What Would The Smart Party Do?
204 episodes - English - Latest episode: 26 days ago - ★★★★ - 8 ratingsThe UK's Premier RPG Podcast
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Episodes
Preparing to Fail
June 22, 2017 20:47 - 1 hour - 68.9 MBThe lads are back from holiday! They've been reading stuff, playing games, going to conventions. This week they just about Games Expo, ConDamned and not wearing pants. Also! Bonus content - preparing characters for a con game or maybe just rolling them up at the convention table. Why do one over the other? You can find out about ConDamned on t'Facebook group. If you fancy getting involved in UK Games Expo, their website is here. Want a sweet Fanzine from The Smart Party? Throw in a dollar o...
Organised Chaos with Mike Mason
May 30, 2017 22:39 - 1 hour - 63.8 MBSpecial Guest time again! We’re too good to you. This week the lads chat to Mike Mason, Line Editor for Call of Cthuhlu at Chaosium. Kult of Keepers – who or what are they? Secrets from Black Library and 40K roleplaying. What does a line developer actually do? Organised Play and being on different sides […]
All Rolled Up & Swedish Gaming
May 24, 2017 10:26 - 1 hour - 67.9 MBEpisode 51 – All Rolled Up & Swedish Gaming Special Guest time once more! The Gents speak to Paul Baldowski, joint creator of the excellent All Rolled Up gaming accessories, prolific blog writer, author of the Cthulhu Hack and more! We also chat about the latest games from Sweden and try to work out why […]
Episode 50 Special – Back to the Future
May 24, 2017 10:24 - 1 hour - 68.6 MBEpisode 50 – Back to the Future Prepare to travel back to the times of Black & White TVs and only three channels on your TV. The Smart Party take us back to their roleplaying beginnings, through to what they’ve been playing at conventions only days ago. Guest comments, special features, Smart Party Healing Potions, […]
Chasing the Dragon
April 12, 2017 20:39 - 1 hour - 70.3 MBEpisode 49 – Ten Things We’re Jonesing For (a.k.a. Chasing the Dragon) This week the guys talk about ten of their current favourite gaming things. Everything from Post Apocalypse to Super Heroes, trying new things, system specific conventions, alternate history, Asterix, blogs and more! Next time it’ll be our 50th episode! Drop us a line […]
Systems Are Doing It For Themselves
March 07, 2017 17:46 - 1 hour - 70.1 MBEpisode 48 – Ten Interesting Mechanics (a.k.a. Systems Are Doing It For Themselves) There are a plethora, nay myriad of systems out there, so what are some good ones? The lads chat through some of their favourite ways of rolling funny shaped dice. Thanks to the d20 Future Show for inspiring this week’s topic. Want […]
The State of the Smart Party
February 20, 2017 19:45 - 1 hour - 55 MBEpisode 47 – The State of the Smart Party (a.k.a. You’re Safe From Fireballs on a Bus) This week the guys have a good old ramble through what’s going on in their gaming world at the minute, including new purchases, Baz’s game that he’s writing and more! Want more of the same? By becoming an […]
Fell Running With D20s
January 26, 2017 20:32 - 1 hour - 59.2 MBWell the Christmas lull is over, back to work and no time to be reading large tomes of gaming goodness. What's an avid gamer to do? How about get some products that allow you to roll up inspiration? Will that give us all we need? What are the advantages? Our intrepid duo go fell-running with d20s to find out.
New Year, New ‘cast, New You!
January 12, 2017 16:18 - 58 minutes - 56 MBA new gaming year awaits us! What’s hip, hop and happenin’? The lads discuss plans for the future, new releases, upcoming conventions and a couple of rumours and speculations! Want more of the same? By becoming an honoured Patreon, to keep us encouraged, or if you’re feeling fruity, simply drop the guys a line and […]
Make Your Own Gaming Group
December 18, 2016 18:33 - 56 minutes - 58.9 MBHow do you get a game in a new town? The lovely Guy from Go Play : Leeds joins us this week to chat about his experiences and how he approached this perennial issue. Turns out if you look about your home town, it could easily be a mine of (until now) undiscovered gamers… Want […]
It’s All About Balance
November 30, 2016 21:34 - 1 hour - 62.8 MB“It’s all about balance” as Gaz’s long-suffering manager used to say in the face of another “challenge” from his firebrand employee. Being a Libran, Gaz could relate to this. The lads engage in a hearty discussion on what balance means for games, if we’ve got it, and it it’s worth having. Want more of the […]
Back in Black. Hack.
