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Artwork for The Game Design Round Table

The Game Design Round Table

Dirk Knemeyer & David V. Heron
Wildermyth
Game Design
Game Development
Indie Games
RPG
Darkest Dungeon 2
Magic System
Procedural Narrative
Character Development
Tactical Combat
Thirsty Suitors
Civ Games
Community Feedback
Worldwalker Games
Tunic
Civilization VII
Dungeons and Dragons
A Highland Song
Mobile Games
Desktop Games

Covering the full breadth of digital, tabletop, and role playing games, The Game Design Round Table inspires and educates aspiring and experienced game designers.

PublishesWeeklyEpisodes379Founded13 years ago
Number of ListenersCategories
ArtsDesign

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Artwork for The Game Design Round Table

Latest Episodes

In this episode of the RPG series, host David Heron speaks with Mike Mearls , a key figure behind Dungeons & Dragons 5th Edition. They dive into what makes both D&D and Magic: The Gathering compelling at their core, how designers can take their first... more

In this episode of Behind the Cardboard, host Ellie Dix sits down with designer Brett Gilbert for a candid conversation about one of the most challenging parts of game design: abandonment and rejection. They explore why certain game concepts are more... more

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 orig... more

In this episode of Behind the Cardboard, host Ellie Dix sits down with designer Marcus Ross for a deep dive into the world of conventions and trade shows in the tabletop industry. They explore what makes different conventions unique, how to define a ... more

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Recent Guests

Keith Baker
Creator of the Eberron campaign setting for Dungeons and Dragons
Dungeons and Dragons
Episode: Season: RPG - Constructing Eberron with Keith Baker
Marcus Ross
Game designer from Omaha, Nebraska
Episode: BtC- Marcus Ross on conventions
Chris Backe
Experienced game designer living in Birmingham, UK, known for titles such as Gunpowder, Treason and Plot and Dino, Dino Boom.
No Box Games
Episode: BtC- Chris Backe on Digital Tools
Chrissy Fagerholt
Game designer from Denver, Colorado known for her humorous and competitive games.
EAP Toys & Games
Episode: BtC- Chrissy Fagerholt on social media
Jeff Perkins
Designer of Tribe Net, originally Tribe Vibes
Episode: Season: RPG - Play-by-email with Jeff Perkins
Mike Mason
Longtime designer of the Call of Cthulhu role playing game.
Chaosium
Episode: Season: RPG - Cthulhu fhtagn! with Mike Mason
Matthew Dunstan
Game designer living in Newcastle, Australia, known for many award-nominated games.
Ravensburger, Cosmos
Episode: BtC - Matthew Dunstan on Making and Nurturing Connections with Publishers
April Mitchell
An American designer with notable awards including Mojo 100 and the Taggy for Game Innovator of the Year.
Hootenanny Games, Moco Games
Episode: BtC with April Mitchell on Sizzle Reels
Justin Alexander
RPG designer and author of 'So You Want to Be a Game Master'
The Alexandrian
Episode: Season: RPG - GM as Designer with Justin Alexander

Hosts

Dirk Niemeyer
Host with extensive experience in game design and a passion for facilitating discussions on the intricacies of gameplay mechanics.
David Heron
Co-host and game designer sharing his insights on industry trends and practical tips for designing games.
Ellie Dix
Host focusing on community engagement and marketing within the game design realm.

Reviews

4.8 out of 5 stars from 298 ratings
  • Love this show

    I believe I’ve listened to every episode. I’m not a designer but design certainly interests me.

    Glad the show has stepped into discussion of RPGs in recent years, as that was the one facet that was missing.

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    deedoublejay
    Canada3 months ago
  • These guys are super annoying!

    Just listened to the slay the spire episode and I am impressed at how bad of interviewers these hosts are. They clearly want to seem smarter than the guest at all costs and it’s awful to listen to

    Apple Podcasts
    1
    Njsjisisisndjd
    United States2 years ago
  • Your advertising plays again but the 2nd time over the top of your guests introduction. Might want to double check this episode.

    Podcast Addict
    2
    Atrak
    2 years ago
  • A must-listen!

    I recently discovered Game Design Round Table and have been consistently impressed by the wealth of knowledge and insights share in each episode. No matter the topic - you’re guaranteed to learn something new every time you tune in. Go ahead and give it a “follow,” this podcast will quickly become a favorite in your feed!

