) you can help. In lighter news, we finally track down the other half of the Bob and Angus (http://www.pulpgamer.com/thebobandangusshow/) news team, Dean Steeves, and put him through his paces with a round of Stump the Chump! If you're a fan of the newsram on the right, you can see more of Dean through the Laughingstock Comedy Company (http://laughing.com/home.html). This episode is dedicated to the American Red Cross (http://www.redcross.org/). | 5/5/11 | Free | View In iTunes |
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PGOC 165: PVP | This week, we tackle the tricky issue of inter-character conflict--both the bad and the good. How do you discourage it when it becomes disruptive, and how can you make it a beneficial part of your game? Along the way, we take some examples from games that have done it well: * Houses of the Blooded (http://housesoftheblooded.net/) * Paranoia (http://www.mongoosepublishing.com/rpg/series.php?qsSeries=19) * Vampire the Masquerade (http://www.vampirethemasquerade.com/) * Necessary Evil (http://www.peginc.com/games.html) * Cutthroat Caverns (http://www.smirkanddagger.com/cutthroat.htm) * Battlestar Galactica (http://www.fantasyflightgames.com/edge_minisite.asp?eidm=18) * Diplomacy (http://www.wizards.com/default.asp?x=ah/prod/diplomacy) * and, of all things, Elkfest (http://www.mayfairgames.com/game.php?id=97) In other news, Jason tears into some exciting horror games that he's been...hungering to talk about: Zombie Cataclysm (http://flamesrising.rpgnow.com/product_info.php?products_id=85039), Abandon All Hope (http://www.rpgobjects.com/index.php?c=aah), Dark Harvest (http://shop.cubicle7store.com/epages/es113347.sf/en_GB/?ObjectPath=/Shops/es113347_shop/Products/CB77100), and John Wick's Yellow Sign Trilogy (http://www.johnwickpresents.com/yellow/). We also give a review of the board game London (http://www.warfroggames.com/london), and talk about the Origins Awards Nominees (http://originsnews.wordpress.com/2011/04/13/the-academy-of-adventure-gaming-arts-and-design-announces-37th-annual-origins-awards-nominees/) for 2011. Plus, we have a brief chat with Angus McPeters (http://www.pulpgamer.com/thebobandangusshow/) himself, Drew Kallen. We'd like to thank our sponsor, Gamer Adventures (http://www.gameradventures.com)! Cruising the Carribean, Mexico, and more with gamers and their families! | 4/27/11 | Free | View In iTunes |
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PGOC 164: Heroes Wanted | What does it mean to play a hero? The Pulp Gamer Crew tackle this deceptively tricky question this week. What defines a "heroic" character? And how can you encourage and reward players who want to be heroic--both in your situation and your mechanics? Along our way, we draw inspiration from In A Wicked Age (http://www.lumpley.com/wicked.html), Scion (http://www.white-wolf.com/scion), Necessary Evil (http://www.peginc.com/games.html), and Dark Sun (http://www.wizards.com/dnd/darksun.aspx). We also have some fun with two other excellent podcasts: The Flop House (http://www.flophousepodcast.com ) and Read It and Weep (http://read-weep.com )! In news: * At long last, we discuss the newest Pulp Gamer Studios project, The Bob and Angus Show (http://www.pulpgamer.com/thebobandangusshow/)! * We discuss two light and fun family games with interesting mechanics, Shake & Take (http://www.otb-games.com/shaketake/index.html) and FlipOut (http://www.gamewright.com/gamewright/index.php?section=games&page=game&show=255). * White Wolf releases two new books: Danse Macabre (http://store.white-wolf.com/Danse-Macabre-P5655.aspx) and the the Forsaken Chronicler's Guide (http://www.white-wolf.com/new-world-of-darkness/news/forsaken-chronicler%27s-guide,-part-2-available). * Adamant Entertainment (http://www.adamantentertainment.com/) discontinues the "app-pricing" digital distribution experiment (which we discussed previously in Episode 159), and we give our thoughts on the final data. Gareth-Michael Skarka's blog post on the matter can be found here (http://gmskarka.com/2011/04/04/a-failed-experiment/). * And our own Derek Rex is running for Relay for Life (http://www.relayforlife.org/relay/)! His donation page can be found here (http://main.acsevents.org/site/TR/RelayForLife/RFLFY11National?px=20426992&pg=personal&fr_id=30673). Thanks to our sponsor, Offworld Designs (http://www.offworlddesigns.com), makers of the best shirts in gaming! | 4/20/11 | Free | View In iTunes |
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50 |
PGOC 163: Over the Rainbow | Our recent discussions about novels and games lead to a special presentation about one of the most enduring and beloved settings in American literature: the Land of Oz! Rather than the typical Pulp Gamer crew, Jason Corley instead hosts a round-table discussion with three designers who've worked on bringing Baum's landmark work into the world of gaming. Jason's three guests include F. Douglas Wall (http://fdouglaswall.blogspot.com/), creator of the Adventures in Oz RPG (http://www.adventuresinoz-rpg.com/), S. Alexander Gentry, creator of the Oz: Dark and Terrible RPG (http://emeraldcityexpeditions.com/) and Dave Gilbert, creator of Emerald City Confidential (http://www.wadjeteyegames.com/PF.htm). Additionally: * We give a nod to another Oz game in the show, Heroes of Oz (http://www.ozrpg.com/) * In the show, we reference this (http://wonderfulwizardofoz.net/viewtopic.php?id=430) Adventures in Oz playthrough, complete with the dreaded Yakuza-Palooza! * Dave's most recent game, mentioned in the show, is Gemini Rue (http://www.wadjeteyegames.com/geminirue.htm). | 4/13/11 | Free | View In iTunes |
| Total: 50 Episodes |
Customer Reviews
Fun Podcast
I found this podcast when one of my favorites (Fear the Boot) joined the Pulp Gamer Network. It's a casual cast with high production values that makes you feel like you're hanging out with a group of your friends. Each host brings their own twist to the cast and they have regular listeners that write in (I'm looking at you TomG). Over all a very good podcast.
The Best
Pulp Gamer - Out of Character is the best of the ensemble gaming podcasts inhabiting the podosphere currently. The folks there know games and are able to convey their knowledge well and with humor. I highly recommend this one.
Roundtable excellence
The roundtable discussions of Pulp Gamer is top notch. I have been listening to the various Pulp Gamer productions for a couple of years now. The group assembled for Out of Character are entertaining and knowledgeable. They give insight and infromation on many topics including board games, RPG's, and gaming in general. I've met some of them at Origins the last couple of years and they are committed to quality and promoting the hobby for gamers.
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