November 17, 2016 23:23 - 1 hour - 56.6 MBBaz and Gaz investigate the recent spate of hacks, including The Black Hack and Cthulhu Hack. Small press house rules for the masses, Emperor’s New Clothes, inspired pet projects? The lads have a wander through some of the recent offerings in search of what the new hawtness is all about. Want more of the same? […]
A Bugbear With An Agenda
October 28, 2016 20:26 - 1 hour - 56.9 MBContrary to popular opinion, Baz and Gaz don’t agree on everything. With the upcoming festive Halloween season nearly upon them, the lads chat about horror games and try to get to bottom of why Baz isn’t enamoured. Also mostly spoiler-free chat of Stranger Things and why it’s good! Want more of the same? By becoming […]
The Kraken 2016
October 18, 2016 00:03 - 44 minutes - 40.3 MBThe Kraken is a fabulous Gaming Retreat (not convention) in Germany, about half way between Berlin and Hamburg. Run by Runequest Gesellschaft e.V. a non-profit organisation, the event has very much a family feel to it, with previous guests becoming part of the organising team and new attendees welcomed to the bosom of gaming like […]
Actual Play – Night’s Black Agents
October 05, 2016 22:56 - 1 hour - 91.6 MBBonus Episode – Actual Play – Night’s Black Agents Special bonus edition! The lads are joined by Patreon’s Steven and Piers for a taster session of Night’s Black Agents. Join the gang for a dip into Warsaw’s seedy underbelly crossed with the Bourne Identity and some preternatural goings on. Warning – does contain some naughty […]
Preparing for the Wurst
September 09, 2016 19:07 - 1 hour - 56.8 MBEpisode 39 – Preparing for the Wurst (a.k.a. Gaz had too many sausages in Germany) This week the lads are back from jollies and are all full of beans (and wurst), but also hot tips on preparing games for conventions (or elsewhere really). Join The Smart Party on a post-summer enthused hour of talking all […]
Continuum 2016
August 26, 2016 16:53 - 26 minutes - 23.9 MBEpisode 38 – Continuum 2016 It was like getting the band back together – not only were Baz and Gaz at Continuum, so were a fistful of other Smart Party members and we cornered Pete to tell us about his experience and why Fate isn’t rubbish. Sound quality varies as we were live and direct […]
Episode 37 – What We Want From Books
August 08, 2016 19:02 - 1 hour - 60.8 MBEpisode 37 – What We Want From Books Gaming books aren’t what they used to be. Back in the old days summers were longer and hotter; and cricket balls were harder. RPG books gave you everything they wanted… Or did they? The Gents take off their rose-tinted glasses (sometimes) to talk about what they want […]
Community Spirit
July 13, 2016 21:23 - 1 hour - 58 MBEpisode 36 – Community Spirit This one is about you. No, not you, you. We’re all one big happy gaming community right? Everyone gets out what they put in. Well maybe the Gents are a little to old now, and they can’t get the old working man’s club feel they used to get. Perhaps communities […]
Episode 35 – Long Con, Short Con
June 23, 2016 21:51 - 59 minutes - 54.5 MBEpisode 35 – Long Con, Short Con Convention season is upon us and the team have been to UK Games Expo and had a great time. More on that and then a discussion on upcoming events and conventions in general. Could we go for a short demo version of a convention? What’s happened to the […]
Fate Accelerated (Walkthrough)
June 01, 2016 13:24 - 1 hour - 96.9 MBEpisode 34 – Fate Accelerated (Walkthrough) As Queen would say, I wanna make a supersonic man out of you – or woman, or however you self-identify. Baz and Gaz deep dive into the wonderfully diverse-friendly Fate Accelerated; a quick and fast introduction to the Fate family of games. You can get it yourself on Pay […]
Into the Odd (After Play)
May 26, 2016 20:37 - 58 minutes - 53.6 MBEpisode 33 – Into the Odd (a.k.a A Merman Fell Down The Well) With a bunch of our gorgeous Patreons, and other hangers on, Baz led us through a session of Into The Odd and much hilarity ensued. Here we talk about our experiences and how the game shaped the play. Stay tuned to the […]
Roll the Bones – When to Roll Dice
