Happy 40th Anniversary Dungeons And Dragons!

Dungeons and Dragons turns 40 this year!  Its hard to pin down the exact date of when exactly Dungeons and Dragons officially turns 40 but it all started back in 1974, and from the origins of Chainmail, Gary and Dave created a game we all love to play that still fires our imaginations to this day!  

So raise a glass of Mountain Dew, throw a d20 or some 3d6, or perhaps create a new character in honor of the 40th Anniversary of this amazing game!

What does the future hold? Perhaps this video will show off what is to be the next version of Dungeons and Dragons as Chris Perkins intros DnD Next!

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Videos : CastAR - Founder Made This With Dungeon And Dragons In Mind. +Kickstarter

Jeri Ellsworth and Rick Johnson formerly of Valve have created their own company called Technical Illusions (click name for website), and their first product is called CastAR.  This product is current underway at Kickstarter which you can find the link here to go and contribute.  

Basically the system is a set of glasses similar to the ones used for Home 3d TV viewing where each eye piece turns on and off at various rates to simulate 3d worlds, however they've also combined two pico projectors above each eye piece along with a tracking sensor in the center bridge.  This configuration allows for projecting your viewpoint forward  when looking at a reflective fabric, similar to those used in road signs or safety tape, at a scene or world.  This allows for everyone around an table to have their own viewpoints and a shared experience for various applications, be it educational or in entertainment such as role playing or board gaming.  

In the video above Rick indicated that he specifically created this system with Dungeons and Dragons in mind as their group was fearful of as they got older about if they would be able to get together and play D&D together.  

Also one of the cool things is that since there is a lot of the processing done within the glasses themselves they hope to get this so it'll connect to your phone or tablet and can be run straight from that device so no bulky computer to hook up to and play.  All you would do is plug into your phone connect to a game/server/whatever and then start playing.  

This could revolotionize playing together on a large scale if the end price and production model is both good looking and affordable for either individual or group purchase.

One of the other benefits is that unlike the Occulus Rift you don't get nausea that some people get after using those VR devices.  Check out the videos below.  The first is Jeri and John over at Tested.com showing off the gear and getting the Kickstarter going.  The second is from Jeri's channel and her story of the 18 month journey.  The last video is the initial showing at Makerfaire San Mateo last year, (which i totally missed!!).  

Here are some other videos demoing/talking about the CastAR system:

Video : Daffy Duck - "The Wizard"

I recently found this old Daffy cartoon from merrie melodies where Daffy is a Wizard.  Its pretty funny if you like old skewl heavy metal with a bit of Dungeons and Dragons fantasy thrown in ;)

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Video : Dungeons and Dragons 80's Cartoon Like You've Never Seen It Before!

Over on the youtubes user MasterWGS uploaded this parody of the camptasticaly awful 1980's Dungeons and Dragons cartoon! Yes, I admit, I own the box set of the animated series!  


The video is laid out as if it's a replay of an actual campaign with rolls for attacks, skill checks, and saves and both players and DM Joel alike are frustrated by the outcome.  

Its similar to MST3K in the sense that you get to hear all the comedic gold that goes into a session of DnD even though the "adventure journal" might not reflect those quips and taunts.

Check out the video below and head over to his channel for more of his gaming videos as well as others.  (Warning NSFW Language)




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Video : Game Of Thrones Parody!

You know that bit I said about not posting much about tv shows, well scratch that, here is even more goodness for Game of Thrones lovers!  


Below is a very well done parody video of a Maroon 5 Song set to Game of Thrones be the good folks over at BarelyPolitical. Beware there are some spoilers for those who haven't seen up to the end of Season 1, slackers get watch'n!  


Now I don't expect to post more of this type of thing, as Season 2 just ended last Sunday, but I'm still holding out hopes for a video of 10 min video of Theon Greyjoy screaming then being knocked out by his men after his speech at Winterfell! Hehe.





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Game Of Thrones : You Can't Spell Pimp Without Imp!

I normally don't post to many things about TV shows/hbo series, but I'm really loving the Game of Thrones Season 2 episodes.  Last weeks episode of the uncertainty of our favorite character, Hey! I need to know, NOW, and I don't mind spoilers, so I quickly did some searches on the google ;) What I came across were numerous images and phrases in poster, tshirt, and other forms of media on the interwebs all with similar sloglans such as "You can't spell Pimp with out the Imp", "Imp'n ain't easy", or simplly (P)Imp!  Hehe.  I may be late to the party on these but here are a few of my faves:

 

Bonus Image after the jump (mild spoiler)

Game Of Thrones : King Joffery , Slapped Again!

