As requested by fan and friend (frand?) David, Ryan and Charles look at the Ranger. They discuss the military and G.I. JOE origins of rangers, how they were brought into Essence20, and how Ryan solved the Ranger’s Aquaman Problem....
He’s a piece of tree that’s out to get you. He’s Analog! Welcome to Essential Builds, the blog that usually turns popular culture icons into Essence20 Player Characters. Sometimes they’re made out of wood. It’s rare, but not unheard...
They’ve covered Players and GMs, now Alex and James look at the real stars of Starfinder: SF2 Alien Core. Recorded live on Twitch. Listen Now! (mp3)
In episode 127 of Game Design Unboxed: Inspiration to Publication, we chat with game designer, publisher, and trauma psychotherapist Galen McCown about how getting involved with the Syracuse game design community helped him grow as both a creator and collaborator. We also...
Roadblock melting as Shipwreck screams. Young Daniel Witwicky stumping across Optimus Prime’s decaying corpse. The unconscious manifestation of Princess Celestials anxiety. Pumpkin Rapper. Plastic Bags. The Essence20 settings don’t shy away from the weird, so neither do Ryan and...
With Pathfinder Quest on his mind, Ryan ponders some of the many ways a Pathfinder enthusiast can play in Golarion and the Lost Omens campaign setting beyond the Pathfinder roleplaying game. Then he sits down with Pathfinder Quest designers...
Troubled by the living? Unhappy with eternity? Call Beetlejuice, the bio-exorcist! Welcome to Essential Builds, the blog that summons popular culture icons to Essence20 by saying their name three times! What better way to continue our Spooky Season theme...
In episode 126 of Game Design Unboxed, we chat with John D. Clair about his journey from gamifying mazes to becoming a full-time tabletop designer. He shares how setting clear goals, focusing only on games he is excited about, and reworking...
As the designer of the Essence20 version of G.I. JOE’s iconic flying submarine, Ryan takes full responsibility for it being built wrong. He uses this opportunity to show off he Essence20 vehicle design rules and correct his mistake. You...
In every fortnight, there is a chosen one. They alone stood out in popular culture. They are the essential build. October is spooky season, so we’re building humanity’s best line of defense against everything supernatural and scary. When things...