Wargaming Recon

In this episode of Wargaming Recon, host Jonathan J. Reinhart and co-host Peter Bryant unveil the Golden Fez Awards, created to honor their late friend James Carpio. They discuss the awards’ origins, whimsical categories like the "Holy Hand Grenade Award," and the focus on indie games to promote accessibility. Peter shares insights on community collaboration and outreach efforts, including a partnership with Total Con. The duo reflects on the camaraderie within the gaming community and encourages listeners to celebrate their own gaming journeys while remembering the friendships that inspire them.

In this episode of Wargaming Recon, host Jonathan J. Reinhart and co-host Peter Bryant share practical tips for newcomers to the wargaming hobby. They discuss community connections, cost-effective strategies like using paper miniatures, and offer advice on miniature preparation and painting. Emphasizing inclusivity, they encourage listeners to engage with others, assuring that the journey into wargaming is rewarding and accessible.

In this episode of Wargaming Recon, host Jonathan J. Reinhart is joined by co-host Peter Bryant of Solarian Games. They dive into the exciting and often overwhelming world of wargaming, particularly focusing on how newcomers can seamlessly transition into this vibrant hobby. Opening with a light-hearted banter about their recent conventions, Peter shares his experiences at the Philadelphia Area Gaming Expo and reflects on the challenges of running games at events, complete with humorous anecdotes about attendance and snow cancellations. Together, they share their passion for connecting with the gaming community, emphasizing the importance of forming friendships in this shared hobby.

The ultimate theme of the episode revolves around practical advice on how to get started in wargaming. They discuss the intricacies of selecting the right games, emphasizing the varied paths newcomers can take based on their location and interests. For example, Jonathan suggests that while a rural enthusiast may instinctively turn to the internet for guidance, those in urban areas might benefit from visiting a local game store to gain exposure to available games and community interaction. Peter chimes in with his own journey of introducing new players to the dynamic environment of tabletop gaming, underscoring that visual stimuli often pique interest and serve as a compelling entry point into wargaming.

As the conversation evolves, Jonathan and Peter touch upon the often daunting costs associated with the hobby. They advocate for starting small, perhaps with a few friends or a modest budget, and even highlight the efficiency of employing paper miniatures as a cost-effective substitute for traditional models. Jonathan shares insights on the psychological driving factors behind spending—how visuals can lead to an emotional attachment to costly miniatures, even before diving into the intricacies of painting or assembly.

In an engaging segment, the duo addresses the various tools and techniques for preparing miniatures for gameplay, discussing everything from the essential hobby supplies needed to the joy of painting. They explore the ongoing debate over paint options, weighing the value of contrast paints against traditional acrylics, and emphasizes the importance of finding what makes the creative process enjoyable for each individual. Peter recounts his experiences with easy-to-use painting handles and dry brushing tips, fostering a shared enthusiasm for DIY craft approaches in wargaming.

Listeners will appreciate their genuine advice on forming connections and finding like-minded players, whether through local game stores, conventions, or even the digital realm. Peter suggests that the key to easing the entry into wargaming is being proactive—whether it’s starting a club at school, seeking out events at local libraries, or simply finding the right people to play with. They express excitement about fostering new players, inviting all listeners to come together as a community, and even banter about their playful predictions and light-hearted perceptions of the hobby landscape.

Throughout the episode, it’s clear that Jonathan and Peter share a passion for fostering inclusivity and camaraderie within the wargaming community. Their conversation encapsulates hope for all newcomers, providing encouragement and tangible tips that can aid them on their journey into the ever-expanding universe of wargaming. The takeaways are practical yet motivational, promising listeners that even in the face of challenges, the joy of wargaming offers a fun, rewarding experience that is well worth the effort.

You can contact Wargaming Recon using the following:

Facebook

Twitter

Instagram

Join our Patreon community and provide support to Wargaming Recon starting from just $1 per month, which is less than a paintbrush.

