Join us on Jume 5th at Middlesex Community College, Lowell, MA for a day of games- try something new or reconnect with a favorite with new people, this is a day of fun and games.

Timeline:

Games:

Location:

Parking:

Registration:

Go to BrilliantGameologists.com/Mailer and sign up for the mailing list

Email us at gameologists@gmail.com and let us know you are coming! If you have any questions, need a place to crash the night before, or want to run a game, email away!

Comment / Questions

Post here!

We here at Brilliant Gameologists are working away like beavers to get the third season up and running.  And that involves the sexiest of all things- infrastructure upgrades.  So things will be changing around here over the next few weeks.

The Big News

• We have a hard date on the release of new episodes, March 28th.
• There will be another live show on the 25th (time TBD)

So keep your eves on this space.

You may have noticed a few facts recently…

1) We have not put out a show in a while.

2) Our site and boards have been down quite a bit

3) The increase in number of vampire shows on TV seems to be directly related to outbursts in Congress?

These are actually all related.  Well, #3 isn’t, but that’s besides the point.

We have 4 episodes recorded and have been prevented from releasing mostly due to some fairly severe technology issues.  First, our sound quality for some reason plummeted and the files keep getting corrupted, and we couldn’t bring ourselves to put out such a subpar product.  They aren’t completely lost, but we have a few computer reinstalls to do to get everything back on track.

Our web issues were also a big pain in the butt.  The site was hacked and I couldn’t log in to WP to post anything new at all until about 20 minutes ago.  Things look to be pretty stable now thanks, not in part, but in 99% entirety to Adam from Spooky Outhouse Productions to whom we owe a great bit of gratitude.  Beer is on us next time we get together, dude.

So it’s looking like for the most part, #2 on the list is taken care of.  We’re going to concentrate in earnest on fixing #1 now.  #3, we’re sorry, but you’re just going to have to deal with.

Brilliant Gameologists was nominated for an ENnie. Voting ends on August 1st, so vote now!

http://www.ennie-awards.com/voting/ballot.asp

Best Podcast is category #17.  But if you need some suggestions for other great products (and there are a bunch!) check out our Suggested Ballot.

Please vote, tell your friends, tell your neighbors, and help us spread the word!  Help us and win prizes and help us plan our acceptance speech!

Vote today!

Podcast: Play in new window | Download (2.6MB)

Once again, the BG’s have applied to lead panels at Gencon and we are officially on the books!

Each workshop will feature an assortment of podcasters including those from:

• Podgecast
• Bear Swarm
• Narrative Control
• TrapCast
• Independent Insurgency

And hopefully many others!  When there are confirmations, we will repost. 

Thursday 8/13:

Reverse Forum for Podcasters

• 12:00-1:00
• Podcasting Track Room

This novel panel is intended to give people who have potential podcast content a chance to meet the podcasters who are interested in that content. An opportunity to meet them as a group rather than singly. If you have a product, service or event that you would like a podcaster to talk about, on their show, plan on attending one of these sessions. Also if you have an idea of something for podcasters to do, we would like to hear it.

SEM0903104: 7 Words You Can’t Say While Gaming

• 3:00-4:00
• Marriott : Indiana Bllrm B

Join the hosts of the podcast Brilliant Gameologists and learn what words will bring out the worst emotions in people and will counter the real message you are trying to convey- either names you could call players (Munchkin, Powergamer, Drama Queen, Rules Lawyer, Meta-gamer) or whining to your GM (It’s not fair! It’s not realistic! You are railroading us!). Learn alternatives to name calling that are just as fun and send the message you mean.

SEM0903105: A Salon on Gameology

• 5:00-6:00 pm
• Embassy Suites : Chancellor I

Salon: An 18th Century term meaning “A periodic gathering of people of social or intellectual distinction.” Gameology: The study of games and the people who play them. The Brilliant Gameologists Podcast: Educated type folks who talk about the science of games, gamers, and gaming. Interested? Join the hosts of the in a facilitated “roundtable” discussion about gameology, the industry, and nerd-a-rific, jargon-tastic fun.

