Podcasts about Game design

In today's episode we talk about Daggerheart campaign frames.  What are campaign frames?  How can they be used to improve game planning?  We give you our thoughts and answer all these questions and more in today's episode.Leave us an email for feedback, questions, or thoughts at levelupyourgamingpodcast@gmail.comor Follow us on Facebook and engage with us at https://www.facebook.com/LevelUpYourGamingPlease leave us a review or a five star rating wherever you get your podcast.

In this podcast, I sit down with Ethan Fleischer, the vision design lead for Edge of Eternities, to talk about the making of the set.

In this podcast, I talk about an R&D expression, "The juice isn't worth the squeeze."

Pentiment tak bardzo pasował nam do mechaniki Brindlewood Bay, że postanowiliśmy iść za ciosem i zadesignować takowego hacka. Przed Wami materiał, który dokumentuje początek tego procesu!Na kanał "Dobre Rzuty Eksperymenty" zapewnie trafią za jakiś czas nasze sesje próbne. ;)

In this live session, the hosts discuss various aspects of game design, gameplay mechanics, monetization strategies, and the future of game development. They provide insights into the gameplay of a specific game, analyze its mechanics, and compare it with other games in the market. The conversation also touches on audience engagement and upcoming events in the gaming industry.takeawaysThe live session format allows for real-time audience interaction.Gameplay mechanics can often be misleading in marketing.Deterministic level design enhances player experience and engagement.Monetization strategies are crucial for game sustainability.Comparative analysis helps understand market positioning.Future trends in gaming focus on user engagement and innovative mechanics.Audience interaction can provide valuable feedback for developers.Events like Gamescom and ChinaJoy are important for networking.Game performance metrics are essential for assessing success.The gaming industry is evolving with new monetization models.titlesExploring Game Design in a Live SessionGameplay Mechanics UnveiledSound Bites"We are live!""This is a game changer!""We need to have a soundboard!"Chapters00:00 Introduction to the Live Session03:07 Gameplay Overview and Mechanics07:15 Game Design and Difficulty Progression10:01 Monetization Strategies and User Engagement12:52 Comparative Analysis of Game Performance18:37 Future of Puzzle Games and Market Trends28:10 The Scale of Game Revenue30:16 The Evolution of User Acquisition Strategies32:56 Insights on Game Development and Monetization39:21 Analyzing Game Performance and Revenue Projections45:41 The Future of Game Development Strategies---------------------------------------Matej LancaricUser Acquisition & Creatives Consultant⁠https://lancaric.meFelix BrabergAd monetization consultant⁠https://www.felixbraberg.comJakub RemiarGame design consultant⁠https://www.linkedin.com/in/jakubremiar---------------------------------------Please share the podcast with your industry friends, dogs & cats. Especially cats! They love it!Hit the Subscribe button on YouTube, Spotify, and Apple!Please share feedback and comments - matej@lancaric.me---------------------------------------If you are interested in getting UA tips every week on Monday, visit ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠lancaric.substack.com⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ & sign up for the Brutally Honest newsletter by Matej LancaricLatest article - https://open.substack.com/pub/lancaric/p/stay-ahead-in-ua-for-2024-my-top?r=7qqaf&utm_campaign=podcast&utm_medium=web&showWelcome=trueDo you have UA questions nobody can answer? Ask ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Matej AI⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ - the First UA AI in the gaming industry! https://lancaric.me/matej-ai

Send us a textIf you've followed the podcast from the beginning, you might notice a theme. We aren't fans of D&D.Sure, we started with the OGL Scandal and ever since then we have made fun of, complained about, and down right called out Hasbro, Wizards of the Coast, and Dungeons and Dragons. But, that's just business, right? We must actually like D&D I mean everyone does. It's the grandaddy of all roleplaying games.Nope we hate D&D.Just ask us.Of course, we have talked about the business moves like firing all of their employees right before Christmas or licensing their products to predatory online gambling sites. I'm sure you get that, but outside of the big business moves and the licensing crap why don't we like D&D?Well, we've got reasons and on this episode Mike, Christina and I are going to lay it out for you.Mike, when did you realize you hated D&D?[Kick to Mike]Christina, you didn't start with D&D, so how long did it take you to realize you hated it?[Kick to Christina]

Jakub Remiar dives into Uma Musume Pretty Derby's “Spark” and legacy mechanics—one of the most advanced progression and inheritance systems in any mobile RPG. See why this game's depth is pulling 100,000 downloads a day and racking up 450,000 dollars daily revenue even outside Japan. From Genshin-style stat RNG to community-driven parent borrowing, you'll learn why this system is built for both theorycrafters and casuals, and why it's suddenly trending in the West.You'll learn:How legacy and spark inheritance work, and why this is deeper than anything in Western gachaWhy are there sixty-page guides and two hundred-page translations just to optimize your teamThe power of borrowing “whale” parents and building the perfect runHow no-level, stat-based progression makes Uma Musume endlessly replayableWhat makes this system so viral on YouTube, Shorts, and Steam right nowWhy every risk-reward decision and endless RNG roll keeps the meta aliveGet our MERCH NOW: 25gamers.com/shop--------------------------------------PVX Partners offers non-dilutive funding for game developers.Go to: https://pvxpartners.com/They can help you access the most effective form of growth capital once you have the metrics to back it.- Scale fast- Keep your shares- Drawdown only as needed- Have PvX take downside risk alongside you+ Work with a team entirely made up of ex-gaming operators and investors---------------------------------------Vibe. Vibe is the leading Streaming TV ad platform for small and medium-sized businesses looking for actionable advertising campaign performance.https://www.vibe.co/---------------------------------------For an ever-growing number of game developers, this means that now is the perfect time to invest in monetizing direct-to-consumer at scale.Our sponsor FastSpring:Has delivered D2C at scale for over 20 yearsThey power top mobile publishers around the worldLaunch a new webstore, replace an existing D2C vendor, or add a redundant D2C vendor at fastspring.gg.---------------------------------------This is no BS gaming podcast 2.5 gamers session. Sharing actionable insights, dropping knowledge from our day-to-day User Acquisition, Game Design, and Ad monetization jobs. We are definitely not discussing the latest industry news, but having so much fun! Let's not forget this is a 4 a.m. conference discussion vibe, so let's not take it too seriously.Panelists: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Jakub Remia⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠r,⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Felix Braberg, Matej Lancaric⁠Youtube: https://youtu.be/jk7CmPs4JRYJoin our slack channel here: https://join.slack.com/t/two-and-half-gamers/shared_invite/zt-2um8eguhf-c~H9idcxM271mnPzdWbipgChapters00:00 Introduction to Umo Musume Pretty Derby04:54 The Roguelite System Explained08:12 The Legacy System and Its Importance11:05 Understanding the Spark System13:59 Social Mechanics and Community Impact16:53 Replayability and Randomness in Gameplay20:13 Future Potential and Game Design Insights---------------------------------------Matej LancaricUser Acquisition & Creatives Consultant⁠https://lancaric.meFelix BrabergAd monetization consultant⁠https://www.felixbraberg.comJakub RemiarGame design consultant⁠https://www.linkedin.com/in/jakubremiar---------------------------------------Please share the podcast with your industry friends, dogs & cats. Especially cats! They love it!Hit the Subscribe button on YouTube, Spotify, and Apple!Please share feedback and comments - matej@lancaric.me---------------------------------------If you are interested in getting UA tips every week on Monday, visit ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠lancaric.substack.com⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ & sign up for the Brutally Honest newsletter by Matej LancaricDo you have UA questions nobody can answer? Ask ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Matej AI⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ - the First UA AI in the gaming industry! https://lancaric.me/matej-ai

In dieser Folge sprechen Christina und Florian über Tower Wizard, Antro, A Solitaire Mystery und Quantum Witch.

