Shane Plays Geek Talk

A RAD-SATURATED BONUS EPISODE! The Cold War gone hot! “Bam” Shane joins “Doc” Benny and “Boom” Mike on the Found in the Ruins podcast to execute maneuvers on the Twilight: 2000 RPG and reconnoiter other groovy post-apocalyptic stuff like PA books and movies. This is episode 9 of Found in the Ruins. Thanks to the FitR hosts for the invite! We had fun and soaked up some mad rads.  Shane Plays Geek Talk Episode #283 - 5/15/2025 Like what you hear? Support Shane Plays Geek Talk on Patreon! https://www.patreon.com/shaneplays [https://www.patreon.com/shaneplays] Listen to the Shane Plays Geek Talk podcast on YouTube, SoundCloud, iTunes, Google Play Music, Amazon Music, Podbean and Stitcher (and other fine, fine podcast directories). Hey, you! Yeah, you! Buy cool stuff, support Shane Plays Geek Talk with these affiliate links! Humble Bundle https://www.humblebundle.com?partner=shaneplays [https://www.humblebundle.com?partner=shaneplays] DriveThruRPG.com https://www.drivethrurpg.com/browse.php?affiliate_id=488512 [https://www.drivethrurpg.com/browse.php?affiliate_id=488512] SHOW NOTES Found in the Ruins episode 9: Twilight 2000 with Shane https://www.podbean.com/ew/dir-5iepq-2505c7ed [https://www.podbean.com/ew/dir-5iepq-2505c7ed]   Found in the Ruins Facebook Group https://www.facebook.com/groups/1430189954589689 [https://www.facebook.com/groups/1430189954589689]   Save For Half Podcast / Found in the Ruins Podcast https://saveforhalf.com/ [https://saveforhalf.com/]    Dungeons and Desktops: The History of Computer Role-Playing Games 2nd Edition Shane's book! Co-authored with Matt Barton of Matt Chat https://www.amazon.com/Dungeons-Desktops-History-Computer-Role-Playing/dp/1138574643/ [https://www.amazon.com/Dungeons-Desktops-History-Computer-Role-Playing/dp/1138574643/]

Shane waxes eloquent (ok, he might rant mildly) on several aspects of the mainstream comic book industry including the direct market business model, variant covers, multiple characters with the same name, and constant status quo changes (plus the overuse of the word “iconic” these days, which isn’t comics-related but Shane kvetches about it anyway). A mini-review and comparison of DC’s Absolute Universe and Marvel’s Ultimate Universe (which one does Shane like best). Doctor Who has been back on the air for 20 years! A sincere shout-out to Toby Hadoke. An ailing Doctor Who super fan, lost episodes of Who, and the use of AI. D&D 2024: is it a new edition or not? (and no one seems to really be talking about D&D 2024 to be honest). The tariff war’s effect on game publishers and vague predictions and hopes for the future. A tribute to friend of the show Tony Dutra, now sadly gone.  Shane Plays Geek Talk Episode #282 - 4/26/2025 Like what you hear? Support Shane Plays Geek Talk on Patreon! https://www.patreon.com/shaneplays [https://www.patreon.com/shaneplays] Listen to the Shane Plays Geek Talk podcast on YouTube, SoundCloud, iTunes, Google Play Music, Amazon Music, Podbean and Stitcher (and other fine, fine podcast directories). Hey, you! Yeah, you! Buy cool stuff, support Shane Plays Geek Talk with these affiliate links! Humble Bundle https://www.humblebundle.com?partner=shaneplays [https://www.humblebundle.com?partner=shaneplays] DriveThruRPG.com https://www.drivethrurpg.com/browse.php?affiliate_id=488512 [https://www.drivethrurpg.com/browse.php?affiliate_id=488512] SHOW NOTES DC’s Absolute Universe https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Absolute_Universe [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Absolute_Universe] Marvel’s Ultimate Universe https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ultimate_Universe  [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ultimate_Universe] Toby Hadoke Patreon https://www.patreon.com/TobyHadoke  [https://www.patreon.com/TobyHadoke] Ailing ‘Doctor Who’ superfan spends fortune to recreate 97 lost episodes to see ‘complete’ series before he dies https://nypost.com/2025/04/13/entertainment/ailing-doctor-who-superfan-spends-fortune-to-recreate-97-lost-episodes-to-see-complete-series-before-he-dies/  [https://nypost.com/2025/04/13/entertainment/ailing-doctor-who-superfan-spends-fortune-to-recreate-97-lost-episodes-to-see-complete-series-before-he-dies/] DnD 5e to 2024 DnD Transition Guide and Change Log: Everything That’s Different in the New 2024 Player’s Handbook https://rpgbot.net/dnd-2024-5e-transition-guide-and-change-log-everything-thats-different-in-the-new-players-handbook/  [https://rpgbot.net/dnd-2024-5e-transition-guide-and-change-log-everything-thats-different-in-the-new-players-handbook/] Jeremy Crawford and Chris Perkins to Leave Dungeons & Dragons' Design Team  https://screenrant.com/jeremy-crawford-chris-perkins-leaving-dnd-interview/ [https://screenrant.com/jeremy-crawford-chris-perkins-leaving-dnd-interview/]  Tariffs affecting games https://www.catalystgamelabs.com/news/tariffs-rolling-against-american-game-publishers [https://www.catalystgamelabs.com/news/tariffs-rolling-against-american-game-publishers]  What Game Publishers Are Saying About The Tariffs https://www.enworld.org/threads/what-game-publishers-are-saying-about-the-tariffs.712717/ [https://www.enworld.org/threads/what-game-publishers-are-saying-about-the-tariffs.712717/]  How Will The New Tariffs Affect TTRPG Prices? https://www.enworld.org/threads/how-will-the-new-tariffs-affect-ttrpg-prices.712698/ [https://www.enworld.org/threads/how-will-the-new-tariffs-affect-ttrpg-prices.712698/]  Do Tariffs Apply To RPG Books? Maybe, Maybe Not! https://www.enworld.org/threads/do-tariffs-apply-to-rpg-books-maybe-maybe-not.712908/ [https://www.enworld.org/threads/do-tariffs-apply-to-rpg-books-maybe-maybe-not.712908/]  Wizards of the Coast Says That China Tariffs Will Have Minimal Impact on D&D https://www.enworld.org/threads/wizards-of-the-coast-says-that-china-tariffs-will-have-minimal-impact-on-d-d.713072/ [https://www.enworld.org/threads/wizards-of-the-coast-says-that-china-tariffs-will-have-minimal-impact-on-d-d.713072/]  Shane Plays Geek Talk Episode 252: The Wit and Wisdom of Troll Lord Games https://shaneplays.com/wit-and-wisdom-of-troll-lord-games-castles-and-crusades-rpg/ [https://shaneplays.com/wit-and-wisdom-of-troll-lord-games-castles-and-crusades-rpg/]  Tony Dutra: GURPS! – Radio Show / Podcast Ep. 40 https://shaneplays.com/gurps-radio-show-podcast-ep-40/ [https://shaneplays.com/gurps-radio-show-podcast-ep-40/]  Tony Dutra: Game Master / Dungeon Master Tips & Panel Discussion! – Radio Show / Podcast Ep. 70 https://shaneplays.com/game-master-dungeon-master-tips-panel-discussion-radio-show-podcast-ep-70/ [https://shaneplays.com/game-master-dungeon-master-tips-panel-discussion-radio-show-podcast-ep-70/]  Tony Dutra: RPG News Blast! – Radio Show / Podcast Ep. 105 https://shaneplays.com/rpg-news-blast-radio-show-podcast-ep-105/ [https://shaneplays.com/rpg-news-blast-radio-show-podcast-ep-105/]  Tony Dutra: How To Create A GURPS Character https://shaneplays.com/how-to-create-a-gurps-character/ [https://shaneplays.com/how-to-create-a-gurps-character/]  Tony Dutra: How To Play GURPS https://shaneplays.com/how-to-play-gurps-rpg-tutorial/ [https://shaneplays.com/how-to-play-gurps-rpg-tutorial/]  Dungeons and Desktops: The History of Computer Role-Playing Games 2nd Edition Shane's book! Co-authored with Matt Barton of Matt Chat https://www.amazon.com/Dungeons-Desktops-History-Computer-Role-Playing/dp/1138574643/ [https://www.amazon.com/Dungeons-Desktops-History-Computer-Role-Playing/dp/1138574643/]

