GameTek Classic 43 - Rules for Robots
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
Nov 11, 2012•9 min
Ludology
Welcome to Ludology, an analytical discussion of the how's and why's of the world of board games. Rather than news and reviews, Ludology explores a variety of topics about games from a wider lens, and discusses game history, game design and game players.
Ludology is part of The Dice Tower Network, the premier board game media network.
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Episodes
Ludology Episode 43 - Twilight Snuggle
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 political games. What makes Twilight Struggle tick? What special considersations are required for the design of political games? Duration: 55:00
Nov 04, 2012•55 min
GameTek Classic 42 - Gifting
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
Oct 28, 2012•7 min
Ludology Episode 42a - TradeMed Trade Goods
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? How many of each combination should there be? Hopefully this is more interesting than it sounds. Duration: 24:00
Oct 21, 2012•22 min
Ludology Episode 42 - Speedy Delivery!
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 work, and when do they fail? Will Eric make it through the Lightning Round? All these questions and more, will be answered! Duration: 1:08
Oct 14, 2012•1 hr 8 min
GameTek Classic 41 - Multitouch Tables Revisited
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
Oct 07, 2012•8 min
Ludology Episode 41 - Listener Spectacular 2
Ryan and Geoff tackle some more listener questions in the aptly named 'Listener Spectacular 2'. Duration: 55:57
Sep 30, 2012•56 min
GameTek Classic 40 - Emergent Behavior
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
Sep 23, 2012•7 min
Ludology Epsiode 40 - Games Teach
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 traditional curriculum. Geoff has taught no one, and is happy to moderate and share embarassing stories about his childhood. In addition, Ryan discusses his new venture Games Teach , which is designed to spread the use of games by creative teachers, and is launching on Kickstarter on September 18th. Durat...
Sep 18, 2012•1 hr 23 min
Ludology Episode 39a - The Violence Inherent In The System
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: 28:00
Sep 09, 2012•28 min
Ludology Episode 39 - Roll and Move
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 attempts have been made to bring roll and move into the modern era? What has worked and what hasn't? Is there a place for roll and move in the game designer's toolbox? Duration: 1:14:00
Sep 02, 2012•1 hr 14 min
Ludology Episode 38a - Ideas about Ideas
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
Aug 12, 2012•49 min
Ludology Episode 38 - You Are Here
Ryan and Geoff talk about maps, geography, and spatial relations in game design. Duration: 1:25:15
Aug 05, 2012•1 hr 25 min
Ludology Episode 37a - Trading in the Mediterranean
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. Make sure you let us know what you think about Ryan's "interesting" idea for voyages! Duration: 38:00
Jul 29, 2012•38 min
Ludology Episode 37 - The Empty Box
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: 1:04:30
Jul 22, 2012•1 hr 5 min
GameTek Classic 36 - NP Complete
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 was no GameTek Classic 35. Real Life got in the way a few weeks ago, and I decided to keep the numbering in sync with the Ludology numbering for simplicity)
Jul 15, 2012•8 min
Ludology Episode 36 - Case Study: Ticket To Ride
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 does it draw on Moon's earlier work? And what does it do better than other mainstream euro games like Settlers of Catan? Duration: 01:15
Jul 09, 2012•1 hr 17 min
Ludology Episode 35 - The Social Milieu
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? What should game designers look for if they want to create a specific environment for the players? Duration: 1:30:53
Jun 24, 2012•1 hr 31 min
GameTek Classic 34 - Design and Creativity
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 creative solutions. Duration: 6:00
Jun 17, 2012•8 min
Ludology Episode 34 - The Good, The Bad, and The Random
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
Jun 10, 2012•1 hr 10 min
GameTek Classic 33 - Intro to The Ares Project
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 Tower episode 154. Duration: 07:15
Jun 03, 2012•8 min
Ludology Episode 33 - Pandamonium!
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 actually getting a physical game into the world. Duration: 1:10:50
May 27, 2012•1 hr 11 min
GameTek Classic 32 - Push Your Luck
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. Duration: 05:50
May 20, 2012•6 min
Ludology Episode 32 - Critical Mass
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? All these questions, and more, are discussed, dear listener, in this latest episode of Ludology. Duration: 1:05
May 13, 2012•1 hr 6 min
GameTek Classic 31 - Trading Games
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 more to some players than others? Duration: 5 minutes
May 06, 2012•8 min
Ludology Episode 31 - Interview with William Attia
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 that bold contention? Note: This file has corrected the 'stereo' issue with the earlier posting.
May 05, 2012•1 hr 8 min
GameTek Classic - PBEM History
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
Apr 22, 2012•6 min
Ludology Episode 30 - Listener Spectacular
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
Apr 15, 2012•1 hr 1 min
Ludology Bonus Episode - Hot and Cold
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 file naming scheme with this episode that hopefully will meet everyone's needs.
Apr 08, 2012•5 min
Ludology Episode 29 - Sold!
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 auctions but don't look like one, and the Sturm Theory of Unified Prioritization.
Apr 02, 2012•1 hr 7 min
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