Gamer's Tavern Podcast

Vampire: The Masquerade, Werewolf: The Apocalypse, World of Darkness  both new and old, Ravenloft, Call of Cthulhu…what draws us to these  classic horror roleplaying systems and settings? Guest Ari Marmell  (fantasy author and game designer for White Wolf and Wizards of the  Coast) joins us at the Gamer’s Tavern to talk about these systems, how  they influenced gaming, and why we’re so attracted to the dark and  macabre.  

(Originally released October 13, 2013) 

Full show notes and current content available on http://gamerstavernshow.com

Modern technology is changing the gaming world one app and social media  page at a time. Jesse Scoble (designer on Silver Age Sentinels and A  Song of Ice and Fire Roleplaying) joins us to discuss how our  smartphones, tablets, laptops, and the internet are all changing the  industry and our gaming table. The Gods of the Digital Age tried to stop  this episode from reaching your ears, causing a few audio issues, but  we managed to wrest the recording from their grasp and get it to you!  Welcome to the Gamer’s Tavern.  

(Originally released November 7, 2013) 

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We finally get the Shadowrun out of our systems as we’re joined by John  Dunn and Russell Zimmerman to talk about my personal favorite RPG of all  time, Shadowrun! If you’ve never played the game before, you’ll want to  check out the primer I recorded on the Shadowrun system and its history  so you can follow along. Other than that, all I have to say chummers is  shoot straight, conserve ammo, and never ever cut a deal with a dragon!  

(Originally released November 13, 2013) 

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Spending the holidays with the family? Got some non-gamer friends you  want to hook on roleplaying? Episode 8 of the Gamer’s Tavern has you  covered as our guest Nicole Wakelin, aka Total Fangirl, joins us to  examine how gaming with the family is a bonding experience, what games  work best to play during the holidays, and how to get your non-gamer friends hooked on roleplaying games. 

Below we have listed all of the games we talked about on the show and,  for the board games, we give our ratings of the content based on art and  text depictions of violence or sex as well as the tone, so you know  which ones to keep away from the kids. We didn’t rate the roleplaying  games this way because it depends more on the adventure and the players  involved.  

G: There’s nothing that anyone could possibly find objectionable in this  game.  

PG: There may be some violence, dangerous situations, or something else  that the easily offended or very young may not want to be exposed to.  

PG-13: Either non-detailed violence is one of the core mechanics of this  game, the theme is horror-based with little gore, or the art and tone  of the game are more dark and/or realistic. You should be okay playing  these games around kids, but I might not want very young children to  join in on playing them. Some material may offend.  

R: Strong language, realistic depictions of violence possibly with gore,  and possible non-sexual nudity. Don’t play with the kids in earshot.  

NC-17: Even I get uncomfortable playing these games sometimes. Strong  language, adult content, violence, gore, and other things I wouldn’t  even want to expose teenagers to. Adults only!  

(Originally released November 21, 2013) 

Full show notes and current content available on http://gamerstavernshow.com

Running a roleplaying game can be difficult. How can you make it easier  on yourself while adding more epic to your games? That’s exactly what  Keith Baker, designer of Eberron and Gloom, joins us to discuss!  Worldbuilding, adventure design, NPCs, you name it, we cover it in the  longest and most packed episode of Gamer’s Tavern yet!  

(Originally released December 6, 2013) 

Full show notes and current content available on http://gamerstavernshow.com

This episode of the Gamer’s Tavern is devoted to examining the link  between gaming and film. Film has influenced tabletop gaming over the  years and, more recently, gaming has started to influence films as the  kids playing the Red Box grew up to be writers, actors, and directors.  This week’s show notes are going to be a little odd as there aren’t  going to be very many links. We talked about a lot of films during the  podcast and, while I’ve listed them all below, I’m not sure whether you  watch films through Netflix, Amazon Prime, DVDs, or if you choose some  othARRRRR method of getting your media. So I’ll list the film titles for  you to search, but there are some interesting notes you may want to  look at when it comes to some of these films.  

