Game Design Deep Dive Wed, 22 Jul 2026 03:12:46 -0400 https://www.buzzsprout.com/1993070 en-us © 2026 Game Design Deep Dive yes 7230bea4-e412-55b7-9a09-0314cd815af3 Dan Bullock episodic false Dan Bullock interviews game designers with a focus on the challenges of historical board game design. 

]]> Buzzsprout (https://www.buzzsprout.com) Dan Bullock https://storage.buzzsprout.com/9hd23vj2urgfggovpeo4jeo2loeh?.jpg Game Design Deep Dive https://www.buzzsprout.com/1993070 Dan Bullock Chalice of Poison with Akar Bharadvaj Chalice of Poison with Akar Bharadvaj Akar Bharadvaj is designer of the upcoming game Chalice of Poison about the Iran-Iraq War from GMT and the Zenobia Award-Winning Tyranny of Blood. We chat about both designs, the future of the Zenobia awards, and much more. Hellcouch designed by Carol Mertz and Francesca Caletto-Leon also came up in conversation, and we are all about giving credit where due. 

Outro music: Lifeguard "It Will Get Worse"

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]]> Akar Bharadvaj is designer of the upcoming game Chalice of Poison about the Iran-Iraq War from GMT and the Zenobia Award-Winning Tyranny of Blood. We chat about both designs, the future of the Zenobia awards, and much more. Hellcouch designed by Carol Mertz and Francesca Caletto-Leon also came up in conversation, and we are all about giving credit where due. 

Outro music: Lifeguard "It Will Get Worse"

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]]> Dan Bullock Buzzsprout-19216494 Tue, 26 May 2026 08:00:00 -0500 3008 6 3 full false Love This Giant with Cole Wehrle Love This Giant with Cole Wehrle We welcome back Cole Wehrle (who hopefully needs no introduction) for a wide ranging discussion about expansions, Buried Giant- his new publishing home, and much much more. 

Outro music: "King's Army" The Scarring Party 

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]]> We welcome back Cole Wehrle (who hopefully needs no introduction) for a wide ranging discussion about expansions, Buried Giant- his new publishing home, and much much more. 

Outro music: "King's Army" The Scarring Party 

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]]> Buzzsprout-19069328 Fri, 24 Apr 2026 07:00:00 -0500 4671 6 2 full false Interview with Liz Davidson Interview with Liz Davidson Liz Davidson has co-designed Queen of Spies and the forthcoming Night Witches with David Thompson. She is also the Creative Director at Leder Games, but you may know her best for her work on her Bobby Nunez-award winning Beyond Solitaire podcast. We chat about her work at Leder, her historical design work, and the transition from game critic to game designer. Note: This episode is tagged explicit solely for cussing. 

Outro Music: Jonny Fritz "Debbie Downers"

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]]> Liz Davidson has co-designed Queen of Spies and the forthcoming Night Witches with David Thompson. She is also the Creative Director at Leder Games, but you may know her best for her work on her Bobby Nunez-award winning Beyond Solitaire podcast. We chat about her work at Leder, her historical design work, and the transition from game critic to game designer. Note: This episode is tagged explicit solely for cussing. 

Outro Music: Jonny Fritz "Debbie Downers"

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]]> Dan Bullock Buzzsprout-18733354 Mon, 23 Feb 2026 13:00:00 -0600 3450 6 1 full true Come Out Fighting with John Carnahan Come Out Fighting with John Carnahan Our guest is designer John Carnahan. His latest, Come Out Fighting will be on Kickstarter on November 30th. I am not sure how many listeners have dipped their toe in miniature games, but I had to invite John to discuss his latest design, because it incorporates something extraordinary and radical in that space. 

Come Out Fighting on BGG

Come Out Fighting on Kickstarter

Outro Music: Gene Autry "Don't Fence Me In"

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]]> Our guest is designer John Carnahan. His latest, Come Out Fighting will be on Kickstarter on November 30th. I am not sure how many listeners have dipped their toe in miniature games, but I had to invite John to discuss his latest design, because it incorporates something extraordinary and radical in that space. 

Come Out Fighting on BGG

Come Out Fighting on Kickstarter

Outro Music: Gene Autry "Don't Fence Me In"

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]]> Buzzsprout-18271040 Sat, 29 Nov 2025 14:00:00 -0600 1645 5 8 full false Live from SD HistCon: Narrative in Solitaire Games Live from SD HistCon: Narrative in Solitaire Games Recorded live at SD HistCon, our esteemed panel was comprised of designers John Butterfield (RAF, Enemy Action Series, D-Day Omaha, Ambush), David Thompson (Valiant Defense Series, War Story, Undaunted), and Jeremy White (Skies Above Series, Enemy Coast Ahead Series, Atlantic Chase). We discuss embedded vs emergent narrative in historical games and how one leverage mechanisms to achieve the desired play experience in solitaire design. 

