AGC 113 September 22 2009 (GenCon 2009's Last Revenge) (1:03:53)

With Mark Kinney, Carol, and Mags. Talking about interviews, reunions, birthdays and True Blood. Incoming reviews! Contests, we have contests (including the "Mags' Stuff for a Logo" contest). A call for help to Spider Robinson fans. RPG Buffet: The End d20! Mark talks to Chris Engle of Hamster Press and Kevin Allen Jr., creator of Sweet Agatha, and Carol talks to Jeremy Keller, creator of Chronica Feudalis. Feedback! A Labyrinth Lord-related zine, response to Talismania Revised, and offers to help test some gaming myths (and a call for more)! A little bit on Disney buying Marvel before we check out.

From the RPG Buffet:
Since the game was a post-apocalyptic setting, the Buffet decided to focus on foods that one might find while scavenging for food after the collapse of civilization. To that end, our appetizers were made from shelf-stable products: potted meat spread over crackers, canned fruit, etc. For our main dish, we opted for a classic Kentucky Burgoo, a hunter's stew made from ingredients that one might forage while out in the deep woods hunting game. None of us hunt, but venison and rabbit are readily available through farmer's markets and natural food stores.

KENTUCKY BURGOO (serves 8)

3 pounds pound mixed meats (beef, lamb, pork, chicken, game such as squirrel, etc.)
3 cups chicken broth
2 cups beef broth
2 cups water
1 large onion, diced
4 stalks celery, diced
1 green bell pepper, diced
2 large potatoes, diced
4 large carrots, diced
1 cup peas
1 cup yellow corn
1 cup lima beans
1/2 cup okra
2 cloves garlic, minced
1/4 cup Worcestershire sauce
1 can (29 ounce size) tomato puree
1 can (14.5 ounce size) diced tomatoes
salt and pepper to taste

Directions:
Layer ingredients in slow cooker, starting with meat and liquids and ending with tomatoes. Cover and cook on low heat for 8-9 hours until meats and vegetables are tender. Add salt and pepper to taste. If using chicken or other meat with bones, remove from slow cooker, let cool, and remove chicken from bones. Cut meat into bite size pieces and return to slow cooker.


Download 64kbps mp3 (29.2 MB)


Show links
Heroic Journey Publishing
Bounty Head Bebop (Heroic Journey Publishing)
Link to Bounty Head Bebop Review Episode
Spider Robinson
Info for Jeanne Robinson donations
Spider Robinson Book Links
The End d20 (RPG.net)
Kevin Allen Jr. (Sweet Agatha)
Hamster Press
Matrix Game Yahoo Group
Chronica Feudalis
Chronica Feudalis Character Sheets
The Forge
Switching To Guns (The Labyrinth Lord-based Zine)
Talisman Island


Promos
The GutterSkypes
Into The Dark
Adventures of Indiana Jim


Contact Us!
allgamesconsidered@gmail.com
gamesyounever@yahoo.com (Ben Balestra)
carolatagc@gmail.com (Carol)
agcmags@gmail.com (Mags)
Mark's Twitter
Carol's Twitter
Mags' Twitter
NachtMedia Twitter
Nachtmedia Community

AGC News September 17th 2009 (13:22)

With Mark, Mags, and Carol. One Bad Egg packs it in. Pathfinder to PCGen! Fantasy Flight picks up Tannhauser! FantasyCraft and Spycraft licensing! More on the GenCon-Indy connection. ENnie Awards fan survey is online (as are pictures). A Dungeon Twister 2 release date!


Download 64kbps mp3 (6.15 MB)


Show links
One Bad Egg
Highmoon Media
Fred Hicks comments on EN World
Justin D. Jacobson comments on EN World
PCGen (Sourceforge)
Fantasy Flight Acquires Tannhauser
Crafty Games "Powered By FantasyCraft/Spycraft" Licensing
GenCon in Indy through 2015
ENnies Fan Survey
ENnies Ceremony Pictures
Dungeon Twister (US Site)


Contact Us!
allgamesconsidered@gmail.com
gamesyounever@yahoo.com (Ben Balestra)
carolatagc@gmail.com (Carol)
agcmags@gmail.com (Mags)

AGC 112 September 15 2009 (GenCon 2009 Part III) (1:16:58)

With Mark Kinney, Carol, Mags, and Ben Balestra. A little extra out-of-sequence GenCon coverage! Mark talks up the Bounty Head Bebop: Blast Off! contest -- send us your show ideas! Mark talks to Robert Gifford from Geek Chic to kick off the festivities. Ben brings us his GenCon experiences. Mags discusses Judge Dredd and Traveller with Brian Steele of Mongoose Publishing, Mark talks to George Vassilakos of Eden Studios, Mags talks to Vicki Potter of Tabletop Adventures, and Mark discusses Warlords of Europe with Kyle Battle and Russ Rupe of Conquest Gaming. Carol brings us an interview with RPG writer Jess Hartley. Next week, we go Old School!


Download 64kbps mp3 (35.2 MB)


Show links
Heroic Journey Publishing
Bounty Head Bebop (Heroic Journey Publishing)
Link to Bounty Head Bebop Review Episode
Geek Chic
Judge Dredd (Mongoose Publishing)
Traveller (Mongoose Publishing)
Eden Studios (All Flesh Must Be Eaten, Conspiracy X, Ghosts of Albion)
Tabletop Adventures
Conquest Gaming LLC (Warlords of Europe)
Jess Hartley


Promos
Amorphous Blobcast
Geek Acres


Contact Us!
allgamesconsidered@gmail.com
gamesyounever@yahoo.com (Ben Balestra)
carolatagc@gmail.com (Carol)
agcmags@gmail.com (Mags)
Mark's Twitter
Carol's Twitter
Mags' Twitter
NachtMedia Twitter
Nachtmedia Community

AGC 111 September 8 2009 (More From GenCon 2009) (1:24:36)

With Mark Kinney, Carol, and Mags. Looking forward to DragonCon and the Parsec Award (which Brilliant Gameologists won; the episode was recorded before that). Mags moved, and Carol helped, and Mark went to Mammoth Cave. Even more tourism advice for Kentucky and Tennessee before we begin. Kickoff of Game Chef. More GenCon interviews! Mark talks with the crew from PST Productions about TerrorWerks, Mags talks Gaming Paper with Thomas Grable, Mark discusses Action Castle with Jared Sorensen, Mags talks a new game with Suzi Yee from Expeditious Retreat Press, and Mark chats with Joseph Goodman of Goodman Games. Going over the ENnies results (with asides about Carol's adventure finding the ENnies booth and Mags' expedition to find the Embassy Suites) and controversies. General GenCon activites and wrap up. Arrivals, and straight into the White Wolf party. Carol's Wingman Distraction. Game acquisitions and Mags' Titan Rant. Dice, and the EstrogenCast. Mark wins a Revolution. Planechase threatens to drag Mark back into Magic. Mags went to Mike Stackpole's writing seminars, and Carol had a D'oh moment. Mark's meetings and purchases, with an side to the text adventures of old. Coming in the future: contests, and some Old School gaming! The return of ConGlomeration, and SLGG!

