Have Master, Will Plan #1 with Ryan Macklin, part 1 0:34 - A few weeks ago, at the second Nerdly Beach Party, I recorded a conversation with Ryan Macklin (of the Master Plan podcast) that we've both decided to release. 2:10 - This show is part of the Gaming Broadcast Network. 2:16 - There's a bit of silliness at the beginning, including Ryan naming me Mastermind of the Year for 2007, but eventually we get around to talking about the Nerdly Beach Party 2. 11:20 - Ryan talks about his experience with playing 1001 Nights, and we spin off on the idea of revisiting games and single-session play. 16:57 - Ryan waxes nostalgic about Unknown Armies, and we talk about goal-oriented play and design. 23:27 - I talk about my group's Burning Empires game, the way we use interstitial scenes, and how we sometimes move the emphasis off of conflict. 34:42 - One of the things I've learned in that game is that you should never have a Duel of Wits that you're not willing to lose. Embracing that possibility, however, can generate great drama. 39:29 - While both Ryan and I really enjoy games like Burning Empires and their goal-oriented style, we also really enjoy A Penny For My Thoughts, which like 1001 Nights, is not a strongly goal-oriented game. We talk about what it is about these more collaborative storytelling games that grabs us, what we've learned about playing them, and how that can leak out into games like Dirty Secrets. 47:46 There are more great gaming podcasts at RPGPodcasts.com. 47:52 If you want to hear more about Project Cowbell, design ideas, and our thoughts on publishing, check out part 2 of this conversation over on the Master Plan feed. --PaulDiscuss this episode in the HG,WT forum

Listen Now:

Reign and the Relationship between Narration and Mechanics 0:37 - I'm here today to talk about an RPG I've played recently some thoughts on a unique feature of roleplaying games. 1:22 - This show is a part of the Gaming Broadcast Network. 1:28 - Reign, by Greg Stolze, is a One Roll Engine game set in an extraordinarily fantastical world. I had the opportunity to play a short campaign of it, and I wanted to share my thoughts on it. 19:37 - Have Games, Will Travel is supported by RPGNow.com 19:55 - Inspired by Chris Chinn's post on Fictional Positioning, I've been thinking a lot recently about the interaction between narration and mechanics in different RPGs. 28:21 - Find more podcasts like this one at RPGPodcasts.com. 28:26 - I promise I'll be back in two weeks with another show. --PaulDiscuss this episode in the HG,WT forum

Listen Now:

In Memoriam: E. Gary Gygax--PaulDiscuss this episode in the HG,WT forum

Listen Now:

Delta Green and Ticket To Ride Switzerland and 1910 Expansions0:37 - I'm coming down with a cold, but I want to talk about some games I've been looking at in the last few months before too much time goes by. 1:35 - This show is part of the Gaming Broadcast Network. 1:43 - Delta Green is a classic 1990s campaign framework for Call of Cthulhu, as detailed in Delta Green, Delta Green: Eyes Only, and Delta Green: Countdown. What would I do with it? Listen and find out. 15:23 - Have Games, Will Travel is supported by RPGNow.com. 15:42 - Two new expansions for Ticket To Ride have breathed new life into one of my favorite games: Switzerland and 1910. 22:40 - Find more podcasts like this one at RPGPodcasts.com. 22:47 - I was just at Dreamation, which you can hear about on episode 16 of The Voice of the Revolution. And OrcCon is coming! I'll be there February 15-18, and I'd love to see you there. --PaulDiscuss this episode in the HG,WT forum

Listen Now:

Year-end Review for 2007 0:32 - In this episode I take a look back at my gaming in 2007. 1:32 - This show is a member of the Gaming Broadcast Network. 1:39 - I played fewer new games and fewer board games overall in 2007, but I still had a lot of fun. Top New Game: Zooloretto; Honorable Mentions: Arkadia, Pizza Box Baseball Top New (To Me) Game: Hammer of the Scots; Honorable Mentions: The Napoleonic Wars, Twilight Struggle 15:01 - Have Games, Will Travel is supported by RPGNow.com. 15:21 - Last year was pretty good for board games, but it was clearly my best year ever for roleplaying. I enjoyed not only encountering new gems but also revisiting old favorites. Top New Game: Grey Ranks; Honorable Mentions: The Committee for the Exploration of Mysteries, The Blossoms Are Falling Top New (To Me) Game: Primetime Adventures; Honorable Mentions: HeroQuest, Burning Empires 28:46 - You can find more RPG podcasts at RPGPodcasts.com. 28:53 - It will be hard to top a year in which I designed my first game, started doing improv, won an ENnie, but I'm going to try in 2008. --PaulDiscuss this episode in the HG,WT forum

Listen Now:

Buy Graham's BookInspired by Play Unsafe by Graham Walmsley(See also my conversation with Remi Treuer about improv and gaming in episodes 97 and 98.)--PaulDiscuss this episode in the HG,WT forum

Listen Now:

Hammer of the Scots and PBeM wargames 0:34 - Inspired by For A Few Games More #6, I've guilted myself into finally getting this episode recorded. 1:28 - This show is a member of the Gaming Broadcast Network. 1:37 - Hammer of the Scots is one of my favorite new wargames, combining an elegant design with strategically asymmetric sides. 21:00 - Have Games, Will Travel is supported by RPGNow.com. 21:18 - I've been playing a few wargames recently via PBeM, using Cyberboard, VASSAL, and ACTS. 31:03 - And that will do it for today's show. --PaulDiscuss this episode in the HG,WT forum

Listen Now:

Re-evaluating My Gaming Life (and My Recent Lack of Gaming)--PaulDiscuss this episode in the HG,WT forum

