Fun Problems
36 episodes - English - Latest episode: about 1 month ago - ★★★★★ - 14 ratingsBoard game design is a deep and often challenging pursuit. We explore all aspects of game design and the fun problems (and solutions) that come with it.
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Episodes
#28 - Foundational Games
June 18, 2024 11:18 - 1 hour - 68.4 MBToday we talk about Foundational Games; what games are so foundational to the craft that all game designers need to play them. [email protected] Facebook/Twitter: @FunProblemsPod Fun Problems Discord: https://discord.gg/BjerXtQ3Me Big thanks to Eduard Matei for our theme song! See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
#31 - Foundational Games
June 18, 2024 11:18 - 1 hour - 68.4 MBToday we talk about Foundational Games; what games are so foundational to the craft that all game designers need to play them. [email protected] Facebook/Twitter: @FunProblemsPod Fun Problems Discord: https://discord.gg/BjerXtQ3Me Big thanks to Eduard Matei for our theme song! See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
#30 MVP - Minimum Viable Prototype
May 31, 2024 22:15 - 1 hour - 67.1 MBToday we talk about How to get your game to the table FAST! [email protected] Facebook/Twitter: @FunProblemsPod Fun Problems Discord: https://discord.gg/BjerXtQ3Me Big thanks to Eduard Matei for our theme song! See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
#29 - The absolute best way to Prototype
May 02, 2024 03:50 - 1 hour - 70 MBToday we talk about The absolute best way to prototype either of has found-component studio! We talk about the strengths (and weaknesses) of the program, and why you should be using it. [email protected] Facebook/Twitter: @FunProblemsPod Fun Problems Discord: https://discord.gg/BjerXtQ3Me Big thanks to Eduard Matei for our theme song! See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Intuitive Rules – Peter solo episode!
January 26, 2024 07:44 - 24 minutes - 22.6 MBAn unedited, one-take, no intro or outro episode! Enjoy! See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
#28 - Cutting Rules and Rules Exceptions
August 18, 2023 19:55 - 1 hour - 75.7 MBToday we talk about when you need to cut rules, when the rules exceptions are worth it-as well as scarcity mindset and a bunch of other stuff! [email protected] Facebook/Twitter: @FunProblemsPod Fun Problems Discord: https://discord.gg/BjerXtQ3Me Big thanks to Eduard Matei for our theme song! See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
#27 - Game State
July 29, 2023 12:51 - 30 minutes - 28.1 MBToday we talk about Game State; how and when to track it, and how to consider it's use in game design. [email protected] Facebook/Twitter: @FunProblemsPod Fun Problems Discord: https://discord.gg/BjerXtQ3Me Big thanks to Eduard Matei for our theme song! See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
RIP
July 09, 2023 07:48 - 7 minutes - 6.98 MBWhat happened to Fun Problems? See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
RIP
July 09, 2023 07:48 - 7 minutes - 6.98 MBWhat happened to Fun Problems? See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
#26 Kids Games and Kid Friendly Games
July 09, 2022 23:31 - 1 hour - 69.5 MBToday we talk about the difference between kids games and kid friendly games, and the dos and don'ts for both! Breakout Con: https://breakoutcon.com/ If you want to ask us a fun question, or contact us for any other reason send us a message to the email below. :) [email protected] Facebook/Twitter: @FunProblemsPod Fun Problems Discord: https://discord.gg/BjerXtQ3Me Big thanks to Eduard Matei for our theme song! See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
#25 That Time You Killed Me Design Diary
June 20, 2022 22:43 - 55 minutes - 50.9 MBToday we talk about the design and development of Peters recent time travel abstract strategy hit "That time you killed me". If you want to ask us a fun question, or contact us for any other reason send us a message to the email below. :) [email protected] Facebook/Twitter: @FunProblemsPod Fun Problems Discord: https://discord.gg/BjerXtQ3Me Big thanks to Eduard Matei for our theme song! See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
#24 Alex Horne Interview! The Design of Taskmaster
April 17, 2022 06:53 - 1 hour - 77.3 MBToday we interview Alex Horne about how he designs the tasks in Taskmaster! There are many insights he has that directly apply to game design. If you want to ask us a fun question, or contact us for any other reason send us a message to the email below. :) Taskmaster clip - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_UgSDcHPgCc&t=257s [email protected] Facebook/Twitter: @FunProblemsPod Fun Problems Discord: https://discord.gg/BjerXtQ3Me Big thanks to Eduard Matei for our theme song! Se...
