Author Archives: Shane

Holmes Basic D&D, John Eric Holmes & Edgar Rice Burroughs with Chris Holmes – Episode 267 – 5/12/2023


Shane Plays Geek Talk Episode #267 – 5/12/2023

Chris Holmes has a unique historical perspective on fiction writer John Eric Holmes and Holmes Basic D&D, given that he’s JEH’s son. Chris is doing cool stuff in his own right, including his fantasy art and a day job where he gets to introduce kids to D&D. Chris’s posthumous RPG project with his father called Things Better Left Alone. How much did JEH make for creating the first D&D Basic edition? Chris and Shane have different approaches to playing with alignment. What is Chris’s favorite D&D edition (it’s a trick answer). Edgar Rice Burroughs. Send in the Pinkertons! Tarzan’s super power. Weresharks. Ask Cthulhu. Zombie movies, Rob Zombie, Dragula, and Sherlock Holmes.

Listen to the Shane Plays podcast on YouTube, iTunes, Google Play Music, Podbean and Stitcher (plus other fine podcast directories).

Direct MP3 Download Link:
https://traffic.libsyn.com/shaneplays/Shane_Plays_5-12-2023_episode_267_Holmes_Basic_DD_John_Eric_Holmes_Edgar_Rice_Burroughs_with_Chris_Holmes_podcast.mp3

Listen Here via Embed:

SHOW NOTES

John Eric Holmes on Wikipedia
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/John_Eric_Holmes

Chris Holmes Website:
http://www.holmeswest.com/

Things Better Left Alone module from Pacesetter Games based on J. Eric Holmes map from Holmes Basic D&D
https://www.facebook.com/groups/310434204630/posts/10160416579069631/
-Chris Holmes contributes art, which Bill Barsh calls “Holmesian”

Lobsterilla by Chris Holmes for The Phylactery zine

Dungeons and Desktops: The History of Computer Role-Playing Games 2nd Edition
Shane’s book! Co-authored with Matt Barton of Matt Chat
Order on Amazon now:
https://www.amazon.com/Dungeons-Desktops-History-Computer-Role-Playing/dp/1138574643/


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Support Shane Plays Geek Talk on Patreon!
https://www.patreon.com/shaneplays

Hey, YOU! Yeah, YOU! 😀😀 You can buy cool stuff and support Shane Plays Geek Talk with these affiliate links!

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Humble Bundle
https://www.humblebundle.com?partner=shaneplays

 
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Betrayal at Krondor 30th Anniversary & Fan Film Challenge with Neal Hallford - Episode 266 - shane plays podcast title 3-14-2023

Betrayal at Krondor 30th Anniversary & Fan Film Challenge with Neal Hallford – Episode 266 – 3/14/2023

Betrayal at Krondor 30th Anniversary & Fan Film Challenge with Neal Hallford - Episode 266 - shane plays podcast title 3-14-2023
Shane Plays Geek Talk Episode #266 – 3/14/2023

Hey there, friend! If you’re into classic games and fascinating stories, you’ll love our latest podcast episode featuring the multi-talented Neal Hallford. Join us as he shares insider details on the renowned Betrayal at Krondor CRPG, and get excited about the game’s 30th-anniversary celebrations!

This innovative game was truly ahead of its time, and Neal takes us on a journey to explore the bold choices that made it such a hit. Discover the game element that needed a makeover but ultimately turned out even better!

Did you know that Neal’s incredible work on the game led Raymond E. Feist to include it in his iconic Riftwar Saga novel series? Hear about their collaboration and get an insider’s perspective on Feist’s impressive business acumen.

But wait, there’s more! Brace yourself for some juicy behind-the-scenes stories of the BAK sequel drama, complete with corporate antics and a dash of Machiavellian mischief. You won’t want to miss it!

Neal also shares his thoughts on his Krondor Remastered project and reveals what he’d do differently if he had the chance to remake the game today. Plus, find out which lessons from his Swords & Circuitry game development textbook still hold true and what he’d update for the modern age.

And if you’re a budding filmmaker, get inspired by the Betrayal at Krondor Fan Film Challenge, where even your trusty smartphone can be your ticket to success!

Lastly, uncover a surprising connection between Betrayal at Krondor and the legendary BioWare. Tune in now for an enthralling and engaging conversation that’s sure to spark your curiosity!

Listen to the Shane Plays podcast on YouTube, iTunes, Google Play Music, Podbean and Stitcher (plus other fine podcast directories).

Direct MP3 Download Link:
https://traffic.libsyn.com/shaneplays/Shane_Plays_3-14-2023_episode_266_Betrayal_at_Krondor_30th_Anniversary_and_Fan_Film_Challenge_with_Neal_Hallford_podcast.mp3

Listen Here via Embed:

SHOW NOTES

Krondor Fan Film Challenge – Opening Day Announcement Video
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nI2YONb2wB8

Betrayal at Krondor Fan Film Challenge
http://KrondorFFC.com

Promo Video for Betrayal at Krondor Meetup in Eugene, OR on June 23, 2023
https://www.dropbox.com/s/rb6knnw46a2cc1a/BAK30_Promo.mp4?dl=0

Facebook Event page for Betrayal at Krondor Meetup in Eugene, OR on June 23, 2023
https://fb.me/e/2x1AXguTD