May 10, 2016 22:20 - 1 hour - 56.3 MBEpisode 32 – Roll the Bones (a.k.a When to Roll Dice) An interesting question from one of our lovely Patreons, when do you (as a GM) ask for dice rolls? If you’re not rolling them, how do you make things happen? Baz and Gaz ramble through a field of dice-filled ideas and thoughts on rolling […]
Into The Odd (Walkthrough)
April 27, 2016 21:59 - 1 hour - 66.2 MBEpisode 31 – Into The Odd (Walkthrough) This week Baz takes Gaz through a journey Into the Odd by Chris McDowall. First impressions, through character creation (all four rolls of it) and on to deeper into the OSR style book with a difference. Come join the lads as they have a root around in the […]
Character Sheets – Got Any Rope?
April 20, 2016 14:46 - 1 hour - 56.2 MBEpisode 30 – Character Sheets (a.k.a. Got Any Rope?) Fresh back from 7 Hills gaming convention Gaz is enthused about character sheets and giving players enough rope to hang themselves. Baz gets in on the action as the lads talk through prepping for a convention game and how a good set of character sheets can […]
Android : Netrunner RPGs – The Future Perfect
April 13, 2016 16:37 - 1 hour - 61.6 MBEpisode 29 – Android : Netrunner RPGs (a.k.a. The Future Perfect) Special guest time! UK Netrunner National Champion (and avid roleplayer) Alex White joins Baz and Gaz to talk about the Android : Netrunner universe and how or why you’d play there. It’s not all dark dystopia or combat chapters, new ideas via old science […]
System of a Down
April 01, 2016 17:47 - 1 hour - 62.1 MBEpisode 28 – Systems Redux (a.k.a. System of a Down) Baz wrestles with the question “Do we have too many systems?” – are there enough? Too many? Why are people bringing out more? Gaz drinks Hot Toddies and cough medicine in equal amounts in order to help fuel more discussion. Join the team for a […]
Combat – Roll For Initiative
March 22, 2016 17:40 - 1 hour - 60.5 MBEpisode 27 – Comabt (a.k.a. Roll For Initiative) Why can’t we all just get along? Because fighting is fun, in gaming at least. Or is it? Why does it take up so much of RPG text and sessions in general? Baz and Gaz roll up their sleeves and knife fight over what all this conflict […]
Experience – Putting Ticks in Boxes
March 03, 2016 17:36 - 58 minutes - 53.7 MBEpisode 26 – Putting Ticks in Boxes (a.k.a. Experience) Hot on the heels of character generation, our characters want to level up! What’s the deal with experience points and levels? Are they an archaic throwback to the beginning of gaming or still relevant? Join our Baz and Gaz on a journey though experience systems from […]
Dying in the First Ten Minutes
March 01, 2016 22:06 - 2 hours - 133 MBEpisode 25 – Dying in the First Ten Minutes (a.k.a. Character Generation) Roll the dice, throw the bones, allocate points or get a pre-gen; this week the Smart Party talk about character generation and all related items. Regrettably Gaz is suffering from the dreaded Man Flu (2pt disadvantage) and Baz is similarly afflicted and talking […]
Super Troopers
February 05, 2016 13:21 - 56 minutes - 51.6 MBEpisode 24 – Superhero Gaming (a.k.a. Super Troopers) Baz is all “make mine Marvel” while Gaz doesn’t really understand why people would wear their underpants on the outside. Our intrepid ‘casters dive into the emotive issue of superhero gaming. Is D&D and supers game? Is there even a good supers RPG out there? Is it […]
Urban Armies
January 20, 2016 11:20 - 1 hour - 57.9 MBEpisode 23 – Urban Fantasy & Unknown Armies (a.k.a. Urban Armies) Urban fantasy seems like a big old piece of the genre, so we dig around in it a bit before taking an in depth look at our favourite example; Unknown Armies. With a 3rd edition on its way, we can look back fondly on […]
New Year, New Ideas
January 07, 2016 16:12 - 1 hour - 56.7 MBEpisode 22 – Taking Ideas From Other Games (a.k.a New Year, New Ideas) The tinsel is in disarray and the clammy grip of work clutches our hearts, but fear not, for The Smart Party are back with another Podcast! This week we talk about what we can glean from those gamey Christmas presents we got; […]
Dragonmeet 2015 – Too Much Cthulhu?
