This podcast discusses gaming in all its many forms: video games, roleplaying games, board games, live-action, retro-gaming, and so on. Your hosts Scormus and Beoulus bring you weekly gaming commentary, with a dash of humor and a heaping load of sarcasm and snark.
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Retrospective 2024 – Loot Mechanics #409
1:29:52
1:29:52
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1:29:52A look back on the last year in gaming, and for the show. Intro (0:34) – Thoughts of gaming in 2024 Video Games (14:11) – BG3’s director thinks the game shouldn’t be on subscription services. Is this old-school mindset hurting the game, in the long term? (Ep. #361) Tabletop Roleplaying (35:07) – The SRD for […]…
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Holiday 2024 Extravaganza – Loot Mechanics #408
45:07
45:07
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45:07The Last-Minute Holiday Gift Guide, AND The Best & Worst Games of 2024, all in one show! Intro (0:34) – Our holiday plans The Gift Guide (4:22) – Our absolute last-minute gifts of 2024 Best & Worst of 2024 (16:21) – The Best & Worst Games of the Year! Wrap (42:48) – Seasons greetings “Burn […]By Scormus
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The Last Topical Show of 2024 – Loot Mechanics #407
59:51
59:51
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59:51Rogue AI, Incels, and other good news, on today’s show! Intro (0:34) – The Usual Video Games (10:47) – Chuds being made to hate something they once loved Wrap (41:49) – Funko Pop’s AI goes rogue, briefly kills Itch.io for no reason. “Burn The World Waltz” Kevin MacLeod (incompetech.com) Licensed under Creative Commons: By Attribution […]…
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This Seems Unnecessary – Loot Mechanics #406
45:25
45:25
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45:25Is WotC trying to draw out the popularity of D&D 5e as long as possible, or cover for the glaring lack of third party support for D&D 2024 edition? We discuss this and more of today’s show. Intro (0:34) – The usual stuff Tabletop Roleplaying (6:14) – WotC adds another 5e-based, third party TTRPG to […]…
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The PlayStation 2 was the best selling console of all time. The Nintendo Switch is coming up fast, though… Can it beat the PS2, before the next Nintendo console drops in 2025? Intro (0:34) – The usual pablum Video Games (14:33) – Can the Switch out-sell the PS2? Wrap (36:45) – So no sequel to […]By Scormus
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So it’s Thanksgiving this week, and we have nothing else to talk about, so let’s talk about games we’ve been thankful for in 2024! Scormey promises he will talk about more than just “Starfield”! Intro (0:34) – The usual crap Special (4:02) – Games we’ve been thankful for this year Wrap (28:14) – Gaming Turkeys […]…
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Of all the video game companies you should never upset, Nintendo would be right at the top of that list. So today we’re going to discuss one livestreamer who did just that… Intro (0:34) – What have we been playing? Media (8:20) – Dumbass streamer raises the ire of Nintendo, pays the price for their […]…
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Wisdom of the Aged – Loot Mechanics #402
1:00:03
1:00:03
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1:00:03It’s an in-between week, with not much to discuss (also the last show in a three-show recording session!), so where do we go? Back to the “advice well”, as Beoulus and Scormus answer questions from younger TTRPG players and GMs! Intro (0:34) – The same old nonsense Tabletop Roleplaying (3:59) – Answering more questions from […]…
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More old news, but worth talking about: Surprising no one, Amazon shits the bed with the release of “New World Aeternum”, screwing casual and legacy players alike. We discuss this on today’s show. Intro (0:34) – The usual banter MMORPGs (6:22) – “New World Aeternum” launches with old world mistakes. Wrap (26:48) – Final Thoughts […]…
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All Hallows 400th Episode! – Loot Mechanics #400
39:56
39:56
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39:56You get a 2-for-1 special this week! Not only is it our annual spooktacular Halloween special, it is also our 400th episode! Wow, who would have thought we’d still be doing this show for this long? Intro (0:34) – Our Halloween plans Spooktacular (7:07) – Video games to play for a Halloween fright! Wrap (28:56) […]…
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We’re gonna need a montage – Loot Mechanics #399
1:00:42
1:00:42
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1:00:42Let’s talk about something you don’t often see in tabletop roleplaying games: Crafting. Some games have tried to include this, but it’s usually just an afterthought, at most. But why? Intro (0:34) – Scormey’s been playing “Slay the Spire” some, and Beoulus has been working, of course. Tabletop Roleplaying (5:25) – Why isn’t there more […]…
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Scormey has been too busy playing “Starfield” to notice a bunch of people lost access to the title back in September, with Microsoft’s changes to the Game Pass tiers. We discuss this and a review of “Shattered Space” on today’s show! Intro (0:34) – Scormey has some thoughts on the recent changes to Game Pass […]…
