Beyond Solitaire

Ricky is back on the podcast to talk about his recent work, our recent work together, and solo design in general! If you haven't checked out his channel recently, head over to Box of Delights on YouTube for some solo gaming goodness.  The Cracked Mirror: https://cmichpress.com/product/fyov-duet/ Art & System: https://www.backerkit.com/c/projects/central-michigan-university-press/art-syste...

This week on the pod, Hannah Fair, who studies the way humans impact the environment, discusses an article she wrote about how islands and the humans who inhabit them are presented in board games. The article: https://islandstudiesjournal.org/article/84743-playing-with-the-anthropocene-board-game-imaginaries-of-islands-nature-and-empire Art & System: https://www.backerkit.com/c/projects/centra...

This week on the pod, Gonzalo Maldonado, one of the co-founders of Salt & Pepper Games, drops by to talk about how he became a game publisher and how his business has developed. (@saltandpeppergames.bsky.social)  Salt & Pepper will be publishing David Thompson's and my second design, Queen of Spies. It goes live on Gamefound Dec. 4: https://gamefound.com/en/projects/saltandpepper/quee...

In this episode, Rachel Billingsley drops by to talk about her work as Director of Marketing at GMT and what it's like to be part of a family wargame business.  Beyond Solitaire is proudly sponsored by Central Michigan University's Center for Learning Through Games and Simulations, where learning can be both playful and compelling. Check them out here: https://www.cmich.edu/academics/col...

This week on the pod, Dr. Carly Kocurek (@sparklebliss.bsky.social) drops by to discuss the rise of arcade culture--and how we came to assume that video games are for boys, despite evidence to the contrary.  Beyond Solitaire is proudly sponsored by Central Michigan University's Center for Learning Through Games and Simulations, where learning can be both playful and compelling. Check them out...

 This week, Liam Liwanag Burke, designer of Dog Eat Dog, drops by to discuss his game. A new edition is on the way from Central Michigan University as part of their new Art & System series. https://www.backerkit.com/call_to_action/b2acaafc-6009-4565-9ef4-54b97b09e193/landing Beyond Solitaire is proudly sponsored by Central Michigan University's Center for Learning Through Games and Simula...

Beyond Solitaire is proudly sponsored by Central Michigan University's Center for Learning Through Games and Simulations, where learning can be both playful and compelling. Check them out here: https://www.cmich.edu/academics/colleges/liberal-arts-social-sciences/centers-institutes/center-for-learning-through-games-and-simulations Check out CMU's game offerings here: https://cmichpress.c...

This week on the pod, I am joined by Pat Harrigan, who has published several academic volumes about games--most recently Zones of Control, which is co-edited with podcast alum Matthew Kirschenbaum. https://mitpress.mit.edu/9780262547925/zones-of-control/  Beyond Solitaire is proudly sponsored by Central Michigan University's Center for Learning Through Games and Simulations, where learning ca...

This week on the pod, Professor Clifford Ando of The University of Chicago drops by to talk about the effects of cutting humanities programs. As historical games enthusiasts, we should care about this issue. One article: https://www.compactmag.com/article/the-crisis-of-the-university-started-long-before-trump/ Beyond Solitaire is proudly sponsored by Central Michigan University's Center for L...

This week on the pod, Suzanne Sheldon (@425suzanne.bsky.social) drops in to talk about her work at Restoration Games, what it means to "restore" a game, and how to create an experience that really connects with players.  Beyond Solitaire is proudly sponsored by Central Michigan University's Center for Learning Through Games and Simulations, where learning can be both playful and com...

This week on the pod, Nigel Scarfe drops by to discuss how his company, Imagination Gaming, helps students learn both academic and emotional skills in schools--and how games can also improve life in other settings, including prisons. https://imaginationgaming.co.uk/ Art & System Backerkit: https://cmichpress.com/2025/06/10/new-game-series-art-system-games-for-expanded-play/ Beyond Solitaire is...

This week on the pod, Gabe Barrett, publisher of the Solo Game of the Month series, drops in to talk about how he maintains such an intense publication pace and about what makes a good solo game. https://bestwith1.com/ Art & System Backerkit: https://cmichpress.com/2025/06/10/new-game-series-art-system-games-for-expanded-play/ Beyond Solitaire is proudly sponsored by Central Michigan Universit...

This week on the pod, Dr. Emily Friedman (@friede.bsky.social), an English professor at Auburn University, comes by to discuss her work on actual play and how it has become part of her scholarship and classroom practice. You can join her Patreon for free to read her posts: https://www.patreon.com/c/ecfriedman/home Art & System Backerkit: https://cmichpress.com/2025/06/10/new-game-series-art-sy...

