Amorphous Blobcast

Amorphous Blobcast http://www.abgames.com/blobcast/ en-us ℗ & © Amorphous Blob Games This is a podcast put together by the members of Amorphous Blob Games. It is primarily for a discussion of role playing games, although we will also be touching on board games, and tabletop miniatures games, such as Silent Death, Ogre, and many others. Please check out our website at www.abgames.com, go to the forums and give us some feedback on past episodes and give us some guidance on what future episodes should cover. Mon, 4 Feb 2008 00:12:05 -0600 rdowney1@yahoo.com (Richard Downey) http://www.abgames.com/i/blobcast.jpg Amorphous Blobcast http://www.abgames.com/blobcast/ 31 31 Opinions and Advice from Veteran Gamers. Amorphous Blob Games This is a podcast put together by the members of Amorphous Blob Games. It is primarily for a discussion of role playing games, although we will also be touching on board games, and tabletop miniatures games, such as Silent Death, Ogre, and many others. Please check out our website at www.abgames.com, go to the forums and give us some feedback on past episodes and give us some guidance on what future episodes should cover. Earl Lindsay web@abgames.com Yes no amorphous,blob,abgames,rpg,games,roleplaying,gaming,tabletop,dnd,dungeons,dragons,boardgames Episode 34: "Running Events with Multiple GMs" http://www.abgames.com/blobcast/blobcast034.php

We've taken a break because we're cramming for Origins. So while it's fresh on our minds we discuss the why to's, why not's, how to's and what for's of running events with more than one GM. A shorter episode but still chock full of flavor!

Cast: Rich, Chris, Becky, and Earl Table GO! Why do it? Jay's dice bag makes an appearance. Why not to do it? Hints and tips Considerations for more than 2 GMs? Rules complexity Taking it Home

Quicklinker:

Google

Caged Gorilla

Studio 2 Publishing

runtime: ~24 minutes

]]> podcasts, gaming Mon, 8 Jun 2009 12:00:00 -0600 http://www.abgames.com/blobcast/blobcast034.php Amorphous Blob Games conventions,gaming,cosplay,rpg Yes We share our vast experience running games with more than one GM. This week we discuss the why to's, why not's, how to's and what for's of running events with more than one GM. 00:24:00 Episode 33: "DnD4e Skill Challenge Post Discussion" http://www.abgames.com/blobcast/blobcast033.php Cast: Rich, Alex, Andy, and Earl

Where Andy draws his influence from for Skill Challenges

A theory on the origins of Skill Challenges

How Skill Challenges can help you pace your story

The obligatory Sports Analogy

What is necessary for a dramatic combat

Environmental conflicts in Iron Heroes

Players buying into Environmental Conflicts

Why do we pay $50 for 2 pages of innovation?

The benefits of quirks and phobias

Excellent components of Reign

Why Skill Challenges are a great addition

Now we just need good subdual rules

runtime: ~27 minutes

]]> podcasts, gaming Tue, 21 Apr 2009 12:00:00 -0600 http://www.abgames.com/blobcast/blobcast033.php Amorphous Blob Games conventions,gaming,cosplay,rpg Yes Discussion on Skill Challenges and where they're headed. The post discussion following our last episode where we discuss where skill challenges come from and where we want them to go. 00:27:00 Episode 32: "DnD4e Skill Challenge Demo" http://www.abgames.com/blobcast/blobcast032.php

Cast: Rich, Alex, Andy, and Earl

The characters

The Challenge

The Game is Afoot

Alex fails to gain insight and it results in a consequence.

A brief overview of the skill challenge process

Rich and Alex commune with nature

Eaglewing is accosted

Rich and Alex track Ninarin

The City Guard

The conspirators revealed!

A brief description of Andy's campaign

runtime: ~62 minutes

]]> podcasts, gaming Thu, 19 Mar 2009 12:00:00 -0600 http://www.abgames.com/blobcast/blobcast032.php Amorphous Blob Games conventions,gaming,cosplay,rpg Yes Andy runs a skill challenge for the cast Our resident DnD expert runs Earl, Rich and Alex through a Skill Challenge so we can get the full experience first hand 01:02:00 Episode 31: "The Return of Andy!" http://www.abgames.com/blobcast/blobcast031.php

Cast: Becky, Jay, Earl, and Andy,

Toledo is really a nice city!

The state of the economy invades our podcast

We play cath-up

What we've been playing

Earl Plays DnD4e?!

We're not protesting 4e, we're just poor!

Becky's view of 4e

Some info on the GSL and 3rd party publishing

Andy's shocking take on 4e

Andy's Blog

Instant Vanilla Ice Cream in a Box

A Call to Arms

Andy's New Love

runtime: ~33 minutes

]]> podcasts, gaming Mon, 16 Mar 2009 12:00:00 -0600 http://www.abgames.com/blobcast/blobcast031.php Amorphous Blob Games conventions,gaming,cosplay,rpg Yes We do a little cathup after our hoiliday abscense. We catch up with each other after our holiday abscense and share our experiences of DnD4e 00:33:00 Episode 30: "General Boardgame Mechanics" http://www.abgames.com/blobcast/blobcast030.php Cast: Rich, Becky, Jay, and Trish,

Favorite way to move

WTF Happened to Car Wars?!

