Tabletop and Gaming Podcasts
As the production and publishing of podcasts has grown easier over time, even the nichest of niche genres have an impressive selection, even podcasts that cater to role-playing and video game fans. I adore podcasts, but the nerdly podcast scene is notoriously unpredictable when it comes to quality. I know I’m picky, but they often lack the professionalism, content, or regularity that I need to become invested. Here, in this small but tenacious article, are my recommendations for role-playing and vidya game podcasts.
Table-Top Gaming
- Podgecast
My first choice for table-top gaming is a podcast that has recently retired but is still worth listening to. The hosts of the Podgecast, in addition to having exactly my kind of humor, have discovered over the course of 200 episodes what they love and expect out of table-top gaming. (Protip: It’s anything written by Luke Crane.) Always endearing and surprisingly insightful, the Podgecast was my “original” podcast. It made me fall in love with the format. Do yourself a favor and dig through their archives. - Thursday Knights
Thursday Knights chronicles the ongoing D&D adventures of a dedicated group of players. They are an “actual play” podcast, where they dish up only slightly edited recordings of gaming sessions. Actual plays aren’t my cup of tea, but you should give Thursday Knights a shot if you’re eager to see if you’ll like it. At the very least, you’ll get to hear exactly how ridiculous we all sound while playing D&D and, hopefully, come to embrace and love it. - Jennisodes
One of the few journalistic podcasts in the role-playing scene, Jenn Jennisodes has managed to transcend her humble beginnings as a Trap Cast host to create a very successful interview show. With regular visits from game developers, the Jennisodes are a valuable and informative gateway into the indie rpg scene. - The Brilliant Gameologists
Once, three very smart and funny best friends got together to talk about games into a mic. Then one got preggers and the baby ate the podcast. Seriously, go back and listen to the archives if you want the absolute funniest, crudest, and criticalist podcasts about the role-playing hobby. - RPG Podcasts
An index of current RPG podcasts, you’ll be sure to find something that delivers exactly what you want.
Vidya Gaming
- Splitkick: Fall Damage / Rocket Jump
I only discovered the Splitkick sister podcasts in the last month. I’m already adoring the improv-heavy masturbatory style of Falling Damage and the more structured format of Rocket Jump. I’m suspecting that these podcasts will become my “Podgecast” for video games: fun friends that have a great report talking intelligently about exactly what video games mean to them. Also, getting two updates a week doesn’t hurt. - Retronauts
The Retronauts, brought to us by 1up.com, started by the genius of Jeremy Parish, the only gaming blogging celebrity from the 90’s that I still follow. Loving, insightful looks into gaming of the past. (Clarification: Parish is a contributor to the Retronauts blog, but has since passed the mic on.)
