Iteration 178 - Fixing Broken Things

the direct download link for this episode is here: http://traffic.libsyn.com/thesimulationist/Iteration_178_-_Fixing_Broken_Things.mp3

send us email at thesimulationist@gmail.com

We start with a bit of talk about live comedy in Victoria. Ryan continues with his quest to automate his Minecraft world. Ryan then continues to develop his ideas for revolutionizing the vegepygmy race in the framework of the new Dungeon Master's Guild. Ryan finally gets around to watching Disney's Frozen. And for our main topic, we talk about things that are broken and need repairing, and how we approach this in the games we play and the stories we tell.


References and Recommendations:

The Scourge of the Slave Lords (D&D adventure) https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Scourge_of_the_Slave_Lords

Welcome to Night Vale (podcast) http://www.welcometonightvale.com/

Iteration 177 - The Return of the X-Files!

the direct download link for this iteration is here: http://traffic.libsyn.com/thesimulationist/Iteration_177_-_The_Return_of_the_X-Files.mp3

Send us email at thesimulationist@gmail.com

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 176 - The Return of the Open Gaming License

the direct download link for this episode is here: http://traffic.libsyn.com/thesimulationist/Iteration_176_-_The_Return_of_the_Open_Gaming_License.mp3

send us email at thesimulationist@gmail.com

We start by noting the lives of David Bowie and Alan Rickman. Then we talk about what it means that the Open Gaming License from Wizards of the Coast is back, along with their new program called the Dungeon Master's Guild. Then we talk about the cool stuff we built in Minecraft. Ryan gives a glowing review to Citizen Kane (no surprise, but it's a movie that neither of us ever got around to watching). Josh talks about his upcoming Dungeon Master experience (fingers crossed).

Iteration 175 - Braving Tradition

the direct download link for this episode is here: http://traffic.libsyn.com/thesimulationist/Iteration_175_-_Breaking_Tradition.mp3

send us email at thesimulationist@gmail.com

We start by making excuses for why we're not doing more actual writing. In Minecraft, Josh builds a map house, and Ryan gets lost in the Nether. And Ryan watched, and reviews, Brave the 2012 film. For our main topic, we talk about the use and breaking of tradition. In a meta sense, in terms of breaking movie tropes, as well as in an internal sense, by the main character breaking with tradition. Plus a weird tangent in the middle in which we determine whether Ryan would stay as the Beast if he was magically transformed into it.

References and Recommendations: 

Brave (2012 film): http://www.imdb.com/title/tt1217209/

Iteration 174 - Billy Goat III: The Gruffening

the direct download link for this episode is here: http://traffic.libsyn.com/thesimulationist/Iteration_174_-_Billie_Goat_III_The_Gruffening.mp3

send us email at thesimulationist@gmail.com

We begin the year, and this week's iteration of the podcast, by sussing out the moral of the story of the billy goats gruff, from the point of view of the troll. Then we talk about the little earthquake we had in Victoria this week. A man shoots himself with a potato gun. We talk about our creations in Minecraft. And we ask what the game Twenty Questions is simulating? And for our main topic, we talk about what goes into making a great sequel. We talk about why we didn't like Aladdin 2: The Return of Jafar.


References and Recommendations:

Victoria Buzz on Facebook. https://www.facebook.com/VictoriaBCBuzz/

Iteration 173 - Princesses vs Fairies

the direct download link for this episode is here: http://traffic.libsyn.com/thesimulationist/Iteration_173_-_Princesses_vs_Fairies.mp3

send us email at thesimulationist@gmail.com

We start the podcast off with some talk about the holidays and the magic of Christmas. Then, since we both saw Star Wars Episode 7: The Force Awakens. We discuss a few of our other exploits in gaming, fiction, and storytelling. Then we go off an a digression about the weirdness of the Twelve Days of Christmas song. And for a final topic, we pit Princesses against Fairies in a battle to the death.


References and Recommendations:

Justice League: A New Frontier: http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0902272/

Iteration 172 - Flirting with the Dark Side of the Force

the direct download link for this episode is here: http://traffic.libsyn.com/thesimulationist/Iteration_172_-_Flirting_with_the_Dark_Side_of_the_Force.mp3

send us email at thesimulationist@gmail.com


This episode does not contain spoilers for Star Wars Episode VII. But before we get to the topic of Star Wars, we talk about The Martian. We talk about the movie Kick-Ass, and get into an argument about Ryan's parenting style. For our main topic, we discuss the mantras of the Jedi and the Sith, and whether or not the Sith is actually the better philosophy than the Jedi.

References and Recommendations:

The Martian (2015 film): http://www.imdb.com/title/tt3659388/

Kick-Ass (2010 film): http://www.imdb.com/title/tt1250777/