So Game Of Thrones season 2 episode 1 started up again last night and it was a pretty good opener!  They set up lots of plot devices and twists which will undoubtedly unfurl as the season progresses.  I typically don't like to watch series as they are broadcast, I like to either watch the dvd releases or streams back to back so I don't have to wait for the next installment.  Guess I'll have to wait each week now that i'm hooked!

As soon as I saw it, Joffery getting slapped once again, I went to the web hoping someone on the east coast had created a new loop of the "King" getting his ass handed to him by his mother.  Alas no one has created one yet!  I did find a new version of the old "loop" that is the best I've seen yet.  Joffery is such a twit and Tyrion is such a awesome character.  Lets hope Tyrion makes it through to the next season!



Update:  Apparently in one of the trailers has the scene from the last nights episode of Joffery getting the bejesus wacked out of him. Here is the trailer, the scene is at :33 seconds.  Anyone want to take up the banner of creating an awesome sequel? Hehe.



Overall this is a great fantasy setting you can garner lots of reference info from for use in your home game.  Great characters, plots, intrigue, monsters, and of course dragons!

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Video - It's A New Role Playing Game!

Hehe. This comic originally appeared in the 1st Edtion AD&D Dungeon Masters Guide, or was it the Players Handbook...  Regardless, I found it quite humorous to think of "fantasy" characters playing the mundane lives of modern day folks (this was way before "The Sims").


The sketch comedy troupe "Caution: May Contain Nuts" have created their own take on the comic that perfectly  recreates the feeling and humor of the original comic.  Be sure to check out their youtube channel and their website!  Here is the video:





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Dragon Age: Redemption - Episode 6 - Last One!

Oh No's! Looks like Felicia Day's Dragon Age based web series, called Dragon Age : Redemption, ends with this last episode, episode 6!  This episode is a doozy! So enjoy now 13:44 min of epic climatic battle!  Too bad its over :(



Don't forget to check out Greg Aronowitz's blog barnyardfx.  He's got a whole bunch of of new pics from the most recent episode and lots of behind scenes and the making of's that went into the series.


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Dragon Age: Redemption - Episode 5

Felicia Day, is back with Episode 5 of her Dragon Age based web series called  Dragon Age : Redemption! Check out the video below.  There's some nice bar brawling in this episode as well as secrets and true motives revealed, if a bit cliché.  Even so its another great suspense filled episode that ends with a bit of a cliff hanger!   Andraste's ass indeed!






Don't forget to check out Greg Aronowitz's blog barnyardfx.  He's got a whole bunch of of new pics from the most recent episode and lots of behind scenes and the making of's that went into the series.

Hope you enjoyed this post and thanks for stopping by!

Dragon Age: Redemption - Episode 4

Felicia Day, is back with Episode 4 of her Dragon Age based web  series called  Dragon Age : Redemption! Check out the video below.  The video is a bit dark at first, literally, but "It gets betta!"  This episode seems to be the traditional "tavern" setup and the group "bonds" over a good meal and a stiff drink! But where there is drink there is always going to be a fight for one reason or another! Hehe.





Don't forget to check out Greg Aronowitz's blog barnyardfx.  He's got a whole bunch of of new pics from the most recent episode and lots of behind scenes and the making of's that went into the series.


Hope you enjoyed this post and thanks for stopping by!

Dragon Age: Redemption - Episode 3

Felicia Day, is back with Episode 3 of her Dragon Age based web  series called  Dragon Age : Redemption! Check out the video below and, yes, it's the most action packed yet!  Also if you've missed Episode 1 or 2 check'em out here to catch up!







Don't forget to check out Greg Aronowitz's blog barnyardfx.  He's got a whole bunch of of new pics from the most recent episode and lots of behind scenes and the making of's that went into the series.


Hope you enjoyed this post and thanks for stopping by!

Dragon Age: Redemption - Episode 1 and Episode 2

cinemagraph by Aaron M on G+

Felicia Day, one of geekdoms smartest and hottest red heads, is staring in a new video series that she wrote based in BioWare's Dragon Age Game Setting and is titled Dragon Age : Redemption!


Funny my current campaign is called Planescape : Redemption, its been going on for three years now.




Unlike her series The Guild, this story is based AND executed within a high fantasy world! So if you like your redheads slim and a little "dev-elvish", see what I did there, oh oh I know, LAME, anyways... check out the first two episodes below!  There pretty good!





