Sunday, June 26, 2011

RPG Crosstalk Show 11

Episode 11:
This episode is hosted by Rich of Canon Puncture Show.

How to contact us:

Release: June 27th

Announcements:
  • Knights of the Night are having a contest! Feedback by the end of June to win 2 free 4 day badges to Gen CON! Check out their website and forum post to find out how to enter!
Shows:

Canon Puncture
Episode 115 - Clash Bowley

Designer vs. Reality
Episode 29: Keystone Crimewave Playtest 1
    • A playtest of Keystone Crimewave by Leo Lalande.
    • A comedic GMless game about crime and capers.
    • Some of the mechanics inspired by Do: Pilgrims of the Flying Temple
Here Be Gamers!
On the Radar #2
  • Nathan talks about games with supplements – rules expansions, adventures, setting guides, splat books and whatever else.

On the Radar #1
  • What is On The Radar? It’s a spin-off show from Here Be Gamers.
  • Nathan discussed Kickstarter

Jennisodes
Episode 47: Jennisodes Gold
    • Jenn has Luke Crane on to talk about the SSS#11 for BHWQ. It’s Burning Wheel Gold! Luke tells everyone about what is in the combined edition and when it will be preordered (July).
    • Luke also talks about his love for the game Pendragon - the King Arthur RPG that he’s playing for over 100 sessions.

Knights of the Night
    (Bonus episodes are released as the adventure reaches it’s conclusion!)
Episode 45 - Battle Plans
    • On the verge of their final assault on the enemy that has plagued them since coming to Cleveland.
    • They discuss how much collateral damage is warranted  and is killing a possessed individual is something they will or can do..

Episode 46 -Tweeks
    • Even the best plans have their flaws.. With their lives, and the lives of countless innocents on the line the Task Force tries to iron out the wrinkles in their plans.
    • Since this is the end of Chapter 15, they also go over what they’ve learned both about the story and about the occult as well in the evenings wrap up.
    • Next chapter is the final chapter!.

Episode 47 -One Stung, Twice Shy
    • Opening moves of the attack are put into play.
    • Special Agent Chu verbally spars with Tammy Soong (sung) in an attempt to lure her away from their ultimate target.
    • Michael Clay fires up the laptop and takes another crack at hacking Vitamin Bee Corporate computer..
    • This is Chapter 16, the final chapter.. only a few episodes to go..

Episode 48 -GO Time
    • One last Supply delivery for special equipment as the team locks and loads.
    • Michael Clay uses the backdoor he put into the Vitamin Bee network and unlocks all electronic doors and shuts down the power.
    • The team moves in!
    • The show ends on a cliff hanger as a security guard calls out to the team...

Märklighetstroget
    Episode 12 - The RPG Handbook
  • In the last show of the season, Thom talks to Åsa Roos about her upcoming RPG handbook. Since an RPG handbook has to cover a lot, so does this show - everything from gender in gaming to psychological experiments and what they can teach role playing gamers about ethics is discussed.

Mom’s Basement

No new episodes were released in the last two weeks.

Narrative Control
  • Narrative Control is on their season break. Catch up on all their episodes so you can get ready for SEASON THREE!!!
Roo Sack Gamers
Episode 11
  • This was recorded on Memorial day when we had more time than usual so this is part 1 of a two parter.
  • Frost works his psychology magic and insures Vox remains as the top Kerrn.
  • Hammer Lord Quinn works with the Criminal Underground to fund better equipment and also reduces Talos’ punishment in return for some hacking help.
  • Talos finds some helpful information in a missing orphan... information that could lead us to the Vaylen Queen.

