GamingPerspectives

Gaming Perspectives with Saul and Jolene The Ezra Denney Interview

    The Last but not least of the Pre-Dundracon interviews, this one is with Ezra Denney.  I got to know these GM's by going to local gaming conventions.  Ezra is one of the best at running games that uses a lot of improvisation, which is not an easy skill to develop.  I had the pleasure of playing in one of his Paranoia games at Big Bad Con about 5 years ago and it is the best Paranoia game I have ever played in.  So when I sent out a call to do the interviews, Ezra was one of the first ones to sign on.  This was the 2nd attempt at the interview as the first one was during a West Coast Storm that knocked out Ezra's internet.  But he was gracious enough to try again and we are lucky to have him on our show.
     Ezra is doing a actual play of Mask's of Nyarlathotep on Twitch and You Tube here is the link to the You Tube: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-f3c5fFMm1k&fbclid=IwAR1dr6jedHEplcSr6VUYfZDIEAVf5GRWLXh1KKuyVOMgz7nx0dcX-Ex3RD0
      These interviews were recorded in our non-standard time.  We usually record Sunday morning at 6 am which is why you might hear us yawn and stretch but here you have phone ringing and particularly loud cars zoom by.  No intro music  with these bonus episodes..  
       We will be recording LIVE at : http://www.dundracon.com/   Saturday and Sunday from 9:30am to 11am.
     And Thanks to Ezra, David and Shannon for letting us interview them.  See you at DunDraCon!!!
 
 

Gaming Perspectives with Saul and Jolene Bonus Episode The Shannon Mac Interview

      The Second Interview with a GM that is attending and running games at Dundracon.  Shannon is a very accomplished GM and usually has many people trying to get into his very well regarded games.  
      Saul and Jolene will be doing a live recording from Dundracon on Sat and Sun.  Hope to see you all there.
 
    Thanks to Shannon for taking time out of his busy schedule to do this interview with us.
 
      

Gaming Perspectives with Saul and Jolene, Bonus Episode. Pre-Dundracon Interview David Jones.

    Saul and Jolene are taking Gaming Perspectives on the road when they attend DunDraCon taking place over President's Day weekend.  This is the first GM David Jones.  He will be running a Tales From the Loop game on Friday Night.  You can see the DDC program online.
      We would like to thank David for taking time to do this interview.  
 
     See you at DunDraCon!!!
 
 

Gaming Perspectives with Saul and Jolene Episode Thirty-Seven: Mystery Adventures

     Saul and Jolene discuss what systems are good for running mystery adventures.   Saul really likes the Gumshoe line of RPGs which are specifically made for running mystery games.  Also good for mystery games is the Fate Core system as it is not a combat heavy game.  Jolene reminds Saul that he had run a couple mystery games using Pathfinder and 5th Edition D&D.   Other subjects relating to mysteries are discussed in relation to rpgs from movies like Murder on the Orient Express and tv shows like, The Rockford Files, The Republic of Doyle, and Scooby Doo.  
 
  The Full line of Gumshoe games can be found here:  http://site.pelgranepress.com/index.php/gumshoe/
  Information about the Rockford Files show: https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0071042/
  The Saturday Morning Cartoon Scooby Doo: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Scooby-Doo
   The Republic of Doyle tv show : https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Republic_of_Doyle
 
      Music by Jared Leibowich, song We Love Mystery 
    Available at FreeMusicArchive

Gaming Perspectives with Saul and Jolene Episode Thirty-Six: Player Narrative Control

     In this episode Saul and Jolene talk about Player Narrative Control in RPG's.   It is sometimes difficult to define some of the terms that pop up in Role Playing games.  Saul defines what Narrative Control means to him and Jolene questions his definition.  Saul and Jolene discuss this term and what it means in role playing games.  Saul describes games that don't have implicit narrative control like old school games like Original D&D, Space Opera, Shadowrun and those that do like Feng Shui, Fate and GM less games.  Jolene questions if it is needed or even wanted by players, Saul ponders that with certain players that want that kind of experience player narrative control can make a good rpg session.  
 
