What do you think is the hardest part about being a femme content creator? Today’s guest, Nerissa Hart aka RUBIEHART (they/she), is an actor, multidisciplinary theatre artist, streamer, and professional speedrunner. Tune in to hear Nerissa talk about what makes the speedrunning community unique, describe how they respond to discrimination, and remind us that we all have a place in the gaming community.

01:10 -- Meet Nerissa!

11:25 -- Theatre + gaming = LARP

18:36 -- Crash course on speedrunning

21:50 -- Nerissa’s origin story

33:10 -- Speedrunning for charity

39:05 -- Gender disparities in gaming

49:50 -- Dealing with discrimination

Shadow of the Colossus -- https://rb.gy/x0uka5

Legend of Zelda: Oracle of Seasons -- https://rb.gy/feesqk

Velvet Noir (LARP) -- https://www.entropicendeavors.com/velvetnoir

Super Mario 64 -- https://rb.gy/izrv3e

RUBIEHART Twitch Channel -- http://twitch.tv/rubiehart

Team ICO -- https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Team_Ico

LiveArtDC -- https://liveartdc.com/

Speedrun stats and info -- https://www.speedrun.com/

Games Done Quick -- https://gamesdonequick.com/

Don’t forget to check out our friends at the Quit The Build podcast! https://www.quitthebuild.com/

Guest -- Nerissa Hart, https://linktr.ee/rubiehart

Production by Victor Media Group, Inc. -- https://victormediagroup.co/

Original Music by Byson -- https://spoti.fi/3eoC47l

Creator / Host -- Clara Mount

Executive Producers -- J.B. Adams and Gerard Mitchell

Sound Editing -- Anna Hughes

Why is it important to have more Asian Americans working in the video game industry? How do we get there? And what do video games have to do with tabletop RPGs? Tune in to hear Nate Yelle, game designer at Iron Galaxy Studios, share his insights from nearly a decade in the industry as he talks about Pokemon nostalgia, trends in Asian American representation, and why every game developer should play tabletop RPGs.

00:01:07 -- Meet Nate!

00:14:50 -- The most compelling narrative game ever

00:19:00 -- Asian American identities

00:27:15 -- Diversity & representation at video game studios

00:41:21 -- Getting more Asian Americans in the industry

00:46:06 -- Why every game dev should play TTRPGs

01:03:06 -- The Nice Dad GM

As an affiliate, Victor Media Group may earn from qualifying purchases.

Shadowrun -- https://rb.gy/hsfwyz

Animal Crossing: New Horizons -- https://www.animal-crossing.com/new-horizons/

Florence -- https://annapurnainteractive.com/games/florence

Toejam and Earl 2 -- https://rb.gy/osknzz

Overwatch -- https://playoverwatch.com/en-us/

Apex Legends -- https://www.ea.com/games/apex-legends

Ghost of Tsushima -- https://www.playstation.com/en-us/games/ghost-of-tsushima/

Street Fighter II -- https://rb.gy/tlax3n

NBA Live -- https://www.ea.com/games/nba-live/nba-live-19

Blades in the Dark (free download TTRPG) -- https://www.evilhat.com/home/blades-in-the-dark/

Unreal Engine -- https://www.unrealengine.com/en-US/

“Asian American Game Developers Are Dreaming of Their Own Minari Moment” (IGN) -- https://rb.gy/arxa4t

Hideo Kojima -- https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hideo_Kojima

Chummer (for Shadowrun 5th edition) -- https://github.com/chummer5a/chummer5a

Don’t forget to check out our friends at the Quit The Build podcast!

Guest -- Nate Yelle, Game Designer at Iron Galaxy Studios

Production by Victor Media Group, Inc. -- https://victormediagroup.co/

Original Music by Byson -- https://spoti.fi/3eoC47l

Creator / Host -- Clara Mount

Executive Producers -- J.B. Adams and Gerard Mitchell

Sound Editing -- Aaron Trnka

 

What happens when you take a theatrical performer, introduce them to D&D, and then quarantine strikes? Naturally, they get on Twitch. Laura Tutu (she/her or they/them) is a Black streamer and podcaster with a background in theatre and burlesque. Tune in to hear about the performance side of tabletop RPGs, Laura’s character creation methods, why barbarians are Laura’s favorite class, and how you can find your people.

01:06 -- Meet Laura!

