In a break from our normal programming, our heroes celebrate Newspark in honor of the coming New Year! Happy Holidays and Happy New Year from all of your Intrepid Heroes! Cast: Jason Keeley – GM Alex Speidel – Patsy Van Dyne Isis Wozniakowska – Voss Seltee Jocelyn Hamilton – Together in Electric Dreams (Dreams) John Godek – Xabi Fraglorious Rue Dic…

In episode 131 of Game Design Unboxed, we chat with game designer Matt Leacock about his “infamous” game Pandemic. Matt explains how his path into game design was shaped by watching his artsy uncle create games as a hobby and by growing up surrounded by “bad” games from the 1970s that he couldn’t help but try to improve. We discuss how overly compe…

Put up your dukes, Ryan and Charles are getting scrappy. In honour of Boxing Day, Charles wanted to know more about how melee combat works in Essence20. Ryan breaks down the rules, melee’s purpose in the system, some good options for melee builds, and the origin of the melee weapon rules. Listen Now! (mp3) Video Show Notes As Indiana Jones demonstr…

John, Jason, and Ron talk about some of their holiday traditions and then dive into creating a grumpy holiday monster! Listen Now! Watch Now!

Our heroes head to a memorial for these deceased friend, only to be attacked by android terrorists! Join our Intrepid Heroes as they solve the mystery of the Murder in Metal City! Cast: Jason Keeley – GM Alex Speidel – Patsy Van Dyne Isis Wozniakowska – Voss Seltee Jocelyn Hamilton – Together in Electric Dreams (Dreams) John Godek – Xabi Fragloriou…

Alex and James give their spoiler-free thoughts on Starfinder 2e’s first published adventures, Murder In Metal City and Guilt of the Grave World. Recorded live on Twitch. Listen Now! (mp3)

In episode 130 of Game Design Unboxed, we chat with game designer Joe Hout about his fairytale-themed trick-taking game, 3 Chapters, accessibility in gaming, and his design journey. Joe shares how his path into game design began by tweaking games he loved and then took off after completing a passion-project game he self-published via Kickstarter. W…

Listener @jasonsumma1530 asked what Ryan would change about the Core Rulebooks if Renegade Game Studios released 2.0 versions. This is NOT an announcement that Essence20 2.0 is a thing, just speculation with the benefit of hindsight on the ideal layout of an Essence20 Core Rulebook. Listen Now! (mp3) Video Show Notes This topic was suggested by @ja…

John, Jason, and Ron reflect on the past and discuss the future of Digital Divination as we achieve our 150th episode Listen Now! Watch Now!

Our heroes head to the Magenta Orbital Amusement Platform in search of an old friend. Join our Intrepid Heroes as they solve the mystery of the Murder in Metal City! Cast: Jason Keeley – GM Alex Speidel – Patsy Van Dyne Isis Wozniakowska – Voss Seltee Jocelyn Hamilton – Together in Electric Dreams (Dreams) John Godek – Xabi Fraglorious Rue Dickey –…

In this festive episode 129 of Game Design Unboxed, we chat with sister duo Anya and Irina Kagan – game designers and the founders of Gifts Galore – about their Hanukkah-themed party game, Gelt Galore. They talk about how magical childhood traditions inspired them as adults to bring new energy to holiday gatherings and how a simple homemade game — …

Ryan doesn’t know Power Rangers. Neither does Charles. But here they are, trying to talk about the Power Rangers RPG. Listen Now! (mp3) Video Show Notes Essential Builds – Dynamo Follow Ryan on Instagram and Bluesky, and check out his Budo-A-Day project. G.I.Joe Headcast: https://www.youtube.com/@G.I.Joe_Headcast The Energon Protocols with Erik Smi…

John, Jason , and Ron talk about some of the gaming related things they are thankful for. Listen Now! Watch Now!

We love a good monster book here at Know Direction. So much so, we declared November to be Monster Month in honour of the release of Monster Core 2 for Pathfinder 2e. In our first segment this month, Ryan picks and random monster and brainstorms an encounter in real time. In segment 2, he interviews Joshua Birdsong, one of Monster Core 2’s lead des…

With so many clues, our heroes decide to split the party! Join our Intrepid Heroes as they solve the mystery of the Murder in Metal City! Cast: Jason Keeley – GM Alex Speidel – Patsy Van Dyne Isis Wozniakowska – Voss Seltee Jocelyn Hamilton – Together in Electric Dreams (Dreams) John Godek – Xabi Fraglorious Rue Dickey – Whose Boughs Are Lit Within…

In episode 128 of Game Design Unboxed, we chat with game designer (publisher, art director, illustrator, and more!) Ammon Anderson about Twinkle, Twinkle, a game born from his lifelong fascination with space. We discuss the origin of the game’s gorgeous translucent acrylic tiles, its “out of this world” space themes and expansions, and the new scor…

As requested by fan and friend (frand?) David, Ryan and Charles look at the Ranger. They discuss the military and G.I. JOE origins of rangers, how they were brought into Essence20, and how Ryan solved the Ranger’s Aquaman Problem. Listen Now! (mp3) Video Show Notes Essential Builds – Analog (Original Transformers PC) Next Essential Build: A Running…

John, Jason , and Ron talk about crafting Starfinder 2 adventures and some of the challenges when writing for 1st level characters. Listen Now! Watch Now!

