A tabletop role-playing game show where we learn to become better gamemasters and role-players by filling ourselves with stories and knowledge. We talk Dungeons and Dragons, film history, mythology, archaeology, literature, and much more.
The time has come to take a break from the podcast. In this special episode, I go over the reasons why I'm pressing pause on the podcast. The podcast may return in a new format, but at this moment I am not sure of its future. Thank you so much for listening. It has been an amazing three and a half years. Listen to all 179 episodes on Spotify or at dicegeeks.com
Award-winning game designer and writer, Tristan Zimmerman, returns to the podcast. We cover three incredible situations you can use in your tabletop role-playing games. We begin with a princess turned cold war broadcaster. Then we take a look at a teenage king. We finish up the podcast with an examination of a peasant. All of these situations can be dropped into your DnD or other RPG campaigns today.
Director John Putch joins me on the podcast today. John's directorial work includes TV shows like Big Bad Beetleborgs, Grounded for Life, Scrubs, and more. Among his feature films are Mojave Phone Booth, The Father and the Bear, and many others. In the early years of his career, he was an actor and appeared in many TV shows and movies like One Day at a Time and Jaws 3. He had two notable appearances in Star Trek: The Next Generation. He first portrayed Mordock in the episode Coming of Age. Then he portrayed Mendon in the second season episode Matter of Honor. His portrayal originated the alien species the Benzites. In the podcast, we discuss his experience on Star Trek and the extensive makeup process to make him a Benzite. We also talk about his career, Roger Corman, filmmaking, storytelling, and more. Do not miss this episode!
The founder of Kobold Press, Wolfgang Baur, joins me on the podcast today. We have a wide-ranging discussion covering game mastering, game design, and much more. Wolfgang informs us how he discovered Dungeons and Dragons and gives us insight into Kobold Press. Don't miss this episode.
Ryan McHargue, the host of the Geezers of the Game podcast, returns to the podcast. Our continuing mission to break down Star Trek: The Next Generation reaches the final episode. We discuss seasons six and seven of this iconic TV show. Again our conversation is a stream-of-consciousness rant of all things Star Trek TNG. We choose our favorite episodes plus talk about some of our least favorite. Come along on this TNG exploration mission.
Honey Heist creator and RPG game designer, Grant Howitt, joins me on the podcast today. Grant fills us in on his experience with tabletop role-playing games. We talk about Honey Heist and some of the principles of RPG game design. Grant also gives incredible advice for anyone who wants to design tabletop role-playing games for a company. Do not miss it!
Ryan McHargue, the host of the Geezers of the Game podcast, returns to the podcast. The great Stra Trek: The Next Generation geek-out continues with season 5. Ryan and I stream of consciousness spill out our thoughts and ramblings on TNG season 5 which we both consider one of the strongest seasons. Join us!
Award-winning game designer and writer, Tristan Zimmer, returns to the podcast. In this episode, Tristan fills us in on how we can use boomtown choirs, ancient Rome in space, and a wedding to remember in our RPG campaigns. As always, Tristan pulls from history, folklore, and literature to help us add situations and complications to role-playing game campaigns. Don't miss it!
Ryan McHargue, the host of the Geezers of the Game podcast, returns to the podcast. The massive discussion of Star Trek: The Next Generation continues! Ryan and I keep discussing TNG and exploring stories and ideas we can use in tabletop role-playing games. We delve deep into season 4 and Ryan fills us in on my he thinks this is one of the weakest seasons. If you are a fan of Star Trek: TNG do not miss this episode!
Author and national security expert, Dr. Sean McFate, joins me on the podcast today. Sean is a former paratrooper and contractor as well as an author of fiction and non-fiction. We discuss what corporate warfare looks like today and what it will look like in 2040. We discuss cyberpunk and other elements of corporate warfare and how to weave those into your role-playing game campaigns. Don't miss this podcast episode.
Writer and long-time role-player, Ben Riggs, joins me on the podcast today. We discuss Ben's new book Slaying the Dragon: A Secret History of Dungeons and Dragons. We open the conversation by talking about Ben's role-playing history. However, we quickly turn to his book about the history of Dungeons and Dragons. Ben fills us in on how DnD was created and how it became a household name in the early 80s. Then trouble creeps into fantasy land as the company switches hands. We move to the mid-90s when once again it seems like Dungeons and Dragons may die. Then the knight in shining armor appears in the form of Wizards of the Coast. The story is a rollercoaster and is sure to fascinate any fan of DnD and role-playing games in general.
Science fiction short story writer and neuroscientist, Benjamin C. Kinney, joins me on the podcast. We kick off the conversation by discussing Ben's many tabletop role-playing game adventures, from Dungeons and Dragons to Shadowrun. Then we move into writing science fiction. We touch on how his work as a neuroscientist informs his writing. Monkeys with microchips in their brains enter the conversation at one point. Plus, we learn how he took a Shadowrun character backstory and turned it into a science fiction short story.
