Shane Plays Geek Talk

A journey into the things we love: D&D / RPGs, tabletop games, wargames, video games, comics and comic books, Star Trek, Star Wars, Doctor Who, fan films, movies, TV, books, sci-fi, fantasy, more! Hosted by a fellow geek that supports and encourages geeks and our fandoms in all of their various splendor! Come along and get your geek on (or maybe even discover you inner geek)!

John M. Ford with Victor Raymond - Episode 289 - 3/30/2026 03/30/2026

Ken St. Andre Part 1 - Episode 288 - 3/8/2026 03/08/2026

Ken St. Andre Part 1 - Episode 288 - 3/8/2026 Historic RPG designer Ken St. Andre (Tunnels & Trolls, Starfaring, Monsters! Monsters!, Stormbringer, more) joins for this episode. The game that shall not be named. Is it wise to go into dungeons as an adventurer, or do you just need luck? The practicality of six-siders versus Platonic solids. The most powerful buttons in the universe. Who’s tougher, the Romulans or the Klingons? Marbles were the collectible card game of their day. Diplomacy variants. Gary Gygax’s first introduction to Tunnels & Trolls. Dave Arneson’s contribution to Flying Buffalo Games. Ken’s impressions of Dave. Ken’s opinion on whether OD&D was an actual RPG. Ken told TSR’s lawyers, and I quote, “go piss up a rope.” Ken’s advice to game designers. Clever solutions in dealing with a Balrog. What is “stunting” in an RPG? Tunnels & Trolls on the MetaArcade app. Ken and Shane’s predictions about AI’s effect on the RPG industry. Mata Hari. Ken was a pioneer in solo RPG adventures (which Shane feels is important). What game of Ken’s does he think is better than Tunnels & Trolls? Some Elric discussion. The secret brotherhood of librarians (or lack thereof). A brief diversion into chicken psychology. Shane Plays Geek Talk Episode #288 - 3/8/2026 Like what you hear? Support Shane Plays Geek Talk on Patreon! Listen to the Shane Plays Geek Talk podcast on YouTube, SoundCloud, iTunes, Google Play Music, Amazon Music, Podbean and Stitcher (and other fine, fine podcast directories). Hey, you! Yeah, you! Buy cool stuff, support Shane Plays Geek Talk with these affiliate links! Humble Bundle DriveThruRPG.com SHOW NOTES Ken St. Andre on Wikipedia Trollgodfather Press (Ken’s Publishing Company) Tunnels & Trolls Starfaring Monsters! Monsters! ! Stormbringer RPG Dungeons and Desktops: The History of Computer Role-Playing Games 2nd Edition Shane's book! Co-authored with Matt Barton of Matt Chat /episode/index/show/shaneplays/id/40359865

Heroes of Might and Magic (and Other Goodness) with Neal Hallford - Episode 287 - 11/24/2025 11/24/2025

Heroes of Might and Magic (and Other Goodness) with Neal Hallford - Episode 287 - 11/24/2025 Neal Hallford joins to discuss his new book Heroes of Might and Magic: 30th Anniversary Retrospective. The history of HoM&M games is, in many ways, an “epic story” that tells the history of the video game industry and the related human drama in general. Since it’s Neal, we also meander into other interesting things, including Planet’s Edge, Betrayal at Krondor, and Dungeon Siege (including why they named Farmer “Farmer”). A game company trying to launch seven games all at the same time is probably not the wisest idea. The “box of rocks” approach to writing for games. Neal’s new Planet’s Edge: Fractured Empires project. Singular vision / small teams versus large teams in game design. Neal has very strong feelings on trends that have hurt the video game industry. What’s the connection between Star Trek and Heroes of Might and Magic? The fine line game creators have to walk in making sequels by adding new stuff worth buying, but not changing things so much that it alienates the audience. What is the number one-selling game on GOG? Shane Plays Geek Talk Episode #287 - 11/24/2025 Like what you hear? Support Shane Plays Geek Talk on Patreon! Listen to the Shane Plays Geek Talk podcast on YouTube, SoundCloud, iTunes, Google Play Music, Amazon Music, Podbean and Stitcher (and other fine, fine podcast directories). Hey, you! Yeah, you! Buy cool stuff, support Shane Plays Geek Talk with these affiliate links! Humble Bundle DriveThruRPG.com SHOW NOTES Heroes of Might and Magic: 30th Anniversary Retrospective Book by Neal Hallford Neal Hallford on Wikipedia Betrayal at Krondor 30th Anniversary & Fan Film Challenge with Neal Hallford – Episode 266 – 3/14/2023 Star Fleet Battles With Bill Barsh – Episode 272 – 12/29/2023 Dungeons and Desktops: The History of Computer Role-Playing Games 2nd Edition Shane's book! Co-authored with Matt Barton of Matt Chat /episode/index/show/shaneplays/id/39145785

