Ludology

Delve into the intriguing world of psychological momentum in sports, examining how significant defensive plays shape game dynamics. Discover how our brains react to thoughts of punishing rule-breakers, with fascinating insights from neuroimaging studies. Lastly, explore the Prisoner's Dilemma and how its framing can dramatically alter player decisions and strategies, shedding light on the complex interplay between psychology and game design.

Explore the various ways board games can end and how these conclusions shape player experiences. Delve into endgame dynamics and the psychological impact of different conditions, like player elimination. Discover the strategic intricacies of two-player games and how victory conditions influence choices. Examine the role of timers and game mechanics, showcasing their effects on gameplay flow. Plus, learn about asymmetric win conditions in diverse board games and the importance of impactful game endings.

Scott covers the history of the seminal board game Dune, its legal tangles with its IP, and its retheming as Rex: Final Days of an Empire.

Daniel Solis, a seasoned graphic and game designer, dives into the essentials of graphic design for board games. He emphasizes the critical balance between aesthetics and functionality, particularly in prototypes. Daniel shares valuable resources like Blambot and Game Icons for design assets, highlighting the importance of clarity in mechanics. He introduces his innovative Bird Bucks project, a creative twist on traditional game currency. The conversation also touches on the impact of puns in game titles and the nuances of game publishing in today's market.

Micha Le Bourhis, project manager at Asmodee Research, dives into the fascinating world of scientific studies surrounding board games. He shares insights on how the Gaming Lab program promotes collaboration between gaming and research. The discussion highlights grants available for various research initiatives exploring board games' societal impacts, from Alzheimer's studies to educational projects. Learn about the global push for research funding and the excitement building for educational workshops at GenCon. This is a must-listen for game enthusiasts!

Elizabeth Hargrave, acclaimed designer of the popular board game Wingspan, joins the discussion, offering insights from her unique transition from healthcare policy to game design. They dive into the intricacies of creating engaging engine-building games while emphasizing the importance of rigorous playtesting and player engagement. Hargrave also shares fascinating stories about the thematic depth of her games, such as Tussie Mussy, and the historical narratives woven into gameplay, showcasing how games can reflect and influence culture.

Scott tells us about Icehouse, the real-time game that's celebrating its 30th birthday this year, and whose distinctive plastic pyramids launched an entire game system.

Jeroen Doumen, co-founder of Splotter and co-designer of games Food Chain Magnate, Antiquity, and Roads & Boats, joins Gil and Emma to discuss the design of unforgiving games. What choices do you have to make when making a game that can be harsh to mistakes? We also talk about testing, publishing, and of course, hamburgers. You can reach Jeroen by emailing him at jeroen@splotter.nl.

Geoff discusses an unusual and somewhat tragic condition in sports called "The Yips." Is it mental, or does it have a physiological basis?

Gil, Emma, and Scott talk about fun and meaning in games. What is fun, and how can we achieve fun in our games? What are games that try to balance fun within a more serious topic? And how about games that are not meant to be fun at all; how do they provide meaning for their players? During the episode, Scott discusses Marc LeBlanc's 8 Types of Fun, which you can read more about here: https://theangrygm.com/gaming-for-fun-part-1-eight-kinds-of-fun/ Note: In the last 20 minutes of the episode, be advised that we discuss games that deal with traumatic subjects, like the deaths of close family members.