Explore every episode of the podcast Tales From the TTRPG Dust Pan

A quick post Ottocon talk. Things could have gone better in the AAIE game I ran but all in all I think everyone had fun.

Some lessons learned.

A lot of D&D podcasts are talking about the new psionic class in the latest unearthed Arcana. I have opinions about psionic classes. So today I share a rare D&D 5ed adjacent pod with the fine listening group.

Some very rapid fire thoughts on Exploration as a foundation for a TTRPG experience.

We can’t completely ignore logistics and book keeping … can we?

Some thoughts on Rules As written. Should RAW play be a design goal ?

“The secret we should never let the gamemasters know is that they don't need any rules.”

Gary Gygax

Every good setting needs a core idea. A nascent sci fi setting idea …

On the road with a mix of TTRPG topics.

Mostly prepping for Otto-Con… and a few digressions along the way.

A wide range of thoughts on a design approach that represents one of my blind spots.

A conversation I had about D&D and why this is not aD&D pod cast even though in all honesty that would serve me better.

And so much more.

The concept of character “build” and where it fits into my ttrpg’s. What I enjoy about tinkering with builds, And what styles of game I think builds are best used.

Also can I be “ready” with another thing for Otto con?

Listen!

Do what you love and plan for the time you realistically have to do it.

A quick talk about not getting too hung up on plot points.

A little more about chill game night, and what are we going to do when a fight breaks out and we have no rules to guide us!

BATTLETECH

Listen to me talk about getting my Mech on … will the rolling Kia studio survive a hail of LRM’s?

Let’s find out.

Or do we just want to do sweet jumps

Wherein I ramble about picking the wrong character type for a game.

Let’s talk a bit about what happens when you decide to just play. To me it becomes Chill Game night…

Story telling is an I ate part of the human psyche… some times in the TTRG sphere we tend to overthink the whole thing …

A pencil, 2d6, and a piece of paper

A short episode about the power of watching other people run a game you wrote

A quick review of our hero 6E game and how I leaned not to negate players good play with my own agenda.

In season three episode 11 I just spitball ideas about how I would like to streamline a game I wrote over a decade ago and make it a table top hero shooter… so now I want to keep it cooperative, but many of the ideas I have here still apply.

A chat about what I’m up to.

A vanishing episode

The magic of new players and how systems can hinder that same magic …

Fun with friends.

<<Note: I did some looking into things. and I have some corrections for this, pod cast:

1. Coast to Coast AM started in 1988.

2. Listener ship to AM radio and all radio really took a diver after 2010 >>

I am still sticking with 1986

A quick episode about considerations I’m making while I try to rehab an old cam

campaign idea.

What system will I use and why?

What time period will I set the game in?

All this and a tiny bit more, here on the Tales from the TTRPG dust bin podcast !

Who are the good guys here?

We ask this and other questions in this episode of the tales from the TTRPG dust bin podcast

A pod cast about preparing for my next Hero System game. This will air after we have played so no spoilers, well no major spoilers…

Enjoy !

I accidentally drop 1 F-bomb in this episode. You were warned..

A talk about what I feel are the cornerstones of world building. Chasing the muse of setting design, and how over preparation and emergent play don’t have to be mutually exclusive.

Enjoy the pod cast and then go role dice ….

-Mark.

Good morning and welcome to **Tales from the Tabletop RPG dust bin podcast** with your host, Mark, broadcasting from the New York State Thruway. Today, we're diving into the concept of **shared resources in role-playing games** and how they impact player decisions and party dynamics. Join me as I discuss this often-overlooked design aspect and its potential to foster more collaborative gameplay. Alone …. In my car.

Also buy my game on drive through:

https://www.drivethrurpg.com/en/product/515465/amazing-adventures-incredible-exploits-basic-2025

In this episode I revisit my top 5 home campaigns that died on the vine!

I look at some constants.. like my own laziness, weeknight games not holding up over time., and multiple dimensions being in everything.

Please enjoy a walk through five of my failures !!

I admit… this is a bit of a meandering pod. One I debated posting at all. However I do get to talk about the projects I have been working on, the state of the AAIE 2025 project, and an unexpected chance to game.

Enjoy this nothing-burger

Get it there and roll dice … asap!!

AAIE

PDF available on Drive through RPG~!

