x

75% of people globally want unbiased news (Pew Research) but are concerned they're not getting that.

Get balanced coverage with Symby. See how stories are covered across diverse outlets and spot when one side covers a story the other skips.

PODCAST

The Ultimate RPG Podcast

James D"Amato, the creator of One Shot and Author of The Ultimate RPG series for Adams Media invites you to join him in getting to know some of your favorite creative people by listening to them create. Every other week he invites a new guest to discuss their latest work and creative process before joining him in a character or worldbuilding exercise from the Ultimate RPG series. Gain insight and watch inspiration with The Ultimate RPG Podcast!

leisure games

All Episodes

65:33

Episode 29 - The Dresden Files and Magic Arias with...

The Ultimate RPG Podcast ·

2026/04/21

EPISODE SUMMARYJames is joined by Jim Butcher in a discussion about the origin story of The Dresden Files, how he created characters in the earlier Dresden Files books, including with the help of RPG tools, as well as about his workflow and writing habits. In the worldbuilding half of the episode, they created a world where musical talent is the source of people's magic and a powerful voice is what is required to win wars. SHOW NOTES Jim Butcher is the author of the contemporary

en

112:11

Episode 28 - Whole New World with Valiant Dorian and...

The Ultimate RPG Podcast ·

2026/04/09

EPISODE SUMMARYJames is joined by Valiant Dorian and Poorna M in a discussion around how they became collaborators, the differences between how different cultures across the globe approach TTRPG play, and their new show on the One Shot Network that is currently being Kickstarted, "Whole New World". In the worldbuilding half of the episode, they create a world divided by elemental natures where members of a secret society signal their resistance against these rigid structures through food related

en

81:41

Episode 27 - Solo Games and Unique Mechanics with...

The Ultimate RPG Podcast ·

2025/10/17

EPISODE SUMMARYJames is joined by Meghan Cross in a discussion about designing games with digital play in mind, the hook and loop mechanic in Meghan's game HUNT(er/ed) and how the game benefited from having two designers. They also talk about inspiration behind Meghan's new game, Homecoming. In the worldbuilding half of the episode, they create a seaside town with unpredictable and drastic tides that may have sometimes been caused by the creature living nearby in the water. SHOW NOTES Meghan

en

75:41

Episode 26 - Publishing TTRPGs and Teaching with...

The Ultimate RPG Podcast ·

2025/09/30

EPISODE SUMMARYThe second part of the interview with Tyler Crumrine. In this episode, James talked to Tyler about how things are done at Possible Worlds Games compared to the publishing industry at large. In the worldbuilding half of the episode, they used Cosmic Century Knights to create an artist commune with an infrastructure based on engineered ant colonies, a special gooey natural resource, and colorful concrete buildings. SHOW NOTES ⁠Tyler Crumrine⁠ is a Pittsburgh-based award winning

en

80:51

Episode 25 - Publishing TTRPGs and Teaching with...

The Ultimate RPG Podcast ·

2025/09/17

EPISODE SUMMARYJames is joined by Tyler Crumrine in a discussion about his career before Possible Worlds Games, the pivot to designing TTRPGs as a career post COVID, and the future of Possible Worlds Games as a publisher of both known and emerging designers. They also discussed how Tyler goes about teaching his TTRPG game design course, and much more! The second half of the interview will be up on September 30th. SHOW NOTES Tyler Crumrine is a Pittsburgh-based award winning TTRPG designer, and

en

88:36

Episode 24 - Sound Designing Actual Play with Taylor...

The Ultimate RPG Podcast ·

2025/07/29

EPISODE SUMMARYJames is joined by Taylor Moore in a discussion about the formation of the Kickstarter workers union and how one organize a union, the appeal of audio as an art form, the relationship between the actual play performer and editor, as well as a peak into the behind the scenes of Worlds Beyond Number. In the worldbuilding half of the episode, they create a saint in a pheromone based hive mind society. SHOW NOTES ⁠Taylor Moore is the founder and creative director of Fortunate Horse

en

104:17

Episode 23 - Games Education and Sexuality with...

