Unabashed Gaming

We're back from our hiatus with a super-sized episode. The two Davids and Susan get together to go through the #RPGaDay2015 poll/challenge. We talk about games and share gaming anecdotes from our past, present, and future, trying not to get too derailed in the process... Remember to click on the Speakpipe link on the lower-right corner of this page, or leave us a comment with questions or issues you'd like us to address in future episodes! And be sure to check out our Twitter feed and Google Plus group if you want to keep up via social media.Thanks for listening!

It's another GM's Journal from another one of our contributors! This time, David Larkins talks about his new Runequest 6 campaign set in Glorantha. The system and setting are both venerable, but it's all very new and exciting for David! Remember to click on the Speakpipe link on the lower-right corner of this page, or leave us a comment with questions or issues you'd like us to address in future episodes! And be sure to check out our Twitter feed and Google Plus group if you want to keep up via social media.Thanks for listening!

We're back from our post-Gen-Con break with the introduction of a new segment: the "GM's Journal," in which one of us talks a bit about an ongoing campaign and how it's going: recent activity and the lessons taken away, future plans, and other related ephemera. Susan is on the mic for our inaugural Journal, talking about her Iron Kingdoms RPG campaign. Remember to click on the Speakpipe link on the lower-right corner of this page, or leave us a comment with questions or issues you'd like us to address in future episodes! And be sure to check out our Twitter feed and Google Plus group if you want to keep up via social media.Thanks for listening!

The two Davids are joined by the Stewards (Susan and Randy) for our reminiscences and lessons learned over the course of our first Gen Con, and we all look ahead to what we're most anticipating from Gen Con 2016. Remember to click on the Speakpipe link on the lower-right corner of this page, or leave us a comment with questions or issues you'd like us to address in future episodes! And be sure to check out our Twitter feed and Google Plus group if you want to keep up via social media.Thanks for listening!

In this episode, Dave S. and Susan discuss what they're most looking forward to at Gen Con 2015. Remember to click on the Speakpipe link on the lower-right corner of this page, or leave us a comment with questions or issues you'd like us to address in future episodes! And be sure to check out our Twitter feed and Google Plus group if you want to keep up via social media.Thanks for listening!

In this episode, the two Daves and Susan gather 'round to discuss the smallest gaming group configuration, the duet. What are the pros and what are the cons of a single player and GM? Join us as we explore the topic and discuss past personal experiences with duet gaming. Plus: some duet-related pipe dreams! Remember to click on the Speakpipe link on the lower-right corner of this page, or leave us a comment with questions or issues you'd like us to address in future episodes! And be sure to check out our Twitter feed and Google Plus group if you want to keep up via social media.Thanks for listening!

In this episode, Susan and Dave talk about campaign content that is generated by players rather than the GM. Plus: a discussion about upcoming format changes, and more Campaign Pipedreams! Remember to click on the Speakpipe link on the lower-right corner of this page, or leave us a comment with questions or issues you'd like us to address in future episodes! And be sure to check out our Twitter feed and Google Plus group if you want to keep up via social media.Thanks for listening!

In this episode, Susan and Dave talk about the very first RPGs they played, and the legacies those early experiences still exert over their gaming style to this day. Plus: more Campaign Pipedreams! Remember to click on the Speakpipe link on the lower-right corner of this page, or leave us a comment with questions or issues you'd like us to address in future episodes! And be sure to check out our Twitter feed and Google Plus group if you want to keep up via social media.Thanks for listening!

This week, Dave and Susan continue their discussion of pacing, applying it to campaign structures overall. Also, the weirdest Campaign Pipedream segment to date. Remember to click on the Speakpipe link on the lower-right corner of this page, or leave us a comment with questions or issues you'd like us to address in future episodes! And be sure to check out our Twitter feed and Google Plus group if you want to keep up via social media.Thanks for listening!

This week, David S. and Susan do their best to address the Holy Grail of Good GMing: pacing. Also, the return of Campaign Pipedreams! Remember to click on the Speakpipe link on the lower-right corner of this page, or leave us a comment with questions or issues you'd like us to address in future episodes! And be sure to check out our Twitter feed and Google Plus group if you want to keep up via social media.Thanks for listening!

