The Game Design Round Table

Covering the full breadth of digital, tabletop, and role playing games, The Game Design Round Table inspires and educates aspiring and experienced game designers.

#330 Xenolanguage with Kathryn Hymes 11/19/2024

#330 Xenolanguage with Kathryn Hymes This week, Dirk and David are joined by Kathryn Hymes, co-owner of Thorny Games and former co-host of the show. Together, they discuss Kathryn’s new game Xenolanguage, a roleplaying game where players take the role of humans tasked with deciphering an alien language. They give their thoughts on designing GMless games, especially focusing on how to facilitate interesting experiences within the rules. Topics include an in-depth look at Xenolanguage’s design, the breadth in experience of GMless games, approaching the business side of GMless games, and what future games may look like in the field of language. /episode/index/show/tgdrt/id/33996537

#329 Small Games with Ellie Dix 11/05/2024

#329 Small Games with Ellie Dix This episode, Dirk and David are joined by Ellie Dix, owner of The Dark Imp and author of The Board Game Family. They discuss Ellie’s career and path into game design, as well as the intricacies of how she manages to design so many games. Topics include managing small projects, how to choose which designs to focus on, the importance of managing a playtest group, and the worth of games as educational tools. /episode/index/show/tgdrt/id/33784897

#328 Civilization Series 8 - Ara 10/22/2024

#328 Civilization Series 8 - Ara Dirk and David convene once more to discuss the release of Ara: History Untold by Oxide Games. They analyze the game’s strengths and weaknesses, how it feels to play, and how it compares to the actual Civilization series of games. Topics include managing expectations, the clunkiness of the crafting and relationship systems, performance and technical issues, what it does right, and who Ara is even for. /episode/index/show/tgdrt/id/33556662

#327 Undergrove with Elizabeth Hargrave and Mark Wootton 10/08/2024

#327 Undergrove with Elizabeth Hargrave and Mark Wootton David is at the helm this week, joined by Elizabeth Hargrave (Wingspan, Mariposas) and Mark Wooton (Legend of the Five Rings, Mariposas). The trio discuss Elizabeth and Mark’s new game Undergrove, a resource management and tile placement game about building a mycelial and arboreal network. Topics include how Undergrove was developed, designing for the mushroom theme, Mark and Elizabeth’s relationship with nature, and how a competitive game can be developed without encouraging antagonistic relationships between players. /episode/index/show/tgdrt/id/33371517

#326 Therapeutic TTRPGs with Daniel Hand 09/24/2024

#326 Therapeutic TTRPGs with Daniel Hand Dirk is joined by Daniel Hand, therapeutic counselor and author of “Role-playing Games in Psychotherapy: A Practitioners Guide”. Together, the pair discusses Daniel’s journey into TTRPGs and his process of introducing them into his practice, and eventually designing his own game for therapeutic purposes. Topics include adjusting crunch, the benefits and difficulties of using games in therapy, what kinds of issues they can help with, and what the future of this treatment modality might look like. /episode/index/show/tgdrt/id/33177072

#325 Civilization Series 7 with Jon Shafer 09/10/2024

#325 Civilization Series 7 with Jon Shafer Enjoy episode #325 of The Game Design Round Table. In this episode, we discuss the new Civ 7 game with Jon Shafer, the co-founder of the show and a digital games designer. This will be our seventh episode in the Civ games series. /episode/index/show/tgdrt/id/32987172

#324 Civilization Series 6: Civ 7 First Look 08/27/2024

#324 Civilization Series 6: Civ 7 First Look Civilization 7 has just been revealed! Dirk and David discuss their first impressions from the reveal stream, from the exciting new mechanics to what should have been left behind. They also talk about what they would like the Civilization Series to eventually be. Topics include the potential inclusion of RPG mechanics, focus on population centers, and technology and civilization advancement. /episode/index/show/tgdrt/id/32767417

#323 Tunic with Andrew Shouldice 08/13/2024

#323 Tunic with Andrew Shouldice Dirk is joined this week by Andrew Shouldice, creator of isometric action-exploration game Tunic. They discuss the journey of developing Tunic, and the lessons learned from a lengthy production. Topics include Andrew’s attitude toward storytelling, how to manage a project long-term, how to focus on what’s important, and knowing when you need help. /episode/index/show/tgdrt/id/32554487

#322 Future of Legacy Games with Rob Daviau 07/30/2024

#322 Future of Legacy Games with Rob Daviau In this episode, Dirk and David welcome Rob Daviau, known for creating legacy board games. They discuss what Rob has been working on, the process of designing legacy games, staying true to the original, and the future of the company's vision. /episode/index/show/tgdrt/id/32339162

#321 Civilization Series 5 with Will Thompson 07/16/2024

#321 Civilization Series 5 with Will Thompson Welcome back to the Civilization Series! In this episode, Dirk welcomes Will Thompson, the creator of the upcoming game Winter Rabbit. Here, they discuss Will's vision for Civilization and the integration of Indigenous technologies into the game. They also talk about the differences between warfare and how the 4cs fit into history. /episode/index/show/tgdrt/id/32163142

