Player Lair Podcast

Ivan Alexiev
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  • GAMES

In the Player Lair podcast, we delve into the process of making games and interview various game designers, publishers and people involved in the gaming community. 

  1. 40: Finding your game's hook FAST with Renato Simões

    09/10/2025

    40: Finding your game's hook FAST with Renato Simões

    Send us a text Brazilian designer and publisher Renato Simões (FlipToons, Piratas, OZOB: A Cyberpunk Board Game) joins me to talk about the importance of finding the hook in game design. We discuss his journey from King of Tokyo fan to publishing Brazil’s best-selling card game, how FlipToons went from idea to contract in just a month, and why OZOB became a $1,000,000+ crowdfunding success. Renato also shares insights into collaboration, the Brazilian market, and why networking is just as vital as design.  Support the show

    1h 3m
  2. 39: Co-Design, Pitching, and Elegant Mechanics with David Gordon

    08/12/2025

    39: Co-Design, Pitching, and Elegant Mechanics with David Gordon

    Send us a text  I chat with designer David Gordon (Floristry, Finspan, Making Monsters) about co-designing, filtering feedback, pitching to publishers, and crafting tense, elegant mechanics like Floristry’s Dutch auction. We also dive into his process, inspiration, and lessons from working with top publishers like Stonemaier Games.  Support the show

    49 min
  3. 38: Creating Simple-to-Play Games with Cole Smith

    06/11/2025

    38: Creating Simple-to-Play Games with Cole Smith

    Send us a text In this episode of the Player Lair Podcast, we sit down with Cole Smith, designer of Tanuki, 3 Magi, and Sauros, to talk about his journey from pandemic hobbyist to published game designer. We dive into his roots in childhood rule-bending, how being a graphic designer informs his prototypes, and why sometimes it's better to shelve a game, or fight for it. Cole shares insights on pitching, playtesting, balancing creativity with feedback, and why quick overview videos might be more important than your rulebook. We also explore his latest game Sauros, a clever blend of trick-taking and puzzly tile placement… with dinosaurs. Whether you're just getting into game design or looking to refine your pitch process, this episode is packed with honest advice, practical tools, and a good dose of creative encouragement. Support the show

    55 min
  4. 37: Publishing and Pitching with Zev Shlasinger

    02/25/2025

    37: Publishing and Pitching with Zev Shlasinger

    Send us a text Zev Shlasinger has been in the hobby game industry for almost 30 years. He founded Z-Man Games in 1999, sold it in 2011, then worked for the new owners until mid-January 2016. At the end of January, he took the position of Director of Board Games with Wizkids. Some of the titles you might be familiar with are: Pandemic, Fantasy Realms, Agricola, Sidereal Confluence, Clash of Cultures, Merchants & Marauders, Tales of the Arabian Nights, Shadow Hunters, Arboretum, Tragedy Looper, Grave Robbers from Outer Space, Tournament at Camelot, Super Skill Pinball, and a host of others. Check out Zev's new publishing company Play to Z here! Support the show

    1h 16m
  5. 36: Finding Your Board Game's Superfans with Ori Kagan

    07/18/2024

    36: Finding Your Board Game's Superfans with Ori Kagan

    Send us a text Ori Kagan is the creative force behind Kagan Productions, a renowned agency specializing in high-quality animated trailers for board games. With a proven track record of helping campaigns raise over $19 million, Ori collaborates with both established publishers and first-time creators to bring their tabletop games to life with captivating storytelling and marketing expertise. Main Kagan Productions website: https://kaganproductions.com/ Kickstarter Health Scorecard: https://ori-y8ghfgfd.scoreapp.com/ Kagan Duckademy Waitlist sign up: https://kaganproductions.com/lp-kagan-duckademy/ Support the show

    1h 18m
  6. 35: Andrew Bosley

    04/12/2024

    35: Andrew Bosley

    Send us a text Andrew Bosley is one of the co-designers of Planecrafters by Paisley Board Games and the artist behind Everdell, The River, Mission: Red Planet, and Citadels. He is a freelance illustrator, game designer, and writer working primarily in the board and video game industries. Support the show

    1h 3m
  7. 34: Richard Garfield

    03/26/2024

    34: Richard Garfield

    Send us a text Richard Garfield is a game designer and mathematics professor known for creating the immensely popular card game Magic: The Gathering. In our conversation, we delve into topics such as game design, discovering fun where we don't initially feel it, playtesting, auto battlers, and much more! Additionally, we explore some of his other games, including Keyforge, Treasure Hunter, The Hunger, and, of course, Magic. Support the show

    1h 6m
  8. 33: Andrew Stiles

    03/14/2024

    33: Andrew Stiles

    Send us a text Andrew is an American game designer and co-host of the Tabletop Submarine podcast. His new game Wine Cellar is coming to Kickstarter in April 2024. Support the show

    54 min
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About

In the Player Lair podcast, we delve into the process of making games and interview various game designers, publishers and people involved in the gaming community. 

Information

  • Creator
    Ivan Alexiev
  • Years Active
    2020 - 2025
  • Episodes
    41
  • Rating
    Explicit
  • Copyright
    © 2025 Player Lair Podcast
  • Show Website
    Player Lair Podcast