Fun Problems
Board game design is a deep and often challenging pursuit. We explore all aspects of game design and the fun problems (and solutions) that come with it.
Episodes
#109 The Final Episode
The final episode of Fun Problems! Thanks so much to everyone who's listened over the years, it's been a pleasure talking to our microphones and it somehow ending up in your ears.
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Big thanks to Eduard Matei for our theme song!
#108 Zones of Play
Grab Bag episode! We talk about so many things, including: Zones of play, questions to ask when playtesting, core gameplay loops, replayability, designing to form, and creating combos! Scott Rogers' Zones of Play: https://mrbossdesign.blogspot.com/201...
Discord
Email
Big thanks to Eduard Matei for our theme song!
#107 The Best Design Advice on the Internet – Part 13
The best game design advice on the internet can be found at https://daniel.games/ – we can't recommend it highly enough! This is the FINAL part of a series where we explore the game design blog "Daniel.Games," written by Daniel Piechnick.
Discord
Email
Big thanks to Eduard Matei for our theme song!
#106 The Problems with Victory Points – Grab Bag
Grab Bag episode! We talk about so many things, including: Victory points, playtesting with skilled designers, positive player interaction, "accountancy phases", IP games, and developing your own games!
Discord
Email
Big thanks to Eduard Matei for our theme song!
#105 The Best Design Advice on the Internet – Part 12
The best game design advice on the internet can be found at https://daniel.games/ – we can't recommend it highly enough! This is part 12 of a series where we explore the game design blog "Daniel.Games," written by Daniel Piechnick.
Discord
Email
Big thanks to Eduard Matei for our theme song!
#104 Would Stonemaier Publish This?
Jamey Stegmaier explains what Stonemaier is looking for, and go through many examples of published games that would be a great fit. Tune in to see if you have a game Stonemaier is looking to publish!
Stonemaier submissions are open here
Discord
Email
Big thanks to Eduard Matei for our theme song!
#103 The Best Design Advisor on the Internet – Part 4 (Daniel Piechnick)
We have Daniel Piechnick back on as a special guest! His game design advice can be found at https://daniel.games/ – we can't recommend it highly enough!
Discord
Email
Big thanks to Eduard Matei for our theme song!
#102 The Best Design Advisor on the Internet – Part 3 (Daniel Piechnick)
We have Daniel Piechnick back on as a special guest! His game design advice can be found at https://daniel.games/ – we can't recommend it highly enough!
Discord
Email
Big thanks to Eduard Matei for our theme song!
#111 How to Design Framework Games (Jon Perry and Christian Kudahl)
AJ is joined by guests Jon Perry and Christian Kudahl to talk all about "framework" games. This episode was released early to coincide with the limited preorder for Gauntlet of Gods.
Buy Gauntlet of Gods
Play Gauntlet of Gods
Self balancing game mechanics
Discord
Email
Big thanks to Eduard Matei for our theme song!
#101 The Best Design Advisor on the Internet – Part 2 (Daniel Piechnick)
We have Daniel Piechnick back on as a special guest! His game design advice can be found at https://daniel.games/ – we can't recommend it highly enough!
Discord
Email
Big thanks to Eduard Matei for our theme song!
#100 The Best Design Advisor on the Internet – Part 1 (Daniel Piechnick)
For our 100th episode (depending on how you count...) we have Daniel Piechnick on as a special guest! His game design advice can be found at https://daniel.games/ – we can't recommend it highly enough!
Discord
Email
Big thanks to Eduard Matei for our theme song!
#99 The Best Design Advice on the Internet – Part 11
The best game design advice on the internet can be found at https://daniel.games/ – we can't recommend it highly enough! This is part 11 of a series where we explore the game design blog "Daniel.Games," written by Daniel Piechnick.
Discord
Email
Big thanks to Eduard Matei for our theme song!
#98 Designing Solo Games
Have you ever wondered how to design a solo board game? You are in luck! Today Peter talks through his process of designing solo-only games!
Discord
Email
Big thanks to Eduard Matei for our theme song!
