
Ludology
Welcome to Ludology, an analytical discussion of the how’s and why’s of the world of board games. Rather than news and reviews, Ludology explores a variety of topics about games from a wider lens, and discusses game history, game design and game players.
Ludology is part of The Dice Tower Network, the premier board game media network.
Latest episodes

Jul 29, 2018 • 1h 4min
Ludology Episode 180 - Keep Them Doggies Rollin'
Gil and Geoff are joined by special guest Suzanne Sheldon to talk about Roll and Write games! What makes them tick? What special design considerations are there? Duration: 1:03:49

Jul 9, 2018 • 9min
GameTek Classic 179 - Kill Dr. Lucky
Scott Rogers is back with another Biography of a Board Game! This time - Kill Dr. Lucky from James Earnest!

Jul 1, 2018 • 59min
Ludology Episode 179 - Contested Outcome
Contest results! Gil and Geoff wade into an incredibly strong field to pick the top 16 entries in the latest theme/mechanism competition. Who will end up on the top of the heap? Duration: 59:05

Jun 24, 2018 • 9min
GameTek Classic 178 - Real Time
In this classic GameTek, Geoff discusses design considerations for real time games. Plus a coda! Duration: 9:11

Jun 17, 2018 • 1h 11min
Ludology Episode 178 - Coin Operated
Gil and Geoff are pleased to welcome Volko Ruhnke, designer of the COIN series, about Counter-Intelligence operations throughout history. How do you capture the dynamics of these complex conflicts in a game? What are the challenges with designing simulations and general? And what can he tell us about his time in the CIA? Duration: 1:09:25

Jun 10, 2018 • 12min
GameTek Classic 177 - Agricola
Professor Scott Rogers is back with another Biography of a Board Game! This time, Agricola is under the spotlight. Duration: 11:55

Jun 3, 2018 • 59min
Ludology Episode 177 - AI, AI, Captain!
We welcome Theresa Duringer of Temple Gates Games, developer of the Race for the Galaxy app to talk about the process of developing and incorporating AI, how to make it smarter or dumber or more human, and more. Duration: 59:27

May 27, 2018 • 8min
GameTek Classic 176 - Apophenia
In this classic GameTek, Geoff talks about how we see patterns even when there aren't any, and what that means for game designers. Duration: 8:01

May 20, 2018 • 60min
Ludology Episode 176 - Taxonomy Driver
Since there were humans, they've been putting things into categories. What are some of the ways games are categorized? Is this useful, or a distraction? Duration: 59:56

May 13, 2018 • 9min
GameTek Classic 175 - Talisman
Professor Scott Rogers is back with another Bio of a Board Game, taking a look at Talisman! Duration: 9:28