Podcasts about npcs

You've written the deep history of your world—the fallen empires, ancient gods, and myths that shaped the land. But when you try to share it at the table… your players check out. In this episode of The Bearded Nerd Podcast, Brian reveals 5 secrets to delivering world lore that actually sticks with your players. Learn how to make lore part of the gameplay, not just flavor text.

If you could reflect on one thing, it's this:What are you still allowing that you now have the power to change?This letter is for anyone who's ever witnessed someone they love live small in order to survive.The writer speaks to her cousins, trying to help them see the impact of a domineering father. Though now adults with careers, they still live under his roof: polite, submissive, and living like NPCs. The writer reflects on how her own journey of independence has made her more aware of what her cousins never had.Whether you've been the one watching from the outside or the one still inside the house, this letter shines a light on what's unspoken in some Filipino families: the cost of obedience, the price of silence, and the risk of choosing yourself. This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit www.tfawletters.com/subscribe

AI is reshaping gaming in ways we couldn't have imagined a few years ago—smart NPCs that remember you, worlds that evolve in real time, and stories that adapt to your playstyle. But is this the future we want… or a shortcut that kills creativity? This week, the Amerime Junkies crew digs into the hype, the risks, and the games already experimenting with AI. From The Sims to Cyberpunk, from small studios to big publishers, we're talking the next era of gaming.

