RPG Crosstalk Podcast: RPG Crosstalk Show 05

This episode is hosted by Jenn of Jennisodes and Dan of Designer vs. Reality.

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Shows:
Canon Puncture Show:

Episode 109: PEW pt 2

Rich and Arnold announce the winner of the PEW (Pure Epic Win Moment) Contest, none other than RPGCrosstalk member - Dan Maruschak!
They continue to discuss a small con Arnold recently hosted at his house (called PEWCon, sounds like “Puke On”), the ups and downs of it
Lastly, Rich does a mini review of RPGKids and Dread House, both RPGs for kids

Designer vs Reality

Episode 21: Pilgrim Playtest 1A

Episode 22: Pilgrim Playtest 1B

Dan, Leo, and Nolan playtest Leo’s game Pilgrim.
It’s a GM-less game set in a dystopian future where the characters are on a pilgrimage to get “reskinned” and have the burdens on their souls lifted. The pilgrimage is the frame story, but the actual action of the game happens in flashback as the characters discuss the events that led them to their present condition.

Here Be Gamers- no show in the last two weeks

Jennisodes
Episode 34: The Commercial side of Gaming

Jenn talks to Graham Walmsley about selling games at stalls and online over in the UK.
They discuss what kinds of indie games gamers like over there and how to sell these games (by knowing what he talks about and is passionate about the games)
Graham is very excited about the games he sells. The kind of enthusiasm you want to see in everyone selling a product.

Episode 35: Human Contact

Jenn talks to Joshua AC Newman about his game Human Contact
It’s a collaborative world building game set in a science fiction world with the Academy coming onto the Colony planet.
Discuss the artwork, the linguistics mechanic, and how Joshua designed the game. Look out for other Shock based games coming out soon!

Episode 36: Kickstarter

Knights of the Night

Episode 33: The Infection of Dissension (World of Darkness game)

Explanations of mechanics are good - players explain what they are rolling and the GM asks if they want to add anything.
One of the team members got infected! The group argues about bringing a corpse that might be infected to the safehouse. Each player posed reasons why it was good or not - compelling arguments!

Märklighetstroget: Episode 08: Pitfalls

Interview with Karl Bergström from the interactive institute about common pitfalls in RPGs and how to avoid them.
They also discuss GNS theory briefly as one of many tools that can help players come to an agreement on what they want out of a campaign and, thus, avoid some of the problems brought up in the episode.

Mom’s Basement: Episode 27: Demilich and What Makes an RPG

What makes an rpg - roleyplaying or just using funny voices
Decided that there has to be a natural intuitive connection between the roleplaying and the mechanics
Demilich - Noam Rosen’s Game
A lot of cool strategy elements in it, the playtest lost a little roleplaying
Discussed how the playtest went and how it could be made better, what was confusing, things that need to be added (more rules for multiple sessions)

Narrative Control:
Episode 62 - Retcon!

Idea 1 - How to get a game back from over the edge
Using “frames” or the subjective nature of a story to justify play not being what “actually happened”.
Examples from movies, games and storytelling tropes.

Episode 63 - Making the bits compelling

Getting the players invested in your set pieces (locations, people, etc)
Four tips for doing so:
- Actionable - Players can make a difference
- Need - It’s got something the PCs want or need
- Reincorporate the PC aspects - It’s a mirror of the PCs issues
- Movable pieces - Include things the PCs can use as resources.

Episode 64 - Lenisode

Lenny Balsera ideas - 15 minute prep (GM frame 3 scenes that hit the beliefs of the characters in the most unsubtle way you can)
Compells within the game (BW/Dresden/Fate) - give them a FATE chip to make the player/character MAKE a decision (not just to give them a fate chip)

SharkBone:

Episode 50 - Alien and Lines and Veils

Horror movie - concept of taking a small part of the movie/literature and building up on that part (putting Dracula on a boat slowly killing all the characters)
Characters who have one profession but end up being forced to go find the aliens but its in the contract!! (small print)
Discussed lines and veils and how to go to the limit but notice your friends reactions and backtrack if necessary
Always depends on the table and needs to be discusses

Episode 51 - Celebration

RPG Crosstalk Podcast