Ludology
Erica Hayes-Bouyouris, Sen-Foong Lim
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.
Ludology is part of The Dice Tower Network, the premier board game media network.
Episodes
Mentioned books
Apr 24, 2011 • 6min
Bonus Episode - Prisoner's Dilemma (Part 1)
In this classic GameTek episode, Geoff talks about the Prisoner's Dilemma and how it applies to board games.
Apr 17, 2011 • 52min
Episode 6 - Finding The Balance
Ryan and Geoff conclude their discussion of balance by looking at a variety of questions: What does it mean for a game to be balanced? What are the different types of balance? Can a game be too balanced?
Apr 10, 2011 • 6min
Bonus Episode - Triangular Numbers
In this classic GameTek segment Geoff takes a look at triangular numbers and the way they are used in game designs. Features a bonus appearance by Alan Moon (sort of)!
Apr 3, 2011 • 47min
Episode 5 - Dominant Strategies - Take 2
Games that seem to have multiple strategies sometimes end up having just one dominant strategy that players follow. In this episode, Ryan and Geoff discuss ways the pitfalls of game design that can lead to this, and ways designers avoid it.
Mar 27, 2011 • 6min
Bonus Episode - Multitouch Tables
In this classic GameTek episode from 2007 Geoff talks about Multitouch Tables like the Microsoft Surface, and the role they may play in the future of boardgames.
Mar 20, 2011 • 45min
Episode 4 - The Emergence of Strategy
In this episode, Ryan and Geoff discuss the difference between strategy and tactics, and the different forms that strategy can take in games.
Mar 14, 2011 • 14min
Episode 3A - The Defense of Power Grid
What, another Ludology episode already? In episode 3, Catch The Leader, Ryan and Geoff both opined that the turn order mechanic in Power Grid diminishes the overall experience. This prompted a lot of passionate debate in the forums. For this bonus episode, we are joined by listener and poster Tim Koppang, who defends this Catch the Leader mechanic as integral to the Power Grid experience, and essential to gameplay. Episode 4 will be posted as scheduled, on March 20.
Mar 13, 2011 • 0sec
Ludology Bonus Episode - Reviews
Here is the next classic GameTek episode. This is on one of Tom Vasel's favorite topics - reviews! This is purely 'bonus' content, and we will still be keeping to our regular two week release schedule.
Mar 6, 2011 • 52min
Episode 3 - Catch The Leader
In this episode, Ryan and Geoff begin their series on balance. First up: Catch The Leader. What exactly is Catch The Leader? When is it needed, if ever? When does it work and when doesn't it?
Feb 27, 2011 • 6min
Ludology Bonus Episode 1 - GameTek Classic!
Regular Ludology episodes will be released every two weeks. As an experiment, on the 'in between' weeks we are going to be releasing classic GameTek segments from The Dice Tower. This is the very first GameTek that was ever aired, on the topic of luck, and like all GameTeks is about 5 minutes long. This is purely 'bonus' content, and we will still be keeping to our regular two week release schedule. Please drop by our BGG guild and let us know if you enjoy these bonus releases!
