Category Archives: Podcast

Episode 84 – Bringing a Game to Life

Posted on May 21, 2013 by admin | Leave a comment

Gamers want to feel immersed and invested in the games they play and run. Now, while this responsibility can be shared by Players and GMs alike, it will almost certainly falls on the shoulders of the overburdened GM. Bringing something unique and memorable to the gaming table – be it a prop, ambiance, or even food – will definitely stay in the forefront of the Players minds, unlike useless details such as “Where are we?” or “What are we supposed to be doing?” or “What was the name of the guy that hired us?” Join us this week as we welcome our special guest, MITC listener and fellow podcaster JiB of the Happy Jacks RPG community to talk about techniques to help bring a game to life. Strap on a HazMat suit, clean out your test tubes, and be sure to have a plan as you get ready for an all new episode of Monkey in the Cage!

Podcast: Play in new window | Download (Duration: 1:09:02 — 31.6MB)

(01:20) – Ramses cons JiB into buying him a burger, and we talk about Taco Bell Waffle Tacos and exploiting the handicapped! Plus, Wolverine XXX!

(10:07) – Matt and Robert have vastly different GenCon event registration experience. Also, Matt spends some quality time in Rokugan. – Happy Jacks RPG Actual Play

(16:26) – JiB is in full game-prep mode for Gamex 2013, and we talk discuss different game systems – HERO System, Traveller, and World of Darkness

(21:34) – Robert has a new movie addiction and gets around to some board gaming. – Fast Five and The Lost Dutchman

(29:20) – Internet Hate Machine, 1. Zombieland, 0. Also, Karen brings us some awesome Pixar news and possibly the greatest move ever… EVER. - Toy Story of Terror and Medieval Times: The Movie

(36:40) – It’s topic time! Robert leads us off with a discussion on the influence of Savage Worlds from decks of cards to custom bennies.

(40:18) – Karen and JiB lead us in a discussion of the process of immersion, which apparently means food and almost-LARPing. Plus, music!

(44:12) – JiB talks about the importance of keeping the RP going when the minis come out and keeping perspective.

(45:47) – Matt loves him some maps, Google Image search is amazing, and exploiting the Players senses is key. Corpse perfume, anyone?

(50:05) – Give the Players what they want (to see) and the challenge of setting the mood. Plus, the MITC crew is VERY newsworthy.

(59:10) – Props can be a (literal) game changer. Also, unique character sheets, game prep, and everyone gets blow’d up!

Closing Song – The Zombie Song - written and performed by Stephanie Mabey

http://www.kickstarter.com/projects/crashgames/legend-of-the-lost-dutchman

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Posted in Board Games, Conventions, Food, Gaming, Inspiration, Movies, Music, Podcast, Pop-Culture, Role Playing Games, Table Top Games, Television, The Creative Process

Tagged Amazon, Bennies, Carl Weathers, CthulhuTech, Deadlands, Deathstalker II, Disney World Handicapped, Dwayne "The Rock" Johnson, Fast 5, Fast And Furious 6, G.I. Joe, Gamex 2013, Geek, Gen Con 2013, GMing, GMing Advice, Happy Jacks RPG Actual Play, Happy Jacks RPG Podcast, HERO System, kickstarter, L5R, LARP, LARPing, Legend of the Five Rings, McFarland Toys, Medieval Times: The Movie, MitC, Monkey in the Cage, Pixar, Podcast, Rokugan, Role Playing Games, Roleplaying Games, RPGs, Savage Worlds, Stephanie Mabey, Table Top Roleplaying Games, Taco Bell, Test Tube Hamburger, The Fast and The Furious, The Lost Dutchman, The Walking Dead, The Zombie Song, Tokyo Drift, Toy Story of Terror, Traveller, Vin Diesel, Vivid Entertainment, Waffle Tacos, Wolverine XXX, World of Darkness, Zombie Apocalypse, Zombieland TV Show

Episode 83 – Uncaged 11: Codename Punchkicker

Posted on May 14, 2013 by admin | 1 Comment

Hey Monkey Lovers! Have you ever just wanted to cast off the responsibilities of life and enjoy pure unadulterated freedom? Sure we all do, but that bothersome thing called “real life” keeps getting in the way… or does it? For us here at To-Ag Studios, we’ve found the secret door that leads to the fountain of eternal freedom, also known as MITC Uncaged! Join us this week as talk about a little bit of this, a touch of that, and a whole crap-load of awesome over there! Reset your DVR, grill up some questionable food, and buy yourself a whole truckload of salt as you get ready for a brand new episode of Monkey in the Cage!

Podcast: Play in new window | Download (Duration: 59:00 — 27.0MB)

(01:38) – Bears, sharks, and a bad week in TV. – Burn Notice, SouthLAnd, and Happy Endings get the axe and Community survives. Plus Marvel’s Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D. and COPS?

(12:05) – Florida is invading Texas… with SNAILS! All your stucco are belong to us, unless you bring a 3d gun to the invasion! Also, flying cars and Billy Trains.

(21:00) – Dungeons & Dragons the Movie, -2.0…

(25:38) – The Bluth Banana Stand, questionable meat, and BACON!

(34:05) – GenCon’s nightmare Excel worksheet has Matt and Robert taking different approaches to their gaming vacation. Plus, the True Dungeon Event and The World’s Worst Dungeon Crawl!

