Stop, Hack, and Roll Podcast
165 episodes - English - Latest episode: about 1 month ago - ★★★★★ - 33 ratingsStop, Hack, and Roll is a podcast about pushing pen and paper games to their limits.
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Episodes
Astronauts and Kobolds
January 08, 2019 08:00 - 1 hour - 56.5 MBEpisode Notes This week we talk chat a bit about how our game designing is going.
The Good and the Bad of 2018
December 11, 2018 08:00 - 56 minutes - 51.3 MBEpisode 64 In this episode Brandon and James through the Good and Bads of 2018 and then plan for what their game design will look like in 2019. Find us both on twitter as @stophackandroll Find all our episodes and links to some of the games we’ve been working on at StopHackandRoll.com Email us at James or Brandon @ Stophackandroll.com Please Rate and review our podcast on iTunes to help others find our show. We make this podcast with the support of Patreon backers like Spenser Starke, Ch...
A Rad Crawler
November 27, 2018 08:00 - 58 minutes - 53.2 MBEpisode Notes In this episode Brandon and James finally talk about the roguelike game that they've been hinting about for a few episodes. Find us both on twitter as @stophackandroll Find all our episodes and links to some of the games we’ve been working on at StopHackandRoll.com Email us at James or Brandon @ Stophackandroll.com Please Rate and review our podcast on iTunes to help others find our show. We make this podcast with the support of Patreon backers like Rob Abrazado, Robert K...
What We Learn From Each Other
November 13, 2018 08:00 - 1 hour - 67.6 MBEpisode Notes We're back from Metatopia and playtesting our games. We check in with the state of the industry and talk about how our playtesting went.
A Space for Pasión
October 30, 2018 16:49 - 1 hour - 63.2 MBEpisode 61 - A Space for Pasión Find us both on twitter as @stophackandroll Find all our episodes and links to some of the games we’ve been working on at StopHackandRoll.com Email us at James or Brandon @ Stophackandroll.com Please Rate and review our podcast on iTunes to help others find our show. We make this podcast with the support of Patreon backers like Tanta Munthe, Spencer Austin, Aaron Olson, Finn, Blake Ryan, athulus, William L., Troy Carter, Peter Van Batavia, Evan Nyquist, Tav...
Qualifying Race
October 02, 2018 07:00 - 1 hour - 62.8 MBEpisode 60 - Qualifying Race In this episode Brandon and James do some real work on the Race Engine. This one is a little more raw than some of our episode because we were actually doing some game design live. Find us both on twitter as @stophackandroll Find all our episodes and links to some of the games we’ve been working on at StopHackandRoll.com Email us at James or Brandon @ Stophackandroll.com Please Rate and review our podcast on iTunes to help others find our show. We make this po...
Potent Parables
September 18, 2018 07:00 - 1 hour - 63 MBEpisode 59 - Potent Parables In this episode Brandon and James talk about how you balance storytelling in games of the strong story focused playbook style game. Find us both on twitter as @stophackandroll Find all our episodes and links to some of the games we’ve been working on at StopHackandRoll.com Email us at James or Brandon @ Stophackandroll.com Please Rate and review our podcast on iTunes to help others find our show. We make this podcast with the support of our Patreon backers. W...
Demanding Evocative Moves
September 04, 2018 07:00 - 1 hour - 60.8 MBEpisode 58 - Demanding Evocative Moves In this episode Brandon and James revisit James’s Wielder playbook. This time they focus on moves as James is specifically struggling to find evocative moves that aren’t too specific to his playbook. Games mentions in this episode: Apocalypse World Masks: A New Generation Urban Shadows Monsterhearts Find us both on twitter as @stophackandroll Find all our episodes and links to some of the games we’ve been working on at StopHackandRoll.com Email us at...
Doing The Impossible
August 21, 2018 07:00 - 1 hour - 58.2 MBEpisode 57 - Doing The Impossible In this episode Brandon and James work together to explore the topic of teamwork in games. James explains that he’s always been underwhelmed by the team mechanic so he and Brandon work together to create a move that enhances the experience. Notes The first One Shot Book Club as part of their Patreon is starting This month get a free copy of Pasión De Las Pasiones! patreon.com/posts/20740714 Resources When you take a concentrated effort as a team to do t...
