Covering the full breadth of digital, tabletop, and role playing games, The Game Design Round Table inspires and educates aspiring and experienced game designers.
…
continue reading
Dirk Knemeyer David V Heron Podcasts
In this episode of Behind the Cardboard, host Ellie Dix sits down with designer Marcus Ross for a deep dive into the world of conventions and trade shows in the tabletop industry. They explore what makes different conventions unique, how to define a "successful" con experience, and practical strategies for getting the most out of each trip. Marcus …
…
continue reading
In this Round Table episode, hosts Dirk Knemeyer and David Heron reflect on the most recent season — revisiting major takeaways, surprises, and what realistic success actually looks like in the RPG space today. They dive into the logistics behind creating RPG content, David's experience exploring different RPG systems like Daggerheart and Mothershi…
…
continue reading
In this episode of Behind the Cardboard, host Ellie Dix sits down with Chris Backe , a designer and digital playtesting expert, to explore the world of digital tools for game designers. Chris shares his go-to programs for virtual playtesting, insights into mastering platforms like Tabletop Simulator, and the pros and cons of testing games online ve…
…
continue reading
1
Season: RPG - Interlude: The Third Round Table
52:21
52:21
Play later
Play later
Lists
Like
Liked
52:21
Today, Dirk Knemeyer and David Heron sit down to discuss many of the previous episodes from the last two months, diving deeper into conceptual ideas about RPG design, as well as the powerful connection and community that TribeNet has created for Dirk.
…
continue reading
Host Ellie Dix chats with Chrissy Fagerholt of EAP Toys & Games, designer of The Lunch Room and Go Big or Go Broke. They discuss Chrissy's approach to social media, balancing authenticity with strategy, and the importance of sharing both successes and failures online. The episode also highlights the community of women in game design and how creator…
…
continue reading
1
Season: RPG - Play-by-email with Jeff Perkins
1:03:13
1:03:13
Play later
Play later
Lists
Like
Liked
1:03:13
In this episode of the RPG series, hosts Dirk Knemeyer and David Heron are joined by Jeff Perkins, founder and still player of the long-running play-by-email game TribeNet. Jeff shares the fascinating history of the game, how it evolved from its early Tribe Vibes roots to Tribe Net 3, and what makes this collaborative, strategy-driven experience so…
…
continue reading
1
BtC - Ross Connell on art and marketing for games
42:44
42:44
Play later
Play later
Lists
Like
Liked
42:44
In this episode of Behind the Cardboard, host Ellie Dix is joined by Ross Connell, curator and advocate for beautiful board games. Together, they dive into the vital role of art and marketing in game design—from how visuals shape a game's identity to what publishers expect when reviewing a pitch. Ross also shares insights on what makes a game marke…
…
continue reading
1
Season: RPG - Conversing with MJ Newman on the different RPG writing scenes, what are their experiences?
53:49
53:49
Play later
Play later
Lists
Like
Liked
53:49
In this episode of RPG, hosts Dirk Knemeyer and David Heron sit down with writer and designer MJ Newman to dive into the many sides of RPG writing. Known for her work across different properties, MJ shares her experiences navigating the unique challenges of creating for both big corporations and small publishers. The conversation covers everything …
…
continue reading
1
BtC - Bez Shahriari on Your Brand as a Designer
44:14
44:14
Play later
Play later
Lists
Like
Liked
44:14
In this episode of Behind the Cardboard, host Ellie Dix speaks with designer Bez Shahriari about the importance of building and embracing your brand as a game designer. Bez shares how their brand identity shapes not only their games but also the events, connections, and communities they create. They discuss tailoring games to resonate with a specif…
…
continue reading
1
Season: RPG - Cthulhu fhtagn! with Mike Mason
53:51
53:51
Play later
Play later
Lists
Like
Liked
53:51
In this episode of the RPG series, hosts Dirk Knemeyer and David Heron are joined by Mike Mason, creative director of Call of Cthulhu at Chaosium. Together, they explore what makes Call of Cthulhu such a lasting and unique RPG experience, how it has remained relevant for decades, and the challenges of evolving a beloved game without losing its esse…
…
continue reading
1
BtC - Matthew Dunstan on Making and Nurturing Connections with Publishers
46:09
46:09
Play later
Play later
Lists
Like
Liked
46:09
In this episode of Behind the Cardboard, host Ellie Dix sits down with prolific designer Matthew Dunstan, co-designer of Battle for Boulders, to talk about the art of building and maintaining relationships with publishers. They explore why nurturing these connections is so valuable, strategies for starting relationships without prior contacts, and …
…
continue reading
1
Season: RPG - Interlude: The Second Round Table
44:24
44:24
Play later
Play later
Lists
Like
Liked
44:24
In this RPG interlude, hosts Dirk Knemeyer and David Heron return to the table to revisit some of the big conversations from recent episodes. From the debate over whether RPGs are best enjoyed for combat or storytelling, to how "serious games" balance education and fun, they unpack listener feedback and expand on earlier ideas. The discussion also …
…
continue reading
In this episode of Behind the Cardboard, host Ellie Dix chats with game designer April Mitchell about the power of sizzle reels in pitching and promoting games. April breaks down what makes a great sizzle reel, from highlighting the right features to keeping things visually engaging. They discuss the do's and don'ts of showcasing your game on video…
…
continue reading
51
Season: RPG - GM as Designer with Justin Alexander
1:02:07
1:02:07
Play later
Play later
Lists
Like
Liked
1:02:07
In this episode of the RPG series, hosts Dirk Knemeyer and David Heron are joined by Justin Alexander , a renowned game designer and thought leader in tabletop RPGs. Known for his influential essays and innovative GM techniques, Justin shares insights into the role of the Game Master as designer. They dive into how GMs can connect narrative ideas t…
…
continue reading
In this episode of Behind the Cardboard, host Ellie Dix talks with game designer Fertessa Allyse, known for Wicked & Wise and Cascadia Junior. They dive into the world of sell sheets—why they matter, what to include, and how to craft one that grabs attention. Fertessa shares tips on outlining your game effectively, finding its unique hook, and blen…
…
continue reading
1
Season: RPG - Interlude: Welcome to Willowbank
56:26
56:26
Play later
Play later
Lists
Like
Liked
56:26
David and Dirk go over David's newest project, Willow Bank. Revolving around DnD, (for all of you DnD enthusiasts), they have a captivating conversation on the flaws of DnD and create a vein of discussion for these topics.
…
continue reading
