Category Archives: Advice

A New Campaign 2018

Advice, Podcasts,

Episode 66 – A New Campaign 2018

It’s the start of a glorious new year and the lads discuss what they’ve got for Christmas, how to start a new campaign, what new and exciting games they may be setting up for 2018 and other goodness. Do you remember Transhuman Space? That and more could be in the offing this year…

Give sacrifice to the Patreon fund, and we’ll keep attending great events, and recording more content for you, dear listeners. Both of you. At time of writing we’re at a sufficient level to get the boys writing a producing a fanzine – so in 2018 our loyal Patrons have even more to look forward to.

Check out their Facebook page. Find them on the Twitters: @the_smart_party or email the guys.

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Ken Rolston at The Kraken

Advice, Conventions, Podcasts,

Ken Rolston, known for his work on Elder Scrolls (Morrowind and Oblivion), Paranoia and many other gaming successes, joins us for a chat about all things game related. From his long and storied history in the hobby, producing an RPG, the state of the video gaming industry, RPG tips and stories, to many amusing anecdotes, Ken was a delight to chat to.

Continue reading Ken Rolston at The Kraken →

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Playing Up

Advice, Podcasts

Episode 57 – Playing Up
(a.k.a Player’s advice for players)

We have books full of gaming advice for GMs, but where is all the help for players? What can you do to help your fellow players out? Shouldn’t we all just be helping each other have a great time?

Continue reading Playing Up →

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New Year, New Ideas

Advice, Podcasts

Episode 22 – Taking Ideas From Other Games
(a.k.a New Year, New Ideas)

The tinsel is in disarray and the clammy grip of work clutches our hearts, but fear not, for The Smart Party are back with another Podcast! This week we talk about what we can glean from those gamey Christmas presents we got; how can boardgames inform our roleplaying style? What use are card games? Are games really all that different?

January is a lean month, becoming a Patreon can help us add a bit of cheese to the beans on toast we’ll be surviving on.

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Dragonmeet 2015 – Too Much Cthulhu?

Advice, Conventions, Podcasts

Episode 21 – Dragonmeet 2015
(a.k.a Too Much Cthulhu)

Dragonmeet took place in London Village last weekend, with over 1000 delegates, many of whom packed the seminar room to hear us discuss whether there was too much Cthulhu in gaming. As a live recording the sound is somewhat woeful, but hopefully you’ll enjoy some lively debate and laughs along the way.

You can help up recoup our train fare by becoming a Patreon if you wish, but we’ve already been, so it doesn’t matter if you don’t want to.

Find out about our fellow panellists and podcasters at Jackson Elias, they’re quite nice chaps for Cthulhu cultists and they’ve got some great content too!

18:00 – What Jackson Elias Would Do?

Two of the UKs finest podcast crews go head to head in this panel. Imagine the worlds most polite rap battle with less dancing and more tentacles. The Smart Party and The Good Friends of Jackson Elias lock horns over the perennial question: why so much Cthulhu in gaming, and is it for good or ill? Raise a glass with us as we toast the very best and worst in RPGdom.

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Organising Furnace – Burn Baby Burn

Advice, Conventions, Podcasts

Episode 17 – Organising Furnace
a.k.a. Burn Baby Burn

Hot on the heels (pun maybe intended) of our interview with convention organiser Fabian at The Kraken, we bring you Graham Spearing of Furnace fame to tell us about his experiences over the last ten years.

The Smart Party produced a pair of Fate adventures to celebrate the anniversary, so feel free to head over to DriveThru if you want to sort yourself out with some excellent con scenario action!

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Con Games – Conventional Wisdom

Advice, Conventions, Podcasts

Epsiode 16 – Convention Games
a.k.a. Conventional Wisdom

What’s the difference between convention games and regular home games? Is D&D any good? What are the top tips for running convention games? Listen to Gaz & Baz as they give you their accumulated wisdow!

Read more advice here and pay what you want!

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​​Being a Better Player – I’ve Painted Myself Out of a Game​

Advice

Episode​ ​​7​​: ​​Being a Better Player
(a.k.a.​​ ​I’ve Painted Myself Out of a Game​)

​There’s lots of advice for GMs, but how can we be a better player? Every day is a school day, so if only there was a podcast to help us with lessons on how to do a more sterling job of performing the player role. Well, now there is!

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Problem Players – Snooze you lose

Advice, Podcasts

Episode 3: Problem players and what to do with them
(a.k.a. Snooze you lose)

What are problem players and what do you do with them? If you don’t think you have a problem player, maybe it’s you? Gaz and Baz talk about some of their experiences and what to do to change things for the better.

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