Ludology

Sen talks with the always awesome Omari Akil at Origins 2023. They talk about making games, making music, and making authenticity the goal for the next year. 

https://ludology.libsyn.com/pros-and-cons-ep-5

In her 10th installment, special guest host Sarah Shipp lends her insights into how thematic win condition not only drive play, but allow for better immersion.

https://ludology.libsyn.com/thinking-beyond-mechanisms-ep-10

TTRPG Kids' host Steph Campbell joins us once again to drop knowledge about how to set up great encounters for your children or students. Whether those encounters are in a familiar system or a ne...

https://ludology.libsyn.com/ttrpg-kids-ep-11

In this episode, Sen and Erica speak with Laia Gonzales, one half of Wonderbow Games about their amazingly successful Kickstarter project, Kelp, and the unfortunate issues that arose because of s...

https://ludology.libsyn.com/ludology-320-imitation-is-not-the-best-form-of-flattery

In the last episode, Sarah Shipp discussed the concept of gates that actively and intentionally restrict player agency as a useful tool for game design. In this episode, she takes a more in depth...

https://ludology.libsyn.com/thinking-beyond-mechanisms-ep-9

This episode, Erica and Sen welcome David Mullich to the show. David is a game designer and educator who was involved with outlining the requirements for the Game Design Merit Badge for the Boy S...

https://ludology.libsyn.com/ludology-319-how-to-earn-your-badge

Guest host Steph Campbell talks about how to include educational elements to TTRPG sessions for children in the classroom and at the dining room table in this installment of their TTRPG Kids seri...

https://ludology.libsyn.com/ttrpg-kids-ep-10

Erica and Sen welcome Asger Granerud to the podcast to talk about the design decisions behind the hit deckbuilder, Heat: Pedal to the Metal, Asger also discusses his new publishing partnership, S...

https://ludology.libsyn.com/ludology-ep-318

In this episode, special guest host, Sarah Shipp, talks about how gates restrict player agency and still manage to create interesting player decisions despite these constraints.

https://ludology.libsyn.com/thinking-beyond-mechanisms-ep-8-0

Erica and Sen welcome the Podfather of Gaming, Stephen Buonocore. to the show for his annual update on what is currently impacting the tabletop gaming industry. Stephen talks about everything fro...

https://ludology.libsyn.com/ludology-317-state-of-the-industry-2024

In this installment of Steph Campbell's TTRPGKids, they discuss how to tailor-make a system for YOUR particular child, creating something custom that both you and your little gamer will enjoy!

https://ludology.libsyn.com/ttrpg-kids-ep-9

Dave Chalker (co-designer of Restoration Game's Thunder Road) joins Erica and Sen to talk about toys, games, and toyetic games.

https://ludology.libsyn.com/ludology-316-toy-included

In this installment of Thinking Beyond Mechanisms, Sarah Shipp discusses the concept of Decision Space and the five elements that comprise it: Logic, Strategy, Agency, Motivation, and Emotion.

https://ludology.libsyn.com/thinking-beyond-mechanisms-ep-7

Erica and Sen make some resolutions about game design and predictions about the tabletop industry to ring in the new year!

https://ludology.libsyn.com/ludology-315-happy-2024

In this episode of Pros and Cons Sen meets with Kristen Mott, who talks about how she recently broke into the industry, how she designs with her children as playtesters, and how she's explored no...

https://ludology.libsyn.com/pros-and-cons-ep-4

Sen chats with Jordan Goddard about the growth of his family endeavor - Indy Toy Lab, a toy and game design studio with hobby roots that's aiming it's sights at the mass market. This podcast was ...

https://ludology.libsyn.com/pros-and-cons-ep-3-0

In this second installment of talking to industry pros at gaming conventions, Sen chats with Tuesday Badell and Ben Begeal at Origins in Columbus, June 2023. We talk about design-centric conventi...

https://ludology.libsyn.com/pros-and-cons-ep-2

In the Pros and Cons series, Sen interviews industry professionals live at game conventions around the world.  In this first installment, Sen interviews Andy Kim - designer of The Spill from S...

https://ludology.libsyn.com/pros-and-cons-ep-1

Steph brings their monthly dose of TTRPG advice to the table, this time extolling the benefits of playing roleplaying games with young children in the home or classroom. 

https://ludology.libsyn.com/ttrpg-kids-ep-8-3

This week, Erica and Sen welcome writer, designer, and relucatant movie star Calvin Wong Tze Loon 黃子倫 to talk about his piece in "What Board Games Me To Me: Tales from the Tabletop," an ant...

https://ludology.libsyn.com/ludology-314-what-games-mean-to-calvin

Erica and Sen speak with Ami Baio of Pink Tiger Games about her line of social communication games, how she makes them, and how she's able to find success outside of traditional markets for board...

https://ludology.libsyn.com/ludology-ep-313-welcome-to-the-social-club

In the 7th installment of this series, Steph covers their strategies for helping children cope with spells, tracking information and more, offering practical solutions so you, too, can game with ...

https://ludology.libsyn.com/ttrpg-kids-ep-7

Sen and Erica ask each other questions collected from our Patreon supporters about the differences between designing a board game and an RPG, what working for a mass market game company is like, ...

https://ludology.libsyn.com/ludology-312-fall-host-chat

In her segment, Thinking Beyond Mechanisms, Sarah Shipp talks about psychologist Steven Reiss' 16 Motivators or Human Needs in terms of game design and how considering these can help make a more ...

https://ludology.libsyn.com/thinking-beyond-mechanisms-ep-6

Will Meadows from the Tantrum House channel joins Erica and Sen to talk about his recent experience at the board gaming convention to end all board gaming conventions - Spiel in Essen, Germany. H...

https://ludology.libsyn.com/ludology-311-the-essen-experience

In this episode of our special series, guest host Steph Campbell discusses how to maintain the attention of younger players. They give several excellent tips and tricks to help your kiddos mainta...

https://ludology.libsyn.com/ttrpg-kids-ep-6

Sen and Erica welcome Heather O'Neill (CEO of 9th Level Games, Managing Director of UnPub, and game designer) to Ludology to chat about juggling all of her roles and the state of the tabletop ind...

https://ludology.libsyn.com/ludology-310-professional-jugglers

In this episode of Thinking Beyond Mechanisms, guest host Sarah Shipp discusses some of the terms that designers often talk about (balance, elegance, and efficiency) but turns many of them on the...

https://ludology.libsyn.com/thinking-beyond-mechanisms-ep-4-0

Sen and Erica welcome Brian Lenz from Delano Games (www.delanogames.com) to discuss the intricacies of manufacturing board games in North America this week on Ludology.

https://ludology.libsyn.com/ludology-309-home-grown-games

Special guest host, Steph Campbell, discusses how they introduced their son to TTRPGs at the ripe old age of 2. 

https://ludology.libsyn.com/ttrpg-kids-ep-5

Erica and Sen welcome Travis Severance, owner of Millennium Games - the largest game store in the United States - to the podcast. Travis brings years of retail experience to the table and lends i...

https://ludology.libsyn.com/ludology-308-weve-got-more-in-store

Guest host, Sarah Shipp, talks about the concept of resonance when designing games, SUCCESS (from "Made to Stick" by Chip & Dan Heath), and Sarah's own equation for resonance: Familiary + Unexpec...

https://ludology.libsyn.com/thinking-beyond-mechanisms-ep-4

Erica and Sen welcome Pam Walls, a designer who specializes in party games, to the Ludology Podcast. Pam provides excellent insight into what it takes to make large and diverse groups of people w...

https://ludology.libsyn.com/episode-307-lets-party

In the fourth installment of TTRPG Kids, Steph talks about how to pick a setting that is engaging for the children that you're gaming with.

https://ludology.libsyn.com/ttrpg-kids-ep-4

Sen and Erica welcome designer and Dice Tower member Roy Cannaday to the show to tell us about his experience at Gen Con 2023 that was made extra special because it was also the official launch o...

https://ludology.libsyn.com/ludology-306-we-survived-gen-con-2023

Guest host, Sarah Shipp, discusses Artistotle's Classical Unities and explores how unity of action, time, and place can be used to design a more cohesive game.

https://ludology.libsyn.com/thinking-beyond-mechanisms-ep-3-0

Erica and Sen discuss their comings and goings over the past few months. Sen attended Origins in June and Erica went to SDCC in July. So before they both head to Gen Con in August, they figured t...

https://ludology.libsyn.com/ludology-305-co-host-catch-up

In this episode, Steph talks about their use of safety tools and how they modified some for use with their son.

https://ludology.libsyn.com/ttrpg-kids-ep-3

Erica and Sen welcome designer, author and game studies professor, Gordon Calleja to the show to discuss his book "Unboxed: Board Game Experience and Design" from the MIT Press (ISBN 978-0-262-54...

https://ludology.libsyn.com/ludology-304-unboxing-game-design

Segment host Sarah Shipp returns to talk about the concept of immersion in tabletop games. Amongst others, Sarah references Gordon Calleja theories on immersion in her discussion - Gordon will be...

https://ludology.libsyn.com/-thinking-beyond-mechanisms-episode-2

Erica and Sen welcome Danielle Reynolds and Nick Bentley to the show to talk about how HerStory from Underdog Games was designed.

https://ludology.libsyn.com/ludology-303-making-herstory-0

Join Steph Campbell of TTRP Kids as they delve into the difficult topic of kids wanting to do "bad" things when playing TTRPGs. How can parents and educators deal with this in a constructive way....

https://ludology.libsyn.com/ttrpg-kids-episode-2

Erica and Sen talk to Nicholas Yu, the designer responsible in part for games like Adventure Tactics and the recent release D&D Onslaught. Nick brings a wealth of knowledge about playing and desi...

https://ludology.libsyn.com/ludology-302-line-of-insight

This segment features guest host Sarah Shipp of Shippboard Games. For the next year, Sarah will be taking a look at aspects of game design that go beyond the basics of rolling dice or drawing car...

https://ludology.libsyn.com/thinking-beyond-mechanisms-episode-1

Sen and Erica welcome Morten Monrad Pedersen, founder of the Automa Factory, to the podcast to discuss designing solo modes for tabletop games. Morten has been involved with the solo modes for ga...

https://ludology.libsyn.com/ludology-301-flying-solo

Steph Campbell of TTRPG Kids gives parents and teachers some simple, practical tips on how to adapt tabletop role playing games for use with children in the home and classroom. In this episode, S...

https://ludology.libsyn.com/ttrpg-kids-episode-1

It's a celebration! To mark the 300th episode of Ludology, Erica and Sen invite some of the past hosts (including co-founders Geoff Engelstein and Ryan Sturm, Scott Rogers, and Emma Larkins) to s...

https://ludology.libsyn.com/ludology-300-celebrating-the-love-of-games

Sen and Erica sit down with Matt Paquette, graphic designer behind many of the games on your shelves, to discuss how he lays out all of the information needed to play a game in a logically flowin...

https://ludology.libsyn.com/ludology-299-ux-essentials-0

Erica and Sen talk with Carlos Flores and Eric Zimmerman about the recently released Green Games Guide, a document chock full of sustainable goodness for those in the tabletop industry hoping to ...

https://ludology.libsyn.com/ludology-298-green-team-wins-0

Erica and Sen talk with Carlos Flores and Eric Zimmerman about the recently released Green Games Guide, a document chock full of sustainable goodness for those in the tabletop industry hoping to ...

https://ludology.libsyn.com/ludology-298-green-team-wins

Erica and Sen talk to Pauline-Fate Kong and Marie Wong (Hot Banana Games) about their Ion Award-winning game, Steam Up. They dive into the mechanisms behind this game about Dim Sum and the Chines...

https://ludology.libsyn.com/ludology-297-steam-up-team-up-go-bananas

This episode, Erica and Sen take a walk down memory lane with the Podfather of Gaming, Stephen Buonocore, as they reminisce about his time as the founder of Stronghold Games, his current role as ...

https://ludology.libsyn.com/ludology-296-lets-reminisce

Erica and Sen bring Daryl Andrews onto the show to discuss his role as Head of Talent at Maestro Media, pitching games to publishers in general, and the importance of relationships in the industr...

https://ludology.libsyn.com/ludology-295-relationship-goals

Erica and Sen welcome Eric Lang, a self-identified Born-Again Mass Market Guy, to Ludology in order to review what the tabletop industry went through in 2022 and where he thinks it's headed in 20...

https://ludology.libsyn.com/ludology-294-state-of-the-industry-2023

Erica and Sen welcome Tim Devine of Dice Up Games, designer of Color My Quest: A Colour & Cut Roleplaying Game, to Ludology to discuss designing RPGs for families as well as safety and calibratio...

https://ludology.libsyn.com/ludology-293-color-me-fascinated

Erica and Sen welcome artist Kwanchai Moriya to the show to discuss his process, his advice for new artists trying to break into the tabletop industry, his take AI Image Generators, and his New Y...

https://ludology.libsyn.com/ludology-292-state-of-the-art

Erica and Sen talk to Michelle Rundbacken and Yacine Merzouk, the fine purveyors of the Society of Curiosities, about their bespoke puzzle experiences that bridge the gap between the physical and...

https://ludology.libsyn.com/ludology-291-curiouser-and-curiouser

Where are some of the places that game design skills come in handy? Erica and Sen talk to Nick Metzler, who has designed games for traditional publishers like Spin Master, murder mysteries in a c...

https://ludology.libsyn.com/ludology-290-theres-a-game-designer-for-that

Erica and Sen discuss how "Boop!", a new cat-themed 2-player game, became rethemed from an abstract game with the game's designer, Scott Brady. Scott tells us how the theme was integral in shapin...

https://ludology.libsyn.com/ludology-289-cats-got-your-tongue-4

Sen and Erica talk with Pat Marino, designer behind Cup Head: Fast Rolling Dice Game and other titles from The Op, about translating videogames over to the hobby gaming and mass market gaming spa...

https://ludology.libsyn.com/ludology-288-from-the-console-to-the-tabletop

Erica and Sen meet up with Jason Perez (Shelf Stories, cultural consultant on Puerto Rico 1897) to talk about cultural consultation, define some of the most prominent terms, and talk about how we...

https://ludology.libsyn.com/ludology-287-culture-vultures

Sen and Erica chat with Roberta Taylor about her games, diving deeper into Creature Comforts and the upcoming Maple Valley, specifically. They discuss cozy games and Roberta's philosophy towards ...

https://ludology.libsyn.com/ludology-287-comfy-and-cozy-designs

Geoff discusses what he calls the "Sweet Spot" in games, and how it can help your design.

https://ludology.libsyn.com/gametek-classic-2855-the-sweet-spot

Sen and Erica chat with Brian Neff, the freelance developer who currently handles the Unmatched System for Restoration Games, about the process he uses for playtesting and balancing a game with a...

https://ludology.libsyn.com/ludology-285-unmatched-making

In this classic Biography of a Board Game, Scott takes a look at how the horror game Betrayal at House on the Hill came to be.

https://ludology.libsyn.com/biography-of-a-board-game-2845-chill-black-morn-manor-and-betrayal-at-house-on-the-hill

Erica and Sen talk with Spenser Starke about his game, Alice is Missing, and it's jump to the big screen. They discuss how to design cinematic narrative structure into tabletop games, calibration...

https://ludology.libsyn.com/ludology-284-spenser-is-missing

Geoff takes us through the history of the color blue, namely how difficult it is to make as a dye, and considers if we should value it above all other player colors.

https://ludology.libsyn.com/gametek-classic-2835-blue

Erica, Gil, and Sen discuss some of the tools and processes they use at the various phases of designing a game from their varying perspectives of an in-house designer, a publisher, and freelance ...

https://ludology.libsyn.com/ludology-283-tools-of-the-trade

In this classic Biography of a Board Game, Scott takes us through the history of the game Cluedo, better known to Americans as Clue.

https://ludology.libsyn.com/biography-of-a-board-game-classic-2825-cluedo

Erica and Sen chat with game designer Mondo Davis about how to market yourself in the game industry.

https://ludology.libsyn.com/ludology-282-the-art-of-marketing-yourself

Continuing the previous GameTek Classic , Geoff returns to the subject of AI in first-person shooters. Last time, we learned that researchers had engineered an FPS AI that could beat the best hum...

https://ludology.libsyn.com/gametek-classic-2815-fps-ftw-part-2

Gil and Sen meet up with James Hudson of Druid City Games to discuss the pleasure of games that are big, sprawling productions.

https://ludology.libsyn.com/ludology-281-i-like-big-games-and-i-cannot-lie

Scott takes us through the history of Kill Dr. Lucky, a game where, instead of trying to deduce the murder of a wealthy old man, you're trying to actually do the deed.

https://ludology.libsyn.com/biography-of-a-board-game-2805-kill-dr-lucky

Erica and Sen talk with Dr. Tanya Pobuda about her groundbreaking research of representation in board games, the purpose of journalism, and her work in academia. SHOW NOTES 2m01s: Emma and G...

