Tabletop Tune Up

In this episode, Mark and Ben explore the exciting and collaborative world of co-GMing—trading off gamemastering duties with a friend. Co-GMing offers a way to prevent burnout, combine creative strengths, and make storytelling even more fun. We'll discuss the importance of working with the right creative partner, dividing things up, and tips for how to kindle that creative synergy. With a good Co-...

In this episode Mark and Ben tackle an often-overlooked but emotionally rich aspect of tabletop RPGs—romance! While romance in games can feel intimidating, especially with its potential for awkwardness, this episode breaks down how to handle it with care. From setting boundaries and ensuring player consent to avoiding cringe-worthy moments, they discuss strategies for making romance an engaging an...

In this episode of Tabletop Tune Up, learn how to borrow the key elements of pulp storytelling to add thrills and chills to your games. Pulp is a style of storytelling distinct from the 1930's time period it is often associated with. Pulp stories tend to feature powerful, virtuous heroes, dastardly villains, exotic locales, and high octane over the top action. As a storytelling approach, pulp infl...

In this episode, Mark and Ben dive into the art of trash talking in tabletop RPGs—without crossing the line. They explore how to effectively use banter to create excitement, foster camaraderie, and raise the stakes during gameplay. Learn how trash talk can engage players between sessions and heighten drama during key moments in the game. Learn how to keep the fun light-hearted, respectful, and eng...

Whether you’re a GM striving for harmony or a player finding your niche, achieving balance can be the key to a memorable game. We break down the different ways to define balance, from party composition and individual capabilities to fitting challenges within encounters. Learn how to manage balance in both one-shots and campaigns, adjust as your game progresses, and make sure all players have a cha...

In this episode of Tabletop Tune Up, Mark and Ben dive into the world of NPCs and how to make them memorable in your RPG sessions. From serving the story and building the world to helping manage time and providing fun moments, NPCs are essential tools for GMs. Learn how to give each NPC clear motivations and how to craft personalities that play against typical archetypes. Discover the power of vis...

In this episode of Tabletop Tune Up, we discuss the fun and creative process of finding your character's voice in RPGs. Accents and vocal choices can add depth to character portrayal, and voices can be a memorable extension of a character’s story. You don't have to be an experienced voice actor to be really expressive with your voice, and we talk about how to incorporate voice work effectively wit...

In our last episode for 2024, we explore what makes a good encounter. Great encounters advance the story and characters, creating memorable moments with real stakes. Learn how to design encounters that resonate long after the game ends, and discover how to break down your adventure into impactful, story-driving scenes. Whether it’s combat, social interaction, or skill challenges, we discuss how to...

In our special Holiday episode of Tabletop Tune Up , Mark and Ben show you how to create the perfect holiday-themed RPG adventure! Drawing on beloved TV tropes and seasonal traditions, we discuss how to incorporate classic holiday elements and festive experiences into your game. We'll talk about blending holiday magic with the tropes of your genre, borrowing classic holiday story structures, and k...

It's time to kick off a new series focused on the art of adventure design. Adventures are pivotal segments in larger campaigns, and designing them thoughtfully ensures they drive the story forward while providing exciting, memorable experiences for the players. This episode covers key considerations such as linking to previous adventures, creating impactful encounters, and developing revelations t...

In this episode of Tabletop Tune Up, we dive into the essential skill of prep—why it’s crucial, and how it can make your GMing smoother and more flexible. We explore how preparation lightens your workload during sessions, allowing you to improvise and adapt easily when the story takes unexpected turns. Your focus in prep includes the rules, your players' playstyles, and the necessary story outcome...

In this special episode of Tabletop Tune Up, Mark and Ben sit down with Tad Leckman, a seasoned learning professional with experience at Industrial Light and Magic, Activision-Blizzard, and as a game design instructor at the University of California, Santa Cruz. Tad shares his insights on leading creative teams in both games and movies and how those skills overlap with the role of a gamemaster. We...

In this episode of Tabletop Tune Up, Mark and Ben express their gratitude for the players who elevate every RPG experience. They discuss what makes great characters—from those with rich backstories and room for growth, to ones that enhance the party dynamic and align with the campaign. Good players actively share the spotlight, support their fellow players, and feed the GM’s creativity. We also ex...