David S. and Susan, who each have Iron Kingdoms RPG campaigns going at the moment, convene to discuss the ins and outs of prepping and running in this system and setting. Remember to click on the Speakpipe link on the lower-right corner of this page, or leave us a comment with questions or issues you'd like us to address in future episodes! And be sure to check out our Twitter feed and Google Plus group if you want to keep up via social media.Thanks for listening!

This week, Schimpff and Susan discuss player archetypes: the various "types" of player, and how to prepare and run for them. They also take a stab at self-diagnosing which archetype they each fall under. Remember to click on the Speakpipe link on the lower-right corner of this page, or leave us a comment with questions or issues you'd like us to address in future episodes! And be sure to check out our Twitter feed and Google Plus group if you want to keep up via social media.Thanks for listening!

For our first (proper) episode of the new year, we gather our three "regular" contributors to look back at favorite games from the preceding year, and games we're looking forward to checking out and/or running in the coming year. Remember to click on the Speakpipe link on the lower-right corner of this page, or leave us a comment with questions or issues you'd like us to address in future episodes! And be sure to check out our Twitter feed and Google Plus group if you want to keep up via social media.Thanks for listening!

In this, the last of our "solo" shows for the foreseeable future and final show of 2014, David Schimpff discusses introductory scenarios and their use, and provides actual-play examples from sessions past. Remember to click on the Speakpipe link on the lower-right corner of this page, or leave us a comment with questions or issues you'd like us to address in future episodes! And be sure to check out our Twitter feed and Google Plus group if you want to keep up via social media.Thanks for listening!

David Schimpff reconvenes his old group to conduct a detailed deconstruction and analysis of one his most successful campaigns (ironically played with one of his least favorite systems): Dark Sun! Remember to click on the Speakpipe link on the lower-right corner of this page, or leave us a comment with questions or issues you'd like us to address in future episodes! And be sure to check out our Twitter feed and Google Plus group if you want to keep up via social media.Thanks for listening!

For this episode, David Larkins takes a turn at the mic to rant about his ambivalence towards the line of RPGs produced by Palladium Books. It's sort of a combination of warning and sales pitch, really... And remember to call our Lake Geneva, WI, voicemail number (262-729-9774), or click on the Speakpipe link on the lower right corner of this page, or leave us a comment with questions or issues you'd like us to address in future episodes! And be sure to check out our Twitter feed and Google Plus group if you want to keep up via social media.Thanks for listening!

This week, David S. and Susan (with a little help from David L.) discuss methods of spicing up games, and how to get ideas for your games. Plus: more pipe dreams! And remember to call our Lake Geneva, WI, voicemail number (262-729-9774), or click on the Speakpipe link on the lower right corner of this page, or leave us a comment with questions or issues you'd like us to address in future episodes! And be sure to check out our Twitter feed and Google Plus group if you want to keep up via social media.Thanks for listening!

In this episode, we turn David Schimpff loose for his long-promised rant about 4th Edition Dungeons & Dragons. Fair warning: profanity ensues (moreso than usual), tables are pounded. This is a sort of hybrid of our System Spotlight and Editorial features, so sit back and enjoy... And remember to call our Lake Geneva, WI, voicemail number (262-729-9774), or click on the Speakpipe link on the lower right corner of this page, or leave us a comment with questions or issues you'd like us to address in future episodes! And be sure to check out our Twitter feed and Google Plus group if you want to keep up via social media.Thanks for listening!

For this week's episode, Dave S. and Susan talk about open-world and sandbox-style play (in contrast to last episode's discussion of railroading). They also take a look at the Worldspinner Kickstarter and return to our recurring segment, Campaign Pipedreams. And remember to call our Lake Geneva, WI, voicemail number (262-729-9774), or click on the Speakpipe link on the lower right corner of this page, or leave us a comment with questions or issues you'd like us to address in future episodes! And be sure to check out our Twitter feed and Google Plus group if you want to keep up via social media.Thanks for listening!

