Out of Character

You've just wrapped your last campaign, or maybe you've gathered your friends for the first time, and it's time to decide on a new game.  How do you choose your next game?  Do you just go along with the GM?  Do you democratically elect the next one?  Does the choice rotate within the group?  The crew explores all of these options, and how they've worked out. Also, we discuss the release of The Play's the Thing, the new Shakespearean RPG from Magpie Games (http://www.magpiegames.com/).

This week, we inflate Jason's ego a bit more by conflating him with Agatha Christie and Sir Arthur Conan Doyle.  Three of Pulp Gamer's GMs weigh in--how do you run a murder mystery?  How do pace the adventure?  How do you handle clues?  How do you keep your players from getting completely lost or figuring out the culprit in the first ten minutes? Plus!  We're gearing up for a new batch of Stump the Chump, and we need your questions!  Ask us anything from any field of expertise, and we'll find someone who can stumble their way into an answer.  (Please note however, these episodes are recorded in large batches a month in advance.  So if we don't get to your question right away, don't think we haven't heard it!  We're just waiting for a chance to slip it in.)

The definition of the term "gamer" is a hotly-debated topic in the gaming community.  Who is a gamer?  Who isn't?  Why does it matter so much to so many of us?  The crew tries to weight in on the matter...and in the process, the term itself comes under attack!

Whether you're running a boxed adventure, a tightly-plotted personal epic, or an off-the-cuff sandbox game, every gaming veteran knows the value of adventure preparation.  This week, the GMs on the crew share and compare their own prep techniques.

This week, a quote from Vincent Baker of Lumpley Games (http://www.lumpley.com/) sparks the crew--to paraphrase, "A roleplaying system exists to create unexpected, disagreeable outcomes."  Is this a valid assessment?

We've all suffered the slow death of a campaign at some point or another.  This week, the crew tries to identify when a campaign is better put to rest, and how to end it gracefully. Also, we give a shoutout to the brand new Marvel Heroic Roleplaying (http://www.margaretweis.com/mwp-online-store/13-marvel/51-marvel-heroic-roleplaying-basic-game).

What makes a successful "Game Day" event? The Pulp Gamer Crew discuss their experiences running Notacon for the Creative Play Project (http://www.creativeplayproject.org/). We also namedrop our new sister show, Pulp Gamer Prime (http://www.pulpgamer.com/pulpgamerprime/), as well as our Facebook page (http://www.facebook.com/PulpGamer).

We've made it, folks.  Two hundred episodes of Out of Character.  The crew takes an extra long episode to celebrate their survival, and to bid the old times farewell before we make the jump to video.  This one's full of nostalgia--if you're new to the show, we recommend going back a few episodes before listening to this one. We also receive some well-wishing from various friends of the podcast, including: * Dave Hat from Hat's Games (http://www.hatsgames.com) * Ron and Veronica Blessing (http://www.thegamesthething.com/) * Tom Gurganus (http://goforthandgame.com/) * Marcelo Figaro from Warpath Games (http://www.warpathgames.com/) * Jess Hartley (http://www.jesshartley.com/) * Wayne from Spare Brains Games (http://sparebrainsgames.com/) * Gerri Creason from Game Daze (http://www.gamedaze.com/) * Jeremiah Lynch We also remind our listeners of the upcoming Creative Play Day on April 28th for the Creative Play Project (http://www.creativeplayproject.org/).  And if you're looking for other ways to donate to the project, don't forget to check out the Board Gamer Charity T-Shirt from OffWorld Designs (http://www.offworlddesigns.com/p-729-board-gamer-t-shirt.aspx) This episode is dedicated to you, the fans who have seen us through to 200 episodes.  Thank you for all your support, and we'll see you on Youtube.

