Explore what "directing" traditionally means in theater, film, or scripted media and contrast this with the emergent, collaborative storytelling nature of TTRPGs.
Description:
Join us as we analyze the GM's role in shaping the story, setting scenes, and guiding player choices and whether directing is compatible with the open-ended, player driven nature of TTRPGs
"Nuclear waste" isn’t always what it seems. Some waste isotopes are needed, & are scarce! Explore a surprising shortage of materials like Pu-238, vital for space exploration. Izaac Falken, NSDM staff.
Description:
While we face challenges managing nuclear waste, a less discussed but equally critical issue is the shortage of specific isotopes which are the byproducts of nuclear material processing. These isotopes, like Pu-238, are essential to support our technological society and enable research for its advancement. We'll explore the discovery of these surprisingly useful materials, the political and economic reasons behind their scarcity, and the impact they have on space exploration, medicine, research and commerce. We'll go on to examine some solutions for ensuring their delivery today and into tomorrow. Presented by Izaac Falken, on the National Security Decision Making Game staff.
There are anime that everyone knows and adores. Then...there are the ones that you find in a bin or a cardboard box in the far corner of the Dealer's Room. We will be talking about those anime.
Description:
Not all anime are created equal. But there are anime out there that are fun to watch: those popular ones lost to time, the ones with no budget, the ones that were not very well made and the ones…that are just odd. In case you want to wander away from healing anime or isekai for a moment or two, here are some anime that just might amuse you. Or not.
Come sit with LaShawn M. Wanak, editor of the Hugo Nominated magazine GIGANOTOSAURUS, to chat about short stories and the editing process.
Description:
LaShawn M. Wanak writes speculative stories, essays, and poetry. Her work is published in venues such as Uncanny Magazine, FIYAH and Sunday Morning Transport. She served as the lead writer for the art collective Meow Wolf on their permanent immersive exhibit, “The Real Unreal”, in Grapevine, TX. She is also the editor of the Hugo-nominated online magazine GigaNotoSaurus
This panel brings together experienced sound designers, composers, producers and GMs to discuss the role of music and sound in Actual Play and the ways in which music can elevate TTRPGs.
Description:
Hosted by the award-winning composer, producer and GM Si Rutherford (Afterlight, Oaths & Empires, Godkiller: Balance), and featuring an expert panel including Taylor Moore (Worlds Beyond Number, Rude Tales of Magic, Fun City) and Brian Flaherty (My First Dungeon, Talk of the Table, Many Sided Media), this panel will dive into what makes music and sound so impactful when telling stories, consider ways in which TTRPG creators can use music and sound to take their projects to a new level, and pull back the curtain on some of the technical aspects of scoring and sound design.