Vampire: The Masquerade, Werewolf: The Apocalypse, World of Darkness both new and old, Ravenloft, Call of Cthulhu…what draws us to these classic horror roleplaying systems and settings? Guest Ari Marmell (fantasy author and game designer for White Wolf and Wizards of the Coast) joins us at the Gamer’s Tavern to talk about these systems, how they in…

Modern technology is changing the gaming world one app and social media page at a time. Jesse Scoble (designer on Silver Age Sentinels and A Song of Ice and Fire Roleplaying) joins us to discuss how our smartphones, tablets, laptops, and the internet are all changing the industry and our gaming table. The Gods of the Digital Age tried to stop this …

We finally get the Shadowrun out of our systems as we’re joined by John Dunn and Russell Zimmerman to talk about my personal favorite RPG of all time, Shadowrun! If you’ve never played the game before, you’ll want to check out the primer I recorded on the Shadowrun system and its history so you can follow along. Other than that, all I have to say c…

Spending the holidays with the family? Got some non-gamer friends you want to hook on roleplaying? Episode 8 of the Gamer’s Tavern has you covered as our guest Nicole Wakelin, aka Total Fangirl, joins us to examine how gaming with the family is a bonding experience, what games work best to play during the holidays, and how to get your non-gamer fri…

Running a roleplaying game can be difficult. How can you make it easier on yourself while adding more epic to your games? That’s exactly what Keith Baker, designer of Eberron and Gloom, joins us to discuss! Worldbuilding, adventure design, NPCs, you name it, we cover it in the longest and most packed episode of Gamer’s Tavern yet! (Originally relea…

This episode of the Gamer’s Tavern is devoted to examining the link between gaming and film. Film has influenced tabletop gaming over the years and, more recently, gaming has started to influence films as the kids playing the Red Box grew up to be writers, actors, and directors. This week’s show notes are going to be a little odd as there aren’t go…

Dungeons & Dragons is the reason we’re in this hobby. Everyone plays it. But how much do you know about where it came from? Ross Watson and Darryl Mott Jr. are flying solo as they talk about the history of the most popular roleplaying game on the planet, its origins, and the entire TSR era. (Originally released December 20, 2013) Full show notes an…

Is your New Years resolution to change careers into the gaming industry? Do you want to work with the big boys or be your own boss as a freelancer? Guests Sam Stewart and Sean Patrick Fannon join us to talk about how to break into the gaming business (Originally released December 27, 2013)

Want to have your cake and eat it too? Welcome to the world of generic or “kitchen sink” roleplaying games. Ivan Van Norman joins us to discuss all the systems that act as a catch-all for your gaming experience, whether it’s the open world full of white space to explore or the system or setting that allows you to throw every genre into a blender an…

In our most controversial episode to date, Ross and Darryl discuss the second half of D&D’s history, the Wizards of the Coast/Paizo era. And yes, there are arguments a plenty. However, both the host and owner of the Gamer’s Tavern manage to discuss the single most contentious point in gaming for an hour and a half without coming to blows. So that j…

What makes a villain? What separates them from just another antagonists and pushes them into iconic if not mythic status? Chris Avelllone, designer of some of the greatest villains of gaming history whether digital or analog, joins us to discuss what makes a villain and how to use the Big Bad Evil Guy in your game. (Originally released on January 1…

How do game designers create the amazing worlds we all play in? How can you use their tricks to add more to your own game? Or do you want to become a professional yourself and publish your own game world? Colin McComb and Darrell Hardy join us to discuss one of the challenges of modern game design, Worldbuilding. (Originally released on January 24,…

This week, Ross Watson and Darryl Mott Jr. honor the best in gaming for 2013. From board games to roleplaying games, from accessories to media, we give our picks for what we feel are the best of the year past. We chose our winners based on our own personal, subjective opinions and then give our reasons. Was there a game we left off? Leave us a comm…

BattleTech. Robotech. Rifts. Mekton. Giant robots beating the crap out of other giant robots. Is that ever not awesome? Jason Marker (Robotech RPG, Warhammer 40K Roleplay, Star Wars: Edge of the Empire) joins us to talk about our favorite giant stompy robot games and how to run them. (Originally released February 7, 2014) Full show notes and curren…

Are you worried about gaming with your romantic partner? Or maybe you’re looking for that special gamer out there for you? Or have you found The One, but they’re not into gaming? This special Valentine’s Day edition of Gamer’s Tavern addresses all your concerns about real-life relationships and tabletop gaming! Carrinn Seabolt, Bruce Cordell, and T…

In the first of our series on campaign settings, we talk with author Richard Lee Byers on Faerun and the Forgotten Realms. Join us at the table in the corner as we talk about all the different aspects of the setting and why it’s one of the most popular campaign settings ever written. (Originally released February 21, 2014) Full show notes and curre…

