Iteration 202 - Omniscience and Large Numbers

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We start by talking a bit about Ghostbusters, and then take a swerve into theology for some reason, and about what it would mean to be omniscient. Dwarf Fortress gets an update. And we talk about the real-world events going on in Turkey, and translating coups to a role-playing world. Zoey brings us a review of Ghostbusters. And for our main topic, we talk about the concept of large numbers, omniscience, and managing information in a role-playing game.

References and Recommendations:

Epic Rap Battles of History: Ivan the Terrible vs Alexander the Great https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NVbH1BVXywY

History Bites: http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0231028/

Iteration 196 - Optimal Number of Murder Suspects

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We start off with a bit of talk about the theatrical and storytelling nature of boxing, in light of the passing of Muhammad Ali. For our main topic this week, Ryan watched Calling Doctor Death, and we wonder whether there's an optimal number of suspects for a murder mystery on film or in books. Then in the course of this, we invent a setting for a Western in which every citizen is required to have killed someone.


References and Recommendations:

Cookie Clicker: http://orteil.dashnet.org/cookieclicker/

Calling Dr. Death (1943 film): http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0035706/

Iteration 182 - Simplicity and Other Game Design Topics

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In this iteration of the Simulationist podcast: we talk about the Academy Awards and try to convince ourselves why they are significant in our culture. Josh accuses Ryan of being a hipster. Then we talk about the DotA tournament in Shanghai that fired its announcer. Josh talks about comedy, Minecraft, and the TV shows we watched. On the topic of structuring television, telling stories forward and backward. Ryan reports on watching Deadpool. Then, prompted by Ryan recently tinkering with Hero Quest, we talk about the simplicity factor in game design, and how we add our own features and rules tweaks to role-playing games. And finally, we talk about board games, and picking a good board game for young children to play.


References and Recommendations:

The Wizard of Speed and Time (1988 film) https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GoLhLn9hVkE

Shanghai Major Dota 2 Tournament 2016: http://wiki.teamliquid.net/dota2/Shanghai_Major/2016

Roll for Initiative Victoria: http://www.rollforinitiative.ca/

Ye Olde Inn (HeroQuest site): http://www.yeoldeinn.com/

Board Game Geek: https://boardgamegeek.com/

Iteration 177 - The Return of the X-Files!

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We begin with a follow-up on the Dungeon Master's Guild, some thoughts on how we've been inspired to take up a couple throw-away details from the show, and make a mark on the Forgotten Realms. A strange tangent to why Wikipedia is cool. Josh reports on a game of D&D he played at Roll for Initiative. Ryan gives Josh advice for advancing his comedy career. Ryan reviews Dracula Untold. We review the first three or so episodes of Rick and Morty that we just watched on Adult Swim. We talk about how Ryan would fare as a civillian protagonist in a Futurama-style adventure. Then we talk about the first episode of the new X-Files. Ryan invents the "with" sign.

References and Recommendations:

Roll for Initiative: http://www.rollforinitiative.ca/

Dracula Untold (2014 film): http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0829150/

Rick and Morty (Adult Swim cartoon): http://www.imdb.com/title/tt2861424/

GURPS Illuminati (book): http://www.sjgames.com/gurps/books/Illuminati/

The X-Files Files: http://www.feralaudio.com/show/x-files-files/

Iteration 149 - To Perfection and Beyond - The Post-Endgame

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In this iteration of the podcast, we talk about what we've been up to in games, and then about elusive perfection, and whether game designers should build in achievable perfection into their games, or whether they should always force a choice, even to the bitter end.

References and Recommendations:

Roll for Initiative Victoria D&D event (correction: this event is July 25):
http://www.eventbrite.ca/e/roll-for-initiative-tickets-17189714900

The Tolkein Professor:
http://www.tolkienprofessor.com/wp/lectures/the-hobbit/

Iteration 143 - The Codification Conundrum

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In this iteration of the show, Josh and Ryan ask the question whether or not codes of conduct are really necessary. We cover real-life codes, like the Comics Code Authority, and fantasy codes, like the paladin's. All the way to the Ten Commandments and Hammurabi's Code. The Dungeons & Dragons alignment system as a code in itself.

