The Ultimate RPG Podcast

EPISODE SUMMARY James is joined by Meghan Cross in a discussion about designing games with digital play in mind, the hook and loop mechanic in Meghan's game HUNT(er/ed) and how the game benefited from having two designers. They also talk about inspiration behind Meghan's new game, Homecoming. In the worldbuilding half of the episode, they create a seaside town with unpredictable and drastic tides that may have sometimes been caused by the creature living nearby in the water. SHOW NOTES Meghan Cross is a TTRPG designer and content creator specializing in GMless and solo TTRPGs under the name Siren’s Song Games. ----------------------------------------- ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Check Out the Ultimate RPG Line of Books and Products!⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ----------------------------------------- The Ultimate RPG Podcast is a production of the One Shot Podcast Network, with permission from Adams Media. The podcast is hosted by James D'Amato and is edited by Shaghik Manè. Music for the podcast is Venturing, by Reveille, courtesy of ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Soundstripe⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

EPISODE SUMMARY The second part of the interview with Tyler Crumrine. In this episode, James talked to Tyler about how things are done at Possible Worlds Games compared to the publishing industry at large. In the worldbuilding half of the episode, they used Cosmic Century Knights to create an artist commune with an infrastructure based on engineered ant colonies, a special gooey natural resource, and colorful concrete buildings. SHOW NOTES ⁠Tyler Crumrine⁠ is a Pittsburgh-based award winning TTRPG designer, and the founder of Possible Worlds Games. He is the author of games such as Beak, Feather, & Bone and Grandpa's Farm. ----------------------------------------- ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Check Out the Ultimate RPG Line of Books and Products!⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ----------------------------------------- The Ultimate RPG Podcast is a production of the One Shot Podcast Network, with permission from Adams Media. The podcast is hosted by James D'Amato and is edited by Shaghik Manè. Music for the podcast is Venturing, by Reveille, courtesy of ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Soundstripe⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

EPISODE SUMMARY James is joined by Tyler Crumrine in a discussion about his career before Possible Worlds Games, the pivot to designing TTRPGs as a career post COVID, and the future of Possible Worlds Games as a publisher of both known and emerging designers. They also discussed how Tyler goes about teaching his TTRPG game design course, and much more! The second half of the interview will be up on September 30th. SHOW NOTES Tyler Crumrine is a Pittsburgh-based award winning TTRPG designer, and the founder of Possible Worlds Games. He is the author of games such as Beak, Feather, & Bone and Grandpa's Farm. ----------------------------------------- ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Check Out the Ultimate RPG Line of Books and Products!⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ----------------------------------------- The Ultimate RPG Podcast is a production of the One Shot Podcast Network, with permission from Adams Media. The podcast is hosted by James D'Amato and is edited by Shaghik Manè. Music for the podcast is Venturing, by Reveille, courtesy of ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Soundstripe⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

EPISODE SUMMARY James is joined by Taylor Moore in a discussion about the formation of the Kickstarter workers union and how one organize a union, the appeal of audio as an art form, the relationship between the actual play performer and editor, as well as a peak into the behind the scenes of Worlds Beyond Number. In the worldbuilding half of the episode, they create a saint in a pheromone based hive mind society. SHOW NOTES ⁠Taylor Moore is the founder and creative director of Fortunate Horse. He is also the producer and primary sound designer and composer for Worlds Beyond Number. ----------------------------------------- ⁠⁠⁠⁠Check Out the Ultimate RPG Line of Books and Products!⁠⁠⁠⁠ ----------------------------------------- The Ultimate RPG Podcast is a production of the One Shot Podcast Network, with permission from Adams Media. The podcast is hosted by James D'Amato and is edited by Shaghik Mané. Music for the podcast is Venturing, by Reveille, courtesy of ⁠⁠⁠⁠Soundstripe⁠⁠⁠⁠. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

EPISODE SUMMARY James is joined by Sharang Biswas in a discussion about what defines a game designer, teaching game design, as well as the role and influence of sexuality in his games. In the worldbuilding half of the episode, James and Sharang created a healing institution founded by ghosts, a faction of militant vegan dragon riders, and their worst enemies — the cheese makers. SHOW NOTES Sharang Biswas is a designer and writer of tabletop role-playing games and interactive media, a writer of speculative fiction, an adjunct professor of game studies at NYU Game Center, and a freelance games journalist. Biswas has won multiple awards for his game writing work as both a solo designer and a collaborator. ----------------------------------------- ⁠⁠⁠Check Out the Ultimate RPG Line of Books and Products!⁠⁠⁠ ----------------------------------------- The Ultimate RPG Podcast is a production of the One Shot Podcast Network, with permission from Adams Media. The podcast is hosted by James D'Amato and is edited by Shaghik Mané. Music for the podcast is Venturing, by Reveille, courtesy of ⁠⁠⁠Soundstripe⁠⁠⁠. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

