Every week, Now You Know recaps the Know Direction content of the past week, previews the Know Direction content of the week to come, and shares the thoughts on the state of the network from the director of operations, Ryan Costello.
Sometimes a person enters your life and you have no idea how significant of a role they will play. For me, one example is Jason Keeley.
I first noticed Jason at PaizoCon one year when he arrived to the banquet with a cape. I don’t remember why he had a cape, and I only vaguely remember him doing something with the cape, but I definitely remember the cape. So before I even met him, he’d passed The Batman Test.
Because Jason worked primarily on Starfinder, I got to know him like many of our listeners: through his various seminar appearances and Know Direction: Beyond interviews. Jason did appear on an episode of Know Direction, but he guested along with Owen K.C. Stephens on an episode not about either of them but about Paizo’s then upcoming science fiction RPG.
It wasn’t until Jason joined the cast of Adventurous did I get to know him well. I don’t even remember how his name came up as a candidate to replace Ari, but I know we told him we needed a tank. He complied, and he and Oggdren fit right in. We’ve been gaming together since then for three years. We’ve been players together, he’s GMed me, I’ve GMed him. And it’s all been a lot of fun.
Recently, he transitioned from a Network cast member to Network staff when he started cohosting Digital Divination. When he joined Renegade as a developer, I reached out to him about cohosting and reviving Upshift, which he obliged.
After a week of freelancer to developer chats for work and then a host to host chat on the podcast, I realize I’m talking to Jason more regularly than most of my friends, and we’ve blended our work, Network, and friendship into this ragu relationship. And I’m lucky to have it! Jason’s an amazing guy that I kind of walked backwards into getting to know well. And if the first episode of the Upshift is any indicator, we can look forward to much more great Jason Keeley content in the future on the Know Direction network.
Speaking of Know Direction Network content, here’s a recap of the Know Direction podcasts, blogs, and streams from last week:
Recap of August 15th to August 19th
What happened last week on knowdirectionpodcast.com and twitch.tv/knowdirection?
Monday, August 15th
Patreon
Patron’s Private Sanctum 49
After breaking down the playtest kineticist (not to be mistaken for the playtestineticist, who controls the elements of game design material in progress) in Know Direction 282, Vanessa goes into more detail on her opinion of the class for our Patrons.
Podcast
Valiant Episode 35: In Which They Open All The Doors
Our button-shy heroes finally accept that to move on, they must push some buttons, and Luis explains the Valiant hiatus in his latest sidebar.
Article
Now You Know – Content Comeback
In addition to the return of Valiant last week, I announce that listeners can look forward to the return of Adventurous next week, and the relaunch of Upshift this week.
Wednesday, August 17th
Twitch
Know Direction Beyond 72 Live – GenCon News Round Up for Starfinder
Alex, James, and Dustin share all the Starfinder news from Gen Con 2022.
Podcast
Presenting – Carlos Cabrera
Designer Carlos Cabrera tells John about getting to work on the Total Recall roleplaying game, building on the world of the original film by setting the game after the events of the movie. I know Carlos has a big licensed game that he can’t wait to announce, so I assumed this was it. But apparently not! So expect more news from Carlos, hopefully in the near future.
Thursday, August 18th
Podcast
Legend Lore 049 — Summoner
Luis and Loren give a lot of attention to the summoner, which feels appropriate given that it’s like two classes in one. Funny enough, the point that generated the most comments on social media was Luis saying he couldn’t figure out how the summoner fits The Batman test. A lot of listeners suggested he summons Robin, but my favourite was Lucas Ringmaster Servideo’s suggestion that the Robins are Batman summoners.
Article
Investing In: Gen Con 2022 Recap
By Rob Pontious
Rob chronicles his GenCon 2022 experience.
Friday, August 19th
Podcast
Know Direction: Beyond 72 – GenCon 2022 Recap
GenCon spoiled Starfinder fans, ending the drought of new release news in a big way. Alex, James, and Dustin cover it all, giddily.
Preview of August 22nd to August 26th
Block 1 of our 2-block schedule.
Monday, August 22nd
Twitch
Know Direction 283 Live – Pathfinder Lost Omens: Travel Guide
Luis and Vanessa look at the latest hardcover from Pathfinder’s Lost Omens line: A Travel Guide to the cuisine, cultures, festivals, and fashion of the Pathfinder campaign setting.
Podcast
Intrepid Heroes 093 – Starship Battles
Our heroes engage in a lengthy starship combat.
Article
Now You Know – Good Ol’ Jason Keeley
By Ryan Costello
Podcast co-hosting is a commitment, and I’ve committed to Jason Keeley.
Tuesday, August 23rd
Podcast
Game Design Unboxed 44: Season 2 Recap
Guest host and game enthusiast Natasha “Nat” Iris joins Danielle to recap he second season of Game Design Unboxed.
Article
Eldritch Excursion
By Nate Wright
Nate Wright’s journal of flavour and mechanics.
Wednesday, August 24th
Podcast
Know Direction 283 – Pathfinder Lost Omens: Travel Guide
I know this long topped Perram’s wish list for books, but I never shared his enthusiasm. That said, the Lost Omen’s line is build on a premise I never has enthusiasm for, and I love it. Will the Travel Guide continue that trend?
Article
Behind The Screens
By Ryan Costello
Veteran Game Master Ryan Costello talks with his fellow GMs on their side of the GM screen.
Thursday, August 25th
Podcast
Digital Divination 64
John and Jason talk Starfinder.
Friday, August 26th
Podcast
Upshift 001 – The New Upshift
With new cohost Jason Keeley, and following the Digital Divination/Legend Lore topical format, it’s an all new version of the Essence20 podcast.
Article
Iconic Designs
By Alex Auguna
Iconic Designs meets Hero Forge Fridays as Alex Augunas creates a mini and stat block every week.
Now you know,
Ryan Costello