Josh and Ryan come up with Hat World, a comic book universe in which all superpowers are granted by hats.

The Helm: http://www.thehelmcomic.com/

Omlevex: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Omlevex

Iteration 142 - Role Models

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In this week's iteration of the show, we talk about game theory, Ryan plays the Secret World, Josh plays Minecraft and talks about show business. Then for a main topic, we talk about the anxiety of influence, and how passing a torch works between heroic generations.


References and Recommendations:

IfCon Victoria: http://ifconvictoria.com/Welcome.html

Comedian Mayor of Reykjavik: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/J%C3%B3n_Gnarr

The Littlest Cheesemaker: http://www.bay12forums.com/smf/index.php?topic=136384.0

Goblins Webcomic: http://www.goblinscomic.org/

Iteration 141 - Watching Television

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In this week's episode of the Simulationist podcast, Josh and Ryan talk about television, and what it means to binge watch, and how that affects how we take in the story.

References and Recommendations:

Man gets stuck on ride at Disneyland: 
http://www.usatoday.com/story/news/nation/2013/03/27/disney-small-world-ride/2025273/

Cybersix: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cybersix

The Destructors (short story) http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Destructors

Dungeons & Dragons Official Soundtrack http://www.amazon.com/Dungeons-Dragons-Official-Roleplaying-Soundtrack/dp/B0000BZYIS

Iteration 131 - The Merits of Stupidity

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In this episode, Josh and Ryan talk about how to properly defend Erebor, and keeping dwarves awake at night, and how to manage their alcohol intake. Ryan does interior decorating in Minecraft.

And for our main topic, the Merits of Stupidity. Josh and Ryan come up with a surprising amount of instances in which it's better to be stupid. We refer to quotes from: Socrates, Dilbert, Lovecraft, John Wayne, Queen, and Michael J Fox.

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http://twitter.com/Spaceboot1

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Patreon:
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Iteration 127 - The Dungeon's Front Door

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Don't imitate: simulate! In this episode: we go on tangents about time travel, Star Trek, cultural flagships, the secret of eternal youth, and Ryan's broken video card. Join us at Roll for Initiative (link below) and GottaCon this month! Our main topic is an exploration of the front gate of the dungeon, also known as the threshhold, and all the other forms it takes.

References and Recommendations:

Roll for Initiative Victoria! (Saturday, 14th of February, and monthly)
http://www.eventbrite.ca/e/roll-for-initiative-tickets-15474053310

The Man Who Mistook His Wife for a Hat, by Oliver Sacks:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Man_Who_Mistook_His_Wife_for_a_Hat

Iteration 126 - Negating Magic

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In this iteration of the podcast: we talk about the ethical quandaries of being the human torch, versus Spider-man. We debut the nefarious pepper bees! Josh reviews Star Trek: Into Darkness. We talk about Josh's D&D class, the surgeon. Ryan continues adventures in Thaumcraft, getting into the meat of Minecraft mods. And for our main topic, we talk about negating magic via Spell Resistance, disbelief, anti-magic, variant psionics, and pretty much every other means. And as an after-topic, we talk a bit about the Super Bowl, and ask what would happen if we had orcs in real life.

Iteration 122 - The Last, or First, of Your Kind

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In this iteration of the podcast, George Lucas shrinks the wookiees. Ryan invents a conspiracy theory that could make The Croods (2013 film) happen on present day Earth. Then Ryan gets into Minecraft mods, especially Mystcraft. And for our main topic, we talk about what happens to your character when you are the last of your kind? And what if you're the first of your kind? What sort of pressure does that put on a person? What would happen if a dwarf enrolled at Hogwarts? And why aren't there more aliens in the Jetsons?

References and Recommendations:

The Croods: http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0481499/

Mystcraft http://binarymage.com/wiki/doku.php?id=start

What would happen if all the nuclear bombs were detonated in the same place? http://www.sciencefocus.com/qa/what-would-happen-if-all-nuclear-bombs-were-detonated

Iteration 119 - Extended Lifespan? I Can't Lose!

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We start out with a discussion about Team Fortress's new update with its trailer video. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6aLjwVVNq4s

A discussion about the use of music in film and cartoons.

