Info

Shane Plays Geek Talk

A journey into the things we love: D&D / RPGs, tabletop games, wargames, video games, comics and comic books, Star Trek, Star Wars, Doctor Who, fan films, movies, TV, books, sci-fi, fantasy, more! Hosted by a fellow geek that supports and encourages geeks and our fandoms in all of their various splendor! Come along and get your geek on (or maybe even discover you inner geek)!
RSS Feed
Shane Plays Geek Talk
2024
November
October
September
August
July
April
March
February


2023
December
November
October
July
May
March
February


2022
November
October
September
August
July
June
May
April
March
February


2021
November
October
September
July
June
May
March
February
January


2020
December
November
October
September
August
July
June
May
April
March
February
January


2019
December
November
October
September
August
July
June
May
April
March
February
January


2018
December
November
October
September
August
July
June
May
April
March
February
January


2017
December
November
October
September
August
July
June
May
April
March
February
January


2016
December
November
October
September
August
July
June
May
April
March
February
January


2015
December
November
October
September
August
July
June
May


All Episodes
Archives
Now displaying: 2022
Nov 30, 2022

RPG developer and publisher Allan T. Grohe Jr. (aka "grodog") joins to talk AD&D retroclone OSRIC, the OSR, Black Blade Publishing, John Eric Holmes, and RPG goodness in general. Allan LOVES him some Greyhawk. The skills he learned tracking down early information on Greyhawk helped lead to his main non-RPG career. How active is the current AD&D 1E and/or OSRIC scene? What is Allan’s definition of OSR, and does he feel it’s important? The legal importance of OSRIC to the OSR community. ‘zines are often lauded, but at one time Dragon magazine was a sort of “D&D website” in its day as well. Watching an RPG project happen behind the scenes. Shane offers a mild defense of rules lawyers. “Vanilla” fantasy is not a derogatory term. Cthulhu and Delta Green. Look, just hit Cthulhu with a boat. Shane has figured out Lovecraft’s indescribable color. Thunderdome match: Strongheart versus Warduke.

Shane Plays Geek Talk Episode #264 - 11/30/2022

Like what you hear?
Support Shane Plays Geek Talk on Patreon!
https://www.patreon.com/shaneplays

Listen to the Shane Plays Geek Talk podcast on YouTube, SoundCloud, iTunes, Google Play Music, Amazon Music, Podbean and Stitcher (and other fine, fine podcast directories).

Hey, you! Yeah, you! Buy cool stuff, support Shane Plays Geek Talk with these affiliate links!
Humble Bundle
https://www.humblebundle.com?partner=shaneplays
DriveThruRPG.com
https://www.drivethrurpg.com/browse.php?affiliate_id=488512

SHOW NOTES

OSRIC: First Edition Fantasy Roleplaying Game
https://osricrpg.com/ 

Black Blade Publishing
https://www.facebook.com/BlackBladePublishing/

THE 1001 TREASURES OF BLACK BLADE PUBLISHING AND GOODMAN GAMES: GARY CON 2018 REPORT, PART II
https://www.blackgate.com/2018/03/13/the-1001-treasures-of-black-blade-publishing-and-goodman-games-gary-con-2018-report-part-ii/ 

Allan at Greyhawk Online
https://greyhawkonline.com/greyhawkwiki/Allan_Grohe

D&D Retroclones List
http://taxidermicowlbear.weebly.com/dd-retroclones.html 

Single Volume Edition of OD&D by Greyharp
https://friendorfoe.com/d/ODD%20Single%20Volume.pdf 

Fight On! Magazine
https://fightonmagazine.com/

Knockspell Magazine
https://grodog.blogspot.com/2017/05/knockspell-magazine-master-index.html

---

Dungeons and Desktops: The History of Computer Role-Playing Games 2nd Edition
Shane's book! Co-authored with Matt Barton of Matt Chat
https://www.amazon.com/Dungeons-Desktops-History-Computer-Role-Playing/dp/1138574643/

Oct 18, 2022

Skeeter Green joins to talk RPGs, Skeeter Green Productions, the Independent Publishers Union of small RPG publishers, and his new Kickstarter. The Valley Out of Time is a series of 'zine-sized RPG adventures borrowing heavily from classic dinosaur art, books, and movies (think Frazetta and Harryhausen). Tips and advice for small RPG publishers from Skeeter’s seminar series with Zach Glazar. The chances of making a living working in the RPG industry full-time. Defining success. RPG authors versus developers versus editors versus designers. The correct way to pronounce “bulette” according to Tim Kask. The secret origin of the name Skeeter. Favorite sitcoms of the past. Rob Zombie’s movies. NASA probing asteroids.

