What Would The Smart Party Do?

Episode 89 - 2018 In Review (aka A Lot of People Give a Monkeys About This) It's that time of the year again - another one survived! Baz and Gaz and go through the games of the year, themes and what's hot right now in the industry. A sojourn through the upcoming games as well - discussion on why the new Savage Worlds might be more anticipated the Pathfinder 2 - and the proliferation of second editions, sequels and franchises. It's not just the lads of course, thanks to all the glorious guests, amazing Patreons and both the listeners. Do The Smart Party a favours and head on over to the EN World site to vote for them (and anyone else you fancy, it's multiple choice) as a great podcast of 2018! It'd be an amazing festive present for everyone. Want to chat about this or other topics with like-minded folk? The Smart Party are now on MeWe (the popular destination for those leaving G+). Find the lads via Facebook, on the Twitters: @the_smart_party or email the guys directly! Encourage the guys to pump out mor

Episode 88 - B. Dave Walters Interview (aka Shine on You Crazy Diamond) Live gaming actor, streamer, DM, comic author, life coach and all round great guy B. Dave Walters has more strings to his bow than a harpist. You may know him from LA By Night, The Uncommon Trust, D&D, or various Geek & Sundry or other outlets (Top Ten links below). Gaz and Guest Host and good friend of the show Iain McAllister of The Giant Brain and Brainwaves podcast chat to Dave about streaming games, running D&D in a castle, writing a comic, diversity in gaming and much more! In the interview Iain chatted about a Keyforge review which you can find here. Dave's body of work is a veritable embarrassment of riches, here's a list of Top Ten Links to get you started: You can find him on the Twitters Ask Your Black Geek Friend Check out the upcoming D&D comic Celebrity Charid20 Gangrel Action LA By Night on Alpha Catch him on Geek and Sundry Get yourself to D&D in a Castle Support him on Patreon with many endeavors!

Bonus Episode - Dragonmeet Seminar A special treat dear listeners! This week the lads were down in London Village to attend Dragonmeet - a one day convention. They teamed up with old pals The Good Friends of Jackson Elias to have a verbal wrestle on whether all RPGs were essentially just customised versions of Dungeons & Dragons. Due to live recording in fluid environment, some sections of audio may not be to the usual high standard, but the content is solid fried gold as always. Let us know what you think of the debate, the outcome and indeed what you think - if there's one thing that is nearly as good as gaming, it's talking about gaming. Want to chat about this or other topics with like-minded folk? The Smart Party are now on MeWe (the popular destination for those leaving G+). Find the lads via Facebook, on the Twitters: @the_smart_party or email the guys directly! Encourage the guys to pump out more content by becoming a Patreon supporter, this leads to the aforementioned scenarios, fanzine an

Episode 87 - Rob Schwalb Interview (aka All Hail the Demon Lord) Rob Schwalb, our special guest this time is a veritable game-producing machine, prolific output for Shadow of the Demon Lord is added to by Occult Philosophy in Kickstarter. One of the designers of D&D, involved in everything from A Song of Ice and Fire to WFRP second edition - Rob has plenty to talk about and intriguing thoughts into game design and where inspiration comes from. Many thanks to Rob for coming on again! We lost one interview and he graciously agreed to come back on and put up with more (the same?) questions and nonsense from the lads - but it was well worth it dear listeners, as the conversation is full of gaming gold. You can find Rob on twitter, buy stuff on his website, or get in on the Occult Philosophy Kickstarter. Want to chat about this or other topics with like-minded folk? The Smart Party are now on MeWe (the popular destination for those leaving G+). Find the lads via Facebook, on the Twitters: @the_smart_pa

