Know Direction Network

Latest Episodes:

Upshift 041 – A History of Essence20 May 16, 2025

Show notes

The Essence20 roleplaying system turned 3 years old this year (technically). Ryan tells Charles about the wild early days of how the system came to be.

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Featuring Letter From Snake Eyes part 4, generously provided by Wordburglar. Check it and other amazing 80s-inspired out at Wordburglar.com.

Although the host works for Renegade Game Studios, this podcast and the network that hosts it are not affiliated with Renegade Game Studios.

Digital Divination 135 – Exploring the Galaxy Guide! May 15, 2025

Show notes

John, Ron, and Jason give an overview of Paizo’s latest release for Starfinder 2nd Edition – the Galaxy Guide!

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Ron Lundeen is an employee of Wizards of the Coast and his opinions are his own.

Know Direction Beyond 96: Tech Class Playtest Review May 13, 2025

Show notes

The Starfinder 2e drought is over, Alex and James have new content to cover! They share their thoughts on the mechanic and technomancer classes from the Tech Class Playtest.

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Intrepid Heroes 158 – What a Mother! May 12, 2025

Show notes

Our heroes safely subdue a grossly mutated Spike and bring the squox and her kits back to their home.

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Game Design Unboxed 114: The Case of the Curiously Correct Blueprints May 06, 2025

Show notes

In episode 114 of Game Design Unboxed: Inspiration to Publication we talk with Ace Ellett, half of Bluefish Games – the company he and his wife Anna founded as a result of their love for escape rooms and puzzles.

Danielle and Ace talk about what went into the fictional world of Hincksville and the character Bluefish created as a mechanism to drive their puzzle/mystery series. They discuss how to playtest escape room games, the art of hiding clues in plain sight, the importance of including a balance of different puzzles to keep everyone playing entertained, how to choose materials wisely (and cost effectively), and what makes the perfect “at-home puzzle experience”.

The Case of the Curiously Correct Blueprints is an audiobook mystery, so they also talk about the different challenges to consider that were different when compared to designing a “standard” escape puzzle – although, there are no rules when it comes to escape rooms!

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Featuring:

Ace Ellett – Guest

Danielle Reynolds – Host

Upshift 040 – G.I. JOE from 2000 to Today May 02, 2025

Show notes

Ryan is joined by new Upshift cohost Charles Cushman in an episode intended to establish his credentials, but quickly turns into two hours of fond memories of and accomplishments within G.I.JOE from the last 25 years.

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Featuring Letter From Snake Eyes part 4, generously provided by Wordburglar. Check it and other amazing 80s-inspired out at Wordburglar.com.

Although the host works for Renegade Game Studios, this podcast and the network that hosts it are not affiliated with Renegade Game Studios.

Digital Divination 134 – Starfinder 2e Tech Class Playtest May 01, 2025

Show notes

John and Jason talk about the new Mechanic and Technomancer classes for Starfinder 2e that were released this week for the Tech Class Playtest!

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Intrepid Heroes 157 – Searching for Spike Apr 28, 2025

Show notes

Our heroes search for Spike the missing squox, and find something very unexpected.

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Game Design Unboxed 113 – RESISTOR_ Apr 23, 2025

Show notes

In episode 113 of Game Design Unboxed: Inspiration to Publication we talk with Nicole Amato about transitioning into tabletop design after starting out as a video game journalist, small local game jams leading to big opportunities and how people choosing to use your innovative game mechanic in their prototype is flattering!

They also chat about the “politics” of popular (and extinct) video game conventions and the industry crossover there as well as their hack of using magic recording pens to help take notes. Listen to the rise of the “2-player renaissance” and the age-old publish vs. crowdfund conundrum on this episode!