Bak Bits
Every Tuesday and Thursday until the meetup in Eugene on June 23rd, Neal is releasing new Bak Bits about the history of Krondor. Follows can find them by the hashtags #BAK30, #KRONDOR30, and #KRONDORFFC

Neal’s Blog
https://www.nealhallford.com/

Betrayal at Krondor Pack on GOG
https://www.gog.com/en/game/betrayal_at_krondor

Swords & Circuitry: A Designer’s Guide to Computer Role-Playing Games
https://www.amazon.com/Swords-Circuitry-Designers-Role-Playing-Development/dp/0761532994/

Betrayal at Krondor Remastered & Lumberyard! – Shane Plays Ep. 45
https://shaneplays.com/betrayal-at-krondor-remastered-lumberyard-radio-show-podcast-ep-45/
(April 2016)

Dungeons and Desktops: The History of Computer Role-Playing Games 2nd Edition
Shane’s book! Co-authored with Matt Barton of Matt Chat
Order on Amazon now:
https://www.amazon.com/Dungeons-Desktops-History-Computer-Role-Playing/dp/1138574643/


patreon logo in fieldLike what you hear?
Support Shane Plays Geek Talk on Patreon!
https://www.patreon.com/shaneplays

Hey, YOU! Yeah, YOU! 😀😀 You can buy cool stuff and support Shane Plays Geek Talk with these affiliate links!

Humble Bundle Affiliate Partner Logo
Humble Bundle
https://www.humblebundle.com?partner=shaneplays

 
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https://www.drivethrurpg.com/browse.php?affiliate_id=488512

 

They Came for the OGL: 3rd Party RPG Publishers Share Their Experience - Episode 265 shane plays podcast title 2-9-2023

They Came for the OGL: 3rd Party RPG Publishers Share Their Experience – Episode 265 – 2/9/2023

They Came for the OGL: 3rd Party RPG Publishers Share Their Experience - Episode 265 shane plays podcast title 2-9-2023
Shane Plays Geek Talk Episode #265 – 2/9/2023

Zach Glazar (Frog God Games), Bill Barsh (Pacesetter Games) and Levi Combs (Planet X Games) share the personal impact (here’s a hint: “existential threat”) and professional impact that Wizards of the Coast’s recent OGL announcements had on them, and where they’re going from here. “Unprofessional” and “ham-fisted” is mentioned a lot by our guests. Third-party publishers have been publishing the strong stuff for 5E in recent years. Was WotC’s final decision enough to get things back to what they were with 3rd party TTRPG publishers and creators or is the relationship over? What options are on the table if someone wants to leave WotC and their OGL behind? OGLs versus SRDs. ORCs and Black Flags. Finer points of TTRPG legal warfare. What the heck does irrevocable mean, anyway? Our guests have firm theories on what level in WotC this all came from (and the theories might surprise you). Shane Plays gets a HOT SCOOP from Pacesetter Games.

Listen to the Shane Plays podcast on YouTube, iTunes, Google Play Music, Podbean and Stitcher (plus other fine podcast directories).

Direct MP3 Download Link:
https://traffic.libsyn.com/shaneplays/Shane_Plays_2-9-2023_episode_265_They_Came_For_The_OGL_3rd_Party_RPG_Publishers_Share_Their_Experience_podcast.mp3

Listen Here via Embed:

SHOW NOTES

Dungeons & Dragons’ New License Tightens Its Grip on Competition
https://gizmodo.com/dnd-wizards-of-the-coast-ogl-1-1-open-gaming-license-1849950634

An Update on the Open Game License (OGL)
Cached version
Frantic backpedaling (and attempted spin) on OGL 1.1
https://webcache.googleusercontent.com/search?q=cache:_ilAqfJ3Cj8J:https://www.dndbeyond.com/posts/1423-an-update-on-the-open-game-license-ogl&cd=1&hl=en&ct=clnk&gl=us

Summary of creator and fan response to WotC’s OGL 1.1 official statement
“It has become clear that it is no longer possible to achieve all goals” – Wizards of the Coast address Dungeons & Dragons OGL 1.1 backlash
https://www.sportskeeda.com/esports/it-become-clear-longer-possible-achieve-goals-wizards-coast-address-dungeons-dragons-ogl-1-1-backlash?fbclid=IwAR3SzmtSYacMb-vT6b-aLGgWhATGMUVjfrliszX0ZH6Tn_JbITXgHWL_3bU

A Working Conversation About the Open Game License (OGL)
Cahed version
https://webcache.googleusercontent.com/search?q=cache:5dPV6amx320J:https://www.dndbeyond.com/posts/1428-a-working-conversation-about-the-open-game-license&cd=1&hl=en&ct=clnk&gl=us

D&D maker still wants to revoke earlier versions of “open” gaming license
https://arstechnica.com/gaming/2023/01/dd-maker-still-wants-to-revoke-earlier-versions-of-open-gaming-license/

D&D Beyond: OGL 1.0a & Creative Commons
https://www.dndbeyond.com/posts/1439-ogl-1-0a-creative-commons
88% do not want to publish TTRPG content under OGL 1.2.
90% would have to change some aspect of their business to accommodate OGL 1.2.
89% are dissatisfied with deauthorizing OGL 1.0a.
86% are dissatisfied with the draft VTT policy.
62% are satisfied with including Systems Reference Document (SRD) content in Creative Commons, and the majority of those who were dissatisfied asked for more SRD content in Creative Commons.

