Episode 123: What game for this context?

Hosts: Megan, Todd, Timo, Kevin, Allegra

What did we play (3:30)
Jank on Demand: Murderland, Dungeon World, Psi*run, Resistance
A whole bunch of Apocalypse world!

Main topic: What game for this context? (36:15)
There’s a mantra that Ron Edwards espouses as being key to playing a successful game: “I want to play this game with these people at this time.” Another way that could be phrased is “What game do I want to play with these people at this time?” When you know you’re going to be playing with certain people, we discuss how you choose which game to play?

Rants (1:20:00)
Kevin: Recruit non gamers, it’s better than dealing with old players
Timo: I want a more generally appealing twosie game
Todd: There is always a reason to be jerks.
Megan: Timo has stolen my old cat Fatboy.
Kevin (part deux!): Role playing games can be a fantastic early date.

Other Links:
The Walking Eye
John the Revelator (On Sons of Anarchy!)
Werewolf, Mafia, Do You Worship Cthulhu?
Clue (The board game, and the movie)
Scarface
Remember Tomorrow
In a Wicked Age…
The Mountain Witch
Vincent baker on making games more accessible
Epidiah Ravachol’s footprint
It Was a Mutual Decision
Bachannal
Shooting the Moon
Blazing Rose
The Shab-Al-Hiri Roach
Fiasco (Break A Leg playset)
Pathfinder
Dogs in the Vineyard
Agon
Primetime Adventures
Chronicle
Steal Away Jordan
Kagematsu
Amped
Murderous Ghosts
James Bond RPG

You have been listening to The Jank Cast, copyright under the creative commons license. You can find out more about us at jankcast.com. You can send comments and feedback to feedback@jankcast.com We are sponsored by Chicagoland Games, and encourage you to get in touch with us via our Facebook page, Spooky Outhouse Forum (it’s a little quiet, but we’d love to get it going again), Twitter or Google+. You can also listen to us via Stitcher Radio. Now go out and roll some dice!

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Bonus AP: Apocalypse World Part 7

Players: Joe, Megan, Timo, Todd

Our second to last session of the Apocalypse World campaign.

Shit gets real.

Posted in Actual Play Episodes, Podcasts | 3 Comments

Episode 122: Scott and Timo Talk

Hosts: Scott, Timo

Main topic: Scott and Timo Talk
This weeks episode is a conversation between Scott and Timo, talking about the role of the GM and the structure of play as they each approach it.

You have been listening to The Jank Cast, copyright under the creative commons license. You can find out more about us at jankcast.com. You can send comments and feedback to feedback@jankcast.com We are sponsored by Chicagoland Games, and encourage you to get in touch with us via our Facebook page, Spooky Outhouse Forum (it’s a little quiet, but we’d love to get it going again), Twitter or Google+. Now go out and roll some dice!

Posted in Normal Episodes, Podcasts | Tagged as: , | 4 Comments

Have a Post Apocalyptic Valentine’s Day

We’ve got some content coming your way this week including a new episode featuring Timo and Scott chatting about their respective gaming perspectives (did I really just write that?) and our second to last installment of the AW AP.

In the meantime, though, new listener Graeme has sent us a Valentine’s day card he made in honor of the AW AP we’ve been doing. We find it charming and wanted to share it with you all.

Happy Valentine's Day!

Awwwww. Now THAT’S love.

Thanks, Graeme!

Posted in Articles, Todd's Articles | 2 Comments

Bonus AP: Apocalypse World Part 5

Players: Joe, Megan, Timo, Todd

The next installment of our ongoing AP.

Suddenly Jax has a southern accent.

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This Week’s Episode: TURDUCKEN!

So remember how in the AP I said that we’d have a new cast this week? The Turducken monster got in the way. Oops. We will, however, have some AW AP this week and definitely get you a new episode next week.

So in lieu of an episdoe, I give you THIS!

That’s kind of like an episode. Right?

Posted in Articles, Todd's Articles | 2 Comments

Bonus AP: Apocalypse World Part 5

Players: Joe, Megan, Timo, Todd

We return with another AW AP. The sound is a little worse on this one for some reason (seriously- I didn’t do anything different), so sorry about that. Enjoy!

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Female Fronted, Nerd-Oriented, Power Metal! Strap In.

