◇ Robin from the UK shares their Game Daze experience, Carlos from Detroit asks what systems need an upgrade, From the Archive 2019: Mcwyrm asks for help with a 10yo murder hobo | Hosts: Kimi & Vyrrk ◇ 00:33 - Welcome & Episode Summary | 01:55 - Announcements: Game Daze is going to be May 24th! It’s fun, safe and free! The last one had 9 different games in one day! Sign up to run or play at happyjacks.org/discord | GamEx is coming up memorial day weekend (May 23-26) at the LAX Hilton. We will be...
May 17, 2025•1 hr 36 min
◇ BGE & the Retailer perspective, Mike from New York shares his origin story, From the Archive 2019: Wil from Wisconsin tells the tale of a PC who was too good for their game | Hosts: Kimi, Vixie, & Dustin◇ 00:33 - Welcome & Episode Summary | 2:06 - Announcements: Game Daze is going to be May 24th! Sign up to run or play at happyjacks.org/discord | GamEx is coming up memorial day weekend (May 23-26) at the LAX Hilton. We will be doing our live show from there Saturday night | 03:04 - Indie Desig...
May 17, 2025•1 hr 6 min
◇ Wes from Indianapolis replies to the idea that Actual Plays are Art, Steven tells how he found D&D in postwar Serbia, From the Archive 2021: Dirk (RIP) asks about prompting questions from the GM | Hosts: Kimi, Riley, & Pooja ◇ 00:33 - Welcome & Episode Summary | 02:46 - Announcements: Game Daze is going to be May 24th! It’s fun, safe and free! The last one had 9 different games in one day! Sign up to run or play at happyjacks.org/discord | 03:37 - Indie Designer of the Month: Jess Geyer (she/t...
May 05, 2025•1 hr 44 min
◇ Tariffs on TTRPGs, Taurelin asks about X cards and multiple problem players, From the Archive 2022: Weaselcreature laments the fate of Stu’s Elves | Hosts: Kimi ◇ 00:33 - Welcome & Episode Summary | 02:05 - Announcements: Game Daze is going to be May 24th! It’s fun, safe and free! The last one had 9 different games in one day! Sign up to run or play at happyjacks.org/discord | 02:58 - Indie Designer of the Month: Jess Geyer (she/they) from Wannabe Games. You can find his work on wannabegames.i...
Apr 30, 2025•58 min
◇ Alverant asks how to prep for a game BEFORE you have the rules, Mike from New York State shares a gaming success story, From the Archive 2018: Chris from NJ asks how non-actor GMs can create interesting NPCs | Hosts: Kimi, Artem, & Moe ◇ 00:33 - Welcome & Episode Summary | 02:00 - Announcements: Patreon has switched to an official monthly model AND we still have our grandfathered original rate | 03:33 - Indie Designer of the Month: Jess Geyer (she/they) from Wannabe Games. You can find his wor...
Apr 30, 2025•1 hr 7 min
◇ Jörn from Sweden asks why some people are so against playing rpgs, Jolene replies to our conversation on Stars and Wishes, From the Archive 2018: Craig shares some hard-won GMing lessons | Hosts: Kimi, Pooja, CADave, & Clara ◇ 00:33 - Welcome & Episode Summary | 2:36 - Announcements: Patreon has switched to an official monthly model AND we still have our grandfathered original rate | 04:27 - Indie Designer of the Month: Jean Luc Lariviere-Lacombe You can find his work on thedungeonskey.com or ...
Apr 01, 2025•1 hr 53 min
◇ Aaron has wants that spark back in his GMing relationship, LivetTea asks if they screwed up during a LARP, From the Archive 2018: Alverant shares a Convention Horror story | Hosts: Kimi, Eli & Vixie ◇ 00:33 - Welcome & Episode Summary | 1:32 - Announcements: The next Game Daze is March 29th! It’s free and everyone is welcome to join us at happyjacks.org/discord. 3:26 - Indie Designer of the Month: Jean Luc Lariviere-Lacombe You can find his work on thedungeonskey.com or DriveThruRPG | 6:25 - A...
Mar 31, 2025•1 hr 13 min
◇ Rick asks about gaming groups without anyone to GM, Eric from New Jersey asks how to learn an IP world fast, From the Archive 2019: Falco from Germany calls out our pro-PBTA anti-dnd content | Hosts: Kimi & Riley ◇ 00:33 - Welcome & Episode Summary | 01:16 - Announcements: The next Game Daze is March 29th! It’s free and everyone is welcome to join us at happyjacks.org/discord. 01:57 - Indie Designer of the Month: Jean Luc Lariviere-Lacombe You can find his work on thedungeonskey.com or DriveTh...