We go way off the deep end this episode as we discuss using graphic violence and other mature content in gaming. How do you know where the line is? How do you keep from crossing it? WARNING: This episode is about the topic of Graphic Content. This episode contains descriptions of violence, gore, and torture. If these subjects upset or offend you, p…

What does it mean to be human when you can replace your body with cybernetic implants? Does your soul survive if you upload your consciousness into a computer? Cyberpunk and transhumanist games ask these questions. From William Gibson’s Neuromancer to Warren Ellis’s Transmetropolitan, from Ghost in the Shell to Almost Human, we have always been fas…

Bum-ba-BAAAAH! Bumbumbumbumbum-ba-BAAAAH! This week, we talk about Super Hero games. Licensed from Marvel, DC, or independent publishers or game systems that created their own universe. What games are out there to sate your Silver Age or Modern Era lust? How do super-hero games differ from normal RPGs? Tune in to find out more. (Originally released…

What makes a character fun to play? We go over all the tricks to make your PCs more interesting, dynamic, and fun. Award winning author Elizabeth Bear and award winning Writer/Producer/Actress Joanna Gaskell join award willing game designer Ross Watson and…just Darryl Mott Jr. to discuss how to create player characters that not only make the game m…

Crowdfunding is the great equalizer of our time. How can you back projects without getting burned? How do you launch your own project and make sure it’s successful? Guests Jamey Stegmaier and Mack Martin join us to discuss crowdfunding and gaming. The tips to make your Kickstarter stand out from the crowd, how to tell the flops from the potential g…

You’re interested in role playing games, but not sure where to get started? Ivan Van Norman and Mark Carroll join us to help you find a group, pick a first game, and introduce gaming to your friends. We also give many tips for starting gamers! (Originally released on April 11, 2014) Full show notes and current content available on http://gamerstave…

The forgotten campaign setting of D&D, as Ross likes to call it. The original creator of Birthright, Richard Baker, joins us to talk about the setting that just might have inspired Game of Thrones. You are a king, lord of your land with the divine right to rule – literally, you have divine energy that fuels your bloodline. This is Ross’s favorite c…

Everyone can rattle all nine off the top of their heads. But what do each of the alignments actually mean? Ross and Darryl can’t agree, so how can the gaming community? And do we even need alignments anymore? In this episode, your hosts Ross Watson and Darryl Mott Jr. go it alone as they discuss one of the biggest flamewar igniting topics in gaming…

Say any of these races, classes, clans, builds, backgrounds, or archetypes online and you will be deluged with hate. Why is it everyone thinks bards suck, or Kender are too annoying to let live? And is it possible to redeem these characters? (Originally released May 8, 2014)

There are more conventions than ever, and they’re getting bigger every year. Isn’t it time you go to a con? Tom Lommel, the man behind Bill Cavalier the Dungeon Bastard and Grady Elliot join us to talk about how to survive your first (or thirtieth) convention. Where should you stay? What do you need to bring? How do you meet up with people? Find ou…

The first annual State of the Industry episode with guests Shane Hensley and Brandon Gensemer. This episode, we talk about where the industry is, where it’s going, and where we think it should go. This episode recorded before the big announcements from Wizards of the Coast, but our points still stand. (Originally released May 30, 2014) Full show no…

Convention Season is upon us! Want to play games at a convention but don’t know what to expect? Or are you running a game and want it to be more awesome? Bill Keyes and Robert Dorf visit the Gamer’s Tavern to discuss the finer points of gaming at conventions. (Originally released June 13, 2014) Full show notes and current content available on http:…

Sometimes you make the saving throw, sometimes you don’t. Why is the risk of death important in a game? How should you use death in your games? How do you cope when your favorite character dies? Can a game be fun if your character can’t die? Nathan Dowdell and Lee Langston join us to talk about handling character death in games. (Originally release…

Gamer’s Tavern turns to the Dark Side! Want to play evil but are worried about the players turning into murderbunnies? Or dissolving into PvP chaos? We talk about how to use evil player characters and even entire evil parties and still tell great stories and have fun. (Originally released June 28, 2014) Full show notes and current content available…

Chainmail bikinis, cosplayer harassment, lack of female protagonists, and more. Gaming culture has many issues regarding sexism and in Part One of our episode on Sexism, Feminism, and Gaming; we identify the problem areas that make women feel excluded, marginalized, uncomfortable, or even fearful. (Originally released July 8, 2014) Full show notes …

Have an amazing idea that’s too niche or too original to make it through the gatekeepers at the publishers? Whether it’s a game, a novel, or something else: Publish it yourself! Learn how to do just that, the strengths and challenges of self-publishing, and how to get your product to the public. (Originally released July 19, 2014) Full show notes a…

How does live action roleplaying differ from tabletop roleplaying? What different kinds of LARPs are there? We’ve got a huge panel of guests to talk about just that and to give you valuable tips to start LARPing or run your own event! (Originally released July 27, 2014) Full show notes and current content available on http://gamerstavernshow.com…

