Narrative Control

Hi, and welcome back to the show! This week I'm speaking with Whitney Beltrán about her just released kickstarter for Bluebeard's Bride. Host: Sean Nittner Guests: Whitney Beltrán Length: 29:55 We discussed the origins, the goals, and the play experiences of Bluebeard's Bride. Check out these links: Bluebeard's Bride Kickstarter Bluebeard's Bride G+ Community @BluebeardsBride on Twitter @the_strix on Twitter Sean's AP Report from Origins The conversation continues...Here.

Hi, and welcome back to the show! We're talking to Kate and Hakan about how awesome language is and how they use it in their games! Host: Sean Nittner Guests: Kathryn Hymes and Hakan Seyalioglu Length: 51:05 Inspired by listening to Alex Roberts (Backstory) Games we talked about: Sign - A game about being understood Dialect - A game about language and how it dies Gushing about Dialect: Truckers on Mars - a game that's structure was built around the language we made! Not what I expected. Procedurally generated scenes that were very compelling.  Secret Sauce: mayonnaise in the sun... actually, it's "can you tell a story while building a language?" Language creation as a window into people and identity. You pick the things that are important to you and build off them. Friendship as a byproduct of games. Sean's hypothesis: Any subject that people are passionate about could be turned into a game. Discuss! Game as non-dogmatic, non-prescriptive way to share your passions. People who your game connects with are kindred. Responsibility of the Designer Making sure that you're respectful to the subject matter of your game and the communities that identify with the subject matter. Lessons learned from sharing sign with the deaf community and getting feedback. Conventions we've just been to or are going to soon: Origins (Hakan and Sean) Go Play Northwest (Kate, Hakan, and Sean) Gen Con (Kate, Hakan, and Sean) Big Bad Con (Kate, Hakan, and Sean) Panels at Gen Con Kate and Hakan are on: Improv For Roleplaying 5 Ways Of Finding Your Spark Beyond Combat Language & Games Making RPG Welcoming To New Players Designing With Empathy Gaming community Welcoming new players to the community. Nurturing a fledgling community and new players. Mouse Guard is a great game for new players.  Language in Design Fundamental to identity and relationships. Uniquely human. We absorb a ton of information through language. Ritual Phrases for the win! Hopscotch, the Larp. Kate and Hakan's next game!� The conversation continues...Here.

Hi, and welcome back to the show! Over a year later and we're back! John Harper came on the show to talk to me about how his gaming style affects his design and all the pieces of the venn diagram that make for a good times at the game table. Note: There is occasional profanity during the episode, but nothing so egregious that I would add the explicit tag. Also this is a long one, over two hours. We're making up for all the time we missed! Host: Sean Nittner Guests: John Harper Length: 2:12:35 Inspired by Alex Roberts (Backstory) and Marcelo Ferrari (The Curators) to start recording again. The NukeTrust in MeJudd Karlman - The Githyanki Diasporaanyway.The "What would John do?" direct play for John's GMing advice for my game starts at 01:33:50! Games we talked about: AgonBlades in the DarkApocalypse WorldBurning WheelFiasco Games we referenced: Blades in the Dark - Bloodletters (Actual Play | Youtube VODs) Blades in the Dark - Doskvol Spectral Society (Actual Play) Products we're plugging: Undying (Buy | Discuss | One Seven Design Hangout)  Cons we're attending: Origins (Sean) Go Play NW (Sean and John) Gen Con (Sean) Big Bad Con (Sean and John) The conversation continues...Here.

Hi, and welcome back to the show! This episode I have Rob Donoghue and Vincent Baker on to respond to episode 80 and discus their thoughts on the current state of design. Host: Sean NittnerGuests: Vincent Baker and Rob Donoghue Length: 45:14 [00:26] Introduction to the show. Welcoming Vincent and Rob. [01:46] Vincent’s reaction to episode 80.[08:00] Rob’s reaction.[09:13] Defining Design. Where I get it all wrong.[15:40] Distinction between GMing, Expansibility, and Hacking.[19:08] Seeking authority on "how to do it right."[23:32] Design intent for Fate and Apocalypse World.[24:50] Impact of Fate and Apocalypse World on the design sphere.[38:36] Adding to the influences available in design.[40:37] My roast of Luke. I am not Stephen Colbert.  The conversation continues...Here.

Hi, and welcome back to the show! This episode was recorded many moons ago (June 2014), lost, found, and released! A bunch of fantastic perspectives on sincere emotions in games.  Host: Sean Nittner Guests: Matthew Klein, Avery Alder McDaldno, and Shaun Hayworth Length: 47:52 [00:27] Intro to the show. Amazing experiences gaming with Avery McDaldno, Shawn Hayworth, and Matthew Klein. [03:26] Do you seek to get an emotional response consciously in game, or do you let it occur as a result of the action in the game? 10:40] Does this ever backfire and force an emotion that is artificial? [12:30] How does it happen? How do you know that your group is ready to play an emotional game? [20:25] Prime your emotional responses upfront. Example: Bliss Stage, Monsterhearts, Ribbon Drive. [25:47] Finding the safety valve – looking at the system and playing good faith.[28:20] Game length affecting emotional capacity. Intensity wearing you down. [33:02] When is this a detriment to game? Being mindful of triggers. Using X-cards. Taking breaks. [43:30] Check yourself. [46:16] Gamers needs changing with age. The conversation continues...Here.