Recorded at Metatopia 2016 Presented by Darren Watts, Jeff Tidball, John Adamus. Our panelists talk about how to be good testers. Learn how to hear the questions being asked and answer with useful feedback. We all want to give helpful criticism; learn more about how to do that.

Recorded at Metatopia 2016 Presented by Jason Morningstar, Jay Sylvano, Benjamin Morrow. Games can obviously be political and create empathy, but can they be journalism? Can they create change, spur activism, prompt meaningful dialog? What does it take to make a game with a contemporary theme or focused on an important issue - and what can go wrong?

Recorded at Metatopia 2016 Presented by Kenneth Hite. In this year's iteration of "Ken Rambles About Stuff", Ken argues for the 'Iceberg Method' of game research. He is also likely to touch on how (and how much) to do research for setting design purposes, and may even divagate into the how and why of researching other game mechanics.

Recorded at Metatopia 2016. Presented by Judeth Oden Choi, Jessica Hammer. Presentation of our findings from a two-year long study of playtesting practices and education. As we build and refine our games, sometimes it's hard to hold onto those brilliant ideas and goals that first inspired us. Playtesting with a purpose is about articulating design and experience goals for your game and using playtests to help refine those goals and express them more fully in game play. We will invite participants to try out some of our methods and open up for discussion of playtesting practices.

Recorded at Metatopia 2016 Presented by Melissa Lewis-Gentry, Cat Tobin, Matt Fantastic, Zev Shlasinger. Have you ever played (or made!) a fantastic game, and then wonder why no one has it? Ever wonder why no one other than the Kickstarter backers bought a certain game? Ever make a game, then try to go through distribution and realize you'll lose money selling that way? Not all games are designed for retail sale! This panel will discuss the design choices that see success in a retail setting, and if retail is right for your game. Topics discuss will be graphic design choices and packaging, pricing and 3 tiered distribution, Organized Play and Demoing, and using retail sales as marketing.

Recorded at Metatopia 2016 Presented by Christopher Badell, Jason Walters, Marie Poole. Planning and running a Kickstarter campaign can be like designing and playing another game. Will you hack an existing formula or take a risk on an unusual approach? Will it include lots of fiddly mechanics and rewards or will you take a more artistic direction? When you're running the campaign, how do you play the roles of marketer, designer, publisher, business person, and artist? Join panelists as they talk about the design and management of Kickstarter campaigns themselves. In what ways have they evolved into established systems (stretch goals, etc.) and how are some creators breaking those conventions?

Historical Larp Design Recorded at Metatopia 2016   Presented by Moyra Turkington, Kimberley Lam, Shoshana Kessock, Elsa Henry, Rachel E.S. Walton, and moderated by Alex Roberts This panel is all about re-evaluating the real diversity in historical settings, the difficulties of researching for historical non-western, non-white events and eras, especially those that feature women. It serves to discuss both larp design, and tabletop design, and is well worth a listen. You can subscribe to us here!  RSS Feed iTunes   Episode 121: Historical Larp Mechanics Play Now | Play in Popup | Download (602)  

Game Master Mechanics Recorded at Metatopia 2016 Presented by Vincent Baker and and Jason Pitre. Role playing games have a long history of providing detailed rules on how players may act in the fiction. Very few games provide explicit direction and purposefully designed tools to constrain GMs. Let’s talk about the various approaches, from Fronts, to Countdown Clocks, Doom Pools, and more. Where can GM mechanics change design? You can subscribe to us here!  RSS Feed iTunes   Episode 120: GM Mechanics Play Now | Play in Popup | Download (943)  

Powered by the Apocalypse: Using Apocalypse World to Outline and Draft Your Own RPG  Special episode, recorded online. Presented by Meguey Baker, Vincent Baker, and Jason Pitre. Apocalypse World offers a powerful, flexible framework you can use to outline, draft, and potentially finish your own role playing games. Dozens of creators, both experienced designers and first-timers, have used it with great success, and you can too. It’s not a game system, it’s an easy approach to game system design, a reliable way to get your creative vision quickly into a playable form. In this episode, we discuss apocalypse World’s philosophy and foundation, describe the fit and purpose of each of its systems, and point out fruitful ways to build on them, contradict them, repurpose them, subvert them, and go far beyond them. A copy of the presentation that goes along with the episode is Available Here. This panel was originally presented at Metatopia 2016, but technical problems at the audio meant that we had to re-record the discussion. It’s an excellent one though, where we discuss issues of the structure behind apocalypse, where the heavy design work needs to happen, the decision points on move construction, and how consent/power fit into the context of the framework. Enjoy and share this episode freely! You can subscribe to us here!  RSS Feed iTunes   Episode 119: Powered by the Apocalypse Play Now | Play in Popup | Download (1142)  