Outro music: Might Hannibal "All Nite Long"

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]]> Recorded live at SD HistCon, our esteemed panel was comprised of designers John Butterfield (RAF, Enemy Action Series, D-Day Omaha, Ambush), David Thompson (Valiant Defense Series, War Story, Undaunted), and Jeremy White (Skies Above Series, Enemy Coast Ahead Series, Atlantic Chase). We discuss embedded vs emergent narrative in historical games and how one leverage mechanisms to achieve the desired play experience in solitaire design. 

Outro music: Might Hannibal "All Nite Long"

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]]> Buzzsprout-18219425 Wed, 19 Nov 2025 12:00:00 -0600 3719 5 7 full false Radical Rulebooks with Greg Loring-Albright, PhD Radical Rulebooks with Greg Loring-Albright, PhD Greg Loring-Albright is the designer of Ahoy, Keep the Faith, and co-designed Bloc by Bloc: Uprising with T.L. Simmons. Moreover, he teaches Game Studies and Game Design at Harrisburg University. We discuss his recent zine RULEBOOKS FOR RADICALS on the importance of designing games in dire times. 

Outro music: Radioactivity "Time Won't Bring Me Down" 

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]]> Greg Loring-Albright is the designer of Ahoy, Keep the Faith, and co-designed Bloc by Bloc: Uprising with T.L. Simmons. Moreover, he teaches Game Studies and Game Design at Harrisburg University. We discuss his recent zine RULEBOOKS FOR RADICALS on the importance of designing games in dire times. 

Outro music: Radioactivity "Time Won't Bring Me Down" 

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]]> Buzzsprout-17900922 Thu, 25 Sep 2025 09:00:00 -0500 2810 5 6 full false Trench Raid with Lisa Smedman Trench Raid with Lisa Smedman Lisa Smedman is a best-selling author, journalist, and designer of many RPG games and modules. We discuss Trench Raid, her first solitaire tabletop wargame for Compass, the tactical approach to the topic of WW1, and the relationship between serious games and design intent. 

Trench Raid from Compass Games

Outro music: "Kingdom Come" by Cindy Lee 

Cindy Lee is marvelous! Go check out Diamond Jubilee by Cindy Lee here: https://cindylee.bandcamp.com/album/diamond-jubilee

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]]> Lisa Smedman is a best-selling author, journalist, and designer of many RPG games and modules. We discuss Trench Raid, her first solitaire tabletop wargame for Compass, the tactical approach to the topic of WW1, and the relationship between serious games and design intent. 

Trench Raid from Compass Games

Outro music: "Kingdom Come" by Cindy Lee 

Cindy Lee is marvelous! Go check out Diamond Jubilee by Cindy Lee here: https://cindylee.bandcamp.com/album/diamond-jubilee

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]]> Buzzsprout-17717215 Fri, 22 Aug 2025 11:00:00 -0500 3182 5 5 full false Interview with Fred Serval Interview with Fred Serval In this episode, a proper interview with Fred Serval, designer of A Gest of Robin Hood, Red Flag Over Paris, and A Very Civil Whist. Fred is also the host of an excellent channel dedicated to historical tabletop gaming, Homo Ludens. We discuss his design approach and how it informs critique of other games.

Outro music: "All Good Things Will Come to Pass" - Lael Neale

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]]> In this episode, a proper interview with Fred Serval, designer of A Gest of Robin Hood, Red Flag Over Paris, and A Very Civil Whist. Fred is also the host of an excellent channel dedicated to historical tabletop gaming, Homo Ludens. We discuss his design approach and how it informs critique of other games.

Outro music: "All Good Things Will Come to Pass" - Lael Neale

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]]> Dan Bullock Buzzsprout-17480503 Mon, 14 Jul 2025 00:00:00 -0500 3642 5 4 full false Playing Oppression with Mary Flanagan Playing Oppression with Mary Flanagan Mary Flanagan, is a game designer, professor, and an author. She joins us to discuss her book, co-authored with Mikael Jakobson, PLAYING OPPRESSION: THE LEGACY OF CONQUEST AND EMPIRE IN COLONIALIST BOARD GAMES. We discuss representation of non-western cultures, colonialist mechanisms, and whether or not decades of conquest and exploitation based games have calcified to form the bedrock of competitive play.  

Outro Music: "Funeral for Justice" - Mdou Moctar

Public Nominations for the Summit Award are open. Complete the survey here: https://sdhist.us18.list-manage.com/track/click?u=985b96c86d7bad0572684acc4&id=677c3ab117&e=3333a4975d

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]]> Mary Flanagan, is a game designer, professor, and an author. She joins us to discuss her book, co-authored with Mikael Jakobson, PLAYING OPPRESSION: THE LEGACY OF CONQUEST AND EMPIRE IN COLONIALIST BOARD GAMES. We discuss representation of non-western cultures, colonialist mechanisms, and whether or not decades of conquest and exploitation based games have calcified to form the bedrock of competitive play.  