You've assembled your notes, you've prepared your world, you've polished your dice.  It's the first session.  For some, it's the first foray into this particular campaign.  For others, it's the first time they've ever held dice.  How do you kickoff the first session?  The Pulp Gamer Crew discusses how to make that first step memorable, understandable, and--above all--repeatable.  Along the way, we drop a few names, including: * Dungeons & Dragons (http://www.wizards.com/dnd/) * Champions (http://www.herogames.com/home.htm#) * Dresden Files (http://www.dresdenfilesrpg.com/) * Vampire: the Masquerade (http://www.vampirethemasquerade.com/) * FATE (http://www.evilhat.com/home/fate/) * Smallville (http://www.margaretweis.com/mwp-online-store/smallville/33-smallville-roleplaying-game) * Sons of Liberty (http://joshroby.com/?q=taxonomy/term/34) * Dogs in the Vineyard (http://www.lumpley.com/dogsources.html) * Tales from the Floating Vagabond (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tales_from_the_Floating_Vagabond) * Cat (http://www.johnwickpresents.com/market/products/cat.html) * A Penny For My Thoughts (http://www.orphicinstitute.com/?page_id=65) * Extra Credits: Skyrim's Opening (http://extra-credits.net/episodes/skyrims-opening/) In news, we discuss the upcoming fifth "iteration" of D&D (http://www.wizards.com/dnd/Article.aspx?x=dnd/4ll/20120109), the upcoming Creative Play Day (http://www.creativeplayproject.org/), and the extended preorder for John Wick's Big Book of Little Games (http://johnwickpresents.com/big-book-of-little-games).  We also take a peek at some behind the scenes shenanigans from The Bob & Angus Show (http://www.pulpgamer.com/thebobandangusshow/135390/caught-cheating/), and give a shoutout to the Canon Puncture (http://www.canonpuncture.com/) podcast. We'd like to thank our sponsor, Gamer Adventures (http://www.gameradventures.com)--cruising Mexico, the Caribbean, and Alaska with gamers and their families.

Pulp Gamer's had a bit of a turf war with video games these past few years, but it's time to acknowledge that electronic media has some vital lessons to teach the traditional gamers.  This week, we discuss the lessons we've learned from video games, and how they can be incorporated into the pen and paper world.  But in turn, we also point out some things our digital cousins could still stand to learn from us.  Along the way, we drop a number of titles both electronic and analogue, including: * Grand Theft Auto: San Andreas (http://www.rockstargames.com/sanandreas/) * Fallout 3 (http://fallout.bethsoft.com/) * Ultima V (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ultima_5) * The Bard's Tale (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Bard%27s_Tale_%281985_video_game%29) * City of Heroes (http://na.cityofheroes.com/en/) * EVE Online (http://www.eveonline.com/) * Left 4 Dead (http://www.l4d.com/blog/) * The Gold Box series of D&D games (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gold_Box) * Dungeons & Dragons (http://www.wizards.com/dnd/) * Dogs in the Vineyard (http://www.lumpley.com/dogsources.html) * Sons of Liberty (http://joshroby.com/?q=taxonomy/term/34) * Spycraft (http://www.crafty-games.com/node/622) * Star Wars RPG (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Star_Wars_Roleplaying_Game_%28Wizards_of_the_Coast%29) * The Shotgun Diaries (http://johnwickpresents.com/the-shotgun-diaries) In addition, we discuss some interesting upcoming releases, including John Wick's Big Book of Little Games (http://johnwickpresents.com/big-book-of-little-games), the new editions of Grimtooth's Traps (http://www.flyingbuffalo.com/catalyst.htm), the newly-kickstarted releases for The Dance and the Dawn (http://games.forgreatjustice.net/my-games/the-dance-and-the-dawn/), and the ongoing campaign for Streets of Bedlam (http://www.kickstarter.com/projects/669629655/streets-of-bedlam-a-savage-world-of-crime-corrupti?ref=live).  We also hear back from Listener Dave on Episode 195 (http://www.pulpgamer.com/outofcharacter/135422/pgoc-195-ripped-from-the-headlines/). And in news, Paizo (http://paizo.com/paizo) announces their Pathfinder MMO. The Southern Arizona Gamers Association (http://southernarizonagamersassociation.org/)is holding elections.  And OffWorld Designs (http://www.offworlddesigns.com) releases a charity T-shirt (https://www.offworlddesigns.com/p-729-board-gamer-t-shirt.aspx) for the Creative Play Project (http://www.creativeplayproject.org/). We sponsor ourselves this week with Accent Your Character (http://www.pulpgamer.com/products/)--dialect training for roleplayers and other casual pretenders!

