Have Games, Will Travel

Improv and Gaming Conversation with Remi Treuer, Part 20:33 - Today's episode is the second half of my conversation with Remi Treuer of the Durham 3 about improv and roleplaying.1:27 - This show is a member of the Gaming Broadcast Network.1:34 - Having talked about how improv and gaming are different, Remi and I dig into improv techniques that can be use effectively in roleplaying, starting with reincorporation and listening.9:33 - We dig into "Yes, And. . ." and the potential problems surrounding it.16:42 - I bring up the issue of sharing cool ideas immediately rather than hoarding them.22:57 - We talk about vastly different role that endowment plays in improv and gaming, and Remi points out a clever twist on how to use it effectively.30:48 - Remi brings up "I'm going to make you awesome" as a great tool in both improv and roleplaying before we sum up. I then go off on the new improv format my troupe is trying out and how it’s a lot like roleplaying.37:29 - With my conversation with Remi concluded, I disclos

Improv and Gaming Conversation with Remi Treuer, Part 1 0:33 - This is your last chance to vote for the ENnies and potentially impoverish me. Voting closes July 29th. 3:09 - This show is a member of the Gaming Broadcast Network. 3:16 - Remi Treuer, one third of the Durham 3, sits down with me to talk about the relationship between improv and roleplaying. We start off by explaining our improv backgrounds, Remi's with Dirty South Improv and mine with Ventura Area TheatreSports. 10:24 - With that out of the way, we start exploring the ways in which improv isn't roleplaying and vice versa, starting with the idea of the space around the game. 16:38 - We discuss how conflicts and arguments work very differently between improv and roleplaying. 27:20 - And that does it for part one of our conversation. Next episode, we'll discuss what things can be stolen from improv and taken back to gaming. --PaulDiscuss this episode in the HG,WT forum.

Engel Matrix Games and the Indie RPG Awards 0:33 - Voting for the ENnies is now open. Before you fill out your ballots, I recommend checking out the Summer Revolution and the ENnies Nominations special episode of Gamer's Haven. 3:18 - Robin Laws gives us his blessing. 3:25 - Engle Matrix Games, from Chris Engle's Hamster Press, provide a unique approach to colloborative story creation. I talk about my experiences with Dracula and Evil Wizard School: The Final Lesson. 16:13 - This show is a member of the Gaming Broadcast Network. 16:22 - John Kim and I discuss the Indie RPG Awards. 29:42 - Mick Bradley flatters me. 29:53 - Before I go, I make a plug for the HG,WT Guild on BoardGameGeek and the next installment in the Strategicon series of conventions. --Paul Discuss this episode in the HG,WT forum.

Origins 2007 Round Table with Chris Hanrahan, Fred Hicks, and Kenneth Hite 0:38 - Before talking about Origins, I briefly discuss the ENnies. This show, along with The Sons of Kryos, The Godzilla Gaming Podcast, Yog Radio, and Fear the Boot, has been nominated for Best Podcast. 4:01 - The Sons of Kryos say hi. 4:14 - Chris Hanrahan (of 2d6 Feet In a Random Direction) and I corner Fred Hicks and Kenneth Hite to talk about our time at Origins, starting with our great dinner at the Burgundy Room. 7:25 - With that out of the way, Fred gives us the scoop on the Indie Press Revolution booth, while I talk about the joy of giving Luke Crane his Origins Award for Burning Empires. This led to a discussion of this year's voting procedure for the Origins Award and how important activism was. 12:08 - Ken talks about carry, Aces and Eights, and Witch Hunter. 23:23 - Prompted by Ken, Fred discusses his time at the IPR booth, focusing on Spirit of the Century and Don't Rest You Head. I mention Battlestations in p