Surrounded by coppers, our heroes have a difficult decision to make. Join our Intrepid Heroes as they solve the mystery of the Murder in Metal City! Cast: Jason Keeley – GM Alex Speidel – Patsy Van Dyne Isis Wozniakowska – Voss Seltee Jocelyn Hamilton – Together in Electric Dreams (Dreams) John Godek – Xabi Fraglorious Rue Dickey – Whose Boughs Are…

They’ve covered Players and GMs, now Alex and James look at the real stars of Starfinder: SF2 Alien Core. Recorded live on Twitch. Listen Now! (mp3)

In episode 127 of Game Design Unboxed: Inspiration to Publication, we chat with game designer, publisher, and trauma psychotherapist Galen McCown about how getting involved with the Syracuse game design community helped him grow as both a creator and collaborator. We also discuss his love for solo and two-player games, his fascination with post-apo…

Roadblock melting as Shipwreck screams. Young Daniel Witwicky stumping across Optimus Prime’s decaying corpse. The unconscious manifestation of Princess Celestials anxiety. Pumpkin Rapper. Plastic Bags. The Essence20 settings don’t shy away from the weird, so neither do Ryan and Charles. They’re here to help you run spooky Essence20 adventures! Lis…

John, Jason , and Ron take a quick look at the newly released Starfinder 2nd Edition Alien Core and talk about their favorite monsters just in time for Halloween! Listen Now! Watch Now!

With Pathfinder Quest on his mind, Ryan ponders some of the many ways a Pathfinder enthusiast can play in Golarion and the Lost Omens campaign setting beyond the Pathfinder roleplaying game. Then he sits down with Pathfinder Quest designers Jason Bulmahn and Joe Pasini to discuss the creation of the game, meeting the needs of gamers, and the future…

As our heroes are deciding what to do next, they are attacked by a group of shadowy assailants. Join our Intrepid Heroes as they solve the mystery of the Murder in Metal City! Cast: Jason Keeley – GM Alex Speidel – Patsy Van Dyne Isis Wozniakowska – Voss Seltee Jocelyn Hamilton – Together in Electric Dreams (Dreams) John Godek – Xabi Fraglorious Ru…

In episode 126 of Game Design Unboxed, we chat with John D. Clair about his journey from gamifying mazes to becoming a full-time tabletop designer. He shares how setting clear goals, focusing only on games he is excited about, and reworking mechanics from games that inspire him shaped his design approach. John shares how he reimagines mechanics fro…

As the designer of the Essence20 version of G.I. JOE’s iconic flying submarine, Ryan takes full responsibility for it being built wrong. He uses this opportunity to show off he Essence20 vehicle design rules and correct his mistake. You can find the revised stat block below! Listen Now! (mp3) Featuring Letter From Snake Eyes part 4, generously prov…

John shares information from Epictellers’ recent Starfinder: Afterlight media event and Jason gives his top recommendations for space fantasy games to play as you wait! Listen Now! Watch Now!

While investigating the murder of Tier 99 Professor, our heroes make a grisly discovery. Join our Intrepid Heroes as they solve the mystery of the Murder in Metal City! Cast: Jason Keeley – GM Alex Speidel – Patsy Van Dyne Isis Wozniakowska – Voss Seltee Jocelyn Hamilton – Together in Electric Dreams (Dreams) John Godek – Xabi Fraglorious Rue Dicke…

Starfinder players aren’t the only ones Paizo treated to a new hardcover 2e sourcebook. Alex and James share their thoughts on the SF2 GM Core. Recorded live on Twitch. Listen Now! (mp3)

Vehicles play a major role in G.I. JOE, Power Rangers, and, obviously, Transformers. But how do they work in Essence20? Charles, who is running a session with at least one vehicle combat soon, asks Ryan, who designed the Essence20 vehicle rules, about their intent, origin, and implementation. Listen Now! (mp3) Featuring Letter From Snake Eyes part …

Jason, John, and Ron take a quick look at the first Starfinder 2 Adventure Path: Guilt of the Grave World by Michael Bramnik. Listen Now! Watch Now!

