Shane Plays Geek Talk

Heroes of Might and Magic (and Other Goodness) with Neal Hallford - Episode 287 - 11/24/2025

Neal Hallford joins to discuss his new book Heroes of Might and Magic: 30th Anniversary Retrospective. The history of HoM&M games is, in many ways, an "epic story" that tells the history of the video game industry and the related human drama in general. Since it's Neal, we also meander into other interesting things, including Planet's Edge, Betrayal at Krondor, and Dungeon Siege (including why they named Farmer "Farmer"). A game company trying to launch seven games all at the same time is probably not the wisest idea. The "box of rocks" approach to writing for games. Neal's new Planet's Edge: Fractured Empires project. Singular vision / small teams versus large teams in game design. Neal has very strong feelings on trends that have hurt the video game industry. What's the connection between Star Trek and Heroes of Might and Magic? The fine line game creators have to walk in making sequels by adding new stuff worth buying, but not changing things so much that it alienates the audience. What is the number one-selling game on GOG? Shane Plays Geek Talk Episode #287 - 11/24/2025 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 Heroes of Might and Magic: 30th Anniversary Retrospective Book by Neal Hallford https://www.amazon.com/Heroes-Might-Magic-Anniversary-Retrospective/dp/150675130X [https://www.amazon.com/Heroes-Might-Magic-Anniversary-Retrospective/dp/150675130X] Neal Hallford on Wikipedia https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Neal_Hallford [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Neal_Hallford] Betrayal at Krondor 30th Anniversary & Fan Film Challenge with Neal Hallford – Episode 266 – 3/14/2023 https://shaneplays.com/betrayal-at-krondor-crpg-30th-anniversary-neal-hallford-fan-film-challenge-podcast/ [https://shaneplays.com/betrayal-at-krondor-crpg-30th-anniversary-neal-hallford-fan-film-challenge-podcast/] Star Fleet Battles With Bill Barsh – Episode 272 – 12/29/2023 https://shaneplays.com/star-fleet-battles-with-bill-barsh-podcast/ [https://shaneplays.com/star-fleet-battles-with-bill-barsh-podcast/] 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/]

The Quatermass Experiment with Toby Hadoke - Episode 286 - 9/28/2025

The Quatermass Experiment, the highly influential series considered the "birth of TV Sci-Fi", with Toby Hadoke (Quatermass Experiment megafan, Doctor Who megafan, special features do-er, author, and standup comedian… he just sits around and twiddles his thumbs, does Toby). Toby's written the definitive book on the first Quatermass Experiment serial! Some Doctor Who discussion. "Behind the sofa." The sneaky plan Toby used to name his dog. Nigel Neale (Quatermass writer) has influenced such directors as John Carpenter, Joe Dante, and Dan O'Bannon. Which Quatermass Experiment serial does Toby recommend starting with? Different motivations for British and American TV in decades past. Toby says Nigel Neale's The Road has the best ending of anything, ever. What are the chances of more Quatermass in the future? A nice tangent into John Carpenter's The Thing. A few last-minute Doctor Who tangents (including one about the Doctor going into his own brain). Pronunciation differences between the British and Americans (how the heck do you say Omega, anyway?). Toby actually likes one of the Bad Jokes of the Week. Shane Plays Geek Talk Episode #286 - 9/28/2025 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 Toby Hadoke on Patreon https://www.patreon.com/TobyHadoke [https://www.patreon.com/TobyHadoke] Toby Hadoke on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@TobyHadoke [https://www.youtube.com/@TobyHadoke] Toby's Website https://tobyhadoke.com/ Toby's Book! The Quatermass Experiment: The Making of TV's First Sci-Fi Classic https://tenacrefilms.bigcartel.com/product/the-quatermass-experiment-the-making-of-tv-s-first-sci-fi-classic [https://tenacrefilms.bigcartel.com/product/the-quatermass-experiment-the-making-of-tv-s-first-sci-fi-classic] The Quatermass Experiment on Wikipedia https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Quatermass_Experiment [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Quatermass_Experiment] Nigel Neale on Wikipedia https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nigel_Kneale [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nigel_Kneale] 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/]