The Quatermass Experiment with Toby Hadoke - Episode 286 - 9/28/2025 09/28/2025

The Quatermass Experiment with Toby Hadoke - Episode 286 - 9/28/2025 The Quatermass Experiment, the highly influential series considered the “birth of TV Sci-Fi”, with Toby Hadoke (Quatermass Experiment megafan, Doctor Who megafan, special features do-er, author, and standup comedian… he just sits around and twiddles his thumbs, does Toby). Toby’s written the definitive book on the first Quatermass Experiment serial! Some Doctor Who discussion. “Behind the sofa.” The sneaky plan Toby used to name his dog. Nigel Neale (Quatermass writer) has influenced such directors as John Carpenter, Joe Dante, and Dan O’Bannon. Which Quatermass Experiment serial does Toby recommend starting with? Different motivations for British and American TV in decades past. Toby says Nigel Neale’s The Road has the best ending of anything, ever. What are the chances of more Quatermass in the future? A nice tangent into John Carpenter’s The Thing. A few last-minute Doctor Who tangents (including one about the Doctor going into his own brain). Pronunciation differences between the British and Americans (how the heck do you say Omega, anyway?). Toby actually likes one of the Bad Jokes of the Week. Shane Plays Geek Talk Episode #286 - 9/28/2025 Like what you hear? Support Shane Plays Geek Talk on Patreon! Listen to the Shane Plays Geek Talk podcast on YouTube, SoundCloud, iTunes, Google Play Music, Amazon Music, Podbean and Stitcher (and other fine, fine podcast directories). Hey, you! Yeah, you! Buy cool stuff, support Shane Plays Geek Talk with these affiliate links! Humble Bundle DriveThruRPG.com SHOW NOTES Toby Hadoke on Patreon Toby Hadoke on YouTube: Toby’s Website https://tobyhadoke.com/ Toby’s Book! The Quatermass Experiment: The Making of TV's First Sci-Fi Classic The Quatermass Experiment on Wikipedia Nigel Neale on Wikipedia Dungeons and Desktops: The History of Computer Role-Playing Games 2nd Edition Shane's book! Co-authored with Matt Barton of Matt Chat /episode/index/show/shaneplays/id/38383145

