Hello Bonus Babies,

Rai returns for a finale. We sort of talk about games, but mostly we just talk. 

Here's some stuff we talk about: 

Monica's computer

Rai's life

Music of the 90s

Monica's book

Onyx Path shop talk

A better alternative to the "no fascists" rule

Rai's son and the Progress Pride Flag

Fabula Ultima

Dungeon Meishi

Gay Final Fantasy

You can find even more nonsense in the extended cut.

And here's some links for things referenced: 

"Dragostea Din Tei" by O-Zone: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YnopHCL1Jk8

2018 Progress Pride Flag (Danial Quasar): https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rainbow_flag_(LGBT)#/media/File:LGBTQ+_rainbow_flag_Quasar_%22Progress%22_variant.svg

Fabula Ultima: https://www.needgames.it/fabula-ultima-en/

Delicious in Dungeon (Dungeon Meishi/Danjon Meishi): https://yenpress.com/series/delicious-in-dungeon

Rai's social:

Rai on Tumblr: https://www.tumblr.com/raiasintended

Thank you everyone for sticking with us. We love you.

Hello Bonus Babies,

I am so sorry for the huge delay - when it rains it pours. But here we are with the penultimate episode of Season Six! 

Today Monica gets together with Heather (her wife) to discuss one of their mutually shared core principles of game design: participation makes the game. If you remove players from play, you are denying them the chance to experience your game. We break down what this means as well as provide good and bad examples of designing for character creation, incapacitation, elimination, and replacement. We also discuss constructive self-entertainment vs. disruptive behavior and techniques for different designs and different styles of play. 

In your patron cut you'll also hear: 

The mystery of the brown fluff

Live Morgana Updates

Live Julia Updates

Important links from the show: 

Fabula Ultima: https://www.needgames.it/fabula-ultima-en/

"Bluebeard's Bride AP" on The Story Told RPG Podcast: https://thestorytold.libsyn.com/bluebeards-bride-ap

Heather's socials:

@Snoutopus on Twitter and Bluesky

@plague-of-frog on Tumblr https://www.tumblr.com/plague-of-frog

Hello Bonus Babies,

Today I'm joined by friend and colleague Alex Guerrero to discuss how video games utilize narrative and setting design to create a sense of wonder and mystery - and how you can bring that to the table in your own tabletop RPGs!

We discuss:
Good writing and pacing of lore
Creating and fostering mystery while running games
Supporting an action-RPG feel at the table
Using techniques from GMless gaming
Integrating social influence into games
Building lore for your game using other games

Also discussed in the extended cut:
Monica's favorite GM slight-of-hand and the judicious handling of "yes, but"
Behind the scenes in trying to close the show
WARNING: SPOILERS FOR HONKAI STAR RAIL FROM 15:32 to 19:05. They're called out with a musical bumper so if you don't want the plot spoiled PLEASE SKIP AHEAD.

We mention a lot of things we said we would link, so here are quite literally all of them:


"Are You Satisfied?" by Marina and the Diamonds. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JWywn51-B_I

Ashikai https://www.youtube.com/@Ashikai
(The lore analyst that Alex mentioned)

Video games

Genshin Impacthttps://genshin.hoyoverse.com/

Honkai: Star Railhttps://hsr.hoyoverse.com/


TTRPGs mentioned for Genshin-style play

Exalted Essencehttps://www.drivethrurpg.com/product/427275/Exalted-Essence

Godbound

Free edition https://www.drivethrurpg.com/product/185959/Godbound-A-Game-of-Divine-Heroes-Free-Edition

Deluxe edition https://www.drivethrurpg.com/product/185960/Godbound-A-Game-of-Divine-Heroes


AGE System https://greenroninstore.com/collections/age-system

Storypath System https://www.drivethrurpg.com/product/431162/Storypath-Ultra-Preview-2023

Anima Primehttps://www.drivethrurpg.com/product/90234/Anima-Prime-RPG


Other TTRPGs mentioned

Microscope https://www.lamemage.com/microscope/

The Quiet Yearhttps://buriedwithoutceremony.com/the-quiet-year

Spindlewheel https://www.teacabbage.com/spindlewheel

Blades in the Darkhttps://evilhat.com/product/blades-in-the-dark/


Alex's links

Twitter https://twitter.com/AFractalDragon

Itch https://fractaldragon.itch.io/

Tumblr https://letourswordsdecide.tumblr.com/

Hello Bonus Babies!