https://ludology.libsyn.com/ludology-280-refuse-to-leave-the-room

In GameTek Classic 275.5 - MENACE , Geoff discussed a simple machine that anyone can build that can learn how to play tic-tac-toe competitively. Here, Geoff continues the conversation, this time ...

https://ludology.libsyn.com/gametek-classic-2795-fps-ftw

Erica and Gil discuss Erica's time so far working at Spinmaster, making mass-market games for kids and families. How is it different from making games for the hobby market? SHOW NOTES 0m43s: ...

https://ludology.libsyn.com/ludology-279-two-princes

In this classic GameTek, Scott tells us about the history of Agricola, which sparked new life in worker-placement games.

https://ludology.libsyn.com/biography-of-a-board-game-classic-2785-agricola

Sen and Gil have a talk with game reviewer and critic Daniel Thurot of the marvelous game review site Space-Biff! about his distinctive style of writing, the difference between review and critici...

https://ludology.libsyn.com/ludology-278-everyones-a-critic

Geoff tells us about big changes in store for Tabletop Network 2022 , and why he's so excited for it! This is an amazing show for game designers, and you can easily stay for BGG.CON immediately a...

https://ludology.libsyn.com/gametek-2775-tabletop-network-2022

Sen and Gil chat with game designer Carol Mertz, senior game designer at Exploding Kittens. Carol has worked on many Exploding Kittens games, like Hand To Hand Wombat, Exploding Kittens: Recipe f...

https://ludology.libsyn.com/ludology-277-combustible-felines

Scott rassles up the tangled history of the Western-themed social deduction game Bang!

https://ludology.libsyn.com/biography-of-a-board-game-classic-2765-bang

Gil and Sen sit down with game designer and chronicler Aaron A. Reed to talk about his project 50 Years of Text Games , in which he covered one important game for each year between 1971 and 2020....

https://ludology.libsyn.com/ludology-276-text-messages

Geoff tells us about MENACE; not Phantom or Dennis, but the Matchbox Educable Noughts and Crosses Engine , which Donald Michie designed in 1961 as a relatively simple AI that would allow anyone t...

https://ludology.libsyn.com/gametek-classic-2755-menace

Erica and Gil chat with returning guest Banana Chan and our own Sen-Foong Lim about designing their game Jiangshi: Blood in the Banquet Hall. What's it like making a game about a specific demogra...

https://ludology.libsyn.com/ludology-275-designing-for-the-diaspora

Scott takes us through the history of the classic word game Scrabble.

https://ludology.libsyn.com/biography-of-a-board-game-classic-2745-scrabble

Gil and Sen chat with game designer, developer, and polyhedral dice addict Sydney Engelstein of Indie Game Studios about how to pitch your game to a publisher, the process of designing and develo...

https://ludology.libsyn.com/ludology-274-indie-500

Geoff chats with Mikael Le Bourhis of Asmodee Research and Game In Lab about the work they are doing studying the impact of tabletop gaming on society and life. You can find out more informatio...

https://ludology.libsyn.com/gametek-classic-2735-asmodee-research

Erica and Sen chat with localization expert, "gaming handyman," and occasional street busker Matthew Legault of Scorpion Masqué to discuss what it takes to move a game from one language to anot...

https://ludology.libsyn.com/ludology-273-were-goin-local

In this classic Biography of a Board Game, Scott takes us through the sweet history of the kids' game Candyland.

https://ludology.libsyn.com/biography-of-a-board-game-classic-2725-candyland

Gil and Erica sit with game developer and new music fan Brenna Noonan to talk about her experiences developing games with her development company Quillsilver Studios , her experiences working on ...

https://ludology.libsyn.com/ludology-272-the-art-of-games

Geoff runs us through the Hypergeometric and Binomial functions in a spreadsheet application like Microsoft Excel. Don't be intimidated by their names; they're actually pretty easy to use, and in...

https://ludology.libsyn.com/gametek-classic-2715-hypergeometric

Erica, Gil, and Sen have a roundtable discussion about their experiences with contracts. What are things designers should look for when negotiating their contracts? Note that none of us are law...

https://ludology.libsyn.com/ludology-271-the-dotted-line

In this classic Biography of a Board Game, Scott takes us through the history of the classic deduction game Scotland Yard.

https://ludology.libsyn.com/biography-of-a-board-game-classic-2705-scotland-yard

Gil sits down for a one-on-one with game designer, teacher, and lecturer Marc LeBlanc to discuss some of his game design ideas, especially his 8 Kinds of Fun and the Mechanics/Dynamics/Aesthetic...

https://ludology.libsyn.com/ludology-270-the-elite-eight

In this GameTek Classic, Geoff tells us about the strategies behind "Jeopardy" James Holzhauer's amazing run on the TV game show Jeopardy, in which he won 32 consecutive games between April and...

https://ludology.libsyn.com/gametek-classic-2695-jeopardy-james

Sen and Erica sit down with Matthew Dunstan and Dave Neale to discuss how they work as a team, working on a wide variety of games, working on a narrow group of games, and what it's like making a ...

https://ludology.libsyn.com/ludology-269-a-tale-of-two-designers

In this classic Biography of a Board Game from 2017, Scott tells us the origins of the massively popular card game Uno.

https://ludology.libsyn.com/biography-of-a-board-game-classic-2685-uno

Gil and Sen are delighted to welcome Geoff Engelstein back to the show to discuss the making of his hit roll-and-write game Super-Skill Pinball. What calls did he make when designing the game, an...

https://ludology.libsyn.com/ludology-268-pinball-wizard

Geoff tells us about the curious effect of endowment, and describes how both the game show Deal or No Deal and the video game Portal use it to enormous effect.

https://ludology.libsyn.com/gametek-classic-2675-endowment

It's an annual Ludology tradition to invite The Podfather of Gaming, Stephen Buonocore, to the show at the start of each year to discuss trends in the industry. As always, Stephen flashes his bus...

https://ludology.libsyn.com/ludology-267-im-looking-at-you-2022

In this re-air of a Biography of a Board Game from September 2017, Scott slices open the history of the game Operation. Note: Even though Scott has stepped away from the show, we will still be ...

https://ludology.libsyn.com/biography-of-a-board-game-classic-2665-operation

During our winter break, our co-host Scott Rogers pounced on a new job opportunity that he couldn't pass up. Sadly, this means he has to step down as Ludology co-host. In this episode, we'll chat...

https://ludology.libsyn.com/ludology-266-getting-out-scott-free

Erica, Gil, Scott, and Sen wrap up 2021 with a roundtable discussion on the hats we wear as game industry professionals. What are all the skills we bring to bear to make games, and how do we feel...

https://ludology.libsyn.com/ludology-265-hold-onto-your-hats

In this re-air of a Biography of a Board Game from July 2017, Scott takes us through the history of former Ludology co-host Mike Fitzgerald's Mystery Rummy series of games.

https://ludology.libsyn.com/biography-of-a-board-game-classic-2645-mystery-rummy

Gil and Sen welcome game designer, manufacturer, publisher, game cafe owner, and convention runner Kenechukwu Ogbuagu ("KC") of NIBCARD Games to the show. From his home city of Abuja, KC has bui...

https://ludology.libsyn.com/ludology-264-nibcard-ed

Geoff discusses one of the most feared characteristics of early RPGs: the loss of a level. Why is this mechanism so hated and feared among players?

https://ludology.libsyn.com/gametek-classic-2635-losing-levels

Erica and Sen chat with Shing Yin Khor, game designer, installation artist, illustrator, award-winning cartoonist, and Bunyan-ologist. Shing Yin is the designer of the game A Mending , in which...

https://ludology.libsyn.com/ludology-263-keepsakes-and-tokens

Scott Rogers takes us to the inception of the legacy game, and the one that started it all: Rob Daviau's Risk Legacy.  BIBLIOGRAPHY OF A BOARD GAME: https://www.eurogamer.net/articles/2016-04-...

https://ludology.libsyn.com/biography-of-a-board-game-2625-risk-legacy

Erica and Gil are delighted to welcome designer Amabel Holland of Hollandspiele , known for making games with challenging themes using an unconventional publishing model.  SHOW NOTES 0m58s:...

https://ludology.libsyn.com/ludology-262-this-guilty-podcast

Geoff explains a mathematical algorithm that can help potential roommates figure out how to split the rent, if an even split would be unfair and the roommates do not value the rooms the same way....

https://ludology.libsyn.com/gametek-classic-2615-rent

Gil and Scott are delighted to welcome Martin Wallace back to the show. Martin was first on the show on Ludology 46 - Getting Down to Brass Tacks back in 2012 with Geoff Engelstein and a very en...

https://ludology.libsyn.com/ludology-161-tinners-tips-and-tricks

For this week, we're replaying the very first Biography of a Board Game that aired on Ludology. In it, Scott talks about the classic game that got so many fans and designers into the hobby: Risk ...

https://ludology.libsyn.com/biography-of-a-board-game-classic-2605-risk

Scott and Gil welcome Nikki Valens, designer of Mansions of Madness: Second Edition , Eldritch Horror , Legacy of Dragonholt , Quirky Circuits , and the upcoming Artisans of Splendent Vale . We t...

https://ludology.libsyn.com/ludology-260-an-app-titude-for-game-design

Geoff continues his dive into the probability of Pop-O-Matic dice, this time discussing how experiment results can be misrepresented through P-Hacking. 

https://ludology.libsyn.com/gametek-classic-2595-p-hacking

Gil and Sen are delighted to welcome Sara Thompson to discuss depictions of disability in tabletop games. Sara is the creator of the Combat Wheelchair for D&D, and of the Medicine on the Path s...

https://ludology.libsyn.com/ludology-259-wheels-down

Scott takes us through the history of Quirkle, the smash hit game from Susan McKinley Ross. 

https://ludology.libsyn.com/ludology-2585-quirkle

Scott sits down with Erica, Gil, and Sen to discuss the design and making of his newest game, Alien: Fate of the Nostromo . We also discuss designing to an IP, and how to make a horror game. SH...

https://ludology.libsyn.com/ludology-258-fun-with-facehuggers

Geoff harnesses all his mathematical techniques to answer a burning question: are Pop-O-Matic dice truly random?

https://ludology.libsyn.com/gametek-2755-pop-o-matic

Geoff (making a one-off Ludology return) and Gil chat with Al Leonardi, designer of the legendary picture-book game Ace of Aces , and a legion of spinoffs using the same brilliant first-person sy...

https://ludology.libsyn.com/ludology-257-all-about-that-ace

Scott takes us through the history of Afrikan tähti ("Star of Africa"), a legendary Finnish game first released in 1949.  Foreigners in Finland article One version of the game Another versio...

https://ludology.libsyn.com/biography-of-a-board-game-2565-afrikan-thti-star-of-africa

Erica and Scott welcome game design legend Mike Elliott, creator of innumerable Magic: the Gathering and Pokémon cards, designer of Thunderstone, and co-designer of Quarriors and the Dice Master...

https://ludology.libsyn.com/ludology-256-youre-big-in-japan

In this special GameTek, Geoff and Gil sit down with Justin Bergeron of ARC Global Logistics to discuss the global shipping snarl that's delaying so many board games (among other goods). How is i...

https://ludology.libsyn.com/gametek-2555-global-logistics-woes

Gil and Sen are delighted to have RPG/story game designer Avery Alder on the show to talk about her games that show how communities deal with upheaval and change. We also discuss the change that ...

https://ludology.libsyn.com/ludology-255-the-quiet-game

Scott shambles through the history of the beer-and-pretzels game Zombies!!! He runs us through its various iterations, tells us what made it stand out from other games at the time, and discloses...

https://ludology.libsyn.com/biography-of-a-board-game-2545-zombies

Erica, Gil, Scott, and Sen have a roundtable discussion about player counts. We go through each of the common player counts, as well as a few uncommon counts, and discuss what's special about des...

https://ludology.libsyn.com/ludology-254-make-it-count

Geoff discusses the knitting community, how some knitters make the leap from hobby into entrepreneurship, and how research has shown the one thing that many of these self-employed knitters have i...

https://ludology.libsyn.com/gametek-classic-2535-knitting

Erica and Scott welcome graphic designer, production superhero, and prototype craft wizard Lindsay Daviau to the show. We talk about her experience at Hasbro making (among many other things) fake...

https://ludology.libsyn.com/ludology-253-reimagined-revamped-and-restored

Scott rampages through the history of Richard Garfield's hit game King of Tokyo. How was this game made, and what did its standalone sequel King of New York add to it? BIBLIOGRAPHY OF A BOARD G...

https://ludology.libsyn.com/biography-of-a-board-game-2525-king-of-tokyo

Gil and Sen welcome Calvin Wong Tze Loon 黃子倫 to the show to discuss narrative in games. How can we improve a game's narrative through its mechanisms, its components, and even its box size? ...

https://ludology.libsyn.com/ludology-252-crazy-rich-storytelling

Geoff muses on the combination of two of his favorite topics: loss aversion and the lottery. Why do more people buy lottery tickets when the odds of winning are lower? How does that affect the pa...

https://ludology.libsyn.com/gametek-classic-2515-lotteries

Erica and Scott welcome Ryan and Malorie Laukat, the couple behind Red Raven Games. Ryan is known as the designer and illustrator for games like Eight Minute Empire , Above and Below , Near and F...

https://ludology.libsyn.com/ludology-251-all-in-the-family

Scott takes us through the history of El Grande , from its beginnings as a game about the Trojan War to its influence on the current board game scene. BIBLIOGRAPHY OF A BOARD GAME https://opini...

https://ludology.libsyn.com/biography-of-a-board-game-2505-el-grande

On a special milestone episode of Ludology, Gil Hova and Scott Rogers say goodbye to our beloved Emma Larkins, as she departs as a co-host after 50 amazing episodes. Geoff Engelstein drops by to ...

https://ludology.libsyn.com/ludology-250-thanks-for-the-emma-ries

Geoff parachutes into the world of battle royale games like Fortnite, and how they eclipsed MOBA (multiplayer online battle arena) games like Heroes of the Storm. Is there something special about...

https://ludology.libsyn.com/gametek-classic-2495-battle-royale

Emma and Gil welcome returning guest Eric Zimmerman, who last appeared on the show on Episode 79 to discuss the magic circle in gaming. This time, Eric discusses his idea of the 21st century b...

https://ludology.libsyn.com/ludology-249-gaming-the-system

Scott takes us through the history of the bizarre drinking game Pass-Out, which is arguably a direct predecessor to the modern risqué adult party game.  (Note: We at Ludology do not condone b...

https://ludology.libsyn.com/biography-of-a-board-game-2485-pass-out

Emma and Gil sit down with Carla Kopp of Weird Giraffe Games and Galactic Raptor Games to discuss designing solo modes for games, the merits of "bots" in solo games, and how these bots tend to b...

https://ludology.libsyn.com/ludology-248-solo-liloquy

Geoff talks about how games benefit when designers use familiar terms to describe familiar concepts. He also dives into the term "mana," tracing it back to its indigenous origins, and explains ho...

https://ludology.libsyn.com/gametek-2475-mana

Emma and Gil sit down with James Mendez Hodes to discuss his work as a cultural consultant, and the series of "orcticles " he wrote describing how the depiction of orcs in fantasy games can bring...

https://ludology.libsyn.com/ludology-247-orc-kay-computer

Scott describes the history of Quarriors! , which became the base system for both the Marvel and DC Dice Masters games, among other licenses.  BIBLIOGRAPHY OF A BOARD GAME Tabletop Gaming Ma...

https://ludology.libsyn.com/biography-of-a-board-game-2465-quarriors

Emma, Gil, and Scott have a roundtable discussion in which they discuss the three sales channels, or markets, your board game can be available in: hobby, specialty, and mass. What are the differe...

https://ludology.libsyn.com/ludology-246-cornering-the-market

Geoff looks at a recent study that attempted to find a correlation between participants' actions in a game and how they would score in a survey of leadership skills. How can a game tell us whethe...

https://ludology.libsyn.com/gametek-classic-2455-leadership

Emma and Gil welcome Emerson Matsuuchi back to the show to discuss his experience designing the Century game series , and what it's like designing 3 "mixable" games. SHOW NOTES 0m37s: We last...

https://ludology.libsyn.com/ludology-245-play-it-again-games

Scott delves into the history of the first big board game success on Kickstarter: Tory Niemann's Alien Frontiers. BIBLIOGRAPHY OF A BOARD GAME TEXT: https://v1.escapistmagazine.com/articles/v...

https://ludology.libsyn.com/biography-of-a-board-game-2445-alien-frontiers

Emma and Gil chat with Jeeyon Shim, game designer, nature fan, and mushroom enthusiast. Jeeyon's games are about connecting with one's environment, and we discuss what it's like to make games lik...

https://ludology.libsyn.com/ludology-244-games-brought-to-life

Geoff considers a classic problem: how do two parties in two different locations agree on a random number result, like a die roll? We cover the clever solution wargamers worked out, as well as an...

