Think Like A Game Designer

About Alex YeagerAlex Yeager joins us on today’s episode to bring his wealth of knowledge and experience from over 20 years in the board game industry. Alex is the Chief Operating Officer at Amigo Games, overseeing the company’s North American operations. Before his time at Amigo, Alex held various leadership roles at renowned companies like Mayfair Games, where he served as Vice President of Acquisition and Development, and Steve Jackson Games, where he contributed significantly to their demo programs. He also has a rich background as an event coordinator and demo leader, helping bring many games to wider audiences.In this episode, Alex shares his journey, from falling in love with tabletop games like Cosmic Encounter and Illuminati to his deep involvement in demoing for Steve Jackson Games and CheapAss Games. He walks us through his innovative 2-2-2 demo method, explains what makes a game pitch successful, and dives into the marketing strategies that can revive evergreen titles like Bonanza. Alex’s insights into game development, pitching, and the mechanics behind building successful games provide a goldmine of advice for designers and developers alike. Enjoy!Want to support the podcast and get more design lessons?Paying subscribers enjoy an abundance of extra game design content and an exclusive newsletter with new lessons, archive access, videos, and more! By opting for a free or paid subscription, you can get the latest articles delivered to your inbox and support this podcast! This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit justingarydesign.substack.com/subscribe

About Scott MorrisScott Morris joins us on today’s episode to share insights into the world of game design and business development. Scott is the Chief Sales and Marketing Officer at Lucky Duck Games, where he has played a key role in the company's growth, including the recent acquisition by Goliath Games. Before his time at Lucky Duck, Scott held leadership positions at GTS Distribution and Passport Game Studios. He's also the designer of Firefly: Shiny Dice, a dice game based on the beloved Firefly universe, published by Upper Deck Entertainment.In this episode, Scott walks us through his journey, from running the successful review site Crits Happen to transitioning into full-time roles within the board game industry. He shares valuable lessons on branding, including how to effectively pitch a game and the complexities of acquisitions in the gaming world. Scott’s deep dive into the business side of game design, along with his tips for navigating contracts and branding, provides essential advice for designers at all stages of their careers. Enjoy! This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit justingarydesign.substack.com/subscribe

In this special live episode recorded at Gen Con 2024, I share key lessons from my 20 years in the game industry, including insights from working with industry legends like Richard Garfield and designing major games like Ascension, Shards of Infinity, Bakugan, and SolForge Fusion. Here are some key takeaways:* Emotional Impact: Pay close attention to how games make players feel. Player experience is the most important metric for a game.* Set Deadlines: Setting deadlines and doing your best to hit them will change your life—deadlines are magic.* Core Design Loop: Focus on regular iteration and refining ideas.* Community: Building solid relationships with other creators is essential for growth. Always ask what value you can add, and you’ll be headed in the right direction.If these ideas resonate with you, join my Think Like A Game Designer Mastery Course to receive hands-on guidance and turn your game ideas into reality. You'll have the opportunity to pitch your game to real publishers, work with a creative community, and receive expert feedback as you bring your designs to life. Sign up now! This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit justingarydesign.substack.com/subscribe

Ethan Mollick, an associate professor at Wharton's School specializing in innovation and entrepreneurship, dives into the evolving landscape of AI in game design. He shares insights from his time at MIT's Media Lab and discusses ethical challenges in integrating AI creatively. The conversation highlights how AI can enhance traditional artistry while maintaining human oversight. Mollick also reflects on the resurgence of tabletop games as a tactile experience and the importance of community in the gaming industry. Expect practical advice for creatives to navigate this exciting frontier!

In this episode of "Think Like a Game Designer," I take a different approach by presenting a solo discussion without any guests. Here, I focus on a concept I introduced in a previous episode with Stephan Brissaud: the CORE Attributes. These attributes became very popular among listeners, so much so, that I thought it worth expanding upon in a new episode.I'll be elaborating on these core attributes, which I believe are essential for success: Curiosity, Obsession, Resilience, and Empathy. My goal is to provide a deeper understanding of these attributes in your life, offering insights and practical advice.CORE Attribute References:Summary of CORE Attributes:* Curiosity: The spark that drives learning and exploration. Stay curious and keep exploring.* Obsession: The focus and dedication needed to dive deep into a subject. Find something you're passionate about and dive in, blocking out all distractions.* Resilience: The ability to overcome challenges and use setbacks to fuel growth. Learn from your failures and keep pushing forward.* Empathy: This point is about understanding others and adding value to people’s lives. Our creative work has to serve others to be truly meaningful and we need to enroll others into our projects by understanding and speaking to their needs.These attributes have been crucial in both my personal and professional life. In this episode, I share personal anecdotes and practical exercises to help you cultivate these traits.I’d love to hear your feedback and engage with you through my Substack and Twitter. I'm incredibly grateful for this community and the opportunity to share these insights with you.Game Links:* Ascension Legends* You Gotta Be Kitten Me* SolForge Fusion This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit justingarydesign.substack.com/subscribe

Jonathan Tweet, a pioneering RPG designer, shares insights on his journey in the gaming industry, including Dungeons & Dragons 3rd Edition. He discusses AI art, VR, and blockchain in game design, challenges in game development, and creating a children's book on evolution. Jonathan reflects on social media presence, upcoming RPG projects, and the influence of the open gaming license.

Award-winning tabletop game designer Geoff Engelstein discusses his journey in game design, psychology's influence on gameplay, and evolving design tools. Topics include passion and perseverance in game design, empowering the next generation of designers, bridging theory and practicality in game design, and creating specific player experiences.

Veteran strategist Stephan Brissaud shares insights on game design, marketing, and retail strategies. He discusses building strong gaming communities, core traits for success, networking in the industry, and embracing curiosity and passion in game development.

Eric Price, president of Japanime Games and GAMMA, discusses uniting VTubers and Players through Oshi Push, a trading card game. Topics include sourcing games from Japan, GAMA's role, evolution of collectibles in Japan, and creating a Vtuber-based TCG. He also talks about the launch of Oshi Push, plans for a digital edition, and future game sets.

Neeraj Kashyap, a blockchain gaming pioneer, discusses the challenges and potential of Web3 gaming. Topics include player ownership, onboarding, play-to-earn, vampire attacks, economies, NFTs, and user engagement for profit. The conversation highlights the fusion of blockchain and gaming, financialization of in-game assets, decentralized game logic, and navigating security concerns in the Web3 gaming landscape.