Hello Bonus Babies, Rai returns for a finale. We sort of talk about games, but mostly we just talk.  Here's some stuff we talk about:  Monica's computer Rai's life Music of the 90s Monica's book Onyx Path shop talk A better alternative to the "no fascists" rule Rai's son and the Progress Pride Flag Fabula Ultima Dungeon Meishi Gay Final Fantasy You can find even more nonsense in the extended cut. And here's some links for things...

Hello Bonus Babies, I am so sorry for the huge delay - when it rains it pours. But here we are with the penultimate episode of Season Six!  Today Monica gets together with Heather (her wife) to discuss one of their mutually shared core principles of game design: participation makes the game. If you remove players from play, you are denying them the chance to experience your game. We break down what this means as well as provide good and bad examples of designing for character creation,...

Hello Bonus Babies, Today I'm joined by friend and colleague Alex Guerrero to discuss how video games utilize narrative and setting design to create a sense of wonder and mystery - and how you can bring that to the table in your own tabletop RPGs! We discuss: Good writing and pacing of lore Creating and fostering mystery while running games Supporting an action-RPG feel at the table Using techniques from GMless gaming Integrating social influence into games Building lore for...

Hello Bonus Babies! D is back in the studio with me today to deliver on our promise to discuss exceptions-based rules design. We talk about Exalted: Essence an awful lot, but also talk about Malifaux, Chronicles of Darkness, and some upcoming games. We talk about good examples of how to build strong exceptions and an equal number of bad ones, and point out games that don't do this at all. Also discussed in the extended cut: Live, custom made, spooky beeps ...

Hello Bonus Babies, Today Monica sits down with friend and colleague Hiromi Cota to discuss how you can improve the accessibility of your tabletop RPG. We talk about making things accessible to folks with physical issues, but mental ones as well. We also talk about math a lot. In the patron cut: More coping strategies for ADHD Monica's style guide opinions Being ready to teach dice pools You can find Hiromi and their work here: ...

Hello Bonus Babies, Today Monica is joined by the hosts of the Malifaux podcast, Steampowered Scoundrels, to have a lively discussion about being small content creators in a niche field, being the microest of micro celebrities, having relationships with tabletop game designers, and a lot, and I really mean a lot, of talk about Malifaux. Don't worry I also bring up Exalted at least once. Also discussed: bad times at work and the Condescension Special; the authenticity of background...

Hello Bonus Babies, THere's another crossover with Mage: The Podcast. This time Danielle Lauzon joins us as we discuss the concept of design directives in games. Enjoy the energy a third party brings to these MTP/BXP crossovers. You can find Mage the Podcast here. Additional silliness in the extended cut.

Hello Bonus Babies, Today Monica is joined by Exalted developer, Elliott Freeman, to break down their favorite (and least favorite) characters sheets: what works, what doesn't, what they like to see, and so on. Favorites include Agon and Blades in the Dark, and the least favorites include some real stinkers. You can find Mr Gone's work here and here Also discussed in the extended cut: Sleep and work schedules More details about Blades in the Dark Play aids as character sheets

Hello Bonus Babies, Today Monica is joined by freelance author and designer, MJ Monleon, to discuss the ins, outs, and pitfalls of designing a competitive game. We focus mostly on traditional games like tabletop RPGs and card or board games and then wander off into the weeds of some of our favorite video games.  We start off strong, then get very distracted. Expect the full strength ADHD experience: hand clapping, table slapping, chair squeaking and my inability to hold still and speak...

Hello Bonus Babies, Monica joins Terry on Mage the Podcast to workshop the design concept of individual magic(k) merits, as well as temporary merits and experience rewards in Mage 20th. Join us for an interesting discussion on in-character benefits and experience design, plus all the weird stuff you've come to expect from Monica and Terry having a conversation.

Hello Bonus Babies, Today Monica invites her friend, Jacqueline Bryk, to join her and discuss something she considers a blank spot in her traditional game literacy: LARP. We discuss what makes a LARP, and general LARP design principles as Jax gives a detailed 101 crash course. We also kick around designing our own together, for a bit. Also discussed in the extended cut: Jax at MAGFest and Monica's day job the implications of torture in games and the...

BXP is BACK for Season Six. We have some very important updates to the show as well as some super cool episodes coming up. Give it a listen. If you stayed a patron through the off-season, Monica shouts out your name.