https://ludology.libsyn.com/gametek-classic-2435-beacons

Emma and Gil chat with Sam Rosenthal and Stephen Bell of The Game Band , known for their bizarre cosmic horror sports sim Blaseball . We discuss the unique feedback loop between Blaseball's fan...

https://ludology.libsyn.com/ludology-243-play-blall

Scott delves into the history of two games released by entrepreneur Edwin Lowe: Bingo and Yahtzee. Both became enormous successes, and are now a part of our cultural fabric. How did they get ther...

https://ludology.libsyn.com/biography-of-a-board-game-2425-bingo-and-yahtzee

Emma, Gil, and Scott discuss winning in games. What defines winning in a game, and what are the different ways games can handle it? Also, Emma shares a Big Announcement with us. SHOW NOTES ...

https://ludology.libsyn.com/ludology-242-winner-winner-chicken-dinner

Geoff takes us through what he (and many other people) feel is a flaw in the rules of basketball, and a possible solution that was first implemented by a new league in 2018. The Elam Ending is d...

https://ludology.libsyn.com/gametek-classic-2415-the-elam-ending

We continue our annual tradition of bringing board game industry veteran Stephen Buonocore, now retired from Stronghold Games/Indie Game Studios and focusing on media and podcasting. We explore t...

https://ludology.libsyn.com/ludology-241-a-different-kind-of-year

Emma and Gil welcome Adrienne Smith , designer of the card game Blitz Champz and wide receiver for the Boston Renegades women's gridiron football team. We discuss the intersection of mass market...

https://ludology.libsyn.com/ludology-240-are-you-receiving-me

Scott takes us through the history of Dark Tower , the legendary electronically-enhanced board game, and its modern spiritual successor, Return to Dark Tower . The story's twists and turns includ...

https://ludology.libsyn.com/biography-of-a-board-game-2395-dark-tower

Emma and Gil welcome Kathryn Hymes and Hakan Seyalıoğlu to the show to discuss the impact of language on play, and how to design games that revolve around the building, modification, and demise...

https://ludology.libsyn.com/ludology-239-words-at-play

Geoff discusses the difference between deductive and inductive reasoning, and its impact in board games and beyond. In this episode, Geoff discusses the games Clue/Cluedo , Mastermind , and Zen...

https://ludology.libsyn.com/gametek-classic-2385-induction

Emma, Gil, and Scott discuss the idea of complexity in a board game. We explore 6 types of complexity, and discuss their effects on the games we play and design. SHOW NOTES 0m51s: Pete Seeger...

https://ludology.libsyn.com/ludology-238-unraveling-complexity

Scott goes over the history of Which Witch , a game that's been adapted into many other games, including The Real Ghostbusters Game and the Scooby-doo! Haunted House 3D Board Game . If you're ...

https://ludology.libsyn.com/biography-of-a-board-game-2375-which-witch

Emma and Gil welcome Karen Twelves, whose straddling of the worlds of gaming and improv led her to write the book Improv for Gamers. What can gaming and improv learn from each other? Content wa...

https://ludology.libsyn.com/ludology-237-improv-ing-games

Geoff compares the design process of the video game Diabolo to… the invention of calculus? Yes, there are surprising similarities, and seeing how the two dovetail leads to a stronger appreciati...

https://ludology.libsyn.com/gametek-classic-2365

Emma and Gil welcome Sen-Foong Lim back to the show to discuss the differences—and similarities—between board games and roleplaying games. We go through the perspectives of playing them, desi...

https://ludology.libsyn.com/ludology-236-role-with-it

In the spirit of Halloween, Scott takes us through the spooky history of the Ouija board: its origins, the legal battles behind the curtain, and how a scientific phenomenon makes it all work.  ...

https://ludology.libsyn.com/biography-of-a-board-game-2355-ouija

Today, we are continuing our series of exploring the design decisions behind our own games! Emma and Scott sit down with Gil to talk about his game High Rise; about how it started life as an auct...

https://ludology.libsyn.com/ludology-235-rise-to-the-challenge

Having previously discussed relatively new advances in AI that allows computers to beat humans at games like Chess and Go, Geoff moves on to games in which AI will have a much harder time being c...

https://ludology.libsyn.com/gametek-classic-2345-the-limits-of-ai

Emma and Gil welcome game designer, developer, solo mode designer, and self-described "grump" Dávid Turczi to the show. We discuss the design of complex games with many interlocking systems, how...

https://ludology.libsyn.com/ludology-234-playing-with-time-0

Scott covers the "beautiful game" of Subbuteo , the tabletop association football flicking game, as well as its predecessor Newfooty . BIBLIOGRAPHY OF A BOARDGAME  http://www.peter-upton.co....

https://ludology.libsyn.com/biography-of-a-board-game-2335-subbuteo

Emma and Gil welcome game designer and publisher Omari Akil to the show to discuss the plight of the sports-themed board game. What kinds of unique challenges do we face when designing one of th...

https://ludology.libsyn.com/ludology-233-a-sporting-chance

Geoff ponders a tricky question: how come we get iconic characters from video games, like Mario or Pac-Man, but none from board games?

https://ludology.libsyn.com/gametek-classic-2325-characters

In the past few years, Ludology has recorded a live episode at Gen Con. We weren't going to let a global pandemic stop us this year!  Recorded as part of Gen Con Online 2020, Emma, Gil, and Sc...

https://ludology.libsyn.com/ludology-232-the-show-must-go-online

This is the 50th Biography of a Board Game episode! To celebrate, Scott takes us through the history of his first board game, Rayguns and Rocketships . BIBLIOGRAPHY OF A BOARD GAME 0m36s: Vid...

https://ludology.libsyn.com/biography-of-a-board-game-2315-rayguns-and-rocketships

Emma and Gil welcome game designer, educator, and birder Chidi Paige to discuss how games and play benefit education, how she designed her bird-themed game Birdwiser, and how competitive birdwat...

https://ludology.libsyn.com/ludology-231-steam-engine

Geoff muses on the difference between explicitly calling out the way a game system works, versus letting players implicitly discover how the players discover how the system works. Is one clearly ...

https://ludology.libsyn.com/gametek-classic-2305-implicit-vs-explicit

Emma and Gil invite award-winning game designer, teacher, and not-scholar Sharang Biswas to the show to discuss verbs in games. What actions do we actually perform when we play a game, what actio...

https://ludology.libsyn.com/ludology-230-design-re-verb

Scott takes us through the rise, fall, and rise again of the game Vinci , which designer Philippe Keyaerts and publisher Days of Wonder re-implemented as Small World . BIBLIOGRAPHY OF A BOARD G...

https://ludology.libsyn.com/biography-of-a-board-game-2295-vincismall-world

Emma, Gil, and Scott go back to a topic that Ryan and Geoff discussed earlier in the show's history: Deckbuilding! With all that's changed (including Emma having designed a deckbuilder), what has...

https://ludology.libsyn.com/ludology-229-hit-the-deck

Geoff uses an interesting bag-building example to discuss how a mechanism that is designed to be fair and equitable to all colors in the bag winds up favoring a single color over time. This examp...

https://ludology.libsyn.com/gametek-classic-2285-fairness-and-bag-building

Emma and Gil welcome Banana Chan: game writer, larp/RPG designer, board game publisher, horror movie buff, and pop-up museum aficionado. We talk about writing for all kinds of games, how game mec...

https://ludology.libsyn.com/ludology-228-the-roles-we-play

Scott takes us through the twisted history of the classic game Twister. How did it overcome its risqué premise to become a perennial favorite? Bibliography of a Board Game: Video - Twister was...

https://ludology.libsyn.com/biography-of-a-board-game-2275-twister

Emma and Gil moderate a roundtable on safety tools in games, with guests Kienna Shaw and Lauren Bryant-Monk (creators of the TTRPG Safety Toolkit ) and John Stavropoulos (creator of the X-Card ...

https://ludology.libsyn.com/ludology-228-respect-the-x

Geoff discusses the phenomenon of counterfeiting in game production. How prevalent it it, and how badly does it affect game publishers? Here's the ICV2 interview he mentions.

https://ludology.libsyn.com/ludology-2265-counterfeiting

Emma and Gil welcome Dr. Mary Flanagan, designer of Monarch , Visitor in Blackwood Grove , Buffalo , Awkward Moment , and plethora of other games in a myriad of styles and platforms, from party t...

https://ludology.libsyn.com/ludology-226-buffalo-buffalo-buffalo-buffalo-buffalo-buffalo-buffalo-buffalo

Join Scott as he recounts the history of the game that blurred the line between a game and a toy: Mousetrap.  Bibliography of a Board Game for Mouse Trap It’s All a Game by Tristan Donovan A...

https://ludology.libsyn.com/biography-of-a-board-game-2255-mousetrap

Today, we put Emma in the spotlight to find out what went into designing her newest game, Abandon All Artichokes , how many cards she actually designed for it, and how the game was almost deraile...

https://ludology.libsyn.com/ludology-225-a-study-in-emma-rald

Geoff ruminates on the limitations of using AI to balance games. Why can't we use machine learning to fully balance a game experience, and finally make a game that everyone on BGG will find perfe...

https://ludology.libsyn.com/gametek-classic-2245-game-balance-and-ai

Emma and Gil sit down with Chris Rowlands of Funko Games to discuss the design of IP-based games, and what it's like to design as part of a group collective. SHOW NOTES 0m00s: Playtest safely...

https://ludology.libsyn.com/ludology-224-putting-the-fun-in-funko

Scott goes into the checkered history of The Game of Life , which has had many inspirations and incarnations, and is still going strong.  (Content warning: this episode contains quick, passing...

https://ludology.libsyn.com/biography-of-a-board-game-2235-the-game-of-life

Emma and Gil welcome Anya Combs and Luke Crane from Kickstarter to discuss how crowdfunding is changing, especially in light of recent events. Anya: anya@kickstarter.com, games@kickstarter.com,...

https://ludology.libsyn.com/ludology-223-kick-out-the-jams

Geoff continues the discussion about Alpha Zero, this time pointing out the impact a self-learning AI can have on an established tournament meta, like Magic or Hearthstone. Show Notes: 0m47s:...

https://ludology.libsyn.com/ludology-2225-alpha-zero-part-2

Emma and Gil welcome accomplished designer Cole Wehrle , designer of Root , Oath , and Pax Pamir (Second Edition) , back to the show (Cole previously appeared on Ludology 163 - A Pain in the Asym...

https://ludology.libsyn.com/ludology-222-johnny-fairplay

In today's Biography of a Board Game, Scott takes us through the long history of The Game of the Goose , which became a template for almost every roll-and-move game into Victorian times and beyon...

https://ludology.libsyn.com/biography-of-a-board-game-2215-the-game-of-the-goose

Emma and Gil welcome Jonny Pac , designer of Coloma and other games set in the Gold Rush West. Our main topic of discussion is multiple paths to victory: what it brings to a game, what kinds of g...

https://ludology.libsyn.com/ludology-221-the-pac-less-traveled

Geoff welcomes Dr. James Wootton , quantum computing expert and one of the people behind the digital game Hello Quantum , which is made to teach its player about the fundamentals of quantum compu...

https://ludology.libsyn.com/gametek-2205-quantum-computing

Emma and Gil welcome Jennifer Ellis and Keith Baker of Twogether Studios . We discuss their approach for integrating stories into their game, whether directly embedded in their game, letting them...

https://ludology.libsyn.com/ludology-220-adventures-in-storytelling

Scott leads us through the history of Trivial Pursuit, from its conception from two Canadian journalists after trying to play a game of Scrabble with missing pieces, to a full-fledged global 80s ...

https://ludology.libsyn.com/biography-of-a-board-game-2195-trivial-pursuit

Professor Scott Rogers joins Gil and Emma once again! This time, we're discussing Scott's time as an Imagineer designing games and experiences for Disneyland, and his subsequent work designing VR...

https://ludology.libsyn.com/ludology-219-professor-scotts-wild-ride

Geoff discusses Alpha Zero, a neural net that can play Go, Chess, and Shogi better than anyone in the world. It defeated the best AI in those respective games (each of whom had previously defeate...

https://ludology.libsyn.com/ludology-2185-alpha-zero

Emma and Gil welcome Geoff Engelstein and Isaac Shalev back to the show to discuss their new book Building Blocks of Tabletop Game Design . This is a reference of board game mechanisms that any d...

https://ludology.libsyn.com/ludology-218-building-games-bit-by-bit

Scott uncovers the history of the classic game Rock 'Em Sock 'Em Robots, which has been delighting kids (and kids-at-heart) since 1964. He discusses the influences that converged in making the ga...

https://ludology.libsyn.com/biography-of-a-board-game-2175-rock-em-sock-em-robots

Legendary Interactive Fiction writer Andrew Plotkin joins Gil and Emma to talk about text-based stories that players can participate in. We explore the form's history and unique strengths, and d...

https://ludology.libsyn.com/ludology-217-what-if

In this GameTek Classic, Geoff describes the idea of "path dependence," and discusses how human game players allow their past to affect their present. Should players care about how they got to a ...

https://ludology.libsyn.com/gametek-classic-2165-path-dependence

Ludology returns for 2020, with our annual tradition of bringing on board game industry veteran Stephen Buonocore from Stronghold Games/Indie Game Studios to discuss the state of the industry. ...

https://ludology.libsyn.com/ludology-216-buonohardcore-2020

In this episode recorded at BGG.CON, Scott and Gil tell Emma all about Tabletop Network , a convention about the theory behind game design that happens right before BGG.CON. We gush about our fav...

https://ludology.libsyn.com/ludology-215-table-topics

Scott gives us a history of the classic social deduction game Mafia, from its origins in a Russian high school classroom to its transformation beneath a full moon into Werewolf. 

https://ludology.libsyn.com/biography-of-a-board-game-2145-mafiawerewolf

Escape rooms have been providing a new form of play for much of this decade. At the same time, immersive theater has been providing a new form of storytelling. What happens when the two get mixed...

https://ludology.libsyn.com/ludology-214-escape-from-reality

Back in Ludology 185, Geoff brought up a thought experiment. What if someone rethemed Incan Gold to a firefighting game? Would people play any differently?  Dr. Stephen Blessing (@cognitive_ga...

https://ludology.libsyn.com/gametek-2135-the-incan-gold-experiment

Gil and Emma discuss narrative in games. How can narrative improve games? What is the difference between embedded and emergent narrative? And what the are common ways that prototypes of narrative...

https://ludology.libsyn.com/ludology-213-your-humble-narrator

In this special episode of Ludology, recorded live at GrandCon 2019, Gil and Geoff go back in time to recount their earliest game designs. Were they as embarrassing? Were they any good? What is G...

https://ludology.libsyn.com/ludology-2125-naked-baby-photos

Emma and Gil welcome mass-market game and toy inventor Kim Vandenbrouke to the show. How is "inventing" a mass-market game different than "designing" a hobby game? Why is the toy/mass-market indu...

https://ludology.libsyn.com/ludology-212-inventing-play

Geoff welcomes digital archaeoludologist Cameron Browne, principal investigator of the Digital Ludeme Project, to find out how we can use artificial intelligence and machine learning to try to ...

https://ludology.libsyn.com/gametek-2115-cameron-browne

In May 2012, Geoff and Ryan brought Michael Lee, owner of the relatively new company Panda Games Manufacturing, on the show to discuss the art and design of manufacturing games. Over 5 and a ha...

https://ludology.libsyn.com/ludology-211-pandamonium-redux

Scott covers the lineage of games that began in 2004 with Wings of War: Famous Aces. The "Flight Path" system that appeared in this game spawned follow-up titles Wings of Glory, Star Wars: X-Wi...

https://ludology.libsyn.com/biography-of-a-board-game-2105-wings-of-war

Gil and Emma are joined by game designer Jenn Sandercock to discuss her edible games. How do you design a game where the players eat the components? What design challenges does that bring up? And...

https://ludology.libsyn.com/ludology-210-the-way-to-a-gamers-heart

In this GameTek Classic, Geoff covers the history of dice, and the social stigma attached to them. Who were the first civilizations to play with dice, and how did they deal with the way their soc...

https://ludology.libsyn.com/gametek-classic-2095-the-vice-of-dice

Emma, Gil, and Scott discuss a theory Scott is working on that describes 6 distinct physical zones when playing a board game. How does the physical dimensionality of a board game affect its gamep...

https://ludology.libsyn.com/ludology-209-the-6-zones-of-play

Scott takes a peek at the history of the frantic real-time co-op game Space Cadets, designed by our own Geoff Engelstein, his daughter Sydney Engelstein, and his son Brian Engelstein. 

https://ludology.libsyn.com/biography-of-a-board-game-2085-space-cadets

Emma and Gil welcome the multitalented Hawke Robinson, who discusses his experiences using role-playing games as therapy for at-risk youth and adults. How can games help people gain empathy and p...

https://ludology.libsyn.com/ludology-208-playing-with-purpose

Geoff reviews the concept of "information" from a mathematical perspective, which might be different from the definition you're used to. What real-world implications did this concept lay the grou...