The Ultimate RPG Podcast ·

2025/07/15

EPISODE SUMMARYJames is joined by Sharang Biswas in a discussion about what defines a game designer, teaching game design, as well as the role and influence of sexuality in his games. In the worldbuilding half of the episode, James and Sharang created a healing institution founded by ghosts, a faction of militant vegan dragon riders, and their worst enemies — the cheese makers. SHOW NOTES Sharang Biswas is a designer and writer of tabletop role-playing games and interactive media, a writer of

en

86:48

Episode 22 - Horror in Actual Play with Gannon Reedy!

The Ultimate RPG Podcast ·

2025/05/20

EPISODE SUMMARYJames is joined by Gannon Reedy in a discussion about time constraints in actual play, especially when it comes to combat. They also talk about visualizing actual play as the GM, how Gutter became a horror podcast and Gannon's approach to making horror actually scary. In the worldbuilding half of the episode, they create an inscrutable god whose whims are impossible to predict, let alone please. SHOW NOTES Gannon Reedy is a visual artist and one fourth of Gutter, a horror comedy

en

89:47

Episode 21 - Collaboration and The Rise of PDFs With...

The Ultimate RPG Podcast ·

2025/05/06

EPISODE SUMMARYJames is joined by Aram Vartian in a discussion about setting professional standards for yourself, the future of TTRPG publishing, the power of collaboration and how it has influenced his work. They also talked about Aram's upcoming projects including Dragon Age: In Darkness Eternal. In the worldbuilding half of the episode, James and Aram create an outer space human civilization with moral AI gods, the discovery of magic, and how it changed everything. SHOW NOTES Aram Vartian

en

115:47

Episode 20 - Preservation and Studying Actual Play...

The Ultimate RPG Podcast ·

2025/04/22

EPISODE SUMMARYJames is joined by Dr. Emily Friedman in a discussion about the unique challenges of studying actual play, "the ambitious middle," the overreliance on digitization as preservation, as well as the responsibility of reviewing actual play and its obstacles. In the worldbuilding half of the episode, James and Dr. Friedman create a punk world that answers the question "What if Rococo got covered in ash?" SHOW NOTES Dr. Emily Friedman is a scholar, critic, and a tenured associate

en

96:35

Episode 19 - TTRPG Reviews and Corporate Horror with...

The Ultimate RPG Podcast ·

2025/04/08

EPISODE SUMMARYJames is joined by Sam Leigh in a discussion about their inspirations, what tarot can bring to TTRPGs, how they approach reviewing games, the future of their videos, and more. In the worldbuilding half of the episode, James and Sam create a horror corporation that hides its true actions behind friendly little mascots. SHOW NOTES Sam Leigh is an award-winning tabletop game designer and the owner of Blinking Birch Games. Other than designing their own games, Sam also writes and edits

en

82:19

Episode 18 - Solo TTRPGs and Abandoned Circuses with...

The Ultimate RPG Podcast ·

2025/03/25

EPISODE SUMMARYJames is joined by Kienna Shaw in a discussion about the draw of solo and duet TTRPGs for them and whether the inability to be present for solo games changes how they design their games. Kienna also discusses their strengths and weaknesses as a designer and the biggest difference working on videogames vs TTRPGs has been, in their experience. In the worldbuilding half of the episode, James and Kienna create an abandoned prison turned abandoned circus turned horror game setting. SHOW

en

99:44

Episode 17 - The Evolution of Actual Plays with Jeff...

The Ultimate RPG Podcast ·

2025/03/11

EPISODE SUMMARYJames is joined by Jeff Stormer in a discussion about Jeff's evolving sense of what "Party of One" is, the evolving perceptions of what actual play should be, and the possible negative side effects of that. They also talk about what WebFests mean to Jeff as an artist. In the second half of the episode they create a superhero with reality warping powers and a moral code made of steel. SHOW NOTES Jeff Stormer is an award-winning podcaster, author, marketing content writer, and game

en

72:54

Episode 16 - Unfinished Games and Adrenaline Junkies...

