Tabletop Hot Takes

Aria and Funky welcome their first guest (Doug Lief of Nostalgium Arcanum) to discuss Final Fantasy 9 and Fabula Ultima. They go at length on topics of politics, why dragoons are sadly overlooked, and esteemed music artist Erutan (aka KatetheGreat19). ----------------------------------------- Doug's Shows Nostalgium Arcanum Playing By Ear Still Muppeting ----------------------------------------- O...

Do you wanna write a screenplay? / C'mon, give it a try / We'll never see you anymore The coffeeshop / is your new home today... You need to see the beat sheet / or else you're lost / Just give us a listen now... Do you wanna write a screenplay? / It doesn't have to be a screenplay Go away, Funky! / Okay, bye ----------------------------------------- Our Patreon Funky's itch.io -------------------...

Aria and Funky talk about the well-known storytelling tool of Chekhov's Gun. They talk about foreshadowing, paying off previous sessions, and, of course, mysteries ----------------------------------------- Our Patreon Funky's itch.io ----------------------------------------- Want to reach out to us? Got a question? Want to share a hot take you can't put anywhere else? Email us at: tabletop.hot.tak...

TW: Chritianity, religious trauma, discussion of children dying Inspired by two VERY different games, Aria and Funky discuss some interpretations of the biblical apocalypse in two completely different games. Camp Kingdom Come and The Seventh Seal couldn't be any opposed. But they are both based in the same idea. Aria lays out their trauma, and Funky cries about it. --------------------------------...

Aria and Funky discuss Hawgbilly, a game system they found during UGNET. This one is rough. Swine & Sorcery is certainly interesting. But the misogyny of the 2000s sure shows. Aria also learns the definition of the word vamp, and Funky shows off his (terrible) mountain man dialect. ----------------------------------------- Our Patreon Funky's itch.io ----------------------------------------- W...

FINALE of the Ultimate Gamerunner Name Elimination Tournament. (4-Part Series) The highest effort shitpost imaginable. We kinda went ham on this one, honestly! Link for Games Involved - full download and review links for all as much as possible! Bracket - The full bracket to see the whole thing if ya want. ----------------------------------------- Our Patreon Funky's itch.io ----------------------...

Want to vote on Bracket placements for the final round? Go Here and fill out the form. Rank your faves and least faves! Part 3 of the Ultimate Gamerunner Name Elimination Tournament. (4-Part Series) The highest effort shitpost imaginable. We kinda went ham on this one, honestly! Link for Games Involved - full download and review links for all as much as possible! ----------------------------------...

Part 2 of the Ultimate Gamerunner Name Elimination Tournament. (4-Part Series) The highest effort shitpost imaginable. We kinda went ham on this one, honestly! Link for Games Involved ----------------------------------------- Our Patreon Funky's itch.io ----------------------------------------- What to reach out to us? Got a question? Want to share a hot take you can't put anywhere else? Email us...

Part 1 of the Ultimate Gamerunner Name Elimination Tournament. (4-Part Series) The highest effort shitpost imaginable. We kinda went ham on this one, honestly! Link for Games Involved ----------------------------------------- Our Patreon Funky's itch.io ----------------------------------------- What to reach out to us? Got a question? Want to share a hot take you can't put anywhere else? Email us...

Aria and Funky discuss Scum & Villainy, a game system they are both quite familiar with and played/ran in a years-long campaign. They have a lot of thoughts on this one. So settle down for a long conversation about a pretty good system for doing stuff in space. ----------------------------------------- Our Patreon Funky's itch.io ----------------------------------------- What to reach out to u...

Funky watched the movie, Aria didn't. They talk about it, and one reason why it's so great. They get into theme, classic boy band arrangements, and Caramell Dansen. ----------------------------------------- Our Patreon Funky's itch.io ----------------------------------------- What to reach out to us? Got a question? Want to share a hot take you can't put anywhere else? Email us at: tabletop.hot.ta...

