GMS Magazine Podcast - RPGs, Board Games reviews, interviews, advice. Mostly Asian and Indie games.

I recently discovered the X-Card thanks to Jim. I had no idea it existed and it was a truly fantastic revelation that will grace my table from now on.

For those of you who don’t know, the X-Card is an invention by John Stavropoulos that aims to stop discomfort at the table.

As part of the social contract around the game, the X-Card is introduced at the very beginning as a means to seek help from everyone in order to take away from the game anything that make people uncomfortable and stop a bad situation from escalating into something worse.

The trick of the card is that it also says that explanations are not needed. If you don’t want to say why something makes you uncomfortable, you don’t have to say it. Simple as that. Privacy comes first.

This card is specially useful around a table where people are strangers, where unexpected situations and unknown circumstances can make life hell for some people.

And yet, it has a huge number of detractors who prefer to put the game ahead and above people’s safety.

Jim and I discuss the use of the X-Card and make an effort to have the worst possible to a podcast ever.

I think we succeed!

Having Jennel Jaquays on the show was long overdue. With so much talking about OSR and what games were like all time ago, Jim and I thought it was about time we had someone who knows *a lot* about the old days and the starts of many things.

Jennel has been writing games since the mid 70s and has written some books that continue to influence creators to this day.

And she has some truly amazing stories and, by the sounds of it, a really well packed library at her home!

Hope you enjoy the show!

Having Jennel Jaquays on the show was long overdue. With so much talking about OSR and what games were like all time ago, Jim and I thought it was about time we had someone who knows *a lot* about the old days and the starts of many things.

Jennel has been writing games since the mid 70s and has written some books that continue to influence creators to this day.

And she has some truly amazing stories and, by the sounds of it, a really well packed library at her home!

Hope you enjoy the show!

 

Dungeonology is one of those books that are not aimed at you but you still love them because it is gorgeous and, deep inside (or not so deep as the case might be) we all have a child in us.

This book, published in November 2016, is a collaboration between Wizards of the Coast, Candlewick Press and Templar Press. The lore of WOTC has come together with the know-how of two very experienced publishers who put out quality books for children.

And it shows. Dungeonology is lavish, extremely well written and truly gorgeous to look at, as you can see in the video.

Hope you enjoy it!

Wizards of the Coast site: http://dnd.wizards.com/products/tabletop-games/rpg-products/dungeonology

Candlewick Press link: http://www.candlewick.com/cat.asp?browse=Season&season=current&page=1&mode=list&pix=y&catheader=y

Templar Publishing: http://www.templarco.co.uk/

Dungeonology is one of those books that are not aimed at you but you still love them because it is gorgeous and, deep inside (or not so deep as the case might be) we all have a child in us.

This book, published in November 2016, is a collaboration between Wizards of the Coast, Candlewick Press and Templar Press. The lore of WOTC has come together with the know-how of two very experienced publishers who put out quality books for children.

And it shows. Dungeonology is lavish, extremely well written and truly gorgeous to look at, as you can see in the video.

Hope you enjoy it!

Wizards of the Coast site: http://dnd.wizards.com/products/tabletop-games/rpg-products/dungeonology

Candlewick Press link: http://www.candlewick.com/cat.asp?browse=Season&season=current&page=1&mode=list&pix=y&catheader=y

Templar Publishing: http://www.templarco.co.uk/

 

Carrie Fisher, for me, epitomised the concept of a strong character when she became Leia Organa. Not because the character was well written, but because she was an incredible character herself.

The death of the beloved Carrie Fisher was a massive shock for most of us. Not just because she was so young – 60 years old today is young, in my books – but because she was the fiercest and most respected princess and general of the galaxy. And she had a very tragic life story that we all wished she hadn’t gone through.

So what made Carrie Fisher turn Leia into such a strong character?

For that matter, what is a strong character? And what is a strong female character?

Is even there such a thing?

Jim and I talk about it.

Hope you enjoy the show!

Carrie Fisher, for me, epitomised the concept of a strong character when she became Leia Organa. Not because the character was well written, but because she was an incredible character herself.

The death of the beloved Carrie Fisher was a massive shock for most of us. Not just because she was so young – 60 years old today is young, in my books – but because she was the fiercest and most respected princess and general of the galaxy. And she had a very tragic life story that we all wished she hadn’t gone through.

So what made Carrie Fisher turn Leia into such a strong character?

For that matter, what is a strong character? And what is a strong female character?

Is even there such a thing?

Jim and I talk about it.

Hope you enjoy the show!

 

It is safe to say the RPG crowd is unlike any other out there. We tend to be more open, more creative and a lot more accepting than many other hobbies or sub-cultures. And we are more accepting of mental health issues.

And please that I say mental health issues, not illnesses. There is a massive difference that we have to keep very much present.

However, does our hobby, do RPGs attract more people with mental health issues than other hobbies?

Or is it just that we are more likely to feel safe to disclose or just more aware because of the extended  social interaction?

The fact is that we don’t know, but Jim and I spend a while chatting about it.

Please be mindful when listening to this episode. We talk about mental health issues and give our opinions freely. As much as we have tried to be sensitive, we could have said something that might affect you.

Listener’s discretion is advised.

We also talk about Star Wars: Rogue One

Hope you enjoy the show!

It is safe to say the RPG crowd is unlike any other out there. We tend to be more open, more creative and a lot more accepting than many other hobbies or sub-cultures. And we are more accepting of mental health issues.

And please that I say mental health issues, not illnesses. There is a massive difference that we have to keep very much present.

However, does our hobby, do RPGs attract more people with mental health issues than other hobbies?

Or is it just that we are more likely to feel safe to disclose or just more aware because of the extended  social interaction?

The fact is that we don’t know, but Jim and I spend a while chatting about it.

Please be mindful when listening to this episode. We talk about mental health issues and give our opinions freely. As much as we have tried to be sensitive, we could have said something that might affect you.

Listener’s discretion is advised.

We also talk about Star Wars: Rogue One

Hope you enjoy the show!

 

Because the time of the year when people celebrate some sort of festivity approaches, Jim and I have decided to record a rambling episode on how to be good to each other.

Aaawwwwww……

Well… how to be good to your GM, that sacrificed, dedicated, studious, sensible, caring and wonderful human beings who spend so long looking for ways to kill the party in the most fun possible way.

Because, let’s face it, we have all been assholes to our GMs sometimes.

But now that the season of goodness and kindness approaches, it is time to change all that and we tell you exactly how to do it.

Enjoy!

And you are welcome.