The best & latest Pathfinder RPG News, Reviews, & Interviews. Ryan and Perram keep you informed twice monthly.
When two Inner Sea superpowers go to war, the ripples are felt throughout the region. A group of intrepid heroes…or should we say intrepid rebels…. join a league of righteous freedom fighters to unshackle their people from the binds of infernal tyranny. Nefarious forces from without—and within—will do anything to stop these Hellbreakers. Our heroes […]
Ryan summarizes the big news about the Transformers, G.I. JOE, and Power Rangers roleplaying games from Renegade Game Studios. …………………………………………………………………………………………………………….. At last week's Renegade Con June 2026 Stream, during the Renegade Con Reveals June 2026 segment, Anais Morgan (Renegade's Product Development Specialist) and Rina Amaranthine (Renegade's Community & Crowdfunding Manager) announced upcoming crowdfunding plans for […]
We all love Pathfinder and Starfinder, but these influencers made loving Paizo's games their whole online identity. They share what motivated them to get into the Paizo influencer space, how they built an audience, and tell stories of their memorable moments. Featuring James Beck, Runia da Witch, Phoebe Bane, and Mathfinder. Streamed live on Sunday, […]
Starfinder designers Dustin Knight and Aras Yazgan shine some light on the latest class for Starfinder 2e, the Luminary. Streamed live on Sunday, May 24th at PaizoCon Online 2026. Listen Now!(mp3)
In episode 143 of Game Design Unboxed, we talk with board game designer and founder of Pink Hawk Games, Emily Vincent. After a career in software and UX design, Emily caught the game design bug when she realized the games she wanted to play simply weren’t on the table. She shares how her love of […]
The Starfinder team talks about everything* coming up for Starfinder 2e! *Except for The Luminary, which gets its own seminar. Streamed live on May 24th, 2026, as part of PaizoCon Online 2026. Listen Now!(mp3)
Pathfinder is not just a roleplaying game but also its setting. The Myth Keeper tells us why Lost Omens is the best campaign setting. Streamed live on Saturday, May 23rd, 2026. Listen Now!(mp3)
Three experienced Game Masters, Ivis Flanagan, James Beck, and Rick Sandidge, are here to help you up your game. They share their experiences running Pathfinder and Starfinder adventures, and answer questions from chat. Streamed live on May 23rd, 2026. Listen Now!(mp3)
It wouldn't be PaizoCon without an advice seminar for freelancer writers and designers looking to get published. Featuring Jeremy Croff, Tony Saunders, and Katrina Hennessy. Listen Now!(mp3)
Paizo’s Jessica Catalan and Shay Snow share what’s coming down the pipeline for Pathfinder Society and Starfinder Society. Note, this was streamed live on May 23rd. We have since learned that due to a restructuring at Paizo, Organized Play plans have changed and, sadly, Shay Snow has been laid off. This seminar reflects Paizo’s Organized […]
We kick off PaizoCon Online 2026 with Welcome To PaizoCon Online 2026. It’d be weird if it was anything but our first seminar, really. Paizo’s Dustin Knight and Ivis Flanagan join Know Direction’s Ryan Costello to talk about what PaizoCon means to them as Pathfinder and Starfinder fans turned TTRPG professionals, and what to expect […]
When two Inner Sea superpowers go to war, the ripples are felt throughout the region. A group of intrepid heroes…or should we say intrepid rebels…. join a league of righteous freedom fighters to unshackle their people from the binds of infernal tyranny. Nefarious forces from without—and within—will do anything to stop these Hellbreakers. Our heroes […]
Alex and James share their thoughts on the latest Starfinder class, The Luminary, currently in playtest. Recorded live on Twitch. Listen Now! (mp3)
In episode 142 of Game Design Unboxed, we talk with freelance game designer Rosco Schock about his first published game, Diplomacy: The Golden Blade, released by Renegade Game Studios. The conversation focuses on the challenge of translating the “feel” of a classic, beloved strategy game into a streamlined and more approachable card game experience. We […]
When two Inner Sea superpowers go to war, the ripples are felt throughout the region. A group of intrepid heroes…or should we say intrepid rebels…. join a league of righteous freedom fighters to unshackle their people from the binds of infernal tyranny. Nefarious forces from without—and within—will do anything to stop these Hellbreakers. Our heroes […]
In episode 141 of Game Design Unboxed, we talk with librarian and game designer, Lewis Graye, whose game design journey began after relocating to Syracuse, becoming part of the local tabletop scene, and participating in a game design contest at a wedding. They share the story of Lewis' first published design, Inkwell, and its unexpected […]
When two Inner Sea superpowers go to war, the ripples are felt throughout the region. A group of intrepid heroes…or should we say intrepid rebels…. join a league of righteous freedom fighters to unshackle their people from the binds of infernal tyranny. Nefarious forces from without—and within—will do anything to stop these Hellbreakers. Our heroes […]
Alex and James look at the Starfinder second edition Tales Of The Vast Adventure Anthology. Recorded live on Twitch. Listen Now! (mp3)
In episode 140 of Game Design Unboxed, we talk with Andrew Stiles, game designer and co-host of the podcast Tabletop Submarine, about how discovering GDU early in his design journey helped him better understand the tabletop space, and how a life reset during COVID (and a challenge to get a game signed in 6-months by […]
