Nerdcognito

INFAMOUS Media Group•www.nerdcognito.com

Nerds invite you into their world and chats about TTRPGs w/ OSR vibes, Board & Video Games, pop culture, & more! Listen and Subscribe for real, irreverent, yet relevant discussions, creator interviews, nerdy news, product reviews, and more!

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Episodes

Nerdcognito - Episode 199: Tropes in TTRPGs; Confirmation Bias and All of Us

Who doesn't love the horny bard? The orphaned princess? The mad wizard? Answer: after thousands of iterations, everyone. This week the guys look at tropes in the TTRPG sphere and discuss both the good and the bad elements of their presence. Bert is surly, but that doesn't prevent the news from presenting yet another game that makes Kyle spin. After the news, the team has a frank conversation about confirmation bias and how it presents in the hobby -- among all of us! From the OSR to Fauxs to Spa...

Nov 14, 2023•1 hr 1 min•Ep. 206

Nerdcognito - Episode 198: The TTRPG/D&D Controversy Carousel; Racism in a New Group Finder App?

Why do the same (lame) topics of "controversy" keep coming up in the TTRPG space? Because... it's the "Controversy Carousel!" The only way un-creatives can put themselves and their terrible ideology over! After a few go-rounds, the guys talk about a serious accusation and blowup in the OSR over potential reverse racism from a game group finding app. Lastly, the gang goes through the news and talks about sidestepping from a TTRPG to some other sort of nerdy goodness. ----more---- ----more---- The...

Nov 07, 2023•59 min•Ep. 205

Nerdcognito - Episode 197: Booting Horrible Players; Disturbing Monsters; Bad Horror Sequels

HAPPY HALLOWEEN! We've all had to do it -- whether we like it or not. Sometimes, THAT player has to GO. The guys discuss why and how you may need to remove a player from a gaming group. RD goes off the rails dreaming about Heather Graham during the news. After, the boys toss out a favorite, disturbing monster for your Halloween game and rattle of "worst" horror sequels (yes, there are a lot!). ----more---- ----more---- The News: No Ghosbusters 3 because... SparkleTroll Traps Heather Graham is dr...

Oct 31, 2023•1 hr 1 min•Ep. 204

Nerdcognito - Episode 196: Good v. Evil in TTRPGs; Media Influences on Your Game

This week the trio reunites and kicks things off with the oldest existential battle... Good versus Evil. How do these two forces present and what do they represent in your TTRPG table? Then the news comes and goes, and Kyle and RD drop the new Planescape deets on Bert! Lastly, the gang kicks around the various places from which each draw inspiration for their games as DMs. ----more---- ----more---- The News: The Witcher Board Game Crushes Funding Phunny WotC Cash Grabs Pop Tart, Anyone? That Pot...

Oct 24, 2023•1 hr•Ep. 203

Nerdcognito - Episode 195: Halloween Games, Message for Bert; Roll20 Dungeon Scrawl

RD and Kyle open the show talking about their favorite spooky and Halloween titles to bring to your gaming table, both #TTRPGs and #boardgames. The news is followed by a special guest as "Randy Looney" drops some scathing criticism on Bert. Bert responds, then the attention gets focused on the #Roll20 acquisition of Dungeon Scrawl. How will this effect small creators and hobbyists? ----more---- Check out and SUBSCRIBE to our brand new YouTube Channel! Don't miss the Speakeasy stream! https://www...

Oct 17, 2023•1 hr 14 min•Ep. 202

Nerdcognito - Episode 194: WotC-Penguin Book De-Distribution; ACKS II & Alexander Macris

Wizards of the Coast puts another nail in the coffin of physical book availability... or did they? We talk about the Penguin Random House divorce from WotC and how it will impact the hobby. The news is eclectic this week, spanning film photography to "slutty 7's." After the news, designer Alexander Macris stops in to talk about the evolution of a decade-young system, ACKS II and all things Adventurer Conqueror King System, and of course RD asks the BrOSR question: "Do you as a designer worry abo...

Oct 10, 2023•1 hr 6 min•Ep. 201

Nerdcognito - Episode 193: Fill-In-The-Blank ”Core” TTRPGs; Cancel Culture w/ Crud Forge

Wanna hop on the latest effortless TTRPG trend? Make a "-CORE!" That's right, the guys muse and mock this odd trend in non-roleplaying. The news strikes with a venomous bite this week, starting with the latest Leyline Press mental illness hug, Horse Girl and ending with Masters of the Universe, the movie. After the news, we invite William Dalebout of Crud Forge fka Incel Riot Studios in to talk about the rampant woke cancel culture in the tabletop board game world. ----more---- ----more---- The ...

Oct 03, 2023•1 hr 1 min•Ep. 200

Nerdcognito - Episode 192: Premium Undead Selections; (Another) WotC Conspiracy Theory

Braaaaaiiinsss... There is more to undead than skeletons and zombies (although there isn't anything wrong with the former)! The guys pick their cold, dead favorites and talk about the subset of monsters. The news comes and goes, predictably with the highs and lows we have come to love. Wrapping up the show is RD's newest conspiracy theory about Wizards of the Coast and their practices... and his track record with WotC "theories" becoming reality is stunning. ----more---- ----more---- The News: G...

Sep 26, 2023•1 hr 2 min•Ep. 199

Nerdcognito - Episode 191: Safety Tools Dance, New v. Veteran TTRPG Players

Despite our best efforts to avoid it, since it seemingly refuses to die and WotC is now promoting the tripe officially, the gang talks Safety Tools and identifies which tool, if forced to use one, each would implement. The news is upbeat and SparkleTroll-free for a change! Lastly, the boys talk about how a green player effects a table and a DM as compared to a grizzled old D&D vet. Plus, "Ryan's Torture Toolbox," coming soon? Nah. ----more---- ----more---- The News: TTRPGs & Cardboard to...

Sep 19, 2023•1 hr 1 min•Ep. 198

Nerdcognito - Episode 190: Swarms! Hordes! RD Channels Ginny Di’s ”Burnout!?!”

The trio are reunited and they form up to take on swarms and hordes as monsters in TTRPGs! Why is the swarm not loved? How is a horde of 100s of somethings not used more often at the table? The news then makes RD almost stroke out. Seriously. After as he recovers, the guys help Ryan diagnose his gaming drought and make sure that it is not "burnout" akin to everyone's favorite SparkleTroll TiddyStreamer, Ginny Di. ----more---- ----more---- The News: Autistic folks rejoice! WotC has now exploited ...

Sep 12, 2023•59 min•Ep. 197

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