Beyond Solitaire

Latest Episodes:

Episode 201 - Matteo Menapace on Cooperative Game Design Jul 28, 2025

Show notes

Welcome to Season 11! We are starting off with a delightful visit from Matteo Menapace, co-designer of Daybreak (Instagram: @ma.tteo.me). We talk about cooperative games, teaching game design, Matteo's future projects, and of course his experiences at the Spiel des Jahres last year.
Witch Hunt/Making History Backerkit: https://www.backerkit.com/c/projects/central-michigan-university-press/witch-hunt-1649-making-history-a-game-double-feature
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/
Sign up for an online game design class here: https://www.cmich.edu/academics/colleges/liberal-arts-social-sciences/centers-institutes/center-for-learning-through-games-and-simulations/certificate-in-applied-game-design
All episodes of my podcast are available here: https://beyondsolitaire.buzzsprout.com/
Beyond Solitaire Merch:
https://sirmeeple.com/collections/beyond-solitaire
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 200 - Thoughts on the State of Historical Gaming Jun 09, 2025

Show notes

We've made it all the way to Episode 200! To celebrate the milestone, this is a mega episode filled with shorter interviews about the state of historical games and of "serious" games criticism. Thanks to all of you for coming along for the ride.
1:30 Volko Ruhnke
28:35 Efka Bladukas
46:40 Candice Harris
1:01:40 Dan Thurot
1:23:50 David Thompson
1:42:50 Sebastian Bae
2:08:35 Cole Wehrle
2:24:05 Amabel Holland
CLGS will be launching a new Backerkit campaign on July 8: https://www.backerkit.com/call_to_action/16dd740a-2996-4b25-9b52-5ee83a2013ec/landing?ref=bk-ec-55405
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/
Sign up for an online game design class here: https://www.cmich.edu/academics/colleges/liberal-arts-social-sciences/centers-institutes/center-for-learning-through-games-and-simulations/certificate-in-applied-game-design
All episodes of my podcast are available here: https://beyondsolitaire.buzzsprout.com/
Beyond Solitaire Merch:
https://sirmeeple.com/collections/beyond-solitaire
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

Episode 199 - Ian, David, and Liz on the Art of Night Witches Jun 02, 2025

Show notes

Ian O'Toole joins David and me to talk about Night Witches art updates! We're getting there at last!
CLGS will be launching a new Backerkit campaign on July 8: https://www.backerkit.com/call_to_action/16dd740a-2996-4b25-9b52-5ee83a2013ec/landing?ref=bk-ec-55405
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/
Sign up for an online game design class here: https://www.cmich.edu/academics/colleges/liberal-arts-social-sciences/centers-institutes/center-for-learning-through-games-and-simulations/certificate-in-applied-game-design
All episodes of my podcast are available here: https://beyondsolitaire.buzzsprout.com/
Beyond Solitaire Merch:
https://sirmeeple.com/collections/beyond-solitaire
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 198 - Ananda Gupta on Designing for Board and Video Games May 26, 2025

Show notes

This week on the pod, Ananda Gupta, co-designer of Twilight Struggle, stops by to talk about the anniversary edition of his game, but also about new board game work and his life as a designer for Riot Games.
CLGS will be launching a new Backerkit campaign on July 8: https://www.backerkit.com/call_to_action/16dd740a-2996-4b25-9b52-5ee83a2013ec/landing?ref=bk-ec-55405
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/
Sign up for an online game design class here: https://www.cmich.edu/academics/colleges/liberal-arts-social-sciences/centers-institutes/center-for-learning-through-games-and-simulations/certificate-in-applied-game-design
All episodes of my podcast are available here: https://beyondsolitaire.buzzsprout.com/
Beyond Solitaire Merch:
https://sirmeeple.com/collections/beyond-solitaire
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 197 - Lars de Wildt on the Pop Theology of Videogames May 19, 2025

Show notes

This week on the pod, religious studies scholar Lars de Wildt discusses the prevalence of religion in "secular" video games--and the line between which religious affectations are considered "neutral" and which are not. Also, his book is free and can be found here: https://www.aup.nl/en/book/9789048555130/the-pop-theology-of-videogames
Keep the Faith campaign: https://www.backerkit.com/call_to_action/ffdefab3-adb6-48aa-8335-797e720c58a1/landing
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/
Sign up for an online game design class here: https://www.cmich.edu/academics/colleges/liberal-arts-social-sciences/centers-institutes/center-for-learning-through-games-and-simulations/certificate-in-applied-game-design
All episodes of my podcast are available here: https://beyondsolitaire.buzzsprout.com/
Beyond Solitaire Merch:
https://sirmeeple.com/collections/beyond-solitaire
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 196 - Erin Escobedo on Meltwater May 12, 2025