Kev and Codey round up all the recent news Timings 00:00:00: Theme Tune 00:00:30: Intro 00:02:49: What Have We Been Up To 00:23:52: Game Releases 00:51:09: Game Updates 01:00:01: New Games 01:16:21: Outro Links Research Story 1.0 Little Witch in the Woods 1.0 Slime Rancher 2 1.0 Grimshire Early Access Hotel Galactic Early Access Hotel Galactic Apology Out and About Release Date Out and About Release Delay Ages of Cataria Early Access Release Go-go Town Switch Space Sprouts Update 1 Terra Nil Heatwave Update Snacko 1.1 Update Everdream Valley Family Time DLC Firefly Village Honogurashi No Niwa Galactic Getaway Development Issues Contact Al on Mastodon: https://mastodon.scot/@TheScotBot Email Us: https://harvestseason.club/contact/ Transcript (0:00:30) Kev: Hello farmers and welcome to another episode of the harvest season. My name is Kevin. I’m not alone today. I (0:00:38) Codey: Oooooh though people be clamorin’ for solo Kev time. (0:00:47) Kev: Like how I push the envelope every time I’m you know, I total line but oh (0:00:53) Codey: I’m gonna be real with you. (0:00:55) Codey: I have not listened to the most recent episode. (0:00:58) Codey: I think I’m still finishing up the Tiny Garden episode. (0:01:01) Kev: That’s okay, that’s fine. That’s fine. I (0:01:04) Codey: So I still have a couple episodes to go, (0:01:06) Codey: but I just know that you rock it every time. (0:01:13) Kev: Am (0:01:14) Kev: Getting an hour plus solo recording. I do that’s mmm. I don’t know if that’s good or bad (0:01:17) Codey: Mm-hmm. (0:01:20) Kev: That just so that just shows I’m very well versed in talking to myself (0:01:25) Kev: possibly too much (0:01:27) Codey: - Nah, you got, you’re good at it. (0:01:30) Codey: It’s all good. (0:01:31) Kev: Ah, yeah, okay. Well, hi everyone again. I’m Kevin (0:01:36) Codey: - Yeah, you are and I’m not Kevin, I’m Cody. (0:01:37) Kev: Yeah (0:01:39) Kev: And there you go. There we go (0:01:41) Kev: certifiably not Kevin (0:01:43) Codey: - Yeah. (0:01:43) Kev: And we are here to talk today to talk about cottagecore games. Whoo (0:01:48) Codey: - Oh woo, ow, ow, ow. (0:01:50) Kev: Now you dear listener may be wondering why cottagecore and not more deep diving into the Lord of (0:01:56) Codey: Yeah, we really set we set y’all up for, uh, for some, some shire stuff. But alas, we (0:02:00) Kev: And well (0:02:04) Kev: The month of the Shire (0:02:08) Codey: are here, not for the shire. (0:02:10) Kev: The fake out oh, but you know, you know what I’m gonna add something to the what I’ve been up to (0:02:18) Codey: Oh, okay, cool. (0:02:22) Kev: Okay (0:02:24) Kev: But yeah, we’re all over and we’re here to talk about news because news is built up (0:02:28) Kev: We are spoiler alert (0:02:32) Kev: We’re working on the Shire episode, whatever the tale of the Shire episode, but we needed a weak buffer (0:02:36) Kev: And so Cody and I said alright, we’ll just do some news because there’s plenty of news to talk about with the build-up. So (0:02:40) Codey: Yeah. It sure has been a hot minute. (0:02:45) Kev: Yep (0:02:47) Kev: Okay, so yeah news catch up and we’ll get to that as we do (0:02:50) Kev: But before that Cody tell me what has been going on over over there in Cody World (0:02:56) Codey: to think of it. So I think, uh, during those episodes recording with Johnny, I had not yet (0:03:03) Codey: gone to beetle school. So since that time I went to beetle school, you guys, and I had some, (0:03:11) Codey: it was really fun. Uh, I was up in the Chiricahua’s in Arizona, which is not like my first thought. (0:03:16) Codey: I was like, Oh God, Arizona, not looking forward to this super hot. I don’t do hot. Uh, the Chiricahua’s (0:03:21) Codey: were. Lovely. Um, I want to say it never got above like 70 (0:03:26) Codey: degrees. It was like around 70 degrees, but we could go down (0:03:26) Kev: Ooh, that’s lovely! (0:03:31) Codey: into the desert. And so we went into the desert like at night a (0:03:34) Codey: couple times and we got to see some, some tarantulas and some (0:03:38) Codey: rattlesnakes. And so like we got to, to adventure. We also went (0:03:43) Codey: up higher where it was almost like 11,000 feet elevation, um, (0:03:48) Codey: in the Chiricahuas. And it was, it was actually very cold up (0:03:50) Codey: there. I was like, I should have brought a jacket. Yeah. (0:03:52) Kev: Yeah, yeah, it’s the elevation right cuz Atlanta’s similar where we’re you know down South deep, Georgia (0:03:57) Kev: But what’s its mountain eats high evolution into elevation so it can still get chilly (0:04:01) Codey: Yeah. So that was really fun. I learned a lot about Beatles and I feel a lot more confident now. (0:04:06) Kev: So and and you did you graduate are you certified are you do you have a license to be a beetle now? (0:04:13) Codey: You know, it’s funny because when I went to fly school last summer, they gave me a little certificate. (0:04:18) Kev: Yeah (0:04:21) Codey: We did not get a certificate for Beatles. So I, all I have, all I have is the memories. (0:04:23) Kev: Oh, oh no the Beatles got a step up their game (0:04:31) Codey: Uh, the one thing that is beneficial about this is so fly school was more of an international thing. (0:04:36) Codey: There were like maybe six or seven of us that were from the US, but most of the students were from, um, all over the world. (0:04:43) Codey: But so it is unlikely for me to run into the people that I met from fly school at the conferences that I go to because I mostly just go to United States conferences. (0:04:52) Codey: But all, almost all the beetle people, except for like two people, uh, there was a Canadian and a New Zealander. Um, they were all. (0:05:01) Codey: Uh, citizens of America. And so I will be seeing most of them at the conference that I’m going to in November. Very stoked about that. (0:05:09) Codey: Um, cause you make these connections and then, you know, I, it’s like, Oh man, when am I ever going to see that? (0:05:15) Codey: That really cool Italian from, from fly school or whatever. Um, but yeah, I will see most of these people again. (0:05:16) Kev: - Yeah. (0:05:18) Kev: Yeah. (laughs) (0:05:22) Codey: And it’s just great to start building those connections. Um, so I did that. (0:05:27) Codey: that. (0:05:31) Codey: I have also been playing, I’m still playing honey Grove. (0:05:35) Codey: Um, I have unlocked a new explorer B so I’m now at five, but I think there’s six. (0:05:44) Codey: And I’m just like playing it a little bit at a time. (0:05:47) Codey: I’m working on my specimens as per usual so I will graduate or I will defend in the in December now I have had to. (0:05:54) Kev: Okay, these are real specimens. We switched to not the honeygrove specimens (0:05:56) Codey: Correct. We’ve switched to real life. (0:06:01) Codey: Yeah, into the real world. (0:06:04) Codey: So yeah, working on that, I had almost the entire time we were (0:06:08) Codey: kind of on our little break and we were doing the Lord of the (0:06:11) Kev: Yeah. (0:06:12) Codey: Rings stuff. I actually had people that helped me. So I (0:06:13) Kev: Yeah. (0:06:15) Kev: No. (0:06:16) Codey: wasn’t doing everything by myself, which was amazing. Yeah, (0:06:18) Kev: You had cronies. (0:06:20) Codey: we called him my henchmen. And so I had henchmen and they did (0:06:21) Kev: Yeah, there you go, that’s correct. (0:06:25) Codey: an amazing job and they learned so much and I’m so proud of (0:06:28) Codey: them. But I am like almost back to being solo now and I (0:06:31) Codey: am stressing but I got it. I’ve got this but I had to push back (0:06:36) Codey: my defense just because of how much work so I will be defending (0:06:40) Codey: in December now fingers crossed and then actually like graduating (0:06:45) Codey: and like walking for my doctorate in the spring, which (0:06:46) Kev: Oh, snap. (0:06:48) Codey: I don’t super care about it being like so far out. (0:06:52) Kev: Yeah. (0:06:52) Codey: It’s actually better for a lot of my family members that want (0:06:55) Codey: to come and watch me walk because yeah, so they don’t have (0:06:57) Kev: To plan, yeah. (0:06:58) Kev: Mm-hmm. (0:06:59) Codey: to come when it’s like. (0:07:01) Codey: Possibly snowy. (0:07:03) Codey: There’ve been times when my mom wanted to come visit or I wanted to go visit (0:07:06) Codey: home and it like during the June, um, sorry, December, um, January timeframe. (0:07:12) Kev: Yeah. (0:07:13) Codey: Then it just doesn’t work. (0:07:14) Kev: Yeah. (0:07:15) Codey: So it’s better for it to be. (0:07:16) Kev: Yeah. (0:07:16) Kev: I mean, yeah, it’s wild how people who don’t live in snowy areas just absolutely get bodied (0:07:26) Codey: Well, but even even that that I mean even just irrespective of that there is the fact that like (0:07:26) Kev: by snow. (0:07:32) Codey: We will have entire like planes shut down like people will try and travel like the last time I tried to go there (0:07:36) Kev: Oh, that… mmm… that is true. (0:07:41) Codey: I (0:07:42) Codey: Well, what’s the last time? (0:07:43) Codey: I don’t know (0:07:44) Codey: I tried to go home and I was gonna be home for like two and a half weeks and then I ended up having to cut (0:07:48) Codey: It short because my flight got delayed and then I finally got on the plane (0:07:52) Codey: Like it got delayed by like two days and then I finally got (0:07:54) Kev: No, my god, oh my goodness, oh (0:07:56) Codey: Yeah, and then I finally got on the plane. I was on the plane and then there were they had mechanical issues (0:08:00) Codey: And then finally when they can’t mechanical issues (0:08:01) Kev: No (0:08:03) Codey: Cleared up there was that flight was supposed to go to Chicago O’Hare and then O’Hare was getting like three feet of snow (0:08:10) Codey: So they were like, you know, you guys can sit tight (0:08:13) Codey: But we are basically being told to wait and I was just like nope screw it. I just left (0:08:16) Kev: Mm-hmm. Yeah. Yeah (0:08:20) Codey: like (0:08:22) Codey: No (0:08:23) Codey: But yeah, so that kind of stuff happens (0:08:24) Kev: Apologies to Aislinn for triggering her (0:08:26) Codey: especially (0:08:30) Codey: Yeah, it’s I mean, yeah, she knows all about it and (0:08:34) Codey: Yeah going even just like going to Arizona and my stuff got canceled a million times. So (0:08:40) Codey: It’s just a hard time out there right now for sure (0:08:44) Codey: But then my last update is I’m playing Tales of the Shire (0:08:50) Kev: Did you- did you- did you- did- how far are you? (0:08:53) Codey: Um, I don’t… (0:08:56) Codey: Are you playing it too? (0:08:57) Kev: No, I’m not. I’m just curious. (0:08:58) Codey: Oh, okay. (0:08:59) Kev: I- did you have, you know, ballpark estimate? 50%? (0:09:02) Codey: No, no, no, not anywhere near that. (0:09:03) Kev: Okay. (0:09:04) Codey: I’m still in the same… (0:09:05) Kev: There you go. (0:09:06) Codey: I’m still in the first, like… (0:09:08) Codey: I think you start in summer. (0:09:10) Kev: Okay. (0:09:10) Codey: And I’m still in summer. (0:09:11) Kev: Mmm, ahh. (0:09:12) Codey: Um, but I feel like I’m getting… (0:09:18) Codey: I’m, like, going at a good clip. (0:09:19) Codey: I just was gone for a long time. (0:09:22) Codey: And then now that I’m back, (0:09:23) Codey: I’ve been so busy with, like, getting caught up with work. (0:09:24) Kev: Yeah. (0:09:26) Codey: Visiting and stuff, and so, yeah. (0:09:27) Kev: Ahh, alright, alright. (0:09:29) Codey: Uh, well, so that’s what I’ve been up to. (0:09:30) Kev: Well, uh… (0:09:31) Codey: What have you been up to, Kev? (0:09:32) Kev: Well, I was just gonna say, I’m waiting to hear when you finally defeat Sauron, um, Tails of the Shire, but, uh… (0:09:38) Kev: But, hahaha, but, uh… (0:09:40) Codey: That is, that is interesting. (0:09:42) Codey: I’m at the point, um, I don’t know if… (0:09:44) Codey: So this is not a spoiler. (0:09:45) Codey: I don’t know if “Tales of the Shire” is before or after. (0:09:49) Codey: So, um, yeah, I’m not entirely sure. (0:09:53) Codey: It is unclear to me at this, at this stage. (0:09:56) Kev: What if you invite Sauron to tea and you don’t even know it? (0:09:56) Codey: I… (0:09:59) Kev: It could happen. (0:10:00) Codey: You know what? (0:10:01) Codey: It could happen. (0:10:07) Kev: That’s good stuff. (0:10:09) Kev: Okay, well, this past week I’ve been slammed by work. (0:10:13) Kev: I did the coming of the office on, (0:10:15) Kev: I have to come into the office on Saturday yesterday (0:10:18) Kev: ‘cause it’s that bad. (0:10:20) Kev: But other than that, the week before wasn’t as bad. (0:10:26) Kev: There was actually an office party dinner thing (0:10:30) Kev: where I tried to karaoke for the first time. (0:10:32) Codey: Ooh, did you like, did you enjoy it? (0:10:34) Kev: Oh yeah, so, okay. (0:10:36) Kev: I mean, first of all, I am into music, period. (0:10:39) Codey: Mm-hmm. (0:10:41) Kev: I am the one, first one on and last one off, (0:10:44) Kev: generally the dance floor. (0:10:46) Kev: Now, this wasn’t a dance floor, (0:10:48) Kev: even though I was moving a bit. (0:10:50) Kev: But, I mean, as evidenced by here, this endeavor, (0:10:54) Kev: I have no problem scre- (0:10:56) Kev: screaming things into a microphone so karaoke was to fit like a glove (0:11:01) Kev: um I I did many songs I don’t remember all of it I know I did um at first they (0:11:09) Kev: did like a curated list cuz they want to stay professionally yada yada but by the (0:11:14) Kev: end of it we’re just doing whatever I know I did the mean canto Columbia mean (0:11:19) Kev: canto from the Disney movie in canto I sung in Spanish build me up buttercup (0:11:22) Codey: Mm-hmm. (0:11:26) Kev: there um oh my girl by the temptations that was a good one so on and so forth (0:11:33) Kev: anyways I did karaoke stay tuned will that show up on a solo ops or maybe I (0:11:38) Codey: Ooh, like you would do karaoke on a solo episode. (0:11:43) Kev: cannot be stopped you do will I have a new theme song written for the heart (0:11:48) Kev: season maybe yeah yeah yeah yeah yeah yeah yeah yeah (0:11:50) Codey: I might, you know what, if ever we’re going to record again, I might have to, you know, I’m sick. (0:11:56) Kev: I mean will yeah oh my gosh I’ll should do one of those patreon goals you know (0:11:58) Codey: I want to hear the karaoke. (0:12:04) Codey: That would, you know what, that would be fun, having a greenhouse of karaoke. (0:12:08) Codey: I’m going to put that on there. I have green, oh my gosh, yeah, I have three greenhouses with (0:12:16) Kev: yeah we need to get that we got it we got (0:12:19) Codey: Kev on a sticky note on my laptop and it’s the Sonic 3 movie, Bluey and now karaoke. (0:12:26) Kev: all those are all excellent topics I love blue so I don’t watch blue in a (0:12:27) Codey: I know. (0:12:30) Kev: minute I’m not seeing all the way to something we’ll get there um okay but (0:12:36) Kev: yes karaoke so I carry okie on unabashedly and and yeah um okay game (0:12:44) Kev: stuff though um okay oh okay DK bonanza came out I do not have a switch to my (0:12:50) Kev: brother does I do not so I’ve not played it but (0:12:56) Kev: I do play Tetris 99 and they do events every now and then they’re the kind of (0:12:58) Codey: - Okay, yep. (0:13:03) Kev: always under the radar but I pick up on them because I’m a fiend for Tetris (0:13:07) Kev: DK Bonanza had an event where they put you know a special skin on the Tetris (0:13:12) Kev: screen the blocks and and they play music from the game and so on and so (0:13:17) Kev: forth it was great it’s fantastic music was stellar absolutely stellar so much (0:13:24) Kev: So that like a day or two after. (0:13:26) Kev: I was like, man, I want more of that DK Bonanza music in my veins. (0:13:30) Kev: So I loaded up on the done, you know, YouTube or whatever. (0:13:34) Kev: And then I saw spoilers. (0:13:35) Kev: I didn’t think I could ever see spoilers for a Donkey Kong game, but musical spoilers. (0:13:42) Kev: Which is wild that one, there were spoilers in the Donkey Kong game, but there are. (0:13:47) Kev: And two, that I was spoiled by the soundtrack. (0:13:49) Codey: by this soundtrack done dirty (0:13:53) Kev: so I uh you know (0:13:56) Kev: I haven’t played it but I will say that’s one of the greatest games ever (0:14:00) Kev: from what I’ve seen that will happen (0:14:03) Kev: oh goodness but um so yeah the DK bonanza it’s already good thumbs up from (0:14:10) Kev: you without playing it oh okay oh you know here’s another getting on game (0:14:16) Kev: thing and hey hey here we go people I’m still keeping it in theme I have been (0:14:21) Kev: watching Rings of Power on the Prime Video. (0:14:23) Codey: Ooooh. (0:14:26) Kev: Umm, that’s the Lord of the Rings the prequel series question mark? (0:14:29) Codey: Yeah, it’s it’s a prequel series. (0:14:30) Kev: I g- (0:14:32) Kev: Yeah, it is. I mean like, you know, it’s big open world of Tolkien lore, whatever, but- (0:14:38) Kev: But yes, it happens before the Lord of the Rings. (0:14:40) Kev: Umm… (0:14:41) Kev: I- I- Are you familiar with this at all, Cody? (0:14:44) Codey: unfortunately. Unfortunately, I wish I could get those hours back. No, so it is beautiful. (0:14:47) Kev: Oh, you are. (0:14:48) Kev: Th- That’s unfortunately you are. (0:14:56) Kev: That is all right. Oh no, uh-huh (0:15:00) Codey: It’s beautiful, but they only got rights to like some of the content. And so they just had to like, (0:15:08) Codey: make stuff up, and I hate it. Um. (0:15:09) Kev: Yeah, that’s what I’ve heard I (0:15:15) Codey: So without getting too, like, too nerdy, but this is still going to be fairly nerdy. And I could be (0:15:23) Codey: wrong, but this is kind of how I remember it. So Galadriel’s brothers were like fighting. They were (0:15:32) Codey: trying to get revenge on, I think Sauron, because he killed someone who was related to them in the (0:15:38) Codey: war of the, like, when they were trying to fight over the Silmarils. And so they basically like, killed. (0:15:44) Codey: They ended up, like, almost killing each other because they were just so, like, embroiled in this (0:15:47) Kev: - Yeah. (0:15:49) Codey: drama. And Galadriel, like, is known in the Silmarillion to have been like, I don’t want to (0:15:56) Codey: take part of my brother’s war, or my brother’s wars, or whatever. And then the Rings of Power (0:15:58) Kev: Okay, yeah (0:16:02) Codey: is all her taking part in her brother’s wars. And I’m like, no! So that was right away. I was like, (0:16:04) Kev: It is (0:16:08) Kev: Oh (0:16:12) Codey: Oh, I’m grumpy because she was. (0:16:13) Kev: That’s incredible (0:16:14) Codey: She was supposed to be like, not caring. (0:16:18) Codey: And she was just like, well, screw you guys. (0:16:20) Codey: I’m going to go live in the woods and. (0:16:21) Kev: I’m going to go in sight more war. Oh (0:16:24) Codey: Yeah, exactly. (0:16:25) Codey: And so, but I get they had to do things differently and like. (0:16:28) Kev: That’s that’s amazing (0:16:30) Kev: So I guess I have the privilege of being a normie like I have watched Florida the Rings in the Hobbit (0:16:34) Codey: Yeah. (0:16:35) Kev: But I’m I’m not deep in there. It’s it’s it’s I’ve struggled for it just to stick with me (0:16:40) Codey: Well, and there’s just like so much like, who is so wrong? (0:16:43) Kev: Yeah (0:16:45) Kev: Yes (0:16:45) Codey: Are we all Sauron? (0:16:48) Codey: Like, there’s a Sauron in all of us. (0:16:48) Kev: Maybe that maybe if we believe it (0:16:50) Codey: And I like the whole time and I’m just like, okay, I’m, I’m done with this. (0:16:54) Codey: Like, I, uh, (0:16:58) Kev: He does (0:17:00) Kev: That is probably (0:17:02) Kev: like one of the most (0:17:04) Kev: entertaining but in a bad kind of way like he’s very (0:17:08) Kev: Over the top almost like I mean not not ridiculously so but compared to the the movies, right? (0:17:13) Codey: Mm-hmm. (0:17:14) Kev: Sauron is a you know more of a force. He’s not a guy right? (0:17:17) Kev: He’s he is the giant eyeball in the sky and this overwhelming presence and here he’s he compared to that (0:17:23) Kev: He feels like a mustache twirling, you know, ooh spooky bit (0:17:26) Codey: Yeah, yeah. (0:17:29) Kev: But that’s it. I mean I’ve been enjoying it. I don’t know all the lore (0:17:32) Kev: I point to the screen when I know a thing but then that’s it (0:17:36) Kev: It’s the productions. Well done. It’s good production better production than the Hobbit (0:17:40) Codey: Yeah, it’s gorgeous. (0:17:41) Codey: It is beautiful and like, but I, (0:17:44) Codey: so I don’t think I’ve watched past the first season. (0:17:46) Codey: I don’t know how much there is. (0:17:48) Kev: There’s three two and they’re working on (0:17:51) Codey: Okay, I didn’t watch past the first one (0:17:53) Codey: because I just, I need to like take off my snooty hat, (0:17:58) Kev: - Yeah. (0:17:59) Codey: you know, and just let things be different and stuff. (0:18:02) Codey: and I just have yet to… (0:18:05) Codey: get the balls to do that, I guess, I don’t know. (0:18:08) Kev: Yeah, it’s hmm. I will I will say again. I say this as a very (0:18:14) Kev: novice casual Lord of the Rings enjoyer (0:18:16) Kev: I feel like they’re really trying hard to tie it to the Lord of the Rings. Yeah, you know the movies right because like (0:18:20) Codey: Yeah, but they’re like literally not supposed to. (0:18:24) Kev: Yeah, yeah, I know because there’s the the hobbits. They’re not even called hobbits (0:18:28) Kev: I forget anyways there are two hobbits and it’s very clearly trying to evoke Sam and Frodo even though they’re not and but no (0:18:37) Kev: Whatever (0:18:38) Kev: It’s fine. I’m enjoying it. Whatever. There you go (0:18:38) Codey: Yep, wasn’t my favorite. It’s I it is enjoyable, especially I think if you have not seen. Yeah, (0:18:45) Kev: The less you know the less, you know with the little tuning star (0:18:47) Codey: the last you know. But like what before it was coming up, I was like, so because I knew it was (0:18:52) Codey: coming. So I read that I was like, I’m gonna read the Silmarillion and then I can have like a little (0:18:53) Kev: Yeah (0:18:56) Codey: bit of idea and I really just shouldn’t have because it ruined it for me. Yep. (0:18:59) Kev: You know too much (0:19:01) Kev: You’re you’re into deep (0:19:03) Kev: Yeah, but I mean it’s it’s fine like it it’s it’s there are worse things to watch (0:19:08) Codey: Yeah, and I know, no, no, dude, that third one, this is me trying not to yell right now. (0:19:09) Kev: Arguably some of the Hobbit movies. Mm-hmm. That third one’s rough. I’m just sorry (0:19:20) Codey: That third one is rough for people because they don’t watch the extended edition. (0:19:25) Kev: Yeah (0:19:27) Codey: You got to watch all of it. (0:19:28) Kev: Okay, you know what that’s probably fair just that’s oh (0:19:31) Codey: There’s so much that’s like cut out that makes it seem like not then you’re like, (0:19:34) Kev: I believe it (0:19:37) Codey: why is he why is this (0:19:38) Codey: so (0:19:39) Kev: You (0:19:40) Kev: That is correct. That is my reaction to many things in that movie is someone who’s not seen the extended cut (0:19:46) Codey: You gotta see the extended come if you if you believe if you think the Hobbit movies are bad come come (0:19:47) Kev: Okay (0:19:51) Codey: We’ll go watch if you and you haven’t seen the extended and you haven’t seen the extended editions (0:19:52) Kev: Go listen to the episode (0:19:56) Codey: Go watch them and then come back to me (0:19:59) Kev: Okay, we have a greenhouse episode on the hobbit I have not listened to it to be fair (0:20:02) Codey: We do (0:20:06) Codey: We do we had fun with those for sure (0:20:07) Kev: But I will (0:20:08) Kev: Yeah, I bet (0:20:10) Codey: When we were recording them, we were like, I don’t know if I was gonna cut half of this or not (0:20:14) Kev: As Al pointed out those greenhouse discussions sparked more discussion in the slack than any other episode of anything (0:20:16) Codey: You (0:20:19) Codey: Yeah, maybe we just need to be let loose (0:20:29) Kev: Okay, um, but yeah, okay now they all right one more thing um for me um the big one (0:20:36) Kev: Uh, Drumroll, please unicorn overla- (0:20:38) Kev: Oh Lord, credits hit today baby! (0:20:41) Codey: Ooh! (0:20:43) Kev: Ooh, um, so I did, like, everything, to be fair, right? (0:20:43) Codey: How many hours is that? (0:20:48) Kev: ‘Cause they’re- they’re very clear, like, here’s the main missions, here’s a bunch of side missions, and you don’t- they’re optional. (0:20:54) Kev: Uh, I did it all, I clocked in at about 110 hours, I think it was. (0:21:00) Kev: Um, and yeah- (0:21:04) Kev: So, I mean, overall thumbs up, my comments are still- (0:21:07) Kev: It’s a– (0:21:08) Kev: Consistent game, I’ll say that. (0:21:10) Kev: Like it’s– (0:21:12) Kev: It’s the strategy gameplay. The story is nothing to write home about. It’s straightforward fantasy (0:21:21) Kev: armies and whatnot. (0:21:23) Kev: Political royalty, yada, yada. (0:21:26) Kev: So it’s enjoyable. It’s comfort food for me. So I enjoy it. Like it’s quality. Don’t get me wrong. (0:21:29) Codey: Yeah. (0:21:32) Kev: It’s not bad, but it just hits the spot for me. (0:21:36) Kev: My biggest complaint and this is gonna sound weird cuz I (0:21:39) Kev: Just said I clocked in 110 hours (0:21:41) Kev: it’s it’s not enough they’re missing and and (0:21:48) Kev: Specifically the end I think I mentioned this on a previous episode, but (0:21:52) Kev: As it came out the developers ran out of money towards the end and you can feel it you can feel it (0:22:00) Kev: So the like I said, there’s main missions, right? And as you beat them, you know (0:22:04) Kev: You’ll not you progress towards the final mission in the (0:22:09) Kev: ultimate main mission you unlock you get one new character a new class that you’ve never had before (0:22:16) Codey: Okay. (0:22:17) Kev: Which in you know these kind of strategy games, that’s a big deal like you don’t get any time to use your new toy basically (0:22:23) Codey: Mm hmm. (0:22:24) Codey: Yeah. (0:22:24) Kev: Congrats, you finally got the last character go beat the game (0:22:29) Kev: Now that’s it there is a little post game epilogue that I can do and whatnot (0:22:35) Kev: And it is still overall very big. It has a lot of (0:22:39) Kev: Variations and and just little things. There’s a couple of different endings you can do (0:22:45) Kev: There’s relationships and and and support conversations that are fun (0:22:52) Kev: But but yeah overall it’s great (0:22:56) Kev: one of the (0:22:58) Kev: Interesting things to get the true the best ending you have to get hitched you have to find a partner (0:23:02) Codey: Mmm. Boo. (0:23:04) Kev: Which is yeah (0:23:07) Kev: Yeah, they try to play it up in the (0:23:08) Kev: it’s it’s a little it’s a little forced a little you know shoehorned in but but (0:23:15) Kev: whatever I still I still have a lot of fun I’m very happy I want more I want (0:23:21) Kev: unicorn overlord 2 now please but yeah just thumbs up overall and that game (0:23:28) Kev: frequently goes on sale so if you have any interest in strategy you know fantasy (0:23:33) Kev: stuff go for it it’s good but okay and hey I hit credits on the game that (0:23:38) Kev: been often for me and at least not lately so yeah all right okay so that’s (0:23:43) Kev: uh that’s that’s stuff we’ve been up to whoo all right let’s get into news (0:23:50) Kev: there’s a lot of it all right we’re gonna start off with the game about Cody (0:23:56) Kev: research story in honor of her almost getting done so they came out with 1.0 (0:24:02) Kev: that is out now I don’t know when it would July it’s been (0:24:09) Kev: for a while more than now yep exactly (0:24:10) Codey: Well, yeah news catch-up episode everybody (0:24:15) Codey: Yeah, so this uh, this adds the epilogue the conclusion some end credits, you know proposals and marriage (0:24:22) Codey: One thing that I super enjoy about this is they have 10 marriage candidates and the proposals can either be player (0:24:29) Codey: initiated or NPC initiated (0:24:32) Kev: Oh, that’s… Oh my gosh! Has that been done before? (0:24:34) Codey: So I (0:24:37) Kev: Oh… (0:24:37) Codey: I don’t know, but I kind of like that where you’re. (0:24:40) Codey: Spend in time with an NPC and then suddenly you just hit a cut scene and they’re proposing to you like I think that’s awesome. (0:24:49) Kev: pretty good that’s pretty like you know obviously well documented lamenting of (0:24:54) Kev: the relationship mechanic or whatever but if you’re gonna do it put in some (0:24:57) Codey: Right. (0:24:59) Kev: effort do something new that’s good I like that that’s good (0:25:01) Codey: Yeah. (0:25:03) Codey: Definitely like that. (0:25:05) Codey: Give more to say about that. (0:25:07) Kev: no just with two things one that makes you think of unicorn oh Lord at one one (0:25:12) Kev: quick shout out just I remembered to get the true ending you have to have your (0:25:16) Kev: Which I think this is actually kind of a thumbs (0:25:19) Kev: up for me. You have to have whoever your selected partner is in your party for the final fight to get the true ending, which I think is kind of nice. (0:25:28) Kev: But yeah, no, just overall, I think that’s great. Having the other person initiate it, that’s great. (0:25:34) Kev: Yeah, no, I’m still kind of on the fence of it being included in the game at all, but here we are, and they did work, so I’ll give them props for that. (0:25:45) Codey: Um, yeah, so that was cool. (0:25:47) Codey: They also had some quality of life adjustments. (0:25:50) Codey: Um, so that brings the game to its 1.0, which is great. (0:25:53) Codey: And the current price is 1399. (0:25:55) Codey: They had it on sale for 60% off, I believe, um, for a hot minute. (0:26:00) Codey: But I think by the time this comes out, it’s already gone. (0:26:03) Codey: So, um, yeah, so, but that’s fine. (0:26:04) Kev: store. Yeah, it’s really not. And that’s, that’s fine. Yeah, the kind I almost feel bad that (0:26:07) Codey: 1399 is nothing. (0:26:08) Codey: Um, on August 28th, they’re going to increase it to 1499. (0:26:15) Codey: Just still feel nothing. (0:26:17) Codey: So you guys. (0:26:21) Kev: they said we, we are not charging, we’re not making money, they, they do deserve that money. (0:26:26) Codey: Yeah, so that was cool. (0:26:26) Kev: So good for them. (0:26:30) Codey: And then the final thing, they had a couple hints (0:26:34) Codey: of what they’re working on next. (0:26:35) Codey: And they are going to do Mac ports and Linux ports. (0:26:41) Codey: But Mac– ooh, very excited about that. (0:26:43) Kev: - Yeah, woo! (0:26:48) Codey: I just never touch my PC anymore. (0:26:50) Kev: laughs I… (0:26:52) Codey: So we’re going to move it up. (0:26:54) Codey: We’re supposed to move it up here this week. (0:26:56) Codey: Um, but I’m also like very busy right now. (0:26:59) Codey: So there’s no way I’m going to play it soon, but. (0:27:02) Kev: Yeah, I have never owned an Apple product. No, that’s not true. I had an iPad or iPod. (0:27:08) Codey: iPod. (0:27:08) Kev: Yeah, that’s an iPod, yes. Back in the day, like the Mini, the Nano, whatever. That’s it. (0:27:14) Kev: But hey, good for you people. Man, those romancibles, they are pretty people. (0:27:18) Codey: - Yeah. (0:27:23) Codey: That’s pretty, yeah. (0:27:25) Codey: They, yeah. (0:27:26) Kev: Sparkles all over. Somebody has birds in there. Good for them. (0:27:30) Codey: Yep. (0:27:32) Kev: All right. Yeah, good for your research story. I do think it is worth celebrating any of these games (0:27:39) Kev: because we’ve seen them in the docket so long, hit 1.0. So good for you. Yeah, (0:27:44) Kev: and it feels like a 1.0 release. Speaking of 1.0s, a little witch in the woods. (0:27:53) Kev: September 4th, they’re dropping the 1.0. And yeah, let’s hear it. (0:28:02) Kev: Okay, right now it’s $16. That is comparable to the other ones. Oh man, these people, (0:28:11) Kev: like, I feel weird saying it. I just feel bad for these devs who work so hard. (0:28:15) Kev: They could probably go up to $19.99. I’m just saying. No one’s gonna weep over the extra (0:28:17) Codey: Yeah, like that’s not going to be that’s not going to break the bank. (0:28:21) Kev: five bucks. I’m just saying. No, it’s not. They deserve a 20. I’m just saying. Anyways, (0:28:30) Kev: So yeah, it’s dropped (0:28:32) Kev: September 4th, it’s you know, all sorts of new features new areas the villager the village with new villagers stories (0:28:41) Kev: quality of life, etc, etc (0:28:44) Kev: so yeah, that’s (0:28:46) Kev: Yeah, good for them. That’ll be you know more less than a month when this drops (0:28:54) Kev: So yeah, I’m looking forward to that. Yeah, I don’t know how do we (0:29:00) Kev: I’m just thinking, how do I feel about the- (0:29:02) Kev: It does look very cute. I like the art style a lot. Will I play this? I don’t know, maybe. (0:29:06) Codey: Yeah, I’m, I don’t know how I feel bad, but I’m, I’m, I’m done with witches, man. I’ve. (0:29:12) Kev: It it has been used exhaustively in this space hasn’t it? (0:29:19) Kev: Yeah (0:29:20) Kev: But but hey (0:29:23) Kev: Well, let’s say here wait one second. Well, you know what? Let’s uh, oh gosh (0:29:30) Kev: No, never mind. Okay. Okay. Um, alright, let’s talk about (0:29:34) Kev: another release coming out (0:29:36) Kev: Slime Rancher 2 September 23rd that is another 1.0. It’s (0:29:42) Kev: Coming out on (0:29:44) Kev: Everything pretty much nuts. Not true steam epic games PS. I can’t believe the epic game store still running (0:29:50) Codey: Yep. Yep. (0:29:50) Kev: PS 5 and Xbox series x slash x s whatever that whatever the current letter is not switch not switch - (0:29:59) Kev: but (0:30:01) Kev: Yeah, it’s coming out. It looks (0:30:04) Kev: Chaotic and fun. It’s it’s weird. We don’t talk about first-person shooters on this on this show much (0:30:10) Kev: But yeah, here we go with you (0:30:12) Kev: Vacuum up or launch the slimes (0:30:15) Kev: Yeah, I don’t know the well. I didn’t play the first one. I will probably not play. There’s nothing wrong with it (0:30:21) Kev: I’m just busy (0:30:22) Codey: Yeah, not not super for me either. But I know some people (0:30:26) Codey: are really excited about it. So very happy for them that it is (0:30:28) Kev: Yeah, no it (0:30:30) Codey: coming out in a month and a half. (0:30:32) Kev: It looks like a quality game. I will say that so good for you so I’m rancher to have people (0:30:38) Kev: Alright, now let’s keep rolling. (0:30:43) Kev: Ok, we’re backing off from the releases. (0:30:46) Kev: Let’s go now to our bread and butter on the show, Early Access and Betas. (0:30:52) Kev: Early Access for the game called Grimshire. (0:30:58) Kev: It is officially out now. (0:31:02) Kev: Let’s see here. (0:31:04) Kev: Here, you wrote some notes, take it away Cody. (0:31:06) Codey: - Yeah, so I wrote some notes (0:31:08) Codey: because I hadn’t really heard about this game (0:31:10) Codey: and I was like, what, this is Grimshire? (0:31:14) Codey: But this is a cozy game podcast, (0:31:16) Codey: like Cottagecore game podcast, what? (0:31:18) Codey: And so I went and looked at it and it is, it’s cute. (0:31:22) Codey: It reminds me, like the character models (0:31:25) Codey: remind me a lot of Redwall. (0:31:28) Codey: Did you ever read the Redwall books? (0:31:30) Kev: Yeah yo, so yeah, this is Redwall is like one of my favorite fantasy variants. (0:31:37) Kev: I don’t know how to describe that, but like, because anytime you, the critter, it’s like anthropomorphic critters and little animals. (0:31:44) Codey: Mm-hmm. (0:31:45) Kev: I’m, I’m down like 10, I’m not going to lie. (0:31:50) Kev: That’s kind of what got me into magic. (0:31:52) Kev: They released a set called bloom burrow, which was Redwall s magic cards. (0:31:52) Codey: [LAUGHS] Yeah. (0:31:57) Kev: and it kind of caught my eye. (0:32:00) Kev: So yes, I love Redwall very much. (0:32:02) Codey: Yeah, so it reminds me of that and then, um, I kind of read more about it. (0:32:07) Codey: They said, quote, we’ve been working on this cozy but grim little world for the past three (0:32:11) Codey: years. (0:32:12) Codey: And I was like, cozy but grim? (0:32:16) Codey: Like how can something be cozy and grim at the same time? (0:32:20) Codey: But I have also been recently watching Little House on the Prairie. (0:32:24) Kev: Oh! Oh! That is, how should I put this? One of the Soria family staples. We’ve watched the series at least four times in the entirety! (0:32:27) Codey: Did you ever watch that show? (0:32:33) Codey: Okay. (0:32:38) Codey: Okay cool. (0:32:39) Codey: Yeah, so I would also describe that as cozy but grim. (0:32:44) Kev: Every episode of Tragedy, you can’t. (0:32:46) Codey: Every single episode. (0:32:48) Codey: And I was like texting Jeff cause I was watching them and I would just text him suddenly and (0:32:53) Codey: be like, she got a pet raccoon and then they thought the raccoon had rabies. (0:32:56) Kev: Oh, no, that episode! (0:32:59) Codey: And then he was like literally about to shoot the dog. (0:33:02) Codey: And the raccoon also bit Laura. (0:33:04) Codey: So if the dog got rabies, she was going to have rabies and then it was. (0:33:08) Codey: And I’m just like, I’m like sobbing, just tears streaming down my face. (0:33:12) Kev: The raccoon ups that one’s intense. Oh my gosh (0:33:12) Codey: And he was just, that was intense. (0:33:15) Codey: This is first season, like so many things happened in the first season. (0:33:19) Codey: And I’m like, Oh yeah, I would have described that also as cozy, but grim. (0:33:23) Kev: Yeah (0:33:23) Codey: So I get it. (0:33:26) Kev: Yeah (0:33:27) Kev: But yeah, and I mean if you watch the trailer for Grimshire here like yeah, it’s it’s pretty grim like towards the end (0:33:34) Kev: You see like the story is about (0:33:37) Codey: plague (0:33:37) Kev: Some survival stuff. There is a pyre. There’s a funeral pyre (0:33:39) Codey: Yeah (0:33:41) Codey: Yeah, cuz there’s plague there’s plague in the area so which is also a little house of the food (0:33:42) Kev: And people wondering if they’re gonna die (0:33:45) Kev: Yeah (0:33:48) Kev: More than multiple (0:33:49) Codey: More than one. Oh, no (0:33:51) Codey: Well, yeah (0:33:52) Codey: I guess cuz there I just they just had a typhus outbreak in this one and it didn’t make I know one of them (0:33:54) Kev: Yeah (0:33:57) Codey: Makes the sister go blind anyway (0:34:01) Codey: So they said quote in early access you can play throughout year one (0:34:04) Codey: but your file will be stuck on winter 28th once you get there. (0:34:07) Codey: The day keeps repeating after you go to bed, (0:34:09) Codey: and we will be adding more content and story in the future. (0:34:11) Codey: So just a heads up, if this is something (0:34:13) Codey: that you were going to think about doing, (0:34:16) Codey: then you’re not going to be able to go further than that. (0:34:20) Codey: And they also said that their old demo save files (0:34:24) Codey: won’t carry over into the full game. (0:34:27) Codey: So if there are any new demo– (0:34:32) Codey: if you restart a new demo now in the early access, (0:34:37) Codey: that will be compatible with the full game. (0:34:39) Codey: But if you’ve played the demo before, (0:34:43) Codey: you will have to start over. (0:34:45) Codey: Just a heads up. (0:34:46) Kev: That’s kind of a bummer (0:34:48) Codey: I get that it happens sometimes, though. (0:34:49) Kev: Yeah, I get it too. I’m just saying like yeah, you know (0:34:52) Kev: I I’m interested in this game because it’s got the red wall thing that the dark angle (0:34:57) Kev: I mean, I’m intrigued but uh, but I probably will wait till I know when you know, I can keep a save or whatever (0:35:02) Codey: Yep, and so they also say that they’re going to add more stuff as they head to 1.0. (0:35:04) Kev: Yeah (0:35:10) Codey: This is actually a common theme of a lot of what we’re talking about today. (0:35:15) Codey: They are going to add more, and they have a little bit of a roadmap, but there are no (0:35:19) Codey: dates on that roadmap. (0:35:21) Codey: So just letting you know what’s coming up, but they don’t have any expected like, “Oh, (0:35:28) Codey: we’re expecting this to be done at this time and this to be done at this time,” which is (0:35:30) Kev: Yeah, yeah, that that’s fine (0:35:31) Codey: It’s probably realistic. (0:35:32) Codey: Uhm, just feels a little. (0:35:36) Kev: Okay, well hey you I’m I’m definitely have my eye on Grimshire though all things said maybe not right now, but oh, but yeah (0:35:45) Kev: Okay (0:35:46) Kev: Let’s see what else next up another early access (0:35:50) Kev: Hotel galactic (0:35:53) Kev: Early oh my gosh $35. That’s kind of a it’s premium. That’s some premium pricing (0:35:56) Codey: I know, right? (0:36:00) Codey: Well, and there was drama associated with it. (0:36:00) Kev: Oh (0:36:05) Kev: Yeah, yeah (0:36:06) Codey: So they released the early access on July 24. (0:36:12) Codey: And in that initial post, they said (0:36:14) Codey: that in the weeks following the release, (0:36:17) Codey: they wanted feedback. (0:36:20) Codey: Again, they had a projected roadmap, (0:36:23) Codey: but I didn’t have dates on it. (0:36:24) Codey: Literally two days later. (0:36:26) Codey: They posed another thing on Steam that’s basically like oops. (0:36:30) Codey: We’re sorry for the state of the game. (0:36:33) Codey: Um, and they say, quote, our rundown hotel has not yet been restored to its future. (0:36:38) Codey: Glory. (0:36:38) Codey: We are fully aware of that. (0:36:40) Codey: And we sincerely apologize that our early access build did not (0:36:44) Codey: meet all of your expectations. (0:36:46) Codey: We made a mistake and we take full responsibility. (0:36:49) Codey: Um, as part of like this, that’s end quote, as part of this, uh, mistake, (0:36:54) Codey: quote unquote (0:36:56) Codey: They are adding compensation strategies so they’re going to find a way to compensate people who have already paid for this early access. (0:37:04) Codey: Kevin, how do you feel about that? (0:37:06) Kev: Oh, okay. Um, all right. First off, I’m gonna take one step back here. First of all, what is the game cuz let’s write that that’s gonna I think that illustrates expectations. It’s a clearly studio Ghibli specifically spirited away inspired game of how should I put this spirit favor esque of the, you know, the side view with the the rooms that you hop around that you’re building up a hotel that then and so yeah, you’re kind of (0:37:10) Codey: - Mm-hmm, right, so… (0:37:36) Kev: expanding the hotel, maintaining guests, etc, etc. We’ve talked about it before I just I just can’t remember anyway, so that’s the game. And so now, okay, before any drama $35 feels like a decent chunk of change for this game, considering spirit fair is noticeably not $35. Um, so you know, the expected prices set expectations, right? That’s like the number one thing in in gaming, (0:38:06) Kev: marketing, whatever. (0:38:09) Kev: So, you know, dropping $35 on the city, it better be good. Now, early when I play an early access, or, you know, I hear about it, I expect things to be buggy, right? That’s kind of a big part of the point, right? betas and play testing all that good stuff. So how bad was this? I can’t even imagine how bad this was to demand or (0:38:36) Kev: to elicit an apology. (0:38:38) Codey: Yeah, I think that that’s like my biggest issue and why I like pulled this question out because (0:38:44) Codey: if I am playing something that’s in early access I’m (0:38:47) Codey: expecting bugs like even if it’s game-breaking bugs like even if it is (0:38:51) Codey: something like they put this out two days later if there was if there were (0:38:57) Codey: bugs that made the game unplayable and it was then like two weeks later and they (0:39:02) Codey: hadn’t responded yeah compensate them like unless you had a friggin family (0:39:08) Codey: and you didn’t have any way to be working on the game at that time but (0:39:11) Codey: literally two days after full release I think that’s par for the course for a (0:39:17) Codey: game that is as ambitious as this game so personally I’d be like like if I were (0:39:25) Codey: one of the people who kick-started it or whatever I’d be like no no don’t worry (0:39:28) Codey: about reimbursing me just like take your time keep doing what you’re doing like (0:39:32) Codey: here’s more feedback and give feedback because they literally won’t need (0:39:36) Kev: Sure, sure. Well, okay. I think there’s two things one. There’s a compensation. I don’t think then it’s gonna be necessarily monetarily (0:39:43) Kev: That could just be you know in game item status, whatever something a bonus of some kind (0:39:50) Kev: That’s what I expect (0:39:53) Kev: But (0:39:54) Kev: But yeah, I like I agree with you (0:39:58) Kev: Like I don’t know maybe it’s just this developer. Maybe they’re just very sensitive about the (0:40:04) Kev: the responses, it could be, I don’t know, or. (0:40:06) Kev: Maybe it was just that bad. (0:40:09) Kev: I don’t know where this lands. (0:40:10) Codey: Okay, so they have, they do have some of the things, they explain what some of the bugs (0:40:16) Codey: were that were coming up. And I mean, some of them are like, you know, game like breaking (0:40:23) Codey: down or requests being blocked, cooking recipes not working, in game time, freezing stuff (0:40:29) Codey: like that. But my favorite too, was that the workers are refusing to perform tasks. And (0:40:33) Kev: Yeah, yeah, no, yeah, yeah, like, I mean, all right, you know what, I think that the (0:40:37) Codey: You know what? (0:40:38) Codey: Good for them. (0:40:40) Codey: Let them unionize. (0:40:40) Codey: Like that is a bug that if that was happening, I would cackle. (0:40:46) Codey: I would be laughing so hard and I would message them and be like, (0:40:48) Codey: Hey, this is happening. (0:40:50) Codey: But like, I mean, what are you going to do? (0:40:58) Kev: The only problem is, I’m going to go back to the $35 price point for early. (0:41:01) Codey: - Okay, yeah. (0:41:03) Kev: If that was their full release price point, sure, whatever, for early access, I don’t know, $15, maybe? That’s kind of high still, but, that’s, I mean it’s tough, you need money to keep it going, but I don’t know. (0:41:19) Kev: Ooh, that’s rough though. (0:41:20) Codey: So the other the other bug that I loved was that guests were stuck in an endless sleep loop. (0:41:30) Kev: I like that. (0:41:30) Codey: And you know what, same. I feel like sometimes in my life I there’s just a bug happening and I’m just stuck endlessly sleeping. (0:41:40) Kev: That’s not that’s that’s a feature not a bug (0:41:40) Codey: So I get it. Sometimes it just be that way. (0:41:50) Codey: Yeah, so those are the two things that I thought were hilarious other I mean like I get if (0:41:56) Kev: Yum (0:41:56) Codey: there’s like other things happening but that much outrage to come out in the 48 hours post (0:41:58) Kev: Yum (0:42:03) Kev: Well, you know here here’s another thing is (0:42:07) Kev: What if what is what about the knot game break (0:42:10) Kev: breaking part like what if it’s, you know, has just not fun, you know, like, sure. (0:42:14) Codey: but that’s again something that is going to be improved upon I mean I played lens islands (0:42:19) Codey: first one and like it was I saw where they were going with it but it was definitely like pretty (0:42:24) Codey: basic and they have improved it so much and it seems so fun now like oh sorry not seems it is (0:42:30) Codey: so fun now. But yeah, I just (0:42:30) Kev: Yeah (0:42:35) Kev: Yeah, like I said, I think the only real issue the mistake was the $35 price point (0:42:42) Kev: That’s all that’s that’s something to go back to right because I how much did you pay for for the other ones? (0:42:48) Kev: It wasn’t $35 (0:42:50) Codey: - No, probably not, yeah. (0:42:51) Kev: Yeah, right (0:42:53) Codey: I don’t even remember it was so long ago. (0:42:55) Kev: Yeah, but but anyways (0:42:59) Kev: Well, I’ll give him this (0:43:01) Kev: They they came out and said something right that’s good (0:43:04) Kev: So all right, that’s hotel galactic. I’ll keep keep an eye out to see if they fix that hotel (0:43:14) Kev: Okay, um, all right here next up and (0:43:20) Kev: Purred the a few sentences into Al’s notes. It is early access is confirmed. Oh (0:43:27) Kev: Oh, oh wait, no, not out yet. (0:43:29) Kev: It will be a, sorry. (0:43:30) Codey: No, no, no, no. (0:43:31) Kev: Dates, they’re weird. (0:43:32) Kev: It is out, when people are listening to this, it will be out. (0:43:35) Kev: It is already out now when we’re recording, ‘cause, wait, no? (0:43:39) Kev: Oh my go- oh my go- I’m misreading that, you’re right! (0:43:40) Codey: Okay, so let me let me do this. (0:43:41) Kev: Oh my gosh. (0:43:42) Codey: So Al wrote early access releasing. (0:43:43) Kev: Oh my goodness. (0:43:46) Codey: Well, out now maybe and then there’s another bullet not actually out yet, but was meant to be out 7th of August, but they clicked the wrong button on release. (0:43:54) Kev: Oh my go- (0:43:58) Codey: So, it’s fine. (0:44:02) Codey: This is their quote. I love this for them. (0:44:04) Codey: I mean, it’s probably very stressful for them, but I think this is hilarious. (0:44:08) Codey: Quote, “We are heartbroken to say this, but we can’t release today. We literally cannot press the button. It’s gone.” (0:44:16) Codey: The game is ready to go. Everything was prepared, but since this is our first release ever, we forgot to tick the early access checkbox on the Steam backend until this morning. (0:44:26) Codey: and once that is ticked, Steam automatically put our Steam page into (0:44:30) Codey: review mode, which is a normal process on their end, but for us it couldn’t have come at a worse (0:44:35) Codey: time. This has caused the release button to disappear and we cannot click it. (0:44:41) Kev: Aaaah! Hah! (0:44:42) Codey: Oh dude, but that is like such like beer like I could see that being like bureaucracy stuff like (0:44:47) Codey: that’s not how are you supposed to know how are you supposed to know to click that check box or (0:44:53) Codey: what if they started the game before that checkbox was there and then it just like was like well they (0:44:57) Codey: didn’t click it I don’t know it (0:45:00) Kev: But (0:45:00) Codey: good for that like they’ll figure it out it’s it’s only been three days there (0:45:02) Kev: Yeah, that that’s good (0:45:06) Codey: is not an update yet let me just double-check that this is true but (0:45:11) Kev: I’ve (0:45:14) Kev: I’ve just got to say I love (0:45:18) Kev: Game big news stories that come from pushin

