#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
#305 Thirsty Suitors with Chandana Ekanayake [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 53:34
Dirk and David are joined by Chandana Ekanayake, Game Director of Outerloop Games and long-time designer. They discuss Eka's newly released Thirsty Suitors, a turn-based adventure game centering around culture, relations…
#304 Listener Questions November 2023 [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 58:34
It's time for another round of listener questions! In this episode, Dirk and David field questions from the community, discussing a variety of subjects. Topics include the validity and usefulness of player taxonomies, th…
#303 Darkest Dungeon 2 with Chris Bourassa and Tyler Sigman [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 1:07:59
This week, David is joined by Chris Bourassa, creative director and cofounder of Red Hook Studios, as well as Tyler Sigman, designer and fellow co-founder. Together, they discuss Red Hook's latest venture, Darkest Dungeo…
#302 Wildermyth with Nate Austin [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 51:43
Dirk and David are joined by Nate Austin, co-creator of myth-making tactical RPG Wildermyth. In this entry in the series on worldbuilding, Nate describes the origins of Wildermyth, and how he and his partners grew the ga…
#301 Design and Controls with Richard Lemarchand [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 1:01:49
Dirk is joined by returning guest host Soren Johnson in today's episode in the Design Talk series. Dirk and Soren speak with Richard Lemarchand, distinguished game designer and now-professor most well-known for his work…
#300 Tricentennial Celebration [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 59:41
Welcome to episode 300 of The Game Design Round Table! Dirk and David take the opportunity to celebrate this momentous milestone. They reflect on the role the show has played in their lives, their own journeys as designe…
#299 Worldbuilding with Ryan Laukat [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 45:55
Dirk is joined by Ryan Laukat, designer, illustrator, and co-founder of Red Raven Games, for the second installation in this series on worldbuilding. Ryan discusses his introduction and path into game design, the creatio…
#298 Tchia with Phil Crifo [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 51:37
Today on the show, Dirk and David are joined by Phil Crifo, game director at Awaceb, most prominently known for his work on Fossil Echo and Tchia. He discusses growing up in New Caledonia, and how it serves as an influen…
#297 Gerson Da Silva Talks Kingdom Rush [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 44:53
Dirk and David are joined by Gerson Da Silva, Director at Ironhide Game Studio and co-founder of Totem Games. Gerson is best known for his work on the Kingdom Rush series, as well as Water 2050. This episode delves into…
#295 Kingdoms and Castles with Lion Shield Studios [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 51:04
Dirk is joined by Pete Angstadt and Michael Peddicard, co-founders of Lion Shield Studios, to talk about the design and success of Kingdoms and Castles. They discuss designing in the city builder genre, as well as how th…