Rephonic
Artwork for Ludology
Tabletop Role-Playing Games
Game Design
Board Game Design
Board Game Industry
Child Development
Board Games
Game Mechanics
Unpub
Covid-19 Impact
Crowdfunding
The Spill
Toy Design
Player Psychology
Marketing In Games
Intrinsic Motivation
Engagement Strategies
Child Education
Kickstarter
Breakoutcon 2023
Environmentalism

Welcome to Ludology, an analytical discussion of the how's and why's of the world of board games. Rather than news and reviews, Ludology explores a variety of topics about games from a wider lens, and discusses game history, game design and game players. Ludology is part of The Dice Tower Network, the premier board game media network.

PublishesTwice monthlyEpisodes690Founded15 years ago
Number of ListenersCategories
GamesVideo GamesLeisure

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Artwork for Ludology

Latest Episodes

Sen and Erica speak with Peter Williamson, co-founder and partner at barometerxp.com and the executive director at gamegenius.org about creating tabletop experiences for non-profit organizations or doing professional development and team training to ... more

Sen and Erica speak with Liqin Gu and Mitch Zhang from Longpack Manufacturing to delve into the ins and outs of how boardgames are made and why they're predominantly made in China.

*Special Note* This episode is being released out of order. We will resume our previously scheduled numbering system in two week! Sen and Erica talk to Heather O'Neill and Hunter Johnson, members of the Unpub Board of Directors, about the upcoming Un... more

Sen speaks with Kristen Mott at Gen Con 2024 about her designs and publications leading into 2025. We talk homeschooling, scouting, co-design, and horses, of courses. Then we take a look into the crystal ball and make a predication that came true... ... more

Key Facts

Accepts Guests
Contact Information
Podcast Host
Number of Listeners
Find out how many people listen to this podcast per episode and each month.

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Recent Guests

Peter Williamson
Co-founder and partner at Barometer XP and executive director of Game Genius
Barometer XP / Game Genius
Episode: Ludology 353 The Power of Play
Liqin Gu
Marketing and Sales Director at Longpack
Longpack Manufacturing
Episode: Ludology 352 Making the Game
Mitch Zhang
Marketing Director at Longpack
Longpack Manufacturing
Episode: Ludology 352 Making the Game
Heather O'Neill
Organizer of Unpub
Unpub
Episode: Ludology 355 Rub a Dub Dub Let's Go To Unpub!
Hunter Johnson
Organizer of Unpub
Unpub
Episode: Ludology 355 Rub a Dub Dub Let's Go To Unpub!
Kristen Mott
Board game designer and homeschooling parent
Episode: Pros and Cons Ep 17
Joe Macisco
Assistant Professor of Public Health at Wright State University and researcher on the intersection of games and public health.
Wright State University
Episode: Ludology 351 Better Health Through Gaming
Jordan Goddard
Game designer with over a decade of experience, co-founder of Indy Toy Lab.
Indy Toy Lab
Episode: Ludology 349 Reindeer Games
Carl de Visser
Board game designer and co-designer of Endeavor
Endeavor
Episode: Ludology 347 Sail Away

Hosts

Erica Buiris
Host/Co-host focusing on industry questions and context within Ludology.
Sen Fung Lim
Co-host providing design-minded and industry insights.

Reviews

4.8 out of 5 stars from 548 ratings
  • Always Sparks Inspiration

    I've been listening through several hosting iterations and it remains solid and thought provoking as ever

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    Fin Coe
    United States10 months ago
  • Casual conversation from serious experts

    I like the episodes the best when Lim’s academic perspective and Bouyouris’s business acumen come to the fore. They approach each guest with candor and curiosity and remember to keep the fun of gaming in of the conversation.

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    Jeff in LFP
    United Statesa year ago
  • Jacob Geller

    He sent me

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    Jamez iz cool
    United Statesa year ago
  • Really gets into the details of gaming, and understanding them. Highly recommend.

