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Designer Notes

Latest episodes

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Jun 23, 2023 • 2h 44min

Designer Notes 76: Tanya Short

In this episode, Soren interviews veteran game designer Tanya Short, co-founder of Kitfox Games and best known for her work on Moon Hunters and Boyfriend Dungeon. They discuss why her parents had to get a second phone like, how she accidentally made a roguelike, and whether Moon Hunters should have combat. This episode was recorded on March 23, 2023.
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May 3, 2023 • 1h 47min

Designer Notes 75: Moonbreaker

In this episode, Soren and Leyla interview veteran game designer Charlie Cleveland, founder of Unknown Worlds and best known for his work on Natural Selection and Subnautica. They discuss why Moonbreaker is the first digital miniatures game, if players would notice if critical hits were removed, and whether the game should have an undo. This episode was recorded on March 19, 2023.
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Apr 13, 2023 • 3h 14min

Designer Notes 74: Charlie Cleveland

In this episode, Soren and Leyla interview veteran game designer Charlie Cleveland, founder of Unknown Worlds and best known for his work on Natural Selection and Subnautica. They discuss why Charlie Cleveland moved to Cleveland, how he did Kickstarter before Kickstarter, and whether Subnautica was intended to be a survival game. This episode was recorded on March 20, 2022.
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Mar 15, 2023 • 2h 58min

Designer Notes 73: Liz England

In this episode, Soren interviews veteran game designer Liz England, best known for her work on Scribblenauts, Sunset Overdrive, and Watch Dogs: Legion. They discuss how she organized her mom’s RPG inventories, what is the boiling point of a lion, and whether system complexity matters if the player can’t see it. This episode was recorded on September 17, 2022.
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Jan 10, 2023 • 2h 39min

Designer Notes 72: Harvey Smith

In this episode, Soren and Leyla interview veteran game designer Harvey Smith, best known for his work on the Deus Ex and Dishonored series. They discuss what TDA stood for at Origin, if Dishonored is just Thief but faster, and why it is sometimes better to be heavy handed. This episode was recorded on March 23, 2022.
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Nov 29, 2022 • 2h 50min

Designer Notes 71: Matthew Davis

In this episode, Soren interviews independent game developer Matthew Davis, co-founder of Subset Games and best known for his work on FTL and Into the Breach. They discuss whether FTL is a roguelike, how they resolve conflict at Subset, and whether Soren can convince them to add unlimited undo to Into the Breach. This episode was recorded on Sept 19, 2022.
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Oct 9, 2022 • 1h 60min

Designer Notes 70: Justin Ma

Soren interviews Justin Ma, co-founder of Subset Games, known for FTL and Into the Breach. Topics include Justin's bombed interview, AI limitations in FTL, and the debate over unlimited undo in Into the Breach. They also discuss game design approach, unexpected success, feedback from beta testers, creating unique game mechanics, design challenges, and running a two-person company.
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Aug 15, 2022 • 1h 54min

Designer Notes 69: Chris Delay - Part 2

In this episode, Soren and Leyla interview independent game developer Chris DeLay, co-founder of Introversion Software and best known for his work on Uplink, Darwinia, Defcon, and Prison Architect. They discuss how to play Prison Architect without a prison, why the game needed cutscenes, and how to design an economy when the world is ending. This episode was recorded on March 24, 2022.
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Jun 27, 2022 • 2h 53min

Designer Notes 68: Chris DeLay - Part 1

In this episode, Soren and Leyla interview independent game developer Chris DeLay, co-founder of Introversion Software and best known for his work on Uplink, Darwinia, Defcon, and Prison Architect. They discuss why they hid the credits screen for Uplink, who Darwinia’s Dr. Sepulveda is based on, and whether you can have too much fun playing Defcon. This episode was recorded on March 22, 2022.
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May 18, 2022 • 2h 9min

Designer Notes 67: Old World

In this episode, Tom Chick and Bruce Geryk interview Soren and Leyla Johnson about their new historical 4X, Old World. They discuss whether the Old World timeline really makes sense, how they approach Early Access differently, and why Soren didn’t want to give up on the name 10 Crowns.

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