Have Games, Will Travel

RPG Review Pulp-tacular with Spirit of the Century, Thrilling Places, and Masterminds & Madmen 0:44 - I'm back with a new show after a much longer delay than I wanted.1:49 - This show is a part of the Gaming Broadcast Network.1:57 - Ryan Macklin joins me to talk about Spirit of the Century, which we played at GenCon SoCal. Ryan also has an excellent actual play report for an earlier game, with comments from the designers.19:51 - If you like what Ryan had to say, check out his column and his podcast.21:05 - This show is also part of the Gaming Podcast Network.21:14 - If you're running pulp games, both Thrilling Places and Masterminds & Madmen from Hero Games are great resources.23:59 - I talk a bit about my plans for upcoming episodes.24:37 - If you're in the Los Angeles area for Presidents' Day Weekend, come on out to OrcCon, where I'll be coordinating the RPG section.25:12 - And that will do it for today's show. --Paul Discuss this episode in the HG,WT forum

GenCon SoCal 2006 wrapup 0:32 - I'm back (after a slight delay) from GenCon SoCal in Anaheim.1:09 - This show is a part of the Gaming Podcast Network.1:19 - Couldn't make it to GenCon SoCal? I'll tell what I did there, starting with the show floor.2:26 - I always enjoy the RPG design workshop run by Luke Crane, Jared Sorensen, and John Wick.3:38 - I didn't get to play Weapons of the Gods, but I did get to demo the Firefight rules from Burning Empires.6:56 - Dinner with the Story Games crowd was great fun, as was character creation for Spirit of the Century.8:26 - Saturday morning was my first time through True Dungeon.11:21 - Saturday afternoon now was all about panels, including two on book publishing and one about podcasting (with Chris and Brian from 2d6 Feet in a Random Direction, Mike Montessa from the Godzilla Gaming Podcast, and Eric Burgess from Boardgame Babylon).14:45 - Sunday morning I got to interview Luke Crane for The Voice of the Revolution.15:31 - As the show was closing, four of us sat down f

BoardGameGeek.CON session reports, part 1, with Yspahan, Notre Dame, Tara: Seat of Kings, Space Dealer, and Die Saulen Der Erde 0:41 - I'm back from BGG.CON and I'm just about to head off to GenCon SoCal, so I thought I'd start in on my session reports for the Essen releases I played. 1:37 - This is show is part of the Gaming Broadcast Network. 1:44 - Yspahan is, as Mike Siggins puts it, a "super filler" that offers a nice amount of strategy in a short period of time. I got to play this twice, once with Cynthia and Eric from Meeple People. 10:49 - Thanks to Valerie Putnam for bringing and teaching Notre Dame, a prototype of the next Alea game, which will be released at Nuremburg in the spring. 14:41 - Tara: Seat of Kings is an abstract game that I just didn't wrap my head around. 16:59 - The most exciting thing I played at BGG.CON was an eight player game of Space Dealer. 21:45 - My favorite game of the convention was Die Saulen Der Erde. Thanks so much to Rick Thornquist of BoardGameNews for gi

RPG Review Pile SpectacularShow notes: 0:36 - I finally make good on my promise talk about all of the RPGs in my review pile. 1:42 - This show is part of the Gaming Broadcast Network. 1:50 - I talk about games I'm going to be stealing from, including: The Ultimate Skill & You Gotta Have Character Requiem Chronicler's Guide Best Friends (Sons of Kryos demo recording) Intergalactic Cooking Challenge 11:59 - My friends over at Pulp Gamer also do game reviews. 12:05 - I go over the list of games my group is planning on playing in the coming months. Single Session Perfect Contenders Shock: carry. a game about war. The Shab-al-Hiri Roach The Secret Lives of Gingerbread Men It Was A Mutual Decision Breaking the Ice & Shooting the Moon Two to Six Sessions Agon Primetime Adventures Hero's Banner The Mountain Witch Spirit of the Century Lacuna, Part 1: The Creation of the Mystery and

