Explore every episode of the podcast Shane Plays Geek Talk
| Title | Pub. Date | Duration | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Banquet For Fools With Game Developers Hannah And Joseph Williams - Episode 281 - 11/26/2024 | 26 Nov 2024 | 01:14:14 | |
Game developers Hannah and Joseph Williams join to chat about their new “Dark Crystal”-like CRPG Banquet For Fools. Shane jokingly laments a missing element from the game, but Joseph promises they won’t duck out from putting it in. Now that ten years have passed, how do they feel Serpent in the Staglands performed? Thoughts on Mechajammer (previously Copper Dreams) and the hopes versus the reality. The pros, cons and pitfalls of Early Access. Shane gets recruited as a voice actor. A tangent into severe weather and the importance of escapism. Shane Plays Geek Talk Episode #281 - 11/26/2024 Like what you hear? 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! SHOW NOTES Banquet for Fools on Steam Hannah and Joseph Games Website The Dark Crystal A Wizard of Earth Sea by Ursula K. Le Guin Chicago by Carl Sandburg
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| Star Trek Video Games With Mat Bradley-Tschirgi - Episode 280 - 10/23/2024 | 23 Oct 2024 | 01:10:46 | |
Star Trek Video Games: An Unofficial Guide to the Final Frontier with author Mat Bradley-Tschirgi. There are a LOT of Star Trek video games and Mat had some hard decisions and set boundaries on what games to cover in his book (by the way, a “notable” game doesn’t necessarily mean a good game). What is Mat’s favorite and least favorite Star Trek game? Star Trek has one of the saddest stories of vaporware in PC gaming. Mat had an unusual entry into Star Trek fandom, but it still grabbed him. What are Shane and Mat’s thoughts on some of the more recent Star Trek TV shows? What is one redeeming aspect of Star Trek V: The Final Frontier? Podcasting takes a lot of work and time. Shane Plays Geek Talk Episode #280 - 10/23/2024 Like what you hear? 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! SHOW NOTES Mat Bradley-Tschirgi’s Books on Amazon Star Trek Video Games: An Unofficial Guide to the Final Frontier Star Trek Games list on Trekcore Star Trek Games list on Wikipedia Star Trek: Secret of Vulcan Fury trailer Matt Chat (Matt Barton’s interview channel) Sequelcast 2 Podcast
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| Stan Lee With Comics Creator Tom Scioli - Episode 271 - 11/20/2023 | 20 Nov 2023 | 01:54:45 | |
Discover the real Stan Lee (not the public PR persona) and his story in Tom Scioli’s amazing I Am Stan biographical graphic novel. Plus: Simple comic book character design versus convoluted and complicated design. Working for the big comics companies versus being an independent creator. The one time Tom got a taste of the editorial dark side of comics. The indefinable magic of the monthly comic. A comic with a lot of issues doesn’t necessarily make money. The changing fiscal and distribution of the comics industry over time always keeps it the best of times and worst of times. Should the New Gods and the Eternals have been kept separate from the main continuity of their respective publishers? Shane doesn’t buy DC’s reason for Crisis on Infinite Earths (but loves the series). What is Shane’s dream project for Tom? (hint: it’s The Land of the Lost). Make sure to track down Tom’s newest superhero comic Witchman. Like what you hear? 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! SHOW NOTES I Am Stan Graphic Novel A Comic Book Creator’s Journey: From 8-Opus to WITCHMAN with Tom Scioli Tom Scioli’s Patreon WITCHMAN: A New Superhero Comic Book Zot! Online: "Hearts and Minds"
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| Zombie Bytes with James T. Wilson - Episode 270 - 10/23/2023 | 23 Oct 2023 | 01:05:19 | |
All-around groovy geek and author Tracy Wilson (aka James T. Wilson) on his indie horror novel Zombie Bytes, also chatting about cool things like his involvement with the Star Wars costuming association the 501st Legion. The pain and timeline of writing a novel. What is “success”? What’s the real threat of a zombie apocalypse? Thoughts on when it was time to stop watching The Walking Dead. World War Z: the book versus the movie. Shane is currently into On Patrol Live. Shane confesses to a geek heresy as a child. Multiple bad zombie jokes. Like what you hear? 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! SHOW NOTES Zombie Bytes Novel 501st Legion Rebel Legion Police Pursuits YouTube Channel James T. Wilson on Instagram James T. Wilson on Facebook
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| Incredible Cosplay With Simple Tricks & Nonsense - Episode 269 - 7/16/2023 | 16 Jul 2023 | 01:26:08 | |
Johnny Havoc (John McDonald) and Newt (Rebekah McDonald) of Simple Tricks & Nonsense join to discuss their incredible cosplay. What does cosplay mean to them? The economics of cosplay, including material and labor. Cosplay includes the challenge of taking something two-dimensional and making it work practically in three dimensions. For people who create cosplay as art, cons are like their art galleries. It’s very OK to ask cosplayers to take a pic with them, truly. What famous movie quote inspired ST&N’s moniker? How big is the Masters of the Universe fandom? Newt has literally lived up to her nickname. We’re hoping Johnny will Gorn it up someday. Cobra-La, yes or no? The Venture Bros. Kids locking themselves in the bathroom when their toys die. The startling connection between Robocop and a trash dumpster. Cartoon villain smack-talk contest. Like what you hear? 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! SHOW NOTES Simple Tricks & Nonsense on Facebook Simple Tricks & Nonsense on Instagram Simple Tricks & Nonsense on YouTube
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| The Legend of Drizzt with Mike Witwer – Episode 268 – 5/30/2023 | 30 May 2023 | 01:36:54 | |
Author and D&D historian Mike Witwer shares the details on his newest book The Legend of Drizzt Visual Dictionary, which is not only chock full of goodness on everyone’s favorite drow but the Forgotten Realms in general (as Mike puts it, "the Drizzt books are the greatest tour of the Forgotten Realms that the setting has ever gotten"). Mike has several other projects going as well, including a sequel to Art & Arcana focusing on 5E, and a young adult novel featuring a historic game and a town that might seem familiar to D&D fans! Some D&D movie discussion. The importance of documenting D&D and RPG history. Shane poses a tough question to Mike on what magic items he would choose from the Drizzt books. What books would Mike recommend to introduce someone to Drizzt? Like what you hear? 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! SHOW NOTES Drizzt trivia:
