Game Design Zen

(Some information was lost. Someone keeps hacking the site. Apologies, I think) So he asked, “Are you still a fan of the Purple Cow?” Game dev students were asking the same question, from Virginia to Detroit. It’s a simple question, … Continue reading →

(Why do people hack educational podcasts? I cannot imagine) Years ago, my boss asked, “How do you get all that stuff done?” Then, last week, my friend asked a similar question. And I realized, I didn’t have an answer. So … Continue reading →

I broke my own rule! A few weeks ago, I shared a project I was working on, before it was really ready. And after that, I kept putting off creating the video that I needed to get my project on … Continue reading →

What about the business? Kenzai asked what it meant to start a business. So, this episode goes zen – covering everything from becoming an indie, to money, to products. It even discusses why you need a Purple Cow. NOW AVAILABLE ON YouTube! Kenzai’s Challenge (00:35) My Journey To … Continue reading →

What must you know? At a recent game challenge, I met Matt Trobbiani, the creator of HackNet. After I got to know him, I thought it’d be fun to invite him on as a guest. To ensure that Game Design Zen … Continue reading →

Ready for SEASON TWO?!? It’s a new year, with exciting changes in the works. To kick it off, let’s start with two giants! They’re at odds. The Indie giant, Jonathan Blow, argues that simpler is better, in almost all cases. Design … Continue reading →

What about failure? Your greatest ideas don’t live up to your expectations. You haven’t conquered the world. And yet, as Ira Glass says, your taste is killer. This is the season one finale of Game Design Zen – you won’t … Continue reading →

Game Design Zen : Episode 014 Fallout 4?! Some predicted – game of the century. Some predicted – not my cup of tea. And for some, like me, it was our first exposure to the Fallout franchise. I didn’t know what to … Continue reading →

Game Design Zen : Episode 013 I’ve been struggling to tell a story. Weeks of nights staring at the ceiling with ideas swirling in my head. It demanded to be told. Until finally, today, I did the whole thing in … Continue reading →

Game Design Zen : Episode 012 I’d waited months for Rock Band 4 to arrive. And when it did, the guitar didn’t work! Find out what happens as we explore the recipe for Simplicity in games. Rock Band 4 (01:00) … Continue reading →

Game Design Zen : Episode 011 Who will win? We’re just days away from seeing if SKT will once away be crowned champs as they take on new comers, Koo Tigers. So with eyes turned toward Korea, let’s have our own battle – League of … Continue reading →

Game Design Zen : Episode 010 It never fails. I’m chatting with friends when I stumble across the Newbie Letter. It’s full of wild ideas, crazy ambitions, and most telling, the 5-year plan for a game that is ‘truly unique’. This … Continue reading →

Game Design Zen : Episode 009 What Now? I’ve got a great story, set in a far-distant future. Not sure what to do next. As crazy as it sounds, this happens sometimes. This episode explores what a game is to … Continue reading →

Game Design Zen : Episode 008 What do Total Biscuit, Motivation, and the Indiepocalypse have in common? Even after 2 years, I hadn’t picked up a next gen console. Until this one, specific game was announced. $750 later it was … Continue reading →

Game Design Zen : Episode 007 Joe challenged me, “balanced difficulty is missing the mark.” And then, he pointed to games like Farmville, city simulators, and Cookie Clicker. He had some good points. He is not your average Joe. Joe’s … Continue reading →

Game Design Zen : Episode 006 My wife dropped the gauntlet – “6 episodes by Christmas!” This episode explore the gauntlet that leads to building your first game, with some inspiration, practical advice, and real life stories. My Wife Threw the Gauntlet … Continue reading →

Game Design Zen : Episode 005 What should I talk about? When I asked my friend, there was no hesitation – “Squares, Circles, and Triangles.” I asked, “Really?” And he answered, “It was my favorite! You said it would change … Continue reading →

Game Design Zen : Episode 004 What is our most important skill? Though we need creativity, logic, and business, the path to excellence is the rocket surgery of Story, Yes And, and Charisma. This episode tackles practical ways to communicate … Continue reading →

Game Design Zen : Episode 003 How can you level up? Whether breaking in, or looking for the next opportunity, we pursue excellence through deliberate practice – building a portfolio of finished projects. Stand apart, improve, and level up. The … Continue reading →

Game Design Zen : Episode 002 What is the one thing you must know? When we play games, we become so involved in the activity that nothing else seems to matter. Minutes can be so intense they feel like an hour, … Continue reading →

Game Design Zen : Episode 001 How much is enough? With Sid Meier defining games as a series of interesting and meaningful choices, we often stuff in as many choices as possible! In this episode we explore World of Warcraft … Continue reading →