Mar 28, 2025•1 hr 20 min
◇ Graf has a reply to our discussion of horror games, Mike from New York State shares why he prefers online play, From the Archive 2018: Ed from Minnesota, now in Florida, wants to talk about religions in games | Hosts: Kimi, Rose, Vyrrk, & Clara ◇ 00:33 - Welcome & Episode Summary | 01:31 - Announcements: The next Game Daze is March 29th! It’s free and everyone is welcome to join us at happyjacks.org/discord. 02:41 - Indie Designer of the Month: Jean Luc Lariviere-Lacombe You can find his work ...
Mar 28, 2025•1 hr 45 min
◇ Kimi talks GAMA and industry events, Steffi pours A LOT of Vampire tea, From the Archive 2019: Joe from the Inland Empire asks about making a world with depth | Hosts: Kimi, Riley, & Adam ◇ 00:33 - Welcome & Episode Summary | 1:39 - Announcements: The next Game Daze is March 29th! It’s free and everyone is welcome to join us at happyjacks.org/discord. 2:31 - Indie Designer of the Month: Jean Luc Lariviere-Lacombe You can find his work on thedungeonskey.com or DriveThruRPG | 5:54 - Kimi talks G...
Mar 27, 2025•1 hr 21 min
◇ Live from Gateway 2024 at the Hilton LAX in Los Angeles! A great panel show with members of our audience and stories from lots of different con games. Since it is a live event, the audio quality is not the same as our normal episodes recorded in our studio. ◇ ◇ Find us on Youtube ◇ Twitch ◇ Twitter ◇ Instagram ◇ Facebook ◇ Discord or find all our podcast feeds on your favorite Podcast platform! happyjacksrpg.carrd.co ◇ Subscribe to our Actual Play Feed! We have a backlog of campaigns in over 2...
Mar 02, 2025•1 hr 28 min
◇ Clara (yes, that Clara) asks about intrigue and conspiracy in TTRPGs, Eric from New Jersey responds to the call for favorite systems, From the Archive 2019: Al asks for advice for running games for kids with intellectual disabilities | Hosts: Jason, & Pooja ◇ 00:33 - Welcome & Episode Summary | 1:49 - We will be at OrcCon 2025 at the LAX Hilton Feb 14-17th, streaming live on Saturday night! We will also be at GAMA Expo the weekend after that. 1:49 - Indie Designer of the Month: Sam Dunnewold (...
Mar 02, 2025•1 hr 7 min
◇ Spattz from Earth asks for advice for a GM returning to gaming after 20 years, Eric from New Jersey is struggling with writer's block, From the Archive 2018: Jen asks what system to run for a pair of non-gamers | Hosts: Kimi, CADave, & Sam Dunnewold ◇ 00:33 - Welcome & Episode Summary | 1:26 - We will be at OrcCon 2025 at the LAX Hilton Feb 14-17th, streaming live on Saturday night! We will also be at GAMA Expo the weekend after that. 2:46 - Indie Designer of the Month: Sam Dunnewold (he/him.)...
Mar 02, 2025•1 hr 26 min
◇ Wes from Indianapolis asks about player rewards, Alverant talks about when communities don’t mix well, From the Archive 2020: Corbin Twa asks if players should be allowed to choose failure on rolls | Hosts: Kimi, Riley, & Chris ◇ 00:33 - Welcome & Episode Summary | 2:51 - We will be at OrcCon 2025 at the LAX Hilton Feb 14-17th, streaming live on Saturday night! We will also be at GAMA Expo the weekend after that. 6:08 - Indie Designer of the Month: Sam Dunnewold (he/him.) You can find his work...
Feb 06, 2025•1 hr 18 min
◇ Niklas from Stockholm shares thoughts on 4 different playstyles, Carlos from Detroit asks about ttrpgs and APs as folk art, From the Archive 2017: Drayle88 claims that D&D can be a two-player game | Hosts: Kimi, Jason, Joey, Clara & Dave ◇ 00:33 - Welcome & Episode Summary | 1:41 - We will be at OrcCon 2025 at the LAX Hilton Feb 14-17th, streaming live on Saturday night! We will also be at GAMA Expo the weekend after that. 3:04 - Indie Designer of the Month: Coming in Feb! 3:13 - Niklas from S...
