Host of the Elder Sign podcast, Glenn Mc Dorman, returns to the podcast. In this episode, we analyze and explore a short story by the science fiction grandmaster Poul Anderson. The Valor of Cappen Varra is a fantasy story involving trolls, Viking-like warriors, and the cowardly bard who is Cappen Varra. We talk about the writing of the story and the main dilemma faced by Cappen. We have an extended conversation about how the character of Cappen Varra surely influenced the Bard Dungeons and Drago...
Jul 20, 2022•54 min
Future war visionary and author, Dr. Sean McFate, joins me on the podcast today. Dr. McFate shares his expertise and paints a picture of where warfare is heading in the future. We discuss his novels and his nonfiction books and explore how game masters can use the ideas he is advancing in RPGs. We also learn Sean was a D&D player while growing up. Don't miss it!
Jul 13, 2022•51 min
Film historian and author Austin Trunick returns to the podcast with a treasure trove of knowledge. First, he fills us in on his latest RPG experiences by detailing how he is playing in a living RPG campaign. The campaign allows for people to drop in and out without disrupting the flow of the story. But then we dive into a deep discussion about his work as a film historian and author. We talk about his new book The Cannon Film Guide Volume II (1985-1987). The conversation covers Masters of the U...
Jul 06, 2022•1 hr 19 min
Support the show: https://www.patreon.com/dicegeeks Get 20 free dungeon maps: http://dicegeeks.com/free Game designer and novelist, Clinton J. Boomer, joins me on the podcast today. We have a wide-ranging conversation about creating magic items for tabletop role-playing games and much more. We learn how Clinton won a contest that kicked off his RPG writing career. Plus we dive into his novel and what makes a good magic item. Don't miss it!
Jun 29, 2022•1 hr 3 min
Writer and game designer Tristan Zimmerman returns to the podcast for a history stuffed episode for your RPG campaigns. We tackle three historical situations including a pirate mutiny, the siege of Cartagena, and ferryboat bandits. Tristan applies his historical knowledge and we tease out ways you can use these situations in your tabletop role-playing game campaigns. Plus we have a long conversation about using diseases and illnesses in RPG sessions by pulling examples from Star Trek episodes. I...
Jun 22, 2022•1 hr 24 min
Call of Cthulhu Creative Director Mike Mason joins me on today's dicegeeks podcast. We have a fantastic conversation covering a breadth of topics. We discuss how CoC game masters can create a feeling of horror in their RPG sessions. We talk about Mike's career as an RPG game designer. We discuss all sorts of GM advice. Plus I nearly detail the podcast by singing the praises of the movie Jaws. Don't miss it!
Jun 15, 2022•1 hr 1 min
Ironsworn: Starforged artist, Joshua Meehan, joins me on the podcast today. We discuss all things Ironsworn: Starforged. We talk about the game design, we talk about playing, and of course, we talk about Joshua's incredible artwork for the role-playing game. The conversation includes sci-fi influences and gamemastering. Don't miss it!
Jun 08, 2022•57 min
Author and role-player, Ryan Dalton, drops in on the podcast. We have a great conversation about writing, publishing, and tabletop RPGs. We dive deep into his books and how RPGs influenced his writing. Don't miss it!
Jun 01, 2022•1 hr 16 min
My guest today is Russel Bartek from Venture Forth, a Dungeons and Dragons actual play podcast. Russel and I dive into D&D and our love for the game. We also talk about problems dungeon masters face and creative ways to solve them. We also discuss why Venture Forth stands out from the crowd of D&D actual play podcasts. Don't miss this episode!
May 25, 2022•49 min
The owner of Evil Genius Games, Dave Scott, joins me on the podcast today. We kick things off by talking about our love for Dungeons and Dragons. We then discuss Evil Genius Games' upcoming tabletop RPG called Everyday Heroes and how it draws inspiration from 80s action movies. Dave lets us know how the d20 Modern system was updated by creator Jeff Grubb to provide the best engine for Everyday Heroes. We jump into the deep end with a discussion of the 1979 film The Warriors and other action movi...
May 18, 2022•50 min
RPG game Designer Brandon Gutowski joins me on the podcast today. We discuss his deck-building role-playing system called the C22 System. Science fiction heists and RPG game design also take center stage during this wide-ranging and informative conversation about role-playing games. Don't miss this incredible gaming interview.
May 11, 2022•47 min
Steve Morrison from the Errant Adventures RPG podcast joins me on the dicegeeks.com podcast. Steve and I have a wide-ranging conversation covering tabletop role-playing games, writing, podcasting, and more. We discuss his RPG podcast and explore Ironsworn and Ironsworn: Starforged, two solo RPGs designed by Shawn Tomkin. We also take time to talk about solo role-playing and Steve gives some tips on how to make solo play more fun.
May 04, 2022•57 min
Writer and RPG game designer Tristan Zimmerman returns to the podcast. We tackle historical situations you can use in your role-playing games and Dungeons and Dragons today. First, we touch on Montaillou a spy-infested anthill village that can give player characters major headaches. Then we move on to Olympic spirits from the Arbatel’s Grimoire. After that, we dive headlong into scholarly NPCs from Aubrey’s Lives. Take your RPG campaigns to the next level by using real history.
Apr 27, 2022•1 hr 15 min
Brian from Snow Fight Studios joins me on the podcast. We jump headlong into our love of role-playing games. We talk about running games, our experiences playing, and we drop tons of GMing advice. We learn about Brian's miniature painting, artwork, and more of his RPG endeavors.
Apr 20, 2022•50 min
The dungeon master and a player from the Crit Like a Girl podcast join me on the dicegeeks podcast today. We dive into Dungeons and Dragons, running TTRPGs, and more. We discuss the Crit Like a Girl podcast, the setting, and the characters. Be sure to tune in to learn more about the podcast and experience our insights into Dungeons and Dragons.
