What Would The Smart Party Do?

Episode 126 - One Shots (aka "All I Need Is One Good Shot") In these times of muchos online play, virtual conventions and more, it's worth taking time to reflect on how to put together a decent one shot game and tips on playing or running. This time Gaz and Stunt Baz (Guy) talk through some expert advice on setting up your one shot games, garnered from many years of trial and error. Join the lads as they lay out what to do with your one shot slots, whether as a first timer or older hand looking for new tidbits! You can get more Hot Guy Action on his Burn After Running blog. If you dig actual plays and reviews of played modules, check out the new YouTube channel. Get in touch, the lads love to hear from you! Facebook: facebook.com/thesmartparty Twitters: twitter.com/the_smart_party Email: thesmartparty@hotmail.com Ko-Fi: ko-fi.com/thesmartparty Patreons: patreon.com/thesmartparty We always welcome lovely reviews on iTunes or elsewhere too. If you're less keen, give us a shout, we'd are open to developme

Episode 125 - Beautiful RPGs (aka "Am I Baz's Stunt Double?") Who doesn't like an aesthetically pleasing book? "Sexy" RPGs (not in that way) lure in players like a moth to a flame. But is it all form over function. Guest presenter Guy Milner joins Gaz to talk through a top ten beauty parade of RPGs, highlights merits and occasionally flaws of their favourites, as well as honourable mentions for dessert. Come peruse the aural landscape and appreciate fine art. You can get more Hot Guy Action on his Burn After Running blog. If you dig actual plays and reviews of played modules, check out the new YouTube channel. Get in touch, the lads love to hear from you! Facebook: facebook.com/thesmartparty Twitters: twitter.com/the_smart_party Email: thesmartparty@hotmail.com Ko-Fi: ko-fi.com/thesmartparty Patreons: patreon.com/thesmartparty

Episode 124 - Negotiating D&D (aka "Nicole, please don't @ me") There's more than one way round a problem, and this week the gents are joined by Dmitry Grozoubinski - an expert in negotiation and trade - to discuss how GMs and players can negotiate a session. The role of NPCs in a session, giving players what they want, the role of streaming games and the wealth of players on Reddit are discussed, among many interesting topics. You can follow Dmitry on Twitter, and for non-gaming related skills in negotiation, head over to explaintrade.com Get in touch, the lads love to hear from you! Facebook: facebook.com/thesmartparty Twitters: twitter.com/the_smart_party Email: thesmartparty@hotmail.com Ko-Fi: ko-fi.com/thesmartparty Patreons: patreon.com/thesmartparty

Episode 123 - Swords & Sorcery (aka I'm Oiling My Thews) Conan cares not for your so-called lock down foul sorcerer. Oil up your shanks, dream of rubies the size of a pigeon's egg and climb the tower of set - it's time for a discussion of Conan and associated stories. The lads have been playing through some adventures set in the land of pulp sword and sorcery with good friends of the show Mat from Steamforged Games, and Rich August, a writer on much of the 2d20 Conan game line. Come one, come all and feast your ears on aural delights, or let the devils take you, by Crom! Get in touch, the lads love to hear from you! Facebook: facebook.com/thesmartparty Twitters: twitter.com/the_smart_party Email: thesmartparty@hotmail.com Ko-Fi: ko-fi.com/thesmartparty Patreons: patreon.com/thesmartparty

Episode 122 - Burnout (aka It's Not Me, It's You) The global pandemic is biting and it's entirely possible folk are getting a little run down. This time the lads talk through burnout. What is it and what can be done? Are you just fed up for now and need a break, or is there something different going on? Settle into your favourite quiet space dear listeners, and let the old hands give you some words of advice. Get in touch, the lads love to hear from you! Facebook: facebook.com/thesmartparty Twitters: twitter.com/the_smart_party Email: thesmartparty@hotmail.com Ko-Fi: ko-fi.com/thesmartparty Patreons: patreon.com/thesmartparty

Episode 121 - System Matters Too (aka Systems Are Doing it for Themselves?) The lads have been in lockdown and gaming like daemons. Gaming ones. This has given them exposure to new systems, allowed them to stress test some old ones, jaw about the comparisons between them and even think about what system are for. Dive on in and get the pithy answer to the eternal question "Does system matter?". Get in touch, the lads love to hear from you! Facebook: facebook.com/thesmartparty Twitters: twitter.com/the_smart_party Email: thesmartparty@hotmail.com Ko-Fi: ko-fi.com/thesmartparty Patreons: patreon.com/thesmartparty

Episode 120 - Online Gaming Advice (aka Can You Hear Me?) Everywhere is on lockdown, but where there's challenge, there's opportunity. Baz and Gaz talk through the mysteries and vagaries of taking your RPGs online. How do you even get started? Where do you go to find a game? Why is everyone wearing headphones? Find out the answers to theses and many other question in this episode. Here's are some useful links, talked about in the show: Google Hangouts Microsoft Teams Discord Zoom Roll20 Example Wiki Page (setting up Marcos) Fantasy Grounds Astral Tabletop Grogtalk Get in touch, the lads love to hear from you! Facebook: facebook.com/thesmartparty Twitters: twitter.com/the_smart_party Email: thesmartparty@hotmail.com Ko-Fi: ko-fi.com/thesmartparty Patreons: patreon.com/thesmartparty

