Finally Discovering Tabletop Audio

 “The real voyage of discovery consists not in seeking new landscapes, but in having new eyes.”

– Marcel Proust

The internet seems so infinite, with so many voices and creators, even when I simply look at the spaces inhabited by those catering to the adventure gaming hobby and greater sci-fi/fantasy fandom. I’m in no way omnipotent; it shouldn’t surprise me when I stumble upon, or others point out to me, exciting developments I’ve missed, even for years, that can enhance my gaming. I’ve been “late to the game” before, discovering new game material well after it’s launched and found popularity, often as it’s waning in the public interest or on the verge of passing into the dreaded “out-of-print” status. (And I’m not even touching the gaming trends that don’t appeal to me.) So I’m delighted with my belated discovery of Tabletop Audio given my lifelong love of music and my use of soundtracks while running roleplaying games.

A Little More Light This Year

 “As far as we can discern, the sole purpose of human existence is to kindle a light in the darkness of mere being.”

– Carl Jung

For me the yuletide season means looking for the light in the darkness to sustain us. Different people see this in different symbols: a bright shining star, hope for a savior, flames on the menorah, oil lamps, a warm hearth fire, and numerous others. We gather with friends and family, raise our voices in song, and feast on foods sumptuous and sweet, all in an effort to lift our spirits during the darkest time of the year. Alas, the past few yuletide celebrations have seem muted, at least in our family, given events beyond our control: politics, pandemic, and the sometimes overwhelming difficulties we must surmount. But finally, this year, I’m feeling more optimistic. I seem to find a little more light as I look back on what we’ve experienced and look forward to a new year filled with fresh starts and promising opportunities, especially in gaming.

Praise for Noble Knight Games

“Great things are done by a series of small things brought together.”

– Vincent Van Gogh

I don’t pretend to report on “news” here at Hobby Games Recce and I’ve long ago stopped trying to get excited about every “new hotness” popping up in the adventure gaming hobby. But recent word about one of my favorite online game stores prompted me to draft a short piece about Noble Knight Games (NKG). Ordering from NKG helped distract me from America’s initial hellscape response to the pandemic and offered a diversion from covid precautions and privations. Games from NKG let me sample offerings from new companies, explore different game mechanics, and expand the scope of my hobby activities. And now the company has recognized its workers organizing a union for a better relationship and, ultimately, a better business I want to support.