Episode 152: Undercover

Posted on May 11, 2014 by Idle Red Hands

State Trooper: Hey, Doc! We’re looking for a prisoner from that bus-train wreck a couple of hours ago, might be hurt.
Dr. Richard Kimble: Uh, what does he look like?
State Trooper: 6’1, 180, brown hair, brown eyes, beard. See anyone like that around?
Dr. Richard Kimble: Every time I look in the mirror, pal – except for the beard, of course!
State Trooper: Now that you mention it, you do look a lot like him, minus the beard, of course. But that’s easy to shave. Come with me, Dr. Kimble.
– The Fugitive‘s original 30-minute running time didn’t screen well with test audiences.

In this episode, we discuss going undercover and the different types of stories you can tell. We also suggest a mechanic for establishing a cover that can be used for multiple systems.

This episode contains no Chris. Listener discretion is advised.

Episode 151: Alignment

Posted on May 4, 2014 by Idle Red Hands

In this episode, Chris and Wayne discuss Alexander Macris’s article “All about Alignment” and whether or not there’s still value in having morality systems. However, with all their talk about trickle down and bad neighbourhoods, you’d think they were running for Congress on a Republican ticket.

Episode 150: TRPG Survey Results Part 2

Posted on April 27, 2014 by Idle Red Hands

We continue part two of the tabletop role-playing industry survey results by discussing what surprised us. Then we move on to the position map, explaining where some existing games fell and why, and where the gaps were. We wrap up the episode with some ideas on what the best way to introduce new players to the hobby might be.

Watch this space because we will be linking all of the questions and results to the survey here.

Episode 149: TRPG Survey Results Part 1

Posted on April 20, 2014 by Idle Red Hands

The results are in for the tabletop role-playing industry survey that was distributed late last year and what a shock! Actually, the results weren’t that shocking, so we dedicate the first episode discussing them to the results that didn’t surprise us. Well, except for Wayne, who decides to get into one of the biggest surprises for him. (Big surprise.) In addition to this, we discuss some of the books and articles (see the tags) about the tabletop role-playing industry that helped determine what questions were asked on the survey.

Watch this space because we will be linking all of the questions and results to the survey here.

Episode 148: Creature Feature: Outlaw Motorcycle Clubs

Posted on April 13, 2014 by Idle Red Hands

“Riding through this world all alone
God blah blah soul, you’re on your own
The crow flies straight, a perfect line
Blah the devil’s blah blah blah die
blah blah blah blah eye(?).”
-Sons of Anarchy theme

In our latest installment of Creature Feature, we look at outlaw motorcycle clubs or “biker gangs” for those not in the know. After listening, you’ll see why “Biker Gangs” was our original title for the episode.

Episode 147: Campaign Confessions: Pathfinder Part 2

Posted on April 6, 2014 by Idle Red Hands

“Crafting a mystery can be tricky. Too easy and your players get bored. Too hard and your players get frustrated and, yes, bored. When in doubt, err on the side of hard and turn a blind eye when the paladin starts torturing NPCs for clues.”
– Michael West(en), burned Rogue/Illusionist

In part 2, we discuss Chris’s story, “Best Served Cold”.

Episode 146: Campaign Confessions: Pathfinder Part 1

Posted on April 4, 2014 by Idle Red Hands

“Fighting a dragon is always a challenge. They are the kind of problem that calls for an A-10 Thunderbolt II and lots of rockets. Unfortunately, these things won’t be invented for another thousand years or so. In a pinch, you can get by with some household cleansers, rope, and magic, the duct tape of the fantasy world.”
-Michael West(en), Burned Rogue/Illusionist

In Part 1 of our latest Campaign Confessions, we give our thoughts on the Pathfinder system.

Episode 145: Crap Movies, Great Games

Posted on April 4, 2014 by Idle Red Hands

We’ve all been there. Your evening starts with such promise. Then, ten, fifteen, or twenty minutes into a movie, you realize that the movie is going to suck – hard. A crap movie hurts in so many ways: sadness, loss of time and money, boredom.
Idle Red Hands can help. Idle Red Hands is a prescription podcast that treats many symptoms of crap movies by showing you how elements of them can be turned into great games. Don’t let crap movies crap on you.

*Tell your doctor right away if your boredom worsens, you have unusual changes in behavior (besides better games), you have thoughts of suicide, or you find Wayne’s jokes funny. Side effects may include backache, earache, and nausea. If you have an allergic reaction, such as hives, rash, or swelling of the lips, stop listening and consult your doctor.

Episode 144: Playing Han Solo

Posted on March 15, 2014 by Idle Red Hands

Chris: “Lyal, Can I play Batman in your DC game. Batman with a Scottish accent. ‘Ach. Ay’m the heerooo this city deserves, ya wee lass.'”
Lyal: “Wow. I’m not looking forward to that, but sure. Wayne?”
Wayne: “Hmm, maybe Sen … Sensible … Sensual … Sen … tence. Centennial. The Centennial.”
Lyal: “The Sentry. Wrong universe. How about Superman?”
Wayne: “No thanks. I do like Spee … Speeder … Speederma … Spice. Spicer … Spicerman …”
Lyal: “Spider-Man. Wrong universe, again.”

In this episode, we discuss the advantages of playing iconic characters as well as retelling classic or not so classic stories. Also, listen to find out what all the fuss about Sparks Nevada is.

Episode 143: Deadly Games

Posted on March 9, 2014 by Idle Red Hands

Let the Games begin! In this episode, we discuss how to run a game in a game. Sorry. I mean how to run a game in an RPG. Originally inspired by The Hunger Games, we decided to expand the idea so that this wasn’t just an hour of grown men gushing about a book written for teenage girls (Team Peeta!). Therefore, we included such “all man” sources as The Running Man.

Idle Red Hands

A Podcast From Japan About Games and Gamer Culture

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