Episode 86 - Gareth Ryder-Hanrahan Interview The prolific and talented Gareth Ryder-Hanrahan joins the lads for some gaming chat and excellent advice on writing scenarios. We cover the writing process, collaborating with others, creating specifically for convention games and why gaming books should be useful at the table, among other things. A lot of what Gar says makes perfect sense and our glorious listeners may wonder, as we did, why it's not just this obvious for everyone - but that's the mark of someone good at what they do - making it all seem to easy! You can find Gar on twitter, get some great stuff on his blog, or read more at the Pelgrane site. Gar's novel The Gutter Prayer is out January 2019, check out more on Good Reads: Want to chat about this or other topics with like-minded folk? The Smart Party are now on MeWe (the popular destination for those leaving G+). Find the lads via Facebook, on the Twitters: @the_smart_party or email the guys directly! Encourage the guys to pump out more con

Episode 85 - Shane Ivey Interview The guys chat to Arc Dream head honcho Shane Ivey about the Ennie-award-winning Delta Green, GODLIKE, British small press games, publishing in the modern world many other things. Not only a prolific producer of games, but well-read fan of RPGs too, Shane has plenty to say on what's happening on Arc Dream and tidbits on other games and insights into how to run a game company. The Delta Green site has plenty of content, but there's great presence on Facebook, Twitter, Reddit etc. Of course there's also the Arc Dream website and one for The Unspeakable Oath too - A Digest of Arcane Lore for Cthulhu Mythos Roleplaying Games. Want to discuss further? The Smart Party are now on MeWe (the popular destination for those leaving G+). Find the lads via Facebook, on the Twitters: @the_smart_party or email the guys directly! Encourage the guys to pump out more content by becoming a Patreon supporter, this leads to the aforementioned scenarios, fanzine and more!

Episode 84 - Spire & One Page RPGs (with Grant Howitt and Christopher Taylor) A cornucopia of voices on this edition, as Baz is unavailable, but Iain McAllister from Brainwaves podcast and The Giant Brain blog in on board to help interview Grant Howitt and Christopher Taylor of Rowan Rook & Decard best known for Spire RPG and one sheet RPGs such as Jason Statham's Big Vacation. Join the Strata Kickstarter You can also catch the guests on the Hearty Dice Podcast, for your listening pleasure. Want to discuss further? The Smart Party are now on MeWe (the popular destination for those leaving G+). Find the lads via Facebook, on the Twitters: @the_smart_party or email the guys directly! Encourage the guys to pump out more content by becoming a Patreon supporter, this leads to the aforementioned scenarios, fanzine and more!

Episode 83 - Designing Scenarios Scenarios are what it's all about! Thanks to glorious supporters on Patreon, The Smart Party have pumped out a couple of adventures - one whimsical from Baz and another more gritty from Gaz. This week the lads chat about the process of designing their own scenarios and some of the tips and tricks they've learned from their own writing and reading (and playing) other peoples'. Struggle to write your own stuff? Wonder what goes on behind the scenes? This podcast is for you! Want to discuss further? We're now on MeWe (the popular destination for those leaving G+). Find the lads via Facebook, on the Twitters: @the_smart_party or email the guys directly! Encourage the guys to pump out more content by becoming a Patreon supporter, this leads to the aforementioned scenarios, fanzine and more!

Episode 82 - First Time DM Experience It's been many long years for Baz and Gaz, hazy memories of early games lost to the mists of time. What was it like to run that very first game? Well, that lads can't remember, that's for sure, so this time they're joined by delightful guest Nina (@humanbard) to talk about her first time behind the DM screen. Our guest has been playing for many years, and done podcasting and streaming, but that first time in charge of the game can be intimidating. But like all others, she's survived to tell her tale! Want to discuss further? Give the lads your view via Facebook, on the Twitters: @the_smart_party or email the guys directly! Buy the guys some Hobnobs by becoming a Patreon supporter, extra content is going on up on the Patreon site including a fanzine, scenario from Baz - and another from Gaz fresh out of production!

