Old Geeks Never Die Podcast

Episode 28 - When Terrible People Do Good Things

cynon@roadrunner.com (Neil Molyneaux) — Tue, 3 May 2016 22:08:00 -0400

What happens when someone whose art you enjoy does something that you have a hard time accepting? What is a deal breaker? What can you tolerate? We discuss several cases along these lines.

The file can be found here:
Episode 28

Episode 27 - Star Wars Video Games

cynon@roadrunner.com (Neil Molyneaux) — Fri, 11 Mar 2016 10:48:00 -0500

In this episode we discuss the history of Star Wars Video Games. Which ones hit the mark? And which ones should be forgotten like Jar Jar?

And why is Neil really bad at Star Wars Battlefront?

The file can be found here:
Episode 27

Episode 26 - Gaming Pet Peeves

cynon@roadrunner.com (Neil Molyneaux) — Mon, 29 Feb 2016 23:30:00 -0500

In this episode, we discuss some of our gaming pet peeves, focusing on board and card games. Kingmaker games are brought up, as well as the dreaded Analysis Paralysis.

The file can be found here:
Episode 26

Episode 25 - Cooperative Games

cynon@roadrunner.com (Neil Molyneaux) — Sun, 22 Nov 2015 22:54:00 -0500

In this episode, we discuss cooperative games. What makes them fun to play? Does it really matter if there's no single winner? We try to cover all bases by talking about the various types of co-op games (and semi co-op).

The file can be found here:
Episode 25

Episode 24 - Professional Wrestling

cynon@roadrunner.com (Neil Molyneaux) — Thu, 3 Sep 2015 22:05:00 -0400

Professional Wrestling. Andy and Neil discuss the athletic performance that is professional wrestling. Many people feel that it's just for kids, or for those who think it's 'real'. But what makes it entertaining to watch?

This episode can be found here:
Episode 24

Episode 23 - Nostalgia

cynon@roadrunner.com (Neil Molyneaux) — Thu, 3 Sep 2015 22:01:00 -0400

How well do those shows that you loved as a kid hold up? Is Krull still any good? How about Tron? We discuss, and come up with some general themes which tend to hold up better than others.

This episode can be found here:
Episode 23

Episode 22 - Star Trek

cynon@roadrunner.com (Neil Molyneaux) — Mon, 13 Jul 2015 23:23:00 -0400

In this episode, we discuss the various facets of the Star Trek franchise, focusing primarily on the different television series and movies. For the most part, we seem to be in agreement...at least until we get to the rebooted J. J. Abrams films.

The file can be found here:
Episode 22

Episode 21 - Challenges in Running an RPG - Creating a Good Antagonist

cynon@roadrunner.com (Neil Molyneaux) — Fri, 15 May 2015 15:06:00 -0400

In this episode, we talk about what is necessary to create a good antagonist (or villain) for your RPG. What is an antagonist? And how is that distinguishable from a villain? Does the difference matter? And how important is it that the villain have a voice like James Earl Jones?

The file can be found here:
Episode 21

Episode 20 - Superhero Television

cynon@roadrunner.com (Neil Molyneaux) — Fri, 15 May 2015 14:59:00 -0400

In this episode, we discuss the recent spate of superhero television shows, especially the Marvel properties as well as the DC shows on the CW. This was recorded before Daredevil was released or the Supergirl trailer came out, so keep that in mind.

The file can be found here:
Episode 20

Episode 19 - DC vs Marvel

cynon@roadrunner.com (Neil Molyneaux) — Tue, 7 Apr 2015 17:09:00 -0400

In this episode, we discuss the competition between the two major comic companies, DC and Marvel. Unsurprisingly, we also talk about their properties in other media, such as television and movies. And why must DC be so serious?

The file can be found here:

Episode 19

Episode 18 - Best (Board and Card) Game Ever

cynon@roadrunner.com (Neil Molyneaux) — Tue, 3 Mar 2015 10:25:00 -0500

As a counterpoint to episode 15, we talk about the best board and card games...though we focus especially on our personal favorites. What makes for a good game? Is it possible for a game to be good but not enjoyable? All this and more in our discussion.

The file can be found here:
Episode 18

Episode 17 - Technical Inaccuracies

cynon@roadrunner.com (Neil Molyneaux) — Thu, 15 Jan 2015 11:23:00 -0500

Tired of complaining about the technical inaccuracies in movies and television? Nope, we aren't either. Jen and Neil discuss some of the more egregious examples and consider why it happens in the first place. And why do some examples from media get away with ignoring technical details entirely?