Friday

Reverse Forum for Podcasters

• 9:00-10:00 am
  
• Podcasting Track Room

This novel panel is intended to give people who have potential podcast content a chance to meet the podcasters who are interested in that content. An opportunity to meet them as a group rather than singly. If you have a product, service or event that you would like a podcaster to talk about, on their show, plan on attending one of these sessions. Also if you have an idea of something for podcasters to do, we would like to hear it.

Secrets of the Podcasting Masters

• 10:00-11:00
  
• Podcasting Track Room

Whether you are a seasoned professional, a new podcaster or needed to google “what is podcasting” just now, if you are interested in podcasts, this seminar is for you. Come see this panel of podcasting veterans to learn a few of their tips, tricks, and secrets of the trade. The seminar will cover the basic How’s, What’s and Why’s of podcasting. Bring lots of questions because these guys can answer them.

Beyond the Podcast

• 12:00-1:00
  
• Podcasting Track Room

The mics are off, the show is published, but now what? What else can you do to build your community and listenership? What else should you do? Join podcasting veterans to learn some ways of keeping your audience and building new listenership. Between online communities, partnerships, social marketing and going to conventions your listeners are out there, let us help you find them!

Get Content With Your Content

• 3:00-4:00
  
• Podcasting Track Room

The most important thing about any podcast is what you say while the mics are on. And the best thing a podcaster can do is to increase the quality of that content. Join us if you want to learn how to make your podcast better or see what goes into a high quality podcast. We’ll cover interviews, product discussion and original material creation.

Industry and Podcaster Round-table

• 4:00-5:00
  
• Podcasting Track Room

Gaming Podcasting: A hobby about a hobby. Join panelists from each side of the table- those within the gaming industry and the podcasting “media.” who can make or break a product within their own circles. Watch true synergy in action as the two groups hash out ideas about how they can help each other, and maybe you’ll see history being made.

Saturday

SEM0903107 : On the Critical Analysis of Games

• Saturday 8/15 11:00-12:00
• Embassy Suites : Chancellor 1

Can RPG’s be rated? Can they be classified as “good” or “bad”? How subjective/ objective can a review be? Is a RPG review a summary, or is critical analysis possible? Join the hosts of the podcast Brilliant Gameologists who are driven to answer these questions and help sway the argument one side or the other.

Reverse Forum for Podcasters

• 1:00-2:00
  
• Podcasting Track Room

This novel panel is intended to give people who have potential podcast content a chance to meet the podcasters who are interested in that content. An opportunity to meet them as a group rather than singly. If you have a product, service or event that you would like a podcaster to talk about, on their show, plan on attending one of these sessions. Also if you have an idea of something for podcasters to do, we would like to hear it.

SEM0903106: The Airing of Grievances

• Saturday 8/15 3:00-4:00
• Marriott : Indiana Bllrm F

Celebrate Festivus in summer! Need to get something off your chest about the game-o-sphere? This will serve to be a safe haven to do so (though laughing may be encouraged. Any games tick you off? Mad about video games taking over the “Gaming” tag? Have a beef with the Brilliant Gameologists podcast? Welcome home my friend. Welcome home.

We submitted on a whim and it paid off!  We join 4 others in the category of Best Gaming Podcast.  The nominees are:

• All Games Considered
• Brilliant Gameologists
• Order 66
• Return to Northmoor
• The Voice of the Revolution

Voting will begin on July 24th and close August 1 by visiting http://www.ennie-awards.com.

We need your vote!  Get your friends to vote, your family, your co-workers, strangers, whatever!

We’re going to work on Campaign Slogans to show how worthy we are of this prize.  Check this thread for updates!

Go us!!!

And while you’re at it, consider voting for Mouse Guard for Product of the Year.  It was the underdog that won the Origin’s Award and totally deserves this one too!

