The Gamer's Haven began production in November of 2006. We began our run as a weekly show, but had to pull that back to a bi-weekly show (and sometimes monthly show) due to real life intruding on our coveted podcasting time. Here, you will find our complete listing of episodes along with show notes for each episode (where applicable).

General Episode Index

Episode 1: Let's Get this Game StarteD (Show Notes)

Episode 2: Genres Kickoff (Show Notes)

Episode 3: Horror Part One (Show Notes)

Episode 4: Horror Part Two - This Time It's Personal (Show Notes)

Episode 5: Horror Part Three - The End (Show Notes)

Episode 6: Science Fiction, or Sci-Fi, IfYou Will (Show Notes)

Episode 7: Fantasy Part One - Orcs and Goblins and Bugbears, Oh My! (Show Notes)

Episode 8: Fantasy Part Two - Ewoks? (Show Notes)

Episode 9: We Go Into the Wild, Wild West (Show Notes)

Episode 10: Modern Gaming - Presents! (Show Notes)

Episode 11: Superheroes! Part One (Show Notes)

Episode 12: Superheroes! Part Two (Show Notes)

Episode 13: Intermission (Show Notes)

Episode 14: World Creation - World Synopses Part 1 (Show Notes)

Episode 15: World Creation - World Synopses Part 2 (Show Notes)

Episode 16 World Creation - Creation and Creation Myths Part 1 (Show Notes)

Episode 17: World Creation - Creation and Creation Myths Part 2 (Show Notes)

Episode 18: World Creation - Creation and Creation Myths Part 3 (Show Notes)

Episode 19: World Creation - Empires, Society, and Culture (Show Notes)

Episode 20: World Creation - Magic, Technology, and Races Part 1 of 3 (Show Notes)

Episode 21: World Creation - Magic, Technology, and Races Part 2 of 3 (Show Notes)

Episode 22: World Creation - Magic, Technology, and Races Part 3 of 3 (Show Notes)

Episode 23: Online Gaming and Tabletop Gaming - Opposites Attract (Show Notes)

Episode 24: Tech in Gaming (Show Notes)

Episode 25 - Gen Con Pre Show (Show Notes)

Episode 26- Gen Con Post Show Part 1 of 2 (Show Notes)

Episode 27 - Gen Con Post Show Part 2 of 2 (Show Notes)

Episode 28 - New Gamers (Show Notes)

Episode 29: Props, Handouts, and Maps (Show Notes)

Gamer's Haven Episode 30: Kicking Someone Out of the Gaming Group (Show Notes)

Gamer's Haven Episode 31 - Character Death (Show Notes)

Gamer's Haven Episode 32 - Breaks and Hiatuses in your Game (Show Notes)

Gamer's Haven Episode 33 - Dungeons and Dragons 4th Edition First Impressions (Show Notes)

Special Episode Index

ENNIES SPECIALS:

GEN CON 2007 Series:

Special IntervieWS:

Holiday Specials

Episode 1: Let's Get this Game Started

In our premier show:

Who we are, what the show is about and why you should care enough to keep listening.

A discussion of getting the game started -- from getting the players together, to finding a place to game.

  • In our Three Parter segment, Nathan rants on Munkins, Ethan reviews Feng Shui, and Jeremy gives us Zargon, the Lord of Chickens.

Episode 2: Genres Kickoff

In this week's show:

We start off with our Genres series, with a look at all kinds of genres. This episode will be the starting point of a series of shows we're going to do on various different genres.

Episode 3: Horror Part One

In this week's show:

We begin with our Horror Podcast series, part one of three! We look at building atmosphere, sources of inspiration, movies, music, and more!

Episode 4: Horror Part Two - This Time It's Personal

In this week's show:

We talk about the movies behind the greatest haunts, and how to use them in your game.

Episode 5: Horror Part Three - The End

The often delayed shownotes!

Episode 6: Science Fiction, or Sci-Fi, If You Will

We tackle the genre of Science Fiction in today's podcast - from the distopian sci-fi of the 1970's to the fantastic vistas of Star Wars, Star Trek, and Babylon 5.

Episode 7: Fantasy Part One - Orcs and Goblins and Bugbears, Oh My!

Fantasy! Where it all started ... we talk about magic and technology, governments, and much more!

Episode 8: Fantasy Part Two - Ewoks?

We continue on our fantasy kick! No new show notes this week, though. I did get the show notes for episode five up, finally!

Episode 9: We Go Into the Wild, Wild West

We delve into a true American genre, the western. We discuss the genre from the aspects of history, character, and style. You want "The Duke?" Or do you want "The Man With No Name?" We've got it all.

Episode 10: Modern Gaming - Presents!