In episode 119 of Game Design Unboxed: Inspiration to Publication we talk with Ann Journey about what inspired her to create a game about going back in time to see the dinosaurs, rather than bringing them here to the modern day and age. (Because that never goes well!) They talk about revisiting and combining concepts […]

This week on 3v0, we're diving headfirst into the dark, claustrophobic corridors of Dead Space — one of the most iconic survival horror games of all time. We talk dismemberment mechanics, audio design that'll keep you up at night, and how Dead Space changed the horror genre in gaming forever. Plus, a few horrifying laughs along the way. Grab your rig, stay near a save station, and hit play. Just… don't look behind you.

On this episode of On Board Games, Erik and Bruce talk about games (and other things) they've played including: Hot Streak Arydia Western Legends Codenames Duet Forgotten Ruin You can get a discount on Zencastr.com using this link. (29:48) Then, they what makes a game timeless? ---------------------------------------------------------------- Inverse Genius: http://www.inversegenius.com/   Patreon account: http://www.patreon.com/obg   Twitter: @onboardgames RSS Feed: http://onboardgames.libsyn.com/rss Email us: onboardgamesmailbag@gmail.com On Board Games Guild at Board Game Geek

This episode is a tour through the wildest creative trends dominating mobile games in June 2025. We break down why two- and three-minute video ads are everywhere, how AI hooks and long-form ASMR are pre-qualifying high-value users, and why the best-performing creatives this month are often stitched together from hits of the past. What's inside:Long-Form Video SurgeCopy-Paste ManiaASMR and Satisfying LoopsAI-Driven InnovationClone Wars and IP TheftReal Life and UGCKey Takeaway:If you are not testing long-form videos, iterating ASMR or AI hooks, and watching what your competitors are copying, you are missing out. Quality and innovation are moving at warp speed, and copy-paste is the new default.Get our MERCH NOW: 25gamers.com/shop--------------------------------------PVX Partners offers non-dilutive funding for game developers.Go to: https://pvxpartners.com/They can help you access the most effective form of growth capital once you have the metrics to back it.- Scale fast- Keep your shares- Drawdown only as needed- Have PvX take downside risk alongside you+ Work with a team entirely made up of ex-gaming operators and investors---------------------------------------Vibe. Vibe is the leading Streaming TV ad platform for small and medium-sized businesses looking for actionable advertising campaign performance.https://www.vibe.co/---------------------------------------For an ever-growing number of game developers, this means that now is the perfect time to invest in monetizing direct-to-consumer at scale.Our sponsor FastSpring:Has delivered D2C at scale for over 20 yearsThey power top mobile publishers around the worldLaunch a new webstore, replace an existing D2C vendor, or add a redundant D2C vendor at fastspring.gg.---------------------------------------This is no BS gaming podcast 2.5 gamers session. Sharing actionable insights, dropping knowledge from our day-to-day User Acquisition, Game Design, and Ad monetization jobs. We are definitely not discussing the latest industry news, but having so much fun! Let's not forget this is a 4 a.m. conference discussion vibe, so let's not take it too seriously.Panelists: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Jakub Remia⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠r,⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Felix Braberg, Matej Lancaric⁠Youtube: Join our slack channel here: https://join.slack.com/t/two-and-half-gamers/shared_invite/zt-2um8eguhf-c~H9idcxM271mnPzdWbipgChapters00:00 Introduction to Creative Trends in Mobile Gaming04:24 Analyzing Recent Creative Campaigns07:32 The Impact of Video Length on User Engagement10:27 Innovations in Game Advertising13:23 Exploring AI in Game Marketing16:25 Case Studies: Successful Game Creatives19:16 Conclusion and Future Trends20:26 Understanding Player Perception22:34 Innovative Ad Strategies26:15 Analyzing Game Trends30:08 Marketing Strategies for Game Growth35:22 Emerging Trends in ASMR and Casual Gaming37:32 Innovations in Game Development and User Engagement39:22 The Role of User-Generated Content in Gaming41:07 The Impact of AI on Game Creatives44:46 AI Developments and Their Influence on Game Marketing53:08 Conclusion and Future Insights in Gaming---------------------------------------Matej LancaricUser Acquisition & Creatives Consultant⁠https://lancaric.meFelix BrabergAd monetization consultant⁠https://www.felixbraberg.comJakub RemiarGame design consultant⁠https://www.linkedin.com/in/jakubremiar---------------------------------------Please share the podcast with your industry friends, dogs & cats. Especially cats! They love it!Hit the Subscribe button on YouTube, Spotify, and Apple!Please share feedback and comments - matej@lancaric.me---------------------------------------If you are interested in getting UA tips every week on Monday, visit ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠lancaric.substack.com⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ & sign up for the Brutally Honest newsletter by Matej Lancaric

This podcast explores how each of the colors interacts with enchantments.

In this podcast, I walk through the history of how we've used colorless in design.

In today's episode we talk about how to use excessive detail to improve your games.  Why use extra detail in your games?  What tools can you use to create this detail?  What areas of detail should you focus on?  We give you our thoughts and answer all these questions and more in today's episode.Leave us an email for feedback, questions, or thoughts at levelupyourgamingpodcast@gmail.comor Follow us on Facebook and engage with us at https://www.facebook.com/LevelUpYourGamingPlease leave us a review or a five star rating wherever you get your podcast.

We unpack KnitOut by Rollic, a surprising hit blending simple, relaxing puzzle mechanics with clever monetization and UA execution. Underneath the soothing yarn is a sophisticated, scalable system that echoes the Turkish studio's proven blueprint. KnitOut is already generating $ 60,000 daily revenue and 20,000 downloads a day, with the US accounting for sixty percent of revenue and CPIs exceeding $10. What's inside:Core Gameplay: Addictive bench mechanic, yarn “block jam” puzzle core, and highly satisfying ASMR touches. Monetization: Interstitials start after level sixteen or eighteen. First rewarded ad comes with an upsell to “remove ads” IAP. No banners. Creative StrategyBlueprint for Hits: Rollic's process is all about finding a sticky core, tuning every curve, scaling hard, and only adding events or meta once retention and monetization benchmarks are proven. Hundreds of prototypes feed the pipeline, but only a handful get to scale.Key Takeaway:KnitOut looks simple, but it is a masterclass in “build core first, polish to perfection, then scale with data.” The Turkish blueprint continues to win, even as clones flood the market.Get our MERCH NOW: 25gamers.com/shop--------------------------------------PVX Partners offers non-dilutive funding for game developers.Go to: https://pvxpartners.com/They can help you access the most effective form of growth capital once you have the metrics to back it.- Scale fast- Keep your shares- Drawdown only as needed- Have PvX take downside risk alongside you+ Work with a team entirely made up of ex-gaming operators and investors---------------------------------------Vibe. Vibe is the leading Streaming TV ad platform for small and medium-sized businesses looking for actionable advertising campaign performance.https://www.vibe.co/---------------------------------------For an ever-growing number of game developers, this means that now is the perfect time to invest in monetizing direct-to-consumer at scale.Our sponsor, FastSpring:Has delivered D2C at scale for over 20 yearsThey power top mobile publishers around the worldLaunch a new webstore, replace an existing D2C vendor, or add a redundant D2C vendor at fastspring.gg.---------------------------------------This is no BS gaming podcast 2.5 gamers session. Sharing actionable insights, dropping knowledge from our day-to-day User Acquisition, Game Design, and Ad monetization jobs. We are definitely not discussing the latest industry news, but having so much fun! Let's not forget this is a 4 a.m. conference discussion vibe, so let's not take it too seriously.Panelists: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Jakub Remia⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠r,⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Felix Braberg, Matej Lancaric⁠Youtube: https://youtu.be/o22Ky7sGWqsJoin our slack channel here: https://join.slack.com/t/two-and-half-gamers/shared_invite/zt-2um8eguhf-c~H9idcxM271mnPzdWbipgChapters00:00 Introduction and Game Overview04:27 Gameplay Mechanics and Strategy07:25 Game Difficulty and Progression10:27 Monetization Strategies and User Engagement13:23 Comparative Analysis with Other Games16:33 Development Insights and Future Prospects21:45 Understanding Game Monetization Strategies25:30 Analyzing Game Performance Metrics29:25 The Shift in Ad Revenue Dynamics33:46 Creative Strategies in Game Marketing38:06 The Importance of Creative Length in Ads---------------------------------------Matej LancaricUser Acquisition & Creatives Consultant⁠https://lancaric.meFelix BrabergAd monetization consultant⁠https://www.felixbraberg.comJakub RemiarGame design consultant⁠https://www.linkedin.com/in/jakubremiar---------------------------------------Please share the podcast with your industry friends, dogs & cats. Especially cats! They love it!Hit the Subscribe button on YouTube, Spotify, and Apple!Please share feedback and comments - matej@lancaric.me