#97 The Best Design Advice on the Internet – Part 10
The best game design advice on the internet can be found at https://daniel.games/ – we can't recommend it highly enough! This is part 10 of a series where we explore the game design blog "Daniel.Games," written by Daniel Piechnick.
Discord
Email
Big thanks to Eduard Matei for our theme song!
#96 The Upsides of Downsides – Grab Bag
Grab Bag episode! We talk about so many things, including: which games will still be around in a century, the donkey problem, learning curves, game arc, and why/when to add downsides to your actions!
Discord
Email
Big thanks to Eduard Matei for our theme song!
#95 Decisions vs Calculations – Grab Bag
Today we talk about so many things, including: calculations, decisions, NON-decisions, drive vs friction, atomic actions, time equity, hooks, and offloading rules to components!
Discord
Email
Big thanks to Eduard Matei for our theme song!
#94 Generating Infinite Content
How do you come up with UNLIMITED IDEAS for your games? Tune in and we'll tell you!
Discord
Email
Big thanks to Eduard Matei for our theme song!
#93 Would Bitewing Publish This?
Nick Murray and Kyle Spackman explain what Bitewing is looking for, and go through many examples of published games that would be a great fit. Tune in to see if you have a game Bitewing is looking to publish!
Discord
Email
Big thanks to Eduard Matei for our theme song!
#92 Complexity – Grab Bag
We talk about complexity, economies, decision-making, and spatial elements in your games.
Discord
Email
Big thanks to Eduard Matei for our theme song!
#91 Ideas We Won't Touch – Grab Bag
Grab Bag episode! We go through a bunch of smaller topics, including why we won't design certain ideas.
Discord
Email
Big thanks to Eduard Matei for our theme song!
#90 Audience Sell-Sheets 4 (Guest Joe Wiggins)
Peter C. Hayward and special guest Joe Wiggins explore what makes an effective sell sheet, providing feedback on listener-submitted examples. Throughout the discussion, they offer actionable advice on how to improve clarity, visual hierarchy, and focus in order to capture the interest of potential publishers.
Discord
Email
Big thanks to Eduard Matei for our theme song!
#89 Party Games (Guest Alex Cutler)
With special guest Alex Cutler, we talk about party games!
Discord
Email
Big thanks to Eduard Matei for our theme song!
#88 Ludonarrative Assonance (Guest Alex Cutler)
With special guest Alex Cutler, we talk about ludonarrative assonance: making your game's mechanics match the theme, and vice-versa!
Grab Bag episode! We go through a bunch of smaller topics, including careers in board games.
Discord
Email
Big thanks to Eduard Matei for our theme song!
BONUS: Rolling Deep interview
A bonus episode of Fun Problems, featuring an indepth interview by the YouTuber Neon Gorilla.
Originally found on YouTube here: https://youtu.be/VTo5DiRaTVY?si=XAK_pAzr1gwwn4iY
Rolling Deep live on Kickstarter here: https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/bitewinggamesnick/rolling-deep-and-eureka-dice-adventure-roguelike-and-campaign
Check out our Discord
Email us
Big thanks to Eduard Matei for our t
#87 The best design advice on the internet - Part 9
This is part of a series where we explore the game design blog written by Daniel Piechnick.
Mathew Dunstan
Discord
Email
Big thanks to Eduard Matei for our theme song!
#86 Careers in Board Games - Grab bag
Grab Bag episode! We go through a bunch of smaller topics, including careers in board games.
The Bits Podcast with Peter
Discord
Email
Big thanks to Eduard Matei for our theme song!
#85 The best design advice on the internet - Part 8
This is part of a series where we explore the game design blog https://daniel.games/ written by Daniel Piechnick.
Discord: https://discord.gg/BjerXtQ3Me
Email: funproblemspodcast@gmail.com
Big thanks to Eduard Matei for our theme song!
#84 Board Game Fragility - Grab bag
Grab Bag episode! We go through a bunch of smaller topics, including development and how to make your game less fragile.
Discord: https://discord.gg/BjerXtQ3Me
Email: funproblemspodcast@gmail.com
Big thanks to Eduard Matei for our theme song!
#83 The Three Pillars of Game Design
Peter has a new model that breaks down ALL OF BOARD GAME DESIGN!