Vampire Movies - Episode 285 - 8/29/2025 08/29/2025

Vampire Movies - Episode 285 - 8/29/2025 Sink your teeth into a slew of vampire movies from 1922 through 2025 that may or may not suck with returning movie lovers Chris Holmes and Michael Stewart (Save for Half podcast, Found in the Ruins podcast), plus we chew a bit on Stoker’s Dracula novel. From England to Transylvania to Germany to Italy to Spain to Japan and beyond… those bloodsuckers are everywhere!! Which vampire flicks made us their thrall? One flick’s surprise armadillo never fails to amuse Shane. Chris objects to amazingly cool armor in Dracula movies. What astoundingly fantastic Funko Pop does Shane own?? A surprising clash of opinions on The Lost Boys and Near Dark. We have crossed oceans of time just to bring you this episode. Shane Plays Geek Talk Episode #285 - 8/29/2025 Like what you hear? Support Shane Plays Geek Talk on Patreon! Listen to the Shane Plays Geek Talk podcast on YouTube, SoundCloud, iTunes, Google Play Music, Amazon Music, Podbean and Stitcher (and other fine, fine podcast directories). Hey, you! Yeah, you! Buy cool stuff, support Shane Plays Geek Talk with these affiliate links! Humble Bundle DriveThruRPG.com SHOW NOTES Holmes Basic D&D, John Eric Holmes & Edgar Rice Burroughs with Chris Holmes – Episode 267 – 5/12/2023 Zombie Movies with Chris Holmes and Mike Stewart – Episode 277 – 7/22/2024 Surreal Cinema with Clements & Holmes Vampire Movies Discussed in this Episode:Nosferatu (1922) Dracula (1931) Dracula’s Daughter El Vampiro Horror of Dracula Dracula, Prince of Darkness The Vampire and the Ballerina The Vampire Doll Count Dracula (1970) Count Yorga, Vampire House of Dark Shadows Blacula The Night Stalker Captain Kronos-Vampire Hunter Bram Stoker’s Dracula (1974) Blood for Dracula Night of the Walking Dead Dracula (1979) Nosferatu the Vampyre (1979) Salem’s Lot (1979) The Hunger Fright Night (1985) The Lost Boys Near Dark Buffy the Vampire Slayer *Briefly mentioned Buffy TV series * Briefly mentioned Bram Stoker’s Dracula (1992) Interview with the Vampire Blade Blade 2 Shadow of the Vampire Thirty Days of Night Let the Right One In A Girl Walks Home Alone at Night Boys From County Hell The Last Voyage of the Demeter Nosferatu (2024) Sinners Dungeons and Desktops: The History of Computer Role-Playing Games 2nd Edition Shane's book! Co-authored with Matt Barton of Matt Chat /episode/index/show/shaneplays/id/38017640

TSR & WotC Veteran Steve Winter - Episode 284 - 7/28/2025 07/28/2025

TSR & WotC Veteran Steve Winter - Episode 284 - 7/28/2025 TSR and Wizards of the Coast veteran Steve Winter (Steve achieved one of the longest tenures across both companies). Steve plays guitar. Steve likes Shadowdark RPG, and is also interested in Knave, Savage Worlds, and Cthulhu / horror games. Steve has a definite favorite version of D&D (he finds it elegant and intuitive). Deep character backstory doesn’t equal plot armor. Sometimes we get too used to magic in games and think of it as technology… magic should be a bit fearsome and untame. Noteworthy moments of going insane in a Cthulhu game. Skyrim and Baldur’s Gate 3 discussion. Steve co-wrote the scenario for the Gold Box Pool of Radiance game. Some words about Jim Ward. Early versus later days at TSR. The job that was Steve’s best year at TSR. How was the work divided at TSR? Steve offers some perspective on Lorraine Williams’s leadership, given that he was right there. What was it like to be at TSR and watch Magic: The Gathering explode onto the scene? Steve worked on Spellfire, TSR’s response to MtG. What was it like transitioning from TSR to WotC? Star Frontiers: how it went from hard sci-fi to “D&D in space” and how employees’ desire for royalties led to its creation (and ultimately to the departure of Lawrence Schick from TSR). Marvel Super Heroes RPG discussion (MSH is HUGE for Shane personally). Shane Plays Geek Talk Episode #284 - 7/28/2025 Like what you hear? Support Shane Plays Geek Talk on Patreon! Listen to the Shane Plays Geek Talk podcast on YouTube, SoundCloud, iTunes, Google Play Music, Amazon Music, Podbean and Stitcher (and other fine, fine podcast directories). Hey, you! Yeah, you! Buy cool stuff, support Shane Plays Geek Talk with these affiliate links! Humble Bundle DriveThruRPG.com SHOW NOTES Steve Winter’s Wikipedia Entry Steve Winter’s Board Game Geek Entry Howling Tower (Steve’s Blog) Shadowdark RPG Knave RPG Dungeons and Desktops: The History of Computer Role-Playing Games 2nd Edition Shane's book! Co-authored with Matt Barton of Matt Chat /episode/index/show/shaneplays/id/37573655

Twilight: 2000 RPG With The Found In The Ruins Podcast - Episode 283 - 5/15/2025 05/15/2025

Comic Books, "New" Doctor Who 20th Anniversary, D&D 2024, and Tariffs - Episode 282 - 4/26/2025 04/26/2025

