Talking TableTop: Recent Episodes
Jim McClure & Jim Merritt
Talking TableTop is a weekly interview style podcast created for tabletop gamers. We talk with industry leaders to find out what makes them tick. Our goal is to celebrate this incredible community of people and offer an avenue for collaboration between ourselves, this community, and those pushing tabletop innovation.
On this episode of Talking Tabletop, Jim interviews Grant and Chris the designers and owners of Rowan, Rook and Decard. During this episode we talk about their first trip to GenCon this year, what it's like producing a new game every month, and we discuss their new game Heart which is on Kickstarter now.
Back Heart Here
This episode features an interview with Rob Stith, the designer of The ORPHEUS Protocol. In this interview we talked about the game, what it is like designing an RPG in public, and some of Rob's favorite moments from the 3-year process.
Back it here!
This weeks episode features Rob Wieland. Rob is a writer for Geek & Sundry, has over 50 writing credits in the RPG world from Shadowrun to Star Wars, and is a professional Game Master.
During the interview, we discuss how he got into tabletop, where he sees the future of the hobby, and we get to hear some of his personal stories.
This week features the return of Talking TableTop! Our return features Erika Chappell, a game designer that has her first RPG, Flying Circus, on Kickstarter right now.
In this interview we discuss how she got involved in game design, dealing with depression as a creative person, our unique game design philosophy, and we nerd out about airplanes.
This episodes features Colin Kyle a brand new game designer that is just starting his journey into the world tabletop design. During the episode we discuss his career in academia, tackling uncomfortable topics with game design, and his kickstarter for Axon Punk.
Axon Punk Kickstarter
This episode features John Adamus. A long time member of the RPG community and industry, John is preparing to launch his very first kickstarter for his game Noir World. During this interview we talk about life, health, and the reality of making your dreams come true.
Satanic Panic Kickstarter
Noir Wolrd Kickstarter
This episode of Talking Tabletop features James and Kat, the matriarch and patriarch of One Shot. We discuss what it is like working together in a creative environment, and their unique relationship.
The Kickstarter for Satanic Panic is now live!
The team was just getting to the bottom of their many mysteries when there was a knocking at the door, or rather an explosion at the elevator. An old friend has come to pay the agents a visit....
The Kickstarter for Satanic Panic is now live!
This episode features Shane Harsch of Legendsmith. During the interview we discuss how he got inot gaming, what he is doing with Legendsmith, and his projects Narosia and NOVA6.
Legendsmith
The team returns to the TPS headquarters with an new prisoner in the mad doctor they nicked from the stronghold. However, the interrogation of the doctor raises more questions than answers.
The team is in the midst of the TSR Stronghold. The only thing they have to help them... is a warehouse worth of machine guns.
And mechanics! So many game mechanics!
Satanic Panic Email list
This episode features Eric Simon the designer of Rockalypse. During the interview we talk about the game, his other project Steamscapes, and what it was like leaving the day job to do RPGs full time.
Four-in-Hand Games
Talking TableTop Patreon
As the team infiltrates the TSR stronghold new information comes to light about the cooky old doctor and what resides inside Alexander. Also the team gets a potty mouth.
The team is on the outskirts of a TSR stronghold. While loaded down with the most guns they could possible carry, they decide to test the bounds of geographic reality.
In the aftermath of Inspector Acht's visit to the agency, Burt Macklin goes into business for himself. A few well placed lies, with the help a supportive superior officer, and the team is on its way to a TSR stronghold.
The team returns from their mission out to Talawanda High school only to come under fire from a brand new threat. They must defend themselves from an inter-office investigation.
Talking TableTop Patreon
This Episode features Quinn Wilson of the Swallows of the South podcast. During this interview we discuss how his brother got him into tabletop, what it is like introducing new people to lore-dense games, and his efforts to expand the inclusiveness of the tabletop community.
Talking TableTop Patreon
Swallows of the South Podcast
The team has been roped into a mission all of them have been dreading, attending Howard's birthday party.
