Episode 38 – Metagaming: Player vs. Character Knowledge

Summary: Tabletop roleplaying games are all about stepping outside of yourself and wreaking havoc...er... having fun with your friends in fantastic and action packed ways.  But what happens when the geek by day / PC by night saddles up to the gaming table brimming with real-world knowledge and challenges the game, or worse, the other players?  Join us this week as we discuss the oft controversial and absolutely annoying facet of metagaming know as player vs. character knowledge. Butch up those acting skills,  leave the day job in the car, and just live in the (Player Character) moment as you enjoy a brand new* episode of Monkey in the Cage! *Now with super-awesome better sound quality!  Yay for figuring out technology! (01:20) - In a podcast first, Ramses sings the news!  (The jury is still out if this is also a podcast last.) - Carl's Jr. Spiderman Burger and the Rock, Paper, Scissors Robot. (03:34) - Matt talks Assassin's Creed: Revelations and Tweet RPG (@tw33t_rpg).  Any bets on him not finishing these games? (07:50) - Robert recounts his recent questionable athletic endeavor and is hooked on apps, courtesy of his new The iPad. - Apple's Podcasts App, i4e, and Duels of the Planeswalkers. (13:06) - Karen has the app bug this week... must be that hipster virus that's going around, and she talks games of the non-virtual variety. - Squids and Squids Wild West, Cryptozoic's DC Comic Deck Building Game and their Pop-up Store at Comic-Con! (17:22) - We talk about Cards Against Humanity and seriously question our morality.  Balls deep! (20:36) - Ramses finally beats Batman: Arkham City.  Matt, not so much.  Plus, MURDER PARTY! (24:33) - It's topic time!  Matt starts it off by defining metagaming and we discuss breaking the fourth wall of gaming. (28:05) - Does Dungeons & Dragons 4E combat encourage metagaming?  We weigh in; discuss metagaming at character creation; and Ramses asks the question of how a GM can counter a chronic metagamer.  Plus, Mouseguard. (35:00) - The discussion moves on to the "Edition Wars" of D&D and the present gaming renaissance. (39:15) - We discuss committing to the character/stats and avoiding both the pros and cons of player vs. character knowledge.  Also, how much is it Matt roleplaying,and how much is just Matt. - The World of Darkness and Supernatural (45:20) - The challenge of splitting the party, striking the record, and sharing the GMing load.  TO THE DOCKS! (50:00) - Robert's bigges player knowledge challenge, Matt and Robert's shared animosity at the gaming table, and letting the dice break the game.  Plus, Robert stays in character and metagaming saves the day! Closing Song - The Star Spangled Banner - performed by Jimi Hendrix