I am Jay's naughty card deck

Favorite Type of Game Board

Editor's Note: Formula De boards are NOT customizable

A Plea to Mayfier Games regarding Shear Panic

The Reason you Need Technical Writers and Editors

Give me a Z!

I am Becky's PITA!

Would you pay more or less depending on Quality?

What's your favorite ending?

Quicklinker:

Boardgame Geek

Blob Blog

runtime: ~51 minutes

]]> podcasts, gaming Sun, 8 Feb 2009 12:00:00 -0600 http://www.abgames.com/blobcast/blobcast030.php Amorphous Blob Games conventions,gaming,cosplay,rpg Yes We review general game mechanics of boardgames. We discuss general mecahnics of boardgames and provide our likes and dislikes. 00:51:00 Episode 29: "Muwahahahahahahaha... ahem!" http://www.abgames.com/blobcast/blobcast029.php

Cast: Rich, Chris, Becky, Trish, and Earl

Can the players really be afraid of the villians?

What makes a good villian?

How do you introduce your villian?

How do you keep your villian alive without cheese?

Are villians allowed to break the rules?

Some overviews of how we create villians

Where we get our villians

Quicklinker:

Peter's Evil Overlord List

Dr. Horrible's Sing Along Blog

runtime: ~32 minutes

]]> podcasts, gaming Sun, 25 Jan 2009 12:00:00 -0600 http://www.abgames.com/blobcast/blobcast029.php Amorphous Blob Games conventions,gaming,cosplay,rpg Yes We cover the basics for RPG Villians. We provide the basic do's and don'ts of RPG Villiany. 00:32:00 Episode 28: "Games at Work?!" http://www.abgames.com/blobcast/blobcast028.php Cast: Rich, Becky, Jay, Earl, and introducing Mark

How Mark is enabling his coworkers

Mark's thoughts behind his game selections

Mark's distribution model

How Becky gamed at lunch

Word of Mouth Really Works!

How to spin the idea to your boss

Let's Get it Started!

A word of caution about using company resources

Considering what games are appropriate

The Division of Gamers and Everyone else

Competition gaming at work

Becky shares a story

Quicklinker:

]]> podcasts, gaming Mon, 19 Jan 2009 12:00:00 -0600 http://www.abgames.com/blobcast/blobcast028.php Amorphous Blob Games conventions,gaming,cosplay,rpg Yes We discuss gaming at work, and how to introduce your coworkers to hobby games How have we enjoyed the gaming hobby at work? Well we share that information in this episode along with the pitfalls and humor associated with it. 00:36:00 Episode 27: "UCon Interview with Andy Looney" http://www.abgames.com/blobcast/blobcast027.php Cast: Rich, Becky, Jay, Alex, Trish, Mike, and Earl

Andy Looney, creator of Looney Labs, spent an hour with us an UCon. He gave us some background on his most popular games, and a teaser on an upcoming one. We found out where he gets his ideas. He shares his thoughts on the industry as well as videogames. And we even learn his favorite flavor of ice cream!

Quicklinker:

Looney Labs

Wunderland

runtime: ~33 minutes

]]> podcasts, gaming Wed, 14 Jan 2009 12:00:00 -0600 http://www.abgames.com/blobcast/blobcast027.php Amorphous Blob Games conventions,gaming,cosplay,rpg Yes An interview with Andy Looney at UCon 2008 Andy Looney, creator of Looney Labs, spent an hour with us an UCon. He gave us some background on his most popular games,and a teaser on an upcoming one. We found out where he gets his ideas. He shares his thoughts on the industry as well as videogames. And we even learn his favorite flavor of ice cream! 00:33:00 Episode 26: "UCon Interview with Joe Saul" http://www.abgames.com/blobcast/blobcast026.php Cast: Rich, Becky, Jay, Trish, and Earl

At UCon Joe Saul, the Chair of the convention, was nice enough to set down and talk with us. He shares his geek cred and some notes on his game style. Joe also provides some behind the scenes insight into conventions and gives us his views on the current state of hobby gaming. The next UCon is scheduled for Nov 13-15, 2009 in Ann Arbor Michigan.

Quicklinker:

Bang Bullet

AmberCon

UCon

runtime: ~40 minutes

]]> podcasts, gaming Sun, 21 Dec 2008 12:00:00 -0600 http://www.abgames.com/blobcast/blobcast026.php Amorphous Blob Games conventions,gaming,cosplay,rpg Yes Interview with the Chair of UCon, Joe Saul At UCon Joe Saul, the Chair of the convention, was nice enough to set down and talk with us. He shares his geek cred and some notes on his game style. Joe also provides some behind the scenes insight into conventions and gives us opinions on the current state of hobby gaming. The next UCon is scheduled for Nov 13-15, 2009 in Ann Arbor Michigan. 00:40:00 Episode 25: "Women and Children First!" http://www.abgames.com/blobcast/blobcast025.php For details contact Rich@abgames

New Convention Event: Playing with Toddlers!

