Shows
Reading D&D AloudOSR Secrets Revealed! Ep. 63This week, we go deep into the Old School Revolution with Old School Essentials creator Gavin Norman and Josh McCrowell of His Majesty the Worm! Gavin Norman is the mind behind some of the most exciting work in the modern OSR scene. He is best known for Old-School Essentials, the gold standard for clean, accessible retro-gaming rules that have brought thousands of new players into old-school play. His work doesn’t just celebrate the roots of tabletop RPGs—it refines them, making them sing with clarity and style. If you’ve ever cracked open an OSE book, you kn...2025-07-2855 min
Reading D&D AloudD&D Designer Meets the Questing Beast! Ep. 61This one’s a banger: D&D designer Steve Winter meets Ben Milton of Questing Beast! Ben Milton is a game designer, YouTube sage, and sorceror-king of the OSR demigod! He’s the mind behind Knave 2e and the force behind Questing Beast, your portal to the wild, weird wonders of old-school RPGs. If you like sharp rules, deadly dungeons, and freedom at the table, Ben’s your guy. And don’t sleep on Steve Winter — a living D&D legend. From sneaking into TSR through a second-story window to shaping 2e, 3e, and beyond, Steve has...2025-07-131h 01
Reading D&D AloudDid this guy save Dungeons & Dragons? Ep 58Who saved Dungeons & Dragons? How many people could say that they saved Dungeons & Dragons? Off the top of my head, I would say that the list of people who could say they saved D&D at some point over the course of its 51-year history is less than 20. But I believe I have one of those people who could credibly tell a story explaining how they saved D&D on the podcast with me today, because today I am speaking with Ryan Dancey. Ryan is like a Rhode Island private who just happened to be at every major battle...2025-06-231h 01
Reading D&D AloudAdvanced World Creation with Jeff Grubb & Kevin Kulp Ep. 54Kevin Kulp & Jeff Grubb have, between them, created entire cosmologies and entire timelines. Kulp is the award-winning creator of Timewatch and the investigative fantasy game, Swords of the Serpentine. Grubb, a legend in his own time, is the engineer of the Forgotten Realms, creator of Spelljammer, and writer of Manual of the Planes. Hear the pair discuss the secrets of creating new worlds with Ben Riggs. Ben interviewed 2nd ed designer Zeb Cook in Hugh Hefner's suite at Gary Con and there's video! You NEED to see this! And the only way you are going to get a...2025-05-301h 01
Reading D&D AloudLin Codega's Next Scoops Will Knock Your Socks Off- Ep 49Lin Codega is the most important gaming journalist in the history of TTRPGs. They broke the OGL scandal wide open and changed the industry forever. In this hour-long conversation, Ben picks their brain about the state of things today, and where they are going next. Find further delight in Lin's words at Rascal! Ben interviewed 2nd ed designer Zeb Cook in Hugh Hefner's suite at Gary Con and there's video! You NEED to see this! And the only way you are going to get access to this amazing interview is by subscribing to our Patreon. It...2025-04-141h 05
Reading D&D AloudThe Oldest Existing Publisher of RPGs is Still Making Waves- Ep. 45Michael O'Brien is vice-president of Chaosium, the oldest extant RPG company, which is celebrating its 50th anniversary this year! In this interview, Ben & Michael go back to the dawn of fantasy RPGs, and talk about the brilliant minds that have made Chaosium home this past half-century. Check out O'Brien's Sun Country, which he described as "Spartans in the old west" here! Want to hear Call of Cthulhu creator Sandy Petersen discuss game design with Trail of Cthulhu creator Ken Hite? Then you NEED to join our Patreon! Patreon subscribers get access not just to special episod...2025-03-1755 min
Reading D&D AloudThe Dungeons of Al-Qadim with Sue Weinlein- Ep 36Behold the dark and deadly dungeons beneath the desert's sands! TSR alumna Sue Weinlein joins Ben Riggs to discuss the 2nd edition Al-Qadim supplement, Cities of Bone. 2025-01-1355 min
Reading D&D AloudD&D on Death Row- Ep. 35Billy Wardlow was executed in Texas on July 8th, 2020. He spent his last few weeks of life playing D&D. We only know about it because of the fantastic journalism of Keri Blakinger. Today, Ben Riggs and Dr. Aaron Trammell discuss her article, "The Dungeons & Dragons Players of Death Row" with Keri herself. Read Keri's article here. Like what we do? Support the show on Patreon, and you'll get special episodes, such as Ben Riggs reading the Dungeon Masters Guide aloud with Dr. Scott Bruner! Hear Ben's seminars on D&D hi...2025-01-0649 min
Reading D&D AloudThe Designers of 3rd Edition & 4th Edition Talking About Wish Will be the Best Thing You Hear Today- Ep 34Sometimes, you catch lightning in a bottle. That is what happened in this conversation between 3rd ed designer Jonathan Tweet, 4th ed designer Rob Heinsoo, and controversial D&D historian Ben Riggs about the spell "Wish" in D&D." Like what we do? Support the show on Patreon, and you'll get special episodes, such as Ben Riggs reading the Dungeon Masters Guide aloud with Dr. Scott Bruner! Hear Ben's seminars on D&D history! Chat on our Discord! All that, for a mere $3 per month! Click here to support us!2024-12-1655 min
Reading D&D AloudWish in D&D with Skip Williams & Eliza Lambert- Ep 33Wish is a spell that is ridiculously powerful, ridiculously fun, and (perhaps) ridiculously broken! We're going to do a deep dive and look at the spell across editions. Helping us look at the spell in 2nd and 3rd edition D&D are designer Skip Williams and show stalwart, Eliza Lambert! Like what we do? Support the show on Patreon, and you'll get special episodes, such as Ben Riggs reading the Dungeon Masters Guide aloud with Dr. Scott Bruner! Hear Ben's seminars on D&D history! Chat on our Discord! All that, for a mere $3 per month! Click her...2024-12-0949 min
Reading D&D AloudAppendix N in Dungeon Crawl Classics with James Lowder- Ep 32Dungeon Crawl Classics designer Joseph Goodman set out to make a TTRPG that would recreate the wonders of fantasy and sci-fi literature as laid out by Gary Gygax in Appendix N of the 1979 Dungeon Masters Guide. In Appendix N of the Dungeon Crawl Classics, Goodman explains what he learned from Gygax's Appendix N, and how DCC is a response to it. Writer, editor, and icon of the industry James Lowder joins us to read it aloud! Like what we do? Support the show on Patreon, and you'll get special episodes, such as Ben Riggs reading the Dungeon Ma...2024-11-2450 min
Reading D&D AloudTime is a Flat Circle Ep. 27It's digression all the way down on this one folks! Are you looking for the juiciest of juice and the hottest of tea? Well, Ben has released his Gen Con 2024 seminar, "The Battle for the Soul of D&D," which is the culmination of dozens of hours of interviews with former Wizards of the Coast employees, and may be a sort of rough draft of his next book. The things he's heard will shock you! But the only way to get it is to become a subscriber on Patreon. Patreon subscribers will be getting a special seminar o...2024-09-3054 min