After-action report for A Land Fertile In Tyrants 0:39 - My group and I sit down to discuss our recently concluded Post-Roman Britain game, played using The Riddle of Steel and Burning Wheel, Revised. 1:31 - Folks introduce themselves: Roy, who played Julianus, the Armorican centurion  Sarah, who played Cata, Julianus' sister and wife of the Celtic chief of Weith  Keith, who played Aeron, a soldier and the eldest surviving bastard son on the chief  Ted, who played Taryn, a desparate warrior with nothing left to lose  Christina, who played Paulinus, a Christian priest and brother to the chief 5:38 - We discuss our favorite moments from the game. 20:05 - We talk about system issues raised by our experiences. 34:13 - I ask what could have been better. 44:43 - Ryan, who played Cuhlinn the bard, shows up and tosses in a few more ideas. 47:17 - We wrap up with our final thoughts on an amazing game. --PaulDiscuss this episode in the HG,WT forum

Endgame MiniCon report with Chris Hanrahan and Brian Isikoff of the 2d6 Feet in a Random Direction podcast 0:39 - I explain why this show is so long and what Chris, Brian, and I talked about. 1:41 - This is show is part of the Gaming Podcast Network. 1:52 - Brian, Chris, and I introduce ourselves and talk about food. 8:02 - We finally get around to talking about the MiniCon at Endgame (with a teaser for BattleLore). 9:41 - I got to play an amazing game of Cat (run by Rich Taylor of the Good Omens Productions crew). 15:38 - Chris managed to get Mark Kaufmann from Days of Wonder to bring up a preview of BattleLore, but I was the one who got to play it. Chris demanded details. 31:21 - Chris and I got to play a great game of Zombies in the Vineyard with legendary GM Carl Rigney. 43:10 - Brian (tired of hearing us talk about all the fun we had) talks about the session of Steampunk Musha he ran using Active Exploits. 51:40 - Chris is looking for feedback from MiniCon attendees about the direction

Roleplaying games for kids with Faery's Tale and The Princes' KingdomShow notes: 0:41 - I'm back to talk about RPG for kids, despite my general lack of qualifications. 1:36 - This show is part of the Gaming Broadcast Network. 1:43 - Faery's Tale is very streamlined game that makes an excellent introductory game for players of all ages. 8:55 - Sam Chupp knows a thing or two about gaming with children. 9:06 - The Princes' Kingdom adapts the Dogs in the Vineyard mechanics into a kids' game about fixing problems. 17:50 - This show is also part of the Gaming Podcast Network. 18:00 - Jason from Point 2 Point sums up my current feelings about playing well with others, but I go off on a bit of a rant anyway. 27:29 - Thanks to everyone who has donated to support the show! If you're in the Bay Area this weekend, come on over to Endgame where you can meet me and play some games run by the Good Omens Productions folks. --PaulDiscuss this episode in the HG,WT forum

Capsule reviews of Bloodlines, Questers of the Middle Realms, Weapons of the Gods, and Lacuna Part 1: The Creation of the Mystery and the Girl from Blue City (Second Attempt)Show notes:0:45 - This is the last day of the HG,WT Daily Challenge, and I'm plowing through the review pile.1:36 - This show is part of the Gaming Broadcast Network.1:43 - Bloodlines is the type of adventure that I try to write for conventions.4:37 - Questers of the Middle Realms is a great light-hearted fantasy adaptation of the PDQ system.9:33 - I've always liked kung fu, and I really like Weapons of the Gods.15:26 - It's hard to explain too much about Lacuna Part 1: The Creation of the Mystery and the Girl from Blue City (Second Attempt).17:50 - This show is also part of the Gaming Podcast Network.18:00 - Thanks for being a part of the HG,WT Daily Challenge. I'm not sure when I'll be back, but I hope it will be soon. --PaulDiscuss this episode in HG,WT forum

