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Artwork for Think Like A Game Designer

Think Like A Game Designer

Justin Gary
Game Design
Slay the Spire
Game Development
Playtesting
Community Engagement
Mega Crit Studios
Game Monetization
Soulforge Fusion
Creativity
Storytelling
Burnout
Philosophy
League Of Legends
Arcane
Fiasco
Microscope
Oshie Push
Thousand Year Old Vampire
Creative Resistance
Guitar Hero

In Think Like a Game Designer, award-winning designer and Stone Blade Entertainment CEO Justin Gary speaks with world-class game designers and creative experts from various industries. Each episode deconstructs the creative process, offering insights into the art of game design and the broader cultural, technological, and business influences shaping a myriad of creative mediums. Join us for action... more

PublishesTwice monthlyEpisodes104Founded7 years ago
Number of ListenersCategories
LeisureArtsDesign

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Artwork for Think Like A Game Designer

Latest Episodes

About Carly

Carly McGinnis is the driving force behind one of the fastest-growing tabletop companies in history. As CEO of Exploding Kittens, she’s helped lead the company to over 25 million games sold and dozens of successful launches, all while ke... more

About Kyle

Kyle Thiermann is a professional big-wave surfer, journalist, and creative director whose career bridges storytelling, advertising, and adventure. He’s written for Men’s Health, Surfer, and Outside Magazine, and helped shape campaigns for... more

Touko Tahkokallio is one of the rare designers who has mastered both tabletop and digital worlds. Starting out as a theoretical physicist, Touko shifted careers to follow his passion for play. First by designing acclaimed board games like Eclipse, th... more

About this Episode

This episode is a little different from the usual Think Like a Game Designer conversation. Instead of a freeform discussion, I came prepared with a curated list of questions to guide the conversation, giving us a structured look i... more

Key Facts

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Contact Information
Podcast Host
Number of Listeners
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Recent Guests

Kyle Thiermann
Professional big wave surfer, journalist, and creative director
Author and copywriter for brands like Patagonia and Yeti
Episode: Kyle Thiermann — Deadlines, Mentors, Curiosity, and the Craft of Connection (#95)
Touko Tahkokallio
Self-proclaimed Finnish game designer, professional video game developer, and theoretical physicist.
Co-founder and Chief Creative Officer at Stellar Core
Episode: Touko Tahkokallio — Curiosity, Physics, and the Power of Mental Playtesting (#94)
Jordan Weisman
Creator of Battletech and Shadowrun, and founder of WizKids
Episode: Jordan Weisman — From Battletech to Shadowrun: The Power of Curiosity and Collaboration (#93)
Jonathan Grant
Creative director at Zynga, founder of Orbital Games, and co-host of the podcast We Thought It Would Be Easy.
Zynga
Episode: Jonathan Grant — Critics, Experiments, Secrets, and the Business of Play (#92)
Elan Lee
Co-founder of Exploding Kittens and veteran game designer
Exploding Kittens
Episode: Elan Lee — Building Exploding Kittens, Marketing as Design, Retail Pitches, and Playing to Sell (#91)
Tim Ferriss
Author, podcaster, and game designer
Tim Ferriss Show
Episode: Tim Ferriss — Designing Coyote, Playing to Learn, Publishing Truths, and Saying "No" (#89)
Cole Wehrle
Creative Director at Leder Games, known for his work on Root and Oath
Leder Games
Episode: Cole Wehrle — Cute Creatures, Brutal Games, Asymmetric Design, and Subverting Expectations (#88)
Amy Lowe
Marketing strategist with over 20 years of experience helping brands connect with audiences.
Game Manufacturers Association
Episode: Amy Lowe — Finding Your X Factor, Marketing with Heart, and Serving the Right Players (#87)
Derek Sivers
Musician, entrepreneur, author, and philosopher; founder of CD Baby
Episode: Derek Sivers — Embracing Simplicity, Owning Your Weirdness, and Designing a Life with Intent (#86)

Host

Justin Gary
Award-winning designer and CEO of Stone Blade Entertainment, Justin Gary hosts in-depth discussions with experts in game design and creativity.

Reviews

4.9 out of 5 stars from 244 ratings
  • Tim Ferris for the boardgame industry

    Justin thoughts and comments alone are worth listening but when you pair him with game industry titans, you get a fascinating conversation, always. Inspiring, thoughts provoking, I always walk away with something to think about.