Drizzt Do'Urden on Wikipedia The Legend of Drizzt series on Wikipedia Dungeons and Dragons The Legend of Drizzt Visual Dictionary Lore & Legends: A Visual Celebration of the Fifth Edition of the World's Greatest Roleplaying Game Vivian Van Tassel and the Secret of Midnight Lake --- | |||
| Holmes Basic D&D, John Eric Holmes & Edgar Rice Burroughs with Chris Holmes - Episode 267 - 5/12/2023 | 12 May 2023 | 01:24:11 | |
Chris Holmes has a unique historical perspective on fiction writer John Eric Holmes and Holmes Basic D&D, given that he’s JEH’s son. Chris is doing cool stuff in his own right, including his fantasy art and a day job where he gets to introduce kids to D&D. Chris’s posthumous RPG project with his father called Things Better Left Alone. How much did JEH make for creating the first D&D Basic edition? Chris and Shane have different approaches to playing with alignment. What is Chris’s favorite D&D edition (it’s a trick answer). Edgar Rice Burroughs. Send in the Pinkertons! Tarzan’s super power. Weresharks. Ask Cthulhu. Zombie movies, Rob Zombie, Dragula, and Sherlock Holmes. Like what you hear? 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! SHOW NOTES John Eric Holmes on Wikipedia Chris Holmes Website: Things Better Left Alone module from Pacesetter Games based on J. Eric Holmes map from Holmes Basic D&D --- | |||
| Betrayal at Krondor 30th Anniversary & Fan Film Challenge with Neal Hallford - Episode 266 - 3/14/2023 | 14 Mar 2023 | 02:26:50 | |
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! Like what you hear? 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! 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 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 --- | |||
| They Came for the OGL: 3rd Party RPG Publishers Share Their Experience - Episode 265 - 2/9/2023 | 09 Feb 2023 | 02:25:06 | |
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. Like what you hear? 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! SHOW NOTES Dungeons & Dragons’ New License Tightens Its Grip on Competition An Update on the Open Game License (OGL) Summary of creator and fan response to WotC's OGL 1.1 official statement A Working Conversation About the Open Game License (OGL) D&D maker still wants to revoke earlier versions of "open" gaming license D&D Beyond: OGL 1.0a & Creative Commons 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 --- | |||
| OSRIC & The OSR with Allan T. Grohe Jr. - Episode 264- 11/30/2022 | 30 Nov 2022 | 02:04:41 | |
RPG developer and publisher Allan T. Grohe Jr. (aka "grodog") joins to talk AD&D retroclone OSRIC, the OSR, Black Blade Publishing, John Eric Holmes, and RPG goodness in general. Allan LOVES him some Greyhawk. The skills he learned tracking down early information on Greyhawk helped lead to his main non-RPG career. How active is the current AD&D 1E and/or OSRIC scene? What is Allan’s definition of OSR, and does he feel it’s important? The legal importance of OSRIC to the OSR community. ‘zines are often lauded, but at one time Dragon magazine was a sort of “D&D website” in its day as well. Watching an RPG project happen behind the scenes. Shane offers a mild defense of rules lawyers. “Vanilla” fantasy is not a derogatory term. Cthulhu and Delta Green. Look, just hit Cthulhu with a boat. Shane has figured out Lovecraft’s indescribable color. Thunderdome match: Strongheart versus Warduke. Like what you hear? 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! SHOW NOTES OSRIC: First Edition Fantasy Roleplaying Game Black Blade Publishing THE 1001 TREASURES OF BLACK BLADE PUBLISHING AND GOODMAN GAMES: GARY CON 2018 REPORT, PART II Allan at Greyhawk Online D&D Retroclones List Single Volume Edition of OD&D by Greyharp Fight On! Magazine Knockspell Magazine --- | |||
| The Valley Out Of Time & Skeeter Green Productions - Episode 263 - 10/19/2022 | 18 Oct 2022 | 01:26:04 | |
Skeeter Green joins to talk RPGs, Skeeter Green Productions, the Independent Publishers Union of small RPG publishers, and his new Kickstarter. The Valley Out of Time is a series of 'zine-sized RPG adventures borrowing heavily from classic dinosaur art, books, and movies (think Frazetta and Harryhausen). Tips and advice for small RPG publishers from Skeeter’s seminar series with Zach Glazar. The chances of making a living working in the RPG industry full-time. Defining success. RPG authors versus developers versus editors versus designers. The correct way to pronounce “bulette” according to Tim Kask. The secret origin of the name Skeeter. Favorite sitcoms of the past. Rob Zombie’s movies. NASA probing asteroids. Like what you hear? 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! SHOW NOTES Kickstarter: The Valley Out of Time for S&W DCC MCC Part 5&6 FINAL! from Skeeter Green Productions Skeeter Green Productions Skeeter Green Productions on DriveThruRPG Independent Publishers Union A NASA Spacecraft Is About to Collide With an Asteroid. Watch Live Here | Science Alert ---
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| Reaper's Dungeon Dwellers RPG with Joseph Wolf - Episode 262 - 9/24/2022 | 25 Sep 2022 | 01:13:04 | |
Joseph Wolf of Reaper Miniatures talks Dungeon Dwellers, Reaper’s old-school style RPG using modern design. Also: some ReaperCon chat. Joseph has some interesting RPG design highlights, including Forgotten Realms, Deadlands, and Blood of Heroes. Love it or hate it, 5E is very successful at what it does. Which Dungeon Dwellers came first, the minis or the RPG? “Tolkien Orcs” versus “Warhammer Orcs.” Super quick hot takes on Rings of Power. Shane freely admits to and doesn’t apologize for being RPG system promiscuous. Innovation in RPG design is groovy, but you don’t have to innovate just to be cool. Like what you hear? 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! SHOW NOTES Dungeon Dwellers RPG ReaperCon Reaper Miniatures Joseph C. Wolf | RPG Designer | RPGGeek ---
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| RPG & Gaming Scholar Jon Peterson - Episode 279 - 9/27/2024 | 27 Sep 2024 | 01:01:03 | |
RPG and tabletop gaming historian Jon Peterson returns for a fantastic conversation on D&D and RPG history, and his related current books and projects. A new edition of Playing at the World and Dungeons & Dragons - the Making of Original D&D: 1970-1977 are on the shelves. D&D 4E has its hardcore fans. Jon has a seriously impressive collection of documents related to RPG history. Jon’s first on-screen RPG game, ever. Does the role of the Caller in D&D get an unfair reputation (and what exactly does the Caller do)? DNA from non-RPGs like Outdoor Survival made it into early D&D. Be careful of the question “what is a role-playing game”, the debate can sideswipe an entire conversation. Plus much more. Shane Plays Geek Talk Episode #279 - 9/27/2024 Like what you hear? 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! SHOW NOTES Previous Shane Plays Geek Talk episode with Jon: D&D History – Game Wizards: The Epic Battle for Dungeons & Dragons with Jon Peterson – Episode 250 – 11-9-2021 Playing at the World, 2E, Volume 1: The Invention of Dungeons & Dragons (Game Histories) Playing at the World, 2E, Volume 2: Three Pillars of Role-Playing Games (Game Histories) Dungeons & Dragons - the Making of Original D&D: 1970-1977 Celebrating 50 Years of Dungeons & Dragons - Week #1 - OD&D with Jon Peterson
