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Stuff to Watch: Stuff to Watch: August 2008

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  1.  # 81
    •  
      CommentAuthorjenskot
    • CommentTimeAug 19th 2008 edited
     # 82
    Posted By: Daniel M. PerezEN World's Piratecat talks about his new favorite horror game, over Call of Cthulhu, Dread.

    [1]

    When ever I look at a fantasy game, I always ask myself, "why should I play this instead of D&D or Burning Wheel?"
    When ever I look at a horror game, I always ask myself, "why should I play this instead of Dread (Jenga)?"

    That being said, Dread is specifically great for suspenseful horror. Literally dread!
  3.  # 83
    Posted By: Daniel M. PerezEN World's Piratecat talks about his new favorite horror game, over Call of Cthulhu, Dread.

    [2] Just to be clear, that post was from last year. But still....
  4.  # 84
    This article on the "Xiang Yu phenomenon" is a few months old, but I just found it. I wonder if there isn't something there that can be mined for game design, e.g., attributes that diminish and disappear if they aren't periodically used.
  5.  # 85
    Posted By: jenskotWhen ever I look at a fantasy game, I always ask myself, "why should I play this instead of D&D or Burning Wheel?"
    When ever I look at a horror game, I always ask myself, "why should I play this instead of Dread (Jenga)?"


    [3] When I looked at any game three years ago, I asked myself "why should I play this instead of GURPS?"

    The past few years has shown that to be a silly (but non-trivial) question to ask.
  6.  # 86
    The Onion: The Supreme Court: Death Penalty is 'Totally Badass'

    My favorite bit is where the justices start geeking out to Judge Dredd.
    • CommentAuthorJudd
    • CommentTimeAug 20th 2008
     # 87
  8.  # 88
    BLDGBLOG: Mayan Muons and Unmapped Rooms: particle physicists from UT-Austin plan on using repurposed muon detectors to detect unmapped rooms inside Mayan archaeological ruins.
  9.  # 89
    Posted By: Justin D. Jacobson
    Posted By: Daniel M. PerezEN World's Piratecat talks about his new favorite horror game, over Call of Cthulhu, Dread.

    [2] Just to be clear, that post was from last year. But still....

    [3] Ah, the thread got resurrected after GC and it caught my eye.
  10.  # 90
    [1] I could only read a handful of the DM Entitlement posts before my brain melted. There's so much to be said. I just don't have the endurance to tackle that thread.
    • CommentAuthorJudd
    • CommentTimeAug 20th 2008
     # 91
    Posted By: Zak Arntson[1] I could only read a handful of the DM Entitlement posts before my brain melted. There's so much to be said. I just don't have the endurance to tackle that thread.


    [2] Oh, please don't tackle anything.
    • CommentAuthorMark W
    • CommentTimeAug 20th 2008
     # 92
    [3] In fairness, Ari Marmell dropped some solid (at least in trad-gaming terms) good sense on the topic VERY early, and a number of other posters have basically agreed with the "duh, it's a compromise" position. No need to nutpick.
    •  
      CommentAuthorjenskot
    • CommentTimeAug 20th 2008
     # 93
    Clyde (and Rob via prepared questions) interview Mike Mearls:
    http://theoryfromthecloset.com/2008/08/19/show044-interview-with-mike-mearls/

    Best post 4E Mearls interview I've seen. All 3 guys rock. Made for an easy commute to work today.
    •  
      CommentAuthorbuzz
    • CommentTimeAug 20th 2008
     # 94
    For all you bloggin' gamers out there:

    What Makes for a Good Blog?
  15.  # 95
    Posted By: Justin D. JacobsonThis articleon the "Xiang Yu phenomenon"


    Xiang Yu knew how to frame a scene!

    He also knew about railroading.
  16.  # 96
    Sweet resource -

    I just came across this book - you could use it as a fast reference to create interesting PCs or NPCs on the fly. The book is full of 6-word descriptions of people's lives that are quite evocative, like "I still make coffee for two" and "Most successful accomplishments based on spite." I think this will be my new favorite resource after the Names Project book.

