GameTek 74 - Endings
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
Feb 16, 2014•6 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 74 - Boardgame Wonderland
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
Feb 09, 2014•1 hr 22 min
GameTek 73 - Power Creep
In this classic GameTek, Geoff talks about Power Creep. Is it a big conspiracy? Or is there a less nefarious explanation? Duration: 06:19
Feb 02, 2014•6 min
Ludology Episode 73 - Icon of Clarity
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 suggestion for the Dice Tower musical episode? Duration: 01:17:28
Jan 26, 2014•1 hr 17 min
GameTek 72 - Playtesting
In this classic GameTek, Geoff takes a look at playtesting. What are the different types of playtesting, and how do they fall short?
Jan 19, 2014•6 min
Ludology Episode 72 - Under The Influence Part 1
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? Duration: 1:08:47
Jan 12, 2014•1 hr 9 min
Ludology Episode 71 - Dude, Where's My Map?
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 outstanding examples? What are the key ingredients of this genre? What are the strengths and weaknesses? Duration: 01:17:12
Dec 15, 2013•1 hr 17 min
GameTek 70 - Betrayer's Banquet
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 the taste of chicken feet? Duration: 22:56
Dec 08, 2013•23 min
Ludology Episode 70 - Risky Business
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, and Axis and Allies. But we've invited him on to discuss his 'Legacy' series of games, starting with Risk: Legacy, and the upcoming Seafall. How did he come up with the idea for Risk: Legacy? What were the design challenges and blind alleys he overcame? What is he trying to do differently with Seafall? D...
Dec 01, 2013•1 hr 15 min
GameTek Classic 69 - Wild West Showdown
In this classic GameTek, the GameTek players present "Wild West Showdown". Who will win this three-sided gunfight... of doom? Duration: 07:44
Nov 24, 2013•8 min
Ludology Episode 69 - Area 69
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 makes it work or not? Duration: 01:11:12
Nov 17, 2013•1 hr 11 min
GameTek Classic 68 - Gamification
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
Nov 10, 2013•7 min
Ludology Epsiode 68 - Game, Set, Match
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 or badly? Duration 1:04:32
Nov 03, 2013•1 hr 5 min
GameTek Classic 67 - Chaos
In the classic GameTek, Geoff talks about Chaos Theory, and how it is reflected in game design. Duration: 06:54
Oct 27, 2013•7 min
Ludology Episode 67 - The Games Robots Play
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 educational, fun, and challenging? Duration: 34:15
Oct 20, 2013•34 min
GameTek Classic 66 - Blindfolds and Boxes
In this classic GameTek, Geoff talks about two recent research results about choice. Duration: 5:15
Oct 13, 2013•5 min
Ludology Episode 66 - Please Sir, Can I Have Some More?
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 topic? Expansions! Are they good or bad for the industry? Do you design a game with expansions in mind or bolt things on afterwards? What are the do's and don't's of expansions? Duration: 01:03:29 This episode of Ludology is sponsored by Scott King Photography , for all of your game photographing needs!...
Oct 06, 2013•1 hr 4 min
GameTek Classic 65 - Planetary Dice
How are dice and planets connected? Listen to this classic GameTek and find out! Duration: 06:47
Sep 29, 2013•7 min
Ludology Episode 65 - The Envelope Please!
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
Sep 22, 2013•1 hr 1 min
GameTek Classic 64 - Fuzzy Logic
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
Sep 15, 2013•8 min
Ludology Episode 64 - The ABC's of CCG's
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 Wyvern, Magic, and Pokemon. Mike joins us to discuss the early history of CCGs, how they changed the gaming industry, and what special design techniques are required for the CCG and LCG arenas. This episode of Ludology is sponsored by Nations , the new publication from lautepelit.fi. Nations will be relea...
Sep 08, 2013•1 hr 14 min
GameTek Classic 63 - Interview with Bob Abbott
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 sponsored by Nations , the new publication from lautepelit.fi. Nations will be released at Essen 2013.
Sep 01, 2013•10 min
Ludology Episode 63 - Set Your Phases To Fun
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 does the structure selected by the designer influence the game experience? We also launch our portion of the big Dice Tower Network contest! Big prizes at stake! Duration: 01:17:47 This episode of Ludology is sponsored by Nations , the new publication from lautepelit.fi. Nations will be released at Essen ...
Aug 25, 2013•1 hr 18 min
GameTek Classic 62: Flipping Probability
In this classic GameTek, Geoff shares a technique for making it simpler to calculate probabilities in your head. Duration: 06:06
Aug 18, 2013•6 min
Ludology Episode 62 - Gone Digital
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 of Stone Age, and John shares the details of the challenges and opportunities that presented. Duration: 1:16:04
Aug 11, 2013•1 hr 16 min
GameTek Classic 61: Choices
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: 06:42
Aug 04, 2013•7 min
Ludology Episode 61 - Listener Spectacularerer
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: 1:04:57
Jul 28, 2013•1 hr 5 min
GameTek Classic 60: PokerBots
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
Jul 21, 2013•5 min
Ludology Episode 60 - How To "How To Play"
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 are common pitfalls? How should they be structured? What should be highlighted? Duration: 01:13:35
Jul 14, 2013•1 hr 14 min
GameTek Classic 59 - Man vs Machine
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
Jul 07, 2013•6 min
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