Historic RPG designer Ken St. Andre (Tunnels & Trolls, Starfaring, Monsters! Monsters!, Stormbringer, more) joins for this episode. The game that shall not be named. Is it wise to go into dungeons as an adventurer, or do you just need luck? The practicality of six-siders versus Platonic solids. The most powerful buttons in the universe. Who's tougher, the Romulans or the Klingons? Marbles were the collectible card game of their day. Diplomacy variants. Gary Gygax's first introduction to Tunnels & Trolls. Dave Arneson's contribution to Flying Buffalo Games. Ken's impressions of Dave. Ken's opinion on whether OD&D was an actual RPG. Ken told TSR's lawyers, and I quote, "go piss up a rope." Ken's advice to game designers. Clever solutions in dealing with a Balrog. What is "stunting" in an RPG? Tunnels & Trolls on the MetaArcade app. Ken and Shane's predictions about AI's effect on the RPG industry. Mata Hari. Ken was a pioneer in solo RPG adventures (which Shane feels is important). What game of Ken's does he think is better than Tunnels & Trolls? Some Elric discussion. The secret brotherhood of librarians (or lack thereof). A brief diversion into chicken psychology.

Shane Plays Geek Talk Episode #288 - 3/8/2026

Like what you hear? Support Shane Plays Geek Talk on Patreon! https://www.patreon.com/shaneplays

Listen to the Shane Plays Geek Talk podcast on YouTube, SoundCloud, iTunes, Google Play Music, Amazon Music, Podbean and Stitcher (and other fine, fine podcast directories).

Hey, you! Yeah, you! Buy cool stuff, support Shane Plays Geek Talk with these affiliate links! Humble Bundle https://www.humblebundle.com?partner=shaneplays DriveThruRPG.com https://www.drivethrurpg.com/browse.php?affiliate_id=488512

SHOW NOTES

Ken St. Andre on Wikipedia https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ken_St._Andre

Trollgodfather Press (Ken's Publishing Company) https://www.drivethrurpg.com/en/publisher/9559/trollgodfather-press

Tunnels & Trolls https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tunnels_%26_Trolls

Starfaring https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Starfaring

Monsters! Monsters! https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Monsters!_Monsters!

Stormbringer RPG https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Stormbringer_(role-playing_game)

Dungeons and Desktops: The History of Computer Role-Playing Games 2nd Edition Shane's book! Co-authored with Matt Barton of Matt Chat https://www.amazon.com/Dungeons-Desktops-History-Computer-Role-Playing/dp/1138574643/

Neal Hallford joins to discuss his new book Heroes of Might and Magic: 30th Anniversary Retrospective. The history of HoM&M games is, in many ways, an "epic story" that tells the history of the video game industry and the related human drama in general. Since it's Neal, we also meander into other interesting things, including Planet's Edge, Betrayal at Krondor, and Dungeon Siege (including why they named Farmer "Farmer"). A game company trying to launch seven games all at the same time is probably not the wisest idea. The "box of rocks" approach to writing for games. Neal's new Planet's Edge: Fractured Empires project. Singular vision / small teams versus large teams in game design. Neal has very strong feelings on trends that have hurt the video game industry. What's the connection between Star Trek and Heroes of Might and Magic? The fine line game creators have to walk in making sequels by adding new stuff worth buying, but not changing things so much that it alienates the audience. What is the number one-selling game on GOG?

Shane Plays Geek Talk Episode #287 - 11/24/2025

Like what you hear? Support Shane Plays Geek Talk on Patreon! https://www.patreon.com/shaneplays

Listen to the Shane Plays Geek Talk podcast on YouTube, SoundCloud, iTunes, Google Play Music, Amazon Music, Podbean and Stitcher (and other fine, fine podcast directories).