Shane Plays Geek Talk Episode #263 - 10/19/2022

Like what you hear?
Support Shane Plays Geek Talk on Patreon!
https://www.patreon.com/shaneplays

Listen to the Shane Plays Geek Talk podcast on YouTube, SoundCloud, iTunes, Google Play Music, Amazon Music, Podbean and Stitcher (and other fine, fine podcast directories).

Hey, you! Yeah, you! Buy cool stuff, support Shane Plays Geek Talk with these affiliate links!
Humble Bundle
https://www.humblebundle.com?partner=shaneplays
DriveThruRPG.com
https://www.drivethrurpg.com/browse.php?affiliate_id=488512

SHOW NOTES

Kickstarter: The Valley Out of Time for S&W DCC MCC Part 5&6 FINAL! from Skeeter Green Productions
https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/science-wizard/the-valley-out-of-time-for-sandw-dcc-mcc-5e-part-5and6-final 

Skeeter Green Productions
https://www.skeetergreenproductions.com/ 

Skeeter Green Productions on DriveThruRPG
https://www.drivethrurpg.com/browse/pub/12902/Skeeter-Green-Productions 

Independent Publishers Union
https://www.hyperborea.tv/ipu.html 

A NASA Spacecraft Is About to Collide With an Asteroid. Watch Live Here | Science Alert
https://www.sciencealert.com/a-nasa-spacecraft-will-collide-with-an-asteroid-on-monday-watch-live-here 

---

Dungeons and Desktops: The History of Computer Role-Playing Games 2nd Edition
Shane's book! Co-authored with Matt Barton of Matt Chat
https://www.amazon.com/Dungeons-Desktops-History-Computer-Role-Playing/dp/1138574643/

 

Sep 25, 2022

Joseph Wolf of Reaper Miniatures talks Dungeon Dwellers, Reaper’s old-school style RPG using modern design. Also: some ReaperCon chat. Joseph has some interesting RPG design highlights, including Forgotten Realms, Deadlands, and Blood of Heroes. Love it or hate it, 5E is very successful at what it does. Which Dungeon Dwellers came first, the minis or the RPG? “Tolkien Orcs” versus “Warhammer Orcs.” Super quick hot takes on Rings of Power. Shane freely admits to and doesn’t apologize for being RPG system promiscuous. Innovation in RPG design is groovy, but you don’t have to innovate just to be cool. 

Shane Plays Geek Talk Episode #262 - 9/24/2022

Like what you hear?
Support Shane Plays Geek Talk on Patreon!
https://www.patreon.com/shaneplays

Listen to the Shane Plays Geek Talk podcast on YouTube, SoundCloud, iTunes, Google Play Music, Amazon Music, Podbean and Stitcher (and other fine, fine podcast directories).

Hey, you! Yeah, you! Buy cool stuff, support Shane Plays Geek Talk with these affiliate links!
Humble Bundle
https://www.humblebundle.com?partner=shaneplays
DriveThruRPG.com
https://www.drivethrurpg.com/browse.php?affiliate_id=488512

SHOW NOTES

Dungeon Dwellers RPG
https://www.reapermini.com/rpg

ReaperCon
https://reapercon.com/ 

Reaper Miniatures
https://www.reapermini.com/ 

Joseph C. Wolf | RPG Designer | RPGGeek
https://rpggeek.com/rpgdesigner/15228/joseph-c-wolf

---

Dungeons and Desktops: The History of Computer Role-Playing Games 2nd Edition
Shane's book! Co-authored with Matt Barton of Matt Chat
https://www.amazon.com/Dungeons-Desktops-History-Computer-Role-Playing/dp/1138574643/

 

