What Would The Smart Party Do?

Episode 74 - DIY Gaming

(a.k.a. It's Only Got to be Good Enough)

Back by popular demand! The Smart Party presents DIY gaming – what do they mean by this? A bit of reminiscing about how it used to be “back in the day”, a dash of OSR and writing your own stuff, and advice to stop creating and start playing!

Already building your own stuff? Give the lads your view via Facebook, on the Twitters: @the_smart_party or email the guys directly!

Enable the purchasing of virtual nuts and bolts by becoming a Patreon supporter, and you too can get great content - including a fanzine - Smartzine #1. Already a Patreon and want to appear in a scenario? Drop the guys a line via the above methods and they'll make something happen.

Bonus Episode - Runequest Actual Play

As a special feature, here's some actual play of the Free RPG Day adventure which is still available at the Chaosium site. The lads along with Mat Hart (currently warming up to release Dungeons & Doggies read more on Facebook here) faced the perils of Glorantha, as realised by Dirk the Dice from The Grognard Files.

Something different to keep you going while we get more content for you dear listeners, many thanks to Dirk for helping out and doing an edit as well as ably running a fun session!

Got games stuff to talk about? Give the lads your view via Facebook, on the Twitters: @the_smart_party or email the guys directly!

Help keep the show running by becoming a Patreon supporter, and you too can get great content - including a fanzine - Smartzine #1. Already a Patreon and want to appear in a scenario? Drop the guys a line via the above methods and they'll make something happen.

Bonus Episode - Runequest Actual Play

As a special feature, here's some actual play of the Free RPG Day adventure which is still available at the Chaosium site. The lads along with Mat Hart (currently warming up to release Dungeons & Doggies read more on Facebook here) faced the perils of Glorantha, as realised by Dirk the Dice from The Grognard Files.

Something different to keep you going while we get more content for you dear listeners, many thanks to Dirk for helping out and doing an edit as well as ably running a fun session!

Got games stuff to talk about? Give the lads your view via Facebook, on the Twitters: @the_smart_party or email the guys directly!

Help keep the show running by becoming a Patreon supporter, and you too can get great content - including a fanzine - Smartzine #1. Already a Patreon and want to appear in a scenario? Drop the guys a line via the above methods and they'll make something happen.

Episode 73 - UK Games Expo Preview

(a.k.a. Bring Back The Beer Bus)

Spring has sprung, and that can mean only one thing, it's nearly time for UK Games Expo! The lads are stalwarts of the show, and joined by fellow podcaster, reviewer and Expo veteran Iain McAllister of the Giant Brain to talk about what's hot, top tips and generally enthuse about the event. You can read more detail of his Top Ten Hit List here.

Obviously listening to our excellent chat about Expo gives you all you need to know, but if you want more information, then head over to the beginner's guide on their website for all the details you could ever want!

Going to Games Expo? Give the lads your view via Facebook, on the Twitters: @the_smart_party or email the guys directly!

Enable the purchasing of something delicious from the Expo street stalls to sustain our intrepid reporters by becoming a Patreon supporter, and you too can get great content - including a fanzine - Smartzine #1. Already a Patreon and want to appear in a scenario? Drop the guys a line via the above methods and they'll make something happen.

Episode 73 - UK Games Expo Preview

(a.k.a. Bring Back The Beer Bus)

Spring has sprung, and that can mean only one thing, it's nearly time for UK Games Expo! The lads are stalwarts of the show, and joined by fellow podcaster, reviewer and Expo veteran Iain McAllister of the Giant Brain to talk about what's hot, top tips and generally enthuse about the event. You can read more detail of his Top Ten Hit List here.

Obviously listening to our excellent chat about Expo gives you all you need to know, but if you want more information, then head over to the beginner's guide on their website for all the details you could ever want!

Going to Games Expo? Give the lads your view via Facebook, on the Twitters: @the_smart_party or email the guys directly!

Enable the purchasing of something delicious from the Expo street stalls to sustain our intrepid reporters by becoming a Patreon supporter, and you too can get great content - including a fanzine - Smartzine #1. Already a Patreon and want to appear in a scenario? Drop the guys a line via the above methods and they'll make something happen.