Credits

Our theme song is “Downtown” by Matthew Ebel. The podcast logo was created by Peter Bryant. Audio editing was done by Jonathan J. Reinhart. Show notes for this episode were written by Jonathan J. Reinhart.

This recording is licensed under a Creative Commons BY-NC-SA 3.0 license.

Disclosure

This post may contain affiliate links, and I may receive commissions or bonuses from your interactions with those links.

Wargaming Recon pays tribute to Andrew, a cherished listener whose invaluable support inspired the show's name. Let us observe a collective moment of silence to honor Andrew's memory.

We deeply mourn the loss of Adrian, a longstanding co-host of Wargaming Recon. Please join us in a moment of silence as we remember Adrian's contributions and the impact he had on the show.

[1:02] Welcome to Wargaming Recon. I am your host, Jonathan J. Reinhart. I am so excited to welcome you back to a new episode of the podcast. It is 2025, everybody. Here we are, you, me, our friends, and everybody else here for another calendar year of the podcast. I know we've been away for a while, and we'll talk about that a little bit later in the episode, but I want to dive right in to today's topic. We're going to be talking about some hobby tools that you can get from Foxbite Hobbies. So Foxbite is a small business and they make paintbrushes and painting handles. They had sent us some paintbrushes to review and I had also previously purchased a painting handle that I wanted to go ahead and use.

[1:59] And I just want to let you know all of that. We like to share when we get items for reviews or if there's sponsorships or anything like that kind of stuff. But as you know, if you've been a long time listener, right, that doesn't impact our review, doesn't sway our opinion, but we just like to be open and transparent about these things. So today we're going to be talking about this and we're starting off actually with their painting handle. Now, I know, I know, you're thinking, wait a sec, Jonathan is going to be sharing some ideas and thoughts about a painting handle? A painting handle?

[2:38] Paint brushes what the heck kind of parallel universe is this well I know I feel it too yo the truth is actually that I was testing these for about five months I started streaming on twitch at the end of June 2024 and i was building lego and painting minis yes i was painting the one who never paints who says, I'm never going to paint anything. I was painting minis. So I have used these and I painted for me quite a lot of things in that span of time. For some of you, I know the quantity of stuff that I painted and even the things I painted don't even pale in comparison, but that's okay. I'm running my own race and you should too. So I'm not just drawing these ideas out of thin air. They are actually based in, like I said, about five months of my experience.

[3:33] So let's talk about the painting handle, okay? Now, I have experience with a few different painting handles. I use the original Games Workshop Citadel painting handle. They have since come out with newer ones. They have an assembly handle. They have like an extra large painting handle. They have a regular painting handle. They have a variety, right? But the one that I started off with was a chonky boi, and they don't make that one anymore. I used it way back. I thought it was going to transform my painting and my hobbying. For a while, it was very useful, but it did not transform anything for me. Now, the difference here, first of all, is that if you are someone who's been using the GW one, and you haven't used any other painting handles out there, so like the GW one, it's made out of a very heavy-duty plastic.

[4:22] And it has magnets in the side that kind of clamp together part of the top to hold the mini in place. And clearly it is designed and intended for use with GW minis and on GW bases, right? So if you're not using something like that, it's not going to work as well for you.

[4:42] Now, Foxbite has you covered, in my opinion anyway. Their painting handle, it's made out of wood. It's a nice hard wood. Feels good in the hand it has some heft but it's not heavy it's you don't feel it's not laborious really is what i'm trying to say so as you're holding it right you're holding it and you have your mini on there and you're painting the mini you don't have that kind of fatigue from having something too heavy it is just right so that it feels good and when you move it you're not just going to be accidentally like and go fling it somewhere you know it's in your hand so it feels nice. It has a good finish on it. So it looks nice as well. It has a bunch of different wooden toppers. So they come in different shapes. There's circles, there's hexagons. They also have different sizes. So there's like smaller ones intended for a single 28 millimeter scale mini, or you could fit a few much smaller minis on there as well. They also have larger ones that are round or hexagon. And when I was using them, I actually used those for, I was doing some really small, I think they're like 15 mil terrain...

