Fun Problems

A bonus episode of Fun Problems, featuring an indepth interview by the YouTuber Neon Gorilla. Originally found on YouTube here: https://youtu.be/VTo5DiRaTVY?si=XAK_pAzr1gwwn4iY Rolling Deep live on Kickstarter here: https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/bitewinggamesnick/rolling-deep-and-eureka-dice-adventure-roguelike-and-campaign Check out our Discord Email us Big thanks to Eduard Matei for our t...

This is part of a series where we explore the game design blog written by Daniel Piechnick. Mathew Dunstan Discord Email Big thanks to Eduard Matei for our theme song!

Grab Bag episode! We go through a bunch of smaller topics, including careers in board games. The Bits Podcast with Peter Discord Email Big thanks to Eduard Matei for our theme song!

This is part of a series where we explore the game design blog https://daniel.games/ written by Daniel Piechnick.   Discord: https://discord.gg/BjerXtQ3Me Email: funproblemspodcast@gmail.com Big thanks to Eduard Matei for our theme song!

Grab Bag episode! We go through a bunch of smaller topics, including development and how to make your game less fragile. Discord: https://discord.gg/BjerXtQ3Me Email: funproblemspodcast@gmail.com Big thanks to Eduard Matei for our theme song!

Peter has a new model that breaks down ALL OF BOARD GAME DESIGN! NOTE: Peter consistently uses "ergonomics" wrong in this episode! Ergonomics is the *reduction* of work; when he says he 'reduces ergonomics' that should be increases ergonomics (or reduces work). Sorry! Discord: https://discord.gg/BjerXtQ3Me Email: funproblemspodcast@gmail.com Big thanks to Eduard Matei for our theme song!

Exactly 10 years ago AJ sent a message asking questions about the design of Exploding Kittens. Today he finally gets some answers from the LEGENDARY Elan Lee! Discord: https://discord.gg/BjerXtQ3Me Email: funproblemspodcast@gmail.com AJ's favourite artist: https://www.instagram.com/nicolettabaldari/ Big thanks to Eduard Matei for our theme song!

Board game contracts with special guest Zachary Strebeck! We talk through EVERYTHING board game contracts, including specific percentage numbers, what to avoid, what to look for. Everything, guys. It's EVERYTHING. You can find Zack here: https://legalmoveslawfirm.com/ Peter's checklist: https://docs.google.com/document/d/1X.. . Discord: https://discord.gg/BjerXtQ3Me Email: funproblemspodcast@gmail...

Ever wonder how much a full time board game designer makes? Today we deep dive into the money Peter has made from board game design over the years in total, in 2025 specifically, and broken down by how much money each board game made. Discord: https://discord.gg/BjerXtQ3Me Email: funproblemspodcast@gmail.com Big thanks to Eduard Matei for our theme song!

Elan Lee explains what Exploding Kittens is looking for, and go through many examples of published games that would be a great fit. Tune in to see if you have a game Exploding Kittens is looking to publish! Visit https://www.explodingkittens.com/page... to submit your game ideas to the company! Fun Problems discord   Email: funproblemspodcast@gmail.com Big thanks to Eduard Matei for our theme song...

Hosts Peter C. Hayward and AJ Brandon discuss how to give useful game-design feedback by matching your advice to the designer’s experience. They cover empathy, asking what feedback is wanted, sandwiching critiques, and focusing on tools and experience to help designers improve. Discord: https://discord.gg/BjerXtQ3Me Email: funproblemspodcast@gmail.com Big thanks to Eduard Matei for our theme song!

Peter C. Hayward and AJ Brandon talk through a number of grab-bag topics, including how to be successful as an introvert and what makes a hook.  Discord: https://discord.gg/BjerXtQ3Me Email: funproblemspodcast@gmail.com Big thanks to Eduard Matei for our theme song!

Episode 75 is on youtube only: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uqZnFTxZ6nM&list=PLlpOSsHmIZE9Q1V5UuzhrM3ZncMJVsnol&index=2 The best game design advice on the internet can be found at https://daniel.games/ – we can't recommend it highly enough! This is part 7 of a series where we explore the game design blog "Daniel. Games," written by Daniel Piechnick. Discord: https://discord.gg/BjerXtQ3M...

