Peter and AJ explore the concept of genre within board games, comparing it to the well-defined genres found in films and novels. They discuss the challenges of applying traditional genre theory to board games, which often rely on mechanisms rather than genres to define them. The conversation touches on the importance of genre in other media, highli…

In this milestone episode, Peter revisits his popular theory on cooperative games, originally discussed on Gabe Barrett's Board Game Design Lab. He introduces a new type of co-op game that has emerged in recent years, expanding the original framework of limited communication and against-the-game co-ops. Peter and AJ delve into the intricacies of th…

In this episode, we're bringing you "unhelpful" advice on how to navigate the world of game development. Join us as we discuss our experiences, insights, and the quirks of the industry. Discover why having a brand as a designer matters, the significance of player interaction, and the importance of finding joy in the design process. Whether you're a…

Today we discuss Play Patterns from a number of different angles. What makes a fun play pattern, how to encourage them and more! Email: funproblemspodcast@gmail.com Facebook/Twitter: @FunProblemsPod Fun Problems Discord: https://discord.gg/BjerXtQ3Me Big thanks to Eduard Matei for our theme song!由A.J. Brandon and Peter C Hayward

In this episode, Peter and AJ dive deep into the essence of game design, focusing on the core principles that make a game fun and engaging. They explore the concept of "striving games" versus "accomplishment games" and emphasize the importance of incentivizing fun behaviors in game design. Peter shares his theory that game design is fundamentally a…

Today we talk about Foundational Games; what games are so foundational to the craft that all game designers need to play them. funproblemspodcast@gmail.com Facebook/Twitter: @FunProblemsPod Fun Problems Discord: https://discord.gg/BjerXtQ3Me Big thanks to Eduard Matei for our theme song! See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.…

Today we talk about How to get your game to the table FAST! Email: funproblemspodcast@gmail.com Facebook/Twitter: @FunProblemsPod Fun Problems Discord: https://discord.gg/BjerXtQ3Me Big thanks to Eduard Matei for our theme song!由AJ Brandon and Peter C. Hayward

Today we talk about The absolute best way to prototype either of has found-component studio! We talk about the strengths (and weaknesses) of the program, and why you should be using it. funproblemspodcast@gmail.com Facebook/Twitter: @FunProblemsPod Fun Problems Discord: https://discord.gg/BjerXtQ3Me Big thanks to Eduard Matei for our theme song! Se…

An unedited, one-take, no intro or outro episode! Enjoy! See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.由AJ Brandon and Peter C. Hayward

Today we talk about when you need to cut rules, when the rules exceptions are worth it-as well as scarcity mindset and a bunch of other stuff! funproblemspodcast@gmail.com Facebook/Twitter: @FunProblemsPod Fun Problems Discord: https://discord.gg/BjerXtQ3Me Big thanks to Eduard Matei for our theme song! See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy infor…

Today we talk about Game State; how and when to track it, and how to consider it's use in game design. funproblemspodcast@gmail.com Facebook/Twitter: @FunProblemsPod Fun Problems Discord: https://discord.gg/BjerXtQ3Me Big thanks to Eduard Matei for our theme song! See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.…

What happened to Fun Problems?由AJ Brandon and Peter C. Hayward

Today we talk about the difference between kids games and kid friendly games, and the dos and don'ts for both! Breakout Con: https://breakoutcon.com/ If you want to ask us a fun question, or contact us for any other reason send us a message to the email below. :) funproblemspodcast@gmail.com Facebook/Twitter: @FunProblemsPod Fun Problems Discord: h…

Today we talk about the design and development of Peters recent time travel abstract strategy hit "That time you killed me". If you want to ask us a fun question, or contact us for any other reason send us a message to the email below. :) funproblemspodcast@gmail.com Facebook/Twitter: @FunProblemsPod Fun Problems Discord: https://discord.gg/BjerXtQ…

Today we interview Alex Horne about how he designs the tasks in Taskmaster! There are many insights he has that directly apply to game design. If you want to ask us a fun question, or contact us for any other reason send us a message to the email below. :) Taskmaster clip - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_UgSDcHPgCc&t=257s funproblemspodcast@gmail…

Today we talk about how Serotonin and Oxytocin work, and how to make designs maximize these feel good chemicals! If you want to ask us a fun question, or contact us for any other reason send us a message to the email below. :) Taskmaster clip - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_UgSDcHPgCc&t=257s Discord stream server link; https://discord.gg/P584nGE…

Today we have a very special episode where we play Inhuman Conditions, AJ's favourite game!! If you want to ask us a fun question, or contact us for any other reason send us a message to the email below. :) funproblemspodcast@gmail.com Facebook/Twitter: @FunProblemsPod Fun Problems Discord: https://discord.gg/BjerXtQ3Me Big thanks to Eduard Matei f…

Today we talk about how Robotopia was designed and developed, and all the lessons Peter learned along the way! If you want to ask us a fun question, or contact us for any other reason send us a message to the email below. :) funproblemspodcast@gmail.com Facebook/Twitter: @FunProblemsPod Fun Problems Discord: https://discord.gg/BjerXtQ3Me Big thanks…

Today we talk about how to generate dopamine, and how it affects us! What we call "fun" is just the release of chemicals in the brain, so let's dig deep today! Join us for a deep dive on this exciting new lens! If you want to ask us a fun question, or contact us for any other reason send us a message to the email below. :) funproblemspodcast@gmail.…

