Stop, Hack, and Roll Podcast

In this episode Brandon and James talk about dice mechanics and the narrative role mechanics play in a game. They also chat about talking with folks on the Discord and how they can talk about how the first couple weeks of the Stop, Hack, and Roll Patreon has gone. (Hint: Amazing!!) Games mentions in this episode Apocalypse World Fate Core Noir World on Twitter 7th Sea Edge of the Empire Tweet at u...

In this episode Brandon and James discuss small hacks to cover some listener prompts; moves for everyday tasks, handling larger conflicts around characters, playing Fate using PbtA rules, and running a chase. They also spend a surprising amount of time discussing Speed Racer or The Fast and the Furious, but neither of them are sure which one. Notes Our Patreon has launched! Come chat with us on ou...

Episode 17 - Health and Death In this episode Brandon and James discuss systems of health in games, the purpose of death in narratives, and a whole lot of genre bacon. Also, systems with exceptionally cool ways to handle death and how to make sure that death advances plots instead of stopping them. Notes Games mentions in this episode: 7th Sea Urban Shadows Dungeon World Grim World Cartel Fate Cor...

In this episode Brandon and James are joined by their future co-host to talk about bringing friends new and old into the hobby. They also talk some business stuff and introduce Elsbeth in the context of an upcoming spin off podcast! A note for anyone not actually listening: Stop, Hack, and Roll will be taking a holiday break. We will return to our normal schedule Tuesday, January 10th. Notes Follo...

With a fresh Pokemon craze sweeping the internet, Brandon and James put on their professor coats and talk playing Pokemon as a tabletop game. Games mentions in this episode: Apocalypse World Pokemon Tabletop Chuubo’s Marvelous Wish-Granting Engine by Jenna Moran Fate Core Heroine Tweet at us @StopHackandRoll or use #SHRpod For more information about the podcast or either of the hosts check us out...

Due to the way our upload limits cap out and the fact that this November has 5 Tuesdays there wont be an episode today. We're pushing our episode back to Thursday December 1st which is when our upload cap refreshes. We recorded a hilariously fun episode about playing Pokemon as a tabletop RPG. As James explained in the video, if you need something to do between now and Thursday, we recommend check...

In this episode Brandon and James go to Metatopia! They talk about playtesting games, everything they learned from panels, and oh yeah Meg from the Modifier podcast joins them! Notes The list of games we talk about in this episode is really too long to include. Here is the link to the entire Metatopia 2016 Schedule . Check out all the wonderful games and designers new and old. Check out Meg and he...

In this episode Brandon and James revisit Pasión de los Pasiónes and chat about getting a game ready to bring to a con for playtesting. They also do a state of the podcast and talk a little about future plans. Notes Metatopia! Tweet at us @StopHackandRoll or use #SHRpod For more information about the podcast or either of the hosts check us out at StopHackandRoll.com Find information about all our...

In this episode Brandon and James discuss the secret game James has been working on. They’ll talk about when to hack and when to walk away from a system even if you’ve put a lot of time into it and it really hurts because you’ve written so much and it just isn’t working and I’m not bitter you’re bitter. Join us at Metatopia on November 3rd through 6th in Morristown, New Jersey. We’ll be playtestin...

In this episode Brandon and James resume the discussion of abnormal numbers of players at the table with a talk on large groups of players. We discuss multiple groups, multiple GMs, and other configurations for fitting more people at the table. Games mentions in this episode: Noir World Pasion de los Pasiones D&D Urban Shadows Dungeon World The Doomed Pilgrim Serenity RPG Tweet at us @StopHack...

In this episode Brandon and James are joined by guest host Jeff Stormer of the Party of One podcast to talk about playing games with fewer than the standard number of players. They even attempt (and succeed with flying colors) in tackling the seemingly impossible task of a 0 player game. Games mentions in this episode: Scarlet Heroes 14 Days 183 Days Gumshoe Urban Shadows All Outta Bubblegum D&amp...

In this episode Brandon and James share their experience hacking Lasers and Feelings. Talking about creating a game in a rather obscure setting and then taking that game through playtesting and into polishing. This episode also marks the official alpha release of Luchadoratón the game of luchadors, mice, and incredible glory. Resources Luchadoratón: Alpha Version Games mentions in this episode: La...

In this episode Brandon and James step away from the table and explore playing in weird places. James reaches out to reddit to hear about the strange places they’ve played games and Brandon plays some games in the water. Games mentions in this episode: Ribbon Drive Out of Dodge Millennial Apartment Hunters Sherpa RPG Tearable RPG Slay You Imperfect Speakers Dr. Magnet Hands Extraordinary Adventure...

In this episode Brandon and James talk about the three ways that James likes to mash games together. You don’t always have to hack games together, sometimes you just mash them into each other and hope for the best. Notes Camelot Harmonic Mixing Chart Resources The Good Old Fashioned Tasty SH&R Signature Blend Genre Bacon Chart Games mentions in this episode: Dr. Magnet Hands Rory’s Story Cubes...

Episode 06 - Hack Your Prep In this episode Brandon and James step back and talk about rethinking the way game masters prepare for games. “Prep don’t plan” is the mantra of the episode. We talk a little about how Brandon is prepping for his upcoming livestream and how James likes to use other games to do his prep for him. Notes On Tuesday, July 26th Brandon is going to be running a live streamed M...

In this episode Brandon and James discuss the topic how much games have a genre baked into the mechanics and if that makes them harder or easier to hack. They discuss the broader topic of what makes a game harder or more rewarding to hack. Resources <img src= " https://assets.libsyn.com/secure/show/82177/Genre-Complexity_Chart.png " alt="Genre Bake In vs Complexity Chart" width="711" height= "8...

Episode 04 - El Pasion de Stop, Hack & Roll In this episode Brandon and James discuss their Powered by the Apocalypse hack/telenovela inspired game tentatively titled Pasión de los Pasiónes. Notes Jane the Virgin / Juana la Virgen Ugly Betty / Yo Soy Betty La Fea Lucha Underground Additional Note: Brandon swept right past La Impostura without discussing it. This is a direct reference to La Imp...

Episode 03 - Overwatch Overhaul In this episode Brandon and James take a break from playing Overwatch to talk about how they’d bring it to the table. The conversation touches on storyboard gaming, how faithfully to simulate matches, and lots of talk about legos. Notes We felt the need to mention as a disclaimer that we spend this entire episode talking about Overwatch. We promise next weeks episod...

Episode 02 - Technology At the Table In this episode Brandon and James talk about what technology they allow at their game tables? What might the future of technology enhanced tabletop look like? James asks that you please excuse his bad Borg joke from the opener. Notes 7th Sea Dice Roller app for Android CMU Team D&D on the Microsoft Surface tech demo Another video of CMU's Surfacescapes tech...

Episode 01 - Hacking the Head Off the Dragon In this episode Brandon and James introduce themselves. They share their first experiences playing pen and paper games and game mastering. Eventually they get onto the title topic and discuss playing Dungeons and Dragons without a dungeon master. Notes Some information about the Redwall opera, The Legend of Redwall Abbey, can be found here . The Redwall...