Justin Gary, CEO of Stoneblade Entertainment and author of 'Think Like a Game Designer.' They discuss Gary’s core design loop framework, focusing on how AI can enhance each step: inspiring, framing, brainstorming, prototyping, testing, and iterating. Gary talks about the importance of games in learning and building connections, his favorite games, and the role of AI in accelerating game design. The conversation extends to community building, the similarities between game design and other creative processes, and effective marketing strategies. Gary also touches on the value of adding consistent value to communities, giving a peek into upcoming projects and his remote, diverse team at Stoneblade.

Check out Justin's Resources:
https://stoneblade.com/
https://justingarydesign.substack.com/
https://www.thinklikeagamedesigner.com/
https://www.reddit.com/user/Justin_Gary/

Socials:
https://x.com/JustinGary
https://www.linkedin.com/in/justingary/

--

• (00:00) - Introduction to the Podcast and Guest
• (01:44) - The Essence of Games and Their Impact
• (03:50) - Favorite Games and Community Building
• (09:03) - The Role of AI in Game Design
• (11:40) - Prototyping and Iteration in Game Design
• (21:50) - Emotional Connection in Game Design
• (28:05) - Building Community in Games
• (28:51) - Creating Engaging Game Formats
• (29:38) - The Role of Story in Games
• (31:14) - The Importance of Super Fans
• (31:35) - Marketing Strategies for Games
• (34:35) - Parallels Between Game Design and Business
• (38:31) - Embracing Uncertainty and Risk
• (45:46) - Current and Future Projects
• (49:28) - Connecting with the Community

Check out our brainy games:

Sumplete - https://sumplete.com
Squeezy - https://imsqueezy.com/
Kakuro Conquest - https://kakuroconquest.com
Mathler - https://mathler.com
Crosswordle - https://crosswordle.com
Sudoku Conquest - https://sudokuconquest.com
Hitori Conquest - https://hitoriconquest.com
Wordga - https://wordga.com