[5:53] I was painting houses and things like that. And I was able to get like a whole little farm yard on it and, and paint it like that. So I found it useful for that. Or if you're doing say 15 mil or 10 mil, you could get a whole unit on there and be painting it on one of these larger scale, larger size rather, toppers. The toppers are wood, as I said, again, the same finish as the painting handle and they're not a solid thick chunk that just sits on top of the painting candle. So they are like dremeled out on the inside so that you still have a good size lip going all the way around. So it's not fragile. It doesn't feel like it's going to break on you. It's solid construction, just like the painting handle is. But on the inside, the underside, actually I should say of it there is metallic wafer or disc and that is adhered on with some sort of glue and then that you take the whole topper and it sticks on through magnetism to the top of the painting handle and so they just they adhere really well and I should I'm I'm looking at one of the toppers right now, and I should just make sure to explain that.

[7:10] The part that they Dremel out on the underside of the topper is just enough to fit in that metallic disc or wafer. They don't Dremel any extra out, and the handle has the magnet in it, so it is something that gets a good hold. I should say, though, just to kind of put this out there, instead of doing all like, here's the pros, here's the cons, just kind of popping it in as we're talking about it that sometimes the magnetic discs fall out and i had that happen.

[7:43] I'm told it's fixed in the newer model, but for those who have this older model, or if you have one where it happens that it falls out, it's really an easy fix. You just get a hobby knife and you kind of scratch up the metallic wafer or disc so that you scratch it up. You put some nice solid glue on it. Super glue is going to help press it down, hold it for a while. It's going to connect and set and then you can use it per normal so you are good with that the painting handle comes with it makes me think of like a museum putty but it's some sort of putty so you can use that to adhere your minis to the toppers so that way they stick there while you're painting I found when I was painting that I was not necessarily gluing the minis to the base and then putting them on the painting. You know, sometimes I was just having a mini and I would do the base separately. And so I would use the putty and I'd adhere the mini to the topper. And that can be challenging depending on the type of mini and how it's designed. But generally, the museum putty worked pretty well. It held it pretty good and things just kind of stuck.

[9:03] A problem I came across, though, with the putty, museum putty or whatever it is, is that it is so sticky that it sticks really, really well to anything you put it with. So whether it's minis or the topper, you can get a lot of it off, but it is very sticky for lack of a better word. It just, it is. And so I would spend a significant amount of time going and removing it from the topper or from the mini or the base or whatever. And I have expressed this to the proprietor of Foxbite and they said they're going to try to work on it and see what they can do. But I just wanted to let you know that if you were to go ahead and purchase this, that you might come across that situation as well. You can absolutely get it off. It just takes a while. For me, the best thing that I did was you grab a bunch of the putty and you just keep using the putty to stick to the stuck putty. So if there's putty, right, stuck on the mini, you have some other putty and you just kind of keep on dabbing it and it'll grab putty off a little at a time, a little at a time, and eventually it'll be clear. So that can be difficult to remove, but you can do it. So I just wanted to mention that.

[10:18] Out of all the toppers, I have to say the hexagon ones were my favorite shape. And it's going to sound odd, right? To have a favorite shape. Why would you have a favorite shape topper? What does it matter? And why are they even in different shapes? So maybe it's just my brain playing tricks on me. As we know, my brain does play tricks on me, right? I think all our brains do that, but we know mine does, right? Because I live with anxiety and depression and PTSD and so forth. And so my brain definitely does stuff. I felt like the hexagon shapes were a little sturdier, right? And that they held better to the painting handles. Like the metal discs just were magnetized stronger. And I think part of that is because of the shape, it has that added strength, right? So you probably know that triangles are one of the strongest shapes there are, right? That like they just hold really well. they have a lot of oomph and the circle's not as much right so I found especially in larger sizes, if I was using a really large circle topper and I put it on the painting handle it could wobble a little like if I'm leaning on it that magnet is not strong enough to keep it because it's so much material that it could kind of push down and wobble a little bit and wouldn't be held as much whereas the hexagon was less likely to have that situation so I felt like the hexagon.

