Beyond Solitaire

Latest Episodes:

Episode 251 - Gene Koo on Ephemerality in Games Oct 05, 2026

Show notes

This week on the pod, Gene Koo, designer of The Bonsai Diary and co-designer of Color Jam, drops by to discuss his paper-heavy game designs and an upcoming PAXU event devoted to unpublishable games. Check out Color Jam on KS: https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/lunarpunkgames/colorjam
Preorder The Blue Way on Backerkit: https://blue-way.backerkit.com/hosted_preorders
Follow Line by Line on Backerkit: https://www.backerkit.com/c/projects/central-michigan-university-press/line-by-line/pre-launch
Beyond Solitaire is proudly sponsored by Central Michigan University's Center for Learning Through Games and Simulations, where learning can be both playful and compelling. Check them out here: https://www.cmich.edu/academics/colleges/liberal-arts-social-sciences/centers-institutes/center-for-learning-through-games-and-simulations
Check out CMU's game offerings here: https://cmichpress.com/shop/
All episodes of my podcast are available here: https://beyondsolitaire.buzzsprout.com
Enjoy my work? Consider supporting me on Patreon at https://www.patreon.com/beyondsolitaire or getting me a "coffee" on Ko-fi! https://ko-fi.com/beyondsolitaire
Contact Me:
Email: beyondsolitaire at gmail.com
Twitter: @beyondsolitaire
Instagram: @beyondsolitaire
Facebook: www.facebook.com/beyondsolitaire
Website: www.beyondsolitaire.net

Episode 250 - Ed Beach on Designing Historical Series Sep 28, 2026

Show notes

This week on the pod, Ed Beach drops by to talk about designing historical board games such as Here I Stand and Virgin Queen, about being both a contributor to and an originator of a game series, and a bit about his work on Civilization.
Preorder The Blue Way on Backerkit: https://blue-way.backerkit.com/hosted_preorders
Follow Line by Line on Backerkit: https://www.backerkit.com/c/projects/central-michigan-university-press/line-by-line/pre-launch
Beyond Solitaire is proudly sponsored by Central Michigan University's Center for Learning Through Games and Simulations, where learning can be both playful and compelling. Check them out here: https://www.cmich.edu/academics/colleges/liberal-arts-social-sciences/centers-institutes/center-for-learning-through-games-and-simulations
Check out CMU's game offerings here: https://cmichpress.com/shop/
All episodes of my podcast are available here: https://beyondsolitaire.buzzsprout.com
Enjoy my work? Consider supporting me on Patreon at https://www.patreon.com/beyondsolitaire or getting me a "coffee" on Ko-fi! https://ko-fi.com/beyondsolitaire
Contact Me:
Email: beyondsolitaire at gmail.com
Twitter: @beyondsolitaire
Instagram: @beyondsolitaire
Facebook: www.facebook.com/beyondsolitaire
Website: www.beyondsolitaire.net

Episode 249 - Sabrina Culyba on Transformational Gaming Sep 21, 2026

Show notes

This week on the pod, Sabrina Culyba of Ludoliminal drops by to discuss both her current company and her past as a designer of transformational video games--games designed to impact the players in life, and not just within the game. https://ludoliminal.com/
Download the book: https://www.transformationalframework.com/product/book-pdf/
Preorder The Blue Way on Backerkit: https://blue-way.backerkit.com/hosted_preorders
Follow Line by Line on Backerkit: https://www.backerkit.com/c/projects/central-michigan-university-press/line-by-line/pre-launch
Beyond Solitaire is proudly sponsored by Central Michigan University's Center for Learning Through Games and Simulations, where learning can be both playful and compelling. Check them out here: https://www.cmich.edu/academics/colleges/liberal-arts-social-sciences/centers-institutes/center-for-learning-through-games-and-simulations
Check out CMU's game offerings here: https://cmichpress.com/shop/
All episodes of my podcast are available here: https://beyondsolitaire.buzzsprout.com
Enjoy my work? Consider supporting me on Patreon at https://www.patreon.com/beyondsolitaire or getting me a "coffee" on Ko-fi! https://ko-fi.com/beyondsolitaire
Contact Me:
Email: beyondsolitaire at gmail.com
Twitter: @beyondsolitaire
Instagram: @beyondsolitaire
Facebook: www.facebook.com/beyondsolitaire
Website: www.beyondsolitaire.net