Ryan Dancey — Hasbro Cannot Deauthorize OGL
https://www.enworld.org/threads/ryan-dancey-hasbro-cannot-deauthorize-ogl.694196/

Goodman Games Announces January Is Best Sales Month In Its History
https://goodman-games.com/blog/2023/02/01/goodman-games-announces-january-is-best-sales-month-in-its-history/

Paizo Announces System-Neutral Open RPG License – Open RPG Creative License (ORC)
https://paizo.com/community/blog/v5748dyo6si7v

Kobold Press’s Black Flag Blog Posts (new SRD / open fantasy RPG system project)
https://koboldpress.com/category/black-flag/

Kobold Press releases new details for Project Black Flag
https://nichegamer.com/kobold-press-details-project-black-flag/

troll lord games ogl facebook post jan 9 2023kodt knights of the dinner table jolly blackburn sixth edition push back cartoon

Dungeons and Desktops: The History of Computer Role-Playing Games 2nd Edition
Shane’s book! Co-authored with Matt Barton of Matt Chat
Order on Amazon now:
https://www.amazon.com/Dungeons-Desktops-History-Computer-Role-Playing/dp/1138574643/


patreon logo in fieldLike what you hear?
Support Shane Plays Geek Talk on Patreon!
https://www.patreon.com/shaneplays

Hey, YOU! Yeah, YOU! 😀😀 You can buy cool stuff and support Shane Plays Geek Talk with these affiliate links!

Humble Bundle Affiliate Partner Logo
Humble Bundle
https://www.humblebundle.com?partner=shaneplays

 
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https://www.drivethrurpg.com/browse.php?affiliate_id=488512

 

OSRIC & The OSR with Allan T. Grohe Jr. - Episode 264- 11/30/2022 shane plays podcast title 11-30-2022

OSRIC & The OSR with Allan T. Grohe Jr. – Episode 264- 11/30/2022

OSRIC & The OSR with Allan T. Grohe Jr. - Episode 264- 11/30/2022 shane plays podcast title 11-30-2022
Shane Plays Geek Talk Episode #264 – 11/30/2022

RPG developer and publisher Allan T. Grohe Jr. (aka “grodog”) joins to talk AD&D retroclone OSRIC, the OSR, Black Blade Publishing, John Eric Holmes, and RPG goodness in general. Allan LOVES him some Greyhawk. The skills he learned tracking down early information on Greyhawk helped lead to his main non-RPG career. How active is the current AD&D 1E and/or OSRIC scene? What is Allan’s definition of OSR, and does he feel it’s important? The legal importance of OSRIC to the OSR community. ‘zines are often lauded, but at one time Dragon magazine was a sort of “D&D website” in its day as well. Watching an RPG project happen behind the scenes. Shane offers a mild defense of rules lawyers. “Vanilla” fantasy is not a derogatory term. Cthulhu and Delta Green. Look, just hit Cthulhu with a boat. Shane has figured out Lovecraft’s indescribable color. Thunderdome match: Strongheart versus Warduke.

Listen to the Shane Plays podcast on YouTube, iTunes, Google Play Music, Podbean and Stitcher (plus other fine podcast directories).

Direct MP3 Download Link:
https://traffic.libsyn.com/shaneplays/Shane_Plays_11-30-2020_episode_264_OSRIC_and_the_OSR_with_Allan_T_Grohe_Jr_podcast.mp3

Listen Here via Embed:

SHOW NOTES

OSRIC: First Edition Fantasy Roleplaying Game
https://osricrpg.com/

Black Blade Publishing
https://www.facebook.com/BlackBladePublishing/

THE 1001 TREASURES OF BLACK BLADE PUBLISHING AND GOODMAN GAMES: GARY CON 2018 REPORT, PART II
https://www.blackgate.com/2018/03/13/the-1001-treasures-of-black-blade-publishing-and-goodman-games-gary-con-2018-report-part-ii/

From Kuroth’s Quill – grodog’s AD&D blog
https://grodog.blogspot.com/

Allan at Greyhawk Online
https://greyhawkonline.com/greyhawkwiki/Allan_Grohe

D&D Retroclones List
http://taxidermicowlbear.weebly.com/dd-retroclones.html

Single Volume Edition of OD&D by Greyharp
https://friendorfoe.com/d/ODD%20Single%20Volume.pdf

Fight On! Magazine
https://fightonmagazine.com/

Knockspell Magazine
https://grodog.blogspot.com/2017/05/knockspell-magazine-master-index.html


Allan gave me permission to share this biographical information he sent me before we recorded:

Allan T. Grohe Jr. aka “grodog”
Bio & Career Highlights

Quick gaming bio:

Allan T. Grohe Jr. has been playing AD&D and other RPGs since 1977. Allan’s first professional gaming publication (“More for the Shadow Master”) appeared in White Wolf Magazine #11 in 1988; he has also contributed to The Unspeakable Oath, Pyramid, Polyhedron, and Dragon Magazine, among others. Allan has worked extensively with Biohazard Games (Blue Planet, Upwind), Pagan Publishing (Delta Green), Different Worlds Publications (Tadashi Ehara), and Pied Piper Publishing (Robert J. Kuntz). Allan co-founded Black Blade Publishing with Jon Hershberger in 2009 to publish top-quality old-school gaming products, including OSRIC, Monsters of Myth, and Kuntz’ The Original Bottle City. Allan’s most-recent projects are Tales of Peril: The Complete Boinger and Zereth Stories of John Eric Holmes; The Twisting Stair, a gaming newsletter focused on dungeon design that Allan publishes with Tony Rosten; and Saving Throw, an OSRIC zine to support the family of Usherwood Publishing’s Jim Kramer (now sadly lost to brain cancer).