(Originally released on December 13, 2013) 

Full show notes and current content available on http://gamerstavernshow.com

Dungeons & Dragons is the reason we’re in this hobby. Everyone plays  it. But how much do you know about where it came from? Ross Watson and  Darryl Mott Jr. are flying solo as they talk about the history of the  most popular roleplaying game on the planet, its origins, and the entire  TSR era.  

(Originally released December 20, 2013)  

Full show notes and current content available on http://gamerstavernshow.com

Is your New Years resolution to change careers into the gaming industry?  Do you want to work with the big boys or be your own boss as a  freelancer? Guests Sam Stewart and Sean Patrick Fannon join us to talk  about how to break into the gaming business  

(Originally released December 27, 2013) 

Want to have your cake and eat it too? Welcome to the world of generic  or “kitchen sink” roleplaying games. Ivan Van Norman joins us to discuss  all the systems that act as a catch-all for your gaming experience,  whether it’s the open world full of white space to explore or the system  or setting that allows you to throw every genre into a blender and hit  frappe. So sit back and join us at the Gamer’s Tavern as we discuss  generic, universal, “kitchen sink” systems.  

(Originally released January 2, 2014) 

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In our most controversial episode to date, Ross and Darryl discuss the  second half of D&D’s history, the Wizards of the Coast/Paizo era.  And yes, there are arguments a plenty. However, both the host and owner  of the Gamer’s Tavern manage to discuss the single most contentious  point in gaming for an hour and a half without coming to blows. So that  just re-iterates our point, which is edition wars are bullshit! But we  hope that you enjoy our exploration of the modern history of the father  of all roleplaying games on its 40th anniversary, Dungeons &  Dragons!  

(Originally released January 9, 2014) 

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What makes a villain? What separates them from just another antagonists  and pushes them into iconic if not mythic status? Chris Avelllone,  designer of some of the greatest villains of gaming history whether  digital or analog, joins us to discuss what makes a villain and how to  use the Big Bad Evil Guy in your game.  

(Originally released on January 16, 2014)  

Full show notes and current content available on http://gamerstavernshow.com

How do game designers create the amazing worlds we all play in? How can  you use their tricks to add more to your own game? Or do you want to  become a professional yourself and publish your own game world? Colin McComb and Darrell Hardy join us to discuss one of the challenges of  modern game design, Worldbuilding.  

(Originally released on January 24, 2014) 

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This week, Ross Watson and Darryl Mott Jr. honor the best in gaming for  2013. From board games to roleplaying games, from accessories to media,  we give our picks for what we feel are the best of the year past. We  chose our winners based on our own personal, subjective opinions and  then give our reasons. Was there a game we left off? Leave us a comment  and let us know! 

(Originally released on January 31, 2014) 

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BattleTech. Robotech. Rifts. Mekton. Giant robots beating the crap out  of other giant robots. Is that ever not awesome? Jason Marker (Robotech  RPG, Warhammer 40K Roleplay, Star Wars: Edge of the Empire) joins us to  talk about our favorite giant stompy robot games and how to run them.  

(Originally released February 7, 2014) 

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Are you worried about gaming with your romantic partner? Or maybe you’re  looking for that special gamer out there for you? Or have you found The  One, but they’re not into gaming? This special Valentine’s Day edition  of Gamer’s Tavern addresses all your concerns about real-life  relationships and tabletop gaming! Carrinn Seabolt, Bruce Cordell, and  Torah Cottrill join us to talk about relationships.  

(Originally released February 14, 2014) 

Full show notes and current content available on http://gamerstavernshow.com

In the first of our series on campaign settings, we talk with author  Richard Lee Byers on Faerun and the Forgotten Realms. Join us at the  table in the corner as we talk about all the different aspects of the  setting and why it’s one of the most popular campaign settings ever written.  

(Originally released February 21, 2014) 

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 We go way off the deep end this episode as we discuss using graphic  violence and other mature content in gaming. How do you know where the  line is? How do you keep from crossing it?  

WARNING: This episode is about the topic of Graphic Content. This  episode contains descriptions of violence, gore, and torture. If these  subjects upset or offend you, please do not listen to this episode of  Gamer’s Tavern. 

This episode is for mature audiences only.  