Breaking into Board Games Recorded at Breakout Con 2017 Presented by Pam Walls, Tim Brown, Eric Lang, Sen-Foong Lim, and moderated by Daryl Andrews. Want to design a board game? Have no idea how to get into the industry? Join our wonderful set of panelists to talk about how to enter the board game design world, do some playtesting, and get your game published. You can subscribe to us here!  RSS Feed iTunes   Episode 118: Breaking into Board Games Play Now | Play in Popup | Download (716)     Episode118-Breaking_Into_Boardgames

What’s Up in Tabletop Games? Recorded at Breakout Con 2017 Presented by Michelle Lyons-McFarland, Jonathan Gilmour, Robin D. Laws, Eric Lang, and moderator Jonathan Lavallee. Bombard our panelists with questions about tabletop gaming and the many directions it’s headed in. You can subscribe to us here!  RSS Feed iTunes   Episode 117: What's up in Tabletop Gaming Play Now | Play in Popup | Download (856)

Creating Horror in Games Recorded at Breakout Con 2017 Presented by Michelle Lyons-McFarland, Jonathan Gilmour, and moderator  Jacqueline Bryk, Like ghosties, ghoulies, long-legged beasties, and things that go bump in the night? Join us for a panel on how to incorporate gothic horror tropes into your project or campaign! You can subscribe to us here!  RSS Feed iTunes   Episode 116: Creating Horror in Games Play Now | Play in Popup | Download (754)

Sex in Games Recorded at Breakout Con 2017 Presented by Moyra Turkington, Jacqueline Bryk, Alex Roberts, and moderator Emily Griggs. From the Ramayana to Romeo and Juliet, love and passion are at the heart of some of the most timeless stories ever told. So, how do we explore these themes in roleplaying games? How do we as players and GMs help each other have fun and stay safe? What systems bring sex and romance to the forefront? What’s that thing larpers are doing with their hands? Your panelists will answer all these questions, and many more. You can subscribe to us here!  RSS Feed iTunes   Episode 115: Sex in Games Play Now | Play in Popup | Download (1895)

GM Troubleshooting Recorded at Breakout Con 2017 Presented by Robin Laws, Matt McFarland, Anna Kreider and moderator Fraser Ronald. Solve your toughest GMing problems with the aid of our masterful panelists. Discussing the challenges of the game master’s life. You can subscribe to us here!  RSS Feed iTunes   Episode 114: GM Troubleshooting Play Now | Play in Popup | Download (844)

Art in Games Recorded at Breakout Con 2017 Presented by  Rachel Kahn, Anna Kreider, Emily Griggs, and moderator Cory Reid Demystifying the process of how art gets created for games — how to get commissions, how the process works, and what art can do for a game besides look great! The art that surrounds a game greatly influences how the game gets played, and inspires the players at the table. Join Anna Kreider, Rachel Kahn and Emily Griggs as they discuss the role of art in gaming. You can subscribe to us here!  RSS Feed iTunes   Episode 113: Art in Games [ 49:15 ] Play Now | Play in Popup | Download (825)

Getting Kids into Games Recorded at Breakout Con 2017 Presented by Daniel Kwan, Rachel Kahn, Sean Munro and moderator Pieter van Hiel   We love role-playing games! Regardless of the game system, the storytelling, dice rolling, teamwork, and creative thinking involved in all tabletop RPGs have had a profound impact on our lives. But how do you introduce families and children to the imagination, storytelling, empowerment, and cooperation involved in gaming? Find out how to lay the groundwork for future, more complicated RPG sessions with your kids and family! You can subscribe to us here!  RSS Feed iTunes   Episode 112: Getting Kids into Games [ 52:05 ] Play Now | Play in Popup | Download (709)