Talking TableTop Patreon
The team has tracked the source of the demon to the basement of Talawanda high school, but this basement hold more secrets then anyone expected.
Talking TableTop Patreon
This episode of part two of Jim's interview with Dan of Fear the Boot. During this interview they discuss video games, RPG's with Meta-plots, and the future of Fear the Boot.
Talking TableTop Patreon
Face with a possessed girl in the middle of a high school cafeteria the team takes drastic action to try and isolate the situation. However, unforeseen circumstances make this task far harder than anyone expected...
Talking TableTop Patreon
After a harrowing engagement with a TSR Agent in Middletown Ohio the team is sent out to Talawanda High school on reports of a demon possessed girl. The insertion method of choice? 80's fashion and bad radio DJs.
On this special bonus episode of Satanic Panic, Dr Kessler, Alexander, and Macklin return from a botched mission and must try and talk their way out of a debriefing with Glen Dotson.
This episode is part 1 of a conversation with Dan, the originator of the Fear the Boot podcast. Fear the Boot is the longest running tabletop podcast and during this interview Dan talks about how it got started, his early days in tabletop, and his daily struggles this mental illness and abuse.
The comic store has been cleared, but Middletown Ohio is not safe yet. Alexander is in a bad way and trouble is brewing on the outskirts of town. One last basement to investigate, one last piece of information to be found, and one new agent added to the mix.
Talking TableTop Patreon
The Twicast
A body was found in the basement of Open Page Comics, and an ominous sign carved into it's chest, "THAC0". The agents set up an interesting sting operating utilizing a complex market strategy for the store in an effort to find more information about the goings on in Middletown Ohio.
Patreon
The team is sent out to Middletown Ohio to handle an outbreak of tabletoppers in the local community. They find their biggest rival in an antagonistic quartermaster and a metalhead that runs a comic book shop.
This episode features James Introcaso. James is an ENnie award winning blogger, podcaster, and all around amazing person. During this show we talk about his early days in gaming, how he got into podcasting and blogging, and what it was like to win his first ENnie.
The team of Dr Courtney Kessler, Alexander Ray, and Burt Macklin are sent on an operation in Ohio to handle a rouge group of tabletop players. They will have to deal with the dangerous of an unknown basement, an over-oppressive boss, the local librarian Eunice, and their own dysfunctions to keep the world safe from evil.
Patreon
Third Act Publishing Facebook Group
Third Act Publishing G+
This episode features Keith Baker the original writer of the Eberron setting for Dungeons and Dragons. During this interview we talk about his time as an MMO game designer, the design philosophies behind Phoenix Dawn Command, and his general love of tabletop RPGs.
This episode features Jeff Barber of Biohazard Publishing. Jeff is a game designer that made the Origins Award nominated game, Blue Planet. Now after many years away Jeff has come back to game design with his new game Upwind. During this interview we talk about Blue Planet, Jeff's long hiatus from game design, and the differences between publishing today and publishing in the 90's.
Upwind RPG
This episode feature part 2 of the interview with Talking TableTop host Jim McClure. In this episode he talks about the story of how he came to join One Shot, the inception of Third Act Publishing, and he answers the hard questions he always puts his guests through.
On this episode of Talking TableTop the co-host becomes the... co-shot as Jim McClure is the one getting interviewed by Chirs of the Misdirected Mark Podcast. During this part one of the interview, Jim discusses his two different origin stories for tabletop, the genesis of the show, and many stories from his past.
This episode is the one year anniversary of Talking TableTop and it features extra "after hours" interviews from past co-hosts of the show. In this episode we hear from Chirs Hussy, John Goodenough, John Wick, Shanna Germain, Grant Howitt, and Monte Cook.
This show features Matt Forbeck, a game developer, freelance writer, video game writer, and novelist for over 30 years. If there has been a game product, chances are Matt has worked on it or knows someone who has. During this interview we talk about him launching his first gaming magazine when he was 16, moving to the UK to land a job in the games industry, writing 12 novels in a year, and his involvement with the Diana Jones awards.
http://www.forbeck.com/
This weeks show features Chris Hussy. Chris is a member of the Fear the Boot Podcast, an RPG writer, and film maker. During this interview we discuss his time as a writer, what it was like running two failed kickstarters, and about his latest project, a star wars movie.