Send us a textWelcome to you heard it here last, where we talk about news, you've already heard.We start this week off with news about a game world that both Mike and Christina love. The World of Darkness.https://www.enworld.org/threads/jason-carl-on-white-wolfs-return-mage-the-ascension-plans.713655/Paradox Interactive announced that it was rebranding its World of Darkness group to White Wolf, with further plans to build out the group and shift much of its development efforts in-house. White Wolf was the name of the original publisher of Vampire: The Masquerade, Werewolf: The Apocalypse, and Mage: The Ascension. While the White Wolf name has been around behind the scenes, they have not official produced anything since 2006.Mike, do you think this means we will see the World of Darkness games get a new edition and/or major face lift?[Kick to Mike]Christina, Does Jason Carl's interview spark excitement about the future of White Wolf?[Kick to Christina]Now for more GenCon news that isn't GenCon news.https://www.enworld.org/threads/uk-games-expo-attracts-42-000-attendees-making-it-worlds-3rd-largest-tabletop-convention.713671/UK Games Expo in Birmingham started in 2007 with 900 attendees. While primarily a board game convention the table top roleplaying side has continued to grow since it's inception. This year the Expo pulled in 42,000 attendees. That makes it the 3rd largest gamine expo in the world behind Essen Spiel in Germany and GenCon in the US.Now I bring this up because the online community loves to play Debbie Downer and if you spend all of your time in Reddit you might be thinking this year's GenCon is going to be a bust. We have talked about this before with my belief that GenCon will once again be bigger then ever, and Mike and Christina talking about the ebb and flow of the convention year to year. Mike, What do you make of UK Games Expo's growth?[Kick to Mike]Christina, what's this mean for the big picture of gaming?[Kick to Christina]And there you have it, all the news, you've already heard.

In this solo episode, Felix Braberg walks through the six most effective ad placements he's tested and rolled out across top ad-monetized mobile games and client portfolios in 2024 and 2025. Drawing from live examples in games like Woodoku, Happy Color, Screwmaster 3D, Subway Surfers, and more, Felix details exactly how to engineer ad placements that boost ARPDAU, drive first purchases, and turn non-payers into rewarded ad whales.What's inside:Step Offer Chains: Build offers as a chain of steps—first offering free items, then a rewarded ad, then paid, and finally more free, creating a mental ladder that nudges first-time purchases and ad engagement. Use notification buttons to highlight available rewarded ads.Recency Effect Monetization: Use mediation hacks to always serve the highest eCPM ad unit. Supersonic's tactic: on app open, cache both rewarded and interstitial ads, then dynamically check which one pays more at every impression. Serve interstitials in rewarded slots if they outpay, but never the reverse.Convert-or-Die Placements: At every natural gameplay break, offer a rewarded ad first—if skipped, immediately serve an interstitial. Users quickly learn there is always an ad coming and will shift to rewarded for better value.Store Exit Rewarded Ads: Instead of putting rewarded ads inside the store, show them as a standalone pop-up only if a user leaves the store without buying. This boosts conversion among non-payers and is now rolling out across portfolios at scale.Unlockable Skins and Paint Jobs: Rewarded ads are used to unlock new skins, paint jobs, or game modes—sometimes requiring up to five ads for a single unlock. Use first cached ad eCPM to decide if a rewarded placement should show, especially for likely non-payers.Meta Rewards for Ad Whales: Give users bonus rewards for hitting high ad-watch thresholds (ten ads a day unlocks a speed buff, for example). This turns high-volume ad viewers into meta progression junkies, boosting both ad ARPDAU and retention.Key Takeaway:Test these placements, track them against the best ad-monetized games in the market, and always iterate. Small changes in placement, sequence, and creative lead to big jumps in revenue—especially for non-payers and ad whales.Get our MERCH NOW: 25gamers.com/shopVibe. Vibe is the leading Streaming TV ad platform for small and medium-sized businesses looking for actionable advertising campaign performance.https://www.vibe.co/This is no BS gaming podcast 2.5 gamers session. Sharing actionable insights, dropping knowledge from our day-to-day User Acquisition, Game Design, and Ad monetization jobs. We are definitely not discussing the latest industry news, but having so much fun! Let's not forget this is a 4 a.m. conference discussion vibe, so let's not take it too seriously.Panelists: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Felix BrabergYoutube: https://youtu.be/blw0JNMcfh8Join our slack channel here: https://join.slack.com/t/two-and-half-gamers/shared_invite/zt-2um8eguhf-c~H9idcxM271mnPzdWbipgChapters00:00 Introduction to Ad Placements04:09 Exploring Effective Ad Strategies10:20 Innovative Ad Placement Techniques15:06 Meta Rewards and Long-Term EngagementFelix BrabergAd monetization consultant⁠https://www.felixbraberg.com---------------------------------------Please share the podcast with your industry friends, dogs & cats. Especially cats! They love it!Hit the Subscribe button on YouTube, Spotify, and Apple!Please share feedback and comments - matej@lancaric.me---------------------------------------If you are interested in getting UA tips every week on Monday, visit ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠lancaric.substack.com⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ & sign up for the Brutally Honest newsletter by Matej LancaricDo you have UA questions nobody can answer? Ask ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Matej AI⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ - the First UA AI in the gaming industry! https://lancaric.me/matej-ai

