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Artwork for Game Design Deep Dive

Game Design Deep Dive

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

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

PublishesMonthlyEpisodes35Founded3 years ago
Number of ListenersCategories
LeisureGames

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Artwork for Game Design Deep Dive

Latest Episodes

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

In this episode, a proper interview with Fred Serval, designer of A Gest of Robin Hood, Red Flag Over Paris, and A Very Civil Whist. Fred is also the host of an excellent channel dedicated to historical tabletop gaming, Homo Ludens. We discuss his de... more

Mary Flanagan, is a game designer, professor, and an author. She joins us to discuss her book, co-authored with Mikael Jakobson, PLAYING OPPRESSION: THE LEGACY OF CONQUEST AND EMPIRE IN COLONIALIST BOARD GAMES. We discuss representation of non-wester... more

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Recent Guests

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
Carlos Marquez Linares
Designer of The Other Side of the Hill and Imperial Fever
NAC Wargames, GMT Games
Episode: Interview with Carlos Marquez Linares

Host

Dan Bullock
Host of Game Design Deep Dive, Dan Bullock interviews game designers focusing on the challenges of historical board game design, exploring themes such as empathy, representation, and gameplay mechanics.

Reviews

5.0 out of 5 stars from 17 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.

Listeners appreciate the in-depth interviews with designers, highlighting the balance between mechanical details and ethical discussions in game design.
Many find the conversations insightful and valuable, enriching their understanding of the complexities involved in historical board game development.

Chart Rankings

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

Apple Podcasts
#68
Ukraine/Leisure/Games
Apple Podcasts
#109
Spain/Leisure/Games
Apple Podcasts
#119
Finland/Leisure/Games
Apple Podcasts
#195
Austria/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
Gender Skew
Location
Interests
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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?

This series focuses on the intricacies of game design, particularly in the realm of historical board games. The host brings insightful conversations with various designers who share their journeys, experiences, and methodologies in crafting games that engage players with real historical narratives while exploring themes like empathy, representation, and complex mechanics. Noteworthy discussions include the significance of balancing historical authenticity with game accessibility, as well as the evolving trends in gameplay that encourage deeper player engagement with themes surrounding morality and cultural representations. Each episode offers a unique perspective, making it a compelling choice for listeners interested in the intersection of... 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. GMT Talk
2. Beyond Solitaire
3. Advance After Combat
4. Cardboard Campaigns
5. So Very Wrong About Games

How many episodes of Game Design Deep Dive are there?

Game Design Deep Dive launched 3 years ago and published 35 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. Fred Serval
2. Mary Flanagan
3. Pako Gradaille
4. Talia Rosen
5. John Butterfield
6. Yoni Goldstein
7. Maurice Suckling
8. Sebastian Bae

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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