Outro Music: "Funeral for Justice" - Mdou Moctar

Public Nominations for the Summit Award are open. Complete the survey here: https://sdhist.us18.list-manage.com/track/click?u=985b96c86d7bad0572684acc4&id=677c3ab117&e=3333a4975d

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]]> Buzzsprout-17477379 Wed, 09 Jul 2025 10:00:00 -0500 3973 5 3 full false Interview with Brian Asklev Interview with Brian Asklev Brian Asklev designed my favorite wargame of last year, 1812: Napoleon's Fateful March. We discuss what went into his phenomenal design, his upcoming game Baltic Empires, event design, and the challenges of playtesting multiplayer games. 

Outro music: Sons of Kemet "The Hour of Judgement"

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]]> Brian Asklev designed my favorite wargame of last year, 1812: Napoleon's Fateful March. We discuss what went into his phenomenal design, his upcoming game Baltic Empires, event design, and the challenges of playtesting multiplayer games. 

Outro music: Sons of Kemet "The Hour of Judgement"

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]]> Dan Bullock Buzzsprout-17102855 Mon, 05 May 2025 12:00:00 -0500 3421 5 2 full false Interview with Pako Gradaille Interview with Pako Gradaille Pako Gradaille has flexed an impressive range of historical topics and systems with his designs Plantagenet, Cuius Regio, Habemus Papam, and Onoda. We discuss how solitaire games can present challenging narratives, considerations when designing negotiation-based systems, and much more. 

https://gamefound.com/en/projects/saltandpepper/habemus-papam

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]]> Pako Gradaille has flexed an impressive range of historical topics and systems with his designs Plantagenet, Cuius Regio, Habemus Papam, and Onoda. We discuss how solitaire games can present challenging narratives, considerations when designing negotiation-based systems, and much more. 

https://gamefound.com/en/projects/saltandpepper/habemus-papam

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]]> Dan Bullock Buzzsprout-16752742 Fri, 07 Mar 2025 12:00:00 -0600 3596 5 1 full false Interview with Joe Schmidt Interview with Joe Schmidt SEASON FINALE: We welcome designer and developer Joe Schmidt to discuss In the Shadows: Resistance in France 1943-1944 (a game we designed together), his Levy & Campaign game Henry, solitaire design for Gunnar Holmback's Weimar Republic (GMT), and his development work on the forthcoming game Hellraisers from Wehrlegig. 

Outro music: "Help Save the Youth of America" - Billy Bragg

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]]> SEASON FINALE: We welcome designer and developer Joe Schmidt to discuss In the Shadows: Resistance in France 1943-1944 (a game we designed together), his Levy & Campaign game Henry, solitaire design for Gunnar Holmback's Weimar Republic (GMT), and his development work on the forthcoming game Hellraisers from Wehrlegig. 

Outro music: "Help Save the Youth of America" - Billy Bragg

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]]> Dan Bullock Buzzsprout-16185588 Wed, 27 Nov 2024 13:00:00 -0600 3755 4 8 full false Interview with Talia Rosen Interview with Talia Rosen Today, I chat with Talia Rosen, designer of First Monday in October which is a game about the history of the US Supreme Court coming soon to Kickstarter from Fort Circle Games. We discuss what inspired Talia's first design and the challenges of modeling the supreme court. 

Outro music: "The Devil's Great Grandson" - Sons of the Pioneers

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]]> Today, I chat with Talia Rosen, designer of First Monday in October which is a game about the history of the US Supreme Court coming soon to Kickstarter from Fort Circle Games. We discuss what inspired Talia's first design and the challenges of modeling the supreme court. 

Outro music: "The Devil's Great Grandson" - Sons of the Pioneers

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]]> Dan Bullock Buzzsprout-15884002 Mon, 07 Oct 2024 12:00:00 -0500 3650 4 7 full false Interview with John Butterfield Interview with John Butterfield As a designer, John Butterfield is a bit of a troublemaker. He likes to insert friction in his designs where wargamers aren’t used to finding it. His games don’t just tell stories, they host a space for players to make their OWN stories. His titles include Ambush, RAF, Enemy Action: Ardennes & Karkov, the D-Day Series, Hell’s Highway and so many more. We discuss solitaire design, the evolution of his work, and his collaboration with Kai Jensen on Downfall.