(45:33) – Robert is hooked on XCOM Enemy Unknown, but Ramses doesn’t get to play, and he hates the French language invasion.

(50:21) – Chinese Meat syndicates and more questionable meat. It’s the Meat Cast!

Closing Song – Welcome to the Jungle – performed by Richard Cheese

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Posted in Conventions, Food, Gaming, Movies, Podcast, Pop-Culture, Role Playing Games, Table Top Games, Television, Video Games

Tagged ABC, Arrested Development, BACON!, Burn Notice, Codename Punchkicker, Community, COPS, Courtney Soloman, Creole, Denny's Baconalia, DnD Next, Dungeon Bastard, Dungeons & Dragons the Movie, Flying Cars, GenCon 2013, Giant African Land Snail, Happy Endings, Hasbro, Kickpuncher, kickstarter, Marvel's Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D., Michael Cudlitz, Netflix, Role Playing Games, Roleplaying Games, Self-Driving Car, Slater's 50/50, Southland, Steam, Tabletop Roleplaying Games, The 'Liberator' 3d Gun, The Bluth Banana Stand, The World's Worst Dungeon Crawl, Troy and Abed, USA Network, Warner Bros., XCOM Enemy Unknown

Episode 82: Iron Man 3

Posted on May 7, 2013 by admin | 4 Comments

The summer blockbuster movie season has officially begun! Last week’s release of Iron Man 3 has already seen it reach the second highest opening take behind Avengers, but, as always, not everyone is impressed (such is the way of us geeks)! Join us this week as we discuss the movie, Robert Downey Jr., and all manner of geeky and Iron-y Man-y (yeah, it’s a thing) goodness. Charge up your Unibeam, polish up the Mark XLII Armor, and get ready for some holiday cheer as we talk Iron Man 3 on a brand new episode of Monkey in the Cage!

Podcast: Play in new window | Download (Duration: 1:04:12 — 29.4MB)

(01:15) – Ramses delivers sexy-time internet news in his patented style! – Mars has a Penis, Durex Funderwear, and Man-gerie. Plus, Pop-Tart ice cream sandwiches??

(09:40) – Robert finally gets a Kickstarter reward, Traveller 5 (aka The Maths)!

(15:10) – When he’s not doing quantum mechanics for gaming, Robert is watching Amazon pilots like Zombieland, and he coup de grâces Far Cry 3.

(19:34) – Matt continues to be a finisher! – Borderlands 2 and R.A. Salvatore’s The Ghost King. Plus, the d20monkey webcomic!

(25:08) – Karen reports on some awesome casting news this week, and there are Lady-boners everywhere! – Guys and Dolls, The Strain, and Peter Panzerfaust? Also, Mjolnir goes low-rent and 3d printers go mainstream!

*** There are SPOILERS AHEAD!!! You’ve been warned!!! ***

(36:04) – It’s topic time! Karen and Ramses didn’t make it to the movie, but got educated via the internets, and Robert leads off with the strength of Shane Black’s touch and the continuity with Avengers.

(39:33) – Matt talks about the overall character development of Tony Stark across four films, Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder, and the step away from call-backs.

(43:24) – Iron Man vs. Tony Stark, Robert has (suit) issues, and we talk about the Mandarin twist (which should probably be a drink).

(47:48) – We discuss Guy Pearce as Aldrich Killian, AIM, and the Extremis storyline. Plus, we get serious and reflect on the Boston Marathon bombings.

(52:01) – Overseas Cha-CHING, Ty Simpkins holds his own with Robert Downey Jr., and the isolation of Tony Stark, and the “House Party Protocol.” Also, Robert has some issues with minor CGI and Gwyneth Paltrow gets ninja skillz!

(58:41) – The end of Iron Man(?), the character driven story, and the great Mark Ruffalo after credit cameo.

Closing Song – Horse Right Here – music and lyrics by Frank Loesser

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Posted in Books, Comic Books, Food, Gaming, Holidays, Movies, Podcast, Pop-Culture, Role Playing Games, Table Top Games, Television, Video Games

Tagged 4E, @d20Monkey, Aldrich Killian, Amazon Pilots, Avengers, Black Widow, Borderlands 2, Buffy the Vampire Slayer, Captain America Winter Soldier, Channing Tatum, Corey Stoll, d20monkey webcomic, Dread, Dungeons & Dragons, Durex Funderwear, Far Cry 3, First Person Shooter, fx, Gaming, Geek, Guardians of the Galaxy, Guillermo Del Toro, Guy Pearce, Guys and Dolls, Hawkeye, HommeMystere, Horse Right Here, House Party Protocol, Hulk, Iron Man, Iron Man 3, Iron Patriot, Jon Favreau, Joseph Gordon-Levitt, Joss Whedon, Kevin Durand, kickstarter, Lingerie for Men, Mark 42 Armor, Mark Ruffalo, Mark XLII Armor, MitC, Mjölnir, Monkey in the Cage, NASA, Neverwinter MMO, Open World Gaming, Pepper Potts, Podcast, Pop-Tart ice cream sandwiches, PTSD, R.A. Salvatore, Robert Downey Jr., Roleplaying Games, RPG, Shadowfell, Shane Black, Staples 3d printer, Table Top Roleplaying Games, Tesla-Coil, Thanos, The Forgotten Realms, The Ghost King, The Incredible Hulk, The Mandarin, The Strain, The Strain Trilogy, The Sundering, Thor, Thor The Dark World, Tony Stark, Traveller, Traveller 5, Unibeam, War Machine, Zombieland TV Show, Zombies