    Not Quite What I Was Planning: Six-Word Memoirs by Writers Famous and Obscure
    http://www.amazon.com/Not-Quite-What-Was-Planning/dp/0061374059/ref=si3_rdr_bb_product

    -Rachel
  17.  # 97
    A blogger (and former gamer) responds to McCain's D&D dig in a post with the best title ever: Cloak of Stupidity +5, or the Art of the False Political Assumption.
    •  
      CommentAuthorjenskot
    • CommentTimeAug 21st 2008 edited
     # 98
    [2]

    Posted By: EarthenForgeSweet resource -

    I just came across this book - you could use it as a fast reference to create interesting PCs or NPCs on the fly. The book is full of 6-word descriptions of people's lives that are quite evocative, like "I still make coffee for two" and "Most successful accomplishments based on spite." I think this will be my new favorite resource after the Names Project book.

    Not Quite What I Was Planning: Six-Word Memoirs by Writers Famous and Obscure
    http://www.amazon.com/Not-Quite-What-Was-Planning/dp/0061374059/ref=si3_rdr_bb_product

    -Rachel


    Hot! You can read the submissions the quotes were picked from here:
    http://www.smithmag.net/sixwords/archive.php?featured=1
    http://www.smithmag.net/sixwords/archive.php
  19.  # 99
    RPGPundit plays and enjoys Grey Ranks.

    (Just kidding. Actual hatred index: Severe)
    •  
      CommentAuthorMerten
    • CommentTimeAug 21st 2008
     # 100
    D&D: Tiny Adventures is a fascianating little thingy that resembles the build-it-yourselves adventure books (except, well, you can't build them) and comes with an addictive one adventure-event-in-7-minutes -timer.

    Must be pretty popular right now, because:

    User wizapps_wotc has already more than 'max_user_connections' active connections
  21.  # 101
    Posted By: Jason MorningstarRPGPundit plays and enjoys Grey Ranks.

    (Just kidding. Actual hatred index: Severe)

    [1] Jason, I hope you didn't give him a free review copy, as he didn't even deign to name the game.
  22.  # 102
    [2]

    Rob, I think that's like actually winning Pundit points or something.

    15 pts: Get the pundit mad at you.
    22 pts: Get the pundit so mad at you he won't name your game in the event you benefit from his jackassery.
    •  
      CommentAuthorjenskot
    • CommentTimeAug 21st 2008
     # 103
    McCain campaign spokesperson Michael Goldfarb apologizes to D&D players:
    http://icv2.com/articles/news/13128.html
    “If my comments caused any harm or hurt to the hard working Americans who play Dungeons & Dragons, I apologize. This campaign is committed to increasing the strength, constitution, dexterity, intelligence, wisdom, and charisma scores of every American.”
    •  
      CommentAuthorAndy
    • CommentTimeAug 21st 2008
     # 104
    HELLAS, a game I can not fucking shut up about (because it is awesome), has released the first in English - to my knowledge - radio drama based on the game.

    http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tOl9_Ia9em8

    I've only caught a few minutes, as I'm at work, but it's got SFX and everything. Cool!

    -Andy
    •  
      CommentAuthorLinnaeus
    • CommentTimeAug 21st 2008 edited
     # 105
    Posted By: Jason MorningstarRPGPundit plays and enjoys Grey Ranks.

    (Just kidding. Actual hatred index: Severe)


    [3]

    My god, that design is eyemelting. Does he even understand the meaning of the word contrast?

    EDIT: added the reply count
  26.  # 106
    Posted By: EarthenForgeSweet resource -

    I just came across this book - you could use it as a fast reference to create interesting PCs or NPCs on the fly. The book is full of 6-word descriptions of people's lives that are quite evocative, like "I still make coffee for two" and "Most successful accomplishments based on spite." I think this will be my new favorite resource after the Names Project book.

    Not Quite What I Was Planning: Six-Word Memoirs by Writers Famous and Obscure
    http://www.amazon.com/Not-Quite-What-Was-Planning/dp/0061374059/ref=si3_rdr_bb_product

    -Rachel


    [3] a guy i used to work with is in this book, it's a pretty great read.
    •  
      CommentAuthorjenskot
    • CommentTimeAug 21st 2008 edited
     # 107
    Hellas video...

