EXP-lore

DLC - Desirable Listening Content

In this twenty-fifth episode of EXP-lore, we’re unlocking extra content, downloading some opinions, and maybe installing a few hot takes—because we’re talking video game expansions and DLC. 
From game-changing add-ons to cash-grab catastrophes, we share our favourite expansions that kept us playing long after the credits rolled—and the ones that made us wish we’d saved our money. Expect nostalgia trips, hot takes, and the occasional tangent into “remember when games just came finished?” territory.
We’ll cover everything from sprawling RPG epics to tiny quality-of-life tweaks, asking the big questions: When is DLC worth it? When does it go too far? And why do horse armour jokes never get old?
So plug in, press start, and join us for a conversation that’s 100% complete—no season pass required. 🕹️🎧🔥
Hosted by your fully upgraded panel:
Mike HearndenDean ShickleDavid WeeksandHenry Adair
Extra missions, bonus content, and zero microtransactions—just the way we like it.You can find more about us at www.allmanaofgames.co.uk
If you'd like to support EXP-lore and All Mana of Games with a donation, why not visit our Ko-fi page? We're currently fundraising for an external hard drive! www.Ko-fi.com/allmanaofgames

[BONUS] - EXP-loring Firetop Mountain!

In this bonus episode of EXP-lore, we’re cracking open a classic, sharpening our pencils, and diving headfirst into a dungeon of danger—because we’re tackling The Warlock of Firetop Mountain.
Join us as Mike dons the mantle of narrator, trap-setter, and occasional goblin, guiding the rest of the crew through the legendary Fighting Fantasy choose-your-own-adventure book that started it all. Will they fight bravely, loot wisely, and survive the perils ahead? Or will poor dice rolls and questionable choices doom them to an early grave?
It’s part RPG, part audiobook, and all chaotic fun—with plenty of tangents, terrible accents, and classic EXP-lore banter along the way.
So grab two dice, a pencil, and your provisions—because it’s time to EXP-lore Firetop Mountain. 
Starring your favourite doomed adventurers:
Mike Hearnden (your fearless narrator)Dean ShickleDavid WeeksandHenry Adair
No minis, no map—just danger, decisions, and dungeon-crawling delight.
You can find us at www.allmanaofgames.co.uk
If you'd like to support EXP-lore and All Mana of Games with a donation, why not visit our Ko-fi page? We're currently fundraising for an external hard drive! www.Ko-fi.com/allmanaofgames
 

Back in My Day!

In this twenty-fourth episode of EXP-lore, we’re grabbing our walking sticks, shaking our fists at the sky, and getting nostalgic—because we’re talking about how our hobbies have changed over the years. 
From the humble beginnings of pocket money armies to today’s premium-priced plastics, we look back on how games like Warhammer and others have evolved—from cost, to community, to the way we actually play. Remember organising games by text? Or playing in freezing garages with dodgy terrain? We do—and we survived.
It’s part retrospective, part rant, and all rooted in our love for the hobbies that have grown up alongside us (for better or worse). Whether you’re a grizzled veteran or a fresh recruit, this episode’s got something for everyone who's ever said, "It didn’t used to be like this..."
So dust off your old rulebooks, adjust your rose-tinted goggles, and join us as we explore the then and now of our tabletop lives. 
Hosted by your hobby historians:
Mike HearndenDean ShickleDavid WeeksandHenry Adair
Things may have changed—but we’re still here rolling dice and talking nonsense. 
 
You can find us at www.allmanaofgames.co.uk
If you'd like to support EXP-lore and All Mana of Games with a donation, why not visit our Ko-fi page? We're currently fundraising for an external hard drive! www.Ko-fi.com/allmanaofgames

Gotta Beat 'em All, Underdogs!