When we started gaming with our kids

Games geared towards toddlers

Kid Game Ratings

Gaming with a "Normal" family

Gaming for Preteens

Young'uns and RPG's

Tips for gaming when you have rugrats

Grrls and Gaming

Is gaming with Grrls different?

Proposition: the Game! Now with "Weddings +2"

Handling social interactions at a mixed table

]]> podcasts, gaming Sun, 14 Dec 2008 12:00:00 -0600 http://www.abgames.com/blobcast/blobcast025.php Amorphous Blob Games conventions,gaming,cosplay,rpg Yes Gaming with women and children A discussion on how to game when you have kids as well as gaming with them. We also tackle the question: "Is gaming with grrls different?" and share perhaps too much personal history. 01:10:00 Episode 24: "Building and Pacing Your Story" http://www.abgames.com/blobcast/blobcast024.php Cast: Rich, Chris, Jay, Andy, and Earl

Character Backgrounds and Group Templates

Our take on Legendary vs Mundane adventures

Resource Management and its impact on the game

AD&D Player's Handbook page 79

How goal setting (or lack thereof) affects Pacing

Don't all Dwarves spontaneously explode?

How we like to start things off

Disclaimer: We are not LoTR fanatics

Options for providing variety to Character Backgrounds

Pacing yourself to prevent early climax

Jay perhaps shares too much?

It felt more like 300 pages...

Take a breather every now and then

As Andy sums it up, It's all about Drama!

Quicklinker:

runtime: ~57 minutes

]]> podcasts, gaming Mon, 24 Nov 2008 12:00:00 -0600 http://www.abgames.com/blobcast/blobcast024.php Amorphous Blob Games conventions,gaming,cosplay,rpg Yes 00:57:00 Episode 23: "1st Time GenCon Attendee" http://www.abgames.com/blobcast/blobcast023.php

Mark's Geek Cred

GenCon's Dealer Hall

THE Gamer Table

Costume Contest

Commemoritive d20 for Gary Gygax

Breaking News: Alex was Fired!!!

Sheer size of GenCon bad for gaming logistics

Lucas Oil Stadium and Cosplay

Would you go again?

Open letter to GenCon

Hints for 1st Timers

Event Scheduling Mishaps?

Quicklinker:

GenCon

Mark's GenCon Pics

Indy Convention Center

Lucas Oil Stadium

Lego AtAt

The Ultimate Gaming Table

Weber Grill

runtime: ~27 minutes

]]> podcasts, gaming Tue, 4 Nov 2008 12:00:00 -0600 http://www.abgames.com/blobcast/blobcast023.php Amorphous Blob Games conventions,gaming,cosplay,rpg Yes We interview a 1st time GenCon attendee. We grab a first time attendee of GenCon and ask him what he thought of the convention... and what he ate while he was there. 00:27:00 Episode 22: "So Fresh And So Clean" http://www.abgames.com/blobcast/blobcast022.php

Cast: Rich, Chris, Jay, Andy, Trish, and Earl

Trish makes a stand!

How to play Pompeii

What we've been playing...

A brief discussion on 4e party structures

Organizing a regular game day

Twists to spice up the humdrum

Contest: Find Amorphous Blob references and send them to Jay

Quicklinker:

Run for your Life Candyman

runtime: ~52 minutes

]]> podcasts, gaming Wed, 29 Oct 2008 12:00:00 -0600 http://www.abgames.com/blobcast/blobcast022.php Amorphous Blob Games conventions,gaming,cosplay,rpg Yes We discuss what we've been up to, and how we keep it fresh. What we've been playing. How to organize a regular game day. And how to mix it up when things get repetitive. 00:52:00 Episode 21: "Grab Bag" http://www.abgames.com/blobcast/blobcast021.php

Cast: Rich, Chris, Jay, Andy, Becky, Alex, and Trish

AB Games is trying to work with Hero Systems

Chris, Jay and Trish share their Origins' experience

SJ Games MiB problems at Origins

Origins' Dealer Hall

Reign

Gaming Snacks

Jager-Bomb Recipe, yummy!

The viral Chili Dog Song

The Sammich Story

GenCon activities

Suck the Long One!

What everyone's running at GenCon

Why Trish is the Outlaw GM

Is that Chris Robinson singing the ABC's?

Quicklinker:

Ennies

Brewmaster Yeastbank

DLNEXUS fan recipes

Belly.Button.tripod.com

GenCon Indy

YouTube the Count Song

runtime: ~45 minutes

]]> podcasts, gaming Mon, 6 Oct 2008 12:00:00 -0600 http://www.abgames.com/blobcast/blobcast021.php Amorphous Blob Games conventions,gaming,cosplay,rpg Yes A variety of topics regarding Origins and GenCon. We touch on a variety of topics regarding Origins and GenCon, as well as food. 00:45:00 Episode 20: "Making Sausage" http://www.abgames.com/blobcast/blobcast020.php

Cast: Rich, Jay, Andy, Becky, and Earl

What happens when you don't research your idea

Synopsis of Dog Day Afternoon Plot

Event Description

Basics of a Convention Module

Rules Style considerations

The Basic Plot

The Intro

The Problem and it's complications

The Plot Layout

The Ending

A brief pause in the recording

The Overall Plot

Perspectives on appropriate challenges

Which came first, the character or the plot?