Allan’s editorial, design, and development work has contributed to winning one Origins Award and securing four Origins Award nominations, winning one ENnie Award and two ENnie Award nominations.

Allan is known online as grodog, where he publishes a website featuring World of Greyhawk content, as well as his non-gaming writing (poetry, personal essays, and literary scholarship), and the usual fan ephemera at http://www.greyhawkonline.com/grodog/. He lives in Wichita, Kansas, with his lovely wife Heather, their two wonderful sons Ethan and Henry, and their two cats Muffin and Felix.

Gaming/Life Highlights

  • 1969: born 😀
  • 1977: first play D&D via Holmes Basic set @ 7 years old
  • 1980: attend first game convention @ Origins 1980 @ Widener University; first time I met Gary, playtesting Gangbusters (although this could have been at GenCon East II in 1982, as well)
  • 1984: played Treasure of the Dragon Queen at Northeaster #2, perhaps the single best D&D tournament I’ve ever played; graduated from Merchantville Elementary School
  • 1987: graduated from Bishop Eustace high school, started Penn State thinking I would go into Architecture; attended DragonCon #1 to meet Michael Moorcock and also met Rob Kuntz!; member of the winning team for the RPGA “(To) The City of Brass” tourney, written by Rob; played lots of AD&D at PSU, also introduced to Call of Cthulhu, Paranoia, etc.; Gary signs my DMG at Origins in Baltimore
  • 1988: first professional D&D publication in White Wolf Magazine #11, “More for the Shadow Master” (based on an article published in WW#8 the year before)
  • 1991: graduated Penn State with BA in English, Minor in Myth & Folklore; moved to KS for grad school @ KU; began playtesting for CoC for Pagan Publishing and writing reviews in The Unspeakable Oath, and later Pyramid, Polyhedron, and Dragon
  • 1993: began playtesting, designing, and freelancing with Biohazard Games
  • 1996: co-founded Event Horizon Publishing; graduated from KU with MA in English (creative writing); began working for Sprint in KC; Pagan’s Delta Green book nominated for and wins Origins Award for Best RPG Supplement; first page published to my web site, the Dreaming City
  • 1997: EHP publishes The Triad Sourcebook, my only writing contribution to the Hong Kong Action Theatre! RPG line; Biohazard publishes Blue Planet at GenCon, nominated for an Origins award the following year; I win the Langston Hughes Award for Excellence in Prose for my creative essay “Betwixt & Between” and am a Poetry Award Finalist in the same year
  • 1998: I think this is when I first joined Greytalk, since it was definitely while I was still working at Sprint
  • 1999: met Heather Schunk Grohe, fell in love, the rest is history! 😀 EHP publishes the Heaven & Earth RPG book, to which I contributed writing, design, editing, and poetry; turned down job at Wizards of the Coast
  • 2000: moved to CA to work for Juniper Networks in San Jose
  • 2001: married Heather; first web page published for grodog’s Greyhawk; co-found the Canonfire! fan site for the World of Greyhawk; start working with Rob Kuntz on Pied Piper publishing projects
  • 2002: two Greyhawk articles on artifacts published in Dragon, co-written with Erik Mona; I conduct a long interview with Rob Kuntz published in Oerth Journal #14 too
  • 2003: start working with Tadashi Ehara of Chaosium/Different Worlds on publishing projects
  • 2004: Ethan born in CA; Tadashi publishes two books by Ryan Smalley and one by Rob Kuntz for GenCon
  • 2005: move back to KS to be closer to Heather’s family, continue working for Juniper remotely from home
  • 2006: I begin to redesign and expand upon my Castle Greyhawk dungeon levels, which currently total somewhere around 60 or so
  • 2007: complete work on editing and developing OSRIC v1.0 with the rest of the core design team; Pied Piper publishes The Original Bottle City level of Castle Greyhawk, which I co-DM with Rob at GenCon (the last year I attend; also meet Dave Arneson there)
  • 2008: attended Lake Geneva Gaming Convention #3, the last time I meet Gary in person; attended GaryCon #0 (am I am en-route back from the funeral when Henry is born), and all subsequent ones (other than #1 in 2009, since Henry was just 1 year old); editor for Swords & Wizardry 1st edition (uncredited), Tomb of the Iron God
  • 2009: co-founded Black Blade Publishing with Jon Hershberger; my “From Kuroth’s Quill” column begins in Knockspell magazine #1; BBP publishes an AD&D conversion of Goodman Games’ DCC#9 Secret of the Smuggler’s Cove module at the first North Texas RPG Convention
  • 2010: BBP becomes publisher for Matt Finch’s Swords & Wizardry OD&D clone
  • 2012: BBP publishes the deluxe, expanded 2nd printing of OSRIC AD&D clone
  • 2013: BBP reprints RJK1 Cairn of the Skeleton King and RJK2 Tower of Blood; organize seminar panel on Castle Greyhawk with Paul Stormberg and Jeffrey P. Talanian at GaryCon V; “The Iounic Loop – Reimagining the Ring of Gaxx” published in AFS#4 (which will reappear in my “Iounic Caverns” level of Castle Greyhawk when that’s published), along with my “The Nooks & Crannies Level” mega-dungeon level map
  • 2014: BBP publishes the expanded edition of RJK’s Bottle City; “Naladamar– also known as the Black Sword, Nightbringer, the Dead Sword, and the Vampire Blade” published in AFS #5, my tribute to Moorcock’s Stormbringer
  • 2016: RJK’s El Raja Key Archive published by Paul Stormberg’s TLB Games (I helped with files, scanning)
  • 2017: BBPpublishes Tales of Peril: the Complete Boinger & Zereth Stories of John Eric Holmes (edited by me); I launch my From Kuroth’s Quill blog
  • 2018: co-found The Twisting Stair, a mega-dungeon design zine, with Tony Rosten, where I continue my FKQ column from KS; complete work on The Hyqueous Vaults, a free module celebrating the 10th anniversary of OSRIC (it was a year late 😉 )
  • 2019: led seminar panel on “Celebrating Greyhawk: a Fandom Renaissance” at GaryCon XI, and contributed 4800 words and editing to Oerth Journal #28, the first printed edition of the zine; edit and assist with development of Guy Fullerton’s F4 The Withered Crag adventure; designed new spell, two NPC parties, treasure map, and co-designed adventure with Guy Fullerton for Saving Throw, a new OSRIC zine to support Usherwood Publishing’s Jim Kramer (and his family, Jim is now gone)

