What RPGs can learn from Board Games – Episode 196

In this episode, James Wallis, co-host of Ludonarrative Dissidents podcast and author of “Everybody Wins: Four Decades of the Greatest Board Games Ever Made,” and I talk about what RPG designers can learn from board games. We talked about the history and influence of board games, the challenges of playtesting RPGs, and how incorporating board game mechanics can benefit RPG design. We also have some shout outs. News: On the RPPR Patreon, on the newest episode of After Hours, we discuss the most horrifying spells in Dungeons and Dragons. On Recommendizer, Thad and I talk about good inspirational sources for zombie apocalypse games. Our next campaign on RPPR Actual Play is Delta Green: Impossible Landscapes. Check out this poster for the campaign! Shout Outs Who Fears the Devil: a collection of short stories about Silver John, who fights witches and ghosts in the Appalachian mountains. The Night Ocean: a biographical novel of H.P. Lovecraft, his life, and the early days of fandom. A Town Called Malice: a storytelling game inspired by Nordic noir and isolated small town horror. Die: A comic series about RPG players entering in their fantasy campaign world Terracotta Army: A worker placement board game about building statues for the emperor’s tomb. Dread: A classic RPG that uses Jenga for its conflict resolution system. Jury Duty: A reality comedy series about a fake trial and 1 real juror. Music: Chillhops Essentials Spring 2023