There's a lot up in the air for our aviatrixes. Will Dmitriya ever be free from Ivana's squeaky clutches? Could Tati and Zoya's unlikely friendship become something more? How can Rita make (human) Constantine, Constantine, Constantine's day a little crappier? Thank goodness they have all the time in the world to figure things out...Special thanks to Matti Wells, Kevin DiFazio, Matthew Kastner, Chloe Familton, Will Cloud, Justin - The DM's Guide, GM Ashowan, Nate Scott Jones and someone who wished to remain anonymous - for providing additional mission pool points or "biscuits" for us to use in times of great peril (and bad rolls).Want to support the folks in the cockpit who are making this show happen?Tip us on Kofi, and follow us on social media https://linktr.ee/wingwomenpodGeneral CW: War/Military Themes and Violence, Language and Suggestive Dialogue, Bombing Nazis, Death from Plane CrashHorror/Ghost (Named NPC): 4:40 - 7:35Description of blood/gore: 4:53 - 5:08Reference to Past Named NPC Death (plane crash): 5:27 - 5:38Discussions/Descriptions of Pornography: 5:45 - 5:50, 6:45 - 7:00, 7:15 - 7:25Description and handing of firearms 7:00 - 7:09Discussions about Masturbation: 7:15 - 7:48Description of assault (punch to face): 8:45 - 8:55Discussion about dead rabbit (killed for food/fur): 13:28 - 14:15Discussions about poop 29:20 - 31:00Mission CWs: SX Gunshots/bombs and explosions, mentions of blood, PCs and NPCs getting shot/gun wounds, Named NPC Death (plane crash, crushed alive) Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

How do we feel about Emily Slaughter? What are field day events like at a superhero high school? And how many card games can we come up with over the course of the podcast?We're playing Masks for this campaign! You can access a running list of all the NPCs from Campaign 4 here.Sponsors- The Sprouting, an eldritch horror actual play podcast.Find Us Online- website: https://jointhepartypod.com- patreon: https://patreon.com/jointhepartypod- instagram: https://instagram.com/jointhepartypod- twitter: https://twitter.com/jointhepartypod- tumblr: https://jointhepartypod.tumblr.com- facebook: https://facebook.com/jointhepartypod- merch & music: http://jointhepartypod.com/merchCast & Crew- Game Master, Co-Producer: Eric Silver- Co-Host, Co-Producer, Sound Designer, Composer (Connor Lyons): Brandon Grugle- Co-Host, Co-Producer, Editor (Shelley Craft): Julia Schifini- Co-Host, Co-Producer (Rowan Rosen): Amanda McLoughlin- Artwork: Allyson Wakeman- Multitude: https://multitude.productionsAbout UsJoin the Party is an actual play podcast with tangible worlds, genre-pushing storytelling, and collaborators who make each other laugh each week. We welcome everyone to the table, from longtime players to folks who've never touched a roleplaying game before. Hop into our current campaign: the drama and excitement of a superhero high school! Or marathon our completed stories: Campaign 3 for a pirate story set in a world of plant- and bug-folk, the Camp-Paign for a MOTW game set in a weird summer camp, Campaign 2 for a modern superhero game, and Campaign 1 for a high fantasy story. And once a month we release the Afterparty, where we answer your questions about the show and how we play the game. New episodes every Tuesday.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Recorded live at San Diego Comic-Con 2025, this mystery filled performance is a silly taste of our TTRPG improv style! We were thrilled to record in front of a live audience again and take suggestions for this one shot adventure. Thanks again to SDCC for the audio assist and everyone who came to see the show, because now you get to hear it!  Featuring Carlos Guzman-Verduga as Yenni Jeff Frank as Randall Jen Stopper Crespo as Maya Matt Messerman as Branch Zach Stones as the DM Chris Daily as the NPCs   and  Jeff Frank as DM   All the links: linktr.ee/rolledtable See Character Art on Instagram @rolledtable and our Discord Art by Chris Daily @dungeonheads Music by Weston Gardner @arcaneanthems Support their patreons! And third party creators!  

Fantasy worlds deserve more than elves in forests and kingdoms that all feel like Medieval Europe. In this episode of The Bearded Nerd Podcast, Brian breaks down how to build unique, believable cultures that go beyond tired tropes. You'll learn how geography, religion, resources, and power structures shape entire civilizations—and how to use them to drive story and player engagement. Whether you're designing one culture or a continent's worth of nations, this episode will help you add meaning, conflict, and depth to every region of your world.

NBA Live? More like NBA LIFE because this game has its hooks in us! Today, actor and Pop-Tart expert Evan Cleaver stops by to discuss his time with NBA Live '96 (1995) and coaching NPCs. Show Notes Evan Cleaver - Instagram - Power of Attorney Improv Conner McCabe – Bluesky - Twitch Produced, Edited, and Original music by Jeremy Schmidt – Video Games: a Comedy Show Call Me By Your Game – Instagram - Bluesky – YouTube - TikTok Super NPC Radio – Patreon - Discord-  Bluesky – Instagram – Twitch Episode Citations The Fall of NBA Live - by SOFTDRINKTV

Anne Ishikawa of Skinsuit Manual is a wizard of the matrix and this is a conversation navigating this weird and wonderful terrain! Youtube: SKINSUIT MANUAL Anne Ishikawa    / @skinsuit.manual-anne.ishikawa  Telegram: https://t.me/skinsuitmanualAnd Nikki's online presence: WEBSITE: https://www.nikkianajones.com/TELEGRAM: https://t.me/nikkiana_jones​​​​​​​​​​TWITTER: @LivingExtraord1INSTAGRAM: nikkiana_jonesPODCAST: https://anchor.fm/nikkianajonesCONTACT: Nikkianajones@protonmail.comODYSEE: https://odysee.com/@nikkianajones:1BITCHUTE: https://www.bitchute.com/channel/uXvR...Rumble: https://rumble.com/user/nikkianajones

In this zany episode, the Roll Seekers play two sets of NPCs: the Knights of Ithelias from Tyve and the Dreadstalk Pirates from Adrah. While the knights attempt to find clean water for Keph, the pirates get closer to rescuing the young goddess, Zanda. Get ready for a lot of laughs. For more Roll Seekers action, check us out online at⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠rollseekers.com⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠.⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ROLL SEEKERS:⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Roll Seekers is a group of local gamers, just like you, who role-play for your enjoyment. The live actual play web series and podcast streams Dungeons & Dragons every other Tuesday at 6 pm CT on Twitch and TikTok.The improvised story is set in the original world of Nabell, where the true Gods are dead, but prayers are still answered. In this high fantasy adventure, intrepid heroes attempt to thwart the machinations of the remaining green-eyed "god" through varying campaigns across vast stretches of land and time. In The Light of Tyve campaign, darkness is born from the light, and it is often better to survive as the villain than live as a hero.⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠WATCH LIVE:⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Watch Roll Seekers live at⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠twitch.tv/rollseekers⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ALL LINKS:⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Check out our⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Linktr.ee⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠.⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠SHOP:⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Shop for Roll Seekers merchandise at⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠rollseekers.com/shop⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠.LISTEN TO THE STREAM:⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Anchor⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ •⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Apple Music⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠•⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Google Podcasts⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ •⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Spotify⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠CONNECT WITH US:Join our⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Discord⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠.FOLLOW US:⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Website⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ •⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠U.S. Shop⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ •⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Facebook⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ •⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Twitter⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ •⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Instagram⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ •⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Twitch⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ •⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠TikTok⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠SUPPORT US:Support the stream on⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠PayPal⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠.#RollSeekers #DnD #DungeonsandDragons #ActualPlay

BLOOP! BLOOP! Let's take some time to catch our breath after midterms. Luckily there's a Good Job Surviving festival going down out on the main quad. You should come through!We're playing Masks for this campaign! You can access a running list of all the NPCs from Campaign 4 here.Sponsors- Cornbread Hemp, USDA-certified organic CBD products grown in Kentucky. Use code jointheparty for 25% off your order at cornbreadhemp.comFind Us Online- website: https://jointhepartypod.com- patreon: https://patreon.com/jointhepartypod- instagram: https://instagram.com/jointhepartypod- twitter: https://twitter.com/jointhepartypod- tumblr: https://jointhepartypod.tumblr.com- facebook: https://facebook.com/jointhepartypod- merch & music: http://jointhepartypod.com/merchCast & Crew- Game Master, Co-Producer: Eric Silver- Co-Host, Co-Producer, Sound Designer, Composer (Connor Lyons): Brandon Grugle- Co-Host, Co-Producer, Editor (Shelley Craft): Julia Schifini- Co-Host, Co-Producer (Rowan Rosen): Amanda McLoughlin- Artwork: Allyson Wakeman- Multitude: https://multitude.productionsAbout UsJoin the Party is an actual play podcast with tangible worlds, genre-pushing storytelling, and collaborators who make each other laugh each week. We welcome everyone to the table, from longtime players to folks who've never touched a roleplaying game before. Hop into our current campaign: the drama and excitement of a superhero high school! Or marathon our completed stories: Campaign 3 for a pirate story set in a world of plant- and bug-folk, the Camp-Paign for a MOTW game set in a weird summer camp, Campaign 2 for a modern superhero game, and Campaign 1 for a high fantasy story. And once a month we release the Afterparty, where we answer your questions about the show and how we play the game. New episodes every Tuesday.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

In this week's episode, I take a look back at the challenges of finishing my STEALTH & SPELLS ONLINE LitRPG trilogy. This coupon code will get you 50% off the audiobooks in the Malison series (as excellently narrated by Brad Wills) at my Payhip store: MALISONSUMMER50 The coupon code is valid through August 18, 2025. So if you need a new audiobook this summer, we've got you covered! TRANSCRIPT 00:00:00 Introduction and Writing Updates Hello, everyone. Welcome to Episode 262 of The Pulp Writer Show. My name is Jonathan Moeller. Today is August 1, 2025, and today we are looking at how I finished my LitRPG trilogy at long last. Before we get into that, we will have Coupon of the Week, a progress update on my current writing and audiobook projects, and Question of the Week. First up is Coupon of the Week. This coupon code will get you 50% off the audiobooks in the Malison series (as excellently narrated by Brad Wills) at my Payhip store: MALISONSUMMER50. And as always, we will include the coupon code and the link to my Payhip store in the show notes. And this coupon code is valid through August 18th, 2025. So if you need a new audiobook this summer, we have got you covered. Now let's take a look at where I'm at with my current writing projects. As I mentioned in previous episodes, Stealth and Spells Online: Final Quest, the final book in the Stealth and Spells Online trilogy, is finished. You can get that at Amazon and Kindle Unlimited. It is doing slightly better than the previous two in the trilogy, which makes it the bestselling book in the trilogy so far. So thank you all for that. My next main project is Ghost in the Siege, which will be the sixth and final book in the Ghost Armor series. I am 53,000 words into that as of this recording, which puts me about halfway through, give or take. I'm also 6,000 words into Blade of Flames, which will be the first book in my new epic fantasy series that I will begin once Ghost in the Siege is out. In audiobook news, Shield of Power--recording for it is underway. That will be excellently narrated by Brad Wills and hopefully that will be out in probably towards the end of September sometime, if all goes well. 00:01:49 Question of the Week Now let's move on to Question of the Week, which is designed to inspire enjoyable discussions of interesting topics. This week's question: what is your favorite book you've read in 2025 so far? No wrong answers, obviously. The inspiration for this question was that June 30th was the halfway point of the year, which naturally inspires both reflection and some mandatory bookkeeping. Mary says: Witch Hat Atelier Volume 13 by Kamome Shirahama (which I probably mispronounced). After having read the rest of the series, of course. Juana says: Hidden Nature by Nora Roberts. Jonathan T. says: The Genesis Enigma: Why the Bible is Scientifically Accurate. This book is like my favorite nonfiction book so far of the year, while my favorite in the fiction category is likely Hardy Boys Casefiles: Dead On Target. Roger says: Just finished the latest in the Magelands Series, The Lost Ascendant. Really good, but a long series-even longer than yours, Jonathan. Gary says: It wasn't published in 2025 (I'm tragically behind the times) but Murtaugh by Christopher Paolini. Lynda says: Sunset by Sharon Sala. Denny says: Not sure if Brandon Sanderson's Stormlight Archives: Wind and Truth counts. It was released in December of 2024, but it's the newest book I've read. John K. says: My favorite book so far is by new indie author, J.L. Odom, By Blood By Salt. It's in line with apparently my favorite genre of MC called (I can't tell if this is disparaging or not) “competency porn” where the main character is well, uber competent. For myself, I think my favorite book of the year so far for 2025 would be The Icarus Coda by Timothy Zahn, which wraps up his excellent Icarus sci-fi mystery series after 25 years. So I definitely recommend you check out the Icarus series if you get a chance and if you're looking for other interesting things to read, apparently we have a few recommendations for you as well. 00:03:29 Main Topic: How I Finally Finished the Stealth and Spells Online Trilogy Now let's move on to our main topic this week. How I finally finished the Stealth and Spells Online trilogy with the last book, Stealth and Spells Online: Final Quest. I'm very grateful to everyone who read the trilogy and enjoyed it. All told, it took about 10 months to write Stealth and Spells Online: Final Quest, from September of 2024 to July 2025, when I finally published it. So that's a lot longer than it takes for me to usually write a book. So what took so long? Well, a lot of things went wrong. Let's look back. Towards the end of 2022, I decided I wanted to try something a little different, so I settled on LitRPG, which seemed promising because it's pretty popular. For the story, I had an idea of a software developer who was fired from a virtual reality MMORPG once he realized it was dangerous and how he starts playing the game to uncover the proof he needs of the corporation's evil plans. I also had why I thought would be a clever idea. The game would be based on my Frostborn books. Like, it's set 700 years in the future and some interstellar scout discovered the Frostborn books on a wrecked colony ship, and then the evil corporation built the game around them. I decided the game would be called Sevenfold Sword Online, which meant it was the logical name for the series. So I wrote Sevenfold Sword Online: Creation and published it in February of 2023. And alas, it didn't do particularly well. A couple of problems became immediately apparent. First, and perhaps foremost, the title was causing confusion. People assumed it was connected to my Sevenfold Sword series and was in some way a sequel to that series, which it wasn't. Second, people were confused and wondered if the Ridmark Arban and Calliande Arban NPCs in the game were the actual characters from the Frostborn, Sevenfold Sword, and Dragontiarna books. They weren't. But in comedy, there's a saying that if you have to explain the joke you've already lost. I suppose a parallel conclusion would be that if you have to explain the characters are NPCs in the game world based on your books 700 years in the future, then the concept of the book is probably a bit too abstract. Second, the book didn't really appeal to a majority of my regular readers who prefer epic fantasy from me. Case in point- when I published Half-Elven Thief in December 2023, in its first month it did 66% of what Stealth and Spells Online: Creation has done in the entire three and a half years it has been available, and I'm recording this on August 1st, 2025. So in its first month, Half-Elven Thief did two thirds of what Creation did the entire three and a half years it's been published. In its lifetime, Half-Elven Thief has sold 250% more than Stealth and Spells Online: Creation, and it's been out for ten and a half fewer months than Creation. Clearly, the majority of my regular readers prefer epic fantasy over LitRPG. Despite these setbacks, I continued onward and published Sevenfold Sword Online: Leveling in February of 2024. It did slightly worse than Creation. So for the rest of 2024, I on and off tried a bunch of things to improve how the series fared. To avoid confusion, I changed the title from Sevenfold Sword Online to Stealth and Spells Online, which it currently is. I redid the cover art, I changed the description, all the usual things for improving a series, and none of it ever really worked. I could never quite turn a profit when advertising the book. During these experiments, I realized I had fundamentally misread the LitRPG market because the three most popular kinds of LitRPG are: 1. Portal fantasy, when the protagonist falls through a portal and ends up in another world that runs on MMORPG style rules for whatever reason. 2. Isekai. The character dies and is reborn in a world that runs on MMORPG style rules. You'll see this in books with titles like I Died and was Reborn as a Level One Healer, something like that. 3. System Apocalypse. The world ends and is recreated as a living MMORPG, usually overseen by an all powerful “game system” (hence the name). The system can be created by gods or incomprehensibly powerful space aliens and is often malevolent. Dungeon Crawler Carl, where Earth is destroyed and remade into an MMORPG system as part of a sadistic alien game show is probably the most well-known example of this particular subgenre. The problem is that Stealth and Spells Online fits into none of these popular subgenres. I joke that I tried to write a LitRPG, but it ended up as a sci-fi thriller. I mean “software developer fighting sinister corporation's evil plans” is a sci-fi cyberpunk story, not a LitRPG. So I was trying to tell a story ill-suited for that particular genre, like attempting to write a cozy contemporary mystery in the format of an epic Arthurian fantasy quest. Like that idea could potentially work, but it probably wouldn't. With that realization, I had three choices about how to proceed. 1. Leave Stealth and Spells Online unfinished and never speak of it again. 2. Unpublish Stealth and Spells Online and never speak of it again. 3. Find a way to finish Stealth and Spells Online in a satisfactory fashion with a single book because I didn't want to write a long series that sold poorly. I disliked Options One and Two, partly for reasons of professional pride and partly because it's bad to get a reputation in the fantasy genre for leaving series unfinished. You don't want to leave readers hanging longer than is necessary. The tricky part for Option Three was I had originally planned Stealth and Spells Online to be like seven or eight books, and I was only two books into what I had outlined for the story. An additional, potentially major real life problem was that the Stealth and Spells Online books sold badly enough to seriously tank book sales in the month they were released. Like both February 2023 and February 2024 were some of my weakest sales months in the past decade. So that meant I needed an outline for the final book that would discard all the planned subplots and focus entirely on the main plot. I also needed to write the book as a side project and not a main project because I knew it probably would not sell well. Ideally, it would come out in the same month as a much stronger seller like one of the Shield War books. So in October of 2024, I started chipping away at what would become Stealth and Spells Online: Final Quest at 500 words a day. I would write 250 words before going to the gym in the morning and then 250 more words after dinner. During the normal workday, my main focus was on whatever book in the Shield War, Ghost Armor, Cloak Mage, and Half-Elven Thief series I was writing at the time. (As I've said before, having five unfinished series at the time is way too many, which is why I spent summer 2025 trying to get that number down.) But I did my 250 words in the morning and my 250 words after dinner almost every day. I just kept chipping away at it. Finally, in July of 2025, I was very nearly to the end of the book. After I published Shield of Power, I decided I was far enough along to make Final Quest my main project. Turns out I actually was pretty far along, since I only needed to write 3,000 more words to finish the book. Two rounds of editing and some new scenes later (I added a bunch of stuff since I thought the original ending was incomplete) and I published the book in July of 2025. It turned out reasonably well. People seemed to like the ending and find it satisfactory (at least those who read it). Final Quest sold slightly better than its predecessors. But to be honest, Shield of Power has generated sales in its first three days equal to what Final Quest did in its first two weeks. So I'm grateful for everyone who read the trilogy or listened to the two audiobooks. I'm really grateful that you read it or listened to it and enjoyed it. But in all honesty, I'm glad to be done with the trilogy. I've always been kind of sad when I finished my other series, especially the big ones, but with Stealth and Spells Online, I'm just relieved to be done and that I don't have to think about it very much anymore. It's easier to promote a finished trilogy than an unfinished series. Probably I'm going to make the first book free every three months, run some ads to it while it's free, and that will be that. I just signed up with C.J. McAllister a few days ago to do the audiobook version of Final Quest (and he did a very good job on the first two books in the trilogy), so eventually we'll probably have a Stealth and Spells Online: The Complete Trilogy audiobook, since audiobook bundles always do well and I expect a complete trilogy audiobook bundle would likewise do well. Amusingly, I realized that to finish this book, I essentially followed my own advice that I've been giving for years. I always say on this podcast and my blog that you can finish a novel if you just keep chipping away at it and small efforts add up over time. Final Quest turned out to be about 117,000 words, and I mostly got there 500 words at a time. Do I regret writing Stealth and Spells Online? No. But obviously if I had to do it all over again, I would definitely do some things differently. Will I ever return to writing in the LitRPG genre? Probably not. I listed all the popular subgenres of LitRPG earlier, and while I don't have anything against any of those subgenres, I just don't have any particular interest in writing a story that revolves around those tropes. For all that my books tend to be escapist, I always need to have at least a touchstone of reality in them so they make sense to me. Characters like Wire, Admiral Winterholt, and Alexander Maskell could definitely have their real-life (even contemporary) equivalents. LitRPG story tropes in general seem to be about a flight from reality. There's nothing wrong with that, of course, but it's not something I'm really interested in writing. I mean, I designed the Andomhaim setting in Frostborn around people who traveled from Sub-Roman Britain in the 500s A.D. to a world where magic is real, so that way I could make real-world historical references. I think if pressed, I could write a pretty good novel in the genres of epic fantasy, science fiction, mystery, thriller, and romance. But I'm not at all sure I could write a good book in the LitRPG subgenres I listed. Honestly, maybe I'm just too old for it. I don't think I encountered an MMORPG for the first time until I was, I think 24 or 25 years old, and I've never actually seriously played one, so it definitely wasn't a formative experience for me the way it was for many LitRPG authors. In fact, if I'm remembering it right, my first serious encounter with an MMORPG was in fact at work when I got an IT support ticket about network throttling, complaining about how long a World of Warcraft update was taking to download. So that is how I finally finished the Stealth and Spells Online trilogy. And once again, thank you to everyone who read and listened to these Stealth and Spells Online trilogy. I hope you found it enjoyable. So that is it for this week. Thank you for listening to The Pulp Writer Show. I hope you found the show useful. A reminder that you can listen to all the back episodes at https://thepulpwritershow.com. If you enjoyed the podcast, please leave your review on your podcasting platform of choice. Stay safe and stay healthy and see you all next week.