Outro music: Jessica Ackerley All Of the Colours Are Singing | Jessica Ackerley (bandcamp.com)

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]]> As a designer, John Butterfield is a bit of a troublemaker. He likes to insert friction in his designs where wargamers aren’t used to finding it. His games don’t just tell stories, they host a space for players to make their OWN stories. His titles include Ambush, RAF, Enemy Action: Ardennes & Karkov, the D-Day Series, Hell’s Highway and so many more. We discuss solitaire design, the evolution of his work, and his collaboration with Kai Jensen on Downfall.

Outro music: Jessica Ackerley All Of the Colours Are Singing | Jessica Ackerley (bandcamp.com)

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]]> Buzzsprout-15762578 Mon, 16 Sep 2024 13:00:00 -0500 4172 4 6 full false Chicago '68 with Yoni Goldstein Chicago '68 with Yoni Goldstein For this episode, we chat with filmmaker and game designer Yoni Goldstein about his upcoming game Chicago '68 from The Dietz Foundation about the 1968 DNC protests and his journey in game design. 

Chicago '68 on Kickstarter:
https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/dietzfoundation/chicago-68

Jean Genet in Chicago:
https://vimeo.com/78486625

Outro Music: "Popular Myth and the Destruction of Sodom" by Peter Thomas Sound Orchester

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]]> For this episode, we chat with filmmaker and game designer Yoni Goldstein about his upcoming game Chicago '68 from The Dietz Foundation about the 1968 DNC protests and his journey in game design. 

Chicago '68 on Kickstarter:
https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/dietzfoundation/chicago-68

Jean Genet in Chicago:
https://vimeo.com/78486625

Outro Music: "Popular Myth and the Destruction of Sodom" by Peter Thomas Sound Orchester

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]]> Dan Bullock Buzzsprout-15534204 Tue, 06 Aug 2024 08:00:00 -0500 3298 4 5 full false Narrative in Boardgames with Dan Thurot Narrative in Boardgames with Dan Thurot We decided to break from our usual format. Dan Thurot of Space Biff joins us for a discussion about narrative and storytelling in board games, particularly how it relates to historical boardgames.

SPACE-BIFF! | Fiercely Independent. Independant? Crap. (spacebiff.com)
Outro Music: Sun Ra Arkestra - Between Two Worlds

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]]> We decided to break from our usual format. Dan Thurot of Space Biff joins us for a discussion about narrative and storytelling in board games, particularly how it relates to historical boardgames.

SPACE-BIFF! | Fiercely Independent. Independant? Crap. (spacebiff.com)
Outro Music: Sun Ra Arkestra - Between Two Worlds

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]]> Dan Bullock Buzzsprout-15458635 Mon, 22 Jul 2024 20:00:00 -0500 4497 4 4 full false Interview with Maurice Suckling Interview with Maurice Suckling Maurice Suckling is a screenwriter, author, teacher of design as well as vast experience in various roles of video game production. We discuss his recent design Crisis 1914 from Worthington, the upcoming Peace 1905 from Fort Circle, and Operation Barclay (currently on Gamefound). 


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]]> Maurice Suckling is a screenwriter, author, teacher of design as well as vast experience in various roles of video game production. We discuss his recent design Crisis 1914 from Worthington, the upcoming Peace 1905 from Fort Circle, and Operation Barclay (currently on Gamefound). 


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]]> Dan Bullock Buzzsprout-15298015 Sun, 23 Jun 2024 15:00:00 -0500 4762 4 3 full false Interview with Sebastian Bae Interview with Sebastian Bae Sebastian Bae is a research scientist and senior game designer for the Center of Naval Analyses' Gaming and Integration Program as well as a faculty advisor for the Georgetown University Wargaming Society. He has two commercial designs, Littoral Commander: Indo-Pacific with Dietz Foundation and a multi-pack Crisis In Korea being released through Catastrophe Games. 

We discuss the challenges of designing on the topic of North Korea, the value of modeling hypothetical war, and the frontier of designing for modern conflicts. 

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]]> Sebastian Bae is a research scientist and senior game designer for the Center of Naval Analyses' Gaming and Integration Program as well as a faculty advisor for the Georgetown University Wargaming Society. He has two commercial designs, Littoral Commander: Indo-Pacific with Dietz Foundation and a multi-pack Crisis In Korea being released through Catastrophe Games. 

We discuss the challenges of designing on the topic of North Korea, the value of modeling hypothetical war, and the frontier of designing for modern conflicts. 

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]]> Dan Bullock Buzzsprout-15040661 Thu, 09 May 2024 11:00:00 -0500 4452 4 2 full false Interview with Carlos Marquez Linares Interview with Carlos Marquez Linares Carlos Marquez Linares is the designer of TWO upcoming games, The Other Side of the Hill from NAC Wargames and Imperial Fever from GMT (currently on the P500). We discuss his controversial topics and his design approach in each of the aforementioned games. 