We go deep on Uma Musume Pretty Derby, Japan's gacha horse girl sensation, and a masterclass in roguelite meta complexity. With real horse DNA, multi-layered training runs, six gacha layers, and a live ops cadence that powers up to 72 million dollars per launch month, Uma Musume is a unicorn in the global market—an RPG sim that's too Japanese for most of the West, but a billion-dollar franchise at home.What's inside:Japan-First, World-Second: Ninety-five percent of all revenue still comes from Japan.Insane Revenue Per DownloadTrue Roguelite Progression: Training runs carry over legacy stats, traits, and inspiration from previous “parents.” Every decision in a run matters. Social features like friend-run inheritance and deep support card gacha fuel endless replay.Authentic Horse Girl DNAToo Complex for the West: The English launch saw a brief spike (three hundred thousand dollars in a day) but quickly dropped. Complexity, visual style, and waifu focus make it a core product for otaku and hardcore sim fans.Key Takeaway:Uma Musume Pretty Derby is proof that deep, highly local games with real social and meta layers can still print billions, if you own your niche and deliver unmatched complexity.Get our MERCH NOW: 25gamers.com/shop--------------------------------------PVX Partners offers non-dilutive funding for game developers.Go to: https://pvxpartners.com/They can help you access the most effective form of growth capital once you have the metrics to back it.- Scale fast- Keep your shares- Drawdown only as needed- Have PvX take downside risk alongside you+ Work with a team entirely made up of ex-gaming operators and investors---------------------------------------Vibe. Vibe is the leading Streaming TV ad platform for small and medium-sized businesses looking for actionable advertising campaign performance.https://www.vibe.co/---------------------------------------For an ever-growing number of game developers, this means that now is the perfect time to invest in monetizing direct-to-consumer at scale.Our sponsor FastSpring:Has delivered D2C at scale for over 20 yearsThey power top mobile publishers around the worldLaunch a new webstore, replace an existing D2C vendor, or add a redundant D2C vendor at fastspring.gg.---------------------------------------This is no BS gaming podcast 2.5 gamers session. Sharing actionable insights, dropping knowledge from our day-to-day User Acquisition, Game Design, and Ad monetization jobs. We are definitely not discussing the latest industry news, but having so much fun! Let's not forget this is a 4 a.m. conference discussion vibe, so let's not take it too seriously.Panelists: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Jakub Remia⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠r,⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Matej Lancaric⁠Youtube: https://youtu.be/HmKZaCWlDBIJoin our slack channel here: https://join.slack.com/t/two-and-half-gamers/shared_invite/zt-2um8eguhf-c~H9idcxM271mnPzdWbipgChapters00:00 Introduction to Uma Musume Pretty Derby06:02 Understanding the Game's Popularity and Mechanics09:11 The Unique Design and Gameplay of Uma Musume12:02 The Evolution of Horse Racing Games15:10 Rogue-lite Mechanics in Uma Musume17:58 Character Selection and Training Strategies21:06 The Role of Support Cards and Skills27:03 Final Thoughts on Gameplay and Complexity37:19 Racing Mechanics and Strategies42:13 Game Progression and Challenges55:22 Monetization and Gacha Mechanics01:01:24 Marketing Strategies and Community EngagementMatej LancaricUser Acquisition & Creatives Consultant⁠https://lancaric.meJakub RemiarGame design consultant⁠https://www.linkedin.com/in/jakubremiar---------------------------------------Please share the podcast with your industry friends, dogs & cats. Especially cats! They love it!Hit the Subscribe button on YouTube, Spotify, and Apple!Please share feedback and comments - matej@lancaric.me

In this podcast, I talk about how it's not enough for a mechanic to be good in a vacuum.

This podcast explores how each of the colors interacts with creatures.

We welcome Freya Holmér back into the clubhouse to talk about 3D game development for independent game developers. We get into the specifics of the tools available for devs and why they work and don't work for different teams, but it's mostly an excuse to talk about Freya's new 3D modeling software.Half-Edge - Freya HolmérShader Forge - Freya Holmér, GitHubShapes - Freya Holmér, Unity Asset Store3D Workflows for Indie DevsGame DesignToolsUI / UXValve Hammer Editor - Valve Developer CommunityPicoCAD - Johan Peitz, itch.ioTrenchBroom - GitHubCrocotile 3DWhat's the difference between OBJ and FBX? And when to you what - RedditFreya HolmérGuestFreya Holmér is game developer, co-founder of Neat Corporation (makers of VR stealth game Budget Cuts), and creator of developer tools including Shader Forge and Shapes. She spends a significant amount of time interacting with people on her gamedev Twitch stream.External linkFreya on TwitchFreya on Twitter @FreyaHolmerFreya on YouTubeFreya on Instagram @freya_holmerNeat Corporation's WebsiteNeat Corp on Twitter @neatcorpBudget Cuts on SteamBudget Cuts on OcculusShader Forge on GitHub

We dissect the phenomenon of FPS Strike, a low-poly, Counter-Strike-inspired mobile shooter racking up more than 4 million DAU, mostly across India, Pakistan, Brazil, Egypt, and Southeast Asia. Despite its massive scale, nearly everything about the game is stuck in the “admon nightmare” zone—zero iOS presence, almost no user acquisition, unoptimized ad stack, endless rewarded ads, and zero LiveOps. Yet, even with all those gaps, it is still a money-printing machine, generating $30,000 to $50,000 a day, primarily from video ads and interstitials.What's inside:Ad Stack TrainwreckAds Everywhere, Little MonetizationCreative and UA FailFake Counter-Strike, Real Results: The “nostalgia” is more about experiencing a shooter for the first time on mobile, not actual Counter-Strike memories. Simple graphics, bots for everyone, and a skin shop that barely matters.Key Takeaway:You do not need next-gen graphics or live PVP to win in Tier 3. But if you do not optimize your ad stack, creatives, and UA, you are burning money every day. FPS Strike is a case study in “good enough” that could be so much more.Get our MERCH NOW: 25gamers.com/shop--------------------------------------PVX Partners offers non-dilutive funding for game developers.Go to: https://pvxpartners.com/They can help you access the most effective form of growth capital once you have the metrics to back it.- Scale fast- Keep your shares- Drawdown only as needed- Have PvX take downside risk alongside you+ Work with a team entirely made up of ex-gaming operators and investors---------------------------------------Vibe. Vibe is the leading Streaming TV ad platform for small and medium-sized businesses looking for actionable advertising campaign performance.https://www.vibe.co/---------------------------------------For an ever-growing number of game developers, this means that now is the perfect time to invest in monetizing direct-to-consumer at scale.Our sponsor FastSpring:Has delivered D2C at scale for over 20 yearsThey power top mobile publishers around the worldLaunch a new webstore, replace an existing D2C vendor, or add a redundant D2C vendor at fastspring.gg.---------------------------------------This is no BS gaming podcast 2.5 gamers session. Sharing actionable insights, dropping knowledge from our day-to-day User Acquisition, Game Design, and Ad monetization jobs. We are definitely not discussing the latest industry news, but having so much fun! Let's not forget this is a 4 a.m. conference discussion vibe, so let's not take it too seriously.Panelists: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Jakub Remia⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠r,⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Felix Braberg, Matej Lancaric⁠Podcast: Join our slack channel here: https://join.slack.com/t/two-and-half-gamers/shared_invite/zt-2um8eguhf-c~H9idcxM271mnPzdWbipgChapters00:00 Introduction to the Game Landscape04:42 Analyzing Game Metrics and User Engagement07:38 Gameplay Mechanics and User Experience10:38 Monetization Strategies and Ad Integration13:36 Game Features and User Retention Strategies18:27 The Importance of Monetization Strategies21:08 Ad Revenue Insights and Optimization24:51 Maximizing Ad Stack Efficiency27:37 User Engagement and Retention Strategies31:38 Influencer Marketing and Organic Growth35:34 Game Mechanics and Player Experience38:42 Future of FPS Games and Industry Trends---------------------------------------Matej LancaricUser Acquisition & Creatives Consultant⁠https://lancaric.meFelix BrabergAd monetization consultant⁠https://www.felixbraberg.comJakub RemiarGame design consultant⁠https://www.linkedin.com/in/jakubremiar---------------------------------------Please share the podcast with your industry friends, dogs & cats. Especially cats! They love it!Hit the Subscribe button on YouTube, Spotify, and Apple!Please share feedback and comments - matej@lancaric.me

