Audio Noise: There's A Chance You'll Get Hooked By This One

Lately I've been digging around to try to find more podcasts to listen to.  Typically I look for actual plays, but I happened to stumble across this one and decided to take a chance...

Focus: enhancing your 5e D&D experience

Audio Quality: four and a half fleshed out character concepts

Content Quality: five fiendish DM plans

Average Length: 40 minutes to an hour

Release Schedule: weekly

I must admit that I don't usually listen to informational podcasts like this one but I'm really glad that I found it.  The chemistry between the hosts Travis and Jordan is really good, and makes this podcast an easy listen.  They are both enthusiastic about the topic and have a lot of experience that they bring to the table.  They also go the extra mile to tie things in with historical references as well which is absolutely fascinating.  As an example, I'd never heard of Jeanne de Clisson and the bloody path she carved through the English Channel but man does she sounds terrifying!

The only thing that I have found slightly off in the 30+ episodes that I've listened to in the past week (yes, it really is that good) is a slight leveling problem on their audio.  They changed their format in episode  23 to go to a weekly format but the bumpers were a noticeably louder than the podcast itself for a few episodes.  Just made it a little jarring between segments initially but they seemed to have fixed it pretty quickly.

Overall this is a really well put together, informative, and insightful podcast about 5e, and if you are into Dungeons and Dragons I definitely recommend giving it a listen.  Until next time...

Random Updates: Painted Ghar, Tabletop Warlords, and Proxy Isorians

I'm not gonna lie, I had originally been planning on trying to get in a game of Antares featuring the Algoryn troops of Yadrolla against the mighty Ghar Empire!  It didn't quite work out that way but instead I was able to actually get some paint onto my Ghar.  Huzzah!

This isn't the finished product but it gives you an idea what I'm going for.  Originally I was planning on painting my Ghar red because... well, because I like to paint things red.  It's kind of a trend.  After reading more about the Ghar, I don't see them as being so concerned with things like paint.  I mean the studio paint scheme for the Ghar is really crisp but I like the idea of having them dirty metal instead.  Their suits are churned out on an assembly line and sent out to war.  I plan on carrying this through with the outcasts as well, making them dirty from the harsh life they have been forced to live.  No idea how it will work out since I don't have a lot of experience with weathering minis but this seems like a great place to start.

I have also been watching the Tabletop Warlords on Youtube, a great channel that features Gates of Antares battle reports plus they are looking to expand into terrain making videos as well.  Sergey and Kevin do a great job breaking things down, making it easy to follow what is happening in the game, and they have a good chemistry that make them really fun to watch.  I recommend checking them out if you currently play Antares or are looking to find out more information about how the game works.

All of which leads nicely into my next tidbit, proxied Isorians.  When I first got into Antares the Isorians just didn't appeal to me aesthetically.  As I learned more about the game, they (along with pretty much all the other factions) really started to grow on me.  Unfortunately the Isorians are one of two factions that don't currently have a plastic set for their core infantry and I can't really justify plunking down more money while I'm still working on assembling and painting my first three armies.  Thankfully I stumbled across at least a temporary solution to this problem; the Therians.

This blog first focused on the game AT-43 by Rackham Games.  Unfortunately Rackham went the way of the dodo years ago but I still have all of my old Therian minis.  The Therians are basically a mechanical race but stylistically they have an organic look to them... just like the Isorians.  So, bada bing, bada boom...

...and instant Isorians!  While I do have a good number of Therians floating around, I don't have enough to be able to field a large Isorian proxy force.  I'd invested pretty heavily into the Golgoth walkers compared to the regular infantry units but I can pull together enough ground pounders for about 500 points, which is good enough for me to be able to try pushing them around to see how they play.  Who knows, it might even lead to yet another army for my collection.  Until next time...

Audio Noise: Clink! From Earth... With 100 Lasers!

Having listened to the entire run of Decoder Ring Theater (for a second time even!!!) I started looking around for another podcast in the radio play format.  It took me a little bit of digging but I managed to find...

Focus: Various radio play style skits.

Audio Quality: Four and a half clinks.

Content Quality: Four laser fists.

Average Length:Usually about half an hour.

Release Schedule: weekly

Unlike the other podcasts that I've talked about on the Noise, the Thrilling Adventure Hour is an actual Hollywood stage show that also happens to run on iTunes.  If you happen to be in LA on the right day you can even go see the real thing but the rest of us will just have to make due with the podcast.