In this episode of Tabletop Tune Up, Mark and Ben explore how to make your villains unforgettable and keep them central to the story. From ensuring your villain’s presence is felt—even when they’re not on screen—to effective ways of insulating them from overzealous players, we cover the strategies that keep your players' hated foes active and compelling. Learn how to introduce your villains with i...

In this episode of Tabletop Tune Up, Mark and Ben dive into the world of villains and how to craft memorable antagonists for your RPG campaigns. Drawing inspiration from cinema, they explore how different villain archetypes—like the Authority, the Bully, and the Mastermind—translate to the tabletop and the unique challenges of portraying them. They discuss effective ways to reveal villains and cre...

In the this episode of Tabletop Tune Up, Mark and Ben explore the myriad tools available today to enhance player immersion and spark imagination in tabletop RPGs. From sourcing evocative music—like soundtracks from iconic films and ambient tracks on YouTube—to the importance of maps and miniatures, they discuss how each element can elevate your game. Learn about the benefits and costs of using min...

In this special Halloween episode of Tabletop Tune Up, we explore how to craft immersive horror experiences that leave players trembling. Discover how to set the mood with ambiance, sound, and props while building suspense through subtle hints of unseen threats. Learn to limit planning time to maintain urgency and use dice sparingly to enhance emotional impact. We’ll discuss tough choices that ele...

This week Mark and Ben induct you into the fascinating world of factions within your RPG civilizations. We explore what factions are, and how they play a critical role in driving conflict and drama in your campaigns. Factions help your characters align their moral compass, and add layers to your story by challenging your players to navigate their agendas. Learn practical strategies for incorporati...

In this episode of Tabletop Tune Up, we sit down for an insightful conversation with Chris Robichaud, a philosopher, an RPG enthusiast, and most importantly, our guide into the dark realms of the horror RPG genre. Join us as Chris leads Mark and Ben into the chilling world of horror GMing to explore the elements that make it both captivating and unique. We kick off the discussion by asking Chris a...

In this episode of Tabletop Tune Up, Mark and Ben dive into the magical concept of wonder—an essential element that makes RPGs a unique and shared experience. Moments of wonder not only inspire players but also serve as story high points that elevate campaigns to unforgettable heights. We’ll explore how you can invest wonder in the nouns of your game, persons, places, and things. Additionally, we’...

In this episode of Tabletop Tune Up, Mark and Ben explore the intertwined topics of civilizations and history in worldbuilding. We dive into how civilizations shape cultures, characters, and narratives. History is the backdrop to your players' adventures, influencing motivations for villains and allies alike. You can help your players experience a realm that feels alive and deeply rooted in its hi...

In this episode of Tabletop Tune Up, Mark and Ben dive into the challenging topic of recovering from a campaign that has hit a rough patch. We'll explore a range of issues that can derail a campaign, including story problems, bad social dynamics, poor system fit, and the ever present hazard of a dice attack! We’ll discuss strategies for assessing what went wrong, evaluating player engagement, and...

In the fourteenth episode of Tabletop Tune Up , Mark and Ben tackle the art of world mapping—an essential aspect of crafting immersive RPG settings. This episode offers practical guidance on creating maps that support every kind of adventure, from fantasy realms and superhero cities to futuristic sci-fi worlds. We’ll explore how to start with a broad, “low resolution” overview of your world and gr...

In this episode Mark and Ben interview a GM who's been an important influence on their games and growth as GMs. Meet Randy, whose homebrewed world began drawn with colored pencils on letter-sized paper inspired decades of gameplay with several local groups. We'll ask Randy about Kiras, about how he weaves character stories and player inputs into his world, and some of his mapping ideas. We hope yo...

In the twelfth episode of Tabletop Tune Up , Mark and Ben dive into one of the most profound aspects of worldbuilding: religion. We’ll discuss the role of metaphysical beings and their non-fantasy counterparts, as well as institutional religion. From ancient pantheons in fantasy settings to the mysterious gods or powerful aliens of science fiction, learn how these "Powers" can shape the stories an...