161: Into the Backgrounds!

So, I kinda hate the click-bait use of the term "hot take", but none the less, here we are! I put forth a statement regarding what I think of "Rules Light", and  how it fits in this hobby we all love. Of course, this is Me and Steve, so tangents are followed, but I think we have a pretty thought-provoking discussion! I hope y'all enjoy it!   d20 Network Spotlight: The Order 66 -- https://www.podchaser.com/podcasts/order-66-podcast-38220?   Game of the Week:      Steve G:  Vatborn to Kill -- https://www.drivethrurpg.com/en/product/477953/vatborn-to-kill?affiliate_id=2018399      Steve S:  The Black Rainbow Society -- https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/gavrielquiroga/the-black-rainbow-society   *We have an affiliate link with Drive-Thru RPG.  All this does, is give us a small percentage of your purchase cost on Drive-Thru as a "referral bonus".  It does not cost you, as a consumer, anything extra.*   We greatly appreciate the support and donations of our Patreon supporters: Eric Witman, Jeff McKinney, Joshua Gopal-Boyd, Dave Smith, Brett Bowen, Streety, and Nate Doverspike!  Y'all make keeping this going possible!   As always folks, have fun, be kind to each other, and go play some rpgs!   Join the conversation on our Discord! Me And Steve RPG Discord  https://discord.gg/5wWNcYW You can reach us at [email protected] On Facebook as Me and Steve RPG Podcast On Twitter @AndRPGs Our Drive-Thru RPG affiliate link https://www.drivethrurpg.com/?affiliate_id=2018399 Support us on Patreon:  https://www.patreon.com/MeandSteveTalkRPGs We are proud members of the d20 Radio Network! http://www.d20radio.com/main/  

This week we're returning to some actual play content! Join our motley crew (semi-formally known as "Those Guys") for the final conversation leading up to a (fairly) short campaign using the Genesys engine for a game that our GM Ben called "Oblivion War".   It's worth noting that we did have at least one more formal "session 0" before this, along with a good deal of online discussion amongst us all. What you hear today is sort of the capstone on all of our pre-campaign discussion        The Cast:    Ben -- GM (and wrangler of cats)    Eric -- Prangalar (catfolk scout)    Hagan -- Groth (orcish primalist)    Terry -- Barnelby (gnome bard)    Steve (New) -- Kulweg (gnome alchemist)    Steve (Old) -- Karlax (crystal-based bioroid tech)      The setting is one of Ben's creation, and we'll let you discover it through the course of our story. Of course, feel free to ask questions in the Discord, as we can all be found there. And in about 2 weeks, the adventure should commence!   We greatly appreciate the donations of our Patreon supporters: Eric Witman, Jeff McKinney, Joshua Gopal-Boyd, Dave Smith, Brett Bowen, Streety, and Nate Doverspike!  Y'all make keeping this going possible!   As always folks, have fun, be kind to each other, and go play some rpgs!   Join the conversation on our Discord! Me And Steve RPG Discord  https://discord.gg/5wWNcYW You can reach us at [email protected] On Facebook as Me and Steve RPG Podcast On Twitter @AndRPGs Our Drive-Thru RPG affiliate link https://www.drivethrurpg.com/?affiliate_id=2018399 Support us on Patreon:  https://www.patreon.com/MeandSteveTalkRPGs We are proud members of the d20 Radio Network! http://www.d20radio.com/main/

One Steve is freshly back (and still tired from) GNC9, the other is still sad he couldn't make it, and so we invited 2 other folks from the GamerNation to join us for a recap of the festivities! And first off, apologies to those who didn't get mentioned, but if you were there, there's just so much fun going on that as you remember stuff other things slip through the gamer-brain!   But we hope you enjoy our  somewhat brief recap of the fun and enjoyment that is GamerNationCon, and frankly, we hope to see any of you who were there again next year, and any who weren't there, we also hope to see you next year!   Game of the Week:      Steve G: Ambrosia -- https://preview.drivethrurpg.com/en/product/476526/ambrosia?affiliate_id=2018399      JT:  Parsley -- https://preview.drivethrurpg.com/en/product/248491/Parsely?affiliate_id=2018399      Alex N:  Havoc Brigade! -- https://gshowitt.itch.io/havoc-brigade      Steve S:  Daggerheart (beta) -- https://darringtonpress.com/daggerheart/   *We have an affiliate link with Drive-Thru RPG.  All this does, is give us a small percentage of your purchase cost on Drive-Thru as a "referral bonus".  It does not cost you, as a consumer, anything extra.*   We greatly appreciate the donations of our Patreon supporters: Eric Witman, Jeff McKinney, Joshua Gopal-Boyd, Dave Smith, Brett Bowen, Streety, and Nate Doverspike!  Y'all make keeping this going possible!   As always folks, have fun, be kind to each other, and go play some rpgs!   Join the conversation on our Discord! Me And Steve RPG Discord  https://discord.gg/5wWNcYW You can reach us at [email protected] On Facebook as Me and Steve RPG Podcast On Twitter @AndRPGs Our Drive-Thru RPG affiliate link https://www.drivethrurpg.com/?affiliate_id=2018399 Support us on Patreon:  https://www.patreon.com/MeandSteveTalkRPGs We are proud members of the d20 Radio Network! http://www.d20radio.com/main/  

