The creators of WatcherDM Tabletop Roleplaying Game products discuss creating in 2023, who we are, how we do, and what we plan on making in the future. We discuss the industry and the creative landscape after the 2020 pandemic, the OGL debacle, and the rise and fall of 5e? Lighthearted discussion between the creators and friends.
Austin and Gabriel go over the wins, the losses, and the journey of 2023. We then talk about our hopes for 2024. It's a bit meandering, but that's what we do. I'm going to skip the link soup down here for this one. This is it for season 1. That's a wrap. We will be back with new episodes sometime in 2024. Thanks for the good times you nerds.
6 Dec 2023
Advancement, Incentives, and Gatekeepers
Austin and Gabriel discuss a Twitter war over character advancement in this episode. We take stock of how discourse got this way, why vitriolic hyperbole is the worst and how to reclaim our communication spaces. We also discuss character advancement and how they work (or don't) as incentives in our favourite role-playing games. We then dig into Gatekeeping, how it has changed over the years and why, in the end, Luke Gearing was probably right. Just not in the way he thought.
Who is in this episode?
Gabriel Hernandez @watcherdm
Austin Holm @austinholmwords
Links:
OnlyCrits (https://www.onlycrits.com/?sca_ref=2785475.8x5faxPlvq) (https://www.onlycrits.com/?sca_ref=2785475.8x5faxPlvq))
WatcherDM Website (https://watcherdm.com/) (https://watcherdm.com/)) Itch.io (http://itch.io/) (https://watcherdm.itch.io/) (https://watcherdm.itch.io/))
DriveThruRPG (https://www.drivethrurpg.com/browse/pub/19970/WatcherDM?affiliate_id=3112335) (https://www.drivethrurpg.com/browse/pub/19970/WatcherDM?affiliate_id=3112335))
Patreon (https://patreon.com/watcherdm) (https://patreon.com/watcherdm))
29 Nov 2023
Spicy Takes and Extreme Adult Content
In this episode, Austin and Gabriel discuss the controversy surrounding the Lamentations of the Flame Princess. They discuss the ins and outs of sexual content in role-playing and how Adults consume media in the modern era. They then tackle Summoning spells in role-playing and propose high-level changes to make it work better in games where it is less good. Finally, they dive into controversy as marketing and what it means to engage in "shock" or "niche" to get eyes on your product in a world of monopolistic powers. Be warned, there are some hot takes in this episode, and it is possible some of what they say may make you angry. Please send all hate mail to gabriel@watcherdm.com (http://mailto:gabriel@watcherdm.com/).
Who is in this episode?
Gabriel Hernandez @watcherdm
Austin Holm @austinholmwords
Links:
Reddit Post About Sexual Violence in LOTFP (https://www.reddit.com/r/osr/comments/184peia/psa_lotfp_has_sexual_violence_built_into_the_core/ (https://www.reddit.com/r/osr/comments/184peia/psa_lotfp_has_sexual_violence_built_into_the_core/)) (https://www.drivethrurpg.com/product/131801/Deep-Carbon-Observatory?affiliate_id=3112335))
OnlyCrits (https://www.onlycrits.com/?sca_ref=2785475.8x5faxPlvq) (https://www.onlycrits.com/?sca_ref=2785475.8x5faxPlvq))
WatcherDM Website (https://watcherdm.com/) (https://watcherdm.com/)) Itch.io (http://itch.io/) (https://watcherdm.itch.io/) (https://watcherdm.itch.io/))
DriveThruRPG (https://www.drivethrurpg.com/browse/pub/19970/WatcherDM?affiliate_id=3112335) (https://www.drivethrurpg.com/browse/pub/19970/WatcherDM?affiliate_id=3112335))
Patreon (https://patreon.com/watcherdm) (https://patreon.com/watcherdm))
22 Nov 2023
Writing an Adventure for 5e
In this episode Austin and Gabriel go over the important parts of adventure writing. We discuss coming up with a high level concept and how to choose a location and structure. Then we dive into encounter design and how to make evocative encounters that work for reuse. We discuss quest hooks and how to create reliable motivations for the players to jump on. We discuss some Boss fights and villain tricks. Then we dig into epilogues and consequences. Go into riddles, traps, and puzzles. We discuss a little NPC design and finish off with treasure and rewards.