Actual Play reports with Don't Rest Your Head and The Shab-al-Hiri Roach from Gateway 2006Show notes: 0:39 - I'm back for Day 4 of the HG,WT Daily Challenge. 1:14 - This show is part of the Gaming Podcast Network. 1:24 - Don't Rest Your Head rocks on toast. I talk about why. 17:08 - Jared Sorensen says hello. 17:16 - I also got to play The Shab-al-Hiri Roach at Gateway, and I might have enjoyed it a little too much. 28:21 - This show is also part of the Gaming Broadcast Network. 28:29 - I'll be back tomorrow to talk about a few RPGs in my review stack. --PaulDiscuss this episode in HG,WT forum

Actual Play reports with Cold City and Wilderness Of Mirrors from Gateway 2006Show notes: 0:49 - I'm back for Day 3 of the HG,WT Daily Challenge. 1:49 - This show is part of the Gaming Broadcast Network. 1:57 - I talk about my experience running Cold City. 10:51 - Mike Sugarbaker from the OgreCave Audio Report likes his bourbon. 11:03 - I also got to play Wilderness Of Mirrors at Gateway. 24:40 - This show is also part of the Gaming Podcast Network. 24:50 - I'll be back tomorrow to talk about the rest of the games I played at Gateway. --PaulDiscuss this episode in HG,WT forum

Actual Play reports for 1001 Nights and Mortal Coil from GenCon 2006Show notes: 0:39 - I'm back for Day 2 of the HG,WT Daily Challenge. 1:18 - This show is part of the Gaming Broadcast Network. 1:25 - I talk about playing 1001 Nights at GenCon. 11:40 - Apparently, Sam Chupp from the Bear's Grove likes the show. 11:50 - I also got to play Mortal Coil at GenCon. 25:19 - This show is also part of the Gaming Podcast Network. 25:29 - I'll be back tomorrow to talk more about some of my recent roleplaying experiences. --PaulDiscuss this episode in HG,WT forum

Mimic, Funny Friends, and the HG,WT Daily ChallengeShow notes: 0:41 - It's been a little while, but this week should make up for that. 2:53 - This show is part of the Gaming Podcast Network. 3:03 - I review Mimic from Funmaker Games. 7:33 - My friends from 2d6 Feet in a Random Direction stop by to say hello. 7:50 - I'm having a lot fun playing Funny Friends, the latest game from Friedemann Friese. 16:02 - This show is also part of the Gaming Broadcast Network. 16:10 - I recently appeared as a guest on The Round Table. Check it out! 16:52 - Atlas Games recently announced Ancient Magic, one the projects I've been working on for them. I'll be back tomorrow talk about some of my recent roleplaying experiences.--PaulDiscuss this episode in HG,WT forum

The GenCon 6 (with Sons of Kryos and The Durham 3)Show notes:0:35 - I introduce my co-hosts for this show: Jeff & Judd (Sons of Kryos) and Jason, Remi, & Clinton (The Durham 3).1:33 - This show is part of the Gaming Podcast Network.1:42 - Meet the GenCon 6!2:18 - We talk about the coolest things we've seen at GenCon, including: 1001 Nights by Meg BakerDictionary of Mu (which Judd is too modest to shill)Best Friends by Gregor HuttonHero's Banner by Tim Koppang (produced by Lulu)Games on Demand (featuring The Shab-al-Hiri Roach)The Forge Booth (including Agon, Contenders, and Cold City) 9:00 - I ask why the Forge Booth seems to be so hot this year. In passing, we mention: Mob Justice by Iain McAllisterWith Great Power. . . by Michael MillerCapes by Tony Lower-Basch 14:18 - What else have we seen? Classic Battletech: Total WarfareZucaSettlers of CanaanTwilight 2000Qin: The Warring StatesThanks for the beer, Andy KMongolian Goat Rodeo from Engle Matrix GamesPieces of EightFaery's TaleThe Ultimate Skill fr

