We’re back and we’re twiddling the tracking knob. It’s supposed to clear up the image on this old videocassette, but maybe that’s just missing the point. The static can be the most interesting part, filled with whispers, ghosts, and forbidden secrets. Compared to such beautiful nightmares, the film itself is often a bit disappointing. Then again, analogue horror seems to be more of a vibe than a form of storytelling, so maybe we should just let the static wash over us like electromagnetic waves.

Main Topic: Analogue Horror

This episode sees us explore analogue horror, trying to work out what exactly it is and how to bring it to life at the gaming table. It’s perhaps a harder genre than most to pin down, partly because it is relatively new, but also because it is arguably more of an aesthetic than a series of tropes. We ran into similar issues when discussing Gothic horror, however, that that didn’t stop us then!

As well as delving into the origins of the analogue horror, we discuss notable media, and some of the RPGs that have drawn upon it all. And, of course, we talk about some of our own ideas for how to let it seep into our games.

Our Guest Host

We are delighted to welcome Holly back to the Good Friends, following last episode’s discussion of horror in space! Holly co-hosts RPG Reanimators, a podcast focusing on providing resources for GMs and players of horror RPGs. She’s also a regular on Into the Darkness, an actual play YouTube channel. In addition to RPGs, she’s an avid board gamer, space nerd, and all-around trivia enthusiast. You can find Holly over on the RPG Reanimators Discord.

News

A Weekend With Good Friends

Player signups for A Weekend With Good Friends will close very soon. If you are reading this shortly after the episode goes out, you just have time to sign up, but act quickly!

AWWGF is, of course, is the online convention organised by our lovely listeners, taking place on the Good Friends Discord server.

Key dates are:

Player signups: 22nd of May – 5th of June
A Weekend With Good Friends: 13th – 15th of June

Games and panels will run throughout the weekend.

We shall share more details are they become available.

Cosmic Dark Kickstarter

At the time of posting, the Kickstarter for Graham Walmsley’s new game, Cosmic Dark, has two weeks left to run. The campaign is fully funded and well into stretch goals. One of these planned goals is a scenario from our own Scott Dorward — a heart-warming piece about cute furry animals, titled “Warm Fuzzies”.

If you want to hear Cosmic Dark in action, Graham ran a campaign for Ain’t Slayed Nobody. Scott was one of the players, along with Good Friends guest hosts Cuppycup and Ross Bryant. The full campaign is now out, so it’s the perfect time to catch up with it all.