The Gameable Podcast

Episodes

1. 60

   Episode 60: She-Ra

   In the final episode before the Gameable hiatus, Meganbob joins Kris to discuss the characters, settings, and surprisingly compelling storytelling possibilities of 1985’s She-Ra: Princess of Power! Listen to find out who we’d cast as Hordak in a live-action film, to learn what fanfic can teach us...

   Dec 22, 2018
2. 59

   Episode 59: She-Ra

   Before there was Netflix’s fantastic 2018 She-Ra and the Princesses of Power, there was 1985’s She-Ra: Princess of Power, which was… also a show. In this episode, MeganBob joins Kris to discuss the campy, magical, ridiculous plots of the original 80’s cartoon. Plus: Grape-Nuts! Check out the...

   Dec 22, 2018
3. 18

   Gameable Update

   Wondering where M.A.S.K. part 2 is? Here’s a quick update on what’s happening with Gameable. Listen to the update here.

   Nov 3, 2018
4. 57

   Episode 57: M.A.S.K.

   This week, David McBride joins Kris to discuss the classic, toyetic 1980’s cartoon M.A.S.K.! This episode focuses on the show’s bizarre plots, such as the theft of the Statue of Liberty, the abduction of a baby dinosaur, and a cross-country flying auto race for microfilm. Check out the episode here!

   Oct 15, 2018
5. 56

   Episode 56: Young Justice

   In the second part of our Young Justice coverage, Rich Howard and I talk about our favorite romantic pairings from the show, the dual challenges of creating a superhero “family” and a huge heroic ensemble, the value of time-skips in Young Justice and in gaming, and some ideas of tweaking the tone...

   Oct 2, 2018
6. 15

   Game Night: Young Justice

   Rescued from the cutting room floor, it’s 15-or-so minutes of Kris and Rich Howard from Whelmed making tough choices between the characters of Young Justice and the equally-great protagonists of Gargoyles. Check out the episode here!

   Sep 23, 2018
7. 55

   Episode 55: Young Justice

   This week, Rich Howard of Whelmed joins me to discuss Young Justice! We dig into character-driven plots, open-ended character growth, the perils of using big characters in small and quirky roles, and much more. Check out the episode here!

   Sep 20, 2018
8. 13

   BONUS Episode 54: Fullmetal Alchemist: Brotherhood

   In part 2 of our Fullmetal Alchemist: Brotherhood discuss, we discuss the wide array of PC options in Amestris and beyond, the balance between freeform narration and tactical depth in emulating anime combat, and the bewildering cosmology of the series. Check out the episode here!

   Sep 8, 2018
9. 53

   Episode 53: Fullmetal Alchemist: Brotherhood

   Its anime time once again! In this bonus episode, we discuss the plots (and story) of Fullmetal Alchemist: Brotherhood, from the straightforward first episode to the series’ baroque climax. Along the way, we discuss player on-boarding, dead end subplots, MacGuffin abuse, pacing a grand finale…

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   Aug 18, 2018
10. 52

    Episode 52b: Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles

    In part 2 of our discussion about adapting Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles with RPG rules, Kris and Dr. G go into detail about using the Powered by the Apocalypse system to represent the teenage, mutant, ninja, and turtle aspects of the franchise. Check out Dr. G’s notes on the adaptation here.…

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    Jul 31, 2018
11. 52

    Episode 52a: Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles

    Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles month concludes (kind of) with a discussion about RPG rules and systems for adapting TMNT, including Palladium’s Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles And Other Strangeness. Dr. G, the erstwhile Man of Nerdology, joins Kris to discuss the pros and cons of Palladium, using XP...

    Jul 29, 2018
12. 51

    Episode 51: Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles

    As TMNT month continues, Claire Mulkerin joins Kris to discuss the tone, themes, and iconic settings of Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles across the franchise’s history. Topics include 1980’s New York, black & white & gray morality, and the turtles’ very gameable take on life in the margins. Check out...

    Jul 21, 2018
13. 50

    Episode 50: Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles

    Our month-long Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtle series continues with an episode about characters featuring Tom and Rachael Kolar. After a discussion of which turtles we are and which turtles we’d like to be in an RPG, we hash out the point (if any) of cartoon Michelangelo, why April isn’t as cool as...

    Jul 14, 2018
14. 49

    Episode 49: Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles [Plots]

    All month long, we’re discussing the 1987 Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles cartoon. This week, Crystal Frasier joins Kris for a fun recap of the show’s first season arc, plus the memorable one-off The Case of the Killer Pizzas. Along the way, we discuss the plight of Baxter Stockman, the civic…

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    Jul 7, 2018
15. 6

    BONUS Drag Race Discussion feat. Claire Mulkerin

    During a recent recording, Kris had an interesting (if off-topic) discussion with Claire Mulkerin about the controversy surrounding RuPaul’s Drag Race. For those following that controversy, here’s our discussion, barely-edited and salvaged from the podcast equivalent of the cutting room floor....

    Jun 30, 2018
16. 5

    Gameable Drag Race (Season 2)

    It’s Pride Month, and that means it’s time for Gameable Drag Race! In this bonus episode, characters from all of this year’s Gameable episodes compete in a fantasy season of Rupaul’s Drag Race. Check out the episode here!

    Jun 30, 2018
17. 48

    Episode 48: Fireball XL5

    In part 2 of our Fireball XL5 discussion, we peel back the show’s shiny 1960’s veneer to discuss its pulp adventure heritage, to question the logic of Space City, and to detail the dystopia simmering all around these happy, Caucasian marionettes. Plus: Can a robot be governor? Check out the…

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    Jun 24, 2018
18. 47

    Episode 47: Fireball XL5

    In this very 60’s episode about Fireball XL5, we discuss rocket ships, square-jawed heroes, and uncomfortable ideology; it’s more fun than it sounds! We discuss formulaic plots, old-school gaming, pulp adventure, and much more. Check out the episode here!

    Jun 10, 2018
19. 46

    Episode 46: Jem

    In our second Jem discussion, we discuss the (mutually exclusive?) joys of playing the Holograms and the Misfits, the importance of the 90’s zeitgeist to the show’s setting, the teme of responsibility vs. selfishness, and more. Plus: Which of Jem’s two outrageous theme songs is best? Check out…

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    May 26, 2018