Our heroes are ambushed in an alley but prevail, and learn that someone or something has been tracking both the professor and themselves. Join our Intrepid Heroes as they solve the mystery of the Murder in Metal City! Cast: Jason Keeley – GM Alex Speidel – Patsy Van Dyne Isis Wozniakowska – Voss Seltee Jocelyn Hamilton – Together in Electric Dreams…

Battlecry!, the latest sourcebook for Pathfinder 2e, is full of amazing options, like the new Jotunborn big beefy ancestry with planar connections, the new commander and guardian classes, a leader and a protector, respectively, and a new skirmish system to put your PC in the middle of epic battles. The book’s design lead, our own Jason Keeley, join…

In episode 124 of Game Design Unboxed, we chat with game designer Serena Fadlun about creating games that increase human happiness and how she literally dreamed her career into existence when a vision of her future son inspired her to start designing. Serena shares how she blended her work experience (from translating top-secret movie scripts to a …

Follow us through the surprising evolution of the Know Direction Network’s Essence20 podcast. Listen Now! (mp3) Featuring Letter From Snake Eyes part 4, generously provided by Wordburglar. Check it and other amazing 80s-inspired out at Wordburglar.com. Although the host works for Renegade Game Studios, this podcast and the network that hosts it are…

Jason, John, and Ron talk about the recently announced Starfinder: Afterlight video game and what they hope it includes. Listen Now! Watch Now!

Seemingly attacked by a stealthy droid, our heroes give chase! Join our Intrepid Heroes as they solve the mystery of the Murder in Metal City! Cast: Jason Keeley – GM Alex Speidel – Patsy Van Dyne Isis Wozniakowska – Voss Seltee Jocelyn Hamilton – Together in Electric Dreams (Dreams) John Godek – Xabi Fraglorious Rue Dickey – Whose Boughs Are Lit W…

Ryan returns as host of a new era of the Know Direction podcast. After talking about what’s been going on with the podcast and what to expect from its future, he speaks with Luis Loza about the latest hardcover for the Lost Omens line, Shining Kingdoms. Listen Now! (mp3)

The stars aligned for this one! Alex and James go cover-to-cover with the new Starfinder 2e Player Core for the 100th episode of Know Direction Beyond! Recorded live on Twitch. Listen Now! (mp3)

In episode 123 of Game Design Unboxed, we chat with game designer Mitch Wallace about how a wide range of hobbies and a YouTube rabbit hole led him into game design. He shares how his curiosity sparked idea after idea, and how the original concept for Art Society evolved through rounds of feedback to find a balance that’s not too much or too little…

Charles’ mind has been swirling ever since he heard about Learned From The Best, a new General Perk for the Essence20 in G.I. JOE Roleplaying Game: Hawk’s Personnel Files that lets players access Perks for Threat. He challenged himself and Ryan to see just how much character customizability and storytelling potential one Perk can hold. Listen Now! …

Jason, John, and Ron talk about 3 things they really like about the Starfinder 2 GM Core. Listen Now! Watch Now!

A strange message beckons six strangers to Striving, an expansive megaplex city on Aballon, the planet of Machines. There, they gather in a neon-lit cafe, surrounded by androids and robots, to meet an old friend. The bartender brings them refreshments—and a holographic recording from their mutual acquaintance. “Greetings, friends! If you’re watchin…

In episode 122 of Game Design Unboxed: Inspiration to Publication, we talk with owner of MaKa Games and designer of License to Krill, Matthew Kambic, about how a pun inspired his debut game — and how he brought it to life with a custom plushie component. Matthew shares how his engineering background, early love of games, and deep dive into research…

Ryan writes a blog about building elaborate Essence20 characters. Charles needs a new character for a G.I. JOE RPG campaign. Together, they solve crimes. Listen Now! (mp3) Featuring Letter From Snake Eyes part 4, generously provided by Wordburglar. Check it and other amazing 80s-inspired out at Wordburglar.com. Although the host works for Renegade …

Jason, John, and Ron recap their Gen Con Experiences and Ron also shares some big news! Listen Now! Ron Lundeen is an employee of Wizards of the Coast and his opinions are his own.

Welcome to Season 5 of Intrepid Heroes! Our new band of heroes will be taking on the Starfinder 2 adventure Murder in Metal City! Meet our Season 5 Intrepid Heroes: Jason Keeley, GM Alex Speidel Isis Wozniakowska Jocelyn Hamilton John Godek Rue Dickey Tim Nightengale Listen Now!(mp3)

In episode 121 of Game Design Unboxed: Inspiration to Publication, J. Evan Raitt shares how an infamously frustrating game first sparked his interest in design, which eventually led to a make-your-own-game elective in college and most recently to the creation of Shifting Stones. We talk about the theme being inspired by his fascination with traditi…