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    LafayetteSB
    United States6 months ago
  • Awesome

    I’m now sure if this review gets attached to the episode or the show but either way. There are few podcast series that I have joined 40 episodes in and felt compelled to listen to every episode of the back catalogue. I love how Justin thinks, presents topics and engages with his guests. This episode was stand out though. As a game design nerd it’s great to listen to some next level ideas on the ways games and play can be viewed in the context of society and the individual. Great stuff.

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    Henna.bob
    Australia2 years ago
  • Justin does a great job, amazing guests, really great insight, and a joy to listen to. If you are a game designer this is a must listen.

    Podchaser
    5
    George
    2 years ago
  • Inspiring!!

    Thank You, Justin Gary, for making this available to the public! This information is so valuable and important to any level of game designer, whether first year or fifteenth. I cannot recommend it enough!

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    East Atlanta Game Lab
    United States3 years ago
  • 3 episodes in and they've all been really great! Insightful and a different take than other game design podcasts.

    Podcast Addict
    5
    Rizz
    3 years ago

Listeners Say

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

There are mentions of the variety of topics covered, showcasing the podcast's ability to blend technical discussions with broader cultural implications in creative work.
Listeners appreciate the actionable insights provided by industry professionals, emphasizing their value towards improving their own skills in game design.
Many reviews highlight the engaging conversations and personal stories that inspire creativity, facilitating a connection with the craft of game design.
Listeners value the host's ability to draw out meaningful insights from guests, enhancing their understanding of the creative process.

Chart Rankings

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

Apple Podcasts
#219
Finland/Leisure
Apple Podcasts
#227
Colombia/Leisure
Apple Podcasts
#238
Argentina/Leisure
Apple Podcasts
#247
India/Leisure
Apple Podcasts
#248
Israel/Leisure

Talking Points

Recent interactions between the hosts and their guests.

Tim Ferriss — Designing Coyote, Playing to Learn, Publishing Truths, and Saying "No" (#89)
Q: What is the significance of the cooperative vs. competitive mode in games?
Tim believes that cooperative modes allow players to bond while competitive modes can be entertaining if managed correctly.
Tim Ferriss — Designing Coyote, Playing to Learn, Publishing Truths, and Saying "No" (#89)
Q: How do you approach new creative projects and manage fear?
Tim suggests treating new projects as experiments, allowing room for learning and growth without attachment to outcomes.
Derek Sivers — Embracing Simplicity, Owning Your Weirdness, and Designing a Life with Intent (#86)
Q: What got you thinking about things in this way?
Sivers credits his exposure to heavy metal at a young age as the catalyst for his intense focus on music, which ultimately became his life's mission.
Dafna Pleban — Editing Underwater, Building Creative Teams, and the Economics of Storytelling (#83)
Q: What advice would you have for those interested in getting into the field?
Self-publishing is a very legitimate way into the industry and showing an editor what you can do is a big advantage.
Jesse Alexander — Mastering the Creative Hustle, Fighting for Bold Ideas, and Thriving in a Changing Industry (#80)
Q: How do you feel about the impact of AI on the creative profession?
AI will shape and change the creative landscape, making it essential for creators to learn how to use it effectively.

Audience Metrics

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

Listeners per Episode
Gender Skew
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Frequently Asked Questions About Think Like A Game Designer

What is Think Like A Game Designer about and what kind of topics does it cover?

This podcast explores the intricacies of game design and the creative processes behind it by engaging with leading game designers and creative professionals across various fields. Topics frequently discussed include marketing strategies, player engagement, and the evolving trends in both tabletop and digital gaming. The engaging commentary often highlights the significance of community feedback in game development and emphasizes actionable insights that aspiring designers can employ. Unique perspectives on the intersection of creativity, technology, and culture offer listeners a wealth of knowledge that transcends the gaming industry. Listeners can expect a blend of personal anecdotes, professional strategies, and interviews that provide a ... more

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Which podcasts are similar to Think Like A Game Designer?

These podcasts share a similar audience with Think Like A Game Designer:

1. The Game Design Round Table
2. So Very Wrong About Games
3. The Dice Tower
4. Fun Problems
5. Board Game Hot Takes

How many episodes of Think Like A Game Designer are there?

Think Like A Game Designer launched 7 years ago and published 104 episodes to date. You can find more information about this podcast including rankings, audience demographics and engagement in our podcast database.

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What guests have appeared on Think Like A Game Designer?

Recent guests on Think Like A Game Designer include:

1. Kyle Thiermann
2. Touko Tahkokallio
3. Jordan Weisman
4. Jonathan Grant
5. Elan Lee
6. Tim Ferriss
7. Cole Wehrle
8. Amy Lowe

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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