RPG Design Panelcast

What’s Up in Tabletop Games?

Recorded at Breakout Con 2017

Presented by Michelle Lyons-McFarland, Jonathan Gilmour, Robin D. Laws, Eric Lang, and moderator Jonathan Lavallee.

Bombard our panelists with questions about tabletop gaming and the many directions it’s headed in.

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Episode 117: What's up in Tabletop Gaming Play Now | Play in Popup | Download (856)

Creating Horror in Games

Recorded at Breakout Con 2017

Presented by Michelle Lyons-McFarland, Jonathan Gilmour, and moderator  Jacqueline Bryk,

Like ghosties, ghoulies, long-legged beasties, and things that go bump in the night? Join us for a panel on how to incorporate gothic horror tropes into your project or campaign!

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Episode 116: Creating Horror in Games Play Now | Play in Popup | Download (754)

Sex in Games

Recorded at Breakout Con 2017

Presented by Moyra Turkington, Jacqueline Bryk, Alex Roberts, and moderator Emily Griggs.

From the Ramayana to Romeo and Juliet, love and passion are at the heart of some of the most timeless stories ever told. So, how do we explore these themes in roleplaying games? How do we as players and GMs help each other have fun and stay safe? What systems bring sex and romance to the forefront? What’s that thing larpers are doing with their hands? Your panelists will answer all these questions, and many more.

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Episode 115: Sex in Games Play Now | Play in Popup | Download (1895)

GM Troubleshooting

Recorded at Breakout Con 2017

Presented by Robin Laws, Matt McFarland, Anna Kreider and moderator Fraser Ronald.

Solve your toughest GMing problems with the aid of our masterful panelists. Discussing the challenges of the game master’s life.

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Episode 114: GM Troubleshooting Play Now | Play in Popup | Download (844)

Art in Games

Recorded at Breakout Con 2017

Presented by  Rachel Kahn, Anna Kreider, Emily Griggs, and moderator Cory Reid

Demystifying the process of how art gets created for games — how to get commissions, how the process works, and what art can do for a game besides look great! The art that surrounds a game greatly influences how the game gets played, and inspires the players at the table. Join Anna Kreider, Rachel Kahn and Emily Griggs as they discuss the role of art in gaming.

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Episode 113: Art in Games [ 49:15 ] Play Now | Play in Popup | Download (825)

Getting Kids into Games

Recorded at Breakout Con 2017

Presented by Daniel Kwan, Rachel Kahn, Sean Munro and moderator Pieter van Hiel  

We love role-playing games! Regardless of the game system, the storytelling, dice rolling, teamwork, and creative thinking involved in all tabletop RPGs have had a profound impact on our lives. But how do you introduce families and children to the imagination, storytelling, empowerment, and cooperation involved in gaming? Find out how to lay the groundwork for future, more complicated RPG sessions with your kids and family!

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Episode 112: Getting Kids into Games [ 52:05 ] Play Now | Play in Popup | Download (709)

Being a Great Player

Recorded at Breakout Con 2017

Presented by Emily Griggs, Jason Pitre, Moyra Turkington and Chris Chung, moderated by Corey Reid.

A great GM can only craft an amazing tabletop RPG experience with the help of great players. A discussion of how to be one of those players, improving the at-table experience for both yourself and everyone else. Includes discussions on roleplaying technique, communal storytelling, and how experienced players can help welcome new players into the hobby.

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Episode 111: Being a Great Player Play Now | Play in Popup | Download (791)

Game to Game: Converting Between Systems

Recorded at Metatopia 2015

Presented by John Adamus and Paul Stefko

If you play more than one RPG, you will eventually want to use material from one system in another. Or maybe your favorite game has been updated to a new awesome edition, but you want to keep using your old books too. What should you keep in mind when converting RPG rules and adventures from one game to another? How much (or how little) work do you need to do?

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Episode 110: Converting Between Systems Play Now | Play in Popup | Download (693)

Playing and Designing at the Intersections: Creating Good Allyship

Recorded at Metatopia 2015

Presented by Kat Jones, Krista White, Elsa S. Henry & K.N. Granger.

