
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

4 snips
Aug 16, 2021 • 1h 14min
#14 Board Game Strengths and Weaknesses (of the medium)
Today we are talking about the strengths and weaknesses of the format/medium of board games, when compared to video games, RPGs, movies, etc. There are some areas that board games can take great advantage of, and others that you should be wary of when designing.
Jennifer's Twitter thread; https://twitter.com/Gaohmee/status/1396874873859756032
Peter's Sudoku; http://peterchayward.com/sudoku.html
If you want to ask us a fun question, or contact us for any other reason send us a message to the email below. :)
funproblemspodcast@gmail.com
Facebook/Twitter: @FunProblemsPod
Steam curator page - https://store.steampowered.com/cur.../40748469-Fun-Problems/
A big thanks to Eduard Matei for our theme song!
See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Aug 1, 2021 • 54min
#13 Jeff Fraser Interview (Cartouche, Codesigning and more!)
Today we are talking to Jeff Fraser about his experience codesigning Cartouche, and touch on many other topics, such as rule book writing, the psychology of numbers, and more!
Cartouche is coming to KS Aug 3, sign up to get notified when it launches here; https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/peterchayward/cartouche
You can try Cartouche right now for free on TTS here; https://steamcommunity.com/sharedfiles/filedetails/?id=2545396343
If you want to ask us a fun question, or contact us for any other reason send us a message to the email below. :)
Contact Jeff here; jwfraser.ca
funproblemspodcast@gmail.com
Facebook/Twitter: @FunProblemsPod
Steam curator page - https://store.steampowered.com/cur.../40748469-Fun-Problems/
A big thanks to Eduard Matei for our theme song!
See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Jul 16, 2021 • 1h 7min
#12 Fixing BGG (Rethinking Genres)
Today we are talking about how to think about genres from new angles by considering the core of what makes games tick. We hope you enjoy!
Cartouche TTS mod - https://steamcommunity.com/sharedfiles/filedetails/?id=2545396343
0 Player game - https://youtu.be/N-BbgqOjIqk
MDA original - https://users.cs.northwestern.edu/~hunicke/MDA.pdf
Extra Credits has a great breakdown of aesthetics and added the "dominance" aesthetic to the original list here - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uepAJ-rqJKA
If you want to ask us a fun question, or contact us for any other reason send us a message to the email below. :)
funproblemspodcast@gmail.com
Facebook/Twitter: @FunProblemsPod
Steam curator page - https://store.steampowered.com/cur.../40748469-Fun-Problems/
A big thanks to Eduard Matei for our theme song!
See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Jul 6, 2021 • 1h 12min
# 11 Elegance and Cognitive Load
Today we are talking about how to keep depth in your game without overwhelming players with complexity. We hope you enjoy!
Steam curator page - https://store.steampowered.com/cur.../40748469-Fun-Problems/
Pitch Meeting - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jAhKOV3nImQ
Newsletter - https://jellybean.games/funproblems/
Toby Macguire in the MCU (AJ's 3 favourite clips) -
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7F91UO9xmwo
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KR-OSmOgPr4
https://youtu.be/p_fm-Cf8qDc?t=469
If you want to ask us a fun question, or contact us for any other reason send us a message to the email below. :)
funproblemspodcast@gmail.com
Facebook/Twitter: @FunProblemsPod
A big thanks to Eduard Matei for our theme song!
See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Jul 1, 2021 • 50min
#10 - BONUS Game Names
Today we are talking about naming games. Specifically we work through naming an upcoming title! This is a bonus episode so it's a bit shorter and won't follow our usual format. We hope you enjoy!
If you want to ask us a fun question, or contact us for any other reason send us a message to the email below. :)
funproblemspodcast@gmail.com
Facebook/Twitter: @FunProblemsPod
A big thanks to Eduard Matei for our theme song!
See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

12 snips
Jun 15, 2021 • 1h 7min
#9 - Onramping (Designing for the first play)
Jeff Fraser, a designer passionate about crafting enjoyable experiences for new players, and Eduard Matei, a talented musician known for the podcast's theme song, dive into the art of onramping in board games. They explore effective strategies for simplifying rulebooks and component design, enhancing accessibility to create inviting first-play experiences. Topics also include game theory, the importance of clear instructions, and the balance of gameplay mechanics to engage both new and seasoned players seamlessly.

Jun 2, 2021 • 1h 4min
#8 - Board Game Terminology (Part 3)
Join us for an in depth conversation on game design!
Today we are talking about board game terms; what they mean, and why they are important and useful.
If you want to ask us a fun question, or contact us for any other reason send us a message to the email below. :)
funproblemspodcast@gmail.com
Facebook/Twitter: @FunProblemsPod
A big thanks to Eduard Matei for our theme song!
See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

May 15, 2021 • 1h 8min
#7 - Board Game Terminology (Part 2)
Join us for an in depth conversation on game design!
Today we are talking about board game terms; what they mean, and why they are important and useful.
Extra Credits
https://www.youtube.com/user/ExtraCreditz
Mechanics, Dynamics, Aesthetics
https://users.cs.northwestern.edu/~hunicke/pubs/MDA.pdf
The Characteristics of Games
https://amzn.to/3v3zc56
If you want to ask us a fun question, or contact us for any other reason send us a message to the email below. :)
funproblemspodcast@gmail.com
Facebook/Twitter: @FunProblemsPod
A big thanks to Eduard Matei for our theme song!
See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Apr 25, 2021 • 1h 1min
#6 - Board Game Terminology (Part 1)
Join us for an in depth conversation on game design!
Today we are talking about board game terms; what they mean, and why they are important and useful.
Peter's talk on the "shape" of the game:
https://genesisoflegend.podbean.com/e/episode-181-the-shape-of-your-game/
Peter's talk on "blind/cold" playtesting:
https://boardgamedesignlab.com/the-secret-sauce-of-game-design-with-peter-c-hayward/
Output/Input Randomness thread:
https://twitter.com/peterchayward/status/1140663740804861952?s=20
The thread Peter referenced about verb based design:
https://twitter.com/coilingoracle/status/1237931019153674240
Here are all the books we referenced:
1984: https://amzn.to/3sNJh4z
The Princess Bride: https://amzn.to/3dRvGVH
Fifth Business: https://amzn.to/3dP1sTc
The Uploaded: https://amzn.to/2QUUMtH
S.: https://www.amazon.ca/S-Doug-Dorst/dp/0316201642
If you want to ask us a fun question, or contact us for any other reason send us a message to the email below. :)
funproblemspodcast@gmail.com
Facebook/Twitter: @FunProblemsPod
A big thanks to Eduard Matei for our theme song!
See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Mar 15, 2021 • 1h 10min
#5 - Community Submitted Pitches/Hooks
Join us for an in depth conversation on game design!
Today we are talking about "elevator pitches" that members of the community have sent in. What they get right and where they can improve.
If you want to ask us a fun question, or contact us for any other reason send us a message to the email below. :)
funproblemspodcast@gmail.com
Facebook/Twitter: @FunProblemsPod
A big thanks to Eduard Matei for our theme song!
See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Remember Everything You Learn from Podcasts
Save insights instantly, chat with episodes, and build lasting knowledge - all powered by AI.