This week the Steves ramble on a bit about our feelings and opinions (and the reality) around "generic" game systems. Of course, as we do, there's some rambling and rabbit trails, but thoughts and opinions are shared!   d20 Network Spotlight: GamerNationCon 9 -- https://tabletop.events/conventions/gamer-nation-con-9   Links for the couple fundraisers/bundles we mentioned:      Retrograde Gaming GoFundMe -- https://www.gofundme.com/f/retrograde-shop-rescue-and-relocation?fbclid=IwAR3jqyYCiRqXVuF6ySNxoxYpQom4jYdfNh3ut6XUtprAEklB8v0DpQBjJl8      Owen K C Stephens is RAD bundle -- https://www.drivethrurpg.com/product/473197/Owen-KC-Stephens-is-RAD-BUNDLE   Game of the Week:      Steve G: It's Not an Owl -- https://preview.drivethrurpg.com/en/product/475548/it-s-not-an-owl?affiliate_id=2018399      Steve S: The Silt Verses Roleplaying Game -- https://www.drivethrurpg.com/product/458507/The-Silt-Verses-Roleplaying-Game?affiliate_id=2018399   *We have an affiliate link with Drive-Thru RPG.  All this does, is give us a small percentage of your purchase cost on Drive-Thru as a "referral bonus".  It does not cost you, as a consumer, anything extra.*   We greatly appreciate the donations of our Patreon supporters: Eric Witman, Jeff McKinney, Joshua Gopal-Boyd, Dave Smith, Brett Bowen, Rasmus R Byriel, Streety, and Nate Doverspike!  Y'all make keeping this going possible!   As always folks, have fun, be kind to each other, and go play some rpgs!   Join the conversation on our Discord! Me And Steve RPG Discord  https://discord.gg/5wWNcYW You can reach us at [email protected] On Facebook as Me and Steve RPG Podcast On Twitter @AndRPGs Our Drive-Thru RPG affiliate link https://www.drivethrurpg.com/?affiliate_id=2018399 Support us on Patreon:  https://www.patreon.com/MeandSteveTalkRPGs We are proud members of the d20 Radio Network! http://www.d20radio.com/main/  

This week we get a little more tactical and crunchy than is perhaps our usual. This week we're again joined by Doug from Gaming Ballistic to talk about his Dungeon Fantasy RPG solo adventure Saethor's Bane (Currently on Backerkit), as well as some talk about GURPS, and just general gamer nerdery conversation! Doug also lets us in on some snippets from the publishing side of being an RPG creative, and we just generally geek out!   Links for Gaming Ballistic:       Saethor's Bane on Backerkit -- https://saethors-bane.backerkit.com/survey_stores      Website -- https://gamingballistic.com/      Shopify Storefront -- https://gaming-ballistic.myshopify.com/   d20 Network Spotlight: GamerNationCon 9 -- https://tabletop.events/conventions/gamer-nation-con-9   Game of the Week:      Steve S: Owen K C Stephens is RAD bundle -- https://www.drivethrurpg.com/product/473197/Owen-KC-Stephens-is-RAD-BUNDLE      Doug:  Nights Black Agents -- https://www.drivethrurpg.com/browse/pub/340/Pelgrane-Press/subcategory/561_20365/Nights-Black-Agents?affiliate_id=2018399   Also, because he is just an excellent person, and he could use the help, if you're so inclined and able, please help out Owen K C Stephens in his battle with cancer, and medical bills!  Link to the GoFundMe for him --> https://gofund.me/3610e33f   *We have an affiliate link with Drive-Thru RPG.  All this does, is give us a small percentage of your purchase cost on Drive-Thru as a "referral bonus".  It does not cost you, as a consumer, anything extra.*   We greatly appreciate the donations of our Patreon supporters: Eric Witman, Jeff McKinney, Joshua Gopal-Boyd, Dave Smith, Brett Bowen, Rasmus R Byriel, Streety, and Nate Doverspike!  Y'all make keeping this going possible!   As always folks, have fun, be kind to each other, and go play some rpgs!   Join the conversation on our Discord! Me And Steve RPG Discord  https://discord.gg/5wWNcYW You can reach us at [email protected] On Facebook as Me and Steve RPG Podcast On Twitter @AndRPGs Our Drive-Thru RPG affiliate link https://www.drivethrurpg.com/?affiliate_id=2018399 Support us on Patreon:  https://www.patreon.com/MeandSteveTalkRPGs We are proud members of the d20 Radio Network! http://www.d20radio.com/main/  