If you're keen on seeing how some of the creature effects and costumes are done check out Greg Aronowitz's blog barnyardfx.  He's got a whole bunch of pics from the shoots and the making of's.  You might also recognize Greg from some of the other "The Guild" builds, such as the costumes and props for the "Date My Avatar Video". Also he help create "The Guild Sells Out" series which includes the awesome vork bank!

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King Of The Who... - Monty Python And The Holy Grail In Lego!

Over on Flickr user geekytom has built a nice recreation of the guys from Monty Python from the movie Monty Python And The Holy Grail.  Check out his entire recreation of figures here in close up detail!  They were made for BrickCon 2011.


bonus: here is the lego video from years gone by of the Camelot Scene all done in Lego too!





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The Guild - Now As Soda! Thanks!, Jones Soda Co.

Just saw this and its Awesome! The Guild has been turned into Soda Flavors! WOOT!


Over at Jones Soda Co., the ones who also gave us our Dungeons and Dragons and Buffy The Vampire Slayer Soda Fix, comes The Guild Limited Edition Soda 6-pack for $12.99.  Now you can mix up the gaming goodness at your next LAN Party, Dungeon Crawl, or Board Game Night with some tasty beverages!


Flavors include:

• Vork Green Apple Soda
• Codex Strawberry Lime
• Bladezz Cola
• Clara Berry
• Tinkerballa Grape
• Zaboo Blue Bubblegum

Get them while they last!


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Celebrity D&D Game At Gen Con 2010

Yes this is from 2010 not 2011.  We're still all waiting for those videos to appear.  Apparently this is something I missed the first time it was posted to the Wizards of the Coast youtube channel dndwizards. I also gather that many of you might have missed it too, so I've compiled the videos here for you to view at your leisure.   


The videos are after the jump, are of a game of Dungeons and Dragons played gaming celebrities Ed Greenwood creator of The Forgotten Realms Campaign Setting, Larry Elmore artist of Snarfquest; also Dragonlance Campaign Setting, Bob Salvatore author of the Dark Elf Trilogy including many others staring Drizzt Do'Urden, and DM'd by none other than the DM to the "stars" Chris Perkins!  


Wow, that's some line up!  Also as you'll see three lucky guests from the audience get to roll the funny multi-sided plastic dice alongside these fantasy illuminaries. (Illuminaries or Illuminati?!)


The encounter itself revolves around the release of the "new" red box, or should I say just after the events of the red box.  Chris Perkins created an adventure that was given as a handout at the event and takes place just after the completion of the adventure in the "new" red box.  


If you would like to DM the encounter you can find and download via this link here.  (If you want to play this adventure then you might want to skip the videos as it would then contain spoilers, so to speak, and certainly don't download and read through the adventure, just forward the link onto your DM).


Here are the videos:

Yogscast Plays D and D - Kinda

While we wait for the vids to be posted from the LIVE play event of Dungeon and Dragons at PAX here is a slightly similar video/series to tide us over.


The following video follows another of our favorite band of adventurers, namely the three personalities from "The Yogscast" Lewis, Simon, and Hannah!  This video is an animation done by a Yogscast fan, who's done many other treatments of the "yogpods" aka podcasts. Now lets tune in and see how the group handles the start of their adventure, which I think is in Eberron. Or tune in and see how they don't really get anywhere fast, hehe. 





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Yes, Female Armor Sucks!

This video is pretty much the conversation that goes on when you get a girl to join your campaign and they start to look at the armor options for females in the various role playing games or female miniatures.


Even though it has gotten better over the years,  I've always been a bit peeved at the illustrators and sculptors for not offering more practical clothing and miniatures for the female gamers out there. 


Now some of the girls I've played RPG's with did enjoy a little skin and sex appeal to their characters, the majority if not ALL, pointed out the absurdity of the "chain mail bikini". In addition not being able to find one mini to their liking that wasn't a busty robed wizard, or a busty elf maiden, or busty halfling serving wench, etc. It would seem that in most of the fantasy game worlds half of the population is running around topless with breast sizes that would make most of southern California blush!  No wonder the number of women playing RPG's is in the minority, sheesh!  Well here is a little video that clearly points out the absurdity of a "chain mail bikini"...


Stay for the ending when the roles are reversed! Woot!




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Roll for Initiative!

Bill Amend who draws FoxTrot (One of the best comics ever!) Posted the following strip on his site:

He also notes that he's aware of d20's having triangular sides and indicates he's a moron for drawing the d20's wrong!  Don't worry Bill every DM has his "off" days ;)  For more great "geek" humor head over to Bill's site, he's got great strips on video games, MMORPGS, etc.!


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Dune! Finally A Version I Can Watch!

I think I could watch this version of dune in a single afternoon! Hilarious!





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