Episode 81 - Judge Dredd and the Worlds of 2000AD (Interview with Russ Morrissey) Attention thrill-seekers! Russ Morrissey, designer of the W.O.I.N system joins the lads to talk about his new take on Judge Dredd and the Worlds of 2000AD. A nostalgiac trip to the early days of gaming, inside scoops and future products, a view of the system, chat about how to make a successful Kickstarter and more await you! With the full support of Rebellion Comics, the art and production are in place, an already written and proofed game, the Smart Posse are super excited about this trip to the golden age of British comics.  Russ also has a podcast with lots of RPG news, check out Morrus' Unoffical Tabletop RPG Talk or of course head over the EN World website for all the latest RPG news if you prefer to read about it. Want to discuss further? Give the lads your view via Facebook, on the Twitters: @the_smart_party or email the guys directly! Buy the guys some Hobnobs by becoming a Patreon supporter, extra content is g

Episode 80 - Patrick Stuart Interview (a.k.a Picard is my nemesis) More Ennie Award Winning guestage this week, with Patrick Stuart joining the lads. Author of such gems as Maze of the Blue Medusa, Veins of the Earth and many more, Patrick provides insightful chat on his writing process, inspiration and all things gaming from Warhmmer to OSR. Follow what Patrick is doing by checking his blog or get some lovely books on his author website. You can find much more of Dirk's unique art by clicking the image below, or following him on Instagram: Want to discuss further? Give the lads your view via Facebook, on the Twitters: @the_smart_party or email the guys directly! Assist the boys grab more amazing guests by becoming a Patreon supporter, extra content is going on up on the Patreon site including a scenario from Baz - another from Gaz is on the way!

Episode 79 - Troika! Daniel Sell Interview Good friend of the show Ennie Award Winning Daniel Sell returns (last time was Episode 13!) to talk about his revamp of Troika! which definitely isn't Fighting Fantasy, winning Ennie awards and his delightfully hands-off publishing style. Fans of Hipster Planescape are in for a treat, as is anyone who likes something just a little bit different than the usual. Daniel publishes The Undercroft, a nostalgically pleasing hand-crafted fanzine, you can catch up on what he's up to on his website. Want to discuss further? Give the lads your view via Facebook, on the Twitters: @the_smart_party or email the guys directly! Assist the boys grab more amazing guests by becoming a Patreon supporter, extra content is going on up on the Patreon site including a scenario from Baz!

Episode 78 - Teachers & Teaching This week the lads are joined by educators Pete Atkinson and Neil Gow to talk about how teaching influences gaming, or vice versa. Is the noble art of pedagogy something that helps or hinders young minds when it comes to playing games? With a teacher of primary, secondary and further education on board, the assembled classroom discusses what lesson we can all learn. Gaz mentioned a Data Science in the Games Industry course that can be picked up on the freemium model - find more here. Neil Gow is the master of Omnihedron Games and you can catch up on what he's up to on his website. Want to discuss further? Give the lads your view via Facebook, on the Twitters: @the_smart_party or email the guys directly! Help the lads get new school uniforms by becoming a Patreon supporter, extra content is going on up on the Patreon site including a scenario from Baz!

Episode 77 - Satine Phoenix Interview Community Manager of Dungeons & Dragons, co-creator of Maze Arcana (with Ruty Rutenberg) and all around great ambassador of D&D and gaming in general Satine Phoenix joins the lads for some great chat on D&D, communities, sending people to sleep, D&D around the world, gaming in a castle and all sorts. Strap yourselves in for some delightful conversation and heartfelt chat about our great hobby! You can find Satine by looking for @satinephoenix around the internet and get your Twitch on with The D&D Stream or Maze Arcana Want to discuss further? Give the lads your view via Facebook, on the Twitters: @the_smart_party or email the guys directly! Help the lads bribe more special guests by becoming a Patreon supporter, extra content is going on up on the Patreon site including a scenario from Baz!

