Jenga? Twister? Bop It? There's at least one toy or game there that has brought a little joy to your life. But who makes them? How do they materialize on the shelf? Whether you're a child at heart or someone who works in the toy and games industry, come along with hosts David and Branson to hear from the superstar creators behind some of your favorite toys and games. Pick the brains of the creators of Jenga, Twister, Bop-It, and many, many more. Learn from their highs and lows, their unique creative process, and their best advice in this series of personal interviews that answer the question: who the heck made that?
In this special two part interview, creative powerhouse Brent Bushnell dives deep into Two Bit Circus, educating through hands-on play & STEAM-based programs, creating some of the first virtual reality attractions since the 90's, and much more. Stay tuned for Part 2! --- Follow Brent: https://www.instagram.com/brentbushnell https://brentbushnell.com/about https://twitter.com/brentbushnell --- Hidden Role Podcast is also available on most major podcast networks! https://linktr.ee/hiddenrole --- Visit our website and sign up for our newsletter to get a sneak peak at our upcoming guests: https://www.hiddenrolepodcast.com/ --- Have an idea for someone who should appear on the show? Leave a comment below OR make a suggestion at: https://www.hiddenrolepodcast.com/suggestions
Dan Klitsner, renowned inventor of Bop It, is launching a Kickstarter for a new yard game... Sling It! Is it medieval cornhole with a sausage-slinging twist? Find out in this special episode, where Dan discusses the storied history of sausage tossing and the secret to inventing a fun and satisfying game! --- Get notified when the Sling It Kickstarter launches on June 4th! http://slingitgame.com/ https://www.instagram.com/playslingit/ --- Hidden Role Podcast is also available on most major podcast networks! https://linktr.ee/hiddenrole --- Visit our website and sign up for our newsletter to get a sneak peak at our upcoming guests: https://www.hiddenrolepodcast.com/ --- Have an idea for someone who should appear on the show? Leave a comment below OR make a suggestion at: https://www.hiddenrolepodcast.com/suggestions
Connie Vogelmann is lightning in a bottle! Apiary & Wyrmspan were both among the top 20 hottest games on Board Game Geek... and they are her first games! In today's episode she shares her game design process, shines a light on the magic of bee waggle dances, and gives some excellent advice for new game designers. --- Hidden Role Podcast is also available on most major podcast networks! https://linktr.ee/hiddenrole --- Visit our website and sign up for our newsletter to get a sneak peak at our upcoming guests: https://www.hiddenrolepodcast.com/ --- Have an idea for someone who should appear on the show? Leave a comment below OR make a suggestion at: https://www.hiddenrolepodcast.com/suggestions
Teacher of the Year, Paul Andersen, taught science for 20 years and has been an educational consultant for a decade. In today's episode, he discusses running a successful Kickstarter for his product, Switch-Its; turning his classroom into a video game to excite kids about learning; and the secrets to teaching through play. --- Paul Andersen's YouTube Channel, Bozeman Science: https://www.youtube.com/@Bozemanscience1 Check out Switch-Its: https://thewonderofscience.com/switchits Check out The Wonder of Science: https://thewonderofscience.com/ --- Hidden Role Podcast is also available on most major podcast networks! https://linktr.ee/hiddenrole --- Visit our website and sign up for our newsletter to get a sneak peak at our upcoming guests: https://www.hiddenrolepodcast.com/ --- Have an idea for someone who should appear on the show? Leave a comment below OR make a suggestion at: https://www.hiddenrolepodcast.com/suggestions
JM Duparc, Chief Creation at Identity Games, gives us insights into collaborative design, creative ways to pass the time, the story behind Who's the Dude, and much, much more! --- Check out Identity Games: https://identitygames.nl/international/ --- Hidden Role Podcast is also available on most major podcast networks! https://linktr.ee/hiddenrole --- Visit our website and sign up for our newsletter to get a sneak peak at our upcoming guests: https://www.hiddenrolepodcast.com/ --- Have an idea for someone who should appear on the show? Leave a comment below OR make a suggestion at: https://www.hiddenrolepodcast.com/suggestions