NOTE: Peter consistently uses "ergonomics" wrong in this episode! Ergonomics is the *reduction* of work; when he says he 'reduces ergonomics' that should be increases ergonomics (or reduces work). Sorry!
Discord: https://discord.gg/BjerXtQ3Me
Email: funproblemspodcast@gmail.com
Big thanks to Eduard Matei for our theme song!
#82 It took me a decade to get this interview with Elan Lee
Exactly 10 years ago AJ sent a message asking questions about the design of Exploding Kittens. Today he finally gets some answers from the LEGENDARY Elan Lee!
Discord: https://discord.gg/BjerXtQ3Me
Email: funproblemspodcast@gmail.com
AJ's favourite artist: https://www.instagram.com/nicolettabaldari/
Big thanks to Eduard Matei for our theme song!
#81 Board Game Contracts
Board game contracts with special guest Zachary Strebeck! We talk through EVERYTHING board game contracts, including specific percentage numbers, what to avoid, what to look for. Everything, guys. It's EVERYTHING.
You can find Zack here: https://legalmoveslawfirm.com/
Peter's checklist: https://docs.google.com/document/d/1X...
Discord: https://discord.gg/BjerXtQ3Me
Email: funproblemspodcast@gmail.
#80 Peter's Board Game Design Finances 2025
Ever wonder how much a full time board game designer makes? Today we deep dive into the money Peter has made from board game design over the years in total, in 2025 specifically, and broken down by how much money each board game made.
Discord: https://discord.gg/BjerXtQ3Me
Email: funproblemspodcast@gmail.com
Big thanks to Eduard Matei for our theme song!
#79 Would Exploding Kittens Publish This?
Elan Lee explains what Exploding Kittens is looking for, and go through many examples of published games that would be a great fit. Tune in to see if you have a game Exploding Kittens is looking to publish!
Visit https://www.explodingkittens.com/page... to submit your game ideas to the company!
Fun Problems discord
Email: funproblemspodcast@gmail.com
Big thanks to Eduard Matei for our theme so
#78 The Levels of Designer
Hosts Peter C. Hayward and AJ Brandon discuss how to give useful game-design feedback by matching your advice to the designer’s experience. They cover empathy, asking what feedback is wanted, sandwiching critiques, and focusing on tools and experience to help designers improve.
Discord: https://discord.gg/BjerXtQ3Me
Email: funproblemspodcast@gmail.com
Big thanks to Eduard Matei for our theme song
#77 Hooks and Introversion
Peter C. Hayward and AJ Brandon talk through a number of grab-bag topics, including how to be successful as an introvert and what makes a hook.
Discord: https://discord.gg/BjerXtQ3Me
Email: funproblemspodcast@gmail.com
Big thanks to Eduard Matei for our theme song!
#76 The Best Design Advice on the Internet – Part 7
Episode 75 is on youtube only: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uqZnFTxZ6nM&list=PLlpOSsHmIZE9Q1V5UuzhrM3ZncMJVsnol&index=2
The best game design advice on the internet can be found at https://daniel.games/ – we can't recommend it highly enough! This is part 7 of a series where we explore the game design blog "Daniel.Games," written by Daniel Piechnick.
Discord: https://discord.gg/BjerXtQ3Me
#74 - How to Find, Build, and Run Playtest Groups
Hosts Peter C. Hayward and AJ Brandon walk through how to start, run and grow board game playtest groups; finding people, finding the right location, handling disputes, scheduling games, and balancing in-person vs digital testing.
They share real-world examples (Toronto, First Play LA, ProtoTO), safety and inclusivity tips, troubleshooting for long/short games, and best practices for online playte
#73 - Regretisode
Peter runs through his regrets over the years from design choices, co-design pitfalls, self-publishing mistakes, failed Kickstarters, and the burnout that followed. Together with AJ they help turn this mistakes into actionable advice to avoid falling into the same traps.
Episode starts at 12 min 30 seconds.