This week we continue last weeks discussion, though this week we're talking more about the action side of things!   d20 Network Spotlight: GamerNationCon 9 -- https://tabletop.events/conventions/gamer-nation-con-9   Game of the Week:      Steve G: The Tower & The Garden -- https://preview.drivethrurpg.com/en/product/468681/the-tower-the-garden?affiliate_id=2018399      Steve S: The Gaia Complex -- https://www.drivethrurpg.com/product/370915/The-Gaia-Complex--A-Game-of-Flesh-and-Wires?affiliate_id=2018399   Also, because he is just an excellent person, and he could use the help, if you're so inclined and able, please help out Owen K C Stephens in his battle with cancer, and medical bills!  Link to the GoFundMe for him --> https://gofund.me/3610e33f   *We have an affiliate link with Drive-Thru RPG.  All this does, is give us a small percentage of your purchase cost on Drive-Thru as a "referral bonus".  It does not cost you, as a consumer, anything extra.*   We greatly appreciate the donations of our Patreon supporters: Eric Witman, Jeff McKinney, Joshua Gopal-Boyd, Dave Smith, Brett Bowen, Rasmus R Byriel, Streety, and Nate Doverspike!  Y'all make keeping this going possible!   As always folks, have fun, be kind to each other, and go play some rpgs!   Join the conversation on our Discord! Me And Steve RPG Discord  https://discord.gg/5wWNcYW You can reach us at [email protected] On Facebook as Me and Steve RPG Podcast On Twitter @AndRPGs Our Drive-Thru RPG affiliate link https://www.drivethrurpg.com/?affiliate_id=2018399 Support us on Patreon:  https://www.patreon.com/MeandSteveTalkRPGs We are proud members of the d20 Radio Network! http://www.d20radio.com/main/    

This week we start with 2 words to inspire the episode, but then take it back to one, and agree to talk about the other word next week! But anyway, some talk about what we both feel are two pillars of good RPG play, those being "action" and "intrigue". And next week the other half! d20 Network Spotlight: GamerNationCon 9 -- https://tabletop.events/conventions/gamer-nation-con-9   Game of the Week:      Steve G: The Lost Universe - NASA Science -- https://science.nasa.gov/mission/hubble/multimedia/online-activities/the-lost-universe/      Steve S: Rust and Redemption -- https://www.drivethrurpg.com/product/471616/Rust-and-Redemption?affiliate_id=2018399   Also, because he is just an excellent person, and he could use the help, if you're so inclined and able, please help out Owen K C Stephens in his battle with cancer, and medical bills!  Link to the GoFundMe for him --> https://gofund.me/3610e33f   *We have an affiliate link with Drive-Thru RPG.  All this does, is give us a small percentage of your purchase cost on Drive-Thru as a "referral bonus".  It does not cost you, as a consumer, anything extra.*   We greatly appreciate the donations of our Patreon supporters: Eric Witman, Jeff McKinney, Joshua Gopal-Boyd, Dave Smith, Brett Bowen, Rasmus R Byriel, Streety, and Nate Doverspike!  Y'all make keeping this going possible!   As always folks, have fun, be kind to each other, and go play some rpgs!   Join the conversation on our Discord! Me And Steve RPG Discord  https://discord.gg/5wWNcYW You can reach us at [email protected] On Facebook as Me and Steve RPG Podcast On Twitter @AndRPGs Our Drive-Thru RPG affiliate link https://www.drivethrurpg.com/?affiliate_id=2018399 Support us on Patreon:  https://www.patreon.com/MeandSteveTalkRPGs We are proud members of the d20 Radio Network! http://www.d20radio.com/main/    

