Episode 12: Where's the tavern?

In this episode, Marty and I explore our various dives into Role Playing Games (RPGs), what we enjoy, and why have they seem to be gaining popularity again.  I will be the first to admit that RPGs were not top on my list of games to play through the years and mainly because of the experience I had with my first adventure in AD&D. But times have changed and many RPG systems have made some great additions to a genre that would often scare the average gamer away. Plus, the Internet and technology have really made an RPG session into more of a tabletop game at times with miniatures  terrain and other components to help those, such as myself, become more engaged in the adventure.

• RPGs have changed over time 08:00 (Mazes and Monsters)
• What RPGs have we tried or hope to try   35:00
• >Savage Worlds
• Dragon Age*
• Pathfinder
• Star Wars - Edge of the Empire
Dark Heresy
• Shadowrun
• Iron Kingdom Role Playing System   54:45

Don't forget to check out Free RPG Day

*I screwed up when talking about Dragon Age when I was talking about what happens when you roll doubles and the stunt points you get. When you roll doubles, your Dragon Dice determines the number of stunt points you get. Sorry about that.


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The Quest: Expansion to Pillars of the Earth

Ever since I played Pillars of the Earth at Origins last year, which I can't attend this year, I have been looking forward to owning it. Fortunately, I finally was able to get a copy and very happy that I did. I wrote about the game experience and since then, have played a couple more times and even taught it to the wife and neighbors who really liked it. However, I was asked if more than four people could play and since I didn't have the expansion, the answer was no. Therefore, I decided I "needed" the expansion and my quest was on.

First, I asked the owners at Your Local Game Store if they could get me a copy and they were like sure can, but wait, they couldn't. It seems Mayfair had stopped printing that expansion. What?!?! How could you stop printing the expansion and yet, we can still get our hands on the main game? But they had, so straight to the internet to see if some of my favorite retailers had any copies in stock. Nope, everyone had it on backorder or out of stock. So, a quick search on ebay should result in a find, but nope, not going to happen. So, this quest seemed to be on the scale of Don Quixote and his battles. (OK, I have never read Don Quixote, but I understand he had a battle windmills and that is all I know)

Well, over the past few months, I have been doing some traveling for work and if by chance I could find a game store, I would visit it. Each time, I would experience another Epic Failure. I was loosing hope. But on my last trip, I visited Firefly Games in Lexington, SC which is just outside of Columbia, SC. And I am glad I did. First, it is a very nice store with a nice setup for all types of gamers. Not sure about the BBQ place near it, but would recommend you stopping by Firefly Games if in the area. Second, they had the expansion and I snapped it up.

Anyway, can't wait to get it on the table, just happy I found it and can now play up to 6 people if needed.

5 Minute Initiative: Whatcha' playing?

So how do you respond to the question "Whatcha' playing?" Do you take time out to explain the game in simple terms or even invite the people to sit down and watch? If it is in your local game store, you probably have no issue with this question and welcome the inquiry. What about when you are in a more public place like a fast food location, how do you respond? Marty and I discuss our responses in this 5 Minute Initiative.

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Episode 11: The Better Halves

In this episode, we step back and as a gift to them for Mother's Day, we let them take over the mic. Ok, we begged and pleaded with them to do the show because Marty and I thought it would be a great addition to our normal podcast. We were lucky to have Todd join us again and his wife Casey was more than happy to join in the party.

It is always fun to hear others perspective about the board gaming hobby, but when it is your spouse, you might cringe at first to hear what they think. Luckily for us, we have three great wives that support our hobby and participate when the chance presents itself, so there is no battle of the sexes going on here.

In this episode, the ladies really get into the family side of gaming and how it grows the family, and teaches children social skills.

• Introductions
• Kids and gaming
• Effects of the gaming lifestyle on the family

We hope that they make their way back to the show, but any kind words will help us in our begging in the future.


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5 Minute Initiative: The Watercooler Effect

How do you know if it is a good game or not? What is your "I like it" criteria? Well, in this 5 Minute Initiative, Marty and I discuss one of our criteria for determining if we like a game or not, how long we talk about it after we play it. We all know what the Watercooler Effect is, where you stand around and discuss the latest ballgame, or last night's The Walking Dead with friends. Well for games, it is how long we talk about a game after we play, how long we keep bring it up at future gatherings and so forth.


So what are some of your ways to measure if you like a game or not?

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Episode 10: The Hostess with the Mostess

10 D10 for 10th Episode

We have achieved double digits in our number of podcasts!!! I know it doesn't seem like much being only #10, but hey, when you set goals and you achieve them, you got to celebrate them. The next goal is to make it to #26 which will mean we have achieved a full year of podcasting. That is right, we have a full year planned and already working on year two.

So in this episode, we discuss how to hold a game night. Marty and I know that a bunch of this stuff is common sense, but it might not be something you think of right away. Of course you are going to have drinks out, of course you will have game appropriate snacks, but did you plan enough room for all that stuff and the game? It is the little things that can really make the night enjoyable for all and make it so it is more than a one shot.

• Atlanta: Nerdiest city in America (01:30)
• The Hostess with the Mostess (03:52)
• Filler Games (27:00)
• Casual Games for Game Night (31:30)
• Wrap it up (41:00)

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5 Minute Initiative: You wouldn't like me when I am angry

Just watched the Dice Tower Video on the 10 games not to play with angry people and it got us thinking, what games get under our skin especially when we lose.

Now, we love playing games and generally don't have an issue when we lose, because it is all about how you play the game that matters. Yeah, right, losing stinks and you can't help but feel a little anger, it is natural. So, what games get under your skin?

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