It Figures: Episode 1 - The parental Menace
This episode features Jim Crocker. He is a brick and mortar game store owner that has been in the retail side of the game business for over a decade. During this show we talk about what it is like to run a game store, the changes in the RPG industry, and his involvement in Indie Games on Demand.
This episode features Hans Cummings. Hans is a tabletop player, blogger, novelist, and the submission coordinator for the ENnie awards. During this interview we talk about some of his past projects like running the same module in ever edition of D&D, what it is like organizing the ENnie awards, and the nature of novel publishing in the 21st century.
Hans Cummings Books
Reflections Kickstarter
This episode features Evan Torner. Evan is an RPG organizer for Games on Demand, and a game designer that has been in the hobby for over 20 years. During this interview we talk about the evolution of games, how academia and game design interact, and some of his personal philosophies on the subject.
Reflections Kickstarter
This show features Rich Rogers. Rich is a veteran podcaster, youtuber, tabletop gaming, and all around awesome person. During this interview we talk about what podcasting was like a during its infancy, how content creation has changed and evolved over the last decade, his love of Powered by the Apocalypse games, and we both just kind of nerd out about our love of tabletop.
Reflections Kickstarter
This episode features Tobie Abad. Tobie is a game designer from the Philippines that has worked on projects like A Single Moment, Sound of Water, Queer Gaymers, and 7th Sea Second Edition. During this interview we talk about what it was like getting into RPGs in the Philippines and the types of games he enjoys designing.
Check out our Kickstarter for Reflections it goes live today!
https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/496783700/1458935798?token=a5c36fbf
This episode features Mark Diaz Truman the owner of Magpie Games, a company that has made such amazing games as Our Last Best Hope, Masks, and Bluebeard's Bride. During this interview we discuss Mark's on-again off-again past with RPGs, his personal designing philosophies, and the details of what it is like to run the largest RPG kickstarter ever in 7th Sea.
http://thirdact.pub/games/reflections/
This episode features John Arcadian. John is the Chief Gnome in residence at Gnome stew. During this interviews we discuss John's early days in RGPs, the bloody coup that resulted in him being the head Gnome, and what he thinks the future of tabletop content will look like.
This episode features Nolan T Jones. Nolan is one of the founding members of roll20, the world's largest online tabletop platform. During this interview with talk about the genesis of roll20, the early days of kickstarter, and anime, oh so much anime.
This episode features Jason Pitre, an origins award winning game designer that has made games like The Spark RPG, Sig: The City Between, and Pasthuman Pathways. During this interview we talk about how he got into game design, trying to find an artistic voice, and the politeness of being a Canadian.
This episode features Adam Kobel. Adam is best known as the co-creator of the Dungeon World RPG and as the host of various showss including being Roll20's GM in residence. During this interview we talk about his love of black metal, the inception of Dungeon World, how the gaming industry is evolving, and the future of RPG entertainment.
This episode features DM Mitch from the DMs Block Podcast. For those not familiar with DM's block, it is an RPG advice podcast where they present ideas and information to help DMs grow in the hobby. During this interview we discuss how Mitch got into podcasting, what it is like providing DM advice to the internet, and we share some of our favorite game stories.
This episode features Will Hindmarch. Will is an accomplished tabletop game writer and designer that has over fifty credits to his name while working on projects for Atlas Games, White Wolf, and his own company Gameplaywrite. During this interview we have an in dept discussion about Will's approach to game design, what it was like in the industry when he got started and how its changed over the last decade, and running projects through crowd funding.
This episode features James Michael Spahn. He is a freelance writer and game designer that has worked on The One Ring RPG, Swards and Wizardry, and has published his own game White Star. During this interview we discuss his early years in gaming, his growth in the RPG development world, and his passion for writing about Lord of the Rings. This interview gets very emotional at times, even for Talking Tabletop
This episode features a very special guest in Shanna Germain. Shanna is most well known as the co-owner of Monte Cook games and her amazing work on games like Numenera and No Thank You Evil.