Sep 9, 2022

Champions superhero RPG co-creator (and HERO Games co-founder) George MacDonald with guest co-host Michael Stewart (Victorious RPG creator; Save For Half and The Crusader podcasts co-host). The origins of Champions from the why, to the playtesting to the launch and beyond. Was the initial reception to Champions disappointing or encouraging? George came out of wargaming and his RPG mechanics reflects that. Did early players prefer to play licensed characters or their own superheroes? Crunchy versus streamlined game mechanics. Estimating the damage between wet and dry avalanches. Why did George decide to do superheroes for his first RPG game genre? The difference in adventure structure between RPG genres (fantasy, cyberpunk, superheroes). Some of the business thinking behind printing a game and creating a company (two different things!). Game distributors dangled the carrot a lot back in the day. The great Hero Games Box Shuffle of the Early Eighties. A speed round of Champions questions for George from Facebook. The pros and cons of wearing a cape. Foxbat’s secret identity REVEALED! What term in sci-fi RPGs has always bugged Shane? A little bit of chat about George’s time in computer games including Pool of Radiance.

Shane Plays Geek Talk Episode #261 - 9/9/2022

Like what you hear?
Support Shane Plays Geek Talk on Patreon!
https://www.patreon.com/shaneplays

Listen to the Shane Plays Geek Talk podcast on YouTube, SoundCloud, iTunes, Google Play Music, Amazon Music, Podbean and Stitcher (and other fine, fine podcast directories).

Hey, you! Yeah, you! Buy cool stuff, support Shane Plays Geek Talk with these affiliate links!
Humble Bundle
https://www.humblebundle.com?partner=shaneplays
DriveThruRPG.com
https://www.drivethrurpg.com/browse.php?affiliate_id=488512

SHOW NOTES

George MacDonald (game designer)
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/George_MacDonald_(game_designer) 

Save For Half Podcast Episode 17: Champions 1st Edition
https://saveforhalf.com/2019/04/23/episode-17-champions-1st-edition/ 

Matt Chat 490: George MacDonald
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SyaIyNDaOZw 

World of Supers RPGs Facebook Group
https://www.facebook.com/groups/1605211436420082 

I tried to recreate a comic book using DALL-E and Alan Moore’s script
https://rubikscode.net/2022/08/22/i-tried-to-recreate-a-comic-book-using-dall-e-and-alan-moores-script/ 

---

Dungeons and Desktops: The History of Computer Role-Playing Games 2nd Edition
Shane's book! Co-authored with Matt Barton of Matt Chat
https://www.amazon.com/Dungeons-Desktops-History-Computer-Role-Playing/dp/1138574643/

 

Aug 15, 2022

Dafydd Roche of Terrain-Tronics doesn’t just want to make cool terrain, he's helping DMs and GMs bring delight to their players with easy DIY gaming terrain electronics for D&D and other RPGs. Game terrain as part of the storytelling. Theatrical D&D. The no-solder wire wrapping technique is good enough for NASA! Pretty soldering jobs versus ugly soldering jobs. Smart ways to compete with big business as a small business. Shane does his usual thing of getting into the business reality behind the creativity. Terrain-Tronics products are open source. Do horses really go to the glue factory? What chain of events had to happen for many of the inventions and innovations in human history? A minor tangent into casinos, pit bosses, and getting comped.

Shane Plays Geek Talk Episode #260 - 8/15/2022

Like what you hear?
Support Shane Plays Geek Talk on Patreon!
https://www.patreon.com/shaneplays

Listen to the Shane Plays Geek Talk podcast on YouTube, SoundCloud, iTunes, Google Play Music, Amazon Music, Podbean and Stitcher (and other fine, fine podcast directories).

Hey, you! Yeah, you! Buy cool stuff, support Shane Plays Geek Talk with these affiliate links!
Humble Bundle
https://www.humblebundle.com?partner=shaneplays
DriveThruRPG.com
https://www.drivethrurpg.com/browse.php?affiliate_id=488512

SHOW NOTES

Terrain-Tronics website
https://terraintronics.com/ 

Terrain-Tronics on YouTube
https://www.youtube.com/c/TerrainTronics 

Terrain-Tronics on Facebook
https://www.facebook.com/terraintronics/ 

“Endor Tree Platform” Lighted Forest Camp Diorama Tutorial - bringing electronics to your build!
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OOlUe7gGVZM 

