The GROGNARD Files

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The GROGNARD RPG files is a podcast that looks at RPGs from 'back in the day and today'.Each episode concentrates on the original rules of a featured game, our experiences of playing the game, PLUS excellent contributions from @dailydwarf selecting highlights from the halcyon days of White Dwarf magazine.

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Recent Reviews
  • Magic JMS
    Like a warm blanket
    Just a delightful experience where Dirk and Blithey bring you into their homes, their pubs, and their phone calls to talk about tabletop games from the 1980s to today. My only complaint, really, is that the episodes come out relatively infrequently; once I caught up and binged the whole library, the wait for each new episode became interminable. Keep up the great work, fellas!
  • pahoota
    Less than 5 Stars = wrong
    How can anyone give this podcast less than 5 stars? Not just nostalgic, Dirk and the Judge have been constant RPG companions and offered insights for those of us gamers of a certain age for over half a decade. 10 stars.
  • mmmgoodone
    Thank you!
    I love the sincerity Dirk brings and how it just feels so friendly. I will listen to anything this podcast puts out.
  • SFMarcus
    Ah, what’s not to love?
    I love this show! For some dumb reason (on my end) I thought the show had ceasing producing episodes post the Liz Danforth ones - how thrilled I am to be proved wrong. Everything about this wonderful, kind-hearted show is a balm and a delight.
  • ScrivenerB
    The noise!
    This would easily be five stars but honestly....I would LIKE to hear what these two have to say but the fact that half of EVERY episode is recorded in one of England's Noisiest Pubs....it's ridiculous. WE CANT HEAR YOU over the loud music and drunkEN blatherings and noisy doors and OH GOD. The everything. I've been quiet about this for so long but enough is enough.
  • rmcnees
    It’s not a podcast, it’s…
    …an online course in the archaeology of your childhood. Just a delight.
  • Hyper_lexic
    Lots of old-school fun from another country (from me)
    I really love this podcast! Dirk and the gang focus on the same games from the 80s that I loved - Runequest, Stormbringer, Traveller - but from a British perspective vs my Californian one. It's a lot of nostalgic fun to hear their perspective on the games 30 years later, and it's particularly interesting to hear the areas where the experience differed between the two countries. Beyond that, Dirk and the gang are a lot of fun to listen to - relaxed, funny, down to earth. They've developed a few standard bits that are already favorites of mine. Looking forward to see where they take this in the future!
  • Duke Croaker
    Awesome and soothing
    Much appreciate the in depth reviews/trip down memory lane. Back then one felt very alone in this hobby with no one to share one’s insights or opinions. Listening to this my inner 12-17 year old feels validated and heard. Keep on rambling!
  • Iain1976
    Wonderful Dose of Nostalgia
    What a great show! There are hundreds of RPG podcasts out there, but this one does a wonderful job of not only exploring the history of the hobby, but it also gives some friendly, personal insight into those early days. The fact that all the discussion is delivered in an easy to listen to northern accent is the icing on the cake (the wife’s from Oop North - I had to say this…). The only downside is that I’ve been contemplating releasing an RPG history podcast for a while, and these guys have caused me to take the plunge and do it. Sorry about that….
  • WhoWhyHow
    Next best thing to a time machine
    Brings back the sense of wonder and anticipation I got when my copy of White Dwarf turned up in my mailbox back in the day. Thank you!
  • ctcharger
    Playing catch up
    Just found the podcast and enjoying the Runequest shows first. Keep up the great work!
  • goldenboat
    Forward Into The Past
    A constant companion on my commute these past several months, and immediately jumps to the number one slot when a new episode drops. The series is steeped in nostalgia but over time the lens focuses not so much on the past as on the present, and how this group of fifty-something year old role players reconnect with a hobby they've come to love all over again. The Venn Diagram of my role playing experience overlaps with these guys like a total eclipse of the sun. My favorite bit of the show is when Dirk and Blythy chat about the strengths and weaknesses of a particular rules system -- not so much for the rules talk (which is always very good), but because it is delightful to share in the friendly affection these two life-long friends and armchair adventurers have for each other. Long may they delve!
  • Goodmania7000
    Probably my favourite
    I seriously have to ration this podcast as its equisitely scripted nostalgia takes a lot of time to craft. If only these guys could go pro and release one a week I would be in heaven.
  • Numtini
    More Than Nostalgia
    Great podcast with not only comments about the good old days (and not so good) of gaming, but also a thorough modern analysis of the games they're talking about. The hosts have a genuine chemistry together and I particularly enjoy their sense of humor. They teased talking about Night's Black Agents and I'm looking forward to hearing their thoughts on some new games as well.
