There come times for every GM where their player,s for one reason or another, aren’t interacting with the world with a roleplay-first mindset. In this week’s episode, the Free Action Crew discuss ways to coax players who may be reticent to roleplay out of their shells, or how to rejuvenate a table that’s running out […]
On this episode of The Free Action Podcast we go over how to design a campaign or adventure with the characters first. It can help create character driven, deep stories which will be compelling for more than their interesting set pieces. Picture of dogs http://bit.ly/2BzOJxl http://bit.ly/2DKgjh0 http://bit.ly/2njbb8E http://bit.ly/2DIM75T As a quick disclaimer, we say some […]
In which the Free Action Crew discuss the ups and down and in and outs of how to generate stuff both in the moment and while writing. Get ready cause this episode gets real. *turns around chair and hat and tries to make eye contact even though you obviously don’t want to be here* If you have […]
Come, sit by the fire and let the Free Action crew regale you of tales of mysteries and brain teasers, as this week we’re discussing the intricacies of non-combat encounters and mysteries. Find out what we feel are best practices for ensuring your game moves smoothly and doesn’t get bogged down in metagaming and macro […]
Join the Free Action crew this week as we discuss game flow and pacing! Learn the ideal ways to structure your game on the micro and macro level in order to ensure MAXIMAL ENJOYMENT. Will Joey explain his Ghost House goof? Will Connor stop saying “excellent”? Will Patrick make another axis? All this and more […]
This episode of the Free Action Podcast is all about NPCs – how to go about designing them, playing them out, and considering various schools of thought to employ when making decisions about them! Have questions or adventure scenarios you would like us to discuss on the podcast? Submit them on our twitter @freeactioncast, on our […]
On this week’s episode of the Free Action podcast, join us on a whistle-stop tour of ways to incorporate improvisation into your game and how to make sure they’re effective. Also join us for discussions of: Trombones, splurging, and JoJo’s references. Have questions or adventure scenarios you would like us to discuss on the podcast? […]
On this week’s THRILLING installment of the Free Action Podcast, we discuss how to discuss, and inform how to inform. Join us as we consider how to deliver information to players in a way that is compelling and engaging. Have questions or adventure scenarios you would like us to discuss on the podcast? Submit them […]
In this episode we discuss what kind of media inspires us and where you might get your inspiration. We also discuss in depth a question Joey had for us about how best to introduce NPCs. This is quite a marathon, often of tangents, so buckle in for some goofs and some discussion of South Park. […]
You can have all the planning in the world, but that won’t amount to SQUAT if you’re not prepared for change. Listen to our spicy hot tips on how to expect the unexpected. In other news, we discuss a model which describes differences between GMing styles – it can be interesting to consider where on […]
Step into the ring with our good boys for another week of analyzing and offering advice on an aspect of tabletop RPGs. This week, they discuss ways to make combat, an idea central to most tabletop RPGs, fun and engaging. Also discussed: sneezing, Chris Perkins,... Read More
In our shortest episode title yet we discuss how to create tone and why it’s so important to keep an eye on it. We also get into some light edition wars in which we learn how people can get so worked up about which kind... Read More
https://freeactionpodcast.files.wordpress.com/2017/06/fap21.mp3 This week on the Free Action Podcast features the ever-important topic of how to make players’ characters fit into the overall story – designing a campaign around the characters can be the difference between a good campaign and a great one. We also learn about Patrick’s favorite word, which is pretty thought-provoking. Have questions or adventure scenarios you would like us to discuss on the podcast? Submit them on our twitter @freeactioncast, on our questions thread here, or email at askfreeaction@gmail.com
https://freeactionpodcast.files.wordpress.com/2017/06/episode-20-framing-devices.mp3 This week on the Free Action Podcast, we discuss how to use various styles of framing to punch up your descriptions, from using visual shorthand to emulating other mediums. For those of you that believe games are Art, this one’s for you! Have questions or adventure scenarios you would like us to discuss on the podcast? Submit them on our twitter @freeactioncast, on our questions thread here, or email at askfreeaction@gmail.com
https://freeactionpodcast.files.wordpress.com/2017/05/final-episode-19.mp3 This week on The Free Action Podcast, we discuss the monomyth, the hero’s journey, and the story circle and how they relate to RPGs. It’s a specific perspective on how to write a campaign or diagnose an ailing one using a well used set of tools for understanding how to approach creating fiction. Have questions or adventure scenarios you would like us to discuss on the podcast? Submit them on our twitter @freeactioncast, on our questions thread here, or email at askfreeaction@gmail.com
https://freeactionpodcast.files.wordpress.com/2017/05/fap19c.mp3 RPG systems are great! But oftentimes we encounter a mechanic that doesn’t mesh well with the party, or we want to incorporate a system from another game. In this week’s episode, we discuss how to approach inserting these system hacks in a way that implements well well existing systems. We also meander our way through different, unrelated topics too, of course. It just wouldn’t feel right otherwise. Have questions or adventure scenarios you would like us to discuss on the podcast? Submit them on our twitter @freeactioncast, on our questions thread here, or email at askfreeaction@gmail.com
https://freeactionpodcast.files.wordpress.com/2017/05/episode-18-ending-campaigns.mp3 Coming up on the end of a long campaign and want to make a lasting impression on your players? This week the Free Action crew discuss strategies for ensuring your campaign goes out with a bang! Also including discussion of: The Red Hand of Doom as it relates to Dungeon World, Seinfeld, and *BLEEP*. Have questions you want answered on air? Got an adventure or scenario you’d like us to punch up? Got pictures of dogs? Send all three on over to askfreeaction@gmail.com, out twitter @freeactioncast, or on our questions thread on the site freeactionpodcast.com!
https://freeactionpodcast.files.wordpress.com/2017/04/final-episode-161.mp3 Enjoy our 16th episode of Free Action. In this episode we discuss our approaches to the creative process and tips to writing a creative and interesting campaign. Have questions or adventure scenarios you would like us to discuss on the podcast? Submit them on our twitter @freeactioncast, on our questions thread here, or email at askfreeaction@gmail.com
https://freeactionpodcast.files.wordpress.com/2017/03/fap16.mp3 On this episode of the Free Action Podcast, several monumental questions are posed, some of which are even answered! Today’s topics, listed in no particular order of importance, include the facets and issues of metagaming, the idea of players keeping elements of their backstory a secret at the table, and the issue of whether to order burgers or pizza. This episode was recorded in October 2016, so some small discussion points may be a bit… outdated. Whoops. Have questions or adventure scenarios you would like us to discuss on the podcast? Submit them on our twitter @freeactioncast, on our questions thread here, or email at askfreeaction@gmail.com
Back from the dead! The Free Action Podcast crew discusses its first experience at Gencon! This episode, we recap the things we’ve learned, the games we’ve played, and the RPG systems we purchased and look forward to playing, as well as the general experience we all... Read More