Recommended Starter Project - Conwy Castle - Simple 4ch LED Driver
https://www.tindie.com/products/terraintronics/conwy-castle-simple-4ch-led-driver/ 

Tabletop Witchcraft Youtube Channel
*Uses Terrain-Tronics electronics 
https://www.youtube.com/c/TabletopWitchCRAFT 

Nat1 Videos: How to build a BALINS TOMB - BOOK NOOK
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cremnK6is4g 

Adobe Medium - VR 3D Modeling Software
https://www.adobe.com/products/medium.html

---

Dungeons and Desktops: The History of Computer Role-Playing Games 2nd Edition
Shane's book! Co-authored with Matt Barton of Matt Chat
https://www.amazon.com/Dungeons-Desktops-History-Computer-Role-Playing/dp/1138574643/

 

Jul 17, 2022

Grindhouse cinema with RPG publisher and cinephile Levi Combs. What is Grindhouse, and why is it called that? The market forces that led to the rise of Grindhouse theaters. Gritty movies, violent movies, Foreign movies, exploitation movies, Kung fu movies, BRUCEsploitation movies, more! New York City as a character in movies. Sho'nuff, The Shogun of Harlem can chew scenery on a level with Darth Vader. What’s Levi’s favorite fight scene in any movie, period? Is the first Friday the 13th movie a Grindhouse movie? Plus: The RPG adventures and ‘zines of Planet X Games… hear the call of the Skeleton of the Black Lake and behold the Big Eye Chungus!

Shane Plays Geek Talk Episode #259 - 7/18/2022

Like what you hear?
Support Shane Plays Geek Talk on Patreon!
https://www.patreon.com/shaneplays

Listen to the Shane Plays Geek Talk podcast on YouTube, SoundCloud, iTunes, Google Play Music, Amazon Music, Podbean and Stitcher (and other fine, fine podcast directories).

Hey, you! Yeah, you! Buy cool stuff, support Shane Plays Geek Talk with these affiliate links!
Humble Bundle
https://www.humblebundle.com?partner=shaneplays
DriveThruRPG.com
https://www.drivethrurpg.com/browse.php?affiliate_id=488512

SHOW NOTES

Grindhouse definition from Merriam-Webster:
an often shabby movie theater having continuous showings especially of pornographic or violent films.

Grindhouse on Wikipedia:
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Grindhouse 
According to historian David Church, this theater type was named after the "grind policy", a film-programming strategy dating back to the early 1920s which continuously showed films at cut-rate ticket prices that typically rose over the course of each day.

Grindhouse on Wiktionary:
https://en.wiktionary.org/wiki/grindhouse 
Perhaps from the grinding or cranking motion employed by early projectionists.
Perhaps from bump and grind (dubious). The term may originally have been used for burlesque houses in the 1940s.

Planet X Games
& The Phylactery ‘zine
https://www.exaltedfuneral.com/collections/planet-x-games 

The 20 Best Grindhouse Movies Ranked | SlashFilm
https://www.slashfilm.com/762166/the-20-best-grindhouse-movies-ranked/ 

Grindhouse Data Base Top 20
https://www.grindhousedatabase.com/index.php/GCDb_Top_20 

Book recommendation
These Fists Break Bricks: How Kung Fu Movies Swept America and Changed the World
https://www.amazon.com/These-Fists-Break-Bricks-America/dp/173689160X 

Troll 2 on Tubi
https://tubitv.com/movies/302737/troll-2 

Best Worst Movie (Documentary about Troll 2) on Tubi
https://tubitv.com/movies/475569/best-worst-movie 

Shane's list of Grindhouse favorites:
Night of the Living Dead
Dawn of the Dead
Death Race 2000
Gator Bait
Honorable Mention:
Zombie (for the zombie vs shark fight!)

