Reviewing Chris Perkins

[Iosue]

Aw man, I think the Penny Arcade / PVP players are generally fantastic. I loved listening to them as Mike learned to play D&D for the first time, and Gerry is just a brilliant and interesting guy. If you're looking for a place to start, start with their first series, and try to listen/watch in chronological order; even though it's 4e.

Based on my relisten of the first season (recapped here!), I would suggest skipping the first season entirely. Only half of it is Chris Perkins, and he absolutely not on his game in them. The PA guys and Kurtz are still feeling out their characters. I would recommend Season 2, or even better yet, Season 3. The first chapter of Season 3 is like Edward Norton's poker speech in Rounders: it makes me want to play some D&D!

 

[Vael]

Season 3 is the Hammerfell one, right? Because I love that one, there are some really good exchanges and lines that I'm surprised are off-the-cuff. This exchange in particular (paraphrased):

Dwarf NPC: First rule of combat, wizard dies first
Wizard in question: I am an entertainer, sir.
Dwarf NPC: How are your death scenes?

My table doesn't get a lot of good trash talk in combat, and I love to see roleplaying still happening after initiative is rolled.

 

[painted_klown]

Ok, so the video I watched is NOT the same crew of people that seem to be in the PAX videos.

Here is the video I watched.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EzmpkaZEe6I

I am thinking I need to start watching the PAX videos, and I see there are some videos that feature some of the guys who work on Robot Chicken. I imagine those are probably filled with some good laughs, being populated by a room full of comedy writers...

 

[wedgeski]

Ok, so the video I watched is NOT the same crew of people that seem to be in the PAX videos.

Here is the video I watched.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EzmpkaZEe6I

I am thinking I need to start watching the PAX videos, and I see there are some videos that feature some of the guys who work on Robot Chicken. I imagine those are probably filled with some good laughs, being populated by a room full of comedy writers...

All correct. The Robot Chicken session also has a "DM's commentary" version which is quite interesting.

 

[pukunui]

All correct. The Robot Chicken session also has a "DM's commentary" version which is quite interesting.

What does that involve, out of curiosity?

 

[wedgeski]

What does that involve, out of curiosity?

He describes designing the adventure, how to deal with new players (all but one of the Robot Chicken guys were new to D&D IIRC), why he makes certain decisions, and how the room was flooding as they were filming, amongst other things. Very entertaining.

 

[pukunui]

OK. I'll take a look. Thanks.

 

[cavalier973]

is there a good example of his play that i can watch somewhere? I'd be interested to see

Bring your popcorn.

 

[AverageCitizen]

I have a hard time watching Chris Perkins DM. I don't like his voices, his stories, his naming habits, and most of all his railroading. Granted, public performance may call for a little rail-roading, so I'll give him a pass there.

To each their own, though. I think it is well that people seem to enjoy him, so this is the first time I have ever publicized my dislike. It does bug me a little to see him heralded as a "master". I have never seen someone I would call a master, and Mr. Perkins is not really even close, in my mind.

 

[Emerikol]

I would think to be a master you only have to be a master of your style. If his players are really happy on a consistent basis then I'd say he is a master of his style. I believe I'm also a master of my style which by the way is not Chris Perkin's style in all likelihood.

The greatest DM in the world running a style of game I don't like is still not going to please me.