TABLETOP TALK - Third Floor Wars
By Craig Shipman
Who are the creatives behind your favorite games and content? How do they approach their work?
I sit with designers, developers, artists, writers, and creators and learn how they approach their work. I try to understand their process, inspiration, and methods for crafting their creations.
Craig digs deep into the work and uncovers the origins of your favorite tabletop games and the creative process that brought them to life.
Elliot Davis (The Time We Have) ep 282
Elliott Davis is making really interesting games. His focus isn't on following the usual standards — he's trying to make content that makes you feel and think. And he's absolutely killing it.
We talk about how he got into game development, actual plays, and the community at large, and we dive deep into some of his most compelling games and what makes them work.
Elliot is behind games like Project ECCO, Rom Com Drama Bomb, and The Time We Have. He's also a player, host, and GM on My First Dungeon and Talk of the Table.
- Pathfinder
- Blades in the Dark
- Catan
- Honey Heist
- Kids on Bikes
- Scurry
- Orbital Blues
- Portal at Hill House
- Thursday
- Yazeba's Bed and Breakfast
- For the Queen
- Widow's Bay
- Pluribus
- This Album May Contain Hope - Reye
- Bullet Train
- Expedition
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Dillin Apelyan & James D’Amato (One Shot Podcast, The Ultimate RPG Villain Backstory Guide) ep 281
I am joined by Dillin Apelyan and James D'Amato. If you listen to the One Shot Podcast, you've probably heard of both of them, and if you're a fan of the actual play scene, you've seen their work all over. And now, they've come on to the show to discuss their brand new book.
Dillin's been featured on Dropout, Critical Role, and podcasts across the space. They've designed a bunch of great games, including the HUNT(er/ed) and Neverland: The Impossible Island. You can find out more about Superdillin here.
James has been working in both the comedy and TTRPG scene for years. He's the creator of the One Shot Network and the author of the Ultimate RPG book series, which is an absolute masterclass in breaking down the genre for players and Game Masters alike. You can find his books here!
The pair are more than just integral parts of the community today — they're good friends and even better podcast guests. The episode was a blast, breaking down their experiences and talking in depth about their new book, The Ultimate RPG Villain Backstory Guide. They dive deep about gaming culture, their GMing experiences, and provide a lot of insight as to how you can build better NPCs and characters.
REFERENCES:
Adams Media
World of Darkness
Dungeons and Dragons
Vampyre: The Masquarade
Hunter/Hunted
James' Favorite Villains: Lex Luthor - Doctor Doom - The Joker
Dillon's Favorite Villains: Charles Vane (Blacksails), Jubal Early (Firefly), Kenneth Marshall (Mickey 17), Erik Northman (True Blood)
Star vs The Forces of Evil
Pokemon
Witch Hat Atelier
Fetch Philips Archives
Microscope
In This World************************************
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Why do we go into the basement? ep. 280
Anthony “Runeslinger” (Casting Shadows) and I discuss what makes “good players” buy into horror roleplaying and, specifically, why characters would investigate terrifying situations and keep returning after trauma. They explore common answers, such as belonging to an organization (e.g., Delta Green), and why that only starts the conversation, contrasting player motivation (“otherwise we don’t play the game”) with believable character motivation. Anthony emphasizes building motivations through bonds, community ties, and mirrored player/character connections—what he calls “unity of perspective”—rather than removing agency by trapping characters. Using examples from their long Call of Cthulhu and Trail of Cthulhu campaigns, they examine active versus passive buy-in, GM/player collaboration, table communication, and how differing play styles and feedback help sustain engaging horror play.
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Laurence Phillips (Il Fantasma del Giallo) ep. 279
Today we sit down with Laurence Philips of Hardy Roach Games, an independent designer who creates unique games that focus on themes that dive deeper than your average TTRPG. His one-page games are weird and exciting to play, and now he discusses his brand-new game, Il Fantasmo del Giallo.
