GamingPerspectives

    The classic Cleric is discussed in this episode.  Saul thinks they are like the last class to be picked by players, like that last kid picked on the sports team.  Why does it seem that everyone thinks a party should have a Cleric but then its a hassle because nobody wants to play one.  Saul uses playing Overwatch, a computer game, where the healer is always the last character chosen.  Jolene d...

     This week Saul and Jolene talk about last years role-playing game Tales From the Loop.  Its a Swedish game translated into English and published by Modiphius where players play kids from the 1980's solving mysteries.   Its an RPG about roleplaying in the"80's that never was." which is and era both Jolene and Saul grew up in.  We talk about what it was like in the 80's growing up in small town...

   This week Saul and Jolene talk about using Miniatures(Minis) or using the Theatre of the Mind in your roleplaying games.  The discussion covers why minis are used in many rpgs and how Theatre of the mind is used in many independent or roleplay heavy games.  Jolene solidly gives her opinion on what she rather use and why.       Music by Derek Clegg, song My Mind Never Bends.   Available at FreeM...

     Saul and Jolene talk about Running a Player Friendly game.  We discuss things we think you should consider when trying to run a game that is player friendly.  Jolene says there are two basic type of players.  Saul and Jolene discuss how and why knowing his is important for running a fun game for all players.  Also there are certain techniques that help making sure that all players at your tab...

    Saul and Jolene talk about the Rogue character.  We talk about playing a rogue in D&D but as in most cases you can translate this character type into any genre or RPG game.   Saul and Jolene discuss the origins of the rogue class that goes way back to Advanced Dungeons and Dragons Thief class.  We talk about how it evolved into the Rogue class.  Saul and Jolene discuss how the latest incarnati...

    Saul and Jolene discuss the alternate history setting of Weird War.  There are many alternate settings and one subject that is very popular is Weird War.  Saul and Jolene talk about some different rule sets that let you play in that setting.  Each set of rules usually deal with different aspects of the setting.  Jolene states what kind of Weird War she rather play.  Saul talks about a Weird Wa...

   Starting a new Campaign?  What about a setting?  Buy one or make your own.  Saul and Jolene this important decision that every GM has to make.  We use D&D as an example but really the reasons we discuss can be used for any genre and any rules set.  Jolene leaves no question which she would rather do but Saul like the freedom that making your own can have.      If you listen to our podcast all w...

     In this episode Saul and Jolene discuss the often maligned character class of the Bard.  Beginning with when the Bard was introduced in Advanced Dungeons and Dragons and on through 5th Edition D&D.  Saul and Jolene talk how the Bard class has changed for a class that everyone thought was intresting but nobody played to one that more players think a Bard is a viable option.  Still Saul thinks...

     In this episode Saul and Jolene discuss running a RPG game in another favorite setting Star Wars.  We talk about the running a RPG in one of the most famous and loved science fiction/fantasy settings.   We discuss the different rpg rule sets that have been published for running Star Wars games.  From the early West End Games Star Wars through WOTC Star Wars D20 rules and to the latest and hig...

     In this episode of Gaming Perserpectives with Saul and Jolene, we look at Mages.   We discuss the Mage from the first editions of D&D to the latest incarnation of the venerable spell slinger.  We then move the discussion to "mages" in other genres from modern games to space opera setting.  We talk how mages can get their abilities to throw spells from other sources than arcane ones.          ...

    In this episode we have our first interview with Mike Eckert the new Executive Producer of KublaCon.  Kublacon is Northern California's biggest gaming  convention.  We ask Mike about his gaming roots.  When he first starting going to conventions in the SF Bay Area and how that led to helping and running of conventions over 20 years ago.  After all those years of helping run Kublacon he is now...

     In this episode Saul and Jolene talk about the GM changing the dice rolls, as known as "Fudging the Dice".   Saul and Jolene talk about what reasons a GM would have to "fudge" the dice.  They discuss situtations that would push a GM to change dice rolls from saving characters or fixing mistakes a GM might make in designing an encounter.  Saul admits to fudging the dice in the past but how he...