Hosts Peter C. Hayward and AJ Brandon walk through how to start, run and grow board game playtest groups; finding people, finding the right location, handling disputes, scheduling games, and balancing in-person vs digital testing. They share real-world examples (Toronto, First Play LA, ProtoTO), safety and inclusivity tips, troubleshooting for long/short games, and best practices for online playte...

Peter runs through his regrets over the years from design choices, co-design pitfalls, self-publishing mistakes, failed Kickstarters, and the burnout that followed. Together with AJ they help turn this mistakes into actionable advice to avoid falling into the same traps. Episode starts at 12 min 30 seconds. Paranormal Detectives standalone expansion PNP: https://boardgamegeek.com/filepage/249601/p...

Peter and AJ dissect Daniel Piechnick's "types of fun" framework, exploring 13 varieties grouped into constructive, excitement, social, and emotional categories. They add personal insights, debate nuances, and more! Discord: https://discord.gg/BjerXtQ3Me Email: funproblemspodcast@gmail.com Big thanks to Eduard Matei for our theme song!

Peter C. Hayward and AJ Brandon dig into a common design problem: games that keep scoring until the end don't give feedback to players. They discuss practical fixes to give players earlier, clearer feedback and make learning faster and games more accessible. Discord: https://discord.gg/BjerXtQ3Me Email: funproblemspodcast@gmail.com Big thanks to Eduard Matei for our theme song!

Peter C. Hayward and AJ Brandon break down action selection systems in games; why constraints and variance make turns interesting and how different systems (worker placement, dice placement, drafting, rondels, time tracks, menus and more) shape player decisions. The episode gives designers practical examples, trade-offs and tips from many published games, plus a publisher note about avoiding thema...

Peter announces he’s stepping back from board games to explore new creative projects and explains why the podcast will be winding down. Plus a lot more fun than usual to make up for the downer announcement. Please suggest topics to cover before the show ends! Discord: https://discord.gg/BjerXtQ3Me Email: funproblemspodcast@gmail.com Big thanks to Eduard Matei for our theme song!

Peter C. Hayward and AJ Brandon dive into emergent strategy, how to seed subtle interactions, and how to telegraph systems to players. They answer listener questions on market saturation, the future of board games, and personal careers in design. The hosts give detailed playtesting advice—solo testing, public and cold playtests, TTS tips, teaching techniques, and how to use playtesters effectively...

In this episode AJ and Peter dig into core game-design ideas: the difference between strategy and tactics, how scarcity and tough choices make games engaging, best practices for scoring and playtesting, and designing emergent combos that let players discover clever strategies. Discord: https://discord.gg/BjerXtQ3Me Email: funproblemspodcast@gmail.com Facebook/Twitter: @FunProblemsPod Big thanks to...

The best game design advice on the internet can be found at https://daniel.games/ – we can't recommend it highly enough! This is part 6 of a series where we explore the game design blog "Daniel. Games," written by Daniel Piechnick. Discord: https://discord.gg/BjerXtQ3Me Email: funproblemspodcast@gmail.com Facebook/Twitter: @FunProblemsPod Big thanks to Eduard Matei for our theme song!

This week, we explore the concept of 'childishly simple' games, and how it applies to creating elegant games that seem effortlessly simple but also offer depth. Join us as we share personal anecdotes, dissect both successful and challenging game designs, and discuss the art of simplifying mechanics no matter the weight class of the game. Discord: https://discord.gg/BjerXtQ3Me Email: funproblemspod...

In this episode of Fun Problems, hosts Peter C. Hayward and guest Tim Armstrong dive deep into the world of game design and publishing. With AJ Brandon absent, Peter brings on Tim, a designer and friend, to explore how their processes differ as they discuss their 10-year journeys in the board game industry. They unpack strategies for pitching to publishers, the value of sell sheets, and why specif...

Join Peter and AJ as they take you behind the curtain to explore a week in the busy life of board game designers. They share their daily routines, challenges, and the creative processes involved in crafting engaging board games.  Discord: https://discord.gg/BjerXtQ3Me Email: funproblemspodcast@gmail.com Facebook/Twitter: @FunProblemsPod