The first episode of our second season finds David S. and Susan discussing the role of maps and mapping in games, as well as resources for the cartographically-challenged. And remember to call our Lake Geneva, WI, voicemail number (262-729-9774), or click on the Speakpipe link on the lower right corner of this page, or leave us a comment with questions or issues you'd like us to address in future episodes! And be sure to check out our Twitter feed and Google Plus group if you want to keep up via social media.Thanks for listening!

It's a record number of hosts for this, our one-year anniversary episode, and we have a long overdue discussion of one of our all-time favorite systems, Call of Cthulhu. And remember to call our Lake Geneva, WI, voicemail number (262-729-9774), or click on the Speakpipe link on the lower right corner of this page, or leave us a comment with questions or issues you'd like us to address in future episodes! And be sure to check out our Twitter feed and Google Plus group if you want to keep up via social media.Thanks for listening!

David S. and Susan spend this episode unloading a veritable truckload of setting ideas, plot hooks, and gaming memories. It's a grab-bag of an episode, so you can take you like and leave the rest! And remember to call our Lake Geneva, WI, voicemail number (262-729-9774), or click on the Speakpipe link on the lower right corner of this page, or leave us a comment with questions or issues you'd like us to address in future episodes! And be sure to check out our Twitter feed and Google Plus group if you want to keep up via social media.Thanks for listening!

In this week's episode, David S. and Susan discuss that old bugbear known as railroading. Plus: more Campaign Pipedreams! And remember to call our Lake Geneva, WI, voicemail number (262-729-9774), or click on the Speakpipe link on the lower right corner of this page, or leave us a comment with questions or issues you'd like us to address in future episodes! And be sure to check out our Twitter feed and Google Plus group if you want to keep up via social media.Thanks for listening!

A discussion of the ins and outs, ups and downs, and pros and cons(?) of character creation in its many wondrous varieties, and our hosts' picks for their favorite and least-favorite chargen systems. Plus: Campaign Pipedreams! br />And remember to call our Lake Geneva, WI, voicemail number (262-729-9774), or click on the Speakpipe link on the lower right corner of this page, or leave us a comment with questions or issues you'd like us to address in future episodes! And be sure to check out our Twitter feed and Google Plus group if you want to keep up via social media.Thanks for listening!

This, our first episode with three hosts, is a bit of a grab-bag. David L. shares some follow-up thoughts from last week's episode on the new edition of D&D, and then we segue into talking about that strange sub-genre of RPG gaming, play-by-post. We then segue into a discussion of how to keep campaigns running long-term and then share some more Campaign Pipe Dreams. And remember to call our Lake Geneva, WI, voicemail number (262-729-9774), or click on the Speakpipe link on the lower right corner of this page, or leave us a comment with questions or issues you'd like us to address in future episodes! And be sure to check out our Twitter feed and Google Plus group if you want to keep up via social media.Thanks for listening!

In this episode, David S. and Susan share their initial impressions on the new edition of Dungeons & Dragons. And remember to call our Lake Geneva, WI, voicemail number (262-729-9774), or click on the Speakpipe link on the lower right corner of this page, or leave us a comment with questions or issues you'd like us to address in future episodes! And be sure to check out our Twitter feed and Google Plus group if you want to keep up via social media.Thanks for listening!

For this episode, we discuss the pros and cons of small groups and large alike - everything from playing by yourself (it's possible!) to double-digits. Also, we debut an as-yet-unnamed segment in which we discuss campaigns or campaign frameworks we've always wanted to run. br />And remember to call our Lake Geneva, WI, voicemail number (262-729-9774), or click on the Speakpipe link on the lower right corner of this page, or leave us a comment with questions or issues you'd like us to address in future episodes! And be sure to check out our Twitter feed and Google Plus group if you want to keep up via social media.Thanks for listening!

For this system spotlight, regular host David Schimpff sits down to talk the Iron Kingdoms RPG with fellow GM Susan Steward, who is currently running an IKRPG campaign. Everything you ever wanted to know about the game's setting and mechanics, all in one easy-to-digest episode. Goes down smooth! And remember to call our Lake Geneva, WI, voicemail number (262-729-9774), or click on the Speakpipe link on the lower right corner of this page, or leave us a comment with questions or issues you'd like us to address in future episodes! And be sure to check out our Twitter feed and Google Plus group if you want to keep up via social media.Thanks for listening!