RPG writer and game designer, Ryan Costello, joins me on the podcast to discuss his work on the G.I. Joe role-playing game. G.I. Joe, the action figures and cartoons, has been a staple of American culture for decades. Ryan takes us into his love of the Real American Hero and then fills us in on the G.I. Joe RPG. The conversation dives deep into the RPG system and Ryan breaks down player options and character types. Learn how you can fight Cobra, the world's most dangerous terrorists, with this role-playing game. Always remember that knowing is half the battle.
New York Times bestselling author and legendary RPG game designer, Matt Forbeck, returns to the podcast today. We have a lively discussion about many role-playing game topics. The conversation begins with advice for using GM screens and then turns to the Marvel RPG. Plus Matt gives out tons of game-master and dungeon-master advice along the way. Do not miss this episode!
RPG writer Ryan Schoon joins me on the podcast today. We have a wide-ranging discussion where we touch on a number of different role-playing game topics. We talk about splitting the party and Ryan shares his game master advice. Plus we talk about some of the many RPGs Ryan has written for and a lot more. Don't miss it!
Podcast host and RPG writer, Lucas Zellers, returns to the podcast. First, we discuss what he has learned from his podcast Making a Monster. Lucas shares his insights into monsters and morality from having discussed it with many RPG designers. Then we jump into Lucas' new project which is the Book of Extinction for Dungeons and Dragons 5E. We talk about how he came up with the idea of making a monster manual of extinct animals. We cover several examples of the creatures and how Lucas is creating exciting monsters for your TTRPG sessions. Don't miss it!
Traveller role-playing game designer Marc Miller joins me on the podcast today. We start at the beginning, and Marc lets us know how he first learned of tabletop role-playing games through Dungeons and Dragons. Then we explore the vast reaches of the Traveller role-playing game. The creation of the first science fiction RPG becomes clear as Marc helps understand his influences from science fiction literature. We talk about Traveller 5 and what the future holds. Plus, we discuss his novel Agent of the Imperium set within the world of Traveller. Don't miss this episode!
Award-winning game designer and writer, Tristan Zimmerman, returns to the podcast. We cover three incredible situations you can use in your tabletop role-playing games. There's a pirate king, a crazy shipwreck, and a festival gone wrong. We discuss how you can mine these historical events for your next RPG campaign. Don't miss it!
Ryan McHargue, the host of the Geezers of the Game podcast, returns to the podcast. Our continuing mission to break down Star Trek: The Next Generation reaches part two. This episode is the second half of the same conversation that began last week. Ryan and I now launch into the third season of TNG. Don't miss this episode as we dig deep to find situations for tabletop role-playing games.
Ryan McHargue, the host of the Geezers of the Game podcast, returns to the podcast. We begin our mission of breaking down Star Trek: The Next Generation. We both grew up with the TV show and love it. We look at seasons one and two for situations and concepts we can use in our RPG campaign. Join us for the geek out!
The Monster Professor makes a triumphant return to the podcast. We tackle movie monsters by considering the storytelling techniques in The Terminator and Jaws. The monster professor breakdowns the concept of the "hunter" that is usually present in horror movies. We dive deep into scenes and storytelling before we turn to board games. Josh is designing a new board game and he pulls back the curtain and shows us how he is creating rules.
Max Carr and Mikael Sebag, the creative force behind Hellguard: Curse of Caina, both join me on the podcast today. We dive into gamemaster advice and game design. The conversation is wide-ranging and then we focus on Hellguard.
Rest in Pieces and Dreamchaser designer Pete Petrusha joins me on the podcast today. We talk about game design, TTRPG rules, gamemastering, and much more. The conversation ranges from RPG history to RPG culture so you don't want to miss it.
Game designer Alvaro Cifuentes of Browy Games joins me on the podcast today. We discuss Alvaro's history of gaming and then we dive into his design work. Come along with us as we talk about tabletop RPGs and Alvaro's game Dice & Adventures.
The original designer of the first Call of Cthulhu RPG, Sandy Petersen, joins me on the podcast. We explore sandy's love of tabletop role-playing games and plumb the inky depths of the CoC RPG's origins. Sandy freely shares his knowledge of running Call of Cthulhu sessions and gives insights help to all game masters across all genres. It is a wide-ranging conversation that is to fascinate all lovers of RPGs. Don't miss it!
Dungeon master guru, The Major, returns to the podcast. We discuss the Major's rules of RPG world-building. He covers some common pitfalls DMs and GMs fall into while world-building for role-playing game campaigns. We talk about not wasting time, not creating things your players don't care about, and much more.
