Bebop Tabletop: Designing a Cowboy Bebop RPG

Cowboy Funk - Gettin' Quibi Wit It ft. The Bebop Beat

Lijo John and Andrew Wu — Mon, 18 Apr 2022 09:00:00 -0700

This week, we hang out with Bebop's Elite, The Bebop Beat, to shoot the sheet about Cowboy Funk, the Queen of England, and bounty hunting as the crew of the DragonPop.

Thanks again to Jamie and Lauren for playing our game!

Mentions this week:

TV-Y7 FV - https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/TV_Parental_Guidelines
Cowboy Andy is Batman
Backstreet's Back, alright - https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/DNA_(Backstreet_Boys_album)
Star Trek Captain Catchphrases - https://www.denofgeek.com/tv/ranking-star-trek-captain-catchphrases/

Our Bebop Beat Must Listen Episodes:

Covering Cowboy Funk - https://thebebopbeat.simplecast.com/episodes/cowboy-funk
An Interview with Andre Nemec - https://thebebopbeat.simplecast.com/episodes/supernova-symphony
With Familiar Guests! - https://thebebopbeat.simplecast.com/episodes/venus-pop

Find more from Jamie at Anime Chicago - https://animechicago.com/

Hear Lauren's original re-watch/analysis podcast at She-Ra: Progressive of Power - https://shera-progressive-of-power.simplecast.com/

The Bebop Beat on Twitter - https://twitter.com/BebopBeat

Would you be interested in a deluxe art version of our rulebook? Let us know! Maybe in a podcast review why not?

Theme and Music by @wufire

Additional Music by orzalaga and Trygve_Larsen from Pixabay

Help Ukraine:

Google matching donations to Ukrainian aid: https://www.google.org/ukraine-relief/
Ukraine Support Charities from /r/ukraine

Boogie Woogie Feng Shui - The Newbie Bounty Hunters

Lijo John and Andrew Wu — Wed, 06 Apr 2022 13:00:00 -0700

This week we follow the three Qis in Boogie Woogie Feng Shui.

We discuss the heavenly anime known as Cowboy Bebop, we dive into earthly game mechanics of Bebop Tabletop, and we hear our magnetic new-to-tabletop friends in our latest playtest!

Special thanks to Patty, Steph, Kizer, and Ariel for play-testing this week's game!

This week we introduce Three (3) New Mechanics:

- Injuries

- Distance

- Last Gasp Gambits

Interested in listening to the full play session? Leave us a Podchaser comment or a review to let us know!

Comment: https://www.podchaser.com/podcasts/bebop-tabletop-designing-a-cow-2060434

Review: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/bebop-tabletop-designing-a-cowboy-bebop-rpg/id1590847013

Help Ukraine:

Google matching donations to Ukrainian aid: https://www.google.org/ukraine-relief/
Ukraine Support Charities from /r/ukraine

Theme and Music by @wufire

Additional Music by orzalaga and Trygve_Larsen from Pixabay

Pierrot Le Fou - Encounter at Space Land

Lijo John and Andrew Wu — Tue, 29 Mar 2022 13:30:00 -0700

This week, we talk about mad space clowns and jump into our second playtest featuring the familiar faces of Matt and Travis (and also Colin)!

Stick around for our immediate playtest thoughts and what we think we should fix next!

Mentioned in this episode:

Batman the Animated Series - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rrmUk2YUm14
Unearthed Arcana - https://dnd.wizards.com/articles/unearthed-arcana
"He hates these cans" - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Tcwz8-EfFYE
Nextel Chirp - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hEkwbhH3XMY
Jackbox Trivia Murder Party - https://www.jackboxgames.com/trivia-murder-party-two/
"Hey Kid, Catch" - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ITDFgsRIryg

Interested in listening to the full play session? Leave us a comment or a review to let us know!