Many moons ago, Professor Funky stumbled upon his signature way to start a campaign. He shares it now with the world at large. ----------------------------------------- Our Patreon Funky's itch.io ----------------------------------------- What to reach out to us? Got a question? Want to share a hot take you can't put anywhere else? Email us at: tabletop.hot.takes@gmail.com

Aria and Funky discuss session zeroes, how prevalent they are, what sorts of things to include in them, and taco bell. ----------------------------------------- We guested on another podcast! Go listen to Moviestruck with Sophia Ricciaridi at https://moviestruck.transistor.fm/episodes/moviestruck-episode-123-the-fifth-element-1997-feat-tabletop-hot-takes ----------------------------------------- O...

Aria has an early christmas present for y'all. A lesson on better role playing! Do YOU want to be a better role player? Of course you do! Lucky for you, Aria has some classic tips and tricks. ----------------------------------------- We guested on another podcast! Go listen to Moviestruck with Sophia Ricciaridi at https://moviestruck.transistor.fm/episodes/moviestruck-episode-123-the-fifth-element...

What even IS a space opera? Aria and Funky attempt to find out. Along the way they discover the truth about Sandy Cheeks, and Horse Opera. ----------------------------------------- We guested on another podcast! Go listen to Moviestruck with Sophia Ricciaridi at https://moviestruck.transistor.fm/episodes/moviestruck-episode-123-the-fifth-element-1997-feat-tabletop-hot-takes -----------------------...

Funky and Aria discuss their feelings on playing Superintelligences. Make sure to listen all the way to the end. This episode has an extended blooper section. We get into 1960's Batman, Sandy Cheeks, and being the smartest person in the room. ----------------------------------------- Our Patreon Funky's itch.io -----------------------------------------

Funky and Aria discuss their Favorite Stories in Gaming™. Funky gets too emotional, and Aria gets too right. This was a really fun episode for us, and we may continue it in the future as a series. Y'all should share your Favorite Stories in Gaming™ too. This is a really fun concept we found from Matt Colville at https://youtu.be/T9jxVbg_RWQ?si=8ZWMjjn18h77slUq . -----------------------------------...

SPAAACE GHOOOSTS!! Aria and Funky talk about using random tables to create settings, specifically galaxies of explorable planets and solar systems. They talk about knowing where the river is in New Orleans, wombats, and how perfect is the enemy of done. You can follow the link here for a LOT of reference material from Funky that he used for all this. If you are curious about any further details, o...

Funky and Aria discuss Pathos. Why does it not belong on Funky's table? Is Pathos a cat? They get into equity in the spotlight, Trotskyists, and cool warrior-poets. ----------------------------------------- Our Patreon -----------------------------------------

Funky and Aria discuss Noodle Incidents. What they are, how to use them for fun and profit, and being in silly moods. ----------------------------------------- Our Patreon -----------------------------------------

Funky and Aria discuss Heroism. What it really means, sleep-deprived writing, and Funky's awesome grandmother are all brought up. Funky's audio was pretty messed up for this episode as he tried to figure out a new system. Many apologies are given for this. ----------------------------------------- Our Patreon ----------------------------------------- Stuff Referenced in this Episode: Behind the Ba...

Funky and Aria discuss Aria's Unified Theory of Cohesive Game Design tm . They get into hackable systems, generic systems, and the hopeful first sponsor of the podcast. ----------------------------------------- Our Patreon ----------------------------------------- Systems Referenced in this Episode: Cortex Prime Hack! The RPG Apocalypse World GURPS Forged in the Dark FATE Draw Steel! Battle System...

Funky and Aria discuss exploiting game writing for fun, not-fun, and profit. We explore the world of why numbers are stupid, the Greater Seattle Polycule™, and carrying hundreds of ceramic plates around. ---------------------------------------------------- Our Patreon ----------------------------------------------------

Clickbait title aside... Funky and Aria discuss what plagiarism really is, and why you should maybe do it actually. All kinds of niche media abound. ---------------------------------------------------------- Our Patreon Gurren Lagann - Cuz we mentioned it... sorta... Mostly I just wanted an excuse to say the line... Leverage - You REALLY should know more about Leverage Burn Notice - If you feel yo...

Funky and Aria discuss bad games they know with good lessons to learn from them. This delves into pandas in World of Warcraft, 17th century england, and the eponymous classic movie Equilibrium ----------------------------------------- Our Patreon ----------------------------------------- Systems Referenced in this Episode: Clockwork & Chivalry 2nd Edition Tails of Equestria Hackmaster Shadowru...