[11:47] Was just stronger and more durable that I also think it's more appealing kind of shape which is silly stupid thing but you're used to that for me uh but that it can it just it didn't have as much, excess material because of the shape and so that it was able to hold on more strongly with the magnet, I could be wrong. I could be imagining it,

In this episode Jonathan is joined by co-host Peter Bryant of Solarian Games. The pair discuss how someone can game on the cheap. Normally this can be an expensive hobby, but there are many ways that you can make it much cheaper. This will not be an exhaustive list, but hopefully it can give you some good ideas on where to start.

The first place to look is your local library. This is a free resource and many libraries have board games, video games and RPG books that you can use in the building or check out. Many will also have, or can get, Osprey books that you can use to research the history behind the game you will play. You might find that some have maker spaces and have #D printers or the tools that you can use to make models an/or terrain. They can even offer classes to teach you how to use these materials. You might find that some libraries even have the equipment needed to blog or podcast about your gaming.

There are also some online resources that you can use to get free or cheap gaming items.

WargameVault for wargaming materials and DriveThruRPG for RPG materials. (AFFILIATE LINKS) Both of these resources have tons of PDF's and POD (Print on Demand) that you can get for free or cheap; it is also full of all the materials that you could want for any type of game from D&D to Pathfinder to Bolt Action or Deathship One(these will not necessarily be free or cheap.)

For your figures one suggestion is Paper Boys or flats; they are an affordable way to game and you can just print more when you need them. Paperboys is run by Peter Dennis and he is an amazing resource at https://peterspaperboys.com. He also has a great series of books on Amazon, such as The American Revolutionary War (AFFILIATE LINK) that can be used as aides for your gaming.

If you are in need of dice you can find many by just using a search engine and typing in "dice roller." You can then type in the dice yo want rolled and it will roll them and give you a number. You can also search your app store and you can find many types of dice rollers that might suite your needs.

You can contact Wargaming Recon using the following:

Facebook

Twitter

Instagram

Join our Patreon community and provide support to Wargaming Recon starting from just $1 per month, which is less than a paintbrush.

Credits

Our theme song is “Downtown” by Matthew Ebel. The podcast logo was created by Peter Bryant. Audio editing was done by Joshua Shoobridge. Show notes for this episode were written by Jonathan J. Reinhart.

This recording is licensed under a Creative Commons BY-NC-SA 3.0 license.

Disclosure

This post may contain affiliate links, and I may receive commissions or bonuses from your interactions with those links.

Wargaming Recon pays tribute to Andrew, a cherished listener whose invaluable support inspired the show's name. Let us observe a collective moment of silence to honor Andrew's memory.

We deeply mourn the loss of Adrian, a longstanding co-host of Wargaming Recon. Please join us in a moment of silence as we remember Adrian's contributions and the impact he had on the show.

Game designers Peter Bryant of Solarian Games and Peter Saloom of Pear Tree Studio join Jonathan to discuss designing an adventure for roleplaying games (RPGs).  This is done by examining The Iselion Hybrid sci-fi adventure using the Savage Worlds system.  The adventure was created by Peter Saloom and Jonathan was one of the editors.

You can buy The Iselion Hybrid (AFFILIATE LINK) on DriveThruRPG.  It is a Copper Best Seller.

You can contact Wargaming Recon using the following:

Facebook

Twitter

Instagram

Join our Patreon community and provide support to Wargaming Recon starting from just $1 per month, which is less than a paintbrush.

Credits

Our theme song is “Downtown” by Matthew Ebel. The podcast logo was created by Peter Bryant. Audio editing was done by Joshua Shoobridge. Show notes for this episode were written by Jonathan J. Reinhart.

This recording is licensed under a Creative Commons BY-NC-SA 3.0 license.

Disclosure

This post may contain affiliate links, and I may receive commissions or bonuses from your interactions with those links.

Wargaming Recon pays tribute to Andrew, a cherished listener whose invaluable support inspired the show's name. Let us observe a collective moment of silence to honor Andrew's memory.