Episode 81 – Thac0: The Movie

Posted on April 30, 2013 by admin | Leave a comment

In the time that we here at To-Ag Studios have been recording, we’ve taken our fair share of shots to the chin, as individuals and as a group. This week, not only did we take that shot again, it was followed by a shin-kick to the groin and a wet-willy to boot. Join us this week as we take an errant trip down the rabbit hole resulting in a questionable experience with Thac0: The Movie. Take inventory of your dice, be sure to steam-clean your gaming cloak, and whatever you do… don’t hassle Neil Gaiman as you prepare for a brand new episode of Monkey in the Cage!

Podcast: Play in new window | Download (Duration: 1:03:09 — 28.9MB)

(03:44) – Robert can’t kick his dance-movie habit, gets his shooter on, and reads some good geek novels. – The FP, BioShock Infinite, and The Dresden Files.

(13:19) – Matt finally makes it into law enforcement, Gets himself caught up on Hellboy, – Prison Tycoon 3: Lock Down, Hellboy in Hell, and Sledgehammer ’44.

(20:16) – Ramses brings us some “dog” news, Red Bull gets revenge, and Nutella Thieves!

(26:25) – Karen and Ramses loves them the murder. – Hannibal, Those Who Kill, The Killing, and CSI

(34:50) – Ramses makes the mistake of letting Karen “ride along.” – RISK!

(38:51) – It’s topic time! Matt gives a brief rundown of the movie Thac0 but throws it a bone, Karen uses that bone to beat it upside the head, and we discuss the overall performance’s high and low points in acting.

(42:54) – Gamer tropes, stereotypes, and forced comedy – oh my!

(46:01) – We relate to the Edition Wars, snap-geek judgements, and the “in-town gaming” experience complete with rooting through each others stuff. Plus, Cthulhu!

(50:03) – We each hit our thresholds at different times, but all kept watching regardless, thanks to the reception of the overarching geek community. Plus, Robert and Matt out-nerd the nerds.

(53:14) – Karen offers up some thoughts on how the film could be improved, Matt says ditch the script, and we discuss comedic timing.

Closing Song - The Sign – performed by Ace of Base

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Posted in Books, Comic Books, Food, Gaming, Movies, Podcast, Pop-Culture, Role Playing Games, Table Top Games, Television, Video Games

Tagged 2K Games, Ace of Base, AD&D 2nd Edition, Bill Stiteler, BioShock Infinite, Brandon Trost, Bryan Fuller, CSI, Dance Dance Revolution, DnD, Dungeons & Dragons, Dungeons and Dragons, Frazier Park, Geek, Gillian Anderson, Grammar Nazi, GURPS, Hannibal, Hellboy, Hellboy in Hell, Hot Dogs and Gnomes, Indie Films, Jason Trost, Jim Butcher, Laurence Fishburne, Mads Mikkelsen, Mazes and Monsters, metallica, Mike Mignola, MitC, Monkey in the Cage, NBC, Neil Gaiman, Nutella thieves, PC Games, Podcast, Prison Tycoon 3, Ready Player One, Red Bull, RISK! By Kevin Allison, Role Playing Games, RPGs, Rules Lawyer, Sir Edward Grey, Sledgehammer '44, Steroid Ferret, Table Top Roleplaying, Text Based Adventure, Thac0 The Movie, The Beastmaster, The Dresden Files, The FP, The Killing, Those Who Kill, Wil Wheaton, ZORK

Episode 80 – What’s in Your Closet?

Posted on April 23, 2013 by admin | 3 Comments

If you’re a gamer and a geek, then undoubtedly you’ve amassed a grand collection of wondrous treasures, from boxes and books to cartridges and discs. While some of these items may be considered mundane or even relics of geek ages long past, we all know that it goes against our very nature to part with such great gifts of enjoyment, even if we’ve never taken the shrink wrap off yet! Join us this week as we delve into our geek closets and discuss games of all types – purchased, played, and otherwise. Clear off the table, charge up those controllers, and for God’s sake read some damn instructions as you prepare for a brand new episode of Monkey in the Cage!

Podcast: Play in new window | Download (Duration: 1:04:55 — 29.7MB)

(01:47) – Matt finishes Snow Crash (Robert’s favorite book) with some mixed feelings, we have a One Direction tangent, and the group talks about SyFy’s newest show, Defiance.

(14:34) – Ramses talks horse punchin’ hooligans, saggy boob news, and zombie-fueled carjackings! Plus, robot sexy time!

(21:45) – Damn you Florida and your giant snails!

(23:07) – Karen brings us some awesome Nintendo news, we discuss remakes on the horizon, and Michael Rooker gets a new job! Link to the Past, The Crow, Weird Science, and Guardians of the Galaxy

(29:50) – Robert gets Legit and possibly regrets it, talks nipple tattoos, and we discuss the epicness of the Patton Oswalt Filibuster.

(38:25) – It’s topic time! Ramses leads off the discussion with mainstream boardgames. – Cranium, Scrabble, Loaded Questions, 5 Second Rule, Jenga, and Tok Tok Woodman

(42:52) – Once a cultist, always a cultist… but only if you play! – Arkham Horror, Elder Sign, Betrayal at House on the Hill, Mansions of Madness, and Cthulhu Fluxx

(46:08) – Karen segues us into the world of Munchkin, we discuss the D&D board games. – Wrath of Ashardalon, Castle Ravenloft, Legend of Drizzt, and Lords of Waterdeep

(48:13) – Robert talks about some of his favorite board games. – 7 Wonders, UNO, Tsuro, Tsuro of the Seas, Penny Arcade, and Flashpoint: Fire Rescue. Plus, more zombies! – Zombicide, The Walking Dead, and The Last Night on Earth

(50:50) – Everyone pulls a Matt, especially Matt, with L.A. Noire and we talk about Ticket to Ride and Ascension.

(52:45) – Small World and Small World Underground need to make a comeback, the horror that is original RISK, and the hope of RISK Legacy. Plus, Battleship Galaxies.

(56:01) – We discuss all manner of card games like Killer Bunnies, the failure of Locke and Key, Poo, Nuts, and Kittens in a Blender. Also, the great Cards Against Humanity.

(58:18) – We close it out with Dungeon Fighter, Catacombs, and Knock Your Blocks Off. Plus Crossbows and Catapults and all the RPG books… ALL OF THEM!

Closing Song – What Makes You Beautiful – performed by One Direction

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Posted in Board Games, Books, Card Games, Comics, Food, Gaming, iDevice Games, Movies, Music, Podcast, Pop-Culture, Role Playing Games, Table Top Games, Television, Video Games

Tagged 21 Jump Street, 5 Second Rule, 7 Wonders, Arkham Horror, Ascension, Battleship, Battleship Galaxies, Betrayal at House on the Hill, Blazing Saddles, Boba Fett, Cards Against Humanity, Castle Ravenloft, Catacombs, Chewbacca, Chris Hemsworth, Chris Pratt, Congo, Cranium, Crossbows and Catapults, Cthulhu Fluxx, Cyberpunk, Dave Bautista, Deck Building Games, Defiance, Discworld, DJ Qualls, DnD, Dogs in The Vineyard, Drax the Destroyer, Dungeon Fighter, Dungeons & Dragons, elder sign, Face Off, Fiasco, Filibuster, Firefly, Flashpoint: Fire Rescue, Gamora, Graham Greene, Groot, Guardians of the Galaxy, GURPS, H.G. Wells, Han Solo, Hero, Hiro Protagonist, Horse Punching, It's Always Sunny in Philadelphia, Jaime Murray, James Gunn, Jenga, Jim Jefferies, John Hughes, Jules Verne, Julie Benz, Justified, Keith Baker, Killer Bunnies, Kittens in a Blender, Knock Your Block Off, l.a. noire, Legend of Drizzt, Legend of Zelda, Legit, Link to the Past Sequel, Loaded Questions, Locke and Key, Loki, Lords of Waterdeep, Mal, Mansions of Madness, Michael Crichton, Michael Rooker, Mongo, Mouse Guard, Munchkin, Neal Stephenson, Newcastle Football, Nine Inch Nails, Nintendo, Nintendo 3Ds, Nolan, Nuts, Ocarina of Time, One Direction, Parks and Rec, Patton Oswalt, Penny Arcade, Poo, Risk, RISK Legacy, Robotech, Rocket Raccoon, Scrabble, Shadowrun, Small World, Small World Underground, SNES, Snow Crash, Soccer Hooligans, Spycraft, Star Wars Episode VII, Star-Lord, Sting, Strategicon, Super Nintendo, SyFy, Terraform, Thanos, The Crow Remake, The Last Night on Earth, The Walking Dead, Thor, Ticket to Ride, Tok Tok Woodman, Tom Hiddleston, Tsuro, Tsuro of the Seas, Uno, WCW Wrestling, Weird Science Remake, Wild Talents, World of Darkness, Wrath of Ashardalon, Y.T., Yondu, Zoe Saldana, Zombicide

Episode 79 – Uncaged 10: Monkeys Take Manhattan

Posted on April 16, 2013 by admin | 2 Comments

You know what time it is, Monkey Lovers? It’s time for the MITC crew to light up To-Ag Studios with as much nonsensical craziness that can be packed into a one hour show! That’s right, were going uncaged this week to talk about… well… pretty much everything! Grab yourself a hunk of marsupial meat, hold off on entering that Ryan Seacrest look-alike contest, and get ready for some snakes in the face as you join us for a brand new episode of Monkey in the Cage!

Podcast: Play in new window | Download (Duration: 1:04:00 — 29.3MB)

(02:27) – Matt got his hands on a test copy of Foxtrot Games’ Relic Expedition and the gang talk about throwing snakes in each others faces! Back the Kickstarter here!

(08:13) – Underwater Robert upgrades his computer and get’s his Tomb Raider on, just like Conan!

(12:50) – From metrosexuals to jerks, we discuss the late-night shake-up and multiple tangent on various talk-show/TV personalities.

(18:58) – We talk about the latest controversies surrounding the upcoming Xbox 720.

(24:03) – Batman: Arkham Origins is coming, just in time for Halloween. Put on your Joker masks, boys and girls! Plus, Charlie Hunnam as The Flash AND Constantine?

(28:14) – What’s that on the horizon? A perfect game for Robert! - Far Cry 3: Blood Dragon

(31:08) – Marriage proposals: nerdy and ridiculous! Also, Death by Beaver, Mutant Wasps, and 1500 ladybugs?

(42:07) – Jeremy Irons is creepy-crazy, questionable family arrangements, and extreme kidnapping: worst idea ever!

(48:52) – Ramses gives our number one Aussie listener a shout-out for his awesome down-under reporting! Naked bets and kangaroo steaks, mate!

(52:10) – Robert takes the Hero Lab app for a spin and the kids grow up (and make you look bad) so fast.

(55:37) – Museums just got awesome(er?), thanks to 3D printers!

Closing Song – Danger Zone – performed by Kenny Loggins

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Posted in Apps, Board Games, Comics, Contributions, Food, Gaming, Geek Gear, Movies, Paul Girvin, Podcast, Pop-Culture, Ramblings, Table Top Games, Television, Video Games

Tagged 3D Printing, Alex Baldwin, An Idiot Abroad, Batman, Batman: Arkham City, Batman: Arkham Origins, Blood Dragon, board games, Charlie Hunnam, Clueless Gamer, Conan O'Brien, Danger Zone, Death by Beaver, Deathstroke, EA, Ebonics, Electronics Art, Far Cry 3, Foxtrot Games, Geek, Giant Wasp Nest, Hellblazer, Hero Lab App, Jay Leno, Jeremy Irons, Jimmy Fallon, Jimmy Kimmel, Joel McHale, John Constantine, Joker, Kangaroo Meat, Keanu Reeves, Kenny Loggins, kickstarter, Lara Croft, Metrosexual, michael douglas, Michaelangelo's David, Microsoft, MitC, Monkey in the Cage, Pacific Rim, Piers Morgan, Playstation 3, PlayStation Network, Playstation Plus, Podcast, PS3, Relic Expedition, Ricky Gervais, RPG Maker VX Ace, Ryan Seacrest, Seth Meyers, SimCity, Social Media, The Flash, The Game, The Soup, The Tonight Show, Tomb Raider, Tomb Raider Rebooted, Top Gun, Xbox 720, xbox Live

Episode 78 – NPC’s, Allies, and Adversaries

Posted on April 9, 2013 by admin | 1 Comment

NPCs; they are the lifeblood of any adventure, campaign, or gaming world. Sure, the story is created by the actions of the Player Characters, but without NPCs, who would the heroes turn to for help, sell all their (sometimes ill-gotten) treasures off too, or shiv prison-style in a back-alley for some easy XP? Join us this week as we jump back almost two decades to discuss some of the memorable NPCs – allies, adversaries, and otherwise – from our epic AD&D 2nd Edition campaign! Ready your fantasy cellphones, lock down that split-personality disorder, and for the sake of your family take out a life insurance policy as you prepare for an all new episode of Monkey in the Cage!

Podcast: Play in new window | Download (Duration: 1:07:54 — 31.1MB)

(02:27) – Ramses and Matt are late to the meme game, tries another get-rich-quick scheme, and loves him some bodywash advertising. – Vadering, The Spanish Meteorite, Super Spice Bros. 2. Plus, quality arcade time with the kid!

(09:17) – Robert gets his movie on, talks the end of an era, and the return of a classic. – Indie Game: The Movie, the LucasArts Shutdown, Star Wars 1313, and the return of Arrested Development!

(16:55) – Robert and Matt discuss their experiences at WonderCon 2013. – Duck Tales Remastered, Kristin Kreuk, Vikings Season 2, and occupying all the time of the Fez-o-Rama crew.

(27:18) – Ramses sets up a “podcaster blind date” between Matt and Francis the OtherGuy of Geek Love Radio and A Critical Moment of Awesome. Also, Cthulhu Lives (in the stomachs of termites)!

(31:01) – Karen reads us a listener/usurper e-mail, more giant spiders, awesome Disney news, and Marvel casting news! – Sri Lanka Tarantula, Finding Dory, Iron Man Tech Presented by Stark Industries, and S.H.I.E.L.D.

(40:17) – It’s topic time! Matt leads us off with a discussion of the Player Character’s allies, including a Forgotten Realms heavy-hitter, Strasus “The Bold” Thingolier… may he rest in peace.

(43:27) – One of the most challenging and rewarding experiences of our campaign – playing and interacting with the Bizarro-world version of our own PCs, NPCs from another world, and hating Mario Lopez.

(48:45) – Karen: The Joss Whedon of GMing, NPCs of Rokugan, and Matt takes an NPC sideways.

(52:45) – We switch the conversation over to the villains, including a big-bad we treated with absolute indignity, but paid a price for. – Iritar “The Dark” of Calaunt

(56:24) – A former Player Character emerges as a major villain, complete with a Drow entourage and Matt botches an encounter AND combat. Plus, an undead Red Wizard of Thay.

(1:00:30) – Oddball NPCs are the best NPCs.

Closing Song – Legacy – written and performed by The Gone Jackals

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Posted in Comic Books, Comics, Conventions, Cosplay, Gaming, Geek Parenting, Movies, Podcast, Pop-Culture, Role Playing Games, Table Top Games, Television, Video Games

Tagged 3rd Edition, @Sortageek, A Critical Moment of Awesome Podcast, AD&D 2nd Edition, Adversaries, Allies, Anaheim Convention Center, Arabel, Arrested Development, Battlefront, Boba Fett, Boomers, Braid, Chrono Trigger, Chun-Li, Crouching Tiger Hiding Dragon, Cthulhu, Cthylla, DnD, Downtown Disney, Drow Elves, Duck Tales Remastered, Dungeon Magazine, Dungeons & Dragons, Dungeons and Dragons, Epic Campaign, Fez, Fez-o-Rama, Finding Dory, Finding Nemo, Francis the OtherGuy, full throttle, Gaming, Geek, Geek-Love Radio Podcast, GMing, Harlem Shake, Indie Game: The Movie, Iritar "The Dark" of Calaunt, Iron Man Tech Presented by Stark Industries, Isaiah Mustafa, J. August Richards, Joss Whedon, Kristin Kreuk, Lich, LucasArts, Mario, Mario Lopez, Meme, MitC, Monkey in the Cage, Myrmeen Lhal, Neti Pot, Nonplayer Character, NPC, NPC's, Old Spice, Player Characters, Player's Option, Playstation 3, Podcast, Priest of Lathander, Priestess of Lloth, Red Wizard of Thay, Regal Blue Tang, Rokugan, Roleplaying Games, RPGs, S.H.I.E.L.D., Shadowcloaks, Skullport, Smallville, Sri Lanka Tarantula, Star Wars, Star Wars 1313, Steel & Magic Adventuring Company, Strasus "The Bold" Thingolier, Super Mario, Super Meat Boy, Swedish Fish, Tabletop Roleplaying Games, Terry Crews, The Forgotten Realms, The Night Parade, Vadering, Vikings Season 2, Waterdeep, WonderCon 2013, xbox 360, xbox Live

Episode 77 – If I Were a Rich Geek

Posted on April 2, 2013 by admin | 5 Comments

“They” say money makes the world go round. “They” also say that money is the root of all evil. We here at To-Ag studios say “We need more money, dammit!” Join us this week as we discuss what we would do if we suddenly woke up and found endless amounts of disposable income at our fingertips. Sure, sure, world peace, green energy, and wiping out starvation are important, but we’re talking REALLY important stuff. Fire up your jet-packs, call in the contractors, and get ready to game until your eyes, ears, and fingers bleed as we talk instant geek riches on a whole new episode of Monkey in the Cage!

Podcast: Play in new window | Download (Duration: 1:00:25 — 27.7MB)

(01:39) – Ramses brings the hard-hitting news from the internet and Lady-Boners? – SexCereal, Red Bull Blackmail, and the best/worst hostage situation ever. Plus, “Shark Wrasling!”

(08:18) – Robert goes on a Valiant Comics kick, plans to replace Fidel Castro, and keeps it a little old school – Harbinger, Bloodshot, Tropico 4, and Knights of Pen & Paper.

(15:22) – Matt adds to his ever growing and unused RPG collection, continues reading for Robert’s sake, and also for himself. – All Flesh Must Be Eaten, Snow Crash, and Wolverine: Not Dead Yet.

(23:32) – Karen tests PETA’s limits, reports on the end of an era, and makes us all look in the mirror? – Hackeycat, Star Wars: Clone Wars Cancellation, and Zero Charisma.

(31:34) – It’s topic time! An MITC Podcast Compound, Jet Packs, and Matt thinks way too small. Plus, gaming central extraordinaire! – Geek Chic’s Sultan Table + Microsoft Surface + Disney effects = WIN!!!

(35:13) – We take gaming dice and minis to the next level, Matt get’s racist, and we debate the proper size for personal movie theaters. – Meteorite Dice

(38:48) – Saint’s Row swimming pools, the ultimate Middle-earth LARP, world travel, and bringing siege warfare back! Plus, we tangent on the world of reenactment.

(42:20) – Matt and Robert go back to school, Ramses gets himself a personal Star Tours and underwater arcade, and Karen get’s some culture up in here! Also, Disney, all your secrets are belong to us!

(45:00) – Ramses would establish Monkey in the Con and bring in ALL of our listeners (unlike Matt), we’d do every con-season the right way, and Robert would get himself a proper-sized bathtub and shower. Also, AFK Tavern comes to SoCal (not really, but please come here)!

(48:37) – Matt “Katamaris” Japan, we satisfy ourselves, and Thomas Kickstarter in the flesh! Plus, Tiny Tower IRL and Ramses wants an original Ewok Village.

(51:50) – Ramses hordes weapons, Matt likes aesthetics, and electromagnetic beds! Also, Karen is going to have the greatest library EVER and Robert gets himself a secret garden.

(53:53) – Cryogenics, baseball trivia fail, space, and soda!

