Backstory

On the final episode of Backstory, designer and publisher Cat Tobin talks pushing things forward, leaving things behind, and publishing original Irish language RPGs! Talk to you later, heroes. Cat's Twitter Pelgrane Press #Feminism The Erotic Art Games Anthology Alex's Patreon

Game designer Lucian Kahn talks magic, humor, and some exciting game anthologies. Would you rather be a Visigoth or a Mall Goth? Lucian's Twitter Lucian's Games You & I The Erotic Art Games Anthology

Psychologist Diana J Leonard shares her work on the life cycle of play communities. Diana's Website, Diana on Twitter, The Dynamic Life Cycle of Live Action Role-Play Communities, Conflict and Change: Testing a Life-Cycle-Derived Model of Larp Group Dynamics, Living Games Conference Keynote: Promoting Healthy Communities in Larp

Ben Chong, aka swordsnflowers, joins us to talk about his experience teaching analog game design, developing the TTRPG scene in Malaysia, and his Sword Dream. Ben on Twitter Ben's games on itch.io Alex on Patreon

Game designer and translator Sangjun Park talks about Moonflower, game translation, and his hopes for the future of the Korean TTRPG scene. Sanjun's Twitter Alex on Patreon!

Larpwright and sex educator Jon Cole on teaching with larp, designing in collaboration, and creating space for Real Talk. Jon's Games, Jon's Newsletter, Still Life, Alex on Patreon!

Historical game developer Catherine Ramen talks the New York crossdressing scene in the '90s, a nineteenth century Socialist commune in Paris, and more - as if we needed more when those first two things are so very very good??? The Aviatrix Games website, Cat on Twitter, Alex and Cat on She's a Super Geek, Alex on Patreon!

Game developer Jenn Sandercock talks experimentation, balance, collaboration, and edible games. Jenn’s Website, Jenn on Twitter, The Edible Games Cookbook, Making Games That Give Me Hugs, Alex on Patreon!

A very enthusiastic chat with ONE SHOT Network co-founder, podcaster, improviser, game designer, and professional goof boy James D'Amato. Plus a special announcement: our host is now on Patreon! The Ultimate RPG Character Backstory Guide, James on Twitter, ONE SHOT, CAMPAIGN, Alex on Patreon!!!!!!!!!!!!

Game designer Camdon Wright joins us for a chat about designing for emotion, GMing outside your comfort zone, and being a fan of stuff, not people. Camdon's website, Camdon on Twitter, Dialect, Star Crossed, For the Queen

Game designer and illustrator Whitney Delaglio on intimacy and problem-solving in games. Also: consensual storytelling is a sandwich; pass it on. Whitney's website, Whitney on Twitter, Prism the RPG, Whitney has a stretch goal coming up in the Kickstarter for Bite Me!

Game designer and wandering Kiwi Lauren McManamon talks about applying discursive analysis to the gaming table, roleplaying desire, and the strange birds that help us get through it all. We also discuss Lauren's academic work on the treatment of sexual assault complainants in the legal system, so please take care if and when you decide to listen. Girl Underground on Kickstarter, Lauren on Twitter, Lauren's Masters' Thesis, The Final Girl: a Game of Love, Hot Guys Making Out: Sherlock.

Writer and designer Becky Annison joins us to talk gaming in the UK, werewolf romance, and an essential source of game design inspiration: reality television. Bite Me! on Kickstarter, Becky Annison on Twitter, Black Armada (Becky's publishing company, co-owed with Josh Fox), Black Armada on Twitter, Seven Wonders: a Story Games Anthology.

Games journalist and co-runner of the Role Over Play Dead blog, Kai chats with Alex about tabletop and live-action gaming in Malaysia. Role Over Play Dead, Kai on Twitter, Kai on Instagram, D&D and the Tabletop Gaming Industry in Malaysia.

In honour of the show's third anniversary, producer Alex Sisk interviews the creator and host of Backstory. Learn about the process behind the show, how she prepares for and conducts interviews, and her plans for the future - in podcasting and beyond. Thanks for sticking with us, friends. It's been a wonderful time. Alex's website, Star Crossed, For the Queen.

James Mendez Hodes is a Filipino-American writer, game designer, cultural consultant, and martial artist who knows which kind of sword Alex should use. If you're curious about Heian or Sengoku period Japan, or about playing other cultures or historical periods in general, listen in! Consider this a companion piece to an upcoming episode of ONE SHOT in which Alex will be running Kagematsu! Mendez's website, Mendez on Twitter, Support the hip hop translation of Homer's Iliad!, Thousand Arrows, An extremely useful post on best practices for historical gameplay, Fist City, Kagematsu.

Game designer and artist Albert Kong joins us for a talk about parkour, the art of gathering, and other ways to open the potential for play in the world around you. Albert's website, Albert on Twitter, Albert's Inbox Zine, Mt. Caz, The We-Ness, A Pattern Language, Tom Sachs, The Dispossessed

Game designer and co-creator of She's a Super Geek, Senda Linaugh, talks gaming, creativity, and community connection. Content note for discussion of abusive relationships. Senda on Twitter, She's a Super Geek, Pandas Talking Games, Love & Justice, We Can Once More Ascend, Senda on Gnome Stew

Award-winning larp designer Jeff Dieterle joins us for a talk about music, magic, stupid games, and kiss jail. Jeff on Twitter, My Jam is now on Kickstarter!, Wigilia, Long Time Listener, Last Time Caller, A Hundred Years Adoring You, Meet My Friends the Friends, Best Show with Tom Scharpling, The Campaign for North Africa.

Design strategist Andrea Morales Coto is bringing the magic of live-action game design to new avenues, from distribution methods to cryptoeconomic systems and beyond. Learn along with Alex! Andrea's Website, Andrea on Twitter, "I Owe Us" cryptoeconomic prototype, "Following the Green Light: Designing Inclusion in Game Distribution," The Golden Cobra Game Design Challenge.