This week we have a rambling chat with none other than the inspiration for the "Scale" episode a couple weeks back! We're joined by Neal Litherland to just get to know the creator a little better!     We chat about Army Men and it's supplements, design philosophy, some of Neal's other projects and work, and kind of whatever flows through our brains.      Links for Neal & his work-- https://taking10.blogspot.com/ https://www.youtube.com/@AzukailGames https://preview.drivethrurpg.com/en/browse?keyword=Neal%20Litherland https://www.patreon.com/theliterarymercenary   d20 Network Spotlight: The Genesys Archive -- https://anchor.fm/thegenesysarchives   Game of the Week:      Steve S: Crossbones Opera -- https://preview.drivethrurpg.com/en/product/462823/crossbones-opera-the-golden-age-of-reckoning?affiliate_id=2018399      Neal L: Exalted (2e) -- https://www.drivethrurpg.com/browse.php?filters=0_0_1820_0_0&?affiliate_id=2018399   Also, because he is just an excellent person, and he could use the help, if you're so inclined, and able, please help out Owen K C Stephens in his battle with cancer, and medical bills!  Link to the GoFundMe for him --> https://gofund.me/3610e33f   *We have an affiliate link with Drive-Thru RPG.  All this does, is give us a small percentage of your purchase cost on Drive-Thru as a "referral bonus".  It does not cost you, as a consumer, anything extra.*   We greatly appreciate the donations of our Patreon supporters: Eric Witman, Jeff McKinney, Joshua Gopal-Boyd, Dave Smith, Brett Bowen, Rasmus R Byriel, Streety, and Nate Doverspike!  Y'all make keeping this going possible!   As always folks, have fun, be kind to each other, and go play some rpgs!   Join the conversation on our Discord! Me And Steve RPG Discord  https://discord.gg/5wWNcYW You can reach us at [email protected] On Facebook as Me and Steve RPG Podcast On Twitter @AndRPGs Our Drive-Thru RPG affiliate link https://www.drivethrurpg.com/?affiliate_id=2018399 Support us on Patreon:  https://www.patreon.com/MeandSteveTalkRPGs We are proud members of the d20 Radio Network! http://www.d20radio.com/main/

Another installment in our unofficial series of "one word" themed shows! This week it's "Background"! We chat around what we like to both receive as GMs, and give as players, and some about why, and also little bit about "background" as something the GM gives the players about the setting.   d20 Network Spotlight: Court Games, Fortune & Strife, and Crimson Gold Agonies -- https://courtgamespod.com/ https://courtgamespod.com/L5RFnS/ https://cgapodcast.com/   Come Play with us at GamerNationCon 9!  -- https://tabletop.events/conventions/gamer-nation-con-9   Game of the Week      Steve G: APPROVED -- https://preview.drivethrurpg.com/en/product/471398/approved?affiliate_id=2018399      Steve S:  WRFP: Taverns of the Old World -- https://www.drivethrurpg.com/product/461787/Warhammer-Fantasy-Roleplay-Taverns-of-the-Old-World?affiliate_id=2018399   *We have an affiliate link with Drive-Thru RPG.  All this does, is give us a small percentage of your purchase cost on Drive-Thru as a "referral bonus".  It does not cost you, as a consumer, anything extra.*   We greatly appreciate the donations of our Patreon supporters: Eric Witman, Jeff McKinney, Joshua Gopal-Boyd, Dave Smith, Brett Bowen, Rasmus R Byriel, Streety, and Nate Doverspike!  Y'all make keeping this going possible!   As always folks, have fun, be kind to each other, and go play some rpgs!   Join the conversation on our Discord! Me And Steve RPG Discord  https://discord.gg/5wWNcYW You can reach us at [email protected] On Facebook as Me and Steve RPG Podcast On Twitter @AndRPGs Our Drive-Thru RPG affiliate link https://www.drivethrurpg.com/?affiliate_id=2018399 Support us on Patreon:  https://www.patreon.com/MeandSteveTalkRPGs We are proud members of the d20 Radio Network! http://www.d20radio.com/main/  

In this week's episode, we have a discussion of "scale" inspired by Neil F Litherland's article you can find here -- https://taking10.blogspot.com/2024/02/gms-and-players-keep-scale-of-your.html It really brought out some things that I hadn't consciously thought about, but that I now realize that I really should!   d20 Network spotlight: The Wonderous Atlas of Creation's Destiny -- https://wondrousatlas.wordpress.com/   Game of the Week:      Steve G:  Black Bag -- https://preview.drivethrurpg.com/en/product/467934/black-bag?affiliate_id=2018399      Steve S:  The Hunt for Coffee -- https://www.drivethrurpg.com/product/471013/The-Hunt-for-Coffee--a-d12go-adventure?affiliate_id=2018399   *We have an affiliate link with Drive-Thru RPG.  All this does, is give us a small percentage of your purchase cost on Drive-Thru as a "referral bonus".  It does not cost you, as a consumer, anything extra.*   We greatly appreciate the donations of our Patreon supporters: Eric Witman, Jeff McKinney, Joshua Gopal-Boyd, Dave Smith, Brett Bowen, Rasmus R Byriel, Streety, and Nate Doverspike!  Y'all make keeping this going possible!   As always folks, have fun, be kind to each other, and go play some rpgs!   Join the conversation on our Discord! Me And Steve RPG Discord  https://discord.gg/5wWNcYW You can reach us at [email protected] On Facebook as Me and Steve RPG Podcast On Twitter @AndRPGs Our Drive-Thru RPG affiliate link https://www.drivethrurpg.com/?affiliate_id=2018399 Support us on Patreon:  https://www.patreon.com/MeandSteveTalkRPGs We are proud members of the d20 Radio Network! http://www.d20radio.com/main/