EPISODE SUMMARY James is joined by Gannon Reedy in a discussion about time constraints in actual play, especially when it comes to combat. They also talk about visualizing actual play as the GM, how Gutter became a horror podcast and Gannon's approach to making horror actually scary. In the worldbuilding half of the episode, they create an inscrutable god whose whims are impossible to predict, let alone please. SHOW NOTES Gannon Reedy is a visual artist and one fourth of Gutter, a horror comedy podcast. He was also the GM of Neoscum. ----------------------------------------- ⁠⁠Check Out the Ultimate RPG Line of Books and Products!⁠⁠ ----------------------------------------- The Ultimate RPG Podcast is a production of the One Shot Podcast Network, with permission from Adams Media. The podcast is hosted by James D'Amato and is edited by Shaghik Mané. Music for the podcast is Venturing, by Reveille, courtesy of ⁠⁠Soundstripe⁠⁠. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

EPISODE SUMMARY James is joined by Aram Vartian in a discussion about setting professional standards for yourself, the future of TTRPG publishing, the power of collaboration and how it has influenced his work. They also talked about Aram's upcoming projects including Dragon Age: In Darkness Eternal. In the worldbuilding half of the episode, James and Aram create an outer space human civilization with moral AI gods, the discovery of magic, and how it changed everything. SHOW NOTES Aram Vartian is a photographer, designer, writer, and long time podcast producer. Aram co-founded Dead Ghost Productions co-produces Kill Every Monster. Watch the trailer for his upcoming show Dragon Age In Darkness Eternal here. ----------------------------------------- ⁠Check Out the Ultimate RPG Line of Books and Products!⁠ ----------------------------------------- The Ultimate RPG Podcast is a production of the One Shot Podcast Network, with permission from Adams Media. The podcast is hosted by James D'Amato and is edited by Shaghik Mané. Music for the podcast is Venturing, by Reveille, courtesy of ⁠Soundstripe⁠. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

EPISODE SUMMARY James is joined by Dr. Emily Friedman in a discussion about the unique challenges of studying actual play, "the ambitious middle," the overreliance on digitization as preservation, as well as the responsibility of reviewing actual play and its obstacles. In the worldbuilding half of the episode, James and Dr. Friedman create a punk world that answers the question "What if Rococo got covered in ash?" SHOW NOTES Dr. Emily Friedman is a scholar, critic, and a tenured associate professor of English. She is also a leader in the study of TTRPG Actual Play and is currently writing her next book "How Stories are Played: How Actual Play Performances Reimagine Creative Ownership, Authenticity, and Genre." ----------------------------------------- Check Out the Ultimate RPG Line of Books and Products! ----------------------------------------- The Ultimate RPG Podcast is a production of the One Shot Podcast Network, with permission from Adams Media. The podcast is hosted by James D'Amato and is edited by Shaghik. Music for the podcast is Venturing, by Reveille, courtesy of Soundstripe. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

EPISODE SUMMARY James is joined by Sam Leigh in a discussion about their inspirations, what tarot can bring to TTRPGs, how they approach reviewing games, the future of their videos, and more. In the worldbuilding half of the episode, James and Sam create a horror corporation that hides its true actions behind friendly little mascots. SHOW NOTES Sam Leigh is an award-winning tabletop game designer and the owner of Blinking Birch Games. Other than designing their own games, Sam also writes and edits for other TTRPGs, records voice-overs, and creates videos on indie TTRPGs. ----------------------------------------- Check Out the Ultimate RPG Line of Books and Products! ----------------------------------------- The Ultimate RPG Podcast is a production of the One Shot Podcast Network, with permission from Adams Media. The podcast is hosted by James D'Amato and is edited by Shaghik. Music for the podcast is Venturing, by Reveille, courtesy of Soundstripe. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

EPISODE SUMMARY James is joined by Kienna Shaw in a discussion about the draw of solo and duet TTRPGs for them and whether the inability to be present for solo games changes how they design their games. Kienna also discusses their strengths and weaknesses as a designer and the biggest difference working on videogames vs TTRPGs has been, in their experience. In the worldbuilding half of the episode, James and Kienna create an abandoned prison turned abandoned circus turned horror game setting. SHOW NOTES Kienna Shaw is a game writer and narrative designer for TTRPGs and video games. They are also one of the co-curators of the award winning TTRPG Safety Toolkit. You can also find Blood on my Name, the game Kienna is currently crowdfunding, here. ----------------------------------------- Check Out the Ultimate RPG Line of Books and Products! ----------------------------------------- The Ultimate RPG Podcast is a production of the One Shot Podcast Network, with permission from Adams Media. The podcast is hosted by James D'Amato and is edited by Shaghik. Music for the podcast is Venturing, by Reveille, courtesy of Soundstripe. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