The show covers several different story lines which all have their own merits but in my opinion Beyond Belief, Spark Nevada, Marshal On Mars, and Captain Laserbeam are the best.  This isn't to say that the other skits that come through are not good but these three are definitely my favorites.  Don't take my word for it though; get over there and check them out yourself!  Until next time...

Audio Noise: Putting A Little Bance In Your Life!

Even though we moved across country just a couple of months ago, we have been lucky enough to have already made some good friends that love gaming as much as we do.  During a chat with one of them a "local" podcast was mentioned so I decided to check them out and am I ever glad that I did.    So glad in fact that I think its time to...

Focus: Boardgames from ancient days of yore (like the 80's)

Audio Quality: Five 10,000 point questions!

Content Quality: Five balloon tardises.

Average Length: About an hour

Release Schedule: bi weekly

A lot of podcast that I've listened to have started out a little on the rough side but not this one.  Right from episode 1 the audio quality and editing, content, chemistry of the hosts, all of it was right out of the park!  But what exactly is it about?

Unlike other board game podcasts Flip The Table focuses on those games that litter the shelves of your local thrift and Goodwill.  You won't find much about the latest and greatest on BGG but you will find plenty about some "classics" like Heartthrob, Trump the Game, and the All My Children board game.

You might think that listening to an hour about a game like this would be almost painful to bear but the guys at Flip The Table make it interesting.  Their banter keeps the mood light and they also don't just focus on the negative aspects of the games.  Instead they look at what how they felt the game design was flawed and even how to make the game better which gives an interesting perspective on game design.

Once they have finished their review, they end the show with the Battle of Wits between the hosts and these are just a blast to listen to.  Whether they are playing the eBay game, the IMDB game or any thing else that they have dreamed up, it is always good for a laugh.  This is definitely a podcast that I recommend you add to you listening cue ASAP.  Until next time...

And There Go My Eardrums Again...

I recently picked up the Edge of the Empire Beginner Set and decided to see if there were any actual plays out there so that I could see how other people had run the game.  I wasn't really expecting to find anything but lo and behold, there was a podcast that covered it!  And then the screaming began but that's only to be expected with...

Focus: Dungeons and Dragons 4e actual play.

Audio Quality: Three and a half sonic screams.

Content Quality: Four tangerines.

Average Length: About an hour to an hour and a half

Release Schedule: weekly

I gotta be honest, I really wanted to hate this podcast.  Between the random screams and the sonic hyena laughs, my ears probably would have loved me more it I had just turned around and walked away but for some reason I listened to more... and then I got hooked.

As I mentioned, the first of their games that I listened to were a short series of Star Wars APs and that is just an absolute train wreck.  Between the players screaming about strange dice and them just running around  blindly attacking everything in sight all I could think was "WTF?"

Just to make my pain complete, I decided to check out their regular 4e feed to see just how bad it was in comparison.  I don't know if my senses had just been deadened from the previous exposure or I had been driven to the brink of madness but I actually kind of liked it.  The players have a much better handle on the rules in 4e so there is a lot less complaining about the dice and a lot more actual playing.  There are still a ton of tangents sprinkled liberally throughout the episodes and if you're listening on headphones you still need to watch out for those ear splitting moments, but overall this podcast has been a lot of fun to listen to and I'm looking forward to more.  Until next time...

Further Proof That Skype Can Cause Sanity Loss

While listening to the Miskatonic University Podcast they mentioned an actual play 'cast that they were listening to that they were all enjoying.  Always interested in listening on other peoples games I decided to give them a try.  Fifteen episodes later and numerous sanity blasting feedback loops later its time to listen in on...

Focus: Call of Cthulhu rules actual play

Audio Quality: Four barbers out of five... except when Skype explodes

Content Quality: Four and a half G-men out of five

Average Length: from an hour and a half to just over three hours

Release Schedule:

If you ask gamers to describe Call of Cthulhu I think one of the common themes would be "that game where everyone dies or goes crazy in the end" and perhaps rightly so.  CoC can be a brutal game and character mortality is a major factor.  A few good shots/punches/claws to the face, and you'll be rolling up a new character while the rest of the group runs for their lives.