Being a Great Player Recorded at Breakout Con 2017 Presented by Emily Griggs, Jason Pitre, Moyra Turkington and Chris Chung, moderated by Corey Reid. A great GM can only craft an amazing tabletop RPG experience with the help of great players. A discussion of how to be one of those players, improving the at-table experience for both yourself and everyone else. Includes discussions on roleplaying technique, communal storytelling, and how experienced players can help welcome new players into the hobby. You can subscribe to us here!  RSS Feed iTunes   Episode 111: Being a Great Player Play Now | Play in Popup | Download (791)

Game to Game: Converting Between Systems Recorded at Metatopia 2015 Presented by John Adamus and Paul Stefko If you play more than one RPG, you will eventually want to use material from one system in another. Or maybe your favorite game has been updated to a new awesome edition, but you want to keep using your old books too. What should you keep in mind when converting RPG rules and adventures from one game to another? How much (or how little) work do you need to do? You can subscribe to us here!  RSS Feed iTunes   Episode 110: Converting Between Systems Play Now | Play in Popup | Download (693)

Playing and Designing at the Intersections: Creating Good Allyship Recorded at Metatopia 2015 Presented by Kat Jones, Krista White, Elsa S. Henry & K.N. Granger. This roundtable will focus on how to design and run games from an intersectional feminist standpoint. We will discuss different ways a game can be intersectional including: mechanics, characters, artwork, and more. Drawing on concrete examples from panelists about their own design process, as well as games that have influenced them, we will offer suggestions for designing intersectional games. We will also give some examples of how to make pre-existing games and systems more intersectional. Topics included in the discussion will be: how to fail forward, how to be a good ally, and how to respectfully write about marginalized groups when coming from a position of privilege You can subscribe to us here!  RSS Feed iTunes   Episode 109: Designing Intersectionally [ 46:02 ] Play Now | Play in Popup | Download (786)

Art for your Game without Breaking the Bank Recorded at Metatopia 2015 Presented by Jack Parra,  John Carimando, Scott Bowmanchester and Brennan Reece. Getting high-quality art is key to making a product look professional. How do publishers do it without breaking the bank? Our panel makes with the tips and tricks. You can subscribe to us here!  RSS Feed iTunes   Episode 108: Affordable Art [ 57:43 ] Play Now | Play in Popup | Download (785)

Working with Artists 101 Recorded at Metatopia 2015 Presented by Brennan Taylor, Fred Hicks & John Carimando How do you find and contact artists to work with you on a project? How much can you expect to spend? How can you avoid pissing your artist off? Find out from the veterans!   You can subscribe to us here!  RSS Feed iTunes   Episode 107: Working with Artists [ 55:49 ] Play Now | Play in Popup | Download (1528)

Special Episode 1  In this special episode of the RPG Design Panelcast, we discuss a few administrative bits concerning the podcasts, including issues of sound quality. I also take a chance to shamelessly plug one of my games which is currently kickstarting (http://tinyurl.com/SigKS) You can subscribe to us here!  RSS Feed iTunes Special Episode 1 Play Now | Play in Popup | Download (677)

Making your First Game Recorded at Metatopia 2015 Presented by Mark Richardson, John Adamus & Jason Walters. So, you’ve decided to make your first game. How exciting! Discuss what pitfalls to avoid and what strategies can speed you toward success with designers also making their first game. Note that Mark’s first game is Headspace, currently available at Indie Press Revolution! John’s first game, Noir World, is coming to kickstarter soon! You can subscribe to us here!  RSS Feed iTunes   Episode 106: Making your First Game Play Now | Play in Popup | Download (1430)

Cultural Mechanics Recorded at Metatopia 2015 Presented by Jason Pitre, Julia Ellingboe, and Mark Diaz Truman. Games are part of our cultures, and the rules we create reflect our own backgrounds. In this roundtable, we explore how mechanics can reflect and/or interrogate culture. How can mechanics explore other people’s experiences? What assumptions do we bring to the game-design table? You can subscribe to us here!  RSS Feed iTunes   Episode 105: Cultural Mechanics Play Now | Play in Popup | Download (963)

Cyber Infiltration Hotsheet: Prepping to GM a Cyberheist Recorded at Metatopia 2015 Presented by Shane Harsch, Tim Rodriguez & Mark Richardson. What a cyberpunk GM should consider when prepping a cyberheist to keep the drama at least nominally grounded in reality (watch Mr. Robot before attending) This is a follow up to Episode 50, the panel on Hacking in RPGs.  You can subscribe to us here!  RSS Feed iTunes   Episode 104: Cyberheist Hotsheet [ 43:38 ] Play Now | Play in Popup | Download (831)

