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You are here: Home / Archives for Newest Critical Hits

Adventure Design: The Importance of Choices

December 7, 2008 by The Chatty DM

Last night, while lying wide awake and watching the excellent Avatar cartoon series, I started pondering on how important it is for a characters to be shown as having an effect on a story. Avatar is filled to the brims with this.  In each show, characters make choices, wrong and right. This ends up affecting […]

Filed Under: Musings of the Chatty DM, Roleplaying Games

Bioshock’s Lead Designer on the Triumph of the Nerd

December 5, 2008 by Dave

PAX 08 'Ken Levine Keynote' Ken Levine’s keynote speech from the latest Penny Arcade Expo is fantastic, so I’ve embedded it here. He talks extensively about what it was like growing up as a nerd in the 70’s, and talks extensively about finding a gaming group. Not only does he share much of how I […]

Filed Under: Comics, Critical Bits, Roleplaying Games, Video Games Tagged With: bioshock, ken levine, nerd, pax

When in doubt, have them grow wings

December 5, 2008 by Dave

I’ve written before about the many mean things I’ve done in horror RPGs. There’s another technique that I enjoy in any games that I run that ties into that, but doesn’t have to be mean. I enjoy transforming people’s characters.

Filed Under: Editorial, Featured, Roleplaying Games Tagged With: blog carnival, transformations, transitions

I’m sick, Here’s my note!

December 5, 2008 by The Chatty DM

To whom this may concern Please note that Phil, that you know under the pseudonym of The Chatty DM, hasn’t been blogging much in the last few days as he’s been stricken with a bad case of stress-induced insomnia. He’s focusing his creative writing on his freelance adventure. I told him to exercise more and […]

Filed Under: Musings of the Chatty DM

Mutants and Mastermind: Hacking it so I can play it

December 3, 2008 by The Chatty DM

Philippe – Always use your powers for Good.  Steve Kenson Gen Con 2008 That’s what’s written in the inner cover of my copy of Mutants and Masterminds 2nd ED. I bought it at the Green Ronin booth on the last day at Gen Con last summer and when I saw that the author was behind […]

Filed Under: Musings of the Chatty DM, Roleplaying Games

Play Auditorium

December 3, 2008 by Bartoneus

Thanks to Tycho, today I found the game Auditorium online and now I’m hooked.  The funny thing is that I’ve only played with it at work where I don’t have speakers, but from the name and looks of it I imagine I’m missing a part of the game without the auditory experience.  I guess a […]

Filed Under: Critical Bits, Video Games Tagged With: auditorium, game, gaming, physics

YouTube Tuesday: Akira Remake Edition

December 2, 2008 by Dave

A satirical take on a remade version of the classic movie Akira. With Day the Earth Stood Still starring Keanu Reeves coming out, no crazy remake concept would surprise me nowadays.

Filed Under: Anime, Movies, YouTube Tuesday Tagged With: akira, Humor, parody, satire

Contest: Give the Gift of D&D

December 2, 2008 by Dave

We are giving away a prize pack that will give any new D&D player everything they need to get started.

Filed Under: Featured, Roleplaying Games

RPG Blog Carnival: “Transitions and Transformations”

December 1, 2008 by Dave

We have decided that, given that this is the end of the year and a time for change from one year to the next, that this month’s theme will be “Transitions and Transformations.” Tackle anything in RPGs about transitions from one thing to the next, or any kind of transformation that occurs in RPGs.

Filed Under: Featured, Roleplaying Games Tagged With: blog carnival, transformations, transitions

Bedtime Adventure: Enter Cartain!

December 1, 2008 by The Chatty DM

This series chronicles my Interactive Storytelling bedtime stories with my kids.  Today is a chronicle of the short session I had with Rory, my 5 year old daughter. Chatty: So sweetie, do you want to try making a story like I do with Nico? Rory: Yes Daddy!  I’m going to be Cartain the Warrior Princess […]

Filed Under: Musings of the Chatty DM, Roleplaying Games Tagged With: Bedtime roleplaying, gaming with children, Gaming with Kids

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About the Author

  • The Chatty DM

    The Chatty DM is the "nom de plume" of gamer geek Philippe-Antoine Menard. He has been a GM for over 40 years. An award-winning RPG blogger, game designer, and scriptwriter at Ubisoft. He squats a corner of Critical Hits he affectionately calls "Musings of the Chatty DM." (Email Phil or follow him on Twitter.)

    Email: chattydm@critical-hits.comWeb: https://critical-hits.com//category/chattydm/

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