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Artwork for The Game Design Round Table

The Game Design Round Table

Dirk Knemeyer & David V. Heron
Wildermyth
Game Design
Game Development
Indie Games
RPG
Darkest Dungeon 2
Magic System
Procedural Narrative
Character Development
Tactical Combat
Thirsty Suitors
Civ Games
Community Feedback
Worldwalker Games
Tunic
Civilization VII
Dungeons and Dragons
A Highland Song
Desktop Games
Mobile Games

Covering the full breadth of digital, tabletop, and role playing games, The Game Design Round Table inspires and educates aspiring and experienced game designers.

PublishesWeeklyEpisodes372Founded13 years ago
Number of ListenersCategories
ArtsDesign

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Artwork for The Game Design Round Table

Latest Episodes

Host Ellie Dix chats with Chrissy Fagerholt of EAP Toys & Games, designer of The Lunch Room and Go Big or Go Broke. They discuss Chrissy’s approach to social media, balancing authenticity with strategy, and the importance of sharing both successes an... more

In this episode of the RPG series, hosts Dirk Knemeyer and David Heron are joined by Jeff Perkins, founder and still player of the long-running play-by-email game TribeNet. Jeff shares the fascinating history of the game, how it evolved from its earl... more

In this episode of Behind the Cardboard, host Ellie Dix is joined by Ross Connell, curator and advocate for beautiful board games. Together, they dive into the vital role of art and marketing in game design—from how visuals shape a game’s identity to... more

In this episode of RPG, hosts Dirk Knemeyer and David Heron sit down with writer and designer MJ Newman to dive into the many sides of RPG writing. Known for her work across different properties, MJ shares her experiences navigating the unique challe... more

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Recent Guests

Jeff Perkins
Designer of Tribe Net, originally Tribe Vibes
Episode: Season: RPG - Play-by-email with Jeff Perkins
Mike Mason
Longtime designer of the Call of Cthulhu role playing game.
Chaosium
Episode: Season: RPG - Cthulhu fhtagn! with Mike Mason
Matthew Dunstan
Game designer living in Newcastle, Australia, known for many award-nominated games.
Ravensburger, Cosmos
Episode: BtC - Matthew Dunstan on Making and Nurturing Connections with Publishers
April Mitchell
An American designer with notable awards including Mojo 100 and the Taggy for Game Innovator of the Year.
Hootenanny Games, Moco Games
Episode: BtC with April Mitchell on Sizzle Reels
Justin Alexander
RPG designer and author of 'So You Want to Be a Game Master'
The Alexandrian
Episode: Season: RPG - GM as Designer with Justin Alexander
Fertessa Allyse
Board game designer from Seattle
Episode: BtC with Fertessa Allyse on Sell Sheets
Dominic Crapuchette
Game designer and founder of North Star Games
North Star Games
Episode: BtC - Special Edition: Dominic Crapuchettes
Randy Lubin
Founder of Leverage Play, focused on innovative game design.
Leverage Play
Episode: Season: RPG - Serious Games Pt.2
Jason Morningstar
Founder of Bully Pulpit Games, known for developing engaging narrative games.
Bully Pulpit Games
Episode: Season: RPG - Serious Games Pt.2

Hosts

Ellie Dix
Host of Behind the Cardboard, with a strong focus on collaboration and community in game design.
Dirk Niemeyer
Co-host of The Game Design Round Table, known for his insights on game design practices.
David Heron
Co-host of The Game Design Round Table and contributor to the discussions around RPGs and game mechanics.

Reviews

4.8 out of 5 stars from 297 ratings
  • Love this show

    I believe I’ve listened to every episode. I’m not a designer but design certainly interests me.

    Glad the show has stepped into discussion of RPGs in recent years, as that was the one facet that was missing.

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    deedoublejay
    Canada2 months ago
  • These guys are super annoying!

    Just listened to the slay the spire episode and I am impressed at how bad of interviewers these hosts are. They clearly want to seem smarter than the guest at all costs and it’s awful to listen to

    Apple Podcasts
    1
    Njsjisisisndjd
    United States2 years ago
  • Your advertising plays again but the 2nd time over the top of your guests introduction. Might want to double check this episode.