#320 Civilization Series 4 07/02/2024

#320 Civilization Series 4 Dirk and David come together once more to discuss the civilization series! This week, topics include David’s thoughts on Civilization 6, the value in how the world map is created, what the games choose to simulate, and what can be improved in the technology and religion systems. /episode/index/show/tgdrt/id/31982427

#319 Listener Questions June 2024 06/18/2024

#319 Listener Questions June 2024 Join us for another round of listener questions! David and Dirk discuss topics such as whether and how to avoid game-breaking synergies, what impact finances has on the love of design, and balancing strategy and role play mechanics. /episode/index/show/tgdrt/id/31778562

#318 Modules and RPGSEA with Pam Punzalan 06/04/2024

#318 Modules and RPGSEA with Pam Punzalan Dirk and David are joined by Pam Punzalan, known for her work on personal projects such as Navthem’s End and A Rising Tide, as well as commissioned pieces for Dungeons and Dragons, Blades in the Dark, and Starfinder. Together, the trio discusses the differences between producing hired work and indie projects, as well as the importance of RPGSEA. Topics include how her cultural background affects her work, queerness and race as themes, the processes surrounding commissioned games and working with an editor, tactics games, and being a working TTRPG designer. /episode/index/show/tgdrt/id/31593112

#317 Earthborne Rangers with Andrew Navaro 05/21/2024

#317 Earthborne Rangers with Andrew Navaro Dirk and David are joined by Andrew Navaro, creator of open-world board game Earthborne Rangers. They discuss how Earthborne Rangers was developed, and the lessons learned from the project. Topics include the making of an open-world board game, diverging story paths, expansions, and when to stop supporting an ongoing game. /episode/index/show/tgdrt/id/31396877

#316 Citizen Sleeper with Gareth Damian Martin 05/07/2024

#316 Citizen Sleeper with Gareth Damian Martin Dirk and David meet with Gareth Damian Martin, creator of In Other Waters and Citizen Sleeper. They discuss Gareth’s design journey, as well as the process of creating Citizen Sleeper. Topics include the use of tabletop mechanics in video games, when to obscure probabilities, using literary prose effectively, and how a game of Citizen Sleeper develops as it’s played. /episode/index/show/tgdrt/id/31166977

#315 Civilization Series 3 04/23/2024

#315 Civilization Series 3 Welcome back to the Civilization Series. In the third installment, David and Dirk break down their experiences with Millennia, the latest 4X offering from C Prompt Games and Paradox Interactive. They discuss what aspects of the game worked for them, as well as what they would like to see develop as patches and updates are to come. Topics include how Millennia iterates on the concept of Ages, thematic dissonance, the unfinished nature of modern games, and what kinds of strategies the game mechanics reward. /episode/index/show/tgdrt/id/30944188

#314 Designing to Ship with Xalavier Nelson Jr 04/09/2024

#314 Designing to Ship with Xalavier Nelson Jr Dirk and David interview prolific designer and leader Xalavier Nelson Jr. They discuss Xalavier’s illustrious and busy career, focusing on his philosophy of how to ship a game as well as knowing your own capabilities. Topics include his work and inspiration for El Paso, Everywhere, how he manages to produce so many games, treating staff fairly and with respect, and the benefits of working within your box. /episode/index/show/tgdrt/id/30756138

#313 Civilization Series 2 03/26/2024

#313 Civilization Series 2 Welcome to the second episode of the series on the “Civilization” games, as well as other 4X titles. Continuing from episode one, the pair talk about the phenomenon of “One More Turn”, using overlapping progression paths, and quality life improvements for the genre. They also share their insights on the game “Humankind”, as well as how their attitudes toward real life affect how they act within a 4X game. /episode/index/show/tgdrt/id/30546808

#312 Civilization Series 1 03/12/2024

#312 Civilization Series 1 This episode marks the beginning of a new series focused on the Civilization series of games. Dirk and David are joined by Soren Johnson to discuss their background with the Civilization games, and how they got introduced to the series. They discuss the development of the earlier games, as well as the broader strokes of Civilization, including the hallmarks of a 4X game, what design space Civ occupies, and where they would like the series to go in Civ 7 and beyond. /episode/index/show/tgdrt/id/30327433

#311 Innovating Themes with Anna Anthropy 02/27/2024

#311 Innovating Themes with Anna Anthropy Dirk and Kathryn Hymes meet this episode to talk with Anna Anthropy, digital and tabletop designer known for her prolific work with non-traditional themes. They discuss Anna’s career in game design, and her path into becoming an educator. Topics include why violence is an attractive game element, dealing with releasing art and it no longer being one’s own, one page games, and the absence of sex as a theme or topic. /episode/index/show/tgdrt/id/30134773

