Happy Jacks RPG Podcast: GM & Player Tabletop RPG Advice

◇ Wes from Indianapolis replies to the idea that Actual Plays are Art, Steven tells how he found D&D in postwar Serbia, From the Archive 2021: Dirk (RIP) asks about prompting questions from the GM | Hosts: Kimi, Riley, & Pooja ◇

◇ Tariffs on TTRPGs, Taurelin asks about X cards and multiple problem players, From the Archive 2022: Weaselcreature laments the fate of Stu’s Elves | Hosts: Kimi ◇

◇ Alverant asks how to prep for a game BEFORE you have the rules, Mike from New York State shares a gaming success story, From the Archive 2018: Chris from NJ asks how non-actor GMs can create interesting NPCs | Hosts: Kimi, Artem, & Moe ◇

◇ Jörn from Sweden asks why some people are so against playing rpgs, Jolene replies to our conversation on Stars and Wishes, From the Archive 2018: Craig shares some hard-won GMing lessons | Hosts: Kimi, Pooja, CADave, & Clara ◇

◇ Aaron has wants that spark back in his GMing relationship, LivetTea asks if they screwed up during a LARP, From the Archive 2018: Alverant shares a Convention Horror story | Hosts: Kimi, Eli & Vixie ◇

◇ Rick asks about gaming groups without anyone to GM, Eric from New Jersey asks how to learn an IP world fast, From the Archive 2019: Falco from Germany calls out our pro-PBTA anti-dnd content | Hosts: Kimi & Riley ◇

◇ Graf has a reply to our discussion of horror games, Mike from New York State shares why he prefers online play, From the Archive 2018: Ed from Minnesota, now in Florida, wants to talk about religions in games | Hosts: Kimi, Rose, Vyrrk, & Clara ◇

◇ Kimi talks GAMA and industry events, Steffi pours A LOT of Vampire tea, From the Archive 2019: Joe from the Inland Empire asks about making a world with depth | Hosts: Kimi, Riley, & Adam ◇

◇ Live from Gateway 2024 at the Hilton LAX in Los Angeles! A great panel show with members of our audience and stories from lots of different con games. Since it is a live event, the audio quality is not the same as our normal episodes recorded in our studio. ◇

◇ Find us on Youtube ◇ Twitch ◇ Twitter ◇ Instagram ◇ Facebook ◇ Discord or find all our podcast feeds on your favorite Podcast platform! happyjacksrpg.carrd.co

◇ Subscribe to our Actual Play Feed! We have a backlog of campaigns in over 20 RPG systems and new games running all the time.

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◇ Clara (yes, that Clara) asks about intrigue and conspiracy in TTRPGs, Eric from New Jersey responds to the call for favorite systems, From the Archive 2019: Al asks for advice for running games for kids with intellectual disabilities | Hosts: Jason, & Pooja ◇

◇ Spattz from Earth asks for advice for a GM returning to gaming after 20 years, Eric from New Jersey is struggling with writer's block, From the Archive 2018: Jen asks what system to run for a pair of non-gamers | Hosts: Kimi, CADave, & Sam Dunnewold ◇ 00:33 - Welcome & Episode Summary | 1:26 - We will be at OrcCon 2025 at the LAX Hilton Feb 14-17th, streaming live on Saturday night! We will also be at GAMA Expo the weekend after that. 2:46 - Indie Designer of the Month: Sam Dunnewold (he/him.) You can find his work on sdunnewold.itch.io or diceexploder.com. 22:22 - Spattz from Eart...

◇ Wes from Indianapolis asks about player rewards, Alverant talks about when communities don’t mix well, From the Archive 2020: Corbin Twa asks if players should be allowed to choose failure on rolls | Hosts: Kimi, Riley, & Chris ◇ 00:33 - Welcome & Episode Summary | 2:51 - We will be at OrcCon 2025 at the LAX Hilton Feb 14-17th, streaming live on Saturday night! We will also be at GAMA Expo the weekend after that. 6:08 - Indie Designer of the Month: Sam Dunnewold (he/him.) You can find his work on sdunnewold.itch.io or diceexploder.com. 21:50 - Wes from Indianapolis asks about player rewards | 45:21 - Alvera...

◇ Niklas from Stockholm shares thoughts on 4 different playstyles, Carlos from Detroit asks about ttrpgs and APs as folk art, From the Archive 2017: Drayle88 claims that D&D can be a two-player game | Hosts: Kimi, Jason, Joey, Clara & Dave ◇ 00:33 - Welcome & Episode Summary | 1:41 - We will be at OrcCon 2025 at the LAX Hilton Feb 14-17th, streaming live on Saturday night! We will also be at GAMA Expo the weekend after that. 3:04 - Indie Designer of the Month: Coming in Feb! 3:13 - Niklas from Stockholm shares thoughts on 4 different playstyles | 26:58 - Carlos from Detroit asks about ttrpgs and APs as folk art...