Episode 248 - Isaac Vega on Rose Gauntlet Entertainment Sep 14, 2026

Show notes

This week on the pod, veteran game designer Isaac Vega discusses Rose Gauntlet Entertainment, which he co-founded with Lindsey Rode, and its associated charitable foundation. rosegauntlet.com
Preorder The Blue Way on Backerkit: https://blue-way.backerkit.com/hosted_preorders
Follow Line by Line on Backerkit: https://www.backerkit.com/c/projects/central-michigan-university-press/line-by-line/pre-launch
Beyond Solitaire is proudly sponsored by Central Michigan University's Center for Learning Through Games and Simulations, where learning can be both playful and compelling. Check them out here: https://www.cmich.edu/academics/colleges/liberal-arts-social-sciences/centers-institutes/center-for-learning-through-games-and-simulations
Check out CMU's game offerings here: https://cmichpress.com/shop/
All episodes of my podcast are available here: https://beyondsolitaire.buzzsprout.com
Enjoy my work? Consider supporting me on Patreon at https://www.patreon.com/beyondsolitaire or getting me a "coffee" on Ko-fi! https://ko-fi.com/beyondsolitaire
Contact Me:
Email: beyondsolitaire at gmail.com
Twitter: @beyondsolitaire
Instagram: @beyondsolitaire
Facebook: www.facebook.com/beyondsolitaire
Website: www.beyondsolitaire.net

Episode 247 - Alita Robertson on Kart Sep 07, 2026

Show notes

This week on the pod, Alita Robertson, Developer and Producer at Leder Games, drops by to discuss Kart--our upcoming game about kids having a downhill kart race through the neighbors' yards. It's excellent. Check it out here: https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/ledergames/kart?utm_source=LederGames&utm_medium=Social&utm_campaign=KartKS
Preorder The Blue Way on Backerkit: https://blue-way.backerkit.com/hosted_preorders
Follow Line by Line on Backerkit: https://www.backerkit.com/c/projects/central-michigan-university-press/line-by-line/pre-launch
Beyond Solitaire is proudly sponsored by Central Michigan University's Center for Learning Through Games and Simulations, where learning can be both playful and compelling. Check them out here: https://www.cmich.edu/academics/colleges/liberal-arts-social-sciences/centers-institutes/center-for-learning-through-games-and-simulations
Check out CMU's game offerings here: https://cmichpress.com/shop/
All episodes of my podcast are available here: https://beyondsolitaire.buzzsprout.com
Enjoy my work? Consider supporting me on Patreon at https://www.patreon.com/beyondsolitaire or getting me a "coffee" on Ko-fi! https://ko-fi.com/beyondsolitaire
Contact Me:
Email: beyondsolitaire at gmail.com
Twitter: @beyondsolitaire
Instagram: @beyondsolitaire
Facebook: www.facebook.com/beyondsolitaire
Website: www.beyondsolitaire.net

Episode 246 - Mark Diaz Truman on RPG vs. Board Game Design Aug 31, 2026

Show notes

This week on the pod, Mark Diaz Truman of Magpie Games drops by to discuss the Root RPG, RPGs in general, and his recent adventures in board game design. https://magpiegames.com/
Preorder The Blue Way on Backerkit: https://blue-way.backerkit.com/hosted_preorders
Follow Line by Line on Backerkit: https://www.backerkit.com/c/projects/central-michigan-university-press/line-by-line/pre-launch
Beyond Solitaire is proudly sponsored by Central Michigan University's Center for Learning Through Games and Simulations, where learning can be both playful and compelling. Check them out here: https://www.cmich.edu/academics/colleges/liberal-arts-social-sciences/centers-institutes/center-for-learning-through-games-and-simulations
Check out CMU's game offerings here: https://cmichpress.com/shop/
All episodes of my podcast are available here: https://beyondsolitaire.buzzsprout.com
Enjoy my work? Consider supporting me on Patreon at https://www.patreon.com/beyondsolitaire or getting me a "coffee" on Ko-fi! https://ko-fi.com/beyondsolitaire
Contact Me:
Email: beyondsolitaire at gmail.com
Twitter: @beyondsolitaire
Instagram: @beyondsolitaire
Facebook: www.facebook.com/beyondsolitaire
Website: www.beyondsolitaire.net

Episode 245 - C. Thi Nguyen on Playing for the Right Reasons Aug 24, 2026

Show notes

This week on the pod, Professor C. Thi Nguyen (@add-hawk.bsky.social) pops by to discuss his work on games, why we play them, and how dangerous it is to wind up playing by someone else's rules. Check out his books, Games: Agency as Art and The Score to learn more! You can also find him at https://objectionable.net/
Preorder The Blue Way on Backerkit: https://blue-way.backerkit.com/hosted_preorders
Follow Line by Line on Backerkit: https://www.backerkit.com/c/projects/central-michigan-university-press/line-by-line/pre-launch
Beyond Solitaire is proudly sponsored by Central Michigan University's Center for Learning Through Games and Simulations, where learning can be both playful and compelling. Check them out here: https://www.cmich.edu/academics/colleges/liberal-arts-social-sciences/centers-institutes/center-for-learning-through-games-and-simulations
Check out CMU's game offerings here: https://cmichpress.com/shop/
All episodes of my podcast are available here: https://beyondsolitaire.buzzsprout.com
Enjoy my work? Consider supporting me on Patreon at https://www.patreon.com/beyondsolitaire or getting me a "coffee" on Ko-fi! https://ko-fi.com/beyondsolitaire
Contact Me:
Email: beyondsolitaire at gmail.com
Twitter: @beyondsolitaire
Instagram: @beyondsolitaire
Facebook: www.facebook.com/beyondsolitaire
Website: www.beyondsolitaire.net