Hey, you! Yeah, you! Buy cool stuff, support Shane Plays Geek Talk with these affiliate links! Humble Bundle https://www.humblebundle.com?partner=shaneplays DriveThruRPG.com https://www.drivethrurpg.com/browse.php?affiliate_id=488512

SHOW NOTES

Heroes of Might and Magic: 30th Anniversary Retrospective Book by Neal Hallford https://www.amazon.com/Heroes-Might-Magic-Anniversary-Retrospective/dp/150675130X

Neal Hallford on Wikipedia https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Neal_Hallford

Betrayal at Krondor 30th Anniversary & Fan Film Challenge with Neal Hallford – Episode 266 – 3/14/2023 https://shaneplays.com/betrayal-at-krondor-crpg-30th-anniversary-neal-hallford-fan-film-challenge-podcast/

Star Fleet Battles With Bill Barsh – Episode 272 – 12/29/2023 https://shaneplays.com/star-fleet-battles-with-bill-barsh-podcast/

Dungeons and Desktops: The History of Computer Role-Playing Games 2nd Edition Shane's book! Co-authored with Matt Barton of Matt Chat https://www.amazon.com/Dungeons-Desktops-History-Computer-Role-Playing/dp/1138574643/

The Quatermass Experiment, the highly influential series considered the "birth of TV Sci-Fi", with Toby Hadoke (Quatermass Experiment megafan, Doctor Who megafan, special features do-er, author, and standup comedian… he just sits around and twiddles his thumbs, does Toby). Toby's written the definitive book on the first Quatermass Experiment serial! Some Doctor Who discussion. "Behind the sofa." The sneaky plan Toby used to name his dog. Nigel Neale (Quatermass writer) has influenced such directors as John Carpenter, Joe Dante, and Dan O'Bannon. Which Quatermass Experiment serial does Toby recommend starting with? Different motivations for British and American TV in decades past. Toby says Nigel Neale's The Road has the best ending of anything, ever. What are the chances of more Quatermass in the future? A nice tangent into John Carpenter's The Thing. A few last-minute Doctor Who tangents (including one about the Doctor going into his own brain). Pronunciation differences between the British and Americans (how the heck do you say Omega, anyway?). Toby actually likes one of the Bad Jokes of the Week.

Shane Plays Geek Talk Episode #286 - 9/28/2025

Like what you hear? Support Shane Plays Geek Talk on Patreon! https://www.patreon.com/shaneplays

Listen to the Shane Plays Geek Talk podcast on YouTube, SoundCloud, iTunes, Google Play Music, Amazon Music, Podbean and Stitcher (and other fine, fine podcast directories).

Hey, you! Yeah, you! Buy cool stuff, support Shane Plays Geek Talk with these affiliate links! Humble Bundle https://www.humblebundle.com?partner=shaneplays DriveThruRPG.com https://www.drivethrurpg.com/browse.php?affiliate_id=488512

SHOW NOTES

Toby Hadoke on Patreon https://www.patreon.com/TobyHadoke

Toby Hadoke on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@TobyHadoke

Toby's Website https://tobyhadoke.com/

Toby's Book! The Quatermass Experiment: The Making of TV's First Sci-Fi Classic https://tenacrefilms.bigcartel.com/product/the-quatermass-experiment-the-making-of-tv-s-first-sci-fi-classic

The Quatermass Experiment on Wikipedia https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Quatermass_Experiment

Nigel Neale on Wikipedia https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nigel_Kneale

Dungeons and Desktops: The History of Computer Role-Playing Games 2nd Edition Shane's book! Co-authored with Matt Barton of Matt Chat https://www.amazon.com/Dungeons-Desktops-History-Computer-Role-Playing/dp/1138574643/

Sink your teeth into a slew of vampire movies from 1922 through 2025 that may or may not suck with returning movie lovers Chris Holmes and Michael Stewart (Save for Half podcast, Found in the Ruins podcast), plus we chew a bit on Stoker's Dracula novel. From England to Transylvania to Germany to Italy to Spain to Japan and beyond… those bloodsuckers are everywhere!! Which vampire flicks made us their thrall? One flick's surprise armadillo never fails to amuse Shane. Chris objects to amazingly cool armor in Dracula movies. What astoundingly fantastic Funko Pop does Shane own?? A surprising clash of opinions on The Lost Boys and Near Dark. We have crossed oceans of time just to bring you this episode.

