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Artwork for Decision Space
Board Games
Game Design
Games
Ticket To Ride
El Grande
Cascadia
Planet Unknown
Root
Game Mechanics
Board Game Arena
Magic: the Gathering
Trick-Taking Games
Bunny Kingdom
Keyforge
Dominion
Stefan Feld
Quantum
Seven Wonders
Euro Games
Castles Of Burgundy

Decision Space is a board game podcast about the decisions in games.

PublishesWeeklyEpisodes277Founded5 years ago
Number of ListenersCategories
LeisureHobbiesGames

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Artwork for Decision Space

Latest Episodes

Episode 274- 2010-2014 Showdown

All four hosts are together to play a game as a way to choose a consensus list of the best board games from the early 2010's.  The format here is from April Mitchell's This/That Showdown: boardgamegeek.com/boa... more

Episode 273- dnup and Iterative Game Design

In this episode we talk about iterative game design.  Why do designers go back to ideas they've already explored?  On that note, we also discuss the new hotness dnup and how designer Kai Kajino built it up... more

Episode 272- The Old King's Crown

Pete is joined by Jaffles ( www.youtube.com/@Jaffles-gaming ) to do a deep dive of the hottest game from last year: The Old King's Crown.  They also chat about what types of games inspire players to dig deep... more

Episode 271- Hand Management

Pete and Brendan dissect one of the most ubiquitous mechanisms in tabletop games: hand management.  What kinds of puzzles can a hand of cards present to players and what makes it so timelessly satisfying?

Timestamps

3:... more

Key Facts

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Recent Guests

Phil Walker-Harding
Hall of Fame designer from Board Game Overboard/Meeple Overboard
Adventureland Games / various publishers
Episode: The Beauty of Balance: An Interview with Phil Walker-Harding
Chris Yi
Guest from the Dice Tower
Dice Tower
Episode: The Definitive Phil Walker Harding Tier List with Chris Yi
Analog Arnie
YouTube celebrity, first-time guest on Decision Space
YouTube (Analog Arnie)
Episode: Arcs Strikes Back: Exploring the Blighted Reach with Analog Arnie and Jared Ingersoll
C. Thi Nguyen
Philosopher, professor of philosophy and games at the University of Utah
University of Utah
Episode: Is Art a Game? C. Thi Nguyen Answers Our Questions About Philosophy, Process, and Play
Andy Nealen
Professor of games at University of Southern California and co-host on a gaming podcast.
University of Southern California
Episode: Historical Games and Pax Renaissance with Andy Nealen
Jason Schneider
Founder of Happy Camper Games, has extensive experience in developing family games.
Happy Camper Games
Episode: Trio, Jungo, and the Joys of Family Gaming with Jason Schneider
Jared Ingersoll
Friend of the pod and resident kinesiologist
Episode: Arcs is Ambitious, Aggravating... and Awesome
Joe Howe
A game designer and Patreon supporter who released the game 'Three Chapters'.
Episode: Podcast Year in Review: Reflections and Ranking All the Games!
Jon Perry
Board game and video game designer
Episode: Chunky Decisions and Other Design Lessons with Jon Perry

Hosts

Jake Friedman
Host with strong focus on game design discussion and pedagogy.
Pete Wissinger
Co-host known for design-focused discussions and deep-dive analysis.
Brendan Hansen
Co-host with emphasis on critique, mechanics, and historical context in games.
Paul Solomon
Co-host with background in design discussions and player experience.

Reviews

4.9 out of 5 stars from 407 ratings
  • My favourite podcast

    The word that comes to mind when listening to Decision Space is "considered". Every episode Jake, Brendan, Paul, and Pete feel like they've done their homework and come to the conversation ready to share what they've learned, their reflections, and their love for the hobby. As someone with a very narrow taste in games (90's and early 2000's Knizia and Dorra), I've especially enjoyed the changes implemented making episodes more general as I can use what I’ve learned and apply it to the games that... more

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    Kniziathon
    United Kingdoma month ago
  • 10/10. Outstanding - will always want to play. 3 on the Salomon scale.

    The overall shape of the pod is waxing, with additional concepts and depth built-up over time. It's vital to play both with the original base set (Brendan and Jake) on its own and with the expansions (Paul and Pete). While the environmental theme of being on a spaceship is pasted-on at best, the agential theme of taking design, frameworks, and decisions seriously is off the charts. Essential part of any collection

    Podcast Addict
    5
    Blake Riley
    a month ago
  • Who needs a Golden Geek?!!

    First, a bit of context. I have been playing a wide range of board games since childhood (nearly fifty years). For the last 10 years or so, I have tended to gravitate toward “heavier” games that focus on intense player interaction and conflict—I am especially fond of asymmetric war games. I also have a particular fondness for “old school” Euro games that became popular 20 to 30 years ago.

    I DESPISE the cult of the new, and I am rarely convinced to fund anything on Kickstarter. Candidly, I lo... more

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    Galak Kast
    United States2 months ago
  • *Disappointment*

    That's how I felt when I went to download the latest episode- not there.

