Advertise on podcast: The Board Game Design Lab

Rating

4.8

from

195 reviews

Description

The Board Game Design Lab was created for one purpose: to help you design great games people love. To accomplish that goal, this podcast interviews designers, publishers, and board game insiders on specific topics related to game design. I don't waste time talking about recently played games or pop culture. Instead, the show does a deep dive into subjects that I hope you’ll find extremely valuable as you progress through your game design journey.

Podcast episodes

Check latest episodes from The Board Game Design Lab podcast

How to Design an Engine Building Game with Elizabeth Hargrave

2024/02/19

In this BGDL rewind from May of 2019, Elizabeth Hargrave dives into all the ins and outs of designing an engine-building game. We chat about her personal design process and all the interesting obstacles she encountered when designing Wingspan. We also talk about how to layer concepts on top of each other, balancing winning strategies,...

How to Design Games that Tell Stories with Ignacy Trzewiczek

2024/02/11

In this BGDL rewind from April of 2020, Ignacy Trzewiczek, founder of Portal Games and designer of Robinson Crusoe, discusses his company’s motto: Games that tell stories. We go in-depth into Ignacy’s design process, talk about his most popular games, and get to the heart of what it looks like to create games that have players leaving...

Using math to make your games better with Emerson Matsuuchi

2024/01/29

In this BGDL rewind from December of 2020, I chat with Emerson Matsuuch about all the many ways a designer can use math to create better games. We talk spreadsheets, game balance, mathematical models, and more!

Finding the Right Mixture of Luck and Skill with Richard Garfield

2024/01/21

In this BGDL rewind from May of 2018, I chat with Richard Garfield about finding the right balance of luck vs skill when designing a game.

Where the BGDL Is Headed in 2024

2024/01/21

In this update, I talk about 2024’s vision for the BGDL. And if you need help with your game, company, or upcoming crowdfunding campaign, and you think I might be able to help, please click HERE.

Your game design questions answered

2023/12/16

In this episode, I answer a bunch of questions that were submitted by BGDL community members!

How to Publish Games with a Grassroots Approach | Joe Bragg

2023/11/29

In this episode, Joe Bragg, founder of the indie publishing company Meek Heroes Gaming, discusses the grassroots approach he’s taking to building his publishing company. We chat about why this approach makes sense for a lot of people, the pros and cons of not using crowdfunding, how to build a community from the ground up,...

How to Boost Creativity and Avoid Tropes | Jason Perez

2023/11/21

In this episode, Jason Perez and I chat about how designers can boost their creativity by thinking outside the box, pushing past tropes, and being more intentional about their thematic choices.

Listen to this BEFORE you start an indie publishing company | John de Campos

2023/11/14

In this episode, John de Campos, founder of Terrible Games, and I chat about the highs and lows of starting and running an indie publishing company in the board game industry.

Board Game Design Productivity Hacks with Gabe Barrett

2023/11/09

In this episode, I break down some game design productivity hacks that have been helping me lately, and I’m specifically talking about a concept called “habit fields.” This was a presentation I gave recently for Board Game Design Pro, so if you find it useful and want more helpful content like it, be sure to...

Do this BEFORE designing a game | Leo Taylor

2023/11/03

In this episode, Leo Taylor, designer of games in the Risk, Clue, and D&D universes, breaks down his “key pillars of game design” as we chat through the many questions designers should think through as they dive into a new game design. You can download a PDF of the key pillars HERE.

How to Make Money from Your Game Design Hobby with Joe Slack

2023/10/25

In this episode, Joe Slack and I talk about how we’ve both been able to piece together lots of different revenue streams in the gaming industry to be able to make a full-time living from game design. And be sure to check out Joe’s latest puzzle game here: http://kck.st/3SfV1Np

Read The Board Game Design Lab podcast reviews

4.8 out of 5

195 reviews

TheDustyShadow 2023/12/31

A great source of board game design insight

I started listening in 2023 and found each episode so relevant to my interests that I listened to every show from when Gabe Barrett started in 2016. G...

Dr.Curilla 2021/08/29

Thoroughly Entertaining

I’m a late comer to board game design, and to this podcast, but I’ve immersed myself in both, and this podcast has been a phenomenal help!!I haven’t e...

amazing 5 stars1234567890 2020/11/06

Amazing podcast teaching me to design games.

Great interviews

Gishzni 2020/06/19

The BEST Tabletop Design Podcast

Where to start! Gabe’s BGDL podcast has been an inspiration and a joy to listen to for years. The episodes focus on very specific topics which allow y...

KatSosnick 2020/05/20

Best niche podcast

We love listening to this podcast every week to learn about game design and all types of executing Kickstarter projects. Lots of great guests and a ve...

Lowenhigh 2020/04/19

Essential board game design listening material

If you are a board game designer, this is the best podcast out there for it!

Alex Maklai 2020/04/14

Best board game podcast out there

Gabe has been doing an outstanding job helping the board game creators with their game designs by making a really useful content. I'm also following h...

Tim - Under the Capes 2020/01/17

Great source of info!

What I really appreciate about Gabe's show is he gets right to the point of each episode and mini-episode. These shows are packed with valuable inform...

JD Brooks 2019/10/21

Great podcast!

BGDL covers a wide range of topics on game design which will help any fledgling designers enter the hobby while also helping seasoned designers hone t...

MountaineerDoug 2019/07/31

Awesome insights

This is a fantastic podcast! I learn something new every time I listen to a new episode. It has inspired me to take some of the ideas I’ve kicked arou...

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