After Action Report for Primetime Adventures 0:34 - We've just finished up playing a full season of Primetime Adventures, so I thought this would be a good time to talk about it. 1:51 - The illustrious Kenneth Hite greets us. 2:00 - I sit down with Christina, Roy, and Ted to talk extensively about Terroir, our recently concluded game of Primetime Adventures. We start off with introductions. 4:16 - We begin with the pitch session and how we ended up playing Six Feet Under meets Tim Powers' Earthquake Weather meets Six Feet Under 8:08 - We talk about how the conceptual framework of a television show impacted the game. 20:18 - The first element of PTA's mechanics we dig into is fan mail. 28:28 - En route to discussing the conflict system, we explain our biggest stumble in the game. 37:48 - With that out of the way, we finally get to the conflict mechanics, specifically how they drive plot momentum and handle orthogonal stakes. 43:57 - We give some advice for people looking to try PTA for the

Convention Report from Go Play NW 2007 0:32 - Last weekend was Go Play NW, so today I'm talking about what I played there. 1:09 - Jared Sorensen says hello. 1:16 - At Go Play NW (not PaulCon NW) I played Jungle Speed, Ca$h 'n Gun$, A Penny For My Thoughts (in development over at Master Mines), the forthcoming The Committee for the Exploration of Mysteries, Zombies in the Vineyard (Carl Rigney's hack for Dogs in the Vineyard), and Perfect. You can hear a bit more about Go Play NW on the next episode of The Voice of the Revolution. 17:02 - The show is part of the Gaming Broadcast Network. 17:09 - Origins and GenCon are coming; let me know if you're going to be at either of those. At GenCon, you'll be able to find me at the Ashcan Front booth (#1940), the Podcasters Party, and my Inside The Game Designer's Studio interview with Monte Cook. --PaulDiscuss this episode in the HG,WT forum

It Was A Mutual Decision and PaulCon V 0:32 - Last weekend was PaulCon, my annual birthday convention, and I had the chance to play a lot of games. 1:24 - The guys from 2d6 Feet in a Random Direction stop by. 1:40 - It Was A Mutual Decision is a Story Now game about the end of a relationship (with wererats). I'd wanted to play it for quite a while, and I discovered it makes an excellent party game. 12:52 - The show is part of the Gaming Broadcast Network. 13:00 - Throughout PaulCon I played a ton of games, including The Extraordinary Adventures of Baron Munchausen, Dogs in the Vineyard, The Shab-al-Hiri Roach, Ca$h 'n Gun$, Lost Cities, Poison, Tongiaki, and BattleLore (but sadly, not Perfect). 22:20 - Go Play Northwest is this weekend, so I'll be back next week to talk about that. Meanwhile, you can check out Master Mines. --PaulDiscuss this episode in the HG,WT forum

Notre Dame and War of the Ring 0:32 - I’m back to talk about a pair of board games I was able to play a few weeks ago. 1:15 - This show is part of the Gaming Broadcast Network. 1:23 - Notre Dame is one of my favorite new games. Check out Doug Garrett’s overview on episode 71 of Garrett’s Games & Geekiness. (The card game I mention in passing is Fairy Tale.) 15:26 - Ryan Macklin from Master Plan says hello. 15:33 - War of the Ring is a thematically-satisfying, hybrid war game. 27:56 - This show was also a part of the (now-defunct) Gaming Podcast Network. 28:05 - PaulCon V is this weekend, so I’ll be back soon to talk about the games I played. --PaulDiscuss this episode in the HG,WT forum

Interview with Joshua BishopRobyShow notes: 0:32 - In the second episode of a two-part series, I interview Joshua BishopRoby, the designer of Full Light, Full Steam. 1:33 - This show is a member of the Gaming Broadcast Network. 1:41 - We start off talking about our awesome time at Gamex 2007. 6:57 - I start grilling Josh about his steampunk space opera game, Full Light, Full Steam. 17:01 - We move on to talking about Josh's next game, Sons of Liberty (which is Dynasty Warriors meets the American Revolution), and the playtesting process. 26:00 - We take a right turn into theory to talk about what RPG rules bring to social interaction, using 1001 Nights, Polaris, and Heads of State as examples (and forgetting to mention Bacchanal). 33:30 - I pry details out of Josh about the playtesting group he is part of. 37:03 - We ruthlessly pimp NerdSoCal. 41:16 - The show is part of the Gaming Podcast Network. 41:26 - Parting shots: In three weeks I'll be at Go Play Northwest. Don't forget about A Fistfu