09:30 -- Dramatic escapism

17:45 -- Characters are everything

22:46 -- The role of improv in D&D

24:50 -- Why player comfort is #1

32:03 -- Character creation and D&D shenanigans

40:30 -- Barbarians 4ever

51:00 -- Find your people

As an affiliate, Victor Media Group may earn from qualifying purchases.

Dungeons and Dragons, 5th Edition -- https://amzn.to/32sfVhh

Shadowrun -- https://rb.gy/hsfwyz

TheWorldsGuild (live play campaigns) -- https://www.twitch.tv/theworldsguild

Brunches and Dragons (live podcast) -- https://www.twitch.tv/starkravingmab

Critical Role -- https://critrole.com/

Consent in Gaming (with a consent checklist!) -- https://rb.gy/ztx4l8

Guest -- Laura Tutu, https://beacons.page/lauratutu

Production by Victor Media Group, Inc. -- https://victormediagroup.co/

Original Music by Byson -- https://spoti.fi/3eoC47l

Creator / Host -- Clara Mount

Executive Producers -- J.B. Adams and Gerard Mitchell

Sound Editing -- Aaron Trnka

There are a lot of ways to protest. If marching isn’t for you, have you ever thought about making a game? Trey Joiner is the writer/creator of an afrofuturist supplement to the Lancer RPG, entitled The Field Guide to Mfecane. Join us as he tells us about a Star Wars RPG cry session, how he aims to honor South African culture through his writing, and why we need more afrofuturist stories.

01:09 -- Meet Trey!

10:40 -- Star Wars cry session

14:00 -- Games as protest

19:30 -- Origins of the Field Guide

30:10 -- What Civ 6 left out

39:00 -- The problem with white liberalism

50:18 -- Creating more Afro futures

As an affiliate, Victor Media Group may earn from qualifying purchases.

Lancer RPG -- https://massif-press.itch.io/

The Field Guide to Mfecane -- https://nhp-shaka.itch.io/mfecane-field-guide

Dungeons and Dragons, 5th Edition -- https://amzn.to/32sfVhh

Genesys RPG -- https://amzn.to/2Tvc0zh

Apex Legends -- https://amzn.to/3zuskjk

Star Wars: Edge of the Empire -- https://amzn.to/2RhvRRD

Star Wars: Force and Destiny -- https://amzn.to/3rx3U63

Swordsfall -- https://www.swordsfall.com/

Civilization VI -- https://amzn.to/2WgODKX

The Myth of the Mfecane -- https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8rSx98w5fH0

Zulu Rise and Mfecane (BBC) -- https://rb.gy/xlqkmn

A history of Shaka Zulu -- https://rb.gy/n7vkaf

Black Table Arts -- https://www.blacktablearts.com/

Lovecraft Country -- https://www.hbo.com/lovecraft-country

Pilot Net (Discord for Lancer RPG) -- https://discord.gg/CXMuMkFCwS

Guest -- Trey Joiner (@StationUkuwa on Twitter)

Production by Victor Media Group, Inc. -- https://victormediagroup.co/

Original Music by Byson -- https://spoti.fi/3eoC47l

Creator / Host -- Clara Mount

Executive Producers -- J.B. Adams and Gerard Mitchell

Sound Editing -- Aaron Trnka

Like any good necromancer, host Clara Mount is here to bring a season’s worth of interview outtakes back to life. Revisit our guests and hear brand new perspectives from inside the industry, including: a behind the scenes on making video games, strategies for building diverse gaming communities, the three kinds of “fun,” a perspective on trans narratives, one thing you can learn by GMing, and some benefits of TTRPGs for neurodivergent gamers.

01:14 -- Episode overview

02:15 -- Anna Stavroupolos, video game ambassador

08:50 -- Whitney Risner builds diverse communities

16:27 -- Vivien Grimm and the 3 types of fun

30:28 -- Oliver on breaking out of the box

35:27 -- Missa Dawson learns flexibility

41:20 -- Jazmine Betz and neurodivergent gamers

As an affiliate, Victor Media Group may earn from qualifying purchases.