Episode 119 - Spring is Sprung (aka Stop Saying Things, He Keeps Drawing Clocks) The daffodils are bursting out the ground, it is (was) GM's Day, and there's lots of great gaming to talk about and emergent top tips in the making. Get in touch, the lads love to hear from you! Facebook: facebook.com/thesmartparty Twitters: twitter.com/the_smart_party Email: thesmartparty@hotmail.com Ko-Fi: ko-fi.com/thesmartparty Patreons: patreon.com/thesmartparty

Episode 118 - John Harper Interview (aka The Same Page Page) John Harper is a game designer with an embarrassment of riches in his back catalogue. Blades in the Dark, Lady Blackbird, Lasers and Feelings, Danger Patrol, Ghost/Echo and most recently the rebooted Agon in collaboration with Sean Nittner. He joins the lads to discuss BitD and other forged in the dark games, share insights on upcoming content including the cyberpunk Null Vector, reflect on Lady Blackbird and of course give insights into the latest project of Greek heroes, Agon. You can find out more about his games on the One Seven design page, including some free, back his efforts by supporting Patreon, or find him on Twitter among other places. Check out Agon on the Evil Hat website. Get in touch, the lads love to hear from you! Facebook: facebook.com/thesmartparty Twitters: twitter.com/the_smart_party Email: thesmartparty@hotmail.com Ko-Fi: ko-fi.com/thesmartparty Patreons: patreon.com/thesmartparty

Episode 117 - Lou Prosperi Interview (aka Are Your Listeners Familiar With Earthdawn?) This week Lou Prosperi, developer for Earthdawn joins the lads to reveal all kinds of interesting detail from behind the scenes at FASA in the 90s. How do you even pronounce FASA? Where was the game line headed? What are the dragons up to and why hasn't the magical level in Barsaive dropped to zero? Fans of how games companies used to operate back in the day, Earthdawn nerds, those seeking insight into the mind of an RPG developer... seek no further, The Smart Party have got you covered. Get in touch, the lads love to hear from you! Facebook: facebook.com/thesmartparty Twitters: twitter.com/the_smart_party Email: thesmartparty@hotmail.com Ko-Fi: ko-fi.com/thesmartparty Patreons: patreon.com/thesmartparty

Let's wind back the clock to where the stories of this podcast began, it's 1994 and the lads are talking Earthdawn. Cult classic, D&D Done Right, post-apocalyptic fantasy, the history of Shadowrun even - call it what you will. The boys gives you all you need to know on their oft-mentioned favourite game from yesteryear. What is the Step System? What makes Dwarves different? How do magic items become Legendary? Bathe yourselves in an hour of nostalgia and misty-eyed reminiscing of one of the finest games in the back catalogue. Get in touch, the lads love to hear from you! Facebook: facebook.com/thesmartparty Twitters: twitter.com/the_smart_party Email: thesmartparty@hotmail.com Ko-Fi: ko-fi.com/thesmartparty Patreons: patreon.com/thesmartparty

Episode 115 - 2020 Vision (aka Get Your Earthdawn '93 While It's Hot) It's the year of Cyberpunk 2020 and lots to look forward to aside from monoblade katanas and trenchcoats. The lads go through some of the upcoming delights for the new year, games due to land, whispers of new things, plans for getting some gaming in and what they've already rolled dice on. Plus, some talk on going back to old games, new editions and how to get a gaming group together in busy times. Get in touch, the lads love to hear from you! Facebook: facebook.com/thesmartparty Twitters: twitter.com/the_smart_party Email: thesmartparty@hotmail.com Ko-Fi: ko-fi.com/thesmartparty Patreons: patreon.com/thesmartparty

Episode 114 - Review of 2019 (aka Making Up For The Deep Freeze) The lads look back at a year in gaming, when they've been up to, the pros and cons of playing D&D and what they might do in the new year. To spice things up, they are joined by special guests Dirk the Dice from The Grognards Files and co-author of Call of Cthulhu 7th ed, Paul Fricker of the Good Friends of Jackson Elias podcast. Grab a mulled wine and mince pie, and settle in for an hour of top chat. Get in touch, the lads love to hear from you! Facebook: facebook.com/thesmartparty Twitters: twitter.com/the_smart_party Email: thesmartparty@hotmail.com Ko-Fi: ko-fi.com/thesmartparty Patreons: patreon.com/thesmartparty

