Yaruki Zero Podcast #4: Japanese RPGs (Part 1)

Japanese, Podcast

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In this episode I’m joined by Andy Kitkowski to talk about Japanese tabletop RPGs. This is sort of a general overview, and we’ll be returning to this topic in future podcasts to discuss various things in more detail. Our talk went on long enough that I’m splitting it into two installments. This time around we talk about how RPGs came to Japan, the Japanese TRPG subculture, and Japanese RPG design trends.

Yaruki Zero Podcast #4 (43 minutes, 23 seconds)

Show Notes

Next Time
In the second part of our discussion, we cover doujin/indie RPGs, some neat Japanese games we’ve seen, and localization issues.

This podcast uses selections from the song “Click Click” by Grünemusik, available for free from Jamendo.com. If you like the song, consider buying some CDs from Nankado’s website.

somerights20en

Yaruki Zero Podcast #3½: Slime Story Reading

Podcast, random

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This is a special “bonus” podcast with a reading of the prologue of Slime Story: The Legend of Doug, a novel set in the same world as the Slime Story RPG I’ve been working on. The main character is an average teenage monster hunter named Doug, and in this chapter an ordinary monster hunting run becomes one of his most memorable ever when he runs into Rita, Los Banos’ #1 monster hunter and host of the Monster Show video blog.

If you want to read some more of the story, I’ve posted up a draft of Chapter 1: Saying Yes on DeviantArt.

Yaruki Zero Podcast #3½ (17 minutes, 59 seconds)

Next Time
For the next episode, Andy Kitkowski and I will be sitting down to talk about Japanese tabletop RPGs in general. Please comment if there’s anything in particular you’d like to hear us talk about.

Octavia!

random

Every now and then I come up with a character that really strikes a chord and becomes something of an obsession. Octavia, my D&D character (a human warlord and Cormyr noblewoman, currently has the Invulnerable Coat of Arnd) is one of those. Hence, I commissioned a plush of her:

Octavia Plush by Squisherific

Update: The Octavia plush arrived in person; unveiling photos here.

Update 2: Here’s Adam’s artwork of her, which happened to arrive on the same day as the plushie!
octaviafinish

Nechronica: The Long, Long Sequel

games, Japanese,

Nechronica Cover
Just recently Tsugihagi Honbo updated their site with info on their latest game, due out soon, called Nechronica. It’s not out yet, though their Tsugihagi Tayori #3 doujin has a preview replay included.

From the sound of things, it seems like a post-apocalyptic undead kind of setting, with some Rozen Maiden and Maid RPG thrown in for good measure, and I’ll definitely be ordering it as soon as it’s out.

From the description on the site:

In this world, humanity has been destroyed.
In this world, everyone is dead.
In this world, no one dies anymore.
Only the dead remain to act.

The protagonists of Nechronica: The Long, Long Sequel are young girls with the misfortune to have hearts. The dolls. Put simply, this is a game where you play girl zombies and fight other zombies.

The dead can move again through the necromancer who rules the ruined world. He serves as both the game’s ultimate boss, and a mechanism to move it forward. That is because it is the necromancer who gives these girls hearts. In a world of puppets, these dolls who have their own will, and can cry and laugh are mere toys to the necromancer. He sends enemies at them, and enjoys the tragedy or comedy that results.

These dolls are already dead, and do not die merely from being broken.

They’re already quite dead, after all.

The world is already finished too.

So, let’s have some tea under a lead-gray sky, and tell tales of a long, long sequel.

A preview replay of Nechronica: The Long, Long Sequel has been published in Tsugihagi Tayori Vol. 3. Please take a look if you’re interested.

The site also mentions a third Yuuyake Koyake supplement on the way, Kore Kara no Michi, or “The Road From Here”. This will be the final Yuuyake Koyake book, and will focus on playing as people, and is slated for release at JGC 2009 (which means early September).

Yaruki Zero Podcast #3: Interview With Clay Gardner

games, Interviews, Podcast

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The Yaruki Zero Games Podcast’s first interview is with Clay Gardner, designer of OVA: Open Versatile Anime. In this interview Clay shares his insights on the game’s development and publication, as well as his experiences interacting with the fans and his future plans for the game.

Yaruki Zero Podcast #3 (25 minutes, 34 seconds)

Show Notes

Next Time
The next episode, #3½, will be a reading of the first chapter of Slime Story: The Legend of Doug, the novel I’ve been working on based in the same setting as the RPG of the same name.