Madden NFL Mobile -- https://www.ea.com/games/madden-nfl/madden-nfl-mobile

Destiny 2 -- https://www.bungie.net/

Dungeons and Dragons, 5th Edition -- https://amzn.to/32sfVhh

Apocalypse World (2nd Ed) -- https://rb.gy/40ojbe

Fate (RPG) -- https://amzn.to/2SEckLm

Thirsty Sword Lesbians -- https://amzn.to/2R6zn0V

Wanderhome -- https://possumcreekgames.itch.io/wanderhome

Urban Shadows 2 -- https://rb.gy/d7cakz

Super Heroines, Etc. -- https://superheroinesetc.org/

Kickstarter (Games page) -- https://rb.gy/qvd94k

Indie Press -- https://www.indiepressrevolution.com/xcart/

Drive Thru RPG -- https://www.drivethrurpg.com/

Be-Con -- https://2019.beconlarp.com/

Intercon -- https://u.interconlarp.org/

Make A Scene -- https://makeascenemn.org/en/

The Gaming Goat - Mason, OH -- https://www.facebook.com/TGGMasonOH/

Guests -- Anna Stavroupolos, Whitney Risner, Vivien Grimm, Oliver, Missa Dawson, Jazmine Betz

Production by Victor Media Group, Inc. -- https://victormediagroup.co/

Original Music by Byson -- https://spoti.fi/3eoC47l

Creator / Host -- Clara Mount

Executive Producers -- J.B. Adams and Gerard Mitchell

Sound Editing -- Gerardo Abril

Identities are complex and multi-layered, and these layered identities contribute to gaming experiences in ways you may not even realize. Today we talk to Jazmine Betz, Associate Manager of Consumer and Market Insights at Wizards of the Coast, about intersectional identities, her experiences as a woman of color in predominantly white gaming communities, and how tabletop RPGs can offer a safe space for people of color.

To enter the merch giveaway, head over to @victormediagrp on Instagram! Enter by May 27. Winner will be announced on the air on June 1.

01:05 -- Meet Jazmine!

06:10 -- “The boobs are fascinating”

11:00 -- What is intersectionality?

21:35 -- Welcoming diverse identities

30:30 -- Raising baby gamers

41:20 -- D&D diversity rewrites

As an affiliate, Victor Media Group may earn from qualifying purchases.

Mario Kart 64 -- https://amzn.to/3eSRArO

Pokemon Stadium (N64) -- https://amzn.to/3bwRdBc

Wandersong -- https://amzn.to/3tUxVfz

Spiritfarer -- https://amzn.to/2T1UUIZ

Animal Crossing -- https://amzn.to/3fs9y3G

Champions of Norrath (PS2) -- https://amzn.to/3oo9GFg

Super Smash Bros -- https://amzn.to/3fn7cTK

Dungeons and Dragons, 5th Edition -- https://amzn.to/32sfVhh

Edge of the Empire (Star Wars RPG) -- https://amzn.to/2RhvRRD

Wizards of the Coast -- https://company.wizards.com/en

Xbox Game Pass -- https://www.xbox.com/en-US/xbox-game-pass

Steam -- https://store.steampowered.com/

D&D diversity rewrites -- https://www.wired.com/story/dungeons-dragons-diversity/

Guest -- Jazmine Betz

Production by Victor Media Group, Inc. -- https://victormediagroup.co/

Original Music by Byson -- https://spoti.fi/3eoC47l

Creator / Host -- Clara Mount

Executive Producers -- J.B. Adams and Gerard Mitchell

Sound Editing -- Aaron Trnka

Gaming--and the communities we meet through gaming--can have a profound impact on mental health and social development. Some can even say that gaming literally saved their lives. Tune in to hear Missa Dawson, manager of the retail store The Gaming Goat in Mason, Ohio, share stories about how gaming has given her the courage to seek the help she needs, how RPGs helped her cope with social anxiety, and how Critical Role saved her life.

CW: talk of suicide and suicidal ideation.

01:14 -- Meet Missa!

06:45 -- Gaming is life

14:00 -- First experience with true acceptance

24:43 -- Coping with mental health challenges

29:32: -- How Critical Role saved Missa’s life

42:39 -- Fostering positive communities

As an affiliate, Victor Media Group may earn from qualifying purchases.

