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

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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/