021 : To Purple Cow or Not to Purple Cow? That is the Question
(Some information was lost. Someone keeps hacking the site. Apologies, I think) So he asked, “Are you still a fan of the Purple Cow?†Ga...
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Game Design Zen
Game Design Zen is the intersection of game design, life, and the pursuit of excellence. It’s the #1 resource for all things Game Design including the science, art, and business of developin...
Episodes
20 of 21 episodes020 : How Do You Do It? Three Tips for Getting Things Done
(Why do people hack educational podcasts? I cannot imagine) Years ago, my boss asked, “How do you get all that stuff done?” Then...
19 : Breaking My Own Rule! On Steam, Greenlight, and Overcoming Fear
I broke my own rule! A few weeks ago, I shared a project I was working on, before it was really ready. And after that, I kept putting off cr...
18 : Becoming Indie – On Starting A Business
What about the business? Kenzai asked what it meant to start a business. So, this episode goes zen – covering everything from beco...
017 : Three Things You Need To Know!
What must you know? At a recent game challenge, I met Matt Trobbiani, the creator of HackNet. After I got to know him, I thought it†d be...
16 : Season 2 – Battle Royale – Jonathan Blow vs Brett Victor
Ready for SEASON TWO?!? It’s a new year, with exciting changes in the works. To kick it off, let’s start with two giants! Theyâ...
015 : Failure, Taste, and the Closet Star Wars Geek – the Season 1 Finale
What about failure? Your greatest ideas don†t live up to your expectations. You haven†t conquered the world. And yet, as Ira Glass says,...
014 : Because … Fallout 4!
Game Design Zen : Episode 014 Fallout 4?! Some predicted – game of the century. Some predicted – not my cup of tea. And for som...
013 : Her Unexpected Gift! A Father’s Path To Gratitude – Happy Thanksgiving!
Game Design Zen : Episode 013 I†ve been struggling to tell a story. Weeks of nights staring at the ceiling with ideas swirling in my head....
012 : A Recipe for Simplicity? Rock Band 4, Civilization, and Bushnell’s Law
Game Design Zen : Episode 012 I’d waited months for Rock Band 4 to arrive. And when it did, the guitar didn’t work! Find out wha...
011 : League of Legends vs Heroes of the Storm!
Game Design Zen : Episode 011 Who will win? We’re just days away from seeing if SKT will once away be crowned champs as they take o...
010 : “Truly Unique” – An Open Response to a Crazy Letter
Game Design Zen : Episode 010 It never fails. I†m chatting with friends when I stumble across the Newbie Letter. It†s full of wild ideas...
009 : What Is A Game? I’ve Got The Story – Not Sure What’s Next
Game Design Zen : Episode 009 What Now? I’ve got a great story, set in a far-distant future. Not sure what to do next. As crazy as it...
008 : Total Biscuit, Motivation, and the Indiepocalypse – The Experience
Game Design Zen : Episode 008 What do Total Biscuit, Motivation, and the Indiepocalypse have in common? Even after 2 years, I hadn†t picke...
007 : Not Your Average Joe – Difficulty, Engagement, and Cookie Clicker
Game Design Zen : Episode 007 Joe challenged me, “balanced difficulty is missing the mark.†And then, he pointed to games like Farmville...
006 : Dropping The Gauntlet! Build Your First Game
Game Design Zen : Episode 006 My wife dropped the gauntlet – “6 episodes by Christmas!†This episode explore the gauntlet that leads...
005 : By Request! The Game Design of Squares, Circles, and Triangles
Game Design Zen : Episode 005 What should I talk about? When I asked my friend, there was no hesitation – “Squares, Circles, and Triangl...
GDZ 004 : The Most Important Skill? The Rocket Surgery of Story, Yes And, and Charisma
Game Design Zen : Episode 004 What is our most important skill? Though we need creativity, logic, and business, the path to excellence is th...
GDZ 003 : Level Up! Portfolios, Finishing, and Next Steps
Game Design Zen : Episode 003 How can you level up? Whether breaking in, or looking for the next opportunity, we pursue excellence through d...
GDZ 002 : Flow – The one design idea you must know
Game Design Zen : Episode 002 What is the one thing you must know? When we play games, we become so involved in the activity that nothing el...