Season: RPG - Constructing Eberron with Keith Baker

Season: RPG - Constructing Eberron with Keith Baker

Author: Dirk Knemeyer & David V. Heron November 25, 2025 Duration: 56:15

In this RPG episode, hosts Dirk Knemeyer and David Heron welcome legendary designer Keith Baker, writer and designer for Eberron, to explore the world-building and design philosophies behind one of D&D's most iconic settings. Keith discusses the origins of Eberron, how each edition carries its core essence forward, and the influence of his work on projects like Phoenix. They dive into player autonomy, narrative flexibility, and what makes these choices succeed at the table. A rich, insightful conversation for anyone who loves worldbuilding or wants to understand the craft behind great RPG settings.


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
Season: RPG - Prologue [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 1:04:05
TDGRT kicks off its first season on RPGs with a discussion on Dirk and David's experiences, and where they want to take the season from here. They talk about the pros and cons of modern Dungeons and Dragons, and alternat…
BtC - Adam Porter on Playtesting [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 38:56
Ellie Dix is joined by Adam Porter, designer of Kompromat, Pikoko, and Doodle Rush. Together, they discuss the playtesting process, why it's so important, and the biggest mistakes people make while playtesting. Topics in…
Civ Series Finale Part 2 - Civilization VII [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 58:12
Dirk and David continue their discussion in part 2 of TGDRT's Civilization Series Finale! They dive into many of the systems that didn't work for them, and what they wish had been done instead. Topics include religion an…
BtC - Scott Rogers on Prototyping [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 52:50
Ellie Dix is joined by Scott Rogers, designer Alien: Fate of Nostrodomo, Pantone the Game, and Marvel Villainous and writer of many books on game design. Together, they discuss how to build the prototype for a game, how…
Civ Series Finale Part 1 - Civilization VII [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 53:59
The time has finally come; Civilization VII is out! After many hours with the game, Dirk and David come together to share their thoughts on the game. Did it live up to the hype? How does Civ VII stack up to previous game…
BtC - Naming Games with Peter Hayward [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 35:34
Ellie is joined by Peter Hayward, designer of games such as Robotopia, Fiction, and That Time You Killed Me. Ellie and Peter discuss not only the process for naming a game, but also how names affect pitching and publishi…
Civ Series 10 - Listener Questions [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 1:03:14
Civilization 7 approaches! As we prepare to share our thoughts on Civ 7, we answer another round of listener questions. Topics include Dirk and David's ideal Civ game, how to approach kingmaking in multiplayer games, and…
BtC - Sen-Foong Lim on Motivation [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 46:14
This week on Behind the Cardboard, Ellie is joined by Sen-Foong Lim, ENNIE winner and designer of Mind: MGMT, Corpse of Discovery, and The Revenant Society.
Civ Series 9 - Where are we now with Soren Johnson [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 1:07:56
The Civilization Series returns with Soren Johnson, lead designer of Civilization IV, Offworld Trading Company, and Old World. They discuss the teasers for Civilization VII, what they're excited for, what they're worried…
BtC - Daryl Andrews on Generating Ideas [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 37:17
Ellie Dix is joined for the inaugural episode of Behind the Cardboard by Daryl Andrews, designer of Sagrada, The Real Truth, and Kodama 3D among many others. Together, they discuss Daryl's career, how he comes up with ne…