Download 64kbps mp3 (38.7 MB)


Show links
Game Chef
TerrorWerks (PST Productions)
Gaming Paper
Action Castle (Memento-Mori Theatricks)
Expeditious Retreat Press
Goodman Games
Kobold Quarterly
Obsidian Portal
CthulhuTech (Catalyst Game Labs)
Paizo Publishing (All That Pathfinder Stuff)
Dark Heresy (Fantasy Flight Games)
Mouse Guard (Archaia Studios Press)
Star Wars (Wizards of the Coast)
Evil Hat Productions (Don't Lose Your Mind, Spirit of the Century)
Dungeons and Dragons (Wizards of the Coast)
A Song of Ice and Fire (Green Ronin)
Swords and Wizardry (Mythmere Games)
White Wolf (Razorkids, Art of Exalted, Changeling)
Tales of Zobeck (Open Design)
D&D Insider (Wizards of the Coast)
BattleTech: The Corps (Catalyst Game Labs)
Swashbucklers of the Seven Skies (Evil Hat/Atomic Sock Monkey Press)
Chronica Feudalis
Bounty Head Bebop (Heroic Journey Publishing)
Geist: The Sin-Eaters (White Wolf)
Hex Games (QAGS)
Dominion (Rio Grande Games)
Pandemic (Z-Man Games)
Chessex
Revolution (Steve Jackson Games)
Magic: The Gathering/Planechase (Wizards of the Coast)
Michael Stackpole's site
Ganakagok (Consensus Games)
The Screaming Alpha
Game On! with Cody and John
Amorphous Blobcast
TrapCast
Gold: The Series
Aiden 5
Othercourt Games
Play Dirty (Wicked Dead Brewing Company)
Play Dirty YouTube Videos
Burning Wheel
ConGlomeration's Facebook Page
Secret Life of Girl Gamers


Promos
The GutterSkypes
Canon Puncture
Hidden Grid
Narrative Control
Master Plan


Contact Us!
allgamesconsidered@gmail.com
gamesyounever@yahoo.com (Ben Balestra)
carolatagc@gmail.com (Carol)
agcmags@gmail.com (Mags)
agcprize@yahoo.com (Contest Address)
Mark's Twitter
Carol's Twitter
Mags' Twitter
NachtMedia Twitter
Nachtmedia Community

Congratulations Brilliant Gameologists...

...on your awesome Parsec Award victory!

AGCExtra 31 September 1st 2009 (Talismania Revised Part 1) (28:07)

With Chris Heim and Logan Masterson. A look at Talisman over the years, and the upcoming Frostmarch expansion.


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Show links
Talisman (Fantasy Flight Games)


Contact Us!
allgamesconsidered@gmail.com
gamesyounever@yahoo.com (Ben Balestra)
carolatagc@gmail.com (Carol)
agcmags@gmail.com (Mags)

AGC 110 August 25 2009 (Words From GenCon 2009) (1:44:31)

With Mark Kinney, Carol, Mags, and Ben Balestra. We're big on interviews and such this time. Mark talks to Tom Morgan-Jones and Andrew Sheerin of Terror Bull Games about War On Terror and Crunch. Games You May Never Have Heard Of: PS238! RPG Buffet: Unknown Armies! Mags talks to Jay Tummelson of Rio Grande Games, with special note about Dominion. Mark interviews Rob Boyle and Brian Cross from Catalyst Game Labs about Eclipse Phase. Mags talks to James Sutter of Paizo Publishing about Pathfinder. Mark talks to Mark Purvis from Wizards of the Coast about what's new with Magic: The Gathering (and Mark ended up really enjoying Planechase a lot), and Carol talked with Bill Slavicsek and Andy Collins about keeping the legacy of D&D going while still creating new content, opening up the hobby, and what's coming up for D&D and Star Wars.


Download 64kbps mp3 (47.8 MB)


Show links
Terror Bull Games
War On Terror (Terror Bull Games)
Crunch (Terror Bull Games)
PS238 (Hero Games)
Unknown Armies (Atlas Games)
Rio Grande Games
Dominion (Rio Grande Games)
Eclipse Phase (Catalyst Game Labs)
Pathfinder (Paizo Publishing)
Magic: The Gathering (Wizards of the Coast)
Wizards of the Coast


Promos
Brilliant Gameologists
The Game Master Show
Narrative Control


Contact Us!
allgamesconsidered@gmail.com
gamesyounever@yahoo.com (Ben Balestra)
carolatagc@gmail.com (Carol)
agcmags@gmail.com (Mags)
agcprize@yahoo.com (Contest Address)
Mark's Twitter
Carol's Twitter
Mags' Twitter
NachtMedia Twitter
Nachtmedia Community

AGC News August 20th 2009 (6:37)

With Mark. Thanks for the ENnies support! GenCon in Indinapolis through 2015! ENnies winners (to be gone over in loving detail later), and Dominion snags the Diana Jones Award! The return of Space Hulk! Warmachine comes to consoles and PCs near you! Pathfinder's open document, and D&D news (Dark Sun, y'all)!


Download 64kbps mp3 (3.06 MB)


Show links
2009 ENnies Winners
Dominion (Rio Grande Games)
Space Hulk (Games Workshop)
Privateer Press (Warmachine)
White Moon Dreams
Pathfinder Reference Document (Paizo Publishing)
Pathfinder Conversion Guide (Paizo Publishing)
Wizards of the Coast 2010 Schedule


Contact Us!
allgamesconsidered@gmail.com
gamesyounever@yahoo.com (Ben Balestra)
carolatagc@gmail.com (Carol)
agcmags@gmail.com (Mags)

Victory, and Other GenCon Stuff

It's a good weekend so far.

Last night, for those who haven't heard by other means, All Games Considered won the Gold ENnie Award for Best Podcast, and I got to make a very deer-in-headlights speech. We also congratulate the Silver winner, Order 66!

I also got to spend a little time with Carinn and Sean, and survey the exhibition hall. Today and tomorrow, it's demos, interviews, and a little shopping.

Thanks again to everyone who showed support and voted for us; we appreciate it more than you can imagine.

AGCExtra 30 August 11th 2009 (News and Louisville Game Shop Interview) (27:37)

The regular news: Followup on the Decipher embezzlement, Mind Storm Labs' GenCon contest, the Diana Jones Award shortlist, RPG Geek, Pathfinder sells out, and Crafy Games Looking Glass Wars. Also, Mags interviews Colin, the owner and proprietor of the Louisville Game Shop.


Download 64kbps mp3 (12.6 MB)


Show links
Decipher Embezzlement Info Site
Prior Decipher Coverage
ThinkLynsen Blog (carried interview with court clerk)
QKTR Television Interviews
Background Information
Mind Storm Labs (Alpha Omega)
Diana Jones Award
Jeepform
RPG Geek
Pathfinder Sold Out (Paizo)
Crafty Games to Publish Looking Glass Wars RPG (Crafty Games)
Louisville Game Shop


Contact Us!
allgamesconsidered@gmail.com
gamesyounever@yahoo.com (Ben Balestra)
carolatagc@gmail.com (Carol)
agcmags@gmail.com (Mags)

AGC 109 August 6 2009 (Keeping Your Head Above Water) (1:30:16)

With Mark Kinney, Carol, Mags, and Steve. Mark does a bad edit to cover a messed up reference to the recent flooding. Up for a Parsec! Interview with Ross Watson of Fantasy Flight Games about Rogue Trader. Carol talks about Cartoon Action Hour Season 2, and Mark looks at XDM: X-treme Dungeon Mastery. Mags-The-Axe School of Game Mastering: Improvisation! Secret Life of Girl Gamers returning soon, and Mark may get to accept any ENnies for Hellas on Khepera's behalf. Feedback. GenCon wishlists. We now have a Facebook fan page.


Download 64kbps mp3 (41.3 MB)


Show links
Rogue Trader (Fantasy Flight Games)
Cartoon Action Hour: Season 2 (Spectrum Games)
XDM: X-Treme Dungeon Mastery
Poulti's 36 Plots
Secret Life of Girl Gamers
All Games Considered on Facebook


Promos
Ninjas vs Pirates
Zero Fortitude
Solid Symbols
Hamishakia
This Just In From GenCon
Adventures of Indiana Jim


Contact Us!
allgamesconsidered@gmail.com
gamesyounever@yahoo.com (Ben Balestra)
carolatagc@gmail.com (Carol)
agcmags@gmail.com (Mags)
agcprize@yahoo.com (Contest Address)
Mark's Twitter
Carol's Twitter
Mags' Twitter
NachtMedia Twitter
Nachtmedia Community

AGC 108 July 28 2009 (Props, Soundtracks, and Personal Effects) (1:28:23)

With Mark Kinney, Carol, and Mags. Allergy issues! The ENnie nomination (Go vote!) and Mark's thought of a YouTube promo. Interview with J.C. Hutchins about Personal Effects: Dark Art and it's associated transmedia experience (with a "This Is Your Life" moment for good measure). Props in your game. What is a "prop?" Serendipity in prop-making. When props go bad. Cartier to Conan. Pictures and music. Campaign credits. Playing with the phone. The CONET Project. Mark's reason for not working on Arcadian Gate right now: participating in Tales of the Children. Feedback! VOTE!


