January 19, 2019
Recorded at Metatopia 2018
Presented by DC
Participate in a discussion about expanding the narrative fantasies applied to tabletop RPGs. The standard "set" of explored backgrounds and settings are not only old, but also fundamentally structured around a singular perspective. Inspecting the foundation of our fiction allows us to better understand the values or pitfalls of those choices, and how they may affect who decides to, or not to, join us at our table
December 22, 2018
Recorded at Metatopia 2018
Presented by Sam Saltiel, Brand Robins, Camdon Wright, Eli Eaton
Good consent practice requires that consent is enthusiastic and informed. Let's talk about how to encourage a higher level of consent. We will discuss tools you can add at the table, but then we'll explore ways to integrate consent into the foundations of your design.
September 1, 2018
Recorded at Metaopia 2017
Presented by Whitney Delaglio, Brand Robins
Sexy Times in-game can be serious business, but it doesn't have to be! Join us for a discussion about using artwork and tone to encourage fun and playful exploration of intimacy in games.
This episode coincides with the release of the kickstarter for Prism! Check it out here: https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/2026929256/prism-1
June 9, 2018
Recorded at Metatopia 2017
Presented by Julia Ellingboe, Jess Banks and Laiel.
Our panelists will talk about about incorporating actual real life systems of faith into settings, themes, and conflicts, rather than to making up a religion for a game. Let's talk about about writing about faith, particularly when it's different from our own.
March 31, 2018
Recorded at BreakoutCon 2018
Presented by Sarah Richardson, Michelle Lyons-McFarland, Jaym Gates
Moderator: Brand Robbins
Jaym Gates (BLUE ROSE 2nd Ed., TIANXIA: Blood, Silk, and Jade,), Michelle Lyons-McFarland (Chill, A Tragedy in Five Acts), and Sarah Richardson (Bluebeard’s Bride, Velvet Glove) as they discuss how diverse viewpoints bring new life to tired horror tropes. Topics may include feminine horror, setting the right tone, disrupting player assumptions, plus tips and tricks for running horror in trad, OSR, and story games. Make sure to bring questions of your own!
March 24, 2018
Recorded at Metatopia 2017
Presented by Shoshana Kessock, Neall Price, Susanne Vejdemo, Joshua A. C. Newman.
Art is and has always been political, and game design is no different. In this panel, we'll talk about developing games with political agendas not only wholly in mind, but front and center. We'll tackle discussions about the hard topics that come up in political games, whether or not you design for unity or for controversy, how to use game design to create the political message of your games, and how to design games with political messages in the current charged political world.
February 24, 2018
Recorded at Metatopia 2017
Presented by Tam Myaing, Heather Wilson.
Games by their nature are learning tools. When we play games, we are, at a minimum, learning the mechanics and the boundaries of the game space. Can we use this 'learning mechanic' to design better games, and better players? The panel will explore the mechanics of learning in games and their potential to reach beyond the game space.
February 10, 2018
Recorded at Metatopia 2017
Presented by Kate Bullock, Michelle Lyons, Kathryn Miller, Anna Kreider.
As much as we'd like to banish "Women in Gaming" panels to the depths of our historic archives, there is still value in addressing the fact that being there are challenges for women at the gaming table that different than those faced by our male counterparts. This panel will talk about the ways women have always contributed to gaming, and how to handle some of the more nuanced situations that still come up.
February 3, 2018
Recorded at Metatopia 2017
Presented by Eric Simon, Darren Watts, Shoshana Kessock, and Elsa Henry.
From the implicit imperialism of steampunk to the complicated controversy of HBO's Confederate, it seems like alternate history is often fraught with problems. We provide you with techniques and ideas for writing, designing, and playing with historical and alternate historical themes in ways that are positive, inclusive, respectful, and productive.
The slideshow presentation used at the panel is available at https://docs.google.com/presentation/d/1Uyj3bTumXtXSSz6s7JV_kAc2mwnfSs1abUoeYfjWFfQ/edit?usp=sharing
November 7, 2017
Recorded at Metatopia 2016
Presented by Jason Morningstar, Jay Sylvano, Benjamin Morrow.
Games can obviously be political and create empathy, but can they be journalism? Can they create change, spur activism, prompt meaningful dialog? What does it take to make a game with a contemporary theme or focused on an important issue - and what can go wrong?