Help Ukraine:

Google matching donations to Ukrainian aid: https://www.google.org/ukraine-relief/
Ukraine Support Charities from /r/ukraine

Theme and Music by @wufire

Additional Music by orzalaga and Trygve_Larsen from Pixabay

Wild Horses - The First Playtest

Lijo John and Andrew Wu — Mon, 21 Mar 2022 13:00:00 -0700

This week we welcome back Meg and Jack and introduce Joe from our regular Dungeons and Dragons table as they take on our first playtest based on Wild Horses!

Let's consider this the first Bebop Tabletop Actual Play!

Interested in a release of the full play session? Leave us a comment and a review to let us know!

Mentioned in this episode:

Space Shuttle Columbia - https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Space_Shuttle_Columbia
Babe Ruth - https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Babe_Ruth
More Dungeons and Dragons with Meg, Jack, and Joe on our twitch channel - https://twitch.tv/wufiregotpower
Got a better scheduling app? - https://whenisgood.net/
Moon Shot by Paul Dean (@paullicino) - https://www.patreon.com/posts/rpg-and-update-38075939

Help Ukraine:

Google matching donations to Ukrainian aid: https://www.google.org/ukraine-relief/
Ukraine Support Charities from /r/ukraine

Theme and Music by @wufire

Additional Music by orzalaga and Trygve_Larsen from Pixabay

Virtuoso Session - Talking Art with Travis Overstreet

Lijo John and Andrew Wu — Mon, 14 Mar 2022 09:00:00 -0700

Help Ukraine:

Google matching donations to Ukrainian aid: https://www.google.org/ukraine-relief/
Ukraine Support Charities from /r/ukraine

This week, we start talking 'bout art, but like a good jazz solo, we follow the flow! We hope you enjoy our conversation with Artist Travis Overstreet (https://overstreetart.com/)

Would you be interested in a deluxe art version of our rulebook? Let us know! Maybe in a podcast review why not?

Lijo's Shows

Arcane
Haikyuu!!

Mentioned in this episode:

Lijo the Anime Apologist
Mœbius - https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jean_Giraud
The history of Adult Swim
"All kids out of the pool" - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=h9CnXYQMTUw
"My entire problem with anime is chins"
Official Bebop RPG - https://www.dicebreaker.com/games/cowboy-bebop-the-roleplaying-game/news/cowboy-bebop-rpg-announcement
Season 2 of Bebop Tabletop?
HP as luck - https://twitter.com/GameAnim/status/1016055557977882624
Our itch.io page - https://beboptabletop.itch.io/
Space Bounty Blues - A GM-less RPG - https://nerdypapergames.itch.io/sbb
Ma Beagle - https://disney.fandom.com/wiki/Ma_Beagle
Pocket Sand - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QLpUq__iQqw
A Promise to always read player backstories

Theme and Music by @wufire

Additional Music by orzalaga and Trygve_Larsen from Pixabay

Speak Like a Child - Building Faye Valentine

Lijo John and Andrew Wu — Mon, 07 Mar 2022 09:00:00 -0700

This week, Lijo and Wu speak like children and leave a message for their future selves.

Also in this session, they build a playable Faye Valentine character using the brand new skills list.

It's a good thing that in space no one can see you cry.

While you're here, why not leave us a review? Or two?

Mentioned in this episode:

Improv's "Game of the Scene"
Did I do that?
The power of friendship!

Theme and Music by @wufire

Additional Music by orzalaga and Trygve_Larsen from Pixabay

"The Hero of Waterdeep" - Lyrics by Andrew Wu, Music and Performance by Jack and Meg

Help Ukraine:

Google matching donations to Ukrainian aid: https://www.google.org/ukraine-relief/
Ukraine Support Charities from /r/ukraine

Mushroom Samba - Game Master Mamba ft. Cole Rush

Lijo John and Andrew Wu — Mon, 28 Feb 2022 09:00:00 -0700

No, you're not on mushrooms! This week we're visited by writer and friend Cole Rush! We talk about hard-learned tricks for Dungeon Mastering and a girl and her dog and a bunch of space mushrooms.