Writer and RPG designer, Tristan Zimmerman, returns to the podcast once again. Tristan informs us of three historical topics we can use for inspiration in our RPG campaigns. In the Tangling With the Night Watch segment, we learn to take off our 21st-century glasses when thinking about town defense in pseudo-middle-age RPG settings. The Patrocles' Caspian Exploration Fraud is all about exploration or not. How to use frauds and false maps in RPGs. Post-Pirate Politics in a Mughal Port creates a dynamic milieu for dungeon masters and game masters to thrust their characters into. This podcast episode is packed with RPG campaign ideas. Don't miss it!
Transmedia author and speaker Houston Howard returns to the podcast. We have a fascinating conversation about the misconceptions about tabletop role-playing game world-building. We survey a wide array of topics and points of how game masters and dungeon masters can world-build effectively and creatively. We cover examples from movies, TV shows, books, and more. Every game master needs to hear this conversation.
Roll20 Director of Licencing, Emily Floyd, joins me on the podcast today. We discuss the use of virtual tabletop platforms and how they aid role-playing game players. The pandemic's impact on Roll20 plays a large role in the conversation. Emily also lets us in on the future of Roll20 and where the platform is headed.
Tales of Xadia RPG lead designer, Cam Banks, joins me on the podcast today. We set the stage with a conversation about Cam's role-playing game history and how he became a game designer. We then dive into a deep discussion of the Tales of Xadia which is an RPG based on the Netflix show The Dragon Prince. Cam fills us in on the stand-out features of this exciting new tabletop RPG and the rich world of The Dragon Prince. Plus, Cam gives us a hardy helping game master advice along the way. Don't miss it!
Host of the Elder Sign podcast, Glenn Mc Dorman, returns to the podcast. In this episode, we analyze and explore a short story by the science fiction grandmaster Poul Anderson. The Valor of Cappen Varra is a fantasy story involving trolls, Viking-like warriors, and the cowardly bard who is Cappen Varra. We talk about the writing of the story and the main dilemma faced by Cappen. We have an extended conversation about how the character of Cappen Varra surely influenced the Bard Dungeons and Dragons class. we also touch on how dungeon masters could possibly mine the story for their RPG campaigns. Stay tuned!
Future war visionary and author, Dr. Sean McFate, joins me on the podcast today. Dr. McFate shares his expertise and paints a picture of where warfare is heading in the future. We discuss his novels and his nonfiction books and explore how game masters can use the ideas he is advancing in RPGs. We also learn Sean was a D&D player while growing up. Don't miss it!
Film historian and author Austin Trunick returns to the podcast with a treasure trove of knowledge. First, he fills us in on his latest RPG experiences by detailing how he is playing in a living RPG campaign. The campaign allows for people to drop in and out without disrupting the flow of the story. But then we dive into a deep discussion about his work as a film historian and author. We talk about his new book The Cannon Film Guide Volume II (1985-1987). The conversation covers Masters of the Universe (1987), The Delta Force (1986), and Cyborg (1989). Austin fills us in on history, trivia, and how these movies were made. Don't miss this episode!
Support the show: https://www.patreon.com/dicegeeks Get 20 free dungeon maps: http://dicegeeks.com/free Game designer and novelist, Clinton J. Boomer, joins me on the podcast today. We have a wide-ranging conversation about creating magic items for tabletop role-playing games and much more. We learn how Clinton won a contest that kicked off his RPG writing career. Plus we dive into his novel and what makes a good magic item. Don't miss it!
Writer and game designer Tristan Zimmerman returns to the podcast for a history stuffed episode for your RPG campaigns. We tackle three historical situations including a pirate mutiny, the siege of Cartagena, and ferryboat bandits. Tristan applies his historical knowledge and we tease out ways you can use these situations in your tabletop role-playing game campaigns. Plus we have a long conversation about using diseases and illnesses in RPG sessions by pulling examples from Star Trek episodes. If you want to up your tabletop RPG sessions, you don't want to miss this episode.
Call of Cthulhu Creative Director Mike Mason joins me on today's dicegeeks podcast. We have a fantastic conversation covering a breadth of topics. We discuss how CoC game masters can create a feeling of horror in their RPG sessions. We talk about Mike's career as an RPG game designer. We discuss all sorts of GM advice. Plus I nearly detail the podcast by singing the praises of the movie Jaws. Don't miss it!
Ironsworn: Starforged artist, Joshua Meehan, joins me on the podcast today. We discuss all things Ironsworn: Starforged. We talk about the game design, we talk about playing, and of course, we talk about Joshua's incredible artwork for the role-playing game. The conversation includes sci-fi influences and gamemastering. Don't miss it!