This roundtable will focus on how to design and run games from an intersectional feminist standpoint. We will discuss different ways a game can be intersectional including: mechanics, characters, artwork, and more. Drawing on concrete examples from panelists about their own design process, as well as games that have influenced them, we will offer suggestions for designing intersectional games. We will also give some examples of how to make pre-existing games and systems more intersectional. Topics included in the discussion will be: how to fail forward, how to be a good ally, and how to respectfully write about marginalized groups when coming from a position of privilege

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Episode 109: Designing Intersectionally [ 46:02 ] Play Now | Play in Popup | Download (786)

Art for your Game without Breaking the Bank

Recorded at Metatopia 2015

Presented by Jack Parra,  John Carimando, Scott Bowmanchester and Brennan Reece.

Getting high-quality art is key to making a product look professional. How do publishers do it without breaking the bank? Our panel makes with the tips and tricks.

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Episode 108: Affordable Art [ 57:43 ] Play Now | Play in Popup | Download (785)

Working with Artists 101

Recorded at Metatopia 2015

Presented by Brennan Taylor, Fred Hicks & John Carimando

How do you find and contact artists to work with you on a project? How much can you expect to spend? How can you avoid pissing your artist off? Find out from the veterans!

 

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Episode 107: Working with Artists [ 55:49 ] Play Now | Play in Popup | Download (1528)

Special Episode 1 

In this special episode of the RPG Design Panelcast, we discuss a few administrative bits concerning the podcasts, including issues of sound quality. I also take a chance to shamelessly plug one of my games which is currently kickstarting (http://tinyurl.com/SigKS)

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Making your First Game

Recorded at Metatopia 2015

Presented by Mark Richardson, John Adamus & Jason Walters.

So, you’ve decided to make your first game. How exciting! Discuss what pitfalls to avoid and what strategies can speed you toward success with designers also making their first game.

Note that Mark’s first game is Headspace, currently available at Indie Press Revolution!

John’s first game, Noir World, is coming to kickstarter soon!

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Episode 106: Making your First Game Play Now | Play in Popup | Download (1430)

Cultural Mechanics

Recorded at Metatopia 2015

Presented by Jason Pitre, Julia Ellingboe, and Mark Diaz Truman.

Games are part of our cultures, and the rules we create reflect our own backgrounds. In this roundtable, we explore how mechanics can reflect and/or interrogate culture. How can mechanics explore other people’s experiences? What assumptions do we bring to the game-design table?

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Episode 105: Cultural Mechanics Play Now | Play in Popup | Download (963)

Cyber Infiltration Hotsheet: Prepping to GM a Cyberheist

Recorded at Metatopia 2015

Presented by Shane Harsch, Tim Rodriguez & Mark Richardson.

What a cyberpunk GM should consider when prepping a cyberheist to keep the drama at least nominally grounded in reality (watch Mr. Robot before attending)

This is a follow up to Episode 50, the panel on Hacking in RPGs. 

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Episode 104: Cyberheist Hotsheet [ 43:38 ] Play Now | Play in Popup | Download (831)

Superhero Games Across the Multiverse

Recorded at Metatopia 2015

Presented by Dave Chalker, Cam Banks, Darren Watts & Christopher Badell

Superheroes are more popular than ever in the movies and on TV, and there are more games about superheroes than there’s ever been. What makes a superhero game a superhero game? How do you make your superhero game distinct? What are the most important aspects of a superhero game to make it feel heroic?

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Episode 103: Superhero RPGs Play Now | Play in Popup | Download (880)

A Designer’s Guide to Podcasts

Recorded at Metatopia 2015

Presented by James D’Amato, Alex Roberts & Kat Kuhl.

