The Game Design Round Table
Dirk Knemeyer & David V. Heron
Covering the full breadth of digital, tabletop, and role playing games, The Game Design Round Table inspires and educates aspiring and experienced game designers.
Episodes
Mentioned books
Mar 22, 2018 • 35min
#190 Listener Questions - Cons, Kids, Games and Names
In this episode, Cole, David, and Dirk get together to answer some listener questions.
Feb 23, 2018 • 39min
#189 Gaming the Past with Jeremiah McCall
In this episode, Dirk and Cole have a conversation with Jeremiah McCall who uses games in the classroom to help in teaching history.
Feb 9, 2018 • 28min
#188 Listener Question - You Don't Blind Test a Painting
In this episode, Dirk, Kathryn and Rob get together to answer listener questions around playtesting and professional backgrounds in design.
Jan 18, 2018 • 36min
#187 Listener Question - Acronym Edition
Description In this episode, David, Dirk and Harrison get together to answer listener questions. Lots of acronyms and great insights in this episode! JRPG, MUD, MMO ... David Heron - @DavidVHeron Dirk Knemeyer - @DKnemeyer, artana.com, dirk@artana.com Harrison Pink - @gilespink, harrisonpink@gmail.com
Dec 29, 2017 • 32min
#186 Looking forward and back, 2017 to 2018
In this final episode of 2017, David, Dirk and Kathryn get together to review 2017 and look forward to 2018.
Dec 22, 2017 • 41min
#185 Game Designer Cole Wehrle
In this episode, David and Dirk speak with game designer Cole Wehrle. They discuss Cole's work and how to find balance designing games with deep historical and cultural context.
Dec 8, 2017 • 31min
#184: Narrative Designer Edwin McRae
Edwin McRae, a narrative designer, discusses the importance of narrative in game design, including world-building and character development. He also talks about his work on Path of Exile and gives advice to indie developers on hiring a narrative designer and improving storytelling. Additionally, he explores the use of interactive stories and visual novels as tools for young writers to showcase their skills.
Nov 24, 2017 • 33min
#183: Listener Questions with David, Dirk and Rob
In this episode, David, Dirk and Rob finally get back together to catch up on each other's projects and answer listener questions. --------------------- David Heron - @DavidVHeron Dirk Knemeyer - @DKnemeyer, artana.com, dirk@artana.com Rob Daviau - @robdaviau --------------------- Episode Outline 00:11 The group is back together again - it's been a while. David, Dirk and Rob catch up with what they've all been up to. 07:55 Listener Questions 08:12 Opinions on the rise of game engine marketplaces. 11:49 What is the ideal listener profile where a game engine would be useful? 13:48 Any particular game design books that are recommended? 20:34 David takes the question back to design, in general, and think of philosophy of design. 23:19 Math models and how they are created. Let me know if you have any questions.
Oct 19, 2017 • 32min
#182: Game Designer Mike Bithell – Thomas Was Alone
In this episode, Dirk and Harrison have a chat with Mike Bithell, designer of games such as Thomas Was Alone, Volume, EarthShape, and Subsurface Circular. They discuss Mike's path to success and how he's been able to make such a variety of games. --------------------- Mike Bithell – @mikebithell, mikebithellgames.com Harrison Pink – @GilesPink, harrisonpink.com, harrisonpink@gmail.com Dirk Knemeyer – @DKnemeyer, www.artana.com, dirk@artana.com --------------------- Episode Outline 0:17 Background on Mike 1:23 How did Mike get into games? 3:43 To what does Mike attribute his success? 5:55 Was it really all luck? How about the marketing side? – How Mike ended up on Steam 7:49 For the game, Thomas is Alone, how did narration get added to the game? 11:54 What about games more recent than Thomas is Alone and their great reviews? 15:24 What makes a game, an Bithell company game? 18:46 What's next? 21:11 Did lack of marketing actually help? 22:59 How do you balance making customers happy against sales volume? 25:01 Design process 27:47 Advice for aspiring indie game designers
Oct 5, 2017 • 32min
#181: Listener Questions with David and Dirk
Description David and Dirk answer listener questions surrounding game design, board production, 3d printing and play testing. --------------------- David Heron - @DavidVHeron Dirk Knemeyer - @DKnemeyer, artana.com, dirk@artana.com --------------------- Episode Outline 0:13 Listener Questions 0:33 What are the most common mistakes new designers make with blind playtesting? 6:55 What is the current state in board game printing? 8:44 How does it work with games with lots of mini's? 10:56 Will 3D printing change how mini's are handled? 11:46 When you start designing a game, how much research do you do in the genre? 15:00 What are the pros and cons of physical cards vs digital? 21:21 Any advice on identifying broken strategies before taking a game to external testers? 27:03 On a desert island, what games do David and Dirk pick?
