Mon, 27 June 2011
The Great Debate! has reached 50 episodes! To celebrate Jim takes the audience behind the scenes - or at least, that's the plan... Acknowledgements (I ended up thanking quite a few people at the end of this episode - here are links for them!) Melissa Avery-Weir - irrsinn.net The book I mentioned in the outro is called Abduction Etiquette, and is now in pre-order - feel free to check it out! |
Fri, 31 December 2010
Is it better to use a pre-existing setting or one that's home-brewed? Our resident demonologist and a lunk-headed superhero load up their intellectual artillery on the subject and fire it at one another. Panelists: Shoutout & Tarrasque Poetry: |
Mon, 22 November 2010
Is it a good idea for GMs to pregenerate PCs for their campaigns? A clone and a college professor talk about it. Panelists: |
Tue, 19 October 2010
Which genre offers a better choice of playable creatures? Fantasy or Science Fiction? A spaceship pilot and a dwarven skyship engineer attempt to discuss the matter - hopefully without getting into a dogfight! Panelists: |
Wed, 8 September 2010
A recording of myself running a quick game of ACTION CASTLE for some bored folks at Dragon*Con who were waiting for a panel to start. |
Wed, 25 August 2010
How important is having a background story for your campaign? A bounty hunter and a cleric sit down and chat amenably about the subject. Panelists |
Mon, 9 August 2010
I didn't get to go to GenCon and decided to record a chat about it! I commiserated with three other folks (Kim, Jason and Kent) who also didn't get to go this year. Fair warning: we rambled for about half an hour! Jason's Blog Kim's Audio Projects For full show notes, go here. |
Thu, 22 July 2010
Is it a good idea to bring an old PC into a new game? A cyber-hacker and a government agent delve into what it means to transfer your character. Panelists: Intro by Katharina of the Every Photo Tells podcast. |
Mon, 14 June 2010
Are house rules the way to go when running an RPG or are they a bad idea? A pirate and a futuristic military grunt take each other to task on the issue. Panelists: Shoutout & Promo: |
Sun, 9 May 2010
Is it a good idea to adapt an RPG from another source, such as a series of novels? Our two undead panelists ponder the pros and cons of adaptation. Panelists: Baron Thandor Karn of the Dark Basin Lord Connor Shadowbane Announcement: Go check out the 2010 Podcast Listener Survey! Shoutout & Promo: Mark, Carol & Mags - All Games Considered |
Thu, 1 April 2010
Is planar travel cool and exciting or is it just a tool to help the Game Master mess with the players? A college professor and a dwarf engineer debate the subject. Panelists: |
Thu, 18 March 2010
Listen in as an old feud between two fantasy characters comes burbling to the surface. A wizard and a cleric face off to discuss which kind of power is better: Arcane or Divine? Panelists: |
Wed, 10 March 2010
Is the guy who always knows the rules a help or a nuisance? A samurai and a superhero talk about the place of rules lawyers in RPGs. Panelists: |
Tue, 2 March 2010
Is it a good idea to rotate Game Masters in an ongoing campaign? Listen in as preacher and a hacker toss the issue back and forth between them like a rag doll! Panelists: Shameless Self-Promotion: The Every World News Podcast |
Tue, 15 December 2009
Advantages & Disadvantages. Merits & Flaws. Edges &
Hindrances. Are they helpful to a game? A vampire and a college
professor debate the pros and cons.
Panelists: Lord Connor Shadowbane Solomon Eldridge, Professor of Anthropology at Miskatonic University NOTE: There will be a slight delay as I deal with Christmahannukwanzaayuladanivus, after which there will be more debates forthcoming! |
Thu, 3 December 2009
Is it a bad thing for player characters to kill or should it be
perfectly acceptable? An archwizard and a superhero take up arms over
the issue.
Panelists: Archwizard Avan Brightstar, Vizier to the Elven Court of Neverrest Captain Radiant of the Integrity Force |
Thu, 26 November 2009
When PCs fight each other, does everyone lose or is it just another way
to get their game on? A necromancer and a samurai square off on the
subject.
Panelists: Baron Thandor Karn of the Dark Basin Masato Nakajima, Samurai to the Court of Orange Blossoms |
Fri, 20 November 2009
What dangers lurk beneath the waves? And what the heck is an
aspidochelone? Our intrepid panelists -- a pirate captain and a cleric
-- slyly skirt around these questions and many more about underwater
adventures!
