Designing Scenarios

Advice, Podcasts, ,

Episode 83 – Designing Scenarios

Scenarios are what it’s all about! Thanks to glorious supporters on Patreon, The Smart Party have pumped out a couple of adventures – one whimsical from Baz and another more gritty from Gaz. This week the lads chat about the process of designing their own scenarios and some of the tips and tricks they’ve learned from their own writing and reading (and playing) other peoples’. Struggle to write your own stuff? Wonder what goes on behind the scenes? This podcast is for you!

Want to discuss further? We’re now on MeWe (the popular destination for those leaving G+). Find the lads via Facebook, on the Twitters: @the_smart_party or email the guys directly!

Encourage the guys to pump out more content by becoming a Patreon supporter, this leads to the aforementioned scenarios, fanzine and more!


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First Time DM Experience

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Episode 82 – First Time DM Experience

It’s been many long years for Baz and Gaz, hazy memories of early games lost to the mists of time. What was it like to run that very first game? Well, that lads can’t remember, that’s for sure, so this time they’re joined by delightful guest Nina (@humanbard) to talk about her first time behind the DM screen. Our guest has been playing for many years, and done podcasting and streaming, but that first time in charge of the game can be intimidating. But like all others, she’s survived to tell her tale!

Want to discuss further? Give the lads your view via Facebook, on the Twitters: @the_smart_party or email the guys directly!

Buy the guys some Hobnobs by becoming a Patreon supporter, extra content is going on up on the Patreon site including a fanzine, scenario from Baz – and another from Gaz fresh out of production!


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Judge Dredd and the Worlds of 2000AD

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Episode 81 – Judge Dredd and the Worlds of 2000AD (Interview with Russ Morrissey)

Attention thrill-seekers! Russ Morrissey, designer of the W.O.I.N system joins the lads to talk about his new take on Judge Dredd and the Worlds of 2000AD. A nostalgiac trip to the early days of gaming, inside scoops and future products, a view of the system, chat about how to make a successful Kickstarter and more await you!

With the full support of Rebellion Comics, the art and production are in place, an already written and proofed game, the Smart Posse are super excited about this trip to the golden age of British comics.

Russ also has a podcast with lots of RPG news, check out Morrus’ Unoffical Tabletop RPG Talk or of course head over the EN World website for all the latest RPG news if you prefer to read about it.

Want to discuss further? Give the lads your view via Facebook, on the Twitters: @the_smart_party or email the guys directly!

Buy the guys some Hobnobs by becoming a Patreon supporter, extra content is going on up on the Patreon site including a fanzine, scenario from Baz – and another from Gaz currently going through production!


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Patrick Stuart Interview

Podcasts,

Episode 80 – Patrick Stuart Interview
(a.k.a Picard is my nemesis)

More Ennie Award Winning guestage this week, with Patrick Stuart joining the lads. Author of such gems as Maze of the Blue Medusa, Veins of the Earth and many more, Patrick provides insightful chat on his writing process, inspiration and all things gaming from Warhmmer to OSR.

Follow what Patrick is doing by checking his blog or get some lovely books on his author website.

You can find much more of Dirk’s unique art by clicking the image below, or following him on Instagram:

Want to discuss further? Give the lads your view via Facebook, on the Twitters: @the_smart_party or email the guys directly!

Assist the boys grab more amazing guests by becoming a Patreon supporter, extra content is going on up on the Patreon site including a scenario from Baz – another from Gaz is on the way!


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Troika! Daniel Sell Interview

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Episode 79 – Troika! Daniel Sell Interview

Good friend of the show Ennie Award Winning Daniel Sell returns (last time was Episode 13!) to talk about his revamp of Troika! which definitely isn’t Fighting Fantasy, winning Ennie awards and his delightfully hands-off publishing style. Fans of Hipster Planescape are in for a treat, as is anyone who likes something just a little bit different than the usual.

Daniel publishes The Undercroft, a nostalgically pleasing hand-crafted fanzine, you can catch up on what he’s up to on his website.

Want to discuss further? Give the lads your view via Facebook, on the Twitters: @the_smart_party or email the guys directly!

Assist the boys grab more amazing guests by becoming a Patreon supporter, extra content is going on up on the Patreon site including a scenario from Baz!