In this episode of Unleashing Intuition Secrets, Michael Jaco is joined by Ismael Perez for a profound discussion on the hidden forces shaping our world and humanity's place in the cosmos. They examine the “Invisible Architects” of the secret government—the powerful entities operating behind the scenes through deception and control—and how these forces influence global events. Ismael shares insights from his acclaimed book Your Cosmic Origin, linking its revelations to the current geopolitical climate, including the Russia-Ukraine conflict, nuclear threats, and the deep state's far-reaching grip. The conversation also explores the role of the Galactic Federations, interdimensional realities, AI's growing influence, and the cosmic battle between good and evil. Ismael shares updates on his recent suspension from broadcasting and offers hope as humanity moves toward an era of awakening, universal spirituality, and the activation of human potential. This is a must-listen episode for anyone seeking clarity on the unseen powers that shape our world—and the path to humanity's golden age. 00:00 Introduction and Guest Welcome 00:37 Current Global Tensions: Russia and Ukraine 00:58 Suspension and Updates 01:40 Galactic Federation and Cosmic Events 04:09 Interstellar Craft and Human Activation 09:13 Operation Horizon Shield and Earth's Ascension 11:58 Galactic Wars and AI Threats 24:49 Secret Space Programs and Multidimensional Realities 35:32 Cloning and Timeline Splits 37:16 The Three Flashes and Their Impact 37:41 Memories and Abilities from Past Lives 38:22 The Role of NPCs and Inorganic Clones 39:22 The Brotherhood of Light and Egyptian Timeframes 39:57 The Great Disclosure and Our Multidimensional Nature 40:40 Types of Beings on Earth and Their Evolution 41:56 The Concept of God and Vibrational Manipulation 44:08 The Emergence of a Digital God and AI's Role 49:09 The Battle of Consciousness and the Solar Flash 54:11 The Real World Terrorists and Shadow Government 01:00:46 The Ascension of Our Planet and Humanity 01:02:11 The Beginning of a New World Marked by Universal Spirituality 01:05:12 Conclusion and Call to Action LANDING PAGE for people to get a "FREE" precious metals consultation with Dr. Kirk Elliott: https://www.kepm.com/jaco/ Affordable Cell Activation Technology with LifeWave: Experience miracles with a deep discount as a Brand Partner https://www.lifewave.com/michaeljaco https://michaelkjaco.com/liveyoungerwithmj/ Power of the Patch Information Resource: Go to: https://liveyounger.com/ AGE REVERSAL WITH GHK-Cu Copper Peptides contained in X-39 and X-49 https://copperpeptidebreakthrough.com Join us every week for Michael Jaco's Miracle Monday Meeting at 6:00 PM EST for Product Testimonials & Questions This 50 Minute Meeting Will Teach You Everything You Need To Know About Phototherapy & LifeWave!! ~ Great for Guests, Customers & Brand Partners ~ ⏬ Click the link below for Meeting access ⏬ Join Zoom Meeting https://us06web.zoom.us/j/87949021063 JoinMichaels Business Builder Webinar ~ Friday 6:00 EST Tune in weekly to Michael Jaco's LifeWave Business Builder Webinars feature LifeWave's top leaders sharing proven strategies, business tips, and real-world success stories to help you grow your organization and achieve lasting financial success. ⏬ Click the link below for Webinar access ⏬ https://us06web.zoom.us/j/86714931635?pwd=WQ8UTQc8o95A1g5q7bOAnRW79mPJep.1 Shop Intuitive Wellness Products to reverse the devastating effects of the vaccine impacts on cardiovascular, reproduction and greater potential for death at any time in history. Also increase overall health and resistance to all disease and inflammation. https://intuitivewellness.michaelkjaco.com/ INTUITIVE ULTRA CLEANSE/INTUITIVE OCEANS VIDEO ON DETOXING ALL FOODS: https://www.diseasediscoverychallenge.vip/food-dtox WAVWATCH - The revolutionary selfcare watch that's designed to support the health of your mind AND body! This one-of-a-kind watch provides anxiety relief, pain support, productivity boost, immune system enhancement, and more!

At some point we figured out that this is episode 304. And what better time to discuss support gems, sexist NPCs, weapon swapping, and fun protests in GGG's parking lot. No matter where you stand in Path of Exile's spectrum, we hope you're enjoying the game you're playing! Love ya! And congrats on winning the car!(00:00:00) Welcome to Forever Exiled & Weekend Plans(00:08:43) Summer Activities and Backyard Stories(00:16:57) Driver's Licenses and Road Rage(00:25:42) Path of Exile: Back into the Game(00:33:38) Return to Atlas and Passive Tree Tweaks(00:42:10) Thoughts on Bosses and RNG Progression(00:50:14) Rebuilding Characters and Testing Ideas(00:57:29) Upcoming POE Events and Future Hopes(01:04:05) Community Feedback and Comments(01:09:11) Wrapping Up and Next Week TeasersForever Exiled Info:www.foreverexiled.comPatreonTwitter @ForeverExiled82Path of Exile WebsiteWrecker of Days Builds ListDiscord...FE Merch StoreFE Nexus Store

This episode is brought to you by Level Up Corporation and The Society of Sensations. This upcoming Rebributus month on every Low and Void day, the Society will present the legendary play The Yellow Sign. Rising star Mallochio will be starring as the Stranger. Get your tickets now.Extracts of Carcossa or the Strangers and the Queen from Tatters of the King by Tim WisemanExtract of The Sign of One from The Factol's Manifesto by AD&D (WotC)Welcome to the topsy-turvy world of Mobius. Buckle up cutter because the ride ‘bout to get bumpy! The old Cage is brewing, and someone's gone and kicked the Hive. In a world where anything can be a portal to and from the center of the multiverse, it's no surprise there's so much going on at any given time.This story-driven D&D 5e real-play podcast is set in the Planescape setting. We're not sticking too close to the official timeline of events; in fact, the DM is putting in play a lot of NPCs from AD&D. If you are a fan of the original books and material, some tidbits might make you smile. If you are new to Planescape, don't fight the weirdness. We're here to have fun. Sigil is all nonsense and absurdity. Camp at its best. DM is also a fan of sci-fi dystopias and Sigil is a good canvas for it. So here you go: a soup of a whole lot.We now have a Ko-Fi page and a Patreon. If you wish to support the production of Mobius, we'd be eternally grateful. I highly recommend you visit our YouTube to get my DM Logs. That's where I'll explain some of Sigil idiosyncrasies (like the calendar or flying hazards), share my homebrew items, etc, etc, etc.See you in a month for the next episode.

Welcome to another episode of Perspective Checks where I sit down with friends and folks from the TTRPG world and discuss what they love about this wonderful hobby!   This special 1st of the month Perspective Checks episode is with Mat of Role Play Chat, a similar interview-style TTRPG discussion podcast which I think you'll enjoy if you like these episodes!   Mat comes on to talk about the wonder of GM-less games, how they foster collaboration and shared storytelling, including romance in your games, and his new game First Date Update, where you play two characters who just went on a date and their friends as they try and figure out why one of you is ghosting the other, and whether or not they can work to get you both face to face to potentially go on another date or come clean.   This episode has lots of fun ideas, one of which you may have heard me discuss in my recent design episode - a character relationship matrix idea that can be used at any table to track your character's relationship with NPCs/other PCs!   Hope you enjoy, and go check out First Date Update on RPC Press's itch.io page!   ----more----   Join the DMs After Dark Discord channel!   2 New MECH Cities Out Now (& Free!)   I made a Ko-Fi if you feel absurdly generous and want to help cover podcast hosting costs & all the upkeep. I'm still working on whether I want to offer anything special over there or just give my extreme gratitude (maybe some stickers or something in the mail) to those who donate, but no pressure whatsoever :)   Where to Follow Rene Plays Games: LinkTree |  BlueSky | Threads | Instagram | Facebook | DMs After Dark Rene's Games: MECH | MECH Cities 2 | One Last Quest email: RenePlaysGamesPod@gmail.com   Music in the Episode: Theme Song written & produced by Dan Pomfret | @danfrombothbands

In this episode, I will explore how Mother Nature can contribute to any campaign, from creating characters and NPCs to travelling in the extremes of the weather. Welcome to Mythras Matters Podcast Season 1 episode 26 - Dealing with the forces of NatureNew M-Space Campaign: https://www.worldanvil.com/w/voltaris-4207-inwilsBehind the Scenes: https://youtu.be/X39jz8crfeISHOW Links:Podcast on YouTubeRPG Shop - https://ko-fi.com/inwils/shop☕ Become a RPG supporter (Ko-Fi)  ➡➡ https://ko-fi.com/inwils☕ Become a RPG supporter (Patreon)  ➡➡ https://www.patreon.com/c/inwilsSupporter of Podcast: https://www.buzzsprout.com/266482/supportTDM Newsletter link: https://mailchi.mp/83c3eb6dab02/the-design-mechanism-newsTDM Blog: https://thedesignmechanism.com/blog/Tapatalk Forums: https://www.tapatalk.com/groups/designmechanism/Link to the Mythras Discord: https://discord.gg/mythras-469341944888164352If you would like to contact the podcast, then email inwils@gmail.comIntro Music: The Epic Orchestral by AnorMusic

In this passionate solo episode, Brad Zerbo dives deep into global tremors, both literal and political. He kicks off with a breakdown of a record-shaking 8.8 earthquake and unpacks the lingering speculation around tectonic weapons and government capability to influence seismic activity. From there, Brad barrels into the psychological war waged on the American people, calling out Obama-era treason, the psychological impact of the Russia hoax, and the relentless persecution of Trump and General Flynn. He delivers a no-holds-barred account of the COVID-19 narrative, tying it back to Event 201 and the powerful global institutions that orchestrated the pandemic simulation just months before the outbreak. Brad reflects on personal losses, like the death of his father and public figures like Ryne Sandberg, while battling leftist gaslighting and vaccine denial with historical evidence. The episode ends with a heartfelt celebration of America's forgotten Founders and a preview of Brad's massive new docu-series debuting at Deadwood. This is classic Brad, raw, researched, and ready to break the cycle of mass manipulation.

Normies and NPCs, the world needs NPCs.The alternative to being an NPC is being a doomer, or you can participate in the darkness.How Time Pool and Tucker Carlson feed the doomer narrative.Here at the Mystical American Patriots Society we're like Pureland Buddhism, a middle way, where you're aware of the darkness but you overcome the darkness by rising above it.Linux, LaTeX and tech bros.Please share this podcast with your friends.Ukelele talk and a musical interlude due to technical difficulties caused by an act of God.The top easiest instruments to learn, the global capital of dulcimer music. Instruments in cases don't get played.Infinite YouTube tutorials.Sumo's adventures with sumo. Sumo wrestling is the wave of the future.Karate history and watchpeopledie.com.A gun is the best self-defense tool. The Jack Sparrow self-defense technique. Free self-defense tips and how to not get shot.Seeking out places with characters, most people today don't have personalities.Kavi talks about his adventures with polyphasic sleep.What is the optimal schedule for sleep? Does your environment affect your sense of time?Linksusasumo.comJapanese YahooMore Linkswww.MAPSOC.orgFollow Sumo on TwitterAlternate Current RadioSupport the Show!Subscribe to the Podcast on GumroadSubscribe to the Podcast on PatreonBuy Us a Tibetan Herbal TeaSumo's SubstacksHoly is He Who WrestlesModern Pulp

"The Fourth Action" is a Roundtable discussion for Wayfinder Legends! In this episode, the Cast talks about Owlbears, female hobgoblins, remaining mysterious NPCs such as Voz, Malarunk, Ralldar, and Dahak, and perhaps the most important topic of all --- Gladiatorial Lore! :-DSpecial Thanks:Theme Music - "Together We Rise" by Wind Rose (used with permission) Dice for the cast of Wayfinder Legends provided by Esty Way Gaming.Wayfinder Legends is a Red Dirt RPG, LLC production.JOIN THE PARTY! CAST:Jeremy - Boddy, a Hobgoblin seeking a new purposeHal - Plame, a charismatic and entertaining, young goblinEmily - Inara, a confident and hot-headed, young Kellish womanBrook - Fawin, an Aiuvarin (half-elven) born into privilegeStacy - Pathfinder 2e Gamemaster

Show us how you avoid manipulating your players via NPC/GMPC (GMC)! Phil and Senda talk the actual question from last week: how to avoid unconscious (or conscious) bias in using your NPCs to communicate with MORE

We return to the table of Jeri and KC of the Five Sided Fates! With a new Kickstarter launched for more "Futures & Friends", the Fates have brought us two characters near and dear to their hearts: O.S.S.H.A. and Princess Myneera! Both red heads (but not related), these characters have had all sorts of misadventures in their home games and within the decks of SpeedyRPG. In a first for the Random Encounter, we get to hear a demo of SpeedyRPG! And note: I've included the raw transcript from Zencastr for this episode as well (will work to go back and retrieve and upload others as I'm able). Please note the transcripts are the UNEDITED version, not the final edit you are listening to. Podcast art by Chauncy Riley (https://www.behance.net/graphicsbychauncy), Graphics by Chauncy. Visit our website at https://sidekicksandsidequests.com (https://sidekicksandsidequests.com) Twitter Page (https://twitter.com/SideKQPodcast) Facebook Page (https://www.facebook.com/SideKQPodcast) Subreddit Page (https://www.reddit.com/r/SideKQPodcast) Instagram Page (https://www.instagram.com/sidekqpodcast) Discord Server (https://discord.gg/yraJJ6JHEd) Support the podcast AND use Zencastr at the same time by going to my referral link (https://zencastr.com/?via=sidekqpodcast) Special Guests: Jeri and KC.

CRACKLE! CRACKLE! Emily Slaughter isn't messing around anymore with brunch and being nice to Shelly's friends. She needs answers and she needs them now.We're playing Masks for this campaign! You can access a running list of all the NPCs from Campaign 4 here.Sponsors- Cornbread Hemp, USDA-certified organic CBD products grown in Kentucky. Use code jointheparty for 25% off your order at cornbreadhemp.comFind Us Online- website: https://jointhepartypod.com- patreon: https://patreon.com/jointhepartypod- instagram: https://instagram.com/jointhepartypod- twitter: https://twitter.com/jointhepartypod- tumblr: https://jointhepartypod.tumblr.com- facebook: https://facebook.com/jointhepartypod- merch & music: http://jointhepartypod.com/merchCast & Crew- Game Master, Co-Producer: Eric Silver- Co-Host, Co-Producer, Sound Designer, Composer (Connor Lyons): Brandon Grugle- Co-Host, Co-Producer, Editor (Shelley Craft): Julia Schifini- Co-Host, Co-Producer (Rowan Rosen): Amanda McLoughlin- Artwork: Allyson Wakeman- Multitude: https://multitude.productionsAbout UsJoin the Party is an actual play podcast with tangible worlds, genre-pushing storytelling, and collaborators who make each other laugh each week. We welcome everyone to the table, from longtime players to folks who've never touched a roleplaying game before. Hop into our current campaign: the drama and excitement of a superhero high school! Or marathon our completed stories: Campaign 3 for a pirate story set in a world of plant- and bug-folk, the Camp-Paign for a MOTW game set in a weird summer camp, Campaign 2 for a modern superhero game, and Campaign 1 for a high fantasy story. And once a month we release the Afterparty, where we answer your questions about the show and how we play the game. New episodes every Tuesday.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

On this episode of The AIE Podcast... Some major movements are happening in our WoW guilds ESO is on sale! Beach Party, Risa style! Guild Wars 2 is getting elite! And, we have Gusty here to help us with the Summer of Love schedule of events! All that and more coming up right now... Podcast Audio Raw Video http://youtu.be/-vdJETqWd_s Open Welcome to episode #437 of the podcast celebrating you, the Alea Iacta Est gaming community, the die has been podcast. This is Tetsemi: To my left is Mewkow: - (catch phrase here). And to my right is Mkallah: (Hey folks, there are Dutch Babies in the Guild Kitchen). This week we are joined by special guest Gusty who is here to talk to us about AIE in Summer of Love Welcome! Ok, time to jump into Summer of Love and this week's news! Gusty, tell us what all is going on in WoW retail to start! AIE News Community Mandatory Fun Nights Where the fun is mandatory but the attendance is not. Sunday - Destiny 2 8:30 pm Eastern Monday - GW2 9:30 pm Eastern Monday - STO 10:00 pm Eastern Tuesday - SWTOR 9:00 pm Eastern Wednesday - HFO Mythic+ Mayhem (WoW) 8:00 pm Eastern Friday - ESO 9:00 pm Eastern Saturday - LotRO 8:30 pm Eastern Saturday - FFXIV (Maps) 9:30 pm Eastern Saturday - Noob Raid (WoW) 11:00 pm Eastern Streaming and Guild Podcast News We have a ton of AIE member podcasts! Want to know where to find them? Look no further than here- New Overlords Podcast (Max and Sema) https://www.newoverlords.com Working Class Nerds (Marcus and Nick) - NSFL https://workingclassnerdscom.wordpress.com Boards and Swords (Chris and Philip) https://boardsandswords.com/blog?category=Boards%20%26%20Swords Dr. Gameology ( Dr. Daniel Kaufmann ) https://drgameology.com/ STO - Fleet Action Report (Grebog and Nikodas) https://www.youtube.com/@fleetactionreport A Podcast Reborn: A FFXIV Community Podcast (Brandon aka Old Man Franks, Meagan, and Rho) - NSFL https://www.bonusroll.gg/directory/a-podcast-reborn/ WoW Hey folks, the plan in WoW is to consolidate our co-guilds, starting August 9th, which will make creating neighborhoods for player housing easier. Members of co-guilds that we are mothballing will be encouraged to LOOT THE GUILD BANKS. One change to the SoL schedule is Kiddie Aggro's offer of Heroic Gallywix carries on Tuesday night for Undermine Ahead of the Curve achievement. Here's what's coming up in WoW-Retail for the AIE's Summer of Love, July 26 to Aug 2 (Remembrance Day) July 26 (Sat) 5pm Eastern/4pm Central D&D with Duskmire. "We've Got a Bad Feeling About This" Homebrew Solar Punk D&D 5e Star Wars characters - 5 players lvl 6 Sign up in dnd with Duskmire. 11pm Eastern/10pm Central - Noob Raid SoL edition. 7/27 (Sun) 4pm Eastern/3 Central Fate One Shot with Lithou: The adventures of Florida Man across the 6th and a half dimension 5 players. Info in dnd with Lithou. 8pm Eastern/7 Central AIE Podcast and Town Hall, SoL Edition. July 28 (Mon) 8pm Eastern/7 Central Lore Night with Anirra Gather at relevant locations for tales of Azeroth. They can be lore, famed NPCs, folks tales or your own character. (Remember the time you punched Deathwing?) Contact @Anirra to be a storyteller. All can listen in Discord. NEWJuly 29 (Tues) 9pm Eastern/8pm Central AOTC - Undermine Edition Kiddie Aggro is offering Heroic kills for Ahead of the Curve: Chrome King Gallywix and will carry as many guildies as time permits. Contact Gustytail if interested. July 30 (Wed) 8pm Eastern/7 Central Raisin' Bran We will run Delves and count how many times we can make him say, "Don't Stand There!" Let Gusty know if you are interested. July 31 (Thurs) 8pm Eastern/7 Central Earthen Rings Roll a new Earthen (in advance) and we race from Orgrimmar to Stormwind and vice versa. Aug 1 (Fri) 8pm Eastern/7 Central Trial of Style Gusty's favorite Holiday returns! Bring your best - or worst looks and be judged by fello...

Is there a narrative in the real world that is being pushed by bot accounts on social media websites throughout the web? Well, there is a really good possibility that many of the strange events that have been plaguing recent history has stemmed from certain storylines placed by these bot accounts dating back decades now. Bots arguing with bots. Which are arguing with bots, witch in turn have real humans enraged about false storylines that have no actual basis in reality other than just to create turmoil in the public. Oh! and we dabble in the concept of non-playable characters in the "real-world" and proof that we live in a simulation. Welcome back to Infinite Rabbit Hole!For everything IRH, visit ⁠⁠InfiniteRabbitHole.com⁠⁠

What's your campaign really about? In this episode, Brian breaks down how themes like redemption, power, or sacrifice can shape your entire TTRPG—from your factions and NPCs to the final battle. Learn how to pick a theme, build it into gameplay, and create a story your players will never forget.