December 10, 2015 23:59 - 1 hour - 57 MBEpisode 21 – Dragonmeet 2015 (a.k.a Too Much Cthulhu) Dragonmeet took place in London Village last weekend, with over 1000 delegates, many of whom packed the seminar room to hear us discuss whether there was too much Cthulhu in gaming. As a live recording the sound is somewhat woeful, but hopefully you’ll enjoy some lively […]
Gamer Bling – Money You Don’t Have
November 30, 2015 12:52 - 59 minutes - 54.8 MBEpisode 20 – Gamer Bling (a.k.a Spending money you don’t have on things you don’t need) The festive season is already upon us (almost) and we’re already writing our shopping lists for Santa and generous relatives who don’t understand the hobby. Also, Dragonmeet approaches with even greater alacrity. What should gamers get other people to […]
Cyberpunk – Designer Clothes for Roleplayers
November 20, 2015 11:43 - 59 minutes - 54.1 MBEpisode 19 – Cyberpunk a.k.a. Designer Clothes for Roleplayers “The ‘Net is a waste of time, and that’s exactly what’s right about it.” – William Gibson Hot off the back of the Science Fiction ‘cast we bring you Cyberpunk! It’s a Tale of Two Cities, pink Mohawks, chrome implants, Corporate Troubleshooters and anarchistic players and characters. […]
Science Fiction – Gaming With the Stars
November 13, 2015 17:49 - 1 hour - 56.6 MBEpisode 18 – Science Fiction a.k.a. Gaming With the Stars Why isn’t Science Fiction as good as Fantasy? Doesn’t seem to be from a gaming scene point of view, when blatantly it is in other media. So where are the good Sci Fi games at? What are the pitfalls of Sci Fi gaming and what […]
Organising Furnace – Burn Baby Burn
October 30, 2015 01:23 - 56 minutes - 51.5 MBEpisode 17 – Organising Furnace a.k.a. Burn Baby Burn Hot on the heels (pun maybe intended) of our interview with convention organiser Fabian at The Kraken, we bring you Graham Spearing of Furnace fame to tell us about his experiences over the last ten years. The Smart Party produced a pair of Fate adventures to […]
Con Games – Conventional Wisdom
October 23, 2015 15:59 - 1 hour - 55.7 MBEpsiode 16 – Convention Games a.k.a. Conventional Wisdom What’s the difference between convention games and regular home games? Is D&D any good? What are the top tips for running convention games? Listen to Gaz & Baz as they give you their accumulated wisdow! Read more advice here and pay what you want! Why not become […]
Games Workshop – The Ten Commandments
October 16, 2015 00:10 - 1 hour - 58.4 MBEpisode 15 – Games Workshop (a.k.a Ten Commandments) Games Workshop – that most divisive of topics, known to all the gaming world and yet so misunderstood. Or is it? The Smart Party podcasters used to work for the GW and have insider knowledge. Come join us and find out what life is like on the […]
This is a German Convention – Release the Kraken
October 07, 2015 21:30 - 34 minutes - 31.6 MBBonus Episode – The Kraken This week I was at The Kraken, a gaming retreat in Germany, halfway between Berlin and Hamburg at a lovely Schloss. I managed to grab half an hour with head honcho Fabian Küchler to ask him about this idea of a gaming vacation rather than convention, what motivates him and […]
The Future – You Can’t Text in Traveller