#23 Brain Chemistry Part 2
February 07, 2022 06:13 - 1 hour - 60.7 MBToday we talk about how Serotonin and Oxytocin work, and how to make designs maximize these feel good chemicals! If you want to ask us a fun question, or contact us for any other reason send us a message to the email below. :) Taskmaster clip - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_UgSDcHPgCc&t=257s Discord stream server link; https://discord.gg/P584nGEU [email protected] Facebook/Twitter: @FunProblemsPod Fun Problems Discord: https://discord.gg/BjerXtQ3Me Big thanks to Eduard Ma...
#22 BONUS Inhuman Conditions
December 17, 2021 15:03 - 30 minutes - 27.9 MBToday we have a very special episode where we play Inhuman Conditions, AJ's favourite game!! If you want to ask us a fun question, or contact us for any other reason send us a message to the email below. :) [email protected] Facebook/Twitter: @FunProblemsPod Fun Problems Discord: https://discord.gg/BjerXtQ3Me Big thanks to Eduard Matei for our theme song! See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
#21 Robotopia Design and Development Lessons
December 07, 2021 09:25 - 1 hour - 79.6 MBToday we talk about how Robotopia was designed and developed, and all the lessons Peter learned along the way! If you want to ask us a fun question, or contact us for any other reason send us a message to the email below. :) [email protected] Facebook/Twitter: @FunProblemsPod Fun Problems Discord: https://discord.gg/BjerXtQ3Me Big thanks to Eduard Matei for our theme song! See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
#20 Brain Chemistry, The Bedrock of Fun (Part 1)
November 15, 2021 10:26 - 59 minutes - 54.5 MBToday we talk about how to generate dopamine, and how it affects us! What we call "fun" is just the release of chemicals in the brain, so let's dig deep today! Join us for a deep dive on this exciting new lens! If you want to ask us a fun question, or contact us for any other reason send us a message to the email below. :) [email protected] Facebook/Twitter: @FunProblemsPod Eric Martins BGG post: https://boardgamegeek.com/blogpost/124590/choice-and-bias-why-new-games-top-bgg-...
#19 Structure VS Content
November 02, 2021 13:43 - 1 hour - 80.4 MBToday we talk about the dichotomy between a games structure, and it's content! Join us for a deep dive on this exciting new lens! If you want to ask us a fun question, or contact us for any other reason send us a message to the email below. :) [email protected] Facebook/Twitter: @FunProblemsPod A big thanks to Eduard Matei for our theme song! See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
#17 Hook, Craft, Spirit (Part 2)
October 18, 2021 22:33 - 43 minutes - 40.1 MBToday we talk about Peters new model for creative endeavors IN PERSON! Hook is what catches an audiences interest, craft is the quality of their experience, and spirit is what stays with them afterwards. Join us for a deep dive on this exciting new lens! If you want to ask us a fun question, or contact us for any other reason send us a message to the email below. :) [email protected] Facebook/Twitter: @FunProblemsPod A big thanks to Eduard Matei for our theme song! See omnyst...
#18 Hook, Craft, Spirit (Part 2)
October 18, 2021 22:33 - 43 minutes - 40.1 MBToday we talk about Peters new model for creative endeavors IN PERSON! Hook is what catches an audiences interest, craft is the quality of their experience, and spirit is what stays with them afterwards. Join us for a deep dive on this exciting new lens! If you want to ask us a fun question, or contact us for any other reason send us a message to the email below. :) [email protected] Facebook/Twitter: @FunProblemsPod A big thanks to Eduard Matei for our theme song! See omnys...
#17 Hook, Craft, Spirit (Part 1)
October 01, 2021 10:04 - 1 hour - 58.2 MBToday we talk about Peters new model for creative endeavors IN PERSON! Hook is what catches an audiences interest, craft is the quality of their experience, and spirit is what stays with them afterwards. Join us for a deep dive on this exciting new lens! If you want to ask us a fun question, or contact us for any other reason send us a message to the email below. :) [email protected] Facebook/Twitter: @FunProblemsPod A big thanks to Eduard Matei for our theme song! See omnys...