Shane Plays Geek Talk Episode #285 - 8/29/2025

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Listen to the Shane Plays Geek Talk podcast on YouTube, SoundCloud, iTunes, Google Play Music, Amazon Music, Podbean and Stitcher (and other fine, fine podcast directories).

Hey, you! Yeah, you! Buy cool stuff, support Shane Plays Geek Talk with these affiliate links! Humble Bundle https://www.humblebundle.com?partner=shaneplays DriveThruRPG.com https://www.drivethrurpg.com/browse.php?affiliate_id=488512

SHOW NOTES

Holmes Basic D&D, John Eric Holmes & Edgar Rice Burroughs with Chris Holmes – Episode 267 – 5/12/2023 https://shaneplays.com/holmes-basic-dnd-john-eric-holmes-edgar-rice-burroughs-with-chris-holmes-podcast/

Zombie Movies with Chris Holmes and Mike Stewart – Episode 277 – 7/22/2024 https://shaneplays.com/zombie-movies-with-chris-holmes-mike-stewart-podcast/

Surreal Cinema with Clements & Holmes https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8LcpVM55HQA

Vampire Movies Discussed in this Episode:Nosferatu (1922) Dracula (1931) Dracula's Daughter El Vampiro Horror of Dracula Dracula, Prince of Darkness The Vampire and the Ballerina The Vampire Doll Count Dracula (1970) Count Yorga, Vampire House of Dark Shadows Blacula The Night Stalker Captain Kronos-Vampire Hunter Bram Stoker's Dracula (1974) Blood for Dracula Night of the Walking Dead Dracula (1979) Nosferatu the Vampyre (1979) Salem's Lot (1979) The Hunger Fright Night (1985) The Lost Boys Near Dark Buffy the Vampire Slayer *Briefly mentioned Buffy TV series * Briefly mentioned Bram Stoker's Dracula (1992) Interview with the Vampire Blade Blade 2 Shadow of the Vampire Thirty Days of Night Let the Right One In A Girl Walks Home Alone at Night Boys From County Hell The Last Voyage of the Demeter Nosferatu (2024) Sinners

Dungeons and Desktops: The History of Computer Role-Playing Games 2nd Edition Shane's book! Co-authored with Matt Barton of Matt Chat https://www.amazon.com/Dungeons-Desktops-History-Computer-Role-Playing/dp/1138574643/

TSR and Wizards of the Coast veteran Steve Winter (Steve achieved one of the longest tenures across both companies). Steve plays guitar. Steve likes Shadowdark RPG, and is also interested in Knave, Savage Worlds, and Cthulhu / horror games. Steve has a definite favorite version of D&D (he finds it elegant and intuitive). Deep character backstory doesn't equal plot armor. Sometimes we get too used to magic in games and think of it as technology… magic should be a bit fearsome and untame. Noteworthy moments of going insane in a Cthulhu game. Skyrim and Baldur's Gate 3 discussion. Steve co-wrote the scenario for the Gold Box Pool of Radiance game. Some words about Jim Ward. Early versus later days at TSR. The job that was Steve's best year at TSR. How was the work divided at TSR? Steve offers some perspective on Lorraine Williams's leadership, given that he was right there. What was it like to be at TSR and watch Magic: The Gathering explode onto the scene? Steve worked on Spellfire, TSR's response to MtG. What was it like transitioning from TSR to WotC? Star Frontiers: how it went from hard sci-fi to "D&D in space" and how employees' desire for royalties led to its creation (and ultimately to the departure of Lawrence Schick from TSR). Marvel Super Heroes RPG discussion (MSH is HUGE for Shane personally).

Shane Plays Geek Talk Episode #284 - 7/28/2025

Like what you hear? Support Shane Plays Geek Talk on Patreon! https://www.patreon.com/shaneplays

Listen to the Shane Plays Geek Talk podcast on YouTube, SoundCloud, iTunes, Google Play Music, Amazon Music, Podbean and Stitcher (and other fine, fine podcast directories).

Hey, you! Yeah, you! Buy cool stuff, support Shane Plays Geek Talk with these affiliate links! Humble Bundle https://www.humblebundle.com?partner=shaneplays DriveThruRPG.com https://www.drivethrurpg.com/browse.php?affiliate_id=488512

SHOW NOTES

Steve Winter's Wikipedia Entry https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Steve_Winter

Steve Winter's Board Game Geek Entry https://boardgamegeek.com/boardgamedesigner/562/steve-winter

Howling Tower (Steve's Blog) https://koboldpress.com/category/howling-tower/

Shadowdark RPG https://www.thearcanelibrary.com/pages/shadowdark?srsltid=AfmBOopWlsfgC-WPHShVkD1E9lDfbJKyN5umULKokrH6cbo8tdn-f2QL

Knave RPG https://www.drivethrurpg.com/en/product/484910/knave-second-edition

Dungeons and Desktops: The History of Computer Role-Playing Games 2nd Edition Shane's book! Co-authored with Matt Barton of Matt Chat https://www.amazon.com/Dungeons-Desktops-History-Computer-Role-Playing/dp/1138574643/

A RAD-SATURATED BONUS EPISODE! The Cold War gone hot! "Bam" Shane joins "Doc" Benny and "Boom" Mike on the Found in the Ruins podcast to execute maneuvers on the Twilight: 2000 RPG and reconnoiter other groovy post-apocalyptic stuff like PA books and movies. This is episode 9 of Found in the Ruins. Thanks to the FitR hosts for the invite! We had fun and soaked up some mad rads.

Shane Plays Geek Talk Episode #283 - 5/15/2025

Like what you hear? Support Shane Plays Geek Talk on Patreon! https://www.patreon.com/shaneplays

Listen to the Shane Plays Geek Talk podcast on YouTube, SoundCloud, iTunes, Google Play Music, Amazon Music, Podbean and Stitcher (and other fine, fine podcast directories).

Hey, you! Yeah, you! Buy cool stuff, support Shane Plays Geek Talk with these affiliate links! Humble Bundle https://www.humblebundle.com?partner=shaneplays DriveThruRPG.com https://www.drivethrurpg.com/browse.php?affiliate_id=488512

SHOW NOTES

Found in the Ruins episode 9: Twilight 2000 with Shane https://www.podbean.com/ew/dir-5iepq-2505c7ed

Found in the Ruins Facebook Group https://www.facebook.com/groups/1430189954589689

Save For Half Podcast / Found in the Ruins Podcast https://saveforhalf.com/

Dungeons and Desktops: The History of Computer Role-Playing Games 2nd Edition Shane's book! Co-authored with Matt Barton of Matt Chat https://www.amazon.com/Dungeons-Desktops-History-Computer-Role-Playing/dp/1138574643/

Shane waxes eloquent (ok, he might rant mildly) on several aspects of the mainstream comic book industry including the direct market business model, variant covers, multiple characters with the same name, and constant status quo changes (plus the overuse of the word "iconic" these days, which isn't comics-related but Shane kvetches about it anyway). A mini-review and comparison of DC's Absolute Universe and Marvel's Ultimate Universe (which one does Shane like best). Doctor Who has been back on the air for 20 years! A sincere shout-out to Toby Hadoke. An ailing Doctor Who super fan, lost episodes of Who, and the use of AI. D&D 2024: is it a new edition or not? (and no one seems to really be talking about D&D 2024 to be honest). The tariff war's effect on game publishers and vague predictions and hopes for the future. A tribute to friend of the show Tony Dutra, now sadly gone.

Shane Plays Geek Talk Episode #282 - 4/26/2025

Like what you hear? Support Shane Plays Geek Talk on Patreon! https://www.patreon.com/shaneplays

Listen to the Shane Plays Geek Talk podcast on YouTube, SoundCloud, iTunes, Google Play Music, Amazon Music, Podbean and Stitcher (and other fine, fine podcast directories).

Hey, you! Yeah, you! Buy cool stuff, support Shane Plays Geek Talk with these affiliate links! Humble Bundle https://www.humblebundle.com?partner=shaneplays DriveThruRPG.com https://www.drivethrurpg.com/browse.php?affiliate_id=488512

SHOW NOTES

DC's Absolute Universe https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Absolute_Universe

Marvel's Ultimate Universe https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ultimate_Universe

Toby Hadoke Patreon https://www.patreon.com/TobyHadoke

Ailing 'Doctor Who' superfan spends fortune to recreate 97 lost episodes to see 'complete' series before he dies https://nypost.com/2025/04/13/entertainment/ailing-doctor-who-superfan-spends-fortune-to-recreate-97-lost-episodes-to-see-complete-series-before-he-dies/

DnD 5e to 2024 DnD Transition Guide and Change Log: Everything That's Different in the New 2024 Player's Handbook https://rpgbot.net/dnd-2024-5e-transition-guide-and-change-log-everything-thats-different-in-the-new-players-handbook/

Jeremy Crawford and Chris Perkins to Leave Dungeons & Dragons' Design Team https://screenrant.com/jeremy-crawford-chris-perkins-leaving-dnd-interview/

Tariffs affecting games https://www.catalystgamelabs.com/news/tariffs-rolling-against-american-game-publishers

What Game Publishers Are Saying About The Tariffs https://www.enworld.org/threads/what-game-publishers-are-saying-about-the-tariffs.712717/

How Will The New Tariffs Affect TTRPG Prices? https://www.enworld.org/threads/how-will-the-new-tariffs-affect-ttrpg-prices.712698/

Do Tariffs Apply To RPG Books? Maybe, Maybe Not! https://www.enworld.org/threads/do-tariffs-apply-to-rpg-books-maybe-maybe-not.712908/

Wizards of the Coast Says That China Tariffs Will Have Minimal Impact on D&D https://www.enworld.org/threads/wizards-of-the-coast-says-that-china-tariffs-will-have-minimal-impact-on-d-d.713072/

Shane Plays Geek Talk Episode 252: The Wit and Wisdom of Troll Lord Games https://shaneplays.com/wit-and-wisdom-of-troll-lord-games-castles-and-crusades-rpg/

Tony Dutra: GURPS! – Radio Show / Podcast Ep. 40 https://shaneplays.com/gurps-radio-show-podcast-ep-40/

Tony Dutra: Game Master / Dungeon Master Tips & Panel Discussion! – Radio Show / Podcast Ep. 70 https://shaneplays.com/game-master-dungeon-master-tips-panel-discussion-radio-show-podcast-ep-70/

Tony Dutra: RPG News Blast! – Radio Show / Podcast Ep. 105 https://shaneplays.com/rpg-news-blast-radio-show-podcast-ep-105/

Tony Dutra: How To Create A GURPS Character https://shaneplays.com/how-to-create-a-gurps-character/

Tony Dutra: How To Play GURPS https://shaneplays.com/how-to-play-gurps-rpg-tutorial/

Dungeons and Desktops: The History of Computer Role-Playing Games 2nd Edition Shane's book! Co-authored with Matt Barton of Matt Chat https://www.amazon.com/Dungeons-Desktops-History-Computer-Role-Playing/dp/1138574643/

Game developers Hannah and Joseph Williams join to chat about their new "Dark Crystal"-like CRPG Banquet For Fools. Shane jokingly laments a missing element from the game, but Joseph promises they won't duck out from putting it in. Now that ten years have passed, how do they feel Serpent in the Staglands performed? Thoughts on Mechajammer (previously Copper Dreams) and the hopes versus the reality. The pros, cons and pitfalls of Early Access. Shane gets recruited as a voice actor. A tangent into severe weather and the importance of escapism.

Shane Plays Geek Talk Episode #281 - 11/26/2024

Like what you hear? Support Shane Plays Geek Talk on Patreon! https://www.patreon.com/shaneplays

Listen to the Shane Plays Geek Talk podcast on YouTube, SoundCloud, iTunes, Google Play Music, Amazon Music, Podbean and Stitcher (and other fine, fine podcast directories).

Hey, you! Yeah, you! Buy cool stuff, support Shane Plays Geek Talk with these affiliate links! Humble Bundle https://www.humblebundle.com?partner=shaneplays DriveThruRPG.com https://www.drivethrurpg.com/browse.php?affiliate_id=488512

SHOW NOTES

Banquet for Fools on Steam https://store.steampowered.com/app/3172700/Banquet_for_Fools/

Hannah and Joseph Games Website https://banquetforfools.com/

The Dark Crystal https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Dark_Crystal

A Wizard of Earth Sea by Ursula K. Le Guin https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/A_Wizard_of_Earthsea

Chicago by Carl Sandburg https://www.poetryfoundation.org/poetrymagazine/poems/12840/chicago

Dungeons and Desktops: The History of Computer Role-Playing Games 2nd Edition Shane's book! Co-authored with Matt Barton of Matt Chat https://www.amazon.com/Dungeons-Desktops-History-Computer-Role-Playing/dp/1138574643/

Star Trek Video Games: An Unofficial Guide to the Final Frontier with author Mat Bradley-Tschirgi. There are a LOT of Star Trek video games and Mat had some hard decisions and set boundaries on what games to cover in his book (by the way, a "notable" game doesn't necessarily mean a good game). What is Mat's favorite and least favorite Star Trek game? Star Trek has one of the saddest stories of vaporware in PC gaming. Mat had an unusual entry into Star Trek fandom, but it still grabbed him. What are Shane and Mat's thoughts on some of the more recent Star Trek TV shows? What is one redeeming aspect of Star Trek V: The Final Frontier? Podcasting takes a lot of work and time.

Shane Plays Geek Talk Episode #280 - 10/23/2024

Like what you hear? Support Shane Plays Geek Talk on Patreon! https://www.patreon.com/shaneplays

Listen to the Shane Plays Geek Talk podcast on YouTube, SoundCloud, iTunes, Google Play Music, Amazon Music, Podbean and Stitcher (and other fine, fine podcast directories).

Hey, you! Yeah, you! Buy cool stuff, support Shane Plays Geek Talk with these affiliate links! Humble Bundle https://www.humblebundle.com?partner=shaneplays DriveThruRPG.com https://www.drivethrurpg.com/browse.php?affiliate_id=488512

SHOW NOTES

Mat Bradley-Tschirgi's Books on Amazon http://matwbt.com

Star Trek Video Games: An Unofficial Guide to the Final Frontier https://www.amazon.com/Star-Trek-Video-Games-Unofficial/dp/1399050729

Star Trek Games list on Trekcore https://gaming.trekcore.com/plat_list.html

Star Trek Games list on Wikipedia https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_Star_Trek_games

Star Trek: Secret of Vulcan Fury trailer https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PDAFVYKyJVI

Matt Chat (Matt Barton's interview channel) https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCE98xefVUXmbvQfe-wNS8oA

Sequelcast 2 Podcast https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/sequelcast2

Dungeons and Desktops: The History of Computer Role-Playing Games 2nd Edition Shane's book! Co-authored with Matt Barton of Matt Chat https://www.amazon.com/Dungeons-Desktops-History-Computer-Role-Playing/dp/1138574643/

RPG and tabletop gaming historian Jon Peterson returns for a fantastic conversation on D&D and RPG history, and his related current books and projects. A new edition of Playing at the World and Dungeons & Dragons - the Making of Original D&D: 1970-1977 are on the shelves. D&D 4E has its hardcore fans. Jon has a seriously impressive collection of documents related to RPG history. Jon's first on-screen RPG game, ever. Does the role of the Caller in D&D get an unfair reputation (and what exactly does the Caller do)? DNA from non-RPGs like Outdoor Survival made it into early D&D. Be careful of the question "what is a role-playing game", the debate can sideswipe an entire conversation. Plus much more.

Shane Plays Geek Talk Episode #279 - 9/27/2024

Like what you hear? Support Shane Plays Geek Talk on Patreon! https://www.patreon.com/shaneplays

Listen to the Shane Plays Geek Talk podcast on YouTube, SoundCloud, iTunes, Google Play Music, Amazon Music, Podbean and Stitcher (and other fine, fine podcast directories).