Superhero Games Across the Multiverse Recorded at Metatopia 2015 Presented by Dave Chalker, Cam Banks, Darren Watts & Christopher Badell Superheroes are more popular than ever in the movies and on TV, and there are more games about superheroes than there’s ever been. What makes a superhero game a superhero game? How do you make your superhero game distinct? What are the most important aspects of a superhero game to make it feel heroic? You can subscribe to us here!  RSS Feed iTunes   Episode 103: Superhero RPGs Play Now | Play in Popup | Download (880)

A Designer’s Guide to Podcasts Recorded at Metatopia 2015 Presented by James D’Amato, Alex Roberts & Kat Kuhl. A Designer’s Guide to Podcasts” presented by . Getting your ideas in front of people can be one of the most difficult and unpleasant parts of game design. So people love design, but hate talking about what they are doing. Thankfully there is a community of people who are dedicated to talking about games in public spaces, they are called podcasters. Topics will include: Proper etiquette for self promotion, how to choose which shows to target, how to communicate effectively about your game, how to ask for what you want, how to purchase an ad, how to write an ad, whether you want to be a guest or a topic, how to make actual play easy and effective flattery. You can subscribe to us here!  RSS Feed iTunes   Episode 102: A Designer's Guide to Podcasts Play Now | Play in Popup | Download (720)

Promoting Your Game Through Podcasting and Other Media Recorded at Metatopia 2015 Presented by Chris Perrin, Tara Clapper, Chris Bell & Mario Dongu. Gaming has a rich, vibrant media that really enjoys advocating for new games and new game designers. However, it can be hard for game designers to find gamer media outlets and even harder to know what to say. This panel will look at ways game designers can find gaming media and promote themselves, presented by the This Just In… crew. You can subscribe to us here!  RSS Feed iTunes   Episode 101: Promoting your Game [ 1:01:14 ] Play Now | Play in Popup | Download (720)

Structuring Game Texts Recorded at Metatopia 2015 Presented by Jason Pitre, Robert Bohl, Jay Treat and Cat Tobin. You’ve designed your game, you’ve playtested it, and you’ve decided you want to publish it as a text (either for free download or sale). How do you structure that text so that it will draw readers in and make the game easy to understand the first time, and easy to use as a reference later? You can subscribe to us here!  RSS Feed iTunes   Episode 100: Structuring Game Texts Play Now | Play in Popup | Download (779)

Why do you Hate your Readers and Players? Recorded at Metatopia 2015 Presented by John Adamus When writing a game or project, it’s important that the language be clear and enjoyable, not just showing off how smart the author is. Learn techniques to keep your project readable and enjoyable. You can subscribe to us here!  RSS Feed iTunes   Episode 99: Why do you Hate your Readers? [ 56:27 ] Play Now | Play in Popup | Download (889)

Ten (More) Ways To Make Your Rulebook Awesome Recorded at Metatopia 2015 Presented by Joshua Yearsley. Your rulebook is the heart of your game, so why not give it the love it deserves? In this seminar, you’ll learn ten best practices for improving the structure, style, and clarity of your rulebook. Did you come last year? These tips and tricks will be all new! Got any burning questions about rules craft? Get answers from a professional rulebook editor. Link to the full presentation here! You can subscribe to us here!  RSS Feed iTunes   Episode 98: Editing Rulebooks v2 Play Now | Play in Popup | Download (805)      

What an Editor can do for you Recorded at Metatopia 2015 Presented by John Adamus Editors are here to help. It’s their job. They’re tasked with making your project better. So why not use one? Get answers to what they do and how they can benefit you. Trust us, everyone needs one. Really You can subscribe to us here!  RSS Feed iTunes   Episode 97: What an Editor Does Play Now | Play in Popup | Download (847)

GenCon Playtesting Panel Recorded at Gencon 2016 Presented by Jason Pitre, Emily Care  Boss,  and Mark Richardson Playtesting RPGs is a difficult process. In this panel, sponsored by the Indie Game Developer Network, we will teach you how to effectively test games as a designer and as a player.  Learn about types of playtests, the best kind of playtesters, and how to offer constructive feedback. You can subscribe to us here!  RSS Feed iTunes   Episode 96: GenCon Playtesting Panel [ 48:47 ] Play Now | Play in Popup | Download (1314)

