Merle M. Rasmussen, the man in the tux himself, joins to talk about the Top Secret RPG and his game design career. What was his first (mistaken) understanding of what D&D was? Memories of working at TSR. A no-nonsense discussion about the financials of his agreement with TSR for Top Secret. Financial lessons he has learned in his career. The perils of lead poisoning in making miniatures (and accidental improvised bombs). Jon Peterson’s Quagmire! D&D module article and Merle’s involvement in making it happen. Top Secret set multiple RPG precedents. What existing RPG was used for Top Secret’s firearms rules? The FBI visited TSR because of Top Secret’s playtest. You’re not just paranoid, the HackNoia RPG is coming. I Choose To RISE, Merle’s card game that helps teach about Black heroes. Merle’s wife Jackie has often been his writing partner and sounding board. Moments of fan feedback Merle has had that will get you right in the feels (including, I kid you not, being asked to bless a gamer’s ashes). Bad James Bond jokes.
Shane Plays Geek Talk Episode #278 – 8/14/2024
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
Merle M. Rasmussen on Wikipedia https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Merle_M._Rasmussen
Merle M. Rasmussen on RPG Geek https://rpggeek.com/rpgdesigner/3875/merle-m-rasmussen
Top Secret RPG on Wikipedia https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Top_Secret_(role-playing_game)
Quagmire! The Making of a 1980s D&D Module by Jon Peterson https://medium.com/@increment/quagmire-the-making-of-a-1980s-d-d-module-c30e788ea5f2
Sqwurm Card Game https://boardgamegeek.com/boardgame/12328/sqwurm
Planting People Growing Justice Leadership Institute https://www.ppgjli.org/
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/