We're in the double digits! We talk about modern gaming, as well as espionage, war, and integrating modern into your games. We discuss how modern can be a part of all kinds of genres.

Episode 11: Superheroes! Part One

We begin a two-part discussion on superhero gaming. Well, we try and talk about superhero gaming ...

Episode 12: Superheroes! Part Two

Our second part of the Superhero Genre discussion. So, I'm cheaping out and using the same schnotes from last week. Deal with it. We do review Ultimate Power (Green Ronin) in this one, though.

Episode 13: Intermission

We (I) are taking a b it of a break this week, but we're not leaving you empty-handed. Here's an impromtu discussion about Xena, Battlestar Galactica, Star Trek, and World of Warcraft to tide you over for a week. Sorry nothing new on the gaming front, but we're all still recovering from the Bubonic Plague that hit Kansas over the last few weeks. Enjoy!

Episode 14: World Creation - World Synopses Part 1

We start down the long road of World Creation. We're starting off with a synopsis of our different worlds. To start out with, we've got Nathan's fantasy world, and a Ethan's Superpowered world. We also get a bunch of feedback out of the way. This episode came in extra long this time, but we really wanted to address the feedback.

Episode 15: World Creation - World Synopses Part 2

We finish up our world synpses this week. Jeremy takes over this episode by talking about his world, Theyra!

Episode 16 World Creation - Creation and Creation Myths Part 1

Show notes lost in the sands of time ...

Episode 17: World Creation - Creation and Creation Myths Part 2

Finally, we get back to the religion, gods, and mythology of a world! Creating gods, myths, and a religion comes into the conversation, as well as cultural isolation. In this part, we focus on Gods ...

Episode 18: World Creation - Creation and Creation Myths Part 3

We wrap up mythology in today's episode. We also hit on some feedback we got, as well as discussing creating history of your world.

Also, since we're shameless, we've started a CafePress store for those of you who just want to spend money like maniacs. We're not making any money off of it, but we thought it'd be cool to have one.

As per usual, some of the music used in this episode is Jonathan Coulton's music, and is used under the creative common license.

Episode 19: World Creation - Empires, Society, and Culture

We return triumphantly, and with one of us married, one of us engaged, and one of us involved! Love is in the air, apparently in the underground complex ...

To make up for being absent the last two weeks, this episode is extra long to satiate you ravenous hordes of fans ... but, we talk about Empires, Society, and Culture today, including the impact of different races and the effect of them on society, amongst other things.

As per usual, some of the music used in this episode is Jonathan Coulton's music, and is used under the creative common license.

This episode, we also use a clip from Pulp Gamer, Out of Character Episode 17.

Episode 20: World Creation - Magic, Technology, and Races Part 1 of 3

Another long show this time, but nobody seems to be complaining ... We begin to wrap up our world building series with a talk about magic, technology, and different races in a world. This one's being split up into three parts. In this first part, we focus on magic and begin talking about technology ...

As per usual, some of the music used in this episode is Jonathan Coulton's music, and is used under the creative common license.

Episode 21: World Creation - Magic, Technology, and Races Part 2 of 3

We continue to talk about technology and it's place in today;s podcast. We go off on a few tangents, talking about levels of magic and what not ... also dogging on Lord of the Rings (gasp!). We then talk about races and their place. No new show for two more weeks, sadly ... blame Jeremy.

As per usual, some of the music used in this episode is Jonathan Coulton's music, and is used under the creative common license.

Episode 22: World Creation - Magic, Technology, and Races Part 3 of 3

This part wraps up with the discussion of races and some interesting aspects of other cultures.

Again, no new episode for two weeks ... Jeremy and Robin are getting hitched next weekend, though, so we should be back to our regular schedule again, soon.

As per usual, some of the music used in this episode is Jonathan Coulton's music, and is used under the creative common license.

Episode 23: Online Gaming and Tabletop Gaming - Opposites Attract

In this episode, we talk about online gaming and it's effect and influence over tabletop games in general, and vice versa.

As per usual, some of the music used in this episode is Jonathan Coulton's music, and is used under the creative common license.

Episode 24: Tech in Gaming

In this episode, we talk about technology in gaming. We talk about how you can use technology in your game, use technology in running your game, and using technology in preparing your game.

As per usual, some of the music used in this episode is Jonathan Coulton's music, and is used under the creative common license.

FAUX PAS!

It turns out we reviewed the wrong website for Liber Fanatica. It turns out the original website linked from the Ennies site was the wrong one. Whoops. So, when you listen to the episode, ignore what we say about Liber Fanatica ...

Gamer's Haven Special Edition: Ennie Nominations 2007

In this special episode, Gamer's Haven is proud to announce the first annual Ennies Special Edition! We'll give you the nominees, we'll give you the links, we'll give you everything you need to pick the winners!