Comic Books, "New" Doctor Who 20th Anniversary, D&D 2024, and Tariffs - Episode 282 - 4/26/2025 Shane waxes eloquent (ok, he might rant mildly) on several aspects of the mainstream comic book industry including the direct market business model, variant covers, multiple characters with the same name, and constant status quo changes (plus the overuse of the word “iconic” these days, which isn’t comics-related but Shane kvetches about it anyway). A mini-review and comparison of DC’s Absolute Universe and Marvel’s Ultimate Universe (which one does Shane like best). Doctor Who has been back on the air for 20 years! A sincere shout-out to Toby Hadoke. An ailing Doctor Who super fan, lost episodes of Who, and the use of AI. D&D 2024: is it a new edition or not? (and no one seems to really be talking about D&D 2024 to be honest). The tariff war’s effect on game publishers and vague predictions and hopes for the future. A tribute to friend of the show Tony Dutra, now sadly gone. Shane Plays Geek Talk Episode #282 - 4/26/2025 Like what you hear? Support Shane Plays Geek Talk on Patreon! Listen to the Shane Plays Geek Talk podcast on YouTube, SoundCloud, iTunes, Google Play Music, Amazon Music, Podbean and Stitcher (and other fine, fine podcast directories). Hey, you! Yeah, you! Buy cool stuff, support Shane Plays Geek Talk with these affiliate links! Humble Bundle DriveThruRPG.com SHOW NOTES DC’s Absolute Universe Marvel’s Ultimate Universe Toby Hadoke Patreon Ailing ‘Doctor Who’ superfan spends fortune to recreate 97 lost episodes to see ‘complete’ series before he dies DnD 5e to 2024 DnD Transition Guide and Change Log: Everything That’s Different in the New 2024 Player’s Handbook Jeremy Crawford and Chris Perkins to Leave Dungeons & Dragons' Design Team Tariffs affecting games What Game Publishers Are Saying About The Tariffs How Will The New Tariffs Affect TTRPG Prices? Do Tariffs Apply To RPG Books? Maybe, Maybe Not! Wizards of the Coast Says That China Tariffs Will Have Minimal Impact on D&D Shane Plays Geek Talk Episode 252: The Wit and Wisdom of Troll Lord Games Tony Dutra: GURPS! – Radio Show / Podcast Ep. 40 Tony Dutra: Game Master / Dungeon Master Tips & Panel Discussion! – Radio Show / Podcast Ep. 70 Tony Dutra: RPG News Blast! – Radio Show / Podcast Ep. 105 Tony Dutra: How To Create A GURPS Character Tony Dutra: How To Play GURPS Dungeons and Desktops: The History of Computer Role-Playing Games 2nd Edition Shane's book! Co-authored with Matt Barton of Matt Chat /episode/index/show/shaneplays/id/36322800

Banquet For Fools With Game Developers Hannah And Joseph Williams - Episode 281 - 11/26/2024 11/26/2024

Star Trek Video Games With Mat Bradley-Tschirgi - Episode 280 - 10/23/2024 10/23/2024

RPG & Gaming Scholar Jon Peterson - Episode 279 - 9/27/2024 09/27/2024

RPG Designer Merle M. Rasmussen - Episode 278 - 8/14/2024 08/15/2024

Zombie Movies with Chris Holmes and Mike Stewart - Episode 277 - 7/22/2024 07/22/2024