Episode 244 - Alice and Jessica Hong on FamBam Games Aug 17, 2026

Show notes

This week on the pod, sisters Alice and Jessica Hong drop by to discuss FamBam Games, the company they started together, and the process of making games that delight both their own large family and families around the world. https://fambam.games/
Preorder The Blue Way on Backerkit: https://blue-way.backerkit.com/hosted_preorders
Follow Line by Line on Backerkit: https://www.backerkit.com/c/projects/central-michigan-university-press/line-by-line/pre-launch
Beyond Solitaire is proudly sponsored by Central Michigan University's Center for Learning Through Games and Simulations, where learning can be both playful and compelling. Check them out here: https://www.cmich.edu/academics/colleges/liberal-arts-social-sciences/centers-institutes/center-for-learning-through-games-and-simulations
Check out CMU's game offerings here: https://cmichpress.com/shop/
All episodes of my podcast are available here: https://beyondsolitaire.buzzsprout.com
Enjoy my work? Consider supporting me on Patreon at https://www.patreon.com/beyondsolitaire or getting me a "coffee" on Ko-fi! https://ko-fi.com/beyondsolitaire
Contact Me:
Email: beyondsolitaire at gmail.com
Twitter: @beyondsolitaire
Instagram: @beyondsolitaire
Facebook: www.facebook.com/beyondsolitaire
Website: www.beyondsolitaire.net

Episode 243 - Morten Monrad Pedersen on Solo Design Aug 10, 2026

Show notes

This week on the pod, Morten Monrad Pedersen, head of the Automa Factory and designer of Skoventyr and Shajarat, discusses his takes on solo game design and what solo gaming means to him. https://automafactory.com/
Check out The Blue Way: https://www.backerkit.com/call_to_action/790bcea3-7482-4f7c-91cf-dc12da16cfeb/landing?ref=home-page
Beyond Solitaire is proudly sponsored by Central Michigan University's Center for Learning Through Games and Simulations, where learning can be both playful and compelling. Check them out here: https://www.cmich.edu/academics/colleges/liberal-arts-social-sciences/centers-institutes/center-for-learning-through-games-and-simulations
Check out CMU's game offerings here: https://cmichpress.com/shop/
All episodes of my podcast are available here: https://beyondsolitaire.buzzsprout.com
Enjoy my work? Consider supporting me on Patreon at https://www.patreon.com/beyondsolitaire or getting me a "coffee" on Ko-fi! https://ko-fi.com/beyondsolitaire
Contact Me:
Email: beyondsolitaire at gmail.com
Twitter: @beyondsolitaire
Instagram: @beyondsolitaire
Facebook: www.facebook.com/beyondsolitaire
Website: www.beyondsolitaire.net

Episode 242 - Megan Rhodes Victor on Archaeogaming as Scholarly Play Aug 03, 2026

Show notes

This week on the pod, Prof. Megan Rhodes Victor (@archaeovictor.bsky.social) discusses her new edited volume, Archaeogaming as Scholarly Play, and her work as an archaeologist in the real world--and in video game settings. How do we note the passage of time and find meaning in digital worlds? She would be the one to ask. She can be found on Instagram as @archaeologicalvictor and on YouTube under the same handle.
Check out The Blue Way: https://www.backerkit.com/call_to_action/790bcea3-7482-4f7c-91cf-dc12da16cfeb/landing?ref=home-page
Beyond Solitaire is proudly sponsored by Central Michigan University's Center for Learning Through Games and Simulations, where learning can be both playful and compelling. Check them out here: https://www.cmich.edu/academics/colleges/liberal-arts-social-sciences/centers-institutes/center-for-learning-through-games-and-simulations
Check out CMU's game offerings here: https://cmichpress.com/shop/
All episodes of my podcast are available here: https://beyondsolitaire.buzzsprout.com
Enjoy my work? Consider supporting me on Patreon at https://www.patreon.com/beyondsolitaire or getting me a "coffee" on Ko-fi! https://ko-fi.com/beyondsolitaire
Contact Me:
Email: beyondsolitaire at gmail.com
Twitter: @beyondsolitaire
Instagram: @beyondsolitaire
Facebook: www.facebook.com/beyondsolitaire
Website: www.beyondsolitaire.net

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