https://ludology.libsyn.com/gametek-2075-information

Emma and Gil welcome Justin Gary, designer of Ascension and Shards of Infinity, to discuss card-based strategy games. What makes them so different than other games? How does one handle things lik...

https://ludology.libsyn.com/ludology-207-card-advantage

Gil, Emma, and Geoff field listeners' questions in an episode recorded live at Gen Con 2019 in Indianapolis.

https://ludology.libsyn.com/ludology-2065-live-at-gen-con-2019

Emma and Gil welcome accomplished designer Tom Lehmann (Race for the Galaxy, Res Arcana, and many others) to discuss game arcs versus story arcs and how an inflection point can help the arc of a ...

https://ludology.libsyn.com/ludology-206-ahead-of-the-curve

In this GameTek from August 2017, Geoff goes through three interesting bits of of game design-related research. Is there such a thing as momentum in sports? How does the brain react to the prospe...

https://ludology.libsyn.com/gametek-2055-research-triple-play

Scott did some research and came up with all the different ways a board game can end. In this super-sized episode, Scott, Emma, and Gil go through this list and share our thoughts on how a game e...

https://ludology.libsyn.com/ludology-205-alls-well-that-ends-well

Scott covers the history of the seminal board game Dune, its legal tangles with its IP, and its retheming as Rex: Final Days of an Empire.

https://ludology.libsyn.com/biography-of-a-board-game-2045-dune-rex

Daniel Solis (@danielsolis) joins Gil and Emma to talk about graphic design from a nuts-and-bolts perspective. What are the elements of graphic design that game designers should be aware of?  ...

https://ludology.libsyn.com/ludology-204-the-eyes-have-it

In this special GameTek, Geoff sits down with Micha Le Bourhis of Asmodee Research to discuss how Asmodee scientifically studies people's interactions with board games. For more information, go...

https://ludology.libsyn.com/gametek-2035-asmodee-research

Elizabeth Hargrave (@elizhargrave) joins Gil and Emma to discuss the design of her hit strategy game Wingspan. We start by discussing engine-building games, but we'll also touch on the benefits ...

https://ludology.libsyn.com/ludology-episode-203-winging-it

Scott tells us about Icehouse, the real-time game that's celebrating its 30th birthday this year, and whose distinctive plastic pyramids launched an entire game system.

https://ludology.libsyn.com/biography-of-a-board-game-2025-icehouse

Jeroen Doumen, co-founder of Splotter and co-designer of games Food Chain Magnate, Antiquity, and Roads & Boats, joins Gil and Emma to discuss the design of unforgiving games. What choices do you...

https://ludology.libsyn.com/ludology-episode-202-forgive-me-not

Geoff discusses an unusual and somewhat tragic condition in sports called "The Yips." Is it mental, or does it have a physiological basis?

https://ludology.libsyn.com/gametek-classic-2015-the-yips

Gil, Emma, and Scott talk about fun and meaning in games. What is fun, and how can we achieve fun in our games? What are games that try to balance fun within a more serious topic? And how about g...

https://ludology.libsyn.com/ludology-episode-201-are-we-having-fun-yet

Scott discusses the history of the legendary deduction game Cluedo. 

https://ludology.libsyn.com/biography-of-a-board-game-2005-cluedo

After 200 episodes, Geoff has decided to step back from Ludology to focus on game design and book writing. So we've gathered previous co-hosts Ryan Sturm and Mike Fitzgerald, as well as future co...

https://ludology.libsyn.com/ludology-episode-200-auld-lang-engelstein

Geoff discusses the art of x-ray diffraction, and how it relates to board games.

https://ludology.libsyn.com/gametek-classic-199-crystallography

Gil and Geoff discuss uncertainty in games, using Greg Costikyan's _Uncertainty in Games_ as a guide. What kinds of uncertainty are there in games? How do they affect the game experience? 

https://ludology.libsyn.com/ludology-episode-199-whats-in-the-box

Scott takes a deep dive into the twisted and fascinating history of the game Othello.

https://ludology.libsyn.com/biography-of-a-boardgame-198-othello

Gil and Geoff are delighted to be joined by Anthony Giovannetti, one of the designers of the popular video game Slay the Spire, a deck-building rogue-like dungeon crawl. How did the board game ...

https://ludology.libsyn.com/ludology-episode-198-inspired

Geoff takes a look at the long history of drinking games.

https://ludology.libsyn.com/gametek-classic-197-drinking-games

Gil and Geoff welcome Mikael Jakobsson and Rick Eberhardt from the MIT Game Lab to discuss their research into colonial themes in board games, and the game design workshops they run in former col...

https://ludology.libsyn.com/ludology-episode-197-empires-up-in-arms

Scott Rogers is back with a new Biography of a Board Game, this time looking at Apples to Apples and Cards Against Humanity.

https://ludology.libsyn.com/gametek-classic-196-apples-against-humanity

Gil and Geoff welcome guests Allison Parrish and Tim Szetela, designers of Rewordable, to discuss word games. What particular design techniques are required for this type of game?  

https://ludology.libsyn.com/ludology-episode-196-word-up

In this GameTek, Geoff explores the connection between Ritual and Play.

https://ludology.libsyn.com/gametek-classic-195-ritual

Gil and Geoff discuss valuation within games - what are the different ways of determining resource value? How does value flow and change over the course of play?  

https://ludology.libsyn.com/ludology-episode-195-value-added

In this new interview, Geoff talks with Nolan Bard from Google Deep Mind and Jakob Foerster from Oxford University about their proposal to use the card game Hanabi as the next frontier in Machine...

https://ludology.libsyn.com/gametek-194-the-hanabi-challenge

Gil and Geoff are live at ToyFair NY with the designer of Fog of Love, Jacob Jaskov. What was his development process like for this innovative design? What does that tell us about creating narrat...

https://ludology.libsyn.com/ludology-episode-194-lifting-the-fog

Scott Rogers is back with the biography of Merchant of Venus!

https://ludology.libsyn.com/gametek-classic-193-merchant-of-venus

Gil and Geoff welcome back Stephen Buonocore from Stronghold Games for their traditional annual State of the Industry discussion. What trends did we see in 2018? What do we see for the future of ...

https://ludology.libsyn.com/ludology-episode-193-lean-and-mean-in-2019

In this classic GameTek Geoff talks about ties and tie-breakers. What makes a good tiebreaker?

https://ludology.libsyn.com/gametek-classic-192-ties

Gil and Geoff talk about Game Loops and how they can be designed to accomplish a variety of goals.

https://ludology.libsyn.com/ludology-episode-192-loops-i-did-it-again

In this classic GameTek, Geoff talks about the work of Thomas Schelling.

https://ludology.libsyn.com/gametek-classic-191-schelling

Gil and Geoff welcome Scott Rogers to discuss party games. What features make for a good party game? What are the dos and don'ts for designers?

https://ludology.libsyn.com/the-life-of-the-party

Scott Rogers is back with Part 2 of his Eurogame-Ameritrash series!

https://ludology.libsyn.com/gametek-classic-190-ameritrash

Gil and Geoff discuss the idea of Ludonarrative Dissonance. What is it? How can it sink a game or make it soar?

https://ludology.libsyn.com/ludology-episode-190-diabolus-in-ludica

In this classic GameTek, Geoff looks at the criminally under-used "I Cut, You Choose" mechanism.  

https://ludology.libsyn.com/gametek-classic-189-i-cut-you-choose

Gil and Geoff are joined by game and puzzle designer Mike Selinker to discuss the relationship between puzzles and games.

https://ludology.libsyn.com/ludology-episode-189-missing-selinker

Scott Rogers takes a look at the origin of the term "Eurogames".

https://ludology.libsyn.com/gametek-classic-188-eurogames

Gil and Geoff welcome designer Corey Konieczka to discuss his new "Unique" game, Discover: Lands Unknown . What is it like to design a game that will have a unique combination of components in ea...

https://ludology.libsyn.com/ludology-episode-188-unique-as-a-snowflake

In this classic GameTek, Geoff takes a look at a recent study about who wants to play games - and why.

https://ludology.libsyn.com/gametek-classic-187-games-for-the-really-really-smart

Gil and Geoff take a look at game balance. What is it, exactly? Duration: 54:34

https://ludology.libsyn.com/ludology-episode-187-balancing-act-0

In a spooky Biography of a Board Game, Scott Rogers takes a look at Chill: Black Morn Manor and Betrayal at House on the Hill.

https://ludology.libsyn.com/gametek-classic-186-black-morn-betrayal

Gil and Geoff are joined by Isaac Vega, designer of Dead of Winter and Neon Gods to discuss ways to integrate story into the board games. Duration: 55:25

https://ludology.libsyn.com/ludology-episode-186-zombie-apocalypse

In this classic GameTek, Geoff dives into the details of the AI that defeated the top poker players on the planet.

https://ludology.libsyn.com/gametek-classic-185-libratus

Gil and Geoff discuss hard incentives vs soft incentives. What makes people want to play a game? What makes them have fun? What makes them want to play again? Duration: 56:12

https://ludology.libsyn.com/ludology-episode-185-soft-boiled

Professor Scott Rogers is back with the biography of Twilight Imperium. Duration: 10:20

https://ludology.libsyn.com/gametek-classic-184-twilight-imperium

Gil and Geoff are delighted to welcome Jamey Stegmaier from Stonemaier games. We discuss life after Kickstarter, and Jamey's design philosophy. Duration: 58:18

https://ludology.libsyn.com/ludology-episode-184-between-two-podcasters

In this classic GameTek, Geoff looks at the relationship between luck and strategy. Duration: 6:20

https://ludology.libsyn.com/gametek-classic-183-input-output-randomness

Gil and Geoff deconstruct the new Wolfgang Warsch game THE MIND. What makes it tick? What does it do right, and what does it do wrong? Duration: 1:02:19

https://ludology.libsyn.com/ludology-episode-183-mind-your-own-business

Scott Rogers is back with a look at the history of Pandemic! Duration: 5:17

https://ludology.libsyn.com/gametek-classic-182-pandemic

Gil and Geoff once again welcome Ryan Sturm to recap the development of Trade on the Tigris. Duration: 1:17:14

https://ludology.libsyn.com/ludology-episode-182-the-calm-after-the-storm

In this classic GameTek, Geoff talks about the Talmud, and it's relation to game rules.

https://ludology.libsyn.com/gametek-classic-181-talmud

Gil and Geoff broadcast live from Gencon with super-special guest Ryan Sturm! Duration: 51:31

https://ludology.libsyn.com/ludology-episode-181-indy-rock

Gil and Geoff are joined by special guest Suzanne Sheldon to talk about Roll and Write games! What makes them tick? What special design considerations are there? Duration: 1:03:49

https://ludology.libsyn.com/ludology-episode-180-keep-them-doggies-rollin

Scott Rogers is back with another Biography of a Board Game! This time - Kill Dr. Lucky from James Earnest!

https://ludology.libsyn.com/gametek-classic-179-kill-dr-lucky

Contest results! Gil and Geoff wade into an incredibly strong field to pick the top 16 entries in the latest theme/mechanism competition. Who will end up on the top of the heap? Duration: 59:05

https://ludology.libsyn.com/ludology-episode-179-contested-outcome

In this classic GameTek, Geoff discusses design considerations for real time games. Plus a coda! Duration: 9:11

https://ludology.libsyn.com/gametek-classic-178-real-time

Gil and Geoff are pleased to welcome Volko Ruhnke, designer of the COIN series, about Counter-Intelligence operations throughout history. How do you capture the dynamics of these complex conflict...

https://ludology.libsyn.com/ludology-episode-178-coin-operated

Professor Scott Rogers is back with another Biography of a Board Game! This time, Agricola is under the spotlight. Duration: 11:55

https://ludology.libsyn.com/gametek-classic-177-agricola

We welcome Theresa Duringer of Temple Gates Games, developer of the Race for the Galaxy app to talk about the process of developing and incorporating AI, how to make it smarter or dumber or more ...

https://ludology.libsyn.com/ludology-episode-177-ai-ai-captain

In this classic GameTek, Geoff talks about how we see patterns even when there aren't any, and what that means for game designers. Duration: 8:01

https://ludology.libsyn.com/gametek-classic-176-apophenia

Since there were humans, they've been putting things into categories. What are some of the ways games are categorized? Is this useful, or a distraction? Duration: 59:56

https://ludology.libsyn.com/ludology-episode-176-taxonomy-driver

Professor Scott Rogers is back with another Bio of a Board Game, taking a look at Talisman! Duration: 9:28

https://ludology.libsyn.com/gametek-classic-175-talisman

Recorded live at the Gathering of Friends, Gil and Geoff have an opportunity to sit down and chat with Eric Lang, designer of Rising Sun, the Dice Masters series, and much more. We talk about his...

https://ludology.libsyn.com/ludology-episode-175-auld-lang-design

Gil and Geoff are pleased to welcome guest Naomi Clark, professor at the NYU Game Center, and designer most recently of the card game Consentacle. We discuss tackling adult themes in board games ...

https://ludology.libsyn.com/ludology-episode-174-consensual-healing

Professor Scott Rogers is back with another Biography of a Board Game. This episode he heads to the old west to check out Bang! Duration: 07:55

https://ludology.libsyn.com/gametek-classic-173-bang

Gil and Geoff are pleased to welcome guest Isaac Shalev to discuss the idea of Design Patterns for tabletop games. What are Design Patterns, and how are they helpful? What are some examples? Du...

https://ludology.libsyn.com/ludology-episode-173-patternity

In this classic GameTek, Geoff discusses his experience with a new type of VR. Duration: 5:40

https://ludology.libsyn.com/gametek-classic-172-hyperreality

Gil and Geoff take a look at the different ways that subsystems of a game can be coupled, and what that means for complexity and player agency. Duration: 1:05:44

https://ludology.libsyn.com/ludology-episode-172-odd-coupling

We are pleased to welcome podcaster, gamer, actor, and all-around great guy Jeff Cannata to Ludology! Jeff can be heard on DLC , We Have Concerns , and the /Filmcast . We take a very deep dive ...

https://ludology.libsyn.com/ludology-episode-171-cannata-stop

In this classic GameTek, Geoff takes a look at some recent court cases involving games. Duration: 5:59

https://ludology.libsyn.com/gametek-classic-170-court-cases

Gil and Geoff field a litany of listener questions! Duration: 1:20:22

https://ludology.libsyn.com/ludology-episode-170-questionable-content

Scott Rogers is back with another Biography of a Board Game, this time focusing on Scrabble!  KWYJIBO for the win! Duration: 9:56

https://ludology.libsyn.com/gametek-classic-169-scrabble

Gil and Geoff are thrilled to welcome Raph Koster , author of A Theory of Fun, and video game designer. We talk about a wide range of topics, include MMOs, keeping players engaged, emotions in ga...

https://ludology.libsyn.com/ludology-episode-169-raphic-design

In this classic GameTek, Geoff talks about the Prisoner's Dilemma facing Kansas City, Kansas, and Kansas City, Missouri. Duration: 6:05

https://ludology.libsyn.com/gametek-classic-168-economic-prisoners-dilemma

Gil and Geoff talk about designing low-interaction games. Sometimes you just want to work on your own little corner of the world - and some players prefer that. What are techniques create engagin...

https://ludology.libsyn.com/ludology-episode-168-kumbaya

A sweet surprise! Biography of a Board Game takes a look at Candyland. Duration: 8:51

https://ludology.libsyn.com/gametek-classic-167-candyland

Gil and Geoff are joined by Stephen Buonocore from Stronghold Games to discuss the state of the board game industry as we enter 2018. Duration: 1:12:05

https://ludology.libsyn.com/ludology-episode-167-18-and-up

Geoff has an insight about how game structure can keep players engaged, and is excited to share. Duration 56:39

https://ludology.libsyn.com/ludology-episode-166-impulse-control

In this classic GameTek, Geoff talks about how we are really bad at telling how good we really are. Duration: 6:03

https://ludology.libsyn.com/gametek-classic-165-dunning-kruger

Gil and Geoff are delighted to welcome Tim Fowers to discuss player psychology, and how that can be leveraged by game designers. Tim is the designer of Burgle Bros, Paperback, and more, and the...

https://ludology.libsyn.com/ludology-episode-165-fowerian-slip

Scott Rogers is back with a super-sized Bio of a Board Game, with the history of The Settlers of Catan! Duration: 12:14

https://ludology.libsyn.com/gametek-classic-164-catan

Gil and Geoff discuss the very early stages of design and play testing. How much should be on paper, and how much in your head? Duration 1:05:21

https://ludology.libsyn.com/ludology-episode-164-first-steps

In this classic GameTek, Geoff takes a different angle on the connection between theme, mechanics, and player experience. Duration: 6:40

https://ludology.libsyn.com/gametek-classic-163-theme-mechanics-experience

Gil and Geoff are pleased to welcome guests Patrick Leader (Vast) and Cole Wehrle (Root, An Infamous Traffic) to discuss asymmetry in games, and the particular challenges it presents to the desig...

