Iteration 021 - All about Cheating - 29 Jan 2013

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Discussion Topic: Ryan's Moment of Illumination: Egypt's Ancient Deities Rising Again
Discussion Topic: Cheating, when you need a natural 21 to succeed. We cover cheating in Role-playing games, to video games, to science fiction novels, to Lance Armstrong, to Beyonce lip syncing the national anthem. It turns out Josh is pretty easy-going when it comes to cheaters.


References and Recommended Reading:

Columbus: First Voyage: Profit or Loss http://journals.cluteonline.com/index.php/JABR/article/download/1375/1357

Iteration 020 - The Biggest Big Bads - 22 Jan 2013

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Discussion Topic: More Luck and the Luck Elemental that plagues Ryan with its elusive description.

Discussion Topic: Big Bad Monsters. What are the biggest baddest monsters in fiction and gaming?

The World Serpent: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/J%C3%B6rmungandr

The Zoroastrian Big Bad, Angra Mainyu: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Angra_Mainyu

Iteration 019 - Re-Running Simulations - 15 Jan 2013

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Discussion Topic: Re-running simulations.
Significant Tangent: Superhero Hair


References and Recommendations:

Labyrinth
The Dark Crystal
Red Dwarf
Conan the Musical http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OBGOQ7SsJrw
Mythbusters wrap Adam in bubble wrap http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cC_9oLmTFBk
Creepy Pasta
Yes, we do talk about Justin Bieber in this episode. You don't need links.
Project GKR http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Project_G.e.e.K.e.R.

Iteration 018 - The Edge of the Map - 8 Jan 2013

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Discussion topic: Boundaries, the edge of the map, what's there, what isn't there.
Also, a discussion about whether zombies can use guns.

References and Recommendations:

Sid Meier's Civilization

Return of the Living Dead

Iteration 017 - Chewie Riding a Dolphin - 1 Jan 2013

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Discussion Topics for this iteration:
Discussion Question: How do you know when you've succeeded in your simulation?
Discussion Topic: Fantasy races and their personalities.
Discussion Question: How do you make your fictional world feel epically large?

Iteration 016 - Skill of the Player - 23 Dec 2012

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Discussion Topics:
What kind of role does the skill of the player have in the outcome of a game? Can you be too good at D&D?
How often should book characters get new gear? What is the significance of getting new items?


References and Recommendations:

How wrong we were about Christmas in Africa: http://kabiza.com/Christmas-African-Style.htm
Darth Fiddler http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lTTbily7M1Y
Emperor Joshua Norton http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Emperor_Norton
Rise of the Planet of the Apes

Iteration 015 - Dosage and Sub-Simulation - 18 Dec 2012

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Discussion Question: How big of doses do you like to consume your fiction in?
Second Discussion Question: What do characters within simulations do for fun?
Tangent: Which D&D class would be the coolest to hang out with, after hours?

References and Recommendations:
Buffy the Vampire Slayer
Star Trek!
Firefly
Close Encounters
Project Geeker
Fear the Boot, another gaming podcast
Rick Mercer goes to the 2008 Arctic Winter Games
Jack Reacher, a protagonist you wouldn't want to hang out with http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0790724/
House, another protagonist who would not be fun http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0412142/
Quidditch http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Quidditch