After reading Mike Mearl's tweet "Railroading has gotten such a bad rap in RPG circles that we forget it is one end on a continuum.", Saul was a bit surprised that Mr. D&D was defending Railroad games. Saul talked to Jolene about the quote and the decision was made to discuss this topic on Gaming Perspectives with Saul and Jolene. We dicuss the definition of the term railroad and Saul slowly comes around to Mike Mearl's way of thinking. Jolene doesn't like the term "railroad" and uses the te...
Sep 15, 2018•34 min•Ep. 21
In this Episode of Gaming Perspectives with Saul and Jolene we discuss playing the Paladin. We talk about the origins of the Paladin class from AD&D to the present, D&D 5th Edition. We discuss playing Paladins in non fantasy game from the modern era to the Science Fiction age. Saul and Jolene talk about how difficult it seems to play a Paladin well and how playing one can really stretch a player's roleplaying ability. Music by St. LaRok. Song called "Knight." Available at FreeMusicArchiv...
Sep 09, 2018•27 min•Ep. 20
In this Episode Saul and Jolene discuss running a genre game, specifically, Star Trek. Many GMs are reluctant to run games that have a extensive setting with a large fan base. Saul and Jolene discuss the games they have played and run in the Star Trek setting. They also discuss how to mitigate the fan base knowledge of the popular intellectual property. They talk about the best way to prepare for a Star Trek game. . And a story on how Saul's blunder embarrassed Jolene, at a Star Trek convention....
Sep 02, 2018•29 min•Ep. 19
In our 13th Episode of Gaming Perspectives with Saul and Jolene we discuss choosing to be a Fighter. Though we use D&D as an example we feel that our discussion could inform people playing or using any set of rules for rpgs. We even discuss Fighters of Modern to Science Fiction genres. We share a few stories of Fighters that are great examples of showing experince that can be had playing a Fighter type. Our episode starts with us laughing as this was our second take at this episode. Music by...
Aug 26, 2018•30 min•Ep. 18
Following on how to be a better player episode we decided to switch to the GM side of the game table. Saul and Jolene discuss what makes a better GM no matter what genre or setting. We cover the topics from organization to how to deal with players that throw you for a loop. We share personal stories where we used our own tips that helped our games run better and smoother and ultimately the games were very successful. Music by Andrew Codeman. Song Purpose Available from FreeMusicArchive.com...
Aug 19, 2018•37 min•Ep. 17
In this episode me and Jolene discuss ideas on How To Be a Better RPG player. We use our experience from home and con games we have played and run in this discussion. Saul and Jolene talk about things we do before the game, during the game and after that make a person a better player. Saul even recounts a late night game where he was not being a good player and has a Bad Player Confessional. Yes even Saul can learn from his mistakes. Jolene also outs Saul's late night online games where he shoul...
Aug 13, 2018•35 min•Ep. 16
Using our experience with our own son and his friends, we discuss running RPGs for kids of various ages. We discuss running games for kids as young as four to teenagers. We talk about how we have succesfully run games at home and at conventions. How rewarding it can be, running for the youngest of gamers for both the player and the GM. Gaming with kids is different than running games for adults, and we discuss those differences. A short list of roleplaying especially written for kids: No Thank Y...
Aug 05, 2018•35 min•Ep. 15
In this Episode we discuss using a Module or Making Your Own Adventures. We talk about the the pros and cons of each type of adventure. Also give a shout out to our listeners Kyle and Jasun who caught Jolene off guard by telling her they liked the podcast. My mistake, I mentioned a GM book and called it by the wrong name, the real name of the book is "Never Unprepared: The Complete Game Master's Guide to Session Prep" by Phil Vicchione. Music by Lessazo, song Cherie La Kro off the Album Soleil d...
Jul 29, 2018•30 min•Ep. 14
In this Episode we discuss how to make RPG characters. We look at the two most popular ways people make characters. The traditional of making characters by yourself or a newer way which we use the term Session Zero. Though we each have a favorite way of making characters we look at the pros and cons of each. Music by SataniasiA, song called, Killing You Softly. Off the self titled album. Available at FreeMusicArchive.com
Jul 22, 2018•36 min•Ep. 13
In episode Six is about an introduction to Boardgames. Why we like to play them and how they can positively impact your life, from social interation to critical thinking. We talk about the games we like and the ones that hit the table most at our gathering. Saul and Jolene discuss the different type of games and game length that greatly impact our enjoyment of those games. Note we published Episode 7 and 6 in the wrong order, sorry for any confusion. Music by Miserlyslims. Song- Most Inexperienc...
Jul 15, 2018•37 min•Ep. 12
In this Episode we discuss putting a large multi-table a 5th Editon Dungeons and Dragons game at a local con. We talk about how the idea came to Jolene. How she got into trouble by mentioning her idea about a large multi-table game to Saul. And how Jolene was recruited by Saul and his brother Felipe to wrangle a rag tag group of 3 GM's into battle. Saul and Jolene discuss how that idea morphed into a totally different game than she had invisioned. The good, the bad and the ugly of putting on suc...
Jul 08, 2018•31 min•Ep. 11
In This Episode we discuss the idea of Roll Vs Role playing. We discuss where these different playing styles come from and how things seem to be changing for each style. We mainly use Dungeons and Dragons as an example but these ideas and themes discussed can be applied to any genre rpg. Knowing about the difference of these two styles can help a GM run a better game. Music by the artist In Closing, song called The 11th Hour on the self titled album Available on Freemusicarchive.com...
Jul 01, 2018•31 min•Ep. 10
In Episode Four Saul and Jolene discuss putting on a big game, or large event at a gaming convention. We talk about our experience running a large event. We with the help of many friends we put on Aliens: Live Action Boardgame at KublaCon in Northern California. We discuss the elation and amount of work needed to put on a large event at a convention. A special thanks to Jeff Wilcox the Special Events Co-ordinator at KublaCon. Sorry I totally forgot his name during recording. Without him giving m...
Jun 24, 2018•37 min•Ep. 9
In this Episode we discuss going to Gaming Conventions or Game Cons for short. We discuss the variety of games, and events at a Game Con. We also talk about when we started going and why we continue to attend Game Cons. Music by Scott Fields, Song titled Green Fields and is available from Freemusicarchive.com
Jun 17, 2018•30 min•Ep. 8
Saul and Jolene discuss the differences between running an RPG at Home and at a Convention. Music by Jahzzar, title Going to, album Home. Available at Freemusicarchive.com
Jun 10, 2018•33 min•Ep. 7
In this Episode Saul and Jolene discuss D&D and other RPGs. Music by Eaters song titled Libertad available through the FreeMusicArchive.com
Jun 03, 2018•28 min•Ep. 6
Gaming Perspectives with Saul and Jolene, Episode Zero. In this Episode we discuss our humble beginnings in the life long hobby we love. Saul discusses gaming in the Agricultural Town of Salinas Ca. Jolene is pulled into gaming by her younger brother in the small towns of the Central Valley.
Jun 02, 2018•20 min•Ep. 5