#310 Listener Questions 02/14/2024

#310 Listener Questions Dirk and David answer another round of listener questions! They discuss how mobile and desktop games differ, what makes a game “broken”, and tips to follow when designing around a licensed property. They also delve into design stagnation and following what was done before you, as well as when to innovate and when to iterate. /episode/index/show/tgdrt/id/29945603

#309 Industry and Loose Leaf with Tanya X. Short 01/30/2024

#309 Industry and Loose Leaf with Tanya X. Short Dirk and David are joined by Tanya X. Short, Captain of Kitfox Games. They discuss the balance between appealing to market sensibilities and following one’s own interests, and how to make them work together. They also discuss the difficulty in funding projects with non-normative themes, barriers toward funding indie games, and the unique problems and solutions created while making Loose Leaf. /episode/index/show/tgdrt/id/29698548

#308 Narrative AI with Emily Short 01/16/2024

#308 Narrative AI with Emily Short Dirk and David are joined by legendary interactive fiction writer and creative director of Failbetter Games Emily Short. The trio discuss Emily’s career, her contributions to interactive fiction, and some of her thoughts on both traditional game AI and modern generative AI. Topics include modeling relationships in games, player psychology and how much information to give, and how game AI can be used in non-combat oriented experiences. /episode/index/show/tgdrt/id/29515253

#307 Roundtable with Soren Johnson 01/02/2024

#307 Roundtable with Soren Johnson Dirk and David are joined by Soren Johnson, friend of the show and founder of Mohawk Games. The trio answers questions and design problems from the community, and follow up on recent episodes. Topics include achievements and collectables, the importance of having an art style, when to innovate and when to fall back on convention, and how to integrate community involvement in the design process. /episode/index/show/tgdrt/id/29454263

#306 A Highland Song with Jon Ingold 12/19/2023

#306 A Highland Song with Jon Ingold Dirk and David are joined by Jon Ingold, narrative designer and co-founder of Inkle Studios. They discuss Inkle’s newly released video game A Highland Song, centered around exploration, discovery, and engaging the human form within nature. They discuss the mechanics around rewarding and incentivizing players in an exploration game, ways to hide the quantum ogre, and how to utilize elements of randomness within a story-driven experience. /episode/index/show/tgdrt/id/29454168

#305 Thirsty Suitors with Chandana Ekanayake 12/05/2023

#305 Thirsty Suitors with Chandana Ekanayake Dirk and David are joined by Chandana Ekanayake, Game Director of Outerloop Games and long-time designer. They discuss Eka’s newly released Thirsty Suitors, a turn-based adventure game centering around culture, relationships, family, and self-expression. They discuss Eka’s career, Outerloop’s titles, and what makes Thirsty Suitors so special. Topics include designing in VR, designing the game only you can make, the game’s strengths and weaknesses, and working within budget. /episode/index/show/tgdrt/id/29078678

#304 Listener Questions November 2023 11/21/2023

#304 Listener Questions November 2023 It’s time for another round of listener questions! In this episode, Dirk and David field questions from the community, discussing a variety of subjects. Topics include the validity and usefulness of player taxonomies, the pros and cons of game jams, and the considerations that go into creating an expansion for physical and digital products. /episode/index/show/tgdrt/id/28742003

#303 Darkest Dungeon 2 with Chris Bourassa and Tyler Sigman 11/07/2023

#303 Darkest Dungeon 2 with Chris Bourassa and Tyler Sigman This week, David is joined by Chris Bourassa, creative director and cofounder of Red Hook Studios, as well as Tyler Sigman, designer and fellow co-founder. Together, they discuss Red Hook’s latest venture, Darkest Dungeon 2, the road trip sequel to Darkest Dungeon. Topics include the risks involved in making a sequel, the use and pitfalls of early access, the danger in releasing a roadmap, and where Red Hook is going from here. /episode/index/show/tgdrt/id/28545938

#302 Wildermyth with Nate Austin 10/24/2023

#302 Wildermyth with Nate Austin Dirk and David are joined by Nate Austin, co-creator of myth-making tactical RPG Wildermyth. In this entry in the series on worldbuilding, Nate describes the origins of Wildermyth, and how he and his partners grew the game into a true success. The trio also discuss how Wildermyth’s mechanics lead to a character focused over plot focused story, as well as how the game approach death and character progression. Other topics include using different styles of game writing, how systems change, and the perceived conflict between market appeal to story players and more complex mechanics. /episode/index/show/tgdrt/id/28376039

#301 Design and Controls with Richard Lemarchand 10/10/2023

#301 Design and Controls with Richard Lemarchand Dirk is joined by returning guest host Soren Johnson in today's episode in the Design Talk series. Dirk and Soren speak with Richard Lemarchand, distinguished game designer and now-professor most well-known for his work on the Uncharted series. Richard details his journey through his game design career, and the skills and processes he learned along the way. Special consideration is given to control design, and the importance of them on game feel and playability. /episode/index/show/tgdrt/id/28272035

The Game Design Round Table

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