A two-topic episode in which we start off with a look at the latest news concerning Dungeons & Dragons 5th Edition (and our thoughts on said news), before pivoting into a discussion on how to bring new players into your group, or start a new group of your own. And remember to call our Lake Geneva, WI, voicemail number (262-729-9774), or click on the Speakpipe link on the lower right corner of this page, or leave us a comment with questions or issues you'd like us to address in future episodes! And be sure to check out our Twitter feed and Google Plus group if you want to keep up via social media.Thanks for listening!

For this episode, we bring in a special guest to help us talk about the pleasures and pitfalls of villainy and adversarial play... And remember to call our Lake Geneva, WI, voicemail number (262-729-9774), or click on the Speakpipe link on the lower right corner of this page, or leave us a comment with questions or issues you'd like us to address in future episodes! And be sure to check out our Twitter feed and Google Plus group if you want to keep up via social media.Thanks for listening!

For this episode, we explore the related topics of world-building and NPCs: how we go about conceptualizing campaigns; homebrew versus published settings; NPC use, abuse, and management; plus more! And remember to call our Lake Geneva, WI, voicemail number (262-729-9774), or click on the Speakpipe link on the lower right corner of this page, or leave us a comment with questions or issues you'd like us to address in future episodes! And be sure to check out our Twitter feed and Google Plus group if you want to keep up via social media.Thanks for listening!

It's sort of an Easter special this time, because we're talking about death and resurrection…of characters, of campaigns, of whole systems. Good idea? Bad idea? You'll just have to listen to find out. And remember to call our Lake Geneva, WI, voicemail number (262-729-9774), or click on the Speakpipe link on the lower right corner of this page, or leave us a comment with questions or issues you'd like us to address in future episodes! And be sure to check out our Twitter feed and Google Plus group if you want to keep up via social media.Thanks for listening!

In this episode, we take a close look at the Trail of Cthulhu RPG, and use that as a springboard to talk a bit about games that use rules to create a "narrative" play experience. And remember to call our Lake Geneva, WI, voicemail number (262-729-9774), or click on the Speakpipe link on the lower right corner of this page, or leave us a comment with questions or issues you'd like us to address in future episodes! And be sure to check out our Twitter feed and Google Plus group if you want to keep up via social media.Thanks for listening!

We conclude our rambling overview of matching systems to genres. There's so much more we skipped over, and if you've got a favorite genre-system we didn't talk about, please let us know and give us your thoughts!And remember to call our Lake Geneva, WI, voicemail number (262-729-9774), or click on the Speakpipe link on the lower right corner of this page, or leave us a comment with questions or issues you'd like us to address in future episodes! And be sure to check out our Twitter feed and Google Plus group if you want to keep up via social media.Thanks for listening!

We were unable to record a proper session this time around, and so we go instead to our Editorial Department, where David Larkins weighs in with his opinion on actual-play recordings. (Hint: he likes them.)And remember to call our Lake Geneva, WI, voicemail number (262-729-9774), or click on the Speakpipe link on the lower right corner of this page, or leave us a comment with questions or issues you'd like us to address in future episodes! And be sure to check out our Twitter feed and Google Plus group if you want to keep up via social media.Thanks for listening!

This one turned out to be a two-parter, and no wonder! We're discussing matching systems to genres, and providing a quick overview of systems past and present that are particularly associated with certain settings or genres. We...may get a bit off-topic from time to time, as well. Like that's never happened before... And remember to call our Lake Geneva, WI, voicemail number (262-729-9774), or click on the Speakpipe link on the lower right corner of this page, or leave us a comment with questions or issues you'd like us to address in future episodes! And be sure to check out our Twitter feed and Google Plus group if you want to keep up via social media.Thanks for listening!

It's the 40th anniversary year for Dungeons & Dragons, so we figured maybe we should get around to talking about the world's most popular role-playing game. As usual for our system spotlights, we discuss D&D's past, present, and future, as well as our personal take on and relationship to the system. Some strongly-held opinions vis a vis specific editions are, of course, expressed, and David S. has his mind blown by the concept of race-as-class. And remember to call our Lake Geneva, WI, voicemail number (262-729-9774), or click on the Speakpipe link on the lower right corner of this page, or leave us a comment with questions or issues you'd like us to address in future episodes!Thanks for listening!

