Recorded at Metatopia 2017 Presented by Jason Pitre, Matthias Bonnici and Will Hindmarch . Producing a book involves communication and negotiation between the layout professional, writers, editors, and art-directors. In this panel, we will talk about how to establish structures that work for everyone, and point out some ways to keep your layout gal happy. The presentation used for this panel is here: https://drive.google.com/file/d/1GE7skzfOoRBUIDmw5hRZMvIApl6CguCO/view?usp=sharing...
Sep 22, 2018•54 min•Ep. 297
Special Episode Presented by Jason Pitre, Anna Meade , Sarah 'Doombringer' Richardson , and Eloy Lasanta . In this special episode, most the panelists from the previous gencon panel get together to answer questions posed by attendees. The questions on offer are... Q1: I've got a game, it's playtested: how do I get to market? Q2: Outside of the mechanical or thematic design of the game, which part of development and release is the most challenging for you, and in what way? Q3: What is the best va...
Sep 15, 2018•1 hr 24 min•Ep. 296
Recorded at GenCon 2018 Presented by Jason Pitre , Anna Meade , Jerry Grayson , Eloy Lasanta , and Sarah "Doombringer" Richardson. This panel serves as a welcome introduction to the twin fields of roleplaying game design, and publishing. It features a long discussion on how and why we design games, how games have to be about something, and how we can practically turn our ideas into products. This was a two hour panel full of brilliant insights from the panel speakers and has some fun banter to b...
Sep 08, 2018•1 hr 53 min•Ep. 295
Recorded at Metaopia 2017 Presented by Whitney Delaglio , Brand Robins Sexy Times in-game can be serious business, but it doesn't have to be! Join us for a discussion about using artwork and tone to encourage fun and playful exploration of intimacy in games. This episode coincides with the release of the kickstarter for Prism! Check it out here: https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/2026929256/prism-1...
Sep 01, 2018•47 min•Ep. 294
Recorded at Metatopia 2017 Presented by Gil Hova . "Player in Three Persons - Studying the Theme/Mechanism Join of Board Games". "This game is so immersive!" "This theme is pasted on!" "Should designers start with theme or mechanism?" Lots of board game fans like to debate theme and mechanism. This panel is a technical deep-dive into the fascinating join of theme and mechanism of a commercial board game, and why the two don't always get along....
Aug 25, 2018•48 min•Ep. 293
Recorded at Metatopia 2017 Presented by Jack Parra , Leslie Casilli , Lissanne Lake "The Artist's Process: Game Illustration From Start To Finish." presented by Jack Parra, Leslie Casilli, Lissanne Lake. Our panelists go over the process they go through when creating a finished illustration, and the different approaches they take. This panel is about helping artists of all levels improve....
Aug 18, 2018•54 min•Ep. 292
Recorded at Metatopia 2017 Presented by Tim Hutchings and Evan Torner. Criticism and Feedback: How to Talk about that Game You Just Played. How do we talk about games in a productive, useful way? The panel will discuss methods and tools for giving useful, critical feedback for the game play experience. We will introduce critical methods from the creative arts and inclusivity-promoting discussion tools pioneered by Games to Gather in Portland, Oregon.
Aug 11, 2018•52 min•Ep. 291
Recorded at Metatopia 2017 Presented by Steve Radabaugh , Beth Rimmels , Jason Pitre Developing A Marketing Plan For Your Game. We will be taking what Marketing Genius Seth Godin teaches about Marketing and helping you apply it to your game/brand. You will work in a small group to discuss how the information applies to you, and you will fill out a marketing plan template. Note: This is a shorter panel as the second half was dedicated to filling in the template. Marketing Plan Questions What Chan...
Aug 04, 2018•33 min•Ep. 290
Recorded at Metatopia 2017 Presented by John Adamus , Jacqueline Bryk. Sales Pitches That Set A Positive Tone.. Building a pitch that captures the atmosphere of the game in a positive, rather than exclusionary way is a huge part of growing an audience and a community around your work. It sets a tone and conveys a lot of info. Let's give you a roadmap for success!...