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| Champions RPG with George MacDonald - Episode 261 - 9/9/2022 | 09 Sep 2022 | 02:05:24 | |
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. Like what you hear? 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! 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 ---
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| Terrain-Tronics: DIY Gaming Terrain Electronics - Episode 260 - 8/15/2022 | 15 Aug 2022 | 01:05:47 | |
Dafydd Roche of Terrain-Tronics doesn’t just want to make cool terrain, he's helping DMs and GMs bring delight to their players with easy DIY gaming terrain electronics for D&D and other RPGs. Game terrain as part of the storytelling. Theatrical D&D. The no-solder wire wrapping technique is good enough for NASA! Pretty soldering jobs versus ugly soldering jobs. Smart ways to compete with big business as a small business. Shane does his usual thing of getting into the business reality behind the creativity. Terrain-Tronics products are open source. Do horses really go to the glue factory? What chain of events had to happen for many of the inventions and innovations in human history? A minor tangent into casinos, pit bosses, and getting comped. Like what you hear? 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! SHOW NOTES Terrain-Tronics website Terrain-Tronics on YouTube Terrain-Tronics on Facebook “Endor Tree Platform” Lighted Forest Camp Diorama Tutorial - bringing electronics to your build! Recommended Starter Project - Conwy Castle - Simple 4ch LED Driver Tabletop Witchcraft Youtube Channel Nat1 Videos: How to build a BALINS TOMB - BOOK NOOK Adobe Medium - VR 3D Modeling Software ---
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| Grindhouse Cinema With Levi Combs of Planet X Games - Episode 259 - 7/18/2022 | 17 Jul 2022 | 01:18:07 | |
Grindhouse cinema with RPG publisher and cinephile Levi Combs. What is Grindhouse, and why is it called that? The market forces that led to the rise of Grindhouse theaters. Gritty movies, violent movies, Foreign movies, exploitation movies, Kung fu movies, BRUCEsploitation movies, more! New York City as a character in movies. Sho'nuff, The Shogun of Harlem can chew scenery on a level with Darth Vader. What’s Levi’s favorite fight scene in any movie, period? Is the first Friday the 13th movie a Grindhouse movie? Plus: The RPG adventures and ‘zines of Planet X Games… hear the call of the Skeleton of the Black Lake and behold the Big Eye Chungus! Like what you hear? 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! SHOW NOTES Grindhouse definition from Merriam-Webster: Grindhouse on Wikipedia: Grindhouse on Wiktionary: Planet X Games The 20 Best Grindhouse Movies Ranked | SlashFilm Grindhouse Data Base Top 20 Book recommendation Troll 2 on Tubi Best Worst Movie (Documentary about Troll 2) on Tubi Shane's list of Grindhouse favorites: Levi’s Favorite Grindhouse Movies: ---
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| Mongoose and Meerkat with Author Jim Breyfogle - Episode 258 - 6/17/2022 | 17 Jun 2022 | 01:12:11 | |
Thrilling fantasy stories of the swashbuckling duo Mongoose and Meerkat with author Jim Breyfogle. Adventure fiction as opposed to “pulp” fiction (and what exactly does “pulp” mean, anyway). Who is Jim’s number one favorite writer from the past? Shane’s dirty little secret when it comes to Robert E. Howard’s fiction. Robert A. Heinlein was both amazing AND sketchy. Fair Witnesses are cool. The Odyssey Writing Workshop. Some love for CIRSOVA magazine and its publisher P. Alexander. Like what you hear? 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! SHOW NOTES Kickstarter for Tales of the Mongoose and Meerkat Vol 2: The Heat of the Chase Tales of the Mongoose and Meerkat, Vol 1: Pursuit Without Asking Jim Breyfogle’s Website CIRSOVA Magazine Odyssey Writing Workshops Appendix N Book Club Podcast ---
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| JAQ: Journey Adventure Quest - Episode 257 - 5/27/2022 | 27 May 2022 | 01:25:18 | |
JAQ: Journey Adventure Quest is the new drafting board game with resource management, cool mechanics, challenging monsters, fun lore, and multiple paths to victory. Jesse Stacy, Tommy Noel and Brandon Beam from Triceratops Games join Shane to talk all about it (and demonstrate some actual play)! Also: Why the name Triceratops, wait until you hear about the artist, shout-outs to favorite board games, reminiscing on the early days of Magic: The Gathering, and of course more. Shane Plays Geek Talk Episode #257 - 5/27/2022 Like what you hear? 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! SHOW NOTES Journey Adventure Quest Kickstarter Triceratops Games JAQ at Board Game Geek Board game shout-outs: --- | |||
| Comics Artist Brian Shearer - Episode 256 - 5/12/2022 | 12 May 2022 | 01:39:40 | |
Comics artist (and self-described art hobo) Brian Shearer has worked on such high-profile properties as Transformers, G.I. Joe, and Doctor Who as well as his own creations Gunship Thunderpunch and William the Last. How did Brian become a professional artist? Tips for creators to build an audience online. What’s the line you have to cross on a late crowdfunding project fulfillment before Shane gets annoyed? Working on G.I. Joe pages while with your wife in the delivery room. SDCC and many other big cons aren’t for comics creators and fans anymore. Transformers toy history, and Bob Budiansky and Jim Shooter’s vital contributions to Transformers lore. Some Classic Who and New Who discussion. Favorite entertainment properties from the 80s. Shane was NOT down with the Ghostbusters cartoon that had an ape. 80s anime and those sweet, sweet Star Blazers twisty laser cannons. Catching episodes of Dragon Ball and Ranma 1/2 in Japanese and trying to make sense of it. What’s that certain unique something that Cowboy Bebop has? Favorite breakfast cereals, cereal toys of yore, and Saturday morning cartoons. Like what you hear? Shane Plays Geek Talk is carried on Krypton Radio! 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! SHOW NOTES Brian Shearer’s website Gunship Thunderpunch Indiegogo On Demand Link Brian’s YouTube Channel William the Last Bob Budiansky at the Transformers Wiki 50 Greatest Cereal Box Prizes --- | |||
| RPG Designer Bruce Nesmith - Episode 255 - 4/15/2022 | 15 Apr 2022 | 01:48:45 | |