Show notes

This week on the pod, Erin Escobedo talks about Meltwater, her game about the aftermath of a devastating nuclear war. It was originally published by Hollandspiele, but a new edition is coming out through Capstone. We also discuss fighting games!
Keep the Faith campaign: https://www.backerkit.com/call_to_action/ffdefab3-adb6-48aa-8335-797e720c58a1/landing
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/
Sign up for an online game design class here: https://www.cmich.edu/academics/colleges/liberal-arts-social-sciences/centers-institutes/center-for-learning-through-games-and-simulations/certificate-in-applied-game-design
All episodes of my podcast are available here: https://beyondsolitaire.buzzsprout.com/
Beyond Solitaire Merch:
https://sirmeeple.com/collections/beyond-solitaire
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 195 - Brooks Barber on Sykes-Picot, Spindletop, and Painkillers May 05, 2025

Show notes

This week on the pod, Brooks Barber (rollplusfun@bsky.social) drops in to discuss several of his upcoming game designs, all of which are both very cool and historically inspired. Check out Sykes-Picot here: https://hollandspiele.com/products/sykes-picot
Keep the Faith campaign: https://www.backerkit.com/call_to_action/ffdefab3-adb6-48aa-8335-797e720c58a1/landing
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/
Sign up for an online game design class here: https://www.cmich.edu/academics/colleges/liberal-arts-social-sciences/centers-institutes/center-for-learning-through-games-and-simulations/certificate-in-applied-game-design
All episodes of my podcast are available here: https://beyondsolitaire.buzzsprout.com/
Beyond Solitaire Merch:
https://sirmeeple.com/collections/beyond-solitaire
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 194 - Mark Herman on "Wargames According to Mark" Apr 28, 2025

Show notes

This week on the pod, Mark Herman (@markherman45.bsky.social) drops by to tell us about his new book, "Wargames According to Mark," as well as his views on game design and the process of building a game.
Keep the Faith campaign: https://www.backerkit.com/call_to_action/ffdefab3-adb6-48aa-8335-797e720c58a1/landing
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/
Sign up for an online game design class here: https://www.cmich.edu/academics/colleges/liberal-arts-social-sciences/centers-institutes/center-for-learning-through-games-and-simulations/certificate-in-applied-game-design
All episodes of my podcast are available here: https://beyondsolitaire.buzzsprout.com/
Beyond Solitaire Merch:
https://sirmeeple.com/collections/beyond-solitaire
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 193 - Eric Lang on Design, Activism, and Mentorship Apr 21, 2025

Show notes

This week on the pod, game designer Eric Lang (@ericlang.bsky.social) discusses his thoughts on game design, what makes projects exciting, the course of his long career, and how he's giving back.
Keep the Faith campaign: https://www.backerkit.com/call_to_action/ffdefab3-adb6-48aa-8335-797e720c58a1/landing
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/
Sign up for an online game design class here: https://www.cmich.edu/academics/colleges/liberal-arts-social-sciences/centers-institutes/center-for-learning-through-games-and-simulations/certificate-in-applied-game-design
All episodes of my podcast are available here: https://beyondsolitaire.buzzsprout.com/
Beyond Solitaire Merch:
https://sirmeeple.com/collections/beyond-solitaire
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 192 - Jason Matthews on Tariffs, GAMA, and Collective Action Apr 14, 2025

Show notes

If you care about the board game industry, then you've been worrying about tariffs. In this episode, Jason Matthews (@jasondcmatthews.bsky.social) talks about what they are, their potential consequences for publishers and hobbyists, and what we can decide to do about it.
Keep the Faith campaign: https://www.backerkit.com/call_to_action/ffdefab3-adb6-48aa-8335-797e720c58a1/landing
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/
Sign up for an online game design class here: https://www.cmich.edu/academics/colleges/liberal-arts-social-sciences/centers-institutes/center-for-learning-through-games-and-simulations/certificate-in-applied-game-design
All episodes of my podcast are available here: https://beyondsolitaire.buzzsprout.com/
Beyond Solitaire Merch:
https://sirmeeple.com/collections/beyond-solitaire
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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