
The Board Game Design Lab
The Board Game Design Lab was created for one purpose: to help you design great games people love. To accomplish that goal, this podcast interviews designers, publishers, and board game insiders on specific topics related to game design. I don’t waste time talking about recently played games or pop culture. Instead, the show does a deep dive into subjects that I hope you’ll find extremely valuable as you progress through your game design journey.
Latest episodes

Dec 8, 2021 • 1h 2min
Designing a Trading Card Game in the Modern Era with Assad Quraishi
Assad Quraishi, designer of Genesis: Battle of Champions, discusses everything to think about if you want to design a trading card game for today’s market.We talk about how to get started, building an audience, when to go to Kickstarter, how to stand out, and more.
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Dec 1, 2021 • 1h 9min
Thematically Informed Game Design with Jonny Pac
Jonny Pac, designer of Merchants Cove and lots of other games, discusses his process of finding the perfect mesh of theme and mechanisms.We talk about his approach to theme in his various games, research, and what it looks like for mechanics to make sense inside the theme.
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Nov 24, 2021 • 48min
Using Blue Ocean Strategy in Game Design with Marvin Hegen
Marvin Hegen, designer of Mindbug, discusses how to use a blue ocean strategy in game design and game publishing.We talk about blue ocean vs red ocean concepts, how the strategy can help you pitch games, marketing, and more.
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Nov 17, 2021 • 1h 4min
How to Expand on a Core Idea with Trevor Benjamin and David Thompson
Trevor Benjamin and David Thompson, designers of the Undaunted series, discuss how to take a solid core idea and then expand on it.We talk about the making of Undaunted games, what goes into creating expansions, standalone sequels, and new games with similar DNA to previous designs.
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Nov 10, 2021 • 56min
How to Put a New Twist on a Familiar Genre with Ariel Rubin and Juliana Moreno
Ariel Rubin and Juliana Moreno, designers of the Escape Room in a Box series, discuss what it takes to put a new twist on a familiar genre.Over the last few years, they’ve designed and published several games that brought new angles and fresh ideas to various different genres, so we dive into lots of great examples of how to do this.
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Nov 3, 2021 • 49min
Designing Games with Higher Player Counts with Darren Terpstra
Darren Terpstra, designer of Ignite, discusses what to be aware of when designing games that go up to six or more playersWe talk about the pros and cons of higher player count games, balance, finding playtesters, and more.
The post Designing Games with Higher Player Counts with Darren Terpstra appeared first on Board Game Design Lab.

Oct 27, 2021 • 34min
Top 10 Photoshop Tips for Game Designers with Nicolas Fournier
Nicolas Fournier, designer of Megapulse, breaks down his top 10 Photoshop tips and tricks to help game designers.
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Oct 27, 2021 • 28min
A Game about Game Design with Jon Spike
Jon Spike, designer of Gamestormers, discusses his game about designing board games (it gets a bit meta). I think it’s an excellent way to introduce new people to the game design hobby and also might make for a helpful resource for seasoned designers.
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Oct 20, 2021 • 1h 3min
How to Design a Pick-up and Deliver Game with Marcel Köhler
Marcel Köhler, designer of Dutch Resistance: Orange Shall Overcome!, discusses what all goes into designing a pick-up and deliver game.We talk about how to make things thematic, the best number of resources, route obstacles, and more.
And be sure to check out Marce’s pick-up and deliver game on Kickstarter HERE.
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Oct 13, 2021 • 1h 7min
The Pros and Cons of Doing Everything Yourself with Malachi Ray Rempen
Malachi Ray Rempen, designer of Roll Camera, discusses the pros and cons of doing all the main aspects of design, art, and publishing yourself.Malachi has both worked with others and done everything himself, so he can speak well on both perspectives.
And be sure to check out Malachi’s expansion for Roll Camera on Kickstarter HERE.
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