https://ludology.libsyn.com/ludology-episode-163-a-pain-in-the-asymmetry

Scott Rogers is back with another Biography of a Board Game! This time, he talks about the history of Scotland Yard, and early SdJ winner! Duration: 7:25

https://ludology.libsyn.com/gametek-classic-162-scotland-yard

Gil and Geoff take a deep dive into the design of Terraforming Mars. What makes it tick? What works and what doesn't? Duration: 1:17:52

https://ludology.libsyn.com/ludology-episode-162-the-ares-project

In this classic GameTek, Geoff looks at classic story-telling techniques to see how they might apply to game design. Duration: 05:52

https://ludology.libsyn.com/gametek-classic-161-the-inciting-incident

Gil and Geoff are delighted to welcome Jason Morningstar, designer of Fiasco, The Shab-Al-Hiri Roach, Night Witches, and other innovative RPGs. We discuss how to better integrate story and narrat...

https://ludology.libsyn.com/ludology-161-whats-the-story-morning-glory

In this Biography of a Board Game, Scott Rogers reveals the secret history of Uno! Duration: 07:45

https://ludology.libsyn.com/gametek-classic-160-uno

Gil and Geoff take a look at the different ways of controlling turn order in a game. What are the rules of thumb for when to use the different methods? Duration: 1:23:17

https://ludology.libsyn.com/ludology-episode-160-law-and-order

What would you do if you were playing Rock, Paper, Scissors for $20,000,000? Duration: 04:42

https://ludology.libsyn.com/gametek-classic-159-high-stakes-rps

Gil and Geoff are pleased to welcome Professor Scott Nicholson from Wilfrid Laurier University to discuss Escape Rooms. What are they, how do they work, and what lessons do they hold for game des...

https://ludology.libsyn.com/ludology-episode-159-getting-out-scott-free

Biography of a Board Game returns with the classic Operation! Duration: 06:12

https://ludology.libsyn.com/gametek-classic-158-opration

Gil and Geoff host the first-ever Ludology live Q&A from Gencon 50! Duration: 51:39

https://ludology.libsyn.com/ludology-episode-158-gen-x

Gil and Geoff are pleased to welcome guest Matt Wolfe, to discuss the concept of Decision Scales in games. Duration 1:10:04

https://ludology.libsyn.com/ludology-episode-157-come-scale-away

In this classic GameTek, Geoff dives into the details of Alpha Go, Google's Go-playing AI. Duration: 06:41

https://ludology.libsyn.com/gametek-classic-156-alpha-go

 Gil and Geoff are joined by the gang from the Flip The Table podcast to talk about Roll & Move games. What works (and doesn't) with this much-maligned mechanic? Duration: 1:07:00

https://ludology.libsyn.com/ludology-episode-156-surprise

Scott takes a look at the history of the Mystery Rummy series, by a designer y'all might know... Duration: 6:24

https://ludology.libsyn.com/gametek-classic-155-mystery-rummy

Gil and Geoff talk about different methods for using mathematical modeling and simulation during the design process. Duration: 1:12:12

https://ludology.libsyn.com/ludology-episode-155-model-citizen

In this classic GameTek, Geoff takes a look at the physics behind the coin toss. Duration 5:39

https://ludology.libsyn.com/gametek-classic-154

Gil and Geoff are pleased to welcome Morten Monrad Pedersen, to discuss the art of designing solo games. Morten has designed several popular solo variants to games, including Scythe and Viticul...

https://ludology.libsyn.com/ludology-episode-154-leave-me-alone

Scott Rogers joins us with a new Biography of a Board Game - Arkham Horror! Duration: 6:16

https://ludology.libsyn.com/gametek-classic-153-arkham-horror

Gil and Geoff tackle ties in games. How important are tiebreakers? What are good and bad ways to design them? Duration: 1:18:18

https://ludology.libsyn.com/ludology-episode-152-tie-one-on

In this classic GameTek, Geoff discusses the difference between a cheat and a spoilsport, and what that means for society. Duration: 05:49

https://ludology.libsyn.com/gametek-classic-152-spoilsport

Gil and Geoff are thrilled to welcome Chris Cobb from Riot Games, creator of the number one online game in the world, League of Legends. Until recently Chris was the technical lead for the Playe...

https://ludology.libsyn.com/ludology-episode-152-the-better-angels-of-our-nature

Ludology welcomes Scott Rogers and his Biography of a Board Game segment! This episode he traces the history of Risk, from the early 20th century to today. Duration: 09:10

https://ludology.libsyn.com/gametek-classic-151-risk

For their first show as a duo, Gil and Geoff revisit the question posed in the very first episode of Ludology - What is a game?  The answer may surprise you. Duration: 1:23:24

https://ludology.libsyn.com/ludology-episode-151-high-definition

New Content! Geoff interviews Eric Janszen, the CEO of VirZoom . VirZoom makes a Virtual Reality exercise bike, that interfaces with all the major VR platforms, and uses games to keep people ex...

https://ludology.libsyn.com/gametek-classic-150-virzoom

Changes! We bid a fond farewell to Mike, and a big hello to Gil! Duration: 1:25:22

https://ludology.libsyn.com/ludology-episode-150-mike-drop

New content! Geoff interviews Rogelio Cardona-Rivera, a researcher at North Carolina State, about Procedural Narrative Generation - systems that can create and manipulate story structure in a gam...

https://ludology.libsyn.com/gametek-classic-149-procedural-narrative-generation

Mike and Geoff are pleased to welcome Justin Jacobson from Restoration Games, to talk about what they've learned from bringing older games back for a modern audience. Duration: 1:01:35

https://ludology.libsyn.com/ludology-episode-149-blast-from-the-past

In this classic GameTek, Geoff looks at games that help improve teamwork. Duration: 05:41

https://ludology.libsyn.com/gametek-classic-148-teamwork

Mike and Geoff are pleased to welcome guest J.R. Honeycutt, to discuss the role of the Developer in the game design and publication process. Duration 59:25

https://ludology.libsyn.com/ludology-episode-148-half-baked

In this classic GameTek Geoff discusses some techniques for estimating things in your head. Duration 6:19

https://ludology.libsyn.com/gametek-classic-147-estimating

Mike and Geoff field a bevy of listener questions. Duration: 1:10:21

https://ludology.libsyn.com/ludology-episode-147-listen-up

In this classic GameTek Geoff looks at how the language people use can give clues to their treachery. Duration: 6:32

https://ludology.libsyn.com/gametek-classic-146-betrayal

Mike and Geoff are pleased to welcome designer Andrew Parks to discuss taking a second shot at a design, whether it's revisiting a mechanic or taking an entire system into a new direction. Dura...

https://ludology.libsyn.com/double-take

In this classic GameTek Geoff looks at how choosing a color may affect how you play. Duration: 06:17

https://ludology.libsyn.com/gametek-classic-145-red-vs-blue

Mike and Geoff discuss multi-use cards - their history, and how they can be used by designers. Duration: 1:03:53

https://ludology.libsyn.com/ludology-episode-145-six-ways-from-sunday

In this classic GameTek, Geoff discusses the use of pronouns when writing rules. Duration: 06:17

https://ludology.libsyn.com/gametek-classic-144-singular-they

Mike and Geoff are pleased to welcome returning guest Stephen Buonocore of Stronghold Games to discuss the state of the gaming industry going into 2017. Duration: 1:19:43

https://ludology.libsyn.com/ludology-episode-144-the-edge-of-seventeen

In this classic GameTek Geoff pays tribute to game theorist John Nash. Duration: 06:35

https://ludology.libsyn.com/gametek-classic-143-nash-equilibrium

How do different player counts affect the design process? How important is it that a game support a variety of player counts? Duration: 1:08:06

https://ludology.libsyn.com/ludology-episode-143-two-players-three-players-four-players-bwahahah

Mike and Geoff are pleased to welcome slot machine game design Jeremy Hornik. Jeremy has been designing slots for over 15 years, including Money Burst, Willy Wonka, Monopoly, and Baron von Bacon'...

https://ludology.libsyn.com/ludology-episode-142-slots-o-fun

In this classic GameTek, Geoff wraps up his discussion of entropy and statistical mechanics by exploring the way that disorder and energy flow through a game system. Duration: 6:19

https://ludology.libsyn.com/gametek-classic-141-game-states

Mike and Geoff dive into real time games. What design techniques work for this mechanism? What does it do to the player experience? Duration: 1:00:50

https://ludology.libsyn.com/ludology-141-the-realtime-housewives-of-new-jersey

In this classic GameTek Geoff continues his exploration of thermodynamics by talking about Statistical Mechanics and what it tells us about the world. Duration: 7:05

https://ludology.libsyn.com/gametek-classic-140-statistical-mechanics

Mike and Geoff are thrilled to welcome guest Mark Herman to the program. Mark is the designer of a slew of games, including the first Card Driven Game (CDG) We The People . His latest design is C...

https://ludology.libsyn.com/ludology-episode-140-training-day

In this classic GameTek, Geoff looks at the scientific concept of entropy. Duration: 5:32

https://ludology.libsyn.com/gametek-classic-139-entropy

Mike and Geoff take a deep dive into Martin Wallace's latest game, Via Nebula. They look at all the design choices, from game play to theme to production. Duration: 1:09:04

https://ludology.libsyn.com/fog-of-wallace

In this classic GameTek Geoff looks at lead changes, and some simple mathematical models that reveal some surprising truths. Duration: 06:31

https://ludology.libsyn.com/gametek-classic-138-lead-changes

Mike and Geoff discuss the different ways you can win a game, and how that effects the design and player experience. Duration: 1:13:29

https://ludology.libsyn.com/ludology-episode-138-hug-to-win

In this classic GameTek Geoff examines rules as a logical structure, and the way that relates to math concepts of axioms and completeness. Duration: 06:28

https://ludology.libsyn.com/gametek-classic-137-incompleteness

Mike and Geoff are thrilled to welcome two of the designers of Thornwatch , Mike Krahulik and Mike Selinker, to discuss their game design process, and their views on gaming culture. Mike Krahulik...

https://ludology.libsyn.com/ludology-episode-137-a-thorn-in-the-pa

In this classic GameTek, Geoff discusses games with 'Hidden But Trackable' information. Is it OK to write things down? Duration: 06:19

https://ludology.libsyn.com/gametek-classic-136-hidden-but-trackable

Mike and Geoff discuss the way that constraints, both internal and external, affect the design process. They are pleased to welcome guest Grant Rodiek, designer of Cry Havoc, to discuss his 54-c...

https://ludology.libsyn.com/ludology-episode-136-thinking-inside-the-box

In this classic GameTek, Geoff looks at the ancient Greek practice of Antidosis, and it's application as a game mechanism. Duration: 05:34

https://ludology.libsyn.com/gametek-classic-135-antidosis

Mike and Geoff talk about teaching games in convention environments. If you are giving demos of a game in a booth, what are the key things to focus on? How much depth do you go into? They also ...

https://ludology.libsyn.com/ludology-episode-135-necessary-evil

In this all-new content, Geoff interviews Curtis Hickman, Chief Creative Officer of The Void , a company pioneering an immersive extension of Virtual Reality called Hyperreality. Debuting a few w...

https://ludology.libsyn.com/gametek-classic-134-the-void

Mike and Geoff are pleased to welcome guests Sen-Foong Lim and Jay Cormier, designers of Godfather: A New Don, Junk Art, and many more games. How does their collaboration work? What are the advan...

https://ludology.libsyn.com/ludology-episode-134-theres-no-i-in-team

In this classic GameTek, Geoff talks about Scoring Tracks, and how to make them work with your players, instead of against them. Duration: 06:26

https://ludology.libsyn.com/gametek-classic-133-scoring-tracks

A little window into dinner time at the Engelstein household: Young Brian asks the question "Can a board game make the players cry?" and he ends up on a podcast. So can they? Mike, Geoff, and B...

https://ludology.libsyn.com/ludology-episode-133-the-crying-game

Mike and Geoff are pleased to welcome Walter Crist, archeologist and co-author of Ancient Egyptians at Play , to discuss the history of board games in ancient Egypt, and their impact on culture a...

https://ludology.libsyn.com/ludology-episode-132-pyramid-scheme

It's another Listener Question episode! Mike and Geoff take on all comers. Can they survive? Duration: 1:11:21

https://ludology.libsyn.com/ludology-episode-131-whaa

In this GameTek, Geoff discusses the role that mental models play in how we interact with objects in the world. Duration: 06:00

https://ludology.libsyn.com/gametek-classic-130-mental-models

Mike and Geoff are pleased to welcome Suzanne Sheldon and Sydney Engelstein to discuss the topic of diversity and inclusion in gaming. Duration: 1:49:42

https://ludology.libsyn.com/ludology-episode-130-all-of-us

In this classic GameTek, Geoff looks at options for structuring tournaments for semi cooperative games. Duration: 06:27

https://ludology.libsyn.com/gametek-classic-129-semi-coop-tournaments

Mike and Geoff are pleased to welcome guest Soren Johnson. Soren was the lead designer on the computer game Civilization, and recently released Offworld Trading Company , which marries a traditio...

https://ludology.libsyn.com/ludology-episode-129-fast-money

In this classic GameTek, Geoff looks at semi-cooperative games, and the particular challenges they create for social dynamics. Duration: 06:13

https://ludology.libsyn.com/gametek-classic-128-semi-coops

Mike and Geoff discuss player motivations. What makes people want to play games? How do you design games to appeal to that type of player? Duration: 1:16:16

https://ludology.libsyn.com/ludology-episode-128-why

In this classic GameTek, Geoff discusses the smart design choices made by the designers of Cosmic Encounter. Duration: 06:15

https://ludology.libsyn.com/gametek-classic-127-cosmic-encounter

Mike and Geoff interview a panoply of designers of designers at the Gathering of Friends to hear about what inspires them. Duration: 46:36  

https://ludology.libsyn.com/ludology-episode-127-inspiration

In this classic GameTek, Geoff talks about the psychological state called 'Flow'. Duration: 6:41

https://ludology.libsyn.com/gametek-classic-126-flow

Mike and Geoff are thrilled to have special guest Nolan Bushnell, the founder of Atari games.  What were the game design considerations of the early video game industry? When you are inventing a...

https://ludology.libsyn.com/ludology-episode-126-player-one

In this classic GameTek Geoff discusses a study that looks at how much people enjoy just sitting with nothing to do. Duration: 05:43

https://ludology.libsyn.com/gametek-classic-125-the-distracted-mind

Mike and Geoff present the third and final part of the game design checklist. You can download the full checklist from http://cardboardedison.com/,  under the Featured Content link. Duration:...

https://ludology.libsyn.com/ludology-episode-125-checking-out

In this classic GameTek, Geoff takes a look at an 'interesting' game from the 1994 Caribbean Cup soccer tournament. Duration: 06:58

https://ludology.libsyn.com/gametek-classic-124-caribbean-cup

Mike and Geoff continue their discussion of the Game Design checklist, with questions about game mechanics. Duration: 01:16:59

https://ludology.libsyn.com/ludology-episode-124-checking-it-twice

In this classic GameTek, Geoff discusses the psychological concept of Zero Risk Bias. Duration: 07:45

https://ludology.libsyn.com/gametek-classic-123-zero-risk-bias

Mike and Geoff have been hard at work developing a checklist for game designers, and it is time to go public!  In this first of three episodes, they discuss the questions surrounding creating th...

https://ludology.libsyn.com/ludology-epiosde-123-check-up

In this episode, Mike and Geoff discuss the art and science of selecting a name for your game, and what you should consider. Duration: 1:13:02

https://ludology.libsyn.com/ludology-episode-122-the-name-of-the-game

In this classic GameTek, Geoff discusses what we know, what we don't, and how that affects our psychology. Duration: 05:13

https://ludology.libsyn.com/gametek-classic-121-known-unknowns

Mike and Geoff are pleased to welcome guest Matt Leacock, co-designer of new #1 game on Board Game Geek, Pandemic Legacy. We get into the spoiler-free details on designing a Legacy game. What a...

https://ludology.libsyn.com/ludology-episode-121-pandemonium

In this classic GameTek, Geoff takes a look at the question of how much you can copy a game and still call it 'new'. Duration: 06:06

https://ludology.libsyn.com/gametek-classic-120-cloning

For our annual State of Games episode, Mike and Geoff are pleased to welcome back Stephen Buonocore of Stronghold games, to discuss the state of the board game industry. Duration: 1:14:20

https://ludology.libsyn.com/ludology-episode-120-state-of-games-2016

In this classic GameTek, Geoff takes a look at research performed in China on Rock, Paper, Scissors. Duration: 06:02

https://ludology.libsyn.com/gametek-classic-119-rock-paper-scissors

Mike and Geoff take a look at the Deck Building mechanic.  How has it evolved over the last    Duration: 1:18:45

https://ludology.libsyn.com/ludology-episode-119-deck-the-halls

Mike and Geoff are pleased to welcome special guest Jamie Madigan, author of the Psychology of Video Games blog, and author of the just released Getting Gamers . Our topic is Avatars, and play...