Welcome back to another episode of the Online Warriors Podcast! This week, we have a very special episode in store for you. We have a special guest interview featuring Daniel Greenberg, Professor of Game Design at George Mason University and founder of Winterion Game Studios! Daniel came on the show today to chat about all things gaming (and root beer)! Some quick hits from our interview: Daniel's background and start in game design academia  Gaming as a staple in today's society When gaming evolved into an art form instead of a fun "diversion" Transmediation and how we interact with various forms of media The "importance of storytelling vs. gameplay mechanics" debate Game design elements that are fundamental for a really good game The story of Winterion Game Studios and the IONGAMING project "Must-play" retro games Daniel's personal game development plans/experience Daniel's favorite board game recommendations Daniel's thoughts on the future of gaming and VR's place in that future  Daniel's history as a root beer aficionado Daniel answers: "If you could be a superhero, what would be your superpower?"  Thanks again to Daniel Greenberg! Check him out at: Twitter: https://twitter.com/winterion  Winterion Game Studios on Youtube: http://watch.winterion.com  Winterion Game Studios Website: https://winterion.com/index.html  George Mason University: https://www.gmu.edu/  Daniel Greenberg at GMU: https://www.gmu.edu/profiles/dgreenb2  Special shoutout to our Patreon Producers: Steven Keller and Loyd Weldy! We'd like to thank each and every one of you for listening in every week. If you'd like to support the show, you can drop us a review on your favorite podcast platform or, if you're feeling extra generous, drop us a subscribe over at Patreon.com/OnlineWarriorsPodcast. We have three tiers of subscriptions, each of which gives you some awesome bonus content! As always, we appreciate you tuning in, and look forward to seeing you next week! Stay safe and healthy everyone! Find us all over the web: Online Warriors Website: https://www.onlinewarriorspodcast.com Online Warriors Twitter: https://twitter.com/onlinewarriors1 Illeagle's Twitter: https://twitter.com/OWIlleagle86 Nerdbomber's Twitter: https://twitter.com/OWNerdbomber Techtic's Twitter: https://twitter.com/OWTechtic Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/onlinewarriorspodcast Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/onlinewarriorspodcast/ YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCwOwzY6aBcTFucWEeFEtwIg Merch Store: https://onlinewarriorspodcast-shop.fourthwall.com/

No nosso décimo nono episódio, recebemos Luis Tashiro, graduado em Game Design pela Anhembi Morumbi e CEO da Mad Mimic e Studio ZYX. Com mais de 25 anos de experiência em soluções digitais e jogos, ele liderou o sucesso de títulos autorais como No Heroes Here, premiado nacional e internacionalmente, além de Dandy Ace e Mark of the Deep — disponíveis em plataformas como PC, console e mobile. Neste papo, vamos explorar sua transição de serviços para jogos autorais, os bastidores de desenvolvimento indie e os caminhos para o mercado global.

Send us a textOur 100th Episode.Jen and I were walking through the hallways of the Indianapolis Convention Center. We had just finished setting up the booth for GenCon and we had been talking about all things roleplaying.“Hey, do you think you or Mike would be interested in doing a podcast. We could tie Oddfish Games into it and just chat about roleplaying in general.”I threw out the question hoping she would be interested. I had done some podcasting already so it wasn't a foreign concept to me and I figured a fun game podcast would be interesting to put together.A few more conversations later, a demo recording of the introduction, and finding some time in our already hectic schedule and Mike, Christina, and I sat down and started talking about the OGL scandal.Now here we are 100 episodes later.That's right, this is our 100th episode of the Epic Adventure Podcast, and that's pretty cool.For those of you that don't know, only a little over 5% of podcasts reach 100 episodes. Most fizzle out before the reach 8 episodes. Hitting 100 episodes is a solid benchmark and one we are proud of so in this episode Mike, Christina, and I are going to talk about the podcast. We are also going to be hearing from a few of our listeners throughout the episode.Mike, what do you think about reaching 100?Kick to MikeChristina, did you even realize we were getting close to 100?Kick to Christina

Paul West, founder of Fumb Games, joins Two and a Half Gamers to share the real growth story behind the studio's breakout year. From Bitcoin Miner's $10 million run to the launch of Idle Mine and a creative rebrand that hit $1 million in sixty days, Paul explains how ruthless UA strategy, creative expansion, and a “cut what doesn't work” mindset allowed a lean team to scale tenfold—right in the middle of the industry's hardest year.What's inside:UA: Bigger Risks, Smarter FocusFumb Games ditched the “three-day payback only” mindset, stretched paybacks, and invested in UA even when it was scary. They ran tons of networks, then cut to the four that moved the needle.Creative Volume and ExperimentationAI tools, influencer gigs on Fiverr, and a nonstop creative testing culture delivered more winning ads and allowed for higher spend. The team tested everything—static, video, and even reskinned gameplay for new themes.LiveOps and Community as Retention FuelWeekend and midweek events, Discord and Reddit codes, and direct player rewards kept ARPDAU and DAU rising together—unusual for a scaling idle studio.Monetization UpgradesSubscriptions became 80 percent of purchase revenue in new titles. Side revenue from play gap (offline ad fill), Zebedee (crypto microtransactions), and Discord monetization all helped lift margins.Market Read and Thematic FocusWhen Bitcoin Miner started to plateau, they rebranded a casual project into Idle Mine, doubled down on the Bitcoin theme, and saw instant traction and monetization in a proven niche.Key Takeaway:You do not 10x by playing it safe. Cut what doesn't work, invest big in what does, and let your UA and creative testing do the heavy lifting. If the theme and the community are hot, pour fuel on that fire.Get our MERCH NOW: 25gamers.com/shop---------------------------------------Vibe. Vibe is the leading Streaming TV ad platform for small and medium-sized businesses looking for actionable advertising campaign performance.https://www.vibe.co/---------------------------------------This is no BS gaming podcast 2.5 gamers session. Sharing actionable insights, dropping knowledge from our day-to-day User Acquisition, Game Design, and Ad monetization jobs. We are definitely not discussing the latest industry news, but having so much fun! Let's not forget this is a 4 a.m. conference discussion vibe, so let's not take it too seriously.Host: Paul Westhttps://www.linkedin.com/in/paulkwest/Podcast: Join our slack channel here: https://join.slack.com/t/two-and-half-gamers/shared_invite/zt-2um8eguhf-c~H9idcxM271mnPzdWbipgChapters00:00 Introduction to Fum Games and Growth Strategy03:35 Challenges in the Gaming Industry06:41 Core Pillars for Future Growth09:33 Innovative Monetization Strategies13:13 User Acquisition and Community Engagement15:59 Rebranding and New Game Launch18:11 Key Takeaways and Future Outlook---------------------------------------Matej LancaricUser Acquisition & Creatives Consultant⁠https://lancaric.meFelix BrabergAd monetization consultant⁠https://www.felixbraberg.comJakub RemiarGame design consultant⁠https://www.linkedin.com/in/jakubremiar---------------------------------------Please share the podcast with your industry friends, dogs & cats. Especially cats! They love it!Hit the Subscribe button on YouTube, Spotify, and Apple!Please share feedback and comments - matej@lancaric.me---------------------------------------If you are interested in getting UA tips every week on Monday, visit ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠lancaric.substack.com⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ & sign up for the Brutally Honest newsletter by Matej LancaricDo you have UA questions nobody can answer? Ask ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Matej AI⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ - the First UA AI in the gaming industry! https://lancaric.me/matej-ai