Down in the weeds:

Here are a few links about me, my work, etc.:

– grodog’s Song of Seven – The Mythic Worlds Builders, at Multiverse
http://multiverse.world/blog/2017/04/26/grodogs-7-best/

– grodog’s start in gaming – 1977: Cedar Avenue, Star Wars, and Holmes
Basic
https://grodog.blogspot.com/2018/05/grodogs-start-in-gaming-1977.html

– grodog’s OSR questionnaire responses:
https://grodog.blogspot.com/2018/10/osr-questionnaire.html

– grodog’s favorite gaming publications:
https://grodog.blogspot.com/2018/05/these-are-few-of-my-favorite-things.html

– grodog’s Ring of 5 Greyhawk mini-interview with Mike Bridges
http://greyhawkery.blogspot.com/2011/11/ring-of-five-questions-allan-grohe.html

You can also check out my RPGgeek entry
https://rpggeek.com/rpgdesigner/20607/allan-t-grohe-jr

Dungeons and Desktops: The History of Computer Role-Playing Games 2nd Edition
Shane’s book! Co-authored with Matt Barton of Matt Chat
Order on Amazon now:
https://www.amazon.com/Dungeons-Desktops-History-Computer-Role-Playing/dp/1138574643/


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Support Shane Plays Geek Talk on Patreon!
https://www.patreon.com/shaneplays

Hey, YOU! Yeah, YOU! 😀😀 You can buy cool stuff and support Shane Plays Geek Talk with these affiliate links!

Humble Bundle Affiliate Partner Logo
Humble Bundle
https://www.humblebundle.com?partner=shaneplays

 
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https://www.drivethrurpg.com/browse.php?affiliate_id=488512

 

The Valley Out Of Time & Skeeter Green Productions - Episode 263 - 10/19/2022 shane plays podcast title 10-19-2022

The Valley Out Of Time & Skeeter Green Productions – Episode 263 – 10/19/2022

The Valley Out Of Time & Skeeter Green Productions - Episode 263 - 10/19/2022 shane plays podcast title 10-19-2022
Shane Plays Geek Talk Episode #263 – 10/19/2022

Skeeter Green joins to talk RPGs, Skeeter Green Productions, the Independent Publishers Union of small RPG publishers, and his new Kickstarter. The Valley Out of Time is a series of ‘zine-sized RPG adventures borrowing heavily from classic dinosaur art, books, and movies (think Frazetta and Harryhausen). Tips and advice for small RPG publishers from Skeeter’s seminar series with Zach Glazar. The chances of making a living working in the RPG industry full-time. Defining success. RPG authors versus developers versus editors versus designers. The correct way to pronounce “bulette” according to Tim Kask. The secret origin of the name Skeeter. Favorite sitcoms of the past. Rob Zombie’s movies. NASA probing asteroids.

Listen to the Shane Plays podcast on YouTube, iTunes, Google Play Music, Podbean and Stitcher (plus other fine podcast directories).