Gearheads: Clever RPG Mechanics Recorded at Gencon 2016 Presented by Jason Pitre, and Emily Care Boss Roleplaying game design is a hotbed of innovation, and this panel is a place to talk about some of the latest and greatest mechanics for games. We will talk about fronts, countdown clocks, gm-less play, advantage, and other mechanics to sink your teeth into. Links and Games! Romance Trilogy, including Breaking the Ice, Shooting the Moon, and Under my Skin, by Emily Care Boss (http://www.blackgreengames.com/lcn/2016/7/24/romance-trilogy) Indie Groundbreaker Awards (http://www.igdnonline.com/indie-groundbreaker-awards-winners/ ) 14 Days, by Hannah Shaffer (http://makebigthings.com/14-days-a-game-about-life-with-migraines/ ) 183 Days, by James Stuart and Sara Williamson (http://www.drivethrucards.com/product/144510/183-Days) Fall of Magic, by Ross Cowman (http://heartofthedeernicorn.com/product/fall-of-magic-scroll-edition/ ) 10 Candles, by Stephen Dewey (http://cavalrygames.com/) Dread, by Epidiah Ravachol (https://dreadthegame.wordpress.com/about-dread-the-game/) The The Dread Geas Of Duke Vulku by Epidiah Ravachol (http://www.worldswithoutmaster.com/the-dread-geas-of-duke-vulku/ ) Microscope and Kingdom by Ben Robbins (http://www.lamemage.com/) Downfall, by Caroline Hobbs (https://lessthanthreegames.com/downfall/) Usagi Yojimbo, by Sanguine Productions (http://drivethrurpg.com/product/50310/USAGI-YOJIMBO-ROLEPLAYING-GAME-Legacy) Blood Red Sands, by Ralph Mazza (http://www.galileogames.com/blood-red-sands/) Burning Wheel, by Luke Crane (https://www.burningwheel.com/) Apocalypse World, by Meguey and Vincent Baker (http://apocalypse-world.com/) Dungeon World, by Sage Latorra and Adam Koebel (http://www.dungeon-world.com/) Montseigeur 1244, by Frederik J. Jensen (http://thoughtfulgames.com/montsegur1244/ ) Epyllion, by Marissa Kelly (http://www.magpiegames.com/epyllion/ Posthuman Pathways, by Jason Pitre (http://www.genesisoflegend.com/product/posthuman-pathways/) Play with Intent, by Emily Care Boss and Matthijs Holter (https://playwithintent.wordpress.com/) Nightwitches by Jason Morningstar (http://bullypulpitgames.com/) The Warren by Marshall Miller (http://bullypulpitgames.com/) Monsterhearts, by Avery Alder (http://buriedwithoutceremony.com/monsterhearts/) Sagas of the Icelanders, by Gregor Vulga (http://www.indiepressrevolution.com/xcart/product.php?productid=19311&page=1) Headspace, by Mark Richardson (http://www.greenhatdesigns.com/?project=head-space) Dream Askew, by Avery Alder (http://buriedwithoutceremony.com/dream-askew/ ) The Quiet Year, by Avery Alder (http://buriedwithoutceremony.com/the-quiet-year/ ) Steal Away Jordan, by Julia Ellingboe (http://www.lulu.com/shop/julia-bond-ellingboe/steal-away-jordan/ebook/product-17470217.html ) Blades in the Dark, by John Harper (http://www.onesevendesign.com/ and http://www.drivethrurpg.com/product/170689/Blades-in-the-Dark-Digital-Edition-Early-Access ) Swords without Master, by Epidiah Ravachol (http://www.worldswithoutmaster.com ) Mars Colony, by Tim Koppang http://www.tckroleplaying.com/marscolony/ Misericorde, by Emily Care Boss (http://www.blackgreengames.com/shop/misericorde-pdf) Fools Journey, by Stentor Danielson (http://www.drivethrurpg.com/product/154421/The-Fools-Journey) Spark Roleplaying Game, Jason Pitre (http://www.genesisoflegend.com/product/spark/) Bubblegumshoe, Evil Hat Productions (http://www.evilhat.com/home/) Seven Wonders, by Pelgrane Press (http://site.pelgranepress.com/index.php/seven-wonders-a-story-games-anthology-2/) You can subscribe to us here!  RSS Feed iTunes   Episode 95: Gearheads Play Now | Play in Popup | Download (952)