https://ludology.libsyn.com/ludology-episode-118-knock-knock

In this classic GameTek Geoff takes a look at the math behind the popular game Werewolf. Duration: 06:35

https://ludology.libsyn.com/gametek-classic-117-werewolf

During BGG.CON 2015, Mike asked several publishers the same question: HOW DO YOU DECIDE WHAT GAMES YOU WANT TO PUBLISH? With the myriad of pitches and submissions that publishers receive, it ...

https://ludology.libsyn.com/ludology-episode-117-publish-or-perish

New Content! Geoff interviews Barry Joseph and Eric Teo about the game Gutsy. Barry is the Associate Director of Digital Learning at the American Museum of Natural History in New York City, and ...

https://ludology.libsyn.com/gametek-classic-116-gutsy

Mike and Geoff take a look at "Take That" games. When does this mechanic work, and when does it fail? Duration: 1:13:34

https://ludology.libsyn.com/bam-pow-oof

In this classic GameTek, Geoff talks about the revolutionary studies about the human microbiome, and what that can teach us about playing and designing games. Duration: 06:13

https://ludology.libsyn.com/gametek-classic-115-microbes

What changes are usually made between a first and second edition of a game? And what does that teach us about the design process? Mike and Geoff are joined by guest Paul Grogan, who was heavily...

https://ludology.libsyn.com/ludology-episode-115-take-two

Geoff gives a quick report on his play of Advanced Civilization last week. Duration: 08:17

https://ludology.libsyn.com/gametek-classic-114-civilization

Mike and Geoff talk CHAOS! Mike loves it in his games. Can he convince Geoff of its charms? Duration: 1:04:37

https://ludology.libsyn.com/ludology-episode-114-the-butterfly-effect

In this classic GameTek, Geoff discusses the Sunk Cost Fallacy. Duration: 05:05

https://ludology.libsyn.com/gametek-classic-113-sunk-costs

What games cross over into traditional retailers like Target and Barnes and Noble? Mike and Geoff are joined by Andrew Lupp, National Sales Manager of PSI, to learn the ins and outs. Andrew works...

https://ludology.libsyn.com/ludology-episode-113-crossover

NEW CONTENT! Geoff interviews Vlad Niculae of Cornell about his recent research on predicting betrayal via written communications. The foundation of the study? An only repository of 300 Diplomac...

https://ludology.libsyn.com/gametek-classic-112-betrayal

Mike and Geoff select their top 10 entries from the Ludology contest, and reveal the winner! Duration: 1:04:57  

https://ludology.libsyn.com/ludology-episode-112-mechatheme

In this classic GameTek Geoff looks at memory, and how games work with or against it. Duration: 06:10

https://ludology.libsyn.com/gametek-classic-111-memory

Mike and Geoff are pleased to welcome pinball game designer Keith Johnson, designer of games such as Simpsons Pinball Party, Revenge From Mars, and Lord of the Rings. What are the special desig...

https://ludology.libsyn.com/ludology-episode-111-silver-ball-playbook

In this classic GameTek, Geoff talks about luck and what increases or decreases it. Duration: 06:13

https://ludology.libsyn.com/gametek-classic-110-luck

Mike and Geoff are pleased to welcome guest Richard Borg to discuss the art of designing war games with mainstream appeal. Mr. Borg is the designer of the Command and Colors series of games, whic...

https://ludology.libsyn.com/ludology-episode-110-the-battle-begins

In this classic GameTek, Geoff talks about making the player feel powerful.  We also launch our part of the big Dice Tower Network contest! Duration: 7:42

https://ludology.libsyn.com/gametek-classic-109-power

Mike and Geoff open up the mailbag and answer difficult and interesting listener questions! Duration: 1:09:26

https://ludology.libsyn.com/ludology-episode-109-were-listening

In this classic GameTek, Geoff takes a look at the debate that raged in the 1990's between Narratologists and Ludologists. Duration: 05:59

https://ludology.libsyn.com/gametek-classic-108-ludology-v-narratology

Geoff is pleased to welcome Scott Rogers, designer of video games such as Darksiders and God of War, and author of the books Level Up! and Swipe This! The discussion centers around the concept ...

https://ludology.libsyn.com/ludology-episode-108-level-up

In this classic GameTek, Geoff looks at how a good analogy can dramatically simplify learning a game. Duration: 06:00

https://ludology.libsyn.com/gametek-classic-107-analogies

Mike and Geoff take a deep dive into the Antoine Bauza game Seven Wonders. What works? What doesn't? What drove the design decisions? Duration: 01:16:26

https://ludology.libsyn.com/ludology-episode-107-seven-up

In this classic GameTek, Goeff talks about how innovative a game can really be. Duration: 06:14

https://ludology.libsyn.com/gametek-classic-106-the-rule-of-one

Mike and Geoff welcome guest Emerson Matsuuchi, designer of Specter Ops and VOLT Robot Battle, to discuss hidden and programmed movement in games. Why use these techniques? What are good and bad ...

https://ludology.libsyn.com/ludology-episode-106-hide-and-seek

In this classic GameTek, Geoff discusses a game designed to explore the relationship between rules and morality.  Duration: 6:15

https://ludology.libsyn.com/gametek-classic-105-mice-and-men

Inspired by an article by Matt Thrower , Mike and Geoff talk about games that try to tackle controversial topics, and why there aren't more of them. Duration: 1:05:35

https://ludology.libsyn.com/ludology-episode-105-teach-the-controversy

In this classic GameTek, Geoff takes a look at what factors make a game 'mean'. Duration: 06:18

https://ludology.libsyn.com/gametek-classic-104-ways-and-means

Mike and Geoff are joined by guest Rich Sommer, host of the Cardboard! podast  and star of stage and screen to discuss games receiving mainstream acceptance.  Is it good for the hobby to have g...

https://ludology.libsyn.com/ludology-episode-104-games-seem-mainstream

In this classic GameTek, Geoff takes a look at an ancient text that lists games that will distract you from achieving enlightenment. Duration: 06:18

https://ludology.libsyn.com/gametek-classic-103-buddhas-forbidden-games

Mike and Geoff dive deeper into the world of cards. What is a card? What tools do cards give the designer? What card games exhibit great depth? Duration: 01:22:22

https://ludology.libsyn.com/ludology-episode-103-house-of-cards

In this classic GameTek, Geoff looks at the way different types of noise mirror different random processes in games, and how these can be tuned for maximum player interest. Duration: 06:24

https://ludology.libsyn.com/gametek-classic-102-noise-part-2

Mike and Geoff are joined by Stronghold Games President Stephen Buonocore, to discuss the current state of the board game industry. Special guests may also pop in! Duration: 01:20:18

https://ludology.libsyn.com/ludology-episode-102-state-of-games-2015

In this classic GameTek, Geoff explores the different types of noise. Duration: 06:21

https://ludology.libsyn.com/gametek-classic-101-noise-part-1

Geoff and new host Mike Fitzgerald talk about card games and why they are often treated as second-class citizens in the game world. Duration: 01:07:00

https://ludology.libsyn.com/ludology-episode-101-inferiority-cardplex

For their 100th episode, and Ryan's last, the guys take a look back at their favorite moments from the show. Duration: 1:25:13

https://ludology.libsyn.com/ludology-episode-100-a-ryan-shame

In this classic GameTek, Geoff discusses the legacy of Allan Calhamer and his game, Diplomacy. Duration: 07:02

https://ludology.libsyn.com/gametek-classic-99-allan-calhamer

Ryan and Geoff talk about Gamification, the application of gaming techniques to real world tasks. Why do it? What are some good and bad examples? Duration: 1:21:30

https://ludology.libsyn.com/ludology-episode-99-the-game-of-real-life

In this ALL NEW GameTek, Geoff interviews Dr. Michael Bowling of the University of Alberta. Mike and his team put together computer hardware and software to 'solve' Heads-Up Limit Texas Hold'Em. ...

https://ludology.libsyn.com/gametek-classic-98-solving-poker

Ryan and Geoff are thrilled to welcome Richard Garfield, designer of Magic: The Gathering, Robo Rally, Netrunner, King of Tokyo and more, along with bonus guest Mike Fitzgerald, whose latest desi...

https://ludology.libsyn.com/ludology-episode-98-gathering-the-magic

In this classic GameTek, Geoff looks at a curious incident at Johns Hopkins University. Duration: 04:14

https://ludology.libsyn.com/gametek-classic-97-rules-lawyers

Ryan and Geoff discuss heuristics, and the way they are used in games. How can designers shape a game's heuristics to increase both depth and accessibility? Duration: 01:30:34  

https://ludology.libsyn.com/ludology-episode-97-rules-of-thumb

In this classic GameTek, Geoff discusses the many instances of people cheating in chess tournaments. Duration: 05:52

https://ludology.libsyn.com/gametek-classic-96-chess-cheating

Ryan and Geoff revisit the topic of theme. Specifically how is theme expressed and integrated in games? Duration: 01:26:58

https://ludology.libsyn.com/ludology-episode-96-i-have-a-theme

In this classic GameTek, Geoff takes a look at how the physical aspects of a game can be designed to deter or prevent cheating. Duration: 05:39

https://ludology.libsyn.com/gametek-classic-95-game-security

Ryan and Geoff talk about their search for a publish for "Trading in the Mediterranean", and what the next steps are. There is also an important announcement about the future of the show, so st...

https://ludology.libsyn.com/ludology-episode-95-the-pitch

In this classic GameTek, Geoff discusses Reputation as an antidote to Cheating, and how it breaks down as groups grow in size. Duration: 06:40

https://ludology.libsyn.com/gametek-classic-94-cheating-part-2

Ryan and Geoff are thrilled to welcome Ben Brode, Senior Game Designer for Hearthstone, the online card game from Blizzard Entertainment. Ben joins us to discuss the design considerations behin...

https://ludology.libsyn.com/ludology-episode-94-hearth-of-stone

In this classic GameTek, Geoff begins a two-part exploration of cheating with a personal admission. Duration: 6:10

https://ludology.libsyn.com/gametek-classic-93-cheating-part-1

With Geoff goofing off, Ryan is very pleased to welcome noted designer Bruno Faidutti to discuss his article Postcolonial Catan , about how boardgames use cliches and stereotypes as shortcuts to...

https://ludology.libsyn.com/ludology-episode-93-the-truthiness-of-board-game-themes

In this classic GameTek episode, Geoff explores an experiment that uses loss aversion to create an incentive. Is this a new type of carrot? Duration: 07:15

https://ludology.libsyn.com/gametek-classic-92-incentives

Ryan and Geoff welcome Vincent Salzillo to the show! Vincent runs a variety of cons, including Metatopia, for game designers. He also runs the First Exposure Hall at Gencon for new designers to p...

https://ludology.libsyn.com/ludology-episode-92-envoys-of-excellence

In this classic GameTek, Geoff discusses the psychological phenomenon of Hindsight Bias, and how it may prevent us from being better players. Duration: 06:37

https://ludology.libsyn.com/gametek-classic-91-hindsight-bias

In this episode of Ludology we are thrilled to welcome Peter Olotka, one of the designers of Cosmic Encounter, Dune, and many other classic games.  We discuss the early development of Cosmic Enc...

https://ludology.libsyn.com/ludology-episode-91-olotka-encounter

In this classic GameTek, Geoff discusses expectation value, and how it can be used - and misused - in games. Duration: 05:39

https://ludology.libsyn.com/gametek-classic-90-expectation-value-revisited

Ryan and Geoff take a close look at the body of work of Reiner Knizia, one of the most influential and prolific designers of the modern era. What common threads run through Knizia's work? What ...

https://ludology.libsyn.com/ludology-episode-90-kniziathon

In this classic GameTek, Geoff talks about putting tiles down without repeating any patterns. Duration: 06:15

https://ludology.libsyn.com/gametek-classic-89-quasicrystals

Ryan and Geoff are very pleased to welcome guest Jordan Weisman, founder of FASA, Wizkids, and Harebrained Schemes, and designer of Battletech, Heroclix, and the just-released Golem Arcana . Jo...

https://ludology.libsyn.com/ludology-episode-89-bridging-the-digital-divide

In this classic GameTek, Geoff discusses a study done on playing Rock, Paper, Scissors with one player blindfolded and one able to see. Who comes out on top? Duration: 04:41

https://ludology.libsyn.com/gametek-classic-88-blind-rps

Ryan and Geoff are pleased to be joined by Travis Chance and Nick Little of Action Phase game, designers of Heroes Wanted.  This was the first time Action Phase has exhibited at Gencon, and we d...

https://ludology.libsyn.com/ludology-episode-89-small-booth-big-dreams

In this classic GameTek, Geoff discusses Artificial Intelligence, and how it affects our play. Duration: 06:15

https://ludology.libsyn.com/gametek-classic-87-ai

Geoff finally acquiesces to Ryan's wish to discuss game shows. And you know what? It turned out to be a very fertile area for analysis.  What special considerations are there for game shows? Wha...

https://ludology.libsyn.com/ludology-episode-87-come-on-down

In this classic GameTek, Geoff talks about IBM's Jeopardy-playing Watson, and how it fits into the history of Artificial Intelligence research. Duration: 06:10

https://ludology.libsyn.com/gametek-classic-86-watson

Ryan and Geoff are joined by guest Andrew Tullsen of Print & Play productions to discuss prototypes. What are the different types of prototypes? What are the tools and techniques to create them i...

https://ludology.libsyn.com/ludology-episode-86-get-real

In this classic GameTek, Geoff investigates the true randomness of dice. Duration: 06:15

https://ludology.libsyn.com/gametek-classic-85-fair-dice

Ryan and Geoff dip back into the mail bag to respond to more listener comments and questions about luck and randomness. Duration: 1:00:31

https://ludology.libsyn.com/ludology-episode-85-lucky-break

In this classic GameTek, Geoff discusses brain imaging studies on shogi players. For images relating to this story, check out Geoff's blog entry on BoardgameGeek . Duration: 06:58

https://ludology.libsyn.com/gametek-classic-84-your-brain-on-shogi

Ryan and Geoff are joined by guest Gil Hova, designer of Prolix and Battle Merchants to discuss playtesting. What are the different types of playtests? How do you get the most out of your testi...

https://ludology.libsyn.com/ludology-episode-84-the-playtests-the-thing-0

In this classic GameTek, Geoff discusses tournament structure in sports, and the way that may effect the play of the individual games. Duration: 06:54

https://ludology.libsyn.com/gametek-classic-83-tournaments

Ryan and Geoff do a deep dive into the world of Worker Placement games. What makes them tick? Why would designers use that mechanism? What are the pitfalls to avoid? Duration: 01:06:39

https://ludology.libsyn.com/ludology-episode-83-all-work-and-no-place-make-games-a-dull-toy

In this classic GameTek, Geoff talks about how games can teach us about economics. Duration: 07:13

https://ludology.libsyn.com/gametek-classic-82-inflation

Ryan and Geoff are very pleased to welcome Dominic Crapuchettes to Ludology! We discuss designing party games, dealing with mass market retailers, starting a game company, and their recent pivot ...

https://ludology.libsyn.com/ludology-episode-82-party-party-evolution

In this classic GameTek, Geoff talks about shuffling, big numbers, uniqueness, and the origin of life. Duration: 07:35

https://ludology.libsyn.com/gametek-classic-81-shuffling

Ryan and Geoff respond to a random sampling of the listener questions about luck and randomness. Thanks to all who sent in your thoughts, comments, and questions! Duration: 01:07:06  

https://ludology.libsyn.com/ludology-episode-81-random-acts-of-kindness

In this classic GameTek, Geoff discusses the psychological property called Competence, and how you can use it to annoy people. Duration: 06:47

https://ludology.libsyn.com/gametek-classic-80-competence

Ryan and Geoff take one last look at the Most Influential Games of the 20th Century. Do they have any second thoughts? Any overlooked games that should have been included? They also put on thei...

https://ludology.libsyn.com/ludology-episode-80-influenza

In this classic GameTek, Geoff talks about recent research on willpower. Duration: 07:00

https://ludology.libsyn.com/gametek-79-willpower

Ryan and Geoff are pleased to welcome back Eric Zimmerman, professor at NYU's Game Center and author of The Rules of Play. This episode we discuss the concept of the "magic circle" and how design...

https://ludology.libsyn.com/ludology-episode-79-the-magic-circle

In this classic GameTek, Geoff talks about the state of game criticisim. Duration: 10:53

https://ludology.libsyn.com/gametek-78-criticism

Ryan and Geoff conclude their survey of the most influential games with the 90's. Which games have cast shadows into the 21st century? Duration: 01:20

https://ludology.libsyn.com/ludology-episode-78-here-we-are-now-entertain-us

In this classic GameTek, Geoff discusses Kickstarter, and it's links with the concept of Patronage, in the past and future. Duration: 06:47

https://ludology.libsyn.com/gametek-77-patronage

Ryan and Geoff are very pleased to be joined by guest Keith Burgun  of DinoFarm games and author of Game Design Theory .  Keith is the designer of a variety of mobile games, including 100 Rogue...