Direct MP3 Download Link:
https://traffic.libsyn.com/shaneplays/Shane_Plays_10-19-2022_episode_263_The_Valley_Out_of_Time_and_Skeeter_Green_Productions_podcast.mp3

Listen Here via Embed:

SHOW NOTES

Kickstarter: The Valley Out of Time for S&W DCC MCC Part 5&6 FINAL! from Skeeter Green Productions
https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/science-wizard/the-valley-out-of-time-for-sandw-dcc-mcc-5e-part-5and6-final

Skeeter Green Productions
https://www.skeetergreenproductions.com/

Skeeter Green Productions on DriveThruRPG
https://www.drivethrurpg.com/browse/pub/12902/Skeeter-Green-Productions

Independent Publishers Union
https://www.hyperborea.tv/ipu.html

A NASA Spacecraft Is About to Collide With an Asteroid. Watch Live Here | Science Alert
https://www.sciencealert.com/a-nasa-spacecraft-will-collide-with-an-asteroid-on-monday-watch-live-here

Dungeons and Desktops: The History of Computer Role-Playing Games 2nd Edition
Shane’s book! Co-authored with Matt Barton of Matt Chat
Order on Amazon now:
https://www.amazon.com/Dungeons-Desktops-History-Computer-Role-Playing/dp/1138574643/


patreon logo in fieldLike what you hear?
Support Shane Plays Geek Talk on Patreon!
https://www.patreon.com/shaneplays

Hey, YOU! Yeah, YOU! 😀😀 You can buy cool stuff and support Shane Plays Geek Talk with these affiliate links!

Humble Bundle Affiliate Partner Logo
Humble Bundle
https://www.humblebundle.com?partner=shaneplays

 
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Reaper's Dungeon Dwellers RPG with Joseph Wolf - Episode 262 - 9/24/2022 shane plays podcast title 9-24-2022

Reaper’s Dungeon Dwellers RPG with Joseph Wolf – Episode 262 – 9/24/2022

Reaper's Dungeon Dwellers RPG with Joseph Wolf - Episode 262 - 9/24/2022 shane plays podcast title 9-24-2022
Shane Plays Geek Talk Episode #262 – 9/24/2022

Joseph Wolf of Reaper Miniatures talks Dungeon Dwellers, Reaper’s old-school style RPG using modern design. Also: some ReaperCon chat. Joseph has some interesting RPG design highlights, including Forgotten Realms, Deadlands, and Blood of Heroes. Love it or hate it, 5E is very successful at what it does. Which Dungeon Dwellers came first, the minis or the RPG? “Tolkien Orcs” versus “Warhammer Orcs.” Super quick hot takes on Rings of Power. Shane freely admits to and doesn’t apologize for being RPG system promiscuous. Innovation in RPG design is groovy, but you don’t have to innovate just to be cool.

Listen to the Shane Plays podcast on YouTube, iTunes, Google Play Music, Podbean and Stitcher (plus other fine podcast directories).

Direct MP3 Download Link:
https://traffic.libsyn.com/shaneplays/Shane_Plays_9-24-2022_episode_262_Reaper_Dungeon_Dwellers_RPG_With_Joseph_Wolf_podcast.mp3

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SHOW NOTES

Dungeon Dwellers RPG
https://www.reapermini.com/rpg

ReaperCon
https://reapercon.com/

Reaper Miniatures
https://www.reapermini.com/

Joseph C. Wolf | RPG Designer | RPGGeek
https://rpggeek.com/rpgdesigner/15228/joseph-c-wolf

Dungeons and Desktops: The History of Computer Role-Playing Games 2nd Edition
Shane’s book! Co-authored with Matt Barton of Matt Chat
Order on Amazon now:
https://www.amazon.com/Dungeons-Desktops-History-Computer-Role-Playing/dp/1138574643/


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Support Shane Plays Geek Talk on Patreon!
https://www.patreon.com/shaneplays

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Champions RPG with George MacDonald - Episode 261 - 9/9/2022 shane plays podcast title 9-9-2022

Champions RPG with George MacDonald – Episode 261 – 9/9/2022

Champions RPG with George MacDonald - Episode 261 - 9/9/2022 shane plays podcast title 9-9-2022
Shane Plays Geek Talk Episode #261 – 9/9/2022

Champions RPG co-creator (and HERO Games co-founder) George MacDonald with guest co-host Michael Stewart (Victorious RPG creator; Save For Half and The Crusader podcasts co-host). The origins of Champions from the why, to the playtesting to the launch and beyond. Was the initial reception to Champions disappointing or encouraging? George came out of wargaming and his RPG mechanics reflects that. Did early players prefer to play licensed characters or their own superheroes? Crunchy versus streamlined game mechanics. Estimating the damage between wet and dry avalanches. Why did George decide to do superheroes for his first RPG game genre? The difference in adventure structure between RPG genres (fantasy, cyberpunk, superheroes). Some of the business thinking behind printing a game and creating a company (two different things!). Game distributors dangled the carrot a lot back in the day. The great Hero Games Box Shuffle of the Early Eighties. A speed round of Champions questions for George from Facebook. The pros and cons of wearing a cape. Foxbat’s secret identity REVEALED! What term in sci-fi RPGs has always bugged Shane? A little bit of chat about George’s time in computer games including Pool of Radiance.

Listen to the Shane Plays podcast on YouTube, iTunes, Google Play Music, Podbean and Stitcher (plus other fine podcast directories).