Today we talk about the dichotomy between a games structure, and it's content! Join us for a deep dive on this exciting new lens! If you want to ask us a fun question, or contact us for any other reason send us a message to the email below. :) funproblemspodcast@gmail.com Facebook/Twitter: @FunProblemsPod A big thanks to Eduard Matei for our theme …

Today we talk about Peters new model for creative endeavors IN PERSON! Hook is what catches an audiences interest, craft is the quality of their experience, and spirit is what stays with them afterwards. Join us for a deep dive on this exciting new lens! If you want to ask us a fun question, or contact us for any other reason send us a message to t…

Today we talk about Peters new model for creative endeavors IN PERSON! Hook is what catches an audiences interest, craft is the quality of their experience, and spirit is what stays with them afterwards. Join us for a deep dive on this exciting new lens! If you want to ask us a fun question, or contact us for any other reason send us a message to t…

Today we are talking to Shannon McDowell about her experience designing puzzles and escape rooms, and her research on cultural biases in games. Shannon's website: Shannonmcdowell.ca The Con she mentioned: Realityescapecon.com A video on her research: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Da3aubBtvYU If you want to ask us a fun question, or contact us for…

Today we are talking to John Brieger about his experience developing games and designing solo modes. Developing games takes a strong design and tunes it into a great final game. If you want to ask us a fun question, or contact us for any other reason send us a message to the email below. :) funproblemspodcast@gmail.com Johns Website: https://briege…

Today we are talking about the strengths and weaknesses of the format/medium of board games, when compared to video games, RPGs, movies, etc. There are some areas that board games can take great advantage of, and others that you should be wary of when designing. Jennifer's Twitter thread; https://twitter.com/Gaohmee/status/1396874873859756032 Peter…

Today we are talking to Jeff Fraser about his experience codesigning Cartouche, and touch on many other topics, such as rule book writing, the psychology of numbers, and more! Cartouche is coming to KS Aug 3, sign up to get notified when it launches here; https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/peterchayward/cartouche You can try Cartouche right now f…

Today we are talking about how to think about genres from new angles by considering the core of what makes games tick. We hope you enjoy! Cartouche TTS mod - https://steamcommunity.com/sharedfiles/filedetails/?id=2545396343 0 Player game - https://youtu.be/N-BbgqOjIqk MDA original - https://users.cs.northwestern.edu/~hunicke/MDA.pdf Extra Credits h…

Today we are talking about how to keep depth in your game without overwhelming players with complexity. We hope you enjoy! Steam curator page - https://store.steampowered.com/cur.../40748469-Fun-Problems/ Pitch Meeting - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jAhKOV3nImQ Newsletter - https://jellybean.games/funproblems/ Toby Macguire in the MCU (AJ's 3 fa…

Today we are talking about naming games. Specifically we work through naming an upcoming title! This is a bonus episode so it's a bit shorter and won't follow our usual format. We hope you enjoy! If you want to ask us a fun question, or contact us for any other reason send us a message to the email below. :) funproblemspodcast@gmail.com Facebook/Tw…

Today we are talking about onramping; how to get new players into playing and having fun as easily and quickly as possible. Our topics include everything from scenario design to rulebooks to component design and more! Jeff Fraser - jwfraser.ca If you want to ask us a fun question, or contact us for any other reason send us a message to the email be…

Join us for an in depth conversation on game design! Today we are talking about board game terms; what they mean, and why they are important and useful. If you want to ask us a fun question, or contact us for any other reason send us a message to the email below. :) funproblemspodcast@gmail.com Facebook/Twitter: @FunProblemsPod A big thanks to Edua…

Join us for an in depth conversation on game design! Today we are talking about board game terms; what they mean, and why they are important and useful. Extra Credits https://www.youtube.com/user/ExtraCreditz Mechanics, Dynamics, Aesthetics https://users.cs.northwestern.edu/~hunicke/pubs/MDA.pdf The Characteristics of Games https://amzn.to/3v3zc56 …

Join us for an in depth conversation on game design! Today we are talking about board game terms; what they mean, and why they are important and useful. Peter's talk on the "shape" of the game: https://genesisoflegend.podbean.com/e/episode-181-the-shape-of-your-game/ Peter's talk on "blind/cold" playtesting: https://boardgamedesignlab.com/the-secre…

Join us for an in depth conversation on game design! Today we are talking about "elevator pitches" that members of the community have sent in. What they get right and where they can improve. If you want to ask us a fun question, or contact us for any other reason send us a message to the email below. :) funproblemspodcast@gmail.com Facebook/Twitter…

Join us for an in depth conversation on game design! If you want to ask us a fun question, or contact us for any other reason send us a message to the email below. :) funproblemspodcast@gmail.com Facebook/Twitter: @FunProblemsPod Noah "Angels" clip: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LbkjkJzREd4 A big thanks to Eduard Matei for our theme song! See omn…

Join us for an in depth conversation on game design! If you want to ask us a fun question, or contact us for any other reason send us a message to the email below. :) funproblemspodcast@gmail.com Sen-Foong Lim's talk on feedback. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3XW73yLRU14 A big thanks to Eduard Matei for our theme song! See omnystudio.com/listener…

Join us for an in depth conversation on game design! Here is our email. Send us your hooks to review, ask us a fun question, or email us if you are just feeling a little lonely. :) funproblemspodcast@gmail.com Shut up and sit down playing a megagame; https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hN71v9H_gg8 Shut up and sit down; https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8…

Join us for an in depth conversation on game design! Today we discuss the inception of board games. What the advantages are of different starting points and what pitfalls to watch out for. We also touch on designing board games as a product, designing for early prototyping and how to know if your game is going in the right direction. A.J.’s talk on…