The world is getting smaller. We hear it so much nowadays that the statement has become totally cliché, but it’s the truth. While the immediately world is getting smaller because we are all inevitably getting fatter, it’s really the internet’s fault… and we couldn’t be happier! For those geeks out there who remember the pre-modern internet world, it wasn’t always so easy to get your geek on! Join us this week as we discuss the impact that this new-fangled internet fad (it’s a flash in the pan, trust us) has had on geeks and geekdom at large. Fire up that 26.6k modem, plug in that AOL free-trial CD you got in the mail, and whatever you do, don’t let anyone pick up that land-line as you sit back and plug-in to a brand new episode of Monkey in the Cage!*
Well, we did it! We actually made it a full year – 52 weeks and 52 episodes – without killing one another, destroying our friendships, and offending and alienating the podcast masses! Join us this week as we not only take a look back at our first year, but discuss where we’re at and where the MITC crew is headed in year number two! Oh yeah, we’re also recapping Robert’s GMing rotation, chock full of Board-gamey and RPG goodness. So, settle in and take a listen as we go shout-out crazy and thank all of our listeners, supporters, and most of all each other for a great first year here at Monkey in the Cage!
Another Comic-Con has come and gone, and the Monkey in the Cage crew is WORN OUT! Even with back-up and thorough planning, tackling the awesomeness that descends on San Diego every year proved to be more challenging and rewarding than ever, and we weren’t even on the floor (legitimately)! Join us this week as we are once again joined by our favorite intern, Jared the Intern, and artist/illustrator extraordinaire Dennis Salvatier to recap all of our experiences outside of the convention center. Gas up the Batmobiles, throw back a couple of beers, and don’t let those zombies get you as we talk SDCC 2012 on a brand new episode of Monkey in the Cage!
Tabletop roleplaying games are all about stepping outside of yourself and wreaking havoc…er… having fun with your friends in fantastic and action packed ways. But what happens when the geek by day / PC by night saddles up to the gaming table brimming with real-world knowledge and challenges the game, or worse, the other players? Join us this week as we discuss the oft controversial and absolutely annoying facet of metagaming know as player vs. character knowledge. Butch up those acting skills, leave the day job in the car, and just live in the (Player Character) moment as you enjoy a brand new* episode of Monkey in the Cage!
*Now with super-awesome better sound quality! Yay for figuring out technology!
If you’re old like us, you remember the good old days of video gaming. One console, one controller, and usually no more than two buttons and some sort of directional device… and a gun! These days, video gaming is moving in a more active and immersive direction and it seems like the manufacturers can’t get enough of gadgets. Join us this week as we discuss the changing direction of how we enjoy our video games, from the early days of Atari to the fading promise of Virtual Reality. Holster your Light Zapper, strap on your Nunchuku, and clear the room of small pets, children and breakable valuables because it’s about to action packed in here as we talk video gaming peripherals on a brand new episode of Monkey in the Cage.
One of the first booths we came upon at WonderCon this past weekend was the Cryptozoic booth. They had game demos going on and I immediately spied Locke & Key. I had been meaning to get my hands on the game since it’s release about a month ago but I completely forgot. In fact, in my rain-soaked head, it had yet to be released and I was scooping up one of the first copies. Yeah, motherhood has made me forgetful and I always said I would never turn into “one of those women” *sigh*. Anyway, I handed over my $30 and went on my merry way. Turns out you can pick it up at Amazon for $18… the moral of the story? Forgetfulness can be costly.
Overview: Box, instruction booklet, 3 decks of cards, Lock token, and Keyhouse
The game is based on the insanely popular Locke & Key comics by Joe Hill and illustrated by the uber-talented Gabriel Rodriguez. I have read the first four hardcovers and have enjoyed them immensely. The story revolves mostly around the Locke children to do to live in a mysterious manor owned by their family called the Keyhouse located on the fictional Lovecraft Island. The kids find a series of keys that do amazing things within the house. They band together to stop an outside supernatural threat from obtaining the keys for his our sinister motives.
The Strength Deck
I can see how the story lends itself to becoming a game. The player is a member of the Locke family and must overcome various challenges whether they be personal and psychological or physical and supernatural. The players use their strengths to overcome these challenges. Players can assist each other and be rewarded or possibly punished.
The Challenge Deck
The challenges vary in degree of difficulty as signified by the color. White challenges are personal or deal with other humans. Blue challenges are mysterious and otherworldly. Black challenges are the most difficult and represent entities or creatures.
The Key Deck
After each player takes their turn then Key cards can be played to if they are relevant to plays that just took place. The Lock token is passed around and each player gets a chance to play a key that can help or hinder. When the “Game Over” card is revealed the player with the highest points is the winner.
WonderCon Exclusive Cards
Paying full retail price at the con did score me some awesome WonderCon exclusive key cards to add to the game: The Moon Key, The Timeshift Key, and The Harlequin Key. We own one other Cryptozoic game AMC’s The Walking Dead and the quality is similar. The holographic foil on the exclusive cards are very nice and highlight their exclusivity.
Matt Fuller:Okay Tweeps, my brain is tired and I can't Google right. Star Wars Saga Edition RPG - What is the dice mechanic structure? #RPGchat 2 hours ago
Matt Fuller:RT @MonkeyInTheCage: Be sure to check out Probably Questionable Podcast episode 59, where they mix us up with @Gamerstable when talking abo… 2 hours ago
Monkey In The Cage:Be sure to check out Probably Questionable Podcast episode 59, where they mix us up with @Gamerstable when talking about lingerie for men! 2 hours ago
