Think Like A Game Designer Touko Tahkokallio — Curiosity, Physics, and the Power of Mental Playtesting (#94)
Nov 6, 2025
Touko Tahkokallio, a Finnish game designer and former theoretical physicist, shares his unique journey from academia to crafting beloved games like Eclipse and hits at Supercell. He delves into how juggling multiple projects can boost creativity and emphasizes the importance of a playful mindset in overcoming work pressures. Touko also discusses mental playtesting techniques to identify game flaws and contrasts designing for mobile with tabletop games. He highlights the need for engaging early game experiences and sustainable content strategies in long-term game development.
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Curiosity Powers High-Level Mastery
- Deep curiosity drives both intense study and creative mastery across domains.
- Touko credits sustained playful obsession for reaching world-class skill in physics and games.
Maintain Multiple Passions
- Keep multiple passions so no single project carries existential pressure.
- Diversify interests to stay playful and creative under stress.
Run Many Projects, Finish The Few
- Try many projects to accelerate learning, then kill most and finish the few that matter.
- Balance breadth and focus to avoid never finishing or never experimenting.