In episode 118 of Game Design Unboxed: Inspiration to Publication we talk with Pat Marino, game developer and Director of Hobby Games for The Op about capturing the excitement of the Cuphead video game in a unique tabletop experience that resonated with existing fans and the board game community. They explore what it takes to […]

SaltPOD 0006, Summer 2025 Release date: June 30, 2025 Welcome gamers! If you are a board gamer, a social gamer, or someone who loves RPGs, SaltCON is a place for you. Welcome back to SaltPOD, your dedicated deep dive into the vibrant world of SaltCon and the incredible community that makes it tick! If you're new here, SaltPOD is your backstage pass, your insider scoop, your direct line to all things SaltCON. SaltCON – the biggest and best tabletop gaming convention in the Mountain West! We're here to explore the amazing games, the fantastic people, and the unforgettable experiences that make SaltCon a must-attend event year after year. Get ready to level up your excitement!" This episode we are reviewing all the great things that happened at SaltCON Summer which happened June 6th through the 8th at the Davis Conference Center, in Layton City. The first Summer event is the smallest of the events that happen at the Davis Conference Center, but that does not mean there is a shortage of events and fun to be had. This was still three days that were packed full of RPG events, Board Game events, Social gaming events, and even a tournament or two to be played in. So sit back and let's dig in. We have a lot to talk about. Vendor Hall Some very cool stuff for gaming drinks, games, and gaming accessories. https://www.facebook.com/diethuludimension/ https://www.etsy.com/shop/DiceChaos/ https://wyvernwarfare.com/ https://www.facebook.com/Fictionmobile/ https://binarycocoa.com/ https://aalazersquirrel.com/ https://www.4xpgaming.com/ Hot Games: Andromeda's Edge Cat Blues: The Big Gig Creature Caravan Critter Kitchen Finspan House of Fado SETI: Search for Extraterrestrial Intelligence Slay the Spire: The Board Game Play to Win Games  I played a handful of games from this game on the shelves, there were around 30 games that were there to try out and to get a chance to win them. Even if you just wanted to review the rules and enter to win the game that is an option, but this is a great way to try a game and see if you want to have a chance to win them. https://saltcon.com/summer-play-to-win/ Gaming library A huge game library with over 2500 games to check out and play. Classic games, and new games alike. There were 278 different events the attendees could sign up for.  178 Total RPG events. 85 RPG events 26 Pathfinder events 67 Dungeons and Dragons Adventurers League events Pathfinder Society: Salt of the Ocean Multi Table Event In the Eye of Abendego, the storm has receded just enough to reveal two particularly interesting new sites: one is a wrecked Pathfinder ship and the other an ancient island associated with prophesiers and demons. With some help from an old pirate friend, the Pathfinders are kitted up in order to investigate these two new occurrences, however it seems like she wasn't the only pirate with her eyes on these strange new prizes. The Society will have to face the dangers of sea and storm as they sail to their goal, hoping to beat their rivals to the hidden secrets! This event was played with multiple tables running simultaneously, at multiple level tiers. The Pathfinder Society came out victorious! D&D Adventurers League: Hold Back the Dead Multi Table Event The Adventurer's League had some close calls, and not everyone made it out alive this time... but the dead have been vanquished. For now.  Hold Back the Dead is a multi-table Dungeons & Dragons adventure where heroes must defend a stronghold under siege by an overwhelming undead force. As the tide of the dead rises, players work together across tables to uncover the source of the invasion and prevent an ancient evil from breaking through. Designed for epic coordination and tense decisions, it blends horror, heroism, and high-stakes combat in a dynamic battlefield setting. Playtests for new RPG systems were available at SaltCON Summer with the highlights being  Untold RPG and  Nephilim the Forsaken, brought in by local game designers.  SaltCON End of Summer will have a stronger focus on prototype RPG systems and welcomes game developers to join the SaltCON GameMasters Guild on Discord or Facebook to learn more about bringing their systems to the convention. Total sessions run: 175 Other popular games included Cyberpunk Red, Shadowdark, Call of Cthulhu, Shadowrun, Vampire the Masquerade, The Electric State, BESM, Nimble 2, Dragonbane, DC20, and many more! Game Swap Flea Market Saturday for 2-hours Tournaments Sabacc EventsBroadway Murder Mystery - Groomed for Murder! This was a big hit and will return for End of Summer with rumor of a second game being added. Grilled to Death Nebula: A 4X inspired Big Group Game Tichu around with Danny We had about half of the attendees learning Tichu for the first time, it was really cool to see them pick up strategies after each hand! There were many surprising outcomes, including many successful and unsuccessful Tichu calls, hands that looked certain, than turned upside down, and many laughs. Everyone that I spoke to that was learning for the first time was excited to get the game, and play some more! Blood on the Clock Tower Nine different event and one how to play event Mini Painting Seminar Saturday 1:30 64 total board game events Board Game Events 30 Board Game Events Meeple Nation events 34 Meeple Nation Board Game Events What a way to start the Summer of Gaming. So what is next? SaltCON End of Summer August 29-31 1000 badges Game library RPG area Tons of RPG events Hot Games No-Ship Math Trade Game swap Open all three days Flea Market Saturday 9-10AM Figure Painting  Saturday 12:30 -3:30PM Vendors Reserved tables Four left Next Year SaltCON is adding a Sixth Event. One that will have many people very excited.  SaltCON Cruise August 7-14 Leaving Seattle and cruising up to Alaska and then back to Seattle. Limited to 100 spots Gaming Library Room Block If you have any questions feel free to email us at MeepleNation@gmail.com. We are always excited to hear about new games and exciting events and great times. And with that we have completed another deep dive into the salty goodness of SaltCon! We hope you're as excited as we are for all the fun and games. Remember, SaltPOD is your ongoing connection to these amazing events. But the board gaming adventure doesn't stop here! If you love in-depth discussions, diverse perspectives, and talking about all things board games, be sure to check out our regular podcast, Meeple Nation! There we have episodes serving up fantastic content week after week. Until next time, keep rolling those dice, and we'll see you at SaltCon!"Thanks for listening.   

[Aaron was very fucked up on ZzzQuil so he sometimes might not make sense.] Gerry's missing! Luckily Aaron is joined by Chris and Will to chat about a certified hood classic: the original Pikmin for GameCube! We also chat about Vegeta being a total cum dumpster and Big Bird on crack. Oh, and Better Call Saul > Breaking Bad. DO NOT @ US. Rated E10+ FOR COP KILLIN'.Click here to view the episode transcript.

