We're back from our hiatus with a super-sized episode. The two Davids and Susan get together to go through the #RPGaDay2015 poll/challenge. We talk about games and share gaming anecdotes from our past, present, and future, trying not to get too derailed in the process... Remember to click on the Speakpipe link on the lower-right corner of this page, or leave us a comment with questions or issues you'd like us to address in future episodes! And be sure to check out our Twitter feed and Google Plu...
Oct 27, 2015
It's another GM's Journal from another one of our contributors! This time, David Larkins talks about his new Runequest 6 campaign set in Glorantha. The system and setting are both venerable, but it's all very new and exciting for David! Remember to click on the Speakpipe link on the lower-right corner of this page, or leave us a comment with questions or issues you'd like us to address in future episodes! And be sure to check out our Twitter feed and Google Plus group if you want to keep up via ...
Oct 16, 2015
We're back from our post-Gen-Con break with the introduction of a new segment: the "GM's Journal," in which one of us talks a bit about an ongoing campaign and how it's going: recent activity and the lessons taken away, future plans, and other related ephemera. Susan is on the mic for our inaugural Journal, talking about her Iron Kingdoms RPG campaign. Remember to click on the Speakpipe link on the lower-right corner of this page, or leave us a comment with questions or issues you'd like us to a...
Oct 05, 2015
The two Davids are joined by the Stewards (Susan and Randy) for our reminiscences and lessons learned over the course of our first Gen Con, and we all look ahead to what we're most anticipating from Gen Con 2016. Remember to click on the Speakpipe link on the lower-right corner of this page, or leave us a comment with questions or issues you'd like us to address in future episodes! And be sure to check out our Twitter feed and Google Plus group if you want to keep up via social media. Thanks for...
Aug 10, 2015
In this episode, Dave S. and Susan discuss what they're most looking forward to at Gen Con 2015. Remember to click on the Speakpipe link on the lower-right corner of this page, or leave us a comment with questions or issues you'd like us to address in future episodes! And be sure to check out our Twitter feed and Google Plus group if you want to keep up via social media. Thanks for listening!...
Jul 29, 2015
In this episode, the two Daves and Susan gather 'round to discuss the smallest gaming group configuration, the duet. What are the pros and what are the cons of a single player and GM? Join us as we explore the topic and discuss past personal experiences with duet gaming. Plus: some duet-related pipe dreams! Remember to click on the Speakpipe link on the lower-right corner of this page, or leave us a comment with questions or issues you'd like us to address in future episodes! And be sure to chec...
Jun 26, 2015
In this episode, Susan and Dave talk about campaign content that is generated by players rather than the GM. Plus: a discussion about upcoming format changes, and more Campaign Pipedreams! Remember to click on the Speakpipe link on the lower-right corner of this page, or leave us a comment with questions or issues you'd like us to address in future episodes! And be sure to check out our Twitter feed and Google Plus group if you want to keep up via social media. Thanks for listening!...
May 07, 2015
In this episode, Susan and Dave talk about the very first RPGs they played, and the legacies those early experiences still exert over their gaming style to this day. Plus: more Campaign Pipedreams! Remember to click on the Speakpipe link on the lower-right corner of this page, or leave us a comment with questions or issues you'd like us to address in future episodes! And be sure to check out our Twitter feed and Google Plus group if you want to keep up via social media. Thanks for listening!...
Apr 08, 2015
This week, Dave and Susan continue their discussion of pacing, applying it to campaign structures overall. Also, the weirdest Campaign Pipedream segment to date. Remember to click on the Speakpipe link on the lower-right corner of this page, or leave us a comment with questions or issues you'd like us to address in future episodes! And be sure to check out our Twitter feed and Google Plus group if you want to keep up via social media. Thanks for listening!...
Mar 19, 2015
This week, David S. and Susan do their best to address the Holy Grail of Good GMing: pacing . Also, the return of Campaign Pipedreams! Remember to click on the Speakpipe link on the lower-right corner of this page, or leave us a comment with questions or issues you'd like us to address in future episodes! And be sure to check out our Twitter feed and Google Plus group if you want to keep up via social media. Thanks for listening!...
