Meeple2Meeple

In this episode, PJ Oubre interviews Phil Dieringer about the game Lion Wake, exploring its cultural themes, innovative mechanics, and the creation of Nuwa Board Games. The conversation delves into the game's unique blend of gameplay and cultural storytelling, highlighting the significance of lion dancing and the myth of the Nian beast. The conversation explores the cultural significance of the Li...

The journey of bringing a board game from concept to completion is a thrilling and surprising experience. From Kickstarter funding to convention showcases, the process is filled with unexpected challenges and delightful moments. Brian's journey with Legends of the Arena is a testament to the excitement and fulfillment of game design and publishing. How do we continue to build the game community? T...

The conversation covers the journey of transitioning from video games to board games, the inspiration behind cooperative game design, the process of component design and production, and the importance of playtesting and audience engagement in game development. The conversation covers the process of playtesting and game development, designing games for children, game length and player experience, c...

In this conversation, PJ Oubre interviews Jay Cormier about his game design journey, focusing on the creation of the game 'The Seekers' and its appeal to both families and seasoned gamers. They discuss the balance of accessibility and depth in game design, the emotional experiences intended for players, and the evolution of game mechanics. The conversation delves into the intricacies of playtestin...

Excursions, the upcoming game from Kinson Key games, is a new chapter in the Galactic Cruise universe, offering a different kind of space adventure. The collaboration between the developers and the designer resulted in a smooth and seamless process, with a focus on positive player interaction and the importance of cutting down game complexity. The conversation covers the development and design pro...

The conversation explores the world of family gaming, focusing on the experiences of a mother who balances personal gaming with gaming with her children. It delves into the challenges and rewards of navigating the hobby as a mom, the impact of gaming on children, and the importance of maintaining a balance between personal gaming and family gaming. Additionally, it highlights the potential for con...

The conversation delves into the essence of board games, early board game experiences, exploring modern board gaming, challenges in the board gaming community, and building a vibrant board gaming community. It highlights the intimate and thoughtful nature of board games, the impact of childhood experiences on board game interest, the journey into modern board gaming, the challenges of inclusivity...

Doomlings is a delightful card game about the end of the world, filled with fun and humor. The game involves building creatures to survive the end of the world and earn points through a series of traits. Jess Davenport, the community and influencer manager for Doomlings, shares insights into the game and its community-driven improvements. The conversation covers the gameplay of Doomlings, the evol...

The conversation explores the evolution of board gaming, the role of historical and modern wargaming in the gaming community, and the changes in gaming over time. It also delves into the comparison between modern war gaming and games like Warhammer, as well as the impact of CCGs on the gaming environment. The conversation delves into the debate about what constitutes a war game, exploring the them...

The conversation explores the connection between fitness and board games, the journey of becoming a content creator. It also delves into the challenges of comparing oneself to others and the supportive nature of the board game community. The conversation covers a range of topics, including Gen Con experiences, board games, fitness, and instant gratification. It also delves into the challenges of l...

The episode features a conversation with Nova Steinmetz, the designer of Spacedogs, a game that blends humor, strategy, and cosmic chaos. Nova shares the inspiration behind the game, its design journey, and the challenges faced in creating a universe where dogs become the galaxy's heroes. The conversation covers various aspects of game design, storytelling, and community engagement. It delves into...

The episode focuses on the design and development of the family game 'Wobbling Wagons' by first-time designer Robin Eubank. The game aims to create a fun and accessible experience for players of all ages, combining elements of strategy, humor, and randomness. Robin shares his journey from concept to prototype, highlighting the challenges and creative process involved in game design. The conversati...

The episode features a conversation with Emma Cobb, the designer of Dialox, an Italian language card game that combines language learning and game design. Emma shares her journey and experiences that led her to develop this game, as well as the challenges and successes she encountered during the process. The game is designed to make language learning fun and engaging, with a focus on practical sce...

The conversation explores the evolution of game design, from the transition between Legacies and Clandestine to the inspirational themes and partnerships that shaped the game's development. It delves into the design philosophy, mechanisms, and the game design journey, offering insights into early game experiences and favorite games. The conversation covers the inspirational games that influenced t...

In this conversation, Lady Leigh from Living Rooms and Lizards discusses the power of storytelling in tabletop gaming and the creation of welcoming spaces for new players. The journey into tabletop gaming and the development of 'Adventures in a Pouch' as a means of making gaming accessible are explored in detail. The conversation covers the introduction of Adventure Pouch, the importance of access...

The conversation explores the challenges of standing out in the crowded tabletop industry, the emotional impact of board games, the journey of becoming a game designer, and the inspiration behind the game 'War of the Toads'. Alan Wallat shares the journey of designing and developing the card game 'War of the Toads' and the inspiration behind it. He discusses the process of playtesting, learning fr...

Spencer Lloyd Thomas, the creative mind behind PlayMonkey Games, shares his journey into tabletop game design, the magic of Magic: The Gathering, the transition from investment banking to family-friendly games, and lessons from the industry, including the mistake of exhibiting at Essen. The conversation covers the impact of global competition, inspiration from board game publishers, knowing when a...

The conversation delves into the inspiration behind Synaptic Symphony , Gaelle's journey to board game creation, the importance of resilience, challenges in game design, and the translation of scientific concepts into gameplay. It also explores neuroscientific misconceptions and the choice of cooperative game design. The conversation covers various themes including game mechanics, player dynamics,...

The conversation covers the introduction to Hexeh, the discovery of Hexeh, becoming the OG Hexeh Girl, a description of Hexeh and gameplay experience, and the reaction of new players to Hexeh. The conversation covers the experience of Hexeh, understanding the game, approachability and community, the future of Hexa, and a lightning round of questions. Sean shares insights on the game's appeal, its...

The conversation delves into the world of game design, community, and the challenges faced by designers. It explores early board game experiences, the impact of colorblindness on gaming, and the importance of accessibility in board game design. The transition to game design and publishing is discussed, along with the struggle of idea generation and the vulnerability in playtesting. The founding of...

The conversation delves into the childhood and family influence on the guest's board game journey, the discovery of the modern board gaming hobby, building a brand around the Korean Meeple, misconceptions about board gamers, the importance of finding the best in every game, engaging non-gamers in the hobby, and the psychology of player color choice. The conversation delves into the significance of...

The conversation covers the introduction of Board Game Bruh, childhood memories of board games, the transition to modern board games, the journey of The Board Game Bruh, and misconceptions about board games. The key takeaways include the importance of diversity in the board game community and the accessibility of modern board games. The conversation covers the challenges of explaining board games...

The conversation covers the celebration of the podcast's four-year anniversary, the anticipation of the UK Games Expo, the use of AI in work and gaming, the evolution of the podcast and content creation, and the discussion of favorite games and collection management. The conversation also highlights the community and hobby evolution, as well as the adaptation to change. The conversation delves int...

The conversation with game designer Kristen Mott covers her theme-first approach to game design, the influence of her children on her game designs, the educational and thematic aspects of her games, the importance of playtesting and feedback, and the evolution of game concepts from initial inspiration to final design. The conversation delves into the impact of stable times, game development challe...

The conversation delves into the journey of Questiny, the childhood escapism found in board games, the inspiration and creation of Questiny, the playtesting process and vulnerability, and the game mechanics and player experience. The conversation covers various aspects of the game Questiny, including its unique gameplay mechanics, player count, competitive play, and the potential for a solo mode....