(Originally released March 6, 2014) 

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What does it mean to be human when you can replace your body with  cybernetic implants? Does your soul survive if you upload your  consciousness into a computer? Cyberpunk and transhumanist games ask  these questions. From William Gibson’s Neuromancer to Warren Ellis’s  Transmetropolitan, from Ghost in the Shell to Almost Human, we have  always been fascinated by the implications of an increasingly digitized  world. Adam Jury and Michael Surbrook join us to discuss the roleplaying  games that examine humanity in a near-future dystopia of technology  dominated society with noodle stands on every corner. 

(Originally released March 14, 2014) 

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 Bum-ba-BAAAAH! Bumbumbumbumbum-ba-BAAAAH! This week, we talk about Super  Hero games. Licensed from Marvel, DC, or independent publishers or game  systems that created their own universe. What games are out there to  sate your Silver Age or Modern Era lust? How do super-hero games differ  from normal RPGs? Tune in to find out more.  

(Originally released April 1, 2014)  

Note: This episode was recorded on February 25, 2014, and frequently  mentions author and game designer Aaron Allston. Two days later, Aaron  collapsed while at a convention and passed away. This episode is  dedicated to his memory.  

Full show notes and current content available on http://gamerstavernshow.com

What makes a character fun to play? We go over all the tricks to make  your PCs more interesting, dynamic, and fun. Award winning author  Elizabeth Bear and award winning Writer/Producer/Actress Joanna Gaskell  join award willing game designer Ross Watson and…just Darryl Mott Jr. to  discuss how to create player characters that not only make the game  more fun for you, but also for the other players and gamemaster.  

(Originally released March 21, 2014) 

Full show notes and current content available on http://gamerstavernshow.com

Crowdfunding is the great equalizer of our time. How can you back  projects without getting burned? How do you launch your own project and  make sure it’s successful? Guests Jamey Stegmaier and Mack Martin join  us to discuss crowdfunding and gaming. The tips to make your Kickstarter  stand out from the crowd, how to tell the flops from the potential  goldmines, and more on this episode of the Gamer’s Tavern.  

(Originally released on April 6, 2014) 

Full show notes and current content available on http://gamerstavernshow.com

You’re interested in role playing games, but not sure where to get  started? Ivan Van Norman and Mark Carroll join us to help you find a  group, pick a first game, and introduce gaming to your friends. We also  give many tips for starting gamers!  

(Originally released on April 11, 2014) 

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The forgotten campaign setting of D&D, as Ross likes to call it. The  original creator of Birthright, Richard Baker, joins us to talk about  the setting that just might have inspired Game of Thrones. You are a  king, lord of your land with the divine right to rule – literally, you  have divine energy that fuels your bloodline. This is Ross’s favorite  campaign setting and, after recording and listening to the episode,  Darryl is pretty intrigued as well. So sit back while we tell you all  about why you should remember Birthright.  

(Originally released on April 23, 2014) 

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Everyone can rattle all nine off the top of their heads. But what do  each of the alignments actually mean? Ross and Darryl can’t agree, so  how can the gaming community? And do we even need alignments anymore? In  this episode, your hosts Ross Watson and Darryl Mott Jr. go it alone as  they discuss one of the biggest flamewar igniting topics in gaming –  Alignment!  

(Originally released May 4, 2014) 

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Say any of these races, classes, clans, builds, backgrounds, or  archetypes online and you will be deluged with hate. Why is it everyone  thinks bards suck, or Kender are too annoying to let live? And is it  possible to redeem these characters?  

(Originally released May 8, 2014) 

There are more conventions than ever, and they’re getting bigger every  year. Isn’t it time you go to a con? Tom Lommel, the man behind Bill  Cavalier the Dungeon Bastard and Grady Elliot join us to talk about how  to survive your first (or thirtieth) convention. Where should you stay?  What do you need to bring? How do you meet up with people? Find out all  the answers in this week’s Gamer’s Tavern!  

(Originally released May 19, 2014) 

Full show notes and current content available on http://gamerstavernshow.com

The first annual State of the Industry episode with guests Shane Hensley  and Brandon Gensemer. This episode, we talk about where the industry  is, where it’s going, and where we think it should go. This episode  recorded before the big announcements from Wizards of the Coast, but our  points still stand.  

