Sambrano discussion/Werewolf the Savage Age Review w/Guest: Gogo

·1 hr 28 min·5 clips

GoGo reveals Paradox hired native authors for Werewolf 5th Edition, then rejected all their input.

The episode begins with Bob introducing guest GoGo, a longtime community member and game organizer. The first half focuses on James Sombrano's open letter published on Patreon, detailing his negative experience working on Werewolf 5th Edition for Paradox. GoGo explains she shared the letter because it revealed Paradox had hired native authors but rejected their contributions, which she sees as a missed opportunity. Mike describes his detailed analysis of the letter, breaking it into 30 bullet points but finding it emotionally charged without clear prescriptions. Bob provides context about Paradox as a video game company with different priorities than TTRPG fans, referencing past controversies like the V5 Chechnya book and Martin Erickson's departure. The discussion delves into cultural sensitivity issues, particularly around the Wendigo tribe, with GoGo explaining why the term can be offensive to Algonquin people. Mike expresses frustration that the letter didn't adequately explain why certain creative directions were disrespectful. Bob shares personal experiences with racism and Scandinavian cultural differences to contextualize the accusations against Karim. The hosts conclude the controversy reflects corporate inflexibility rather than malicious intent. In the second half, they review Werewolf: The Savage Age, a storyteller vault book set in the Stone Age. GoGo praises how it ignores modern metaplot and uses proto-Indo-European linguistics for tribe names. Bob appreciates its narrative style that begins with 'this story is true,' comparing it to Native American storytelling traditions. They discuss specific elements like the Mokole being dinosaur-like shifters who murdered other humanoid tribes, and how the book recontextualizes the origins of Garou and Ratkin. The review highlights the book's ability to inspire immediate gameplay ideas despite its concise 110-page length.

As heard by us

GoGo gives a loose Vampire: The Masquerade discussion its spark with a strongly argued take on a storyteller vote book.

A Vampire: The Masquerade episode makes space for GoGo, a Discord supporter known for arguing the other side, as discussion turns to a storyteller vote book she had recommended after Bob ran into trouble with a different one.

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Why you'd press play

You get a loose book discussion shaped by GoGo's opposite-angle perspective, her coconut-and-orange metaphor, and a charged detour into Martin Erickson and Nordic LARP.

Read the full recommendation in PlayNext →

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