Passages and the Zorcerer of Zo 0:36 - In the first episode of a two-part series, I review two RPGs inspired by 19th century fiction. 1:29 - This show is a member of the Gaming Broadcast Network. 1:36 - Passages, from Blue Devil Games, is Sliders meets The League of Extraordinary Gentlemen in a solid D20 reimplementation. 8:51 - Mick Bradley from The House of the Harping Monkey explains his love for the show. 9:02 - The Zorcerer of Zo, from Atomic Sock Monkey Press (who also brought us Truth and Justice), gives us a look inside Chad Underkoffler's head at what he thinks about fairy tales and how his campaign shaped the game's design. 19:02 - This show is part of the Gaming Podcast Network. 19:12 - I'm going to be traveling a lot this summer, bookended with two of the Strategicons. In between I'm really looking forward to Go Play Northwest in Seattle, hanging with Chris Hanrahan at Origins, playing some games with Doug Garrett at the West Coast Meeple Fest, and doing a ton of things (including th

Social Context and Story NowInspired by Episode 10 of The D&D Podcast and Episode 8 of Theory From the Closet.Discuss this episode in the HG,WT forum

Improv and RPGsInspired by Episode Bravo 79 of The Dragon's Landing Inn. --PaulDiscuss this episode in the HG,WT forum

Card-Driven Wargames and the GMT Weekend 0:36 - Today, I discuss one of my recent infatuations: the card-driven wargames published by GMT Games. This episode is dedicated to Jason and Scott of the Point 2 Point Podcast. 1:32 - This show is a member of the Gaming Broadcast Network. 1:40 - In one of my longest segments to date, I give an overview of how card-driven wargames work, using Paths of Glory, Twilight Struggle, and The Napoleonic Wars (plus a little about Wellington) as examples. 35:01 - Fraser Ronald from Accidental Survivors says hello. 35:08 - I spent last weekend at the GMT Games warehouse in Hanford, CA. In addition to playing some of their card-driven games, I also got a chance to play Down in Flames and to try GMT's new pirate game, Winds of Plunder. 41:30 - This show is part of the Gaming Podcast Network. 41:41 - I'll be at Gamex over Memorial Day Weekend, but hopefully I'll have a new show for you before then. --PaulDiscuss this episode in the HG,WT forum

Politics in RPGsInspired by Episode 38 of Gamer: The Podcasting.--PaulDiscuss this episode in the HG,WT forum

Battleground: Fantasy Warfare and Miniatures Games 0:36 - Today, I'm here to talk about miniatures games, focusing specifically on Battleground: Fantasy Warfare. 1:12 - This show is a member of the Gaming Broadcast Network. 1:29 - I've been playing some Battleground: Fantasy Warfare recently, and I want to share my thoughts on it. 14:12 - Friend of the show Kenneth Hite reminds you what's really going on. 14:19 - I don't have a lot of experience with miniatures games (mostly Warmachine), but I have some clear ideas about what I want out of them. 21:05 - This show is part of the Gaming Podcast Network. 21:16 - I'll be at the GMT Weekend at the end of April, and I'm helping to run Gamex at the end of May. If you're looking for me online, you can find more of output at A Fistful of Games and on The Voice of the Revolution. --PaulDiscuss this episode in the HG,WT forum

The Return of the Durham 3 and My Relationship with Story GamesInspired by Episode 33 of the Durham 3--PaulDiscuss this episode in the HG,WT forum