  • That Dan Guy
    Great review of RPGs
    I’m going back trying to find a good RPG to introduce my kids to. This podcast helps review all these old games I used to play years ago and several I didn’t get a chance to. Great insights into Runequest and related products.
  • Guardianista
    Nostalgia with a side order of modernity
    An excellent podcast focusing on the RPGs of the 80's, with a dash of discussion of how it relates to games of today. Quite sophisticated analysis of these classic games wrapped in the warm, dulcet Northern tones of Dirk and Blithey. Do yourself a favour and get listening.
  • Bolingbroken
    Not just nostalgia
    Not just a funny nostalgia trip through early RPGs, it's also a passionate and very thoughtful discussion of tabletop gaming, but done in an easy and comfortable way. Can't reccomend it highly enough.
  • Neilasaurus
    Great even if you haven't played all the games
    I recently started at beginning and haven't gotten to any games I have actually played myself yet. Still am fascinated by the discussions of classic games I was dimly aware of and finding out what I missed out on. Really captures the feel of the good old days, many of the experiences seem very familiar to games I have played. Ready for the episodes on games that I am familiar with to blow my mind.
  • djpeterso23662
    Excellent and Thoughtful Podcast
    I subscribed because RuneQuest podcasts are very scarce. I am listening to episodes from the beginning. Both RuneQuest episodes were excellently written and presented. Traveller podcasts are even more scarce than RuneQuest. Both Traveller episodes were also excellently written and presented. For me, what makes this podcast truly special is the way it candidly shares personal experiences with the games, mixed with solid information on the games. I also love that the presenters spend the time it takes to examine issues and products in detail rather than hurrying along. Many thanks for your outstanding work!
  • jsamp401
    A great vehicle for game information and gamer nostalgia
    I was very fortunate to find this podcast while seeking out shows which covered tabletop gaming. The search was for inspiring audio to prepare my GM brain for the process of running an upcoming game. Listening to this podcast was like receiving a bolt of lightning directly to the head. A fantastic 1.21 gigawatts of inspiration! Listening to the host recount his early gaming days takes me back to my first experience with role playing games. I can relate to his experiences in many ways. When he's joined by his, "Rules lawyer" brother-in-dice it's like listening to old gaming friends as they recount that one awesome time or experience your group shared. Hearing their passion for the hobby serves as a reminder that gaming is truly magical no matter which system you play or when you play it. If you've ever found yourself loving the hobby, you really must listen to this incredible show. It's one of the best podcasts I've encountered. You'll be happy to have spent time with it, guaranteed. Now to get back to listening. To borrow a term from the host, this rambler must return to rambling.
  • Icengine
    Great and thoughtful OSR & D&D Podcast!
    This podcast is simplly terrific! If you are tired of podcasts with man-boys acting like children (or excessive sound effects and bumpers) while talking about old school games or D&D this is your podcast. Fun but not childish. Carefully thoughtful and simply produced. They are unique characters but still think very carefully about the topics - they take the topics, but not themselves, seriously.
  • Zanguine
    A Chronicle of the UK Experience
    This is a well-written podcast with a unique point of view. It’s great to learn about Golden Age gaming in the United Kingdom from the grognards across the pond. Keep up the great work!
  • WDaleHouston
    A fun look back at days gone by.
    This podcast came along just as I started playing RPGs again. It’s a fun look back at the games of yore, from a British perspective. It’s fun to see where their experience differed from mine due to their country of origin, the importance of the White Dwarf and Games Workshop in the whole British gaming experience and their (slightly) younger age than mine. Also, Dirk and Blythy (Blithy?) have great accents.
  • critical rob
    Great RPG nostalgia
    Highly recommended for anyone that has been playing tabletop rpg's since the 70s or 80s. Each game they feature an older RPG. They review the game, talk about their experiences, rate the rules, and recommend some supplements. Excellent listening.
  • Branduan
    RPG Classics Revisited
    Solid podcast on classic role playing games from a British perspective rooted in the 1980's. The episodes on Runequest and Call of Cthulhu are interesting examinations for those who remember "the old days" and informative windows on the past for more recent gamers who want to understand the origins of gaming classics and how those "back in the day" interpreted and played them. I'm looking forward to the Traveller episodes.
  • GillywonkaInOC
    Grognard Files Rock Dragon Pass
    What an informative trip back to my early days of Runequest. I started playing RQ in 1982 while in high school. This podcast brought me right back. I've died so many times in the Hollow and Balastor's Barracks, listening to this has me ready to supply more bait for gorp or Whiteye. Well done gentlemen! I anxiously await your next podcast. May the darkness of Kyger Litor forever blind your foes.
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