In Think Like a Game Designer, award-winning designer and Stone Blade Entertainment CEO Justin Gary speaks with world-class game designers and creative experts from various industries. Each episode deconstructs the creative process, offering insights into the art of game design and the broader cultural, technological, and business influences shaping a myriad of creative mediums. Join us for actionable advice and unique perspectives that will enrich your understanding of what it means to be creative in and out of the gaming world.
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About Jaimie Jaimie Wolanski has over 20 years of experience in the games industry, with a career spanning major brands and mass-market hits. She’s worked as a sales rep bringing games into stores like Target and Barnes & Noble, and has helped launch titles like Shopkins , Catan , Ticket to Ride , Bananagrams , and Exploding Kittens . She even worked with Justin to bring You Gotta Be Kitten Me to market. In this episode, Jaimie shares what it takes to succeed in a crowded space, how to build...
About Vlaada Vlaada Chvátil is one of the most influential game designers of the modern era. As the creative force behind classics like Through the Ages , Codenames , and Galaxy Trucker , and a co-founder of Czech Games Edition (CGE), he’s built a career defined by curiosity, craft, and an uncompromising commitment to making games he actually wants to play. Vlaada’s path—from programming and digital game development to shaping some of the most enduring tabletop designs of the last 20 years—has g...
About Carly Carly McGinnis is the driving force behind one of the fastest-growing tabletop companies in history. As CEO of Exploding Kittens , she’s helped lead the company to over 25 million games sold and dozens of successful launches, all while keeping the promises of the most-backed crowdfund ever. Carly’s path—from surviving the Hollywood talent-agency grind to building a global game business—has given her a rare blend of resilience, humor, and no-nonsense leadership. In this episode, we di...
About Kyle Kyle Thiermann is a professional big-wave surfer, journalist, and creative director whose career bridges storytelling, advertising, and adventure. He’s written for Men’s Health , Surfer , and Outside Magazine , and helped shape campaigns for brands like Patagonia, Yeti, and Mudwater, with his ads and viral spots reaching over 100 million people. Kyle is also the author of One Last Question Before You Go : Why You Should Interview Your Parents Now , a deeply personal exploration of fam...
Touko Tahkokallio is one of the rare designers who has mastered both tabletop and digital worlds. Starting out as a theoretical physicist, Touko shifted careers to follow his passion for play. First by designing acclaimed board games like Eclipse , then shaping some of the biggest mobile hits of all time at Supercell, including Hay Day , Boom Beach , and Brawl Stars . In 2022, he co-founded a mobile game studio Stellar Core which he is the chief creative officer. In this episode, we explore the ...
About this Episode This episode is a little different from the usual Think Like a Game Designer conversation. Instead of a freeform discussion, I came prepared with a curated list of questions to guide the conversation, giving us a structured look into Jordan’s creative process, his philosophies on innovation, and the lessons he’s learned over decades of building worlds. The result is a fast-paced, insight-packed episode that feels like sitting in on a masterclass in game design. About Jordan We...
About Jonathan Jonathan Grant is a creative director at Zynga, founder of Orbital Games, and co-host of We Thought It Would Be Easy with Jordan Weisman. His career spans startups, acquisitions, and AAA environments, where he’s pitched ideas in Zynga boardrooms, built risky new projects, and collaborated with legends of the industry. Jonathan’s work is defined by his willingness to experiment, his honesty about failure, and his belief that great games hide secrets waiting to be discovered. In thi...
About Elan Elan Lee ( @elanlee ) is the co-creator and chief executive officer of Exploding Kittens, a leading gaming and entertainment company. Under his leadership, Exploding Kittens has expanded its portfolio to nearly 30 different games with more than 60 million games sold in more than 50 countries since its founding in 2015.Before founding Exploding Kittens, Lee was the chief design officer at Xbox Entertainment Studios, where he led the Interactive Entertainment Portfolio. Prior to that, h...