Episode 113 - How To Be A Better Player (Live from Dragonmeet, London, 2019) The lads have been down to London Village for Dragonmeet 2019. Among other fantastic activities, they hosted a seminar on being a better player. If you want great advice on quite literally upping your game, then look no further! Joined by special guests (co-authors of Call of Cthulhu 7th ed) Paul Fricker of the Good Friends of Jackson Elias podcast and CoC Creative Director Mike Mason, the panel provided all manner of top tips and advice, to rapturous applause. Get in touch, the lads love to hear from you! Facebook: facebook.com/thesmartparty Twitters: twitter.com/the_smart_party Email: thesmartparty@hotmail.com Ko-Fi: ko-fi.com/thesmartparty Patreons: patreon.com/thesmartparty

Episode 112 - Zachary Cox Interview (a.k.a Best Left Buried) Creator of Best Left Buried by Soul Muppet Publishing and new Kickstarter Beneath the Missing Sea, as well as publisher of other independents, Zachary Cox joins the lads to talk about his latest creations, designing and publishing gamers, creator meet ups and what the heck is OSR anyway? You can sign up for Zach's mailing list here Join the discord for lively chat Old school it on Facebook too Find him on the Twitters! @JellyMuppet Get in touch, the lads love to hear from you! Facebook: facebook.com/thesmartparty Twitters: twitter.com/the_smart_party Email: thesmartparty@hotmail.com Ko-Fi: ko-fi.com/thesmartparty Patreons: patreon.com/thesmartparty

Episode 111 - David Larkins Interview (a.k.a Go Kill A Giant) Line Editor for the King Arthur Pendragon RPG, author of Berlin: The Wicked City and more, David Larkins joins the lads this time to talk about his writing and all thing Pendragon related. Hear about Greg Stafford's legacy, the future direction for the line, different modes of play and all the latest info on Chaosium's laser-focused Arthurian RPG. As well as thoughts on alternate settings, art directions and more, Dave chats about his design process and inspirations, a must for all Chaosium fans. You can find the free Greg Day scenarios, including Pendragon: Quest of the Red Blade and adventures for Call of Cthulhu, Runequest, 7th Sea and more by following this link. Fancy yourself as an artist or writer for one of the Chaosium game lines? You can find more about game content submissions here. Want to hear was actual-play sounds like and get some great examples of games in action? Dave's podcast has you covered. Get in touch, the lads love t

Episode 110 - Jeremy Crawford Interview (a.k.a Illusionary Dragons) Lead Rules Designer for D&D, mind behind Sage Advice and Unearthed Arcana, and all round man on the scene for all D&D books, the lads were delighted to have Jeremy Crawford on for an interview. An insight into his daily work, lots of detail on the upcoming Eberron release, and much more, including advice for new DMs and some hints on the future of D&D. Regrettably there were some technical recording issues this time and so the sound losses are down to the vagaries of internet recording, rather than deliberate Dalek impressions from any guests or hosts. Get in touch, the lads love to hear from you! Facebook: facebook.com/thesmartparty Twitters: twitter.com/the_smart_party Email: thesmartparty@hotmail.com Ko-Fi: ko-fi.com/thesmartparty Patreons: patreon.com/thesmartparty

Bonus Episode - Robin Laws at The Kraken 2019 (a.k.a You and I Can Go Fight Some Lesser Podcasts) He was last at The Kraken two years ago, and so when Robin Laws returned in 2019, it was only right that we tried to get some time to talk to him again about what he's been up to, reminisce about some old products and get some hot tips on producing better content for aspiring writers everywhere. The Yellow King, Glorantha, Earthdawn, Feng Shui, Gumshoe, etc., the list of credits is too long to list, so sit back and relax as we let Robin do the talking. Get in touch, the lads love to hear from you! Facebook: facebook.com/thesmartparty Twitters: twitter.com/the_smart_party Email: thesmartparty@hotmail.com Ko-Fi: ko-fi.com/thesmartparty Patreons: patreon.com/thesmartparty

Episode 109 - Quickstarts (a.k.a Need To Know Information) A common feature of games these days, led perhaps by RPG Day and other thing, is the "Quick Start". An adventure, some characters, enough rules to play. Should be easy, right? As the lads discover when talking through the topic though, there's a lot of features people want from a Quickstart and they can vary in form and function. Dive in and hear about some examples of what's on the market, and hear the good, bad and ugly. Get in touch, the lads love to hear from you! Facebook: facebook.com/thesmartparty Twitters: twitter.com/the_smart_party Email: thesmartparty@hotmail.com Ko-Fi: ko-fi.com/thesmartparty Patreons: patreon.com/thesmartparty

Starter Sets (a.k.a. Double Demogorgon) Are they just there for bring people in? Essential tools? Collector pieces? Whatever you might think, starter sets are a thing (again?) now, with most of the main players producing one. Call of Cthulhu, Legend of the Five Rings, D&D, Pathfinder, Star Trek, Numenera and more... The lads talk about what they'd like to see in a starter set and now some examples stack up. Get in touch, the lads love to hear from you! Facebook: facebook.com/thesmartparty Twitters: twitter.com/the_smart_party Email: thesmartparty@hotmail.com Ko-Fi: ko-fi.com/thesmartparty Patreons: patreon.com/thesmartparty