When two Inner Sea superpowers go to war, the ripples are felt throughout the region. A group of intrepid heroes…or should we say intrepid rebels…. join a league of righteous freedom fighters to unshackle their people from the binds of infernal tyranny. Nefarious forces from without—and within—will do anything to stop these Hellbreakers. Our heroes […]
In episode 139 of Game Design Unboxed, we chat with Jade Shames and Ben Bronstein, co-founders of Pillbox Games and co-designers of this episode's spotlight game, Side Effects. They talk about how a mental illness–inspired card game idea (later titled Side Effects) sparked their collaboration and company, the power of bold visuals, why skeletons make […]
Alex and James share their thoughts on the latest Starfinder 2e hardcover: Galactic Ancestries. Recorded live on Twitch. Listen Now! (mp3)
When two Inner Sea superpowers go to war, the ripples are felt throughout the region. A group of intrepid heroes…or should we say intrepid rebels…. join a league of righteous freedom fighters to unshackle their people from the binds of infernal tyranny. Nefarious forces from without—and within—will do anything to stop these Hellbreakers. Our heroes […]
In episode 138 of Game Design Unboxed, we chat with Edwin D. Benton II, Founder and CEO of Doin' the Most Games, about how his journey into game design stemmed from an addiction to app games like Words With Friends and a frustration with their limitations. This inspired him to build his own inclusive, slang-driven app where […]
When two Inner Sea superpowers go to war, the ripples are felt throughout the region. A group of intrepid heroes…or should we say intrepid rebels…. join a league of righteous freedom fighters to unshackle their people from the binds of infernal tyranny. Nefarious forces from without—and within—will do anything to stop these Hellbreakers. Meet our […]
In episode 137 of Game Design Unboxed, we chat with freelance game designer and developer for Druid City Games, Michael Mihealsick who shares industry insights from years of working for multiple companies, taking on freelance projects, and continually refining his game design craft. We discuss the rise of cozy game design and what that means for […]
The exciting conclusion to Murder in Metal City! Join our Intrepid Heroes as they solve the mystery of the Murder in Metal City! Cast: Jason Keeley – GM Alex Speidel – Patsy Van Dyne Isis Wozniakowska – Voss Seltee Jocelyn Hamilton – Together in Electric Dreams (Dreams) John Godek – Xabi Fraglorious Rue Dickey – […]
In episode 136 of Game Design Unboxed, we chat with freelance game designer (and Danielle's co-designer on Tricky Kids), Steven Ungaro, who shares his “zero-to-three-games-in-a-year-hero” design journey. They discuss how discovering hobby games led him down the research rabbit hole many aspiring designers fall into, and how resources like the long-running Ludology podcast have evolved […]
Paizo’s Starfinder Society Developer Jessica Catalan updates Alex and James on the past, present, and future of SFS. Recorded live on Twitch. Listen Now! (mp3)
At last our heroes find the Professor’s killer! But wait, he was trying to save the universe? Clearly there is more to the story. Join our Intrepid Heroes as they solve the mystery of the Murder in Metal City! Cast: Jason Keeley – GM Alex Speidel – Patsy Van Dyne Isis Wozniakowska – Voss Seltee […]
In episode 135 of Game Design Unboxed, we chat with freelance game designer Kristen Mott, whose game design journey began with creating games for her kids to play at home to supplement homeschooling. We talk about how kids are great built-in playtesters, how her children's interests were her thematic inspiration for designs, what kids learn […]
Somehow our heroes need to escape the watchful eye of Striving law enforcement long enough to prove their innocence. Join our Intrepid Heroes as they solve the mystery of the Murder in Metal City! Cast: Jason Keeley – GM Alex Speidel – Patsy Van Dyne Isis Wozniakowska – Voss Seltee Jocelyn Hamilton – Together in […]
In episode 134 of Game Design Unboxed, we chat with first-time game designer Reed Ambrose about his family-weight, tile-laying game Wispwood. Reed shares how his journey began with BoardGameGeek (BGG) contests just for fun, and how collaborating with published designers pushed his craft forward and helped him take design seriously. We discuss why design contests […]
Alex and James get to the bottom of The Kimmel Conspiracy. They ask Mike about his journey as a professional in the TTRPG industry (including his first appearance on the Know Direction Network, way back in the Know Direction RPG Superstar 2014 Special), his roles at Paizo, his work on the recent Starfinder 2e hardcover Alien Core, […]
Someone has framed our heroes and now they need to prove it! Join our Intrepid Heroes as they solve the mystery of the Murder in Metal City! Cast: Jason Keeley – GM Alex Speidel – Patsy Van Dyne Isis Wozniakowska – Voss Seltee Jocelyn Hamilton – Together in Electric Dreams (Dreams) John Godek – Xabi […]
In episode 133 of Game Design Unboxed, we chat with game designer and Creative Director Paul Salomon about his innovative worker placement and tile-laying game, Honey Buzz. The conversation covers the creative path that led him from math, music, and juggling into tabletop game design, the balance between aesthetics and mechanics, designing with math in […]
Jason, John and Ron discuss Digital Divination’s upcoming hiatus and some of the things they’ll be working on during the down time. And about fighting a Tarrasque! Listen Now! Watch Now!