#16 Interview with Shannon McDowell (Puzzle and Escape Room Design)
September 16, 2021 09:02 - 1 hour - 65.5 MBToday we are talking to Shannon McDowell about her experience designing puzzles and escape rooms, and her research on cultural biases in games. Shannon's website: Shannonmcdowell.ca The Con she mentioned: Realityescapecon.com A video on her research: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Da3aubBtvYU If you want to ask us a fun question, or contact us for any other reason send us a message to the email below. :) [email protected] Facebook/Twitter: @FunProblemsPod A big thanks to Ed...
#15 Interview with John Brieger (Developing and solo modes)
September 02, 2021 11:19 - 1 hour - 63.5 MBToday we are talking to John Brieger about his experience developing games and designing solo modes. Developing games takes a strong design and tunes it into a great final game. If you want to ask us a fun question, or contact us for any other reason send us a message to the email below. :) [email protected] Johns Website: https://briegercreative.com/ Facebook/Twitter: @FunProblemsPod Steam curator page - https://store.steampowered.com/cur.../40748469-Fun-Problems/ A big th...
#14 Board Game Strengths and Weaknesses (of the medium)
August 16, 2021 07:47 - 1 hour - 67.6 MBToday we are talking about the strengths and weaknesses of the format/medium of board games, when compared to video games, RPGs, movies, etc. There are some areas that board games can take great advantage of, and others that you should be wary of when designing. Jennifer's Twitter thread; https://twitter.com/Gaohmee/status/1396874873859756032 Peter's Sudoku; http://peterchayward.com/sudoku.html If you want to ask us a fun question, or contact us for any other reason send us a message to ...
#13 Jeff Fraser Interview (Cartouche, Codesigning and more!)
August 01, 2021 20:16 - 53 minutes - 49.4 MBToday we are talking to Jeff Fraser about his experience codesigning Cartouche, and touch on many other topics, such as rule book writing, the psychology of numbers, and more! Cartouche is coming to KS Aug 3, sign up to get notified when it launches here; https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/peterchayward/cartouche You can try Cartouche right now for free on TTS here; https://steamcommunity.com/sharedfiles/filedetails/?id=2545396343 If you want to ask us a fun question, or contact us for...
#12 Fixing BGG (Rethinking Genres)
July 16, 2021 07:50 - 1 hour - 61.7 MBToday we are talking about how to think about genres from new angles by considering the core of what makes games tick. We hope you enjoy! Cartouche TTS mod - https://steamcommunity.com/sharedfiles/filedetails/?id=2545396343 0 Player game - https://youtu.be/N-BbgqOjIqk MDA original - https://users.cs.northwestern.edu/~hunicke/MDA.pdf Extra Credits has a great breakdown of aesthetics and added the "dominance" aesthetic to the original list here - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uepAJ-rqJKA...
# 11 Elegance and Cognitive Load
July 06, 2021 23:30 - 1 hour - 66 MBToday we are talking about how to keep depth in your game without overwhelming players with complexity. We hope you enjoy! Steam curator page - https://store.steampowered.com/cur.../40748469-Fun-Problems/ Pitch Meeting - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jAhKOV3nImQ Newsletter - https://jellybean.games/funproblems/ Toby Macguire in the MCU (AJ's 3 favourite clips) - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7F91UO9xmwo https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KR-OSmOgPr4 https://youtu.be/p_fm-Cf8qDc?t=469 If ...
#10 - BONUS Game Names
July 01, 2021 23:58 - 49 minutes - 45.4 MBToday we are talking about naming games. Specifically we work through naming an upcoming title! This is a bonus episode so it's a bit shorter and won't follow our usual format. We hope you enjoy! If you want to ask us a fun question, or contact us for any other reason send us a message to the email below. :) [email protected] Facebook/Twitter: @FunProblemsPod A big thanks to Eduard Matei for our theme song! See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
#9 - Onramping (Designing for the first play)
June 15, 2021 15:33 - 1 hour - 61.7 MBToday we are talking about onramping; how to get new players into playing and having fun as easily and quickly as possible. Our topics include everything from scenario design to rulebooks to component design and more! Jeff Fraser - jwfraser.ca If you want to ask us a fun question, or contact us for any other reason send us a message to the email below. :) [email protected] Facebook/Twitter: @FunProblemsPod A big thanks to Eduard Matei for our theme song! See omnystudio.com/...