EPISODE SUMMARY James is joined by Jeff Stormer in a discussion about Jeff's evolving sense of what "Party of One" is, the evolving perceptions of what actual play should be, and the possible negative side effects of that. They also talk about what WebFests mean to Jeff as an artist. In the second half of the episode they create a superhero with reality warping powers and a moral code made of steel. SHOW NOTES Jeff Stormer is an award-winning podcaster, author, marketing content writer, and game designer. You can buy his book, The Ultimate Fantasy Character Creator, here. ----------------------------------------- Check Out the Ultimate RPG Line of Books and Products! ----------------------------------------- The Ultimate RPG Podcast is a production of the One Shot Podcast Network, with permission from Adams Media. The podcast is hosted by James D'Amato and is edited by Shaghik. Music for the podcast is Venturing, by Reveille, courtesy of Soundstripe. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

EPISODE SUMMARY James is joined by Viditya Voleti in a discussion about the benefits of leaving games unfinished and the decision making process behind prioritizing projects, choosing which games to publish, and how to price them. They also discuss the differences in designing a game when you're envisioning it as a physical vs digital product. In the second half of the episode, James and Viditya create a sunken cyberpunk city in a post-climate-crisis dystopian world. SHOW NOTES Viditya Voleti is an award winning game designer, interactive artist, and educator. You can presave his upcoming worldbuilding game "A Land Once Magic" here. ----------------------------------------- Check Out the Ultimate RPG Line of Books and Products! ----------------------------------------- The Ultimate RPG Podcast is a production of the One Shot Podcast Network, with permission from Adams Media. The podcast is hosted by James D'Amato and is edited by Shaghik. Music for the podcast is Venturing, by Reveille, courtesy of Soundstripe. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

EPISODE SUMMARY James is joined by Sean Foer in a discussion around the magic of introducing children and other beginners to the boundless creativity of TTRPGs, common mistakes game designers make, and his upcoming adventure module for Perils and Princesses called "Secret of the Night Market." In the second half of the episode, James and Sean create a sci-fi murder mystery! SHOW NOTES Sean Foer is a professional Game Master, consultant, and Tiktok creator, as well as a game designer and editor. You can book a game with him here. ----------------------------------------- Check Out the Ultimate RPG Line of Books and Products! ----------------------------------------- The Ultimate RPG Podcast is a production of the One Shot Podcast Network, with permission from Adams Media. The podcast is hosted by James D'Amato and is edited by Shaghik. Music for the podcast is Venturing, by Reveille, courtesy of Soundstripe. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

EPISODE SUMMARY James is joined by Ryan Mossberger in a discussion about how Ryan got into D&D, old school RPG forum discussions, what makes a game designer, as well as the experience of discovering TTRPGs outside of D&D. In the second half of the episode, James and Ryan created a Grimdark legion of godlings with microniche domains and very complicated relationships. SHOW NOTES Ryan Mossberger is a TTRPG creator making memes and TikToks as well as adventures and other small form TTRPG content. You can donate to his charity drive here. ----------------------------------------- Check Out the Ultimate RPG Line of Books and Products! ----------------------------------------- The Ultimate RPG Podcast is a production of the One Shot Podcast Network, with permission from Adams Media. The podcast is hosted by James D'Amato and is edited by Shaghik. Music for the podcast is Venturing, by Reveille, courtesy of Soundstripe. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

EPISODE SUMMARY James is joined by Ned Donovan in a discussion around their differing creative philosophies around actual play, Ned's three pillar theory, as well as the idea of divorcing parasociality from actual play. He also shares insights about the creation of Encounter Party. In the worldbuilding portion of the episode, they create a world where everybody is always watching and it would be a fatal mistake to take the wrong turn than the one your GPS is telling you. SHOW NOTES Ned Donovan is an Actor and Singer with a BFA in Musical Theatre from Ithaca College. He's also an award-winning multi-hyphenate artist based out of New York City working in Theatre, Podcasting, Television, and Film. He has founded the production companies Charging Moose Media and Play+1, the latter of which is the executive producer of Encounter Party, the official Dungeons & Dragons television show in partnership with Hasbro Studios and Wizards of the Coast. ----------------------------------------- Check Out the Ultimate RPG Line of Books and Products! ----------------------------------------- The Ultimate RPG Podcast is a production of the One Shot Podcast Network, with permission from Adams Media. The podcast is hosted by James D'Amato and is edited by Shaghik. Music for the podcast is Venturing, by Reveille, courtesy of Soundstripe. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