That said you might be surprised to hear that I've listened to the first three adventures the guys at Skype of Cthulhu recorded and... are you ready for it?  They are still using the same characters!  Now if that's not sanity blasting on a whole new level then I don't know what is!  The great thing is that its not because the keeper is pulling any punches.  Instead it is a combination of some crazy luck (such as fighting off a Deep Ones with hands and feet tied...) and the stubborn tenacity of the players that has kept these characters alive.  The keeper has also introduced almost an X-Files aspect to the game as there have been two occasions when the men in black have made an appearance which is a really interesting touch.

The only downside so far has been the aforementioned Skype explosions.  Over the course of the first fourteen episodes there are several times when feedback noise will blast over the game.  The worst ones are edited out and the group does a great job pressing on in spite of them but it can be a little distracting to say the least.  Thankfully it seems like they have solved the problem as of episode 15 so hopefully its smooth sailing from then on but even with this distraction I really recommend giving them a try as it really shines a new light on the concept of an ongoing campaign in Call of Cthulhu without repeated character generation.  Until next time...

It's Kind Of Like Training Wheels For Tentacles!

I've never actually played in a Call of Cthulhu game but I'm always on the look out for podcasts about it.  Perhaps that doesn't make too much sense but we are talking about Cthulhu here.  While trolling for some new podcasts to listen to I happened upon this esteemed learning institute and decided to give it a listen.  Everyone sit down and prepare to enroll in...

 

 

Focus: Call of Cthulhu rules discussion with some AP sprinkled in there as well

Audio Quality: Four mad cultists out of five

Content Quality: Four raving lunatics out of five for fresh faced investigators, three for the grizzled veterans

Average Length: roughly an hour and a half though it does very quite a bit

Release Schedule: weekly to biweekly depending on the stars

Unlike most of the other podcasts I've listened to, Miskatonic University Podcast has taken a different approach by focusing on breaking down and explaining the rules of the game instead of just general game discussion.  From character creation to combat to magic and beyond, this podcast has touched on all of them.  In addition they also have some actual play recordings which give you a view of the mechanics in action though I must admit that there are more entertaining listens out there.  This makes the MU Podcast a great resource for new players but I think it might limit its appeal to more experienced keepers.  They do still have other segments that might interest veterans but a majority of the recording so far have been taken up by the rules discussion itself.

One of the downsides that I see to this format is that Chaosium is playtesting the 7th edition of the rules which sounds like it will have some of the first major changes to the rules in 6 editions.  This makes me wonder if the MU Podcast will repeat this process when the game releases in 2013.  Then again the 7th edition is probably a year away so there is plenty of time before they have to cross that hurdle.  Then there is the fact that the book only contains so much information which makes me wonder what they will focus on in the future but I'm sure these guys have something up their sleeves.

Overall, if you are interested in learning more about the world created by Lovecraft and his peers I think that the Miskatonic University Podcast is worth giving a listen and even if you're already familiar with it you never know what else you might learn.  Until next time...

And It All Starts Out With A Jenkins

Lately I have to admit that I've been in a bit of a rut as far as my podcasts go.  Some have faded, some have changed formats or hosts... overall, a number of my regulars became not so much lately.  I started to look around for new ones when what should I find but this little gem with some pretty sound advise right in the title.  Look out folks and remember to...

Focus: Traveller actual play

Audio Quality: Four rebuilt assassins out of five

Content Quality: Four and a half kooky psychics out of five

Average Length: just under an hour

Release Schedule: pretty consistently weekly

Close The Airlock is the first Traveller Actual Play that I've ever found out there and they do a good job giving you a feel for the game.  The setting is not the canon Traveller universe but the party is learning their way around at the same time so you never feel like your missing out on anything.  The game play also flows along very nicely as the mechanics of the game run quite smoothly and even combat moves at a very brisk pace (unlike some other systems that are out there...) so there are no moments where you just tune out for the episode as they try to grind away at an opponent.  The group is also pretty familiar with each other as role players so they have a good dynamic as well which is always a plus.

The only downside is the occasional baby crying since the referee and his wife recently entered the wonderful world of parenthood (welcome to the club!) but they are right up front about it in the introduction which is awesome.  After listening to the podcast I have to say that she seems to be a very mild mannered baby so other than occasionally chewing on some of the miniatures its not really much of an issue.  If you're looking for something a little different from the typical AP fare, I'd definitely recommend giving this one a try.  Until next time...

Oh No! Rocket Propelled Simians Hurtling Through The Sky!