RPG designer Bruce Nesmith discusses his career as a TSR veteran (Ravenloft 2E, Gamma World 4E, Dragonlance), Elder Scrolls Skyrim lead designer, and now novelist. Bruce’s first day at TSR was an experience, to say the least. What does he consider his biggest achievement while at TSR? Bruce’s opinion of TSR under Gary Gygax versus Lorraine Williams and what he considers TSR’s “glory days”. What was his job description as lead designer on The Elder Scrolls: Skyrim? Why did Oblivion have a big celebrity but Skyrim didn’t? Bruce was years ahead of the game when it came to his revamp of the Armor Class system for Gamma World 4E. What do you do when you want to play D&D but you don’t have the rules? You invent it, including simulating the d20 with d6s. Writing for games versus writing prose. Bruce’s Loki in his novel Mischief Maker is not the MCU Loki. Shane laments the lack of a werecow in TSR publications. Like what you hear? Shane Plays Geek Talk is carried on Krypton Radio! 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! SHOW NOTES Bruce Nesmith on Wikipedia Bruce's novel "Mischief Maker" Me And Steve Talk RPGs Episode 75: Bruce Nesmith I’m A Werecow --- | |||
| Staged Heroism RPG - Episode 254 - 3-25-2022 | 25 Mar 2022 | 01:00:12 | |
RPG designers John Kennedy (Star Trek Adventures, Stargate 5E) and Sharene "Madfishmonger" Gilchrist (Capers, Vast Kaviya) join to talk their new Staged Heroism RPG: A Comedic RPG of Super-Heroics, Super-Villainy, and Failure at its Best inspired by shows like The Venture Bros. Plus: Designing not to fail forward, but to embrace the fail. The Roger Rabbit style of gameplay. Flashback scenes as a game mechanic. Venomous monarch butterflies. Where did Sharene get her nickname? Cops raiding a Vampire LARP session. The design philosophy behind Star Trek Adventures. John gets a no-prize. Everyone is entirely too amused by the Burger King Kids Club. Like what you hear? Shane Plays Geek Talk is carried on Krypton Radio! 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! SHOW NOTES Staged Heroism on Kickstarter Nerdburger Games The Venture Bros. Changeling: The Dreaming NFL SuperPro Burger King Kids Club --- | |||
| Comics Writer Paul Kupperberg - Episode 253 - 3-11-2022 | 11 Mar 2022 | 01:26:41 | |
Comics writer Paul Kupperberg is the very definition of prolific! He has written 1,400 comics over 4 decades, wrote for and was the editor of the Weekly World News, wrote Mad Libs, and is still staying busy writing books and novels. Paul’s credits include the Doom Patrol, Peacemaker, Vigilante, and the first comic book miniseries (1979’s World of Krypton), as well as being the writer who killed Archie (after simultaneously marrying him off to both Betty AND Veronica). Also: In the real world, superheroes would be NUTS. The willing suspension of disbelief versus the art style. What Archie means to Paul. Target audiences for comic books over different eras. Does Paul prefer the JSA or JLA? Armchair quarterbacking by comics fans.The challenges of continuity in serialized fiction over time (with some insight behind Wonder Woman, Wonder Girl and Wonder Tot). Which classic silver age DC comics issues didn’t have a number on the cover, and why? One positive early benefit of the direct market in the comics industry. What was the first comics miniseries (and why was it a last-minute thing)? What did James Gunn think of Paul’s version of Peacemaker? Which comics character has Paul had the strongest fan feedback to? What does he consider his strongest sustained comics work? What’s the one comics character he would love to return to? More! Shane Plays Geek Talk Episode #253 - 3/11/2022 Like what you hear? Shane Plays Geek Talk is carried on Krypton Radio! 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! SHOW NOTES Paul Kupperberg on Wikipedia Paul Kupperberg: My 13 Favorite Comic Book Stories I’ve Written | 13th Dimension, Comics, Creators, Culture Paul’s books on Amazon Paul Kupperberg’s Website --- | |||
| The Wit & Wisdom of Troll Lord Games - Episode 252 - 2-4-2022 | 04 Feb 2022 | 01:47:40 | |
Stephen Chenault aka the Troll Lord of Castle & Crusades publisher Troll Lord Game joins to talk about what’s new with C&C and some wise principles he uses to run TLG that have helped them tremendously while other companies have encountered severe disruption during COVID. Plus: Steve has to do daily battle with Skynet for sales. The perfect timing of the emergence of crowdfunding for TTRPG companies. Steve’s honesty when asked if he’s ever considered giving up. Dissecting the current massive popularity of RPGs. What is Steve’s favorite monster, and why is it the Gibbering Mouther? How did Troll Lord Games get its name? Some comic book industry discussion. Tribute to David Middleton aka The Digital Dungeon Master. Shane Plays Geek Talk Episode #252 - 2/4/2022 Like what you hear? Shane Plays Geek Talk is carried on Krypton Radio! 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! SHOW NOTES Troll Lord Games: The Current State of Affairs Castles & Crusades Players Handbook 7th Printing - Free (Digital Version) Troll Lord Games Continues to Leave a Mark | The Parallax Blog DAVID MIDDLETON, The DIGITAL Dungeon Master 1973 - 2021 - "THANK YOU, DAVE!" --- | |||
| RPG Designer Merle M. Rasmussen - Episode 278 - 8/14/2024 | 15 Aug 2024 | 01:47:24 | |
Merle M. Rasmussen, the man in the tux himself, joins to talk about the Top Secret RPG and his game design career. What was his first (mistaken) understanding of what D&D was? Memories of working at TSR. A no-nonsense discussion about the financials of his agreement with TSR for Top Secret. Financial lessons he has learned in his career. The perils of lead poisoning in making miniatures (and accidental improvised bombs). Jon Peterson’s Quagmire! D&D module article and Merle’s involvement in making it happen. Top Secret set multiple RPG precedents. What existing RPG was used for Top Secret’s firearms rules? The FBI visited TSR because of Top Secret’s playtest. You’re not just paranoid, the HackNoia RPG is coming. I Choose To RISE, Merle’s card game that helps teach about Black heroes. Merle’s wife Jackie has often been his writing partner and sounding board. Moments of fan feedback Merle has had that will get you right in the feels (including, I kid you not, being asked to bless a gamer’s ashes). Bad James Bond jokes. Shane Plays Geek Talk Episode #278 - 8/14/2024 Like what you hear? 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! SHOW NOTES Merle M. Rasmussen on Wikipedia Merle M. Rasmussen on RPG Geek Top Secret RPG on Wikipedia Quagmire! The Making of a 1980s D&D Module by Jon Peterson Sqwurm Card Game Planting People Growing Justice Leadership Institute
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| RPG Artist Jeshields & Uncommon Monstrosities - Episode 251 - 11-19-2021 | 19 Nov 2021 | 01:03:08 | |