Download 64kbps mp3 (40.4 MB)


Vote on the 2009 ENnies!


Show links
J.C. Hutchins (Personal Effects: Dark Art and 7th Son)
Homemade Cthulhu items
Free-to-download prop documents from the HP Lovecraft Historical Society
Free "Horror" Fonts
Make Your Own Fonts (Lifehacker)
Newspaper Clipping Generator
Airplane Ticket Generator
Fake Magazine Cover Generator
Old Photo Generator
Generator Blog
Authentic Magical Tomes
Midnight Syndicate
RPGNow Music Search
Overclocked Remix
CreativeCommons.org
Archive.org
CONET Project (Wikipedia)
Free Sound Project
Sound Jay
A1 Sound Effects
Free Sound Files
Sshhtt!!!
My Sound F/X Zombie section
And their scary/creepy section
SoundTransit
Interview with Real Life Mystics
That Helicopter Mark Was Talking About (Wikipedia)
Dread


Promos
This Just In From GenCon!
Accent Your Character (Pulp Gamer)
Canon Puncture
Personal Effects: Sword of Blood
Geek Acres
Tales of the Children


Contact Us!
allgamesconsidered@gmail.com
gamesyounever@yahoo.com (Ben Balestra)
carolatagc@gmail.com (Carol)
agcmags@gmail.com (Mags)
agcprize@yahoo.com (Contest Address)
Mark's Twitter
Carol's Twitter
Mags' Twitter
NachtMedia Twitter
Nachtmedia Community

Today the ENnie, Tomorrow the Parsec!

I've just found out that All Games Considered is now a finalist for the 2009 Best Gaming Podcast Parsec Award. I can't tell you how much of a thrill it is to be so recognized in a single year, and we're looking forward to seeing what happens. I don't know if any of the crew will be at Dragon*Con this year for the ceremony, so we'll have to see what happens there. This has been a great year for AGC, and even if we don't win, the nominations must mean we're doing something right at last.

The Parsec Awards, though, were founded by Mur Lafferty, Michael R. Mennenga, and Tracy Hickman back in, oh, 2006 I think, to recognize excellence in speculative fiction podcasting.

Our fellow finalists are:
Brilliant Gameologists (I swear, these guys are our nemeses or something! ;) )
City of Heroes Podcast
The Game Kennel
The Podge Cast

Congratulations to all! You can find all the finalists for 2009 here!

ENnie Polls Are Open!

The ENnie Award polls are now open until August 1st. Please be sure to remember us when you cast your vote, and thank you!

Go vote here!

AGC News July 23rd 2009 (9:38)

With Mark, Carol, and Mags. Crafty Games helping get gamers together. Timestreams launch kits for retailers. The Ultimate GMs Screen II! Herolab support for Cortex System! Martin Ralya at Gnome Stew gets a preview of Geist: The Sin-Eaters! Games Unconference at NeonCon, with Eric Mona giving the Keynote Address. Also find the Camarilla's Southwest Region Featured Game there!


Download 64kbps mp3 (4.43 MB)


Show links
Crafty Games (Spycraft 2.0)
Pen and Paper Games
Obsidian Portal
Lonely Gamer Network
Timestreams (Bucephalus Games)
Timestreams Retailer Pack Information (Bucephalus Games)
Ultimate GMs Screen II (Fat Dragon Games)
Herolab (Lone Wolf Development)

Geist: The Sin-Eaters Preview: Running Geist (Which Is Not Wraith) (Gnome Stew)
NeonCon
NeonCon Games Unconference
NeonCon Camarilla Activities


Contact Us!
allgamesconsidered@gmail.com
gamesyounever@yahoo.com (Ben Balestra)
carolatagc@gmail.com (Carol)
agcmags@gmail.com (Mags)

AGC News July 16th 2009 (ENnies Special) (42:10)

With Mark and Mags. Our nomination for the ENnie awards, and our fellow nominees! Signal Fire Studios and Metamorphsis Alpha. Vox. Warhammer: Invasion LCG. Revolution! Our ENnies picks, such as we can make them. Nominations still open for Publisher of the Year until July 19th, and voting begins on July 24th!


Download 64kbps mp3 (19.3 MB)


Show links
Signal Fire Studios (Metamorphosis Alpha)
Vox (Aethereal Forge)
Warhammer: Invasion (Fantasy Flight Games)
Revolution (Steve Jackson Games)
The ENnie Awards


Contact Us!
allgamesconsidered@gmail.com
gamesyounever@yahoo.com (Ben Balestra)
carolatagc@gmail.com (Carol)
agcmags@gmail.com (Mags)

AGC 107 July 14 2009 (Big Damn Review: Electic Boogaloo) (1:22:14)

With Mark Kinney and Mags. Our 4th of July. Mark saw Up (good movie), then goes on to talk about Citadel of the Corruptor. Mags follows up with In Search of Adventure. Mark decides to go into Age of Cthulhu: Death at Luxor. Ben went to Origins and picked up Hackmaster Basic. Reminiscing about HackMaster (and Mark makes a small misstatement). Mark looks at Swashbucklers of the Seven Skies. Mags discusses the Scion Companion. Mark brings us around to Apocalypse Prevention Inc. What is the plural of apocalypse? The apocalypic angle on Forgotten Heroes, and a glance at Blackdirge's Dungeon Denizens. Feedback, including a nifty pun!


Download 64kbps mp3 (37.6 MB)


Show links
DCC 61: Citadel of the Corruptor (Goodman Games)
In Search of Adventure (Goodman Games)
Age of Cthulhu: Death in Luxor (Goodman Games)
Hackmaster Basic (Kenzer and Company)
Swashbucklers of the Seven Skies (Evil Hat/Atomic Sock Monkey Press)
Scion Companion (White Wolf)
Third Eye Games (Apocalypse Prevention Inc)
Forgotten Heroes: Fang, Fist and Song (Goodman Games)
Blackdirge's Dungeon Denizens (Goodman Games)
H.P. Lovecraft Historical Society


Promos
White Wolf BlogCast
The Babylon Podcast
Into The Dark
GenCon Events (Pulp Gamer)
Canon Puncture


Contact Us!
allgamesconsidered@gmail.com
gamesyounever@yahoo.com (Ben Balestra)
carolatagc@gmail.com (Carol)
agcmags@gmail.com (Mags)
agcprize@yahoo.com (Contest Address)
Mark's Twitter
Carol's Twitter
Mags' Twitter
NachtMedia Twitter
Nachtmedia Community

We've been nominated!

We here at All Games Considered are proud to announce our nomination for Best Podcast in the 2009 ENnie Awards! There were a lot of great podcasts in the running, and so many nominated as well, so we're all very excited to be recognized in this manner.

So congratulations to our fellow nominees as well, and I hope to see you all at GenCon this year!

2009 ENnie Award Nominations

Our Fellow Nominees:
Brilliant Gameologists
Order 66
Return to Northmoor
The Voice of the Revolution

AGC News July 9th 2009 (18:28)

With Mark and Mags. Origins Award Winners! Dominion also wins Spiel de Jahres! Upper Deck announced licensing with Marvel! XDM Release! What's happening to Midnight? And what's this about a movie? Return of the Windhammer Prize! Grind! Blood Bowl going to PC and portable gaming platforms! Players Handbook III release date! Adventure Games Publishing Wedding Celebration Sale!