Game developers Hannah and Joseph Williams join to chat about their new “Dark Crystal”-like CRPG Banquet For Fools. Shane jokingly laments a missing element from the game, but Joseph promises they won’t duck out from putting it in. Now that ten years have passed, how do they feel Serpent in the Staglands performed? Thoughts on Mechajammer (previously Copper Dreams) and the hopes versus the reality. The pros, cons and pitfalls of Early Access. Shane gets recruited as a voice actor. A tangent into severe weather and the importance of escapism.  Shane Plays Geek Talk Episode #281 - 11/26/2024 Like what you hear? Support Shane Plays Geek Talk on Patreon! https://www.patreon.com/shaneplays [https://www.patreon.com/shaneplays] Listen to the Shane Plays Geek Talk podcast on YouTube, SoundCloud, iTunes, Google Play Music, Amazon Music, Podbean and Stitcher (and other fine, fine podcast directories). Hey, you! Yeah, you! Buy cool stuff, support Shane Plays Geek Talk with these affiliate links! Humble Bundle https://www.humblebundle.com?partner=shaneplays [https://www.humblebundle.com?partner=shaneplays] DriveThruRPG.com https://www.drivethrurpg.com/browse.php?affiliate_id=488512 [https://www.drivethrurpg.com/browse.php?affiliate_id=488512] SHOW NOTES Banquet for Fools on Steam https://store.steampowered.com/app/3172700/Banquet_for_Fools/ [https://store.steampowered.com/app/3172700/Banquet_for_Fools/]  Hannah and Joseph Games Website https://banquetforfools.com/ [https://banquetforfools.com/]  The Dark Crystal https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Dark_Crystal [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Dark_Crystal]  A Wizard of Earth Sea by Ursula K. Le Guin https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/A_Wizard_of_Earthsea [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/A_Wizard_of_Earthsea]  Chicago by Carl Sandburg  https://www.poetryfoundation.org/poetrymagazine/poems/12840/chicago [https://www.poetryfoundation.org/poetrymagazine/poems/12840/chicago]  Dungeons and Desktops: The History of Computer Role-Playing Games 2nd Edition Shane's book! Co-authored with Matt Barton of Matt Chat https://www.amazon.com/Dungeons-Desktops-History-Computer-Role-Playing/dp/1138574643/ [https://www.amazon.com/Dungeons-Desktops-History-Computer-Role-Playing/dp/1138574643/]

Star Trek Video Games: An Unofficial Guide to the Final Frontier with author Mat Bradley-Tschirgi. There are a LOT of Star Trek video games and Mat had some hard decisions and set boundaries on what games to cover in his book (by the way, a “notable” game doesn’t necessarily mean a good game). What is Mat’s favorite and least favorite Star Trek game? Star Trek has one of the saddest stories of vaporware in PC gaming. Mat had an unusual entry into Star Trek fandom, but it still grabbed him. What are Shane and Mat’s thoughts on some of the more recent Star Trek TV shows? What is one redeeming aspect of Star Trek V: The Final Frontier? Podcasting takes a lot of work and time.  Shane Plays Geek Talk Episode #280 - 10/23/2024 Like what you hear? Support Shane Plays Geek Talk on Patreon! https://www.patreon.com/shaneplays [https://www.patreon.com/shaneplays] Listen to the Shane Plays Geek Talk podcast on YouTube, SoundCloud, iTunes, Google Play Music, Amazon Music, Podbean and Stitcher (and other fine, fine podcast directories). Hey, you! Yeah, you! Buy cool stuff, support Shane Plays Geek Talk with these affiliate links! Humble Bundle https://www.humblebundle.com?partner=shaneplays [https://www.humblebundle.com?partner=shaneplays] DriveThruRPG.com https://www.drivethrurpg.com/browse.php?affiliate_id=488512 [https://www.drivethrurpg.com/browse.php?affiliate_id=488512] SHOW NOTES Mat Bradley-Tschirgi’s Books on Amazon http://matwbt.com [http://matwbt.com] Star Trek Video Games: An Unofficial Guide to the Final Frontier https://www.amazon.com/Star-Trek-Video-Games-Unofficial/dp/1399050729 [https://www.amazon.com/Star-Trek-Video-Games-Unofficial/dp/1399050729]  Star Trek Games list on Trekcore https://gaming.trekcore.com/plat_list.html [https://gaming.trekcore.com/plat_list.html]  Star Trek Games list on Wikipedia https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_Star_Trek_games [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_Star_Trek_games]  Star Trek: Secret of Vulcan Fury trailer https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PDAFVYKyJVI  [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PDAFVYKyJVI] Matt Chat (Matt Barton’s interview channel) https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCE98xefVUXmbvQfe-wNS8oA [https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCE98xefVUXmbvQfe-wNS8oA]  Sequelcast 2 Podcast https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/sequelcast2 [https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/sequelcast2]  Dungeons and Desktops: The History of Computer Role-Playing Games 2nd Edition Shane's book! Co-authored with Matt Barton of Matt Chat https://www.amazon.com/Dungeons-Desktops-History-Computer-Role-Playing/dp/1138574643/ [https://www.amazon.com/Dungeons-Desktops-History-Computer-Role-Playing/dp/1138574643/]

RPG and tabletop gaming historian Jon Peterson returns for a fantastic conversation on D&D and RPG history, and his related current books and projects. A new edition of Playing at the World and Dungeons & Dragons - the Making of Original D&D: 1970-1977 are on the shelves. D&D 4E has its hardcore fans. Jon has a seriously impressive collection of documents related to RPG history. Jon’s first on-screen RPG game, ever. Does the role of the Caller in D&D get an unfair reputation (and what exactly does the Caller do)? DNA from non-RPGs like Outdoor Survival made it into early D&D.  Be careful of the question “what is a role-playing game”, the debate can sideswipe an entire conversation. Plus much more. Shane Plays Geek Talk Episode #279 - 9/27/2024 Like what you hear? Support Shane Plays Geek Talk on Patreon! https://www.patreon.com/shaneplays [https://www.patreon.com/shaneplays] Listen to the Shane Plays Geek Talk podcast on YouTube, SoundCloud, iTunes, Google Play Music, Amazon Music, Podbean and Stitcher (and other fine, fine podcast directories). Hey, you! Yeah, you! Buy cool stuff, support Shane Plays Geek Talk with these affiliate links! Humble Bundle https://www.humblebundle.com?partner=shaneplays [https://www.humblebundle.com?partner=shaneplays] DriveThruRPG.com https://www.drivethrurpg.com/browse.php?affiliate_id=488512 [https://www.drivethrurpg.com/browse.php?affiliate_id=488512] SHOW NOTES Previous Shane Plays Geek Talk episode with Jon: D&D History – Game Wizards: The Epic Battle for Dungeons & Dragons with Jon Peterson – Episode 250 – 11-9-2021 https://shaneplays.com/dnd-history-game-wizards-the-epic-battle-for-dungeons-and-dragons-jon-peterson/  [https://shaneplays.com/dnd-history-game-wizards-the-epic-battle-for-dungeons-and-dragons-jon-peterson/] Playing at the World, 2E, Volume 1: The Invention of Dungeons & Dragons (Game Histories) https://www.amazon.com/Playing-World-2E-Invention-Histories/dp/0262548771/  [https://www.amazon.com/Playing-World-2E-Invention-Histories/dp/0262548771/] Playing at the World, 2E, Volume 2: Three Pillars of Role-Playing Games (Game Histories) https://www.amazon.com/Playing-World-2E-Invention-Histories/dp/0262548771/ [https://www.amazon.com/Playing-World-2E-Invention-Histories/dp/0262548771/]  Dungeons & Dragons - the Making of Original D&D: 1970-1977 https://www.amazon.com/Dungeons-Dragons-Making-Original-1970-1977/dp/0786969857 [https://www.amazon.com/Dungeons-Dragons-Making-Original-1970-1977/dp/0786969857]  Celebrating 50 Years of Dungeons & Dragons - Week #1 - OD&D with Jon Peterson https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mIzisBYQkyw [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mIzisBYQkyw]  Dungeons and Desktops: The History of Computer Role-Playing Games 2nd Edition Shane's book! Co-authored with Matt Barton of Matt Chat https://www.amazon.com/Dungeons-Desktops-History-Computer-Role-Playing/dp/1138574643/ [https://www.amazon.com/Dungeons-Desktops-History-Computer-Role-Playing/dp/1138574643/]