A cool project to make 3D-printable RPG miniatures from Jeshield’s art. Plus! How did he build his RPG stock art business as the main part of his income? What was the RPG that influenced him to become an artist, and what piece of its art impacted him the most? Straight talk on the financials of the RPG art business. Comparing an artist website versus Patreon vs DriveThruRPG. The importance of a rate sheet. Beware the mighty werefrog! Shane Plays Geek Talk Episode #251 - 11/19/2021 Like what you hear? Shane Plays Geek Talk is carried on Krypton Radio! 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! SHOW NOTES Uncommon Monstrosities: 3D Printable Miniatures for your Tabletop Gaming Experience Jeshields | Stock Art for the RPG Industry Jeshields - RPG Stock Art Patreon Jeshields on DriveThruRPG --- | |||
| D&D History: Game Wizards: The Epic Battle for Dungeons & Dragons with Jon Peterson - Episode 250 - 11-9-2021 | 09 Nov 2021 | 01:21:45 | |
Gaming historian Jon Peterson works through the unhappy but fascinating drama of Gary Gygax, Dave Arneson, and TSR to bring us the facts of it all regarding the two most important personalities and the most important company in RPG history. The legal battles over royalties and ownership of Dungeons & Dragons and TSR itself. What is a game, legally? The Eggbert Incident and its effect on TSR’s financials. Inflated number reporting and lavish expenditures. Gary Gygax walks into the ambush at Sheridan Springs thinking he has all the bullets. Lorraine Williams’s impact on financials by the numbers. Arneson’s last day at TSR. What discovery surprised Jon during his research? Some Sam Witwer love. More! Shane Plays Geek Talk Episode #250 - 11/9/2021 Like what you hear? Shane Plays Geek Talk is carried on Krypton Radio! 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! SHOW NOTES Game Wizards: The Epic Battle for Dungeons & Dragons The Ambush at Sheridan Springs: How Gary Gygax Lost Control of Dungeons & Dragons Game Wizards: TSR Financials Game Wizards: TSR Staffing Game Wizards: D&D Development Timeline Trying to Be Kind Podcast (they are working through The Elusive Shift by Jon) --- | |||
| Horror Chat and Found Footage Movies - Episode 249 - 10-27-2021 | 27 Oct 2021 | 01:57:06 | |
Writer and “horror bottomless pit” Mark Pellegrini joins for a great horror movie discussion. Essential found footage movies. What makes found footage different from other types of movies? Horror franchises that forget their roots. Horror films adapted to TV series. Overlooked horror gems in the slasher genre. Analog horror. Halloween Kills, what makes Michael Myers scary, and how the Halloween franchise went way off the rails before the 2018 restart. The Burning versus Friday the 13th versus Sleepaway Camp. What’s the deal with the hockey mask in the Alone in the Dark movie from 1982? Romero’s zombie rules and social commentary. Heck, let’s throw in a little J-Horror, too. Mark’s writing and comics work including Kamen America and Black Hops. Bad Homer Simpson Jokes. Shane Plays Geek Talk Episode #249 - 10/27/2021 Like what you hear? Shane Plays Geek Talk is carried on Krypton Radio! 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! SHOW NOTES The Found Footage Movie List (Mostly Horror) What is Analog Horror? --- | |||
| Level Up: Advanced 5E RPG & Kickstarter Realities - Episode 248 - 10-15-2021 | 15 Oct 2021 | 01:16:13 | |
Level Up: Advanced 5th Edition is the new RPG that adds depth and options to your 5E experience but avoids unnecessary complexity! Lots of love for the exploration pillar. Rethinking classes while keeping their core concepts. Meaningful decisions every time you level up. Modular heritage design. The journey can be the adventure. More! The dynamics, behind the scenes, and fiscal realities of Kickstarter campaigns. Stretch goal economics. Stretch goal fever. The U vs the hockey stick. Kicktraq and other services that “project” Kickstarter campaign totals. Revenue versus profit. Everyone has good ideas, executing a good idea is the hard part. Shane Plays Geek Talk Episode #248 - 10/15/2021 Like what you hear? Shane Plays Geek Talk is carried on Krypton Radio! 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! SHOW NOTES Level Up: Advanced 5E RPG on Kickstarter Level Up: Advanced 5E RPG EN Publishing Level Up: Advanced 5E RPG Sneak Preview – Shane Plays Geek Talk Episode 238 – 3-19-2021 Mythological Figures & Maleficent Monsters for 5E – Shane Plays Geek Talk Episode 224 – 7/16/2020 --- | |||
| RPG Artist Ed Bickford aka Metal Robot - Episode 247 - 9-23-2021 | 23 Sep 2021 | 01:10:23 | |
Ed Bickford aka Metal Robot is a tabletop RPG illustrator, syndicated cartoonist, comic book artist, and an award-winning illustrator and graphic designer. Ed’s great to talk with and he’s very open in sharing honest thoughts on the hopes and trials of creators in the trenches. The business side of being a professional artist. Your art style finds you. Some tips for writers also apply to artists. The current state of mainstream comics. Five Nights at Freddie’s is totally (ok, not really) based on a true story. Shane Plays Geek Talk Episode #247 - 9/23/2021 Like what you hear? Shane Plays Geek Talk is carried on Krypton Radio! 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! SHOW NOTES Ed Bickford / Metal Robot on Artstation Ed Bickford / Metal Robot on Facebook Ed Bickford / Metal Robot on Instagram Ed Bickford / Metal Robot on Twitter Ed Bickford / Metal Robot on Pinterest The Phylactery RPG Zine Neon Lords of the Toxic Wasteland American Chop Suey - Comic Strip Birdlander graphic novel --- | |||
| Chiptunes with Matt Lister aka Cobra Commander - Episode 246 - 9-1-2021 | 01 Sep 2021 | 01:31:23 | |
Matt Lister aka Cobra Commander joins to talk chiptune music, retrocomputing, and some classic G.I. Joe and Transformers. Trackers, hardware, and sound chips, oh my! What is MIDI (and can MIDI be chiptunes)? PAL, NTSC and electron guns. Atari 2600 game development and racing the beam. Yars’ Revenge had very tricky programming. Behold the Casio XW-PD1 Trackformer, aka the Millennium Falcon, and grovel before its amazingness. Shane Plays Geek Talk Episode #246 - 9/1/2021 Like what you hear? Shane Plays Geek Talk is carried on Krypton Radio! 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! SHOW NOTES Cobra Commander Chiptunes Matt’s Instagram Matt’s Twitter Matthew Lister on Spotify Matthew Lister Classical Guitar LSDJ Little Sound DJ - Game Boy music sequencer FamiTracker - free windows tracker for producing music for the NES/Famicom-systems Slocum Tracker - Web based Atari 2600 music tracker Arduino - Open-source electronics platform based on easy-to-use hardware and software GenMDM - MIDI interface for the 16-bit Sega Genesis/Megadrive SID-Wizard - Commodore 64 tracker Casio XW-PD1 Trackformer Matt’s Chiptunes Inspirations Bad Gear - The show about the world's most hated audio tools MAGFest - Wikipedia Steve Ballmer: Developers MIDI on Wikipedia Theremin on Wikipedia 1950's SciFi Theremin Music DEMO (Sound Clips Only) JARichardsFilm 720p The Visual Trick That Makes Yars’ Revenge Work Matt Barton interviews George Sanger aka "The Fat Man" on Matt Chat --- | |||