Closing Song – If I Were a Rich Man - performed by Yidcore

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Posted in Apps, Books, Comic Books, Conventions, Cosplay, Food, Gaming, Geek Gear, iDevice Games, Movies, Podcast, Pop-Culture, Ramblings, Role Playing Games, Table Top Games, Television, Toys, Video Games

Tagged AFK Tavern, All Flesh Must Be Eaten, Arcade, Behold Studios, Bloodshot, Cartoon Network, Clone Wars, Club 33, comiXology, Community, Cryogenics, Crystal Caste, Dan Harmon, Disney World, Disneyland, Dwarven Stones, El Presidente, Ewok Village, Fiddler on the Roof, Fidel Castro, Gaming Dice, Geek, Geek Chic, Grognards, Hackeycat, Harbinger, Heroes, Hipster Cat, Hipster Gamer, Human Bone Dice, If I Were A Rich Geek, If I Were A Rich Man, Kalypso Media, Man Wrestles Shark, Meteorite Dice, Middle-earth LARP, MitC, Monkey in the Cage, Mutants and Masterminds, Neal Stephenson, Paul Marshallsea, PETA, Pizza and Sprite, Red Bull Blackmailed, Roleplaying Games, RPGs, Russian Hostage Crisis, Scientology, SexCereal, Snow Crash, Star Tours, Star Wars, Star Wars Detours, Steam, Sultan Table, Surface by Microsoft, Tabletop Roleplaying Games, Ted Williams, The Secret Garden, Tiny Tower, Tropico 4, Valiant Comics, Walt Disney, Wolverine, Wolverine: Not Dead Yet, Yidcore, Zero Charisma, Zombie RPG

Episode 76 – Heroes: Part Deux

Posted on March 26, 2013 by admin | 2 Comments

So, way, way, WAY back in Episode 8, we here at To-Ag Studios talked Heroes and Villains. Seeing as the Monkeys still had their podcasting training wheels on, we approached two very broad and interesting topics with the reckless abandon of Hulk and Wolverine on a bender. So now, 68 weeks later, we have reconvened our Monkey council in order to once again discuss the hero figure and why we love them. Draw down your cowls, make some therapy appointments, and get your butt out of retirement as were headed for round 2 to discuss Heroes (NOT the show) on a brand new episode of Monkey in the Cage!

Podcast: Play in new window | Download (Duration: 1:05:35 — 30.0MB)

(01:34) – Robert “Platinum Bitches” Marvel NOW (which wrecks his memory). – Avengers Arena, All-New X-Men, Thor: God of Thunder

(08:03) – Monkeys at WonderCon 2013 and Kickstarter strikes again! – Albino Dragon’s Synthesis Cyberpunk Playing Cards

(10:42) – Ramses gets excited prematurely. – Theatrhythm Final Fantasy and Final Fantasy Dimensions

(17:20) – What would an MITC episode be without Ramses’ awesome internet news!? – The Easter Egg Miracle, the Lays “Do us a Flavor” contest andthe Cloud Hulk

(20:56) – Matt gets his history on and finds the potentially worst Kickstarter ever. – Vikings and The Harmless Hunter KillShot

(27:41) – Karen discusses the potential for the success of Veronica Mars to kickstart more fan favorites. – Wonderfalls and Pushing Daisies. Plus, we talk A&E’s Bates Motel and Duck Tales: Remastered

(36:10) – It’s topic time! Matt starts off the discussion somewhere in the middle of the hero spectrum looking at flawed heroes, like Tony Stark, and we ponder if flaws make heroes susceptible to turning bad. Plus, Criminal Macabre’s Cal McDonald.

(40:32) – Robert leads the talk on “Street-Level Heroes” vs. “World-Saving Heroes” like Luke Cage and Daredevil. Also, Ramses poses an interesting question about fallen heroes like Harvey Dent and Anakin Skywalker.

(46:12) – Karen starts a discussion on heroes that walk the razors edge of morality and responsibility, like Batman and Magneto. Meanwhile, Ramses provides us with the “Mario Hero Litmus Test” and we talk Mary-Sue Superman.

(49:54) – Matt talks about his concept of “Blue-Collar Heroes” like Wolverine and HellBoy, we talk about the expectations of heroes, and our own video game heroic conundrums. Plus, Robert has a copyright on “Bioshock Syndrome.” COPYWRITTEN!

(56:11) – We discuss the underdog and unsung heroes. – RPG Clerics, COD 3 Medics, and Katniss Everdeen. Plus, we discuss if Superman-esque characters could be successfully introduced now.

Closing Song – Hero – written and performed by Enrique Iglesias

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Posted in Apps, Books, Comic Books, Conventions, Food, Gaming, iDevice Games, Movies, Music, Podcast, Pop-Culture, Role Playing Games, Table Top Games, Television, Video Games

Tagged A&E, Albino Dragon, Anakin Skywalker, Avengers Arena, Avengers vs. X-men, Bates Motel, Batman, Bicycle Playing Cards, Bioshock, Brian Michael Bendis, Bruce Wayne, Bryan Fuller, Cal McDonald, Chicken and Waffles Chips, Clash of Clans, COD 3 Medics, Community, Criminal Macabre, Cthulhu, Cyberpunk, Cyclops, Daredevil, Dark Phoenix, Darth Vader, Duck Tales Remastered, Ed Gein, Emma Frost, Everyman Heo, Fallout 3, Final Fantasy, Final Fantasy Dimensions, Flawed Heroes, Freddy Highmore, Gabriel Byrne, Geek, Harvey Dent, Hellboy, Heroes, History Channel, House of M, Iron Man, Katniss Everdeen, kickstarter, Lays Do Us A Flavor, Luigi, Luke Cage, Magneto, Mario, Michael Hirst, MitC, Monkey in the Cage, Nestor Carbonell, Nintendo 3Ds, Norma Bates, Norman Bates, Obama as Satan, PAX East, Podcast, Pushing Daisies, Ragnar Lodbrok, Rob Thomas, Roleplaying Games, RPG Clerics, Savage Worlds, Sons of Anarchy, Square Enix, Star Wars, Steampunk, Superman, Temple Run 2, The Bible, The Clone Wars, The Harmless Hunter KillShot, The Tudors, Theatrhythm Final Fantasy, Thor, Thor: God of Thunder, Tony Stark, Uncanny X-Men, Veronica Mars, video games, Vikings, Wolverine, WonderCon 2013, Wonderfalls, X-23, X-Men, Zynga

