The Goblins and Growlers Podcast

What the heck happened at PAX Unplugged? Our Trip Report | The Goblins and Growlers Podcast

OMG WTF PAX
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We spent three days in Philly at Pax Unplugged. We suffered behind SEPTA buses that blocked intersections, had some pizza stolen, and were verbally accosted by someone claiming to be the Son of God.
But the rest was fun and games.
We got to hang out with our friends at Nomnivore Games, reconnect with Mage Hand Press and Flagbearer Games, see Potion Slingers' new video game demo, and meet a bunch of new people.
Josh is using up the last of his Goblins and Growlers sick time for 2024, so Inver and I walked through the ins and outs of this year's Pax Unplugged with some observations about how it was different from last year and what that might mean for the industry overall.
Be sure to check out the Patreon-exlusive Deep Dives on this episode where we dig into some of the economic and business conditions that could affect the industry in 2025.
And, no, despite my best efforts, I could not find Xavier Woods anywhere this year. He must have known I was looking. But I did get to once again trade Dusty Rhodes impressions with streamer Captain Robear and this seems to be solidifying as the cornerstone of our relationship.
Check us out on Patreon (http://www.patreon.com/goblinsgrowlers) for additional Deep Dive videos along with early access to the video and audio of the podcast.
And don't forget: Telephone, Telegraph, Tell a Friend about the Goblins and Growlers Podcast.
LISTEN, RATE, AND SUBSCRIBE!If you like the show, please tell a friend about it. And if you want to tell more people, then please leave us a review on Apple Podcasts and/or your podcatcher of choice. You can find and/or support us at all the places below:
https://patreon.com/goblinsgrowlershttps://facebook.com/GoblinsAndGrowlershttps://goblinsandgrowlers.podbean.com (and basically any other podcatcher)https://quidproroll.podbean.com (our sister podcast, the best narrative play)
The Goblins and Growlers Podcast is produced by Goblins and Growlers, a Richmond, Virginia-based tabletop-roleplaying game content and events company dedicated to inclusivity through TTRPGs.

Tabletop AI backlash INTENSIFIES! | The Goblins and Growlers Podcast

Bonus episodes and early access on Patreon at the $5 tierSubscribe to our monthly gaming newsletterJoin the Discord
There were a couple of stories that got us, again, thinking about the implications of AI in creative work. First, itch.io is implementing a relatively toothless anti-AI filter and second, crowdfunding platforms are finally having to reckon with the increasingly negative attitudes toward AI creations and weigh that against their desire to make money off of such projects. It ended up one of the most lengthy and fulfilling discussions I've had in a while! The Deep Dive episodes get even more philosophical, so don't miss them.
Check us out on Patreon (http://www.patreon.com/goblinsgrowlers) for bonus Deep Dive videos along with early access to the video and audio of the podcast.
P.S. Inver is basically permanently part of the podcast now, so that's awesome.
And don't forget: Telephone, Telegraph, Tell a Friend about the Goblins and Growlers Podcast.
LISTEN, RATE, AND SUBSCRIBE!If you like the show, please tell a friend about it. And if you want to tell more people, then please leave us a review on Apple Podcasts and/or your podcatcher of choice. You can find and/or support us at all the places below:
https://patreon.com/goblinsgrowlershttps://facebook.com/GoblinsAndGrowlershttps://goblinsandgrowlers.podbean.com (and basically any other podcatcher)https://quidproroll.podbean.com (our sister podcast, the best narrative play)
The Goblins and Growlers Podcast is produced by Goblins and Growlers, a Richmond, Virginia-based tabletop-roleplaying game content and events company dedicated to inclusivity through TTRPGs.

2024 Dungeon Master's Guide: A Complete and Total Review | The Goblins and Growlers Podcast

OMG WTF DMG
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Good gravy we spent so much time recording this episode and the Deep Dives -- 3.5 hours of content from one recording session. But there was a lot to talk about. In this main-feed release of The Goblins and Growlers Podcast, Brandon, Inver, and Josh debate what works, what doesn't, and what's lacking from the new 2024 release of The Dungeon Master's Guide.
There are things to like here and it's evident that Wizards of the Coast has paid attention to how the D&D community has developed over the last 10 years and incorporated that into these updated rules. Could they have gone further? Sure. Could they have gone into more detail? Definitely. Is it a useless book? Not at all. Just make sure you're the intended audience.
Check out the GGP Deep Dive episodes (on the $5 tier) connected with this one -- the first one on the new Bastion rules is out this week and another going through the campaign creation chapter is coming next Monday. Don't miss 'em.
Check us out on Patreon (http://www.patreon.com/goblinsgrowlers) for additional Deep Dive videos along with early access to the video and audio of the podcast.
And don't forget: Telephone, Telegraph, Tell a Friend about the Goblins and Growlers Podcast.
LISTEN, RATE, AND SUBSCRIBE!If you like the show, please tell a friend about it. And if you want to tell more people, then please leave us a review on Apple Podcasts and/or your podcatcher of choice. You can find and/or support us at all the places below:
https://patreon.com/goblinsgrowlershttps://facebook.com/GoblinsAndGrowlershttps://goblinsandgrowlers.podbean.com (and basically any other podcatcher)https://quidproroll.podbean.com (our sister podcast, the best narrative play)
The Goblins and Growlers Podcast is produced by Goblins and Growlers, a Richmond, Virginia-based tabletop-roleplaying game content and events company dedicated to inclusivity through TTRPGs.