Step into the world of Giallo, a 20th-century Italian film genre that focuses on switchbacks, misdirection, and mile-high stakes. Il Fantasmo del Giallo is a cinematic, dark, brooding game that focuses on narratives and scenes more than a traditional dice-roller. Drama, Mystery, and Mortality are the main words of the game, and it’s an excellent example of the doors that have opened in modern roleplaying. Trauma decks, scene work, and avant-garde lenses to play make for a new take on an old genre.
Il Fantasmo del Giallo Kickstarter
Mentions
Star Wars Visual Magazine
Call of Cthulu
Warhammer Fantasy Roleplay
Bird with the Crystal Plumage
Blood and Black Legs
Lovecraftesque by Black Armada
Suspiria
Halloween
Giallo Genre
Sherlock Holmes
Vangers: One For the Road
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Ray Chou (Mythworks) ep. 278
Ray Chou is a comic book and TTRPG creator--one of the talents behind the amazing Mythworks team, known for some of the last few years' most anticipated games--Wildsea, Slugblaster, Pico, and a whole lot more. Their studio defines the modern age of TTRPG development, and he walked us through his experience and process, offering a lot of insight into how it all works.
Today’s episode focuses on Ray’s unique experiences breaking into the industry and a close look into what it means to work in the high-level indie space. Ray broke into game writing at a pivotal point in the industry. It was before the medium really blew up, but recently enough to ride the wave of Kickstarter just as it was beginning. We also talked in depth about Mythworks and how it operates as an organization, leveraging the team's creative strengths to create indie work that feels like blockbuster TTRPG gaming.
You can find Mythworks here: https://www.myth.works/products
And follow Ray on Instagram! https://www.instagram.com/theraychou/
Mentions:
Tower Defense
DOTA
Dungeons and Dragons
Neverwinter Knights
Blades in the Dark
Pathfinder
CBR+PNK
The Wilds
Punchbowl
Farewell, My Concubine
Vikings
Starfall
DTF St Louis
Rashomon
Seventh Samurai
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Craig Hatler (Shadowlight & Personae) ep. 277
Craig talked with Craig Hatler, the creator of the RPG Shadowlight & Personae. They discussed his creative process and the origins of the game's ideas.
Get all of Craig's work HERE!
TSR’s Marvel Superheroes
Werewolf: the Apocalypse
Shadowrun
Star Wars RPG
Dungeons and Dragons Second Edition
Daggerheart
Amazing Stories
Twilight Zone
Love + Robots
House of Leaves
The Discovery of Witches
Watchmen
Downton Abbey
Matthew Goode
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Em Acosta (Crescent, Exile) ep. 276
Today, we check in with Em Acosta, a game designer known for games like Exile and Crescent. They’re heavily involved in the industry, with a lot of writing credits on all sorts of games, and they’ve just started a blog.
Our focus is on the process of game-making. There are so many factors that go into making anything creative, and especially so in the TTRPG space. Em talks about how their process has changed over the years, the importance and complexity of playtesting and interacting with public space, and unique ways to play and consume relationships in gaming.
It’s a personal and engaging interview that touches on the larger processes of game writing.
Check out Em Acosta at the links below:
Buy their books on Mythworks or Itch.io
Check out their Bluesky!
And their new blog!
Show Mentions:
Bluebeard’s Bride
Dungeon World
Powered By the Apocalypse
Girl By Moonlight
Blades in the Dark
Neverland
Quest
DIE RPG
Practical Anarchism - Shuli Branson
1000-Year-Old Vampire
Ion Heart
Pluribus
Paradise
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René-Pier Deshaies (Breathless: Frightmare Edition) ep. 275
I am joined by René-Pier, a TTRPG designer who’s committed to making the games and design accessible. He’s the author of Breathless (and the new Frightmare Edition), Boundless, and Stoneburner.
