The Board Game Design Lab

The Board Game Design Lab


Latest Episodes

The design process of one of the world’s best designers, Corey Konieczka
February 26, 2024

In this BGDL rewind from June of 2020, Corey Konieczka breaks down his entire design process. Corey has several games ranked in the top 100 games of all time, and it was incredibly insightful to learn

How to Design an Engine Building Game with Elizabeth Hargrave
February 18, 2024

In this BGDL rewind from May of 2019, Elizabeth Hargrave dives into all the ins and outs of designing an engine-building game. We chat about her personal design process and all the interesting obstacl

How to Design Games that Tell Stories with Ignacy Trzewiczek
February 11, 2024

In this BGDL rewind from April of 2020, Ignacy Trzewiczek, founder of Portal Gamesand designer ofRobinson Crusoe, discusses his companys motto: Games that tell stories. We go in-depth into Ignacys

Using math to make your games better with Emerson Matsuuchi
January 29, 2024

In this BGDL rewind from December of 2020, I chat with Emerson Matsuuch about all the many ways a designer can use math to create better games. We talk spreadsheets, game balance, mathematical models,

Finding the Right Mixture of Luck and Skill with Richard Garfield
January 21, 2024

In this BGDL rewind from May of 2018, I chat with Richard Garfield about finding the right balance of luck vs skill when designing a game.

Where the BGDL Is Headed in 2024
January 21, 2024

In this update, I talk about 2024s vision for the BGDL. And if you need help with your game, company, or upcoming crowdfunding campaign, and you think I might be able to help, please click HERE.

Your game design questions answered
December 16, 2023

In this episode, I answer a bunch of questions that were submitted by BGDL community members!

How to Publish Games with a Grassroots Approach | Joe Bragg
November 29, 2023

In this episode, Joe Bragg, founder of the indie publishing company Meek Heroes Gaming, discusses the grassroots approach hes taking to building his publishing company. We chat about why this approac

How to Boost Creativity and Avoid Tropes | Jason Perez
November 21, 2023

In this episode, Jason Perez and I chat about how designers can boost their creativity by thinking outside the box, pushing past tropes, and being more intentional about their thematic choices.

Listen to this BEFORE you start an indie publishing company | John de Campos
November 14, 2023

In this episode, John de Campos, founder of Terrible Games, and I chat about the highs and lows of starting and running an indie publishing company in the board game industry.