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]]> Carlos Marquez Linares is the designer of TWO upcoming games, The Other Side of the Hill from NAC Wargames and Imperial Fever from GMT (currently on the P500). We discuss his controversial topics and his design approach in each of the aforementioned games. 

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]]> Dan Bullock Buzzsprout-14915255 Thu, 18 Apr 2024 16:00:00 -0500 4310 4 1 full false Interview with Natalia Wojtowicz Interview with Natalia Wojtowicz Natalia Wotjowicz has written an excellent book called Wargaming Experiences about approaches to professional wargame design informed by her experience with the NATO Civil-Military Cooperation Center of Excellence. Her book offers a lot of guidance relevant to both historical games and wargames, so I invited her to discuss it along with differences between professional and commercial design.

Books by Natalia Wojtowicz:
Wargaming Experiences (2 book series) Paperback Edition (amazon.com)
Outro music: Marnie Stern "Plain Speak"
The Comeback Kid | Marnie Stern (bandcamp.com)

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]]> Natalia Wotjowicz has written an excellent book called Wargaming Experiences about approaches to professional wargame design informed by her experience with the NATO Civil-Military Cooperation Center of Excellence. Her book offers a lot of guidance relevant to both historical games and wargames, so I invited her to discuss it along with differences between professional and commercial design.

Books by Natalia Wojtowicz:
Wargaming Experiences (2 book series) Paperback Edition (amazon.com)
Outro music: Marnie Stern "Plain Speak"
The Comeback Kid | Marnie Stern (bandcamp.com)

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]]> Buzzsprout-14117575 Sat, 09 Dec 2023 14:00:00 -0600 3642 3 7 full false Interview with Gina Willis Interview with Gina Willis Gina Willis has designed A Glorious Chance, an excellent solitaire game about naval operations during the War of 1812 and collaborated with Jeremy White on the design of Skies Above Britain. We discuss both of these games, the emphasis on narrative in solitaire design, age of sail, and much more. 

A Glorious Chance (mybigcommerce.com)

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]]> Gina Willis has designed A Glorious Chance, an excellent solitaire game about naval operations during the War of 1812 and collaborated with Jeremy White on the design of Skies Above Britain. We discuss both of these games, the emphasis on narrative in solitaire design, age of sail, and much more. 

A Glorious Chance (mybigcommerce.com)

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]]> Buzzsprout-14021522 Wed, 22 Nov 2023 17:00:00 -0600 3473 3 6 full false Interview with Jo Kelly Interview with Jo Kelly On this episode, I chat with Jo Kelly to discuss their upcoming game Molly House which is being published by Wehrlegig (maybe you heard of it) and is coming to Backerkit on October 17th. Jo Kelly is also a Zenobia finalist. We talk about the making of Molly House, Zenobia, and much much more. 

Molly House - A game of queer joy and betrayal in 18th century London. (backerkit.com)

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]]> On this episode, I chat with Jo Kelly to discuss their upcoming game Molly House which is being published by Wehrlegig (maybe you heard of it) and is coming to Backerkit on October 17th. Jo Kelly is also a Zenobia finalist. We talk about the making of Molly House, Zenobia, and much much more. 

Molly House - A game of queer joy and betrayal in 18th century London. (backerkit.com)

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]]> Dan Bullock Buzzsprout-13746159 Mon, 09 Oct 2023 16:00:00 -0500 3080 3 5 full false Interview with Domhnall Hegarty Interview with Domhnall Hegarty Domhnall Hegarty and his Citog Creative have provided graphic design for a number of high profile and award-winning releases, such as Fire & Stone: Siege of Vienna, People Power, Red Flag Over Paris, The Vote, and more. We chat about the considerations that go into his work and the discussion surrounding the use of AI-generated images in games. 

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]]> Domhnall Hegarty and his Citog Creative have provided graphic design for a number of high profile and award-winning releases, such as Fire & Stone: Siege of Vienna, People Power, Red Flag Over Paris, The Vote, and more. We chat about the considerations that go into his work and the discussion surrounding the use of AI-generated images in games. 

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]]> Dan Bullock Buzzsprout-13691655 Sat, 30 Sep 2023 18:00:00 -0500 3484 3 4 full false Interview with Brian Train Interview with Brian Train Brian Train has been at the forefront of designing games about insurgency and urban warfare. He is probably best known for his COIN volumes: A Distant Plain & Colonial Twilight, his District Commander Series, Nights of Ire, Brief Border Wars and much more. We discussed designing for insurgency, irregular warfare, and the tension between unpleasant topics and fun gameplay. 