    [1] That's pretty fucking awesome. Very Doctor Who! I would probably break it up into 2 minute pieces. Easier to digest, more content to spread around. I really like the popup commentary!
    • CommentAuthorJudd
    • CommentTimeAug 21st 2008
     # 108
    •  
      CommentAuthorJoel
    • CommentTimeAug 21st 2008
     # 109
    Posted By: jenskotMcCain campaign spokesperson Michael Goldfarb apologizes to D&D players:
    http://icv2.com/articles/news/13128.html
    “If my comments caused any harm or hurt to the hard working Americans who play Dungeons & Dragons, I apologize. This campaign is committed to increasing the strength, constitution, dexterity, intelligence, wisdom, and charisma scores of every American.”


    [1] Actually. . .that's apparently an apology for an earlier D&D crack. After making nice, he then turned around and made the Obama-D&D remark.
  30.  # 110
    Selections From H.P. Lovecraft's Brief Tenure as a Whitman's Sampler Copywriter:

    Chocolate Cherry Cordial
    You must not think me mad when I tell you what I found below the thin shell of chocolate used to disguise this bonbon's true face. Yes! Hidden beneath its rich exterior is a hideously moist cherry cordial! What deranged architect could have engineered this non-Euclidean aberration? I dare not speculate.

    Caramel Chew
    There is a dimension ruled by a blind caramel God-King who sits on a vast, cyclopean milk-chocolate throne while his mindless, gooey followers dance to the piping of crazed flutes. It is said that there are gateways in our world that lead to this caramel hell-planet. The delectable Caramel Chew may be one such portal.
    •  
      CommentAuthormerb101
    • CommentTimeAug 21st 2008
     # 111
    Posted By: Chris PetersonSelections From H.P. Lovecraft's Brief Tenure as a Whitman's Sampler Copywriter:

    Chocolate Cherry Cordial
    You must not think me mad when I tell you what I found below the thin shell of chocolate used to disguise this bonbon's true face. Yes! Hidden beneath its rich exterior is a hideously moist cherry cordial! What deranged architect could have engineered this non-Euclidean aberration? I dare not speculate.

    Caramel Chew
    There is a dimension ruled by a blind caramel God-King who sits on a vast, cyclopean milk-chocolate throne while his mindless, gooey followers dance to the piping of crazed flutes. It is said that there are gateways in our world that lead to this caramel hell-planet. The delectable Caramel Chew may be one such portal.


    [1] Absolutely brilliant.

    ME
    •  
      CommentAuthormisuba
    • CommentTimeAug 21st 2008
     # 112
    My bro and I have been doing Paul and Ryan's show notes for them. I'll try and get fully caught up tomorrow.
  33.  # 113
    [1] Dude, you guys are 100% alchemical badassery. This is awesome!
    • CommentAuthorCaesar_X
    • CommentTimeAug 21st 2008
     # 114
    Posted By: EarthenForgeSweet resource -

    I just came across this book - you could use it as a fast reference to create interesting PCs or NPCs on the fly. The book is full of 6-word descriptions of people's lives that are quite evocative, like "I still make coffee for two" and "Most successful accomplishments based on spite." I think this will be my new favorite resource after the Names Project book.

    Not Quite What I Was Planning: Six-Word Memoirs by Writers Famous and Obscure
    http://www.amazon.com/Not-Quite-What-Was-Planning/dp/0061374059/ref=si3_rdr_bb_product

    -Rachel

    [3]

    This is great, and it reminds me of a creative writing tool I learned somewhere called X times X stories. You pick a number and write that many complete stories using that many words each. So 8 x 8 would mean writing eight stories, each with only eight words! It's a fun creative exercise and could help create content for a game as well.
    • CommentAuthorJ. Walton
    • CommentTimeAug 21st 2008
     # 115
    •  
      CommentAuthorOgremarco
    • CommentTimeAug 21st 2008
     # 116
    Bravo, Paul.