At Gen Con this year, we kicked off Ascension’s 15-year anniversary celebration . I had the chance to meet so many fans who have been part of this community for over a decade; the experience was both humbling and rewarding. We just launched the Gamefound Campaign for the Ascension 15th Anniversary Collector’s Edition and I’ve been reflecting on the incredible journey that brought us here. What began as a casual prototype I created to play with friends between rounds of Magic tournaments has grow...
About Tim Ferriss Tim Ferriss is a category of one. His innovative approach to life and business has helped him to launch 5 New York Times Bestellers, build one of the most influential podcasts in the world with over one billion downloads, become an early stage investor in companies like Uber, Facebook, Shopify, Duolingo and more. His #1 New York Times Bestselling Book, The 4-Hour Work Week, was part of the inspiration for me to quit my job and start my own company (you can here more of that sto...
About Cole Cole Wehrle is one of the most innovative minds in board game design today. Cole is a partner at Leder Games , but best-known as the creator of Root , the woodland war game that redefined asymmetric play. Cole’s work reaches far beyond cute meeples and clever mechanics, with a background in history and a career in academia, Cole approaches game design as a way to explore systems of power, narrative ambiguity, and the complexity of human behavior. In this episode, Cole and I dive deep ...
About Amy Amy Lowe is a marketer, strategist, and lifelong nerd whose career spans over two decades helping brands connect with audiences in meaningful ways. Though she’s worked across industries, Amy found her passion in the tabletop gaming space as the marketing and communications manager for the Game Manufacturers Association (GAMA). Now she’s bringing hard-won insights about brand strategy, customer research, and authentic positioning to help game publishers and designers not just sell more ...
About Derek Sivers Derek Sivers has worn many hats, musician, entrepreneur, author, and philosopher, but his work maintains a single throughline: a relentless pursuit of living deliberately. He first found success by founding CD Baby, an indie music platform that revolutionized digital distribution before he sold it for over $20 million and donated most of the proceeds. Since then, he’s become a bestselling author of books like Anything You Want , Hell Yeah or No , and Useful Not True , each fil...
Dominic Crapuchettes is the founder of North Star Games and the designer of massive hits like Wits & Wagers , Say Anything , and the Evolution series—games that have sold over 4.5 million copies. In this episode, Dominic opens up about the rise and fall of North Star, from building a 30-person team and landing six SKUs at Target, to watching the company go bankrupt and eventually buying it back. He shares what he’s learned from those hard-won lessons, including how to build frothing fan comm...
CHECK OUT SHADOWS OVER SOLIS TODAY ON GAMEFOUND 5 Quick Lessons About Crowdfinding * Crowdfunding has changed : You need to bring your own audience and community. Success now requires months of preparation, including playtesting, reviews, and pre-launch marketing. * De-risk your campaign : Validate your product ahead of time (e.g., with digital play), use scalable local manufacturing, and print to order to reduce financial risk. * Offer meaningful, manageable exclusives : Make backers feel speci...
Kohji Nagata has worn many hats—software developer, musician, podcast creator—but today he’s best known as Head of Design and co-founder of Parallel Studios, where he helped launch the massively successful Web3 trading card game Parallel. What started as a passion project has become a genre-defining phenomenon, valued at one point at half a billion dollars. Kohji approaches design from a deep philosophical place, wrestling with fear of failure, perfectionism, and the drive to always improve. In ...
Dafna Pleban discusses her journey as a comic book editor, the economics of storytelling, and building creative teams. The conversation covers the realities of monthly comic production, the role of stress, and the evolving landscape of the comic book industry, including the rise of webcomics and the impact of AI. Dafna shares insights on breaking into the industry, working with major IPs, and the importance of collaboration.
Justin Ziran discusses his career in the gaming industry, from Wizards of the Coast to WizKids, emphasizing the importance of business acumen, analytical thinking, and pursuing one's passions. He shares insights on product development, digital vs physical games, and creating a culture of innovation. He also touches upon mentorship, self-awareness, and adapting to industry changes.
