The Game Design Round Table

Listener questions are discussed, including player taxonomies, game jams, and creating expansions. The use of AI-generated art in game design and the benefits and limitations of participating in game jams for full releases are explored. The hosts also debate standalone expansions and taking lessons from mainstream gaming for niche genre games. The challenge of attracting mainstream gamers to hobby niche genre gaming is discussed.

Chris Bourassa and Tyler Sigman, cofounders of Red Hook Studios, discuss their upcoming game Darkest Dungeon 2. They talk about the risks involved in making a sequel, the use and pitfalls of early access, the importance of balancing strategic and moment-to-moment aspects of a game, creating memorable moments and balancing content, and the future of Red Hook Studios and Darkest Dungeon 2.

Nate Austin, co-creator of tactical RPG Wildermyth, discusses the origins of the game and its mechanics. They talk about character-focused storytelling, different styles of game writing, and the balance between market appeal and complex mechanics. They also explore the journey of turning a side project into a full-fledged game, the impact of narrative direction on game design, and the mechanics behind hero transformations. The speakers touch on balancing player feedback, character-driven stories, and provide valuable game design advice.

Dirk is joined by returning guest host Soren Johnson in today's episode in the Design Talk series. Dirk and Soren speak with Richard Lemarchand, distinguished game designer and now-professor most well-known for his work on the Uncharted series. Richard details his journey through his game design career, and the skills and processes he learned along the way. Special consideration is given to control design, and the importance of them on game feel and playability.

Welcome to episode 300 of The Game Design Round Table! Dirk and David take the opportunity to celebrate this momentous milestone. They reflect on the role the show has played in their lives, their own journeys as designers, and hear from friends new and old.  Thank you all for listening, whether this is your first episode or you’ve been listening from the beginning. 

Dirk is joined by Ryan Laukat, designer, illustrator, and co-founder of Red Raven Games, for the second installation in this series on worldbuilding. Ryan discusses his introduction and path into game design, the creation of Red Raven Games, and different methods that can be used to worldbuild. Topics include the importance of maps, how storybooks are utilized, the benefits and drawbacks of mixed medium board games, and branching narratives.

Today on the show, Dirk and David are joined by Phil Crifo, game director at Awaceb, most prominently known for his work on Fossil Echo and Tchia. He discusses growing up in New Caledonia, and how it serves as an influence on the creation of Tchia. Topics include the history of New Caledonia and colonization, creating a world based on difficult histories, making an engaging open world, and what soul jumping actually is.

Dirk and David are joined by Gerson Da Silva, Director at Ironhide Game Studio and co-founder of Totem Games. Gerson is best known for his work on the Kingdom Rush series, as well as Water 2050. This episode delves into alternative paths into game design, as well as how to adapt a game to audiences of different investment levels. Topics include the benefit of reaching out to subject experts, innovating on a genre, choosing a market, and how to leave design space for variety and maximizing mass appeal. 

Dirk and David gather for another round of listener questions! They answer how to balance mechanical options and variety in a game, trends in how genres are under- or over-utilized, and the impact of live streaming on designing and marketing a game. Topics include the evolution of Legend of the Five Rings, the gameplay loops of extraction shooters and battle royales, and polarizing opinions on the idle/clicker genre.

Dirk is joined by Pete Angstadt and Michael Peddicard, co-founders of Lion Shield Studios, to talk about the design and success of Kingdoms and Castles. They discuss designing in the city builder genre, as well as how they structure their studio. Topics include how they decided on an art style, ethical employment and business growth, the power of their game systems, and the history of ancient Rome.