    But... but, it's Wednesday. 🤨

    An hour later- not there!

    😲 What's going on?!

    Omg, is Tuesday.

    Relief. 😅

    Decision Space is a weekly staple. It's so engaging that I often pause the playback to join the conversation.

    Their analysis of games and game systems helps me appreciate games on a deeper level; as a result I get more from this hobby. Thank you guys!

    (Bring back pre-planning.)

    Podcast Addict
    5
    JAMLab
    2 months ago
  • Gets into the weeds in all the best ways

    This is the rare board games podcast that isn’t primarily obsessed with the latest games but the deeper issues that make gaming rewarding and enjoyable. This is the podcast that’s not afraid to have C. Thi Nguyen on to discuss the philosophy of gaming; to drop hot (and WRONG) takes on what makes Eurogames tick; or write love letters in the form of deep analysis to their favorite games.

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    A Malec
    United States2 months ago

Listeners Say

Key themes from listener reviews, highlighting what works and what could be improved about the show.

Fans highlight the show's ability to translate complex ideas into accessible concepts.
Audience notes the welcoming community and engaging host banter, adding humor without sacrificing intellect.
Listeners praise thoughtful, rigorous analysis of game design and depth.

Chart Rankings

How this podcast ranks in the Apple Podcasts, Spotify and YouTube charts.

Apple Podcasts
#89
United States/Leisure/Games
Apple Podcasts
#78
Canada/Leisure/Games
Apple Podcasts
#156
United Kingdom/Leisure/Games
Apple Podcasts
#70
Italy/Leisure/Games
Apple Podcasts
#106
France/Leisure/Games
Apple Podcasts
#145
Germany/Leisure/Games

Talking Points

Recent interactions between the hosts and their guests.

The Beauty of Balance: An Interview with Phil Walker-Harding
Q: How has your process evolved over the years?
Early on I would work through ideas by prototyping and iterating with a broad audience; now I prune ideas earlier and push toward a clear design brief, focusing on getting to a playable version quickly and refining it with targeted playtests.
The Beauty of Balance: An Interview with Phil Walker-Harding
Q: What is your design philosophy when creating games that are accessible yet offer depth?
I aim for easy-to-teach mechanics with clear value, ensuring every choice feels meaningful and that players can grasp core incentives quickly, while still enabling advanced players to explore strategic depths.
The Beauty of Balance: An Interview with Phil Walker-Harding
Q: How did you get started in game design and what drove you to publish your first game?
I started as a maker right away, translating the games I loved into prototypes and then testing them publicly, which taught me that getting a game out there, even in print-and-play form, is crucial for learning and improvement.
Agency, Storytelling, and Play: A Conversation with Cole Wehrle
Q: How do you approach teaching and accessibility without sacrificing the complexity of your games?
Focus on strong teach with hooks, design for emergent understanding during play, and balance complexity with accessible introductory experiences; use tools like table talk guidelines and clear front-loading of concepts to bring new players along without diluting the design.
Agency, Storytelling, and Play: A Conversation with Cole Wehrle
Q: Why do you prefer heavy, long games over lighter, quicker ones?
Heavy games offer deeper emotional arcs, richer decision spaces, and the opportunity for players to invest time and agency, leading to more meaningful experiences and a lasting impression beyond immediate tactical wins.

Audience Metrics

Listeners, social reach, demographics and more for this podcast.

Listeners per Episode
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Frequently Asked Questions About Decision Space

What is Decision Space about and what kind of topics does it cover?

This show explores board game design, theory, and play philosophy through thoughtful deep-dives, design-by-design discussions, and occasional guest conversations. Episodes frequently examine game depth, decision spaces, and the social dynamics at the table, often featuring designers, strategists, and prominent community voices. The tone blends rigorous analysis with accessible, story-driven storytelling, making it appealing to listeners who want to understand not just what games do, but why they feel rewarding. A standout is its willingness to treat games as social rituals and to bring philosophical framing to game design, balance, and pedagogy, while maintaining a welcoming, community-driven vibe for both newcomers and seasoned designers a... more

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Which podcasts are similar to Decision Space?

These podcasts share a similar audience with Decision Space:

1. So Very Wrong About Games
2. Board Game Hot Takes
3. Board Game Barrage
4. Shut Up & Sit Down
5. Game Brain: A Board Game Podcast About Our Gaming Group

How many episodes of Decision Space are there?

Decision Space launched 5 years ago and published 277 episodes to date. You can find more information about this podcast including rankings, audience demographics and engagement in our podcast database.

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What guests have appeared on Decision Space?

Recent guests on Decision Space include:

1. Phil Walker-Harding
2. Chris Yi
3. Analog Arnie
4. C. Thi Nguyen
5. Andy Nealen
6. Jason Schneider
7. Jared Ingersoll
8. Joe Howe

To view more recent guests and their details, simply upgrade your Rephonic account. You'll also get access to a typical guest profile to help you decide if the show is worth pitching.

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