In this twenty-third episode of EXP-lore, we’re cheering for the little guy, the long shot, the dark horse—because it’s time to talk underdogs. 🐾🎮🥊
From scrappy rebels to overlooked champions, we dive into our favorite underdog stories across games, films, and beyond. Why do we love them? What makes a good one? And why does it feel so good when the odds get defied?
But then—like a wild Tangela in tall grass—we get ambushed by nostalgia and spend the second half deep in the tall weeds of Pokémon talk. From team comps to type matchups, childhood memories to modern metas, we let the Poké-chat run rampant.
It’s an episode of two halves: one heartfelt, one hyper-beamed. Whether you're here for inspiring stories or Pikachu-powered tangents, this one’s a super effective use of your time. ⚡🐉🎙️Want to help support us? You can now buy us a coffee! Just visit our Ko-fi page:
https://ko-fi.com/allmanaofgames
 
Hosted by your badge-less but battle-ready trainers:
Mike HearndenDean ShickleDavid WeeksandHenry Adair
No potions required—just press play. 🎧🎮🔥

Ehhh, What's Up-date?

In this twenty-second episode of EXP-lore, we’re hitting pause on the deep dives and taking a moment to check in—because it’s time for a good old-fashioned hobby update. 
From piles of shame to proud displays, we're sharing what we've been building, painting, playing, and procrastinating. Expect some new projects, unexpected detours, and a few too many half-finished minis staring at us from the shelves.
It’s a laid-back episode full of hobby highs, crafty chaos, and the usual banter you’ve come to expect. Whether you’re knee-deep in sprues or just looking for a bit of inspiration to jumpstart your next session, this one’s for you.
So grab a brush, cue up the podcast, and join us as we talk progress, plans, and plastic. 
Hosted by your hobby hopefuls:
Mike HearndenDean ShickleDavid WeeksandHenry Adair
No hot takes, no hard rules—just good vibes and glue fumes.

EXP-Loring; a Q&A

Episode 21 – EXP-loring: A Q&A
In this twenty-first episode of EXP-lore, we’re turning the tables and putting your questions in the spotlight. It’s time for our first-ever Q&A episode—because sometimes the best adventures start with “What if…?” 💬🎲🧭
We’ve gathered questions from our amazing community, Discord, and friends, and we’re diving headfirst into the weird, wonderful, and occasionally wacky corners of our gaming lives. From behind-the-scenes podcast insights to hot takes on dice etiquette, campaign chaos, and personal favourites, no topic is off-limits.
Expect candid chats, unexpected tangents, and plenty of laughs as we tackle everything from our most memorable tabletop moments to what games we’re loving right now—and yes, we do reveal which one of us hoards minis like a dragon.
Along the way, we reflect on what EXP-lore means to us, how we keep the spark alive in our hobbies, and why community-driven content makes this all so rewarding.
So grab your headphones, settle in, and join us for a relaxed, rambling journey through your curiosities and our chaos. 💭🎧🧃
Hosted (and mildly grilled) by your ever-chatty crew:
Mike HearndenDean ShickleDavid WeeksHenry Adair
Whether you sent in a question or just want to hear us sweat under the spotlight, this episode is a celebration of you—our listeners, supporters, and fellow nerds. There is some sound discrepancy within this episode, it was recorded over Discord as Mike is on holiday! Back to normal next week! 

Lore of the Worlds

Episode 20 – Lore of the Worlds
In this twentieth episode of EXP-lore, we’re swapping dice rolls for deep lore dives and getting lost in the tangled, thrilling process of worldbuilding for tabletop RPGs. 🌍📜🎲
From crumbling kingdoms to star-faring civilizations, we’re pulling back the curtain on how we craft the settings, cultures, and conflicts that bring our games to life. Whether you’re building a sprawling campaign world or a single mysterious village, we’re sharing our go-to methods, creative rituals, and favourite inspirations.
We talk about where to start (maps or myths?), how to make your world feel alive, and why the tiniest details can spark the biggest moments at the table. Expect discussions on everything from collaborative storytelling and player-driven world shaping to avoiding common worldbuilding traps (yes, we’re looking at you, 300-page lore docs no one reads).
Along the way, we ask: What makes a setting feel real? How much lore is too much? And how do you balance creativity with coherence when you’re basically building a universe from scratch?
So sharpen your pencils, prep your pantheons, and join us as we chart a course through the multiverse of imagination and invention. 🗺️🔥✨
Hosted by your ever-expanding ensemble:
Mike HearndenDean ShickleDavid WeeksHenry Adair
Whether you’re a veteran worldbuilder or just starting to sketch your first continent, this episode is packed with ideas, insights, and inspiration to help bring your stories to life. 🎧🏰🛸

