GameTek Classic 109 - Power
In this classic GameTek, Geoff talks about making the player feel powerful. We also launch our part of the big Dice Tower Network contest! Duration: 7:42
Aug 01, 2015•8 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.
Episodes
Ludology Episode 109 - We're Listening
Mike and Geoff open up the mailbag and answer difficult and interesting listener questions! Duration: 1:09:26
Jul 26, 2015•1 hr 9 min
GameTek Classic 108 - Ludology v Narratology
In this classic GameTek, Geoff takes a look at the debate that raged in the 1990's between Narratologists and Ludologists. Duration: 05:59
Jul 19, 2015•6 min
Ludology Episode 108 - Level Up
Geoff is pleased to welcome Scott Rogers, designer of video games such as Darksiders and God of War, and author of the books Level Up! and Swipe This! The discussion centers around the concept of a 'level' as popularized in video games. Why is it such a popular way to organize games? What advantages does it give the designer? And what is the analog in the boardgame world? Duration: 01:16:05
Jul 12, 2015•1 hr 16 min
GameTek Classic 107 - Analogies
In this classic GameTek, Geoff looks at how a good analogy can dramatically simplify learning a game. Duration: 06:00
Jul 05, 2015•6 min
Ludology Episode 107 - Seven Up
Mike and Geoff take a deep dive into the Antoine Bauza game Seven Wonders. What works? What doesn't? What drove the design decisions? Duration: 01:16:26
Jun 28, 2015•1 hr 16 min
GameTek Classic 106 - The Rule of One
In this classic GameTek, Goeff talks about how innovative a game can really be. Duration: 06:14
Jun 21, 2015•6 min
Ludology Episode 106 - Hide and Seek
Mike and Geoff welcome guest Emerson Matsuuchi, designer of Specter Ops and VOLT Robot Battle, to discuss hidden and programmed movement in games. Why use these techniques? What are good and bad examples? Duration: 01:14:11
Jun 14, 2015•1 hr 14 min
GameTek Classic 105 - Mice and Men
In this classic GameTek, Geoff discusses a game designed to explore the relationship between rules and morality. Duration: 6:15
Jun 07, 2015•6 min
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
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
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