Justin Gary interviews James Introcaso, lead game designer at MCDM Productions, about his journey in the RPG industry. They discuss turning passions into a career, the realities of freelancing, and the importance of showing up for luck. The episode also explores the rise of indie RPGs, the impact of streaming, and a live brainstorming session on designing an Ascension RPG.
Jesse Alexander shares his journey through TV and game writing, emphasizing adapting to new mediums and technologies like AI. He highlights the importance of collaboration, a strong work ethic, and continuous learning to thrive in the ever-evolving creative landscape. Alexander also discusses his experiences on iconic shows and the future of storytelling.
Ryan Soave discusses overcoming creative blocks and facing discomfort to foster personal and professional growth. He emphasizes understanding unconscious patterns and developing emotional resilience. This episode provides tools for designers, entrepreneurs, and anyone seeking a fulfilling life by embracing discomfort and increasing self-awareness.
Matt Forbeck discusses his journey as a game designer and author, from his early experiences at Gen Con to his work on major brands like Marvel and Warhammer. He shares valuable insights on freelancing, editing, game development, and the importance of community in the gaming industry. The episode also covers the Diana Jones Award and its emerging designer program, highlighting Forbeck's dedication to supporting new talent.
Alliestrasza discusses her journey from Hearthstone streamer to web3 game developer, emphasizing community building and adapting to new technologies. She shares insights on handling criticism, the importance of authenticity, and the potential of web3 gaming, while addressing concerns and challenges in the space. The episode also touches on AI's role in content creation and the need for ethical implementation.
Eric Dieulangard discusses his unique career path and the marketing strategies behind the success of Altered TCG's Kickstarter campaign. He emphasizes the importance of experimentation, community building, and genuine engagement with influencers. The episode also explores the innovative design choices in Altered, including the unique card system and the integration of digital and physical ownership.
Travis George shares his extensive experience in the video game industry, from his early entrepreneurial ventures to his leadership roles at Riot Games and Vela Games. He discusses team building, scaling a studio, aligning a company around vision and priorities, and lessons learned from both successes and failures. The episode emphasizes the importance of prioritization, adaptability, and building strong communities.
Alexander Seropian joins us on today’s episode, bringing his vast expertise from decades in the video game industry. Alex is the founder of several influential game companies, including Bungie, Wideload Games, Industrial Toys, and Glenslinger Studios. He has also held leadership roles at Disney and Microsoft, overseeing teams of more than 100 people. Among his many accomplishments, Alex is best known for co-creating the iconic game Halo and for being a driving force in game design and industry i...
Richard Bartle and Nigel Roberts join us on today’s episode, bringing decades of experience in gaming, technology, and community building. Richard is one of the co-creators of MUD (Multi-User Dungeon), the precursor to today’s MMORPGs, and developed the famous Bartle Taxonomy, which categorizes player types. He’s also a renowned author and academic, with works like How to Be a God exploring virtual worlds. Nigel Roberts, one of Richard’s long-time collaborators, was involved in the development o...
About Alex Yeager Alex Yeager joins us on today’s episode to bring his wealth of knowledge and experience from over 20 years in the board game industry. Alex is the Chief Operating Officer at Amigo Games, overseeing the company’s North American operations. Before his time at Amigo, Alex held various leadership roles at renowned companies like Mayfair Games, where he served as Vice President of Acquisition and Development, and Steve Jackson Games, where he contributed significantly to their demo ...
About Scott Morris Scott Morris joins us on today’s episode to share insights into the world of game design and business development. Scott is the Chief Sales and Marketing Officer at Lucky Duck Games, where he has played a key role in the company's growth, including the recent acquisition by Goliath Games. Before his time at Lucky Duck, Scott held leadership positions at GTS Distribution and Passport Game Studios. He's also the designer of Firefly: Shiny Dice, a dice game based on the beloved F...
Justin Gary shares key lessons from his 20 years in the game industry, emphasizing the importance of emotional impact, core design loops, and community building. He introduces four new principles for game design and life, focusing on clear goals, rewarding progress, narrowing focus, and embracing an iterative mindset. The episode concludes with information on the Think Like a Game Designer Mastery Course and a Q&A session.