For reference sake, I have collected all the free previews and free products avaiable on all the nominees' websites for the nominated products and placed links where applicab le. If you are the type of person who hates clicking on a bunch of links, you can download each and every one of them in one fell swoop here ... but be forewarned, the ZIP files is 137MB of free gaming goodness. Just be sure to support these fine products by visiting the publishers' web sites, going to your local gaming store, and support your hobby!

AND THE NOMINEES ARE ...

Best Fan Site
Awarded for an RPG web site or web comic run by fans, for fans, ie. not by a publisher and not for profit.

Best Cover Art
Awarded for the book with the best cover.

Best Podcast

Best Interior Art
Awarded for the book containing the best artwork between the covers.

Best Cartography
Awarded for the individual product containing the best art or technique of making maps or charts.

Best Production Values
Awarded for the book exemplifying the best production values, from graphic design and layout, editing, paper, binding- all the factors that combine to create the look and feel of the product.

Best Writing
Awarded for the book containing the best prose and descriptive text (ie."cream" or “fluff”).

Best Rules
Awarded for the book containing the best game design and mechanics (ie. "crunch").

Best Supplement
Awarded for a product which adds supplementary rules or details to the game. Products nominated for Best Supplement or any of its child categories (Setting, Adventure, Monster) may not be nominated as Best Game.

Best Setting
Awarded for a product detailing a setting.

Best Adventure
Awarded for a product that is primarily an adventure, adventure ideas, or seeds.

Best Miniature Product
Awarded for the best miniature or miniature line. Unlike in previous years, miniatures need only be appropriate for RPG play, but not exclusive thereto.

Best Regalia
Awarded for the best product which, while it does not complement role playing game play, does enhance the lives of RP gamers. RPG Fiction, RPG Video Games, Videos, RPG Board Games, miniature painting accessories, etc. are all possibilities for entries in this category.

Best Aid/Accessory
Awarded for the best product used to complement role playing game play. RPG books are not eligible for this category.

Best Electronic Book
Awarded for the best book released electronically. Products submitted for Best Electronic Book must have been released exclusively in electronic format to be eligible, although small-run (under 50 copies) Print on Demand will not invalidate an entry in this category. Please note that this is for electronic books only- software and other electronic products (such as digital counter collections) still belong in Aid/Accessory.

Best Free Product

Best d20/OGL Product
Awarded for the best product using the d20 mechanic. This is open to d20-derived OGL, d20 Licensed games, and products with special D&D licenses.

Best Game
Awarded for the best role-playing game. The Best Game winner brings together art, writing, rules, feeling, playability- everything that makes up a role playing game. Entries in this category must be complete enough to play as-is, from character creation to rules of play, and thus d20 books are not eligible. Best Game and Best Supplement are mutually-exclusive categories.

Fan's Choice: Best Publisher
Awarded to a publisher whose body of work during the eligibility period was deemed best overall, with other, often less tangible factors taken into consideration. Customer support, quality and frequency of updates of their web site, their accessibility and contributions to the EN World and gaming-in-general communities will be all part of the qualities of Best Publisher. This is a Fans' Choice Award. This is the only category in which a publisher who did not submit any product for consideration to the ENnies can qualify (if they receive the nomination).

Product of the Year
Awarded to the best product. All products submitted will be automatically considered for this category.

Gamer's Haven Episode 25 - Gen Con Pre Show

In this episode, we give you our thoughts on Gen Con, including tips about going to and surviving the convention, some thoughts on the guests this year, and a few things to look for while there. We also announce our Promote the Vote winners and respond to some feedback!

Gamer's Haven Post Gen Con 2007 Series Part 1 - How to Make Adventures That Don't Suck (Goodman Games Seminar)

In this episode, we kick off our Gen Con 2007 coverage with the recording of How to Make Adventures that Don't Suck, a seminar presented by Goodman Games. They were kind enough to let us record their panel! You'll get some great advice from some writers and designers from Goodman Games, including Joseph Goodman himself!

You can also catch Ethan from the Gamer's Haven on Podcasting 101, a seminar presented by those wacky guys at Pulp Gamer. They did an entire track of seminars on podcasting at Gen Con, and Ethan was lucky enough to be on the panel for Podcasting 101.

Gamer's Haven Episode 26- Gen Con Post Show Part 1 of 2

In this episode, Ethan talks about his trip to Gen Con 2007. The exhibitors, the podcasters, and the experience! We talk about the convention and some of the stuff Ethan got there. Our sound is kinda bad in this one -- we're playing around with a new recorder, and, obviously, we won't be using this recording setting again. Just bear with us, we're getting new sound equipment soon ...