The Basic Basics and True Genre
August 07, 2018 07:00 - 1 hour - 57.5 MBEpisode 56 - The Basic Basics and True Genre In this episode Brandon and James talk through Brandon’s proposed order for game design. Genre True Genre Basic Move Types Basic Moves Currencies Basic Moves GM Agenda Playbook List GM Principles Basic Moves Playbook Moves Basic Moves Playbook Fill-Ins Basic Moves Playtesting Basic Moves Currencies Playbooks (Crowdfunding) Playtesting Publication. Find us both on twitter as @stophackandroll Find all our episodes and links to some of the game...
Authorial Authority
July 24, 2018 07:00 - 57 minutes - 52.4 MBEpisode 55 - Authorial Authority In this episode Brandon and James once again talk about the balance of power in a roleplaying game. Continuing a conversation started in the SHR Discord they brainstorm whether you could pass GM level narrative control between players. Find us both on twitter as @stophackandroll Find all our episodes and links to some of the games we’ve been working on at StopHackandRoll.com Email us at James or Brandon @ Stophackandroll.com Please Rate and review our podca...
Take The Character Out of the World
July 10, 2018 07:00 - 59 minutes - 54.2 MBTake The Character Out of the World In this episode Brandon and James talk about worldbuilding and how you can use good worldbuilding to create characters. They talk at length about Dark Heresy and then find a way to bring it back around to Apocalypse World. Games mentions in this episode: Cartel Dogs in the Vineyard Masks: A New Generation Dark Heresy 2nd Edition Find us both on twitter as @stophackandroll Find all our episodes and links to some of the games we’ve been working on at Sto...
Reverse XP
June 26, 2018 07:00 - 1 hour - 62.7 MBEpisode 53 - Reverse XP In this episode Brandon and James about XP as feedback loops and how some games have started using player controlled experience tracks as a way of signaling to the GM what kinds of stories they’re interested in. Brandon talks about some changes he’s making to PdlP and generally the boys ramble around for a while before getting on topic. Games mentions in this episode: Cartel Masks: A New Generation World Wide Wrestling Urban Shadows Bluebeard's Bride Find us both o...
Out Maneuvering
June 12, 2018 07:00 - 58 minutes - 53.3 MBEpisode 52 - Out Maneuvering In this episode James leads Brandon in a whirlwind tour the engagement mechanic of Evil Hat’s new Tachyon Squadron. The discussion leads to chats about Death Stars, robot fighters planes, and street level superheroes. Notes Check out Tachyon Squadron’s Kickstarter! Games mentions in this episode: Shinobigami Find us both on twitter as @stophackandroll Find all our episodes and links to some of the games we’ve been working on at StopHackandRoll.com Email us at...
Temporary Permissions
May 29, 2018 07:00 - 1 hour - 58.8 MBEpisode 51 - Temporary Permissions In this episode Brandon and James talk about compendium classes and how to get from here to there narrative permission style. StrangeWolf move by Erik Seguinte/@primefactorx01 https://obpr1cq0vuezftlfrnpayg-on.drv.tw/web/Strangewolf.html Find us both on twitter as @stophackandroll Find all our episodes and links to some of the games we’ve been working on at StopHackandRoll.com Email us at James or Brandon @ Stophackandroll.com Please Rate and review our...
Stop, Shift, And Race
May 15, 2018 07:00 - 1 hour - 74.4 MBEpisode 50 - Stop, Shift, and Race In this episode Brandon and James celebrate their 50th episode and the end of their second year podcasting together. Following listener advice we revisit and work on an old game idea. This episode has a lot of energy so we let it run a little long. Notes Because we talk about it a lot here is the link to the Wikipedia page for 2003’s The Italian Job Games mentions in this episode: Reflections Flying Circus Find us both on twitter as @stophackandroll...
Heartbreak, The Next Generation
April 17, 2018 07:00 - 1 hour - 62.6 MBIn this episode James and Jeff talk about some recent development in James’s Space Hauler Heartbreak game. James lays out the different paths he has explored for developing the game and Jeff pulls from his depth of knowledge of 2 player games to give James some advice. Someone please help me come up with a better name for this game. Special thanks to Jeff Stormer who joined me at the last minute. You can find him on Twitter @PartyofOnePod. Check out his podcasts Party of One and All My ...