Levi’s Favorite Grindhouse Movies:
Evil Dead 2
Troll 2
Samurai Cop
Killer Klowns from Outer Space

---

Dungeons and Desktops: The History of Computer Role-Playing Games 2nd Edition
Shane's book! Co-authored with Matt Barton of Matt Chat
https://www.amazon.com/Dungeons-Desktops-History-Computer-Role-Playing/dp/1138574643/

 

Jun 17, 2022

Thrilling fantasy stories of the swashbuckling duo Mongoose and Meerkat with author Jim Breyfogle. Adventure fiction as opposed to “pulp” fiction (and what exactly does “pulp” mean, anyway). Who is Jim’s number one favorite writer from the past? Shane’s dirty little secret when it comes to Robert E. Howard’s fiction. Robert A. Heinlein was both amazing AND sketchy. Fair Witnesses are cool. The Odyssey Writing Workshop. Some love for CIRSOVA magazine and its publisher P. Alexander.

Shane Plays Geek Talk Episode #258 - 6/17/2022

Like what you hear?
Support Shane Plays Geek Talk on Patreon!
https://www.patreon.com/shaneplays

Listen to the Shane Plays Geek Talk podcast on YouTube, SoundCloud, iTunes, Google Play Music, Amazon Music, Podbean and Stitcher (and other fine, fine podcast directories).

Hey, you! Yeah, you! Buy cool stuff, support Shane Plays Geek Talk with these affiliate links!
Humble Bundle
https://www.humblebundle.com?partner=shaneplays
DriveThruRPG.com
https://www.drivethrurpg.com/browse.php?affiliate_id=488512

SHOW NOTES

Kickstarter for Tales of the Mongoose and Meerkat Vol 2: The Heat of the Chase
https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/cirsova/tales-of-the-mongoose-and-meerkat-the-heat-of-the-chase 

Tales of the Mongoose and Meerkat, Vol 1: Pursuit Without Asking
https://www.amazon.com/Tales-Mongoose-Meerkat-Vol-Pursuit/dp/194931328X 

Jim Breyfogle’s Website
https://jimbreyfogle.wordpress.com/ 

CIRSOVA Magazine
https://cirsova.wordpress.com/cirsova-magazine/ 

Odyssey Writing Workshops
https://www.odysseyworkshop.org/ 

Appendix N Book Club Podcast
https://appendixnbookclub.com/ 

---

Dungeons and Desktops: The History of Computer Role-Playing Games 2nd Edition
Shane's book! Co-authored with Matt Barton of Matt Chat
https://www.amazon.com/Dungeons-Desktops-History-Computer-Role-Playing/dp/1138574643/

 

May 27, 2022
JAQ: Journey Adventure Quest is the new drafting board game with resource management, cool mechanics, challenging monsters, fun lore, and multiple paths to victory. Jesse Stacy, Tommy Noel and Brandon Beam from Triceratops Games join Shane to talk all about it (and demonstrate some actual play)! Also: Why the name Triceratops, wait until you hear about the artist, shout-outs to favorite board games, reminiscing on the early days of Magic: The Gathering, and of course more.

Shane Plays Geek Talk Episode #257 - 5/27/2022

Like what you hear?
Support Shane Plays Geek Talk on Patreon!
https://www.patreon.com/shaneplays

Listen to the Shane Plays Geek Talk podcast on YouTube, SoundCloud, iTunes, Google Play Music, Amazon Music, Podbean and Stitcher (and other fine, fine podcast directories).

Hey, you! Yeah, you! Buy cool stuff, support Shane Plays Geek Talk with these affiliate links!
Humble Bundle
https://www.humblebundle.com?partner=shaneplays
DriveThruRPG.com
https://www.drivethrurpg.com/browse.php?affiliate_id=488512

SHOW NOTES

Journey Adventure Quest Kickstarter
https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/triceratopsgames/journey-adventure-quest

Triceratops Games
https://triceratopsgames.com/

JAQ at Board Game Geek
https://boardgamegeek.com/boardgame/357778/journey-adventure-quest 

Board game shout-outs:
Thanos Rising: Avengers Infinity War
Mystic Vale
Wingspan
Ankh
Fantastic Factories
Libertalia 
Lords of Waterdeep
Star Trek Expeditions
Ticket to Ride
Small World
Tokaido 
Lost Cities (2 player)
Jaipur (2 player) 

---

Dungeons and Desktops: The History of Computer Role-Playing Games 2nd Edition
Shane's book! Co-authored with Matt Barton of Matt Chat
https://www.amazon.com/Dungeons-Desktops-History-Computer-Role-Playing/dp/1138574643/