D is back in the studio with me today to deliver on our promise to discuss exceptions-based rules design. We talk about Exalted: Essence an awful lot, but also talk about Malifaux, Chronicles of Darkness, and some upcoming games. We talk about good examples of how to build strong exceptions and an equal number of bad ones, and point out games that don't do this at all.

Also discussed in the extended cut:


Live, custom made, spooky beeps

Even more on ASMR

The weirdness of TikTok

Anticipating a LARP

Expectations for advances

The intricacies of royalties and "the Bigolas Dickolas Moment"

Find D's Choice of Games novel here: https://www.choiceofgames.com/seventh-sea-a-pirates-pact/

Hello Bonus Babies,

Today Monica sits down with friend and colleague Hiromi Cota to discuss how you can improve the accessibility of your tabletop RPG. We talk about making things accessible to folks with physical issues, but mental ones as well. We also talk about math a lot.

In the patron cut:


More coping strategies for ADHD

Monica's style guide opinions

Being ready to teach dice pools

You can find Hiromi and their work here:


https://hiromicota.com/

https://www.tumblr.com/hiromicota

Hello Bonus Babies,

Today Monica is joined by the hosts of the Malifaux podcast, Steampowered Scoundrels, to have a lively discussion about being small content creators in a niche field, being the microest of micro celebrities, having relationships with tabletop game designers, and a lot, and I really mean a lot, of talk about Malifaux.

Don't worry I also bring up Exalted at least once.

Also discussed: bad times at work and the Condescension Special; the authenticity of background noise and where to get the good misophonia; the story of Trixibelle's lemon; war criminals, annoying women, and problematic content in long-term properties.

Content warning that we touch on, but do not deeply discuss, some pretty messed up shit that our favorite games have included.


You can find the Scoundrels here: https://steampoweredscoundrels.podbean.com/

The episode featuring yours truly here: https://steampoweredscoundrels.podbean.com/e/steam-powered-scoundrels-episode-22-ships-and-giggles/

More information on Malifaux here: https://www.wyrd-games.net/malifaux

Place to find the Scoundrels:
Discord: https://discord.gg/KnFbYPdBn9%20

TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@steampoweredscoundrels

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@ArtefactorsUnion

Good Things Happen Charity Event: https://fb.me/e/13rS4sbY1 and https://ko-fi.com/goodthingshappenmalifaux

Hello Bonus Babies,

THere's another crossover with Mage: The Podcast. This time Danielle Lauzon joins us as we discuss the concept of design directives in games. Enjoy the energy a third party brings to these MTP/BXP crossovers.

You can find Mage the Podcast here.

Additional silliness in the extended cut.

Hello Bonus Babies,

Today Monica is joined by Exalted developer, Elliott Freeman, to break down their favorite (and least favorite) characters sheets: what works, what doesn't, what they like to see, and so on. Favorites include Agon and Blades in the Dark, and the least favorites include some real stinkers.

You can find Mr Gone's work here and here

Also discussed in the extended cut:
Sleep and work schedules

More details about Blades in the Dark

Play aids as character sheets

Hello Bonus Babies,

Today Monica is joined by freelance author and designer, MJ Monleon, to discuss the ins, outs, and pitfalls of designing a competitive game. We focus mostly on traditional games like tabletop RPGs and card or board games and then wander off into the weeds of some of our favorite video games. 
We start off strong, then get very distracted. Expect the full strength ADHD experience: hand clapping, table slapping, chair squeaking and my inability to hold still and speak directly into the mic. If any of that is a deal breaker for you, skip this one. 
Also discussed in the extended cut:
the rules and secrets of BXP
competitive D&D
glitches in Elden Ring and being annoying in Magic
hot topics for future episodes

Hello Bonus Babies,

Monica joins Terry on Mage the Podcast to workshop the design concept of individual magic(k) merits, as well as temporary merits and experience rewards in Mage 20th.