Introducing the Heroes

Pacing the Heroes

Determining appropriate challenges

A note about pacing combat

The First Encounter

Adjusting your story with player input

Roleplaying Encounters for Flavor and Pacing

Breaking Walls... Quietly

The Research Encounter

Further defining the Plot and Encounters

Other types of encounters

Plotting a Flowchart Structure

Alternate Endings and Extra Encounters

Quicklinker:

Origins

Dog Day Afternoon - IMDB

Dog Day Afternoon - Wiki

Writers Write

Elfwood

Epilogue

runtime: ~50 minutes

]]> podcasts, gaming Mon, 29 Sep 2008 12:00:00 -0600 http://www.abgames.com/blobcast/blobcast020.php Amorphous Blob Games conventions,gaming,cosplay,rpg Yes Writing a Convention Roleplaying Event This episode we write a roleplaying event for Origins. 00:50:00 Episode 19: "How and Why did you get into Game Mastering" http://www.abgames.com/blobcast/blobcast019.php Cast: Rich, Becky, Chris, Andy, Earl, Alex, and Trish

How we each became GM's:

Becky's a cheapskate

Trish had something to prove

Earl had to pay the monkey

Chris brought his own ball

Alex was a Star Wars junkie

Andy's band failed

Why GM, why not just play?

Can you go back?

Isn't GM'ing an RPG a too much work?

It's easy being Green

Outline of designing characters

The train goes off the tracks...

How to know if you've taken to much control

Balancing Story and Player Input

Dealing with frustrated players

What are your home games like?

GM's that rotate

Multi-GM gaming

Quality Control for a Multiple GM game

Quicklinker:

]]> podcasts, gaming Mon, 8 Sep 2008 12:00:00 -0600 http://www.abgames.com/blobcast/blobcast019.php Amorphous Blob Games conventions,gaming,cosplay,rpg Yes How and Why we got into running games for our friends at at Conventions Ever wonder why the GM of a game gets into it? What to know if others share your sick compulsion for storytelling? Well here's some answers. 00:46:00 Episode 18: "Origins Wrap Up" http://www.abgames.com/blobcast/blobcast018.php Cast: Rich, Becky, Jay, Andy, Earl, Alex, and introducing Trish

Trish shares her Geek Cred

The games we ran

We've already posted the Origins' recordings

Earl fishes for hate-mail

Everyone provides their top highlight

In case you haven't heard, Mike Merle ran in our room!

The Chili Dog song

Cons of the Con

We're not joking about the parade

Podcast roll-call

We found a narrower variety of RPG's this year

Game Finds

Family Pass a Success

An amusing closing story

Quicklinker:

Dwarven Forge

North Market

We Didn't Playtest This At All

Aces and Eights

Hundred Best Hobby Games

Origins

ACAEUM.com

]]> podcasts, gaming Mon, 25 Aug 2008 12:00:00 -0600 http://www.abgames.com/blobcast/blobcast018.php Amorphous Blob Games conventions,gaming,cosplay,rpg Yes Our overview of the 2008 Origins Game Fair We provide our impressions of this year's Origins Game Fair 00:45:00 Episode 17: "Mini's, The Good, The Bad and the Ugly" http://www.abgames.com/blobcast/blobcast017.php Cast: Rich, Chris, Becky, Jay, Alex, Trish, Andy and Earl

News with Alex and Andy!

No Poker at GenCon!

Necromancer games backs out of 4e

DnD Mini's Second Edition and compatibility

What makes a good miniature?

The miniature painting market

The Good and Bad of plastic mini's

The different sizes of Earl's bitterness

What makes a bad miniature?

Star Wars Starship Battles

Earl's take on a good mini...

WoTC Miniatures Games

WizKids Miniatures Games

Andy's high tech minature transport... and other options

Just in case you're wondering, we record on Sundays

Silent Death

Did we say Silent Death was a good Mini's game?

No, but really, Silent Death is a good mini game!

Warhammer and 40k

WRG, DBA

Starguard

Robo Rally

Axis and Allies

Flip, Flip, Flip, Flip...

Did we mention Silent Death?

Quicklinker:

runtime: ~43 minutes

]]> podcasts, gaming Mon, 11 Aug 2008 12:00:00 -0600 http://www.abgames.com/blobcast/blobcast017.php Amorphous Blob Games conventions,gaming,cosplay,rpg Yes GenCon news and discussion about miniatures. What makes a good miniature? What are the pros and cons of different types of minatures? We offer up our opinions on the subject. 00:43:00 Origins 2: "Gamer Interviews, Part 2" http://www.abgames.com/blobcast/blobcastor02.php

Cast: Rich, Becky, Jay, Andy, Alex, and Earl

Featuring Guests Chad, James, Martha

Kids at the table, from the kid's side

A gamer mother's story

How was your Origins experience?

