Episode 28 - When Terrible People Do Good Things

What happens when someone whose art you enjoy does something that you have a hard time accepting? What is a deal breaker? What can you tolerate? We discuss several cases along these lines.

The file can be found here:
Episode 28

Episode 27 - Star Wars Video Games

In this episode we discuss the history of Star Wars Video Games. Which ones hit the mark? And which ones should be forgotten like Jar Jar?

And why is Neil really bad at Star Wars Battlefront?

The file can be found here:
Episode 27

Episode 26 - Gaming Pet Peeves

In this episode, we discuss some of our gaming pet peeves, focusing on board and card games.  Kingmaker games are brought up, as well as the dreaded Analysis Paralysis.

The file can be found here:
Episode 26

Episode 25 - Cooperative Games

In this episode, we discuss cooperative games.  What makes them fun to play? Does it really matter if there's no single winner?  We try to cover all bases by talking about the various types of co-op games (and semi co-op).

The file can be found here:
Episode 25

Episode 24 - Professional Wrestling

Professional Wrestling.  Andy and Neil discuss the athletic performance that is professional wrestling. Many people feel that it's just for kids, or for those who think it's 'real'. But what makes it entertaining to watch?

This episode can be found here:
Episode 24

Episode 23 - Nostalgia

How well do those shows that you loved as a kid hold up?  Is Krull still any good? How about Tron?  We discuss, and come up with some general themes which tend to hold up better than others.

This episode can be found here:
Episode 23

Episode 22 - Star Trek

In this episode, we discuss the various facets of the Star Trek franchise, focusing primarily on the different television series and movies. For the most part, we seem to be in agreement...at least until we get to the rebooted J. J. Abrams films.

The file can be found here:
Episode 22

Episode 21 - Challenges in Running an RPG - Creating a Good Antagonist

In this episode, we talk about what is necessary to create a good antagonist (or villain) for your RPG.  What is an antagonist?  And how is that distinguishable from a villain?  Does the difference matter?  And how important is it that the villain have a voice like James Earl Jones?

The file can be found here:
Episode 21

Episode 20 - Superhero Television

In this episode, we discuss the recent spate of superhero television shows, especially the Marvel properties as well as the DC shows on the CW. This was recorded before Daredevil was released or the Supergirl trailer came out, so keep that in mind.

The file can be found here:
Episode 20

Episode 19 - DC vs Marvel

In this episode, we discuss the competition between the two major comic companies, DC and Marvel. Unsurprisingly, we also talk about their properties in other media, such as television and movies. And why must DC be so serious?

The file can be found here:

Episode 19

Episode 18 - Best (Board and Card) Game Ever

As a counterpoint to episode 15, we talk about the best board and card games...though we focus especially on our personal favorites. What makes for a good game?  Is it possible for a game to be good but not enjoyable? All this and more in our discussion.

The file can be found here:
Episode 18

Episode 17 - Technical Inaccuracies

Tired of complaining about the technical inaccuracies in movies and television?  Nope, we aren't either.  Jen and Neil discuss some of the more egregious examples and consider why it happens in the first place.  And why do some examples from media get away with ignoring technical details entirely?

The file can be found here:
Episode 17

Episode 16 - Fantasy vs Sci Fi

In this episode we discuss Fantasy and Science Fiction. Why do the two get lumped together? And why choose one over the other? Why do Fantasy authors seem to write thousands of pages of material? All this and more in our rambling conversation!

The file can be downloaded here:
Episode 16

Episode 15 - Worst (Board and Card) Game Ever

In this episode, Neil, Dave, and Peter talk about their personal least favorite board and card games, as well as discussing games that just stray into questionable themes that make some people queasy.  What makes for a bad game?

The file can be found here:
Episode 15

Episode 14 - Challenges in Running an RPG: Linking Characters

In this episode we discuss one of the first hurdles any new GM runs into.  How do you link your characters effectively?  Do they just meet in a tavern?  Is there something else in common?  Or should you use game mechanics to help facilitate things?

The file can be found here:
Episode 14

Episode 13 - Geek Music

In this episode, we discuss Geek Music. What is it?  Who are some of the bands that can be classified this way? And for that matter, what's a Geek in the first place?

I also attempted to insert some music clips about the bands we're talking about...it would be a shame to have an audio podcast and not have something as reference to listen to.


The file can be found here:
Episode 13

Episode 12 - Media Conversions

In this episode, we discuss various attempts to convert from one media to another. Adapting books to movies, movies to television, etc. How accurate does a conversion need to be?  And why did some particular projects fail?

The file can be found here:
Episode 12

Episode 11 - Underappreciated Video Games

In this episode, we have a new panel member, and we discuss underappreciated video games, most of which seem to be at least 10 years old.  Then again, how would we know if they're underappreciated unless they've been out a while?

The file can be found here:
Episode 11

Episode 10 - Comics and Society, Part 2

In this episode, we continue our discussion about the connections between Comics and Society.  And Dave admits to being Ent-ist.

The file can be found here:
Episode 10

Episode 9 - Challenges in Running an RPG: Maintaining Momentum

As keeping a campaign going for a long stretch can be quite difficult, we discuss some of the difficulties in maintaining the momentum in a long term role playing campaign, for both the GM and the players themselves.

The file can be found here:
Episode 9