In this episode, we dive into the world of game design with Scott Rogers, award winning video game and board game designer behind games like Pantone the Game and Alien: Fate of the Nostromo. Scott unveils the secrets of crafting engaging video and board games, gives us a behind-the-scenes glimpse of being an Imagineer, guides us through the art of writing a game design book, and dishes out game-changing advice for aspiring designers. Check out Scott's new book, Your Turn!: The Guide to Great Tabletop Game Design: https://www.amazon.com/Your-Turn-Guide-Tabletop-Design/dp/111998159X --- Hidden Role Podcast is also available on most major podcast networks! https://linktr.ee/hiddenrole --- Visit our website and sign up for our newsletter to get a sneak peak at our upcoming guests: https://www.hiddenrolepodcast.com/ --- Have an idea for someone who should appear on the show? Leave a comment below OR make a suggestion at: https://www.hiddenrolepodcast.com/suggestions
In this episode, we speak with Kim Vandenbroucke, Game Designer of the Year winner and inventor of games like Pigs on Trampolines, Split, Scattergories Categories, and countless more. She shares her story, insights into the industry, and the secrets to becoming a successful serial inventor. --- Check out Brainy Chick, Inc. https://www.kimvandenbroucke.com/ --- Hidden Role Podcast is also available on most major podcast networks! https://linktr.ee/hiddenrole --- Visit our website and sign up for our newsletter to get a sneak peak at our upcoming guests: https://www.hiddenrolepodcast.com/ --- Have an idea for someone who should appear on the show? Leave a comment below OR make a suggestion at: https://www.hiddenrolepodcast.com/suggestions
Once again we visit with Robert "Bob" Fuhrer, who dives into the story of the international puzzle sensation, KenKen... and you'll never expect where this one goes! --- Learn more about Bob: https://youtu.be/sGBPH_n-z_c --- Check out Nextoy: https://www.nextoy.com/ --- Hidden Role Podcast is also available on most major podcast networks! https://linktr.ee/hiddenrole --- Visit our website and sign up for our newsletter to get a sneak peak at our upcoming guests: https://www.hiddenrolepodcast.com/ --- Have an idea for someone who should appear on the show? Leave a comment below OR make a suggestion at: https://www.hiddenrolepodcast.com/suggestions
Robert "Bob" Fuhrer is for the toy industry what a producer is for the film industry; a mastermind who brings together creatives, engineers, and business minds to put out incredible toy products. In today's episode, he shares stories from his incredible career and advice for anyone who wants to succeed in the industry. --- Check out Nextoy: https://www.nextoy.com/ --- Hidden Role Podcast is also available on most major podcast networks! https://linktr.ee/hiddenrole --- Visit our website and sign up for our newsletter to get a sneak peak at our upcoming guests: https://www.hiddenrolepodcast.com/ --- Have an idea for someone who should appear on the show? Leave a comment below OR make a suggestion at: https://www.hiddenrolepodcast.com/suggestions
Adam Hocherman, AKA “Hock,” shares his journey from tech, to business owner, to the toy and game industry. Hock has done it all, from invention, to product development, to manufacturing, to inventor relations. He's got his finger on the pulse of toys and games and gives us expert insights into how the industry has changed... and where it might be heading. --- Adam can be reached at his LinkedIn profile: https://www.linkedin.com/in/adamhocherman/ --- Check out People of Play! https://peopleofplay.com/ --- Hidden Role Podcast is also available on most major podcast networks! https://linktr.ee/hiddenrole --- Visit our website and sign up for our newsletter to get a sneak peak at our upcoming guests: https://www.hiddenrolepodcast.com/ --- Have an idea for someone who should appear on the show? Leave a comment below OR make a suggestion at: https://www.hiddenrolepodcast.com/suggestions ---
