Think Like A Game Designer

Justin Gary
  • 4.9 (81)
  • LEISURE
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Think Like A Game Designer

In Think Like a Game Designer, award-winning designer and Stone Blade Entertainment CEO Justin Gary speaks with world-class game designers and creative experts from various industries. Each episode deconstructs the creative process, offering insights into the art of game design and the broader cultural, technological, and business influences shaping a myriad of creative mediums. Join us for actionable advice and unique perspectives that will enrich your understanding of what it means to be creative in and out of the gaming world. justingarydesign.substack.com

  1. NOV 21

    Travis George — From League of Legends to Vela Games: Prioritization, Leadership, and the Power of Constraints (#74)

    About Travis George Travis George joins us on today’s episode, bringing over two decades of experience in the video game industry. Travis has held leadership roles at renowned companies like Activision and Riot Games, where he served as the product lead for League of Legends, helping to grow the game into a global phenomenon with over 117 million monthly players. He later co-founded Vela Games, where he continues to innovate as CEO, focusing on designing new player experiences in the cooperative gaming space. In this episode, Travis shares his journey from launching his first IT services company as a teenager to pursuing a formal education in game design and eventually playing a pivotal role in building one of the most successful live-service games in history. He offers critical insights into team building, the challenges of scaling a studio, and how to align your company around vision and priorities. Travis also discusses the lessons he learned from his successes and failures, including evaluating personal and professional growth, managing creative burnout, and pivoting when necessary. Whether you’re a novice designer or a seasoned creator, Travis’s experiences and philosophies provide a treasure trove of wisdom for navigating game development. Enjoy! Get full access to Think Like A Game Designer at justingarydesign.substack.com/subscribe

    1h 30m

  2. NOV 7

    Alexander Seropian — From Halo to Fortnite: Mastering Team Dynamics, Entrepreneurial Resilience, and User Generated Content (#73)

    Alexander Seropian joins us on today’s episode, bringing his vast expertise from decades in the video game industry. Alex is the founder of several influential game companies, including Bungie, Wideload Games, Industrial Toys, and Glenslinger Studios. He has also held leadership roles at Disney and Microsoft, overseeing teams of more than 100 people. Among his many accomplishments, Alex is best known for co-creating the iconic game Halo and for being a driving force in game design and industry innovation. In addition to his executive work, Alex has served as an advisor and investor in numerous startups. In this episode, Alex shares his journey, from his early days growing up in the 80s and programming on an original Mac, to founding Bungie and navigating the challenges of building and leading teams. He dives into what it takes to manage through failure, the lessons learned from his entrepreneurial ventures, and his thoughts on the future of gaming, including the roles of VR, AI, and Web3. Alex’s insights into game development, team building, and navigating the ever-evolving game industry provide invaluable wisdom for creators at every stage of their careers. Enjoy! Get full access to Think Like A Game Designer at justingarydesign.substack.com/subscribe

    1h 11m

  3. OCT 24

    Richard Bartle & Nigel Roberts — The Power of ‘What If,’ Building Communities, and Navigating Decentralization in Game Design (#73)

    Richard Bartle and Nigel Roberts join us on today’s episode, bringing decades of experience in gaming, technology, and community building. Richard is one of the co-creators of MUD (Multi-User Dungeon), the precursor to today’s MMORPGs, and developed the famous Bartle Taxonomy, which categorizes player types. He’s also a renowned author and academic, with works like How to Be a God exploring virtual worlds. Nigel Roberts, one of Richard’s long-time collaborators, was involved in the development of MUD and has had a significant role in shaping the modern internet. He is a member of the ICANN Board of Directors and one of the founders of the .gg domain. Nigel also made history as the first person to win a lawsuit in the UK for unsolicited spam email. His legal and technical insights have been instrumental in building communities both online and in the gaming world. In this episode, Richard and Nigel share their journey from developing the earliest multiplayer games to navigating the challenges of decentralized systems, community regulation, and virtual economies. They also discuss the power of “what if” in game design, the hero’s journey, and how both players and designers can express freedom and identity through games. Enjoy! Get full access to Think Like A Game Designer at justingarydesign.substack.com/subscribe

    1h 23m

  4. OCT 8

    Alex Yeager — Mastering Game Pitches, Reviving Evergreen Titles, and Creating Social Experiences in Game Design (#72)

    About Alex Yeager Alex Yeager joins us on today’s episode to bring his wealth of knowledge and experience from over 20 years in the board game industry. Alex is the Chief Operating Officer at Amigo Games, overseeing the company’s North American operations. Before his time at Amigo, Alex held various leadership roles at renowned companies like Mayfair Games, where he served as Vice President of Acquisition and Development, and Steve Jackson Games, where he contributed significantly to their demo programs. He also has a rich background as an event coordinator and demo leader, helping bring many games to wider audiences. In this episode, Alex shares his journey, from falling in love with tabletop games like Cosmic Encounter and Illuminati to his deep involvement in demoing for Steve Jackson Games and CheapAss Games. He walks us through his innovative 2-2-2 demo method, explains what makes a game pitch successful, and dives into the marketing strategies that can revive evergreen titles like Bonanza. Alex’s insights into game development, pitching, and the mechanics behind building successful games provide a goldmine of advice for designers and developers alike. Enjoy! Want to support the podcast and get more design lessons? Paying subscribers enjoy an abundance of extra game design content and an exclusive newsletter with new lessons, archive access, videos, and more! By opting for a free or paid subscription, you can get the latest articles delivered to your inbox and support this podcast! Get full access to Think Like A Game Designer at justingarydesign.substack.com/subscribe