| Tékumel Revisited with Victor Raymond - Episode 245 - 7-31-2021 | 31 Jul 2021 | 01:34:28 | |
Tékumel is a deep setting with published fiction, multiple tabletop RPGs, a miniatures wargaming scene, and more. We revisit this fascinating science-fantasy world with Tékumel Foundation president Victor Raymond. Learn how Tékumel and the Empire of the Petal Throne are so much more than just the "first RPG setting published" (and its creator Professor M.A.R. Barker is a fascinating character). Different versions of Tékumel RPG games. What is the important role the Tékumel Foundation plays? Cons with Tékumel gaming. Tékumel has a video game. Some OD&D history. Some love for Elder Scrolls and Morrowind. Shane and Victor have an udderly good time with the bad joke of the week. Shane Plays Geek Talk Episode #245 - 7/31/2021 Like what you hear? Shane Plays Geek Talk is carried on Krypton Radio! 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! SHOW NOTES Tékumel: The Empire of the Petal Throne & M.A.R. Barker with Robert Alberti – Shane Plays Geek Talk Episode 232 – 11-13-2020 Tékumel gaming products at Noble Knight Games: Bethorm Tékumel RPG at Jeff Dee’s UNI Games FATE of Tékumel RPG (forthcoming) Tékumel Miniatures Sources: Choice of the Petal Throne - Tékumel Computer Game Dragon #24 (Volume 3 #10) - “Choir Practice at the First Church of Lawful Evil (Orthodox) - The Ramifications of Alignment” Lawrence Schick article on RPG pantheons Tékumel Discord Server invite Tékumel Facebook Group --- | |||
| Jack Vance, The Dying Earth & Dungeon Crawl Classics with Julian Bernick - Episode 244 - 7-14-2021 | 14 Jul 2021 | 01:24:11 | |
RPG Designer Julian Bernick on Jack Vance’s The Dying Earth book series and the new Dungeon Crawl Classics RPG setting based on it. Why is it such a cool world to read about and play in? How much influence did The Dying Earth have on Gary Gygax and D&D? Hint: a lot. What was DCC’s design philosophy and what was the thought behind its extra dice types? Long-form Lovecraftian poetry. How to say grognard. More! Shane Plays Geek Talk Episode #244 - 7/14/2021 Like what you hear? Shane Plays Geek Talk is carried on Krypton Radio! 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! SHOW NOTES DCC Dying Earth Kickstarter Jack Vance on Wikipedia The Dying Earth on Wikipedia "Jack Vance & the D&D Game" by Gary Gygax Spellburn: A Podcast about the Dungeon Crawl Classics RPG Nowhere City Nights, Julian's third-party modern noir setting for DCC RPG Castle Bash: A Record of the Most Unfortunate Doings at Castle Bash - As Told by an Unnamed Poet who was Never Seen Again Appendix N Book Club Podcast --- | |||
| D&D Veteran David "Zeb" Cook Interview - Episode 243 - 7-1-2021 | 01 Jul 2021 | 01:36:12 | |
Zeb Cook’s RPG design history includes such important highlights as the “Expert” portion of B/X D&D, AD&D 2nd Edition, Oriental Adventures, Planescape, Star Frontiers, and more! He’s also had career highlights in video games including City of Villains, Fallout 2, and The Elder Scrolls Online. Did you know AD&D 2nd Edition had a significant playtest effort (and why wasn’t the armor class system changed then)? Whose idea was it to have the first wilderness adventure, why were there dinosaurs in The Isle of Dread, and why was it set on an island? Crashing on Gary Gygax’s couch. What strange business venture did TSR make that had Zeb in stitches? Shane Plays Geek Talk Episode #243 - 7/1/2021 Like what you hear? Shane Plays Geek Talk is carried on Krypton Radio! 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! SHOW NOTES David Cook (game designer) - Wikipedia David "Zeb" Cook at D&D Lore Wiki David "Zeb" Cook at RPG Geek David "Zeb" Cook | Board Game Designer | BoardGameGeek --- | |||
| FASERIP Tactics - Episode 242 - 6-21-2021 | 22 Jun 2021 | 00:58:31 | |
FASERIP Tactics is the tactical superhero miniatures game based on the rules from the classic TSR Marvel Superheroes RPG. Developer Ned Leeds shares the amazing and incredible feats this game brings to the table! It's monstrous fun, and it's FREE. Shane Plays Geek Talk Episode #242 - 6/22/2021 Like what you hear? Shane Plays Geek Talk is carried on Krypton Radio! 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! SHOW NOTES FASERIP Tactics FASERIP Tactics Facebook group --- | |||
| Zombie Movies with Chris Holmes and Mike Stewart - Episode 277 - 7/22/2024 | 22 Jul 2024 | 02:27:22 | |
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? 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! SHOW NOTES Found in the Ruins podcast 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)
Shane’s Additional Worth Mentioning List (for better or for worse)
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| ACE: Awfully Cheerful Engine RPG with Russ Morrissey of E.N. Publishing - Episode 241 - 5-29-2021 | 29 May 2021 | 01:03:05 | |
The new Awfully Cheerful Engine (ACE) RPG with Russ "Morrus" Morrissey of E.N. Publishing. ACE is an action-comedy RPG inspired by a frightfully cheerful game from the 80s that’s quick and fun to play. Plus: A Level Up Advanced 5E RPG project update. Giant monkeys punching giant lizards. Sketch comedy writing. Sea Monkeys. How to watch Eurovision. It's awfully contentful! Shane Plays Geek Talk Episode #241 - 5/29/2021 Like what you hear? Shane Plays Geek Talk is carried on Krypton Radio! 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! SHOW NOTES Awfully Cheerful Engine RPG on Kickstarter Awfully Cheerful Engine RPG website Awfully Cheerful Engine RPG Character Builder Level Up: Advanced 5E RPG Sneak Preview – Shane Plays Geek Talk Episode 238 – 3-19-2021 Sea Monkeys Wikipedia Page --- | |||
| Marvel's MCU Phase 4 Begins! - Episode 240 - 5-21-2021 | 21 May 2021 | 01:34:22 | |
On scarlet sorcery and heroic wings, Phase 4 of the MCU has arrived! What did Shane and friends of the show Richard McBain and William Brackeen think of WandaVision and The Falcon and the Winter Soldier? Are they excited for Phase 4 in general? Plus! An overview of everything currently on the MCU’s Phase 4 slate! Tune in, True Believers! Shane Plays Geek Talk Episode #240 - 5/21/2021 Like what you hear? Shane Plays Geek Talk is carried on Krypton Radio! 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! SHOW NOTES Marvel Cinematic Universe: Phase Four at Wikipedia Marvel Phase 4 Timeline: Here's When Each Movie Will Be Released | The Wrap --- | |||
| Zack Snyder's Justice League - Episode 239 - 3/31/2021 | 31 Mar 2021 | 01:55:56 | |