Zombie Movies with Chris Holmes and Mike Stewart - Episode 277 - 7/22/2024 Shane, Chris Holmes, and Mike Stewart aka DM Mike (Save for Half podcast, Found in the Ruins podcast) shamble relentlessly through over 40 zombie and zombie-ish flicks in their inhuman hunger for horror. Plus a brief detour into the best on-screen Joker and multiple bad zombie jokes. True or false: Marcel Marceau starred in a zombie flick. What is Shane’s most annoying zombie movie? What would you do if you were the last person on Earth and could do whatever you want? Shane offers a rare trigger warning. Shane Plays Geek Talk Episode #277 - 7/22/2024 Like what you hear? Support Shane Plays Geek Talk on Patreon! Listen to the Shane Plays Geek Talk podcast on YouTube, SoundCloud, iTunes, Google Play Music, Amazon Music, Podbean and Stitcher (and other fine, fine podcast directories). Hey, you! Yeah, you! Buy cool stuff, support Shane Plays Geek Talk with these affiliate links! Humble Bundle DriveThruRPG.com SHOW NOTES Found in the Ruins podcast (FITR releases on the SFH podcast feed) Found in the Ruins Facebook Group Return of the Ripper for DCC RPG with a cover by Jeff Dee and illustrations by Chris Holmes Chris Holmes’s Zombie Movie List (if an entry is numbered, Chris recommends it. If it’s not numbered, he feels it’s worth discussing but doesn’t “rank” for his top 15) Last Man on Earth USA 1964 Dir. Sidney Salkow Based on I Am Legend Richard Matheson Stars Vincent Price Plague of the Zombies UK 1966 Dir. John Gilling Stars Andre Morell Hammer Film 1. Night of the Living Dead USA 1968 Dir. George Romero Writ. John Russo Stars Duane Jones Tombs of the Blind Dead Spain-Portugal 1972 Dir. And written Amado de Ossorio Stars are unimportant 2. Omega Man USA 1971 Dir. Boris Sagal Based on I Am Legend Stars Charlton Heston, Rosalind Cash Children Shouldn’t Play With Dead Things USA 1972 Dir. Bob Clark written and starring Bob Clark! Shanks USA 1974 Dir. William Castle probably written by him too Stars Marcel Marceau! 3. Dawn of the Dead USA 1978 Dir. And Writer George Romero Stars Ken Foree Stunts and makeup by Tom Savinni Zombi 2 Italy 1979 Dir. Lucio Fulci Writ. Dardeo Sacchetti Released in U.S. as Zombie Nightmare City Italy 1980 Dir.Umberto Lenzi Stars Hugo Stieglitz and many attractive women. Extremely silly. 4. The Evil Dead 1981 USA Dir. Sam Rami also written by him Stars Bruce Campbell First in a great Trilogy Dead and Buried 1981 USA Dir. Gary Sherman Writtten by Dan Obannon Stars James Farentino, Jack Albertson 5. Re-Animator 1985 USA Dir. Stuart Gordon written by him and Brian Yuzna Stars Jeffry Combs, Barbara Crampton 6. Return of the Living Dead 1985 USA Dir. Dan OBannon also written by him Stars James Karen, Clu Galagar, Linea Quigley, Day of the Dead 1985 USA Dir. George Romero also written by him Stars Lori Cardille A great disappointment Night of the Creeps 1986 USA Dir. Fred Dekkar also written by him Aliens create zombies 7. Evil Dead 2 1987 USA Dir. Sam Rami also written by him Stars Bruce Campell More fun and no tree rape Night of the Living Dead 1990 USA Tom Savini remake of original Stars Patricia Tallman 8. Dead Alive (Brain Dead) 1992 N.Z. Dir. Peter Jackson Writ. S. Sinclair Stars Timothy Balme, Diana Penalver Army of Darkness 1992 USA Dir. Sam Rami Written by Sam and Ivan Rami Stars Bruce Campbell, Embeth Davidtz 9. Cemetery Man 1994 Italy Dir. Michele Soavi Stars Rupert Everett, Franscois Lazaro, Anna Falchi 10. Bio Zombi 1998 Hong Kong Dir. Wilson Yip Stars Jordan Chan Very funny. 11. Stacy ( Attack of the School Girl Zombies) 2001 Japan Dir. Naoyuki Tomomatsu Possibly the weirdest Shawn of the Dead 2004 England Dir. Steven Wright Stars Simon Pegg, Mark Frost Dance of the Dead 2008 USA Dir. Greg Bishop Written Joe Ballarini D&D players die in this film Dead Snow 2009 Norway Dir. Tommy Wirkola Stars Charlotte Frogner 12. Wyrmwood (Road of the Dead) 2014 Australia Dir. Kiah Roache Turner Stars Bianca Bradey -Features car chases on the outback Scout’s Guide to the Zombie Apocalypse 2015 USA Dir. and written Christopher Landon Stars Tye Sheridan 13. One Cut of the Dead (Zombie One Cut) 2017 Japan Shinichiro Ueda No spoilers please 14. Little Monsters 2019 Australia Dir. Abe Forsythe Stars Lupita Nyoung’o Heartwarming 15. Night Eats the World 2018 France Dir. Dominique Rocher Stars Anders Danielsen Bleak and realistic Shane’s Additional Worth Mentioning List (for better or for worse) Train to Busan World War Z Assault on Precinct 13 The Crazies The Sadness Zombieland REC The Returned Demons Army of the Dead Land of the Dead Diary of the Dead Survival of the Dead The Living Dead at the Manchester Morgue Honorable Mention: Michael Jackson’s “Thriller” music video Dungeons and Desktops: The History of Computer Role-Playing Games 2nd Edition Shane's book! Co-authored with Matt Barton of Matt Chat /episode/index/show/shaneplays/id/32236617