In the Decoder Ring Theatre review a couple weeks back I mentioned that I was listening to another actual play podcast.  I never did elaborate further as I wanted to check out some more episodes before I said anything but now the verdict is in.  Watch out for high flying simians because...

Focus: Actual play

Audio Quality: Four and a half stolen jetpacks out of five

Content Quality: Five monkey screams out of five

Average Length: roughly two hours

Release Schedule: usually weekly but occasionally longer

Monkeys Took My Jetpack is one of the most enjoyable actual play podcasts that I've ever listened to.  Most AP sessions manage to flow up to the point that the dice come out but this group focuses on games with very elegant mechanics that let the story just coast along with barely a pause in the action.  Everyone in the group also does a wonderful job playing off of each other and really put an emphasis on the role playing aspect of the game.  And did I mention that they have sound effects?  All of this wrapped up together makes for a very enjoyable listen that I can't recommend highly enough.

The only downside that I've noticed is occasional problems with Skype that effect their audio quality but these are usually quickly resolved (or very well edited) so that they don't break up the pace of the game.  There is also about half an hour worth of feedback and batter leading into each episode but this is easy enough to get past if you just want to get to the game.  Either way I really do recommend check these guys out.  Until next time...

Audio Noise: You Will Have To Face... The Red Panda!

While listening to yet another actual play podcast one of the players happened to mention a pulp radio podcast and I decided to check it out.  Let me tell you I'm glad that I did.  So just who are these pulpy pioneers of the podosphere?  Why none other than...

Decoder Ring Theatre

Focus: Pulp action radio drama

Audio Quality: Five masked superheroes out of five

Content Quality: Five gumshoes out of five

Average Length: roughly thirty minutes

Release Schedule: the 1st and 15th of the month

Decoder Ring Theatre is a modern take on the radio dramas of old with all the pulpy goodness that they entail.  Their main story arcs follow the exploits of the Red Panda (think of him as Canada's own version of Batman) and Black Jack Justice, Private Eye though the two are not set within the same reality.  The Adventures of the Red Panda is set in a superhero rich world driving headlong into the grim reality of World War II, while Black Jack Justice is in a more mundane reality shortly after the war.

Both of these stories are a lot of fun to listen to and between the character and story development they just keep getting better every episode.  In fact I've enjoyed them so much that I've started looking for other audio dramas to check out but so far I have yet to find one that is as well done as Decoder Ring Theatre. You can either swing on by their website for direct download or look them up on iTunes.  Either way I really don't think you'll be disappointed.  Until next time...

Damn you Harris!!!

While digging around iTunes for something to listen to I stumbled across something a little different.  I've found podcasts of D & D, Call of C'Thulhu, and Dark Heresy to name a few but this was one of the few Fate actual plays I've found.

Focus: Actual play sessions

Audio Quality: Three and a half out of five Tesla coils (FYI this is s Skype game which is why the audio quality is just above average)

Content Quality: Four and half wrenches out of five

Average Length: about two to two and a half hours

Release Schedule: pretty much weekly

Of Steam, Steel, and Murder is a Fate game set in an alternate history where electricity and steam engines abound.  Set in the city of Metapol, this storyline follows a group of Guild investigators (kind of like PIs but with a little more clout) as they delve into the dark conspiracy that is building within and threats to pull the world back into war.  I'm up to episode 20 out of the 40 plus that they've released so far and the paranoia is building every session as the PCs start to question just who is part of conspiracy and who isn't.  Definitely can't wait to see how things develop!

One of the great things about this story is the emphasis on investigation instead of combat and the Fate system does a great job supporting it.  With its quick and descriptive resolution system, the group is able to keep the game moving along very smoothly where a lot of other systems can start to really get bogged down on the crunch.  In fact I like how the system plays so much that I'm even thinking about giving Fate a try in the future as well.  As for the storyline, the GM reveals some of the information that the players might have missed in the wrap up for the episodes but there are ongoing complications as well.  Overall this podcast has a very rich plot and I definitely recommend giving it a listen.  Until next time...

Quick addendum...  I recently finished listening to episode 21 and just had to make a quick comment.  Overall I'm still enjoying listening to the game but there are a few in character debates that occurred during the last three episodes that really slow down the action.  If you listen I'm sure you'll see what I'm talking about.  While these are a bit of character development but they do tend to become rather repetitive and drag some so you might want to skip over them.

Audio Noise: It Might Be Undrinkable But You Can Always Just Listen

Hey everyone and welcome to a laser printed installment of Dispatch!

