387 episodes
Board Game Design Lab Board Game Design Lab
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- Leisure
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4.8 • 155 Ratings
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The Board Game Design Lab came into existence for a very simple reason: I could never find the game design info that I needed. And I assumed I wasn't the only one. I had a lot of very specific questions I wanted to ask game designers and publishers, and as it turns out, they're more than happy to answer those questions when asked. So, I created the BGDL Podcast. I release a weekly show that interviews designers, publishers, and board game insiders on specific topics. We don't waste time talking about games we've played lately or get caught up on pop culture. There are plenty of other podcasts that do those things very well. Instead, the show does a deep dive into subjects that I hope listeners find extremely valuable as they progress through their game design journeys. The show comes out on Wednesdays.
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[Community Spotlight] Turning Big Games into Microgames with Joe Klipfel
Joe Klipfel, designer of Griphold Tower, discusses what it’s like to take a large, published game and turn it into a microgame. Joe has done this with Set a Watch and Gloomhaven and offers lots of insight on how to break a game down to its essence.
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[Community Spotlight] Customer Engagement, Support, and Satisfaction with Marco Pecota
Marco Pecota, designer of Legions of Steel, discusses the ways he’s engaging with the fans of his game. We talk about building a community, releasing bonus content, reaching out to your fans for feedback, and more.
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How to Design Euro Games with Martin Wallace
Martin Wallace, designer of Brass: Birmingham and about 100 other great games, talks about Euro games and his process for designing them.Martin is one of the greatest designers of all time, and he offers tons of excellent advice based on his 30+ years in the industry.
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Getting a Job in the Board Game Industry with Joe Slack
Joe Slack, designer Relics of Rajavihara, talks about the many different jobs in the board gaming industry and how people have found their way to those jobs.Joe recently released a book devoted to this topic, so we talk a lot about what he found through his interviews and research. And you can find Joe’s latest book about jobs in...
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How to Design Social Experiences with Nick Metzler
Nick Metzler, game designer at Spin Master, talks about designing games that create excellent social experiences.We also dive into chasing dreams, overcoming obstacles, and gamification.
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Optimizing Game Design Time with Trevor Laforce
BGDL community member Trevor Laforce discusses how to optimize your life to get more designing done in less time.We talk about habits, time management, and self-management in the context of designing games while also having a job, family, and busy schedule. And you can find Trevor’s daily planner and more time optimization content on his...
Customer Reviews
Incredible resource
It’s been so fun watching Gabe grow over the years, and often he has more expertise and interesting things to say about the topics than the experts themselves! Keep up the great work and thank you for all you do for the design community.
Amazing podcast teaching me to design games.
Great interviews
The BEST Tabletop Design Podcast
Where to start! Gabe’s BGDL podcast has been an inspiration and a joy to listen to for years. The episodes focus on very specific topics which allow you to focus in on what you want to hear. Heck, I’ve practically listened to them all since they’re so interesting, no matter the subject matter.
I can say, without a doubt, that Gabe provides the BEST tabletop game design device through incredible interviews and thoughtful words of his own. He’s a friendly and professional host that has delivered priceless content to thousands of designers, and I have no doubt is responsible for many completed projects and even more realized dreams.
If you’re starting your BGDL journey, buckle up, it’s a fantastic ride!