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How do you deliver an expansion to one of the bestselling word games of all time? By throwing it away and starting from scratch – that’s how! In episode 52, we speak with Tim Fowers and Jeff Beck (yes – he just might be our regular host), the designers of Hardback (the “pre-quill” to Paperback).Read more →

Our world runs on oil… dirty, dirty oil. But when the wells run dry, a new economy will emerge. Who will rise from the ashes to claim this new world order? In episode 51, we speak with Tobias Gohrbandt, the co-designer of Peak Oil. During our conversation, we discuss co-designing a game with someone whoRead more →

Why risk your neck going on adventures when you can make a fortune from the safety of your own home, selling adventuring equipment to the foolish heroes that visit your shop? In the bicentennial episode 50, we chat with Jonathan Ying, famed co-designer of Star Wars: Imperial Assault and DOOM The Board Game (among others),Read more →

Don’t get me wrong – sometimes a massive, 3-hour, heavy-euro game is the only way to fly. But sometimes you just need a light strategy game that you can wrap up in 30 minutes or less. In episode 49, we chat with Maggie Stewart and Jeff Fitzgerald, the founders of Hidden Creek Games, and theRead more →

If you found a gold nugget, how far would you go to keep it? Would you hide it from your friends? Would you lie about where you kept it? In episode 48, we chat with Andrew Stengele of Forced Perspective Entertainment and Jimmy Schnitzlein, the publisher and designer, respectfully, of Claim: The Search for theRead more →

Everyone needs a good hair stylist… even, and perhaps especially, the burly men (and bears) of the northern expanse. In today’s episode, we speak with David Fooden, the designer of the upcoming game, Yukon Salon. During our conversation, we discuss how to keep busy when no one shows up for your game demo, why indieRead more →

There’s something magical about pirates – but it might not be what you think. It’s not the peg leg, or the buried treasure, or even their fascination with the letter R. No, the most magical part of being a pirate is that you can call for mutiny and throw your previous leader overboard at aRead more →

There’s something about sleeping out of doors… being one with nature… and being threatened by an unseen monster just outside of the campfire light. In today’s episode, we speak with Josh Estill, Zach Abbott, and Arwen Boyer, the designers of the upcoming two-player game, Dark is the Night. During our discussion, we chat about whyRead more →

What happens when you get not only one, not two, but three game designers on the show at once? Mass hysteria! In today’s episode, we speak with Rob Cramer, John du Bois, and Mitchell Shipman, three game designers from ButtonShy games, and the designers of Turbo Drift, Avignon: Pilgrimage, and Find Your Seats, respectively. DuringRead more →

What do you get when you mix an RPG so memorable, it inspired the hit TV show Firefly, with the unique elements of a customizable card game? In today’s episode, we chat with Jeff Yin, one of the founders of Horizon Games, and the lead designer of the upcoming customizable card game, Traveller. During ourRead more →

Brand new game mechanics are few and far between. But, on the rare occasion they do appear, they have the potential to completely change the entire playing field. In this week’s episode, we speak with Ryan Iler, the founder of Wonderment Games, and the designer of the completely unique Quodd Heroes. During our discussion, weRead more →

The meteors are hurtling toward earth. Your rocket is nearly done, but it only has two seats. How will you decide who to take with you? Easy – political intrigue! In this week’s episode, we speak with Don Eskridge, the legendary designer of The Resistance and Avalon, back with his own company, Orange Machine Games,Read more →

Light, party games all have their place. But sometimes you just need a four-hour, open-world, deep-dive of a game… and we’re here to deliver. In this week’s episode, we speak with Mark Swanson, the founder of Odd Bird Games, and the creator of the upcoming euro-style board game, Feudum. During our discussion, we chat aboutRead more →

In this bonus episode, recorded live at BBG.con 2016 in Dallas, TX, we speak with Gil Hova, the founder of Formal Ferret Games, and the designer of Wordsy. We discuss the pros and cons of self-publishing, what it takes to scale a game to a larger player group, and why small animals do not enjoyRead more →

What do you do when the very first game you ever publish is a smash hit? Why, borrow the license to another popular game, apply, rinse and repeat, of course! If only it was all that easy… In today’s episode, we speak with Brian Henk and Clayton Skancke, the founders of Overworld Games, and theRead more →

Your village has a bit of a problem… it’s infested with snakes. And what does any red-blooded entrepreneur do about it? Why, breed more snakes so you can profit from the tragedy, of course! In episode 38, we speak with Chris and Suzanne Zinsli, the founders of Cardboard Edison, and the designers of the trick-takingRead more →

It’s common knowledge that every good roleplaying campaign starts at the tavern. But when was the last time you gave that tavern much thought? What kind of drinks do they serve? How do they attract their patrons? And most importantly, how profitable are they? In this episode, we speak with Dann Kriss, the founder ofRead more →

You’re two hours into the most epic campaign ever told. The story is incredible, your character is memorable, and your dice are cooking. Too bad you’re about to be ambushed by a horde of goblins. Oh sure – you’ll slaughter them easily. But it will take the rest of the night to just grind throughRead more →

We’ve all been there – game time with the family and you need something a younger audience can get their head around. Do you reach for the latest Hasbro roll-and-move? Please, NO! In episode 35, we speak with Peter C. Hayward, the founder of Jellybean Games and the designer of the family-friendly hidden-role game, Dracula’sRead more →

Pretty much anyone can create an app these days, or a puzzle game, or even an adventure game. But I can only think of one team that can combine all three! In episode 34, we speak with Jamie Johnson, one of the founders of Holy Grail Games and the co-publisher of the app-assisted, puzzle/adventure game,Read more →