Different Voices: Diverse RPGs Recorded at Gencon 2016 Presented by Jason Pitre, and Shoshanna Kessock Roleplaying games offer a fantastic window into the lives of others, and let us see the world through different eyes. This panel, sponsored by the Indie Game Developer Network, will discuss some of these games that bring diverse voices and creators to the forefront. You can subscribe to us here!  RSS Feed iTunes   Episode 94: Diverse Voices Play Now | Play in Popup | Download (679)

Heartwrenchers: Emotional RPGs Recorded at Gencon 2016 Presented by Jason Pitre, Shoshanna Kessock and Emily Care Boss The very best roleplaying games will tug on the heart strings during play. Whether the games make you feel love, grief or rage, they make for a memorable play experience. We will discuss these emotion-rich games, and what makes them tick like a broken heart. Apologies for poor sound quality on this recording. Before you go, we would like to  ask you to fill in the RPG Design Panelcast Listener Survey!  This will help us learn more about what you like, and solicit suggestions for future panels. You can subscribe to us here!  RSS Feed iTunes   Episode 93: Heartwrenchers Play Now | Play in Popup | Download (712)

Introduction to RPG Publishing Recorded at Gencon 2016 Presented by Jason Pitre, Shoshanna Kessock and Caleb Stokes Want to publish a roleplaying game? This panel, sponsored by the Indie Game Developer Network, is here to get started, avoiding the hidden pitfalls. Learn about Kickstarter, budgeting, distribution, printing, and the other black arts of publishing. Before you go, we would like to  ask you to fill in the RPG Design Panelcast Listener Survey!  This will help us learn more about what you like, and solicit suggestions for future panels. You can subscribe to us here!  RSS Feed iTunes   Episode 92: Introduction to RPG Publishing Play Now | Play in Popup | Download (833)

Introduction to RPG Design Recorded at Gencon 2016 Presented by Jason Pitre, Dustin Depenning, Emily Care Boss, Shoshanna Kessock You can design games, and we want to help. This panel, sponsored by the Indie Game Developer Network, is here to get you started by sharing resources and best practices.  Want to find out the basic of game design? We are here to help show you the way. Before you go, we would like to  ask you to fill in the RPG Design Panelcast Listener Survey!  This will help us learn more about what you like, and solicit suggestions for future panels.   You can subscribe to us here!  RSS Feed iTunes   Episode 91: Intro to RPG Design Play Now | Play in Popup | Download (1282)

Fictional Cartography Recorded at Metatopia 2015 Presented by Mark Richardson & Kenneth Hite Presented by Mark Richardson & Kenneth Hite. A discussion of map making for use in games. From tools to methodology and creative process. Learn what goes in to bringing life to the maps at the center of our gaming tables! You can subscribe to us here!  RSS Feed iTunes   Episode 90: Fictional Cartography Play Now | Play in Popup | Download (764)

Game Mechanics as Social Engineering & Social Engineering as Game Design Recorded at Metatopia 2015 Presented by Jason Morningstar & John Stavropoulos. Can a game’s mechanics influence player behavior? Evidence – from XP-grubbing to sophisticated and subtle systems for using player agency to adjust real-world habits – suggests it can. Join Jason Morningstar and John Stavropoulos for a stimulating and perhaps surprising discussion on this topic. Bring your own examples to share! You can subscribe to us here!  RSS Feed iTunes   Episode 89: Game Mechanics as Social Engineering Play Now | Play in Popup | Download (853)

Gaming the Future: Putting the Science Fiction in SF RPGs Recorded at Metatopia 2015 Presented by Joshua A.C. Newman, Dev Purkayastha, Laura Simpson & Rachel Walton. Science Fiction, as a genre, has always been about social change and the pressures that change exerts on those caught in that change. That vertiginous change in perspective is designed to give us insight into the human condition as we experience it now. Our panel will talk about the techniques we use to focus RPG play on the interplay of ideas that makes Science Fiction such a compelling genre. You can subscribe to us here!  RSS Feed iTunes   Episode 88: Science Fiction RPGs Play Now | Play in Popup | Download (1072)  

