May 212018
 

Matt-with-troll-stonewallbg

Over the years I’ve been able to write several articles and film over 2000 videos for the gaming industry; most of those are published on my YouTube Channel.  In the beginning there were minis, then RPGs, food, and then board games. Now there is everything – which is great but it’s clear my fans are role-players, wargamers, and then board gamers.

To be successful I have to slow down and listen to you more.  That’s why this year is the year of community. I have reflected on the numbers, and you want me to talk about Pathfinder, D&D, wargames, and everyone loves my convention coverage.  Then there are those of you that love my Box Breakings – don’t worry they’re not going anywhere! Some of you have also been talking with me about the production quality of my videos. I appreciate the feedback, and that’s why I’m shooting for a new camera this year.

In order to do all of this I need to make some changes; these are not necessarily in any particular order. One thing I will be evaluating is launching new channels that focus on specific genres, but that is something I want you to help me decide.

 

Build a bigger stronger community                 IMG_1851

  • Facebook groups – private
  • Community feedback chatsMeet ups
  • Push forward with RPG
  • Consistent Flip Throughs
  • More Role-Play Ramblings
  • Run at least one game per con

Bring back wargaming to my channel

  • Terrain building
  • Battle reports
  • More game specific content
  • New show Wargame Wandering – not confirmed yet
  • Board games
    • Box Breakings remain and improve
    • More reviews or how tos
    • Fiction and technical content
  • My game world                                                IMG_2194
    • Tools
    • Adventures
    • Monsters
    • Magic
    • NPCs
    • Short stories
  • I would like to organize events again!
    • I used to organize events like a mad man and I miss it.
    • I would love to create my very own game con!
    • This is kind of lofty right now.
  • More conventions
    • I would like to make Origins, Gen Con, and Adepticon staples for every season.
    • Gary Con and Paizo Con would be awesome too!

Wow, that’s a lot of stuff!  I currently commit about 20 hours per week to creating content for Through Gamer Goggles with more crunch hours around conventions.  Which for the content I produce is just about right. With some better organization I can do more. Heck, if I had it my way I’d be doing it 40-60 hours a week, but that’s just not realistic right now.

IMG_1783

 

In order for Through Gamer Goggles to continue improving, I need you. I can’t possibly build a community without you. If you would like to help grow the Through Gamer Goggles community please check out our Kickstarter.  It’s full of all kinds of goodies like promos and digital copies!

Dragonfire Play Through and Review

 Catalyst Game Labs, Dragonfire, Featured  Comments Off on Dragonfire Play Through and Review
Apr 182018
 

My Dragonfire play through and review. This is my first attempt at a real play through.  I hope you like it. I do believe  I made an error or 2. I think i’m going to post a follow up video that is a play through of the first round. I learned a lot and had all kinds of problems with software. That caused issues with YouTube postponing the publication of this video. In other words I’m sorry this took so long.

With it all said and done I can say that I thoroughly enjoy Dragonfire and I hope to see a lot of expansion items for it in the future.

Gen Con 50 coverage 14: Gaming Paper with Erik Bauer

 Featured, Gaming Paper, Gen Con 2017  Comments Off on Gen Con 50 coverage 14: Gaming Paper with Erik Bauer
Aug 232017
 

I caught up with Erik Bauer of Gaming Paper at Gen Con  50.  We talked about paper and the the future of Mega dungeon and the potential for Starfinder.

Any one else looking forward to the vinyl mats?

Box Breaking 216: Ruins of Azlant Dice from Q Workshop

 Box Breaking, Featured, Q-Workshop  Comments Off on Box Breaking 216: Ruins of Azlant Dice from Q Workshop
Aug 172017
 

In this Box Breaking Matt Takes a look at the Ruins of Azlant themed dice from Q Workshop. Each die has etched markings or runes hinting free spirits and destiny.

I will keep you posted on how they roll.

PATHFINDER TALES: Shy Knives

 Gaming News  Comments Off on PATHFINDER TALES: Shy Knives
Sep 222016
 

The tale of a clever rogue and her angelic partner pit against a centaur army

 

PATHFINDER TALES: Shy Knives

By Sam Sykes

Tor Books and Paizo are pleased to announce a new and original novel set in the Pathfinder universe: PATHFINDER TALES: Shy Knives (A Tor Trade Paperback; $14.99; On-sale October 18, 2016) by Sam Sykes.

 

Shy Ratani is a clever rogue who makes her living outside of strictly legal methods. While hiding out in the frontier city of Yanmass, she accepts a job solving a nobleman’s murder, only to find herself sucked into a plot involving an invading centaur army that could see the whole city burned to the ground. Shy could stop that from happening, but doing so would involve revealing herself to the former friends who now want her dead. Add in an aristocratic partner with the literal blood of angels in her veins, and Shy quickly remembers why she swore off doing good deeds in the first place.