Author and role-player, Ryan Dalton, drops in on the podcast. We have a great conversation about writing, publishing, and tabletop RPGs. We dive deep into his books and how RPGs influenced his writing. Don't miss it!
My guest today is Russel Bartek from Venture Forth, a Dungeons and Dragons actual play podcast. Russel and I dive into D&D and our love for the game. We also talk about problems dungeon masters face and creative ways to solve them. We also discuss why Venture Forth stands out from the crowd of D&D actual play podcasts. Don't miss this episode!
The owner of Evil Genius Games, Dave Scott, joins me on the podcast today. We kick things off by talking about our love for Dungeons and Dragons. We then discuss Evil Genius Games' upcoming tabletop RPG called Everyday Heroes and how it draws inspiration from 80s action movies. Dave lets us know how the d20 Modern system was updated by creator Jeff Grubb to provide the best engine for Everyday Heroes. We jump into the deep end with a discussion of the 1979 film The Warriors and other action movies. Don't miss out!
RPG game Designer Brandon Gutowski joins me on the podcast today. We discuss his deck-building role-playing system called the C22 System. Science fiction heists and RPG game design also take center stage during this wide-ranging and informative conversation about role-playing games. Don't miss this incredible gaming interview.
Steve Morrison from the Errant Adventures RPG podcast joins me on the dicegeeks.com podcast. Steve and I have a wide-ranging conversation covering tabletop role-playing games, writing, podcasting, and more. We discuss his RPG podcast and explore Ironsworn and Ironsworn: Starforged, two solo RPGs designed by Shawn Tomkin. We also take time to talk about solo role-playing and Steve gives some tips on how to make solo play more fun.
Writer and RPG game designer Tristan Zimmerman returns to the podcast. We tackle historical situations you can use in your role-playing games and Dungeons and Dragons today. First, we touch on Montaillou a spy-infested anthill village that can give player characters major headaches. Then we move on to Olympic spirits from the Arbatel's Grimoire. After that, we dive headlong into scholarly NPCs from Aubrey's Lives. Take your RPG campaigns to the next level by using real history.
Brian from Snow Fight Studios joins me on the podcast. We jump headlong into our love of role-playing games. We talk about running games, our experiences playing, and we drop tons of GMing advice. We learn about Brian's miniature painting, artwork, and more of his RPG endeavors.
The dungeon master and a player from the Crit Like a Girl podcast join me on the dicegeeks podcast today. We dive into Dungeons and Dragons, running TTRPGs, and more. We discuss the Crit Like a Girl podcast, the setting, and the characters. Be sure to tune in to learn more about the podcast and experience our insights into Dungeons and Dragons.
The Monster Professor creeps onto the podcast once again. Join the Monster Professor and me on a wild ride through terrifying monsters and learn how to use them in your D&D and RPG campaigns. We tackle dinosaurs, those enigmatic beasts from earth's past. Why are they scary? Are they scary? Find out. Also, we explore monsters in fantasy realms vs. monsters from the star and science fiction. How are they different? Are they any different? Then we compare the classic monsters like the wolfman, the mummy to modern monsters like the shape and the terminator. Plus along the way, you'll get a heaping dose of b-movie trivia, jokes, and digressions into deep monster lore.
Entertainment lawyer and role-player, Charles Hildebrandt, joins me on the podcast today. We have a massively wide-ranging conversation from science fiction to role-playing games to film to copyright and trademark law. We learn his father was famed science fiction illustrator Tim Hildebrandt. Charles gives us insight into his RPG journey dropping some great game master advice along the way. Then we discuss legal issues small creators may face when publishing and creating role-playing games and other intellectual property.
Transmedia author and longtime role-player, Houston Howard, joins me on the podcast today. We have an outstanding conversation on a vast array of topics around role-playing, storytelling, and what small creators need to do. We learn Houston's RPG history includes the old West End Games Star Wars D6 system. We cover game master advice, advice for small publishers and writers, and how you can tell your idea is good. We dive into how television shows, filmmaking, and movies are changing. Plus we have a complete one hundred percent geek discussion on The Last Jedi.
Eric Koll, therapist and longtime role-player, joins me on the podcast today. We discuss RPGs, Dungeon and Dragons, and more. We talk about how he uses role-playing games in therapy. The conversation ranges from game master advice to many other topics and how tabletop role-playing games can help people deal with mental health issues.
Game designer and Rabbi, Menachem Cohen, pops in on the podcast today. We discuss work in using RPGs to help people heal and grow. We talk about game design, several games he has worked on, and tons of game master advice.
Narrative designer, Nick Jones, drops in on the podcast today. We discuss his work in crafting stories for video games and talk about story structure. Also, we delve into Nick's theories and ideas of using folkloric motifs in narrative design. Please join us for this fascinating conversation about stories, folklore, and more to learn how you can become a better game master and role player.
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