Think Like A Game Designer

Latest Episodes:

Alan Gerding — From Core Principles to Kickstarter Success: The Psychology and Strategy Behind Crafting Mothership: Sci-Fi Horror RPG (#35) Jan 21, 2022

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This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit justingarydesign.substack.com/subscribe

Think Like a Game Designer #34: Mike Turian Dec 27, 2021

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This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit justingarydesign.substack.com/subscribe

Brotherwise Games — From Sibling Bets to Publishing Success: Navigating Collaboration, Fostering Relationships with Influencers, and Championing Local Game Stores (#33) Nov 19, 2021

Show notes

Brotherwise Games, headquartered in Los Angeles, was established in 2012 by the dynamic duo, Chris and Johnny O’Neal. Over the years, the "Brothers Wise" have carved a niche for themselves, emerging as one of the most notable indie success stories in the tabletop gaming arena. In today's episode, we delve into the intricacies of collaborating with family, effective game marketing strategies, the art of partnering with influencers, and insights into what publishers seek in games. This episode promises a wealth of knowledge, and I'm so excited to bring it to you. Dive in and enjoy!

This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit justingarydesign.substack.com/subscribe

JT Smith — Crafting the Game Design Journey: From Prototyping with Game Crafter to Navigating Digital Playtesting and Harnessing the Power of Audacity (#32) Oct 30, 2021

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JT Smith started designing games when he was in high school and wanted an easier way to prototype his game. His drive to find a better way to prototype led him to found the company Game Crafter, a company that allows you to print prototypes and even produce your game on a small scale. In addition to Game Crafter, JT has programmed a number of incredible tools for creating card prototypes, migrating your physical games to programs like Tabletop Simulator, and even running entire conventions. Thanks to JT this episode of the Think Like A Game Designer will, no doubt, make your game design life easier.

This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit justingarydesign.substack.com/subscribe

Richard Garfield — Crafting Game Legacies: The Evolution of Unique Deck Games, Innovating SolForge Fusion, and Deep Dives into Procedural Generation (#31) Sep 07, 2021

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Richard is the creator of Magic: The Gathering, KeyForge, Netrunner, Vampire: The Eternal Struggle, Battletech(CCG) and a lot more. He is a pioneer in the collectible card game genre and one of the most well-known game designers in the world. In this episode of the show, we discuss his life in game design, the development of Magic: The Gathering and KeyForge, and a variety of topics dealing with the challenges of creating collectible card games. This episode is, without a doubt, one of the most remarkable episodes I’ve recorded for Think Like a Game Designer – grab a notebook and take a listen!

This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit justingarydesign.substack.com/subscribe

Peter Adkison — Building Gen Con, Empowering Game Designers, and the Thrill of Gathering the Gaming Tribe (#30) Sep 06, 2021

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Peter Adkison is not just a cornerstone of the gaming industry; he's the force behind revolutionizing it. As the founder of Wizards of the Coast, he introduced the world to phenomena like Magic: The Gathering and reinvigorated Dungeons & Dragons, shaping modern gaming. Now, as the owner of Gen Con and the creative mind at Chaldea Studios, he's melding gaming with filmmaking. In this episode, we explore Peter's unparalleled journey, insights from founding to selling a company, and his continual passion for innovation.

This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit justingarydesign.substack.com/subscribe

Elizabeth Hargrave — Breaking the Mold with Wingspan, Lessons In Successful Game Pitches, Embracing Unique Genres, and Championing Inclusivity in Game Design (#29) Jul 27, 2021

Show notes

Elizabeth Hargrave’s games are known for breaking the thematic mold. In her first game, Wingspan, you play as bird enthusiasts out to discover and attract the best birds to your network of wildlife preserves. The game is wildly popular and won the 2019 Kennerspiel des Jahres. In this episode, we discuss designing, playtesting, and pitching these groundbreaking games.

This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit justingarydesign.substack.com/subscribe

Jason Charles Miller — From Rockstar Stages to Voiceover Booths, Navigating the Entertainment Labyrinth, Time with Ozzy, Breathing Life into Characters, and The Magic of Live Streaming RPGs (#28) Jun 14, 2021

Show notes

Jason Charles Miller is a multifaceted artist, best known for his accomplished music career and significant voice acting roles. As a musician, Miller has released numerous albums, both as a solo artist and with his band, and has shared stages with prominent names in the music industry. Transitioning to voice acting, he has lent his voice to a variety of characters across video games and animated series, solidifying his place in the entertainment industry. In addition to music and acting, Jason is an avid live streamer, engaging with fans through platforms like Twitch where he shares stories, plays music, and even collaborates on songwriting. With his undeniable passion and wide-ranging talents, Miller continues to leave an indelible mark on every medium he touches. It’s awesome to have him here to tell his amazing stories!

This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit justingarydesign.substack.com/subscribe

Bruno Faidutti — Merging Game Mechanics, Simplifying Design, The Art of Drafting, and Unraveling the Myth of Unicorns (#27) May 10, 2021

Show notes

Bruno Faidutti is the legendary creator of Citadel and Knightmare, two games that have inspired me throughout the years along with 40+ additional published games. In addition to game design, Bruno has studied law, economics, and history, and knows an awful lot about unicorns. This episode is full of lessons on design fundamentals, rules creation, and drafting games, in particular. Enjoy!

This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit justingarydesign.substack.com/subscribe

Rodney Thompson — Designing Across Platforms, Crafting Worker Placement Games, Delving into RPGs, and Transitioning from Tabletop to Destiny (#26) Mar 19, 2021

Show notes

Rodney Thompson has been designing games professionally for over 15 years. He has worked on some of the industry’s most significant properties, including Star Wars, Dungeons & Dragons, Lords of Waterdeep, Tyrants of the Underdark, and Dark Sun. He’s currently a designer for the Destiny franchise at Bungie and develops his personal projects at Scratchpad Publishing. This episode has a detailed deep dive into building worker placement games and roleplaying games. If you love these games, you’ll love this episode.

This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit justingarydesign.substack.com/subscribe

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