Download 64kbps mp3 (8.48 MB)


Show links
Origins Award Winners (Critical-Hits)
Hyborian War (Reality Simulations Inc)
Magic: Shards of Alara 1 (Wizards of the Coast)
Say Anything (North Star Games)
Tour De Lovecraft: The Tale (Atomic Overmind Press)
Worlds of Dungeons and Dragons Vol 2 (Devil's Due Publishing)
Star Wars Miniatures: The Clone Wars (Wizards of the Coast)
Classic Battletech: Tactical Operations (Catalyst Game Labs)
d-Total (Gamescience)
Serenity Adventures (Margaret Weis Productions)
Mouse Guard (Archaia Studios)
Dominion (Rio Grande Games)
Pandemic (Z-Man Games)
Flames of War Firestorm Campaign
Fauna (SdJ Nominee)
Finca (SdJ Nominee)
Fits (SdJ Nominee)
Ted Cheatham Origins Video
XDM: X-treme Dungeon Mastery
Schlock Mercenary
Gamer Dome Spots The Vanishing Midnight
Midnight Chronicles
2009 Windhammer Prize
2008 Windhammer Prize Winners
Grind (Privateer Press)
Blood Bowl
Blood Bowl PC Download Purchase
RPG Examiner interview with Aldo Ghiozzi
Adventure Games Publishing Wedding Sale (While Applicable)


Contact Us!
allgamesconsidered@gmail.com
gamesyounever@yahoo.com (Ben Balestra)
carolatagc@gmail.com (Carol)
agcmags@gmail.com (Mags)

AGC 106 June 30 2009 (Your Cheating Heart) (1:17:17)

With Mark Kinney, Carol, Mags, and Steve. Mark goes into a little more detail on HyperiCon and shows the panel his copy of Personal Effects. Carol talks about Living Labyrinth. What is cheating, and why would someone cheat? "Allowed" cheating in Illuminati and Kill Puppies For Satan. GM cheating and "fudging." How do you confront cheating at the table? Cheating methodologies. Point fudging. Fun with movement. Hidden resources. Notes and knowledge. Cheating with cards, from shuffles to messing with the draw. A trivial aside on card counting and various accounts of the MIT Blackjack Team. Dice rolling methods. Hard to read dice. Non-standard and weighted dice. Would you believe microwaved? (And how about a Mythbu... er, we mean Legend Smashing episode?) Mark brings up Wolfram Alpha, and throws a shout out to Kicked in The Dicebags. It's time to get us back in the spotlight, listeners!


Download 64kbps mp3 (35.3 MB)


Show links
HyperiCon
Personl Effects: Dark Art
Living Labyrinth (Bucephalus Games)
Illuminati (Steve Jackson Games)
Kill Puppies For Satan (Lumpley Games)
The Munchkin's Guide to Power Gaming (Steve Jackson Games)
Wolfram Alpha
Kicked In The Dicebags


Promos
WIP
Gamer's Haven
Order 66
The Jesus Geeks


Contact Us!
allgamesconsidered@gmail.com
gamesyounever@yahoo.com (Ben Balestra)
carolatagc@gmail.com (Carol)
agcmags@gmail.com (Mags)
agcprize@yahoo.com (Contest Address)
Mark's Twitter
Carol's Twitter
Mags' Twitter
NachtMedia Twitter
Nachtmedia Community

AGC News June 25th 2009 (13:12)

With Mark, Carol, Mags, and Steve. Cubicle-7 announces an October 2009 release for Doctor Who RPG. Core Mechanics making an "I Am A Gamer" Audio Montage. Hasbro liscensing it's properties for clothing (with a few ideas from us). Fantasy Flight Games launches it's Warhammer PDF line. Wizards of the Coast announces it will take Paypal for DDI subscriptions. Michael Fiegel launching a 4-episode column on the development of Hellas. An interesting article about LARP. Mutant Chronicles movie comes to SciFi -- er, we mean Syfy.


Download 64kbps mp3 (6.06 MB)


Show links
Cubicle-7 (Doctor Who)
ICV2 Doctor Who Article
Core Mechanics "I Am A Gamer"
Fantasy Flight PDF Announcement
Hellas: From Alpha To Omega Part 1
LARP Article
Mutant Chronicles: The Movie


Contact Us!
allgamesconsidered@gmail.com
gamesyounever@yahoo.com (Ben Balestra)
carolatagc@gmail.com (Carol)
agcmags@gmail.com (Mags)

AGC 105 June 16 2009 (Catching Up) (58:47)

With Mark Kinney. Due to scheduling problems, the Cheating episode will be next time. And speaking of schduling, Tuesday is the new official release day for AGC episodes! From HyperiCon, Chris Heim brings us the return of Gaming For Cheap Bastards: DIP-Styx (with Matt Wallace along for the ride). Catching up with the RPG Buffet, with the entries from January (Farscape) and April (Spycraft).

January Recipe:
In January, the RPG Buffet welcomed the new year with what Brandon calls "brinner"--breakfast for dinner!

Breakfast is easy, quick, and cheap, and having it for supper makes a nice change of pace. But sometimes time constraints keep you from preparing your favorite breakfast dishes. Thus, the RPG Buffet presents Make-Ahead Scrambled Eggs!

This recipe is a wonderful time-saver on holiday mornings--or on busy days when hungry gamers are expected over! Make it the night before, then just reheat when it's time to eat.

Ingredients:

12 eggs
1/2 cup heavy cream
2 Tbsp. butter
1 cup sour cream
1 cup shredded Cheddar cheese
1/8 tsp. white pepper
1/2 tsp. salt

Preparation:
Beat eggs with cream in a large bowl. Melt butter in large skillet over medium heat. Pour eggs into skillet and cook, stirring frequently, until eggs are scrambled and just set, but still moist.

Remove pan from heat and stir in sour cream. Spread eggs into a greased 12x7" glass baking dish. Sprinkle with cheese. Cover tightly and refrigerate overnight.

When ready to eat, preheat oven to 350 degrees. Uncover the baking dish and sprinkle eggs with pepper and salt. Stir gently, then bake for 20 to 30 minutes or until cheese is melted and eggs are hot, at least 140 degrees F on an instant-read thermometer.

8 servings.

(Recipe from About.com)

And April:
Since we were doing a fantasy espionage game, we decided to do a cocktail party theme, with a supper consisting of appetizers. After all, James Bond always seems to wind up at a cocktail party, doesn't he?

Hummus is a delicious alternative to dip to bring to any party, and Brandon provided us with homemade:

INGREDIENTS

2 cups canned garbanzo beans, drained
1/3 cup tahini
1/4 cup lemon juice
1 teaspoon salt
2 cloves garlic, halved
1 tablespoon olive oil
1 pinch paprika
1 teaspoon minced fresh parsley

DIRECTIONS

Place the garbanzo beans, tahini, lemon juice, salt and garlic in a blender or food processor. Blend until smooth. Transfer mixture to a serving bowl.

Drizzle olive oil over the garbanzo bean mixture. Sprinkle with paprika and parsley.

Misty gave us one of her favorites, bacon-wrapped crackers:


Ingredients:

Club Crackers
Thin Sliced Bacon
Grated Parmesan Cheese (fresh or canned…I recommend fresh)

Directions:

Preheat oven to 250 degrees.

Lay crackers face up (as many as you want) on cookie sheet. Scoop about 1 tsp. of grated parmesan cheese on to each cracker.

Cut your package of bacon in half and carefully (so cheese does not fall off), wrap each cracker with a slice of bacon, completely covering the cracker (it should fit snugly around the cracker).

Place the bacon-wrapped crackers on to a baking sheet that has a rack on it.

Place in 250 degree oven for about 2 hours.