The Magic the Gathering environment at Origins

The Steve Jackson's experience

An Open Letter from James and Martha

The experience of Chad!

Mark Speaks!

Mike Mearls ran games in our rooms?!

Terrorism Day

NSDM: National Security Decision Making Game

An Open Letter from Chad

]]> podcasts, gaming Wed, 6 Aug 2008 12:00:00 -0600 http://www.abgames.com/blobcast/blobcastor02.php Amorphous Blob Games conventions,gaming,cosplay,rpg Yes Interviews with gamers at Origins We continue our interviews from Origins with regular Gamers, and discuss how Mike Mearls ended up running games in our room! 00:47:00 Origins 1: "Gamer Interviews, Part 1" http://www.abgames.com/blobcast/blobcastor01.php Cast: Rich, Becky, Jay, Andy, Alex, and Earl

Featuring Guests Bret, Bill, John

How was your Origins experience

How far was your drive?

Do you attend GenCon?

What didn't you like about Origins?

The RPG Railroad at Conventions

Mike Whiteman gets defended?!

Kids in events

A Gamer's Open Letter to Exhibitors

A Gamer's Open Letter to Origins

Quicklinker:

Origins

Comic Store West

The Gathering

]]> podcasts, gaming Mon, 21 Jul 2008 12:00:00 -0600 http://www.abgames.com/blobcast/blobcastor01.php Amorphous Blob Games conventions,gaming,cosplay,rpg Yes Interviews with Gamers at Origins We interview some of the players we encountered at Origins and get their thoughts on Origins and convention gaming. 00:30:00 Episode 16: "Best of the Best, Powers" http://www.abgames.com/blobcast/blobcast016.php Cast: Rich, Becky, Jay, Andy Earl and Alex

Rich is usurped by Jay's pus-filled mind!

The balance of DnD3e power subsystems

Yes, we recorded this before 4e was released

A brief tour through the most popular spell systems

The open spell system of Mage

The spell skill tree approach of GURPS

How much should a power system dominate a game

Incorporating the flavor of the powers into the system

Balancing power against mundane combat

Consequences for powers

Hero System

I am Jay's peevish wand!

The one system to a desert island bit...

Quicklinker:

Mage (White Wolf)

Savage Heroes Conversions

Lucky Mojo - Magi

Wiki list of comic superpowers

Book Mooch

]]> podcasts, gaming Mon, 14 Jul 2008 12:00:00 -0600 http://www.abgames.com/blobcast/blobcast016.php Amorphous Blob Games conventions,dnd,gaming,cosplay,rpg Yes Magic, Superpowers, Psionics. Powers Subsystems. Whatever you want to call 'em, we talk about Powers subsystems in RPGs. 01:01:00 Episode 15: "Best of the Best, Different Genres and You" http://www.abgames.com/blobcast/blobcast015.php Cast: Rich, Becky, Jay, Andy Alex and Earl

Why DnD does Fantasy so well?

What does Sci-Fi well?

What does Gaslight Best?

A Brief Plug for Rich's favorite game system: Tri-Tac.

Do players tend to play popular characters in known settings?

Jay gets Prehistoric

We are now Explicit, so Becky can share her story!

I'm not putting the shameless plug in the show notes anymore!

Location Based Settings

Commanlity of RPG Settings

Settings that Last

Setting the Game Mood Based on the Genre

Systems that do Cross-Genre well

Quicklinker:

Hulu

CG's already got an add on the page, look there

White Castle

Tri-Tac, its Rich-tastic!

]]> podcasts, gaming Mon, 14 Jul 2008 12:00:00 -0600 http://www.abgames.com/blobcast/blobcast015.php Amorphous Blob Games conventions,gaming,cosplay,rpg Yes The Genres of Roleplaying We discuss the general genres of roleplaying and which systems we feel do some of them right. 00:46:00 (RAW) Review: "Dungeons and Dragons Fourth Edition" http://www.abgames.com/blobcast/blobcastr01.php !RAW! As a service to our listeners we've rushed this blobcast to production. As a result we have forgone our normal editing process and present this episode RAW and UNCUT! As such the episode may be a little more explicit than usual, and the listener should use discretion.

Cast: Rich, Becky, Chris, Andy and Earl

One of these kids is doing his own thing!

Andy's First Impression.

Earl wants to know: "Why should I buy it?"

1st Level Characters Don't Suck!

Reason to Buy 1: Advancement Structure doesn't hinder Storytelling.

Reason to Buy 2: Subsystems of the game are now Balanced

Let's play NERF!

Michigan J. Tarrasque, an Easter Egg in special Monster Manuals

Reason to Buy 3: Cool Factor, New Stuff including a Demigod PC!

Reason NOT to Buy 1: If you like Low Level 3e Adventures

Reason NOT to Buy 2: 3e is more true to the original DnD Setting

Becky doesn't like poetry, but she does like rules...

Low Level Spellcasters are now useful, but are they entertaining?

4e has a totally different infrastructure

I don't know what a turtan is, but it gets a sneak attack

Could this be the return of the Religious Right!

