Fan Mail (Primetime Adventures) with Meguey Baker

Transcripts are available at diceexploder.com

People talk a lot about how and whether RPGs emulate TV and movies, but this week cohost Meguey Baker (Apocalypse World, Under Hollow Hills) brings in a game that takes that sentiment to a compelling meta level. Fan Mail, from Primetime Adventures by Matt Wilson, is the core of the game's key metaphor: that players are simultaneously writers of a TV show, fans watching that show, and the characters portrayed on screen. We talk about the storygame scene in the early 2000s, how Primetime Adventures has influenced Meg's work, and how different this mechanic can feel in a one shot vs a full campaign.

This game feels like a classic. I wish I'd known about it ten years ago.

Further Reading:

Primetime Adventures by Matt Wilson

The Revolution Was Televised by Alan Sepinwall

Inspecters by Jared Sorensen

A Thousand and One Nights by Meguey Baker

Ritual in Game Design by Meguey Baker

Meguey & Vincent’s new game Under Hollow Hills

Socials

Meg on Twitter and Bluesky.

The Baker family blog and games.

Sam on Bluesky and itch.

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