Let's kick the beat!

Two articles for Cole!

What I Learned From Breaking Up With D&D
We’re In The Middle Of A Bardic Revolution
For more follow @ColeRush1 on Twitter

Mentioned in this episode:

Alternate universe where Cowgirl Ed is hunting bounties
How do you make player preparation not a chore?
The importance of feedback (Leave us a review!)
"Mystery but no Mistrust"
Competitive Crossword League
That time we talked about the Three Pillars

Theme and Music by @wufire

Additional Music by orzalaga and Trygve_Larsen from Pixabay

Help Ukraine:

Google matching donations to Ukrainian aid: https://www.google.org/ukraine-relief/
Ukraine Support Charities from /r/ukraine

Black Dog Serenade - Making a Game for Superfans ft. Jesse from Sudden But Inevitable

Lijo John and Andrew Wu — Mon, 21 Feb 2022 09:00:00 -0700

This week we're joined by Jesse from the excellent Sudden But Inevitable podcast to talk about Black Dog Serenade and how to design Tabletop RPGs for superfans.

Grab your dice, bring a friend, and prepare your questions for the game maestro!

Mentioned in this episode:

Sudden But Inevitable
Jesse on Twitter
Con Air
Shut Up and Sit Down - The Teach
Firefly
Our Session on Crew Dynamics - Jamming with Edward
"Be Excellent to Each Other"
Cowboy Diplomacy

Theme and Music by @wufire

Additional Music by orzalaga and Trygve_Larsen from Pixabay

My Funny Valentine - Cheerful Nihilism ft. Patty

Lijo John and Andrew Wu — Mon, 14 Feb 2022 09:00:00 -0700

Happy Valentine's Day!

This week we welcome our friend and expert of most things nerdy, Patty (pattygoesrhar) joins us to talk My Funny Valentine.

Stop by for Futurama references and Super Fun Happy Times in this really weird cub scout meeting!

Mentioned in this episode:

Check out our Twitch streams on Wednesday nights @ wufireGotPower
Goose Goose Duck
Inuyasha! Kagome!
Paleofuture
"Nice is different than Good" - Into the Woods
Assassin's Creed Odyssey
Blades in the Dark - Flashbacks
Dungeons and Daddies - Not a BDSM Podcast

Theme and Music by @wufire

Additional Music by orzalaga and Trygve_Larsen from Pixabay

Bohemian Rhapsody - A Ship of Your Own

Lijo John and Andrew Wu — Mon, 07 Feb 2022 09:00:00 -0700

In space, no one can hear you moo... so be heard in your own customized, personalized zipcraft!

This week, join Lijo and Andrew as they talk about the game mechanics implications of building spaceships, possible player versus player tweaks, and the VHS Era of Anime.

So slap a flame decal on your fastest vehicle and stop on by!

Mentioned in this episode:

Theme and Music by @wufire

Additional Music by orzalaga and Trygve_Larsen from Pixabay

Jupiter Jazz (Part 1 and 2) - Space Lonely ft. Meg and Jack

Lijo John and Andrew Wu — Mon, 31 Jan 2022 09:00:00 -0700

Meg and Jack stop by to talk Jupiter Jazz and Space Loneliness.

Along the way we discuss handling sensitive topics at the table (no flirting with Lijo!) and adding a little bit of style (dice) and fashion.

All this and more in this EX+ rated session with our ttrpg family members!

Mentioned in this episode:

TV Tropes - Bury Your Gays
Dimension 20 - Misfits and Magic using Kids on Brooms
Spike Puffy Coat Meme
Our Twitch streams @ wufireGotPower

Theme and Music by @wufire

Additional Music by orzalaga and Trygve_Larsen from Pixabay

Toys in the Attic - One Shots and Rock Lobsters ft. Matt DiCarlo

Lijo John and Andrew Wu — Mon, 24 Jan 2022 09:00:00 -0700

It's 2022 and we're talking Toys in the Attic with special guest Matt DiCarlo!

