The Vintage RPG Podcast

Latest Episodes:

Nick Tofani and Gradient Descent May 03, 2021

Show notes

Artist Nick Tofani joins us this week on the Vintage RPG podcast to talk about horror in RPGs, particularly the Mothership adventure he illustrated, the unpleasant-in-the-best-way Gradient Descent. It's dark outside, something is howling in the wind and pale shapes with dead eyes are shambling nearer, so make sure the doors are locked and turn up the volume on this one. We're sure you'll make it till morning.

Timeship Apr 26, 2021

Show notes

This week on the Vintage RPG Podcast, we're talking time travel and that's sure to result in a headache. Specifically, we're looking at Yaquinto Publications' Timeship (1983), but we also chat about a couple other time travel RPGs like Timemaster (1984) and Doctor Who (1985). Let's get timey-wimey!

Nightlife Apr 19, 2021

Show notes

This week on the Vintage RPG Podcast, we talk about a gritty, street level horror RPG in which you play creatures of the night making their way in the big city. Vampire: The Masquerade? Nope! Beating White Wolf to the punch by a full year is Stellar Games' Nightlife (1990). We talk about the appeal of being the monster, the many similarities between the two games and the delightful way in which Nightlife captures the nightlife of New York City in the early 90s. Content warning, though: around the six minute mark, we have a brief and frank discussion about some casual racism in the game that includes some harsh language.

David Hoskins Interview Apr 12, 2021

Show notes

This week, join us in welcoming the amazing David Hoskins to the show. You've seen his pen work in Acid Death Fantasy, The Isle of the Plangent Mage and, soon, in Through Ultan's Door. We talk about how he got into RPG illustration, matters of style, some pretty fantastic black knights that have been creeping onto his Instagram and more!

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You can see more of David's work on his website, his Instagram and his Twitter!

What's in the Warehouse? Apr 05, 2021

Show notes

Back in November, in our holiday gift guide episode, we talked briefly with Jess Carrier from Noble Knight Games about the weird stuff people trade in. Over the next couple months, we kept thinking about it: they must get strange stuff constantly! So we invited Jess and Noble Knight's RPG tsar Andrew Branstad to come on and tell us all about the bazaar of the bizarre that is their warehouse.

Black Angel Mar 29, 2021

Show notes

This week, we check out the famous lost (and found) short film by Roger Christian, Black Angel. This gorgeous little jam occupies a neat place in Star Wars history and also happens to be a mighty fine bit of early '80s sword and sorcery cinema in its own right. And after you listen to our takes on it, you can check it out for yourself on YouTube for free (with a brief intro by Christian).

Fiend Folio Mar 22, 2021

Show notes

This week on the Vintage RPG Podcast, minds are blown! Somehow, we haven't done a Fiend Folio episode yet and this week is it. We talk about how the book's difficult birth, the mixed reception on release and the quiet disavowal it got from TSR. We get cartoon hearts in our eyes talking about Russ Nicholson's art, as usual. We make fun of flumphs and adherers. And that's just scratching the surface!

Traveller Mar 15, 2021

Show notes

This week on the Vintage RPG Podcast, we're in outer space, paying off our starship mortgage and exploring the Third Imperium. That's right, we're finally cracking open the little black Traveller box. We talk a bit about what makes Game Designer's Workshop's classic science fiction RPG, well, a classic. It must be something special, because it forged a heck of a legacy despite there being all of two illustrations in the whole box set!

Dark Tower Mar 08, 2021

Show notes

This week on the Vintage RPG Podcast, we journey to Jennell Jaquays' Dark Tower, one of the best books Judges Guild's produced and often considered one of the very best D&D adventures of all time. We chat a bit about why that is, touch on Caverns of Thracia (which will be getting its own episode shortly) and generally discuss the state of dungeon design in the late 70s. There's also DUCKS!

This episode also includes our second Indie RPG Elevator Pitch, brought to you by Exalted Funeral, in which we chat with Amanda Lee Franck (Vampire Cruise, You Got a Job on the Garbage Barge). What's she got cooking in the coming months? Does it involve a boat? Listen and find out!

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Follow Amanda on Twitter and Instagram. You can check out PDFs of her games on her Itch page or buy hard copies through Exalted Funeral (US) or Four Rogues Trading Company (Canada).

Goblinville and Rebel Crown Mar 01, 2021

Show notes

We are joined this week on the Vintage RPG Podcast by the fine fellows from Narrative Dynamics, Michael Dunn-O'Connor and Eric Swanson. They are the folks behind the Goblinville RPG zines and Rebel Crown – two very different but equally awesome games. We discuss them both, what it is like switching tones, the difference between designing your own game and using an existing engine (Rebel Crown is a Forged in the Dark game), the appeal of box sets and much more!

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You can snag Goblinville and Rebel Crown on the Narrative Dynamics site, or through their Itch.io page. Follow Michael on Twitter and Eric on Instagram.

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