Welcome home.
This is Audio EXP for the 20th of January, and the episode title is “Vampire hearts and Werewolf ends”
[The following is a transcript of Audio EXP: #227]
[Also on Stitcher | Spotify | Apple]
Bloat Games is in the Spotlight thanks to votes from Geek Native’s patrons, and I’m in touch with Eric. I did a poor job at the required hustle to get contact during a Kickstarter, but then a listener stepped in to make an introduction. Thank you, Allen.
See, I always say Geek Native readers, patrons, and listeners are terrific folks; this is just another example of coolness.
It’s been a hectic week here in Geek Native HQ; Fenn’s been unwell, Bronwen has been wrapping up an exhibition, and I think has been on more trains in the last few days than I’ve had hot meals while I’ve had more traditional drama.
That’s not to say there’s been no geeky news. I knew feathers would be ruffled when I got a press release to announce that Dyskami Publishing and its owner, Mark MacKinnon, had bought the anime RPG Big Eyes, Small Mouth and the Tri-Stat system from Paradox.
I wrote a post about why that would be controversial. It’s controversial because many designers down with unpaid fees back when Guardians of Order published the game. I’ve a first-hand story of one of those designers on Geek Native, which I linked to.
However, we’ve had criticism that I didn’t detail all the grievances or the ones some people think are more important. To be honest, I get that. I wanted to go beyond the news of Big Eyes, Small Mouth being bought and take the chance to highlight the problems with it. I didn’t want, nor did I see the need, to rewrite the whole history. Others may have made different decisions.
Equally, for balance, Dyskami Publishing has clearly done well enough to repurchase the game. That’s a thing too.
There was a second Paradox story as well. Icons of Rage is the last Werewolf: The Apocalypse 20th Anniversary range product from Onyx Path Publishing.
The company has been keeping the World of Darkness going, that’s a range Paradox owns, and I guess that license is up too. The latest Werewolf, that’s the fifth edition but not that Fifth Edition, is published by Renegade for Paradox. I’ve had Renegade complain multiple times, once when I suggested the other 5e might be considered D&D’s 5e, or Wizards of the Coasts’ 5e, and they disagree. As listeners will know, we never did get the interview they promised.
But, I’m still a Werewolf fan. I’ve enjoyed every tabletop and old MUSH game I’ve played as a Garou, and the backstory speaks to me. I have the fifth edition of the Werewolf book.
A game I’ve not played to test is the Valiant Adventures RPG. That’s a game based in the superhero universe of the comic book publisher. Their characters include Doctor Mirage, the Armor Hunters, X-O Manowar and the one-time Vin Diesel character Bloodshot.
That might change now as there’s a new RPG publisher with the license for the game and that’s Green Ronin. They’ll be using their really good Mutants & Masterminds system for it and there’s a Kickstarter coming.
Right now, you can download the Valiant Adventures Quickstart for free.
Alternatively, if computer games are more your thing then Tekken 8 is a week a way and Bronwen has you covered. Well, Bronwen and Brian Cox who has been narrating the plot so far in a YouTube video.
I didn’t even know there was a plot.
What do you make of this? Alex Winter has said there’s a Bill & Ted 4 script being developed.
No one’s bought it yet, but Keanu Reeves is up for it, so I imagine there will be a buyer. I had no problem with Bill & Ted 3. Did you catch it?
Lastly, before we look at some bundles, and sticking with things that will not die… what about vampires?
By Night Studios is the games publisher for the Mind’s Eye Theatre and the World of Darkness LARPs. They, interestingly, sell bath bombs and I was delighted to notice they have some that look like human hearts.
Here’s my Valentine’s Day idea; toss a human bath bomb heart into a tub to delight your other half and watch together as the water fizzes and bleeds slowly red.
Now, those bundles and in the Bundle of Holding the mega dungeon Halls of Arden Vul is back.
There’s the usual load of deals at Humble but two we’ve highlighted this week are All I Need to Know I Learned from Star Trek, which is a book bundle, and the Humble Choice this month which includes Hell Pie and Marvel’s Midnight Suns.
Lastly, a mega bundle from Ennead Games which costs $40 but gets you about $700 worth of downloads.
On that note, have a mega good time, and I’ll see you next week.
What do you think? Measured observations are welcome and you can leave them in the comment section below.