A character at a tourism spot is way more than meets the eye. These non-player characters (NPCs) mean a lot to the companies they represent, and a lot to the people who enjoy them as well. / Round Table's Happy Place (15:51)! On the show: Steve Hatherly, Yunqi & Yushan

Knowledge skills: because sometimes knowing what's in the dungeon is more important than knowing how to kill it. In this episode, the RPGBOT.Podcast crew breaks down the often-overlooked but mechanically vital Knowledge skills in tabletop RPGs like Dungeons & Dragons and Pathfinder. The gang explores how these skills function in the game, how they've changed over editions, and why your party's lore nerd is secretly carrying your campaign. They explore how Knowledge checks can enrich worldbuilding, deepen immersion, and add mechanical weight to player choices. Whether you're identifying a creature, recalling ancient lore, or flexing your Arcana at a smug wizard, the right knowledge at the right time can mean the difference between survival and a total party kill. The episode also dives into how different systems handle knowledge, including Pathfinder 1e's granular Knowledge skills, D&D 5e's streamlined Intelligence-based skills, and how GMs can reward players for investing in information-gathering instead of just smiting things with swords or spells. Key Takeaways: Knowledge skills are essential for both roleplay depth and mechanical advantage. They can be undervalued by players but are a powerful tool when supported by the GM. Systems vary widely in how they handle knowledge – make sure to know what's available to you. GMs should reward curiosity and learning with story reveals, tactical insight, and world connection. Players who invest in knowledge can shift the direction of the story, avoid deadly fights, and impress powerful NPCs. Lore-focused characters add richness and versatility to any party—especially in exploration-heavy campaigns. If you enjoy the show, please rate and review us on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or your favorite podcast app. It's a quick, free way to support the podcast, and helps us reach new listeners. If you love the show, consider joining us on Patreon, where backers at the $5 and above tiers get ad free access to RPGBOT.net and the RPGBOT.Podcast, can chat directly to members of the RPGBOT team and community on the RPGBOT.Discord, and can join us for live-streamed recordings. Support us on Amazon.com when you purchase products recommended in the show at the following link: https://amzn.to/3NwElxQ How to Find Us: In-depth articles, guides, handbooks, reviews, news on Tabletop Role Playing at RPGBOT.net Tyler Kamstra BlueSky: @rpgbot.net TikTok: @RPGBOTDOTNET Ash Ely Professional Game Master on StartPlaying.Games BlueSky: @GravenAshes YouTube: @ashravenmedia Randall James BlueSky: @GrimoireRPG Amateurjack.com Read Melancon: A Grimoire Tale (affiliate link) Producer Dan @Lzr_illuminati

Knowledge skills: because sometimes knowing what's in the dungeon is more important than knowing how to kill it. In this episode, the RPGBOT.Podcast crew breaks down the often-overlooked but mechanically vital Knowledge skills in tabletop RPGs like Dungeons & Dragons and Pathfinder. The gang explores how these skills function in the game, how they've changed over editions, and why your party's lore nerd is secretly carrying your campaign. They explore how Knowledge checks can enrich worldbuilding, deepen immersion, and add mechanical weight to player choices. Whether you're identifying a creature, recalling ancient lore, or flexing your Arcana at a smug wizard, the right knowledge at the right time can mean the difference between survival and a total party kill. The episode also dives into how different systems handle knowledge, including Pathfinder 1e's granular Knowledge skills, D&D 5e's streamlined Intelligence-based skills, and how GMs can reward players for investing in information-gathering instead of just smiting things with swords or spells. Key Takeaways: Knowledge skills are essential for both roleplay depth and mechanical advantage. They can be undervalued by players but are a powerful tool when supported by the GM. Systems vary widely in how they handle knowledge – make sure to know what's available to you. GMs should reward curiosity and learning with story reveals, tactical insight, and world connection. Players who invest in knowledge can shift the direction of the story, avoid deadly fights, and impress powerful NPCs. Lore-focused characters add richness and versatility to any party—especially in exploration-heavy campaigns. If you enjoy the show, please rate and review us on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or your favorite podcast app. It's a quick, free way to support the podcast, and helps us reach new listeners. If you love the show, consider joining us on Patreon, where backers at the $5 and above tiers get ad free access to RPGBOT.net and the RPGBOT.Podcast, can chat directly to members of the RPGBOT team and community on the RPGBOT.Discord, and can join us for live-streamed recordings. Support us on Amazon.com when you purchase products recommended in the show at the following link: https://amzn.to/3NwElxQ How to Find Us: In-depth articles, guides, handbooks, reviews, news on Tabletop Role Playing at RPGBOT.net Tyler Kamstra BlueSky: @rpgbot.net TikTok: @RPGBOTDOTNET Ash Ely Professional Game Master on StartPlaying.Games BlueSky: @GravenAshes YouTube: @ashravenmedia Randall James BlueSky: @GrimoireRPG Amateurjack.com Read Melancon: A Grimoire Tale (affiliate link) Producer Dan @Lzr_illuminati

Are you even playing the game?In this episode of Hotel Bar Sessions, co-hosts Rick Lee, Talia Mae Bettcher, and Leigh M. Johnson dive deep into the meme-turned-metaphor of “NPC Energy,” unpacking its cultural roots and existential weight. Originally a gaming term describing non-player characters who move on rails and repeat scripted lines, “NPC Energy” has become a way to call out people who seem disengaged, overly programmed, or existentially asleep. But is it just a meme—or a diagnosis of modern life under systems that drain our agency and originality?The HBS hosts explore the difference between NPCs and so-called “main characters,” debating whether the capacity for resistance, awareness, or choice really sets us apart from algorithmic behaviors. With references ranging from Dungeons & Dragons to the DMV, they question if we've all become NPCs in a system too vast to escape—and whether flashes of resistance, even subtle or psychological, are enough to reclaim player status. Talia proposes that multiple overlapping “games” may offer exits from oppressive scripts, while Rick and Leigh examine whether our insistence on agency is more therapeutic than real.As AI develops more dynamic NPCs and human lives become increasingly scripted, the line between the player and the played grows fuzzier. Are we walking into walls of our own making? Or are we being marched along paths we didn't choose? This thoughtful and provocative conversation calls on listeners to pause, self-interrogate, and maybe, just maybe, write their own dialogue before the simulation resets.Full episode notes available at this link:https://hotelbarpodcast.com/podcast/npc-energy-------------------If you enjoy Hotel Bar Sessions podcast, please be sure to subscribe and submit a rating/review! Better yet, you can support this podcast by signing up to be one of our Patrons at patreon.com/hotelbarsessions!Follow us on Blue Sky @hotelbarpodcast.bsky.social, on Facebook, on TikTok, and subscribe to our YouTube channel!  ★ Support this podcast on Patreon ★