And, for you Bond-purists out there, here's the recipe for James Bond's favorite scrambled eggs. This recipe appears in 007 in New York, a short story by Ian Fleming that was published in the US edition of Thrilling Cities and can now be found in the recent Penguin re-issue of of Octopussy and The Living Daylights

For four individualists:

12 fresh eggs
Salt and pepper
5-6 oz. of fresh butter.

Break the eggs into a bowl. Beat thoroughly with a fork and season well. In a small copper (or heavy bottomed saucepan) melt four oz. of the butter. When melted, pour in the eggs and cook over a very low heat, whisking continuously with a small egg whisk.

While the eggs are slightly more moist than you would wish for eating, remove the pan from heat, add rest of butter and continue whisking for half a minute, adding the while finely chopped chives or fines herbes.

Serve on hot buttered toast in individual copper dishes (for appearance only) with pink champagne (Taittinger) and low music.


Download 64kbps mp3 (26.9 MB)


Show links
HyperiCon
Personl Effects: Dark Art
DIP-Styx (1km1kt.net)
Matt Wallace's Site/Kill The Feed
Crafty Games (Spycraft 2.0)


Promos
Hidden Grid
Icosahedrophilia
International Detective Dragons From Outer Space


Contact Us!
allgamesconsidered@gmail.com
gamesyounever@yahoo.com (Ben Balestra)
carolatagc@gmail.com (Carol)
agcmags@gmail.com (Mags)
agcprize@yahoo.com (Contest Address)
Mark's Twitter
Carol's Twitter
Mags' Twitter
NachtMedia Twitter
Nachtmedia Community

AGC 104 June 1 2009 (Crush Your Enemies!) (58:24)

With Mark Kinney, Carol, and Mags. Convention updates. Mark's library adventure. Convention gaming in lands other than America. The Mags-The-Axe School of Game Mastering: Transitioning from player to GM! Summarized feedback and Mark expands on the d-Total. Weaponizers and Deadliest Warrior.


Download 64kbps mp3 (59.1 MB)


Show links
Irish Convention Gaming Discussion (Livejournal)
About Ireland's Convention Gaming System (RPG.net)
36 Basic Plots
The Darktools
Evernote
Freemind Mind Mapping (Sourceforge)
Zero Fortitude
Weaponizers
Deadliest Warrior


Promos
Role Playing Public Radio
The Adventures of Indiana Jim
How To Grow Your Geek
Parsec Awards
3.5 Private Sanctuary


Contact Us!
allgamesconsidered@gmail.com
gamesyounever@yahoo.com (Ben Balestra)
carolatagc@gmail.com (Carol)
agcmags@gmail.com (Mags)
agcprize@yahoo.com (Contest Address)
Mark's Twitter
Carol's Twitter
Mags' Twitter
NachtMedia Twitter
Nachtmedia Community

AGCExtra 29 May 29th 2009 (UCon Part 2 and Gaming News) (27:52)

Ben Balestra interviews a representative of Ye Olde Gaming Companye about their new RPG, Wayfarers, and the regular gang gives us gaming news cut from the upcoming episode!


Download 64kbps mp3 (12.7 MB)


Show links
UCon
Wayfarer (Ye Olde Gaming Companye)
Evil Hat Productions (Penny For My Thoughts)
Catalyst Game Labs
Looney Labs
Out of the Box
Atlas Games
Chill 3rd Edition Fund Raiser
Upper Deck
GenCon
Wizards of the Coast Customer Service (D&D Insider Questions)
Magic: The Gathering Planechaser (Wizards of the Coast)
Free RPG Day
Amethyst: Hearts of Chaos (Goodman Games)
Hero's Handbook: Immortal Heroes (Goodman Games)
Ludically (What's Missing, Dungeon Twister: Prison)
Triple Ace Games Savage Worlds Writing Competition
Tell WotC About Your Character (UK only)


Contact Us!
allgamesconsidered@gmail.com
gamesyounever@yahoo.com (Ben Balestra)
carolatagc@gmail.com (Carol)
agcmags@gmail.com (Mags)

AGC 103 May 16 2009 (4 Years and Over The Edge) (2:09:16)

With Mark Kinney, Carol Mags, and Ben Balestra. 4 years of AGC! Champaign Mishaps and Caviar... no, I'm not going to belabor the parody any more than that. Spoiler Free Star Trek thoughts, from those who had seen it at recording time. Mark's Birthday haul, including Swashbucklers of the 7 Skies. Origins Award nominees announced, as well as the Mensa Mind Game winners. Bioware and Green Ronin team up to bring us the Dragon Age RPG. Free Obsidian Twilight PDFs for giving blood? Supplements coming for Apocalypse Prevention Inc! Zero Fortitude needs reviews! Call for Origins coverage. Fringeworthy is back, in d20 Modern form! Interview with Bruce Sheffer about Fringeworthy. Mark talks Over The Edge! Convention Gaming Part III (and officially kicking off the Mags-The-Axe School of Game Mastering segment)! Origins Picks, a little feedback, and a new community!


Download 64kbps mp3 (59.1 MB)


Show links
Swashbucklers of the 7 Skies (Atomic Sock Monkey Press/Evil Hat)
2009 Origins Award Nominees
Mensa Mind Games Award Winners
Dragon Age: Origins (Bioware/Green Ronin) Go to "Game Info/Pen and Paper
Give Blood for Obsidian Twilight
Demon Codex: Lochs (Third Eye Games)
Zero Fortitude
Fringeworthy (Tri Tac Games)
Tri Tac Games Forums
Over The Edge (Atlas Games)
On The Edge (Atlas Games)
D-Total (Gamescience)
D-Total (Gamestation.net)
NachtMedia's Ning Site


Promos
The Game Master Show
Podictionary
The Canon Puncture Show


Contact Us!
allgamesconsidered@gmail.com
gamesyounever@yahoo.com (Ben Balestra)
carolatagc@gmail.com (Carol)
agcmags@gmail.com (Mags)
agcprize@yahoo.com (Contest Address)
Mark's Twitter
Carol's Twitter
Mags' Twitter
NachtMedia Twitter
Community

AGCExtra 28 May 11th 2009 (BashCon Junior and UCon Part 1) (23:42)

With Ben Balestra. Interviewing Ashley Ransberg about BASHCon Junior. Talking to Joe Saul about UCon (and a number of other topics).


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Show links
BASHCon and BashCon Junior
UCon


Contact Us!
allgamesconsidered@gmail.com
gamesyounever@yahoo.com (Ben Balestra)
carolatagc@gmail.com (Carol)
agcmags@gmail.com (Mags)

AGC 102 May 2 2009 (A Little Spring Cleaning) (1:19:54)

With Mark Kinney, Carol and Mags. It's a little bit of make-up as the crew takes a break for a fortnight and Mark brings you selections from the backlog. Mark also (finally, very belatedly) mentions Monte Cook's return to RPGs with Dungeon-A-Day, as well as UK Games Expo and HyperiCon. The RPG Buffet tries out Scion: Demigod. Carol presents Wisdom of the Gamers: player absence. Mags presents part two of her convention GMing series. Some feedback cut from episode 100.

RPG Buffet Recipes:
CAJUN PORK CHOPS

Ingredients

1/4 cup all-purpose flour
1 tablespoon paprika
1 teaspoon ground sage
1 teaspoon Creole seasoning
1/2 teaspoon cayenne pepper
1/2 teaspoon black pepper
1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
4 (1/2 inch thick) boneless pork chops
2 teaspoons olive oil

Directions

Place flour, paprika, sage, Creole seasoning, cayenne pepper, black pepper, and garlic powder in a large, resealable plastic bag. Place pork chops in the bag, seal, and shake to coat chops.
In a large skillet, heat oil over high heat for about 1 minute. Arrange chops in pan, and reduce heat to medium. Cook until pork chops are dark brown, about 6 to 8 minutes per side


Download 64kbps mp3 (36.5 MB)


Show links
Monte Cook's Dungeon-a-Day
UK Games Expo
HyperiCon
Scion: Demigod (White Wolf Game Studio)
Gamemaster Hold Music
"I Was A Teenage Gamemaster" by Chris Pramas
Mr. Gone's White Wolf Character Sheets
S. John Ross's Big List of RPG Plots
The Net Book of Plots (various contributors)
Expeditious Retreat Press's 'Seeds' series of PDFs (DriveThruRPG.com)


Take the Gaming Podcast Listener Survey!