May 12, 2022

Comics artist (and self-described art hobo) Brian Shearer has worked on such high-profile properties as Transformers, G.I. Joe, and Doctor Who as well as his own creations Gunship Thunderpunch and William the Last. How did Brian become a professional artist? Tips for creators to build an audience online. What’s the line you have to cross on a late crowdfunding project fulfillment before Shane gets annoyed? Working on G.I. Joe pages while with your wife in the delivery room. SDCC and many other big cons aren’t for comics creators and fans anymore. Transformers toy history, and Bob Budiansky and Jim Shooter’s vital contributions to Transformers lore. Some Classic Who and New Who discussion. Favorite entertainment properties from the 80s. Shane was NOT down with the Ghostbusters cartoon that had an ape. 80s anime and those sweet, sweet Star Blazers twisty laser cannons. Catching episodes of Dragon Ball and Ranma 1/2 in Japanese and trying to make sense of it. What’s that certain unique something that Cowboy Bebop has? Favorite breakfast cereals, cereal toys of yore, and Saturday morning cartoons.

Shane Plays Geek Talk Episode #256 - 5/12/2022

Like what you hear?
Support Shane Plays Geek Talk on Patreon!
https://www.patreon.com/shaneplays

Shane Plays Geek Talk is carried on Krypton Radio!
Krypton Radio is SciFi for your Wifi
http://kryptonradio.com/

Listen to the Shane Plays Geek Talk podcast on YouTube, SoundCloud, iTunes, Google Play Music, Amazon Music, Podbean and Stitcher (and other fine, fine podcast directories).

Hey, you! Yeah, you! Buy cool stuff, support Shane Plays Geek Talk with these affiliate links!
Humble Bundle
https://www.humblebundle.com?partner=shaneplays
DriveThruRPG.com
https://www.drivethrurpg.com/browse.php?affiliate_id=488512

SHOW NOTES

Brian Shearer’s website
https://brian-shearer.com/

Gunship Thunderpunch Indiegogo On Demand Link
https://www.indiegogo.com/projects/gunship-thunderpunch-book-2-synthwave-album/x/19012395#/ 

Brian’s YouTube Channel
https://www.youtube.com/c/BrianShearer 

William the Last 
https://williamthelast.com  

Bob Budiansky at the Transformers Wiki
https://tfwiki.net/wiki/Bob_Budiansky 

50 Greatest Cereal Box Prizes
https://www.mrbreakfast.com/list.asp?id=6

---

Dungeons and Desktops: The History of Computer Role-Playing Games 2nd Edition
Shane's book! Co-authored with Matt Barton of Matt Chat
https://www.amazon.com/Dungeons-Desktops-History-Computer-Role-Playing/dp/1138574643/

Apr 15, 2022

RPG designer Bruce Nesmith discusses his career as a TSR veteran (Ravenloft 2E, Gamma World 4E, Dragonlance), Elder Scrolls Skyrim lead designer, and now novelist. Bruce’s first day at TSR was an experience, to say the least. What does he consider his biggest achievement while at TSR? Bruce’s opinion of TSR under Gary Gygax versus Lorraine Williams and what he considers TSR’s “glory days”. What was his job description as lead designer on The Elder Scrolls: Skyrim? Why did Oblivion have a big celebrity but Skyrim didn’t? Bruce was years ahead of the game when it came to his revamp of the Armor Class system for Gamma World 4E. What do you do when you want to play D&D but you don’t have the rules? You invent it, including simulating the d20 with d6s. Writing for games versus writing prose. Bruce’s Loki in his novel Mischief Maker is not the MCU Loki. Shane laments the lack of a werecow in TSR publications.

Shane Plays Geek Talk Episode #255 - 4/15/2022

Like what you hear?
Support Shane Plays Geek Talk on Patreon!
https://www.patreon.com/shaneplays

Shane Plays Geek Talk is carried on Krypton Radio!
Krypton Radio is SciFi for your Wifi
http://kryptonradio.com/

Listen to the Shane Plays Geek Talk podcast on YouTube, SoundCloud, iTunes, Google Play Music, Amazon Music, Podbean and Stitcher (and other fine, fine podcast directories).