One of the main things we focus on in the episode is the nature of open-source and free games, and why they’re such an important part of this growing community. RP dives deep into the current state of TTRPGs, licensing, and managing community expectations and your own artistic endeavors. We also dive deep into the creation and approach he takes to his games, with simple rules, deadly mechanics, and a really unique way dice can impact how a game functions. It’s a great conversation, and RP has such a clear understanding of how games work.
Back the Frightmare Edition here: https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/mythworks/breathless-frightmare-edition
If you want to play Breathless, download it for free here! https://farirpgs.com/breathless/
And Boundless: https://farirpgs.com/boundless/
Referenced Media:
Fate
Blades in the Dark
2400 SRD
Cairn
Into the Odd
Duskfall
Dark Souls
Pico
Mothership
DM GM Club
Mythworks
Frieren
The Expanse
Dwarf Fortress
Project Hail Mary
Enola Homes
Knives Out
Star Wars
Conan
Indiana Jones
Stranger Things
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Sam Sleney & Zach Cox (Orbital Blues) ep. 274
A lone harmonica rattling through a ship hull; a frontiersman whistles his sad song as he shoulders his laser rifle; an ad plays over the speakers of an empty outpost in a sandy desert, two suns glaring overhead. These are the scenes of Orbital Blues, a lo-fi, sci-fi romp through the furthest frontier imaginable.
Today, we sat down with Sam and Zach, the co-creators of the game, to discuss their relationship, the conversations and execution that led to the game’s development, and all the nitty-gritty of how these games are getting made. We talk about their unique approach to writing, the beautiful design decisions they make, and how they involve the community. They also talk about Outlaws and Corporations, their new expansion that’s hitting shelves now.
To find Orbital Blues, Afterburn, and all their other great work, check out their website: https://usa.soulmuppet-store.co.uk/pages/orbital-blues
And if you wanna back the Outlaws and Corporations Kickstarter, check it out! https://www.backerkit.com/c/projects/soulmuppet/orbital-blues-outlaws-and-corporations?ref=home-page
Don't miss Orbital Blues Month here: https://www.backerkit.com/c/collections/orbital-blues-month
See more from Zach on Bluesky: https://bsky.app/profile/jellymuppet.bsky.social
The Titles We Mentioned:
Paint the Town Red
Inevitable
Best Left Buried
Orbital Blues
Sins
Beneath the Missing Sea
Warhammer Fantasy Roleplaying
Blades in the Dark
Maze Rats
Burning Wheel
Fantasy Flights: Only War
Exalted
Cyberpunk 2020
Mausritter
Mork Borg
Mordhau
Necropolis
Hobgoblin
Necromunda
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Ross Bryant and Cupp (Push the Roll) ep. 273
Cupp and Ross Bryant join us for an informative episode about the nature and specifics of roleplaying and podcasts. The pair dives into their experiences with role-playing games. The two of them are seasoned role-players and understand more than most what the impact of throwing a microphone in front of your face has on the way you approach sessions.
The highlights of this episode focus on how GMs can make the experience more visual and cinematic, and on the power of improvisation and fluidly moving through the session with your players. We discuss horror as a genre, so if you're into getting spooked during the session, it’s good listen.
Check out Push the Roll here: https://pushtheroll.com
and sign up to their Patreon! https://members.pushtheroll.com/?synced=1
Listen to Ain’t Slayed Nobody: https://aintslayednobody.com
Follow Ross on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/rossbb/
and Cuppycup: https://bsky.app/profile/did:plc:5olaqsnnyq7hqxxjr2qhtds7
SHOW NOTES:
The Victorians and Ancient Greece by Richard Jenkyns
Alien: The Cold Forge by Alex White
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Tim Denee (Blades '68) ep. 272
One of the great beauties of art is how different creators build upon their influences and contemporaries, creating layers that work together. We see it a lot in the TTRPG space, from shared mechanics, an influx of hacks and shared IPs, and so much cross-creation between mediums, be it books, video games, board games, and films.