Once again, the BG’s have applied to lead panels at Gencon and we are officially on the books!  Tickets are already going, so go in and reserve one now.  They are all free of course, but just make sure you’ll get your chance to come see us and share in our lively discussions!

SEM0903104: 7 Words You Can’t Say While Gaming

• Thursday, 8/13 3:00
• Marriott : Indiana Bllrm B

Join the hosts of the podcast Brilliant Gameologists and learn what words will bring out the worst emotions in people and will counter the real message you are trying to convey- either names you could call players (Munchkin, Powergamer, Drama Queen, Rules Lawyer, Meta-gamer) or whining to your GM (It’s not fair! It’s not realistic! You are railroading us!). Learn alternatives to name calling that are just as fun and send the message you mean.

SEM0903105: A Salon on Gameology

• Thursday 8/13 5:00-6:00 pm
• Embassy Suites : Chancellor I

Salon: An 18th Century term meaning “A periodic gathering of people of social or intellectual distinction.” Gameology: The study of games and the people who play them. The Brilliant Gameologists Podcast: Educated type folks who talk about the science of games, gamers, and gaming. Interested? Join the hosts of the in a facilitated “roundtable” discussion about gameology, the industry, and nerd-a-rific, jargon-tastic fun.

SEM090310: On the Critical Analysis of Games

• Saturday 8/15 11:00-12:00
• Embassy Suites : Chancellor 1

Can RPG’s be rated? Can they be classified as “good” or “bad”? How subjective/ objective can a review be? Is a RPG review a summary, or is critical analysis possible? Join the hosts of the podcast Brilliant Gameologists who are driven to answer these questions and help sway the argument one side or the other.

SEM0903106: The Airing of Grievances

• Saturday 8/15 1:00-2:00
• Marriott : Indiana Bllrm F

Celebrate Festivus in summer! Need to get something off your chest about the game-o-sphere? This will serve to be a safe haven to do so (though laughing may be encouraged. Any games tick you off? Mad about video games taking over the “Gaming” tag? Have a beef with the Brilliant Gameologists podcast? Welcome home my friend. Welcome home.

December 6th: JiffyCon/ V3: One Shot Game Day

JiffyCon Lowell, combined with Veni, Vidi, Venatus (I came, I saw, I gamed) is a chance to come and play a new game with other cool folks- including of course, us! The JiffyCon side will feature one shots of indie games- some published, some not, and the Game Day side will feature some more popular traditional games that you haven’t had a chance to try. There will also be a Board Game Corner so you can be introduced to new and exciting board games you’ve never even heard of!

Where: Middlesex Community College- Lowell Campus

When: December 6, 2008

• 9:00-10:00 Registration and Game Sign up (when they are full, they’re full!)
• 10:00-1:00 Game Session #1
• 1:00-2:00 Lunch
• 2:00-5:00 Game Session #2
• 5:00-6:00 Prizes, recap, hang out, plan for the after party!
• 6:00-? Hang out with the Gameologists!

Specials!

• Lunch is included
• Everyone will be entered into a drawing for fabulous prizes provided by Myriad Games in Salem, NH.
• Free copies of a special, new, quarterly newsletter will be given to all attendees!

RPG Games Scheduled so far:

• D&D 4th Edition
• Factions at War (run by BG Zeke)
• Misspent Youth (by author Robert Bohl)
• Zombie Cinema (run by BG Josh)

Other Tabletop Games in the Board Game Corner (run by BG Meg):

• Race for the Galaxy
• Stone Age
• Pillars of the Earth
• Thurns and Taxis
• Vegas Showdown
• Ticket to Ride
• Card Games include: Bohnanza, Citadels, Guillotine, Gloom, and Bang
• Classics include: Carcassone, Risk, Settlers of Catan
• Too many more to list!

GM’s Still Sought! Games we’d like to see run include:

• Burning Wheel (one of the published adventures)
• Shock
• Dread
• Savage Worlds

GM’s get in 1/2 price! Let us know your ideas!

To Register:

• $10 if you register in advance (Thursday Dec. 4th or before) or $15 at the door. There is no limit to how many people we can host!
• RSPV “Yes!” on the Event’s Facebook Page or
• Email Meg at Meg (at) brilliantgameologists.com

Children’s Track

• If there are 3 or more children (3-11) attending (with their parent or guardian!) we will have a children’s track led by a first aid/ CPR certified teacher. Must know by Wed December 3rd!
• Cost: Children pay normal admission which will cover the cost of the child care provider.

Any questions?

Email Meg at meg (at) brilliantgameologists.com or post on our forums HERE

The Brilliant Gameologists are thankful for the following items:

• Sucotash
• Captain Kangaroo
• Tooti-fruti hats
• Cougars
• The word “turd”

These are all items that are included in Episode #28 which due to New England Fan Experience and the holiday is being pushed back to a release date of November 30th.

Happy holidays everyone!

Reminder!  One Shot Game Day/ JiffyCon is December 6th.  Sign up today!

The Brilliant Gameologists will be at two upcoming con events- come and hang out!

November 22nd: New England Fan Experience

Brilliant Gameologists are presenting two panels at NEFE and will be hanging from the Friday night through Saturday night at the con hotel. If you are going, make sure you stop by and say hi!

Where: Hyatt Regency Cambridge, MA

When: November 21-23, 2008

Panels:

10:00 A.M. WILLIAM DAWES B: A Salon on Gameology

8:00 P.M. THOMAS PAYNE A: 7 Words You Can’t Say While Gaming

Check out the full schedule!

December 6th: JiffyCon/ V3: One Shot Game Day

JiffyCon Lowell was rescheduled for December 6 and is now combined with Veni, Vidi, Venatus (I came, I saw, I gamed) led by the PodgeCast. A chance to come and play a new game with other cool folks- including of course, us! The JiffyCon side will feature one shots of indie games- some published, some not, and the Game Day side will feature some more popular traditional games that you haven’t had a chance to try- perhaps some Burning Wheel or 4th Edition D&D for example. There will also be a Board Game Corner so you can be introduced to new and exciting board games you’ve never even heard of! This event is proudly supported by Myriad Games in Salem, NH.

Where: Middlesex Community College- Lowell Campus

When: December 6, 9:00 am to Question Mark!

Jiffycon Lowell has been delayed until December 6th.

See This post for information

or contact zeke@brilliantgameologists.com with any questions.

What do Atomic Array, Brilliant Gameologists, Ogre Cave Audio Report, The Podgecast and The Tome Show have in common besides all being gaming podcasts? They are all offering fabulous prizes from Noble Knight Games!

Listen to the Secret Code Episode of each episode (releasing on or around September 26th) and get the code disclosed in the episode. When you have all 5, send your entry to secretcodes@moonstew.com by 17 October 2008 along with your full name and contact information. 10 correct entries will be randomly drawn and will win a $25 gift certificate to Noble Knight Games.

Participating Shows:
Atomic Array episode 006: New Gods of Mankind

Brilliant Gameologists episode 23: 7 Things We Hate About the Gameosphere

Ogre Cave Audio Report episode on September 12: Ogre’s Choice 2008

The Podgecast episode 11: Professional Min/Maxer (Check out the special guesthost for this episode- hint- it’s Meg!)

The Tome Show episode 85: Wyatt at GenCon

Spread the word and enjoy!

GenCon Afterglow…

We’ve been home from GenCon for 6 days and are still recovering…

It didn’t help that we each had very heavy-duty weeks IRL. This past week is one of the busiest for me professionally, Josh had a killer week at work playing

catch up, and Zeke moved. So we haven’t really had time to pause and recap GenCon.

But we are set to record our Post-GenCon show this week! So stay tuned!

Also, if you haven’t checked it out, we each Twittered our experiences and have kept up with some folks we met and the “afterglow”:

• www.twitter.com/bg_meg
• www.twitter.com/bg_josh
• www.twitter.com/bg_zeke

We picked up some new games and hope to review some others in the next couple of months. Stay tuned for that as well.