During this episode we discuss how she got into gaming, her passion for writing, her career as an EMT, what it was like professionally writing erotic, how she met Monte Cook, and the genesis of Monte Cook Games.
On this episode Is John Goodenough, A game developer for AEG. During this interview we talk about the sate of the publishing industry, what it is like being a full time game designer, and an interesting phenomenon called publisher speed dating.
This show features Neal Powell. Neal has been an active member of the tabletop community for many years and is a member of the DM's Block podcast. During this interview we talk about Neal's involvement in the community, how he got into podcasting, some tough times in his life, and what tabletop has meant to him.
This episode features the king of kickstarter, Monte Cook. Monte Has been in the RPG industry designing games for 28 years. He is one of the people responsible for the RPG rebirth in the 2000's as Senior Designer of Dungeons and Dragons 3rd Edition. And in the present he co-owns Monte Cook games, the company that has brought you amazing games like Numenera, The Strange, and No Thank You Evil.
In this episode Monte recounts his early days coming up in the industry, what it was like developing D&D 3rd edition, his personal take on designing games, and of course all the wonderful things his company is doing.
https://www.patreon.com/talkingtabletop
On this episode is Rob Schwalb. Rob is the creator of Shadow of the Demon Lord and was instrumental in developing many other tabletop games like D&D 4th edition, D&D 5th edition and Song of Fire and Ice just to name a few.
In this episode Rob talks about what it is like being a freelance writer in the RPG industry, making the transition to being a full time writer and game designer, the current state of the industry, and his game Shadow of the Demon Lord.
http://schwalbentertainment.com/
http://www.drivethrurpg.com/product/179805/Terrible-Beauty
This episode of Talking TableTop features Grant Howitt and Chris Taylor. Grant and Chirs are independant game designers and the minds behind some amazing games like Goblin Quest, Havoc Brigade, and One Last Job. During the show we talk about these games and their current kickstarter Unbound.
https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/gshowitt/unbound-rpg
This week's episode features Shawn Merwin. Shawn has been a writer and director or organized play for over 15 years, he crafts games with Encoded designs, and he co-hosts a podcast called Down with D&D.
In this episode we talk about the history of organized play, how it has changed an evolved over the last two decades, and his approach to designing games.
On this episode eof Talking TableTop is part two of the interview with John Wick. In this show John and Jim Talk about one of their favorite past times, professional wrestling, John's personal DM style, his post AEG design career, and of course his record breaking kickstarter, 7th sea.
After the show Jim Talks about the launch of a new project Third Act Publishing.
This episode of Talking TableTop features part 1 of a very special guest and friend of the show John Wick. John has been a game designer for over 20 years and has designed games like Legend of the Five Rings, Houses of the bloodied, Cat, and 7th Sea. He is multi-time Origins award winner, has been one of the most influential RPG game designers ever, and he currently is running the largest tabletop RPG Kickstarter in history, 7th Sea 2nd edition.
On this episode of Talking TableTop is an interview with JM Perkins. He is a professional writer, blogger and game designer that has an amazing passion for the hobby. In this interview we discuss his unique living setting called Salt in Wounds, his book called the Adequate Commoner, and what it is like being a professional writer.
On today's show is Rob Justice and Mike Curry, or as you may know them, the design team for 7th Sea. At the time of this episode the 7th Kickstarter has raised $667,000 and is only $15,000 away from being the biggest tabletop RPG kickstarter of all time and it still has 20 days to go. Rob and Mike are passionate game designers that took time out of their crazy schedules to discuss the record breaking kickstarter and all of the excitement that is 7th Sea 2nd Edition.
On this episode of Talking TableTop is a very special guest, the one and only Ken Hite. Ken is a professional game designer that has worked on GURPS, the Star Treck RPGs, Trail of Cthulhu, and Night's Black Agents as well as several dozen other projects. During this interview we discuss how Ken got into developing games, what the changing landscape has looked like for RPG designers over the last 30 year, and how me got into podcasting with his good friend Robin Laws.
