OgreCave GNU – Anna Meade (Uprising: Dystopian Universe RPG / Evil Hat)

Posted on August 12, 2017 by admin

In this Gaming News Update interview, we throw new OgreCave contributor Lars Roberts to the wolves and have her interview Anna Meade, co-author of Uprising: The Dystopian Universe RPG from Evil Hat Productions. Due to hit Kickstarter for a 2018 publication date, Anna tells us about creating the roleplaying setting based on the card games Coup, Coup: Reformation, and The Resistance. She also hints at some confrontational – nay, backstabbing, even – mechanics to the FATE system that Uprising will bring to the table. As bonus features, Anna mentions her novelization of The Dystopian Universe for Indie Boards & Cards, her upcoming appearance as a featured presenter at Gen Con 50 next week, and what fun she’s had expanding tabletop gaming’s inclusivity and representation. Be sure to listen to Anna before attending her seminars next week, and browse our previous podcast episodes for many other game discussions.

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OgreCave GNU – Anna Meade (Dystopian Universe RPG / Evil Hat)

Posted on August 12, 2017 by Allan Sugarbaker

In this Gaming News Update interview, we throw new OgreCave contributor Lars Roberts to the wolves and have her interview Anna Meade, co-author of Uprising: The Dystopian Universe RPG from Evil Hat Productions. Due to hit Kickstarter for a 2018 publication date, Anna tells us about creating the roleplaying setting based on the card games Coup, Coup: Reformation, and The Resistance. She also hints at some confrontational – nay, backstabbing, even – mechanics to the FATE system that Uprising will bring to the table. As bonus features, Anna mentions her novelization of The Dystopian Universe for Indie Boards & Cards, her upcoming appearance as a featured presenter at Gen Con 50 next week, and what fun she’s had expanding tabletop gaming’s inclusivity and representation. Be sure to listen to Anna before attending her seminars next week, and browse our previous podcast episodes for many other game discussions.

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OgreCave Audio Report 2.0 – March 2015

Posted on March 15, 2015 by admin

In this episode of the OgreCave Audio Report 2.0, there’s much to discuss. First, we talk of DunDraCon 2015, wherein Allan describes some of the things he saw at the show. Then we hit Kickstarter hard, describing a variety of projects, both completed and upcoming, while voicing thoughts on what the crowd sourcing site should really be used for. Finally, one particular volunteer at PAX East is making the entire organization look bad, so they’d really better get a handle on the situation ASAP – and not by simply ignoring it.

A more complete write-up will follow, but for now, listen here, and watch the skies. Or not.

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OgreCave Audio Report 2.0 – January 2015

Posted on March 5, 2015 by admin

In our first show of the new year, Allan gives us his first impressions of Dungeons & Dragons: Fifth Edition – a preliminary look, but so far, he’d give it Advantage. We hear that young gamers can be drawn into old school games in unexpected ways, and that Mike is (abnormally?) drawn to space games. Allan describes how he’s rediscovered what he enjoyed about Magic: The Gathering, and also that he’s “invented” Books Against Humanity (which is exactly what it sounds like).

At around 41:00, we try out a new segment: Gaming Artifacts. Allan and Mike each bring out a forgotten gaming item from the mists of time (in other words, their collections). Allan brings forth “Lothan the Wise: Ogre Mage,” a figure from the Shadowrun: Duels Action Figure Game (circa 2003), the biggest Clix game WizKids ever attempted. Mike lifts with his legs to bring out the massive Trinity Battleground game, a skirmish minis combat game from White Wolf back in 1997. Who brought forth the more interesting artifact? Let us know in the comments below.

Shadowrun Duels figure
Trinity Battleground box

 

Finally (at 49:30), Allan describes his experience at the Greater Bay Area Costumers Guild Open House, and the interesting cross-section of costumers, LARPers, and other gamers that were in attendance. Find out more at www.gbacg.org .

Next show, we’ll be talking about DunDraCon 2015 (which we did a promo vid for, btw). Have a listen to the new episode, thank you, and come see us in the Cave again!

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OgreCave Audio Report 2.0 – December 2014

Posted on December 27, 2014 by admin

To wrap up the year and prepare for new things, we have a brand new episode of our long-dormant (hibernating?) podcast show, the OgreCave Audio Report. Now redubbed 2.0, the relaunch episode has Mike and Allan talking of the holidays, Kickstarter goodies, interpersonal issues in game groups, and GamerGate, among other things.