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]]> Brian Train has been at the forefront of designing games about insurgency and urban warfare. He is probably best known for his COIN volumes: A Distant Plain & Colonial Twilight, his District Commander Series, Nights of Ire, Brief Border Wars and much more. We discussed designing for insurgency, irregular warfare, and the tension between unpleasant topics and fun gameplay. 

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]]> Dan Bullock Buzzsprout-13325487 Mon, 31 Jul 2023 16:00:00 -0500 4847 3 3 full false Interview with Mark Herman Interview with Mark Herman Mark Herman's work is vast and influential in the world of wargaming. We narrowed our chat in May to discussing his co-design with D.B. Dokter covering the first three months of the Russia-Ukraine War, the challenges of designing the first draft of history, and how he views the moral quandary of designing for an ongoing conflict. 

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]]> Mark Herman's work is vast and influential in the world of wargaming. We narrowed our chat in May to discussing his co-design with D.B. Dokter covering the first three months of the Russia-Ukraine War, the challenges of designing the first draft of history, and how he views the moral quandary of designing for an ongoing conflict. 

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]]> Dan Bullock Buzzsprout-13295920 Wed, 26 Jul 2023 14:00:00 -0500 3890 3 2 full false Interview with Harold Buchanan Interview with Harold Buchanan Harold Buchanan’s contributions to historical games go above and beyond his celebrated designs: Flashpoint South China Sea, Liberty or Death and Campaigns of 1777. Harold has been very active launching the San Diego HistCon, the Summit Award and the webzine Conflicts of Interest. We discuss depicting the South China Sea conflict and the challenges of designing the "small" game. 

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]]> Harold Buchanan’s contributions to historical games go above and beyond his celebrated designs: Flashpoint South China Sea, Liberty or Death and Campaigns of 1777. Harold has been very active launching the San Diego HistCon, the Summit Award and the webzine Conflicts of Interest. We discuss depicting the South China Sea conflict and the challenges of designing the "small" game. 

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]]> Dan Bullock Buzzsprout-13155756 Mon, 03 Jul 2023 16:00:00 -0500 3417 3 1 full false Interview with Alex Knight Interview with Alex Knight Alex Knight is the designer of an outstanding new game Land and Freedom, published by Blue Panther. We discuss his unique take on the Spanish Civil War, Land of Freedom and his design journey.

More info on Land of Freedom here: https://www.bluepantherllc.com/products/land-and-freedom

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]]> Alex Knight is the designer of an outstanding new game Land and Freedom, published by Blue Panther. We discuss his unique take on the Spanish Civil War, Land of Freedom and his design journey.

More info on Land of Freedom here: https://www.bluepantherllc.com/products/land-and-freedom

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]]> Dan Bullock Buzzsprout-12155499 Wed, 01 Feb 2023 09:00:00 -0600 3380 2 7 full false Interview with Cole Wehrle Interview with Cole Wehrle Cole Wehrle has designed Pax Pamir, John Company and Infamous Traffic as well as fan favorites Root, Oath and (most recently) Arcs. We chat primarily about his historical designs, discussing Kevin Zucker's Napoleon's Last Battles, second editions, model-driven history versus polemics, and much more. 

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]]> Cole Wehrle has designed Pax Pamir, John Company and Infamous Traffic as well as fan favorites Root, Oath and (most recently) Arcs. We chat primarily about his historical designs, discussing Kevin Zucker's Napoleon's Last Battles, second editions, model-driven history versus polemics, and much more. 

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]]> Dan Bullock Buzzsprout-12096335 Sun, 22 Jan 2023 16:00:00 -0600 5264 2 6 full false Interview with Robert DeLeskie Interview with Robert DeLeskie In this episode, I chat with filmmaker and game designer Robert DeLeskie about his designs The Wars of Marcus Aurelius, Stilicho, and the recently released Fire & Stone: Siege of Vienna. We discuss the role of narrative and some of the unique considerations that go into designing a siege game. 

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]]> In this episode, I chat with filmmaker and game designer Robert DeLeskie about his designs The Wars of Marcus Aurelius, Stilicho, and the recently released Fire & Stone: Siege of Vienna. We discuss the role of narrative and some of the unique considerations that go into designing a siege game. 

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]]> Dan Bullock Buzzsprout-11923849 Fri, 23 Dec 2022 09:00:00 -0600 3750 2 5 full false Interview with Betsy Joslyn Interview with Betsy Joslyn For this episode, I chat with Betsy Joslyn, a Research Associate for the Joint Advanced Wargaming Division at the Institute for Defense Analysis. Her recent design TURNING TIDES is a microgame demonstrating competing interests between nations to reduce global greenhouse gases at a geopolitical level. We discuss her design approach to great power competition and the virtues of micro-gaming heavy topics.