Comics & Comicsgate With Preston Poulter - Episode 276 - 4/29/2024 04/30/2024

MASSIVE GEEKOUT With David Finn Of Signal Of Doom - Episode 275 - 3/29/2024 03/29/2024

MASSIVE GEEKOUT With David Finn Of Signal Of Doom - Episode 275 - 3/29/2024 Wide-ranging geekout with David Finn of Signal of Doom!! Lots of comic book and MCU chat (like, a lot). Pi Day. Doctor Who, old and new. Google Gemini vs. ChatGPT. Judge Dredd satirizes fascism but can tell multi-layered stories. Godzilla finally wins an Oscar. Godzilla as a metaphor. The essence of the Punisher. It’s been a while, but Shane rants a bit (and David loves it). The Krakoan X-Men scare Shane and David’s ready for the era to move on. Current Beast makes David pine for Dark Beast. Three Jokers?? The 80s Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles RPG and real-life urban ninja action. Shane’s defining Han Solo moments. David recommends Dreamsnake by Vonda N. McIntyre. A key to being an adult is being able to separate the creator from the creation in terms of enjoying entertainment. What D&D-related incident made a young Shane cry? Shane and David love the old-school CRPGs. The Asanti Series is a continuing series of fantasy books by David. Shane Plays Geek Talk Episode #275 - 3/29/2024 Like what you hear? Support Shane Plays Geek Talk on Patreon! Listen to the Shane Plays Geek Talk podcast on YouTube, SoundCloud, iTunes, Google Play Music, Amazon Music, Podbean and Stitcher (and other fine, fine podcast directories). Hey, you! Yeah, you! Buy cool stuff, support Shane Plays Geek Talk with these affiliate links! Humble Bundle DriveThruRPG.com SHOW NOTES Signal of Doom Podcast Signal of Doom: Ed Greenwood Interview Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles and Other Strangeness RPG ‘Godzilla Minus One’ Makes Franchise History With First Oscars Win Dreamsnake by Vonda N. McIntyre Circle of Eight Modding Community - The Temple of Elemental Evil The Asanti Series (David’s Books on Amazon) Dungeons and Desktops: The History of Computer Role-Playing Games 2nd Edition Shane's book! Co-authored with Matt Barton of Matt Chat /episode/index/show/shaneplays/id/30599638

Greyhawk With Allan "grodog" Grohe - Episode 274 - 2/29/2024 03/01/2024

Strat-O-Matic Baseball with Champion Bill Meinhardt - Episode 273 - 1/31/2024 02/01/2024

Star Fleet Battles With Bill Barsh - Episode 272 - 12/29/2023 12/29/2023

Stan Lee With Comics Creator Tom Scioli - Episode 271 - 11/20/2023 11/20/2023

Zombie Bytes with James T. Wilson - Episode 270 - 10/23/2023 10/23/2023

Incredible Cosplay With Simple Tricks & Nonsense - Episode 269 - 7/16/2023 07/16/2023

The Legend of Drizzt with Mike Witwer – Episode 268 – 5/30/2023 05/30/2023

Holmes Basic D&D, John Eric Holmes & Edgar Rice Burroughs with Chris Holmes - Episode 267 - 5/12/2023 05/12/2023

Betrayal at Krondor 30th Anniversary & Fan Film Challenge with Neal Hallford - Episode 266 - 3/14/2023 03/14/2023