Reading D&D AloudWho Really Created Dungeons & Dragons? Ep. 26A reading of the spell Cure Blindness leads to the King James Bible, and a discussion of the most-controversial of D&D topics: the contributions of Gygax vs. Arneson in the creation of D&D. Are you looking for the juiciest of juice and the hottest of tea? Well, Ben has released his Gen Con 2024 seminar, "The Battle for the Soul of D&D," which is the culmination of dozens of hours of interviews with former Wizards of the Coast employees, and may be a sort of rough draft of his next book. The things he's heard...2024-09-1755 min
Reading D&D AloudIs this the worst sentence in the 1st ed DMG? Ep. 21"Animate Dead: It is, of course, possible to animate the skeletons or corpses of demi-human and humanoid, as well as human, sort." -pg. 41 of the 1st edition Advanced Dungeon Masters Guide. Is that the worst sentence in the book? It is confusing, ill-constructed, and hideous to the ear. Or is it merely the worst sentence so far? Scott and Ben discuss! Join us on Patreon! Hear Ben's seminar on 4th edition D&D from Gen Con 2023 with your Patreon subscription! We'll be releasing a seminar a month to our Patreon supporters. Join our Pa...2024-08-1156 min
Reading D&D AloudHow Does D&D Magic Compare to the Occult Tradition? Ep 14You will not hear a conversation like this anywhere else. Was the D&D magic system an extension of the existing Western occult tradition, or a break from it? To answer that question, historian of magic, author, and eldritch librarian Dan Harms joins Dr. Scott Bruner, TTRPG academic, & Ben Riggs, D&D historian, for a discussion that takes us from real-world wandering medieval mage-priests to the pages of the blasphemous Necronomicon itself! Dan recommended a few books for our audience: Defining Magic: A Reader Witch Bottles The Book of...2024-06-091h 01
Reading D&D AloudWhat Fuels the D&D Magic System? Ep 13When you cast Fireball, what really happens in the fiction of the game? Today, Scott Bruner & Ben Riggs take a look at that very question by continuing to examine the "Magic" chapter of the 1st edition AD&D Dungeon Master's Guide. We enjoy you. Do you enjoy us? If so, support us on Patreon! You'll get access to our Discord server, and have the pleasure of knowing that deep down, you really are the best. Image by Jeff Easley and courtesy Wizards of the Coast. 2024-06-0956 min
Reading D&D AloudReading Aloud "Time" from the 1st Ed Dungeon Master's GuideThis week, Scott & Ben look at a piece of text which has proved shockingly influential: "Time." Click here to read about Ben Robbins's original West Marches campaign. Click here to read more about West Marches. We enjoy you. Do you enjoy us? If so, support us on Patreon! You'll get access to our Discord server, and have the pleasure of knowing that deep down, you really are the best. 2024-04-0858 min
Reading D&D AloudThe Truth About the Last 10 Years at Wizards of the Coast Episode 002In December, Wizards fired numerous key members of the D&D team. Ben, of course, has been interviewing them. In another episode in which we fail to so much as read a single sentence of D&D aloud, Ben and Scott discuss the truth of what has been happening at Wizards these past 10 years... Let's talk on Discord! Join our Patreon here and for the price of a cup of coffee per month, keep the show up and releasing episodes weekly, and chat with Scott and Ben on the Discord! Ben promises to talk, even though he ha...2024-03-1849 min
Reading D&D AloudReading Aloud Zeb Cook's Intro to the 2nd Ed Player's Handbook!A historian and an academic read and talk over the intro do the 2nd edition Player's Handbook for Advanced Dungeons & Dragons! Let's talk on Discord! Join our Patreon here and for the price of a cup of coffee per month, keep the show up and releasing episodes weekly, and chat with Scott and Ben on the Discord! Ben promises to talk, even though he hates Discord! 2024-03-0943 min
Plot PointsGoodbye My Friends Ep 265Ladies and Gentlemen, people of all genders, and gifted woodland animals, this is Ben Riggs, Brad Davies, and Sarah Babe coming to you with a very special message. Since starting Plot Points in September 2013, we have put out 264 episodes. Today, we announce that Plot Points is going dark. Running this podcast has been a tremendously fulfilling experience, and we can only hope that our listeners have gotten as much enjoyment from it as we have. We’ll maintain our email (plotpointsemail@gmail.com), Twitter (@PlotPointsPod), and keep the archive of the show open. 2024-02-2902 min
Plot PointsSunset on the Golden Age of TTRPGs Ep 261We have lived in a bright and fortunate time as TTRPG fans for over a decade. Have recent events brought that to an end? Historian Ben Riggs & academic Dr. Scott Bruner reflect. Like what we do? Support us on Patreon! Can’t get enough of Scott? Join us on Discord! It’s poppin’ and hoppin’ over there!2023-12-1552 min
Plot PointsReading the DMG Aloud 36 Ep 259Learn the secrets of the steward and the castellan in this week's episode of Reading the DMG Aloud with historian Ben Riggs & academic Scott Bruner! Like what we do? Support us on Patreon! Can’t get enough of Scott? Join us on Discord! It’s poppin’ and hoppin’ over there! 2023-11-0146 min
Plot PointsReading the DMG Aloud 35 Ep 258Ben Riggs and Scott Bruner chew the fat on whether or not there will be an OGL for 6th edition D&D. Like what we do? Support us on Patreon! Can't get enough of Scott? Join us on Discord! It's poppin' and hoppin' over there! 2023-10-2050 min
Plot PointsReading the DMG Aloud 32 Ep. 254 RPG historian Ben Riggs and RPG academic Dr. Scott Bruner continue their long chew on the Sage section of the 1st editin AD&D DMG! Join us over on Discord! It's booming over there! Here's a link!2023-09-2050 min
Plot PointsReading the DMG Aloud 31 Ep. 253Historian Ben Riggs & RPG academic Dr. Scott Bruner chew over the sage from the 1st edition AD&D Dungeon Master's Guide! Here's a link to the Matt Colville video where he talks about The Hobbit and Lord of the Rings as D&D models: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EkXMxiAGUWg&t=2s Join us on Discord! It’s booming over there! (https://discord.gg/95nH7AdnyA)2023-09-1251 min
Plot PointsReading the DMG Aloud 27 Ep 248Hobilar? Hobilar? What the heck is a hobilar? Harken and enjoy the 1st edition DMG's rules for expert NPCs as read and commented on by RPG historian Ben Riggs and RPG academic Scott Bruner! Join us on Discord! It’s booming over there! (https://discord.gg/95nH7AdnyA)2023-04-2041 min