Mar 04, 2015
David S. and Susan, who each have Iron Kingdoms RPG campaigns going at the moment, convene to discuss the ins and outs of prepping and running in this system and setting. Remember to click on the Speakpipe link on the lower-right corner of this page, or leave us a comment with questions or issues you'd like us to address in future episodes! And be sure to check out our Twitter feed and Google Plus group if you want to keep up via social media. Thanks for listening!...
Feb 17, 2015
This week, Schimpff and Susan discuss player archetypes: the various "types" of player, and how to prepare and run for them. They also take a stab at self-diagnosing which archetype they each fall under. Remember to click on the Speakpipe link on the lower-right corner of this page, or leave us a comment with questions or issues you'd like us to address in future episodes! And be sure to check out our Twitter feed and Google Plus group if you want to keep up via social media. Thanks for listenin...
Feb 03, 2015
For our first (proper) episode of the new year, we gather our three "regular" contributors to look back at favorite games from the preceding year, and games we're looking forward to checking out and/or running in the coming year. Remember to click on the Speakpipe link on the lower-right corner of this page, or leave us a comment with questions or issues you'd like us to address in future episodes! And be sure to check out our Twitter feed and Google Plus group if you want to keep up via social ...
Jan 20, 2015
David Schimpff reconvenes his old group to conduct a detailed deconstruction and analysis of one his most successful campaigns (ironically played with one of his least favorite systems): Dark Sun! Remember to click on the Speakpipe link on the lower-right corner of this page, or leave us a comment with questions or issues you'd like us to address in future episodes! And be sure to check out our Twitter feed and Google Plus group if you want to keep up via social media. Thanks for listening!...
Dec 30, 2014
In this, the last of our "solo" shows for the foreseeable future and final show of 2014, David Schimpff discusses introductory scenarios and their use, and provides actual-play examples from sessions past. Remember to click on the Speakpipe link on the lower-right corner of this page, or leave us a comment with questions or issues you'd like us to address in future episodes! And be sure to check out our Twitter feed and Google Plus group if you want to keep up via social media. Thanks for listen...
Dec 23, 2014
For this episode, David Larkins takes a turn at the mic to rant about his ambivalence towards the line of RPGs produced by Palladium Books. It's sort of a combination of warning and sales pitch, really... And remember to call our Lake Geneva, WI, voicemail number (262-729-9774), or click on the Speakpipe link on the lower right corner of this page, or leave us a comment with questions or issues you'd like us to address in future episodes! And be sure to check out our Twitter feed and Google Plus...
Dec 09, 2014
This week, David S. and Susan (with a little help from David L.) discuss methods of spicing up games, and how to get ideas for your games. Plus: more pipe dreams! And remember to call our Lake Geneva, WI, voicemail number (262-729-9774), or click on the Speakpipe link on the lower right corner of this page, or leave us a comment with questions or issues you'd like us to address in future episodes! And be sure to check out our Twitter feed and Google Plus group if you want to keep up via social m...
Nov 25, 2014
In this episode, we turn David Schimpff loose for his long-promised rant about 4th Edition Dungeons & Dragons. Fair warning: profanity ensues (moreso than usual), tables are pounded. This is a sort of hybrid of our System Spotlight and Editorial features, so sit back and enjoy... And remember to call our Lake Geneva, WI, voicemail number (262-729-9774), or click on the Speakpipe link on the lower right corner of this page, or leave us a comment with questions or issues you'd like us to addre...
Nov 11, 2014
For this week's episode, Dave S. and Susan talk about open-world and sandbox-style play (in contrast to last episode's discussion of railroading). They also take a look at the Worldspinner Kickstarter and return to our recurring segment, Campaign Pipedreams. And remember to call our Lake Geneva, WI, voicemail number (262-729-9774), or click on the Speakpipe link on the lower right corner of this page, or leave us a comment with questions or issues you'd like us to address in future episodes! And...
Oct 28, 2014
The first episode of our second season finds David S. and Susan discussing the role of maps and mapping in games, as well as resources for the cartographically-challenged. And remember to call our Lake Geneva, WI, voicemail number (262-729-9774), or click on the Speakpipe link on the lower right corner of this page, or leave us a comment with questions or issues you'd like us to address in future episodes! And be sure to check out our Twitter feed and Google Plus group if you want to keep up via...
