Hidden Role: The Brains Behind Your Favorite Games

Listen to Marjorie Spitalnik, activist and Founder & CEO of Little Rebels, details her journey to make her toy line a reality; fighting sexism, highlighting lack of awareness of mental health, and spotlighting heroic women of history. Keep up with Little Rebels: https://www.wearelittlerebels.com/ https://www.youtube.com/c/LittleRebels/ https://www.instagram.com/wearelittlerebels/ --- Visit our web...

When an inventor pitches to a game company, a Game Scout picks what ideas stay and go! Josh West is that person, and using his two decades in the industry, he lets us know the secret to an awesome pitch! Keep up with ThinkFun: https://www.thinkfun.com/ https://www.facebook.com/ThinkFunGames/ https://www.instagram.com/thinkfun/ https://twitter.com/thinkfun https://www.youtube.com/user/ThinkFunInc -...

For nearly two decades, Egils Grasmanis has turned game publisher Brain Games into an international success, and he co-invented the worldwide hit ICECOOL. What does it take to be the first successful game publisher in Latvia? Learn that and more in today's episode! Check out Brain Games' upcoming Kickstarter, Iron Forest: http://tinyurl.com/IRONFOREST Follow Brain Games: https://www.publishing.bra...

Creating a business from scratch is hard enough - but manufacturing the product, distributing it, AND running the company, all after quitting your job to pursue a dream? Sounds pretty crazy... but Aaron Muderick is an expert in crazy. He's here to share his journey from the smallest inkling of an idea to a worldwide success. Keep up with Crazy Aaron's Thinking Putty: https://crazyaarons.com/ https...

Rory O'Connor, game designer and creative, dives into the tale of Rory's Story Cubes, his creative process, making the world a better place through imagination and play, inclusivity in game design, and much more! Check out Hub Games: https://www.wearehubgames.com/ https://www.youtube.com/c/WeAreHubGames https://www.instagram.com/wearehubgames/ https://www.twitch.tv/wearehubgames https://www.facebo...

What makes a good name for a game? Where do good ideas come from? How do you make a game accessible? Tim Walsh, writer and inventor of Tri-Bond, Mega Mouth , and Blurt! has some theories and stories that shed some light on those questions and more.  --- Visit Tim's website: https://www.theplaymakers.com/ Check out Tim's Youtube channel, Seize the Play , where he presents the wild history of famous...

In this episode, Randy Klimpert, toy inventor and Chief Creative Officer at Creata, tells us how he invented Hot Wheels Crack Ups and Battle Armor He-Man while working at the legendary design firm Marvin Glass & Associates. --- Visit our website and sign up for our newsletter to get a sneak peak at our upcoming guests: https://www.hiddenrolepodcast.com/ --- Have an idea for someone who should...

Actor and entrepreneur Matthew Lillard knows how to turn a passion into a fulfilling career. He's best known for his roles films like Scream, Scooby Doo, and SLC Punk, but in recent years he's also become a tabletop roleplaying game darling, co-founding Beadle & Grimm's to make premium editions of Dungeons & Dragons books. Check out Beadle & Grimm's: https://www.beadleandgrimms.com/ Fo...

Dan Klitsner breaks down his creative process and takes us on a Bop It journey. The beloved toy is fast approaching its 25th anniversary (at the time of this release). How did he take Bop It from an idea bopping around in his head to a real product that has resonated with people for a quarter century? Follow Dan Klitsner: https://www.tiktok.com/@bopitinventor Check out the Uni-Bop and Bop-It for G...

With Twister, Nerf, and decades of experience under his belt, Reyn Guyer is one of the most respected inventors in the industry of play. In this episode, we dive deep into the his stories and knowledge to learn where ideas come from and how to make them a reality. My Friend Wren: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCbT2P5zOQJFWmyXHKIZqhSQ https://www.myfriendwren.com/ Check out Reyn's website: http:/...

From McDonalds happy meal toys to Pretty Pretty Princess to Outburst Jr. to Mad Gabs, Peggy Brown is a serial game inventor with decades of experience and success. Learn what to do when the unexpected happens from an expert in game design and product development. Check out Peggy Brown Creative Consulting: https://peggybrown.com/

When inspiration strikes, how  does someone take it from an idea to a success story? Learn from the extraordinary journey of Leslie Scott, from a childhood in East and West Africa to the inspiration for and development of Jenga and beyond. You can find Leslie Scott's games at: https://oxfordgames.co.uk/

In this episode, we talk to Mary Couzin, president and founder of ChiTAG, recently rebranded as People of Play. Her stewardship of the Toy and Game fair has shaped the industry for two decades, helping inventors to connect to publishers and retailers. Learn the origins of ChiTAG, how she grew it into a vibrant trade show, and her advice for anyone entering the industry of play. You can find out mo...

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