Magic: The Gathering -- https://magic.wizards.com/

Dungeons and Dragons, 5th Edition -- https://amzn.to/32sfVhh

Critical Role -- https://critrole.com/

National Suicide Prevention Lifeline -- 800-273-8255 (available 24/7)

Guest -- Missa Dawson

Production by Victor Media Group, Inc. -- https://victormediagroup.co/

Original Music by Byson -- https://spoti.fi/3eoC47l

Creator / Host -- Clara Mount

Executive Producers -- J.B. Adams and Gerard Mitchell

Sound Editing -- Aaron Trnka

Tabletop RPGs offer a unique and often underappreciated opportunity to explore elements of your identity in a safe space. Tune in to hear Oliver, our favorite Canadian forever GM, talk about his early gaming experiences including “Denny’s and Dragons,” how gaming impacted his trans journey, and how we can be better allies to trans gamers.

01:15 -- Meet Oliver!

09:35 -- Experimental role playing

15:10 -- Gaming and gender identity

29:25 -- Advice for GMs

33:05 -- Advice for allies in the gaming community

44:00 -- Influencing the industry

As an affiliate, Victor Media Group may earn from qualifying purchases.

Dungeons and Dragons, 5th Edition -- https://amzn.to/32sfVhh

Dark Heresy RPG -- https://amzn.to/3xamAef

Ragnarok Online -- http://iro.ragnarokonline.com/

Celeste -- https://amzn.to/3an990F

2064: Read Only Memories -- https://store.steampowered.com/app/330820/2064_Read_Only_Memories/

Roll20 -- https://roll20.net/

Discord -- https://discord.com/

One Punch Man -- https://amzn.to/3gsa43F

Guest -- Oliver

Production by Victor Media Group, Inc. -- https://victormediagroup.co/

Original Music by Byson -- https://spoti.fi/3eoC47l

Creator / Host -- Clara Mount

Executive Producers -- J.B. Adams and Gerard Mitchell

Sound Editing -- Aaron Trnka

How can playing games help us better understand the people we interact with every day? Tune in to hear Vivien Grimm, an avid LARPer, cosplayer, and model, give us the rundown on LARP basics, provide tips for how we can best enjoy this unique type of play, and describe why play is an essential part of being human.

01:20 -- Meet Vivien!

06:40 -- The power of unconditional acceptance

13:50 -- What is LARP?

23:20 -- The LARP renaissance

33:50 -- Vivien’s LARP journey

44:30 -- What LARP teaches you about empathy

Detroit: Become Human -- https://amzn.to/3fipfvC

The Witcher 3 -- https://amzn.to/3rlSvnT

New World Magischola -- https://magischola.com/

Vampire: The Masquerade -- https://www.oneworldofdarkness.com/explore-vampire-the-masquerade

Dystopia Rising -- http://www.dystopiarisinglarp.com/

Be-Con -- https://2019.beconlarp.com/

Intercon -- https://u.interconlarp.org/

Make A Scene -- https://makeascenemn.org/en/

Gen Con -- https://www.gencon.com/

Guest -- Vivien Grimm, https://linktr.ee/Vivienxgrimm

Production by Victor Media Group, Inc. -- https://victormediagroup.co/

Original Music by Byson -- https://spoti.fi/3eoC47l

Creator / Host -- Clara Mount

Executive Producer -- J.B. Adams

Sound Editing -- Aaron Trnka

What do you do when a game that is core to your life is unexpectedly ripped away from you? Today’s guest chose to fight the forces that took it from her. By day, Whitney Risner works in tech. By night, she serves as Board President of Super Heroines, Etc., a nonprofit that’s using the power of fandom to fight for equality and representation. Tune in to hear how Whitney is using games to create social change and transform her community.

01:15 -- Meet Whitney!

06:00 -- The Magic marriage

12:15 -- Why we need gaming safe spaces

21:19 -- How to transform your community

28:28 -- Gaming for social change

33:55 -- The community levels up

39:36 -- Find others like you

Mortal Kombat -- https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mortal_Kombat

Shaq Fu -- https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Shaq_Fu

Magic the Gathering -- https://magic.wizards.com/en

Super Heroines, Etc. -- https://superheroinesetc.org/

Friday Night Magic -- https://rb.gy/csvmso

Guest -- Whitney Risner, [email protected]

Production by Victor Media Group, Inc. -- https://victormediagroup.co/

Original Music by Byson -- https://spoti.fi/3eoC47l

Creator / Host -- Clara Mount

Executive Producer -- J.B. Adams

Sound Editing -- Aaron Trnka