Panelists: Darin Payne, Captain of the Ironblood Father Vernon Corey, High Priest of the Temple of St. Wilford |
Wed, 11 November 2009
Are pre-written adventures a useful tool or do they do nothing but
force PCs down a pre-determined track? A college professor and a
government agent tackle the issue of who's really in the driver's seat
when modules come into play.
Panelists: Solomon Eldridge, Professor of Anthropology at Miskatonic University Special Agent Jack McCandless CONTEST! The character suggestion contest is over. Thanks very much for your entries! I announce the winner after the debate. Shoutout & Promo: RPGPodcasts.com |
Wed, 4 November 2009
Is trying to make a character as powerful as possible a good thing or a
bad thing? A wizard and a bounty hunter flex their intellectual
muscles over the subject.
Panelists: Archwizard Avan Brightstar, Vizier to the Elven Court of Neverrest Dr. Joseph "Doc" Anthrax Intro by Stu, Tappy & Stork of Happy Jack's RPG Podcast CONTEST! Only one day left for the character suggestion contest - it ends November 5th! E-mail your suggestion for a new Great Debate character to debategreat@gmail.com and write CONTEST ENTRY in the subject line. The winner will receive a personalized outgoing greeting for use with their voicemail! Shoutout & Song: Beatnik Turtle - The Song of the Day Dot Com |
Thu, 29 October 2009
Are good and evil absolutes for your PCs or do your characters see
things in shades of grey? A superhero and a pirate tackle the issue of
anti-heroes in RPGs.
Panelists: Captain Radiant of the Integrity Force Darin Payne, Captain of the Ironblood Intro by J.C. Hutchins CONTEST! Just one week to go on the character suggestion contest! E-mail your suggestion for a new Great Debate character to debategreat@gmail.com and write CONTEST ENTRY in the subject line. The winner will receive a personalized outgoing greeting for use with their voicemail! Shoutout & Promo: The Gamer's Haven Podcast |
Thu, 22 October 2009
The idea of warfare as a theme in RPGs is kicked about, pummeled and
salivated over by our panelists. A cleric and a fighter pilot wage war
over the concept of waging war.
Panelists: Major Hal Cross of the Interstellar Fleet (voiced by David Selby) Father Vernon Corey, High Priest of the Temple of St. Wilford CONTEST! E-mail your suggestion for a new Great Debate character to debategreat@gmail.com and write CONTEST ENTRY in the subject line. The winner will receive a personalized outgoing greeting for use with their voicemail! Promo: 7th Son: Descent |
Thu, 15 October 2009
Our resident bounty hunter clashes with our resident cyber-hacker over
the issue of animals in role-playing games. What's the best way to use
them, if at all?
Panelists: Dr. Joseph "Doc" Anthrax Reflux (Live via the Neural Net) Shoutout & Promo: Eddy Webb - The Whitechapel Project |
Thu, 8 October 2009
Some like to search every nook and cranny of a room and strip-search
every fallen foe while others prefer to just move on. A pirate and a
demonologist talk about the practice of looting in RPGs!
Panelists: Darin Payne, Captain of the Ironblood Reverend Jedediah Black, Demonologist Shoutout & Promo: J.C. Hutchins - 7th Son & Personal Effects |
Thu, 1 October 2009
How bad are evil PCs? Really bad? Or just a little bad? Should they
even be allowed? Our panelists - a superhero and an undead necromancer
- have a little chat about it.
Panelists: Baron Thandor Karn of the Dark Basin Captain Radiant of the Integrity Force Shoutout & Promo: Starla Huchton - The Dreamer's Thread |
Thu, 24 September 2009
Are random encounters a good idea for a campaign or should everything
be plotted out? A fantasy priest and a government agent roll the dice
and find out.
Panelists: Father Vernon Corey, High Priest of the Temple of St. Wilford Special Agent Jack McCandless Shoutout & Promo: Anim5 - Solid Symbols |
Sat, 19 September 2009
Here's a shorter version of the Captain Payne Promo -- it's the end section, in which he addresses the listener, by itself -- should anyone need something a bit more brief.
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Sat, 19 September 2009
In honor of International Talk Like a Pirate Day, I've put together a new promo for The Great Debate! featuring Captain Payne, in which we get a little peek at what life in his game setting is like. Feel free to download and distribute it in good health! :)
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Thu, 17 September 2009
Ever have your PCs dumped in the ancient past or a far-flung future?
Can that kind of thing even fit into a game? Two panelists from
opposite ends of the historical spectrum discuss the use of time travel
in a role-playing game.
Panelists: Major Hal Cross of the Interstellar Fleet (voiced by David Selby) Dr. Joseph "Doc" Anthrax |
Thu, 10 September 2009
Just how permanent should PC Death be? Two priests squabble over the issue.