Feb 01, 2025•1 hr 28 min
◇ Steven in Nashville is disappointed with D&D Beyond’s offerings, Eric from Alabama wants advice for a new teenage GM, From the Archive 2017: Dave from NY shares a confession | Hosts: Kimi & Artem ◇ 00:33 - Welcome & Episode Summary | 1:53 - We will be at OrcCon 2025 at the LAX Hilton Feb 14-17th, streaming live on Saturday night! We will also be at GAMA Expo the weekend after that. 3:30 - Indie Designer of the Month: Coming in Feb! 3:54 - Steven in Nashville is disappointed with D&D Beyond’s o...
Feb 01, 2025•1 hr 7 min
◇ Tanner talks 40K and pipedreams, Doogler asks about recycling prep, From the Archive 2018: Issac shares a GMing success story | Hosts: Kimi, Vixie, & Felix Issacs ◇ 00:33 - Welcome & Episode Summary | 2:40 - The end of season 34 is coming up! We will take a two week break after episode 25 and then be back with season 35! Game Daze will be happening January 11th, 2025! 4:29 - Indie Designer of the Month: Megan Dawson Jaffe of Nerdy City Games nerdycity.com 7:12 - Tanner talks 40K and pipedreams...
Jan 04, 2025•1 hr 9 min
◇ Eric in Canada is getting back in the TTRPG hobby, Mike from New York shares a success story, From the Archive 2017: Juho from Finland wants to talk about resolution mechanics | Hosts: Kimi, CADave & Artem ◇ 00:33 - Welcome & Episode Summary | 1:40 - The end of season 34 is coming up! Game Daze will be happening January 11th, 2025! 3:08 - Indie Designer of the Month: Megan Dawson Jaffe of Nerdy City Games nerdycity.com | 4:40 - Eric in Canada is getting back in the TTRPG hobby | 31:51 - Mike f...
Jan 04, 2025•1 hr 6 min
◇ We talk with Felix Issacs, creator of the WildSea and Pico, Carlos from Detroit asks about our favorite ways to source info from players, From the Archive 2018: Sam from Lakewood wants ideas about how to use visual aids during game sessions | Hosts: Kimi, Vixie, & Felix Issacs ◇ 00:33 - Welcome & Episode Summary | 1:39 - The end of season 34 is coming up! We will take a two week break after episode 25 and then be back with season 35! Game Daze will be happening January 11th, 2025! 3:08 - Indie...
Dec 23, 2024•1 hr 28 min
◇ Susan in Oakland asks how to get her play groups to learn the rules, Mike from Ithica, NY responds with some advice, From the Archive 2020: Kosta from Adelaide shares a horror story full of red flags | Hosts: Kimi, Jason, Artem & Riley ◇ 00:33 - Welcome & Episode Summary | 2:55 - Game Daze will be happening January 11th, 2025! 3:37 - Indie Designer of the Month: Megan Dawson Jaffe of Nerdy City Games nerdycity.com 5:30 - Susan in Oakland asks how to get her play groups to learn the rules | 30:...
Dec 14, 2024•1 hr 38 min
◇ Steve from Cambridge asks about moving OSR games to narrative systems, Peter asks what PBTA system is the best starting point for a group, From the Archive 2020: Andrew asks about how to handle pandemics in his campaign | Hosts: Kimi, Jason, Vyrrk ◇ 00:33 - Welcome & Episode Summary | 1:17 - Game Daze will be happening January 11th, 2025! 1:27 - Indie Designer of the Month: Megan Dawson Jaffe of Nerdy City Games nerdycity.com 10:20 - Steve from Cambridge asks about moving OSR games to narrativ...
Dec 09, 2024•1 hr 40 min
◇ Wil from Oregon asks about 2-player RPGS, Charger347 wants to talk about dice, Sam from Lakewood claims that space combat isn’t always boring.| Hosts: Kimi, Joey, Vixie ◇ 00:33 - Welcome & Episode Summary | 1:41 - Announcements: Our new DIE actual play is in full swing at 10am Pacific time on Fridays! We have another AP about tiny mice starting up near the end of the month! We will be taking US Thanksgiving week off. No show Sunday the 24th. 3:00 - Indie Designer of the Month: Chris Sellers (t...