Plot PointsReading the DMG Aloud 26 Ep 247Haberdashers! Teamsters! And more! Oh my! Harken and enjoy the 1st edition DMG's rules for expert NPCs as read and commented on by RPG historian Ben Riggs and RPG academic Scott Bruner! Join us on Discord! It’s booming over there! (https://discord.gg/95nH7AdnyA) Like Plot Points? Support it on Patreon!2023-03-2342 min
Plot PointsReading the DMG Aloud 24 Ep 244Hear about armor and Armor Class in the 1st edition DMG with Ben Riggs and Scott Bruner! Join us on Discord! It’s booming over there! (https://discord.gg/95nH7AdnyA) Preorder Ben’s book on TSR history by clicking here, and you will receive FOR FREE a bookplate featuring art by D&D icon Jeff Easley and signed by Ben. It’s just our way of saying thanks for preordering the book! Already preordered the book? Click here to acquire your Jeff Easley bookplate! Like Plot Points? Support it on Patreon2022-07-1736 min
Plot PointsReading the DMG Aloud 23 Ep 243Today, we start with the value and uses of gems and stones. Join us on Discord! It's booming over there! (https://discord.gg/95nH7AdnyA) Preorder Ben's book on TSR history by clicking here, and you will receive FOR FREE a bookplate featuring art by D&D icon Jeff Easley and signed by Ben. It's just our way of saying thanks for preordering the book! Already preordered the book? Click here to acquire your Jeff Easley bookplate! Like Plot Points? Support it on Patreon! 2022-07-0149 minPlot PointsReading the DMG Aloud 22 Ep 242Today, we finally conclude our alignment discussion by talking about changing alignment! Join us on Discord! It's booming over there! (https://discord.gg/95nH7AdnyA) Preorder Ben's book on TSR history by clicking here, and you will receive FOR FREE a bookplate featuring art by D&D icon Jeff Easley and signed by Ben. It's just our way of saying thanks for preordering the book! See the bookplate in this episode's show notes! Already preordered the book? Click here to acquire your Jeff Easley bookplate! Like Plot Points? Support it on Patre...2022-06-2750 minPlot PointsReading the DMG Aloud 21 Ep 241At long last, we wrap up our discussion of alignment with alignment languages. Here's a link to the article on RPGs and religion Ben referenced in the episode. Join us on Discord! It's booming over there! (https://discord.gg/95nH7AdnyA) Preorder Ben's book on TSR history by clicking here, and you will receive FOR FREE a bookplate featuring art by D&D icon Jeff Easley and signed by Ben. It's just our way of saying thanks for preordering the book! See the bookplate in this episode's show notes! Already preordered the...2022-06-0158 min
Plot PointsReading the DMG Aloud 20 Ep 240We continue our discussion of alignment, diving down on the alignment graph! Join us on Discord! It's booming over there! (https://discord.gg/95nH7AdnyA) Preorder Ben's book on TSR history by clicking here, and you will receive FOR FREE a bookplate featuring art by D&D icon Jeff Easley and signed by Ben. It's just our way of saying thanks for preordering the book! See the bookplate in this episode's show notes! Already preordered the book? Click here to acquire your Jeff Easley bookplate! Like Plot Points? Support it on Patreon...2022-05-271h 02Plot PointsReading the DMG Aloud 19 Ep 239Continuing with alignment! Historian Ben Riggs & academic Scott Bruner read aloud the section of the DMG on alignment. We now have a channel on Discord! (https://discord.gg/95nH7AdnyA) Come on over to chat. Preorder Ben's book on TSR history by clicking here, and you will receive FOR FREE a bookplate featuring art by D&D icon Jeff Easley and signed by Ben. It's just our way of saying thanks for preordering the book! See the bookplate in this episode's show notes! Already preordered the book? Click here to acquire your Jeff Easley b...2022-05-1355 minPlot PointsReading the DMG Aloud 18 Ep 238What's your alignment? Historian Ben Riggs & academic Scott Bruner read aloud the section of the DMG on alignment. We now have a channel on Discord! Come on over to chat. Preorder Ben's book on TSR history by clicking here, and you will receive FOR FREE a bookplate featuring art by D&D icon Jeff Easley and signed by Ben. It's just our way of saying thanks for preordering the book! See the bookplate in this episode's show notes! Already preordered the book? Click here to acquire your Jeff Easley bookplate! Like Pl...2022-05-0142 minPlot PointsReading the DMG Aloud 17 Ep 238Let's talk Lycanthropes! We now have a channel on Discord! Come on over to chat. Preorder Ben's book on TSR history by clicking here, and you will receive FOR FREE a bookplate featuring art by D&D icon Jeff Easley and signed by Ben. It's just our way of saying thanks for preordering the book! See the bookplate in this episode's show notes! Already preordered the book? Click here to acquire your Jeff Easley bookplate! Like Plot Points? Support it on Patreon! 2022-04-1353 min
Plot PointsReading the DMG Aloud 16 Ep 237Listen as Scott and Ben discuss Gygax's thoughts on the monster as PC... Preorder Ben's book on TSR history by clicking here, and you will receive FOR FREE a bookplate featuring art by D&D icon Jeff Easley and signed by Ben. It's just our way of saying thanks for preordering the book! See the bookplate in this episode's show notes! Already preordered the book? Click here to acquire your Jeff Easley bookplate! Like Plot Points? Support it on Patreon!2022-04-0149 minPlot PointsReading the DMG Aloud 15 Ep 236Once again, RPG academic Scott Bruner and RPG historian Ben Riggs convene to read and chew over the 1st edition Dungeon Masters Guide! Preorder Ben's book on TSR history by clicking here, and you will receive FOR FREE a bookplate featuring art by D&D icon Jeff Easley and signed by Ben. It's just our way of saying thanks for preordering the book! See the bookplate in this episode's show notes! 2022-03-2552 min
Plot PointsReading the DMG Aloud 14 Ep 235Once again, RPG academic Scott Bruner and RPG historian Ben Riggs convene to read and chew over the 1st edition Dungeon Masters Guide! Interested in Ben's book? Preorder it from the store of your choice here! Check out his current book on RPG theory here! Ben started a YouTube channel with his friend Eliza about what to play after D&D. Check it out here! Image courtesy Wizards of the Coast. 2022-02-271h 13
Plot PointsReading the DMG Aloud 13 Ep 234Ben and Scott finish up with spies and start in on thieves as they plunge ever deeper into the 1st edition AD&D Dungeon Master's Guide! Interested in Ben's book? Preorder it from the store of your choice here! Check out his current book on RPG theory here! Ben started a YouTube channel with his friend Eliza about what to play after D&D. Check it out here! Image courtesy Wizards of the Coast. 2022-02-2057 minPlot PointsReading the DMG Aloud 12 Ep 233Hear about the paladin's warhorse and spying as academic Scott Bruner and historian Ben Riggs continue their tortoise-like read-aloud of the DMG! Interested in Ben's book? Enter here to win an early reader's copy! Ben started a YouTube channel with his friend Eliza about what to play after D&D. Check it out here! Image courtesy Wizards of the Coast. 2022-01-3054 minPlot PointsReading the DMG Aloud 11 Ep 232Once more, Scott Bruner & Ben Riggs return to discuss the 1st edition Dungeon Masters Guide, this time covering everyone's favorite topic, followers for upper-level PCs! Ben’s book the collapse of TSR and sale to Wizards is available for preorder here! Want to read more Ben now? His book on RPG adventure design, Encounter Theory, is on DriveThruRPG. Click here to pick up this essential volume! Like Plot Points? Support it on Patreon! Image courtesy Wizards of the Coast. 2022-01-2354 min
