September 26, 2025: This Robot Is Just My Type

YouTube channel Ancient has the coolest video I've seen all week: an automaton that lip-syncs by rotating a ball with various mouth positions, not unlike an old-fashioned IBM Selectric typewriter ball. In other words, the lips aren't making the proper shape, but the whole mouth is. It's kind of hard to explain, but you'll understand immediately once you see it. This link will take you to the demo of the effect in motion, though the whole video is really interesting if you enjoy seeing the process and . . . um . . . prototyping.

And if you'll excuse me, I have a new idea for a totally different way to design an interesting mechanoid for a 1950s GURPS Atomic Horror campaign . . .

-- Steven Marsh

September 25, 2025: I Don't Know Who Needs To Hear This . . .

Did you know you can find tiny, Bluetooth speakers cheap? Like, I've found some for less than $10 online, they might be at various discount stores, and we've gotten them free as promo items before when we've attended trade shows.

And did you know that, if you charge them ahead of time and pair with them, you can easily tape such small speakers under chairs or otherwise hide them discreetly – where they would almost certainly not be noticed – until an appropriately interesting moment in a game?

Also, Halloween is coming, and that's a great time for unexpected noises . . .

-- Steven Marsh

September 24, 2025: Roll20Con 2025

Roll20Con 2025 is coming September 26-28, 2025, to an internet near you! The online convention plans a variety of roleplaying games.

This convention is Roll20's ninth. Those who play for at least 2 hours in the online event have a chance to win a year's Pro Subscription. While joining the site itself is free, there is a charge for the convention game sessions – to help others. Through the convention, the website has teamed up with Darrington Press, Free League, Modiphius, and more. Every dollar raised goes to The Trevor Project to help with suicide prevention. Roll20 says both it and StartPlayingGames will match convention donations to "triple the impact."

I first got on Roll20.net in 2018. Living in the middle of nowhere, I joined the site looking for GURPS campaigns. I found some . . .

If you're searching for worlds and adventures, or want to share one of your own, Roll20Con can . . . [more]

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