    [1]
    • CommentAuthorCaesar_X
    • CommentTimeAug 22nd 2008 edited
     # 117
    Jazz hipster argot from the 30s for your pulp role-playing game. Cut it up, all reet?
    • CommentAuthorCaesar_X
    • CommentTimeAug 22nd 2008
     # 118
    Getting closer to a dice app for the iPhone that is usable for everyday roleplaying. Pick the number of dice and sides for each dice and roll! Wish they had a touch menu with the polyhedrals on there to select. But now I'm just geeking out.
    •  
      CommentAuthorMatt
    • CommentTimeAug 22nd 2008
     # 119
    Posted By: Caesar_XPick the number of dice and sides for each dice and roll! Wish they had a touch menu with the polyhedrals on there to select. But now I'm just geeking out.


    [1]Excellent, now I don't have to write that. Though it lacks the groovy UI idea I had.
    •  
      CommentAuthorbuzz
    • CommentTimeAug 22nd 2008
     # 120
    Posted By: Jason MorningstarRPGPundit plays and enjoys Grey Ranks.

    (Just kidding. Actual hatred index: Severe)

    [3a]

    I love that he claims theRPGsite is "more popular than the Forge or Story Games," despite having a sixth as many members as the former and probably the same or less than the latter.
    • CommentAuthorJudd
    • CommentTimeAug 22nd 2008
     # 121
    •  
      CommentAuthorNathan H.
    • CommentTimeAug 22nd 2008
     # 122
    The newest version of the boardgame Clue.
    http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=93417780
    • CommentAuthorTorquemada
    • CommentTimeAug 24th 2008 edited
     # 123
    For the podcaster on the road, Belkin has GoStudio:

    From: Spode's Abode blogThis funky little device takes any iPod and if necessary can be battery powered for portability. It has twin XLR inputs and twin 3.5mm jack inputs too, with independent gain control. It's designed for quickly and easily recording podcasts (not music) direct to the iPod. For its purposes, you could grab a previous generation iPod with a knackered battery pretty cheaply, just for recording. No mixing desks required, and of course you don't need a computer or anything else switched on, so you can have a really quiet environment for discussion with minimal buzz.

    Source for article excerpt and better a picture
  44.  # 124
    Posted By: TorquemadaFor the podcaster on the road, Belkin hasGoStudio:


    [1] It's not out yet. It was suppose to be out in June, and missing that date disappointed several gaming podcasters.

    There's always the sweet, sweet Zoom H4 or Marantz PMD660, if you're looking to spend the money on a field recorder that uses XLR inputs...
  45.  # 125
    Posted By: TorquemadaFor the podcaster on the road, Belkin hasGoStudio:

    From: Spode's Abode blogThis funky little device takes any iPod and if necessary can be battery powered for portability. It has twin XLR inputs and twin 3.5mm jack inputs too, with independent gain control. It's designed for quickly and easily recording podcasts (not music) direct to the iPod. For its purposes, you could grab a previous generation iPod with a knackered battery pretty cheaply, just for recording. No mixing desks required, and of course you don't need a computer or anything else switched on, so you can have a really quiet environment for discussion with minimal buzz.

    Source for article excerpt and better a picture


    For the price of that and an ipod you could get a Zoom H4. Then you'd have something less clunky, that's only one piece of equipment. For less you could get a Zoom H2 which is what I use for backup, or my solo podcasts. Recording stuff that requires an ipod strikes me as gimmicky.
    • CommentAuthorkomradebob
    • CommentTimeAug 24th 2008
     # 126
    Dave "Grubman" B. builds an awesome custom dice tray on the cheap

    A nice little side project for you folks that are already buying up stuff at the craft store to make your D&D tokens.
  47.  # 127
    Wikia wiki on "DIY culture" had a neat little link list (what does that do in a wiki?) that might need fleshing out.

    http://diy.wikia.com/wiki/Free_RPGs

    Both in terms of adding new content, and explaining what the hoot those games are.

    Or, add Wikia pages for existing games. I dunno.

    Wikia was helpful to me as a Xbox gaming resource.
    • CommentAuthorGrant Davis
    • CommentTimeAug 25th 2008 edited
     # 128
    George Orwell's Blog. From his diaries, seventy years ago to the day.

