Game Design Unboxed: Inspiration to Publication

GDU 038 - Slingshot Maneuver

In episode 38 of Game Design Unboxed: Inspiration to Publication we talk with Josh Kaplan a youtube reviewer and abstract game designer. Josh discusses having a game in print and selling out in a month and what happens to your game when a publisher’s company hits hard times. Plus, tips on how to pitch to publishers you already have a relationship with on the media-side of the industry.

 

Featuring: 

Josh Kaplan - Guest 

Danielle Reynolds - Host

 

GDU 037 - The Night Cage

In episode 37 of Game Design Unboxed: Inspiration to Publication we talk with Christopher Ryan Chan, one of the co-designers and the illustrator of the Night Cage published by Smirk & Dagger Games. We discuss creating a narrative when designing a horror themed board game using mechanics and art to create a feel that adds to the gameplay. Also, knowing who your demographic is can help shape your game design.

 

Featuring: 

Christopher Ryan Chan - Guest 

Danielle Reynolds - Host

GDU 036 - Cascadia

In episode 36 of Game Design Unboxed: Inspiration to Publication we talk with Randy Flynn about his design Cascadia published by Flatout Games. This tile-laying puzzle  game of building habitats and expanding your wildlife has become so popular that it has been printed in various languages. Randy talks about his experience developing the game with Flatout’s Collab program and growing as a designer through it. 

 

Featuring: 

Randy Flynn - Guest 

Danielle Reynolds - Host

GDU 035 - Phantom Ink

In episode 35 of Game Design Unboxed: Inspiration to Publication we talk with Mary Flanagan about her co-design Phantom Ink published by her company Resynom Games. She speaks about her experience starting on the video game side during the “.com boom” in the early 90s to transitioning to tabletop games. Mary is an artist, designer, business owner and so many more things. She designs based on feel which compliments her co-designer who focuses on the mechanics first to build fun games like Phantom Ink and others. She also talks about her experience being a woman in a male dominated industry and how she intentionally hires female artists and others in order to add more diversity to her games and the industry as a whole.

 

Featuring: 

Mary Flanagan - Guest 

Danielle Reynolds - Host

GDU 034 - Synchronized

In episode 34 of Game Design Unboxed: Inspiration to Publication we talk with Amelie Le-Roche a co-designer and artist of Synchronized published by her company Zerua Games. Amelie talks about how they took a suggested theme and turned it into a game. How the “fun” was there from the initial playtest which motivated them to continue working on the game and using Kickstarter to make it a reality. Learn about this uniquely themed memory game and how to get the most out of your box design! 

 

Featuring: 

Amelie Le-Roche - Guest 

Danielle Reynolds - Host

GDU 033 - Century: Spice Road

In episode 33 of Game Design Unboxed: Inspiration to Publication we talk with Emerson Matsuuchi the designer of Century: Spice Road, Century: Eastern Wonders, Century: A New World and the Golem Editions published by Plan B Games. Emerson talks about one lighting in a bottle game Century: Spice Road, plus designing two follow up games that were both standalones as well as could be combined into a heavier weighted game. This design challenge was something that was both difficult and rewarding for him. See how he introduced new players to popular mechanics in his Century games. 

 

Featuring: 

Emerson Matsuuchi - Guest 

Danielle Reynolds - Host

GDU 032 - Pipeline

In episode 32 of Game Design Unboxed: Inspiration to Publication we talk with Ryan Courtney the designer of Pipeline published by Capstone Games. Ryan created an amazing business simulation about the refinement of oil and how it has been a part of the government-controlled energy sector. He talks about making his design incredibly thematic but needing to refine the design to get the time and difficulty down to make it into the product you can currently purchase. Also, how it took many no’s from the publisher before they decided to sign Pipeline. This game went through a lot of changes to become the success that it is now so check it out!

 

Featuring: 

Ryan Courtney - Guest 

Danielle Reynolds - Host

GDU 031 - Blinks System

In episode 31 of Game Design Unboxed: Inspiration to Publication we talk with Move38's Founder & CEO Jon Bobrow about the Blinks System. His system was created as a mash-up between a toy, video game and board game using electronic hexagon tiles that each hold a single game. Each tile will train the others in the system to learn that specific game. Jon has worked with outside designers and his internal team over the past 2+ years to create tons of fun games that can be played using this system. Their most recent Blinks Party Pack will be on Kickstarter starting February 22nd as well as another print run of their initial system. Go to https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/move38/blinks-party-games/ to back their Kickstarter! 

 

If you’re interested in designing your own game for the Blinks system, consider coming to a Game Jam hosted by Move38 in partnership with Tabletop Gaymers on Saturday, March 12 from noon to 6pm in Long Island City, NY. Or purchase a development kit on their website!

 

Featuring: 

Jon Bobrow - Guest 

Danielle Reynolds - Host

GDU 030 - Summit

In episode 30 of Game Design Unboxed: Inspiration to Publication we talk with Conor McGoey, the founder of Inside Up Games as well as the designer behind Summit, Vault Assault, Gorus Maximus, and more! Summit was not only his first published game but it had a competitive, cooperative and solo mode attached to it. Learn how he turned the success of this game into a company. 

 

Featuring: 

Conor McGoey - Guest 

Danielle Reynolds - Host

GDU 029 - Savage Sisters

In episode 29 of Game Design Unboxed: Inspiration to Publication we talk with Graham Gentz, a writer and designer on "Savage Sisters." He also performs with 9th Level Games as "Fomo" the kobold puppet. Savage Sisters was designed by Adriel Wilson and uses the Polymorph RPG system designed by Chris O'Neill. Learn more about the Polymorph system and what makes Savage Sisters unique in the RPG world!

 

Featuring: 

Graham Gentz - Guest 

Danielle Reynolds - Host