(Originally released May 30, 2014) 

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Convention Season is upon us! Want to play games at a convention but  don’t know what to expect? Or are you running a game and want it to be  more awesome? Bill Keyes and Robert Dorf visit the Gamer’s Tavern to discuss the finer points of gaming at conventions. 

(Originally released June 13, 2014)  

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Sometimes you make the saving throw, sometimes you don’t. Why is the  risk of death important in a game? How should you use death in your  games? How do you cope when your favorite character dies? Can a game be  fun if your character can’t die? Nathan Dowdell and Lee Langston join us  to talk about handling character death in games.  

(Originally released June 20, 2014) 

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Gamer’s Tavern turns to the Dark Side! Want to play evil but are worried  about the players turning into murderbunnies? Or dissolving into PvP  chaos? We talk about how to use evil player characters and even entire  evil parties and still tell great stories and have fun.  

(Originally released June 28, 2014) 

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Chainmail bikinis, cosplayer harassment, lack of female protagonists,  and more. Gaming culture has many issues regarding sexism and in Part  One of our episode on Sexism, Feminism, and Gaming; we identify the  problem areas that make women feel excluded, marginalized,  uncomfortable, or even fearful.  

(Originally released July 8, 2014) 

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Have an amazing idea that’s too niche or too original to make it through  the gatekeepers at the publishers? Whether it’s a game, a novel, or  something else: Publish it yourself! Learn how to do just that, the  strengths and challenges of self-publishing, and how to get your product  to the public.  

(Originally released July 19, 2014) 

Full show notes and current content available on http://gamerstavernshow.com

How does live action roleplaying differ from tabletop roleplaying? What  different kinds of LARPs are there? We’ve got a huge panel of guests to  talk about just that and to give you valuable tips to start LARPing or run your own event!  

(Originally released July 27, 2014) 

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Very important but very overlooked, art has been a part of gaming since  the start of the hobby. But what goes into making the art for game  books? How can art change a game without altering a word? And why does Rob Liefeld come up when we’re talking about artists?  

(Originally released on August 6, 2014) 

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Gaming luminaries Chris Pramas and Sean Patrick Fannon join us to talk  about those shared experiences all gamers have. From the first time you  played, your first set of dice, your first time behind the DM screen,  and the first time you lose a character. Remember running into That Guy?  Or that first time you realized you were speaking a foreign language?  We’re talking about all those old memories and those milestones that new  gamers have to look forward to.  

(Originally released on August 12, 2014) 

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Diet? Exercise? On my gaming podcast? It’s more likely than you think.  And not nearly as bad as you fear. This episode, we talk about the small  lifestyle changes you can make to feel better and game longer! 

(Originally released on October 21, 2014) 

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Most gamers get their start in a dungeon crawl. Many of the classic  modules from the system are dungeon crawls. Why do these style  adventures stick with us so much? What makes them so much fun? How can  we keep them relevant in the 21st century? Join us to find out  everything you need to know about dungeon crawls. 

(Originally released on November 11, 2014) 

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You wanted to know what we thought, well here it is. Our opinion of the  new edition of Dungeons & Dragons. What’s to love, what’s to hate,  and what’s to compare endlessly to Pathfinder; we cover it all!  

(Originally released on December 24, 2014) 

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Want to see how conventions work? Maybe you want to start your on con?  We have the best gaming conventions in the country, both big and small,  to answer your questions about starting a convention!  

Guests: Sheena Colbath, Joe Charles, and Ed Doolittle  

(Originally released on December 30, 2014) 

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The year is 2050. Or 2053 or 2060 or 2070 or 2075 depending on the  edition. This is the Sixth World, where megacorporations dominate a  world where magic has returned and technology has advanced beyond our  wildest imagination. This episode, we talk about the campaign setting of  Shadowrun with a special musical appearance from Opti from the Neo-Anarchist Podcast.  

(Originally released on January 23, 2015) 

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 Dozens of films, TV shows, and webseries are out there about gaming.  Tonight, we give you a crash course not only in the genre of gaming  films, but how to make your own!  