On this episode of On Board Games, Erik is joined by Chris and Casey from Solid Roots game company to talk about games (and other things) they've played including: Root Beyond the Sun Skip Bo Grand Austria Hotel Ma's Deep Shinola Momo's Shanghai Rummy Firefly Star Wars Outer Rim Aquanauts One Night Ultimate Werewolf Blood on the Clocktower You can get a discount on Zencastr.com using this link. (29:31) Then, they discuss a recent "Make your own board game" event that they hosted. ---------------------------------------------------------------- Inverse Genius: http://www.inversegenius.com/   Patreon account: http://www.patreon.com/obg   Twitter: @onboardgames RSS Feed: http://onboardgames.libsyn.com/rss Email us: onboardgamesmailbag@gmail.com On Board Games Guild at Board Game Geek

Two demos for using the Gimp Perspective Tool to create textures from photos. The textures are then applied to a mesh in Blender which is exported into an FBX model. The model is then imported into Unity which can be used in a game. Links and Notes Gimp – https://www.gimp.org/ Blender – https://www.blender.org/ Unity – … Continue reading Perspective Tool for Textures – Knox Game Design, June 2025 →

In this episode, Casey Jones chats with award-winning tabletop designer and mastermind behind the Dice Exploder Podcast, Sam Dunnewold! Together, we dive into:• the ins and outs of creating (and naming) a timeless sci-fi TTRPG• breaking down game mechanics one-by-one• the essence of a great heist game• prioritizing the creative process when you have a whole list of ideasWhether you're a game designer, podcaster, or a creative of any kind, you'll find fresh inspiration in this stimulating conversation.

We break down Wittle Defender, Habby's latest departure from the mass market, blending deep meta, squad RPG mechanics, and a relentless gacha system. This is not another Survivor IO. It is a meta monster built for hardcore RPG fans, multi-layered progression, gear grind, rune systems, and dozens of monetization hooks. But is it too deep for global scale?What's inside:Meta Gone WildGacha and ProgressionMore Modes, More MonetizationDeep automation and idle mechanics Ad Revenue ShrinksUA and Creative: Focused on Asia, with heavy use of fake gameplay, static images, and Rush Royale or Top Heroes clones for Facebook and TikTok ads. Playable ads exist but are rare.Key Takeaway:Wittle Defender marks Habby's pivot away from broad hybrid monetization. The focus now is on deep spend, multi-layered progression, and gacha depth for a smaller, more hardcore player base. Ad revenue is down, IAP is up, and the US is no longer the top target.Get our MERCH NOW: 25gamers.com/shop--------------------------------------PVX Partners offers non-dilutive funding for game developers.Go to: https://pvxpartners.com/They can help you access the most effective form of growth capital once you have the metrics to back it.- Scale fast- Keep your shares- Drawdown only as needed- Have PvX take downside risk alongside you+ Work with a team entirely made up of ex-gaming operators and investors---------------------------------------Vibe. Vibe is the leading Streaming TV ad platform for small and medium-sized businesses looking for actionable advertising campaign performance.https://www.vibe.co/---------------------------------------For an ever-growing number of game developers, this means that now is the perfect time to invest in monetizing direct-to-consumer at scale.Our sponsor FastSpring:Has delivered D2C at scale for over 20 yearsThey power top mobile publishers around the worldLaunch a new webstore, replace an existing D2C vendor, or add a redundant D2C vendor at fastspring.gg.---------------------------------------This is no BS gaming podcast 2.5 gamers session. Sharing actionable insights, dropping knowledge from our day-to-day User Acquisition, Game Design, and Ad monetization jobs. We are definitely not discussing the latest industry news, but having so much fun! Let's not forget this is a 4 a.m. conference discussion vibe, so let's not take it too seriously.Panelists: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Jakub Remia⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠r,⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Felix Braberg, Matej Lancaric⁠Youtube: https://youtu.be/lg023xHkCUkJoin our slack channel here: https://join.slack.com/t/two-and-half-gamers/shared_invite/zt-2um8eguhf-c~H9idcxM271mnPzdWbipgChapters00:00 Introduction and Host Dynamics02:49 Sailing Adventures and Job Interviews04:06 Whittle Defender Game Overview07:19 Game Mechanics and Progression Systems11:22 Monetization Strategies and User Experience14:22 Gameplay Modes and Challenges18:17 Character Skills and Randomization Mechanics25:18 Final Thoughts and Game Depth25:42 Character Dynamics and Game Mechanics28:36 Game Depth and Player Engagement29:52 Market Positioning and Audience Targeting34:15 Revenue Insights and Market Performance40:15 Monetization Strategies and Future Directions44:06 Game Mechanics and Trends46:13 Marketing Strategies in Gaming51:18 Investment and Development in the Gaming Industry56:14 Future Directions for Game Studios---------------------------------------Matej LancaricUser Acquisition & Creatives Consultant⁠https://lancaric.meFelix BrabergAd monetization consultant⁠https://www.felixbraberg.comJakub RemiarGame design consultant⁠https://www.linkedin.com/in/jakubremiarPlease share the podcast with your industry friends, dogs & cats. Especially cats! They love it!Hit the Subscribe button on YouTube, Spotify, and Apple!Please share feedback and comments - matej@lancaric.me

This podcast explores how each of the colors interacts with artifacts.

In this podcast, I talk about the use of repeat mechanics on singular card designs.

In today's episode we talk about how make games less epic.  Why would you want a less epic game?  How do you not slip into epic?  Can less epic games make for something epic down the line?  We give you our thoughts and answer all these questions and more in today's episode.Leave us an email for feedback, questions, or thoughts at levelupyourgamingpodcast@gmail.comor Follow us on Facebook and engage with us at https://www.facebook.com/LevelUpYourGamingPlease leave us a review or a five star rating wherever you get your podcast.

Send us a textWelcome to you heard it here last where we talk about news, you've already heard.We are going to start with an article from Wolfgang Baur the CEO of Kobold Press. Now this doesn't really constitute news, but I found it very interesting and thought Mike and Christina might agree.https://koboldpress.com/state-of-play-in-it-to-print-it-what-to-know-to-get-your-game-printed/The article: State of Play: In It to Print It. What to know to get your game printed. Is designed as a primer for first time game publishers looking to get their product printed. I thought it was informational not only for the publisher, but for the buyer as well. Baur lays out the printing options and talks about costs and mistakes. With GenCon coming up where you will likely see the results of every type of printing possible, this just seemed relevant. Mike, talk to us about printing?Kick to MikeChristina, anything to add?Kick to Christina Next up isn't really a news story either, more a conglomeration of observations. Ok, that's not fair, it started with a news story, so keeping with the show lets lead with that;https://www.rascal.news/dungeons-cabins-registration-is-open-and-filling-fast/In an announcement through Rascal News, Dungeons and Cabins is open for registration. Dungeons and Cabins is a 4-day immersive D&D summer camp for adults. The outing takes the traditional summer camp with everything you would expect from that and layers a D&D campaign on top of it. To give it all a twist the things you do during the summer camp activities might affect the D&D campaign. The event takes place in Running Springs California and the dates are in September.Now for my observations. What's up with all the D&D Vacations.We have D&D in a Castle, where players spend a lot of money to play D&D…you guessed it, in a castle. The locations are in the United Kingdom and surprisingly several in the US. These events are going to set up back anywhere from 3 to 5 thousand dollars.https://www.dndinacastle.com/Green Dragon Fest is another one. This one takes place in a fantastical fantasy village inspired by Tolkien located just outside Knoxville Tn. With some of the most well-known online personalities running games. This one also runs for 3-5 thousand bucks.https://greendragonfest.com/Then we have D20 Cruise. That's right a week of playing D&D on a cruise ship. What could possibly go wrong. This one is basically a mini convention set onboard a cruise ship and has more options than just playing D&D. This one is the cheapest of the bunch starting at 2,350 dollars for the week and then going up based on cabin choices.https://event.cruises/d20-cruise-a-ttrpg-vacation/Christina, what do you make of the roleplaying vacation events, you up for it?Kick to ChristinaMike, would you spend 5k to roleplay in a castle?Kick to MikeAnd there you have it, all the news, you've already heard.