So now for something completely different, I’m doing yet another round-up of nerdy metal. This time it’s nerdy power metal bands with ladies rocking the vox. Places that aren’t American are producing amazing bands like this in droves, all of a sudden, and I wanted to direct the attention of folks who might be interested in that direction.

Don’t ask me why none of these bands are American. Women seem to be way more likely to be in metal bands in places that aren’t America. We’re jerks, I guess.

So here we go:

1) Unleash the Archers, “Dawn of Ages”

These guys and gal are Canadian, which explains a lot about this video. This was seriously my favorite album to come out last year. It’s so mindblowing that my mind was blown. Tons of fun, and this video rules. If you only check out one of these band’s albums, it’s this one. This is also that last time on this list that self-aware irony will make an appearance, so enjoy it while it lasts.

2) Battle Beast,”Enter the Metal World”

See what I mean about irony? Irony in metal is all over North America, but its penetration into South America, Europe, and Asia has been much slower. Japanese metal is so unironic that they actually make up for some of American metal’s over-irony. But I digress. This girl’s voice is so tough I think she could actually mow your lawn with her mind. If her voice were a game mechanic it would be a critical hit. The band is pretty cheesy in that wonderful Euro-metal way, but if you’re into that or can get beyond it, the album is pretty fun. I’d also like to point out that this band makes me feel SUPER old. They all look like they’re about 15. Likewise, I have no basis for comparison, here, because I’ve never seen them standing next to anyone but each other, but when I watch this video I feel like they’re all about 5’2, like it’s a band of lovable hobbits. Am I crazy? Is that weird? This video also has a crazy budget, so here’s to hoping they keep pumping out sweet sci-fi videos like this.

3) Ancient Bards, “The Birth of Evil”

EHHHHH! Power metal from Italy! Molto bene! This album is really good, and they have a new album that’s really good too. This video totally feels like someone’s class project, though. In fact, I hope it was someone’s class project. I would have given them an A for awesome. Also- I give a 100% chance that Ancient Bards totally rock those outfits at the Ren Faire every year. Also- these folks definitely win the virtuosity award here. Check out the bass solo at 2:30 or so. Holy crap.

Edit: Here’s something off their new record that actually has a budget.

4) ElvenStorm, “Witchhammer”

And now, France. I haven’t given this album as full of a listen yet as the other ones, but I like what I hear. They also mean some totally non-ironic business. Since you can’t see them, I’ll link to their Metal Encyclopedia page. Sleeveless jean jacket + hightops = THE REAL DEAL! Additionally, that is the exact girl that I would have fallen instantly in love with when I was 17 but never actually worked up the courage to talk to because she’s so scary and metal looking.

So there you have it. Hopefully you found something to enjoy here. If not, we’ll be back with normal content that isn’t this sort of thing soon enough.

Posted in Articles, Todd's Articles | 7 Comments

Episode 121: Character Arcs (Narrative Techniques)

Hosts: Megan, Scott, Todd

What did we play (3:05)
Apocalypse World: Megan, Todd
Ninjato: Megan, Scott
Lady Blackbird, Ascension: Storm of Souls: Todd
Magic: The Gathering (Dark Ascension), Modern Art, D&D: Megan

Main topic: Character Arcs (Narrative Techniques) (20:15)
Character arcs are the overall flow of how a character develops during a story. These can be applied to gaming, but in the cast we find that the application can be problematic. We talk a lot about our AP of Apocalypse World, which can be found on our website or on our RSS feed.

Rants (01:05:00)
Scott: Reek has gone mad
Megan: Congratulations, Steve Gadlin! (Get your cat drawing)
Todd: Sinus Infection, fuck you.

Other Links:
Forge Midwest Lady Blackbird AP
Mystery Science Theatre 3000
Misspent Youth
Legend of the Five Rings
White Wolf

You have been listening to The Jank Cast, copyright under the creative commons license. You can find out more about us at jankcast.com. You can send comments and feedback to feedback@jankcast.com We are sponsored by Chicagoland Games, and encourage you to get in touch with us via our Facebook page, Spooky Outhouse Forum (it’s a little quiet, but we’d love to get it going again), Twitter or Google+. Now go out and roll some dice!

Posted in Normal Episodes, Podcasts | Tagged as: , , | 2 Comments

Bonus AP: Apocalypse World Part 4

Players: Joe, Megan, Timo, Todd

The continuing saga of the crew of the Leviathan as they do very bad things to each other.

Posted in Actual Play Episodes, Podcasts | 2 Comments