Andy & Keith talk about how they spent their holidays, then they discuss various issues about running RPGs. Then they talk about movies, including La La Land, Moana, Rogue One, Backstroke of the West, and the Vader Sessions. Lastly, Andy describes in depth the Star Wars movie he’d like to see, which would be about the life story of Obi-Wan Kenobi.
First Andy & Keith talk about how they spent their holidays. Then they yammer about watching TV, and videos on the internet, and watching shows via streaming. They discuss an imaginary show called “Designated Survivor Survivor”. Then they get into a deep conversation about RPGs, the different player styles they attract, and a home-brew system Andy & Keith invented long ago called Dungeons & Tunnels. Then they talk about how hyperspace makes chase scenes in space nonsensical. Lastly, they get into a spoiler-laden discussion about Designated Survivor.
SPOILER ALERT: Spoilers inside
First Keith and Andy discuss holiday preparations and some lesser known holiday traditions. They also talk a little about the ups and downs of 2016, including the many notable deaths. [And this was recorded before they heard about Carrie Fisher.] But mostly the guys just talk about media: first they discuss a couple of TV shows including Designated Survivor and Timeless, then Keith gives his views on Harry Potter and the Cursed Child. Finally, they discuss Star Wars: Rogue One at length, with side topics including Episode 7 and the Star Wars Holiday Special. Watch out for spoilers after they bring down the Spoiler Curtain.
Spoiler Alert: Spoilers Inside
Keith talks about a new role-playing system Will Hindmarch is developing, and a scenario called Homecoming which Keith wrote for this system. Keith also talks about something else he’s working on, called Dungeon Dogs. Then Andy talks about the design for Chemistry Fluxx and a couple of cards he’s finding problematic. He also mentions a last minute addition to Math Fluxx called Plan C. Lastly they talk about the series Timeless, including some ranting by Andy about the Apollo-11 episode.
Andy & Keith spend most of this episode talking about media, although they try to hold back on the spoilers until near the end. Subjects they go deep on include the series Westworld and the films Arrival and Dr. Strange. Keith talks about an RPG scenario he’s about to run, and Andy talks about foreign language editions of Just Desserts, in which Baked Alaska becomes Norwegian Omelette. They also talk about a couple of tabletop games they recently played, Mystic Vale and The Game.
Spoiler Alert: Spoilers Inside
Keith talks about a secret computer game project he’s working on, and reflects at length on similarities between MMO game design and the world building of shows like Battlestar Galactica, The 100, Enterprise, Lost, and in particular, Westworld. Then they talk at great length about Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them, and also The Magicians and The Eagle Huntress. Lastly they talk more about Westworld, this time with spoilers aplenty.
SPOILER ALERT: Spoilers inside.
This week Keith’s in town, so they guys record the episode in Andy’s Game Room, where they spend some time discussing random vintage games in Andy’s collection. Andy gives Keith a box of cold-fusion Chubble which leads to yet another discussion about time travel. Keith talks about The Magicians and notes some of the differences between the book and the series. Keith talks about watching the series Space Race, causing Andy to talk about spaceflight history, in particular project Vanguard and race to launch the first satellite. Moving on to movies, they talk a little about Fantastic Beasts, Zootopia, the Secret Life of Pets, and Doctor Strange. Then they each answer the question, what’s your favorite Marvel movie?
Andy talks about the reviews Pyramid Arcade is starting to get, and laments minor errors that have emerged on one of the gameboards inside. But mostly the guys just discuss media, in particular, a couple of long discussions about Westworld. Other topics include a couple of series from the BBC (Space Race and Black Mirror) and a new Beatles album from an alternate dimension, called Everyday Chemistry.
First, Andy & Keith check in on each other’s games, Illimat and Pyramid Arcade, then they talk about conventions they each just got back from, GameHoleCon for Andy and Ambercon for Keith. Then they get into lengthy, spoiler-laced discussions of The Good Place, Timeless, and Westworld.
Spoiler Alert: Spoilers inside.
Illimat is the first subject of note, since Keith’s Kickstarter is just about to close. Andy talks about his recent West Coast trip, in particular discussing visits to local institutions including Portland’s numerous McMenamins locations, and LA’s Time Travel Mart, where Andy bought a mysterious product imported from the future called Chubble. Media subjects include Timeless, Westworld, and The Good Place.