In this episode, we depart from our usual chatter about tabletop RPGs to discuss their cousin, miniatures wargaming. We take a look at the hobby's past, present, and future, and offer some personal suggestions for favorite games and figure lines.And remember to call our Lake Geneva, WI, voicemail number (262-729-9774), or click on the Speakpipe link on the lower right corner of this page, or leave us a comment with questions or issues you'd like us to address in future episodes!Thanks for listening!

This episode sees us answering a listener-submitted question about epic campaigns before moving on to our second "System Spotlight" installment, this time focusing on the King Arthur Pendragon RPG.And remember to call our Lake Geneva, WI, voicemail number (262-729-9774), or click on the Speakpipe link on the lower right corner of this page, or leave us a comment with questions or issues you'd like us to address in future episodes!Thanks for listening!

In this episode, we discuss the different experiences and skillsets inherent to the player experience versus the game master experience. To help us dissect the issue, we bring in special guest Jade, the newest member of our tabletop group, who has both played and run RPGs for the first time over the course of the previous year. And remember to call our Lake Geneva, WI, voicemail number (262-729-9774), or click on the Speakpipe link on the lower right corner of this page, or leave us a comment with questions or issues you'd like us to address in future episodes! Thanks for listening!

In this episode, we take some time to muse about the role of Kickstarter in the tabletop gaming industry and speculate what role brick-and-mortar stores still might play in the hobby, before moving on to a genre-focused discussion of running fantasy campaigns. We answer listener questions as well.And remember to call our Lake Geneva, WI, voicemail number (262-729-9774), or click on the Speakpipe link on the lower right corner of this page, or leave us a comment with questions or issues you'd like us to address in future episodes! Thanks for listening!

In this episode, we address some listener questions spawned by our previous System Spotlight on Basic Roleplaying (and discuss some games we're currently excited about) before moving on to the main topic of the pros and cons of running published scenarios versus writing your own, and offer some advice for accomplishing the latter. And remember to call our Lake Geneva, WI, voicemail number (262-729-9774), or click on the Speakpipe link on the lower right corner of this page, or leave us a comment with questions or issues you'd like us to address in future episodes!Thanks for listening!

In this episode, the first of our intermittent "System Spotlight" series, we focus on Chaosium's Basic Roleplaying system - both the generic core rules as well as touching on its many variations.What do you think? Do you agree with our assessment of the merits of the BRP system? Do you hate the system? Tell us why! And remember to call our Lake Geneva, WI, voicemail number (262-729-9774) or leave us a comment with questions or issues you'd like us to address in future episodes!Thanks for listening!

In our inaugural episode, we talk a bit about our backgrounds in tabletop gaming and then move on to broadly discussing some tricks and tips for running horror games, and different flavors of horror games.And remember to call our Lake Geneva, WI, voicemail number (262-729-9774) or leave us a comment with questions or issues you'd like us to address in future episodes!Thanks for listening!

Our second episode finds us discussing our first experience with the indie FRPG Dungeon World before moving on to discussing the pros and cons of the dreaded piledriver and its much less maligned cousin, the houserule.And remember to call our Lake Geneva, WI, voicemail number (262-729-9774) or leave us a comment with questions or issues you'd like us to address in future episodes!Thanks for listening!

In this episode, we discuss campaigns that died before their time (and the many causes that can contribute to such a tragedy), before moving on to our main topic: sources of inspiration and how to translate them into your game. And remember to call our Lake Geneva, WI, voicemail number (262-729-9774) or leave us a comment with questions or issues you'd like us to address in future episodes!Thanks for listening!

In this episode, we talk about the issues of finding balance in systems that are not designed to encourage balanced play, and discuss strategies for finding players in your area. We also field our first-ever voice mail question! And remember to call our Lake Geneva, WI, voicemail number (262-729-9774) or leave us a comment with questions or issues you'd like us to address in future episodes!Thanks for listening!