4e Races and Classes

I am Jay's Non-Existent Voice

How does it help me tell a story?

Pet Peeve 1: And now featuring a condensed 1 page index!

Pet Peeve 2: It is a Total Reimagining

Pet Peeve 3: Everything Before is Totally Worthless!

DM's must know know more than ever before

But at least the Learning Curve has been reset

Pet Peeve 4: The Online Services are NOT Available!

Pet Peeve 5: Books are full of Pandering and Shameless Plugs

A debate for our listeners: Does Amazon own Barnes and Noble?

Quicklinker:

WoTC

]]> podcasts, gaming Wed, 11 Jun 2008 12:00:00 -0600 http://www.abgames.com/blobcast/blobcastr01.php Amorphous Blob Games conventions,gaming,dungeons and dragons,4th edition,rpg Yes We review the newly released DnD 4th edition rules Should you buy it? What does it contain? What's it like? Why SHOULDN'T you buy it? We answer these questions and more. 01:10:00 Episode 14: "The Other Rules" http://www.abgames.com/blobcast/blobcast014.php Cast: Rich, Becky, Jay, Andy and Earl

What are the Other Rules?

DnD3e Challenge Ratings (CR)

The Assumptions and Limitations of CR.

Other systems and CR

Balancing Player Knowledge versus Character Knowledge

The Troll is on Fire!!!

Which is the reason we are now explicit!

The Lack of GM Instructional Guides

Prepare or Adjust for CR?

Becky ends the Episode Early...

Considering Quantity of Actions not Quantity of Villians

How do you Challenge non-standard character Parties?

Rules for Alternative Types of Damage

How do you make Challenge Rolls Exciting?

Using Timepieces to Speed up a Game.

Keeping Track of Environmental Modifiers

Quicklinker:

Dwarven Forge

Caged Gorilla

Our Forums

]]> podcasts, gaming Mon, 2 Jun 2008 12:00:00 -0600 http://www.abgames.com/blobcast/blobcast014.php Amorphous Blob Games conventions,gaming,cosplay,rpg Yes We talk about how we use the Other Rules. We discuss how to use the other rules for alternative damage and environmental modifiers, as well as how to scale encounters. 01:00:00 Episode 13: "Bananna Blender!" http://www.abgames.com/blobcast/blobcast013.php Cast: Rich, Becky, Andy, and Earl

Just what is ENWorld?

Have a taste of Andy's fruitless Bananna Cream Pie!

The destruction of Forgotten Realms

Compare and Contrast Setting Books from GURPS and Savage Worlds

WotC's history with Setting Books

Earl's evolving game expectations

The Economics of Game Production Models

How do PDF's affect the Game Production Model?

Why do PDF's cost so much?

The evolution of Paizo's Adventure Path to the Pathfinder's Series

Yet another shameless plug for Caged Gorilla

Can't the Publishing Model make money in Gaming?

Can't One-Shot RPG's be marketable?

The proper pronunciation of Paizo

Rich smacks down Earl's inner geek

Quicklinker:

RPG Now/RPG Drivethru

Wikipedia DND Campaign Settings

]]> podcasts, gaming Thu, 8 May 2008 12:00:00 -0600 http://www.abgames.com/blobcast/blobcast013.php Amorphous Blob Games conventions,gaming,cosplay,rpg Yes A mish mash of topics blended for pleasure. The marketing and economics of the gaming industry and what we expect. 00:58:00 Episode 12: "Best of the Best, Character Advantages and Disadvantages." http://www.abgames.com/blobcast/blobcast012.php Cast: Rich, Becky, Jay and Earl

Yet another shameless plug for Caged Gorilla

I am Earl's Deflated Convention Goody Bag

What's the scoop on Online Deep Discounters

FFG will be publishing Warhammer 40k RPG materials

Robo Rally; a reprint of a classic Avalon Hill boardgame

The Advantages of Advantages

Munchkins LOOOOOOVE Disadvantages

The Standard Munchkin Disadvantages

Ads and Disads require you to Establish your Setting

Earl Reminisces about Bushido... Again!

Quirks: the Micro Disadvantages

Using the Character Background to Justify Ads and Disads

A Brief Review of Savage Worlds: Necessary Evil

Jay's Dating Habits

Keeping Players Honest about their DisAds

Incorporating DisAds into your Story

Character Development with Ads and Disads

Why doesn't DnD have DisAds?!

Buying Off Your DisAds

Balancing DisAds for Convention PC's

Conversations You should have with the GM

Feat Trees, Talent Trees and Prestige Classes

Roleplaying Feats

Quicklinker:

Net Book of Feats

Burning Wheel

Caged Gorilla

]]> podcasts, gaming Sun, 27 Apr 2008 12:00:00 -0600 http://www.abgames.com/blobcast/blobcast012.php Amorphous Blob Games conventions,gaming,cosplay,rpg Yes Our thoughts on Feat, Advantages and Disadvantages, What we like and dislike about Advantages and Disadvantages 01:12:00 Bonus Blobcast 69! http://www.abgames.com/blobcast/bonus69.php Cast: Rich, Blair, Becky, Jay, Dave Earl and Missy

This episode was recorded during BlobCon '08. It's not a normal episode, and we didn't have mic's for everyone. So the sound isn't up to one of our regular episodes. And even though we're rated Explicit, this one's a little more Explicit than normal, so it's definately not family or work friendly. So with those words of caution out of the way, enjoy our kitchen table musings.