While the rest of the country is covered in snow, we are going to head over to sunny California where these douche bags play their game in the backyard. This isn't as easy as it sounds when it gets down to a frigid 50 degrees sometimes. So throw on something warm as we take a look at Happy Jacks RPG Podcast.

Focus: Role playing advise for new game masters along with a little bit of song and a whole lot of beer.
Audio Quality: four and a half of five bottles of microbrew
Content Quality: four and a half of five douche bags
Average Length: an hour and a half to two hours
Release schedule: pretty much every week

I was recently trolling through iTunes looking for a new podcast to listen to when I found Happy Jacks RPG Podcast. Lots of positive reviews so I decided to give them a listen and I'm glad I did. Geared toward giving advise to new GMs, Happy Jacks is a great blend of solid content and humorous anecdotes with the occasional burp thrown in to keep things honest.

In addition to the podcast, they also host a pretty active forum on their site and they also have their own albums. Yeah, not only are these guys podcasters, they are also musicians as well. Talk about being a talented bunch of douche bags, right?

So go check them out. Even if you aren't that into role playing games, all of the tangents and asides make Happy Jacks a very entertaining listen.

The Parting Shot...

And that wraps up another installment of Audio Noise! If you have any comments or questions, feel free to leave them here on the blog or you can email me at SinCitySnowman@gmail.com. Until next time...

Audio Noise: Revisiting A Sleeper

Hello everyone and welcome to your non-Euclidean review here at the Dispatch!

We are bending time and space again as we take another look at one of the older installments of Audio Noise. Things they have been a changing so I decided it was time for a recap to share the news about what's new at that oldie but goody, Yog Radio.

Yog Radio

Focus: Role playing, literature, movies and more relating to Call of Cthulhu and H.P. Lovecraft
Audio Quality: four and a half of five cosmic horrors
Content Quality: four of five cosmic horrors
Average Length: two to two and a half hours for Yog Radio and 45 minutes to an hour for News From Pnakotus
Release schedule: Yog Radio releases roughly monthly (very roughly) while News From Pnakotus releases every other week

Going on six years in 2011, Yog Radio is showing no signs of slowing down. Quite the contrary as they have made a few changes that are worth talking about. One of the problems that they had been facing for a while was the delay between the podcast release and the various industry releases for the game. By the time the show finally hit the "airwaves", most of their news was at least a week out of date if not more. To remedy this problem, the folks at Yog Radio have now split off the news into its own show called News From Pnakotus which is released on the same feed.

Unlike the fairly erratic schedule of the main show, News From Pnakotus is much more regular and comes out roughly every other week. Covering everything Lovecraftian from gaming to video releases, this new show is rapidly becoming the place to hear what is new and exciting with the Elder Gods. As for the main show, farming off the news now lets them spend more time on other topics such as discussing hot topics from the forums, interviews, reviews, and more.

In addition, they have also recently brought back all of their actual play recordings. They had originally only had the two latest ones available but now all four of their games are available with a fifth one coming out for public release within the next couple months. These games are fun to listen to and you might actually learn a thing or two as well as the various players often share their own insights into the various locations that the campaigns traverse.

If all of this wasn't enough for you, they also have an extensive website and an active forum dedicated to Call of C'thulhu that you can find at YogSothoth.com. All in all, if you are interested in the Call of C'thulhu role playing game or even just the works of Lovecraft, I definitely recommend you head on over and check them out. It is Call of C'thulhu after all. You never know just what you'll find waiting for you around the next corner.

The Parting Shot...

And there you have it! A little bit of the old noise with a little bit of something new. If you have any questions or comments, feel free to leave them right here on the blog or you can email me at SinCitySnowman@gmail.com plus you can like the blog on Facebook now too! Just click on the like button to the right. Be sure to come back next Saturday for the conclusion of that massively drawn out Fear and Faith/ShadowSea battle report. Until next time...

Audio Noise: When MMOs And Reality Collide

Hello everyone and welcome to a fully visualized Audio Noise!

Yes, that's right! We're starting off the New Year with a visual explosion of gamer geek drama. What gut wrenching expose could I be talking about? Why none other than...

Focus: Follows the exploits of an online gamer guild that is forced to meet face to face. Online stalking has never been so funny...
Audio/Visual Quality: four out of five guildees
Content Quality: five Orbs of Ner
Average Length: About five minutes per episode
Language: Squeaky clean for your protection.