◇ Steven in Nashville is disappointed with D&D Beyond’s offerings, Eric from Alabama wants advice for a new teenage GM, From the Archive 2017: Dave from NY shares a confession | Hosts: Kimi & Artem ◇ 00:33 - Welcome & Episode Summary | 1:53 - We will be at OrcCon 2025 at the LAX Hilton Feb 14-17th, streaming live on Saturday night! We will also be at GAMA Expo the weekend after that. 3:30 - Indie Designer of the Month: Coming in Feb! 3:54 - Steven in Nashville is disappointed with D&D Beyond’s offerings | 17:36 - Eric from Alabama wants advice for a new teenage GM | 43:53 - From the Arch...

◇ Tanner talks 40K and pipedreams, Doogler asks about recycling prep, From the Archive 2018: Issac shares a GMing success story | Hosts: Kimi, Vixie, & Felix Issacs ◇ 00:33 - Welcome & Episode Summary | 2:40 - The end of season 34 is coming up! We will take a two week break after episode 25 and then be back with season 35! Game Daze will be happening January 11th, 2025! 4:29 - Indie Designer of the Month: Megan Dawson Jaffe of Nerdy City Games nerdycity.com 7:12 - Tanner talks 40K and pipedreams | 32:00 - Doogler asks about recycling prep | 54:34 - From the Archive 2018: Issac shares a GMing success story | 01:02:00 - Episode Closing | 01:06:41 - Music | ◇ Email...

◇ Eric in Canada is getting back in the TTRPG hobby, Mike from New York shares a success story, From the Archive 2017: Juho from Finland wants to talk about resolution mechanics | Hosts: Kimi, CADave & Artem ◇ 00:33 - Welcome & Episode Summary | 1:40 - The end of season 34 is coming up! Game Daze will be happening January 11th, 2025! 3:08 - Indie Designer of the Month: Megan Dawson Jaffe of Nerdy City Games nerdycity.com | 4:40 - Eric in Canada is getting back in the TTRPG hobby | 31:51 - Mike from New York shares a success story | 42:26 - From the Archive 2017: Juho from Finland wants to talk about resolution mech...

◇ We talk with Felix Issacs, creator of the WildSea and Pico, Carlos from Detroit asks about our favorite ways to source info from players, From the Archive 2018: Sam from Lakewood wants ideas about how to use visual aids during game sessions | Hosts: Kimi, Vixie, & Felix Issacs ◇ 00:33 - Welcome & Episode Summary | 1:39 - The end of season 34 is coming up! We will take a two week break after episode 25 and then be back with season 35! Game Daze will be happening January 11th, 2025! 3:08 - Indie Designer of the Month: Megan Dawson Jaffe of Nerdy City Games nerdycity.com 6:15 - We talk with Felix Issa...

◇ Susan in Oakland asks how to get her play groups to learn the rules, Mike from Ithica, NY responds with some advice, From the Archive 2020: Kosta from Adelaide shares a horror story full of red flags | Hosts: Kimi, Jason, Artem & Riley ◇ 00:33 - Welcome & Episode Summary | 2:55 - Game Daze will be happening January 11th, 2025! 3:37 - Indie Designer of the Month: Megan Dawson Jaffe of Nerdy City Games nerdycity.com 5:30 - Susan in Oakland asks how to get her play groups to learn the rules | 30:36 - Mike from Ithica, NY responds with some advice | 54:01 - From the Archive 2020: Kosta from Adelaide shares a ho...

◇ Steve from Cambridge asks about moving OSR games to narrative systems, Peter asks what PBTA system is the best starting point for a group, From the Archive 2020: Andrew asks about how to handle pandemics in his campaign | Hosts: Kimi, Jason, Vyrrk ◇ 00:33 - Welcome & Episode Summary | 1:17 - Game Daze will be happening January 11th, 2025! 1:27 - Indie Designer of the Month: Megan Dawson Jaffe of Nerdy City Games nerdycity.com 10:20 - Steve from Cambridge asks about moving OSR games to narrative systems| 51:30 - Peter asks what PBTA system is the best starting point for a group | 1:13:21 - From the Archive 2020: Andrew asks abou...