Vampire Movies - Episode 285 - 8/29/2025

Sink your teeth into a slew of vampire movies from 1922 through 2025 that may or may not suck with returning movie lovers Chris Holmes and Michael Stewart (Save for Half podcast, Found in the Ruins podcast), plus we chew a bit on Stoker's Dracula novel. From England to Transylvania to Germany to Italy to Spain to Japan and beyond… those bloodsuckers are everywhere!! Which vampire flicks made us their thrall? One flick's surprise armadillo never fails to amuse Shane. Chris objects to amazingly cool armor in Dracula movies. What astoundingly fantastic Funko Pop does Shane own?? A surprising clash of opinions on The Lost Boys and Near Dark. We have crossed oceans of time just to bring you this episode. Shane Plays Geek Talk Episode #285 - 8/29/2025 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 Holmes Basic D&D, John Eric Holmes & Edgar Rice Burroughs with Chris Holmes – Episode 267 – 5/12/2023 https://shaneplays.com/holmes-basic-dnd-john-eric-holmes-edgar-rice-burroughs-with-chris-holmes-podcast/ [https://shaneplays.com/holmes-basic-dnd-john-eric-holmes-edgar-rice-burroughs-with-chris-holmes-podcast/] Zombie Movies with Chris Holmes and Mike Stewart – Episode 277 – 7/22/2024 https://shaneplays.com/zombie-movies-with-chris-holmes-mike-stewart-podcast/ [https://shaneplays.com/zombie-movies-with-chris-holmes-mike-stewart-podcast/] Surreal Cinema with Clements & Holmes https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8LcpVM55HQA [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8LcpVM55HQA] Vampire Movies Discussed in this Episode:Nosferatu (1922) Dracula (1931) Dracula's Daughter El Vampiro Horror of Dracula Dracula, Prince of Darkness The Vampire and the Ballerina The Vampire Doll Count Dracula (1970) Count Yorga, Vampire House of Dark Shadows Blacula The Night Stalker Captain Kronos-Vampire Hunter Bram Stoker's Dracula (1974) Blood for Dracula Night of the Walking Dead Dracula (1979) Nosferatu the Vampyre (1979) Salem's Lot (1979) The Hunger Fright Night (1985) The Lost Boys Near Dark Buffy the Vampire Slayer *Briefly mentioned Buffy TV series * Briefly mentioned Bram Stoker's Dracula (1992) Interview with the Vampire Blade Blade 2 Shadow of the Vampire Thirty Days of Night Let the Right One In A Girl Walks Home Alone at Night Boys From County Hell The Last Voyage of the Demeter Nosferatu (2024) Sinners 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/]

TSR & WotC Veteran Steve Winter - Episode 284 - 7/28/2025

TSR and Wizards of the Coast veteran Steve Winter (Steve achieved one of the longest tenures across both companies). Steve plays guitar. Steve likes Shadowdark RPG, and is also interested in Knave, Savage Worlds, and Cthulhu / horror games. Steve has a definite favorite version of D&D (he finds it elegant and intuitive). Deep character backstory doesn't equal plot armor. Sometimes we get too used to magic in games and think of it as technology… magic should be a bit fearsome and untame. Noteworthy moments of going insane in a Cthulhu game. Skyrim and Baldur's Gate 3 discussion. Steve co-wrote the scenario for the Gold Box Pool of Radiance game. Some words about Jim Ward. Early versus later days at TSR. The job that was Steve's best year at TSR. How was the work divided at TSR? Steve offers some perspective on Lorraine Williams's leadership, given that he was right there. What was it like to be at TSR and watch Magic: The Gathering explode onto the scene? Steve worked on Spellfire, TSR's response to MtG. What was it like transitioning from TSR to WotC? Star Frontiers: how it went from hard sci-fi to "D&D in space" and how employees' desire for royalties led to its creation (and ultimately to the departure of Lawrence Schick from TSR). Marvel Super Heroes RPG discussion (MSH is HUGE for Shane personally). Shane Plays Geek Talk Episode #284 - 7/28/2025 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 Steve Winter's Wikipedia Entry https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Steve_Winter [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Steve_Winter] Steve Winter's Board Game Geek Entry https://boardgamegeek.com/boardgamedesigner/562/steve-winter [https://boardgamegeek.com/boardgamedesigner/562/steve-winter] Howling Tower (Steve's Blog) https://koboldpress.com/category/howling-tower/ [https://koboldpress.com/category/howling-tower/] Shadowdark RPG https://www.thearcanelibrary.com/pages/shadowdark?srsltid=AfmBOopWlsfgC-WPHShVkD1E9lDfbJKyN5umULKokrH6cbo8tdn-f2QL [https://www.thearcanelibrary.com/pages/shadowdark?srsltid=AfmBOopWlsfgC-WPHShVkD1E9lDfbJKyN5umULKokrH6cbo8tdn-f2QL] Knave RPG https://www.drivethrurpg.com/en/product/484910/knave-second-edition [https://www.drivethrurpg.com/en/product/484910/knave-second-edition] 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/]

Twilight: 2000 RPG With The Found In The Ruins Podcast - Episode 283 - 5/15/2025

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/]