Paranormal Detectives standalone expansion PNP: https://boardgamegeek.com/filepage/249601/p
#72 - Types of Fun
Peter and AJ dissect Daniel Piechnick's "types of fun" framework, exploring 13 varieties grouped into constructive, excitement, social, and emotional categories. They add personal insights, debate nuances, and more!
Discord: https://discord.gg/BjerXtQ3Me
Email: funproblemspodcast@gmail.com
Big thanks to Eduard Matei for our theme song!
#71 - The problem with end game scoring (Game Feedback) Minisode
Peter C. Hayward and AJ Brandon dig into a common design problem: games that keep scoring until the end don't give feedback to players. They discuss practical fixes to give players earlier, clearer feedback and make learning faster and games more accessible.
Discord: https://discord.gg/BjerXtQ3Me
Email: funproblemspodcast@gmail.com
Big thanks to Eduard Matei for our theme song!
#70 - An entire episode about taking an action
Peter C. Hayward and AJ Brandon break down action selection systems in games; why constraints and variance make turns interesting and how different systems (worker placement, dice placement, drafting, rondels, time tracks, menus and more) shape player decisions.
The episode gives designers practical examples, trade-offs and tips from many published games, plus a publisher note about avoiding thema
#69 - Why We Are Ending the Podcast
Peter announces he’s stepping back from board games to explore new creative projects and explains why the podcast will be winding down. Plus a lot more fun than usual to make up for the downer announcement.
Please suggest topics to cover before the show ends!
Discord: https://discord.gg/BjerXtQ3Me
Email: funproblemspodcast@gmail.com
Big thanks to Eduard Matei for our theme song!
#68 - Listener Questions
Peter C. Hayward and AJ Brandon dive into emergent strategy, how to seed subtle interactions, and how to telegraph systems to players. They answer listener questions on market saturation, the future of board games, and personal careers in design. The hosts give detailed playtesting advice—solo testing, public and cold playtests, TTS tips, teaching techniques, and how to use playtesters effectively
#67 - Grab Bag Minisode 2
In this episode AJ and Peter dig into core game-design ideas: the difference between strategy and tactics, how scarcity and tough choices make games engaging, best practices for scoring and playtesting, and designing emergent combos that let players discover clever strategies.
Discord: https://discord.gg/BjerXtQ3Me
Email: funproblemspodcast@gmail.com
Facebook/Twitter: @FunProblemsPod
Big thanks t
#66 - The Best Design Advice on the Internet – Part 6
The best game design advice on the internet can be found at https://daniel.games/ – we can't recommend it highly enough! This is part 6 of a series where we explore the game design blog "Daniel.Games," written by Daniel Piechnick.
Discord: https://discord.gg/BjerXtQ3Me
Email: funproblemspodcast@gmail.com
Facebook/Twitter: @FunProblemsPod
Big thanks to Eduard Matei for our theme song!
#65 - How to make a (DEEP) Childishly Simple Game
This week, we explore the concept of 'childishly simple' games, and how it applies to creating elegant games that seem effortlessly simple but also offer depth.
Join us as we share personal anecdotes, dissect both successful and challenging game designs, and discuss the art of simplifying mechanics no matter the weight class of the game.
Discord: https://discord.gg/BjerXtQ3Me
Email: funproblemspod
#64 - Helpful Advice with Tim Armstrong
In this episode of Fun Problems, hosts Peter C. Hayward and guest Tim Armstrong dive deep into the world of game design and publishing. With AJ Brandon absent, Peter brings on Tim, a designer and friend, to explore how their processes differ as they discuss their 10-year journeys in the board game industry.
They unpack strategies for pitching to publishers, the value of sell sheets, and why specif
#63 - A Week in the Life of a Game Designer
Join Peter and AJ as they take you behind the curtain to explore a week in the busy life of board game designers. They share their daily routines, challenges, and the creative processes involved in crafting engaging board games.
Discord: https://discord.gg/BjerXtQ3Me
Email: funproblemspodcast@gmail.com
Facebook/Twitter: @FunProblemsPod
#62 - Audience Sell-Sheets 3
AJ Brandon, Alex Cutler, and Peter C. Hayward explore what makes an effective sell sheet, providing feedback on listener-submitted examples. Throughout the discussion, they offer actionable advice on how to improve clarity, visual hierarchy, and focus in order to capture the interest of potential publishers.
