Robin Laws – The Kraken 2019

Bonus Episode – Robin Laws at The Kraken 2019
(a.k.a You and I Can Go Fight Some Lesser Podcasts)

He was last at The Kraken two years ago, and so when Robin Laws returned in 2019, it was only right that we tried to get some time to talk to him again about what he’s been up to, reminisce about some old products and get some hot tips on producing better content for aspiring writers everywhere. The Yellow King, Glorantha, Earthdawn, Feng Shui, Gumshoe, etc., the list of credits is too long to list, so sit back and relax as we let Robin do the talking.

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UK Games Expo and King of Dungeons

Episode 102 – UK Games Expo and King of Dungeons
(a.k.a Electric Boogaloo)

The lads kick back and reminisce about the recent UK Games Expo, their seminar, people they met, things they saw and games they played. Also, a review of The Kraken spring break, other small convention happening and of course, chatter about the King of Dungeons Kickstarter that funded in just 13 minutes.

Ken Rolston at The Kraken

Ken Rolston, known for his work on Elder Scrolls (Morrowind and Oblivion), Paranoia and many other gaming successes, joins us for a chat about all things game related. From his long and storied history in the hobby, producing an RPG, the state of the video gaming industry, RPG tips and stories, to many amusing anecdotes, Ken was a delight to chat to.

Rick Meints at The Kraken

You’re in a German Schloss, it’s 4am, and you’ve been drinking and eating fit to burst. What could top this off? Chatting to President of Chaosium, Rick Meints about Runequest, running Chaosium, the fan community and ducks.

Sandy Petersen at The Kraken

Special Guest and Great Old One, Sandy Petersen (creator of Call of Cthulhu and mind behind Petersen Games) talks to us about his upcoming board games, getting into Call of Cthulhu and his foray into video games.

This is a German Convention – Release the Kraken

Bonus Episode – The Kraken

This week I was at The Kraken, a gaming retreat in Germany, halfway between Berlin and Hamburg at a lovely Schloss. I managed to grab half an hour with head honcho Fabian Küchler to ask him about this idea of a gaming vacation rather than convention, what motivates him and what advice he can give to others thinking of running something similar.

Recording in the field has some sound quality issues and people enjoying themselves sometimes intrudes – but still well worth the listen!

Thanks again to our Patreon supporters – as we get more, maybe field trips can have better kit too!

The Kraken 2 (and this time its personal)

The Kraken is a fantastic Gaming Vacation in the east German countryside and is truly made of awesome sauce.  I was back for my (and the event’s) second year and it was another thing of beauty.  The idea is essentially that gamers from all over can get together, experience great games and events, and also have enough time to relax, socialise and otherwise take the intensity out of a gaming convention.  No need to run from slot to slot and have a packed timetable – you’ve got five days and plenty of time.  You’ve guests such as Sandy Petersen running Cthulhu games, and a good range of ancillary events like horror seminars, workshops and other things too.  With an all inclusive price tag, there’s no need to worry about paying for anything and you’re well fed and watered in the grounds of a historical German Schloss.  What’s not to like?

The Kraken – A Gaming Vacation

Only vaguely prepared – as frankly I wasn’t entirely sure what to expect, and packing hippy left-field Indie games after all – I headed out on the strange and wonderful adventure that is The Kraken. Tuesday I headed off with a stop at Lemur’s house that evening to play games and break the journey to Stansted airport. We played a few hands of Dominion, which has always been highly rated by anyone I’ve talked to and it was indeed a great little game. This would prove important later in the week when I’d got to Germany.