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.
Six months in the making, Perram and I record our first Upshift -the Know Direction Network’s Essence20 news, previews, and interviews podcast- live on Twitch this Wednesday. Episode 0 releases Friday.
I know we’ve referred to Geek Together – Essence20 Essentials as the unofficial episode 0 of our then untitled Essence20 podcast, but this week marks the official episode 0 of our nowtitled Essence20 podcast, Upshift. I guess that makes the Geek Together some kind of alpha 0.
Even though Upshift mirrors the Know Direction format nearly symmetrically, we decided to kick the show off with a test episode. This time, we’re not just totally biased fans talking about a roleplaying game we both love. The bias scales tipped. It’s a promotional podcast related to a project I worked on extensively. I may still be a huge fan of the product, but in the name of total transparency, I’m not going to be as critical of Essence20 content. I’m also going to have much more insight into the behind the scenes. As was suggested by chat a few episodes of Know Direction ago, we’re previewing the rulebooks, not reviewing them. I still expect to be honest, playful, and insightful in our episodes, but even I am not sure what that’s going to look like.
Something else I don’t know: The name of Upshift’s aftershow. Perram and I will move from Twitch to Discord for a private chat with our Patrons. However, I don’t feel right calling this aftershow Patron’s Private Sanctum. Patron’s Private Sanctum will continue after recordings of Know Direction, like tonight’s episode featuring Thursty Hillman, don’t worry about that. But should Patron’s Private Sanctum be the name of all Know Direction Network aftershows, or does Upshift’s aftershow need its own name? I’ve put up a poll for our Patron’s to help answer that question.
Speaking of our content, here’s a recap of everything that came out last week on the Know Direction Network:
Recap of January 17th to 21st
What happened last week on knowdirectionpodcast.com and twitch.tv/knowdirection?
Monday, January 17th
Article
Now You Know – Randal Recaps
By Randal Meyer
I needed a break. Randal was nice enough to cover for me last week. Writing Now You Know reminded Randal of all the content Know Direction releases on a weekly basis, so he made that the subject of his editorial.
Wednesday, January 19th
Podcast
Presenting – Rigby Bendele
I found Rigby extremely insightful, talking about their experience as an organized play coordinator these past few tumultuous years. I also really valued their advice to treat every freelance assignment as a test to prove they deserve the next one.
Article
More Lore – Monsters of Lore
I haven’t read Monsters of Lore, even though Classic Monsters Revisited got me into the Pathfinder campaign setting. Between the latest Know Direction and this article Scott wrote, I’m convinced I need to take the time to read it.
Thursday, January 20th
Article
Investing In: i’m sorry did you say street magic?
By Rob Pontious
So… I’m not sure I get i’m sorry did you say street magic?. If this was a board game, or a campaign build tool for RPGs, that would make sense to me. But between Rob’s write-up and the “a city-building story game” subtitle, I’m not sure what the i’m sorry did you say street magic? experience feels like. I’ll have to talk to Rob about it, see if there’s any chance he runs it for me.
Friday, January 21st
Podcast
Know Direction: Beyond 65 – Galactic Magic Review
Alex, James, and Vee showed their experiences playing and designing for Starfinder by alternating between faning over the new spellcasting content in Galactic Magic, breaking down the impact they foresee this book having on Starfinder, and analyzing the mechanical choices behind many of the 100+ new spells and the new Precog class.
Preview of January 24th to January 28th
Block 1 of our 2-block schedule.
Monday, January 10th
Twitch
Know Direction 268 Live – Thurston Hillman Introduces Rotgrind
It’s always great to see Thursty on the podcast. He’s here to tell Perram, Luis, and Vanessa about his new Pathfinder campaign setting for the upcoming Rotgrind actual play podcast.
Podcast
Intrepid Heroes 078 – Might As Well Be Walking On The Sun
GM Jason Tondro brings our intrepid heroes closer to the heart of the sun, and introduces them to The Crucible.
Article
Now You Know – Upshift Episode 0
By Ryan Costello
This NYK was almost titled “Upshift Approaches, Adventurous Update” but I ran out of words in my editorial space. You’ll have to wait until next week for the Adventurous Update.
Tuesday, January 25th
Podcast
Know Direction 268 – Thurston Hillman Introduces Rotgrind
I really hope Rotgrind is easily accessible as a podcast. Perram’s talked up Thursty’s previous actual play, War Hams, I’m excited to get into his next project at the ground floor.
Article
Eldritch Excursion
By Nate Wright
Nate Wright’s journal of flavour and mechanics.
Wednesday, January 26th
Twitch
Upshift Episode 0
Perram and I introduce you to how we’ll cover Essence20 Roleplaying System games in our new monthly podcast.
Podcast
Game Design Unboxed 29: Savage Sisters
Danielle speaks with Graham Gentz, a writer and designer on the Savage Sisters RPG from 9th Level Games.
Article
Behind The Screens – You Have The Power
By Ryan Costello
Continuing my series on the basics of GMing, I talk about how you craft your campaign experience through their GMing decisions.
Thursday, January 27th
Podcast
Digital Divination 48
John and Ron talk Starfinder.
Article
Something Creates
By Andrew Sturtevant
Andrew Sturtevant creates Starfinder content, and shares insight into his decisions and his struggles along the way.
Friday, January 28th
Podcast
Upshift Episode 0
Welcome to the Essence20 Roleplaying System.
Article
Monstrous Physique
By Luis Loza
Luis makes monsters.
Now you know,
Ryan Costello