◇ Wil from Oregon asks about 2-player RPGS, Charger347 wants to talk about dice, Sam from Lakewood claims that space combat isn’t always boring.| Hosts: Kimi, Joey, Vixie ◇ 00:33 - Welcome & Episode Summary | 1:41 - Announcements: Our new DIE actual play is in full swing at 10am Pacific time on Fridays! We have another AP about tiny mice starting up near the end of the month! We will be taking US Thanksgiving week off. No show Sunday the 24th. 3:00 - Indie Designer of the Month: Chris Sellers (they/them) of Hectic Election Games find their work at https://hecticelectron.com 5:39 - Wil from O...

◇ Steffi in Scotland asks about epic campaign endings with freeform play, Sean from New Jersey asks how to trap players without railroading them, From the Archive 2018:  Chris asks if RIFTS will keep his 9yo kid interested | Hosts: Kimi, Jason, Eli, & Chris Sellers ◇ 00:33 - Welcome & Episode Summary | 1:55 - Announcements: Our new DIE actual play is in full swing at 10am Pacific time on Fridays! We have another AP about tiny mice starting up near the end of the month! We will be taking US Thanksgiving week off. No show Sunday the 24th. 3:36 - Indie Designer of the Month: Chris Sellers (they/them...

◇ Wes in Indianapolis asks about forming gaming groups with strangers, OdysseusTries shares a GM Horror story, From the Archive 2020: Steve in SoCal asks about Red Herrings | Hosts: Kimi & Riley ◇ 00:33 - Welcome & Episode Summary | 2:44 - Game Daze was yesterday! It was a quiet one, but the games were great and everyone had fun. The next one will be in January! 03:51 - Indie Designer of the Month: Chris Sellers (they/them) of Hectic Election Games find their work at https://hecticelectron.com 05:23 - Wes in Indianapolis asks about forming gaming groups with strangers | 24:24 - OdysseusTries shares a GM Failure story | 41:39 - From the...

◇ Jeff asks about publishing his ideas, Vyrrk from DC asks if APs are performances, From the Archive 2018: Ed from Minnesota and a story of plate tectonics | Hosts: Kimi, Jason, & Noir ◇ 00:33 - Welcome & Episode Summary | 02:39 - Announcements: Game Daze is happening November 2nd! Visit the Happy Jacks discord to sign up to run or play games! 03:51 - Indie Designer of the Month: Audrey Stolze aka Lady Tabletop (she/they) find her work at  https://ladytabletop.itch.io/ and https://www.hopepunkpress.com/ | 05:25 - Jeff asks about publishing his ideas | 27:23 - Vyrrk from DC asks if APs are performances | 56:58 - From the Archiv...

◇ Wes from Indianapolis asks how GMs can facilitate creative character goals?, Eric from New Jersey shares why session 0 is important, & From the Archive 2018: Gord from Canada shares a D&D Story | Hosts: CADave, Vyrrk, & Emily ◇ 00:33 - Welcome & Episode Summary | 03:23 - Announcements: Game Daze is happening November 2nd! Visit the Happy Jacks discord to sign up to run or play games! We need emails! We have received ONE email in the last month. Our supplies are running dry! You can email happyjacksrpg@gmail.com or you can post in the #mail-bag channel in the discord. We love getting questions, comments, success or f...

◇ Kerem from Turkey asks about language-independent games, Always Nevers asks about players short-circuiting an adventure, & From the Archive 2020: Juho from Finland wants to know if D&D really has to require so many rolls | Hosts: Pooja, Riley, & Sam ◇ 00:33 - Welcome & Episode Summary | 1:00 - Announcements: We have some Spooky one-shots coming up! Tune in Saturday October 12th for an Under the Autumn Strangely one-shot run by creator Graham Gentz, and Sunday October 13th for Asking For A (Dead) Friend run by Artem. Game Daze is happening in November! Visit the Happy Jacks discord to vote on the day! happyjacks.org/discord | 03:59 - In...

◇ Carlos from Detroit defends game prep, Eric from New Jersey asks how to compliment their GM, From the Archive 2018: David from Tampa shares a funny GMing Story | Hosts: Kimi, Graham, Rose, & Artem ◇ 00:33 - Welcome & Episode Summary | 1:00 - Announcements: Game Daze was yesterday and went great! Vyrrk will be stepping up to organize the next one in November. Join the Discord to vote on the date! https://happyjacks.org/discord | 02:23 - Indie Designer of the Month: Steve Dee he/him from Tinstar Games find him https://tinstargames.itch.io/ or tinstargames.com | 08:00 - Carlos from Detroit defends game prep | 30:13 - Eric from...