Panelists: Father Vernon Corey, High Priest of the Temple of St. Wilford Reverend Jedediah Black, Demonologist |
Thu, 3 September 2009
Are magic items a good thing for a role-playing game or are they just a nuisance? A college professor and an elf mull it over.
Panelists: Archwizard Avan Brightstar, Vizier to the Elven Court of Neverrest Solomon Eldridge, Professor of Anthropology at Miskatonic University |
Wed, 26 August 2009
Our panelists -- a superhero and a cyber hacker -- discuss the use of money in RPGs. But can they avoid selling out?
Panelists: Captain Radiant of the Integrity Force Reflux (Live via the Neural Net) Shoutout & Promo: Shaun, Kristin & Randy - This Modern Death |
Thu, 20 August 2009
My new podcast has just launched its first episode! Don't worry folks, The Great Debate will be continuing unabated, but now here's something else to listen to, if you're so inclined! It's called The Every World News Podcast and is geared towards Sci-fi, Fantasy and a number of other genres. If you think you might be interested feel free to check it out at:
www.everyworldnews.com
Category:general
-- posted at: 12:31am EDT
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Wed, 19 August 2009
Is it a good idea to have a necromancer player character? A bounty
hunter and an undead wizard who happens to specialize in that very
field have a lively discussion about it.
Panelists: Baron Thandor Karn of the Dark Basin Dr. Joseph "Doc" Anthrax |
Thu, 13 August 2009
In some games the Game Master has absolute control, but in others
players chime and add to the plot whenever they feel like it. A
vampire and a cleric discuss the finer points of player narration --
hopefully without killing each other.
Panelists: Lord Connor Shadowbane Father Vernon Corey, High Priest of the Temple of St. Wilford Shoutout & Promo: The Encaffeinated One - The WEIRD Show |
Wed, 5 August 2009
Is it a good idea to play something other than a human in an RPG? A
monster-hunting priest and an elven wizard throw down over the issue of
nonhuman player characters.
Panelists: Archwizard Avan Brightstar, Vizier to the Elven Court of Neverrest Reverend Jedediah Black, Demonologist Shoutout & Promo: Jennifer Hudock - Goblin Market |
Tue, 4 August 2009
Here is the second promo for The Great Debate! to reflect the new web address! As always, feel free to distribute it as far and wide as you desire!
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Wed, 29 July 2009
Should poison be allowed on either side of a role-playing game? A pirate and a government agent wrestle with the issue.
Panelists: Darin Payne, Captain of the Ironblood Special Agent Jack McCandless |
Wed, 22 July 2009
Taste the adrenaline in the air as a samurai and a college professor do
battle over the merits of combat in role-playing games. Who will
survive?!
Panelists: Solomon Eldridge, Professor of Anthropology at Miskatonic University Masato Nakajima, Samurai to the Court of Orange Blossoms Shoutout & Promo: Ryan Macklin - This Just In... From Gencon! |
Wed, 15 July 2009
How many out of character considerations should be allowed to influence
your role-playing, if any? And what kind? Two monster hunters duke it
out over the issue.
Panelists: Dr. Joseph "Doc" Anthrax Reverend Jedediah Black, Demonologist |
Wed, 8 July 2009
What's the best approach to the use of powers that set
your PCs aside from everyone else? Two powerful beings clash
haphazardly over the issue of special abilities in RPGs.
Panelists: Lord Connor Shadowbane Captain Radiant of the Integrity Force |
Wed, 1 July 2009
This episode discusses railroading in RPGs. One panelist is from
feudal Japan, the other is from a dystopian future and it's likely
neither one has ever seen a train before. Let's hope they grasp the
metaphor!
Panelists: Masato Nakajima, Samurai to the Court of Orange Blossoms Reflux (Live via the Neural Net) Shoutout & Promo: The White Wolf Blogcast |
Tue, 23 June 2009
What should your character receive more experience points for? Combat
or role-playing? A college professor and a necromancer attempt to have
an earnest discussion about it.
Panelists: Solomon Eldridge, Professor of Anthropology at Miskatonic University Baron Thandor Karn of the Dark Basin Shoutout & Promo: The Bear Swarm! Podcast |
Wed, 17 June 2009
Do you like campaigns set in one area or do you prefer to globe-trot?
A well-traveled pirate and a reclusive cyber hacker discuss it.
Panelists: Darin Payne, Captain of the Ironblood Reflux (Live via the Neural Net) Shoutout & Promo: The Adventures of Indiana Jim |
Tue, 9 June 2009
Do town guards, police officers or government agents help your
adventuring party or are they nothing but a nuisance? On this episode we talk about the use of authority figures in
games.