Dougal Grimes, the President of Inventor Relations and Innovation at Spin Master, has a vast knowledge of the toy and game space. Keith Grimes, Digital Health & Innovation Consultant, is an expert panelist on Artificial Intelligence. United, they are the "Brothers Grimes!" Though they're experts in different fields, they've come together to discuss their lifelong bonding over play and competition, and how artificial intelligence might change game development in the very near future.... --- Check out People of Play! https://peopleofplay.com/ --- Hidden Role Podcast is also available on most major podcast networks! https://linktr.ee/hiddenrole --- Visit our website and sign up for our newsletter to get a sneak peak at our upcoming guests: https://www.hiddenrolepodcast.com/ --- Have an idea for someone who should appear on the show? Leave a comment below OR make a suggestion at: https://www.hiddenrolepodcast.com/suggestions
Karri Bean, Senior Manager, LEGO at Disney Consumer Products, shares the secret of leading with empathy, hilarious stories from her travels to Denmark, and how she oversees all the Disney franchises to transform them into iconic LEGO sets. --- Check out People of Play! https://peopleofplay.com/ --- Hidden Role Podcast is also available on most major podcast networks! https://linktr.ee/hiddenrole --- Visit our website and sign up for our newsletter to get a sneak peak at our upcoming guests: https://www.hiddenrolepodcast.com/ --- Have an idea for someone who should appear on the show? Leave a comment below OR make a suggestion at: https://www.hiddenrolepodcast.com/suggestions
In today's episode, Elizabeth Hargrave, the award-winning game designer behind Wingspan (the international sensation!), shares her game design philosophy, the story of the game's development, as well as the science behind her upcoming game, Undergrove. --- The Kickstarter for Undergrove launches in early November. Learn more and follow the launch: https://www.alderac.com/undergrove/ https://www.elizhargrave.com/games/undergrove --- Elizabeth is speaking at Hasbro's Women Innovators of Play on September 12. Register to attend the free virtual event: https://spark.hasbro.com/womeninnovators --- Visit Elizabeth's website and sign up for her newsletter: https://www.elizhargrave.com/ --- Visit our website and sign up for our newsletter to get a sneak peak at our upcoming guests: https://www.hiddenrolepodcast.com/ Have an idea for someone who should appear on the show? Leave a comment below OR make a suggestion at: https://www.hiddenrolepodcast.com/suggestions
When Tom Dusenberry was the CEO of Hasbro Interactive, he negotiated the purchases of some of the today's biggest toy and game brands, from companies like Atari, Wizards of the Coast and Avalon HIll, to video games like Rollercoaster Tycoon. In today's episode, Tom gives us his insight from decades in the industry, including the secret of what makes a successful toy or game.... --- Dusenberry Entertainment: http://www.dusenberryentertainment.com/ --- Visit our website and sign up for our newsletter to get a sneak peak at our upcoming guests: https://www.hiddenrolepodcast.com/ Have an idea for someone who should appear on the show? Leave a comment below OR make a suggestion at: https://www.hiddenrolepodcast.com/suggestions
Dive into the world of print on demand board game publishing with JT Smith, the wizard behind The Game Crafter. From prototyping to playtesting to publishing, JT gives us insights into the creator economy and how The Game Crafter is a powerful tool for both new and veteran game designers. --- Check out The Game Crafter: https://www.thegamecrafter.com/ --- Design game assets using automation with Component Studio: https://component.studio/ --- Learn more about Protospiel: https://tabletop.events/conventions/protospiel-madison-2023 https://tabletop.events/protospiel/home --- Follow The Game Crafter on their socials: https://www.youtube.com/thegamecrafter https://www.instagram.com/thegamecrafter/ https://www.reddit.com/r/TheGameCrafter/ https://www.facebook.com/thegamecrafter https://discord.com/invite/zA8gCrF --- Visit our website and sign up for our newsletter to get a sneak peak at our upcoming guests: https://www.hiddenrolepodcast.com/ Have an idea for someone who should appear on the show? Leave a comment below OR make a suggestion at: https://www.hiddenrolepodcast.com/suggestions
