Rephonic
Artwork for Fun Problems
Board Game Design
Game Design
Board Games
Game Mechanics
Playtesting
Cell Sheets
Kickstarter
Finances
Game Prototyping
Exploding Kittens
Feedback
Game Testing
Game Publishing
Rethinking Genres
Component Studio
Critter Kitchen
Daniel Piechnick
Social Deduction Games
Genre Markers
Daniel.games

Board game design is a deep and often challenging pursuit. We explore all aspects of game design and the fun problems (and solutions) that come with it.

PublishesDailyEpisodes103Founded6 years ago
Number of ListenersCategories
GamesLeisure

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Artwork for Fun Problems

Latest Episodes

We have Daniel Piechnick back on as a special guest! His game design advice can be found at daniel.games/ – we can't recommend it highly enough!

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Big thanks to Eduard Matei for our theme song!

YouTube

For our 100th episode (depending on how you count...) we have Daniel Piechnick on as a special guest! His game design advice can be found at daniel.games/ – we can't recommend it highly enough!

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Big thanks to Eduard Matei for ... more

YouTube

The best game design advice on the internet can be found at daniel.games/ – we can't recommend it highly enough! This is part 11 of a series where we explore the game design blog "Daniel.Games," written by Daniel Piechnick.

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B... more

YouTube

Have you ever wondered how to design a solo board game? You are in luck! Today Peter talks through his process of designing solo-only games!

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Big thanks to Eduard Matei for our theme song!

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Recent Guests

Daniel Piechnick
Game designer and writer whose blog is referenced throughout the episode
Episode: #97 The Best Design Advice on the Internet – Part 10
Kyle Spackman
Co-founder of Bitewing Games
Bitewing Games
Episode: #93 Would Bitewing Publish This?
Nick Murray
Co-founder of Bitewing Games
Bitewing Games
Episode: #93 Would Bitewing Publish This?
Alex Cutler
Designer of multiple games including Critter Kitchen and Plays for All My Books
Episode: #88 Ludonarrative Assonance (Guest Alex Cutler)
Peter C. Hayward
Board game designer known for Rolling Deep, Bellatro, Things and Rings, Critter Kitchen
Self-employed / Various publishers
Episode: BONUS: Rolling Deep interview
Elan Lee
Game designer, co-creator of Exploding Kittens
Episode: #82 It took me a decade to get this interview with Elan Lee
Zachary Strebeck
A board game and video game lawyer based out of Pittsburgh
Self-employed
Episode: #81 Board Game Contracts
Zack Strebeck
Lawyer specializing in board game agreements and contracts
Self-employed
Episode: #81 Board Game Contracts
Alex Hague
Co-founder and game designer at CMYK
CMYK
Episode: #54 - Would CMYK Publish This?

Hosts

Peter C. Hayward
Host with expertise in game design, publishing, and industry insights.
AJ Brandon
Co-hosts and guest coordinator, known for design discussions and publishing perspectives.
Peter C. Heywood
Co-hosts and industry guest with legal and design background.
Andrew Brandon
Co-host contributing design and publishing perspectives.
Peter Hayward
Host with design and publishing expertise.

Reviews

4.9 out of 5 stars from 74 ratings
  • Expert information presented in a playful way

    The hosts are passionate experts in tabletop game design who impart their knowledge in effervescent conversation. I appreciate their witty, upbeat delivery and concise analyses.

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    Nicole Maynard S.
    United States3 years ago
  • At first I didn't like it, it wasn't polished. but the content I got was great. The episodes about the brain gave me a solution to a problem I was having with a game. The one about children's games really clarified some things for me. And I got to know Taskmaster, which improved my life and mood tremendously. Thank you, looking forward to more episodes!

    Audible
    5
    Tom Sivan
    United States4 years ago
  • Really contributed a lot to my designs and my life

    At first I didn't like it, it wasn't polished. but the content I got was great. The episodes about the brain gave me a solution to a problem I was having with a game. The one about children's games really clarified some things for me. And I got to know Taskmaster, which improved my life and mood tremendously. Thank you, looking forward to more episodes!

    Audible
    5
    Tom Sivan
    United States4 years ago
  • Great except for “verse” and “sighth”

    Peter says “verse” instead of “versus”, like Tom Vasel. That’s the same as saying “ag” instead of “against”.