EPISODE SUMMARY Join James as he and Knife Lore talk about bringing characters to life with impersonations, trying to have a creative outlet in a bite size format, and the importance of using your platform and resources for good causes. For the worldbuilding portion of the episode, they created a "magical unpaid intern in the worst bureaucracy imaginable." SHOW NOTES Knife Lore is a TikTok creator, impersonator, full time law student, and actual play performer. You can check out their actual play show Westerly Academy on YouTube. ----------------------------------------- Check Out the Ultimate RPG Line of Books and Products! ----------------------------------------- The Ultimate RPG Podcast is a production of the One Shot Podcast Network, with permission from Adams Media. The podcast is hosted by James D'Amato and is edited by Shaghik. Music for the podcast is Venturing, by Reveille, courtesy of Soundstripe. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

EPISODE SUMMARY Join James as he and Jeeyon discuss intention behind her prose approach of writing games, the experience of working with a game editor, and growing a community on Patreon! Then hang as they create a world based on natural magic. SHOW NOTES Jeeyon Shim is a second generation Korean American indie role-playing game and live action role-playing game designer and writer. A former outdoor educator, her body of work is strongly influenced by themes of connection to the natural world. Playing Shim's narrative games often involves creating a keepsake artifact. ----------------------------------------- Check Out the Ultimate RPG Line of Books and Products! ----------------------------------------- The Ultimate RPG Podcast is a production of the One Shot Podcast Network, with permission from Adams Media. The podcast is hosted by James D'Amato and is edited by Shaghik. Music for the podcast is Venturing, by Reveille, courtesy of Soundstripe. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

EPISODE SUMMARY Join James as he and Kendo discuss Voices in the Woods and how the real world and real world politics have influenced it. Then hang with them as they create a sci-fi horror world about a species of gaseous beings and the monsters that hunt them. SHOW NOTES Over the past several years Kendo has been combining their passion for TTRPGs and Digital Storytelling to create a wide variety of tabletop content. From Actual Plays to educational and promotional content they live, breath, and embody a love for Tabletop RPGs. You may have seen Kendo around the TTRPG space as the GM and producer of the award-winning Actual Play series, Tales Yet Told! ----------------------------------------- Check Out the Ultimate RPG Line of Books and Products! ----------------------------------------- The Ultimate RPG Podcast is a production of the One Shot Podcast Network, with permission from Adams Media. The podcast is hosted by James D'Amato and is edited by Shaghik. Music for the podcast is Venturing, by Reveille, courtesy of Soundstripe. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

EPISODE SUMMARY Join James as he discusses different approaches to character with Amelia Som! SHOW NOTES You can find Amelia Som on the podcast Unprepared Casters or raising money for Doctors Without Borders in Roll For Initiagive’s new series “The Apron Strings.” Thoughts and opinions expressed are direct revelations from god and do not reflect her personal beliefs. Visit links.ameliasom.com for info. ----------------------------------------- Check Out the Ultimate RPG Line of Books and Products! ----------------------------------------- The Ultimate RPG Podcast is a production of the One Shot Podcast Network, with permission from Adams Media. The podcast is hosted by James D'Amato and is edited by Shaghik. Music for the podcast is Venturing, by Reveille, courtesy of Soundstripe. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

EPISODE SUMMARY Join James as he discusses building with intention with Connie and Sea! SHOW NOTES Connie Chang (they/her/her) is a trans, Chinese-American actual play Game Master with a passion for threading queer drama with black-hearted apocalyptica. Connie has appeared in the New York Times, on NPR (twice!), and on Dimension 20's Adventuring Academy with Brennan Lee Mulligan. Connie loves menacing TikTok. Sea Thomas (they/them) is an agender dancer, digital artist, and professional tabletop performer, lore-keeper, and theatre-maker who has been featured on Roll20, GenConTV, Dragon Talk, Gehenna Gaming, NXNQ, and beyond. Sea is a performance artist who brings fully embodied dramatization to every aspect of their work. ----------------------------------------- Check Out the Ultimate RPG Line of Books and Products! ----------------------------------------- The Ultimate RPG Podcast is a production of the One Shot Podcast Network, with permission from Adams Media. The podcast is hosted by James D'Amato and is edited by Shaghik. Music for the podcast is Venturing, by Reveille, courtesy of Soundstripe. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices