RPG Design Panelcast

Episode 41 – Designing RPGs for Kids Presented by Amanda Valentine, Tim Rodriguez & Krista White. Designing games intended for younger audiences doesn’t mean dumbing down. What are the additional challenges involved in making products to appeal to the younger set?   Episode 41: Designing RPGs for Kids Play Now | Play in Popup | Download (216)

Hacking Apocalypse World Recorded at Metatopia 2014 Presented by Vincent Baker, Misha Bushyager, Marissa Kelly, Mark Richardson & Mark Diaz Truman. Learn about the Apocalypse World engine and why it has become popular amongst indie designers. This will be a panel of veteran *World players and *World game designers, including the designer of Apocalypse World!   Episode 40: Hacking Apocalypse World Play Now | Play in Popup | Download (343)

Dungeons & Dragons Fifth Edition Analysis Presented by Rob Donoghue & Jason Pitre. So, the fifth edition of Dungeons & Dragons is out. Now it’s time to dig into the design and talk about the rules, procedures and advice that the game brings to the RPG design field. Let’s look at the crunchy bits! The companion reference to this discussion can be found on Rob Donoghue’s blog, where he discusses the Starter Set, the Player’s Handbook and the Monster Manual in detail.   Episode 39: Dungeons and Dragons 5th Edition Analysis [ 55:00 ] Play Now | Play in Popup | Download (336)  

D036 – Accessibility Issues For Game Designers Presented by Russell Collins & Jason Pitre. Games are about imagination and creativity so the print medium shouldn’t be a barrier to entry. Understanding the needs of persons with learning differences and the options that designers have will keep you from excluding people who are eager to enjoy our hobby. This seminar will focus on blindness, low vision, and dyslexia and strategies to present your game content for those with print disabilities in digital and audio media.   Episode 38: Accessibility Issues for Game Designers [ 55:00 ] Play Now | Play in Popup | Download (146)

D015 – Roleplaying Scenario Design Recorded at Metatopia 2013. Presented by Kenneth Hite, Darren Watts, Rob Donoghue, John Stavropoulos & Bill White. Our panel of experts drills down into the specifics of scenario-building for publication, whether it’s showing off the game’s basics with an introductory scenario, or stringing several together for a mini-campaign book.   Episode 37: Roleplaying Scenario Design Play Now | Play in Popup | Download (213)  

My Game Will Cost What? Presented by Curt Covert & Stephen Buonocore. This panel will seek to explain why games cost what they do. What are the expenses, and what decisions must you as a designer make in order to hit your target price point? Presented at Metatopia 2013.   Episode 36: My Game Will Cost What? [ 1:02:07 ] Play Now | Play in Popup | Download (189)

“Dangerous Mechanics” Presented by Jason Pitre, Kenneth Hite, Rob Donoghue & Will Hindmarch.  The panelists will deal with mechanics that look good on the surface but can have unforeseen negative consequences in play. Spending XP, no-effect rules, dice-generated currency – all have hidden dangers. Explore these and other light bulbs that didn’t quite work out..   Episode 35: Dangerous Mechanics [ 54:25 ] Play Now | Play in Popup | Download (275)

“Gaming As The Other: Race in Our Industry” Presented by John Stavropoulos, Terry Romero, Ajit George & Mark Diaz Truman. As many “geek” activities have expanded over the last ten years, role-playing has often struggled to include the voices of racial and ethnic minorities. Join Ajit George, Mark Diaz Truman, and Terry Romero to discuss what challenges the industry faces including “Others”, why increased diversity is valuable and important to the future of gaming, and what path both designers and players can take toward building a more robust, inclusive community.   Episode 34: Race in our Industry [ 54:53 ] Play Now | Play in Popup | Download (181)  

How to Work with Editors This seminar was originally presented at Metatopia 2013 in Morristown NJ. This panel was led by Ryan Macklin, Amanda Valentine, Cam Banks and John Adamus. Everyone needs an editor. How do you hire one? Once you have one, how can you work with her most efficiently? How does somebody become a great game editor themselves?   Episode 32: How to Work with Editors [ 54:53 ] Play Now | Play in Popup | Download (140)  

How to be a Good Playtester for Others This seminar was originally presented at Metatopia 2013 in Morristown NJ. This panel was led by Will Hindmarch, Tim Rodriguez and John Adamus. Everyone agrees playtesting is crucial. But what kind of feedback is best for publishers? This panel looks at the necessary skills and mindset for being a good playtester from *this* side of the table.   Episode 32: How to be a Good Playtester for Others [ 56:59 ] Play Now | Play in Popup | Download (226)