Plot PointsReading the DMG Aloud 10 Ep 231Again, Scott Bruner & Ben Riggs return to discuss the 1st edition Dungeon Masters Guide! Ben’s book on RPG adventure design, Encounter Theory, is on DriveThruRPG. Click here to pick up this essential volume! Like Plot Points? Support it on Patreon! Image courtesy Wizards of the Coast. 2021-11-2754 min
Plot PointsShanty Hunters -Ep 231Explore the seas! Discover shanties! Watch them come to life before your very eyes! Experience a game like no other from RPG luminary Tristan Zimmerman! Back it on Kickstarter here! Ben's book on the failure of TSR is finally available for pre-order here on Amazon or through your friendly local bookstore. Ben’s book on RPG adventure design, Encounter Theory, is on DriveThruRPG. Click here to pick up this essential volume! Like Plot Points? Support it on Patreon! Image courtesy Tristan Zimmerman. 2021-11-1559 min
Plot PointsReading the DMG Aloud 9 Ep 230Which races love money and a good time the most? Why are those the axes Gygax chose to judge races in the first place? Weirder questions and thoughts follow in this episode with Scott Bruner and Ben Riggs! Ben’s book on RPG adventure design, Encounter Theory, is on DriveThruRPG. Click here to pick up this essential volume! Like Plot Points? Support it on Patreon! Image courtesy Wizards of the Coast. 2021-10-3048 min
Plot PointsCatching up with Pelgrane Press- Ep 227One of our favorite publishers is Pelgrane Press. Geek journalist extraordinaire Ben Riggs sat down with Pelgrane co-owner Cat Tobin to see what the publisher of 13th Age and Dracula Dossier is up to! 2021-07-3047 min
Plot PointsReading the DMG Aloud pt 8- Ep 220An impenetrable table! Rolling attributes! Hear the 1st edition DMG read aloud with RPG academic Scott Bruner and host Ben Riggs! Eighth in a series! Ben’s book on RPG adventure design, Encounter Theory, is on DriveThruRPG. Click here to pick up this essential volume! Like Plot Points? Support it on Patreon! Image courtesy Wizards of the Coast. 2021-01-1557 min
Plot PointsHow Good is Vaesen? Ep 217Is Vaesen the best new RPG of the year? How does it stack up against Call of Cthulhu as a horror game? What does it teach about how to make an excellent RPG? All these questions and more are tackled in this week's Plot Points! Ben’s book on RPG adventure design, Encounter Theory, is on DriveThruRPG. Click here to pick up this essential volume! Like Plot Points? Support it on Patreon! Image courtesy Fria Ligan. 2020-12-181h 28
Plot PointsReading the Dungeon Master's Guide Aloud pt. 7 Ep 216Unnatural aging and disease! Hear the 1st edition DMG read aloud with RPG academic Scott Bruner and host Ben Riggs! Seventh in a series! Ben’s book on RPG adventure design, Encounter Theory, is on DriveThruRPG. Click here to pick up this essential volume! Like Plot Points? Support it on Patreon at the $2 level, and you’ll get a sneak peek into Ben’s book about the sale of TSR to Wizards of the Coast! This chapter concerns TSR West, an effort by TSR to open an LA office devoted to producing comic books, an effort that...2020-12-0459 min
Plot PointsReading the Dungeon Masters Guide Aloud pt 6 Ep 215Hear the 1st edition DMG read aloud with RPG academic Scott Bruner and host Ben Riggs! Sixth in a series! Ben’s book on RPG adventure design, Encounter Theory, is on DriveThruRPG. Click here to pick up this essential volume! Like Plot Points? Support it on Patreon at the $2 level, and you’ll get a sneak peek into Ben’s book about the sale of TSR to Wizards of the Coast! This chapter concerns TSR West, an effort by TSR to open an LA office devoted to producing comic books, an effort that failed rather impressivel...2020-11-2059 min
Plot PointsUrban Shadows 2nd Ed is Happening! Ep 214Urban Shadows is the addicting as hell PbtA game of machiavellian monsters living in metropolises! Its second edition has new fun faction rules, and the best explanation of combat in a PbtA game I've ever seen! Learn more in our interview with designers Marissa Kelly & Mark Diaz Truman! Also, here's the Kickstarter! Death Divers is in its last days! Back it here! Ben’s book on RPG adventure design, Encounter Theory, is on DriveThruRPG. Click here to pick up this essential volume! Like Plot Points? Support it on Patreon at the $2 level, and you’ll g...2020-11-0658 min
Plot PointsDeath Divers! Ep 213Explore Dustin DePenning's carbines and demons sci-fi RPG! It's on Kickstarter right now, and has a fascinating new game engine in its bloody and beating heart, the Heroic Dark! Old school in danger, 21st century in execution, Heroic Dark keeps your characters on the edge of doom and their players on the edge of their seats! Ben’s book on RPG adventure design, Encounter Theory, is on DriveThruRPG. Click here to pick up this essential volume! Like Plot Points? Support it on Patreon at the $2 level, and you’ll get a sneak peek into Ben’s book abou...2020-10-291h 02
Plot PointsDark Conspiracy, D13, and Dice Sonnets- Ep 212Lester Smith is a stalwart of GDW and TSR, designer of such games and Dark Conspiracy and Dragon Dice! He has a new game out, D13 which uses a D4 and D10 as the core mechanic. Check the game out here! He also explains how Dragon Dice is actually a sonnet in this interview! Ben’s book on RPG adventure design, Encounter Theory, is on DriveThruRPG. Click here to pick up this essential volume! Like Plot Points? Support it on Patreon at the $2 level, and you’ll get a sneak peek into Ben’s book about the sale of...2020-10-1657 min
Plot PointsRent a Flat with Death!- Ep 211A role-playing game like no other. In Rest in Pieces you are room-mates with Death! In addition to a story concept never before seen, RiP takes RPG mechanics another step forward, using a block tower with a twist! Check it out on Kickstarter now! Ben’s book on RPG adventure design, Encounter Theory, is on DriveThruRPG. Click here to pick up this essential volume! Like Plot Points? Support it on Patreon at the $2 level, and you’ll get a sneak peek into Ben’s book about the sale of TSR to Wizards of the Coast! This chapter c...2020-10-0258 min