Let's not Fight
March 20, 2018 07:00 - 1 hour - 56.7 MBIn this episode Brandon and James talk about taking the fight out of the dog...er game. As James begins a secret game project he picks Brandon’s brain for how to remove combat from a game without losing a sense of stakes or threat. Games mentions in this episode: Cartel Fate Core It Was A Mutual Decision Apocalypse World Masks: A New Generation Noir World on Twitter The Ward Find us both on twitter as @stophackandroll Find all our episodes and links to some of the games we’ve been ...
Hijo De Luchadoratón
March 06, 2018 08:00 - 1 hour - 70 MBIn this episode Brandon and James reach way back to Episode 9 to take a second look a tiny mouse themed wrestling game they designed. Resources The Original Luchadoratón Rules Games mentions in this episode: Lasers and Feelings Masks: A New Generation Blades in the Dark World Wide Wrestling Noir World on Twitter Find us both on twitter as @stophackandroll Find all our episodes and links to some of the games we’ve been working on at Email us at James or Brandon @ Stophackandroll....
Stop, Hack, and Breadroll
February 20, 2018 08:00 - 52 minutes - 48.5 MBIn this episode Brandon and James are a little too hungry. They talk about bringing food to the table and using it mechanically during gaming sessions. Everything is covered from an Olive Garden larp to modules that double as recipes. Fair warning, they’re a little loopy in this one. Notes At the end of the episode, Brandon goes on a prolonged bit about Hitchcock. He’s actually talking about the movie Hancock but didn’t notice till after. Find us both on twitter as @stophackandroll Find...
The Wielder
February 06, 2018 08:00 - 1 hour - 55.5 MBIn this episode Brandon and James dive into The Wielder playbook that James has been working on. They work out some of the mechanics for the feature and talk a lot about how to turn research and theme into actual playbook. Find us both on twitter as @stophackandroll Find all our episodes and links to some of the games we’ve been working on at Email us at James or Brandon @ Stophackandroll.com Please Rate and review our podcast on iTunes to help others find our show. We make this podcast...
The Consequences of Clocks
January 23, 2018 08:00 - 1 hour - 60.6 MBIn this episode Brandon and James talk about using mechanics ripped from other games to track campaign plot threads. Notes Buy your copy of the Pasión de las Pasiones ashcanhere. Games mentions in this episode: Hydrohackers Urban Shadows Blades in the Dark Masks: A New Generation Find us both on twitter as @stophackandroll Find all our episodes and links to some of the games we’ve been working on at Email us at James or Brandon @ Stophackandroll.com Please Rate and review our podc...
New Year, New Game, Game Jam
January 09, 2018 13:00 - 53 minutes - 73.6 MBIn this episode Brandon and James talk about the games you submitted to the New Year, New Game, Game Jam. They are all fantastic. We want to play all of them. Resources New Year, New Game, Game Jam Games Find us both on twitter as @stophackandroll Find all our episodes and links to some of the games we’ve been working on at Email us at James or Brandon @ Stophackandroll.com Please Rate and review our podcast on iTunes to help others find our show. We make this podcast with the support...
Under the Hood
December 12, 2017 13:00 - 1 hour - 63.8 MBIn this episode Brandon and James get down and dirty with the greasy mechanics of game design. Neither of them is afraid to pull on some coveralls, pop the hood of a game truck, and work on the engine. This metaphor has really gone about as far as we can take it. This one’s good and runs a little long. Enjoy. Notes This is the last episode for the year. There will be no episode on the 26th. Stop Hack, and Roll will return on January 9th, 2018. Until then, we are running a game jam.Here a...
Scrumgeons and Dragons
November 28, 2017 13:00 - 1 hour - 56.4 MBIn this episode Brandon and James talk how to run a playtest and how to turn playtest notes into productive game design using AGILE/scrum as a design methodology. Notes You can buy the ashcan of Pasión de las Pasiones either... In print on theMagpie Games websiteor as a pdf onDriveThru RPG. For more Agile and game production check outEpisode 79 of The RPG Design Panelcast Find us both on twitter as @stophackandroll Find all our episodes and links to some of the games we’ve been working...
