Game Design Podcast

Join our community! Discord (highly recommended): discord.gg/bx74ukp Reddit: reddit.com/r/TGDRT/ Facebook: facebook.com/groups/TGDRT/

How do you innovate within a civ-style framework? 🗺️🎲 Dirk & David sit down with Reed Erlandson, designer of Rogue Hex, to explore: 🔷 Hex-based systems & emergent gameplay ⚖️ Balancing complexity with accessibility 🧠 Designing meaningful player choices #GameDesign

What makes a bluffing game work? 🎭🎲 Dirk & David sit down with Rikki Tahta (Coup) to talk: 🃏 Hidden information & tension ⚙️ Technical design challenges 👥 Designing for large groups ⏱️ Pacing, engagement & elimination #GameDesign #Tabletop #BoardGames

A community-driven RPG discussion 🎲 Dirk Knemeyer and David Heron dive into a conversation sparked by a Discord comment — exploring the role of cards in combat mechanics and David’s connection to D&D. Thoughtful insights rooted in player experience. #RPGPodcast #GameDesign

Rob Daviau returns to talk RPGs 🎲 Dirk, David, and Rob dig into: 🧭 Practical realities of RPGs & GMing 📦 Challenges from tariffs 🪑 The impact of less face-to-face play A meaningful conversation that opens up deeper ideas around RPGs and the GM experience. #RPGPodcast #TTRPG

A behind-the-scenes conversation 🎙️ Ellie Dix (@EllieDixTweets ) joins Dirk Knemeyer to reflect on the series, its core themes, and how production thinking shapes game design and creative work. Plus a look at what’s coming next. #GameDesign #Tabletop

What makes D&D work at its core? David talks with Mike Mearls, one of the key figures behind 5E, about: 🔶 What makes D&D & MTG compelling 🛠️ First steps into TTRPG design 🌐 The good & bad of online discussion ♿ Accessibility for all players 🎭 Encouraging strong GMs

How do you handle rejection in game design? 🎲💬 Ellie talks with designer Brett Gilbert about: 🗂️ Why some concepts get abandoned 🚫 Why designers & publishers walk away 💪 Pitching resilience 🔄 Reframing setbacks as growth 🧠 Staying grounded in a competitive industry

In this new episode, Dirk & David sit down with legendary designer Keith Baker (@HellcowKeith ) to talk: 🌍 The origins of Eberron 📚 How each edition carries its core forward 🔥 Influence on projects like Phoenix 🎭 Player autonomy & narrative flexibility #Podcast #GameDesign

What makes a successful convention experience in the tabletop world? 🎲✈️ In this new episode, Ellie talks with designer Marcus Ross about: 🧭 How to get the most out of every trip ⚙️ Tools like Tabletop Simulator 🌍 The joys & challenges of traveling for events

What does realistic success look like in the RPG space today? 🎲 Dirk & David reflect on the season’s highlights — from surprises and takeaways to the rise of solo RPG play. A thoughtful wrap-up full of insight and perspective. #RPGPodcast #GameDesign #TabletopRPG

How can digital tools level up your game design? 💻🎲 In this episode of BtC, Ellie Dix talks with designer & playtesting expert Chris Backe (@chrisbacke ) about: 🧩 Virtual playtesting platforms 🕹️ Mastering Tabletop Simulator 🌐 Creating real player experiences online

In this new episode, Dirk Knemeyer & David Heron reflect on recent RPG podcast episodes 🎙️🔍 They dive deeper into: ✨ Conceptual ideas about RPG design 🤝 TribeNet’s powerful community and connection for Dirk #RPGPodcast #GameDesign #TabletopRPG

How do you balance authenticity and strategy online? 💬 Ellie chats with Chrissy Fagerholt of EAP Toys & Games — designer of The Lunch Room and Go Big or Go Broke — about: 🎯 Being real on social media 💡 Sharing wins and failures 🤝 The power of women in game design #RPGPodcast

How does a play-by-email RPG stay alive for decades? 🎲 Dirk & David talk with Jeff Perkins, creator of Tribe Net, about: 🌍 Its evolution from Tribe Vibes 🧩 The art of hand moderation 🔥 Keeping a creative community thriving 🎧 Listen now: #RPGPodcast #GameDesign #TabletopRPG

In this new episode of BtC, Ellie Dix talks with Ross Connell about: 🖌️ The power of visuals in defining a game’s identity 📈 What makes a game truly marketable 💡 Creative tactics to boost engagement A must-listen for designers looking to make their games stand out! 🎲✨

What does it mean to write for RPGs? ✍️🎲 In this episode of RPG, Dirk Knemeyer & David Heron talk with MJ Newman (@natsunoyoru) about: ⚖️ Writing for big publishers vs small ones 🎭 Adapting mechanics to capture atmosphere 👻 What makes horror RPGs stand out #RPG #GameDesign

What does it mean to build your brand as a game designer? In this episode of BtC, Ellie Dix talks with Bez Shahriari (@stuffbybez) about: 🧠 Defining your creative purpose 🎯 Designing with a specific audience in mind 🌈 Letting your brand shape your games, events & community

🎲 New #RPG Episode! 🎧 Dirk & David talk with Mike Mason (chaosim.com), Creative Director of Call of Cthulhu. 👁️ Why CoC remains iconic after decades 🧩 Balancing evolution without losing essence 📝 Playtesting & player feedback 🔥 Sustaining an RPG legacy

In this new episode of BtC, Ellie Dix (@EllieDixTweets) chats with designer Matthew Dunstan (@wisegoldfish) about: 📬 Making first contact 🔁 Balancing persistence & pressure 💬 Positive publisher experiences 🧩 When publisher ties still matter in self-publishing #gamedesign

🎲 Combat or storytelling? Fun or purpose? In this RPG interlude, Dirk & David revisit big topics from recent episodes — and what listeners had to say about them. 🧠 Story vs. mechanics 🎯 Serious games: balance & intention 🎭 GMs as designers #TTRPG #GameDesign #RPGTalk