A Designer’s Guide to Podcasts” presented by . Getting your ideas in front of people can be one of the most difficult and unpleasant parts of game design. So people love design, but hate talking about what they are doing. Thankfully there is a community of people who are dedicated to talking about games in public spaces, they are called podcasters. Topics will include: Proper etiquette for self promotion, how to choose which shows to target, how to communicate effectively about your game, how to ask for what you want, how to purchase an ad, how to write an ad, whether you want to be a guest or a topic, how to make actual play easy and effective flattery.

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Episode 102: A Designer's Guide to Podcasts Play Now | Play in Popup | Download (720)

Promoting Your Game Through Podcasting and Other Media

Recorded at Metatopia 2015

Presented by Chris Perrin, Tara Clapper, Chris Bell & Mario Dongu.

Gaming has a rich, vibrant media that really enjoys advocating for new games and new game designers. However, it can be hard for game designers to find gamer media outlets and even harder to know what to say. This panel will look at ways game designers can find gaming media and promote themselves, presented by the This Just In… crew.

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Episode 101: Promoting your Game [ 1:01:14 ] Play Now | Play in Popup | Download (720)

Structuring Game Texts

Recorded at Metatopia 2015

Presented by Jason Pitre, Robert Bohl, Jay Treat and Cat Tobin.

You’ve designed your game, you’ve playtested it, and you’ve decided you want to publish it as a text (either for free download or sale). How do you structure that text so that it will draw readers in and make the game easy to understand the first time, and easy to use as a reference later?

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Episode 100: Structuring Game Texts Play Now | Play in Popup | Download (779)

Why do you Hate your Readers and Players?

Recorded at Metatopia 2015

Presented by John Adamus

When writing a game or project, it’s important that the language be clear and enjoyable, not just showing off how smart the author is. Learn techniques to keep your project readable and enjoyable.

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Episode 99: Why do you Hate your Readers? [ 56:27 ] Play Now | Play in Popup | Download (889)

Ten (More) Ways To Make Your Rulebook Awesome

Recorded at Metatopia 2015

Presented by Joshua Yearsley.

Your rulebook is the heart of your game, so why not give it the love it deserves? In this seminar, you’ll learn ten best practices for improving the structure, style, and clarity of your rulebook. Did you come last year? These tips and tricks will be all new! Got any burning questions about rules craft? Get answers from a professional rulebook editor.

Link to the full presentation here!

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Episode 98: Editing Rulebooks v2 Play Now | Play in Popup | Download (805)

 

 

 

What an Editor can do for you

Recorded at Metatopia 2015

Presented by John Adamus

Editors are here to help. It’s their job. They’re tasked with making your project better. So why not use one? Get answers to what they do and how they can benefit you. Trust us, everyone needs one. Really

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Episode 97: What an Editor Does Play Now | Play in Popup | Download (847)

GenCon Playtesting Panel

Recorded at Gencon 2016

Presented by Jason Pitre, Emily Care  Boss,  and Mark Richardson

Playtesting RPGs is a difficult process. In this panel, sponsored by the Indie Game Developer Network, we will teach you how to effectively test games as a designer and as a player.  Learn about types of playtests, the best kind of playtesters, and how to offer constructive feedback.

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Episode 96: GenCon Playtesting Panel [ 48:47 ] Play Now | Play in Popup | Download (1314)

Gearheads: Clever RPG Mechanics

Recorded at Gencon 2016

Presented by Jason Pitre, and Emily Care Boss

Roleplaying game design is a hotbed of innovation, and this panel is a place to talk about some of the latest and greatest mechanics for games. We will talk about fronts, countdown clocks, gm-less play, advantage, and other mechanics to sink your teeth into.

Links and Games!