Writing a very specific kind of D&D game | The Goblins and Growlers Podcast

Writing a very specific kind of game.
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Writing is hard. Josh and Brandon discuss the very specific kind of writing you have to do for a public/pick-up D&D game. It's a lot different than writing for a home game, but should it be? Obviously, folks should do what works best for them and their players, but there's definitely value in examining how you write for your home game.
In this week's Patreon-exclusive GGP Deep Dive, they get into creative motivations and trouble that is getting from "I want to write this" to "I'm writing this."
Check us out on Patreon (http://www.patreon.com/goblinsgrowlers) for additional Deep Dive videos along with early access to the video and audio of the podcast.
And don't forget: Telephone, Telegraph, Tell a Friend about the Goblins and Growlers Podcast.
Links:
https://www.dndbeyond.com/posts/1825-whats-new-in-the-2024-dungeon-masters-guide
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xWNT9N3cE2U
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uT0e1gNDgE4
LISTEN, RATE, AND SUBSCRIBE!If you like the show, please tell a friend about it. And if you want to tell more people, then please leave us a review on Apple Podcasts and/or your podcatcher of choice. You can find and/or support us at all the places below:
https://patreon.com/goblinsgrowlershttps://facebook.com/GoblinsAndGrowlershttps://goblinsandgrowlers.podbean.com (and basically any other podcatcher)https://quidproroll.podbean.com (our sister podcast, the best narrative play)
The Goblins and Growlers Podcast is produced by Goblins and Growlers, a Richmond, Virginia-based tabletop-roleplaying game content and events company dedicated to inclusivity through TTRPGs.

The new DMG seems... useful?

Handy gaming tools: A useful DMG?
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We collected a bunch of news about the upcoming 2024 Dungeon Masters' Guide release. Word on the street is that this version of the DMG is going to be a much more useful tool than previous iterations from editions past. We talk about the return of Greyhawk, adventure-writing coaching, and bastions/strongholds. Honestly, if this version of the DMG is even half as useful as it seems, this is a huge win for both new and experienced GMs.
Also, please donate to save the clock tower.
Check us out on Patreon (http://www.patreon.com/goblinsgrowlers) for additional Deep Dive videos along with early access to the video and audio of the podcast.
And don't forget: Telephone, Telegraph, Tell a Friend about the Goblins and Growlers Podcast.
Links:
https://www.dndbeyond.com/posts/1825-whats-new-in-the-2024-dungeon-masters-guide
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xWNT9N3cE2U
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uT0e1gNDgE4
LISTEN, RATE, AND SUBSCRIBE!If you like the show, please tell a friend about it. And if you want to tell more people, then please leave us a review on Apple Podcasts and/or your podcatcher of choice. You can find and/or support us at all the places below:
https://patreon.com/goblinsgrowlershttps://facebook.com/GoblinsAndGrowlershttps://goblinsandgrowlers.podbean.com (and basically any other podcatcher)https://quidproroll.podbean.com (our sister podcast, the best narrative play)
The Goblins and Growlers Podcast is produced by Goblins and Growlers, a Richmond, Virginia-based tabletop-roleplaying game content and events company dedicated to inclusivity through TTRPGs.

Responsible uses of AI in D&D

GAME WITH ME IF YOU WANT TO LIVE: AI in D&D
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With Hasbro CEO Chris Cocks basically tripling down on his commitment to the use of some form of AI in Dungeons & Dragons, we talked through what that might look like. Is there even a path for the responsible use of AI in TTRPG gaming, or is it an already slippery slope that they're coating with butter, oil, and other lubricants?
Check us out on Patreon (http://www.patreon.com/goblinsgrowlers) for additional Deep Dive videos along with early access to the video and audio of the podcast.
And don't forget: Telephone, Telegraph, Tell a Friend about the Goblins and Growlers Podcast.
LISTEN, RATE, AND SUBSCRIBE!If you like the show, please tell a friend about it. And if you want to tell more people, then please leave us a review on Apple Podcasts and/or your podcatcher of choice. You can find and/or support us at all the places below:
https://patreon.com/goblinsgrowlershttps://facebook.com/GoblinsAndGrowlershttps://goblinsandgrowlers.podbean.com (and basically any other podcatcher)https://quidproroll.podbean.com (our sister podcast, the best narrative play)
The Goblins and Growlers Podcast is produced by Goblins and Growlers, a Richmond, Virginia-based tabletop-roleplaying game content and events company dedicated to inclusivity through TTRPGs.