Listen Now:

Post-GenCon Grab Bag 0:33 - This episode is much later than I'd like, but I'm finally back from my post-GenCon hiatus. 1:14 - This show is part of the Gaming Broadcast Network. 1:21 - First up on my review pile is 40 Years of GenCon, an oral history of North America's biggest gaming convention. 4:12 - I was bowled over by Hobby Games: The 100 Best, a collection of essays by one hundred game designers about their favorite games. 8:48 - Have Games, Will Travel is supported by RPGNow.com 9:06 - I finally got a chance to read two books I contributed to, Finis: A Book of Endings to Give People New Beginnings and the Story Games Names Project. 10:59 - My favorite game from GenCon so far is Grey Ranks, a roleplaying game about child soldiers during the 1944 Warsaw Uprising. 12:02 - I haven't been playing much recently, but my group is getting ready to play Burning Empires (PDF). I've also managed to fit in some Play-by-Email games of Hammer of the Scots and Sword of Rome. 13:27 - Don't forget about my other gaming podcast, The Voice of the Revolution, and my Actual Play weblog, A Fistful of Games. --PaulDiscuss this episode in the HG,WT forum

Listen Now:

Inside The Game Designer's Studio with Monte Cook 0:36 - Today's episode is an interview of Monte Cook for Inside the Game Designer's Studio, conducted at GenCon 2007. 1:47 - This show is part of the Gaming Broadcast Network. 1:54 - I welcome Monte, grill him on his game design history, and eventually subject him to the famous "10 Questions." 32:30 - With my work complete, I turn Monte over to the audience for a question and answer session for the remainder of the interview. 1:00:09 - Mike Sugarbaker from the OgreCave Audio Report says hello. 1:00:21 -Thank you very much to Monte and Jared Sorensen for making this happen. Special thanks to Ethan Parker from Gamer's Haven for providing me with this recording. --PaulDiscuss this episode in the HG,WT forum

Listen Now:

How I Learned to Stop Worrying and Love Social Combat MechanicsInspired by Episode 9 of the Grimm Studios podcast.(See also what I want from a gaming system in episode 86.)--PaulDiscuss this episode in the HG,WT forum

Listen Now:

Interview with Kenneth Hite at GenCon 2007 0:37 - I sat down with frequent guest Kenneth Hite at GenCon to talk about what we saw at the show that excited us. 1:26 - This show is a member of the Goblin Broadcast Network. 1:33 - Ken and I weren't able to do this at GenCon last year, as he was at Ropecon in Finland. He's glad to be back. 3:34 - Both of us were tremendously impressed by Jason Morningstar's Grey Ranks, a game about the 1944 Warsaw Uprising. 6:12 - Ken got a glimpse at Julia Ellingboe's Steal Away Jordan, a game about slavery in the antebellum American South. I had the opportunity to play in a demo of it, and it deeply affected me as well. 10:13 - I tried to pick up The Savage Tales of Solomon Kane from Pinnacle, but it was sold out. 11:50 - Neither of us have a had chance to read Monte Cook's World of Darkness or Changeling: The Lost from White Wolf, but they look great. 12:49 - Both of us have had a chance to look at Blossoms Are Falling, the newest supplement Burning Wheel supplement, covering Heian-era Japan. 13:47 - We talk about the Ashcan Front, using Paul Czege's Acts of Evil as an example. 16:09 - Oh yeah, and Dungeons and Dragons 4th Edition was announced, but we don't know that much specific about it. That doesn't stop us from speculating. 20:33 - Edited by James Lowder, Hobby Games: The 100 Best is a great collection of essays by one hundred game designers about their favorite games. We recommend it, and not just because Ken is one of those hundred. 23:58 - Both us were jazzed by different parts of Post-Apocalyptic Hero, the latest Hero System genre book. 24:36 - In the quick hits segment we talk about the Pirate's Guide to Freeport, Dirty Secrets, The Committee for the Exploration of Mysteries, and Blood and Bronze. 27:23 True to form, Ken manages a seamless segue to talk about the forthcoming Trail of Cthulhu before we go. 28:42 - Don Dehm from the Parsec Award-winning Pulp Gamer podcast says hello. 28:48 - I'll be back next episode with my interview with Monte Cook for Inside the Game Designers Studio. --PaulDiscuss this episode in the HG,WT forum.

Listen Now:

Episode 100 0:33 - Welcome to episode 100! GenCon was a great time, not only because of the roast we recorded for this episode, but also because Have Games, Will Travel won the Gold ENnie for Best Podcast. Thanks to all of you for support. 3:16 - This show is a member of the Gaming Broadcast Network. 3:24 - Ryan Macklin of Master Plan kicks off the festivities at GenCon. He take his duties as Roastmaster seriously. 4:18 - Jared Sorensen and his index cards get the party started. 8:14 - Rich Rogers from Canon Puncture demonstrates why I donât do a vidcast. 11:39 - Fred Hicks signs over his soul. 16:34 - Don Dehm from Pulp Gamer tries to convince people thatâs heâs actually Derek. 19:30 - Jeff, Judd, and Storn from the Sons of Kryos bring the love. Tough, tough love. 23:27 - Silas Applebottom of The Little Shop of Crappy Games in Deathtrap, IA (aka Randy Porter) talks about my gaming past. 26:40 - Jeff Tidball tells a story thatâs funny because itâs true. 29:23 - Michelle Nephew talks about the experience of working with me at conventions. 31:07 - JJ Lanza from Fist Full of Comics and Games explores my obsession to be first with everything. 33:34 - Mario Dongu from the Game Master Show reads the Top 5 list the Pod Thralls prepared. 37:48 - Brennan Taylor, my co-host from The Voice of the Revolution, tells us what itâs like to do a podcast with me. 40:58 - Frequent guest Kenneth Hite gives us a sneak peak as to what itâs like to play in games with me. (Note to Ken: Charles Grodin never won an Oscar.) 48:10 - Ryan opens up the floor to questions. 52:10 - I finally get a chance to speak my peace and look back at one hundred amazing episodes. 1:02:08 - Chris Hanrahan and Brian Isikoff from 2d6 Feet in a Random Direction pass along their congratulations. 1:02:32 - And that will do it for Have Games, Will Travel #100. Thank you all for making this possible. --PaulDiscuss this episode in the HG,WT forum.

