Elan Lee

Elan Lee, creator of the wildly successful card game Exploding Kittens, shares insights on his journey from a $10K Kickstarter to a $100M business. He emphasizes the importance of focusing on consumer engagement rather than just funding. The conversation dives into innovative marketing strategies, the necessity of humor in game design, and how constraints can spark creativity. Elan also discusses the significance of player interaction and shares amusing anecdotes from promoting his game at conventions.

In this engaging discussion, Elan Lee, co-creator and CEO of Exploding Kittens, shares his journey from video game design at Xbox to creating a global gaming sensation. He reveals insights into their record-breaking Kickstarter campaign, raising nearly $9 million through innovative storytelling and community engagement. Lee discusses the creative process behind games like 'Poetry for Neanderthals,' emphasizing simplicity and player interaction. The conversation touches on the evolution of game distribution, designing tabletop experiences, and fostering connections through play.

Elan Lee, co-creator and CEO of Exploding Kittens, shares his journey in game design, revealing insights from his childhood to the creation of the card game COYOTE. He discusses the significance of collaboration and the creative process in developing the game, blending classic mechanics with unique strategies. Lee emphasizes the importance of community feedback and effective marketing in launching successful games, alongside challenges faced in distribution and retail strategies. Tune in for an engaging look at innovation within the competitive gaming industry!

In this recap, Brené Brown, a renowned research professor and bestselling author, discusses the importance of vulnerability and personal growth, particularly in midlife. Elan Lee, CEO of Exploding Kittens and an inventive game designer, shares his insights on building a successful Kickstarter campaign and the psychology behind community engagement. They dive into intriguing topics like the concept of 'sleep divorce' and its surprising benefits on relationships. Humor and academic brilliance intertwine, making for a compelling listen!

Elan Lee, the founder and CEO of Exploding Kittens, teams up with Sarah Robb O’Hagan, a leader behind brands like Gatorade and Equinox, to tackle essential questions from early-stage founders. They dive into the nuances of delegation and timing for business expansion. Lee and O’Hagan share insights on the importance of building strategic partnerships and maintaining a core mission. Their discussion reveals effective communication techniques and the delicate balance between growth and authenticity in entrepreneurial journeys.

Elan Lee, co-founder and CEO of Exploding Kittens, shares insights on scaling a card game into a thriving company. He emphasizes the importance of community engagement and co-creation in the gaming industry. Elan reveals how a successful Kickstarter campaign forged deep connections with fans and transformed them into stakeholders. He discusses the logistics challenges of fulfilling 700,000 orders, the joy of collaborative creativity, and innovative methods like involving players as 'Kitty Test Pilots' to enhance gameplay. The conversation highlights turning obstacles into creative opportunities.

Christine Lagorio-Chafkin talks to Matthew Inman and Elan Lee--founders of Exploding Kittens--about how they founded their company, when to give up on a potentially good idea, and the $1 million dollar meow.

Elan Lee, co-creator of the wildly popular card game Exploding Kittens, shares his journey from crafting movie effects to revolutionizing family game nights. He discusses innovative ways to connect through play and the transformative impact of games on family relationships. Elan also dives into his personal wellness journey, including e-foiling and nutrition strategies for better health. With humor and heart, he highlights the importance of meaningful interactions and the joys of spontaneous gameplay in bringing families closer.

To make something irresistible, get to the fun part — fast. That’s how Exploding Kittens became one of the world’s most popular games. When cartoonist Matthew Inman (The Oatmeal) and game developer Elan Lee (former Xbox) designed the card game Exploding Kittens, they took fun very seriously. This mindset unlocked their creativity in unexpected ways: They transformed a Kickstarter into a wildly successful interactive game, and radically simplified their instructions so their players could get to the fun part faster. In their story, you’ll find surprising lessons for any field on serving your audience and feeding your own creativity.Get the transcript, photos and original game sketches at https://sparkandfire.com/explodingkittens/Subscribe to the Spark & Fire weekly newsletter for images, stories and creative prompts: http://eepurl.com/hkmyMrSee Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Listen to game designer Elan Lee talk about creating the world's first ARG, the immersive world of escape rooms, and how the best-designed games make players entertaining. Discover his love for Survivor and why he considers Jeff Probst a top game designer.