You can download Turning Tides here


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]]> For this episode, I chat with Betsy Joslyn, a Research Associate for the Joint Advanced Wargaming Division at the Institute for Defense Analysis. Her recent design TURNING TIDES is a microgame demonstrating competing interests between nations to reduce global greenhouse gases at a geopolitical level. We discuss her design approach to great power competition and the virtues of micro-gaming heavy topics.

You can download Turning Tides here


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]]> Dan Bullock Buzzsprout-11879793 Thu, 15 Dec 2022 12:00:00 -0600 3913 2 4 full false Interview with Taylor Shuss, Justin Fassino and Non-Breaking Space Interview with Taylor Shuss, Justin Fassino and Non-Breaking Space I chat with 3 first-time designers that I met at San Diego HistoCon. We spoke with Taylor Shuss, designer of Stonewall Uprising(Catastrophe Games), Justin Fassino, designer of Seljuk: Byzantium Besieged (GMT) and with Non-Breaking Space, designer of Cross Bronx Expressway (GMT). 

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]]> I chat with 3 first-time designers that I met at San Diego HistoCon. We spoke with Taylor Shuss, designer of Stonewall Uprising(Catastrophe Games), Justin Fassino, designer of Seljuk: Byzantium Besieged (GMT) and with Non-Breaking Space, designer of Cross Bronx Expressway (GMT). 

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]]> Dan Bullock Buzzsprout-11801789 Fri, 02 Dec 2022 08:00:00 -0600 3753 2 3 full false Interview with Matilda Simonsson Interview with Matilda Simonsson Matilda Simonsson is a brilliant designer from Sweden that incorporates handmade components into some incredibly clever games about historical subjects that fuse the intimate with the abstract. I chat with her about her recent release Turncoats, upcoming projects and her collaboration for the second CONSIM Game Jam. 
Milda Matilda Games – I make these by hand (wordpress.com)

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]]> Matilda Simonsson is a brilliant designer from Sweden that incorporates handmade components into some incredibly clever games about historical subjects that fuse the intimate with the abstract. I chat with her about her recent release Turncoats, upcoming projects and her collaboration for the second CONSIM Game Jam. 
Milda Matilda Games – I make these by hand (wordpress.com)

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]]> Dan Bullock Buzzsprout-11582236 Thu, 27 Oct 2022 16:00:00 -0500 3513 2 2 full false Interview with David Thompson Interview with David Thompson We chat with prolific designer David Thompson of the Undaunted Series (Osprey), Valiant Defense Series (DVG) and his recent collaborations Sniper Elite and Resist!

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]]> We chat with prolific designer David Thompson of the Undaunted Series (Osprey), Valiant Defense Series (DVG) and his recent collaborations Sniper Elite and Resist!

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]]> Dan Bullock Buzzsprout-11582193 Thu, 27 Oct 2022 16:00:00 -0500 3791 2 1 full false Interview with Volko Ruhnke Interview with Volko Ruhnke In the final episode of Season 1, I chat with Volko Ruhnke. His designs have covered everything from insurgencies in Andean Abyss & Labyrinth to medieval warfare in his Levy & Campaign Series, so his insights draw on a broad design palette. We chat about the impact of assumptions held by historical participants when designing historical games. 

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]]> In the final episode of Season 1, I chat with Volko Ruhnke. His designs have covered everything from insurgencies in Andean Abyss & Labyrinth to medieval warfare in his Levy & Campaign Series, so his insights draw on a broad design palette. We chat about the impact of assumptions held by historical participants when designing historical games. 

Send us Fan Mail

]]> Dan Bullock Buzzsprout-10921426 Thu, 07 Jul 2022 11:00:00 -0500 3753 1 7 full false Interview with Kai Jensen Interview with Kai Jensen For a change of pace, we discuss game development with Kai Jensen. Her recent credits include Dominant Species: Marine, SpaceCorp, Welcome to Centerville and Downfall. We discuss her collaborations with the late Chad Jensen, the upcoming Downfall and Kai offers some great development insight for designers.

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]]> For a change of pace, we discuss game development with Kai Jensen. Her recent credits include Dominant Species: Marine, SpaceCorp, Welcome to Centerville and Downfall. We discuss her collaborations with the late Chad Jensen, the upcoming Downfall and Kai offers some great development insight for designers.

Send us Fan Mail

]]> Dan Bullock Buzzsprout-10885027 Thu, 30 Jun 2022 12:00:00 -0500 4303 1 6 full false Interview with Catherine Ramen & Fred Serval Interview with Catherine Ramen & Fred Serval In a special crossover episode with Homo Ludens, I chat with Catherine Ramen, designer of Red Carnations on a Black Grave and Fred Serval, designer of Red Flag Over Paris to discuss their distinct approaches to the Paris Commune in their designs while we explore what we can learn from how role-playing games and board games tackle historical subjects. 