       Some links to things mentioned in this Episode,
      Critical Role a very popular actual play program played and GMed by voice actors.  They are very famous in video games and animated shows but are very good at playing D&D.  They play D&D 5th Edition using a world made up by Matt Mercer a very inventive storytelling GM.  They are playing their 2nd campaign.  Both campaigns are available as a video and pod cast.      https://critrole.com/
 
      The Secret Kabal Podcast is mainly a board game podcast but recently included another podcast that deals with RPGs, mainly D&D 5th edition
    http://www.thesecretcabal.com/
 
    Music by The Blend, song Control on the album, Losing the Game.
   Available at FreeMusicArchive.com

Gaming Perspectives with Saul and Jolene Episode 35: Psychology in Gaming

     Can roleplaying games be more than games?  Saul and Jolene talk about psychology in roleplaying games.  Jolene curiosity was piqued when this subject was brought up in the many esoteric conversations she has with Saul.  After a bit of research and discussion with Saul the present episode was born.  There has always been talk about how rpgs can be used other than a game.  It turns out there have been many programs and research on the subject of roleplaying games.   
     Below are articles and programs where rpgs are used as tools for therapy.
      Operation Z Day, a program to help clients use public transportation in Tocoma  http://www2.rpgresearch.com/blog/using-role-playing-games-for-autism-spectrum-participants
     http://www.seattleschild.com/Valuing-Difference-Local-Programs-Help-Kids-on-the-Spectrum-Connect/
     https://geekandsundry.com/role-playing-gamers-have-more-empathy-than-non-gamers/
     https://scholarworks.lib.csusb.edu/cgi/viewcontent.cgi?referer=https://www.google.com/&httpsredir=1&article=1609&context=etd
 
         Music by Nick Bommorito,  song Folk Psychology from the album Harp Fragments.
   Available from FreeMusicArchive.com
 
     
   

Gaming Perspectives with Saul and Jolene Episode: Thirty-Four: Supernatural RPG

     In this Episode we talk about the TV cult hit Supernatural RPG.  It is a favorite show of both Saul and Jolene.  They discuss the Supernatural RPG published by Margaret Weis Productions.  Saul talks about why he liked the system, now called, Cortex Classic.  And of course the show the RPG is based on.  It is a modern day monster hunting game.  Saul tells a story of Jolene trying to play from the couch until she finally has enough and joins the table to play.  
     The game creator was Jamie Chambers not the person I mentioned on the podcast.. oops..
 
   Music by Mystified,  Song Spooky on the album Themes.
  Available at FreeMusicArchive.com

Gaming Perspectives with Saul and Jolene Episode Thirty-Three: Creating Encounters

     In this episode Saul and Jolene talk about how they make encounters and things they consider when making those encounters. Jolene talks about killing Saul's newly made Paladin character in the first session he gets to play in.  Well luckily for Saul they are playing 5th Edition D&D so the Paladin only went down for a couple of rounds.  So Saul and Jolene discuss what goes through their minds as they try to make encounters that are challenging and fun but not overpowering.  A few examples of encounters that did not go well but we learn from all things especially mistakes.
       We ask that you share our podcast within your social networks we would greatly appreciate it.
 
     Music by,  David Hilowitz, song Close Encounter off the album Close Encounter
    Available from FreeMusicArchive.com

Gaming Perspectives with Saul and Jolene Episode Thirty-Two: Kickstarters

     Saul and Jolene talk about Kickstarter.  They discuss both the pledging and creating Kickstarter Campaigns.  As a long time supporter of a few Kickstarter campaigns, Saul discusses why people support Kickstarter campaigns.  Jolene attests to the number of KickStarter that Saul has pledged and  who has been pretty happy with most of the pledges.   Saul discusses the help that is out there for creators and talks about specific Kickstarter campaigns he has supported in the past and one that is currently active.
    Happy New Year Everyone!!!
   For tips on how to run a good Kickstarter campaign you can look at a very successful Kickstarter creator Jamie Stegmaier,  go to the following web page.   https://stonemaiergames.com/kickstarter/
   The current Kickstarter RPG that Saul has pledged to and still has 10 days left as of this episode's publication. 
     https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/encoded/the-streets-of-avalon
     The book mentioned by Saul about medieval life by Phil McGregor available on DriveThruRPG can be found here.
        https://www.drivethrurpg.com/product/222678/Orbis-Mundi-2?src=hottest_filtered
 
    Music by Scott Holmes, song Follow Your Dreams.
      Available at FreeMusicArchive.com

Gaming Perspectives with Saul and Jolene Episode 31: D&D Boardgames

    So the whole D&D "Band" can't get together on the next session.  Don't cancel play a D&D Boardgame to get your D&D fix.  Saul and Jolene talk about D&D themed boardgames that might scratch the D&D itch just so most of you that can get together can still play.  Saul and Jolene discuss Castle Ravenloft and some of the other themed games using the same game system.  A different type of game is Lords of Waterdeep a worker placement game set in the Forgotten Realms D&D Campaign Setting.  Jolene's best advice might be, "Don't sit couples next to each other".  And lastly we discuss Betrayal at Balder's Gate, another game set on the famous Sword Coast in the Forgotten Realms campaign setting
 
    Music by Box Cat Games, song "Victory" 
  Available at FreeMusicArchive.com