Advertise on podcast: Know Direction Network

In episode 139 of Game Design Unboxed, we chat with Jade Shames and Ben Bronstein, co-founders of Pillbox Games and co-designers of this episode’s spotlight game, Side Effects. They talk about how a mental illness–inspired card game idea (later titled Side Effects) sparked their collaboration and company, the power of bold visuals, why skeletons make […]

Alex and James share their thoughts on the latest Starfinder 2e hardcover: Galactic Ancestries. Recorded live on Twitch. Listen Now! (mp3)

When two Inner Sea superpowers go to war, the ripples are felt throughout the region. A group of intrepid heroes…or should we say intrepid rebels…. join a league of righteous freedom fighters to unshackle their people from the binds of infernal tyranny. Nefarious forces from without—and within—will do anything to stop these Hellbreakers. Our heroes […]

In episode 138 of Game Design Unboxed, we chat with Edwin D. Benton II, Founder and CEO of Doin’ the Most Games, about how his journey into game design stemmed from an addiction to app games like Words With Friends and a frustration with their limitations. This inspired him to build his own inclusive, slang-driven app where […]

When two Inner Sea superpowers go to war, the ripples are felt throughout the region. A group of intrepid heroes…or should we say intrepid rebels…. join a league of righteous freedom fighters to unshackle their people from the binds of infernal tyranny. Nefarious forces from without—and within—will do anything to stop these Hellbreakers. Meet our […]

In episode 137 of Game Design Unboxed, we chat with freelance game designer and developer for Druid City Games, Michael Mihealsick who shares industry  insights from years of working for multiple companies, taking on freelance projects, and continually refining his game design craft. We discuss the rise of cozy game design and what that means for different […]

The exciting conclusion to Murder in Metal City! Join our Intrepid Heroes as they solve the mystery of the Murder in Metal City! Cast: Jason Keeley – GM Alex Speidel – Patsy Van Dyne Isis Wozniakowska – Voss Seltee Jocelyn Hamilton – Together in Electric Dreams (Dreams) John Godek – Xabi Fraglorious Rue Dickey – […]

In episode 136 of Game Design Unboxed, we chat with freelance game designer (and Danielle’s co-designer on Tricky Kids), Steven Ungaro, who shares his “zero-to-three-games-in-a-year-hero” design journey. They discuss how discovering hobby games led him down the research rabbit hole many aspiring designers fall into, and how resources like the long-running Ludology podcast have evolved […]

Paizo’s Starfinder Society Developer Jessica Catalan updates Alex and James on the past, present, and future of SFS. Recorded live on Twitch. Listen Now! (mp3)

At last our heroes find the Professor’s killer! But wait, he was trying to save the universe? Clearly there is more to the story. Join our Intrepid Heroes as they solve the mystery of the Murder in Metal City! Cast: Jason Keeley – GM Alex Speidel – Patsy Van Dyne Isis Wozniakowska – Voss Seltee […]

In episode 135 of Game Design Unboxed, we chat with freelance game designer Kristen Mott, whose game design journey began with creating games for her kids to play at home to supplement homeschooling. We talk about how kids are great built-in playtesters, how her children’s interests were her thematic inspiration for designs, what kids learn […]

Somehow our heroes need to escape the watchful eye of Striving law enforcement long enough to prove their innocence. Join our Intrepid Heroes as they solve the mystery of the Murder in Metal City! Cast: Jason Keeley – GM Alex Speidel – Patsy Van Dyne Isis Wozniakowska – Voss Seltee Jocelyn Hamilton – Together in […]

In episode 134 of Game Design Unboxed, we chat with first-time game designer Reed Ambrose about his family-weight, tile-laying game Wispwood. Reed shares how his journey began with BoardGameGeek (BGG) contests just for fun, and how collaborating with published designers pushed his craft forward and helped him take design seriously. We discuss why design contests […]

Alex and James get to the bottom of The Kimmel Conspiracy. They ask Mike about his journey as a professional in the TTRPG industry (including his first appearance on the Know Direction Network, way back in the Know Direction RPG Superstar 2014 Special), his roles at Paizo, his work on the recent Starfinder 2e hardcover Alien Core, […]

Someone has framed our heroes and now they need to prove it! Join our Intrepid Heroes as they solve the mystery of the Murder in Metal City! Cast: Jason Keeley – GM Alex Speidel – Patsy Van Dyne Isis Wozniakowska – Voss Seltee Jocelyn Hamilton – Together in Electric Dreams (Dreams) John Godek – Xabi […]