The file can be found here:
Episode 17

Episode 16 - Fantasy vs Sci Fi

cynon@roadrunner.com (Neil Molyneaux) — Wed, 3 Dec 2014 21:35:00 -0500

In this episode we discuss Fantasy and Science Fiction. Why do the two get lumped together? And why choose one over the other? Why do Fantasy authors seem to write thousands of pages of material? All this and more in our rambling conversation!

The file can be downloaded here:
Episode 16

Episode 15 - Worst (Board and Card) Game Ever

cynon@roadrunner.com (Neil Molyneaux) — Tue, 11 Nov 2014 00:51:00 -0500

In this episode, Neil, Dave, and Peter talk about their personal least favorite board and card games, as well as discussing games that just stray into questionable themes that make some people queasy. What makes for a bad game?

The file can be found here:
Episode 15

Episode 14 - Challenges in Running an RPG: Linking Characters

cynon@roadrunner.com (Neil Molyneaux) — Mon, 27 Oct 2014 00:17:00 -0400

In this episode we discuss one of the first hurdles any new GM runs into. How do you link your characters effectively? Do they just meet in a tavern? Is there something else in common? Or should you use game mechanics to help facilitate things?

The file can be found here:
Episode 14

Episode 13 - Geek Music

cynon@roadrunner.com (Neil Molyneaux) — Sat, 27 Sep 2014 21:28:00 -0400

In this episode, we discuss Geek Music. What is it? Who are some of the bands that can be classified this way? And for that matter, what's a Geek in the first place?

I also attempted to insert some music clips about the bands we're talking about...it would be a shame to have an audio podcast and not have something as reference to listen to.

The file can be found here:
Episode 13

Episode 12 - Media Conversions

cynon@roadrunner.com (Neil Molyneaux) — Wed, 10 Sep 2014 21:24:00 -0400

In this episode, we discuss various attempts to convert from one media to another. Adapting books to movies, movies to television, etc. How accurate does a conversion need to be? And why did some particular projects fail?

The file can be found here:
Episode 12

Episode 11 - Underappreciated Video Games

cynon@roadrunner.com (Neil Molyneaux) — Tue, 29 Jul 2014 10:06:00 -0400

In this episode, we have a new panel member, and we discuss underappreciated video games, most of which seem to be at least 10 years old. Then again, how would we know if they're underappreciated unless they've been out a while?

The file can be found here:
Episode 11

Episode 10 - Comics and Society, Part 2

cynon@roadrunner.com (Neil Molyneaux) — Sun, 29 Jun 2014 17:10:00 -0400

In this episode, we continue our discussion about the connections between Comics and Society. And Dave admits to being Ent-ist.

The file can be found here:
Episode 10

Episode 9 - Challenges in Running an RPG: Maintaining Momentum

cynon@roadrunner.com (Neil Molyneaux) — Fri, 6 Jun 2014 11:21:00 -0400

As keeping a campaign going for a long stretch can be quite difficult, we discuss some of the difficulties in maintaining the momentum in a long term role playing campaign, for both the GM and the players themselves.

The file can be found here:
Episode 9

Episode 8 - Comics and Society, Part 1

cynon@roadrunner.com (Neil Molyneaux) — Thu, 22 May 2014 00:58:00 -0400

In this episode, we discuss the connection between comics and society, including the Comic Code Authority and the lack of a Wonder Woman movie. And then we realize...we've run out of time, and need at least a second episode to cover more.

The file can be found here:
Episode 8

Episode 7 - Joss Whedon

cynon@roadrunner.com (Neil Molyneaux) — Tue, 15 Apr 2014 22:28:00 -0400

We were short one member for this episode where we discuss the work of Joss Whedon. Thankfully, we had someone else step in to bring us back up to four people.

That and we talk about opera. Curious.

File can be found here:
Episode 7

Episode 6 - Green Lantern

cynon@roadrunner.com (Neil Molyneaux) — Thu, 20 Mar 2014 21:50:00 -0400

In our first episode completely focused on comic books, we take a close look at Green Lantern. And...then we stray off topic a few times, as always.

The file can be found here:
Episode 6

Episode 5 - Challenges in Running an RPG - Part 2

cynon@roadrunner.com (Neil Molyneaux) — Wed, 12 Feb 2014 23:49:00 -0500

In a continuation of our discussion from Episode 4, we talk about 'Danger vs. Illusion of Danger', and we discuss the question of 'Why use a rule set at all?'

The file can be found here:
Episode 5

Episode 4 - Challenges in Running an RPG - Part 1

cynon@roadrunner.com (Neil Molyneaux) — Thu, 23 Jan 2014 22:43:00 -0500

Because there is no shortage of challenges in running an RPG, we've decided to tackle a few of them in what will be a recurring series of episodes.

In this particular episode, we discuss two reasons for the dreaded Total Party Kill (TPK).

The file can be found here:
Episode 4