Tim Denee joins us today to talk about Blades ’68, but the conversation turns to adaptations and interweaving that any avid RPG lover can learn from. He discusses how Blades ’68 transports the universe of Blades in the Dark into a new era, playing on how our world could look like a science-fiction fantasy realm of its own, and he straddled the source material with his own personal approach.
We’re at a point where TTRPG’s aren’t being developed in a vacuum—the genre is sprawling and interweaving in ways that give creators, DMs, and players a lot of room to grow and play. It’s a great inside look at how the most cutting-edge developers are working together to forge bigger and better universes than ever.
Tim Denee is a designer who works on all sorts of projects, from book covers to websites and TTRPGs! He’s well known for the acclaimed Deathmatch Island, and has a lot of great games in development outside of Blades ’68, like Bloodred Clouds in the Western Sky and Unit-X. His highly stylized games blend genre and period perfectly to create really exciting games.
REFERENCES:
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Kickin’ The Tires with Sean Nittner (Evil Hat Productions) ep. 271
Sean is the Director of Projects at Evil Hat Productions, a game developer and TTRPG enthusiast who has played more games than almost anyone we know. He’s been part of the design team for great titles like Agon, Apocalypse Galactica, Blades in the Dark, Dead World, and Stone Dragon Mountain. He adds a refreshing energy and commitment to the world of TTRPG’s—he’s been doing it for decades.
In today’s episode, we break down different gameplay styles and the realities of various mechanics, how they affect the flow of play, and how players interact with the world. It’s a deep dive into how game hacking and open-source development work, and it's great for homebrewers and developers alike. Sean discusses what makes for a robust mechanical structure and how best to integrate a game's structure and story into an evocative product. He explores how to deliver mechanics to your audience, how to tell more enticing stories, red and green flags in game-making, and details his awesome experiences in the field over
This conversation was a blast, running nearly two hours. A true deep dive, there’s a lot to learn here.
Visit the amazing titles sold by Evil Hat Productions
Titles and subjects we reference:
Spell and Blade
Tiān Dēng: Tales of the Immortal God Ship
Shadows of Truth
Tomb Raider
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Marc Majcher (The Empire Never Ended, Grackle Teeth) ep. 270
Craig and Marc discuss Marc's process for developing two of his games.
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Gareth Ryder-Hanrahan (Dracula Dossier, Fear Itself, Adventures in Middle-Earth) ep. 269
Craig spoke with Gareth Ryder-Hanrahan about his creative process, writing horror without being a big fan of the genre, and more.
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Keith Ammann (Monsters Know What They’re Doing) ep. 268
Craig spoke with Keith, author of several books on making enemies, places, and combats in your games feel more real.
Check out Keith's extensive library
League of Extraordinary Gentlemen
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Dean (Trenchcoat Raccoons, OneShotTPK) ep. 267
Craig sat down with Dean and discussed their newest game, Trenchcoat Raccoons!
Trenchcoat Raccoons Preorder
Trenchcoat Raccoons Free Quickstart
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Steven Alexander (Huckleberry: a Wyrd West RPG) ep. 266
Craig talked with Steven about the RPG he is crowdfunding in a week. A discussion about Westerns as a genre and how his game came to be.
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Federico Sohns (Nibiru, Zephyr) ep. 265
Craig spoke with Federico about two of their provocative TTRPGs, where they originated, and the process of bringing them from idea to a game that can be played.
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Warhammer
World of Darkness
Dawn of Everything by David Graber and David Wingrow
Debt: The First Five Thousand Years — David Graber
Seeing like a State - James C Scott
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Takuma Okada (Stewpot) ep. 264
Craig talked with Takuma about their big indie hit Stewpot: Tales from a Fantasy Tavern. They discuss the origins of the idea and the process from concept to release.