Sanity Points Recorded at Metatopia 2015 Presented by Elsa S. Henry, Will Hindmarch, Kelly Osborne & Craig Page. The worst thing that can happen to you in a horror game is either that you die, or that you lose your mind. In games that focus on a world “gone mad”, how do we support real people living with mental illness through our game development? This panel will focus on revisiting systems like sanity points, and discuss how to address breaks with reality and surviving the very worst that horror has to throw at the world without treating mental illness as a comedic happenstance, or as something to be dismissed. You can subscribe to us here!  RSS Feed iTunes   Episode 87: Sanity Points Play Now | Play in Popup | Download (721)

GMing Outside Your Comfort Zone Recorded at Metatopia 2015 Presented by Cheyenne Wall-Grimes, Sarah Richardson and Elsa S. Henry We all have games that we love to play and GM, but what happens when you break out of your normal type of game and venture into unknown territory? How do you deal with a new group of players who are into something very different than what you normally run? Whether it’s in a campaign setting or running con games, we’ll go over some of the things to expect, avoid and how to bounce back. You can subscribe to us here!  RSS Feed iTunes   Episode 86: GMing Outside your Comfort Zone Play Now | Play in Popup | Download (566)

Recycle! Using Material From Other Games Ethically and Effectively Recorded at Metatopia 2015 Presented by Justin Jacobson, Cam Banks, Jeff Tidball & Andre La Roche. At one time or another, every designer gains inspiration from existing works. Whether it’s snagging a single mechanic or repurposing an entire game with one crucial tweak. What are some tricks for finding that inspiration and using it in interesting ways? What are the ethical and legal considerations when using material? When does inspiration cross the line into plagiarism or, worse, infringement? What sort of attribution should you use? You can subscribe to us here!  RSS Feed iTunes   Episode 85: Repurposing Mechanics Play Now | Play in Popup | Download (617)

Patterns and Shapes in Larp Design Recorded at Metatopia 2015 Presented by  J Li and Jason Morningstar From spatial layout to information management, this workshop lays out some of the architectural and psychological principles behind LARP design as craft. What’s the difference between a three person conversation and a four person conversation? What does time pressure do to plot? How do you change the outcome of a game by placing chairs? Join us in exploring the fascinating complexity of building stories out of spontaneous human behavior, and playing with the tools we can use to shape it. Associated information is available at larppatterns.org You can subscribe to us here!  RSS Feed iTunes   Episode 84: Larp Patterns [ 51:53 ] Play Now | Play in Popup | Download (321)

How to Give and Receive Critique Recorded at Metatopia 2015 Presented by  Joshua A.C. Newman, Hannah Shaffer & Rachel E.S. Walton. Planning and running a Kickstarter campaign for your game can be like designing and playing another game. Will you hack an existing formula or take a risk on an unusual approach? Will it include lots of fiddly mechanics and rewards or will you take a more artistic direction? When you’re running the campaign, how do you play the roles of marketer, designer, publisher, business person, and artist? Join panelists as they talk about the design and management of Kickstarter campaigns themselves. In what ways have they evolved into established systems (stretch goals, etc.) and how are some creators breaking those conventions?   You can subscribe to us here!  RSS Feed iTunes   Episode 83: Critique [ 49:29 ] Play Now | Play in Popup | Download (334)

Kickstarter 101 (2015) Recorded at Metatopia 2015 Presented by JR Honeycutt, Joshua A.C. Newman & Chris O’Neill Planning and running a Kickstarter campaign for your game can be like designing and playing another game. Will you hack an existing formula or take a risk on an unusual approach? Will it include lots of fiddly mechanics and rewards or will you take a more artistic direction? When you’re running the campaign, how do you play the roles of marketer, designer, publisher, business person, and artist? Join panelists as they talk about the design and management of Kickstarter campaigns themselves. In what ways have they evolved into established systems (stretch goals, etc.) and how are some creators breaking those conventions? You can subscribe to us here!  RSS Feed iTunes   Episode 82: Kickstarter 101 Play Now | Play in Popup | Download (438)

Cinematic Plays Recorded at Metatopia 2015 Presented by Will Hindmarch What are cinematic game mechanics? What makes a game cinematic and what do we call it when a game is not cinematic? In this presentation, writer/designer Will Hindmarch examines the languages of film and what we can borrow from cinema when we make our games, our adventures, and our plays at the table. You can subscribe to us here!  RSS Feed iTunes   Episode 81: Cinematic Plays Play Now | Play in Popup | Download (336)