I also have a whole rant about the ENnies… let’s see if that ever goes anywhere.

We have our own pictures we’ll upload at some point. Not a ton, but hopefully enough to show some highlights. The Penthouse Suite upgrade was a huge highlight of the trip.

This GenCon was the year of Bears vs. Robots. We made 1000 postcards and handed them to everyone we came in contact with. At the last minute I needed a design for the front, and made an extremely silly picture and the rest is history.

If you didn’t get a postcard yourself, bask in the glow here:

In other news…

As soon as we returned, we found out that Brilliant Gameologists was nominated for a Parsec Award in the Best Gaming Podcast category! Super cool! We weren’t planning on attending, but this was just enough of an excuse to make it happen and Meg will be at Dragon*Con Saturday-Monday. If you are going, send a message her way! This is her first time at Dragon*Con and her first time going to a con alone in general, so some friendly faces are high in order.

GenCon is almost here! I’m wavering between super excited and overwhelmed with everything that needs to get ready.

While we’re at the con, we will be updating on where we are and what we’re doing on our twitters:

• www.twitter.com/bg_meg
• www.twitter.com/bg_josh

We’re staying at the Embassy Suites and our general schedule is:

Wednesday:

Our plane arrives at about 7:00. Hoping to meet up with some friends Wed night and hang out.

Thursday:

• 10:00-11:00 AM: Introduction to Podcasting - (Westin Congress Rooms)
  • Zeke is on this panel led by Ethan Parker of The Gamer’s Haven Podcast
  • Full Description
• 2:00-3:00 PM: How to Talk: Podcasting, Marketing Yourself, and Selling your Product (Embassy Suites Chancellor 3 room)
  • Meg, Josh, and Zeke lead this panel with special guest Luke from The Podgecast (was formerly on Fear the Boot)
  • Full Description
• 6:00-7:00: A Salon on Gameology (Embassy Suites Coronation I)
  • Meg, Josh and Zeke will lead this roundtable discussion.
  • Full Description

Friday:

• 10:00-11:00 AM: Setting Up The Studio (Westin Congress Rooms)
  • Meg is on this panel led by Ryan Macklin of The Master Plan Podcast
  • Full Description
• 11:00-12:00 PM: The 7 Words You Don’t Say While Gaming (Embassy Suites Coronation I)
  • Meg, Josh, and Zeke lead this panel with special guest Luke from The Podgecast (was formerly on Fear the Boot)
  • Full Description

Saturday:

• 10:00-11:00 AM: Content is King (Westin Congress Rooms)
  • Josh is on this panel led by Ryan Macklin of The Master Plan Podcast
  • Full Description
• 7:00-9:00 PM: Media Meet & Greet – (Westin Congress Rooms)
  • Meg, Josh and Zeke will join all of the podcasters and fans for networking, socialization, and miscellaneous Meeting and Greeting

We also have a lot of panels we’re looking forward to attending and of course, spending time in the dealer room. This year we have Press Badges so we’re hoping to get a good look at some new games and a deeper look at some favorites. Then of course there is the obligatory eating, drinking, and socializing.

If you’re going to Gencon, stop and say hi!

Salon: An 18th Century term meaning “A periodic gathering of people of social or intellectual distinction.”

Gameology: The study of games and the people who play them.

The Brilliant Gameologists Podcast: Educated type folks who talk about the science of games, gamers, and gaming.

If this sounds of interest to you, join the hosts of the in a facilitated “roundtable” discussion about gameology, the industry, and nerd-a-rific, jargon-tastic fun. (Doesn’t hurt that this is during Embassy Suite’s “Happy Hour” which includes free snacks/ drinks downstairs for guests- of which the BG’s are, so good chance this will start in the official room and move down if there is room.