This week on the pod, J. Rey Lee (@jreylee.bsky.social), author of Unsettling Catan, drops by to talk about his upcoming book--which also happens to be the beginning of a new series of academic books focused on individual board games. Book: https://press.umich.edu/Books/U/Unsettling-Catan Witch Hunt/Making History Backerkit: https://www.backerkit.com/c/projects/central-michigan-university-press/wi...

Welcome to Season 11! We are starting off with a delightful visit from Matteo Menapace, co-designer of Daybreak (Instagram: @ma.tteo.me). We talk about cooperative games, teaching game design, Matteo's future projects, and of course his experiences at the Spiel des Jahres last year.  Witch Hunt/Making History Backerkit: https://www.backerkit.com/c/projects/central-michigan-university-press/wi...

We've made it all the way to Episode 200! To celebrate the milestone, this is a mega episode filled with shorter interviews about the state of historical games and of "serious" games criticism. Thanks to all of you for coming along for the ride.  1:30 Volko Ruhnke 28:35 Efka Bladukas 46:40 Candice Harris 1:01:40 Dan Thurot 1:23:50 David Thompson 1:42:50 Sebastian Bae 2:08:35 Cole We...

Ian O'Toole joins David and me to talk about Night Witches art updates! We're getting there at last!  CLGS will be launching a new Backerkit campaign on July 8: https://www.backerkit.com/call_to_action/16dd740a-2996-4b25-9b52-5ee83a2013ec/landing?ref=bk-ec-55405 Beyond Solitaire is proudly sponsored by Central Michigan University's Center for Learning Through Games and Simulations,...

This week on the pod, Ananda Gupta, co-designer of Twilight Struggle, stops by to talk about the anniversary edition of his game, but also about new board game work and his life as a designer for Riot Games.  CLGS will be launching a new Backerkit campaign on July 8: https://www.backerkit.com/call_to_action/16dd740a-2996-4b25-9b52-5ee83a2013ec/landing?ref=bk-ec-55405 Beyond Solitaire is proudly sp...

This week on the pod, religious studies scholar Lars de Wildt discusses the prevalence of religion in "secular" video games--and the line between which religious affectations are considered "neutral" and which are not. Also, his book is free and can be found here: https://www.aup.nl/en/book/9789048555130/the-pop-theology-of-videogames Keep the Faith campaign: https://www.backer...

This week on the pod, Erin Escobedo talks about Meltwater, her game about the aftermath of a devastating nuclear war. It was originally published by Hollandspiele, but a new edition is coming out through Capstone. We also discuss fighting games!  Keep the Faith campaign: https://www.backerkit.com/call_to_action/ffdefab3-adb6-48aa-8335-797e720c58a1/landing  Beyond Solitaire is proudly sponsored by...

This week on the pod, Brooks Barber (rollplusfun@bsky.social) drops in to discuss several of his upcoming game designs, all of which are both very cool and historically inspired. Check out Sykes-Picot here: https://hollandspiele.com/products/sykes-picot Keep the Faith campaign: https://www.backerkit.com/call_to_action/ffdefab3-adb6-48aa-8335-797e720c58a1/landing  Beyond Solitaire is proudly sponso...

This week on the pod, Mark Herman (@markherman45.bsky.social) drops by to tell us about his new book, "Wargames According to Mark," as well as his views on game design and the process of building a game.  Keep the Faith campaign: https://www.backerkit.com/call_to_action/ffdefab3-adb6-48aa-8335-797e720c58a1/landing  Beyond Solitaire is proudly sponsored by Central Michigan University&apos...

This week on the pod, game designer Eric Lang (@ericlang.bsky.social) discusses his thoughts on game design, what makes projects exciting, the course of his long career, and how he's giving back.  Keep the Faith campaign: https://www.backerkit.com/call_to_action/ffdefab3-adb6-48aa-8335-797e720c58a1/landing  Beyond Solitaire is proudly sponsored by Central Michigan University's Center for...

If you care about the board game industry, then you've been worrying about tariffs. In this episode, Jason Matthews (@jasondcmatthews.bsky.social) talks about what they are, their potential consequences for publishers and hobbyists, and what we can decide to do about it.  Keep the Faith campaign: https://www.backerkit.com/call_to_action/ffdefab3-adb6-48aa-8335-797e720c58a1/landing  Beyond Sol...

This week on the pod, Michelle Strayer, a wargame designer and analyst at CNA, talks about how data for wargames is collected and how design teams ensure that what they collect is meaningful.  Keep the Faith campaign: https://www.backerkit.com/call_to_action/ffdefab3-adb6-48aa-8335-797e720c58a1/landing  Beyond Solitaire is proudly sponsored by Central Michigan University's Center for Learning...