Nov 24, 2024•1 hr 12 min
◇ Steffi in Scotland asks about epic campaign endings with freeform play, Sean from New Jersey asks how to trap players without railroading them, From the Archive 2018: Chris asks if RIFTS will keep his 9yo kid interested | Hosts: Kimi, Jason, Eli, & Chris Sellers ◇ 00:33 - Welcome & Episode Summary | 1:55 - Announcements: Our new DIE actual play is in full swing at 10am Pacific time on Fridays! We have another AP about tiny mice starting up near the end of the month! We will be taking US Thanks...
Nov 17, 2024•1 hr 32 min
◇ Wes in Indianapolis asks about forming gaming groups with strangers, OdysseusTries shares a GM Horror story, From the Archive 2020: Steve in SoCal asks about Red Herrings | Hosts: Kimi & Riley ◇ 00:33 - Welcome & Episode Summary | 2:44 - Game Daze was yesterday! It was a quiet one, but the games were great and everyone had fun. The next one will be in January! 03:51 - Indie Designer of the Month: Chris Sellers (they/them) of Hectic Election Games find their work at https://hecticelectron.com 0...
Nov 11, 2024•1 hr 2 min
◇ Jeff asks about publishing his ideas, Vyrrk from DC asks if APs are performances, From the Archive 2018: Ed from Minnesota and a story of plate tectonics | Hosts: Kimi, Jason, & Noir ◇ 00:33 - Welcome & Episode Summary | 02:39 - Announcements: Game Daze is happening November 2nd! Visit the Happy Jacks discord to sign up to run or play games! 03:51 - Indie Designer of the Month: Audrey Stolze aka Lady Tabletop (she/they) find her work at https://ladytabletop.itch.io/ and https://www.hopepunkpre...
Nov 11, 2024•1 hr 16 min
◇ Wes from Indianapolis asks how GMs can facilitate creative character goals?, Eric from New Jersey shares why session 0 is important, & From the Archive 2018: Gord from Canada shares a D&D Story | Hosts: CADave, Vyrrk, & Emily ◇ 00:33 - Welcome & Episode Summary | 03:23 - Announcements: Game Daze is happening November 2nd! Visit the Happy Jacks discord to sign up to run or play games! We need emails! We have received ONE email in the last month. Our supplies are running dry! You can email happy...
Oct 27, 2024•1 hr 6 min
◇ Kerem from Turkey asks about language-independent games, Always Nevers asks about players short-circuiting an adventure, & From the Archive 2020: Juho from Finland wants to know if D&D really has to require so many rolls | Hosts: Pooja, Riley, & Sam ◇ 00:33 - Welcome & Episode Summary | 1:00 - Announcements: We have some Spooky one-shots coming up! Tune in Saturday October 12th for an Under the Autumn Strangely one-shot run by creator Graham Gentz, and Sunday October 13th for Asking For A (Dea...
Oct 27, 2024•1 hr 9 min
◇ Carlos from Detroit defends game prep, Eric from New Jersey asks how to compliment their GM, From the Archive 2018: David from Tampa shares a funny GMing Story | Hosts: Kimi, Graham, Rose, & Artem ◇ 00:33 - Welcome & Episode Summary | 1:00 - Announcements: Game Daze was yesterday and went great! Vyrrk will be stepping up to organize the next one in November. Join the Discord to vote on the date! https://happyjacks.org/discord | 02:23 - Indie Designer of the Month: Steve Dee he/him from Tinstar...
Oct 06, 2024•1 hr 15 min
◇ Steve from Cambridge asks about GMing pace, Eric from New Jersey sends his thanks, & From the Archive 2019: ryan4flan struggles with players rolling their flaws in D&D | Hosts: Kimi, Pooja, & Vixie ◇ 00:33 - Welcome & Episode Summary | 1:17 - Announcements: Our next Game Daze will be September 28! Join the discord at happyjacks.org/discord to run or play games! Thanks to our Patreons we are in the middle of some great studio updates! YAY! | 4:00 - Indie Designer of the Month: Steve Dee he/him ...
Oct 06, 2024•1 hr 33 min
◇ Steve from Cambridge asks about GMing pace, Eric from New Jersey sends his thanks, & From the Archive 2019: ryan4flan struggles with players rolling their flaws in D&D | Hosts: Kimi, Riley, Jason & Artem ◇ 00:33 - Welcome & Episode Summary | 1:17 - Announcements: Our next Game Daze will be September 28! Join the discord at happyjacks.org/discord to vote on the day and to run or play games! Patreon Fees have changed. We are looking into options that will help us keep the lights on and the mini ...
Sep 13, 2024•1 hr 21 min