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Artwork for Game Design Deep Dive

Game Design Deep Dive

Dan Bullock
Game Design
War Of 1812
Historical Board Games
Wargame Design
Chicago 68
Board Game Design
A Glorious Chance
Historical Gaming
Social Movements
Skies Above Britain
NATO
Land and Freedom
Stalin's Death
Educational Games
World War II
1968 Democratic National Convention
Naval Operations
Solitaire Games
Sd-Hiscon
Civilian Experience In Wargames

Dan Bullock interviews game designers with a focus on the challenges of historical board game design.

PublishesMonthlyEpisodes37Founded4 years ago
Number of ListenersCategories
GamesLeisure

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Artwork for Game Design Deep Dive

Latest Episodes

Our guest is designer John Carnahan. His latest, Come Out Fighting will be on Kickstarter on November 30th. I am not sure how many listeners have dipped their toe in miniature games, but I had to invite John to discuss his latest design, because it i... more

Recorded live at SD HistCon, our esteemed panel was comprised of designers John Butterfield (RAF, Enemy Action Series, D-Day Omaha, Ambush), David Thompson (Valiant Defense Series, War Story, Undaunted), and Jeremy White (Skies Above Series, Enemy Co... more

Greg Loring-Albright is the designer of Ahoy, Keep the Faith, and co-designed Bloc by Bloc: Uprising with T.L. Simmons. Moreover, he teaches Game Studies and Game Design at Harrisburg University. We discuss his recent zine RULEBOOKS FOR RADICALS on t... more

Lisa Smedman is a best-selling author, journalist, and designer of many RPG games and modules. We discuss Trench Raid, her first solitaire tabletop wargame for Compass, the tactical approach to the topic of WW1, and the relationship between serious g... more

Key Facts

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Recent Guests

John Carnahan
Designer of the miniatures game Come Out Fighting
Cursed Captain
Episode: Come Out Fighting with John Carnahan
Fred Serval
Designer of several historical games including A Gest of Robin Hood
Homo Ludens
Episode: Interview with Fred Serval
Mary Flanagan
Game designer, professor, and author of Playing Oppression
Episode: Playing Oppression with Mary Flanagan
Pako Gradaille
Experienced game designer known for historical board games.
Episode: Interview with Pako Gradaille
Talia Rosen
Game designer and creator of First Monday in October
Fort Circle Games
Episode: Interview with Talia Rosen
John Butterfield
Legendary game designer known for titles like Ambush and RAF
Episode: Interview with John Butterfield
Yoni Goldstein
Filmmaker and game designer
The Dietz Foundation
Episode: Chicago '68 with Yoni Goldstein
Maurice Suckling
Game Designer known for innovative historical board games.
Worthington Games, Fort Circle
Episode: Interview with Maurice Suckling
Sebastian Bae
Research scientist and senior game designer at CNA
CNA
Episode: Interview with Sebastian Bae

Host

Dan Bullock
Host and moderator with extensive experience in game design discussions, focusing on the challenges of historical board game design.

Reviews

5.0 out of 5 stars from 18 ratings
  • Great interviews!

    This podcast does what it says on the tin! In-depth interviews with interesting designers, from the perspective of a fellow designer. Great balance between purely mechanical concerns and a more ethical, thematic discussion on the issues raised by wargames.

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    AlexFontaineRousseau
    Canada2 years ago

Listeners Say

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

The discussions are noted for balancing mechanical and ethical concerns, allowing for thoughtful dialogues about the implications of game design.
Reviewers express enthusiasm for the focus on personal narratives and the unique perspectives brought by guests, highlighting the show's appeal to those interested in the evolution of gaming.
Listeners appreciate the in-depth interviews that provide valuable insights into game design.

Chart Rankings

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

Apple Podcasts
#1
South Korea/Leisure/Games
Apple Podcasts
#29
South Korea/Leisure
Apple Podcasts
#99
Ukraine/Leisure/Games
Apple Podcasts
#196
Finland/Leisure/Games

Talking Points

Recent interactions between the hosts and their guests.

Interview with Brian Asklev
Q: Have you had an experience where you played something that influenced your designs to avoid specific elements?
Yes, Asklev dislikes when players can hold cards like weather influences to thwart attacks, as it diminishes immersion in the game, preferring mechanics that align with the players' historical roles.
Interview with Brian Asklev
Q: How do you cobble together in educating yourself on mechanisms and systems for your games?
Asklev stated he often starts with a game he admires and a topic he is passionate about, merging them in the design process, which can evolve into a unique creation.
Interview with Brian Asklev
Q: Where did your interest in designing games begin?
Brian Asklev shared that as a kid, he started creating variants for Risk, which sparked his interest in game design. Later, inspiration struck while playing Musket and Pike from GMT Games, leading him to pursue his own game designs.
Interview with Pako Gradaille
Q: Is it challenging to design games that would incorporate a fair amount of negotiation?
Pako acknowledges that while negotiation can deepen gameplay, he made sure that players could also approach 'Habemus Papam' as a Euro game if they chose to.
Interview with Pako Gradaille
Q: Do you find that solitaire play experiences are fertile ground for games that explore tragic stories?
Pako believes solitaire games are better for conveying emotional stories because players can feel the narrative without the fear of social judgment.

Audience Metrics

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

Listeners per Episode
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Location
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Frequently Asked Questions About Game Design Deep Dive

What is Game Design Deep Dive about and what kind of topics does it cover?

Engaging with the intricacies of historical board game design, episodes feature conversations with an array of game designers who share their unique perspectives, experiences, and challenges. Topics often explore the balance between gameplay mechanics and historical authenticity, as guests delve into their design processes and the influence of narrative, player agency, and socio-political issues within gaming. A noteworthy aspect of the series is its focus on both the mechanical and ethical concerns within game design, leading to a richer understanding of how games can reflect or challenge societal narratives.

The series stands out by highlighting the personal stories and motivations of the designers, allowing listeners to connect deeply w... more

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Which podcasts are similar to Game Design Deep Dive?

These podcasts share a similar audience with Game Design Deep Dive:

1. Pushing Cardboard
2. Beyond Solitaire
3. "Mentioned In Dispatches" with the Armchair Dragoons
4. Space-Biff! Space-Cast!
5. So Very Wrong About Games

How many episodes of Game Design Deep Dive are there?

Game Design Deep Dive launched 4 years ago and published 37 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 Game Design Deep Dive?

Recent guests on Game Design Deep Dive include:

1. John Carnahan
2. Fred Serval
3. Mary Flanagan
4. Pako Gradaille
5. Talia Rosen
6. John Butterfield
7. Yoni Goldstein
8. Maurice Suckling

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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