(Originally released on March 8, 2015) 

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Author Elizabeth Moon joins Ross, Darryl, and Gamer’s Tavern Social  Media Coordinator Lauren Reber to talk about the siminal fantasy novel  series about paladins, The Deed of Paksennarion!  

(Originally released on March 20, 2015) 

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What role does humor play in gaming? How much is too much? How do you  add humor to your games? We have some legends in gaming comedy, Scott  Kurtz and John Kovalic, here to tell you all you need to know about  humor and gaming.  

(Originally released on April 20, 2015) 

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Codename: Van Buren. This cancelled video game was what Fallout 3 would  have been. But did you know that the design team made a pen and paper  RPG to test? Chris Avellone takes over the Gamer’s Tavern thanks to our  generous Kickstarter backers in order to tell us all about the history  of the development of the Fallout 3 that never happened and the  unpublished pen and paper RPG they used in development. Listen to this  episode and you have a chance to WIN the original pen and paper Van  Buren RPG files from Chris Avellone!  

Chris wanted us to add the following to the show notes:  

Fun fact from Van Buren: Elijah (the villain in Fallout: New Vegas: Dead  Money) was supposed to be one of the companions in the first iteration  of Fallout: Van Buren (along with Sulik’s sister, who ironically enough,  was a slaver). Elijah was a genius-level BoS member who deserted the  organization, which was becoming increasing xenophobic due to faction  politics, rigid adherence to tech over community, and continual,  dangerous use of Stealth Boy tech despite numerous warning signs. Like  the Nightkin, the Stealth Boy was beginning to fray some BoS  personalities, causing paranoia and psychosis. Overall, Elijah felt the  BoS had been poisoned by wrapping itself within a tech shell. (Veronica  did not exist.)   

Elijah was also a bit more physically fit than his Dead Money  counterpart and was skilled in not just high-tech weapons, but also had  trained himself extensively in bows, spears, and more “old school”  weapons that many BoS members disdained as being “tribal.”  

Before Elijah deserted, however, he sabotaged the BoS Power Armor so  they could do no more aggression/harm to other communities in the  wastes, including NCR (and he sabotaged their armor as a lesson – who  are you without these shells that distance you from the world). After  this, he went to live with the Cipher tribals. One of the arcs of the  game is to convince him to resurrect the Power Armor so the BoS isn’t  wiped out (or activate it for a new group of BoS, including the player),  or follow the Ciphers, who understand tech better than the BoS due  (they worship schematics of the old world). 

(Originally Released on May 2, 2015) 

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Magic has burned the world, and you’re left trying to survive this world  of dangerous monsters, psionic powers, and Sorcerer Kings. Dark Sun is  one of the first non-traditional fantasy campaign settings published by  TSR in 1991 for Dungeons & Dragons. One of the original creators,  Timothy Brian Brown, joins us to talk about this iconic world.  

(Originally released on May 16, 2015) 

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Ravenloft is the one of the most popular campaign settings created for Dungeons & Dragons. Tonight, we talk about the history and the fun  that comes with roleplaying in the Demiplane of Dread!  

(Originally released on May 21, 2015) 

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Torg is a game long ahead of its time. We have designer Ed Stark to talk  about this lost gem of a roleplaying game in a frank discussion of both  the ways it innovated the gaming hobby and where it went wrong in some  pretty spectacular ways. 

(Originally released on May 30, 2015) 

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Ross, Darryl, and Lauren recorded live in front of an audience at  Comicpalooza in Houston, TX! They talk about the convention, what they  experienced, and did a Q&A helping the audience with their gaming  questions.  

(Originally released on June 4, 2015) 

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Every gamer knows there are rules not written in any book. How to act at  the table, how to treat your dice, what to do when you order food. But  what are those rules and how does everyone seem to know them? And what  do you do with players who don’t know the rules?  

(Originally released July 24, 2015) 

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Do you want to go the long haul with your gaming session? I’m not  talking weeks or months, but years with the same characters in the same  world? Michael Surbrook joins us to help you realize that dream with  advice on how to plan out long campaigns, how to avoid over-prepping,  how to push through the quagmire, and more.  

(Originally released on January 1, 2016) 

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