(Hey gang, Chase here. My audio produced this very strange, high pitched whine throughout. I've done my best to either cut or minimize it, but this could still be an unpleasant listen for some folks. My apologies -- will have this sorted by the next episode.) Two members of the newly founded Rogue.site, Ryan Gilliam and Cass Marshall, join Chase and Rowan to talk about their worker-owned video game website. More than simply "Rascal but for video games", Rogue is a continuation of human-centric writing from some of the best voices lost in Polygon's layoffs earlier this year. Afterwards, they discuss Rowan's changing place within Rascal's team. She's stepping away for several well considered reasons, but that doesn't mean she's out of the crew -- only the spotlight, for now. The site has a news writer, now: the excellent Khee Hoon Chan. Also, upcoming changes to subscription offerings, possible price increases in 2026, and a bunch of other important housekeeping. Oh, and we do eventually talk about games. Promise! -- https://www.rogue.site/ https://bsky.app/profile/roguesite.bsky.social -- Games we discuss: Hollow Knight: Silksong Cosmere RPG Rise, Wizards (currently playtesting) -- Hosted by Chase Taylor- Carter (@chasecarter.bsky.social). Featuring Rowan Zeoli (@rowanzeoli.bsky.social). Guests include Ryan Gilliam (@rygilliam.bsky.social) and Cass Marshall (@cassmarshall.bsky.social). Theme song by People Need Goals. Cover art logo by Johan Nohr (@johannohr.bsky.social).
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Episode 20: Pedant Party
Um, actually, it's pronounced 'PEE-dunt'. This is the slightly grating but technically correct energy that Caelyn and Chase bring to this episode. After discussing more tariff nonsense, the pair discover that most of the news is a huge bummer and they'd rather delve into their experience creating characters for the Cosmere RPG. Caelyn talks about hidden information and futzing about in Foundry, while Chase feels trapped by D20 combat assumptions. Later, both of them fondly remember a certain green box full of mutants while traversing the Question Dungeon. Someone has asked about trad RPGs that should (or are currently) making comebacks -- why don't we see more of that? -- Games we discuss: DIE RPG Magic: The Gathering's Standard format Cosmere RPG Gamma World Traveller 1990s-era Dungeons & Dragons -- Hosted by Chase Taylor- Carter (@chasecarter.bsky.social). Featuring Caelyn Ellis (@caelyn.bsky.social). Theme song by People Need Goals. Cover art logo by Johan Nohr (@johannohr.bsky.social).
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Episode 19: Horus-scopes
The crew psychoanalyze each other at least twice during this episode of the Rascal Radio Hour, which features everyone but Rowan (she brought home an illness souvenir from Gen Con) wading through a dense thicket of tabletop news from the last two weeks. They discuss two new RPGs adapted from book licenses and what exactly is gained when making that jump. Later, they break down White Wolf's new creative director and an unfortunate (but ultimately not substantive) brush with AI. Oh, also, Gen Con happened! The back half of the podcast breaks down some of the more interesting bits that happened at, and around, the biggest US convention of the year. Gen Con is staying in Indianapolis through at least 2030, Shadowrun goes solo, and Brennan Lee Mulligan takes the reins of Critical Role's fourth season. Somewhere amongst it all, the crew manage to spelunk through The Question Dungeon and finally answer a really important questions: are y'all burned out? Also, it's History Week at Rascal! We've published some incredible articles to celebrate our August Subscriber Drive. You can get 25% off the first six months of a subscription by using code DJNAY. -- Games we discuss: Streets of Jade (unreleased) Dungeon Crawler Carl RPG (unreleased) Draw Steel Cyberpunk Red/Cyberpunk 2077 Beyond the Pale Mythic Bastionland Reach of the Roach God Daggerheart Lancer -- Hosted by Chase Taylor- Carter (@chasecarter.bsky.social). Featuring Lin Codega (@lincodega.com), Thomas Manuel (@newmadras.bsky.social), and Caelyn Ellis (@caelyn.bsky.social). Theme song by People Need Goals. Cover art logo by Johan Nohr (@johannohr.bsky.social).
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Episode 18: Yard Goats to Throat GOATs
Rowan and Chase finally deliver a tight 60-minute podcast discussing itch.io's abrupt deindexing of explicit and games tagged as "NSFW" or "adult", among others, thanks to pressure from payment processors and right-wing citizen lobbyists from Australia. It's a strange and sad affair with ties to Steam, sex work, and the political wielded by corporations against individuals. The pair also wade into Hasbro's latest earnings call with investors, where Chase sees the IP-addled brainworms leading to some weird decisions regarding Magic: The Gathering's future. Rowan is deep into trick-taking and also antifascist sex robots. Chase is unpacking boxes. Both of them dip briefly into the Question Dungeon to answer a question about bioessentialist game mechanics with the caveat that they are both white. Grain of salt, please! -- Games we discuss: Inspirisles Magic: The Gathering Cat in the Box Mothership SUZi (by Sage The Anagogue) Vampire: the Masquerade -- Hosted by Chase Carter (@chasecarter.bsky.social). Featuring Lin Codega (@lincodega.com). Theme song by People Need Goals. Cover art logo by Johan Nohr (@johannohr.bsky.social).
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Episode 17: A Franchise By Any Other Name
Chase and Lin Codega co-host an episode that is all about licensed games and this week's dirty word: franchise. The pair discuss the cancelled Tomb Raider RPG and what IP-scrubbed game might rise from its ashes, along with the continually disastrous Diamond Comic Distributors bankruptcy leaving some tabletop publishers bereft of consigned books. The big story of the week is D&D's apparent "full franchise" turn, which Chase argues is a meaningless distinction and Lin believes fits with Wizards of the Coast's past behavior. Both agree the word franchise is dumb. They also discuss collaborative storytelling games and how different titles balance freedom against handrails for the inexperienced. Lin has been enjoying Daggerheart for what it is. Chase played a Cyberpunk LCG with a very enticing cooperative hook. Both tackle some questions about whether licensed RPGs are healthy for the industry, as well as their favorite ENNIE nominations from the recent shortlist. -- Games we discuss: Canceled Tomb Raider RPG Dungeons & Dragons Spindlewheel Eat the Reich Daggerheart -- Hosted by Chase Carter (@chasecarter.bsky.social). Featuring Lin Codega (@lincodega.com). Theme song by People Need Goals. Cover art logo by Johan Nohr (@johannohr.bsky.social).
Rascal Radio Hour is the official podcast of Rascal News. The team discusses recent news from the tabletop industry and its myriad online spaces, as well as sharing games they've recently played.
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