Episode 10
  • This time we finish off another maneuver.... in record time... for us.
  • The Kerrn Leader, Vox, works with the Hammer Lord on propaganda and then has a duel of wits with former Director Nicholas to convince him to fight for his position.
  • The Crime Syndicate attempts to arm the Kerrn with better weapons.... but doesn’t quite succeed as some of the guns are lost in transit... smuggling isn’t easy.
  • Talos succeeds in finding dirt on Nicholas’ opponent for the board directorship. Lawson is apparently a cheat, deep in bribes and a drug addict.... lots of fun happens when you role LOTS of 6’s in Burning Empire.

Self Critical Hits
Episode 19
  • In this week’s thrilling installment, Tori gushes about all of the games she played at Fabricated Realities Con last month – basically, she loved everything.
  • Also included: some discussion of using Fiasco! to wrap up a fantasy campaign, the tragically impending end Uncanny X-Men, the resurrection of the Seattle Story Games meetup, and the upcoming Geek Girl Con.
  • Please note: we lost the first half of this conversation, but hopefully we've edited for clarity.
  • Also- Tori was INCREDIBLY hungover for this. So apologies if she butchered explaining the game mechanics!
  • Hosts: Miles and Tori

Shark Bone
Episode 63 - Megamind / Stress

Episode 62 - Sin City / Roll Dice or Say Yes

The Grumpy Celt
    Episode 24 - Two For One
  • Acererak, Baba Yaga and Grumpy Celt discuss the perils of time travel.
  • Rasputin.
  • This is a review of Vampire Translation Guide and SAS Ruins of Ur, both World of Darkness products from White Wolf.
  • Vampire Translation Guide is not a good book, though not actively bad, it is mostly mediocre.
  • Vampire Translation Guide gets a 10 on a d20 roll.
  • SAS – Storyteller Adventure Supplement – is the White Wolf version of an adventure module.
  • Ruins of Ur is a lot like Dog Soldiers, Predator and Aliens, and in doing that it is good
  • However, aside from that its usefulness is very narrow. Too narrow, in fact.
  • SAS Ruins of Ur gets a 10 on a d20 roll.
  • Rasputin
  • Grumpy is a fan of the Ranger’s Baseball team.
  • The group may have worn out their welcome in the World of Darkness.
  • Note: This week was to have been a podcast review of Arcana Unearthed, but I have been delayed. That review will be up next week or the week after.
    Episode 25 - More General Thoughts
  • Nevermet Press still going
  • Tony Hoffart
  • Great Heist back in production
  • Gravesites series continues
  • Upcoming podcast Schedule; Arcana Unearthed, Needful Things (Stephen King novel), Dogs in the Vineyard, Mage: the Awakening, Savage Worlds, Weird West, Gloomwroght, LotFP: GHE and something special for September
  • Social contract and LotFP: GHE
  • Iron Liz and the Foundry
  • Sister Pregnant

Yellow Menace
No new episodes were released in the last two weeks.

Direct Download:  http://www.canonpuncture.com/audio/rpgcrosstalk-show-11.mp3




Sunday, June 12, 2011

RPG Crosstalk Show 10

This episode is hosted by Jenn of Jennisodes and Roy of Roo Sack Gamers.

How to contact us:
Updates and Announcements:
  • Knights of the Night are having a contest! Feedback by the end of June to win 2 free 4 day badges to Gen CON! Check out their website and forum post to find out how to enter!


Shows:

Canon Puncture
    Episode 114: Game Advocates Hero System
    • Joel Rojas advocates for the Hero System. He talked about how it is an effects based game and how players can create characters that EFFECT the world in different ways. You don’t just shoot someone with a gun - you can have telekensis powers that throws things at people like a bullet!
    • He also discusses how game play works  and how players and the GM can truly go after what they really want in the game. What is YOUR game about? There are mechanics set up to allow you to mold the Hero world around that.

Designer vs Reality - No shows released in the last two weeks.


Here Be Gamers - No shows released in the last two weeks.