Hey, you! Yeah, you! Buy cool stuff, support Shane Plays Geek Talk with these affiliate links!
Humble Bundle
https://www.humblebundle.com?partner=shaneplays
DriveThruRPG.com
https://www.drivethrurpg.com/browse.php?affiliate_id=488512

SHOW NOTES

Bruce Nesmith on Wikipedia
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bruce_Nesmith 

Bruce's novel "Mischief Maker"  
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B092CJPX2Q/ 

Me And Steve Talk RPGs Episode 75: Bruce Nesmith
https://meandsteverpg.podbean.com/e/75-bruce-nesmith/ 

I’m A Werecow 
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mqmtQR6MA-0

---

Dungeons and Desktops: The History of Computer Role-Playing Games 2nd Edition
Shane's book! Co-authored with Matt Barton of Matt Chat
https://www.amazon.com/Dungeons-Desktops-History-Computer-Role-Playing/dp/1138574643/

Mar 25, 2022

RPG designers John Kennedy (Star Trek Adventures, Stargate 5E) and Sharene "Madfishmonger" Gilchrist (Capers, Vast Kaviya) join to talk their new Staged Heroism RPG: A Comedic RPG of Super-Heroics, Super-Villainy, and Failure at its Best inspired by shows like The Venture Bros. Plus: Designing not to fail forward, but to embrace the fail. The Roger Rabbit style of gameplay. Flashback scenes as a game mechanic. Venomous monarch butterflies. Where did Sharene get her nickname? Cops raiding a Vampire LARP session. The design philosophy behind Star Trek Adventures. John gets a no-prize. Everyone is entirely too amused by the Burger King Kids Club.

Shane Plays Geek Talk Episode #254 - 3/25/2022

Like what you hear?
Support Shane Plays Geek Talk on Patreon!
https://www.patreon.com/shaneplays

Shane Plays Geek Talk is carried on Krypton Radio!
Krypton Radio is SciFi for your Wifi
http://kryptonradio.com/

Listen to the Shane Plays Geek Talk podcast on YouTube, SoundCloud, iTunes, Google Play Music, Amazon Music, Podbean and Stitcher (and other fine, fine podcast directories).

Hey, you! Yeah, you! Buy cool stuff, support Shane Plays Geek Talk with these affiliate links!
Humble Bundle
https://www.humblebundle.com?partner=shaneplays
DriveThruRPG.com
https://www.drivethrurpg.com/browse.php?affiliate_id=488512

SHOW NOTES

Staged Heroism on Kickstarter
https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/1582756696/staged-heroism/ 

Nerdburger Games
https://www.nerdburgergames.com/

The Venture Bros.
https://venturebrothers.fandom.com/wiki/The_Venture_Bros.

Changeling: The Dreaming
https://whitewolf.fandom.com/wiki/Changeling:_The_Dreaming 

NFL SuperPro
https://marvel.fandom.com/wiki/NFL_Superpro_Vol_1_1 

Burger King Kids Club
https://kidsmeal.fandom.com/wiki/Burger_King_Kids_Club 

---

Dungeons and Desktops: The History of Computer Role-Playing Games 2nd Edition
Shane's book! Co-authored with Matt Barton of Matt Chat
https://www.amazon.com/Dungeons-Desktops-History-Computer-Role-Playing/dp/1138574643/

Mar 11, 2022
Comics writer Paul Kupperberg is the very definition of prolific! He has written 1,400 comics over 4 decades, wrote for and was the editor of the Weekly World News, wrote Mad Libs, and is still staying busy writing books and novels. Paul’s credits include the Doom Patrol, Peacemaker, Vigilante, and the first comic book miniseries (1979’s World of Krypton), as well as being the writer who killed Archie (after simultaneously marrying him off to both Betty AND Veronica).
Also: In the real world, superheroes would be NUTS. The willing suspension of disbelief versus the art style. What Archie means to Paul. Target audiences for comic books over different eras. Does Paul prefer the JSA or JLA? Armchair quarterbacking by comics fans.The challenges of continuity in serialized fiction over time (with some insight behind Wonder Woman, Wonder Girl and Wonder Tot). Which classic silver age DC comics issues didn’t have a number on the cover, and why? One positive early benefit of the direct market in the comics industry. What was the first comics miniseries (and why was it a last-minute thing)? What did James Gunn think of Paul’s version of Peacemaker? Which comics character has Paul had the strongest fan feedback to? What does he consider his strongest sustained comics work? What’s the one comics character he would love to return to? More!