    Podcast Addict
    2
    Atrak
    2 years ago
  • A must-listen!

    I recently discovered Game Design Round Table and have been consistently impressed by the wealth of knowledge and insights share in each episode. No matter the topic - you’re guaranteed to learn something new every time you tune in. Go ahead and give it a “follow,” this podcast will quickly become a favorite in your feed!

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    mvelasco07
    United States2 years ago
  • Serves its niche well

    Probably not as interesting if you’re not a designer, but I am and it’s always something worthwhile. They have a wide range of guests, and the combination of tabletop and digital expertise works nicely.

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    David Dunham
    United States3 years ago

Listeners Say

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

Great for aspiring designers interested in both tabletop and digital game development.
The hosts balance insights with practical advice, making it engaging for both novice and experienced designers.
Listeners appreciate the depth of discussion on game mechanics and design principles.
Offers a wealth of knowledge and insights shared through expert interviews.
Some critiques mention a need for more passionate delivery from hosts.

Chart Rankings

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

Apple Podcasts
#49
United States/Arts/Design
Apple Podcasts
#105
United Kingdom/Arts/Design
Apple Podcasts
#114
Canada/Arts/Design
Apple Podcasts
#79
Italy/Arts/Design
Apple Podcasts
#86
France/Arts/Design
Apple Podcasts
#96
Germany/Arts/Design

Talking Points

Recent interactions between the hosts and their guests.

Season: RPG - Conversing with MJ Newman on the different RPG writing scenes, what are their experiences?
Q: What are some differences in writing a novel versus an RPG?
Writing for a novel delves deep into characters' thoughts and feelings, while RPG writing focuses on facilitating player interactions and emergent gameplay.
Season: RPG - Conversing with MJ Newman on the different RPG writing scenes, what are their experiences?
Q: What are some pros and cons to writing as part of a team versus individually?
Writing independently allows for complete control over my vision, while collaborating with a team provides support and shared resources, requiring additional consideration of group dynamics.
Season: RPG - Conversing with MJ Newman on the different RPG writing scenes, what are their experiences?
Q: What is it like to write for the different properties?
The tone is very different between my projects, like Earthborne Rangers being cozy compared to the darker tones of Arkham Horror and Diablo.
Season: RPG - Listener Question
Q: What types of experience would you expect to be mostly suited to explore non hit point combat?
Experiences that emphasize meaningful player interactions and consequences over simple hit point mechanics can engage players more effectively in combat scenarios.
Season: RPG - Listener Question
Q: What are some elements from playing, designing, GMing RPGs specifically that you found most useful in your other game design experiences?
Elements from RPG design, such as character creation and understanding player motivations, can inform broader game design principles, particularly in focusing on what makes players happiest.

Audience Metrics

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

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Frequently Asked Questions About The Game Design Round Table

What is The Game Design Round Table about and what kind of topics does it cover?

Focusing on a wide array of topics related to game design across digital, tabletop, and role-playing games, the content explores both the creative and technical aspects of designing games. Episodes typically feature discussions surrounding the intricacies of game mechanics, design principles, and strategies for engaging players through meaningful experiences. The podcast is notable for its inclusion of industry expert guests who share insights on game publishing, pitching ideas, and community collaborations, thereby creating a rich learning resource for both budding and seasoned designers.

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Which podcasts are similar to The Game Design Round Table?

These podcasts share a similar audience with The Game Design Round Table:

1. Think Like A Game Designer
2. Three Moves Ahead
3. So Very Wrong About Games
4. Ludology
5. Shut Up & Sit Down

How many episodes of The Game Design Round Table are there?

The Game Design Round Table launched 13 years ago and published 372 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 The Game Design Round Table?

Recent guests on The Game Design Round Table include:

1. Jeff Perkins
2. Mike Mason
3. Matthew Dunstan
4. April Mitchell
5. Justin Alexander
6. Fertessa Allyse
7. Dominic Crapuchette
8. Randy Lubin

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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