GenCon Survival Guide and Forge Booth Preview 0:40 - I'm back from vacation, and I'm really looking forward to GenCon. 1:33 - This show is part of the Gaming Broadcast Network. 1:41 - GenCon is big. Here's what I think you need to survive it and enjoy it. Be sure to check out Randy Porter's website, The Keeper of Ancient GenCon Lore. 19:18 - I'm going to be spending a lot of money at the Forge Booth (#1237). Here's what I'm planning on taking a look at. Games I Already Know I'm Buying The Shab-al-Hiri Roach by Jason Morningstar Burning Empires by Luke Crane The Princes' Kingdom by Clinton R. Nixon The Dictionary of Mu by Judd Karlman Shock: Social Science Fiction by Joshua A. C. Newman Games There's a Strong Possibility I Will Buy Shooting the Moon by Emily Care-Boss Cold City by Malcolm Craig Under The Bed by Joshua A. C. Newman 1001 Nights by Meg Baker Agon by John Harper Contenders by JJ Prince Ga

Origins Wrapup and Top Ten List 0:37 - I introduce the episode and explain why I'm doing a top ten list. 1:39 - Be sure to check out The Dice Tower, where you can also hear my list. 2:52 - I get down to business and go through my Top Ten Favorite Things from Origins 2006. What are they? That would be telling. 14:06 - Jared Sorensen really is crazy. 14:12 - I dig through my bag and talk about things that I brought back from Origins, including Dubious Shards, Mortal Coil, Weapons of the Gods, The Order of the Stick Volume 2, Mimic, and Duel of Ages. 22:30 - I give my final thoughts on Origins and thank the folks who participated in the podcasting panels I organized. 22:56 - This is show is, of course, part of the Gaming Podcast Network. 23:07 - I take a look at what's in my review pile right now, including Contagion Revised Edition, Bloodlines, Lacuna Part 1 (2nd Attempt), Questers of the Middle Realms, and Don't Rest Your Head. 26:33 - There won't be an episode next week because I'm

The Basement Tapes Interview with Kenneth Hite at Origins 2006 0:40 - I introduce the show and explain why this episode is so long. 2:08 - Ken tries to convince me to confuse my audience with my new numbering scheme. 4:26 - I tell Ken the recorder is already on, so we start talking about Origins (sort of). 6:44 - Having now discussed my anniversary, we explain why we do these sorts of interviews. 7:12 - Ken and I disagree (initially) about the nature of Origins vs. other conventions. 9:00 - I tell a long and involved story about my first trip Origins. 13:52 - Ken agrees with me that one of the unique features of Origins is the degree to which fans and professionals have the opportunity to interact with each other. We talk about why that's a good thing for both sides. 17:39 - Origins has many panels. Ken was on a lot of them, and I was on one too. In this context, we discuss the Secret Origin of Have Games, Will Travel. 21:10 - I give Ken an awful segue to talk about his Origins Awa

New season intro, comment on The Burning Wheel (RPG), The Riddle of Steel (RPG) and Origins 2006 (convention).Show notes: 0:40 - I introduce the new season. 3:54 - Mike Sugarbaker from The Ogre Cave Audio Report says hello. 4:09 - I talk about converting my existing RPG campaign from The Riddle of Steel to The Burning Wheel. 18:22 - A reminder that this show is part of The Gaming Podcast Network. 18:31 - Come see me at Origins this weekend, especially at the podcasting panels I'm going to be moderating (Saturday @ 2PM and Sunday @ 11AM)! Discuss this episode in the HG,WT forum.  --Paul

Paul finishes off his Origins Awards shows with a look at the nominated board games and talks about the show's upcoming third season.Show notes: Shadows over Camelot Parthenon: Rise of the Aegean Rheinlander Amazonas Vegas Showdown Hypericon Escape Pod -- Episode #54: Tk'tk'tk Discuss this episode in the HG,WT forum

Paul takes a look the Origins Award-nominated games in the RPG category.Show notes: The Deryni Adventure Game Artesia: Adventures in the Known World The Serenity RPG The Army of Darkness RPG The World of Warcraft RPG Hypericon Discuss this episode in the HG,WT forum

Paul reviews the five nominees for the Origins Award in the Traditional Card Game category. Reiner Knizia's Poison -- Playroom Entertainment Oriente -- Mayfair Games Paranoia Mandatory Bonus Fun Card Game -- Mongoose Publishing Plunder -- Laughing Pan Productions Gloom -- Atlas Games Discuss this episode in the HG,WT forum