Sell Sheets: https://tinyurl.com/43r9h7dz
Discord: https://discord.gg/BjerXtQ3Me
Email: f
#61 - Amazing Board Game Hooks
Today we follow up on an exercise of developing hooks we gave to our community by highlighting the very best we've seen shared in our discord.
Discord: https://discord.gg/BjerXtQ3Me
Email: funproblemspodcast@gmail.com
Facebook/Twitter: @FunProblemsPod
Big thanks to Eduard Matei for our theme song!
#60 - An Entire Episode About Drawing Cards
What is says on the tin.
Discord: https://discord.gg/BjerXtQ3Me
Email: funproblemspodcast@gmail.com
Facebook/Twitter: @FunProblemsPod
Big thanks to Eduard Matei for our theme song!
#59 - The Best Design Advice on the Internet – Part 5
The best game design advice on the internet can be found at https://daniel.games/ – we can't recommend it highly enough! This is part 5 of a series where we explore the game design blog "Daniel.Games," written by Daniel Piechnick.
Discord: https://discord.gg/BjerXtQ3Me
Email: funproblemspodcast@gmail.com
Facebook/Twitter: @FunProblemsPod
Big thanks to Eduard Matei for our theme song!
#58 - Audience Sell-Sheets 2
Peter C. Hayward and AJ Brandon explore what makes an effective sell sheet, providing feedback on listener-submitted examples. Throughout the discussion, they offer actionable advice on how to improve clarity, visual hierarchy, and focus in order to capture the interest of potential publishers.
Link to Sell Sheets: https://tinyurl.com/4n85j7vf
Fun Problems Discord: https://discord.gg/BjerXtQ3Me
E
#57 - How to Balance your Board Game Part 2
The episode delves into the importance of understanding player dynamics, how to tackle randomness, the impact of player skills on balance, and the art of choosing fun over perfect equilibrium.
Fun Problems Discord: https://discord.gg/BjerXtQ3Me
Email: funproblemspodcast@gmail.com
Big thanks to Eduard Matei for our theme song!
#56 - How to Balance your Board Game Part 1
In this episode of Fun Problems, hosts Peter C. Hayward and AJ Brandon delve deep into the intricacies of balancing game design. They explore the concept of balance from various angles, including strategic collapse, a test of skill, economies, and more to create engaging gameplay.
Fun Problems Discord: https://discord.gg/BjerXtQ3Me
Email: funproblemspodcast@gmail.com
Big thanks to Eduard Matei for
#55 - Catch-Up Mechanisms and Hooks
In this episode of Fun Problems, hosts Peter C. Hayward and AJ Brandon discuss catch-up mechanisms in gaming, such as rubber banding and blue shells. They also dive into an interesting exercise aimed at developing game design concepts through strong hooks.
Fun Problems Discord: https://discord.gg/BjerXtQ3Me
Email: funproblemspodcast@gmail.com
Big thanks to Eduard Matei for our theme song!
#54 - Would CMYK Publish This?
Alex Hague and James Nathan Spencer explain what CMYK is looking for, and go through many examples of published games that would be a great fit. Tune in to see if you have a game CMYK is looking to publish! Email hello@cmyk.games to submit your game ideas to the company!
Fun Problems Discord: https://discord.gg/BjerXtQ3Me
Email: funproblemspodcast@gmail.com
Big thanks to Eduard Matei for our theme
#53 - Critter Kitchen Design Diary
Alex Cutler and Peter C. Hayward break down the design process of Critter Kitchen: the lessons learned, the journeys taken, and the critters kitchened.
Fun Problems Discord: https://discord.gg/BjerXtQ3Me
Email: funproblemspodcast@gmail.com
Big thanks to Eduard Matei for our theme song!
#52 - Would AEG Publish This?
John Zinzer and Mark Wooten explain what AEG is looking for, and go through many examples of published games that would be a great fit. Tune in to see if you have a game AEG is looking to publish!
Email creative@alderac.com to submit your game ideas to the company!