September 30, 2015 15:55 - 1 hour - 55.4 MBEpisode 14 – The Future (a.k.a You Can’t Text in Traveller) What is the future for RPGs? Are we destined to have a weird hobby that is only played in nursing homes and retirement communities, or is the hobby Strong Like Bull? What do two old men know about it anyway? Baz talks about rappers […]
OSR – Arguing About Mindflayers
September 25, 2015 00:27 - 1 hour - 58.8 MBEpisode 13 – OSR (a.k.a Arguing About Mindflayers) What the heck is OSR anyway? Damned if I know, so we got the lovely Dan (from The Undercroft fanzine fame) to come and school us like it’s 1987. So come find out what those letters stand for, what the gaming movement is about, does everyone on […]
Historical Gaming – The Three Mathematicians
September 16, 2015 20:52 - 59 minutes - 54.1 MBEpisode 12 – Historical Gaming (a.k.a The Three Mathematicians) Why play in the real world when you’ve got a fantastical one? Wait, there’s our own history with lots of excellent genres and documents to mine! What do the Smart Party know about such things? Not enough, so we’ve recruited that bastion of Britishness and sartorial […]
Social Conflict – I Hit It In The Ennui
September 02, 2015 15:24 - 1 hour - 59.4 MBEpisode 10 – Social Conflict (a.k.a I Hit It In The Ennui) What do you do when you’re playing a silver-tongued devil but haven’t got the words as a player? I can’t fence, but sword-fighting seems well covered in RPGs. Do you need a doctorate to play a scientist? All these questions are more are […]
Kickstarters – Crowd Source of Amusement
August 31, 2015 13:29 - 55 minutes - 51.2 MBEpisode 9: Kickstarters (a.k.a. Crowd Source of Amusement) Kickstarter, IndieGoGo and publishers getting money in advance – what’s the state of play and what does it mean for getting games published? Does it help the small guys? All this and more…
Gaming Rock Stars – Giant Attack Redacted
August 20, 2015 22:53 - 51 minutes - 47.1 MBEpisode 8: Gaming Rock Stars (a.k.a. Giant Attack Redacted) We’ve all seen them, surrounded by groupies, sipping champagne from crystal d20s, but are writers and designers of games rock stars? Heroes? Have we got any, do they exist?
Being a Better Player – I’ve Painted Myself Out of a Game
July 28, 2015 23:04 - 1 hour - 60.9 MBEpisode 7: Being a Better Player (a.k.a. I’ve Painted Myself Out of a Game) There’s lots of advice for GMs, but how can we be a better player? Every day is a school day, so if only there was a podcast to help us with lessons on how to do a more sterling job of […]
Keeping Everyone Together – a Fighter, a Thief and a Magic User Walk Into a Bar
July 21, 2015 16:09 - 49 minutes - 45.1 MBEpisode 6: Keeping Everyone Together (a.k.a. A Fighter, a Thief and a Magic User Walk Into a Bar…) You’ve sat down for a new game but you want to know how your group of adventurers fit together. Or do you? Why not just crack on with the adventure straight away? What happens when someone’s character […]
Art in RPGs – Dancing About Architecture
July 20, 2015 19:27 - 1 hour - 59.1 MBEpisode 5: Art in RPGs (a.k.a. Dancing About Architecture) What is the place of art in RPGs? Does it still have meaning? What constitutes good or bad art? Isn’t it all subjective? Gaz and Baz discuss some of their favourite artists and pieces as they negotiate some of the wider considerations of RPG art.