On this episode of Talking TableTop is Nathan Paoletta. Nathan is a profession game designer that has published such games as Carry, Masks of the Mummy king, and Jim's personal favorite, World Wide Wrestling. In this interview they discuss how Nathan got into designing RPGs, what it is like balancing a full schedule of freelance work and personal projects, and their favorite past time, professional wrestling.
Ro developed Gamers' Plane, a play by post RPG site designed to expand the tabletop community. Ro and Jim talk about how Ro got into the world of tabletop, passion for play-by-post RPGs, and how playing has helped Ro deal with depression.
Recap
Rich Baker, a talented and experienced game designer, sits down with Jim to talk about how he got started in the industry with TSR, what it was like to work on 4/5 of the Dungeons & Dragons releases, changes within tabletop over the past 30 years, and his work with Sasquatch Games.
Links
Sasquatch Game Studio
Recap
Chris, from the Misdirected Mark podcast, sits down and talks with Jim about the current state of the industry, the brand that is Dungeons & Dragons, what it's like starting a production company, and shares some personal struggles he has dealt with.
Links
Misdirected Mark
Recap
Jim sits down with Michael, from the RPG Academy, and talks about how and why Talking TableTop will be switching to the One Shot Podcast network in the coming weeks.
Recap
Caleb from the RPG Academy, a.k.a. Professor Crunch, talks with Jim about getting into gaming, his revelations about his changing interests in gaming and the RPG Academy
Recap
Rob Stith, a writer and game designer, sits down with Jim to talk about how a podcast brought him back into tabletop, talks through his current projects, and offers his experience with a range of different project types
Links
Reach of Titan
Recap
Chris Foster, a fan and active member of the tabletop community, talks with Jim about how tabletop helped him develop, kept a single group of people together, and distinctly different viewpoints for L5R
Recap
Jack and Jeff of Monkey House Games talk to Jim about game design and publication. They primarily talk about how after writing Villains and Vigilantes, they fight to save their own game.
Links
Monkey House Games
Support Monkey House Games
Recap
The Angry GM, also known as Scott, talks with Jim about his beginnings, his future, the current state of the industry, the impact of crowdfunding, and other tabletop subjects.
Links
The Angry GM
Recap
Emily is another half of the duo that hosts She's a Super Geek – a live play RPG podcast. Emily and Jim take some time to talk about how Emily got into tabletop, her first time as GM, character creation, and plenty more.
Links
She's a Super Geek
Emily on Twitter
Recap
PK Sullivan, a game designer and writer living in Chicago, takes the time to sit and talk with Jim about all things tabletop and game design.
Links
PK Sullivan's Blog and A Bit More Page
Recap
John Zinser, CEO of Alderac Entertainment Group (AEG), takes the time to talk with Jim not only as CEO, but as an active member of the tabletop industry. Among many other topics, they talk through the sale of L5R, John's first experience with tabletop and his experiences with starting AEG. John also highlights some reasons the tabletop industry hosts some of the most devoted members.
Links
Alderac Entertainment Group
Fantasy Flight Games
Recap
Phil Vecchione spends some time talking through all the great ways he has taken part in the world of tabletop. Phil and Jim cover how life and tabletop can balance, how Phil started contributing to the industry, and the evolution of GM styles.
Links
Gnome Stew
About Phil
Recap
Michael, from the RPG Academy, takes some time and gets into some deeper tabletop subjects with Jim. Covering everything from how they got started in tabletop, challenges of running a podcast, and how life can affect, or be affected by tabletop.
Links
RPG Academy
Show Notes
2:05: Michael and Jim talk about the extraordinary coincidences that marked their first meeting.
9:10: Michael talks about what got him into podcasting and how he came to start the RPG Academy.
14:09: Michael talks about some of the challenges and failures of running a podcast.
24:25: Michael talks about playing in the L5r game and his thoughts on running serious drama in tabletop.