Plot PointsBrilliant RPG Designer Craig Campbell Shows Us His 'Good Strong Hands'- Ep 210Craig Campbell is an innovative RPG designer whose current Kickstarter, Good Strong Hands, is a game of relationships and fantasy exploration inspired by fictions like The Neverending Story, Labyrinth, and Willow! Ben’s book on RPG adventure design, Encounter Theory, is on DriveThruRPG. Click here to pick up this essential volume! Like Plot Points? Support it on Patreon at the $2 level, and you’ll get a sneak peek into Ben’s book about the sale of TSR to Wizards of the Coast! This chapter concerns TSR West, an effort by TSR to open an LA office devoted...2020-09-251h 01
Plot PointsReading the DMG Aloud Pt- 5 Ep 209Hear the 1st edition DMG read aloud with RPG academic Scott Bruner and host Ben Riggs! Fifth in a series! Ben’s book on RPG adventure design, Encounter Theory, is on DriveThruRPG. Click here to pick up this essential volume! Like Plot Points? Support it on Patreon at the $2 level, and you’ll get a sneak peek into Ben’s book about the sale of TSR to Wizards of the Coast! This chapter concerns TSR West, an effort by TSR to open an LA office devoted to producing comic books, an effort that failed rather impressivel...2020-09-1753 min
Plot PointsAttend the Red Opera! Ep 208A warlock-based 5E campaign inspired by a heavy metal album? And the album was retooled and recorded by the Budapest Scoring Symphonic Orchestra? Can such a thing be? Hearken to The Red Opera! Inspired by the DiAmorte album of the same name, today we interview game designer Rick Heinz about this eye-and-ear-grabbing Kickstarter! Ben’s book on RPG adventure design, Encounter Theory, is on DriveThruRPG. Click here to pick up this essential volume! Like Plot Points? Support it on Patreon at the $2 level, and you’ll get a sneak peek into Ben’s book about the sale of...2020-09-1153 min
Plot PointsA Look at Dragon Magazine thru the Eyes of Dale Donovan- Ep 207We're back after an unexpected two-week hiatus with Dale Donovan, an editor, game designer, TSR alum, and Dragon Magazine veteran. He takes us through a career that made him a witness to some pivotal events in RPG history. Ben’s book on RPG adventure design, Encounter Theory, is on DriveThruRPG. Click here to pick up this essential volume! Like Plot Points? Support it on Patreon at the $2 level, and you’ll get a sneak peek into Ben’s book about the sale of TSR to Wizards of the Coast! This chapter concerns TSR West, an effort by TSR...2020-09-041h 02
Plot PointsThe Sale of TSR to Wizards of the Coast- Ep. 206How the deal to buy the world's first role-playing game company was negotiated and sealed. Ben Riggs has interviewed those who were there and can tell for the first time the whole story. Recorded live at Gen Con Online! Ben’s book on RPG adventure design, Encounter Theory, is on DriveThruRPG. Click here to pick up this essential volume! Like Plot Points? Support it on Patreon at the $2 level, and you’ll get a sneak peek into Ben’s book about the sale of TSR to Wizards of the Coast! This chapter concerns TSR West, an effort b...2020-08-1442 min
Plot PointsHow TSR Failed 2020- Ep 205The 2020 version of my research on how TSR went from grossing $40 million a year to being bought by Wizards of the Coast. Performed live at Gen Con Online! Ben’s book on RPG adventure design, Encounter Theory, is on DriveThruRPG. Click here to pick up this essential volume! Like Plot Points? Support it on Patreon at the $2 level, and you’ll get a sneak peek into Ben’s book about the sale of TSR to Wizards of the Coast! This chapter concerns TSR West, an effort by TSR to open an LA office devoted to producing c...2020-08-0746 min
Plot PointsMaleficent Mythological Monsters for 5E- Ep 204Imagine inserting Cthulhu, Aladdin, and the Easter Bunny in your 5E campaign. That is exactly the kind of role-playing madness allowed by Mythological Figures & Maleficient Monsters, on Kickstarter now! In this episode, we talk to Mike Myler and Russ Morrissey of EN Publishing about this fine new tome! Ben’s book on RPG adventure design, Encounter Theory, is on DriveThruRPG. Click here to pick up this essential volume! Like Plot Points? Support it on Patreon at the $2 level, and you’ll get a sneak peek into Ben’s book about the sale of TSR to Wizards of t...2020-07-2453 min
Plot PointsFailure to Click this Link Will be Considered Treason Citizen- Ep 203RPG designer WJ MacGuffin comes on the show to talk Paranoia, the dystopic/comic sci-fi RPG of clones and treason! They've got Project Infinite Hole on Kickstarter right now! Ben’s book on RPG adventure design, Encounter Theory, is on DriveThruRPG. Click here to pick up this essential volume! Like Plot Points? Support it on Patreon at the $2 level, and you’ll get a sneak peek into Ben’s book about the sale of TSR to Wizards of the Coast! This chapter concerns TSR West, an effort by TSR to open an LA office devoted to producing c...2020-07-1728 min
Plot PointsZombies, Creativity, and Business at Magpie Games- Ep 202Mark Diaz Truman is one of the madcap masterminds of Magpie Games. Magpie's Zombie World, a card-based, Powered by the Apocalypse game of zombie survival is up for multiple Ennies. In this deep discussion, Mark and Ben chew over the role of writing in generating great games, playtesting, and different models of RPG companies. Plot Points, and Ben’s book, Encounter Theory, are both up for Ennies! Please go vote now! To encourage you, Plot Points is going to be putting out an episode a day this week! Ben’s book on RPG adventure design, Encounter...2020-07-101h 03
Plot PointsInterwar Germany Meets the Mythos- Ep 201David Larkins, writer of Berlin: The Wicked City takes us on a tour of Weimar Berlin, now with more tentacles! Learn more about Chaosium in the 21st century with this article Ben wrote. Here's an episode on Greg Stafford from a few years ago. Plot Points, and Ben’s book, Encounter Theory, are both up for Ennies! Please go vote now! To encourage you, Plot Points is going to be putting out an episode day this week! Ben’s book on RPG adventure design, Encounter Theory, is on DriveThruRPG. Click here to pick up t...2020-07-0943 min
Plot PointsThe Yellow King Invades our Reality, for Real, in this RPGRobin Laws had a dream, which led him to write a short story, and use that to create The Yellow King Roleplaying Game. Once HP Lovecraft dreamed of a book called the Necronomicon. Will Robin's RPG turn out to be as baleful as that unsettling tome? There is only one way to find out... Also, it's nominated for an Ennie, along with companion work Absinth in Carcosa! Go vote now! To encourage you, Plot Points is going to be putting out an episode every day this week! Ben’s book on RPG adventure design, Encounter Theory, is on D...2020-07-0846 min