A more complete write-up will follow, but for now, enjoy the new episode, and happy holidays!

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OgreCave GNU – Paranoia Reboot (James Wallis)

Posted on November 27, 2014 by Allan Sugarbaker

In this Gaming News Update interview with James Wallis, notably of Spaaace: the Games Consultancy and the man behind the trailblazing company Hogshead Publishing, what was old is becoming new again via the Paranoia Reboot Kickstarter campaign run by Mongoose Publishing. With less than a week left in the campaign, James tells about his plans for the new Paranoia boxed set. He also talks about dark humor in roleplaying, why death in gaming isn’t nearly the handicap it used to be, and offers some excellent news for gamers who pledged to either his Alas, Vegas campaign or Gareth Michael Skarka’s Far West RPG campaign. Thanks to Friend Skype, James tells us all about Friend Computer, Alpha Complex, mutants, terrorists, and more – probably more than your clearance level will allow, so trust no one – in our latest podcast episode.

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OgreCave GNU – KublaCon 2014 (Thomas Denmark/Studio Denmark)

Posted on June 10, 2014 by Allan Sugarbaker

While scanning the landscape (gamescape?) in the exhibit hall at KublaCon 2014, we spotted a new roleplaying book that required investigation. In this Gaming News Update interview, we ask Thomas Denmark of Studio Denmark for details on his upcoming RPG, Warriors of the Red Planet. Tom is responsible for such memorable game designs as Dungeoneer and Murder of Crows, so there’s no doubt we’re looking forward to seeing this desolate-yet-stylish old school game. Keep an eye on the Studio Denmark website for updates – we certainly will.

Be sure to visit OgreCave’s Facebook page to browse through our KublaCon 2014 image gallery (coming soon!), and while you’re there, become a fan of OgreCave to hear everything that echoes forth from the Cave.

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OgreCave GNU – KublaCon 2013 (James Ernest/Cheapass Games)

Posted on June 14, 2013 by Allan Sugarbaker

Conventions are a haven for game designers to talk shop, and KublaCon 2013 was no exception. In this Gaming News Update interview, we talk with James Ernest of Cheapass Games. The esteemed Mr Ernest is the designer of over 150 game titles, and he led the “cheapass” wave of publishing that swept the industry in the late ’90s. We talk with James about Cheapass Games’ return to the publishing arena, how a game’s theme and design are linked, and the design that’s kicking around his brain trying to get out.

Be sure to visit OgreCave’s Facebook page to browse through our KublaCon 2013 image gallery (coming soon!), and while you’re there, become a fan of OgreCave to hear everything that echoes forth from the Cave.

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OgreCave GNU – KublaCon 2013 (Free RPG Day 2013)

Posted on June 12, 2013 by Allan Sugarbaker

As it does every year, our trip to KublaCon 2013 meant a podcast interview about Free RPG Day 2013. Coming up in just a few days (!) on Saturday, June 15, the annual celebration of roleplaying games is still going strong. In this Gaming News Update interview, we sit down once again with Aldo Ghiozzi of Impressions Advertising & Marketing (and Free RPG Day) to talk about the evolution of the event, how big companies sometimes get confused, flaming cargo ships, and more. From Paizo Publishing and Fantasy Flight to Lamentations of the Flame Princess, many great publishers are offering up free products to get you down to your local game store. Are you drooling yet?

Be sure to visit OgreCave’s Facebook page to browse through our KublaCon 2013 image gallery (coming soon!), and while you’re there, become a fan of OgreCave to hear everything that echoes forth from the Cave. It won’t hurt… much.

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OgreCave GNU – DunDraCon 2013 (Zombiesmith)

Posted on March 25, 2013 by Allan Sugarbaker

Recorded at DunDraCon 2013, in this Gaming News Update episode, we sit down with Josh Qualtieri of Zombiesmith. The growing miniatures gaming company is continuing to crank out great metal figures of all sorts, and has built a strong line of rulebooks for the Quar. We talk of starting small-but-managable, of Kickstarter, and of the upcoming game War of Ashes in the interview.

Be sure to visit OgreCave’s Facebook page to check out our DunDraCon 2013 image gallery, and become a fan of OgreCave to see other places the Ogres lurk.

OC_GNU_Zombiesmith_DunDraCon_2013.mp3

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