#334 New Year, New Format, New Us

#334 New Year, New Format, New Us

Author: Dirk Knemeyer & David V. Heron January 21, 2025 Duration: 54:09

2024 was an excellent year for game design, and 2025 is looking to be even better. As time moves forward, TGDRT must evolve just as our favorite games do. Dirk and David discuss the state of the show; what worked, what didn't, and what the future holds for the show. They also announce TGDRT's brand new programming, Roundtable Retrospective and Behind the Cardboard with Ellie Dix, discussing the exciting new content focused on the behind the scenes of making games.


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
#294 Worldbuilding with Kaitlin Tremblay [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 41:53
Dirk and David join Kaitlin Tremblay, fiction and collaborative game design author and co-founder of Soft Rains Games. In this inaugural episode in the new series of Worldbuilding, the table discusses what role worldbuil…
#293 Interview with Mark Rosewater [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 54:35
Dirk and David interview Mark Rosewater, the long-time lead designer of the legendary card game Magic: the Gathering. Mark shares his wisdom on how to make a game that can continue to be designed over time, as well as ho…
#292 TGDRT Roundtable With Dirk and David [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 1:00:12
Dirk and David take a stroll down memory lane and discuss their personal journeys, as well as the evolution the show has taken. They discuss the process of taking on a leadership role, the influence of the market on the…
#291 Tana Tanoi Talks Mini Motorways [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 54:41
Tana Tanoi, technical designer at Dinosaur Polo Club, joins Dirk to discuss designing Mini Motorways and Mini Metro, as well as what goes into designing games that simulate the real world. Topics include the power of sim…
#290 Sustainability in Games with Carlos Flores and jess Metheringham [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 57:52
Carlos Flores, director of NABERS, and Jess Metherigham, chair of Unlock Democracy, join Dirk in discussing the Green Games Guide, a resource geared towards sustainability in games, and the reality of what it takes to ma…
#289 AI and Generative Content with Matt Kim [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 44:32
Matt, Creative Director for Inworld AI, joins Dirk and David to talk about the potential of generative AI to push the boundaries of what games can do. The three discuss how AI has developed, and what possibilities the te…
#288 Augmented Reality in Games with Graham Moore [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 53:36
AR game designer Graham Moore joins Dirk and David to talk about his work merging tabletop wargaming with augmented reality technology. Topics discussed include how AR can benefit wargaming, the balance of information cl…
#287 Diving Into Cards With Rob Daviau [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 58:14
Former cohost Rob Daviau joins Dirk and David to discuss card games in the context of his upcoming game Unmatched Adventures. After catching up on the state of Rob's company Restoration Games, the trio start their deep d…
#286 Listener Questions February 2023 [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 1:04:13
Kathryn rejoins Dirk and David to answer several questions from listeners in our Discord channel. Former cohost Rob Daviau also records a bonus answer to a question about legacy games.

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