◇ Steve from Cambridge asks about GMing pace, Eric from New Jersey sends his thanks, & From the Archive 2019: ryan4flan struggles with players rolling their flaws in D&D | Hosts: Kimi, Pooja, & Vixie ◇ 00:33 - Welcome & Episode Summary | 1:17 - Announcements: Our next Game Daze will be September 28! Join the discord at happyjacks.org/discord to run or play games! Thanks to our Patreons we are in the middle of some great studio updates! YAY! | 4:00 - Indie Designer of the Month: Steve Dee he/him from Tinstar Games find him https://tinstargames.itch.io/ or tinstargames.com | 07:49 - Jolene wants to talk power imbal...

◇ Steve from Cambridge asks about GMing pace, Eric from New Jersey sends his thanks, & From the Archive 2019: ryan4flan struggles with players rolling their flaws in D&D | Hosts: Kimi, Riley, Jason & Artem ◇ 00:33 - Welcome & Episode Summary | 1:17 - Announcements: Our next Game Daze will be September 28! Join the discord at happyjacks.org/discord to vote on the day and to run or play games! Patreon Fees have changed. We are looking into options that will help us keep the lights on and the mini fridge full but be fair to our amazing supporters. Stay tuned. And we’ve started a round o...

◇ Live from Gateway 2024 at the Hilton LAX in Los Angeles! A great panel show with members of our audience and stories from lots of different con games. Since it is a live event, the audio quality is not the same as our normal episodes recorded in our studio. ◇ ◇ Find us on Youtube ◇ Twitch ◇ Twitter ◇ Instagram ◇ Facebook ◇ Discord or find all our podcast feeds on your favorite Podcast platform! happyjacksrpg.carrd.co ◇ Subscribe to our Actual Play Feed! We have a backlog of campaigns in over 20 RPG systems and new games running all the time. ◇ Become a Patreon! All the money goes into maintainin...

◇ Eric from New Jersey has a rules question for Pooja, Fray from California asks if we’ve heard of LitRPGs, From the Archive 2015: Josh asks how to run D&D for a single player | Hosts: Kimi, Pooja, Clara, & Artem ◇ 00:33 - Welcome & Episode Summary | 1:31 - Our next Game Daze will be September 28! Join the discord at happyjacks.org/discord to run or play games! 2:17 - Indie Designer of the Month: Jacqueline "Jax" Bryk (she/they/fae) find her games at linktr.ee/rufflejax | 05:45 - Eric from New Jersey has a rules question for Pooja | 33:47 - Fray from California asks if we’ve heard...

◇ Forlornhope22 wants to know about players adding details to a scene, Mike from Michigan asks about how armor should work, From the Archive 2019: Kurt Potts talks about face characters in D&D | Hosts: Kimi, Kurt, and Riley ◇ 00:33 - Welcome & Episode Summary | 1:31 - Our next Game Daze will be in September! Join the discord at happyjacks.org/discord to vote on the day and to run or play games! 2:17 - Indie Designer of the Month: Jacqueline "Jax" Bryk (she/they/fae) find her games at linktr.ee/rufflejax | 09:21 - Forlornhope22 wants to know about players adding details to a scene | 34:00 - Mike...

◇ We talk about GenCon, Alverant asks about how you should feel about your gaming group, Thomas from Denmark asks about RPGs in the classroom | Hosts: Kimi & Vixie ◇ 00:33 - Welcome & Episode Summary | 1:31 - Announcements: Our next Game Daze will be in September! Join the discord at happyjacks.org/discord to vote on the day and to run or play games! - Indie Designer of the Month: Jacqueline "Jax" Bryk (she/they/fae) find her games at linktr.ee/rufflejax | 5:36 - GENCON | 37:26 - Alverant asks about how you should feel about your gaming group | 54:17 - Thomas from Denmark asks about RPGs in the...

◇ From the Archive 2019: | Hosts: Jason, Kurt, Courtney, and Colin ◇ 00:34 - Welcome & Episode Summary | 1:31 - Our next Game Daze will be in September! Join the discord at happyjacks.org/discord to vote on the day and to run or play games! 2:17 - Indie Designer of the Month: Jacqueline "Jax" Bryk (she/they/fae) find her games at linktr.ee/rufflejax | 5:29 - Dale in Denver wants to know how to handle a PC’s death | 36:53 - Eric from New Jersey has a Con update | 44:14 - From the Archive 2018: Marcus from Brazil wants to know how to find a VtM group | 01:02:25 - Episode Closin...