We try to fit this bottle episode into our system and try not to spoil any Ganymede rock lobster on the way.

Listen in to this mutant Alien one-shot and have a Moderately Better New Year!

Mentioned in this episode:

Theme and Music by @wufire

Additional Music by orzalaga and Trygve_Larsen from Pixabay

Intermission - Showdown at the Yoko Corral

Michael Janov, Lijo John, and Andrew Wu — Mon, 17 Jan 2022 09:00:00 -0700

Sometimes the hunter becomes the hunted.

Sometimes the hunted has a podcast.

Intermission - Pirate Radio

Michael Janov, Lijo John, and Andrew Wu — Mon, 10 Jan 2022 09:00:00 -0700

A little musical intermission. Sorry about the static.

Music Credit:

Shades of Spring by Kevin MacLeod

Link: https://incompetech.filmmusic.io/song/4342-shades-of-spring

License: https://filmmusic.io/standard-license

Intermission - Holiday 2072

Michael Janov, Lijo John, and Andrew Wu — Mon, 03 Jan 2022 09:00:00 -0700

Wait... What is this?

Special Session - Mechanical Rodeo

Michael Janov, Lijo John, and Andrew Wu — Mon, 27 Dec 2021 09:00:00 -0700

Wait, I don't remember this episode of the show!

This week we take a break from our regular format to summarize the mechanics and lessons we've learned over the last 10 sessions of Bebop Tabletop! If you want to know how our game will be played, this is the one to listen to!

Theme and Music by @wufire

Additional Music by orzalaga and Trygve_Larsen from Pixabay

Ganymede Elegy - Pillars of Character Creation

Michael Janov, Lijo John, and Andrew Wu — Mon, 20 Dec 2021 09:00:00 -0700

This week we discuss our Three Pillars of Character creation as Jet faces his art-house, noir past on Ganymede.

Will exploding scenes actually appear in our game? Let's find out together!

The Three Pillars

What's in Your Past?
Why are you doing what you're Doing?
How do you Move Forward?

Theme and Music by @wufire

Additional Music by orzalaga and Trygve_Larsen from Pixabay

Jamming With Edward - Crew Dynamics ft. Evan Young

Lijo John and Andrew Wu — Mon, 13 Dec 2021 09:00:00 -0700

As Ed joins the Bebop crew, we welcome our first guest host Evan Young!

We talk about crew dynamics, player dynamics, and ultimately how game rules can never replace good old fashioned communication.

Mentioned in this episode:

Theme and Music by @wufire

Additional Music by orzalaga and Trygve_Larsen from Pixabay

Waltz for Venus - Success and Skill Checks

Michael Janov, Lijo John, and Andrew Wu — Mon, 06 Dec 2021 09:00:00 -0700

A trip to beautiful Venus is just what the doctor ordered as we look at skill checks, partial successes, advantages, and disadvantages. Don't worry about the spores, bring your Universal Money Card, and come on by!

(Warning: exposure to role playing games may cause excessive fun)

Mentioned in this episode:

"Are we the baddies?" sketch

Theme and Music by @wufire

Additional Music by orzalaga and Trygve_Larsen from Pixabay

Heavy Metal Queen - Breaking Down a Scene

Michael Janov, Lijo John, and Andrew Wu — Mon, 29 Nov 2021 09:00:00 -0700

No blues this week as we meet the interstellar trucker VT and her cat Zeros. As she chases down Decker, we break down the scene using all the mechanics we've developed so far, and even make up new ones to fill in the gaps!

Check with your doctor to see if space is right for you!

