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Playtonics

@playtonics.net

89 followers 740 following 20 posts

A podcast about prepping sick RPG sessions.

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Playtonics @playtonics.net · Jan 22

Trying this new thing where we write words instead of saying them, and play games instead of planning them.

If you like it, maybe we'll put one in your inbox every now and then.

I ran D&D the way our episode said. Here’s what happened.

Rocky ran a D&D bucks party, and he has thoughts about session structure and systems.

playtonics.net

Playtonics @playtonics.net · 11d

The pod walked into my feed, eyes wide, with a simple request: “Please, you gotta help me make my RPG session feel like a film noir!”

Little did I know what was really in store for me.

Noir

It’s all legs and hard boiled eggs as the Pals step into your ears with a case you just can’t turn down.

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Playtonics @playtonics.net · Aug 29

This month, we finally get around to Mad Max, which has been on our list since we started the show. WITNESS US!

Mad Max

Rocky and Jords figure out what it takes to ride eternal on the Fury Road.

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Reposted by Playtonics

Karin Malady, Autumn Prince @sweetnawful.bsky.social · Aug 11

Deathmatch Island probably has one of the best "What is a roleplaying game?" pages I've ever seen

Page titled "What is a roleplaying game?" and formatted like a research paper from a mysterious organization.

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Playtonics @playtonics.net · Aug 1

really raising the stakes with this one

Vampire Hunters

Rocky and Jords sink their teeth into what makes a game feel like an early-2000s vampire hunting flick.

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Playtonics @playtonics.net · Jul 17

Jords makes his newsletter debut with a rant about not asking for permission.

Broadcasting Intent and Permissiveness

Broadcasting intent isn’t the same as asking for permission.

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Playtonics @playtonics.net · Jun 30

Crime: wanting to run a Judge Dredd RPG session.

Verdict: Guilty.

Punishment: Listen to this month's episode.

Dredd

Rocky and Jords play judge, jury, and a lil' executioner as they convert 2012's smash hit(?) Dredd into a quip-powered depth-crawl.

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Playtonics @playtonics.net · Jun 1

New ep who dis? A special three-for-one deal this month: we're speed running three very different stories from Alastair Reynolds' Revelation Space universe.

Revelation Space

Rocky and Jords dig into not one but three stories in SF writer Alastair Reynolds' Revelation Space universe.

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Playtonics @playtonics.net · May 1

how to run an rpg session that feels like the matrix:

- put green cellophane on your light bulbs
- talk in slow motion for all the good bits
- wait 22 years to invite the players back for the conclusion, then make it confusing and disappointing

for more tips, listen to this month's pod!

The Matrix

Rocky and Jords see how deep the rabbit hole goes as they figure out how to plan a session that feels like you're in the Matrix. But then, out of the Matrix. And then, back in the Matrix again. Show notes and transcript at playtonics.net/the-matrix If you have ideas for topics you'd like to hear us cover, hit us up at [email protected], or slide into our DMs on Instagram, Bluesky and Mastodon.

playtonics.net

Playtonics @playtonics.net · Mar 31

Boy did we have to edit a lot of high school trauma out of this one: How do you nail the vibe of a Mean Girls RPG session?

Mean Girls

Rocky and Jords dive into the world of queen bees and wannabes as they turn Mean Girls into a game. Show notes and transcript at playtonics.net/mean-girls If you have ideas for topics you'd like to hear us cover, hit us up at [email protected], or slide into our DMs on Instagram, Bluesky and Mastodon.

playtonics.net

Playtonics @playtonics.net · Mar 2

Hi Adam!

Playtonics @playtonics.net · Mar 1

...and we're back! Tune in as we break down Jordan's first viewing of Raiders of the Lost Ark into a game of high-stakes globe-trotting MacGuffin Football.

It could be our best work yet.

Raiders of the Lost MacGuffin

Rocky and Jords are back to discuss how to run a great game about being a terrible archaeologist. Show notes and transcript at playtonics.net/raiders If you have ideas for topics you'd like to hear us cover, hit us up at [email protected], or slide into our DMs on Instagram, Bluesky and Mastodon.

playtonics.net

Playtonics @playtonics.net · Jan 24

Just a heads up: we're not doing a January episode, but we'll be back in February - Jords has been too busy in the laser mines to do any recording... 👀

Welcome back to Instagram. Sign in to check out what your friends, family & interests have been capturing & sharing around the world.

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Playtonics @playtonics.net · Jan 22

it jords

(shameless theft from u/Lady_Lagsalot/ on r/bladesinthedark)

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Playtonics @playtonics.net · Jan 22

Trying this new thing where we write words instead of saying them, and play games instead of planning them.

If you like it, maybe we'll put one in your inbox every now and then.

I ran D&D the way our episode said. Here’s what happened.

Rocky ran a D&D bucks party, and he has thoughts about session structure and systems.

playtonics.net

Playtonics @playtonics.net · Jan 5

In a fast-and-loose end of year review, Rocky and Jords talk about some of the ideas that kept showing up in Season 1. If you have ideas for what you’d like to hear in 2025, jump into our DMs, or hit us up at [email protected]!

Bonus: 2024 Recap

In a fast-and-loose end of year review, Rocky and Jords talk about some of the ideas that kept showing up in Season 1. Show notes and transcript at playtonics.net/2024-recap. If you have ideas for what you'd like to hear in 2025, hit us up at [email protected], or slide into our DMs on Instagram, Bluesky and Mastodon.

playtonics.net

Playtonics @playtonics.net · Jan 1

We're also taking episode suggestions for 2025 - if there's a piece of fiction you want to hear us adapt for the table, let us know!

Playtonics @playtonics.net · Jan 1

Give it a listen, and please @ us with your hot takes - we want that sweet sweet engagement.

D&D

After a year of podcasting, Rocky and Jords finally ask the big question: how do you run a great game of D&D that actually feels like D&D? Show notes and transcript at playtonics.net/dandd

playtonics.net

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Playtonics @playtonics.net · Jan 1

Over the last year we've tackled everything from Avatar to John Wick - but to finish our first season (and kick off our social accounts with some spicy takes) we've gone extremely meta and talked about how we'd design an iconic D&D experience.

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Playtonics @playtonics.net · Jan 1

We talk about game systems - but also pacing, session structure, adventure design and what we'd prep.

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Playtonics @playtonics.net · Jan 1

Each episode we pick a movie, book, show or genre, and figure out how we as game masters would run a session that feels like that piece of fiction.

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Playtonics @playtonics.net · Jan 1

Hi! We're Rocky and Jords, and we make Playtonics, a podcast about designing themed RPG sessions.

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