Our EPIC Review of 6 Games at UK Games Expo

  At the UK Games Expo I got some hands-on demos of some of the tabletop games being exhibited. Here’s my games review and low down on the game play mechanics.   Game Review: Posthuman Saga I believe that it was fate that I played this game. Two days before the expo I came across an advert in Facebook messenger …

Escape Your Deathtrap: Live Performances at UK Games Expo

  There is nothing quite like the exhilaration of a live performance. I discovered to my delight that there were several seminars, workshops and live events running alongside the tabletop gaming at the UK Games Expo, each one geeky in their own way and the majority of which were priced at an incredibly reasonable five pounds per person. Bargain! Here’s …

Giving It A Go at UK Games Expo

  As an introvert I’m constantly worrying about the potential pitfalls of interacting with other human beings at conventions. What if I say the wrong thing? Am I out of my depth with geek trivia? What if I bump into another Black Widow cosplayer? Seriously, I spent time and money on that costume – I deserve to be the only …

Magical Loopholes – D&D Tips with James Gifford

Magical Loopholes – the Dungeon Master’s Dilemma Magic, by its very definition, is mysterious. And yet in many fantasy tabletop games (including Dungeons & Dragons), it is defined quite clearly in the rulebook – spell duration, components, targets, spell resistance, saving rolls…  Game designer gods do this for our own character safety, for every foolish apprentice and player will, WILL, …

Music and Sound Effects – D&D Tips with James Gifford

  My players had finally found the flooded Crypt. They inch down into the dank stone entranceway, fear gripping them as they watch out for the ghost of a blind witch Morvane. As they emerge into the main catacomb, all is still… then they see her, manifesting above the alter, her hair splayed out like white tendrils, milky eyes wide …

Making Treasure Valuable – D&D Tips with James Gifford

Making Treasure Valuable “You find 40 gold pieces. Two level 1 scrolls and a dagger.” A collective yawn ensues. Sound familiar? Making treasure sound ‘valuable’ can be tricky, but there are ways to make it catch your player’s eye without simply throwing more gold or more magic into the pile. Name your items. Treat key objects and weapons like NPCs, …