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Teachers & Teaching

Advice, Podcasts,

Episode 78 – Teachers & Teaching

This week the lads are joined by educators Pete Atkinson and Neil Gow to talk about how teaching influences gaming, or vice versa. Is the noble art of pedagogy something that helps or hinders young minds when it comes to playing games? With a teacher of primary, secondary and further education on board, the assembled classroom discusses what lesson we can all learn.

Gaz mentioned a Data Science in the Games Industry course that can be picked up on the freemium model – find more here.

Neil Gow is the master of Omnihedron Games and you can catch up on what he’s up to on his website.

Want to discuss further? Give the lads your view via Facebook, on the Twitters: @the_smart_party or email the guys directly!

Help the lads get new school uniforms by becoming a Patreon supporter, extra content is going on up on the Patreon site including a scenario from Baz!


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Satine Phoenix Interview

Advice, Podcasts,

Episode 77 – Satine Phoenix Interview

Community Manager of Dungeons & Dragons, co-creator of Maze Arcana (with Ruty Rutenberg) and all around great ambassador of D&D and gaming in general Satine Phoenix joins the lads for some great chat on D&D, communities, sending people to sleep, D&D around the world, gaming in a castle and all sorts. Strap yourselves in for some delightful conversation and heartfelt chat about our great hobby!

You can find Satine by looking for @satinephoenix around the internet and get your Twitch on with The D&D Stream or Maze Arcana

Want to discuss further? Give the lads your view via Facebook, on the Twitters: @the_smart_party or email the guys directly!

Help the lads bribe more special guests by becoming a Patreon supporter, extra content is going on up on the Patreon site including a scenario from Baz!


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Bonus Episode – UK Games Expo Chat

Conventions, Podcasts, ,

Bonus Episode – UK Games Expo Chat

Not too long ago it was the highlight of the UK gaming calendar UK Games Expo and Gaz went round chatting to all kinds of lovely gaming folk to find out what’s going on in the wonderful world of gaming. Here’s some awesome #content from his travels.

[02:10] Paul Baldowski from All Rolled Up, Cthulhu Hack and other fame
All Rolled Up

[06:20] Sam, from award-winning Sins RPG
SINS RPG

[12:50] Julia from Lamentations of the Flame Princess talks about weird stuff
Lamentations of the Flame Princess

[23:00] Mary at Rowan, Rook and Decard (The Spire RPG) gives us the low down on the Indie League Stall
Rowan, Rook and Decard
UK Indie RPG League

[32:00] Chris Birch from Modiphius takes us on a whistlestop tour of lots of books!
Modiphius

[39:40] Lloyd Gayan was the man on the scene for Games on Demand
You can follow Lloyd’s antics on Twitter

[48:30] Rich talks to us about the inaugural RPG Designer’s meet up
Get hold of some of Rich’s games

[55:00] Dirk and Blythy talk bobbins at the bar
the Grognard Files

Want to discuss further? Give the lads your view on a forum, via Facebook, on the Twitters: @the_smart_party or email the guys directly!

Help support the guys by becoming a Patreon supporter, extra content is going on up on the Patreon site including a scenario from Baz!


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Jonathan Tweet Interview

Podcasts,

Episode 76 – Jonathan Tweet Interview

Legendary game designer and writer, Jonathan Tweet joins the lads this week, with news of his reboot of Over the Edge which you can still grab on Kickstarter if you’re quick, great insights on D&D, Everyway, Ars Magica and much more. We get in a bunch of questions from our dear listeners and generous supporters and a couple of our own war stories too!

Want to discuss further? Give the lads your view on a forum, via Facebook, on the Twitters: @the_smart_party or email the guys directly!

Help support the guys by becoming a Patreon supporter, extra content is going on up on the Patreon site including a scenario from Baz!


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Ennies Nominee Review

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Episode 75 – Ennies Nominee Review

The gremlins got into the sound engine again this week and it’s all gone a bit tinny. Never mind, the content is still golden! Maybe electrum. The lads discuss the Ennie Awards happening at Gen Con weekend. What’s with the nominees, the process, the missing games? All is far grist for the mill – get the expert opinion on this year’s entries while the GenCon masses cast their vote.

Think of anything that should have got an Ennie? Give the lads your view on a forum, via Facebook, on the Twitters: @the_smart_party or email the guys directly!

For the love of Cthulhu get the boys some better microphones by becoming a Patreon supporter, extra content is going on up on the Patreon site and there’s a scenario coming in August.


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