Jennisodes
    Episode 45: Cooking and Gaming
    • Jenn talks with Terry Romero about her cookbooks and gaming
    • Terry games in the NYC area and writes vegan cookbooks. They talk about how creating recipes is just like playtesting new rpg games!
    • Terry offers some health game group snacks and talks about her love for Cthulhu games

    Episode 46:
    • A quick show where Jenn announces the winner of the Itunes contest with Vincent Baker!
    • Congratulations to Mercutio531!

    Episode 47:
    • Jenn talks with Brennan Taylor about his game Bulldogs and how he set up a small publishing company!
    • Brennan talks about how he used Fate for bulldogs and compared it with creating a new system in his other games such as How We came to Live here.
  
Knights of the Night
    Episode 44 - Grand Theft Bee
    • Task Force has escaped Benjamin’s backyard, but as they drive away they are being followed.. by someone. Katie does some fancy driving and quickly loses them.
    • Once safely away they find a spot to remove the wings and blood from the queen
    • But they all must deal with the fact they broke into some-one's yard and stole items. Game mechanic wise, this can cause character to begin a slide down into darkness until they are as bad as the monsters they fight..

Episode 45 - Battle Plans
    • On the verge of their final assault on the enemy that has plagued them since coming to Cleveland.
    • They discuss how much collateral damage is warranted  and is killing a possessed individual is something they will or can do..
Märklighetstroget - No shows released in the last two weeks.
   
Mom’s Basement - No shows released in the last two weeks.
   
Narrative Control - No shows released in the last two weeks.
    • Narrative Control is on their season break. Catch up on all their episodes so you can get ready for SEASON THREE!!!
Roo Sack Gamers
    Episode 8
  • Start of a new maneuver so we do a bit of work on beliefs
  • We use the rule of law to IMPOSE ownership of the Rock by the Kerrn
  • and the GM has the Vaylen work to BETTER their hulling techniques
    Episode 9

  • The Kerrn get a high priced lawyer.
  • The Hammer Lord exploits Talos' hacking skills
  • A missing little girl comes to light
  • Frost is informed that he is no longer needed on the Rock.

Self Critical Hits
    Fabricated Realities Interview, Part Two
Here’s the 2nd part of our talk with Rose Cowman – founder of the recently completed, and by all accounts completely awesome Fabricated Realities story gaming con – and the mysterious yet devastating Danielle, both visitors from the frozen south. This time we talk about building and/or finding community and safe space through gaming. We also make grand plans for an RPG about living in an anarcho-punk house (the dreaded and arcane chore wheel will figure prominently).

Hosts: Tori, Tanya, Ross, Danielle, James, Tobin, Caleb, David



Sharkbone
   Episode 61: The Matrix
    • The Matrix! The guys discuss this movie from 1999 with Keanu Reeves. The first movie of the trilogy they discuss how you can bring lies into your game - everything you know is a total lie - this can lead to revenge!
    • They also discuss how you can start out at a low level character and then are approached with a new destiny and have to train to become stronger
    • In the Great White section they talk about Practical XP and how in Hunter the Vigil you gain practical XP during fights to use for the group to progress skills that will be helpful in the next encounter or fight. This is different than plot points because the XP affects the actual skills and attributes of the characters. The reason behind it is that if you go and defeat a monster during the hunt you gain specific knowledge that can help you later for the group as a whole (not just yourself)


    The Grumpy Celt
        Episode 22:  Vampire the Requiem
    • Published by White Wolf in 1991 - Vampire the Masquerade and changed the gaming world,
    • Requiem offers 5 types of vampires (clans) and 5 covenants and the tension inside the games from their interaction,
    • Vampires (PCs) must survive and live with what they do,
    • The book contains history of vampires and the world - the Core World of Darkness rule book has all the mechanics so the Requiem contains only extra new rules needed to play,
    • V:tR gets a 20 on a d20 roll (a perfect score) though buyer beware.