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Cam Banks (Dragonlance, Cortex Prime) ep. 263
Craig sat down with Cam Banks, a prolific RPG creator who has worked on many of the games on your RPG shelf.
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Glenn Ford (Pukeapocalypse, Boarders and Black Flags) ep. 262
Craig talked with Glenn Ford about his creative journey and two of his miniature-game designs.
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Maddie & Wheels (Dicebreaker, Just for Fun Inc) ep. 261
Craig sat down with Maddie and Wheels to discuss their newest venture and recently released game.
Just for Fun, Inc, Outgunned, ROOT, Call of Cthulhu, Delta Green, Ten Candles, Alice is Missing, SETI, Band of Blades, Warhammer, FREAKZ!, Dead Rising 2, Raven's Watch, Numenera
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Asher McClennahan (Kickstarter, Alchemy VTT) ep. 260
Craig sat down with Asher, the new Head of Games at Kickstarter, to discuss his work there and his previous experience with Alchemy RPG VTT.
Azul, Mancala, Alchemy RPG, Dungeon Slimes, The Creative Act - Rick Rubin, The Avett Brothers, May it Last, Ain't Slayed Nobody, Cosmic Dark
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Check out the great games from A Couple of Drakes:
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Garry Snow (Bugbusters, Dieku Podcast) ep. 259
Craig talked with Garry Snow of Dieku Games about his RPG Bugbusters and podcast/YouTube channel.
Fang Dungeon Bestiary on BackerkitWhite Dwarf Magazine
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Mikey Hamm (Slugblaster: Slime, Warp, and Solder) ep. 258
Mikey Hamm talked with Craig about the new expansion zines for his award-winning RPG, Slugblaster.
Get Slugblaster: Slime, Warp, and Solder HERE!
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John Harper (Blades in the Dark: Deep Cuts) ep. 257
John Harper talks with Craig about the Deep Cuts expansion book for Blades in the Dark.
How To Draw Comics The Marvel Way | Book by Stan Lee, John Buscema
Understanding Comics - Scott McCloud
Previous interviews with John
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Graham Walmsley (Play Unsafe, Cosmic Dark, Cthulhu Dark) ep. 256
Graham Walmsley talks with Craig about the creative process behind Play Unsafe, Cthulhu Dark, and CosmicDark.
What Moves the Dead byT King Fisher
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J Strautman & B Marsollier (Fool's Errand) ep. 255
I talk with J and B about their newest game, Fool's Errand. A Fool’s Errand is a tarot-fueled science fantasy game set in a vibrant post-calamity world of Androids, Humans, and those in between. Fools, go forth and explore realms both waking and subconscious. Beware: the Gods are watching, ready to manifest their love and rage as boons and calamities.
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Mike Hutchinson (Gaslands, Space Gits) ep. 254
Craig sits down with Mike Hutchinson of Planet Smasher Games and talks about the creative process behind his new miniatures game, Space Gits. We also discuss a new version of A Billion Suns and his RPG, The Crawling Chaos.
Space Gits, Gaslands, Billion Suns, Hobgoblin, The Crawling Chaos, Daily Rituals by Mason Curry, The Infinite Game - Simon Syneck, Bushido, Vampire: The Masquerade, The Dunwich Horror, Tour de Lovecraft: The Tales -- Kenneth Hite, Bluebeard's Bride, Everyone is John, For the Queen, Nosferatu, The Witch, Swamp Thing, V for Vendetta, Watchmen, Dark Knight Returns, Maus, Citizen Sleeper, Scum and Villainy, Blades in the Dark
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Paul Baldowski (Cthulhu Hack, Dee Sanction) ep. 253
Craig talked with Paul about his creative process and the game on KS, Dee Sanction.
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Patrice & Leland (Changed Stars) ep. 252
Craig sat down with the creators of the sci-fi RPG Changed Stars!