Promos
Podictionary
Return to Northmoor
Lovecratiana
RPGPodcasts.com
Nuketown Radio Active
Jack Wakes Up in stores soon!


Contact Us!
allgamesconsidered@gmail.com
gamesyounever@yahoo.com (Ben Balestra)
carolatagc@gmail.com (Carol)
agcmags@gmail.com (Mags)
agcprize@yahoo.com (Contest Address)
Mark's Twitter
Carol's Twitter
Mags' Twitter
NachtMedia Twitter

AGC 101 April 21 2009 (What Would Gamers Do?) (1:17:08)

With Mark Kinney, Carol, Mags, David Mattingly, and Chris from the Jesus Geeks podcast. Remembering Dave Arneson. The US Monopoly Championships. What the heck is a speed die? Oh, yeah, apparently there was some kind of minor news about pdfs as well. A glance through Goodman Games' Level Up. A look at Christian objections towards gaming, and religious games and themes in games. A little feedback, chatter on upcoming episodes, and Mark's talking about forum alternatives again. What are your favorite episode from the last year, because we might do this Ennies thing...


Download 64kbps mp3 (35.3 MB)


Show links
Wizards of the coast Dave Arneson statement
Pioneer Press article on Dave Arneson
Wall Street Journal coverage of Dave Arneson
Wizards Sues Pirates press release
ENWorld Interview with Wizards President Greg Leeds
Level Up (Goodman Games)
Cactus Game Design (Settles of Caanan, Redemption)
Dragonraid (Adventures For Christ)
Testament (Green Ronin)
Claymore
Sorcerer
Hero Games (Post-Apocalyptic Hero)
In Nomine
Scion (White Wolf)
Nobilis (Wikipedia)
Kill Puppies For Satan (Lumpley Games)
The Jesus Geeks Podcast
The Christian Gamers Guild
GenCon Christianity and Gaming Panel: Mike Stackpole explaining the history of the gaming stigma
GenCon Christianity and Gaming Panel: Gary Gygax explaining the Christian roots of D&D
Fans For Christ
Hollywood Jesus
GeekPreacher
The Dice Tower
NachtMedia Twitter
Blackwyrm Games
GenCon Twitter
IPR Twitter
DriveThruRPG Twitter
NachtMedia Twitter


Take the Gaming Podcast Listener Survey!


Promos
Jack Wakes Up, coming soon from Random House
The GutterSkypes
The Adventures of Indiana Jim


Contact Us!
allgamesconsidered@gmail.com
gamesyounever@yahoo.com (Ben Balestra)
carolatagc@gmail.com (Carol)
agcmags@gmail.com (Mags)
agcprize@yahoo.com (Contest Address)
Mark's Twitter
Carol's Twitter
Mags' Twitter
NachtMedia Twitter

RPG Podcast Survey

There is a big, massive survey in the works, with a bunch of gaming podcasters trying to learn a bit about our audience.

We encourage our listeners to go to http://spookyouthouse.com/survey and take the survey there.

Thanks!

AGC 100 April 9 2009 (Bride of the Big Damn Review Show) (1:27:03)

With Mark Kinney, Carol, and Ben Balestra. Mags was taking some personal time this episode, look for her return and that of her series of Convention Gaming. Mark went to YottaQuest while in Cincinnati for Worldwide D&D Game Day and he reviews one of his purchases from there. Carol shares that "Secret Life of Girl Gamers" is coming back this month. In News, Geek Chic Roadshow and news about the uber game-table, the Sultan, as well as other goodies that don't require a second mortgage. Explanations about the odd blog posting and why listeners got an unexpected PDF with the 'Gestalt' review. Carol talks about 'Gestalt: The Hero Within'. Mark gives more Superhero goodness (or badness) with a review of 'Necessary Evil', a supplement for the Savage Worlds Explorers Edition system. Carol gives her two-bits on 'PC Pearls' from Goodman Games, and the importance of flour in your party (mmm, pancakes!). Mark gets to review 'Old Frontiers', published by Frontier Games and one he's been itching to review for awhile now. Ben Balestra talks about Metamorphosis Alpha. A salute to Andy Hallet. Feedback cut, and will go into an Extra. Mark's trip to YottaQuest after the end theme.


Download 64kbps mp3 (39.8 MB)


Show links
YottaQuest Fantasy Gaming, Cincinnati, Ohio
Geek Chic
BlackWyrm Games - Gestalt The Hero Within Check out their online store as 'Gestalt' is still 25% off!
Pinnacle Entertainment Group - Necessary Evil
Goodman Games - PC Pearls
Frontier Games - Old Frontiers
White Wolf, Changeling: The Lost, 'Dancers in the Dusk'
Game Cryer
Metamorphosis Alpha Home Page
Metamorphosis Alpha (Wikipedia)
NachtMedia Twitter


Promos
Kore RPG
This Modern Death
Weather Child


Contact Us!
allgamesconsidered@gmail.com
gamesyounever@yahoo.com (Ben Balestra)
carolatagc@gmail.com (Carol)
agcmags@gmail.com (Mags)
agcprize@yahoo.com (Contest Address)

Episode 99 Show Links

Sorry for the delay on these. The content was essentially some news, information about convention gaming, and a review of Bounty Head Bebop (by Heroic Journey Publishing). Links are below!

Show links
Miskatonic River Press
Red Brick Limited
Mongoose Publishing
GMT Games (Twilight Struggle)
Shadowrun 4th Edition 20th Anniversary (Catalyst Game Labs)
Pathfinder Compatibility License (Paizo Publishing)
Bounty Head Bebop (Heroic Journey Publishing)
HyperiCon
Game Cryer
Gestalt (Blackwyrm Games)
Q-Workshop Design Contest

Prototype
The Complete Guide to AD&D Alcohol
The Complete Guide to AD&D Sex
RPGLife
Nearby Gamers
NachtMedia Twitter



Promos
Arcadian Gate
The Geek Spin


Contact Us!
allgamesconsidered@gmail.com
gamesyounever@yahoo.com (Ben Balestra)
carolatagc@gmail.com (Carol)
agcmags@gmail.com (Mags)
agcprize@yahoo.com (Contest Address)

Gestalt: The Hero Within

Gestalt: The Hero Within

Author: Scott Bennie, Publisher: Black Wyrm Games (www.blackwyrm.com)

400 pages, retail price, HERO system: $49.95 – print, $24.95 – PDF.

400 pages, retail price, Mutants & Masterminds system: $39.95 – print, $19.95 – PDF.

Currently on sale for 25% off at Black Wyrm Games

Full Disclaimer: Members of the All Games Considered podcast know, and have gamed with, some of the staff of Black Wyrm Games.

Note: Blogger is blocked at my Day-Job, so I'm posting this via email. Any formatting issues I will fix as soon as I get a chance - Carol.

Archetypes are such because they have a collective resonance with us. As the gamer-geek era has evolved, more of those archetypes are getting expressed through the Superhero genre. Our books are graphic novels; our movies are CGI spectaculars of the four-color tales brought to life and our games: video-, online, and tabletops, have gamemasters and players saving the world: tights and capes are optional.

"Gestalt" overall is a superbly designed book. The fiction at the front of the book is hauntingly beautiful, drawing you right in. It then goes into world theme, mechanics for character creation, world history, example characters, common archetypes, the alien angle, the rest of the world, campaign meta-events, running a campaign, a starting adventure, and finally – every GM's friend – the plot seeds. Though, I have to say there are enough seeds in each of the preceding chapters that this last chapter is pure icing.