Continue reading »

Gen Con 2016 Coverage 23: Realm Works overview

 Featured, Gen Con 2016  Comments Off on Gen Con 2016 Coverage 23: Realm Works overview
Aug 132016
 

A demo of the Realm Works product from Lone Wolf.  They demonstrate the features using an example from the Emerald Spire for Pathfinder, a future release.  What I like about this is the fact that you can do a fog of war type of game for your party.  More importantly is the fact that you double check your work before revealing it to the party.

This will be ideal for some many gae groups it’s not funny. Where I think it will see a lot of use is in remote games.

Gen Con Coverage 2016 11: Eric of Anti Matter Games

 Featured, Gen Con 2016  Comments Off on Gen Con Coverage 2016 11: Eric of Anti Matter Games
Aug 102016
 

Had the chance to meet up with Eric from Antimatter Games at Gen Con.  Deep Sea is a miniatures game about underwater combat.  You can even get the bends.

Check out the Through Gamer Goggles Facebook page to see some pics of Deep Sea – the shark is awesome.

Role-Play Ramblings 6: The Role of Death

 Featured, Role-Play Ramblings Season 1  Comments Off on Role-Play Ramblings 6: The Role of Death
May 052016
 

In this Role-Play Ramblings Matt discusses the role of death as it pertains to players and their characters.  Is it morally acceptable for  a GM to kill off PC’s.

This concludes the first season of Role-Play Ramblings.  I hope to start season two very soon, check back, or follow us on Twiite and Facebook for the Kickstarer announcements.

Gen Con and Paizo Three Years of Co-Sponsorship

 Paizo Publishing  Comments Off on Gen Con and Paizo Three Years of Co-Sponsorship
May 042016
 

GEN CON PARTNERS WITH PAIZO ON THREE YEAR CO-SPONSORSHIP
INDIANAPOLIS (April 22, 2016) Gen Con, North America’s largest and longest-running gaming convention, has agreed to a new three-year contract with game company Paizo Inc, extending their Co-Sponsorship which began in 2013. This new agreement will extend through Gen Con 2018. At Gen Con 2016, Paizo will have a large Exhibit Hall presence, increased on-site branding and marketing, and will continue hosting hundreds of Pathfinder® Role Playing Game events in its dedicated space in the Indiana Convention Center’s Sagamore Ballroom.

“Our team is pleased to see Paizo return as a Co-Sponsor,” said Adrian Swartout, CEO/Owner of Gen Con. “It has been amazing to watch their explosive growth over the past several years, and their Pathfinder gaming events are among the most popular and most attended yearly. With more than 14,000 events to choose from at Gen Con, that is quite the accomplishment!”

Launched at Gen Con 2009, Paizo’s Pathfinder RPG has become a phenomenon, capturing the attention of passionate gamers from around the world. Now, having won more than 50 major awards, Paizo has become one of the most influential companies in the hobby game industry.

“Gen Con gets bigger and better each year, and has become an annual homecoming for more than 60,000 gamers,” says Erik Mona, Paizo Publisher and Chief Creative Officer. “This year, Paizo will host a slew of Gen Con-exclusive Pathfinder events and promotions, and we’re thrilled to return as Co-Sponsor of this must-attend event for game fans everywhere.”

Gen Con 2016 will take place Thursday, August 4 through Sunday, August 7 at the Indiana Convention Center in Indianapolis. Last year, Gen Con set an attendance record with more than 61,000 unique attendees. With attendees from all 50 states, every Canadian province, and more than 54 countries, Gen Con is an international destination for gaming. Badges currently are available at gencon.com.

About Gen Con
Gen Con, LLC produces the largest consumer hobby, fantasy, science fiction, and adventure game convention in North America, Gen Con, The Best Four Days In Gaming!™. Acquired in 2002 by former CEO and founder of Wizards of the Coast Peter Adkison, the company is headquartered in Seattle, Washington. Gen Con 2016 is co-sponsored by Mayfair Games and Rio Grande Games. For more information, visit www.gencon.com.

Cthulhu Tales Kickstarter

 Cubicle 7  Comments Off on Cthulhu Tales Kickstarter
Nov 202015
 

Cthulhu Tales Cover 800Cubicle 7 are proud to announce the imminent launch of the Cthulhu Tales Kickstarter.

A story-telling card game, designed by award winning designers Francesco Nepitello and Marco Maggi, with stunning art from Scott Purdy, Jon Hodgson and Sam Manley, Cthulhu Tales develops the themes introduced in the Cubicle 7/Sophisticated Games co-production Hobbit Tales, enhancing the structured, story-telling mechanic with a range of new Elder God-appropriate rules and tweaked play style suitable for tales of the Cthulhu Mythos.

Dominic McDowall, Cubicle 7 CEO:
“I’m delighted to be able to bring Cthulhu Tales to Kickstarter this week. It’s a development of the rules which Francesco and Marco have been working on for a long time, and it’s really great to be able to finally bring it to light.