In this inspiring episode of Investing with Purpose, we sit down with Russell Hughes, a humble IHG member, creative force in the game development world, and faith-driven real estate investor. From a childhood shaped by a "starving artist" father and hard life lessons, to building successful gaming companies and getting his hands dirty flipping HUD homes, Russell's journey is anything but conventional.We explore how faith pulled him back from wayward paths, how he brings purpose into the work he does today, and how he's navigating the early stages of real estate investing with spiritual clarity. This episode is a powerful testament to aligning your calling with your career, and how ethical investing is not just possible—but purposeful.TakeawaysInvesting should reflect personal beliefs and values.Many Christians consider the ethical implications of their investments.Financial advisors play a crucial role in aligning investments with faith.Return and safety are important, but not the only factors.Ethical investments can lead to better alignment with core beliefs.Navigating ethical dilemmas is essential for faith-based investing.Investors should seek advisors who understand their values.Values-based investing can enhance personal fulfillment.Financial planning should incorporate ethical considerations.Investing wisely involves a holistic view of one's beliefs.TitlesFaith Meets Finance: A New Approach to InvestingInvesting with Integrity: Aligning Values and WealthChapters00:00 Introduction to Faith-Driven Investing01:21 Early Influences and Family Background03:02 Turning Points and Lessons Learned05:34 Faith and Values in Financial Decisions07:14 Purposeful Investments and Impact08:08 Navigating Profits vs. Principles10:29 Legacy and Wealth Transfer13:51 Community and Mentorship in Investing16:05 Dream Investments and Future Aspirations26:59 New ChapterRussell was born Texas to a loving mom and Starving Artist father who passed away when he was a young teen. After years of wayward living, Russell worked his way into the Game Development Industry and worked on several number 1 titles as well as helped start several game companies. Early on, he started buying HUD homes to do the slow flip while living in them. Russell notes that, along the way, God was not letting him slip away, He has always called him back into discipline no matter how much he strayed. He is amazing.Email: russsssman@gmail.comLinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/russellhughesIG: @russelllhughesConnect with UsAre you interested in joining a community of like-minded individuals who aspire to build true wealth through real estate passive investing? Go to IHG Investor Club to learn more!

Most of the dorks are back! This week we're talking about world events that happen every four years...for some reason? Then Chewie talks about taking two teenagers, one of whom had not ridden a roller coaster, to Carowinds to ride roller coasters! After all of that of course we have to talk about the Final Fantasy Prerelease because ALL OF US WENT! Dirk & Mike talk about their decks, while Chewie takes over talking about how Brian & Sam did. Great fun was had by all. From there, Chewie goes into why he's less interested in Magic these days, but how thinking critically about it for all those years has stirred a deep interest in how elements of game design come together in all the games he plays. Then we devolve into the usual nonsense, like GYATT and D&D and Skyrim and how there weren't any good Jasons back in the day. Come join us in the future! The show is live on Thursdays around 8pm(ish) Eastern time on Twitch Become a Lifeguard on Patreon! – www.patreon.com/themanapool Podcast RSS Feed: https://themanapool.libsyn.com/rss YouTube: www.youtube.com/TheManaPool The Deep End: https://www.youtube.com/@TheDeepEndTMP Twitch: www.twitch.tv/themanapool Discord: discord.gg/7da7T6s BlueSky: themanapool.bsky.social Instagram: TheManaPool Threads: @TheManaPool Email: dorks@themanapool.com

Trent Kusters chats with Julian Gollop, founder and game designer at Snapshot Games. Together they discuss his legendary journey designing games from the creation of the original XCOM: UFO Defense to his studio's latest release, Chip 'n Clawz vs. the Brainioids; how to use constraint as a key design pillar; having the courage to remove features for a better play experience; and when to lean on tried and true conventions and when to avoid them.  This episode is sponsored by Xsolla Episode Host: Trent Kusters Producers: Claudio Tapia and Josh Chu, The Academy of Interactive Arts & Sciences If you enjoyed this episode, please consider subscribing and leaving us a rating and review. Support the show and get all of our episodes early/ad-free: https://bit.ly/4kU34Lt Follow us: linktr.ee/AIAS Please consider supporting game dev students with: AIAS Foundation

I recently wrote a three-part article about the history of typal themes in Magic. This is my podcast on the topic.

In this podcast, I answer a question from my blog about how we decide when to name and not name mechanics.

We break down all the new changes for Knights in Warhammer 40k and talk top lists like Death Guard and Emperor's Children. Imperial Knights 40k Update: 40k Chaos Knights Guide: Some links are referral links that help support the podcast LVO Tickets On Sale Now! Monument Hobbies has some of the best paints in the business: Get yours here Get your hobbies for less from Fabricators Forge   J15 Games Has Your Game Aides, Tokens & Templates! Get them here:  Join our discord  Heretic Swag Essential Hobby Products & Tools List  Buy Wyatt's Miniature:  Table of Contents 00:00 Opening 07:30 News 27:32 Knights Welcome to , a new place for bringing the hobby back to wargaming! A podcast hosted by Rob Baer, Kenny Boucher & Wyatt Turk. Become a Veteran of the Long War!  http://thelongwar.net/

What are your hobbies? I personally enjoy dance, specifically latin dance and often I wonder, “What if I could translate salsa dancing into a toy or game?”. Well today, we're going to explore that possibility. Today my guest shares how she turned her hobby into a best selling board game!In this episode of Making It in the Toy Industry, I'm joined by Elizabeth Hargrave, award-winning board game designer and co-founder of the Tabletop Game Designers Association. You might know her from her hit game Wingspan, which turned the world of nature and birdwatching into one of the most beloved engine-building games of all time.Elizabeth shares how she took her passion for the natural world and used it to build a meaningful and immersive game that fully translated the experience of birding. Our conversation today circles around how to accurately translate the “experience” of doing various hobbies to a tabletop play pattern. In my opinion that's the secret sauce of how Elizabeth created such an incredible game on her first try.During this episode, we also talk about her upcoming game Sanibel, inspired by collecting seashells on the beach. A hobby so simple and a game so elegant, that I'm sure you'll find yourself inspired to build a tabletop experience based on your hobbies.Listen For These Important Moments:[00:01:12] - What started as a love for birdwatching became Wingspan, a wildly successful board game that blends strategy with nature through clever engine-building mechanics.[00:04:07] - Elizabeth introduces the Tabletop Game Designers Association, which offers support with contracts, advocacy, and education, perfect for both new and seasoned game designers.[00:10:51] - From butterflies to beachcombing, see how personal passions can evolve into meaningful, immersive game themes that resonate with players.[00:23:07] - Elizabeth's Wingspan pitch journey proves you don't. Learn how smart feedback, persistence, and a strong prototype can open doors for your game invention.[00:34:49] - Even with success, staying grounded in playtesting and peer feedback is key to creating games that last. No shortcuts, just a solid creative process.Send The Toy Coach Fan Mail!Support the showPopular Masterclass! How To Make & Sell Your Toy IdeasYour Low-Stress, Start-To-Finish Playful Product Launch In 5 Steps >> https://learn.thetoycoach.com/masterclass

In this podcast, I talk all about Exodus (the third expansion of the Tempest block).

In this podcast, I talk all about Stronghold (the second expansion of the Tempest block).

In this podcast, I sit down with the lead designer of Magic: The Gathering®—FINAL FANTASY™ to talk about the set's design.

In this podcast, I talk about a concept called futureproofing where we design mechanics to better enable us to use them in the future.