The 2020 version of my research on how TSR went from grossing $40 million a year to being bought by Wizards of the Coast. Performed live at Gen Con Online! Ben’s book on RPG adventure design, Encounter Theory, is on DriveThruRPG. Click here to pick up this essential volume! Like Plot Points? Support it on Patreon at the $2 level, and you’ll get a sneak peek into Ben’s book about the sale of TSR to Wizards of the Coast! This chapter concerns TSR West, an effort by TSR to open an LA office devoted to producing comic books, an effort that failed rather impressively. It is the product of a dozen interviews with professionals from comics, gaming, and Hollywood, and as far as I can reckon, it is a tale entirely untold until now. Image courtesy Wizards of the Coast. 

How TSR Failed 2020- Ep 205

Plot Points is a monthly podcast which discusses table-top role-playing games and their supplements as literature. Our quirky panel discusses games old and new, spotlights innovations in the hobby, and links to literature.

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Ladies and Gentlemen, people of all genders, and gifted woodland animals, this is Ben Riggs, Brad Davies, and Sarah Babe coming to you with a very special message. Since starting Plot Points in September 2013, we have put out 264 episodes. Today, we announce that Plot Points is going dark. Running this podcast has been a tremendously fulfilling experience, and we can only hope that our listeners have gotten as much enjoyment from it as we have.  We’ll maintain our email (plotpointsemail@gmail.com), Twitter (@PlotPointsPod), and keep the archive of the show open.    Remember, you can still find more of our work out in the interwebs. Both Brad and Sarah are part of Theatre of the Mind Players. You can find still more Sarah on Encounter Party and Romancing the Game. Buy Ben's book, SLAYING THE DRAGON anywhere books are sold.  and Reading the Dungeon Master's Guide Aloud will doubtless find a home somewhere.  Thanks to our endlessly generous patrons, our loyal listeners, and the TTRPG community that welcomed us with open arms. For the last time for the foreseeable future, we are Ben Riggs, Brad Davies, Sarah Babe, and the always wonderful Producer Chris.  -Brad, Sarah, Chris & Ben  

Goodbye My Friends Ep 265

One last call for alcohol! Ben, Brad, & Sarah dive deep into OSR darling and Zinequest champion, Barkeep on the Borderlands! If you want to talk about this more, here is a (functional) link to the Discord: https://discord.gg/Q66gVjc9

Barkeep on the Borderlands Ep 264

Well. That blew up and went everywhere. Ben responds to some comments and thoughts here on episode 263. With him as always is Dr. Scott!  If you want to talk about this more, here is a (functional) link to the Discord: https://discord.gg/Q66gVjc9

The Response to the End of the Golden Age of TTRPGs

Is D&D; a postmodern medium? Scott & Ben also chew over the WotC layoffs.  Like what we do? Support us on Patreon! Can’t get enough of Scott? Join us on Discord! It’s poppin’ and hoppin’ over there!

D&D as Postmodernism and WotC Layoffs Ep 262

We have lived in a bright and fortunate time as TTRPG fans for over a decade. Have recent events brought that to an end? Historian Ben Riggs & academic Dr. Scott Bruner reflect.  Like what we do? Support us on Patreon! Can’t get enough of Scott? Join us on Discord! It’s poppin’ and hoppin’ over there!

How TSR Failed 2020- Ep 205

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