Nerdcognito

A long time ago in a galaxy... yep.  Now a handful of episodes in, the guys give their thoughts on Star Wars: Obi-Wan Kenobi.  With good and bad (and a lot of hand-wringing on the internet) will the boys keep watching?  The news this week spans TTRPGs, anime, board games, and a dash of Cornholio.  Afterwards, the attack and hatred of the OSR gets exposed and lit up with the Reverend Ryan David manning the spotlight.  Amen, brothers and sisters.

Ryan David and Bert salute our fallen military heroes, followed by chatter about the best military representations across nerd culture.  The news dives into the shallow end of crypto before ending with everyone's favorite "frozen dairy dessert."  On the flip side, the boys have a little personal story time, discussing the origins of some of the nerdier aspects of the other's personalities.  Ryan talks about his love of board games dating back to just-post-toddler days; Bert recalls his initial look at Korean TV which sparked his metamorphasis into a full time K-Drama dork.

Bringing new folks to the gaming table is always a daunting task.  The Nerdcognito group is growing and we need to put the new players through their paces.  What's a good "trial" board game for some new peeps?  It sounds like Cthulhu might be rising at board game night!  After a title has been decided, the guys do their best sifting through with a less-than-banner nerdy news week.  Wrapping things up, the guys look at non-fantasy TTRPGs to propose to the group.  What made the list for consideration?  "Weird West Cowboys" and "Avatars of Gods" are two options that surfaced in a conversation that ranged from FATE to Call of Cthulhu and more!  Do you have a non-fantasy setting that we should play?

This week, the guys invite you to experience a blast from the past; Ry and Bert give you some "must watch" (and some must NOT watch) sci-fi films from the radical 1990s!  The news, as always, does not disappoint as there are updates and events that went down in the geeky world this week.  Finally, the boys have discourse about the latest thing that the woke SparkleTrolls want to remove from your TTRPG: combat.  That's right -- no more battles for you!

The News:

Everyday Heroes (aka d20 Modern II) Gets Some Badass Licensing

Oh boy!  Quantum Leap Pseudo-Sequel in the Works

Anti-Piracy Court Order Gone Too Far?

A D&D Dungeon Crawler Getting Pulled from Steam

Episode Sponsors and Affiliates:

CuraDebt: Get your FREE debt consultation - 866-951-2699

 

This Episode's Hosts:

Ryan David

Bert

The new co-op board game, Alien: Fate of the Nostromo hit the Nerdcognito table.  What do the boys think of this brush with the Xenomorph?  Get the complete rundown and review of this cost-friendly addition to your game shelf.  The guys get distracted (squirrel!) during the news and slide into a chinwag about the Star Trek Butthurt Brigade (i.e. the folks that hate any new anything in Trek), movies, and drive in theaters?!?  After the news, RD and Bert talk about modules and how they can both help and hinder a DM.  Tips for implementing and integrating modular content along with a stroll down character memory lane inspired by some memorable modules bring up the rear of the episode.  How do YOU keep your module content fresh?

The News:

Stray - the kitty cat walking simulator

Starfinder: Pirates of Skydock the upcoming board game

Cohors Cthulhu... Ancient Ones in Ancient Rome!

Fallout TV Series details -- or lack thereof

Episode Sponsors and Affiliates:

CuraDebt: Get your FREE debt consultation - 866-951-2699

 

This Episode's Hosts:

Ryan David

Bert

The Woke Wizards of the Coast are re-imagining Dragonlance and Spelljammer.  Things don't look good and RD has already jumped off the bandwagon.  This spins into a conversation regarding the need for TRUE "diversity" in the creation of TTRPG content; meaning that different philosophies need to be brought back into the fold of creation as opposed to a "hivemind" team ala modern WotC.  Bert and Ryan almost make it through the news without Ryan losing his mind before running down a list of ALL known future Star Wars video games that are currently in the pipeline.  What's coming up that has YOU excited?

