In this episode I share some tips on how to run roleplaying sessions. You already heard some of my tips for running mysteries, for deciding between a railroad and a sandbox style game or for designing time limited games. This time we take a look at the whole picture, and how you can prepare for your game from week to week (or game to game if your games are not every week).
We touch on topics like note taking, improvization and post-session activities for making sense of the session we just ran and how to prepare for the next one.
Episode notes
Shy Flourish website (https://slyflourish.com/)
Roleplayingtips website (https://www.roleplayingtips.com/)
28 Nov 2024
ThinkPad Innovations Unboxed
ThinkPad expert Benjamin Herzig from Notebookcheck shares insights on the AI PC phenomenon, haptic trackpads, and the implications for ThinkPad innovations.
24 Oct 2024
Railroads and Sandboxes: Shaping Player Destiny
What makes a tabletop RPG truly come alive: a tightly woven plot that pulls players down a thrilling path, or an open world where their every choice shapes the unfolding story? In this episode, we dive deep into the age-old debate between railroad and sandbox adventures, exploring the benefits and challenges of each style.
We’ll discuss how player interaction and choices, GM improvisation, and emergent storytelling create unforgettable gaming experiences, and share tips for balancing structure with freedom.
Whether you're a game master or a player, join us as we unravel the secrets to crafting dynamic RPG narratives that resonate long after the dice stop rolling.
26 Sept 2024
Behind the Veil: Mysteries and Clues Uncovered
Constructing and running role playing game sessions which involve mysteries and investigation can be a challenge sometimes. How to make sure the players find all the clues? What if they miss something? How to adapt your gaming style not to run into bottlenecks and dead ends in this style of adventure.
These are the questions we seek an answer to in today's episode.
22 Aug 2024
Astraterra RPG
Astraterra is a Finnish roleplaying game from author Miska Fredman. Astraterra is a steam fantasy role-playing game for all ages and it mixes elements from fantasy, steampunk, and science-fiction genres. In this episode I talk with Miska about how the game was born and about RPG authoring. We also go through various elements of the game itself.
Miska is a game designer and cartographer. His hobby of playing D&D has turned into his work, running an RPG publishing company and publishing maps for RPGs. In 2016 he has received the Golden Dragon award at Ropecon (largest role-playing event in the Nordic countries) for his prominent and significant work as a role-playing game designer and publisher.
Show links
Miska's Maps (https://www.miskasmaps.com)
https://www.patreon.com/miskasmaps (https://www.patreon.com/miskasmaps)
https://www.patreon.com/cyberpunkmaps (https://www.patreon.com/cyberpunkmaps)
IronSpine Press (https://www.ironspine.com)
Astraterra (https://www.astraterra.fi/en/home/)
30 May 2024
The Countdown Conundrum: Building Engaging One-Shot Adventures
Time constraints can often challenge the flow of your adventure, whether it’s a one-shot for friends, a session at the local gaming store, or a game for beginners at a roleplaying convention. With players who may be strangers, unpredictability looms large. Will they get stuck? Will you run out of time? How can you manage the story, encounters, and ensure timely completion while keeping the fun intact?
In this episode, I delve into the countdown conundrum: mastering the art of running a time-constrained game. Discover practical tips and strategies to keep your adventure on track and your players engaged, no matter the time limit.
Links from the show:
Android dice app: RPG simple dice (https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.ccp.rpgsimpledice&hl=en&pli=1)
iOS dice app: Tabletop RPG dice (https://apps.apple.com/us/app/tabletop-rpg-dice/id994133698)
Disclaimer: I am not affiliated with either of these apps. They are free apps I found by trying them out and I deemed them good enough.
16 May 2024
Legends and Dragons: Publishing RPGs, part 2
This is part 2 of my talk with Petri Leinonen. Part 1 was published as episode 5.
I talk with Petri about various aspects of RPG publishing. This episode concentrates on the technical aspects and on AI image generation and its role in publishing today.
Petri Leinonen is an independent RPG creator and publisher from Finland who has been for the past couple of years been heavily involved in the effort to bring Legendoja & lohikäärmeitä, a Finnish adaptation of the world’s most popular role-playing game to life and is the first 3rd party publisher for L&L with his 2022 release Hirviökirja, a monster compendium for L&L.
You can find Petri's work at the following places
Gogam’s homepage: http://gogam.eu (https://gogam.eu/)
Petri’s itch page: https://strangeworlder.itch.io/ (https://strangeworlder.itch.io/)
YouTube channel for English actual plays: https://www.youtube.com/@gogameu (https://www.youtube.com/@gogameu)
2 May 2024
Legends and Dragons: Publishing RPGs, part 1
In this episode I talk with Petri Leinonen, indie RPG publisher, about various aspects of RPG publishing. Petri has been actively participating in creating the layout for the Finnish roleplaying game Legendoja ja Lohikäärmeitä (Legends and Dragons). Does language actually matter for RPGs? How is it working with gaming licenses (such as OGL, the open gaming license). Listen and find out!
