The Game Design Round Table

In this episode of the RPG series, host David Heron speaks with Mike Mearls, a key figure behind Dungeons & Dragons 5th Edition. They dive into what makes both D&D and Magic: The Gathering compelling at their core, how...

In this episode of Behind the Cardboard, host Ellie Dix sits down with designer Brett Gilbert for a candid conversation about one of the most challenging parts of game design: abandonment and rejection. They explore why...

In this RPG episode, hosts Dirk Knemeyer and David Heron welcome legendary designer Keith Baker, writer and designer for Eberron, to explore the world-building and design philosophies behind one of D&D's most iconic...

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...

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...

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...

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...

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...

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...

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...

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...

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...

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...

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...

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...

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...

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...

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...

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...

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...

Today, Dirk and David come together to answer some listener questions from the Discord. Most of these questions surround RPG's, although the discussions branch out into deeper waters, as the two of them dissect some of...

In this special edition of Behind the Cardboard, host Ellie Dix sits down with legendary game designer and publisher Dominic Crapuchettes, the creative mind behind Say Anything, Wits and Wagers, and Evolution. They...

Host Kathryn Hymes (@katehymes, thornygames.com ) is joined by renowned designers Jason Morningstar ( bullypulpitgames.com ) and Randy Lubin (@randylubin, randylubin.com ) to explore the world of "serious games"—games...

Host Kathryn Hymes (@katehymes, thornygames.com) is joined by renowned designers Jason Morningstar (bullypulpitgames.com) and Randy Lubin (@randylubin, randylubin.com) to explore the world of "serious games"—games...

Ellie Dix sits down with Sydney Engelstein to unpack what makes a game pitch succeed — and fail. Sydney shares some of the worst pitches she's witnessed, what separates a great pitch from a weak one (regardless of the...