Episode 69: Sexism and Gender Bias

In this episode, we discuss sexism and gender bias. To tackle a subject of such delicacy, we use Lego, as you would. We also discuss whether a gaming company can handle tentacle rape in a classy and tasteful way, especially when they don’t even try to.

Please excuse the unfortunate episode numbering. It was completely unintentional.

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Episode 68: Apocalypse Part 2

“Now this is not the end. It is not even the beginning of the end. But it is, perhaps, the end of the beginning.”
– Winston Churchill

Was Churchill talking about World War Two or a game of Axis and Allies?
With an apocalypse, the end is not really the end either. In fact, it’s where the fun really begins, if radiation sickness, starvation and sterility could be called “fun”.
In this episode, we talk about the post-apocalypse, including zombies, vampires, farmers, and Sam Gamgee’s second favourite topic.

Special Note: The Novel which Chris refers to, in which weapons are used to remove information from matter, is titled “The Gone-Away World” by Nick Harkaway.

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Episode 66: Apocalypse Part 1

In the first of two parts, we discuss running games set before and during an apocalypse. In this episode, it’s Wayne’s turn to read out the difficult words. Unlike Lyal’s struggles with Icelandic, though, Wayne struggles with English words. Fyndið!

In part 2, we’ll look at playing in a post-apocalyptic setting and the role zombies really play in a zombocalypse.

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Episode 65: Creature Feature: Giants

“You sure do look pretty, Miss Leslie. Pert nigh good enough to eat!”
-Jett Rink, Giant

Now, imagine a 15-foot tall James Dean saying that. Size matters. In this installment of Creature Features, we discuss giants of legend and fiction. Go big or go home.

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Episode 64: Literature Lessons: Animals

“Not to recommend Canadian hip hop; that is the Law. Are we not Men?”
“Not to talk about dolphin sex; that is the Law. Are we not Men?”
“Not to tear up during an episode; that is the Law. Are we not Men?”

Apparently not, because we break every law. In this episode, we discuss some classic “animal” novels and how to play animals in games.

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Episode 63: Movie Genres: Thrillers

“No, we’re okay, now that we’re not murdered or anything.”
-Joy Ride

In this episode, we debut another series: movie genres. To kick it off, we discuss thrillers and what thrilling tricks we can use in our games to make them more, yup, thrilling. Lyal talks about submarine movies. Wayne talks about submarine movies. No, wait, that was Lyal talking over Wayne. Chris talks about getting a lot of “great ideas” from Lady in the Water, despite it being pretty far from thrilling and pretty far from great.

Chris podcasts from inside a can again.

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Episode 62: Warriors: Legionaries

“Cry ‘Havoc!’ and let slip the dogs of war!”
– William Shakespeare, Julius Caesar

We don’t let slip dogs, however. We let slip men, manly men, men’s men. Roman men whose virtus strained against the chains of disciplina. Men who could march all day and then spend three hours setting up camp, until their short, sweaty tunics clung to their broad shoulders and powerful backs. Men with thick, stubby fingers and stocky bodies covered in coarse, black hair. (Hmmm, this shouldn’t be turning me on, should it?)

In this installment of Warriors, we answer the age-old question of “Who da man?”

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Episode 61: Campaign Confessions: Time & Temp

“Welcome to the team. This is your cubicle and over there is the break room. Oh, oh, and I almost forgot. Ahh, I’m gonna need you to come in on Saturday and go back in time to, ah, fix some temporal anomalies.”

Are you tired of playing heroes? Is it bad for your self-esteem? Well, Time & Temp, a game of “time travel and underemployment”, is the answer. Play the low man on the office totem pole and travel time.
For some reason, Chris wanted to record from inside a can. We told him it wasn’t a good idea, but the man is a huge Oscar the Grouch fan.

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Episode 60: Warriors: Vikings

“A man can carry no better load than too much good sense, and no worse one than yo’ mama.” – Viking proverb (kind of)

Straight outta Oslo, crazy Viking warrior named Brand,
From the podcast called Erik Red Hands.
Before anthrax, there’s my scramasax,
Swing the iron and bodies get axed.

In the second in our Warriors series, we bring the fury of the Norsemen to any game. Act bravely and the skalds will sing of your deeds forever.

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Episode 59: Campaign Confessions: Marvel Heroic Roleplaying

Another Idle Reds Hands first, TRUE BELIEVERS! We review a game, Marvel Heroic Roleplaying: Basic Game, in the same year that it is released.
LISTEN TO: The elusive Visible Woman!
LISTEN TO: The Human Torch vs. Count “Doctor” Nefaria!  Only one will survive! Only one will be called by his correct name!
PLUS: The return of Yujiro the Sleepy!

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