Shane Plays Geek Talk Episode #253 - 3/11/2022

Like what you hear?
Support Shane Plays Geek Talk on Patreon!
https://www.patreon.com/shaneplays

Shane Plays Geek Talk is carried on Krypton Radio!
Krypton Radio is SciFi for your Wifi
http://kryptonradio.com/

Listen to the Shane Plays Geek Talk podcast on YouTube, SoundCloud, iTunes, Google Play Music, Amazon Music, Podbean and Stitcher (and other fine, fine podcast directories).

Hey, you! Yeah, you! Buy cool stuff, support Shane Plays Geek Talk with these affiliate links!
Humble Bundle
https://www.humblebundle.com?partner=shaneplays
DriveThruRPG.com
https://www.drivethrurpg.com/browse.php?affiliate_id=488512

SHOW NOTES

Paul Kupperberg on Wikipedia
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Paul_Kupperberg 

Paul Kupperberg: My 13 Favorite Comic Book Stories I’ve Written | 13th Dimension, Comics, Creators, Culture
https://13thdimension.com/paul-kupperberg-my-13-favorite-comic-book-stories-ive-written/ 

Paul’s books on Amazon
https://www.amazon.com/Paul-Kupperberg/e/B004FRSDCG 

Paul Kupperberg’s Website
https://www.paulkupperberg.com/ 

---

Dungeons and Desktops: The History of Computer Role-Playing Games 2nd Edition
Shane's book! Co-authored with Matt Barton of Matt Chat
https://www.amazon.com/Dungeons-Desktops-History-Computer-Role-Playing/dp/1138574643/

Feb 4, 2022

Stephen Chenault aka the Troll Lord of Castle & Crusades publisher Troll Lord Game joins to talk about what’s new with C&C and some wise principles he uses to run TLG that have helped them tremendously while other companies have encountered severe disruption during COVID. Plus: Steve has to do daily battle with Skynet for sales. The perfect timing of the emergence of crowdfunding for TTRPG companies. Steve’s honesty when asked if he’s ever considered giving up. Dissecting the current massive popularity of RPGs. What is Steve’s favorite monster, and why is it the Gibbering Mouther? How did Troll Lord Games get its name? Some comic book industry discussion. Tribute to David Middleton aka The Digital Dungeon Master. 

Shane Plays Geek Talk Episode #252 - 2/4/2022

Like what you hear?
Support Shane Plays Geek Talk on Patreon!
https://www.patreon.com/shaneplays

Shane Plays Geek Talk is carried on Krypton Radio!
Krypton Radio is SciFi for your Wifi
http://kryptonradio.com/

Listen to the Shane Plays Geek Talk podcast on YouTube, SoundCloud, iTunes, Google Play Music, Amazon Music, Podbean and Stitcher (and other fine, fine podcast directories).

Hey, you! Yeah, you! Buy cool stuff, support Shane Plays Geek Talk with these affiliate links!
Humble Bundle
https://www.humblebundle.com?partner=shaneplays
DriveThruRPG.com
https://www.drivethrurpg.com/browse.php?affiliate_id=488512

SHOW NOTES

Troll Lord Games: The Current State of Affairs
https://trolldens.blogspot.com/2021/11/troll-lord-games-current-state-of.html 

Castles & Crusades Players Handbook 7th Printing - Free (Digital Version)
https://www.trolllord.com/tlgstore/#!/Players-Handbook-7th-Pr-FREE-Digital/p/89198209/category=24093125 

Troll Lord Games Continues to Leave a Mark | The Parallax Blog
https://theparallaxview.blog/2022/01/31/troll-lord-games-continues-to-leave-a-mark-ttrpg/ 

DAVID MIDDLETON, The DIGITAL Dungeon Master 1973 - 2021 - "THANK YOU, DAVE!"
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AZqmxrfcUmc

---

Dungeons and Desktops: The History of Computer Role-Playing Games 2nd Edition
Shane's book! Co-authored with Matt Barton of Matt Chat
https://www.amazon.com/Dungeons-Desktops-History-Computer-Role-Playing/dp/1138574643/

1