    -Grant
    • CommentAuthorJ. Walton
    • CommentTimeAug 27th 2008
     # 129
    My brother gets interviewed, in relation to comics and webcomics, about the difference between permanent and ephemeral media, but it's got some stuff that's pretty relevant to roleplaying too.
    •  
      CommentAuthorjenskot
    • CommentTimeAug 27th 2008 edited
     # 130
    60 Minutes on D&D from 1985. This helped to spread a lot of the anti-RPG paranoia during the mid-80s.

    "this is not a boardgame, roleplaying is for behavior modification"
  51.  # 131
    [1]
    Posted By: jenskot60 Minutes on D&D from 1985.

    My God, the hairstyles.
    •  
      CommentAuthorAndy
    • CommentTimeAug 27th 2008
     # 132
    RPGNet thread about purging games:

    http://forum.rpg.net/showthread.php?t=411802
    • CommentAuthorDeckard
    • CommentTimeAug 27th 2008 edited
     # 133
    • CommentAuthorTorquemada
    • CommentTimeAug 27th 2008
     # 134
    • CommentAuthorCaesar_X
    • CommentTimeAug 27th 2008
     # 135
    Wizards of the Coast created a new 4ed Facebook game called Tiny Adventures. Install it and be addicted.
    •  
      CommentAuthorrenatoram
    • CommentTimeAug 28th 2008
     # 136
    [1] I've tried it a couple of days ago, and I frankly can't grasp the charm. As someone put it, it's pretty much a game of "don't choose your own adventure". You choose a character, you click on a quest, and wait. There's much better fiction to read passively out there :-D

    Am I missing something?
  57.  # 137
    Fat Dragon Games has released a super sweet, build-it-yourself Ultimate GM Screen!

    http://www.tullisart.com/fdg0050.html

  58.  # 138
    [1] No player could breach those defenses! Your secrets would be safe forever!
    •  
      CommentAuthormerb101
    • CommentTimeAug 28th 2008
     # 139
    A school (in Japan?) using Flames of War to put on a two-day History Alive program.

    Story here..


    ME
  60.  # 140
    [1] In Malaysia.
    •  
      CommentAuthormerb101
    • CommentTimeAug 28th 2008
     # 141
    Posted By: Jason Morningstar[1] In Malaysia.


    Thanks Jason.

    ME
    • CommentAuthorValamir
    • CommentTimeAug 28th 2008
     # 142
    Fat Dragon Games has released a super sweet, build-it-yourself Ultimate GM Screen!


    [2] Looks like they based the design off of the special premium GM screen that one of the big distributors (Alliance, maybe) was giving to game stores who placed large 4E preorders. Only that was cast in heavy resin and was truly formidable. Had the twin die rollers and the parapet minis storage (some hidden and some visible so you could "scare the players with what was coming up")

    I was all prepared to offer obscene amounts of money to my FLGS for theirs, but they ordered through a different distributor
    • CommentAuthorPaul Czege
    • CommentTimeAug 28th 2008
     # 143
    Posted By: ValamirOnly that was cast in heavy resin and was truly formidable. Had the twin die rollers and the parapet minis storage...

    I was all prepared to offer obscene amounts of money to my FLGS for theirs, but they ordered through a different distributor


    [3]Gamer Bling did a fun review of it, with photos. I actually didn't realize it was a limited edition thing. I thought they were going to be for sale. But the review suggests there were only 220 made.
    •  
      CommentAuthorRemi
    • CommentTimeAug 28th 2008 edited
     # 144
    Posted By: renatoram[1] I've tried it a couple of days ago, and I frankly can't grasp the charm. As someone put it, it's pretty much a game of "don'tchoose your own adventure". You choose a character, you click on a quest, and wait. There's much better fiction to read passively out there :-D

    Am I missing something?


    [2] You can also buff your friends in Tiny Adventures. I dunno. If it were a little less crashy it would be closer to ideal. A sort of low-stress levelling game where having more friends participating is better, and keeping people's buffs up (and healing them) adds a bit of social mojo to it. I got a kick out of getting Steve Dempsey and Chris Bennett's +1's.
    •  
      CommentAuthorphilaros
    • CommentTimeAug 28th 2008
     # 145
    [3] Websnark has a good analysis (as he is wont to do) of the situation with D&D Tiny Adventures - what the appeal is, and why the genius of its appeal is of course its fatal flaw.
  66.  # 146
    [4] So D&D Tiny Adventures is like a multi-player version of Progress Quest?
  67.  # 147
    •  
      CommentAuthorAndy
    • CommentTimeAug 29th 2008 edited
     # 148
    Posted By: Double KingAre you as happy as you are?