Our heroes are attacked as they investigate the university’s archives! Join our Intrepid Heroes as they solve the mystery of the Murder in Metal City! Cast: Jason Keeley – GM Alex Speidel – Patsy Van Dyne Isis Wozniakowska – Voss Seltee Jocelyn Hamilton – Together in Electric Dreams (Dreams) John Godek – Xabi Fraglorious Rue […]
In episode 132 of Game Design Unboxed: Inspiration to Publication, Amanda Rivera returns from behind-the-scenes to behind-the-mic as a guest host to chat with Danielle about GDU’s sixth season. They talk about how thematic season 6 was, recall insights about arguably one of the most common questions in game design (to pitch or self-publish), share how designers make games […]
John and Ron talk designing long form adventures! Listen Now! Watch Now!
In a break from our normal programming, our heroes celebrate Newspark in honor of the coming New Year! Happy Holidays and Happy New Year from all of your Intrepid Heroes! Cast: Jason Keeley – GM Alex Speidel – Patsy Van Dyne Isis Wozniakowska – Voss Seltee Jocelyn Hamilton – Together in Electric Dreams (Dreams) John […]
In episode 131 of Game Design Unboxed, we chat with game designer Matt Leacock about his “infamous” game Pandemic. Matt explains how his path into game design was shaped by watching his artsy uncle create games as a hobby and by growing up surrounded by “bad” games from the 1970s that he couldn't help but try […]
Put up your dukes, Ryan and Charles are getting scrappy. In honour of Boxing Day, Charles wanted to know more about how melee combat works in Essence20. Ryan breaks down the rules, melee’s purpose in the system, some good options for melee builds, and the origin of the melee weapon rules. Listen Now! (mp3) Video […]
John, Jason, and Ron talk about some of their holiday traditions and then dive into creating a grumpy holiday monster! Listen Now! Watch Now!
Our heroes head to a memorial for these deceased friend, only to be attacked by android terrorists! Join our Intrepid Heroes as they solve the mystery of the Murder in Metal City! Cast: Jason Keeley – GM Alex Speidel – Patsy Van Dyne Isis Wozniakowska – Voss Seltee Jocelyn Hamilton – Together in Electric Dreams […]
Alex and James give their spoiler-free thoughts on Starfinder 2e’s first published adventures, Murder In Metal City and Guilt of the Grave World. Recorded live on Twitch. Listen Now! (mp3)
In episode 130 of Game Design Unboxed, we chat with game designer Joe Hout about his fairytale-themed trick-taking game, 3 Chapters, accessibility in gaming, and his design journey. Joe shares how his path into game design began by tweaking games he loved and then took off after completing a passion-project game he self-published via Kickstarter. […]
Listener @jasonsumma1530 asked what Ryan would change about the Core Rulebooks if Renegade Game Studios released 2.0 versions. This is NOT an announcement that Essence20 2.0 is a thing, just speculation with the benefit of hindsight on the ideal layout of an Essence20 Core Rulebook. Listen Now! (mp3) Video Show Notes This topic was suggested […]
John, Jason, and Ron reflect on the past and discuss the future of Digital Divination as we achieve our 150th episode Listen Now! Watch Now!
Our heroes head to the Magenta Orbital Amusement Platform in search of an old friend. Join our Intrepid Heroes as they solve the mystery of the Murder in Metal City! Cast: Jason Keeley – GM Alex Speidel – Patsy Van Dyne Isis Wozniakowska – Voss Seltee Jocelyn Hamilton – Together in Electric Dreams (Dreams) John […]
In this festive episode 129 of Game Design Unboxed, we chat with sister duo Anya and Irina Kagan – game designers and the founders of Gifts Galore – about their Hanukkah-themed party game, Gelt Galore. They talk about how magical childhood traditions inspired them as adults to bring new energy to holiday gatherings and how a […]
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