Ludology Episode 105 - Teach the Controversy
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
May 31, 2015•1 hr 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
GameTek Classic 104 - Ways and Means
In this classic GameTek, Geoff takes a look at what factors make a game 'mean'. Duration: 06:18
May 24, 2015•6 min
Ludology Episode 104 - Games Seem Mainstream
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 games go mainstream? If so, what can designers, publishers, and hobbyists do to make that happen? Duration: 01:05:09
May 17, 2015•1 hr 5 min
GameTek Classic 103 - Buddha's Forbidden Games
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
May 10, 2015•6 min
Ludology Episode 103 - House of Cards
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
May 03, 2015•1 hr 22 min
GameTek Classic 102 - Noise Part 2
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
Apr 26, 2015•6 min
Ludology Episode 102 - State of Games, 2015
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
Apr 19, 2015•1 hr 20 min
GameTek Classic 101 - Noise Part 1
In this classic GameTek, Geoff explores the different types of noise. Duration: 06:21
Apr 12, 2015•6 min
Ludology Episode 101 - Inferiority Cardplex
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
Apr 05, 2015•1 hr 7 min
Ludology Episode 100 - A Ryan Shame
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
Mar 22, 2015•1 hr 25 min
GameTek Classic 99 - Allan Calhamer
In this classic GameTek, Geoff discusses the legacy of Allan Calhamer and his game, Diplomacy. Duration: 07:02
Mar 15, 2015•7 min
Ludology Episode 99 - The Game of (real) Life
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
Mar 08, 2015•1 hr 22 min
GameTek Classic 98 - Solving Poker
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. So how does it work? And what does 'solve' really mean in a game with so much hidden information? Duration: 38:00
Mar 01, 2015•38 min
Ludology Episode 98 - Gathering the Magic
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 designs include Diamonds and Baseball Highlights: 2045. We discuss Richard's design philosophy, the origins of Magic, types of gamers, and much more. Please also visit our geeklist to share your memories of Ludology for our 100th episode spectacular! Duration: 01:31:23...
Feb 22, 2015•1 hr 31 min
GameTek Classic 97 - Rules Lawyers
In this classic GameTek, Geoff looks at a curious incident at Johns Hopkins University. Duration: 04:14
Feb 15, 2015•5 min
Ludology Episode 97 - Rules of Thumb
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
Feb 08, 2015•1 hr 31 min
GameTek Classic 96 - Chess Cheating
In this classic GameTek, Geoff discusses the many instances of people cheating in chess tournaments. Duration: 05:52
Feb 01, 2015•6 min
Ludology Episode 96 - I Have A Theme
Ryan and Geoff revisit the topic of theme. Specifically how is theme expressed and integrated in games? Duration: 01:26:58
Jan 25, 2015•1 hr 27 min
GameTek Classic 95 - Game Security
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
Jan 18, 2015•6 min
Ludology Episode 95 - The Pitch
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 stick around until the end. Duration: 1:03:10
Jan 11, 2015•1 hr 3 min
GameTek Classic 94 - Cheating, Part 2
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
Dec 21, 2014•7 min
Ludology Episode 94 - Hearth of Stone
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 behind Hearthstone, how they took advantage of the digital medium while still feeling like a physical card game, and why you should deliver pizza to your favorite game studio. Duration: 41:20
Dec 14, 2014•41 min
GameTek Classic 93 - Cheating, Part 1
In this classic GameTek, Geoff begins a two-part exploration of cheating with a personal admission. Duration: 6:10
Dec 07, 2014•6 min
Ludology Episode 93 - The Truthiness of Board Game Themes
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 generate theme. DurationL 56:30
Nov 30, 2014•57 min
GameTek Classic 92 - Incentives
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
Nov 23, 2014•7 min
Ludology Episode 92 - Envoys of Excellence
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 publishers and playtesters. His most recent venture is the Envoy program, which helps publishers get their product demonstrated at stores and cons. Duration: 55:48
Nov 16, 2014•56 min
GameTek Classic 91 - Hindsight Bias
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
Nov 09, 2014•7 min
Ludology Episode 91 - Olotka Encounter
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 Encounter, how it evolved, and other games in the Eon line. Duration: 01:16:25
Nov 02, 2014•1 hr 16 min
GameTek Classic 90 - Expectation Value Revisited
In this classic GameTek, Geoff discusses expectation value, and how it can be used - and misused - in games. Duration: 05:39
Oct 26, 2014•6 min
Ludology Episode 90 - Kniziathon
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 lasting impact has he had on the hobby? What are the highlights, lowlights, and hidden gems of his oeuvre? And just how do you pronounce 'oeuvre' anyway? Duration: 01:24:54
Oct 19, 2014•1 hr 25 min
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