Episodes
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Twilight 2000: Airlords of the Ozarks, Legendquest Blood in the Slave Pits and Zack Snyder – RPPR After Hours Revised
In this episode we review Blood in the Slave Pits, an adventure for Legendquest, which apparently was the RPG for people that wanted a game that makes sense. We also look at Twilight 2000 and Airlords of the Ozarks, the only Ozarks themed adventure in RPG history about evil airlords using blimps…
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Ludonarrative Dissidents Season 4 Pre-Launch Live Episode 0 and Mothership: Wages of Sin Review
I have another RPG podcast, Ludonarrative Dissidents with celebrated game designers Greg Stolze and James Wallis. In each episode, we review a single RPG title or discuss a game mechanic. We recently completed season 3 and are going to launch a Kickstarter on October 13 to fund a fourth season....
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System Crafting: Creating and Revising TTRPGs at Gen Con 2026
Writing a RPG can seem daunting, but creators now have more options and tools available to help them. Do you want to write a game from scratch or use an existing open system? What steps should you take first? How long does it take? Peter Petrusha of Imagining Games (Chew, Dreamchaser), Ross…
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Megadungeon Meandering: Moria for The One Ring RPG – Episode 1
The platonic ideal of megadungeons, Moria from the Lord of The Rings, was published as a campaign book for the One Ring RPG last year. Chris and I start our exploration in the first part of this miniseries. The remaining episodes are available for patrons. You can watch or listen to all of the...
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RPPR Live at Gencon 2026 – RPPR Episode 210
We’re back from Gencon and had a blast! Our live episode features updates on the future of RPPR, discussions of Gencon 2026, and a lively game of AD&D Trivia. I found a copy of this infamous trivia game and challenged the RPPR cast to see which team is the best at AD&D trivia. For some weird…
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The Immortal Manther and Whisperballs – RPPR After Hours Revised
We revisited the saga of Baron von Kharkov, the vampiric man-panther (Manther for short), in the Dungeon magazine #50 adventure “Felkovic’s cat”. We also review Immortal: The Invisible War, a strange game of World of Darkness-ish terminology and bizarre metaphysics. Find out what whisperballs are...
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Creating Better RPG Maps – RPPR Episode 209
Maps are an essential part of tabletop RPGs. Who doesn’t love poring over a campaign map or fighting a massive set piece battle on a custom battle map? I talked to Joe at Heroic Maps about RPG map making. I recently collaborated with Joe to make a Mothership scenario available on both of our...
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Dungeons and Dragons: The Immortal Storm – After Hours Revised
In this episode, we focus on a single D&D adventure called The Immortal Storm. This is a crazy scenario, designed for godlike PCs. It involves messing with stars, traveling to a dimension of sheet music and 1986 Manhattan. We also talked about Far West and Ken Whitman, both of whom are still...
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Introduction to RPG Podcasting panel at Gen Con 2025
Ross Payton, Ennie Award winning host of Role Playing Public Radio, Caleb Stokes of Delta Green Dead Channels, Ethan Cordray of Technical Difficulties Podcast, and Zach Reeves of Pretending to be People podcasts have years of experience creating, running, and promoting podcasts. Running a podcast...
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Bad Medicine for Dr. Drugs Mekton Zeta and Dragon 136 – After Hours Revised
Caleb reviews Bad Medicine for Dr. Drugs, Aaron tries to explain Mekton Zeta mecha construction rules, I use a plot from the master fantasy plot generator and we talk about Bob Ross on Twitch.tv. Oh and there’s some discussion of Dragon #136 and Grimtooth’s Traps! If you enjoyed this episode and...
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Just One More Roll: Writing Mysteries for RPGs – Panel at Gen Con 2025
Writing a good mystery for a RPG can be tough to accomplish but it’s not impossible. Get tips from Ross Payton and Caleb Stokes on writing a great whodunit in your game! Threading the line between making the investigation too easy and too hard can be difficult, but we have
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Borellus Connection Post Mortem – a Fall of Delta Green Campaign – RPPR Episode 208
In 1968, in response to sinister influences that threatened to corrupt America from within and without, the Federal Government established a new agency – one that quickly acquired a reputation for ambitious operations overseas, for covert action, and for doing what had to be done, no matter the...