After many years in the toy and game industry, Scott Brown and Tim Swindle have teamed up to bring a brand new sport into the world... PaddleSmash! In this episode, we gain some fantastic insight into the challenges and thrills of launching a brand new product from inception to launch. --- Check out PaddleSmash: https://paddlesmash.com/ https://youtu.be/azMf1g6Th9U Follow PaddleSmash: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC-NvHdB6xAhUZeNytDH87Ng https://www.tiktok.com/@paddlesmash --- Visit our website and sign up for our newsletter to get a sneak peak at our upcoming guests: https://www.hiddenrolepodcast.com/ Have an idea for someone who should appear on the show? Leave a comment below OR make a suggestion at: https://www.hiddenrolepodcast.com/suggestions
Daryl is well known for traveling to most Toy and Game conventions every year, and in today's episode he tells us why attending conventions has been integral to his career as a board game designer. He breaks down why both inventors and companies benefit from attending conventions and gives advice on traversing the convention circuit to pitch your toy and game idea. Keep up with Daryl: https://twitter.com/darylmandrews https://www.facebook.com/darylandrews --- Visit our website and sign up for our newsletter to get a sneak peak at our upcoming guests: https://www.hiddenrolepodcast.com/ Have an idea for someone who should appear on the show? Leave a comment below OR make a suggestion at: https://www.hiddenrolepodcast.com/suggestions
Ed Gartin is an expert in inventor relations, bringing together Toy & Game companies and the creatives want to bring their inventions to the world. In today's episode, he shares what he looks for in a pitch as well as crazy stories from his twenty years in the industry. Check out Paper Bag Creative: https://paperbagcreative.fun/ --- Visit our website and sign up for our newsletter to get a sneak peak at our upcoming guests: https://www.hiddenrolepodcast.com/ Have an idea for someone who should appear on the show? Leave a comment below OR make a suggestion at: https://www.hiddenrolepodcast.com/suggestions
Nicholas Cravotta and Rebecca Bleau are the creative minds behind over a hundred games and puzzles. From cooperative Escape Rooms to party games like Pickwits, these two tell us how to work together to create a really good game! Check out BlueMatter Games: https://www.bluemattergames.com/ --- Visit our website and sign up for our newsletter to get a sneak peak at our upcoming guests: https://www.hiddenrolepodcast.com/ Have an idea for someone who should appear on the show? Leave a comment below OR make a suggestion at: https://www.hiddenrolepodcast.com/suggestions
Tanya Thompson, Senior Director of Design Innovation and Inventor Relations at Hasbro, gives incredible insights on how to pitch your toy or game and stand out in a sea of ideas. Anyone can pitch an idea to Hasbro! Check out Spark: https://spark.hasbro.com/ --- Visit our website and sign up for our newsletter to get a sneak peak at our upcoming guests: https://www.hiddenrolepodcast.com/ Have an idea for someone who should appear on the show? Leave a comment below OR make a suggestion at: https://www.hiddenrolepodcast.com/suggestions
In this episode, Matt Nuccio shares stories from his many years as a toy designer, from joining the "family business" as a kid, to Pogs, to Texas Hold'em, to researching his family's history with the New York mafia.... Check out Design Edge: https://www.designedge.net/ --- Visit our website and sign up for our newsletter to get a sneak peak at our upcoming guests: https://www.hiddenrolepodcast.com/ Have an idea for someone who should appear on the show? Leave a comment below OR make a suggestion at: https://www.hiddenrolepodcast.com/suggestions
What goes into a great game? There's no easy answer, but Matt Leacock, creator of Pandemic and master game designer, might just know the answer! Join us as he dives into game theory, good feedback, crafting the play experience, and much more! Learn when Daybreak launches: https://www.daybreakgame.org/ Keep up with Matt Leacock: https://www.leacock.com/ https://twitter.com/mattleacock https://www.facebook.com/matt.leacock --- Visit our website and sign up for our newsletter to get a sneak peak at our upcoming guests: https://www.hiddenrolepodcast.com/ Have an idea for someone who should appear on the show? Leave a comment below OR make a suggestion at: https://www.hiddenrolepodcast.com/suggestions
