Best Vintage RPG Podcasts (2024)

1
Star Trek: The Role Playing Game 25:53

1h ago25:53

25:53

Set phasers to stun! This week on the Vintage RPG Podcast, we check out FASA’s 1982 Star Trek RPG. It’s an interesting game in it’s own right — a hack of Traveller, when it comes down to it — but is also super interesting in regards to fandom, IP canon and licensed RPGs. Climb on board as we explore these strange old worlds! * * * Stu’s book, Monst…

1
Get in the Van 26:28

4d ago26:28

26:28

This week on the Vintage RPG Podcast, we talk to John Patrick Cooper about Get in the Van, his live music-themed Troika hack. Form a band (hardcore, hair or thrash) in the year 198X, hit the road, do battle with the audience, rock their faces off and get to the next gig. A tight, fun little ode to the road dog life. Also, surprise, Cooper designed …

1
Dragon's Lair 20:20

11d ago20:20

20:20

There may be a million ways to die, but you’re probably only going to see the first two or three. This week on the Vintage RPG Podcast, we’re remembering the classic coin-eating arcade game, Dragon’s Lair (1983). That’s the one that features the cell-shaded, professionally animated (by Don frickin’ Bluth!) adventure of Dirk the Daring that was hidd…

1
Episode 105 The Atari 400 Mini Honest First Impressions 41:14

24d ago41:14

41:14

The Atari 400 Mini. Honest First Impressions from old skool Atari 8bit owning twins The Atari 400 mini arrived for both of us late last week. Here is our very candid first few discussions on what we like and dislike about the system. Support the Podcast 400 Mini https://amzn.to/43Efak6 Late night fuel support appreciated but not demanded : https://…

1
Arkham 30:30

18d ago30:30

30:30

If the Colour is out of Space it should maybe consider weeding some of its shelves, amirite? This week on the Vintage RPG Podcast, we’re going back to witch-haunted Arkham, Massachusetts by way of Chaosium’s latest edition of the Arkham sourcebook (previously known as Arkham Unveiled, H.P. Lovecraft’s Arkham and The Compact Arkham Unveiled). This i…

1
Caverns of Thracia 26:56

25d ago26:56

26:56

This week on the Vintage RPG Podcast, we’re checking out Caverns of Thracia (1979)! Considered by some to be the late Jennell Jaquays’ finest work, we talk about some of the ways it differs from her previous Judges Guild module, Dark Tower, the cool way it handles random encounters and its place in the high trinity of ’70s adventure design. Fun Fac…

1
Mystic Punks, Part Two 27:28

1M ago27:28

27:28

This week on the Vintage RPG Podcast, we’re continuing our talk with Anthony Meloro about Mystic Punks! This is Part the Second, so be sure to check out last week’s jam to get the full experience. On tap: the imminent Kickstarter for the multiplayer Mystic Punks RPG, the majestic art of Benjamin Marra, trash culture, the healing power of reefer and…

1
Mystic Punks, Part One 26:53

1M ago26:53

26:53

This week on the Vintage RPG Podcast, we’re talking to Anthony Meloro about Mystic Punks! This is Part One, because we got to gabbing so long that we got two episodes worth of chat. Within, we talk about the original Mystic Punks solo game, the imminent Kickstarter for the multiplayer Mystic Punks RPG, the majestic art of Benjamin Marra, trash cult…

1
#104: Atari 400 Mini - BLOWOUT! 46:44

2M ago46:44

46:44

We take a deep dive into the Atari 400 mini, discuss what we know, the features, all the included games, plus many other games we'd like to see. Watch the video version here: Atari 400 Mini -BLOWOUT! All the Games and More. - YouTube Late night fuel support appreciated but not demanded : https://www.buymeacoffee.com/intotheverticalblank All music, …

1
Jack of Shadows 26:51

2M ago26:51

26:51

This week on the Vintage RPG Podcast, we’re talking about Roger Zelazny’s 1971 novel Jack of Shadows. Gygax included the novel — a high-concept blend of fantasy and science fiction — in Appendix N, but it isn’t one that gets talked about all that often. Perhaps because it is such an unrelentingly ugly book, featuring a protagonist who embraces his …

