The Hard Move – Details, episodes & analysis

Fight, Item, Run is available to back now: https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/whimsymachine/fight-item-run-a-pixelated-ttrpg

Taylor Curreysmith and I prepare for the worst as we discuss his Kickstarter based on the pixelated worlds of NES cartiges and limit breaks.  In the Patreon episode, Tay and I also go off topic to talk about Taylor's love of Monster Rancher (even more than the release), my love of Metroid, and a lot of time spent enjoying each other's company.

The Hard Move was created by Matthew Gravelyn, and is hosted and produced by Sidney Icarus. You can follow the show on Twitter @TheHardMove.

Music is by Nick Gravelyn. You can find his work at nickgravelyn.com

You can follow  Taylor @whimsymachine and @taylor_cs

Kyle Thompson and I prepare for the worst as we discuss object-oriented design, separation of intent, and a really cool move that I didn't love going in.  In the Patreon episode, Kyle and I also go off topic to discuss a wild amount of other moves that call on Pay the Price, and a bit of theory-crafting on how we'd like to see this design go forward.

The Hard Move was created by Matthew Gravelyn, and is hosted and produced by Sidney Icarus. You can follow the show on Twitter @TheHardMove.

Music is by Nick Gravelyn. You can find his work at nickgravelyn.com

You can follow  Kyle @wiegraf_ and check out Tools for Viable Organising over at https://vsru.org/articles/tools-for-viable-organizing.html

Content featured in this episode is from Fellowship 2nd Edition, by Jacob Randolph, published by Liberi Gothica Games.

https://itch.io/b/520/bundle-for-racial-justice-and-equality   

Spenser Starke and I prepare for the worst as we take a look at The Abyss Stares Back from The Veil. An interesting move, we discuss as much about how we love unpacking the poetry of the move as we do with how challenging it is to engage with fully. It really is like nothing else out there.

In the Patreon cut, Spenser and I also talk about the changes we'd like to see this move make, and specifically how it can be so inaccessible to the people approaching it. Available at patreon.com/thehardmove

The Hard Move was created by Matthew Gravelyn, and is hosted and produced by Sidney Icarus. You can follow the show on Twitter @TheHardMove.

Music is by Nick Gravelyn. You can find his work at nickgravelyn.com

You can follow Spenser on twitter @spenserstarke, and back Alice is Missing on Kickstarter.

Content featured in this episode is from The Veil. With writing by Fraser Simons, published by Samjoko.

Jenn Martin and I prepare for the worst as we take a look at the Beacon's Drives from Masks. We go through how Drives offer players guidance, and how the smart design offers beats without defining an arc. 

In the Patreon cut, Jenn and I also talk about how to approach it from a design perspective, along with a bunch of extra goodies. Available at patreon.com/thehardmove

The Hard Move was created by Matthew Gravelyn, and is hosted and produced by Sidney Icarus. You can follow the show on Twitter @TheHardMove.

Music is by Nick Gravelyn. You can find his work at nickgravelyn.com

You can follow Jenn on twitter @tenpenjenn (and her website, the.kinematic.cafe)

Content featured in this episode is from Masks: The Next Generation. Writing by Brendan Conway, published by Magpie Games.

Andrew Gillis and I prepare for the worst as we Gaze into the Abyss from Monsterhearts 2. In this episode we discuss inviting players in, generating stakes, and developing good dark stories. 

In our patreon release Andrew and I also talk about the ins and outs of Abyss Gazing, and bringing misses to bear against players. Available at patreon.com/thehardmove.

The Hard Move was created by Matthew Gravelyn, and is hosted and produced by Sidney Icarus. You can follow the show on Twitter @TheHardMove.

Music is by Nick Gravelyn. You can find his work at nickgravelyn.com

You can follow Andrew on Twitter at @commutingcrow.

Content featured in this episode is from Monsterhearts 2, written by Avery Alder, and published by Buried Without Ceremony.

Adrian Thoen and I prepare for the worst as we go OG and Go Aggro with Apocalypse World 1e and 2e. In this episode we discuss shifting agency of threats; bluffing and calling it; and how to do moves from "a distance".

In our patreon release Adrian and I also talk about how Go Aggro can be played as an MC, and the evolution of PbtA moves over the years. Available at patreon.com/thehardmove.

The Hard Move was created by Matthew Gravelyn, and is hosted and produced by Sidney Icarus. You can follow the show on Twitter @TheHardMove.

Music is by Nick Gravelyn. You can find his work at nickgravelyn.com

You can follow Adrian on Twitter at @madadric.

Content featured in this episode is from Apocalypse World first and second editions, written by Vincent and Meguey Baker, and published by lumpley games.

Ryan McNeil and I prepare for the worst as we step into the time-shifting Innocent, and look at a really hostile move. In this episode we discuss escalation in PbtA; what it means to have moves "on the table"; and how different triggers drive different play.

A full length bonus version of this episode is available at patreon.com/thehardmove.

The Hard Move was created by Matthew Gravelyn, and is hosted and produced by Sidney Icarus. You can follow the show on Twitter @TheHardMove.

Music is by Nick Gravelyn. You can find his work at nickgravelyn.com

You can follow Ryan on Twitter at @transalaskin.

Content featured in this episode is from Masks and Halycon City Herald, both published by Magpie Games, with lead writing by Brendan Conway.

Matthew Gravelyn and I prepare for the worst as we explore Dungeon World's move for facing down the black gates of the death. In this episode we discuss the nature of RPG death; triggering and engaging with the move in new ways; and have a blast doing it every step of the way. 

A full length bonus version of this episode is available at patreon.com/thehardmove.

The Hard Move was created by Matthew Gravelyn, and is hosted and produced by Sidney Icarus. You can follow the show on Twitter @TheHardMove.

Music is by Nick Gravelyn. You can find his work at nickgravelyn.com

You can follow Matthew on Twitter at @mrmatthew, and buy Mall Kids at mr-matthew.itch.io

Content featured in this episode is from Dungeon World by Sage Latorra and Adam Koebel, and published by Sage Kobold productions.

The Hard Move returns for Season 2... with a twist! New episodes start on April 1st.

Becky Annison and I dive into her upcoming game Bite Me! and explore the complicated dynamics of werewolf pack authority. The move Make A Challenge is used as a mechanical device whenever someone willingly, unwillingly, or even unknowingly challenges the leadership of the alpha. This move has some wild effects ranging from swapping playbooks to permanent stat modifiers. Narratively this move can shape the entire course of the game, moving power around and breaking social norms. For the GM, there’s a lot to manage but Becky comes through with some tips for GMs to get your through it. 

You can follow Becky on Twitter at twitter.com/BeckyAnnison and check out her work at blackarmada.com 

Content featured in this episode is from Bite Me! by Becky Annison. For more information, visit bit.ly/BiteMeKS 

Music is by Nick Gravelyn. You can find more of his work at nickgravelyn.com 

You can follow the show on Twitter at twitter.com/thehardmove 

Support the show at patreon.com/thehardmove and subscribe to The Hard Move on iTunes, Google Podcasts, or your podcast platform of choice.