We deeply mourn the loss of Adrian, a longstanding co-host of Wargaming Recon. Please join us in a moment of silence as we remember Adrian's contributions and the impact he had on the show.

In this episode, I, Jonathan, share my live recording from Huzzah! 2024 in South Portland, Maine, post-pandemic. I'm joined by Joerg Bender of Things from the Basement.  The convention was a huge success with increased attendance, thanks to vendors like WeeWolf Miniatures, Bloody Scotsmen Games, and Trilaterum, who showcased top-notch products. Other vendors such as MSD Games, Day of Battle Games, Silver Eagle Games, and newcomers like Legendary Wares and Mountain Rogues and Farm also added to the event's vibrancy. Joerg expresses gratitude to all vendors and sponsors, including Warlord Games and Steve Jackson Games, for their contributions, along with HMGS for donating tickets for Historicon, making the event memorable for all.

Transitioning to local experiences, I praise Heidi's Brooklyn Deli for their quality food and affordable prices, setting a pleasant tone for upcoming events discussion. I introduce Brian Butler, VP of MHWA, who sheds light on the association's mission to unite gamers, provide diverse historical gaming options, and foster support for local venues. Our conversation delves into membership dues, event sponsorships, and the joy of painting at Huzzah, showcasing our shared love for historical wargaming and the tight-knit community of which we're part.

Reflecting on Brian judging a painting competition and meeting Brent Amsberger, a hobbyist with a standout YouTube channel, I share my gaming journey from childhood days to adult involvement in game stores and content creation on Ultramarines. The discussion with Brian leads to club management insights, plans for website enhancements, and the potential launch of a newsletter, highlighting our dedication to fostering gaming enthusiasm.

Lastly, with guest Petra Bender, Huzzah's organizer, shares the convention's resounding success with over 300 participants, a Hollywood theme, and teases next year's event details, building anticipation for what's to come.  We delve into the triumphs and challenges of running the Huzzah convention, emphasizing volunteer significance and unveiling next year's theme, "The Crossing," promising gaming diversity. We celebrate the best game session winners, strategize on elevating the painting contest's appeal for future editions, and spotlight the family-friendly allure of the event and Portland's surroundings. Our dialogue encapsulates the shared passion for gaming events, the welcoming ambiance of conventions, and the anticipation for upcoming immersive gaming experiences.

You can contact Wargaming Recon using the following:

Facebook

Twitter

Instagram

Join our Patreon community and provide support to Wargaming Recon starting from just $1 per month, which is less than a paintbrush.

Credits

Our theme song is “Downtown” by Matthew Ebel. The podcast logo was created by Peter Bryant. Audio editing was done by Jonathan J. Reinhart. Show notes for this episode were written by Jonathan J. Reinhart.

This recording is licensed under a Creative Commons BY-NC-SA 3.0 license.

Disclosure

This post may contain affiliate links, and I may receive commissions or bonuses from your interactions with those links.

Wargaming Recon pays tribute to Andrew, a cherished listener whose invaluable support inspired the show's name. Let us observe a collective moment of silence to honor Andrew's memory.

We deeply mourn the loss of Adrian, a longstanding co-host of Wargaming Recon. Please join us in a moment of silence as we remember Adrian's contributions and the impact he had on the show.

Jonathan and Peter discuss Jonathan's journey from adversity to podcasting, highlighting community, collaboration, and sustainability. They express gratitude to listeners and encourage creativity with perseverance and joy.

Today on Wargaming Recon, we are joined by Andrea Morton, who represents Boston Gaymers, an organization founded by Matt in 2017 with a mission to provide inclusive gaming spaces for the LGBTQ+ community. Boston Gaymers, boasting nearly 3,000 members on Discord, focuses on fostering relationships and inclusivity within the gaming world. They host a variety of events, from video game tournaments to board game nights, expanding their influence beyond Boston to encompass areas like Worcester and Providence. While their primary focus is on the LGBTQ+ community, Boston Gamers warmly welcomes allies who share their vision of combatting toxicity in gaming spaces. Through partnerships and events, the organization is committed to building a positive gaming community for all interested individuals. If you wish to join them, visit their website and subscribe to their monthly newsletter for updates on upcoming events and initiatives.

