RPG a Day 2023 – Obscure Game You’ve Played

A tentacled-headed mutant fires a blaster rifle in Nuketown's pick for an obscure game we've played: Gamma World 7th Edition

The most obscure game I’ve played is Gamma World 7th Edition (2010). It was designed by Richard Baker and Bruce R. Cordell based on the D&D 4th Edition rules and saw a core box set plus two boxed-set-based expansions. That level of support by a major publisher might lead you to believe the game isn’t that obscure, … Read more

RPG a Day 2023 – Favorite Game System

The Fate core rulebook surrounded by dice.

At this point in #RPGaDay2023, you’d probably guess my favorite game system is Savage Worlds or Dungeons & Dragons 5e, and you’d be right. So let’s talk Fate instead. Descended from the earlier Fudge role-playing game, the earliest incarnation of Fate I played was Spirit of the Century. A pulp-y game of capable people ready to … Read more

Radio Active #100: The Golden Age of Online RPGs

Cover art for Dungeons & Dragons, GURPS, Brindlewood Bay

On Radio Active’s 100th episode I talk about Tiny Tina’s Wonderlands, a shoot-and-loot video game based on the Borderlands franchise, go on a solitary, geeky retreat to work on RPG and podcast projects, and contemplate the golden age of online role-playing games. Nuketown News Radio Active’s 100th Episode It finally happened – Radio Active hit … Read more

RPG A Day 2022 – How long do your games last?

Several overlapping rolepllaying game books (D&D, Mutants & Masterminds, GURPS, Scum & Villainy, Fate)

My main gaming group, the Blackrazor Guild, are serial campaigners. We almost can’t help ourselves; if a campaign gets past the first few sessions, it’s very likely to run for for a year or two. Our biggest, most memorable campaigns were all multi-year affairs: Our namesake Blackrazor Guild campaign The Redshirts (aka Return to the Temple … Read more

RPG a Day 2022 – [System Sunday] – Describe a cool part of a system you love

A view of two dozen role-playing game books.

I love Bennies in Savage Worlds. Bennies, usually represented by a poker chip or some other token, allow players (and game masters) to re-roll skill checks and attacks. Players begin with a set number of bennies per session – usually 3 – and spend them throughout that session. Critically, they can earn more bennies for … Read more

@NuketownSF: Masters of Umdaar, Agents of BAMF, Zeneography, Project Terminus, More ZineQuest

A recap of NuketownSF’s tweets for the week of February 21, 2021. GAMES | MASTERS OF UMDAAR is a Fate Accelerated setting inspired by John Carter of Mars, Flash Gordon, He-Man, and Thundercats. Sounds like great fodder for a one-shot or double-shot game night. #FATE #RPG Masters of Umdaar on DriveThruRPG. ZINEQUEST | AGENTS OF BAMF – … Read more

#RPGaDay2018 – Which game do you think deserves greater recognition?

A close up view of the spines of numerous role-playing game books.

If we’re talking about recognition in terms of awards, I can’t say. I haven’t been keeping up the Ennies and such, and I’m not so immersed in the larger RPG community that I have a sense for the overlooked gems when it comes to award season. If we’re talking recognition in terms of people knowing … Read more

#RPGaDay2018 – Which game do you hope to play again?

A close up view of the spines of numerous role-playing game books.

Star Wars. I’d love to run the legacy follow-up to our Shadows of the Force campaign. Set in the Dark Times following the Mandalorian Wars, it would feature the descendants of our earlier campaign struggling to survive after the collapse of the Jedi Order. It would take place 30 or so years after the end of the previous … Read more

#RPGaDay2018 – Which dice mechanic appeals to you?

A close up view of the spines of numerous role-playing game books.

Exploding dice (a.k.a. “acing dice”) in Savage Worlds is my favorite dice mechanic among the games that I regularly play. It’s led to some of the most epic moments I’ve had at the table and is in keeping with Savage Worlds “Fast! Furious! Fun!” motto. The best part of it is it that it leads to such unexpected results. Even … Read more

#RPGaDay2018 – Which game mechanic inspires your play the most?

A close up view of the spines of numerous role-playing game books.

Bennies in Savage Worlds, without a doubt. Players typically start with three bennies, which they can spend to re-roll checks and soak damage. Having three bennies at any given time means that players are comfortable with spending them and still having a reserve. I don’t have a problem with people hoarding bennies because I’m liberal … Read more