Plot PointsJohn Tynes is the Beethoven of RPGs- Ep 199John Tynes writes RPGs so good it makes me stutter. I've interviewed him twice. Each time, I've been fidgety and nervous beforehand. The man's games take up the #1 and #2 slots on the RPG.net game index! That's a frightening level of RPG chops. And now he has a new book out, The Labyrinth, and that's just as good as his other material? By Arneson's beard, how? Plot Points, and Ben’s book, Encounter Theory, are both up for Ennies! Please go vote now! To encourage you, Plot Points is going to be putting out an episode day this...2020-07-0748 min
Plot PointsStart a Blog, Kickstart a Book, Get an Ennie Nomination- Ep. 198Michael Prescott is the motivating genius behind Trilemma Adventures, a beautiful book of two-page adventures for fantasy role-playing games. How did he go from writing a blog to Kickstarting a book so magnificent that it's nominated for an Ennie this year? Plot Point, and Ben's book, Encounter Theory, are both up for Ennies! Please go vote now! To encourage you, Plot Points is going to be putting out an episode day this week! Ben’s book on RPG adventure design, Encounter Theory, is on DriveThruRPG. Click here to pick up this essential volume! Like Pl...2020-07-0651 min
Plot PointsThe Gang Stakes this Solo Vampire RPG- Ep 197Brad, Sarah, & Ben take a deep dive on Thousand Year Old Vampire, the lonely RPG where you live the life of an immortal undead! Check out the bizarre gaming deeps at Tim Hutchings' Play Generated Map & Document Archive. Ben’s book on RPG adventure design, Encounter Theory, is on DriveThruRPG. Click here to pick up this essential volume! Like Plot Points? Support it on Patreon at the $2 level, and you’ll get a sneak peek into Ben’s book about the sale of TSR to Wizards of the Coast! This chapter concerns TSR West, an effor...2020-06-2651 min
Plot PointsReading the DMG Aloud pt 4- Ep 196Hear the 1st edition DMG read aloud with RPG academic Scott Bruner and host Ben Riggs! Learn more about the conference Scott talked about, NarraScope, here. Ben’s book on RPG adventure design, Encounter Theory, is on DriveThruRPG. Click here to pick up this essential volume! Like Plot Points? Support it on Patreon at the $2 level, and you’ll get a sneak peek into Ben’s book about the sale of TSR to Wizards of the Coast! This chapter concerns TSR West, an effort by TSR to open an LA office devoted to producing com...2020-06-1937 min
Plot PointsDiscover the Thousand Year Old Vampire- Ep 195A solo game of "lonely role-playing" allows you to become an immortal drinker of lives! Ben Riggs interviews game-creator and total mensch Tim Hutchings in this interview about his seminal work, Thousand Year Old Vampire. Ben’s book on RPG adventure design, Encounter Theory, is on DriveThruRPG. Click here to pick up this essential volume! Like Plot Points? Support it on Patreon at the $2 level, and you’ll get a sneak peek into Ben’s book about the sale of TSR to Wizards of the Coast! This chapter concerns TSR West, an effort by TSR to open an LA...2020-06-1247 min
Plot PointsReading the DMG Aloud pt 3Hear the 1st edition DMG read aloud with RPG academic Scott Bruner and host Ben Riggs! Also, check out Ben's prior work on demons & devils & Dungeons & Dragons, and this 60 Minutes piece on D&D from the early 1980s. Ben’s book on RPG adventure design, Encounter Theory, is on DriveThruRPG. Click here to pick up this essential volume! Like Plot Points? Support it on Patreon at the $2 level, and you’ll get a sneak peek into Ben’s book about the sale of TSR to Wizards of the Coast! This chapter concerns TSR West, an effo...2020-06-0548 min
Plot PointsA Notebook for Gamers Only!- Ep. 193Imagine a notebook with everything you need to create your own fantasy campaign already in it. Blank hex maps, pages set up for charts, even high-frequency fantasy words and eye-violating fantasy art, all between the same clothbound covers. This, is the Worldbuilder's Notebook, currently on Kickstarter. In this interview, Ben Riggs hears about the whys and wherefores of the product from ENnie-winning designer Jacob Hurst! Ben’s book on RPG adventure design, Encounter Theory, is on DriveThruRPG. Click here to pick up this essential volume! Like Plot Points? Support it on Patreon at the $2 level, and you...2020-05-2956 min
Plot PointsWrestling the Apocalypse Engine- Ep. 192Worldwide Wrestling is the Powered by the Apocalypse game of furious sports entertainment! The game both highlights the strength of the Apocalypse Engine and simulates the bombastic drama of professional wrestling! Like Plot Points? Support it on Patreon at the $2 level, and you’ll get a sneak peek into Ben’s book about the sale of TSR to Wizards of the Coast! This chapter concerns TSR West, an effort by TSR to open an LA office devoted to producing comic books, an effort that failed rather impressively. It is the product of a dozen interviews with professionals from co...2020-05-231h 01
Plot PointsExperience a Cathartic Revolution in RPGs with Bluebeard's Bride- Ep. 191Bluebeard's Bride from Magpie Games is a revolution in RPGs. Players take on the role of one character, just one among the group of them, and experience the tragic horror of the Bride! Like Plot Points? Support it on Patreon at the $2 level, and you’ll get a sneak peek into Ben’s book about the sale of TSR to Wizards of the Coast! This chapter concerns TSR West, an effort by TSR to open an LA office devoted to producing comic books, an effort that failed rather impressively. It is the product of a dozen interviews with pr...2020-05-1553 min
Plot PointsAppendix N University: The Scarlet Citadel- Ep. 190Listen to history professor Glenn McDorman and ENnie Award-winning designer Jacob Hurst discuss "The Scarlet Citadel" by Robert E. Howard, and the story's influence on RPGs! You can check out Glenn's Elder Sign podcast here, and see Jacob's brilliant RPG design work here! Like Plot Points? Support it on Patreon at the $2 level, and you’ll get a sneak peek into Ben’s book about the sale of TSR to Wizards of the Coast! This chapter concerns TSR West, an effort by TSR to open an LA office devoted to producing comic books, an effort that failed rather i...2020-05-091h 13
Plot PointsReading D&D Aloud- Pt 2 of the DMGAcademic Scott Bruner and Ben Riggs read aloud and comment on the 1st edition Dungeon Master’s Guide by Gary Gygax, an attempt by the game’s co-creator to instruct players, but also exert control over the burgeoning community of gamers. Ben’s book on RPG adventure design, Encounter Theory, is on DriveThruRPG. Click here to pick up this essential volume! Like Plot Points? Support it on Patreon at the $2 level, and you’ll get a sneak peek into Ben’s book about the sale of TSR to Wizards of the Coast! This chapter concerns TSR West, an effor...2020-05-0151 min
