In episode 114 of Game Design Unboxed: Inspiration to Publication we talk with Ace Ellett, half of Bluefish Games - the company he and his wife Anna founded as a result of their love for escape rooms and puzzles.

Danielle and Ace talk about what went into the fictional world of Hincksville and the character Bluefish created as a mechanism to drive their puzzle/mystery series. They discuss how to playtest escape room games, the art of hiding clues in plain sight, the importance of including a balance of different puzzles to keep everyone playing entertained, how to choose materials wisely (and cost effectively), and what makes the perfect “at-home puzzle experience”.

The Case of the Curiously Correct Blueprints is an audiobook mystery, so they also talk about the different challenges to consider that were different when compared to designing a “standard” escape puzzle - although, there are no rules when it comes to escape rooms!

Featuring:

Ace Ellett - Guest

Danielle Reynolds - Host

In episode 113 of Game Design Unboxed: Inspiration to Publication we talk with Nicole Amato about transitioning into tabletop design after starting out as a video game journalist, small local game jams leading to big opportunities and how people choosing to use your innovative game mechanic in their prototype is flattering!

They also chat about the "politics" of popular (and extinct) video game conventions and the industry crossover there as well as their hack of using magic recording pens to help take notes. Listen to the rise of the "2-player renaissance" and the age-old publish vs. crowdfund conundrum on this episode!

Featuring:

Nicole Amato - Guest

Danielle Reynolds - Host

In episode 112 of Game Design Unboxed: Inspiration to Publication we talk with Bug Boll about their first published solo design in the RPG space, Sentai & Sensibility! A new, niche-themed adventure from 9th Level Games where the unique - but surprisingly similar - worlds of Super Sentai and Jane Austen collide! They talk about the process of writing an RPG, adapting an existing rule system for a new theme, the importance of choosing to be whatever color Power Ranger you want, consulting experts on topics you are not familiar with, and injecting your own interests into game design - RPGs are not always about dragons in space folks!

And of course, Bug provides expert advice to new designers looking to create their own RPGs and stories.

Featuring:

Bug Boll - Guest

Danielle Reynolds - Host

In episode 111 of Game Design Unboxed: Inspiration to Publication we talk with TAM about his game, Floristry, which is the first release by UP Games - a new publishing company in the tabletop space that he is a co-founder of!

Danielle and TAM talk about how game design has always been a passion (growing up without easy access to games led to inventing games to share with family and friends), the rise of 2-player date/cafe games, important things to consider when incorporating an app into your game, and distributing games in other languages.

Featuring:

TAM - Guest Danielle Reynolds - Host

In episode 110 of Game Design Unboxed: Inspiration to Publication, your friendly neighborhood editor, Amanda Rivera, takes over as host once again as we recap the fifth season and catch up with Danielle! They talk about this season’s guests, their games, and reflect on some of the amazing advice they shared for new and aspiring game designers.

Danielle talks about her upcoming games, the many prototypes she is working on, several exciting nominations, awards, and special guest appearances – oh my!

Other interesting highlights from the season five recap:

• Games as inclusive, accessible, approachable, and engaging experiences!
• Where IS the best place to display an oversized convention special guest sign with your name on it?
• Tabletop Gaymers 10 Year Anniversary!
• Danielle’s new blog “Missing Pieces” for the Tabletop Game Designers Association.
• And, a Greek mythology lesson from Danielle!

Featuring:

Danielle Reynolds - Guest

Amanda Rivera - Host

In episode 109 of Game Design Unboxed: Inspiration to Publication we talk with Ian Clayman about collaborating with the game design team at Exploding Kittens - and an awesome surprise guest - to create a new game based on the longest running reality TV show, Survivor.

Ian dives into his unique approach for working on this well-known IP, the Exploding Kittens game development process, and how he got his foot in the game industry door by networking and snagging an internship at Exploding Kittens.

Featuring:

Ian Clayman - Guest

Danielle Reynolds - Host

In episode 108 of Game Design Unboxed: Inspiration to Publication, we chat with Connie Vogelmann about her design Apiary. What started as her journey as a playtester for Stonemaier Games, quickly dominoed into an invitation to a designer day where she showcased Apiary and ultimately led to it being signed. Connie shares the lessons she learned along the way, including the tools she used for prototyping and how tweaking the theme to "bees in space" helped refine the game’s mechanics.

Connie and Danielle discuss other topics including the advantages of working with large publishers with access to blind playtest audiences, the importance of filtering playtester feedback, the impact of online feedback (including the good, the bad, and the memes), and the lessons she's learned about rapid prototyping, efficiency, and keeping your sanity through the many iterations of game design.

And if you were wondering, yes, she actually did do beekeeping for a bit!

Featuring:

Connie Vogelmann - Guest

Danielle Reynolds - Host

Episode 107: Monkey Palace

In episode 107 of Game Design Unboxed: Inspiration to Publication we talk with David Gordon about his co-design Monkey Palace, the new LEGO game! Learn about how he and TAM took a design brief given to them and designed an engine building game about building temples to upgrade your engine to earn banana points. Also, hear about the constraints that come with designing under NDAs on this and other games.

Featuring:

David Gordon - Guest

Danielle Reynolds - Host