The News:

Chopsticks that "trick" you into sensing flavor

A Combination NES/SNES/Genesis Retro Console

New Champion Plays a Perfect Pac Man

"Terraformers" Masterfully Marries a City Builder with Worker Placement

CD Projekt Pops Cheap Press with "Menstrual Leave"

 

Episode Sponsors and Affiliates:

CuraDebt: Get your FREE debt consultation - 866-951-2699

 

This Episode's Hosts:

Ryan David

Bert

The fickle finger of fate has pointed at the bros this week and KO'ed Bert and Mike.  Ryan, determined to release something, tackles the top three Nerdy News stories this week -- solo.

The News:

Old Gods of Appalachia --- The TTRPG!

A Plea for Portal 3  (Make it happen, Gabe!)

Diablo 2: Resurrected Breaks All Kinds of Records

 

This Episode's Host:

Ryan David

Bert and Ryan dig deep in their memories of the best "classic" video games that deserve a reboot or reimagining.  Did your favorite game make the cut?  A news week filled with announcements stuns the guys and Ry's head blows up over some of his nostalgia dying.  Finally, the guys talk about the pros and cons about playing at a table with experienced gamers versus noobs.  As always, perspective about both player categories makes for an entertaining and enlightening chat.

The News:

A New TTRPG Paying Homage to d20 Modern

RIP Ms. Pac Man

Blade Runner RPG Kickstarter and Launch Dates Set

Wizards of the Coast, including D&D, MTG, and Board Games Remains Part of Hasbro

Ryan Has a Man-Crush on Elon Musk

Tainted Grail Second Edition... and an Expansion

 

Episode Sponsors and Affiliates:

Things From Another World Comics: https://bit.ly/3IiOd9R

Easy Roller Dice Company: https://bit.ly/3qwBWXG

 

This Episode's Hosts:

Ryan David

Bert

Bert and Ryan chime in on "Consent Sheets" and checklists that are the rage from the progressive members of the TTRPG and D&D Communities right now. While the idea of open communication is welcomed by both of the boys, they are reluctant (Ryan especially so) to slap a checklist on their parties.  Ryan tells Bert about a tweet of his that went viral and set the extreme members of the hobby into a tizzy.  After the news, the guys talk about their favorite cooperative board games.  Which co-op is their favorite?

The News:

Some "Bad" Zelda News

Amazon is Phasing Out 3D Printer Sales

WotC is Bringing Dungeons & Dragons to the Wargaming Space

Pluto TV Launches a Stargate Channel

Tilt Five Partners with a Major Board Game Distributor for HOLO-games!

 

Titles from the "Co-op Roundup:"

Unfathomable: https://amzn.to/38rHZrf

Eldritch Horror: https://amzn.to/3uhYU8l

Dead of Winter: https://amzn.to/3v06FyL

Horrified: https://amzn.to/3M3OHm3

Last Night on Earth: https://amzn.to/35LIhIy

Mansions of Madness: https://amzn.to/3NSjfbQ

Gloomhaven: https://amzn.to/371jj8L

 

Episode Sponsors and Affiliates:

Easy Roller Dice Company: https://bit.ly/3qwBWXG

 

This Episode's Hosts:

Ryan David

Bert

The buzz landed on our table, and after this week's Nerdy News, we give a comprehensive look and review of Ark Nova!  Plus, in the first half, the bros talk about wanting to play Zelda: The Ocarina of Time in HD, but not wanting to pirate the ROM and cost Jose the janitor his job.  After a moral dilemma seems to be resolved, Bert and Ryan run through a list of the "best" Dungeons and Dragons potions for your party.  Yes, another list... that's wrong.

The News:

Dreamy Christina Ricci is coming to Netflix

Square Enix had a Whole Freaking Team for the "Opera"

Woke Culture: Cheaters as Victims

My Little Pony... the TTRPG?

A City-Builder on the Side of a Mountain

Episode Sponsors and Affiliates:

Support the show when you shop Amazon - https://amzn.to/31cKYRm

 

This Episode's Hosts:

Ryan David

Bert