1
Teenage Odyssey 30:12

2M ago30:12

30:12

This week on the Vintage RPG Podcast, we talk to Chuck Kranz and Adam Rose about their forthcoming RPG, Teenage Odyssey. Set in a small town in the early '90s, the game casts players as teens navigating humdrum lives that are periodically thrown into chaos by bizarre supernatural events. Featuring art by Marie Enger and a light and flexible system …

1
#103 : A Visit To The 2024 Vintage computer Festival So. Cal. 20:05

2M ago20:05

20:05

A visit to VCF So Cal. 2024. Groups, Podcasts, Publication Highlighted: - VCF So. Cal: https://www.vcfsocal.com/ -Atari Video Music Garage: https://www.youtube.com/@AtariVideoMusic -Intellivision Blue Sky Rangers: https://www.ebay.com/str/blueskyrangers -Intellivisionaries: http://intellivisionaries.com/ -Old School Gamer Magazine: https://www.olds…

1
The Price of Freedom 19:25

2M ago19:25

19:25

This week on the Vintage RPG Podcast, we take a look at the Cold War curiosity The Price of Freedom (1986). Basically Red Dawn (or Red Scare) the RPG, it seems like a serious attempt at creating a game in the mode of similar military-focused, conservatively minded box sets that were coming out at the same time. On the other hand, it’s by Greg Costi…

1
Swyvers 26:54

2M ago26:54

26:54

This week on the Vintage RPG Podcast, we talk to Luke Gearing and David Hoskins, the creative team behind the new RPG Swyvers, from Melsonian Arts Council. In a fictionalized, horrible sort of fantasy London full of corruption and wild magic, the only way to get yours is to take it from somebody else. Rules light, with a focus on collaborative play…

1
Ninja City: Drug Demon Disco 22:43

2M ago22:43

22:43

This week on the Vintage RPG Podcast, we chat with Joey Royale about the new adventure in Ninja City: Drug Demon Disco, for DCC. A new drug is hitting the streets and turning people into demons — can you and your ninja pals save the city? Can you do it while busting out the best breakdancing moves? Find out on Kickstarter, now! We also chat a littl…

1
#102: "Generation-Atari Out Of The Vertical Blank" Theme Song 3:34

3M ago3:34

3:34

This is our new "second" theme song "Generation Atari - Out Of The Vertical Blank". Music by Tony LongworthBy Jeff Fulton & Steve Fulton

1
The Temple of Apshai Trilogy 20:58

3M ago20:58

20:58

This week on the Vintage RPG Podcast, we’re looking back through videogame history at The Temple of Apshai Trilogy (1985), the classic remake of the original 1979 game and its two expansions. Apshai is maybe (depending on the criteria) the first dungeoncrawler videogame and one of the earliest videogame interpretations of Dungeons & Dragons. The Tr…

1
#101: VCF So Cal 2024! Interview With The Vintnerds! 36:24

3M ago36:24

36:24

We interview the Vintnerds about the upcoming, inaugural Vintage Computer Festival Southern California (VCF So. Call), Feb. 17, 18 2024 VCF links: Buy tickets / sponsor / donate / vend etc. https://www.vcfsocal.com/ New theme music "Out Of The Vertical Blank" by Tony Longworth Late night fuel support appreciated but not demanded : https://www.buyme…

1
Teaching Adventure Design 31:46

3M ago31:46

31:46

This week on the Vintage RPG Podcast we welcome back friend of the show Mark Sable, who is about to start teaching a class called Writing Adventures for Tabletop RPGs. Seems like something y'all might be interested in. We talk a bit about game design, about teaching games and the nebulous ways we've approached how-to in RPGs. Marks class is eight s…

1
MIG3: The Meints Index to Glorantha 17:14

3M ago17:14

17:14

This week on the Vintage RPG Podcast, Stu's crowing about one of his Christmas gifts, The Meints Guide to Glorantha, by Chaosium president Rick Meints. The books amounts to the definitive guide to all publications to include material on Glorantha in existence (well, all the ones Rick knows about, which is certainly most of them, if not all of them)…

1
#100: Atari ST LOG Magazine #2 May 1986: An Action RPG Point and Click and More 13:38

