RPG XRAY
A look inside what makes RPGs tick. We discuss the "moving parts" of what makes table top role playing games fun and successful. What creates those moments of "great play?" Join us for our deep dives into the rules, systems, and settings of TTRPGs!
Episodes
15 episodes
015 Randomness
This episode’s topic is randomness. Chance is a core part of nearly all roleplaying games, but why is it fun? Can you have a valuable RPG without it? Does randomness increase or decrease the quality of stories at the table? Join us as we find o...
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Season 2
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Episode 15
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1:01:41
014 Classes
This episode’s topic is classes. Wizard, thief, fighter, rogue! We all know the tropes of classic fantasy RPGs but how have these evolved over time? What is the benefit of a class and how do classless RPG systems compare to a more traditional a...
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Season 2
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Episode 14
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1:07:17
013 Railroading
In this episode of RPG Ex-Ray, hosts Brendan Power, Jason Beaumont, and Erik Saltwell dive deep into the art and science of railroading in tabletop role-playing games.Our main discussion in the episode is railroading—when and how it's ap...
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Season 2
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Episode 13
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49:38
012 Props
This episode’s topic is props. From maps to sound effects, miniatures to background music, props evoke tone, immerse players, and clarify what is going on in your game’s fiction. Join us as we discuss what makes props work, and when they fail.<...
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Season 2
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Episode 12
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59:59
011 Agendas
This episode’s topic is Creative Agendas. Whether we aspire to overcome challenges, embody characters, or simply socialize with friends, our high-level goals determine many of our choices and define what we are proud about in our roleplay...
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Season 2
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Episode 11
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50:33
010 Rulings
This episode’s topic is Rulings. The use of at-the-table decision making is one of the defining features of tabletop roleplaying games that allows for unlimited player creativity. Relying on other humans, though, can leave your tabl...
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Season 2
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Episode 10
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55:21
009 Licensed IP
This episode’s topic is Licensed IP, which provides RPG gamers the promise of being a hero in stories they already love, while utilizing their knowledge of a property’s setting and tropes to improve the tabletop role playing experience. J...
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53:46
008 Authorities
This episode’s topic is Authorities. Who can say what, and when can they say it, in an RPG? Authorities determine this, and have, since the foundation of tabletop role playing.Small changes to the authorities in your game can have huge, ...
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Season 2
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Episode 8
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54:41
007 Systems
This episode’s topic is Systems. Unlike video games, role playing games separate game engine, game concept and game level into distinct pieces. We dig into the various ways that RPGs split authority for the design of each piece between de...
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Season 2
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Episode 7
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1:05:45
006 Progression
This episode’s topic is PROGRESSION. Whether it’s levels, experience points, that scar your character has with an epic backstory, or some other measure of character development, PROGRESSION is a mechanic that stretches back to the earliest days...
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Season 2
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Episode 6
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51:08
005 Horror
This episode’s topic is HORROR. Horror is one of the oldest RPG genres and has wrapped its tentacles around much of modern tabletop game play, but what is it? What makes an RPG horror in tone, mechanics, or gameplay? Are horror games scary? Sho...
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Season 2
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Episode 5
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1:04:26
004 Mysteries
This episode’s topic is MYSTERIES. What does investigative gaming look like in table top RPGS? Are all RPGs mystery games at their heart? Are there games which appear to be detective and mystery oriented that aren’t mystery games at all? What i...
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Season 1
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Episode 4
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1:04:30
003 Fiction
In this episode we talk FICTION. Specifically how do fiction and mechanics interact in role playing games. This is a broad topic and there’s a lot of ground to cover. From Clocks to Metacurrencies to Resolution systems, we’re diving deep but ho...
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Season 1
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Episode 3
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59:14