Bonus Experience

Hello Bonus Babies!

This is the final episode of Season Five. Terry joins Monica again with the second half of their very long conversation about experiences with gaming and new people. 

Today we talk about character development in RPGs: what that means, what people want when they say they’re into it, and how games do and don’t support character growth over time. It’s a very interesting discussion and a perfect send-off for our fifth season. 

There WILL be Patron-exclusive content this off-season! We’re launching Bonus Level, a YouTube show where Monica and friends try to talk about interesting tabletop topics while their attention is also on a video game. Two episodes are already available on Patreon and Ko-Fi, so there’s never been a better time to support us. Supporters will get early access to all episodes before the full season goes live, so tell your friends! 

BXP is now also on YouTube. All episodes of Bonus Experience and Systematic Understanding of Everything will be posted to our channel, which you can find here: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCK9Qkt98eLwkx8vRCJwrpTA 

Like and subscribe and all that. 

We love you all, see you next year! 

[ Bonus Experience: the Blog! bxpcast.com | Bonus Experience: the Discord! tinyurl.com/bxpdiscord | Bonus Experience: the YouTube Channel | Bonus Experience: the Twitter! @bonusexpcast | Bonus Experience: the Patreon! patreon.com/bonusexperience ]

Hello Bonus Babies,

Terry (of Mage: the Podcast) joins Monica to talk about the wild experience of teaching Mage to new people and Monica commiserates about her experiences with teaching Exalted to beginners. We discuss the interesting cultural baggage that comes with most folks pop understanding of the hobby and what it’s like to show folks new games.

The topic goes all kinds of interesting places past that. Even more rambling can be heard in the extended cut.

[ Bonus Experience: the Blog! bxpcast.com | Bonus Experience: the Discord! tinyurl.com/bxpdiscord | Bonus Experience: the Twitter! @bonusexpcast | Bonus Experience: the Patreon! patreon.com/bonusexperience ]

Hello Bonus Babies,

Rai had to tap out of hosting early this season, so Monica set up a lobster trap outside her house in order to catch a few new co-hosts.  The last few episodes of Season 5 will be Monica + a friend. Join our Patreon or Discord for details about the nonsense we have planned for the off-seasons!

Here’s the long-awaited new episode. Chazz of Pain in the Dice, OPPCast and Systematic Understanding of Everything joins Monica to discuss games without randomizers. No cards. No dice. No coin flips – just a variety of narrative resolutions. We break down what we like about these games and what makes them work and (most importantly) what’s worth stealing for your own homebrew. 

Here’s a few links to games we discussed: 

Wanderhome: https://possumcreekgames.com/pages/wanderhome

Sleepaway: https://possumcreekgames.com/products/sleepaway

Chuubo’s Marvelous Wish-Granting Engine: https://www.drivethrurpg.com/product/134196/Chuubos-Marvelous-WishGranting-Engine?affiliate_id=22805

Mobile Frame Zero: Firebrands: https://payhip.com/b/nhBY

• Also referenced: Our deep dive about social mechanics – https://bxpcast.com/2020/10/26/bxp-3×13-danielle-monicas-deep-dive-social-mechanics/

Hello Bonus Babies,

We are so very sorry for the silence and lack of updates for a while there. Things have been rough for the whole BXP crew, but we’re BACK. 

Monica overheard a conversation about someone being nervous to play D&D for the first time and their worries about how to be a good player, so here’s today’s episode. Rai and Monica hang out to discuss what sort of things are good to keep in mind when you’re a player for the first time – no matter what game you’re playing. 

We forewent the usual outline structure this time in favor of a more conversational episode, so please enjoy the chaos that comes with that. For even more nonsense, check out the extended cut.