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Alpha Omega: The Encountered and Conspiracy Theories at Sea – After Hours Revised
Alpha Omega is a Shadowrun-esque heartbreaker that covers a lot of territory. Its Wikipedia entry notes that its major claim to fame was the ARG/fake conspiracy theory called Ethan Haas was Right, which was briefly thought to be part of the Cloverfield viral marketing campaign. It got a lot of
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Hilarious Random Tables and Rogue Trader: Soul Reaver – After Hours Revised
Aaron, Dan, Tom, and I discuss an adventure for Rogue Trader. It’s called Soul Reaver and Aaron has no knowledge of the 40k setting, which makes him the perfect reviewer for this adventure. We then devolve into madness, thanks to random roll tables in Mutant Chronicles, System Failure, Immortal: The
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Gen Con 2025 Wrapup: episode 207
Gen Con 2025 was a blast and we saw a lot and played a lot of great games! I talk with Caleb, Tom, Aaron, Elle, and David about their experiences this year. I’ve included links below for games we discuss. RPPR News: I just posted my sixth original PDF, Alienation
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Mothership: ARKYVR – Interview with author Rhodrick Magsino
I interviewed Rhodrick Magsino, author of ARKYVR at Gen Con 2025 about his new module. ARKYVR is a multimedia MOTHERSHIP 1E setting & toolkit to play documentary filmmakers in space. Equipped with only their camera gear, ARKYVRs will attempt to document life in space and expose corporate client...
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Sneaking with the Batmobile – RPPR After Hours Revised
We review Judge’s Guild Journal #18, d20 Kazakhstan for System Armageddon,, Atlas Shrugged the third movie, and Arkham Knight’s terrible batmobile. This is a classic episode from the archives of the RPPR Patreon, now with improved audio quality. Enjoy! RPPR News: The price of our lowest tier on…
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Red Markets 2E panel at Gen Con 2025
Red Markets 2nd Edition is holding an open beta playtest for all of 2025. Come discuss the ongoing process! The new edition of the Profit System is more concise, more vicious, and closer than ever before. A panel of the game’s creators will take questions on the upcoming new edition
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The Schlock Singularity – RPPR After Hours Revised
We review three RPG source books: Tarlkin’s Landing from Judge’s Guild, Earthshaker from TSR, and The Nightlife RPG by Stellar Games. We also discuss the gradual merging of bad movies like Samurai Cop and the Room into a schlock singularity and the future of bad-good movies. If you enjoy this
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What is Shadowdark? An Interview with Kelsey Dionne about the OSR hit RPG
Shadowdark is a fantasy role playing game built on OSR design principles with several new mechanics, including a real time torch light rule and experience point rules that emphasize exploration over violence. I sat down with the game’s creator, Kelsey Dionne at Gen Con to discuss the game’s...
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RPPR Live at Gen Con 2025 – Episode 206
We had a blast at Gen Con this year! We recorded a lot of panels and games this year but this live recording of RPPR was a highlight for sure. In this episode, members of the RPPR cast talk about their gaming highlights over the last year, plans for RPPR
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deadEarth RPG and Roar – RPPR After Hours Revised
deadEarth is one of the weirdest RPGs I’ve seen. It features a d1000 mutation table. Back in 2015, Tom, Aaron, and I went up to St. Louis to catch the live Night Vale show. Before that though, we went through character creation in deadEarth. We also discuss deadEarth’s setting and
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My New Action Horror RPG – Labyrinth Signal – RPPR Episode 205
I’ve written a new action horror RPG called Labyrinth Signal. It’s a d20-based system inspired by survival horror games like Silent Hill and Alan Wake. It uses an innovative combo meter mechanic for combat that adds tactical depth to fighting monsters and mitigates the swinginess of normal d20...