With the upcoming change to Out of Character, the Crew is using this week to clear out all the board games we've had waiting in our queue.  We scale a mountain of plastic and cardboard, including: * Perplexus (http://perplexus.net/) * Phone Frenzy (http://www.buffalogames.com/products/party_games/?tx_ttproducts_pi1[backPID]=17&tx_ttproducts_pi1[product]=332&cHash=5435564c86) * Struggle for Catan (http://www.catan.com/catan-games/struggle-for-catan.html) * Cambria (http://closetnerdgames.wordpress.com/coming-soon/cambria/) * Hibernia (http://closetnerdgames.wordpress.com/coming-soon/hibernia/) * Test of Fire: First Bull Run 1861 (http://mayfairgames.com/game.php?id=365&stock=MFG4861&name=Test+of+Fire+-+First+Bull+Run+1861) * Discworld: Ankh-Morpork (http://mayfairgames.com/game.php?id=361&stock=MFG3305&name=Discworld%3A+Ankh-Morpork) * Orbit (http://www.fortytwogames.com/) * GUBS (http://www.gamewright.com/gamewright/index.php?section=games&page=game&show=260) * Tikal II: The Lost Temple (http://www.gameworks.ch/2010/index.php?m=17&PHPSESSID=2449a9674e49b44b10d49510168c852b) * BattleTech: 25 Years of Art & Fiction (http://bg.battletech.com/?wpsc-product=battletech-25-years-of-art-fiction) And speaking of Phone Frenzy, we take the opportunity to pester our friend Marcelo over at WarPath Games Distribution (http://www.warpathgames.com/wholesale/warpath.php).  We also get a thank you from listener Dave with Gamers for Cures (http://www.gamersforcures.com/).  We talk about the upcoming Worldwide Creative Play Day for the Creative Play Project (http://www.creativeplayproject.org/).  And we challenge you to compare how many of the Games Magazine (http://www.gamesmagazine-online.com/) Games 100 you've played. (You can see the whole list here at Board Game Geek (http://www.boardgamegeek.com/geeklist/60165/games-magazine-games-100-year-2011) We'd like to thank our sponsor, Gamer Adventures (http://www.gameradventures.com) - cruising the Caribbean, Mexico, and Alaska with gamers and their families.

Stealth-based challenges have always been tricky in tabletop games, for numerous reasons--the strict pass/fail nature of most challenges, the difficulty of "group-stealth," and the risk of inadvertently bypassing the meat of the game..  This week, the Pulp Gamer Crew discusses the advantages and disadvantages of using these challenges, games with good stealth mechanics, and ways to make sneaking through the shadows satisfying for your players.  Along the way, we mention a few games, including: * Black Seven (http://rpg.drivethrustuff.com/product_info.php?products_id=93976&affiliate_id=81234) * Shadowrun (http://www.shadowrun4.com/) * Spycraft (http://www.crafty-games.com/node/622) * Gumshoe (http://www.pelgranepress.com/site/?page_id=672) * Smallville (http://www.margaretweis.com/mwp-online-store/smallville/33-smallville-roleplaying-game) * Leverage (http://www.margaretweis.com/component/content/article/41-roknewspager-showcase/97-the-leverage-rpg-con-artists-criminals-crooks) * Ninja Burger (http://www.sjgames.com/ninjaburger/) * Nuns on the Run (http://mayfairgames.com/game.php?id=100&stock=MFG4117&name=Nuns+on+the+Run) * The Target (http://closetnerdgames.wordpress.com/our-games/the-target/) * Scotland Yard (http://www.ravensburger.com/us/shop/games/family-games/scotland-yard-26117/index.html) * Fury of Dracula (http://www.fantasyflightgames.com/edge_minisite.asp?eidm=40&enmi=Fury%20Of%20Dracula) * Mr. Jack (http://www.hurricangames.com/mrjindex.html) * Cadwallon: City of Thieves (http://www.fantasyflightgames.com/edge_minisite.asp?eidm=124&enmi=Cadwallon:%20City%20of%20Thieves) * and Jason's GURPS (http://www.sjgames.com/gurps/) homebrew, based on Thief: The Dark Project (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Thief:_The_Dark_Project) In addition, Jason takes the opportunity to rant about one of his GM pet peeves, the concept of "training your players" through negative play experiences.  We also receive some mysterious feedback on Episode 193: It's a Conspiracy (http://www.pulpgamer.com/outofcharacter/135410/pgoc-193-its-a-conspiracy/).

This week, the Crew discusses the sensitive issue of bringing current events into your game.  When is it appropriate and when is it too much?  What about recreating similar events in more removed, fantisifal settings?  We share our experiences and perspectives, dropping a few names along the way: * Fishing for Terrorists (http://www.slugfestgames.com/games_fft2.0.php) * Victoriana: Beastmen of Britain (http://www.cubicle7.co.uk/2011/11/beastmen-of-britain-out-now-for-victoriana/) * Dungeons and Dragons: Forgotten Realms (http://www.wizards.com/dnd/ForgottenRealms.aspx) * Brenda Brathwaite's The Mechanic Is the Message (http://mechanicmessage.wordpress.com/) project We also discuss the best games for playing at the various Occupy protests, including Pit (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pit_%28game%29), Zombies (http://www.twilightcreationsinc.com/index.php), Poo (http://poothecardgame.com/), and Zombie Dice (http://www.sjgames.com/dice/zombiedice/). In news, John Nephew has lost his city council seat.  Once Upon a Time comes out with a new edition.  And Gerri brings in a copy of Sentinels of the Multiverse (http://greaterthangames.info/) to drool over. We also get feedback (and errata!) from Robin Laws on Episode 192 (http://www.pulpgamer.com/outofcharacter/135406/pgoc-192-just-say-no/), and Listener Wayne on Episode 193 (http://www.pulpgamer.com/outofcharacter/135410/pgoc-193-its-a-conspiracy/).