Buy Now, Cry Later

Episode 19 – Buy Now, Cry Later
In this nineteenth episode of EXP-lore, we’re swapping impulse buys for clever hacks and asking the age-old question: how do you keep up with your favourite hobbies without emptying your wallet? 💸🎲🧃
From the irresistible lure of limited-edition minis to that “just one more booster pack” feeling, we’ve all felt the sting of hobby spending. This week, we’re getting real about budgeting in the worlds of wargaming, board gaming, and trading card games—and sharing our tips, tricks, and personal pitfalls along the way.
We chat about the true cost of staying current, the psychology behind “fear of missing out,” and how to separate must-haves from marketing magic. Expect discussions on pre-owned treasures, DIY alternatives, community-driven resources, and how to make your money stretch without sacrificing the fun.
Along the way, we ask: Is the £100 core box always worth it? How do you set limits in a hobby built on collection and expansion? And are we really saving money if we spend less on more games? (Hint: it depends on who you ask.)
So tighten your belts, hide your credit cards, and join us for a wallet-friendly wander through the highs and lows of hobby budgeting. 🎯📉🧩
Hosted by your fiscally-fluctuating favourites:
Mike HearndenDean ShickleDavid WeeksHenry Adair
Whether you’re ballin’ on a budget or justifying your next big splurge, this episode has something for every thrifty (or not-so-thrifty) nerd. 🎧💰♟️
 

Choke Slam a Terminator

Episode 18 – Choke Slam a Terminator
In this eighteenth episode of EXP-lore, we’re turning our attention from dice rolls to data sets as we dive headfirst into the ever-expanding world of artificial intelligence. 🤖💥🧠
From Skynet nightmares to ChatGPT daydreams, we’re talking AI in all its forms—how it’s infiltrating nerd culture, reshaping creativity, and occasionally stealing our thunder (and our D&D character voices). Whether it's generating art, running game sessions, or powering your next sci-fi villain, AI is everywhere—and we’ve got thoughts.
We share our own experiences using AI tools in gaming, storytelling, and content creation—what’s helped, what’s hindered, and where we draw the line between innovation and invasion. Expect some big questions: Is AI the ultimate GM? Can it truly create, or is it just remixing our ideas in a shiny new wrapper? And most importantly, who wins in a cage match: an AI dungeon master or a T-800 with a folding chair?
Along the way, we wrestle with the ethical side of AI, its potential for storytelling, and how the nerdy spaces we love are evolving in response. Whether you’re cautiously curious or already training your own robo-companion, this episode is your portal to the future (with a few nostalgic detours).
So charge your batteries, check for rogue algorithms, and join us as we explore the weird, wild intersection of tech and tabletop. 💻🎮🎲
Hosted by your analogue adventurers in a digital age:
Mike HearndenDean ShickleDavid WeeksHenry Adair
Plug in, power up, and prepare for a critical hit to your understanding of AI. 🎧⚙️

The AMoG Expo-rience

Episode 17 – The AMoG Expo-reience
In this seventeenth episode of EXP-lore, we’re swapping folklore for floor plans and trading legends for lanyards—it’s convention time! 🎲🎟️🧭
Fresh off our trip to the UK Games Expo, we’re breaking down our full AMoG Expo-reience: what we saw, what we bought, and what blew our minds. From massive minis to indie gems, chaotic demos to carefully curated stalls, we bring you all the highlights (and a few low rolls) from one of the biggest events in the tabletop calendar.
Expect plenty of gushing about beautiful board game art, surprise discoveries in the demo halls, and some wallet-emptying impulse buys. We also chat about the vibe of the con, standout booths, upcoming releases we’re excited for, and why events like these matter for fans and creators alike.
Along the way, we ask: What makes a good con experience? How do you balance exploration with exhaustion? And is there such a thing as too many dice? (Spoiler: no.)
So grab your badge, ready your backpack, and join us for a post-convention cool-down filled with games, geekery, and just a touch of exhaustion. 🧩🛍️
Hosted by your tabletop tag-team:
Mike HearndenDean ShickleDavid WeeksandHenry Adair
Whether you're a con veteran or dreaming of your first badge scan, this episode is your all-access pass. 🎧✨🎲