Game Designers of North Carolina Podcast

Lyn Phillips, Josh Bowman, and Mark McGee get together to discuss what value games offer, and whether games should exist. It's not nearly as Nihilistic of an episode as that sounds! We also discuss how to pitch games to Allplay.2:48 – What are Games Good For?13:16 – Pitch Perfect: Allplay25:30 – Should Games Justify Themselves?Discuss this episode in our guild at podcast.gdofnc.com. Follow us on Twitter at @GDofNC. Check out our website at http://www.gdofnc.com.

Kevin Ude (@UdeGames and udeudeude), Josh Bowman, and Mark McGee (@mmark40) get together to discuss Designer Diaries, Carcassonne farmers, and look into why Josh doesn't like Humanity (the board game, he like humanity just fine in general).1:20 - Make A Designer Cry17:10 - Designer Diary Diary28:39 - My Favorite [Most Controversial?] RuleDiscuss this episode in our guild at podcast.gdofnc.com. Follow us on Twitter at @GDofNC. Check out our website at http://www.gdofnc.com.

Isaac Shalev (@kindfortress), Josh Bowman, and Mark McGee (@mmark40) get together to try new things on this episode of the Game Designers of North Carolina Podcast.5:55 – Iterative Design26:40 – Do Games Offer Choice?44:29 – Eclipse and DiceDiscuss this episode in our guild at podcast.gdofnc.com. Follow us on Twitter at @GDofNC. Check out our website at http://www.gdofnc.com.

Mark McGee (@mmark40) and Kevin Ude (@UdeGames) join Matt Wolfe (@mattwolfe) to talk about starting a new publishing company How To Steam Broccoli.Tell Me Something GoodMain Topic - Designers Becoming PublishersDiscuss this episode in our guild at podcast.gdofnc.com. Follow us on Twitter at @GDofNC.

Ashwin Kamath (@BoardGameGhee) and Clarence Simpson (@stoichamster) join Mark McGee (@mmark40) to talk about their journey designing their game The Wolves.1:02 – Getting to know Ashwin8:15 – Main topic: Talking About The WolvesDiscuss this episode in our guild at podcast.gdofnc.com. Follow us on Twitter at @GDofNC.

Matt Wolfe (@mattwolfe) joins Mark McGee (@mmark40) to talk about designing games in different genres.-- Tell Me Something Good-- Main topic:  Designing Games in Different GenresDiscuss this episode in our guild at podcast.gdofnc.com. Follow us on Twitter at @GDofNC. Visit our site at www.gdofnc.com.

Clarence Simpson (@stoichamster) and Mitch Wallace (@MitchWgames) join Mark McGee (@mmark40) to talk about PAX Unplugged.0:37 – First Timer Palooza with Mitch6:54 – Tell Me Something Good10:10 – Main topic: PAX UnpluggedDiscuss this episode in our guild at podcast.gdofnc.com. Follow us on Twitter at @GDofNC.

Mike Belsole and Grace Kendall from the Tabletop Mentorship Program (Tabletopmentorship.org and @tabletopmentor) join Mark McGee (@mmark40) to talk about their mentorship program.-- First Timer Palooza-- Main topic: Tabletop Mentorship ProgramDiscuss this episode in our guild at podcast.gdofnc.com. Follow us on Twitter at @GDofNC. Visit our website at www.GDofNC.com

Ian Phillips (@crunchwrapgames) joins Mark McGee (@mmark40) to talk about inherent properties of board games.1:01 -- Tell Me Something Good 3:30 -- Main Topic: Inherent Weaknesses of Board GamesDiscuss this episode in our guild at podcast.gdofnc.com and visit our website at gdofnc.com. Follow us on Twitter at @GDofNC.

Ian Zang  (@IanZangDesign, @GravGames, and gravitation.games) joins Mark McGee (@mmark40) to talk about all sorts of things that Ian Zang likes.2:30 -- Tell Me Something Good19:32 -- Main Topic: ZangedDiscuss this episode in our guild at podcast.gdofnc.com. Follow us on Twitter at @GDofNC or check us out online at gdofnc.herokuapp.com.

TC Petty III (@PuppyShogun) joins Mark McGee (@mmark40) to talk about inherent properties of board games.1:37 -- Tell Me Something Good7:49 -- Main Topic: Inherent Strengths of Board GamesDiscuss this episode in our guild at podcast.gdofnc.com. Follow us on Twitter at @GDofNC.