Is the 2024 Player's Handbook useful or cash grab? | The Goblins and Growlers Podcast

2024 PLAYER'S HANDBOOK IS HERE!
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Wizards of the Coast released the new 2024 Player's Handbook last week. It's the first of the 2024 update releases of the Core Rules, with the Dungeon Master's Guide coming in November and the 2024 Monstrous Manual coming in... 2025. Is the update a unique and beneficial experience compared to the 2014 rules? Is this just a cash grab to keep the product cycle alive? What rules are we glad to see? Which ones could we have done without? Thanks to Inver for joining the discussion this week!
Check us out on Patreon (http://www.patreon.com/goblinsgrowlers) for additional Deep Dive videos into the PHB's crafting mechanics and lineages along with early access to the video and audio of the podcast.
And don't forget: Telephone, Telegraph, Tell a Friend about the Goblins and Growlers Podcast.
LISTEN, RATE, AND SUBSCRIBE!If you like the show, please tell a friend about it. And if you want to tell more people, then please leave us a review on Apple Podcasts and/or your podcatcher of choice. You can find and/or support us at all the places below:
https://www.instagram.com/lnverloch/https://patreon.com/goblinsgrowlershttps://facebook.com/GoblinsAndGrowlershttps://goblinsandgrowlers.podbean.com (and basically any other podcatcher)https://quidproroll.podbean.com (our sister podcast, the best narrative play)
The Goblins and Growlers Podcast is produced by Goblins and Growlers, a Richmond, Virginia-based tabletop-roleplaying game content and events company dedicated to inclusivity through TTRPGs.

D&D Direct Debrief | The Goblins and Growlers Podcast

We debrief on D&D Direct and talk about the new 2024 Players Handbook, the upcoming "total rewrite" of the Dungeon Masters Guide, and potential balance issues to look out for until the new Monstrous Manual comes out. Also, we try to decide Wizards of the Coast employees were actively trolling Josh on the pronunciation of "Sigil" during GenCon, and Brandon makes another push for new box set releases when we talk about the two new Forgotten Realms books coming out as part of the 2024 refresh. Somewhere in there we also mention the Dragon Anthology.
We recorded a couple of longer Deep Dive videos for Patreon that will come out over the next couple of weeks. One of them is on branding and strategy mistakes that WotC has made throughout this whole edition refresh and the other is a discussion about the business end of third-party content on D&D Beyond.
If you like the show, please consider supporting us on Patreon -- we're working on new content that we can deliver there, both podcast-related and non-podcast-related.
 
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Don't forget the usual: Telephone, Telegraph, Tell a Friend about the Goblins and Growlers Podcast.

An RPG for Kids - Chatting with Nomnivore Games | The Goblins and Growlers Podcast

A great treat today. After probably about 6 weeks of comparing schedules and various people fighting COVID, we were finally able to get together and chat with Kate, Kerby, and Britt from Nomnivore Games. We've run into the Noms a handful of times at various cons and it was great to get a chance to sit and talk with them. While you might know them from games like "Dungeons & Dinos" and "Emberwind," they're here to talk to us about their live Kickstarter for "Nomventure," a modular, stat-less RPG for kids. As of release day, their Kickstarter is going for another week, so check it out as soon as you can. The KS has links to a free rules primer and a basic adventure so you can see what the game is like. We're so happy they were able to make the time not only for this chat but also for three Deep Dive videos on our Patreon that will come out over the next few weeks.
More info on Nomventure here: https://nomnivoregames.com/nomventure-adventure/
 
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Don't forget the usual: Telephone, Telegraph, Tell a Friend about the Goblins and Growlers Podcast.

GenCon Trip Report: We Had Access to VIPs | The Goblins and Growlers Podcast

In our efforts to become more pro, we sent Josh to GenCon as a correspondent because we were able to get invites to a bunch of industry networking events. It's a tale of long-haul driving, spaceship administration, and insomnia. Despite being a multi-year veteran of DragonCon, this was Josh's first trip to the Hoosier state for THE largest tabletop gaming convention.
Josh was able to chat with Jess Lanzillo, the head of D&D for Wizards of the Coast, and Kobold Press COO, Alexander Stangroom, to get some insight about D&D's plan for digital copies of books for print buyers and Kobold's Black Flag Resource Document.
Something to take note of: We had a TON to talk about from this trip and some of it is super in the weeds. We didn't want to spend weeks on the main feed downloading from GenCon, so we've got four other videos that are like 15-20 minutes or so a piece. We've been planning to reboot our Patreon and breathe some new life into it after some COVID- and general stress-related neglect, so those coming out on our Patreon over the next few weeks. You'll be able to find them here: https://patreon.com/goblinsgrowlers
Also, here are some links for things we talk about in this episode:
https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/dicedungeons/80s-adventures
https://playskellies.com
https://magehandpress.com/2023/04/introducing-insomnia.html
https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/mythicgrove/session-zero-system
https://www.indiepressrevolution.com/xcart/
 
GET OUR MONTHLY GAMING NEWS NEWSLETTER: 
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SUBSCRIBE TO THE YOUTUBE CHANNEL:
https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCtSPHOe-0jQARPpxvi0xgHQ
JOIN 800+ GOBLINS ON OUR DISCORD: 
http://bit.ly/goblindiscord
Don't forget the usual: Telephone, Telegraph, Tell a Friend about the Goblins and Growlers Podcast.