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We all know by now that Hasbro (and by extension, WotC) will be embracing AI for D&D. In response, other major TTRPG publishers say no to this technology. So today we discuss who’s right in the debate. Intro (0:34) – The usual noise Tabletop Roleplaying (5:31) – Chaosium, Kobold Press, and more take a stand […]…
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Sony is releasing a Playstation 5 Pro this November. We discuss the idiocy of this unit on today’s show. Intro (0:34) – The usual stuff Video Games (11:11) – Here comes the PS5 Pro… Whether you want one or not! Wrap (37:15) – So Blizzard shit the bed with WoW again. “Burn The World Waltz” […]By Scormus
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But this is supposed to be a great game – Loot Mechanics #395
59:59
59:59
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59:59The only news is regurgitated D&D press releases, so instead Scormey and Beoulus talk about their worst experiences playing great TTRPGs. Intro (0:34) – More of the usual fluff to start. Tabletop Roleplaying (13:08) – Our worst experiences playing good TTRPGs Wrap (46:46) – Final Thoughts “Burn The World Waltz” Kevin MacLeod (incompetech.com) Licen…
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Not a lot of gaming news this week, so lets talk about an indie CRPG scoring a major crossover with “Critical Role”. Intro (0:34) – The usual fuckery Video Games (5:14) – Wayfinder finds its way to scoring a “Critical Role” crossover Wrap (24:43) – Final Thoughts “Burn The World Waltz” Kevin MacLeod (incompetech.com) Licensed […]…
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Good News and Bad – Loot Mechanics #393
1:00:48
1:00:48
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1:00:48A fresh coat of paint is coming for “Dungeon World”, but even good news like that comes with some controversy. Intro (0:34) – Scormey’s been playing “Minecraft Dungeons” and starting over in “Starfield”. Beoulus has likely been working a lot. Tabletop Roleplaying (14:59) – Luke Crane is bringing out a new edition of “Dungeon World”, […]…
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WoW’s latest expansion is out, which includes endgame solo content. Surprising no one but the executives at Blizzard, this has received almost universal praise. We have some thoughts. Intro (0:34) – Scormey plays an Expedition in “No Man’s Sky”, and has thoughts. MMORPG (10:51) – Let’s talk about Delves. Wrap (35:25) – Help Meguey Baker […]…
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We discuss the interplay between WotC and Youtube TTRPG content creators, and more on today’s show. Intro (0:34) – What we’ve been up to lately Tabletop Roleplaying (6:55) – WotC keeps screwing over TTRPG creators on Youtube. We discuss the interplay between these two groups, and why they seemingly love and hate each other at […]…
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The first TTRPG based upon Brandon Sanderson’s “Stormlight Archives” books has hit Kickstarter. Our resident KS Superbacker has a few thoughts. Intro (0:34) – What we’ve been up to lately Tabletop Roleplaying (10:32) – Scormey has a few thoughts on “Cosmere RPG“ Wrap (44:04) – Final Thoughts “Burn The World Waltz” Kevin MacLeod (incompetech.com) Li…
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Talking about non-standard action resolution in TTRPGs, and WotC pulling a truly classy move (sarcasm). Intro (0:34) – What we’ve been up to lately Tabletop Roleplaying (4:38) – Are dice played out? Is it time to start working with “weird” methods of action resolution in TTRPGs? Wrap (27:47) – WotC being WotC. Classy as always. […]…
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Lots of “Starfield” and “Xbox” discussions on today’s show! Intro (0:34) – Scormey raises the stakes in “Starfield”, and Beoulus has been doing “No Man’s Sky”. Video Games (7:44) – BGS trademarks “Starborn“. Will this be the 2nd “Starfield” expansion? Wrap (24:29) – The Xbox 360 online store finally shuts down, and almost no one […]…
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Blizzard actually starts listening, and it looks like Scormey was actually right for once, on today’s show! Intro (0:34) – What have we been up to lately? MMORPGs (10:49) – Blizzard finally started listening to player feedback, because they can’t afford not to. Wrap (40:46) – The hype to the “Stormlight” TTRPG is really growing! […]…
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Catching up with some interesting talk about “No Man’s Sky”, and Kobold Press fumbling the ball with ToV. Intro (0:34) – What we’ve been doing for fun lately Video Games (18:39) – “No Man’s Sky” has a huge new update. Is it a glimpse of what we’ll see in “Light No Fire”? Wrap (51:02) – […]By Scormus
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Scormey and Beoulus ponder why so many people think they can make their own TTRPG, rather than use one that already exists. Also, faire season is in full swing, but not for Scormey and Ten. Intro (0:34) – The usual tripe Tabletop Roleplaying (13:26) – Why do so many people try their hand at creating […]…
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Nintendo on the Rise – Loot Mechanics #384
