Don's only lived in Arizona for a couple of years, but you wouldn't know it to talk to him. He knows his way around like a native, and he seems to knows everybody who's anybody in the roleplaying scene so you'd think he's been living here for years. I've been fortunate enough to be a guest on the Pulp Gamer Out of Character podcast a couple of times (which you can catch here and here), and he's just a fun guy to hang out with and the best resource on podcasting I know.
Berin Kinsman: When did you start roleplaying, how did you get started, and what was the first game you played?
Don Dehm: I was fascinated by Dungeons & Dragons. Of all things, my baby-sitter introduced it to me. She didn't have a clue how to run a game, but I guess we made for good guinea pigs. As I grew into high school I became intrigued by the potential the game had and fascinated by the swords and sorcery. I read all the books and finally roped a group of friends into trying the game with me several years later. It was a disaster. I guess the game wasn't for everybody. Finally, some cousins introduced me to a group and a playing style that has stuck with me to this day.
BK: How did you get into podcasting about roleplaying games?
DD: As soon as I heard my first podcast and understood the technology of it, I couldn't get it out of my head how much potential value it had so I dove right in. I thought it would be easy. In a way it is, but in a way I couldn't be more wrong. But I really enjoy it and now I produce professionally.
BK: What do you do when you're not playing games?
DD: Between the business and games, I keep pretty busy. When I can, however, I like to get out and enjoy what Tucson has to offer. I love to travel and sometimes that can be just a stone's throw away. Its a great city and there is a lot to do.
BK: How long have you been in Arizona?
DD: I first moved to Arizona in November of '06. I can't believe how much there is to see and do. I just enrolled in the Tucson ambassador program and realized by the material they provied that I still have years of exploring and discovery ahead of me.
BK: What are your favorite non-gaming things to do in Tucson?
DD: I love to explore and go to attractions such as museums, observatories, natural areas, zoos, historic districts, etc. The list goes on. There are dozens of good restaurants I haven't tried yet. The local beers are great.
BK: Tell us about your favorite player character?
DD: I have had many favorites but the one that stands out was Antonio Venito. He was a charismatic mafia-like thug done as an intimating yet charming rogue. He had a unique look on life that wasn't untrue. He just took it to an extreme and that is what made him fun. Power for him was in who you knew. He always made a point to make sure he had friends in a town and understood the political structure before he started making enemies. I think was I liked most about him, however, was his bad Italian accent.
BK: What's coming up in the future for Pulp Gamer?
DD: We are moving into video. We will still have the audio that everyone has come to love, but this new addition with give our audience something more to enjoy. We are shooting in full HD and will have a number of new options to explore with it.
BK: What kind of video projects are you looking at doing?
DD: We are filming and producing the board game demos for Mayfair Games. Alex Yeager has been writing the scripts and throws in just enough humor to make them really fun. I expect the video journey will take us in all sorts of new directions.
See also: Update from GTS: Pulp Studios expands into video
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