Direct MP3 Download Link:
https://traffic.libsyn.com/shaneplays/Shane_Plays_9-9-2022_episode_261_Champions_RPG_with_George_MacDonald_podcast.mp3

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SHOW NOTES

George MacDonald (game designer)
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/George_MacDonald_(game_designer)

Save For Half Podcast Episode 17: Champions 1st Edition
https://saveforhalf.com/2019/04/23/episode-17-champions-1st-edition/

Matt Chat 490: George MacDonald
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SyaIyNDaOZw

World of Supers RPGs Facebook Group
https://www.facebook.com/groups/1605211436420082

I tried to recreate a comic book using DALL-E and Alan Moore’s script
https://rubikscode.net/2022/08/22/i-tried-to-recreate-a-comic-book-using-dall-e-and-alan-moores-script/

Dungeons and Desktops: The History of Computer Role-Playing Games 2nd Edition
Shane’s book! Co-authored with Matt Barton of Matt Chat
Order on Amazon now:
https://www.amazon.com/Dungeons-Desktops-History-Computer-Role-Playing/dp/1138574643/


patreon logo in fieldLike what you hear?
Support Shane Plays Geek Talk on Patreon!
https://www.patreon.com/shaneplays

Hey, YOU! Yeah, YOU! 😀😀 You can buy cool stuff and support Shane Plays Geek Talk with these affiliate links!

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Humble Bundle
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Terrain-Tronics: DIY Gaming Terrain Electronics - Episode 260 - 8/15/2022 shane plays podcast title 8-15-2022

Terrain-Tronics: DIY RPG Gaming Terrain Electronics – Episode 260 – 8/15/2022

Terrain-Tronics: DIY Gaming Terrain Electronics - Episode 260 - 8/15/2022 shane plays podcast title 8-15-2022
Shane Plays Geek Talk Episode #260 – 8/15/2022

Dafydd Roche of Terrain-Tronics doesn’t just want to make cool terrain, he’s helping DMs and GMs bring delight to their players with easy DIY gaming terrain electronics for D&D and other RPGs. Game terrain as part of the storytelling. Theatrical D&D. The no-solder wire wrapping technique is good enough for NASA! Pretty soldering jobs versus ugly soldering jobs. Smart ways to compete with big business as a small business. Shane does his usual thing of getting into the business reality behind the creativity. Terrain-Tronics products are open source. Do horses really go to the glue factory? What chain of events had to happen for many of the inventions and innovations in human history? A minor tangent into casinos, pit bosses, and getting comped.

Listen to the Shane Plays podcast on YouTube, iTunes, Google Play Music, Podbean and Stitcher (plus other fine podcast directories).

Direct MP3 Download Link:
https://traffic.libsyn.com/shaneplays/Shane_Plays_8-15-2022_episode_260_Terrain-Tronics_DIY_Gaming_Terrain_Electronics_podcast.mp3

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Terrain-Tronics website
https://terraintronics.com/

Terrain-Tronics on YouTube
https://www.youtube.com/c/TerrainTronics

Terrain-Tronics on Facebook
https://www.facebook.com/terraintronics/

“Endor Tree Platform” Lighted Forest Camp Diorama Tutorial – bringing electronics to your build!
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OOlUe7gGVZM

Recommended Starter Project – Conwy Castle – Simple 4ch LED Driver
https://www.tindie.com/products/terraintronics/conwy-castle-simple-4ch-led-driver/

Tabletop Witchcraft Youtube Channel
*Uses Terrain-Tronics electronics
https://www.youtube.com/c/TabletopWitchCRAFT

Nat1 Videos: How to build a BALINS TOMB – BOOK NOOK
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cremnK6is4g

Adobe Medium – VR 3D Modeling Software
https://www.adobe.com/products/medium.html

terrain-tronics lava flow and minis

terrain-tronics ewok village and fire pit

terrain-tronics lava flow and minis wider view

terrain-tronics cottage and chamber

terrain-tronics vendor table at north texas rpg con 2022

Dungeons and Desktops: The History of Computer Role-Playing Games 2nd Edition
Shane’s book! Co-authored with Matt Barton of Matt Chat
Order on Amazon now:
https://www.amazon.com/Dungeons-Desktops-History-Computer-Role-Playing/dp/1138574643/


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Support Shane Plays Geek Talk on Patreon!
https://www.patreon.com/shaneplays

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Grindhouse Cinema With Levi Combs of Planet X Games - Episode 259 - 7/18/2022 shane plays podcast title 7-18-2022

Grindhouse Cinema with Levi Combs of Planet X Games – Episode 259 – 7/18/2022

Grindhouse Cinema With Levi Combs of Planet X Games - Episode 259 - 7/18/2022 shane plays podcast title 7-18-2022
Shane Plays Geek Talk Episode #259 – 7/18/2022

Grindhouse Cinema with RPG publisher and cinephile Levi Combs. What is Grindhouse, and why is it called that? The market forces that led to the rise of Grindhouse theaters. Gritty movies, violent movies, Foreign movies, exploitation movies, Kung fu movies, BRUCEsploitation movies, more! New York City as a character in movies. Sho’nuff, The Shogun of Harlem can chew scenery on a level with Darth Vader. What’s Levi’s favorite fight scene in any movie, period? Is the first Friday the 13th movie a Grindhouse movie? Plus: The RPG adventures and ‘zines of Planet X Games… hear the call of the Skeleton of the Black Lake and behold the Big Eye Chungus!

Listen to the Shane Plays podcast on YouTube, iTunes, Google Play Music, Podbean and Stitcher (plus other fine podcast directories).