The Ultimate RPG Podcast ·

2025/02/25

EPISODE SUMMARYJames is joined by Viditya Voleti in a discussion about the benefits of leaving games unfinished and the decision making process behind prioritizing projects, choosing which games to publish, and how to price them. They also discuss the differences in designing a game when you're envisioning it as a physical vs digital product. In the second half of the episode, James and Viditya create a sunken cyberpunk city in a post-climate-crisis dystopian world. SHOW NOTES Viditya Voleti is an

en

77:58

Episode 15 - Anti-Gatekeeping TTRPGs and Game Editing...

The Ultimate RPG Podcast ·

2025/02/11

EPISODE SUMMARYJames is joined by Sean Foer in a discussion around the magic of introducing children and other beginners to the boundless creativity of TTRPGs, common mistakes game designers make, and his upcoming adventure module for Perils and Princesses called "Secret of the Night Market." In the second half of the episode, James and Sean create a sci-fi murder mystery! SHOW NOTES Sean Foer is a professional Game Master, consultant, and Tiktok creator, as well as a game designer and editor. You

en

95:11

Episode 14 - D&D Memes, Expanding Your TTRPG...

The Ultimate RPG Podcast ·

2025/01/28

EPISODE SUMMARYJames is joined by Ryan Mossberger in a discussion about how Ryan got into D&D, old school RPG forum discussions, what makes a game designer, as well as the experience of discovering TTRPGs outside of D&D. In the second half of the episode, James and Ryan created a Grimdark legion of godlings with microniche domains and very complicated relationships. SHOW NOTES Ryan Mossberger is a TTRPG creator making memes and TikToks as well as adventures and other small form TTRPG content. You

en

108:49

Episode 13 - Catering to the Audience and...

The Ultimate RPG Podcast ·

2025/01/14

EPISODE SUMMARYJames is joined by Ned Donovan in a discussion around their differing creative philosophies around actual play, Ned's three pillar theory, as well as the idea of divorcing parasociality from actual play. He also shares insights about the creation of Encounter Party. In the worldbuilding portion of the episode, they create a world where everybody is always watching and it would be a fatal mistake to take the wrong turn than the one your GPS is telling you. SHOW NOTES Ned Donovan is an

en

67:33

Episode 12 - Impersonations, Creative Outlets, and...

The Ultimate RPG Podcast ·

2024/12/31

EPISODE SUMMARYJoin James as he and Knife Lore talk about bringing characters to life with impersonations, trying to have a creative outlet in a bite size format, and the importance of using your platform and resources for good causes. For the worldbuilding portion of the episode, they created a "magical unpaid intern in the worst bureaucracy imaginable." SHOW NOTES Knife Lore is a TikTok creator, impersonator, full time law student, and actual play performer. You can check out their actual play

en

110:18

Episode 11 - Intention, Community, and Natural Magic...

The Ultimate RPG Podcast ·

2024/12/17

EPISODE SUMMARY Join James as he and Jeeyon discuss intention behind her prose approach of writing games, the experience of working with a game editor, and growing a community on Patreon! Then hang as they create a world based on natural magic. SHOW NOTES Jeeyon Shim is a second generation Korean American indie role-playing game and live action role-playing game designer and writer. A former outdoor educator, her body of work is strongly influenced by themes of connection to the natural world

en

96:18

Episode 9 - Horrors and the Real World with Kendo!

The Ultimate RPG Podcast ·

2024/12/03

EPISODE SUMMARYJoin James as he and Kendo discuss Voices in the Woods and how the real world and real world politics have influenced it. Then hang with them as they create a sci-fi horror world about a species of gaseous beings and the monsters that hunt them. SHOW NOTES Over the past several years Kendo has been combining their passion for TTRPGs and Digital Storytelling to create a wide variety of tabletop content. From Actual Plays to educational and promotional content they live, breath, and

en

29 results

Similar Podcasts

Expres Ráno

Expres FM

詭哭郎嚎

郎祖筠 & FMTaiwan製作團隊

Ron en Erik Podcast

Ron en Erik

Poor Man"s Pinball Podcast

Poor Men Ian and Drew

WeAreChange on Odysee

WeAreChange