Isaac Shalev (@KindFortress and www.kindfortress.com) and Josh Mills (@JoshuaJMills) join Mark McGee (@mmark40) to talk about Player Expectations.00:56 First Timer Palooza with Isaac Shalev11:22 Tell Me Something Good18:25 Main topic: Player ExpectationsDiscuss this episode in our guild at podcast.gdofnc.com. Follow us on Twitter at @GDofNC.

Nate Bivins (@natebivins) joins Mark McGee (@mmark40) to go into a deep design dive about his game The Silver River.1:46-- First Timer Palooza with Nate Bivins8:51-- Tell Me Something Good11:52-- Main topic: The Silver RiverDiscuss this episode in our guild at podcast.gdofnc.com. Follow us on Twitter at @GDofNC.

Kevin Ude (@UdeGames and udeudeude) and Tony Miller (@beardedrogue) join Mark McGee (@mmark40) to talk about Redcap Ruckus and Kabuto Sumo, two games that share a similar inspiration but wound up being significantly different.1:59 -- Tell Me Something Good12:40 -- Main topic: Simultaneous Design InspirationDiscuss this episode in our guild at podcast.gdofnc.com. Follow us on Twitter at @GDofNC.

Josh Mills (@JoshuaJMills) and T.C. Petty III (@PuppyShogun) join Mark McGee (@mmark40) to talk about designing for the first-time experience.1:14 -- Tell Me Something Good9:21 -- Main topic: First Time ExperienceDiscuss this episode in our guild at podcast.gdofnc.com. Follow us on Twitter at @GDofNC.

Kevin Ude (@UdeGames and udeudeude), Emilia Zywot, and David Marron (@emdadesign) join Mark McGee (@mmark40) to talk about codesigning games.0:57 -- Double Time First Timer Palooza7:28 -- Tell Me Something Good12:42 -- Main topic: Codesigning GamesDiscuss this episode in our guild at podcast.gdofnc.com. Follow us on Twitter at @GDofNC.

Josh Mills (@JoshuaJMills) and Seth McCormick (@CardboardProf and cardboardprofessor.com) join Mark McGee (@mmark40) to talk about avatars and how they relate to games.1:18 -- Tell Me Something Good8:37 -- Main topic: Avatars in GamesDiscuss this episode in our guild at podcast.gdofnc.com. Follow us on Twitter at @GDofNC.

James Meyers (@apollocontinuum), Chris Kirkman (@dicehateme), and Chris Faulkenberry (@ccfaulkenberry) join Mark McGee (@mmark40) to talk about fiddly games.0:57 -- Tell Me Something Good6:15 -- Main topic: FiddlinessDiscuss this episode in our guild at podcast.gdofnc.com. Follow us on Twitter at @GDofNC.

Matt Wolfe (@mattwolfe), Julio Nazario (@Junazaru), and Clarence Simpson (@stoichamster) join Mark McGee (@mmark40) to talk about designing, testing, and pitching games virtually.01:12 - First-Timer-Palooza with Clarence06:55 - Tell Me Something Good14:05 - Main topic: Designing in a Virtual WorldDiscuss this episode in our guild at podcast.gdofnc.com. Follow us on Twitter at @GDofNC.

Ian Phillips (iansloatphillips@gmail.com) and Kevin Ude (@UdeGames and udeudeude) join Mark McGee (@mmark40) to talk about Mean Games.01:17-- First Timer Palooza with Ian Phillips08:33-- Tell Me Something Good15:22-- Main topic: Mean GamesDiscuss this episode in our guild at podcast.gdofnc.com. Follow us on Twitter at @GDofNC.

Jeff Allers (@JeffreyAllers and jeffinberlin) and Alex Cutler (@alexcutler89 and DoubleAlexGames) join Mark McGee (@mmark40) to talk about Different Designer Scenes.1:05 -- First Timer Palooza with Jeff Allers9:05 -- Tell Me Something Good14:11 -- Main topic: Different Designer ScenesCheck out SAZ mentioned in this episode at www.spieleautorenzunft.de Discuss this episode in our guild at podcast.gdofnc.com. Follow us on Twitter at @GDofNC.

TC Petty III (@PuppyShogun) and Chris Faulkenberry (@ccfaulkenberry) join Mark McGee (@mmark40) to talk about what mechanics mean.1:02 -- Tell Me Something Good6:59 -- Main topic: What Mechanics MeanDiscuss this episode in our guild at podcast.gdofnc.com. Follow us on Twitter at @GDofNC.For information about First Look NC, mentioned in this episode, check out the First Look NC event page and follow @FirstLookNC on Twitter.

