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RPG Mainframe

rpg-mainframe

The infamous RPG Mainframe returns with new episodes about every aspect of our glorious hobby, all with the deep thinking you expect from Runehammer! Let’s dive in...

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  • 20 episodes
  • Avg 35 min
  • English
  • S2 · E74
    Dec 12, 2024 · 51 min

    Episode 74: Cracking the Code of Improv

    Hang around for some mailbag questions and our discussion on improv with special guest Josh Holober-Ward of Sidequest Theater.

  • S1 · E68
    Nov 20, 2022 · 29 min

    Episode 69: Zimer’s Farewell

    I take a few minutes to recollect and reconnoiter on ICRPG work, new creative frontiers, and Beyonce. A zany episode.

  • S1 · E67
    Nov 20, 2022 · 33 min

    Episode 68:Relativism and Dice

    After a few hours of yelling at the clouds, I think I have an answer to why the dice cannot be fudged, why absolute honesty binds us at the table, and how an ancient way of thinking can overcome relativistic arguments the feel like poo.

  • S1 · E66
    Nov 20, 2022 · 30 min

    Episode 67: Exception Bias

    Our brains are wired to take special note of the unusual. Sounds handy, right? In fact, it contributes to a distorted view of the actual world. This podcast explores how being self-aware of your own exception bias can help create a more holistic sense of creative life. The book I mention here can be grabbed on Amazon. Brilliant read that is very salient for our times. https://www.amazon.com/Humankind-Hopeful-History-Rutger-Bregman/dp/0316418536

  • S1 · E65
    Nov 20, 2022 · 36 min

    Episode 65: Timeliness in RPG Creativity

    Current events are grabbing a LOT of our attention these days. How do you satisfy that urge to be relevant, but not clumsy, with your creativity? How can you give your hobby time that feeling of mattering when the world is in such struggle? Here are a few ideas at answering these tough questions.

  • S1 · E64
    Nov 20, 2022 · 30 min

    Episode 64: Wildemount and Essentialsim

    There's something wonderful in culling many ideas to one. To nailing one thing before moving on. It's also called building from the bottom up, and Wildemount does it brilliantly.

  • S1 · E63
    Nov 20, 2022 · 30 min

    Episode 63: Mindful Differentiation

    Enhance your dungeon designs by mindfully 'switching the music' and more to build variety and excitement. Come hang out a bit as I muse on a method to push your dungeon designs further.

  • S1 · E62
    Nov 20, 2022 · 42 min

    Episode 62: Player Investment

    All mailbag all the time as I spend some time thinking on reader comments and questions. How do you increase the enthusiasm and 'in-it-ness' of your players? Here's my best six answers.

  • S1 · E61
    Nov 20, 2022 · 24 min

    Episode 61: Dividends of Minimalism

    My new lifestyle has removed most of the common trappings of any tabletop game. Weird thing is, this has proven a boon.

  • S1 · E60
    Nov 20, 2022 · 35 min

    Episode 60: Altered State Campaign Retrospective

    It's finally over: almost 5 months of weekly play in the ALTERED STATE world of guns, AI, and world-ending schemes! In this episode, I take some time to think back on the highlights of our campaign, and the GM lessons I walked away with.

  • S1 · E59
    Nov 20, 2022 · 40 min

    Episode 59: Begin the Beginning, End the End

    The campaign thinky-series continues as I take a look at my notes for starting and concluding your next campaign. Are these methods helpful? Do you have your own mantras for campaign starting and ending?

  • S1 · E58
    Nov 20, 2022 · 32 min

    Episode 58: The Art of the Middle

    In this episode, I go deep into the art of mastering your campaign's MIDDLE. It's before the end and after the beginning, and the end of the middle means the beginning of the ending.. wait... Oh, just listen to the podcast.

  • S1 · E57
    Nov 20, 2022 · 44 min

    Episode 57: Demythifying Stat Blocks

    I take a long, folded path to explain my recent revelations about creating and recording stats for my monsters. My new thesis? Trust your reader (even if its you!) and write far less than you think you need to. The key is differentiation, NOT detail.

  • S1 · E56
    Nov 20, 2022 · 26 min

    Episode 56: The Memory Flash test

    I stumble on a new way to attain conceptual command of my session prep, rather than deeper, more detailed note taking and re-processing. Write, forget, write again, remember. This is the MFT!

  • S1 · E55
    Nov 20, 2022 · 35 min

    Episode 55: Writing RETUNE

    A dive into my methods and struggles writing my choose-your-path novel RETUNE. The how, the why, and what it means for the game master inside us all!

  • S1 · E54
    Nov 20, 2022 · 34 min

    Episode 54: Megacities

    In this episode, I reveal the winding path I took to realize how valuable disposable work is, developing creative muscle, and facing hard truths! Join me for the twists and turns of a GM staring down a new campaign.

Showing 1–20 of 20 episodes