OrcCon Wrap-up, Notes on Game Preparation, and Thoughts on the Role of System in RPGs 0:37 - Beware the Ides of March! I'm back, after a brief hiatus to run the RPG department at Strategicon. To see what I played there, check out A Fistful of Games. 3:34 - This show is a member of the Gaming Broadcast Network. 3:42 - I begin answering a pair of questions from a listener by starting with the idea of fostering character-driven play. 14:39 - I get to the second question and talk about my techniques for game preparation. 20:13 - Don Dehm from Pulp Gamer (with whom I got the chance to play some games at OrcCon) says hello. 20:19 - Inspired by something the Sons of Kryos said in episode 36, I talk about what excites me about the role of system in roleplaying games. 32:06 - This show is part of the Gaming Podcast Network. 32:15 - That's it for now. I'll be back in a few weeks, after the Game Chef competition and the Nerdly Beach Party. --PaulDiscuss this episode in the HG,WT forum

RPG Discussion with Chris Hanrahan and Brian Isikoff from 2d6 Feet in a Random Direction 0:37 – This episode is a co-production with 2d6 Feet in a Random Direction, and also appeared as their Episode 11.2:11 – If you find what we have to say interesting, check out Episode 34 of the Sons of Kryos, where they touch on similar issues.2:55 – I don't need GMs for OrcCon any more, but we could definitely use players for games of all types.4:39 – I'm going to be taking an intentional break from the show, but if you want to find out what I'm up to, check out my gaming weblog, A Fistful of Games.6:38 – And now the actual show.7:22 – We discuss the Endgame Mini-Con in January 2007, focusing primarily on Spirit of the Century, but touching briefly on Best Friends and The Mountain Witch as well.17:13 – During our reflections on our gaming, we start thinking about player investment and players' responsibilities to each other. 29:46 – We take a brief excursion into theories of improvisational theatre and how they can apply

Year-End Review for 2006, Part 2 0:37 - Welcome to the second half of my look back at my gaming life in 20061:39 - This show is a part of the Gaming Broadcast Network.1:45 - Before getting to my top 5 RPG for 2006, I give out a few honorable mentions.Mortal CoilWilderness of MirrorsDictionary of MuWarmachine: Superiority 5:58 - With those out the way, I get to the actual list #5 1001 Nights#4 The Shab-al-Hiri Roach#3 Don't Rest Your Head#2 Spirit of the Century#1 Burning Empires 13:13 - Brennan, my co-host on The Voice of the Revolution, says nice things about me.13:21 - What was my roleplaying life like in 2006? I take a look back at the highlights.17:57 - Inspired by the Sons of Kryos, I discuss of my favorite game sessions during the past year.25:22 - This show is also part of the Gaming Podcast Network.25:32 - With 2006 out the way, I'm ready for 2007. I talk about what's in store, and the key word is "Play."27:53 - Another thing I'm going to shoot for in 2007 is actually publishing a game of my own.29:46

Year-End Review for 2006, Part 1 0:36 - This episode I'm taking a look back at my favorite board and card games from 2006. 2:32 - This show is part of the Gaming Broadcast Network. 2:41 - Top 5 New Board and Card Games Honorable Mention: Notre Dame #5 Iliad #4 Thurn and Taxis #3 Die Saulen Der Erde #2 BattleLore #1 Fury of Dracula 11:18 - Mike from the OgreCave Audio Report stops by a spreads the love. 11:29 - Top 5 New (to Me) Board and Card Games #5 Ca$h 'N Gun$ #4 Carcassonne: The City #3 R-Eco #2 Jungle Speed #1 Paths of Glory 20:45 - This show is part of the Gaming Podcast Network. 20:55 - I talk a little bit about the events of the last year in my board gaming life. 24:09 - This weekend I'll be in Oakland at one of Endgame's Mini-Cons. 25:34 - Be sure to check out OrcCon in February. --PaulDiscuss this episode in the HG,WT forum