We’re planning a very straight forward campaign. As gamers we’re suffering a little bit from gigantic Kickstarter fatigue, so for this one we have a very clear, simple goal, with a handful of pledge levels. It’s all about the game, and the game is really, really good. Not only is it great fun to play, producing some eerily Lovecraftian stories, but is also shaping up to be one of the most good-looking games we’ve produced. I’m very excited to see how it will do!”

The Cthulhu Tales Kickstarter launches this week.

decFrom the Cubicle 7 website (www.cubicle7.co.uk):

“In relating the circumstances which have led to my confinement within this refuge for the demented, I am aware that my present position will create a natural doubt of the authenticity of my narrative.”
– The Tomb, by H.P. Lovecraft

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fLKYHpLz1Hc

The dawn of the 20th century. New England, America; Lovecraft country.

Home to university libraries filled with worm-eaten tomes, legend-haunted towns populated with degenerate locals and their rustic superstitions, Cyclopean ruins from long-forgotten aeons, and the disquieting glimpses of things from beyond…

You are the unwilling guests of a disquieting and antiquated sanatorium, perhaps the infamous Arkham Sanatorium, or maybe the Danvers State Asylum.

Your only hope of escape is to convince your fellow inmates, and perhaps yourself, that you do not belong here. And so you begin to explain the sinister series of events that led to your unjust incarceration.

Unfortunately, your memories are populated by the stuff of nightmares…

In Cthulhu Tales, players take it in turn to tell their story using a hand of Story cards. The other players play Hazard cards to disrupt and darken the tale. In the course of the game, the narrators receive Treatment tokens, representing the misguided therapies and medication administered to them by the terrifying medical staff.

When everyone has told their tale, count up each player’s Treatment tokens and the player who underwent the least therapies is the winner.

Designed by Francesco Nepitello and Marco Maggi, the designers behind award winning games such as The One Ring Roleplaying Game, Hobbit Tales, The War of the Ring and many more, Cthulhu Tales brings horrifying and darkly humorous story telling to your gaming table.

Inside the box you’ll find:

• 115 beautifully sinister and disquieting, large format playing cards with artwork from the C7 art team Scott Purdy, Jon Hodgson and Sam Manley
• A board to guide your tale-telling
• A 16 page full colour rulebook (which is available for free download now)
• A 12 sided die, or perhaps if the stars are right, a unique Cthulhu Tales 12 sided die
• A set of Treatment tokens

More about the game:
In Cthulhu Tales you take the role of unwilling inmates of a fictional 1920s asylum or sanatorium. Using the cards as both inspiration and guide, you’ll take it in turns to make an accusation explaining why one of your fellow inmates, the Narrator, should be incarcerated.

The unfortunate Narrator then answers the accusation with their card-driven tale – choosing to either explain away the mysterious and sinister events, or perhaps having little choice but to reveal the secrets of the deeper horror that lurks just beyond the veil of reality.

As the Narrator attempts to refute the accusation of madness using Story cards, the other players disrupt the tale with Hazard cards, trying to force things to take a darker turn.

The cards have three main elements that can be used to aid your story. The title, the illustration and a quote from Lovecraft’s fiction. You can use any or all of these as inspiration for your tale. This makes replayability huge, with endless combinations of scenarios, mysteries, situations and horrific scenes possible.

Cthulhu Tales is very much a game, rather than simply a guided storytelling activity – it features structured and elegant rules for the telling of the tale, and for Hazard card interruptions. Players use the symbols on the cards to determine whether a card can be played, and its effect on the Narrator’s tale. The die introduces an element of luck into the proceedings – perhaps that Viscous Black Slime was merely a passing detail, or perhaps its arrival was the precursor to something far more sinister and madness inducing…

Players keep score with Treatment tokens, the aim of the game being to gain as few tokens as possible, and thereby be judged the least insane inmate.

There are, of course, some tweaks along the way – some cards are harder to match with, and thus harder to interrupt. But they come with other dangers: Phobia and Hazard symbols make playing these cards a risky gamble. There are also Deity cards, featuring the mind-bending Mythos deities, whose appearance can change the course of a tale entirely.

There are optional rules for awarding a bonus to the best storyteller, allowing the most Lovecraftian tale to shine, and perhaps take first place.

A Note on Madness.

The Cthulhu Tales rulebook includes this note on “madness”, which we think is pertinent to share here:

Cthulhu Tales deals in the madness described by H.P. Lovecraft in many of his stories. It is a fictional condition, an imagined state of derangement, where the walls of reality fall away and the frail human mind cannot contain the reality of the universe inhabited by The Great Old Ones.

This is an entirely distinct condition to the tragedy and pain of real-world mental health issues which sadly are statistically likely to touch all of our lives. We encourage players of Cthulhu Tales to wholly enjoy the fictional nature of the various maladies and madness described here, while remembering that in the real world mental health issues are no laughing matter.

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