       Episode 23: The (New) World of Darkness
    • Previously the World of Darkness simply served as a setting for White Wolf games, but in the new game lines the world of Darkness is a setting, it gets its own book line and provides game play for mortals.
    • Setting wise, it is a world where horror movies, conspiracy theories and worse could be true.
    • Mechanics are on a d10 with a 8-9-10 for success
    • The storyteller game’s approach the morality is something that makes the game system and world distinct in the RPG marketplace. It also looks different from other games.
    • The WoD book gets a 15 on a d20 roll, and again buyer beware.


    Yellow Menace
    Episode 18
    • Sony Apologises for PSN Outage (Again!)
    • Sanshiro Sugata (Wikipedia)
    • Heaven and Earth
    • Daimajin
    • Monster

     Direct Download: 
    http://www.canonpuncture.com/audio/rpgcrosstalk-show-10.mp3

      Wednesday, June 1, 2011

      RPG Crosstalk Show 09

      Episode 9:
      Release: June 1st -






      covering podcast episodes released May 14 - May 29, 2011

      This episode is hosted by Tom of Knights of the Night and Rich of the Canon Puncture show

      How to contact us:

      Announcements:
      • RPG Crosstalk is proud to announce our newest podcast member, the Yellow Menace. Yellow Menace primarily discusses indie / story games and Asian pop culture. We will be featuring their Gamecast episodes on this show, but their forum will have info on all of their episodes
      • Knights of the Night are having a contest! Feedback by the end of June to win 2 free 4 day badges to Gen CON! Check out their website and forum post to find out how to enter!
      Shows:

      Canon Puncture
          Episode 113: Camp Nerdly and Norwood
      • Arnold and Rich bring old host Chris Norwood on to get an update on how he’s been doing
      • Arnold breaks down all the hot gaming action he got into at the recently completed Camp Nerdly


      Designer vs Reality
      Episode 28: Skin Men Playtest 1
        • A playtest of Skin Men by Marc Majcher, which was a Game Chef 2010 game
        • First playtest without designer present and with two new players
        • Combo between board game and RPG
        • In a biopunk future, the players play Skin Men who smuggle people who have had illegal genetic modifications out of the city and away from the Purity Administration patrols who want to hunt them down.

      Here Be Gamers
      No new podcasts in the last two weeks.


      Jennisodes
          Episode 43: In Retrospect
        • Jenn talks to Dan and Mike from her game group about what they have learned from gaming together. They also talk about what they really want out of gaming when they sit down at the table.
        • Jenn tells them she loves to plays competitive style games - something she has tried not to do too much because no one likes the girl who kills everyone :)
        • Mike and Dan talk about Jack Kirby’s Fourth World and Daniel Abraham’s Dragon’s Path

      Episode 44: Game Scholars
        • a Chat with Bill White about being a game scholar and studying role playing games.
        • Studying AP recordings to learn about culture and the like.
      Knights of the Night
      Episode 42: Once More Into the Bees, My Friends
        • The team returns to Benjamin's house, but this time they have a magic artifact that allows them to slice through the maze that protects it.
        • The collecting of the bee wings begins and everything is going as planned.
        • The episode ends on a cliff hanger as the queen is sucked into a bug vac and the lights go on throughout the house.

      Episode 43: Strategic Retreat
        • Benjamin attacks the team as they scramble to gracefully retreat with the required queen bee.
        • Jay draws and puts a bullet through Benjamin’s spell casting hand... Jay is surprised it didn’t do more damage, Benjamin is surprised it did any at all.
        • The coin cuts through the maze again as the team flees, but there is one more surprise.
        • Chu goes to open the gate to leave the backyard only to find it’s both electric and live...


      Märklighetstroget
          New episode! In English! With Kenneth Hite!    
      • Yup, the new episode is in English, so you no longer have any excuse not to listen to Märklighetstroget. In this episode I talk to Kenneth Hite about all kinds of things, Trail of Cthulhu, Gothenburg, London, Day After Ragnarok and much more.