35:34: Jim starts the hard questions early and Micheal talks about his unique perspective of the hobby because of dramatic life events.
Recap
Mark sits down with Jim as they talk through his brand new game, Headspace, the art of Co-GMing, how Mark got into tabletop and game development.
Links
Green Hat Designs
Mark on Twitter
Recap
Chris, from the Fear the Boot podcast, takes some time to talk with Jim about gaming at conventions, evangelizing the hobby, and revisiting some notable past experiences.
Links
Fear the Boot, RPG Podcast
Table Tales
Show Notes
3:14: Chris talks about the limits on topics of discussion within the world of RPGs.
12:20: Chris talks about how his likes and tastes have changed over the last 30 years of playing RPGs.
19:05: Chris and Jim talk about conventions and what it is like to run games at conventions for people outside of the GMs normal friend group.
25:25: Chris talks about the expansion of the hobby and what his term "evangelize the hobby" means.
36:24: Chris gives advice on how to spread the hobby of tabletop RPs to people that are not familiar with the hobby.
52:50: The hard questions begin.
57:00: Chris talks about what it was like to write RPG games and his failure to get his dream job.
Recap
Hamish is a game designer from New Zealand. He sits down with Jim to talk about his game: The Sprawl. They also cover Hamish's love of action movies, the Tunnel of Love, what it takes to put out a game, what it takes to get into gaming, and many other tabletop topics.
Links
Hamish on Twitter
Ardens Ludere
Show Notes
1:51: Hamish and Jim talk about their love of trading card games and what it was like trying to get into the hobby in New Zealand.
8:30: Hamish talks about getting into game design with a Fighting Fantasy heart breaker.
13:44: Hamish introduces a new term "Tunnel of Fun", a consensual form of railroading.
20:54: Hamish talks about his love of action movies and how that has influenced what he plays and how he designs games.
30:40: Hamish talks about some of the hardships and difficulties he faced while making The Sprawl.
41:09: Hamish talks about designing games out in the open and what he thinks of the concerns of people stealing designers ideas.
52:33: The hard questions begin.
Recap
James D'Amato, the host and co-creator of the OneShot Podcast and the Campaign Podcast talks through a range of tabletop subjects with Jim. These two share their thoughts in designing an experience and system preferences, along with many more topics for all things tabletop.
Links
OneShot Podcast
Campaign Podcast
James on Twitter
James on Redditt
Show Notes
4:38: James talks about how he got into his final nerd frontier of tabletop game play in college.
10:04: James and Jim talking about the de-stigmatizing of the tabletop world and the impact of 5th edition Dungeons and Dragons.
14:33: James talks about his enforced obligation to try a bunch of role playing systems and what he looks for in a new system.
25:35: James and Jim bring out their old debate of Feng Shui vs Legend of the Five Rings.
40:20: James talks about creating a "safe space" for tabletop play and the Legend of the Five Rings game from One Shot.
55:46: The hard questions begin.
Recap
Darcy Ross – an evolutionary biologist, snail aficionado, gamer and amateur mixologist – talks through all things tabletop with Jim. They cover the worlds of Numenera and Legend of the Five Rings as well as tactics for being a successful GM through development of story, environment and character.
Links
Darcy of Twitter
Numenera
ConTessa
Show Notes
5:55: Darcy describes how she got into tabletop from the world of video games and literature.
8:08: Darcy talks about how she got into GMing and her first experience with Numenera at GenCon.
13:05: Darcy talks about what it is like to get new players into systems that have extensive settings and how she goes about indoctrinating them into the world.
22:58: Darcy and Jim talk about the Numenera game they played together at GenCon and the art of 'using the most interesting thing in the environment' to influence players.
32:35: Darcy talks about moving on from solely doing one shots to running a full on campaign and the differences between these two types of play.
42:20: Darcy talks about designing NPCs and her unique approach to subverting troupe.
58:42: The hard questions begin.
