Pulp Gamer » 2007

Archive for December, 2007

Family Night 002: Learning How to Learn

PGFN 002: Learning How to Learn [14:24m]: Play Now | Play in Popup | Download

Shortly before the holidays we had another great night of gaming. Dozens of titles were out for us to introduce to new players. Before sharing some games with you in today’s show we start on the broader topic of education that will come up frequently in future episodes. We specifically address the life skill of learning how to learn. Every game we play is a puzzle that encourages all of us to stretch our minds and becomes an exercise in skills we use every day of our lives.

We start our highlights with another cooperative game called The Lord of the Rings by Fantasy Flight Games and based off the Lord of the Rings trilogy. You work as a team and absolutely must work together to beat the game. By discussing strategy across the table it is easy for new players to participate with experienced players. The recommended ages for this game are 12 and up.

We then turn our attention to a storytelling game called Once Upon a Time by Atlas Games. Everyone at the table takes turns building a fairy tail from the cards in their hand and tries to twist it to reach their own ending. It has a competitive element but plays best when the emphasis is more on telling a good story.

We have also been playing The Market of Alturien by Mayfair Games. As many as six families compete for the best market locations and take turns moving customers around the board. As you would expect, money is the real driver in this game. The right decisions and a little bit of luck will put the money in your pocket you need to win the game. This one is an easy fit for ages 10 and up.

Inside Track 037: Jamie Chambers of Margaret Weis Productions

PGIT 037: Jamie Chambers [47:35m]: Play Now | Play in Popup | Download

A native of the kudzu-covered hills of north Georgia, Jamie Chambers began playing role-playing games at the age of seven - cutting his teeth on the “red box” set of Dungeons & Dragons. A few years later (and an upgrade to “Advanced”), he ran his very first campaign for fellow sixth-graders: the original Dragonlance modules. A few years later he began playing science-fiction, using a homebrew modification of Traveller called the “Space Dungeon.” Jamie played a young mechanic on a beat-up old spaceship making cargo and smuggling runs, the crew managing to get into trouble wherever they went.

Years later, Jamie is still involved with both fantasy and science-fiction gaming. He now works as the Vice President of Margaret Weis Productions (overseeing the Dragonlance role playing line, the Serenity Role Playing Game, and the upcoming Battlestar Galactica Role Playing Game). He also has authored game products for Wizards of the Coast, Elmore Productions, and Fast Forward Entertainment, and wrote articles for Dragon Magazine, Games Unplugged, and Campaign Magazine. Jamie contributed to Search for Power and Dragons in the Archives, two fiction anthologies published by Wizards of the Coast, and also wrote the appendices to the books in the Dark Disciple Trilogy by Margaret Weis.

Jamie is currently hard at work overseeing two companies and their respective game lines, developing new projects both in games and fiction. He lives in Lake Geneva, Wisconsin (the birthplace of hobby roleplaying games) with his wife, Renae, and three children: Melanie, Elizabeth, and Alexander.

Out of Character 038: Holiday Roleplay

PGOC 038: Holiday Roleplay [38:34m]: Play Now | Play in Popup | Download

We are treated to another visit from Boyan Radakovich. He helps us answer the challenge of providing the top ten reasons to hire a gamer for city council. Some games mentioned during today’s show include Blokus, Jungle Speed, Patrician, Mr. Jack, Apple to Apples, and Risk. Our Christmas gift talk also includes a shameless plug of Accent Your Character. If you are in the local area, stop by Hats Games to pick up a copy. You can also get them from Paizo.

Family Night has been launched. If you know someone interested in spending quality time with their family, this podcast is suited for them. Send them the link. Our local event got some coverage. Also, be sure also to remember games for your holiday shopping list.

We joined Polymancer in their discussion of running a pre-written adventure. Derek points out an example of railroading in the online comic, DM of the Rings. We also discuss the qualities of the Pathfinder modules that we have been reading. Polymancer magazine is a multi-genre magazine about roleplaying games (RPGs), miniature wargames, LARPs, and more. Articles are written so that they can be useful to gamers of all kinds, no matter which rules they prefer to use. This is done by making the articles “system-independent.” There is a complete adventure scenario in every issue. This is not an e-zine, but the real thing: an honest to goodness, printed magazine for gamers. Find out more at www.polymancerstudios.com.