Jul 28, 2018•1 hr 2 min•Ep. 289
Recorded at Metatopia 2017 Presented by Joshua Yearsley . Writing Rulebooks: An Introduction and Workshop. Trying to write your first (or seventh) rulebook? Want to build a solid foundation on rules writing fundamentals? Ready to get your hands dirty with real rules revisions? This is for you. We'll first explore why rulebooks are so difficult to get right, discuss the goals of the rulebook itself, and then jump into the fundamentals. You'll learn a new language for describing rules, the theory ...
Jul 21, 2018•1 hr•Ep. 288
Recorded at Metatopia 2017 Presented by Jack Parra , Scott Bowmanchester , Lissanne Lake Get art for your game without breaking the bank. Getting high-quality art is key to making a product look professional. How do publishers do it without breaking the bank? Our panel makes with the tips and tricks.
Jul 14, 2018•59 min•Ep. 287
Recorded at Metatopia 2017 Presented by Kiva Fecteau , Beth Rimmels , Doug Levandowski , James Dagg , Nicole Perry . From Imposter Syndrome to Arrogance - Knowing When To Step Back. How do you measure your success in a field where most people don't have salaries or corporate titles to compare, "bad" games can be hugely popular, and the timeline of creative spark to marketable product can often be years? In other words, when are you an "Industry Pro?" No matter how much they've done, some people ...
Jul 07, 2018•58 min•Ep. 286
Recorded at Metatopia 2017 Presented by Jennifer Gutterman, Joshua Yearsley , Melissa Lewis-Gentry , Zev Shlasinger . You made a game! Congratulations! Now explain your incredible game in one sentence. That isn't as easy as it sounds. You want people to buy into your game as players, as investors, or as retailers. You will only have one chance to make that first impression. It needs to have impact. If you want to see your game successful on a crowdfunding site, or sold by your local game store, ...
Jun 30, 2018•54 min•Ep. 285
Recorded at Metatopia 2017 Presented by Michael Malecki, Elsa Henry , Shervyn von Hoerl, Monica Speca . Join us for a workshop to create a combat system that could possibly allow for the fluid and chaotic nature of combat but not be overwhelmingly disruptive to play style. The first half of the panel will cover offensive and defensive theories. We will go over the positives and negatives of things such as Narrative play, Slow-Fu, and Physical Combat. After a brief Q&A, those who building a s...
Jun 23, 2018•1 hr•Ep. 284
Recorded at Metatopia 2017 Presented by Jack Parra , Scott Bowmanchester , Chris Kreuter. The panelists will touch on the process of how to find and approach artists, negotiate the contract, and then successfully work together. It's important that publishers get an artist's-eye-view of things so they can better understand what we do, the process, and the time involved and plan projects accordingly....
Jun 16, 2018•56 min•Ep. 283
Recorded at Metatopia 2017 Presented by Julia Ellingboe , Jess Banks and Laiel. Our panelists will talk about about incorporating actual real life systems of faith into settings, themes, and conflicts, rather than to making up a religion for a game. Let's talk about about writing about faith, particularly when it's different from our own.
Jun 09, 2018•57 min•Ep. 282
Recorded at Metatopia 2017 Presented by Ann Stolinsky , Darren Watts , Tim Rodriguez , Justin Rogers. Running a successful playtest when it's your creation on the table is hard work. It goes beyond putting your game on the table and hoping for the best. Join our panelists for tips and tricks on how to get benefit from every session, including those that don't go according to script....
Jun 02, 2018•57 min•Ep. 281
Recorded at Metatopia 2017 Presented by John Adamus and Ann Stolinsky . Editing is the crucible through which your idea passes in order to emerge as the game and experience you intended. Find out what works, what doesn't, and how to navigate the red flags and feelings around them.
May 26, 2018•55 min•Ep. 280
Recorded at Metatopia 2017 Presented by Brian Dalrymple , Jason Walters , Melissa Lewis-Gentry. Getting your game(s) into stores usually means dealing with distributors. How do you get their attention? What do they expect from you? If you're planning on going direct to retailers, what's the best way to do that? If you're planning on operating outside of traditional distribution, are you leaving money on the table? This is panel gives an overview of the 3-tier distribution system, including its s...
May 19, 2018•58 min•Ep. 279
Recorded at Metatopia 2017 Presented by John Adamus , Bryan Shipp , Laura Simpson , Tim Rodriguez Games are a hydra on a roller coaster on fire. There's so much to do, so much to avoid doing, so much to plan for, and so much to hope works out. We'd like to talk about the process.