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Lucky 13 and Head Canon – RPPR After Hours Revised
We review Rifter #13, Palladium’s own magazine about their games. We also talk about headcanon, which is the idea of making your story behind a fictional story – like the cop wizards of Payday 2. This episode is from April 2015 but making fun of Palladium is timeless! If you
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Darktek for Dark Conspiracy and Warrens of the Ratmen – RPPR After Hours Revised
In this episode, we review Darktek, a supplement for Dark Conspiracy filled with odd gear choices, and Warrens of the Ratmen, a 3E supplement about ratmen and their warrens. We also talk about the Superbowl and 50 Shades of Grey. This episode was originally posted in March 2015 so enjoy
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Ravenloft Darklords and the Manther: After Hours Episode 2 Revised
We’re celebrating 10 years of the RPPR Patreon by releasing the first year of the After Hours podcast on the public feed! You can listen to the very first episode of After Hours here on the main feed but until now, this episode has been Patreon exclusive. We’re looking at
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Scheduling Snafu: Galvanized Square Steel and Dahir Insaat
Have you heard of galvanized square steel, the Munger dorms or Dahir Insaat? Bridget, Caleb, Fae, and I explore weird architectural stories and videos on the Internet. This is a preview of Scheduling Snafu, a new series on the RPPR Patreon, where the RPPR cast discusses weird stuff we find
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Game Designer Workshop: Red Markets Second Edition Beta
Red Markets is back! Caleb has spent over a year playtesting and revising Red Markets, improving negotiation, combat, and other core mechanics for the game. He’ll be posting an open beta of the game on the Hebanon Games Patreon so you can download and play it yourself. We talk about
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Tips on Writing Scenarios Fast – Episode 204
Do you struggle with writing RPG scenarios for your home group quickly? I’ve been writing scenarios for the RPPR Patreon so I’ve had to learn how to get a good scenario out without spending a lot of time on it. I’ve figured out a few tips that can help you.
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Tomas Härenstam CEO of Free League Publishing
I interviewed the CEO of Free League Publishing, Tomas Härenstam at Gencon this year. We talk about Free League’s approach to creating games, current trends in RPG design, and their upcoming second edition of the Alien RPG. Learn more about Free League Publishing on their website.
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Gareth Hanrahan on The Borellus Connection – A new Fall of Delta Green Campaign
I caught up with Gareth Hanrahan at Gencon this year to talk about the Borellus Connection, a new campaign for Fall of Delta Green. Find out the secrets behind this globe hopping 1960s campaign! This interview has been mirrored on Youtube.
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Actual Play Podcasting 101: Panel at Gencon 2024
Do you have questions on actual play podcasts? Talk to Ross Payton (RPPR), Caleb Stokes (Dead Channels), Rob Stith, (Orpheus Protocol) and Ethan Cordray (Technical Difficulties) for all the answers you want! We talk about creating shows, running them, editing, marketing, and many other topics...
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Gencon 2024 Highlights – Episode 203
This episode is also on Youtube with original video of Gencon 2024. Check it out! We’re back from Gencon 2024! We recorded panels, played and bought new games, and a lot more. Caleb won a Gold Ennie for God’s Teeth! I wanted to get out a quick summary of Gencon
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Is Expensive Art Necessary for success in RPGs? Episode 202
Art for tabletop RPGS is not technically necessary but it does help. Chris and I discuss the role of art in RPGs and review Art by Nohr, a book by Mork Borg co-creator, Johan Nohr. We’re experimenting with video with this episode, so subscribe to us on Youtube for Gencon
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RPPR Game Designer Workshop: Labyrinths of Lost Futures and the Modern Megadungeon – Concept
I have begun working on a new role playing game. It is called Labyrinths of Lost Futures, a modern day dungeon crawling hauntological fantasy. Delve into weird ruins with an enchanted gun and cellphone. Fight cryptids in a haunted trailer park. Escape a time loop based on a person’s childhood
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Ludonarrative Dissidents Season 3 preview: Hole in the Sky – Dungeon Crawl Classics
The Kickstarter for season 3 of the Ludonarrative Dissidents podcast is now live! Back it today to help us fund another full season of this podcast. The Lady in Blue, a mysterious figure of cosmic power, enlists a band of simple peasants for a strange task. They are to follow
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Mega Dungeon Meandering – Episode 1 – Stonehell – Surface Level
Mega Dungeon Meandering is a deep dive into one of the best reviewed mega dungeons of all time, Stonehell: Stonehell Dungeon is a classic-style mega dungeon, filled with enough monsters, traps, weirdness, and treasure to keep you gaming for a long, long time. Explore over 700 rooms, encounter…
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Delta Green Impossible Landscapes Campaign Post Mortem – Part 2 – Episode 201
We conclude the post mortem discussion of Impossible Landscapes, after the interruption from the previous episode. We now have a campaign index page, so you can easily find al of the episodes and other relevant bits for the campaign. Maddy as Ryan West, paramedic Thad as Marley Madelyn, FBI agent
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Delta Green Impossible Landscapes Campaign Post Mortem – Part 1 – Episode 200
Our actual play run of the surreal horror campaign, Impossible Landscapes, is now done. The cast and I discuss the characters, plot, and more! Find out the secrets behind the campaign and my advice for running this challenging but rewarding campaign. Maddy as Ryan West, paramedic Thad as Marley...
