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 178 - Fixing Broken Things

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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!

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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 167 - The Flourishing Desolate Wasteland

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In this episode: Link (from Legend of Zelda) now has a sister. Fallout 4 released, but Josh and Ryan play their old games instead. Wooly Mammoths. What happens to whale bodies when they die in the ocean? "I prefer the radium." Space Monks. We even get into the bioethics of setting up shop in a so-called wasteland that might actually have life in it.

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Iteration 165 - Clone Club

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In this iteration, we talk about the Halloween that just happened, and mutant chicken trees. Ryan favourably reviews The Man With the Iron Fists film. We talk about our plans for National Novel Writing Month. Ryan comes up with a conspiracy theory on time travellers leaving old coins in his tip jar. Which leads to our main scenario, we invent a scenario in which we discover temporal duplicates of ourselves.

The Man with the Iron Fists (2012 film): http://www.imdb.com/title/tt1258972/

National Novel Writing Month: http://nanowrimo.org/

Iteration 164 - Mascots, Faces, and Figureheads

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We start off by arguing whether or not movie theatres will still exist in ten years. Then we talk about our hopes for Star Wars Episode Seven. We talk about improv, video games, comic books, and more video games. Ryan rants about how much he hated the film adaptation of Ouija. And for our main topic, we talk a bit about having a personality who represents an adventuring party, or any other group really.

References and Recommendations:

Whale Rider (2002 film): http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0298228/

Atlantis (2001 animated film): http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0230011/

Dracula (1931 film): http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0021814/

Ouija (2014 film) (Ryan actually did not recommend): http://www.imdb.com/title/tt1204977/

IF Con: http://ifconvictoria.com/

Come and join us at Roll for Initiative Victoria: http://www.rollforinitiative.ca/

Iteration 163 - The Hero and the Office

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We open the episode with a brief discussion about time travel. We then note the Canadian federal election happening the day after this recording. Josh plays Don't Starve, and reports on a Paper Street Theatre show. Ryan reports on Metropolis, the 1927 film. And for our main topic, we talk about the office as a setting for adventures and stories in general, and what function the office plays in an exciting or funny story.

References and Recommendations:

Paper Street Theatre: http://www.paperstreettheatre.ca/

Metropolis (1927 film): http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0017136/

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

IFCon: http://ifconvictoria.com/

National Novel Writing Month: http://nanowrimo.org/

Iteration 162 - Social Class vs Game Class

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It's Canadian Thanksgiving and Ryan drinks the last egg nog! Josh remembers News Radio (the TV sitcom), and complains about how unrealistic it is(?) Josh and Ryan report on their Minecraft worlds. Josh lost his wolf, and Ryan began his planar sanctuary. Ryan watches Splice, a Canadian science fiction film. And for our main topic, we discuss social classes in our D&D games.

References and Recommendations:

Splice (2009 film) http://www.imdb.com/title/tt1017460/

National Novel Writing Month: http://nanowrimo.org/

IFCon http://www.ifconvictoria.com/

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

Suzerain: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Suzerainty

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 145 - The Buccaneers of Esquimalt

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In this iteration of the Simulationist Podcast: we remember Christopher Lee, talk about Spider-Man, Minecraft, and Game of Thrones.

References and Recommendations:

The Stupids (film) http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0117768/

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 136 - Theories of Comic Relief

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In this episode, we are joined by our most popular guest host, Jason Kirkby!

Jason plays D&D 5th edition, Josh plays Minecraft, and Ryan plays it all. For our main topic, we talk about comic relief and comedic elements in otherwise "serious" works of art and fiction and role-playing games. And what is the role of comedy in highly comedic works? We basically analyze all comedy ever.

References and Recommendations:

Star Thugs: http://www.drivethrurpg.com/product/18437/Star-Thugs-The-Roleplaying-Game?it=1

Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Hitchhiker%27s_Guide_to_the_Galaxy

The Maggot Show: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=B7ka7I-z_dI

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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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 124 - Self-Curating

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In this iteration!: Josh recounts some of his adventures in improvisation, plus playing Don't Starve. Ryan plays the Minecraft mod Thaumcraft, plus Marvel Avenger's Alliance. For our main topic, we talk about that moment when you have to make a choice whether to continue playing a game, or to give it up. Ryan seems to go for a more conscious version of the process, while Josh is pretty much driven by his gut. What say you? Let us know at thesimulationist@gmail.com

References and Recommendations:

Dave Morris appeared in iteration 101 of the podcast, so look for that in the archives!
The Frantics Boot to the Head https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Z8VD4JXUozM
Standard Action! https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BZfyIRnPPrc
Gottacon! http://www.gottacon.com/

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?