Episode 204: Sandboxes and Narratives

This week, the Favorite, the Curmudgeon and the Legend take a cue from a listener and discuss the differences between running a sandbox-style game and a narrative-driven game. Carie, Jason and Ryan take a look at the pros and cons, and what they prefer!

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Episode 203: Engagement vs. Immersion

After attending a new local game with lots of costuming, the Favorite, the Curmudgeon and the Legend talk about the difference between engagement and immerision, and how both are achieved. Carie, Jason and Ryan work out the pros and cons of them both, and they try to figure out which is more important!

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Links:

• The Gun Belt

Episode 202: Sensitivity Editting

After a viscious thread in a Facebook group, the Favorite, the Curmudgeon and the Legend tackle the important topic of sensitivity editing in gaming. Carie, Jason and Ryan try to navigate the angry distance between the "Get Woke Go Broke" and the "Social Justice Warrior" crowds and figure out sensitivity in game design!

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Links:

• The Gun Belt

Episode 201: Running the End

It's the first episode of season two! Since it's the beginning of our new season, the Favorite, the Curmudgeon and the Legend talk about endings. Carie, Jason and Ryan explore the reasons and requirements for ending a story and the benefits and drawbacks of doing so!

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Links:

• reelfunstudios - Twitch

Episode 131: Do We Even Need Experience Points?

There's a lot of talk about experience points lately, so the Favorite asks the Curmudgeon and the Legend what the point of XP is. Carie, Jason and Ryan discuss the problems and benefits of XP, why we have it and why it's such a contentious topic on our final episode of season one!

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Links:

• On A Roll Podcast on Patreon

Episode 130: Donny Cates and Telling Great Stories

Epik Comic Show happened recently, and the Curmudgeon and the Legend sat down with Marvel comic's writer Donny Cates. Carie and Ryan find out Donny's story and how he became a comic book author, and then get his take on how to tell a great story!

Special Guest: Donny Cates.

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Links:

• Amazon.com: Donny Cates

Episode 129: Jamie Chambers, Historic D&D and A Delve in a Cave

Hanging out at PostApocalypticon at Dicehead Games and Comics, the Curmudgeon and the Legend sat down with game designer Jamie Chambers to talk about his new 5th Ed adventure, A Delve in the Cave. Ryan and Carie also talk with Jamie about his early online role with TSR and his experience writing licensed gaming products.

Special Guest: Jamie Chambers.

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Links:

• Fun For Liz

Episode 128: Chris Spivey, Diversity and Harlem Unbound

While at HLG Con, the Curmudgeon, the Legend and the Favorite had the opportunity to hang out with Chris Spivey, the multiple Gold Ennie-winning designer of Harlem Unbound. Ryan, Carie and Jason talk with Chris about diversity in gaming and designing a role-playing game that tackles difficult and important topics.

Special Guest: Chris Spivey.

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Links:

• Darker Hue Studios on Patreon

Episode 127: Craig Campbell on Indie Game Design

Having played Die Laughing at HLG Con, the Curmudgeon, the Legend and the Favorite invite indie game designer Craig Campbell back to the show to talk about the game. Ryan, Carie and Jason then spend time with Craig diving into the world of indie game development and the Kickstarter process.

Special Guest: Craig Campbell.

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Links:

• Die Laughing RPG by Craig Campbell — Kickstarter

Episode 126: ACTUAL PLAY of Die Laughing

Driving across the United States to Atlantic City for HLG Con was tiring, so the Curmudgeon, the Legend and the Favorite made it their mission to have as much fun there as they could. Ryan, Carie and Jason wrangled Craig Campbell of Nerdburger Games and convinced him to run a session of his latest game, Die Laughing. Here's an actual play recording of the game.

Special Guest: Craig Campbell.

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Links:

• NerdBurger Games