]]> podcasts, gaming Mon, 21 Apr 2008 12:00:00 -0600 http://www.abgames.com/blobcast/bonus69.php Amorphous Blob Games conventions,gaming,cosplay,rpg Yes Kitchen table musings from BlobCon '08 We talk about our S.O.'s, the Munchkinization of SJ Games and our frustrations with the 2 Major Cons: GenCon Indy and Origins. 01:16:00 Episode 11: "Best of the Best, Mad Skilz" http://www.abgames.com/blobcast/blobcast011.php Cast: Rich, Chris, Becky, Jay, Andy and Earl

Specific Skills, Broad Skills, Hybrid

The Pigeonhole of Stat Based Skills

Jay's Criteria of Skills

Skills with Stat Mod's

Another Shameless Plug for Caged Gorilla

Earl's Criteria of Skills

I am Jay's Overflowing Dicebag

When Dice Explode!!!

Brief Update on DnD4e Skills

How can Skill Systems improve RP

Can a System without Skills improve RP?

The Role of a GM in a Skill System

The advantages of Tech Levels with Skills

Why Skills are Good, if not Necessary

Skill Peeves

Jay expresses his true feelings for restrictions and skill trees

Another Reason for a Group Template

I am Jay's Angry Eyeball

Andy shows of his vocabulary

Rolling for Skill Improvement

I am Earl's Idle Hands

I am Becky's Fading Experience

Trope is a Buzz Word now-a-days... or maybe it's trope

Our Preferences for Skill Systems

Quicklinker:

Willy Wonka's Candy

It's Klarn!!

Chaosium

]]> podcasts, gaming Mon, 14 Apr 2008 12:00:00 -0600 http://www.abgames.com/blobcast/blobcast011.php Amorphous Blob Games conventions,gaming,cosplay,rpg Yes What we look for in a skill system. Our preferences for skills systems, what we look for and what we try to avoid. Also there's more to a system than just the rules... 00:59:00 Episode 10: "Best of the Best, Character Generation" http://www.abgames.com/blobcast/blobcast010.php Cast: Rich, Chris, Becky, Jay, Andy and Earl

Character Generation as a Subgame

The random generator (Star Trek, Traveller, 1st Edition DnD)

The point buy system (Hero System, GURPS)

The hybrid (L5r)

Races in Settings

Character Background before or after Generation?

Revisiting the Group Template

Alignment, Allegiances and running games without them

Our picks for Best Character Generation Systems

Classes, Free Buy and/or Templates

Why is Hero System's (Champions) Point Buy Subgame so Entertaining?

Quicklinker:

RPG Sheets

PS238

runtime: ~67 minutes

]]> podcasts, gaming Mon, 7 Apr 2008 12:00:00 -0600 http://www.abgames.com/blobcast/blobcast010.php Amorphous Blob Games conventions,gaming,cosplay,rpg Yes Our picks for best character generation systems. We provide our picks for the best character generation systems and discuss the character generation subgame. 01:07:00 Episode 9: Best of the Best, Stats http://www.abgames.com/blobcast/blobcast009.php Cast: Rich, Chris, Becky, Jay, Andy and Earl

Gritty v. Fantastic

If you only had one game system based on it's Stats, what would that be?

GURPS

DnD

Brief Update on DnD4e OGL

True 20

Hero System

Deadlands

d6 System

Rolemaster

Setting Based Stats

Direct Relation Stats

Savage Worlds

Summary

Pet Peeves

Random Stats

Key Stats

Complex Point Buy and Veteran Players

Obscure Books

Min/Max

Body and Stun

Setting Based Stats

Stand Alone 'Derived' Stats

Reducing Stats

Quicklinker:

World's Largest Hamburger

Rancor Pit

The Only Sheet

Twilight 2013

runtime: ~57 minutes

]]> podcasts, gaming Thu, 3 Apr 2008 12:00:00 -0600 http://www.abgames.com/blobcast/blobcast009.php Amorphous Blob Games conventions,gaming,cosplay,rpg Yes Games that do Stat the Best and the Worst. We pick our favorite ways to do stats, and mention some of the worst we've experienced as well. 00:57:00 Episode 8: "When Good Players Go Bad" http://www.abgames.com/blobcast/blobcast008.php

Cast: Rich, Chris, Becky, Jay, Andy and Earl

Defining Problem Players

Playing IC aka The tabletop LARPer

A Root Cause to Spotlighting

Metagamers

General Tools: Communication is Key, Passive Agressive, Round Robin Initiative, Sarcasm

