Know Direction Network

John, Jason , and Ron talk about crafting Starfinder 2 adventures and some of the challenges when writing for 1st level characters.

Surrounded by coppers, our heroes have a difficult decision to make.

Join our Intrepid Heroes as they solve the mystery of the Murder in Metal City!

Cast:

Starfinder 2nd Edition Actual Play Podcast

They’ve covered Players and GMs, now Alex and James look at the real stars of Starfinder: SF2 Alien Core.

Recorded live on Twitch.

In episode 127 of Game Design Unboxed: Inspiration to Publication, we chat with game designer, publisher, and trauma psychotherapist Galen McCown about how getting involved with the Syracuse game design community helped him grow as both a creator and collaborator.

We also discuss his love for solo and two-player games, his fascination with post-apocalyptic themes, and how compact “mint tin” games make great travel companions. Galen dives into his process of collaborating with artists to bring worlds to life, drawing inspiration from 90s arcade classics, and incorporating catch-up mechanics to keep players engaged.

The episode also highlights how games can serve as powerful tools for therapy and learning, the value of niche historical themes, the challenges and rewards of both pitching and publishing, how game design contests can motivate completion, and how documenting his Kickstarter journey through a blog provided transparency and insight for others in the community.

Galen McCown – Guest

Danielle Reynolds – Host

Roadblock melting as Shipwreck screams.

Young Daniel Witwicky stumping across Optimus Prime’s decaying corpse.

The unconscious manifestation of Princess Celestials anxiety.

Pumpkin Rapper.

Plastic Bags.

The Essence20 settings don’t shy away from the weird, so neither do Ryan and Charles. They’re here to help you run spooky Essence20 adventures!

Essential Builds: Beetlejuice  

Ryan will be attending KeyCon 42 as a Guest Of Honour 

The Energon Protocols with Erik Smith on the G.I.Joe Headcast

Featuring Letter From Snake Eyes part 4, generously provided by Wordburglar. Check it and other amazing 80s-inspired out at Wordburglar.com.

Although Ryan works for Renegade Game Studios, this podcast and the network that hosts it are not affiliated with Renegade Game Studios.

John, Jason , and Ron take a quick look at the newly released Starfinder 2nd Edition Alien Core and talk about their favorite monsters just in time for Halloween!

With Pathfinder Quest on his mind, Ryan ponders some of the many ways a Pathfinder enthusiast can play in Golarion and the Lost Omens campaign setting beyond the Pathfinder roleplaying game.

Then he sits down with Pathfinder Quest designers Jason Bulmahn and Joe Pasini to discuss the creation of the game, meeting the needs of gamers, and the future of Pathfinder on tabletop.

Finally, he wraps things up by chatting with omnipresent Pathfinder fan Lucas Servideo about how Pathfinder Quest backers can handle all of those miniatures they have coming their way.

As our heroes are deciding what to do next, they are attacked by a group of shadowy assailants.

Join our Intrepid Heroes as they solve the mystery of the Murder in Metal City!

Cast:

Starfinder 2nd Edition Actual Play Podcast

In episode 126 of Game Design Unboxed, we chat with John D. Clair about his journey from gamifying mazes to becoming a full-time tabletop designer. He shares how setting clear goals, focusing only on games he is excited about, and reworking mechanics from games that inspire him shaped his design approach.

John shares how he reimagines mechanics from games he loves, making luck-based designs more dynamic by eliminating “nothing” turns, working with publishers—specifically creative control—rulebook FAQs, data from digital platforms like Board Game Arena, designer inspiration cycles, second editions, and the definition of a true 2v2 game.

John D. Clair – Guest

Danielle Reynolds – Host

As the designer of the Essence20 version of G.I. JOE’s iconic flying submarine, Ryan takes full responsibility for it being built wrong. He uses this opportunity to show off he Essence20 vehicle design rules and correct his mistake.

You can find the revised stat block below!

Featuring Letter From Snake Eyes part 4, generously provided by Wordburglar. Check it and other amazing 80s-inspired out at Wordburglar.com.

Although the host works for Renegade Game Studios, this podcast and the network that hosts it are not affiliated with Renegade Game Studios.

Voltron Q&A with Former Social Media Manager Ryan Costello!

The Energon Protocols with Erik Smith on the G.I.Joe Headcast

A breakthrough in submersible technology, the S.H.A.R.C. (Submersible High-speed Attack and Reconnaissance Craft)’s ability to operate in the air and underwater sets it apart as one of G.I. Joe’s most versatile vehicles.

THREAT LEVEL: 7

SIZE: Large HEALTH: 6

MOVEMENT: 60ft Aquatic, 30ft Aerial

STRENGTH: 3 SPEED: 7

TOUGHNESS: 13 EVASION: 17

SKILLS

PERKS

Crew: 2 drivers, 2 passengers (Rocket Riders)

Hardpoint Weapons: Twin 30mm “Tidalwave” Cannons, Acoustic Torpedo x2 (or Rocket Riders)

Firepoints: 2 – The Rocket Riders can fire any weapon.

Defenses: Boron-Epoxy Skin (+1 plating to Toughness), Armored Cabin

Traits: Armored Cabin, Autopilot, Flying Submarine, Rocket Riders, Sensors, Vehicle

Armored Cabin: The S.H.A.R.C.’s impact-resistant gullwing canopy extends to cover the driving cabin. Attacks can’t target the vehicle’s drivers directly.

Autopilot: As long as this vehicle has one driver, it operates at full capacity. If this vehicle has a full complement of drivers, a driver can use a Free action to have the autopilot Lend Assistance on a Driving Skill Test.

Emergency Canopy Release Hatch: The S.H.A.R.C.’s crew gains an Edge on Athletics and Acrobatics Skill Tests to escape from the vehicle if it explodes. 

Flying Submarine : The S.H.A.R.C. counts as both an air and sea vehicle.

Rocket Riders: The underbelly of a S.H.A.R.C. can be fitted with two Acoustic-Homing Torpedoes or two passengers, but not both or one of each.

Sensors: This vehicle can invest ranks into the Alertness skill, even without a Smarts Essence score.

Vehicle: The S.H.A.R.C. is a vehicle. 

ATTACKS

Twin 30mm “Tidalwave” Cannons (Targeting): +d4 or driver’s Driving Skill, Range 40ft/160ft min 10ft (1 Sharp damage)

Alternate Effects: 2 Sharp damage (↓1), 1 Sharp damage  – Multiple Targets (2, 20ft cone, ↓1)

Traits: Amphibious, Ballistic, Linked, Reload

Acoustic-Homing Torpedo (Targeting): +d6 or driver’s Driving Skill ↑1, Range 500ft/1000ft (1 Sharp damage Blast: 50ft radius)

Alternate Effects: 1 Sharp damage (↑1), 2 Sharp damage, 2 Sharp damage Blast: 20ft radius (↓1)

Traits: Accurate, Amphibious, Anti-Tank, Computerized, Consumable, Mounted, Element, Wrecker

Ram (Might): Driver’s Driving, Reach (1 Blunt damage)

Alternate Effects: Trip

Traits: Blunt, Drive-By