Petri Leinonen is an independent RPG creator and publisher from Finland who has been for the past couple of years been heavily involved in the effort to bring Legendoja & lohikäärmeitä, a Finnish adaptation of the world’s most popular role-playing game to life and is the first 3rd party publisher for L&L with his 2022 release Hirviökirja, a monster compendium for L&L.
The talk will be published in two parts, this is part 1.
You can find Petri's work at the following places
Gogam’s homepage: http://gogam.eu (https://gogam.eu)
Petri’s itch page: https://strangeworlder.itch.io/ (https://strangeworlder.itch.io/)
YouTube channel for English actual plays: https://www.youtube.com/@gogameu (https://www.youtube.com/@gogameu)
18 Apr 2024
Next gen ThinkPads: The 2024 lineup
Lenovo usually announces new ThinkPads at the CES conference in Las Vegas, at the beginning of the year. This year was no different, with many new features and some controversial changes - for ThinkPad fans at least - announced.
My guest today is Benjamin Herzig, whom shares his thoughts about this year ThinkPad features.
Benjamin has been a ThinkPad user since 2010. Originally he was not a fan of the design, but his first ThinkPad R60 quickly made him fall in love with the quality of the ThinkPads in every aspect, especially the keyboards and the TrackPoint. Since 2016, he has been working for Notebookcheck, mostly reporting on business laptops.
4 Apr 2024
Composing Quests: The Symphony of Soundscapes
Music is an essential part of the movie, computer game and even role playing game experience. We use music to enhance our stories. But how is music made today? I talk with indie music composer and producer Matti Paalanen about what it takes to make orchestral music. We talk about how he makes music and how he got started. We also touch on vocals and vocal generation, actual music generation by AI among others topics.
Matti Paalanen is an indie producer from Finland who has focused on the digital music business and its possibilities in the past years. He runs Ouranio Recordings label and at least tries his best to stay up to date regarding music technology and the possibilites that the evey changing digital realm has to offer when it comes to music production and marketing.
You can listen to Matti's music on Spotify (https://dungeonsanddevices.com/celestial-aeon-project).
Matti mentioned Cubase (https://www.steinberg.net/cubase/) as his DAW of choice.
Matti also mentioned Synthesizer V (https://dreamtonics.com/synthesizerv/) that he used for vocal generations.
4 Apr 2024
ThinkPhone
We talk about Motorola's ThinkPhone, an Android smartphone that resembles a Lenovo ThinkPad. It is a great companion device for any ThinkPad user, and offers a lot of features to help get the most out of your phone and computer together. We go through the various features "Ready For" offers to help you out.
In this episode I talk with Atli Jarl Martin from Iceland, a big ThinkPad fan and collector. Atli has worked in various jobs but is currently in IT administration and deals with a lot of ThinkPads. The ThinkPhone is his new weapon of choice as far as mobile phones go.
Useful links
Tech specs from GSMArena (https://www.gsmarena.com/motorola_thinkphone-12059.php)
Review by GSMArena (https://www.gsmarena.com/motorola_thinkphone-review-2538.php)
(Dungeons and Devices is not affiliated or associated with GSMArena, but we like their work)
4 Apr 2024
Cybernetic Storytellers: Integrating AI into RPGs
AI is emerging as a technology to augment doing all sorts of things, be it summarizing emails or creating presentations. Generative AI is also a great tool that Storytellers and Dungeons Masters can utilize to speed up their preparation, to enhance their session or just to get fresh ideas and spark their imagination.
But crafting good prompts to drive these AI tools can be difficult.
In this episode we take a look at how you could utilize ChatGPT to enhance your RPG sessions.
While listening to this episode you might want to check out a small PDF (https://dungeonsanddevices.z1.web.core.windows.net/Dungeons%20and%20Devices%20-%201.%20Cybernetic%20Storytellers.pdf) with some of the prompts and answers written out in full.
25 Mar 2024
Dungeons and Devices Trailer
Dungeons and Devices is a podcast about role playing games, computer games, hardware, software and technology. We publish 30-60 minute episodes every second Thursday.
Expect the first episodes to be published on 4th of April.
Disclaimer: 'Dungeons and Devices' is an independent podcast created for entertainment and informational purposes. This podcast is not affiliated with, associated with, nor endorsed by Wizards of the Coast, Chaosium, or any other game publishers or technology brands mentioned during our episodes. All trademarks and copyrights belong to their respective owners. Additionally, should any brand or company support 'Dungeons and Devices' by providing product samples, sponsorships, or any form of endorsement for specific episodes or the podcast in general, these instances will be fully disclosed on a case-by-case basis. Our commitment is to maintain transparency and integrity in all our content.
Music by Celestial Aeon Project & Everrune.
Reach and audience
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YouTube views
5
Score snapshot 15 Sept 2025
Podcast Authority Score: 19 / 100
A composite of feed quality, social presence, YouTube performance and engagement. Read the methodology.
Quality
13
Social presence
0
YouTube
63
Engagement
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