Kev talks about Guacho and the Grassland Timings 00:00:00: Theme Tune 00:00:30: Intro 00:02:57: What Has Kevin Been Up To 00:13:24: Game News 00:36:37: Gaucho And The Grassland 00:55:12: Outro Links Islanders: New Shores Super Zoo Story Release Info Fantasy Life i Password Hello Kitty: Island Adventure “Sunshine Adventure” Dicounty Employee Training Videos Sun Haven Snaccoon Plushie Contact Al on Mastodon: https://mastodon.scot/@TheScotBot Email Us: https://harvestseason.club/contact/ Transcript (0:00:30) Kev: Well howdy partners and welcome to the harvest season. (0:00:35) Kev: Around these parts they call me Kevin. (0:00:39) Kev: Today you’re riding with me as we wander over yonder (0:00:42) Kev: and go exploring these fine grasslands. (0:00:47) Kev: Yes, hello, it’s true. (0:00:49) Kev: You’ve heard the rumors and I can’t confirm. (0:00:52) Kev: My name is Kevin and I am your sole host of the harvest season. (0:00:55) Kev: Hello everyone. (0:00:56) Kev: We’re here to talk about Cottage Corgades. (0:00:59) Kev: you know how we do (0:01:00) Kev: as I’m legally obligated to say by “ow” (0:01:04) Kev: um, but, uh, but yes, hello, no, no co-hosts, another solo cabin episode today (0:01:12) Kev: I can already hear the groan/cheers as you prepare for the best/worst kind of episode we have offered here on the Harvey season (0:01:22) Kev: uh, just, just me, un-chained, unhinged, uncensored, right? (0:01:28) Kev: No one stood here to stop me from singing. (0:01:30) Kev: songs or doing a foghorn-leg-horn impression. And so you know, yeah, prepare yourself. Just (0:01:38) Kev: me alone talking directly into your ears. Just you and me alone staring at each other (0:01:44) Kev: in an empty room. Hello everyone. I hope that sets the tone as it should be if you may feel (0:01:55) Kev: a little threatened. I’m sure Al does. Excuse me, I got a drink. (0:02:00) Kev: I don’t care. But yeah, so hello. It’s harvest season. As I was doing with my little cowboy (0:02:09) Kev: twang intro, I already got the voices going. We are here, and by we and me me, I’m here (0:02:16) Kev: to talk about Gaucho and the Grassland game that you all know. I have been eagerly awaiting, (0:02:26) Kev: forward to. It finally released and here I am with (0:02:30) Kev: some first impressions for it. But before that as as per our norm we have we have (0:02:40) Kev: some news to go over. That’s a good good bit of pieces of news I like them from (0:02:46) Kev: what I’ve seen so I’m looking forward to going over that with you guys. But (0:02:51) Kev: before that let’s talk about some non cottagecore game thing stuff I’ve been (0:02:57) Kev: up to because people are interested in that apparently. (0:03:02) Kev: And if you aren’t well, I don’t hear any objection. So there you go, you know, so (0:03:07) Kev: The well, yeah, this week’s been as usually, you know, I mean, I’m busy with work things and stuffs (0:03:14) Kev: And I just spent time on gotcha, of course, so, you know, that was a good chunk of time this week (0:03:20) Kev: But aside from that (0:03:23) Kev: I’ve been probably (0:03:26) Kev: So you both Pokemon unite hits fourth anniversary this this year this (0:03:30) Kev: Week a couple days ago whenever which first of all is horrifying to think about. I’m playing this game for four years time. Oh (0:03:39) Kev: whole time (0:03:41) Kev: Never never stops never. It’s always relentless (0:03:47) Kev: Now as per pretty much tradition at this point every year in the anniversary they release a new Pokemon a (0:03:53) Kev: Legendary or mythical we’ve had Mewtwo. Oh, oh sweet food. I think it was last year (0:03:59) Kev: And this year a little (0:04:00) Kev: Bit of a treat two for one special we’re getting the Latias and Latios the young duo the Latino was at Latinas (0:04:08) Kev: Whatever you want to call them the gen 3 that the blue and the red one (0:04:13) Kev: No, not not the ones on the box the other blue and red one (0:04:17) Kev: Yeah (0:04:19) Kev: That’s we only have Latios at the moment (0:04:25) Kev: But Latias will be releasing soon and they do in fact work together (0:04:31) Kev: It’s the first time we’ve seen pokemon explicitly boost and support (0:04:37) Kev: Another specific pokemon, so that’s a fun mechanic. I think in Unite. I’ve seen them played and they’re not (0:04:44) Kev: Terrifyingly busted like Mewtwo when he came out, but yeah, it’s fun. So (0:04:48) Kev: Fun times over there Unite. I enjoy it still still still on that train (0:04:54) Kev: Speaking of trains. I’m still on Zenla’s on zero with its update of an update of its own (0:05:01) Kev: The 2.1 patch or whatever number it’s it’s one of the bigger numbered patches which (0:05:07) Kev: Implies a story content update a new chapter in their story (0:05:13) Kev: Now unfortunately, I think Zenla’s on zero (0:05:16) Kev: Continues to suffer from a sort of identity crisis. I’ve talked about it (0:05:22) Kev: Before but when the game first came out. It was a very (0:05:25) Kev: Lack of better way of describing it mid 2000s urban vibe (0:05:30) Kev: big metropolitan city is the setting and people have flip phones and their CRTs (0:05:35) Kev: hanging about and video rentals a very specific aesthetic they were going for (0:05:41) Kev: and it worked for me right clearly up to taste if you know the player enjoyed it (0:05:46) Kev: or not but it worked and they they wrote that aesthetic with a with a solid (0:05:53) Kev: playing game plan and story for a year right there were hackers and kind of this (0:05:58) Kev: mystery to explore. (0:06:00) Kev: And, uh, but yeah, as they hit the end of year one, they kind of wrapped up a lot of (0:06:06) Kev: those storylines and threads, um, and I, I feel like they continue to struggle a bit (0:06:13) Kev: to follow that up, uh, for lack of better way of describing it. (0:06:18) Kev: Think of post-Endgame MCU, where it’s a little, suffering a little in its identity, I’m not (0:06:24) Kev: sure where to go. (0:06:26) Kev: And now this may just be a me thing because there are (0:06:30) Kev: leaning into this kind of like they’ve gone from this urban city to now we’re (0:06:35) Kev: out in rural not China where the the former hackers I mean they still are I (0:06:41) Kev: guess technically but they are now living at a temple because trying to keep (0:06:46) Kev: them on mystics with a bunch of monks which is a wild pivot from the more much (0:06:52) Kev: more science fiction heavy aesthetic and genre that they’re kind of leaning into (0:06:58) Kev: and then now we’re going into a bit of mysticism with (0:07:01) Kev: feng shui and energy lines and all that good stuff (0:07:05) Kev: So yeah, this may be an issue of just stuff getting lost in translation (0:07:10) Kev: You know mihoyo is a Chinese company and you know this may be (0:07:14) Kev: For that that target audience. I don’t know (0:07:18) Kev: And it doesn’t help that the cast did all the new characters that have been out since (0:07:23) Kev: 2.0, which is about a month or two ago (0:07:26) Kev: They this new cast has just not hit (0:07:30) Kev: I don’t find them as entertaining or engaging (0:07:34) Kev: Which isn’t entirely a bad thing (0:07:37) Kev: And this isn’t just the pullable characters even a lot of NPCs. They’re just not as memorable in my opinion (0:07:44) Kev: But the the pullable the playable characters (0:07:47) Kev: yeah, I don’t I pulled for one in the (0:07:51) Kev: Four three or four that have come out since then (0:07:54) Kev: Which isn’t entirely bad thing because that means I can now save up on resources for when stuff (0:07:58) Kev: I do want will drop and (0:08:00) Kev: And that will happen again. We’ve in true mohoyo fashion. They they tease upcoming characters (0:08:08) Kev: Not just in the marketing, but in in the gameplay you’ll you’ll meet some of them who are clearly like up (0:08:12) Kev: Here’s your next banner character or a couple banners away (0:08:16) Kev: In particular there’s a group called the obol squad they’re like a military Defense Force unit (0:08:23) Kev: and (0:08:24) Kev: Those guys have some cool designs (0:08:26) Kev: We’ve already gotten a few out in ZZZ, but the looks like we’re gonna fill out (0:08:30) Kev: the rest of that roster and I’m looking forward to those guys there’s a there’s (0:08:35) Kev: like a big Mecca guy that’s piloted by a little bunny robot there’s a their (0:08:41) Kev: captain has a living gun who is actually the captain I think something wild like (0:08:47) Kev: that the sniper of their unit is blind so you know there you go yeah colorful (0:08:53) Kev: colorful crew that oval squad so I’m looking forward to that but but until (0:09:00) Kev: I said ZZZ kind of kind of struggling a little with its the flavor if you will (0:09:06) Kev: um but it’s okay because the gameplay is still good even all those characters on (0:09:10) Kev: that instant come out you know they give you trials or you play with them in the (0:09:14) Kev: story or whatever they are fun mechanically gameplay wise they’re not (0:09:17) Kev: bad just yeah I’m not dying for them or anything and then the nice bit is not (0:09:25) Kev: just zenless I think all the mihoyo games they’re very strong with their side (0:09:28) Kev: content. They have lots of weird goofy modes. (0:09:30) Kev: For instance, right now they have a summer mode where you operate a seaside resort with all sorts of minigames. (0:09:37) Kev: And so you have to work to upgrade the minigames and the attractions, and that is certainly enjoyable, I’m having a blast with that little mode. (0:09:46) Kev: But yeah, that’s Endless Zone Zero, there’s my report. No one here to stop me. (0:09:52) Kev: Oh, so there you go. Now, aside from that, the other thing I want to talk about… (0:10:00) Kev: isn’t game, per se, but I’ve been watching a lot of Monk, the mid-2000s, I think it was like 2000 to 2008. (0:10:09) Kev: Detective Mystery Show, aired on USA Network, I think. It’s about Adrian Monk, a former detective on the police force whose wife was killed. (0:10:21) Kev: Which led to a dismissal, as he already had, let’s say, a lot of conditions. OCD. (0:10:30) Kev: And a lot of phobias. (0:10:32) Kev: and stuff like that well all that is amplified by his wife’s death and so now (0:10:37) Kev: he does work as a private investigator helping so helping the police just not (0:10:41) Kev: on their official payroll but but while managing all of these intense oddities (0:10:49) Kev: and quirks yeah I mean it ran for eight seasons it’s clearly a popular show and (0:10:56) Kev: you guess what lives up to it I’m a fan of detective mystery shows play a lot (0:11:02) Kev: right professor Layton you know it’s kind of in that in that lane and and the (0:11:08) Kev: mysteries themselves you know they obviously cast staff of writers so they (0:11:13) Kev: can vary right some it’s tough to write mysteries because how do you do it right (0:11:18) Kev: are you breadcrumbing the clues and it’s kind of obvious how it’s gonna go or do (0:11:24) Kev: you know is your detective so great they see something that the audience can’t (0:11:28) Kev: see or know, but they caught it and, oh, a big (0:11:32) Kev: reveal at the end. Um, so it’s hard to find a balance between there and, you know, between (0:11:37) Kev: the different episodes, uh, I think they swing both ways on this pendulum, but overall still (0:11:43) Kev: enjoyable, um, and it helps by the fact that the riding is excellent. It’s a very funny (0:11:50) Kev: show, um, as Monk has to navigate this world and the world has to navigate with Monk, supporting (0:11:57) Kev: his OCD and need to straighten and clean everything up. (0:12:02) Kev: and avoid things that are not clean or straight and orderly so it makes for (0:12:10) Kev: some very very entertaining scenarios and and monk himself is very well (0:12:16) Kev: written and enjoyable character played excellently by Tony Shalab I believe is (0:12:21) Kev: the actor’s name yeah very charming even with all his oddities and quirks very (0:12:28) Kev: Very, very funny, excellent, can’t recommend enough shocker. (0:12:32) Kev: 8 season show was popular, for a reason, so yeah, go check it out. (0:12:36) Kev: And hey, it has a great little intro theme, written and performed by Randy Newman, the Toy Story song guy you guys know what I’m talking about. (0:12:44) Kev: So that’s very catchy. (0:12:49) Kev: No, I will not sing this song right now, I’ll spare you all, for now. (0:12:55) Kev: But yeah, that’s uh, that’s some of the stuff I’ve been up to lately. (0:13:03) Kev: And so with that, let’s get, uh, let’s see what the world of video games has been up to. (0:13:10) Kev: Let’s start talking with those Xbox 9000 layoff. (0:13:14) Kev: No, no, I’m kidding, let’s stick to cottagecore stuff, as painful as it was, my heart, it goes out, my condolences to all those Xbox employees. (0:13:23) Kev: Ugh. (0:13:25) Kev: Ugh, so let’s talk about things that weren’t laid off, but in fact, the opposite, have stuff that… (0:13:32) Kev: …got launched and has, uh, updates. (0:13:36) Kev: Let’s start with, uh, Islanders. (0:13:39) Kev: Um, the Calm City Builder, uh, it has a, it’s come out with a big update, um, called Islanders New Shores. (0:13:50) Kev: You know, one of those subtitle type, uh, updates/expansions. (0:13:54) Kev: Um, this is the, yeah, city/island builder, and the new shores update. (0:14:02) Kev: Um, has, oh, it’s one of those kind of expansions, um, oh, I apologize, no, is this a sequel? (0:14:11) Kev: Oh, this is a sequel, I thought it was an expansion, oh, I’m wrong, oh, good, good for me, um, I… (0:14:26) Kev: Yeah, wow, I think this is one I just played before and said I should, I could be wrong. (0:14:31) Kev: Either way, it’s an island city builder, island/city builder. (0:14:37) Kev: A lot of the mechanics of the first game returning just, you know, bigger, better, more biomes, more options. (0:14:46) Kev: Very, very fun stuff. It does look up my alley and I might play it. (0:14:52) Kev: Kinda reminds me of the Terrenil, which is a game I still go to every now and then. (0:14:56) Kev: You can play a lot and enjoy. (0:14:58) Kev: Yeah, you’ve got lava islands, snow islands, rocky islands. (0:15:02) Kev: And you’re just building up little villages and population on these islands. (0:15:06) Kev: So yeah, very charming, very endearing. (0:15:08) Kev: Check it out. That is out already. (0:15:12) Kev: With a 60%… Oh my… Wait, is that right? (0:15:16) Kev: Hold on, is this available for $2 USD? (0:15:20) Kev: Wham! (0:15:22) Kev: Or is that part of it? (0:15:24) Kev: Oh, this is special prom- (0:15:26) Kev: Yup, wow that is lovely, yeah, very affordable game check it out. It’s on sale (0:15:36) Kev: And yeah, and they’re still gonna work on it they have a 2025 roadmap with (0:15:43) Kev: Basically a lot of the same just working and expanding very cool (0:15:48) Kev: Yeah, good for you islanders new shores (0:15:51) Kev: Great looking game. I might very likely check this out. This looks like something (0:15:56) Kev: I could use you know kind of a just pick up in and just zone out for a little bit sort of game (0:16:02) Kev: Not not heavy at all. I like it (0:16:05) Kev: All right. Let’s see here. What next um ah (0:16:10) Kev: Something that is not out, but is coming out. Let’s talk about super zoo story the I (0:16:18) Kev: Guess Star Zoo Valley you could call it. It feels what I call a star do like but set in a zoo instead of a farm (0:16:26) Kev: um (0:16:27) Kev: They came out with a big post on their Kickstarter (0:16:31) Kev: This this is a this is kind of a wild one they had to clarify their release date and development (0:16:41) Kev: Feels like an important one that probably should have been made clear, but but hey it happens (0:16:48) Kev: Basically if they they chalk it up to they you know (0:16:52) Kev: There was the text portion of the Kickstarter and then there’s graphics portions (0:16:56) Kev: on the Kickstarter and basically they just fudged up they mixed up some of (0:17:03) Kev: the dates. The true and proper release date is the graphic the shown on the (0:17:09) Kev: little timeline graphic. They are planning to release an alpha version of (0:17:14) Kev: the game in the second half of this year 2025. A beta will release in the first (0:17:18) Kev: half of 2026 with the goal of the full release in 2026 second half. (0:17:26) Kev: and from their post they describe that they feel they are on track you know (0:17:32) Kev: famous last words but hey they’re trying they kind of go over different (0:17:38) Kev: categories of stuff they’re working on (0:17:46) Kev: customization (0:17:48) Kev: They do want to launch with multiplayer in the game including minigames like a little soccer game you can play with others (0:17:54) Kev: That’s that’s fun. I don’t I don’t know how to start (0:17:57) Kev: Do you have that yet like little minigames you can actually play with people are playing on multiplayer. I don’t remember it does (0:18:04) Kev: But that’s uh, that’s fun. That’s good. Oh, so hey, but good for them. They came out trying to dress it (0:18:11) Kev: It’s we know (0:18:14) Kev: You know still waiting a year (0:18:16) Kev: I’m certainly in no rush for it. Let’s take your time. Well, I get this. I don’t know like (0:18:21) Kev: The whole relationships and you know stardew mechanic tropes like I I don’t know (0:18:27) Kev: But it’s a zoo and I really love animals. So maybe I don’t know (0:18:34) Kev: Maybe more than maybe (0:18:38) Kev: Yeah, but yeah, there’ll be plenty of time at least a year until this comes out (0:18:44) Kev: And yeah, no rush (0:18:46) Kev: By any means because there is plenty of stuff to play in the meanwhile (0:18:52) Kev: Including I transition (0:18:55) Kev: Go go town which has the fifth major update tourist trap (0:19:02) Kev: So, yeah go go town the kind of Animal Crossing gone on hyperdrive (0:19:12) Kev: Looking game as I would describe it (0:19:16) Kev: They’ve released an update called tourist trap which puts a lot of emphasis on making the village town a tourist attraction (0:19:23) Kev: So now you have lots of people coming in they have thought bubbles (0:19:27) Kev: There’s ratings on the attractions and the food and stuff like that. Yeah, you know kind of rollercoaster tycoon (0:19:34) Kev: It looks cute um with this update they’ve also introduced like new (0:19:40) Kev: categories of people that can visit aliens and robots and werewolves and all sorts of stuff (0:19:46) Kev: Which is fun and some of those characters can also become what they call townies the actual villagers (0:19:52) Kev: And then they could some structures like transit systems that introduces it a little way of doing it (0:19:58) Kev: So basically like you okay, I want the werewolf while I have to (0:20:01) Kev: Unlock the werewolf transit system and that will include a werewolf (0:20:07) Kev: Townie in your town (0:20:09) Kev: So that’s fun (0:20:11) Kev: It introduces a tier three industry. That’s kind of cool (0:20:16) Kev: a factory that leads to production of resources that leads to massive landmarks as they call it (0:20:21) Kev: a big lighthouse a stadium ooh hot springs a conservatory okay okay um yeah that’s cool (0:20:30) Kev: and oh hey yeah yum grease that’s that yum grease tm that’s (0:20:47) Kev: uh… I admire how unabashedly they are about uh… (0:20:52) Kev: the zaniness of stuff like that uh… very cool very cute (0:20:56) Kev: so yeah go go to oh yeah they have oh big one here uh… (0:21:00) Kev: uh… (0:21:01) Kev: cliff customization you know all of the new new horizons uh… (0:21:06) Kev: that’s that’s been added which includes waterfalls they also added water (0:21:18) Kev: I like that a lot, so yeah, a lot of new customization stuff, um, clowns, they can have clowns joining in the party, uh, that’s fun, you know, I admire Gogotown, they just keep going at it, and leaning into whatever it is they’re doing, kind of just over the top nonsense, and I appreciate that, I, Kevin, appreciate it over the top nonsense, shocker. (0:21:42) Kev: Um, yeah, so good for you, and again, that is our (0:21:48) Kev: party out now, uh, GOGO, see the GOGOTOWN, yeah, yeah baby, haha, um, alright, next up, uh, let’s talk about super farming boy, no, not a super meat boy expansion, sadly, or crossover, um, but it is a charming game nonetheless, it is, oh gosh, uh, we’ve, I think we’ve discussed, we, I know we’ve seen (0:22:18) Kev: it before, discussed it, but, um, they’re, they’re coming out with an early access that’s out in August 12th, this game is the using, okay, quote here from their steam page, an action puzzle farming sim featuring chain reactions and combos, which is just a wild descriptor in my opinion. (0:22:37) Kev: Um, so yeah, you play, uh, what’s, little character, uh, what is, oh gosh, I get it, oh, super farming boy gets his name. (0:22:48) Kev: It’s all in this very like, oh, comic bookie style, not exactly cop head, but very cartoony style, maybe like mid 2000s or 2010s, uh, cartoon network, like adventure times, even universe esque designs. (0:23:06) Kev: Um, yeah, you play super farming boy, his body transforms into the different tools. Um, so you just have one tool basically that just changes for the situation, which is a fun concept. (0:23:18) Kev: Very charming, vibrant art style. Um, and yeah, the chain thing is weird. Like you pull up one carrot, but it does like a grid thing that pulls all the other carrots in the same pattern nearby. (0:23:30) Kev: Um, very dynamic, very chaotic looking game. Um, but in a good way, like it’s clearly what they’re going for. So, you know, I guess that just might be a thing for days. There’s boss battle. So, you know, I think that using, using the. (0:23:50) Kev: um they have uh they have touch control that’s super cool (0:23:54) Kev: um yeah so very interesting i’ll be keeping my eye out on this um and hey (0:23:58) Kev: the hidden early access on like I said august 12th (0:24:01) Kev: um so that’s cool good for them they’re getting there uh demo is out now if you (0:24:05) Kev: want to see um look up for you super farming boy (0:24:18) Kev: Oh here’s a, you know, okay next up a game I also want to keep being themselves. (0:24:23) Kev: Fantasy Life Eye. They have hit 1.2 million copies sold. That’s a lot. Well, yeah that’s for like a (0:24:36) Kev: little over a month. That’s pretty good. They’re giving out some gift codes for (0:24:47) Kev: play fantasy life I don’t know these these might be good materials maybe not (0:24:51) Kev: there’s not a lot of them there’s like 12 no 9 there’s like three sets of one (0:24:57) Kev: two three six okay there’s 18 there’s six sets of three materials each yeah (0:25:02) Kev: I’m happy overall mostly with the number of fantasy life sold because I’m a big (0:25:10) Kev: level 5 fan and I was especially worried when they’re in North America office (0:25:14) Kev: But their they came out with this beautiful (0:25:17) Kev: And it’s it’s going strong on fantasy life seared the prequel again (0:25:21) Kev: I played the DS version a lot the DS game (0:25:25) Kev: I still play it actually I’m going through the DLC origin island (0:25:31) Kev: Kind of - when this came out it was you know, I was like, oh, I don’t want to buy it (0:25:36) Kev: But I didn’t do that DLC so I fired it up and I’ve been checking away at the DLC a little bit here and there (0:25:42) Kev: I like it. It’s good. It’s the single-player MMO (0:25:45) Kev: I don’t know if Fantasy Life Eye still follows it. (0:25:47) Kev: It still has at least a lot of that level five charm and design I still love. (0:25:53) Kev: So good for you Fantasy Life Eye. Keep keep on selling. Do another 1.2 million. (0:25:56) Kev: Yeah. All right speaking of games that sold probably at least 1.2 million. (0:26:04) Kev: I’d be shocked for anything less. Hello Kitty Island Adventure coming out with (0:26:08) Kev: another update. The Sunshine Celebration Update. Summer Vacation Festival, Tiki’s (0:26:16) Kev: Bitch (0:26:18) Kev: You know beach party type to update. It’s one of those seasonal events where hey (0:26:28) Kev: trade ’em in for new stuff, you know, new decorations and whatnot, it’s very cute. (0:26:34) Kev: It’s botsmaru, running a little juice-sticky bar. (0:26:38) Kev: Um, yeah, I like it, very cute. (0:26:42) Kev: Um, yeah, that’s uh, oh, it’s on sale right now, 25% off, get it for $30 USD, I don’t know for when, but uh, (0:26:49) Kev: but yo, check it out, it’s a good game, we talked about it on at least two episodes, and I like it. (0:26:55) Kev: Good for you, little kitty island venture. You’re a good thing. (0:26:58) Kev: That’s good. (0:27:00) Kev: Ah, you know what else is good, folks? (0:27:04) Kev: Discounty. Or more specifically, their little PR campaign they’ve done. (0:27:10) Kev: So, discounty. We have talked about it for people who may not remember. (0:27:15) Kev: You are running a convenience type store. (0:27:22) Kev: It’s like in the middle of a city, and it kind of feels like, you know, (0:27:26) Kev: just small little. (0:27:28) Kev: This is a grocery type store, um, I think the store is called ‘Discounty’. (0:27:34) Kev: Anyways they released a series of videos that they call ‘Employee Training Videos’ and these (0:27:41) Kev: videos are framed as such, you know you get little CRT scan lines and then the little (0:27:47) Kev: jingle for the business as you work for the ‘Discounty Corporation’. (0:27:51) Kev: They go over a few different mechanics, they talk about store expansion, they can buy land (0:27:58) Kev: to expand your store, excuse me. (0:28:04) Kev: Customer happiness is one. (0:28:09) Kev: Store layout and customization, I’m actually impressed by that one, there’s a wide range (0:28:13) Kev: of customization and layout options. (0:28:17) Kev: And it’s, I think that’s a, I think this is gonna be a key element in making this enjoyable (0:28:23) Kev: right because you know running a store as you know Al’s not fond of and for a lot of (0:28:28) Kev: understandable reasons right, it’s kind of maybe, as Al says, the just, it’s the shipping (0:28:36) Kev: box with extra steps or whatever. (0:28:38) Kev: Well this clearly is not that, there’s a lot more in that, you invest, you can, you kind (0:28:42) Kev: of think strategically how do I want to layout merchandise. (0:28:47) Kev: And I think that’s pretty clever and not just that but aesthetically there’s a lot of variations (0:28:52) Kev: you can go with. (0:28:53) Kev: You know you can actually make it look like a little greenhouse sort of store, you know, (0:28:58) Kev: a nursery that’s the word because you have so many plants and whatnot. (0:29:03) Kev: Yeah they’re even do, they have an employee of a month contest in their discords, that’s (0:29:10) Kev: very cute, where they crown a winner of like the best looking shops every month with the (0:29:15) Kev: demo you can play. (0:29:17) Kev: That is, that is very, very cute. (0:29:19) Kev: Yeah let’s see, okay there’s a couple more training videos, welcome to Blomkis the town’s (0:29:26) Kev: called Blomkis, kind of an overview of the town. (0:29:29) Kev: There’s a shop, some of the different locals and locales, locations you can visit. (0:29:36) Kev: That’s uh, that’s fun. (0:29:40) Kev: And then there’s another employee training video on talking about relationships, like (0:29:45) Kev: the mechanics and different types of characters you can meet and whatnot. (0:29:52) Kev: That’s yeah, that’s the last one. (0:29:55) Kev: Now throughout these training videos there’s a common theme (0:29:58) Kev: Of uh, how should I put this uh, the CD underbelly. This really feels like the Joja Market route, the game. (0:30:10) Kev: Um, because um, at the end of each of these training videos there’s a disclaimer. (0:30:15) Kev: “Discounty corporation cannot be held liable for any environmental damage, interpersonal relationship issues, (0:30:25) Kev: or riotous uprisings that occur as a result of the (0:30:28) Kev: these training, uh, following this training video. (0:30:32) Kev: So, um, yeah, clearly they framed that some of this stuff can result in bad (0:30:37) Kev: things. Um, and you do in fact, get a tiny sliver of a frame of a riotous (0:30:42) Kev: uprising. So, um, yeah, I don’t know. Can you lean into that or is it, you know, (0:30:48) Kev: like, oh, you’re going to have a change of heart and changed how the model works. (0:30:51) Kev: I don’t know, but you know, they’re aware of what they’re doing. It’s fun. Um, (0:30:57) Kev: And it does look like you have the eye. (0:30:58) Kev: You don’t have the option to build relationships with people. (0:31:02) Kev: You can bribe or make things easier for you to get around permitting or control press. (0:31:08) Kev: Get in a relationship with a reporter and avoid bad press from your store. (0:31:12) Kev: Which is kind of a fun idea actually. (0:31:16) Kev: The people, your relationships impact the status of your farm. I like that. That’s good. (0:31:22) Kev: Yeah, that’s clever. I’m excited for this one. (0:31:28) Kev: This is the store simulators. (0:31:30) Kev: I think has a lot of charm and personality and the mechanics like I said the whole store customization thing. I (0:31:36) Kev: Like that a lot. I’m a big fan. So yeah, keep (0:31:41) Kev: Keeping on up for that folks (0:31:44) Kev: Say do we have a release date? I don’t think we do (0:31:51) Kev: Could be dead wrong, but oh, oh I’m dead right. I am dead wrong. It’s available August 21st 2025 (0:31:56) Kev: Oh, that’s that’s around the corner of the month (0:32:00) Kev: I can’t wait for that. Oh, oh, yeah, I’ll definitely be playing this. I’m very excited for that. Yay (0:32:05) Kev: I like it when I don’t have to wait too long for things. That’s that’s fun (0:32:12) Kev: Yeah (0:32:14) Kev: Okay, there you go discount (0:32:16) Kev: All right. Yeah, do check out those videos. I think they’re charming only down like maybe a minute long each something like that (0:32:22) Kev: Um, they they’re they’re flavorful. They have a lot of character. So check them out (0:32:27) Kev: Well, you know, you know we have the links on the website. (0:32:30) Kev: Oh (0:32:32) Kev: Okay, lastly Sun-Haven Sun Haven I addressed (0:32:40) Kev: As as mandated by the cottage cores laws of the internet games fear (0:32:46) Kev: We they’ve come out with to make ship plushy because of course they have (0:32:49) Kev: You know what hats off to make ship. They’re they’re hustlers. Look how much they get done (0:32:55) Kev: Anyways, what is cool though is I haven’t seen this before (0:33:00) Kev: I didn’t really realize there are jumbo plushies. This is not though like (0:33:13) Kev: It is a plushy. I should say of the snack Coon. It’s kind of like big perp (0:33:18) Kev: Oh my god, I forgot this is that’s just a big the Casa big belly has the purple and the stripes with the white bell (0:33:23) Kev: That is just (0:33:25) Kev: Big the cat but a raccoon. Oh (0:33:28) Kev: Man, I did. I just saw myself on this maybe (0:33:33) Kev: Let’s see here (0:33:35) Kev: You have 12 days to get this to make ship campaign. That’s how they are right always limited campaign (0:33:40) Kev: 12 well actually only available until August (0:33:43) Kev: 12th at noon eastern (0:33:46) Kev: us eastern that’s when it’s sad so (0:33:48) Kev: to say like maybe a week after you hear this the senate (0:33:52) Kev: uh… (0:33:53) Kev: but yeah it is a (0:33:56) Kev: missus (0:34:07) Kev: Either way, um, it’s the snack own sleeping has the blep tongue. I don’t think the belly is big enough. That’s gonna be my biggest (0:34:23) Kev: Don’t know maybe it’s just something about the posing doesn’t doesn’t feel as round (0:34:28) Kev: It does seem more raccoon like and as a plush, which I’m sure they wanted (0:34:33) Kev: but (0:34:35) Kev: But yeah check it out um (0:34:38) Kev: Because you have a little better week to jump on that so (0:34:42) Kev: Almost 38 USD that is aging premium jumbo plushie, I guess (0:34:48) Kev: Snacks are not included. Oh and hey the things already funded so you know if you want it you can just get it (0:34:54) Kev: It’s yours. You don’t have to worry about not getting it (0:34:57) Kev: So there you go um (0:35:00) Kev: Good for you son hobbin son haven put putting out a very big plushie of (0:35:06) Kev: Not big the cat when do we get the big why don’t wait do I have it? No, I don’t think I would be the cat plushie (0:35:13) Kev: Hold on hold on folks. This is what is a Kevin episode. I’m checking the interwebs a big the cat plush (0:35:23) Kev: Is there an official one right? That’s the question cuz of course Etsy has 800 of them (0:35:30) Kev: Great Eastern Entertainment, I think that might be an officially licensed one. Oh snap oh (0:35:37) Kev: Oh my gosh, and it’s almost the price of the snack goon plushie (0:35:42) Kev: Okay, I might not get snack good, but I might get a big the cat plushie (0:35:47) Kev: This episode is an accessory (0:35:50) Kev: You can hear the roars of cheering (0:35:53) Kev: Enjoy as Kevin discovers the big the cat plushie (0:35:59) Kev: He has his fishing rod oh, he looks very dopey. I love it his belly’s not big enough. No his arms are too long (0:36:12) Kev: Oh, but Kevin discovers the big, the cat flush. (0:36:18) Kev: Good times. (0:36:19) Kev: All right. (0:36:20) Kev: All right. (0:36:20) Kev: All right. (0:36:21) Kev: The, the, the, I know that’s the real hard hitting news. (0:36:23) Kev: We all want it, but that’s, that’s all I got. (0:36:25) Kev: That’s, that’s the news we covered the docket. (0:36:27) Kev: Yay. (0:36:29) Kev: Um, so with that being said, let’s get into go show in the grassland. (0:36:38) Kev: So, um, all right, this one, I feel needs a little. (0:36:42) Kev: Just, uh, just a hint of historical context, what is a gaucho? (0:36:54) Kev: Um, so, uh, a gaucho in a very, very base and somewhat inaccurate descriptor, uh, would (0:37:05) Kev: be a South American cowboy, right? (0:37:08) Kev: Um, uh, the, the emphasis being particularly on the horsemanship, the, the skills of equestrianism (0:37:17) Kev: and all that. (0:37:18) Kev: Um, and you know, this, as we all know, I’m Mexican, right? (0:37:22) Kev: So this is south of my border, if you will, right? (0:37:24) Kev: In Mexico, the Vaquero is very, very much synonymous or equivalent to the American cowboy, (0:37:32) Kev: because, hey guess what, like a third of American cowboys were Hispanic, so. (0:37:36) Kev: So, you know, that whole iconography, mythos, is similar, but gauchas are just a little (0:37:44) Kev: different. (0:37:45) Kev: Part of it, I think, is the environment, right? (0:37:48) Kev: We’re talking Brazil, Argentina, Paraguay, Uruguay, right? (0:37:53) Kev: A lot, uh… (0:37:55) Kev: A very different environment from the big wide open plains of the U.S., right? (0:38:00) Kev: I mean, there were, they called the Pampas, um, the, uh… (0:38:05) Kev: Kind of plains out in South America, but it’s still, generally speaking, a more heavily forested area, right, so… (0:38:12) Kev: Um, the South American region, right, tropics, and all that good stuff. (0:38:16) Kev: Um… (0:38:19) Kev: So yeah, um, Gauchos, um… (0:38:21) Kev: they they have this sort of uh… meat (0:38:26) Kev: or stereotype of being brave and unruly at the same time (0:38:30) Kev: like very rough and tumble sort of guys out there (0:38:34) Kev: not necessarily like Wild West Sheriff type thing (0:38:38) Kev: but you know they’re out there (0:38:48) Kev: living out on the country living out on the land (0:38:52) Kev: that’s the word I’m looking for and so again (0:38:56) Kev: this South American region and (0:39:00) Kev: that leads to this game Gautreaux and the Grassland which is (0:39:04) Kev: in fact developed by a Brazilian (0:39:07) Kev: game dev company one second let me find their name again (0:39:13) Kev: Gautreaux and the Grassland (0:39:18) Kev: Ipopia games I hope I’m saying that wrong (0:39:22) Kev: or yeah good good job man I hope I’m saying that wrong I hope I’m not saying (0:39:26) Kev: that wrong that is again for talking in South America so this is more Portuguese (0:39:31) Kev: in Spanish so I don’t speak Portuguese I can kind of you know guess a little bit (0:39:37) Kev: but yeah so this was announced forever ago and when this when I saw this game I (0:39:43) Kev: I was thinking, okay, it’s like, 3D Stardew… (0:39:53) Kev: That’s what I thought that the game was going to be, more or less. (0:39:57) Kev: Now, what the game was, or is, isn’t quite that. (0:40:04) Kev: Let’s start with the very first thing. (0:40:05) Kev: First of all, when I bought it, it’s only $20 USD. (0:40:08) Kev: Okay, well, I honestly expected a little more. (0:40:11) Kev: I thought it was going to be, but, I mean, hey, that’s a good surprise, right? (0:40:15) Kev: But it also, I think, does set the expectations of the game, right? (0:40:20) Kev: This was smaller in scale than I expected, I would say. (0:40:24) Kev: And it’s only 1.3 GB, so yeah, much smaller in scale than I expected. (0:40:29) Kev: I was like, “Huh.” (0:40:33) Kev: But that’s not a bad thing, just, you know, just surprise me a little, maybe I wasn’t paying attention. (0:40:41) Kev: So what I did get, instead of Stardew, but South American Cowboy, (0:40:47) Kev: what we got is a game that is more, I think, about that. (0:40:54) Kev: The themes of the couch, which is weird to say. There’s an important bit here. (0:40:59) Kev: When I checked early on, when I was playing, I just happened to check the credits, because I was curious to find out a little more. (0:41:07) Kev: Because when you start the game, it actually tells you that this was, the development was aided by what they call the State Department of Culture, (0:41:14) Kev: which I believe is in reference to a Brazilian governmental, like, federal funding thing. (0:41:20) Kev: Um, which I personally found very endearing. (0:41:24) Kev: Um, uh, and, you know, that, you know, could be largely contextual because of how things are in the U.S., we’re losing NPR, PBS, et cetera, right? (0:41:36) Kev: So, and then you have this little game out of Brazil where, you know, the Brazilian government wants to make, uh, quite a little game about, um, (0:41:53) Kev: So, um, so yeah, that, that, that shortly made me say, huh. (0:41:58) Kev: Um, but furthermore, like I said, I went through the credits and at the end. (0:42:04) Kev: They, they have a dedication to the, the victims of, uh, of some (0:42:12) Kev: floods that happened in Brazil. (0:42:13) Kev: Um, uh, from when I read and researched about, uh, January of 2025 this year. (0:42:21) Kev: You know to the victims and communities affected (0:42:23) Kev: by these heavy flooding some I was not aware of this this stuff but but yeah (0:42:31) Kev: thousands of people were affected people left homeless and so on and so forth so (0:42:38) Kev: yeah obviously a tragic event and I don’t know um like that so recent it’s (0:42:48) Kev: hard to know how much an impact did the development but that little dedication (0:42:53) Kev: kind of paint this this whole game in a different light for me because what this (0:43:01) Kev: game is it’s not the stardew valley like I thought what this game is is about a (0:43:07) Kev: community and helping people out because that’s what the premise is you are a (0:43:13) Kev: nameless gaucho and you are summoned by literally your ghost father that is the (0:43:21) Kev: character’s name, Ghost Father. (0:43:23) Kev: And he, uh, has implored you, forced you. (0:43:29) Kev: It’s, it’s kind of pushy, kind of not even, you don’t get the choice. (0:43:33) Kev: Um, you are given the role of a guardian, a, to, to help, to go out into these (0:43:41) Kev: grasslands and these areas, um, where people have been suffering from all sorts (0:43:46) Kev: of natural and unnatural disasters and to go help them out and restore their (0:43:52) Kev: communities. (0:43:53) Kev: And this is what the game is, it’s not about necessarily your central homestead, but to go out and to go restore these different areas, helping people out. (0:44:05) Kev: That is like legitimate, actually the progress measure, how many happy points you get from people. (0:44:19) Kev: and so yeah it’s like I said very different from what I expected but it’s not (0:44:23) Kev: necessarily a bad thing I personally found this charming and endearing like (0:44:29) Kev: I said you know maybe (0:44:38) Kev: Things aren’t great, right? Maybe it’s my own. You know, I’ve got a lot of personal stuff going on (0:44:44) Kev: Maybe that’s making more sympathetic. Maybe I’m just a big sap. Guess what I am - we all know this (0:44:50) Kev: but I (0:44:51) Kev: found (0:44:53) Kev: This overall premise this overall theme to be very charming and endearing and I think a lot of it’s a presentation (0:44:59) Kev: It has the character designs are very overcooked (0:45:02) Kev: Let’s say for lack of a better way like very cartoony very cutesy and exaggerated (0:45:07) Kev: You’re the gout, the male gout, you can be like- (0:45:08) Kev: I’m male or female, but the male gout characters are generally speaking very big mustaches and eyebrows, very cartoon-y and cute. (0:45:18) Kev: Your dog also gets some eyebrows and mustache. (0:45:24) Kev: So yeah, I don’t know, for all the times I writhe in pain over the term, this game did in fact feel cozy to me. (0:45:38) Kev: At least it touched me, let’s say that. (0:45:42) Kev: Like I said, maybe I’m reading too much into it, right? Maybe that was just a nice little dedication I put in, but… (0:45:48) Kev: When I see this, right, it’s a game about hoping people, they have these floods, and you have the State Department of Culture funding them, backing them up, like… (0:46:00) Kev: I don’t know, all that is a feel-good story to me, like, it adds up to just something a little heartwarming. (0:46:10) Kev: But like I said, I don’t know, maybe that’s just me, it’s just mine being just too influenced by other stuff going on. (0:46:16) Kev: But overall, regardless of that, I do think the game is still charming, and overall the gaming is enjoyable. (0:46:24) Kev: So let’s talk about the actual gameplay mechanics. (0:46:28) Kev: It’s very resource-like collect and manage-not even manage, it’s collecting, right? (0:46:34) Kev: You’re not even, or at least from the portion I’ve played, I’ve only played (0:46:39) Kev: One of three different areas. I wasn’t you’re not really (0:46:43) Kev: Farming growing crops you I was and there might be it looks like there’s some different mechanics. I might unlock on each area (0:46:52) Kev: Because I know there’s chickens in the I have not encountered chickens (0:46:55) Kev: I did raise cattle and and grow and get milk from them, but but no crops (0:47:01) Kev: Um, so there might be that I might buy I don’t want to be inaccurate (0:47:06) Kev: But just I haven’t reached that if that’s the case, but so yeah, but (0:47:09) Kev: Not so much about growing the resources going out and gathering or finding them right chopping trees picking (0:47:15) Kev: You know using your pickaxe at stones to get stones. You mean your dog is a little resource generator (0:47:21) Kev: You used 10 did to dig at holes and it finds metal bits or or clay or you know different different items and resources (0:47:31) Kev: And and so yeah, so you have these different tools (0:47:34) Kev: Yeah, the axe the pickaxe a machete. Oh machete. You can cut down grass different types of (0:47:39) Kev: Grasses and stuff with it a jug for collecting water (0:47:43) Kev: Oh and a milk bucket took to milk cows cuz cows or milk cow milk is a resource as well (0:47:50) Kev: And so you’re gathering all these resources and you’re going around and helping people out right it’s full 3d (0:47:57) Kev: So, you know you the horse riding as it should be with a gaucho game is very important (0:48:04) Kev: have a horse with you at all times or you can hop on or summon it you can whistle and… (0:48:08) Kev: it’ll come to you at all times. The horse riding feels good you can lasso from the (0:48:14) Kev: horse riding and use a cattle horn to to have cows follow you all that feels (0:48:19) Kev: good as it should be as I’d expect so you know thumbs up for that it feels (0:48:24) Kev: like what I want or what I’d expect right which is always such an important (0:48:28) Kev: thing for any game. So yeah mechanically I think it’s it’s very solid and and hey (0:48:34) Kev: They are supporting it in between the time you’re playing it and… (0:48:38) Kev: …and, you know, coming out and me talking about this, they’ve come out with a couple updates… (0:48:43) Kev: …including one that improved gamepad performance. (0:48:46) Kev: ‘Cause the gamepad at first felt almost like a mouse cursor, you know, that sort of experience, which isn’t ideal. (0:48:52) Kev: And so they said, “Hey, we’re gonna fix that,” and now it just snaps to different menu options. (0:48:55) Kev: Like, “Alright, now that we’re talking, that’s what I want from a gamepad.” (0:48:59) Kev: So, so good for them. Good for them. (0:49:01) Kev: Um… (0:49:03) Kev: Uh… (0:49:04) Kev: Where was it going? (0:49:05) Kev: Uh, anyways, okay, going back to the resources. (0:49:07) Kev: So yeah, you gather all these resources. (0:49:08) Kev: If you’re six and stones and water and all that stuff and going around and helping people, um, there’s, there’s all sorts of different things, but hey, help me build me build this cart and this fence. (0:49:18) Kev: My cows all broke out. (0:49:19) Kev: Can you help me fix this fence and, and go herd my cows back here? (0:49:23) Kev: Can you help me build the trough for these new animals? (0:49:26) Kev: Can you fill it with water? (0:49:27) Kev: Can you help extinguish all these fires that are popping up with the jar? (0:49:32) Kev: Um, uh, you know, different things. (0:49:36) Kev: Um, it’s that. (0:49:38) Kev: particularly deep, there’s no, you know, deep character stories or lures or anything. (0:49:44) Kev: But you’re just going out and just helping a community, just helping these little people (0:49:47) Kev: regrow their little village, your community. (0:49:51) Kev: And as you do, you know, you get, I think they literally call it happiness points or (0:49:55) Kev: something like that. (0:49:57) Kev: And kind of what you’re doing in each of the areas, because there’s, like I said, there’s (0:50:00) Kev: three different areas. (0:50:01) Kev: You start off the game in one central hub world, but then you hop over to different (0:50:05) Kev: areas and what you’re trying to do is you’re trying to find like (0:50:08) Kev: this spirit guardian of this of each region. So once you help (0:50:14) Kev: enough people, you open a door where there’s there’s some (0:50:25) Kev: uh… and that’s kind of the overall objective for each area (0:50:32) Kev: in that there is still (0:50:35) Kev: some sandboxy creative elements it’s not (0:50:38) Kev: totally linear (0:50:40) Kev: uh… there’s areas of land you can buy by exchanging enough resources (0:50:45) Kev: uh… and some quests will actually ask you to do so because (0:50:48) Kev: when you buy the land you can (0:50:50) Kev: create different buildings on it (0:50:53) Kev: You’re given different recipes and… (0:50:55) Kev: You can build different types of houses, or a barn, or fencing, or you know, little different structures. (0:51:02) Kev: And from what, again, only going to employ one of the three areas, it does look like I could go to the second area and get new recipes and bring them back to the first area. (0:51:12) Kev: So, yeah, there’s this element of building up, not just repairing and helping all these little people, but actually building up the town. (0:51:22) Kev: the town, and a lot of it is purely aesthetic, cosmetic. (0:51:25) Kev: but it’s still charming, and it’s a little grid based system, you build, put a building here, put a building there, whatever. (0:51:32) Kev: It’s not super in-depth, at least from what I’ve seen, you can’t build like, let’s say, roads, which I kind of wish I could. (0:51:39) Kev: Because I think that would kind of make the village feel nicer, or whatever. (0:51:43) Kev: But, you know, it’s not Animal Crossing customized to every bit of a speck of dirt on the island, or whatever. (0:51:50) Kev: But it is a nice little creative outlet, too. (0:52:00) Kev: um and so that uh yeah that that’s like I said that’s I i’m only maybe a third of the game it’s (0:52:11) Kev: a very short game i’ll say you could probably you know for someone who’s busy you could probably (0:52:17) Kev: knock out maybe a week you just play it like an hour or two every night um because yeah i’ve (0:52:22) Kev: played I don’t know the exact card count but I would estimate i’m about a third of the way (0:52:27) Kev: done with the game and you know for that price that’s (0:52:30) Kev: perfectly fine and acceptable but yeah that’s that’s kind of it it is a like (0:52:39) Kev: game at least from what I’ve seen so far and that’s okay sometimes I like game is (0:52:44) Kev: good like I said earlier and more importantly like I said I think this (0:52:50) Kev: game does something that’s very hard and that’s just to make it charming but (0:52:56) Kev: Genuinely that that heartwarming sense of help (0:53:01) Kev: I don’t know that that’s (0:53:07) Kev: Like I think of Stardew Valley in the whole Jojo route and taking out right there helping people (0:53:13) Kev: like those those stories, you know, you help certain people and you get involved in their stories and whatever but (0:53:19) Kev: The overall feeling of restoring the community so I don’t know sometimes that maybe that gets lost in the weeds of just trying to fill (0:53:26) Kev: out the community (0:53:27) Kev: Center request or whatever (0:53:30) Kev: but this game like that’s clearly what they’re aiming for and I think it was a (0:53:36) Kev: They succeeded at it, which you know hats off to them. I find that very (0:53:41) Kev: impressive (0:53:43) Kev: So yeah, I’m gonna keep playing this game. I want to finish it to completion. That’s not terribly hard ask (0:53:49) Kev: and (0:53:51) Kev: But and yeah, I honestly (0:53:53) Kev: like even (0:53:55) Kev: Even though the game was not what I expected it (0:54:00) Kev: The cowboy simulator I hope for personally (0:54:04) Kev: It’s still a lovely and charming game and and then two thumbs up and an easy recommendation from me (0:54:11) Kev: You know, I hope it does well (0:54:13) Kev: I you know, like (0:54:16) Kev: It’s a more niche (0:54:18) Kev: like culturally (0:54:21) Kev: Area (0:54:22) Kev: You know, it’s not like we’re playing games from South American devs every other week here or in general, you know, so I (0:54:30) Kev: Wholeheartedly encourage that and then you know, just go check it out, you know (0:54:36) Kev: And and like I said, they you can feel the care they’re putting into this there. They’re updating game constantly and then fixing things (0:54:43) Kev: And and yeah, I can’t open I guess it before but though the overcooked art sounds very cute charming. I can’t emphasize enough (0:54:51) Kev: Um, okay. Yeah, I think that’s that’s all I got really I’m done rambling and and and and and and getting mushy and all that (0:54:59) Kev: Um… (0:55:01) Kev: So yeah, that is gaucho in the grass when I came out didn’t disappoint hey good good for them (0:55:06) Kev: Right the game works and didn’t disappoint. What more can you ask for really? (0:55:12) Kev: So yeah go check that out again, I highly encourage you (0:55:17) Kev: And yeah, I guess we can call it an episode shorter one, of course just just me that’s (0:55:24) Kev: that’s I (0:55:26) Kev: I like long podcasts. My primary podcast I listen to is generally (0:55:30) Kev: speaking three to four hours a week. I like it. Maybe it’s my own personal situation when I’m at (0:55:38) Kev: work. It’s easy to turn on podcasts and just get in it for a couple hours. But yeah, I always feel (0:55:46) Kev: bad when these episodes. That’s the biggest thing I feel bad about. It’s a little short, but hey, (0:55:52) Kev: it is what it is. What can I do? I mean, I could go on, but you know, I’ll save out there. (0:56:00) Kev: Just cutting out entire sections of me talking to myself is two different characters. That’ll be (0:56:10) Kev: for another episode. But yeah, thanks again folks for listening. Thanks Al for letting me do a solo (0:56:20) Kev: episode again. Thank you listeners for surviving somehow to the end of this. All right, and with (0:56:29) Kev: that. (0:56:31) Kev: You can find me on the internet if you can. (0:56:34) Kev: Actually, you probably don’t want to do that. (0:56:35) Kev: There’s probably not much that you’re going to find out there. (0:56:38) Kev: I’m @koopaprez on the bluesk, on the twitter, on the whatever. (0:56:42) Kev: Or the artist square, if you want to see some of my art, even though I’m falling behind. (0:56:45) Kev: I’ve picked… (0:56:47) Kev: I made some sprites in the past week, that&rs