3M ago13:38

13:38

The history of the Atari ST in the USA #1. Video Version https://youtu.be/xxe4cV1eydY?si=0b6_K1s-Y7sLDf0s We continue taking a look at Atari after the Warner Sale specifically focusing on ST Log magazine which is still an insert into American Atari 8bit Computer Magazine, Analog at this point in history. Our focus is the ST and as entertainment mac…

1
How to Write Adventure Modules that Don't Suck 19:15

4M ago19:15

19:15

And we're back! This week on the Vintage RPG Podcast, Hambone's got the reins and talking about two books from Goodman Games: the Dungeon Crawl Classics Reference Booklet and How to Write Adventure Modules that Don't Suck. Spoiler: he loves them both! * * * Stu’s book, Monsters, Aliens, and Holes in the Ground is for sale now! Buy it! Patreon? Disc…

1
Black Angel (Remastered) 18:41

4M ago18:41

18:41

Hello friends! We're running remastered repeats for the holidays. I can't tell you why I thought Black Angel worked for the holidays beyond being similar to that vague, dreamy vibe of The Green Knight (itself a Christmas movie of a sort). Maybe it's just because I got my first Pendragon books for Christmas circa 1991, who knows? Anyway, happy New Y…

1
The Official AD&D Coloring Album (Remastered) 17:19

4M ago17:19

17:19

Hello friends! We're running remastered repeats for the holidays. I thought the Coloring Album would, in some way, speak to warm memories of childhood Christmas gifts. Whether or not that's apt, we hope your holidays are rad! Original notes: This week on the Vintage RPG Podcast, we flip through the Advanced Dungeons & Dragons Coloring Album (1979),…

1
#99 : The Best Atari Christmas Ever - 40 Year Anniversary Atari 800 1:24:33

4M ago1:24:33

1:24:33

Republished Decamber 24th 2023 From 2019: The best @#$! Christmas Ever! The Season 2 finale of Into The Vertical Blank. In this episode we pull out all the stops and explain exactly why Atari means so much to us. This honest, naked, all-cards-on-the-table, frank episode includes an Eponymous Story named "The Best #*@! Christmas Ever" that tells all…

1
Thieves' World (Remastered) 16:08

4M ago16:08

16:08

Hello friends! We weren't planning to go to reruns this soon, but events conspired to prevent the recording of a new episode for this week. We're sorry about that, but also we're sure you'll enjoy revisiting this classic episode. We've got remastered reruns coming on December 25 and January 1 as well, because, well, holidays. We'll be back with a n…

1
First Quest: The Music 32:50

4M ago32:50

32:50

This week on the Vintage RPG Podcast, we look at (and listen to) First Quest: The Music, a double LP record of electronic music and narration for an officially licensed (and totally ridiculous) Dungeons & Dragons adventure printed on the sleeves. Is it a precursor to dungeonsynth? Sort of? Is it a precursor to the 1994 First Quest box set for D&D, …

1
#98: Atari 8bit and more With Author and Extreme Tech Editor Jamie Lendino 1:02:08

5M ago1:02:08

1:02:08

#JamieLendino, #ExtremeTech 's Editor, is the Author of books on the #Atari8bit Computers, #Atari2600, #AtariST, Classic Arcade machines and games in the DOSs era. We sit down to discuss his books, focusing on the second edition of Breakout: How Atari 8-Bit Computers Defined a Generation, but end up discussing all of them. The Full Video Version S6…

1
#97 : Punker Pacman And The Mindless Generation 18:51

5M ago18:51

18:51

In 1982 I was enthralled with Pac-Man. A Pee-Chee folder I found in box 40 years later remined me of that time: when anything, even growing-up and working for Atari, seemed possible. Watch video version here: (1) Punker Pac-Man and the Mindless Generation - YouTube Original story published in the Easy Reader as "Punker Pac-Man: An ode to the Mindle…

1
The Marvelous Children of Inang-Uri 15:48

5M ago15:48

15:48

This week on the Vintage RPG Podcast, Momatoes is back to chat with us about her new RPG, The Marvelous Children of Inang-Uri. It’s a worldmaking game that spans generations, has a splash of hidden traitor mechanics for flavor and involves a culture living in symbiosis with a gigantic creature/entity that they also call home — that’s the world that…