The Crew takes a turn for the bizarre, heading straight for the "weird" roleplaying settings.  What makes a setting weird?  What are the benefits of having a setting divorced from reality--or even fantasy--as we know it?  What are the challenges with running a game in a world so far afield?  Along the way, we namedrop a few settings, including: * Deadlands (http://peginc.com/games.html#Deadlands) * Shadowrun (http://www.shadowrun4.com/) * RIFTS (https://palladium-store.com/1001/product/800HC-Rifts-Ultimate-Edition.html) * Low Life (http://peginc.com/games.html#LowLife) * 50 Fathoms (http://peginc.com/games.html#FiftyFathoms) * Children of the Sun (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Children_of_the_Sun_%28role-playing_game%29) * Eclipse Phase (http://eclipsephase.com/) * GURPS Discworld (http://www.sjgames.com/gurps/books/Discworld/) * Paranoia (http://www.mongoosepublishing.com/rpgs/paranoia.html) * Tales from the Floating Vagabond (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tales_from_the_Floating_Vagabond) * HoL (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hol_%28role-playing_game%29) Meanwhile, some interesting projects on Kickstarter (http://www.kickstarter.com/) catch our attention , including: * Adventures in OZ: Beyond the Deadly Desert (http://www.kickstarter.com/projects/575175333/adventures-in-oz-beyond-the-deadly-desert?ref=live) * The Play's the Thing (http://www.kickstarter.com/projects/marktruman/the-plays-the-thing-a-shakespearean-rpg?ref=live) * Ghost Pirates (http://www.kickstarter.com/projects/2068026266/ghost-pirates-a-board-game-of-ship-to-ship-tactica?ref=spotlight) * Quantum (http://www.kickstarter.com/projects/joshuafrost/quantum-roleplaying-game-an-all-new-science-fantas?ref=live) * DiceAFARI (http://www.kickstarter.com/projects/stratusgames/diceafari-a-photo-safari-board-game?ref=live) * Matt Forbeck's 12 for '12 (http://www.kickstarter.com/projects/forbeck/12-for-12-10-bnw-novels?ref=live) project We also take a look at City Square Off (http://www.gamewright.com/gamewright/index.php?section=games&page=game&show=258), Catan: Oil Springs (http://www.oilsprings.catan.com/), the Mutants and Masterminds: Threat Repor (http://mutantsandmasterminds.com/)t series, and Deadlands: Weird White North (http://www.studio2publishing.com/shop/product_info.php?products_id=3556)

Alrighty!  This week, we check in withhhhhhhhhhhhhhl101010110 ***ACTIVATING DRONE CONTROL PROTOCOL.  BROADCAST INTERCEPTED*** Directives received from the secret masters:  Sleeper agents among Pulp Gamer Crew are to be activated, begin broadcasting subliminal messages.  Disguise hypnotic transmission as podcast about conspiracies in gaming.  Raise topics about games featuring conspiracies, how to use conspiracies as antagonists, and how to run conspirator characters.  Direct attention from true goals.  Induct listeners into following mass-produced disinformation campaigns: * Illuminati * GURPS Illuminati * Conspiracy X * World of Darkness * Android * Shadowrun * Diplomacy * The Skeptic's Guide to Conspiracy by Monte Cook ***RESUME NORMAL TRANSITION*** Huh?  Did I fall asleep on the keyboard?  Weird.  Anyway, we hear from Marcelo Figueroa from Warpath Games Distribution as he reports in from Spieltag in Essen!  He gives us a rundown of the event, and gives us the heads up on some exciting games, including * Drum Roll (http://www.artipiagames.com/drumroll.html) * Magnum Sal (http://www.gryleonardo.pl/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=31&Itemid=10&lang=en) * Interstellar Mayhem (http://www.soylent-games.com/produkt-im.html) * Test of Fire - First Bull Run 1861 (http://www.mayfairgames.com/game.php?id=365&stock=MFG4861&name=Test+of+Fire+-+First+Bull+Run+1861) Speaking of Monte Cook (were we talking about Monte Cook?  I can't remember...), we talk about his upcoming web series, GeekSeekers (http://www.facebook.com/GeekSeekers)! We'd like to thank our sponsor this week PETE THE FRIENDLY BEVERAGE DISPENSER.  PLEASE CONTINUE CONSUMING THE DELICIOUS MIND CONTROL FORMULA.