Playtestopia
November 14, 2017 13:00 - 1 hour - 58.8 MBIn this episode Brandon and James decompress after a busy adventure to New Jersey for Metatopia. They talk about how their playtests went, the cool games they played and the rad people they met. They were excited and talked fast. They hope you don’t listen to the podcast at 3x speed. Find us both on twitter as @stophackandroll Find all our episodes and links to some of the games we’ve been working on at Email us at James or Brandon @ Stophackandroll.com Please Rate and review our podcast...
State of the Network 2017
October 31, 2017 12:00 - 1 hour - 60.1 MBIn this episode Brandon and James touch base with the games they are working on and where the network is. They’re prepping for their annual trip to Metatopia! Both are bringing games to playtest and James is in a panel. Notes are going to be short this week because everything is hectic. Notes Learn more about Metatopiahere. Find us both on twitter as @stophackandroll Find all our episodes and links to some of the games we’ve been working on at Email us at James or Brandon @ Stophackandr...
How to Start Writing A Playbook
October 17, 2017 12:00 - 1 hour - 64.6 MBIn this episode James asks Brandon some hard questions about where to start when writing a playbook for a Powered by the Apocalypse game, like Masks: A New Generation. Notes If you’re coming to Metatopia let us know! James will be playing his ice hauler romance game and hosting a panel about Actual Play podcasts. Brandon will be there doing more playtesting and selling the ashcan of his game! Find us both on twitter as @stophackandroll Find all our episodes and links to some of the gam...
Stop, Hack, and First Down
October 03, 2017 12:00 - 56 minutes - 52.1 MBIn this episode Brandon and James lay all their football cards on the court. James lays out his ideas for a fantasy story game in the style of The Extraordinary Adventures of Baron Munchausen that uses an actual fantasy football league as a mechanic. Games mentions in this episode: The Extraordinary Adventures of Baron Munchausen Find us both on twitter as @stophackandroll Find all our episodes and links to some of the games we’ve been working on at Email us at James or Brandon @ Stopha...
Playtesting Signal Light
September 19, 2017 12:00 - 1 hour - 93 MBIn this episode Brandon and James are joined by Elsbeth to sit down and play the Signal Light hack of Microscope that James wrote. In this episode they use Signal Light to create Protean City, home to the heroes of our new podcast Protean City Comics. Notes Protean City Comics is a weekly Mask: A New Generation AP podcast. Subscribe on iTunes or Google Play. Resources Hereis a link to the Revised, post-playtest version of Signal Light. Find us both on twitter as @StopHackandRoll Find P...
Signal Lights
September 05, 2017 12:00 - 51 minutes - 47.6 MBEpisode 34 - Signal Lights In this episode Brandon and James talk an odd kind of hack designed to bridge the gap between two games. Specifically they chat about James’s game Signal Light, a hack of Microscope designed to build a setting for Masks: A New Generation. Notes The next episode will be a break from our standard episodes. We are launching a new podcast and our actual play of the Signal Light hack we talk about in this episode will be released on both feeds. Resources Here is a ...
Fronts and Backroom Deals
August 22, 2017 12:00 - 1 hour - 56.5 MBIn this episode Brandon and James ramble about play by post games, but eventually get on point talking about nation states, kingly moves, and other faction tier movings and shakings. We talk about different tools and hacks you could use to either play a realistic world history, or have one ready for a game you’re playing. Things get weird. Stay til the end. Notes Both Brandon and James are having crazy stressful times at work and are working very hard to launch a new podcast alongside this...
Iron Chef: Game Design
August 08, 2017 12:00 - 50 minutes - 46.7 MBIn this episode Brandon and James reveal today’s special ingredient. It’s Special Ingredients! They chat about the Game Chef 2017 game jam and the games they did or did not submit to it. Starting with Game Chef and move on to talking about what a Stop, Hack, and Roll game jam would look like. Find us both on twitter as @stophackandroll Find all our episodes and links to some of the games we’ve been working on at Email us at James or Brandon @ Stophackandroll.com Please Rate and review ou...
Scoping Out Microscope
July 25, 2017 12:00 - 46 minutes - 42.8 MBIn this episode Brandon and James talk about the game Microscope by Ben Robbins and a few different hacks of the game they’ve considered writing. We low-key hype a new show we’re really seriously working on and make a lot of bad Inception jokes. Notes This episode got a little weird. I’m sorry. It was a long week. Resources <img src= "https://assets.libsyn.com/secure/show/82177/Untitled.png" alt="" width="800" height="600" /> Games mentions in this episode: Microscope Microscope Explo...
