Mind Control in RPGs

We’re back and we’re growing sleepy, sleepy, so very sleepy. We are listening to your voice. Only your voice. Yes, yes, we are under your control. We shall do you bidding. What is it you demand of us? An episode about mind control in RPGs? We are powerless to refuse… Main Topic: Mind Control in RPGs This episode is our discussion of the presentation of mind control in RPGs. Genre fiction is full of unnatural magic, weird drugs, and sinister devices that twist the human mind according to the wielder’s desires. Villains may plant compulsions in the heads of protagonists, twist their perceptions, or alter their memories. And, of course, this is reflected heavily in gaming. But how do we make it work? Does it have to remove player agency? And what happens when these tools and techniques fall into the hands of player characters? We’ve paused our discussion of The Dream-Quest of Unknown Kadath for a few episodes. Matt has been seriously ill, requiring a lengthy stay in hospital. We don’t know how long he’s going to be out of action but we wanted to save the resolution for his return. Until then, we’ve called upon some of our good friends in the podcasting world to stand in as guest hosts. This time, we’re joined by Keeper Murph of the Miskatonic University Podcast. There can’t be too many listeners who don’t know our good friends at the MU. If you’ve somehow resisted falling under their spell so far, do check them out. They have been our biggest influence and supporters over the years. In the decade their podcast has been running, they have won two ENnie Awards, and with good reason. * The Miskatonic University Podcast* MU Podcast on Twitter* MU Podcast Discord* Murph’s secret bunker You can hear Murph’s previous appearances with the Good Friends here: * Cthulhu Through the Ages* Necronomicon 2017 seminar with the Miskatonic University Podcast* Necronomicon 2019 seminar with the Miskatonic University Podcast Links Things we mention in this episode include: * World of Darkness* Powered by the Apocalypse* Monsterhearts* The Two-Headed Serpent* How We Roll podcast*