30:49
30:49
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30:49Nintendo is packing in some great games and collections, with their new console less than a year away. Is Nintendo really rising to meet their competitors? Intro (0:34) – Whatever Video Games (6:51) – Is it time for Nintendo to shine? Wrap (22:45) – Scormey finally gets a copy of a “Warhammer 40000” TTRPG! “Burn […]…
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Dr. Disrespect confirms some troubling rumors. Will this ruin his career in streaming? Intro (0:34) – Stuff and things Media (7:07) – Dr. Disrespect confirms rumors regarding why he was banned from Twitch in 2020. Will this kill his career in streaming? Wrap (25:48) – WotC has a unique idea of what “Backwards Compatibility” means. […]…
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Amazon abandons the players of the base game for “New World”. This sounds rather familiar… Oh, and something about Roll20 becoming a true juggernaut in the digital space for TTRPGs? Intro (0:34) – More of the usual wankery Tabletop Roleplaying (8:27) – Roll20 is cornering the market on digital play of non-D&D TTRPGs Wrap (32:55) […]…
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WHY WON’T THIS MOD WORK? – Loot Mechanics #381
45:01
45:01
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45:01So, “Starfield” finally launched, and another huge competitor to D&D’s crown is coming, on today’s show. Intro (0:34) – The usual wankery Video Games (3:36) – Starfield just blew the f**k up. Wrap (31:25) – Brandon Sanderson’s “Stormlight Archive” RPG is coming to Kickstarter “Burn The World Waltz” Kevin MacLeod (incompetech.com) Licensed under Cre…
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Hipsters ruining boardgames, and “Mists of Panderia” is again endgame in WoW? Intro (0:34) – The usual wankery Board Games (7:53) – Hipster Boardgamers have Scormey a bit… angry. Time to discuss elitists in gaming, and why they always suck. Wrap (27:53) – Blizzard admits that the “Dragonflight” expansion for WoW kinda sucked. “Burn The […]…
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The Amico is dead! Long live the Amico?! Intro (0:34) – The usual wankery Retro Gaming (14:32) – Atari has acquired the branding and IP for 200 classic games from Intellivision. What does this mean for the ill-fated “Intellivision Amico” console? Wrap (34:05) – “Knave 2e” is finally in Scormey’s hands. So, was it worth […]…
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Speculation or naked clickbait, plus grade-A bang-bangs, on today’s show Intro (0:34) – The usual wankery Main (6:30) – More “specs” for the Switch 2. Are these the really-real ones this time? Wrap (34:00) – Our favorite weapons in video games. “Burn The World Waltz” Kevin MacLeod (incompetech.com) Licensed under Creative Commons: By Attribution 4.…
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Hate & Discontent – Loot Mechanics #377
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1:00:01
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1:00:01Fans hating on things they once loved, and other stuff. Intro (0:34) – The usual wankery Tabletop roleplaying (10:49) – The SRD for the 50th anniversary refresh for D&D will be going to the Creative Commons. So why is this a bad thing, according to some fans? Wrap (36:35) – Shocking no one, D&D Beyond […]…
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Beoulus is going to hate this – Loot Mechanics #376
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45:00
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45:00Just in time for Scormey to receive his print edition of “The Secret World” TTRPG, using the 5E rules, to arrive, a new Kickstarter is up for the “Savage Worlds” edition of the same game! Beoulus now gets to laugh at Scormey for buying both editions. Intro (0:34) – The usual wankery Main (3:23) – […]…
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Spoilers ahead! Intro (0:34) – The usual wankery Media (11:12) – Critical Role continues to disappoint in Campaign 3 Wrap (28:38) – “Starfield” is looking to get their biggest update so far! “Burn The World Waltz” Kevin MacLeod (incompetech.com) Licensed under Creative Commons: By Attribution 4.0 License http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/ …
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On today’s show, the guys discuss why every TTRPG should be using some version or variant of the D&D rules. Intro (0:34) – Cheap achievements and other bullshit Tabletop Gaming (7:19) – Why every TTRPG should be using some variant or edition of the D&D rules. Wrap (28:21) – We chat about the thousands of […]…
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Trapped alone on a remote island, with only one video game they can play for the rest of their lives, what game would Scormey and Beoulus choose? Intro (0:34) – Scormey puts most of Constellation in a time-out, and whatever Beoulus has been playing “Sunhaven”. Video Games (5:10) – What one video game could you […]…
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Doom and gloom, and Scormey being a little bitch, on today’s show! Intro (0:34) – Scormey bows to his Microsoft overlords, and Beoulus has been running a guild? Tabletop Games (9:37) – With the Pandemic “over“, are TTRPGs doomed to fade back into the shadows? Wrap (34:05) – More “Knave 2e” drama, which really puts […]…