    1h 10m

  5. SEP 19

    Scott Morris — Building a Brand, Navigating Contracts, and the Power of Relationships in Game Design (#71)

    About Scott Morris Scott Morris joins us on today’s episode to share insights into the world of game design and business development. Scott is the Chief Sales and Marketing Officer at Lucky Duck Games, where he has played a key role in the company's growth, including the recent acquisition by Goliath Games. Before his time at Lucky Duck, Scott held leadership positions at GTS Distribution and Passport Game Studios. He's also the designer of Firefly: Shiny Dice, a dice game based on the beloved Firefly universe, published by Upper Deck Entertainment. In this episode, Scott walks us through his journey, from running the successful review site Crits Happen to transitioning into full-time roles within the board game industry. He shares valuable lessons on branding, including how to effectively pitch a game and the complexities of acquisitions in the gaming world. Scott’s deep dive into the business side of game design, along with his tips for navigating contracts and branding, provides essential advice for designers at all stages of their careers. Enjoy! Get full access to Think Like A Game Designer at justingarydesign.substack.com/subscribe

    1h 7m

  6. AUG 23

    LIVE at Gen Con 2024 (Special Episode)

    In this special live episode recorded at Gen Con 2024, I share key lessons from my 20 years in the game industry, including insights from working with industry legends like Richard Garfield and designing major games like Ascension, Shards of Infinity, Bakugan, and SolForge Fusion. Here are some key takeaways: * Emotional Impact: Pay close attention to how games make players feel. Player experience is the most important metric for a game. * Set Deadlines: Setting deadlines and doing your best to hit them will change your life—deadlines are magic. * Core Design Loop: Focus on regular iteration and refining ideas. * Community: Building solid relationships with other creators is essential for growth. Always ask what value you can add, and you’ll be headed in the right direction. If these ideas resonate with you, join my Think Like A Game Designer Mastery Course to receive hands-on guidance and turn your game ideas into reality. You'll have the opportunity to pitch your game to real publishers, work with a creative community, and receive expert feedback as you bring your designs to life. Sign up now! Get full access to Think Like A Game Designer at justingarydesign.substack.com/subscribe

    33 min

  7. AUG 8

    Ethan Mollick — Navigating AI in Game Design, Ethical Integration, and Supporting Artists (#70)

    Ethan Mollick joins us today to share his insights into the rapidly evolving world of artificial intelligence. Ethan is an associate professor at the Wharton School of the University of Pennsylvania, specializing in innovation and entrepreneurship. He also co-directs the Generative AI Lab at Wharton, which focuses on developing prototypes and conducting research to explore how AI can help humans thrive while reducing risks. His body of work includes the book Co-Intelligence, a New York Times bestseller that delves into AI's current state and future, as well as numerous published papers in top academic journals. In this episode, Ethan takes us through his journey from working at MIT's Media Lab with AI pioneer Marvin Minsky to becoming a leading voice on the impact of AI on work and education. He shares practical advice on how creatives, including game designers, can wield AI to enhance their work while navigating its ethical complexities. Ethan and I reflect on co-designing the Breakthrough Game, which has been used by organizations like Google and Twitter to boost innovation and creativity. There’s a lot to learn from this episode, so get those notebooks out—Enjoy! Get full access to Think Like A Game Designer at justingarydesign.substack.com/subscribe

    1 hr
  8. Justin Gary — C.O.R.E. Attributes (Special)

    JUL 16

    Justin Gary — C.O.R.E. Attributes (Special)

    In this episode of "Think Like a Game Designer," I take a different approach by presenting a solo discussion without any guests. Here, I focus on a concept I introduced in a previous episode with Stephan Brissaud: the CORE Attributes. These attributes became very popular among listeners, so much so, that I thought it worth expanding upon in a new episode. I'll be elaborating on these core attributes, which I believe are essential for success: Curiosity, Obsession, Resilience, and Empathy. My goal is to provide a deeper understanding of these attributes in your life, offering insights and practical advice. CORE Attribute References: Summary of CORE Attributes: * Curiosity: The spark that drives learning and exploration. Stay curious and keep exploring. * Obsession: The focus and dedication needed to dive deep into a subject. Find something you're passionate about and dive in, blocking out all distractions. * Resilience: The ability to overcome challenges and use setbacks to fuel growth. Learn from your failures and keep pushing forward. * Empathy: This point is about understanding others and adding value to people’s lives. Our creative work has to serve others to be truly meaningful and we need to enroll others into our projects by understanding and speaking to their needs. These attributes have been crucial in both my personal and professional life. In this episode, I share personal anecdotes and practical exercises to help you cultivate these traits. I’d love to hear your feedback and engage with you through my Substack and Twitter. I'm incredibly grateful for this community and the opportunity to share these insights with you. Game Links: * Ascension Legends * You Gotta Be Kitten Me * SolForge Fusion Get full access to Think Like A Game Designer at justingarydesign.substack.com/subscribe

    31 min
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4.9
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About

In Think Like a Game Designer, award-winning designer and Stone Blade Entertainment CEO Justin Gary speaks with world-class game designers and creative experts from various industries. Each episode deconstructs the creative process, offering insights into the art of game design and the broader cultural, technological, and business influences shaping a myriad of creative mediums. Join us for actionable advice and unique perspectives that will enrich your understanding of what it means to be creative in and out of the gaming world. justingarydesign.substack.com

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