BAM BAM BAM! You captured the goons who are chasing you. What do you do? A) Talk calmly and listen what they have to say? B) Get too excited that you have the upperhand and overplay? C) Squeeeeeeze info out of them? D) All (and none) of the above?We're playing Masks for this campaign! You can access a running list of all the NPCs from Campaign 4 here.Sponsors- United by Blue, creators of sustainable apparel and outdoor gear. Use code jointheparty for 20% off at https://unitedbyblue.comFind Us Online- website: https://jointhepartypod.com- patreon: https://patreon.com/jointhepartypod- instagram: https://instagram.com/jointhepartypod- twitter: https://twitter.com/jointhepartypod- tumblr: https://jointhepartypod.tumblr.com- facebook: https://facebook.com/jointhepartypod- merch & music: http://jointhepartypod.com/merchCast & Crew- Game Master, Co-Producer: Eric Silver- Co-Host, Co-Producer, Sound Designer, Composer (Connor Lyons): Brandon Grugle- Co-Host, Co-Producer, Editor (Shelley Craft): Julia Schifini- Co-Host, Co-Producer (Rowan Rosen): Amanda McLoughlin- Artwork: Allyson Wakeman- Multitude: https://multitude.productionsAbout UsJoin the Party is an actual play podcast with tangible worlds, genre-pushing storytelling, and collaborators who make each other laugh each week. We welcome everyone to the table, from longtime players to folks who've never touched a roleplaying game before. Hop into our current campaign: the drama and excitement of a superhero high school! Or marathon our completed stories: Campaign 3 for a pirate story set in a world of plant- and bug-folk, the Camp-Paign for a MOTW game set in a weird summer camp, Campaign 2 for a modern superhero game, and Campaign 1 for a high fantasy story. And once a month we release the Afterparty, where we answer your questions about the show and how we play the game. New episodes every Tuesday.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

CW: Portrayal of panic attack brought on by PTSD, from 20:50 to 23:00.The gang flies over to Newton Town to get ready for the tournament. Plenty of new faces, old faces... and faces Chris rather not see again.We have a Patreon. Feel like supporting the show? Click here! https://www.patreon.com/PKMNLegacyPost about the show on Bluesky and Twitter using #PKMNLegacy. Give us a thumbs up and comment on our YouTube releases. Leave a review on your podcasting platform. We might use your name for one of our NPCs!Ariana Nicole   https://youtube.com/@ArianaNicole   https://bsky.app/profile/ariananicolegeorge.bsky.social   https://twitter.com/arianangeorgeChi-chi   https://youtube.com/@ChichiAi   https://bsky.app/profile/chichiai.bsky.social   https://twitter.com/ChichiAi/DryeGuy   https://youtube.com/@DryeGuy   https://bsky.app/profile/terrancedrye.bsky.social   https://twitter.com/terrancedryevaKayVox   https://youtube.com/@KayVox   https://bsky.app/profile/kpoplyk.bsky.social   https://twitter.com/KillianPoplykVASpecial thanks to:HeatherFeathersong for voicing Maxine   https://youtube.com/@heathrin18   https://twitter.com/HFeathersong Rubycast for voicing Emberly   https://deviantart.com/rubycast/   https://bsky.app/profile/rubycast.bsky.social   https://twitter.com/RubyCast4 JonRobertsVA for voicing Mason   https://youtube.com/@TheBowTizzle   https://twitter.com/jonrobertsva   https://tiktok.com/@maineventman

Grab your juice boxes and initiative trackers—it's time to run D&D for the most chaotic party of all: children. In this RPGBOT.Masterclass Remastered episode, the hosts are joined by educator and Dungeon Master David Lemke, who shares his expertise on running tabletop RPGs—particularly Dungeons & Dragons—for children. The conversation blends pedagogical insight with practical game mastering advice, offering tools, tips, and examples from David's real-world experience leading kid-friendly adventures. From session structure and tone to safety and engagement strategies, this episode equips GMs of all levels with the knowledge they need to run rewarding, responsible games for younger players. David Lemke DnD Adventure Club RPGBOT.Podcast Episodes DnD Adventure Club w/David Lemke – RPGBOT.News S3E58 RPGBOT.Podcast Bonus Episode – The Wild Beyond the Witchlight Topics Covered How running D&D for kids differs from traditional adult tables The benefits of TTRPGs for child development and social growth Building age-appropriate adventures with clear stakes and structure Using repetition and scaffolding for younger players' comprehension Managing attention spans and behavior without losing the fun Tips for introducing mechanics gradually over time Player safety, parental involvement, and appropriate content Teaching narrative agency and consequences in a kid-friendly way Group management in mixed-age or mixed-skill settings Customizing rulesets to better fit young players' needs Dealing with disruptive players and setting table expectations Tools, props, and miniatures that help children stay engaged Encouraging creativity without overwhelming new players Favorite stories and learning moments from David's past games Key Questions Answered How do you start a new D&D group for kids who've never played before? What kinds of monsters, settings, and themes work best for young adventurers? What house rules or simplifications can help keep the game moving smoothly? What are the educational benefits of playing D&D as a child? Key Takeaways Structure and Consistency Are Crucial Children thrive with predictable session formats, recurring NPCs, and simple mechanics introduced in layers. Fun Comes First Prioritize engagement and joy. Mechanics can wait—story, agency, and laughter are more important than perfect rules compliance. Rules Can Be Training Wheels Simplified rulesets or modified stat blocks help children feel empowered without cognitive overload. Session Length Matters Games for younger players are typically best kept to 60–90 minutes, with physical movement or breaks built in. Age-Appropriate Themes Tone down horror, violence, and complex moral ambiguity. Focus on problem-solving, teamwork, and simple, heroic stakes. Incorporate Physicality Props, dice towers, maps, and miniatures provide tactile feedback and keep attention focused. Safety Tools Aren't Just for Adults Use check-ins, “stop” mechanics, and clear expectations for behavior to build a safe, inclusive table. Behavior = Feedback Disruptive behavior is often a sign that the pacing or content needs adjusting, not that the child is “bad at D&D.” Parental Involvement Helps Keeping parents informed and engaged (or even including them at the table) helps build trust and supports continuity. Roleplay Builds Life Skills Improv, empathy, decision-making, and consequence are all transferable life lessons baked into the game. If you enjoy the show, please rate and review us on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or your favorite podcast app. It's a quick, free way to support the podcast, and helps us reach new listeners. If you love the show, consider joining us on Patreon, where backers at the $5 and above tiers get ad free access to RPGBOT.net and the RPGBOT.Podcast, can chat directly to members of the RPGBOT team and community on the RPGBOT.Discord, and can join us for live-streamed recordings. Support us on Amazon.com when you purchase products recommended in the show at the following link: https://amzn.to/3NwElxQ How to Find Us: In-depth articles, guides, handbooks, reviews, news on Tabletop Role Playing at RPGBOT.net Tyler Kamstra BlueSky: @rpgbot.net TikTok: @RPGBOTDOTNET Ash Ely Professional Game Master on StartPlaying.Games BlueSky: @GravenAshes YouTube: @ashravenmedia Randall James BlueSky: @GrimoireRPG Amateurjack.com Read Melancon: A Grimoire Tale (affiliate link) Producer Dan @Lzr_illuminati

Grab your juice boxes and initiative trackers—it's time to run D&D for the most chaotic party of all: children. In this RPGBOT.Masterclass Remastered episode, the hosts are joined by educator and Dungeon Master David Lemke, who shares his expertise on running tabletop RPGs—particularly Dungeons & Dragons—for children. The conversation blends pedagogical insight with practical game mastering advice, offering tools, tips, and examples from David's real-world experience leading kid-friendly adventures. From session structure and tone to safety and engagement strategies, this episode equips GMs of all levels with the knowledge they need to run rewarding, responsible games for younger players. David Lemke DnD Adventure Club RPGBOT.Podcast Episodes DnD Adventure Club w/David Lemke – RPGBOT.News S3E58 RPGBOT.Podcast Bonus Episode – The Wild Beyond the Witchlight Topics Covered How running D&D for kids differs from traditional adult tables The benefits of TTRPGs for child development and social growth Building age-appropriate adventures with clear stakes and structure Using repetition and scaffolding for younger players' comprehension Managing attention spans and behavior without losing the fun Tips for introducing mechanics gradually over time Player safety, parental involvement, and appropriate content Teaching narrative agency and consequences in a kid-friendly way Group management in mixed-age or mixed-skill settings Customizing rulesets to better fit young players' needs Dealing with disruptive players and setting table expectations Tools, props, and miniatures that help children stay engaged Encouraging creativity without overwhelming new players Favorite stories and learning moments from David's past games Key Questions Answered How do you start a new D&D group for kids who've never played before? What kinds of monsters, settings, and themes work best for young adventurers? What house rules or simplifications can help keep the game moving smoothly? What are the educational benefits of playing D&D as a child? Key Takeaways Structure and Consistency Are Crucial Children thrive with predictable session formats, recurring NPCs, and simple mechanics introduced in layers. Fun Comes First Prioritize engagement and joy. Mechanics can wait—story, agency, and laughter are more important than perfect rules compliance. Rules Can Be Training Wheels Simplified rulesets or modified stat blocks help children feel empowered without cognitive overload. Session Length Matters Games for younger players are typically best kept to 60–90 minutes, with physical movement or breaks built in. Age-Appropriate Themes Tone down horror, violence, and complex moral ambiguity. Focus on problem-solving, teamwork, and simple, heroic stakes. Incorporate Physicality Props, dice towers, maps, and miniatures provide tactile feedback and keep attention focused. Safety Tools Aren't Just for Adults Use check-ins, “stop” mechanics, and clear expectations for behavior to build a safe, inclusive table. Behavior = Feedback Disruptive behavior is often a sign that the pacing or content needs adjusting, not that the child is “bad at D&D.” Parental Involvement Helps Keeping parents informed and engaged (or even including them at the table) helps build trust and supports continuity. Roleplay Builds Life Skills Improv, empathy, decision-making, and consequence are all transferable life lessons baked into the game. If you enjoy the show, please rate and review us on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or your favorite podcast app. It's a quick, free way to support the podcast, and helps us reach new listeners. If you love the show, consider joining us on Patreon, where backers at the $5 and above tiers get ad free access to RPGBOT.net and the RPGBOT.Podcast, can chat directly to members of the RPGBOT team and community on the RPGBOT.Discord, and can join us for live-streamed recordings. Support us on Amazon.com when you purchase products recommended in the show at the following link: https://amzn.to/3NwElxQ How to Find Us: In-depth articles, guides, handbooks, reviews, news on Tabletop Role Playing at RPGBOT.net Tyler Kamstra BlueSky: @rpgbot.net TikTok: @RPGBOTDOTNET Ash Ely Professional Game Master on StartPlaying.Games BlueSky: @GravenAshes YouTube: @ashravenmedia Randall James BlueSky: @GrimoireRPG Amateurjack.com Read Melancon: A Grimoire Tale (affiliate link) Producer Dan @Lzr_illuminati

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What is Glimmer's deal? Who didn't get invited to the hangout at the Funbratory? Do you know the original name for Candian pop punk band Simple Plan? All that and more in this Afterparty!We're playing Masks for this campaign! You can access a running list of all the NPCs from Campaign 4 here.Find Us Online- website: https://jointhepartypod.com- patreon: https://patreon.com/jointhepartypod- instagram: https://instagram.com/jointhepartypod- twitter: https://twitter.com/jointhepartypod- tumblr: https://jointhepartypod.tumblr.com- facebook: https://facebook.com/jointhepartypod- merch & music: http://jointhepartypod.com/merchCast & Crew- Game Master, Co-Producer: Eric Silver- Co-Host, Co-Producer, Sound Designer, Composer (Connor Lyons): Brandon Grugle- Co-Host, Co-Producer, Editor (Shelley Craft): Julia Schifini- Co-Host, Co-Producer (Rowan Rosen): Amanda McLoughlin- Artwork: Allyson Wakeman- Multitude: https://multitude.productionsAbout UsJoin the Party is an actual play podcast with tangible worlds, genre-pushing storytelling, and collaborators who make each other laugh each week. We welcome everyone to the table, from longtime players to folks who've never touched a roleplaying game before. Hop into our current campaign: the drama and excitement of a superhero high school! Or marathon our completed stories: Campaign 3 for a pirate story set in a world of plant- and bug-folk, the Camp-Paign for a MOTW game set in a weird summer camp, Campaign 2 for a modern superhero game, and Campaign 1 for a high fantasy story. And once a month we release the Afterparty, where we answer your questions about the show and how we play the game. New episodes every Tuesday.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

The humble crew of the LIttle Snail could not have known what they were getting into.  A simple, kindness had led them towards danger and mystery unknwon. A fallen tower. Undead dragon cultists descending on them in the dark. An ancient prophecy written by the light.  And a sanctimonious solivagant stolen into shadow Yet faced with this chaos, they continued. Making their way north, first to the bridge they'd rebuilt only days ago and then turning towards the seaside city of Calstega Bay in search fo answers. All around them, Perpetua awed with its beauty. The sea breeze sweeping across Tidaline's plains. Life all around them, blossoming and chirping. And the daytime sky giving way to the stars. And so they were on the cusp of unexpected discovery: Because though they did not know yet, what we do about the Stars, they would soon find out just how they echo…. Redolencia. Alteros. Ichoria. Springsong. Armidirge. Imago. Genesika. KosmoKairosis. It would be the first of these—Redolencia, announcing itself with buzzes and yelps—that they would encounter on that journey to Calstega Bay.  On its face, it may have seemed like a distraction from their primary task—but in truth, it was their first glimpse into a world beyond—or a world before—the Perpetua they knew. A lesson here, for those who study their journey: It is only a fool that sticks to the charted course. One never knows when a hill is worth the climb, a dance is worth a stumble, or a rose is worth its thorns.   This week on Perpetua: Journey to the Bay Pt. 1 Perpetua Guide [In Progress v.03] Celestial Echoes [CECH] So far, Celestial Echoes seems like they're a series of side quests, but I have a feeling they're actually really important—like either late in the campaign you'll have to go around to do all of them or else maybe the true ending is locked behind doing them? In any case, they come in two versions: Unstable and Stable. Both are a part of the map affected by “Celestial Laws,” which change some basic gameplay rules in BIG ways. What separates them, then? Well, Unstable Echoes are normally mini-dungeons or miniboss fights, while Stable Echoes (which you can make by completing the “Ritual of Stellar Restoration” in an Unstable Echo), tend to just be lore-focused map locations. Both offer a lot of unique loot, plus unique music and character interactions! Oh, also, supposedly if you don't do the ritual, Unstable Echoes can “spread” across more of the map, but I haven't tried to let that happen during this first playthrough (obviously). While I'm including the basic stat blocks for all the Celestial Echo enemies, NPCs, and bosses in the NPC & Monsters section (search for PNMS but with brackets around it!), I'm keeping their longer entries here because I think most people will turn here to learn about the Echoes! Redolencia [CERD] Redolencia is probably the first celestial echo you'll find (though you could go around it and reach Capstone from the Prelude if you were willing to grind a little). As such, it's got a mix of combat (a pretty cool boss fight) and dungeon/puzzle gameplay. And its Celestial Laws are pretty basic. It's sort of like playing a game with wayyy less focus on spells. The level and enemy design here is so weird It's like someone swapped the game palette with a sicker one. All the colors are like *too* colorful, but also too dim? I don't know anything about art, I just know it feels weird. And the music is SO intense given that it's just a bunch of flowers and bugs. Anyway, here's what you've got in store: Celestial Law: Alchemical Tilt: Spells heal half damage. Skills and Items heal twice as much. Celestial Law: Unstable Magic: When casting a spell, you fumble when 1s or 2s are rolled as a pair (i.e. rolls of 2 or 4, but not 1+2 or 2+1) Scalewings [NMSCW] Typical Traits: fluttering, territorial, lover of beauty, scientific  Stats: DEX 10, INS 8, MIG 8, WLP 6 Attacks: Beetlehorn Spear Special Abilities: Scale Shower, Flying In-Game Description: An echo of a butterfly-like person, attendant to the Vampire Orchid.  Flutters like a stuttering shadow. They're more like colorful moths than butterflies, in this FAQ-writer's opinion. They have big gross wings, and can spread poison with their Scale Shower ability. I'd love to know what the rest of their world was like, given that they use a huge beetle horn as a spear! Do you think the whole world was smaller or that everything small on it was bigger? Did humans even exist there? Starter Tip: Simple! Use fire!  Vampire Orchid [NMVOR] Typical Traits: Rapacious, Hungry, Gorgeous, Fragrant Stats: DEX 8, INS 6, MIG 10, WLP 8 Attacks: Vine Drain, Pollen Dusting Special Abilities: Plant: The Vampire Orchid is immune to dazed, enraged, and shaken. In-Game Description: Tendrils of green, petals of black and yellow, and a column of deep red. Though one might wonder where the latter color comes from. A giant hungry plant—where have I seen that one before! On one hand, its weakness to both ice and fire means that your party should be able to do great damage to it! On the other hand, the Celestial Echo that increases the chance of spellcasting fumbles means that it's easier to have things go totally off the rails all at once. Starter Tip: Remember: Elemental Shards don't require any sort of spell casting roll! A cheap way to get a TON of damage during this fight. Hosted by Austin Walker (austinwalker.bsky.social) Featuring Ali Acampora (ali-online.bsky.social), Art Martinez-Tebbel (amtebbel.bsky.social), Jack de Quidt (notquitereal.bsky.social), and Andrew Lee Swan (swandre3000.bsky.social) Produced by Ali Acampora Music by Jack de Quidt (available on bandcamp) Cover Art by Ben McEntee (https://linktr.ee/benmce.art) With thanks to Amelia Renee, Arthur B., Aster Maragos, Bill Kaszubski, Cassie Jones, Clark, DB, Daniel Laloggia, Diana Crowley, Edwin Adelsberger, Emrys, Greg Cobb, Ian O'Dea, Ian Urbina, Irina A., Jack Shirai, Jake Strang, Katie Diekhaus, Ken George, Konisforce, Kristina Harris Esq, L Tantivy, Lawson Coleman, Mark Conner, Mike & Ruby, Muna A, Nat Knight, Olive Perry, Quinn Pollock, Robert Lasica, Shawn Drape, Shawn Hall, Summer Rose, TeganEden, Thomas Whitney, Voi, chocoube, deepFlaw, fen, & weakmint This episode was made with support from listeners like you! To support us, you can go to friendsatthetable.cash.

