Produced in association with the SomaCow Media Network (see 
Originally posted at PrimeTimeGeek.com
PTG Episode 61 is brought to you by role-playing games. Amazingly, considering the many hours we here at PTG have spent in our lives throwing dice and imagining ourselves as warriors or mages in fantasy settings, adding up THAC0 or to-hit numbers in order to slay monsters or foil the plans of fiendish villains, we’ve spent VERY little time actually talking about table-top role-playing games. Video games? Check. Live-Action Role-Playing Games? Yup (and we’ve mocked them more than we should). Collectible Card Games? Absolutely. But Dungeons & Dragons didn’t come up in any meaningful context on this show until last week, when we were talking Jones Soda’s D&D-themed selection. Craziness.
In order to correct this nigh-unforgivable oversight, in this episode, Episode 61, we start the hour by talking about a classic RPG that’s recently gotten an update thanks to Redbrick Limited Publishing: Earthdawn. Just to add to the glowing praise I personally heap on this game during the show, I have to say that this game, if you haven’t already tried it, is definitely worth your time to explore. The time is especially right because of the wonderful job Redbrick has done with its 3rd Edition of the game, both in terms of the elegant presentation of the main game books and supplements and the choices they’ve made to somewhat streamline the sometimes-complicated game mechanics. Fans of previous editions of Earthdawn, fear not–all the really important elements of the game are present and intact. Just a few changes here and there, some talents and disciplines reworked, but more or less, this is the game and the setting that we’ve come to love. Check it out by ordering a copy of the Player’s Guide
In addition to geeking out over Earthdawn, in this episode we spotlight the latest Blackest Night titles from DC Entertainment, including Green Lantern Corps #41 and Blackest Night Batman #3, the concluding issue in that series. We wrap the episode with the Smallville Smackdown, covering last week’s new episode, “Echo”, which features more Justin Hartley brooding and boozing, Clark having his own What Women Want
Stumble It!
Oct 20, 2009 at 20:48:12
Just wanted to clarify a point about FASA’s history. FASA did not go through a bankruptcy — the company decided to close its doors as an active game publisher because the market was changing, and they decided to get out while the getting was good (unlike many other now defunct companies from that time).
FASA still exists as a corporation to maintain their intellectual property and trademark rights. RedBrick licenses the Earthdawn property from FASA.
– Josh Harrison
Associate Editor, RedBrick Ltd
Oct 21, 2009 at 07:14:03
Thank you for the clarification, and for taking the time to check out the post!
Oct 24, 2009 at 14:20:34
Hi,
I listened to the podcast and have to say very cool!
What is Josh’s website again? I tried inputting the dude site and it didn’t work.
Thanks in advance.
Oct 24, 2009 at 14:49:23
Hey Seth. Thanks for the comment and for the feedback–truly appreciated!
I goofed on the URL for Josh’s website–what I meant was if you searched any search engine for “Dude’s Earthdawn Joint”, it would come up first thing. Here’s the correct URL to save you from searching. Enjoy, and hope you’ll keep listening!
http://webspace.webring.com/people/oc/c_j_howell/rightframe.html
Thanks again,
-Felix
Jul 8, 2010 at 00:23:59
I find it interesting that people often say the mechanics in Earthdawn are not good, and the setting is what makes it. For myself, the setting is interesting (it’s great that there’s a good reason for dungeons to have nasty monsters, in particular), But what I most like is the fact that characters are so incredibly tweakable. Between thread items, permanent spells, thread items, familiars, and of course the way talents are increased separately from leveling up, there are so many axises on which to tweak the characters that I always feel like I’m in control of the character’s growth.
Jul 8, 2010 at 06:40:33
Great comment, Aaron, and you make an excellent point about the amount of control a player has over the direction they can take a character they created and play with over time. I played two different characters in the same campaign over a decade, and being able to develop their personalities in tandem with the talents I chose for them or, in one case, the second discipline I picked up, was among the most enjoyable aspects of the game. But when compared to other fantasy RPGs, to the more casual gamer who doesn’t particularly care HOW the magic works, but rather JUST that it works, cast the spell, kill the monster and be done with it, Earthdawn’s mechanics can seem to have a steeper learning curve.