Category Archives: Advice

2020 Vision

Advice

Episode 115 – 2020 Vision
(aka Get Your Earthdawn ’93 While It’s Hot)

It’s the year of Cyberpunk 2020 and lots to look forward to aside from monoblade katanas and trenchcoats. The lads go through some of the upcoming delights for the new year, games due to land, whispers of new things, plans for getting some gaming in and what they’ve already rolled dice on. Plus, some talk on going back to old games, new editions and how to get a gaming group together in busy times.

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Zachary Cox Interview

Advice, Podcasts, ,

Episode 112 – Zachary Cox Interview
(a.k.a Best Left Buried)

Creator of Best Left Buried by Soul Muppet Publishing and new Kickstarter Beneath the Missing Sea, as well as publisher of other independents, Zachary Cox joins the lads to talk about his latest creations, designing and publishing gamers, creator meet ups and what the heck is OSR anyway?

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Savage Worlds Walkthrough – Part Two

Advice, Podcasts, ,

Episode 104 – Savage Worlds Walkthrough – Part Two
(a.k.a. Who Doesn’t Like Rolling 15d8?)

Savage Worlds part two, electric bugaloo. Who doesn’t like cool subsystems and engaging GM advice? Savage Worlds has a lovely variety of bonus rules, including Allies, Mass Battles, Dramatic Tasks and more. The lads also discuss powers, magic and otherwise – plus the excellent GM advice section! Plus, of course, an overview of the game as a whole.

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How to GM – Live From UK Games Expo 2019

Advice, Conventions, Podcasts, ,

Episode 101 – How to GM – Live From UK Games Expo 2019
UK Games Expo is the third largest gaming convention in the world, and the lads were there to chat to people, buy goodies and of course, run the “How to GM at Conventions” panel. With good friends of the show Dirk the Dice and Paul Fricker, from the Grognard Files and Good Friends of Jackson Elias respectively.

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UK Games Expo 2019

Advice, Conventions, Podcasts, ,

It’s that time of year – the UK’s biggest gaming event is just around the corner. UK Games Expo 2019 is upon us and the lads have a good old natter about what to do, things to see and what’s hot for 2019. Never been before? Just want to get excited? Happy just to hear geeks chunter on about gaming stuff? It’s all here…

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Gareth Ryder-Hanrahan Interview

Advice, Podcasts, , ,

Episode 86 – Gareth Ryder-Hanrahan Interview

The prolific and talented Gareth Ryder-Hanrahan joins the lads for some gaming chat and excellent advice on writing scenarios. We cover the writing process, collaborating with others, creating specifically for convention games and why gaming books should be useful at the table, among other things. A lot of what Gar says makes perfect sense and our glorious listeners may wonder, as we did, why it’s not just this obvious for everyone – but that’s the mark of someone good at what they do – making it all seem to easy!

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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!
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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.
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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!
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New GM Advice

Advice, Podcasts,

Episode 71 – New GM Advice
(a.k.a. Your Job Is To Lose Every Fight)

How do you go about running your first game? Do you want to be a DM, GM, LM, Referee or Keeper? Perhaps you’ve played for years but never run a game, maybe you’ve never gamed at all, is could be you tried running games and didn’t really get on with it. Fear not! The Smart Party are here to help. The lads go through how to go about running your first RPG with everything from whether you should buy and adventure, to giving yourself enough credit and the minutiae of wee breaks. They’re super keen to know how you get on should you try a game – so let them know – and please do share with any friends you think might benefit from some sage advice.
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