Think Like A Game Designer

About Jesse AlexanderJesse Alexander is an Emmy award-winning screenwriter and producer with over two decades of experience crafting iconic television series and groundbreaking game content. If you've watched TV over the last 20 years, you've likely seen some of Jesse’s work. His television credits include Alias, Lost, Heroes, Hannibal, Star Trek: Discovery, American Gods, and Citadel.A pioneer in transmedia storytelling, Jesse has designed award-winning content that extends narratives across multiple platforms. His work in the gaming industry includes contributions to LucasArts, Predator VR, and animated trailers for Blur, as well as narrative design consu...

About Ryan SoaveRyan Soave is a healthcare executive, therapist, coach, and speaker with over 14 years of experience in mental health consulting and counseling. Ryan has dedicated his career to guiding individuals navigating personal and professional challenges. His work spans one-on-one coaching, leadership consulting, and trauma-informed therapy, helping people unlock deeper self-awareness and achieve their best work.In this episode, Ryan discusses his experiences with therapy and coaching, offering a practical framework for overcoming creative blocks, facing discomfort, and making progress in both work and life. He shares insights on how unconscious patterns shape decision-making...

About Matt ForbeckMatt Forbeck is an award-winning and New York Times-bestselling author and game designer with a career spanning over three decades. With more than 35 novels and countless games to his name, Matt’s projects have garnered critical acclaim, winning a Peabody Award, a Scribe Award, and numerous ENNIE and Origins Awards. He is also the president of the Diana Jones Award Foundation, which celebrates excellence in gaming. His work spans iconic brands like Marvel, Warhammer 40,000, Dungeons & Dragons, Minecraft, and Halo, as well as original creations such as Shotguns & Sorcery.In this episode, Matt di...

Alliestrasza joins us on today’s episode, bringing her extensive experience as a prominent streamer and influencer in the trading card game space. Best known for her long-running success as a Hearthstone content creator, Allie carved out a career in streaming that spanned nearly a decade. Recently, she has expanded her focus to game development, launching the Discord-based RPG Play Alchemy, and is also actively involved in promoting Web3 games like Parallel.In this episode, Allie shares her journey from discovering card games during her final semester of college to becoming one of the most recognizable faces in...

Eric Dieulangard joins us on today’s episode, bringing a ton of experience from the gaming and business worlds. He is currently the Chief Marketing Officer at Equinox, where he was pivotal during the launch of Altered. This trading card game became the most successful TCG Kickstarter ever, raising over $6.6 million. His career path includes professional esports, high-level marketing, and game design; Eric understands what it takes to create impactful gaming experiences.In this episode, Eric shares his journey from competing as a professional Warcraft 3 player—becoming the first French champion in a major esports tournament—to transi...

About Travis GeorgeTravis George joins us on today’s episode, bringing over two decades of experience in the video game industry. Travis has held leadership roles at renowned companies like Activision and Riot Games, where he served as the product lead for League of Legends, helping to grow the game into a global phenomenon with over 117 million monthly players. He later co-founded Vela Games, where he continues to innovate as CEO, focusing on designing new player experiences in the cooperative gaming space.In this episode, Travis shares his journey from launching his first IT se...

Alexander Seropian joins us on today’s episode, bringing his vast expertise from decades in the video game industry. Alex is the founder of several influential game companies, including Bungie, Wideload Games, Industrial Toys, and Glenslinger Studios. He has also held leadership roles at Disney and Microsoft, overseeing teams of more than 100 people. Among his many accomplishments, Alex is best known for co-creating the iconic game Halo and for being a driving force in game design and industry innovation. In addition to his executive work, Alex has served as an advisor and investor in numerous startups.In th...

Richard Bartle and Nigel Roberts join us on today’s episode, bringing decades of experience in gaming, technology, and community building. Richard is one of the co-creators of MUD (Multi-User Dungeon), the precursor to today’s MMORPGs, and developed the famous Bartle Taxonomy, which categorizes player types. He’s also a renowned author and academic, with works like How to Be a God exploring virtual worlds.Nigel Roberts, one of Richard’s long-time collaborators, was involved in the development of MUD and has had a significant role in shaping the modern internet. He is a member of the ICAN...

About Alex YeagerAlex Yeager joins us on today’s episode to bring his wealth of knowledge and experience from over 20 years in the board game industry. Alex is the Chief Operating Officer at Amigo Games, overseeing the company’s North American operations. Before his time at Amigo, Alex held various leadership roles at renowned companies like Mayfair Games, where he served as Vice President of Acquisition and Development, and Steve Jackson Games, where he contributed significantly to their demo programs. He also has a rich background as an event coordinator and demo leader, helping bring many game...

About Scott MorrisScott Morris joins us on today’s episode to share insights into the world of game design and business development. Scott is the Chief Sales and Marketing Officer at Lucky Duck Games, where he has played a key role in the company's growth, including the recent acquisition by Goliath Games. Before his time at Lucky Duck, Scott held leadership positions at GTS Distribution and Passport Game Studios. He's also the designer of Firefly: Shiny Dice, a dice game based on the beloved Firefly universe, published by Upper Deck Entertainment.In this episode, Sc...