Join us for an interesting discussion on in-character benefits and experience design, plus all the weird stuff you've come to expect from Monica and Terry having a conversation.

Hello Bonus Babies,

Today Monica invites her friend, Jacqueline Bryk, to join her and discuss something she considers a blank spot in her traditional game literacy: LARP. We discuss what makes a LARP, and general LARP design principles as Jax gives a detailed 101 crash course. We also kick around designing our own together, for a bit.

Also discussed in the extended cut:


Jax at MAGFest and Monica's day job

the implications of torture in games and the meddlesome Victorians

headcanons for the Scarlet Empress and the Ebon Dragon

online RPG discourse

Hello Bonus Babies,

Welcome to Season Six! Rai is retiring from permanent co-host duty so you're all stuck with me (Monica) and a rotating door of our friends. Fear not, Rai will still join us from time to time. And don't worry - we remain two queer people speaking with authority about games, and we absolutely will still swear (die mad about it).

In today's episode D and Monica sit down to get into the ins and outs of designing good resource management games. We talk about what you need to consider as a designer and break down how you can avoid common pitfalls. We also cite a handful of excellent games you can try that use their resources extremely well.

In the Extended Cut:


Starting the work day, weird dreams, and a good sandwich

Behind the scenes of Scion 2e

The mysteries of PEMDAS

More fun rules from The Other Side

You can find D's info here: https://www.daniellelauzon.com/

Check out The Other Side here: https://www.wyrd-games.net/the-other-side

BXP is BACK for Season Six. We have some very important updates to the show as well as some super cool episodes coming up. Give it a listen. If you stayed a patron through the off-season, Monica shouts out your name.

Hello Bonus Babies!

This is the final episode of Season Five. Terry joins Monica again with the second half of their very long conversation about experiences with gaming and new people. 

Today we talk about character development in RPGs: what that means, what people want when they say they're into it, and how games do and don't support character growth over time. It's a very interesting discussion and a perfect send-off for our fifth season. 

There WILL be Patron-exclusive content this off-season! We're launching Bonus Level, a YouTube show where Monica and friends try to talk about interesting tabletop topics while their attention is also on a video game. Two episodes are already available on Patreon and Ko-Fi, so there's never been a better time to support us. Supporters will get early access to all episodes before the full season goes live, so tell your friends! 

BXP is now also on YouTube. All episodes of Bonus Experience and Systematic Understanding of Everything will be posted to our channel, which you can find here: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCK9Qkt98eLwkx8vRCJwrpTA 

Like and subscribe and all that. 

We love you all, see you next year! 

[ Bonus Experience: the Blog! bxpcast.com | Bonus Experience: the Discord! tinyurl.com/bxpdiscord | Bonus Experience: the YouTube Channel | Bonus Experience: the Twitter! @bonusexpcast | Bonus Experience: the Patreon! patreon.com/bonusexperience ]

Hello Bonus Babies,

Terry (of Mage: the Podcast) joins Monica to talk about the wild experience of teaching Mage to new people and Monica commiserates about her experiences with teaching Exalted to beginners. We discuss the interesting cultural baggage that comes with most folks pop understanding of the hobby and what it's like to show folks new games.

The topic goes all kinds of interesting places past that. Even more rambling can be heard in the extended cut.


[ Bonus Experience: the Blog! bxpcast.com | Bonus Experience: the Discord! tinyurl.com/bxpdiscord | Bonus Experience: the Twitter! @bonusexpcast | Bonus Experience: the Patreon! patreon.com/bonusexperience ]

Hello Bonus Babies,

Rai had to tap out of hosting early this season, so Monica set up a lobster trap outside her house in order to catch a few new co-hosts.  The last few episodes of Season 5 will be Monica + a friend. Join our Patreon or Discord for details about the nonsense we have planned for the off-seasons!

Here's the long-awaited new episode. Chazz of Pain in the Dice, OPPCast and Systematic Understanding of Everything joins Monica to discuss games without randomizers. No cards. No dice. No coin flips - just a variety of narrative resolutions. We break down what we like about these games and what makes them work and (most importantly) what's worth stealing for your own homebrew. 