Fun Problems Discord: https://discord.gg/BjerXtQ3Me
Email: funproblemspodcast@gmail.com
Big thanks to Eduard Matei for our theme song!
#51 - Audience Sell-Sheets
Peter C. Hayward and AJ Brandon explore what makes an effective sell sheet, providing feedback on listener-submitted examples. Throughout the discussion, they offer actionable advice on how to improve clarity, visual hierarchy, and focus in order to capture the interest of potential publishers.
Link to Sell Sheets: https://tinyurl.com/bd8pn9hp
Discord: https://discord.gg/BjerXtQ3Me
Email: funprob
#50 - Board Game Industry Predictions
As we celebrate our 50th episode, we predict the next five years of the industry, including the growing role of AI in game design, shifts in game themes, and the potential impact of global economic factors on the industry.
Note this was recorded before the massive "Liberation Day" tariffs bombshell.
Discord: https://discord.gg/BjerXtQ3Me
Email: funproblemspodcast@gmail.com
Big thanks to Eduard M
#49 - Would Allplay Publish This?
This episode kicks off our new series, featuring candid discussions about what it takes to catch the eye of top-notch publishers. Joe Wiggins explains what Allplay is looking for, and goes through many examples of published games that would be a great fit. Tune in to see if you have a game Allplay is looking to publish!
Submit to Allplay here: help.allplay.com
The Bits (Joe's podcast): https://rb.
#48 - Grab Bag Minisode
In this mini-sode, we touch on the importance of adaptability, using games like Robotopia to illustrate the 'follow the dog' philosophy. We teach focusing on fun and cutting unnecessary decision points to enhance game enjoyment. Whether it's co-design challenges or crafting concise mechanics, this episode dives into the nuances of aligning design choices with the player's experience.
Discord: http
#47 - Why Your (GOOD) Game Won't Sell – Part 2
This episode explores product cohesion, perceived value, and market alignment to ensure your game stands out on store shelves and online platforms.
Discover the importance of table presence, demo-friendly design, and crafting the perfect pitch that resonates with both publishers and players.
AJ's new design template: https://tinyurl.com/4266fvax
Discord: https://discord.gg/BjerXtQ3Me
Email: funpr
#46 - Why Your (GOOD) Game Won't Sell – Part 1
In this episode of Fun Problems, Peter C. Hayward and AJ Brandon revisit AJ's popular talk from his perspective as a retailer on factors (other than how 'fun' the game is) that can make or break a sale at retail stores.
Peter and AJ also emphasize understanding the "last stage pitch"—how buyers get their friends to play—and offer insights into creating memorable experiences that facilitate game r
#45 - The Best Design Advice on the Internet – Part 4
The best game design advice on the internet can be found at https://daniel.games/ – we can't recommend it highly enough! This is part 4 of a series where we explore the game design blog "Daniel.Games," written by Daniel Piechnick.
Discord: https://discord.gg/BjerXtQ3Me
Email: funproblemspodcast@gmail.com
Facebook/Twitter: @FunProblemsPod
Big thanks to Eduard Matei for our theme song!
#44 - Peter's 2024 Finances (Industry Talk)
Peter and AJ embark on a journey through the intricacies of royalties, advances, and the challenges of managing income as full-time game designers. With transparency as their guiding principle, they discuss the importance of understanding money, navigating contracts, and planning for financial stability in an unpredictable market.
Discord: https://discord.gg/BjerXtQ3Me
Email: funproblemspodcast@gm
#43 Co-designing
Welcome to Fun Problems, where we dive into the challenges and joys of game design and podcasting. In this episode, hosts Peter C. Hayward and AJ Brandon are joined by special guest Alex Cutler to discuss the ins and outs of codesigning board games with another designer.
Discord: https://discord.gg/BjerXtQ3Me
Email: funproblemspodcast@gmail.com
Facebook/Twitter: @FunProblemsPod
Big thanks to Edua
#42 BONUS Holiday Special
In this special holiday edition of "Fun Problems," host Peter C. Hayward takes center stage to delve into the cultural nuances and underlying assumptions of beloved games like Go, Dominion, and Wingspan. Peter explores how culture and timing influence game success, challenging the popular notion of universal game design truths.