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Putting the Knave in “Knave 2e”, and other bullshittery, or today’s show. Intro (0:34) – Scormey has given up on BG3, while Beoulus has been playing “No Man’s Sky” Tabletop Gaming (10:34) – How not to run a Kickstarter project, Lesson #1265 Wrap (33:23) – Scormey has received his copy of “Cthulhu Awakens!“, and has […]…
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The boys lay the smackdown on fake “Gamer Girls”, and discuss the true rot infecting TTRPGs: Wokeness! Intro (0:34) – Scormey and Beoulus have been dominating their opponents, as usual Gaming (1:20) – Thots will not take over OUR games! Wrap (7:29) – WotC is finally facing the hard truth: “Go Woke, Go Broke!” “Burn […]…
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Today, for this extra-noice episode, we discuss the “Giggity” in Gaming. Intro (0:34) – More general gaming talk, as usual. WTF? (6:28) – Which games best deliver the Giggity? Scormey and Beoulus embrace their inner “preteen boy”-selves Wrap (37:27) – Beoulus discusses finding a game for his whole family to enjoy “Burn The World Waltz” […]…
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A dagger in the heart – Loot Mechanics #368
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1:00:09
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1:00:09Is “Daggerheart” living up to the early hype for the game, or will it simply be another pretender to the throne? Intro (0:34) – Scormey romances Andreja (finally), and Beoulus tries to kick his Altaholism Tabletop Roleplaying (6:26) – Scormey and Beoulus talk about the “Daggerheart” open beta. Wrap (47:14) – Blizzard and their full-court […]…
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New. Discworld. TTRPG. Listen to Scormey squeal in delight about this, on today’s show! Intro (0:34) – Our week, in brief. TTRPG (11:05) – There’s a new TTRPG based on Terry Pratchett’s “Discworld“, from one of Scormey’s favorite publishing houses (Modiphius)! YAY! Wrap (32:53) – Final thoughts. “Burn The World Waltz” Kevin MacLeod (incompetech.com…
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Hype is the Mind-Killer – Loot Mechanics #366
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1:00:04
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1:00:04“Dune: Part 2” is in theaters, and Funcom is finally dropping some hype for their upcoming “Dune” MMORPG! How much will Beoulus trash this game? Find out on today’s show! Intro (0:34) – Our week, in brief. MMORPG (6:01) – Finally! We have some meaty hype coming for the Dune MMO… whatever! Wrap (37:32) – […]…
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Sony is inexplicably giving up on the PS5, only halfway through this console generation. We discuss why that might be. Intro (0:34) – Our week, in brief. Video Games (7:01) – Sony gives up on the Playstation 5. Wrap (37:36) – Let’s talk about our favorite monsters in TTRPGs “Burn The World Waltz” Kevin MacLeod […]…
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Hubris and the Knife – Loot Mechanics #364
1:00:11
1:00:11
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1:00:11I guess Evil Genius really was the loser in that lawsuit against Netflix, after all… Intro (0:34) – Our week, in brief. Tabletop Roleplaying (3:17) – Evil Genius Games is in a death spiral, but… why? Wrap (38:40) – Daybreak sold off “Planetside” from their stable of IPs, and outlook for Hasbro looks not so […]…
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Backwards Compatibility – Loot Mechanics #363
44:53
44:53
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44:53Is a successor to the Nintendo Switch coming later this year? We discuss it on today’s show. Intro (0:34) – What have we been up to? Video Games (6:37) – Is Nintendo making a Switch 2? No, they’re making 10 million of them. Wrap (26:38) – Scormey got a few new TTRPGs recently. “Burn The […]By Scormus
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Gaming news sites roll a 1 – Loot Mechanics #362
59:15
59:15
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59:15Is Hasbro selling the D&D IP off? Okay, no… but should they? We discuss on today’s show! Intro (0:49) – What have we been playing? Tabletop Gaming (7:30) – Hasbro reportedly is negotiating with Tencent to buy the D&D IP!… Except it was nothing but bulls**t. That said, should Hasbro sell it off? Wrap (44:41) […]…
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Old-School Mindset – Loot Mechanics #361
1:00:32
1:00:32
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1:00:32Beoulus and Scormus discuss how video games used to be released, as opposed to the new models, and which is superior. Intro (0:49) – Our week, in brief. Video Games (10:36) – BG3’s director thinks the game shouldn’t be on subscription services. Is this old-school mindset hurting the game, in the long term? Wrap (34:06) […]…
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Today, Scormey and Beoulus break out our nearly 100 years of combined tabletop roleplaying experience to lay down some knowledge regarding the Golden Age of Roleplaying. Intro (0:49) – Our week, in brief. Tabletop Roleplaying (3:28) – No, the Golden Age of Roleplaying is NOT over. Wrap (38:22) – Final thoughts. “Burn The World Waltz” […]…
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