Here's a few links to games we discussed: 

Fall of Magic: https://heartofthedeernicorn.com/product/fall-of-magic-revised-edition/


Wanderhome: https://possumcreekgames.com/pages/wanderhome


Sleepaway: https://possumcreekgames.com/products/sleepaway


Chuubo's Marvelous Wish-Granting Engine: https://www.drivethrurpg.com/product/134196/Chuubos-Marvelous-WishGranting-Engine?affiliate_id=22805


Mobile Frame Zero: Firebrands: https://payhip.com/b/nhBY


Also referenced: Our deep dive about social mechanics - https://bxpcast.com/2020/10/26/bxp-3x13-danielle-monicas-deep-dive-social-mechanics/


[ Bonus Experience: the Blog! bxpcast.com | Bonus Experience: the Discord! tinyurl.com/bxpdiscord | Bonus Experience: the Twitter! @bonusexpcast | Bonus Experience: the Patreon! patreon.com/bonusexperience ]

Hello Bonus Babies,

We are so very sorry for the silence and lack of updates for a while there. Things have been rough for the whole BXP crew, but we're BACK. 

Monica overheard a conversation about someone being nervous to play D&D for the first time and their worries about how to be a good player, so here's today's episode. Rai and Monica hang out to discuss what sort of things are good to keep in mind when you're a player for the first time - no matter what game you're playing. 

We forewent the usual outline structure this time in favor of a more conversational episode, so please enjoy the chaos that comes with that. For even more nonsense, check out the extended cut.

[ Bonus Experience: the Blog! bxpcast.com | Bonus Experience: the Discord! tinyurl.com/bxpdiscord | Bonus Experience: the Twitter! @bonusexpcast | Bonus Experience: the Patreon! patreon.com/bonusexperience ]

Hello Bonus Babies! 

Rai's back! Hooray! Rejoice! 

Today Rai and Monica sit down to discuss a favorite internet discourse topic: does system matter? Can you just enjoy any game, regardless of system? Do you even NEED to be a game designer? 

You'll just have to listen to the whole thing if you want the answer. 

Also discussed in the extended cut: Rai's patron-only strip journalism, Monica's queer FLGS, the art of amigurumi and a lot more about Tumblr

Also here's a link to the CHAOS RPG streamed game. 

[ Bonus Experience: the Blog! bxpcast.com | Bonus Experience: the Discord! tinyurl.com/bxpdiscord | Bonus Experience: the Twitter! @bonusexpcast | Bonus Experience: the Patreon! patreon.com/bonusexperience ]

Hello Bonus Babies, 

While Rai sorts out a few life things, D joins us again for another deep dive. Today, Monica and Danielle discuss streamlining game systems - whether you're doing that on your own for fun or whether it's a professional job. We talk about the meaning, goals, and methods of streamlining and give some examples of systems we'd fix and systems we wouldn't. 

Also discussed: praxis songs, reflecting reality in games, and The Lesbian Who Controls Time. 

[ Bonus Experience: the Blog! bxpcast.com | Bonus Experience: the Discord! tinyurl.com/bxpdiscord | Bonus Experience: the Twitter! @bonusexpcast | Bonus Experience: the Patreon! patreon.com/bonusexperience ]

Happy Pride, Bonus Babies! 

We've really been going through it this year, so when we sat down to record our most recent episode we decided it would be fun and relaxing to just hang out instead. 

Here's nearly an hour of Monica and Rai talking about... everything and nothing. 

Discussed: 

Queer New Year and Gay Parliament
the best way to see Multiverse of Madness
the problem with superhero movies
RPG industry news
Siri learning about Exalted
David learning about Exalted
Winamp skins
Napster
a crowded house and a music closet
crushing season 5 and having an employee
finding mental health resources
RSD, the Rage Castle, and being aware of your own mental health
favorite ice creams
the hesitant return to Tumblr


Even more nonsense in the extended cut 

[ Bonus Experience: the Blog! bxpcast.com | Bonus Experience: the Discord! tinyurl.com/bxpdiscord | Bonus Experience: the Twitter! @bonusexpcast | Bonus Experience: the Patreon! patreon.com/bonusexperience ]