Fun Problems
Board game design is a deep and often challenging pursuit. We explore all aspects of game design and the fun problems (and solutions) that come with it.
Latest episodes
May 31, 2025 • 1h 9min
#59 - The Best Design Advice on the Internet – Part 5
The best game design advice on the internet can be found at https://daniel.games/ – we can't recommend it highly enough! This is part 5 of a series where we explore the game design blog "Daniel.Games," written by Daniel Piechnick.
Discord: https://discord.gg/BjerXtQ3Me
Email: funproblemspodcast@gmail.com
Facebook/Twitter: @FunProblemsPod
Big thanks to Eduard Matei for our theme song!
May 23, 2025 • 1h 4min
#58 - Audience Sell-Sheets 2
Peter C. Hayward and AJ Brandon explore what makes an effective sell sheet, providing feedback on listener-submitted examples. Throughout the discussion, they offer actionable advice on how to improve clarity, visual hierarchy, and focus in order to capture the interest of potential publishers.
Link to Sell Sheets: https://tinyurl.com/4n85j7vf
Fun Problems Discord: https://discord.gg/BjerXtQ3Me
Email: funproblemspodcast@gmail.com
Big thanks to Eduard Matei for our theme song!
May 17, 2025 • 1h 18min
#57 - How to Balance your Board Game Part 2
The episode delves into the importance of understanding player dynamics, how to tackle randomness, the impact of player skills on balance, and the art of choosing fun over perfect equilibrium.
Fun Problems Discord: https://discord.gg/BjerXtQ3Me
Email: funproblemspodcast@gmail.com
Big thanks to Eduard Matei for our theme song!
May 9, 2025 • 1h 15min
#56 - How to Balance your Board Game Part 1
In this episode of Fun Problems, hosts Peter C. Hayward and AJ Brandon delve deep into the intricacies of balancing game design. They explore the concept of balance from various angles, including strategic collapse, a test of skill, economies, and more to create engaging gameplay.
Fun Problems Discord: https://discord.gg/BjerXtQ3Me
Email: funproblemspodcast@gmail.com
Big thanks to Eduard Matei for our theme song!
May 9, 2025 • 50min
#55 - Catch-Up Mechanisms and Hooks
In this episode of Fun Problems, hosts Peter C. Hayward and AJ Brandon discuss catch-up mechanisms in gaming, such as rubber banding and blue shells. They also dive into an interesting exercise aimed at developing game design concepts through strong hooks.
Fun Problems Discord: https://discord.gg/BjerXtQ3Me
Email: funproblemspodcast@gmail.com
Big thanks to Eduard Matei for our theme song!
May 3, 2025 • 1h 1min
#54 - Would CMYK Publish This?
Alex Hague and James Nathan Spencer explain what CMYK is looking for, and go through many examples of published games that would be a great fit. Tune in to see if you have a game CMYK is looking to publish! Email hello@cmyk.games to submit your game ideas to the company!
Fun Problems Discord: https://discord.gg/BjerXtQ3Me
Email: funproblemspodcast@gmail.com
Big thanks to Eduard Matei for our theme song!
Apr 30, 2025 • 1h 51min
#53 - Critter Kitchen Design Diary
Alex Cutler and Peter C. Hayward break down the design process of Critter Kitchen: the lessons learned, the journeys taken, and the critters kitchened.
Fun Problems Discord: https://discord.gg/BjerXtQ3Me
Email: funproblemspodcast@gmail.com
Big thanks to Eduard Matei for our theme song!
Apr 18, 2025 • 55min
#52 - Would AEG Publish This?
John Zinzer and Mark Wooten explain what AEG is looking for, and go through many examples of published games that would be a great fit. Tune in to see if you have a game AEG is looking to publish!
Email creative@alderac.com to submit your game ideas to the company!
Fun Problems Discord: https://discord.gg/BjerXtQ3Me
Email: funproblemspodcast@gmail.com
Big thanks to Eduard Matei for our theme song!
Apr 11, 2025 • 1h 2min
#51 - Audience Sell-Sheets
Peter C. Hayward and AJ Brandon explore what makes an effective sell sheet, providing feedback on listener-submitted examples. Throughout the discussion, they offer actionable advice on how to improve clarity, visual hierarchy, and focus in order to capture the interest of potential publishers.
Link to Sell Sheets: https://tinyurl.com/bd8pn9hp
Discord: https://discord.gg/BjerXtQ3Me
Email: funproblemspodcast@gmail.com
Big thanks to Eduard Matei for our theme song!
Apr 6, 2025 • 1h 30min
#50 - Board Game Industry Predictions
As we celebrate our 50th episode, we predict the next five years of the industry, including the growing role of AI in game design, shifts in game themes, and the potential impact of global economic factors on the industry.
Note this was recorded before the massive "Liberation Day" tariffs bombshell.
Discord: https://discord.gg/BjerXtQ3Me
Email: funproblemspodcast@gmail.com
Big thanks to Eduard Matei for our theme song!