Approved today and ready for mass consumption.

https://www.drivethrurpg.com/en/product/515465/amazing-adventures-incredible-exploits-basic-2025

Welcome to S3 Ep2.

This is the story of how my friend Jim and I have different tastes in video games when it comes to tone…

As I thought about it it came to me that some idle the principal ideas involved could be applied to TTRPG’s

So here we are… another drive another ramble.

(( also it sure felt good when we beat that Nu Udra, didn’t it ))

This season’s session zero … why does this pod cast sound the way it does ? I’ll tell you !

The listener, Machael Stanet ( paraphrasing his own post to me here, so I get the details right) has published a TTRPG adventure module he co-wrote with his wife. Andrea. The module is set in the world of Andrea's contemporary supernatural/fantasy novel series.. He will be releasing a coop/solo fantasy minatures game, Ragtag Defenders in Decemeber.

The link to the module and Andrea's books is here https://andreastanet.com/

My links

Dutch 2 V on Discord

https://failedgamedesigner.blogspot.com

https://ottocon.org/

Tales from the TTRPG Dust Bin: Season 2 Finale - Episode 20

It's the end of an era! Or just a season

Join us for the final episode of Season 2 as we delve into the chaotic world of tabletop roleplaying.

This week, we're navigating the ever-shifting sands of printing plans gone awry, sharing tales of ambitious projects derailed by the unexpected. We'll also dive deep into the versatile and powerful HERO System.

And for those of you with a restless spirit, we'll explore the tantalizing allure of RPG wanderlust, discussing the irresistible urge to chase new systems and settings.

Don't miss the last is season twos, treasures unearthed from the TTRPG Dust Bin!

An episode about Design, Making decisions then second guessing yourself… and when can I run all this stuff!!

All live from the rolling Kia studio! Aka: my car.

Next episode will wrap season 2 Amazing!

A rare video game episodes. As my favorite game franchise drops their latest flagship installment. After about 16 hours of play time one’s the weekend I ponder this question. Do the Monster hunter world and the Monster Hunter Rise studios even have each other phone numbers?

Join me on this hunt for the perfect Monster Hunter experience

… I mean once I give you my hunter Id and my lobby ID and we Party Link …. and I finish this cut scene.

My rambling thoughts on using and designing game loops in TTRPG’s

Enjoy!

Get out there and roll those dice !

I had no intention of recording this morning. However, I had a thought and wanted to get it recorded. Here you go, a surprise episode!

Enjoy

Roll some dice this week!!

Good Monday people. Today in the Rolling Kia studio.

A quick talk about design considerations concerning the rewrite of AAIE. And perception as a stat.

Also yawns… like five of them

Because I’m a pro.

Have a great week!

Roll dice!

A bit of a warning: This episode is just me, working through my own conflicted views about one of my own game designs. An example of meme using this platform to work something out. Might not be the most interesting episode of the bunch.

Still I hope you Enjoy

Support Indy games !

In this Bonus recording I just go off on brainstorming ides for low and dark fantasy games.

A post mortem on the latest Mandate of the Silver Empress live game.

Then a self reflection about the key differences between playing at home with friends, Vs at cons with strangers. Why those games serve different purposes and require different attitudes.

A touch of game master advice.

This is a lively one…

A bit of hero game prep and talk about my inexplicable return to blogging.

Also related D20 modern talk

And other lumps of goodness!

Please enjoy.

Also thank you to the 2 of you who listened to the last show… you’re maniacs and I love you.

Welcome to Season 2, Episode 10! This week, I'm discussing five games I'd love to bring to the table for regular campaign play, but haven't been able to. I'll explore the reasons behind this – primarily scheduling challenges – share my vision for the perfect RPG schedule, and touch on a few other related topics. Join the conversation!

If you have an idea for a top five list … drop it in the comments!

Legend of the five rings:

https://www.fantasyflightgames.com/en/legend-of-the-five-rings-roleplaying-game/

Beyond the super Natural: 2E

https://www.dragonstrove.com/products/beyond-the-supernatural-rpg-2nd-ed?variant=44908423184666

FIGHT 2E

https://www.drivethrurpg.com/en/product/307634/fight-2nd-edition

Mechwarrior

https://www.drivethrurpg.com/en/product/317268/mechwarrior-destiny

Shadow Run

https://www.drivethrurpg.com/en/product/115985/shadowrun-fifth-edition-core-rulebook-master-index-edition

On this episode … episode 9 season 2

I talk about canceling a game night.