Changed Stars is a sci-fi RPG set in a bright-yet-perilous future. Inspired by utopian-feminist science fiction and contemporary, gritty, speculative futures, Changed Stars presents a modern take on a post-patriarchal society. A diverse array of Frames provides opportunities for many sorts of play—ranging from taking on xenophobic separatists, cutthroat criminals, lethal machines, and otherworldly predators to forwarding scientific advancements across space to working a day in the life of your character as unexpected calamity thrusts them into a thriller.
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Jon Cohen (Tale of the Maniticore) ep. 251
Jon talks to me about his popular Tale of the Manticore podcast and One Shot in the Dark RPG.
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Pick the right RPG with Clint (Claim to Game) ep. 250
Craig and Clint talk about how you can pick the right game for your next RPG session.
Free RPG Quiz - Find a Good Fit RPG for your Gaming Group
Other Helpful Episodes or Podcasts Mentioned:
CTG Episode 16 - Keep Your Eye on the Ball - How to Play to Your Strengths During a Tabletop Roleplaying Game, With Robin D. Laws -
CTG Episode 18 - Don’t be Scared of Horror - Why you should give horror TTRPG genre a chance, with Kenneth Hite -
CTG Episode 31 - Master Storytelling Like J.R.R. Tolkien - Lessons from Lord of the Rings with Aaron Airmet -
The Final Girls: A Horror Film Podcast -
Books to Level Up Your Game Master Skills:
Lazy Dungeon Master (Paperback) - https://amzn.to/4hThN7T
Return of the Lazy Dungeon Master (Paperback) - https://amzn.to/3EW1AQD
The Ultimate Guide to 5 Room Dungeons (PDF & Softcover) https://www.drivethrurpg.com/en/product/303020/the-ultimate-guide-to-5-room-dungeons?affiliate_id=4263376
Mothership: Warden’s Operations Manual (PDF) - https://www.drivethrurpg.com/en/product/484223/mothership-warden-s-operations-manual?affiliate_id=4263376
Honorable Mentions:
Feeding the Monster - Why Horror Has a Hold on Us (Hardback) - https://amzn.to/3Qz3pFF
Tabletop Games Mentioned (these use Clint's affiliate link so show him some love)
Blades in the Dark (PDF + Softcover) https://www.drivethrurpg.com/en/product/170689/blades-in-the-dark?src=hottest_filtered&keyword=Blades%20in%20the%20dark&affiliate_id=4263376
Shadow Run: Sixth World (PDF) - https://www.drivethrurpg.com/en/product/460386/shadowrun-sixth-world-core-rulebook-city-edition-berlin?src=newest_recent&affiliate_id=4263376 (Not the oldman version Craig mentioned 🙂)
Ironsworn: Starforged (PDF) - https://www.drivethrurpg.com/en/product/391653/ironsworn-starforged?affiliate_id=4263376
Lancer Core Book: First Edition - https://massif-press.itch.io/corebook-pdf?ac=DpvFD5gDjhHDp
TMNT and Other Strangeness - https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/palladiumbooks/teenage-mutant-ninja-turtles-and-other-strangeness
The Terminator RPG (PDF) - https://www.drivethrurpg.com/en/product/398327/the-terminator-rpg?src=hottest_filtered&affiliate_id=4263376
Burning Wheel Gold Revised - (Multiple Formats) https://www.drivethrurpg.com/en/product/448187/burning-wheel-gold-revised?affiliate_id=4263376
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Chris Casciano (Escaping Tynebris: The Dungeons) Interview: ep. 249
Craig talks to artist and game maker, Chris Casciano!
Check out Escaping Tynebris here!
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An Apology: ep. 249
An overdue apology and talk about what is next.
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Navi & Shawn Drake (Hedge) Interview: ep. 248
I sat down with Shawn and Navi Drake and discussed the origins of their game, Hedge. We also answer the big question - can you win an RPG?