Oct 14, 2014
It's a record number of hosts for this, our one-year anniversary episode, and we have a long overdue discussion of one of our all-time favorite systems, Call of Cthulhu . And remember to call our Lake Geneva, WI, voicemail number (262-729-9774), or click on the Speakpipe link on the lower right corner of this page, or leave us a comment with questions or issues you'd like us to address in future episodes! And be sure to check out our Twitter feed and Google Plus group if you want to keep up via ...
Sep 29, 2014
David S. and Susan spend this episode unloading a veritable truckload of setting ideas, plot hooks, and gaming memories. It's a grab-bag of an episode, so you can take you like and leave the rest! And remember to call our Lake Geneva, WI, voicemail number (262-729-9774), or click on the Speakpipe link on the lower right corner of this page, or leave us a comment with questions or issues you'd like us to address in future episodes! And be sure to check out our Twitter feed and Google Plus group i...
Sep 16, 2014
In this week's episode, David S. and Susan discuss that old bugbear known as railroading. Plus: more Campaign Pipedreams! And remember to call our Lake Geneva, WI, voicemail number (262-729-9774), or click on the Speakpipe link on the lower right corner of this page, or leave us a comment with questions or issues you'd like us to address in future episodes! And be sure to check out our Twitter feed and Google Plus group if you want to keep up via social media. Thanks for listening!...
Sep 01, 2014
A discussion of the ins and outs, ups and downs, and pros and cons(?) of character creation in its many wondrous varieties, and our hosts' picks for their favorite and least-favorite chargen systems. Plus: Campaign Pipedreams! br /> And remember to call our Lake Geneva, WI, voicemail number (262-729-9774), or click on the Speakpipe link on the lower right corner of this page, or leave us a comment with questions or issues you'd like us to address in future episodes! And be sure to check out o...
Aug 19, 2014
This, our first episode with three hosts, is a bit of a grab-bag. David L. shares some follow-up thoughts from last week's episode on the new edition of D&D, and then we segue into talking about that strange sub-genre of RPG gaming, play-by-post. We then segue into a discussion of how to keep campaigns running long-term and then share some more Campaign Pipe Dreams. And remember to call our Lake Geneva, WI, voicemail number (262-729-9774), or click on the Speakpipe link on the lower right co...
Aug 05, 2014
In this episode, David S. and Susan share their initial impressions on the new edition of Dungeons & Dragons. And remember to call our Lake Geneva, WI, voicemail number (262-729-9774), or click on the Speakpipe link on the lower right corner of this page, or leave us a comment with questions or issues you'd like us to address in future episodes! And be sure to check out our Twitter feed and Google Plus group if you want to keep up via social media. Thanks for listening!...
Jul 21, 2014
For this episode, we discuss the pros and cons of small groups and large alike - everything from playing by yourself (it's possible!) to double-digits. Also, we debut an as-yet-unnamed segment in which we discuss campaigns or campaign frameworks we've always wanted to run. br /> And remember to call our Lake Geneva, WI, voicemail number (262-729-9774), or click on the Speakpipe link on the lower right corner of this page, or leave us a comment with questions or issues you'd like us to address...
Jul 07, 2014
For this system spotlight, regular host David Schimpff sits down to talk the Iron Kingdoms RPG with fellow GM Susan Steward, who is currently running an IKRPG campaign. Everything you ever wanted to know about the game's setting and mechanics, all in one easy-to-digest episode. Goes down smooth! And remember to call our Lake Geneva, WI, voicemail number (262-729-9774), or click on the Speakpipe link on the lower right corner of this page, or leave us a comment with questions or issues you'd like...
Jun 24, 2014
A two-topic episode in which we start off with a look at the latest news concerning Dungeons & Dragons 5th Edition (and our thoughts on said news), before pivoting into a discussion on how to bring new players into your group, or start a new group of your own. And remember to call our Lake Geneva, WI, voicemail number (262-729-9774), or click on the Speakpipe link on the lower right corner of this page, or leave us a comment with questions or issues you'd like us to address in future episode...
Jun 10, 2014
For this episode, we bring in a special guest to help us talk about the pleasures and pitfalls of villainy and adversarial play... And remember to call our Lake Geneva, WI, voicemail number (262-729-9774), or click on the Speakpipe link on the lower right corner of this page, or leave us a comment with questions or issues you'd like us to address in future episodes! And be sure to check out our Twitter feed and Google Plus group if you want to keep up via social media. Thanks for listening!...
May 27, 2014