May 12, 2018•57 min•Ep. 278
Recorded at BreakoutCon 2018 Presented by: Robin Laws , Rachel Kahn , Jax Bryk , and Cindy Moore Moderator: Pieter van Hiel From fascinating NPCs to deadly dragons, each adventure the heroes brave must be memorable. Join our incredible panelists to discuss how to keep your adventures interesting and keep your players coming back for more!...
May 05, 2018•55 min•Ep. 277
Recorded at BreakoutCon 2018 Presented by: Rachel Kahn , Mark Richardson , Daniel Kwan , Alex Roberts Moderator: Philip Vecchione How do maps, minis, props, tools and other tactile elements enhance or affect our tabletop RPG games? Ways to add a tempting, touchable layer to your gaming experience, whether for your home group or as a designer....
Apr 28, 2018•55 min•Ep. 276
Recorded at BreakoutCon 2018 Presented by: Sen-Foong Lim , Rob Daviau , Allysha Tulk , Nicole Hoye Moderator: Daryl Andrews Have you ever wanted to be a boardgame designer? Join our wonderful panel of guests to discuss what it takes to get started down this path!
Apr 21, 2018•55 min•Ep. 275
Recorded at BreakoutCon 2018 Presented by: Robin Laws , Daniel Kwan , Emily Care Boss , and Michelle Lyons-McFarland Moderator: Corey Reid Learn how the best GMs run the best games. No matter what system or play style you love, this panel will have tips and tricks to help you level up your game....
Apr 14, 2018•57 min•Ep. 274
Recorded at BreakoutCon 2018 Presented by: Mark Richardson , Anna Kreider , Emily Griggs , Misha Bushyagar Moderator: Jonathan Lavallee The wondrous journey from beginning to end of working on your first game. It's a highlight reel of the big process parts and what to keep track of to make your first game as successful as possible....
Apr 07, 2018•55 min•Ep. 273
Recorded at BreakoutCon 2018 Presented by Sarah Richardson , Michelle Lyons-McFarland , Jaym Gates Moderator: Brand Robbins Jaym Gates (BLUE ROSE 2nd Ed., TIANXIA: Blood, Silk, and Jade,), Michelle Lyons-McFarland (Chill, A Tragedy in Five Acts), and Sarah Richardson (Bluebeard’s Bride, Velvet Glove) as they discuss how diverse viewpoints bring new life to tired horror tropes. Topics may include feminine horror, setting the right tone, disrupting player assumptions, plus tips and tricks for runn...
Mar 31, 2018•55 min•Ep. 272
Recorded at Metatopia 2017 Presented by Shoshana Kessock , Neall Price , Susanne Vejdemo , Joshua A. C. Newman . Art is and has always been political, and game design is no different. In this panel, we'll talk about developing games with political agendas not only wholly in mind, but front and center. We'll tackle discussions about the hard topics that come up in political games, whether or not you design for unity or for controversy, how to use game design to create the political message of you...
Mar 24, 2018•58 min•Ep. 271
Recorded at Metatopia 2017 Presented by Roberta Taylor , Curt Covert . Everyone loves a good story, whether it's in a book or on a screen, but what about memorable story in boardgames. What does story look like in a boardgame? How is story different from theme? How does the designer partner with players to tell a story? What are the limitations and where is the creative space wide open?...
Mar 17, 2018•53 min•Ep. 270
Recorded at Metatopia 2017 Presented by Gil Hova , Jonathan Gilmour . From Jones Theory to "this game fired that game", hierarchical thinking - comparing one thing to another in a way that ranks one as better than the other - is very popular in the gaming world. How useful is it? Are there situations where it hurts us? We will talk about the pros and cons of hierarchical thinking, and dive into why it's so appealing to us game fans....
Mar 10, 2018•47 min•Ep. 269
Recorded at Metatopia 2017 Presented by Bill White , Brennan Taylor , Lisa Padol, Evan Torner, and more. Everything You Ever Wanted To Know About The Forge (But Were Afraid To Ask). The Forge (www.indie-rpgs.com) was an online discussion site for indie TRPG design, publication, and play that was active from 2001 to 2012. Across tens of thousands of discussion threads, Forge participants hashed out new ways of understanding the dynamics of tabletop RPG play, and developed a new conceptual languag...
Mar 03, 2018•59 min•Ep. 268
