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Artwork for The Misplay
Board Games
Board Game Design
Game Design
Animal Kingdom
Gen Con
Nightmare Smashers
Playtesting
Kickstarter
Tabletop Simulator
Under One Sky
MMA Gauntlet
Board Game Casual
Game Mechanics
Gencon
Star-Crossed Realms
Depths
The Misplay
Starfold
Arcana Rising
Crowdfunding

A podcast about making a board game company making a board game!

PublishesTwice monthlyEpisodes88Founded8 years ago
Number of ListenersCategory
Arts

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Artwork for The Misplay

Latest Episodes

We are joined by Micah Heiselt to celebrate and continue promoting the success of his new game, Bucket List. They learn about Micah's journey from graphic designer to game designer. Micah shares insights into what success looks like for Bucket List’s... more

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We sat down to test and theory-craft a couple of possible 11th-hour changes to Under One Sky. First, we talked about changing the art for one of our tiles. Then, we discussed playtest feedback that may lead us to introduce three new tiles to the game... more

YouTube

We step outside the usual program for a different perspective. Jason’s partner, Monica, joins us from the car on our road trip to The Cruz Room in Santa Cruz to talk about what it’s like to live with someone designing an indie board game and making a... more

YouTube

We sat down with Ben Bertoli of Radish Games for a crash course in Kickstarter, prelaunch marketing, and—much to Mark’s dismay—shipping. We also talked launch timing and the revised Kickstarter timeline for Under One Sky.

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Recent Guests

Micah Heiselt
Graphic and UX designer, game designer, and founder of Outer Burrow Games
Outer Burrow Games
Episode: Kickstarter Bucket List with Micah Heiselt
Ben Bertoli
Board game designer, games journalist and fellow teacher
Radish Games
Episode: Kickstarter Deep Dive with Ben Bertoli
Joe Slack
Author, board game designer, publisher, and instructor of the board game design course
Episode: Taking Class with Joe Slack
Jason Parmele
Guest speaker presenting on board game design and prototyping at Protospiel Bay Area
The Misplay
Episode: Bay Area Protospiel 2026
Zeta Gaston
Artist for the game Under One Sky
The Misplay project
Episode: Enthusiastic Art with Zeta Gaston
Dan Thurot
Space-Biff, board game reviewer and content creator
SpaceBiff
Episode: Marketing Ethics with Dan Thurot
Hunter Pence
Guest introduced as an episode participant
Episode: Game Market West 2026
Andrew DeLulo
Designer/seller at Game Market West
Dojekka Donuts
Episode: Game Market West 2026
Peter Dojekka Donuts
Designer/seller at Game Market West
Dojekka Donuts
Episode: Game Market West 2026

Hosts

Jason Parmele
Host of The Misplay; part of the core duo shaping indie game development discussions and production insights.
Mark Parmaley
Co-host specializing in production decisions, prototyping, and hands-on design discussions.

Reviews

4.9 out of 5 stars from 55 ratings
  • Lovely stuff

    I am digging this - it’s about a niche interest, but like StartUp it’s inherently interesting following the process of people trying to get something off the ground.

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    Dyl6000
    United Kingdom2 years ago

Listeners Say

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

Loved the hands-on, creator-led vibe—practical and approachable.
Banters and real-world constraints make the process feel doable, not mystical.
Niche focus on indie publishing makes it a goldmine for aspiring designers.

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Talking Points

Recent interactions between the hosts and their guests.

Kickstarter Bucket List with Micah Heiselt
Q: Where do you anticipate the Kickstarter landing? 10,000? Do you have a goal in mind? Is there a number you're looking to get to or a number of the quantity of items backed?
Micah says the number of backers matters most as evidence of demand, with 500 or 1,000 as hopes. Financially, he would like to reach $25,000 and would be especially excited to reach $50,000.
Kickstarter Bucket List with Micah Heiselt
Q: Tell us about your game design journey.
Micah describes growing up around games, then developing an interest in designing them. His background in graphic design and years in UX and product design influenced his approach to game mechanics and player experience.
Taking Class with Joe Slack
Q: What is Joe Slack's recommended starting point for first-time designers?
Start with a clear vision and the intended player experience, because this guiding idea informs all decisions, helps filter playtester feedback, and keeps the project cohesive even as mechanics and themes evolve.
Enthusiastic Art with Zeta Gaston
Q: Were there any major pivots or disagreements, and how were they resolved?
Yes, we shifted away from a highly detailed, hand-painted look to a flatter, more graphic style to better suit production needs and color accessibility; Zeta's flexibility, communication, and willingness to adapt helped resolve tensions and align with the team's evolving vision.
Enthusiastic Art with Zeta Gaston
Q: What tooling do you rely on for the artwork and why?
I primarily use Procreate on the iPad for initial drawings and Procreate-related workflows, then move to Adobe Fresco for vector-cleanups and export to satisfy manufacturing color profiles and print requirements, ensuring high-quality, scalable artwork.

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Frequently Asked Questions About The Misplay

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

This show centers on the practical realities of turning board game ideas into a market-ready product, with a strong emphasis on indie publishing, hands-on prototyping, and the economics of production. Episodes frequently cover playtesting feedback, rulebook clarity, art direction, and manufacturing decisions, all anchored in real-world events like conventions and local market days. A notable throughline is the creators' willingness to experiment, iterate quickly, and discuss costs and logistics openly, from color choices and piece quality to crowdfunding tactics and publisher pitches. The format often blends technical discussion with candid banter, making the process feel accessible to hobbyists while providing actionable takeaways for aspi... more

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Which podcasts are similar to The Misplay?

These podcasts share a similar audience with The Misplay:

1. Board Games Insider
2. So Very Wrong About Games
3. The Dice Tower
4. Board Game Hot Takes
5. Good Hang with Amy Poehler

How many episodes of The Misplay are there?

The Misplay launched 8 years ago and published 88 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 Misplay?

Recent guests on The Misplay include:

1. Micah Heiselt
2. Ben Bertoli
3. Joe Slack
4. Jason Parmele
5. Zeta Gaston
6. Dan Thurot
7. Hunter Pence
8. Andrew DeLulo

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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