Rude Players, Curmudgeons

Quiet Players

The SO Tag Team and The Disinterested SO

New or Young Players

Personal Vendettas or In-Fighting

Utilizing the Group Dynamic

Learning When You've had Enough

Plot Breakers

Bad GM's

Option's available for Convention games

House Rule and Homebrew Fanatics

What happens when Jay is not inebriated

Extreme Powergamers

Interventions

Know the Rules and Have Confidence

Verify that you're not the problem player

Dealing with Rules Lawyering

Quicklinker:

Mindtools

Mindtools: Conflict Resolution

Talk Like a Pirate

runtime: ~60 minutes

]]> podcasts, gaming Sun, 24 Feb 2008 12:00:00 -0600 http://www.abgames.com/blobcast/blobcast008.php Amorphous Blob Games conventions,gaming,cosplay,rpg Yes Problem Players A discussion about some of the types of problem players and how to deal with them. 01:00:00 Episode 7: "Writing Events" http://www.abgames.com/blobcast/blobcast007.php

Cast: Rich, Chris, Becky, Jay, Andy, Earl, Alex

and Mike makes an appearance.

What makes a good Character.

Character Backgrounds

Placards, Badges or Tiaras?

Rules Adherence

Character Archetypes

Mini's vs Imagination

Wet Erase vs Preprinted Maps

On Encounters

How many encounters per 4 hour adventure?

Linear or Sandbox Encounters

Passing Information on to Players

Preparation

"Go Left Young Man"

Quicklinker:

runtime: ~53 minutes

]]> podcasts, gaming Sun, 17 Feb 2008 12:00:00 -0600 http://www.abgames.com/blobcast/blobcast007.php Amorphous Blob Games conventions,gaming,cosplay,rpg Yes Writing Events for Conventions This week we discuss how we write events for conventions. 00:53:00 Episode 6: "You've scheduled your games, Now what?" http://www.abgames.com/blobcast/blobcast006.php

Cast: Rich, Chris, Becky, Jay, Andy Earl and Alex

What are the bennies?

Types of RPG Events

One Shots

Mini Campaign

Tournament, Player Elimination

Torunament, Player Advancement

Bring Your Own PC

Popular Character/Sensationalist/Camp

Dreaded Demos

What Draws Players?

Prizes

Demo Teams

CosPlay

Gift Cards vs Physical Prizes and stuff

Quicklinker:

The exclusive organization that is the MiB

IMDB: The Internet Movie Database

TV.com

Wikipedia

Jay was told to shut up only 1 time this episode.

runtime: ~58 minutes

]]> podcasts, gaming Sun, 10 Feb 2008 12:00:00 -0600 http://www.abgames.com/blobcast/blobcast006.php Amorphous Blob Games Why to run games at a Con and how to draw players. The benefits of running at Cons, RPG event types and what draws players to your game. 00:32:00 conventions,gaming,cosplay,rpg Yes Episode 5: "Being a Convention GM Monkey" http://www.abgames.com/blobcast/blobcast005.php

Cast: Rich, Chris, Becky, Jay, Andy Earl and Alex

How to submit events to a convention

Group vs. Solo benefits

Planning your events

Writing blurbs or marketing lines

Preparing for the convention

How to prevent convention burnout

How to deal with convention management mistakes

Quicklinker:

Our Convention Webpages

"I'm in the Barn"

]]> podcasts, gaming Sat, 2 Feb 2008 12:00:00 -0600 http://www.abgames.com/blobcast/blobcast005.php 01:00:00 Amorphous Blob Games Yes How and what to run at Cons Getting your events scheduled for the Convention, and some discussion on the various styles of game to run. conventions,gaming,cosplay,rpg Episode 4: "Getting Your Game on at Home." http://www.abgames.com/blobcast/blobcast004.php

Cast: Rich, Chris, Becky, Jay, Andy Earl and Alex

Introducing Alex.

A brief update on Jay's dice bag...

How to create a gaming group.

What makes a good game group.

The advantages of gaming with strangers.

Rich... The Godfather of Gaming.

Roshambo?!, Maybe this is what he meant instead?

Group Templates, Player Questionnaire, Alignment Test and Scorecard

What to do about too little gaming...

The disdvantages of gaming with Friends.

Too much Gaming... is there a Dark Side?

How to start a successful Campaign.

Define the Game.

Debate: Continuous Sessions vs Episodic Sessions.

Quicklinker:

Boardgame Geek

Tanga

Brettspielwelt

A link to our website and forums

PSA on Game Addiction

You can find help here... OLGAnon

]]> podcasts, gaming Sun, 20 Jan 2008 12:00:00 -0600 http://www.abgames.com/blobcast/blobcast004.php 00:52:00 Amorphous Blob Games Yes How to get a gaming group active. We discuss gaming at home with friends and acquaintences. conventions,gaming,cosplay,rpg Episode 3: "What Gaming is to Us" http://www.abgames.com/blobcast/blobcast003.php

Cast: Rich, Chris, Becky, Jay, Andy and Earl

Explaining Gaming in general.

Explaining RPG's.

Relating Gaming at Work.

Bad reactions from being a Gamer.

A brief description of Jay's Dice Bag...

Why we game.