Episode 72 - Downtime Abbey

(a.k.a. You're Not My Supervisor)

What to do with those pesky players when they're not delving in dungeons? How to convince the GM you need time to fanny around and go shopping for booster potions with real characters? Two sides of the same copper piece my friends, this week the lads talk about downtime or what goes on in games when you're not doing the core activity (be that punching orcs in the face or using Traveller to model Elite). What do you do with your time outside of the usual stuff? Robin Laws once had a gaming group that would bang the table and shout "Next fight! Next fight!", but the Smart Party like to think there's more constructive actions that could be filling the gaming space.

Run your first game? Need advice? Give the lads your view via Facebook, on the Twitters: @the_smart_party or email the guys directly!

Enable the purchasing of more outrageous hats by becoming a Patreon supporter, and you too can get great content - including a fanzine - Smartzine #1. Already a Patreon and want to appear in a scenario? Drop the guys a line via the above methods and they'll make something happen.

Episode 72 - Downtime Abbey

(a.k.a. You're Not My Supervisor)

What to do with those pesky players when they're not delving in dungeons? How to convince the GM you need time to fanny around and go shopping for booster potions with real characters? Two sides of the same copper piece my friends, this week the lads talk about downtime or what goes on in games when you're not doing the core activity (be that punching orcs in the face or using Traveller to model Elite). What do you do with your time outside of the usual stuff? Robin Laws once had a gaming group that would bang the table and shout "Next fight! Next fight!", but the Smart Party like to think there's more constructive actions that could be filling the gaming space.

Run your first game? Need advice? Give the lads your view via Facebook, on the Twitters: @the_smart_party or email the guys directly!

Enable the purchasing of more outrageous hats by becoming a Patreon supporter, and you too can get great content - including a fanzine - Smartzine #1. Already a Patreon and want to appear in a scenario? Drop the guys a line via the above methods and they'll make something happen.

Episode 71 - New GM Advice

(a.k.a. Your Job Is To Lose Every Fight)

How do you go about running your first game? Do you want to be a DM, GM, LM, Referee or Keeper? Perhaps you've played for years but never run a game, maybe you've never gamed at all, is could be you tried running games and didn't really get on with it. Fear not! The Smart Party are here to help. The lads go through how to go about running your first RPG with everything from whether you should buy and adventure, to giving yourself enough credit and the minutiae of wee breaks. They're super keen to know how you get on should you try a game - so let them know - and please do share with any friends you think might benefit from some sage advice.

Run your first game? Need advice? Give the lads your view via Facebook, on the Twitters: @the_smart_party or email the guys directly!

Enable the purchasing of more outrageous hats by becoming a Patreon supporter, and you too can get great content - including a fanzine - Smartzine #1. Already a Patreon and want to appear in a scenario? Drop the guys a line via the above methods and they'll make something happen.

Episode 71 - New GM Advice

(a.k.a. Your Job Is To Lose Every Fight)

How do you go about running your first game? Do you want to be a DM, GM, LM, Referee or Keeper? Perhaps you've played for years but never run a game, maybe you've never gamed at all, is could be you tried running games and didn't really get on with it. Fear not! The Smart Party are here to help. The lads go through how to go about running your first RPG with everything from whether you should buy and adventure, to giving yourself enough credit and the minutiae of wee breaks. They're super keen to know how you get on should you try a game - so let them know - and please do share with any friends you think might benefit from some sage advice.

Run your first game? Need advice? Give the lads your view via Facebook, on the Twitters: @the_smart_party or email the guys directly!

Enable the purchasing of more outrageous hats by becoming a Patreon supporter, and you too can get great content - including a fanzine - Smartzine #1. Already a Patreon and want to appear in a scenario? Drop the guys a line via the above methods and they'll make something happen.

Episode 70 - Dungeons and Dragons

(a.k.a. There's this new game called D&D)

There's a new hwatness on the streets that you may not have heard of. It's called Dungeons & Dragons and has loads of editions apparently. Who knew? Baz and Gaz have managed a couple of sessions (after finally making a save versus paralysis), and what's more have been on the same side of the DM screen for once. Baz patiently talks a sceptical Gaz through the joys of the Player's Handbook and they finish off with a score out of five scimitars for the game. Join them on a magical journey, and discover the legality of Owlbears, how to fall down a mountain and how to turn a Halfling into Robin Hood.

Should the guys talk about the Dungeon Master's Guide? Monster Manuals? More? Give them your view via Facebook, on the Twitters: @the_smart_party or email the guys directly!

Deliver copper-painted platinum pieces to the Patreon fund, and you too can get great content - including a fanzine - Smartzine #1. Already a Patreon and want to appear in a scenario? Drop the guys a line via the above methods and they'll make something happen.