#296 Listener Questions

#296 Listener Questions

Author: Dirk Knemeyer & David V. Heron August 1, 2023 Duration: 53:40

Dirk and David gather for another round of listener questions! They answer how to balance mechanical options and variety in a game, trends in how genres are under- or over-utilized, and the impact of live streaming on designing and marketing a game. Topics include the evolution of Legend of the Five Rings, the gameplay loops of extraction shooters and battle royales, and polarizing opinions on the idle/clicker genre.


Dirk Knemeyer and David V. Heron host The Game Design Round Table, a conversation that digs into the craft behind all kinds of games. Whether it's the latest digital release, a strategic tabletop session, or an immersive role-playing campaign, this podcast treats game design as a serious and fascinating discipline. The discussions move beyond simple reviews to explore the mechanics, psychology, and artistic choices that make games work. You'll hear the hosts break down specific elements from both popular and niche titles, analyzing what succeeds and what doesn't with a critical yet constructive eye. Their approach is grounded in real experience, offering practical insights rather than abstract theory. This makes each episode valuable whether you're sketching your first prototype or have been in the industry for years. The tone is conversational and detailed, like listening in on a brainstorming session between two seasoned professionals. They naturally cover the entire landscape of the field, connecting lessons from one medium to another in ways that are often surprising. For anyone who has ever wondered why a particular rule feels so satisfying or how narrative integrates with player agency, this podcast provides thoughtful commentary. It’s a consistent source of education and inspiration, reminding listeners that game design is an ever-evolving art form. Tune in to join the round table and deepen your understanding of what happens behind the screen and under the rulebook.
Author: Language: en-us Episodes: 100

The Game Design Round Table
Podcast Episodes
#325 Civilization Series 7 with Jon Shafer [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 57:15
Enjoy episode #325 of The Game Design Round Table. In this episode, we discuss the new Civ 7 game with Jon Shafer, the co-founder of the show and a digital games designer. This will be our seventh episode in the Civ game…
#324 Civilization Series 6: Civ 7 First Look [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 57:26
Civilization 7 has just been revealed! Dirk and David discuss their first impressions from the reveal stream, from the exciting new mechanics to what should have been left behind. They also talk about what they would lik…
#323 Tunic with Andrew Shouldice [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 51:14
Dirk is joined this week by Andrew Shouldice, creator of isometric action-exploration game Tunic. They discuss the journey of developing Tunic, and the lessons learned from a lengthy production. Topics include Andrew's a…
#322 Future of Legacy Games with Rob Daviau [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 56:11
In this episode, Dirk and David welcome Rob Daviau, known for creating legacy board games. They discuss what Rob has been working on, the process of designing legacy games, staying true to the original, and the future of…
#321 Civilization Series 5 with Will Thompson [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 47:21
Welcome back to the Civilization Series! In this episode, Dirk welcomes Will Thompson, the creator of the upcoming game Winter Rabbit. Here, they discuss Will's vision for Civilization and the integration of Indigenous t…
#320 Civilization Series 4 [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 56:38
Dirk and David come together once more to discuss the civilization series! This week, topics include David's thoughts on Civilization 6, the value in how the world map is created, what the games choose to simulate, and w…
#319 Listener Questions June 2024 [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 57:36
Join us for another round of listener questions! David and Dirk discuss topics such as whether and how to avoid game-breaking synergies, what impact finances has on the love of design, and balancing strategy and role pla…
#318 Modules and RPGSEA with Pam Punzalan [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 53:43
Dirk and David are joined by Pam Punzalan, known for her work on personal projects such as Navthem's End and A Rising Tide, as well as commissioned pieces for Dungeons and Dragons, Blades in the Dark, and Starfinder. Tog…
#317 Earthborne Rangers with Andrew Navaro [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 58:28
Dirk and David are joined by Andrew Navaro, creator of open-world board game Earthborne Rangers. They discuss how Earthborne Rangers was developed, and the lessons learned from the project. Topics include the making of a…
#316 Citizen Sleeper with Gareth Damian Martin [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 55:10
Dirk and David meet with Gareth Damian Martin, creator of In Other Waters and Citizen Sleeper. They discuss Gareth's design journey, as well as the process of creating Citizen Sleeper. Topics include the use of tabletop…