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The Mixed Six – Back at it Again
We’re back for another episode! I found a bottle of Blanton’s bourbon and to celebrate my discovery, we recorded a new episode. Spencer even has a new food rating system! Back The Night Clerk zine! A modern horror RPG scenario from Ross Payton! We’re talking about a wide range of
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The Mixed Six: Hot Takes on Ice – The Flash
The Flash is a spectacularly bad movie. Caleb, Spencer, and I got together to discuss exactly WHY it was so bad. I was part of a podcast called The Mixed Six for nearly 6 years. I had a blast making it and I’m proud of the episodes we made. It
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Architectural Horror and the Night Clerk Zine – Episode 199
Architectural horror is a subgenre of intention. Novels like House of Leaves, movies like The Shining, the Saw series, and games like Control can all be called architectural horror, but what does that mean? Rob Stith of the Orpheus Protocol and I talk about the genre and my new scenario,
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Game Designer Workshop: The Night Clerk Zine – System-less Scenarios with Caleb Stokes
A system-less RPG scenario is designed to be able to run in any system for a particular genre. Writing one is just as challenging as writing one for a single system. I’m launching a crowdfunding campaign on Backerkit for The Night Clerk, a system-less modern horror scenario, as a zine.
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D20 Swinginess and Combat – Episode 198
Many RPGs use d20s for resolving combat, like D&D, 13th Age, and Lancer. Caleb and I have been playing a lot of d20 games recently and we wanted to talk about the nature of d20 combat. It’s a very swingy system, where every combatant can miss in a single round,
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Fate Core: Cointract Island – Post Mortem
We ran a Fate Core campaign called Cointract Island on RPPR Actual Play. Over 16 episodes, a trio of heroes explored an island overrun with genetically engineered and cybernetically enhanced creatures. In this post mortem, Bridget, Fae, Lydia, and I discuss the campaign’s themes, the Fate system,...
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Game Designer Workshop: Termination Shock and Crowdfunding with Greg Stolze
I talked with Greg Stolze, author of Reign, Termination Shock, co-author of Unknown Armies, and writer on many other books (and my co-host on Ludonarrative Dissidents podcast) about his new Kickstarter for Ships, a supplement for Termination Shock. We talked about the core mechanics for…
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Recommendizer: Delta Green
Delta Green is a popular horror RPG but it can be hard to understand how to get its tone or its procedural elements. Caleb, Jason, and I discuss some media to look at when trying to ‘get’ the Delta Green vibe. This is a preview episode of our new series
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Game Designer Workshop: The Obscenity of Books
Caleb is back discussing his progress on Red Markets. After a recent gaming retreat, Caleb developed a theory he wanted to discuss in this episode, about the obscene and the scene. The scene represents the public, socially acceptable aspects of a given object or activity. The obscene refers to the
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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…
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OMG the OGL Situation?! – Episode 195
Wizards of the Coast has stepped on a series of rakes with a series of proposed changes to the Open Gaming License (OGL). What is the OGL and why is WOTC is trying to destroy a popular thing in the industry? Caleb and I discuss what’s going on and what