Notes on Play

John Drexler
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A game development log where I share the hardest game design problems, and share thoughts on the games I'm playing. My name is John Rudolph Drexler and you can find my games at catacombian.com

  1. 22: Steel vs. Soft

    5 HR AGO

    22: Steel vs. Soft

    A framework for deciding what needs to change next in a game prototype that I developed with my friend Walter Somerville. I used this recently to make some huge improvements to Canticle.

    11 min
  2. 21: Why are there so many medieval games?

    13 MAR

    21: Why are there so many medieval games?

    Games feel immersive and grounded when they are familiar and legible -- even from a distance.

    12 min

  3. 27 FEB

    20: Player experience is the guiding light

    How do you give the emperor a sense of epiphany? How do you give the board a feeling of organic ideas-based growth? I picked the experience first, and designed around that.

    11 min
  4. 19: The best game idea I've ever had

    13 FEB

    19: The best game idea I've ever had

    This is a game that takes place in the past and the present. And I've never been so excited to work on something. Many more updates to follow on future episodes.

    10 min
  5. 18: Every prototype I made in 2025

    23 JAN

    18: Every prototype I made in 2025

    2025 was a creative explosion for me. Now it's time to focus up, and pick which prototype I will try to take to the finish line.

    15 min
  6. 17: Why my basketball board game failed

    9 JAN

    17: Why my basketball board game failed

    I tried (and failed) to make a basketball board game. I came up with some ideas that I loved, but ultimately decided to set it aside.

    12 min
  7. 16: How to learn a game

    19/12/2025

    16: How to learn a game

    Try to lose. It's a faster and more effective way to learn.

    9 min
  8. 15: Paying attention to "desire paths"

    12/12/2025

    15: Paying attention to "desire paths"

    Sometimes players show you exactly what they want to do. You can either fight them, or learn from them.

    10 min
See All (23)

About

A game development log where I share the hardest game design problems, and share thoughts on the games I'm playing. My name is John Rudolph Drexler and you can find my games at catacombian.com

Information

  • Creator
    John Drexler
  • Years Active
    2025 - 2026
  • Episodes
    23
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © 2026 John Drexler
  • Show Website
    Notes on Play
  • Provider

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