The Guild is a web series about a group of MMORPG players that live near each other and have been gaming together for almost a year but they have never come face to face (never mind dealing with actual people outside of the game). Well, at least not until one of the guild members develops a slightly obsessive crush on another guild mate and decides that they are meant to be together. That's the opening to the first season and the craziness just runs on from there. I don't want to say much more because I hate spoilers but basically if you enjoyed movies like Scott Pilgrim and The Gamers: Dorkness Rising then you should definitely check out The Guild. A funny little web series that is just too good to miss!

The Parting Shot

Yeah, it's a short one this time but that's just so you can stop reading this and check out The Guild. Come on people, an episode is only five minutes. Oh, yeah, and thanks for checking out the blog! If you have any questions or comments feel free to either leave them right here on the blog or you can email me at SinCitySnowman@gmail.com. Plus you can now follow the Dispatch on Facebook by clicking on the like button to the right. Now go check it out! Until next time...

Audio Noise: Swinging For The Fences

Hello everyone and welcome to another swinging installment of the Dispatch!

For this issue we are heading back to the Audio Noise as we take a swing at hitting on the high points of another podcast. Who could it be this time? None other than...

Swing And A Miss

Focus: Actual play sessions for various systems along with a few discussion episodes as well.
Audio Quality: three out of five gamers
Content Quality: three swings and a half swings and less than a couple of misses
Average Length: Averages out to about two and a half hours
Language: No more than you'd expect from your typical group of gamers.

The guys at Swing And A Miss started out with the goal of diving into the broader world of RPGs with recorded one shots so they could share their experiences with the world. Oddly enough, after stating this they posted several episodes that featured one or two sessions from more established campaigns that they were involved in. Not a bad thing but a little inconsistent and a slightly disappointing. Some of these early games sounded really interesting but you only get a glimpse at the adventure which in a few cases leaves you wanting more.

Since those early days, they have really focused back onto their original goal and gone back to one shots with new systems. In addition, they also had put out a few discussion episodes dealing with various things you might run into around the table but it has been a long time since they have done any more of those.

They have also not been the more prolific of podcasts for a while now. Averaging about one new episode every two months shortly after they started, there are others that are much more regular out there.

Even with these things going against them, I still think that it is an interesting listen. Some of the sessions are set in very different places then you normally find (like Shadowrun in the new south for example) or feature some of the less common systems (such as 3:16 and Grimm).

I would also recommend that anyone looking to try running a game for the first time should take a listen to the most recent episode (the Nemesis actual play posted on November 23rd) as it features one of the hosts trying to practice for a con game. It is a very rough session as the game runs into a number of problems but I think it could also very educational for new GMs as you get to see several of the pitfalls you could run into during you first few games.

All and all, while Swing And A Miss might not be the best thing since sliced bread but I definitely think it is worth them a listen. It's always good to hear someone else takes on a system.

The Parting Shot

Well, that wraps up another installment of Audio Noise! Thanks for checking out the blog and as always, if you have any questions or comments feel free to either leave them right here on the blog or you can email me at SinCitySnowman@gmail.com. Plus you can now follow the Dispatch on Facebook by clicking on the like button to the right. Until next time...

Audio Noise: Trapped Between Wrong And Right

Hey everyone and welcome to a Trap-tastic issue of Audio Noise!

For this installment, we are going to look at another podcast that has gone the way of the fade but it is definitely still worth giving a listen to. Well, as long as you're not looking for some kind of deep intellectual revelations. They are a little short on those but there is lots of rape and pee. That's right, I'm talking about...

Focus: Various aspects of role-playing games with a healthy dose of insanity thrown in as well.
Audio Quality: four out of five golden mics
Content Quality: four out of five laugh out loud moments with a little less for the rest
Average Length: About an hour
Language: They have a knack for being offensive every episode. Not because they try, it just kinda happens.

The Trapcast. Wow. When I read their first review on iTunes, I almost didn't even bother going on. Then I read the next one, and the next one... After I stopped laughing, I knew I had to give them a try.

Starting out as strictly Dungeons and Dragons players, the whole run of the 'cast follows them branching out into newer games, be they indie or other mainstream titles. This gives them a really interesting perspective as they are really seeing these things for the first time.

Then there is the pee.