Hello Bonus Babies! This is the final episode of Season Five. Terry joins Monica again with the second half of their very long conversation about experiences with gaming and new people.  Today we talk about character development in RPGs: what that means, what people want when they say they're into it, and how games do and don't support character growth over time. It's a very interesting discussion and a perfect send-off for our fifth season.  There WILL be Patron-exclusive content...

Hello Bonus Babies, Terry (of Mage: the Podcast) joins Monica to talk about the wild experience of teaching Mage to new people and Monica commiserates about her experiences with teaching Exalted to beginners. We discuss the interesting cultural baggage that comes with most folks pop understanding of the hobby and what it's like to show folks new games. The topic goes all kinds of interesting places past that. Even more rambling can be heard in the extended cut. [ Bonus Experience:...

Hello Bonus Babies, Rai had to tap out of hosting early this season, so Monica set up a lobster trap outside her house in order to catch a few new co-hosts.  The last few episodes of Season 5 will be Monica + a friend. Join our Patreon or Discord for details about the nonsense we have planned for the off-seasons! Here's the long-awaited new episode. Chazz of Pain in the Dice, OPPCast and Systematic Understanding of Everything joins Monica to discuss games without randomizers. No cards....

Hello Bonus Babies, We are so very sorry for the silence and lack of updates for a while there. Things have been rough for the whole BXP crew, but we're BACK.  Monica overheard a conversation about someone being nervous to play D&D for the first time and their worries about how to be a good player, so here's today's episode. Rai and Monica hang out to discuss what sort of things are good to keep in mind when you're a player for the first time - no matter what game you're...

Hello Bonus Babies!  Rai's back! Hooray! Rejoice!  Today Rai and Monica sit down to discuss a favorite internet discourse topic: does system matter? Can you just enjoy any game, regardless of system? Do you even NEED to be a game designer?  You'll just have to listen to the whole thing if you want the answer.  Also discussed in the extended cut: Rai's patron-only strip journalism, Monica's queer FLGS, the art of amigurumi and a lot more about Tumblr Also here's a link to the...

Hello Bonus Babies,  While Rai sorts out a few life things, D joins us again for another deep dive. Today, Monica and Danielle discuss streamlining game systems - whether you're doing that on your own for fun or whether it's a professional job. We talk about the meaning, goals, and methods of streamlining and give some examples of systems we'd fix and systems we wouldn't.  Also discussed: praxis songs, reflecting reality in games, and The Lesbian Who Controls Time.  [ Bonus...

Happy Pride, Bonus Babies!  We've really been going through it this year, so when we sat down to record our most recent episode we decided it would be fun and relaxing to just hang out instead.  Here's nearly an hour of Monica and Rai talking about... everything and nothing.  Discussed:  Queer New Year and Gay Parliament the best way to see Multiverse of Madness the problem with superhero movies RPG industry news Siri learning about Exalted David learning about...

Hello Bonus Babies,  Oh? It's Tuesday already? Oh?? Shhhh, time is fake.  In today's episode, Monica and Rai sit down to discuss the concept of the hard bargain - a social refusal mechanic that can improve any game. We talk about what they are, how to use them, and how to implement them in your homebrew or professional design.  Also discussed in the extended cut: Rai's feelings on mothers, Monica's money management, preparing for the apocalypse (with Christmas pickles), Discord for...

Hello Bonus Babies,  Rai and Monica had a very chaotic two weeks and were unable to get a recording in. However, Margaret had this dusty tape under her desk and was kind enough to edit it for us. (We shudder to think about what else might be lurking under there... best not to consider it too long.) D joins Monica for another Deep Dive! We discuss the concept of a "core system" loop, aka what central concepts make a game's system tick. We go in-depth into the mechanics of a handful of...

Hello Bonus Babies,  Rai was ill during our usual recording time, so we brought in a friend to help! In today's episode, Monica is joined by David Castro of Ink Stained Studios to talk D&D 4e: the good parts, the bad parts, its history, and its impact on current design. We're very pro-4e, in case you're wondering where we come down on the subject. If you're looking for hate, this one ain't it.  Also discussed in the extended cut: Hot tips for using trash as play aids, the true...

Hello Bonus Babies!  Today Monica and Rai tackle the thorny subject of always being stuck in the GM seat. Is that a good thing? A bad one? Neither? We discuss the ups and downs of being the game facilitator and how to feel less anxious about stepping into the role yourself.  Also discussed in the extended cut: anime about boys, Kevin the cockatiel, Tony's Chocoloney, and a variety of recommended activities to do while high.  [ Bonus Experience: the Blog! bxpcast.com | Bonus...