Game Design Unboxed: Inspiration to Publication

GDU 008-Abandon All Artichokes

In episode 8 of Game Design Unboxed: Inspiration to Publication we talk with Emma Larkin on how to design a game based on a name first. Abandon All Artichokes began with a list of funny alliterative names and a few people on social media saying “I’d buy that game”! From there Emma paired the game with a deck building/wrecking mechanic and redesigned over 100 times! Hear her story on how she worked with GameWright and her local design groups to grow this game into a success!

 

Featuring:

• Emma Larkin – Guest
• Danielle Reynolds – Host
• Ben Moy – Host
• Denice – Host

GDU 006-Thug Life

In episode 7 of Game Design Unboxed: Inspiration to Publication we speak with Jason Serrato on how to design and publish a controversially themed asymmetric take-that board game. Going from playtesting to Kickstarter to a documentary the game has been met with many challenges. Listen to Jason discuss all things Thug Life!

 

Featuring:

• Jason Serrato – Guest
• Danielle Reynolds – Host
• Ben Moy – Host

To follow Jason’s next Kickstarter Prosperitea go to www.facebook.com/ProsperiteaGame

 

GDU 006-Misdirection

In episode 6 of Game Design Unboxed: Inspiration to Publication we talk with Michael Langford, the designer of Misdirection, a Kickstarter that was fulfilled in 2019. Micheal decided to Kickstart his game after joining many Kickstarter Facebook groups like Board Game Spotlight and learned a lot of lessons between how to market, work with manufacturers in china and what to do when you end up with a crazy amount of bubble wrap on accident. He jokes that if there was a book on what not to do in a Kickstarter his face would be on it. So learn from him if you decide to go the Kickstarter route with your game!

 

Featuring:

• Michael Langford – Guest
• Danielle Reynolds – Host
• Ben Moy – Host
• Denice – Host

GDU 005-Trekking the National Parks & World

In episode 5 of Game Design Unboxed: Inspiration to Publication we talk with Charlie Bink the designer behind the Trekking the National Parks and World games. Charlie and his family worked to Kickstart the original edition of Trekking the National Parks which won a Mensa award in 2015. Charlie later partnered with Underdog Games to create a second edition and spiritual sequel to the game. Charlie took a break in his life to create the original edition including all the artwork and his life hasn’t been the same since. He and his family were featured in the Amazon Prime’s gaming documentary known as Gamemaster where they discussed the positives and negatives of working as a family. Charlie recaps his journey and talks about what’s next for the Trekking series!

 

Gamemaster Video: www.amazon.com/Gamemaster-Nashra-Balagamwala/dp/B08C4TWDS3

 

Featuring:

• Charlie Bink – Guest
• Danielle Reynolds – Host
• Ben Moy – Host

GDU 004-Hold That Face

In episode 4 of Game Design Unboxed: Inspiration to Publication we talk with Pam Walls about her Hasbro party game Hold That Face which was featured in the short lived Hasbro subscription box. Learn about her experience building the community Board Game Broads, starting up Protospiel Toronto and creating her own opportunities which led her to sign with Hasbro and later other publishers.

 

Featuring:

• Pam Walls – Guest
• Danielle Reynolds – Host
• Ben Moy – Host

GDU 003-Tattoo Stories

In episode 3 of Game Design Unboxed: Inspiration to Publication, we talk with Eric Slauson about his party game Tattoo Stories published by Bicycle Games.

Eric managed to design not one but two drawing games in the same year that allowed players that had limited art skills a chance to win using creative storytelling and memory. Tattoo Stories uses a combination of 5 elements to make up a tattoo that players will draw then describe to the round’s judge. Bicycle Games saw the potential in Eric’s design and now his game is featured in Target!

 

Featuring:

Eric Slauson – Guest

Danielle Reynolds – Host

Ben Moy – Host

GDU 002-Tiny Towns

In episode 2 of Game Design Unboxed: Inspiration to Publication Danielle, Ben, and Denice talk with Peter McPherson on his first published game, Tiny Towns from AEG.

The game was initially inspired by games like Minecraft with a spatial mechanic that is easy to understand but hard to master. Tiny Towns quickly shot up in popularity being one of the most sought after games in 2019. It was up for many of the biggest gaming awards such as the Mensa Award, Spiel der Spiele Hit für Familien, Golden Geek, and others! Peter talks about the success of the game and the creation of two expansions that add more depth, and the decision to take on a co-designer for developing these and other future expansions. New designers and hobbyists can enjoy his views on designing digitally in this COVID age.

 

Featuring:

• Peter McPherson – Guest
• Danielle Reynolds – Host
• Ben Moy – Host

GDU 001-Expancity

Danielle, Ben, and Denice speak with Alex Cutler, designer of Expancity by Breaking Games. Alex also co-designed “Before There Were Stars” by Smirk and Laughter, “Team 3” by Brain Games, and develops games for Pandasaurus. Alex talks about his journey of spending years working on his SimCity inspired game, from prototyping using Legos to learning how to 3-D print his building pieces. Alex took his love of city planning and architecture to design a game that allows players to build from the ground up. Alex shares his experiences of prototyping, finding Breaking Games, reviewing game design contracts and where the game is now a few years later. If you’re an aspiring designer you will not want to miss Alex’s tips on contracts and inspiring words about never giving up on a design.

 

Featuring:

• Alex Cutler – Guest
• Danielle Reynolds – Host
• Ben Moy – Host
• Denice – Host

GDU 000 - Meet Us

In episode 0 of Game Design Unboxed: Inspiration to Publication we meet Danielle, Ben and Denice the hosts of the podcast. They discuss what listeners will come to expect on the podcast in future episodes. They talk about their backgrounds, why they joined the show and what their hopes are for the future of the podcast. 

Featuring:

• Danielle Reynolds – Host
• Ben Moy – Host
• Denice – Host