◇ Bill from Canada asks about game vibes vs mechanics, Charger 347 shares about Cursed Magical Objects, From the Archive 2019: Midas from Adelaide talks about D&D classes | Hosts: Kimi, Jason, Pooja & Chris ◇ 00:34 - Welcome & Episode Summary | 1:10 - Starscape is Kickstarting NOW! Go to goldenlassogames.com/kickstarter to support it! Kimi will be at GenCon! Say hello! 5:35 - Indie Designer of the Month: Graham Gentz (he/they) and his games are on grahamgentz.itch.io | 7:07 - Bill from Canada asks about game vibes vs mechanics | 29:49 - Charger 347 shares about Cursed Magical Objects | 43:42 - From the Archive 2019: Midas from Adelaide talks about D&D cl...

◇ Graham Gentz is here! Alex in the Midwest has an accessibility war happening at his FLGS, From the Archive 2015: Kirby from Winnipeg deals with players too focused on the small details in a game without mechanics for them | Hosts: Kimi, Jay & Graham Gentz ◇ 00:34 - Welcome & Episode Summary | 1:10 - Starscape is Kickstarting NOW! Go to goldenlassogames.com/kickstarter to support it! Kimi will be at GenCon! Say hello! 3:10 - Indie Designer of the Month: Graham Gentz (he/they) and his games are on grahamgentz.itch.io | 8:37 - Indie Designer of the month Graham Gentz is in studio! | 41:37 - Alex in the Midw...

◇ Carlos from Detroit asks about separating authors from their work, Ken from Canada shares and anti-horror story, From the Archive: JP asks about co-GMing | Hosts: Kimi, Pooja & Artem ◇ 00:34 - Welcome & Episode Summary | 1:10 - JackerCon was an amazing success! Our next community gaming event will be Game Daze in September. Starscape is Kickstarting NOW! Go to goldenlassogames.com/kickstarter to support it! 2:28 - Indie Designer of the Month: Graham Gentz (he/they) and his games are on grahamgentz.itch.io | 4:37 - Carlos from Detroit asks about separating authors from their work | 28:20 - Ken from Canada shares and anti-horror story | 52:59 - From the...

◇ Eric from New Jersey says Bleed doesn’t have to be bad, Ansem from California asks What games make your collection cut?, From the Archive: Sam from Lakewood asks about Scifi vs Fantasy | Hosts: Kimi, & Riley ◇ 00:34 - Welcome & Episode Summary | 1:18 - JACKERCON JULY 12-14th! An epic weekend of online gaming and a long tradition for the happy jacks community. Starscape is Kickstarting July 9th! Go to goldenlassogames.com/kickstarter to follow the page and be notified when our campaign goes live! 2:28 - Indie Designer of the Month: Graham Gentz (he/they) and his games are on grahamgentz.itch.io | 5:10 - Eric...

◇ Players trying to void other PC’s abilities, Video games that influenced our play, & from the Archive: Traveller Story Problem | Hosts: Kimi, CADave & Clara ◇ 00:34 - Welcome & Episode Summary | 1:30 - JACKERCON JULY 12-14th! An epic weekend of online gaming and a long tradition for the happy jacks community. Starscape is Kickstarting July 9th! Go to goldenlassogames.com/kickstarter to follow the page and be notified when our campaign goes live! 04:01 - Azuretalon asks for help with teen girl gamer getting unwanted attention | 17:15 - Elly shares a Lady Blackbird story | 48:47 - From the Archive: Taurelin asks if we’ve been so in chara...

◇ Players trying to void other PC’s abilities, Video games that influenced our play, & from the Archive: Traveller Story Problem | Hosts: Kimi, & Riley ◇ 00:34 - Welcome & Episode Summary | 2:18 - JACKERCON JULY 12-14th! An epic weekend of online gaming and a long tradition for the happy jacks community. Starscape is Kickstarting July 9th! Go to goldenlassogames.com/kickstarter to follow the page and be notified when our campaign goes live! 7:20 - Players trying to void other PC’s abilities | 26:35 - Video games that influenced our play | 50:40 - From the Archive: Traveller Story Problem | 01:12:29 - Episode Closing | 01:15:00 - Song: "The Bird Song" by The M...

◇ Topic: Game Design Musings, Emails: Steve from Cambridge asks about PC decision shyness, Mike F. from Ithaca, NY shares an X-Card story | Hosts: Kimi, & Sam Dunnewold ◇ 00:33 - Welcome & Episode Summary | 1:30 - Announcements: The next Game Daze was yesterday! It went great! Next up: JACKERCON IN JULY! GamEx at the Hilton LAX is MAY 24-27, we will be doing our live show Saturday night! Jason will be doing a demigods book signing!! 3:40 - Topic: Dice Exploder Podcast & Game Design Musings | 21:08 - Steve from Cambridge asks about PC decision shyness | 37:34 - Mike F. from Ithaca, NY shares an X-Card story | 59:00 - Episode Clos...