During our conversation, I express my delight in learning about the diverse range of events and initiatives happening in Boston's gaming community. Andi underscores the importance of offering both in-person and virtual options to enhance accessibility for all. We delve into the significance of inclusivity, particularly for marginalized groups within the LGBTQ+ community, stressing the value of listening, learning, and respecting each other's experiences. Building a culture of respect and understanding is key to creating a safe and welcoming space for all gamers, regardless of their backgrounds or identities. Our dialogue promotes empathy, acceptance, and ongoing education as essential elements for nurturing a more inclusive and supportive gaming environment.

We highlight the significance of acknowledging mistakes, learning from them, and embracing personal growth while showing respect towards others on their journeys. Self-awareness, recognizing privilege, and avoiding centering issues around oneself are vital aspects we discuss. We emphasize the importance of not burdening marginalized individuals with the task of educating others and the necessity of seeking resources independently to broaden one's understanding. Additionally, we touch upon the crucial roles of allyship, representation, and inclusivity in establishing safe environments for the LGBTQ+ community within tabletop gaming conventions. By fostering diversity, event organizers can contribute to creating a space where all participants feel valued, respected, and heard.

In our conversation, we explore the concept of inclusivity without performative displays and stress the importance of cultivating a space that welcomes individuals from diverse backgrounds authentically. We address misconceptions surrounding marginalized communities and the dangers of seeking "gotcha" moments, highlighting the significance of empathy and understanding in building connections. Our discussion delves into the use of the term "queer" and the importance of representation in games developed by marginalized groups. We delve into the impactful role of storytelling in videogames like Celeste, which serves as an allegory for trans identity, sharing personal anecdotes and connections to the game. Furthermore, we touch upon the upcoming events organized by Boston Gaymers, including an upcoming video game tournament that incorporates a two-tier system to ensure inclusivity and enjoyment for all participants. We stress the value of creating spaces where individuals of all skill levels can relish gaming in a supportive and inclusive atmosphere.

In this episode, we highlight Boston Gaymers' emphasis on 18+ oriented events while also recognizing the importance of family-friendly programming, such as the family board game afternoons held in collaboration with the Boston Public Library. Despite primarily catering to adults, Boston Gaymers endeavors to broaden their offerings to include family-oriented activities. Our conversation delves into the upcoming events, including collaborations with entities like the Boston Public Library and participation in conventions like the Rising Phoenix Game Con. We underscore various ways to stay connected with Boston Gamers, such as joining their Discord server, following them on Instagram, and subscribing to their newsletter. The episode wraps up with a reminder to stay engaged with the gaming community and continue enjoying gaming experiences.

Stay current with Boston Gaymers:

Instagram

Discord

Website

Resources mentioned by Andrea Morton:

White Tears/Brown Scars: How White Feminism Betrays Women of Color by Ruby Hamad (affiliate link)

https://www.youtube.com/@ContraPoints

https://www.youtube.com/@caelanconrad

https://www.youtube.com/@PhilosophyTube

https://www.youtube.com/@KatBlaque

https://www.youtube.com/@LilySimpson

https://www.youtube.com/@JessieGender1/videos

You can contact Wargaming Recon using the following:

Facebook

Twitter

Instagram

Join our Patreon community and provide support to Wargaming Recon starting from just $1 per month, which is less than a paintbrush.

Credits

Our theme song is “Downtown” by Matthew Ebel. The podcast logo was created by Peter Bryant. Audio editing was done by Jonathan J. Reinhart. Show notes for this episode were written by Jonathan J. Reinhart.

This recording is licensed under a Creative Commons BY-NC-SA 3.0 license.

Disclosure

This post may contain affiliate links, and I may receive commissions or bonuses from your interactions with those links.