When master game designer Matt Leacock started out, it wasn't about the money, it was about making the best game possible! In part one of this two parter, we go deep into the creation of the hit boardgame, Pandemic. Learn Matt's design philosophy and get a glimpse at how a big success can grow from a really solid game. In Part 2, we'll be discussing best practices in game design and much, much more! Learn when Daybreak launches: https://www.daybreakgame.org/ Keep up with Matt Leacock: https://www.leacock.com/ https://twitter.com/mattleacock https://www.facebook.com/matt.leacock --- Visit our website and sign up for our newsletter to get a sneak peak at our upcoming guests: https://www.hiddenrolepodcast.com/ Have an idea for someone who should appear on the show? Leave a comment below OR make a suggestion at: https://www.hiddenrolepodcast.com/suggestions
Listen to Marjorie Spitalnik, activist and Founder & CEO of Little Rebels, details her journey to make her toy line a reality; fighting sexism, highlighting lack of awareness of mental health, and spotlighting heroic women of history. Keep up with Little Rebels: https://www.wearelittlerebels.com/ https://www.youtube.com/c/LittleRebels/ https://www.instagram.com/wearelittlerebels/ --- Visit our website and sign up for our newsletter to get a sneak peak at our upcoming guests: https://www.hiddenrolepodcast.com/ Have an idea for someone who should appear on the show? Leave a comment below OR make a suggestion at: https://www.hiddenrolepodcast.com/suggestions
When an inventor pitches to a game company, a Game Scout picks what ideas stay and go! Josh West is that person, and using his two decades in the industry, he lets us know the secret to an awesome pitch! Keep up with ThinkFun: https://www.thinkfun.com/ https://www.facebook.com/ThinkFunGames/ https://www.instagram.com/thinkfun/ https://twitter.com/thinkfun https://www.youtube.com/user/ThinkFunInc --- Visit our website and sign up for our newsletter to get a sneak peak at our upcoming guests: https://www.hiddenrolepodcast.com/ Have an idea for someone who should appear on the show? Leave a comment below OR make a suggestion at: https://www.hiddenrolepodcast.com/suggestions
For nearly two decades, Egils Grasmanis has turned game publisher Brain Games into an international success, and he co-invented the worldwide hit ICECOOL. What does it take to be the first successful game publisher in Latvia? Learn that and more in today's episode! Check out Brain Games' upcoming Kickstarter, Iron Forest: http://tinyurl.com/IRONFOREST Follow Brain Games: https://www.publishing.brain-games.com/ https://www.facebook.com/BrainGamesPublishing/ https://www.instagram.com/braingames_int/ https://twitter.com/braingames_int https://www.youtube.com/c/BrainGamesPublishing/videos --- Visit our website and sign up for our newsletter to get a sneak peak at our upcoming guests: https://www.hiddenrolepodcast.com/ Have an idea for someone who should appear on the show? Leave a comment below OR make a suggestion at: https://www.hiddenrolepodcast.com/suggestions
Creating a business from scratch is hard enough - but manufacturing the product, distributing it, AND running the company, all after quitting your job to pursue a dream? Sounds pretty crazy... but Aaron Muderick is an expert in crazy. He's here to share his journey from the smallest inkling of an idea to a worldwide success. Keep up with Crazy Aaron's Thinking Putty: https://crazyaarons.com/ https://www.instagram.com/thinkingputty Follow Aaron Muderick: https://www.tiktok.com/@therealcrazyaaron --- Visit our website and sign up for our newsletter to get a sneak peak at our upcoming guests: https://www.hiddenrolepodcast.com/ Have an idea for someone who should appear on the show? Leave a comment below OR make a suggestion at: https://www.hiddenrolepodcast.com/suggestions
Rory O'Connor, game designer and creative, dives into the tale of Rory's Story Cubes, his creative process, making the world a better place through imagination and play, inclusivity in game design, and much more! Check out Hub Games: https://www.wearehubgames.com/ https://www.youtube.com/c/WeAreHubGames https://www.instagram.com/wearehubgames/ https://www.twitch.tv/wearehubgames https://www.facebook.com/wearehubgames/ Keep up with Rory O'Connor: https://twitter.com/roryoconnor --- Visit our website and sign up for our newsletter to get a sneak peak at our upcoming guests: https://www.hiddenrolepodcast.com/ Have an idea for someone who should appear on the show? Leave a comment below OR make a suggestion at: https://www.hiddenrolepodcast.com/suggestions