https://ludology.libsyn.com/ludology-epiosde-77-board-to-bits

In this classic GameTek, Geoff discusses the different types of intellectual property protection available to authors and companies. Duration: 06:48

https://ludology.libsyn.com/gametek-76-copyright-and-trademark

Ryan and Geoff continue their series on the most influential games of all time, and take a look at the 1980's.  What were the key games when we all weren't trying to unscramble our Rubik's Cubes...

https://ludology.libsyn.com/ludology-episode-76-i-like-dice-to-roll

In this classic GameTek, Geoff discusses the impact 3D printing technology may have on the game hobby. Duration: 07:30

https://ludology.libsyn.com/gametek-75-3d-printing

Ryan and Geoff are very excited to be joined by special guest Mike Gray. Mike has a long history in the game industry, working for Milton Bradley, TSR, and Hasbro.  He designed Fortress America,...

https://ludology.libsyn.com/ludology-episode-75-grays-ludology

In this classic GameTek, Geoff discusses the importance of endings, and the difference between "the experiencing self" and "the remembering self." One of Geoff's favorites! Duration: 06:06

https://ludology.libsyn.com/gametek-74-endings

Ryan and Geoff continue their series on the most influential games of all time, and take a look at the 1970's.  What were the key moments in the decade of disco? Duration: 01:21:58

https://ludology.libsyn.com/ludology-episode-74-boardgame-wonderland

In this classic GameTek, Geoff talks about Power Creep. Is it a big conspiracy? Or is there a less nefarious explanation? Duration: 06:19

https://ludology.libsyn.com/game-tek-73-power-creep

Ryan and Geoff are joined by JVMF-auction winner Chaz Marler, to discuss the use of icons in games. Why use icons? What games have useful icons, and others not so much?  And what is Geoff's sugg...

https://ludology.libsyn.com/ludology-episode-73-icon-of-clarity

In this classic GameTek, Geoff takes a look at playtesting. What are the different types of playtesting, and how do they fall short?

https://ludology.libsyn.com/game-tek-72-playtesting

And we're back!! Ryan and Geoff kick off the new year with a new series: The Most Influential Games. Part 1 covers 1900 - 1969.  What are the most influential games from these years? Duratio...

https://ludology.libsyn.com/ludology-episode-72-under-the-influence-part-1

Geoff and Ryan are joined by Steve Kendall of the Ragnar Brothers and designer of History of the World, Viking Fury, and more, to discuss Area Control or 'Dudes on a Map' games. What are the outs...

https://ludology.libsyn.com/ludology-episode-71-dude-where-s-my-map

NEW CONTENT! Geoff talks with Quintin Smith of Shut Up and Sit Down about his recent experience at The Betrayer's Banquet, a Prisoner's Dilemma-themed dinner party.  Does backstabbing improve t...

https://ludology.libsyn.com/game-tek-70-betrayer-s-banquet

Ryan and Geoff are joined by ROB DAVIAU, of Iron Wall Games, and formerly with Hasbro. While at Hasbro Rob worked on a slew of games you know, including Heroscape, Betrayal at House on the Hill, ...

https://ludology.libsyn.com/ludology-episode-70-risky-business

In this classic GameTek, the GameTek players present "Wild West Showdown". Who will win this three-sided gunfight... of doom? Duration: 07:44

https://ludology.libsyn.com/game-tek-classic-69-wild-west-showdown

Hot on the heels of talking about Set Collection, Ryan and Geoff tackle its cousin, Area Majority, a mechanic which comes wearing many disguises.  How does it differ from Set Collection? What ma...

https://ludology.libsyn.com/ludology-episode-69-area-69

In this classic GameTek episode, Geoff talks about gamification, specifically the way that it is used by fold.it  to use game mechanics to solve real world problems. Duration: 06:32

https://ludology.libsyn.com/game-tek-classic-68-gamification

In this episode Ryan and Geoff discuss Set Collection as a tool for game designers. What attributes can set collection add to a game? What are some of the pitfalls? What games have used it well o...

https://ludology.libsyn.com/ludology-epsiode-68-game-set-match

In the classic GameTek, Geoff talks about Chaos Theory, and how it is reflected in game design. Duration: 06:54

https://ludology.libsyn.com/game-tek-classic-67-chaos

In this episode, Geoff interviews Frank Merrick from FIRST about using games to get kids excited about science and technology. What are the special considerations when designing a game to be educ...

https://ludology.libsyn.com/ludology-episode-67-the-games-robots-play

In this classic GameTek, Geoff talks about two recent research results about choice. Duration: 5:15

https://ludology.libsyn.com/game-tek-classic-66-blindfolds-and-boxes

Ryan and Geoff are joined by special guest Corey Koneiczka of Fantasy Flight Games designer of such classics as Battlestar Galactica, Mansions of Madness, and the upcoming Eldritch Horror. The to...

https://ludology.libsyn.com/ludology-episode-66-please-sir-can-i-have-some-more

How are dice and planets connected? Listen to this classic GameTek and find out! Duration: 06:47

https://ludology.libsyn.com/game-tek-classic-65-planetary-dice

Ryan and Geoff dedicate the entire show to reviewing their top 10 entries to the Dice Tower Network / Cool Stuff Inc contest, and announce the winner! Duration: 01:00:44

https://ludology.libsyn.com/ludology-episode-65-the-envelope-please

In this classic GameTek, Geoff explores fuzzy logic and how it applies to our attempts to categorize games - and everything else in the world. Duration: 07:45

https://ludology.libsyn.com/game-tek-classic-64-fuzzy-logic

Ryan and Geoff are joined by guest Mike Fitzgerald. Mike is the designer of a variety of card games including the Mystery Rummy series and Hooyah, but also spent many years working on CCGs like W...

https://ludology.libsyn.com/ludology-episode-64-the-abc-s-of-ccg-s

In this classic GameTek, Ryan and Geoff interview game designer Bob Abbott, designer of classic games like Confusion, Eleusis, and Code 777. Duration: 09:29 This episode of Ludology is sponso...

https://ludology.libsyn.com/game-tek-classic-63-interview-with-bob-abbott

Ryan and Geoff take a very high level look at the structure of games - the phases and turns that make them tick. What structures were there in ancient games? How has this changed over time? How d...

https://ludology.libsyn.com/ludology-episode-63-set-your-phases-to-fun

In this classic GameTek, Geoff shares a technique for making it simpler to calculate probabilities in your head. Duration: 06:06

https://ludology.libsyn.com/game-tek-classic-62-flipping-probability

Ryan and Geoff are joined by John Meindersee of Campfire Creations, to talk about the special challenges in creating digital versions of boardgames.  Campfire Creations developed the iOS version...

https://ludology.libsyn.com/ludology-episode-62-gone-digital

Meaningful decisions are what drive deep strategy games. But can there be too much of a good thing? Can having too many choices hinder our ability to make good, or any, decisions? Duration: 06:...

https://ludology.libsyn.com/game-tek-classic-61-choices

In this third listener question episode, Ryan and Geoff respond to a veritable panoply of user questions, and field them with their usual combination of aplomb and pithy aphorisms. Duration: 1:...

https://ludology.libsyn.com/ludology-episode-61-listener-spectacularerer

In this classic GameTek, Geoff talks about PokerBots: How they are programmed, why they're a problem, and how to detect them. Duration: 04:54

https://ludology.libsyn.com/game-tek-classic-60-poker-bots

Rules! Every game has them, but they are a big source of gamer frustration.  Ryan and Geoff put their heads together to come up with rules for rules. What makes for a good set of rules? What a...

https://ludology.libsyn.com/ludology-episode-60-how-to-how-to-play

In this classic GameTek, Geoff talks about the difference between playing a human vs an AI opponent. Do we act and feel differently about the game? If so, why? Duration: 5:58

https://ludology.libsyn.com/game-tek-classic-59-man-vs-machine

As humans we overvalue losing something and undervalue gaining it. This is called Loss Aversion, and is a well studied psychological effect. How do games incorporate Loss Aversion? How does it ...

https://ludology.libsyn.com/ludology-episode-59-hey-that-s-mine

In this classic GameTek episode, Geoff discusses long games and how to keep players engaged for many hours. What are the different types of engagment, which are effective, and which are mentally ...

https://ludology.libsyn.com/game-tek-classic-58-player-engagement

Ryan proposes a radical change to the mechanics of Trading in the Mediterranean to simplify and smooth our the gameplay, and Geoff wants to talk about it.  Will it throw the baby out with the ba...

https://ludology.libsyn.com/ludology-episode-58-back-to-basics

In this classic GameTek, Geoff takes a look at car washes and the Endowed Progress Effect. How can we use it to get players more engaged in a game? Duration: 05:30

https://ludology.libsyn.com/game-tek-classic-57-endowed-progress

Ryan and Geoff tackle the concept of an 'objective' in a game - not just end game objectives, but techniques for building a series of mini-objectives to keep the player engaged and the game movin...

https://ludology.libsyn.com/ludology-episode-57-goal

In this classic GameTek, Geoff talks about how businesses are trying to use games to appeal to customers. Duration: 07:25

https://ludology.libsyn.com/game-tek-classic-56-gamification

Licnesed games like X-Wing and the upcoming Star Trek: Attack Wing are hugely popular. But how is designing a game with a license different?  Ryan and Geoff are pleased to welcome back guest And...

https://ludology.libsyn.com/ludology-episode-56

In this classic GameTek, Geoff looks at intransitive dice - Dice where die A tends to beat die B, which tends to beat die C, which tends to beat die A. This was a big topic of discussion on the...

https://ludology.libsyn.com/game-tek-classic-55-intransitive-dice

Ryan and Geoff reivew the status of "Trading in the Mediterranean", their publicly-developed board game. After talking about the current version and how it has evolved, they talk about what's wor...

https://ludology.libsyn.com/ludology-episode-55-the-box-is-half-full

In this classic GameTek, Geoff interviews Gil Hova, who designed the game Prolix , about the different concerns in designing a word game versus other genres of games. Duration: 26:35

https://ludology.libsyn.com/game-tek-classic-54-designing-word-games

Ryan and Geoff discuss the interplay between short and long-term objectives in games. How can designers use these to create a richer game experience? What impact do they have on complexity and th...

https://ludology.libsyn.com/ludology-episode-54-the-long-and-the-short-of-it

In this classic GameTek, Geoff continues talking about Entanglement and quantum physics by introducing the game Quantum Tic-Tac-Toe.  Check out the full rules on Wikipedia, which also links to ...

https://ludology.libsyn.com/game-tek-classic-53-quantum-tic-tac-toe

This special episode of Ludology is a recording of a game design panel Geoff particiated in at PAX East 2013, in Boston. The topic was "Impact of Video Game Design Techniques on Board Games". J...

https://ludology.libsyn.com/ludology-episode-53-pax-ludologica

In this classic Gametek, Geoff talks about Entanglement, Quantum Mechanics, and why our intuition about probability can be woefully incorrect. One of Geoff's favorite episodes! Duration: 09:00 ...

https://ludology.libsyn.com/game-tek-classic-52-entanglement

This episode Ryan and Geoff tackle games that feature negotiation, either as a designed-in feature, or a by-product of the player interactions. What features make for a great negotiation game?  ...

https://ludology.libsyn.com/ludology-episode-52-let-s-make-a-deal

In this classic GameTek, Geoff examines regret - why we would rather not make a choice at all, rather than make it and have it not work out. Duration: 6:26

https://ludology.libsyn.com/game-tek-classic-51-regret

Ryan and Geoff return with the second half of their new games for 2012. Plus their top picks for the year! Duration 1:20:55 This episode is sponsored by the game Influence , now on Kickstar...

https://ludology.libsyn.com/ludology-episode-51-50-for-50-part-2

In this classic GameTek, Geoff introduces the Monty Hall problem, an old chestnut that never fails to amaze those who have not heard it before. Duration: 08:25 This episode is sponsored by th...

https://ludology.libsyn.com/game-tek-classic-50-monty-hall

To celebrate the 50th episode of Ludology, Ryan and Geoff talk about 50 games that were new to them in 2012:  The good, the bad, and the design features that stood out. Duration: 1:10 This e...

https://ludology.libsyn.com/ludology-episode-50-50-for-50-part-1http-www-boardgamegeek-com-boardgame-136385-influence

In this classic GameTek, Geoff talks about Martin Gardner, who wrote the Mathematical Games column for Scientific American magazine from the mid 50's to the 1980's, and passed away in 2010. Dur...

https://ludology.libsyn.com/game-tek-classic-49-martin-gardner

Ryan and Geoff are joined by guest Zack Johnson, designer of the online game Kingdom of Loathing, to discuss the use (and misuse) of humor in games. How is humor used in games? Are there special ...

https://ludology.libsyn.com/ludology-episode-49-the-joke-s-on-you

In this classic GameTek, Geoff takes a close look under the hood at the Reiner Knizia game High Society, to tease out what makes it such a dynamic and engaging design. Duration: 6:35

https://ludology.libsyn.com/game-tek-classic-48-high-society

No, not listener feedback - Feedback loops. What are the different types of feedback, and how do designers incorporate them into games? Do certain types of games benefit from feedback? Is feedbac...

https://ludology.libsyn.com/ludology-episode-48-fun-with-feedback

In this GameTek from 2010, Geoff and his son Brian talk about what they are worried about as their game The Ares Project nears publication. Special bonus recap of how on target we were! Duratio...

https://ludology.libsyn.com/game-tek-classic-47-worrying

In our first episode of the new year, we are joined by the godfather of gaming, Tom Vasel, to dissect 2012 and speculate on the direction of the industry in the upcoming year.

https://ludology.libsyn.com/ludology-episode-47-state-of-games-2013

For the final full episode of 2012, Ryand and Geoff are very pleased to welcome Martin Wallace to the program, designer of such classics as Age of Steam, Brass, and Runebound. We discuss Mr. Wa...

https://ludology.libsyn.com/ludology-episode-46-getting-down-to-brass-tracks

In this classic GameTek, Geoff talks about the art of rules writing. Why is it hard? What options are available to the designer? Duration: 10:15

https://ludology.libsyn.com/game-tek-classic-45-writing-rules

Ryan and Geoff are very pleased to welcome Eric Zimmerma n of the NYU Game Center , and author of the book Rules of Play . Yes, that's three links in one sentence, but Eric is worth it!   Afte...

https://ludology.libsyn.com/ludology-episode-45-emergence

Finally! Ryan corrals his buddies into trying Trading in the Mediterranean, and records their thoughts afterwards.  Reviewing the rules, cards, and other playtest materials may be helpful to ...

https://ludology.libsyn.com/ludology-episode-44a-the-rubber-meets-the-road

Ryan and Geoff welcome special guest Christopher Badell, designer of Sentinels of the Multiverse and one of the principals of Greater Than Games.  We have a wide-ranging discussion about startin...

https://ludology.libsyn.com/ludology-episode-44-all-for-one-and-one-for-all

In this classic GameTek from February 2010, Geoff introduces the FIRST Robotics competition and the way the program is structured around games. Duration: 8:54

https://ludology.libsyn.com/game-tek-classic-43-rules-for-robots

Ryan stays up past his bedtime as he and Geoff welcome special guest Jason Matthews to the show.  Jason is the codesigner of Twilight Struggle, 1960, Founding Fathers, 1989, and other great poli...

https://ludology.libsyn.com/ludology-episode-43-twilight-snuggle

In this classic GameTek from January of 2010, Geoff discusses the economics of gift-giving, and some games that explore gift exchanges. Duration: 06:45

https://ludology.libsyn.com/game-tek-classic-42-gifting

Ryan and Geoff get down in the weeds to discuss the details of the cards and card mix in Trading in the Mediterranean.  How will the trade goods relate to the ideas? How will they be acquired? H...

https://ludology.libsyn.com/ludology-episode-42a-trade-med-trade-goods

Ryan and Geoff are joined by special guest Eric Summerer for a deep dive into Pick Up and Deliver games. What are some of the best examples of this genre? What makes them appealing? When do they ...

https://ludology.libsyn.com/ludology-episode-42-speedy-delivery

In this GameTek from December of 2009, Geoff discusses advances in 'multitouch table' technology, tech which eventually found it's way into tablets like the iPad. Duration: 07:45

https://ludology.libsyn.com/game-tek-classic-41-multitouch-tables-revisited

Ryan and Geoff tackle some more listener questions in the aptly named 'Listener Spectacular 2'. Duration: 55:57

https://ludology.libsyn.com/ludology-episode-41-listener-spectacular-2

In this classic GameTek, Geoff takes a look at rules. Can you learn everything there is to know about a game just by reading the rules? Duration: 07:00

https://ludology.libsyn.com/game-tek-classic-40-emergent-behavior

Ryan and Geoff are joined by special guest Giles Pritchard to discuss the use of games in the classroom. Both Ryan and Giles teach kids ages 8-11, and have extensively used games to augment the t...