Initializing Initiative
July 11, 2017 12:00 - 59 minutes - 54.1 MBIn this episode Brandon and James talk about the action order economy and how games handle the very practical issue of dealing with sequence that events happen. They touch on structures for making sure every player gets the spotlight, but also making sure it makes sense for the character mechanically. Finally they ask the big questions like “can I just take this initiative system and put it in another game” Games mentions in this episode: Masks: A New Generation Dungeons and Dragons Mis...
Reflecting on a Fiasco
June 27, 2017 12:00 - 58 minutes - 53.9 MBIn this episode Brandon and James talk about the Fiasco, the game they agreed to prep for, as well as Reflections, the game James read by accident. Then in a twist ending, James plans for a topic without telling Brandon anything. This is a good one. Games mentions in this episode: Reflections Fiasco Tweet at us @StopHackandRoll or use #SHRpod For more information about the podcast or either of the hosts check us out atStopHackandRoll.com Join our discord at Discord.StopHackandRoll.com Mu...
Encouraging Incentivization
June 13, 2017 12:00 - 58 minutes - 53.8 MBIn this episode Brandon and James chat about incentive structures in games. James proposes a taxonomy for mechanical incentives and Brandon, a trained behaviorist, pokes a lot of holes in that theory. They come around to a solid conclusion. Notes Hereis the original Incentives Reddit thread James was reading. Between when we recorded and when these notes were written Reddit user FreeXenon write ahelpful summaryof the Fate Point economy and some guidelines. Games mentions in this episode:...
The Show: The Game
May 30, 2017 12:00 - 1 hour - 64.3 MBIn this episode Brandon and James follow up the previous episode by talking about James’s new mission: create a tv show creation game - tentatively called “CW The Show The Game”. They walk through the work James did in the last two weeks and develop the game even further. Notes We can announce now that Brandon is going to be working withMagpie Gamesto produce an ashcan copy of his game: Pasión de las Pasiones. More news on this to come. Tweet at us @StopHackandRoll or use #SHRpod For mo...
Spectator Sport
May 16, 2017 12:00 - 46 minutes - 42.9 MBIn this episode Brandon and James talk about if we really need to have random number generators as a resolution mechanic. Could you replace dice with a live studio audience? James accidentally stumbles backwards into a table larp with an audience ratings mechanic. Games mentions in this episode: Apocalypse World Dread Numenera Tweet at us @StopHackandRoll or use #SHRpod For more information about the podcast or either of the hosts check us out atStopHackandRoll.com EmailJames@StopHack...
A Very Special Module
May 02, 2017 12:00 - 1 hour - 58.6 MBIn this episode Brandon and James talk about how modules and other self contained game content can still be useful in the narrative game scene. They talk about updating your old D&D modules and to play in Dungeon World. In the later half of the show they make a game module for Masks to help you play a Very Special episode. Notes The module we make is designed to emulate a Very Special episode of a cartoon or comic book. If you are uncomfortable with discussions of drug use, we suggest skip...
Reading with Hacking in Mind
April 18, 2017 12:00 - 56 minutes - 51.8 MBIn this episode Brandon and James talk about reading new and old games in a way that helps to unmask design choices. James has been reading Cypher and taking notes on how he reads games for the first time knowing that he’ll want to come back and hack the system. Brandon has been contemplating what mechanics he could borrow for his game. Notes We mention our friend Troy and Darcy. Check out their fantastic Cypher Speak podcast Games mentions in this episode: Hot Guys Making Out Dungeon...
Rethinking Fantasy Races
April 04, 2017 13:00 - 59 minutes - 54.5 MBIn this episode Brandon and James dig into an old world building conversation they had while trying to extract a moral from it. Reskinning is hacking and thoughtful reskinning can help lead to cool plot hooks, character drama, and maybe even mechanics. Notes Single Biome Planet Trope Resources Original conversation document Tweet at us @StopHackandRoll or use #SHRpod For more information about the podcast or either of the hosts check us out atStopHackandRoll.com We make this podcast ...