Bonus Episode - UK Games Expo Chat Not too long ago it was the highlight of the UK gaming calendar UK Games Expo and Gaz went round chatting to all kinds of lovely gaming folk to find out what's going on in the wonderful world of gaming. Here's some awesome #content from his travels. [02:10] Paul Baldowski from All Rolled Up, Cthulhu Hack and other fame All Rolled Up [06:20] Sam, from award-winning Sins RPG SINS RPG [12:50] Julia from Lamentations of the Flame Princess talks about weird stuff Lamentations of the Flame Princess [23:00] Mary at Rowan, Rook and Decard (The Spire RPG) gives us the low down on the Indie League Stall Rowan, Rook and Decard UK Indie RPG League [32:00] Chris Birch from Modiphius takes us on a whistlestop tour of lots of books! Modiphius [39:40] Lloyd Gayan was the man on the scene for Games on Demand You can follow Lloyd's antics on Twitter [48:30] Rich talks to us about the inaugural RPG Designer's meet up Get hold of some of Rich's games [55:00] Dirk and Blythy talk b

Episode 76 - Jonathan Tweet Interview Legendary game designer and writer, Jonathan Tweet joins the lads this week, with news of his reboot of Over the Edge which you can still grab on Kickstarter if you're quick, great insights on D&D, Everyway, Ars Magica and much more. We get in a bunch of questions from our dear listeners and generous supporters and a couple of our own war stories too! Want to discuss further? Give the lads your view via Facebook, on the Twitters: @the_smart_party or email the guys directly! Help support the guys by becoming a Patreon supporter, extra content is going on up on the Patreon site including a scenario from Baz!

Episode 75 - Ennies Nominee Review The gremlins got into the sound engine again this week and it's all gone a bit tinny. Never mind, the content is still golden! Maybe electrum. The lads discuss the Ennie Awards happening at Gen Con weekend. What's with the nominees, the process, the missing games? All is far grist for the mill - get the expert opinion on this year's entries while the GenCon masses cast their vote. Think of anything that should have got an Ennie? Give the lads your view via Facebook, on the Twitters: @the_smart_party or email the guys directly! For the love of Cthulhu get the boys some better microphones by becoming a Patreon supporter, extra content is going on up on the Patreon site and there's a scenario coming in August.

Episode 74 - DIY Gaming (a.k.a. It's Only Got to be Good Enough) Back by popular demand! The Smart Party presents DIY gaming – what do they mean by this? A bit of reminiscing about how it used to be “back in the day”, a dash of OSR and writing your own stuff, and advice to stop creating and start playing! Already building your own stuff? Give the lads your view via Facebook, on the Twitters: @the_smart_party or email the guys directly! Enable the purchasing of virtual nuts and bolts by becoming a Patreon supporter, and you too can get great content - including a fanzine - Smartzine #1. Already a Patreon and want to appear in a scenario? Drop the guys a line via the above methods and they'll make something happen.

Bonus Episode - Runequest Actual Play As a special feature, here's some actual play of the Free RPG Day adventure which is still available at the Chaosium site. The lads along with Mat Hart (currently warming up to release Dungeons & Doggies read more on Facebook here) faced the perils of Glorantha, as realised by Dirk the Dice from The Grognard Files. Something different to keep you going while we get more content for you dear listeners, many thanks to Dirk for helping out and doing an edit as well as ably running a fun session! Got games stuff to talk about? Give the lads your view via Facebook, on the Twitters: @the_smart_party or email the guys directly! Help keep the show running by becoming a Patreon supporter, and you too can get great content - including a fanzine - Smartzine #1. Already a Patreon and want to appear in a scenario? Drop the guys a line via the above methods and they'll make something happen.

Episode 73 - UK Games Expo Preview (a.k.a. Bring Back The Beer Bus) Spring has sprung, and that can mean only one thing, it's nearly time for UK Games Expo! The lads are stalwarts of the show, and joined by fellow podcaster, reviewer and Expo veteran Iain McAllister of the Giant Brain to talk about what's hot, top tips and generally enthuse about the event. You can read more detail of his Top Ten Hit List here. Obviously listening to our excellent chat about Expo gives you all you need to know, but if you want more information, then head over to the beginner's guide on their website for all the details you could ever want! Going to Games Expo? Give the lads your view via Facebook, on the Twitters: @the_smart_party or email the guys directly! Enable the purchasing of something delicious from the Expo street stalls to sustain our intrepid reporters by becoming a Patreon supporter, and you too can get great content - including a fanzine - Smartzine #1. Already a Patreon and want to appear in a scenario? Dr