Matt Wolfe (@mattwolfe) and Alex Cutler (@alexcutler89 and DoubleAlexGames) join Mark McGee (@mmark40) to talk about mechanical corollaries (game mechanisms that are similar to others, but perhaps more suited to certain settings).1:27 -- First Timer Palooza with Alex Cutler13:14 -- Tell Me Something Good19:38 -- Main topic: Mechanical CorollariesDiscuss this episode in our guild at podcast.gdofnc.com. Follow us on Twitter at @GDofNC.

Daniel Solis (@DanielSolis) and TC Petty III (@PuppyShogun) join Mark McGee (@mmark40) to talk about games that helped them get to where they are as a designer. 1:24 -- Tell Me Something Good 5:37 -- Main topic: Booster RocketsDiscuss this episode in our guild at podcast.gdofnc.com. Follow us on Twitter at @GDofNC.

Matt Haberfeld (@MattHaberfeld) and James Meyers (@apollocontinuum) join Mark McGee (@mmark40) to talk about solo games.1:18 -- Tell Me Something Good4:18 -- Main topic: Solo GamesDiscuss this episode in our guild at podcast.gdofnc.com. Follow us on Twitter at @GDofNC.

Julio Nazario (@Junazaru) and Quentin Burleson (@EquipKilt) join Mark McGee (@mmark40) to talk about Game Components that Enforce the Rules.00:47 -- First-Timerpalooza with Quentin07:38 -- Tell Me Something Good12:04 -- Main topic: Game Components that Enforce the RulesDiscuss this episode in our guild at podcast.gdofnc.com. Follow us on Twitter at @GDofNC.

Seth McCormick (@CardboardProf and www.cardboardprofessor.com) and Dave Conklin (@_dave_conklin and blazongame.com) join Mark McGee (@mmark40) to talk about historical games.00:52 -- First-Timerpalooza with Seth McCormick11:00 -- First-Timerpalooza 2: Return of the Palooza with Dave Conklin17:23 -- Tell Me Something Good21:17 -- Main topic: Historical GamesDiscuss this episode in our guild at podcast.gdofnc.com. Follow us on Twitter at @GDofNC.

Elizabeth Hargrave (https://twitter.com/elizhargrave) joins Josh Mills (https://twitter.com/JoshuaJMills) and Mark McGee (http://www.twitter.com/mmark40) to talk about her experience winning the Kennerspiel des Jahres, and things she's learned along the way.

Kevin Ude (https://twitter.com/UdeGames and https://boardgamegeek.com/user/udeudeude) and TC Petty III (http://www.twitter.com/PuppyShogun) join Mark McGee (http://www.twitter.com/mmark40) to talk about making unique games.2:01 -- First-Timerpalooza with Kevin Ude6:26 -- First-Timerpalooza Part 2: Electric Boogaloo with TC Petty III11:46 -- Tell Me Something Good17:41 -- Main topic: Making Unique GamesDiscuss this episode in our guild at podcast.gdofnc.com. Follow us on Twitter at @GDofNC.

James Meyers (@apollocontinuum) and Josh Mills (@JoshuaJMills) join Mark McGee (@mmark40) to talk about starting new things.3:50 - Tell Me Something Good7:28 - Main topic: Starting New ThingsDiscuss this episode in our guild at podcast.gdofnc.com. Follow us on Twitter at @GDofNC.

In the eighth classic episode of Deep Design (which originally aired second, but ruined the continuum), T. C. Petty III talks about crowdfunding and whether game designs should be crafted with this audience in mind. With trademark humor, T. C. approaches the reality of Kickstarter as an expected avenue towards publication and offers practical advice for concessions that can be made towards this market, while still maintaining the core of a game.

Chris Faulkenberry (@ccfaulkenberry) and Eric Rayl (@zoomoutmedia) join James Meyers (@apollocontinuum) to discuss the Battle for Biternia Kickstarter and The Game Designers documentary that follows the design process.00:50 - Main topic: Documenting Kickstarter26:27 - What’s in the Oven?Things mentioned in this episode:The Game Designers documentary: https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/zoomoutmedia/the-game-designersBattle for Biternia: https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/stonecirclegames/battle-for-biternia-the-battle-arena-board-gameDiscuss this episode in our guild at podcast.gdofnc.com. Follow us on Twitter at @GDofNC.

In the seventh classic episode of Deep Design, T. C. Petty III talks about coping with the reception of your game or creative project once it has finally been vomited into a crowded marketplace. With trademark humor, T. C. calmly offers condolences to the last vestiges of your ego. And, of course, offers practical advice for how to properly respond to criticism in a professional manner.