Bacon and Bathrobes
March 21, 2017 12:00 - 1 hour - 99.9 MBIn this episode Brandon and James are joined by John Adamus of game editing, panel-talking, Noir World-creating fame. We’ve been meaning to come back around to talk about how to hack genre into a game system and the release of the Noir World Kickstarter seems as good a time as any. John walks us through his process and oh yeah this episode is almost 2 hours long. Notes Follow John Adamus on Twitter@Awesome_John Follow Noir World on Twitter@NoirWorldRPG Back the Noir World Kickstarter! Game...
Gotta Go Fast
March 07, 2017 13:00 - 1 hour - 59.1 MBIn this episode Brandon and James take their foot off the breaks and shift into overdrive. Starting only with what they had worked out in episode 18 for their racing game they work through the framework for a game that might just might be able to play Speed Racer AND The Fast and the Furious. Buckle up and hold on tight. Games mentions in this episode: Headspace Masks: A New Generation Misspent Youth Dogs in the Vineyard Shinobigami World Wide Wrestling Tweet at us @StopHackandRoll or use...
Hack to the Future
February 21, 2017 13:00 - 51 minutes - 47.6 MBIn this episode Brandon and James make a lot of corny flashback jokes. They also talk about adding flashbacks, montages, and time leaps into your games. These common cinematic elements are often overlooked in tabletop games so Brandon and James explore how you could use them, either as a pure narrative device or as a game mechanic. Games mentions in this episode: Apocalypse World Blades in the Dark Dungeons and Dragons Dogs in the Vineyard Fate Core Masks: A New Generation Microscope Nigh...
Narrative Controllers
February 07, 2017 12:22 - 1 hour - 43.1 MBIn this episode Brandon and James talk about dice mechanics and the narrative role mechanics play in a game. They also chat about talking with folks on the Discord and how they can talk about how the first couple weeks of the Stop, Hack, and Roll Patreon has gone. (Hint: Amazing!!) Games mentions in this episode Apocalypse World Fate Core Noir World on Twitter 7th Sea Edge of the Empire Tweet at us @StopHackandRoll or use #SHRpod For more information about the podcast or either of the host...
Stunt, Hack, and Move
January 24, 2017 04:40 - 1 hour - 22.2 MBIn this episode Brandon and James discuss small hacks to cover some listener prompts; moves for everyday tasks, handling larger conflicts around characters, playing Fate using PbtA rules, and running a chase. They also spend a surprising amount of time discussing Speed Racer or The Fast and the Furious, but neither of them are sure which one. Notes OurPatreonhas launched! Come chat with us on ourDiscord! Games mentions in this episode: Apocalypse World Fate Core Dogs in the Vineyard ...
Health and Death
January 10, 2017 12:46 - 1 hour - 22.8 MBEpisode 17 - Health and Death In this episode Brandon and James discuss systems of health in games, the purpose of death in narratives, and a whole lot of genre bacon. Also, systems with exceptionally cool ways to handle death and how to make sure that death advances plots instead of stopping them. Notes Games mentions in this episode: 7th Sea Urban Shadows Dungeon World Grim World Cartel Fate Core Gumshoe Pasión de las Pasiones Tweet at us @StopHackandRoll or use #SHRpod For m...
Gateway Gaming
December 13, 2016 03:56 - 58 minutes - 20.1 MBIn this episode Brandon and James are joined by their future co-host to talk about bringing friends new and old into the hobby. They also talk some business stuff and introduce Elsbeth in the context of an upcoming spin off podcast! A note for anyone not actually listening: Stop, Hack, and Roll will be taking a holiday break. We will return to our normal schedule Tuesday, January 10th. Notes Follow news about Pasión de las Pasiones on Google+ Games mentions in this episode: Dungeons and...
Gotta Hack ‘em All!
December 01, 2016 03:10 - 57 minutes - 26.2 MBWith a fresh Pokemon craze sweeping the internet, Brandon and James put on their professor coats and talk playing Pokemon as a tabletop game. Games mentions in this episode: Apocalypse World Pokemon Tabletop Chuubo’s Marvelous Wish-Granting Engine by Jenna Moran Fate Core Heroine Tweet at us @StopHackandRoll or use #SHRpod For more information about the podcast or either of the hosts check us out atStopHackandRoll.com Music for the show is There It Is Kevin MacLeod (incompetech.co...