After years of denials of its existence, the Zack Snyder cut of Justice League is here! Comedian and friend of the show Michael Brown joins Shane for a deep dive on Zack Snyder and Joss Whedon’s versions of the movie. Is one better than the other? Does it mainly come down to fun vs gravitas? Green Lantern and Aquaman digressions. Mike is a true Aquaman fan. Shane tries and fails to do a ghastly Joker laugh. Shane Plays Geek Talk Episode #239 - 3/31/2021 Like what you hear? Shane Plays Geek Talk is carried on Krypton Radio! 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! SHOW NOTES Thank you to the #ReleasetheSnyderCut Movement for raising $500k for suicide prevention Why The Snyder Cut of Justice League Isn't Widescreen Rotten Tomatoes Justice League Movie & The State Of The DCEU! – Shane Plays Geek Talk Ep. 125 --- | |||
| Level Up: Advanced 5E RPG Sneak Preview - Episode 238 - 3-19-2021 | 19 Mar 2021 | 01:34:26 | |
Level Up: Advanced Fifth Edition RPG is coming and Russ “Morrus” Morrissey of E.N. Publishing provides a sneak preview! A5E is an expanded version of 5E, adding more depth and options yet still backward compatible with 5E. Among lots of other cool stuff, the exploration pillar gets much love, a revamped heritage and culture system is coming, monster signs appear, and get ready for combat maneuvers! Plus: The Awfully Cheerful Engine RPG. Shane and Russ are excited for Zack Snyder’s Justice League. Who would win: Sarah Jessica Parker versus the Justice League. The resurgence of sea shanties. Shane Plays Geek Talk Episode #238 - 3/19/2021 Like what you hear? Shane Plays Geek Talk is carried on Krypton Radio! 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! SHOW NOTES Level Up: Advanced 5th Edition Morrus’ Unofficial Tabletop RPG News Morrus’ Unofficial Tabletop RPG Talk Podcast Allies & Adversaries: NPCs for D&D 5th Edition Kickstarter WOIN RPG: What’s O.L.D. is N.E.W. Judge Dredd and the Worlds of 2000 AD RPG Understanding the D&D DMs Guild & 5th Edition SRD / OGL Why The Snyder Cut of Justice League Isn't Widescreen --- | |||
| Geek News Cavalcade - Episode 237 - 2-22-2021 | 23 Feb 2021 | 01:29:58 | |
It’s a veritable cavalcade of geeky news goodness! All Your Base 20th anniversary, WandaVision, Chinese CRPGs, The Burning Crusade for WoW Classic, McDonalds Pokemon scalper frenzy, Babylon 5, Red Dwarf, Day of the Dead TV series, Batman: The Animated Series, Godzilla vs Kong, The Snyder Cut, Fan buyout of DC Comics?, Spawn expanded comics universe, Dragonlance, puppet D&D and more! Plus: Shane rants a bit about DC Comics and event based comics in general. Press play! Shane Plays Geek Talk Episode #237 - 2/21/2021 Like what you hear? Shane Plays Geek Talk is carried on Krypton Radio! 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! SHOW NOTES An anniversary for great justice: Remembering “All Your Base” 20 years later | Ars Technica All Your Base Are Belong To Us (Original) Mission Control Live: NASA Lands Perseverance Mars Rover (clean feed) Chinese open-world RPG rockets to the top of Steam with over 170,000 concurrent players | PC Gamer World Of Warcraft: Burning Crusade Classic Confirmed For 2021 Release | Gamespot RPG Codex GOTY 2020: Results & Cool Graphs | RPG Codex Nox Archaist The CRPG Book Project by Felipe Pepe Dungeons and Desktops: The History of Computer Role-Playing Games 2nd Edition McDonald's Happy Meal Offers Pokémon Cards in Celebration of 25th Anniversary | Hypebeast McDonald's 'Strongly Encouraging' Restaurants to Prevent Happy Meal Pokemon Card Scalping | IGN 'Babylon 5' finally gets remastered and is now available to rent or buy online | Space.com Legal row puts future of Red Dwarf at risk | Chortle : The UK Comedy Guide Syfy’s ‘Day of the Dead’ Series Will Have Some Ties to George Romero’s Original Classic | Bloody Disgusting Solid rumor? Batman: The Animated Series Sequel Reportedly In The Works For HBO Max | ComicBook.com Godzilla Vs. Kong Is Already Breaking Records For Warner Bros - CINEMABLEND Zack Snyder’s Justice League Trailer The Lord of the Rings Trilogy Remastered to Be Released in IMAX Theaters | ComicBook.com Kickstarter: Preserve JRR Tolkien’s Former Home as a Public Writing Haven SCOOP: DC Comics Buyout In The Works From Fans With Lots Of Money | Bleeding Cool DC Announces Batman '89 and Superman '78 Digital First Series | CBR Todd McFarlane Announces Spawn's Universe, Launching 4 New Comics | Bleeding Cool Here's That Official Dragonlance Novels Announcement, Featuring Classic Characters & An Old Logo! | Morrus’s Unofficial Tabletop RPG News Dungeons & Dragons and Puppets Come Together in Stuff of Legends | Comic Book.com --- | |||
| Most Anticipated Geek Movies of 2021 - Episode 236 - 1-18-2021 | 18 Jan 2021 | 00:45:13 | |
It’s the fifth annual team-up with Arkansas talk radio legend Dave Elswick for our Most Anticipated Geek Movies of 2021! What made the cut? How did our picks from last year hold up? Dave and Shane’s thoughts on Wonder Woman 1984. Dave’s theory on The Empire Strikes Back. Ed and Elizabeth Warren. Dave thinks Shane looks like Jerry Garcia. Press Play! Shane Plays Geek Talk Episode #236 - 1/18/2021 Like what you hear? Shane Plays Geek Talk is carried on Krypton Radio! 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! SHOW NOTES There are no show notes for this episode --- | |||
| The Elusive Shift: How Role-Playing Games Forged Their Identity with Jon Peterson - Episode 235 - 12-22-2020 | 22 Dec 2020 | 01:30:50 | |
Jon Peterson discusses The Elusive Shift, his newest in-depth book about role-playing game history. The importance of fanzines to the hobby and researching its history. Where did the term “role-playing game” come from? The history of “roll-playing” vs “role-playing”. Letting the dice tell the story vs GM fudging. Some dice history. Platonic solids and the nature of reality. What was Gary Gygax’s design reason for saving throws? The three types of wargamers. A D&D cookbook. Orc bacon. Bonus bad jokes. Shane Plays Geek Talk Episode #235 - 12/22/2020 Like what you hear? Shane Plays Geek Talk is carried on Krypton Radio! 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! SHOW NOTES The Elusive Shift: How Role-Playing Games Forged Their Identity Fanzines beget blogs by Roger Ebert Playing at the World: Identifying the Dice of the 1970s Playing at the World Episode #2: Identifying 1970s Dice Lee Gold on Wikipedia --- | |||
| OSR Gaming & Frog God Games - Episode 234 - 12-11-2020 | 11 Dec 2020 | 01:40:35 | |
Who are Frog God Games? The current state of OSR RPG gaming and some OSR history. Recommendations on trying out OSR games. North Texas RPG Con. Large cons versus intimate cons. Con special guest invitation criteria. Economics of RPG conventions. Economics of the RPG industry. RPG archaeology. Tavern brawls. A cool story about a lost piece of D&D and Gary Gygax history. Michael “Bad Mike” Badolato and Carl Heyl join. Shane Plays Geek Talk Episode #234 - 12/11/2020 Like what you hear? Shane Plays Geek Talk is carried on Krypton Radio! 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! SHOW NOTES Frog God Games Swords & Wizardry RPG OSRIC Blueholme Labyrinth Lord Basic Fantasy Castles & Crusades Dungeon Crawl Classics B/X D&D North Texas RPG Con Talking Crit podcast Save or Die podcast The Crusader podcast Victorious RPG & North Texas RPG Con! – Episode 188 – Shane Plays Geek Talk --- | |||