Their motto is "The perfect blend of random idiocy and RPG podcasting" and do they live up to it in spades! The RPG topics can definitely be an interesting listen but the pure madness of the rest of their antics really keeps you coming back for more. So much so that I've actually listened to the entire series twice and still had laugh out loud moments.

So if you're looking for a little bit of madness, stirred up with a splash of pee, and handful of RPG goodness... well, then the Trapcast is for you. Just look out for George and his burlap sack, okay?

The Parting Shot

And that wraps up another installment of Audio Noise! Thanks for checking out the blog and as always, if you have any questions or comments feel free to either leave them right here on the blog or you can email me at SinCitySnowman@gmail.com. Until next time...

First A Blurb And Now A Blarb... What Will Come Next?!?

Hey everyone and welcome to an even more abbreviated edition of the Dispatch!

Life has reared its ugly head again, and though I beat it back to the dark, scary closet from which is came, there was a sacrifice. Yeah, that's a fancy way of saying there's no Dispatch this week. D'oh! There are no more relatives visiting next week so I'll be able to get back on track... again.

As for what's in store in the coming weeks, I have more Malifaux terrain that I've been working on (it's been a very sloooooowwwwww process...), more Song of Blades and Heroes battle reports, and more Audio Noise as I try to make some more sense out of the noise of podcasts.

Some of you also might have noticed some changes on the blog as well. I've been toying with some of the templates to see how different things look and also bringing over some of my old stuff from the AT-43 Dispatch as well. Mostly it old battle reports but there are a few other things in there as well so be sure to check them out.

So to recap... check out the new old stuff, come back for the new new stuff and the Noise will continue soon! It all makes sense now, doesn't it?

Audio Noise: Footwear of Terror

Hey everyone and welcome to terrifying installment of Audio Noise that you're sure to get a kick out of.

For this segment, we are going to look at one of the most established RPG podcasts out there. How do I figure? Well, when you've hosted your own con for three years running you have to figure the guys are doing something right. I'm talking about none other than...

Fear The Boot

Focus: Role-playing topics of all kinds
Audio Quality: four out of five well polished boots
Content Quality: four and a half out of five well polished boots
Average Length: Roughly one hour
Language: Mild compared to some.

There are a number of different role-playing podcasts that I listen to but Fear the Boot is definitely one of the best. Taking a more serious bent then most, these guys try to look at a different aspect of the role playing hobby each week producing not only an entertaining show but also an informative one as well. They have even taken it a step further by addressing the issue of gamer health, a topic that definitely should not to be taken lightly.

We as gamers tend to grab whatever we can get our hands on to munch on while we play our games. From chips to candy to burgers and more, quick and convenient tends to be the order of the day. In episodes 180 and 181, they take a look at things you can do individually and as a gaming group to help those of us looking to improve our quality of life just a little bit. Honestly, even if you aren't interested in role playing games I recommend checking out at least these two episodes.

As for the rest of the podcast, it is definitely worth giving it a listen. These guys have lots of great advise to help you improve your role-playing experience and deal with many different things that you might encounter around the table. They also have an extensive website and a very well established forum community if you are looking for something more. How well established you wonder? As I mentioned before, they have hosted their own con for three years running and they still have plans for more so get over there and check them out! It will definitely be worth your time.

The Parting Shot

As always, thanks for checking out the blog and if you have any questions or comments, feel free to either leave them right here on the blog or you can email me at SinCitySnowman@gmail.com. I hope you enjoyed this bit of noise and be sure to come back again. Until then, remember when you are given a choice, take both.

Audio Noise: What does it mean?!? WHAT DOES IT MEAN?!?!?

Hello everyone and welcome to a definitive installment of the Dispatch!

For this one, we are going to do something a little different as we take a look at just what it all means. Life. The Universe. EVERYTHING!!! Or at least all the little comments I put into Audio Noise. I think that most of them are pretty straight-forward but I thought I'd take this moment to run through it for clarity's sake.

Defining The Noise

Intro and Cover Art: There's no point in talking about something if you don't say what it is which is what this part is all about. Expect a brief introduction, a link to the podcast, and (usually) a pretty picture so that you can see who's in the spotlight this week.

Focus: Every podcast is about something. Well, in theory at least. Some of them do get pretty broad but I try to cover the highlights here so that you know what you are getting into.

Audio Quality: This is just what the name says but what does it really mean? Honestly, I think that most podcasts that you find today have very good audio quality. There are some exceptions but they are pretty far between. This does not take any random noise into account (dice rolling, belching, other various and myriad noises that you find on the net) but just the overall quality of the recording. Needless to say most reviews will score high here because it's almost a gimme.