Listen Now:

GenCon 2007 Preview 0:33 - Before I talk about GenCon, I want to thank Doug Garrett for a great weekend of boardgames. You can hear me talk with Doug and others on episode 77 of Garrett's Games and Geekiness. 1:57 - This show is a member of the Goblin Broadcast Network. 2:04 - If you're going to GenCon for the first time, check out my GenCon Survival Guide in episode 69. Also be sure to take a look at Randy Porter's website, The Keeper of Ancient GenCon Lore. If you're interested in indie and story games, the Indie Games Passport and Games on Demand may be of interest to you. 6:15 - Stuff I already know I'm buying: Pirates Guide to Freeport Post-Apocalyptic Hero Solomon Kane Blossoms are Falling The Roach Returns Grey Ranks The Drifter's Escape 12:53 - I'm going to check out: Commission for the Exploration of Mysteries Blood & Bronze Cold City Companion Bliss Stage Hollow Earth Expedition Changling: The Lost Battlestar Galactica Grimm Hobby Games: The 100 Best 40 Years of GenCon Midgard Cold War: CIA vs KGB Before the Wind Storytellers 19:07 - Ryan Macklin says hi. 19:14 - Places you can find me: Inside the Game Designers Studio, Friday 4-5PM, Embassy Suites: Chancellor 1ENnies, Friday 9:30 PM, Indiana Roof Ballroom Podcasters Party, Saturday 7-9 PM, Hyatt: Cosmopolitan B HG,WT #100, after the Podcasters Party Ashcan Front Booth (#1940), throughout the show --PaulDiscuss this episode in the HG,WT forum.

Listen Now:

Improv and Gaming Conversation with Remi Treuer, Part 20:33 - Today's episode is the second half of my conversation with Remi Treuer of the Durham 3 about improv and roleplaying.1:27 - This show is a member of the Gaming Broadcast Network.1:34 - Having talked about how improv and gaming are different, Remi and I dig into improv techniques that can be use effectively in roleplaying, starting with reincorporation and listening.9:33 - We dig into "Yes, And. . ." and the potential problems surrounding it.16:42 - I bring up the issue of sharing cool ideas immediately rather than hoarding them.22:57 - We talk about vastly different role that endowment plays in improv and gaming, and Remi points out a clever twist on how to use it effectively.30:48 - Remi brings up "I'm going to make you awesome" as a great tool in both improv and roleplaying before we sum up. I then go off on the new improv format my troupe is trying out and how itâs a lot like roleplaying.37:29 - With my conversation with Remi concluded, I disclose my plan for recording episode 100 at GenCon. Ryan Macklin of the Master Plan podcast will be the Master of Ceremonies and Roastmaster. Even if you can't be there, please send along emails and audio clips to havegameswilltravel@gmail.com.40:59 Speaking of GenCon, next episode will be the pre-GenCon show. --PaulDiscuss this episode in the HG,WT forum.

Listen Now:

Improv and Gaming Conversation with Remi Treuer, Part 1 0:33 - This is your last chance to vote for the ENnies and potentially impoverish me. Voting closes July 29th. 3:09 - This show is a member of the Gaming Broadcast Network. 3:16 - Remi Treuer, one third of the Durham 3, sits down with me to talk about the relationship between improv and roleplaying. We start off by explaining our improv backgrounds, Remi's with Dirty South Improv and mine with Ventura Area TheatreSports. 10:24 - With that out of the way, we start exploring the ways in which improv isn't roleplaying and vice versa, starting with the idea of the space around the game. 16:38 - We discuss how conflicts and arguments work very differently between improv and roleplaying. 27:20 - And that does it for part one of our conversation. Next episode, we'll discuss what things can be stolen from improv and taken back to gaming. --PaulDiscuss this episode in the HG,WT forum.

Listen Now:

Engel Matrix Games and the Indie RPG Awards 0:33 - Voting for the ENnies is now open. Before you fill out your ballots, I recommend checking out the Summer Revolution and the ENnies Nominations special episode of Gamer's Haven. 3:18 - Robin Laws gives us his blessing. 3:25 - Engle Matrix Games, from Chris Engle's Hamster Press, provide a unique approach to colloborative story creation. I talk about my experiences with Dracula and Evil Wizard School: The Final Lesson. 16:13 - This show is a member of the Gaming Broadcast Network. 16:22 - John Kim and I discuss the Indie RPG Awards. 29:42 - Mick Bradley flatters me. 29:53 - Before I go, I make a plug for the HG,WT Guild on BoardGameGeek and the next installment in the Strategicon series of conventions. --Paul Discuss this episode in the HG,WT forum.

