Hidden Role: The Brains Behind Your Favorite Games

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Hidden Role: The Brains Behind Your Favorite Games Podcast

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?

  1. MAY 10

    Dan Klitsner talks Medieval Sausage Slinging with Sling It!

    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

    24 min

  2. APR 24

    Connie Vogelmann designed Apiary & Wyrmspan!

    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

    35 min

  3. APR 17

    Paul Andersen turned his classroom into a video game!

    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

    48 min

  4. MAR 27

    JM Duparc: Playing for a Living

    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

    1h 10m

  5. MAR 20

    Scott Rogers: Game Designer, Author, & Former Imagineer

    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

    1h 2m

  6. MAR 13

    Kim Vandenbroucke Talks Her Inventing Career

    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

    54 min

  7. MAR 8

    Bob Fuhrer talks Love, KenKen, and Robots!

    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

    20 min

  8. FEB 23

    Bob Fuhrer... Is THE Crocodile Dentist!

    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

    53 min
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Ratings & Reviews

4
out of 5
9 Ratings

About

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?

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