Episode 75 – Uncaged 9 – Monkey: The Great and Powerful

Posted on March 19, 2013 by admin | 7 Comments

Step right up boys and girls, step right up! Prepare to be astounded and amazed, excited and entertained, overwhelmed and occupied by the freakish sights that only your ears can behold! That’s right folks, were going uncaged this week, so there’s no rules, no order, and no stopping the freakshow geek show! Join us this week as we discuss a little bit of this, a little bit of that, and a whole bunch of other stuff! Open up your pocket books, get in tune with your psychic side, and kiss the bearded lady good-bye as you settle in for a brand new episode of Monkey in the Cage.

Podcast: Play in new window | Download (Duration: 1:03:35 — 29.1MB)

(01:51) – Karen leads us off with a talk about the awesomely successful Veronica Mars Movie Kickstarter (you’re welcome) and Matt digs a deep, deep hole. We also pontificate on the possibilities of other crowd-funded TV Shows/Movies and Kristen Bell’s career.

(07:45) – Marvel, NOW! breaks ComiXology, Robert reads the worst comic ever, FF (Future Foundation), and the SimCity release bombs! Plus, we attempt to get Karen addicted to Clash of Clans.

(16:10) – The Boy Scouts love “Gaming” but still hate “Gay-ming,” so we think up a much better alternative. Also Matt is and watched Wreck-it Ralph and we discuss the epic mediocrity of OZ: The Great and Powerful. Plus, flying animals.

(25:46) – Babies are Jerks: Proven by Science! Also, Kmart hates sharks and Matt hates midgets.

(31:59) – WonderCon 2013 is just around the corner and there are some epic talk-fights a-comin’! – Star Trek vs. Star Wars and Zombie Apocalypse Litigation

(35:04) – Robert spends St. Patrick’s Day Eve with The Poxy Boggards and The Merry Wives of Windsor and we do Stevie Wonder impersonations.

(38:08) – Karen gives one of our listeners a shout-out and sends us the gift of pain. Thanks, Ryan! – The Pocket Shock-It

(43:17) – Even though HIV was cured this week, Ramses has news on a way more important scientific breakthrough: The Bread Cheese Bacon Cheeseburger!

(45:47) – Plague Pits, Dead Kings, and the MurderCast, oh my!

(50:29) – Robert pulls a Matt. – Dead Space 3 and Civilization V

(52:39) – Hannah Simone is kinda a bitch. – New Girl, PaleyFest, and Hulu Plus

(55:30) – Robert finishes Batman: A Death in the Family, but has some problems with the bigger story, and we decide to not be spoiler-y (this week).

Closing Song – Sugar Rush - performed by AKB48

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Posted in Apps, Comic Books, Conventions, Food, Gaming, Geek Parenting, iDevice Games, Movies, Music, Podcast, Pop-Culture, Role Playing Games, Table Top Games, Television, Video Games

Tagged AKB48, Arrested Development, Babies are Jerks, Batman: Death in the Family, Beauty and the Beast, Bossy Bear, Boy Scouts of America, Browncoats, Catacombs, Clash of Clan, comiXology, Dead Kings, Deadwood, Digital Rights Management, Disney, DRM, EA, Electronic Arts, ER, FF, Firefly, Flying Monkeys, Forgetting Sarah Marshall, Future Foundation, Gaming Merit Badge, Geek, GenCon 2013, George Clooney, Hannah Simone, Heart Attack Grill, Hulu Plus, iOS, James Franco, Jericho, Joss Whedon, kickstarter, Kmart, Kristen Bell, L. Frank Baum, LARPing, Marvel NOW, Microtransactions, MitC, Monkey in the Cage, New Girl, Oz the Great and Powerful, PaleyFest 2013, Pineapple Express, Plague Pit, Plague Pits, Pocket Shock-It, Richard III, Roseanne, Server Crash, SimCity, Sleeping Beauty, Star Trek vs. Star Wars, Sugar Rush, The Bread Cheese Bacon Cheeseburger, The Facts of Life, The Fantastic Four, The Merry Wives of Windsor, The Poxy Boggards, The Walking Dead, Uno, Veronica Mars Movie, Wicked, WonderCon 2013, Wreck-it-Ralph, Zach Braff, Zombie Apocalypse

Category Archives: Podcast

Episode 84 – Bringing a Game to Life

Episode 83 – Uncaged 11: Codename Punchkicker

Episode 82: Iron Man 3

Episode 81 – Thac0: The Movie

Episode 80 – What’s in Your Closet?

Episode 78 – NPC’s, Allies, and Adversaries

Episode 77 – If I Were a Rich Geek

Episode 76 – Heroes: Part Deux

Episode 75 – Uncaged 9 – Monkey: The Great and Powerful

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