This setting shows that we're not just playing a four-color, two-dimensional expression of an emotion or an aspect. We're playing a character with human responsibilities and desires, fighting against the drive of an archetype that needs and demands expression.

Chapter 1 outlines the chapters and then goes into what separates this world from ours, and ultimately, from other superhero settings. The Gestalt Dimension is where the elements of the collective unconscious reside, making nothing irrelevant. Every concept has a meaning and possibly a champion out in the world. There are three basic types of Gestalts (with rarer ones explained in the next chapter): Pure, Bonded and Chain. More than one person can represent a concept (there are several "Strongmen" and "Weather" gestalts for example).

All Gestalts get an emotional rush when using their powers to champion their archetype, are drawn to situations where they can accomplish that, and should the GM include it – have dire results to the collective unconscious should something happen to the character.

Chapter 2 goes into character creation and suggests that while your PCs aren't uber – they can be mythic – with room for growth. There is an entire section about power levels and what is appropriate for the game and the players, and includes the "Beyond" characters that are only meant to be NPCs. Mechanically, there are limits on key statistics, defenses, and the amount of damage one can deal. There are also limits on what powers and disadvantages fit with the archetype, including psychological, social, vulnerabilities and dependencies. Goals are stressed as very important. They should be varied, personal, and should help guide the plot. Brainstorming sessions between the GM and players are encouraged.

In this chapter you also get more of an idea of just how many layers this setting has, just considering the characters. A Gestalt who embodies an Archetype because as a human their intensity and probable obsession drew it to them, probably wasn't the most stable block in the Jenga game to start with. The theme bounces between the PCs working together for a common goal, but whose egos and individual goals often clash. Then there are the Gestalts who are their enemies, and the human organizations that fear and want to control them. Later on we're introduced to Aliens, Metagestalts, Leviathans, and other beings who can all be potential allies and/or enemies, with the PCs and with each other. It advises GMs not to forget there's a world outside of your players' general vicinity, and that the NPCs aren't always sitting by the phone waiting for the PCs to call.

The layers continue in Chapter 3's world history, which covers all five Gestalt Events and the major battles and events that shaped the better-known teams and Heroes/Villains. The history plays out as the evolution of our comics have in the real world – only on hyper fast-forward. Since comics were an understood and familiar medium, the first Gestalts adopted many of its trappings. There are historical divergences as well, which are explained here, and based on the years of gameplay in the development of this world.

There is no lack of plots in this setting, or of plot/character enhancing points. Examples include you're a former follower of the Big Bad (also known as the Blood Red King). Why do Gestalt-powered inventors and scientists keep dying? Are their deaths being faked? Are untrusting governments racing to develop ways to contain/control/condemn them holding them?

In Chapter 4 we're introduced to literally dozens of heroes and villains of varying levels. Chapter 3's meta-plot megamart continues here as you're given backstories, conflicts, and lots of possibilities. It's also made clear that there is no living in the world and not being of it. The cleverer characters are using everyday world resources and events to obtain their goals. That could mean using the Media to smear an enemy's reputation, suing them, and trying to influence the law, and so on.

One of the aspects I really like about this book is that there is an expansive coverage of not only American Supers, but also those worldwide. There are reflections of cultural archetypes in all the listings. Also, despite the stark lines of good and evil that define some of the characters and their actions, the individual supers don't always act in a clearly moral/immoral manner.

In Chapter 5 if you can't find an archetype in the list of almost 50 main archetypes and the dozens of related/similar archetypes, then there's just no pleasing you. Each archetype is well formatted, with a quote, description, related Gestalts, Subtypes, and Character examples. Also listed are system specifics – abilities, costs, disadvantages, and so on. Each main Archetype also has a sidebar hook that goes with it.

Chapter 6 introduces the Extraterrestrials – here we learn about the Probability Lords, the Ar' races and the Eiko. The Probability Lords went around seeding and tweaking planets in their giant lab experiment. Even going so far as to take a section of Caucasians from the earliest days and transplanting them to somewhere with fewer challenges to survival and a more cohesive culture. This didn't last as their wars with the Eiko – religious beings who worship the Probability Lords and don't believe any other sentience is deserving of their technology – brought factions to the Ar, and more possibilities for us.

Chapter 7 outlines the Gestalt Dimension, the outer void where the thoughts and images of humans can be seen – a place where protogestalts seek bondable hosts and prime them until a Gestalt Wave completes the process. Battle rules differ here as well, and are explained. Changelings and Metagestalts are explained here. Changelings are humans who were just swept away in Gestalt Waves, and changed irrevocably. Metagestalts are True Archetype, who do not bond with humans, nor do they appear on Gestalt-Earth, but they control the pressure valves of the Gestalt Dimension and plan the Gestalt Waves, either because they like humanity, or hate it. Powerful as they are, even they could be the products of the Probability Lords.

Chapter 8 describes what the rest of the world thinks of Gestalts and how it functions. The humans and their organizations haven't caught up to creating technology that can match what the Gestalts can do. This makes them nervous. Humans, as a whole, hate feeling underclassed. This chapter details what the public, media, governments think. Also, stats are given for various weapons and places. Gestalt-slang is introduced here, as are the effects of Gestalts to entertainment, media (including comic books), government and law.

Chapter 9 gives us detailed character write-ups of groups and individuals we met in Chapter 4. Layout starts with Name, type of Gestalt, demographics, stats and powers, background, powers and tactics, personality, suggestions on how to use them in the campaign, and appearance. This goes for over 100 pages. No GM can say they don't have enough material to work with here.

Chapter 10 – Campaign Secrets – GM's eyes-only – sneaky players should stay out. These are possibilities for your campaign that haven't occurred in the existing metaplot, as well as explanations to lingering questions that appear throughout the rest of the book. Where the players get theory, the GM gets what is "really" going on. Of course, your milage may vary. As in the other chapters, it covers what other Gestalts are doing, as well as the governments, the aliens, and so on.

Chapter 11 – Campaigning. More GM-specific advice available here, this time on structuring the campaign, no matter what the specifics are. This section includes the usual Care and Feeding of NPCs, establishing scenes, spotlighting characters (useful in a game of strong characters and probably strong-willed PCs). Pacing and managing scenarios, introducing sub-plots, and player-driven plots are also covered.

Chapter 12 – Adventure! "A Muse Box Melody" is a complete scenario in six parts, with multiple locations, including stats and layout maps. Props located in the various places and their stats are also included. It's always good to know what kind of damage the Beer Mug will do…

Chapter 13 – as I said earlier – this is the icing on a very thick and rich cake. The Scenario Seeds chapter brings more of the same with 10 setups for Gestalt Campaigns, 20 for odd Gestalts, 10 reasons for Gestalts to fight (they need help with this??), 5 to help reconcile inter-Gestalt conflicts between PCs (handy, especially if it may be bleeding over into real life), and 4 to help introduce a new PC.

There's a good, thorough index as well, which makes this particularly hearty offering easier to navigate.

The book isn't perfect however; there are the usual typos. Not many that will really get you, but one on p. 19 threw me. It says Bonded Gestalts have to answer some questions – but doesn't lay them out.

The intended audience is for the book, per the author, is more experienced players who "understand every nuance of their rules system" (p. 18 HERO). Personally, I do not believe that they are the only ones who will get value out of this book. Even though the setting is declared for a specific set of players, it succeeds in giving the right tools to the GMs to tinker it into something else. Nowhere in the book does it say what you must do, just how the book was intended, and full acknowledgement that there will be those who take it and make it more their own.

The reason for it being aimed at more experienced players? I'm unsure, however, "Gestalt" evolved from years and years of actual gameplay, in a very detailed system, as it started as a game of Champions in 1989. This is made obvious by the uniqueness of the characters presented, and the interconnectedness and depth they have with their Archetypes, each other, and the world/galaxy at large. However some may chafe at the implied restrictions. My suggestion is to get beyond it, because you'd be turning your back on some very rich material if you let that get in the way.

