DC RPG: The Hero Points Podcast, Episode 2!

And it only took 10 months! But here it is, a second round of Hero Points, the show that tackles role-playing games set in the DC Universe! This time around Shag and Siskoid (that's me!) chat about THE ATLAS OF THE DC UNIVERSE, from Mayfair Games, a key sourcebook released in 1990. We got to interview comics legend and author of the Atlas, Paul Kupperberg and followed up with an overview of the Atlas pointing out some favorite bits and so on. And of course, we wrap up the show with your Listener Feedback! (So comments definitely appreciated!)

Let's roll!
Be sure to check out DC RPG: THE HERO POINTS PODCAST on iTunes as part of THE FIRE AND WATER PODCAST feed! Alternatively, you can download the podcast by right-clicking here, choosing "Save Target/Link As", and selecting a location on your computer to save the file.

Among other things, we answer the question... WHITHER CANADA?!
Important websites
The Fire and Water Tumblr for images from the Atlas.
Episode 1, covering the 1st edition DC Heroes boxed set from Mayfair.
Shag can always be found at Firestorm Fan where he pays tribute to Firestorm every day. 
Writeups.org can be found here.
The Atlas to the DC Universe online experience (fewer words, but updated through 2001).
This episode brought to you by InStockTrades.

Up next... We leave Mayfair's ruleset (ce n'est qu'un aurevoir) for greener pastures. (Ooh, did I give it away with that clue?) and until then, happy listening!

Comments

Unknown said…
Great podcast. I've never played an RPG (outside of the game console/computer type which was up for debate on if it was the same), but I've grown interested in. You mentioned doing Skype-RPGs for those without a gaming community. Are you currently doing this? How does one "sign up?" How much time does one need to set aside to do this?

Thanks!
Siskoid said…
The Skypers I've had were my regular players stuck out of town on game night, and haven't yet gotten anything up and running with "strangers", though I'm open to it.

Haven't tested the system for more than 2 Skypers at a time, with the rest at the table, but I've been in 4-way conversations, so it can do conference calling well enough.

I'd probably start with a one-shot, or very episodic campaign (with each session wrapping up a single plot, as opposed to continuing endlessly from session to session). The time to put aside varies, but I try to keep sessions under the 4-hour mark (the minimum is 2½ and that would be considered brief). There's also the character generation process which can take some time, though there are ways around it (using email/chat back and forth, or even using pre-generated characters).

Of course, this all depends on the exact game being played. Some have crunchier rules, others are more free-form. Different genres have different demands, etc.
Unknown said…
Thanks for the information! I wasn't sure the context of the game you played on Skype based on the hero points podcast discussion. I'm curious to see if things really start to pickup in terms of the F&W family interest.
Siskoid said…
I've laid my DC Adventures campaign to rest for the moment, and am undertaking a superspy game using elements of James Bond 007 and Leverage RPGs, so I can tackle a F&W DCH game fresh. Might be a cool episode for next summer.
Robert Maloney said…
Nabbed this book for Christmas and it's been an invaluable part of the campaign. Stuff like Bogatago and Midway City made for great setting details (yes, Slumville was a big part of the game), and Ares' stats proved invaluable for when I needed a big-name villain to show up during the climax of Project Prometheus.