In this special live episode recorded at Gen Con 2024, I share key lessons from my 20 years in the game industry, including insights from working with industry legends like Richard Garfield and designing major games like Ascension, Shards of Infinity, Bakugan, and SolForge Fusion. Here are some key takeaways:* Emotional Impact: Pay close attention to how games make players feel. Player experience is the most important metric for a game.* Set Deadlines: Setting deadlines and doing your best to hit them will change your life—deadlines are magic.* Core Design Loop: Focus on regular it...

Ethan Mollick joins us today to share his insights into the rapidly evolving world of artificial intelligence. Ethan is an associate professor at the Wharton School of the University of Pennsylvania, specializing in innovation and entrepreneurship. He also co-directs the Generative AI Lab at Wharton, which focuses on developing prototypes and conducting research to explore how AI can help humans thrive while reducing risks. His body of work includes the book Co-Intelligence, a New York Times bestseller that delves into AI's current state and future, as well as numerous published papers in top academic journals.In this...

In this episode of "Think Like a Game Designer," I take a different approach by presenting a solo discussion without any guests. Here, I focus on a concept I introduced in a previous episode with Stephan Brissaud: the CORE Attributes. These attributes became very popular among listeners, so much so, that I thought it worth expanding upon in a new episode.I'll be elaborating on these core attributes, which I believe are essential for success: Curiosity, Obsession, Resilience, and Empathy. My goal is to provide a deeper understanding of these attributes in your life, offering insights and...

About Jonathan TweetJonathan Tweet joins us today to share his 25-year journey through the gaming industry. His impressive portfolio includes titles such as Ars Magica, Over the Edge, Everway, and Dungeons & Dragons 3rd Edition. In addition to his work in game design, Jonathan is also a successful children's book author. His book Grandmother Fish is the first designed to teach evolution to preschoolers, blending his game design expertise with educational storytelling. In this episode, Jonathan takes us through his beginnings, from self-publishing Ars Magica in 1987 to freelancing for games like RuneQuest and Call of Cthulhu. He...

Jeff Engelstein joins us today to share his expansive journey in the gaming world. An award-winning tabletop game designer, Jeff has crafted acclaimed titles such as Space Cadets, The Fog of War, Pit Crew, and Super Skill Pinball. Beyond game design, Jeff is an adjunct professor at the NYU Game Center, where he imparts his deep knowledge of game mechanics and theory. He has contributed extensively to the Dice Tower podcast series on the math, science, and psychology of games and has hosted the Ludology podcast, diving into the intricacies of game design. With a degree in physics and...

About Stephan BrissaudStephan Brissaud joins us today to explore his extensive career in navigating the gaming industry. With his roots beginning at Nintendo, Stephan has tackled roles from COO of Iello to President of the Game Manufacturers Association and Senior Director of Games at Funko. He’s not just a veteran; he’s a strategist and consultant who has mastered the art of bringing games from concept to consumer hands, navigating marketing strategies, distribution channels, and retail complexities. In today's episode, Stephan discusses how game design intertwines with marketing and expansion, sharing insights that creatives can't affo...

About Eric PriceEric Price, a veteran in the tabletop gaming industry, joins us to discuss his extensive journey from localizing Japanese games to spearheading innovative projects. As the president of Japanime Games and GAMMA, the Game Manufacturers Association, Eric transforms how games are experienced globally. Under his leadership, both organizations have flourished, fostering strong relationships with publishers, retailers, manufacturers, and designers. In our discussion, Eric unveils his latest venture, Oshie Push, a trading card game featuring VTuber characters, set to launch simultaneously with this podcast episode podcast. Tune in to gain insights from a visionary who...

Neeraj Kashyap, a pioneer in the blockchain gaming sector, joins us to share his journey from academia to the forefront of Web3 game development. As the founder and CEO of Moonstream.to, Neeraj leverages his Master of Science in Applied Mathematics and a PhD in Number Theory from Indiana University to design games for the blockchain. His company has not only launched over five games exclusively on the blockchain but has also guided many others in making their mark within the Web3 gaming landscape. In our conversation, Neeraj will offer insights into the challenges and potential of blockchain in...

About Ben RobbinsBen Robbins joins us to share his experiences creating acclaimed RPGs like Microscope and In This World. Known for his innovative approach to role-playing, Ben's work on Microscope has revolutionized how players build and explore vast timelines without a game master. In this episode, we discuss the creative processes behind his designs and his philosophy of making games that deepen connections among players to the use of Artificial Intelligence in games and creativity. Grab a notebook, because you won’t want to miss the lessons Ben has to share. Tune in to discover how Be...

Jason Morningstar, a trailblazer in role-playing game design, chats with us about his journey from passionate gamer to the mastermind behind innovative and award-winning RPGs like Fiasco, Night Witches, and Desperation. His work on Fiasco (among the 40+ games he’s designed) is a testament to his ability to craft games that offer unique emotional experiences. Join us for an intriguing discussion about pushing the boundaries of RPGs, the interplay between game design and culture, and the art of making games that matter. Tune-in to get into the mind of a game designer who's been changing the rules of the ga...