Very important but very overlooked, art has been a part of gaming since the start of the hobby. But what goes into making the art for game books? How can art change a game without altering a word? And why does Rob Liefeld come up when we’re talking about artists? (Originally released on August 6, 2014) Full show notes and current content available …

Gaming luminaries Chris Pramas and Sean Patrick Fannon join us to talk about those shared experiences all gamers have. From the first time you played, your first set of dice, your first time behind the DM screen, and the first time you lose a character. Remember running into That Guy? Or that first time you realized you were speaking a foreign lang…

Diet? Exercise? On my gaming podcast? It’s more likely than you think. And not nearly as bad as you fear. This episode, we talk about the small lifestyle changes you can make to feel better and game longer! (Originally released on October 21, 2014) Full show notes and current content available on http://gamerstavernshow.com…

Most gamers get their start in a dungeon crawl. Many of the classic modules from the system are dungeon crawls. Why do these style adventures stick with us so much? What makes them so much fun? How can we keep them relevant in the 21st century? Join us to find out everything you need to know about dungeon crawls. (Originally released on November 11…

You wanted to know what we thought, well here it is. Our opinion of the new edition of Dungeons & Dragons. What’s to love, what’s to hate, and what’s to compare endlessly to Pathfinder; we cover it all! (Originally released on December 24, 2014) Full show notes and current content available on http://gamerstavernshow.com…

Want to see how conventions work? Maybe you want to start your on con? We have the best gaming conventions in the country, both big and small, to answer your questions about starting a convention! Guests: Sheena Colbath, Joe Charles, and Ed Doolittle (Originally released on December 30, 2014) Full show notes and current content available on http://…

The year is 2050. Or 2053 or 2060 or 2070 or 2075 depending on the edition. This is the Sixth World, where megacorporations dominate a world where magic has returned and technology has advanced beyond our wildest imagination. This episode, we talk about the campaign setting of Shadowrun with a special musical appearance from Opti from the Neo-Anarc…

Dozens of films, TV shows, and webseries are out there about gaming. Tonight, we give you a crash course not only in the genre of gaming films, but how to make your own! (Originally released on March 8, 2015) Full show notes and current content available on http://gamerstavernshow.com

Author Elizabeth Moon joins Ross, Darryl, and Gamer’s Tavern Social Media Coordinator Lauren Reber to talk about the siminal fantasy novel series about paladins, The Deed of Paksennarion! (Originally released on March 20, 2015) Full show notes and current content available on http://gamerstavernshow.com…

What role does humor play in gaming? How much is too much? How do you add humor to your games? We have some legends in gaming comedy, Scott Kurtz and John Kovalic, here to tell you all you need to know about humor and gaming. (Originally released on April 20, 2015) Full show notes and current content available on http://gamerstavernshow.com…

Codename: Van Buren. This cancelled video game was what Fallout 3 would have been. But did you know that the design team made a pen and paper RPG to test? Chris Avellone takes over the Gamer’s Tavern thanks to our generous Kickstarter backers in order to tell us all about the history of the development of the Fallout 3 that never happened and the u…

Magic has burned the world, and you’re left trying to survive this world of dangerous monsters, psionic powers, and Sorcerer Kings. Dark Sun is one of the first non-traditional fantasy campaign settings published by TSR in 1991 for Dungeons & Dragons. One of the original creators, Timothy Brian Brown, joins us to talk about this iconic world. (Orig…

Ravenloft is the one of the most popular campaign settings created for Dungeons & Dragons. Tonight, we talk about the history and the fun that comes with roleplaying in the Demiplane of Dread! (Originally released on May 21, 2015) Full show notes and current content available on http://gamerstavernshow.com…

Torg is a game long ahead of its time. We have designer Ed Stark to talk about this lost gem of a roleplaying game in a frank discussion of both the ways it innovated the gaming hobby and where it went wrong in some pretty spectacular ways. (Originally released on May 30, 2015) Full show notes and current content available on http://gamerstavernsho…

Ross, Darryl, and Lauren recorded live in front of an audience at Comicpalooza in Houston, TX! They talk about the convention, what they experienced, and did a Q&A helping the audience with their gaming questions. (Originally released on June 4, 2015) Full show notes and current content available on http://gamerstavernshow.com…

Every gamer knows there are rules not written in any book. How to act at the table, how to treat your dice, what to do when you order food. But what are those rules and how does everyone seem to know them? And what do you do with players who don’t know the rules? (Originally released July 24, 2015) Full show notes and current content available on h…

Do you want to go the long haul with your gaming session? I’m not talking weeks or months, but years with the same characters in the same world? Michael Surbrook joins us to help you realize that dream with advice on how to plan out long campaigns, how to avoid over-prepping, how to push through the quagmire, and more. (Originally released on Janua…