Listen Now:

Origins 2007 Round Table with Chris Hanrahan, Fred Hicks, and Kenneth Hite 0:38 - Before talking about Origins, I briefly discuss the ENnies. This show, along with The Sons of Kryos, The Godzilla Gaming Podcast, Yog Radio, and Fear the Boot, has been nominated for Best Podcast. 4:01 - The Sons of Kryos say hi. 4:14 - Chris Hanrahan (of 2d6 Feet In a Random Direction) and I corner Fred Hicks and Kenneth Hite to talk about our time at Origins, starting with our great dinner at the Burgundy Room. 7:25 - With that out of the way, Fred gives us the scoop on the Indie Press Revolution booth, while I talk about the joy of giving Luke Crane his Origins Award for Burning Empires. This led to a discussion of this year's voting procedure for the Origins Award and how important activism was. 12:08 - Ken talks about carry, Aces and Eights, and Witch Hunter. 23:23 - Prompted by Ken, Fred discusses his time at the IPR booth, focusing on Spirit of the Century and Don't Rest You Head. I mention Battlestations in passing, and Ken demands that I put a link to it in the show notes. 25:21 - We get Chris to talk about his love for new Battletech products. Drool is involved. 28:20 - Jerry Corrick of Adventure Retail and the Source gets serious kudos from Ken for his impressive stock of Cthulhiana and Lovecraft books (including The Kalem Klub and The Monster in the Mirror). 32:48 - I talk about playing board games, especially in the Board Room run by the Columbus Area Boardgaming Society. Among them were Zooloretto, Pizza Box Baseball, Lost Valley, and Jenseits von Theben. 37:46 - After a brief digression about the glories of the North Market, Fred talks about playing a few after-hours RPGs with Jared Sorensen, and we talk about what makes Origins a great experience (as Ken and I discussed last year). 42:14 - Chris and I got to shoot things in TerrorWerks. Ken manages to relate this to the Scandinavian gaming scene and how our hobby is able to adapt and sell a highly-individualized experience. (This is why we invite him on the show.) Fred brings in the Ashcan Front as an example. Eventually this comes around to a discussion of the Origins seminar track. 52:48 - Before we go, Chris gives a shout out to the city of Columbus, and we all agree. 57:28 - This show is part of the Gaming Broadcast Network. 57:34 - I have a few final thoughts on Origins before talking about two projects I've worked on recently, Finis and The Story Games Names Project. --Paul Discuss this episode in the HG,WT forum.

Listen Now:

After Action Report for Primetime Adventures 0:34 - We've just finished up playing a full season of Primetime Adventures, so I thought this would be a good time to talk about it. 1:51 - The illustrious Kenneth Hite greets us. 2:00 - I sit down with Christina, Roy, and Ted to talk extensively about Terroir, our recently concluded game of Primetime Adventures. We start off with introductions. 4:16 - We begin with the pitch session and how we ended up playing Six Feet Under meets Tim Powers' Earthquake Weather meets Six Feet Under 8:08 - We talk about how the conceptual framework of a television show impacted the game. 20:18 - The first element of PTA's mechanics we dig into is fan mail. 28:28 - En route to discussing the conflict system, we explain our biggest stumble in the game. 37:48 - With that out of the way, we finally get to the conflict mechanics, specifically how they drive plot momentum and handle orthogonal stakes. 43:57 - We give some advice for people looking to try PTA for the first time. 56:27 - Finally, we conclude with what we've learning and we're taking away for future games. 1:08:46 - The show is part of the Gaming Broadcast Network. 1:08:56 - I'm off to Origins, and I'll be back next week to talk about the experience. --Paul Discuss this episode in the HG,WT forum.

Listen Now:

Convention Report from Go Play NW 2007 0:32 - Last weekend was Go Play NW, so today I'm talking about what I played there. 1:09 - Jared Sorensen says hello. 1:16 - At Go Play NW (not PaulCon NW) I played Jungle Speed, Ca$h 'n Gun$, A Penny For My Thoughts (in development over at Master Mines), the forthcoming The Committee for the Exploration of Mysteries, Zombies in the Vineyard (Carl Rigney's hack for Dogs in the Vineyard), and Perfect. You can hear a bit more about Go Play NW on the next episode of The Voice of the Revolution. 17:02 - The show is part of the Gaming Broadcast Network. 17:09 - Origins and GenCon are coming; let me know if you're going to be at either of those. At GenCon, you'll be able to find me at the Ashcan Front booth (#1940), the Podcasters Party, and my Inside The Game Designer's Studio interview with Monte Cook. --PaulDiscuss this episode in the HG,WT forum

Listen Now:

It Was A Mutual Decision and PaulCon V 0:32 - Last weekend was PaulCon, my annual birthday convention, and I had the chance to play a lot of games. 1:24 - The guys from 2d6 Feet in a Random Direction stop by. 1:40 - It Was A Mutual Decision is a Story Now game about the end of a relationship (with wererats). I'd wanted to play it for quite a while, and I discovered it makes an excellent party game. 12:52 - The show is part of the Gaming Broadcast Network. 13:00 - Throughout PaulCon I played a ton of games, including The Extraordinary Adventures of Baron Munchausen, Dogs in the Vineyard, The Shab-al-Hiri Roach, Ca$h 'n Gun$, Lost Cities, Poison, Tongiaki, and BattleLore (but sadly, not Perfect). 22:20 - Go Play Northwest is this weekend, so I'll be back next week to talk about that. Meanwhile, you can check out Master Mines. --PaulDiscuss this episode in the HG,WT forum

Listen Now:

Notre Dame and War of the Ring 0:32 - Iâm back to talk about a pair of board games I was able to play a few weeks ago. 1:15 - This show is part of the Gaming Broadcast Network. 1:23 - Notre Dame is one of my favorite new games. Check out Doug Garrettâs overview on episode 71 of Garrettâs Games & Geekiness. (The card game I mention in passing is Fairy Tale.) 15:26 - Ryan Macklin from Master Plan says hello. 15:33 - War of the Ring is a thematically-satisfying, hybrid war game. 27:56 - This show was also a part of the (now-defunct) Gaming Podcast Network. 28:05 - PaulCon V is this weekend, so Iâll be back soon to talk about the games I played. --PaulDiscuss this episode in the HG,WT forum

Listen Now:

Interview with Joshua BishopRobyShow notes: 0:32 - In the second episode of a two-part series, I interview Joshua BishopRoby, the designer of Full Light, Full Steam. 1:33 - This show is a member of the Gaming Broadcast Network. 1:41 - We start off talking about our awesome time at Gamex 2007. 6:57 - I start grilling Josh about his steampunk space opera game, Full Light, Full Steam. 17:01 - We move on to talking about Josh's next game, Sons of Liberty (which is Dynasty Warriors meets the American Revolution), and the playtesting process. 26:00 - We take a right turn into theory to talk about what RPG rules bring to social interaction, using 1001 Nights, Polaris, and Heads of State as examples (and forgetting to mention Bacchanal). 33:30 - I pry details out of Josh about the playtesting group he is part of. 37:03 - We ruthlessly pimp NerdSoCal. 41:16 - The show is part of the Gaming Podcast Network. 41:26 - Parting shots: In three weeks I'll be at Go Play Northwest. Don't forget about A Fistful of Games. And thank you so much to everyone who came out to Gamex. --PaulDiscuss this episode in the HG,WT forum

Listen Now:

Passages and the Zorcerer of Zo 0:36 - In the first episode of a two-part series, I review two RPGs inspired by 19th century fiction. 1:29 - This show is a member of the Gaming Broadcast Network. 1:36 - Passages, from Blue Devil Games, is Sliders meets The League of Extraordinary Gentlemen in a solid D20 reimplementation. 8:51 - Mick Bradley from The House of the Harping Monkey explains his love for the show. 9:02 - The Zorcerer of Zo, from Atomic Sock Monkey Press (who also brought us Truth and Justice), gives us a look inside Chad Underkoffler's head at what he thinks about fairy tales and how his campaign shaped the game's design. 19:02 - This show is part of the Gaming Podcast Network. 19:12 - I'm going to be traveling a lot this summer, bookended with two of the Strategicons. In between I'm really looking forward to Go Play Northwest in Seattle, hanging with Chris Hanrahan at Origins, playing some games with Doug Garrett at the West Coast Meeple Fest, and doing a ton of things (including the podcasting track that Don Dehm has organized and working with the Ashcan Front) at GenCon. 27:20 - I'll be back next week with an interview with Joshua BishopRoby about his game, Full Light, Full Steam. --PaulDiscuss this episode in the HG,WT forum

Listen Now:

Social Context and Story NowInspired by Episode 10 of The D&D Podcast and Episode 8 of Theory From the Closet.Discuss this episode in the HG,WT forum

Listen Now:

Improv and RPGsInspired by Episode Bravo 79 of The Dragon's Landing Inn. --PaulDiscuss this episode in the HG,WT forum

Listen Now:

Card-Driven Wargames and the GMT Weekend 0:36 - Today, I discuss one of my recent infatuations: the card-driven wargames published by GMT Games. This episode is dedicated to Jason and Scott of the Point 2 Point Podcast. 1:32 - This show is a member of the Gaming Broadcast Network. 1:40 - In one of my longest segments to date, I give an overview of how card-driven wargames work, using Paths of Glory, Twilight Struggle, and The Napoleonic Wars (plus a little about Wellington) as examples. 35:01 - Fraser Ronald from Accidental Survivors says hello. 35:08 - I spent last weekend at the GMT Games warehouse in Hanford, CA. In addition to playing some of their card-driven games, I also got a chance to play Down in Flames and to try GMT's new pirate game, Winds of Plunder. 41:30 - This show is part of the Gaming Podcast Network. 41:41 - I'll be at Gamex over Memorial Day Weekend, but hopefully I'll have a new show for you before then. --PaulDiscuss this episode in the HG,WT forum

Listen Now:

Politics in RPGsInspired by Episode 38 of Gamer: The Podcasting.--PaulDiscuss this episode in the HG,WT forum

Listen Now:

Battleground: Fantasy Warfare and Miniatures Games 0:36 - Today, I'm here to talk about miniatures games, focusing specifically on Battleground: Fantasy Warfare. 1:12 - This show is a member of the Gaming Broadcast Network. 1:29 - I've been playing some Battleground: Fantasy Warfare recently, and I want to share my thoughts on it. 14:12 - Friend of the show Kenneth Hite reminds you what's really going on. 14:19 - I don't have a lot of experience with miniatures games (mostly Warmachine), but I have some clear ideas about what I want out of them. 21:05 - This show is part of the Gaming Podcast Network. 21:16 - I'll be at the GMT Weekend at the end of April, and I'm helping to run Gamex at the end of May. If you're looking for me online, you can find more of output at A Fistful of Games and on The Voice of the Revolution. --PaulDiscuss this episode in the HG,WT forum

Listen Now:

The Return of the Durham 3 and My Relationship with Story GamesInspired by Episode 33 of the Durham 3--PaulDiscuss this episode in the HG,WT forum

Listen Now:

OrcCon Wrap-up, Notes on Game Preparation, and Thoughts on the Role of System in RPGs 0:37 - Beware the Ides of March! I'm back, after a brief hiatus to run the RPG department at Strategicon. To see what I played there, check out A Fistful of Games. 3:34 - This show is a member of the Gaming Broadcast Network. 3:42 - I begin answering a pair of questions from a listener by starting with the idea of fostering character-driven play. 14:39 - I get to the second question and talk about my techniques for game preparation. 20:13 - Don Dehm from Pulp Gamer (with whom I got the chance to play some games at OrcCon) says hello. 20:19 - Inspired by something the Sons of Kryos said in episode 36, I talk about what excites me about the role of system in roleplaying games. 32:06 - This show is part of the Gaming Podcast Network. 32:15 - That's it for now. I'll be back in a few weeks, after the Game Chef competition and the Nerdly Beach Party. --PaulDiscuss this episode in the HG,WT forum

Listen Now:

RPG Discussion with Chris Hanrahan and Brian Isikoff from 2d6 Feet in a Random Direction 0:37 â This episode is a co-production with 2d6 Feet in a Random Direction, and also appeared as their Episode 11.2:11 â If you find what we have to say interesting, check out Episode 34 of the Sons of Kryos, where they touch on similar issues.2:55 â I don't need GMs for OrcCon any more, but we could definitely use players for games of all types.4:39 â I'm going to be taking an intentional break from the show, but if you want to find out what I'm up to, check out my gaming weblog, A Fistful of Games.6:38 â And now the actual show.7:22 â We discuss the Endgame Mini-Con in January 2007, focusing primarily on Spirit of the Century, but touching briefly on Best Friends and The Mountain Witch as well.17:13 â During our reflections on our gaming, we start thinking about player investment and players' responsibilities to each other. 29:46 â We take a brief excursion into theories of improvisational theatre and how they can apply to gaming. Keith Johnstone's Impro gets particular notice.36:00 â We take some of these ideas to the extreme and look at how they apply to GM-less games. Eventually we come back to our core ideas about investment and responsibility.48:54 â Chris takes us on a brief tangent about younger players, with special emphasis on Faery's Tale and The Princes' Kingdom.54:08 â We attempt to sum up our preachy philosophical wandering.56:29 â I try to convince Brian and Chris to come down my way for gaming, especially for the Strategicons.59:54 â Brian gives a brief shout-out to DarkCon.1:00:46 - We say goodnight. --Paul Discuss this episode in the HG,WT forum

Listen Now:

Year-End Review for 2006, Part 2 0:37 - Welcome to the second half of my look back at my gaming life in 20061:39 - This show is a part of the Gaming Broadcast Network.1:45 - Before getting to my top 5 RPG for 2006, I give out a few honorable mentions.Mortal CoilWilderness of MirrorsDictionary of MuWarmachine: Superiority 5:58 - With those out the way, I get to the actual list #5 1001 Nights#4 The Shab-al-Hiri Roach#3 Don't Rest Your Head#2 Spirit of the Century#1 Burning Empires 13:13 - Brennan, my co-host on The Voice of the Revolution, says nice things about me.13:21 - What was my roleplaying life like in 2006? I take a look back at the highlights.17:57 - Inspired by the Sons of Kryos, I discuss of my favorite game sessions during the past year.25:22 - This show is also part of the Gaming Podcast Network.25:32 - With 2006 out the way, I'm ready for 2007. I talk about what's in store, and the key word is "Play."27:53 - Another thing I'm going to shoot for in 2007 is actually publishing a game of my own.29:46 - And of course, if you're in the Los Angeles area for Presidents' Day Weekend, come on out to OrcCon, where I'll be coordinating the RPG section.30:34 - That'll do it for this show. I'll try to be back soon for the next one. --Paul Discuss this episode in the HG,WT forum

Listen Now:

Year-End Review for 2006, Part 1 0:36 - This episode I'm taking a look back at my favorite board and card games from 2006. 2:32 - This show is part of the Gaming Broadcast Network. 2:41 - Top 5 New Board and Card Games Honorable Mention: Notre Dame #5 Iliad #4 Thurn and Taxis #3 Die Saulen Der Erde #2 BattleLore #1 Fury of Dracula 11:18 - Mike from the OgreCave Audio Report stops by a spreads the love. 11:29 - Top 5 New (to Me) Board and Card Games #5 Ca$h 'N Gun$ #4 Carcassonne: The City #3 R-Eco #2 Jungle Speed #1 Paths of Glory 20:45 - This show is part of the Gaming Podcast Network. 20:55 - I talk a little bit about the events of the last year in my board gaming life. 24:09 - This weekend I'll be in Oakland at one of Endgame's Mini-Cons. 25:34 - Be sure to check out OrcCon in February. --PaulDiscuss this episode in the HG,WT forum

Listen Now:

RPG Review Pulp-tacular with Spirit of the Century, Thrilling Places, and Masterminds & Madmen 0:44 - I'm back with a new show after a much longer delay than I wanted.1:49 - This show is a part of the Gaming Broadcast Network.1:57 - Ryan Macklin joins me to talk about Spirit of the Century, which we played at GenCon SoCal. Ryan also has an excellent actual play report for an earlier game, with comments from the designers.19:51 - If you like what Ryan had to say, check out his column and his podcast.21:05 - This show is also part of the Gaming Podcast Network.21:14 - If you're running pulp games, both Thrilling Places and Masterminds & Madmen from Hero Games are great resources.23:59 - I talk a bit about my plans for upcoming episodes.24:37 - If you're in the Los Angeles area for Presidents' Day Weekend, come on out to OrcCon, where I'll be coordinating the RPG section.25:12 - And that will do it for today's show. --Paul Discuss this episode in the HG,WT forum

Listen Now:

GenCon SoCal 2006 wrapup 0:32 - I'm back (after a slight delay) from GenCon SoCal in Anaheim.1:09 - This show is a part of the Gaming Podcast Network.1:19 - Couldn't make it to GenCon SoCal? I'll tell what I did there, starting with the show floor.2:26 - I always enjoy the RPG design workshop run by Luke Crane, Jared Sorensen, and John Wick.3:38 - I didn't get to play Weapons of the Gods, but I did get to demo the Firefight rules from Burning Empires.6:56 - Dinner with the Story Games crowd was great fun, as was character creation for Spirit of the Century.8:26 - Saturday morning was my first time through True Dungeon.11:21 - Saturday afternoon now was all about panels, including two on book publishing and one about podcasting (with Chris and Brian from 2d6 Feet in a Random Direction, Mike Montessa from the Godzilla Gaming Podcast, and Eric Burgess from Boardgame Babylon).14:45 - Sunday morning I got to interview Luke Crane for The Voice of the Revolution.15:31 - As the show was closing, four of us sat down for a game of Wellington.17:50 - After that, it was dinner, a lost interview, and the ride home. I have a few final remarks about the convention, and you can look forward to hearing more about Full Light, Full Steam and Passages on future shows.21:59 - This show is also part of the Gaming Broadcast Network.22:07 - Sadly, I have no Spirit of the Century review this time, but if you want more of me, check out episode two of The Voice of the Revolution and episode forty-three of Garrett's Games and Geekiness. 23:27 - Help out Robin Laws with the GenCon History Project.24:22 - Help me out by sending me bits to use in the HG,WT promo.25:20 - If you're in the Southern California area, be sure to check out NerdSoCal and the Strategicons.27:21 - Ronin Arts: An undisputed leader in the field of PDF roleplaying supplements.28:08 - And that will do it for today's show. --Paul Discuss this episode in the HG,WT forum

Listen Now:

BoardGameGeek.CON session reports, part 1, with Yspahan, Notre Dame, Tara: Seat of Kings, Space Dealer, and Die Saulen Der Erde 0:41 - I'm back from BGG.CON and I'm just about to head off to GenCon SoCal, so I thought I'd start in on my session reports for the Essen releases I played. 1:37 - This is show is part of the Gaming Broadcast Network. 1:44 - Yspahan is, as Mike Siggins puts it, a "super filler" that offers a nice amount of strategy in a short period of time. I got to play this twice, once with Cynthia and Eric from Meeple People. 10:49 - Thanks to Valerie Putnam for bringing and teaching Notre Dame, a prototype of the next Alea game, which will be released at Nuremburg in the spring. 14:41 - Tara: Seat of Kings is an abstract game that I just didn't wrap my head around. 16:59 - The most exciting thing I played at BGG.CON was an eight player game of Space Dealer. 21:45 - My favorite game of the convention was Die Saulen Der Erde. Thanks so much to Rick Thornquist of BoardGameNews for give me the chance to try it out. 30:27 - This show is member of the Gaming Podcast Network. 30:36 - I want to thank lots of people who made it a great weekend, including Doug Garrett (of Garrett's Games and Geekiness) and everyone who tracked me down and said hello. 31:28 - Thanks to Jimmy Anderson for the new music for the show. 31:50 - With the beginning of Season Four, I'd like to put together a new promo for the show, and I'd love it if you would help me with it. 34:07 - And now, I'm off to GenCon SoCal. If you're there, be sure to stop by the podcasting seminar on Saturday at 2 PM. --PaulDiscuss this episode in the HG,WT forum

Listen Now:

RPG Review Pile SpectacularShow notes: 0:36 - I finally make good on my promise talk about all of the RPGs in my review pile. 1:42 - This show is part of the Gaming Broadcast Network. 1:50 - I talk about games I'm going to be stealing from, including: The Ultimate Skill & You Gotta Have Character Requiem Chronicler's Guide Best Friends (Sons of Kryos demo recording) Intergalactic Cooking Challenge 11:59 - My friends over at Pulp Gamer also do game reviews. 12:05 - I go over the list of games my group is planning on playing in the coming months. Single Session Perfect Contenders Shock: carry. a game about war. The Shab-al-Hiri Roach The Secret Lives of Gingerbread Men It Was A Mutual Decision Breaking the Ice & Shooting the Moon Two to Six Sessions Agon Primetime Adventures Hero's Banner The Mountain Witch Spirit of the Century Lacuna, Part 1: The Creation of the Mystery and Girl From Blue City Don't Rest Your Head With Great Power... Seven or More Sessions The Dictionary of Mu Burning Empires Burning Wheel 28:52 - This show is also part of the Gaming Podcast Network. 29:02 - I talk a bit about upcoming episodes. Going to be at BGG.con or GenCon SoCal? Come by the forums and post to the meetup thread. Also, check out my other podcast, The Voice of the Revolution. --PaulDiscuss this episode in the HG,WT forum

Listen Now:

After-action report for A Land Fertile In Tyrants 0:39 - My group and I sit down to discuss our recently concluded Post-Roman Britain game, played using The Riddle of Steel and Burning Wheel, Revised. 1:31 - Folks introduce themselves: Roy, who played Julianus, the Armorican centurion  Sarah, who played Cata, Julianus' sister and wife of the Celtic chief of Weith  Keith, who played Aeron, a soldier and the eldest surviving bastard son on the chief  Ted, who played Taryn, a desparate warrior with nothing left to lose  Christina, who played Paulinus, a Christian priest and brother to the chief 5:38 - We discuss our favorite moments from the game. 20:05 - We talk about system issues raised by our experiences. 34:13 - I ask what could have been better. 44:43 - Ryan, who played Cuhlinn the bard, shows up and tosses in a few more ideas. 47:17 - We wrap up with our final thoughts on an amazing game. --PaulDiscuss this episode in the HG,WT forum