Who is in this episode?
Gabriel Hernandez @watcherdm
Austin Holm @austinholmwords
Links:
Deep Carbon Observatory (https://www.drivethrurpg.com/product/131801/Deep-Carbon-Observatory?affiliate_id=3112335) (https://www.drivethrurpg.com/product/131801/Deep-Carbon-Observatory?affiliate_id=3112335))
OnlyCrits (https://www.onlycrits.com/?sca_ref=2785475.8x5faxPlvq) (https://www.onlycrits.com/?sca_ref=2785475.8x5faxPlvq))
WatcherDM Website (https://watcherdm.com/) (https://watcherdm.com/))
Itch.io (http://itch.io/) (https://watcherdm.itch.io/) (https://watcherdm.itch.io/))
DriveThruRPG (https://www.drivethrurpg.com/browse/pub/19970/WatcherDM?affiliate_id=3112335) (https://www.drivethrurpg.com/browse/pub/19970/WatcherDM?affiliate_id=3112335))
Patreon (https://patreon.com/watcherdm) (https://patreon.com/watcherdm))
15 Nov 2023
Trans Rights and Dangerous Environments
Who is in this episode?
Gabriel Hernandez @watcherdm (https://www.instagram.com/watcherdm)
Austin Holm @AustinHolmWords (https://twitter.com/AustinHolmWords)
Andrew Ferguson (https://andrewfergusonfilm.com/)
In this episode, we talk about being involved in the Trans Right for Florida bundle and some of the cool things that came out of that. Go check out theQueerXP (https://open.spotify.com/show/4K49Dq8304aowCnhPqdzek?si=f175560d13d84b89) podcast for lots of fun Actual Plays. We discuss tools and tricks for being a "Great" player and how to help the rest of the table have more fun. We cover some fun stuff about how evil alignment can play out within a group of good or neutral characters. We discuss the Deadbutante (https://www.drivethrurpg.com/product/413370/The-Deadbutante?affiliate_id=3112335)with the author Andrew Ferguson and how he cleverly designed a game that can work regardless of whether your players would get an ethical vampire. We then get into running games for kids. How to make the environment the enemy (SPOILERS FOR THE EXPANSE SEASON 6) and use that to make the world feel like a character in the story. How deadliness should be proportional to ease of character creation. We talk about playing your values and aligning your values as a safety tool.
Mentioned Friends:
Dice Partner (https://www.onlycrits.com/?sca_ref=2785475.8x5faxPlvq)
Total Party Kill Character Generator (https://character.totalpartykill.ca/basic/)
WatcherDM
Website (https://watcherdm.com/)
Itch.io (https://watcherdm.itch.io/)
DriveThruRPG (https://www.drivethrurpg.com/browse/pub/19970/WatcherDM?affiliate_id=3112335)
Patreon (https://patreon.com/watcherdm)
13 Nov 2023
Skinning Monsters and Taking Names
In this episode Austin and I catch up on something, poke some fun at some things and cover our opinions about what makes a game fun. Another weird day in the life of some titterpig creators really. Also you should get in on our QuestCrawl Give Away! go to this video (https://youtu.be/BImJ20tflZg) and like and comment "Enter me in the drawing" to enter to win a free print copy of QuestCrawl, the exciting GMless exploration RPG for up to 8 players!