    [1] Ugh, philosophy. Reminds me why I didn't take that free ride to a doctorate back in the late 90s.

    Whitehead said that all Western philosophy is a footnote of Plato.

    Probably a better metaphor in this day and age, is that all philosophy is nothing more than a collection of Amazon Book reviews with perhaps an interesting remark or two, which link to others' book reviews with an interesting remark or two, which in turn point to another's book review, and so on.
    In the end, there are only about eight books.

    -Andy
    • CommentAuthorCaesar_X
    • CommentTimeAug 29th 2008
     # 149
    I was invited on the latest episode (36) of 2d6 Feet in a Random Direction podcast along with longtime rpg writer Bruce Harlick.

    Hear about our experiences playing 'The Believers' right before the podcast, and we also talked about mini-GPNW and how everyone loves Carl Rigney.
    • CommentAuthorTonyLB
    • CommentTimeAug 29th 2008 edited
     # 150
    Posted By: Double KingAre you as happy as you are?
    [2] That is, indeed, an amazingly wordy way to say "There is too such a thing as BadWrongFun!" ... complete with Nazi references, no less.
  71.  # 151
    is any happiness contemplation really complete unless you reach for the fun-loving Nazi gun?
  72.  # 152
    I don't know if it's cool to pimp your own stuff or not, so if it isn't please forgive, but a friend and I have started a podcast where we're going to help GMs build a campaign by going step by step through the construction process, building a ready to play adventure path/setting along the way.
    •  
      CommentAuthorjenskot
    • CommentTimeAug 31st 2008
     # 153
    McCain + Battlestar Galactica?

    •  
      CommentAuthorAndy
    • CommentTimeAug 31st 2008
     # 154
    Posted By: Master of the GameI don't know if it's cool to pimp your own stuff or not, so if it isn't please forgive, but a friend and I have started apodcastwhere we're going to help GMs build a campaign by going step by step through the construction process, building a ready to play adventure path/setting along the way.


    Pimping your own stuff is 100% fine in these threads. If you want to get more attention afterwords (maybe when the podcast has started rolling), feel free to create your own thread here, too (in the category "Directed Promotion").

    -Andy
    •  
      CommentAuthorbuzz
    • CommentTimeAug 31st 2008
     # 155
    Posted By: jenskotMcCain + Battlestar Galactica?

    [1] Galatica is so, so, so much cooler. I would totally vote for Laura Roslin.
    •  
      CommentAuthorbuzz
    • CommentTimeAug 31st 2008
     # 156
    Clinton R. Nixon pops up on PatternTap, a (web) design patterns site.

    • CommentAuthorMoreno R.
    • CommentTimeAug 31st 2008
     # 157
    [1] I see a new possibile game... "where in the world (or in the web) is Clinton R. Nixon?"
    •  
      CommentAuthorDevP
    • CommentTimeAug 31st 2008
     # 158
    Posted By: Filip Luszczyk
    [1] For those who weren't at GenCon, who's that McCain guy and which game did he publish?


      [2] John McCain (username BaronFiveFist on these forums) is an up-and-coming designer, with clearly some old-school roots but disdaining the negative tropes of D&D culture. He's working on an near-future alt-cyberpunk/sci-fi thematic action RPG, with board-game influences. He's announced working with Sarah Palin (username SarahZPalin), someone with more publishing experience, to get the final project out by GenCon 2009. The AP reports are generally positive, but it's worth noting they've only come from people within his local design/theory circle, so it's unclear how workable the game is.
      • CommentAuthorClinton
      • CommentTimeAug 31st 2008
       # 159
      [2] Start here: http://github.com/crnixon.
    •  # 160
      [3] That BSG collage cracked me up. But hey, Roslin had about as much executive experience when she became President as Palin has, so I guess the comparison is apt :)

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