Mentioned in this episode:

How Long Humans Survive in Space WIthout a Spacesuit (Hint: Not very long)

Theme and Music by @wufire

Additional Music by orzalaga and Trygve_Larsen from Pixabay

Sympathy for the Devil - Dice Roll Accelerando

Michael Janov, Lijo John, and Andrew Wu — Mon, 22 Nov 2021 09:00:00 -0700

This week, as the crew turns a magic space rock into a magic bullet, we talk about rolling math rocks and how to keep up the tempo during encounters.

We've got some meaty game design decisions to make here, so tune your delicate and refined ears our way. Did we solve all the game's problems in the first draft? "Yeah. As if."

Mentioned in this episode:

Formula D the racing board game with shifting dice

Theme and Music by @wufire

Additional Music by orzalaga and Trygve_Larsen from Pixabay

Ballad of Fallen Angels - Character Backgrounds

Michael Janov, Lijo John, and Andrew Wu — Mon, 15 Nov 2021 09:00:00 -0700

This week we're looking at Spike's past in Ballad of Fallen Angels and discussing character backgrounds.

Will you play a character with a dark criminal past? Maybe a crooked ISSP officer? Creepy space clown?

I'm definitely going with the tragic past Ein build.

Mentioned in this episode:

Theme and Music by @wufire

Additional Music by orzalaga and Trygve_Larsen from Pixabay

Gateway Shuffle - Crime and Other Monkey Business

Michael Janov, Lijo John, and Andrew Wu — Mon, 08 Nov 2021 09:00:00 -0700

This week we talk about the criminal element, player consequences for failure, a monkey virus, and a collection of items to catch your eye.

So come on in. The sea rat is to die for!

Theme and Music by @wufire

Additional Music by orzalaga and Trygve_Larsen from Pixabay

Honky Tonk Women - Flight

Michael Janov, Lijo John, and Andrew Wu — Mon, 01 Nov 2021 09:00:00 -0700

We finally meet femme fatale Faye Valentine, but this session's all about free flying!

Join us as we break down Gordon Richman's secret casino standoff into a tabletop RPG session.

Mentioned this Week:

@TheZoneCast and @BrennanLM discuss ship combat homebrew: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Agi0-9fKehU

Theme and Music by @wufire

Additional Music by orzalaga and Trygve_Larsen from Pixabay

Stray Dog Strut - Chase Scenes and Property Damage

Michael Janov, Lijo John, and Andrew Wu — Mon, 25 Oct 2021 09:00:00 -0700

Shucks Howdy! How y'all doing? We're keeping our game design running with a discussion about building dynamic and interesting chase sequences for all types of players to enjoy. Also, we worry about the incredible cost your crews are about to inflict across the solar system.

Listening to this episode won't cost a Woolong, but we'll gladly accept your 150 corgi donation!

Theme and Music by @wufire

Additional Music by orzalaga and Trygve_Larsen from Pixabay

Asteroid Blues - Game Structure

Lijo John and Andrew Wu — Mon, 18 Oct 2021 09:00:00 -0700

Let's Jam! Hosts Michael Janov, Lijo John, and Andrew Wu dive right into the first session by breaking down the introduction to our favorite bounty hunters in the star system and discovering the first piece of the game design puzzle: Game Structure.

Will future bounty hunting role players enjoy our five phases of fun? Will this structure accommodate nuanced, dynamic gameplay? Well, we have 26 sessions (and a movie) to find out!

Theme and Music by @wufire

Additional Music by orzalaga and Trygve_Larsen from Pixabay

Bebop Tabletop Intro Bop

Michael Janov, Lijo John, and Andrew Wu — Mon, 18 Oct 2021 00:00:00 -0700

3. 2. 1. This is Bebop Tabletop: The podcast that’s turning each episode of Cowboy Bebop into a tabletop RPG.

Hosts Michael Janov, Lijo John, and Andrew Wu are remixing the characters, music, and themes of the beloved anime classic into a game that you can play.

Let’s Jam!

New episodes weekly