Plot PointsHow Games Influence Games- An Interview with Emily Care Boss & Peter Adkison- Ep 188Emily Care Boss is the brilliant designer of games like The Romance Trilogy, and Bubblegumshoe. With Ben Riggs, she chews over game theory, her career, and how Ars Magica may have directly inspired some of the most important indie designers of the 21st century. Then, in a brief chat, Ben talks to Wizards of the Coast founder and Gen Con owner Peter Adkison about what quality may have led to his tremendously successful career in games. Ben’s book on RPG adventure design, Encounter Theory, is on DriveThruRPG. Click here to pick up this essential volume! Like P...2020-04-241h 01
Plot PointsReading D&D Aloud- The 1st Edition DMG- Ep186Academic Scott Bruner and Ben Riggs read aloud and comment on the 1st edition Dungeon Master's Guide by Gary Gygax, an attempt by the game's co-creator to instruct players, but also exert control over the burgeoning community of gamers. This week, we tackle the forward and preface to the work. Ben’s book on RPG adventure design, Encounter Theory, is on DriveThruRPG. Click here to pick up this essential volume! Like Plot Points? Support it on Patreon at the $2 level, and you’ll get a sneak peek into Ben’s book about the sale of TSR to Wizards...2020-04-1156 min
Plot PointsGoing to Hell with D&D or Chapter Delving Descent into Avernus- Ep.185The Plot Points gang continues looking at Descent into Avernus chapter-by-chapter. This week, we visit Baldur's Gate, and then descend into the pit itself! Ben’s book on RPG adventure design, Encounter Theory, is on DriveThruRPG. Click here to pick up this essential volume! Like Plot Points? Support it on Patreon at the $2 level, and you’ll get a sneak peek into Ben’s book about the sale of TSR to Wizards of the Coast! This chapter concerns TSR West, an effort by TSR to open an LA office devoted to producing comic books, an effort that...2020-04-031h 00
Plot PointsA Look at the White Wolf of Old- Ep. 184Bill Bridges worked on some of the most phenomenal game products of the 1990s at White Wolf, and he's back with a Kickstarter for a new edition of Fading Suns, the far-future RPG of sci-fi passion! Ben’s book on RPG adventure design, Encounter Theory, is on DriveThruRPG. Click here to pick up this essential volume! Like Plot Points? Support it on Patreon at the $2 level, and you’ll get a sneak peek into Ben’s book about the sale of TSR to Wizards of the Coast! This chapter concerns TSR West, an effort by TSR to open...2020-03-2639 min
Plot PointsIs the Game Industry Recession-Proof? A Look at the Business of RPGs with Micheal Parker- Ep. 183Peek behind the curtain at the stores and supply chains that make the RPG industry run with Micheal Parker of ACD Distribution. How did the industry weather the '08 recession? How does the RPG industry look on the sales side? Find out! Ben’s book on RPG adventure design, Encounter Theory, is on DriveThruRPG. Click here to pick up this essential volume! Like Plot Points? Support it on Patreon at the $2 level, and you’ll get a sneak peek into Ben’s book about the sale of TSR to Wizards of the Coast! This chapter concerns TS...2020-03-2054 min
Plot PointsMonte Cook Kickstarts Longest RPG Book Ever Written by a Single Author- Ep. 182Ptolus was the home campaign Monte Cook ran while designing 3rd edition D&D. Brimming with brilliant fodder for the gaming table, it quickly sold out and became an item for the collector's market. Now, Monte Cook Games is Kickstarting a new edition of Ptolus, updating the classic setting for both the Cypher System and 5th Edition. Click here to learn more about this stupendous setting! Ben’s book on RPG adventure design, Encounter Theory, is on DriveThruRPG. Click here to pick up this essential volume! Like Plot Points? Support it on Patreon at the $2 level, a...2020-03-1255 min
Plot PointsNerf Battles and the FBI at TSR- Ep 181Once upon a time, the TSR offices were in downtown Lake Geneva in an old hotel. These are the stories of that building. Ben’s book on RPG adventure design, Encounter Theory, is on DriveThruRPG. Click here to pick up this essential volume! Like Plot Points? Support it on Patreon at the $2 level, and you’ll get a sneak peek into Ben’s book about the sale of TSR to Wizards of the Coast! This chapter concerns TSR West, an effort by TSR to open an LA office devoted to producing comic books, an effort that failed...2020-03-0611 min
Plot PointsNick Cage's Colour Out of Space: A Review- Ep. 180An academic, a game professional, and your host gather to review Richard Stanley's latest effort, an HP Lovecraft adaptation: The Colour Out of Space starring Nicholas Cage! Ben’s book on RPG adventure design, Encounter Theory, is on DriveThruRPG. Click here to pick up this essential volume! Like Plot Points? Support it on Patreon at the $2 level, and you’ll get a sneak peek into Ben’s book about the sale of TSR to Wizards of the Coast! This chapter concerns TSR West, an effort by TSR to open an LA office devoted to producing comic books...2020-02-2053 min
Plot PointsAppendix N University- "The Colour Out of Space" by HP Lovecraft- Ep. 179How did HP Lovecraft's "Colour Out of Space" influence gaming? Academic Scott Bruner, Chaosium stalwart Jim Lowder, and host Ben Riggs gather to discuss! Ben’s book on RPG adventure design, Encounter Theory, is on DriveThruRPG. Click here to pick up this essential volume! Like Plot Points? Support it on Patreon at the $2 level, and you’ll get a sneak peek into Ben’s book about the sale of TSR to Wizards of the Coast! This chapter concerns TSR West, an effort by TSR to open an LA office devoted to producing comic books, an effort that...2020-02-131h 00
Plot PointsIs the RPG Business Bubble About to Burst? Ep. 178The RPG business has been growing like gangbusters since the Great Recession. Recent numbers from Diamond Comics and Kickstarter provoke a question: Is that growth coming to an end? Ben’s book on RPG adventure design, Encounter Theory, is on DriveThruRPG. Click here to pick up this essential volume! Like Plot Points? Support it on Patreon at the $2 level, and you’ll get a sneak peek into Ben’s book about the sale of TSR to Wizards of the Coast! This chapter concerns TSR West, an effort by TSR to open an LA office devoted to producin...2020-02-0644 min
Plot PointsExplore the Vampire New Blood Starter Pack- Ep. 177Vampire: The Masquerade 5th edition tries to re-start and re-introduce itself to the gaming community with the New Blood Starter Pack. Designed for gaming novices, the product tries to introduce the player to the system, setting, and gaming itself. A hard task. Does it succeed? Ben’s book on RPG adventure design, Encounter Theory, is on DriveThruRPG. Click here to pick up this essential volume! Like Plot Points? Support it on Patreon at the $2 level, and you’ll get a sneak peek into Ben’s book about the sale of TSR to Wizards of the Coast! This...2020-02-011h 13
