Think Like A Game Designer

Ben Robbins, RPG creator, talks about Microscope RPG, fostering inclusivity in game design, constraints for creative collaboration, transitioning from passion to profession in game design, crafting fictional worlds for creative freedom, subtle cues in game design for player experiences, and structuring game demos effectively for engaging gameplay.

Jason Morningstar, award-winning RPG designer, discusses emotional risks in game design, creating unique experiences with Fiasco, balancing financial considerations, designing playful learning experiences, GM-less role-playing with Fiasco, and using filters in game design.

Emmy Award-winning producer Jane Chung Hoffacker discusses IP creation, writer's room dynamics, indie game design, and the evolution of game genres. She shares insights on building animation studios, navigating diversity in entertainment, and embracing change in starting a board game company. The episode is filled with reflections on project launches, feedback, and Emmy Awards experiences, highlighting the power of cohesive world-building and passionate storytelling in game creation.

C. Thi Nguyen is an Associate Professor of Philosophy at the University of Utah and the author of the incredible book "Games: Agency as Art." In this episode, Thi delves into his theory of games as an art form that revolves around agency. His website, Objectionable.net, showcases an extensive collection of published papers on games, the philosophy of technology, and other intriguing topics. My conversation with Thi digs into the essence of games—exploring their power, addictiveness, and how game concepts can be applied to enhance your daily life. Don't miss this episode for a thought-provoking journey into the philosophy of games with Thi Nguyen.Visit http://justingarydesign.com/ for show notes, game design lessons, and more! 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

Maxine “MJ” Newman joins me to chat about her leap from lawyering to senior game designer at Fantasy Flight Games. As a game designer at Fantasy Flight, MJ serves as the co-lead designer for the popular Arkham Horror card game and is also a developer on the Lord of the Rings card game. We discuss everything from her dad sparking her game design love to the Arkham Horror card game and its teamwork-boosting twists. Outside of her work, MJ is also a self-published novelist and contributing writer to publications like Dragon magazine. MJ discusses the creative differences between her career as a game designer and her work as an author, comparing the solitude of book writing to the team effort of game creation. If you're into stories of passion projects turning into careers, storytelling within card games, and how game jams can spark creativity, you'll love this talk. Tune in to hear how she's making her mark in the gaming world and beyond. Enjoy!Visit http://justingarydesign.com/ for show notes, game design lessons, and more! 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

This episode is stand-alone, but if you’d like to hear more about the Mega Crit team behind Slay the Spire, check out last week’s episode!Anthony Giovannetti, the co-creator of "Slay the Spire" and a pioneer in digital deck-building games, joins us for a discussion following our episode with his design partner, Casey Yano. He delves into their early days of game development, emphasizing the importance of completing and learning from projects, regardless of the outcome. Anthony also reflects on balancing work and life during the intense launch of Slay the Spire and discusses the positive impact of embracing fan-made mods like Downfall, which significantly boosted the game's popularity and sales. I highly recommend listening to Anthony’s episode along with Casey’s to glean every bit of wisdom from this incredible design team. Having Anthony on the Think Like A Game Designer Podcast was an absolute blast—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

Casey Yano, a true innovator in gaming, discusses game design, marketing strategies, and challenges faced during the launch of the hit game 'Slay the Spire.' They explore the importance of exploring different aspects of the gaming industry, the concept of lurp animation, conducting build reviews, designing encounters and room navigation, and the challenges and failures in game marketing. They also touch on the design of their company, the significance of UI/UX in game design, and translating physical board games into digital formats.

Renowned historical fiction author Steven Pressfield discusses overcoming creative resistance, his surprising success with the game Ascension, and the connection between games and life. They also dive deep into his new book, The Daily Pressfield, a guide to conquering resistance and achieving dreams.

Tim Hutchings is a unique voice in the world of game design, known for his innovative approach that blends his rich background in fine arts with interactive storytelling. Hutchings' journey from the world of high art to game design is marked by his acclaimed creation, 'Thousand Year Old Vampire,' a solo-RPG game that exemplifies his talent for crafting deeply emotional and immersive experiences. As a professor of game design, Hutchings imparts both practical and theoretical wisdom, guiding his students through the exploration of games in innovative and thought-provoking ways. It was a joy to have him on the show to discuss the art and philosophy of game design. 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

Michael Borys, an expert in interactive design and storytelling, discusses creating immersive gaming experiences for major brands like Disney and Warner Brothers. He delves into the challenges of blending storytelling with interactive design, crafting alternate realities, and exploring augmented reality in gaming. Borys also shares insights on creating compelling immersive storytelling experiences and his latest tabletop game project, The Arkham Asylum Files.