This is a campaign setting, and as such probably isn't the easiest to build a one-shot or a pick-up-game from, unless you're playing with your regular group, and even then you will just be skimming the surface. However, sometimes that's what you and your group need, and this setting can provide it with some tweaking and use of the Player's Guide (system neutral, available at http://www.blackwyrm.com/Extras.htm).

Overall I recommend this book. This robust setting was created in one system, and was successfully adapted for another. I am thoroughly convinced that this setting can stand on its own merits, no matter what system it is in.

Want to learn more about Gestalt? Read on...

• Atomic Array: Episode 019: Gestalt
• Game Cryer: Gestalt Review
• Mad Brew Labs: Super Human Roleplaying in the World of Heroes, Archetypes and Modern Myths
• Uncle Bear: Gestalt: A Mythic Supers Setting
• All Games Considered: The Hero Within
• A Butterfly Dreaming: The Pieces of Gestalt
• The Bone Scroll: 'G' is for Gestalt

Drop by Black Wyrm Games today!

AGC 99 March 24 2009 (Conventions and Bounty Head Bebop) (1:06:45)

With Mark Kinney, Carol, and Mags. Show notes forthcoming; we're rushing to get the episode out in a timely manner.

Download 64kbps mp3 (30.5 MB)



Contact Us!
allgamesconsidered@gmail.com
gamesyounever@yahoo.com (Ben Balestra)
carolatagc@gmail.com (Carol)
agcmags@gmail.com (Mags)
agcprize@yahoo.com (Contest Address)

Additional Notes for Episode 98

At the time I didn't have information for Ethan and his looking for someone, so I've got some information here.

Ethan's Facebook Profile
Ethan's Blog
Email Ethan

And sorry about taking so long posting this additional info; Ethan gave it to me at least a week ago. Yeah, I need to be a little less busy...

AGC 98 March 10 2009 (Parental Discretion Is Advised) (1:19:25)

With Mark Kinney and Mags. Mags tried out Scion: Demigod, and Mark picked up Chaosium's Basic Roleplaying. 4th Edition GSL revision is live! World Wide Dungeons and Dragons Game Day in the UK! Changes to Magic's core set program! Fight Klub! I Am Mongoose And So Can You! Getting into gaming controversy. What makes for controversy? Violence, and pyschology. The Eggbert case. Rod Ferrell and the Vampire Cult. Misunderstanding what the game is, and the Steve Jackson Secret Service raid and GURPS Cyberpunk. (And by the way, support the EFF!) Touching on religion (but coming back to that in a later episode) and a few other notable events. Game content, and cover content, like the early Avalanche Press line and the Book of Erotic Fantasy. Is controversy bad, and can it have a point? Pimp: The Backhanding, Violence, Power Kill, and War on Terror. Looks at Blasphemy and the Suicide Bomber Card Game. Goodman Games needs GMs for it's GenCon 2009 Dungeon Crawl Classics Tournament, and Keith Baker will game for sleeping space. A pointer to a geek dating site, and can we help a fellow podcaster?


Download 64kbps mp3 (36.3 MB)


Show links
Scion (White Wolf)
Basic Roleplaying (Chaosium)
4th Edition GSL
D&D Game Day
Magic: The Gathering Set Changes
More Magic Information
Decipher (Fight Klub)
I Am Mongoose, And So Can You
The Dungeon Master (AddAll.com)
Places to Go, People to Be Summary of the Eggbert Case
Court TV Rod Ferrell Archive
GURPS Cyberpunk (Steve Jackson Games)
Hacker (Steve Jackson Games)
Electronic Frontier Foundation
Pimp: The Backhanding (White Wolf/Arthaus)
Violence The RPG (Scroll down to August 20th)
Power Kill
War on Terror (Terror Bull Games)
Blasphemy (Pinstripe Publishing)
Bucephalus Games (Suicide Bomber)
Guillotine (Wikipedia)
Nuclear War (Flying Buffalo)
Goodman Games Dungeon Crawl Classics Tournament GMs
Keith Baker's Travel of Adventure
SoulGeek
Gamer's Haven


Promos
Podictionary
The Podgecast
Commit Yourself to the Brink! (JC Hutchins' Personal Effects: Dark Art)
Gamer's Haven


Contact Us!
allgamesconsidered@gmail.com
gamesyounever@yahoo.com (Ben Balestra)
carolatagc@gmail.com (Carol)
agcmags@gmail.com (Mags)
agcprize@yahoo.com (Contest Address)

AGC 97 February 24 2009 (As You Wish, Happily Ever After) (1:02:32)

With Mark Kinney, Carol, Mags, Sean Patrick Fannon and Carinn Seabolt. Checking in after all the fun weather. Carol met Carinn and Sean at ChattaCon. Scrye going away, and Goodman Levelling Up. Upper Deck cancels Yu-Gi-Oh! organized play in North America. GenCon registration is open with a shiny new system! The inevitable AGC/TWiT comparison. GMs Day Sale at RPGNow and DriveThruRPG! When Carinn met Sean. WeddingCon 2009! Carol's experience with Shaintar, and MACS. The romance in gaming topic gets delayed.


Download 64kbps mp3 (28.6 MB)


Show links
Scrye Magazine Closure Letter
Level Up (Goodman Games)
Upper Deck (Yu-Gi-Oh!)
GenCon Registration
Sean's First AGC Appearance
WeddingCon 2009
The Game's The Thing
Pinnacle Entertainment Group (Savage Worlds)
Talisman Studios (Shaintar: Immortal Legends)



Promos
Weather Child
Hidden Grid
The GutterSkypes


Contact Us!
allgamesconsidered@gmail.com
gamesyounever@yahoo.com (Ben Balestra)
carolatagc@gmail.com (Carol)
agcmags@gmail.com (Mags)
agcprize@yahoo.com (Contest Address)

AGC 96 February 8 2009 (Snow Delay) (46:30)

Apologies on some audio quality issues with this one. You will also find references to a bit Carol was going to send in. It's not there, and it's not a mistake; it's technical difficulties at her end. Look for all to be back in place next episode.

With Mark Kinney. Big snow disruption in the area led to a lean show this week. Mark's gaming, and upcoming actual play podcasting of his Byzantine D&d Game. Bounty Head Bebop in print! Pelgrane's Mutant City Blues contest. Palladium's Rifts movie letter campaign. Storn Cook and a webcomic. Mark briefly talks about Bucephalus Games' Rorshach. RPG Buffet's 2008 Year In Review, with a question about Marvel Universe.


Download 64kbps mp3 (21.3 MB)


Show links
The Byzantine Game
Heroic Journey Publishing (Bounty Head Bebop)
Mutant City Blues Contest (Pelgrane Press)
Rifts Movie Letter Campaign (Forums of the Megaverse)
Catspaw
Rorshach (Bucephalus Games)
Talisman Studios (Shaintar: Immortal Legends)


Promos
Zero2Novel.com
Save Against Frostbite
The GutterSkypes


Contact Us!
allgamesconsidered@gmail.com
gamesyounever@yahoo.com (Ben Balestra)
carolatagc@gmail.com (Carol)
agcmags@gmail.com (Mags)
agcprize@yahoo.com (Contest Address)

Show Delays

The snowstorms of last week forced a delay in the episode this week (yes, that's right -- a lot of the snow and ice and stuff only melted in the last few days, and although the roads had been clear for a bit longer, the prior mess had screwed up schedules making things entertaining, to say the least).

As such, it's going to be not so polished as normal, but I'll have an episode out, hopefully by Sunday night (tonight). It will feature the long-awaited RPG Buffet Year In Review for 2008, and I have some news items to pass along. Hopefully Carol will have a thing or two for me as well.

Thanks for your patience, everyone!