What makes a good name for a game? Where do good ideas come from? How do you make a game accessible? Tim Walsh, writer and inventor of Tri-Bond, Mega Mouth, and Blurt! has some theories and stories that shed some light on those questions and more. --- Visit Tim's website: https://www.theplaymakers.com/ Check out Tim's Youtube channel, Seize the Play, where he presents the wild history of famous toys and games in small segments: https://www.youtube.com/c/SeizethePlay/videos --- Visit our website and sign up for our newsletter to get a sneak peak at our upcoming guests: https://www.hiddenrolepodcast.com/ Have an idea for someone who should appear on the show? Leave a comment below OR make a suggestion at: https://www.hiddenrolepodcast.com/suggestions
In this episode, Randy Klimpert, toy inventor and Chief Creative Officer at Creata, tells us how he invented Hot Wheels Crack Ups and Battle Armor He-Man while working at the legendary design firm Marvin Glass & Associates. --- Visit our website and sign up for our newsletter to get a sneak peak at our upcoming guests: https://www.hiddenrolepodcast.com/ --- Have an idea for someone who should appear on the show? Leave a comment below OR make a suggestion at: https://www.hiddenrolepodcast.com/suggestions
Actor and entrepreneur Matthew Lillard knows how to turn a passion into a fulfilling career. He's best known for his roles films like Scream, Scooby Doo, and SLC Punk, but in recent years he's also become a tabletop roleplaying game darling, co-founding Beadle & Grimm's to make premium editions of Dungeons & Dragons books. Check out Beadle & Grimm's: https://www.beadleandgrimms.com/ Follow Matthew Lillard: Twitter: https://twitter.com/MatthewLillard Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/matthewlillard --- Visit our website and sign up for our newsletter to get a sneak peak at our upcoming guests: https://www.hiddenrolepodcast.com/ Have an idea for someone who should appear on the show? Leave a comment below OR make a suggestion at: https://www.hiddenrolepodcast.com/suggestions
Dan Klitsner breaks down his creative process and takes us on a Bop It journey. The beloved toy is fast approaching its 25th anniversary (at the time of this release). How did he take Bop It from an idea bopping around in his head to a real product that has resonated with people for a quarter century? Follow Dan Klitsner: https://www.tiktok.com/@bopitinventor Check out the Uni-Bop and Bop-It for Good: https://bopitforgood.com/
With Twister, Nerf, and decades of experience under his belt, Reyn Guyer is one of the most respected inventors in the industry of play. In this episode, we dive deep into the his stories and knowledge to learn where ideas come from and how to make them a reality. My Friend Wren: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCbT2P5zOQJFWmyXHKIZqhSQ https://www.myfriendwren.com/ Check out Reyn's website: http://www.reynguyer.com/
From McDonalds happy meal toys to Pretty Pretty Princess to Outburst Jr. to Mad Gabs, Peggy Brown is a serial game inventor with decades of experience and success. Learn what to do when the unexpected happens from an expert in game design and product development. Check out Peggy Brown Creative Consulting: https://peggybrown.com/
When inspiration strikes, how does someone take it from an idea to a success story? Learn from the extraordinary journey of Leslie Scott, from a childhood in East and West Africa to the inspiration for and development of Jenga and beyond. You can find Leslie Scott's games at: https://oxfordgames.co.uk/
In this episode, we talk to Mary Couzin, president and founder of ChiTAG, recently rebranded as People of Play. Her stewardship of the Toy and Game fair has shaped the industry for two decades, helping inventors to connect to publishers and retailers. Learn the origins of ChiTAG, how she grew it into a vibrant trade show, and her advice for anyone entering the industry of play. You can find out more about People of Play at: https://www.peopleofplay.com/
Let's take a brief moment to explain what we're about. Visit our website: https://www.hiddenrolepodcast.com/
© 2020-2025 Ivy Podcast Discovery LLC