#8 - Board Game Terminology (Part 3)
June 02, 2021 04:27 - 1 hour - 58.7 MBJoin us for an in depth conversation on game design! Today we are talking about board game terms; what they mean, and why they are important and useful. If you want to ask us a fun question, or contact us for any other reason send us a message to the email below. :) [email protected] Facebook/Twitter: @FunProblemsPod A big thanks to Eduard Matei for our theme song! See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
#7 - Board Game Terminology (Part 2)
May 15, 2021 23:10 - 1 hour - 61.9 MBJoin us for an in depth conversation on game design! Today we are talking about board game terms; what they mean, and why they are important and useful. Extra Credits https://www.youtube.com/user/ExtraCreditz Mechanics, Dynamics, Aesthetics https://users.cs.northwestern.edu/~hunicke/pubs/MDA.pdf The Characteristics of Games https://amzn.to/3v3zc56 If you want to ask us a fun question, or contact us for any other reason send us a message to the email below. :) [email protected]...
#6 - Board Game Terminology (Part 1)
April 25, 2021 01:28 - 1 hour - 55.4 MBJoin us for an in depth conversation on game design! Today we are talking about board game terms; what they mean, and why they are important and useful. Peter's talk on the "shape" of the game: https://genesisoflegend.podbean.com/e/episode-181-the-shape-of-your-game/ Peter's talk on "blind/cold" playtesting: https://boardgamedesignlab.com/the-secret-sauce-of-game-design-with-peter-c-hayward/ Output/Input Randomness thread: https://twitter.com/peterchayward/status/1140663740804861952?s=20 T...
#5 - Community Submitted Pitches/Hooks
March 15, 2021 21:25 - 1 hour - 63.7 MBJoin us for an in depth conversation on game design! Today we are talking about "elevator pitches" that members of the community have sent in. What they get right and where they can improve. If you want to ask us a fun question, or contact us for any other reason send us a message to the email below. :) [email protected] Facebook/Twitter: @FunProblemsPod A big thanks to Eduard Matei for our theme song! See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
#4 - Design Space
February 25, 2021 18:26 - 59 minutes - 54.5 MBJoin us for an in depth conversation on game design! If you want to ask us a fun question, or contact us for any other reason send us a message to the email below. :) [email protected] Facebook/Twitter: @FunProblemsPod Noah "Angels" clip: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LbkjkJzREd4 A big thanks to Eduard Matei for our theme song! See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
#3 - Common Mistakes New Designers Make (Part 2)
February 02, 2021 22:48 - 54 minutes - 49.8 MBJoin us for an in depth conversation on game design! If you want to ask us a fun question, or contact us for any other reason send us a message to the email below. :) [email protected] Sen-Foong Lim's talk on feedback. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3XW73yLRU14 A big thanks to Eduard Matei for our theme song! See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
#2 - Common Mistakes New Designers Make (Part 1)
December 12, 2020 22:32 - 1 hour - 75.5 MBJoin us for an in depth conversation on game design! Here is our email. Send us your hooks to review, ask us a fun question, or email us if you are just feeling a little lonely. :) [email protected] Shut up and sit down playing a megagame; https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hN71v9H_gg8 Shut up and sit down; https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=86pIbGeBJPQ Board Game Design Lab featuring Peter talking about the two types of co-ops (It’s a must listen to!-AJ) https://www.boardgame...
#1 - Ideas
October 22, 2020 21:55 - 1 hour - 92.8 MBJoin us for an in depth conversation on game design! Today we discuss the inception of board games. What the advantages are of different starting points and what pitfalls to watch out for. We also touch on designing board games as a product, designing for early prototyping and how to know if your game is going in the right direction. A.J.’s talk on why your (Good) game won’t sell; https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UXxCIUiSMJk&t=37s Kevin Wilson IP games; https://twitter.com/KevinWilson42/...