Plot PointsAppendix N University- 3 Hearts and 3 Lions- Ep. 176Possibly no novel had a greater impact on Dungeons & Dragons than Three Hearts and Three Lions by Poul Anderson. Law, chaos, the paladin, the troll, the list goes on. Ben Riggs discusses the novel with gaming great Gareth Ryder-Hanrahan and academic Scott Bruner. Ryder-Hanrahan is one of the geniuses behind the greatest RPG campaign of all-time, The Dracula Dossier, and he has a new novel, The Shadow Saint, out right now! Ben’s book on RPG adventure design, Encounter Theory, is on DriveThruRPG. Click here to pick up this essential volume! Like Plot Points? Support it on Patre...2020-01-241h 26
Plot PointsA Deadly Threat and the Last Fleet: Ep. 175The only thing keeping humanity from extinction among the stars is The Last Fleet, a new role-playing game by Joshua Fox using the Powered by the Apocalypse engine. Ben interviews Josh, covering design, inspiration, and thoughts on D&D and even JRR Tolkien. Last Fleet is Kickstarting right now. Click here to check it out! In January, an episode of Appendix N University will cover Three Hearts and Three Lions by Poul Anderson if you want to read it for the episode. Ben’s book on RPG adventure design, Encounter Theory, is on DriveThruRPG. Click here to...2020-01-171h 04
Plot PointsEd Greenwood Sold the Forgotten Realms for $5,000- Ep. 174Ben Riggs interviews Ed Greenwood, father of the Forgotten Realms, about his 1987 agreement with TSR wherein he sold the rights to the Realms for $5,000. They also discuss the origin and publication of the Realms, and Ben is able to tell Ed, officially, how many units his game work sold decades after the fact. (You can check out the numbers below!) In January, an episode of Appendix N University will cover Three Hearts and Three Lions by Poul Anderson if you want to read it for the episode. Ben’s book on RPG adventure design, Encounter Theory...2020-01-101h 19
Plot PointsBest of Plot Points: FIrebornIn this Best of Plot Points episode, the gang checks out a gem from the early aughts from Fantasy Flight, Fireborn! It's a game where you play a reincarnated dragon living in a London where magic is coming alive again. Vote for us in this poll on ENworld! In January, an episode of Appendix N University will cover Three Hearts and Three Lions by Poul Anderson if you want to read it for the episode. Ben’s book on RPG adventure design, Encounter Theory, is on DriveThruRPG. Click here to pick up this essential...2020-01-0352 min
Plot PointsBest of Plot Points: Shadow of the Demon LordEnjoy Robert J. Schwalb's delve into dark fantasy with Shadow of the Demon Lord. Tremble in fear, be afraid, and game away! New Plot Points will arrive in the new year! Vote for us in this poll on ENworld! In January, an episode of Appendix N University will cover Three Hearts and Three Lions by Poul Anderson if you want to read it for the episode. Ben’s book on RPG adventure design, Encounter Theory, is on DriveThruRPG. Click here to pick up this essential volume! Like Plot Points? Support it on Patreon...2019-12-2754 min
Plot PointsIn Forgotten Lawsuit, TSR Sued Wizards of the Coast- Ep. 173In August of 1996, TSR employees rushed from the exhibit hall at Gen Con to the federal courthouse in downtown Milwaukee to sue Wizards of the Coast and Acclaim Entertainment, filing the lawsuit before the convention was even over. Why? About what? And what is its significance today? Ben Riggs has your answers! Vote for us in this poll on ENworld! In January, an episode of Appendix N University will cover Three Hearts and Three Lions by Poul Anderson if you want to read it for the episode. Ben’s book on RPG adventure desig...2019-12-1914 min
Plot PointsR. Talsorian Games Seminar Gen Con 2019R. Talsorian Games is one of the ancient and storied RPG companies of the 1980s which has really hit the ground running again in the second decade of the 21st century. They are most well known for 1987’s Cyberpunk, the first neo-noir, mega-corporation RPG setting. Cyberpunk is back in the limelight now with the release of the Cyberpunk Red Jumpstart Kit, which has an adventure that a reviewer on DriveThruRPG described as “next to flawless.” They also released a role-playing game for a video game property you may have heard of, called The Witcher. Mike Pondsmith, the operating genius behind...2019-12-1255 min
Plot PointsZombie World! Ep. 171Zombie World takes the Powered by the Apocalypse engine and breaks it out into decks of cards. It promises, fast, fun, and bloody undead action. Brad, Sarah, and Ben try it out at their gaming table! Ben’s book on RPG adventure design, Encounter Theory, is on DriveThruRPG. Click here to pick up this essential volume! Like Plot Points? Support it on Patreon at the $2 level, and you’ll get a sneak peek into Ben’s book about the sale of TSR to Wizards of the Coast! This chapter concerns TSR West, an effort by TSR to open...2019-12-061h 07
Across the Aisle9: What We Learned So FarThis week, Erin & Ben take a moment to talk about what they've learned so far in discussing politics with a person of the opposite persuasion. Conclusions are reached, and thoughts had! Follow us on Twitter! Support us on Patreon! Tell a friend to listen to Across the Aisle! 2017-08-041h 14
Across the Aisle8: Agreement on Common Core?The Common Core Standards Initiative is a state-led initiative to put in place common expectations for students around the country. But is it really a stealth set of national standards? Ben & Erin argue like never before, but seem to find common ground by the end. Follow us on Twitter! Support us on Patreon! Tell a friend to listen to Across the Aisle!2017-07-191h 13
Across the Aisle6: Helicopter ParentsThis week, Ben & Erin discuss helicopter parents. This should, be a non-partisan issue. Will partisan points of view still come in to play? Follow us on Twitter! Support us on Patreon! Tell a friend to listen to Across the Aisle! 2017-06-151h 08
Across the Aisle4: (Not) Funding the Dep't of EducationThe Department of Education has deep roots in American history, but Erin wants to pull out the money tree and send those dollars back to the states. Ben, a teacher by day, has his own ideas about that. Can they find common ground? Follow us on Twitter! Support us on Patreon! Tell a friend to listen to Across the Aisle! 2017-05-221h 01
Across the Aisle2: $10.10 or No Minimum Wage? Ben & Erin cross rhetorical swords in this episode on the minimum wage. Ben says an America with a $10.10 minimum wage has a brighter future, but Erin asks why the government has the right to stop workers from being paid less than the minimum wage if they want. Can they find a common ground? Like the show? We need your support! Back us on Patreon Click here to find us on Twitter @AcrossAislePod! Image is in the public domain. 2017-05-1058 min
Across the Aisle1: Taxes Un/Fair?Welcome to Across the Aisle, a podcast of conversation and solutions. In our premier episode, hosts Erin & Ben chew on taxes. What is a fair rate of taxation? Is taxation even a problem worth of the name? Find us on Twitter at @AcrossAislePod and our website, AcrosstheAislePodcast.com! Enjoy, and tell your friends! 2017-05-031h 25