Episode 20 – Fantasy Settings

Summary: Can you imagine a world where J.R.R. Tolkien never wrote The Lord of the Rings? What would things be like if D&D stood for Deficits & Depressions, where we all played as corporate money-launderers and greasy politicians in the high stakes world of corporate finance?  Thankfully, we don't have to think of such horrid things!  Join us this week as we discuss the heart and soul of gaming and geekdom, fantasy settings.  Swash your buckles, sheathe your swords, and definitely gird your loins for this week's discussion, because it's coming at you like at 10d6 fireball! (01:11) - Matt's been the monkey in the cage two weeks in a row, but he spent some quality time with the TV:  Southland, The Daily Show, and The Colbert Report with rounds of Muffin Knight in between. (03:35) - Robert brings us the first round of geek news:  a RoboCop re-boot, X-Men: First Class, and The Catlin Seaview Survey all get discussed. (06:33) - Ramses is whoring his ears out to more podcasts than ever before:  Mike and Tom Eat Snacks and Judge John Hodgman have made the long but distinguished list, plus The Hunger Games! (12:11) - Karen brings us some more awesome entertainment news and the Monkeys respond to some listener e-mails:  The Governor casting, Community lives, George R. R. Martin's A Song of Ice and Fire (aka Game of Thrones), and Story Forge. (20:06) - We dive right in like Gandalf fighting the Balrog.  Ramses leads off the discussion as we discuss our ideas of what makes a fantasy setting:  The Forgotten Realms, High Fantasy vs. Low Fantasy, Star Wars, Eberron, and Middle-earth. (26:07) - Gods walk the earth and the colors are great, but is writing easier in a fantasy setting and what happened to the Gilded Age?  Plus, we talk races and racism in fantasy gaming:  God of War, Enslaved, The Society of Odin, Conan, Shadowrun, and Steampunk are all discussed. (36:56) - We discuss whether or not fantasy is played out (pun intended) - Dungeons & Dragons,  Ravenloft, Planescape, and Mouse Guard. (43:56) - We discuss non-typical fantasy settings like the Final Fantasy franchise, Dystopian worlds, and the beloved Firefly/Serenity series.  Plus, Ramses might be a secret Furry, Robotech was not Evangelion, and what about zombies? (51:24) - We discuss the accessibility of fantasy genres for gamers and non-gamers alike and how you can always come home.  Plus, characters be crazy! Closing Song - Through the Fire and Flames - written and performed by DragonForce