    Podchaser
    5
    George
    2 years ago
  • Turned to junk

    This uses to be a great podcast. Then it became a platform for SJW’s to promote leftist politics. But, I still listened every other week to game tech and anatomy of a board game. Now, 2023, it’s just a wank fest of jargon, pretense, and elitist self-congratulation. Their use of meaningless 50-cent words is beyond worthless and I feel more stupid for hearing it. After hearing the latest self-important mechanism mini-episode I can see it’s time for this designer to get out of here and back to the ... more

    Apple Podcasts
    1
    horgar
    United States3 years ago

Listeners Say

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

The show is noted for balancing design talk with occasional, measured political viewpoints.
Listeners praise deep design discussions and candor from the hosts.
Guests are frequently described as insightful subject-matter experts in game design and publishing.

Chart Rankings

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

Apple Podcasts
#218
United States/Leisure/Games
Apple Podcasts
#204
United Kingdom/Leisure/Games
Apple Podcasts
#38
Germany/Leisure/Games
Apple Podcasts
#63
Italy/Leisure/Games
Apple Podcasts
#140
France/Leisure/Games
Apple Podcasts
#7
Russia/Leisure/Games

Talking Points

Recent interactions between the hosts and their guests.

Ludology 352 Making the Game
Q: What advice would you give to a designer preparing for their first print run?
Don't over-design or over-pack the game; focus on a viable minimum that can be manufactured at scale, and consider cost from the start to avoid losing money on the first title.
Ludology 352 Making the Game
Q: What are those first steps when a publisher wants to send a game to you and say, I'm looking to produce something?
Publishers typically start with an inquiry email, and the Longpack team then translates rich descriptions into concrete manufacturing specifications, followed by detailed back-and-forth to finalize requirements.
Ludology 355 Rub a Dub Dub Let's Go To Unpub!
Q: What are some common mistakes people make when bringing their prototypes to Unpub?
Many first-time designers wait until their game is too perfect before sharing it, limiting their exposure to diverse feedback.
Ludology 355 Rub a Dub Dub Let's Go To Unpub!
Q: What should an attendee expect when they attend an Unpub of any size, shape or features?
They should expect a welcoming space full of play testers, designers, and publishers, aiming to help get more wonderful games into the world.
Ludology 351 Better Health Through Gaming
Q: What are the top three questions that they really should be asking before someone says, I want to make a serious game?
They should ask who the target audience is, how to align learning objectives with game objectives, and what will the workflow for distribution and sustainment look like?

Audience Metrics

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

Listeners per Episode
Gender Skew
Location
Interests
Professions
Age Range
Household Income
Social Media Reach

Frequently Asked Questions About Ludology

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

A thoughtful deep-dive show that explores board games through design, history, and player experience rather than quick reviews. Episodes frequently feature designers, publishers, and organizers discussing process, materials, sustainability, and the craft behind bringing ideas to life, with occasional framing around conventions, education, and the broader gaming ecosystem. Noteworthy is the emphasis on design theory, practical production insights, and community-building in tabletop gaming, often contrasted with real-world production challenges and industry trends. This mix makes it a strong fit for listeners who want rigorous, design-forward perspectives and actionable takeaways for creating and marketing games, as well as for potential gues... more

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Which podcasts are similar to Ludology?

These podcasts share a similar audience with Ludology:

1. Board Games Insider
2. The Dice Tower
3. The Game Design Round Table
4. On Board Games
5. Shut Up & Sit Down

How many episodes of Ludology are there?

Ludology launched 15 years ago and published 690 episodes to date. You can find more information about this podcast including rankings, audience demographics and engagement in our podcast database.

How do I contact Ludology?

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What guests have appeared on Ludology?

Recent guests on Ludology include:

1. Peter Williamson
2. Liqin Gu
3. Mitch Zhang
4. Heather O'Neill
5. Hunter Johnson
6. Kristen Mott
7. Joe Macisco
8. Jordan Goddard

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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