Putting an AI to the test.

My thought on meeting the standards of our hobby.

I hope everyone enjoys this episode.

This one is a bit of a rambling mess, I guess that’s what happens when the run sheet is written in a Wendy’s Napkin.

Today we talk about enthusiasm and the gift of just going all in.

Game prep for hero. (Hint) I still think I’m doing it wrong.

All this from Somewhere on the NYS Throughway…

Roll those dice!

Link to BAMF video on Instagram

https://www.instagram.com/bamfvideo?igsh=NnQ0cGRpZ2hkMTk0

And YouTube

www.youtube.com/@bamfvideo

Bonus Episode!!

Winter Doldrums … Hero Prep… d100 random encounters … sure why not, and I forgot the third thing ….

Seriously…

I did.

This one was totally off the cuff just talking about the TTRPG subjects that are on my mind .

Part two of my top 5 series..

These are the games that have most influenced my own game designs, for better or worse.

Live from the New York State Throughway!

Enjoy …

Leave a comment!

The window

https://rpggeek.com/rpg/1447/the-window

Lords of gossamer and shadow

https://www.drivethrurpg.com/en/product/119779/lords-of-gossamer-shadow-diceless

Amber rpg

https://www.drivethrurpg.com/en/product/1447/amber

Season 2 Ep.5

Something different!

My top five Roleplaying games in order and with reasons.

These are up for debate. Let me know what you think and tell me your top five Table Top Role Playing games.

Mentioned in this pod cast are:

Role play Rescue

https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/roleplay-rescue/id1614045511?i=1000672777677

Also

Disoriented Ranger Publishing

https://www.drivethrurpg.com/en/publisher/11431/disoriented-ranger-publishing

Also:

Hero system Basic Rulebook (PDF)

https://www.drivethrurpg.com/en/product/64691/hero-system-basic-rulebook?src=hottest_filtered

Also GURPS

https://www.sjgames.com/gurps/

Lastly DC Heroes / Mayfair Exponential System would be 6th and it was a tough choice…

An after game report concerning our Hero System 6th Ed game “Suns of the Iron City”

And the 10th anniversary of AAIE a game you have never heard of !

A post mortem for the Wednesday night Pathfinder game.. A few quick GM tips and a lot of digressions..

happy Thursday!!

Get out there and roll some dice !!

Season 2

Ep 2

Wondering if true”community “ is possible In today’s social media environment?

A quick cast !

Enjoy.

My blog

https://failedgamedesigner.blogspot.com/2024/06/observation.html?m=1

Disoriented Ranger publishing ( Jens D)

https://www.drivethrurpg.com/en/publisher/11431/disoriented-ranger-publishing

Disoriented Ranger blog ( Jen’s D )

http://the-disoriented-ranger.blogspot.com/?m=1

Hello from the rolling kia studio.

This episode I reintroduce the pod to potential (hello!) new listeners, then I go on a 20-minute manic rant about how video games are messing with our brain chemistry.

This is probably not the best way to start season 2 as I'm not usually so bombastic... However, it was on my mind...

I hope you enjoy the Pod, and I hope you all get to roll some dice this week!

Links:

From the show:

https://youtu.be/Bw013eZJMhc?si=o5x-K4tMawnUvLIW I reference this video a few times. Geeky Pastimes makes the points in a much finer way than I do. (Probably why they have 44k subs huh?) I use some of their info in my rant I would like to give credit where it is due.

I read this before I spouted off:

Understanding Video Games and Dopamine Release

And this: Designing Addiction: The Twisted Psychology Of Game Design

Lastly, I watched this as well.. though it was really just part of the rabbit hole. I did find the loss aversion portion interesting. (Starts at 6:29)

How Video Games Manipulate You Into Spending Money My Blog From 2013... I have had some of these thoughts for a while.

Microtransactions are destroying my love of video games. Have a wonderful Day !

The final episode of season one!

Krampus is a jerk, now he’s dead… let’s talk about how that happened.

What went right and what went wrong..

Some notes about what’s happening moving forward with season 2 !

Get out there and roll some dice with the Tales From the TTRPG Dust Pan pod cast !

A round about ( naturally) talk about locking in a settings feel, and a bit about supporting that feel with your games mechanics.

Live from the rolling Kia Studio.