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All posts filed under “Phoenix”

March 8, 2017

Episode 96: Designer Whiplash

First the guys talk about the JoCo cruise, for which they depart in just a few days. Then Andy talks about Toy Fair and the newest products Looney Labs was showing off there, including Andy’s Amsterdam Coffeeshop coffee table book, which he’s been working on a lot recently. Andy talks about “Designer Whiplash,” a game inventor’s problem in which playtesters get burned out by too many rule changes. Keith talks about his newest RPG project, which he’s hoping to have more replayability than most RPGs which can only be played once. He also talks about Project Ex, which will no longer be secret within weeks, and Andy teases his new game Time Breaker. Moving on to media, they discuss the Batman Lego Movie, Legion, Powerless, This is Us, Emerald City, and Crazy Ex-Girlfriend.

February 22, 2017

Episode 95: You’ve Ruined Groundhog Day!

Keith talks about things that happened in a recent RPG he’s been playing, in which a turning point was a moment when a magical fox said something rude to him. This leads to a discussion of what people enjoy about role-playing, and in specifically what his wife Jenn likes — and doesn’t like — about role-playing. We learn that Jenn dislikes close-up magic acts. They talk about a new song by the Doubleclicks that mentioned Gloom and Fluxx, then they talk about Codenames. Media topics include Legion, Infinity Train, Tim’s Vermeer, Crazy Ex-Girlfriend, Powerless, and The Lego Batman Movie. Keith hints again about Project Ex, and Andy talks about his new time travel board game in the works, Time Breaker. Keith mentions his dog, Ping, and Andy talks about Dave Bondi’s doggie. Lastly Andy talks about the return of Nanofictionary and he rants about a flaw he recently observed in the classic film, Groundhog Day.

February 14, 2017

Episode 94: That’s Not How Time Travel Works!

Keith talks about an RPG he’s playing, which leads to discussions of books by Tim Powers and Roger Zelazny, and also games involving tarot cards and objects that look different from what they actually are. Then they reminisce about classic kids shows, in particular The Electric Company. Andy talks about being interviewed about the early days of Live Action Role Playing by author Jon Peterson. Moving on to media, they discuss Timeless, mostly just complaining about how time travel supposedly works on that show. Other topics include Steven Universe, Fringe, Jodorowsky’s Dune, and Rick & Morty.

January 24, 2017

Episode 91: Let’s Build that Reactor!

First, Keith talks about snow in Portland. Then the guys discuss a bit from Robot Chicken which they have found highly quotable. They discuss the projects they’re each working on for a bit, then they get into media, discussing Travelers, the OA, Continuum, Boardwalk Empire, Manchester by the Sea, Hidden Figures, This Is Us, Journeyman, and the Magicians. Then Keith talks about a role-playing game he’s currently in, and Andy talks about a big new board game for 8 players called Captain Sonar. Lastly they go back to media for a somewhat-spoilery discussion of The Good Place.

SPOILER ALERT: Spoilers inside.

January 17, 2017

Episode 90: Robocopping

First, Keith talks Artificers in D&D and the issues around being a world-builder whose worlds are expanded upon by other designers, who don’t always understand the core concepts of the backstory. Keith also talks about variant rules for Illimat he’s been developing, including solitaire and team play. Andy mentions having seen and loved Hidden Figures, and then gets into a long discussion about Game of Thrones, which he’s finally been starting to absorb. He’s been using a technique called Robocopping, in which a friend watches the show with you, fast-forwarding through most of it, letting you watch just the most interesting parts and summarizing the rest of it for you.

January 10, 2017

Episode 89: Call Me Ben

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.

January 3, 2017

Episode 88: Dungeons & Tunnels

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

December 28, 2016

Episode 87: Rogue One Roundup

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

December 13, 2016

Episode 85: Norwegian Omelette

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

November 22, 2016

Episode 82: They [actually don’t] Have a Plan

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.