
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

Feb 19, 2024 • 1h 3min
Ludology 317 State of the Industry 2024
Erica and Sen welcome the Podfather of Gaming, Stephen Buonocore. to the show for his annual update on what is currently impacting the tabletop gaming industry. Stephen talks about everything from post-lockdown fallout to AI use. Listen to see what he thinks about many of the pressing issues hobby gaming is facing. What are your thoughts?

Feb 12, 2024 • 9min
TTRPG Kids Ep 9
In this installment of Steph Campbell's TTRPGKids, they discuss how to tailor-make a system for YOUR particular child, creating something custom that both you and your little gamer will enjoy!

Feb 5, 2024 • 1h 7min
Ludology 316 Toy Included!
Dave Chalker (co-designer of Restoration Game's Thunder Road) joins Erica and Sen to talk about toys, games, and toyetic games.

Jan 29, 2024 • 8min
Thinking Beyond Mechanisms Ep 7
In this episode, Sarah Shipp explores the concept of Decision Space in game design and its impact on player psychology. The five elements that comprise the decision space are logic, strategy, agency, motivation, and emotion.

Jan 23, 2024 • 1h 20min
Ludology 315 Happy 2024
Erica and Sen make some resolutions about game design and predictions about the tabletop industry to ring in the new year!

Jan 14, 2024 • 53min
Pros and Cons Ep 4
In this episode of Pros and Cons Sen meets with Kristen Mott, who talks about how she recently broke into the industry, how she designs with her children as playtesters, and how she's explored non-traditional markets for publication. Recorded at Origins Game Fair in Columbus, OH in June 2023.

Jan 7, 2024 • 1h 17min
Pros and Cons Ep 3
Sen chats with Jordan Goddard about the growth of his family endeavor - Indy Toy Lab, a toy and game design studio with hobby roots that's aiming it's sights at the mass market. This podcast was recorded at Origins Game Fair in June of 2023 in Columbus, OH.

Jan 1, 2024 • 53min
Pros and Cons Ep 2
In this second installment of talking to industry pros at gaming conventions, Sen chats with Tuesday Badell and Ben Begeal at Origins in Columbus, June 2023. We talk about design-centric conventions in general and the specific philosophy behind UnPub.

Dec 24, 2023 • 1h 2min
Pros and Cons Ep 1
In the Pros and Cons series, Sen interviews industry professionals live at game conventions around the world. In this first installment, Sen interviews Andy Kim - designer of The Spill from Smirk & Laughter Games - at Toronto's BreakoutCon in March 2023. Andy talks about The Spill, spas, and upcoming designs.

Dec 18, 2023 • 6min
TTRPG Kids Ep 8
Steph brings their monthly dose of TTRPG advice to the table, this time extolling the benefits of playing roleplaying games with young children in the home or classroom.