| Asunder RPG with Adam Lawson & Robert J. Schwalb - Episode 233 - 11-25-2020 | 25 Nov 2020 | 00:58:07 | |
Asunder is the dark fantasy RPG (powered by the Shadow of the Demon Lord system) set in a dying world with no metal where humans have transformed plants and insects into living weapons. Adam Lawson and Robert J. Schwalb join to discuss! How long is the average tabletop RPG campaign (the answer may surprise you)? What’s it like to make an RPG for the first time compared to what you THINK it will be like? The “Dread to GURPS” scale of RPG crunch. Shane has one of Robert’s sweaty custom leather wristbands. Shane Plays Geek Talk Episode #233 - 11/25/2020 Like what you hear? Shane Plays Geek Talk is carried on Krypton Radio! 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! SHOW NOTES Asunder: A Dark Fantasy RPG on Kickstarter Asunder RPG Quickstart Rules ASUNDER: Gaia's Judgement - "Blister Socket" Ep #1 | TTRPG Liveplay Shadow of the Demon Lord RPG --- | |||
| Tékumel: The Empire of the Petal Throne & M.A.R. Barker with Robert Alberti - Episode 232 - 11-13-2020 | 13 Nov 2020 | 01:09:03 | |
Tékumel: The Empire of the Petal Throne is known as the first published tabletop RPG setting, but began long before that in Professor M. A. R. Barker’s imagination. It’s a rich and exciting world matched by a fascinating creator! Bob Alberti (Tékumel expert, author, and friend of Professor Barker) tells us all about this important part of RPG history. Shane Plays Geek Talk Episode #232 - 11/13/2020 Like what you hear? Shane Plays Geek Talk is carried on Krypton Radio! 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! SHOW NOTES Professor M. A. R. Barker on Wikipedia Tékumel: The World of the Petal Throne The Tékumel Foundation Béthorm: The Plane of Tékumel (the current official RPG rules) Tékumel Game Systems Mitlanyál Matt Chat 457: Bob Alberti on Scepter of Goth and Gopher Vilification Tennis --- | |||
| Comics & Comicsgate With Preston Poulter - Episode 276 - 4/29/2024 | 30 Apr 2024 | 01:35:04 | |
Preston Poulter of Pocket Jacks Comics joins to talk comic books, the current status of his Comicsgate trademark lawsuit, and his reasons for pursuing it. Plus the economics and challenges of self-publishing comics, some tabletop RPG chat and we learn what a pocket jack is. Shane gets upstaged during the bad joke of the week. Like what you hear? 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! SHOW NOTES Pocket Jacks Comics Preston Poulter Trademarks Comicsgate Timeline of Comicsgate Trademark Lawsuit: Common Sense Press Inc DBA Pocket Jacks Comics (Poulter) vs Sciver / Malpica The Standoff at Sparrow Creek
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| Dungeons & Dragons Cartoon: Fan-created Final Episode - Episode 231 - 11/2/2020 | 02 Nov 2020 | 01:47:45 | |
The unproduced final episode of the 80s Dungeons & Dragons cartoon now exists thanks to superfans Ryan Nead and Marshall Hubbard and is receiving widespread praise! What was involved? How long did it take? Why did they do it? Why do they love the D&D cartoon so much? Is it an energy bow, a lightning bow, or a plasma bow? The final episode in other media. Ryan has a DeLorean. Shane Plays Geek Talk Episode #231 - 11/2/2020 Like what you hear? Shane Plays Geek Talk is carried on Krypton Radio! Listen to the Shane Plays Geek Talk podcast on YouTube, SoundCloud, iTunes, Google Play 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! SHOW NOTES Dungeons & Dragons Cartoon Requiem IMDB Credits Michael Reeves Requiem script Dungeons & Dragons Cartoon Renault Commercial Requiem final episode audio drama Requiem Fan-made Portuguese Comic AD&D Forgotten Realms Comic: The Grand Tour (features the cartoon characters as adults) Dungeons & Dragons Cartoon TV Series Facebook Group HitFilm Express Video Editor Autodesk Sketchbook
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| The Kill Journal with Adam Lawson - Episode 230 -10/23/2020 | 23 Oct 2020 | 01:01:02 | |
Writer, director, and producer Adam Lawson (Snakes on a Plane, Escape the Night, The Eighth, TableTop) joins to talk The Kill Journal, a horror graphic novel about survivors of supernatural slashers who band together to get revenge. Which version of Michael Meyers is the most frightening? Michael vs Jason. What does Adam think of “newer” horror movies? Ed and Lorraine Warren. RPGs as spectator entertainment. Shane Plays Geek Talk Episode #230 - 10/23/2020 Like what you hear? Shane Plays Geek Talk is carried on Krypton Radio! Listen to the Shane Plays Geek Talk podcast on YouTube, SoundCloud, iTunes, Google Play 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! SHOW NOTES Podcast Zinger is from Halloween Topic Notes: The Kill Journal on Indiegogo: Adam Lawson IMDB page: Ed and Lorraine Warren on Wikipedia
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| Inktober with Jake Parker - Episode 229 - 9/30/2020 | 30 Sep 2020 | 00:36:45 | |
The hugely popular Inktober drawing challenge with creator Jake Parker. When did Inktober start and how large has it grown? What are people saying about how Inktober has helped them? Advice from Don Bluth. How do you say Mignola? Shane wants to be a cartoonist. Shane Plays Geek Talk Episode #229 - 9/30/2020 Like what you hear? Shane Plays Geek Talk is carried on Krypton Radio! Listen to the Shane Plays Geek Talk podcast on YouTube, SoundCloud, iTunes, Google Play 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! SHOW NOTES Podcast Zinger is from Guardians of the Galaxy Topic Notes: Jake’s website: Inktober Jake Parker on Wikipedia:
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| Good Strong Hands RPG with NerdBurger Games - Episode 228 - 9-25-2020 | 25 Sep 2020 | 01:05:58 | |
Good Strong Hands RPG (“A darkly whimsical game about saving your fantastical world”) with indie developer Craig Campbell of NerdBurger Games. RPGs gone virtual. The importance of cons to the RPG industry. How is RPG design like architecture? Sad scenes in geek movies. The butter burger. Shane Plays Geek Talk Episode #228 - 9/25/2020 Like what you hear? Shane Plays Geek Talk is carried on Krypton Radio! Listen to the Shane Plays Geek Talk podcast on YouTube, SoundCloud, iTunes, Google Play 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! SHOW NOTES Podcast Zinger is from The Black Hole Topic Notes: NerdBurger Games Good Strong Hands Kickstarter Nerdburger Games Discord Community:
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