Betrayal at Krondor 30th Anniversary & Fan Film Challenge with Neal Hallford - Episode 266 - 3/14/2023 Hey there, friend! If you're into classic games and fascinating stories, you'll love our latest podcast episode featuring the multi-talented Neal Hallford. Join us as he shares insider details on the renowned Betrayal at Krondor CRPG, and get excited about the game's 30th-anniversary celebrations! This innovative game was truly ahead of its time, and Neal takes us on a journey to explore the bold choices that made it such a hit. Discover the game element that needed a makeover but ultimately turned out even better! Did you know that Neal's incredible work on the game led Raymond E. Feist to include it in his iconic Riftwar Saga novel series? Hear about their collaboration and get an insider's perspective on Feist's impressive business acumen. But wait, there's more! Brace yourself for some juicy behind-the-scenes stories of the BAK sequel drama, complete with corporate antics and a dash of Machiavellian mischief. You won't want to miss it! Neal also shares his thoughts on his Krondor Remastered project and reveals what he'd do differently if he had the chance to remake the game today. Plus, find out which lessons from his Swords & Circuitry game development textbook still hold true and what he'd update for the modern age. And if you're a budding filmmaker, get inspired by the Betrayal at Krondor Fan Film Challenge, where even your trusty smartphone can be your ticket to success! Lastly, uncover a surprising connection between Betrayal at Krondor and the legendary BioWare. Tune in now for an enthralling and engaging conversation that's sure to spark your curiosity! Shane Plays Geek Talk Episode #266 - 3/14/2023 Like what you hear? Support Shane Plays Geek Talk on Patreon! Listen to the Shane Plays Geek Talk podcast on YouTube, SoundCloud, iTunes, Google Play Music, Amazon Music, Podbean and Stitcher (and other fine, fine podcast directories). Hey, you! Yeah, you! Buy cool stuff, support Shane Plays Geek Talk with these affiliate links! Humble Bundle DriveThruRPG.com SHOW NOTES Krondor Fan Film Challenge - Opening Day Announcement Video Betrayal at Krondor Fan Film Challenge Promo Video for Betrayal at Krondor Meetup in Eugene, OR on June 23, 2023 Facebook Event page for Betrayal at Krondor Meetup in Eugene, OR on June 23, 2023 Bak Bits Every Tuesday and Thursday until the meetup in Eugene on June 23rd, Neal is releasing new Bak Bits about the history of Krondor. Follows can find them by the hashtags #BAK30, #KRONDOR30, and #KRONDORFFC Neal’s Blog Betrayal at Krondor Pack on GOG Swords & Circuitry: A Designer's Guide to Computer Role-Playing Games Betrayal at Krondor Remastered & Lumberyard! – Shane Plays Ep. 45 (April 2016) --- Dungeons and Desktops: The History of Computer Role-Playing Games 2nd Edition Shane's book! Co-authored with Matt Barton of Matt Chat /episode/index/show/shaneplays/id/26230839

They Came for the OGL: 3rd Party RPG Publishers Share Their Experience - Episode 265 - 2/9/2023 02/09/2023