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    mvelasco07
    United States3 years ago
  • Serves its niche well

    Probably not as interesting if you’re not a designer, but I am and it’s always something worthwhile. They have a wide range of guests, and the combination of tabletop and digital expertise works nicely.

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    David Dunham
    United States3 years ago

Listeners Say

Key themes from listener reviews, highlighting what works and what could be improved about the show.

There are mixed reactions regarding the hosts' interviewing style, with some finding it engaging and others critiquing it as overly intellectual or dry.
Listeners praise the extensive knowledge and insights shared by both hosts and guests.
The podcast serves as an invaluable resource for aspiring game designers, offering practical advice and industry insights.

Chart Rankings

How this podcast ranks in the Apple Podcasts, Spotify and YouTube charts.

Apple Podcasts
#77
United States/Arts/Design
Apple Podcasts
#44
United Kingdom/Arts/Design
Apple Podcasts
#145
Canada/Arts/Design
Apple Podcasts
#37
Germany/Arts/Design
Apple Podcasts
#100
France/Arts/Design
Apple Podcasts
#150
Australia/Arts/Design

Talking Points

Recent interactions between the hosts and their guests.

BtC- Marcus Ross on conventions
Q: What about a convention like Geekway to the West, what categorizes it as a success?
For Marcus, success at Geekway is playing 20 new games that are all published.
BtC- Marcus Ross on conventions
Q: What do you find as a designer is beneficial for you to go to these events?
Marcus focuses on the public interactions, trends in games, and networking with industry friends.
BtC- Marcus Ross on conventions
Q: What are your go-to events?
Marcus mentioned attending Geek Way to the West, BGGCon, and Origins regularly.
BtC- Chris Backe on Digital Tools
Q: What's the best thing for you about being a board game designer?
It's a magical journey with a broad array of skills required, making each day different from the last.
BtC- Chris Backe on Digital Tools
Q: What is the worst thing for you about being a board game designer?
I am both blessed and cursed with too many ideas, leading to challenges in focusing on completing games.

Audience Metrics

Listeners, social reach, demographics and more for this podcast.

Listeners per Episode
Gender Skew
Location
Interests
Professions
Age Range
Household Income
Social Media Reach

Frequently Asked Questions About The Game Design Round Table

What is The Game Design Round Table about and what kind of topics does it cover?

Content often revolves around discussions of game design, covering topics such as tabletop games, digital games, and role-playing games. Noteworthy episodes explore the intricacies of game mechanics, community engagement, and the impact of conventions on game development. Unique insights are shared by experienced game designers, including practical advice for both aspiring and seasoned creators. The series is characterized by its comprehensive approach, allowing listeners to gain diverse perspectives on game creation and to hear directly from notable figures within the gaming community.

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How many listeners does The Game Design Round Table get?

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How many subscribers and views does The Game Design Round Table have?

To see how many followers or subscribers The Game Design Round Table has on Spotify and other platforms such as Castbox and Podcast Addict, simply upgrade your account. You'll also find viewership figures for their YouTube channel if they have one.

Which podcasts are similar to The Game Design Round Table?

These podcasts share a similar audience with The Game Design Round Table:

1. Think Like A Game Designer
2. So Very Wrong About Games
3. The Dice Tower
4. Shut Up & Sit Down
5. Board Game Hot Takes

How many episodes of The Game Design Round Table are there?

The Game Design Round Table launched 13 years ago and published 379 episodes to date. You can find more information about this podcast including rankings, audience demographics and engagement in our podcast database.

How do I contact The Game Design Round Table?

Our systems regularly scour the web to find email addresses and social media links for this podcast. We scanned the web and collated all of the contact information that we could find in our podcast database. But in the unlikely event that you can't find what you're looking for, our concierge service lets you request our research team to source better contacts for you.

Where can I see ratings and reviews for The Game Design Round Table?

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What guests have appeared on The Game Design Round Table?

Recent guests on The Game Design Round Table include:

1. Keith Baker
2. Marcus Ross
3. Chris Backe
4. Chrissy Fagerholt
5. Jeff Perkins
6. Mike Mason
7. Matthew Dunstan
8. April Mitchell

To view more recent guests and their details, simply upgrade your Rephonic account. You'll also get access to a typical guest profile to help you decide if the show is worth pitching.

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