Gen Con Panel 009: The Future of Podcasting

GC 009: The Future of Podcasting [46:38m]: Play Now | Play in Popup | Download

Podcasting is evolving fast as thousands of individuals and companies explore its use. We are just starting down this road and can see a lot of opportunity in new media consumption habits. Today, we explore the changes and trends of today, and the possibilities and uncertainties of tomorrow.

Panelists include Jim and Mark from Fell Calls, Mark and Dan from Fear the Boot, and Tony Mast from Fanboy Smackdown, SciFi Smackdown, and Tony’s Losing It.

GTS Seminars: Games, Education, and Youth Groups

GTS 023: Games, Education, and Youth Groups [45:54m]: Play Now | Play in Popup | Download

Reaching out to young audiences is a large part of today’s industry. Alex Yeager introduces us to ideas and opportunities to get involved and contribute to the community. Board games are educational and healthy fun for growing minds. Program directors are looking for just that kind of thing.

Alex is responsible for the educational outreach for Mayfair Games and frequently works with a number of youth groups to includes the Girl Scouts of America.

This presentation was recorded at the 2007 GAMA Trade Show. Hand-outs and show notes are available to members from the Game Manufacturers Association (GAMA).

Family Night 001: Bringing Them Together

PGFN 001: Bringing Them Together [18:44m]: Play Now | Play in Popup | Download

Our first Family Night was one of discovery for everyone. We had dozens of games out for families to enjoy together and everyone learned something new. We were also joined by the the Sierra Vista Herald. The reporter, Laura, joined us for some games and gave us some ink in the paper. We expect it will help our cause to bring families together for this event. Also, don’t forget Christmas is just around the corner, so be sure to stay tuned for even more fun and fabulous ideas for gifts that will entertain you through the holidays.

The first gem we look at is a board game called Wicked Witches Way by Asmodee Editions. It is suitable for anyone ages 8 up. When the dice are rolled, everyone hovers around the table to absorb the icons into their minds. When someone thinks they can reproduce the results from memory, the lid is closed and the successes are scored. It will surprise you how much fun you will have with this game.

Our next look is at a fun parody of our school days called High School Drama by Shifting Skies Games. It is suitable for ages 12 and up. You are working against the other players to build the largest and strongest clique in the school. Everyone has lived the experience, now we’ll find out who learned the most from it. The beautiful artwork and humorous theme will quickly pull everyone into the game. It is an especially good pick for play in mixed company.

Patrician is one that we have frequently described as a perfect gateway game. It is published by Mayfair Games and a perfect fit for ages 10 and up. Patrician is a good one to explore if you are new to modern games because it is easy to learn, but at the same time it will expose you to game mechanics you may never have seen before. The theme is medieval Italy. You are building towers in several cities. Your earn your way to victory by having the most influence in as many towers as you can. This game has great card play and small tower pieces to play with.

We close todays show with a look at Shadows Over Camelot. This one is published by Days of Wonder for ages 10 and up. It takes a little investment to learn the rules but is rewarding in several ways. The most outstanding feature of this game for most players is the cooperative play. You are working together as a group to beat the game. At least someone at the table needs to spend some time learning the rules and some strategy, but because this is a cooperative play game, it is only natural for them to help everyone else at the table.

Inside Track 036: Dave Arneson

PGIT 036: Dave Arneson [34:42m]: Play Now | Play in Popup | Download

Dave Arneson joins us and has some great stories to tell. With Dave being the co-founder of Dungeons & Dragons, you might expect that we would inquire about the origins and role-playing. You would be correct, but we are even more interested in what Dave is doing now. He teaches game design (one of our favorite subjects) at a school in Florida called Full Sail. He frequently makes it home for the holidays in Jeremiah’s neck of the woods where they might run into each other at a popular game store called The Source.

Dave proudly runs the longest role-playing campaign in the world. It helps that he is the father of the hobby. You can participate in the massively mutliplayer version and get the core books through his company, Zeitgeist Games. Apart from Blackmoor, zeitgeist specializes in computer game design.

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