Hey, you! Yeah, you! Buy cool stuff, support Shane Plays Geek Talk with these affiliate links! Humble Bundle https://www.humblebundle.com?partner=shaneplays DriveThruRPG.com https://www.drivethrurpg.com/browse.php?affiliate_id=488512

SHOW NOTES

Previous Shane Plays Geek Talk episode with Jon: D&D History – Game Wizards: The Epic Battle for Dungeons & Dragons with Jon Peterson – Episode 250 – 11-9-2021 https://shaneplays.com/dnd-history-game-wizards-the-epic-battle-for-dungeons-and-dragons-jon-peterson/

Playing at the World, 2E, Volume 1: The Invention of Dungeons & Dragons (Game Histories) https://www.amazon.com/Playing-World-2E-Invention-Histories/dp/0262548771/

Playing at the World, 2E, Volume 2: Three Pillars of Role-Playing Games (Game Histories) https://www.amazon.com/Playing-World-2E-Invention-Histories/dp/0262548771/

Dungeons & Dragons - the Making of Original D&D: 1970-1977 https://www.amazon.com/Dungeons-Dragons-Making-Original-1970-1977/dp/0786969857

Celebrating 50 Years of Dungeons & Dragons - Week #1 - OD&D with Jon Peterson https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mIzisBYQkyw

Dungeons and Desktops: The History of Computer Role-Playing Games 2nd Edition Shane's book! Co-authored with Matt Barton of Matt Chat https://www.amazon.com/Dungeons-Desktops-History-Computer-Role-Playing/dp/1138574643/

Merle M. Rasmussen, the man in the tux himself, joins to talk about the Top Secret RPG and his game design career. What was his first (mistaken) understanding of what D&D was? Memories of working at TSR. A no-nonsense discussion about the financials of his agreement with TSR for Top Secret. Financial lessons he has learned in his career. The perils of lead poisoning in making miniatures (and accidental improvised bombs). Jon Peterson's Quagmire! D&D module article and Merle's involvement in making it happen. Top Secret set multiple RPG precedents. What existing RPG was used for Top Secret's firearms rules? The FBI visited TSR because of Top Secret's playtest. You're not just paranoid, the HackNoia RPG is coming. I Choose To RISE, Merle's card game that helps teach about Black heroes. Merle's wife Jackie has often been his writing partner and sounding board. Moments of fan feedback Merle has had that will get you right in the feels (including, I kid you not, being asked to bless a gamer's ashes). Bad James Bond jokes.

Shane Plays Geek Talk Episode #278 - 8/14/2024

Like what you hear? Support Shane Plays Geek Talk on Patreon! https://www.patreon.com/shaneplays

Listen to the Shane Plays Geek Talk podcast on YouTube, SoundCloud, iTunes, Google Play Music, Amazon Music, Podbean and Stitcher (and other fine, fine podcast directories).

Hey, you! Yeah, you! Buy cool stuff, support Shane Plays Geek Talk with these affiliate links! Humble Bundle https://www.humblebundle.com?partner=shaneplays DriveThruRPG.com https://www.drivethrurpg.com/browse.php?affiliate_id=488512

SHOW NOTES

Merle M. Rasmussen on Wikipedia https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Merle_M._Rasmussen

Merle M. Rasmussen on RPG Geek https://rpggeek.com/rpgdesigner/3875/merle-m-rasmussen

Top Secret RPG on Wikipedia https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Top_Secret_(role-playing_game)

Quagmire! The Making of a 1980s D&D Module by Jon Peterson https://medium.com/@increment/quagmire-the-making-of-a-1980s-d-d-module-c30e788ea5f2

Sqwurm Card Game https://boardgamegeek.com/boardgame/12328/sqwurm

Planting People Growing Justice Leadership Institute https://www.ppgjli.org/

Dungeons and Desktops: The History of Computer Role-Playing Games 2nd Edition Shane's book! Co-authored with Matt Barton of Matt Chat https://www.amazon.com/Dungeons-Desktops-History-Computer-Role-Playing/dp/1138574643/