Neoclassical Geek Revival Basic 2nd Edition
The Magazine of Fantasy & Science Fiction
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Matt John (Conan: The Hyborian Age) Interview: ep. 247
Craig talks with Matt John, one of the designers on Monolith's new Conan RPG!
Back the game HERE! ************************************
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GM Advice - Get Organized!: ep. 246
Craig shares how he writes and organizes scenarios before and during play.
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Jason Cordova and Alex Rybitski (The Between) Interview: ep. 245
This is a special episode where Alex is interviewing Jason about The Between!
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Neal Litherland (Sundara: Dawn of a New Age, Army Men) Interview: ep. 244
Craig talks with Neal Litherland, an author and the RPG creator behind Sundara: Dawn of a New Age and Army Men.
Exalted RPG ************************************
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Sam Dunnewold (Dice Exploder) Interview: ep. 243
Craig sat down with Sam Dunnewold and learned where the inspiration for Dice Exploder emerged from, Sam's creative process works, and what it was like working with Jason Morningstar on a new game about time, reenactors, and the horrible human that was Jesse James.
Back Season 4 of Dice Exploder
Ben Alexander (ION Heart, Illustrator for Shiver) Interview: ep. 242
Craig sat down with Ben Alexander of Parable Games to discuss his art and new solo RPG, ION Heart.
Check out Shiver and other games he’s illustrated
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Marginal Words KS
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Emily Weiss (Picket Line Tango for Mothership) Interview: ep. 241
Enjoy this conversation with Emily Weiss, public defender, gamer, and creator of Picket Line Tango and Breach of Contract for Mothership. Get Emily’s work here.
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Marginal Words KS
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Jake (Terraino) Interview: ep. 240
Is there a way to make your game terrain affordable? Enjoy Craig's conversation with Jake Karlsmark of Game Gear Master. They discuss Jake's Terraino system, the idea's origin, and his creative choices to bring it to life.
Check out the goods on their website
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Marginal Words KS
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Jonathan Mordech (King’s Poisoner) Interview: ep. 239
Jonathan talks about the origins and the mechanics behind his GM-Less RPG, The King's Poisoner. He walks us through the process and decisions that took the basics of Blackjack and transformed it into an RPG with court intrigue and murder!
Support The King's Poisoner BackerKit Campaign
Find more games on V2S Games website
Follow V2S Games on X
Join V2S Games on Discord
ARC (Australia Roleplay Community)
Last Train to Bremen by Caro Asercion
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Marginal Words KS
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Ross Bryant (Glass Cannon Network, Stream of Blood, The Good Place) Interview: ep. 238
Ross Bryant shares his creative process as a performer and a player. He reveals the skills that make for a great player and GM. We dig into the crossover from being an actor and comedian and playing in an RPG.
Early Ross the player on Steam of Blood
Before the Storm: Barry Goldwater and the Unmaking of the American Consensus
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WF Smith (Barkeep on the Borderlands) Interview: ep. 237
WF Smith discusses his Ennie-winning book, Barkeep on the Borderlands. Craig asks about the idea's origin and the creative decisions that brought the book to life.
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Marginal Words KS
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Jim & Raychel (Tabula Sono 3D VTT) Interview: ep. 236
Craig talks with the sibling duo behind the innovative browser-based virtual tabletop Tabula Sono. They discuss how the idea emerged and the design pillars that guide their development.
House of Earth and Blood (Crescent City, 1)
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Joel Vrugdenhil (Star & City, Heaven or Hell) Interview: ep. 235
Craig talks with Joel about two of his games, Star & City and Heaven or Hell. Joel reveals the influences he's had from video and board games. They discuss when to recognize a game isn't working and what to do next.
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Addison Goff (Eureka: Investigative Urban Fantasy) Interview: ep. 234
Craig talks with Addison Goff about his game, where the investigative system came from, and how he believes it solves some of the issues he sees in other games like Call of Cthulhu and the Gumshoe system,
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