CRPG / Video Game Gabfest With Matt Barton Of Matt Chat - Episode 294 - 8/31/2026

CRPG / Video Game Gabfest With Matt Barton Of Matt Chat - Episode 294 - 8/31/2026

Author: Shane Stacks September 1, 2026 Duration: 2:04:54

Professor Matt Barton of Matt Chat joins Shane for a gabfest on CRPGs and other things video gamey, plus a BIG ANNOUNCEMENT. EverQuest and World of Warcraft still have players. What is Mr. T's connection to WoW, and are fools involved? A cruise through player activity stats for various MMOs, plus which MMO has (or had) the highest player base. Playing tabletop RPGs on a virtual tabletop versus in person. Shane's weekly game group has a hard time finding multiplayer video games they all agree on. Against all odds, a rhomboid is both a muscle and a geometric shape. The age-old question of what is a CRPG? Shane thinks Baldurs Gate 3 is the best adaptation of the tabletop experience ever in a CRPG. What does rat milk taste like, and is it good for the hair? The Army is giving time off to…. play a video game?? (What amazing game could this be??) MMO shooters for the glory of the state. Matt is very impressed with Fallout: New California. The legal ins and outs of game mods. Classic Ultima Online (multiplayer classic Ultima, not the Ultima Online MMORPG). The "1,000 Good Fans" theory. Shane and Matt used to play MUDs. Never cast invisibility on the fountain. Matt loves smashing rats, and Shane loves driving around in the Mako and blasting the crap out of stuff in Mass Effect. KOTOR essentially runs the D&D D20 system under the hood. Creators and companies becoming victims of their own success. Shane pre-ordered Star Wars Zero company. And of course the BIG ANNOUNCEMENT and more!

Shane Plays Geek Talk Episode #294 8/31/2026

Like what you hear?
Support Shane Plays Geek Talk on Patreon!
https://www.patreon.com/shaneplays

Listen to the Shane Plays Geek Talk podcast on YouTube, SoundCloud, iTunes, Google Play Music, Amazon Music, Podbean and Stitcher (and other fine, fine podcast directories).

Hey, you! Yeah, you! Buy cool stuff, support Shane Plays Geek Talk with these affiliate links!
Humble Bundle
https://www.humblebundle.com?partner=shaneplays
DriveThruRPG.com
https://www.drivethrurpg.com/browse.php?affiliate_id=488512

SHOW NOTES

Matt Chat (Matt Barton on YouTube)
https://www.youtube.com/@MattBarton 

1,000 True Fans Essay by Kevin Kelly
https://kk.org/thetechnium/1000-true-fans/ 

Project 1999 - Classic EverQuest
https://www.project1999.com/ 

EverQuest Legends
https://www.everquestlegends.com/home 

Project Zomboid
https://store.steampowered.com/app/108600/Project_Zomboid/ 

Army battalion in Georgia offering 4 days of GTA 6 play as reenlistment incentive
https://www.fox16.com/news/national-news/army-battalion-in-georgia-offering-4-days-of-gta-6-play-as-reenlistment-incentive/ 

America's Army link
https://store.steampowered.com/app/203290/Americas_Army_Proving_Grounds/ 

Operencia: The Stolen Sun
https://store.steampowered.com/app/985950/Operencia_The_Stolen_Sun/ 

Fallout: New California
https://www.gog.com/en/game/fallout_new_california 

Classic Ultima Online
https://shatteredmoon.com/cuo/ 

Empire (1977 video game)
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Empire_(1977_video_game) 

New Rumors Suggest KOTOR Remake May Be Re-Announced This Year (and Potential Launch Windows)
https://www.mmorpg.com/news/new-rumors-suggest-kotor-remake-may-be-re-announced-this-year-and-potential-launch-windows-2000138547 

Star Wars Zero Company
https://store.steampowered.com/app/2075800/STAR_WARS_Zero_Company/ 


Dungeons and Desktops: The History of Computer Role-Playing Games 2nd Edition

Shane's book! Co-authored with Matt Barton of Matt Chat
https://www.amazon.com/Dungeons-Desktops-History-Computer-Role-Playing/dp/1138574643/


There's a particular kind of joy found in diving deep into the worlds and hobbies that capture our imagination, and that's the feeling Shane Plays Geek Talk aims to recreate in every episode. Hosted by Shane Stacks, this podcast feels like a comfortable conversation with a friend who's just as passionate about the intricate lore of a Star Trek episode as they are about the latest indie tabletop game. The discussion naturally spans a wide spectrum-from rolling dice in a Dungeons & Dragons campaign and painting miniatures for a wargame to debating the merits of a new sci-fi novel or a classic Doctor Who serial. What you'll hear isn't just a review show, but a genuine celebration of fandom in all its forms. Shane approaches each topic not as a critic, but as an enthusiastic participant, fostering a space that encourages both long-time enthusiasts and the casually curious. Listening feels like pulling up a chair at a friendly local game shop; the talk is specific, informed, and always driven by a shared affection for these creative corners of culture. Whether your personal geekdom is firmly established or you're just beginning to explore, this podcast offers a welcoming, deep-dive into the stuff that makes hobbies so compelling. It’s a consistent reminder of the community and creativity at the heart of what we love, making each episode a perfect companion for a commute, a painting session, or just some downtime.
Author: Language: English Episodes: 50

Shane Plays Geek Talk
Podcast Episodes
Comics Writer Paul Kupperberg - Episode 253 - 3-11-2022 [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 1:26:41
Comics writer Paul Kupperberg is the very definition of prolific! He has written 1,400 comics over 4 decades, wrote for and was the editor of the Weekly World News, wrote Mad Libs, and is still staying busy writing books…
The Wit & Wisdom of Troll Lord Games - Episode 252 - 2-4-2022 [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 1:47:40
Stephen Chenault aka the Troll Lord of Castle & Crusades publisher Troll Lord Game joins to talk about what's new with C&C and some wise principles he uses to run TLG that have helped them tremendously while other compan…
Horror Chat and Found Footage Movies - Episode 249 - 10-27-2021 [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 1:57:06
Writer and "horror bottomless pit" Mark Pellegrini joins for a great horror movie discussion. Essential found footage movies. What makes found footage different from other types of movies? Horror franchises that forget t…
RPG Artist Ed Bickford aka Metal Robot - Episode 247 - 9-23-2021 [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 1:10:23
Ed Bickford aka Metal Robot is a tabletop RPG illustrator, syndicated cartoonist, comic book artist, and an award-winning illustrator and graphic designer. Ed's great to talk with and he's very open in sharing honest tho…
Tékumel Revisited with Victor Raymond - Episode 245 - 7-31-2021 [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 1:34:28
Tékumel is a deep setting with published fiction, multiple tabletop RPGs, a miniatures wargaming scene, and more. We revisit this fascinating science-fantasy world with Tékumel Foundation president Victor Raymond. Learn…