Panelists: Special Agent Jack McCandless Captain Radiant of the Integrity Force Shoutout & Promo: The Tome Show - 4th ed D&D Interview: One Year Later |
Tue, 2 June 2009
Which genre makes for a better campaign setting? Fantasy or Science Fiction? PCs from each of the two clash over the issue.
Panelists: Archwizard Avan Brightstar, Vizier to the Elven Court of Neverrest Major Hal Cross of the Interstellar Fleet Shoutout & Promo: International Detective Dragons From Outer Space (IDDFOS) |
Wed, 27 May 2009
Here is my first promo for the show. Feel free to download and distribute it as you see fit! :)
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Tue, 26 May 2009
A cleric and an anthropology professor duke it out over the value of
having a pantheon of deities in a role-playing game. Are they there to
watch over your PCs or to drive them stark-raving mad?
Panelists: Father Vernon Corey, High Priest of the Temple of St. Wilford Solomon Eldridge, Professor of Anthropology at Miskatonic University |
Tue, 19 May 2009
Is it a good idea to run a game with undead PCs or NPCs? A vampire and a bounty hunter go head-to-head on the topic.
Panelists: Dr. Joseph "Doc" Anthrax Lord Connor Shadowbane |
Tue, 12 May 2009
Which vision of the future is more fun to play your sci-fi campaign
in? Two realities collide when a cyber-hacker and an ace starship
pilot get together to talk about it.
Panelists: Major Hal Cross of the Interstellar Fleet Reflux (Live via the Neural Net) |
Wed, 6 May 2009
Does playing without dice help a game or hinder it? Our guests debate the merits of diceless role-playing games.
Panelists: Solomon Eldridge, Professor of Anthropology at Miskatonic University Special Agent Jack McCandless |
Sat, 2 May 2009
To role-play or not to role-play? Listen in as two immortal beings clash over the subject.
Panelists: Lord Connor Shadowbane Archwizard Avan Brightstar, Vizier to the Elven Court of Neverrest |
Sat, 2 May 2009
Is it okay to fudge the rules sometimes? We threw a pirate and a samurai into a room together to have a nice, calm conversation about it.
Panelists: Darin Payne, Captain of the Ironblood Masato Nakajima, Samurai to the Court of Orange Blossoms |
Sat, 2 May 2009
Is it better to build a great conversationalist or a heavy hitter? Our panelists go at it over the best method to build a player character.
Panelists: Solomon Eldridge, Professor of Anthropology at Miskatonic University Reflux (Live via the Neural Net) |
Fri, 1 May 2009
The battle between live-action and table-top role-players comes to the Great Debate! Listen as a vampire lord and a government agent go at it!
Panelists: Special Agent Jack McCandless Lord Connor Shadowbane |
Fri, 1 May 2009
A superhero squares off with a Wild West bounty hunter. The topic: the use of shape-changing villains in RPGs.
Music for this episode includes excerpt from "Pennsylvania Rose" by Kevin MacLeod (incompetech.com). Panelists: Captain Radiant of the Integrity Force Dr. Joseph "Doc" Anthrax |
Fri, 1 May 2009
The first episode of The Great Debate!
It's the pirate vs the elf as we debate the merits of fear effects in games. Be afraid. Panelists: Darin Payne, Captain of the Ironblood Archwizard Avan Brightstar, Vizier to the Elven Court of Neverrest |
Thu, 30 April 2009
This is the third and final short I recorded for the Player's Handbook 2 release on D&D Game Day. My intention was to set the situation for each of the sketches in three
of the most "cliche" locations for an adventuring party to meet: at an
adventurer's guild, at an inn, and in a dungeon cell. All three of these shorts played on War Pig Radio on that day and I remember desperately trying to bulldoze my way through them to get them all done in the week leading up to it. Harrowing, but lots of fun!
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Thu, 30 April 2009
This is the second of the three spots I did for the PHB2 release. Hooray for drunken player characters! ;)
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Wed, 29 April 2009
Before we get to The Great Debate, I wanted to share this series of three audio shorts with you. I did them for War Pig Radio for the release of the Dungeons & Dragons Player's Handbook 2. I've edited this first one just a little bit for copyright reasons, so you may notice that one of the names has been changed. I'll let you sort out which one it is. :)
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Wed, 29 April 2009
Behold the archive for episodes of The Great Debate! Downloadable episodes are coming soon!
Category:general
-- posted at: 12:45am EDT
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