1. Romance Trilogy, including Breaking the Ice, Shooting the Moon, and Under my Skin, by Emily Care Boss (http://www.blackgreengames.com/lcn/2016/7/24/romance-trilogy)
2. Indie Groundbreaker Awards (http://www.igdnonline.com/indie-groundbreaker-awards-winners/ )
3. 14 Days, by Hannah Shaffer (http://makebigthings.com/14-days-a-game-about-life-with-migraines/ )
4. 183 Days, by James Stuart and Sara Williamson (http://www.drivethrucards.com/product/144510/183-Days)
5. Fall of Magic, by Ross Cowman (http://heartofthedeernicorn.com/product/fall-of-magic-scroll-edition/ )
6. 10 Candles, by Stephen Dewey (http://cavalrygames.com/)
7. Dread, by Epidiah Ravachol (https://dreadthegame.wordpress.com/about-dread-the-game/)
8. The The Dread Geas Of Duke Vulku by Epidiah Ravachol (http://www.worldswithoutmaster.com/the-dread-geas-of-duke-vulku/ )
9. Microscope and Kingdom by Ben Robbins (http://www.lamemage.com/)
10. Downfall, by Caroline Hobbs (https://lessthanthreegames.com/downfall/)
11. Usagi Yojimbo, by Sanguine Productions (http://drivethrurpg.com/product/50310/USAGI-YOJIMBO-ROLEPLAYING-GAME-Legacy)
12. Blood Red Sands, by Ralph Mazza (http://www.galileogames.com/blood-red-sands/)
13. Burning Wheel, by Luke Crane (https://www.burningwheel.com/)
14. Apocalypse World, by Meguey and Vincent Baker (http://apocalypse-world.com/)
15. Dungeon World, by Sage Latorra and Adam Koebel (http://www.dungeon-world.com/)
16. Montseigeur 1244, by Frederik J. Jensen (http://thoughtfulgames.com/montsegur1244/ )
17. Epyllion, by Marissa Kelly (http://www.magpiegames.com/epyllion/
18. Posthuman Pathways, by Jason Pitre (http://www.genesisoflegend.com/product/posthuman-pathways/)
19. Play with Intent, by Emily Care Boss and Matthijs Holter (https://playwithintent.wordpress.com/)
20. Nightwitches by Jason Morningstar (http://bullypulpitgames.com/)
21. The Warren by Marshall Miller (http://bullypulpitgames.com/)
22. Monsterhearts, by Avery Alder (http://buriedwithoutceremony.com/monsterhearts/)
23. Sagas of the Icelanders, by Gregor Vulga (http://www.indiepressrevolution.com/xcart/product.php?productid=19311&page=1)
24. Headspace, by Mark Richardson (http://www.greenhatdesigns.com/?project=head-space)
25. Dream Askew, by Avery Alder (http://buriedwithoutceremony.com/dream-askew/ )
26. The Quiet Year, by Avery Alder (http://buriedwithoutceremony.com/the-quiet-year/ )
27. Steal Away Jordan, by Julia Ellingboe (http://www.lulu.com/shop/julia-bond-ellingboe/steal-away-jordan/ebook/product-17470217.html )
28. Blades in the Dark, by John Harper (http://www.onesevendesign.com/ and http://www.drivethrurpg.com/product/170689/Blades-in-the-Dark-Digital-Edition-Early-Access )
29. Swords without Master, by Epidiah Ravachol (http://www.worldswithoutmaster.com )
30. Mars Colony, by Tim Koppang http://www.tckroleplaying.com/marscolony/
31. Misericorde, by Emily Care Boss (http://www.blackgreengames.com/shop/misericorde-pdf)
32. Fools Journey, by Stentor Danielson (http://www.drivethrurpg.com/product/154421/The-Fools-Journey)
33. Spark Roleplaying Game, Jason Pitre (http://www.genesisoflegend.com/product/spark/)
34. Bubblegumshoe, Evil Hat Productions (http://www.evilhat.com/home/)
35. Seven Wonders, by Pelgrane Press (http://site.pelgranepress.com/index.php/seven-wonders-a-story-games-anthology-2/)

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Different Voices: Diverse RPGs

Recorded at Gencon 2016

Presented by Jason Pitre, and Shoshanna Kessock

Roleplaying games offer a fantastic window into the lives of others, and let us see the world through different eyes. This panel, sponsored by the Indie Game Developer Network, will discuss some of these games that bring diverse voices and creators to the forefront.

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Episode 94: Diverse Voices Play Now | Play in Popup | Download (679)