Red Carnations on a Black Grave: Red Carnations on a Black Grave [Print+PDF] :: Print+PDF Bundles :: IPR (indiepressrevolution.com)

Red Flag Over Paris 2nd Printing is available on the GMT P500

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]]> In a special crossover episode with Homo Ludens, I chat with Catherine Ramen, designer of Red Carnations on a Black Grave and Fred Serval, designer of Red Flag Over Paris to discuss their distinct approaches to the Paris Commune in their designs while we explore what we can learn from how role-playing games and board games tackle historical subjects. 

Red Carnations on a Black Grave: Red Carnations on a Black Grave [Print+PDF] :: Print+PDF Bundles :: IPR (indiepressrevolution.com)

Red Flag Over Paris 2nd Printing is available on the GMT P500

Send us Fan Mail

]]> Dan Bullock Buzzsprout-10869863 Tue, 28 Jun 2022 11:00:00 -0500 4406 1 5 full false Interview with Emily Yoder & Sebastian Bae Interview with Emily Yoder & Sebastian Bae I sat down with Emily Yoder and Sebastian Bae to chat about their brilliant design Malign, which was developed to explore the impact of misinformation/malinformation influence campaigns. 

We discuss their game, malign influence and the differences in approach between the world of professional wargame design and its commercial cousin. 

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]]> I sat down with Emily Yoder and Sebastian Bae to chat about their brilliant design Malign, which was developed to explore the impact of misinformation/malinformation influence campaigns. 

We discuss their game, malign influence and the differences in approach between the world of professional wargame design and its commercial cousin. 

Send us Fan Mail

]]> Dan Bullock Buzzsprout-10817804 Sun, 19 Jun 2022 12:00:00 -0500 3157 1 4 full false Interview with Amabel Holland Interview with Amabel Holland Amabel Holland has one of the most varied design catalogs, having created train games, dinosaur games, wargames, and unapologetically weird games. She is also one half of the creative force behind the publisher Hollandspiele. 

We discuss her catalogue, the upcoming Siege of Mantua and much much more. 

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]]> Amabel Holland has one of the most varied design catalogs, having created train games, dinosaur games, wargames, and unapologetically weird games. She is also one half of the creative force behind the publisher Hollandspiele. 

We discuss her catalogue, the upcoming Siege of Mantua and much much more. 

Send us Fan Mail

]]> Dan Bullock Buzzsprout-10736355 Sat, 04 Jun 2022 11:00:00 -0500 3763 1 3 full false Interview with Damon Stone Interview with Damon Stone In this episode we chat with Damon Stone. Damon has considerable design experience, having created expansions for Netrunner, Call of Cthulhu and Game of Thrones LCGs. He has recently been putting the finishing touches on his board game design Liberation Haiti, which was a Zenobia Award finalist about the Haitian Revolution and his collaboration with Ted Torgersen on the design of Free At Last from the Dietz Foundation. 

 

We discuss the virtues of designing within constraints, historical game design vs established IP, and the role of narrative in games. 

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]]> In this episode we chat with Damon Stone. Damon has considerable design experience, having created expansions for Netrunner, Call of Cthulhu and Game of Thrones LCGs. He has recently been putting the finishing touches on his board game design Liberation Haiti, which was a Zenobia Award finalist about the Haitian Revolution and his collaboration with Ted Torgersen on the design of Free At Last from the Dietz Foundation. 

 

We discuss the virtues of designing within constraints, historical game design vs established IP, and the role of narrative in games. 

Send us Fan Mail

]]> Dan Bullock Buzzsprout-10696875 Sat, 28 May 2022 12:00:00 -0500 3316 1 2 full false Interview with Jeremy White Interview with Jeremy White In this episode I talk to Jeremy White (whom I call Jerry nonstop throughout the episode). Jerry has designed some incredibly innovative games like Atlantic Chase, Skies Above the Reich, Enemy Coast Ahead and more. Right now, he has two projects being published by GMT: Skies Above Britain (co-designed with Gina Willis) and Infernal Machine (co-designed with Ed Ostermeyer).

We discuss the role of geography in games, the virtues of collaborative design and the delicate nature of playing bad guys in historical games.

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]]> In this episode I talk to Jeremy White (whom I call Jerry nonstop throughout the episode). Jerry has designed some incredibly innovative games like Atlantic Chase, Skies Above the Reich, Enemy Coast Ahead and more. Right now, he has two projects being published by GMT: Skies Above Britain (co-designed with Gina Willis) and Infernal Machine (co-designed with Ed Ostermeyer).

We discuss the role of geography in games, the virtues of collaborative design and the delicate nature of playing bad guys in historical games.

Send us Fan Mail

]]> Dan Bullock Buzzsprout-10663692 Sun, 22 May 2022 21:00:00 -0500 4203 1 1 full false