1
#96 : My Existential Journey Into Desert Falcon 15:23

5M ago15:23

15:23

This is a better produced version of the the story "The Vindication Of Desert Falcon" was was read as part of S6:E5 The Vindication of Desert Falcon. Interview with GCC's Michael Feinstein. There is also a video version here: (5) My Existential Journey Into Desert Falcon - YouTube All music, video production. writing and game play by #JeffFulton an…

1
#95: Atari ST LOG #1 April 1986: Atari ST History from an American Perspective 15:36

5M ago15:36

15:36

The history of the #AtariST in the USA defined by ST Log magazine. In this series we will be going through the American History of the #Atari ST by focusing on the #STLog magazine, which started as a insert in the Atari 8bit magazine, #Analog, and then became its own animal for a number of years only to be incorporated back into Analog magazine as …

1
Good Books 2023, Part 2 33:08

5M ago33:08

33:08

A couple weeks back, Stu talked about some books that came out in 2023 that he thought were notable. This week on the Vintage RPG Podcast, Hambone’s got his own picks for books that are well worth your time. On tap we have the Fairhaven RPG universe from Get Haunted Industries; Neon Lords of the Toxic Wasteland, by Brian Shutter; Minacious Midway f…

1
Russ Nicholson Interview (Remastered) 27:33

5M ago27:33

27:33

We lost a real legend in Russ Nicholson this year. I can honestly say that Russ and his work sneak into my mind in short order whenever I talk about fantasy art at length, no matter the period. When we recorded this interview back in 2019, it was apparently his first appearance on a podcast, which seems bizarre considering how large his work looms …

1
Good Books 2023 21:44

5M ago21:44

21:44

This week on the Vintage RPG Podcast, we’re looking at some cool books that came out in 2023. Perhaps in a novel twist on frequency bias, Stu noticed a bunch of books hitting shelves that, like steak and red wine, seem to pair well with his own Monsters, Aliens, and Holes in the Ground in a variety of ways. So here we are, chatting about Adam Rowe’…

1
Philadelphia Area Gaming Expo 23:56

5M ago23:56

23:56

In January, the Vintage RPG Podcast is going to the Philadelphia Area Gaming Expo (PAGE) to sell some books and play some games, so we thought we’d talk to the expo organizer, Ron Meischker, to see what to expect. Stu’s never been to a game expo! New things are fun and exciting! * * * PAGE runs January 5-7. When buying your pass, be sure to use cou…

1
The Abyss of Hallucinations 28:22

6M ago28:22

28:22

In the tradition of Ozzy Osbourne asking the long-dead Aleister Crowley what went on in his head, this week on the Vintage RPG Podcast, we ask the very much alive Max Moon what’s going on in his. As it turns out, he’s working on a third volume of The Abyss of Hallucinations, his RPG setting that merges MÖRK BORG with themes pulled from Crowley’s Bo…

1
The Ancestral Trail 22:54

6M ago22:54

22:54

This week on the Vintage RPG Podcast, we take a look at The Ancestral Trail (1993), a serialized fantasy fiction released in fortnightly intervals in the UK. Every issue a new environment and a new, monstrous foe. It’s a pretty standard, if sometimes surprisingly gruesome, story, but the real draw is the art by Julek Heller. Amazing stuff! * * * St…

1
#94: Lost Credit Full Version 1:42:00

6M ago1:42:00

1:42:00

New, full version, remastered, new content, new edits, full HD presentation. GCC were masters of video game design in the early 1980's. They created Ms. Pac-Man and went on to become a "secret" development house for Atari. They are responsible for many golden age Atari games, but so far, the credits for their games have been incomplete and hard to …

1
Beyond the Supernatural 23:57

6M ago23:57

23:57

This week on the Vintage RPG Podcast, we look at Beyond the Supernatural (1987), Palladium’s horror RPG that anticipates a bunch of mechanics and lore that would be important for Rifts and the Megaversal system. Richard Corben on the cover, Steve Bissette doing tons of interiors, this books is worth it for the art alone. * * * Rest easy, Shane. * *…