Mark McGee (@mmark40) and Ansleis Kalb (krokmaster on Board Game Geek) join James Meyers (@apollocontinuum) to talk about their feelings and game design.00:45-- - Designer Spotlight04:10-- - What’s in the Oven?06:15-- - Main topic: Emotions in Game Design56:05 - GDofNC NewsDiscuss this episode in our guild at podcast.gdofnc.com. Follow us on Twitter at @GDofNC.

In the sixth classic episode of Deep Design, T. C. Petty III talks about the production process of a board game. Or in some cases, the lack thereof. With trademark humor, T. C. shatters the fragile illusion of reality once again and offers a cautionary advisement on how to most successfully navigate egos and bring a game to the market that doesn’t drastically compromise the designer’s artistic vision.

James Meyers (@apollocontinuum) talks with guild members about games that came out in 2018 and why designers should play them.00:45 - Let's Make a Bus Route with Daniel Solis (@danielsolis)08:32 - KeyForge with Ansleis Kalb (krokmaster on Board Game Geek)15:07 - Decrypto with Graham Russell (@colorninja)20:07 - Chronicles of Crime with Julio Nazario (@Junazaru)26:48 - The Mind with Matt Haberfeld (@matthaberfeld)32:27 - Architects of the West Kingdom with Matt Wolfe (@mattwolfe)40:20 - GDofNC NewsNews Update: After this episode was recorded, the Kickstarter date for Anthelion: Conclave of Power was pushed back one week to January 8th.Discuss this episode in our guild at podcast.gdofnc.com. Follow us on Twitter at @GDofNC.

In the fifth classic episode of Deep Design, T. C. Petty III talks about choosing the right publisher for your game when it’s time to sign on the dotted line. With trademark humor, T. C. analyzes the contractual obligations of a designer and publisher. And, of course, provides practical advice for avoiding crucial mistakes that could result in heartbreak just as publication is within a designer’s grasp.

Matt Haberfeld (@matthaberfeld) and Matt Wolfe (@mattwolfe) join James Meyers (@apollocontinuum) to discuss their experiences at Essen.0:00:57-- - Main topic: Essen Experiences1:10:19 - GDofNC NewsDiscuss this episode in our guild at podcast.gdofnc.com. Follow us on Twitter at @GDofNC.

In the fourth classic episode of Deep Design, T. C. Petty III talks about a bunch of buzzwords, like “magic circle,” “flow,” and “the hedonic treadmill.” Normally, these nebulous targets for player engagement and high-concept conversations are only fodder for philosophical debates. But, with trademark humor, T. C. explains some objective ways for designers to harness the transformative power of gaming to improve their game’s reception and possibly improve the lives of their players.

This is part 2 of our Game Assumptions discussion where Daniel Solis (@DanielSolis), Drew Hicks (@EvenWeirderMove) and Matt Haberfeld (@matthaberfeld) join James Meyers (@apollocontinuum) to continue this discussion.0:30 - GDofNC News1:08 - Main topic: Game Assumptions (Part 2)Discuss this episode in our guild at podcast.gdofnc.com. Follow us on Twitter at @GDofNC.

In the third classic episode of Deep Design, T. C. Petty III talks about the art of Pitching your game to a publisher. But it’s not just about the sale; it’s about finding the right publisher to sell to and how and what and when to put yourself in a best possible position for success. With trademark humor, T. C. provides practical guidelines for in-person and electronic pitches applicable to game designers of all types.

Daniel Solis (@DanielSolis), Drew Hicks (@EvenWeirderMove) and Matt Haberfeld (@matthaberfeld) join James Meyers (@apollocontinuum) to discuss assumptions we make when designing games. 0:00:41 - What's in the Oven? 0:02:24-- - Main topic: Game Assumptions 0:53:01 - News Mentioned in this episode: Demo video for Flying Taxi Discuss this episode in our guild at podcast.gdofnc.com. Follow us on Twitter at @GDofNC.

In the second classic episode of Deep Design, T. C. Petty III talks the importance of playtesting and how to playtest effectively. With trademark humor, T. C. offers practical advice about playtesting with intent and how to prepare and direct playtests for a designer’s benefit.

Graham Russell (@colorninja) and Julio Nazario (@Junazaru) join James Meyers (@apollocontinuum) to discuss designing games for kids and designing games for contests. 0:00:57 - Designer Discovery: Julio Nazario 0:06:17 - What's in the Oven? 0:15:17-- - Main topic: Designing games for kids and designing games for contests 0:53:40 - News Discuss this episode in our guild at podcast.gdofnc.com. Follow us on Twitter at @GDofNC.