Mentioned Friends:
OnlyCrits (https://www.onlycrits.com?sca_ref=2785475.8x5faxPlvq)
WatcherDM
Website (https://watcherdm.com/)
Itch.io (https://watcherdm.itch.io/)
DriveThruRPG (https://www.drivethrurpg.com/browse/pub/19970/WatcherDM?affiliate_id=3112335)
Patreon (https://patreon.com/watcherdm)
13 Nov 2023
Frankenstein's Monster D&D Edition
Austin and Gabriel go over their favorite and least favorite features of the by-gone versions of D&D and construct a frankenstein's monster version that only a mother could love.
Enter to Win QuestCrawl:
https://youtu.be/BImJ20tflZg (https://youtu.be/BImJ20tflZg)
Go to the tutorial video link above and comment "Enter me in the drawing" for your chance to win a print copy of QuestCrawl, the GMless exploration RPG for 1-8 players that will keep you coming back for more.
Mentioned Friends:
OnlyCrits (https://www.onlycrits.com?sca_ref=2785475.8x5faxPlvq)
WatcherDM
Website (https://watcherdm.com/)
Itch.io (https://watcherdm.itch.io/)
DriveThruRPG (https://www.drivethrurpg.com/browse/pub/19970/WatcherDM?affiliate_id=3112335)
Patreon (https://patreon.com/watcherdm)
13 Nov 2023
Crawling to the Edge of the Warp
In this episode we are talking about how and why we made WarpCrawl the way we did. Sci-fi is amazing and this product is one we are super proud of, but it's got some unique design decisions that we talk about here. Get WarpCrawl for 50% off today on DriveThruRPG using https://www.drivethrurpg.com/browse.php?discount=92e0b8dad1 (https://www.drivethrurpg.com/browse.php?discount=92e0b8dad1)
Mentioned Friends:
OnlyCrits (https://www.onlycrits.com?sca_ref=2785475.8x5faxPlvq)
WatcherDM
Website (https://watcherdm.com/)
Itch.io (https://watcherdm.itch.io/)
DriveThruRPG (https://www.drivethrurpg.com/browse/pub/19970/WatcherDM?affiliate_id=3112335)
Patreon (https://patreon.com/watcherdm)
11 Oct 2023
Layout and Editing with Alyssa Yeo
In this episode Alyssa joins me (Gabriel Hernandez) for a talk about what it is like taking on Editing and Layout in a small press titterpig publisher. We go through our history creating together including a brief discussion about Headstrong Cute, our solo Troika! actual play. Then we go into some of my experiences as a DM and more commonly lately as a player. We have a good time. Come join our drawing to win a free print copy of QuestCrawl by liking and commenting on the video at: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BImJ20tflZg&ab_channel=WatcherDM
Check out Thessalay Tracy on DriveThruRPG: https://preview.drivethrurpg.com/en/browse?keyword=Thessaly%20Tracy
4 Oct 2023
Anachronism, Absurdism, Exploration
In this episode we discuss the finer points of the exploration pillar, why we think its the best pillar and what it means that players aren't given very clear tools for dealing with it. We also cover the difficulty of playing historical fiction, historical fantasy, and how much the classic fantasy setting "get wrong". Finally we knock down our favorite way to address these issues by leaning into the strange. You'll laugh, you'll cry, you'll probably want to tell us we are wrong.
27 Sept 2023
Balance and Sausage Making
In this episode we talk about balancing family, work and titterpigs. Then we get into the weeds on design inspiration and mechanics. The what and why of dungeon design where we bag on famed video game dungeon design tropes and push against the norm.
21 Sept 2023
WatcherDM: Adventurous Weirdos Podcast
In our pilot episode we discuss the ins and outs of publishing ttrpg content in 2023. We tap on the OGL debacle, the AI art topic, and what is happening with the OSR. We talk about our humble beginnings and talk about some of our future plans in the abstract. Mostly just two nerds hanging out talking about what we love.
Learn more about WatcherDM (https://watcherdm.com) by visiting our website. Purchase WatcherDM products wherever fine TTRPG products are sold.
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