Listen Now:

Endgame MiniCon report with Chris Hanrahan and Brian Isikoff of the 2d6 Feet in a Random Direction podcast 0:39 - I explain why this show is so long and what Chris, Brian, and I talked about. 1:41 - This is show is part of the Gaming Podcast Network. 1:52 - Brian, Chris, and I introduce ourselves and talk about food. 8:02 - We finally get around to talking about the MiniCon at Endgame (with a teaser for BattleLore). 9:41 - I got to play an amazing game of Cat (run by Rich Taylor of the Good Omens Productions crew). 15:38 - Chris managed to get Mark Kaufmann from Days of Wonder to bring up a preview of BattleLore, but I was the one who got to play it. Chris demanded details. 31:21 - Chris and I got to play a great game of Zombies in the Vineyard with legendary GM Carl Rigney. 43:10 - Brian (tired of hearing us talk about all the fun we had) talks about the session of Steampunk Musha he ran using Active Exploits. 51:40 - Chris is looking for feedback from MiniCon attendees about the direction to take future events. 54:10 - Speaking of future events, BoardGameGeek.CON and GenCon SoCal are coming up in November. 1:04:22 - I've got big news about my new podcast, The Voice of the Revolution. 1:07:36 - Chris, Brian, and I wrap up our recording. 1:08:02 - This show is member of the Gaming Broadcast Network. 1:08:10 - Before I go, I want to thanks lots of people who made it a great weekend. 1:10:17 - If you're going to be at BoardGameGeek.CON or GenCon SoCal, come on over to the forums and post to the meetup thread. 1:10:44 - I explain a few more things about The Voice of the Revolution and how it will impact this show. 1:12:38 - I'm hoping to get a couple of episodes out before BGG.CON, but that's going to do it for today's show. --PaulDiscuss this episode on the HG,WT forum

Listen Now:

Roleplaying games for kids with Faery's Tale and The Princes' KingdomShow notes: 0:41 - I'm back to talk about RPG for kids, despite my general lack of qualifications. 1:36 - This show is part of the Gaming Broadcast Network. 1:43 - Faery's Tale is very streamlined game that makes an excellent introductory game for players of all ages. 8:55 - Sam Chupp knows a thing or two about gaming with children. 9:06 - The Princes' Kingdom adapts the Dogs in the Vineyard mechanics into a kids' game about fixing problems. 17:50 - This show is also part of the Gaming Podcast Network. 18:00 - Jason from Point 2 Point sums up my current feelings about playing well with others, but I go off on a bit of a rant anyway. 27:29 - Thanks to everyone who has donated to support the show! If you're in the Bay Area this weekend, come on over to Endgame where you can meet me and play some games run by the Good Omens Productions folks. --PaulDiscuss this episode in the HG,WT forum

Listen Now:

Capsule reviews of Bloodlines, Questers of the Middle Realms, Weapons of the Gods, and Lacuna Part 1: The Creation of the Mystery and the Girl from Blue City (Second Attempt)Show notes:0:45 - This is the last day of the HG,WT Daily Challenge, and I'm plowing through the review pile.1:36 - This show is part of the Gaming Broadcast Network.1:43 - Bloodlines is the type of adventure that I try to write for conventions.4:37 - Questers of the Middle Realms is a great light-hearted fantasy adaptation of the PDQ system.9:33 - I've always liked kung fu, and I really like Weapons of the Gods.15:26 - It's hard to explain too much about Lacuna Part 1: The Creation of the Mystery and the Girl from Blue City (Second Attempt).17:50 - This show is also part of the Gaming Podcast Network.18:00 - Thanks for being a part of the HG,WT Daily Challenge. I'm not sure when I'll be back, but I hope it will be soon. --PaulDiscuss this episode in HG,WT forum

Listen Now:

Actual Play reports with Don't Rest Your Head and The Shab-al-Hiri Roach from Gateway 2006Show notes: 0:39 - I'm back for Day 4 of the HG,WT Daily Challenge. 1:14 - This show is part of the Gaming Podcast Network. 1:24 - Don't Rest Your Head rocks on toast. I talk about why. 17:08 - Jared Sorensen says hello. 17:16 - I also got to play The Shab-al-Hiri Roach at Gateway, and I might have enjoyed it a little too much. 28:21 - This show is also part of the Gaming Broadcast Network. 28:29 - I'll be back tomorrow to talk about a few RPGs in my review stack. --PaulDiscuss this episode in HG,WT forum

Listen Now:

Actual Play reports with Cold City and Wilderness Of Mirrors from Gateway 2006Show notes: 0:49 - I'm back for Day 3 of the HG,WT Daily Challenge. 1:49 - This show is part of the Gaming Broadcast Network. 1:57 - I talk about my experience running Cold City. 10:51 - Mike Sugarbaker from the OgreCave Audio Report likes his bourbon. 11:03 - I also got to play Wilderness Of Mirrors at Gateway. 24:40 - This show is also part of the Gaming Podcast Network. 24:50 - I'll be back tomorrow to talk about the rest of the games I played at Gateway. --PaulDiscuss this episode in HG,WT forum

Listen Now:

Actual Play reports for 1001 Nights and Mortal Coil from GenCon 2006Show notes: 0:39 - I'm back for Day 2 of the HG,WT Daily Challenge. 1:18 - This show is part of the Gaming Broadcast Network. 1:25 - I talk about playing