In the first classic episode of Deep Design, T. C. Petty III talks about the process of creating an initial prototype from a concept. With trademark humor, T. C. delves into the stages of the realization of an idea. And, of course, offers practical tips and tricks for designers creating and playtesting the first draft of their games.

Matt Wolfe (@mattwolfe) and Daniel Solis (@danielsolis) join James Meyers (@apollocontinuum) to discuss Kickstarter projects from the perspective of designers who are also not publishers. 0:00:48 - What's in the Oven? 0:03:56 - Main topic: Kickstarter from a Designer’s Role 1:03:57 - News Mentioned in this episode: Happy Birthday Robot (Summer 2010) Do: Pilgrims of the Flying Temple (2010) Writer’s Dice (2011) Wombat Rescue (Summer 2015) Avalanche at Yeti Mountain ( Fall 2015) Kodama: The Tree Spirits (Fall 2015) Kintsugi (Fall 2017 as part of the Hero-Tec campaign) Kodama Duo (Summer 2018) We have an Asheville chapter now! Contact Julio Nazario for information. Twitter handle @Junazaru Discuss this episode in our guild at podcast.gdofnc.com. Follow us on Twitter at @GDofNC.

Josh Mills (@JoshuaJMills) and Mark McGee (@mmark40) join James Meyers (@apollocontinuum) to discuss finding the right scoring mechanism for a design. 0:00:50 - What's in the Oven? 0:02:00 - Main topic: Scoring Methods 1:05:07 - News Mentioned in this episode: Sheepland - Designed by Simone Luciani and Daniele Tascini. Published by Cranio Creations Junk Orbit - Designed by Daniel Solis. Published by Renegade Game Studios Discuss this episode in our guild at podcast.gdofnc.com. Follow us on Twitter at @GDofNC.

Matt Wolfe (@mattwolfe) and Mark McGee (@mmark40) join James Meyers (@apollocontinuum) to look back over the past 5 years of the Game Designers of North Carolina design group and share some insights they have learned along the way. 0:00:52 - What's in the Oven? 0:04:10 - Main topic: Five Years of GDofNC 1:24:21:04 - News Mentioned in this episode: Deluxe Metal Meeples - Art by Daniel Solis Runs until May 31st A pledge of $10 AUS gets you 1 red metal meeple and a pledge of $30 AUS gets you 8 metal meeples in your choice of six colors. Kodama Duo - Designed by Daniel Solis and Nick Little A standalone two player game with a sixth player expansion to Kodama: The Tree Spirits. Runs until June 1st A pledge of $19 gets you Kodama Duo and a pledge of $34 gets you Kodama Duo and a copy of Kodama: The Tree Spirits Plume: Rad Birds designed by Daniel Solis and Drew Hicks Combine this with the original Plume deck for a 4 player game Discuss this episode in our guild at podcast.gdofnc.com. Follow us on Twitter at @GDofNC.

Burke Drew (@realburkedrew), Matt Haberfeld (@matthaberfeld) and Daniel Solis (@danielsolis) join James Meyers (@apollocontinuum) to talk about their experiences at Unpub 8. 01:00 - Designer Discovery segment 05:04 - What's in the Oven? 10:43 - Main topic: Unpub 8 Mentioned in this episode: Rule Book Building 101 by Dustin Schwartz Discuss this episode in our guild at podcast.gdofnc.com. Follow us on Twitter at @GDofNC.

James Meyers (@apollocontinuum) talks with guild members about games that came out in 2017 and why designers should play them. 00:32 - GDofNC News 01:25 - Paper Tales with Matt Wolfe (@mattwolfe) 07:12 - Fallout with Drew Hicks (@evenweirdermove) 15:49 - Dropmix with Graham Russell (@colorninja) 21:46 - Codenames: Duet with Mark McGee (@mmark40) 29:56 - Azul with Daniel Solis (@danielsolis) Discuss this episode in our guild at podcast.gdofnc.com. Follow us on Twitter at @GDofNC.

James Meyers (@apollocontinuum) talks with group members about their 2017 designs, what they learned as a designer this past year, and their goals for 2018. 01:06 - Daniel Solis (@danielsolis) 11:02 - Drew Hicks (@evenweirdermove) 17:09 - Graham Russell (@colorninja) 24:45 - Mark McGee (@mmark40) 30:32 - Matt Wolfe (@mattwolfe) 41:22 - James Meyers (@apollocontinuum) Discuss this episode in our guild at podcast.gdofnc.com. Follow us on Twitter at @GDofNC.