Bugs Bunny the Rabbit of Seville https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nXCULR2wO-A

The Muppets Minuet in G Major https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OlLSMZ8qn7I

Flash Gordon by Queen https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=m9kCCLwEga8

Pandamonium http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pandamonium_%28TV_series%29

For our main topic, we talk about those scenarios in which there aren't bad choices, but only rewards no matter which decision you make.

And at the end of the podcast, an exercise for the listener: if reincarnation was real, who or what would you like to come back as?

Iteration 117 - Running Away

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In this iteration of the Simulationist Podcast, we talk about playing and modding our favourite games, Dwarf Fortress and Minecraft. Speaking of Dwarf Fortress, Josh relates some of his first experiences with that game. Ryan mods in the ninjen into Dwarf Fortress. And then we talk about running away, and when to do it, and how our games discourage it, and why.

Iteration 112 - On Ghosts and the Other Side

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In this iteration of the podcast: As another part of our month of the dead, we talk about ghosts, not so much as monsters, but as characters. Josh and Ryan talk about their weekly adventures in gaming, mostly Minecraft and Marvel: Avengers Alliance. As a jumping off point for our main topic, we watched the film ParaNorman. We discuss the mechanisms of ghostly return and hauntings. Also recommended: the Book of Life (2014 film).

Iteration 111 - The Clown Iteration

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In this episode: looking forward to Halloween and National Novel Writing Month. Debate topics: do Halloween costumes have to be scary? How should we do NanoWriMo? Does a great actor need to have terrible life experiences in order to be truly great at acting? The death of Wolverine! Whatever will Disney do? Ryan has a few ideas. We talk about superhero television and films. Who's winning: Marvel or DC? And for our main topic: clowns. Are they inherently scary or evil, or do evil beings choose clown forms because of their perceived innocence?

Iteration 110 - Sleepy Hollow

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References and Recommendations:

The Uninvited (1944 film) http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Uninvited_%281944_film%29

Sleepy Hollow (1999 film) http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0162661/

Iteration 108 - The Dungeon within the Dungeon

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We open this week's conversation with ancient gang signs, for some reason? Ryan then muses about cosmetic options within games. We discuss Penny's new hair on the Big Bang Theory, as an example of a cosmetic change, and we debate whether it should affect her statistics as a role-playing character. And for our main topic, inspired by the trailer for The Maze Runner, we discuss games within games, or blood sports, or the gladiatorial dungeon. And as always, we debate dungeons, traps, dungeon mastery, and elf ears!

References and Recommendations:
The Maze Runner http://www.imdb.com/title/tt1790864/
Cube http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0123755/
Big Hero Six http://www.imdb.com/title/tt2245084/

Iteration 107 - Does Whatever a Spider-Man Can

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In this iteration:
Josh and Ryan talk about cake-baking experiments on a trip to Saturn. Josh recounts some highlights from his adventures playing the Sims. HP Lovecraft's Music of Zann: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Music_of_Erich_Zann . The Shows we didn't watch: Ryan discusses skipping the latest Spider-Man movie, in exchange for some Cartoon Network shows like American Dad and Robot Chicken. We talk about what makes the essence of a character, from Spider-Man to Daffy Duck to Captain America. Ryan recounts The Black Cat film from 1934 http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Black_Cat_%281934_film%29 , and Daffy Duck. And Finally: Mind Flayer Sherlock Holmes.

Iteration 104 - Role-Play All the Things!

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It's a very special Labour Day show! (In which we do the same thing we do every show: talk about 1990s comic books and video games for longer than our allotted time). In this episode, we talk Waterworld, the Victoria Fringe Festival, and the Justice League: War movie! Ryan discovers @Fanfiction_txt's twitter account! Discussion Topic: Role-play All the Things! Josh and Ryan talk about infiltrating all games with the role-playing spirit.

Question for mandatory listener engagement: who is dumber, the Tick or Homer Simpson?


References and Recommendations:

Waterworld! http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0114898/

Justice League: War (2014 video) http://www.imdb.com/title/tt3060952/

Jamaica (Pirate Ship Race Board Game) http://boardgamegeek.com/boardgame/28023/jamaica