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LeisureGames

Fun Problems

AJ Brandon and Peter C. Hayward

Board game design is a deep and often challenging pursuit. We explore all aspects of game design and the fun problems (and solutions) that come with it.

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  • 38 episodes
  • daily
  • Avg 1 hr 15 min
  • English
Counted on this page — what you have heard stays on this device, so it is not something the list can be paged by.
  • #105
    Yesterday · 1 hr 2 min

    #105 The Best Design Advice on the Internet – Part 12

    The best game design advice on the internet can be found at https://daniel.games/ – we can't recommend it highly enough! This is part 12 of a series where we explore the game design blog "Daniel.Games," written by Daniel Piechnick. Discord Email Big thanks to Eduard Matei for our theme song!

  • #104
    Sunday · 24 min

    #104 Would Stonemaier Publish This?

    Jamey Stegmaier explains what Stonemaier is looking for, and go through many examples of published games that would be a great fit. Tune in to see if you have a game Stonemaier is looking to publish! Stonemaier submissions are open here Discord Email Big thanks to Eduard Matei for our theme song!

  • #111
    September 14 · 1 hr 18 min

    #111 How to Design Framework Games (Jon Perry and Christian Kudahl)

    AJ is joined by guests Jon Perry and Christian Kudahl to talk all about "framework" games. This episode was released early to coincide with the limited preorder for Gauntlet of Gods. Buy Gauntlet of Gods Play Gauntlet of Gods Self balancing game mechanics Discord Email Big thanks to Eduard Matei for our theme song!

  • #100
    September 11 · 1 hr 5 min

    #100 The Best Design Advisor on the Internet – Part 1 (Daniel Piechnick)

    For our 100th episode (depending on how you count...) we have Daniel Piechnick on as a special guest! His game design advice can be found at https://daniel.games/ – we can't recommend it highly enough! Discord Email Big thanks to Eduard Matei for our theme song!

  • #99
    September 9 · 1 hr 19 min

    #99 The Best Design Advice on the Internet – Part 11

    The best game design advice on the internet can be found at https://daniel.games/ – we can't recommend it highly enough! This is part 11 of a series where we explore the game design blog "Daniel.Games," written by Daniel Piechnick. Discord Email Big thanks to Eduard Matei for our theme song!

  • #98
    September 8 · 1 hr 23 min

    #98 Designing Solo Games

    Have you ever wondered how to design a solo board game? You are in luck! Today Peter talks through his process of designing solo-only games! Discord Email Big thanks to Eduard Matei for our theme song!

  • #97
    September 7 · 1 hr 16 min

    #97 The Best Design Advice on the Internet – Part 10

    The best game design advice on the internet can be found at https://daniel.games/ – we can't recommend it highly enough! This is part 10 of a series where we explore the game design blog "Daniel.Games," written by Daniel Piechnick. Discord Email Big thanks to Eduard Matei for our theme song!

  • #96
    September 5 · 1 hr 11 min

    #96 The Upsides of Downsides – Grab Bag

    Grab Bag episode! We talk about so many things, including: which games will still be around in a century, the donkey problem, learning curves, game arc, and why/when to add downsides to your actions! Discord Email Big thanks to Eduard Matei for our theme song!

  • #95
    August 31 · 1 hr 34 min

    #95 Decisions vs Calculations – Grab Bag

    Today we talk about so many things, including: calculations, decisions, NON-decisions, drive vs friction, atomic actions, time equity, hooks, and offloading rules to components! Discord Email Big thanks to Eduard Matei for our theme song!

  • #94
    August 30 · 1 hr 24 min

    #94 Generating Infinite Content

    How do you come up with UNLIMITED IDEAS for your games? Tune in and we'll tell you! Discord Email Big thanks to Eduard Matei for our theme song!

  • #93
    August 28 · 1 hr 20 min

    #93 Would Bitewing Publish This?

    Nick Murray and Kyle Spackman explain what Bitewing is looking for, and go through many examples of published games that would be a great fit. Tune in to see if you have a game Bitewing is looking to publish! Discord Email Big thanks to Eduard Matei for our theme song!

  • #92
    August 24 · 48 min

    #92 Complexity – Grab Bag

    We talk about complexity, economies, decision-making, and spatial elements in your games. Discord Email Big thanks to Eduard Matei for our theme song!

  • #91
    August 22 · 38 min

    #91 Ideas We Won't Touch – Grab Bag

    Grab Bag episode! We go through a bunch of smaller topics, including why we won't design certain ideas. Discord Email Big thanks to Eduard Matei for our theme song!

  • #90
    August 20 · 1 hr 54 min

    #90 Audience Sell-Sheets 4 (Guest Joe Wiggins)

    Peter C. Hayward and special guest Joe Wiggins explore what makes an effective sell sheet, providing feedback on listener-submitted examples. Throughout the discussion, they offer actionable advice on how to improve clarity, visual hierarchy, and focus in order to capture the interest of potential publishers. Discord Email Big thanks to Eduard Matei for our theme song!

  • #89
    August 18 · 1 hr 36 min

    #89 Party Games (Guest Alex Cutler)

    With special guest Alex Cutler, we talk about party games! Discord Email Big thanks to Eduard Matei for our theme song!

  • #88
    August 12 · 1 hr 34 min

    #88 Ludonarrative Assonance (Guest Alex Cutler)

    With special guest Alex Cutler, we talk about ludonarrative assonance: making your game's mechanics match the theme, and vice-versa! Grab Bag episode! We go through a bunch of smaller topics, including careers in board games. Discord Email Big thanks to Eduard Matei for our theme song!

  • #88
    June 26 · 3 hr 11 min

    BONUS: Rolling Deep interview

    A bonus episode of Fun Problems, featuring an indepth interview by the YouTuber Neon Gorilla. Originally found on YouTube here: https://youtu.be/VTo5DiRaTVY?si=XAK_pAzr1gwwn4iY Rolling Deep live on Kickstarter here: https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/bitewinggamesnick/rolling-deep-and-eureka-dice-adventure-roguelike-and-campaign Check out our Discord Email us Big thanks to Eduard Matei for our theme song!

Showing 1–20 of 38 episodes