https://ludology.libsyn.com/ludology-epsiode-40-games-teach

Ryan and Geoff continue brainstorming on Trading in the Mediterranean, trying to zero in on how different types of governments and social factors can be incorporated into the design. Duration: ...

https://ludology.libsyn.com/ludology-episode-39a-the-violence-inherent-in-the-system

After a brief summer break, the Ludology team is back! In this episode, Ryan and Geoff discuss Roll and Move games, including their history, what they do well, and what they do poorly. What att...

https://ludology.libsyn.com/ludology-episode-39-roll-and-move

Ryan and Geoff continue their development of Trading in the Mediterranean, working to flesh out how to include 'ideas' in the game. Duration: 48:00

https://ludology.libsyn.com/ludology-episode-38a-ideas-about-ideas

Ryan and Geoff talk about maps, geography, and spatial relations in game design. Duration: 1:25:15

https://ludology.libsyn.com/ludology-episode-38-you-are-here

In place of the 'Classic GameTek' segment that we normally post in between full episodes of Ludology, we are posting some bonus content about the design process for Trading in the Mediterranean. ...

https://ludology.libsyn.com/ludology-episode-37a-trading-in-the-mediterranean

In this episode, Ryan and Geoff discuss different approaches to starting a new game design. And then, they embark on a grand project of their own, designing a game of their own! Duration: 1:04:...

https://ludology.libsyn.com/ludology-episode-37-the-empty-box

In this classic GameTek segment Geoff talks about NP Complete problems in mathematics, and the ways that certain problems can be transformed into others. Duration: 06:00 (Yes, I know there wa...

https://ludology.libsyn.com/game-tek-classic-36-np-complete

Ryan and Geoff take a close analytical look at Alan Moon's Ticket To Ride, and lift up the hood to figure out what makes it tick.  What design decisions set it apart from similar games?  How do...

https://ludology.libsyn.com/ludology-episode-36-case-study-ticket-to-ride

In this episode Ryan and Geoff analyze the environment that games create. Some games tend to be very competitive and tense, and others light and social. What pushes gameplay in these directions? ...

https://ludology.libsyn.com/ludology-episode-35-the-social-milieu

In this classic GameTek, Geoff and Brian continue to talk about The Ares Project, and the design challenges they faced. They specifically discuss designing with constraints as a way to spark crea...

https://ludology.libsyn.com/game-tek-classic-34-design-and-creativity

Ryan and Geoff take a look at the use of uncertainty and randomness in games. What works and what doesn't? When should you have more randomness and when less? Duration: 1:09:45

https://ludology.libsyn.com/ludology-episode-34-the-good-the-bad-and-the-random

In this classic GameTek, Geoff announces that he is going to publishing a game with Z-Man Games called - wait for it - The Ares Project.  This was originally broadcast in August of 2009 on Dice ...

https://ludology.libsyn.com/game-tek-classic-33-intro-to-the-ares-project

This episode Ryan and Geoff are very pleased to welcome Michael Lee, founder and co-owner of Panda Games , manufacturer of games like Pandemic and Eclipse, to discuss the nuts and bolts of actual...

https://ludology.libsyn.com/ludology-episode-33-pandamonium

In this GameTek segment Geoff looks at the math behind Push Your Luck games. When another roll is one roll too many... This was originally broadcast in Dice Tower episode 143 in March of 2009. ...

https://ludology.libsyn.com/game-tek-classic-32-push-your-luck

Ryan and Geoff tackle reviews and criticism. What are the different types? What drives people to write reviews? How do people use them? Do game reviews need to differ from film or book reviews? A...

https://ludology.libsyn.com/ludology-episode-32-critical-mass

In this classic GameTek, Geoff talks about the characteristics of a good trading game. What drives the gameplay? How much does value need to be obscured? Is it better or worse to have stuff worth...

https://ludology.libsyn.com/game-tek-classic-31-trading-games

Ryan and Geoff conduct a 'virtual interview' with William Attia, the designer, most notably, of Caylus.  Ryan declares that Caylus is the "most important game since Puerto Rico". Can he support ...

https://ludology.libsyn.com/ludology-episode-31-interview-with-william-attia

Well before the current wave of online boardgames, both web-based and mobile, Geoff reflected on his experience with PBEM gaming back in the dark ages in this classic GameTek episode. 05:00

https://ludology.libsyn.com/game-tek-classic-pbem-history

Geoff and Ryan field several listener questions this episode, weighing in on quite a diverse range of topics. To add to the difficulty, Ryan responds to all questions with the flu. Length: 1:01

https://ludology.libsyn.com/ludology-episode-30-listener-spectacular

In this classic GameTek Geoff looks at research linking temperature to social interactions. When should you give your opponents a cup of coffee instead of a soda? We have also started a new fil...

https://ludology.libsyn.com/ludology-bonus-episode-hot-and-cold

Ryan and Geoff continue their discussion of the Auction mechanic. How much should the true value of what you're bidding on be hidden? And how can that be done? Plus, mechanics that really are auc...

https://ludology.libsyn.com/ludology-episode-29-sold-

In this classic GameTek, Geoff discusses the concept of Visibility in computer games versus board games, using the PC game Armageddon Empires as a case study. How do board games and computer game...

https://ludology.libsyn.com/ludology-bonus-episode-visibility

Ryan and Geoff begin their two-part exploration of auction mechanics. Auctions are a part of many games, sometimes just as a minor role, and sometimes as the star. What are the advantages of th...

https://ludology.libsyn.com/ludology-episode-28-going-going-gone

This classic GameTek was originally broadcast during a Dice Tower episode on Train Games. Geoff explores the connections (get it - connections?) between creating rail networks and the branch of m...

https://ludology.libsyn.com/ludology-bonus-episode-graph-theory

In this episode, Ryan and Geoff look at the hot new space game Eclipse as a way of revisiting topics from prior shows. How does Eclipse handle issues like multiple strategies, turn sequence, and ...

https://ludology.libsyn.com/ludology-episode-27-case-study-eclipse

In this classic GameTek, Geoff examines games about evolution. Which work, and which don't, and do any of them accurately capture the key concepts of evolutionary science?

https://ludology.libsyn.com/ludology-bonus-episode-evolution

Ryan and Geoff are joined by Dr. Lewis Pulsipher to talk about games that feel epic.  What features are required for a game to feel epic? Can a short game be epic? Is it impossible to make an ep...

https://ludology.libsyn.com/ludology-episode-26-epic-games

In this classic GameTek, Geoff takes a look at hot streaks, cold streaks, and our predisposition to see patterns in what is actually random data.

https://ludology.libsyn.com/ludology-bonus-episode-past-present-and-future

Today is Superbowl Sunday, and Team Ludology is tackling sports boardgames with guests Cody Jones and John Richard from Game On with Cody & John .  Are there game design challenges particular to...

https://ludology.libsyn.com/ludology-episode-25-sports-spectacular-

In this GameTek from 2008 Geoff discusses voting in general, and the specific voting system in the United States. Do the rules in the United States lead towards a two-party system? Or is it possi...

https://ludology.libsyn.com/ludology-bonus-episode-voting

A bit of a departure for Ludology, as we take a more topical look at the state of the gaming hobby as we move into the new year. To give a business perspective, Ryan and Geoff are joined by ind...

https://ludology.libsyn.com/episode-24-state-of-the-game-hobby-2012

In this classic GameTek, Geoff talks about how people approach gains and losses differently. This peculiarity of human psychology is the basis for Prospect Theory, developed by Kahneman and Tvers...

https://ludology.libsyn.com/bonus-episode-prospect-theory

We are pleased to welcome special guest Russ Wakelin, from The D6 Generation to discuss graphic design. The graphic design of a game can have a huge impact on the playability of the game and our...

https://ludology.libsyn.com/episode-23-arts-and-crafts

Are the kids out of school yet? If so, here's a bonus GameTek that is sure to keep their math skills freshly honed during the break. Geoff discusses how to estimate the 'Expectation Value' and ho...

https://ludology.libsyn.com/bonus-episode-expectation-value

Ryan and Geoff are pleased to be joined by special guest Phil Eklund, designer of many games including High Frontier and Origins: How We Became Human.   We discuss designing games as simulatio...

https://ludology.libsyn.com/episode-22-games-vs-simulations

Following up on the last bonus GameTek episode about Regression Towards the Mean, Geoff discusses the USCF chess rating system with it's developer, Dr. Mark Glickman.  How are they calculated? H...

https://ludology.libsyn.com/bonus-episode-chess-ratings

It's Thanksgiving in the USA, so everything is bigger than usual. In this supersized 90 minute Ludology, Ryan and Geoff tackle the question of innovation in games. Where does innovation come from...

https://ludology.libsyn.com/episode-21-innovation-vs-reinterpretation

Why do we get worse after we get better? In this classic GameTek Geoff explores the concept of 'Regression Towards the Mean', and tries to figure out how we can really tell if we're improving or ...

https://ludology.libsyn.com/bonus-episode-regression-towards-the-mean

In the episode, Geoff & Ryan discuss Victory Points - What are the different ways they are used? What works and what doesn't? Are they a crutch for lazy design or a useful tool in the arsenal of ...

https://ludology.libsyn.com/episode-20-the-point-of-victory

In this classic GameTek Geoff talks about Group Think in games - what causes it, and different ways to think about it.

https://ludology.libsyn.com/bonus-episode-group-think

With Geoff out of commission due to a freak snowstorm, Mark Johnson steps up to the plate to join Ryan in a discussion of two versus three player games. What are the differences? What design choi...

https://ludology.libsyn.com/episode-19-two-s-company-three-s-a-crowd

In this classic GameTek, Geoff discusses shuffling - A little of the math behind it, how online shuffling works, and a brief glimpse into the science of thermodynamics. Not bad for five minutes!

https://ludology.libsyn.com/bonus-episode-shuffling

Ryan and Geoff interview Dr. Luke Rendell of the University of St. Andrews.  Dr. Rendell's team conducts research on social learning and the spread of ideas and culture throughout society. To as...

https://ludology.libsyn.com/episode-18-research-through-gaming

Back in 2009 Geoff interviewed Scott Nesin, builder of a Dice Tower capable of rolling 1.3 million dice per day. What inspired him to take on a project like that? Check out the video before lis...

https://ludology.libsyn.com/bonus-episode-the-giant-dice-tower

In this episode, Ryan and Geoff are joined by special guest Norbert Brunhuber, who is very active in the Warmachine/Hordes community.  The discussion centers around two topics: 'Monogamers' - ...

https://ludology.libsyn.com/episode-17-monogamers-and-miniatures

Back in 2008 Geoff talked about a tournament to learn about how individuals interact within a social group.  He and his family submitted an entry, but sadly did not win the 10,000 euro prize. ...

https://ludology.libsyn.com/bonus-episode-social-learning-strategies-tournament

Ryan and Geoff look deep into the heart of cooperative games to figure out why some work and some don't.  What special problems face the designer of a coop?

https://ludology.libsyn.com/episode-16-cooperative-games

In this classic GameTek, Geoff talks about streakiness in dice rolling in The Settlers of Catan. How often should it occur? And what effect does a 'Dice Deck' have on the game?

https://ludology.libsyn.com/bonus-episode-dice-decks

Fresh off of their visit to Gencon in August, Ryan and Geoff talk about the subcultures of gaming, their similarities, differences, and the ways they interact.

https://ludology.libsyn.com/the-subcultures-of-gaming

Original research from the GameTek Laboratories! Geoff looks at the Cube Tower from Wallenstein/Shogun and experiments to see if there is any pattern to when the cubes fall out. Take your Shogun ...

https://ludology.libsyn.com/bonus-episode-the-cube-tower

Ryan and Geoff finally resolve the cliff-hanger back from episode 12 and reveal the game they think brought dice back into popularity as a design tool not just a randomizer but as an integral par...

https://ludology.libsyn.com/episode-14-roll-again-

What is involved in localizing a game into a different language? Geoff talks with the team who worked to translate Agricola from German to English and finds out.

https://ludology.libsyn.com/bonus-episode-agricola-translation

This episode we are pleased to be joined by Mike Elliott. Mike is the designer of Quarriors and Thunderstone, and also worked for many years with Wizards of the Coast doing design work on Magic a...

https://ludology.libsyn.com/episode-13-cc-gs-db-gs

Can you outguess your opponent?  Geoff digs into some experiments that may give the answer in this classic GameTek episode.

https://ludology.libsyn.com/bonus-episode-beauty-contests

In this episode, Ryan and Geoff explore dice, and dissect the history of their use in games.

https://ludology.libsyn.com/episode-12-dice-o-rama

In this classic GameTek episode, Geoff takes a look at the classic Rock, Paper, Scissors, and what it tells us about game theory.

https://ludology.libsyn.com/bonus-episode-rock-paper-scissors

Ryan and Geoff discuss Family Games - What are they and what makes them work?  Ryan goes back to his educational theory studies to break it down.

https://ludology.libsyn.com/episode-11-family-games

In this classic GameTek episode, Geoff takes a look at abstract games, and attempts to solve them by computer. And does it matter if they are?

https://ludology.libsyn.com/bonus-episode-abstract-games

Ryan and Geoff are very pleased to be joined this episode by special guest Scott Nicholson, of On Boardgames, and Boardgames with Scott.  They discuss complexity - different types of complexity,...

https://ludology.libsyn.com/episode-10-complexity

In this classic GameTek episode, Geoff takes a look at research that was done on the fairness of dice. How 'unfair' can standard off-the-shelf dice get?

https://ludology.libsyn.com/bonus-episode-fair-dice

Ryan and Geoff discuss the differences between turn-based and simultaneous-action games. What are the advantages of each type of design?

https://ludology.libsyn.com/episode-9-turn-turn-turn

In this episode, Geoff explores the Ultimatum Game, which is used by social scientists to explore human concepts of fairness, competition, and cooperation.

https://ludology.libsyn.com/bonus-episode-the-ultimatum-game

Ryan and Geoff tackle another angle on story in games - the narrative arc. What creates rising tension, and what game elements can create a dramatic climax?

https://ludology.libsyn.com/episode-8-narrative-arc

In this classic GameTek episode, Geoff talks about the iterated Prisoner's Dilemma, and what it implies about social science and evolution.

https://ludology.libsyn.com/bonus-episode-prisoner-s-dilemma-part-2-

Ryan and Geoff are joined by special guest Andy Parks to begin their discussion on how games incorporate story and narrative structure elements. Andy is a game designer of many games including ...

https://ludology.libsyn.com/episode-7-narratology

In this classic GameTek episode, Geoff talks about the Prisoner's Dilemma and how it applies to board games.

https://ludology.libsyn.com/bonus-episode-prisoner-s-dilemma-part-1-

Ryan and Geoff conclude their discussion of balance by looking at a variety of questions: What does it mean for a game to be balanced? What are the different types of balance? Can a game be...

https://ludology.libsyn.com/episode-6-finding-the-balance

In this classic GameTek segment Geoff takes a look at triangular numbers and the way they are used in game designs. Features a bonus appearance by Alan Moon (sort of)!

https://ludology.libsyn.com/bonus-episode-triangular-numbers

Games that seem to have multiple strategies sometimes end up having just one dominant strategy that players follow. In this episode, Ryan and Geoff discuss ways the pitfalls of game design that c...

https://ludology.libsyn.com/episode-5-dominant-strategies-take-2

In this classic GameTek episode from 2007 Geoff talks about Multitouch Tables like the Microsoft Surface, and the role they may play in the future of boardgames.

https://ludology.libsyn.com/bonus-episode-multitouch-tables

In this episode, Ryan and Geoff discuss the difference between strategy and tactics, and the different forms that strategy can take in games.

https://ludology.libsyn.com/episode-4-the-emergence-of-strategy

What, another Ludology episode already? In episode 3, Catch The Leader, Ryan and Geoff both opined that the turn order mechanic in Power Grid diminishes the overall experience.  This prompted ...

https://ludology.libsyn.com/episode-3a-the-defense-of-power-grid

Here is the next classic GameTek episode. This is on one of Tom Vasel's favorite topics - reviews! This is purely 'bonus' content, and we will still be keeping to our regular two week release s...

https://ludology.libsyn.com/ludology-bonus-episode-reviews

In this episode, Ryan and Geoff begin their series on balance.  First up: Catch The Leader. What exactly is Catch The Leader? When is it needed, if ever? When does it work and when doesn't it?

https://ludology.libsyn.com/episode-3-catch-the-leader

Regular Ludology episodes will be released every two weeks. As an experiment, on the 'in between' weeks we are going to be releasing classic GameTek segments from The Dice Tower.  This is the ...

https://ludology.libsyn.com/ludology-bonus-episode-1-game-tek-classic-

In our second episode we take a look at what attracts people to games, and what keeps them coming back for more.  Plus Ryan and Geoff share personal stories about some of their game experiences ...

https://ludology.libsyn.com/episode-2-why-do-we-play-games-

Welcome to Ludology! In this, our first episode, we tackle the question of what is a game, and what isn't.

https://ludology.libsyn.com/episode-1-what-is-a-game-