They Came for the OGL: 3rd Party RPG Publishers Share Their Experience - Episode 265 - 2/9/2023 Zach Glazar (Frog God Games), Bill Barsh (Pacesetter Games) and Levi Combs (Planet X Games) share the personal impact (here’s a hint: "existential threat") and professional impact that Wizards of the Coast’s recent OGL announcements had on them, and where they’re going from here. "Unprofessional" and "ham-fisted" is mentioned a lot by our guests. Third-party publishers have been publishing the strong stuff for 5E in recent years. Was WotC's final decision enough to get things back to what they were with 3rd party TTRPG publishers and creators or is the relationship over? What options are on the table if someone wants to leave WotC and their OGL behind? OGLs versus SRDs. ORCs and Black Flags. Finer points of TTRPG legal warfare. What the heck does irrevocable mean, anyway? Our guests have firm theories on what level in WotC this all came from (and the theories might surprise you). Shane Plays gets a HOT SCOOP from Pacesetter Games. Shane Plays Geek Talk Episode #265 - 2/9/2023 Like what you hear? Support Shane Plays Geek Talk on Patreon! Listen to the Shane Plays Geek Talk podcast on YouTube, SoundCloud, iTunes, Google Play Music, Amazon Music, Podbean and Stitcher (and other fine, fine podcast directories). Hey, you! Yeah, you! Buy cool stuff, support Shane Plays Geek Talk with these affiliate links! Humble Bundle DriveThruRPG.com SHOW NOTES Dungeons & Dragons’ New License Tightens Its Grip on Competition https://gizmodo.com/dnd-wizards-of-the-coast-ogl-1-1-open-gaming-license-1849950634 An Update on the Open Game License (OGL) Cached version Frantic backpedaling (and attempted spin) on OGL 1.1 Summary of creator and fan response to WotC's OGL 1.1 official statement "It has become clear that it is no longer possible to achieve all goals" - Wizards of the Coast address Dungeons & Dragons OGL 1.1 backlash A Working Conversation About the Open Game License (OGL) Cahed version D&D maker still wants to revoke earlier versions of "open" gaming license D&D Beyond: OGL 1.0a & Creative Commons 88% do not want to publish TTRPG content under OGL 1.2. 90% would have to change some aspect of their business to accommodate OGL 1.2. 89% are dissatisfied with deauthorizing OGL 1.0a. 86% are dissatisfied with the draft VTT policy. 62% are satisfied with including Systems Reference Document (SRD) content in Creative Commons, and the majority of those who were dissatisfied asked for more SRD content in Creative Commons. Ryan Dancey -- Hasbro Cannot Deauthorize OGL Goodman Games Announces January Is Best Sales Month In Its History Paizo Announces System-Neutral Open RPG License - Open RPG Creative License (ORC) Kobold Press's Black Flag Blog Posts (new SRD / open fantasy RPG system project) Kobold Press releases new details for Project Black Flag --- Dungeons and Desktops: The History of Computer Role-Playing Games 2nd Edition Shane's book! Co-authored with Matt Barton of Matt Chat /episode/index/show/shaneplays/id/25884120

OSRIC & The OSR with Allan T. Grohe Jr. - Episode 264- 11/30/2022 11/30/2022

The Valley Out Of Time & Skeeter Green Productions - Episode 263 - 10/19/2022 10/18/2022

Reaper's Dungeon Dwellers RPG with Joseph Wolf - Episode 262 - 9/24/2022 09/25/2022

Champions RPG with George MacDonald - Episode 261 - 9/9/2022 09/09/2022

Champions RPG with George MacDonald - Episode 261 - 9/9/2022 Champions superhero RPG co-creator (and HERO Games co-founder) George MacDonald with guest co-host Michael Stewart (Victorious RPG creator; Save For Half and The Crusader podcasts co-host). The origins of Champions from the why, to the playtesting to the launch and beyond. Was the initial reception to Champions disappointing or encouraging? George came out of wargaming and his RPG mechanics reflects that. Did early players prefer to play licensed characters or their own superheroes? Crunchy versus streamlined game mechanics. Estimating the damage between wet and dry avalanches. Why did George decide to do superheroes for his first RPG game genre? The difference in adventure structure between RPG genres (fantasy, cyberpunk, superheroes). Some of the business thinking behind printing a game and creating a company (two different things!). Game distributors dangled the carrot a lot back in the day. The great Hero Games Box Shuffle of the Early Eighties. A speed round of Champions questions for George from Facebook. The pros and cons of wearing a cape. Foxbat’s secret identity REVEALED! What term in sci-fi RPGs has always bugged Shane? A little bit of chat about George’s time in computer games including Pool of Radiance. Shane Plays Geek Talk Episode #261 - 9/9/2022 Like what you hear? Support Shane Plays Geek Talk on Patreon! Listen to the Shane Plays Geek Talk podcast on YouTube, SoundCloud, iTunes, Google Play Music, Amazon Music, Podbean and Stitcher (and other fine, fine podcast directories). Hey, you! Yeah, you! Buy cool stuff, support Shane Plays Geek Talk with these affiliate links! Humble Bundle DriveThruRPG.com SHOW NOTES George MacDonald (game designer) Save For Half Podcast Episode 17: Champions 1st Edition Matt Chat 490: George MacDonald World of Supers RPGs Facebook Group I tried to recreate a comic book using DALL-E and Alan Moore’s script --- Dungeons and Desktops: The History of Computer Role-Playing Games 2nd Edition Shane's book! Co-authored with Matt Barton of Matt Chat /episode/index/show/shaneplays/id/24323598

Terrain-Tronics: DIY Gaming Terrain Electronics - Episode 260 - 8/15/2022 08/15/2022

Shane Plays Geek Talk

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