    They also both say “scythe” wrong.

    Very grating on the ears. Will be a 5-star show if they can fix it!

    Apple Podcasts
    3
    Jessy Catterwaul
    United States4 years ago
  • Amazing.

    I've recently been diving deep into board game design after playing games for a good number of years now. I can't get enough of these conversations. So much insight into the mind of a game designer! Keep up the great work, fellas!

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    CR438401
    United States5 years ago

Listeners Say

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

Guests are consistently described as knowledgeable and engaging, with actionable takeaways for designers.
Listener feedback praises practical, expert-led discussions and concise analyses.
Many listeners highlight the helpful blend of design theory and real-world publishing insight.
Some episodes are commended for blunt, constructive critique of pitches and contracts.

Chart Rankings

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

Apple Podcasts
#140
United States/Leisure/Games
Apple Podcasts
#48
United Kingdom/Leisure/Games
Apple Podcasts
#208
United Kingdom/Leisure
Apple Podcasts
#216
Australia/Leisure/Games
Apple Podcasts
#6
Denmark/Leisure/Games
Apple Podcasts
#14
New Zealand/Leisure/Games

Talking Points

Recent interactions between the hosts and their guests.

#93 Would Bitewing Publish This?
Q: What would you sign from a prototype pitch?
They would assess fit with Bitewing's line, the game's ability to stand out in a crowded market, and whether it aligns with their publishing philosophy, including theme, art direction, and engagement level; not every good game fits their current schedule or brand, but strong hooks and a clear niche tend to win.
#97 The Best Design Advice on the Internet – Part 10
Q: What is the central design philosophy discussed for increasing chances of a successful game?
The core idea is to focus on creating strong, scalable systems and to iterate widely, accepting that only a few games will become hits while many others contribute value through practice and learning.
#100 The Best Design Advisor on the Internet – Part 1 (Daniel Piechnick)
Q: What advice would you give someone trying to get published beyond 'make a good game'?
Create a proper publisher list and make a video of your game to clearly communicate its concept, show breadth, and make the pitch more tangible for publishers.
#100 The Best Design Advisor on the Internet – Part 1 (Daniel Piechnick)
Q: What was the most recent game you played that really wowed you and was unlike something you would make?
The guest notes Ink and Gold as a simple, well-executed game that impressed him for its minimal weight and strong execution, highlighting how tight, light games can be and still make a big impact.
#90 Audience Sell-Sheets 4 (Guest Joe Wiggins)
Q: How important is the graphical design of a sell sheet?
Graphics help get the publisher's attention, but they are not the deciding factor; substance and clarity of the gameplay and market fit are what ultimately matter. A pretty sheet helps, but it won't save a weak concept.

Audience Metrics

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

Listeners per Episode
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Frequently Asked Questions About Fun Problems

What is Fun Problems about and what kind of topics does it cover?

The show centers on board game design, publishing, and the business side of creating tabletop experiences. Across episodes, listeners hear blunt, actionable discussions about pitching to publishers, design fundamentals, party-game dynamics, and navigating contracts and finances. Guests range from designers and publishers to legal experts, offering practical advice on getting games signed, balancing theme and mechanics, and understanding the economics of the industry. A notable strength is the willingness to critique real pitches and provide behind-the-scenes perspectives from publishers, making it valuable for aspiring designers and teams seeking realistic guidance on marketability and collaboration.

What stands out is a consistent emphasi... more

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Which podcasts are similar to Fun Problems?

These podcasts share a similar audience with Fun Problems:

1. Bitewing Games Podcast
2. Blueprints for Life
3. Building the Game
4. Game Design Unboxed: Inspiration to Publication
5. Think Like A Game Designer

How many episodes of Fun Problems are there?

Fun Problems launched 6 years ago and published 103 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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Our systems regularly scour the web to find email addresses and social media links for this podcast. We scanned the web and collated all of the contact information that we could find in our podcast database. But in the unlikely event that you can't find what you're looking for, our concierge service lets you request our research team to source better contacts for you.

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What guests have appeared on Fun Problems?

Recent guests on Fun Problems include:

1. Daniel Piechnick
2. Kyle Spackman
3. Nick Murray
4. Alex Cutler
5. Peter C. Hayward
6. Elan Lee
7. Zachary Strebeck
8. Zack Strebeck

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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