This podcast uses selections from the song “Click Click” by Grünemusik, available for free from Jamendo.com. If you like the song, consider buying some CDs from Nankado’s website.

somerights20en

Maid RPG Update: Maid Books For You, Master!

musings

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I know a lot of people have been anxious to get their hands on a hard copy of Maid RPG. Well, the wait is just about over. Maid RPG is now back in stock at Indie Press Revolution! This is the revised version, with all the same content, but lots of corrections and implemented errata.

A quick reminder, if you bought the PDF from IPR, you should be able to download the PDF of the new version by logging in to your account, and if you bought it from the Maid RPG website before we started selling through IPR, you should’ve received an e-mail with a new download link from us. Any questions? Feel free to contact us!

Yaruki Zero Podcast #2: Anime and RPGs

anime, Podcast

ykz_002

Ewen talks to himself about the relationship between Japanese animation and role-playing games at length. What do people mean when they say “anime” in the first place? What kinds of anime RPGs already exist, and what kinds could exist?

Yaruki Zero Podcast #2 (31 minutes, 24 seconds)

Episode Outline
1. Introduction
2. Perceptions of Anime
3. The BESM Paradigm
4. “System Does Matter” and Anime
5. Anime Fans and RPG Fans
6. Closing Comments

Show Notes

Next Time
The next episode will be an interview with Clay Gardner, creator of OVA: Open Versatile Anime.

This podcast uses selections from the song “Click Click” by Grünemusik, available for free from Jamendo.com. If you like the song, consider buying some CDs from Nankado’s website.

somerights20en

Thoughts on Podcast #1

musings, Podcast

On the whole I would cautiously call my first attempt at podcasting a success. Granted, I think maybe six people actually listened to it, most of whom are my friends, but then the first one wasn’t terribly relevant to anyone who isn’t already familiar with my stuff. And, I haven’t made any real effort to advertise it at all except for mentioning it on Twitter and my LiveJournal, something I won’t get into doing until I’m more confident that this will be a regular thing. It was fun and not too terribly time-consuming to do, and after listening to the result a couple times, I think I’m off to a good start. One listener even complimented my voice. O_o

I’m going to sit down and do some planning before I get too carried away, not to mention get some advice from the very small number of people I know who actually do media type stuff. Removing some of the sources of distracting noises (Trillian and my squeaky chair) will help, and I need to look into music for bumpers (I’m thinking of using this song; nice and relaxing) and some other things.

I don’t really want to commit to having a regular “broadcast partner”, but I definitely do want to get other people to join in and talk about stuff. I like being able to babble on by myself without any worries about the logistics of assembling multiple people, and no matter what I’ll be doing that at least part of the time, even if I’m not confident about keeping up with the Paul Tevises of the podcasting world (in terms of being a good solo podcaster). On the other hand, I’m very interested in talking to people with different perspectives on gaming. Of course, whether in person or over Skype, I need to work out the technical stuff for actually doing that, and recruit people to talk to.

Some tentative ideas for future shows:

  • Anime and RPGs. A solo show where I blather on about the intersection of Japanese animation and role-playing games.
  • My group’s experiences with D&D4e.
  • Something about how RPGs have changed over time.
  • Maid RPG. A lengthy discussion of the game, ideally involving Andy K.
  • Japanese TRPGs. A long discussion of the Japanese tabletop scene. Again, getting Andy involved would be essential.
  • I want to talk to my friend Tim about the freeform role-playing scene that flourished at his middle school.
  • Likewise, I want to talk to Guy about the gaming scene in Israel, and how he interfaces with the online RP scene.

Yaruki Zero Podcast #1: Opening Remarks

musings, Podcast

ykz_001

This is my first attempt at a podcast, basically a dry run at talking into a microphone. In this installment, I give a quick summary of my “career” as an RPG gamer, from playing Robotech back in the 7th grade up to the present, and a bit about what I’ve been working on.

Yaruki Zero Podcast #1 (26 minutes, 34 seconds)

Show Notes

Dungeons & Dragons 4th Edition Cards

Play Aids

4e_character_02_edit

My friend Tim has been very ambitious about making neat stuff for our D&D4e game. With his permission I’m posting up the character and monster cards we’ve been using for it. Both of these are basically cheat sheets for the Dungeon Master to use, to keep track of initiative and other stuff.

Tim’s D&D 4e Character Cards (pdf)
Tim’s D&D 4e Monster Cards (pdf)

  • The PDFs are editable. You can print them out and write by hand, or type/copy and paste the requisite info.
  • The heart- and teardrop-shaped areas are for HP and Bloodied values, respectively.
  • The right side of each card lists off different status effects. You can put a paperclip on the corresponding spot to keep track of statuses.
  • On the character cards’ attribute area, the small square is for the base score, and the other two spaces are for the modifier and the modifier with 1/2 Level added, respectively.