Apr 13, 2022•51 min
The Monster Professor creeps onto the podcast once again. Join the Monster Professor and me on a wild ride through terrifying monsters and learn how to use them in your D&D and RPG campaigns. We tackle dinosaurs, those enigmatic beasts from earth's past. Why are they scary? Are they scary? Find out. Also, we explore monsters in fantasy realms vs. monsters from the star and science fiction. How are they different? Are they any different? Then we compare the classic monsters like the wolfman, ...
Apr 06, 2022•1 hr 20 min
Entertainment lawyer and role-player, Charles Hildebrandt, joins me on the podcast today. We have a massively wide-ranging conversation from science fiction to role-playing games to film to copyright and trademark law. We learn his father was famed science fiction illustrator Tim Hildebrandt. Charles gives us insight into his RPG journey dropping some great game master advice along the way. Then we discuss legal issues small creators may face when publishing and creating role-playing games and o...
Mar 30, 2022•1 hr 15 min
Transmedia author and longtime role-player, Houston Howard, joins me on the podcast today. We have an outstanding conversation on a vast array of topics around role-playing, storytelling, and what small creators need to do. We learn Houston's RPG history includes the old West End Games Star Wars D6 system. We cover game master advice, advice for small publishers and writers, and how you can tell your idea is good. We dive into how television shows, filmmaking, and movies are changing. Plus we ha...
Mar 23, 2022•1 hr 32 min
Eric Koll, therapist and longtime role-player, joins me on the podcast today. We discuss RPGs, Dungeon and Dragons, and more. We talk about how he uses role-playing games in therapy. The conversation ranges from game master advice to many other topics and how tabletop role-playing games can help people deal with mental health issues.
Mar 16, 2022•53 min
Game designer and Rabbi, Menachem Cohen, pops in on the podcast today. We discuss work in using RPGs to help people heal and grow. We talk about game design, several games he has worked on, and tons of game master advice.
Mar 09, 2022•51 min
Narrative designer, Nick Jones, drops in on the podcast today. We discuss his work in crafting stories for video games and talk about story structure. Also, we delve into Nick's theories and ideas of using folkloric motifs in narrative design. Please join us for this fascinating conversation about stories, folklore, and more to learn how you can become a better game master and role player.
Mar 02, 2022•54 min
Game designer and writer, Tristan Zimmerman, joins me on the podcast once again. We always tackle incredible historical events that you can use in your RPG campaigns. The conversation today centers on the Glass Delusion, five borders towers, and Seaports. We dive into how to use these in your current role-playing games campaigns to add depth and engage your players more.
Feb 23, 2022•1 hr 11 min
Ash Kain and Brandon Miller, the masterminds behind Promethium Books, drop in on the podcast today. We discuss our gaming histories and then dive into tabletop role-playing game design. We talk dice mechanics and Promethium Books' upcoming RPG projects.
Feb 16, 2022•57 min
Spelljammer creator and writer, Jeff Grubb, drops in on the podcast today. We talk about Jeff's career and how came to work at TSR. We discuss the classic setting of Spelljammer and its genesis. Plus, Jeff was also the lead designer on the Marvel Superheroes role-playing game. The Marvel Superheroes RPG was a very important game in my development as a game master and a role-player. Currently, Jeff works for Amazon developing video games.
Feb 09, 2022•1 hr
Game designer and writer, Steve Kenson, joins me on the podcast today. Steve has designed and written a wide variety of tabletop role-players. He is the designer of Mutants and Masterminds as well as The Expanse RPG. He is also a staff writer for Green Ronin. We discuss running superhero RPGs and the popularity of superhero movies and TV shows. He gives some great strategies for superhero RPG game masters. We touch on the genesis of Mutants and Masterminds and his design work on The Expanse RPG....
Feb 02, 2022•57 min
Two guests join the podcast today. Luke CJ Smith is a D&D adventure writer and Chris Sagovac is an artist and professor. We discuss the D&D adventures they create and release through Copper Hoard and the DMs Guild. We touch on their approaches to playing role-playing games. We dive into dungeon mastering and discuss character backstories. Plus we talk about delivering setting information to players with prophetic dreams.
Jan 26, 2022•1 hr 10 min
RPG game designer, Jake Paul, joins me on the podcast today. We dive into the story of how Jake came to work for Parlor Gaming. We discuss the Tephra Steampunk RPG and some of Parlor's other RPGs. Also, Jake walks us through his game design philosophy and how he uses d12s and d20s. We talk about running RPGs and Jake shares his game master secrets.
Jan 19, 2022•59 min
Author and game master, Aron Jolley-Meers, joins me on the podcast today. We discuss tons of different ways game masters can tell better stories. If you are feeling stuck as a GM or your RPG campaigns are lacking a bit, then listen to this episode. We talk practical RPG GM advice and how Aron collected his gaming wisdom into a book called My Guide to RPG Storytelling.
Jan 12, 2022•54 min
Alex Aboud, the founder of Dragori Games, joins me on the podcast today to discuss the Tanares RPG campaign setting for Dungeons and Dragons 5e. Tanares recently kickstarted for more than two million dollars and features writers like Ed Greenwood and Bruce Nesmith. We talk about new character types, new classes, the fantasy world setting, modes of play, and more. Get ready to take D&D 5e into new realms with Tanares.
Jan 05, 2022•44 min
The Creator of the Tale of the Manticore actual podcast, Jon Cohen, returns to the podcast. We discuss his dark fantasy storytelling podcast. Plus we talk a lot about running solo RPGs as well as other game master tips you can use in your RPG campaigns. It is a lively conversation about all things role-playing games you do not want to miss.
Dec 29, 2021•1 hr
