#300 Tricentennial Celebration

#300 Tricentennial Celebration

Author: Dirk Knemeyer & David V. Heron September 26, 2023 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 designers, and hear from friends new and old.  Thank you all for listening, whether this is your first episode or you've been listening from the beginning. 


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
#315 Civilization Series 3 [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 52:12
Welcome back to the Civilization Series. In the third installment, David and Dirk break down their experiences with Millennia, the latest 4X offering from C Prompt Games and Paradox Interactive. They discuss what aspects…
#314 Designing to Ship with Xalavier Nelson Jr [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 56:46
Dirk and David interview prolific designer and leader Xalavier Nelson Jr. They discuss Xalavier's illustrious and busy career, focusing on his philosophy of how to ship a game as well as knowing your own capabilities. To…
#313 Civilization Series 2 [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 57:15
Welcome to the second episode of the series on the "Civilization" games, as well as other 4X titles. Continuing from episode one, the pair talk about the phenomenon of "One More Turn", using overlapping progression paths…
#312 Civilization Series 1 [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 55:31
This episode marks the beginning of a new series focused on the Civilization series of games. Dirk and David are joined by Soren Johnson to discuss their background with the Civilization games, and how they got introduce…
#311 Innovating Themes with Anna Anthropy [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 52:45
Dirk and Kathryn Hymes meet this episode to talk with Anna Anthropy, digital and tabletop designer known for her prolific work with non-traditional themes. They discuss Anna's career in game design, and her path into bec…
#310 Listener Questions [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 46:35
Dirk and David answer another round of listener questions! They discuss how mobile and desktop games differ, what makes a game "broken", and tips to follow when designing around a licensed property. They also delve into…
#309 Industry and Loose Leaf with Tanya X. Short [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 55:02
Dirk and David are joined by Tanya X. Short, Captain of Kitfox Games. They discuss the balance between appealing to market sensibilities and following one's own interests, and how to make them work together. They also di…
#308 Narrative AI with Emily Short [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 51:12
Dirk and David are joined by legendary interactive fiction writer and creative director of Failbetter Games Emily Short. The trio discuss Emily's career, her contributions to interactive fiction, and some of her thoughts…
#307 Roundtable with Soren Johnson [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 52:11
Dirk and David are joined by Soren Johnson, friend of the show and founder of Mohawk Games. The trio answers questions and design problems from the community, and follow up on recent episodes. Topics include achievements…
#306 A Highland Song with Jon Ingold [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 57:30
Dirk and David are joined by Jon Ingold, narrative designer and co-founder of Inkle Studios. They discuss Inkle's newly released video game A Highland Song, centered around exploration, discovery, and engaging the human…