GamingPerspectives

Gaming Perspectives with Saul and Jolene Episode 20: Running a Star Wars Game.

     In this episode Saul and Jolene discuss running a RPG game in another favorite setting Star Wars.  We talk about the running a RPG in one of the most famous and loved science fiction/fantasy settings.   We discuss the different rpg rule sets that have been published for running Star Wars games.  From the early West End Games Star Wars through WOTC Star Wars D20 rules and to the latest and highly regarded Fantasy Flights rules for running Star Wars. 
 
   Music by Stealing Orchestra, song Star Wars and Twilight Zone Themes off the album Stereogamy
   Available at FreeMusicArchive.com 
 

Gaming Perspectives with Saul and Jolene Episode Nineteen: Playing a Mage Character.

     In this episode of Gaming Perserpectives with Saul and Jolene, we look at Mages.   We discuss the Mage from the first editions of D&D to the latest incarnation of the venerable spell slinger.  We then move the discussion to "mages" in other genres from modern games to space opera setting.  We talk how mages can get their abilities to throw spells from other sources than arcane ones.  
 
     Song by Graham Fialkiewicz, song Melts Into Air.
   Available from Freemusicarchive.com

Gaming Perspectives With Saul and Jolene Episode Eighteen: The Mike Eckert Interview

    In this episode we have our first interview with Mike Eckert the new Executive Producer of KublaCon.  Kublacon is Northern California's biggest gaming  convention.  We ask Mike about his gaming roots.  When he first starting going to conventions in the SF Bay Area and how that led to helping and running of conventions over 20 years ago.  After all those years of helping run Kublacon he is now the Executive Producer, he basically runs the show.  
    We talk about Kublacon's humble beginning and now that he is running the show we ask about if he plans on changing Kublacon. We ask about the challenges of the con attendance as it has exploded over the last few years.  Mike gives us some exclusive information about specific plans for next years Kublacon.  
      This show was not as edited as most of our shows as it was our first foray into doing a remote interview.  I think it turned out really well and we hope to interview and talk others in the gaming industry.
     Music by John Bartman, song "Gameshow Brazz".
   Available at Freemusicarchive.com

Gaming Perspectives with Saul and Jolene Episode Seventeen: Fudging the Dice.

     In this episode Saul and Jolene talk about the GM changing the dice rolls, as known as "Fudging the Dice".   Saul and Jolene talk about what reasons a GM would have to "fudge" the dice.  They discuss situtations that would push a GM to change dice rolls from saving characters or fixing mistakes a GM might make in designing an encounter.  Saul admits to fudging the dice in the past but how he has evolved in trusting the players to be mature enough to be responsible for their characters actions.  
 
   Music by Dazie Mae.  Song "The Dice Man" from the album Matured in Oak.
   Available from FreeMusicArchive.com

Gaming Perspectives with Saul and Jolene Episode Sixteen: The Railroad Game

     After reading Mike Mearl's tweet "Railroading has gotten such a bad rap in RPG circles that we forget it is one end on a continuum.", Saul was a bit surprised that Mr. D&D was defending Railroad games.  Saul talked to Jolene about the quote and the decision was made to discuss this topic on Gaming Perspectives with Saul and Jolene.  We dicuss the definition of the term railroad and Saul slowly comes around to Mike Mearl's way of thinking.  Jolene doesn't like the term "railroad" and uses the term linear.  Saul and Jolene discuss what is a Railroad/Linear game with examples of games they have run or played.  And finally give their analysis of the topic.
 
    Music by Bob Ostertag, song "Right Like A Railroad" off the album Fear No Love
    Available from FreeMusicArchive.com
    

Gaming Perspectives with Saul and Jolene Episode Fifteen: Playing a Paladin

     In this Episode of Gaming Perspectives with Saul and Jolene we discuss playing the Paladin.  We talk about the origins of the Paladin class from AD&D to the present, D&D 5th Edition. We discuss playing Paladins in non fantasy game from the modern era to the Science Fiction age.  Saul and Jolene talk about how difficult it seems to play a Paladin well and how playing one can really stretch a player's roleplaying ability.  
 
  Music by St. LaRok.  Song called "Knight."
  Available at FreeMusicArchive.com

Gaming Perspectives with Saul and Jolene Episode Fourteen: Running a Genre Game, Star Trek.

     In this Episode Saul and Jolene discuss running a genre game, specifically, Star Trek.  Many GMs are reluctant to run games that have a extensive setting with a large fan base.  Saul and Jolene discuss the games they have played and run in the Star Trek setting.  They also discuss how to mitigate the fan base knowledge of the popular intellectual property.   They talk about the best way to prepare for a Star Trek game. .  And a story on how Saul's blunder embarrassed Jolene, at a Star Trek convention.  
 
     Music by Drake Stafford.  The song - Weirder   on the album Turtle Warnings
    Available from FreeMusicArchive.com
     

Gaming Perspectives with Saul and Jolene Episode 13: So You Want To Be A Fighter.

    In our 13th Episode of Gaming Perspectives with Saul and Jolene we discuss choosing to be a Fighter.  Though we use D&D as an example we feel that our discussion could inform people playing or using any set of rules for rpgs.  We even discuss Fighters of Modern to Science Fiction genres.  We share a few stories of Fighters that are great examples of showing experince that can be had playing a  Fighter type.  
     Our episode starts with us laughing as this was our second take at this episode.
 
   Music by Andrew Codeman. Song called Run off the album Ice Country
  Available at FreeMusicArchive.com

Gaming Perspectives with Saul and Jolene Episode Twelve: How to Be a Better RPG GM

  Following on how to be a better player episode we decided to switch to the GM side of the game table.  Saul and Jolene discuss what makes a better GM no matter what genre or setting.  We cover the topics from organization to how to deal with players that throw you for a loop.  We share personal stories where we used our own tips that helped our games run better and smoother and ultimately the games were very successful. 
 
     Music by Andrew Codeman.  Song Purpose
     Available from FreeMusicArchive.com
   
    

Gaming Perspectives with Saul and Jolene Episode Eleven: How to Be a Better RPG Player.

     In this episode me and Jolene discuss ideas on How To Be a Better RPG player.  We use our experience from home and con games we have played and run in this discussion.  Saul and Jolene talk about things we do before the game, during the game and after that make a person a better player.  Saul even recounts a late night game where he was not being a good player and has a Bad Player Confessional.  Yes even Saul can learn from his mistakes.  Jolene also outs Saul's late night online games where he should have taken a nap before playing.  So listen and learn how we try to be better players at the RPG table but this advice would also work for board gaming.  
 
  Music by Marcos H. Bolanos, song titled: Surfing Day
   Available at FreeMusicArchive.com