      Mom’s Basement
          Episode 30:Keystone and Dicking Around
          • Keystone - last time was character creation and this time they talk about the actual game play
          • The GM has a more traditional role where the GM has a bit more power than a cooperative storytelling game
          • It is a highly detailed gamed with a lot of parts to remember during play
          • The guys really liked this game and would like to continue through the game (5-6 more sessions)
          • They talk about players dicking around during the game and hindering the experience for everyone else at the table. You have to be upfront and talk about this so that it doesn’t fester and ruin the game group; the hosts admitted they all like to dick around during games, and believe they have lost players in games as a result of this

      Narrative Control
        • Narrative Control is on their season break. Catch up on all their episodes so you can get ready for SEASON THREE!!!

      Roo Sack Gamers
          Episode 7: Finishing the first maneuver
      • Continue playing Burning Empires
      • FINALLY finished the first maneuver

      Self Critical Hits
      Episode 17: Fabricated Realities Convention (Interview)
      The usual suspects are joined this week by Ross and Danielle, visiting from the wilds of Olympia. Ross is the founder of the upcoming (BRAND NEW!!!) Fabricated Realities story gaming con, which is discussed at some length because it sounds like a whole bunch of awesome – expect a full report!
      The group then gets into some talk about: perceptions of elitism among folks who play contemporary/story games; the idea of the so-called “hipster gamer”; gaming as an effort to create safe, or even therapeutic social space; and – finally, to assure anyone listening that there’s no bias here – a bunch of trash is talked about both 3rd and 4th editions of D&D.
      Also, our talk with Ross and Danielle ran a bit long – okay, like almost 3 hours long – so we’ll be releasing the rest of the discussion in the next couple weeks.
      Hosts: Tori, Tanya, Ross, Danielle, James, Tobin, Caleb, David
      The interview starts right away, and might actually be pretty SFW... one of our first episodes that's pretty PG rated..

      Sharkbone:
      Episode 58 - Blue Streak / Spells per Day
      • Spells per day, they weren’t fans
      • They preferred systems with more flexibility and freedom - Mage the Ascension and Dresden Files RPG

      Episode 59 - Dude, Where's My Car? / GMless Games
        • GM’s Reef
          • Dude’s Where’s My Car? from 2000, a bad comedy with aliens
          • Players bringing a prop or an article of clothing as the character
          • The adventure has already happened but the characters don’t remember what happened from the night before (21:45)
          • GMless games - the guys talk about their experiences with GMless games and talk about making some of the games they like into GMless games

      Episode 60 - Devil / Play Dirty by John Wick
        • Devil is a horror movie in an elevator where the people are stuck and are dying off one by one, the plot is to find out who is killing them
        • Play Dirty is a book by John Wick comprised of GMing advice articles from Pyramid Magazine, features lots of GM tricks to get players invested in their characters and the stakes of the stories


      The Grumpy Celt
          Episode 20: Changing History
      • Gurps Alternate History 3
      • Some great examples of gaming and changing history
      • In Another World - China finding America and changing Aztec
      • Babylon Five - Lords of Chaos and Lords of Order
      • How to interact the change
        • Start the game past the players influence
        • The characters change the history/influence
        • Just start them out in a new unfamiliar world
      • Encourage the players to make the world better

      Episode 21: Dreams in RPG
      • Grumpy Celt gives his origins.
      • A discussion on Dreams and an interesting twist on how all fictions is truth and truth is fiction.

      Yellow Menace (we did not get a chance to listen to these episodes and therefore have no notes; but we'll catch up on our newest member ASAP)
      Yellow Menace Gamecast Episode 4 - Interview with James Raggi, Zak. S, and Mandy Morbid

      Gamecast Gaiden Ep 1A - Let's talk about Lady Earthdawn!

      Gamecast Gaiden Ep 1B - Let's talk about Lady Earthdawn (part deux)!

      Direct Download:  http://www.canonpuncture.com/audio/rpgcrosstalk-show-09.mp3