They’ve covered Players and GMs, now Alex and James look at the real stars of Starfinder: SF2 Alien Core. Recorded live on Twitch. Listen Now! (mp3)

In episode 127 of Game Design Unboxed: Inspiration to Publication, we chat with game designer, publisher, and trauma psychotherapist Galen McCown about how getting involved with the Syracuse game design community helped him grow as both a creator and collaborator. We also discuss his love for solo and two-player games, his fascination with post-apocalyptic themes, and how compact […]

Roadblock melting as Shipwreck screams. Young Daniel Witwicky stumping across Optimus Prime’s decaying corpse. The unconscious manifestation of Princess Celestials anxiety. Pumpkin Rapper. Plastic Bags. The Essence20 settings don’t shy away from the weird, so neither do Ryan and Charles. They’re here to help you run spooky Essence20 adventures! Listen Now! (mp3) Video Show Notes […]

John, Jason , and Ron take a quick look at the newly released Starfinder 2nd Edition Alien Core and talk about their favorite monsters just in time for Halloween! Listen Now! Watch Now!

With Pathfinder Quest on his mind, Ryan ponders some of the many ways a Pathfinder enthusiast can play in Golarion and the Lost Omens campaign setting beyond the Pathfinder roleplaying game. Then he sits down with Pathfinder Quest designers Jason Bulmahn and Joe Pasini to discuss the creation of the game, meeting the needs of […]

As our heroes are deciding what to do next, they are attacked by a group of shadowy assailants. Join our Intrepid Heroes as they solve the mystery of the Murder in Metal City! Cast: Jason Keeley – GM Alex Speidel – Patsy Van Dyne Isis Wozniakowska – Voss Seltee Jocelyn Hamilton – Together in Electric […]

In episode 126 of Game Design Unboxed, we chat with John D. Clair about his journey from gamifying mazes to becoming a full-time tabletop designer. He shares how setting clear goals, focusing only on games he is excited about, and reworking mechanics from games that inspire him shaped his design approach. John shares how he reimagines mechanics […]

As the designer of the Essence20 version of G.I. JOE’s iconic flying submarine, Ryan takes full responsibility for it being built wrong. He uses this opportunity to show off he Essence20 vehicle design rules and correct his mistake. You can find the revised stat block below! Listen Now! (mp3) Featuring Letter From Snake Eyes part […]

John shares information from Epictellers’ recent Starfinder: Afterlight media event and Jason gives his top recommendations for space fantasy games to play as you wait! Listen Now! Watch Now!

While investigating the murder of Tier 99 Professor, our heroes make a grisly discovery. Join our Intrepid Heroes as they solve the mystery of the Murder in Metal City! Cast: Jason Keeley – GM Alex Speidel – Patsy Van Dyne Isis Wozniakowska – Voss Seltee Jocelyn Hamilton – Together in Electric Dreams (Dreams) John Godek […]

Starfinder players aren’t the only ones Paizo treated to a new hardcover 2e sourcebook. Alex and James share their thoughts on the SF2 GM Core. Recorded live on Twitch. Listen Now! (mp3)

In episode 125 of Game Design Unboxed, we chat with Roberto Panetta, designer of Gems of Iridescia and founder of Rock, Stone & Dice Games. Roberto shares how his background in toy and game retail gave him the marketing and sales experience to start his own publishing company. He opens up about reigniting his creativity after […]

Vehicles play a major role in G.I. JOE, Power Rangers, and, obviously, Transformers. But how do they work in Essence20? Charles, who is running a session with at least one vehicle combat soon, asks Ryan, who designed the Essence20 vehicle rules, about their intent, origin, and implementation. Listen Now! (mp3) Featuring Letter From Snake Eyes […]

Jason, John, and Ron take a quick look at the first Starfinder 2 Adventure Path: Guilt of the Grave World by Michael Bramnik. Listen Now! Watch Now!

Our heroes are ambushed in an alley but prevail, and learn that someone or something has been tracking both the professor and themselves. Join our Intrepid Heroes as they solve the mystery of the Murder in Metal City! Cast: Jason Keeley – GM Alex Speidel – Patsy Van Dyne Isis Wozniakowska – Voss Seltee Jocelyn […]

Battlecry!, the latest sourcebook for Pathfinder 2e, is full of amazing options, like the new Jotunborn big beefy ancestry with planar connections, the new commander and guardian classes, a leader and a protector, respectively, and a new skirmish system to put your PC in the middle of epic battles. The book’s design lead, our own […]

In episode 124 of Game Design Unboxed, we chat with game designer Serena Fadlun about creating games that increase human happiness and how she literally dreamed her career into existence when a vision of her future son inspired her to start designing. Serena shares how she blended her work experience (from translating top-secret movie scripts […]

Follow us through the surprising evolution of the Know Direction Network’s Essence20 podcast. Listen Now! (mp3) 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 […]

Jason, John, and Ron talk about the recently announced Starfinder: Afterlight video game and what they hope it includes. Listen Now! Watch Now!

Seemingly attacked by a stealthy droid, our heroes give chase! Join our Intrepid Heroes as they solve the mystery of the Murder in Metal City! Cast: Jason Keeley – GM Alex Speidel – Patsy Van Dyne Isis Wozniakowska – Voss Seltee Jocelyn Hamilton – Together in Electric Dreams (Dreams) John Godek – Xabi Fraglorious Rue […]