     After reading Mike Mearl's tweet "Railroading has gotten such a bad rap in RPG circles that we forget it is one end on a continuum.", Saul was a bit surprised that Mr. D&D was defending Railroad games.  Saul talked to Jolene about the quote and the decision was made to discuss this topic on Gaming Perspectives with Saul and Jolene.  We dicuss the definition of the term railroad and Saul slowl...

     In this Episode of Gaming Perspectives with Saul and Jolene we discuss playing the Paladin.  We talk about the origins of the Paladin class from AD&D to the present, D&D 5th Edition. We discuss playing Paladins in non fantasy game from the modern era to the Science Fiction age.  Saul and Jolene talk about how difficult it seems to play a Paladin well and how playing one can really stretch a p...

     In this Episode Saul and Jolene discuss running a genre game, specifically, Star Trek.  Many GMs are reluctant to run games that have a extensive setting with a large fan base.  Saul and Jolene discuss the games they have played and run in the Star Trek setting.  They also discuss how to mitigate the fan base knowledge of the popular intellectual property.   They talk about the best way to pr...

    In our 13th Episode of Gaming Perspectives with Saul and Jolene we discuss choosing to be a Fighter.  Though we use D&D as an example we feel that our discussion could inform people playing or using any set of rules for rpgs.  We even discuss Fighters of Modern to Science Fiction genres.  We share a few stories of Fighters that are great examples of showing experince that can be had playing a ...

  Following on how to be a better player episode we decided to switch to the GM side of the game table.  Saul and Jolene discuss what makes a better GM no matter what genre or setting.  We cover the topics from organization to how to deal with players that throw you for a loop.  We share personal stories where we used our own tips that helped our games run better and smoother and ultimately the ga...

     In this episode me and Jolene discuss ideas on How To Be a Better RPG player.  We use our experience from home and con games we have played and run in this discussion.  Saul and Jolene talk about things we do before the game, during the game and after that make a person a better player.  Saul even recounts a late night game where he was not being a good player and has a Bad Player Confessiona...

   Using our experience with our own son and his friends, we discuss running RPGs for kids of various ages.  We discuss running games for kids as young as four to teenagers.  We talk about how we have succesfully run games at home and at conventions.  How rewarding it can be, running for the youngest of gamers for both the player and the GM.  Gaming with kids is different than running games for ad...

    In this Episode we discuss using a Module or Making Your Own Adventures.  We talk about the the pros and cons of each type of adventure.       Also give a shout out to our listeners Kyle and Jasun who caught Jolene off guard by telling her they liked the podcast.       My mistake, I mentioned a GM  book and called it by the wrong name, the real name of the book is "Never Unprepared: The Comple...

     In this Episode we discuss how to make RPG characters.  We look at the two most popular ways people make characters.  The traditional of making characters by yourself or a newer way which we use the term Session Zero.  Though we each have a favorite way of making characters we look at the pros and cons of each.       Music by SataniasiA, song called, Killing You Softly.  Off the self titled a...

    In episode Six is about an introduction to Boardgames.  Why we like to play them and how they can positively impact your life, from social interation to critical thinking.  We talk about the games we like and the ones that hit the table most at our gathering.  Saul and Jolene discuss the different type of games and game length that greatly impact our enjoyment of those games.     Note we publi...

In this Episode we discuss putting a large multi-table a 5th Editon Dungeons and Dragons game at a local con.  We talk about how the idea came to Jolene.  How she got into trouble by mentioning her idea about a large multi-table game to Saul.  And how Jolene was recruited by Saul and his brother Felipe to wrangle a rag tag group of 3 GM's into battle.  Saul and Jolene discuss how that idea morphed...

    In This Episode we discuss the idea of Roll Vs Role playing. We discuss where these different playing styles come from and how things seem to be changing for each style.    We mainly use Dungeons and Dragons as an example but these ideas and themes discussed can be applied to any genre rpg.  Knowing about the difference of these two styles can help a GM run a better game.      Music by the art...

    In Episode Four Saul and Jolene discuss putting on a big game, or large event at a gaming convention.  We talk about our experience running a large event.  We with the help of many friends we put on Aliens: Live Action Boardgame at KublaCon in Northern California.  We discuss the elation and amount of work needed to put on a large event at a convention.       A special thanks to Jeff Wilcox th...