Five Games for Doomsday 5G4D Classics-Ian O'Toole
Nov 14, 2025
Ian O'Toole, a renowned board game artist known for his work on titles like Nemo's War, reveals how he navigated the challenges of choosing just five games. He shares his early inspirations from comic books, his shift to graphic design, and the significance of gaming in his family life. Ian discusses the importance of clarity in game design and highlights beloved titles like Glory to Rome and Castles of Burgundy, sharing insights into his creative process and upcoming projects, including collaborations with Vital Lacerda.
AI Snips
Chapters
Books
Transcript
Episode notes
Reading Tolkien With His Kids
- Ian reads The Lord of the Rings to his daughters and plans to play War of the Ring with them when they're older.
- Family influenced his choice of War of the Ring as a doomsday game because of shared future play experiences.
Gaming As Distraction And Skill Builder
- Ian says gaming's primary role in crisis is entertainment and distraction.
- He notes games can also teach problem solving, attention, and social skills for children.
Raising Kids Who Game
- Ian's children, now seven and nine, are becoming gamers under his guidance.
- He used gaming to teach them sportsmanship, basic logic, and attention skills.
