Hello and welcome home. This is Audio EXP, the weekly podcast from Geek Native. I am your host, Girdy, and it is the 2nd of May, 2026.
[The following is a transcript of Audio EXP: #331]
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This week, we are unpacking OpenAI’s secret fear of roleplaying game monsters, a major Palladium Books partnership bringing Nightbane back, and how cosy roleplaying games are conquering the mainstream.
Before diving into the headlines, I want to say a huge thank you to all our patrons. As it is the start of a new month, we have a new Roleplaying Game Publisher Spotlight. The honouree for May is NDVmaps. Looking ahead, the five candidates for the June spotlight are:
Patrons can head over to the private poll to cast their votes right now.
Did you know that in the Geek Native posts announcing each month’s candidate, I put a little random adventure widget in? Patrons are the heroes in them.
Starting with the intersection of artificial intelligence and the tabletop hobby, recent leaks have revealed OpenAI’s secret instructions to its Codex programming model. In a bid to avoid copyright issues and hallucinations, the AI titan has created a goblin-free zone: OpenAI’s secret instructions reveal a fear of roleplaying game creatures. The directives strictly forbid the model from mentioning creatures like goblins, ogres, or trolls unless absolutely relevant.
This move effectively sanitises the AI’s output of tabletop gaming vocabulary, showing a clear corporate distance from the industry. I suspect many gamers, who are keen to keep generative AI from the hobby, will celebrate.
In reviews, Bronwen has been testing out the premium features of a custom miniature builder. Check out the review: Bronwen tried out HeroForge Pro and made her own Warforged dragon rider hero. Her comprehensive look at the platform explores everything from the staggering number of options to the physical delivery of full-colour printed miniatures and custom dice.
Speaking of impressive physical objects, if you have a spare $450 and plenty of space, this Halloween or now you can invest in your own 6’8ft animatronic xenomorph. Released by Spirit Halloween, this highly detailed replica features a moving torso and a working inner mouth that shoots out, making it an incredible piece of Alien memorabilia for any collector.
Over in the digital and physical tabletop space, London-based publisher Modiphius has officially launched a highly anticipated standalone project. Fallout: Wasteland Wanderer adapts the 2d20 system for solo players. This comprehensive digital release eliminates the need for a game master, allowing you to explore the irradiated post-apocalyptic landscape entirely on your own.
We also have a massive return for a 1990s urban horror classic. Nightbane returns to print and audio in a major Palladium Books partnership. Launching on BackerKit, this collaboration with AudioRPG will bring C.J. Carella’s setting to high-end, limited-edition foil hardcovers and professional audiobooks for the first time. It is a significant move to modernise the dense Megaversal system for a new generation.
The tabletop industry is not just about horror and survival, however. We have a deep dive into the restorative revolution: how cosy roleplaying games conquered the mainstream. As audiences increasingly seek lower-stakes, comforting narratives, these games have carved out a highly successful space in the hobby.
That look into cosy TTRPG is not a big read, but it’s one of our proactive investigation pieces. It’s easy to get caught up in the news cycle of big IP crowdfunding, convention and release news. I’ve put a simple timeline into this and gone back decades before going forward to recent cosy success with the Bonsai Tree and Pumpkin Spice.
Finally, today is the 2nd of May, but yesterday was Mayday, which means it is time to celebrate Traveller Day. You can Mayday, mayday: celebrate Traveller Day with these Mongoose 2e deals, offering the perfect opportunity to kickstart your next science fiction campaign.
That is it for this week. Thanks for listening to Audio EXP. For all the links and full stories, head over to Geek Native. Until next week, stay geeky.