When: 8/14/08 6:00-7:00 PM

Where: Embassy Suites Coronation I

We got a note today from Quantum Mechanix that caught our eye.  If you are a fan of Firefly/ Serenity and haven’t checked out the DarkHorse comics, what are you waiting for?  The only complaint is that they are a bit too short, but definitely full of Firefly goodness.

Quantum Mechanix who does movie replicas, has partnered with Dark Horse to have a Firefly-themed give away.  Spreading the word:

Ever wanted to hit a “big haul” like Malcolm Reynolds did in the first issue of Serenity: Better Days? Well now you can.

A huge pile of Alliance cash and other prized Serenity collectibles will be awarded in the Serenity: Better Days Big Haul Giveaway from co-sponsors Quantum Mechanix Inc. (QMx) and Dark Horse Comics. Inspired by the piles of cashy money seen in the first issue of the Dark Horse comic, the Serenity: Better Days Big Haul Giveaway features one-of-kind Serenity items including a whopping one million in official Alliance credits, a signed prototype Kaylee maquette, a Malcolm Reynolds stunt pistol replica with card signed by Nathan Fillion and much more. No purchase necessary.

The promotion runs from June 30, 2008 through Sept. 30, 2008. No purchase is necessary. Enter by downloading, printing and mailing in a completed entry form, available at www.qmxonline.com/bighaul, or by visiting the QMx website at qmxonline.com. Limit one entry per household; void where prohibited.

Along with some other great podcasters (see a list here), Brilliant Gameologists was chosen to lead seminars at this year’s GenCon! If you are attending, be sure to come and check us out!

SEM00242: 7 Words You Don’t Say While Gaming

Join the Gameologists as they lead a seminar dedicated to the 7 Words You Should Never Say While Gaming- our podcast episode released on May 18th.

Gameplay should be fun. Collaborative. Positive. But there are words that will bring out the worst emotions in people and will counter the real message you are trying to convey- either names you could call players (Munchkin, Powergamer, Drama Queen, Rules Lawyer, Meta-gamer) or whining to your GM (It’s not fair! It’s not realistic! You are railroading us!). Learn alternatives to name calling that are just as fun and send the message you mean.

This seminar will be on Friday, August 15th at 11:00 AM in the Embassy Suites Coronation I room.

SEM00241: How to Talk: Podcasting, Marketing Yourself, and Selling your Product

Join the Gameologists and their quick witted, content rich voices and learn their secrets for yourself in this GenCon seminar.

Do you have a podcast or vidcast? Trying to sell your product at the con? Come learn tricks and tips for marketing yourself first so that thing you are pushing seems even better. Learn theater techniques and games to practice speaking on air and directing the “talent” on mic. Learn insider tricks to marketing yourself before you ever pull out the book/ game/ apparel so that whether on air or in person, customers buy you first, product second.

This seminar will be held on Thursday, August 14th from 2:00-3:00 in the Embassy Suites Chancellor 3 room.

Ok, it’s as fixed as it’s ever going to be. Corrupted data files officially suck.

Check out the post on the message boards here.

I was holding off on publishing new episodes until this was all fixed, and now it is, so expect at least 2, maybe 3 episodes to hit this week!

Long story long.

We attempted to upgrade the boards software to fix a minor technical issue and that caused the boards database to become corrupted. In the course of this upgrade we overwrote the main page with another board.

Now the site has been restored, however the boards are still down.

We are working to address the issue. The important thing is to keep listening to the podcasts. That’s how you win.

We had a lot of fun spoofing one of our favorite podcasts, and it paid off.

Fear the Boot Contest Results

Listen to the spoof yourself or (and?) read the script below!

*********************************

Dan: Welcome to fear Dan’s boot a Dancast about tabletop game, battle tech, and a little bit more about Dan, My name is Dan.

Adam: My name is Adam

Luke: My name is Luke

John: My name is John

Dan: And of course they are trying to mess you up because John normally goes first except on alternate weekends during Marti Gras.
(more…)

Podcast: Play in new window | Download (3.9MB)