Recap
Senda helps host She's a Super Geek – a live play RPG podcast. She has been playing RPGs for over 15 years. Senda and Jim take some time to talk through quite a few tabletop topics starting with Senda's love for playing a Kender, unique systems played in her podcast, the impact of ConTessa and the impact of celebrating an inclusive community, how podcasting revived her appreciation of games, and plenty more.
Links
She's a Super Geek
Senda on Twitter
ConTessa - Tabletop gaming by women for everyone!
Show Notes
3:12: Senda shares her first ever tabletop experience and her love of playing a Kender.
10:42: Senda answers if she prefers to be a player or GM and how she came her preferred method of tabletop play.
14:56: Senda talks about some of the unique systems she has played for her podcast and what she enjoys about 2 player RPGs.
22:22: Senda talks about her long dry spell of tabletop play and what it was like to come back to RPGs after 5 years.
28:20: Senda talks about what it was like trying to game with a group where some players were face to face and some players were online.
34:05: Send talks about Contessa, what the organization does, and how she is involved with it.
43:50: Jim starts asking the hard questions.
Recap: Kat Kuhl is the host and GM of the Campaign podcast. She takes time to sit down with Jim and talk all things tabletop. Their conversation covers a wide variety of topics including, but not limited to: Watchman vs. Gundam Wing, the impact literature and storytelling has on her GM style, expressing emotion through tabletop role playing, and a full assortment of other nerd hobbies.
Links:
Campaign Podcast
One Shot Podcast
Show Notes: 2:59: Kat describes her first tabletop experience and ponders how there has not been a high school style RPG game made yet (one that does not involve monsters).
8:06: Kat talks about her literature background and how it came to influence her GMing style and the Campaign Podcast.
12:46: Kat and Jim talk about their love affair for some of the best stories of all time including Watchman and Gundam Wing.
16:10: Kat and Jim start to list all the nerd hobbies she has taken part in during her life.
21:39: Kat talks about how she got into being a GM and her gaming club in college.
25:08: Kat and Jim talk about their approaches to telling a story and how they construct a story for tabletop RPGs.
35:34: Jim talks about the Legend of the Five Rings game that was on One Shot Podcast and how that story was told.
39:25: Kat and Jim talk about expressing emotion though tabletop role playing.
48:42: Kat talks about some non-standard and experimental game types she has ran including a multi-year large scale LARP she created and took part in.
55:47: Kat talks about the notion of having a "main character" and how to shine the spotlight around on all the players.
1:00:49: The hard questions begin.
Recap: Rich Howard from tribality.com chats with Jim about how they got started in tabletop, Rich's love for aquatic campaigns, their personal legacies, and Rich's incredible article: A Writer’s Guide to Roleplaying: Developing Character at the Table.
Links:
tribality.com
A Writer’s Guide to Roleplaying
Show Notes:
3:25: Rich talks about his first ever tabletop experience as an 8 year-old kid brought to the game by his brother and how his first ever die roll lead to a lifetime of fun.
8:54: Rich talks about falling in love with Champions in 1983 and running his first superhero style games and his bother returning from the Air Force to teach them how to really role-play.
12:29: Jim talks about his first ever terrible tabletop game that he was not really welcomed at, and the difference between tabletop players and TCG players.
17:05: Jim and Rich talk about 4th edition Dungeons & Dragons, bringing new people into tabletop, and what systems they like to use for new tabletop players.
24:13: Rich talks about his favorite setting to run tabletop games in, the aquatic setting and gives a glimpse into the alien word that is underwater life.
35:39: Rich talks about the website Tribality, how it came to be, and what it is doing.
39:50: Rich talks about his first article for Tribality, The Writer’s Guide to Roleplaying - an article providing advice to players as opposed to GMs.
59:40: Rich answers the questions 'What one piece of advice would you give a brand new player?', and ‘What one piece of advice would you give an experience tabletop player?'
1:10:55: Jim begins asking the hard questions.
1:16:56: Rich talks about where you can find and interact with him.
Our introductory episode, listen as Jim tells the world why he's excited to begin this journey into exploring the world of tabletop gaming.