Wargaming Recon pays tribute to Andrew, a cherished listener whose invaluable support inspired the show's name. Let us observe a collective moment of silence to honor Andrew's memory.

We deeply mourn the loss of Adrian, a longstanding co-host of Wargaming Recon. Please join us in a moment of silence as we remember Adrian's contributions and the impact he had on the show.

Peter Saloom and Jonathan share their experiences at Rising Phoenix Game Convention 2024.  Peter spent all three days in the gaming halls running RPGs (roleplaying games).  Jonathan explored the convention for the very first time.  Rising Phoenix Game Convention is a friendly, inclusive, and fun tabletop gaming convention focused on RPGs.  It provides a safe space for all to gather and play games in an enjoyable atmosphere.

At the con Peter GMed sessions featuring the Savage Worlds adventures Shadows of the Sacred Hills (affiliate link) and The Iselion Hybrid (affiliate link).  He created both adventures and publishes them through his Pear Tree Studio. Jonathan roamed the con like a busy bee stopping, from time to time, at different vendors and gaming areas.  Jonathan also spent a chunk of time at the Boston Gaymers' booth.

You can contact Wargaming Recon using the following:

Facebook

Twitter

Reddit

Join our Patreon community and provide support to Wargaming Recon starting from just $1 per month, which is less than a paintbrush.

Credits

Our theme song is “Downtown” by Matthew Ebel. The podcast logo was created by Peter Bryant. Audio editing was done by the incomparable Joshua Shoobridge. Show notes for this episode were written by Jonathan J. Reinhart.

This recording is licensed under a Creative Commons BY-NC-SA 3.0 license.

Disclosure

This post may contain affiliate links, and I may receive commissions or bonuses from your interactions with those links.

Wargaming Recon pays tribute to Andrew, a cherished listener whose invaluable support inspired the show's name. Let us observe a collective moment of silence to honor Andrew's memory.

We deeply mourn the loss of Adrian, a longstanding co-host of Wargaming Recon. Please join us in a moment of silence as we remember Adrian's contributions and the impact he had on the show.

Jay Parker and Jonathan recorded this episode LIVE in the seminar room at TotalCon 2024.  Jay Parker was on Episode 291 where they talked about AI Art.

This time the pair discuss Jay's new cyperpunk themed RPG called Katana-Ra.

Jay explains how his game mechanics are different from others on the market.  He gives an example of a sample turn for us to better understand how the system works. Jay also covers the always important character creation and advancement. Along with how you can customize your character after you have created them.

The cyberpunk setting is filled with fantastic cybernetics and technology to use, while at the same time having the overbearing corporations and challenging players with moral and ethical dilemmas of a dystopian society.

Jay covers some of the corporations and organizations in the world as well as some of the challenges and obstacles that the players will encounter in their adventures.

They move on to talking about the playtesting and how the feedback impacted the games development before talking about the mixed reviews the game has received so far. Even the one star reviews compliment the worldbuilding and the setting overall.  The main drawbacks brought up are system and dice rolling itself, Jay talks about the critiques and how he thinks people might be misunderstanding the rules and system.

You can contact Wargaming Recon using the following:

Facebook

Twitter

Reddit

Join our Patreon community and provide support to Wargaming Recon starting from just $1 per month, which is less than a paintbrush.

Credits

Our theme song is “Downtown” by Matthew Ebel. The podcast logo was created by Peter Bryant. Audio editing was done by the incomparable Joshua Shoobridge. Show notes for this episode were written by Robert Dunn.

This recording is licensed under a Creative Commons BY-NC-SA 3.0 license.

Disclosure

This post may contain affiliate links, and I may receive commissions or bonuses from your interactions with those links.

Wargaming Recon pays tribute to Andrew, a cherished listener whose invaluable support inspired the show's name. Let us observe a collective moment of silence to honor Andrew's memory.

We deeply mourn the loss of Adrian, a longstanding co-host of Wargaming Recon. Please join us in a moment of silence as we remember Adrian's contributions and the impact he had on the show.