1
S6E10: Jeff Minter, Giles and Zarjaz with Tony Longworth - Heart of Neon Soundtrack Composer 1:00:06

6M ago1:00:06

1:00:06

S6e10: Jeff Minter, Giles and Zarjaz with Tony Longworth - Heart of Neon Soundtrack Composer The full video production of our Mini Jeff Minter retrospective and Interview with Tony Longworth about the Heart of Neon Documentary is also published here: https://youtu.be/k05l2GdNvxM as Jeff Minter, Giles and Zarjaz with Heart of Neon Soundtrack Compose…

1
Halls of Horror 30:45

6M ago30:45

30:45

This week on the Vintage RPG Podcast, we talk about dungeon tiles, specifically Halls of Horror (1986), the set of haunted mansion tiles produced by Games Workshop. We also talk briefly about the board game Mystery Mansion and the fact that Monsters, Aliens, and Holes in the Ground is pretty much IN STORES NOW. * * * Stu’s book, Monsters, Aliens, a…

1
Don't Play This Game 23:40

7M ago23:40

23:40

It’s just a game, right? This week on the Vintage RPG Podcast, Hambone talks to Charlie Menzies about the found footage solo RPG Don’t Play This Game. I was busy with book stuff so I couldn't be on this show, and weirdly, I haven’t seen nor heard from Hambone since. It’s weird. I’m sure he’s fine. Anyway, coming to Kickstarter soon. What’s the wors…

1
S6:E9 Lost Credit (part 2): The Secret Atari Heroes of GCC 40:12

7M ago40:12

40:12

Lost Credit: The Secret Atari Heroes of GCC (part1) Part 2 of the story: GCC were masters of video game design in the early 1980's. They created Ms. Pac-Man and went on to become a "secret" development house for Atari. They are responsible for many golden age Atari games, but so far, the credits for their games have been incomplete and hard to loca…

1
S6:E8:Goth and Leong Atari ST Bedroom Coding Heroes 34:09

7M ago34:09

34:09

S6:E8:Goth and Leong Atari ST Bedroom Coding Heroes Gary “Goth” Wheaton and Robert Leong are two of the more unsung heroes of the Atari SY Bedroom Game coding Underground. In this episode we take a well deserved if all too brief look at some of their combined and separate efforts. I started down a rabbit hole a few weeks ago when I wanted to find a…

1
The Dare 20:40

7M ago20:40

20:40

This week on the Vintage RPG Podcast, we’re getting into the spooky season a little early with The Dare (2020), a scenario for Call of Cthulhu that pits some costumed kids against a haunted house and the thoroughly horrific witch that lives there. Originally written by Kevin A. Ross as a somewhat legendary tournament module in the late ‘80s, this m…

1
Realm of Chaos 24:30

7M ago24:30

24:30

This week on the Vintage RPG Podcast, we explore the Realm of Chaos, the two-volume opus from Games Workshop dedicated to all things chaotic. Slaves to Darkness (1988) and The Lost and the Damned (1990) detail the four lords of chaos, their armies, the mutations they inspire and so much more, in terms suitable for all the Warhammer games of that pe…

1
S6:E7: Lost Credit: The Secret Atari Heroes of GCC (part 1) 1:04:49

7M ago1:04:49

1:04:49

Lost Credit: The Secret Atari Heroes of GCC (part1) GCC were masters of video game design in the early 1980's. They created Ms. Pac-Man and went on to become a "secret" development house for Atari. They are responsible for many golden age Atari games, but so far, the credits for their games have been incomplete and hard to locate. After working for…

1
Barkeep on the Borderland 24:33

7M ago24:33

24:33

Pull up a stool and name your poison! This week on the Vintage RPG Podcast, we chat with W. F. Smith, the mastermind behind Barkeep on the Borderlands! This Ennie Award-winning zine is the product of over thirty collaborators, including 11 guest writers and 17 artists, who worked together to reimagine the classic D&D cavern crawl B2: Keep on the Bo…

1
Bloodsport Gambler 25:43

8M ago25:43

25:43

This week on the Vintage RPG Podcast, we chat with Dillon Morton, the creator of Bloodsport Gambler, a game betting on horrifically brutal arena combat. And, because of all that debt, you can’t afford to lose those bets, so it is also a game about lying, cheating, rigging, sabotaging, sneaking and otherwise finagling any advantage you can scrape to…

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