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.
In case you missed it, Paizo hired Vanessa and Dustin for full time developer positions. For anyone who noticed the lack of committal updates about the state of the Know Direction podcast since the mid-September announcement that Luis would be leaving the network, this is why. The producers of our two live shows -including the last host standing on our flagship- had huge career opportunities that would include major life changes looming. Now that we know the best case scenario came to pass, we can start looking at what Vanessa and Dustin joining Paizo means for their podcasts and the network.
We’ll go into this in greater detail over the coming weeks, but here’s the major talking points:
- The Network hiatus is over: This was the least hiatus-y hiatus I’ve ever seen. Given the option to continue to publish content only if they wanted, the staff put out the majority of regular blog and podcast content as usual. The big exceptions being the network’s two live shows: Know Direction and KD: Beyond.
- Live content hiatus continues: Vanessa and Dustin won’t be carrying on as producers of the live shows because of the time crunch and the last vestige of our claims to be unbiased journalists. I know we already say we’re totally biased, but there’s “we’re huge fans spreading our love of these games” biased, and then there’s “we’re hosted by the staff that makes the content we’re covering” biased. And because live content producer is the hardest role on the network to fill, we can’t easily replace them.
- Vanessa and Dustin don’t plan to leave the network: Although they’re leaving their podcasts, they don’t plan on leaving the network. Plans can change, of course, as they become more aware of how their workload affects their free time. They both hope to stay on to participate in Know Direction content and help run the network.
- Reinventing Know Direction: We expect Know Direction will return, but with a format evolution. It needs new hosts, and this gives us an opportunity to update the presentation to best fill its purpose. The Know Direction audience and the Pathfinder community don’t look the same as they did when we launched, or five years ago, or even a couple of years ago. This is our chance to evaluate the podcast’s strengths and lean into them for a relaunch.
- Aftershows that aren’t after any shows: One of the big draws of the Know Direction Patreon is the exclusive access to staff in a more casual setting. Up to now, that was through the Patron’s Private Sanctum and Beyonderer aftershows. However, with no live shows to record after, we will now start scheduling these as regular hangouts with the Patrons. I’d like to record the next Patron’s Private Sanctum in the next few weeks. Check the Patreon later this week and this space next week for more information on this new network content.
Speaking of Know Direction Network Content, here’s a recap of the Know Direction Network content from last week:
Recap of October 17th to 21st
What happened last week on knowdirectionpodcast.com and twitch.tv/knowdirection?
Monday, October 17th
Podcast
Intrepid Heroes 097 – The Signal
I know I don’t play Starfinder, but episodes like this make me love Starfinder. Where else can you hear about quantum slime calling chunks of the cosmos down on the PCs?
Article
Now You Know – Taking It Slow
I’m glad I don’t need to announce that there’s nothing to announce anymore. Expect juicier editorials in the next stretch of Now You Knows.
Tuesday, October 18th
Podcast
Game Design Unboxed 48: Million Dollar Doodle
When I finish listening to a new episode of GDU, I’m often fascinated by the journey the game took to publication, and the cleverness of the creatives involved. Sometimes, however, I just want to play the game the episode’s about. Million Dollar Doodle sounds so much like my kind f game.
Article
Eldritch Excursion – Big Fang Theory
By Nate Wright
Nate – Writes an article about space vampires.
Ryan – Thumbs up.
Nate – Titles the article Big Fang Theory.
Ryan – Standing ovation.
Wednesday, October 19th
Article
Behind The Screens – Bluey Rules
Want to know how much I love Bluey? This installment of BTS was either going to be about how Bluey handles rules, or revisit G.I. Joe filecards as a tool for PC backgrounds in response to a recent AMA with G.I. JOE writer Larry Hama. Bluey won.
Thursday, October 20th
Podcast
Digital Divination 068 – Writing Starfinder Adventures
Jason goes over the creation of Junker’s Delight with John to illustrate how to write Starfinder adventures.
Friday, October 21st
Podcast
Upshift 004 – RAW, RAI, and The Rules
Take two! Jason and I talk about the different causes of RAW vs RAI conflicts, with some Essence20 examples, and what players and designers can do about them.
Preview of October 24th to 28th
This is back to Block 2 of our 2-block schedule.
Monday, October 24th
Article
Now You Know – Now We Can Talk About This
By Ryan Costello
Let the planning for the future of Know Direction begin again!
Tuesday, October 26th
Podcast
Young and Adventurous 011
Scott D Young runs the Adventurous crew through an original adventure, following up on the modified version of Pathfinder Society Scenario #2-17: Lost Maid of Anactoria that he previously ran.
Article
Fox’s Cunning
By Dustin Knight
Dustin offers expert insight and helpful tools to enhance your game.
Wednesday, October 27th
Presenting: Andrew Mullen
Selfishly, I like seeing Andrew Mullen’s career progress because he credit’s Know Direction and our seminar coverage for helping him launch his career.
Thursday, October 28th
Article
Investing In
By Rob Pontious
Rob shares what he loves about the RPGs he’s been playing lately, and why you should check them out.
Friday, October 29th
Article
Iconic Design – Hero Forge Fridays
By Alex Augunas
Iconic Designs meets Hero Forge Fridays as Alex Augunas creates a mini and stat block every week.
Now you know,
Ryan Costello