WHOOOM! So what kind of kid are you? Are you the type who just hangs out at the defunct theme park? Or do you do what the magical lady with white hair says? Or do you go off on your own at find the power-swapping guy with the big jacket?We're playing Masks for this campaign! You can access a running list of all the NPCs from Campaign 4 here.Sponsors- Shaker & Spoon, where you can $20 off your first box at shakerandspoon.com/jointhepartyFind Us Online- website: https://jointhepartypod.com- patreon: https://patreon.com/jointhepartypod- instagram: https://instagram.com/jointhepartypod- twitter: https://twitter.com/jointhepartypod- tumblr: https://jointhepartypod.tumblr.com- facebook: https://facebook.com/jointhepartypod- merch & music: http://jointhepartypod.com/merchCast & Crew- Game Master, Co-Producer: Eric Silver- Co-Host, Co-Producer, Sound Designer, Composer (Connor Lyons): Brandon Grugle- Co-Host, Co-Producer, Editor (Shelley Craft): Julia Schifini- Co-Host, Co-Producer (Rowan Rosen): Amanda McLoughlin- Artwork: Allyson Wakeman- Multitude: https://multitude.productionsAbout UsJoin the Party is an actual play podcast with tangible worlds, genre-pushing storytelling, and collaborators who make each other laugh each week. We welcome everyone to the table, from longtime players to folks who've never touched a roleplaying game before. Hop into our current campaign: the drama and excitement of a superhero high school! Or marathon our completed stories: Campaign 3 for a pirate story set in a world of plant- and bug-folk, the Camp-Paign for a MOTW game set in a weird summer camp, Campaign 2 for a modern superhero game, and Campaign 1 for a high fantasy story. And once a month we release the Afterparty, where we answer your questions about the show and how we play the game. New episodes every Tuesday.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

In this two-part series, we examine the controversial yet crucial topic of Organic Portals, NPCs (Non-Player Characters), Agent Smiths, and soulless humans. We aim to clarify the meaning of these terms, their origins, and how they have often been misunderstood and misapplied.

No place is safe these days. Not even a podcast, unless we're attempting to define a dragon's lair, animating Phacia's sprite, realizing the bad guys want to kill god, crying at the amusement park, disappointing father, impressing mother, living in the cave forever, taking a dirt nap, threatening a corpse stomp, launching surprise arrows, stonewalling the NPCs, making out with our boyfriend, selling snake oil, talking to horses, wishing we counted quarreling spouses, getting our bloomers in a bunch, and going solo with Laike. He will be a luminous soul in the next world. 00:00:00 I Know What FFVIII Did Last Summer 00:03:05 Intro 00:05:37 Lair of the Blue Dragon Cave 00:21:20 Return to Lyton 00:23:44 World Tour 00:31:37 Tamur Pass 00:42:38 Tamur 00:52:14 Tamur Buildings 01:05:39 Laike 01:13:58 Real Net 01:21:44 Outro Patreon: patreon.com/retroam Bluesky: @retrogradeamnesia.bsky.social YouTube: www.youtube.com/@RetrogradeAmnesia E-Mail: podcast@retrogradeamnesia.com Website: www.retrogradeamnesia.com  

In this episode, we dive headfirst into one of the wildest questions out there: Are we living in a religious simulation? Is life just one massive cosmic joke? Or are we NPCs in some divine video game coded by a higher power? This episode blends humor, philosophy, simulation theory, religion, and casual conspiracy talk — all delivered with our signature laid-back podcast vibe. We ask big questions, go off on some ridiculous tangents, and probably offend a few simulated overlords in the process. Whether you're a conspiracy theorist, someone who loves random late-night thoughts, or just here for the funny podcast chaos, this one's for you. Don't forget to like, comment, and subscribe for more humor podcasts, wild theories, and conversations that question the status quo.#ReligiousSimulation #SimulationTheory #FunnyPodcast #HumorPodcast #CasualConversations #LateNightThoughts #QuestionEverything #ConspiracyTalk #RandomThoughtsPodcast #ThoughtExperiment #WeMightBeInAGame #MindBlownMomentsAdvertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brandsPrivacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

Come for the Skaven, stay because you failed your bribery check and now you're wanted for heresy. Want to Join the Adventure? If you're craving chaos, corruption, and career advancement (in-game, of course), join Ash Ely's West Marches campaign on StartPlaying.games. Explore the treacherous roads, clash blades with the forces of corruption, and roll the bones in the grimdark world of Warhammer Fantasy. Whether you're a grizzled veteran or fresh meat for the dice gods, Ash has a seat at the table for you. Show Notes: In this episode of the RPGBOT.Podcast, the hosts venture deeper into the grim and perilous world of Warhammer Fantasy Roleplay. The conversation centers on how chance, mechanics, and narrative intertwine to create memorable and brutal gaming experiences. From unlucky dice rolls to warpstone corruption, the hosts unpack the intricate systems that shape character arcs, decision-making, and party dynamics. The discussion kicks off with a recap of the latest Elite Quest and its far-reaching consequences. As the players navigate dangerous terrain, social encounters, and the ever-present threat of death, they reflect on how randomness and risk shape both success and failure in meaningful ways. The hosts also explore the psychological toll of bad luck, the math behind randomness, and the emotional highs of roleplaying through adversity. Tying all of it together is a breakdown of Warhammer's signature mechanics: deadly combat, the role of Fate and Fortune, bribery and sin, and how religion and corruption guide a character's evolution. The conversation reveals how complex mechanics—when well understood—enhance immersion and storytelling at the table. Key Takeaways: The Elite Quest showcases how player decisions carry lasting consequences in Warhammer Fantasy. Luck isn't just flavor—it's a central mechanic that can define a character's fate. Players experience randomness differently depending on how dice rolls or generators are used, which can affect perceptions of fairness. Failure often leads to stronger roleplaying opportunities than success. Warhammer's social systems and bribery mechanics add tension and strategy to every interaction. Combat is brutally realistic, rewarding planning and punishing recklessness. Warpstone and the threat of corruption introduce moral and mechanical complications. Degrees of success and failure enrich the storytelling process by adding nuance to outcomes. Interacting with NPCs meaningfully influences player choices and world development. Understanding the game's mechanics, especially around risk management, is essential to enjoyable play. The Fate and Fortune system provides a safety net, but strategic use is crucial. Character Talents can drive unique and hilarious roleplay decisions. Religion, sin points, and moral consequences give depth to character arcs. Career advancement encourages players to evolve their characters narratively and mechanically. The Skaven hierarchy is complex and important to gameplay and setting immersion. Warhammer's economic systems may be intentionally frustrating to reflect the setting's grim realism. Accents and cultural misunderstandings (in-character) can lead to entertaining and awkward situations. A strong sense of gaming community adds to the emotional impact of each session. Audience engagement—both live and post-show—sparks thoughtful discussion and feedback.   If you enjoy the show, please rate and review us on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or your favorite podcast app. It's a quick, free way to support the podcast, and helps us reach new listeners. If you love the show, consider joining us on Patreon, where backers at the $5 and above tiers get ad free access to RPGBOT.net and the RPGBOT.Podcast, can chat directly to members of the RPGBOT team and community on the RPGBOT.Discord, and can join us for live-streamed recordings. Support us on Amazon.com when you purchase products recommended in the show at the following link: https://amzn.to/3NwElxQ How to Find Us: In-depth articles, guides, handbooks, reviews, news on Tabletop Role Playing at RPGBOT.net Tyler Kamstra BlueSky: @rpgbot.net TikTok: @RPGBOTDOTNET Ash Ely Professional Game Master on StartPlaying.Games BlueSky: @GravenAshes YouTube: @ashravenmedia Randall James BlueSky: @GrimoireRPG Amateurjack.com Read Melancon: A Grimoire Tale (affiliate link) Producer Dan @Lzr_illuminati  

TIC TIC TIC TIC! It's nearly midterm time and that means putting all of the eggs in the skeletal basket of Coach Bonemin. Will our super seniors get on top of The Most Important Test of High School or try not to think about it and blow off some steam?We're playing Masks for this campaign! You can access a running list of all the NPCs from Campaign 4 here.Sponsors- Bookshop.org, where the code we shared in the midroll will get you 10% off your order!Find Us Online- website: https://jointhepartypod.com- patreon: https://patreon.com/jointhepartypod- instagram: https://instagram.com/jointhepartypod- twitter: https://twitter.com/jointhepartypod- tumblr: https://jointhepartypod.tumblr.com- facebook: https://facebook.com/jointhepartypod- merch & music: http://jointhepartypod.com/merchCast & Crew- Game Master, Co-Producer: Eric Silver- Co-Host, Co-Producer, Sound Designer, Composer (Connor Lyons): Brandon Grugle- Co-Host, Co-Producer, Editor (Shelley Craft): Julia Schifini- Co-Host, Co-Producer (Rowan Rosen): Amanda McLoughlin- Artwork: Allyson Wakeman- Multitude: https://multitude.productionsAbout UsJoin the Party is an actual play podcast with tangible worlds, genre-pushing storytelling, and collaborators who make each other laugh each week. We welcome everyone to the table, from longtime players to folks who've never touched a roleplaying game before. Hop into our current campaign: the drama and excitement of a superhero high school! Or marathon our completed stories: Campaign 3 for a pirate story set in a world of plant- and bug-folk, the Camp-Paign for a MOTW game set in a weird summer camp, Campaign 2 for a modern superhero game, and Campaign 1 for a high fantasy story. And once a month we release the Afterparty, where we answer your questions about the show and how we play the game. New episodes every Tuesday.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

What if every déjà vu moment is actually a window into another version of yourself? Join us this week on an all new Hidden in The Shadows episode as we shatter the boundaries of perception, diving deep into mind-bending experiences that challenge everything you thought you knew about reality. From spontaneous human combustion and quantum immortality to encounters with people who seem more like programmed NPCs than actual humans, this episode peels back the layers of our perceived existence.Hear firsthand accounts of near-impossible experiences: a car crash that mysteriously resolves itself, memories that shift without explanation, and encounters so strange they'll make you question the very fabric of reality. Are we living in a simulation? Are multiple versions of ourselves playing out simultaneously in different dimensions?Buckle up for a journey that blurs the lines between science, paranormal phenomena, and pure unexplainable mystery. By the end of this episode, you'll never look at a moment of déjà vu the same way again.The next time reality feels... off... you might want to pay attention.Topics Discussed In EpisodeDéjà VuPersonal experiencesPhysical symptomsScientific explanationsMandela EffectMemory discrepanciesExamples (Nelson Mandela, Bernstein Bears)Reality shifting theoriesMissing TimeHighway hypnosisAlien abduction experiencesTime perception anomaliesSpontaneous Human CombustionTheories of internal body heatUnexplained burning casesPotential evolutionary explanationsNPC (Non-Playable Character) TheoryBystander effectRobotic/programmed human behaviorUnusual encountersQuantum ImmortalitySwitching realities during near-death experiencesSurviving alternate scenariosParallel universe conceptsSimulation TheoryLiving in a programmed realityGlitches as evidence of simulationCybersecurity and reality programmingPersonal Paranormal EncountersStrange Target experiencesUnusual interactions with strangersNear-miss accidentsUnexplained phenomenaPodcast EvolutionFive years of podcastingChanges in content and stylePersonal growthLovin' the intro and outro music?"Swamp Witch”Our other intro Music: "Stacy Dahl" by MaudlinWant to hear more from Maudlin? Check them out on social media!Tik Tok: @maudlinInstagram: @maudlinListen on Spotify and YouTube!Have a paranormal experience to share? Reach out to us! Send us a message on social media, fill out our contact form, or shoot us an email (Hiddenintheshadowspodcast@gmail.com)Get ready for more spooky content coming soon! Follow us for updates. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Caoimhe, Antistrophe, Brontë arrived to Burzin with a clear goal: Find out whether the catastrophe in Burzin is tied to the mysterious malediction known only as Sourcerot. But seeing the town in ashes makes another objective clear: Stopping the fires from continuing, no matter what is causing them. Now, they seek answers that will lead them to investigate not only into the town's history, but into the lives of some of its oldest residents… This week on Perpetua: The Flames of Burzin Pt. 03 Perpetua Guide [In Progress v.02] Town Maps [TNMP] Burzin Main Scenario Teribald's House of Chance This is where the main story route I took kicked off, but it's also where I lost a TON of asta. Wurdzin doesn't make any sense to me, but if you can get a lucky streak with your guesses, I guess you could really break the game economy here! House M'Shalia LOTS of lore here. There are way more things in the upstairs rooms and attics that you interact with than you might think. Make sure to turn on the option that makes interactables shiny! House of Benediction Obviously this is where the big showdown is, but did you know that if you go here during the day time you can get healed, get your debuffs cleansed, and get a buff!  Town Hall & Jail & House Burzin I think you can advance through the main plot here instead of through the House of Chance/M'Shalia route, but I haven't had a chance to load my old save and try it yet. Let me know on the forum and I'l update this! Burned Down Buildings You can check for clues at each of these locations, but the most important one is in the southwest. That's where the Saloon burned down. Shops Mining Supplies This is basically a “tool store” from other towns, so if you need any consumables from those, you can get them here. Clean Water Lodge & Crebbs Potions & Poultices I listed these together because they share the same interior on screen, just with a door between the two front desks. You get to stay here for free as long as the main story is ongoing (assuming you rescued Frenk), so make sure to use it before you leave town. The next time you come back, he'll charge you!.  Wilfer's Wits and Weaponry If you happen to have the asta, there are some pretty great weapons here! The Solium Bow (Dex+Dex, HR+8 Fire Damage, gives you Resistance to Fire) is especially great! Also, if you interact with the third bookcase three times, you can find “An Accounting of Spiritual Matters,” which gives you a huge bonus when fighting the boss here, plus can be used afterwards as a mage weapon. Serah's Surcoats I think the flame resistant armor is overpriced, but the Sungleam Shield is GREAT for Antistrophe. It's a big upgrade for both of his defenses, plus you can basically give people a solar flare from DBZ XD Side Quests / Other Residential District Mostly just NPCs to talk to about things here. I love the two brothers who hate each other. First Bank of Burzin Always remember to deposit any extra asta you have into the bank. Not only will it prevent you from losing some if you die in combat, it also actually slowly gains in value! I guess they have interest in Perpetua! Post Office This probably deserves its whole own entry, but did you know that if you have both East and West saves, you can actually transfer items between them? You just choose the “Send a Gift to a Random Person” option and pay the fee. The “random person” is actually a character in your other save game! It does take a little while to get there though. Abandoned Buildings Just a good place to grind against lanterns!   Hosted by Austin Walker (austinwalker.bsky.social) Featuring Janine Hawkins (@bleatingheart), Sylvi Bullet (@sylvibullet), and Keith J Carberry (@keithjcarberry) Produced by Ali Acampora Music by Jack de Quidt (available on bandcamp) Cover Art by Ben McEntee (https://linktr.ee/benmce.art) With thanks to Amelia Renee, Arthur B., Aster Maragos, Bill Kaszubski, Cassie Jones, Clark, DB, Daniel Laloggia, Diana Crowley, Edwin Adelsberger, Emrys, Greg Cobb, Ian O'Dea, Ian Urbina, Irina A., Jack Shirai, Jake Strang, Katie Diekhaus, Ken George, Konisforce, Kristina Harris Esq, L Tantivy, Lawson Coleman, Mark Conner, Mike & Ruby, Muna A, Nat Knight, Olive Perry, Quinn Pollock, Robert Lasica, Shawn Drape, Shawn Hall, Summer Rose, TeganEden, Thomas Whitney, Voi, chocoube, deepFlaw, fen, & weakmint This episode was made with support from listeners like you! To support us, you can go to friendsatthetable.cash.

SPAAAANG! Maybe running an errand for Principal Wordsmith wasn't so easy after all. Now Connor and Craft have to climb the Ad-Mage-Istrator's Tower while Rowan keeps the box safe. Also… I have a weird question… what's in the box???We're playing Masks for this campaign! You can access a running list of all the NPCs from Campaign 4 here.Sponsors- Mage Hand Press, whose Gunslinger class is now available on D&D Beyond. Check out their work at magehandpress.comFind Us Online- website: https://jointhepartypod.com- patreon: https://patreon.com/jointhepartypod- instagram: https://instagram.com/jointhepartypod- twitter: https://twitter.com/jointhepartypod- tumblr: https://jointhepartypod.tumblr.com- facebook: https://facebook.com/jointhepartypod- merch & music: http://jointhepartypod.com/merchCast & Crew- Game Master, Co-Producer: Eric Silver- Co-Host, Co-Producer, Sound Designer, Composer (Connor Lyons): Brandon Grugle- Co-Host, Co-Producer, Editor (Shelley Craft): Julia Schifini- Co-Host, Co-Producer (Rowan Rosen): Amanda McLoughlin- Artwork: Allyson Wakeman- Multitude: https://multitude.productionsAbout UsJoin the Party is an actual play podcast with tangible worlds, genre-pushing storytelling, and collaborators who make each other laugh each week. We welcome everyone to the table, from longtime players to folks who've never touched a roleplaying game before. Hop into our current campaign: the drama and excitement of a superhero high school! Or marathon our completed stories: Campaign 3 for a pirate story set in a world of plant- and bug-folk, the Camp-Paign for a MOTW game set in a weird summer camp, Campaign 2 for a modern superhero game, and Campaign 1 for a high fantasy story. And once a month we release the Afterparty, where we answer your questions about the show and how we play the game. New episodes every Tuesday.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

How did Mr. Box and Mr. Sizzle get paired up? Why does the superhero school have all these fantasy and sci-fi reference? And can we answer some questions from the entire podcast for someone catching up? All that and more in this Afterparty!We're playing Masks for this campaign! You can access a running list of all the NPCs from Campaign 4 here.Sponsors- Mage Hand Press, whose Gunslinger class is now available on D&D Beyond. Check out their work at magehandpress.comFind Us Online- website: https://jointhepartypod.com- patreon: https://patreon.com/jointhepartypod- instagram: https://instagram.com/jointhepartypod- twitter: https://twitter.com/jointhepartypod- tumblr: https://jointhepartypod.tumblr.com- facebook: https://facebook.com/jointhepartypod- merch & music: http://jointhepartypod.com/merchCast & Crew- Game Master, Co-Producer: Eric Silver- Co-Host, Co-Producer, Sound Designer, Composer (Connor Lyons): Brandon Grugle- Co-Host, Co-Producer, Editor (Shelley Craft): Julia Schifini- Co-Host, Co-Producer (Rowan Rosen): Amanda McLoughlin- Artwork: Allyson Wakeman- Multitude: https://multitude.productionsAbout UsJoin the Party is an actual play podcast with tangible worlds, genre-pushing storytelling, and collaborators who make each other laugh each week. We welcome everyone to the table, from longtime players to folks who've never touched a roleplaying game before. Hop into our current campaign: the drama and excitement of a superhero high school! Or marathon our completed stories: Campaign 3 for a pirate story set in a world of plant- and bug-folk, the Camp-Paign for a MOTW game set in a weird summer camp, Campaign 2 for a modern superhero game, and Campaign 1 for a high fantasy story. And once a month we release the Afterparty, where we answer your questions about the show and how we play the game. New episodes every Tuesday.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

THWIP! Let's zip over to Principal Wordsmith's office and see what favor he needs our super seniors to do. I hope it's not cryptic and unknowable.We're playing Masks for this campaign! You can access a running list of all the NPCs from Campaign 4 here.Sponsors- Mage Hand Press, whose Gunslinger class is now available on D&D Beyond. Check out their work at magehandpress.comFind Us Online- website: https://jointhepartypod.com- patreon: https://patreon.com/jointhepartypod- instagram: https://instagram.com/jointhepartypod- twitter: https://twitter.com/jointhepartypod- tumblr: https://jointhepartypod.tumblr.com- facebook: https://facebook.com/jointhepartypod- merch & music: http://jointhepartypod.com/merchCast & Crew- Game Master, Co-Producer: Eric Silver- Co-Host, Co-Producer, Sound Designer, Composer (Connor Lyons): Brandon Grugle- Co-Host, Co-Producer, Editor (Shelley Craft): Julia Schifini- Co-Host, Co-Producer (Rowan Rosen): Amanda McLoughlin- Artwork: Allyson Wakeman- Multitude: https://multitude.productionsAbout UsJoin the Party is an actual play podcast with tangible worlds, genre-pushing storytelling, and collaborators who make each other laugh each week. We welcome everyone to the table, from longtime players to folks who've never touched a roleplaying game before. Hop into our current campaign: the drama and excitement of a superhero high school! Or marathon our completed stories: Campaign 3 for a pirate story set in a world of plant- and bug-folk, the Camp-Paign for a MOTW game set in a weird summer camp, Campaign 2 for a modern superhero game, and Campaign 1 for a high fantasy story. And once a month we release the Afterparty, where we answer your questions about the show and how we play the game. New episodes every Tuesday.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.