Direct MP3 Download Link:
https://traffic.libsyn.com/shaneplays/shane_plays_7-18-2022_episode_259_Grindhouse_Cinema_With_Levi_Combs_of_Planet_X_Games_podcast.mp3

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Grindhouse definition from Merriam-Webster:
an often shabby movie theater having continuous showings especially of pornographic or violent films.

Grindhouse on Wikipedia:
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Grindhouse
According to historian David Church, this theater type was named after the “grind policy”, a film-programming strategy dating back to the early 1920s which continuously showed films at cut-rate ticket prices that typically rose over the course of each day.

Grindhouse on Wiktionary:
https://en.wiktionary.org/wiki/grindhouse
Perhaps from the grinding or cranking motion employed by early projectionists.
Perhaps from bump and grind (dubious). The term may originally have been used for burlesque houses in the 1940s.

Planet X Games
& The Phylactery ‘zine
https://www.exaltedfuneral.com/collections/planet-x-games

The 20 Best Grindhouse Movies Ranked | SlashFilm
https://www.slashfilm.com/762166/the-20-best-grindhouse-movies-ranked/

Grindhouse Data Base Top 20
https://www.grindhousedatabase.com/index.php/GCDb_Top_20

Book Recommendation
These Fists Break Bricks: How Kung Fu Movies Swept America and Changed the World
https://www.amazon.com/These-Fists-Break-Bricks-America/dp/173689160X

Troll 2 on Tubi
https://tubitv.com/movies/302737/troll-2

Best Worst Movie (Documentary about Troll 2) on Tubi
https://tubitv.com/movies/475569/best-worst-movie

Shane’s list of Grindhouse favorites:
Night of the Living Dead
Dawn of the Dead
Death Race 2000
Gator Bait
Honorable Mention:
Zombie (for the zombie vs shark fight!)

Levi’s Favorite Grindhouse Movies:
Evil Dead 2
Troll 2
Samurai Cop
Killer Klowns from Outer Space


Dungeons and Desktops: The History of Computer Role-Playing Games 2nd Edition

Shane’s book! Co-authored with Matt Barton of Matt Chat
Order on Amazon now:
https://www.amazon.com/Dungeons-Desktops-History-Computer-Role-Playing/dp/1138574643/


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Support Shane Plays Radio on Patreon!
https://www.patreon.com/shaneplays

Hey, YOU! Yeah, YOU! 😀😀 You can buy cool stuff and support Shane Plays Geek Talk with these affiliate links!

Humble Bundle Affiliate Partner Logo
Humble Bundle
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Mongoose and Meerkat with Author Jim Breyfogle - Episode 258 - 6/17/2022 shane plays podcast title 6-17-2022

Mongoose & Meerkat With Author Jim Breyfogle – Episode 258 – 6/17/2022

Mongoose and Meerkat with Author Jim Breyfogle - Episode 258 - 6/17/2022 shane plays podcast title 6-17-2022
Shane Plays Geek Talk Episode #258 – 6/17/2022

Thrilling fantasy stories of the swashbuckling duo Mongoose and Meerkat with author Jim Breyfogle. Adventure fiction as opposed to “pulp” fiction (and what exactly does “pulp” mean, anyway). Who is Jim’s number one favorite writer from the past? Shane’s dirty little secret when it comes to Robert E. Howard’s fiction. Robert A. Heinlein was both amazing AND sketchy. Fair Witnesses are cool. The Odyssey Writing Workshop. Some love for CIRSOVA magazine and its publisher P. Alexander.

Listen to the Shane Plays podcast on YouTube, iTunes, Google Play Music, Podbean and Stitcher (plus other fine podcast directories).

Direct MP3 Download Link:
https://traffic.libsyn.com/shaneplays/shane_plays_6-17-2022_episode_258_Mongoose_and_Meerkat_with_Jim_Breyfogle_podcast.mp3

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Kickstarter for Tales of the Mongoose and Meerkat Vol 2: The Heat of the Chase
https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/cirsova/tales-of-the-mongoose-and-meerkat-the-heat-of-the-chase

Tales of the Mongoose and Meerkat, Vol 1: Pursuit Without Asking
https://www.amazon.com/Tales-Mongoose-Meerkat-Vol-Pursuit/dp/194931328X

Jim Breyfogle’s Website
https://jimbreyfogle.wordpress.com/

CIRSOVA Magazine
https://cirsova.wordpress.com/cirsova-magazine/

Odyssey Writing Workshops
https://www.odysseyworkshop.org/

Appendix N Book Club Podcast
https://appendixnbookclub.com/


Dungeons and Desktops: The History of Computer Role-Playing Games 2nd Edition

Shane’s book! Co-authored with Matt Barton of Matt Chat
Order on Amazon now:
https://www.amazon.com/Dungeons-Desktops-History-Computer-Role-Playing/dp/1138574643/


patreon logo in fieldLike what you hear?
Support Shane Plays Radio on Patreon!
https://www.patreon.com/shaneplays

Hey, YOU! Yeah, YOU! 😀😀 You can buy cool stuff and support Shane Plays Geek Talk with these affiliate links!

Humble Bundle Affiliate Partner Logo
Humble Bundle
https://www.humblebundle.com?partner=shaneplays

 
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https://www.drivethrurpg.com/browse.php?affiliate_id=488512