This engaging episode also includes personal stories, playful banter w
#41 - The Best Design Advice on the Internet – Part 3
Today is part 3 of a series where AJ and Peter explore the game design blog "Daniel.Games," written by Daniel Piechnick.
Discord: https://discord.gg/BjerXtQ3Me
Email: funproblemspodcast@gmail.com
Facebook/Twitter: @FunProblemsPod
Big thanks to Eduard Matei for our theme song!
#40 - The Best Design Advice on the Internet – Part 2
Today is part 2 of a series where AJ and Peter explore the game design blog "Daniel.Games," written by Daniel Piechnick.
Discord: https://discord.gg/BjerXtQ3Me
Email: funproblemspodcast@gmail.com
Facebook/Twitter: @FunProblemsPod
Big thanks to Eduard Matei for our theme song!
#39 - The Best Design Advice on the Internet – Part 1
Today is part 1 of a series where we explore the game design blog "Daniel.Games," written by Daniel Piechnick.
This episode includes the importance of elegance in design, minimizing complexity, and understanding the social aspect of board games.
Discord: https://discord.gg/BjerXtQ3Me
Email: funproblemspodcast@gmail.com
Facebook/Twitter: @FunProblemsPod
Big thanks to Eduard Matei for our theme s
#38 - Sell Sheets (Industry Talk)
Join hosts Peter C. Hayward and AJ Brandon as they delve into the art of creating effective sell sheets for board games. This episode steps away from the usual design principles to tackle an essential aspect of game publishing.
Using real examples from Peter's own collection of sell sheets, they illustrate what works and what doesn't, offering practical tips for creating a sell sheet that effectiv
#37 - Fidelity
In this episode, we delve into the importance of numbers and their impact on gameplay. We explore how the concept of fidelity, or granularity, influences the design and experience of both board games and video games.
Our discussion kicks off with a comparison between games like Magic: The Gathering and Yu-Gi-Oh!, highlighting how different number systems create unique player experiences. We also e
#36 - Rethinking Rethinking Genres
Peter and AJ explore the concept of genre within board games, comparing it to the well-defined genres found in films and novels. They discuss the challenges of applying traditional genre theory to board games, which often rely on mechanisms rather than genres to define them.
The conversation touches on the importance of genre in other media, highlighting how it helps creators meet audience expecta
#35 - The Third Type of Coop Games
In this milestone episode, Peter revisits his popular theory on cooperative games, originally discussed on Gabe Barrett's Board Game Design Lab. He introduces a new type of co-op game that has emerged in recent years, expanding the original framework of limited communication and against-the-game co-ops.
Peter and AJ delve into the intricacies of this third type, the cozy cooperative game, characte
#34 - Unhelpful Advice
In this episode, we're bringing you "unhelpful" advice on how to navigate the world of game development. Join us as we discuss our experiences, insights, and the quirks of the industry.
Discover why having a brand as a designer matters, the significance of player interaction, and the importance of finding joy in the design process. Whether you're a seasoned designer or just starting, our candid di
#33 - Play Patterns
Today we discuss Play Patterns from a number of different angles. What makes a fun play pattern, how to encourage them and more!
Email: funproblemspodcast@gmail.com
Facebook/Twitter: @FunProblemsPod
Fun Problems Discord: https://discord.gg/BjerXtQ3Me
Big thanks to Eduard Matei for our theme song!
#32 - Fundamentals of Game Design and the Magic Circle
In this episode, Peter and AJ dive deep into the essence of game design, focusing on the core principles that make a game fun and engaging. They explore the concept of "striving games" versus "accomplishment games" and emphasize the importance of incentivizing fun behaviors in game design.
Peter shares his theory that game design is fundamentally about identifying what's compelling and then incent
#31 - Foundational Games
Today we talk about Foundational Games; what games are so foundational to the craft that all game designers need to play them.
funproblemspodcast@gmail.com
Facebook/Twitter: @FunProblemsPod
Fun Problems Discord: https://discord.gg/BjerXtQ3Me
Big thanks to Eduard Matei for our theme song!
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