Content Quality: While the Audio Quality is pretty easy to define, Content is not so much as it is much more subjective. I generally try to look at how engaging the 'cast is. If they keep my interest and enjoyable to listen to, then they will score high. If I find myself wanting to yell at my iPod in the mad hope that the idiots on the other side can hear me telling them to stop tapping on the damn table... well, then not so high. Not very scientific I know but as long as I can convey a general idea of the quality it works for me.

Average Length: Think this one explains itself but keep in mind that this is just the average. Some might be longer, others shorter, but I try to give you some kind of an idea what to expect.

Language: Virtually all the podcasts that I listen to are marked as explicit. I live in the real world and people swear there, it's as simple as that. What I try to do is give you an idea how extreme they get. Most of them are pretty average but there are some that go to extremes and I try to point these out. As they say, forewarned is forearmed.

Detailed review: This is the meat of the review where we look at anything more specific that caught my eye about the podcast, be they good or bad. If there are specific good things, I try to highlight them and why they're good. If there are bad things, well I try to do the same. Too many people on the internet like to scream "This is bullshit!" without explaining why. How you're supposed to learn from that I'll never know which is why I try not to do that. Then again you should also keep in mind that these are only the things that I like and don't like. Maybe you don't like to listen to things that are interesting. Heck, maybe you can't think of anything better to do then listen to some random person belch into a microphone. If that's what floats your boat, more power to you... just keep your boat over there, okay?

The Parting Shot

And there you have it! This is what the Noise is all about. Hopefully this clears up any confusion but if not, feel free to either leave a comment here on the blog or send me an email to SinCitySnowman@gmail.com. Also, if you have something that you are enjoying listening to, be sure to pass on the good word. I'm always looking for more audio goodness out there. Next week, we'll be getting back to the actual Noise but until then remember: when you're given a choice, take both!

Audio Noise: Giant Machines With Really Random Processors...That Breath Fire Even!

Hello everyone and welcome to a red hot and rebooted installment of Dispatch!

Of the podcasts that I've looked at so far in Audio Noise, almost all of them have been pretty straight forward as they tend to focus more or less on one aspect of the hobby. Then there are these guys and let me tell you they were a little harder to pin down. Kind of odd since they are the...

Giant Fire Breathing Robot

Focus: Anything "geek-related" that they decide to cover, from games to comics and more.
Audio Quality: four out of five giant robots
Content Quality: three and a half giant robots out of five
Average Length: Roughly 45 minutes
Language: Varies depending on the co-hosts but it definitely falls into the explicit category.

So just what is it about this podcast that makes them different from the others? There are two things that really stick out in my mind. First is their content. As you can see in the Focus above, the different episodes of Giant Fire Breathing Robot (or GFRB for short) cover a lot of ground. One show they are reviewing Warhammer Invasion, the next they are talking to Wendy Pini of Elfquest fame, with collectible toys the next. There is nothing wrong with this kind of variety but I think it's safe to say that depending on the listener's interests some shows will be hits while others will be misses.

The second is slightly more subtle but as you listen to their library of shows, it really starts to stick out more and more. They have rotated through several different co-hosts and this gives some of the episodes a very different feel. On one end you have Joel selling blow jobs on eBay and the other you have Rob and Andrew discussing the deeper psychological aspects of Cylons (yeah, these are extreme examples but I think you get the idea). Andrew is the constant in the show but as you slot in the various co-hosts, even his style seems to change to mesh with the different people. As with the wide range of topics, this kind of variety is not necessarily a bad thing but at times it almost seems like you are listening to different podcasts so I think it's good to be aware of before you jump in.

So the question is just how does the Giant Fire Breathing Robot stack up? Personally I think as long as you keep the somewhat eclectic nature of the 'cast in mind it's worth giving them a listen since there's a good chance that you're going to find something in there that you'll like. In addition, they also have a very extensive blog that covers even more of all things geek so if you have a minute, you should definitely check that out as well.

The Parting Shot

As always, thanks for stopping by and if you have any questions or comments, feel free to either leave them right here on the blog or you can email me at SinCitySnowman@gmail.com. As for what's in store, the hobby updates will be returning! Not sure exactly when right now but the next Audio Noise will be going up in a week. Until then, remember don't walk when you can run... just put down the scissors first.